THE canvassing of votes for the presidential and vice presidential race got a speed boost right just after it began on Tuesday at the Batasang Pambansa after Vice President Leni Robredo’s counsel made a “continuing manifestation of no objection” to the inclusion of all certificates of canvass (COC) in the May 9 elections, drawing hearty praise from the camp of presumptive president Ferdinand “Bong” Marcos Jr.
Veteran election lawyer Romulo Macalintal made the manifestation just as the contigents from the Senate and the House of Representatives began the process of canvassing of COCs for president and vice president—races which, unofficial tallies show, were won by landslide by Marcos Jr. and his running mate Sara Duterte.
In his manifestation, Macalintal said that the vice president’s camp also waived their appearance before the joint canvassing committee to expedite the canvassing proceedings.
According to Macalintal, their manifestations were consistent with Robredo’s earlier statements before her supporters to accept the results of the May 9 elections.
“In her public statement, VP Leni Robredo asked her supporters that we need to accept the decision of the majority. Sinabi nya, bagaman may hindi pa nabibilang, bagaman may mga tanong ukol sa eleksyon na ito na kailangang matugunan, palinaw na ng palinaw ang tinig ng taumbayan,” Macalintal said.
“Sa ngalan ng Pilipinas na alam kong mahal na mahal ninyo, kailangan nating pakinggan ang tinig na ito dahil sa huli, iisa lang naman ang bayang pinagsasaluhan natin,” said Macalintal.
Marcos Jr’s lawyer Vic Rodriguez quickly stood up and exprssed appreciation for Macalintal’s manifestation and Robredo’s move, which he called “patriotic.”
“We join in the manifestation of my distinguished colleague and one of the election law practitioners, Atty Romulo “Romymac” Macalintal. Likewise, we would like to recognize and thank the patriotism exhibited by Vice President Leni Robredo for expressly recognizing the integrity and the result of the recently-concluded general elections,” said Rodriguez.
At a subsequent press briefing, Rodriguez reiterated this.
“We would like to recognize and thank the patriotism exhibited by Vice President Robredo, for recognizing the integrity of the results of the elections.”
He thanked Robredo and other presidential candidates who early on conceded, “for recognizing again the integrity of the election and election process; for recognizing the vibrancy of democracy” for “for recognizing the clear win and mandate given by the Filipino people” for Marcos Jr.
Rodriguez said the former senator will certainly attend his proclamation, now expected to happen earlier than the earlier projection of Friday May 27.