173 Mandaue residents vote for Cebu City bets

CEBU, Philippines — The Commission on Elections said that the former residents of Barangay Kamagayan can still vote in Cebu City even if they are now residing in Mandaue City.

City North District Election Officer Atty. Marchel Sarno said there are 173 voters who are now living in Barangay Cubacob, Mandaue City after their houses were demolished more than 10 years ago.

Sarno said the voters are still entitled to exercise their right to suffrage in Cebu City as long as they will not be delisted by the court.

Enriquita Crispe, Anita Telen and Gina Umbao have asked the court to remove these people from the list of voters registered in Barangay Kamagayan, Cebu City.

The petition, however, was opposed by the 173 residents through their lawyer Floro Casas Jr.

According to them, the petition was filed six days after the deadline for the filing of exclusions.

 Vice Mayor Edgar Labella, who is running for mayor, said the court should look into the matter of the filing because there is a reglementary period provided under the rules wherein the filing of exclusion proceedings can still be done.

The 173 former Kamagayan residents are allegedly supporters of Labella. — Isabella G. Obor, USJR intern FPL (FREEMAN)