Former military comptroller Carlos Garcia
Dismissed Major General Carlos F. Garcia has formally been disowned by fellow “cavaliers” in the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) eight years after the scandal broke concerning his illegally acquired wealth and his family’s extravagant lifestyle, on the ground that he had tarnished the image of the military.
The Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association Inc. (PMAAAI) said it has expelled the former chief military comptroller from its roster since President Benigno Aquino III has confirmed Garcia’s conviction by a military court in December 2005.
The PMAAAI announced Garcia’s expulsion in the latest issue of its publication, The Cavalier.
Garcia belongs to PMA Class of 1971.
President Aquino approved on Sept. 9, 2011, the guilty verdict that the court martial handed down against Garcia for not disclosing his true assets and for enjoying permanent resident status in the US.
The President also ordered that Garcia serve the full two-year sentence imposed by the military court in the New Bilibid Prisons.
Expulsion from the PMAAAI is a rare occurrence and is considered a disgrace among cavaliers.
The last time the PMAAAI expelled a member occurred several years ago involving an Air Force general who was convicted for falsifying his birth certificate.
PMAAAI chair Brigadier General Remy Tigulo said that according to PMAAAI rules, “a member who has been convicted with finality of a crime involving moral turpitude is subject to expulsion.”
He said the ethics and membership committees recommended Garcia’s termination and the PMAAAI board of directors approved the termination in a resolution passed during a recent meeting.
Garcia served as comptroller from 2001 until 2004.
On Dec. 2, 2005, he became the highest official to be convicted by a military court for graft after he was found guilty of conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman (Article of War 96) and conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline (Article of War 97).