EDITORIAL – Face the music

Wearing a Muslim head cover, former election commissioner Virgilio Garcillano finally came out of hiding the other day and denied to journalists that he rigged the Lanao vote in favor of President Arroyo. He could not adequately explain why he went into hiding and waited over four months to issue a denial. But if he’s telling the truth and has nothing to hide, he should face a congressional probe on the vote-rigging accusations.

Opposition members who have been demanding Garcillano’s return to the country are now saying they don’t expect him to tell the truth. But the public won’t know for sure until Garcillano confronts his accusers. The opposition, if it truly has the goods on the man widely believed to be "Garci" in controversial wiretapped phone conversations, should do its homework and compel Garcillano to face questioning. This can be done either in a congressional inquiry or before prosecutors if he is indicted for poll fraud.

A crucial matter to be settled is whether the incriminating taped conversations can be used as basis for a congressional probe or as evidence in criminal prosecution. Garcillano’s lawyer had earlier said the former election official did not want to comment on the tapes. Environment Secretary Michael Defensor, the President’s campaign spokesman in the 2004 elections, has also said the tapes must first be authenticated.

The authentication should have been a priority as soon as the scandal broke last year, especially since there were several versions circulating. Instead the opposition treated the tapes as incontrovertible evidence and focused on political maneuvers to unseat the President. Not surprisingly, the attempt failed.

If Garcillano is telling the truth, he should have come out swinging at those accusing him of a dishonorable act, challenged the evidence and told critics to shove it. Instead he went into hiding, further fueling speculation that the accusations were true. Now he’s back, and he should face a congressional probe ASAP. An innocent man, wrongly accused, should be eager to tell his story, if only to clear his name.