The Commission on Elections (Comelec) confirmed that former Taguig Mayor Lino Cayetano will remain on the list of candidates for Taguig-Pateros representative in the midterm elections.
In a message to reporters on Thursday night, Comelec Chairperson George Garcia explained that Cayetano’s inclusion is due to the absence of a final verdict in his election case regarding his residency.
"Lahat po ng may [disqualification] case basta wala final decision ay kasama pa din pangalan sa balota (Candidates who have pending disqualification cases as long as there is no final verdict yet, their names will still be included in the ballots)," Garcia said.
A Taguig court ruled on Wednesday in favor of Cayetano’s residency in the 1st District of Taguig-Pateros.
The court likewise affirmed the residency of his wife, Fille Cayetano.
In a statement, the director-turned-politician welcomed the court's decision.
"Ang hatol na ito ay hindi lamang nagtataguyod ng aming konstitusyunal na karapatang bumoto kundi pati na rin ng pangunahing prinsipyo na ang bawat mamamayan ay may kalayaang pumili
ng kanilang tirahan (This verdict not only upholds our constitutional right to vote but also the fundamental principle that every citizen has the freedom to choose of their residence)," Cayetano said.
"Ang tagumpay na ito ay hindi lamang para sa amin kundi para rin sa bawat botante na may karapatang lumahok sa demokratikong proseso nang hindi pinagdududahan o ipinagkakait (This victory is not only for us but also for every voter who has the right to participate in the democratic process without being questioned or denied)," he added.
Cayetano is running for congressman in the 1st District of Taguig-Pateros in the midterm polls.
He is challenging incumbent Rep. Ricardo “Ading” Cruz Jr., who is endorsed by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano and Mayor Lani Cayetano, Cayetano’s brother and sister-in-law, respectively.