Court orders arrest of Abalos in poll case

PASAY CITY — Former Chairman Benjamin S. Abalos Sr. of the Commission on Elections has voluntarily surrendered to police following the issuance by the Pasay City Regional Trial Court (RTC) of an order for his arrest for election sabotage.

Saying he will not flee, Abalos Sr. was placed under the custody of the Southern Police District in Taguig City, five days after the filing of electoral sabotage complaint against him in connection with the 2007 senatorial elections.
Abalos did not wait for the arrest warrant to be issued against him.
Together with his wife and son, Mandaluyong City Mayor Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr., the former Comelec head went to the Pasay RTC Branch 112 to surrender.
Abalos earlier said he is ready to surrender once a warrant is issued for his arrest.
The arrest warrant was issued after the court denied Abalos camp’s motion for judicial determination of probable cause on the electoral sabotage case filed by the Comelec.
Abalos had denied allegations of rigging the 2007 senatorial elections.
The non-bailable case is being heard by Pasay RTC Branch 112 Judge Jesus Mupas.