LEADERS of Akbayan Party-list on Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022 went to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Manila and filed a motion for reconsideration on their petition to disqualify presidential wannabe Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. from the coming elections. This was after the Comelec First Division dismissed last week the consolidated petitions against Marcos Jr.
Akbayan chair emeritus Etta Rosales, first nominee Percival Cendaña, and second nominee Dr. RJ Naguit called on the Comelec en banc to reverse the decision of its First Division and include the points raised by retired Commissioner Rowena Guanzon in her separate opinion in the deliberation of the case.
“The fight is far from over. Bongbong cannot just sweep this under the rug. His tax evasion conviction and his continuing attempts to deceive the public are stains that won’t wash away. These will haunt him throughout the campaign. We will pursue this to the end and ensure a just conclusion to the case,” Cendaña said.
Akbayan also called on Commissioner Aimee Ferolino to inhibit herself from the en banc’s deliberations, saying that her involvement in the serious accusations made by Commissioner Guanzon undermined her credibility and integrity.
“We appeal to the sense of decency and integrity of Commissioner Ferolino to inhibit herself from further participation in this case. Huwag na natin dagdagan pa ang duda at nawawalang tiwala ng mamamayan sa proseso ng ating halalan,” Naguit said.
First Division’s decision may be void?
The petitioners also took exception with how the First Division arrived at its resolution, saying that the Comelec may have violated its own rules when it issued the decision with only two actively serving commissioners.
“The Comelec’s rules provide that a Division shall be composed of three commissioners. As such, the decision issued on the petitions may be void as it was issued by a Division that was not validly constituted, there being only two commissioners left. Had they issued the resolution when the Division was still validly constituted by three Commissioners, then it would have been a valid resolution,” Cendaña said.
The petitioners were accompanied by progressive lawyer Tony Salvador. They said that they are appealing the case with the highest degree of faith and trust in the Comelec’s procedures, and in the law.