Los Angeles—Several Filipino-American leaders on Thursday rallied behind presidential front-runner Senator Grace Poe following the Commission on Election’s Second Division decision disqualifying her in the forthcoming 2016 presidential elections.
In a statement of support, The Grace Poe for President Movement- North America led by Lino Caringal Jr., Arturo Garcia and Larry Pelayo stressed that the Comelec is doing a great disservice to democracy, not only to Senator Grace Poe but also to the 20-million Filipinos who voted for her in 2013, as well as the millions of Filipinos residing in the Philippines and overseas.
By adopting the “politics of exclusion,” the Comelec has arrogated unto itself the power to disenfranchise a candidate who has already been voted upon by the people.
“We will appeal her case up to the Supreme Court if necessary and make sure that the people are not deprived of their sovereign right to choose their own president on a mere technicality,” said Caringal, a former Navy Captain and the president elect of the Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA.
He added that the essential part of an “ideal” representative democracy is competitive elections that are fair under an atmosphere of freedom of political expression, freedom of speech, and freedom of the press that allow eligible citizens to be adequately informed and able to vote according to their own interests.
JFAV National Coordinator Arturo Garcia said, “We call on Senator Grace Poe to remain steadfast and fight for the inherent and fundamental right of every sovereign Filipino to choose their leader. The fight for presidency goes on. Our determination has been made stronger by blow after blow of legal maneuverings her opponents resort to, to get her out of the race even before the official campaign period begins.
“We are saddened that the political contest for the presidency in our motherland has deteriorated to a point when all front-running opposition and independent candidates are subjected to vicious demolition projects as if those in power are the only ones with the franchise to hold on to political power.