Comelec affirms dismissal of ‘nuisance’ petition vs Marcos

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has affirmed the decision of its Second Division to junk the petition that sought to have then presidential frontrunner Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. declared a nuisance candidate and to cancel his certificate of candidacy (COC).

In a five-page resolution, the Comelec en banc said the motion for reconsideration filed by Danilo Lihaylihay was denied because it merely recycled the petitioner’s arguments. The body stood firm in its decision that “there is no cogent reason to disturb the findings of the Commission (Second Division).”

“A careful review of the motions for reconsideration reveals that it contains merely a rehash of petitioner’s averments and arguments. The motion failed to raise new matters or issues, and the grounds that would warrant the reversal of the assailed resolution,” the poll body said.

The resolution was signed by Comelec Chairman Saidamen Pangarungan and Commissioners Socorro Inting, Marlon Casquejo, Aimee Ferolino, Rey Bulay, Aimee Torrefranca-Neri and George Garcia, who took note that he inhibited from the case.

Garcia is a former election lawyer of Marcos before getting appointed to the commission.

Prior to this, the Second Division junked Lihaylihay’s petition on Dec. 16, 2021 after he failed to support his claim against Marcos and failed to present the latter’s COC, which is the subject of his petition, prompting Lihaylihay to file an appeal on Dec. 22, 2021.

Lihaylihay has yet to issue a statement as far as the Comelec’s decision is concerned.

To date, the motion for reconsideration filed by the group of Margarita Salonga Salandanan, also known as Pudno Nga Ilokano, is the only appeal pending before the Comelec en banc.

Salandanan filed the motion after the First Division denied their disqualification case filed against Marcos due to lack of merit.