By Ferdinand Patinio/PNA
MANILA — The camp of former Senator Alan Peter Cayetano and his wife Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano is hoping that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Second Division will decide soon on the separate disqualification cases filed against them.
Lawyer George Garcia, counsel for the Cayetanos, said it is only proper for the Comelec to have a ruling on the petitions filed by Taguig resident Leonides Buac Jr. so that there will be no doubt as to the candidacies of the couple.
“We believed that their names will be included in the printing of the ballots but it would be good for both of them if there are no questions on their bids for public office,” he said in an interview after the hearing of the cases at the Comelec session hall in Manila.
“We hope (the Comelec will come up with a decision soon) since the law says that disqualification case should be decided upon before holding an election,” Garcia added.
Alan Peter is running as Representative of the 1st District of Taguig-Pateros while Lani is vying as representative of the 2nd district of the city.
Garcia said whatever would be the decision of the Comelec, they will face it.
“If ever it favors us, that would be good. Life will have to go on…peacefully we will go straight to their campaign,” he added.
The cases stemmed on the petitions against the Cayetanos for not possessing the minimum residency qualification under the 1987 Constitution for the Members of the House of Representatives.
Buac, represented by lawyer Emil Marañon III, said the Cayetanos cannot claim living in separate residences as indicated on their respective Certificates of Candidacy (COCs) which is not in accordance with Article 69 of the Family Code.
He noted that the law mandates them to fix one matrimonial domicile or residence, as well as Article 68, which obliges them to live there together.
Based on Alan Peter’s COC, he is a resident of Barangay Bagumbayan in the 1st District, while Lani claimed she resides in Barangay Fort Bonifacio in the 2nd District, both in Taguig.
