THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has given presidential aspirant Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and petitioners, the Akbayan party-list, until Sunday noon, January 9, 2022, to submit their respective memorandum regarding the former's disqualification case.
Speaking during Friday's (January 7) preliminary conference, Comelec First Division presiding commissioner Rowena Guanzon said the contending parties are directed to submit their memorandum via email on or before January 9 at 12 noon.
"Your 48 hours begin noon today (Friday). You're to file memorandum on January 9 at noon on Sunday via email, then the hard copy on Monday, January 10, at noon," said Guanzon.
This was despite an earlier appeal by the two contending parties for a longer period to submit.
The Marcos camp, in particular, sought for a 15-day period to file their memorandum, but it was denied by the commission.
"If the court has received it, it is deemed filed and submitted for resolution," said Guanzon.
The morning hearing was delayed after the camp of Marcos failed to immediately present his medical certificate since he was unable to attend the preliminary conference.
In the medical certificate issued by Benedict Francis Valdecanas, he claimed that Marcos has difficulty in speaking due to a painfully congested throat and a fever.
“Upon my examination, Marcos had a temperature of 37.8 degrees Celsius and his throat was hyperemic and swollen,” read part of Valdecanas’ medical certificate.
For its part, the Akbayan expressed confidence in the petition they filed and that it is enough to disqualify Marcos.
This was anchored on the decision of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) that found Marcos guilty of tax evasion beyond reasonable doubt in July 1995.
“Our petition is about the truth, and Mr. Marcos’ accountability for failing to follow the law. We bring a strong case and the evidence will show that Marcos’ unfitness for public office will eventually come to light,” said Akbayan in a statement. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)