Comelec allows Wakee to register as Cordova voter; Sitoy protests

BOXING promoter Rex “Wakee” Salud registered as a voter of Cordova town on the last
day of registration last Wednesday.

Cordova election officer Arvin Maghanoy said Salud, accompanied by his lawyers, registered around 8:30 a.m.

Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy, who will seek reelection, said he will file a protest against Salud’s application for registration on the ground of perjury.

Maghanoy told Sun.Star Cebu that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Cordova office accepted Salud’s application for two reasons.

He said the first reason comes from Salud’s right to vote as guaranteed by the Constitution.

Court ruling

The second, he said, is based on the Municipal Circuit Trial Court (MCTC) decision, which says that while Salud is not a registered voter of Cordova, he can still register after complying with the residency requirement.

Salud filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) on Oct. 4, signifying his intention to run for mayor in Cordova.

But the Election Registration Board rejected his petition to become a registered voter of Cordova, a decision that is supported by the MCTC and the Regional Trial Court (RTC).

“The petitioner can register again provided that he possesses all the qualifications and none of the disqualification as mandated by Article VI, Section 1 of the New Constitution, and Section 117 and 129 of the Omnibus Election Code,” read the MCTC decision.

Salud told Sun.Star Cebu over the phone he has complied with requirements to register as voter of Cordova.

When the MCTC inspected the residence declared by Salud in Barangay Cogon in Cordova, it only found a room that did not have a bed or a mattress.

Renovation

Salud said the renovation of his residence in Sitio Singkamas, Barangay Cogon, Cordova is almost complete.

Sitoy said Salud will face four perjury cases.

The mayor alleged that Salud lied in claiming he has been living in Barangay Cogon for nine months; for stating in his COC that he has resided in the town for one year and 11 months and for repeating the claim in his application of registration.

Sitoy also pointed out that in his COC, Salud wrote he “will be a registered voter” of Cordova, preempting the Comelec.

Salud said he expected Sitoy to protest his registration.

“Wa ta’y mahimo kung balaod. Kung ikulong ka, ikulong gyud ka (We can’t do anything if it’s stated in the law. If I land in jail, so be it),” Salud said.

He said he will pursue his plan to run for mayor in Cordova.