G02 Election Law Reviewer and Case DIgest Compilation

8/9/2019 G02 Election Law Reviewer and Case DIgest Compilation

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De La Salle University

Election Law Course Outline

Dr. Antonio La Vina

I. Landmark/Controversial Decisions

Constitutionality of Iso !acto "esi#nation $rovisions

Quinto v. Comelec, Res., GR No. 189698, February 22, 2010; motions or reconsi!eration o its "ecember 1,

2009 !ecision

$arty List not only for t%e &ar#inali'ed

#ton$%a$laum et al vs. Comelec, G.R. No. 20&'66, #(ril 2, 201&

$re(&ature Camai#nin#

%enera v. C)*++C, G.R. 18161& 11 -e(tember 2009

%enera v. Comelec *otion or Reconsi!eration, 99 -CR# 609 2 November 2009

/alosos vs. Comelec GR 200&&, 201&

3tt(455sc.u!iciary.$ov.(35uris(ru!ence5201&5une201&5200&&.(!

Reyes vs. Comelec GR 20'26, 201&

3tt(455sc.u!iciary.$ov.(35uris(ru!ence5201&5une201&520'26.(!

Sureme Court)s decisions a#ainst Comelec limitin# airtime of olitical ads* money +an and e,tended

li-uor +an in t%e 01 &ay midterm elections

- Limitin# airtime limits

%tt2//www.raler.com/nation/olitics/elections(01/3134(sc(comelec(s(airtime(limit

- &oney +an 5

%tt2//www.#manetwork.com/news/story/1636/news/nation/sc(stos(comelec(from(imlementin#(money(

+an

- E,tended li-uor +an

%tt2//www.comelec.#ov.%/uloads/Elections/01natloc/res/mr011.df

%tt2//newsinfo.in-uirer.net/78011/li-uor(+an(+acked(to((days(comelec

II. Citi'en articiation and electoral ri#%ts.

9%e "i#%t to Vote

7etito vs. 7eni(ayo G.R. No. 1'1'9, *arc3 26,2001 & -CR# &1&

Nicolaseis, et al vs. Comelec, G.R. No. 162'9 #u$ust , 2006, 9' -CR# 69,

:- vs-ancuya 1& %3il Re(orts '29

$ostonement of election

-ec. , )+C )mnibus +lection Co!e

"ima(oro vs. Comelec, G.R. No. 8111, /an. ', 1988, 7as3er vs. C)*++C, &&0 -CR# '&6

!ailure of election

-ec. 6 )+C

7as3er vs. Comelec &&0 -CR# '&6

assan vs. Comelec, 26 -CR# 12

-an$ca! -. 7ao


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- Re(ublic #ct No. 66&- Re(ublic #ct 66'9- Re(ublic #ct No. 82- Re(ublic #ct No. 916- Re(ublic #ct No. 9&0

IV. 9%e Comelec

Com(osition

- #rticle @?C 198' Constitution

+n 7anc an! "ivision Cases

-armiento vs. C)*++C 212 -CR# &0'

AaratevsC)*++C, &18 -CR# 608

RamireB vs. C)*++C,2'0 -CR# 90

Faelnar vs. C)*++C,&&1 -CR# 29

%oers an! Functions

Gallar!o vs. abamo,218 -CR# 2&

&&

elecommunication an! 7roa!cast #ttorneys o t3e %3ili((ines vs. C)*++C,289 -CR# &&

*onteo vs. C)*++C,22 -CR# 1

-an!oval vs. Comelec, G.R. No.1&&82. /anuary 26, 2000, &2& -CR# 0&

V. :udicial "eview of Decisions

#ratuc vs. Comelec 88 -CR# 21

Fili(ina +n$ineerin$ an! *ac3ine -3o( vs. Ferrer, 1& -CR# 2

#mbil v. Comelec G.R. No. 1&&98 , )ctober 2, 2000, & -CR# &8

VI. Voters ;ualification and "e#istration

R# 8189 >oters Re$istration #ct o 1996

Romual!eB vs. RC 226 -CR# 06

Dabataan %artyist vs. Comelec G.R. No. 189868, "ecember 1, 2009,

7aytanvsComelec GR. No. 1&9,&96 -CR# '0&, '16

VII. $olitical $arties and $arty List System

< R# No. '91 %arty ist -ystem #ct

E >eterans Fe!eration %arty v. C)*++C, G.R. No. 11&6'81, )ctober 6, 2000,

#n$ 7a$on$7ayani )F abor %arty vs. C)*++C, &9 -CR# 698

%G7@ vs. Comelec, G.R. No. 19029, 619 -CR# 8

)F abor %arty vs. C)*++C, &9 -CR# 698

7#N# vs. Comelec86 -CR# 211.

#ton$%a$laum et al. vs. Comelec, #(ril 2, 201&

iberal %arty vs. Comelec, 620 -CR# &9&

VIII. Candidates and certificates of candidacy

Qualiications

-ecs. 6& '8 )+C

Frival!o vs. C)*++C, 1' -CR# 2

*arcos vs. C)*++C, 28 -CR# &00

#Huino vs. C)*++C, 28 -CR# 00

Dis-ualifications

-ec. 12, 68, )+C

-ec. 0 ocal Government Co!e Gre$o vs. C)*++C, 2' -CR# 81

*erca!o vs. *anBano, &0' -CR# 6&0

9erm Limits

#bun!o v. Commission on +lections, /anuary 8, 201&

7ora vs. C)*++C, 29 -CR# 1'

Certificate of Candidacy

-ec. ', R# '166

-ecs. '&'8 )+C

Ga!or vs. C)*++C, 9 -CR# &1

-inaca vs. *ula, &1 -CR# 266

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I=. dis-ualification of candidates> #rounds* rocedure and effects of 5

-ecs. 68,69, '8 )+C

-ecs. , 'R# 666 3e +lectoral Reorms a o 198'

oraynovs.C)*++C, &&' -CR# '

>illaber vs. C)*++C &69 -CR# 126

=. camai#n> election roa#anda> contri+utions and e,enditures

-ecs. '9112

#!ion$ vs. C)*++C, 2 -CR# 2'2

National %ress Club vs. C)*++C, 20' -CR# 1

%ilar >. C)*++C2 -CR# '9

%eralta vs. C)*++C 82 -CR# &0

%enera v. C)*++C, G.R. 18161& 11 -e(tember 2009,

%enera v. Comelec *otion or Reconsi!eration 2 November 2009, 99 -CR# 609

=I. election> +oard of election insectors ?+ei@> watc%ers

-ec. 1&, R# 666 3e +lectoral Reorms a o 198' -ecs. 16180 )+C

-ec. 26 o R# '166

=II. castin# of votes and A+sentee Votin#

-ec. 200,7%881

-ec. 19196, 7%881

R# 9189 3e )verseas #bsentee >otin$ #ct o 200&

R#. 8&6 #men!e! by 9&69, @ 198' Constitution

3e 2010 rules o t3e (resi!ential electoral tribunal

3e 2011 rules o t3e 3ouse o re(resentatives electoral tribunal

-ec. 2 )+C %roce!ure in election contests

Rule 20, %art >, Comelec Rules o %roce!ure

Rule 28, %art >, Comelec Rules o %roce!ure

Rule & %art >@, Comelec Rules o %roce!ure Commission on +lections

Re$ional )icials

%rovincial )icials

City )icials -ec 22. #rt @?C, %C; -ec 29 7% 881

Re$ional rial Court

*unici(al )icials -ec 22, #rt @?C, %C; -ec 21, 7% 881, *etro(olitan rial Court,

*unici(al Circuit rial Court, an! *unici(al rial Court

7aran$ay )icials J -ec 22, #rt @?C, %C; -ec 22 7% 881;K

-an$$unian$ Dabataan -ec 1, R# '166

"e Castro vs. C)*++C 26' -CR# 806

%oe, /r. vs. #rroyo, %+ case no. 0002, *arc3 29, 200,

ecson vs. C)*++C2 -CR# 2''

=VI. election offenses

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-ecs 261269 )+C

-ec. 2' R# 666

-un$avsC)*++C 288 -CR# '6

"e /esus vs. %eo(le, 120 -CR# '60

I. Landmark/Controversial Decisions

0. ;uinto v. Comelec* "es.* " Bo. 0434* !e+ruary * 0>

motions for reconsideration of its Decem+er 0* 4 decision

Aut%or2Ral(3 #$bisit9oic2 Constitutionality o @(so Facto Resi$nation %rovisions

!acts2%ursuant to its constitutional man!ate to enorce an! a!minister election las, C)*++C issue! Resolution

No. 86'8, t3e Gui!elines on t3e Filin$ o Certiicates o Can!i!acy an! Nomination o )icial Can!i!ates o

Re$istere! %olitical %arties in connection it3 t3e *ay 10, 2010 National an! ocal +lections. -ections an! o

Resolution No. 86'8 (rovi!e4

Sec. 4. Effects of Filing Certificates of Candidacy a.) Any person holding a public appointive office orposition including active members of the Armed Forces of the hilippines! and other officers and

employees in government"o#ned or controlled corporations! shall be considered ipso facto resigned from

his office upon the filing of his certificate of candidacy.

b.) Any person holding an elective office or position shall not be considered resigned upon the filing of his

certificate of candidacy for the same or any other elective office or position.$

3e secon! (roviso in t3e t3ir! (ara$ra(3 o -ec. 1& o R.#. 9&69, 3ic3 is t3e basis o Resolution No. 86'8,

(rovi!e4

%rovided! finally! &hat any person holding a public appointive office or position! including active

members of the armed forces! and officers and employees in government"o#ned or controlled corporations!

shall be considered ipso facto resigned from his'her office and must vacate the same at the start of the dayof the filing of his'her certificate of candidacy.$

%etitioners +leaBar Quinto an! Gerino olentino, 3o 3ol! a((ointive (ositions in t3e $overnment an! 3o inten!

to run in t3e comin$ elections ile! t3e instant (etition or (ro3ibition an! certiorari, seeLin$ t3e !eclaration o -ec.

a o Resolution No. 86'8 as null an! voi!. %etitioners also conten! t3at -ec. 1& o R.#. 9&69, t3e basis o t3e

assaile! C)*++C resolution, contains to conlictin$ (rovisions.

@n its "ecember 2009 rulin$, t3e -u(reme Court 3el! t3at t3e assaile! (rovision o R.#. 9&69 an! -ec. a oResolution No. 86'8 are unconstitutional or bein$ violative o t3e eHual (rotection clause.

Issue23et3er or not t3e secon! (roviso in t3e t3ir! (ara$ra(3 o -ec. 1& o R.#. 9&69 an! -ec. a o C)*++C

Resolution No. 86'8 are violative o t3e eHual (rotection clause an! t3ereore unconstitutionalM

eld2No. o start it3, t3e eHual (rotection clause !oes not reHuire t3e universal a((lication o t3e las to all

(ersons or t3in$s it3out !istinction. 3at it sim(ly reHuires is eHuality amon$ eHuals as !etermine! accor!in$ to avali! classiication. 3e test !evelo(e! by uris(ru!ence 3ere is t3at o reasonableness, 3ic3 3as our reHuisites4

1. 3e classiication rests on substantial !istinctions;

2. @t is $ermane to t3e (ur(oses o t3e la;

&. @t is not limite! to eIistin$ con!itions only; an!

. @t a((lies eHually to all members o t3e same class.

3e assaile! 2009 !ecision rea!ily acLnole!$e! t3at t3ese !eeme!resi$ne! (rovisions satisy t3e irst, t3ir!, an!

ourt3 reHuisites o reasonableness. @t, 3oever, (roers t3e !ubious conclusion t3at t3e !ierential treatment o

a((ointive oicials visvis electe! oicials is not $ermane to t3e (ur(ose o t3e la, because


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. Aton#$a#laum et al vs. Comelec* .". Bo. 1633* Aril * 01

Aut%or2 Ral(3 #$bisit!acts2

)n #(ril ', 19'8, election or t3e (osition o Re(resentative to t3e 7atasan$ %ambansa ere 3el! t3rou$3out t3e

%3ili((ines. 3e cases at bar concern only t3e results o t3e elections in Re$ion ?@@ 3ic3 com(rises t3e (rovinces

o anao "el -ur, anao "el Norte, *a$uin!anao, Nort3 Cotabato an! -ultan Du!arat, an! t3e cities o *arai,@li$an an! Cotabato. omatic #ratuc sou$3t t3e sus(ension o t3e canvass t3en bein$ un!ertaLen by Re$ional 7oar!

o Canvassers in Cotabato City an! in 3ic3, t3e returns in 1,966 out o ,10' votin$ centers in t3e 3ole re$ion

3a! alrea!y been canvasse! s3oin$ (artial results. # -u(ervenin$ %anel 3ea!e! by Commissioner o +lection on.

