MANILA -- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has dismissed the disqualification case filed against Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago Wednesday.
Santiago's lawyer Romulo Macalintal said the performance of Santiago as a senator already proves that she is not suffering from a mental incapacity.
“There is no doubt that she can perform the job of a senator...What they are doing is just a form of political harassment because until now, they cannot present any proof of their allegations,” said Macalintal.
Macalintal reiterated that petitions like those filed against Santiago are just a waste of time in the part of the poll body.
The disqualification case was filed by lawyer Nombraan Pangcoga who earlier said that the senator is of "unsound mind."
“Her public appearances prove that what she says is out of place,” said Pangcoga during the hearing on the case at Comelec.
In a press statement, the petitioner filed the case based on following grounds: culpable violation of the constitution, graft and corruption and unexplained wealth, obstruction of apprehension and prosecution of a criminal offense, unparliamentary behavior, and giving unwarranted benefits to her family members.
Pangcoga's camp has also asked the University of Sto. Tomas (UST) Hospital, Psychology and Psychiatric Department for original and certified true copies of Santiago's clinical and medical records. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)