AKO Bicol partylist to ask SC to stop disqualification

Supporters of Ako Bicol gather at the Peñaranda Park in Legazpi City to show their support to the party list, which was earlier disqualified by the Commission on Elections to participate in the May 2013 elections. /JUAN ESCANDOR JR./INQUIRER SOUTHERN LUZON

MANILA, Philippines — AKO Bicol Partylist Representative Rodel Batocabe on Tuesday said that they would file a petition at the Supreme Court within the day to stop their disqualification.

In a text message, Batocabe expressed confidence that the high tribunal would hear their side and stop the Commission on Elections’ from disqualifying their partylist group.

“Our petition is based on solid legal grounds in accordance with the spirit and intent of the Constitution and Partylist law [R.A. 7941],” he pointed out.

The petition is set to be filed by lawyers Vicente Mendoza (lead counsel) and Alfredo Molo III.