CO P ¥ LAWRENCE N, REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES “!! JU. 15.1137 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ELECTORAL TRIBUNAL Electoral Tribunal Building Batasan Hills, Commonwealth Avenue Quezon City JEJOMAR C. BINAY, Protestant, versus - 19-022 HRET CASE NO For: Election Protest ROMULO V. PENA, JR, Protestee. x VERIFIED ELECTION PROTEST SENTETED ELECTION PROTEST. Protestant JEJOMAR C. BINAY, by counsel, to this Honorable Tribunal, most respectfully states: PREFATORY STATEMENT. “Thave been a public servant for thirty (80) years - twenty - four (24) of which as Mayor of Makati City - and Ihave served the people of Makati City to the best of my capabilities. Throughout my tenure as Mayor, and eventually as Vice-President of the nation, I have always held the people of Makati City close and dear to my heart. I strove to uplift Makati from a lowly municipality in the 1980s, to the country’s premier financial district, and Iam proud to say that the benefits currently afforded to Makati City’s residents are the envy of the nation. And, for all my efforts and service, the people of Makati City have always supported me, and have never failed me, Thus, for all of the reforms, infrastructure, accolades, and recognition that Makati City has received, my pride and joy has always been the love and trust that the people of Makati have reposed in me. In fact, I only decided to run as a Member of the House of Representatives for the First District of Makati City because of the clamor of the people for me to run once again.My final decision to run again in 2019 was not made lightly. In deliberating the issue, I knew what I had to do I consulted God, my family, friends, and more importantly, the people of Makati City, who have never deserted me. When I walked the all too familiar streets of the City closest to my heart, when I asked the hundreds, and even thousands of Makati’s residents, they had only one response to the question of my running once agai “Tatay, kailangan po namin kayo. Wala pong ibang may malasakit sa amin kagaya ninyo.” This is the only reason why I ultimately ran again - the people of Makati City needed me, and I needed to serve them. I took on the rigors and challenges of campaigning with a grateful heart and steadfast spirit. I spent my days doing what I Joved most ~ I listened. I listened to the plight of the simple street sweeper, and her gratitude for the free education of her child in Makati’s public schools. I listened to the story of one construction worker, and his wife’s experience giving birth without complications, because of the Yellow Card Program, and the quality of healthcare at the Ospital ng Makati 1 listened to the elderly citizens, who appreciate the Blue Card Program, and the hassle-free delivery of their medicine. I listened intently to every person who invited me into their home, when I knocked to have a simple conversation with them. I listened, and they assured me of their unyielding support come election day. I was made more confident by the fact that survey results echoed the public sentiment, that I was their only choice. It was also my feeling that the support of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (“INC”) would only ensure my victory. Hence, days after my supposed close “loss”, 1 immediately went around my district just to get a feelingof what happened. I was flooded with questions, and the people were confused: "Huwog po kayo sumuko, tatay. Kayo ang binoto namin dahil alan namin ang kakayanan ninyo sa pagserbisyo sa amin.’ ‘Hindi po namin matanggap ang pagkatalo ninyo. Kayo lang po ang nakapagpaaral sa anak ko mula elementary hanggang magtapos siya sa UMAK.’ ‘Hindi po kayo natalo, Huwag po sara kayo sunnuko sa laban.’ Instead of despair, I felt hopeful. I know for a fact that the people of Makati City voted for me, and I have an obligation to fight for the sovereign will of my people. This election protest is not filed out of spite. It is a challenge to uncover the TRUE will of the people, the voters of Makati City. There were simply numerous reports of | machine — malfunctions, _voter disenfranchisement, and other issues pertaining to widespread fraud. No less than the President himself, Honorable Rodrigo R. Duterte, publicly stated his displeasure with the conduct of the 2019 Midterm Elections: “1 would like to advise Comelec now, I won't wait for it (SONA) anymore: dispose of that Smartmatic and look for a new one that is free of fraud - President Rodrigo Duterte (https:/ /www. philstar com/headlines/2019/ 05/31/1922473/ dutert e-comelec-end-deal- smartmatic#wmrY1i3R BzLPcQgC.99)