MANILA
THE JOINT Commission on Election (Comelec)-Department of Justice (DOJ) Committee filed on 18 November 2011 (Friday) a formal charge of poll fraud against former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo before the Pasay Regional Trial Court, Branch 112. Included in the charge are co-accused Andal Ampatuan Sr. (former Maguindanao Governor) and Lintang Bedol (an ex-Comelec official in Maguindanao). Judge Jesus Mupas issued a warrant of arrest for the accused.
The Charge
The Committee recommended the filing a charge for electoral sabotage committed on or before 14 May 2007 where the accused conspired and helped each other to ensure a "12-0" victory in the senatorial candidates of Arroyo's "team unity." No bail applies for the charge. It also sought the issuance of a hold departure order to prevent the accused from leaving the country.
The information filed allege a willful, felonious and unlawful tampering of the "provincial certificate of canvass (PCOC) of votes, the statements of votes by city or municipality (SOVM) and summary statement of votes (SSOV) for the province of Maguindanao."
"A few days before the election day during a dinner meeting in Malacañang Palace," the information continued, "accused Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, personally instructed accused Andal Ampatuan Sr., who was then governor of Maguindanao, to ensure a '12-0' victory for the senatorial candidates of the Team Unity." Ampatuan then instructed accused Atty. Lintang Bedol, then chairman of teh provincial board of canvasser of Maguindanao, to make it happen.
Bedol maneuvered to tamper the PCOC, SOVM, and SSOV adding votes for the 12 Team Unity candidates "ranging from 86,122 to 196,157" votes.
Sources:
Andrade, Jeannette I: "Electoral Sabotage Case Filed vs. Arroyo, Ampatuan, Bedol," Philippine Daily Inquirer 18 November 2011
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