SC orders respondents: Reply to petition against Marcos Jr. COC

The Supreme Court on Thursday called on all respondents to comment on the petition seeking to cancel the certificate of candidacy (COC) of presumptive president Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Also called to comment within fifteen days from notice is the Commission on Elections, the Senate, and the House of Representatives.

“Now, therefore, respondents Comelec, Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr., Senate of the Philippines, and the House of Representatives are hereby required to comment on the petition and prayer for temporary restraining order within a period of 15 days from notice hereof,” it said.

PRESS BRIEFER Re: G.R. No. 260374, Buenafe, et al. v. COMELEC, Marcos, Jr. et al. pic.twitter.com/NrjW0C8KmV

— Philippine Supreme Court Public Information Office (@SCPh_PIO) May 19, 2022

On May 17, petitioners asked the High Court to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) enjoining and restraining the Senate and House of Representatives from canvassing the votes cast for Marcos and proclaiming him as president should he win the May 9 polls.

The day after, Martial Law survivors filed a petition before the SC  seeking the issuance of a temporary restraining order against the Senate and the House of Representatives from canvassing the votes and proclaiming Marcos as president.

They also urged the High tribunal to declare that Marcos is perpetually disqualified from public office and cannot run even for the lowest elective position.

Earlier on Thursday, Senate President Vicente Sotto III warned of a political crisis should the SC grant the petition seeking a TRO against the Senate and the House of Representatives from canvassing the votes for Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and proclaiming him president.

“If that happens, we will be courting a constitutional crisis from the fact that Congress can no longer meet after June 3rd,” Sotto said in a text message shared to reporters. —LBG, GMA News