DOJ-Comelec panel stops probe on poll sabotage

MANILA, Philippines—The panel formed by the Department of Justice and Commission on Elections to look into alleged fraud in the 2004 and 2007 elections in Mindanao announced on Monday that it has decided to terminate its preliminary investigation into the alleged poll cheating.

Laguna provincial prosecutor George Dee, a panel member, said the complaint of electoral sabotage against former President Gloria-Arroyo et al. would be submitted for resolution only after conducting two hearings.

Tension briefly gripped the hearing room after an incensed Ferdinand Topacio, Mike Arroyo’s lawyer, accused the panel of “hastily” submitting for resolution the two electoral sabotage complaints.

Topacio accused the panel of railroading the entire proceedings to ensure that the Arroyos would be sent to jail.

Romeo Fortes, Comelec lawyer and another panel member, warned Topacio from accusing the panel and ordered him to “temper your language.”

“We can disagree without being disagreeable,” Fortes told Topacio.