Pimentel to file answer on DQ case at Comelec on Friday

Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said he will submit his answer on Friday before the Commission on Election (Comelec) the disqualification case lodged against him by lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, seeking to bar his 2019 senatorial bid.

Pimentel said he will argue that his Senate term in 2007-2013 should not be counted since he only assumed the Senate seat in 2011.

He added that his disqualification due to term limits is within the domain of the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) and is the one to handle it should he succeed in securing a Senate seat in next year’s elections.

“Asking that I be disqualified and that my name will no longer appear in the ballot is most unfair and has no legal basis,” he said.

In his petition, Topacio argued that Pimentel has already served his first term from 2007 to 2013. The senator was supposed to complete his second and last term  in 2019,  which  should  make him not qualify to seek  another  term in the Senate.

READ: Disqualification case filed vs Koko Pimentel at Comelec

Another  disqualification case was also filed against  Pimentel  by  former congressman Glenn Chong last November 8.

Despite  the two cases lodged against him, Pimentel said he remains confident that the Comelec will rule in his favor.

“Damihan pa nila [‘yung disqualification cases] kasi hindi naman kami nag-aalala, bale i mean alam namin yung sagot eh,” Pimentel told reporters in an interview.

“Kahit gawin nilang sampu yan o dalawampu, wala pong epekto kasi the law is settled, it’s very clear,” he added.

The disqualification petition filed by Chong argued that Pimentel was already on his second and last term and was barred by the Constitution from seeking a third one.

He refused to comment on the second disqualification case filed against him but he said his argument will be that the case was filed “out of time.”

“Ang sagot namin doon sa second disqualification case, out of time out of time na yung pagfa-file,” the senator said. /muf