Comelec en banc affirms junking of nuisance petition vs Bongbong Marcos

Former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/LYN RILLON

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc has affirmed the dismissal of a petition that sought to declare presumptive president Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. a nuisance candidate in the 2022 polls and essentially cancel his certificate of candidacy (COC).

In a decision dated May 11, a copy of which was released to the media on Thursday, the Comelec en banc denied the motion for reconsideration for the petition filed by Danilo Lihaylihay which was earlier junked by the Comelec 2nd Division.

“The Motion for Reconsideration must be denied. A careful review of the Motion for Reconsideration reveals that it contains merely a rehash of Petitioner’s averments and arguments,” the en banc said.

“The Motion failed to raise new matters or issues, and the grounds that would warrant the reversal of the Assailed Resolution… It is apparent on the face of the Motion that there is no cogent reason to disturb the findings of the Commission (Second Division),” it added.

In his petition, Lihaylihay asked the Comelec to declare Marcos as a nuisance candidate and refuse to give due course to and cancel his COC for presidency.

According to Lihaylihay’s petition, Marcos “put the election process in mockery or disrepute because his purpose was mainly to have his family’s political comeback in Malacañang.”

READ: Comelec junks petition to declare Bongbong Marcos a nuisance candidate

The Comelec Second Division junked the petition, saying Marcos’ candidacy did not fall under any of the three broad categories of nuisance candidates, that is: if one filed a candidacy to make mockery of the elections; cause confusion among voters like having similarity of names; and demonstrate the lack of a bona fide intention to run for office.

EDV