Marcos’ camp vows to take next legal step against Comelec

“The integrity of the whole 2016 elections is on the line here and we do not want unresolved questions and issues to linger after the proclamation,” Rep. Jonathan dela Cruz, Marcos’ campaign adviser said. (Photo: Senator Bongbong Marcos’ official Facebook page)

MANILA—The camp of vice presidential candidate Senator Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. vowed to take their next legal step after the Commission on Election (Comelec) deferred their request to conduct systems audit on Transparency and Central Servers.

“We will take the next legal step to ventilate our request for the sake of truth and for the millions of Filipinos who cast their votes despite the odds and limitations on May 9,” said Rep. Jonathan dela Cruz, Campaign Adviser of the lawmaker in a statement.

With this, the Akbayan Congressman said they were saddened by the poll body’s decision.

“It is very unfortunate that the Comelec has decided to defer action on the request of Sen Marcos for a systems audit of the transparency and central servers until after the canvassing is concluded,” he said.

Dela Cruz added, “We could not understand how the system audit could affect the official canvass because all election returns have been transmitted and all COCs have been printed out for canvass.”

He noted that their request is not only for their benefit but it would also erase doubts on the public on how the elections were conducted.

“The integrity of the whole 2016 elections is on the line here and we do not want unresolved questions and issues to linger after the proclamation,” the legislator said.

Dela Cruz added that it was also proper that whoever assumes the second highest position in the land got the true mandate of the people.

“It is our position that whoever will be proclaimed Vice President by the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC) deserves a clear and unequivocal mandate once he assumes the position. We cannot allow all doubts to linger on our new Vice President which would diminish the stature of his office,” he said.

On Wednesday, Comelec Chairman Juan Andres Bautista said they decided to defer any action on the request of Marcos until after Congress, sitting as NBOC, and the case filed have been concluded.

“It was our unanimous vote to defer action on the request of Sen. Marcos because of three reasons,” he said.