MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) junked the motion for reconsideration filed by Margarita Salandanan-led Pudno Nga Ilokano questioning the First Division’s dismissal of the disqualification case against then presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Voting 4-0 with one inhibition, the Comelec en banc said the petitioners failed to present new arguments to warrant the reversal of the Division’s decision on April 20, 2022.
“After a careful scrutiny of the Partial Motion for Reconsideration, amidst the verbiage, we found that it neither raised the grounds cited in Sec. 1 of Rule 19 of the Comelec Rules of Procedure, nor it raised new matters or issues that would convince us to consider the motion. Ostensibly, the Partial Motion for Reconsideration repeatedly hammered on the same issues it also raised before the Commission (First Division),” the Comelec decision promulgated on Oct. 7 read.
“These same issues and arguments were properly addressed by the Commission (First Division) after it conscientiously and painstakingly studied the facts and issues brought before it by the parties, and applied relevant law and jurisprudence,” it added.
The case is the last pending before the poll body against Marcos who won the presidential race by a landslide 31,629,783 votes, or more than 16 million votes ahead of presidential candidate Leni Robredo.
"We find that there is no cogent reason to disturb the findings of the Commission (First Division)," the Comelec said. "Wherefore, in view of the foregoing, the Commission (En Banc) denies Petitioner's Partial Motion for Reconsideration (RE: Resolution promulgated on 20 April 2022) dated 25 April 2022, and affirms the Resolution of the Commission (First Division) promulgated on 20 April 2022.”
Commissioners Socorro Inting, Marlon Casquejo, Aimee Ferolino, and Rey Bulay all voted to dismiss the appeal.
Meanwhile, Comelec chairman George Garcia inhibited from the case as then presidential bet Marcos was his former client.
The group of Ilocanos filed a petition seeking to disqualify Marco, accusing him of committing a crime involving "moral turpitude" for being convicted in connection with his failure to file his income tax returns.
The Comelec en banc earlier junked the consolidated cases filed by Bonifacio Ilagan et. al., Akbayan Party, and Abubakar Mangelen; as well as the cases filed Fr. Christian Buenafe et. al.; and Danilo Lihaylihay against Marcos. (PNA)
