PNoy's peace adviser denies providing logistics to Arroyo campaign

Presidential peace adviser Teresita Deles on Wednesday denied her former consultant’s accusation that she used her office and its funds for former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s campaign in the 2004 elections. Deles, in a statement, said there was “absolutely no truth" to the accusation of Ansari Alonto, former consultant of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process, during Tuesday’s Senate investigation on the alleged fraud in the 2004 elections. “Everyone knows I had no significant role in GMA’s (Arroyo’s initials) campaign," Deles said. “At that time, I was very busy with the peace process and could not even attend her campaign sorties." Deles was one of Arroyo's Cabinet members who quit their posts in 2005 at the height of allegations that Arroyo cheated in the 2004 elections to ensure her victory over her closest rival, the late actor Fernando Poe Jr. According to Deles, Alonto was with the OPAPP for less than a year after he ended his term as a regent of Mindanao State University and one of the resource persons on issues related to the affirmative action agenda for Muslims that she was pushing. Alonto, during Tuesday’s Senate hearing, claimed that Deles provided logistics for Arroyo’s presidential bid and even hired actor Robin Padilla to drum up the campaign. Deles said she can only recall “three brief instances" where she was with Padilla. She, however, said she is open to any investigation on the issue. Malacañang, meanwhile, quickly defended Deles, although it said it is not dumping Alonto’s revelations regarding the alleged poll fraud entirely. At a press briefing, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigal Valte said they are questioning Alonto’s credibility “only with regards to his testimony about Deles." She also said she does not know if President Benigno Aquino III is already aware of the allegations against Deles, but added that “the President always supports his men and his women." Valte said they will allow the Senate to decide on how they will take the rest of Alonto’s statement. “Certainly we understand how sectors can come to that conclusion, but doon po sa Senado na, iyong mga senador na ho natin ang magde-desisyon on how they will take the testimony, the rest of the testimony," she said. — Amita O. Legaspi/KBK, GMA News