Lawmaker willing to testify in 2004 poll fraud probe
August 3, 2011
MUNTINLUPA Representative Rodolfo Biazon – whose name was mentioned in the “Hello, Garci” tapes – is willing to testify in the joint investigation of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on the alleged poll fraud committed in 2004.
“If they call me as a witness, I will be willing, if they think I will be material in the conduct of their investigation,” Biazon, a senatorial candidate in the 2004 elections, told reporters Tuesday.
The transcript of the “Hello, Garci” tapes indicate that then senatorial candidate Biazon was the one referred to in the conversation allegedly between then Comelec Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano and then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
“Oo, oo. Si ano, si Biazon nagbabanta, kung madadaya daw siya papabuksan daw niya yung sa… at sa Tawi-tawi, eh, baka raw ako ang matalo doon,” a woman perceived to be Arroyo allegedly told Garcillano in a conversation in May 26, 2004.
In a press briefing Tuesday, Biazon told reporters that the only reason why he was not cheated in the 2004 polls was because he “fought back”. He said he called a military official who, at that time, was part of the cheating process and warned him that if he will expose it to the public if he ever gets cheated.
Biazon showed to the media a copy of the certificate of canvass (COC) in the municipality of Poona Bayabao, Lanao del Sur indicating a manipulation of votes. The COC shows that there are only 4,200 registered voters but the number of votes for Arroyo and his vice-presidential candidate went up as high as 4,700, while their opponents got zero votes.
“This is only one of the anomalous certificates of canvass that I discovered,” he said.
Biazon says he should have secured 94,000 votes in the province of Lanao del Sur per the unofficial count of Hadji Abdullah Dalidig, the National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) officer in the province.
Dalidig recently emerged from hiding, claiming knowledge of cheating in the 2004 polls.
“Doon sa ERs (election returns), nanalo ako ng 94,000 pero nung lumabas yung COC, talo ako ng 114,000; ganun din sa Sultan Kudarat (In the Ers, I won 94,000 but in the COC, I lost in 114,000; same in Sultan Kudarat),” he added.
The Muntinlupa congressman expects an unbiased investigation from the DOJ, headed by Justice Secretary Leila De Lima, and Comelec, headed by chairman Sixto Brillantes, despite the affiliations of the two with the opponent of then President Arroyo. De Lima and Brillantes served as election lawyers for the late actor Fernando Poe Jr. who ran against Arroyo in the 2004 elections.
In 2005, then Senator Biazon conducted a congressional inquiry over the possible involvement of the military on the 2004 poll fraud and the “Hello, Garci” controversy. Biazon was then the chairman of the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security.
After two military officials appeared in the Senate hearing, Arroyo issued the controversial Executive Order 464, which prevents cabinet members, police, and military officers to attend congressional investigations unless permitted so by the President.
The senator-turned-congressman further said that those who should be convicted of committing fraud in the 2004 elections should be the members of the poll body who failed to ensure the conduct of a “clean elections”.
“Those who were given responsibility of supervising the conduct of the elections and who were part of this election fraud should be held accountable,” he said.
DOJ and Comelec w
ill form a five-man panel – three from DOJ and two from Comelec – for the joint probe which is scheduled to start next week. The names of panel members will be announced Wednesday. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)
Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2011/08/02/lawmaker-willing-testify-2004-poll-fraud-probe-170521
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.
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
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.
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 Pedro and Rechel
Getting to this fine dining restaurant of Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Pampanga Philippines
How to get to this fine-dining restaurant in Clark Pampanga? 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
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