No definite voting yet on Marcos-Robredo case —Bersamin

Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin denied Thursday that the Supreme Court, sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET), has already decided former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.’s election protest against Vice President Leni Robredo.

“There is no definite voting yet or anything that happened in that particular case,” Bersamin told reporters at the sidelines of a summit on the dangerous drugs law at the Manila Hotel.

He issued the statement in response to queries  about an opinion piece published by the Philippine Star, which, quoting sources, claimed that Marcos was likely to win in the initial stage of the case through an 8-6 PET vote.

Marcos is challenging Robredo’s victory in the 2016 elections. The first stage of his protest, a recount or revision of ballots in three pilot provinces he chose, started in April 2018 and was completed this year.

Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa, the magistrate in charge of the case, then prepared a report and submitted it to his fellow justices.

The results of the recount in Camarines Sur, Iloilo, and Negros Oriental, will determine whether or not Marcos’ protest will proceed to his remaining contested clustered voting precincts.

Brian Hosaka, the SC’s spokesman, announced last Tuesday that the tribunal had deferred voting on the Marcos-Robredo case during its last en banc session. A source said deliberations will continue next week.

Asked about the column, Bersamin said he cannot confirm or deny the report “because he (the columnist) must know more than I do, that’s the bad part about it.”

The chief justice said he would rather avoid speculation.

He also said his upcoming retirement does not necessarily mean the case will be decided before he steps down.

“Any kind of case is bigger than any single justice. I do not like to say that my retirement has no value but I would also like to say that we must respect the opinion of the 14 others,” he said, referring to the other justices of the high court.

There are currently 14 sitting justices, down from 15 due to the recent retirement of Associate Justice Francis Jardeleza. Bersamin will retire on October 18, Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio on October 26. —KBK, GMA News