MANILA, Philippines – Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri’s resignation does not automatically implied that his strongest rival for the 12th slot in the 2007 election which was Atty. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel would be setting his chair in the senate, thus legal experts says.
2007 Senatorial Race election had been tight which led to doubts and to queries if whose names were to be included in the 12 available sits.
In connection to that, Koko Pimentel had filed an electoral protest in line to the alleged election fraud.
Furthermore, even Justice Secretary Leila de Lima who had acted to be Pimentel’s lawyer in his election protest had agreed to the statement of her co-legal experts.
At the same time, Pimentel had also admitted that a process should be followed for him if ever to occupy the last slot. The election protest that he had filed must be resolved first against Zubiri. The mentioned protest is currently in the Senate Electoral Tribunal.
In a text message, Justice Secretary De Lima mentioned that Zubiri’s resignation instead of ending the issues in the electoral fraud in 2007 had added more reasons to quest the truth through more investigation.
In connection to the growing alarm and issue regarding the election fraud, a plan to create a joint committee which will conduct deeper investigation is being eyed which will be composed of the Department of Justice and the Commission of Elections.
Zubiri’s resignation is the first case in the Philippine Senate, which had drawn people with mixed reactions to his act.
He had announced his resignation on Wednesday with several unforgettable lines such as “I quit but I am no cheat.”
His decision do not end his political career, instead he said that he will be running again on 2013 to start a fresh mandate.