Guanzon denies Comelec delaying resolution of cases vs Marcos Jr. to favor any party

FILE PHOTO: Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon. INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is not delaying the resolution of the disqualification cases against presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to favor any party, Commissioner Rowena Guanzon said Wednesday.

Guanzon’s remarks came after the delay in the release of the decision on the disqualification cases against Marcos Jr. which are pending before the Comelec’s First Division. Guanzon is a part of the said Comelec division.

“Hindi naman po tama ‘yung sinasabi na dine-delay namin para mapaburan ‘yung isang partido (It is not right to say that we are delaying the decision to favor one party),” she said on Facebook Live.

The First Division’s decision was scheduled to be released on Monday, January 17. However, some Comelec staff tested positive for coronavirus that causes COVID-19, postponing the release of the resolution.

READ: Decision on Marcos DQ case delayed as COVID-19 hits Comelec staff

There are three disqualification cases filed against Marcos Jr. that are pending before the Comelec’s First Division. These disqualification cases were filed by Abubakar Mangelen, who claims to be the “duly elected chairman” of Marcos Jr.’s political party, Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP); martial law survivors led by Bonifacio Ilagan; and Akbayan Citizen’s Action Party.

In his petition, Mangelen said the PFP’s issuance of a certificate of nomination of acceptance to Marcos Jr. was “unauthorized, defective, invalid and void.”

Ilagan and Akbayan’s petition, meanwhile, argued that Marcos Jr.’s conviction for non-payment of taxes and non-filing of income tax returns have a penalty of perpetual disqualification from public office.

Recently, the Comelec Second Division denied a petition seeking to cancel Marcos Jr.’s certificate of candidacy (COC) for president in this year’s elections.

KGA