Comelec junks petition to declare Bongbong Marcos a nuisance candidate

A division of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday issued a resolution denying a petition seeking to declare Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. a nuisance candidate in Eleksyon 2022.

"The petition filed by Danilo Lihaylihay, seeking to declare former Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. a nuisance candidate, has been denied by the 2nd Division of thE COMELEC," Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said in a message sent to reporters on Saturday.

"In a decision promulgated on the 16th of December 2021, the 2nd Division ruled that Marcos’ candidacy did not fall under any of the three broad categories of nuisance candidates, i.e., one who has a filed a candidacy to throw the election process in mockery of disrepute, or to cause confusion among voters by the similarity of names, or that there are acts or circumstances which clearly demonstrate the lack of a bona fide intention to run for office," Jimenez said.

Jimenez: In a decision promulgated on the 16th of December 2021, the 2nd Division ruled that Marcos’ candidacy did not fall under any of the three broad categories of nuisance candidates, (cont’d) @gmanews pic.twitter.com/TEz3TZWysm

— Tina PanganibanPerez (@tinapperez) December 18, 2021

Comelec Second Division Presiding Commissioner Socorro Inting and Commissioner Antonio Kho Jr. signed the resolution denying the petition filed by Lihaylihay. 

'Expected'

Marcos, Jr. is the standard bearer of Partido Federal ng Pilipinas and his running mate is Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, daughter of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Meanwhile, Marcos Jr.'s camp said the dismissal of the petition was expected as there was "no legal basis" for it.

"The dismissal of the case is expected as this is among the  multiple nuisance petitions filed against presidential aspirant Bongbong Marcos," his spokesperson Atty. Vic Rodriguez said, according to GMA News reporter Tina Panganiban-Perez.

Bongbong Marcos Spokes Atty Vic Rodriguez: The dismissal of the case is expected as this is among the multiple nuisance petitions filed against presidential aspirant Bongbong Marcos. @gmanews

— Tina PanganibanPerez (@tinapperez) December 18, 2021

"We have always maintained that there exist no legal basis to cancel the certificate of candidacy nor disqualify Uniteam presidential aspirant Bongbong Marcos and that elections are won & settled through the ballots on election day not by maliciously filing nuisance petitions. We call on every Filipino to be vigilant in safeguarding our right to freely choose our leaders and respect the voice of the people," he added.

Rodriguez: (cont’d) and that elections are won & settled through the ballots on election day not by maliciously filing nuisance petitions. We call on every Filipino to be vigilant in safeguarding our right to freely choose our leaders and respect the voice of the people. @gmanews

— Tina PanganibanPerez (@tinapperez) December 18, 2021

 —KG, GMA News