Comelec junks all DQ cases vs Duterte

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) First Division on Wednesday afternoon denied all the disqualification cases against presidential aspirant Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

In a press conference, Comelec First Division Chair Christian Robert Lim said the body voted unanimously to dismiss all of the four petitions filed against Duterte due to lack of merit.

The ruling was signed by Comelec body’s members Lim, Luie Tito Guia and Ma. Rowena Guanzon.

Among the petitions junked by the Comelec are those filed by University of the Philippines Student Council Chair John Paulo delas Nieves, broadcaster Ruben Castor, nuisance candidate Elly Pamatong and former senatorial candidate Rizalito David, who is also petitioner in Sen. Grace Poe's disqualification case,

Nieves earlier questioned the validity of Duterte's substitution for former Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan standard-bearer Martin Diño.

The Comelec said, however, that the petitions which challenged Diño's certificate of candidacy was filed out of time since he was already declared a nuisance candidate and withdrew his candidacy.

The Comelec added that Diño's intent to run for president was clear despite his error.

Lim said the petitioners may still file a motion for reconsideration to counter the division's ruling.