May we clarify the editorial titled “Infection in the poll system” (Inquirer, 6/16/12) which said: “Zubiri can insist on a veneer of innocence only because the Senate Electoral Tribunal has not ruled with finality on who actually won between him and Pimentel.”
In fact, the SET ruled with finality in its decision that was “immediately executory,” in Case No. 001-07 dated Aug. 11, 2011, that Aquilino Martin L. Pimentel III garnered 10,898,786 votes while Juan Miguel Zubiri garnered 10,640,620.
To highlight the significant portion of the decision, the SET ruled:
“It being clear from the above figures that Pimentel indeed obtained 258,166 more votes than Zubiri in the senatorial race in the 14 May 2007 National and Local Elections, the proclamation of Zubiri as the 12th winning senatorial candidate by the Comelec-NBC should be, as it is hereby annulled and set aside, and a new one entered, declaring Pimentel as the duly elected senator of the Philippines.”
—ELMAR JAY MARTIN I. DEJARESCO,
Office of Sen. Koko Pimentel