SC summons Leni to answer Bongbong's protest

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court, acting as Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET), ordered Vice President Leni Robredo to reply to the electoral protest filed by former Sen. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

The tribunal asked the vice president to file an answer to Marcos's electoral protest within 10 days of receipt of summons.

The high court also issued a precautionary protection order for the Commission on Elections to preserve the integrity of all election materials effective immediately.

On June 29, the defeated vice presidential candidate filed an electoral protest before the PET to challenge the election of Robredo.

Marcos initially asked the tribunal to set aside the proclamation of Robredo and declare him as the duly elected vice president of the Philippines.

The final official tally of the National Board of Canvassers showed that Robredo won the vice presidential race by a slim margin with 14,418,817 while Marcos placed second with 14,155,344 votes. — Patricia Lourdes Viray