Robredo says Bongbong using recount for publicity

Vice President Leni Robredo on Tuesday dismissed as "propaganda" former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s allegation of conspiracy between her personnel and those of the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET).

"Ayaw ko na sana patulan kasi propaganda," Robredo said in a press conference in Quezon City, adding she only learned about the accusation on Monday when Marcos' lawyer was interviewed by the media.

Marcos' lawyers based their accusation from the supposed June 22 outing at a resort in Barangay Pansol in Calamba City, Laguna that was allegedly joined by 24 PET employees and one revisor for the vice president.

Robredo said Marcos, who is challenging her victory in the 2016 vice presidential race before the PET, is using the recount for publicity.

"Sana mahinto na 'yung pagsisinungaling niya kasi tila ginagamit niya itong kaso na ito para magkaroon ng plataporma na parati siyang nasa publiko," she said.

Robredo said based on what she heard, the head of the team conducting the recount invited the personnel from both camps to a "gathering" to ease the tension during the process.

"Apparently medyo grabe 'yung initan sa loob kaya naisipan nung head revisor na yayain kampo namin at kampo ni Mister Marcos sa gathering. Di ko alam kung pumunta 'yung kanyang tao," she said.

Robredo said Marcos was obviously aware of the gathering because his team sent food. "Alam ko alam niya 'yung activity na iyon kasi in fact nag-provide siya ng pagkain," she said.

Robredo 'lying,' Marcos camp says

In response to Robredo's statements, Marcos' spokesman, lawyer Vic Rodriguez, said the "damning" photos their camp attached to their PET filing "don't lie" and are "clear evidence of how PET personnel are being influenced and corrupted."

He also said Robredo's claim that their camp knew of the "sponsored pool party" and that they allegedly sent food to the event is a "big lie."

"We have labored for so long now with our election protest and we are ready to endure more, but we will never resort to underhanded methods like what have just been employed purposely to influence and corrupt the PET HRs (Head Revisors) and its employees," he told GMA News Online in a text message.

He claimed there was "no truth" to the Robredo team claim that Marcos' own revisors were invited to the Laguna outing.

Marcos' camp has asked the Supreme Court, sitting as PET, to investigate the outing.

"Fraternizing with the party revisor for the protestee is obviously prohibited by this Honorable Tribunal since this act is proscribed not only by the Code of Conduct for Court Personnel but also by the Canon of Judicial Ethics," their pleading stated. — with Nicole-Anne C. Lagrimas/KBK/RSJ, GMA News