Bongbong cites ‘irregularities’ in ballot boxes with vote recount under way

Former Senator Bongbong Marcos (center) and wife, Atty. Liza Araneta-Marcos (right), and sister, Imee Marcos (left), arrive at the Supreme Court (SC), which convened as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET), for the manual recount of votes starting today, April 2, 2018. (Philippine Daily Inquirer/Marianne Bermudez)

The camp of former Senator Bongbong Marcos found irregularities in several ballot boxes as the recount of votes started on Monday.

Marcos said all ballots in the four precincts in Bato, Camarines Sur were soaked in water when they opened it.

“Apat na presinto, sa bayan ng Bato, lahat ng balota, nung binuksan ‘yung balota, lahat ng balota, basa,” Marcos said in an interview.

“So, hindi magamit, Eh hindi namin maintindihan papaano. Hindi naman siguro, impossible naman siguro na dalawang taong basa ‘yan,” he added.

He also said that out of 42 precincts in the town of Bato, 38 of which have missing audit logs.

“Out of 42 precincts, 38 precincts walang audit logs. Kinuha ‘yung audit logs. In other words, kinuha ‘yung ballot box, kinuha ‘yung ballot logs, at hindi namin makita,” he said.

But in a text message, Marcos’ lawyer Vic Rodriguez clarified that there are 39 precincts with missing audits out of the 40 voting precincts in Bato town.

“For accuracy, what he meant is 39/40 clustered precincts have ‘missing’ audit logs,” Rodriguez said.

Marcos said the ballot logs would show the time when the precinct was opened, the time when the vote was cast, and the time when the precinct was closed.

He added that the audit log would also show if there was a batch voting and if someone voted beyond the voting hours.

“Lahat ‘yan ay nasa audit log. ‘Yan ngayon ang nawawala – ang audit log. Nawala, may kumuha doon sa mga ballot box,” Marcos said.

Marcos further claimed there were cracks found on the sides of a ballot box they checked.

“Oo, may seal, pero ‘yung iba, butas eh. May butas ‘yung isang ballot box na nakita, tapos tinapalan na lang ng masking tape,” Marcos said.

“Clearly, somebody binuksan ang ballot box, kinuha ang audit log, bago isineal ulit,” he said.              /kga