Guanzon to preside over prelim conference on Akbayan’s DQ case vs Bongbong Marcos

Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon (File photo)

MANILA, Philippines — Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Rowena Guanzon will preside at the January 7, 2022 preliminary conference on the disqualification petition filed by Akbayan party-list against presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

“I will preside over the preliminary conference of Akbayan et al vs Marcos Jr. on Jan. 7 at 9AM. Lawyers, prepare! I have low tolerance for incompetence,” Guanzon said on Twitter on Wednesday.

Guanzon said the preliminary conference on Marcos’ disqualification case will be held at the Comelec’s session hall. All lawyers must be inside the premises before 8:55 a.m.

She said summons will be sent to concerned lawyers and parties to personally appear during the conference.

“Parties must personally appear. Vax cards, face masks,” she said.

The Comelec will also admit members of the media, according to Guanzon.

“To the mainstream media: In the interest of the public and transparency we will admit the media for 5 minutes or until the joining of Issues is finished and before their exhibits are marked,” she said.

The Comelec’s First Division scheduled on January 7 the preliminary conference for three disqualification cases against Marcos.

Former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. files his certificate of candidacy (COC) for president last October 6, 2021. (INQUIRER.net/Daniza Fernandez)

These are the petitions filed by organizers of the Campaign Against the Return of the Marcoses and Martial Law on November 17, by supposed officials of Marcos’ Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, and by martial law survivors led by Akbayan which were both filed on December 2.

The agency’s Second Division, meanwhile, set on January 14 the preliminary conference for the disqualification case against Marcos filed by the group Pudno Nga Ilokano (Real Ilocanos).

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