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7/23/2019 EN BAupdated NC http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/en-baupdated-nc 1/89 EN BANC [G.R. No. 136587. August 30, 1999] ERNESTO BIBOT A. DOMINGO, JR., petitioner , vs. OMMISSION ON E!ETIONS "#$ BENJAMIN BEN%&R D. ABA!OS, JR., respondents . D E I S I O N GON'AGA(RE)ES, J.*  Assailed in this special civil action for certiorari  are the En Banc  Resolution of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), dated Decemer !, !""#, $!%  and the Resolution of the COMELEC &irstDivision, dated 'ul , !""#, $%  in *+A No "#-./!, 0hich dismissed, for lac1 of merit, the petition for dis2ualification filed a3ainst herein private respondent, the incument maor of Mandaluon3 Cit 4n the Ma !!, !""# elections, petitioner Ernesto Domin3o, 'r and private respondent Ben5amin Aalos, 'r 0ere oth maoralt candidates of Mandaluon3 Cit After private respondents proclamation on Ma !6, !""#, petitioner filed the instant petition for dis2ualification, on the 3round that, durin3 the campai3n period, private respondent prodded his father, then incument Mandaluon3 Cit Maor Ben5amin Aalos, *r, to 3ive sustantial allo0ances to pulic school teachers appointed as chairpersons and memers of the Boards of Election 4nspectors (BE4s) for Mandaluon3 Cit +etitioners alle3ations otain from an incident on April !7, !""#, 0herein, in a +asal-Aral outin3 for Mandaluon3 Cit pulic school teachers in *ariaa, 8ue9on, then Maor Ben5amin Aalos, *r announced that the teachers appointed to the BE4s 0ill each e 3iven a ha9ard pa of +!,::::: and food allo0ance of +;::::, in addition to the allo0ance of +!,;:::: $.%  4n the petition for dis2ualification filed efore the COMELEC &irst Division, petitioner char3ed that private

Transcript of EN BAupdated NC

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EN BANC

[G.R. No. 136587. August 30, 1999]

ERNESTO BIBOT A. DOMINGO, JR., petitioner , vs. OMMISSIONON E!ETIONS "#$ BENJAMIN BEN%&R D. ABA!OS,JR., respondents.

D E I S I O N

GON'AGA(RE)ES, J.*

 Assailed in this special civil action for certiorari  are the EnBanc  Resolution of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), datedDecemer !, !""#,$!% and the Resolution of the COMELEC&irstDivision, dated 'ul , !""#,$% in *+A No "#-./!, 0hichdismissed, for lac1 of merit, the petition for dis2ualification filed a3ainstherein private respondent, the incument maor of Mandaluon3 Cit

4n the Ma !!, !""# elections, petitioner Ernesto Domin3o, 'r andprivate respondent Ben5amin Aalos, 'r 0ere oth maoralt

candidates of Mandaluon3 Cit After private respondentsproclamation on Ma !6, !""#, petitioner filed the instant petition for dis2ualification, on the 3round that, durin3 the campai3n period,private respondent prodded his father, then incument Mandaluon3Cit Maor Ben5amin Aalos, *r, to 3ive sustantial allo0ances topulic school teachers appointed as chairpersons and memers of theBoards of Election 4nspectors (BE4s) for Mandaluon3 Cit

+etitioners alle3ations otain from an incident on April !7, !""#,

0herein, in a +asal-Aral outin3 for Mandaluon3 Cit pulic schoolteachers in *ariaa, 8ue9on, then Maor Ben5amin Aalos, *rannounced that the teachers appointed to the BE4s 0ill each e 3ivena ha9ard pa of +!,::::: and food allo0ance of +;::::, in additionto the allo0ance of +!,;::::$.% 4n the petition for dis2ualification filedefore the COMELEC &irst Division, petitioner char3ed that private

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respondents influence over his father on this matter 0as evident fromthe follo0in3 declaration of father Aalos, *r<

=our +resident $referrin3 to Mr Alfredo de >era, +resident of the

&ederation of Mandaluon3 +ulic *chool ?eachers%, to3ether 0ithBenhur, walang tigil yan kakapunta sa akin at not ecause he is msonsiya ang nakikipag-usap sa kanila and came up 0ith a eautifulcompromise @@@$7%

 As alle3ed petitioner, the fore3oin3 statement 0as revealin3 of ho0 private respondent prodded his father, then Maor Aalos, *r, toa0ard sustantial allo0ances to the pulic school teachers 0ho 0illassume seats in the BE4s in the Ma !!, !""# elections, as to

influence them into votin3 for him and ensurin3 his victor

Maor Aalos, *rs speech, as 0ell, as other activities in theaforesaid +asal-Aral outin3, 0ere recorded on videotape per instructions of Mr +erfecto Doro5a, an associate of petitioner$;% 4naddition to the videotape, petitioner also sumitted photo3raphs of astreamer, hun3 at the entrance of the ?aaas Ba Beach Resort,*ariaa, 8ue9on, declarin3 Maor Ben5amin * Aalos, *r as co-sponsor of the +asal-Aral,$/% as 0ell as affidavits of three pulic

school teachers 0ho participated in the said activit

$6%

+etitioner alle3es that private respondents act of proddin3 hisfather, then incument maor Ben5amin * Aalos, *r, to 3ivesustantial allo0ances to the Mandaluon3 Cit pulic schoolteachers constitutes a violation of *ection /# of the Omnius ElectionCode, the pertinent provisions of 0hich read<

*ec /# Disqualifications. An candidate 0ho, in an action or protestin 0hich he is a part is declared final decision of a competent

court 3uilt of, or found the Commission of havin3 (a) 3iven moneor other material consideration to influence, induce or corrupt thevoters or pulic officials performin3 electoral functions @@@ shall edis2ualified from continuin3 as a candidate, or if he has een elected,from holdin3 the office @@@

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4n dismissin3 the petition for dis2ualification for insufficienc of evidence and lac1 of merit, the COMELEC &irst Division admonishedpetitioner and his counsel for attemptin3 to mislead the COMELEC ma1in3 false and untruthful statements$#% in his petition On

reconsideration, the COMELEC, En Banc , affirmed the findin3s andconclusions of its &irst Division

Before us, petitioner assails the Resolutions of pulic respondentCOMELEC for ein3 violative of his ri3ht to due process, and thus,issued 0ith 3rave ause of discretion 4t is petitioners ar3ument thatthe dismissal of his petition for dis2ualification on the 3round of insufficienc of evidence 0as unfounded, considerin3 that no hearin3on the merits 0as conducted pulic respondent on the matter

+etitioner ne@t contends that 3rave ause of discretion 0asli1e0ise attendant in pulic respondents act of dismissin3 the petitionfor dis2ualification for insufficienc of evidence, despite theover0helmin3 pieces of evidence of petitioner, consistin3 of the videocassette, pictures and affidavits, 0hich 0ere not denied privaterespondent$"% +etitioner further decries the fact that private respondentpresented no evidence to sustantiate his defense, 0hile all thepieces of evidence that he sumitted in his petition for dis2ualification

0ere stron3 enou3h to prove violation private respondent of *ection /# of the Omnius Election Code$!:%

Before touchin3 on the merits, 0e shall first resolve the proceduralmatters raised private respondent namel, forum-shoppin3 andfailure to file this petition on time

4t is not disputed that, in addition to the petition for dis2ualification,petitioner also filed a criminal complaint$!!% and an election protest ex abundante cautelam$!% 0ith pulic respondent COMELEC+rivaterespondent contends that, inasmuch as the petition for dis2ualificationand the complaint for election offense involve the same issues andchar3es, i.e., vote-uin3, e@ertin3 undue influence on BE4 memers,petitioner should e held liale for forum-shoppin3

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e rule to the contrar &orum-shoppin3 e@ists 0hen the petitioner files multiple petitions or complaints involvin3 the same issues in t0oor more triunals or a3encies$!.% ?he issues in the t0o cases aredifferent ?he complaint for election offense is a criminal case 0hich

involves the ascertainment of the 3uilt or innocence of the accusedcandidate and, li1e an other criminal case, re2uires a conviction onproof eond reasonale dout$!7% A petition for dis2ualification,mean0hile, re2uires merel the determination of 0hether therespondent committed acts as to merit his dis2ualification from office,and is done throu3h an administrative proceedin3 0hich is summar incharacter and re2uires onl a clear preponderance of evidence$!;%

Ne@t, petitioner admits receivin3 a cop of the assailed COMELEC

&irst Division Resolution on 'ul !., !""# e also admits filin3 amotion for reconsideration of the said COMELEC &irst DivisionResolution on 'ul :, !""# A cop of the assailed COMELEC EnBanc  Resolution dated Decemer !, !""# 0as received petitioner on Decemer 7, !""# nder *ection ., Rule /7 of the Revised Rulesof Court, petitions for certiorari  from orders or rulin3s of theCOMELEC

shall e filed 0ithin thirt (.:) das from notice of the 5ud3ment or final

order or resolution sou3ht to e revie0ed ?he filin3 of a motion for ne0 trial or reconsideration of the said 5ud3ment or final order or resolution @@@ shall interrupt the period herein fi@ed 4f the motion isdenied, the a33rieved part ma file the petition 0ithin the remainin3period, ut 0hich shall not e less than five (;) das in an event,rec1oned from notice of denial

*ection 7 of Rule !" of the COMELEC Rules of +rocedure li1e0iseprovides<

Effect of motion for reconsideration on period to appeal   A motion toreconsider a decision, resolution, order or rulin3 0hen not pro-forma,suspends the runnin3 of the period to elevate the matter to the*upreme Court.

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4nasmuch as the filin3 of a motion for reconsideration interrupts the.:-da period 0ithin 0hich to file a petition for certiorari  0ith thisCourt, petitioner has effectivel consumed seven das of theaovestated .:-da period 0hen he filed his motion for 

reconsideration ?hus, as correctl pointed out private respondent,0hen petitioner received a cop of the assailed COMELEC EnBanc  Resolution, he onl had . das from Decemer 7, !""#, thedate 0hen he received the COMELEC En Banc  Resolution, or untilDecemer 6, !""#$!/%, to file the instant petition for certiorari  ?hispetition 0as filed on 'anuar 7, !"""

4n an event, 0hether the petition 0as filed on time or not, ane@amination of the records leaves us satisfied that pulic respondent

COMELEC did not commit 3rave ause of discretion in dismissin3 thepetition for dis2ualification

&irst, on the issue of due process, 0e find no violation thereof 0hen pulic respondent COMELEC decided to dismiss the petition for dis2ualification 0ithout hearin3 ell-estalished is the rule that theessence of due process is simpl an opportunit to e heard$!6% 4n Zaldivar vs. Sandiganbayan$!#%, cited in the recent caseof Bautista vs. !"E#E $!"%$ 0e held that the ri3ht to e heard does

not onl refer to the ri3ht to present veral ar3uments in court A partma also e heard throu3h his pleadin3s here opportunit to eheard is accorded, either throu3h oral ar3uments or pleadin3s, there isno denial of procedural due process

&urthermore, the filin3 petitioner of a motion for reconsiderationaccorded him ample opportunit to dispute the findin3s of theCOMELEC &irst Division, so that he 0as as full heard as he mi3hthave een had oral ar3uments actuall ta1en place Deprivation of 

due process cannot e successfull invo1ed 0here a part 0as 3iventhe chance to e heard in his motion for reconsideration$:%

Ne@t, petitioner re-asserts efore us the sufficienc of his evidenceto prove that private respondent influenced the Mandaluon3 Citpulic school teachers, throu3h his father, Aalos, *r, in theperformance of their functions as memers of the BE4s

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+etitioners evidence fails to persuade &irst, the affidavits of thethree teachers 0ho participated in the controversial +asal-Aral do notcontain anthin3 ut the follo0in3 are declarations< (!) that theheard Aalos, *r promise that he 0ill 3ive ha9ard pa of +!,:::::

and food allo0ance of +;::::, in addition to the re3ular livin3allo0ance of +!,;::::, and () that, efore the Ma !!, !""#elections the each received +!,;::::, or half of the total allo0ancespromised Aalos, *r in his speech Nothin3 in these affidavitssu33ests, let alone sets out, 1no0led3e on an de3ree of participationof private respondent in the 3rant of these allo0ances ?he name of private respondent 0as not even mentioned or alluded to an of thethree affiants

+etitioner also sumitted photo3raphs ta1en of the streamer at theentrance of the ?aaas Ba Beach Resort, 0elcomin3 theparticipants to the +asal-Aral and declarin3 the Mandaluon3 Cit*chool Board and then maor Aalos, *r as co-sponsors of theaffair *ince la0, the maor is a co-chairman of the Cit *choolBoard$!%, 0e find nothin3 unusual in his havin3 co-sponsored the saidevent e on the pulic school teachers of Mandaluon3 Cit

=et it is upon the videotape recordin3s that petitioner las much

reliance on, in provin3 his case for dis2ualification fail to see theconnection et0een these pictures and the alle3ed influence 0ielded private respondent ?he recordin3s are supposed to document ho0former maor Aalos, *r announced that his son, private respondentherein, prodded his father to release sustantial allo0ances toteachers 0ho 0ill act as memers of the BE4s As found theCOMELEC &irst Division, the name uttered in the announcement 0asnot Benhur, private respondents nic1name and 0hat petitioner alle3ed0as uttered, ut Lito Motivo, a name 0hich trul sounded unli1e

Benhur$%

 Also, 0hen the COMELEC, throu3h its &irst Division,vie0ed the videotape sumitted petitioner, the speech of Maor 

 Aalos, *r 0as cut and so (the) also did not see and hear that part of Maor Aalos, *rs speech alle3edl uttered him $.%

4n the +etition, petitioners counsel admitted that the assailed2uotation in the petition for dis2ualification 0as ased on an

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erroneous transcript of the speech 0hich 0as prepared someodelse, and 0hich he in turn failed to verif for errors o0ever, hedenies havin3 intended to mislead the COMELEC 0ith the inclusion of this statement, ut instead sumits that the 0ord Benhur 0as derived

from the succeedin3 pronouncement of Aalos, *r, not ecause he ism son, 0hich ma in turn e inferred to refer to private respondent,0ho 0as a maoralt candidate at the time$7%

e find no 3rave ause of discretion in the COMELECs findin3that Aalos, *rs controversial statement, effectivel reduced to this<

=our +resident, to3ether 0ith Lito Motivo, walang tigil yan kakapuntasa akin at not ecause he is m son siya ang nakikipag-usap sa

kanila and came up 0ith a eautiful compromise @@@

0as seriousl insufficient and va3ue to prove violation of *ection /# of the Omnius Election Code ?he urden of provin3 that privaterespondent indirectl influenced the pulic school teachers of Mandaluon3 Cit, throu3h his father, Aalos, *r, 0as a urden thatpetitioner failed to meet

Neither is this urden overcome the ar3ument that privaterespondent, for himself, had no evidence to reut petitionersalle3ations, since the urden of provin3 factual claims rests on thepart raisin3 them$;% Besides, it is not true that private respondent3ave onl denials and did not present an evidence to his defense, or to offer an e@planation for his fathers actions, 0hich 0ere assailed ashavin3 een influenced him +rivate respondent presented inevidence a certified true cop of 'oint Circular No !, series of !""#,$/% issued the Department of Education, Culture and *ports,Department of Bud3et and Mana3ement and Department of 4nterior and Local overnment, 0hich authori9ed the pament of allo0ancesof pulic school teachers char3eale to local 3overnment funds$6% ?he 'oint Circular provided the asis for private respondentsar3ument that the disursement of funds then maor Aalos, *r0as valid as havin3 een made pursuant to administrative circular,and 0as not an unla0ful attempt made in conspirac 0ith privaterespondent to secure the latters victor in the elections

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4n fine, 0e find no 3rave ause of discretion in the COMELECsdecision to dismiss the petition for dis2ualification ?he conclusion thatpetitioners evidence is insufficient to support the char3e of violation of *ection /# of the Omnius Election Code 0as arrived at onl after a

careful scrutin of the evidence at hand, especiall of the videotapesof petitioner ?his is clearl evident from the discussion of theCOMELEC &irst Division, in the Resolution dated 'ul , !""#, 0hich2uoted e@tensivel from the pleadin3s and evidence of petitioners,and provided ade2uate e@planation for 0h it considered petitionersevidence insufficient and unconvincin3

Clearl, 0here there is no proof of 3rave ause of discretion,aritrariness, fraud or error of la0 in the 2uestioned Resolutions, the

Court ma not revie0 the factual findin3s of COMELEC, nor sustituteits o0n findin3s on the sufficienc of evidence$#%

&inall, the fore3oin3 conclusion is 0ithout pre5udice to the electionprotest and election offense cases involvin3 the same parties pendin30ith pulic respondent COMELEC

+%EREORE, the petition is D4*M4**ED ?he assailedCOMELEC Resolutions dated 'ul , !""# and Decemer !, !""#,

dismissin3 the petition for insufficienc of evidence and lac1 of merit,and affirmin3 the proclamation of private respondent Ben5amin Aalos,'r as dul elected maor of Mandaluon3 Cit, are here

 A&&4RMED No costs

SO ORDERED.

G.R. No. 168-53 M"/ 16, -007

MA)OR NOE! E. ROSA!, +etitioner,vsOMMISSION ON E!ETIONS, S/o#$ D22s2o#, "#$ MI%AE! 4ITORIMERIA!, Respondents

@- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - @

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G.R. No. 17-71 M"/ 16, -007

MA)OR NOE! E. ROSA!, +etitioner,vsOMMISSION ON E!ETIONS "#$ MI%AE! 4ITOR IMERIA!, Respondents

D E C 4 * 4 O N

ORONA, J.:

+etitioner Noel E Rosal and private respondent Michael >ictor C 4mperial 0ere candidates formaor of Le3aspi Cit in the Ma !:, ::7 elections After the countin3 and canvassin3 of votes,petitioner 0as proclaimed as the dul elected maor of Le3aspi Cit, havin3 received 77,6" votesover private respondentFs ..,676 and there 0innin3 a mar3in of !!,:7; votes

On Ma 7, ::7, private respondent instituted a petition to annul the proclamation,! assailin3 thecanvass of election returns in the ;: precincts that had functioned durin3 the election On 'ul /,::7, the case 0as superseded an election protest filed private respondent 0ith the

Commission on Elections (Comelec) contestin3 the results of the election in all ;: precincts on the3rounds of miscountin3, misreadin3 and misappreciation of votes, sustitute votin3,disenfranchisement of voters, sustitution and paddin3 of votes, and other alle3ed irre3ularities ?heprotest 0as doc1eted as E+C No ::7-/! and raffled to the *econd Division of the Comelec

 After an initial hearin3 on private respondentFs protest and petitionerFs ans0er, the *econd Divisionissued on Novemer !6, ::7 an order directin3 the collection of the allot o@es from the contestedprecincts and their deliver to the Comelec On Decemer !/, ::7, private respondent filed amanifestation apprisin3 the *econd Division of the fact that out of the ;: allot o@es retrieved fordeliver to the Comelec, "; had no plastic seals, .7/ had ro1en plastic seals and onl 6" remainedintact 0ith 0hole plastic seals and padloc1s

Revision of the contested allots commenced in mid-'anuar of ::;.

 and concluded on &eruar ,::; ?he revision report indicated a reduction in petitionerFs vote count from 77,6" votes to .",6;and an increase in that of private respondent from ,767 to .",!#7 votes *hortl thereafter,petitioner filed a Gmotion for technical e@amination of contested allotsG on the 3round thatthousands of allots revised the revision committees 0ere actuall spurious allots that had eenstuffed inside the allot o@es sometime after the countin3 of votes ut efore the revisionproceedin3s ?he *econd Division denied the motion

 After the revision, the case 0as set for hearin3 on &eruar 7, ::; 4n that hearin3, privaterespondent manifested that he 0ould no lon3er present testimonial evidence and merel as1ed fortime to pre-mar1 his documentar evidence On March ", ::;, private respondent filed his formaloffer of evidence, there restin3 his case and si3nalin3 petitionerFs turn to present evidence in hisdefense

On March !6, ::;, the first hearin3 set for the presentation of his evidence, petitioner 0as directedto pre-mar1 his e@hiits and formali9e his intention to have his 0itnesses supoenaed Accordin3l,petitioner filed on April !!, ::; a motion for issuance of supoena duces tecum and adtestificandum to 0itnesses 0hose testimonies 0ould alle3edl prove that a si3nificant numer of therevised allots 0ere not the same allots that had een read and counted the Board of Election4nspectors (BE4) durin3 the election

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4n an order dated April ;, ::;,7 the *econd Division ruled that the testimonies of the proposed0itnesses 0ere GunnecessarG inasmuch as the Comelec had the authorit and 0here0ithal todetermine itself the allotsF authenticit and, for that reason, denied the motion and directedpetitioner to file forth0ith his formal offer of evidence

 Assertin3 his ri3ht to present evidence in his defense, petitioner filed on Ma /, ::; a motion for

reconsideration of the April ;, ::; order 4n an order dated Ma !, ::;, the *econd Divisiondenied the motion

On 'une 7, ::;, petitioner filed an Ad Cautela %sic& Offer of +rotesteeFs Evidence; as aprecautionar measure a3ainst the foreclosure of his ri3ht to compl 0ith the *econd DivisionFs April;, ::; order +etitionerFs evidence included< (!) provincial election supervisor *erranoFs reportthat, at the time he too1 custod of the allot o@es, their securit seals ore si3ns of havin3 eentampered 0ith and () the affidavits of !;6 BE4 chairpersons 0ho s0ore to the effect that theauthenticatin3 si3natures on certain allots/ identified and enumerated in their affidavits (that is,si3natures purportin3 to e theirs) 0ere clear for3eries

On 'une !;, ::;, petitioner filed in this Court a petition for certiorari 6 under Rule /; of the Rules of

Court (doc1eted as R No !/#;.) assailin3 the April ; and Ma !, ::; orders of theComelecFs *econd Division for havin3 een rendered 0ith 3rave ause of discretion +etitionercomplained, in sustance, that the *econd Division had, these orders, denied him due process effectivel deprivin3 him of a reasonale opportunit to sustantiate 0ith competent evidence hiscontention that the revised allots 0ere not the same allots cast and counted durin3 the elections,meanin3, the revised allots 0ere planted inside the allot o@es after the countin3 of votes (in placeof the 3enuine ones) pursuant to a fraudulent scheme to manufacture 3rounds for a successfulelection protest

Mean0hile, the *econd Division continued 0ith the proceedin3s and, follo0in3 the sumission of thepartiesF memoranda, considered E+C No ::7-/! sumitted for resolution

4n a resolution# dated 'anuar ., ::/, the *econd Division H then composed of onl t0o sittin3memers, namel, +residin3 Commissioner Mehol *adain (no0 retired) and Commissioner&lorentino ?uason, 'r H declared private respondent 4mperial the 0innin3 candidate for maor ofLe3aspi Cit and ordered petitioner Rosal to vacate said office and turn it over peacefull to privaterespondent

Commissioner *adain, 0ho 0rote the main opinion, relied on the election return count onl inprecincts the allot o@es of 0hich 0ere found to contain fa1e allots not0ithstandin3 petitionerFsassertion that 3enuine ut other0ise invalid allots mi3ht have een s0itched 0ith the ones actuallcast in the elections ?hese numered a mere !" precincts &or the rest, he e@amined, appreciatedand counted the allots themselves, invalidatin3 in the process over !7,::: allots cast for petitioner for havin3 een 0ritten t0o persons or for ein3 in 3roups 0ritten one hand Commissioner*adain ended up creditin3 private respondent 0ith .,//: valid votes over .:,;!6 for petitioner

Commissioner ?uason filed a separate concurrin3 opinion" manifestin3 disa3reement 0ithCommissioner *adainFs appreciation of certain allots ut arrivin3 at the same practical result

On 'anuar .:, ::/, petitioner filed a motion for reconsideration of the *econd DivisionFsresolution ?he motion 0as denied the Comelec en banc in a resolution dated Ma ", ::/!: 4ndue time, petitioner came to this Court 0ith a petition for certiorari and prohiition assailin3 theComelec en banc resolution ?he case 0as doc1eted as R No !667! and consolidated 0ithR No !/#;.!!

