Comelec downplays appeal to void proclamation of senators

MANILA, Philippines - Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. brushed aside yesterday a petition in the Supreme Court (SC) to void the proclamation of senators elected in the May 2013 polls.  

“Overall, everything went well during the elections,” he said. “There is no basis to void the elections. In the first place, it has already been consummated and there are other remedies if they want to question the results of the election.” 

Brillantes said petitioners should have filed the protest with the Senate Electoral Tribunal,  not with SC.

“Maybe they don’t understand (the procedure),” he said. “We will just answer their petition (when asked).” 

Losing senatorial candidates Ricardo Penson, Hans Christian Seeres, Rizalito David and Baldomero Falcone have asked the SC to void the proclamation of the winning senators. 

Representing them is lawyer Samson Alcantara, another defeated senatorial candidate.