DOJ: Arroyo not yet cleared of 2004 poll anomalies

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said that Former President and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo still has to face the suspected irregularities in the May 2004 presidential elections.

De Lima made the clarification Thursday stressing that despite Arroyo's previous clearance by the Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales on inducement charges connected to the 2004 polls, which includes her husband, Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo, former Commission on Elections Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano, and four others, she still has to face necessary investigations.

Based on the 43-page resolution approved, on May 25, the Ombudsman said the proof against Arroyo and six others was inadequate because "the complaint contains bare allegations and pieces of evidence that are unsubscribed, unauthenticated and recanted affidavits or statements."

Carpio-Morales said, "I think the basis is insufficiency of evidence and therefore no probable cause. So, it does not preclude the filing of another case if and when there is sufficiency of evidence."

The Department of Justice -Comelec joint poll investigation team has not yet finished its inquiry into suspected vote-rigging in 2004, and if proof warrants, charges may yet be filed against Mrs. Arroyo who is now under custody for charges filed in court for electoral sabotage in link with the 2007 midterm polls, according to De Lima.

She added, "Wala pang double jeopardy dyan and I don't even know if kung yung mga facts alleged sa complaint... pertain to the same facts na iniimbestigahan ng Senate... and assuming that it pertains to the same alleged acts of election irregularity, wala pa namang double jeopardy dyan." — ARA