In an interview with SMNI in their program “Dito sa Bayan ni Juan,” former Senator Juan Ponce Enrile claimed that election fraud in the country began with the implementation of the automated elections.

SMNI posted a clip of the interview in their Tiktok account with the caption “Alamin: Dayaan sa eleksyon kailan nagsimula?” [Find out: When did election fraud begin?]. In the clip, Enrile is seen saying, “Nag-umpisa ang dayaan sa botohan through electronic system.” [Election fraud started through the electronic system.] The former senator further asserted that the late President Corazon Aquino instigated this system of election fraud.

CLAIM:

President Corazon Aquino started poll fraud in the Philippines through the automated elections, ex-Sen. Enrile says

RATING:

FALSE

FACTS: 

The automated election system (AES) was first implemented in 2010 under the term of former President Gloria Arroyo. This already disproves Enrile’s claim that blames the late President Corazon Aquino for masterminding electoral fraud, as she died almost a year prior to the 2010 elections.

Moreover, while several independent observers have raised concerns on the AES, it is wrong to say that the automated polls ushered in electoral fraud in the Philippines for the first time. Enrile himself said in his memoir that the late President Ferdinand Marcos ordered him to cheat Corazon Aquino of roughly 300,000 votes in Cagayan during the 1986 snap elections.

In a historical account published in the Official Gazette, it was also noted that “massive poll fraud and rampant cheating marred the vote on the day of the elections, February 7, 1986.”

Election cheating has long been recorded in the Philippines, with poll fraud being reported as early as 1946.

WHY IT MATTERS: 

Over the course of Enrile’s political record, the politician has been known for issuing several claims that are contrary to what historical records show. The former senator was even accused by several lawmakers of “lying through his teeth” for a recent slew of unfounded claims.

While the integrity of the upcoming elections is an issue that should demand greater public attention, unfounded claims such as that issued by Enrile may only serve as subterfuge that may distract the public from focusing on more pressing concerns. – Maez Estrada and Joseph Gloria

Altermidya Network is part of #FactsFirstPH which brings together various sectors that are committed to promoting truth in the public space, and exacting accountability on those who harm it with lies. For those interested to join the initiative, email info@factsfirst.ph.

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