TheDecisioninthecaseofMaryGraceNatividadS.PoeLLamanzaresvs.COMELEC,EtAl,(G.R.

Nos.221697700)waspromulgatedlastMarch8,2016amidstmuchdebate,controversy,andpublicity.
ThedecisionitselfwaspromulgatedbythedividedSupremeCourtwithstrongconcurringanddissenting
opinionsfromindividualmagistratesoftheHighCourt.
The IBP Board of Governors, in view of the explosion of opinions, views and speculation in
traditional and social media, has deemed it the better part of prudence to address basic questions
relatingtothesaidDecisionsothatwhatappearstoberampantconfusionregardingthesamemaybe
clarified.
Whatbasicdispositioncanbeinferredfromthesaiddecision?Thebasicresolutionissuedby
theSupremeCourtinthesaiddecisionisthattheCOMELECexceededitsjurisdictionandactedingrave
abuseofdiscretioninorderingthecancellationoftheCertificateofCandidacyofthepetitionerbecause
theCOMELEChasnojurisdictiontoruleonthequalificationsofacandidateforPresidentoftheRepublic
ofthePhilippines.
Did the decision settle the matter on whether or not Mary Grace Natividad S. Poe
LLamanzares is a natural born citizen and whether or not she satisfied the residency requirement
underthelaw?No,itdidnot.Whilethedecisionappearstohaverenderedanopinionontheissueof
whether or not she is a natural born citizen as well as whether or not she satisfied the ten (10) year
residencyrequirementtorunforthepresidency,itshouldbeemphasizedthatthedispositiveportionof
the Decision merely orders the reversal of the Resolutions of the COMELEC granting the petitions to
disqualify her and cancelling her certificate of candidacy and denying her motions for reconsideration
andstatesthatsheisqualifiedtobeacandidateforPresidentintheNationalandLocalElectionsofMay
9,2016.
The decision itself clearly cites that Article VI, Section 17, and Article VII Section 4, of the
Constitutionliststhetribunalsthathavejurisdictiontodeterminequestionsonthequalificationsofthe
President,VicePresident,Senators,andMembersoftheHouseofRepresentatives.
In other words, the decision emphasizes that only such electoral tribunals can rule on the
subject qualifications of candidates for these national positions. Thus, until brought before the said
tribunals,intheproperproceedings,theissueofthequalificationsofpresidentialcandidates,including
MaryGraceNatividadS.PoeLLamanzares,willremainunsettled.
When will these issues be finally settled? Based on the decision of the Supreme Court, it is
apparently necessary, for the qualifications of Mary Grace Natividad S. PoeLLamanzares for the
position of President of the Republic of the Philippines to be determined with finality, that she MUST
FIRST WIN in the May 9, 2016 Elections and someone MUST file the proper election protest or quo
warrantocaseagainstherwiththeSupremeCourtenbanc,sittingasthePresidentialElectoralTribunal,
forthistribunaltoruleonthismatterwithauthority,withjurisdiction,andWITHFINALITY.