>enancio -. "uHue 3a! con!ucte! t3e 3earin$s o t3e com(laints o t3e (etitioners t3erein o t3e alle$e!irre$ularities in t3e election recor!s o t3e mentione! (rovinces. )n /uly 11, 19'8, t3e Re$ional 7oar! o

Canvassers issue! a resolution, over t3e obection o t3e Donsensiya n$ 7ayan can!i!ates, !eclarin$ all t3e ei$3t

Dilusan n$ 7a$on$ i(unan can!i!ates electe!. #((eal as taLen by t3e Donsensiya n$ 7ayan can!i!ates to t3e

Comelec. )n /anuary 1&, 19'9, t3e Comelec issue! its Huestione! resolution !eclarin$ seven Dilusan n$ 7a$on$i(unan can!i!ates an! one Donsensiya n$ 7ayan can!i!ate as 3avin$ obtaine! t3e irst ei$3t (laces, an! or!erin$

t3e Re$ional 7oar! o Canvassers to (roclaim t3e innin$ can!i!ates. 3e Donsensiya n$ 7ayan can!i!ates

inter(ose! t3e (resent (etition.

Issue23et3er or not t3e Comelec can issue a resolution amen!in$ t3e resolution o t3e boar! o canvassers an! or!er t3e

same boar! to eIecute t3e same resolution

eld2 es. :n!er -ection 168 o t3e Revise! +lection Co!e o 19'8, Ot3e Commission on +lections s3all 3ave

!irect control an! su(ervision over t3e boar! o canvassersO an! t3at relate!ly, -ection 1' o t3e same Co!e

(rovi!es t3at it Os3all be t3e sole u!$e o all (re(roclamation controversies.O 3e act o t3e matter is t3at t3e

aut3ority o t3e Commission in reviein$ actuations o boar! o canvassers !oes not s(rin$ rom any a((ellateuris!iction conerre! by any s(eciic (rovision o la, or t3ere is none suc3 (rovision any3ere in t3e +lection

Co!e, but rom t3e (lenary (rero$ative o !irect control an! su(ervision en!oe! to it by t3e aboveHuote!

(rovisions o -ection 168. #n! in a!ministrative la, it is a too ell settle! (ostulate to nee! any su((ortin$ citation

3ere, t3at a su(erior bo!y or oice 3avin$ su(ervision an! control over anot3er may !o !irectly 3at t3e latter issu((ose! to !o or ou$3t to 3ave !one. 3e -u(reme Court cannot ault res(on!ent Comelec or its 3avin$ eIten!e!

its inHuiry beyon! t3at un!ertaLen by t3e 7oar! o Canvass )n t3e contrary, it must be state! t3at Comelec correctlyan! commen!ably asserte! its statutory aut3ority born o its envisa$e! constitutional !uties visvis t3e

(reservation o t3e (urity o elections an! electoral (rocesses an! in !oin$ 3at (etitioner it s3oul! not 3ave !one.

1. $enera v. CO&ELEC* .". 00301 00 Setem+er 4

Aut%or2 #n$elo o(eB!acts2

#n!anar ile! beore t3e )ice o t3e Re$ional +lection "irector a %etition or "isHualiication a$ainst

%enera or unlaully en$a$in$ in election cam(ai$nin$ an! (artisan (olitical activity (rior to t3e commencement o

t3e cam(ai$n (erio!. #n!anar claime! t3at a !ay beore t3e start o t3e aut3oriBe! cam(ai$n (erio!, %enera an! 3er(artymates ent aroun! t3e !ierent baran$ays in -ta. *onica, announcin$ t3eir can!i!acies an! reHuestin$ (eo(le

to vote or t3em on t3e !ay o t3e elections. %enera, alt3ou$3 a!mittin$ on t3e motorca!e, sai! t3at t3e motorca!e

as (art o t3e !is(ersal o t3eir su((orters an! t3eir trans(ortation bacL to t3eir res(ective baran$ays. Comelecrule! a$ainst %enera an! !isHualiie! t3e latter. Commissioner -armiento o Comelec, 3oever !issente! in t3ismaority !ecision an! believe! t3at #n!anar as unable to a!!uce substantial evi!ence t3at oul! su((ort t3e claim

o violation o election las. -armiento acce(te! %eneraPs eI(lanation t3at t3e motorca!e con!uctr! ater t3e ilin$

o t3eir C)Cs as merely (art o t3e !is(ersal o t3e s(ontaneous $at3erin$ o t3eir su((orters. 3e !issentin$

o(inion also ar$ues t3at-ection 80 o t3e )mnibus election Co!e cannot be a((lie! to t3e (resent case since, as t3eCourt 3el! in anot vs. Comelec, an! in vie o t3e t3ir! (ara$ra(3 o -ection 1 o Re(ublic #ct No. 8&6, as

amen!e! t3e election cam(ai$n or (artisan activity, 3ic3 constitute t3e (ro3ibite! (remature cam(ai$nin$, s3oul!

be !esi$ne! to (romote t3e election or !eeat o a (articular can!i!ate or can!i!ates. :n!er (resent election las,3ile a (erson may 3ave ile! 3is53er C)C it3in t3e (rescribe! (erio! or !oin$ so, sai! (erson s3all not be

consi!ere! a can!i!ate until t3e start o t3e cam(ai$n (erio!. 3us, (rior to t3e start o t3e cam(ai$n (erio!, t3ere

can be no election cam(ai$n or (artisan (olitical activity !esi$ne! to (romote t3e election or !eeat o a (articular

can!i!ate to (ublic oice because t3ere is no can!i!ate to s(eaL o.

Issue2

1. 3et3er or not %enera 3as en$a$e! in an election cam(ai$n or (artisan (olitical activity outsi!e t3e cam(ai$n

(erio!.(. hether or not Section *+ of the ,mnibus Election Code is applicable in this case despite Section - of /.A.

*401! as amended.

eld2

1. es, @n t3e case at bar, it 3a! been suiciently establis3e!, not ust by #n!anarPs evi!ence, but also t3ose o

%enera 3ersel, t3at %enera an! 3er (artymates, ater ilin$ t3eir C)Cs on 29 *arc3 200', (artici(ate! in a

motorca!e 3ic3 (asse! t3rou$3 t3e !ierent baran$ays o -ta. *onica, aive! t3eir 3an!s to t3e (ublic, an! t3re

can!ies to t3e onlooLers. *ore im(ortantly, t3e con!uct o a motorca!e is a orm o election cam(ai$n or (artisan(olitical activity, allin$ sHuarely it3in t3e ambit o -ection '9b2 o t3e )mnibus +lection Co!e, on


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an! t3eir su((orters is a act t3at nee! not be belabore! !ue to its i!es(rea! an! (ervasive (ractice. 3e obvious

(ur(ose o t3e con!uct o motorca!es is to intro!uce t3e can!i!ates an! t3e (ositions, to 3ic3 t3ey seeL to be

electe!, to t3e votin$ (ublic; or to maLe t3em more visible so as to acilitate t3e reco$nition an! recollection o t3eir

names in t3e min!s o t3e voters come election time. :nmistaLably, motorca!es are un!ertaLen or no ot3er(ur(ose t3an to (romote t3e election o a (articular can!i!ate or can!i!ates.#s e (reviously note!, %enera an! 3er

itnesses a!mitte! t3at t3e ve3icles, consistin$ o to ee(neys an! ten motorcycles, ere estoone! it3 multi

colore! balloons; t3e motorca!e ent aroun! t3ree baran$ays in -ta. *onica; an! %enera an! 3er (artymates ave!

t3eir 3an!s an! t3re seet can!ies to t3e cro!. it3 ve3icles, balloons, an! even can!ies on 3an!, %enera can3ar!ly (ersua!e us t3at t3e motorca!e as s(ontaneous an! un(lanne!. For violatin$ -ection 80 o t3e )mnibus

+lection Co!e, (roscribin$ election cam(ai$n or (artisan (olitical activity outsi!e t3e cam(ai$n (erio!, %enera must

be !isHualiie! rom 3ol!in$ t3e oice o *ayor o -ta. *onica.

2. es, -ection 80 o t3e )mnibus +lection Co!e remains relevant an! a((licable !es(ite -ection 1 o Re(ublic #ct

No. 8&6, as amen!e!. First, -ection 80 o t3e )mnibus +lection Co!e, on (remature cam(ai$nin$, eI(licitly

(rovi!es t3at ery sim(ly, (remature cam(ai$nin$ may be committe! even by a (erson 3o is not a can!i!ate. For t3is

reason, t3e (lain !eclaration in anot t3at


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mean re(ealin$ t3is secon! sentence. 3e assaile! "ecision, t3us is selcontra!ictory. 3en t3e a((licable

(rovisions o R# 8&6, as amen!e! by R# 9&69, are rea! to$et3er, t3ese (rovisions o la !o not consi!er %enera a

can!i!ate or (ur(oses ot3er t3an t3e (rintin$ o ballots, until t3e start o t3e cam(ai$n (erio!. 3ere is absolutely

no room or any ot3er inter(retation.

@n laymanPs lan$ua$e, t3is resolution an! 3at t3e le$islature inten!s means t3at a can!i!ate is liable or an

election oense only or acts !one !urin$ t3e cam(ai$n (erio!, not beore.

8. :alosFos vs. Comelec ?" 811* 01@

AU9O"2 #nna 7eatrice arrosa!AC9S2

Rommel /alosos as born in QueBon City on )ctober 26, 19'&. e mi$rate! to #ustralia in 1981 3en 3e as

ei$3t years ol! an! t3ere acHuire! #ustralian citiBens3i(. )n November 22, 2008, at a$e &, 3e !eci!e! to return to

t3e %3ili((ines an! live! it3 3is brot3er in @(il, Aamboan$a -ibu$ay.

Four !ays u(on 3is return, 3e tooL an oat3 o alle$iance to t3e Re(ublic o t3e %3ili((ines, 3ence, 3e as issue! a

Certiicate o ReacHuisition o %3ili((ine CitiBens3i( by t3e 7ureau o @mmi$ration. )n -e(tember 1, 2009 3e

renounce! 3is #ustralian citiBens3i(, eIecutin$ a sorn renunciation o t3e same in com(liance it3 Re(ublic #ct

R.#. 922. From t3e time o 3is return, /alosos acHuire! a resi!ential (ro(erty in t3e same villa$e 3ere 3e live!.e a((lie! or re$istration as a voter in t3e *unici(ality o @(il but res(on!ent +rasmo, t3e 7aran$ay Ca(tain,

o((ose! t3e sai! act. +lection Re$istration 7oar! a((rove! it an! inclu!e! /alososP name in t3e C)*++C voters

list. +rasmo ile! beore t3e *C a (etition or t3e eIclusion o /alososP name rom t3e oicial voters list. *C

!enie! +rasmoPs (etition. e a((eale! to RC but RC rule! same as *CPs.

)n November 28, 2009 /alosos ile! 3is Certiicate o Can!i!acy C)C or Governor o Aamboan$a-ibu$ay

%rovince or t3e *ay 10, 2010 elections. +rasmo ile! a (etition to !eny !ue course or to cancel /alososP C)C on

t3e $roun! t3at /alosos ma!e material misre(resentation in t3e same since 3e aile! to com(ly it3 1 t3ereHuirements o R.#. 922 an! 2 t3e oneyear resi!ency reHuirement o t3e ocal Government Co!e. C)*++C

rule! a$ainst /alosos, because it aile! to com(ly it3 t3e 1year resi!ency reHuirement. /alosos on t3e elections

ISSUE?S@2on /alosos aile! to com(ly it3 t3e 1year resi!ency reHuirement

ELD2 es. @t is clear rom t3e acts t3at QueBon City as /alososP !omicile o ori$in, t3e (lace o 3is birt3. is

!omicile as c3an$e! rom QueBon City to #ustralia 3en 3e mi$rate! t3ere at t3e a$e o ei$3t, acHuire! #ustralian

citiBens3i(, an! live! in t3at country or 26 years. #ustralia became 3is !omicile by o(eration o la an! by c3oice.7ut, 3en 3e came to t3e %3ili((ines in November 2008 to live it3 3is brot3er in Aamboan$a-ibu$ay, it is evi!ent

t3at /alosos !i! so it3 intent to c3an$e 3is !omicile or $oo!. e let #ustralia, $ave u( 3is #ustralian citiBens3i(,

an! renounce! 3is alle$iance to t3at country. @n a!!ition, 3e reacHuire! 3is ol! citiBens3i( by taLin$ an oat3 o

alle$iance to t3e Re(ublic o t3e %3ili((ines, resultin$ in 3is bein$ issue! a Certiicate o ReacHuisition o%3ili((ine CitiBens3i( by t3e 7ureau o @mmi$ration.

R#@)4 7y 3is acts, /alosos oreite! 3is le$al ri$3t to live in #ustralia, clearly (rovin$ t3at 3e $ave u( 3is !omicile

t3ere. #n! 3e 3as since live! no3ere else eIce(t in @(il, Aamboan$a -ibu$ay.

