Taguig court directs removal of Lino Cayetano, wife Fille from voters’ list

Former Taguig Mayor Lino Cayetano with wife Fille Cainglet-Cayetano (INQUIRER.net file photo)

MANILA, Philippines — A Taguig court has ordered the removal of former Taguig Mayor Lino Cayetano and his wife, Fille Cayetano, from the official list of voters in a Barangay precinct in the city.

This decision came from the Taguig City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 153.

It ruled that both Cayetanos’ petition for residency transfer from Barangay Fort Bonifacio to Barangay Usuan was filed outside the acceptable period.

It also resolved that the two failed to meet the residency requirement necessary for voter registration.

“Accordingly, the Election of Registration Board of Taguig City is directed to EXCLUDE from the official list of voters of Precinct No. 0926A, Barangay Usuan, Taguig City the names of petitioners-appellees Lino Edgardo Cayetano and Fille Saint Merced Cayetano,” the order read.

“This Decision is immediately final and executory. No motion for reconsideration shall be entertained,” it added.

The case began in October 2024, when the Commission on Elections’ Election Registration Board (ERB) rejected the Cayetanos’ application to transfer their voter registration from Barangay Fort Bonifacio to Barangay Usuan—an area under the district where Lino is running for a seat in the House of Representatives.

However, the couple challenged the ERB decision, filing a petition with the Metropolitan Trial Court (MTC) Branch 74, which then ruled in their favor and ordered their names’ inclusion in the Barangay Usuan’s voters’ list.

But the Taguig RTC Branch 153 reversed the MTC’s decision, ruling that the petition was not filed within the required timeframe.

Citing the Voter’s Registration Act of 1996, the RTC pointed out that petitions for voter inclusion that were denied by the ERC can be submitted any time except 105 days before a regular election.

The RTC noted that the Cayetanos filed their petition on January 27, 2025 or 105 days before the May 12, 2025 election, which was outside the acceptable period.

Furthermore, the RTC also ruled that the couple failed to prove their residency in Barangay Usuan for the six-month period leading up to the elections.

Meanwhile, Lino Cayetano, in a statement following the RTC ruling, continued to insist that they were residents of Barangay Usuan, vowing to appeal the decision.

“Nanatili kaming matatag sa aming paniniwala na sa huli, ang demokrasya ang magwawagi,” said the former mayor.

(We remain steadfast in our belief that in the end, democracy will prevail.)

“Gagamitin namin ang aming karapatang i-apela ang desisyong ito, nang may buong kumpiyansa na ang katotohanan ay lalabas at ang hustisya ay makakamit,” he added.

(We will exercise our right to appeal this decision, with full confidence that the truth will come out and justice will be achieved.)

READ: Comelec: Lino Cayetano’s name in ballot since residency case not final