Bongbong urges immediate proclamation of Duterte

MANILA, Philippines – Vice presidential candidate Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday afternoon proposed an early proclamation of presumptive president Davao City Mayor Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte.

“As all other presidential candidates have conceded and no question surrounds the votes that he (Duterte) has received I propose the immediate proclamation of our presumptive president Rodrigo Duterte being the clear and uncontested in the presidential election,” Marcos said in his privilege speech at the Senate.

Marcos made the proposal before the House of Representatives convene as the National Board of Canvasser of election results of the president and vice president this week.

The senator, however, contested the results of the vice presidential race, alleging the integrity of the elections was damaged after Smartmatic personnel Marlon Garcia changed a script in the transparency server during the evening of May 9 polls when the transmission of results from canvassing boards nationwide was ongoing. He said he “humbly but firmly reiterates his strong reservation” in the canvassing of the vice presidential race.

Marcos extended his congratulations to Duterte as well as his presidential candidate and running mate Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago.

“Again, I offer him (Duterte) my sincerest congratulations and my hand in friendship partnership for the future. Mr. President the Philippine now looks to you for your leadership and vision,” he said.

“I congratulate and hail my presidential candidate Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago for braving the rigors and stresses of this whirlwind campaign despite her health issues,” Marcos said.

Marcos have earlier asked the Commission on Elections to allow his team to conduct an audit of the system polls to verify the results of the elections following fraud reports.

Video by Senate/PRIB; Edited by: Philstar.com/Efigenio Toledo IV