The group released its interim report on May 19 noting that this year’s elections were “marred by a higher level of failure of the electronic voting system than ever before, along with rampant vote-buying, disturbing levels of state and military orchestrated red-tagging of candidates and parties including numerous incidents of deadly violence.”
“We want to bring out a strong statement in defense of historical truth against the unrelenting efforts to revise the historical record of plunder and human rights violations during Martial Law and the entire Marcos era. We also commit ourselves to defend the exercise of academic freedom, resist all forms of censorship such as book-banning, and oppose all attempts at red-tagging.”
“We assert that a convict, liar, and unrepentant son of an ousted dictator like Marcos Jr. should have never been allowed to run for public office, let alone the highest position in the land. The Supreme Court must uphold truth, justice, and democracy, and heed our calls to disqualify Marcos Jr. now.”
“We thus ask the High Court to reverse and set aside the questionable Comelec ruling and to cancel and declare void from the start the certificate of candidacy of Marcos Jr. and in the process, declare him to have never been a candidate in the 2022 national elections.”
“Sara Duterte has no recognition of these problems, which also worsened under her father’s rule, and has no track record in addressing these. How then can she resolve these crises?”
The group said many teachers who served as members of the electoral board had to stay in the precincts until the next day, May 10, which is more than 24 hours since they began their duty, due to severe delays in resolving issues regarding the vote counting machines.
Anti-election fraud group Kontra Daya reported systematic red-tagging against the opposition and progressive candidates on election day, May 9.
By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL With reports from Dominic Gutoman Bulatlat.com MANILA – Senior citizens in many parts of Metro Manila waited for hours just to be able to cast their votes today, May 9. In Damayang Lagi, Quezon City, Al Sarmiento told Bulatlat that although the designated polling center of senior citizens and persons…
“Marie dedicated her life in advancing and defending people’s rights – and in the face of a massive human rights crisis in the Philippines as well as the threat of a Marcos restoration and Duterte extension, we turn towards Marie’s life and legacy as a courageous human rights defender as our guiding light in the continuing struggle against tyranny and fascism.”
Bulatlat revisits the public statements made by selected senatorial candidates on these two important issues to guide voters in choosing their bets.
With only two days before the nation would once again put new legislators in the Senate, let us look into the position of 23 senatoriables on the persecution of De Lima, and how they viewed Duterte’s political vendetta.