FINAL REPORT - Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism

We were receiving complaints from all parties because
our men were very strict. We only obey the instructions of
the Comelec that we will only allow as many watchers inside
the canvassing center. And it was on the third day, May 12 –
on May 12 of 2004, Your Honors, sir, that I was told to go to
Manila and by then I did not know the reason. It was only
now, sir, as I have stated in my opening statement, that it
was only lately when I found about why they had to junk me
out of the place.
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SEN ENRILE. You said somebody told you to go to Manila. Who was
that, General?
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MR. GUDANI. Your Honors, sir, actually, there were two of them,
General Quiamco and Admiral De Leon, the then flag officer in
command.
SEN. ENRILE. But were you – did you not argue with them that you are
beyond their jurisdiction, you were under the jurisdiction of the
Commission on Election? During that time, all military personnel
were deputized by the Commission on Election and you are
subject to their control and command.
MR. GUDANI. Your Honors, sir, I was not able to argue with them.
SEN. ENRILE. And the Commission on Election did not object that you
were being knocked out from your place of work as deputy of the
Commission on Election during an election time? The
Commission on Election did not say anything at all?
MR. GUDANI. I have no knowledge about it, Your Honor, sir.”
SEN. ENRILE. I think we should call the Commission on Election in due
time.
THE CHAIRMAN. Noted, Your Honor, and there are other personalities
that will be subsequently invited.
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SEN. OSMEÑA. Didn’t the tape mention that it was the Commission on
Election or Garcillano himself who asked for the relief of General
Gudani?
THE CHAIRMAN. It was the tape.
SEN. OSMEÑA. It was on tape. Maybe we should call Garcillano to
explain.
SEN. LACSON. We will. We will.
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