”I am not destroying institutions. I am for reforms within the system. I want a clean government. Never did I fear the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) because I believe I am fighting for the ordinary soldier.’’

With that emotional outburst at the conclusion of the eight-hour committee hearing, Heidi Mendoza, former Commission on Audit (CoA) auditor who audited questionable multi-million-peso disbursements at the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), terminated her appearance before the committee chaired by Sen. Teofisto Guingona III.

Respecting her wish, Guingona said the committee would incorporate in its findings her testimony at the House of Representatives last Tuesday where she corroborated the testimony of retired Lt. Col. George Rabusa, former AFP auditor, who revealed widespread corruption at the AFP whose auditors give tens of millions of pesos to incoming or retiring AFP chiefs of staff.

“I salute all government employees. I believe that yes we are honest. We are willing to make a stand for a cause that is bigger than all of us. This is all in accordance with God’s will,” Mendoza said.

Meanwhile, President Benigno S. Aquino III is willing to offer Mendoza a government post related to his campaign against corruption in the bureaucracy.

The President Thursday said he would ask Mendoza, who recently testified against a former military comptroller, if she is interested in working in his administration.

Mario Casayuran, Manila Bulletin