SOME PEOPLE JUST can’t accept defeat, especially an election loss, because to their minds all their bets are winnable and worthy to sit in the Senate.
At least this is what Duterte’s political party, the PDP-Laban (Alfonso) Cusi wing is claiming before the Supreme Court, citing irregularities, cheating and what not.
Their petition before the High Tribunal is for a manual counting or recount “whether partial, targeted or nationwide” depending on the court’s discretion as to the extent of necessity, efficiency and economy or cost-effectiveness in implementing the pertinent election laws.
“What is essential is that the mandated process under our prevailing election laws be carried out, so that the truth may be known, accountability may be identified and exacted, and public confidence in the electoral process may be restored,” it added based on a report of Business World.
‘(The) National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections earlier said it did not observe any unusual activity during the 2025 midterm elections but noted that certain irregularities warrant further investigation.’
IRREGULARITIES
Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio, whom the party adopted as its vice-presidential candidate in the 2022 elections, earlier alleged election fraud, claiming that three senatorial bets of the party had been cheated.
The lawsuit named the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia as the respondent.
The party said its call for a vote recount is anchored on Republic Act 9369 or the Automated Election System Act, and Batas Pambansa Blg. 881 or the Omnibus Election Code.
PDP-Laban argued that Section 31 of RA 9369 provides for the conduct of a manual count of votes to safeguard the integrity of elections and ensure they are free, honest and credible.
Among the irregularities cited was the discovery of equipment — including Starlink transmission devices and solar panels — inside a private residence in Buhangin Village, Davao City (hometown and stronghold of the Dutertes), which the party said raises a “potential conflict of interest.”
“Comelec welcomes remedies like this to prove the real mandate of the electorate,” Garcia told reporters. “We will just wait for the Supreme Court action on this matter.”
DISCREPANCIES
PDP-Laban also alleged discrepancies between actual ballots and voter receipts, as well as the exclusion of more than 17 million senatorial votes from the final tally after the Comelec allegedly classified these as “overvotes.”
“The proposed supplemental petition is being submitted together with this motion and it seeks merely to incorporate the updated facts or recent developments — transactions, occurrences or events which have happened subsequent to the filing of the original petition — to aid in the full, fair and fast adjudication of the issues already raised in the original petition,” PDP-Laban said.
The ruling Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas coalition secured six Senate seats.
PDP-Laban coalition senatorial candidates Christopher Lawrence T. Go and Ronald M. dela Rosa, both re-electionists, and Party-list Rep. Rodante D. Marcoleta won.
The VP earlier said PDP-Laban senatorial candidates Jesus V. Hinlo, Jr., James Patrick “Jimmy” R. Bondoc and Richard T. Mata had been cheated, without providing evidence. (I don’t even know these candidates, so how can I vote for them).
Election watchdog National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections earlier said it did not observe any unusual activity during the 2025 midterm elections but noted that certain irregularities warrant further investigation.