FINAL REPORT - Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism

Testimony of Marine Brigadier General Francisco Gudani under oath before the
Senate Committee on National Defense and Security on November 17, 2005 –
likewise affirming pertinent references in the Garci Tapes – reiterating that for about
ten days, at the height of the canvassing during the 2004 national elections, he was
relieved of his command by (Army Col.) Pirino and sent to Manila, such that one of his
battalion commanders was questioning the authority (of the latter)
“THE CHAIRMAN. How about the Pirino case? He was the one who
relieved you?
MR. GUDANI. Yes, Your Honor.
THE CHAIRMAN. Yes. How long were you out of your command?
MR. GUDANI. I can remember, Mr. Chairman, about - - I stayed in
Manila for about 10 days.
THE CHAIRMAN. Ten days. And this was at the height of the counting…
MR. GUDANI. Yes, Mr. Chairman.
THE CHAIRMAN. …canvassing? And while you were out of your
command who was commanding your unit?
MR. GUDANI. Again, Mr. Chairman, that is the main reason why Col.
Balutan and company were questioning the authority of …
THE CHAIRMAN. And Col. Balutan was one of your battalion
commanders?
MR. GUDANI. Yes, Your Honor.” (Brig. Gen. Francisco Gudani, t.s.n.,
Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, November
17, 2005)
Testimony of Marine Col. Alexander Balutan under oath before the Senate
Committee on National Defense and Security on September 29, 2005,
corroborating the testimony of Gen. Gudani, the fact that he was a “victim of
circumstances” in carrying out his duty of securing clean elections in Lanao del Sur,
and protesting how his superior was unjustly relieved
THE CHAIRMAN. Can we proceed to hear the opening statement of
Colonel Alexander Balutan, Marines?
MR. BALUTAN. Your Honors, Mr. Chairman, I’m Lieutenant Colonel
Alexander Balutan, the assistant commandant of cadets,
Philippine Military Academy. I was the former 7 th Marine
Battalion Commander. I was then assigned in Lanao Sur during
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