Ex-congressman ready to testify in wiretap probe

A former congressman from Biliran province whose voice was recorded on the controversial "Hello, Garci" tapes has volunteered to testify in the ongoing congressional investigation on alleged fraud in last year’s presidential election.

"I am now willing to testify in Congress," Gerry Espina told The STAR yesterday in a telephone interview, breaking an almost two-month-long silence.

Espina, who is now town mayor of Naval, the capital of Biliran, said he decided to come out after he received a notice from the House of Representatives informing him that his name was among those mentioned in the controversial recording.

He said under House rules, if a member of Congress is mentioned in any inquiry he is duty-bound to voluntarily appear even if there is no invitation or summons sent to him.

Espina, former chairman of the House committee on public information during the 12th Congress, said he received the other day a notice sent by the House committee investigating the "Hello, Garci" tapes saying his name had been mentioned in the wiretapped conversations.

"As a former member of Congress, I am duty-bound to testify," he said.

He said he has not heard the tape but has already read the transcript of his alleged conversation with then Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano of the Commission on Elections.

Espina refused to confirm whether it was his voice heard on the tape but said he would tell the truth about the alleged conversation with Garcillano.

In the controversial tape Espina is reportedly heard asking Garcillano to help a candidate in the province.

If he comes out and testifies in Congress, Espina will be the first key official to come out to confirm or deny that his voice was on the wiretapped conversation.

Aside from Espina, former senator Robert Barbers is also reportedly heard on the tapes.

Espina said he is not yet sure how his testimony will affect the ongoing investigation, but he vowed to tell all.

"I will respond to every question without withholding the truth," he said.