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I#to/uto O$s "#$ Ru 65

Before focusin3 on the merits of this case, the Court sees fit to address a procedural concern 0ithrespect to R No !/#;. +rivate respondent has persistentl thrust upon us the proposition thatthe April ;, ::; order su5ect of the petition in R No !/#;., ein3, as it is, an interlocutororder rendered a division of the Comelec, cannot e assailed means of a special civil action

for certiorari, as onl final orders of the Comelec en banc  can e rou3ht to the *upreme Court that mode

e disa3ree *ection !, Rule /; of the Rules of Court, 0hich 3overns petitions for certiorari,provides that<

hen an triunal, oard or officer e@ercisin3 5udicial or 2uasi-5udicial functions has acted 0ithout orin e@cess of its or his 5urisdiction, or 0ith 3rave ause of discretion amountin3 to lac1 or e@cess of

 5urisdiction, and there is no appeal, or an plain, speed, and ade2uate remed in the ordinarcourse of la0, a person a33rieved there ma file a verified petition in the proper court, alle3in3 thefacts 0ith certaint and prain3 that 5ud3ment e rendered annullin3 or modifin3 the proceedin3s ofsuch triunal, oard or officer, and 3rantin3 such incidental reliefs as la0 and 5ustice ma re2uire

@@@ @@@ @@@

nder the fore3oin3 provision, one ma resort to a special civil action for certiorari under threeconditions<

(!) the petition must e directed a3ainst a triunal, oard or officer e@ercisin3 5udicial or2uasi-5udicial functions

() the triunal, oard or officer has acted 0ithout or in e@cess of 5urisdiction, or 0ith 3raveause of discretion amountin3 to lac1 or e@cess of 5urisdiction and

(.) there is no plain, speed and ade2uate remed in the ordinar course of la0

Other than these three, the *upreme CourtFs 5urisdiction over petitions for certiorari has no presetoundaries 'ny act an officer or entit e@ercisin3 5udicial or 2uasi-5udicial functions, if done0ithout or in e@cess of 5urisdiction or 0ith 3rave ause of discretion, ma e assailed means of aspecial civil action for certiorari 0hen no appeal or an other plain, speed and ade2uate remed inthe ordinar course of la0 is availale 4n other 0ords, no 5udicial or 2uasi-5udicial act or order ise@cluded a priori from the amit of the *upreme CourtFs po0er to correct throu3h the 0rit ofcertiorari 4t is therefore incorrect to sa that interlocutor orders issued a division of the Comelec,or an 5udicial or 2uasi-5udicial od for that matter, are eond the reach of this Court

?hat the *upreme Court has 5urisdiction over petitions for certiorari assailin3 interlocutor orders

rendered a Comelec division from 0hich no recourse to the Comelec en banc could e had 0as,in fact, ac1no0led3ed in ()o v. ommission on Elections! 4n that case, Iho, an election protestant,filed a petition for certiorari in the *upreme Court 2uestionin3 the Comelec &irst DivisionFsinterlocutor orders relatin3 to the admission of his opponentFs elatedl filed ans0er

One of the issues in ()o 0as 0hether the controversial orders should have first een referred to theComelec en banc  Citin3 *ection ;(c), Rule . of the Comelec Rules of +rocedure 0hich states that<

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$a%n motion to reconsider a decision, resolution, order or rulin3 of a Division shall e resolved theCommission en anc e@cept motions on interlocutor orders of the division 0hich shall e resolved the division 0hich issued the order 

this Court ruled that the authorit to resolve such incidental matters fell on the division itself ?heCourt 0ent on to sa that<

0here the Commission in division committed 3rave ause of discretion or acted 0ithout or in e@cessof 5urisdiction in issuin3 interlocutor orders relative to an action pendin3 efore it and thecontrovers did not fall under an of the instances mentioned in *ection , Rule . of the COMELECRules of +rocedure $0hich enumerates the cases in 0hich the Comelec ma sit en banc %,!. theremed of the a33rieved part is not to refer the controvers to the Commission en banc as this isnot permissile under its present rules ut to elevate it to this Court via a petition for certiorari underRule /; of the Rules of Court!7

4n fine, ()o tells us that an interlocutor order of a Comelec division should e challen3ed at the firstinstance throu3h a proper motion, such as a motion for reconsideration, filed 0ith the division thatrendered the order 4f that fails and no other plain, speed and ade2uate remed (such as recourse

to the Comelec en banc ) is availale, the part a33rieved the interlocutor order ma elevate thematter to the *upreme Court means of a petition for certiorari on the 3round that the order 0asissued 0ithout or in e@cess of 5urisdiction or 0ith 3rave ause of discretion

+rivate respondent asserts, ho0ever, that ()o has een superseded the more recent caseof *epol v. ommission on Elections!; from 0hich he cites the dictum that<

$t%he *upreme Court has no po0er to revie0 via certiorari an interlocutor order or even a finalresolution of a Division of the COMELEC &ailure to aide this procedural re2uirement constitutesa 3round for dismissal of the action!/

 A3ain, 0e disa3ree

?here is no contradiction et0een ()o and *epol  that calls for the application of the doctrine that alater 5ud3ment supersedes a prior one in case of inconsistenc 4n *epol , the petitioner 0ent directlto the *upreme Court from an interlocutor order of the Comelec &irst Division 0ithout first filin3 amotion for reconsideration 0ith said division ?hat 0as properl a cause for concern inasmuch asfailure to move for reconsideration of the act or order efore challen3in3 it throu3h a petition forcertiorari often constitutes a 3round for dismissal for non-compliance 0ith the condition in Rule /;<that resort to certiorari should e 5ustified the unavailailit of an appeal or an other plain,speed and ade2uate remed in the ordinar course of la0 4n the end, ho0ever, the Courtin *epol  applied the rulin3 in 'BS-B+ Broadcasting orporation v. !"E#E !6 that an e@ceptionto the procedural re2uirement of filin3 a motion for reconsideration 0as 0arranted since there 0ashardl enou3h time to move for reconsideration and otain a s0ift resolution in time for theimpendin3 elections

 A sensile readin3 of our decision sho0s that *epol 0as not a ne3ation or repudiation of this CourtFs 5urisdiction over petitions for certiorari from interlocutor orders rendered a Comelec division adit een so, then 0e 0ould have dismissed the petition on the 3round that it 0as eond our

 5urisdiction Rather, this Court in *epol merel applied the rule that a petition for certiorari must e 5ustified the asence of a plain, speed and ade2uate remed in the ordinar course of la0 0esaid that the rule had een satisfied inasmuch as a motion for reconsideration 0as not a plain,speed and ade2uate remed under the circumstances

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*epol therefore merel serves as a reminder that, in a petition for certiorari from an interlocutororder, the petitioner ears the urden of sho0in3 that the remed of appeal ta1en after a 5ud3ment or final order (as opposed to an interlocutor one) has een rendered 0ill not afford ade2uate ande@peditious relief,!# as it is often the etter practice for a part a33rieved an interlocutor order tocontinue 0ith the case in due course and, in the event of an adverse decision, appeal from it andinclude the interlocutor order as one of the errors to e corrected the revie0in3 od

4n this instance, petitioner filed a motion for reconsideration of the *econd DivisionFs order henthat failed, no other speed and ade2uate remed a3ainst the unpardonale vices attendin3 the*econd DivisionFs treatment of the election protest 0as left to him e@cept recourse to this Courtunder Rule /; nder the circumstances, he 0as 0ithout the shado0 of a dout 5ustified in ta1in3 it

E/t2o# otst "#$ B"ots As E2$#/

4t 0ill e recalled that the *econd Division had een apprised of the allot o@esF impaired conditioneven prior to the commencement of the revision proceedin3s ?his not0ithstandin3, it rushed asidepetitionerFs protestations that he 0as the victim of an in3enious post-election fraud involvin3infiltration of the allot o@es and the clever s0itchin3 of allots actuall cast 0ith invalid ones to

ensure his defeat in the election protest ?he division ruled that<

mere alle3ations cannot suffice to convince this Commission that s0itchin3 of allots has occurred,asent an positive and direct evidence in the form of fa1e allots themselves ein3 found amon33enuine allots Re3ardless of an technical e@amination that ma have een conducted ortestimonial evidence presented, as emphaticall moved the protestee ut denied theCommission, the est proof of the alle3ed sustitution of allots is the allots themselves And theprocess 0hich this proof is estalished is 0a of an evaluation of the allots theCommission itself durin3 its appreciation of the revised allots!"

On the asis of this reasonin3, the *econd Division proceeded 0ith an appreciation and recount ofthe allots from over .:: precincts and set aside the phsical count of the revised allots in favor ofthe election returns onl in precincts the allot o@es of 0hich 0ere found to contain spurious allots

4n vie0 of the facts of this case, the Court cannot ut hold that the *econd Division adopted amanifestl unreasonale procedure, one totall unfit to address the sin3le most vital threshold2uestion in an election protest, namel, 0hether the allots found in the allot o@es durin3 therevision proceedin3s 0ere the same allots that 0ere cast and counted in the elections

?he purpose of an election protest is to ascertain 0hether the candidate proclaimed elected theoard of canvassers is the true and la0ful choice of the electorate: *uch a proceedin3 is usuallinstituted on the theor that the election returns, 0hich are deemed prima facie to e true reports ofho0 the electorate voted on election da! and 0hich serve as the asis for proclaimin3 the 0innin3candidate, do not accuratel reflect the true 0ill of the voters due to alle3ed irre3ularities thatattended the countin3 of allots 4n a protest prosecuted on such a theor, the protestant ordinaril

pras that the official count as reflected in the election returns e set aside in favor of a revision andrecount of the allots, the results of 0hich should e made to prevail over those reflected in thereturns pursuant to the doctrine that Gin an election contest 0here 0hat is involved is the numer ofvotes of each candidate, the est and most conclusive evidence are the allots themselvesG

4t should never e for3otten, thou3h, that the superior status of the allots as evidence of ho0 theelectorate voted suoss t"t ts : t s"; <"ots "/tu" /"st "#$ /ou#t$2# t /t2o#s ?hus, it has een held that efore the allots found in a o@ can e used to set

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aside the returns, the court (or the Comelec as the case ma e) must e sure that it has efore itthe same allots deposited the voters.

o/$u to A$$ss ost(E/t2o# "u$

o0, then, can one estalish that the allots sou3ht to e revised are the same allots cast the

voters durin3 the electionsJ Oviousl, the proof cannot e supplied an e@amination of the allotsthemselves, their identit ein3 the ver fact in dispute Ans0ers ma e found in aundance in theearl case of ailles v. ,ome 7 in 0hich the follo0in3 doctrines 0ere 2uoted 0ith favor<

4n an election contest the allots cast the voters is the primar and est evidence of the intentionof the voters, ut the urden of proof is on the contestor to sho0 that the allots have eenpreserved in the manner provided la0 and have not een tampered 0ith, and the fact that theallots have een in the custod of the proper officers from the time of the canvass to the time of therecount is onl prima facie and not conclusive proof of their inte3rit

4n an election contest the rule that as et0een the allots and the canvass of them, the allotscontrol, has no application 0here the allots have een tampered 0ith ?he court must e sure that it

has efore it the identical and unaltered allots deposited the voters efore the ecomecontrollin3 as a3ainst the certificate of the election officers of the result of the canvass

@@@ @@@ @@@

here an official count has een made, it is etter evidence of 0ho 0as elected than the allots,unless he 0ho discredits the count sho0s affirmativel that the allots have een preserved 0ith acare 0hich precludes the opportunit of tamperin3 and all suspicion of chan3e, astraction orsustitution

?he la0 is 0ell settled that the urden of proof is on the plaintiff, 0hen he see1s to introduce theallots to overturn the official count, to sho0 affirmativel that the allots have not een tampered

0ith, and that the are the 3enuine allots cast the voters

4n an action to contest the ri3ht of a part to an office to 0hich he has een declared elected, thereturns of the election oards should e received as prima facie true 4n order to overcome thisevidence a recount of the allots cast at the election, the contestant must affirmativel prove thatthe allots have not een tampered 0ith, and that the remained in the same condition as the 0ere0hen delivered to the proper custod the 5ud3es of election 4f it appear to the satisfaction of thecourt that the allots have not een tampered 0ith, it should adopt the result as sho0n therecount, and not as returned the election oard

@@@ @@@ @@@

?he principles of la0 and the rules of evidence 3overnin3 cases such as this have een so oftendeclared that a revie0 of the man authorities is unnecessar ?hose curious or interested inpursuin3 the su5ect 0ill find in the reporterKs notes, precedin3, man instructive cases collated the industr of counsel *uffice it here to sa that, 0hile the allots are the est evidence of themanner in 0hich the electors have voted, ein3 silent 0itnesses 0hich can neither err nor lie, theare the est evidence onl 0hen their inte3rit can e satisfactoril estalished One 0ho relies,therefore, upon overcomin3 the prima facie correctness of the official canvass a resort to theallots must first sho0 that the allots, as presented to the court, are intact and 3enuine here amode of preservation is en5oined the statute proof must e made of a sustantial compliance 0ith

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the re2uirements of that mode But such re2uirements are construed as director merel, the o5ectloo1ed to ein3 the preservation inviolate of the allots 4f this is estalished it 0ould e manifestlun5ust to re5ect them merel ecause the precise mode of reachin3 it had not een follo0ed

*o, too, 0hen a sustantial compliance 0ith the provisions of the statute has een sho0n, theurden of proof shifts to the contestee of estalishin3 that, not0ithstandin3 this compliance, the

allots have in fact een tampered 0ith, or that the have een e@posed under such circumstancesthat a violation of them mi3ht have ta1en place But this proof is not made a na1ed sho0in3 that it0as possile for one to have molested them ?he la0 cannot 3uard a3ainst a mere possiilit, andno 5ud3ment of an of its courts is ever rendered upon one

?he proative value of the result of the return made the oard of inspectors is a 2uestion alreadsettled at various times the courts of the nited *tates 4n the case of Oa1es vs &inla, thefollo0in3 doctrine 0as laid<

G?he returns of an election oard, 0hen le3all and properl authenticated, are not onl conclusiveupon the oard of canvassin3 officers, ut are also prima facie evidence of the numer of votes cast,in a proceedin3 to contest the election and the urden of proof is upon the person 0ho assails the

correctness of these returnsG

4n the case of *tafford vs *heppard, the court said<

GCertificates of the result of an election, made the commissioners at the precincts, are prima facieevidence of the result of the election ?he allots, if identified as the same cast, are primar andhi3her evidence ut, in order to continue the allots as controllin3 evidence, it must appear that thehave een preserved in the manner and the officers prescried the statute, and that, 0hile insuch custod, the have not een chan3ed or tampered 0ithG (internal citations omitted);

e summari9e the fore3oin3 doctrines< (!) the allots cannot e used to overturn the official countas reflected in the election returns unless it is first sho0n affirmativel that the allots have een

preserved 0ith a care 0hich precludes the opportunit of tamperin3 and all suspicion of chan3e,astraction or sustitution () the urden of provin3 that the inte3rit of the allots has eenpreserved in such a manner is on the protestant (.) 0here a mode of preservin3 the allots isen5oined la0, proof must e made of such sustantial compliance 0ith the re2uirements of thatmode as 0ould provide assurance that the allots have een 1ept inviolate not0ithstandin3 sli3htdeviations from the precise mode of achievin3 that end (7) it is onl 0hen the protestant has sho0nsustantial compliance 0ith the provisions of la0 on the preservation of allots that the urden ofprovin3 actual tamperin3 or the li1elihood thereof shifts to the protestee and (;) onl if it appears tothe satisfaction of the court or Comelec that the inte3rit of the allots has een preserved should itadopt the result as sho0n the recount and not as reflected in the election returns

Our election la0s are not lac1in3 in provisions for the safe1eepin3 and preservation of the allots Amon3 these are *ections !/:, !6, !" and : of the Omnius Election Code/ 0hich provide<

*EC?4ON !/: Ballot boxes H (a) ?here shall e in each pollin3 place on the da of the votin3 aallot o@ one side of 0hich shall e transparent 0hich shall e set in a manner visile to the votin3pulic containin3 t0o compartments, namel, the compartment for valid allots 0hich is indicated an interior cover painted 0hite and the compartment for spoiled allots 0hich is indicated aninterior cover painted red ?he o@es shall e uniform throu3hout the +hilippines and shall e solidlconstructed and shall e closed 0ith three different loc1s as 0ell as three numered securit loc1sand such other safet devices as the Commission ma prescrie in such a 0a that the can not eopened e@cept means of three distinct 1es and destroin3 such safet devices

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() 4n case of the destruction or disappearance of an allot o@ on election da, the oard ofelection inspectors shall immediatel report it to the cit or municipal treasurer 0ho shall furnishanother o@ or receptacle as e2uall ade2uate as possile ?he election re3istrar shall report theincident and the deliver of a ne0 allot o@ the fastest means of communication on the sameda to the Commission and to the provincial election supervisor

*EC?4ON !6 Delivery of the ballot boxes, keys and election supplies and documents Hpon the termination of the countin3 of votes, the oard of election inspectors shall place in thecompartment for valid allots, the envelopes for used allots hereinefore referred to, the unusedallots, the tall oard or sheet, a cop of the election returns, and the minutes of its proceedin3s,and then shall loc1 the allot o@ 0ith three padloc1s and such safet devices as the Commissionma prescrie 4mmediatel after the o@ is loc1ed, the three 1es of the padloc1s shall e placed inthree separate envelopes and shall e sealed and si3ned all the memers of the oard of electioninspectors ?he authori9ed representatives of the Commission shall forth0ith ta1e deliver of saidenvelopes, si3nin3 a receipt therefor, and deliver 0ithout dela one envelope to the provincialtreasurer, another to the provincial fiscal and the other to the provincial election supervisor

?he allot o@, all supplies of the oard of election inspectors and all pertinent papers and

documents shall immediatel e delivered the oard of election inspectors and the 0atchers tothe cit or municipal treasurer 0ho shall 1eep his office open all ni3ht on the da of election ifnecessar for this purpose, and shall provide the necessar facilities for said deliver at the e@penseof the cit or municipalit ?he oo1 of voters shall e returned to the election re3istrar 0ho shall1eep it under his custod ?he treasurer and the election re3istrar, as the case ma e, shall on theda after the election re2uire the memers of the oard of election inspectors 0ho failed to send theo5ects referred to herein to deliver the same to him immediatel and ac1no0led3e receipt thereof indetail

*EC?4ON !" Preservation of the ballot boxes, their keys and disposition of their contentsH (a) ?he provincial election supervisor, the provincial treasurer and the provincial fiscal shall 1eepthe envelope containin3 the 1es in their possession intact durin3 the period of three monthsfollo0in3 the election pon the lapse of this period, unless the Commission has ordered other0ise,

the provincial election supervisor and the provincial fiscal shall deliver to the provincial treasurer theenvelope containin3 the 1es under their custod

() ?he cit and municipal treasurer shall 1eep the allot o@es under their responsiilit forthree months and stored unopened in a secure place, unless the Commission ordersother0ise 0henever said allot o@es are needed in an political e@ercise 0hich mi3ht ecalled 0ithin the said period, provided these are not involved in an election contest orofficial investi3ation, or the Commission or other competent authorit shall demand themsooner or shall order their preservation for a lon3er time in connection 0ith an pendin3contest or investi3ation o0ever, upon sho0in3 an candidate that the o@es 0ill e indan3er of ein3 violated if 1ept in the possession of such officials, the Commission maorder them 1ept an other official 0hom it ma desi3nate pon the lapse of said time and

if there should e no order to the contrar, the Commission ma authori9e the cit andmunicipal treasurer in the presence of its representative to open the o@es and urn theircontents, e@cept the cop of the minutes of the votin3 and the election returns depositedtherein 0hich the shall ta1e and 1eep

(c) 4n case of calamit or fortuitous event such as fire, flood, storm, or other similar calamities0hich ma actuall cause dama3e to the allot o@es andor their contents, the Commissionma authori9e the openin3 of said allot o@es to salva3e the allots and other contents

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placin3 them in other allot o@es, ta1in3 such other precautionar measures as ma enecessar to preserve such documents

*EC?4ON : Documents and articles omitted or erroneously placed inside the ballot box  H4f after the deliver of the 1es of the allot o@ to the proper authorities, the oard of electioninspectors shall discover that some documents or articles re2uired to e placed in the allot o@

0ere not placed therein, the oard of election inspectors, instead of openin3 the allot o@ in orderto place therein said documents or articles, shall deliver the same to the Commission or its dulauthori9ed representatives 4n no instance shall the allot o@ e reopened to place therein or ta1eout therefrom an document or article e@cept to retrieve copies of the election returns 0hich 0ill eneeded in an canvass and in such e@cepted instances, the memers of the oard of electioninspectors and 0atchers of the candidates shall e notified of the time and place of the openin3 ofsaid allot o@< +rovided, ho0ever, ?hat if there are other copies of the election returns outside ofthe allot o@ 0hich can e used in canvass, such copies of the election returns shall e used insaid canvass and the openin3 of the allot o@ to retrieve copies of the election returns placedtherein shall then e dispensed 0ith

 Additional safe3uards 0ere provided for in Comelec Resolution No ///6 (eneral 4nstructions for

the Boards of Election 4nspectors on the Castin3 and Countin3 of >otes in Connection 0ith the Ma!:, ::7 National and Local Elections) 0hich laid do0n the follo0in3 directives<

S/t2o# 50. Disposition of ballot boxes$ keys$ election returns and ot)er documents. - pon thetermination of the countin3 of votes and the announcement of the results of the election in theprecinct, the BE4 shall<

a +lace the follo0in3 documents inside the compartment of the allot o@ for valid allots

! Envelope containin3 usedcounted official allots

Envelope containin3 e@cessmar1edspoiledhalf of torn unused official allots

. Envelope containin3 the cop of the election returns for the allot o@

7 Envelope containin3 one cop of the Minutes of >otin3 and Countin3 of >otes(cop for the allot o@)

; ?all Board and

/ *tus of used pads of official allots

Close the inner compartments of the allot o@, loc1 them 0ith one (!) self-loc1in3 fi@ed-len3th seal and then loc1 the outer cover 0ith the (.) padloc1s and one (!) self-loc1in3 fi@ed-

len3th seal ?he three 1es to the padloc1s shall e placed in separate envelopes 0hichshall e sealed and si3ned all memers of the BE4

c Deliver the allot o@ to the cit or municipal treasurer 4n case the allot o@ delivered the BE4 0as not loc1ed andor sealed, the treasurer shall loc1 andor seal the allot o@ ?hetreasurer shall include such fact, includin3 the serial numer of the self-loc1in3 fi@ed-len3thseal used, in his report to the Commission

d Deliver to the Election Officer<

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@@@ @@@ @@@

; ?hree (.) envelopes, each containin3 a 1e to a padloc1 of the allot o@ 0hich shall edelivered, under proper receipt, the election officer to the provincial election supervisor,the provincial prosecutor and the provincial treasurer 4n the case of cities 0hose voters donot vote for provincial officials, and municipalities in the National Capital Re3ion, the election

officer shall retain one envelope and distriute the t0o other envelopes to the citmunicipalprosecutor and citmunicipal treasurer, as the case ma e

