Presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. speaks during the Agri 2022 Online Forum. Image from Facebook / Bongbong Marcos
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has submitted for resolution the disqualification case of Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., filed by Abubakar Mangelen who claims to be the “duly elected chairman” of Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP).
Meanwhile, two other petitions that also seek Marcos’ disqualification from the presidential race were consolidated.
All three cases are being handled by the Comelec’s First Division.
Presiding Commissioner Rowena Guanzon ruled that the first disqualification case filed by Mangelen is now “submitted for resolution” because neither he nor any of his counsels attended the hearing.
Marcos was also absent from the proceedings after informing the Comelec that he is now in isolation and has a fever and a congested throat.
Mangelen, who claims to be the duly elected chairman of the PFP, said the PFP’s issuance of a certificate of nomination of acceptance to Marcos Jr. was “unauthorized, defective, invalid and void,” as well as the party’s endorsement of him as a standard bearer.
Marcos filed his certificate of candidacy as the standard-bearer and the known chairman of the PFP.
On the other hand, the two disqualification cases filed by martial law survivors led by Bonifacio Ilagan and Akbayan Citizen’s Action Party have been consolidated, Guanzon confirmed to reporters. This means that both petitions will have a joint decision.
Both petitioners argued that Marcos’ conviction for non-payment of taxes and non-filing of income tax returns carries a penalty of perpetual disqualification from public office.
Ilagan, for his part, said they will “not step back” in their fight to block Marcos’ return to power.
“The whole nation is watching. We trust that the [Comelec] uphold truth, justice, and integrity to safeguard the sanctity of the upcoming elections, especially against those who seek to bastardize it,” Ilagan said in a statement on Friday.
“Allowing Marcos Jr. to run will be a mockery not only of the elections but of our nation’s history, our democracy, and our hard-won rights and freedoms.”
Meanwhile, the Comelec’s First Division also gave the petitioners of the two cases and the camp of Marcosto submit their memoranda within 48 hours.
Marcos’ counsel, however, requested for 15 days to submit the memorandum, which Guanzon denied.
“No, no we don’t give 15 days… It is not necessary for 15 days unless you want to delay your case,” Guanzon said.