Senate probes ’04, ’07 poll fraud

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate began on Tuesday its investigation into the alleged massive cheating in the 2004 and 2007 elections.

The joint hearing by the blue ribbon committee and the committee on electoral reforms and people’s participation headed by Senators Teofisto Guingona III and Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III began shortly after 9:00 a.m.

Guingona said the investigation was aimed at correcting the past mistakes to make sure that this would not happen again in the future.

“Kahit na malayo pa ang araw ng todos los santos, parang gusto ko nang sabihin na kailangang maniwala tayo sa mga “ghosts” o “multo”. Ang tinutukoy ko, ang “ghosts of the past” o “ang mga multo ng nakalipas,” he said in his opening statement.

“Totoo pala: ang isang pagkakamali ay laging nagbubunga ng mga multo. Laging babalik ang mga ito mula sa libingan. Hindi matatahimik kahit kalian. Ito po ang goal o layunin ng imbestigasyon ng ating Blue Ribbon Committee sa akusasyon ng dayaan sa 2004 elections,” Guingona added.

Pimentel has charged former President and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and husband, Jose Miguel Arroyo and others with electoral sabotage before the Department of Justice.