Robredo: High time to discuss runoff elections

By: Cathrine Gonzales - 3 years ago

Vice President Leni Robredo: Runoff election discussion is long overdue. Screenshot/KBP Livestream

MANILA, Philippines — It is high time for the Philippines to discuss the possibility of holding runoff elections, Vice President Leni Robredo said Friday.

“We need to discuss whether runoff elections will work for us. In overseas elections, runoffs are the norm. For me, we need to open the discussion, let’s have the debate about runoff elections,” she said in Filipino during the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas forum for presidential candidates.

In other countries, a runoff election is necessary if no candidate gains more than half of the votes on the first ballot to ensure that the winner will enjoy a mandate from the majority of the people.

Robredo made the remark on runoff polls when asked about political dynasties and “turncoatism,” or when a person shifts allegiance from one political party to another.

“I was co-author of the anti-dynasty law. I think it is high time to pass that law. We also need to have a law against premature campaigning because this is being abused. We are against substitution because it is also being abused. There should be a law on electoral finance so that it will be clear… Turncoatism should not be allowed,” she added.

Robredo also agreed that background checks should be performed on presidential candidates and public officials running for office. She made this comment when asked about the statement of President Rodrigo Duterte that he would reveal the name of the “most corrupt” presidential candidate before the May elections.

READ: Duterte to name ‘most corrupt’ presidential bet before May 9 polls

She also said that those responsible for the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) mess should be swiftly prosecuted. She said many PDAF cases had not been resolved yet, and some of those involved in the impropriety are running for the elections.

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