Pay P200M for recount or shut up, Brillantes tells critics

Comelec chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Commission on Elections  chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. on Wednesday said critics who want a nationwide manual recount of the midterm elections results should be ready for the costs.

Brillantes said the Comelec was ready to conduct a manual recount nationwide but this would cost around P200 million.

“That’s okay as long as they pay. As long as they make a deposit, that is okay with me,” Brillantes said in an interview.

He noted that Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II paid around P153 million when he filed a election protest contesting the results of the 2010 vice-presidential race, which Roxas lost to Jejomar Binay.

“For (the 2013 elections), in might be a bit more expensive … around P200 million. As long as they make a payment, we will have everything opened,” Brillantes said.

“Of course, they should shoulder it. They’re the ones who want the (ballot boxes) opened,” he added.

The group Tanggulang Demokrasya earlier called for a full-recount of the May 2013 mid-term elections, claiming there was massive cheating as shown by the alleged “60-30-10” pattern in the results.

Brillantes said Comelec critics claiming that the “60-30-10” pattern showed there was massive cheating should come out with evidence to support their claim.

“They should come out with it. We will call them if they have a (sworn) statement. If they can’t prove it, then they will also have to answer for their claims,” he said.

Brillantes also denied allegations that the precinct count optical scan machines were “pre-programmed” to favor administration candidates.

“If they say it was pre-programmed by others, then they should come here to us. If they say we pre-programmed it, then they should look for others who can receive their complaint. If they want to go to the United Nations … then it’s okay,” he said.