Bongbong Marcos files motion challenging PET's junking of poll protest

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 11) — Former senator and defeated vice presidential candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr, filed on Monday a motion for reconsideration asking the Presidential Electoral Tribunal to set aside its decision that junked his poll protest against Vice President Leni Robredo.

"It is most respectfully prayed that the honorable Tribunal set aside the decision dated 16 February 2021...conduct another preliminary conference for the third cause of action; and thereafter proceed with the presentation of evidence for the third cause of action," Marcos said in the motion filed on May 6.

Marcos wants the PET to proceed with his third cause of action — the annulment of election results in Lanao Del Sur, Maguindanao, and Basilan.

Marcos said the PET made a mistake when it junked the third cause of action as it was separate and independent from the second because which was to revise and recount votes. He added the application of Rule 65 of the PET was wrong in his case.

Rule 65 of the Tribunal Rules mandates the dismissal of a protest when the results of the revision and appreciation of ballots in the pilot provinces do not support the allegations of fraud or irregularities.

Commenting on Marcos' statement, Robredo's lead counsel, Romulo Macalintal, said, "Mr. Marcos would be the luckiest man in the world if he could reverse the unanimous decision by merely repeating the same issues and arguments already decided by the entire Presidential Electoral Tribunal."

In April the PET released its full decision on its dismissal of Marcos' poll protest, saying he failed to prove his claims and that his "allegations appeared bare, laden with generic and repetitious allegations and lacked critical information" regarding the alleged irregularities.

"If, indeed, protestant was convinced of his claims in Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, and Basilan, then he should have indicated those three as his pilot provinces. But he did not, to no fault of this Tribunal," the PET added in the decision.

READ: Supreme Court unanimously junks Marcos' VP poll protest vs Robredo

After the dismissal of his protest, Marcos said he would still continue to fight.

"So long as there is a ray of hope, I will continue to fight... At the end of the day, the true will of the electorate must prevail," he said in April.

CNN Philippines correspondent Anjo Alimario contributed to this report.