The Standard - 2016 May 29 - Sunday

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VOL. XXX NO. 106 3 Sections 24 Pages P18 SuNday : may 29, 2016 www.thestandard.com.ph editorial@thestandard.com.ph

susPect in concert Deaths arresteD

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fight for truth goes on—marcos By Maricel V. Cruz and Joel E. Zurbano

THE camp of Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said that they will continue to search for the truth over the results of the May 9 elections and blamed President Benigno Aquino III for the cheating in Mindanao that was attested to by witnesses. “As far as Bongbong Marcos is concerned, the fight is not over,” said Marcos’ campaign adviser Abakada partylist Rep. Jonathan dela Cruz. “We have to continue asking for a systems audit. We have to search for the truth, and that is important.” Dela Cruz said the Commission on Elections has not yet explained some 3.5 million undervotes and while the number may not matter in the presidential race which President-apparent Rodrigo Duterte won by a landslide, the number is a game-changer in the vice presidential race. Dela Cruz said there is no more reason for the Comelec not to act on the request of Marcos for a systems audit of the transparency and central servers because the congressional canvassing has been concluded. Dela Cruz said Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo, who was declared winner of the election on Friday by a margin of 263,473 votes, may even resign if she finds out what really happened. “If she sees what happened, she may resign. She knows. I am sure Malacañang, the Liberal Party know in their hearts they did something that violated the sovereign will of the people,” Dela Cruz said. Dela Cruz said it is normal for the LP to downplay the issue of the undervotes although the number of votes can make a difference in the vice presidential race and at least three Senate seats. “It is understandable for them to downplay that claim. They are vulnerable. We’re expecting that all issues that we have been raised will be set aside, but we will prove to them what was really happened. We all know that the real opponent here is the President,” Dela Cruz said. He recalled that during the 30th anniversary of Edsa People Power, Aquino campaigned against Marcos and vowed never to allow a Marcos to return to Malacañang. Marcos’ lawyer George Garcia said the public also has the right to know why there was such a high number of undervotes for the position of vice president, which totaled about 3.2 million for the first two days of the official canvass. He explained that they arrived at the figure by deducting the total number of votes for the position of vice president from the total number of votes cast. “It’s true that some voters opted not to vote for a certain

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‘saLt man’ sPeeDs uP Logistics inDustrY

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FLAG DAY. A street vendor carries miniature flags for sale along Roxas Blvd. in Manila on May 28, 2016. The nation marks the start of commemoration for the National Flag Day which culminates on June 12, coinciding with the celebration for the 118 years of Philippine Independence. MANNY PALMERO

RODY’S PEACE OVERTURES HAILED

By John Paolo Bencito

DAVAO CITY—President-elect Rodrigo Duterte will likely “do more” in his first 100 days in office to end the communist insurgency than outgoing President Benigno Aquino III who failed to resume peace talks with the communists in his entire six-year term.

The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan said Duterte—who described himself as the first president from the Left —is already moving forward toward a dialogue with the Reds unlike Aquino. “Duterte has committed to release all political prisoners as a confidence-building measure. In an unprecedented move, he has offered

cabinet positions to the Left, more than what was ever given by any postEdsa regime,” said Bayan secretarygeneral Renato Reyes. “In contrast, Aquino continues to avoid any responsibility for his failed handling of the peace talks with the NDF,” he said. “When it comes to the peace process with the NDF, Duterte Next page


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