Sen. Chiz Escudero aims to have FPJ recognized as 2004 presidential polls winner

Senator Francis Escudero is keen on pushing for a posthumous proclamation of Fernando Poe Jr. as the “rightful winner” in the 2004 presidential elections if proven so.

According to GMA News Online’s Dec. 15 report, Chiz will gather sufficient evidence from the Senate Blue Ribbon committee's investigation that would prove the movie star did win the controversial contest against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo."

"Siguro by early next year makukumpleto na namin ang supisyenteng basehan para hilingin sa kongreso na kilalanin bilang nagwagi at nanalong pangulo noong 2004 elections si yumaong FPJ," said he.

Escudero, who was Poe's spokesperson during the 2004 polls, said he asked the National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) during Wednesday's Senate poll fraud hearing to present the tabulated election returns during the 2004 polls.

“Well, makakalap sana kami ng ebidensya sa hearing na ito at sa pagpupulong namin sana sa Namfrel para mahanap at makuha ang puno't-dulo ng naganap noong 2004... kung sino ba talaga ang nanalo kaya pinipigilan pa namin ang pagsampa at paghain nito [resolution]," he said.

He likewise filed Joint Resolution No. 11 which aims to create a fact-finding commission that would “supposedly bring closure to allegations of massive poll fraud which allegedly benefited Poe's rival former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.”

Poll chief Sixto Brillantes, however, said the Commission on Elections (Comelec) can no longer undo the proclamation of Arroyo even if it is proven that she rigged the election.

2004 polls timeline

Recall that Arroyo won in the 2004 elections after garnering 12,905,808 votes over Poe's 11,782,232 votes.

After the election, Poe claimed that Arroyo had robbed him of his electoral victory. Having passed away in Dec. 14, 2004 his widow, Susan Roces then pursued the protest.

In March 2005, the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET) dismissed the protest.

But in June 2005, a taped conversation about the alleged vote-rigging between a woman presumed to be Arroyo and a man presumed to be former Comelec commissioner Virgilio Garcillano surfaced. It became known as the “Hello Garci" controversy.

Both Arroyo and Garcillano have since denied being involved in the supposed rigging of the 2004 elections.

By MAUREEN MARIE BELMONTE
mb.com.ph

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