Comelec violated law by giving Marcos more time to reply – disqualification petitioners

Former Senator Ferdinand “BongBong” Marcos. Screengrab from Pandesal Forum

MANILA, Philippines — Martial law detainees and activists who opposed the candidacy of presidential aspirant Ferdinand Marcos Jr. have asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to reverse its decision giving Marcos more time to answer their petition.

The petitioners, led by the Task Force Detainees of the Philippines, said the Comelec Second Division’s Nov. 18 order granting Marcos’ request for an extension of the deadline to submit his reply was “blatantly contrary to law.”

“Such inextendible period is mandatory or peremptory in character that is meant to avoid delays in the disposition of cases in general,” they said.

The petitioners also pointed out that the Comelec Second Division’s resolution was issued on Nov. 18, after the original Nov. 16 deadline has lapsed.