SC: ‘Something definite coming up on poll case’

The Supreme Court, acting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET), will come up at next week’s full court session with “something definite about certain things.”

This was all Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin would say of the much-anticipated PET ruling on the pending poll protest filed

by losing candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. against Vice President Leni Robredo.

Alleging fraud, Marcos had sought a recount of votes from 27 cities and provinces.

Depending on the findings of the test recount, the tribunal will decide whether to dismiss Marcos’ protest or to  continue the recount to 24 other areas.

“Don’t worry, hindi ko niluluto, hindi pwede lutuin yan (Don’t worry, I’m not going to manipulate the decision. It can’t be manipulated),” Bersamin said in jest to reporters during a chance interview at the Supreme Court memorabilia hall on Thursday.

The tribunal deferred its ruling for the third time last week, giving rise to speculations that the tribunal may be cooking something.

Bersamin said he was unsure when the Supreme Court would release the results of the initial vote recount, but that the justices will meet en banc on Tuesday to take up the results of the test recount in the provinces of Iloilo, Negros Oriental and Camarines Sur.

“We are still discussing many other things so that is all I can tell you,” the Chief Justice said.

Bersamin said he was aware that “everybody is so keen (on the case and) expecting announcements,” but that the court was being “very deliberate.”

Robredo beat Marcos by 263,473 votes in the May 2016 vice presidential elections.