Comelec drops disqualification case vs Tuburan vice mayoral candidate

CEBU, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) Second Division denied the petition for disqualification against Daphne Lagon, a vice mayoral candidate of Tuburan, Cebu.

In a Resolution dated January 28, 2013, the Comelec Second Division denied the petition filed by Antonio Primacio and Lourdes Esmero for lack of merit.

The resolution was signed by Presiding Commissioner Lucenito Tagle and Commissioners Elias Yusoph and Maria Grace Cielo Padaca.

Primacio and Esmero petitioned for the cancellation of Lagon’s certificate of candidacy for allegedly containing “false material representation.”

They alleged that Lagon failed to vote in the last two elections and by reason of which her registration was deactivated by the Comelec.

Lagon admitted the allegation but she applied for reactivation on October 10, 2012 which was well within the period prescribed by law.

She asserted that she registered as a voter of Tuburan with complete biometrics on December 7, 2003 and was assigned to Precinct No. 0016A, Barangay Poblacion 5.

The Comelec said that it is not a false representation affecting Lagon’s eligibility and had the honest intention to remain a registered voter of Tuburan when she applied for reactivation.

“What is clear is that respondent has always been a resident and voter of the municipality, without any deliberate intention to deceive the public as to her qualification, other than the entry in the COC itself,” the Resolution reads.

“Verily, respondent would not have been the subject of the suit had she properly ticked the correct box in the COC which says “I will be a registered voter of. . . ,” further read the resolution.

A neophyte politician, Lagon is the runningmate of former mayor Rose Gerona Suezo of One Cebu Party. (FREEMAN)