Charges filed vs ex-Comelec officer linked to 2004 fraud

By Bulatlat.com

MANILA — Former Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Virgilio “Garci” Garcillano who was implicated in the 2004 electoral fraud, was charged with perjury and falsification of public documents.

Bayan Muna Reps. Neri Colmenares and Teddy Casiño filed the complaint before the Ombudsman, January 11. The charges were in connection to Garcillano’s statements at the House of Representatives investigating the so-called “Hello Garci” scandal. The scandal refers to wiretapped conversations between Garcillano and then incumbent president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who was at the time seeking another term.

The complaint cited Garcillano’s statements during the 2005 hearings conducted by the Committee on Public Information of the House of Representatives, together with the Committees on Public Order and Safety, on National Defense and Security, on Information Communications Technology, and on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms. On the said hearings, Garcillano repeatedly denied going to Singapore and presented a fake passport.

“This is part of our quest for accountability and justice. Garci along with Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s other cohorts should all be charged based on their sins against the people.” Casiño said.

Casiño added it is not only Arroyo who should be punished but also all those “who used their power and influence against the people.” Arroyo is charged with electoral sabotage and is now under hospital arrest at Veterans Memorial Medical Center.

Meanwhile, Colmenares said they are using the Al Capone style of catching a culprit, referring to a popular gangster leader in the United States in the 1920s and 1930s who was convicted for tax evasion.

“The important thing for now is for cases to be filed against him because he might leave the country and go scot free,” Colmenares said. (RVO/)