Arroyo exec denies cheating, says he didn’t campaign for former president in 2004 polls

MANILA, Philippines – Former Philippine Ports Authority general manager Alfonso Cusi denied any role in the alleged massive cheating in the 2004 elections and revealed that he did not even campaign for former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo despite his closeness to her husband.

Alfonso Cusi. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

“There’s no truth to the allegation po [sir],” Cusi told the joint hearing of the Senate blue ribbon committee and the committee on electoral reforms and people’s participation Tuesday.

Cusi was referring to former Shariah Circuit Judge Nagamura Moner’s testimony in the last hearing in the Senate that he distributed millions of pesos during the 2004 campaign upon Cusi’s order.

In fact, Cusi said, he did not campaign for Arroyo, now Pampanga Representative, despite his closeness to former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo.

“No I did not campaign for the former president,” he said.

Cusi then described Moner’s allegations as “unfounded” and “baseless.”

In a prepared statement he read before the hearing, Cusi categorically denied giving orders and sending money to Moner supposedly to ensure Arroyo’s victory in Mindanao.

Cusi said he only met Moner when his brother introduced them sometime in April 2004.