3. "eyes vs. Comelec ?" 637* 01@

AU9O"2#nna 7eatrice -. arrosaBA9U"E O! 9E CASE23is is a *otion or Reconsi!eration o t3e +n 7ane Resolution o 2 /une 201& 3ic3

state! t3at4 @N >@+ )F + F)R+G)@NG, t3e instant (etition is "@-*@--+", in!in$ no $rave abuse o

!iscretion on t3e (art o t3e Commission on +lections. 3e 1 *ay 201& Resolution o t3e C)*++C +n 7ancairmin$ t3e 2' *arc3 201& Resolution o t3e C)*++C First "ivision is u(3el!.O

!AC9S2

For alle$e!ly maLin$ material misre(resentations in 3er C)C, t3e Comelec irst !ivision cancelle! (etitionerPs C)Cin its resolution !ate! *arc3 2' 201& an! airme! by t3e Comelec en banc on 1 *ay 201&.

Four !ays later or on 18 *ay, 201&, (etitioner as (roclaime! inner o t3e 1& *ay201& elections.

)n /une 201&, t3e C)*++C +n 7anc issue! a Certiicate o Finality !eclarin$ t3e1 *ay 201& Resolution o

t3e C)*++C +n 7anc inal an! eIecutory, consi!erin$ t3at more t3an tentyone 21 !ays 3ave ela(se! rom

t3e !ate o (romul$ation it3 no or!er issue! by t3is Court restrainin$ its eIecution.

)n same !ay, (etitioner tooL 3er oat3 o oice beore Feliciano R. 7elmonte /r.,-(eaLer o t3e ouse o

Re(resentatives. 7ut (etitioner 3as yet to assume oice, t3e term o 3ic3 oicially starts at noon o &0 /une 201&.

it3 t3e (roclamation an! taLin$ o oat3, (etitioner (osits t3at t3e C)*++C as ouste! o its uris!iction 3ens3e as !uly (roclaime! because (ursuant to -ection1', #rticle >@ o t3e 198' Constitution, t3e R+ 3as t3e

eIclusive uris!iction to be t3e


8/58


9/58

&he nine #ho concurred #ere @ustices Antonio Carpio! 3artin :illarama! @ose 3endo?a!ucas 5ersamin! @ustices &eresita

eonardo de Castro! Kiosdado eralta! 3arvic eonen! resbitero :elasco! and @ose ere?.

Chief @ustice 3aria ourdes Sereno! @ustices Arturo 5rion! 5ienvenido /eyes! 3ariano del Castillo! Estela erlas"5ernabe! and

/oberto Abad dissented.

Welcomed

Sen Alan eter Cayetano! the lone senatorial candidate #ho filed a petition hailed the decision as a victory for democracy and

for voters in poor rural areas #ith limited or no access to national television in a statement.

8nformation about candidates should reach every Filipino family! not only those #ith access to national &:! Cayetano said.

&his decision is a victory for voters! especially the poor in remote rural areas #ho no# have the opportunity to hear more about

the advocacy of various candidates.

63A"! one of the petitioners! also #elcomed the SC order.

8n a statement! 5utch /a


10/58

3e (etitioners also sai! t3e money ban violates t3e nonim(airment clause o t3e Constitution because it (ro3ibits banLs rom

com(lyin$ it3 t3eir contractual obli$ations to t3eir !e(ositors.

@t also alle$e!ly violates t3e (resum(tion o innocence because it (resumes t3at anybo!y seen $ivin$ or oerin$ to anot3er

(erson cas3 in eIcess o %00,000 3as committe! votebuyin$ an! can be arreste!.

3e (etition also sai! t3e ban Oinvali!ly amen!e! Re(ublic #ct No. 9160O or t3e #nti*oney aun!erin$ #ct, 3ic3 t3e(etitioners ar$ue! as beyon! t3e sco(e o ComelecTs (oers.

3e (etitioners also sai! t3at t3e ban oul! reHuire banLs an! ot3er (ersons to looL into banL !e(osit accounts, 3ic3 alle$e!ly

violates t3e las on secrecy o banL !e(osits.

O3e (etitioners are (lace! in a situation 3ere t3ey are T!amne! i t3ey !o, !amne! i t3ey !onTt.T @ t3ey ollo t3e *oney 7an

Resolution, t3ey ill be sam(e! it3 all Lin!s o suits by t3eir !e(ositors or (reventin$ t3em rom it3!rain$ t3eir 3ar!earne! money,O rea! t3e (etition.

O@ t3ey !onTt com(ly it3 t3e *oney 7an Resolution, t3ey ill similarly be at risL o civil an! criminal (rosecution orsu((ose!ly violatin$ election las, es(ecially or t3e crime o Tvotebuyin$T 3ic3 t3e *oney 7an Resolution (ur(orts to

(roscribe,O it a!!e!.

3is !evelo(e! !es(ite Comelec c3airman -iIto 7rillantes /r.Ts statement earlier in t3e !ay t3at a su((lemental resolution is

alrea!y bein$ circulate! amon$ t3e (oll commissioners t3at oul! relaI t3e controversial (olicy.

:n!er t3e amen!e! resolution, !iscretion ill be let to banL tellers an! oicials 3et3er to allo cas3 it3!raals o %100,000

an! above.Lar#est +ankersH #rou welcomes SC decision

7anLers #ssociation o t3e %3ili((ines 7#% (resi!ent orenBo an elcome! t3e !evelo(ment, stan!in$ irm t3at any (olicymove in t3e uture must taLe into account vies o all staLe3ol!ers.

Oe elcome t3e or!er o t3e -u(reme Court in (rotectin$ t3e ri$3ts o our !e(ositors to t3eir un!s,O an, 3o is also (resi!ento RiBal Commercial 7anLin$ Cor(., sai! in a teIt messa$e sent to G*# Nes )nline.

e sai! t3e 7#% inten!s to O3el( in ensurin$ ree an! 3onest elections,O but note! t3at 3atever O(olicy e come u( it3 must

consi!er t3e im(act o banLin$ business an! t3e ri$3ts o our customers.O

O3e banLin$ in!ustry nee!s time to (re(are or 3atever measures Comelec an! 7-% im(oses on t3e in!ustry,O an note!.

SC 9"Os

3is as not t3e irst time in recent eeLs t3at t3e -u(reme Court 3a! eit3er reverse! or sto((e! several Comelec rulin$s.

3e3i$3 court last e!nes!ay sto((e! t3e Comelec rom im(lementin$ an eIten!e! liHuor ban beore t3e elections .

3e -C also 3a! earlier issue! R)s a$ainst Comelec rulin$s t3at (lace! a ca( on t3e > an! ra!io airtime o (olitical

a!vertisements an! t3at or!ere! t3e tearin$ !on o several alle$e!ly (artisan cam(ai$n (osters.

3e -C also avore! (artylist $rou(s t3at conteste! t3eir !isHualiication by t3e Comelec, reman!in$ t3eir cases bacL to t3e (oll

bo!y or urt3er 3earin$s.Jit% a reort from Sie#frid O. Ale#ado/K/S* &A Bews

E,tended li-uor +an

*#N@#, %3ili((inesS #ter bein$ issue! a em(orary Restrainin$ )r!er R) by t3e -u(reme Court -C, t3e Commission

on +lections Comelec it3!re its ive!ay liHuor ban 3urs!ay.


11/58


12/58

%etitioners claim t3at aroun! million yout3 aile! to re$ister on or beore t3e "ecember 2', 2000 !ea!line set by

t3e res(on!ent C)*++C un!er R.#. No. 8189.

Commissioners ancan$co an! antion, to$et3er it3 Commissioner 7orra, atten!e! t3e (ublic 3earin$ calle! by

t3e -enate Committee 3ea!e! by -en. Roco. Commissioners ancan$co an! antion submitte! a *emoran!umre$ar!in$ t3e Re(ort on t3e ReHuest or a 2!ay a!!itional re$istration o Ne >oters )nly. 3e a!!itional 2!ay

re$istration as later a((rove!.

3e $rou( o t3e re$ional 3ea!s an! re(resentatives 3oever o((ose! t3e a!!itional s(ecial re$istration !aysar$uin$ t3at -ec. 8 o R# 8189 eI(ressly (rovi!es t3at no re$istration s3all be con!ucte! !urin$ t3e (erio! startin$

120 !ays beore a re$ular election. 3e Commissioner t3en issue! a resolution !enyin$ t3e reHuest or t3e 2!ay

re$istration.

3is (rom(te! t3e (etitioners to ile beore t3e -C an instant (etition or Certiorari an! *an!amus 3ic3 seeLs to

set asi!e an! nulliy C)*++CPs Resolution. erein (etitioner 7etito :% -tu!ent ile! a (etition or man!amus

(rayin$ or anot3er s(ecial re$istration !ay.

Issue2)N res(on!ent C)*++C committe! $rave abuse o !iscretion in issuin$ C)*++C Resolution.

"ulin#2N)

3e ri$3t o sura$e ar!ently invoLe! by 3erein (etitioners, is not at all absolute. Nee!less to say, t3e eIercise o

t3e ri$3t o sura$e, as in t3e enoyment o all ot3er ri$3ts, is subect to eIistin$ substantive an! (roce!ural

reHuirements embo!ie! in our Constitution, statute booLs an! ot3er re(ositories o la. # citiBen in or!er to be Hualiie! to eIercise 3is ri$3t to vote, in a!!ition to t3e minimum reHuirements set by t3e

un!amental c3arter, is obli$e! by la to re$ister, at (resent, un!er t3e (rovisions o Re(ublic #ct No. 8189,ot3erise Lnon as t3e oterPs Re$istration #ct o 1996.=

o 3e act o re$istration is an in!is(ensable (recon!ition to t3e ri$3t o sura$e.

o Contrary to (etitionersP ar$ument, re#istration cannot and s%ould not +e deni#rated to t%e lowly stature of a

mere statutory re-uirement.

3e -tate, in t3e eIercise o (olice (oer, may enact las to sae$uar! an! re$ulate t3e act o voterPs re$istration or

3onest, or!erly an! (eaceul election.o -ection 8, o t3e R.#. 81894 System of Continuing /egistration of :oters . 3e %ersonal ilin$ o a((lication o

re$istration o voters s3all be con!ucte! !aily in t3e oice o t3e +lection )icer !urin$ re$ular oice 3ours. Bo

re#istration s%all* %owever* +e conducted durin# t%e eriod startin# one %undred twenty ?0@ days +efore a

re#ular election and ninety ?4@ days +efore a secial election.

-ection 8 o R.#. 8189 a((lies in t3e (resent case, or t3e (ur(ose o u(3ol!in$ t3e assaile! C)*++C Resolutionan! !enyin$ t3e instant (etitions, consi!erin$ t3at t3e aoresai! la eI(licitly (rovi!es t3at no re$istration s3all be

con!ucte! !urin$ t3e (erio! startin$ one 3un!re! tenty 120 !ays beore a re$ular election.

Res(on!ent C)*++C !i! not commit an abuse o !iscretion, muc3 less be a!u!$e! to 3ave committe! t3e same

in some (atent, 3imsical an! arbitrary manner, in issuin$ Resolution No. &8 3ic3, in res(on!entPs on terms,

resolve!


13/58


14/58


15/58

aectin$ t3e vali!ity o t3e elections; an! t3at in ailin$ to con!uct summary 3earin$ or t3e rece(tion o evi!ence,

t3e C)*++C violate! t3e )mnibus +lection Co!e an! its on rules.

ISSUES2 3et3er t3e C)*++C committe! $rave abuse o !iscretion in not !eclarin$ a ailure o electionM

ELD2N),-ection 6 o t3e )mnibus +lection Co!e 3ic3 (rovi!es circumstances or t3ere to be a Failure o+lection as ell eI(laine! iny(oco v. C)*++Ct3at clearly t%ere are only t%ree instances w%ere a failure of

election may +e declared* namely2

0. t%e election in any ollin# lace %as not +een %eld on t%e date fi,ed on account of force maFeure*

violence* terrorism* fraud* or ot%er analo#ous causes>

. t%e election in any ollin# lace %ad +een susended +efore t%e %our fi,ed +y law for t%e closin# of

t%e votin# on account of force maFeure* violence* terrorism* fraud* or ot%er analo#ous causes>

1. after t%e votin# and durin# t%e rearation and transmission of t%e election returns or in t%e custodyor canvass t%ereof* suc% election results in failure to elect on account of force rnaFeure* violence*

terrorism* fraud* or ot%er analo#ous causes.

@n all instances t3ere must 3ave been a ailure to elect; t3is is obvious in t3e irst scenario, 3ere t3e election as

not 3el! an! secon! 3ere t3e election as sus(en!e!. #s to t3e t3ir! scenario, t3e (re(aration an! transmission o

election returns 3ic3 $ive rise to t3e conseHuence o ailure to elect must as aoresai! be literally inter(rete! to

mean t3at nobo!y emer$e! as inner.

@n t3e (resent case, t3e alle$ationsbases o bot3 7aoTs (etition an! an$coPs (etitioninintervention beore t3e

C)*++C are mostly $roun!s or an election contest, not or a !eclaration o ailure o election. 3ile t3ere are

alle$ations 3ic3 may be $roun!s or ailure o election, t3ey are su((orte! by mere ai!avits an! t3e narrative

re(ort o t3e election oicer. 7ao an! an$co ere not able to (resent substantial evi!ence in su((ort o t3eir

alle$ations; an! t3is s3oul! not be blame! on t3e C)*++C.

