Broadcaster files petition vs. Duterte’s presidential bid

A broadcaster has filed the first petition against Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte's bid for the presidency under the Partido Demokratiko Pilipinas-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).

Ruben Castor filed his petition on Friday before the Comelec.

In a statement made through Atty. Oliver Lozano, Castor said the Comelec should not allow a "travesty of justice and the law, distortion of the truth" by letting Duterte file his candidacy.

He said that Duterte was not qualified as a substitute for former PDP-Laban standard bearer Martin Diño, who withdrew his presidential bid after being questioned for his ability to run a national campaign.

According to Castor, Diño can only withdraw his candidacy for mayor of Pasay City  because that was the post he aspired for in his certificate of candidacy.

But Diño earlier claimed that the mayoral post was a mistake as he intended to run for the presidential race.

Castor said there was "clearly no candidate for President who is withdrawing his candidacy for the same position of President; and there is none that respondent Duterte may substitute."

On the other hand, Castor added that Duterte was nominated by Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod for the position of Mayor of Davao, the office he originally filed a COC for, and not PDP-Laban, thus disqualifying him as a possible substitute for Diño.

Castor then said that Duterte should "follow the law" in filing his COC, and that the Comelec should exercise its power to enforce the election law.

"The Comelec has the implied power to declare a COC void in order to exercise its express power to enforce the election law so that the subject COC cannot be used, as it is being used in concert by the respondent, to contumaciously make a mockery of the Election Law and the Comelec," Castor said.

He also claimed that Duterte's decision to run for president was in protest against the candidacy of Senator Grace Poe, who is facing disqualification cases over questions of citizenship.

"His protest is intended to accentuate his commendable resolution to uphold the Supremacy of the Constitution and Rule of Law," Castor said.

Despite his points, Castor clarified that the petition was not intended to "pre-empt" Duterte's candidacy but to promote it, as he believes the mayor was "worthy to run for President".

"Precisely, this Petition is intended to avoid violation of the mandatory law and penalty of perpetual disqualification to hold office consistent with Mayor Duterte's resolute advocacy for the rule of law," Castor added.

Duterte's COC for president was filed along with a certificate of nomination from PDP-Laban, his passport, and curriculum vitae.

His daughter Sara Duterte was named as his substitute for the mayoral race in Davao City. — Rie Takumi/LBG, GMA News