5 candidates refute election complaints

A day before the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, at least five candidates vying for barangay captain refuted the disqualification cases filed against them by their rivals for alleged various election offenses.

Aspiring village chief Cirilo Baring of Daanglungsod in Tuburan town filed his counter-reply to the disqualification case filed against him by his rival, Sofronio Amancio, for his alleged failure to comply with the one-year residency requirement.

Baring, in his reply, insisted that he is a resident of Daanglungsod since 1991 when his family transferred there from barangay Tomingjao. He asked the Commission on Elections to dismiss the case for lack factual and legal basis.

Canciano Llenos Jr., also a candidate for barangay captain in Tupas, Ronda, dismissed the disqualification case filed against him by his opponent, Perla Rosales.

Rosales alleged that Llenos violated certain provision in the Omnibus Election Code when he indicated in his certificate of candidacy that he has been living in barangay Tupas for more than eight years.

In fact, Rosales said Llenos is not even living in their village but in barangay Palanas in Alcantara town.

Llenos maintained that he is a bonafide resident of barangay Tupas for the past eight years and that he has a house in the said village.

Likewise, incumbent Cogon, Compostela barangay captain Robert Pilapil is asking the Comelec to dismiss the disqualification case filed against him by at least nine residents of their barangay who claimed that he has been serving beyond three consecutive terms.

In his counter-reply, Perales insisted that he still has one term left as village chief after his term of office has been interrupted.

A certain Alice Cowley, also candidate for barangay captain of Colonia, in Tuburan town, denied the allegation of her rival, Macario Batal, that she is not a resident of the barangay.

In her counter-reply, Cowley said she has been permanently residing in barangay Colonia since 1995. She also asked the Comelec to dismiss the disqualification case against her for lack of legal basis.

At least 21 cases were lodged at the Comelec’s provincial office last week against several barangay candidates for disqualification, cancellation of certificate of candidacy and declaration as nuisance candidates, while two against SK candidates.

Provincial election supervisor Lionel Marco Castillano has yet to hear and resolve these cases but he has already made recommendations on some of them. — Gerome M. Dalipe/LPM