Ex-senator Tatad files disqualification case vs. Grace Poe

Published October 19, 2015 12:26pm

Another disqualification case has been filed with the Commission on Elections against Sen. Grace Poe, this time, by former senator Francisco Tatad.

In filing the case on Monday, Tatad said Poe should not be allowed to run in the 2016 elections because she violates Article 7, Section 2 of the Constitution, which lists down the qualifications for presidential candidates.

In particular, Tatad said Poe cannot say she is a natural-born Filipino resident because she is a foundling who cannot say who her real parents are.

Further, Poe also failed to fulfill the 10-year residency requirement prescribed in the Constitution, Tatad added.

The former senator is represented in the case by lawyer Manuelito Luna, who also represented defeated senatorial candidate Rizalito David in a disqualification case filed against Poe before the Senate Electoral Tribunal.

David is also running for president under the Ang Kapatiran Party.

^{Ex-Sen. Francisco 'Kit' Tatad shows a copy of his petition for disqualification filed against Sen. Grace Poe at the Commission on Elections office in Intramuros, Manila on Monday, October 19. Poe has filed her certificate of candidacy for president for the 2016 elections. Roy Lozano}

'Dirty tactic'

Reached for their comments, Poe’s spokesperson and Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian described the latest case against the senator as another “dirty tactic” intended to derail her presidential bid.

“Since topping the presidential surveys, she (Poe) has been in the receiving end of baseless suits that are meant to harass. Clearly, sinister minds have launched a pre-meditated and concerted effort to condition the minds of the public that Sen. Poe will be disqualified,” Gatchalian said in a text message.

Gatchalian expressed confidence that the disqualification cases filed against Poe will be disqualified even as he maintained that their camp is ready to face these suits “in the proper forum.”

“The documents that will show that she has met all the requirements to seek the presidency has already been made public. These documents will answer these suits on all fours and will bear her out,” he said.

Despite the growing number of cases Poe is facing, Gatchalian said the senator will continue to mount a “positive campaign” by laying out her platform of governance to voters.

Meanwhile, Poe's legal counsel, George Gracia, said Tatad is entitled to his opinion but added that his client has met all the requirements in seeking the highest elective post in the country.

"Every Filipino has the right to avail of the remedies afforded by law. The former senator is entitled to his opinion and we will respect that. In the end, the rule of law prevails and the vibrancy of our democracy is sustained," Garcia said.

"It is, however, our position that all the requirements to seek for higher office have been met by Sen. Grace Poe, he added.

Last week, lawyer Estrella Elamparo filed a disqualification case against Poe over the senator's supposed failure to satisfy the citizenship and residency requirements for a presidential candidate under the country's laws.

Elamparo, a former counsel for the Government Service Insurance System, said she filed the case in her individual capacity as a registered voter and not for any candidates or group. — with Xianne Arcangel/RSJ, GMA News

Tags: eleksyon2016, franciscotatad, gracepoe