Ex-Pasig mayor faces probe for election offense

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has denied the appeal of former Pasig mayor Maribel Andaya-Eusebio to be recognized as a registered voter in the second district of Camarines Sur.

The full commission affirmed the decision of the Comelec First Division that found Eusebio guilty of “false material representation” when she claimed in her certificate of candidacy (COC) that she was a registered voter of Barangay Puro Batia in Lidmanan town.

Comelec Commissioner Marlon Casquejo said Eusebio should be investigated for committing an election offense. 

“This case should be referred to the law department for preliminary investigation,” Casquejo said in his concurring opinion. 

Eusebio is a sister of House appropriations committee chairman Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr.. 

With Andaya’s disqualification, Rep. LRay Villafuerte is running unopposed in the May elections.  

Eusebio’s bid to transfer her registration from Pasig City was denied by the Election Registration Board last October. The Third Metropolitan Circuit Trial Court of Libmanan-Cabusao and Libmanan regional trial court affirmed the ruling.   

“She knew that she was not yet a registered voter (of Camarines Sur). That it was ... denied and her subsequent efforts to have it reversed is of no moment,” the Comelec resolution read.

“The fact remains that when she filed her COC... she was not yet a registered voter of said barangay... (she) committed false material representation in her COC,” it added.