Ed wants Lacson’s candidacy nullified

Sen. Edgardo Angara asked the Supreme Court (SC) yesterday to order the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to withdraw recognition of Sen. Panfilo Lacson as standard-bearer of the opposition party Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP).

Angara submitted a 33-page petition to the SC, seeking a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction stopping the Comelec from enforcing its Jan. 6 resolution declaring both Lacson and actor Fernando Poe Jr. as official LDP candidates.

Lacson filed his certificate of candidacy as presidential candidate of the LDP, while Poe is running under the Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP), a coalition of three opposition parties including the LDP.

Angara, as LDP chairman, submitted the petition asking the high tribunal to nullify the Comelec order allowing Lacson to run under the LDP banner.

Angara also asked the Supreme Court to enjoin Makati City Rep. Agapito Aquino from discharging his functions as the party’s secretary-general.

He told the court that Aquino does not have the authority to nominate candidates, citing the party’s constitution and bylaws.

Angara and Aquino represent the two warring factions within LDP, stemming from their different choice for standard-bearer in the May 10 elections. Angara is a known supporter of Poe while Aquino is backing Lacson.

Angara argued the Comelec resolution effectively validated what he called "irregular actions of Aquino" in endorsing the candidacy of Lacson.

"The LDP constitution clearly shows that the secretary-general (Aquino) does not have the inherent power to sign documents for and on behalf of the party, except derivatively, upon proper delegation or authorization by the chairman," Angara said.

He claimed the Comelec resolution virtually created "imaginary factions" in the LDP.

"The assailed resolution, willingly or not, fits into a malevolent scheme to split, demoralize and sow confusion among the ranks of the political opposition, as well as to confuse the electorate, all to the benefit of the ruling administration party," he said.

Angara stated he did not authorize Aquino to sign any of the certificates of candidacy (COCs) for and in behalf of the LDP since he was suspended following the proclamation of Lacson, which he earlier branded as illegal.

Angara claimed an overwhelming majority of the party’s national executive council passed a resolution last Dec. 22 confirming his exclusive power to sign and endorse the certificates of nomination and candidacy of the party’s candidates.

"There is therefore only one LDP. It is one headed by Senator Angara as chairman. The alleged Aquino faction has no existence in legal contemplation," the petition stated.

Angara earlier filed a manifestation before Comelec that the official opposition candidate should be endorsed by himself as LDP president and KNP leaders.

Aquino filed his manifestation that as party secretary-general, his signature is required in the filing of COCs of candidates.

In what political observers described as a "Solomonic decision," the Comelec ruled both Angara and Aquino had the right to proclaim their respective candidates to run under the opposition banner, citing the principle of legal equity.

Angara appealed the decision and stressed yesterday before the tribunalthat the only issue is whether who among them is authorized to sign the COCs of its candidates before the Comelec.

Lacson, for his part, accused Angara of sabotaging the ongoing unification talks in the divided LDP ranks.

"He is at it again. Senator Angara is making it hard for everybody to work towards unification," Lacson said, referring to Angara’s filing of the petition.

Lacson described Angara’s move as "highly divisive." He said this would scuttle the gains made in the initial talks between the two factions to file a unified slate in the local level.

"In spite of the ongoing talks, Senator Angara goes to the Supreme Court asking it to nullify the Comelec decision. It now appears that... Angara has been negotiating in bad faith with Congressman Aquino and this is a clear act of sabotage on the part of the LDP," Lacson said.

He said Angara "has no word of honor," claiming the LDP leader and Aquino even agreed to keep the status quo in the national level and help party members come out with a unified slate for the local elections.

"Congressman Aquino had the impression that everything has been smoothened out as far as the issue on the Comelec’s decision is concerned. But it seems that Senator Angara does not know the meaning of word of honor," Lacson said.

The former national police chief said Angara has become the major problem in the LDP, proof of which is that ranking party leaders and personalities have resigned from the opposition party.

"At the moment, everybody is complaining about the leadership of the LDP president. You can already imagine what Senator Angara is capable of doing once he is in power," Lacson said.