Legitimate questions

Caught in legal battles over her citizenship and residency, independent presidential candi- date Senator Grace Poe accused her fellow candidates in the 2016 polls, Liberal Party (LP) standard bearer Mar Roxas and Vice President Jejomar Binay of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), as being behind the series of petitions to disqualify her. Both parties have denied those claims. So far, she has not presented any evidence to support her accusation.

But even assuming it is true, it is legitimate for a rival candidate to question the qualifications and residency of an opponent. Many have filed similar petitions in the past.

Poe is facing three more cases before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) seeking to disqualify her from running in the next year’s polls.

Roxas pointed out that it was the opposition that was the initial source of Poe’s residency issues, wherein UNA interim president Rep. Toby Tiangco showed a document indicating Poe’s lack of residency in the Philippines.

As for Vice President Binay, he partly said he was also a victim of “malicious prosecution.” UNA vice presidential candidate Gringo Honasan compared Poe’s disqualification case to corruption cases filed against Binay and UNA members. Vice President Binay’s spokesman Mon Ilagan said UNA is not in any position to influence the decisions and rulings of constitutionally mandated institutions.

Prof. Antonio Contreras, one of the petitioners against Senator Poe, denied that any politicos are behind his petition. He dared Poe to prove any of her political opponents are funding his efforts to keep her from running for a higher elective post. Contreras demanded an apology from Poe if she is unable to prove her accusations.

There is no evidence so far that former Justice Prosecutor Estrella Elamparo, Senator Francisco “Kit” Tatad, De La Salle University Prof. Antonio Contreras and former University of the East College of Law dean Amado Valdez are connected with the Roxas, or Binay campaign.

Elamparo categorically denied knowing or talking to any presidential candidate.

Roxas denied the allegations made by Senator Poe’s running mate, Senator Francis Escudero, that Elamparo had links to one of Roxas’ supporters, former Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz. Cruz said he was not con- nected in any way with Elamparo.

Meanwhile, election lawyer Romulo Macalintal said it would be difficult for Poe to get a Comelec en banc reversal of the disqualification decision of the Second Division as it would need only one more vote from the four remaining Comelec commissioners to affirm the disqualification ruling of the said division.

Lawyer Manuelito Luna, who represents Tatad, said the decision is anchored on a substantive jurisdiction. Poe announced she would bring her case to the Supreme Court (SC). Her lawyer, George Garcia, said they will appeal the Second Division’s decision on Dec. 7. But legal experts gave the opinion that the strong dissenting opinion of three SC justices in the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) case, especially those of Senior Associate justices Antonio Carpio and Arturo Brion, would have persuasive influence on the 12 other justices. Moreover, Poe was found to be short of the

residency requirement by the Second Division. Senator Tatad expressed confidence the Comelec First Division will also vote 3-0 to disqualify Poe as

requested by his petition. In his speech before the Filipino community in

Rome, Italy, as part of his four-day visit, President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino Jr. advised some 500 Fili- pinos to carefully choose the right successor who will sustain the gains of his administration. He also took a swipe to all Roxas’ opponents in 2016 polls.

Aquino indicated the possible “revenge” of his critics when he steps down from office in 2016, and is stripped off his immunity from suit. He said he is ready to face possible charges from his critics who were not spared in his administration’s anti-corruption efforts.

City engineer ambushed

The city engineer of San Jose del Monte in Bulacan, Rufino Gravador Jr. was ambushed and shot by two motorcycle-riding men. Although wounded, Gravador managed to drive himself to the St. Mary’s Hospital. Gravador was the whistle-blower in a case filed in the Office of the Ombudsman against San Jose del Monte Mayor Ernest San Pedro and 16 other city officials.

Councilor Florentino Mabras Jr. of Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, who was supposed to retire from politics after his three-year term ends next year, was shot dead.

Hotel owner Henry Lao was found stabbed to death in his house in Barangay Ferdinand, Baguio City.

A 27-year-old woman was found half-naked and raped in her apartment in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

Businessman Gerry Pondevida, 40, was shot dead by an unidentified assailant in Candelaria, Quezon.

Mannan Ankang, barangay chairman of Saluping Proper in Tabuan Lasa town of Basilan province, was gunned down in Basilan, while Barangay Dominga Chairman Antonio Albaran Jr., who was a retired Army colonel, was found dead in Calinan District, Davao City.

Two men were shot dead in Isabela.

Tidbits

Archbishop Florante Soc Villegas said that killing people and adultery is corruption.

Archbishop Oscar Cruz, referring to Duterte, said that “church teachings against killing and adultery were not subject to personal options. Taking justice into one’s hands make one think like God and act like a dictator.”

In the Paris conference on climate change, President Aquino asked for financial assistance.

Only 19,685 tourists came from Italy.

Happy birthday greetings to Dalmacio Lim Sr. of Ozamiz City, who is celebrating his birthday today.