General alle$ations, it3out suicient evi!entiary su((ort, !o not arrant a !eclaration o a ailure o

elections. +lection results are t3e eI(ression o t3e ill o t3e (eo(le 3ose elare an! interests must imme!iately

be serve! by t3ose u(on 3om t3e (eo(le 3ave (lace! t3eir trust.

III. Election of $u+lic Officials

Election of $resident and Vice($resident

Secs. 01( OEC

Election of &em+ers of Con#ress

Art. =VIII* secs. 0 and 046 Constitution

Election of Local Officials

Sec. 0* Art. =VIII 046 Constitution

Sec. * Art. = 046 Constitution

Election of Garan#ay Officials

Laws ostonin# +aran#ay elections

?Ever c%an#in# sc%edule of Garan#ay elections@

- "eu+lic Act Bo. 3381- "eu+lic Act 3364

- "eu+lic Act Bo. 87- "eu+lic Act Bo. 4037- "eu+lic Act Bo. 417

Page 15
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/1999/nov99/136191.htmhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/1999/nov99/136191.htmhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/1999/nov99/136191.htm


16/58

IV. 9%e Comelec

Comosition

En Ganc and Division Cases

07. Sarmiento vs. CO&ELEC 0 SC"A 16

Aut%or2 Carl #u!AC9S2

3ere ere several resolutions !eci!e! an! issue! by t3e C)*++C +n 7anc in !ierent cases namely4

1. G.R. No. 10628

2. G.R. No. 10'2

&. G.R. No. 10'2'

. G.R. No. 10'&0. G.R. No. 10''1

6. G.R. No. 10''8

'. G.R. No. 10'9'

8. G.R. No. 109194. G.R. No. 109''

%etitioners ant to im(u$n t3e c3allen$e! resolutions by C)*++C 3ic3 or t3em as issue! it3 $rave abuse o

!iscretion 3erein t3e Commission +n 7anc tooL co$niBance o an! !eci!e! !ierent a((eals it3out irst reerrin$t3em to any o its "ivisions. 3is is because -ection &, sub!ivision C, #rticle @? o t3e 198' Constitution eI(ressly

(rovi!es4

Sec. 0. &he Commission on Elections may sit en banc or in t#o divisions! and shall promulgate its rules ofprocedure in order to e>pedite disposition of election cases! including pre"proclamation controversies.All suchelection cases shall be heard and decided in division, provided that motions for reconsideration of decisions shall

be decided by the Commission en banc.2Emphasis supplied).

3e 19'& Constitution (rescribe! anot3er rule. @ts -ection &, sub!ivision C o #rticle ?@@ (rovi!e! as ollos4

Sec. 0. &he Commission on Elections may sit en banc or in three divisions. All election cases may be heard and

decided by divisions! e>cept contests involving 3embers of the 5atasang ambansa! #hich shall be heard anddecided en banc. . . .

ISSUE23et3er or not t3e C)*++C +n 7anc can circumvent an! !eci!e election cases it3out irst lettin$ it $o

to its "ivisionsM

ELD2No, t3e C)*++C +n 7anc acte! it3 $rave abuse o !iscretion, 3en it resolve! t3e a((eals o

(etitioners in t3e abovementione! -(ecial Cases it3out irst reerrin$ t3em to any o its "ivisions. -ai! resolutions

are, t3ereore, null an! voi! an! must be set asi!e.

@t is clear rom t3e above eHuote! (rovision o t3e 198' Constitution t%at election cases include re(roclamation

controversies*an! all suc3 cases must irst be 3ear! an! !eci!e! by a "ivision o t3e Commission. 3e

Commission, sittin$ en banc, !oes not 3ave t3e aut3ority to 3ear an! !eci!e t3e same at t3e irst instance. @n t3eC)*++C R:+- )F %R)C+":R+, (re(roclamation cases are classiie! as -(ecial Cases an!, in com(liance

it3 t3e above (rovision o t3e Constitution, t3e to 2 "ivisions o t3e Commission are veste! it3 t3e aut3ority

to 3ear an! !eci!e t3ese -(ecial Cases.

Rule 2', -ection 9 o t3e sai! Rule (rovi!es t3at a((eals rom rulin$s o t3e 7oar! o Canvassers are co$niBable by

any o t3e "ivisions to 3ic3 t3ey are assi$ne! an! not by t3e Commission en banc. -ai! -ection rea!s4

Sec. ;. Appeals from rulings of 5oard of Canvassers. H

(a) A party arieved by an oral rulin of the board of canvassers who had stated orally his intent to appeal said

rulin shall, within five days followin receipt of a copy of the written rulin of the board of canvassers, file with

the Commission a verified appeal, furnishin a copy thereof to the board of canvassers and the adverse party.

(b) !he appeal filed with the Commission shall be doc"eted by the Cler" of Court concerned.

(c) !he answer/opposition shall be verified.

(d) !he #ivision to which the case is assined shall immediately set the case for hearin.

# motion to reconsi!er t3e !ecision or resolution o t3e "ivision concerne! may be ile! it3in ive !ays rom

its (romul$ation. 3e ClerL o Court o t3e "ivision s3all, it3in tentyour 2 3ours rom t3e ilin$ t3ereo,

notiy t3e %resi!in$ Commissioner o suc3 act; in turn, t3e latter s3all certiy t3e case to t3e Commission +n 7anc.

Page 16


17/58

3ereater, t3e ClerL o Court o t3e Commission s3all calen!ar t3e motion or reconsi!eration or t3e resolution o

t3e Commission +n 7anc it3in ten 10 !ays rom t3e certiication.

DOC9"IBE2 +lection (rotest cases inclu!in$ (re(roclamation controversies cannot $o !irectly to C)*++C +n7anc it s3oul! ollo t3e (ro(er (roce!ure set ort3 by la an! un!er$o t3e "ivision irst. C)*++C +n 7anc acts

as an a((ellate bo!y.

SE$E"A9E O$IBIOBS2

"UM* :.* concurrin#23e lan$ua$e o t3e (rovision su$$ests t3at it is uris!ictional an! not merely

!irectory an! t3ereore reHuires t3at all election cases be 3ear! irst by t3e !ivision, 3ose !ecision may be

reconsi!ere! only by t3e Commission en banc. /ust liLe t3e -u(reme Court itsel cannot consi!er in t3e irst instance

cases comin$ un!er t3e eIclusive ori$inal uris!iction o a loer court, liLe a (etition or !eclaratory relie. +ven in

t3e interest o a s(ee!y a!ministration o ustice, e can eIercise only a((ellate uris!iction over suc3 a case un!er

#rticle >@@@, -ection 2 o t3e Constitution. @ in! t3e Huote! (rovision illconsi!ere!, to say t3e least, in vie o

t3e (ractical !iiculties it may s(an. 7ut e are !ealin$ it3 a man!atory (rovision o t3e Constitution 3ic3,

unless amen!e! must be observe!.

!ELICIABO*$., concurrin# and dissentin#2*y ultimate submission is t3at e must rea! t3e secon!sentence o #rticle @?C& o t3e 198' Constitution in suc3 a manner as to avoi! 3an!cuin$, as it ere, t3e

Comelec an! !enyin$ it t3e essential leIibility it ba!ly nee!s to be able to carry out t3e basic constitutional man!ate

o OeI(e!itJin$K !is(osition o election J(rotests an!K (re(roclamation controversies.O

3is teleolo$ical or (ur(oseoriente! rea!in$ may be ac3ieve! by re$ar!in$ t3at secon! sentence as !irectory an!

not man!atory or uris!ictional in c3aracter. 3e le$al !istinction beteen !irectory an! man!atory (rovisions is as

a((licable to un!amental as it is to statutory las.3e c3aracteriBation o a constitutional or statutory (rovision as

!irectory rat3er t3an man!atory is not !etermine! sim(ly by t3e (articular $rammatical terms em(loye!; in!ee!, t3e

(roblem o !istin$uis3in$ beteen !irectory an! man!atory lan$ua$e oul! not arise i t3e use o OillO or Os3allO

instea! o OmayO ere re$ar!e! as conclusive. 3at c3aracteriBation is most rationally ma!e on t3e basis o t3e

maor (ur(ose or obective 3ic3 s3ines t3rou$3 t3e constitutional lan$ua$e an! 3ic3 must be $iven eect.

#lternatively, t3e secon! sentence o #rticle @?C& o t3e 198' Constitution may be rea!, it3out !e(artin$ rom

t3e literal terms use! in t3at (rovision, as encom(assin$ only election cases (ro(erly so calle!, i.e., election (rotests,

an! not (re(roclamation controversies.

For all t3e ore$oin$, @ reac3 t3e conclusion t3at t3e CommissionEn banc!i! not act it3 $rave abuse o !iscretion

nor it3out or in eIcess o uris!iction in !ismissin$ t3e alle$e! (re(roclamation controversies at bar, it3out irst

reHuirin$ eac3 an! everyone o t3em to be 3ear! in "ivision.

08. Marate vs CO&ELEC* 10 SC"A 3

!AC9S2 /ulian allave, /r. on t3e 1996 -D +lections o 7r$y@can, *alasiHui, %an$asinan, $arnerin$ a total o 6votes over *arivicAarate 3o $arnere! votes. :nsatisie! it3 t3e (roclamation by t3e 7aran$ay 7oar! o

Canvassers, Aarate ile! an election (rotest beore t3e *unici(al rial Court statin$ t3at t3ree or more votes t3at

rea!


18/58

!AC9S2

%etitioner /ose C. RamireB an! (rivate res(on!ent #lre!o @. Go ere can!i!ates or vice mayor o Gi(orlos, +astern

-amar in t3e election o *ay 8, 199. %etitioner as (roclaime! inner by t3e *unici(al 7oar! o Canvassers*7C on t3e basis o results s3oin$ t3at 3e obtaine! 1,&6' votes a$ainst (rivate res(on!entPs 1,2& votes.

)n *ay 16, 199, (rivate res(on!ent ile! in t3e C)*++C a (etition or t3e correction o 3at 3e claime! as

maniest error in t3e -tatement o >otes -%C No. 9198. e alle$e! t3at, base! on t3e entries in t3e -tatement o>otes, 3e obtaine! 1,1 votes as a$ainst (etitionerPs 1,&6' votes but t3at because o error in a!!ition, 3e as

cre!ite! it3 1,2& votes.

@n 3is #nser it3 Counter%rotest, (etitioner /ose C. RamireB !is(ute! (rivate res(on!entPs claim. e sai! t3atinstea! o t3e total o t3e votes or (rivate res(on!ent #lre!o Go, it as actually t3e entries relatin$ to t3e number

o votes cre!ite! to 3im in %recinct Nos. 11, 11#, 6, 1, 1', ', an! 10 3ic3 ere erroneously relecte! in t3e

-tatement o >otes. #ccor!in$ to (etitioner, t3e entries in t3e -tatement o >otes actually reerre! to t3e number o

votes obtaine! by Ro!itoFabillar, a mayoralty can!i!ate, an! not to t3e votes obtaine! by (rivate res(on!ent.

)n #u$ust 1, 199, t3e C)*++C en banc issue! its irst Huestione! resolution, !irectin$ t3e *7C to reconvene

an! recom(ute t3e votes in t3e -tatement o >otes an! (roclaim t3e innin$ can!i!ate or vice mayor o Gi(orlos,

+astern -amar accor!in$ly.

%etitioner /ose C. RamireB an! (ublic res(on!ent *unici(al 7oar! o Canvassers ile! se(arate otes, liLe -%C No. 9198 is a (re(roclamation controversy Z in

none o t3e casesJ8K cite! to su((ort t3is (ro(osition as t3e issue t3e correction o a maniest error in t3e -tatemento >otes un!er Y2&1 o t3e )mnibus +lection Co!e 7.%. 7l$. 881 or Y1 o R.#. No. '166. )n t3e ot3er 3an!,

Rule 2', Y o t3e 199& Rules o t3e C)*++C eI(ressly (rovi!es t3at (re(roclamation controversies involvin$,

inter alia, maniest errors in t3e tabulation or tallyin$ o t3e results may be ile! !irectly it3 t3e C)*++C en

banc, t3us

Y. %re(roclamation Controversies 3ic3 *ay 7e File! "irectly it3 t3e Commission. Z a 3e olloin$ (re

(roclamation controversies may be ile! !irectly it3 t3e Commission4

III

2 3en t3e issue involves t3e correction o maniest errors in t3e tabulation or tallyin$ o t3e results !urin$ t3ecanvassin$ as 3ere 1 a co(y o t3e election returns or certiicate o canvass as tabulate! more t3an once, 2 to

or more co(ies o t3e election returns o one (recinct, or to or more co(ies o certiicate o canvass ere tabulate!se(arately, & t3ere 3a! been a mistaLe in t3e co(yin$ o t3e i$ures into t3e statement o votes or into t3e certiicate

o canvass, or socalle! returns rom noneIistent (recincts ere inclu!e! in t3e canvass, an! suc3 errors coul!

not 3ave been !iscovere! !urin$ t3e canvassin$ !es(ite t3e eIercise o !ue !ili$ence an! (roclamation o t3e

innin$ can!i!ates 3a! alrea!y been ma!e.

