For admitting talking to Garcillano: Capitol official urges House to probe Clavel

The House of Representatives should investigate Cebu fourth district Rep. Clavel Asas Martinez on why she called Comelec Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano during the last elections.

This was what Capitol consultant Pablo John Garcia said yesterday contending that Clavel, as well as the other politicians who did the same, should explain their acts.

Pablo John said he plans to file a complaint against Clavel if the House ethics committee fails to do the investigation.

Pablo John however admitted there is nothing wrong in calling an election official during the election period but then the opposition themselves made it a big issue when President Gloria Arroyo admitted doing the same.

But the case of Clavel was different, said Pablo John adding that the congresswoman had a clear motive in making the call, citing her admission in Congress that she paid P2 million to a Palace official to arrange a protest against elected Governor Gwen Garcia.

Pablo John said he is also considering filing a case of bribery against Clavel over the matter, adding that he already requested from the House a copy of the transcript of proceedings at the time Clavel made the admission.

Pablo John said Clavel's statement on the Garcillano issue even ran counter with that of her husband, Junie, who said that they indeed called the Comelec commissioner. Junie was defeated in the gubernatorial race against Gwen, the sister of Pablo John.

"One of them is lying," Pablo John said of the conflicting statements of the Martinez couple as he dared Clavel to undergo a lie detector test ahead of Garcillano.

Gwen, when sought for comment on the issue, only said, "consistency is a rare commodity among liars." - Fred P. Languido