Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The Supreme Court (SC) en banc held a preliminary conference on Thursday (January 14) to tackle the disqualification cases against Sen. Grace Poe.
This was to prepare for the oral arguments on January 19 over Poe’s petition against a Commission on Elections (Comelec) ruling against her presidential run.
The SC asked all parties to refrain from commenting or speaking about the merits of the case in public.
Supporters in the session hall should also refrain from doing anything that could add to the heated arguments.
Poe’s lawyer, George Garcia, was the first one set to speak. He was given 10 minutes.
The four petitioners were given 5 minutes each or a total of 20 minutes.
And then, it was the Solicitor General’s turn.
Poe was set to be present to observe the proceedings but she would not speak.
Members of the media were only allowed to cover the oral arguments from the ground floor of the building where a TV screen was put up.
Garcia said the high bench also gave them a copy of the proposed issues that the court wanted to hear from both parties, particularly on jurisdiction, citizenship and residency.
On the part of petitioner and former Sen. Francisco “Kit” Tatad, he said the preliminary conference started well and ended well.
CNN Philippines’ Ivy Saunar contributed to this report.
