‘No House break-in, ballot boxes intact’

There was never a break-in at an enclosed area of the south lobby of the House of Representatives where ballot boxes containing election returns used in the May 2004 presidential elections are kept, an official of the chamber said yesterday.

Roberto Nazareno, the chamber’s secretary general, told a news conference that reports about the break-in and the existence of video footage allegedly of the intrusion "are an irresponsible and a malicious fabrication."

"This matter is clearly a recycled issue; it is being revived during a period of unrest. The purported CD (compact disc) allegedly containing footage of the break-in is tainted with malice and falsehood," he said.

At Malacañang, Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye questioned why the alleged CD was released only now when the issues surrounding the legitimacy of the Arroyo administration, including the so-called "Hello Garci" tapes, have been discussed and resolved through the proper bodies.

"This (video) is just another attempt at dirty tricks and psychological manipulation. The alleged break-in supposedly took place in January 2005," Bunye said. "Why is this being revealed only now? We have already battled this issue to the bone and gone through the worst of unfounded allegations of election cheating."

In Palayan City in Nueva Ecija, Vice President Noli de Castro said that whoever is holding the compact disc purportedly containing photographic evidence of poll fraud during the May 2004 presidential election should bring it out in public to clear the air on the alleged cheating.

"Kaya nga ang sabi k,o ilabas ang CD. Ilabas nila kung mayroon silang ebidensya hindi iyong puro lang sila dada," he said, stressing solid evidence and not talk was what was needed.

"No break-in is possible in the storage room of the ballot boxes since the area, which is secured with padlocks, is on a 24-hour security watch by the House security backed up by a closed-circuit monitoring system," Nazareno added.

He stressed that the House has zealously guarded the integrity of the ballot boxes.

Nazareno asked the Supreme Court, sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal, to order the opening of the ballot boxes to check their authenticity in order to disprove reports that the election returns were tampered with to favor President Arroyo.

Minority Leader Francis Escudero said they heard of the story about the intrusion during their failed bid to impeach Mrs. Arroyo last year but that no proof had ever surfaced.

"What we had were witnesses who would have testified on the tampering of election returns to favor the President had not her allies killed the impeachment process, and together with it the truth behind the presidential election," he said.

Escudero said he would not be surprised if there was indeed a break-in and a video footage "since those ordered to alter the election results and those who witnessed the tampering would at some point become conscience-stricken and tell the truth."

Like Nazareno, Majority Leader Prospero Nograles and Rep. Mauricio Domogan of Baguio City said the timing of the report about the alleged intrusion and the existence of the video was suspect.

"It (CD) could have been fabricated using modern technology. If there is a tape, then we will investigate it," they said.

They urged anyone with an authentic footage to file the appropriate charges against those who supposedly committed the break-in and tampering.

Bunye said, "those behind this canard should give the people a break. We believe the people can clearly see through this ploy and will not be fooled."

De Castro, Mrs. Arroyo’s running mate in the last May 2004 polls, has remained steadfast in supporting the President, even defending her on allegations that there was massive cheating in the elections.

Reports had it that a compact disc containing photographs of alleged cheating, particularly the rigging of election returns, would be published soon in a magazine.

De Castro said this is one of the reasons why he wanted the election protest filed by his rival, former senator Loren Legarda, resolved before the Presidential Electoral Tribunal as soon as possible.

He expressed hope that a ruling on the case could be issued before yearend.

Meanwhile, Philippine National Police chief Director General Arturo Lomibao ordered a thorough investigation into the reported break-in at the House of Representatives during the canvassing for the May 10, 2004 presidential elections.

"We will look into that. It’s the first time I’ve heard of the reports," Lomibao said in an ambush interview yesterday.

PNP spokesman Senior Superintendent Samuel Pagdilao said they would coordinate with House sergeant-at-arms Bayani Fabic as well as wait for a report from the Quezon City police. — With Paolo Romero, Cecille Suerte Felipe, James Mananghaya