Marcos Jr.: God has plans for me, being VP not part of it

Presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he spent the last six years studying the country's automated election system, adding that he now knew its weaknesses.

At a news briefing in Cagayan de Oro, Marcos called on Filipinos to guard their votes regardless of for whom they were voting. 

“Marami na tayong natutunan since 2016. We spent the last 6 years, studying the problem so we learned many, many things… Even if hindi kami nanalo sa protesta, I think we’ve proven that it wasn’t the proper results,” Marcos said.

(We have learned a lot since 2016.  We spent the last 6 years studying the problem so we learned many, many things… Even if we didn’t win, I think we’ve proven that it wasn’t the proper results.)

“To be philosophical about it, God has other plans for me, and being vice president is not part of it,” he added.

“Anyway, we know much better now what the system is and ano yung mga weakness... Kaya nung nagkaroon ng security breach sa Smartmatic ay nakita agad dahil alam na natin saan magbabantay,” Marcos said.

(Anyway, we know much better now what the system is and what are its weaknesses. That’s why when there was a security breach, we’ve known already.)

Marcos asked the Filipino electorate to be vigilant.

“Whoever you're voting for, guard your vote. Bantayan nyo ng mabuti…para makatiyak tayo na bawat boto ay mabibilang… bawat boto ay ma-register at masasama sa final counting ng boto ng Pilipinas,” Marcos said.

(Whoever you’re voting for, guard your vote. Guard it so we’ll be assured that every vote will be countered and registered.)

Marcos placed second in the vice presidential race to then Camarines Sur Representative Leni Robredo in the 2016 elections.

He filed an election protest but Robredo's lead even increased during the process.

The Supreme Court sitting as the presidential electoral tribunal has since dismissed his protest unanimously. —NB, GMA News