TARLAC CITY – Nacionalista Party (NP) standard-bearer Sen. Manny Villar reiterated his strong opposition to the Supreme Court (SC) decision that upheld the right of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to appoint the successor of incumbent Chief Justice Reynato Puno who is set to retire on May 17, 2010. He added that the NP will file a petition on Monday, asking the SC to reconsider the decision that sparked protests from different sectors.

Villar said his two senatorial bets – Atty. Adel Tamano and Gilbert Remulla – will file the petition on Monday (March 22) before the High Tribunal, saying the SC may have erred in their decision about the appointment of Puno's successor.

Atty. Tamano noted that the position of the Chief Justice is not a simple matter, saying that next Chief Justice will have a crucial role in the upcoming May, 2010 national elections.

Both Villar and his runningmate Sen. Loren Legarda shared Tamano's opinion on the ground that in case of a failure of elections in May, the next Chief Justice will be a big factor to stabilize the situation.

“Appointing a Chief Justice is not like designating a judge. It’s not as simple as that. Chief Justice is a very important position, especially now that we're about to hold a very crucial election, Tamano said.

Tamano added that with their appeal, he hopes the SC will reconsider their earlier decision which was considered by many legal luminaries, including some senators and congressmen, as a deeply flawed ruling.

Legarda, however, said she hopes that automated elections will not turn to what we all fear – massive fraud that will result in election failure. “Let us just pray and hope that everything will lead to a peaceful exercise of our right to choose the next leaders of our country," Legarda told reporters.

Meanwhile, Villar deplored the threat of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to disqualify him for the May, 2010 polls unless he removes his posters which the poll body described as oversized posters.

The NP standard-bearer expressed wonder why the Comelec is threatening him with disqualification, saying he had already removed his big posters even before the start of the campaign period on February 9.

“Sa akin halos wala nang natirang billboard ko sa buong Pilipinas at tinatanggal, kaya ako’y masama ang loob kung bakit nangyari iyon,” said Villar. (“For me, I have no more billboards left that's why I am surprised why they still threaten me with disqualification.”)

Villar was disgusted why the poll body is targeting him when his close opponent, LP standard-bearer Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino and his running mate Sen. Mar Roxas have so many oversized posters and billboards in Tarlac.

"It’s really unfair," said Villar.