Petition to cancel Pia Cayetano’s congressional candidacy filed

MANILA, Philippines – A petition calling for the cancellation of Senator Pia Cayetano’s certificate of candidacy (COC) for her congressional bid in Taguig City has been filed before the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Seeking to disqualify the senator from the certified list of candidates, the petition accused Cayetano of “material misrepresentation” on her residency.

Petitioner Donna Sionomio claimed Cayetano had not lived at Two Serendra, Fort Bonifacio, for one year and one week up to the day before the elections, contrary to what she wrote in her COC filed last October 16.

Sionomio said the senator, who is now running as representative of Taguig City’s 2nd district, lives in Ayala Alabang Village in Muntinlupa City, based on the Information Sheet available from Cayetano’s office.

She also claimed that, as of July 20 this year, Cayetano was still a registered voter of Barangay Bagumbayan, which falls under Taguig City’s first district. And as of September 30, the Office of the Election Officer confirmed she has not registered as a voter of Barangay Fort Bonifacio.

The petition also claim that the condominium unit Cayetano listed as residence in her COC belongs to her brother, incumbent Taguig City 2nd District Representative Lino Cayetano.

According to some sources, the senator took over her brother’s bid to re-run for another term after he withdrew from the race.

Cayetano, who currently serves her last term as senator, will be up against Taguig City 2nd District Councilor Michelle Anne Baluyut Gonzales for the congressional seat.

Rappler tried to get Cayetano’s comment on the matter but her camp said they have yet to study the petition lodged against her. – Rappler.com