2 lawyers file disqualification case vs Imelda

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union , Philippines  – Two lawyers from Ilocos Norte, one of them a defeated congressional bet, have filed a disqualification case at the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET) against former first lady, now congresswoman-elect, Imelda Romualdez Marcos.

Lawyers Ferdinand Ignacio and Mariano Nalupta Jr., a former ally of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos who opposed the candidacy of Mrs. Marcos in the last election, sought the disqualification of the incoming representative of Ilocos Norte’s 2nd District due to alleged lack of residency.

“Wherefore, it is most respectfully prayed that respondent Marcos, who was elected and proclaimed as a member of the House of Representatives for the 2nd District of Ilocos Norte be disqualified sans the constitutional residency requirement,” reads part of the five-page petition, a copy of which was obtained by The STAR yesterday.

The complainant’s counsel, lawyer Manolito Hidalgo, filed the petition on May 21 at the HRET, 10 days after Marcos’ proclamation.

The 80-year-old widow won by a landslide with a total of 109,571 votes against Nalupta, who got only 27,359 votes.

Mrs. Marcos allegedly failed to meet the one-year residency because she only registered as a voter of Barangay Lacub, Batac City on Oct. 14, 2009, or roughly seven months before the May 10, 2010 elections. “The residency requirement is not met by the respondent (and) as such she must be declared and adjudged disqualified to assume the position for which she was elected and proclaimed,” the petitioners said.

“While it is true that she garnered the highest number of votes over her opponent, this will not cure the residency requirement as provided in the Constitution,” the petitioners added.

The STAR tried to reach Mrs. Marcos for comment but failed.

Aside from the victory of the former first lady, her daughter Imee won as governor of Ilocos Norte over first cousin, incumbent Gov. Michael Keon, while her son Bongbong won as senator.