MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – In Japan, elected political leaders –prime ministers  included — step down when they cause an embarrassment to their country. In the Philippines, appointed government officials resign en banc.

Minutes  after the Supreme Court  issued temporary restraining orders (TRO)  on two Commission on Elections (COMELEC) rulings disqualifying Senator Grace Poe from next year’s presidential election, the commissioners tendered their simultaneous resignations. They could not bear the embarrassment handed to them by the highest court of the land.

As a result of the TROs, Poe’s name would remain in the 2016 ballot.

Last week, the COMELEC, sitting en banc, issued a ruling disqualifying Poe on citizenship and residency grounds. Earlier, two divisions of the electoral body issued similar rulings.

The COMELEC was widely criticized for issung the ruling at a time when the Supreme Court was on holiday recess, making it almost impossible for Poe to file a petition for TRO before  the 5-day period within which the senator could do so before the order becomes final and executable.

COMELEC was also accused of partisanship by favoring the Aquino administration’s anointed presidential candidate, former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas.

Because of the mass resignations of the commissioners, the 2016 presidential elections in May could be postponed indefinitely, virtually extending the current term of President Aquino.

Brilliant planning by the Aquino administration that should warrant a Japanese-style resignation?

Stay tuned!