New witnesses, evidence to surface vs Poe

It’s their turn.

A new witness and new evidence are expected to surface today in a House of Representatives inquiry that would reportedly disprove allegations that documents were fabricated to support the move seeking Fernando Poe Jr.’s disqualification from the presidential race.

The inquiry, to be conducted by the House committee on basic education and culture, followed a privilege speech last week by Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay, who called for protection of the country’s historical records kept in the National Archives, formally known as the Records Management and Archives Office.

"It (the new evidence) will definitely be a bombshell that would send shockwaves," Pichay said. "Here, we will know who is lying and who is telling the truth."

In a Senate inquiry last week, archives chief Ricardo Manapat was accused by archives employees Emman Llamera, Remmel Talabis and Vicelyn Tarin of forging documents to back a petition now pending with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) seeking Poe’s disqualification.

Manapat rejected the allegations and insisted that the documents, which were being kept in the archives, were authentic.

Manapat and his accusers have been invited to the House inquiry as well as private experts.

Pichay said the episode could put in doubt the "sanctity of the nation’s historical records" being kept in the archives.

"The people have every right to see to it that this incident, if proven true, is not repeated through preventive measures and, if found necessary, through applicable legislation," he said.

Antique Rep. Exequiel Javier and Bacolod City Rep. Monico Puentevella, both of the ruling party Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats, called for an impartial probe.

"We hope we can unravel everything about the anomalies," Javier said.

"Since there are more questions than answers after the Senate hearing, we might as well dig deeper into the truth and veracity of the papers too," Puentevella said.

Pichay said the House probe would be more impartial because the Senate inquiry was led by senators who are in Poe’s camp.