Ms. Dale Zapata
                                                                                                                                               83321148/8334507

                                                                          

STATEMENT OF THE OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT ON ALLEGATIONS OF THE LEGARDA CAMP AND MR. TABAYOYONG THAT VP NOLI DE CASTRO BENEFITED FROM THE SAN MATEO RAID
19 August 2005


If Senator Legarda indeed believes that the allegedly tampered election documents are of any legal use to her, then we encourage her to pursue all available legal remedies to recover them. It is unfair for the senator to point an accusing finger at the Vice President without any factual basis.  Needless to say, her malicious accusation is uncalled for and unfair.


Vice President Noli “Kabayan” de Castro has always been an advocate for upholding civil rights of persons, including their right be secure against unreasonable searches and seizures.  He will not tolerate any violation of these constitutionally-protected rights.


Panatag kami sa malinis na pagkapanalo ni Bise Presidente Noli de Castro noong nakaraang halalan. We are certain that the Vice President was not involved in any electoral fraud.


Lastly, under the constitution, the proper forum duty-bound to resolve Senator Legarda’s election protest is the Presidential Electoral Tribunal.  The Vice President will support all reasonable proposals to speed-up the resolution of the election protest. As in fact, he has agreed to the proposal of Legarda’s camp to use, in part, the election returns as basis for the recount instead of the usual tedious recount of ballots.


Atty. Jesse H.T. Andres
Chief of Staff



Ref no. VPMEDIA 05-111