Andal Sr. set to be arraigned on poll sabotage charges

MANILA, Philippines - The Pasay City regional trial court will arraign former Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. for electoral sabotage in relation to the alleged massive cheating in Maguindanao province during the 2007 midterm election.

Ampatuan, a co-accused of Pampanga Rep. and former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and former election officer Lintang Bedol, was supposed to be arraigned on March 19 but was confined at a hospital at the time.

He was discharged Friday and brought back to the Quezon City Jail Annex at Camp Bagong Diwa. He is also being tried on 57 counts of murder in connection with the Nov. 23, 2009 Maguindanao massacre.

Ampatuan, along with Arroyo and Bedol, are accused of conspiring to ensure a 12-0 victory for the senatorial candidates of Team Unity.