Marcos Jr. camp says high time for Comelec to assert independence, constitutional mandate vs petitions

FILE Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr. Illustration by Ed Lustan

MANILA, Philippines — The camp of presidential aspirant and former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said that it is high time for the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to assert independence and constitutional mandate against petitions.

“Alam ho ninyo—well of course, magagaling naman itong ating mga opisyal ng Comelec—but I think, as a lawyer, as an officer of the court, it’s high time for the Commission on Elections na i-assert ang kanilang independence at i-assert ang kanilang constitutional mandate ‘pag nakikita na na mga pawang basurang petisyon at kaso ang inihahain laban sa kanila,” Marcos Jr.’s spokesperson lawyer Vic Rodriguez said in a press conference.

(You know—well of course, Comelec officials are excellent—but I think, as a lawyer, as an officer of the court, it’s high time for the Commission on Elections to assert their independence and constitutional mandate when they see that petitions filed before them are trash.)

“I say this, with all conviction, sapagkat ilan na ba ‘yung petition laban kay Bongbong Marcos? Paulit-ulit lang ang alegasyon, nagpapalit lamang ay ‘yung mga petitioners o nagdedemanda,” he continued.

(How many petitions were filed against Marcos? The allegations are the same, what only changes are the petitioners.)

Rodriguez told petitioners to not bother the poll body as they are preparing for the 2022 polls.

“’Wag ho na natin perwisyuhin ang Comelec. Ang dami-dami hong mas seryosong trabaho ng Comelec na dapat nilang paghandaan patungkol sa nalalapit na May 9, 2022 elections,” he said.

(Let us not bother the Comelec anymore. They have a more serious job which is to prepare for the upcoming May 9, 2022 elections.)

“‘Wag na nating buhusan ng walang kasusta-sustansyang petisyon laban kay Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.,” he added.

(Let us not deluge them with unsubstantiated petitions against Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.)

Currently, there are six petitions lodged opposing the presidential bid of Marcos Jr.

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