Drilon Says Losing Parties to Stop Marcos Proclamation Can File Protests at PET
Losing parties who want to stop the proclamation bid of Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr can file a protest Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET), says Senator Franklin Drilon.
If the losing parties do not agree with the results of the previous presidential elections, they may file a complaint with the PET against the putative President, according to Senate Minority Leader. Drilon believes that the Supreme Court will not prevent Congress from counting and announcing the presidential and vice-presidential results.
The PET is the electoral tribunal that adjudicates presidential and vice-presidential election protests. Even Marcos had filed a protest with the PET against the winning vice president in 2016, Vice President Leni Robredo, said Drilon, according to the report.
Senator Francis Tolentino agreed with Drilon’s statement because it was the only choice he saw as the best for the groups that petitioned the Supreme Court to stop the counting and announcement of Marcos’ election. Regardless of the pending proceedings before the Supreme Court on legal issues involving qualifications, the Senate will fulfill its constitutional obligations.
According to Tolentino, Congress is required to tally the votes and declare the winning presidential and vice-presidential candidates, thus defeated organizations should simply submit a protest with the PET. He went on to say that the people’s choice goes beyond eligibility; it’s about who they want to govern themselves.
“Our job is to canvass the votes cast and proclaim the eventual winners as manifested by the people’s collective will. If ever any losing party will question our decision thereafter, they can file a petition before the PET composed of the honorable justices of the Supreme Court,” Tolentino said.
“That is our constitutional design, and it should rest that way for generations to come. The decision of the people is beyond eligibility, it is a decision of who they want to govern themselves. The people’s decision is the voice of God,” said the senator.
READ ALSO: Some Candidates who Win Election to Be Disqualified for Vote-Buying
What are your thoughts on this article? Just feel free to leave your reactions in the comment section.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. We aim to give the freshest and in-demand content to our visitors. Come back next time at NewsFeed for more updated news.