Topacio files disqualification case vs ‘Koko’

A disqualification case was filed yesterday against Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III who is seeking reelection in next year’s midterm polls, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said.

Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio said he filed the disqualification case against Pimentel as the latter is no longer eligible to seek reelection.

“Senator Pimentel is ineligible to run as such under the two consecutive term limit rule as provided under the 1987 Constitution,” read his nine-page petition.

“Having already served for two consecutive terms as a senator, Pimentel is clearly ineligible to run for the same office as, otherwise, his election would allow him to serve for more than two consecutive terms,” said Topacio.

He was referring to Section 4, Article VI of the 1987 Constitution which states that no senator shall serve for more than two consecutive terms.

But Pimentel branded it as “nuisance” the disqualification case.

The senator expressed confidence that the Comelec would favor his bid for reelection in the senatorial race in May, next year.

Pimentel ran for senator in the 2007 polls and lost the 12th and last place to Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri which prompted him to file an electoral protest against the latter at Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET).

The SET in 2011 later proclaimed Pimentel as the duly-elected senator.

Pimentel again ran for re-election in the 2013 elections and won another six-year term.

Topacio said Pimentel’s Certificate of Candidacy for senator should therefore be denied due course or cancelled due to material misrepresentation on his eligibility. (With a report from Vanne Elaine P. Terrazola)