SC Worried that Bongbong Marcos’ Protest Affects Integrity of Entire Election
Nababahala umano ang Korte suprema sa 2016 election’s integrity sa buong election process dahil kapag nagkataon itoy isang malaking katanungan at kawalan ng integridad sa processo ng election sa bansa.
Ito umano ang kauna unahang electoral protest na hinain at hinarap sa korte suprema
The concern was discussed during the preliminary conference last July 11. Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno expresses her apprehension about the absence of “a template” to address the kind of protest that Bongbong Marcos brings to the court.
The “ first course of action” among the three that Marcos lodge is where he urges the PET to “declare as unauthentic” all the certificates of canvass used by both chambers of Congress in proclaiming Robredo as the winner. He disputes the slim margin of more than 200,000 votes against the millions of undervotes.
Associate Justice Marvic Leonen asks Marcos; “If you were to succeed in proving the first cause of action, wouldn’t that put into question the results of the elections of everybody else, both national and local,” said Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa. “Are you sure that this country is willing to face the consequences of a decision in your favor?” Marcos’ spokesperson Vic Rodriguez explains later that their complaint is specific to the Vice Presidential race as evidence shows irregularities against Marcos.
The second part of the Marcos petition is the “traditional” modes of cheating. Vote-buying, pre-shading, intimidation and failure of elections, among others. This is where the recount belongs. Marcos already identified the priority areas for it; Camarines Sur, Iloilo, and Negros Oriental. As far as the integrity of the 2016 election is concerned, even the President knows that it was a dirty election. In fact, Cebu’s ex-Mayor Michael Rama has the same protest against Mayor Tomas Osmena. Anyhow, if the recount can resolve the VP race conflict faster, then be it.
source: inquirer / carelinkweb