Zamboanga City bet faces DQ case amid citizenship issue

A local government employee filed Tuesday a disqualification case with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) against a congressional candidate in Zamboanga City for allegedly providing false information about the latter's citizenship.

Petitioner Elfren Inclan arrived at the commission's central office in Intramuros, Manila City to file the petition to disqualify Kaiser Adan Olaso, who is running for representative of the First District of Zamboanga City, over alleged misrepresentation in his candidacy for Eleksyon 2025.

Inclan claimed that Olaso was a Cambodian who falsely declared himself as a natural-born Filipino citizen. Inclan was accompanied by his legal counsel.

"Public records show that Kaiser was born to Ms. Lorraine Por Taing, a Cambodian national," the petition read.

"This case is a prevention for another Alice Guo who have entered and abused the laws of our country. We should respect our constitution," it added, referring to the former mayor of Bamban, Tarlac who was removed from office amid questions about her citizenship, identity, and alleged ties to illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).

Asked on how their camp obtained information on Olaso's citizenship, Inclan said they only came across the candidate's profile through public records.

"I am a private citizen and I am not tolerating 'yung mga peke-peke… This is voluntary. Lahat naman tayo may rights as tunay na Filipino citizens," Inclan said.

(I am a private citizen and I am not tolerating anything fake. This is voluntary. We have rights to do this as true Filipino citizens.)

Inclan is a job order (JO) employee of the Barangay Affairs Section of the Zamboanga City local government. He has been serving in his position for six years.

"Resident siya ng Zamboanga so alam niya ang nangyayari. Concerned din sya sa kaniyang residency," said Atty. Jenny Huang, legal counsel of Incal.

(He's a resident of Zamboanga so he is aware of what is happening. He is just a concerned citizen.)

GMA Integrated News reached out to Olaso for comment.

Olaso is the brother of incumbent Congressman Khymer Adan Olaso, who is running for Zamboanga City mayor in the 2025 May polls. — VDV, GMA Integrated News

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