MANILA , Philippines — The Supreme Court’s dismissal of the electoral protest filed by defeated candidate Bongbong Marcos against Vice President Leni Robredo should now put to rest the contention for the second-highest government post in the country, two lawmakers said Tuesday.
House committee on constitutional amendments chairperson Alfredo Garbin Jr. said the unanimous decision on the case “speaks volumes and should put to rest any doubts as regards her victory in the May 2016 elections.”
Meanwhile, Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate likewise welcomed the dismissal of the electoral protest, saying it is “high time that this issue is put to rest” especially with the upcoming 2022 elections.
“This is also a welcome decision so that Vice President Robredo can concentrate more on her work and not be pestered by pretenders to the vice presidency,” Zarate said.
The Court, sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET), unanimously voted to dismiss the election protest of Marcos against Robredo in relation to the 2016 elections.
In October 2019, the PET, in its report said Robredo’s lead grew by around 15,000 votes after a recount of ballots from the 5,415 clustered precincts in Camarines Sur, Iloilo, and Negros Oriental.
Sought for comment, Marcos spokesman Atty. Vic Rodriguez said “we shall issue our statement on the matter as soon as we have established the facts based on official document or pronouncement coming from the PET.”