The Akbayan Partylist has called on the other commissioners of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to "heed their conscience" and decide in favor of the truth over the disqualification case filed against presidential aspirant Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.
This comes after Commissioner Rowena Guanzon disclosed her vote to disqualify Marcos Jr., while alleging that external forces are at play to delay the release of the resolution until after her retirement.
Akbayan, one of the petitioners that filed for Marcos disqualification, said in a statement that they should be guided by Guanzon's vote to decide on the matter.
"We call on the other Comelec commissioners, especially the remaining members of the body's Second Division, to heed their conscience and use Comm. Guanzon's vote as a guide to decide in favor of truth and a fair electoral system," the party-list said in a statement.
"Huwag tayo papabudol kay Marcos Jr."
(Let us not be played by Marcos Jr.)
Meanwhile, the partylist lauded the decision of Guanzon to disqualify Marcos for what she said was moral turpitude over his 1995 tax evasion case.
"Nagpupugay ang Akbayan sa katapangan at paninindigan ni Comm. Guanzon para ipagtanggol ang katotohanan at ating elektoral na demokrasya laban sa kasinungalingan ni Marcos Jr," Akbayan said.
(Akbayan praises the bravery and resolve of Comm. Guanzon to defend the truth and our democratic electorates against the lies of Marcos Jr.)
"The good Commissioner confirmed what we asserted in our petition. Binuking niya ang matagal nang pambubudol ni Bongbong Marcos. Hindi kwalipikado na lumahok si Bongbong sa ating halalan," it added.
(The good Commissioner confirmed what we asserted in our petition. She revealed the lies by Bongbong Marcos. He is not qualified to run for the election.)
Akbayan said they are hoping for the immediate release of the resolution, after Guanzon's allegations that the case remains pending amid attempts to invalidate her vote by waiting for her retirement on February 2, which she insisted is not possible.
"We also express our hope that there would be no unnecessary delay in deciding our petition in favor of whomever or to exclude the opinion and vote of Comm. Guanzon, who will be retiring this February 2," said Akbayan.
"The future of our electoral democracy is at stake. The Filipino voters deserve a swift, transparent and judicious deliberation of this extremely important case."
