Thread by @rapplerdotcom

BREAKING NEWS: Comelec JUNKS the last disqualification case against Marcos Jr. pending at the division level "for lack of merit". Denied was the petition filed by Martial Law survivors lawyered by constitutionalist Christian Monsod.| via @newsdwight #PHVote #WeDecide

@newsdwight Interestingly, the petition was handled not by the former Second Division, but the current First Division. The decision was unanimous: Commissioners Socorro Inting, Aimee Ferolino, and Aimee Neri all voted to dismiss the case. | via @newsdwight #PHVote

https://twitter.com/newsdwight/status/1516599102360141824/photo/1

Is the Marcos disqualification saga over? Not yet. Petitioners can appeal the decision at the en banc level.

There are also three cases against Marcos dismissed at the division level but are the subject of en banc reviews. | via @newsdwight #PHVote #WeDecide

In junking the petition, the Comelec's First Division DENIED the following arguments made by petitioners:
* that his non-filing of ITRs is a crime of moral turpitude
* that he was convicted of a crime that carries a jail sentence of 18 months... (1/2)

* that he is disqualified from public office as a consequence of his conviction under the tax code (2/2) | via @newsdwight #PHVote #WeDecide #PHVoteMarcos

@newsdwight The Comelec, similar to a past Marcos ruling, cites the Marcos family's favorite 2009 SC ruling, in a case of Marcos Jr. seeking to be the executor of his father's estate.

In that reso, the SC said “failure to file an ITR is not a crime involving moral turpitude.” #PHVote

FULL STORY: rappler.com/nation/electio…

5 of the 7 Comelec en banc members (Bulay, Casquejo, Ferolino, Inting, Neri) have now voted in favor of Marcos Jr. in at least one petition seeking to bar his candidacy at the division level.

This leaves little hope for petitioners that appeals will prosper in the en banc.