Solon asks SC to schedule oral arguments on poll case
By Irene R. Sino-Cruz
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 02:09:00 07/19/2008
CEBU CITY – Negros Oriental Rep. Jocelyn S. Limkaichong has filed a motion to set oral arguments at the Supreme Court in relation to the disqualification case that was filed against her by rivals that she beat in the last elections.
Lawyer Pete Quirino Quadra, Limkaichong’s legal counsel, said they would like to argue the case before the Supreme Court, instead of just submitting pleadings.
The motion, submitted on July 18, urged the Supreme Court to set the oral argument for several issues, Quadra said.
The petition maintained as unconstitutional the contention of petitioners Louis Biraogo, Olivia Paras and Renald Villando that the disqualification issued en banc by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on June 29, 2007, against Limkaichong was final and executory.
Limkaichong had filed a petition for certiorari in relation to the Comelec 2nd division May 17, 2007, resolution disqualifying Limkaichong within 30 days, the petition pointed out.
Because of this, the Comelec en banc resolution was issued with grave abuse of discretion, amounting to lack of jurisdiction, it added.
The petition also sought oral argument on the citizenship of Julio Ong Sy, Limkaichong’s father.
The petition disclosed that Sy’s petition for naturalization was granted on July 9, 1957, and he became a naturalized Filipino citizen through an order dated September 21, 1959.
In an earlier 40-page memorandum filed by Quadra, Limkaichong asked the SC to reverse the Comelec Second Division’s ruling.
Limkaichong, who represented the administration Lakas-CMD party, won by a majority of 7,746 votes over her next rival Olivia Paras, and less than 40,000 votes over the third placer, former congressman Jerome Paras.
“Congresswoman Limkaichong is a natural-born Filipino citizen,” the memorandum said.
“At the time of her birth on Nov. 9, 1959, her father Julio Sy was already a naturalized Filipino citizen.”
Limkaichong said until now, the Office of the Solicitor General has not filed any petition to cancel the certificate of naturalization of her father, Julio Ong Sy.
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