Three Bacolod residents formally opposed the transfer of the voter registration of former congressman Alfredo “Albee” Benitez from Victorias City to Bacolod City.
Bacolod City Election Officer Atty. Kathrina Trinio-Caña told the Negros NOW DAILY that two of the oppositors are surnamed Abao and the third one with the family name Yola.
The petitions were filed on July 13 as the Commission on Elections said that today, July 14, is the deadline in the filing of opposition on new registrants or applications for transfer of voter registration records.
The Election Registration Board will hear all petitions on July 19.
The ERB hearing is a procedure where an individual or group is given the chance to show evidences why an application should be denied.
Trinio-Caña earlier said that there were more than 9,000 registrants from May 14 to June 30 that will be heard by ERB on Monday, and one of those is the application of Benitez, who said he is a resident of Brgy. Mandalagan, Bacolod City, in his bid to transfer his voter registration.
Benitez said the oppositions against his application are to be expected. “Those moves will not prosper as all requirements of the law have been fully complied with.”
The former Negros Occidental solon has not formally announced any plan for next year’s elections, but several groups have been urging him to run for mayor of Bacolod.
MONICO’S THEORY
Meanwhile, former Bacolod City congressman and mayor Monico Puentevella said the move opposing Benitez’s transfer of voter registration reeks with “politics”.
“Everyone should play fair and square. This shows a sign of weakness to whoever is behind it,” Puentevella said.
As former mayor of Bacolod, he said the surnames of those who filed an opposition to Benitez’s transfer of voter registration are familiar.
“Perhaps, the list of workers employed by the city government can provide an answer,” Puentevella suggested.
A known political rival and critic of the incumbent mayor Evelio Leonardia, Puentevella said he will support Benitez should he decides to run for mayor of Bacolod. — NND
