Civic leaders ask Comelec en banc to void decision dismissing Marcos Jr. COC cancellation bid

Civic leaders have asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc to overturn the 2nd Division's decision that dismissed their petition to cancel Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s certificate of candidacy.

They also requested the inhibition of the Comelec 2nd Division members, citing alleged grave abuse of discretion and bias.

The petitioners argue that Marcos Jr. made a false material representation in his COC by claiming he had not been penalized with perpetual disqualification.

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez defended the integrity of the commissioners, stating that such requests are not uncommon.

Jimenez also highlighted Commissioner Socorro Inting's 20 years of judicial experience as the resolution's ponente.

The petitioners accused the 2nd Division's resolution of "manifest bias" and "partisan collaboration that is utterly destructive of due process."

The decision to inhibit or not will be up to the commissioners themselves.