GMA lawyer bucks motion to defer poll sabotage trial

MANILA, Philippines - A lawyer of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has opposed the government’s motion to postpone her electoral sabotage trial to Jan. 31 next year.

Lawyer Benjamin Santos told The STAR in a phone interview that he has already submitted his comment to Judge Jesus Mupas of Pasay City Regional Trial Court branch 112 that the argument of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) that they are busy with the election period is not a valid reason to delay the trial.

“Why is the prosecution trying to delay the proceeding?” he asked.

The pre-trial was initially scheduled on Oct 25, but the Comelec moved to have it resumed on Jan. 31, Feb. 7-21 and 28 next year.

On Sept. 23, the prosecution submitted a pre-trial brief, including the list of 59 witnesses lined up against Arroyo and her co-accused.

Arroyo has invoked her constitutional right to remain silent and did not file a pre-trial brief.

The burden of proof to prove her guilt is on the Comelec, she said.

Arroyo has been granted a P1-million bail for her temporary liberty.

However, she was re-arrested on a new plunder charge for the alleged misuse of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office funds.

Arroyo’s co-accused former Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan and former Comelec provincial election supervisor Lintang Bedol did not also file their pre-trial briefs.