Comelec summons Bongbong over DQ case filed by Ilocano group

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has summoned former senator and presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. over the disqualification petition filed against him by an Ilocano group composed of Martial Law survivors.

Marcos, son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr., was directed to file an answer within a “non-extendible period of five days” from the receipt of the summon.

According to the document, failure to file a verified answer within the reglementary period shall bar Marcos from submitting controverting evidence or from filing a memorandum.

A motion to dismiss shall not be admitted, but the grounds thereof may be raised as affirmative defenses, it added.

A preliminary conference was also set for January 14, 2022 where the petitioners and the respondents would discuss the issues, amendments to the pleadings, admission of facts and documents, filing of respective memoranda, among others.

Should the petitioners or their authorized counsel fail to appear, the petition will be subject to dismissal, the Comelec said.

On the other hand, the case would be deemed submitted for resolution if Marcos or his authorized counsel fail to appear before the commission.

The summon was issued on Monday, December 22, 2021, and was signed by Atty. Genesis Gatdula, the Clerk of the Commission.

On December 7, Pudno Nga Ilokano (Ang Totoong Ilokano) filed the fourth disqualification case against Marcos. The petitioners include Margarita Salonga Salandanan, Crisanto Ducusin Palabay, Mario Flores Ben, Danilo Austria Consumido, Raoul Hafalla Tividad, Nida Mallare Gatchallan, and Nomer Calulot Kuan.

In their petition, the group cited Marcos’ conviction on cases related to his failure to file his income tax returns as governor of Ilocos Norte for taxable years 1982 to 1985 and for his failure to pay the corresponding deficiency taxes.

Marcos' camp has described the petitions challenging his candidacy as "nuisance cases" and "pathetic stunts." Atty. Vic Rodriguez, the former senator's spokesperson, said their legal team is already addressing them.

On Wednesday, Rodriguez presented a certification from the Bureau of Internal Revenue showing Marcos had paid his tax deficiencies and fines for 1982 to 1985.

The document, signed by Arsenio Tomeldan of the Collection Section of BIR Region No.7B-East NCR of Revenue District Office No.42-San Juan, indicated that Marcos paid at the Land Bank of the Philippines the amount which covered the computation of deficiency income taxes and fines covering the taxable years for 1982, 1983, 1984, and 1985.

The total deficiency taxes and penalties paid in 2001 amounted to a total of P67,137.27, the exact amount stipulated in the 1997 Court of Appeals (CA) decision. 

A survey conducted by Pulse Asia on December 1 to 6, 2021, shows Marcos and his running mate, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, ahead of their likely rivals for president and vice president, respectively, in the 2022 elections. —KBK, GMA News