Robredo appeal for 25% valid vote threshold in recount gets business group’s support

THE Makati Business Club (MBC) has endorsed Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo’s appeal before the Supreme Court to set the valid vote threshold at 25 percent of the oval of the ballot based on the September 2016 Commission on Elections (Comelec) resolution on manual counting of votes.

The MBC was referring to Robredo’s pending appeal before the High Court, sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET).

“On the matter of the recount of the votes regarding the vice presidential elections (and any other elective position), the MBC urges the PET to apply the rules consistent with what the Comelec used in counting votes for all positions in the May 2016 polls,” the MBC said in statement.

“Inconsistent application of the rules will be a blow to the credibility of elections not only for the position of Vice President but for all other elected positions,” the MBC said.

The MBC then argued that adhering to the 25 percent as valid vote threshold is consistent with the standard that the vote counting machines used in May 2016 polls, which were programmed to credit a candidate with a vote provided the circle beside his/her name was shaded by at least 25 percent.

“This same [25 percent threshold] should therefore be the standard used in the recount, not 50 percent,” the MBC said.

“Political stability and consistency in the laws, regulations and policies are the cornerstones that have produced the business confidence, job creation and strong growth of recent years,” the MBC said. LLANESCA T. PANTI

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