High court will rule on lawsuit on new governor

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO» Puerto Rico’s Supreme Court on Monday agreed to rule on a lawsuit that the island’s Senate filed in a bid to oust a veteran politician recently sworn in as the island’s governor.

The court gave all parties until Tuesday at noon to file all necessary paperwork, noting that no extensions will be awarded.

The lawsuit seeks a preliminary injunction ordering Pedro Pierluisi to cease his functions immediately and also asks that the court declare unconstitutional a 2005 law that says a secretary of state does not have to be approved by both the House and Senate if he or she has to step in as governor.

“I want to put an end to this, but I want to do it correctly,” Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz said during a special session in which he stated he would let the court decide the outcome, adding that Pierluisi only had five of 15 votes needed from the Senate for his earlier nomination as secretary of state.

It is unclear how quickly the Supreme Court might rule or whether it would hold a hearing or simply issue a written opinion. The announcement comes as Puerto Ricans who successfully ousted the previous governor from office following nearly two weeks of protests await yet another twist in what is a deepening constitutional crisis.

Aurea Costa, a 48-year-old cook from the northern town of Caguas, said she supports Pierluisi as governor.

“They should give him a chance to do something for the island,” she said, adding that people will not tolerate more government corruption. “The people will go out and protest.”

If the court finds in favor of the Senate, Justice Secretary Wanda Vázquez would become governor, constitutional attorney Carlos Ramos said, adding that it’s unclear whether Pierluisi could remain as secretary of state or whether he would be stripped of all positions.

Pierluisi was named secretary of state, the next in line to be governor, in a recess appointment last week.