Candidates who are unsatisfied with the results of the recent general elections have the freedom to lodge their complaints, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Thursday, May 12.
Comelec Acting Spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said that they respect the sentiments of every candidate.
“Ang hiling lang po namin, paulit-ulit sinasabi po namin, kung meron pong basehan—meron pong pamamaraan ang batas para kayo ay dumulog sa mga tribunals para mag lodge ng election protest case pagkatapos na maproklama ang kalaban ninyo
(Our only request, as we always say, is that if there is a basis — the law has a way for you to ask the tribunals— to lodge an election protest case after your opponent has been proclaimed),” said Laudiangco in a press briefing on Thursday, May 12, at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City.
“Doon sa patuloy pa po ang canvassing, karapatan po nila iyan na magpahayag (With the canvassing is still ongoing, they have the right to express their sentiments),” he added.
Laudiangco also appealed to the public to always choose credible organizations to obtain reliable information. He cited groups such as the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel), and the Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE).
“Sana kung meron tayong pagkukuhanan ng impormasyon dito po sa mga nabanggit ko na credible sources of information tayo kumuha (I hope our sources of information are credible such as those that I have mentioned) ,” he said.
“Our media partners, stakeholders, and watchers doon po tayo kumuha ng impormasyon bago tayo maniwala sa nakikita at nababasa natin (Get information from our media partners, stakeholders, and watchers before you believe in certain reports),” he added.