Photo courtesy: Akbayan Partylist Facebook page
The Akbayan party-list on Monday urged the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to release its decision on the disqualification cases filed against presidential aspirant Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr.
In a letter addressed to Comelec en banc dated March 21, Akbayan First Nominee Perci Cendaña called Marcos a "fake presidential candidate," saying that allowing him to run could "rob millions of Filipinos of the ability to choose from a genuinely qualified list of candidates, and completely contaminate and debase their votes."
"Nanawagan kami sa Comelec na huwag hayaang mabiktima ang ating mga kababayan ni Bongbong Marcos. Mahirap iasa ang boto sa isang pekeng kandidato.
Maaaring masayang ang boto ng tao at tuluyan silang mawalan ng tiwala sa ating elektoral na proseso," Cendaña said.
It added that the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) confirmation that the Marcos family has P203 billion in unsettled estate tax liabilities makes the call for Marcos' disqualification more urgent and compelling.
"Talagang may mahabang kasaysayan ng tax evasion ang mga Marcoses. They are notorious tax evaders. Bongbong Marcos was not only convicted of tax evasion while he served as Governor of Ilocos, his family also has billions of unpaid estate taxes. They clearly show a track record of tax evasion and a character flaw of willful disrespect for the law and the welfare of the Filipino people," Cendaña said.
The group added that the Comelec has no more reason to further delay the resolution of the case, especially since the membership of its en banc is now complete.
"Any further delay is already a gross disservice to the voting public and our electoral system and favors Marcos Jr's grand fakery. The Comelec has no other recourse but to disqualify Bongbong Marcos. Its decision will go a long way in ensuring that the public not only chooses wisely but that it does so based on the rule of law and the integrity of our electoral democracy," Cendaña said.
A total of seven petitions were filed against Marcos' presidential bid with the poll body. Of the seven, six have been junked by different Comelec divisions.
It was last month when the Comelec First Division dismissed the petition for disqualification of Marcos filed by Akbayan due to its “lack of merit.” Akbayan later appealed the decision.
