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Warrant of arrest issued vs ex-Comelec chairman Abalos
By ROSE-AN JESSICA DIOQUINO, GMA News
(Updated 3:37 p.m.) The Pasay Regional Trial Court (RTC) has issued a warrant of arrest against former Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Benjamin Abalos for electoral sabotage.
According to the office of Pasay RTC’s Branch 112, the warrant was issued at around 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday.
In a phone interview with GMA News TV’s “Balitanghali,” Branch 112 legal researcher Celda Domingo said the warrant is already with police officials who are on their way to serve it.
Domingo disclosed that the next step will be bringing Abalos to a detention cell, but she added: “Walang ipinag-utos ang korte kung saan siya dadalhin.”
Meanwhile, Connie Sison, GMA News TV reporter, tweeted: "Abalos says he is ready to be detained. He is now on his way to Pasay RTC to surrender." "No need to arrest me"
In an interview with “Balingtanghali” anchor Pia Arcangel on Tuesday, Abalos, who said he was already at the court, maintained that he will surrender.
“Hindi na kami kailangang arestuhin,” he said in a phone interview, but expressed sadness over news of his arrest because of his family.
“I can bear anything physically, pero naaawa ako sa pamilya ko. Si misis, iyak nang iyak. Hindi ko na dinaanan sa bahay,” he said. True to his words, Abalos turned himself in to the court shortly after the issuance of the warrant of arrest, according to a report on radio dzBB. The report said Abalos showed up past 11 a.m. and may be detained at the Southern Police District headquarters. A separate report by GMA News reporter Saleema Refran on GMA News TV's "On Call" on Tuesday afternoon said Abalos underwent booking procedures at the Investigation Division of Pasay Police Station after he turned himself in. The report quoted Abalos' lawyer, Brigido Dulay, as saying that they would file a very urgent motion for the application for bail.
- former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, and
- former Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr., among others.
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