By Ferdinand G. Patino
MANILA, May 13 (PNA) — Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Sixto Brillantes on Tuesday said that the “Hello Garci” case is now closed.
Brillantes said this is because the possible election offense cases against former Commissioner Virgilio Garciallano and other poll body personnel suspected involved in the “Hello Garci” scandal have already been prescribed.
With this, he said that they could no longer file any case against the former Comelec official and employees.
“No more… what election offense they supposedly did in the 2004, we cannot chase them anymore since it has already prescribed,” said Brillantes. “We cannot do anything (against them) any longer.”
Section 267 of the Omnibus Election Code provides that “election offenses shall prescribe after five years from the date of their commission.”
The so-called “Garci Boys” were identified as Ray Sumalipao; Renato Magbutay; Francisco Pobe; Renault Macarambon; Teopisto Elnas Jr.; and Cirilo Nala Jr.
They are suspected to be “associates” of Garcillano, the alleged mastermind in the 2004 election fraud case.
The “Hello Garci” scandal involves the exposed wiretapped conversation in 2005, wherein a voice of a man, allegedly Garcillano, and a woman, allegedly then president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, were recorded talking supposedly about favoring administration candidates in the 2004 election.
The alleged rigging of election results marked its 10th year anniversary this month. (Philippine News Agency)
