Thread by @cnnphilippines

BREAKING: Comelec’s First Division dismisses the remaining disqualification case against Bongbong Marcos’ presidential bid filed by the group Pudno nga Ilokano. | @meltlopez

Elections stories: bit.ly/3rzk9AA

@meltlopez The case is pending since December and was initially assigned to the former Second Division.

It now appears that the case has been reassigned to the new First Division composed of Comms. Inting, Ferolino, and Neri #TheFilipinoVotes | @meltlopez

@meltlopez Pudno nga Ilokano, through its lawyer ex-Comelec chairman Christian Monsod, argues that Marcos should be disqualified from the race for his conviction for non-filing of ITRs for four years, a crime of moral turpitude.

The Comelec division says otherwise. | @meltlopez

@meltlopez Comelec First Division says non-filing of ITRs 'not inherently wrong': Filing of income tax return is only an obligation created by law and the omission to do so is only considered as wrong because the law penalizes it. #TheFilipinoVotes | @meltlopez

@meltlopez Comelec First Division also negates argument that Marcos tried to commit tax evasion.

They say he was already subject to withholding taxes as a public official and 'could not have intended to evade payment' of taxes #TheFilipinoVotes | @meltlopez

@meltlopez Comelec First Division on Marcos' non-filing of ITR: The government was not defrauded... He may have been neglectful in performing this obligation, it however does not reflect moral depravity #TheFilipinoVotes | @meltlopez

@meltlopez Comelec First Division also dismisses Pudno's claim that Marcos also lost his right to vote with the tax conviction, which is another ground cited for his disqualification.

They cite the CA ruling that only imposed a fine on Marcos, rather than imprisonment | @meltlopez

@meltlopez All 7 cases blocking Marcos' presidential bid have now been dismissed at the Comelec division level. Five are under appeal before the en banc, while the Pudno group has 5 days from today to also file an appeal if it chooses to | @meltlopez

BREAKING: The Commission on Elections First Division has dismissed the last pending disqualification case against the presidential bid of Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos. #TheFilipinoVotes bit.ly/3L2NCe6

READ: Copy of the full decision on Salandanan et al. vs Marcos | @meltlopez

drive.google.com/file/d/1pMbv9Y…