Abalos acts as lone witness in poll sabotage trial

MANILA, Philippines - Former Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Benjamin Abalos yesterday presented himself to the court as the first and only witness in his case.

Abalos stands trial for two counts of electoral sabotage at the Pasay City Regional Court Branch 112.

Instead of undergoing direct examination, Abalos submitted a judicial affidavit as his testimony during the trial yesterday afternoon.

In the 15-page affidavit, Abalos denied ordering cheating in North Cotabato and insisted it was former election supervisor Yogie Martirizar who carried out the alleged tampering of election results. Abalos said it was the Comelec en banc that discovered the discrepancy in the election results in North Cotabato.

He also informed the court that his co-accused, Capt. Peter Reyes, is a fictitious character.

The prosecutors asked Judge Jesus Mupas to allow them to present a rebuttal witness at the next hearing on Oct. 20.