VOL. XXIX NO. 314 3 Sections 32 Pages P18 WEDNESDay : DECEMBER 23, 2015 www.thestandard.com.ph editorial@thestandard.com.ph
Binay bounces back in survey
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entire comelec disqualifies poe By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan
THE Commission on Elections en banc on Tuesday disqualified Senator Grace Poe from running for president in 2016 on the grounds that she is not a natural-born citizen and that she did not meet the 10-year residency requirement for the post. Ruling on a motion for reconsideration filed by Poe, the commissioners voted Tuesday night to uphold the decisions of the First Division 5-2, and Second Division 5-1 to disqualify the senator, a source said. A spokesman for Poe said they would appeal the decision before the Supreme Court. Poe faced four disqualification cases, with the Second Division ruling on the complaint filed by lawyer Estrella Elamparo, and the First Division on the petitions filed by former senator Francisco Tatad, Dela Salle University professor Antonio Contreras, and University of the East Law Dean Amado Valdez. In a phone interview, Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista said some commissioners had leaked the decision, which was supposed to be announced Wednesday, but acknowledged the decision was “likely” to deny Poe’s motions for reconsideration. “Some of the commissioners have leaked the decision. It’s true there was a vote, but the decision has not been promulgated,” Bautista said in Filipino. Asked if it was correct to say that the Comelec denied Poe’s motion, Bautista said: “That was the vote a while ago.” He said he would answer all questions about the decision when he announced it Wednesday. Next page
Only four new faces make it in Senate poll By Joyce Pangco Pañares ONLY four new faces—boxing icon Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao, former Justice secretary Leila de Lima, former Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel, and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez—made it to the top 12 senatorial bets for the 2016 polls, the latest survey commissioned by The Standard shows. The Standard Poll of 1,500 respondents from Dec. 4 to 12, showed reelectionist Senator Vicente Sotto III at the top spot with 57 percent. Former Senator Francis Pangilinan placed second at 48 percent, followed by Senate President Franklin Drilon (47 percent), former Senator Panfilo Lacson (46 percent) and former Senator Ralph Recto (44 percent). Next page