DoJ at odds with poll body over ex-election supervisor

MANILA, Philippines –The Department of Justice is at odds with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) with regards to the dropping of electoral sabotage case against former election supervisor in South Cotabato in order to take the witness stand against former Comelec chairman Benjamin Abalos.

During Wednesday’s hearing before Pasay City Regional Trial Court Branch 117, the DoJ prosecutors submitted a motion to discharge lawyer Lilian Radam despite disapproval from the Comelec prosecutors.

The Comelec prosecutors have also submitted in court a Comelec en banc resolution insisting that Radam be prosecuted for her part in allegedly rigging the election results in 2007.

Aside from Radam, the Comelec is also against the dropping of electoral sabotage case against former provincial election supervisor in North Cotabato Yogi Martirizar.

In 2007, Abalos Sr., then Comelec chairman, ordered that the two be slapped with administrative case due to their alleged involvement in the 2007 election irregularities. Abalos’ ruling was then upheld by his successor, former chairman Jose A.R. Melo.

Abalos has a pending petition for bail before the Pasay RTC Branch 117 In previous hearings, the witnesses has been narrowed down from 22 to only two-Radam and Martirizar.