Palace aide concerned about credibility of cops in alleged poll fraud

MANILA, Philippines—A Malacañang Palace aide on Saturday admitted concern over the credibility of the police officers who confessed involvement in the switching of election returns to cover up fraud allegedly committed by the camp of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in the 2004 elections.

The expression of concern came in the wake of allegations that the police officers had tried to sell evidence of the alleged cover-up to interested parties such as defeated vice presidential candidate and now Senator Loren Legarda.

“Of course, we are concerned primarily with their credibility and that’s the reason why we have (Justice) Secretary (Leila) de Lima there,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said over the state-run radio station dzRB.

“Again, as we have always said, there is a proper venue for everything. These persons came out, it is our duty to look at the evidence and the testimony they are offering. But it doesn’t mean that if we will listen, we will also accept them wholesale,” she said.