Group files partial motion for reconsideration on Marcos DQ

MANILA, Philippines — The group of Ilocanos who had earlier filed a petition seeking to disqualify Marcos yesterday filed their partial motion for reconsideration before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) that earlier dismissed the group’s petition.

“Wherefore, premises considered, it is most respectfully prayed that the Comelec First Division (former Second Division) promulgated on 20 April 2022 dismissing the instant case be reconsidered and a new one be issued granting the petition,” the group, including Margarita Salonga Salandanan, said in a 29-page motion filed yesterday.

Last Wednesday, the Comelec’s First Division issued a resolution that denied their petition for “lack of merit.”

“Petitioners humbly beg the kind indulgence of this Honorable Commission to review and partially set aside the resolution as the bases and reasoning of the First Division are clearly insufficient to justify such resolution,” Pudno nga Ilocano said in its motion.

It raised Marcos’ reported multiple convictions for his repeated violations of the law and for four consecutive years that carried moral turpitude for which he should be disqualified from running for and holding any public office.

“This very narrow reasoning and interpretation of the facts and the law – while in the same breath acknowledging Marcos Jr.’s non-payment of his full tax liability, including income in 1985 from a second source other than the government as chairman of the Philcomsat; neglect in the performance of his legal obligation; and repeated violations of the law – are clearly insufficient to justify such an erroneous finding,” the petitioners said.

Marcos was reportedly convicted for a crime that carried a penalty of imprisonment of three years and a payment of a fine worth P30,000 for which he should be disqualified from running and holding any public office.

The petitioners also pointed out that Marcos was also not qualified to run for or to hold any elective position based on the 1987 Constitution.

“The qualifications to run as President is not only limited to the qualifications under the 1987 Constitution, but also subject to non-disqualification under the law. This Honorable Commission in fact disqualifies ‘nuisance’ candidates even though they possess the qualifications set forth in the Constitution,” they said.

“The court is clear that a person intending to run must not only possess the qualifications under the law,” they added.