Brillantes says Gloria Arroyo can still be compelled to face poll fraud cases

MANILA, Philippines—The Commission on Elections on Wednesday said it was confident that former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo can still be compelled to stand trial if cases of electoral sabotage will be filed against her.

Comelec Chair Sixto Brillantes Jr. said Arroyo can still be deported to face charges even if she goes to a country that has no extradition treaty with the Philippines, as earlier explained by Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago.

He also supposed that with the former president’s condition—wearing a neck brace and wheelchair-bound—it would be hard for her to hide abroad.

“We saw her physical condition … and with that, where do you think can she hide?” said Brillantes on the sidelines of the “Integrity Summit” held at the Comelec headquarters in Intramuros, Manila on Wednesday.

But amid the confidence, Brillantes also expressed worry that the Supreme Court, which on Tuesday cleared the way for Arroyo to fly abroad for medical treatment, might also issue a separate temporary restraining order against the joint panel looking into alleged fraud in the 2007 elections.

The Comelec and the Department of Justice have earlier created a joint committee that would investigate the alleged electoral sabotage during the 2007 balloting, purportedly masterminded by Arroyo and her husband, Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo.

The joint panel would also determine the criminal liability of the Arroyos.

“If the Supreme Court would TRO that case, the panel cannot move,” Brillantes told reporters Wednesday.

“We cannot come out with any resolution if there will be a temporary restraining order issued on that case … all the advances of the joint panel will be blocked,” said Brillantes, an election lawyer.

Early last month, the joint inquiry by the agency and the DOJ presented a witness that provided the first direct evidence against the Arroyos on the alleged massive cheating during the senatorial polls.

Norie Unas, a former senior aide of Datu Andal Ampatuan Sr., has accused the former President of ordering the former Maguindanao governor to deliver a 12-0 sweep of her senatorial candidates four years ago and commit fraud if necessary.

The joint panel concluded its investigation without the counter-affidavit of the Arroyos on Monday, from which a resolution is expected to be issued in about a week or two.