THE joint Justice-Comelec panel created to conduct a preliminary investigation into the alleged 2007 electoral fraud yesterday convened for the first time and required former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and several other personalities to file their counter-affidavits on or before Nov. 14.

As expected, none of the respondents showed up and instead sent their lawyers to the Department of Justice office in Manila.

Aside from Mrs. Arroyo, the respondents are former Gentleman Mike Arroyo, former Commission on Elections Chairman Benjamin Abalos, former acting Justice Secretary Alberto Agra; Michael Abas, Region 9 Comelec director; Col. Reuben Basiao, Romy Dayday, Jeremy Javier, a certain Mayor Joey Leaban, and a  certain Capt. Peter Reyes, of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP); lawyer Jaime Paz, former chief of staff of Abalos; former poll supervisors Lilian Radam and Yogie Martirizar, respectively of South and North Cotabato;  and Datu Andal Ampatuan, Sr., former governor of Maguindanao.

The other respondents are Lintang Bedol, former provincial election supervisor of Maguindanao; Norie Unas, former provincial administrator of Maguindanao; Nicodemo Ferrer, former Comelec commissioner and then chairman of Task Force Maguindanao; and a certain Butch, alleged personnel of Unas; Bong Serrano, of the Pasay City Administrator’s Office; Gabby Claudio, former Palace spokesman; and John Oliver Leaban, of ISAFP.

Also accused are Estelita Orbase, Elisa Gasmin, Elsa Atinen, Saliao Amba, Magsaysay Mohamad, Salonga Edzela, Ragah Ayunan, Susan Cabanban, Russam Mabang, Asuncion Corazon Reniedo, Nena alid, Ma. Susan Albao, Rohaida Khalid, Araw Cao, Jeehan Nur, Alice Lim, Norijean Hangkal, Christian Roan Dalope and Maceda Abo.

The purpose of the preliminary investigation is to determine whether probable cause exists to indict them for electoral sabotage which carries the  penalty of life sentence.