Pasay RTC to hear Comelec motion to present key witnesses vs Arroyo

MANILA, Philippines – The Pasay Regional Trial Court is set to deliberate on Monday the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) request to present key witnesses in the electoral sabotage case against former president now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, a Radyo Inquirer 990AM report said.

Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Pasay RTC Branch 112 spokesperson Felda Domingo said the court will study the motion for reconsideration filed by Comelec last Friday which sought to extend the hearing and allow former Maguindanao Administrator Norie Unas and Russam Mabang, former election officer of Pandag, Maguindanao to testify.

Judge Jesus Mupas barred the prosecution from presenting the two witnesses after it failed to show up in last week’s hearing, the report said.

But Comelec lawyers argued that the former Maguindanao administrator was forced into hiding due to threats to his life and asked that the court extend the trial.

They also expressed concern that the former president might be allowed to post bail if Unas fails to testify about Arroyo’s alleged hand in manipulating the 2007 election results in Maguindanao.

For more of the report, listen to Radyo Inquirer 990AM.