‘Garci’ surfaces, denies rigging 2004 polls in favor of Arroyo

Former Commission on Elections (Comelec) commissioner Virgilio Garcillano has surfaced to once again deny involvement in the alleged manipulation of results of the 2004 elections to favor then presidential candidate Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. “Was there any evidence shown that I even attempted or tried or actually cheated for the president in that election? Wala (None)," Garcillano told GMA News’ Rhea Santos in an exclusive interview aired over “24 Oras" Thursday. “For the last few years that I have been attacked every now and then by media and the politicians, I would like to emphasize that that's what I do not like. I do not want to join politics because I do not like the way politics is being done," added Garcillano, who was interviewed in his farm in Bukidnon where he said he is living “peacefully" with his wife. Garcillano said he received no instruction from Arroyo to rig the results of the elections to favor her over closest rival, the late Fernando Poe Jr.

Allegation of poll fraud, dubbed as the “Hello, Garci" scandal, had been one of the controversies that rocked the Arroyo administration and even resulted to several unsuccessful impeachment complaints against her. It also prompted several Cabinet and senior government officials to resign from the administration and call for Arroyo's resignation. The “Hello, Garci" scandal refers to taped conversations supposedly between Garcillano and Arroyo where poll fraud was discussed in details. (See Hello Garci timeline) In the conversation, Arroyo was alleged to have directed Garcillano to ensure that she will have a lead of a million votes over Poe, the opposition standard bearer. A series of hearings ensued in 2005, with Arroyo later on apologizing on national TV for what she called a “lapse in judgment" when she called Garcillano on the phone. She, however, denied that she committed electoral fraud. During the interview, Garcillano described the “Hello, Garci" tapes as “baloney," saying Arroyo has never called him “Garci." “There is no Garci," he said. Garcillano, however, admitted he indeed talked to the former president, but their conversation was not about cheating. He said Arroyo was just inquiring about her lead over Poe. “’Bakit ang result ng aking boto over FPJ is already reduced to 892000 (Why is my lead over FPJ reduced to 892,000)?' Those are the exact words she said," he recalled. He said he then assured Arroyo that he will “look into it" after which the conversation was terminated. Garcillano insisted there was nothing wrong with Arroyo calling him even as the counting of votes had yet to be concluded. “It was not improper because anybody can talk to any government official," he said. Despite his denials, Garcillano nevertheless said he regrets having entered the Comelec, saying the scandal has scarred his name for life. “Nagsisisi ako. Bakit pa ko pumasok sa Comelec? Nasira tuloy ang buhay namin. Even automated ‘Garci’ elections; kung may naomalies na nangyayari, ia-attach agad ang pangalan ko," he said. (I regret having entered the Comelec. Our lives are now ruined. If there are election anomalies, my name is automatically connected to it, like in the so-called automated Garci elections.) - KBK, GMANews.TV