Residency of Los Baños mayoral bet questioned

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna, Philippines – A mayoral candidate faces a disqualification case filed against him before the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

The poll body was asked to resolve the case “as soon as possible” given the fact that the May 10 local and national elections are less than three weeks away.

The petitioners, Cesar Garcia and Pablo Silva Jr., of Barangays Malaking Bato and Timugan, respectively, alleged that mayoral bet Anthony Genuino misrepresented his place of residency by stating in his certificate of candidacy that he lives at the family-owned Trace College in Los Baños.

“This is a clear and material misrepresentation in violation of Sections 39a of the Local Government Code (and) in relation to Sections 65 and 68 of the Omnibus Election Code,” the petitioners said.

They alleged that the 24-year-old Genuino was a resident of Makati City as proven by his certificate of candidacy for a seat in the Sangguniang Panglungsod during the May 14, 2007 elections, and a registered voter of Precinct No. 0102A, Barangay Bangkal.

“He is domiciled in Makati City for 24 years as indicated therein. There is clear showing that in the 2007 elections, he had declared Makati as his place of domicile,” the petition stated.

“The residence which he (Genuino) indicated in his latest certificate of candidacy is Trace College. Clearly, this is not a residence, but an educational institution,” it further stated.