Zubiri’s counsel to file motion to withdraw counter-protest

Listen to Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III interview

MANILA, Philippines—A manifestation to withdraw counter-protest will be filed by the lawyer of resigned Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri before the Senate Electoral Tribunal Thursday afternoon.

In a 990AM interview, Zubiri’s lead counsel lawyer George Erwin Garcia said the filing of a manifestation to withdraw in the election protest filed by lawyer Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III was upon the orders of the senator.

Pimentel lost against Zubiri for the 12th slot in the 2007 senatorial elections.

Zubiri announced his resignation from the Senate on Wednesday, saying he and his family were deeply hurt by fraud allegation and trial by publicity being waged by Pimentel.

Pimentel, meanwhile, said in a separate 990AM interview that this was a welcome development.

“Yan ay may practical na kahulugan sa aking protesta [It has a practical relevance to my protest] — a motion or a manifestation to the effect that they are withdrawing their counter-protest. Kung makita na po namin, syempre babasahin namin at kung kailangan namin magreact, magrereact kami. Kung hindi naman e papabayaan na namin para madesisyunan na ng SET [We will read the manifestation upon seeing it and we will react if we have to. If not, we will just let it be so that the SET could decide on it,” Pimentel said.

For the interviews, listen to 990AM.