By Abigail KwokINQUIRER.net
First Posted 14:58:00 12/16/2009
Filed Under: Eleksyon 2010, Elections, Politics, Joseph Estrada
Original Story: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/topstories/topstories/view/20091216-242355/Estrada-to-answer-disqualification-casesspokesperson
MANILA, Philippines – Former president Joseph Estrada will answer pending disqualification cases against him Wednesday before the Commission on Elections, his spokesperson said.
Margaux Salcedo told the weekly Fernandina Forum that Estrada's lawyers would file the response to the disqualification cases within the day.
She said that one of the arguments included in Estrada's response was the argument that Estrada's bid for the presidency was "unconstitutional" because this violated Article VII, Section 4 of the 1987 Constitution.
The provision states, "The president shall not be eligible for any re-election. No person who has succeeded as president and has served as such for more than four years shall be qualified for elections."
But Salcedo argued that Estrada only served as president for more than two years, from 1998 up to his ouster in 2001.
She said that the provision could be applicable to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who is seeking a congressional seat in Pampanga.
Salcedo said that the Comelec's inclusion of Estrada's name in the list of candidates for 2010 was "expected."
"We were expecting that the decision was not to name Estrada as a nuisance candidate," she said, adding that the Comelec decision would boost the ratings of Estrada.
"Many people are uncertain if Estrada's running and we feel that the Comelec decision will boost his ratings," she added.
Original Story: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/topstories/topstories/view/20091216-242355/Estrada-to-answer-disqualification-casesspokesperson
No comments:
Post a Comment