ELEVEN of the remaining 17 junior officers who are facing charges before a general court martial for their involvement in the July 2003 occupation of the Oakwood Premier Hotel in Makati City pleaded guilty Tuesday and said they are willing to face the consequences of their admission of guilt.

The officers, who are among the ring leaders of the Magdalo Group, changed their originally entered plea of not guilty to guilty during the resumption of the trial conducted by the Special General Court Martial 1 headed by Brig. Gen. Nathaniel Legaspi Tuesday.

Those who pleaded guilty are Capts. Gary Alejano and Segundino Orpiano; Lieutenants Senior Grade Andy Curato, James Layug, Manuel Cabochan and Eugene Gonzales; 1Lts. Billy Pascua, Jonel Sangalang and Francisco Ashley Asedillo; Lt. JG Arturo Pascua and Ensign Armand Fontejos.

The 11, assisted by their lawyer, Ed Abaya, admitted violating Article of War 96 (conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman) that carries a penalty of dishonorable dismissal from the service.

The same officers are facing coup charges before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Makati City, also for the Oakwood Mutiny.

When asked by the military court about their decision, each of the accused explained he was voluntarily admitting the charges and without any consideration, although their lawyer and even the military prosecutor, Col. Pedro Herrera Davila, admitted that four of the officers met with the Armed Forces chief of staff, Gen. Alexander Yano, just before the hearing.

Davila said Layug, Orpiano, Alejano and Gonzales met with Yano for about five to 10 minutes and told the military chief they want to change their plea and help the government.

He said Yano told them it is not only them who love the Armed Forces but all its members.

Davila said the four officers sought the meeting with Yano to tell him of their decision face to face and not through channels.

Abaya said the officers wanted to get rid of the military charges so they could concentrate on their case before the RTC in Makati.

House panel endorses NGCP franchise

THE House Committee on Legislative Franchises approved on Tuesday a bill paving the way for the grant of a 25-year franchise for the national transmission system to the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP).

GOVERNMENT Service Insurance System (GSIS) president Winston Garcia presented to Filipino business leaders his formula in bringing down the cost of electricity in areas covered by the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco).

ELEVEN of the remaining 17 junior officers who are facing charges before a general court martial for their involvement in the July 2003 occupation of the Oakwood Premier Hotel in Makati City pleaded guilty Tuesday and said they are willing to face the consequences of their admission of guilt.

ZAMBOANGA CITY—Kidnappers who seized a businessman last month freed their captive Monday night in this city.

Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan advised all departing passengers using the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) terminals 1 and 2 to check-in earlier because the airline counters will be closed 20 minutes before the scheduled flights.

A BILL seeking to grant retiring government personnel with an automatic one-step promotion has been filed in the House of Representatives.

A MILITARY helicopter from the American hospital ship USNS Mercy was shot by still-unidentified armed men while it was flying over Cotabato City on Monday, the military said.