MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court (SC) has reportedly given President Duterte 10 days to comment on the quo warranto petition filed against him by lawyer Elly Pamatong.
Pamatong earlier alleged that since Duterte filed a void certificate of candidacy (COC) for the 2016 presidential elections, he has usurped the powers of the Chief Executive.
Last June 6, Pamatong filed what he called a quo warranto petition questioning Duterte’s constitutional authority to represent the government in any capacity because his COC was filed late and was not approved by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
“Is (Duterte the) legitimate President of the Philippines? No, because (he) failed to obtain a Comelec-approved COC when he ran for the presidency,” Pamatong said.
The Comelec in December 2015 accepted Duterte’s candidacy as a substitute for then anti-crime advocate and now Department of the Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Martin Diño.
“If at all, Duterte is a usurper using his usurped powers to commit mass murder and violate any law to suit his interest,” Pamatong added.
Duterte will answer the quo warranto petition filed by Pamatong.
“We will respond as ordered,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said last night. – With Christina Mendez