The camp of Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo, who lost in the 2022 presidential race, urged the public to “accept the decision of the majority” as it pronounced it would not object to the National Board of Canvassers’ (NBOC) vote-tallying.
Romulo Macalintal, Robredo’s election lawyer, said in a manifestation during the Congress’ canvassing of votes for the two highest executive positions that the vice president’s camp would waive appearance before the joint canvassing committee to expedite its proceedings.
“In her public statement, VP Leni Robredo asked her supporters that we need to accept the decision of the majority. Sinabi niya, bagaman may hindi pa nabibilang, bagaman may mga tanong ukol sa eleksyon na ito na kailangang matugunan, palinaw na ng palinaw ang tinig ng taumbayan,” Macalintal said.
“And with that continuing manifestation your honors may we be allowed to respectfully waive our appearance before this joint committee to further expedite its proceedings,” he added.
Presumptive president Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s spokesman Vic Rodriguez thanked the vice president’s camp for the move.
“[W]e would like to recognize and thank the patriotism exhibited by Vice President Leni Robredo for expressly recognizing the integrity and the result of the recently concluded general elections,” Rodriguez said.
Malacañang called Robredo’s camp’s decision to expedite the canvassing of votes a “positive development.”
“As we earlier articulated, let us respect the outcome of the election and give chance to the winning candidates to fulfill their campaign platform,” acting Palace spokesman Martin Andanar said.
Marcos won the presidential race with more than 31.1 million votes. Robredo trailed her 2016 vice-presidential race opponent with more than 14.8 million votes. John Ezekiel J. Hirro