2 • February 12-18, 2011
Filipino Press
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philippines news & week in review
Aquino turns 51 By Christine O. Avendaño Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA —Turning 51 on Feb. 8, President Aquino admitted that his day had been somewhat dampened by news that former Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes had killed himself. Aquino said he heard the sad news early in the day and found it to be “shocking” and something he “would not have wished to happen to anyone.” “We had some agreements, we had some disagreements over the years but again, the first thing in my mind after the shock is his family because what happened was really shocking. Our sympathy is with them,” Aquino told reporters. Despite the tragedy, the president was in high spirits
as he shook hands and posed for photos with people who greeted him on his birthday when he dropped by in a medical and dental mission organized for the special occasion inside the Palace compound. Saying he had no birthday gift for himself, Aquino said his birthday wish and “interest” was to be able to better the lives of people under his watch and do it at a “faster pace.” “If you can recall, we were projecting that it would take two years before people can feel the challenges, especially on the economic front. There are big opportunities that are already existing and forthcoming,” he said. Asked what he considers his best birthday gift so far, he said he had no time to look at his presents but said he val-
ued most those who sent him greetings and well-wishes on Tuesday, especially from people whom he rarely sees now but still continue to support him. “That is really a big thing for me,” Aquino said as he disclosed that he had so far replied to 500 to 600 text messages since Monday night and would reply to even more. Aquino went ahead with his schedule for the day that also included renewing his driver’s license, attending a thanksgiving mass in Malacañang and a candle-lighting ceremony for peace at the Quezon City Memorial Circle. “I pray for his good health and protection and pray he would be able to face up to the many problems in the country,” Kris Aquino, his sister, said.
Gimme five, P-Noy!
Ronald Navarro • Malacaãng Photo Bureau
President Aquino greets a young admirer as he visits the medical and dental mission at the Mendiola Parking Area in Manila on Feb. 8. Aquino turned 51 on Tuesday.
Reyes kills self amid allegations of skimming funds from military MANILA — Angelo Reyes lingered behind his parents’ graves as his two sons, an aide and driver walked back to their car at the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina one morning last week. Reyes went down on his knees before the grave of his mother Purificacion. Moments later, a shot rang out and he slumped on the grave, spattering it with blood. As his companions rushed him to the car, a grave caretaker said he overheard the dying Reyes tell his sons Carlo and Judd, “Sorry ha, sorry ha” when they asked him “Bakit (Why) dad, bakit dad?” Reyes was lifeless upon arrival at the Quirino Memorial Medical Center, where doctors officially declared him dead at 8:32 a.m. after about 45 minutes of trying to revive him. A .45-caliber bullet had pierced his chest near his heart and exited through the back. Doctors tentatively pronounced the death a suicide. It was a tragic end for a decorated military officer who in his final days saw his name tarnished by allegations of skimming millions of pesos from funds meant for the Armed Forces of the Philippines. A day earlier, Reyes had sent a letter to the House of Representatives, declining to
attend a committee hearing on the plea deal being negotiated by retired AFP comptroller Carlos Garcia. “He was dead on arrival. They were not able to revive him ... as of now, our finding is only one gunshot wound,” Health Secretary Enrique Ona told reporters. “Based on the position of the shot, the bullet most probably hit his heart. If not, his large veins were damaged,” Dr. Fernando Lopez, Reyes’ attending physician, told The Star. Dr. Angeles de Leon, chief of the Quirino Memorial Medical Center, said Reyes no longer had vital signs when he was wheeled into the emergency room. At the Senate on Monday, Senate President Pro-Tempore Jinggoy Estrada had presented documents showing the numerous foreign trips taken
by Reyes’ wife Teresita together with the wife of former AFP comptroller Lt. Gen. Jacinto Ligot. In the course of the congressional probes, retired military budget officer Lt. Col. George Rabusa had accused Reyes of receiving P50 million as pabaon or sendoff upon retirement as AFP chief of staff, apart from a monthly P5-million payoff from military funds during his tenure. Rabusa also claimed he gave shopping money to Mrs. Reyes. Emotions ran high when Reyes tried to confront Rabusa at the Jan. 27 hearing but was restrained by senators, including Antonio Trillanes IV, a former navy officer who was detained for more than seven years for alleged involvement in failed coups against former Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. “I’m just trying to protect my reputation here,” Reyes said. “I have served this government for 48 years,” he said during the Senate hearing in what would be his last public appearance. “No, no, no, you don’t have any reputation to protect,” Trillanes responded. “I believe this is the time of reckoning ... You better find very good lawyers,” he added. — Philippine Star