Poe camp says extension granted to file counter-affidavit

Senator Grace Poe's camp said Monday that the Commission on Elections' law department has granted their request for an extension in the filing of a counter-affidavit against the disqualification complaint made against her by defeated senatorial candidate Rizalito David.

“Ten days lang po,” lawyer George Garcia, Poe’s counsel, told GMA News Online when asked how long the extension was.

Poe’s camp submitted their request Monday morning.

But the Comelec has yet to confirm the grant on Poe camp's request.

Poll body spokesperson James Jimenez, in a text message to GMA News Online, said "no decision yet."

The Comelec Law Department earlier issued a subpoena on Poe ordering her, together with her counsel, to appear before it for the preliminary investigation into the case on Tuesday, November 3.

The poll body also ordered Poe to file her counter-affidavit on the case on that day.

In a petition filed before the Comelec on August 17, David sought the disqualification of Poe from her Senate seat over her alleged “material misrepresentation” when she filed her certificate of candidacy for the 2013 senatorial elections.

David claims that Poe is not a natural-born Filipino citizen, and that she misdeclared the number of years of her residency in the Philippines to run for the Senate.

David’s counsel, lawyer Manuelito Luna, said the request was a delaying tactic.

“It’s a dilatory tactic on the part of Sen. Grace Poe,” he said, adding, “As I have expressed a while ago, [it is] better for respondent to participate and to avoid delaying tactics. Because we are ready and the nation is awaiting the results of all these cases.”

Garcia said that they “never intended to delay the proceedings.”

“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,” he said in a press statement. — BM/RSJ, GMA News