'Beaver' Lopez denies financing coup

Businessman Manuel "Beaver" Lopez denied Tuesday allegations that he helped finance the February 24 coup plot against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, saying that his conscience was clear and that he was willing to face his accusers. Lopez, who is on vacation in the United States with his family, flatly denied the accusations of aiding soldiers in on the plot, saying his help was above-board and done in good faith. "All I could think of is that we were helping ... needy soldiers. And I guess I was also linked because of my name and my association with my in-laws," Lopez, speaking in Filipino, said in an interview aired over DZBB radio. "I flatly deny that," he said when asked to comment on the latest reports linking him to the coup. Lopez is a scion of the powerful Lopez family, which runs various businesses ranging from broadcast media to water and electric utilities. He is also the son-in-law of former President Joseph Estrada, one of the major figures in the political opposition. Lopez' name again cropped up Monday when police said that he was one of those who would be summoned to explain why the Saludo sa Kawal foundation - a foundation he heads - gave money to cooperatives of two units said to be involved in the plot, the Marines and the Scout Rangers. "I was very surprised. I am here in America. I don't know what's the main reason. As far as I'm concerned, we're helping out the soldiers)," he said, speaking in Filipino. But Lopez said he is willing to face his accusers as soon as he returns from his US vacation, noting that he had already been questioned last March. "Yes, definitely I am going to face my accusers. Even last March I went on my own without a lawyer and even when I was not invited. I am not afraid because I am not hiding anything," he said. "I will cooperate with all the authorities regarding this matter and I will clear my name and the name of the foundation in any wrongdoing," he added. Lopez said he was first linked to the supposed coup plot last March, shortly after President Arroyo declared a state of national emergency Feb. 24 over a plot to topple her. Lopez said that last March, he submitted himself voluntarily to investigation, and furnished probers with documents, explaining everything was above board and documented. Lopez said that he issued the checks after he was approached by lawyer Ruel Pulido who told him the Magdalo soldiers were not receiving their salaries from the military. According to him, the assistance was to help the soldiers set up a cooperative. He said he gave them P2 million, and all the amounts he gave through the foundation were covered by receipts. He said he forwarded copies of the documents to the CIDG last March. After that, he said he had "not been in communication with anybody" from the Magdalo camp, "whether the law firm or any of the soldiers." "They even asked for the bank statements. After that I thought everything was clear. I was so surprised that all of a sudden, my name cropped up again," he said.-GMANews.TV