(Eagle News) — Voting 9-6, the Supreme Court has allowed Senator Grace Poe to run for president, reversing an earlier ruling of the Commission on Elections which disqualified her from the presidential race.
The justices who voted to grant Poe’s petitions seeking the reversal of the Comelec’s resolutions were: Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, Associate Justices Velasco, Peralta, Bersamin, Perez, Mendoza, Leonen, Jardeleza and Caguioa.
The six who voted to deny the petitions are Senior Associate Justice Carpio, Associate Justices Leonardo-De Castro, Brion, Del Castillo, Reyes, and Perlas-Bernabe.
Poe and her supporters were at the Supreme Court grounds when the high court’s ruling was handed down.
Poe thanked the Supreme Court for the ruling saying it was a triumph for justice and truth.
She said that that there was now a chance for true change
Poe also wholeheardtedly thanked all Filipinos who supported her, and who did not lose faith in her.
Poe also said that the ruling which was issued on International Women’s Day (March 8) was very significiant since it was a triumph not only for the oppressed, but a triumph for women as well.
The Comelec’s en banc December 23 ruling upheld the First and Second divisions’ rulings disqualifying Poe from the presidential election.
The Comelec en banc voted 5-2 to uphold the First Division’s decision on the petitions filed by former University of the East law dean Amado Valdez, De La Salle University political science professor Antonio Contreras, lawyer Estrella Elamparo, and former senator Francisco Tatad.
The en banc, meanwhile, voted 5-1-1 to uphold the decision of the Second Division on Elamparo’s petition.
The Supreme Court has since issued a temporary restraining order on Poe’s disqualification. It then set oral arguments on the issue.
Comelec earlier started the printing of the ballots with Poe’s name on it, and aims to finish printing some 57 million ballots by April 25. It has allotted 14 days to reprint rejected ballots and maintain printing machines.