Ex-poll official Bedol in government custody—Comelec

MANILA, Philippines—Former Maguindanao election supervisor Lintang Bedol has been placed under government custody as of Monday, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. said.

The Comelec chairman said Bedol, who alleged cheated in the 2004 and 2007 elections to benefit then president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her allies, would be turned over to Comelec anytime soon.

Brillantes said the Comelec would question Bedol on his supposed knowledge on the 2007 poll fraud and ask him to execute an affidavit on his claims.

Arroyo has denied instigating election cheating in the 2004 and 2007 elections and said through her lawyers that she would be ready to face her accusers in court.