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| Former Senator Bongbong Marcos and Vice President Leni Robredo / photo from the Manila Bulletin |
It might not really end yet as the battle to determine the winner in 2016 elections for vice president is seen to continue.
The Supreme Court justices is reportedly expected to decide in favor of former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in the poll protest he filed against sitting Vice President Leni Robredo.
In an article published by the Manila Times on October 8, nine to 11 out of 14 Supreme Court justices will junk the draft ruling written by Associate Justice Benjamin Caguioa dismissing Marcos’ poll protest, says its "unimpeachable source."
Only 14 justices will decide on the poll protest because Associate Justice Francis Jardeleza retired in September.
If the source is correct and if most of the Supreme Court justices will vote in favor of Marcos, the next step would be the reception of evidence for the annulment of election results in Basilan, Sulu and Lanao del Sur.
The process will be separate from the revision or recount of ballots conducted by PET.
The Manila Times source also said that Robredo would be given the chance to proceed with the revision of her pilot provinces for her counter protest.
The former Senator lost to Robredo by only 263,473 votes in 2016 elections.
Marcos filed for protest due to alleged massive election fraud such as preshading of ballots, pre-loaded Secure Digital cards, misreading of ballots, malfunctioning vote counting machines, and an “abnormally high” unaccounted votes/undervotes.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, October 6, Romulo Macalintal, who serves as the lead counsel of Robredo clarified that the pending outcome will only resolve whether Marcos protest will continue or not but Robredo will remain in her post.
“I just want to make it very clear that whatever will be the decision or resolution of the PET in the election protest of Bongbong Marcos against VP Leni Robredo, as reported in various media and the subject of various speculations, VP Robredo will remain as Vice President,” he said.
“If the PET says that Marcos has made a substantial recovery, then the PET will rule that the protest shall continue, insofar as the ballots and/or election returns questioned by Marcos from 22 remaining provinces and 5 highly urbanized cities. In which case, Robredo remains as Vice President pending recount of ballots or returns from said 22 provinces and 5 HUCs (highly urbanized cities),” Macalintal added.
Source: Manila Times
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