Arroyo may face raps over ‘cheating’ in 2004, 2007 polls
July 21, 2011
F CHEATING allegations of former Maguindanao poll officer Lintang Bedol are proven, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo may soon face electoral sabotage charges that carry a term of lifetime imprisonment, a political analyst said.
Under the Poll Automation Law (Republic Act 9369), which was passed in 2007, electoral sabotage is also classified as a non-bailable offense.
“Yes. She may be held liable for electoral sabotage but that depends on three factors, namely: the objective of the Aquino government on the issue, public opinion, and the amount of evidence,” Ramon Casiple, executive director of the Institute for Political and Economic Reform (Iper), told Sun.Star.
Malacañang had said it is only after the truth behind poll irregularities that clouded Arroyo’s nine-year rule. The incumbent Pampanga lawmaker’s spokesman Raul Lambino has since denied the allegations.
Arroyo, who ran neck-and-neck against the late opposition leader and movie actor Fernando Poe Jr. in 2004, suffered negative public satisfaction ratings and coup attempts after some quarters found her election illegitimate.
Wearing a bullet-proof vest, Bedol surrendered to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday, where he brought an affidavit that may contain explanations into his participation in the supposed electoral fraud in 2004 and 2007.
While Bedol declined to elaborate on his allegations during the short press conference, Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes said he has yet to fully review Bedol’s affidavit.
Following an en banc session, the seven-member body decided to detain Bedol in the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
Bedol’s counsel Roberto Ultado Jr. said his client voluntarily surrendered to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) last Friday.
“We are entitled to his custody that is why the turnover was made to us. He is officially under our custody and his service of six months starts as of today (Tuesday),” Brillantes said.
Authorities have been searching for Bedol for four years after evading an arrest warrant issued by the Comelec.
He was charged with indirect contempt and for violating the Omnibus Election Code (Sec. 261), the Revised Penal Code (Sec. 226), and the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Sec. 3-e).
Lambino said Bedol’s cheating allegations are “part of a big political carnival and shotgun persecution being orchestrated by [President Aquino] and the Palace to keep throwing unfounded charges against former President Arroyo. Baka sakaling may isang tatama.”
“Bedol’s statements are hearsay, speculative, and rehashed,” he said in a text message.
For its part, the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) said authorities should make sure that Bedol’s pending cases will not be overlooked due to the looming probe by the House of Representatives.
“Bedol should be charged and, once proven guilty, penalized. But Comelec and the government should not stop with Bedol,” PPCRV chairperson Henrietta de Villa said in an article posted on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) website.
As truth is catching up on the hotly-contested presidential elections, militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) advised Malacañang to pursue charges against the so-called “masterminds” of cheating and cover-up.
The group also denied insufficiency of evidence or testimony in relation the allegations of poll fraud.
Among others, Bayan secretary-general Renato Reyes Jr. cited past congressional hearings, the impeachment proceedings in 2005 and reports of investigative journalists who “dug deep to reveal the perpetrators of cheating.” (Virgil Lopez/Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)
Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2011/07/19/arroyo-may-face-raps-over-cheating-2004-2007-polls-167794
Best Restaurant in Clark Pampanga unveils regional dinner menu featuring the classic cuisine of Italy, all designed to pair nicely with fine vintage wines from Italy’s wine regions such as Tuscany, Piedmont, Veneto and Sicily, one more reasons for food and wine lovers to travel to Angeles City, Clark Philippines to satisfy their thirst for a wonderful meal at a fine dining restaurant, the best place to eat in Pampanga.
The new regional set menus rolled out recently by the best restaurant in Clark Pampanga stirred up renewed interest among visitors from Manila for real fine dining treat in Clark Pampanga as wine lovers from Subic, Tarlac, Manila, Angeles City, Clark Pampanga Philippines wine and dine at Yats Restaurant to enjoy good food paired with fine vintage wines from the wine cellars of this highly recommended resto bar in Pampanga
Visitors come from Manila, Angeles City, Pampanga, Subic and Clark Philippines to enjoy a sumptuous seafood dinner at Yats Restaurant. Many guests order excellent white wine from the award-winning restaurant wine list of this famous fine dining restaurant in Clark. Favorite wine orders for guests in this restaurant include Chablis, Chassagne-Montrachet, Sancerre, Chardonnay of Chile’s Casa Lapastolle, Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand and South Africa, Rose from Anjou, Pinot Noir from USA and Burgundy France and the all-time favorite, Meursault. A wide range of sparkling wine and Champagne is available also in this restaurant in Pampanga which is famous for its selection of vintage wines. Popular choices of guests in this restaurant include Paul Bara Champagne, Crement de Bourgogne, MUMM Cuvee Napa Sparkling wine, Prosecco and Cava.
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Mimosa Drive past Holiday Inn, Mimosa Leisure Estate,
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3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
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