The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Tuesday, May 10 that it's prepared to face allegations regarding the conduct of the May 2022 polls in the proper forum.
This is in response to protests mounted by various groups a day after the elections who claim that the recent polls were a failure due to the incidents involving defective Vote Counting Machines (VCMs) and alleged widespread electoral fraud.
During a press briefing, Comelec Acting Spokesperson John Rex C. Laudiangco said that the poll body respects the rights of citizens to express their opinions. He stated that every move of the Comelec was guided by laws and rules.
"Kung sila po ay may basehan, kung sila po ay mayroong gustong idulog, mayroon po tayong rules of procedure na maari nilang puntahan, isagawa para po proper ang ventilation ng ganitong mga proseso ( If they have basis, if there is something they want to consult, we have rules of procedure that they can go to, to do for the proper ventilation of processes)," he said.
"Nakahanda naman po ang Comelec na humarap sa proper forum. Nakahanda po kami since the manual elections, since the first automated elections in 2010 Comelec is prepared to come out in a proper forum. We have been ready since the manual elections, since the first automated elections in 2010)," he added.
Laudiangco said that the poll body is "willing and ready" that if ever they'd be subpoenaed by the Supreme Court (SC) or the Presidential Electoral Tribunal, Senate Electoral Tribunal or the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal, they will comply.
He also mentioned they will submit all documents and records if they will be required to do so.
"Kaya makakaasa po kayo kung kayo po ay dudulog sa proper forum kami po ay tatalima sa kautusan ng tribunals under the rules po (You can hope that if you will do this in the proper forum, we will comply with the orders of the tribunals under the rules)," he said.
Various groups mounted a protest in front of the main office of Comelec on Tuesday, (May 10) a day of the conduct of the May 2022 elections.