Puerto Ricans await court decision on new governor

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- Puerto Rico's Supreme Court on Monday agreed to rule on a lawsuit the island's Senate filed in a bid to oust a veteran politician recently sworn in as the island's governor.

The court gave all parties until noon today to file all necessary paperwork, noting no extensions will be awarded.

The lawsuit seeks a preliminary injunction ordering Pedro Pierluisi to cease his functions immediately and also asks the court declare unconstitutional a 2005 law stating a secretary of state does not have to be approved by both House and Senate if he has to step in as governor.

"We are a people of LAW and ORDER," Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz wrote in a Facebook post. "There is no circumstance that places someone above the Law."

It is unclear how quickly the Supreme Court might rule or whether it would hold a hearing or simply issue a written opinion. The announcement comes as Puerto Ricans who successfully ousted the previous governor from office following nearly two weeks of popular protests await yet another twist in what is a deepening constitutional crisis.

Pierluisi was named secretary of state, the next in line to be governor, in a recess appointment last week. The island's House of Representatives then confirmed him to the position in a 26-to-21 vote Friday, a move he argues makes him the replacement for former Gov. Ricardo Rossello.

However, the Senate had not yet voted on the appointment.