Comelec cited the disqualification cases filed by lawyers Ely Pamatong, Evelio Formento and Merelo Estrada as lacking in merit.

This leaves those who opposed for Estrada’s candidacy to seek the Supreme Court and decide with finality the long standing debate as to whether an elected president be allowed to run once again under certain circumstances.

Will this decision of the Comelec opens the door for Fidel Ramos to seek a reelection? Or Mrs. Arroyo runing on 2016?

For a refresher, here’s an article by Inquirer on what happened before Estrada’s ouster.

After nearly six hours of impassioned debate on Jan. 16, 2001, 11 senators voted against the opening of sealed documents that, impeachment prosecutors said, would provide the most damaging evidence against then President Joseph Estrada.

The prosecutors said the documents would prove that Estrada had amassed ill-gotten wealth worth P3.3 billion in a secret account with Equitable PCIBank.

Then Senate President Aquilino Pimentel Jr. announced his resignation shortly after it was announced that “the nays have it.” Some of the nine other senators who voted “yes” broke into tears and hugged each other.

Read the whole article at the Inquirer.

Comelect chairman Jose Melo said that they approved the candidacies of the following to run for President:

• Senators Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III of the Liberal Party (LP)
• Richard Gordon of Bagumbayan
• Ma. Ana Consuelo “Jamby” Madrigal who is running as independent
• Manny Villar of Nacionalista Party (NP)
• Ex-defense chief Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro who is running under Lakas-Kampi-CMD
• Former president Joseph Ejercito “Erap” Estrada of Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP)
• Evangelist Eddie Villanueva
• Olongapo city councilor John Carlos “JC” Delos Reyes of Ang Kapatiran Party

Melo said that as of the moment, Estrada may run his campaign until they decide on the merit of  petition to disqualify him.

For vice president, eight qualified candidates has made it to the list:

• Senators Manuel “Mar” Roxas III of LP
• Loren Legarda of NP
• Former Metro Manila Development Authority chairman Bayani Fernando under Bagumbayan
• Actor Edu Manzano of Lakas-Kampi CMD
• Makati city Mayor Jejomar Binay of PMP
• Former Security and Exchange Commission chairman Perfecto Yasay of Bangon Pilipinas
• Television news anchor Jay Sonza of Kilusang Bagong Lipunan
• Dominador Chipeco of Ang Kapatiran

And here’s the official list of senatorial candidates:

Senatorial candidates

For senator, the Comelec approved 58 out of 158 bets, namely:

1. Nereus Acosta Jr. – LP
2. Sharuff Ibrahim Albani – KBL
3. Zafrullah Alonto – Bangon Pilipinas
4. Ana Theresia Baraquel – LP
5. JV Larion Bautista – PMP
6. Martin Bautista – LP
7. Silvestre Bello III – Lakas-Kampi-CMD
8. Rozzano Rufino Biazon – LP
9. Bong Revilla – Lakas-Kampi-CMD
10. Henry Caunan – PDP-Laban
11. Pia Cayetano – NP
12. Rizalito David – Ang Kapatiran
13. Joey De Venecia – PMP
14. Miriam Defensor Santiago – People’s Reform Party
15. Franklin Drilon – LP
16. Juan Ponce Enrile – PMP
17. Jinggoy Estrada – PMP
18. Ramon Guico – Lakas-Kampi-CMD
19. Teofisto Guingona III – LP
20. Jo Aurea Imbong – Ang Kapatiran
21. Kata Inocencio – Bangon Pilipinas
22. Alexander Lacson – LP
23. Raul Lambino – Lakas-Kampi-CMD
24. Rey Langit – Lakas-Kampi-CMD
25. Yasmin Lao – LP
26. Lito Lapid – Lakas-Kampi-CMD
27. Alma Lood – KBL
28. Apolinario Lozada – PMP
29. Regalado Maambong – KBL
30. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr – NP
31. Liza Maza – Independent
32. Ma Judea Millora – KBL
33. Ramon Mitra – NP
34. Ramoncito Ocampo – Bangon Pilipinas
35. Satur Ocampo – Bayan Muna Party
36. Susan Ople – NP
37. Sergio Osmeña III – Independent
38. Jovito Palparan Jr. – Independent
39. Imelda Papin – KBL
40. Zosimo Paredes – Ang Kapatiran
41. Gwendolyn Pimentel – PDP Laban
42. Rodolfo Plaza – NPC
43. Reynaldo Princesa – Bangon Pilipinas
44. Ariel Querubin – NP
45. Ralph Recto – LP
46. Gilbert Remulla – NP
47. Ma. Gracia Riñoza-Plazo – Ang Kapatiran
48. Sonia Roco – LP
49. Adrian Sison – Ang Kapatiran
50. Vicente Sotto III – NPC
51. Adel Tamano – NP
52. Reginald Tamayo – Ang Kapatiran
53. Hector Tarrazona – Ang Kapatiran
54. Francisco Tatad – Grand Alliance For Democracy/Gabaybayan
55. Alexander Tinsay – Bangon Pilipinas
56. Manuel Valdehuesa Jr. – Ang Kapatiran
57. Hector Villanueva – KBL
58. Israel Virgines – Bangon Pilipinas

I noticed that Sonia Roco was running once more but for senatorial seat. She once tried to run as senator last 2007 election but loose. I do hope she made it now. Her husband, the late senator Raul Roco, is a great senator.

I wonder why senators questions whether PGMA can run for congress but never question Erap’s candidacy for president. A convicted felon?! Where is the virtue? – Laureano Culala, Marikina City, Philippines

Natumbok mo pare! Natawa ako matapos kong basahin itong pangungusap ng ating kababayan. Marami nga naman kasi tayong pulitiko na lantaran ang pamumuna sa administrasyon partikular na kay Pangulong Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Kaliwa’t kanang banat, kandarapa sa kahahabol sa media upang matutukan ng lente ng kamera ang indayog ng dila’t labi na para bang nasa finals sa kompetisyon ng chacha.

Yeah, we do agree that criticism is a healthy part of our democracy. Criticism finds fault and offers improvement to the person subjected. But sometimes, critism is not funny when the sole purpose is for self interest. Dangan kasi mga kapatid, may mga panggap tayong politiko na nasa hanay ng oposisyon na ang habol lamang ay pagpapa-pogi.

Wika ng isa kong kaibigan,

kay Erap walang pogi points. Kay GMA may pogi points.

Wow yan na nga ba eh. Basahin pa natin ang dagdag na komento ng aking kaibigan…

It’s not a matter of correcting what is right but serving self interest through papogi at the expense of gma.

Malapit na eleksyon, makakasiguro pa tayong maraming magpapapogi pa diyan. Kung palarin na manalo ay sitting pretty sa bagong opisina at panigurong muling babanat na lamang bago matapos ang kanyang termino.

May kilala akong ganyang politiko eh, dating congressman na ngayon ay senador na. Pinangunahan pa nga ang makapangyarihang Blue Ribbon Commitee. Bakit kaya nawala sa kanya ang posisyong iyon?

Image by The Bohol Chronicle