Mar denies LP talked to Garcillano

MANILA, Philippines - Liberal Party (LP) standard bearer Manuel Roxas II on Tuesday denied that the ruling party spoke with former Commission on Elections (Comelec) commissioner Virgilio Garcillano, who was accused of orchestrating massive poll fraud in 2004.

Roxas said the LP would not resort to dirty tricks to win in the upcoming election.

“I do not know where that defamatory information came from. The LP is not involved in such discussion and we won’t do such things,” Roxas told reporters on the sidelines of a Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry event in Pasay.

“The one who made such claim should just show proof or say who did it so we can investigate because we are not in favor of such activities,” he added.

Earlier, a newspaper column claimed that allies of Roxas met recently with Garcillano, who was accused of rigging the 2004 polls to ensure the victory of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The column said the LP operatives want to ensure that Roxas would win the 2016 election and to shield President Aquino from imprisonment. – with Levi Mora