Press Release
July 5, 2007

PING TO COMELEC: WHY SO AFRAID OF BEDOL?

With his knowledge of cheating in the 2004 elections, is Maguindanao poll supervisor Lintang Bedol holding the Commission on Elections (Comelec) hostage?

Sen. Panfilo Lacson hurled this question at the Comelec Thursday after noting the poll body's kid-glove treatment of him since he was linked to poll irregularities there.

"I think the Comelec is afraid of Bedol because he knows so much about cheating not only in this year's elections but also in 2004. If the Comelec pressures him, he may avail of the witness protection program and spill the beans not only in 2004 but also in 2007," Lacson said.

Lacson was referring to the fraud-laden presidential elections which was highlighted by the existence of the 'Hello Garci' tapes of purported conversations between President Arroyo and then Comelec Commissoner Virgilio Garcillano.

Bedol, whose name was also prominently mentioned in the Garci tapes, is said to be a good friend and protg of Garcillano. Also, Bedol was allegedly the one tapped by Garcillano to 'operate' in Maguindanao during the 2004 elections.

In this sense, he said Bedol already holds the Comelec hostage, and would explain why the Comelec allowed him to go a free man Tuesday, after a hearing that lasted only 20 minutes.

He also noted that Bedol got the VIP treatment, being brought to a three-star hotel in Manila's tourist district after his arrest and transport to Manila.

Bedol was cited for indirect contempt for repeatedly snubbing summons to attend Comelec investigations into poll irregularities in Maguindanao during the May 14 election. He also faces possible charges of illegal possession of firearms after boasting he had an armory of weapons.

Lacson lamented that the Comelec's seeming fear of Bedol laid to waste all the effort spent by the Philippine National Police in tracking down and arresting Bedol in Davao City.

"The time and effort spent by the PNP to track him down and capture him, then bring him to Manila was all wasted. In the blink of an eye, he was sent home," he said.

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