The exclusion of fictitious and non-resident voters was ordered by Manila Judges Emmanuel Lorredo of Branch 26 and Ruben Reynaldo Roxas of Branch 28, on the petition of residents Rosita Nieto and Irene Calangian.
Judge Lorredo gave weight to the petition of Nieto, who asked the courts to remove the names of 47 voters, 17 of them sharing one and the same address.
Calangian’s petition was similar to that of Nieto. She said 61 voters in their area had only one address at 641 Quezon Boulevard, Barangay 308, Zone 30, Manila.
When summoned by the two judges, the voters were presented by only one legal counsel — a certain Atty. Aspiras.
Upon learning of the complaint, Manila City Legal Officer Melchor Monsod extended legal assistance to Nieto and Calangian.
Nietos and Calangian move definitely help ensure clean and honest election in the country’s capital, Monsod added. — Cecille Suerte Felipe