The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has issued summons to former senator and presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to answer the petition seeking to cancel his certificate of candidacy (COC).
“We are awaiting proof of service. Upon receipt of the summons, the respondent will have five days to file an answer,” Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said.
“Summons were issued yesterday (Thursday) and are expected to be served today (Friday). We are awaiting proof of service. Upon receipt of the summons, the respondent will have five days to file an answer,” he said.
The Comelec case against Marcos stemmed from the petition filed by Task Force Detainees of PH, KAPATID, Medical Action Group, FIND, PH Alliance of Human Rights Advocates and Balay.
It questioned Marcos’ eligibility to run for the country’s top job because he has been convicted of tax evasion.
Jimenez said that following the service of summons, parties will then be called for a pre-conference trial and they will be given the opportunity to ventilate their respective positions.
They will be given three days to submit memoranda, after which the case is deemed submitted for resolution.
He said the Comelec resolution may be challenged before the commission en banc and further before the Supreme Court.
The Marcos camp has described the petition as “nuisance” and as part of “black propaganda” by his critics.