Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 10) — Commission on Elections Commissioner Rowena Guanzon on Monday said she will require the camp of presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to present his notarized medical certificate after he skipped the poll body’s hearing on his disqualification cases.
Marcos on Jan. 7 failed to show up for the Comelec’s online pre-conference for the disqualification petitions lodged against him despite an order from the poll body to attend physically or virtually. His camp presented a medical certificate showing Marcos had a low-grade fever and had difficulty breathing due to a “painfully congested throat.”
However, video clips of Marcos in a radio interview with DZME 1530 on Jan. 6 surfaced online over the weekend.
The Marcos camp on Sunday confirmed he gave two interviews on Jan. 6 despite feeling unwell, claiming he was examined by a doctor in between the two interviews.
“We believe it was that afternoon interview which exacerbated his condition. On the morning of Jan. 7, BBM was obliged to go in isolation because his condition worsened,” spokesperson Vic Rodriguez said in a statement.
“A judgment call was made to let BBM continue with his needed rest, since he was in bed after taking his medicines,” he added.
During the hearing, Marcos’ camp produced a medical certificate from Dr. Benedict Francis Veldecanas from Aegle Wellness Center after Guanzon demanded proof to justify the presidential aspirant’s absence.
Guanzon later questioned why the Marcos camp did not notify the poll body if they knew of his condition a day prior the hearing.
So why didnt his lead lawyer submit a medical certificate dated Jan 6 if this is true ? I will order the doctor and Atty Rodriguez to show cause or require his physician to have his medical certificate notarized.@jabjimenez @COMELEC @cnnphilippines @gmanews @InquirerMobile https://t.co/gkPR4HuNVk
— Rowena Guanzon (@rowena_guanzon) January 9, 2022
Guanzon said despite the delays, the decision on the disqualification cases filed against Marcos is expected by “around Jan. 17.”
A total of seven pleas were lodged against Marcos’ presidential bid. So far, two were dismissed — one that sought to declare him a nuisance bet, and another aiming to cancel his certificate of candidacy.
