Poll officer wants GMA sabotage case junked

MANILA, Philippines — A court in Pasay City has yet to determine if the charge of electoral sabotage filed against former Maguindanao provincial election officer Lintang Bedol should be dismissed.

Bedol is the only accused left in the electoral sabotage case filed against him and three others, including the late former Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan, former Commission on Elections chairman Benjamin Abalos and former president and Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Bedol filed a motion asking the court’s permission to file a demurrer to evidence, a staff of the Pasay City Regional Trial Court Branch 112 told The STAR on Friday. She said the court has yet to rule on the motion.

The case against Abalos was dismissed for lack of evidence. Ampatuan’s case was extinguished following his death.

 The same court also dismissed the case against Arroyo last December as it granted her  demurrer to evidence.

 The Department of Justice  in 2011 accused Arroyo of ordering Ampatuan to ensure that her team of senatorial candidates would get all the votes in Maguindanao.

Ampatuan reportedly instructed provincial administrator Norie Unas and Bedol to ensure Team Unity’s victory.