Akbayan calls on Comelec to hold Marcos Jr. in contempt for ‘lying’ about absence

The Akbayan party-list asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to cite former Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in contempt for allegedly lying about his absence during the January 7 hearing on petitions seeking to cancel Marcos' 2022 presidential candidacy, if not disqualify him from the race.

Akbayan made the call since Marcos argued that he could not attend the proceedings, even virtually via Zoom, since he was exposed to a COVID-19 case and was not feeling well. His medical certificate presented to the poll body stated Marcos had to rest because of "difficulty [in] speaking and a painfully congested throat.”

Marcos, however, was able to grant a radio interview online a day before, January 6.

“He lied through his teeth. He deserves to be held in contempt," Akbayan said.

"He is clearly lying. The fact that he was able to give a radio interview less than a day before his required appearance in a hearing is not only proof of deception, it shows the whole nation that he does not care about our laws and the procedures that bind every citizen to follow them. This is proof, yet again, that he is not qualified to run for public office," Akbayan First Nominee Percival Cendaña added in the same statement.

Akbayan is one of the groups that filed a disqualification case against Marcos' 2022 presidential bid, citing Marcos' four convictions for violating the Tax Code.

Akbayan argued that such convictions carry a penalty of perpetual disqualification from public office, among others, as cited in Section 252 of the Tax Code which provides that the maximum penalty prescribed for the offense of violating Tax Code for public officials and employees is dismissal from public service and perpetual disqualification from holding any public office.

Marcos' spokesperson, lawyer Vic Rodriguez, countered that Marcos felt unwell after the said January 6 interview.

“On the morning of January 7, BBM was obliged to go in isolation because his condition worsened. It was at that time that the Comelec wanted him to appear even through a video conference,” Rodriguez said.

“A judgment call was made to let BBM continue with his needed rest, since he was in bed after taking his medicines,” he added.

Cendaña, however, said that Marcos is setting a bad precedent and should be held accountable.

"Ang sinungaling ay kapatid ng magnanakaw. Sa simpleng medical certificate nakita muli natin ang totoong pagkatao ni Bongbong. Sinungaling. Walang respeto sa batas. Mandaraya. Scammer. As they say, there is no better test of a man's integrity than his behavior when he is wrong," Cendaña said.

(A liar is the sibling of a thief. The medical certificate spoke volumes of his character. He has no respect for the law, fraud, scammer.)

"We urge the good officers of the Comelec to hold Marcos in contempt and have it reflected as a matter of record for future proceedings. Sobra na, tama na ang pagpapaikot at palusot (Let us put an end to being taken for a ride and making excuses),” Cendaña added.

GMA News Online has sought Rodriguez's response to the call to have Marcos cited for contempt but he has yet to send a reply. — DVM, GMA News