It’s ‘Hello, Garci’ time again

IN the latest twist to the tale of the “Hello, Garci” tapes, the Senate has reopened the investigation into the recordings after Sen. Panfilo Lacson delivered a privilege speech and former Philippine Air Force Technical Sergeant Vidal Doble Jr. surfaced yet again. Administration senators, however, have raised concerns about the legality of the inquiry on the wiretapped conversations and have sent the matter back to the committee on rules for further study.

Lacson played a video during his speech, which showed Vidal talking yet again about the Garci tapes.

Watch the video:

Doble was part of MIG (Military Intelligence Group) 21, under the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP). During a conversation with lawyer Alex Avisado, Doble swore that the Garci tape was genuine, adding that his fear for his family’s safety prevented him from full disclosure two years ago.

“Wala na akong dapat ikatakot dahil civilian na ako para matapos na itong isyung bumabagabag sa kalooban ko (I don’t have anything to fear, I’m a civilian now, so that this issue that’s been weighing on me will be finished),” Doble said. He has opted not to re-enlist in the military.

In the video, Doble talks about Project Lighthouse, which was created to monitor personalities, especially those against the administration of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

These were members of the opposition such as Fernando Poe Jr., Horacio “Boy” Morales, Rez Cortez, Senator Gregorio Honasan, and soldiers belonging to the Magdalo group, including Antonio Trillanes IV (now a senator), Captains Nicanor Faeldon, Gerardo Gambala and Milo Maestrecampo. But administration allies such as former Commission on Elections Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano and then housing secretary Michael Defensor were also monitored.