Aga Muhlach INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
NAGA CITY, Philippines—Lawyers representing show-biz couple Aga Muhlach and Charlene Gonzales disputed the petition against their registration as voters of San Jose, Camarines Sur, arguing they have complied with the lawful requirements of voting in the town.
Lawyers Elmer Joseph R. Guerzon and Maureen Marie G. Morales, in a memorandum on April 11, 2012, addressed to the Election Registration Board (ERB) of San Jose, argued that Aga’s and Charlene’s applications for registration as voters of that town should be granted because they have established residence in the town for seven months now and have “complied with the residency requirements as provided in the 1987 Philippine Constitution and other relevant election laws.”
The memorandum was made in response to the petition filed at the board by 14 persons opposing the couple’s registration as voters of the town. They were identified in the memorandum as Sonny Martos, Augusto Ledesma, Ernie Salvo, Gerry Huit, Mariano Papaya, Romeo Naldoza, Aldrin Salvo, Ma. Cristina Polillo, Sonny Huit, Erna S. Clores, Julio P. Dizon, Manuel Dela Vega Moranda, Luis A. Samar Jr. and Egie Penero.
Former San Jose Mayor Gilmar Pacamara, who was said to be leading the group that opposed the Muhlachs’ registration, was not named as a petitioner in the memorandum.
The couple’s lawyers said the Constitution requires only six months residency for anyone to vote in a place of his choice.
As proof of Aga’s and Charlene’s compliance of the residency requirements, their lawyers said the couple had been residing in a leased house on Rizal Street, Barangay San Juan, San Jose, Camarines Sur, for seven months now starting August 2011.
In a statement attributed to him, San Jose Mayor Antonio Chavez questioned the motive behind the move to bar the registration of the Muhlach couple as voters.
“I am absolutely convinced that those behind the move to question Aga’s registration as a voter in our town are persons with political interests and who have held sway over the fourth district of the province,” the statement quoted the mayor as saying.
Chavez said that it is no secret that Mulach gunning for the congressional seat for the fourth district, which is now held by Deputy Speaker Arnulfo Fuentebella, who is on his last term, has become a very distinct possibility.
Alicia Pilapil, chairperson of Barangay San Juan where the Muhlachs are leasing a house, also executed an affidavit showing proof of residence of the couple.
The same statement quoted Lagonoy Mayor Delfin Pilapil Jr., whose town is also in the fourth district, of sharing the views of Chavez.
“I don’t understand what the fuss is all about. Why would a former town mayor and 14 others spend so much time and effort to block Aga’s registration as a voter? If he were just an ordinary fellow, would they have even bothered? Perhaps those who are behind the move to block his registration are threatened by Aga’s possible candidacy,” the statement quoted Mayor Pilapil as saying.