PET directs Bongbong, Robredo to observe sub judice rule pending verdict on poll protest

The Supreme Court, sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET), has ordered former Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. and Vice President Leni Robredo to observe the sub judice rule pending resolution of the poll protest they are locked in.

"...Considering that the revision process is about to commence, the Tribunal directs both protestant and protestee to observe the sub judice rule," said the resolution dated February 13.

This restricts them from making comments and disclosures on pending judicial proceedings in order to avoid the prejudging of the case.

The two opposing parties have engaged in word wars over the yet-to-be-resolved election protest, which began after Robredo's victory over Marcos in the May 2016 election.

The ballot recount in three pilot provinces, a part of the process, is slated to start on March 19.

Vic Rodriguez, a lawyer for the defeated vice presidential candidate, confirmed on Thursday that they have received a copy of the resolution.

"To be fair to the Tribunal, it is not really a 'gag order' but a reminder for the parties to observe the sub judice rule which essentially restricts litigants and their lawyers to make comments and/or disclosures on a pending judicial proceedings," he told GMA News Online.

This is so the case will be decided based on evidence presented before the court, free from the influence of "bias, prejudice and sympathies," he said.

"Fair and accurate reporting of what actually took place in open court are excluded from its coverage," he said.

GMA News Online has yet to receive a response from the camp of Robredo.

Comment on motion

The resolution also said the PET has required Marcos to comment on the motion filed by Robredo's lawyers which seeks the withdrawal of "any and all pending motions which may delay recount proceedings."

Robredo's motion was on the premise that she has no such pending motions, and the PET agreed, saying "[b]ased on the records of this case, the Tribunal finds that there are no such pending motions from the protestee."

Having noted Robredo's motion, the tribunal has given the former senator 10 days upon notice to comment and inform the tribunal if he plans to file a similar motion.

The PET has also resolved to note the manifestation filed by the Commission on Elections on February 7.

It also said it granted the request of the issuance of authority to travel for three members of its Retrieval Team, who will be going to Iloilo from February 22 to February 26 and to Negros Oriental from February 27 to March 3.

The PET has also granted the P292,780-worth of total expenses for the "exploratory mission," which will be charged against Marcos' cash deposit.

It also noted a report of the PET Retrieval Team that informs the tribunal of the "conclusion of the retrieval of ballot boxes" in Camarines Sur. —KG, GMA News