Gloria-Garci links go a long way

They go a long way indeed. From the tribune:

While President Arroyo has denied she had engaged the “services” of former Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano to ensure her victory in the last presidential elections, documents gathered from Malacañang show otherwise.

Former Sen. Francisco Tatad yesterday revealed Garcillano actually started working for Mrs. Arroyo since she ran for senator in 1992.

Malacañang documents disclosed that since November 2002, the President has engaged the services of Garcillano to conduct a series of “consultations” with Comelec officials in Mindanao.

In his Jan. 8, 2003 report to Mrs. Arroyo, Garcillano, through presidential liaison officer for political affairs Jose Ma. Rufino, said “the (survey) or (consultations were) undertaken for the purpose of getting the pulse of the electorate at this early.”

The documents also showed the Mindanao “consultations” had been funded by Malacañang in the amount of P875,150.

Funds were also allotted for “consultations” in Luzon amounting to P986,700 and the Visayas (P566,950).

Both consultations, however, were aborted due to the December announcement of Mrs. Arroyo that she will not run for the presidential elections in May 2004.

In previous memorandum for Mrs. Arroyo on Oct. 10, 2002, Rufino confirmed the “consultations' were indeed sanctioned by Malacañang.

“As per instructions of Her Excellency during her visit in Iligan City last Sept. 26, 2002, and the need to precisely approximate the electoral pulse and secure a workable game plan for the 2004 elections, our office shall undertake the aforementioned consultations,” he said.

Another memorandum from one Assistant Secretary Ahmad Bayam showed Garcillano, as an election officer in Mindanao, has been serving the interest of the ruling Lakas-NUCD (National Union of Christian Democrats) and that his services in the 2004 presidential elections are again needed.

“Since the 1992 elections, Director Garcillano has been extensively serving and protecting the interest of Lakas-NUCD-UMDP (United Muslim Democrats in the Philippines), particularly in Mindanao and delivered almost every electoral pleasure of the administration,” Bayam said in his memorandum to Rufino.

“In view of our need to continue enlisting Director Garcillano's expertise and services on election matters, especially with the 2004 elections, it would be beneficial if we could assist in appointing him to another position of prominence, such as member of the board of directors in Public Estates Authority or any government agency in order to sustain his resources and authority,” the memorandum added.

Tatad said Garcillano lobbied extensively for his appointment to the Comelec post.

“I hope I am not taxing your patience for repeatedly reminding you of my application for the position of commissioner of the Commission on Elections. Although you have given me the hope of being appointed to that exalted position in case of any vacancy, I still feel the need to remind you of my desire,” Garcillano's letter to Mrs. Arroyo showed.

“If given the chance, I will not let Your Excellency down,” Garcillano stated.

Tatad said the appointment of Garcillano is questionable because it had no prospect of being confirmed before or after the elections, during the administration ending on June 30, 2004.

According to the former lawmaker, under the Constitution no Comelec commissioner may be appointed in a temporary capacity.