Poe camp: SC decision a ‘victory for democracy,’ laws

Presidential aspirant and Senator Grace Poe and Senator Francis Escudero. Photo courtesy of Senator Grace Poe’s Office

The camp of Senator Grace Poe on Saturday thanked the Supreme Court for upholding its previous decision allowing the poll front-runner to run for president in the May 9 elections, saying that the move was a “victory for democracy.”

“Nagbigay lang ito ng affirmation na talagang maayos naman talaga—na naging malakas, tama ang desisyon ng Korte Suprema. Kami ay nagpapasalamat sa hustisyang binigay nila,” Poe told reporters in Sorsogon.

(This only gives affirmation that everything’s smoothed out—that the decision of the Supreme Court is correct. We are thankful for the justice they’ve given us.)

Asked if she was expecting her survey ranking to improve due to the decision, Poe said she believes Filipinos would vote based on platforms and character.

“Nagkataon na may kaso, naka-aberya doon sa unang pagtakbo natin, pero at least ngayon parang nawalan na ng kadena ang ating pangangampanya at tuluy-tuloy na po,” she added.

(It just so happened that there are cases and questions stemming from my initial run. But at least now, it feels like my campaign has finally shaken off the shackles.)

Poe’s spokesperson Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian called the decision as a development that would “pave the way for the electorate to be able to choose the next President from a complete list of candidates.”

“This ruling also enshrines the principle that indeed our laws were crafted to protect all especially those who are marginalized,” Gatchalian said in a statement.

The Supreme Court on Saturday formally announced that Poe can run for president as it released a resolution dated April 5 denying “with finality” all motions for reconsideration against its previous ruling that allowed the first-term senator to seek the highest position in the land.

READ: No more roadblocks: SC paves way for Grace Poe run

The high court said no new “substantial arguments” were presented to reverse its March 8 decision.

“Acting on the following motions for reconsideration (of the decision dated March 8, 2016) by the same vote of 9-6, to DENY WITH FINALITY the said motions for reconsideration as the basic issues raised therein have been passed upon by this Court and no substantial arguments were presented to warrant the reversal of the questioned Decision,” the resolution read.

“No further pleadings or motions will be entertained,” it added.

READ: Doubts hover over Poe despite SC final word

Poe’s running-mate Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero said the petitioners cannot file a second motion for reconsideration under the laws.

Gatchalian said the ruling would push Poe to continue her advocacy for inclusive growth where “nobody will be left behind.”

“She will champion solutions that will once and for all defeat poverty and employment, the root causes of our other social ills such as drugs and criminality. It’s time to move our people out of poverty and Sen. Poe will be in the forefront of this battle,” he added.

Voting 9-6, the high tribunal earlier voted to reverse the Commission on Elections’ decision to disqualify Poe from seeking the presidency, ruling that the first-term senator is a natural-born Filipino citizen and has completed the 10-year residency requirement. IDL