Comelec: Marcos Jr. given until Nov. 22 to answer petitions vs. candidacy

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has given presidential aspirant Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.more time to answer the petitions against his certificate of candidacy (COC).

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the Comelec Second Division has given the former senator until November 22 to answer the petitions.

“Getting word that COMELEC 2nd Div just now issued an extension in the cancellation case against former Senator Marcos. 5 days. But since the 5th day falls on a Sunday, last day is actually 22 Nov,” Jimenez said on Twitter.

Jimenez said that at least five petitions have been filed with the Comelec seeking to cancel Marcos' candidacy largely based on alleged material misrepresentation after he declared that he had not been convicted of an offense carrying a penalty of perpetual disqualification from public office.

The petitioners -- among them human rights advocates and Martial Law survivors -- said Marcos lied in his COC since he has been convicted with four counts of violating the Tax Code by the Court of Appeals due to his failure to file income tax returns from 1982  to 1985.

Under the Tax Code, such offense made by a public official carried a penalty of perpetual disqualification from public office.

Jimenez said the poll body will discuss the merits of the petitions on November 26. -NB, GMA News