Anti-Marcos groups gathered today, February 1, in front of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) in Intramuros to demand the COMELEC First Division to release the delayed ruling on the three disqualification cases against the presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
The protest was in support of retiring Commissioner and First Division presiding officer Rowena Guanzon who disclosed her vote and separate opinion on the case last January 27 and has had a barrage of tirades against Marcos Jr. and his allies.
Guanzon voted in favor of the petitioners, affirming that Marcos, Jr. be disqualified over “moral turpitude” for his failure to file his income tax returns (ITR) from 1982-1985. However, the absence of the ponenciaor a ruling by her retirement tomorrow means her vote will not count.
In Guanzon’s separate opinion released last January 31, this is proven by a certification, released by the Quezon City RTC Branch 105 officer in charge Rowena Sto. Tomas Bacud, stating that there is no record in the court’s possession showing that Marcos had satisfied its order for him to settle his tax deficiencies and pay the appropriate fine as punishment.
Guanzon asserted that there is a “political interference” regarding the delay of the result. She believes that some pro-Marcos politicians already know her vote and so the case is “deliberately” delayed at least until Guanzon’s retirement on February 2.
Ferolino, Guanzon claims, is “bought” by the Marcoses to deliberately delay the decision. However, Ferolina denies the allegation and accuses Guanzon of destroying COMELEC’s integrity although civil society organizations have demanded for a decision almost three weeks after she was chosen as ponenteor decision writer.
READ: https://www.facebook.com/csspsinag/posts/3222251667994420
COMELEC is an independent constitutional commission office which is tasked to oversee the country’s elections.
Accordingly, the groups also called for a truly independent COMELEC that is without any “political interference” delaying the result of the disqualification case against Marcos Jr.
Kabataan Partylist Representative Sarah Elago asserted, “Lubos na nababahala ang Kabataan sa naiulat na political interference hinggil sa kaso ito. Dapat lang na labanan natin ang kahit anumang banta sa independence ng performance, ng performance, ng gawain ng mga commissioners ng COMELEC, dahil nilalagay nito…at risk ang ating Halalang 2022.”
Petitioners from CARMMA supported Guanzon, saying that her “vote to disqualify Marcos Jr. is a vote for truth, justice, and integrity — an assertion of facts that a shameless liar and convicted criminal must not be allowed to run for any public post, especially the highest and most powerful position in the land. To allow such is a mockery of our elections, our democracy, and our history.”
They called on Commissioners Aimee Ferolino, former election officer in the Davao region, and Marlon Casquejo to release the decision immediately. Casquejo, former Davao City’s 1st district election officer, is also set to preside over the COMELEC Second Division this month and will be replaced by another Duterte appointee.
Last January, the COMELEC Second Division dismissed the certificate of candidacy petition filed by Fr. Christian Buenafe, Atty. Theodore Te, and Campaign against the Return of Marcos and Martial Law (CARMMA) leaving behind the three disqualification cases in the First Division as the remaining cases protesting Marcos Jr.’s presidential bid.
Guanzon and two other COMELEC commissioners, including the Chairperson, is set to retire on February 2 and 3 which means all seven COMELEC commissioners will be appointees of President Duterte whose daughter is Marcos Jr.’s vice presidential tandem.
Along with other groups, Elago urged the people to fight for the integrity and fairness of the 2022 elections against all fraudulent attempts to legitimize the continuing tyranny of Marcoses and Dutertes.
#DisqualifyMarcos
#DefeatMarcosDuterte
Featured image courtesy of LFS
