SC junking petition vs. resolution on SOCE deadline extension happy news for Comelec

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Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon. Together with Commissioners Arthur Lim, Al Parreno, Sheriff Abas and Rowena Guanzon, the poll body extended the deadline of filing SOCE, which was set June 8 to June 30.

MANILA — The Commission on Elections welcomed the ruling of the Supreme Court of the Philippines (SCOTP) denying the petition seeking to nullify the poll body’s resolution extending the deadline for the filing of the Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE).

Commissioner Rowena Guanzon noted that the ruling is good for them since they will be able to focus on other matters as the issue has already been settled.

The official added, “If the court found that we did not gravely abuse our discretion that should be happy news for all of us.”

On Tuesday, the High Court dismissed the petition for certiorari with application for a status quo ante order filed by defeated partylist group 1-Abilidad first nominee lawyer Manuelito Luna and retired Army Col. Justino Padiernos of the People’s Freedom Party.

The petition stemmed from the resolution of the Comelec dated June 17, which granted the request of the Liberal Party (LP) and Mar Roxas for a 14-day extension to file their respective SOCEs.

SCOTP Public Information Office Chief and Spokesman Atty. Theodore O. Te said that “the Court dismissed the Petition for Certiorari (with Application for a Status Quo Ante Order or Similar Writs) dated June 20, 2016 because petitioners failed to attach a duplicate original or certified true copy of the assailed Resolution along with the requisite number of copies required.

Petitioners merely submitted news reports in lieu of the required copy of the assailed resolution. As petitioners failed to state the exact date of promulgation of the assailed resolution, the averments regarding the timeliness of the Petition are also defective.

We remind petitioners that this Court cannot act upon a petition for certiorari that does not contain the assailed issuances and wholly relies upon printed news accounts. In sum, the failure of the instant Petition to comply with these basic requirements constitutes a sufficient reason for its dismissal,” the SC resolution said.

  • SC junking petition vs. resolution on SOCE deadline extension happy news for Comelec

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