Marawi civic leader Samira Gutoc addressed criticisms on the indelible ink being placed on her right thumb instead of her forefinger in a short video on Facebook.
Facebook page Duterte Kami previously mocked a photo of Gutoc showing off her inked thumb after voting in Mindanao.
A board of election inspectors (BEI) member is fasting, Gutoc explained in the video, and might have been rattled on where to put the ink.
“Sorry binash nanaman ako. E syempre kasi fasting yung nag-aano sakin. Baka na-nervous siya, yung BEI kung san ilalagay yung ink. She put it here,” she said.
Ramadan, a sacred period of fasting and prayer in Islam, started on May 6. Muslims fast and abstain from dawn to dusk for a month.
“No biggie di ba?” Gutoc quipped.
The BEI is required to apply the indelible ink on the voter’s right forefinger nail, according to Comelec Resolution 10460.
Thankful for her supporters
The senatorial candidate failed to make it to the Magic 12 in the elections last May 13, based on the unofficial tally.
She still thanked her supporters and those who voted for her in the same video.
“Everyone who helped me, who voted for me, thank you talaga…immense, gigantic thank you sa lahat. Saludo po sa Pilipinas,” Gutoc said.
She later tweeted:
“It would’ve been an honor working for all of you. Thank you for giving me the chance.”
Aside from Gutoc, Chel Diokno, Erin Tañada and Florin Hilbay of the Otso Diretso slate have conceded on May 14.
Their colleagues Bam Aquino and Mar Roxas still have a chance to win one of the 12 seats up for grabs.
Majority of the candidates in the top 12 are backed by President Rodrigo Duterte and his daughter Sara Duterte.
