A “pre-meditated” and “concerted” effort by “sinister minds”.
This was how the camp of Senator Grace Poe described on Monday the series of disqualification cases being filed against her, insisting that she has met all the requirements to seek the presidency.
“Every Filipino has the right to avail of the remedies afforded by law. The former senator is entitled to his opinion and we will respect that. In the end, the rule of law prevails and the vibrancy of our democracy is sustained,” Poe’s lawyer, George Garcia, said in a statement in reaction to a new disqualification case filed against Poe by former Senator Francisco ”Kit” Tatad.
“It is, however, our position that all the requirements to seek for higher office have been met by Sen. Grace Poe.”
“Truth to be told, Sen. Grace has all the qualifications and none of the disqualifications provided for by the Constitution to aspire for the presidency,” Garcia added in a separate text message.
Tatad filed his disqualification case agains Poe before the the Commission on Elections Monday morning.
READ: Kit Tatad wants Grace Poe banned for life from public office
The first petition against Poe was filed by defeated senatorial bet Rizalito David, even before the lady senator declared her presidential bid. The second case was filed by Estrella Elamparo shortly after Poe filed her certificate of candidacy last Friday.
READ: Poe faces new poll disqualification suit
Poe’s spokesman, Valenzuela Mayor Rex Gatchalian, said it was unfortunate that “dirty tactics are continuously being employed to derail the presidential bid of Sen. Poe. “
“Since topping the presidential surveys, she has been in the receiving end of baseless suits that are meant to harass. Clearly sinister minds have launched a pre-meditated and concerted effort to condition the minds of the public that Sen. Poe will be disqualified,” Gatchalian said in a separate statement.
“Senator Poe is ready to face these harassment suits in the proper forum. We are confident that all these suits will be dismissed because the law is on her side.”
“The documents will show that she has met all the requirements to seek the presidency and which she has already made public. These documents will answer these suits on all fours and will bear her out,” the spokesman added.
Gatchalian said it was also unfortunate that instead of focusing the discourse on platforms and plans, some quarters would rather employ dirty tricks during this election cycle.
“Despite this, we will not engage them in that realm and instead focus on positive campaigning through laying out our platform of governance that aims to make growth inclusive. Walang maiiwanan (No one will be left out),” he further said. AU