“Duwag na duwag atang humarap.” This is how a netizen described the 2022 presidential aspirant Bongbong Marcos after his failure to show up at the preliminary conference on disqualification case handled by COMELEC'S First Division.

When asked by Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Rowena Guanzon on why Marcos cannot attend the hearing even via Zoom, the former senator's legal counsel, Attorney Hanna Barcena, said Marcos is not feeling well. She said she has been given full authority to represent him.

"He is not feeling well and he cannot go in today's video conference," Barcena said.

Guanzon did not hide her frustration after the Marcos Jr.’s camp failed to immediately provide a medical certificate proving that the former senator was incapable of attending a dialogue on the disqualification cases against him on Friday, January 7. 'Why was it hard for Marcos to go on video?' the Commissioner asked.

“He is sick. Okay, where is his medical certificate?” Guanzon asked Marcos Jr.’s camp. “Why was it hard for [former] senator Marcos to go on video? He can do that on his phone.”

Marcos’ lawyer Hanna Barcena replied, “Last night, a physician saw him and they will issue a medical certificate within the day.”

Marcos Jr.’s spokesperson Vic Rodriguez also explained through Viber message that Bongbong was exposed to two COVID-19 positive people. “Bongbong Marcos was initially exposed to his chief security who is confined in one of the isolation/quarantine facility since last Tuesday and subsequently to me. I was tested yesterday morning and the result came out early today and I’m positive for COVID.”

At the end of the meeting, Marcos’ camp was finally able to provide a virtual copy of his medical certificate, which indicated that the former senator had a low-grade fever and sore throat as of Thursday, January 6.

“[Bongbong] reportedly had direct contact with two individuals who later tested positive,” the medical certificate indicates.

The netizens, who are keeping an eye on the disqualification case of the presidential aspirant, also took to Twitter to express their anger towards BBM’s action. “Basura ang kandidatong may DQ cases,” one said.