MANILA, Philippines – The Pasay City Regional Trial Court Branch 117 on Monday deferred former Commission on Elections Chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr.’s arraignment to March 7.
Former Commission on Elections Chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr. INQUIRER file photo
A Radyo Inquirer 990AM report said that Judge Eugenio dela Cruz postponed Abalos’ arraignment on charges of electoral sabotage due to a pending motion to quash filed by the former Comelec chairman.
Earlier, thousands of Abalos’ supporters, clad in white shirts with the words “Free Chairman Abalos”, flocked to the Pasay court where the arraignment was originally set at 9 a.m.
Abalos faces charges of electoral sabotage over the alleged irregularities in North and South Cotabato during the 2007 senatorial elections.
Also scheduled to be heard within the day at the Pasay court is former President now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s motion requesting that she be allowed to attend late Negros Occidental Representative Ignacio Arroyo’s interment at the Manila North Cemetery on March 9.