MANILA, Dec. 7, 2009—A religious leader voiced fears that President Arroyo imposed martial law in Maguindanao partly to conceal proof of massive electoral fraud in the 2004 and 2007 elections.

Arroyo and her administration bets won big in the said previous elections with the help of members of the beleaguered Ampatuan clan.

Jesus Is Lord Church leader turned presidential aspirant Eduardo “Brother Eddie” Villanueva said the President should answer the allegations to clear growing suspicion on the real motive behind the declaration.

“We cannot blame those who equate the declaration of martial law in Maguindanao to securing proof of election fraud,” said Villanueva of Bangon Pilipinas.

Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr., on Monday cited reports that election paraphernalia from the 2004 and 2007 elections were among those recovered from the dug Ampatuans arms cache in Maguindanao.

During a Senate caucus to scrutinize Presidential Proclamation 1959 placing Maguindanao under military rule, Pimentel said martial law was declared to cover up alleged cheating that marred the 2004 presidential and 2007 senatorial elections in the province.

“President Arroyo and her cohorts are afraid the Ampatuans may expose the rigging of election results in Maguindanao that enabled her to win over opposition challenger Fernando Poe Jr. in the 2004 elections, and administration candidates to sweep the senatorial polls in the province in 2007,” he said.

According to Villanueva, the Arroyo administration has yet to give a decent and acceptable explanation on the declaration of martial law.

“What the public wants to see is a clear, factual and Constitutional basis for a martial law at this time. The glaring absence of any basis only further proves that the imposition of a martial rule policy in Maguindanao was unnecessary for public and national interest,” said Villanueva. (CBCPNews)