The unanimous decision of the Presidential Electoral Tribunal to junk the election protest against Vice President Leni Robredo should now put to rest any doubts about her election victory.
This was the consensus among a number of congressmen who lauded the Supreme Court justices for resolving complaint filed by former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. who ran against Robredo during the presidential elections.
However, public interest lawyer Larry Gadon remained unconvinced with the PET’s decision that was released Tuesday, February 16.
Gadon recalled that when the move to dismiss Marcos’ protest was presented before the justices, only two favored it. He said the two SC justices, had one thing in common - both were appointees of former President Benigno Aquino III.
However, Gadon’s statement was brushed aside by House members.
“The unanimity of the decision speaks volumes and should put to rest any doubts as regards her victory in the May 2016 elections,” said Ako Bicol Rep. Alfredo Garbin, chairman of the House Committee on Constitutional Reforms.
Makabayan lawmakers also appeared elated by the PET ruling.
House Deputy Minority leader and Bayan Muna Rep.Carlos Isagani Zarate said that the unanimous dismissal of the electoral protest by the SC sitting as PET is a "long awaited, much welcome decision."
"It is high time that this issue be put to rest as the next elections is just almost a year a way. This is also a welcome decision so that Vice President Robredo can concentrate more on her work and not be pestered by pretenders to the vice presidency," said the opposition solon
"As it is, the PET decision, clearly, is also a big legal slap on the Solicitor General, who even intervened in the case in support of Marcos - who is clearly, a private party! This development is significant especially now that the Filipino people are pushing back yet again against tyranny ,” said Zarate.
Asst. Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro said:
“The PET decision is junking the electoral protest is a welcome move.
Pagsasayang lang ng oras at resources ang protestang ito knowing na obvious naman na ang result ng nakaraang election ay pabor kay Bise Presidente Robredo, (The protest was just a waste of time and resources knowing that it is object that the results of the previous election favored Vice President Robredo).
For her part, Rep. Sarah Jane Elago stated: “Kabataan Partylist continues to stand in solidarity with the Office of the Vice President as we fight for the rights and welfare of the youth, safe and quality education, and community learning spaces amid the pandemic.”
In a statement, Gadon said he is convinced that the results of the vice presidential election were indeed “marred with fraud and cheating.”
“Obviously some powerful forces have moved mountains to ensure that the position taken by almost all ( except for the 2 Aquino appointees ) will turn around .With such somersault stunt we can not prevent people to suspect that the justices were threatened or bribed or promised with a reward or simply went along due to peer pressure,” said Gadon, a close ally of the Marcos family.