By Addison Pascua

PHOTO: Rappler

Despite the defeat, leaders of Akbayan party-list will continue their legal battle against the disqualification case of presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. as they formally asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday to recall its decision which favored the late dictator’s son.

In a 16-page motion for reconsideration (MR), Akbayan Chair Emeritus Etta Rosales, First Nominee Percival Cendaña, and Second Nominee Dr. RJ Naguit appealed the dismissal of the case, insisting that Marcos Jr. was convicted for violating the Internal Revenue code.

“We cannot allow Marcos Jr. to cheat his way to the presidency. The fight is far from over. Bongbong cannot just sweep this under the rug,” Cendaña stated.

With a vote of 2-0, Comelec Former First Division unanimously agreed to junk the three consolidated disqualification cases against the survey frontrunner for “lack of merit” last week, which cleared Marcos Jr. of any legal challenges against his candidacy. 

But Akbayan petitioners maintained that Marcos Jr. should be disqualified from the May 9 elections and should not be allowed to run for president because of his conviction involving moral turpitude, “which carried a penalty of perpetual disqualification from holding any public office.”

“His tax evasion conviction and his continuing attempts to deceive the public are stains that won’t wash away. These will haunt him throughout the campaign. We will pursue this to the end and ensure a just conclusion to the case," Cendaña asserted.

In response, the camp of Marcos Jr. said petitioners should respect the decision of the Comelec First Division.

“Nais lang natin paalalahanan ang Akbayan at si Ms. Etta Rosales sa malinaw ang naging unanimous decision ng Comelec 1st Division na silang mga petitioners ang nagsinungaling," Marcos’ spokesperson and legal counsel, Atty. Vic Rodriguez told in a statement.

"Matutuhan sana nilang magbigay respeto sa ating judicial at quasi-judicial bodies at tigilan na ang pang-aabuso sa ating mga korte at hukuman sa pamamagitan ng pagsasampa ng mga kasong pawang kasinungalingan lamang ang linalaman," he added.


Edited by Danfe Elopre