The following challenge has been filed against the eligibility of Chris Manabat, the Democratic candidate for HD40. Manabat is the son of Rep Rida Cabanilla. Manabat’s opponent in the General Election is former Rep Bob McDermott.

 Google Image of 737 Kaipuu St, Honolulu -- Is this Chris Manabat's REAL residence?

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Joe Rattner, OD, Csac

Ewa Beach, HI 96706

Bernice K. N. Mau, City Clerk

Office of the City Clerk

530 South King Street, Room 100

Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

RE: Fraudulent filing of Voter Registration, Candidate Ineligible

I, Joseph Rattner an unsuccessful candidate in the Democratic Primary Election for State of Hawaii House District 40, do believe that candidate Chris Manabat, recklessly, knowingly and intentionally lied on his official voter registration forms, and candidate nomination papers.

In short, it is widely believed that Mr. Manabat does NOT live at the address he claimed on his voter registration form or his candidate nomination filing. Further, the preponderance of the evidence is that he Does NOT live in the State House District he is seeking to represent. Thus, his registration is invalid and he is ineligible for the office he is seeking.

Mr. Christopher Manabat is employed by his mother State Representative Rita Cabinila. I believe Mr. Manabat fraudulently filed voter registration documents “claiming residency” in a dwelling where he does not live nor has no intention of permanently residing at the address claimed. This is violation of the State Election laws. The deadline to file a complaint with the appropriate elections officials has passed and he cannot be removed from the ballot, however, I believe that this issue should be investigated and give pause to those who violate the law in the future by lying and or fraudulently filing official documents with the intent to deceive the public.

Facts:

1. His contact address is listed as P.O. Box 60490 Ewa Beach, HI 96706 with the office of elections for public view is the above (See attachment #1). This is the long time P.O. Box that his mother Rep. Cabinila has been using for some time (see attachment # 7).

2. Mr. Manabat registered to vote and filed his nomination papers with claiming that the following address was his primary domicile: 91-627 Kilaha Street, #22 (See attachment #2).

a. This small apartment/condo is owned by Patorocinio Bolo (see attachment #3), and occupied by himself and his family. It is common knowledge that Mr. Bolo is a former session employee of Mr. Manabat’s mother and worked closely with Mr. Manabat in her office as corroborated by this passage from the House Journal below.

The following introductions were made to the Members of the House: April 28th, 2010 Representative Cabanilla: Leon Rouse, Patrocinio Bolo, Rosebella Ellazar-Martinez, Philmund Lee, Christina Simms.

b. Also, Mr. Bolo reported to Mr. Manabat during the 2012 legislative session as Mr. Manabat’s own website documents with a photo and statement (See attachment #4).

c. According to the voter registration Mr. Manabat is one of 5 registered adults claiming this small condo as his dwelling. This seems very strange considering Mr. Manabat is a 10 % interest owner in an apartment building with his mother (see attachment #5, page 4, Manabat ethics filing, 7/23/2012).

3. Mr. Manabat’s last known address is 737 KAIPUU ST APT 2, HONOLULU HI 96826-4810,

(Please see attachment # 6) This was verified by a public records search.

a. His mother Rida Cabanilla also lists this address for him on her 2012 Campaign Spending Organizational Report (see attachment # 7) as her campaign chairman.

b. Rida Cabanilla is the 75% owner of this building (see attachment #8, Page 1, Cabanilla ethics filing, 7/17/2012).

c. Mr. Manabat lists one of his employers as Mari apartments, “Landlord” on his Facebook page (see attachment #9).

Mr. Manabat owns a 10% interest in a rental apartment building. His mother owns, in part, another apartment building, along with 3 other dwellings, to include two in the Ewa Beach area but NOT in the District. It requires the suspension of any thought processes to believe Mr. Manabat lives at the Bolo home or has any intention whatsoever of making that his permanent dwelling.  

Based on the overwhelming evidence, I do not believe Mr. Manabat lives in the District. Further, we do not believe he has any intention of making the Bolo home is permanent dwelling. I feel he has violated the spirit and the letter of the law by filing fraudulent documents, i.e., he lied on his voter registration forms and the candidate filing of forms.

We ask for a swift and speedy investigation. We ask that you take this issue seriously as candidates often flaunt the residency law because it is so poorly written. In this case however, the City Clerk has the opportunity to police one of its own government employees and send a message about restoring integrity and honestly in government.

You cannot lie on official Voter Registration documents.

Respectfully Submitted,

Joseph Rattner

September 27th, 2012

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Related: Ewa Democrats: Manabat is Felon, Liar, Should not be on ballot

PDF: Supporting Documents