FILE PHOTO: Senator Manny Pacquiao is running for president in the May 9, 2022, elections. INQUIRER FILES
MANILA, Philippines — Presidential candidate Senator Manny Pacquiao on Wednesday said he had expected the junking of the disqualification cases file against his opponent Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
He said it is better than none of the candidates will be disqualified from the May 9 race so the people can choose who they want as their next leader.
“Expected naman natin yan, wala naman tayong iniisip na madidisqualify siya pero tuloy ang laban. Mas maganda yan. Ang tao ang pipili kung sino ang iboboto nila,” Pacquiao said in a press briefing in Ilocos Norte.
(We have expected that. We are not thinking of him being disqualified. It’s better that he’s not so that the people can choose whom to vote for.)
Pacquiao said he just wants voters to choose the candidate who truly cares and loves the nation and Filipinos.
“Ang dalangin ko lang ay pumili tayo ng tunay na nagmamalasakit at pagmamahal sa ating bayan at sa kapwa,” he said.
(My wish is that we choose someone who truly cares and loves our nation and our fellow Filipinos.)
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has junked the remaining disqualification case filed against Marcos Jr. for lack of merit.
The petitioners argued Marcos Jr.’s 1993 conviction for his failure to file his income tax returns is a crime involving moral turpitude, making the former senator unqualified to run for office.
However, the Comelec said they are “not convinced” citing a Supreme Court ruling stating that failure to file an income tax return is not a crime involving moral turpitude.