Comelec insists on 25% shading threshold

Defying the stand of its lawyer, Solicitor General Jose Calida, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday said it was using the 25-percent shading threshold in all the pending poll protests related to the 2016 national and local elections.

In its comment submitted to the Supreme Court, sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal, the Comelec affirmed that it was using the threshold in all poll recounts.

The poll body also denied that it was backing Vice President Leni Robredo in the electoral protest filed against her by former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., who said the 50-percent shading threshold should be used in determining the validity of votes.

“This characterization is wrong and misleading,” said Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez in a statement.

Calida, who rooted for Marcos in 2016, backed the 50-percent threshold.—TINA SANTOS