Disqualification case filed vs Cayetano

MANILA, Philippines - A resident of Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City has asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to disqualify Sen. Pia Cayetano from the city’s congressional race next year, saying she failed to meet the requirements on residency.

In a 10-page petition filed Nov. 9 with the Comelec’s main office, Donna Sionomio said the poll body should “deny due course” to Cayetano’s bid to represent Taguig’s second district in the House of Representatives for committing “material misrepresentation” on her residency.

Sionomio said Cayetano indicated on her certificate of candidacy that she would have been residing at a unit in Two Serendra for one year and one week on the day before the May 9, 2016 polls.

Cayetano also indicated that she is a registered voter of Barangay Fort Bonifacio, the petitioner added.

However, Cayetano is actually a resident of Ayala Alabang Village in Muntinlupa City, based on information provided by her office, Sionomio said.    

She alleged that it was the senator’s brother, Taguig District 2 Rep. Lino Cayetano, who owns the condominium unit and the senator herself is still a registered voter of Barangay Bagumbayan, which falls under the city’s first district.

Cayetano has not applied for transfer of registration as a voter of Barangay Fort Bonifacio as of July 6, according to the Office of the Election Officer, Sionomio added.