By Clarist Zablan
(November 19, 2021) – The only son and namesake of the late dictator cannot run away from the disqualification petition even if he was allowed more time to answer the petitions against his candidacy, a lawmaker and human rights lawyer said on Friday, asserting the truth is against his favor.
Albay Congressman Edcel Lagman said it was very clear that Ferdinand Marcos Jr was convicted for not paying his income tax as governor of Ilocos Norte, a ground for denying him a chance to hold public office under tax and election laws.
The Commission on Elections granted his petition to allow him a one-week extension to argue his case.
“No amount of extension will alter the irrefutable facts and the unassailable laws warranting the disqualification of Marcos, Jr,” Lagman said in a statement.
Several groups of human rights advocates filed a petition to cancel his candidacy on grounds he was found guilty of a crime of moral turpitude.
Another petition was filed by a group called Campaign Against the Return of the Marcoses and Martial Law (Carmma) to disqualify him on the same grounds.
The Marcos camp dismissed both petitions as a “cheap political gimmick” that was created to destroy his reputation. His spokesman Vic Rodriguez also argued the case can be dismissed because the poll body has no jurisdiction to review a court decision.
But Lagman said any person who had violated the National Internal Revenue, including tax evasion, is perpetually disqualified from holding public office.
The Omnibus election code disbars Marcos’ from holding any public office for tax evasion offense as an act of moral turpidute, he added.
“It must be clarified that the petition does not ask the COMELEC to alter or modify the Court Appeals decision affirming Marcos, Jr.’s conviction for non-filing of ITRs but to enforce the pertinent laws mandating his disqualification as an accessory penalty attached to his conviction,” Lagman said.
Marcos is the frontrunner in the presidential race based on opinion polls.
Human rights groups opposed his candidacy, saying it was an attempt of the Marcos family to return to Malacanang.
(MM)
Our Privacy Commitment
TV5 Network Inc. values and respects your privacy. We are committed to safeguarding your personal data in compliance with Republic Act No. 10173 or the Data Privacy Act of 2012 and its implementing rules and regulations.
We have developed a Privacy Policy that adopts and observes appropriate standards for personal data protection. While our Privacy Policy sets out the general principles governing the collection, use, and disclosure of our users’ personal information, our Privacy Commitment seeks to inform you more about TV5’s privacy practices.
Why do we collect your personal information (as applicable)?
We may collect and maintain basic information about you as site user of TV5 sites for the following purposes:
Where do we get your personal information?
There are several ways we collect your personal information.
Information that you personally provided.
Most of the personal information we have are those that you have provided us when you:
Information we collect during your engagement with us
We also collect information as you use our products and services, like:
Information we collect from other sources
Other means of collection of information may be through:
When do we disclose personal information?
There may be instances when we are required to share the information you provided us. In such cases, we ensure that your personal information will be disclosed on a confidential manner, through secure channels and in compliance with the Data Privacy Act and other privacy laws.
We will never share, rent, or sell your personal information to third parties outside of TV5 except in special cases where you have given consent, and in cases described in our privacy policy.
In some instances, we may be required to disclose your personal information to our agents, subsidiaries, affiliates, business partners and other third-party agencies and service providers as part of our regular business operations and for the provision of our programs and services. This means we might share your information with our service providers, contractors, and professional advisers who help us provide our services.
How we protect your personal information
The integrity, confidentiality, and security of your information is important to us. We have implemented technical, organizational, and physical security measures that are designed to protect your information from unauthorized or fraudulent access, alteration, disclosure, misuse, and other unlawful activities.
We also put in effect the following safeguards:
TV5 will not collect, use, or disclose your personal information for any purpose other than the purpose that you may have given your consent for.
What are your choices?
We make sure that we have your consent to continue to collect, use, and disclose your personal information for the purposes that we have identified. We want you to know that you may object or withdraw your consent and/or edit your consent preferences at any time.
If you wish to have access to the personal information in our custody or if you think that the personal information you provided is incomplete, or otherwise inaccurate, you may get in touch with our Data Protection Officer through the contact details provided below. In some instances, we may request for supporting documents or proof before we effect requested changes.
Data Protection Officer
TV5 Network Inc.
Reliance corner Sheridan Streets
Mandaluyong City
tv5dataprivacy@tv5.com.ph
What happens when there are changes in our Policy?
From time to time, we may update our privacy policy and practices to comply with changes in applicable laws and regulatory requirements, adapt to new technologies and protocols, and align with the best practices of the industry.
You will be provided notices if the changes are significant and, if we are required by law, we will obtain your updated consent.