Ifugao Representative Teddy Baguilat, Jr. on Friday criticized the camp of losing vice presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for questioning the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) position on the 25-percent threshold.
“Kapag pabor sa kanila ang desisyon, tahimik sila. Ngayong nagsabi lang nang tama ang Comelec, kung anu-ano nang conspiracy at dayaan ang sinasabi nila,” said Baguilat, Partido Liberal vice president for internal affairs.
On Thursday, the Comelec filed a manifestation with the Presidential Electoral Tribunal, affirming its earlier position that the 25-percent threshold was used in the 2016 elections.
According to Baguilat, Comelec has been transparent in the process used in the 2016 elections from the start, but Marcos has to put doubt on the credibility of the poll body to give weight to his election protest against Vice President Leni Robredo.
“Lahat ng proseso ay nilalagyan ng duda ni Bongbong upang mapalitaw na may katwiran ang kanyang protesta at siya’y dinaya noong nakaraang halalan. Ngunit lahat ng kanyang gawin ay sumasabog lang sa kanyang mukha,” he stressed.
Baguilat said the poll body is mandated by the 1987 Constitution to enforce all laws and regulations in connection with the holding of elections in the country, so setting the shading threshold is within the poll body’s powers.
“Malinaw ang sinasabi ng ating Saligang Batas tungkol sa Comelec, ngunit ito’y nais baluktutin ni Marcos para sa pansarili niyang interes,” he emphasized.
Baguilat advised Marcos to simply accept his defeat to Robredo and drop the election protest filed against the Vice President.
“Tanggapin mo nang talo ka. Huwag nang mang-agaw ng puwesto ng may puwesto,” he added.