BILANG PILIPINO | Disqualification cases could ‘drag on’ due to complicated nature, says Comelec

December 14, 2021 , 09:48 AM

By Beatrice Puente

(December 14, 2021) – An official of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday said they plan to expedite the resolution of pending cases against candidates just in time for the printing of ballots for the 2022 elections starting January.

But Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez clarified that disqualification cases would likely take up more time due to their complicated nature compared to cancellation cases. The Comelec can accept petitions for disqualification until the date of proclamation, per Rule 25 of the amended rules of procedure.

“Those (disqualification cases) can take a little longer because they will have to deal with other issues,” said Jimenez on One News’ The Chiefs. “Wala siyang timetable in context of election day kasi a disqualification case can drag on depending on how lawyers argue.”

Presidential aspirant Bongbong Marcos Jr. is facing seven petitions, seeking both his disqualification from the race and the cancellation of his certificate of candidacy (COC). Most are rooted in his tax evasion conviction that reached finality in 2001.

On Monday, the Comelec Second Division junked the three motions to intervene in the first cancellation case against Marcos, the late dictator’s son, originally filed by the group of Fr. Christian Buenafe of Task Force Detainees of the Philippines. It rejected the petition-in-intervention by Atty. Howard Calleja’s clients and the two answers-in-intervention forwarded by Marcos’ party-mates from Partido Federal ng Pilipinas.

Jimenez said the ruling would likely fast-track the resolution of cancellation cases but the same would not necessarily apply to disqualification cases. He is hopeful that the Comelec commissioners can rule on the cancellation cases around January 15, at which point the printing of ballots has already begun.

“It just means that the case will continue with the original petitioners at hindi makakapasok, basically, ang latecomers. ‘Yun naman kasi ang esensya ng intervention na sinasabi—they want in on the action,” explained Jimenez. “To add more petitioners who are alleging essentially the same thing would unnecessarily complicate the case.”

Jimenez, meanwhile, also said that the Comelec may rule on the rift in Partido Demokratiko Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) by December 15. PDP-Laban, President Rodrigo Duterte’s party, has no standard-bearers.

Sen. Manny Pacquiao, who leads one faction, did not file his COC under the party, carrying instead the banner of Probinsya Muna Development Initiative. The rival faction led by Department of Energy secretary Alfonso Cusi was supposed to field Sen. Bato Dela Rosa and Sen. Bong Go but both backed out.

Go later filed his COC for president via substitution under Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan. He has announced his decision to pull out from the race but he has yet to make it official.

“Hindi ko alam kung may effect ‘yung nangyayari kay Senator Go, but certainly ‘yung ating commissioners are double timing these decisions,” said Jimenez.

(PM)

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