Koko files sabotage raps vs former Comelec chief Abalos

MANILA, Philippines – Former Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Benjamin Abalos is back in the spotlight.

This time, the controversial former polls chief and colleagues during his incumbency will be facing electoral sabotage charges – a non-bailable criminal offense – for alleged conspiracy to perpetuate election fraud in the May 2007 national elections.

Defeated senatorial candidate Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III announced yesterday that the case is an offshoot of a resolution by the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) confirming widespread fraud in the election, particularly in Maguindanao and other areas in Mindanao.

“We will file criminal cases from the chairman down to the members of the local election inspectors,” Pimentel told reporters during the weekly Friday Balitaan sa Hotel Rembrandt in Quezon City.

SET resolution l07-27 that was unanimously approved by its nine-member board declared that 70,000 out of 72,000 ballots and election returns in six municipalities in Maguindanao and Lanao del Norte were spurious.

The board is composed of Supreme Court justices and senators.

The tribunal, which is deliberating the election protest of Pimentel, declared that based on the result of the initial revision and appreciation of ballots and election returns “the protestant has a prima facie valid cause of action.”

“Indeed, there is reasonable ground to believe that the final outcome of the case could affect the officially proclaimed result of the 12th senatorial position in the May 2007 national election, hence, the election protest deserves further proceedings by the tribunal,” the resolution said.

Pimentel said he would file the criminal complaint against Abalos and other officials in two weeks’ time as the SET continues deliberations on his protest.

Included in the charge sheet are members of the special board of canvassers headed by lawyer Emilio Santos.

The special board of canvassers was created by Abalos to recanvass the controversial Maguindanao votes.

“It’s only a manner of time before the SET will hand down its final verdict,” he said.

Pimentel said the SET declared that 69,000 out of the 72,000 fake ballots were counted in favor of Zubiri.

The SET, finding sufficient cause, has ordered the continuation of the proceedings in the instant electoral protest case.

In response to the counter protest of Zubiri, the canvass board is directed to undertake the necessary preparation for the collection of ballot boxes, election documents and paraphernalia from the pilot areas of the protestee.