Confident Poe will seek relief, sees swift action from SCOTP

Sandiganbayan

Confident Poe will seek relief, sees swift action from SCOTP

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Senator Grace Poe on Saturday expressed confidence the Supreme Court of the Philippines (SCOTP) would decide in favor of genuine democratic elections that allow foundlings like her to run once it sees the evidence to be presented by her camp.

Poe, whose certificate of candidacy (COC) was cancelled by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) said she trusts the high court to act swiftly on the petition her legal team would submit after the holiday break.

George Garcia, Poe’s lawyer, has announced he will file a petition challenging the COMELEC ruling on Monday, Dec. 28.

The SCOTP is on recess until Jan. 10 although Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno is empowered to act on urgent cases and issue temporary restraining orders (TROs) or status quo ante orders (SQAOs) without holding a session of the justices.

Such reliefs need confirmation by the majority of the justices when sessions resume on Jan. 11 for the divisions and Jan. 12 for the full court.

The COMELEC en banc decided to grant the four petitions seeking to remove Poe from the presidential race on Dec. 23, or after the Christmas holidays. The poll body said Poe’s name will remain on the ballot.

Poe’s camp has only five days to seek relief from the SCOTP.

Chief Justice Sereno has earlier said she does not see the election-related cases as just a contest for 2016, saying the impact of the High Court’s decision will have long-term consequences for the country and will gauge the Philippines’ ability to be a modern democracy. (PNA)

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