'Arroyos now guilty in the eyes of people'

MANILA, Philippines - The lawyer of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo expressed fears yesterday that his client will no longer get a fair trial in the courts of law, as he lamented what he calls massive trial by publicity generated by exposés on graft and corruption against her and allegations of fraud in the 2004 and 2007 elections.

“In the eyes of the people, the former President and her family are already convicted on the charges hurled against them,” Raul Lambino, legal spokesman of the Arroyos, said in a news forum held at Annabel’s restaurant in Quezon City yesterday.

Lambino expressed concern that the publicity generated by the allegations will influence the prosecutors and even the judges who will be handling the cases against his clients.

“There is a day of reckoning but the rule of the law, due process and rights of the accused must prevail,” he said.

But he gave assurance that the Arroyos are prepared to face the legal charges head on.

Lambino said there is “a well orchestrated media blitz” directed against the former President and her family, citing exposés of alleged whistle-blowers under the supervision of top government officials.

He also raised doubts on the reported break-in of policemen at the Batasan Pambansa to replace original election returns, which happened long after the proclamation of the winning candidate.

He said claims that it was carried out in connection with the impending election protest of the widow of the late Fernando Poe Jr. have no legal basis because the documents to be examined during the revision of votes are the ballots and not the election returns.

“So why replace election returns when it’s not relevant in election protest?” he asked.

He added that the supposed break-in was already investigated during the time of former Speaker Jose de Venecia and it was established that there was no such thing.

Catholic bishops back poll fraud probe

Officials of the Catholic Church said they support the investigation of alleged irregularities in the 2004 elections, confident that the truth would finally come out after seven years.

Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales said that while election cheating has been long been happening in the country, authorities should not give up their quest for the truth.

“They should look for the truth, that is the only thing. Look for what is the truth. We should look for all the lies and correct them,” Rosales said.

He also asked the people to offer prayers for truth to prevail.

“We have to seek for the truth,” Emeritus Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal added.

“Whatever they should do, they should do it in such a way that is according to the Supreme Court’s spirit, that this should be done in the most benign way,” Vidal said when asked how the Aquino administration should go about investigating corruption allegedly committed by the previous administration.

Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Public Affairs Committee chairman Kalookan Bishop Deogracias Iniguez, meanwhile, advised investigators to just accept all testimonies.

“They should just accept and accept (everything) then examine. It is not necessary that they believe them, but it is a beginning,” Iniguez said.

At least 17 more people have reportedly expressed willingness to come out and provide information on the alleged massive irregularities in the 2004 and 2007 polls. - With Evelyn Macairan