Lintang Bedol pleads not guilty to electoral sabotage rap

Former Maguindanao Election Supervisor Lintang Bedol. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Former elections supervisor Lintang Bedol on Tuesday pleaded “not guilty” to the accusation he rigged the results of the 2007 senatorial elections in Maguindanao on the orders of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and then provincial Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr.

Arraigned before Judge Jesus Mupas of the Pasay Regional Trial Court Branch 112, Bedol entered his plea with his counsel Reynaldo Princesa, who also filed a motion to allow his client to use communication devices like cell phones and laptops while in detention.

Acting on the request, Mupas ordered prosecutors from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to comment in writing on Bedol’s motion after they objected  in open court.

The judge set Bedol’s pretrial on April 19.

Bedol, who was brought to court in handcuffs, has been detained at the custodial center of Camp Crame since last year after surrendering to the Comelec. With Ruel Perez, Radyo Inquirer and Jamie Elona, INQUIRER.net

Originally posted: 11:47 am | Tuesday, March 13th, 2012