Senator Legarda's transfer of registration to Antique opposed

SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique - The Election Registration Board (ERB) of Antique will hear on October 25 the opposition on the application to transfer registration of Senator Loren Legarda from Malabon City to the municipality of Pandan in this province.

Atty Roberto A. Salazar

Lawyer Roberto A. Salazar, Antique Provincial Election Supervisor III, in an interview Friday, said he has been informed about the opposition filed by lawyer Robin P. Rubinos, who once served as Antique vice-governor.

Salazar said that as part of the process, there will be a hearing to decide on whether or not to approve the senator's application.

"On October 25 there will be a simultaneous hearing of all applications for registration by the ERBs and one of those to be heard will be that of Senator Legarda," Salazar said.

The ERB hearing will be for the applications of new registrants for the period of July to September 29 for the May 2019 elections.

Rubinos filed his opposition against the senator's application to transfer from Precinct 0628 in Malabon City to Precinct Number 0055-B in Mag-aba, Pandan on the ground that she is not a resident of said barangay.

"The domicile of origin of the applicant is Malabon City, which remains as her domicile as she has not fulfilled the requirements in acquiring a new domicile in Mag-aba, Pandan, Antique," Rubinos cited in his opposition filed at the COMELEC Office in Pandan on Thursday.

Rubinos cited that in acquiring a new domicile, the following facts must concur, such as a residence or bodily presence in the new locality, intention to remain there, and intention to abandon the old domicile.

Salazar said that the ERB is chaired by the Election Officer of Pandan, Dianah Paciente, with representatives from the Department of Education and from the local civil registrar of Pandan.

Senator Legarda said to be running for congressman of the lone district of Antique in the forthcoming election, filed her application last September 28.  [Annabel Consuelo Petinglay, PNA]