Actor Edu Manzano clarified that the cancellation of his Certificate of Candidacy (CoC) for congressman in San Juan City is not yet final, saying he can still appeal the decision.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) Second Division on Monday disqualified Manzano on the grounds that he was not a Filipno citizen when he filed his CoC.
“Una muna sa lahat, ito po ay hindi pa pinal. At pwede pa nating i-apela sa en banc,” Manzano said during an interview over radio DZRH.
Manzano cited a decision of the Supreme Court on Mercado vs Manzano in 1998 where the High Court ruled that he is a Filipino.
In that decision, incumbent Makati City Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado filed a petition against his opponent Manzano over his citizenship. Manzano won the election but his proclamation was suspended until the decision was made.
The actor later run for mayor of Makati in 2001, as vice president in 2010, and as senator 2016.
Manzano said they will file a Motion for Reconsideration (MR) on the Comelec’s decision.
“Pag-file namin ng MR, ‘yang desisyon ng Second Division ise-set aside agad ‘yan. So kumbaga hindi pa pinal ‘yan,” Manzano said.
“Pwede pa akong tumakbo, pwede pa akong iboto,” he added.
With regards to his residency, Manzano said he moved to San Juan in 2009 since the city is close to the schools of his children.
“Alam na alam ng mga tao rito na ako’y taga San Juan talaga,” Manzano said.
Manzano is running against veteran Congressman Ronny Zamora for the congressional seat in the lone district of San Juan City.
The Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino -San Juan, in a statement, said the candidacy of Manzano will push through as his name is printed in the official ballot.
Meanwhile, mayoral candidate Francis Zamora congratulated his father Ronny after the Comelec disqualified Manzano.
“The Comelec 2nd division has voted to cancel the Certificate of Candidacy of Cong. Ronny Zamora’s opponent, Mr. Edu Manzano, for not being a Filipino citizen – He is an American!” Zamora said on his Facebook page. (John Aldrin Casinas)
