‘POLITICAL BLACK HOLE’ | Akbayan pushes Comelec to decide on Marcos’ disqualification case

February 10, 2022 , 02:34 PM

By Beatrice Puente

(February 10, 2022) – Amid the long delay, a party-list group on Thursday urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to fast-track the release of the decision on the disqualification case against presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos Jr. to ease the public’s concerns ahead of the 2022 elections.

Akbayan, one of the petitioners challenging the candidacy of the late dictator’s son, wrote an appeal asking the Comelec, particularly its First Division, to quickly resolve the issue to assure the public about the integrity of the electoral process. The group also held a protest to reiterate their call to disqualify Marcos.

“This continuing lack of a decision on these petitions had cast a long, dark shadow on the opening of the campaign season. Many Filipino voters are apprehensive, confused, and concerned,” read the letter signed by Akbayan and six other organizations.

AKBAYAN PRESSES COMELEC TO DECIDE ON MARCOS JR. DQ CASES, WARNS OF “POLITICAL BLACK HOLE”

Akbayan Partylist on Thursday…

Posted by Akbayan Partylist on Wednesday, February 9, 2022

Initially, the Comelec was supposed to release the decision by January 17. But the lawyer of Aimee Ferolino, the commissioner assigned to write the ruling, allegedly contracted the COVID-19 virus, extending the process. Ferolino said she also needs more time to review the pertinent documents.

Rowena Guanzon, a recently retired Comelec commissioner, believes there was political interference at play so as not to have her vote counted. Guanzon publicly revealed that she voted to disqualify Marcos, noting that his non-filing and non-payment of taxes constitutes moral turpitude.

Marcos was convicted with finality for ignoring his responsibility to file and pay taxes from 1982 to 1985 when he was the governor of Ilocos Norte. He was initially sanctioned with a fine and a jail time but the Court of Appeals removed his imprisonment sentence in a decision released in 1997.

Akbayan first nominee Percival Cendaña said the people would be left at a disadvantage the longer the Comelec delays its ruling. Aside from Ferolino, the First Division also has acting Comelec chairperson Socorro Inting, following the retirement of Guanzon and two others.

“Mahalaga na magdesisyon na ang Comelec, lalo na at nag-umpisa na ang panahon ng kampanyahan. Bawat araw na walang desisyon ang Comelec ay bawat araw na dagdag pagdududa sa integridad ng ating halalan,” said Cendaña.

Marcos, the standard-bearer of Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, does not seem bothered with his disqualification case even as the 90-day campaign period started on Tuesday. He has repeatedly played down the challenges to his candidacy.

Last Tuesday, he scored another win after the Second Division junked a petition seeking to cancel his certificate of candidacy filed by Tiburcio Marcos, who was declared as a nuisance presidential candidate.

Cendaña maintained that their arguments still stand against Marcos so the Comelec must take action soon.

“If we allow Marcos Jr. to run in this election despite being perpetually disqualified to participate, we risk undermining the legitimacy and fairness of our electoral exercise, and our country falling into a political black hole,” said Cendaña.

(PM)

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