Zubiri willing to attend probe on 2007 poll fraud

Newly resigned Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri is willing to attend the investigation by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Commission on Elections on alleged poll fraud in 2007. But Zubiri, who was in Negros Occidental Friday, maintained he has no knowledge of the supposed poll irregularities in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). "What I will share with the DOJ is the evidence found in Metro Manila of vote shaving and fake ballots in favor of the... opposition," Negros-based news site Visayan Daily Star quoted him as saying in a report on Saturday. Last Wednesday, Zubiri resigned from Senate amid allegations he benefited from cheating – particularly in the ARMM – in the 2007 senatorial race. But Zubiri maintained he will remain visible with various projects and advocacy. He offered to be a P1-a-year consultant and adviser to the sugar industry, to show his personal support for it. Zubiri also promised to help the sugar industry's concerns with Customs, Internal Revenue and the Agriculture Department. He added the Senate Committee on Agriculture will still hear his request for an inquiry on premix sugar, adding he will follow up the matter. “There is life after politics, there is life after government," he said, adding he will help continue the battle against sugar smuggling. Also, he said he will pursue the completion of feasibility studies for the building of bridges that will connect Visayas islands even in his private capacity. He likewise pledged to keep up his advocacy for the environment and cooperatives. Also, Zubiri said his relationship with President Benigno Aquino III is lukewarm because he had opposed Palace's move to postpone elections in the ARMM. He joked that Malacañang must be happy that he resigned. — LBG, GMA News