‘TRUTH & JUSTICE’ | Marcos camp lauds Comelec’s decision to junk disqualification cases

May 10, 2022 , 02:27 PM

By Toph Doncillo

(May 10, 2022) – The camp of presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos Jr. on Tuesday welcomed the decision of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc affirming the dismissal of the three disqualification cases against the late dictator’s son.

Atty. Vic Rodriguez, the spokesperson of Marcos, called the petitions “unmeritorious and politically motivated.”

“The unanimous en banc decision has proven, once and for all, that no amount of undue political pressure can weaken the resolve of the honorable commission to be on the side of truth and justice,” said Rodriguez.

The Comelec denied the motions for reconsideration on the dismissal of the petitions seeking to disqualify the presidential candidacy of Marcos.

With a 6-0-1 vote, it affirmed the first division’s ruling to dismiss the consolidated complaints filed by Bonifacio Ilagan, Abubakar Mangelen, and Akbayan.

Comelec commissioner George Garcia, who once served as legal counsel of Marcos, inhibited from the vote to avoid conflict of interest.

According to the decision, the petitioners “failed to raise new matters that would warrant the reveal of the assailed resolution.”

According the en banc decision, “the Motions for Reconsideration reveals that they failed to raise new matters that would warrant the reversal of the Assailed Resolution.” pic.twitter.com/wff6lpNaTV

— Greg Gregorio (@GVGregorio_1991) May 10, 2022

It also affirmed the second division’s decision on the petition of Christian Buenafe to cancel Marcos’ certificate of candidacy.

“We find no cogent reason to disturb the finding of the commission,” said the Comelec en banc.

The Commission En Banc, likewise, affirmed the COMELEC 2nd Division’s Dismissal of the Petition to Cancel Certificate of Candidacy filed by Buenafe, et al, against Marcos, Jr.: We find no cogent reason to disturb the findings of the Commission. pic.twitter.com/opArBJ65WD

— Greg Gregorio (@GVGregorio_1991) May 10, 2022

As of 2:06 p.m., Marcos enjoys a wide lead in the presidential race with 30,878,774 votes, according to the unofficial tally of the Comelec.

Akbayan called the decision a “catastrophe for the country’s electoral democracy.” The group is planning to appeal the case before the Supreme Court.

“This setback does not discourage us, however. In fact, it strengthens our resolve and conviction to move forward. There are other legal paths open to us,” said Akbayan in a statement.

Two appeals still await the decision of the Comelec en banc—Danilo Lihaylihay’s petition to declare Marcos a nuisance candidate and Pudno nga Ilokano and Margarita Salonga Salandanan’s consolidated disqualification petition.

(With reports from Greg Gregorio, News 5)

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