President Rodrigo Duterte approved on Tuesday night the dismissal of a military official who had been court-
martialed for the malversation of P15 million in allowances of cadets at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).
In the middle of his speech before businessmen at the launching of the “Pilipinas Angat Lahat” program in Malacañang, the President signed the dismissal order of Maj. Hector Maraña, a PMA comptroller who had been previously relieved of his post,.
The President also approved the recommendation of the military court to sentence Maraña to a prison term of six to 12 years.
The officer was also charged with fraud, conduct unbecoming of an officer, and conduct prejudicial to good order.
“This just came in. You won’t believe it. It’s the military,” he said, as he was handed a folder containing the dismissal order.
The President said Maraña was tried for the malversation.
“This is good,” he said. “Can I have a pen? I will have it signed in your presence.”
After signing the order, he told a military aide: “Send the guy to hell, that’s an order.”
The President dismissed Maraña just a day after Malacañang announced that two other top military officials will be court-martialed for a P 1.4 million corruption controversy at the V. Luna Medical Center.
The President mentioned that the amount was misappropriated by Brig. Gen. Edwin Leo Torrelavega.
“I want it audited because the money I gave was misappropriated by Torrelavega,” he said.
He said he would want the military officials court-martialed.
“Create a court where he will appear and speak, and give him the most humiliating fire,” the President added. /atm