(first posted at 3:24pm). On International Women’s Day, the Supreme Court by a vote of 9-6 upheld the right of Senator Grace Poe, foundling, adopted daughter, and heir to the legacy of Philippine pop culture king Fernando Poe Jr., to run for President.

     Poe currently leads the latest presidential surveys by a slim margin, her numbers diminished after the disqualification cases against her remained unresolved for three months.

     The Commission on Elections, composed largely of appointees of President Aquino,  had disqualified the candidacy of Poe on grounds of not meeting the natural-born citizenship requirement and  ten-year residency rule of the Constitution.

    As of press time, the print copies of the SC decision is being reproduced for distribution. The promulgation of the decision granting Poe’s petition is official, as announced by the SC spokesperson a few minutes ago, subject to the usual filing of a motion for reconsideration.     

From the Inquirer at about 5:20pm: “Nine out of 15 justices, led by Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno, voted in favor of Poe.
Aside from Sereno, the other justices who voted in favor of the senator are:

Associate Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr.
Associate Justice Lucas Bersamin
Associate Justice Jose Perez
Associate Justice Jose Mendoza
Associate Justice Marvic Leonen
Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa
Associate Justice Francis Jardeleza
Associate Justice Diosdado Peralta
Meanwhile, those who voted to disqualify Poe are the following:
Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio
Associate Justice Teresita Leonardo De Castro
Associate Justice Arturo Brion
Associate Justice Mariano Del Castillo
Associate Justice Bienvenido Reyes
Associate Justice Estela Perlas-Bernabe”