@@@ @@@ @@@

?he allot o@, all supplies of the BE4 and all pertinent papers and documents shall immediatel edelivered the BE4, accompanied 0atchers, to the citmunicipal treasurer &or this purpose, thecitmunicipal treasurer shall, if necessar, 1eep his office open all ni3ht on the da of the electionand shall provide the necessar facilities for said deliver at the e@pense of the citmunicipalit

S/t2o# 5-. !mission or erroneous inclusion of documents in ballot box. - 4f after loc1in3 the alloto@, the BE4 discovers that some documents or articles re2uired to e placed in the allot o@ 0ere

not placed therein, the BE4, instead of openin3 the allot o@ in order to place therein saiddocuments or articles, shall deliver the same to the election officer 4n no instance shall the allot o@e reopened to place therein or to ta1e out therefrom an document or article e@cept in proper casesand 0ith prior 0ritten authorit of the Commission, or its dul authori9ed official, to retrieve copies ofthe election returns 0hich 0ill e needed in an canvass 4n such instance, the memers of the BE4and the 0atchers shall e notified of the time and place of the openin3 of said allot o@ o0ever, if there are other copies of the election returns outside of the allot o@ 0hich can e used in thecanvass, such copies of the election returns shall e used in said canvass and the openin3 of theallot o@ to retrieve copies of the election returns placed therein shall then e dispensed 0ith

4n case the BE4 fails to place the envelope containin3 the counted allots inside the allot o@, theelection officer shall, 0ith notice to parties, deposit said envelopes in a separate allot o@ 0hichshall e properl sealed, padloc1ed and stored in a safe place in his office *aid allot o@es shallremain sealed unless other0ise ordered the Commission

 As made aundantl clear the fore3oin3 provisions, the mode of preservin3 the allots in this 5urisdiction is for these to e stored safel in sealed and padloc1ed allot o@es 0hich, once closed,shall remain unopened unless other0ise ordered the Comelec in cases allo0ed la0 ?heinte3rit of the allots and therefore their proative value, as evidence of the votersF 0ill, arecontin3ent on the inte3rit of the allot o@es in 0hich the 0ere stored ?hus, it is incument on theprotestant to prove, at the ver least, that the safet features meant to preserve the inte3rit of theallot o@es and their contents 0ere installed and that these remained in place up to the time of their deliver to the Comelec for the revision proceedin3s 4f such sustantial compliance 0ith thesesafet measures is sho0n as 0ould preclude a reasonale opportunit of tamperin3 0ith the alloto@esF contents, the urden shifts to the protestee to prove that actual tamperin3 too1 place 4f the

protestee fails to dischar3e this urden, the court or the Comelec, as the case ma e, ma proceedon the assumption that the allots have retained their inte3rit and still constitute the est evidenceof the election results o0ever, 0here a allot o@ is found in such a condition as 0ould raise areasonale suspicion that unauthori9ed persons could have 3ained unla0ful access to its contents,no evidentiar value can e 3iven to the allots in it and the official count reflected in the electionreturn must e upheld as the etter and more reliale account of ho0 and for 0hom the electoratevoted

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?he procedure adopted the *econd Division 0as a complete inverse of the one outlined aoveand 0as contrar to reason ?here 0as complete aritrariness on its part

&irst, there 0as no indication at all that it ever considered the condition of the allot o@es at the timethe 0ere delivered to the Comelec for revision e find this rather pu99lin3, considerin3 that it hadeen apprised of such information even efore revision and even its o0n Rules of +rocedure on

election protests re2uires the revision committee to Gma1e a statement of the condition in 0hich theallot o@es and their contents 0ere found upon the openin3 of the sameG6 H in reco3nition of thevital si3nificance of such facts

*econd, it placed the urden of provin3 actual tamperin3 of the allots on petitioner herein (theprotestee elo0) not0ithstandin3 private respondentFs previous manifestation that most of the alloto@es ore Govert si3ns of tamperin3G# and onl 6" allot o@es 0ere found intact

?hird, instead of dili3entl e@aminin3 0hether the allot o@es 0ere preserved 0ith such care as topreclude an reasonale opportunit for tamperin3 0ith their contents, the *econd Division made theproative value of the revised allots dependent solel on 0hether spurious allots 0ere foundamon3 them 4t failed to reco3ni9e that, in vie0 of reports that the allot o@es had een tampered

0ith and alle3ations that their contents had een s0itched 0ith 3enuine ut invalid allots, the2uestion of 0hether the revised allots could e relied on as the same ones cast and counted durin3the elections could not oviousl e settled an e@amination of the allots themselves Clearl, thetime 0hen these 0ere deposited in the allot o@es H a detail of utmost importance H could notpossil have een determined that means

?hese errors on the part of the *econd Division 0ere infinitel far from harmless the proper le3alprocedure could have made a sustantial difference in the result of the election protest and mostcertainl could have led to a etter appro@imation of the true 0ill of the electorate ?his, in the finalanalsis, is 0hat election protests are all aout

nder the circumstances, the 2uestion as to 0ho et0een the parties 0as dul elected to the officeof maor cannot e settled 0ithout further proceedin3s in the Comelec 4n 1eepin3 0ith the preceptslaid do0n in this decision, the Comelec must first ascertain, after due hearin3, 0hether it has eforeit the same allots cast and counted in the elections &or this purpose, it must determine< (!) 0hichallot o@es sufficientl retained their inte3rit as to 5ustif the conclusion that the allots containedtherein could e relied on as etter evidence than the election returns and () 0hich allot o@es0ere in such a condition as 0ould afford a reasonale opportunit for unauthori9ed persons to 3ainunla0ful access to their contents 4n the latter case, the allots must e held to have lost allproative value and cannot e used to set aside the official count reflected in the election returns

+%EREORE, the petitions are GRANTED ?he April ; and Ma !, ::; orders and the 'anuar., ::/ resolution of the Commission on Elections *econd Division and the Ma ", ::/resolution of the Commission on Elections en banc  in E+C No ::7-/! are heredeclared #u and o2$ ?he Commission on Elections is here DIRETED to determine, 0ith

utmost dispatch and all due re3ard for the partiesF ri3ht to e heard, the true result of the ::7elections for maor of Le3aspi Cit ?o this end, it shall<

(!) identif the precincts the allot o@es of 0hich 0ere found intact 0ith complete andundama3ed seals and padloc1s or 0ere other0ise preserved 0ith such sustantialcompliance 0ith statutor safet measures as to preclude a reasonale opportunit fortamperin3 0ith their contents ?he allots from these precincts shall e deemed to haveretained their inte3rit in the asence of evidence to the contrar and the Commission onElections ma consider them in the recount

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() ascertain the precincts the allot o@es of 0hich 0ere found in such a condition as 0ouldafford a reasonale opportunit for unla0ful access to their contents ?he Commission onElections shall e@clude from the recount the allots from these precincts and shall relinstead on the official count stated in the election returns

?he status 2uo ante order issued this Court on 'une 6, ::/ is, for all intents and purposes

consistent 0ith this decision, here MAINTAINED

12. Dumpit-Michelena vs Boado

Nov. 17, 2005

 This is a petition assailing COMELEC resolution disqualifying Dumpit inthe May 2004 election.

Facts:

DumpitMichelena !as a candidate for the position of mayor in themunicipality of "goo# La $nion during the May %0# 2004 &ynchroni'ed(ational and Local Elections. )oado sought DumpitMichelena*sdisquali+cation and the denial or cancellation of her COC on the groundof material misrepresentation under &ections ,4 and ,-of )atas

am/ansa )lg. --%.

)oado# et al. alleged that DumpitMichelena# the daughter ofCongressman Tomas Dumpit# &r. of the &econd District of La $nion# isnot a resident of "goo# La $nion. )oado# et al. claimed that DumpitMichelena is a resident and !as a registered oter of (aguilian# La$nion and that DumpitMichelena only transferred her registration asoter to &an 1ulian est# "goo# La $nion on Octo/er 24# 2003.

DumpitMichelena countered that she already acquired a ne! domicile

in &an 1ulian est !hen she purchased from her father# CongressmanDumpit# a residential lot on "pril %# 2003. &he een designated acareta5er of her residential house. DumpitMichelena presented thea6daits and certi+cations of her neigh/ors in &an 1ulian est to proethat she actually resides in the area. COMELEC rules in faor of )oadoet al. The COMELEC En )anc denied in its ruling the motion forreconsideration +led /y DumpitMichelena.

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Issues:

 O( DumpitMichelena satis+ed the residency requirement under theLocal 7oernment Code of %%.

Held:

 Dumpit-Michelena failed to proe that she has complied !ith theresidency requirement. The concept of residence in determining acandidate*s quali+cation is already a settled matter. 8or electionpurposes# residence is used synonymously !ith domicile.

T2#2$"$ s o;;2ss2o# o# E/t2o#s "#$ Su#g"  

G.R. No. 135716

St;< -3, 1999

?his is a petition for certiorari 2uestionin3 the Resolution of theCommission on Elections dis2ualifin3 petitioner as a maoraltcandidate in the Ma !""; elections Li1e0ise, it see1s the revie0 of asuse2uent resolution annullin3 petitionerFs proclamation as electedmaor in the Ma !""# elections

Facts:

 

+etitioner ?rinidad 0on the Ma !""; elections +rivate respondent*un3a filed a dis2ualification case a3ainst petitioner and as1in3 theCOMELEC to proclaim him as the dul elected maor COMELEC

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promul3ated it decision on 'une , !""#, dis2ualifin3 ?rinidad+etitioner filed a Motion &or Reconsideration claimin3 that he 0asdeprived of due process +etitioner 0as a3ain proclaimed 0inner inthe Ma !""# elections On Octoer !., !""# COMELEC denied

petitionerFs MR as 0ell as annullin3 his proclamation as electedmaor

?hus this petition for certiorari

Issues:

 

! ON petitioner 0as deprived of due process in the proceedin3s

efore the COMELEC insofar as his dis2ualification under the Ma #,!""; and Ma #, !""# elections 0ere concerned

ON petitionerFs proclamation as Maor under the Ma !!, !""#elections ma e cancelled on account of the dis2ualification casefiled a3ainst him durin3 the Ma #, !""; elections

. ON private respondent, as the candidate receivin3 the secondhi3hest numer of votes, ma e proclaimed as Maor in the event of

petitionerFs dis2ualification

!"D

 

! NO +etitioner 0as ale to file an Ans0er 0ith Counter +etition andMotion to Dismiss e 0as also ale to sumit his counter-affidavitand s0orn statements of fort-ei3ht 0itnesses e 0as also 3iven a

chance to e@plain in his Motion for Reconsideration e 0as affordedan opportunit to e heard, throu3h his pleadin3s, therefore, there isno denial of procedural due process

NO +etitioner cannot e dis2ualified from his reelection term ofoffice Removal cannot e@tend eond the term durin3 0hich thealle3ed misconduct 0as committed 4f a pulic official is not removed

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efore his term of office e@pires, he can no lon3er e removed if he isthereafter reelected for another term

. NO As earlier decided the *upreme Court, the candidate 0ho

otains the second hi3hest numer of votes ma not e proclaimed0inner in case the 0innin3 candidate is dis2ualified ?hat 0ould edisenfranchisin3 the electorate 0ithout an fault on their part and toundermine the importance and meanin3 of democrac and thepeopleFs ri3ht to elect officials of their choice

 [G.R. No. 135716. St;< -3, 1999]

ERDINAND TRINIDAD, petitioner, vs. OMMISSION ONE!ETIONS "#$ MAN&E! . S&NGA, respondents.

D E I S I O N

 )NARES(SANTIAGO, J .*

?he instant +etition for ertiorari  2uestions the 'une , !""#Resolution$!% of the Commission on Elections (hereinafter referred toas COMELEC) in *+A No ";-!., dis2ualifin3 petitioner as a

candidate for Maor of 43ui3, Ca3aan, in the Ma #, !""; elections 4talso 2uestions the Octoer !., !""# COMELEC Resolution$% 0hichnot onl denied petitioners Motion for Reconsideration, ut alsoannulled his proclamation as elected Maor in the Ma !!, !""#elections

?his case has een filed efore this Court 0hen the +etition forDis2ualification of private respondent (*+A No ";-!.) 0asdismissed the COMELEC Actin3 on the +etition for ertiorari  of

private respondent, this court, in Sunga v. ommission on Elections$$.% ordered the COMELEC to reinstate *+A No ";-!. and actthereon

?he facts of the case, as found in Sunga v. ommission onElections$ supra, are as follo0s<

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+etitioner (herein private respondent) Manuel C *un3a 0as one ofthe candidates for the position of Maor in the Municipalit of 43ui3,+rovince of Ca3aan, in the Ma #, !""; elections +rivaterespondent (herein petitioner) &erdinand B ?rinidad, then incument

maor, 0as a candidate for re-election in the same municipalit

On April !"";, *un3a filed 0ith the COMELEC a letter-complaintfor dis2ualification a3ainst ?rinidad, accusin3 him of usin3 three (.)local 3overnment vehicles in his campai3n, in violation of *ection /!,par (o), Art 44, of B+ Bl3 ##! (Omnius Election Code, asamended) On 6 Ma !"";, *un3a filed another letter-complaint 0iththe COMELEC char3in3 ?rinidad this time 0ith violation of *ec /!,par (e) (referrin3 to threats, intimidation, terrorism or other forms of

coercion) of the Omnius Election Code, in addition to the earlierviolation imputed to him in the first letter-complaint ?his 0as follo0ed an Amended +etition for dis2ualification consolidatin3 the char3esin the t0o () letters-complaint, includin3 vote uin3, and providin3more specific details of the violations committed ?rinidad ?he case0as doc1eted as *+A No ";-!.

4n a Minute Resolution dated ; Ma !"";, the COMELEC ndDivision referred the complaint to its La0 Department for

investi3ation earin3s 0ere held 0herein *un3a adduced evidence toprove his accusations ?rinidad, on the other hand, opted not tosumit an evidence at all

Mean0hile, the election results sho0ed that ?rinidad 3arnered thehi3hest numer of votes, 0hile *un3a trailed second

On !: Ma !""; *un3a moved for the suspension of the proclamationof ?rinidad o0ever, not0ithstandin3 the motion, ?rinidad 0asproclaimed the elected maor, promptin3 *un3a to file another motionto suspend the effects of the proclamation Both motions 0ere notacted upon the COMELEC nd Division

On # 'une !""; the COMELEC La0 Department sumitted itsReport to the COMELEC En Banc recommendin3 that ?rinidad echar3ed in court for violation of the follo0in3 penal provisions of the

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Omnius Election Code< (a) *ec /!, par (a), on vote uin3 ()*ec /!, par (e), on threats, intimidation, terrorism or other forms ofcoercion and, (c) *ec /!, par (o), on use of an e2uipment, vehicleo0ned the 3overnment or an of its political sudivisions ?he La0

Department li1e0ise recommended to recall and revo1e theproclamation of &erdinand D ?rinidad as the dul elected Maor of43ui3, Ca3aan proclaim Manuel C *un3a as the dul elected Maor,and, direct *un3a to ta1e his oath and assume the duties andfunctions of the office

?he COMELEC En Banc approved the findin3s of the La0Department and directed the filin3 of the correspondin3 informations inthe Re3ional ?rial Court a3ainst ?rinidad Accordin3l, four (7)

informations for various election offenses 0ere filed in the Re3ional?rial Court of ?u3ue3arao, Ca3aan ?he dis2ualification case, on theother hand, 0as referred to the COMELEC nd Division for hearin3

On Ma !""/ *un3a filed a *econd r3ent Motion to *uspend theEffects and Annul the +roclamation 0ith r3ent Motion for EarlResolution of the +etition But in its !6 Ma !""/ Resolution, theCOMELEC nd Division dismissed the petition for dis2ualification, @ @@

is motion for reconsideration havin3 een denied theCOMELEC En Banc , *un3a filed the instant petition contendin3 thatthe COMELEC committed 3rave ause of discretion in dismissin3 thepetition for dis2ualification @ @ @

 As 0e have mentioned, aove, private respondents +etition 0iththis Court 0as 3ranted and COMELEC 0as ordered to reinstate *+ANo ";-!. and hear the same$7%

&inall, on 'une , !""#, the COMELEC !st Division (former ndDivision) promul3ated the first 2uestioned Resolution dis2ualifin3petitioner as a candidate in the Ma #, !""; elections$;% +etitioner fileda Motion for Reconsideration,$/% claimin3 denial of due process +rivaterespondent filed his Opposition to the Motion,$6% at the same timemovin3 for the cancellation of petitioners proclamation as elected

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Maor in the !""# elections and prain3 that he e proclaimed Maorinstead

On Octoer !., !""#, the COMELEC En Banc  denied petitioners

Motion for Reconsideration and also annulled his proclamation as dulelected Maor of 43ui3, Ca3aan in the Ma !!, !""# elections$#% +rivate respondents motion to e declared Maor 0as, ho0ever,denied Commissioner ?eresita D-Liacco &lores rendered adissentin3 opinion insofar as the Resolution annulled the proclamationof petitioner as Maor in the Ma !!, !""# elections, 0hich she foundto e ereft of an le3al asis

+etitioner alle3es that the 2uestioned Resolutions 0ere

promul3ated 0ithout an hearin3 conducted and 0ithout his evidencehavin3 een considered the COMELEC, in violation of his ri3ht todue process e also contends that the portion of the Octoer !.,!""# Resolution annullin3 his proclamation as Maor in the Ma !!,!""# elections 0as rendered 0ithout prior notice and hearin3 and thathe 0as once more effectivel denied due process +etitioner alsoadopts the stand of Commissioner D-Liacco &lores that hisdis2ualification, if an, under *+A No ";-!. cannot e@tend eondthe three-ear term to 0hich he 0as elected on Ma #, !"";, in

relation to 0hich the correspondin3 +etition for his dis2ualification 0aslod3ed

4n his Comment,$"% private respondent assails the ar3uments raisedin the +etition and pras that he e proclaimed as the elected Maorin the !""# elections +etitioner filed a Repl$!:% to private respondentsComment on &eruar 7, !""" Mean0hile, on &eruar ;, !""",the criminal cases filed a3ainst the petitioner 0ith the Re3ional ?rialCourt of ?u3ue3arao, Ca3aan 0ere dismissed$!!% On March #, !""",

the *olicitor eneral filed a Comment for the COMELEC,$!%

 reiteratin3the ar3ument that the COMELEC is empo0ered to dis2ualif petitioner from continuin3 to hold pulic office and at the same time, arrin3private respondents moves to e proclaimed elected in the !""#elections Respective Memoranda 0ere filed oth parties

?he issues efore us ma e summari9ed as follo0s<

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! as petitioner deprived of due process in the proceedin3sefore the COMELEC insofar as his dis2ualification under theMa #, !""; elections 0as concernedJ

as petitioner deprived of due process in the proceedin3sefore the COMELEC insofar as his dis2ualification under theMa !!, !""# elections 0as concernedJ

. Ma petitioners proclamation as Maor under the Ma !!,!""# elections e cancelled on account of the dis2ualificationcase filed a3ainst him durin3 the Ma #, !""; electionsJ

7 Ma private respondent, as the candidate receivin3 thesecond hi3hest numer of votes, e proclaimed as Maor inthe event of petitioners dis2ualificationJ

?he Commission on Elections is the a3enc vested 0ith e@clusive 5urisdiction over election contests involvin3 re3ional, provincial and citofficials, as 0ell as appellate 5urisdiction over election contestsinvolvin3 elective municipal and aran3a officials nless theCommission is sho0n to have committed a 3rave ause of discretion,its decision and rulin3s 0ill not e interfered 0ith this Court$!.%

uided this doctrine, 0e find that no violation of due processhas attached to the COMELECs 'une , !""# Resolution

+etitioner complains that 0hile the COMELEC reinstated *+A No";-!., it conducted no hearin3 and private respondent presented noevidence$!7% =et, this does not e2uate to a denial of due processAse@plained in aat v. ourt of 'ppeals$!;%--

@ @ @ Due process does not necessaril mean or re2uire a hearin3,

ut simpl an opportunit or ri3ht to e heard (+epsi Cola Distriutorsof the +hil > NLRC, R No !::/#/, Au3ust !;, !"";) One ma eheard, not solel veral presentation ut also, and perhaps mantimes more credital and predictale than oral ar3ument, throu3hpleadin3s (Concerned Officials of M** v >as2ue9, R No!:"!!., 'anuar ;, !"";) 4n administrative proceedin3s moreover,

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technical rules of procedure and evidence are not strictl appliedadministrative process cannot e full e2uated 0ith due process in itsstrict 5udicial sense (4id) 4ndeed, deprivation of due process cannote successfull invo1ed 0here a part 0as 3iven a chance to e

heard on his motion for reconsideration (Rodri3ue9 v +ro5ect / Mar1et*ervice Cooperative, R No 6""/#, Au3ust ., !"";), as in theinstant case, 0hen private respondents 0ere undisputedl 3iven theopportunit to present their side 0hen the filed a letter ofreconsideration dated 'une #, !"#" 0hich 0as, ho0ever, denied inan order of 'ul !, !"#" of E@ecutive Director Ba33aan 4n Navarro444 vs Damasco (R No !:!#6;, 'ul !7, !"";), 0e ruled that<

?he essence of due process is simpl an opportunit to e heard, or

as applied to administrative proceedin3s, an opportunit to e@plainones side or an opportunit to see1 a reconsideration of the action orrulin3 complained of A formal or trial tpe hearin3 is not at all timesand in all instances essential ?he re2uirements are satisfied 0hen theparties are afforded fair and reasonale opportunit to e@plain theirside of the controvers at hand hat is fro0ned upon is the asolutelac1 of notice or hearin3

4n the case at ar, petitioner 0as ale to file an Ans0er 0ith

Counter +etition and Motion to Dismiss$!/%

 e 0as also ale to sumithis counter-affidavit and s0orn statements of fort-ei3ht (7#)0itnesses hile he complains that these 0ere not considered theearin3 Officer, he, himself, admits that the COMELEC did not rel onthe findin3s of the earin3 Officer ut referred the case to its *econdDivision ?hus, the time the *econd Division revie0ed his case,petitioners evidence 0ere alread in place Moreover, petitioner 0asalso 3iven a chance to e@plain his ar3uments further in the Motion forReconsideration 0hich he filed efore the COMELEC Clearl, in the

li3ht of the rulin3 in aat$ no deprivation of due process 0ascommitted Considerin3 that petitioner 0as afforded an opportunit toe heard, throu3h his pleadin3s, there is reall no denial of proceduraldue process$!6%

Bein3 interrelated, 0e shall discuss the second and third issuesto3ether

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e note that petitioners term as Maor under the Ma #, !"";elections e@pired on 'une .:, !""# $!#% ?hus, 0hen the first 2uestionedResolution 0as issued COMELEC on 'une , !""#, petitioner0as still servin3 his term o0ever, the time the Motion for

