DOJ, PNP, NBI to probe controversies hounding Comelec

The Department of Justice (DOJ), Philippine National Police (PNP), and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) have formally committed to investigate the controversies hounding the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in connection with the just concluded May 10 automated polls. At a press briefing Wednesday, acting Justice Secretary Alberto Agra said his department will "take the lead" in investigating matters concerning Quezon City Rep. Annie Rosa Susano's possession of compact flash (CF) cards and the alleged taped conversation between Elections Commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer and Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno regarding an alleged plot to rig the polls. "We are doing this to help the Comelec," Agra said, adding that it was Comelec chairman Jose Melo himself who requested them to investigate the matter.

On the other hand, PNP Deputy Director General Edgardo Acuña announced they will take care of the investigation of the recovery of some compact flash (CF) cards in a junk shop in Cagayan De Oro City. The Comelec earlier said it has created a panel composed of a poll official, a regional state prosecutor, and a member of citizens' arm Legal Network for Truthful Elections (Lente) to conduct a similar investigation. Acuña said they are also investigating who "incited" chaos in Antipolo City because of the discovery of 60 Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines in the home of a Smartmatic technician. During the same incident, losing presidential bets Sen. Anna Consuelo “Jamby" Madrigal, Olongapo City Councilor John Carlos de los Reyes and environmentalist Nicanor Perlas also conducted an unauthorized inspection of some of the PCOS machines. "We are now working on them... the result will be reported to the Comelec," said Acuña. Agra and Acuña said they have already set a self-imposed deadline of June 15 for the results of the investigation. Agra said no information will be released until the investigation is completed. After the investigation, he said they will be preparing for the prosecution and filing of possible election charges against those involved with the help of the Comelec law department. But Agra said their probe will not cover the alleged offenses committed by some Comelec officials, including the supposed anomalous contracts and the alleged plot to rig the polls divulged by "Koala Boy." But he said they might be able to stumble upon leads related to these controversies while investigating other issues. — Kimberly Jane Tan/RSJ, GMANews.TV