Court allows Abalos to post bail

Rappler.com

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The court cites weak evidence against former Comelec chair Benjamin Abalos

MANILA, Philippines – A Pasay court on Friday, August 17, allowed former Commission on Elections chair Benjamin Abalos to post bail for an electoral sabotage charge.

BAIL APPROVED. Former Comelec chair Benjamin Abalos can enjoy temporary freedom after a Pasay court granted his bail petition. File photo by Paterno Esmaquel II

In a phone interview with Rappler, Pasay Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 112 spokesperson Felda Domingo said the prosecution failed to present strong evidence of guilt against Abalos. In particular, Domingo said the prosecution had only one main witness against Abalos – former election supervisor Yogie Martirizar. No one corroborated Martirizar’s testimony against Abalos, the court spokesperson said.

“Doon nagkulang – sa corroboration ng testimony ni Martirizar,” Domingo explained. (That was their weakness – the corroboration of Martirizar’s testimony.)

In June, another Pasay court allowed Abalos to post bail for a separate electoral sabotage case. But Abalos couldn’t walk free then because of a pending bail petition before Pasay RTC Branch 112. 

Pasay RTC Branch 112 was the same court that granted bail to former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for an electoral sabotage charge. It is presided over by Jesus Mupas, who owes the Arroyos his assignment to the Pasay RTC. – Rappler.com

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