Lawmaker hits SC magistrates for undermining poll tribunal
INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—A lawmaker has criticized the Supreme Court magistrates for allegedly undermining the electoral tribunal.
In his privilege speech, Oriental Mindoro Representative Reynaldo Umali cited the high court’s ruling on the electoral protest against Marinduque Representative Regina Onsiangco-Reyes vs. Lord Allan Velasco and Quezon Representative Angeline Tan vs. Alvin Tanada.
Umali lamented that the high court has undermined the constitutional mandate of the House of Representatives’ Electoral Tribunal (HRET), which should solely judge all contest relation to poll matters and qualifications of members of Congress.
He questioned the decision of the high tribunal to the case of Reyes affirming the Commission on Election’s resolution canceling her certificate of candidacy.
He said Reyes is currently sitting as a member of the lower house but the magistrates have resolved to disqualify her, while in the case of Tan, the high court recognized the validity of her proclamation as a congresswoman.
Umali lambasted why the high court recognized HRETs jurisdiction of Tan but not in the case of Reyes.
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