Comelec asks Pasay court to reconsider Abalos bail

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Election filed yesterday a motion for reconsideration on the ruling of the Pasay City regional trial court (RTC) allowing former Comelec chairman Benjamin Abalos, who faces two counts of electoral sabotage, to post bail.

Comelec lawyer Esmeralda Ladra said they have a strong case against Abalos since his co-accused, former election officer Yogie Martirizar, has been admitted as a state witness on the alleged cheating in the 2007 elections in North Cotabato.

The Comelec insisted that Abalos directly gave orders to ensure the 12-0 victory for the senatorial candidates of the then Arroyo administration’s coalition Team Unity during the 2007 polls.

Abalos told The STAR that he will answer the petition as soon as they received a copy of the motion and they are also waiting for the resolution of Judge Jesus Mupas of Pasay RTC Branch 112 on their motion for reconsideration on the discharge of Martirizar as co-accused in the case.

A hearing has been set on Sept. 13 on the Comelec’s motion for reconsideration.

Abalos was released two weeks ago from the Southern Police District detention center in Taguig City after Mupas granted his petition for bail.

Mupas said in his order that the prosecution was not able to establish Abalos’ guilt and that the court has to take the 77-year-old former Comelec chairman’s age and health into consideration.