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Arroyo
and company summoned by poll fraud probe team
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from
NAMFREL Election Monitor Vol.2, No.23
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Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
was served two subpoenas by the Department of Justice (DOJ) as part
of the ongoing investigation on the alleged fraud during the 2004
and 2007 elections. The subpoenas were for the election sabotage
charges filed by Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III before the
Commission on Elections (Comelec), and for violating the Omnibus
Election Code as
recommended by the DOJ-Comelec joint panel that was tasked to
investigate the election fraud case. Together with Arroyo,
thirty-five (35) other people allegedly involved in the poll
irregularities were also summoned.
As previously reported, Arroyo's counsel, Raul Lambino, said that
the former president will file her counter-affidavit once she
receives the subpoena.
The former first couple’s names were mentioned in the election fraud
complaint filed by Sen. Pimentel. He cited that the previous
administration schemed to ensure the victory of the twelve Team
Unity candidates in Mindanao in 2007. The complaint was based on the
affidavits submitted by the former Comelec election supervisor in
Mindanao during the 2007 polls.
Former First Gentleman Mike Arroyo, who was among the respondents in
the case, criticized the Comelec for being a “puppet” of the
administration and for becoming a component of the joint panel that
is currently investigating the poll irregularities. In a statement,
Ferdinand Topacio, Mike Arroyo’s counsel, said Comelec chair Sixto
Brillantes, Jr. should have “opposed this latest assault on the
integrity and independence of the Comelec.”
Arroyo’s camp also censured the palace’s move to reinstate Mike
Arroyo in the government watchlist as such act is “most cruel and
inhuman.” Topacio described the watchlist order as a deprivation of
moral support from the family for the former president. The
watchlist will prevent Mike Arroyo to go abroad to watch over his
wife as she is treated for her ailment. Topacio decried the
inclusion of Mike Arroyo in the watchlist as "there is lack of
evidence" against him.
The other respondents who were also summoned in relation to the case
were former Comelec chair Benjamin Abalos Jr., former Comelec
commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer, former presidential political adviser
Gabriel Claudio, former Justice Secretary and Team Unity lawyer
Alberto Agra, and former Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan, Sr.,
among others. Abalos, in his previous appearances before members of
the media, has denied the allegations.
(Various news sources) |
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