SC asked to ‘take action’ vs Panganiban

MANILA, Philippines - The Supreme Court (SC) was asked yesterday to “take action” against retired chief justice Artemio Panganiban for allegedly trying to influence the high court to rule in favor of Sen. Grace Poe in the disqualification cases filed against her.

Rizalito David, petitioner in the SC case involving the Senate Electoral Tribunal ruling on Poe’s citizenship eligibility, made the call in a manifestation.

He cited Panganiban’s column in a newspaper published last Jan. 10 as basis for his allegation.

“A careful reading of the aforesaid article will show that (Panganiban) is trying to sway this Honorable Court into ruling in favor of private respondent Poe and the public respondent represented by Solicitor General Florin Hilbay,” he alleged.

“Suffice it to state that this act is as dangerous as attempts of foreign governments to influence the executive decisions of the President of a republic,” he claimed, adding that the high court should “bear in mind the stringent demands of justice, and the need to promote proper ethical conduct among the members of the bar vis-à-vis the respect due the court.”

When asked what specific “appropriate action” he was seeking from the SC against the former chief justice, David did not specify and said the high court should know what to do.

In the newspaper column, Panganiban said the case of Poe is “unique.”

“Beyond the text. I believe her case presents a rare moment for judicial greatness for those who see beyond the text,” the former SC chief said.  

Comelec files another comment

Meanwhile, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has again asked the SC to uphold its decision to disqualify Poe in the presidential elections this May.

In a 48-comment signed by all seven commissioners, the poll body asked the high court to dismiss the petition of the senator questioning its ruling to cancel her certificate of candidacy (COC) for the presidency due to misrepresentation on her citizenship and residency eligibilities.

The Comelec filed a comment last week defending the decision of its First Division that disqualified Poe upon petitions of former senator Francisco Tatad, De La Salle University professor Antonio Contreras and former University of the East law dean Amado Valdez.

The pleading was filed by Commissioner Rowena Guanzon and did not have the signature and approval of Comelec chairman Andres Bautista, causing a conflict between the two.

Asked about the lack of Bautista’s approval in the comment filed by

Guanzon, an SC insider said it should have not been an issue as Guanzon’s comment would remain valid. The source said the case would be tackled anyway in oral arguments on Jan. 19.

The latest pleading defended the Comelec’s affirmation of the ruling of its Second Division that granted the disqualification petition filed by former Government Service Insurance System counsel Estrella Elamparo over Poe’s failure to meet the constitutional requirement of a 10-year residency for presidential candidates.