Comelec has no comment on Abalos motion

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) did not comment on the urgent motion for judicial determination of probable cause filed by former Comelec chairman Benjamin Abalos before the Pasay City Regional Trial Court (RTC), raising the possibility that an arrest warrant may be issued any time.

The court has given the poll body until noon yesterday to comment on the motion but Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes had already announced they would no longer comment on the motion and will leave it to the court to determine if there was probable cause.

Abalos, who is facing two counts of electoral sabotage, succeeded in preventing the issuance of an arrest warrant by filing an urgent motion for judicial determination of probable cause last Thursday.

The court has already issued arrest warrants to Abalos’ co-accused – former North Cotabato provincial election supervisor Yogie Martirizar and former Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) officer Capt. Peter Reyes.

Court Sheriff lawyer Rodelio Buenviaje told The STAR that as a matter of policy, the issuance of arrest warrant against any accused is confidential and will only be made public when the accused is already under custody.

“The court will not announce the impending arrest of any accused as this may give problem to law enforcers,” he said.

However, a source said that the arrest warrant for Abalos is only waiting for the signature of Judge Jesus Mupas of the Pasay City RTC Branch 112 and will be discretely served to avoid any “circus” that may be created by the followers of the former Comelec chairman.