More than 700 new voter registrants in some barangays in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental were summoned by the court to face the petition for exclusion of voters filed by a political party.

Of this number, the Municipal Circuit Trial Court (MCTC) accommodated more than 100 individuals during the second hearing on Monday, January 27, 2025.

A political party filed a petition for exclusion of voters before the MCTC after noticing a sudden increase in the number of voters in some barangays.

“Siguro gyud kung kamo na file-lan o mafile-lan kay naa paman kita umaabot nga mga hearings so dili lang gyud pud siguro mo mahadlok kung kamo gyud mga residente sa usa ka barangay magdala lang gyud kamo sa inyong proof,” petitioner, Al Grace Mortola, said.

The political party has filed a petition for opposition before the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) against more than 900 new registrants in 2024, but the poll body only disapproved more than 100.

This was the reason why the party filed a petition for exclusion before the MCTC.

The respondents of the petition maintained that they are legitimate residents of their barangays.

“Sige naman nga gipakita diha, ang tanan nga gitestify o nanistigos nga gusto magparehistro dinhi gipakitan nila sa ilang kaugalingon nga sila kwalipikado nga mubotar dinhi sa Villanueva,” Atty. Oscar Musni, legal counsel of the respondents, said.

The court proceedings will continue until all respondents will be able to face the court.