It’s final: SC allows Grace Poe to run for president
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) – It’s final: Independent candidate Sen. Grace Poe can run for president.
The Supreme Court announced on Saturday (April 9) it has “denied with finality” all motions for reconsideration filed by five respondents against its March 8 decision that allowed Poe to run.
“No further pleadings or motions will be entertained,” the SC said in an en banc resolution issued Tuesday (April 5).
The high court said no substantial arguments were presented to reverse its earlier decision.
On March 8, SC reversed the Commission on Elections (Comelec)’s ruling that cancelled Poe's certificate of candidacy over citizenship and residency issues.
Related: Still in the race: Poe grateful for SC's decision
In SC’s final decision, the same nine SC justices voted in favor of Poe’s candidacy:
Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno
Associate Justice Presbiterio Velasco
Associate Justice Diosdado Peralta
Associate Justice Lucas Bersamin
Associate Justice Jose Perez
Associate Justice Jose Mendoza
Associate Justice Marvic Leonen
Associate Justice Francis Jardeleza
Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa
Related: SC: Poe natural born, meets 10-year residency needed for presidential bets
Six voted against:
Associate Justice Antonio Carpio
Associate Justice Teresita Leonardo-De Castro
Associate Justice Arturo Brion
Associate Justice Mariano Del Castillo
Associate Justice Estela Perlas-Bernabe
Associate Justice Bienvenido Reyes
The Supreme Court (SC) in a 9-6 vote on March 8 has ruled in favor of Sen. Grace Poe, allowing her to run for president in the May elections.
Of the 15 justices, three refused to rule on Poe’s citizenship. They are Peralta, Del Castillo and Caguioa.
Related: Binay hits Poe on citizenship
The motions were filed by Atty. Estrella Elamparo, former University of the East law dean Amado Valdez, former Sen. Francisco “Kit” Tatad, Prof. Antonio Contreras and the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Watch: Private respondents to appeal Poe's disqualification
Chief Justice Sereno slams 'noisy minority' justices
There were eight separate opinions – something even Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno described as “very rare.”
In her strongly-worded opinion, Sereno said had the decision been reversed – the court would have authorized the Comelec to continue to play politics.
She also called those justices who voted against the majority decision, a “noisy minority.”
Sereno added it is offensive to the majority’s pride of place that some justices are trying to belittle the decision by saying only seven and not eight declared Poe is a natural-born Filipino.
Her response to them: Seven is a majority in a group of 12 – it’s time to accept this reality.
But Carpio maintained his position that Poe is not a natural-born Filipino.
He again pointed out there’s no ruling by a majority on the citizenship status of Poe and there should be eight justices to get a majority vote.
Related: The dissent: Supreme court associate justice calls Poe a ‘nuisance candidate’
CNN Philippines’ Anjo Alimario contributed to this report.
