Presidential aspirants react to Comelec’s junking of petition to cancel Bongbong COC

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) Second Division's decision to junk the petition against Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. drew mixed responses from other presidential aspirants, with labor leader Leody de Guzman calling it an insult to workers who pay their taxes. 

"Nakakabahala ang pagbabasura ng Comelec 2nd division sa petisyon na ikansela ang COC ni Marcos Junior. Sapagkat senyal ito sa maaring maging resulta ng mga nakahain pang diskwalipikasyon sa kandidatura ng anak ng diktador," he said in a statement.

(The Comelec 2nd Division dismissal on the petition to cancel Marcos' COC is disturbing. Because it signals the possible results for other disqualification cases filed against the dictator's son.)

Earlier, the resolution of the poll body stated that Marcos' representations in his certificate of candidacy, which are being questioned by the petitioners, are "not false." The petitioners argued that Marcos' tax conviction in the 1990s disqualifies him from running for public office. 

There are still three petitions pending with the Comelec First Division and one in the Second Division.

"Nakakainsulto ito sa mga manggagawang awtomatikong kinakaltasan ng withholding tax sa kanilang sweldo at mabilisang pinapatawan ng VAT sa tuwing bumibili ng mga pangangailangan ng kanilang pamilya," De Guzman added.

(It is insulting to our laborers whose salaries are being reduced because of withholding tax and who pays VAT when buying essential goods for their families.)

'We respect ruling'

Meanwhile, Malacañang and another senatorial aspirant, Senator Panfilo Lacson, said they respect the poll body's decision.

"COMELEC is an independent constitutional body. We respect the independence of the COMELEC," said Cabinet Secretary Karlo Norgales in another statement.

"It is best that we respect the ruling. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has the mandate to decide on any case that falls under its jurisdiction and the petition to disqualify ex-Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is one such case," Lacson said in a separate statement.

For his part, Senator Manny Pacquiao, who is also gunning for the presidency, refused to comment because he is "not a party to the case."

"Let’s leave it at that. Kung ano man plano ng magkabilang panig sa kasong ito ay abangan na lang po natin [Let's just wait for the plans of both parties in the case]," he added.

The Marcos' camp already thanked the Comelec for "upholding the law and the right of every bona fide candidate like Bongbong Marcos to run for public office free from any form of harassment and discrimination." — BM, GMA News