The true result of an election
In the book of John 8:32, Jesus said: “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” In the end, the true decision of the people will remain. May every camp be open to accepting PET’S decision, and let this decision become a starting point for healing and unity.
Brothers and sisters, finally, after almost five years, the electoral protest of the son of a dictator and former sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. against Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” robredo has ended. The supreme Court standing as the Presidential electoral Tribunal released their unanimous decision last week. In spite of this decision, Mr. Marcos’ camp insists that this case hasn’t been ultimately trashed because the PET hasn’t addressed their protest’s third cause of action wherein they shall invalidate the votes coming from several provinces in Mindanao. This has been clarified by the PET, which released another statement saying that “the protest was dismissed.”
“Move on!” called out VP Leni’s supporters, several political allies, and civil society groups. In over four years before the end of VP Leni’s term that Mr. Marcos has assertively attempted to take, the process to resolve the case has taken so long.
In 2017, the PET stood by the integrity of the 2016 elections. In 2019, the recount included in the second cause of action from Mr. Marcos’ protest finalized, and in the vote recount from the provinces he himself handpicked,
it was recorded that his then adversary VP Leni came victorious, and the results even concluded a higher number of votes in her favor. In the past year, Mr. Marcos’ camp, with the help of Solicitor General Jose Calida, aimed to relieve Justice Marvic Leonen from the PET. Solgen Calida stood as the Marcoses’ chief legal counsel despite his duties as a government lawyer. The magistrates disallowed the removal of Justice Leonen who took the lead in the case hearings. And even a week ago, the PET ultimately discarded the whole protest.
VP Leni’s camp became joyous of the PET’S decision. As I write this column, Marcos’ camp still waits for the official copy of the decision with the hopes that the battle is yet to end. Alongside this, Mr. Marcos’ spokesman admitted that the former senator will be running again in the 2022 elections, but they have yet to mention for what position. When VP Leni was asked about her plans in the coming elections, she mentioned that she will savor her position that she defended for almost five years, and primarily focus on the current issues of the country.
We are reminded by the social teachings of the Church about the importance of elections as a way to ensure the accountability of the people toward their government officials. A free and clean election plays an important role in the relations between the people and public servants. Elections serve as a hiring process wherein the people choose or replace the people who will work on promoting the common good.
Truly, it is good news that the almost five years of questioning on our Vice President’s victory had ceased. It would be great if protests like this conclude faster, and not last for many years. Ensuring a clean fulfillment of a position held by leaders is important in having strong institutions. Added to this, a strong campaign against cheating ensures an effective and fast addressing of protests involving elections.
Brothers and sisters, in the book of John 8:32, Jesus said: “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” In the end, the true decision of the people will remain. May every camp be open to accepting PET’S decision, and let this decision become a starting point for healing and unity.