Mike Arroyo

Charges are being readied against a former official of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office who accused the administration of illegally using the agency’s funds to rig the 2001 national election.Jesus Santos, legal counsel of the Preisdent’s husband, Mike Arroyo, said they are now preparing the case against Cirilo Avila.Santos questioned the timing of Avila, who only came up with the story five years after it was allegedly committed.“How can the First Gentleman have ordered him [to help rig the election] when Mr. Arroyo never interferes with any government transactions? His [Cirilo] motives are questionable and his accusations are baseless,” Santos said, branding Cirilo a “destabilizer.”Charges of false statement in the narration of a story will be filed against Cirilo, added Santos.In a related development, Santos asked Senator Jinggoy Estrada to admit his mistake and apologize to Mr. Arroyo.Estrada on Wednesday accused Mr. Arroyo of helping Hong Kong-based businessman Jack Lam in securing casino contracts.Santos said records from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation show that the contracts were granted to Lam during the term of former President Joseph Estrada.“This only shows that Senator Estrada only had one thing in mind—tarnishing the reputation of the Mr. Arroyo,” Santos said.

Santos also challenged Estrada to “belie the fact” that alleged big-time smuggler Lucio Co is a close friend of his father.