TACLOBAN CITY – Emmanuel Balmoria Veloso’s congressional bid for Leyte’s 3rd district faces a major challenge after a disqualification case was filed against him with the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
In a 24-page petition, Emmanuel Mariblanca Veloso contested the legality of Balmoria Veloso’s candidacy, citing discrepancies in his certificate of candidacy (CoC) filed on October 3.
Mariblanca Veloso pointed out that while the CoC listed Balmoria Veloso’s birthdate as September 21, 1955, two attached affidavits of renunciation of foreign citizenship indicated his birthdate as September 21, 1957.
“This is not a mere clerical error since the two affidavits clearly state September 21, 1957, as the date of birth,” the petitioner argued on his petition he filed at the Comelec central office on Oct.24.
The petition also highlighted that Balmoria Veloso, a U.S. citizen, had a renunciation of foreign citizenship document signed by Quezon City Jail Superintendent Warren Geronimo on October 1, 2024.
The petitioner argued that Geronimo is not authorized to sign such documents under Bureau of Jail Management and Penology rules, rendering it a private document without legal effect.
Additionally, the petition raised concerns about the notarization of Balmoria Veloso’s CoC, claiming it was sworn before a jail warden, contrary to Comelec’s requirement that CoCs be sworn before a notary public or an authorized official.
Mariblanca Veloso argued that the CoC’s irregularities necessitate its cancellation.
“The Constitution, laws, jurisprudence, and Comelec regulations are clearly leaning on the respondent not being a Filipino citizen. The CoC, affidavit of renunciation dated October 1, 2024, and other related documents were all administered by an officer unauthorized to administer oaths for this purpose,” he stated.
The petitioner urged Comelec to disqualify Balmoria Veloso, asserting, “The respondent should not be allowed to run for the position of member of the House of Representatives for the 3rd district of Leyte.”
Balmoria Veloso is currently detained in Quezon City Jail, facing allegations of masterminding the May 8, 2019, killing of Levi Mabini, the municipal administrator of San Isidro, Leyte.
The CoC of Balmoria Veloso, who could not be reached for his comment, was filed by Rem Beryl Veloso.
The current district representative, Anna Victoria Veloso Tuazon, who is seeking for her second term.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
