TPiso Para Sa Katotohanan (Fund for Truth)

At a time when the country needs leaders with exceptional moral integrity, the last thing the government should do is punish those who show extraordinary courage to stand up for the truth.  Brigadier General Francisco Gudani, Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Balutan, and Captain Marlon Mendoza all took great risk when they decided to testify during the September 28 Senate hearing on the alleged fraud in the 2004 elections.  The backlash from a government apparently fearful of the truth was swift and Marcosian:  Gudani was fired as assistant superintendent of the Philippine Military Academy and, only days away from retiring, lost his claim to retirement benefits.   Balutan also lost his job as PMA assistant commandant of cadets and now has to raise six young kids without the benefit of a monthly salary.  Both will be court-martialed, while Mendoza was placed on floating status.

The Piso Para Sa Katotohanan or Fund for Truth campaign initiated by Senator Alfredo Lim is not only an attempt to address the immediate financial needs of the three brave military officers.  Any help, every hard-earned peso thrown into the hat, is a powerful symbol of the Filipino people’s clamor for honesty and accountability in government.  For those overseas, it will be an opportunity to show support for good governance as a precursor to political and economic stability in the country.  It will certainly be a rare chance to send a clear message to the GMA administration that Filipinos anywhere in the world, despite the longstanding and widespread corruption in our government, continue to aspire for honest and genuine leaders to rescue our country from the deep bowels of poverty.

Gudani, leader of the Military Christian Fellowship of the Philippines and widely known for his incorruptibility, as well as Balutan and Mendoza, truly honorable officers and gentlemen, are a welcome reminder that all hope is not lost even if we find the country buried in a deep heap of lies and deceit.  Gudani said he could not face students at the Philippine Military Academy if he kept his silence:  “We teach the cadets the honor code:  that a cadet does not cheat, does not steal, does not lie, or tolerate any of these three.  I would not have any courage to face the cadets when I myself will not tell the truth.” 

Let’s help Gudani, Balutan, and Mendoza tide things over as they face tough days ahead.  Let’s push for honesty and accountability in government, and send a clear message to the GMA administration that we condemn electoral fraud and corruption in government.  Let’s all support the Fund for Truth.

11/23 UPDATE:  The target of 1 million pesos has been reached! Thanks to all who helped! We're particularly grateful to Senator Pimentel for making it possible for us overseas to chip in.