The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) today joined the Filipino people in condemning the decision of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) First Division to dismiss the consolidated petitions to disqualify Ferdinand Marcos Jr. from his bid in the presidential elections.

CPP’s Chief Information Officer Marco Valbuena said that Comelec’s decision will be met with great resistance from the people. “Matinding batikos ang tiyak na isasalubong ng sambayanan sa Comelec sa pagpabor sa pagtakbo ni Marcos Jr taliwas sa malinaw na batayan ng kasong diskwalipikasyon (The Comelec decision favoring Marcos Jr contrary to the clear basis for his disqualification will surely be met with strong condemnation by the people),” Valbuena said.

Valbuena also hinted at the Comelec First Division’s receiving favors from the Marcos camp with its decision to favor Ferdinand Jr. “Anong kapalit?”, he quipped.

The conflict within the Comelec First Division went public earlier when then Commissioner Rowena Guanzon revealed that Commissioner Aimee Ferolino, designated to draft the decision, was purposefully delaying the release of the resolution so to render moot her opinion against the Marcoses.

Since then, several organizations and individuals have questioned the independence of the Comelec from the influence of the Marcoses.

Valbuena also said the release of the Comelec decision preempts Rodrigo Duterte’s plan to have Marcos Jr. disqualified right after the election in order to pave the way for Sara Duterte to assume the presidency.