SENATOR FRANCIS "KIKO" PANGILINAN URGES COMELEC AND DOJ TO GIVE PUBLIC CLOSURE ON ALLEGATIONS OF FRAUD IN '04 ELECTIONS

"In the interest of the truth and of justice, I welcome the latest developments wherein new witnesses are now surfacing to tell us what they know about the 2004 elections," said Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan of the unfolding developments in the case of the alleged massive fraud during the 2004 polls that prompted the Department of Justice and the Commission on Elections to conduct a joint inquiry. "I too am interested in the whole truth because it will be a chance for those involved in cheating to be unmasked."

Pangilinan, who sat on the National Board of Canvassers in 2004 as then Majority Leader in the Senate, said that the public is closer now more than ever to the truth behind the controversies of the 2004 elections.

"Our role in the canvassing committee in 2004 mandated us to decide on the basis of the evidence available, the rules and the law. All the evidence now surfacing seven years later was not available then. In 2004 we did not know about 'hello garci', but when we learned about the taped conversations in 2005, out of principle, we did not hesitate to condemn the acts of PGMA then and called for her immediate resignation. In keeping with this principled position, we refused a slot in the admin ticket in 2007 and opted to run as an independent."

Pangilinan hopes that the joint inquiry would educate the voters better and make them become more vigilant during elections. "Voting is a fundamental right of every citizen and a crucial aspect of a democratic process. It is considered sacred, and any violation against it should be met with severe and appropriate sanction."