Robredo to seek help of Ilonggos in securing ballots for transmittal to SC
Published Mar 9, 2018 04:09 pm
By Betheena Unite
Vice President Leni Robredo will seek the help of the people of Iloilo to secure the ballots that will be transmitted to the Supreme Court (SC) for the electoral protest filed by her rival former Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos.
Vice President Leni Robredo (REUTERS/Ezra Acayan / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
Careful not to comment on the ongoing vice presidential electoral protest due to a gag order, which prohibits both camps to talk about the proceedings in public, Robredo bared her intention to seek help from the province of Iloilo to secure the ballots and to prevent it from being tampered.
"Bawal na pong pag-usapan kasi mayroon nang gag order na bawal siyang pag-usapan in public (We cannot talk about it anymore because it is already prohibited)," Robredo said when asked for updates on the ongoing electoral protest during a forum in Iloilo City.
"Pero siguro sa akin, without discussing the merits of the case, we will ask help to the people of Iloilo because Iloilo is one of the provinces where alleged election fraud happened. We will seek help to secure the ballots because it will be brought from Iloilo to the Supreme Court," Robredo continued.
Robredo further said that her only concern is to prevent the ballots form being tampered and to prevent the access of unauthorized individuals when the ballots reach the Supreme Court.
Electoral sabotage
Meanwhile, Robredo said that the alleged case of 2016 electoral sabotage revealed by Senator Vicente "Tito" Sotto in his privilege speech Tuesday should be investigated, saying this is not only about her but the whole electoral process.
"Tayo, sa lalong madaling panahon, dapat sana maimbestigahan ito, kasi hindi naman ako iyong apektado dito. Ang apektado dito iyong buong electoral process — mula kay Pangulo hanggang sa pinakamaliit na councilor sa pinakamaliit na munisipyo (This should be investigated because I am not the one affected in this. The whole electoral — from the president down to the councilors in the smallest municipals — is affected)," Robredo said.
Robredo also suggested that an independent body should conduct the investigation to avoid political influence because this is an issue that affects the whole election process.
"Kapag kinuwestiyon na iyong integridad ng 2016 elections, kinukuwestiyon mo iyong pagkapanalo ng lahat ng pinagbotohan noong 2016 (If the integrity of the 2016 elections is being questioned, the win of all candidates in 2016 is being questioned as well)," the vice president said.
Sotto earlier disclosed that a "concerned and impeccably reliable source" has given him confidential information showing irregularities that have allegedly "altered" the 2016 elections results.
The senate majority leader also urged the Senate to conduct an investigation on the alleged electoral sabotage.
Vice President Leni Robredo (REUTERS/Ezra Acayan / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
Careful not to comment on the ongoing vice presidential electoral protest due to a gag order, which prohibits both camps to talk about the proceedings in public, Robredo bared her intention to seek help from the province of Iloilo to secure the ballots and to prevent it from being tampered.
"Bawal na pong pag-usapan kasi mayroon nang gag order na bawal siyang pag-usapan in public (We cannot talk about it anymore because it is already prohibited)," Robredo said when asked for updates on the ongoing electoral protest during a forum in Iloilo City.
"Pero siguro sa akin, without discussing the merits of the case, we will ask help to the people of Iloilo because Iloilo is one of the provinces where alleged election fraud happened. We will seek help to secure the ballots because it will be brought from Iloilo to the Supreme Court," Robredo continued.
Robredo further said that her only concern is to prevent the ballots form being tampered and to prevent the access of unauthorized individuals when the ballots reach the Supreme Court.
Electoral sabotage
Meanwhile, Robredo said that the alleged case of 2016 electoral sabotage revealed by Senator Vicente "Tito" Sotto in his privilege speech Tuesday should be investigated, saying this is not only about her but the whole electoral process.
"Tayo, sa lalong madaling panahon, dapat sana maimbestigahan ito, kasi hindi naman ako iyong apektado dito. Ang apektado dito iyong buong electoral process — mula kay Pangulo hanggang sa pinakamaliit na councilor sa pinakamaliit na munisipyo (This should be investigated because I am not the one affected in this. The whole electoral — from the president down to the councilors in the smallest municipals — is affected)," Robredo said.
Robredo also suggested that an independent body should conduct the investigation to avoid political influence because this is an issue that affects the whole election process.
"Kapag kinuwestiyon na iyong integridad ng 2016 elections, kinukuwestiyon mo iyong pagkapanalo ng lahat ng pinagbotohan noong 2016 (If the integrity of the 2016 elections is being questioned, the win of all candidates in 2016 is being questioned as well)," the vice president said.
Sotto earlier disclosed that a "concerned and impeccably reliable source" has given him confidential information showing irregularities that have allegedly "altered" the 2016 elections results.
The senate majority leader also urged the Senate to conduct an investigation on the alleged electoral sabotage.