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Saturday, December 10, 2005
Cardinal Vidal saddened by Garci testimony
Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal preferred to hear the whole truth from former election official Virgilio Garcillano, who has been accused of rigging last year’s presidential polls.
But the cardinal said he only heard half-truths when Garcillano appeared before the joint congressional committee hearing last Wednesday.
“There is so much courage needed in decision-making. For example, to tell the truth because even under oath and in the view of cameras half-truths were told and retold,” he said in his homily during the mass and the consecration of the new Divine Word Chapel of the University of San Carlos north campus.
“Half-truth is nothing more than a big lie,” the cardinal said. He reminded people of the value of honesty, saying only a courageous person tells the truth.
Garcillano told the House inquiry that he did not help Arroyo secure the presidency during the 2004 elections and that they talked only once on the phone, last May 24, 2004.
Garcillano did not answer questions on whether it was he who was heard in wiretapped conversations talking to a woman who sounded like the President.
Although Arroyo had apologized last July for calling an election official, she did not name that official.
During the congressional hearing on the “Hello Garci” tapes, Garcillano named some senators and congressmen who called him up or saw him during last year’s election, including Cebu Rep. Clavel Asas-Martinez.
Like Cardinal Vidal, Martinez (4th district) also wants to know the truth of what transpired during the elections. She has denied calling Garcillano because she had no reason to do so because the official was assigned in Luzon.
“What kind of politics are we getting into? What kind of politicians are we producing? Always what it expedient, always what is convenient, always what is financially rewarding. Our kind of politics has changed,” Martinez said during a forum yesterday.
She hopes that with the protest filed by defeated vice presidential candidate Loren Legarda, the truth about the elections in Cebu will come out.
Martinez, a guest of the Kapihan sa PIA with Bert Emphasis, said she has lost faith in the Commission on Elections (Comelec) because of the massive cheating in Cebu.
She reiterated that they were cheated in Cebu and that it was Winston Garcia, brother of Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, who talked to Garcillano to declare Gwendolyn the winner.
Martinez’s husband, former congressman Celestino Martinez Jr., ran against Gwendolyn.
“In the first place, we do not even know Garcillano personally. She was the one calling Garcillano so she knew Garcillano personally. But she herself is not sure of that (Winston talking to Garcillano). She was the one calling Garcillano during the election period and this was admitted by no less than her husband,” said Capitol consultant on information, organization and management Pablo John Garcia, Gwendolyn’s brother.
Martinez yesterday denied again that she called Garcillano but accused the poll official of manipulating the elections in Cebu.
She said Garcillano was the one who signed the order to proclaim Gwendolyn.
But Provincial Election Officer Edwin Cadungog had shown the Comelec en banc order dated June 29 without Garcillano’s signature. (AIV/MBG)
(December 10, 2005 issue)
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