MANILA, Nov. 16 (PNA) — The head of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) First Division, Commissioner Christian Robert Lim, is expecting the camp of Senator Grace Poe to submit this week her counter-affidavit on the disqualification cases filed against her.
In a press briefing, the poll body commissioner said he has requested the Clerk of the Commission to summon the lawmaker and answer the cases filed by former Senator Francisco Tatad and Professor Antonio Contreras, which was raffled to the First Division.
“Last week I requested the Clerk of the Commission to issue summons to the cases filed by former Senator Tatad and Mr. Contreras,” he said.
Lim added, “So we are awaiting the filing of the answer by Senator Poe. Last week, they are required to submit, I think, an answer within five days. So maybe within this week.”
But, he noted that since there are several holidays this week due to the holding of the Asia-Pacific Economic Conference (APEC) Summit, they might move the submission of her answer until next week.
Earlier, former Senator Tatad filed a petition seeking to disqualify Poe while the De La Salle University (DLSU) professor asked the Comelec to cancel her certificate of candidacy for the presidential post.
Asked if the decision of the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) might have an effect on the said cases, Lim said, “Well that really goes into the heart of the resolution of the case. I cannot say also for my co-division how they will appreciate the SET decision. Hindi ko masasabi. Siguro sa amin we will read the decision.”
He added, “It may have persuasive effect.”
The SET is set to decide on Tuesday on the disqualification case against Poe filed by 2013 losing senatorial candidate Rizalito David in connection with the former’s candidacy in the 2013 midterm polls.
Aside from Lim, the other members of the First Division are Commissioners Rowena Guanzon and Luie Guia. (PNA)