A coalition of faith-based and civic groups called on the Commission on Elections for the immediate resolution of a petition seeking the cancellation Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s candidacy for president.
Father Antonio Labiao, executive secretary of Caritas Philippines and chairman of the group “Halalang Marangal 2022,” clarified that his group only wants the poll body to resolve the issue immediately “in the spirit of the law.”
The priest said the coalition views with “grave concern” the controversy involving Marcos’ candidacy “as it creates bad precedent and a mockery on the election law, as well as the rule of law of the land.”
Several groups — former political detainees, human rights activists, and even medical organizations — have filed petitions before the poll body calling for the disqualification of Marcos from running for public office.
They alleged that Marcos’ certificate of candidacy contains “multiple false material representations.” The groups said Marcos is not eligible to run for any public office because of his 1995 conviction for failure to pay the correct taxes.
Marcos’ camp, however, said the Comelec has no jurisdiction over the petition seeking to cancel the candidacy of the presidential aspirant.
“The petition should be immediately dismissed because there’s no jurisdiction,” said Marcos’ spokesperson Vic Rodriguez, adding that the poll body has “no authority to pass upon more so annul or review” the decision of a higher court.
The Comelec has set the preliminary conference on Marcos’ case on November 26.
“We call on the Comelec en banc to fast track the resolution of the petition so as not to create confusion among the electorate,” said Father Labiao.
“The sovereign will of the people should always take priority over political influence to ensure the common good of the country,” said the priest.
The “Halalang Marangal 2022” is a coalition of over 20 church and civic groups — including Caritas Philippines, the Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines, the Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas, and the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines — that have expressed commitment to ensure that the country will have a “righteous elections.”