Reconsideration of petitioner 0as filed on 'ul ., !""#, the case hadalread ecome moot and academic as his term had alreade@pired *o, too, the second 2uestioned Resolution 0hich 0as issuedon Octoer !., !""#, came at a time 0hen the issue of the case hadalread een rendered moot and academic the e@piration ofpetitioners challen3ed term of office

4n "alaluan v. ommission on Elections$$!"% this Court clearlpronounced that e@piration of the challen3ed term of office renders the

correspondin3 petition moot and academic ?hus<

4t is si3nificant to note that the term of office of the local officialselected in the Ma, !"" elections e@pired on 'une .:, !""; ?hispetition, thus, has ecome moot and academic insofar as it concernspetitioners ri3ht to the maoralt seat in his municipalit (Amaton3 vCOMELEC, R No 6!::., April #, !"##, En Banc, MinuteResolution Artano v Arcillas, R No 6/#., April /, !"##, EnBanc, Minute Resolution) ecause e@piration of the term of office

contested in the election protest has the effect of renderin3 the samemoot and academic (Atien9a v Commission on Elections, ." *CRA"# Ae5a v ?anada, ./ *CRA /: =orac v Ma3alona, . *CRA 6/)

hen the appeal from a decision in an election case has alreadecome moot, the case ein3 an election protest involvin3 the office of the maor the term of 0hich had e@pired, the appeal is dismissile onthat 3round, unless the renderin3 of a decision on the merits 0ould eof practical value (=orac v Ma3alona, supra) ?his rule 0e estalished

in the case of =orac v Ma3alona 0hich 0as dismissed ecause it hadeen mooted the e@piration of the term of office of the MunicipalMaor of *aravia, Ne3ros Occidental @ @ @

(underscorin3, ours)

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ith the complaint for dis2ualification of private respondentrendered moot and academic the e@piration of petitioners term ofoffice therein contested, COMELEC acted 0ith 3rave ause ofdiscretion in proceedin3 to dis2ualif petitioner from his reelected term

of office in its second 2uestioned Resolution on the 3round that itcomes as a matter of course after his dis2ualification in *+A No ";-!. promul3ated after the !""# election hile it is true that the first2uestioned Resolution 0as issued ei3ht (#) das efore the term ofpetitioner as Maor e@pired, said Resolution had not et attainedfinalit and could not effectivel e held to have removed petitionerfrom his office$:% 4ndeed, removal cannot e@tend eond the termdurin3 0hich the alle3ed misconduct 0as committed 4f a pulic officialis not removed efore his term of office e@pires, he can no lon3er e

removed if he is thereafter reelected for another term$!%

4n this re3ard, therefore, 0e a3ree 0ith the dissentin3 opinion ofCommissioner ?eresita D-Liacco &lores in the second 2uestionedResolution that petitioners dis2ualification under *+A No ";-!.cannot e@tend eond the term to 0hich he 0as elected in !"";$%

=et another 3round to reverse the COMELECs annulment ofpetitioners proclamation under the !""# elections is the undeniale

fact that petitioner 0as not accorded due process insofar as this issueis concerned ?o e sure, this 0as not part of the first 2uestionedResolution 0hich onl touched on the matter raised in the complaintthe Ma #, !""; elections +rivate respondent merel praed for theannulment of petitioners proclamation as 0inner in the !""# electionsin his Opposition to the Motion for Reconsideration 4t 0as 0ith 3raveause of discretion, then, that the COMELEC 0ent on to annulpetitioners proclamation as 0inner of the !""# elections 0ithout anprior notice or hearin3 on the matter$.%

 As per the Certificate of Canvass,$7% petitioner otained ;,":votes as a3ainst the !,66 votes otained private respondent and!; votes 3arnered the third maoral candidate, 'ohnn RBanatao?his 3ives petitioner a hi3h 66/ of the votes cast ?hereis no dout, therefore, that petitioner received his municipalits clear

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mandate ?his, despite the dis2ualification case filed a3ainst him private respondent

?his further lends support to our decision to ar his dis2ualification

insofar as the Ma !!, !""# elections is concerned 4ndeed, in electioncases, it is fundamental that the peoples 0ill e at all times upheld Aselo2uentl stressed in /rivaldo v. ommission on Elections$;%--

?his Court has time and a3ain lierall and e2uital construed theelectoral la0s of our countr to 3ive fullest effect to the manifest 0ill ofour people, for in case of dout, political la0s must e interpreted to3ive life and spirit to the popular mandate freel e@pressed throu3hthe allot Other0ise stated, le3al niceties and technicalities cannot

stand in the 0a of the soverei3n 0ill Consistentl, 0e have held<

@ @ @ (L)a0s 3overnin3 election contests must e lierall construed tothe end that the 0ill of the people in the choice of pulic officials manot e defeated mere technical o5ections (Benito v Commissionon Elections, .; *CRA 7./, 77 $Au3ust !6, !""7%)

&inall, 0e see no error in the COMELECs re5ection of privaterespondents move to e declared as Maor on account of petitionersdis2ualification ?o e3in 0ith, the issue had een rendered moot andacademic the e@piration of petitioners challen3ed term ofoffice *econd, even in la0 and 5urisprudence, private respondentcannot claim an ri3ht to the office As held the COMELEC, thesuccession to the office of the maor shall e in accordance 0ith theprovisions of the Local overnment Code 0hich, in turn, provides thatthe vice maor concerned shall ecome the maor$/% Also, in +olascov. ommission on Elections$$6% citin3 *eyes v. ommission onElections$$#% 0e alread re5ected, once and for all, the position that thecandidate 0ho otains the second hi3hest numer of votes ma eproclaimed the 0inner in the event of dis2ualification or failure of thecandidate 0ith the hi3hest numer of votes to hold office ?his courtratiocinated thus

?hat the candidate 0ho otains the second hi3hest numer of votesma not e proclaimed 0inner in case the 0innin3 candidate is

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dis2ualified is no0 settled (&rivaldo v COMELEC, !67 *CRA 7;$!"#"% Lao, 'r v COMELEC, !6/ *CRA ! $!"#"% Aella vCOMELEC, :! *CRA ;. $!""!% Lao, 'r v COMELEC, !! *CRA"6 $!""% Benito v COMELEC, .; *CRA 7./ $!""7%) ?he

doctrinal instailit caused see-sa0in3 rulin3s (ompare ?opacio v+aredes, . +hil .# $!"!% wit) ?icson v COMELEC, !:. *CRA/#6 $!"#!% eronimo v Ramos, !./ *CRA 7.; $!"#;% wit) *antos vCOMELEC, !.6 *CRA 67: $!"#;%) has since een removed 4n thelatest rulin3 (A2uino v COMELEC, R No !:/;, *eptemer !#,!"";) on the 2uestion, this Court said<

?o simplisticall assume that the second placer 0ould have receivedthe other votes 0ould e to sustitute our 5ud3ment for the mind of the

voter ?he second placer is 5ust that, a second placer e lost theelections e 0as repudiated either a ma5orit or pluralit ofvoters e could not e considered the first amon3 2ualifiedcandidates ecause in a field 0hich e@cludes the dis2ualifiedcandidate, the conditions 0ould have sustantiall chan3ed e arenot prepared to e@trapolate the results under the circumstances

+rivate respondent claims that there are compellin3 reasons todepart from this doctrine e ar3ues that since the dis2ualification

case filed a3ainst the petitioner for the !""; elections has eenrendered moot and academic, it is 0ith the !""# elections that itsimpact must e felt e also claims that 5ustice should e 3iven him asvictim of petitioners dilator tactics

e are not persuaded On the other hand, the fact that despite thedis2ualification case filed a3ainst petitioner relatin3 to the !"";elections, he still 0on the mandate of the people for the !""#elections, leads us to elieve that the electorate trul chose petitioner

and repudiated private respondent ?o allo0 private respondent, adefeated and repudiated candidate, to ta1e over the maoralt despitehis re5ection the electorate is to disenfranchise the electorate0ithout an fault on their part and to undermine the importance andmeanin3 of democrac and the peoples ri3ht to elect officials of theirchoice$"%

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?herefore, the Resolution of the COMELEC dated Octoer !.,!""# 0hich annulled petitioners proclamation as Maor of 43ui3,Ca3aan in the Ma !!, !""# elections should e set aside On theother hand, the petition filed efore the COMELEC a3ainst petitioner

for election offenses committed durin3 the Ma !""; elections shoulde dismissed for ein3 moot and academic, the term of office to 0hichpetitioner 0as elected havin3 alread e@pired

+%EREORE, the petition is partl RAN?ED ?he Resolution ofthe COMELEC, dated Octoer !., !""# is *E? A*4DE insofar as itannuls the proclamation of petitioner as 0inner in the Ma !!, !""#elections 4nsofar as the Ma #, !""; elections is concerned, 0e findthe issues related thereto rendered moot and academic e@piration

of the term of office challen3ed and, accordin3l, D4*M4** the petitionlod3ed in connection there0ith No costs

SO ORDERED.

Davide$ 0r.$ .0.$ Bellosillo$ "elo$ uno$ 1itug$ (apunan$ "endoa$anganiban$ 2uisumbing$ urisima$ Buena$ and ,onaga-*eyes$00.$ concur .

ardo$ 0.$ no part

#" s. o;;2ss2o# o# E/t2o#s, t ".G.R. No. 181613

-5 No;< -009(motion for reconsideration)

"/ts*

On !! *eptemer ::", the *upreme Court affirmed the COMELECFsdecision to

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dis2ualif petitioner Rosalinda +enera (+enera) as maoraltcandidate in *ta Monica, *uri3ao del Norte, for en3a3in3 in electioncampai3n outside the campai3n period, in violation of *ection #: of Batas +amansa Bl3 ##! (the Omnius Election Code)

+enera moved for reconsideration, ar3uin3 that she 0as not et acandidate at the time of the supposed premature campai3nin3, sinceunder *ection !; of Repulic Act No #7./ (the la0 authori9in3 theCOMELEC to use an automated election sstem for the process of votin3, countin3 of votes, and canvassin3consolidatin3 the results of the national and local elections), as amended Repulic Act No"./", one is not officiall a candidate until the start of the campai3nperiod

Issu*

hether or not +eneraFs dis2ualification for en3a3in3 in prematurecampai3nin3 should e reconsidered

%o$2#g* 

rantin3 +eneraFs motion for reconsideration, the *upreme Court En

Banc held that+enera did not en3a3e in premature campai3nin3 and should, thus,not e dis2ualified as a maoralt candidate ?he Court said

(A) ?he CourtFs !! *eptemer ::" Decision (or Pthe assailedDecisionQ) considered aperson 0ho files a certificate of candidac alread a PcandidateQ evenefore the start of the campai3n period ?his is contrar to the clear intent and letter of *ection !; of Repulic Act #7./, as amended,

0hich states that a person 0ho files his certificate of candidac 0illonl e considered a candidate at the start of the campai3n period,and unla0ful acts or omissions applicale to a candidate shall ta1eeffect onl upon the start of such campai3n period

?hus, applin3 said la0<

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(!) ?he effective date 0hen partisan political acts ecome unla0ful asto acandidate is 0hen the campai3n period starts Before the start of the

campai3nperiod, the same partisan political acts are la0ful

() Accordin3l, a candidate is liale for an election offense onl for acts done durin3 the campai3n period, not efore 4n other 0ords,electionoffenses can e committed a candidate onl upon the start of thecampai3nperiod Before the start of the campai3n period, such election offenses

cannot eso committed *ince the la0 is clear, the Court has no recourse ut toappl it ?he forum for e@aminin3 the 0isdom of the la0, and enactin3remedial measures, is not the Court ut the Le3islature

(B) Contrar to the assailed Decision, *ection !; of RA #7./, asamended, does notprovide that partisan political acts done a candidate efore thecampai3n period are unla0ful, ut ma e prosecuted onl upon the

start of the campai3n period Neither does the la0 state that partisanpolitical acts done a candidate efore the campai3n period aretemporaril la0ful, ut ecomes unla0ful upon the start of thecampai3n period Besides, such a la0 as envisioned in the Decision,0hich defines a criminal act and curtails freedom of e@pression andspeech, 0ould e void for va3ueness

(C) ?hat *ection !; of RA #7./ does not e@pressl state thatcampai3nin3 efore the start of the campai3n period is la0ful, as the

assailed Decision asserted, is of no moment 4t is a asic principle of la0 that an act is la0ful unless e@pressl declared unla0ful la0?he mere fact that the la0 does not declare an act unla0ful ipso factomeans that the act is la0ful ?hus, there is no need for Con3ress todeclare in *ection !; of RA #7./ that partisan political activitiesefore the start of the campai3n period are la0ful 4t is sufficient for 

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Con3ress to state that Pan unla0ful act or omission applicale to acandidate shall ta1e effect onl upon the start of the campai3n periodQ?he onl inescapale and lo3ical result is that the same acts, if doneefore the start of the campai3n period, are la0ful

(D) ?he CourtFs !! *eptemer ::" Decision also reversed Lanot vsCOMELEC (RNo !/7#;# !/ Novemer ::/) Lanot 0as decided on the 3roundthat one 0ho files acertificate of candidac is not a candidate until the start of thecampai3n period ?his 3round 0as ased on the delierations of thele3islators 0ho e@plained that the earl deadline for filin3 certificatesof candidac under RA #7./ 0as set onl to afford time to prepare

the machine-readale allots, and the intended to preserve thee@istin3 election periods, such that one 0ho files his certificate of candidac to meet the earl deadline 0ill still not e considered as acandidatehen Con3ress amended RA #7./, Con3ress decided to e@presslincorporate theLanot doctrine into la0, thus, the provision in *ection !; of RA #7./that a person 0ho files his certificate of candidac shall e considereda candidate onl at the start of the campai3n period Con3ress 0anted

to insure that no person filin3 a certificate of candidac under the earldeadline re2uired the automated election sstem 0ould edis2ualified or penali9ed for an partisan political act done efore thestart of the campai3n period ?his provision cannot e annulled theCourt e@cept on the sole 3round of its unconstitutionalit?he assailed Decision, ho0ever, did not claim that this provision isunconstitutional 4n fact, the assailed Decision considered the entire*ection !; 3ood la0 ?hus, the Decision 0as self-contradictor Hreversin3 Lanot ut maintainin3 the constitutionalit of the said

provision

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ROSALINDA A. PENERA,

Petitioner,

 

- versus -

 

G. R. No. 181613

 

Present:

 

PUNO, C.J .,

QUISUMBING,

YNARES-SANTIAGO,

CARPIO,

CORONA,

CARPIO MORALES,

CICO-NA!ARIO,

"ELASCO, #R.,

 NACURA,

LEONAR$O-$E CASTRO,

BRION,

PERALTA,

BERSAMIN,

$EL CASTILLO, %n&

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COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS

and EDGAR T. ANDANAR,

Res'on&ents.

ABA$, JJ .

 

Pro(u)*%te&:

 

Se'te(+er , /

0 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0

 

$ E C I S I O N

 

CICO-NA!ARIO, J.:

 

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T1is Petition 2or Certiorari 3it1 Pr%4er 2or t1e Issu%n5e o2 % 6rit o2 Pre)i(in%r4

In7un5tion %n&8or Te('or%r4 Restr%inin* Or&er  9 un&er Ru)e ;<, in re)%tion to

Ru)e ;= o2 t1e Ru)es o2 Court, see>s t1e nu))i2i5%tion o2 t1e Reso)ution9 &%te& ?

#%nu%r4 @ o2 t1e Co((ission on E)e5tions COMELEC en banc. S%i&

Reso)ution &enie& t1e Motion 2or Re5onsi&er%tion o2 t1e e%r)ier Reso)ution9? &%te&= #u)4 o2 t1e COMELEC Se5on& $ivision in SPA No. -=, or&erin* t1e

&isDu%)i2i5%tion o2 1erein 'etitioner Ros%)in&% A. Pener% Pener% %s % 5%n&i&%te

2or t1e 'osition o2 (%4or o2 t1e Muni5i'%)it4 o2 St%. Moni5%, Suri*%o &e) Norte

St%. Moni5% in t1e S4n51ronie& N%tion%) %n& Lo5%) E)e5tions.

 

T1e %nte5e&ents o2 t1e 5%se, +ot1 2%5tu%) %n& 'ro5e&ur%), %re set 2ort1 1ereun&er:

 

Pener% %n& 'riv%te res'on&ent E&*%r T. An&%n%r An&%n%r 3ere (%4or%)t4

5%n&i&%tes in St%. Moni5% &urin* t1e = M%4 e)e5tions.

 

On A'ri) , An&%n%r 2i)e& +e2ore t1e O22i5e o2 t1e Re*ion%) E)e5tion $ire5tor

ORE$, C%r%*% Re*ion Re*ion FIII, % Petition 2or $isDu%)i2i5%tion9=

 %*%instPener%, %s 3e)) %s t1e 5%n&i&%tes 2or "i5e-M%4or %n& Sangguniang Bayan 31o

 +e)on*e& to 1er 'o)iti5%) '%rt4,9< 2or un)%32u))4 en*%*in* in e)e5tion 5%('%i*nin*

%n& '%rtis%n 'o)iti5%) %5tivit4 'rior to t1e 5o((en5e(ent o2 t1e 5%('%i*n

 'erio&. T1e 'etition 3%s &o5>ete& %s SPA No. -=.

 

An&%n%r 5)%i(e& t1%t on / M%r51 % &%4 +e2ore t1e st%rt o2 t1e %ut1orie&

5%('%i*n 'erio& on ? M%r51 Pener% %n& 1er '%rt4(%tes 3ent %roun& t1e&i22erentbarangays in St%. Moni5%, %nnoun5in* t1eir 5%n&i&%5ies %n& reDuestin*

t1e 'eo')e to vote 2or t1e( on t1e &%4 o2 t1e e)e5tions. Att%51e& to t1e Petition

3ere t1e A22i&%vits o2 in&ivi&u%)s9; 31o 3itnesse& t1e s%i& in5i&ent.

 

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Pener% %)one 2i)e& %n Ans3er 9 to t1e Petition on / A'ri) , %verrin*

t1%t t1e 51%r*e o2 're(%ture 5%('%i*nin* 3%s not true. A)t1ou*1 Pener% %&(itte&

t1%t % (otor5%&e &i& t%>e ')%5e, s1e e0')%ine& t1%t it 3%s si(')4 in %55or&%n5e

3it1 t1e usu%) 'r%5ti5e in ne%r+4 5ities %n& 'rovin5es, 31ere t1e 2i)in* o2

5erti2i5%tes o2 5%n&i&%54 COCs 3%s 're5e&e& +4 % (otor5%&e, 31i51 &is'erse&soon %2ter t1e 5o(')etion o2 su51 2i)in*. In 2%5t, Pener% 5)%i(e&, in t1e (otor5%&e

1e)& +4 1er 'o)iti5%) '%rt4, no 'erson (%&e %n4 s'ee51, not even %n4 o2 t1e

5%n&i&%tes. Inste%&, t1ere 3%s on)4 (%r51in* (usi5 in t1e +%5>*roun& %n& % *r%n&

st%n&in* 2or t1e 'ur'ose o2 r%isin* t1e 1%n&s o2 t1e 5%n&i&%tes in t1e

(otor5%&e. in%))4, Pener% 5ite& Barroso v. Ampig 9@ in 1er &e2ense, 31erein t1e

Court su''ose&)4 ru)e& t1%t % (otor5%&e 1e)& +4 5%n&i&%tes &urin* t1e 2i)in* o2

t1eir COCs 3%s not % 2or( o2 'o)iti5%) 5%('%i*nin*.

A)so on / A'ri) , An&%n%r %n& Pener% %''e%re& 3it1 t1eir 5ounse)s

 +e2ore t1e ORE$-Re*ion FIII, 31ere t1e4 %*ree& to su+(it t1eir 'osition '%'ers

%n& ot1er evi&en5e in su''ort o2 t1eir %))e*%tions.9/

 

A2ter t1e '%rties 2i)e& t1eir res'e5tive Position P%'ers, t1e re5or&s o2 t1e 5%se

3ere tr%ns(itte& to t1e COMELEC (%in o22i5e in M%ni)% 2or %&7u&i5%tion. It 3%s

su+seDuent)4 r%22)e& to t1e COMELEC Se5on& $ivision.

 

61i)e SPA No. -= 3%s 'en&in* +e2ore t1e COMELEC Se5on&

$ivision, t1e = M%4 e)e5tions too> ')%5e %n&, %s % resu)t t1ereo2, Pener% 3%s

 'ro5)%i(e& t1e &u)4 e)e5te& M%4or o2 St%. Moni5%. Pener% soon %ssu(e& o22i5e

on #u)4 .

On = #u)4 , t1e COMELEC Se5on& $ivision issue& its Reso)ution in

SPA No. -=, 'enne& +4 Co((issioner Ni5o&e(o T. errer errer, 31i51

&isDu%)i2ie& Pener% 2ro( 5ontinuin* %s % (%4or%)t4 5%n&i&%te in St%. Moni5%, 2or

en*%*in* in 're(%ture 5%('%i*nin*, in vio)%tion o2 Se5tions @ %n& ;@ o2 t1e

O(ni+us E)e5tion Co&e.

 

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T1e COMELEC Se5on& $ivision 2oun& t1%t:

 

On t1e %2ternoon o2 / M%r51 , t1e st 9si5 &%4 to 2i)e t1e

5erti2i5%tes o2 5%n&i&%54 2or )o5%) e)e5tive 'ositions %n& % &%4 +e2ore t1e

st%rt o2 t1e 5%('%i*n 'erio& 2or t1e M%4 =, e)e5tions 9so(e o2 t1e

(e(+ers o2 t1e 'o)iti5%) '%rt4 P%rti&o P%&%7on Suri*%o, 1e%&e& +4 t1eir

(%4or%)t4 5%n&i&%te $%tt4 Pener%, 2i)e& t1eir res'e5tive Certi2i5%tes o2

C%n&i&%54 +e2ore t1e Muni5i'%) E)e5tion O22i5er o2 St%. Moni5%,

Suri*%o &e) Norte.

 

A55o('%nie& +4 % +ev4 o2 su''orters, 9Pener% %n& 1er

 '%rt4(%tes 5%(e to t1e (uni5i'%) COMELEC o22i5e on +o%r& % 5onvo4

o2 t3o tru5>s %n& %n un&eter(ine& nu(+er o2 (otor545)es, )%&en

3it1 +%))oons %& 9si5 'osters8+%nners 5ont%inin* n%(es %n& 'i5tures %n&

t1e (uni5i'%) 'ositions 2or 31i51 t1e4 3ere see>in* e)e5tion. Inst%))e&

3it1 9si5 one o2 t1e tru5>s 3%s % 'u+)i5 s'e%>er soun& su+s4ste( 31i51

 +ro%&5%st 9si5 t1e intent t1e 9si5 run in t1e 5o(in* e)e5tions. T1e tru5>

1%& t1e 'osters o2 Pener% %tt%51e& to it 'ro5)%i(in* 1is 9si5 5%n&i&%54

2or (%4or. T1e stre%(er o2 9M%r Lon*os, % 5%n&i&%te 2or t1e 'osition o2

Bo%r& Me(+er, 3%s 'rou&)4 seen %t t1e ve1i5)es si&e. T1e *rou'

 'ro5ee&e& to (otor5%&e unti) t1e +%r%n*%4s o2 B%i)%n, Li+ert%& %n& %s%2%r 9si5 %s M%+ini %)(ost nine / >i)o(eters 2ro( St%.

