Garcillano uses ‘Hello, Garci’ gimmick in campaign

MANOLO FORTICH, Bukidnon – Unfazed by a possible backlash that the controversial 2004 tape scandal might wrought on his political ambition, the equally controversial former election official has used the “Hello, Garci" teaser to push his congressional bid here. Former poll commissioner Virgilio Garcillano had denied he is “Garci" during a congressional investigation into the scandal two years ago and the opposition is now baffled why he used the infamous alias in his campaign. Garcillano was implicated in an alleged plot to rig the 2004 elections after his voice was heard in a wiretapped conversation with a woman who the opposition believed was President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and other “operators" during the canvassing of the 2004 presidential elections. The alleged voice of the woman was heard saying “will I still win a million votes." The “Garci tapes" sparked street protests that almost toppled the Arroyo administration. Reelectionist Sen. Panfilo Lacson said Garcillano’s bid to seek a congressional seat in the first district of Bukidnon is a “disgrace" to Philippine politics. “Kapalmuks masyado si Garci. Noon ayaw niyang aminin na siya si Garci, pero ngayon sa mga campaign ads at campaign posters niya rito, gamit pa niya ang pangalang ‘Hello, Garci.’ Para bang ipinagmalaki pa kung ano ang nagawa nilang kalokohan noong nakalipas na halalan (He’s truly insensitive. He had denied he is Garci but now he got the nerve to use the name in the campaign. Apparently he is flaunting his misdeeds)," Lacson told reporters here. Garcillano was accused by the opposition of being the “architect" in the manipulation of election results particularly in Mindanao to ensure the victory of the administration ticket. Lacson said the Garcillano case has yet to be solved. “There must be closure to the controversy," he said. Lacson, along with GO senatorial bet Loren Legarda, made the rounds in the province of Bukidnon not to campaign against Garcillano but to campaign for Garcillano’s opponents. Several campaign posters of Garcillano bear his face and the phrase “Hello, Garci for congressman." The GO senatorial ticket held a major campaign rally at the amphitheater in the Divisoria district in Cagayan de Oro City Wednesday night before proceeding to other Mindanao provinces. Lacson campaigned for former Senate jueteng probe witness Michael Angelo Zuce who is also running as a mayoralty candidate in Malitbog municipality also in Bukidnon under GO. During the rally, which was attended by six of the opposition senatorial candidates, GO wooed some 5,000 Cagayanos at the amphitheater. Also present at the rally were Aquilino “Koko" Pimentel III (who hails from the province), John Osmeña, Benigno Aquino III and Nikki Coseteng. Villar was in Cagayan de Oro City earlier but did not attend the rally. Detained Magdalo leader Antonio Trillanes IV was represented by a Magdalo member. Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. was seen at the stage and congressional bet Rufus Rodriguez hosted the event Meanwhile, Pimentel III said he would file civil and moral charges against the lawyer of Garcillano before the court in retaliation to the charges the latter filed before the Ombudsman. The lawyer, Ed Tamondong, accused the GO bet and his father of using government resources in the campaign. The Pimentels said Tamondong is getting back at them because they did not support the lawyer in the 2004 mayoral election in Cagayan de Oro. The young Pimentel also said the legal action is allegedly part of the administration’s scheme to bring down the opposition. - GMANews.TV