III

e 3e (etition s3all be 3ear! an! !eci!e! by t3e Commission en banc.

III

#ccor!in$ly in Castromayor v. Commission on +lections,J9K an! *entan$ v. Commission on +lections,J10K t3is

Court a((rove! t3e assum(tion o uris!iction by t3e C)*++C en banc over (etitions or correction o maniest

Page 18


19/58

error !irectly ile! it3 it. )ur !ecision to!ay in orres v.C)*++CJ11K a$ain $ives im(rimatur to t3e eIercise by

t3e C)*++C en banc o t3e (oer to !eci!e (etition or correction o maniest error.

@n any event, (etitioner is esto((e! rom raisin$ t3e issue o uris!iction o t3e C)*++C en banc. Not only !i! 3e(artici(ate in t3e (rocee!in$s belo but 3e also sou$3t airmative relie rom t3e C)*++C en banc by ilin$ a

Counter%rotest in 3ic3 3e asLe! t3at @-@)N C#-+-AU9O"2ReIcia 7al!eoBA9U"E O! 9E CASE2%etition or Certiorari!AC9S21. )n #(ril 8, 199', (etitioner +u$enio Faelnar ile! a certiicate o can!i!acy or t3e (osition o 7aran$ay

C3airman o 7aran$ay Gua!alu(e, Cebu City in t3e *ay 12, 199' baran$ay elections.

2. 3e olloin$ !ay, on #(ril 9, 199', a basLetball tournament, !ubbe! t3e O2n! /@NG/@NG F#+N#RP- C:%,O

o(ene! at t3e Gua!alu(e -(orts Com(leI an! laste! u( to #(ril &0, 199'. 3is $ave rise to a com(laint orelectioneerin$ ile! a$ainst (etitioner an! Cecilio Gillamac by #ntonio uy.

&. 3e com(laint alle$e! t3at t3e basLetball tournament as actually a cam(ai$n $immicL sta$e! outsi!e t3e

cam(ai$n (erio! 3ic3 oicially starte! on *ay 1, 199', in violation o t3e )mnibus +lection Co!e.

. uy alle$e! t3at4 1 !urin$ t3e tournament, a streamer bearin$ (etitionerPs name as (lace! on t3e aca!e o t3eGua!alu(e -(orts Com(leI; 2 (etitionerPs name as re(eate!ly mentione! over t3e micro(3one !urin$ t3e $ames;

& t3e tournament as i!ely (ublis3e! in t3e local nes(a(er; an! a rale s(onsore! by Cecilio Gillamac as

3el! it3 3ome a((liances $iven aay as (riBes.

. %etitioner !enie! (artici(ation in t3e tournament an! claime! t3at its maor s(onsor as Gillamac *arLetin$, @nc.e conten!e! t3at t3e same as (urely a s(ortin$ event or t3e beneit o t3e yout3.

6. 3e com(laint as investi$ate! by t3e election oicer o Cebu City, 3o later recommen!e! t3e !ismissal o t3e

c3ar$es a$ainst (etitioner an! Gillamac.

'. )n t3e ot3er 3an!, t3e a "e(artment o t3e C)*++C recommen!e! t3e ilin$ o a case a$ainst (etitioneran! Gillamac or violation o Y80, in relation to Y262, o t3e )mnibus +lection Co!e, an! Y0 o C)*++C

Resolution No. 2888, in relation to Y12 o Re(ublic #ct No. 66'9.

8. @n its Resolution, t3e C)*++C en banc resolve! to !ismiss t3e case.

9. oever, on motion o #ntonio uy, t3e C)*++C reconsi!ere! its action an! or!ere! t3e ilin$ o t3enecessary @normations a$ainst (etitioner an! Gillamac.

10. #ccor!in$ly, (etitioner an! Gillamac ere ormally c3ar$e! in t3e RC o Cebu City.

11. %etitioner move! to Huas3 t3e inormation or, in t3e alternative, or reinvesti$ation o t3e case, conten!in$ t3at

t3e sai! Resolution, 3ic3 !ismisse! t3e com(laint a$ainst 3im, as imme!iately eIecutory, it as no lon$er it3int3e (oer o t3e C)*++C to reconsi!er. #n! t3at uyPs *)R as a (ro3ibite! (lea!in$ un!er t3e CommissionPs

rules o %roce!ure.

12. %etitionerPs motion as !enie! by t3e trial court. e move! or reconsi!eration, but 3is motion as liLeise

!enie! by t3e court. ence t3is (etition.

ISSUE2)N t3e resolution o t3e C)*++C !ismissin$ t3e criminal com(laint or violation o t3e election las

imme!iately inal an! eIecutory.

ELD2No. # *otion or Reconsi!eration is alloe! in election oense cases.

"A9IO2-ection 1, Rule 1& o ComelecPs Rules o %roce!ure states, < t3e olloin$ (lea!in$s are not alloe!,V!

motion or reconsi!eration o an en banc rulin$, resolution, or!er or !ecision eIce(t in election oense cases; . . .:n!er t3e (resent rule, t3ereore, a motion or reconsi!eration o a rulin$, resolution or !ecision o t3e C)*++C

en banc is alloe! in cases involvin$ election oenses.

ere, t3ere is no Huestion t3at 3at is involve! is a resolution o t3e C)*++C en banc in an election oense.

ence, a motion or reconsi!eration o suc3 resolution is alloe! un!er t3e Rules o %roce!ure o t3e C)*++C.@t as also 3el! t3at t3e Comelec en banc is t3e one t3at !etermines t3e eIistence o (robable cause in an election

oense. 7ut it may also be !ele$ate! to t3e -tate %rosecutor or to t3e %rovincial or City Fiscal but may still be

reviee! by t3e Comelec.

C#-+ #5 ")CR@N+4# motion or reconsi!eration o a rulin$, resolution or !ecision o t3e C)*++C en banc is alloe! in cases

involvin$ election oenses.

@t as also 3el! t3at t3e Comelec en banc is t3e one t3at !etermines t3e eIistence o (robable cause in an election

oense.

$owers and !unctions

0. allardo vs. 9a+amo*0 SC"A 81 181

9O$IC2C)*++C %)+R- #N" F:NC@)N-AU9O"2 ReIcia 7al!eo

Page 19


20/58

BA9U"E O! 9E CASE2 %etition or Certiorari!AC9S2

1. #t t3e time o ilin$ bot3 t3e s(ecial civil action an! t3e instant (etition, (etitioner #ntonio Gallar!o as t3e

incumbent Governor o t3e %rovince o Cami$uin an! as seeLin$ reelection in t3e *ay 11, 1992 sync3roniBe!elections. 3e ot3er (etitioners are t3e (rovincial treasurer, (rovincial au!itor, (rovincial en$ineer, (rovincial bu!$et

oicer an! $overnment (roect laborers o Cami$uin. )n t3eot3er 3an!, t3e (rivate res(on!ent as t3e incumbent

Con$ressman o t3e lone Con$ressional !istrict o Cami$uin, can!i!ate or t3e same oice in t3e sai! sync3roniBe!

elections an! t3e Re$ional C3airman o t3e "% in Re$ion ?.

2. )n #(ril 10, 1992, (rivate res(on!ent ile! 3is %etition beore t3e court a Huo a$ainst (etitioners to (ro3ibit an!

restrain t3em rom (ursuin$ or (rosecutin$ certain (ublic orLs (roects as it violates t3e !ayban on (ublic

orLs im(ose! by t3e )mnibus +lection Co!e 7atas %ambansa7l$. 881 because alt3ou$3 t3ey ere initiate! e!ays beore *arc3 2', 1992, t3e !ate t3e ban tooL eect, t3ey ere not covere! by !etaile! en$ineerin$(lans,

s(eciications or a (ro$ram o orL 3ic3 are (recon!itions or t3e commencement o any (ublic orLs (roect.

3e Huestione! (roects are classiie! into to 2 cate$ories4 a t3ose t3at are ocallyFun!e!, consistin$ o 29

!ierent (roects or t3e maintenance or concretin$ o various roa!s, t3e re3abilitation o t3e Datibaasan Falls an!t3e construction o t3e Ca(itol 7uil!in$, an! b t3ose !esi$nate! as Forei$n#ssiste!, consistin$ o iteen 1

(roects 3ic3 inclu!e t3e construction o uman "evelo(ment Center, various "ay Care cum %ro!uction Centers

an! aterorLs systems; t3e eItension an! renovation o various buil!in$s; t3e acHuisition o 3os(ital an!

laboratory eHui(ment; an! t3e re3abilitation o oice an! eHui(ment.

&. )n t3e same !ay, res(on!ent /u!$e abamo issue! a R). @n t3e same or!er, 3e !irecte! t3e (etitioners to ile

t3eir#nser it3in 10 !ays rom recei(t o notice an! set t3e 3earin$ on t3e a((lication or t3e issuance o t3e rit

o (reliminary inunction or #(ril 2, 1992.

. @nstea! o ilin$ t3e #nser, t3e (etitioners ile! t3e s(ecial civil action orcertiorari an! (ro3ibition, it3 a

(rayer or a rit o (reliminary inunction an!5or tem(orary restrainin$ or!er. 3eyconten! t3at t3e case (rinci(ally

involves an alle$e! violation o t3e )mnibus +lection Co!e t3us t3e uris!iction iseIclusively veste! in t3eComelec, not t3e Re$ional rial Court.

ISSUE?S@2)N t3e trial court 3as uris!iction over t3e subect matter o t3e sai! -(ecial Civil #ction case.

ELD2No. 3e C)*++C 3as uris!iction in t3is case.

"A9IO2 C)*++C 3as uris!iction to enorce an! a!minister all las relative to t3e con!uct o elections. 3e

(resent Constitution im(licitly $rants t3e Commission t3e (oer to (romul$ate suc3 rules an! re$ulations. 3e(ertinent (ortion o -ection 2 o #rticle @?C t3ereo rea!s as ollos4 -ec. 2. 3e Commission on +lections s3all

eIercise t3e olloin$ (oers an! unctions4

1 +norce an! a!minister all las an! re$ulations relative to t3e con!uct o an election, (lebiscite, initiative,

reeren!um, an! recall.*oreover, t3e Constitution also invests t3e Commission it3 t3e (oer to


21/58

(ur(ose, t3e ranc3ise o all ra!io broa!castin$ an! television stations are 3ereby amen!e! so as to (rovi!e ra!io or

television time, ree o c3ar$e, !urin$ t3e (erio! o cam(ai$n.=

. %etitioner G*# NetorL conten!s t3at 3ile -ection 90 o t3e same la reHuires C)*++C to (rocure(rint s(ace in nes(a(ers an! ma$aBines it3 (ayment, -ection 92 (rovi!es t3at air time s3all be (rocure! by

C)*++C ree o c3ar$e. 3us it conten!s t3at -ection 92 sin$les out ra!io an! television stations to (rovi!e ree

air time.

6. G*# NetorL claims t3at it suere! losses runnin$ to several million (esos in (rovi!in$ C)*++C imein connection it3 t3e 1992 (resi!ential elections an! 199 senatorial elections an! t3at it stan!s to suer even

more s3oul! it be reHuire! to !o so a$ain t3is year.

'. 3ey claim t3at t3e (rimary source o revenue o t3e ra!io an! television stations is t3e sale o air time to

a!vertisers an! to reHuire t3ese stations to (rovi!e ree air time is to aut3oriBe unust taLin$ o (rivate (ro(erty.#ccor!in$ to (etitioners, in 1992 it lost %22,98,60.00 in (rovi!in$ ree air time or one 3our eac3 !ay an!, in t3is

yearPs elections, it stan!s to lost %8,980,80.00 in vie o C)*++CPs reHuirement t3at it (rovi!e at least &0

minutes o (rime time !aily or suc3.

ISSUE?S@2)N -ec. 92, 7.%. No. 881 is vali! in reHuirin$ stations to urnis3 t3e C)*++C ra!io or television

time, ree o c3ar$e, !urin$ t3e (erio! o t3e cam(ai$n, at least once but not otener t3an every ot3er !ay.

ELD2es, t3e vali!ity o Y92 o 7.%. 7l$. 881 is to 3ol! (ublic broa!casters to t3eir obli$ation to see to it t3at t3e

variety an! vi$or o (ublic !ebate on issues in an election is maintaine!. 7roa!cast me!ia are (ublic trusteesc3ar$e! it3 t3e !uty o ensurin$ t3at t3e (eo(le 3ave access to t3e !iversity o vies on (olitical issues. 3is ri$3t

o t3e (eo(le is (aramount to t3e autonomy o broa!cast me!ia. 3e use o (ro(erty bears a social unction an! is

subect to t3e stateTs !uty to intervene or t3e common $oo!.

