Poll fraud witnesses appear before Senate probe

At least three witnesses who supposedly have direct knowledge about alleged cheating during the 2004 and 2007 elections appeared on Tuesday before the Senate blue ribbon committee investigation into the poll fraud allegations. Appearing before the Senate were ARMM regional election director Atty. Ray Sumalipao, former Shari'a court judge Nagamura Moner, and former Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) director general Alfonso Cusi. Sumalipao's name was mentioned in the "Hello Garci" tapes, which refers to alleged wiretapped conversations where vote-rigging in the 2004 elections was discussed by a woman presumed to be former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and a man presumed to be former Elections Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano. Both Mrs. Arroyo and Garcillano have since denied being involved in electoral fraud. On the other hand, Moner and Cusi allegedly helped distribute bribe money for Mrs. Arroyo to ensure that the former President win the 2004 polls. The Senate hearing was ongoing as of posting time. —RSJ, GMA News