Comelec, DOJ start poll fraud probe

MANILA, Philippines - All is set for the joint preliminary investigation of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Commission on Elections (Comelec) into the alleged cheating in the 2007 national elections.

In an ambush interview yesterday, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said the probe on the possible involvement of former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, her spouse Jose Miguel Arroyo and several others would likely start next week.

The DOJ chief said the preliminary investigation would be based on the findings of the joint DOJ-Comelec fact-finding probe and on the complaint filed by Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III last Monday.

“The fact-finding investigation has already been completed. The team is just fine-tuning the report and will release it tomorrow (Thursday). Once forwarded to the joint preliminary investigation panel, then summons may be issued already requiring the respondents to answer the charges,” she explained.

“The respondents will be filing their counter-affidavits and the panel will probably conduct one or two clarificatory hearings, so the investigation will not take a long time before this will be resolved,” she stressed.

She said the preliminary investigation would “definitely conclude before Christmas at the latest.”

The DOJ chief also said she would consult with the joint preliminary investigation team chaired by Prosecutor General Claro Arellano if there’s a need to place the respondents in the watchlist of the Bureau of Immigration.

“You can always expect fairness from DOJ. My instruction always to our prosecutors is to do things upon the dictates of law and fairness, and go where the evidence takes them,” De Lima stressed.

In his complaint, Pimentel accused the former first couple of conspiring with other former officials – including former Comelec chairman Benjamin Abalos, commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer, justice secretary Alberto Agra, presidential spokesman Gabriel Claudio and his executive assistant Bong Serrano, and regional poll director lawyer Michael Abas – in rigging poll results in Mindanao in favor of the former administration’s senatorial bets.

The senator, who won his electoral protest and was proclaimed 12th placer in the 2007 senatorial race, sought their indictment for electoral sabotage under Republic Act 9369 (Amended Automated Election Law).

Meanwhile, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles belied yesterday the claims of former Marawi State University (MSU) board of regents member Ansari Alonto that she had provided logistics to Mrs. Arroyo’s 2004 presidential campaign.

“There’s absolutely no truth to Ansari Alonto’s claims that I provided logistics for GMA’s (Arroyo’s) campaign,” Deles said in a statement.

“Everyone knows I had no significant role in GMA’s campaign. At that time, I was very busy with the peace process and could not even attend her campaign sorties,” Deles said.

She said the people should remember that she was one of the Arroyo Cabinet members who resigned in the wake of the “Hello, Garci” scandal.

Malacañang also expressed doubts on Alonto’s allegations against Deles. “It is not credible only insofar as his testimony on Secretary Deles is concerned,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte told Palace reporters. “But from what we understand, Secretary Deles is open to an investigation. We are open to any investigation.”

But for the militant group Bayan, Deles should resign and her office abolished by the President.

“From Alonto’s testimony, Deles may be liable for misuse of public funds. That’s enough reason for her to quit her post or be removed by President Aquino,” said Bayan secretary-general Renato Reyes.

“The President said he would uncover the anomalies of the past administration. There should be no exceptions. Even his Cabinet officials who previously worked for GMA should not be exempted from accountability,” he said.

“The OPAPP should also be abolished because it serves no real function or purpose. There are already existing peace panels for the negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation (MILF) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP),” he added.

“They can function even without an OPAPP. The OPAPP is just another redundant layer of bureaucracy whose funds can be used for activities outside the peace process. Moreover, OPAPP’s overall track record apparently does not show any significant contributions to the advancement of peace talks with the MILF and NDFP,” Reyes said.