Opposition solons want fraud probe to focus on 2010 polls

Members of the opposition in the House of Representatives called on the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to focus their joint probe on supposed irregularities during the 2010 automated polls instead of the 2004 and the 2007 elections. The House minority bloc, in a statement read by Zambales Rep. Milagros Magsaysay, said an investigation on last year’s elections will yield “more useful" information, and “better employ" Comelec and DOJ officials. “Kung hindi namumulitika at naninira lang ang administrasyon, bakit hindi ang eleksyon noong nakaraang taon ang kanyang paimbestigahan? Anumang resulta ng ganitong imbestigasyon ay mas mapapakinabangan, lalo na sa pagsasaayos ng ating bagong sistema ng automated elections," the statement read. The opposition members suggested the government use reports from independent poll watchdogs like the Automated Election System Watch and the Philippine Computer Society as take-off point for the probe. The House minority also dismissed the planned investigation on the 2004 and 2007 polls as an attempt by the Aquino administration to once again “cast doubts on the legitimacy" of the presidency of now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. “Now, seven years after, in an era of automated elections, the Palace and its allies persist in conducting their investigation, when their real motive is only to besmirch the reputation of former President Arroyo," they said. The DOJ and the Comelec are set to conduct a joint probe on alleged irregularities on the 2004 and 2007 polls, which allegedly benefited former President Arroyo and candidates under her ticket. The House committee on suffrage and electoral reforms is also set to conduct its own inquiry on the alleged rigging of the 2004 and 2007 polls next week. — LBG, GMA News