Sen. Grace Poe. INQUIRER PHOTO
“We will not let the plotters of this low-handed tactic get away with it,” Senator Grace Poe’s camp said on Wednesday after the Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc officially announced its decision to disqualify her from the 2016 presidential race.
Poe’s spokesman, Valenzuela Mayor Rex Gatchalian, said the en banc’s decision to disqualify Poe over her residency and citizenship “blatantly disregarded the rights of foundlings enshrined in international customary laws that also prevail in our country.”
“We are extremely disappointed with the decisions rendered by the Comelec en banc. The en banc’s decisions blatantly disregarded the rights of foundlings enshrined in international customary laws that also prevail in our country,” Gatchalian said in a statement.
“In addition, the en banc’s decisions also turned a blind eye on the documentary evidences that we submitted that clearly shows that Sen. Poe has been domiciled in the country since 2005.”
“As mentioned before, we will take our case to the SC (Supreme Court). We believe that the Justices of the SC will see the merits of our arguments and correct the injustice committed against Sen. Poe and all foundlings,” the spokesman added.
READ: Comelec en banc affirms Poe’s disqualification – poll body chief
Gatchalian again described as “very disturbing” the timing of the release of the decisions, which he said was done in haste during the holiday breaks.
He was apparently referring to the five-day period given by the en banc for Poe to appeal the case before the high tribunal.
“Clearly, it is meant to disadvantage Sen. Poe’s legal response,” said the spokesman.
But Gatchalian said, “Despite these timing obstacle thrown our way, we will bring the battle to the SC in a timely manner taking into account the prescribed deadline. We will not let the plotters of this low-handed tactic get away with it.”
“Sen. Poe remains a candidate in the running for the presidency until the whole process takes its course in the SC. We trust that the Comelec will abide by the legal framework provided and include her in the list of candidates for the Presidency,” he further said. CDG
READ: Comelec: Poe remains in initial list of presidential bets for now