MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippine Supreme Court has denied an attempt by the vice president to stop a formal protest against her election win lodged by the son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, who insists he was robbed of the number two post.

Philippine vice-presidential candidate senator Ferdinand "BongBong" Marcos, son and namesake of late dictator former President Ferdinand Marcos, is greeted by supporters after attending a mass at a Catholic church in Paranaque city, metro Manila in the Philippines May 15, 2016, a week after the national election. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco

Social activist Leni Robredo was elected vice president in May 2016, winning by about 260,000 votes over Marcos’ son and namesake. Popularly known as Bongbong, he said he was the rightful winner and votes were stolen from him.

Marcos had asked the court to order a recount of more than a million votes in the south and nullification of balloting in three provinces. Robredo in turn asked the court to reject his petition.

On Thursday, Marcos released the court’s Jan. 24 ruling which found his petition “sufficient in form and substance”.

His lawyer, Victor Rodriguez, said: “We just want the truth to come out. It’s that simple.”

The vice presidency is largely ceremonial and has no official role in the Cabinet unless given a portfolio by the president. However, some political commentators believe Marcos wants the vice presidency as a stepping stone to the top job.

Robredo’s relationship with President Rodrigo Duterte is far from close and he has frequently made jokes in public at her expense. She has been critical of some of his policies, including his deadly war on drugs.

Last year Duterte instructed aides to tell Robredo to cease attending his Cabinet meetings, prompting her to resign as housing minister, while remaining vice president.

Rumors have swirled that Duterte favors Marcos and that while in China last year, he introduced him to officials as the Philippines’ vice president.

Robredo has made the same claim, but has not provided evidence to support it. Duterte has denied he is trying to oust her.

(This story has been refiled to corrects headline, clarifies lead to show court ruled protest is valid, not allows recount.)