Escudero hails SC’s TROs on Poe’s DQ as ‘impartial,’ ‘saving grace’

Sen. Francis Escudero on Monday hailed the Supreme Court’s issuance of temporary restraining orders on the Commission on Elections (Comelec) decisions cancelling the certificate of candidacy (COC) of his running mate, Sen. Grace Poe.

READ: High court issues TROs on Poe’s disqualification

Escudero lauded the high court for “acting swiftly” on the two petitions filed by Poe’s camp, assailing the poll body’s ruling to disqualify her from the presidential derby over citizenship and residency issues.

“By acting expeditiously despite being on a holiday break, the High Tribunal, through Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, once again showed that it is just, impartial and our saving grace, the Comelec notwithstanding,” Escudero said in a statement.

“I remain hopefully confident that our Magistrates will ultimately rule in favor of Sen. Poe and uphold the merits of her petition based on existing laws both local and international, as well as long-standing jurisprudence, and make the restraining order permanent thus paving the way for the people to decide who the next president should be,” he added.

READ: Escudero hopeful SC ‘will uphold the truth’ on Poe’s DQ case

Escudero said he was hoping that the high court would see that the Comelec “committed grave abuse of discretion and acted with bias” when it ruled to cancel Poe’s COC once the oral arguments start in January.

“Sen. Poe is qualified to run for the highest position in the land, and as such she remains a presidential candidate whose name is now included on the ballot. Sen. Poe is and remains a candidate for President,” he said. “Once again, I thank the SC for saving Sen. Grace and the right of our people to choose and decide, and for being our saving grace.”

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