Rodrigo Duterte can now finally run for President, Comelec confirms. According to news reports, Comelec junked all disqualification cases against Duterte, making him an official candidate for President.
Furthermore, they found the three complaints against him useless. In fact, it was a unanimous decision among the commissioners.
Duterte was charged for the clerical mistake committed by his political party’s staff in the filing of his certificate of candidacy in October 2015, Rappler reports.
Rappler further explained that the COMELEC found that the following are valid:
- Diño’s COC for president was valid
- Diño was not a nuisance candidate
- Diño’s withdrawal of this candidacy for president was valid
- Duterte’s substitution of Diño was valid
- Duterte did not commit material representation in his COC
Meanwhile, Duterte thanked the Comelec Division for making the right decision. He mentioned that whatever clerical error that was, the COC clearly stated it was for Presidency.
As quoted in the article, Duterte said, “This time I will attend all the debates and forums everywhere. You have decided it for the Filipino people. I will campaign more extensively.”
The petitioners, however, can file a motion for reconsideration with the first division.
Also, once everything has been finalised before the given scheduled printing of ballots on February 8, the names of Rodrigo Duterte and Grace Poe will be included on the ballot.
Three months from now, our teamwork as a nation will be put to test again. Let’s make everyone’s effort count. Let’s lead to a better future by choosing the right president. The one who will and has the capability to change the status quo.
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