Poll fraud probe to continue even without Garci — Aquino

The investigation on the alleged irregularities in the 2004 and 2007 elections will continue amid the flip-flopping of former elections commissioner Virgilio Garcillano, a supposed participant in the cheating, President Benigno Aquino III said on Tuesday. “Hindi ho nakasalalay sa kanila yung pag-iimbestiga natin sa lahat ng nangyaring ito," Aquino said at a press briefing in Bohol province, adding that his administration may file charges against officials involved in the alleged cheating before the year ends. “I will be greatly disappointed if we will not be able to file charges by the end of this year at least on the first track na hindi kasama si Garcillano," Aquino said. The supposed cheating in the 2004 elections allegedly benefited then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Her camp has repeatedly denied the allegation. Aquino, however, assured the public that his administration is not dilly-dallying in filing charges against officials in the Arroyo government. He said they are just building a strong case. “Kung natatagalan po yung iba nating kababayan, hindi ho kasi tayo sumasakay ng basta basta, kailangan may pruwebang matibay," he said. The President said his administration is taking those who send them feelers with a grain of salt. “Syempre hindi naman namin lulunukin buong buo yung mga sinasabi nila," he said. “Heto na nga ho may mga feelers na ipinadala, may mga sasabihin, ngayon binabawi na. Baka few weeks from now may sasabihin na naman siyang panibago," Aquino added, apparently referring to Garcillano, who, two weeks ago, was said to have sent feelers to presidential political adviser Ronald Llamas. Garcillano, at a press briefing in Bukidnon over the weekend, denied sending feelers to Malacañang. He also denied irregularities in the 2004 elections. Garcillano is a key figure in the “Hello Garci" poll-fraud scandal that broke out in 2005, involving wiretapped conversations between Garcillano and many personalities, including a female voice believed to be Arroyo’s. - KBK, GMA News