Comelec's Lim 'mourns' over SC decision allowing Poe's presidential run

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) Poll body commissioner Arthur Lim

deplored the Supreme Court (SC) ruling on Tuesday (March 8) allowing Sen.
Grace Poe to run for the coming presidential elections.
Lim, along with other members of the Commission on Elections (Comelec),
faced the media a few hours after the high court announced its decision
reversing the poll body's ruling to disqualify Poe from the 2016 race.
"This is a day of sadness, not for the Comelec, not even for the Supreme Court
but for Philippine democracy and the rule of law," Lim said.
Related: Petitioners slam SC ruling on Grace Poe case
Lim, together with Commissioner Rowena Guanzon, represented Comelec in
the SC oral arguments over Poe's disqualification cases.
Related: Poe grateful for Supreme Court decision
He, however, congratulated Poe but added that her victory hopefully would not
mean "Goodbye, rule of law."
Related: Arthur Lim on SC decision

Heaving a sigh of relief

Senate President Franklin Drilon of the administration's Liberal Party (LP) was
in Cagayan de Oro when news about Poe's case broke out.
"I am glad that the SC has already ruled with the issue", Drilon told local
reporters.
He said that he had also made earlier pleas to the SC to decide on the matter at
the soonest time possible so the people would know who were really running for
the highest office in the land.

"I am relieved with it so that we can proceed with the election and choose the
best leader that our country needs," Drilon said.
Meanwhile, the administration's vice presidential bet also aired similar
sentiments and said she hoped everyone would respect the SC decision.
Robredo said that it was time to move on and focus on more important issues,
like the platform of government that each candidate offered.
CNN Philippines' JC Gotinga and Cagayan de Oro City-based Alwen Sariling
contributed to this report.