Comelec disqualifies Poe from presidential race

MANILA, Philippines – Sen. Grace Poe is out of the presidential race as the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday canceled her candidacy.

“...(T)he Certificate of Candidacy for President of the Republic of the Philippines in the May 9, 2016 National and Local Elections filed by respondent Mary Grace Natividad Sonora Poe Llamanzares is hereby canceled,” the Comelec decision read.

The Comelec ruled on one of the four disqualification cases against Poe filed by lawyer Estrella Elamparo, accusing her of failing to meet the 10-year residency requirement mandated by the Constitution for a presidential candidate. 

The decision was signed by Presiding Commissioner Al Parreno, Commissioners Arthur Lim and Sheriff Abas.

“We would have wanted to declare the respondent eligible to seek the highest position in the land within the gift of our people. After all, she is not only popular, she is, potentially a good leader. However, it is our bounden duty to resolve this case by applying the Constitution, law, jurisprudence and none other,” the ruling read.

Poe faces three other disqualification cases filed by former Sen. Francisco Tatad, De La Salle University Professor Antonio Contreras and former University of the East Law Dean Amado Valdez

Poe’s supposed running mate, Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero, said Poe's camp will file a motion for reconsideration before the Comelec en banc session.