October 23, 2013 5:38 am
Manila, Philippines UTC +08:00
By Rey E. Requejo | Posted 6 hours ago | 481 views 4
The Supreme Court
upheld on Tuesday its decision to disqualify Marinduque Rep. Regina
Ongsiako-Reyes because of her American citizenship, but the incumbent lawmaker
said the high court’s decision was suspect because the matter is already
pending before a congressional electoral tribunal.
Voting 5-4 in its
entirety, the high court decided to deny Reyes’ appeal and uphold its ruling
last June to cancel her certificate of candidacy because she failed to renounce
her American citizenship as required of candidates with dual citizenship.
But Reyes, who
was declared winner of Marinduque’s congressional seat in the last May 13
election, said the timing of the ruling was suspect.
“It was
expected,” Reyes said, adding that the court issued a ruling although she had
already withdrawn her motion for reconsideration.
“It is clear by
law that (the case) is already in the jurisdiction of the (House of
Representatives Electoral Tribunal),” Reyes said. “We will stick to the HRET to
defend my case.”
“We are
collectively defending this case, I am thankful with the House leadership for
their collective stand,” she added.
In its decision,
the SC ruled that Reyes failed to present any legal and factual basis to
support her argument that while she gained US citizenship after marrying an
American citizen, she had not yet undergone naturalization in the US.
Associate Justice
Jose Perez wrote the decision with Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno and Associate
Justices Teresita Leonardo De Castro, Roberto Abad and Bienvenido Reyes concurring.
Associate Justice
Arturo Brion, on the other hand, dissented along with Senior Associate Justice
Antonio Carpio and Associate Justices Martin Villarama and Marvic Leonen.
Copies decision
and dissenting opinion were not yet released by the SC as of press time.
Associate Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr. inhibited because
his son Lord Allan was the opponent of Reyes in the poll. Associate Justices
Diosdado Peralta, Lucas Bersamin, Jose Mendoza and Perlas-Bernabe took no part
in the proceedings since they are members of the HRET.
With Maricel V. Cruz
