The Supreme Court has refused to comment on the criticisms concerning the slow pace in the tribunal of presidential aspirant Sen. Grace Poe’s challenge to her disqualification.
“We don’t comment on political statements,” said high court spokesperson Theodore Te.
The leaders of both houses of Congress called on the Supreme Court the other day to resolve expeditiously Poe’s certiorari petition against the Commission on Elections resolutions disqualifying her from the presidential contest on citizenship and residency issues, citing the dangers the uncertainly is posing to the coming elections.
Election threat
Senate President Franklin Drilon told a media forum that Poe’s case “cannot be left hanging” as it is “posing serious threats to fair and credible elections in May.” He questioned why the court could not hold marathon hearings to resolve the case more quickly.
House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte said in a television interview that the high court should “make a decision as soon as possible” and that it should “drop everything then concentrate” on the case.
5th oral argument
The high court is set to hold its fifth oral arguments on the case on Tuesday, with the private respondents—former senator Kit Tatad, De La Salle University professor Antonio Contreras, former University of the East College of Law dean Amado Valdez and former Government Service Insurance System chief legal counsel Estrella Elamparo—expected to face the 15-member court.
Solicitor General Florin Hilbay is also scheduled to be interpellated by the justices.
Members of the high court had taken four sessions to interpellate Poe’s lawyer Alexander Poblador and Commission on Elections commissioner Arthur Lim.
SC has 2 years
The case is now going into its second month, having been filed on Dec. 28. Weekly oral arguments began Jan. 19.
Article VIII of the Constitution gives the high court “24 months (or two years) from date of submission” to resolve a case. The date of submission means the time the case has been submitted for resolution, or when “the last pleading, brief, or memorandum required by the Rules of Court or by the court itself” has been filed, according to the Constitution. Tarra Quismundo