Bersamin says SC has not voted yet on Marcos protest vs Robredo

October 3, 2019

Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin on Thursday said the Supreme Court ( SC) acting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET), has not decided on the election protest filed by former Senator Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s against Vice President Leni Robredo.

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

A newspaper columnist in Philippine Star cited sources Marcos was likely to win in the initial stage of the case with an 8-6 vote by PET members.

The results of the recount in Camarines Sur, Iloilo, and Negros Oriental, will determine whether Marcos’ protest will proceed to his remaining contested clustered voting precincts.

Brian Hosaka, the SC’s spokesman, announced last Tuesday, the PET defered taking action on the Marcos-Robredo case during its en banc session last week.  

"We will have to study this report and that takes time," Bersamin said.

"A report is a report. Other justices, there are 14 others will probably look at that report and study very carefully. Now, if there are contrary opinions on that report, that is another matter so deliberation will require us to sit down and comment on some aspects of ther report," the top magistrate added, explaining the process during the en banc.

When sought for comment on the Philippine Star column, Bersamin said: ''He (the columnist) must know more than I do. That’s the bad part about it.”

Bersamin said his retirement does not necessarily mean the case will be decided before he leaves on October 18.

“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 SC justices.

There are 14 justices following the compulsory retirement of Associate Justice Francis Jardeleza last September 26.

Bersamin will retire on October 18, while Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio will be on October 26. DMS