STATEMENT OF SEN. RICHARD J. GORDON ON
RESIGNATION OF COMELEC CHAIRMAN BENJAMIN ABALOS

In resigning his position as chairman of the Commission on elections, Chairman Benjamin Abalos clears the way for fully facing personally the ongoing probe into the ZTE broadband project, without his constitutional office being placed on the balance.

I join my voice with others in commending him for freeing the COMELEC from any fallout in this affair, and wish him well in his pursuit of vindication.

Some of us were concerned that regardless of where the Senate inquiry would lead, outstanding tasks of the elections body would be compromised because of his position. Not least among these are the forthcoming Barangay elections on October 29 and the still unimplemented mandate for the computerization of national and local elections in the country.

This anxiety has been lifted with Mr. Abalos' decision to resign. Now the COMELEC and the nation can focus on the electoral tasks at hand, free of any shrapnel and static from the continuing investigation.

With respect to the inquiry and certain testimonies given during the hearings, Mr. Abalos has manifested his intent to challenge the accusations against him and fully clear his good name before the courts and public opinion. Proper processes will resolve this in due time.

Some may question or regret the relentless questioning that has gone into the Senate inquiry, but this is the necessary price for ferreting out the facts of important public issues. Facing public scrutiny comes with the territory in holding public office. The Senate, acting for the people, is merely holding everyone to account for their actuations in regard to the ZTE project.