Moni5%. 9Pener% %n& 1er '%rt4(%tes 3ere seen %+o%r& t1e ve1i5)es %n&

t1ro3in* 5%n&ies to t1e resi&ents %n& on)oo>ers.

 

"%rious %22i&%vits %n& 'i5tures 3ere su+(itte& e)u5i&%tin* t1e

%+ove-(entione& 2%5ts. T1e %+ove 2%5ts 3ere %)so %&(itte& in t1e

Ans3er, t1e Position P%'er %n& &urin* t1e 1e%rin*s 5on&u5te& 2or t1is

5%se, t1e on)4 &e2ense 'ro'oun&e& +4 9Pener% is t1%t su51 %5ts %))e*e&)4

&o not 5onstitute 5%('%i*nin* %n& is t1ere2ore not 'ros5ri+e& +4 t1e

 'ertinent e)e5tion )%3s.

 

0 0 0 0

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61%t 3e 1o3ever 2in& &istur+in* is 9Pener%s re2eren5e to

t1e Ampig Case %s t1e 7usti2i5%tion 2or t1e %5ts 5o((itte& +4

91er. T1ere is re%))4 no re2eren5e to t1e %5ts or si(i)%r %5ts 5o((itte&

 +4 9Pener% %s 1%vin* +een 5onsi&ere& %s not 5onstitutin* 'o)iti5%)5%('%i*n or '%rtis%n 'o)iti5%) %5tivit4. T1e issue in t1%t 5%se is 31et1er

or not t1e &e2e5t o2 t1e )%5> o2 % 5erti2i5%tion %*%inst non-2oru( 9si5

s1o''in* s1ou)& resu)t to t1e i((e&i%te &is(iss%) o2 t1e e)e5tion 5%ses

2i)e& in t1%t 5%se. T1ere is not1in* in s%i& 5%se 7usti24in* % (otor5%&e

&urin* t1e 2i)in* o2 5erti2i5%tes o2 5%n&i&%54. 9Pener%s re)i%n5e t1ereon

is t1ere2ore (is')%5e& %n& o2 no 'oten54 %t %)).

 

0 0 0 0

 

o3ever, t1e '1otos su+(itte& +4 9An&%n%r on)4 i&enti2ie&

9Pener% %n& &i& not 1%ve %n4 not%tion i&enti24in* or in&i5%tin* %n4 o2

t1e ot1er 95%n&i&%tes 2ro( Pener%s '%rt4. It 5%nnot +e 5on5)usive)4

 'roven t1%t t1e ot1er 95%n&i&%tes 2ro( Pener%s '%rt4 3ere in&ee& 3it1

Pener% &urin* t1e Motor5%&e. More i('ort%nt)4, t1e Ans3er %n& t1e

Position P%'er 5ont%in %&(issions re2errin* on)4 to 9Pener%. T1ere is

t1ere2ore no 7usti2i5%tion 2or % 31o)e s%)e 9si5 &isDu%)i2i5%tion o2 %)) t1e95%n&i&%tes 2ro( Pener%s '%rt4, %s even t1e 'etition 2%i)e& to (ention

 '%rti5u)%r)4 t1e '%rti5i'%tion o2 t1e ot1er in&ivi&u%) 9'%rt4 (e(+ers.9

 

T1e %2ore-Duote& 2in&in*s o2 2%5t )e& t1e COMELEC Se5on& $ivision to &e5ree:

 

PREMISES CONSI$ERE$, t1is Co((ission reso)ves to &isDu%)i24

9Pener% +ut %+so)ves t1e ot1er 95%n&i&%tes 2ro( Pener%s '%rt4 2ro(

vio)%tion o2 se5tion @ %n& ;@ o2 t1e O(ni+us E)e5tions 9si5 Co&e.9

 

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Co((issioner )orentino A. Tu%son, #r. Tu%son 3rote % Se'%r%te O'inion9 on

t1e = #u)4 Reso)ution. A)t1ou*1 Co((issioner Tu%son 5on5urre& 3it1

t1e ponente, 1e stresse& t1%t, in&ee&, Pener% s1ou)& +e (%&e %55ount%+)e 2or 1er%5tions %2ter t1e 2i)in* o2 1er COC on / M%r51 . Prior t1ereto, t1ere 3%s no

5%n&i&%te 4et 31ose 5%n&i&%54 3ou)& 1%ve +een en1%n5e& +4 t1e 're(%ture

5%('%i*nin*.

 

It 3%s t1e t1ir& (e(+er o2 t1e COMELEC Se5on& $ivision, Co((issioner

Rene ". S%r(iento S%r(iento 31o 'ut 2ort1 % $issentin* O'inion9? on t1e =

#u)4 Reso)ution. Co((issioner S%r(iento +e)ieve& t1%t t1e 'ie5es o2evi&en5e su+(itte& +4 An&%n%r &i& not su22i5ient)4 est%+)is1 'ro+%+)e 5%use t1%t

Pener% en*%*e& in 're(%ture 5%('%i*nin*, in vio)%tion o2 Se5tions @ %n& ;@ o2

t1e O(ni+us E)e5tion Co&e. T1e t3o '1oto5o'ie& 'i5tures, 'ur'ortin* to +e t1ose

o2 Pener%, &i& not 5)e%r)4 reve%) 31%t 3%s %5tu%))4 1%''enin* in t1e tru5> or 31o

3ere t1e '%ssen*ers t1ereo2. Li>e3ise, t1e A22i&%vits see(e& to 1%ve +een

 're'%re& %n& e0e5ute& +4 one %n& t1e s%(e 'erson +e5%use t1e4 1%& si(i)%r

senten5e 5onstru5tion %n& 2or(, %n& t1e4 3ere s3orn to +e2ore t1e s%(e %ttestin*

o22i5er.

 

Pener% 2i)e& +e2ore t1e COMELEC en banc % Motion 2or

Re5onsi&er%tion9= o2 t1e = #u)4 Reso)ution o2 t1e COMELEC Se5on&

$ivision, (%int%inin* t1%t s1e &i& not (%>e %n4 %&(ission on t1e 2%5tu%) (%tters

st%te& in t1e %''e%)e& reso)ution. Pener% %)so 5onten&e& t1%t t1e 'i5tures %n&

A22i&%vits su+(itte& +4 An&%n%r s1ou)& not 1%ve +een *iven %n4 5re&en5e. T1e

 'i5tures 3ere (ere '1oto5o'ies o2 t1e ori*in%)s %n& )%5>e& t1e 'ro'er

%ut1enti5%tion, 31i)e t1e A22i&%vits 3ere t%>en ex parte, 31i51 3ou)& %)(ost

%)3%4s (%>e t1e( in5o(')ete %n& in%55ur%te. Su+seDuent)4, Pener% 2i)e& %

Su'')e(ent%) Motion 2or Re5onsi&er%tion,9< e0')%inin* t1%t su''orters

s'ont%neous)4 %55o('%nie& Pener% %n& 1er 2e))o3 5%n&i&%tes in 2i)in* t1eir COCs,

%n& t1e (otor5%&e t1%t too> ')%5e %2ter t1e 2i)in* 3%s %5tu%))4 '%rt o2 t1e &is'ers%)

o2 s%i& su''orters %n& t1eir tr%ns'ort%tion +%5> to t1eir res'e5tive barangays.

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In t1e Reso)ution &%te& ? #%nu%r4 @, t1e COMELEC en banc &enie&

Pener%s Motion 2or Re5onsi&er%tion, &is'osin* t1us:

 

WHEREFORE, t1is Co((ission RESOLVES to DENY t1e

inst%nt Motion 2or Re5onsi&er%tion 2i)e& +4 9Pener% 2or UTTER LAC 

OF MERIT.9;

 

T1e COMELEC en banc ru)e& t1%t Pener% 5ou)& no )on*er %&v%n5e t1e

%r*u(ents set 2ort1 in 1er Motion 2or Re5onsi&er%tion %n& Su'')e(ent%) Motion2or Re5onsi&er%tion, *iven t1%t s1e 2%i)e& to 2irst e0'ress %n& e)u5i&%te on t1e s%(e

in 1er Ans3er %n& Position P%'er. Pener% &i& not s'e5i2i5%))4 &en4 t1e (%teri%)

%ver(ents t1%t t1e (otor5%&e 3ent %s 2%r %s B%r%n*%4 M%+ini, %nnoun5in* t1eir

5%n&i&%54 %n& reDuestin* t1e 'eo')e to vote 2or t1e( on E)e5tion $%4, &es'ite t1e

2%5t t1%t t1e s%(e 3ere 5)e%r)4 'ro'oun&e& +4 An&%n%r in 1is Petition 2or

$isDu%)i2i5%tion %n& Position P%'er. T1ere2ore, t1ese (%teri%) %ver(ents s1ou)& +e

5onsi&ere& %&(itte&. A)t1ou*1 t1e COMELEC en banc %*ree& t1%t no un&ue

i('ort%n5e s1ou)& +e *iven to s3orn st%te(ents or %22i&%vits su+(itte& %sevi&en5e, t1is &i& not (e%n t1%t su51 %22i&%vits s1ou)& not +e *iven %n4 evi&enti%r4

3ei*1t %t %)). Sin5e Pener% neit1er re2ute& t1e (%teri%) %ver(ents in An&%n%rs

Petition %n& t1e A22i&%vits %tt%51e& t1ereto nor su+(itte& 5ounterv%i)in* evi&en5e,

t1en s%i& A22i&%vits, even i2 t%>en ex parte, &eserve so(e &e*ree o2

i('ort%n5e. T1e COMELEC en banc )i>e3ise 5on5e&e& t1%t t1e 'i5tures su+(itte&

 +4 An&%n%r %s evi&en5e 3ou)& 1%ve +een unre)i%+)e, +ut on)4 i2 t1e4 3ere

 'resente& +4 t1eir )oneso(e. o3ever, s%i& 'i5tures, to*et1er 3it1 Pener%s

%&(issions %n& t1e A22i&%vits o2 An&%n%rs 3itnesses, 5onstitute& su22i5ient

evi&en5e to est%+)is1 Pener%s vio)%tion o2 t1e ru)e %*%inst 're(%ture5%('%i*nin*. L%st)4, t1e COMELEC en banc %55use& Pener% o2 &e)i+er%te)4 tr4in*

to (is)e%& t1e Co((ission +4 5itin* Barroso, *iven t1%t t1e s%i& 5%se 3%s not

even re(ote)4 %'')i5%+)e to t1e 5%se %t +%r.

 

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Consistent 3it1 1is 'revious st%n&, Co((issioner S%r(iento %*%in

&issente&9 2ro( t1e ? #%nu%r4 @ Reso)ution o2 t1e COMELEC en banc. e

sti)) +e)ieve& t1%t An&%n%r 3%s not %+)e to %&&u5e su+st%nti%) evi&en5e t1%t 3ou)&

su''ort t1e 5)%i( o2 vio)%tion o2 e)e5tion )%3s. P%rti5u)%r)4, Co((issioner

S%r(iento %55e'te& Pener%s e0')%n%tion t1%t t1e (otor5%&e 5on&u5te& %2ter t1e2i)in* +4 Pener% %n& t1e ot1er 5%n&i&%tes o2 t1eir COCs 3%s (ere)4 '%rt o2 t1e

&is'ers%) o2 t1e s'ont%neous *%t1erin* o2 t1eir su''orters. T1e in5i&ent 3%s on)4 in

%55or& 3it1 nor(%) 1u(%n so5i%) e0'erien5e.

 

Sti)) un&eterre&, Pener% 2i)e& t1e inst%nt Petition +e2ore us, 'r%4in* t1%t t1e

Reso)utions &%te& = #u)4 %n& ? #%nu%r4 @ o2 t1e COMELEC Se5on&

$ivision %n& en banc, res'e5tive)4, +e &e5)%re& nu)) %n& voi& 2or 1%vin* +eenissue& 3it1 *r%ve %+use o2 &is5retion %(ountin* to )%5> or e05ess o2 7uris&i5tion.

 

In % Reso)ution9@ &%te& = M%r51 @, 3e issue& % Te('or%r4 Restr%inin*

Or&er TRO, en7oinin* t1e COMELEC 2ro( i(')e(entin* t1e %ss%i)e&

Reso)utions, on t1e 5on&ition t1%t Pener% 'ost % +on& in t1e %(ount

o2 P<,.. 6e %)so &ire5te& COMELEC %n& An&%n%r to 5o((ent on t1e inst%nt

Petition.

 

A2ter t1e COMELEC, t1rou*1 t1e O22i5e o2 t1e So)i5itor Gener%) OSG,

%n& An&%n%r 2i)e& t1eir res'e5tive Co((ents9/ on t1e Petition %t +%r, 3e reDuire&

Pener%, in % Reso)ution9 &%te& #une @, to 2i)e % Re')4. o3ever, %s no

Re')4 3%s 2i)e& in &ue ti(e, 3e &is(isse& Pener%s Petition in % Reso)ution9 &%te&

= O5to+er @, in %55or&%n5e 3it1 Ru)e <;, Se5tion <e o2 t1e Ru)es o2 Court.9 Pener% su+seDuent)4 2i)e& %n Ex Parte Motion to A&(it Re')4,9? 31i51 3e

tre%te& %s % Motion 2or Re5onsi&er%tion o2 t1e Reso)ution &%te& = O5to+er

@. On Nove(+er @, 3e issue& %not1er Reso)ution reinst%tin* Pener%s

Petition.9=

 

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Pener% 'resents t1e 2o))o3in* issues 2or our 5onsi&er%tion:

I.

 

61et1er or not 9Pener% 1%s en*%*e& in %n e)e5tion 5%('%i*n or '%rtis%n

 'o)iti5%) %5tivit4 outsi&e t1e 5%('%i*n 'erio&.

 

II.

 

61et1er t1e 5ontents o2 t1e 5o(')%int %re &ee(e& %&(itte& 2or 2%i)ure o2 9Pener% to s'e5i2i5%))4 &en4 t1e s%(e.

 

III.

 

61et1er or not 9An&%n%r 1%s 'resente& 5o('etent %n& su+st%nti%)

evi&en5e to 7usti24 % 5on5)usion t1%t 9Pener% vio)%te& Se5tion @ %n& ;@o2 t1e O(ni+us E)e5tion Co&e.

 

I".

 

61et1er or not 9t1e COMELEC 5o((itte& *r%ve %+use o2 &is5retion

%(ountin* to )%5> o2 or in e05ess o2 7uris&i5tion in 2in&in* t1%t t1e %5t o2

9Pener% in 5on&u5tin* % (otor5%&e +e2ore t1e 2i)in* o2 1er 5erti2i5%te o2

5%n&i&%54 5onstitutes 're(%ture 5%('%i*nin*.

 

".

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61et1er or not 9t1e COMELEC 5o((itte& *r%ve %+use o2 &is5retion

%(ountin* to )%5> o2 or in e05ess o2 7uris&i5tion 31en it reso)ves 9si5 to

&isDu%)i24 9Pener% &es'ite t1e 2%i)ure o2 9An&%n%r to 'resent 5o('etent,

%&(issi+)e %n& su+st%nti%) evi&en5e to 'rove 9t1e vio)%tion o2 Se5tion;@ %n& @ o2 t1e O(ni+us E)e5tion Co&e.

 

Pener% 5)%i(s t1%t t1e COMELEC e0er5ise& its &is5retion &es'oti5%))4,

%r+itr%ri)4 %n& 31i(si5%))4 in &isDu%)i24in* 1er %s % (%4or%)t4 5%n&i&%te in St%.

Moni5% on t1e *roun& t1%t s1e en*%*e& in 're(%ture 5%('%i*nin*. S1e %sserts t1%tt1e evi&en5e %&&u5e& +4 An&%n%r 3%s *ross)4 insu22i5ient to 3%rr%nt t1e ru)in* o2

t1e COMELEC.

 

Pener% insists t1%t t1e COMELEC Se5on& $ivision erre& in its 2in&in*s o2

2%5t, +%si5%))4 %&o'tin* An&%n%rs %))e*%tions 31i51, 5ontr%r4 to t1e +e)ie2 o2 t1e

COMELEC Se5on& $ivision, Pener% never %&(itte&. Pener% (%int%ins t1%t t1e

(otor5%&e 3%s s'ont%neous %n& un')%nne&, %n& t1e su''orters (ere)4 7oine&Pener% %n& t1e ot1er 5%n&i&%tes 2ro( 1er '%rt4 %)on* t1e 3%4 to, %s 3e)) %s 3it1in

t1e 're(ises o2, t1e o22i5e o2 t1e COMELEC Muni5i'%) E)e5tion O22i5er. An&%n%rs

%ver(ents t1%t %2ter Pener% %n& t1e ot1er 5%n&i&%tes 2ro( 1er '%rt4 2i)e& t1eir

COCs, t1e4 1e)& % (otor5%&e in t1e &i22erent barangays o2 St%. Moni5%, 3%ive&

t1eir 1%n&s to t1e 'u+)i5 %n& t1re3 5%n&ies to t1e on)oo>ers 3ere not su''orte& +4

5o('etent su+st%nti%) evi&en5e. E51oin* Co((issioner S%r(ientos &issent 2ro(

t1e %ss%i)e& COMELEC Reso)utions, Pener% %r*ues t1%t too (u51 3ei*1t %n&

5re&en5e 3ere *iven to t1e 'i5tures %n& A22i&%vits su+(itte& +4 An&%n%r. T1e

&e5)%r%tion +4 t1e COMELEC t1%t it 3%s Pener% in t1e 'i5tures is tenuous %n&

erroneous, %s t1e COMELEC 1%s no 'erson%) >no3)e&*e o2 Pener%s i&entit4, %n&

t1e s%i& 'i5tures &o not 5)e%r)4 reve%) t1e 2%5es o2 t1e in&ivi&u%)s %n& t1e 5ontents

o2 t1e 'osters t1erein. In t1e s%(e vein, t1e A22i&%vits o2 An&%n%rs >no3n

su''orters, e0e5ute& %)(ost % (ont1 %2ter An&%n%r 2i)e& 1is Petition 2or

$isDu%)i2i5%tion +e2ore t1e ORE$-Re*ion FIII, 3ere o+vious)4 're'%re& %n&

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e0e5ute& +4 one %n& t1e s%(e 'erson, +e5%use t1e4 1%ve % si(i)%r senten5e

5onstru5tion, %n& 5o('uter 2ont %n& 2or(, %n& 3ere even s3orn to +e2ore t1e s%(e

%ttestin* o22i5er on t1e s%(e &%te.

 

6e 2in& no (erit in t1e inst%nt Petition.

 

The questions of fact 

Cr4st%) 5)e%r 2ro( t1e %+ove %r*u(ents is t1%t Pener% is r%isin* on)4

Duestions o2 2%5t in 1er Petition 'resent)4 +e2ore us. 6e &o not 2in& %n4 re%son to

 '%ss u'on t1e s%(e, %s t1is Court is not % trier o2 2%5ts. It is not t1e 2un5tion o2 t1e

Court to revie3, e0%(ine %n& ev%)u%te or 3ei*1 t1e 'ro+%tive v%)ue o2 t1e evi&en5e

 'resente&. A Duestion o2 2%5t 3ou)& %rise in su51 %n event.

 

T1e so)e 2un5tion o2 % 3rit o2 certiorari is to %&&ress issues o2 3%nt o2

 7uris&i5tion or *r%ve %+use o2 &is5retion, %n& it &oes not in5)u&e % revie3 o2 t1e

tri+un%)s ev%)u%tion o2 t1e evi&en5e.9< Be5%use o2 its 2%5t-2in&in* 2%5i)ities %n& its

>no3)e&*e &erive& 2ro( %5tu%) e0'erien5e, t1e COMELEC is in % 'e5u)i%r)4

%&v%nt%*eous 'osition to ev%)u%te, %''re5i%te %n& &e5i&e on 2%5tu%) Duestions

 +e2ore it. %5tu%) 2in&in*s o2 t1e COMELEC, +%se& on its o3n %ssess(ents %n&

&u)4 su''orte& +4 evi&en5e, %re 5on5)usive on t1is Court, (ore so in t1e %+sen5e

o2 % *r%ve %+use o2 &is5retion, %r+itr%riness, 2r%u&, or error o2 )%3 in t1e Duestione&

reso)utions. Un)ess %n4 o2 t1ese 5%uses %re 5)e%r)4 su+st%nti%te&, t1e Court 3i)) not

inter2ere 3it1 t1e 2in&in*s o2 2%5t o2 t1e COMELEC.9;

 

Gr%ve %+use o2 &is5retion is su51 5%'ri5ious %n& 31i(si5%) e0er5ise o2

 7u&*(ent eDuiv%)ent to )%5> o2 7uris&i5tion. Mere %+use o2 &is5retion is not

enou*1. It (ust +e *r%ve, %s 31en it is e0er5ise& %r+itr%ri)4 or &es'oti5%))4 +4

re%son o2 '%ssion or 'erson%) 1osti)it4. T1e %+use (ust +e so '%tent %n& so *ross %s

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to %(ount to %n ev%sion o2 % 'ositive &ut4 or to % virtu%) re2us%) to 'er2or( t1e &ut4

en7oine& or to %5t %t %)) in 5onte(')%tion o2 )%3.9

 

6e 2in& no *r%ve %+use o2 &is5retion %(ountin* to )%5> or e05ess o2

 7uris&i5tion on t1e '%rt o2 t1e COMELEC Se5on& $ivision in &isDu%)i24in* Pener%

%s % (%4or%)t4 5%n&i&%te in St%. Moni5% in t1e Reso)ution &%te& = #u)4 H %n&

%)so on t1e '%rt o2 t1e COMELEC en banc in &en4in* Pener%s Motion 2or

Re5onsi&er%tion on t1e Reso)ution &%te& ? #%nu%r4 @. S%i& Reso)utions %re

su22i5ient)4 su''orte& +4 su+st%nti%) evi&en5e, (e%nin*, su51 evi&en5e %s %

re%son%+)e (in& (i*1t %55e't %s %&eDu%te to su''ort % 5on5)usion.9@

 

T1e 'ro1i+ite& %5t o2 're(%ture 5%('%i*nin* is &e2ine& un&er Se5tion @ o2

t1e O(ni+us E)e5tion Co&e, to 3it:

 

SECTION @. Election campaign or partisan political activity outside

campaign period . I! "#a$$ %& 'n$a()'$ )o* an+ &*"on, (#&!#&* o* no!

a -o!&* o* and/da!&, o* )o* an+ a*!+, o* a""o/a!/on o) &*"on", !o

&n0a0& /n an &$&!/on aa/0n o* a*!/"an o$/!/a$ a!/-/!+ &2&!d'*/n0 !#& aa/0n &*/od: Provided , T1%t 'o)iti5%) '%rties (%4 1o)&

 'o)iti5%) 5onventions or (eetin*s to no(in%te t1eir o22i5i%) 5%n&i&%tes

3it1in t1irt4 &%4s +e2ore t1e 5o((en5e(ent o2 t1e 5%('%i*n 'erio& %n&

2ort4-2ive &%4s 2or Presi&enti%) %n& "i5e-Presi&enti%) e)e5tion.

E('1%sis ours.

