EDITORIAL - Resolve this case ASAP

The leaders of Congress aren’t the only ones asking the question: where is the sense of urgency? The question is directed at the Supreme Court, which seems bent on taking its usual sweet time in resolving a case where time is of utmost importance: the disqualification cases against presidential candidate Grace Poe.

Already printing of ballots has been put off several times, and the nation knows the reason: the Commission on Elections wants to make sure, and for good reason, that all candidates, at least for president, who are included in the ballot will not be disqualified later by a final ruling from the high tribunal.

In some other countries, marathon hearings would be held because of the importance of the time element and the issues at stake. But this is the Philippines, where the wheels of justice can’t seem to move beyond glacial pace, regardless of the consequences to national stability.

The arguments about Poe’s qualifications have been extensively argued. For her Senate seat, there was the Senate Electoral Tribunal, where all her peers in the legislature decided in her favor against all three SC justices who are part of the SET. For her presidential bid, the issues were presented before all divisions of the Commission on Elections, which disqualified her from the race.

Despite that Comelec ruling, the possibility that the SC might reverse it may compel the poll body to include Poe’s name in the ballot once printing starts. What happens if the SC sustains her disqualification much later can only spell trouble for the electoral process.

And yet oral arguments before the SC are set for next week yet. Failure to resolve this case quickly is unfair to all the presidential contenders. The uncertainty could cost Poe votes even if her name is included in the ballot. If her name is on the ballot and she loses with the disqualification cases unresolved, the number of votes cast in her favor would raise questions about the winner’s mandate.

Some things are worth losing sleep over and working triple time. This case must be resolved ASAP. The Supreme Court should rise to the occasion and do its part in promoting orderly, peaceful elections.