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DND chief to Comelec: I was merely saying, ‘Watch out’


Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales on Saturday appeared before officials of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to explain that he did not mean to "malign" the poll body when he said that some of their officials were being bribed to rig the results of the May polls. In an interview with reporters, Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said that Gonzales met with him, Comelec chairman Jose Melo, Commissioners Armando Velasco, Elias Yusoph, and Gregorio Larrazabal to "clarify" his recent statements.
According to Jimenez, Gonzales did not intend to malign Comelec officials, but was just telling the poll body what they need to look out for. "He simply said [that] there are moves afoot to try to compromise the elections," Jimenez explained. “He was in fact commenting on how strong and solid the coordination seemed to be between the Comelec and Philippine National Police," he added. Gonzales had earlier revealed at a conference of Catholic bishops and Islamic ulamas in Davao City on Wednesday that certain officials of the Comelec, the military and police are being bribed to rig the coming May 10 polls, and that at least two presidential bets stand to benefit from it. (See: Poll officials, AFP and PNP being bribed to rig elections — DND chief) Jimenez had quickly responded by asking Gonzales to show proof that bribe money was supposedly being "distributed" to several poll body officials. He said the secretary should first "share" his evidence with the Comelec before going to the media about his supposed inside information. (See: Comelec to DND chief Gonzales: Show proof of bribery) Jimenez likewise said that the DND chief could not identify specific persons involved in the supposed plans of vote-rigging because it was all hearsay or information from outsiders. Gonzales refused to talk to the media about his meeting with the Comelec, apart from a curt explanation saying that he has done all that he needs to do. "I have given them all I know," he told reporters before leaving the poll body office in Intramuros, Manila. Jimenez said the secretary's visit was well-accepted by the Commission. "The meeting ended very, very well... the chairman accepted that explanation," he said. He hastened to add, however, that the Comelec is now on "heightened awareness" to guard against scenarios similar to that described by Gonzales. In GMA News' 24-Oras, Steve Dailisan reported that it's possible Comelec would still ask Gonzales for specific names although this cannot be readily made public because of security considerations. Meanwhile, Jimenez said the poll body sees no reason to conduct a probe. On Wednesday, Comelec chairman Jose Melo assured that there would be no vote-rigging operation in the May polls because of automation. (See: Melo assures no 'Hello Garci' in May polls) The Comelec had also earlier said they would be reshuffling some 50 election officers to cast away doubts of cheating in the May polls. Gonzales likewise said the Armed Forces, which he has placed at the full disposal of the Comelec, will do its best to counter the any attempts at cheating. Meanwhile, Jimenez said that they will announce the areas to be declared under the poll body's control on Monday.—JV, GMANews.TV

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