Poe asks SC to reverse Comelec's DQ decision

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Grace Poe's camp on Monday morning filed before the Supreme Court petitions to reverse the Commission on Election's decision to disqualify her from the presidential race.

Poe's legal counsel filed two separate petitions for certiorari or judicial review of the disqualification case against the First and Second Divisions of the Comelec five days after the Comelec en banc canceled her certificate for candidacy in the 2016 elections.

Poe is requesting issuance of two temporary restraining orders (TROs) from the high court to halt the implementation of the Comelec's decision to disqualify her.

"The Supreme Court has the sole authority to decide questions of qualification and to uphold with finality the people's right to choose the nation's leader," Poe said.

Poe's lawyer George Garcia said the court may still issue a status quo ante order while the TRO has not yet been issued to meet the Comelec's five-day deadline.

The lawyer said they will also seek for the inhibition of three Supreme Court associate justices—Antonio Carpio, Teresita De Castro and Arturo Brion—who voted to disqualify Poe in the Senate Electoral Tribunal.

The Supreme Court is on recess until January 10 but Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno has the authority to act on urgent cases without holding a session of the justices. — reports from Edu Punay