Malacañang getting ready to appoint ‘new’ Garci : QC IMC

“We have heard from reliable sources that Malacañang is choosing between Judge Moslemen Macarambon of Iligan City or Maguindanao Provincial Prosecutor Salick Panda to replace retired Commissioner Mehol Sadain. Both Macarambon and Panda are from the judiciary, but they’re also known in Mindanao as politicians. This last minute and silent appointment in the COMELEC will complete the administration’s cheating machinery. This also contradicts GMA’s statement that the government will be transparent with its COMELEC appointments,” Rep. Hontiveros said. “What is alarming is, why the hush?”

She also revealed that the new appointment will take place “right before the campaign period starts.”
She added that the ‘Hello Garci’ men have actually been promoted in COMELEC.

“Francisco Pobe, for instance, was recently promoted as assistant regional director for the CARAGA region and is now under Cirilo Naja Jr., one of Garci’s friends. In 2004, he was the provincial elcetion supervisor of Surigao del Sur and he talked to Garci to give updates on the votes from Cotabato City that President GMA was keen on ‘protecting’,” Rep. Hontiveros said.

“Renato Magbutay, who in one of the conversations tried to convince Garcillano to have a woman election official kidnapped because she refused to cheat for GMA, is now the regional director for Region VI. Ray Sumalipao, who headed the Board of Canvassers for Lanao del Sur, where massive cheating allegedly took place, is now the regional director for ARMM. Renault Macarambon, who talked to Garci to ensure the victory of a senatorial candidate, now heads the Election and Barangay Affairs Department of COMELEC,” she added.

According to the AKBAYAN solon, this, as well as the reported sale of party-list seats and the mass suspension of local government officials, fit in the administration’s strategy.

“They are aware that they will most likely lose in the senatorial election. They also want to ensure to retain their control in the House of Representatives and the LGUs. They will cheat to do that and they will cheat to give administration senatorial bets a chance to win,” she warned.

“While we have nothing against the implementation of our anti-corruption measures, the recent mass suspension of LGU officials is clearly an electoral strategy. Otherwise, why are they implementing this only now? Despite what DILG Sec. Puno is saying, this clearly favors the administration candidates in key local positions,” she said.

She likewise slammed the reported sale of PL seats to increase the number of pro-administration members in the Lower House. “This destroys the essence of the PL system, which is to give voice to marginalized sectors. We challenge the pro-administration PL groups to be transparent in the selection of their nominees,” Rep. Hontiveros said.

January 17, 2007