Mabatid asserts Mabolo residency
Barangay Captain Prisca Niña Mabatid stood firm that she is a resident of Mabolo, Cebu City during her testimony yesterday before the sala of Judge Monalila Tecson of Municipal Trial Court in Cities on the quo warranto case filed against her.
Lawyer Daniel Francisco Arguedo, who was defeated during the May 2018 barangay election, earlier filed the quo warranto case, questioning the residency requirement of Mabatid.
He sought for the nullification of Mabatid's proclamation as winner in the recent barangay elections.
Lawyer Vincent Fernandez II, legal counsel of Mabatid, said the latter testified that she is qualified to hold public office, contrary to Arguedo’s claim.
Arguedo said Mabatid must be an actual resident of Mabolo for at least one year immediately before the day of the election.
He claimed Mabatid is a resident of Sunflower Drive, Sunny Hills, in Barangay Talamban, Cebu City, because she has a house there.
Mabatid admitted owning a house in Talamban, where her children live. However, she claimed she never abandoned her house in Mabolo, where her 85-year-old mother Salud lives because she was the one taking care of her, being the youngest daughter.
She admitted that in some of her documents, she placed Talamban as her address, because it has a house number which is easier for the mailer to locate.
Aside from Talamban, Fernandez said Mabatid mentioned she has a house in Manila, Davao, and abroad.
They were confident of their case, Fernandez said.
He said Barangay Mabolo is the domicile of origin of Mabatid, where she spends most of her time.
When Arguedo cross-examined Mabatid, Fernandez said their client answered since she was 15-year-old she was a registered voter of Mabolo.
Arguedo reportedly even encouraged Mabatid to run in the Sangguniang Kabataan Elections.
On Wednesday, Arguedo’s camp said they will be presenting their rebuttal witness. —
Manto/GAN
Mylen P.