JDV says he knows about cheating in 2004 elections
02/04/2008 | 07:38 PM
Fast facts: The 'Hello Garci' scandal
"Hello Garci" refers to the alleged wiretapped conversations where vote rigging in the 2004 elections was discussed by, among others, a woman presumed to be President Arroyo and man presumed to be COMELEC Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano.
Ironically, the controversy that nearly toppled the Arroyo administration started at the Palace, when Presidential Spokesperson Ignacio Bunye released CDs of the Hello Garci conversations on June 6, 2005. Days later, former NBI Deputy Director Samuel Ong presented what he claims to be the "mother of all tapes" of the wiretapped conversations.
The revelation spawned House and Senate investigations, as well as calls for President Arroyo's resignation.
The President was steadfast in her refusal to step down. She admitted talking to a COMELEC official during the canvassing period and apologized for her "lapse in judgment" in making such a call. However, she qualified that the conversations occurred after the votes had been counted, and she was careful not to name the COMELEC official.
Garcillano's whereabouts became unknown after the Hello Garci CDs came out; there had been rumors that he slipped out of the country. He resurfaced more than five months later, admitting that he had conversed with President Arroyo during the canvassing period--after the votes had been counted. He denied that President Arroyo instructed him to cheat in the 2004 elections. He had since appeared in House hearings on the wiretapping controversy. - GMA News Research
"Hello Garci" refers to the alleged wiretapped conversations where vote rigging in the 2004 elections was discussed by, among others, a woman presumed to be President Arroyo and man presumed to be COMELEC Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano.
Ironically, the controversy that nearly toppled the Arroyo administration started at the Palace, when Presidential Spokesperson Ignacio Bunye released CDs of the Hello Garci conversations on June 6, 2005. Days later, former NBI Deputy Director Samuel Ong presented what he claims to be the "mother of all tapes" of the wiretapped conversations.
The revelation spawned House and Senate investigations, as well as calls for President Arroyo's resignation.
The President was steadfast in her refusal to step down. She admitted talking to a COMELEC official during the canvassing period and apologized for her "lapse in judgment" in making such a call. However, she qualified that the conversations occurred after the votes had been counted, and she was careful not to name the COMELEC official.
Garcillano's whereabouts became unknown after the Hello Garci CDs came out; there had been rumors that he slipped out of the country. He resurfaced more than five months later, admitting that he had conversed with President Arroyo during the canvassing period--after the votes had been counted. He denied that President Arroyo instructed him to cheat in the 2004 elections. He had since appeared in House hearings on the wiretapping controversy. - GMA News Research
Beleaguered Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. on Monday night admitted he knew "there were many attempts to tamper with the results of the 2004 elections." He, however, refused to discuss the issue in his speech before members of the House.De Venecia said he needs time before revealing everything he knows about the alleged anomalies that marred the 2004 presidential elections.
“I have to think about it. I’m not prepared. Give me a few more days," the Speaker said in a radio interview.
In 2004, conversations between then presidential candidate Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and then elections commissioner Virgilio Garcillano were allegedly wiretapped by agents of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
In the tapes, Mrs Arroyo allegedly told Garcillano to ensure her one-million margin over her closest presidential rival Fernando Poe Jr. While admitting that she called up Garcillano during the election period, Mrs Arroyo denied that she ordered him to rig votes for her presidential victory.
De Venecia, in his speech on Monday, said he knew that "there were many attempts to tamper with the results of the 2004 elections."
He refused to discuss the issue during his speech before members of Congress, but said he could speak about it later.
"I can speak on greater details on some other opportunities."
De Venecia said his speech was the “culmination" of a moral revolution that he launched two months ago.
He said he would continue to help build the economy. “We must attack simultaneously, build the economy and destroy corruption," De Venecia said.
When asked if he would support an impeachment complaint against Mrs Arroyo, De Venecia said: “We will cross the bridge when we reach it." - GMANews.TV
