Singer Imelda Papin appeals disqualification

MANILA -- Singer Imelda Papin asked Monday the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to reconsider its decision disqualifying her from running as representative of San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan, in the May polls.

In her 18-page motion for reconsideration, Papin said that Comelec Second Division had failed to "full and properly" appreciate the evidence presented by her camp in opposing her disqualification.

"There was an attempt to belittle, sweep under the rag even if not totally disregard or ignore the respondent’s overwhelming evidence showing opposite to its findings," Papin said.

She said proof of this is the fact that the division had omitted the fact that she submitted pictures of the house blessing of her present house in San Jose del Monte City.

Papin questioned how the Comelec could find the blessing as just part of her different activities in the city just like her milk-feeding programs, medical missions, and barangay visits.

"A distinction must be made between purely private events and public service because it will indubitably show respondent's intention to permanently reside in San Jose del Monte City and to unmistakably abandons her old residence," said Papin.

She also questioned why the Comelec changed the reckoning period in the residency requirement, which is one year prior to Election Day.

"In this case, this honorable commission reckoned the one-year residency of the respondent at one year before the filing of her Certificate of Candidacy. This is not the intent and wording of the law," said Papin.

In a resolution dated January 31, the Comelec Second Division found Papin ineligible to run for public office over questions on her residency in the district.

The petition was filed by the Arangkada San Joseno Political Party against Papin, who is running against incumbent Representative Arthur Robes. (HDT/Sunnex)