Comelec: Bongbong Marcos Jr. to remain on ballot as petitions unresolved

Five petitions to cancel presidential aspirant Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s certificate of candidacy and disqualify him from the May 9, 2022 polls are still awaiting resolutions.

Two of these petitions have already been dismissed by the Comelec Second Division, but these decisions are subject to appeal to the en banc.

Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez stated that Marcos Jr.'s name will remain on the official ballot because the cases against him have yet to be resolved.

Director Elaiza David clarified that the ballots are already ready, further necessitating the inclusion of his name.

Jimenez added that in the event Marcos Jr. is disqualified before the elections but after the ballots have been printed, his name will remain on the ballot.

If his party, Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, cannot substitute him, any vote garnered by Marcos Jr. will be considered stray.

However, if there is a replacement, all votes will be credited to the substitute, who must have the same surname.