A Garci Sighting

The article is a few weeks old. From Cagayan de Oro Online News:

Brows raised as Garci graces Alagar turnover

By Ben Balce / November 25, 2006


TELL me who your friends are and I’ll tell you who your are.

But the age-old adage doesn’t seem to bother Camp Alagar––at least not its former and present bosses.

Brows were raised as controversial former elections commissioner Virgilio Garcillano came and rubbed elbows with VIPs who graced yesterday’s turnover of the police regional command from retiring Chief Supt. Florante Baguio to Chief Supt. Teodorico Capuyan.

Garcillano, the man accused of rigging the result of the 2004 presidential elections in favor of President Arroyo, wasn’t a gatecrasher. He was warmly welcomed and even introduced as a ‘‘Comelec commissioner.’’

It was the outgoing regional police director who invited the ex-commissioner.

"Former commissioner Garcillano was invited," said Baguio. ‘‘He was one of the invited guests, not a mere spectator.’’

Baguio said ‘‘all VIPs’’ in the region, including barangay chairpersons, were invited to witness the turnover of the police command to Capuyan.

When he spoke during the turnover rites, Baguio acknowledged Garcillano.
.....

Before the program started, Garcillano was seen exchanging pleasantries with some northern Mindanao officials, including Bukidnon Gov. Jose Ma. Zubiri. Garcillano is said to be planning on running for congressman in Bukidnon.

Baguio said he found nothing wrong in having Garcillano, the man who nearly cost Arroyo the presidency, as a guest. Baguio said he, Capuyan and Garcillano ‘‘are good friends.’’

"Garcillano is a former government official and he once served Region 10 as regional director of the Comelec," said Baguio.

Baguio said Garcillano was also no stranger to Capuyan because the ex-commissioner was the Comelec director for northern Mindanao at the time he (Capuyan) was the police chief for Bukidnon.

Garci for Congress? Bring it on!