Press Release
December 9, 2015

CHIZ: EN BANC RULING WILL TEST COMELEC'S IMPARTIALITY, INTEGRITY

Sen. Francis "Chiz" Escudero said he expects the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) en banc to thoroughly review the motion for reconsideration (MR) filed by Sen. Grace Poe's camp and ultimately reverse its ruling against his independent presidential running mate.

According to Escudero, the 63-page motion submitted to the poll body contains pertinent evidence that will prove that Poe is qualified to run for president.

"Lahat naman ng kailangang malaman ukol sa residency at citizenship ni Sen. Grace ay nakapaloob na sa MR," said Escudero.

"I just hope they will decide on the merits of this case because what is at stake here is the impartiality, integrity and credibility of the COMELEC," the veteran senator added.

Atty. George Garcia, Poe's legal counsel, said the three-member Second Division erred and committed grave abuse of discretion when it sought to disqualify her from the presidential race on grounds that she allegedly misrepresented the number of years she has been residing in the country.

Escudero said he was disappointed with the hasty move of the poll body when it has yet to weed out the nuisance candidates from the official list of candidates.

"Talagang inuna pa nila si Senator Grace at nagulat kami sa bilis ng naging pasya nila." Escudero said. "Lumalabas ba na higit na mas matimbang ang kandidatura ni 'Lucipher' at ni 'Intergalactic Space Ambassador' kaysa kay Senator Grace?"

The leading contender in the vice-presidential race, however, said they will seek relief from the Supreme Court should the COMELEC en banc uphold the ruling of the Second Division.

"Kung ang naging pasya ng COMELEC Second Division ay halos pare-pareho naman, iisa lang naman ang kanilang pinanggalingan, pinaghugutan, at tila pati na rin ang nag-appoint sa kanila. Kaya malamang sa Korte Suprema na lamang kami aasa," Escudero said.

The official list of candidates, according to the COMELEC, will be released on December 15.

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