By ELLEN TORDESILLAS
FORMER President Gloria Arroyo is now under arrest for the unbailable crime of electoral sabotage.
The warrant of arrest, issued by Judge Jesus Mupas of the Pasay City Regional Trial Court, was served at 6:30 p.m. Friday by members of the Philippine National Police seven hours after the Commission on Elections filed electoral sabotage charges in connection with the 2007 elections against Arroyo, former Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. and former Comelec election supervisor Lintang Bedol before the Pasay City RTC.
Comelec Spokesman James Jimenez said charges against former Comelec Chair Benjamin Abalos and Capt. Peter Reyes of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines will be filed on Monday.
Arroyo’s husband, Mike Arroyo, was investigated in connection with fraud in the same election but was dropped from the charge sheet for insufficiency of evidence.
The information filed states that on or before May 14, 2007, Arroyo, Ampatuan, and Bedol “conspiring, confederating, and willfully helping one another in order to ensure a ’12-0’ victory for the candidates of ‘Team Unity’ did then and there willfully, feloniously and unlawfully tamper the Provincial Certificates of Canvass of Votes” in Maguindanao.
The information said this was done after a meeting in Malacanang by the three a few days before election where Arroyo personally instructed Ampatuan to ensure a “12-0” victory form candidates of Team Unity.
Ampatuan, in turn, the Information further stated, instructed Bedol , then the chairman of the Provincial Board of Canvassers in Maguindanao, to tamper the provincial certificate of canvass (PCOC), statement of votes by municipality (SOVM) , summary of the statement of vote (SSOV).
Electoral sabotage is punishable by life imprisonment.
The arrest warrant was served at the St Luke’s Hospital where Arroyo is confined. She had undergone three surgeries related to hypothyroidism.
Justice Secretary de Lima said President Aquino said they will not oppose if the courts decides on hospital or house arrest for Arroyo.
Electoral sabotage case vs Gloria Arroyo//
