Supreme Court junks poll protest vs Pangandaman

MANILA, Philippines - The Supreme Court (SC) has junked a petition seeking the ouster of Rep. Nasser Pangandaman of the AA-Kasosyo party-list group.

In a two-page resolution, the SC dismissed the petition of lawyer Faydah Dumarpa for non-compliance with basic requirements under the rules of court.

The SC cited the petitioner’s failure to state material dates showing the notice of judgment and to accompany the petition with a clearly legible duplicate original or certified true copy of the assailed resolution.

Citing lack of jurisdiction, the SC also held that the case was premature since the ruling of the Commission on Elections has not yet become final.

Dumarpa filed a petition for certiorari before the SC last Aug. 22, arguing that Comelec rules bar Pangandaman, former Agrarian Reform secretary, from taking over the seat vacated by his brother, Solaiman Pangandaman, because the replacement came after the close of the polls which would automatically bar the party-list group from naming other nominees.