Nuisance bets also go to SC

MANILA, Philippines – Probably inspired by Sen. Grace Poe, perennial presidential wannabe Elly Pamatong and a vice presidential bet sought relief yesterday from the Supreme Court (SC) to question their own disqualification.

Another disqualified presidential bet also asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to reconsider his being ruled a nuisance candidate.

Pamatong filed a petition questioning the Comelec decision disqualifying him from the presidential race for the third time, a few minutes before lawyers of Poe arrived in the SC to file her petition also against her disqualification by the poll body.

“For the third time, the Comelec has sabotaged the COC (certificate of

candidacy) of Elly Pamatong by invoking a repealed provision of the

SOCE (statement of contributions and expenses) law, which is no longer an election offense, against him,” read a statement from his camp.

Pamatong, self-proclaimed US Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) general, also vowed “to fight for his right to lead this country no matter what, even if it means leading a revolution against Comelec.”

He also expressed support for Poe.

“The fact that Grace Poe was elected overwhelmingly by our people into the Senate should be taken very seriously, not lightly, in resolving this very unique issue concerning the citizenship of Grace Poe,” read the statement.

But unlike Poe, he was not able to get a TRO from the high court.

Pamatong filed his COC in the 2004 and 2010 presidential elections but was disqualified in both instances.

Another candidate disqualified by the Comelec, vice presidential bet

Nid Anima, also filed his petition before the SC.

Anima, a member of the self-styled Aasenso Sabungero party-list and alleged to have discovered the secret to campaign in elections without spending, likewise questioned his disqualification by the Comelec.

He filed the petition without going through the regular process of appeal before the poll body.  

Another disqualified presidential aspirant, Danilo Lihaylihay, also asked the Comelec yesterday to reconsider his disqualification for being a nuisance candidate.

In his “Most Respectful Motion for Reconsideration,” Lihaylihay said the Comelec should take a second look at his COC for president.

Last Dec. 16, the Comelec upheld the First Division’s declaraation that Lihaylihay was a nuisance candidate.

The Comelec First Division had cancelled his COC after Lihaylihay “failed to show that he is capable of waging a viable nationwide campaign.”