PMA alumni association expels former military comptroller

MANILA, Philippines—Former military comptroller Carlos F. Garcia has been expelled from the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association Inc., six years after he was convicted by a military court of not declaring his true wealth.

The association of military and police officers who graduated from the country’s premiere military educational institution, announced Garcia’s expulsion in the latest issue of its publication, The Cavalier.

Garcia belongs to PMA Class 1971.

Brigadier General Remy Tigulo, PMAAAI chairman, said Garcia was expelled in accordance with the association’s  rules “which provides that a member who has been convicted with finality of a crime involving moral turpitude is subject to expulsion.”

He said the PMAAAI terminated Garcia’s membership as President Benigno Aquino confirmed and approved on September 9, 2011 the conviction of Garcia by a general court martial.

On  December 2, 2005 Garcia became the highest official to be convicted by a military court, which found him  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) for not declaring his true assets and for applying for and obtaining permanent resident status (“green card”) in the US.

It turned out that former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo did not uphold his guilty conviction.

Garcia was charged with plunder in the Sandiganbayan but he entered into a plea bargain with the Ombudsman by pleading guilty to a lesser offense.