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Palace 'confident' Comelec can resolve 'internal issues' over cases vs Marcos Jr.

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<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon talks to the media at the poll body" s="" headquarters="" in="" Manila="" on="" Sept.="" George="" ABS-CBN="" News="" File="" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/life/10/10/20190925-rowena-guanzon-gc-57.jpg"/><figcaption>Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon talks to the media at the poll body&#x27;s headquarters in Manila on Sept. 25, 2019. <em>George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/File</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA — Malacañang said on Monday it is confident that the Commission on Elections could fix &quot;internal issues&quot; over the disqualification cases against presidential contender Ferdinand &quot;Bongbong&quot; Marcos Jr. </p><p>Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon recently said the integrity of the poll body is “in question” due to a supposed delay in the resolution of the disqualification cases, which cited Marcos’ failure to file income tax returns and pay the corresponding deficiency.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/29/22/guanzon-wants-delay-in-marcos-dq-cases-resolution-explained">Guanzon to Ferolino: Explain delay in Marcos disqualification cases resolution</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/31/22/guanzon-challenges-fellow-commissioner-lets-resign-together">Guanzon challenges fellow commissioner: Let&#x27;s resign together</a></li></ul><p>Asked if President Rodrigo Duterte is concerned about the recent developments at Comelec, his acting spokesman Karlo Nograles noted it was &quot;an independent constitutional body, and they have their own internal rules and regulations that govern them.&quot;</p><p>&quot;Between the seven highest officials ng (of) Comelec, we are confident that they can address whatever internal issues or concerns if any, that they have,&quot; Nograles said in a press briefing. </p><p>Guanzon is the presiding commissioner of the Comelec First Division that is handling the consolidated disqualification petitions against Marcos Jr. She has disclosed that she <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/31/22/guanzon-disqualifies-marcos-says-tax-offense-harmed-public-interest">voted in favor</a> of the petitions. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/28/22/marcos-party-wants-guanzon-disbarred-for-leaking-vote">Marcos party wants Guanzon disbarred for leaking vote</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/11/03/21/marcos-jrs-camp-blasts-disqualification-petition">Marcos Jr.&#x27;s camp says disqualification petition a &#x27;predictable nuisance&#x27;</a></li></ul><p>Commissioner Aimee Ferolino, the ponente or designated writer of the ruling, has denied that division members agreed to a deadline on deciding the cases against Marcos. </p><p>She also alleged that Guanzon repeatedly tried to convince her to disqualify the former senator.</p><p>Ferolino said the disclosure of Guanzon&#x27;s vote was supposedly meant to influence her decision.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/28/22/comelecs-ferolino-says-guanzon-seeks-to-pressure-her-on-marcos-jr-cases">Comelec&#x27;s Ferolino says Guanzon bombshell meant to pressure her on Marcos Jr. cases</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/17/22/covid-delays-comelec-decision-on-marcos-disqualification">COVID delays Comelec decision on Marcos disqualification</a></li></ul><p>Guanzon is set to retire on Wednesday, along with Comelec Chair Sheriff Abas and Commissioner Antonio Kho Jr., just three months before the May 9 elections. </p><p>Duterte will appoint their replacements &quot;ASAP&quot;, said Nograles. </p><p>&quot;The President has a shortlist na po sa pagpipilian niya (of his choices) for the appointment,&quot; he said. </p><p>The President&#x27;s daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio is running for vice president in tandem with Marcos, the early frontrunner in surveys for the top job in May&#x27;s polls.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/25/22/duterte-says-to-name-most-corrupt-presidential-bet">Duterte says to bare ‘what’s wrong’ with presidential bets, name ‘most corrupt’</a></li></ul><p>Duterte had described Marcos as a weak leader.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/19/21/duterte-on-bongbong-marcos-spoiled-weak-leader">Duterte says daughter Sara&#x27;s running-mate Marcos is &#x27;spoiled, weak leader&#x27;</a></li></ul><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO: </strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9scMD7GdJIo?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

Malacañang said it is confident that the Comelec could fix internal issues over the disqualification cases against pres'l aspirant Bongbong Marcos.