Ibinasura ng Commission on Elections (Comelec) nitong Martes ang apat na apela na baliktarin ang naunang desisyon ng Comelec division na nagbasura sa disqualification cases laban kay presidential candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.
Inilabas ng Comelec En Banc ang kanilang pasya isang araw matapos ganapin ang halalan nitong Lunes, Mayo 9. Batay sa partial and unofficial results, malayo ang lamang ni Marcos sa kaniyang mga katunggali.
Sakop ng desisyon ng Comelec ang mga mosyon na inihain nina Bonifacio Ilagan, human rights advocates at martial law victims; miyembro ng Akbayan Citizens Action Party; at National Commission on Muslim Filipinos Commissioner Abubakar Mangelen.
Ayon sa mga nagpetisyon, hindi dapat payagang tumakbo sa pagkapangulo si Marcos dahil sa nahatulan siya sa paglabag sa Internal Revenue Code, na may parusang "perpetual disqualification" sa paghawak ng anomang public office.
Ngunit ayon sa Comelec, bigo ang mga nagpetisyon na magsumite ng mga bagong patunay para baligtarin ang naunang desisyon ng First Division ng Comelec.
“We find no cogent reason to disturb the findings of the Commission former first division,” nakasaad sa bahagi ng Comelec En Banc's resolution.
“Petitioners were unable to raise issues and provide grounds to convince us that, 1) the evidence is insufficient to justify the Assailed Resolution, or 20 the Assailed Resolution is contrary to the law,” dagdag nito.
Sa pahayag, sinabi ng tagapagsalita ni Marcos na si Atty. Vic Rodriguez, na masaya sila sa naging pasya ng Comelec.
“We have always believed that the poll body will stay true to its mandate to deliver a fair, honest and credible elections, including the dismissal of unmeritorious and politically-motivated petitions such as these,” ani Rodriguez.
“The unanimous en banc decision has proven, once and for all, that no amount of undue political pressure can weaken the resolve of the honorable Commission to be on the side of truth and justice,” patuloy niya.
Pinagtibay din ng Comelec En Banc ang pasya ng Second Division na nagbasura sa petisyon na kanselahin ang certificate of candidacy (COC) ni Marcos, na inihain ng human rights group sa pangunguna ni Father Christian Buenafe.
Inihayag naman ng Akbayan party-list at political prisoners support group na Kapatid, na iaakyat nila sa Korte Suprema ang usapin tungkol sa pagdiskuwalipika kay Marcos.
“We will pursue this case to its logical and just conclusion. We know that the law is on our side. We will not allow Marcos Jr. to sleep soundly. For there can be no rest for the wicked. And if the lessons of history have taught us anything, it is that the moral arc of the universe bends towards justice. All liars are exposed eventually, and the truth will have its day,” anang grupo.
“His projected presidential win does not absolve him from this immutable fact nor does it detract a bit from the fundamental principles of truth, honesty, accountability and integrity demanded of any person who seeks the highest office in land. This is the core of our petition,” dagdag pa ng Kapatid. — FRJ, GMA News