Robredo remains VP regardless of PET's initial recount verdict –lawyer

Vice President Leni Robredo would keep her post whatever decision the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET) will come up with in the election protest of former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., her legal counsel said Sunday.

Robredo’s lead legal counsel Romulo Macalintal in a statement noted that the PET’s decision after the recount of ballots will only resolve whether the election protest of 2019 poll rival Marcos will continue.

“Whatever will be the forthcoming resolution or decision of the PET, VP Leni remains as Vice President.”

PET recounted the ballots from the three pilot provinces (Camarines Sur, Iloilo, and Negros Oriental) that Marcos had chosen. The result of the recount will only determine whether the case will proceed to Marcos' remaining contested voting precincts in 22 provinces and five highly urbanized cities (HUCs).

“If the PET says that Marcos has made a substantial recovery, then the PET will rule that the protest shall continue, insofar as the ballots and/or election returns questioned by Marcos from 22 remaining provinces and five highly urbanized cities,” Macalintal argued.

“In which case, Robredo remains as Vice President pending recount of ballots or returns from said 22 provinces and five HUCs.”

Macalintal added that if the PET rules that Marcos was unable to gain any substantial advantage from the recount of ballots from his three pilot provinces, his protest will be dismissed.

“Leni’s victory will be affirmed,” he said.

Robredo earlier said it would be better for the PET to issue its decision as soon as possible regarding Marcos’ electoral protest.

“Kasi kapag wala pang decision, nagkakaroon ng platform para gumawa ng mga hindi tamang balita,” she told reporters last September. —Joviland Rita/LBG, GMA News