MANILA, Philippines – Itinuturing ni Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III na sadyang pambababoy sa Saligang Batas ang pagbawi ng Commission on Elections (Comelec) sa disqualification case laban kay dating Marikina Mayor Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro bilang kinatawan ng Disgtrict 1 ng Marikina City.
Sa kanyang pagbatikos, sinabi ni Pimentel na isa itong “mockery of the Constitution” saka nagbabala na binuksan ng Comelec ang pintuan ng electoral hell.”
“This reversal is not just a legal setback, for it’s clearly a betrayal of the Constitution and the democratic process,” ayon kay Pimentel sa statement. “It sets a dangerous precedent and opens the gates of electoral hell.”
“If residency requirements mandated by the Constitution can be brushed aside with a flip of a resolution, what stops others from gaming or manipulating the system?” Pimentel said. “Article VI, Section 6 of the Constitution is clear that a congressional candidate must be a resident of the district for at least one year before the election,” dagdag ni Pimentel, dating President at bar topnotcher.
“Disregarding this opens the floodgates for politicians, driven by nothing but self-interest and personal preservation, where they can claim residency wherever they have political advantage,” giit ni Pimentel.
Naunang idiniskuwalipika ng Comelec si Teodoro hinggil sa material misrepresentation sa kanyang voter registration, matapos mapatunayan na ideneklara nya ang kanyang address sa District 1 pero lumilitaw sa official records kabilang ang kanyang driver’s license legal pleadings na nakatala ang tirahan sa District 2.
“The initial decision, issued on December 11, 2024 by the Comelec first division, stated that the preponderance of documentary evidence contradicted Teodoro’s claim that he had been a bona fide resident of District 1 for at least one year before filing his Certificate of Candidacy, a constitutional requirement for congressional aspirants,” ayon kay Pimentel.
Binatikos din ni Pimentel ang Comelec sa makupad na paghawak ng kaso dahil umabot sa 196 araw bago magpalabas ng pinal na desisyon.
“The Comelec’s inexcusable delay undermined the electoral process,” ayon kay Pimentel. “Nearly 200 days passed before the Commission could decide on a simple question of residency and voter eligibility.”
Aniya, dulot ng sobrang bagal sa pagkilos ng Comelec, nawalan ng malinaw at legal na pagpipilian ang botante at pinayagan ang isang kandidato na tumakbo sa ilalim ng nakabinbin na disqualification case.
“We will exhaust all legal remedies,” ayon kay Pimentel. Ernie Reyes
