MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is ready to conduct special polls in three provinces in Mindanao in connection with the electoral protest of former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
But Comelec spokesman James Jimenez posted on Twitter that this is the call of the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET), which is hearing Marcos’ protest case against Vice President Leni Robredo.
“It is the Comelec’s job to hold elections. So, obviously, yes, the Comelec would be able to do it if it becomes necessary,” Jimenez said.
The statement comes in the wake of a pending petition of Marcos for the annulment of election results for the position of vice president in Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur and Basilan.
This is the third cause of action that Marcos took to nullify Robredo’s proclamation after he was defeated by a margin of 263,473 votes in the 2016 elections.
Marcos claimed there were terrorism, intimidation, cheating and harassment in the three provinces during the elections.
Jimenez said it is the PET, not the Comelec, that must first determine if there was a failure of elections in these areas that warrants the holding of special polls.