Grace Poe camp to ask Comelec to consolidate two pending appeals

The camp of Sen. Grace Poe on Wednesday said it will be asking the Commission on Elections en banc to consolidate the two motions for reconsideration seeking to reverse two division decisions cancelling her certificate of candidacy for president.

In an interview after filing their second appeal before the en banc, Poe's legal counsel George Garcia said they will file a motion to consolidate on Thursday.

"Hindi lang isinabay dito sa pag-file ng motion, pero bukas na bukas po, magfa-file kami ng mosyon na pagsamahin ang dalawang motion for reconsideration," he told reporters. "Isipin n'yo naman po ang kalagayan namin. Parang kawawang-kawawa naman po ang kalagayan namin: Dini-disqualify na nga kami, hindi pa maayos 'yung procedure."

He added: "Dapat po kino-consolidate dahil mangangahulugan na dalawang beses kaming pupunta sa Supreme Court kung sakaling hindi kami manalo sa en banc. Halimbawa po, makakuha kami ng TRO (temporary restraining order) sa una, ibig sabihin, kailangan kumuha kami na naman ng TRO para sa isa... Dapat po siguro pagsamahin na ang dalawang motion for reconsideration dahil nai-file na namin ngayon at wala nang makakapigil na pagsamahin ito."

Earlier, the Comelec Second Division -- which ruled to cancel Poe's COC for material misrepresentation on her residency -- junked Poe's motion to consolidate the petition filed by lawyer Estrella Elamparo with those of former Sen. Francisco Tatad, political science professor Antonio Contreras, and University of the East Law dean Amado Valdez, which were all raffled off to the First Division.

The First Division also did not consolidate the three petitions before it, but collectively granted them in one resolution.

On Tuesday, Comelec chair Andres Bautista said the two cases will not be consolidated.

The en banc met for the third time on Wednesday to discuss election-related matters, including Poe's cases, but has failed to vote on it during the said meetings.

In an interview after Wednesday's en banc meeting, Commissioner Rowena Guanzon said they have yet to reach a decision, though she already cast her vote. — RSJ, GMA News