By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) Election Registration Board (ERB) has approved the transfer of voter registration of former third district representative and provincial consultant Alfredo “Albee” Benitez.

In a resolution dated July 23, 2023, the ERB composed of Atty. Kathrina Trinio-Caña, registrar of Comelec-Bacolod and ERB chair; Gladys Amylaine Sales, Assistant Schools Division Superintendent of Bacolod City; and Atty. Hermilo Pa-oyon, head of the Local Civil Registrar stated, “The Board finds the registrant fulfilled the residency requirement of six months on the day of the election. Even if the period of residence of the registrant in Mountain View Subdivision, Barangay Mandalagan be reckoned from the time of his filing of application to transfer of registration record on April 22, 2021 until the eve of the election day on May 9, 2022 respondent/registrant would still be one year and 11 days a resident thereof.”

It also stated, “In light of the foregoing, the Election Registration Board hereby denies the opposition filed by Hector Yula, Teodoro Abao and Jonah Abao and approves the application of Alfredo Abelardo Benitez for the transfer of his voter approves registration to Barangay Mandalagan, Bacolod City.”

In reaction to the ERB’s decision, Benitez said they respect and thank the ERB for the decision.

“We always had complete faith in the Comelec-ERB process. Now, I am a registered voter of the city. Bacolod, here I come!” Benitez said.

Earlier, Caña said both parties, the oppositors or the registrant applicant may file its petition before the court for Inclusion/Exclusion of voter/registrant.

Other voter/applicants who were also subjected to opposition have also been sent of the ERB’s decision yesterday, Comelec-Bacolod said.

The oppositors and their lawyers could not be reached for comment as of press time./DGB, WDJ