MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court (SC), sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET), on Tuesday voted to fine the camps of both Vice President Leni Robredo and her rival, former senator Ferndinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., P50,000 each for violating the sub-judice rule.

The sub-judice rule bars both parties from making public disclosures, which could result in the prejudging of Marcos’ electoral protest against Robredo.

Robredo’s lawyer, Romulo Macalintal, said the Vice President could not remain silent amid the relentless black propaganda from the camp of Marcos.

Macalintal said they have yet to receive a copy of the SC resolution.

“However, we stand firm that the lies propagated by the Marcos camp called on us to defend ourselves,” he said.

“Sometimes, we have no choice but to speak out, in order for the public to be enlightened amid the unrelenting black propaganda, which aims to discredit the recount being spearheaded by the PET,” Macalintal added.

The SC had warned both parties to refrain from disclosing “sensitive information” to media pending the case’s resolution.

In April, both camps were issued a show cause order why they should not be cited in contempt of court for disclosing information about the poll recount.

The PET is currently conducting recount of votes from Camarines Sur and Iloilo, two of the three pilot provinces named by Marcos in his protest. The other province is Negros Oriental.

Marcos lost to Robredo by around 260,000 votes in the 2016 elections, which the former senator claimed was marred by fraud.

Meanwhile, the Makati Business Club (MBC) called on the PET to follow the 25 percent threshold set by the Commission on Elections for the ballot shading in the recount of votes.

The MBC made the call to ensure the credibility of the elections not only for the position of vice president but for all elected posts. –Richmond Mercurio