The camps of Vice President Leni Robredo and Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on Tuesday declared no objection to the inclusion of the certificates of canvass in the National Board of Canvassers’ (NBOC) official tallying of votes for president and vice president.
Romulo Macalintal, Robredo’s election lawyer, mentioned her statement during a thanksgiving event on May 13, calling her supporters to accept the results of the May 9 polls and the decision of the majority.
“She said we need to accept the majority’s decision. And so your honors, consistent with such pronouncements by Vice President Leni Robredo, and so as not to delay the proceedings of this board, we would like to make of record our continuing
manifestation that we interpose no objection to the inclusion in the canvass of all the COC for president from the various provincial and city boards of canvassers found by this honorable board to be authentic and duly executed,” Macalintal said.
He then told the NBOC that they will waive their presence during the proceedings to speed up the tallying of votes for president and vice president.
Vic Rodriguez, legal counsel of presumptive president Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., thanked Robredo for her patriotism in recognizing the result of the 2022 presidential elections.
Rizalina Lumbera, legal counsel of Domagoso, also said their camp has no objection to the inclusion of COCs in the canvassing.
In a text message to reporters, Senate Majority Floor Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said the manifestations of the legal counsels of Robredo and Moreno would hasten their proceedings.
“By tomorrow early afternoon, we should be done,” Zubiri said.
Based on the partial, unofficial tally, former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. led the presidential race with 31,104,175 votes followed by Vice President Leni Robredo with 14,822,051 votes.
The vice-presidential race was topped by Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte with 31,561,948 votes, followed by Senator Francis Pangilinan with 9,232,883 votes.
Malacañang lauded the move of the Vice President’s camp.
“The decision of Robredo’s camp to hasten the canvassing of votes for the top two highest posts in the country is a positive development,” acting presidential spokesperson Martin Andanar said.
House Majority Leader and Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin G. Romualdez also lauded and thanked Robredo for recognizing the integrity of the result of the May 9 elections.
“I join my co-chair in expressing gratitude and appreciation on behalf of both houses (of Congress) and the Filipino people for the graciousness of the Vice President and for the sportsman-like conduct of her counsel, in the person of attorney. Romy Macalintal,” Romualdez said.
“Indeed, the (unity) theme of the UniTeam begins to prevail in the country. The healing has begun, let us unite as a nation for and by the Filipino people,” Romualdez said.
On May 10, a day after the elections, Robredo told supporters in her home province of Camarines Sur to respect the results of the vote.
The Vice President made the remarks at the Naga City Metropolitan Cathedral after a mass organized by her supporters for “unity and thanksgiving.”
At that time, early election results showed Marcos Jr. and his vice-presidential running mate Mayor Sara Duterte of Davao City
already headed for a landslide victory.