 

I2 t1e 5o((ission o2 t1e 'ro1i+ite& %5t o2 're(%ture 5%('%i*nin* is &u)4 'roven, t1e 5onseDuen5e o2 t1e vio)%tion is 5)e%r)4 s'e))e& out in Se5tion ;@ o2 t1e

s%i& Co&e, 31i51 re%&s:

 

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SECTION. ;@. Disqualiications. - An4 5%n&i&%te 31o, in %n %5tion or

 'rotest in 31i51 1e is % '%rt4 is &e5)%re& +4 2in%) &e5ision o2 % 5o('etent

5ourt *ui)t4 o2, or 2oun& +4 t1e Co((ission o2 1%vin* 000 e -/o$a!&d

an+ o) S&!/on" 8, @?, @<, @; %n& ;, '%r%*r%'1s &, e, >, v, %n& 55,

su+'%r%*r%'1 ;, "#a$$ %& d/"4'a$/)/&d )*o on!/n'/n0 a" a and/da!&,

o* /) #& #a" %&&n &$&!&d, )*o #o$d/n0 !#& o))/&. An4 'erson 31o is % 'er(%nent resi&ent o2 or %n i((i*r%nt to % 2orei*n 5ountr4 s1%)) not +e

Du%)i2ie& to run 2or %n4 e)e5tive o22i5e un&er t1is Co&e, un)ess s%i&

 'erson 1%s 3%ive& 1is st%tus %s 'er(%nent resi&ent or i((i*r%nt o2 %

2orei*n 5ountr4 in %55or&%n5e 3it1 t1e resi&en5e reDuire(ent 'rovi&e&

2or in t1e e)e5tion )%3s. E('1%ses ours.

 

In t1e 5%se %t +%r, it 1%& +een su22i5ient)4 est%+)is1e&, not 7ust +4 An&%n%rs

evi&en5e, +ut %)so t1ose o2 Pener% 1erse)2, t1%t Pener% %n& 1er '%rt4(%tes, %2ter

2i)in* t1eir COCs on / M%r51 , '%rti5i'%te& in % (otor5%&e 31i51 '%sse&

t1rou*1 t1e &i22erent barangays o2 St%. Moni5%, 3%ive& t1eir 1%n&s to t1e 'u+)i5,

%n& t1re3 5%n&ies to t1e on)oo>ers.

 

In&ee&, Pener% e0'ress)4 %&(itte& in 1er Position P%'er t1%t:

 

Res'on&ents a!'a$$+ #ad a o!o*ad& o2 on)4 t3o 7e''ne4s

9si5 %n& ten (otor545)es a)!&* )/$/n0 !#&/* C&*!/)/a!& o)

Cand/da+ %t ?: P.M., M%r51 /, 3it1out %n4 s'ee51es (%&e

%n& on)4 one stre%(er o2 % +o%r& (e(+er C%n&i&%te %n& (u)ti-5o)ore&

 +%))oons %tt%51e& to t1e 7e''ne4s 9si5 %n& (otor545)es.9/ E('1%sis

ours.

 

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A&&ition%))4, t1e #oint A22i&%vit o2 M%r5i%) $o)%r, A))%n L)%ton%, %n&

Ren%nte P)%ti), %tt%51e& to Pener%s Position P%'er, *%ve %n even (ore

str%i*1t2or3%r& %55ount o2 t1e events, t1us:

 

.  T1%t on M%r51 /, %t ?: P.M. %t St%. Moni5%, Suri*%o &e)

 Norte, M%4or%)t4 C%n&i&%tes Ros%)in&% CA. Pener% 9si5 %n& 1er

 '%rties o2 2our = >%*%3%&s 2i)e& t1eir 5erti2i5%te o2 5%n&i&%54 %t t1e

COMELEC O22i5eH

 

.  T1%t t1eir 9si5 3%s % (otor5%&e 5onsistin* o2 t3o 7e''ne4s 9si5 %n&

(otor545)es a)!&* a!'a$ *&0/"!*a!/on (/!# !#& COMELEC 3it1 7ee's &e5or%te& 3it1 +%))oons %n& % stre%(er o2 M%r*%rito Lon*os,

Bo%r& Me(+er C%n&i&%teH

 

?.  T1%t !#& o!o*ad& *o&&d&d !o !#*&& 53 %a*an0a+" o'! o) !#&

11 %a*an0a+" (#/$& "'o*!&*" (&*& !#*o(/n0 "(&&! and/&" !o

!#& *o(dH

 

=.  T1%t t1ere 3%s &**/&n! and a*#/n0 '"/ 3it1out (ention o2 

%n4 n%(e o2 t1e 5%n&i&%tes (ore '%rti5u)%r)4 )e%&-5%n&i&%te

Ros%)in&% CA. Pener% 9si5H

 

<.  T1%t 3e 3ere in t1e (otor5%&e on t1%t %2ternoon on)4 ri&in* in one

o2 t1e 7ee'ne4s.9? E('1%ses ours.

 

In vie3 o2 t1e 2ore*oin* %&(issions +4 Pener% %n& 1er 3itnesses, Pener%

5%nnot no3 +e %))o3e& to %&o't % 5on2)i5tin* 'osition.

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More i('ort%nt)4, t1e 5on&u5t o2 % (otor5%&e is % 2or( o2 e)e5tion 5%('%i*n

or '%rtis%n 'o)iti5%) %5tivit4, 2%))in* sDu%re)4 3it1in t1e %(+it o2 Se5tion /+

o2 t1e O(ni+us E)e5tion Co&e, on 91o)&in* 'o)iti5%) 5%u5uses, 5on2eren5es,(eetin*s, r%))ies, '%r%&es, or ot1er si(i)%r %sse(+)ies, 2or t1e 'ur'ose o2 so)i5itin*

votes %n&8or un&ert%>in* %n4 5%('%i*n or 'ro'%*%n&% 2or or %*%inst %

5%n&i&%te9. A (otor5%&e is % 'ro5ession or '%r%&e o2 %uto(o+i)es or ot1er (otor

ve1i5)es.9? T1e 5on&u5t t1ereo2 &urin* e)e5tion 'erio&s +4 t1e 5%n&i&%tes %n& t1eir 

su''orters is % 2%5t t1%t nee& not +e +e)%+ore& &ue to its 3i&es're%& %n& 'erv%sive

 'r%5ti5e. T1e o+vious 'ur'ose o2 t1e 5on&u5t o2 (otor5%&es is to intro&u5e t1e

5%n&i&%tes %n& t1e 'ositions, to 31i51 t1e4 see> to +e e)e5te&, to t1e votin* 'u+)i5H

or to (%>e t1e( (ore visi+)e so %s to 2%5i)it%te t1e re5o*nition %n& re5o))e5tion o2

t1eir n%(es in t1e (in&s o2 t1e voters 5o(e e)e5tion ti(e. Un(ist%>%+)4,

(otor5%&es %re un&ert%>en 2or no ot1er 'ur'ose t1%n to 'ro(ote t1e e)e5tion o2 %

 '%rti5u)%r 5%n&i&%te or 5%n&i&%tes.

 

In t1e inst%nt Petition, Pener% never &enie& t1%t s1e too> '%rt in t1e 5on&u5t

o2 t1e (otor5%&e %2ter s1e 2i)e& 1er COC on t1e &%4 +e2ore t1e st%rt o2 t1e

5%('%i*n 'erio&.S1e (ere)4 5)%i(e& t1%t t1e s%(e 3%s not un&ert%>en 2or

5%('%i*n 'ur'oses. Pener% 'ro22ere& t1e e05use t1%t t1e (otor5%&e 3%s %)re%&4

 '%rt o2 t1e &is'ers%) o2 t1e su''orters 31o s'ont%neous)4 %55o('%nie& Pener% %n&

1er '%rt4(%tes in 2i)in* t1eir COCs. T1e s%i& su''orters 3ere %)re%&4 +ein*

tr%ns'orte& +%5> to t1eir res'e5tive barangays %2ter t1e COC 2i)in*. Pener%

stresse& t1%t no s'ee51 3%s (%&e +4 %n4 'erson, %n& t1ere 3%s on)4 +%5>*roun&

(%r51in* (usi5 %n& % *r%n& st%n&in* 2or t1e 'ur'ose o2 r%isin* t1e 1%n&s o2 t1e

5%n&i&%tes in t1e (otor5%&e.

 

6e %re not 5onvin5e&.

 

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As 3e 'revious)4 note&, Pener% %n& 1er 3itnesses %&(itte& t1%t t1e ve1i5)es,

5onsistin* o2 t3o 7ee'ne4s %n& ten (otor545)es, 3ere 2estoone& 3it1 (u)ti-5o)ore&

 +%))oonsH t1e (otor5%&e 3ent %roun& t1ree barangays in St%. Moni5%H %n& Pener%

%n& 1er '%rt4(%tes 3%ve& t1eir 1%n&s %n& t1re3 s3eet 5%n&ies to t1e 5ro3&. 6it1

ve1i5)es, +%))oons, %n& even 5%n&ies on 1%n&, Pener% 5%n 1%r&)4 'ersu%&e us t1%tt1e (otor5%&e 3%s s'ont%neous %n& un')%nne&.

 

or vio)%tin* Se5tion @ o2 t1e O(ni+us E)e5tion Co&e, 'ros5ri+in* e)e5tion

5%('%i*n or '%rtis%n 'o)iti5%) %5tivit4 outsi&e t1e 5%('%i*n 'erio&, Pener% (ust +e

&isDu%)i2ie& 2ro( 1o)&in* t1e o22i5e o2 M%4or o2 St%. Moni5%.

 

The questions of law

 

T1e &issentin* o'inion, 1o3ever, r%ises t1e )e*%) issue t1%t Se5tion < o2 Re'u+)i5

A5t No. @=?;, %s %(en&e& +4 Re'u+)i5 A5t No. /?;/, 'rovi&es % ne3 &e2inition o2

t1e ter( 5%n&i&%te, %s % resu)t o2 31i51, 're(%ture 5%('%i*nin* (%4 no )on*er +e

5o((itte&.

 

Un&er Se5tion /% o2 t1e O(ni+us E)e5tion Co&e, % candidate is %n4 'erson

%s'irin* 2or or see>in* %n e)e5tive 'u+)i5 o22i5e, 31o 1%s 2i)e& % 5erti2i5%te o2

5%n&i&%54 +4 1i(se)2 or t1rou*1 %n %55re&ite& 'o)iti5%) '%rt4, %**rou'(ent, or

5o%)ition o2 '%rties.

 

Re'u+)i5 A5t No. @=?;,9? en%5te& on $e5e(+er //, %ut1orie& t1e

COMELEC to use %n %uto(%te& e)e5tion s4ste( 2or t1e 'ro5ess o2 votin*,

5ountin* o2 votes, %n& 5%nv%ssin*85onso)i&%tin* t1e resu)ts o2 t1e n%tion%) %n&

)o5%) e)e5tions. T1e st%tute %)so (%n&%te& t1e COMELEC to %5Duire %uto(%te&

5ountin* (%51ines, 5o('uter eDui'(ent, &evi5es %n& (%teri%)sH %n& to %&o't ne3

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e)e5tor%) 2or(s %n& 'rintin* (%teri%)s. In '%rti5u)%r, Se5tion o2 Re'u+)i5 A5t

 No. @=?; 'rovi&e& 2or t1e s'e5i2i5%tions o2 t1e o22i5i%) +%))ots to +e use& in t1e

%uto(%te& e)e5tion s4ste( %n& t1e *ui&e)ines 2or t1e 'rintin* t1ereo2, t1e re)ev%nt

 'ortions o2 31i51 st%te:

SECTION . !icial ballot . - T1e Co((ission s1%)) 'res5ri+e t1e sie

%n& 2or( o2 t1e o22i5i%) +%))ot 31i51 s1%)) 5ont%in t1e tit)es o2 t1e

 'ositions to +e 2i))e& %n&8or t1e 'ro'ositions to +e vote& u'on in %n

initi%tive, re2eren&u( or ')e+is5ite. Un&er e%51 'osition, t1e n%(es o2

5%n&i&%tes s1%)) +e %rr%n*e& %)'1%+eti5%))4 +4 surn%(e %n& uni2or()4

 'rinte& usin* t1e s%(e t4'e sie. A 2i0e& s'%5e 31ere t1e 51%ir(%n o2

t1e Bo%r& o2 E)e5tion ins'e5tors s1%)) %22i0 1is81er si*n%ture to

%ut1enti5%te t1e o22i5i%) +%))ot s1%)) +e 'rovi&e&.

 

Bot1 si&es o2 t1e +%))ots (%4 +e use& 31en ne5ess%r4.

 

Fo* !#/" '*o"&, !#& d&ad$/n& )o* !#& )/$/n0 o) &*!/)/a!& o)

and/da+7&!/!/on )o* *&0/"!*a!/on7an/)&"!a!/on !o a*!//a!& /n

!#& &$&!/on "#a$$ no! %& $a!&* !#an on& #'nd*&d !(&n!+ 51 da+"

%&)o*& !#& &$&!/on": Provi&e&, T1%t, %n4 e)e5tive o22i5i%), 31et1er

n%tion%) or )o5%), runnin* 2or %n4 o22i5e ot1er t1%n t1e one 31i51 1e8s1eis 1o)&in* in % 'er(%nent 5%'%5it4, e05e't 2or 'resi&ent %n& vi5e-

 'resi&ent, s1%)) +e &ee(e& resi*ne& on)4 u'on t1e st%rt o2 t1e 5%('%i*n

 'erio& 5orres'on&in* to t1e 'osition 2or 31i51 1e8s1e is

runnin*: P*o-/d&d, )'*!#&*, T#a!, 'n$a()'$ a!" o* o/""/on"

a$/a%$& !o a and/da!& "#a$$ !a9& &))&! 'on !#& "!a*! o) !#&

a)o*&"a/d aa/0n &*/od: Provi&e&, 2in%))4, T1%t, 2or 'ur'oses o2 t1e

M%4 , //@ e)e5tions, t1e &e%&)ine 2or 2i)in* o2 t1e 5erti2i5%te o2

5%n&i&%54 2or t1e 'ositions o2 Presi&ent, "i5e Presi&ent, Sen%tors %n&

5%n&i&%tes un&er t1e P%rt4-List S4ste( %s 3e)) %s 'etitions 2or

re*istr%tion %n&8or (%ni2est%tion to '%rti5i'%te in t1e P%rt4-List S4ste(s1%)) +e on e+ru%r4 /, //@ 31i)e t1e &e%&)ine 2or t1e 2i)in* o2

5erti2i5%te o2 5%n&i&%54 2or ot1er 'ositions s1%)) +e on M%r51 ,

//@. E('1%ses ours.

 

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On e+ru%r4 , Re'u+)i5 A5t No. /?;/9?? too> e22e5t. Se5tion ?

o2 Re'u+)i5 A5t No. /?;/ %(en&e& Se5tion o2 Re'u+)i5 A5t No. @=?; %n&

renu(+ere& t1e s%(e %s t1e ne3 Se5tion < o2 Re'u+)i5 A5t No. @=?;. T1e

 'ertinent 'ortions o2 Se5tion < o2 Re'u+)i5 A5t No. @=?;, %s %(en&e& +4

Re'u+)i5 A5t No. /?;/, no3 re%&:

SECTION.<. !icial Ballot . - T1e Co((ission s1%)) 'res5ri+e t1e

2or(%t o2 t1e e)e5troni5 &is')%4 %n&8or t1e sie %n& 2or( o2 t1e o22i5i%)

 +%))ot, 31i51 s1%)) 5ont%in t1e tit)es o2 t1e 'osition to +e 2i))e& %n&8or t1e

 'ro'osition to +e vote& u'on in %n initi%tive, re2eren&u( or ')e+is5ite.

61ere 'r%5ti5%+)e, e)e5troni5 &is')%4s (ust +e 5onstru5te& to 'resent t1e

n%(es o2 %)) 5%n&i&%tes 2or t1e s%(e 'osition in t1e s%(e '%*e or s5reen,

ot1er3ise, t1e e)e5troni5 &is')%4s (ust +e 5onstru5te& to 'resent t1e

entire +%))ot to t1e voter, in % series o2 seDuenti%) '%*es, %n& to ensure

t1%t t1e voter sees %)) o2 t1e +%))ot o'tions on %)) '%*es +e2ore 5o(')etin*1is or 1er vote %n& to %))o3 t1e voter to revie3 %n& 51%n*e %)) +%))ot

51oi5es 'rior to 5o(')etin* %n& 5%stin* 1is or 1er +%))ot. Un&er e%51

 'osition to +e 2i))e&, t1e n%(es o2 5%n&i&%tes s1%)) +e %rr%n*e&

%)'1%+eti5%))4 +4 surn%(e %n& uni2or()4 in&i5%te& usin* t1e s%(e t4'e

sie. T1e (%i&en or (%rrie& n%(e s1%)) +e )iste& in t1e o22i5i%) +%))ot, %s

 're2erre& +4 t1e 2e(%)e 5%n&i&%te. Un&er e%51 'ro'osition to +e vote

u'on, t1e 51oi5es s1ou)& +e uni2or()4 in&i5%te& usin* t1e s%(e 2ont %n&

sie.

A 2i0e& s'%5e 31ere t1e 51%ir(%n o2 t1e +o%r& o2 e)e5tion ins'e5tor s1%))%22i0 1er81er si*n%ture to %ut1enti5%te t1e o22i5i%) +%))ot s1%)) +e

 'rovi&e&.

or t1is 'ur'ose, t1e Co((ission s1%)) set t1e &e%&)ine 2or t1e 2i)in* o2

5erti2i5%te o2 5%n&i&%548'etition o2 re*istr%tion8(%ni2est%tion to

 '%rti5i'%te in t1e e)e5tion. An+ &*"on (#o )/$&" #/" &*!/)/a!& o)

and/da+ (/!#/n !#/" &*/od "#a$$ on$+ %& on"/d&*&d a" a and/da!&

a! !#& "!a*! o) !#& aa/0n &*/od )o* (#/# #& )/$&d #/" &*!/)/a!&

o) and/da+: Provided , T#a!, 'n$a()'$ a!" o* o/""/on" a$/a%$&

!o a and/da!& "#a$$ &))&! on$+ 'on !#& "!a*! o) !#& a)o*&"a/daa/0n &*/od: Provided, inally, T1%t %n4 'erson 1o)&in* % 'u+)i5

%''ointive o22i5e or 'osition, in5)u&in* %5tive (e(+ers o2 t1e %r(e&

2or5es, %n& o22i5ers, %n& e(')o4ees in *overn(ent-o3ne& or-5ontro))e&

5or'or%tions, s1%)) +e 5onsi&ere& ipso actor  resi*ne& 2ro( 1is81er o22i5e

%n& (ust v%5%te t1e s%(e %t t1e st%rt o2 t1e &%4 o2 t1e 2i)in* o2 1is81er

5erti2i5%tion o2 5%n&i&%54. E('1%ses ours.

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In vie3 o2 t1e t1ir& '%r%*r%'1 o2 Se5tion < o2 Re'u+)i5 A5t No. @=?;, %s

%(en&e&, t1e $issentin* O'inion %r*ues t1%t Se5tion @ o2 t1e O(ni+us E)e5tion

Co&e 5%n not +e %'')ie& to t1e 'resent 5%se sin5e, %s t1e Court 1e)& in "anot v.

Commission on Elections,9?= t1e e)e5tion 5%('%i*n or '%rtis%n %5tivit4, 31i51

5onstitute t1e 'ro1i+ite& 're(%ture 5%('%i*nin*, s1ou)& +e &esi*ne& !o *oo!&!#& &$&!/on o* d&)&a! o) a a*!/'$a* and/da!& o* and/da!&". Un&er 'resent

e)e5tion )%3s, 31i)e % 'erson (%4 1%ve 2i)e& 1is81er COC 3it1in t1e 'res5ri+e&

 'erio& 2or &oin* so, s%i& 'erson s1%)) not +e 5onsi&ere& % 5%n&i&%te unti) t1e st%rt

o2 t1e 5%('%i*n 'erio&. T1us, 'rior to t1e st%rt o2 t1e 5%('%i*n 'erio&, t1ere 5%n

 +e no e)e5tion 5%('%i*n or '%rtis%n 'o)iti5%) %5tivit4 &esi*ne& to 'ro(ote t1e

e)e5tion or &e2e%t o2 % '%rti5u)%r 5%n&i&%te to 'u+)i5 o22i5e +e5%use t1ere is no

5%n&i&%te to s'e%> o2.

 

A55or&in* to t1e $issentin* O'inion, even i2 Pener%s %5ts +e2ore t1e st%rt o2

t1e 5%('%i*n 'erio& 5onstitute e)e5tion 5%('%i*nin* or '%rtis%n 'o)iti5%) %5tivities,

t1ese %re not 'unis1%+)e un&er Se5tion @ o2 t1e O(ni+us E)e5tion Co&e *iven t1%t

s1e 3%s not 4et % 5%n&i&%te %t t1%t ti(e. On t1e ot1er 1%n&, Pener%s %5ts, i2

5o((itte& 3it1in t1e 5%('%i*n 'erio&, 31en s1e 3%s %)re%&4 % 5%n&i&%te, %re

)i>e3ise not 5overe& +4 Se5tion @ %s t1is 'rovision 'unis1es on)4 %5ts outsi&e t1e

5%('%i*n 'erio&.

 

T1e $issentin* O'inion u)ti(%te)4 5on5)u&es t1%t +e5%use o2 Se5tion < o2

Re'u+)i5 A5t No. @=?;, %s %(en&e&, t1e 'ro1i+ite& %5t o2 're(%ture 5%('%i*nin*

in Se5tion @ o2 t1e O(ni+us E)e5tion Co&e, is 'r%5ti5%))4 i('ossi+)e to 5o((it %t

%n4 ti(e.

 

6e &is%*ree. Se5tion @ o2 t1e O(ni+us E)e5tion Co&e re(%ins re)ev%nt %n&

%'')i5%+)e &es'ite Se5tion < o2 Re'u+)i5 A5t No. @=?;, %s %(en&e&.

A 5)ose re%&in* o2 t1e entire Re'u+)i5 A5t No. /?;/, 31i51 %(en&e& Re'u+)i5 A5t

 No. @=?;, 3ou)& re%&i)4 reve%) t1%t t1%t it &i& not 5ont%in %n e0'ress re'e%) o2

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Se5tion @ o2 t1e O(ni+us E)e5tion Co&e. An &2*&"" *&&a$ is one 31erein %

st%tute &e5)%res, usu%))4 in its re'e%)in* 5)%use, t1%t % '%rti5u)%r %n& s'e5i2i5

)%3, /d&n!/)/&d %+ /!" n'%&* o* !/!$&, is re'e%)e&.9?< A+sent t1is s'e5i2i5

reDuire(ent, %n e0'ress re'e%) (%4 not +e 'resu(e&.

