|
By Angelo S. Samonte, Reporter
President Gloria Arroyo was surprised by the
resignation of Chairman Benjamin Abalos of the Commission on
Elections (Comelec), but Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said the
Palace respects his decision.
“We respect his decision and appreciate his
desire to protect his family and the Comelec from vicious
politics,” Bunye said. “We wish him well as he carries on his
fight to clear his name,” Bunye said in a short statement released
to the media.
Abalos announced on Monday he is resigning from
Comelec amid allegations that he brokered and offered bribes in
connection with the approval of the $330-million contract eventually
given to China’s ZTE Corp.
The fight is not yet over, he said, adding that
he will continue to struggle to clear his name.
Abalos’ resignation came after two congressmen
signed to endorse an impeachment complaint against him.
With Abalos’ resignation, however, the
impeachment bid has become “moot,” according to House Minority
Leader Ronaldo Zamora.
Abalos also said he resigned to negate
insinuations that Malacañang was trying to protect him because he
knows too many secrets.
Abalos was accused of offering
bribes—allegedly, $10 million to Jose “Joey” de Venecia 3rd,
son of the House Speaker, to back off the project. De Venecia is
affiliated with Amsterdam Holdings Inc., which failed to land the
broadband deal. Then more recently, Abalos was accused of offering
P200 million (about $4.3 million) to socioeconomic planning chief
Romulo Neri also in connection with the broadband project.
Abalos denied those charges and will file cases
against them.
|
