Abalos back at SPD headquarters for a visit

Former Commission on Elections (Comelec) chair Benjamin Abalos was back at the Southern Police District (SPD) headquarters in Taguig City Sunday morning where he was detained for eight months on charges of electoral sabotage.

But this time, he was there to visit his “kabarkada”—a group of children whom he had befriended during his time behind bars and who belong to the families who live near the SPD headquarters.

Abalos was one of the guests who witnessed the children’s First Communion at the SPD chapel.

After the Mass which ended at 7:30 a.m., Abalos treated the children who numbered around 20 to a hearty meal.

It was his first visit to the SPD compound after he posted bail of P1 million bail for his provisional liberty last week. Judge Jesus Mupas of the

Pasay Regional Trial Court Branch 112 had granted his petition for bail after determining that the evidence presented against him was weak.

Comelec lawyers, however, believe that they have a strong case against him.

The Comelec filed electoral sabotage charges against Abalos, along with former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, former Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr. and former Maguindanao provincial election supervisor Lintang Bedol last year for allegedly conspiring to manipulate the results of the 2007 senatorial elections in North Cotabato and South Cotabato in favor of Arroyo’s senatorial candidates.

Abalos told reporters that his eight months in detention at the SPD proved to be fruitful, thanks to his newfound friends, particularly eight children whom he has promised to send to school.

He said he has grown fond of the children because they kept him company most of the time during his detention, especially whenever he went jogging.

“They made him laugh,” said Abalos’ wife Corazon who accompanied him during Sunday’s visit.