Garci, not Davide, lobbied for new poll commissioner - Ping

Judge Moslemen Macarambon was appointed to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) not because of former Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr but because of former poll commissioner Virgilio Garcillano. Opposition Sen. Panfilo Lacson made this claim Friday as he said that at least two "independent" sources confirmed that it was Garcillano who recommended Macarambon to the poll body. "My two independent sources stand by their assertion that it was Garci (Garcillano) who recommended Judge Macarambon to the Comelec. I maintain my position that if indeed GMA heeded Garci’s request to have Macarambon appointed, there is no denying the fact that the appointment is, to say the least, tainted," Lacson said. Earlier, Lacson questioned the appointment of Macarambon, whom his sources had described as a "known protégé of Garcillano." He said he intends to block Macarambon's appointment once it reaches the powerful Commission on Appointments (CA). Also on Friday, Lacson said he is willing to apologize to Macarambon should his sources's information turn out to be incorrect. "As I was bold enough to express my negative opinion on the nominee, I think I should be bolder to even apologize to him if proven wrong about the integrity of the selection process that preceded his nomination to the poll body," he said. In separate interviews on Friday morning, Macarambon denied seeking assistance from politicians but admitted that he sought an endorsement from retired Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. Macarambon said he approached Davide on at least one occasion about his appointment. "I believe he (Davide) helped me up to Malacañang. I told him, sir, perhaps you can help me," he said in Filipino on dzMM radio. He said that in arguing his case before Davide, the new poll official then said a Muslim should take the place of now retired commissioner Mehol Sadain, also of Islamic faith. Davide, now the Philippines's permanent representative to the United Nations, was a key figure in the impeachment of former President Joseph Estrada and the second People Power revolt which catapulted Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to the presidency in 2001. - GMANews.TV