Padaca posts bail

MANILA -- Newly appointed Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Grace Padaca has posted P70,000-bail on Thursday for graft and malversation charges filed against her before the Sandiganbayan.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda confirmed that President Benigno Aquino III paid for the bail of the former Isabela governor.

The money came from the personal funds of the President, he said. "It is not government money. It came from the personal funds of the President and the bond was P70,000," he said.

The Palace official said the President offered to pay the bail because he "believes in the cause" of Padaca, whom he appointed as commissioner of Comelec this week.

Padaca was accompanied by Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II when she posted P70,000-bail at Sandiganbayan's fifth division on Thursday.

The Sandiganbayan last May issued an arrest warrant for Padaca for her alleged role in the grant of a P25-million credit facility for rice farmers to a non-government organization without public bidding. She was the governor of Isabela province then.

Lacierda said the President already offered to post bail for Padaca when the Sandiganbayan issued a warrant of arrest against her three months ago but she turned it down.

He said during that time, Padaca was not interested since she believed that the case was just a political harassment. Padaca relented to the offer when she accepted Aquino's offer to become Comelec commissioner.

Lacierda also defended that the credibility and integrity of Padaca made her suitable for the Comelec position even if she is not a lawyer and information technology expert.

"She is a woman of integrity. We believe she is capable to do her responsibilities," he said.

Padaca in an interview said she is thankful for the trust and confidence the President is giving her. (Jill Beltran/Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)