Grace Poe's detractors: SC decision not strong

In this Feb. 16, 2016 photo, lawyers Amado Valdez, Manuelito Valdez and Estrella Elamparo prepare ahead of the oral arguments before the Supreme Court on the petition of Sen. Grace Poe against the Commission on Elections' decision to disqualify her from the presidential race. The poll body's earlier decision was based on the lawyers' petitions. SC PIO/Released

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court's decision allowing Sen. Grace Poe to push through with her bid for presidency can still be questioned, one of the petitioners who opposed her candidacy said Tuesday.

Lawyer Manuelito Luna, counsel of former Sen. Francisco "Kit" Tatad, said his camp will file for a motion for reconsideration as the 9-6 vote of the magistrates makes for a decision that is "not very strong."

"Definitely we will file for a motion for reconsideration. While we respect the majority who voted in her favor, we, however, have reservations as to the legal reasoning and the basis of their decision," Luna said in an interview over ANC.

Luna said Tatad has given "very specific instructions" to file for the motion in an attempt to reverse the ruling.

READ: Supreme Court allows Poe to run for president

Lawyer Estrella Elamparo, meanwhile, said she did not expect the ruling.

"Although I've been hearing about this scenario, I am still shocked because the law is so clear," Elamparo said in a text message to Philstar.com.

The Supreme Court has yet to disseminate the ruling announced on Tuesday reversing the Commission on Elections' decision to disqualify Poe from the presidential race. — Rosette Adel and Camille Diola

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