MANILA: A Commission on Elections (Comelec) prosecutor claimed initial gains yesterday in the trial of former president and now Pampanga Rep Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her co-accused former Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr and former election officer Lintang Bedol.
Comelec lawyer Charlie Lim Yap told reporters after yesterday’s hearing that the testimony of their first witness has strengthened their case of alleged cheating in the province of Maguindanao province during the 2007 midterm elections.
He said Susan Cabanban, former municipal election officer of SK Pendaton town in Maguindanao, testified during direct examination that the alleged cheating in the province was orchestrated by provincial officials.
Not surprisingly, Yap’s statement is contrary to what the defence is saying.
Defence lawyer Ben Santos, legal counsel of Arroyo, said that Cabanban admitted during cross-examination that there was no cheating and that she had no personal knowledge if other people committed fraud.
When asked by Reynaldo Princesa, lawyer of Bedol, if the original results were canvassed, Cabanban said it was the manufactured election results that were submitted to the National Board of Canvassers.
Cabanban also told Judge Jesus Mupas that Norie Unas, former provincial administration of Maguindanao, was present during a meeting on the tasking of Comelec officers to alter election results.“I did not recognise the voice but out of fear I complied,” she said in Filipino.
The Philippine Star
