The Supreme Court (SC) En Banc, during its session on Tuesday, issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) preventing the Commission on Elections (Comelec) from declaring Francis Leo Antonio Marcos a nuisance candidate.

Marcos had earlier challenged the Comelec resolutions that labeled him a nuisance candidate and revoked his Certificate of Candidacy (CoC) for senator.

The poll body argued that Marcos did not show a genuine intent to run for office, despite receiving 4,477,024 votes as a senatorial candidate in the 2022 elections.

The SC also directed the Comelec to comment on Marcos’ petition within a non-extendible period of five days from the receipt of notice.

Meanwhile, the SC issued another TRO in GR 277739, filed by Noel Ebriega Rosal vs. Comelec and Josefino Valenzuela Dioquino. The restraining order prevents the Comelec from implementing resolutions that canceled Rosal’s CoC for Albay governor.

Respondent Dioquino had sought the automatic administrative cancellation of Rosal’s CoC, citing the Ombudsman’s dismissal of Rosal from service, which carries the penalty of perpetual disqualification from holding public office.

The SC also ordered the Comelec to comment on Rosal’s petition within a non-extendible period of five days from receipt of notice.