MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court on Tuesday is set to discuss procedural and substantive issues as it holds the oral arguments on the disqualification cases against presidential aspirant Sen. Grace Poe.
Justice Marvic Leonen said that the oral arguments will not cover anything political but will focus on legal and technical issues only.
Poe, a representative of the Commission on Elections and Solicitor General Florin Hilbay will be given 10 minites each to present their arguments. Private respondents Estrella Elamparo, former Sen. Francisco "Kit" Tatad, De La Salle University Prof. Antonio Contreras and University of the East Law Dean Amado Valdez were given a total of 20 minutes for their arguments.
The parties were ordered to limit their presentation on procedural issues such as whether the Comelec has jurisdiction over the petitions of Elamparo, Valdez, Contreras and Tatad to bar Poe from the presidential race.
The parties may also discuss whether the Comelec rules and procedures on canceling a certificate of candidacy violates the Constitution and whether the poll body is precluded from determining if Poe is a natural-born Filipino citizen.
It will also be discussed if the Comelec usurped the jurisdiction of the Presidential Electoral Tribunal when it ruled on Poe's eligibility to run for president.
Substantive issues on Poe's citizenship and residency will also be discussed.
The arguments will also dwell on whether Poe committed material misrepresentation when she stated in her COC that she is a natural-born Filipino citizen and that her period of residency up to the day before the May 9 election is 10 years and 11 months.
"Other issues raised in the pleadings but are not covered by the oral arguments shall be discussed by the parties in their written memorandum," the SC said in an advisory.
On its January 12 session, SC en banc recently decided to consolidate the cases against Poe. The high court also ruled to confirm the issuance of the temporary restraining orders against the Comelec ruling to cancel Poe's certificate of candidacy for president.
LIVE: Oral arguments on Poe vs Comelec