The camp of former senator Bongbong Marcos insists that he is qualified to run for president in the 2022 elections.
Estelito Mendoza, the lawyer of Marcos said in a statement and in response to the poll body’s summon on his disqualification case based on tax evasion conviction.
RELATED STORY: Lakas-CMD adopts Bongbong Marcos as presidential bet for 2022
The team of the late dictator’s son also appealed to hear the case physically and not via video conferencing.
“Wherefore, it is respectfully prayed that the petition be dismissed. On the matter of hearing the petition, considering that the petition refers to the highest elective position in government and calls for the participation of the people in general, that the petition be heard by face-to-face argument instead of a virtual or video conference,” Mendoza said.
Mendoza said that the petition will show that it is “bereft of any specific allegation of a material representation required under Section 74 of the Omnibus Election Code.”
READ ON: ‘Walang sapat na paliwanag’ Bongbong Marcos camp tells drug test doubters
“It is of judicial notice that the respondent has all the qualifications of a President under Section 2, Article VII of the Constitution and consequently there can be no violation of Section 78 in relation of Section 74 of the Omnibus Election Code upon which a petition such as the one now before the commission,” Mendoza said.
The lawyer added that Marcos’ conviction in the tax case does not equate to a crime involving moral turpitude, for which one might be disqualified. (TDT)
