Marcos can still appeal PET decision on poll protest vs Robredo — CJ Peralta

MANILA, Philippines — Former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. can still file a motion for reconsideration on the decision of the Supreme Court (SC), sitting as Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET), on his election protest against Vice President Leni Robredo, Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta said.
Peralta said Marcos may still appeal the decision as part of his legal remedies.
The camp of Marcos earlier said it has yet to decide on whether to file a motion pending the release of the copy of the ruling.
Peralta said the copy of the decision has yet to become available for the public as they are still awaiting other magistrates to submit their written opinions on the matter.
“We are still waiting for the others who might explain their votes because if it is in the result the effect is that those who voted in the result should have explain their votes that’s the rule,” the chief justice told reporters.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday unanimously junked the election protest filed by Marcos against Robredo over the results of the 2016 vice presidential race.
The SC said seven of the 15 justices present during the meeting “fully concurred” in the dismissal while the rest “concurred” in the result.
Peralta has refused to elaborate on the reasons for the dismissal citing confidentiality of court deliberations.
“That I cannot divulge, the deliberation is confidential. What can I only say is that as usual there was deliberation, there were debates, there were several opinions raised but eventually as what the chief justice usually does is to call for a vote and that what happened,” he said.
When asked about the possible effect on the protest should Marcos push through with his plan to run for public office in the 2022 elections, Peralta replied with: “That’s another question. That’s not tackled in our deliberation.”
“If he wants to run then that’s his choice. As to whether or not that will abandon his protest, that’s another thing,” he added. – RRD (with details from Correspondent Dante Amento)