De Lima orders Garcillano to be placed on BI watchlist

MANILA, Philippines—Justice Secretary Leila De Lima said she will order the Bureau of Immigration to place former election officer Virgilio Garcillano in its watchlist.

De Lima, speaking to reporters, said she will issue the order to the Bureau of Immigration today [Monday].

Garcillano surfaced during the weekend and denied involvement in cheating in the 2004 presidential election.

Once in the Immigration watchlist, Garcillano cannot leave the country without clearance from De Lima.

Garcillano disappeared from public view after he lost in the 2007 midterm elections when he ran for congressman in Bukidnon.

Garcillano became controversial when in June 2005 the audio recording of a phone call conversation between then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Garcillano came out in public. In the conversation, the two were allegedly discussing details about rigging the 2004 elections.

The woman sounded like Arroyo, and Garcillano was believed to be the other party.

Arroyo eventually made a public apology for talking to a poll official but did not confirm whether the voice in the recording was hers.