MANILA — In a dramatic post-election twist, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has declared reelectionist Bienvenido “Benny” Abante as the duly elected congressman of the 6th District of Manila after it voided the candidacy of his rival, Luis “Joey” Chua Uy, due to questions surrounding Uy’s citizenship.
Despite receiving over 64,700 votes against Abante’s more than 63,300 in the May 12 midterm polls, Uy’s proclamation has been annulled following a Comelec Second Division ruling that found him ineligible to run for public office.
The 22-page decision stemmed from Abante’s petition alleging that Uy “could not have derived the status of a natural-born citizen because his father did not have such status at the time of Respondent’s birth.”
Uy maintained in his Certificate of Candidacy that he is a natural-born Filipino citizen, but the Comelec ruled otherwise. “Respondent is at most a naturalized citizen, not a natural-born one,” the ruling stated.
As a result, the poll body declared Uy a non-candidate and ruled his COC void ab initio.
“Accordingly, the votes cast in his favor are considered stray and should have not been counted,” the Comelec said.
It added: “Respondent’s proclamation should thus be annulled leaving petitioner the only qualified candidate who obtained the highest number of votes for the position of member, House of Representatives in the 6th District of the City of Manila.”
Uy may still appeal the decision before higher bodies within the Comelec or the Supreme Court.
Abante was among the House officials who led investigations into drug war killings and operations of Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs)./PN
