Commission on Elections spokesperson James Jimenez (FILE PHOTO)
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has issued a summons for the petition to cancel the certificate of candidacy (COC) of presidential aspirant and former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., the poll body’s spokesperson James Jimenez said Friday.
“Summons was issued yesterday and are expected to be served today. We are awaiting proof of service. Upon receipt of the summons, the respondent will have five days to file an answer,” Jimenez told reporters in a Viber message.
The petition filed last November 2 asserts that Marcos is not eligible to run for any public office since the Quezon City Regional Trial Court convicted him in 1995 for his failure to file income tax returns.
Former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. files his certificate of candidacy (COC) for president on Wednesday, October 6, 2021, at the Sofitel Harbor Garden Tent in Pasay City (INQUIRER.net/Daniza Fernandez)
The petition has been raffled to the Comelec’s second division.
A second petition seeking to void the candidacy of Marcos was also filed on Monday, echoing the points raised by the first group of petitioners.
According to Jimenez, after the respondent issues an answer to the petition, a pre-conference will be held, and both parties will be given three days to submit their respective memoranda. The matter will then be deemed submitted for resolution.