Palace justifies ‘preemptive move’ vs Garcillano, Genuino

Malacañang on Tuesday justified the placing of former elections commissioner Virgilio Garcillano on the immigration watch list and of former Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) chairman Efraim Genuino on the hold departure order list. Both Garcillano and Genuino were officials during the Arroyo administration and are currently facing controversies, with Garcillano accused of playing a role in the supposed rigging of the 2004 presidential elections and Genuino of corruption. Ricky Carandang, head of the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office, said it is only prudent to put the two on the lists despite the assurance of their respective camps that they will not leave the country. “We take their word for it na hindi sila tatakas. May mga lumalabas na testimonya, ebidensya na may posibleng naganap na krimen dito. Kung hindi tayo maglagay ng tao sa watch list, hindi ba medyo mali rin ‘yon?" he said at a press briefing Tuesday. “It’s a preemptive move because of the evidence that’s coming out. I think it’s a responsible thing to do," Carandang added. He further said that what the Department of Justice did was just standard operating procedure (SOP). “It’s not overkill and, in fact, SOP po ‘yan pag may mga ebidensyang lumalabas against someone. Kahit hindi pa po siya nata-charge sa korte, SOP po ‘yang pag-issue ng hold departure order lalo na kung meron silang sinasabing flight risk," Carandang said. The DOJ ordered the Bureau of Immigration on Monday to place Garcillano, who denied that the 2004 elections were rigged to favor then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, on its watch list. An individual placed on the immigration watch list must first ask the DOJ to lift the order before he or she can travel abroad. It is less restrictive than a hold departure order, which automatically bars an individual from leaving the country. The watch list order against Garcillano is valid for 60 days. On the other hand, Genuino and several others, including his two children, have been included on the hold departure list because of the plunder and corruption charges filed against them. The Genuinos, who denied the accusations, have already asked the DOJ to lift the order against them. - KBK, GMA News