CASE LAJ/ DOC9"IBE2

#irin$ o C)*++C ime, is a reasonable con!ition or t3e $rant o (etitionerTs ranc3ise4

#ll broa!castin$, 3et3er by ra!io or by television stations, is license! by t3e $overnment. #irave reHuencies

3ave to be allocate! as t3ere are more in!ivi!uals 3o ant to broa!cast t3an t3ere are reHuencies to assi$n. #

ranc3ise is t3us a (rivile$e subect, amon$ ot3er t3in$s, to amen!e! by Con$ress in accor!ance it3 t3econstitutional (rovision t3at Oany suc3 ranc3ise or ri$3t $rante! . . . s3all be subect to amen!ment, alteration or

re(eal by t3e Con$ress 3en t3e common $oo! so reHuires.=

Ra!io an! television broa!castin$ com(anies, 3ic3 are $iven ranc3ises, !o not on t3e airaves an! reHuenciest3rou$3 3ic3 t3ey transmit broa!cast si$nals an! ima$es. 3ey are merely $iven t3e tem(orary (rivile$e o usin$

t3em. -ince a ranc3ise is a mere (rivile$e, t3e eIercise o t3e (rivile$e may reasonably be bur!ene! it3 t3e

(erormance by t3e $rantee o some orm o (ublic service.

#rt. ?@@, Y11 o t3e Constitution aut3oriBes t3e amen!ment o ranc3ises or Ot3e common $oo!.O 3at better

measure can be conceive! or t3e common $oo! t3an one or ree air time or t3e beneit not only o can!i!ates buteven more o t3e (ublic, (articularly t3e voters, so t3at t3ey ill be ully inorme! o t3e issues in an electionM OJ@Kt

is t3e ri$3t o t3e vieers an! listeners, not t3e ri$3t o t3e broa!casters, 3ic3 is (aramount.O

Re! ion 7roa!castin$ Co. v. F.C.C., Oa license (ermits broa!castin$, but t3e license 3as no constitutional ri$3t to

be t3e one 3o 3ol!s t3e license or to mono(oliBe a ra!io reHuency to t3e eIclusion o 3is ello citiBens. 3ere isnot3in$ 3ic3 (revents t3e Government rom reHuirin$ a licensee to s3are 3is reHuency it3 ot3ers an! to con!uct

3imsel as a (roIy or i!uciary it3 obli$ations to (resent t3ose vies an! voices 3ic3 are re(resentative o 3is

community an! 3ic3 oul! ot3erise, by necessity, be barre! rom t3e airaves.O #s ra!io an! televisionbroa!cast stations !o not on t3e airaves, no (rivate (ro(erty is taLen by t3e reHuirement t3at t3ey (rovi!e air

time to t3e C)*++C. Ot3e air lanes t3emselves Tare not (ro(erty because t3ey cannot be a((ro(riate! or t3e

beneit o any in!ivi!ual.TO

Givin$ ree air time is a !uty4

3e !uty im(ose! on t3e G*# NetorL, @nc. by its ranc3ise to ren!er Oa!eHuate (ublic service timeO im(lements

Y92 o 7.%. 7l$. 881. :n!oubte!ly, its (ur(ose is to enable t3e $overnment to communicate it3 t3e (eo(le on

matters o (ublic interest. C)*++C ime s3oul! Obe consi!ere! as (art o t3e (ublic service time sai! stations arereHuire! to urnis3 t3e Government or t3e !issemination o (ublic inormation an! e!ucation un!er t3eir res(ective

ranc3ises or (ermits.O 7.%. 7l$. 881, Y92 is t3e enorcement o a !uty voluntarily assume! by (etitioner in

acce(tin$ a (ublic $rant o (rivile$e.

ReHuirement o C)*++C ime, is a reasonable eIercise o t3e -tateTs (oer to re$ulate use o ranc3ises4

3e C)*++C ime an! C)*++C -(ace are about t3e only means t3rou$3 3ic3 can!i!ates can a!vertise t3eir

Hualiications an! (ro$rams o $overnment. 3e ailure o broa!cast stations to (rovi!e air time unless (ai! by t3e

$overnment oul! clearly !e(rive t3e (eo(le o t3eir ri$3t to Lno. #rt @@@, Y' o t3e Constitution (rovi!es t3at Ot3eri$3t o t3e (eo(le to inormation on matters o (ublic concern s3all be reco$niBe!.O

3e vali!ity o Y92 o 7.%. 7l$. 881 is to 3ol! (ublic broa!casters to t3eir obli$ation to see to it t3at t3e variety an!

vi$or o (ublic !ebate on issues in an election is maintaine!. For 3ile broa!cast me!ia are not mere commoncarriers but entities it3 ree s(eec3 ri$3ts, t3ey are also (ublic trustees c3ar$e! it3 t3e !uty o ensurin$ t3at t3e

(eo(le 3ave access to t3e !iversity o vies on (olitical issues. 3is ri$3t o t3e (eo(le is (aramount to t3e

autonomy o broa!cast me!ia. o airm t3e vali!ity o Y92, t3ereore, is liLeise to u(3ol! t3e (eo(leTs ri$3t to

inormation on matters o (ublic concern. 3e use o (ro(erty bears a social unction an! is subect to t3e stateTs

Page 21


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23/58

s3all be corres(on!in$ly a!uste! by t3e Commission on +lections but suc3 a!ustment s3all not be ma!e it3in one

3un!re! an! tenty !ays beore t3e election.

7ut base! on t3e !eliberations o t3e Constitutional Commission, it !enie! to t3e C)*++C t3e maor (oer ole$islative a((ortionment as it itsel eIercise! t3e (oer. -ection 2 o t3e )r!inance only em(oere! t3e

C)*++C to maLe minor a!ustments o t3e rea((ortionment ma!e. Consistent it3 t3e limit o its (oer to maLe

minor a!ustments, -ec. & o t3e )r!inance !i! not also $ive t3e C)*++C any aut3ority to transer munici(alities

rom one le$islative !istrict to anot3er !istrict. 3e (oer $rante! by -ection & to t3e res(on!ent C)*++C is toa!ust t3e number o members not munici(alities Oa((ortione! to t3e (rovince out o 3ic3 suc3 ne (rovince

as create!. . . .O

3e meanin$ o minor a!ustments as oun! in t3e !ebates o t3e Commission state! t3at t3e transer o onemunici(ality in a !istrict to anot3er !istrict is not a minor a!ustment; rat3er it is a substantive one. *inor

a!ustments !o not allo t3e c3an$e in allocations (er !istrict.

@t may ell be t3at t3e conversion o 7iliran rom a sub(rovince to are$ular (rovince brou$3t about an imbalance int3e !istribution o voters an! in3abitants in t3e le$islative !istricts o eyte. 7ut t3e issue involves a (roblem o

rea((ortionment o le$islative !istricts an! (etitionerPs reme!y lies it3 Con$ress. -ection , #rt. >@ o t3e

Constitution cate$orically $ives Con$ress t3e (oer to rea((ortion. 3e Court 3el! t3at C)*++C committe!

$rave abuse o !iscretion amountin$ to lacL o uris!iction 3en it (romul$ate! a resolution transerrin$ t3e

munici(ality o Ca(oocan o t3e secon! !istrict an! t3e munici(ality o %alom(on o t3e ourt3 !istrict to t3e t3ir!!istrict o eyte.

0. Sandoval vs. Comelec* .". Bo.0117. :anuary 3* * 11 SC"A 71

!acts2

%etitioner an! (rivate res(on!ent 3erein ere can!i!ates or t3e con$ressional seat or t3e *alabonNavotas

le$islative !istrict !urin$ t3e elections 3el! on *ay 11, 1998. #ter canvassin$ t3e munici(al certiicates o canvass,

t3e !istrict boar! o canvassers (roclaime! (etitioner t3e !uly electe! con$ressman. 3e (etitioner tooL 3is oat3 ooice, on t3e same !ay, (rivate res(on!ent ile! it3 t3e Comelec a (etition, 3ic3 sou$3t t3e annulment o

(etitionerTs (roclamation. e alle$e! t3at t3ere as a verbal or!er rom t3e Comelec C3airman to sus(en! t3ecanvass an! (roclamation o t3e innin$ can!i!ate, but t3e !istrict boar! o canvassers (rocee!e! it3 t3e canvass

an! (roclamation !es(ite t3e sai! verbal or!er. e also alle$e! t3at t3ere as noninclusion o 19 election returns int3e canvass, 3ic3 oul! result in an incom(lete canvass o t3e election returns. 3e Comelec en banc issue! an

or!er settin$ asi!e t3e (roclamation o (etitioner an! rule! t3e (roclamation as voi!. ence, t3is (etition or

certiorari seeLin$ t3e annulment an! reversal o t3e Comelec or!er.

Issue2

3et3er or not t3e C)*++C 3as uris!iction over (re(roclamation controversies in (resi!ential, vice

(resi!ential, senatorial a! con$ressional elections

eld2

3ile t3e C)*++C 3as eIclusive uris!iction over all (re(roclamation controversies, t3e eIce(tion to t3e

$eneral rule can be oun! un!er sec. 1 o R# '166 3ic3 (ro3ibits can!i!ates in t3e (resi!ential, vice(resi!ential,senatorial an! con$ressional elections rom ilin$ (re(roclamation cases.

3e (ro3ibition aims to avoi! !elay in t3e (roclamation o t3e inner in t3e election, 3ic3 !elay mi$3t result in a

vacuum in t3ese sensitive (osts. 3e la, nonet3eless, (rovi!es an eIce(tion to t3e eIce(tion. 3e secon! sentence

o -ec. 1 allos t3e ilin$ o (etitions or correction o maniest errors in t3e certiicate o canvass or election

returns even in elections or (resi!ent, vice(resi!ent an! members o t3e ouse or t3e sim(le reason t3at t3e

correction o maniest error ill not (rolon$ t3e (rocess o canvassin$ nor !elay t3e (roclamation o t3e inner in

t3e election.

Correction o a maniest error in t3e -tatement o >otes may be ile! !irectly it3 t3e C)*++C en banc rule 2',

sec. , 199& Rules o t3e C)*++C. 3is is anot3er eIce(tion to t3e rule t3at (re(roclamation controversies must

irst be 3ear! an! !eci!e! by a !ivision o t3e Commission.

@n !etermination o t3e case, t3e C)*++C must observe !ue (rocess o la since t3is involves t3e eIercise o its

Huasiu!icial (oer.

V. :udicial "eview of Decisions

. Aratuc vs. Comelec SC"A 80

!acts2

Page 23


24/58

)n #(ril ', 19'8, election or t3e (osition o Re(resentative to t3e 7atasan$ %ambansa ere 3el! t3rou$3out t3e

%3ili((ines. 3e cases at bar concern only t3e results o t3e elections in Re$ion ?@@ 3ic3 com(rises t3e (rovinces

o anao "el -ur, anao "el Norte, *a$uin!anao, Nort3 Cotabato an! -ultan Du!arat, an! t3e cities o *arai,

@li$an an! Cotabato. omatic #ratuc sou$3t t3e sus(ension o t3e canvass t3en bein$ un!ertaLen by Re$ional 7oar!

o Canvassers in Cotabato City an! in 3ic3, t3e returns in 1,966 out o ,10' votin$ centers in t3e 3ole re$ion

3a! alrea!y been canvasse! s3oin$ (artial results. # -u(ervenin$ %anel 3ea!e! by Commissioner o +lection on.

>enancio -. "uHue 3a! con!ucte! t3e 3earin$s o t3e com(laints o t3e (etitioners t3erein o t3e alle$e!

irre$ularities in t3e election recor!s o t3e mentione! (rovinces. )n /uly 11, 19'8, t3e Re$ional 7oar! o

Canvassers issue! a resolution, over t3e obection o t3e Donsensiya n$ 7ayan can!i!ates, !eclarin$ all t3e ei$3t

Dilusan n$ 7a$on$ i(unan can!i!ates electe!. #((eal as taLen by t3e Donsensiya n$ 7ayan can!i!ates to t3e

Comelec. )n /anuary 1&, 19'9, t3e Comelec issue! its Huestione! resolution !eclarin$ seven Dilusan n$ 7a$on$

i(unan can!i!ates an! one Donsensiya n$ 7ayan can!i!ate as 3avin$ obtaine! t3e irst ei$3t (laces, an! or!erin$

t3e Re$ional 7oar! o Canvassers to (roclaim t3e innin$ can!i!ates. 3e Donsensiya n$ 7ayan can!i!ates

inter(ose! t3e (resent (etition.

Issue2

3et3er or not t3e Comelec can issue a resolution amen!in$ t3e resolution o t3e boar! o canvassers an! or!er t3e

same boar! to eIecute t3e same resolution

eld2

es. :n!er -ection 168 o t3e Revise! +lection Co!e o 19'8, Ot3e Commission on +lections s3all 3ave !irect

control an! su(ervision over t3e boar! o canvassersO an! t3at relate!ly, -ection 1' o t3e same Co!e (rovi!es t3at

it Os3all be t3e sole u!$e o all (re(roclamation controversies.O 3e act o t3e matter is t3at t3e aut3ority o t3e

Commission in reviein$ actuations o boar! o canvassers !oes not s(rin$ rom any a((ellate uris!iction

conerre! by any s(eciic (rovision o la, or t3ere is none suc3 (rovision any3ere in t3e +lection Co!e, but rom

t3e (lenary (rero$ative o !irect control an! su(ervision en!oe! to it by t3e aboveHuote! (rovisions o -ection

168. #n! in a!ministrative la, it is a too ell settle! (ostulate to nee! any su((ortin$ citation 3ere, t3at a su(erior

bo!y or oice 3avin$ su(ervision an! control over anot3er may !o !irectly 3at t3e latter is su((ose! to !o or

ou$3t to 3ave !one. 3e -u(reme Court cannot ault res(on!ent Comelec or its 3avin$ eIten!e! its inHuiry beyon!

t3at un!ertaLen by t3e 7oar! o Canvass )n t3e contrary, it must be state! t3at Comelec correctly an! commen!ably

asserte! its statutory aut3ority born o its envisa$e! constitutional !uties visvis t3e (reservation o t3e (urity o

elections an! electoral (rocesses an! in !oin$ 3at (etitioner it s3oul! not 3ave !one.

