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Bersamin on Marcos-Robredo case: 'Di pwede lutuin 'yan


Former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr.'s election protest against Vice President Leni Robredo before the Supreme Court cannot be rigged or manipulated, Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin said Thursday.

The SC, sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET), has yet to reach a vote on the case. Bersamin said they are "expected to have a result by next week," but minutes later said there may or may not be a decision.

"Don’t worry, 'di ko niluluto, 'di pwede lutuin 'yan," the chief justice told reporters  in an interview after the launch of an exhibit in his honor at the Judiciary Memorabilia Hall in an SC building in Manila.

"I know that everybody is so keen, expecting some announcements... but you know the banc is very deliberate about serious matters. This is a matter of national impact, so that is all I can share with you," he said.

He said he was being purposely vague about expected developments on the case because of the confidentiality of court deliberations.

The pending case is Marcos' challenge to Robredo's victory in the 2016 vice presidential elections, which he claims was a product of electoral fraud. An initial recount of contested ballots was completed this year, and its results will determine whether the protest will advance to its next stage.

Under Rule 65 of the 2010 PET rules, the court may dismiss the case if the justices are convinced that the protestant or counter-protestant "will most probably fail to make out his case" based on the recount of ballots from three pilot provinces.

In this case, Marcos chose Camarines Sur, Iloilo, and Negros Oriental as his pilot provinces in an attempt to show what he alleged was cheating in the elections three years ago.

Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa has submitted a report on the recount in these provinces. Robredo's lawyers have asked for a copy, but Bersamin said the PET has not yet taken action on the request.

Asked if the PET feels pressured by the public into deciding the case, Bersamin said they "know there is pressure" — noting that they hear the rallies outside the court during their en banc sessions — but that the justices are "very mature."

"So if anyone of us feels pressured, we will just help the pressured member," he said. "Sabihin ko sa inyo: lahat kami pressured to some degree but the pressure we experience [is] bearable kasi kung hindi, mag-resign na lang kami."

Bersamin, who will turn 70 on October 18, is one of two justices who will retire this month. Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio will reach the mandatory retirement age on October 26. — MDM, GMA News

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