Marcos opposes Robredo bid to secure soft copies of ballot images

Former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has asked the Supreme Court (SC), sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET), to deny the plea of Vice President Leni Robredo for her to secure soft copies of ballot images from the pilot provinces for the recount in connection with the May 2016 election.

Marcos said he was the one who paid for the cost of decryption and printing of ballot images from the pilot provinces amounting to P2,974,075.

"Since Robredo did not contribute any share in the expenses and supplies for this undertaking, she should not be allowed by this Honorable Tribunal to obtain the soft (and even printed) copies of the decrypted images of the ballots, election returns, audit logs and other relevant documents for all the protested clustered precincts of the pilot provinces of Camarines Sur, Iloilo and Negros Oriental used during the last May 9, 2016 national and local elections," stated Marcos’ comment dated November 7.

In justifying her request, Robredo said the Commission on Elections assured parties during the start of the decryption process on October 23 that it will provide soft copies provided that the PET will give its consent.

“Thus, it would be for the benefit of the parties that they be allowed to secure the soft copies of the ballot images and other reports from the decrypted secure digital cards to protect their rights and interests in this election protest,” the motion stated.

“Should the Honorable Tribunal grant this motion, protestee Robredo will coordinate with Comelec on the procedure and supplies needed. This motion is not intended for delay but dictated solely by the foregoing exigencies.”

Marcos’ camp said the decryption and printing will take at least seven months to finish.

Marcos lost to Robredo by 263,473 votes in last year’s election which the former senator claimed was marred by fraud. —ALG, GMA News