Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 8) — Actor Edu Manzano on Wednesday said he is still a congressional candidate despite the decision of the Commission on Election (COMELEC) second division to disqualify him.
“Kandidato pa rin ako (I am still a candidate). My name is still on the ballot and I can be voted on. Votes in my favor will be counted,” Manzano said in a media briefing. He is seeking to represent the sole district of San Juan City.
Manzano’s lawyer, former COMELEC Chair Sixto Brillantes, Jr., said the disqualification will only be final once the full commission rules against Manzano’s appeal, something that might happen after the May 13 elections.
“Once we file the motion for reconsideration tomorrow (Thursday), the decision of the division will be considered vacated and we will wait now for the final decision of the commission en banc, which is expected too come out probably weeks or months after the elections,” Brillantes said.
The COMELEC disqualified Manzano over his alleged failure to show proof that he reacquired his Filipino citizenship after serving in the U.S. military in 1973 to 1977. The poll body cited Commonwealth Act 63, which states that a Filipino citizen may lose his citizenship “by rendering services to, or accepting commission in, the armed forces of a foreign country.” At the time of his birth, Manzano held dual citizenship.
Brillantes said the Supreme Court already decided that Manzano was a qualified candidate when a similar petition for disqualification was filed against him as a vice mayoralty candidate of Makati City in 1998.
Manzano believes politics is behind the disqualification case against him saying the petitioner is the campaign manager of his opponent, incumbent San Juan Rep. Ronaldo Zamora.
CNN Philippines’ Xianne Arcangel contributed to this report.
