The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Thursday that detained senatorial candidate Apollo Quiboloy can only seek a manual vote recount if he files a formal election protest and if Congress passes a law allowing it.
Comelec Chair George Garcia explained that once a candidate is proclaimed and assumes office, any protest must be filed before the Senate Electoral Tribunal. He added that a manual recount would also require new legislation to define procedures and allocate funds.
Garcia said recount costs include hiring revision teams and transporting ballot boxes, which can be expensive.
Quiboloy, who ranks 31st in the latest tally with over 5.5 million votes, earlier demanded a full manual recount, citing alleged discrepancies in election returns and vote-counting machine issues.
Garcia said the call will not affect the planned proclamation of winning senators on Saturday at 3 p.m. at the Manila Hotel.
He also reminded candidates to take down campaign materials within five days and submit their Statements of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) within 30 days, warning of penalties for non-compliance.
Party-list winners will be proclaimed on May 19, with 63 seats at stake.