En Banc decision on Bongbong's DQ cases may be out next week —Comelec chair

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday said the En Banc's decision on the appeals regarding the junking of the disqualification cases against presidential candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. may be announced next week.

At a press briefing, Comelec chairperson Saidamen Pangarungan said five commissioners have already signed the resolution with two yet to affix their signature, including him.

"Very soon we will be announcing the decision on the three consolidated cases to disqualify BBM (Marcos' initials). Sana, siguro early next week mai-announce na natin ang decision [Maybe early next week we can announce the decision]," he said.

"Dalawa na lang ang hindi pa pumipirma, kasama na ako doon sa dalawa [There are only two who have not signed yet, and I am one of thm. So I will be the last to affix my signature," he added.

According to the Comelec chairperson, only three cases will be resolved since the fourth case has reached the en banc just recently.

"Baka wala nang oras to consolidate itong pang-apat na kaso kasi kapapasok lang sa En Banc. So ang mari-resolve natin kaagad yung three consolidated cases,” he said.

(Perhaps there is no time to consolidate this fourth case because it has just reached the En Banc. So we will immediately resolve the three consolidated cases.)

These petitions were filed separately by the leaders of Akbayan party-list, Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), Campaign Against the Return of the Marcoses and Martial Law (CARMMA), and the Pudno Nga Ilokano (Ang Totoong Ilokano) asking the Comelec En Banc to reconsider the division's decision to junk the diqualification case against Marcos, son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

The Comelec First Division on April 20 junked the final disqualification case against Marcos for "lack of merit."

The motion said Marcos was convicted for a crime which carried a penalty of imprisonment of three years for which he should be disqualified from running for and holding any public office.

Comelec Commissioner George Garcia assured the public that all cases will be resolved.

In case of unfavorable decision, the petitioners could always run to the Supreme Court for appeal, he added. —KBK, GMA News