Comelec assures release of decision on cases vs Marcos Jr. by end of April

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday assured that the decisions on the pending cases against Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s presidential bid will be released by the end of April.

In a press conference, Comelec Commissioner George Garcia said newly appointed poll body chairman Saidamen Pangarungan is committed to release the decision before the upcoming May elections.

“I was informed by our honorable chair that it was discussed by the en banc… the chairman is committing that number one, before the end of April. Before the end of April, a decision by the en banc will be forthcoming,” Garcia said.

“So therefore, a decision on these cases, the consolidated cases as well as the case with the motion of reconsideration will be decided before the election, but earlier before the end of April,” he added.

Garcia assured that the ruling might possibly be released at the earliest in the second week of April.

“Maybe the earliest will be the second week of April, the latest will be the third week of April,” he added.

Akbayan party-list earlier urged the poll body to release the decisions on the pending cases against Marcos, saying that it is not just about the candidate but will determine the future of the nation.

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.

Only the disqualification case filed by Pudno Nga Ilokano remains pending before a Comelec division.

At least five petitioners, namely: Akbayan, Campaign Against the Return of the Marcoses and Martial Law (CARMMA), Partido Federal ng Pilipinas' Abubakar Mangelen, Father Christian Buenafe and other human rights groups, and Danilo Lihaylihay have filed their respective motions for reconsideration on the junked petitions against Marcos. These motions for reconsideration will be tackled at the Comelec en banc. -- BAP, GMA News