MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday assured presidential aspirant Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte of swift resolution of the four disqualification cases filed against him.
According to Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon, the poll body wants to decide on the cases early to give parties ample time to elevate the case to the Supreme Court if they want to.
The petitions were filed by broadcaster Ruben Castor, disqualified presidential candidates Rizalito David and Elly Pamatong, and University of the Philippines Student Council chairman John Paulo Delas Nieves.
The petitioners alleged that Duterte’s certificate of candidacy for president should be cancelled since his substitution for Martin Diño as presidential candidate of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan was invalid since Diño filed a COC for mayor of Pasay City.
Earlier, Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista announced that the cases filed by Castor, David and Delas Nieves will be consolidated at the Comelec First Division.
Pamatong’s petition was accepted only recently after he paid the P10,000 filing fee.
The Comelec is now looking at merging Pamatong’s case with the others.
But Duterte’s lawyer Vitaliano Aguirre earlier claimed that they are opposed to the consolidation of the disqualification cases since the Castor petition is up for resolution.
Duterte, Cayetano start nationwide tour
Despite petitions for his disqualification from the presidential race, Duterte and his running mate Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano started their nationwide tour to explain their platform of government.
Duterte flew to Cebu City Wednesday night for a series of engagements on Thursday. – With Mike Frialde, Edith Regalado