 

A)t1ou*1 t1e tit)e o2 Re'u+)i5 A5t No. /?;/ '%rti5u)%r)4 (entione& t1e

%(en&(ent o2 B%t%s P%(+%ns% B)*. @@, or t1e O(ni+us E)e5tion Co&e, to 3it:

 

An A5t A(en&in* Re'u+)i5 A5t No. @=?;, Entit)e& An A5t Aut1oriin*

t1e Co((ission on E)e5tions to Use %n Auto(%te& E)e5tion S4ste( 0 0

0, A&nd/n0 )o* !#& P'*o"& :a!a" Pa%an"a :$0. 881, A"

A&nd&d 0 0 0. E('1%sis ours.,

 

s%i& tit)e e0')i5it)4 (entions, not t1e re'e%), +ut t1e a&nd&n! o2 B%t%s

P%(+%ns% B)*. @@. Su51 2%5t is in&ee& ver4 (%teri%). #epeal  o2 % )%3 (e%ns its

5o(')ete %+ro*%tion +4 t1e en%5t(ent o2 % su+seDuent st%tute, 31ere%s

t1e amendment  o2 % st%tute (e%ns %n %)ter%tion in t1e )%3 %)re%&4 e0istin*, )e%vin*

so(e '%rt o2 t1e ori*in%) sti)) st%n&in*.9?;Se5tion @ o2 t1e O(ni+us E)e5tion Co&e

is not even one o2 t1e s'e5i2i5 'rovisions o2 t1e s%i& 5o&e t1%t 3ere

e0'ress)4 a&nd&d +4 Re'u+)i5 A5t No. /?;/.

 

A&&ition%))4, Se5tion =;,9? t1e re'e%)in* 5)%use o2 Re'u+)i5 A5t No. /?;/, st%tes

t1%t:

 

Se5. =;. #epealing Clause. A)) )%3s, 'resi&enti%) &e5rees, e0e5utive

or&ers, ru)es %n& re*u)%tions or '%rts t1ereo2 in5onsistent 3it1 t1e

 'rovisions o2 t1is A5t %re 1ere+4 re'e%)e& or (o&i2ie& %55or&in*)4.

 

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Se5tion =; o2 Re'u+)i5 A5t No. /?;/ is % *ener%) re'e%)in* 5)%use. It is % 5)%use

31i51 're&i5%tes t1e inten&e& re'e%) un&er t1e 5on&ition t1%t % "'%"!an!/a$

on)$/! (ust +e 2oun& in e0istin* %n& 'rior %5ts. T1e 2%i)ure to %&& % s'e5i2i5

re'e%)in* 5)%use in&i5%tes t1%t t1e intent 3%s not to re'e%) %n4 e0istin* )%3, un)ess

%n irre5on5i)%+)e in5onsisten54 %n& re'u*n%n54 e0ist in t1e ter(s o2 t1e ne3 %n&o)& )%3s. T1is )%tter situ%tion 2%))s un&er t1e 5%te*or4 o2 %n /$/&d *&&a$.9?@

 

6e))-sett)e& is t1e ru)e in st%tutor4 5onstru5tion t1%t i(')ie& re'e%)s %re

&is2%vore&. In or&er to e22e5t % re'e%) +4 i(')i5%tion, t1e )%ter st%tute (ust +e so

irre5on5i)%+)4 in5onsistent %n& re'u*n%nt 3it1 t1e e0istin* )%3 t1%t t1e4 5%nnot +e

(%&e to re5on5i)e %n& st%n& to*et1er. T1e 5)e%rest 5%se 'ossi+)e (ust +e (%&e

 +e2ore t1e in2eren5e o2 i(')ie& re'e%) (%4 +e &r%3n, 2or in5onsisten54 is never 'resu(e&. T1ere (ust +e % s1o3in* o2 re'u*n%n5e 5)e%r %n& 5onvin5in* in

51%r%5ter. T1e )%n*u%*e use& in t1e )%ter st%tute (ust +e su51 %s to ren&er it

irre5on5i)%+)e 3it1 31%t 1%& +een 2or(er)4 en%5te&. An in5onsisten54 t1%t 2%))s

s1ort o2 t1%t st%n&%r& &oes not su22i5e.9?/

 

Courts o2 7usti5e, 31en 5on2ronte& 3it1 %''%rent)4 5on2)i5tin* st%tutes, s1ou)&

en&e%vor to *&on/$& t1e s%(e inste%& o2 &e5)%rin* outri*1t t1e inv%)i&it4 o2 one

%s %*%inst t1e ot1er. Su51 %)%5rit4 s1ou)& +e %voi&e&. T1e 3ise 'o)i54 is 2or t1e

 7u&*e to #a*on/;& t1e( i2 t1is is 'ossi+)e, +e%rin* in (in& t1%t t1e4 %re eDu%))4

t1e 1%n&i3or> o2 t1e s%(e )e*is)%ture, %n& so *ive e22e5t to +ot1 31i)e %t t1e s%(e

ti(e %)so %55or&in* &ue res'e5t to % 5oor&in%te &e'%rt(ent o2 t1e *overn(ent.9=

To our (in&, t1ere is no a%"o$'!& and /**&on/$a%$& /noa!/%/$/!+ +et3een

Se5tion < o2 Re'u+)i5 A5t No. @=?;, %s %(en&e&, %n& Se5tion @ o2 t1e O(ni+us

E)e5tion Co&e, 31i51 &e2ines t1e 'ro1i+ite& %5t o2 're(%ture 5%('%i*nin*. It is

 'ossi+)e to 1%r(onie %n& re5on5i)e t1ese t3o 'rovisions %n&, t1us, *ive e22e5t to

 +ot1.

T1e 2o))o3in* 'oints %re e0')%n%tor4:

 

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 $irst , Se5tion @ o2 t1e O(ni+us E)e5tion Co&e, on 're(%ture 5%('%i*nin*,

e0')i5it)4 'rovi&es t1%t 9it s1%)) +e un)%32u) 2or  an+ &*"on, (#&!#&* o* no! a

-o!&* o* and/da!&,or 2or %n4 '%rt4, or %sso5i%tion o2 'ersons, to en*%*e in %n

e)e5tion 5%('%i*n or '%rtis%n 'o)iti5%) %5tivit4, &2&! d'*/n0 !#& aa/0n

&*/od. "er4 si(')4, 're(%ture 5%('%i*nin* (%4 +e 5o((itte& even +4 % 'erson31o is no! a and/da!&.

 

or t1is re%son, t1e ')%in &e5)%r%tion in "anot  t1%t 931%t Se5tion @ o2 t1e

O(ni+us E)e5tion Co&e 'ro1i+its is %n e)e5tion 5%('%i*n or '%rtis%n 'o)iti5%)

%5tivit4 %+ a and/da!&outsi&e o2 t1e 5%('%i*n 'erio&,9= is 5)e%r)4 erroneous.

 

Second , Se5tion /+ o2 t1e O(ni+us E)e5tion Co&e &e2ines e)e5tion 5%('%i*n or

 '%rtis%n 'o)iti5%) %5tivit4 in t1e 2o))o3in* (%nner:

 

SECTION /. Deinitions. - As use& in t1is Co&e:

 

0 0 0 0

 

+ T1e ter( &$&!/on aa/0n or a*!/"an o$/!/a$ a!/-/!+

re2ers to %n %5t &esi*ne& to 'ro(ote t1e e)e5tion or &e2e%t o2 % '%rti5u)%r

5%n&i&%te or 5%n&i&%tes to % 'u+)i5 o22i5e 31i51 s1%)) in5)u&e:

 

or(in* or*%ni%tions, %sso5i%tions, 5)u+s, 5o((ittees or

ot1er *rou's o2 'ersons 2or t1e 'ur'ose o2 so)i5itin* votes %n&8or

un&ert%>in* %n4 5%('%i*n 2or or %*%inst % 5%n&i&%teH

 

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o)&in* 'o)iti5%) 5%u5uses, 5on2eren5es, (eetin*s, r%))ies,

 '%r%&es, or ot1er si(i)%r %sse(+)ies, 2or t1e 'ur'ose o2 so)i5itin* votes

%n&8or un&ert%>in* %n4 5%('%i*n or 'ro'%*%n&% 2or or %*%inst %

5%n&i&%teH

 

? M%>in* s'ee51es, %nnoun5e(ents or 5o((ent%ries, or 1o)&in*

intervie3s 2or or %*%inst t1e e)e5tion o2 %n4 5%n&i&%te 2or 'u+)i5 o22i5eH

 

= Pu+)is1in* or &istri+utin* 5%('%i*n )iter%ture or (%teri%)s

&esi*ne& to su''ort or o''ose t1e e)e5tion o2 %n4 5%n&i&%teH or 

 

< $ire5t)4 or in&ire5t)4 so)i5itin* votes, ')e&*es or su''ort 2or or 

%*%inst % 5%n&i&%te.

True, t1%t 'ursu%nt to Se5tion < o2 Re'u+)i5 A5t No. @=?;, %s %(en&e&, even %2ter 

t1e 2i)in* o2 t1e COC +ut +e2ore t1e st%rt o2 t1e 5%('%i*n 'erio&, % 'erson is not

4et o22i5i%))4 5onsi&ere& % candidate. Nevert1e)ess, % 'erson, 'on !#& )/$/n0 o)

#/"7#&* COC, %)re%&4 &2$//!$+ d&$a*&" #/"7#&* /n!&n!/on to run %s % 5%n&i&%te

in t1e 5o(in* e)e5tions. T1e 5o((ission +4 su51 % 'erson o2 %n4 o2 t1e %5tsenu(er%te& un&er Se5tion /+ o2 t1e O(ni+us E)e5tion Co&e i.e., 1o)&in* r%))ies

or '%r%&es, (%>in* s'ee51es, etc. 5%n, t1us, +e )o*i5%))4 %n& re%son%+)4 5onstrue&

%s 2or t1e 'ur'ose o2 'ro(otin* 1is81er inten&e& 5%n&i&%54.

 

61en t1e 5%('%i*n 'erio& st%rts %n& s%i& 'erson 'ro5ee&s 3it1 1is81er

5%n&i&%54, #/"7#&* /n!&n! !'*n/n0 /n!o a!'a$/!+, 3e 5%n %)re%&4 5onsi&er 1is81er

%5ts, %2ter t1e 2i)in* o2 1is81er COC %n& 'rior to t1e 5%('%i*n 'erio&, %s t1e 'ro(otion o2 1is81er e)e5tion a" a and/da!&, 1en5e, 5onstitutin* 're(%ture

5%('%i*nin*, 2or 31i51 1e8s1e (%4 +e &isDu%)i2ie&. A)so, 5onverse)4, i2 s%i&

 'erson, 2or %n4 re%son, 3it1&r%3s 1is81er COC +e2ore t1e 5%('%i*n 'erio&, t1en

t1ere is no 'oint to vie3 1is81er %5ts 'rior to s%i& 'erio& %s %5ts 2or t1e 'ro(otion

o2 1is81er e)e5tion %s % 5%n&i&%te. In t1e )%tter 5%se, t1ere 5%n +e no 're(%ture

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5%('%i*nin* %s t1ere is no 5%n&i&%te, 31ose &isDu%)i2i5%tion (%4 +e sou*1t, to

 +e*in 3it1.9=

 

%&ird , in 5onne5tion 3it1 t1e 're5e&in* &is5ussion, t1e )ine in Se5tion < o2

Re'u+)i5 A5t No. @=?;, %s %(en&e&, 31i51 'rovi&es t1%t %n4 un)%32u) %5t or

o(ission %'')i5%+)e to % 5%n&i&%te s1%)) !a9& &))&! on)4 u'on t1e st%rt o2 t1e

5%('%i*n 'erio&, &oes not (e%n t1%t t1e %5ts 5onstitutin* 're(%ture 5%('%i*nin*

5%n on)4 +e 5o((itte&, 2or 31i51 t1e o22en&er (%4 +e &isDu%)i2ie&, d'*/n0 t1e

5%('%i*n 'erio&. Contr%r4 to t1e 'ronoun5e(ent in t1e &issent, no(#&*& in t1e

s%i& proviso 3%s it st%te& t1%t 5%('%i*nin* +e2ore t1e st%rt o2 t1e 5%('%i*n 'erio&

is )%32u), su51 t1%t t1e o22en&er (%4 2ree)4 5%rr4 out t1e s%(e 3it1 i('unit4.

As 'revious)4 est%+)is1e&, a &*"on, %2ter 2i)in* 1is81er COC +ut 'rior to 1is81er

 +e5o(in* % 5%n&i&%te t1us, 'rior to t1e st%rt o2 t1e 5%('%i*n 'erio&, 5%n

%)re%&4 o/! t1e %5ts &es5ri+e& un&er Se5tion /+ o2 t1e O(ni+us E)e5tion

Co&e %s e)e5tion 5%('%i*n or '%rtis%n 'o)iti5%) %5tivit4. o3ever, on)4 %2ter s%i&

 'erson o22i5i%))4 +e5o(es % 5%n&i&%te, %t t1e +e*innin* o2 t1e 5%('%i*n 'erio&, 5%n

s%i& %5ts +e 0/-&n &))&! %s 're(%ture 5%('%i*nin* un&er Se5tion @ o2 t1e

O(ni+us E)e5tion Co&e. On)4 %2ter s%i& 'erson o22i5i%))4 +e5o(es % 5%n&i&%te, %t

t1e st%rt o2 t1e 5%('%i*n 'erio&, 5%n 1is81er d/"4'a$/)/a!/on +e sou*1t 2or %5ts

5onstitutin* 're(%ture 5%('%i*nin*. O%-/o'"$+, /! /" on$+ a! !#& "!a*! o) !#&

aa/0n &*/od, (#&n !#& &*"on o))//a$$+ %&o&" a and/da!&, !#a! !#&

'nd'& and /n/4'/!o'" ad-an!a0&" o) #/"7#&* */o* a!", on"!/!'!/n0 *&a!'*&

aa/0n/n0, "#a$$ a*'& !o #/"7#&* %&n&)/!. Co('%re& to t1e ot1er 5%n&i&%tes

31o %re on)4 %+out to +e*in t1eir e)e5tion 5%('%i*n, % 5%n&i&%te 31o 1%&

 'revious)4 en*%*e& in 're(%ture 5%('%i*nin* %)re%&4 en7o4s %n un2%ir 1e%&st%rt in

 'ro(otin* 1is81er 5%n&i&%54.

 

As 5%n +e *)e%ne& 2ro( t1e 2ore*oin* &isDuisition, 1%r(on4 in t1e 'rovisions o2

Se5tions @ %n& / o2 t1e O(ni+us E)e5tion Co&e, %s 3e)) %s Se5tion < o2

Re'u+)i5 A5t No. @=?;, %s %(en&e&, is not on)4 ver4 'ossi+)e, +ut in 2%5t &esir%+)e,

ne5ess%r4 %n& 5onsistent 3it1 t1e )e*is)%tive intent %n& 'o)i54 o2 t1e )%3.

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T1e )%u&%+)e %n& e0e(')%r4 intention +e1in& t1e 'ro1i+ition %*%inst 're(%ture

5%('%i*nin*, %s &e5)%re& in C&ave' v. Commission on Elections,9=? is to )eve) t1e

 ')%4in* 2ie)& 2or 5%n&i&%tes o2 'u+)i5 o22i5e, to eDu%)ie t1e situ%tion +et3een t1e 'o'u)%r or ri51 5%n&i&%tes, on one 1%n&, %n& )esser->no3n or 'oorer 5%n&i&%tes, on

t1e ot1er, +4 'reventin* t1e 2or(er 2ro( en7o4in* un&ue %&v%nt%*e in e0'osure

%n& 'u+)i5it4 on %55ount o2 t1eir resour5es %n& 'o'u)%rit4. T1e intention 2or

 'ro1i+itin* 're(%ture 5%('%i*nin*, %s e0')%ine& in C&ave' , 5ou)& not 1%ve +een

si*ni2i5%nt)4 %)tere& or %22e5te& +4 Re'u+)i5 A5t No. @=?;, %s %(en&e& +4

Re'u+)i5 A5t No. /?;/, t1e %vo3e& 'ur'ose o2 31i51 is to 5%rr4-on t1e %uto(%tion

o2 t1e e)e5tion s4ste(. W#&!#&* !#& &$&!/on (o'$d %& #&$d 'nd&* !#& an'a$ o*

!#& a'!oa!&d "+"!&, !#& n&&d )o* *o#/%/!/n0 *&a!'*& aa/0n/n0 !o

$&-&$ !#& $a+/n0 )/&$d %&!(&&n !#& o'$a* o* */# and/da!&", on on& #and,

and !#& $&""&*<9no(n o* oo*&* and/da!&", on !#& o!#&*, %+ a$$o(/n0 !#& !o

aa/0n on$+ (/!#/n !#& "a& $//!&d &*/od *&a/n".

 

6e 5%nnot stress stron*)4 enou*1 t1%t 're(%ture 5%('%i*nin* is % 'erni5ious %5t

t1%t is 5ontinuous)4 t1re%tenin* to un&er(ine t1e 5on&u5t o2 2%ir %n& 5re&i+)e

e)e5tions in our 5ountr4, no (%tter 1o3 *re%t or s(%)) t1e %5ts 5onstitutin* t1e

s%(e %re. T1e 51oi5e %s to 31o %(on* t1e 5%n&i&%tes 3i)) t1e votin* 'u+)i5 +esto3

t1e 'rivi)e*e o2 1o)&in* 'u+)i5 o22i5e s1ou)& not +e s3%4e& +4 t1e s1re3& 5on&u5t,

ver*in* on +%& 2%it1, o2 so(e in&ivi&u%)s 31o %re %+)e to s'en& resour5es to

 'ro(ote t1eir 5%n&i&%5ies in %&v%n5e o2 t1e 'erio& s)%te& 2or 5%('%i*n %5tivities.

 

"eri)4, t1e 5onseDuen5es 'rovi&e& 2or in Se5tion ;@ 9== o2 t1e O(ni+us E)e5tion

Co&e 2or t1e 5o((ission o2 t1e 'ro1i+ite& %5t o2 're(%ture 5%('%i*nin* %re

severe: t1e 5%n&i&%te 31o is &e5)%re& *ui)t4 o2 5o((ittin* t1e o22ense s1%)) +e

&isDu%)i2ie& 2ro( 5ontinuin* %s % 5%n&i&%te, or, i2 1e8s1e 1%s +een e)e5te&, 2ro(

1o)&in* o22i5e. Not to (ention t1%t s%i& 5%n&i&%te %)so 2%5es 5ri(in%) 'rose5ution

2or %n e)e5tion o22ense un&er Se5tion ; o2 t1e s%(e Co&e.

 

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T#& D/""&n!/n0 O/n/on, !#&*&)o*&, "#o'$d no! %& !oo 4'/9 !o *ono'n&

!#& /n&))&!/-&n&"" o* *&&a$ o) S&!/on 8 o) !#& On/%'" E$&!/on Cod& ='"!

%&a'"& o) a #an0& /n !#& &an/n0 o) candidate %+ S&!/on 1> o) R&'%$/ A!

No. 8?36, a" a&nd&d, */a*/$+, )o* ad/n/"!*a!/-& '*o"&". An

inter'ret%tion s1ou)& +e %voi&e& un&er 31i51 % st%tute or 'rovision +ein* 5onstrue&is &e2e%te&, or %s ot1er3ise e0'resse&, nu))i2ie&, &estro4e&, e(%s5u)%te&, re'e%)e&,

e0')%ine& %3%4, or ren&ere& insi*ni2i5%nt, (e%nin*)ess, ino'er%tive, or nu*%tor4.9=< In&ee&, not on)4 3i)) t1e 'ro1i+ite& %5t o2 're(%ture 5%('%i*nin* +e o22i5i%))4

&e5ri(in%)ie&, t1e v%)ue %n& si*ni2i5%n5e o2 1%vin* % 5%('%i*n 'erio& +e2ore t1e

5on&u5t o2 e)e5tions 3ou)& %)so +e utter)4 ne*%te&. An4 uns5ru'u)ous in&ivi&u%)

3it1 t1e &ee'est o2 5%('%i*n 3%r 51ests 5ou)& t1en %22or& to s'en& 1is81er

resour5es to 'ro(ote 1is81er 5%n&i&%54 3e)) %1e%& o2 ever4one e)se. Su51 is t1e

ver4 evi) t1%t t1e )%3 see>s to 'revent. Our )%3(%>ers 5ou)& not 1%ve inten&e& to5%use su51 %n %+sur& situ%tion.

 

T1e $issentin* O'inion %tte('ts to +rus1 %si&e our 're5e&in* %r*u(ents +4

5onten&in* t1%t t1ere is no roo( 2or st%tutor4 5onstru5tion in t1e 'resent 5%se

sin5e Se5tion < o2 Re'u+)i5 A5t No. @=?;,9=; %s %(en&e& +4 Se5tion ? o2

Re'u+)i5 A5t No. /?;/,9= is 5r4st%) 5)e%r in its (e%nin*. 6e &is%*ree. T1ere 3ou)&

on)4 +e no nee& 2or st%tutor4 5onstru5tion i2 t1ere is % 'rovision in Re'u+)i5 A5t

 No. @=?; or Re'u+)i5 A5t No. /?;/ t1%t e0')i5it)4 st%tes t1%t t1ere s1%)) +e no (ore

 're(%ture 5%('%i*nin*. But %+sent t1e s%(e, our 'osition 1erein, %s 3e)) %s t1%t o2 

t1e $issentin* O'inion, ne5ess%ri)4 rest on our res'e5tive 5onstru5tion o2 t1e )e*%)

 'rovisions invo)ve& in t1is 5%se.

 

 Not%+)4, 31i)e 2%u)tin* us 2or resortin* to st%tutor4 5onstru5tion to reso)ve

t1e inst%nt 5%se, t1e $issentin* O'inion itse)2 5ites % ru)e o2 st%tutor4 5onstru5tion,

 '%rti5u)%r)4, t1%t 'en%) )%3s s1ou)& +e )i+er%))4 5onstrue& in 2%vor o2 t1e

o22en&er. T1e $issentin* O'inion %sserts t1%t +e5%use o2 t1e t1ir& '%r%*r%'1 in

Se5tion < o2 Re'u+)i5 A5t No. @=?;, %s %(en&e&, t1e e)e5tion o22ense &es5ri+e& in

Se5tion @ o2 t1e O(ni+us E)e5tion Co&e is 'r%5ti5%))4 i('ossi+)e to 5o((it %t

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%n4 ti(e %n& t1%t t1is 2)%3 in t1e )%3, 31i51 &e2ines % 5ri(in%) %5t, (ust +e

5onstrue& in 2%vor o2 Pener%, t1e o22en&er in t1e inst%nt 5%se.

 

T1e %'')i5%tion o2 t1e %+ove ru)e is un5%))e& 2or. It 3%s %5>no3)e&*e&

in "anot  t1%t % &isDu%)i2i5%tion 5%se 1%s t3o %s'e5ts: one, e)e5tor%)H9=@ t1e ot1er,

5ri(in%).9=/ T1e inst%nt 5%se 5on5erns on)4 t1e e)e5tor%) %s'e5t o2 t1e

&isDu%)i2i5%tion 5%se. An4 &is5ussion 1erein on t1e (%tter o2 Pener%s 5ri(in%)

)i%+i)it4 2or 're(%ture 5%('%i*nin* 3ou)& +e not1in* (ore t1%n obiter

dictum. More i('ort%nt)4, %s 1ereto2ore %)re%&4 e)%+or%te& u'on, Se5tion < o2

Re'u+)i5 A5t No. @=?;, %s %(en&e&, &i& not e0'ress)4 or even i(')ie&)4 re'e%)

Se5tion @ o2 t1e O(ni+us E)e5tion Co&e, %n& t1ese t3o 'rovisions, +%se& on

)e*is)%tive intent %n& 'o)i54, 5%n +e 1%r(onious)4 inter'rete& %n& *ivene22e5t. T1us, t1ere isno )$a( 5re%te& in t1e )%3, %risin* 2ro( Se5tion < o2

Re'u+)i5 A5t No. @=?;, %s %(en&e&, 31i51 nee&e& to +e 5onstrue& in Pener%s

2%vor.

