Comelec affirms dismissal of disqualification case vs. Marcos

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 11) — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc affirmed an April ruling of the poll body which junked the disqualification case against then presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

In an Oct. 7 resolution made public on Monday, the en banc upheld the Comelec First Division's verdict which stated that Marcos’ previous convictions for repeatedly failing to file income tax returns and paying the proper income taxes did not carry with it moral turpitude, which is a ground for disqualification.

The petitioners asked the en banc to review the division’s ruling, saying the latter’s reasoning is “clearly insufficient” and “contrary to law.” They maintained that Marcos, who won the presidency in the May polls, should be perpetually banned from running for and holding any public office.

The en banc said the petitioners made no new arguments in their partial motion for reconsideration. It also said they “repeatedly hammered on the same issues” already raised before the First Division.

“Therefore, we find that there is no cogent reason to disturb the findings of the Commission (First Division),” the resolution read.

The decision was signed by Commissioners Socorro Inting, Marlon Casquejo, Aimee Ferolino, and Rey Bulay.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia inhibited himself from the case since Marcos was his previous client.

Meanwhile, the petitioners include Margarita Salonga Salandanan, Crisanto Ducusin Palabay, Mario Flores Ben, Danilo Austria Consumido, Gil Fernando Derilo, Raoul Hafalla Tividad, Nida Mallare Gatchallan, and Nomer Calulot Kuan.