MANILA, Philippines—Malacañang on Monday afternoon denied any collusion with suspended Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao governor Zaldy Ampatuan in connection with the allegations of election fraud against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
“The statement is bloated with mistaken assumptions. We are not allying ourselves with Ampatuan. The hospitalization request of Zaldy Ampatuan is up to the court to decide,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in reaction to Arroyo’s legal spokesperson Raul Lambino.
Lambino has alleged that the Aquino administration is behind the renewed allegations of election fraud, this time made by Ampatuan and election officer Lintang Bedol, known former allies and lieutenants of the former President.