Comelec official moves for revival of ‘Hello Garci’ probe

Elections Commissioner Rene Sarmiento on Tuesday sought the reinvestigation of the “Hello Garci" scandal that linked President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to alleged fraud in the May 2004 elections. Sarmiento, who also quit recently as head of the probe team on the 12-0 sweep in Maguindanao of pro-Arroyo senatorial bets, said the "Hello Garci" stigma continues to sow "a climate of mistrust" toward the poll body. “I believe na panahon na para tingnan uli [itong Garcillano case] kasi nag-create ito ng climate of mistrust [with the Commission on Elections]," Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento said in an interview with reporters Tuesday. Sarmiento said he will write the Comelec en banc and ask for the reinvestigation of the names mentioned in the wiretapped conversation between former Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano and President Arroyo on the alleged 2004 vote rigging. “If they bear the stigma of associating with Garci then they have to face the investigation," added Sarmiento. Sarmiento said he will also propose for the temporary relief of Comelec personnel who were linked to Garcillano during the May 2004 polls. Among those identified with Garcillano or the so-called “Garci boys" are Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) director Rey Sumalipao, who is former provincial election supervisor Lanao del Sur during the May 2004 elections and controversial Maguindanao provincial elections supervisor Lintang Bedol. Lawyer Renato Mabutay, ARMM director in 2004 was also linked to Garcillano. He was promoted in 2006 as regional director for Northern Mindanao covering Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Camiguin, Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte. Francisco Pobe, who used to be election supervisor in Agusan del Sur is the other lawyer accused of having links with Garci. He was promoted assistant regional director for Caraga in 2006. Renault Macarambon, also a lawyer, was accused in the past Garci probe as the former commissioner’s point man. In 2004, Macarambon served as vice-chairman of the Lanao del Sur board of canvassers. He was promoted head of the Comelec’s barangay affairs department. “We have to relieve them until the investigation in ongoing to show the seriousness of the Commission," Sarmiento said. - GMANews.TV