QC prosecutor inhibits self from ‘Garci’ case

A Quezon City assistant prosecutor has inhibited himself from conducting the preliminary investigation on the controversial passport case of former election commissioner Virgilio Garcillano.

Assistant Prosecutor Perfecto Lawrence Chua-Cheng withdrew from handling the case yesterday after lawmakers filed an 11-page joint motion for inhibition before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office, radio station dzMM reported yesterday.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson led the opposition in filing last March, separate complaints of perjury and violation of the Passport Act of 1998 against Garcillano for allegedly submitting a tampered passport during a congressional inquiry on the "Hello Garci" tapes scandal.

The tapes allegedly contain a conversation between Garcillano and President Arroyo about ensuring a million-vote lead for President Arroyo in the May 2004 presidential elections.