THE camp of presumptive president Ferdinand Marcos Jr. thru his counsel, former solicitor general Estelito Mendoza, on Thursday assailed before the Supreme Court the prayer for the issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO) sought by groups seeking his disqualification from the presidential race.

In a three-page manifestation, Mendoza explained that the implementation of constitutional provisions on the term of office of an elected president “are mandatory and the Supreme Court is without jurisdiction to prevent their implementation.”

Mendoza was referring to Article VII Section 4 of the 1987 Constitution, which stated: “The President and the Vice-President shall be elected by direct vote of the people for a term of six years which shall begin at noon on the thirtieth day of June next following the day of the election and shall end at noon of the same date, six years thereafter…”

“Unless otherwise provided by law, the regular election for President and Vice-President shall be held on the second Monday of May.”

Human rights groups and political detainees have asked the SC to issue a TRO stopping the Senate and House of Representatives from canvassing the votes cast for Marcos in the May 11 elections.

The plea for TRO was their injunctive relief while their main petition challenging the Commission on Elections’ ruling upholding the dismissal of Marcos’ disqualification cases, remains pending adjudication. By HECTOR LAWAS

AUTHOR PROFILE

Hector Lawas