Comelec junks Imelda Papin's Congress bid

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has disqualified singer Imelda Papin from running as congresswoman in the May 2013 elections.

Papin is running as representative of the lone congressional district of San Jose del Monte City in Bulacan province.

The Comelec's Second Division ruled that Papin is not eligible to run for public office in the city for her failure to establish her residency requirement.

“Respondent’s Certificate of Candidacy (COC) must be canceled for making false material representation relating to her residence and for claiming that she is eligible to run for public office,” the poll body's Second Division said in a 10-page resolution.

The Comelec body added: “Wherefore, the Petition to deny due course or cancel COC of respondent Imelda Papin is hereby granted. Accordingly, her COC is canceled."

Papin is running against incumbent San Jose del Monte Rep. Arthur Robes.

Her candidacy was questioned by the Arangkada San Joseno Political Party that claimed she made false representation in her Certificate of Candidacy (COC), where she declared that she is a resident of San Jose del Monte City.

The group said that Papin is actually a resident of North Fairview in Quezon city.