Witness claims Maguindanao exec is poll fraud brains

MANILA, Philippines - A prosecution witness testified yesterday that a Maguindanao official is the alleged mastermind of the election fraud in the province during the 2007 polls.

Susan Cabanban, former chairman of the municipal board of canvassers in G.K. Pendatun town, stood by her earlier claim that she was just following orders when she canvassed separately the results of the senatorial candidates.

She said a provincial official was directing the canvass of returns at the capitol. However, during cross-examination, she said she knows “the official but I cannot recall his name.”

Cabanban said in her earlier testimony that they were told to canvass election results that were all filled in favor of certain senatorial candidates.

Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, former Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. and former election officer Lintang Bedol are accused of allegedly rigging the results of the Maguindanao polls to favor the administration’s Team Unity candidates.