The Senate Electoral Tribunal in Resolution No. 16-01 gave due course to the election protest filed by former MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino against Leila de Lima, ordering the latter to answer with a non-extendable period of 15 days from date of receipt of the summons.
During the May 9, 2016 senatorial elections, De Lima placed No. 12 while Tolentino placed No. 13. De Lima ran under the administration’s (Liberal Party) while Tolentino joined the senatorial slate of President Rodrigo Duterte.
Likewise, some big religious groups such as the Iglesia Ni Cristo supported Tolentino’s candidacy while De Lima was not.
Tolentino alleged that electronic fraud marred the automated elections highlighted by the unauthorized breach of the Comelec server by a Smartmatic personnel, during the canvassing of votes.
The SET likewise directed the Commission on Elections to preserve the integrity of all election-related documents used during the May 9, 2016 elections. The result of the last senatorial spot is much awaited by the nation.