Back

Poe-Llamanzares vs. COMELEC [CONCURRING OPINION, SERENO, CJ]

[G.R. No. 221697] MARY GRACE NATIVIDAD S. POE-LLAMANZARES, Petitioner, -versus- COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS AND ESTRELLA C. ELAMPARO, Respondents, [G.R. Nos. 221698-700] MARY GRACE NATIVIDAD S. POE-LLAMANZARES, Petitioner, -versus- COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, FRANCISCO S. TATAD, ANTONIO P. CONTRERAS AND AMADO D. VALDEZ, Respondents Present: SERENO, C.J., CARPIO, VELASCO, JR., LEONARDO-DE CASTRO, BRION, PERALTA, BERSAMIN, DEL CASTILLO, PEREZ, MENDOZA, REYES, PERLAS-BERNABE, LEONEN, JARDELEZA, CAGUIOA, JJ.

G.R. No. 221697 and G.R. Nos. 221698-700 | 2016-03-08

CONCURRING OPINION

SERENO, CJ:
 

It is important for every Member of this Court to be and to remain professionally indifferent to the outcome of the 2016 presidential election. Whether it turns out to be for a candidate who best represents one's personal aspirations for the country or who raises one's fears, is a future event we mustblindbe to while we sit as magistrates. We are not the electorate, and at this particular juncture of history, our only role is to adjudicate as our unfettered conscience dictates. We have no master but the law, no drumbeater but reason, and in our hearts must lie only the love for truth and for...