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Mike Arroyo: Testimonies in Senate poll fraud probe ‘preposterous’


Former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo on Tuesday belittled the ongoing Senate probe on alleged electoral fraud during the 2004 polls, describing the testimonies by 'rehearsed witnesses' as 'preposterous.' In defending his wife, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, from allegations that her camp attempted to bribe officials to ensure her victory in 2004, Mr. Arroyo said: "The Senate hearings offer a spectacle of rehearsed witnesses whose testimonies are often preposterous." Mr. Arroyo issued the statement after two Shari’a court judges, Casan-Ali Limbona and Nagamura Moner, accused the Arroyo camp of trying to give away bribe money prior to the 2004 elections to ensure Mrs. Arroyo’s win. The former First Gentleman also questioned the "overlapping" probes being conducted by the Senate and the joint Department of Justice-Commission on Elections panel. "Is there an ongoing contest among Palace allies to maximize media exposure of their demonization of the Arroyos?" he said. Moner, in an earlier Senate blue ribbon committee probe, also linked Mr. Arroyo to the alleged poll fraud, claiming the former First Gentleman gave orders over the phone to do everything to ensure his wife’s victory. Mr. Arroyo was also linked to an operation to switch election paraphernalia at the Batasang Pambansa compound in Quezon City in 2005 to favor Mrs. Arroyo. He has denied the allegations. — RSJ, GMA News

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