Philippines Supreme Court asked to reverse decision on Grace Poe

Manila: The Philippine Supreme Court has been asked to reverse a decision by the Senate Electoral Tribunal allowing Senator Grace Poe to run in the May 2016 presidential elections.

Rizalito David, a radio commentator, sought the wisdom of the Supreme Court to decide on the issue concerning the citizenship of Senator Grace Poe and rule if she is indeed a natural-born Filipino.

In his petition, David asked the Supreme Court to reverse the decision of the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET). He argued, that it runs against what is provided for in the constitution, pertaining to who is qualified to be voted as Senator.

Based on what is specified in the statute, only natural born Filipinos can be voted to a nationally-elected post such as the Senate.

The issue has wide ranging repercussions since Poe is running for president in the 2016 elections.

On November 17, the nine-member SET, which is made up mostly of senators, had ruled that Poe is a Filipino citizen and thus qualified to hold office by virtue of her being elected to the Senate on 2013.

Those who were in approval of the petition to reject Poe’s citizenship, were three — all members of the Supreme Court.

The decision rejected a petition filed by David earlier.

David filed another petition several weeks after and again, was rejected.

On December 9, he filed a new petition, this time with the Supreme Court.

In filing his new petition with the Apex Court, David said: “This is a constitutional issue that strikes at the very heart of our being a nation and a people. The wisdom of the Court should be its rightful judge. I am glad it is out of the hands of intellectually dishonest politicians,” while taking a swipe at members of the SET who earlier voted to reject his petition.

Last December, a decision by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), the state authority on matters concerning poll issues, dismissed the application for candidacy by Poe so that she can run in the 2016 elections.

The Comelec dismissed Poe’s application after determining that she does not meet the requirements for such elected office on residency.

Election rules state that presidential candidates must have resided in the Philippines for 10 years straight.

In issuing its ruling, the Comelec said Poe, “deliberately attempted to mislead” the electorate by stating in his application for candidacy that she had lived in the country for ten years.

Poe is adopted daughter to the late Fernando Poe Jr, who is regarded as the “King” of Philippine movies due to his box office appeal.

In 2004 he ran for the presidency but lost to Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Several months after his political defeat, Poe died from natural causes.

The younger Poe was in the United States at that time.