Comelec appeals to SC: Finish oral arguments on Poe case today

The Commission on Elections has asked the Supreme Court to finish the oral arguments on the disqualification cases filed against Senator Grace Poe.

During the sidelines of the weekly Commission on Elections (Comelec) press conference on Tuesday, Comelec chair Andres Bautista told reporters that he wants the high court to finish the oral arguments on Poe’s cases on Tuesday, January 26.

“Sana tapusin na ng SC ang oral arguments today,” Bautista said.

Bautista made the appeal after the full commission announced that the schedule of the printing for the ballots for the 2016 national and local elections has been delayed again.

From February 1, the new target for the start of the printing of ballots has been moved to February 8.

READ: Comelec: Final printing of ballots moved anew

The chair of the poll body said that it would be “better” for the SC to finalize its decisions “on certain candidates.”

He also said that the poll body will abide with the decision of the high tribunal regarding the pending disqualification cases against Poe and other appeals from aspirants seeking national and local posts.

As of this writing, the SC is conducting oral arguments on Poe’s petitions asking the high court to overturn the decisions of the Comelec to bar her from participating in the May elections due to defects in citizenship and residency requirements.

LIVESTREAM: SC resumes oral arguments on Poe vs Comelec