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Sunday, June 12, 2005
Senator seeks inquiry on Ong's revelation
MANILA -- Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III called Saturday for an immediate inquiry into the accusation of former National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) deputy director Samuel Ong that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo cheated in last year's elections.
Pimentel suggested that the Senate committee on national defense chaired by Senator Rodolfo Biazon should summon Ong, officials of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP), and Malacañang, particularly National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzalez.
Ong, in a press conference held in the Metroclub in Rockwell, Makati City last Friday, claimed possession of four tapes of a wiretapped chat between Arroyo and Comelec Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano wherein the President allegedly told the election official to rig the results of the presidential race.
Ong said an ISAFP agent gave the tapes to him.
Malacañang, however, rejected Ong's claim and called it as part of a grand scheme to oust President Arroyo from the presidency.
"I am calling on Senator Biazon to conduct an investigation of the revelation of Ong because the committee on the national defense and security has jurisdiction over such matter," Pimentel said.
The senator said Ong should explain the origin of the tapes and to establish its authenticity, especially in view of Malacañang's claim that the wiretapped conversation between the President and Comelec official has been doctored or spliced.
Pimentel also stressed that the grounds for the resignation of President Arroyo became stronger with Ong's revelation.
Grand scheme
Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said Ong's allegations are part of a grand scheme to oust Arroyo from the presidency.
"This is part of a well-orchestrated plot to destabilize the government and eventually replace the President," Bunye said in a radio interview.
He belittled Ong's claim that he has the "mother of all tapes," saying "someone might come out to hold a press conference and present tapes number 5, 6, 7."
Bunye said government is prepared to face "all the challenges being raised against national leadership and to uphold the truth and law without hesitation."
He dismissed the claims of Senator Panfilo Lacson and former senator Francisco Tatad that they had the tape of the wiretapped conversations checked by foreign forensic experts and the results showed that they were authentic.
Can't be played
Bunye said Ong's tape cannot be played because it is a violation of the Anti-Wiretapping Act (RA 4200).
On the other hand, administration Senator Ramon Magsaysay, Jr. has denied rumors that he is leaving the administration following reports that he expressed support to Ong when he visited the former NBI official in the San Carlos Seminary in Makati City where Ong has sought refuge.
Magsaysay said he went there to respond to Fr. Luis Sison's call for help following reports on the arrest of Ong by NBI operatives.
He called on the government to set aside politics in the issue and instead seek the help of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in determining the authenticity of the tape.
Unlike his colleagues from the opposition, Lacson said he would not visit Ong. He said he does not know or even met Ong.
Aside from Magsaysay, those who have expressed support to Ong are Senators Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada, Sergio Osmeña III and Maria Ana Consuelo "Jamby" Madrigal.
Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago assailed Ong for not telling the truth about the tape.
She also accused Ong of allowing himself to be used as a tool for propaganda against administration of President Arroyo.
On the challenge of Lacson that Arroyo can keep her post if she can satisfactorily explain the tapes and the jueteng allegations, Bunye said, "in due time (she will explain) but let's do it through what is provided by the law."
Bunye belittled the opposition, saying they have no alternative platform or leaders to offer.
"Who will they put as replacement? General Abat? President Estrada? Somebody from the left? (communist rebel spokesman) Ka Roger? Or (actor) Rez Cortez)?" he asked. (JPM/JMR/Sunnex)
(June 12, 2005 issue)
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