Abalos co-accused in poll fraud case turns state witness

MANILA, Philippines - A Pasay City court yesterday granted the motion of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to discharge a lawyer as co-accused in the electoral sabotage case of former Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Benjamin Abalos, effectively allowing her to become a state witness. 

Felda Domingo, court spokesperson, said Judge Jesus Mupas gave credence to the testimony of former North Cotabato election supervisor Yogie Martirizar, who earlier implicated Abalos in the case.

Martirizar, Abalos and Capt. Peter Reyes of the Philippine Army were accused of tampering with election results in the 2007 elections in North Cotabato.

Her request to become state witness has hampered Abalos’ request for bail. Abalos is currently detained at the Southern Police District headquarters in Taguig City.

Martirizar and lawyer Lilian Radam, another provincial election officer, went into hiding after they were implicated in poll fraud.

Radam is also facing separate cases before the Pasay RTC Branch 117.

The two accused surfaced last October at the DOJ and tagged Abalos in the alleged electoral fraud.

Judge Eugenio de la Cruz of RTC Branch 117 had earlier granted Abalos bail petition for the 11 counts of electoral sabotage in South Cotabato after the prosecution failed to present Radam.

Judge Mupas, on the other hand, has already submitted for resolution Abalos’ motion to post bail.