Comelec to present witnesses to pin down GMA

MANILA, Philippines - Witnesses and documentary evidence will be presented to prove the case of electoral sabotage against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said yesterday.

Esmeralda Ladra, Comelec lead prosecutor, told The STAR they would move for the stipulation of documents when Judge Jesus Mupas of Pasay City Regional Trial Court branch 112 resumes hearing Arroyo’s bail petition on Thursday.

“Aside from the documents we will also present witnesses to prove conspiracy among the accused,” she said.

Ladra did not say how many witnesses they would present during the hearing.

Under the conspiracy theory, the act of one is the act of all, she added.

Arroyo and co-accused former Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. and lawyer Lintang Bedol are facing the non-bailable offense of electoral sabotage in relation to the 2007 midterm elections.

Lawyers of Arroyo are preparing for her petition to be allowed to post bail following her temporary liberty from hospital detention at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) in Quezon City.

Lawyer Benjamin Santos said they are prepared to counter all the evidence and witnesses that the prosecution will present.

“As far as the defense is concerned, we’re not obliged to present any witness or evidence,” he said.

Santos said the prosecution must convince the court that they have a strong case through witnesses and other evidence.

Under the Constitution, every accused has the right to bail if there is no strong evidence of guilt, he added.

Arroyo is invoking her right to bail, Santos said.