1. !iliina En#ineerin# and &ac%ine S%o vs. !errer* 018 SC"A 8

9O$IC2/u!icial Revie o "ecisionsAU9O"2*aria 3eresa "enillaBA9U"E O! 9E CASE

!AC9S2

1. @n (re(aration or t3e national elections o November 11, 1969, t3en res(on!ent Commissioners o t3e

Commission on +lections C)*++C issue! an @N>@#@)N ) 7@" C# No. 12' on -e(tember 16, 1969

callin$ or t3e submission o seale! (ro(osals or t3e manuacture an! !elivery o 11,000 units o votin$ boot3s it3t3e olloin$ s(eciications an! !escri(tions, to it4

11,000 :nits >)@NG 7))-, easy to install an! store. *ust be o li$3t but stron$ an! !urable materials, rust

(roo or rust resistant an! construction must be stur!y. +ac3 :nit s3all consists o to 2 votin$ boot3s it3 overall

measurements o 10 cms. lon$ I ' cms. i!e I 18 cms. 3i$3. +ac3 votin$ boot3 or com(artment measurin$ 'cms. lon$ I ' cms. i!e I 18 cms. 3i$3. 3e to( an! all si!es eIce(t t3e ront si!e, s3all be ully covere!. 3e

ront si!e o t3e unit s3all be it3out cover to serve as its o(enin$ entrance. +ac3 votin$ com(artment s3all be

(rovi!e! it3 a ritin$ table. +ac3 unit s3all be containe! in in!ivi!ual oo!en boI. 7i!!ers are reHuire! to submit

inis3e! sam(le.

2. #mon$ t3e seventeen bi!!ers 3o submitte! (ro(osals in res(onse to t3e sai! @N>@#@)N ere t3e

3erein (etitioner, Fili(inos +n$ineerin$ an! *ac3ine -3o(, Fili(inas or s3ort an! t3e (rivate res(on!ent, #cme-teel *anuacturin$ Com(any, #cme or s3ort.

&. )n )ctober ', 1969, t3e res(on!ent C)*++C 7i!!in$ Committee C3airman an! *embers submitte!

t3eir *emoran!um on t3e (rocee!in$s taLen (ursuant to t3e sai! @nvitation to 7i! 3ic3 state! t3at #cmeTs bi! 3a!

to be reecte! because t3e sam(le it submitte! as Oma!e o blacL iron s3eets, (ainte!, an! t3ereore not rust (rooor rust resistant,O an! t3at, Oit is also 3eavy S 1 Lilos in ei$3t. 3e Committee instea! recommen!e! t3at

Fili(inas be aar!e! t3e contract to manuacture an! su((ly t3e votin$ boot3s, but t3at an Oocular ins(ection be

ma!e by all members o t3e Commission o all t3e sam(les beore t3e inal aar! be ma!e.O

. )n )ctober 9, 1969, ater an ocular ins(ection o all t3e sam(les submitte! as con!ucte! by t3e

C)*++C Commissioners, an! ater t3e Commissioners note! t3at #cme submitte! t3e loest bi!, t3e

C)*++C issue! a Resolution aar!in$ t3e contract or votin$ boot3s to #cme, subect to t3e con!ition, amon$

ot3ers, t3at O#cme im(roves t3e sam(le submitte! in suc3 manner as it oul! be rust (roo or rust resistant. ... .O 6

Page 24


25/58

. )n )ctober 11, 1969, t3e C)*++C issue! %urc3ase )r!er No. 682 or t3e manuacture an! su((ly o t3e

11,000 :nits o votin$ boot3s in avor o #cme. #cme acce(te! t3e terms o t3e (urc3ase.

6. )n )ctober 16, 1969, Fili(inas ile! an @nunction suit it3 t3e t3en Court o First @nstance o *anila,!ocLete! as Civil Case No. ''9'2, a$ainst 3erein (ublic res(on!ents C)*++C Commissioners, c3airman an!

members o t3e Comelec 7i!!in$ Committee, an! (rivate res(on!ent #cme.

'. Fili(inas also a((lie! or a rit o (reliminary inunction. #ter 3earin$ (etitionerTs sai! a((lication, t3eres(on!ent /u!$e in an or!er !ate! )ctober 20, 1969 !enie! t3e rit (raye! or.

8. 3ereater or more s(eciically on )ctober 29, 1969, t3e (ublic res(on!ents ile! a motion to "ismiss on

t3e $roun!s t3at t3e loer court 3as no uris!iction over t3e nature o suit, an! t3at t3e com(laint states no cause oaction.

9. #ctin$ on t3e motion to !ismiss, t3e res(on!ent /u!$e issue! t3e Huestione! )r!er !ismissin$ Civil Case

No. ''9'2. Fili(inasT motion or reconsi!eration as !enie! or lacL o merit.

10. ence, t3e instant a((eal.

ISSUES2

1K. 3et3er or not t3e loer court 3as uris!iction to taLe co$niBance o a suit involvin$ an or!er o t3e C)*++C!ealin$ it3 an aar! o contract arisin$ rom its invitation to bi!; an!

J2K. 3et3er or not Fili(inas, t3e losin$ bi!!er, 3as a cause o action un!er t3e (remises a$ainst t3e C)*++C an!#cme, t3e innin$ bi!!er, to enoin t3em rom com(lyin$ it3 t3eir contract

ELD2 J1K. es. oer court 3as t3e uris!iction over controversies !ealin$ it3 t3e C)*++CTs aar! o

contracts, t3e same bein$ (urely a!ministrative an! civil in nature,J2K. No. Fili(inas, t3e losin$ bi!!er, 3as no cause o action un!er t3e (remises to enoin t3e C)*++C rom

(ursuin$ its contract it3 #cme, t3e innin$ bi!!er.

"A9IO2

J1K 7y constitutional man!ate3e Commission on +lections s3all 3ave eIclusive c3ar$e o t3e enorcement an! a!ministration o all las relative

to t3e con!uct o elections an! s3all eIercise all ot3er unctions 3ic3 may be conerre! u(on it by la. @t s3all!eci!e, save t3ose involvin$ t3e ri$3t to vote, all a!ministrative Huestions aectin$ elections, inclu!in$ t3e

!etermination o t3e number o location o %ollin$ (laces, an! t3e a((ointment o election ins(ectors an! o ot3er

election oicials. ... 3e !ecisions, or!ers an! rulin$s o t3e Commission s3all be subect to revie by t3e -u(reme

Court. -ection 2, #rticle ?, 19& %3ili((ine Constitution, 3ic3 as t3en in orce-ection o t3e Revise! +lection Co!e Re(ublic #ct No. 180, a((rove! /une 21, 19', t3e election la t3en

enorce! (rovi!e! t3at, Oa any controversy submitte! to t3e Commission on +lections s3all be trie!, 3ear! an!

!eci!e! by it it3in iteen !ays counte! rom t3e time t3e corres(on!in$ (etition $ivin$ rise to sai! controversy is

ile!,O an! t3at, Oany violation o any inal an! eIecutory !ecision, or!er, or rulin$ o t3e Commission s3allOconstitute contem(t o court iLeise, t3e same section (rovi!e! t3at, Oany !ecision, or!er or rulin$ o t3e

Commission on +lections may be reviee! by t3e -u(reme Court by rit o certiorari in accor!ance it3 t3e Rules

o Court or it3 suc3 rules as may be (romul$ate! by t3e -u(reme Court.-imilarly, -ection 1' o t3e /u!iciary #ct o 198 Re(ublic #ct No. 296, as amen!e!, (rovi!es t3at, Oinalaar!s, u!$ments, !ecisions or or!ers o t3e Commission on +lections ...O all it3in t3e eIclusive uris!iction o

t3e -u(reme Court by ay o certiorari. -ection 1, Rule & o t3e 196 Revise! Rules o Court (rescribe! t3e

manner o a((eal by certiorari to t3e -u(reme Court rom a inal rulin$ or !ecision o t3e Commission on +lections,

amon$ ot3er a!ministrative bo!ies.

J2K 3ile t3e la reHuires t3e eIercise o soun! !iscretion on t3e (art o (rocurement aut3orities, an! t3at t3e

reservation to reect any or all bi!s may not be use! as a s3iel! to a rau!ulent aar!, (etitioner 3as miserably aile!to (rove or substantiate t3e eIistence o malice or rau! on t3e (art o t3e (ublic res(on!ents in t3e c3allen$e!

aar!.

3e O7i!!ers en!er Call No. 12'O, t3e orm accom(lis3e! by t3e bi!!er (ursuant to @nvitation to 7i! No. 12', also

cate$orically (rovi!e t3at t3e bi!!er submits 3is (ro(osals Osubect to t3e con!itions state! in t3e invitation.O 1&@t is crystal clear rom t3e aoreHuote! con!itions, t3at subect to t3e ri$3ts o t3e C)*++C !uly reserve! in t3e

sai! @nvitation, aar! s3all be ma!e to t3e loest an! res(onsible bi!!er 3ose oer ill best serve t3e interest o

t3e C)*++C; t3at t3e C)*++C 3a! reserve! t3e ri$3t, amon$ ot3ers, to acce(t suc3 bi!, as may in its

!iscretion, be consi!ere! most reasonable an! a!vanta$eous; an! t3at t3e invitation as merely a call or (ro(osals.ConseHuently, t3e C)*++C as not un!er le$al obli$ation to acce(t any bi! since O#!vertisements or bi!!ers

are sim(ly invitation to maLe (ro(osals an! t3e a!vertiser is not boun! to acce(t t3e 3i$3est or loest bi!!er, unless

t3e contrary a((ears.O 1

%ursuant to C)*++CTs @nvitation to 7i! No. 12', a bi!!er may 3ave t3e ri$3t to !eman! !ama$es, or unrealiBe!or eI(ecte! (roits, only 3en 3is bi! as acce(te! by resolution o t3e C)*++C. Fili(inasT bi!, alt3ou$3

recommen!e! or aar! o contract by t3e bi!!in$ committee, as not t3e innin$ bi!. No resolution to t3at eect

a((eare! to 3ave been issue! by t3e C)*++C. "eci!e!ly t3en, Fili(inas 3as no cause o action.

@n issuin$ t3e resolution aar!in$ t3e contract or votin$ boot3s in #cmeTs avor, t3e Commissioners o t3eC)*++C 3a! taLen into account t3at #cmeTs bi! as t3e loest; t3at #cme as a res(onsible manuacturer; an!

t3at u(on an ocular ins(ection o t3e sam(les submitte! by t3e bi!!ers, #cmeTs sam(le as avorable c3osen subect

to certain con!itions cite! in t3e resolution. @n ine, t3e (ublic res(on!ents (ro(erly eIercise! its soun! !iscretion inmaLin$ t3e aar!.

Page 25


26/58

7. Am+il v. Comelec .". Bo. 07114 * Octo+er 8* * 177 SC"A 18

9O$IC2/u!icial Revie o "ecisionsAU9O"2 3ea "enilla

BA9U"E O! 9E CASE2 -(ecial civil action or certiorari an! (ro3ibition it3 (reliminary inunction ortem(orary restrainin$ or!er

!AC9S2

1. %etitioner Ru(erto #. #mbil, /r. an! res(on!ent /ose . RamireB ere can!i!ates or t3e (osition o

Governor, +astern -amar, !urin$ t3e *ay 11, 1998 elections.

2. )n *ay 16, 1998, t3e %rovincial 7oar! o Canvassers (roclaime! Ru(erto #. #mbil, /r. as t3e !uly electe!

Governor, +astern -amar, 3avin$ obtaine! 6,' votes, t3e 3i$3est number o votes in t3e election returns.&. )n /une , 1998, res(on!ent RamireB 3o obtaine! ,9& votes, t3e secon! 3i$3est number o votes, ile!

it3 t3e Comelec, an election (rotestc3allen$in$ t3e results in a total o 201 (recincts. 3e case as assi$ne! to

t3e First "ivision ormerly -econ!, Commission on +lection.

. @n t3e meantime, on February 1, 2000, Commissioner Guiani retire! rom t3e service. )n *arc3 &, 2000,t3e %resi!ent o t3e %3ili((ines a((ointe! Commissioner Ruino -. /avier to t3e seat vacate! by Commissioner

Guiani. Commissioner /avier assume! oice on #(ril , 2000.

