Atty. Victor Rodriguez, chief of staff and spokesperson of Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. Screengrab from PTV
MANILA, Philippines — The decision of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc to affirm the dismissal of the disqualification cases against presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. proved that “no amount of undue political pressure can weaken the resolve of the honorable Commission to be on the side of truth and justice,” Atty. Vic Rodriguez, Marcos Jr.’s spokesperson said, as they welcome the decision of the Comelec en banc on Tuesday.
“We are happy to receive the news that the Comelec En Banc has dismissed all the Motions for Reconsideration on the [disqualification] cases which the First and Second Divisions have earlier ruled in favor of frontrunner Bongbong Marcos,” Rodriguez said in a statement.
“We have always believed that the poll body will stay true to its mandate to deliver fair, honest, and credible elections, including the dismissal of unmeritorious and politically-motivated petitions such as these,” he added.
Voting 6-0-1, the Commission en banc affirmed the dismissal of the cases against Marcos, who currently leads the presidential race by a wide margin over the second placer, Vice President Leni Robredo.
The en banc ruled on the appeals filed by Akbayan party-list; Abubakar Mangelen, chairman of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas faction; and the Campaign Against the Return of the Marcoses and Martial Law after their petitions were dismissed by the Comelec’s First Division.
The fourth appeal is on the junked disqualification case filed by the group Pudno Nga Ilocano.
“The unanimous En Banc decision has proven, once and for all, that no amount of undue political pressure can weaken the resolve of the honorable Commission to be on the side of truth and justice,” Rodriguez said.
Petitioners can still make an appeal before the Supreme Court.
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Comelec affirms dismissal of DQ cases vs Bongbong Marcos