Manila, Philippines – Malacañang defended Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Sixto Brillantes yesterday from calls to resign by a lawyer of former President now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
Presidential spokesman Edwin F. Lacierda said Malacanang stands by the credibility of Brillantes. Arroyo’s lawyer, Atty. Inocencio Ferrer, called for Brillantes to resign after the Comelec chief stated that the former Chief Executive may be imprisoned before Christmas for alleged election fraud.
“I think Chairman Brillantes is a fully qualified election lawyer. He is very, very competent and he will go through the report, I am sure, without subjectivity,” Lacierda said. “The test of any complaint to be filed will always be on the basis of the evidence, both oral and testimonial, presented before their body so he is, again, in a better position to determine whether a case should be filed or not,” he said. (Madel R. Sabater)