Robredo camp asks PET: Direct Marcos' lawyer to name people complicit in magnifying lens incident

MANILA, Philippines — The camp of Vice President Leni Robredo has asked the Presidential Electoral Tribunal to direct lawyer Vic Rodriguez, spokesperson of former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., to name persons aware of their revisor bringing in of a prohibited object inside the recount area.

Romulo Macalintal, Robredo’s lawyer, filed an Urgent Ex-Parte Motion in connection with their earlier manifestation of grave concern that raised that a “revisor” from Marcos camp brought in a plastic magnifying lens inside the revision area.

READ: Robredo files manifestation vs Marcos' staff bringing prohibited item in recount area

According to the Robredo camp, in the morning of June 14, Nestor Borromeo brought in the prohibited item inside the revision area despite rules saying that only papers are allowed.

Revisors are the persons in charge of recounting the contested ballots from the pilot provinces in the recount.

Robredo’s camp pointed out that Rodriguez, in his statement to the media, said that “other people on the revision floor were aware that the plastic magnifier was being used and never complained.”

This, Robredo’s lawyer said, indicates that some personalities are “complicit” with Borromeo’s actions.

“Plainly speaking, these persons, fully aware that the use of magnifying lens is prohibited, allowed Mr. Borromeo to not only bring the said item inside the revision area but worse, use it as well,” the motion read.

Macalintal also noted that the tribunal ordered Borromeo to explain why his accreditation should not be withdrawn. Their fresh plea, Macalintal said, will help “unearth the truth and serve as guide in resolving the said incident.”

“More importantly, this will dispel any wrong information being fed to the media and the public regarding this election protest,” Macalintal added.

Philstar.com sought for a comment from Rodriguez but he has yet to reply as of this story's posting.

Marcos, the son of the ousted Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos, has accused Robredo of cheating her way to the second highest office in the land. He lost to the former Camarines Sur representative and human rights lawyer by a slim margin of about 260,000 votes in the 2016 national elections.

The recount officially started on April 2, with ballots from Camarines Sur.