SC asked to conduct daily oral arguments on Poe’s DQ case
MANILA, Philippines – A petitioner in Sen. Grace Poe’s disqualification before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday requested the Supreme Court (SC) for daily oral arguments on the case.
Lawyer Estrella “Star” Elamparo reasoned out time constraints in her motion for continuous hearings, emphasizing that there are only three months left before the May 9 polls.
"Considering that time is of the essence and the importance of resolving this case soonest for the guidance of the electorate, petitioner most humbly requests that the oral arguments be set continuously on a daily basis, if possible, until completion," Elamparo said.
Elamparo, also the former chief legal counsel of the Government Service Insurance System, cited that during the previous oral arguments held last January 19 and 26, only Poe presented her arguments before the SC despite having several respondents. She said other petitioners including herself, former Sen. Francisco "Kit" Tatad, former University of the East College of Law Dean Amado Valdez and Ateneo Law Professor Antonio Contreras have yet to present their respective arguments.
"Considering that at least six representatives from among the public and private respondents are slated to do their presentations, it is anticipated that it will take more than one hearing day to complete the oral arguments," Elamparo said.
Elamparo said the oral arguments are also affecting the printing of the ballots that the Comelec also deferred from February 1 to February 8 to give way to the SC’s hearings.
READ: Drilon asks Comelec chief to postpone ballot printing
The oral arguments involving two petitions filed by Poe against the Comelec en banc will resume for its third session on Tuesday afternoon.
The Comelec will present its arguments and explain why it moved to cancel Poe’s certificate of candidacy for president.
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