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Probe of Arroyo, Abalos sought for electoral sabotage


UPDATED 2:30 p.m. - For alleged electoral sabotage in Maguindanao during the 2007 elections, a task force on Thursday recommended that former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo be subjected to a preliminary investigation. In a press briefing at the Department of Justice (DOJ) in Manila, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said the other personalities recommended for investigation are: - former Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Benjamin Abalos, and - former Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr., among others. Arroyo was ordered probed "for giving direct instructions to manipulate the results of the senatorial elections in Maguindanao by ordering Governor Datu Andal Ampatuan Sr to implement a 12-0 result in the Province of Maguindanao in favor of the Team Unity Senatorial candidates, and alter or change the results if necessary." Andal Sr, meanwhile, was included on the list for "conniving" with Mrs. Arroyo and giving direct orders "to implement at all cost in his province [Arroyo's] 12-0 instruction in favor of the Team Unity Senatorial candidates." GMA News Online is still trying to reach the concerned personalities for their comments but the Arroyo camp earlier denied allegations of poll fraud. De Lima revealed to the media portions of an 81-page fact-finding report by a joint committee from the DOJ and the Comelec. De Lima clarified that being subjected under a preliminary investigation does not automatically mean that charges will be filed in court. A preliminary probe only seeks to determine if there is probable cause that warrants the indictment of the named respondents before the proper courts. De Lima handed out only the part of the report containing the introduction (Chapter I) and recommendations (part of Chapter IV), and refused to give out copies of the middle portion." "We feel it is a bit premature to share with you this part," she said. De Lima however lauded the joint fact-finding team for conducting "exhaustive work" in gathering evidence and evaluating witness affidavits. From the fact-finding committee, the voluminous report was turned over to the joint preliminary investigation committee headed by Prosecutor General Claro Arellano. Also recommended to undergo preliminary investigation were former Comelec commission Nicodemo Ferrer, former Maguindanao provincial election supervisor Lintang Bedol and provincial administrator Norie Unas, who earlier surfaced offering to testify about poll fraud in the region. Aside from these high-profile personalities, at least 19 other election officers and election assistants were likewise ordered to undergo a preliminary investigation. Meanwhile, 18 other election officers and assistants were recommended to be charged for grave offenses under existing civil service uniform rules in administrative cases. Mike Arroyo Meanwhile, former Justice Secretary Alberto Agra was likewise recommended for preliminary investigation "for covering up the manipulation of the election results in South and North Cotabato." Mrs. Arroyo's husband and former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, meanwhile, was ordered to be further investigated, "There was no inculpatory evidence against [him], so the recommendation is for appropriate action of the PI committee. So maybe for further investigation," De Lima said. Apart from Mr. Arroyo, also ordered the following to undergo preliminary investigation:

  • Bong Serrano
  • Salonga Edzela
  • Election Assistant Gani Maliga
  • Members of the SPBOC of Maguindanao (Atty. Emilio Santos; Atty. Manuel Lucero; and Atty. Dinah Valencia)
  • PES Faisal Tanjili
  • RED for Region XI Remlani Tambuang
  • RED for ARMM Ray Sumalipao
  • Boboy Magbutay from the Visayas and
  • a certain Pobe from the Caraga Region Zaldy Ampatuan Fact-finding committee chairman and DOJ Assistant Secretary Zabedin Azis said they excluded suspended Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Gov. Rizaly "Zaldy" Ampatuan from the list because he merely volunteered himself as a "witness" in the supposed cheating. "If you read the contents of the affidavits [of Zaldy], you will know that there is no need to use it because there is nothing substantial in the affidavit provided to us," Azis said. Zaldy earlier blew the whistle on alleged poll fraud in the region and said he was willing to divulge his knowledge about it. He and father Andal Sr are currently facing multiple murder charges for the gruesome November 23, 2009 Maguindanao massacre, where 57 people, including 32 journalists were killed. A 58th victim is still missing. DOJ-Comelec team lauded Calling it a “major breakthrough," Akbayan Party on Thursday welcomed the DOJ-Comelec fact-finding team's recommendation to begin the preliminary investigation pertaining the alleged 2007 elections cheating. “Arroyo and her co-conspirators in election sabotage are now going to pay for their crimes. This is definitely a major breakthrough in our efforts to end the culture of corruption in this country," said Risa Hontiveros, Akbayan Party’s spokesperson. Hontiveros made the statement after the DOJ, together with the Comelec submitted its 5-chapter report looking into the alleged rigging of poll results in the 2007 elections. — VVP/LBG/HS, GMA News
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