Comelec gives overview of Akbayan vs Bongbong hearing

Wondering what will happen during the preliminary conference on the disqualification case filed by Akbayan against presidential aspirant Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr on Jan. 7?

Here is a brief explainer from Commission on Elections (Comelec) Spokesperson James Jimenez.

•Both parties will enter appearances by identifying themselves as lawyers for the petitioner and respondent.

•They will make their stipulations enumerating all the things they want to admit or that they want their opponent to admit.

•The parties will be given an opportunity to define the issues that they feel should be resolved.

"These are the things we expect to see during the preliminary conference. Again this is not the fireworks that some people might be expecting. Let us just manage expectation in that regard," said Jimenez in a virtual briefing Tuesday, Jan. 4.

When asked if Marcos Jr. and the petitioners are required to attend the preliminary conference, he said: No.

"They are not required to attend. This is usually attended by counsel only," Jimenez said.

The preliminary conference will be held at 9 a.m. at the Comelec Session Hall in Intramuros, Manila.

The hearing will be livestreamed on the poll body's Facebook page.