Macalintal: Marcos’ election fraud claim premature

Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal on Thursday said the allegations made by vice presidential candidate and Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. were premature.

Macalintal, disclosing that he would represent Liberal Party candidate and Camarines Sur Rep. Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo in the canvassing of votes, said the Marcos camp must present evidence to substantiate their claim.

“It’s still premature to make all these allegations,” Macalintal told reporters at the National Board of Canvassers at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City, Thursday.

READ: Robredo calls Marcos’ server anomaly claim ‘mind conditioning’

He noted that Marcos’ camp did not file any formal complaint with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and opted to go to the media for exposure.

“‘Pag sila ang nangunguna (If they are leading), the election is immaculately clean. ‘Pag sila natatalo (If they are losing), the election is marred with irregularities. Sana hintayin natin ang resulta (They should just wait for the results),” he said.

“Kami, we are not saying na kami ang nanalo (We are not saying that we are the winners). We are leading. But we are not claiming victory. Kasi we respect our electoral process. Kami naghihintay ng official results (Because we respect the electoral process. We are awaiting the official results),” he added.

READ: Comelec asks Marcos: Present proof of fraud

He dared the camp of Marcos to present their copies of certificates of canvass (COC) and compare them with the official canvass that will be admitted in the joint session of the Senate and the Congress.

“Kung talagang may discrepancy sa COC, dalhin nila yung COC nila. At ikumpara nila sa nandito. Iyon ang proof eh,” he said. CDG/rga

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