Cuenco optimistic son can seek Council post

CEBU, Philippines - In one to two weeks time, the Commission on Elections is expected to finally decide on the Motion for Reconsideration filed by congressional candidate Ronald Cuenco on the Comelec’s ruling disqualifying him from running for his alleged failure to comply with the residency requirement.

Cuenco’s father, South District Representative Antonio Cuenco, remains optimistic that the “strength of the arguments” of his son’s lawyers would enlighten the Comelec and reverse its decision.

“I have studied the case very carefully and I’m very optimistic on the outcome of the motion for reconsideration because the arguments of Ronald’s lawyers, Atty. Edgardo Labella and collaborating lawyer Sixto Brillantes. I am confident that Ronald’s candidacy will proceed or will be given due course,” Cuenco said.

Early this month, the Comelec second division granted the petition for disqualification filed by opposition candidate for councilor Rajeni Dy against Cuenco for false material representation in the latter’s certificate of candidacy. Dy said Cuenco did not admit that he is a permanent resident of the United States of America and that he is a green card holder.

The Comelec also disqualified Cuenco due to lack of residency requirement, which should be fulfilled one year prior to the May 10, 2010 elections.

In a motion for reconsideration, Cuenco’s lawyers presented evidences that Cuenco has been living in the country and a registered voter since December 2008 and has abandoned his US permanent resident status last November.

The motion said that if the law requires one year period of residency in the place where Ronald would vote prior to election day, his residency, if counted from December 2008 to May 10, will already be one year and five months.

They also attached Cuenco’s records of arrival and departures to and from the country from 2007, 2008 and 2009, which reportedly show he has stayed in the Cebu majority of the time than in the US. — Jessica Ann R. Pareja/JMO (THE FREEMAN)