LACSON: GARCI RECOMMENDED MACARAMBON TO COMELEC POST

Citing at least two independent sources, Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson maintained Friday that the appointment of Moslemen Macarambon to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is tainted with the "golden hand" of former poll commissioner Virgilio Garcillano.

Despite Macarambon's claims that former Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. lobbied for him in Malacañang, Lacson said it was Garcillano who convinced Mrs. Arroyo to appoint Macarambon to the vacant Comelec post.

"My two independent sources stand by their assertion that it was Garcillano who recommended Judge Macarambon to the Comelec. I maintain my position that if indeed Mrs. Arroyo heeded Garcillano's request to have Macarambon appointed, there is no denying the fact that the appointment is, to say the least, tainted," Lacson said.

Lacson earlier cited information reaching him indicating that Macarambon, a judge based in Iligan City, is a "known prot�g�" of Garcillano. Garcillano had been linked to massive cheating in the 2004 elections.

He said he will question Macarambon's appointment once it is brought before the Commission on Appointments (CA).

On the other hand, Lacson said he is willing to apologize to Macarambon if his information is proven wrong.

"As I was bold enough to express my negative opinion on the nominee, I think I should be bolder to even apologize to him if proven wrong about the integrity of the selection process that preceded his nomination to the poll body," he said.