The SC on Thursday started the oral arguments for the three disqualification cases against Poe, with deliberations which lasted into the night focusing on whether it has jurisdiction over the disqualification cases on candidates for president and vice president.

"The Supreme Court seems to be concerned with the jurisdiction issue and that would mean they would have to decide later on, not now during the elections," Guingona said.

Poe’s lawyer, Estelito Mendoza, presented to the SC a similar argument, claiming that the SC only has jurisdiction over a disqualification case against a formally elected and proclaimed President or Vice President.

"That’s the whole point of the respondent’s counsel when he raised the jurisdiction issue. He said the Supreme Court has jurisdiction over this when there is a formal proclamation," Guingona said.

Guingona also dismissed fears that an SC decision after the elections would spell more political instability for the country.

"After the elections, we will already know the results. There will be less pressure on the Supreme Court," Guingona said.

He made it clear, however, that he remains nonpartisan, not an opposition leader, though he admitted he is being invited to join the opposition party Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP) as an adviser.

"There has been an invitation by FPJ. Talks are going on, but nothing definite, nothing formal. Maybe in a few weeks. It’s not dependent on the Supreme Court decision," Guingona said.

"What I’m really concerned with is the day-today problems to be addressed by the leaders. Because as we approach the elections, the day-to-day problems could be sidetracked," he added.