Ex-Comelec chief ‘can’t escape liability’
October 04,2011
FORMER Elections chair Benjamin Abalos cannot escape liability by testifying against poll fraud witnesses who have been criminally charged for electoral sabotage, said Justice Secretary Leila de Lima.
De Lima said the ongoing investigation being conducted by the joint Department of Justice (DOJ)-Commission on Elections (Comelec) fact-finding panel is taking into account the corroborative affidavits of Lilian Radam and Yogie Martirizar, who both alleged that Abalos engineered the “12-0″ victory of the Arroyo administration’s senatorial bets in Mindanao during the 2007 mid-term polls.
Radam was the election supervisor in South Cotabato, while Martirizar was the election supervisor in North Cotabato.
Both confessed participation in the poll fraud operation during the 2007 elections and lamented that the charges filed against them by Abalos before the Pasay Regional Trial Court was just a “smokescreen” to save the image of the Comelec at that time.
Abalos, however, belied the allegations, saying the DOJ should not be cuddling “fugitives.”
He offered to be a witness in the case against Radam and Martirizar before the Pasay court.
But de Lima said it’s back to square one for the cases involving the two election supervisors in light of their affidavits. She insisted that these two witnesses came out in the open “free from intimidation, undue pressure and other improper influences.”
“They’re pointing to former chair Abalos, a big fish at that, as instigator of the rigging of the 2007 senatorial results. It’s a serious and crucial allegation that deserves utmost consideration. Abalos cannot just try to go around it and escape possible indictment by offering himself as witness versus Radam and Martirizar. It’s actually a battle of credibility,” she said in a text message.
De Lima said the allegations against Abalos and others are now being looked into by the joint DOJ-Comelec fact-finding team tasked to verify the information and gather more supporting evidence.
The DOJ-Comelec panel will then make recommendations to the preliminary investigation committee on who can be charged.
De Lima said Abalos would be summoned after the fact-finding team refers the affidavits to the preliminary investigation committee.
The Justice chief also bared that the DOJ-Comelec team would coordinate with the military for access on the former Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines officials tagged by Radam and Martirizar as their alleged handlers: former Soccsksargen director Colonel Ben Basiao and Captain Peter Reyes.
The fact-finding team is different from the DOJ-Comelec preliminary investigation panel headed by Prosecutor General Claro Arellano, the government’s chief prosecutor.
The preliminary investigation seeks to determine if there is probable cause that warrants the filing of criminal cases before the proper courts. (ECV/Sunnex)
Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2011/10/02/ex-comelec-chief-cant-escape-liability-182749
Best restaurant in Clark Pampanga attracts food and wine lovers from Manila, Subic and Angeles City Philippines to wine and dine at this fine dining restaurant. This top rated restaurant in Clark Pampanga is frequently visited by travelers from Manila, Subic, Baguio and neighboring provinces like Bulacan and other cities in Pampanga.
Where to go in Pampanga, tourist guide names Yats Restaurant as best restaurant in Pampanga, highly recommend visitors to visit this top rated resto bar in Pampanga Clark Philippines whenever travelling out of town from Manila to Angeles City or Subic. This is one of the most frequently restaurants in Pampanga, particularly favored by wine lovers from Manila and Subic looking for a good bottle of vintage wine at affordable prices. Here in this top rated restaurant in Pampanga, the cuisine is not heavy and guests feel relaxed and properly taken care of so they can enjoy dinner with class. Many ask to visit the famous wine cellars of this restaurant in Pampanga, some taking pictures with the most expensive wines in the Philippines.
Looking for a party venue in town?
Clearwater Resort and Country Club is one of the ideal venues for birthday party because it is a risk free venue. Not only Birthday Parties but also a good place to enjoy family reunion. A good place to celebrate special occasions. Clearwater Resort and Country Club is one of the resorts in Subic Clark Angeles City Pampanga or near Manila with activity amenities, place that are nice for celebration. It is one of North Luzon Philippines’ top hotels that is trouble free, risk free, and a nice place to have rest in Subic. A well-recognized and interesting hotel.
Yats Restaurant is the best restaurant for special dinner, best restaurant for dinner with friends near Manila, also the best place to celebrate special events.
Famous Restaurant in Pampanga, a place to dine with friends in Clark, cozy restaurant with a nice ambience, a nice function place for special occassions
Are you looking for an attractive restaurant or a nice place to eat with friends in Clark, Angeles City Pampanga? Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar is a restaurant with good food and good wines for dinner located at Clark Angeles City Pampanga. Perfect for exclusive dinner venues for groups, recommended for private dinner in Philippines. A Restaurant in Clark for business dinner meeting. Private dinner place or dinner restaurant in Clark Subic Near Manila Angeles City Pampanga. Yats Restaurant is one of the Good Restaurant in Pampanga Angeles City Clark near Manila. Yats Restaurant is one of the good restaurants in Pampanga, a restaurant with good food, a place that is nice for celebration, ideal for business dinner meeting, a good place to enjoy family reunion, and an attractive restaurant that serves good wines for dinner.
Michael Caffrey, new executive chef at Yats Restaurant and Wine bar in Angles City Clark Philippines, revamped menu, fine tuning classic dishes, adjusting prices to more attractive levels, making Yats the Best Restaurant in Clark Pampanga for everyone. This fine dining restaurant in Pampanga maintains very high standards with regards to its food and service.
For comments, inquiries and reservations click on Click here for inquiry and reservations
Restaurant@Yats-International.com
(045) 599-5600
0922-870-5178
0917-520-4401
Ask for Errol and Anafe
Getting to this fine dining restaurant of Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Pampanga Philippines
How to get to this fine-dining restaurant in Clark Philippines? Once you get to Clark Freeport, go straight until you hit Mimosa. After you enter Mimosa, stay on the left on Mimosa Drive, go past the Holiday Inn and Yats Restaurant (green top, independent 1-storey structure) is on your left. Just past the Yats Restaurant is the London Pub.
Yats Restaurant & Wine Bar
Mimosa Drive past Holiday Inn, Mimosa Leisure Estate,
Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga, Philippines 2023
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 Rea or Chay
For any assistance in planning and organizing a wedding ceremony, indoor or outdoor garden reception or to find other wedding service providers, Click here to contact us click here
For assistance in hotel and resort bookings in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines, log on to
http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com
To buy wine in Manila, Pampanga, Angeles City, Clark or Subic please log on to http://www. ClarkWineCenter.com
To inquire with the highly recommended beach resort hotel in Clark Pampanga visit http://www.ClearwaterPhililippines.com
For more information about Clark, Pampanga, Philippines log on to
http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com