. )n or about February 2, 2000, (etitioner #mbil an! res(on!ent RamireB receive! a (ur(orte! resolution

(romul$ate! on February 1, 2000, si$ne! by Commissioner Guiani an! ancan$co, it3 Commissioner "esamito!issentin$. 3e result as in avor o res(on!ent RamireB 3o as !eclare! inner by a mar$in o 1,1'6 votes.

6. )n February 28, 2000, t3e Comelec, First "ivision, !eclare! t3at t3e t3irteen(a$e resolution Ois a useless

scra( o (a(er 3ic3 s3oul! be i$nore! by t3e (arties in t3is case t3ere bein$ no (romul$ation o t3e Resolution in

t3e instant case.'. %etitioner #mbil seeLs to annul t3e or!er !ate! /une 1, 2000 settin$ t3e (romul$ation o t3e resolution o

t3e case +%C Case No. 9829 on /une 20, 2000 at 2400 in t3e aternoon, an! (ro3ibitin$ t3e Comelec, First

"ivision, rom (romul$atin$ t3e (ur(orte! Guiani resolution an! !irectin$ t3e Comelec, First "ivision, to !eliberate

ane on t3e case an! to (romul$ate t3e resolution reac3e! in t3e case ater suc3 !eliberation.8. )n /une 20, 2000, e issue! a tem(orary restrainin$ or!er enoinin$ res(on!ent Comelec rom

im(lementin$ t3e /une 1, 2000 or!er or t3e (romul$ation o t3e resolution set on /une 20, 2000 at 2400 in t3e

aternoon. #t t3e same time, t3e Court !irecte! t3e res(on!ents to comment on t3e (etition it3in ten 10 !ays rom

notice.9. )n /uly 10, 2000, res(on!ent RamireB ile! 3is comment. Res(on!ent RamireB a!mitte! t3at t3e (ro(ose!

resolution o Commissioner Guiani as no lon$er vali! ater 3is retirement on February 1, 2000. e submitte! t3at

Comelec, First "ivision, its members3i( still constitutin$ a maority, must elevate t3e (rotest case to t3e Comelec en

banc until resolve! it3 inality.

ISSUES2

J1K 3et3er Comelec, First "ivision, in sc3e!ulin$ t3e (romul$ation o t3e resolution in t3e case +%C Case No.

9829 acte! it3out uris!iction or it3 $rave abuse o !iscretion amountin$ to lacL o uris!iction.

J2K 3et3er or not t3e Guani Resolution is vali!

ELD2

J1K No. 3e C)*++C !i! not acte! it3out uris!iction or it3 $rave abuse o !iscretion amountin$ to lacL ouris!iction.

J2K No. Guiani resolution is voi!.

"A9IO2

J1K3e case at bar is an election (rotest involvin$ t3e (osition o Governor, +astern -amar.&2 @t is it3in t3e ori$inal

uris!iction o t3e Commission on +lections in !ivision. #!mitte!ly, (etitioner !i! not asL or a reconsi!eration ot3e !ivisionPs resolution or inal !ecision. @n act, t3ere as really no resolution or !ecision to s(eaL o &because

t3ere as yet no (romul$ation, 3ic3 as still sc3e!ule! on /une 20, 2000 at 2400 oPclocL in t3e aternoon.

%etitioner ent !irectly to t3e -u(reme Court rom an or!er o O(romul$ation o t3e Resolution o t3is caseO by t3e

First "ivision o t3e Comelec.:n!er t3e eIistin$ Constitutional sc3eme, a (arty to an election case it3in t3e uris!iction o t3e Comelec in

!ivision can not !is(ense it3 t3e ilin$ o a motion or reconsi!eration o a !ecision, resolution or inal or!er o t3e

"ivision o t3e Commission on +lections because t3e case oul! not reac3 t3e Comelec en banc it3out suc3

motion or reconsi!eration 3avin$ been ile! an! resolve! by t3e "ivision.3e instant case !oes not all un!er any o t3e reco$niBe! eIce(tions to t3e rule in certiorari cases !is(ensin$ it3 a

motion or reconsi!eration (rior to t3e ilin$ o a (etition. @n trut3, t3e eIce(tions !o not a((ly to election cases

3ere a motion or reconsi!eration is man!atory by Constitutional iat to elevate t3e case to t3e Comelec en banc,

3ose inal !ecision is 3at is revieable via certiorari beore t3e -u(reme Court.

J2K First4 # inal !ecision or resolution becomes bin!in$ only ater it is (romul$ate! an! not beore. #ccor!in$ly,

one 3o is no lon$er a member o t3e Commission at t3e time t3e inal !ecision or resolution is (romul$ate! cannot

vali!ly taLe (art in t3at resolution or !ecision.*uc3 more coul! 3e be t3e (onente o t3e resolution or !ecision. 3eresolution or !ecision o t3e "ivision must be si$ne! by a maority o its members an! !uly (romul$ate!.

Commissioner Guiani mi$3t 3ave si$ne! a !rat (onencia (rior to 3is retirement rom oice, but 3en 3e vacate!

3is oice it3out t3e inal !ecision or resolution 3avin$ been (romul$ate!, 3is vote as automatically

invali!ate!.7eore t3at resolution or !ecision is so si$ne! an! (romul$ate!, t3ere is no vali! resolution or !ecisionto s(eaL o.

Page 26


27/58


28/58

!AC9S2

1. %3ili( Romual!eB natural born citiBen o t3e %3ili((ines, son o ormer $overnor o eyte, ne(3e o @mel!a

*arcos

2. %3ili( 3a! a resi!ence constructe! in eyte since 3e ante! to establis3 le$al resi!ence t3ere.

&. 1986 sna( elections 3e acte! as cam(ai$n mana$er o Dilusan$ 7a$on$ i(unan in eyte

. Feb 212, 1986 Romula!eB le! an! sou$3t OasylumO in :- 3ic3 $rante! :- $rante!.

. 198' %3ili( attem(te! to come bacL an! run or con$ressional seat in eyte.

6. e receive! letter rom Cobb, "istrict "irector o :- @mmi$ration [ NaturaliBation -ervice, inormin$ t3at 3e

s3oul! !e(art rom :- or 3e ill be !e(orte!.

'. Romual!eB let an! arrive! it3out any $overnment !ocument.

8. :(on arrival, 3e re$istere! 3imsel as voter in eyte an! as alloe!.

9. #!vinalla (rivate res( (raye! t3at 3e be eIclu!e! rom list o voters since 3e !i!nTt 3ave 1year resi!ence in t3e

%3ili((ines an! 6mont3 resi!ence in leyte to Hualiy as voter.

10. Romual!eB claims t3at 3e is a resi!ent

11. *C Romula!eB is a resi!ent

RC reverse!. Romual!eB is !isHualiie!.

ISSUE2)N Romual!eB is a Hualiie! voter

eld2+-. RC reverse!. *C reinstate!.

"A9IO2

@n election cases, resi!ence is eHuivalent to !omicile, (ersonal (resence in t3at (lace it3 con!uct in!icative o

intention.

%olitical situation brou$3t by O%eo(leTs %oer RevolutionO truly cause! $reat a((re3ension to t3e Romual!eBes.

3eir su!!en !e(arture canTt be !escribe! as OvoluntaryO or Oaban!onment o resi!enceO to t3e conteIt t3at t3ese

terms are use! in a((lyin$ t3e conce(t o O!omicile by c3oiceO

3. Ka+ataan $arty(List vs. Comelec .". Bo. 043* Decem+er 08* 4

!AC9S2

1. C)*++C issue! Resolution 81 3ic3 set "ec 2 T08 "ec 1 T09 as (erio! o continuin$ voter re$istration

usin$ biometrics (rocess in all areas nationi!e, eIce(t #R**

2. Raymon! %alatino yout3 sectoral re(resentative un!er Dabataan %arty list conten!s t3at serious Huestions

involve! ustiy t3e resort to Court an! ; t3at base! on N-) !ata (roecte! votin$ (o(ulation or *ay 2010 elections

total to 12.*.

&. %alatino (raye! or t3at t3e resolution be !eclare! null an! voi!.

ISSUE2)N eItension may be $rante!

ELD2es. %etition $rante!. C)*++C Reso null an! voi!.

"A9IO2R# 8189, -ec 8 -ystem o Continuin$ Re$istration o voters !ecrees t3at voters may be alloe! to

re$ister !aily !urin$ re$ular oice 3ours +?C+% !urin$ t3e 120 !ay (ro3ibitive (erio!.

C)*++CTs rule maLin$ (oer s3iul! be eIercise! in accor! it3 la. @t can only iI (erio!s an! !ates or (re

election @F same cannot be reasonably 3el! it3in t3e (erio! (rovi!e! by la.

6. Gaytan vs Comelec ". Bo. 081478*143 SC"A 61* 603

9O$IC2 >oters Qualiication an! Re$istrationAU9O"2 "enise GuiaoBA9U"E O! 9E CASE2%etitioner or certiorari it3 (rayer or tem(orary restrainin$ or!er an! (reliminary

inunction.

!AC9S2

1. )n 1 /une 199', Reynato7aytan, Reynal!o 7aytan, an! #!rian 7aytan 3ereater reerre! to as (etitioners ere

on t3eir ay to re$ister or t3e *ay 1998 elections.2. Alle#edly, t3ey met nely electe! 7aran$ay Ca(tain Roberto @$nacio @$nacio or brevity, in 7aran$ay 18, Aone @@

o Cavite City. @$nacio le! t3e (etitioners to re$ister in %recinct No. 8 o 7aran$ay 18; >oters Re$istration

Recor!s evi!ence! t3e same.

Page 28


29/58

&. 3en t3e (etitioners returne! 3ome, t3ey on!ere! 3y t3e re$istrants in t3e (recinct looLe! unamiliar. 3is

(rom(te! t3em to return to t3e re$istration center to stu!y t3e (recinct ma( o 7aran$ay 18. 3ey t3en realiBe! t3at

t3eir resi!ence is situate! it3in t3e uris!iction o 7aran$ay 28. 3ey imme!iately (rocee!e! to %recinct 129# o

7aran$ay 28 an! re$istere! ane on 22 /une 199', a$ain as evi!ence! by >oters Re$istration Recor!s.. )n 21 #u$ust 199', t3e (etitioners sent a letter to ormer C)*++C #ssistant +Iecutive "irector /ose %io ).

/ocscon an! urnis3e! a co(y t3ereo to C)*++C Re$istrar Franco rias. 3ey reHueste! or a!vice on 3o to

cancel t3eir (revious re$istration. 3ey also eI(laine! t3e reason an! circumstances o t3eir secon! re$istration an!

eI(resse! t3eir intention to re!ress t3e error.. )n 16 -e(tember 199', t3e +lection )icer o Cavite City orar!e! co(ies o t3e >oters Re$istration Recor!s o

t3e (etitioners to t3e %rovincial +lection -u(ervisor, #tty. /uanito >. RavanBo or evaluation.

6. )n 10 /anuary 1998, RavanBo recommen!e! ilin$ an inormation or dou+le re#istration a$ainst (etitioners.

'. )n 09 November 2000 t3e C)*++C airme! t3e recommen!ation o RavanBo. %etitioners move! orreconsi!eration but t3e C)*++C en banc !enie! t3e motion.

ISSUE2

1. "i! Reynato, Reynal!o, an! #!rian, all it3 t3e surname 7aytan, violate t3e )mnibus +lection Co!e )+Ct3rou$3 !ouble re$istrationM

ELD2 ES. 9%ere was a violation of t%e OEC. #rticle ??@@, -ec. 261 y o t3e +lection Co!e (rovi!es4

-ection 261. $ro%i+ited Acts. 3e olloin$ s3all be $uilty o an election oense4

y )n Re$istration o >oters4 Any erson w%o* +ein# a re#istered voter* re#isters anew wit%out filin#

an

alication for cancellation of %is revious re#istration.

3e (etitioners 3a! !one (recisely 3at as (ro3ibite! by t3e la an! is t3us in blatant violationo suc3.

"A9IO2

First an! oremost, it as im(ro(er or t3e (etitioners to ile a motion or reconsi!eration !ue to t3e act

t3at t3e minute resolution o t3e C)*++C as only issue! in t3e %R+@*@N#R @N>+-@G#@)N -#G+. #

(reliminary investi$ation is essentially inHuisitorial an! is only t3e means to !iscover 3o may be c3ar$e! it3 a

crime, its unction bein$ merely to !etermine (robable cause. 9%ere is no -uestion t%at t%e etitioners re#isteredtwice on different days and in different recincts wit%out cancellin# t%eir revious re#istration.3ere is

(robable cause an! trial s3oul! ensue.

3e C)*++C note! urt3er t3at t3e ai!avits submitte! by t3e (etitioners containe! G#R@NG@NC)N-@-+NC@+-. %etitioners claime! t3at @$nacio le! t3em to t3e ron$ (recinct to re$ister. oever,

@$nacioPs ai!avit state! t3at 3ile 3e le! t3em to t3e votin$ (recinct o 7aran$ay 18, 3e imme!iately let t3e area

not Lnoin$ t3at (etitioners re$is

G02 Election Law Reviewer and Case DIgest Compilation

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