Ilocano group's petition vs. Marcos Jr.'s candidacy raffled to Comelec 2nd division

The disqualification case filed by an Ilocano group against former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has been raffled off to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Second Division.

This was disclosed by Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez at a virtual press conference Monday.

“[The] Salandanan [case] was raffled to the Second Division and then after that as we know magse-set pa sila ng (they will set a) [preliminary] conference,” Jimenez said.

On December 7, Pudno Nga Ilokano (Ang Totoong Ilokano) filed the fourth disqualification case against Marcos.

Petitioners include Margarita Salonga Salandanan, Crisanto Ducusin Palabay, Mario Flores Ben, Danilo Austria Consumido, Raoul Hafalla Tividad, Nida Mallare Gatchallan, and Nomer Calulot Kuan.

In their petition, the group cited Marcos’ conviction on cases related to his failure to file his income tax returns as governor of Ilocos Norte for taxable years 1982 to 1985 and for the latter’s failure to pay the corresponding deficiency taxes.

The Comelec Second Division was composed of Commissioners Socorro Inting, and Antonio Kho Jr. both were appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte.

At the same press conference, Jimenez disclosed that newly-appointed Comelec Commissioner Rey Bulay has notified the body that he would assume his post next year.

“He’ll assume next year which means that if he is going to be assigned to the second division as well, then that is when we’ll see him also, next year,” Jimenez said.

Jimenez also explained that the looming retirement of Comelec Chairman Sheriff Abas and Commissioner Rowena Guanzon in February will not affect the timeline of resolution of Marcos cases.

“In the ordinary course of things that should not affect the timeline because the primary decision will be coming from the division and I think that the commissioners would like to clear their dockets before they retire. So I don’t expect that that’s going to have an impact,” Jimenez said.

Guanzon, along with Commissioners Marlon Casquejo and Aimee Ferolino compose the Comelec First Division which handles one of the disqualification cases filed against Marcos. —NB, GMA News