Comelec: Garci denials won't stop poll fraud probe

Despite the denials of former elections commissioner Virgilio Garcillano, the Commission on Elections will continue its investigation into alleged cheating in the 2004 presidential elections. Comelec spokesman James Arthur Jimenez also downplayed Garcillano’s supposed revelations in his press conference in Bukidnon, saying he did not reveal anything new. “It’s nothing new to us and certainly doesn’t change the whole picture," Jimenez said in an interview on GMA News TV. He pointed out Garcillano only reiterated that he had nothing to do with the supposed cheating in the 2004 polls. Garcillano is considered a central figure in the “Hello Garci" scandal which broke out in 2005. The scandal involved taped conversations between Garcillano and several personalities. One of the personalities was believed to be then administration presidential bet Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Comelec could not consider Garcillano’s denials a setback, Jimenez said, adding that the Comelec expects other witnesses to come out and shed light on the matter. “I’m sure in the future there will still be room for other witnesses to come out," he said. For his part, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan secretary general Renato Reyes Jr. said Garcillano’s denial may mean he is still on Arroyo’s “payroll." But there is still “hope for justice" as many more witnesses are coming out, he said on his Twitter account. — JE/TJD, GMA News