Friday, July 29, 2011
MANILA (Updated 11:47 a.m.) -- Police officers involved in alleged switching of election returns (ERs) back in 2004 apologized to the Filipino people and to actress Susan Roces, wife of actor-turned presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr.
He earlier said the switching of ERs happened inside the Batasan Pambansa building to ensure that then President Gloria Arroyo would be proclaimed winner in the presidential elections in case of a recount.
He presented on Wednesday night four documents to de Lima bearing the Commission on Elections (Comelec) seal, supposedly the original ERs from different parts of Mindanao. The ERs allegedly came from precincts in Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, Misamis Occidental and Lanao del Norte.
Arroyo's lead over his opponent in the 2004 presidential elections -- the late Fernando Poe Jr. -- was more than one million votes.
Poe's daughter, Grace, in a television interview, thanked Santiago for coming out to expose the 2004 poll fraud.
She added the revelation is a triumph not just for their family but for the nation.
"Nagpapasalamat kami, pero 'di ito tagumpay lamang ng pamilya namin kundi tagumpay ng bayan," she said.
She added they have not yet talked to their lawyers but said they will do the right action regarding the issue.
Grace added: "Gusto naming mabago ang kaisipan ng tao, that to be good, to defend our values, is worth it."
Santiago earlier said the ERs were stolen at the Batasan Pambansa building and were replaced with fake ones. The four break-ins occurred on separate occasions in January and February 2005.
However, de Lima said the witnesses are still finalizing their sworn statements, adding she expects them to submit their affidavits next week.
Santigao, as he faced the media Friday, said they were not involved in actual ER switching but were made to provide access and security to cover up cheating trail.
He also denied being paid to reveal what they know about the alleged switching of ERs.
He said he is receiving death threats even before he came out.
"We know that our lives are at risk. We know that we're facing powerful people, but there'll be no turning back," he said.
He said they seek justice by revealing the truth.
"Maybe this effort will change the system in our society," he added.
Lawyer Raul Lambino of the Arroyo camp earlier said in a text message, however, that "those same allegations were already investigated thoroughly before and even exposed in the media."
"Nothing new... Now, personalities with their own political agenda to advance are like hyenas savoring to devour their fallen prey by capitalizing on matters that in their minds will help them earn some points from the unsuspecting public," he said.