NextGen Day

The Commission on Elections has dismissed another case seeking to invalidate presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s candidacy (Comelec).

This comes after the Second Division of the poll board unanimously refused a plea submitted by Fr. Christian Buenafe and others to have Marcos’ certificate of candidacy (COC) revoked for lack of merit.

“Wherefore, premises considered, the current Petition is accordingly dismissed for lack of merit,” Presiding Commissioner Socorro Inting wrote in a 32-page judgment issued on Monday.

Marcos did not mislead and deceive the public when he claimed in his COC that he is eligible to run for public office, and he has not been found guilty for an offense that warrants permanent disqualification, according to the ruling.

“It is evident that when the Respondent answered “No” to the question in Item No. 22 of his COC, he did so without intending to deceive, misinform, or conceal a truth that would otherwise disqualify him. When Respondent answered ‘No’ to the inquiry in Item No. 22, he did so precisely because he had no basis for doing so. With decades of public service under his belt, Respondent can honestly think that he has never been disqualified from holding public office to the best of his knowledge “According to the polling organization.

“When the Respondent signed and subscribed to his COC, which includes the assertion in Item No. 11 that he is qualified for President, he did so without any intent to deceive, misinform, or conceal a fact that would otherwise disqualify him. As previously stated, there is nothing in the CA Decision of October 31, 1997, that would have unequivocally informed the herein Respondent that he is ineligible “It was also added.

The petitioners requested that Marcos’ COC be revoked in November of last year, arguing that he made a false material representation when he indicated in his COC that he is allowed to run for President despite a prior conviction for failing to file income tax reports between 1982 and 1985.

The poll panel referenced an earlier Supreme Court judgment explicitly saying that failing to file an income tax return is not a crime involving moral turpitude, refuting petitioners’ assertion that Marcos’ tax evasion charges are crimes involving moral turpitude.

“As a result, Petitioners’ claim that Respondent was convicted of a felony involving moral turpitude is untrue. As a result, when Respondent stated under oath that he is qualified for President, he was telling the truth “It was also added.

The petitioners’ legal counsel, lawyer Theodore Te, has stated that they will appeal the ruling to the Comelec en banc.

“Petitioners disagree with the Comelec’s ruling, among other things, that the material representations made were not false,” he said in a statement. “Petitioners will seek reconsideration of the Resolution with the Commission en banc within the five-day period provided by the Comelec Rules,” he added.

Meanwhile, Marcos’ chief of staff, lawyer Vic Rodriguez, expressed satisfaction with the poll body’s decision.

“We applaud the Commission on Elections for respecting the law and every bona fide candidate’s right to run for public office without fear of harassment or prejudice, such as Bongbong Marcos.” The Comelec has unanimously spoken — the petition to cancel Bongbong Marcos’ certificate of candidacy was denied,” he said in a statement. “After granting the petitioners’ right to have their day in court where their case was fully heard and ventilated, the Comelec has unanimously spoken — the petition to cancel the certificate of candidacy of Bongbong Marcos was denied.”

Rodriguez also stated that they are extending their “hand of unification even to the fiercest of the opposition” and urged them to assist in ensuring that the elections are clean, fair, and credible.

Meanwhile, Malacanang has stated that it supports Comelec’s judgment.

“Comelec is a constitutionally autonomous body. In a press statement, acting presidential spokeswoman Karlo Nograles said, “We accept the Comelec’s independence.”

Commissioners Antonio Kho and Rey Bulay are the other members of the Second Division.

Danilo Lihaylihay’s appeal to declare the former senator a nuisance candidate had already been refused.

Five petitions against Marcos are still pending before the electoral authority.

Save/Share this story with QR CODE

---

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute endorsement of any specific technologies or methodologies and financial advice or endorsement of any specific products or services.

📩 Need to get in touch?

📩 Feel free to Contact NextGenDay.com for comments, suggestions, reviews, or anything else.

---

We appreciate your reading. 😊Simple Ways To Say Thanks & Support Us:
1.) ❤️GIVE A TIP. Send a small donation thru Paypal😊❤️
Your DONATION will be used to fund and maintain NEXTGENDAY.com
Subscribers in the Philippines can make donations to mobile number 0917 906 3081, thru GCash.
3.) 🛒 BUY or SIGN UP to our AFFILIATE PARTNERS.
4.) 👍 Give this news article a THUMBS UP, and Leave a Comment (at Least Five Words).

---

AFFILIATE PARTNERS

World Class Nutritional Supplements - Buy Highest Quality Products, Purest Most Healthy Ingredients, Direct to your Door! Up to 90% OFF.
Join LiveGood Today - A company created to satisfy the world's most demanding leaders and entrepreneurs, with the best compensation plan today.

---