Court junks Salud's petition

CEBU, Philippines - The Municipal Circuit Trial Court has denied the petition of boxing promoter Rex “Wakee” Salud for the inclusion/approval of his registration as a voter of Cordova, Cebu.

In her six-page decision dated September 11, 2012, MCTC Judge Jocelyn Uy-Po, said the court found no error in the decision of the Election Registration Board of Cordova in disapproving the application of Salud.

“Wherefore, the court finds no error in the decision of the respondents Election Registration Board, in disapproving the application of petitioner Salud as a registered voter of Cordova,” the decision reads.

However, the court said Salud can register again provided that he possesses all the qualifications and none of the disqualifications as mandated by the Constitution and the Omnibus Election Code.

The ERB led by election officer Arvin Maghanoy earlier denied Salud’s application for transfer on April 26, 2012 based on the opposition of a certain Vicente Dinoy, a resident of barangay Cogon in Cordova.

Salud filed a petition before the MCTC against the ERB of Cordova while Dinoy also filed a motion for leave to intervene and admit answer in intervention before the court.

Salud claimed that he has been staying in Cogon, Cordova, since 2011 at the house of Barangay Captain Andres Dinoy.

The court conducted an ocular inspection in the area but Salud could not reportedly locate his residence and instead brought the group to a remote barangay in Alegria.

“I am undecided yet that is why I am not residing here regularly (sic permanently),” Po quoted Salud as saying.

After more than an hour, respondent’s counsel, Enerio Ocariza Jr., reportedly volunteered to lead the way to Cogon where Salud presented his rented house and his bedroom.

“The petitioner (Salud) presented his rented house and his bedroom, but to the dismay of this court, the room does not possess any single personal effect of petitioner. The bed, unmattressed, was not even sufficient to carry the weight of petitioner,” decision reads.

“It was a little boy’s room. The outhouse does not even have a proper door,” the decision further reads.

“After going over the records of the case, the testimonies as well as the result of the ocular inspection, the court is not convinced that petitioner is a resident of Cogon, Cordova, Cebu,” the decision reads.

It cited the law which provides that one must have resided in the Philippines, for at least one year and in the municipality wherein he proposes to vote, for at least six months preceding the election.

Salud transferred his registration from Barangay Punta Princesa, Cebu City, to Barangay Cogon, Cordova.

He is reportedly eyeing the mayoralty post in 2013 elections in Cordova.  (FREEMAN)