With PET win, VP Robredo calls on public to move forward, but Bongbong's camp says it's ain't over
Vice President Leni Robredo urged the public to move forward after the Supreme Court ruled to junk the electoral protest lodged by former Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, though the latter's camp maintains that the case is not over yet.
The Supreme Court has unanimously dismissed the electoral protest Marcos against Robredo's victory in the 2016 vice presidential race in a decision announced today, Feb. 16.
Out of the 15 members of the tribunal, seven members fully concurred in the dismissal, and eight concurred in the result.
In a live-streamed message, Robredo said she is relieved that the truth finally came to light.
“Naniwala tayo sa ating proseso, naniwala tayo sa integridad ng mga mahistrado, sa Presidential electoral tribunal, and we are very happy and grateful that this trust is affirmed,” said Robredo.
“The affirmation from the PET today will allow us to focus more on the important work of serving our people,” said Robredo, who shared that when the decision of the Supreme Court came out today, there was a “collective sigh of relief” in the Office of the Vice President.
Now that the issue has been settled, Robredo called for everyone, especially the supporters, to “put this rancor behind us and let us move forward together,” set aside differences and work on the pressing matters in the country.
Robredo also acknowledged and thanked her legal team, staff and supporters.
Meanwhile, Marcos’ spokesperson, lawyer Vic Rodriguez, released a statement claiming that the case has not been decided yet, “Based on the official pronouncement made by the Presidential Electoral Tribunal today, the court unanimously voted to dismiss our second cause of action, which is the manual recount and judicial revision.
“However, as to the issue on how to proceed with our third cause of action, which is the annulment of votes in Mindanao, the Tribunal has yet to decide on the matter.”
Contrary to Rodriguez’s statement, the Supreme Court released an amended statement for clarification that said “The 15 members of the Presidential Electoral Tribunal unanimously dismissed the entire electoral protest.”
READ: Press Briefer for 16 February 2021 *Updated as of 5pm https://t.co/307ettFeMw pic.twitter.com/8awCzlfO3S
— Philippine Supreme Court Public Information Office (@SCPh_PIO) February 16, 2021
Banner and thumbnail photo by Edd Gumban/The Philippine STAR