Eddie Gil

Eddie Gil (born Feb. 7, 1944 in Masbate) is a Filipino singer who attempted to run for the President during the 2004 Presidential elections. However, he was disqualified from running by the Commission on Elections, citing his inability to begin a national campaign and marking him as a 'nuisance candidate.'^[1] Gil appealed his disqualification to the Philippine Supreme Court, where it was upheld. A self-proclaimed billionaire, he promised fellow Filipinos to pay off the national debt with his own finances. But in an embarrassing occurrence in one of his 'campaign sorties' in Mindanao, particularly Cagayan de Oro City, Gil wasn't even able to afford the hotel accommodations. Many ridiculed his attempt for the Presidency, linking his involvement in politics merely to promote his upcoming album.^[2]

In June 2010, Gil was arrested with 3 others in the country of Mauritius on fraud charges. Gil presented a forged 10 Billion Euro bank guarantee to Investec Bank Mauritius. The false bank guarantee was to be used to solicit a loan. The police investigation is ongoing and Interpol has been contacted to determine if they have done similar scams to others.^[3]

On Tuesday December 14, 2010 Eddie Gil was sentenced to three years imprisonment in Mauritius for attempted money laundering and fraud.^[4]

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