Petitioners can’t ‘stop’ Congress from performing constitutional duty
NO less than opposition Senator Franklin Drilon insisted yesterday that petitioners cannot stop the official canvassing of Congress, which is due to start this May 24, 2022.
Drilon explained this amid rumors that some sectors will stop the Congress as the National Board of Canvasser for President and Vice President in the last May 9, 2022 elections.
According to Drilon, the prayer for a restraining order to proclaim the right winner for president and vice president in the last election is unstoppable.
The reaction of Drilon came after the prayer for a restraining order that was contained in the petition to reverse the decision of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), dismissing the bid to cancel Marcos’ certificate of candidacy (COC) was forwarded to the Supreme Court (SC) by the petitioners.
But Drilon further said that the injunctive relief sought was clearly stated as urgent and that the petitioners respectfully ask the Highest Court to act swiftly on the matter.
Both the Senate and the House will convene this coming May 24 to canvass the votes for the President and the Vice President.
Based on tradition, both Houses will proclaim the winner at the House of Representatives with participation from the members of the Lower and Upper chambers.
The Senate received at least 88.44% of the 173 COCs as of May 19.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III, who also fought for the vice presidency expressed his belief that this move to stop Congress will be futile.
Sotto expressed optimism that not even the Highest Tribunal will stop the will of the people who have spoken in the last election.
Former senator and presumptive President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. and Davao City Mayor and presumptive Vice President Sara Duterte will take their oath as scheduled, and no holdovers will ever happen. By Camille P. Balagtas Sarmiento
