Comelec junks disqualification case vs Drilon

By Helen Flores (The Philippine Star)
Link: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=570443&publicationSubCategoryId=63

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) junked a disqualification case filed against former Senate president Franklin Drilon, allowing him to pursue his senatorial bid in the May 10 elections.

In a nine-page decision released yesterday, the Comelec’s First Division dismissed for “utter lack of merit” the petition filed by a certain Vladimir Alarique Cabigao seeking Drilon’s disqualification.

“In the instant case, it has been shown that Drilon had a hiatus of three years since his second consecutive term as senator. Consequently, there can be no doubt as to his eligibility to run for a Senate seat in the 2010 national elections,” the resolution, signed by Commissioners Rene Sarmiento, Armando Velasco and Gregorio Larrazabal, stated.

Cabigao alleged that Drilon’s filing of his certificate of candidacy for the 2010 elections is prohibited by the Constitution because he would be eligible to run for the Senate only in the 2013 elections.

Villar’s mere presence already undue pressure

By Jason Faustino (The Daily Tribune)
Link: http://www.tribune.net.ph/

The mere presence of Villar as Senate president in the offices of Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) executives and the regulator Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or personal calls he made to them is already a form of applying undue pressure, a former Senate president said yesterday.

Former Senate President and Liberal Party senatorial bet Franklin Drilon labeled as “excuses” Nacionalista Party (NP) presidential candidate Sen. Manuel “Manny” Villar Jr.’s claim that he indeed made the rounds with the PSE and SEC in 2007 when he was the Senate president but denied pressuring its officials for his or his companies’ gains.

Villar, in denying that he pressured the PSE, admitted that he made calls to the SEC and met with PSE officials, but said he never pressured them.

Drilon said the issue is not about violating laws but is more of a morality and ethical issue on the part of Villar, as well as delicadeza.

Erap says he's for Gibo

By Charlie Lagasca ( The Philippine Star)
Link: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=568107&publicationSubCategoryId=63

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya , Philippines – Former President Joseph Estrada disclosed here over the weekend that if he was not running for president he would vote for administration presidential candidate Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr.

Estrada, presidential bet of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino, cited Teodoro’s brilliance and ability to lead the nation.

“My only edge (over Teodoro) is my popularity and vast experience (in public service) while Gibo has the makings of a great leader,” he said.

He said that he is open to talk with Teodoro for a possible alliance of their camps.

“We are open to talks with Secretary Teodoro if he wants to. Our doors are open to whoever is willing to work with us,” he said.

Palace on Noynoy threat of protests: Bring it on

By Paolo Romero (The Philippine Star)  

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=561048&publicationSubCategoryId=63

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang belittled yesterday the threat of Liberal Party (LP) presidential candidate Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III to lead massive street protests against a Supreme Court (SC) ruling allowing President Arroyo to appoint the next chief justice.

Presidential spokesman Ricardo Saludo also maintained that Mrs. Arroyo would proceed with the appointment of the successor of Chief Justice Reynato Puno, who retires on May 17.

“She will comply with her duty under the Constitution. The Constitution requires that a Supreme Court chief justice should be appointed within 90 days (upon vacancy) and she will do her part, that one is appointed within 90 days,” Saludo told a news briefing.

“We believe that at the end of the day, the great majority of our people and their leaders will comply with the demands of the Constitution as interpreted by the body that is authorized to interpret it, the Supreme Court,” Saludo said.

“The people want to see the Constitution followed,” he said.

Referring to Aquino’s statements, he said “people will say all sorts of things during campaign period to get into the papers.”

Teodoro: GMA should not appoint next chief justice

Link: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=554193&publicationSubCategoryId=63

By Jaime Laude -- Jaime Laude, Helen Flores, Edu Punay (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard-bearer Gilbert Teodoro Jr. says President Arroyo should not name a new chief justice.

Speaking to The STAR editors yesterday, Teodoro said the Supreme Court (SC) can function with just 13 members.

Teodoro pointed out that “if there is no vacancy, there should be no appointment.”

“How could you appoint somebody to a position which is not vacant in the first place?” he asked, adding that the last thing the country needed was another divisive issue so it was better to be prudent.

He said an appointment under such circumstances would also not be good for the appointee, who will always have a cloud of doubt and controversy hanging over him.

The Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) has asked the SC to compel the Judicial and Bar Council to submit to Mrs. Arroyo its shortlist for next chief justice.

The move triggered speculations that the government wants to clear the way for Mrs. Arroyo to name Chief Justice Reynato Puno’s replacement ahead of his May 17 retirement.

Solicitor General Alberto Agra said the JBC does not have the power to defer the submission of its shortlist to the President.

The appointment of a new chief justice is not covered by any election ban, he added.