Comelec appeals SC ruling on Grace Poe

Paterno R. Esmaquel II

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Comelec appeals SC ruling on Grace Poe
Comelec Commissioner Arthur Lim stresses that the Supreme Court remains divided on presidential bet Senator Grace Poe's citizenship

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday, March 22, appealed the Supreme Court (SC) ruling that allowed Senator Grace Poe to run for president.

Comelec Commissioner Arthur Lim said the poll body was filing its motion for reconsideration Tuesday afternoon. 

In an interview Tuesday afternoon, Lim stressed that the SC remains divided on Poe. He cited SC rules stating “that if the Supreme Court en banc is equally divided in opinion, or the necessary majority vote cannot be had, the Court shall deliberate on it anew.”

He added, “If, after such deliberation, still no decision is reached, the Court shall, in an original action filed with it, dismiss the case.” 

Lim explained that 7 SC justices voted that Poe is presumptively natural born. He said this is not a majority vote.

He said this is because 5 SC justices voted that Poe is not a natural-born Filipino, while 3 other justices abstained. 

‘Yung 3 abstentions, boto rin po ‘yun,” Lim said. (The 3 abstentions are also votes.)

The SC on March 8 voted to reverse the Comelec’s decision to cancel Poe’s certificate of candidacy for president. 

The High Court explained that, for one, “there is more than sufficient evidence” that Poe “has Filipino parents and is therefore a natural-born Filipino.” – Rappler.com

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Paterno R. Esmaquel II

Paterno R. Esmaquel II, news editor of Rappler, specializes in covering religion and foreign affairs. He finished MA Journalism in Ateneo and MSc Asian Studies (Religions in Plural Societies) at RSIS, Singapore. For story ideas or feedback, email pat.esmaquel@rappler.com