By Ferdinand Patinio (PNA)
MANILA — A second disqualification case was filed against Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III before the Commission on Election (Comelec) on Thursday.
In his eight-page petition, former Biliran Rep. Glenn Chong asked the poll body to bar Pimentel from seeking re-election in the May 2019 mid-term elections, saying the senator already served the term limits of the office he is running for as provided in the Constitution.
He cited Section 4 of Article 6 of the 1987 Charter, which states that: “The term of office of senators shall only be six years and shall commence, unless otherwise provided by law, at noon on the 30th day of June next following their election. No senator shall serve for more than two consecutive terms.”
“This is not an attack on his person. I am saddened that Senator Pimentel, being a lawyer and legislator, is unmindful of the term limits set by the Constitution. His filing of his Certificate of Candidacy (COC), while in clear violation of this provision, is unconstitutional, illegal and highly immoral,” Chong said in a statement.
He also cited records from the Philippine Senate, noting that Pimentel was elected as Senator in the 2007 and 2013 elections.
“Clearly showing that he had served for two consecutive terms,” the petitioner added.
Pimentel assumed the Senate post in 2011 when the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) declared him as the winner in his election protest against Senator Miguel Zubiri.
“I am confident that the Comelec will be cognizant of the fact that Senator Pimentel is liable under Rule 25 of the Comelec. While the number of terms is not required to be stated in the COC, it can be a ground for a petition for disqualification,” Chong added.
Last month, lawyer Ferdinand Topacio filed a similar disqualification case against the senator.
