|
By Jomar Canlas, Reporter
CHIEF Justice Reynato Puno on
Wednesday assured the public the case of Genuine Opposition
senatorial candidate Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel 3rd would be given
“preferential attention” once it reaches the Supreme Court.
Pimentel, who is clinging to 12th
place in the senatorial contest, wants the Commission on Elections
to stop canvassing the votes from Maguindanao, which he claims is
tainted with fraud.
Speaking at the Quijano de Manila
Press Forum at the Cherry Blossoms Hotel in Manila, Puno said that
after the Supreme Court receives the petition of Pimentel it would
hold a raffle to determine which justice would draft the decision
for the case.
Puno said the case involves
public interest since it involves the 12th and final Senate seat.
He said time is of the essence
and promised to immediately resolve the case.
Pimentel is also questioning the
trip to General Santos City of a three-man Comelec panel headed by
Chairman Benjamin Abalos for a meeting with Maguindanao election
officials.
He said he brought his case to
the Supreme Court because he doubts the authenticity of whatever
election documents the Comelec team would gather.
In the last tally of the Comelec,
Pimentel is leading Team Unity’s Miguel Zubiri by more than
111,000. The tally does not include the votes from Maguindanao.
|
