MANILA – Majority of Liberal Party’s (LP) “Otso Diretso” have already accepted their defeat but have casts doubts on the outcome of the senatorial race in the 2019 midterm elections last Monday.
LP spokesman Ibarra Gutierrez said the high number of malfunctioning SD cards were dubious, particularly in the bailiwick of senatorial candidate Benigno “Bam” Aquino in Tarlac.
“Fourteen out of the 18 SD cards from Tarlac were reported na may malfunction. Balwarte ni Sen. Bam ang Tarlac. Bakit doon pa ‘yung nagka-malfunction?” Gutierrez said.
He added about 500,000 voters were affected by the glitch.
“We’re not saying na may deliberate conspiracy dito na ginagawa pero may mga tanong na dapat sagutin ang Comelec,” said Guiterez
Among the opposition’s senatorial candidates, Aquino still has a chance to break in the top 12 from his current 14th spot, while Manuel “Mar” Roxas is a long shot from making a Senate return at 16th place.
Human rights lawyer Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno was the latest member of the opposition party to concede his defeat in the midterm election and has vowed not to be silent in criticizing President Rodrigo Duterte.
“Noong nagsimula itong kampanya, dalawa lang ang pinag-pasyahan ko sa sarili ko. Unang-una lagi akong mag-sasalita sa kung ano man ang katotohanan, kung tungkol man sa death penalty at sa panghihimasok ng China,” Diokno said.
“At pangalawa ay ako ay magpapakatotoo. Dahil ang gusto kong makita ng taong bayan ay kung sino talaga ako,” he added. “Kung merong oppressed, merong nang-o-oppress. Kung tayo ay magising, magpapamulat, magiging woke, magpapa-oppress pa po ba tayo?”
Earlier conceding their defeats in the senatorial elections were Samira Gutoc, Florin Hilbay, Atty. Romulo Macalintal, Lorenzo “Erin” Tanada and Negrense Rodolfo “Gary” Alejano./PN
