QUEZON City, Philippines — Those who are complaining about the result of the recent election must approach the proper authorities, the Palace said on Thursday.
The camp of Senator Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has been complaining about possible election cheating and has raised concerns regarding the transparency server and hash code.
In an interview with reporters on Thursday, Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said the executive branch’s participation in the election was as a deputy to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC).
The COMELEC, he said, is the constitutional body that has the primary responsibility of ensuring the conduct of free and honest elections in the country.
With regards to the issue on the hash code, Secretary Coloma said there are citizen watchdog groups that are well versed in the issue and they are in constant coordination with the COMELEC.
“Basta ituwid lang po natin. Ang buong automated election system ay nasa pangangasiwa ng Commission on Elections,” he said.
“Wala pong partisipasyon ang Executive branch kabilang na ang Tanggapan ng Pangulo at lahat ng sangay ng pambansang pamahalaan diyan sa paggamit ng iba’t ibang aspeto ng digital technology o ng automated election system.”
He said that those who have questions on the conduct of the election as well as the counting of votes must approach the right authorities to address them.
Asked about the President’s observations regarding the recently concluded national election, Coloma said he has not had the chance to ask the Chief Executive about it.
However, based on his message prior to the election, President Aquino was hoping for a peaceful, free and credible election, the Palace official said.
“At kapag pinagsama ang mga saloobin ng mga mamamayan, diyan natin makukuha kung ano ang resulta ng halalan,” he said.
“Kaya masasabi naman natin na ang Pangulo ay tinitingnan ang lahat ng developments na ito with equanimity and objectivity.” (PND)