PALAWAN Rep. Abraham Mitra said he will ask the Commission on Elections to reconsider its decision disqualifying him from the elections.

The solon said he was disappointed by the First Division’s ruling disqualifying him from the gubernatorial race in Palawan due to lack of residency.

“We accept the decision of the Comelec but we are ready to file a Motion for Reconsideration,” Mitra said.

The law provides a one-year residency before any one can run for public office.

The Comelec said his failure to comply with the residency requirement made him unqualified to run.

Mitra said he cannot understand why his residency is being questioned when he already served for three terms as congressman of the 2nd district of Palawan. He said  he changed his registration from Puerto Princesa to Aborlan last year but even that was not questioned.

“I am a three-term incumbent congressman and merely moved to next door municipality of Aborlan. They didn’t protest my change of registration last  March and we all know that the Mitras are from Palawan,” he said.

“I dare challenge anyone to prove that I am not familiar with the conditions of Aborlan or the entire Palawan for that matter,” Mitra added. He said  the people of Palawan  only have one chance every three years to exercise their constitutional right to choose their leaders, but the decision deprives them of that right.

“Our opponents have moved the battle field from the barangays of Palawan to Manila courtrooms,” he said.    With Jess Antiporda