Escudero traces anti-Poe lawyer to Roxas camp

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero. RYAN LEAGOGO/INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

Senator Francis Escudero has traced the lawyer who filed a disqualification case against Senator Grace Poe to the camp of former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas.

READ: Poe says Roxas, Binay behind disqualification move

Poe and Roxas are both running for president in the 2016 elections.

Escudero, running mate of Poe, said lawyer Estrella Elamparo is with a law firm, which he said was used by former Defense Secretary Avelino “Nonong” Cruz in a case he filed against former associate Pancho Villaraza. Cruz and Villaraza were partners in the Villaraza Cruz Marcelo & Angangco or CVC Law also known as “The Firm.”

Elamparo is the petitioner in a disqualification case against Poe, which was upheld by the second division of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

“She (Elamparo) is with Divina law firm which was the firm used by Nonong Cruz in the case he filed vs Pancho Villaraza,” Escudero said in a text message Wednesday night when asked if Elamparo was connected to the Liberal Party (LP).

“Nonong Cruz is of course with Mar,” he further said.

Senate President Franklin Drilon earlier denied that Elamparo was connected with the LP, which is endorsing Roxas’ presidential bid.

READ: Elamparo has no connection to LP, says Drilon

After her petition was granted by the Comelec Second Division, Elamparo immediately filed another motion seeking Poe’s exclusion from the ballot for next year’s elections.

“Her over eagerness is astonishing!” Escudero said when sough to react to Elamparo’s new motion.

“Perhaps she is simply trying to gain publicity or attention to her cause given that, as a lawyer, she should know that the relief she is asking for is not in accordance with the law and rules of the Comelec,” he added. RAM