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MANILA, April 20 (Reuters) – The Philippines’ ballot physique on Wednesday cleared a significant authorized hurdle in frontrunner Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s path to the presidency when it dismissed the ultimate petition calling for his disqualification from the Could 9 election.
The Fee on Elections (COMELEC) dominated {that a} case calling for Marcos to be barred from the competition based mostly on his failure to file earnings tax returns lacked benefit.
“No matter the truth that the non-filing of earnings tax return was carried out repeatedly by the respondent, there may be nonetheless no tax evasion to talk of as no tax was really deliberately evaded,” the COMELEC’s first division stated within the ruling. “The federal government was not defrauded.”
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5 different circumstances looking for to maintain Marcos from operating had been additionally earlier dismissed by the ballot physique. These at the moment are beneath attraction and may very well be escalated to the Supreme Court docket.
“After all it’s a good improvement and we’re completely happy that it occurred earlier than our precise elections,” Marcos informed reporters whereas campaigning.
The petitioners didn’t reply to a request for remark.
Marcos, 64, has constantly topped opinion polls however noticed his lead over his closest rival, Leni Robredo, slender in a March survey.
His refusal to pay a tax invoice on the property of his father, the late authoritarian ruler Ferdinand Marcos, might impression his reputation, stated political analyst Ramon Casiple.
“He was defeated by Leni Robredo within the vice presidential race in 2016 and it would occur once more,” he stated.
Analysts say his excessive scores in surveys are partly because of a robust social media presence aimed on the youth, who weren’t but born when the senior Marcos was in energy. About 42% of eligible voters are beneath the age of 35. learn extra
The patriarch of the Marcos household dominated for 20 years, throughout which period he, his household and cronies amassed an estimated $10 billion in ill-gotten wealth, a authorities fee discovered. 1000’s of suspected communist rebels and political foes had been arrested, tortured or killed.
Regardless of the household’s fall from grace in 1986, it has retained highly effective political connections and steadfast help.
($1 = 52.40 Philippine pesos)
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Reporting by Neil Jerome Morales and Karen Lema; Enhancing by Kanupriya Kapoor
Our Requirements: The Thomson Reuters Belief Rules.
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