Marcos Jr. Takes a Hit: Another Petitioner Slams Him Over Old Tax Slip‑Ups
Still feeling the heat after his dad’s reign, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (a.k.a. “Kiko”) is juggling more than just campaign slogans. A fresh petition, lodged with the Philippine Election Commission on Nov. 17, threatens to blacklist him from the May presidential race—all because he once forgot to file those pesky income tax returns from 1982‑1985.
What Went Wrong
- Tax‑time misstep (1982‑1985): While serving as governor of Ilocos Norte, Marcos Jr. was convicted in 1995 for not filing the required tax returns.
- Appeals back‑stop: The guilty verdict was upheld a year later; mentors who taught “if guilty, then forever guilty” are watching here.
- Legal rulebook: Philippine law says a public officer convicted of a tax crime can’t hold office or vote for life—unless you get a special exemption.
Why the Petition is Stinging
The complainants, Campaign Against the Return of the Marcoses and Martial Law, argue that Kiko has been “continuously neglecting his penalty and disrespecting the rule of law” by running despite being a convicted criminal. The lawyer, Howard Calleja, is calling the saga “a blatant disregard for the law” and a “tax evasion tourism” without a ticket.
The Political Fallout
Marcos Jr. Keeps Winning
- Governor, congressman, and senator—he’s been in almost every political seat except a lost bid for vice‑presidency.
- Sara Duterte‑Carpio, the popular head of the current administration, will be his “Team B” running mate—dying hands–shed and a total political arm‑strong.
- Law professor Antonio La Viña notes that election authorities usually respect a barred status only after a complaint comes in: “People will only complain if you’re winnable.” That’s the game where the political sauce is thick.
Opposition Back‑stop
Election Commissioner James Jimenez says he can’t recall a prior disqualification case. Meanwhile, the group of political detainees, human rights advocates, and medical organisations who filed a prior complaint this year say the earlier petition was “without merit.” That group is planning a panel on Nov. 26 to dissect the new lawsuit.
Will the Petition Win?
Experts agree the outcome hinges on whether the court finds that the 1995 tax conviction still bars him under law or whether an exemption might be granted. For now, Marcos Jr. is juggling a risky ballot spot and a potential legal homicide. Whether or not the public will treat this as a “tax‑time travesty” or a “new chapter in the Marcos saga” remains to be seen.
