Pasay judge denies Abalos trip to Taiwan

MANILA, Philippines - A Pasay City regional trial court (RTC) judge denied yesterday the motion of former Commission on Elections chairman Benjamin Abalos to travel to Taiwan.

Abalos, who is facing electoral sabotage charges for his alleged role in poll fraud during the 2007 elections, said he wants to look for quality bangus (milkfish) fingerlings for his aquaculture business.

Felda Domingo, Pasay RTC Branch 112 spokesperson, said Judge Jesus Mupas ruled that there is no urgent need for Abalos to personally go to Taiwan.

“The court also took into consideration the position of the Commission on Elections that there is enough supply of bangus fingerlings in the country, as reported by the Bureau of Fisheries,” Domingo said.

Abalos said he will decide whether or not he will appeal the decision when he receives the court order.

Abalos told The STAR that his trip to Taiwan, initially scheduled on Nov.  27, is an urgent matter as it involves food production and the livelihood of the people in the aquaculture business. He said he wants to see for himself possible sources of fingerlings and fish feeds.

Abalos is facing two counts of electoral sabotage charges before RTC Branch 112 for alleged irregularities in North Cotabato election results in May 2007.

He is also facing 11 counts of electoral sabotage charges before Judge Eugenio dela Cruz of Pasay RTC Branch 117 for alleged cheating in South Cotabato. Dela Cruz earlier granted Abalos’ petition for bail after the prosecution team failed to present their witness in the case.

Mupas also allowed Abalos to post a P1-million bail after the prosecution failed to clearly present their case against him.

Abalos filed a separate motion to travel before Pasay RTC Branch 117 but Dela Cruz has yet to rule on his petition.