THE Supreme Court En Banc today rejected all petitions that aim to disqualify President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. from assuming the presidency.
This decision by the high court to dismiss the consolidated disqualification cases now clearly paves the way for the inauguration of Marcos as the 17th President of the Philippines.
A total of 13 justices voted to dismiss the petitions that sought for disqualification and cancellation of the Certificate of Candidacy (COC) of Marcos.
Two other justices, Justice Henri Jean Paul Inting and Justice Antonio Kho, Jr.. did not take part in the deliberations. Justice Inting’s sibling is incumbent Comelec Commissioner Socorro Inting, while Justice Kho, Jr. is a former Comelec Commissioner.
The high court held that in the exercise of its power to decide the present controversy led them to no other conclusion but to declare that Marcos Jr. is qualified to run for and be elected to public office. Likewise, his COC, being valid and in accord with the pertinent law, was rightfully upheld by the poll body.