Election protest vs BBM, giit ihain tapos ng canvassing

MANILA, Philippines — Hinikayat kahapon ng kampo ni President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. ang mga petitioners na maghain na lamang ng election protest matapos ang canvassing at proklamasyon ng nagwaging Pangulo at Bise Presidente.

Ayon kay Atty. Estelito Mendoza, abogado ni Marcos, hihilingin nila sa Korte Suprema na ipawalang bisa ang diskuwalipikasyon laban kay Marcos na inihain ng mga petitioners para pigilan ang canvassing at proklamasyon ng presumptive President.

“That will have to be done through an election protest. Not at this time, but at this time, the Constitution provides step by step what shall be done with the votes that are cast in the election,” paliwanag ni Mendoza sa panayam ng CNN.

Sinabi ni Mendoza na isinasaad sa Article VII Section 4 ng 1987 Constitution na ang termino ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ay magtatapos na dakong alas-12 ng tanghali sa Hunyo 30 kung saan papalit na rito ang incoming President. Si Marcos ay nagwagi sa presidential race kung saan nasungkit nito ang mahigit 31-M boto.

“The returns of every election for President and Vice-President, duly certified by the board of canvassers of each province or city, shall be transmitted to the Congress, directed to the President of the Senate. Upon receipt of the certificates of canvass, the President of the Senate shall, not later than thirty days after the day of the election, open all the certificates in the presence of the Senate and the House of Representatives in joint public session, and the Congress, upon determination of the authenticity and due execution thereof in the manner provided by law, canvass the votes. The person having the highest number of votes shall be proclaimed elected,” ayon pa sa isinasaad ng batas.

Binigyang diin pa ni Mendoza na ang election protest ay maari lamang isampa kapag naiproklama na ang nagwaging kandidato.