Borra asks why he was singled out in poll modernization raps

Embattled Elections Commissioner Resurreccion Borra is asking why he is being singled out for prosecution in the aborted P1.3-billion Mega Pacific deal when the decision to implement the computerization program was actually made by the Commission on Elections as a whole. The remark came in a chance interview Monday at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in Manila's Intramuros district.

"This is a collegial body's decision, so why am I singled out?" Borra said when asked if he was saying that others should be included in the charges. "My position is I'm a victim of circumstances and I'm ready to face any (charges) and defend myself because I know I have not done anything wrong in this project as commissioner in charge of modernization phase 2, (My job) was only implementation (My liability lies) up to that point only," Borra stressed. He also said he never signed the contract but refused to elaborate, merely saying the commission as a whole would come up with its position later in the day. Asked if the charges were meant to divert the public's interest from the impeachment complaints filed against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and that he was meant to be sacrificed, Borra said:"Well, I do not want to make any comment at this point in time." "This is a collegial decision and I'm not deciding for myself and for the whole commission. We have to deliberate and once we have our position that’s (going to be) our course of action," he added. Borra said this was the first time in his 46 years of service in the commission that he was charged for an official act. On June 30, the Office of the Ombudsman said it had reached "factual findings" that could make Borra subject to impeachment over the botched P1.3-billion computerization deal. Apart from Borra, other poll officials and executives of Mega Pacific were recommended charged for graft. The other Comelec officials, including chair Benjamin Abalos, were not yet off the hook as they are still subject for further investigation. The Supreme Court voided the deal with Mega Pacific in late 2003 on grounds that the Comelec disregarded the law and its bidding procedures when it awarded the computerized ballot-counting deal to the consortium. For his part, Abalos told Comelec employees that "the show must go on," stressing the institution would be able to survive yet another crisis. "I explained to the employees (just like in) showbiz the show must go on...whatever it is, not only our detractors, but more particularly the people that are against automation will continue to criticize us," Abalos said. "But I know we will survive. I know all of this would pass and ultimately (the) Comelec would be able to clear its name,'' he added. -GMANews.TV