Palace confident Comelec officials can address any ‘internal issues’

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Alexei Nograles. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang has expressed confidence that the Commission on Elections (Comelec), a constitutional body, can resolve any internal issues that it may have.

During Monday’s Palace press briefing, acting presidential spokesperson and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles was asked to give a reaction on the ongoing situation at Comelec over the disqualification cases against Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Marcos Jr. is running for president in the upcoming elections. His running mate is vice-presidential aspirant Sara Duterte-Carpio, incumbent Davao City mayor and eldest daughter of President Rodrigo Duterte.

“The Comelec is made up of a chairman and six commissioners. They’re an independent constitutional body and they have their own internal rules and regulations that govern them,” Nograles said.

“So, between the seven highest officials ng (of) Comelec, we are confident that they can address whatever internal issues or concerns if any that they have, and we are confident that they will be able to resolve it and resolve these issues and concerns if any if they have based and using their own internal protocols, rules, and procedures,” he added.

Earlier on Monday, Commissioner Rowena Guanzon challenged her colleague, Commissioner Aimee Ferolino, to resign with her as the Comelec’s integrity “is now in question” amid what she described as apparent “delay” and “interference” in the release of the resolution on the consolidated disqualification cases against Marcos Jr.

READ: Guanzon dares Marcos Jr. DQ case ponente: Let us resign together

READ: Guanzon for Marcos DQ, sees ‘delay, interference’

The retiring commissioner previously disclosed that a senator is behind the delay.

READ: Guanzon: Senator behind delay in Marcos Jr.’s DQ case

Both Guanzon and Ferolino belong to the Comelec First Division which is handling the disqualification petitions against Marcos Jr.

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

Guanzon, who is set to retire on February 2, gave Ferolino an ultimatum to release the resolution on the petitions. Ferolino is the ponente, or the person tasked to write the resolution, for Marcos Jr.’s consolidated disqualification cases.

KGA