MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Francis Escudero on Wednesday said he wants the controversial "Hello, Garci" tapes to be replayed if a new fact-finding committee is formed to investigate poll fraud in the 2004 election.

"Yun Hello Garci tape ang pinakamaliwanag at malakas na ebidensya na nagkaroon ng dayaan noong 2004 elections. Wala rin malalabag na batas kung magamit ito ulit sakaling magkaroon ng imbestigasyon ang fact-finding committee dahil lalabag ka lang sa batas kung umamin sina GMA (former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo) at (former poll commissioner Virgilio) Garcillano na boses nga nila yun nai-record. Hanggang ngayon kasi hindi naman nila inaamin na sila nga talaga yun. Kahit pa nag-sorry si GMA noon, generalities lang iyon," Escudero said.

The "Hello, Garci" tapes contained allegedly wiretapped conversations of then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and various government officials and individuals talking about various moves to rig the 2004 presidential election.

The tapes sparked several impeachment attempts against Arroyo, which were thrown out by her allies in Congress.
 
Multi-agency fact-finding

Escudero recently proposed the creation of a fact-finding committee after former Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Lintang Bedol revealed alleged poll fraud in the 2004 and 2007 elections.

In his proposal, the senator said the committee, composed of representatives from the Senate, Department of Justice, Commission on Elections, Office of the Solicitor General. and the House of Representatives, will determine the real winner of the 2004 presidential election.

Escudero said now is a good time to verify claims of fraud during the 2004 elections since Bedol's name was also mentioned in the "Hello, Garci" tapes.
 
"Ang goal natin dito is not really for prosecution. Gusto ko maiwasto ang kasaysayan at sana maisara na ang isang yugto nito kung sino talaga yun nanalo noong 2004. Kung si [Fernando Poe Jr.] ang nanalo, kahit wala na siya ay sana maisama man lang siya sa mga naging Pangulo ng bansa."
 
The senator also proposed the use of voice analysis on the "Hello, Garci" tape to determine if it matches the voices of Arroyo and Garcillano.

'No need for fact-finding'
 
For his part, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said he does not see the need to create a fact-finding committee if the goal is to prosecute those who allegedly cheated.
 
"Sa aking paningin, dapat huwag gawin iyon. Dapat mausisa iyan kung mayroon bang dayaan at kung may ebidensya na may dayaan ay dapat dalhin na yan sa may kapangyarihan na magsakdal sa kanila para diretso na sa husgado," Enrile said.

He also said the justice department's plan to put former President Arroyo under the immigration watch list is premature.

"Wala pang krimen, wala pang nasasakdal panay salita palang. Mentioning is not enough, you have to present evidence. I can mention Jesus Christ and that does not mean the Jesus Christ is guilty," Enrile said.

Meantime, the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights discussed several amendments to the Revised Penal Code in today's hearing.

Escudero said among the things discussed was a proposal to update the penalties for estafa, theft and robbery.

"Ngayon kasi makukulong ng reclusion perpetua kung ang halaga ng ninakaw ay P22,000. Malaking halaga kasi ito noon kaya kailangan ng baguhin. Napag-usapan din ang pagbigay galang at respeto sa libingan ng mga tao at identity theft para maalagaan at maprotektahan ang mga impormasyon na ibibigay s mga credit card at iba pa," he said.