Chavez files 3rd plunder suit vs Arroyo

Former solicitor general Francisco Chavez filed yesterday before the Office of the Ombudsman a third plunder case against President Arroyo.

Based on the affidavit of businessman Rodolfo Galang, a confessed dirty tricks operator, the case involved the alleged release of P200 million by Mrs. Arroyo for her electoral campaign in Mindanao.

Impleaded in the complaint were presidential adviser for media and ecclesiastical affairs Conrado Limcaoco, National Food Authority (NFA) director Arthur Yap, Agriculture Secretary Luisito Lorenzo, Health Secretary Manuel Dayrit, and chairman Ephraim Genuino of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor).

Chavez said he has in his possession "two feet deep of evidence" that could pin down Mrs. Arroyo.

"For GMA to order the release of P200 million for election fraud is a clear act of betrayal of public trust," he said. "I am meeting eight more people to execute affidavits to say they were part of a scheme to distribute rice, medicine and cash in Mindanao under Oplan Mercury."

He said "rice, equipment, fertilizers and money were issued to politicians to help GMA win through cheating in the greater part of Mindanao through Pagcor, Department of Health (DOH), NFA, and Department of Agriculture (DA) funds."

"No funds of government were spared from the campaign and electoral cheating in Mindanao. Our fight against graft continues. Honor is dead among government officials. We must restore honor in public service," Chavez said.

The evidence includes "pledges of support" from Mindanao mayors and congressmen aligned with the opposition Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP), who were "recipients of cash and material doleouts," he added.

Chavez, Task Force Anti-Election Fraud (TFAEF) chairman, presented Galang to reporters Monday at Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan.

During the press conference, Galang, who claims to have taken part in a secret operation to steal votes from KNP standard-bearer Fernando Poe Jr., accused the administration of spending from P100 million to P200 million "in government money" to get two million votes for Mrs. Arroyo in Central Mindanao.

Galang said Limcaoco had recruited him to join "Operation Mercury," a plan allegedly hatched by the Arroyo administration to steal the elections. "Oplan Mercury" was executed through tampering of election results with the connivance of Commission on Election officials, buying off opposition candidates, and massive use of government resources, he added.

Galang said he fears for his life after Limcaoco threatened him when he told Limcaoco that he would no longer take part in the "Mercury" operations. "Don’t cross the bridge yet," he quoted Limcaoco as telling him. "It won’t take an army to get you. It only takes one man to fire a bullet."