Local officials of Camarines Sur were ordered by the Supreme Court (SC), sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET), to explain the irregularities found in the ballot boxes during the May 2016 elections in connection with the protest filed by former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos against Vice President Leonor Robredo.

Edgar Aricheta, clerk of the Tribunal, ordered local officials of Tinambac town, Tigaon town and Iriga City to explain the various irregularities the revisors found in the ongoing recount of votes.

The local officials were given by the Tribunal 10 days from receipt of notice to comply with the directive.

It was the second time the PET has acted and looked into irregularities found in the ongoing recount.

The municipal treasurer of Tinambac town was directed to explain the plastic seals found inside the ballot box that was wet, election return envelope not inside ballot box and cannot be found, envelopes for minutes of voting and torn ballots appear to have been previously opened, missing voter’s receipt box, and voter’s receipts found scattered inside ballot box.

“Note the Incident Report dated May 25, 2018 re: Clustered Precinct No. 36, Brgy. Lupi, Tinambac, Camarines which reads ‘4 black zip ties used to seal ballot box instead of Comelec red plastic seals; plastic seals found inside ballot box, cannot be found; election return envelope not inside ballot box, cannot be found; envelopes for MOV (minutes of voting) and torn ballots appear to have been previously opened; and Voter’s Receipt box is missing; Voter’s Receipts found scattered inside ballot box; Direct the Revision Committee to continue with the revision of paper ballots; and direct the Municipal Treasurer of Tinambac, Camarines Sur to explain the observations in the subject Incident Report within ten days from notice hereof,” read the PET ordered.