The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has set the preliminary conference on the petition seeking to cancel the certificate of candidacy (COC) of presidential aspirant Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr. on Nov. 26.
"I was told by the director of the Office of the Clerk of Commission that when they issued the summons... the preliminary conference was already included. The preliminary conference is scheduled on the 26th of November," Comelec - Education and Information Department (EID) Director Elaiza David said in an interview Monday, Nov. 15.
Earlier this month, several groups and personalities submitted a petition with the poll body seeking to cancel or deny the COC of presidential aspirant Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. over supposed "false material representation" stemming from a 1995 tax case.
When asked how soon the Comelec Second Division can issue a ruling, David said, hopefully within the year.
"There's the protocol but the commissioners of that division might need more time to resolve," she sa.
"We can't tell. Hopefully, within the year," David added.
Based on the overview provided by the poll body on the handling of cancellation cases, cases will first be raffled either to their First or Second division, summons will be issued and served, respondents will have five days to file their answer, a pre-conference will be held and parties will be given three days to submit their respective memoranda, the matter will then be deemed submitted for resolution.