Poe camp asks Comelec for extension to answer disqualification case

The camp of Senator Grace Poe on Monday asked for an extension to file a counter-affidavit on the disqualification case filed against her by defeated senatorial candidate Rizalito David. 

“Due to numerous cases of equal importance that need immediate attention and pleading preparations, we decided (with the conformity of client) to request the Commission on Elections law department for extension of time to file [our] counter affidavit,” lawyer George Garcia, Poe's legal counsel, said in a press statement.

He said the request was “never intended to delay the proceedings but solely for the purpose for which the same was made.”

“We were informed by the hearing officer that a 10-day extension period will be granted from Nov 3 to Nov 13,” he added.

In a text message to GMA News Online, Garcia said they filed the request Monday morning.

The Comelec law department issued the summon two weeks ago. Poe is seeking the presidency in next year's national elections. 

David, who also filed his certificate of candidacy for president, questioned Poe’s senatorial candidacy before the Comelec on the grounds of misrepresentation.

He also questioned the declarations Poe made in her certificate of candidacy for senator, in which she said she was a resident of the Philippines for six years and six months before the May 13, 2013 elections; a natural-born Filipino citizen; and eligible for the office she sought.

David also filed with the Senate Electoral Tribunal a petition seeking the qualification of Poe. — Amita Legaspi/RSJ, GMA News