Covering military corruption: Investigative and explanatory pieces led the way
Leading news item
The newspapers, TV and radio programs, and news websites devoted prominent space and airtime on and the issues related to Garcia’s case, including accusations that Garcia was just a “fall guy” for political figures in the previous administration; that lavish gifts, bribery, and corruption in the military were a standard practice especially if you occupy a high post in the AFP; and that the “pabaon” (going-away money and other gifts) system for senior and other favored officials when they go abroad or retire has been a practice of long standing.
ABS-CBN News Channel ANC (and sister radio-TV arm DZMM Teleradyo) and NBN-4 provided live coverage of the Senate and House investigations on the controversy, enabling viewers and listeners to listen for themselves the damning testimonies of long-time budget officer former Army Col. George Rabusa (who was also accused of pocketing illegal military funds) and former government auditor Heidi Mendoza on the corruption in the military and the officers who were involved in it (in Rabusa’s case, former chiefs of staff Angelo Reyes, Diomedio Villanueva, and Roy Cimatu; in Mendoza’s case, it was Garcia). Some politicians were even hinting there were at least five chiefs of staff who illegally benefited from AFP funds.
Reyes, who denied Rabusa’s accusations, apparently killed himself last Feb. 8.
The papers also reported on the issue, with developments and new personalities in the controversy often ending up as headline stories.
The press did remind the public how the Garcia case started, especially since it began more than seven years ago. For instance, some newspaper and TV reports often included short background information on Garcia and alleged regularities while he was the AFP comptroller. The Inquirer , for instance, published a transcript of the cross-examination of Mendoza during the Dec. 3, 2008 hearing of the Sandiganbayan second division Jan. 25-26, 2011)
ABS-CBN’s TV Patrol, ANC, and Inquirer reported Mendoza’s background information in February.
But in most cases the background information was buried deep in the reports, not only were they usually placed at the end of the stories; new personalities and issues were also pulled into the controversy.
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