Koko ready to testify against GMA

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel Jr. yesterday said he is willing to testify in the electoral sabotage case of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to prove that there is strong evidence to deny her bail petition filed before a Pasay City court.

“I will testify that a non-winner in the senatorial race was proclaimed,” he told The STAR in a telephone interview.

Pimentel was referring to the alleged cheating in Maguindanao province in 2007 which led to the proclamation of former senator Juan Miguel Zubiri.

He stressed that the proclamation of Zubiri will prove there was fraud in the 2007 elections.

Pimentel challenged Zubiri’s proclamation before the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) and he was proclaimed as the duly elected senator in the 2007 midterm elections after three years.

He issued the statement after former Maguindanao election officer Lintang Bedol disowned the election results counted by the National Board of Canvassers which showed that Zubiri topped the senatorial race in Maguindanao province.

Bedol, a co-accused of Arroyo and former Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr. on electoral sabotage charges, also filed petition for bail.

Commission on Elections (Comelec) lead prosecutor Esmeralda Ladra welcomed the statement of Pimentel, saying the senator would collaborate the evidence they will present in court.