Supreme Court asked to rule on Erap disqualification

MANILA, Philippines - President Arroyo’s former election lawyer asked the Supreme Court (SC) yesterday to rule on a petition seeking the disqualification of former President Joseph Estrada to run in the May 10 presidential elections to guide lawyers and the courts on similar situations in the future.

Romulo Macalintal said the SC should not disregard the issue although the petition of lawyer Evelio Pormento is already moot since Estrada had apparently lost the election.

“In various cases, the SC resolved moot cases given the paramount public interest involved, the susceptibility of recurring yet evading review, and for future guidance of both the bench and the bar,” he said.

Macalintal said the case should be resolved on its merit since it raised issues that could arise in future elections.

“The resolution of this issue will surely serve as a guide in future cases,” he said.