NextGen Day

MANILA, Philippines — The last disqualification complaint brought by Pudno nga Ilokano against presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. was dismissed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) First Division for lack of merit.

The Division, led by Presiding Commissioner Socorro Inting and members Commissioners Aimee Ferolino and Aimee Torrefranca-Neri, issued a 29-page ruling clearing the presidential frontrunner of all charges.

The judgment stated, “Wherefore, premises considered, the current Petition is hereby dismissed for lack of merit.”

The First Division found no moral turpitude in the case, contrary to petitioners’ assertions based on Marcos’ convictions for tax evasion.

“However, we believe it is prudent to undertake our own judgment in order to dispel any ambiguities and fully settle the dispute.” The judgment stated, “A thorough examination of the documents and applicable jurisprudence leads to the conclusion that there is no moral turpitude in this case.”

“If failure to submit an income tax return is considered only on its own, it does not appear to be intrinsically improper.” This is supported by the fact that completing an income tax return is merely a legal responsibility, and failure to do so is only considered bad because the law penalizes it,” it continued.

The lawsuit arose from Marcos’ conviction for failing to file his income tax returns (ITRs) between 1982 and 1985.

Other petitions to declare Marcos a nuisance, cancel his certificate of candidacy, and disqualify three merged cases were dismissed, but petitioners filed motions for reconsideration, which are now before the Comelec en banc.

‘It’s time to work for free and fair elections.’

Marcos’ camp said it’s now time to strive for clean and fair elections, praising the dismissal of the former senator’s disqualification lawsuit.

“The Commission on Elections has affirmed and settled the last petition for disqualification: Presidential frontrunner Bongbong Marcos possesses all of the qualifications required to aspire to, campaign for, and serve as president of the Republic of the Philippines,” Marcos’ spokesperson, lawyer Vic Rodriguez, said in a statement.

Rodriguez believes that elections should be decided by voters rather than by the “abuse” of legal processes such as filing “nuisance petitions” seeking disqualification.

“Now is the moment for every peace-loving Filipino to work for clean, honest, credible, and fair elections that allow people to speak, have their voices heard, and have their ballots honestly counted,” he said.

“It’s a good development, and we’re delighted that it happened before the forthcoming elections,” Marcos said of the decision.

He is currently on a campaign sortie in Occidental Mindoro.

Pudno’s petition was submitted on Dec. 7, 2021, and is represented by former Comelec Commissioner Christian Monsod.

Marcos and his running mate, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, have continuously topped all major pre-election polls since the beginning of the campaign.

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