MANILA (UPDATE) - The Commission on Elections aims to rule on the remaining disqualification cases against Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. before the end of April, a commissioner said Thursday.

Commissioner George Erwin Garcia, who did not participate in the discussion because he was a lawyer for Marcos, revealed that Chairman Saidamen Balt Pangarungan committed that all pending cases will be resolved by the end of next month, possibly between the 2nd week to 3rd week.

“I did not participate in the discussion or the deliberation as committed by yours truly. But I was informed by our honorable chair that it was discussed by the en banc," said Garcia.

"The chairman is committing na (that), number one, before the end of April, before the end of April, a decision by the end banc will be forthcoming," he added.

"Therefore, a decision on these cases - the consolidated cases as well as the case with the motion for reconsideration - will be decided before the election, but earlier, even before end of April. Maybe, the earliest would be 2nd week of April. The latest would be 3rd week of April."

Garcia said that Pangarungan ordered whoever is the ponente to resolve the remaining case at the division level so that all petitions can be out of the poll body’s hands already.

“The Chair had already (instructed) whoever is ponente to immediately resolve. Gusto namin sabi, ni Chairman, mawala na yung cases dito sa Comelec. Whatever is the remedy of the party who will be winning or losing, that is up to them. He wanted to focus already on the preparation," said Garcia.

(According to the chairman, the Comelec wants all cases in the body disposed of already.)

Comelec decisions maybe reviewed by the Supreme Court upon a proper petition.

The disqualification case against Marcos stems from a conviction for non-payment of taxes.

Party-list group Akbayan on Monday submitted a letter to the Comelec urging the body to finally act on their disqualification case against Marcos.

Akbayan filed its disqualification case in December. It was junked by the 1st division but the group filed a motion for reconsideration before the full commission.

• 'Gross disservice': Akbayan presses Comelec to act on resolution of Marcos DQ case
• Comelec 1st Division votes to dismiss DQ petitions vs Marcos Jr.

Marcos is the frontrunner in the latest presidential surveys of Pulse Asia and Social Weather Stations.

The national and local elections will be held on May 9.

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