SC seeks comment on plea vs new HRET rules

MANILA, Philippines - The Supreme Court (SC) has ordered the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET) to answer a petition questioning its new rules.

In a resolution approved on Monday, the SC ordered the nine-member tribunal to answer the petition of Marinduque Rep. Regina Ongsiako Reyes seeking to void Rule 6 and Part 2 of Rule 15 of the 2015 Revised Rules of the HRET.

The high court gave the HRET, which is composed of six congressmen and three justices, 10 days from notice to submit its comment, according to SC spokesman Theodore Te.

Reyes assailed the constitutionality of the new HRET rules giving SC justices in the tribunal veto power by requiring the presence of at least one justice at all times for there to be a quorum. 

Reyes also questioned a new rule allowing the vote of even just two members to be the decision of the tribunal in cases of inhibition.

She asked the SC to void the new rule setting back HRET jurisdiction to June 30 at the earliest from the long standing jurisprudence and sections 250 and 253 of the Omnibus Election Code where HRET jurisdiction is reckoned from the proclamation of winners.

The Commission on Elections disqualified Reyes in the 2013 midterm polls for being an American citizen. The SC upheld the Comelec ruling. But she kept her post as the HRET has yet to rule on her case.