 

T1e $issentin* O'inion 2urt1er e0'resses t1e 2e%r t1%t 'ursu%nt to our t1eor4, %))

t1e 'o)iti5i%ns 3it1 in2o(er5i%)s 'rior to t1e 2i)in* o2 t1eir COCs 3ou)& +e su+7e5t

to &isDu%)i2i5%tion, %n& t1is 3ou)& invo)ve 'r%5ti5%))4 %)) t1e 'ros'e5tive

 'resi&enti%) 5%n&i&%tes 31o %re no3 )e%&in* in t1e surve4s.

 

T#/" )&a* /" '!!&*$+ 'n)o'nd&d. I! /" !#& )/$/n0 %+ !#& &*"on o) #/"7#&*

COC !#*o'0# (#/# #&7"#& &2$//!$+ d&$a*&" #/"7#&* /n!&n!/on !o *'n a" a

and/da!& /n !#& o/n0 &$&!/on". It is su51 &e5)%r%tion 31i51 3ou)& 5o)or t1e

su+seDuent %5ts o2 s%i& 'erson to +e e)e5tion 5%('%i*nin* or '%rtis%n 'o)iti5%)

%5tivities %s &es5ri+e& un&er Se5tion /+ o2 t1e O(ni+us E)e5tion Co&e. I! %&a*"

!o o/n! o'! !#a!, a! !#/" o/n!, no o$/!//an #a" +&! "'%/!!&d #/"7#&*

COC. A)so, t1e ')%in so)ution to t1is r%t1er (is')%5e& %''re1ension is 2or t1e

 'o)iti5i%ns t1e(se)ves to %&1ere to t1e )etter %n& intent o2 t1e )%3 %n& >ee' 3it1in

t1e +oun&s o2 2%ir ')%4 in t1e 'ursuit o2 t1eir 5%n&i&%5ies. T1is 3ou)& (e%n t1%t

%2ter 2i)in* t1eir COCs, t1e 'ru&ent %n& 'ro'er 5ourse 2or t1e( to t%>e is to 3%it 2or 

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t1e &esi*n%te& st%rt o2 t1e 5%('%i*n 'erio& +e2ore t1e4 5o((en5e t1eir e)e5tion

5%('%i*n or '%rtis%n 'o)iti5%) %5tivities. In&ee&, su51 is t1e on)4 3%4 2or t1e( to

%voi& &isDu%)i2i5%tion on t1e *roun& o2 're(%ture 5%('%i*nin*. It is not 2or us to

5%rve out e05e'tions to t1e )%3, (u51 (ore to &e5ree %3%4 t1e re'e%) t1ereo2, in

or&er to %55o((o&%te %n4 5)%ss o2 in&ivi&u%)s, 31ere no su51 e05e'tion or re'e%)is 3%rr%nte&.

 

L%st)4, %s 3e 1%ve o+serve& %t t1e +e*innin*, Pener%s Petition is essenti%))4

*roun&e& on Duestions o2 2%5t. Pener%s &e2ense %*%inst 1er &isDu%)i2i5%tion, +e2ore

t1e COMELEC %n& t1is Court, rests on t1e %r*u(ents t1%t s1e %n& 1er '%rt4(%tes

&i& not %5tu%))4 1o)& % (otor5%&eH t1%t t1eir su''orters s'ont%neous)4

%55o('%nie& Pener% %n& t1e ot1er 5%n&i&%tes 2ro( 1er 'o)iti5%) '%rt4 31en t1e42i)e& t1eir 5erti2i5%tes o2 5%n&i&%54H t1%t t1e %))e*e& (otor5%&e 3%s %5tu%))4 t1e

&is'ers%) o2 t1e su''orters o2 Pener% %n& t1e ot1er 5%n&i&%tes 2ro( 1er '%rt4 %s

s%i& su''orters 3ere &ro''e& o22 %t t1eir res'e5tive +%r%n*%4sH %n& t1%t An&%n%r

3%s not %+)e to 'resent 5o('etent, %&(issi+)e, %n& su+st%nti%) evi&en5e to 'rove

t1%t Pener% 5o((itte& 're(%ture 5%('%i*nin*. P&n&*a #&*"&$) n&-&* *a/"&d !#&

a*0'&n! !#a! "#& an no $on0&* %& d/"4'a$/)/&d )o* *&a!'*& aa/0n/n0

'nd&* S&!/on 8, /n *&$a!/on !o S&!/on 68, o) !#& On/%'" E$&!/on Cod&,

"/n& !#& "a/d *o-/"/on" #a-& a$*&ad+ %&&n, /n !#& (o*d" o) !#& D/""&n!/n0O/n/on, *&nd&*&d /na$/a%$&, *&&a$&d, and don& a(a+ (/!# %+ S&!/on 1>

o) R&'%$/ A! No. 8?36, a" a&nd&d. T1is )e*%) %r*u(ent 3%s 31o))4 r%ise& +4

t1e $issentin* O'inion.

 

As % ru)e, % '%rt4 31o &e)i+er%te)4 %&o'ts % 5ert%in t1eor4 u'on 31i51 t1e 5%se is

trie& %n& &e5i&e& +4 t1e )o3er 5ourt 3i)) not +e 'er(itte& to 51%n*e t1eor4 on

%''e%). Points o2 )%3, t1eories, issues, %n& %r*u(ents not +rou*1t to t1e %ttentiono2 t1e )o3er 5ourt nee& not +e, %n& or&in%ri)4 3i)) not +e, 5onsi&ere& +4 %

revie3in* 5ourt, %s t1ese 5%nnot +e r%ise& 2or t1e 2irst ti(e %t su51 )%te st%*e. B%si5

5onsi&er%tions o2 &ue 'ro5ess un&er)ie t1is ru)e.9< I2 3e &o not %))o3 %n& 5onsi&er

t1e 51%n*e in t1eor4 o2 % 5%se +4 % '%rt4 on %''e%), s1ou)& 3e not %)so re2r%in

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2ro( motu proprio %&o'tin* % t1eor4 31i51 none o2 t1e '%rties even r%ise& +e2ore

usJ

 Nonet1e)ess, t1e Duestions o2 2%5t r%ise& +4 Pener% %n& Duestions o2 )%3 r%ise& +4

t1e $issentin* O'inion (ust %)) +e reso)ve& %*%inst Pener%. Pener% s1ou)& +e&isDu%)i2ie& 2ro( 1o)&in* o22i5e %s M%4or o2 St%. Moni5% 2or 1%vin* 5o((itte&

 're(%ture 5%('%i*nin* 31en, ri*1t %2ter s1e 2i)e& 1er COC, +ut sti)) % &%4 +e2ore

t1e st%rt o2 t1e 5%('%i*n 'erio&, s1e too> '%rt in % (otor5%&e, 31i51 5onsiste& o2

t3o 7ee'ne4s %n& ten (otor545)es )%&en 3it1 (u)ti-5o)ore& +%))oons t1%t 3ent

%roun& sever%) barangays o2 St%. Moni5%, %n& *%ve %3%4 5%n&ies to t1e 5ro3&.

 

 Succession

 

$es'ite t1e &isDu%)i2i5%tion o2 Pener%, 3e 5%nnot *r%nt An&%n%rs 'r%4er to

 +e %))o3e& to %ssu(e t1e 'osition o2 M%4or o2 St%. Moni5%. T1e 3e))-est%+)is1e&

 'rin5i')e is t1%t t1e ine)i*i+i)it4 o2 % 5%n&i&%te re5eivin* (%7orit4 votes &oes not

entit)e t1e 5%n&i&%te re5eivin* t1e ne0t 1i*1est nu(+er o2 votes to +e &e5)%re&

e)e5te&.9<

 

In t1is 5%se, t1e ru)es on su55ession un&er t1e Lo5%) Govern(ent Co&e s1%)) %'')4,

to 3it:

 

SECTION ==. Permanent (acancies in t&e !ices o t&e )overnor,

(ice*)overnor, +ayor, and (ice*+ayor . I) a &*an&n! -aan+

o'*" /n !#& o))/& o) !#& 000 a+o*, !#& 0 0 0 -/&<a+o* on&*n&d"#a$$ %&o& !#& 0 0 0 a+o*.

 

0 0 0 0

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or 'ur'oses o2 t1is C1%'ter, % 'er(%nent v%5%n54 %rises 31en %n

e)e5tive )o5%) o22i5i%) 2i))s % 1i*1er v%5%nt o22i5e, re2uses to %ssu(e

o22i5e, )a/$" !o 4'a$/)+ o* /" *&o-&d )*o o))/&, vo)unt%ri)4 resi*ns, or 

is ot1er3ise 'er(%nent)4 in5%'%5it%te& to &is51%r*e t1e 2un5tions o2 1iso22i5e. E('1%ses ours.

 

Consi&erin* Pener%s &isDu%)i2i5%tion 2ro( 1o)&in* o22i5e %s M%4or o2 St%.

Moni5%, t1e 'ro5)%i(e& "i5e-M%4or s1%)) t1en su55ee& %s M%4or.

 

WHEREFORE, 're(ises 5onsi&ere&, t1e inst%nt Petition 2or Certiorari is

1ere+4 DISMISSED. T1e Reso)utions &%te& = #u)4 %n& ? #%nu%r4 @ o2

t1e COMELEC Se5on& $ivision %n& en banc, res'e5tive)4, in SPA No. -= %re

1ere+4 AFFIRMED. In vie3 o2 t1e &isDu%)i2i5%tion o2 'etitioner Ros%)in&% A.

Pener% 2ro( runnin* 2or t1e o22i5e o2 M%4or o2 St%. Moni5%, Suri*%o &e) Norte,

%n& t1e resu)tin* 'er(%nent v%5%n54 t1erein, it is 1ere+4 DECLARED t1%t t1e

 'ro5)%i(e& "i5e-M%4or is t1e ri*1t2u) su55essor to s%i& o22i5e. T1e Te('or%r4Restr%inin* Or&er issue& on = M%r51 @ is 1ere+4 ORDERED )i2te&. Costs

%*%inst t1e 'etitioner.

 

SO ORDERED.

 

Nolasco vs Comelec

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ATS

 A dis2ualification case 0as filed a3ainst Mecauaan, Bulacan Maor-

elect &lorentino Blanco for alle3ed performin3 acts 0hich are 3roundsfor dis2ualification under the Omnius Election Code 3ivin3 moneto influence, induce or corrupt the voters or pulic officials performin3election functions< for committin3 acts of terrorism to enhance hiscandidac, and for spendin3 an amount for his campai3n in e@cess of 0hat is allo0ed the la0

?he COMELEC &irst Division re2uired oth parties to sumit their position papers ?he case 0as decided a3ainst Blanco

 A reconsideration 0as moved Blanco in the COMELEC En BancNolasco, the vice-maor-elect too1 part as intervenor, ur3in3 thatshould Blanco e finall dis2ualified, the maoralt position e turnedover to him ?he parties 0ere allo0ed to file their memoranda EnBanc denied Blanco and NolascoFs motions thus this petition for certiorari

Issus*

! ON Blanco 0as denied due process and e2ual protection of la0s ON the COMELEC committed 3rave ause of discretion inproclaimin3 Alarilla as the dul elected maor  

%$*

! Blanco 0as not denied due process and e2ual protection of thela0s e 0as 3iven all the opportunit to prove that the evidence on

his dis2ualification 0as not stron3 BlancoFs contention that theminimum 2uantum of evidence 0as not met is untenale hat RA//7/ and the COMELEC Rules of +rocedure re2uire is a mereevidence of 3uilt that should e stron3 to 5ustif the COMELEC insuspendin3 a 0innin3 candidateFs proclamation

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Nolasco, not Alarilla, is ad5ud3ed as the Maor of Mecauaan 4t isalread a settled principle in the case of Rees v COMELEC that thecandidate 0ith the second hi3hest numer of votes cannot eproclaimed 0inner in case the 0innin3 candidate e dis2ualified

?here cannot e an assumption that the second placer 0ould havereceived the other votes other0ise it is a 5ud3ment sustitutin3 themind of a voter 4t cannot e assumed that the second placer 0ouldhave 0on the elections ecause in the situation 0here the dis2ualifiedcandidate is e@cluded, the condition 0ould have sustantiallchan3ed

EN BANC

[G.R. No. 1---50 = 1---58. Ju -1, 1997]

EDGARDO . NO!ASO, petitioner, vs. OMMISSION ONE!ETIONS, M&NIIA! BOARD O AN4ASSERS,ME)A&A)AN, B&!AAN, "#$ ED&ARDO A.A!ARI!!A, respondents.

!ORENTINO . B!ANO, petitioner, vs. OMMISSION ON

E!ETIONS "#$ ED&ARDO A. A!ARI!!A, respondents.

D E I S I O N

&NO, J .*

&irst, 0e re0ind the facts ?he election for maor of Mecauaan,Bulacan 0as held on Ma #, !""; ?he principal prota3onists 0erepetitioner &lorentino + Blanco and private respondent Eduardo A

 Alarilla Blanco received ",6;. votes, 0hile Alarilla 3ot .,:.# votes$!% Ed3ardo Nolasco 0as elected >ice-Maor 0ith .6,7: votes

On Ma ", !"";, Alarilla filed 0ith the COMELEC a petition todis2ualif Blanco e alle3ed<

@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @

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7 Based on intelli3ence reports that respondent 0as maintainin3 hiso0n private armK at his aforesaid resident, +4nsp Ronaldo O Lee of the +hilippine National +olice assi3ned 0ith the 4ntelli3ence Commandat Camp Crame, applied for and 0as 3ranted search 0arrant no ";-

!76 Branch .6 of the Re3ional ?rial Court of Manila on ; Ma!""; A cop of the said search 0arrant is attached as Anne@ GAGhereof

; 4n compliance 0ith said search 0arrant no ";-!76, an elitecomposite team of the +N+ 4ntelli3ence Command, Criminal4nvesti3ation *ervice (C4*), and Bulacan +rovincial Command,ac1ed up the +hilippine National +olice *pecial Action &orce,accompanied mediamen 0ho 0itnessed and recorded the search

video and still cameras, raided the house of respondent &lorentinoBlanco at his stated address at Bancal, Mecauaan, Bulacan

/ Enclosed as Anne@ GA-!G is a video tape ta1en of the proceedin3sdurin3 the raid

6 ?he composite team 0as ale to enter the said premises ofrespondent &lorentino Blanco 0here the conducted a search of thesu5ect firearms and ammunition

# ?he search resulted in the arrest of si@ (/) men 0ho 0ere foundcarrin3 various hi3h po0ered firearms 0ithout an license orauthorit to use or possess such lon3 arms ?hese personscomposin3 respondentKs private arm,K and the unlicensed firearmsare as follo0s<

 A >ir3ilio Luna >alderama -

! +=?OM (sic) Cal .76 *N /"7/ 0ith si@ (/) Rounds of Ammo

4NRAM M!: Cal 7; M+ 0ith *uppressor *N< 7;7;60ith t0o () Ma3s and ;7 Rounds of Ammo

B Ramundo Bahala +on -

! IM+; *n C..7/77 0ith t0o () Ma3s and 76 Rounds of Ammo

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CRoerto *antos *acris -

! *mith and esson .;6 Ma3num *n< ;!# 0ith si@ (/)Rounds of Ammo

D Melchor Caanero Oreil -

! Armscor ! au3e 0ith three (.) Rounds of Ammo

E Ed3ardo Orte9a Asuncion -

! +alti1 Cal .# Rev 0ith si@ (/) Rounds of Ammo

& &rancisco Liari Calima3 -

! +alti1 Cal .# *N< ./#/"

Copies of the inventor receipts are hereto attached as Anne@es GBG toGB-;G hereof

" Durin3 the search, memers of the composite team sa0 throu3h alar3e clear 3lass 0indo0, respondentKs alil assault rifle on a sofainside a closed room of the su5ect premises

!: Not allo0ed entr thereto respondent and his 0ife, thememers of the composite police-militar team applied for theissuance of a second search 0arrant (Anne@ GB-/G) so that the couldenter the said room to sei9e the said firearm

!! hile 0aitin3 for the issuance of the second search 0arrant,respondentKs 0ife and respondentKs rother, Mariano Blanco, claimin3to e the campai3n mana3er of respondent in the Nationalist +eopleKsCoalition +art, as1ed permission to enter the loc1ed room so the

could 0ithdra0 mone in a vault inside the loc1ed room to pa their0atchers, and the teachers of Mecauaan in the # Ma !"";elections

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! &or reasons not 1no0n to petitioner, Mrs &lorentino Blanco andMariano Blanco, 0ere allo0ed to 0ithdra0 ten (!:) lar3e plastic a3sfrom the vault

!. hen the said +N+ composite team e@amined the ten (!:) lac1plastic a3s, the found out that each a3 contained ten (!:) shoeo@es Each shoe o@ 0hen e@amined contained :: pa envelopes,and each pa envelope 0hen opened contained the amount of+!,::::: hen 2uestioned, respondentKs rother MarianoBlanco and respondentKs 0ife, admitted to the raidin3 team that thetotal amount of mone in the ten (!:) plastic a3s is +!:,:::,:::::

!7 ?he laels found in the envelope sho0s that the mone 0ere

intended as respondentKs rie mone to the teachers ofMecauaan Attached as Anne@ GCG is the cover of one of the shoeo@es containin3 the inscription that it is intended to the teachers ofBr3 La0a, Mecauaan, Bulacan

!; On election da # Ma !"";, respondent perpetrated the mostmassive vote-uin3 activit ever in the histor of Mecauaanpolitics Attached as Anne@ GDG is the envelope 0here this+!:,:::,::::: 0as placed in !:: peso denominations totallin3 one

thousand pesos per envelope 0ith the inscription >O?ESSS ?4NO=K

?his massive vote-uin3 activit 0as en3ineered the respondentthrou3h his or3ani9ation called M?BK or MO>EMEN? &OR ?4NO=BLANCO >OLN?EER*K ?he chairman of this movement isrespondentKs rother, Mariano + Blanco, 0ho admitted to the policedurin3 the raid that these mone 0ere for the teachers and 0atchersof Mecauaan, Bulacan

 Attached as Anne@ GEG hereof is an M?B 4D issued to one Armando

Bulan of +recinct 66-A, Br3 'asmin, Bancal, Mecauaan,Bulacan =ou 0ill note that the 4D is perforated in the middle ?hepurpose is for the voter to tear the office cop and return it torespondentKs head2uarters to receive the alance of the +;:::: ofthe rie mone after votin3 for respondent durin3 the elections ?hevoter 0ill initiall e 3iven a do0n-pament of +;::::

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!/ ?his massive vote-uin3 0as also perpetrated respondent thruthe familiar use of flin3 voters Attached as Anne@ G&G hereof is acop of the +olice Blotter dated # Ma !""; sho0in3 that si@ (/) flin3voters 0ere cau3ht in different precincts of Mecauaan, Bulacan,

0ho admitted after ein3 cau3ht and arrested that the 0ere paid+:::: to +.:::: respondent and his follo0ers, to vote for othervoters in the voterKs list

!6 Not satisfied, and 0ith his overflo0in3 suppl of mone,respondent used another scheme as follo0s RespondentKs paid voter0ill identif his tar3et from the list of voter and 0ill impersonate saidvoter in the list and falsif his si3nature

 Attached as Anne@ GG hereof is the Minutes of >otin3 and Countin3 of >otes in +recinct No /, Br3 Calvario, Mecauaan,Bulacan Anne@ G-!G is the statement of one Ma Luisa de los ReesCru9 statin3 that 0hen she 0ent to her precinct to vote, her name 0asalread voted upon another person ?his entr 0as noted Leticia? >illanco, +oll Chairman Estelita Arta5o, - +oll Cler1 and Nelson'ohn Nito - +oll Memer

!# Earlier efore the election, respondent used his tremendous

mone to 3et in the 3ood 3races of the local Comelec Re3istrar, 0ho0as replaced this Office upon the petition of the people ofMecauaanAttached as Anne@ GG hereof is an article in the . Ma!""; issue of Aante entitled ! M *uhol sa Comelec Re3istrarK

!" ?he second search 0arrant on respondentKs residence ielded tomore firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition ?hese 3uns0ere used respondent to terrori9e the population and ma1e thepeople afraid to complain a3ainst respondentKs massive vote uin3and cheatin3 in todaKs elections RespondentKs rier of theteachers ensured the implementation of his vote-uin3 allot o@s0itchin3, impersonations, and other cheatin3 schemes

 Attached as Anne@es 4-!K to 4-K are the pertinent Receipts of the 3unsand ammunitions sei9ed from respondent Attached as Anne@ G'G is aCertification to the same effect

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: ?he aove acts committed respondent are clear 3rounds fordis2ualification under *ec /# of the Omnius Election Code for 3ivin3mone to influence, induce or corrupt the voters or pulic officialsperformin3 election functions for committin3 acts of terrorism to

enhance his candidac and for spendin3 in his election campai3n anamount in e@cess of that allo0ed the Election Code ?here are onl"6,::: re3istered voters in Mecauaan versus respondentKse@penses of at least +!:,:::,::::: as admitted aove (Emphasissupplied)

On Ma !;, !"";, Alarilla filed a >er r3ent E@ +arte Motion to*uspend +roclamation ?he COMELEC (&irst Division) 3ranted themotion after findin3 that there 0as a Gproale commission of election

offenses 0hich are 3rounds for dis2ualification pursuant to theprovisions of section /# of the Omnius Election Code (B+ ##!), andthe evidence in support of dis2ualification is stron3G 4t directed theMunicipal Board of Canvassers Gto complete the canvassin3 ofelection returns of the municipalit of Mecauaan, ut to suspendproclamation of respondent &lorentino + Blanco should he otain the0innin3 numer of votes for the position of Maor of Mecauaan,Bulacan until such time 0hen the petitions for dis2ualification a3ainsthim shall have een resolvedG

On Ma ;, !"";, Blanco filed a Motion to Lift or *et Aside theOrder suspendin3 his proclamation On Ma ", !"";, he filed his

 Ans0er to the petition to dis2ualif him

On Ma .:, !"";, the COMELEC (&irst Division) heard the petitionto dis2ualif Blanco ?he parties thereafter sumitted their positionpapers$% Blanco even replied to the position paper of Alarilla on 'une", !"";

On Au3ust !;, !"";, the COMELEC (&irst Division) dis2ualifiedBlanco on the 3round of vote-uin3, vi9<$.%

@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @

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GERE&ORE, premises considered, the Commission (&irst Division)RE*OL>E* to D4*8AL4&= Respondent &lorentino + Blanco as acandidate for the Office of Maor of Mecauaan, Bulacan in the Ma#, !""; elections for havin3 violated *ection /! (a) of the Omnius

Election Code ?he Order suspendin3 the proclamation of hereinRespondent is no0 made +ERMANEN? ?he Municipal Board ofCanvassers of Mecauaan, Bulacan shall immediatel reconveneand, on the asis of the completed canvass of the election returns,determine the 0inner out of the remainin3 2ualified candidates 0hoshall e immediatel proclaimed

*O ORDEREDG

Blanco moved for reconsideration on Au3ust !", !""; in theCOMELEC en anc Nolasco, as vice maor, intervened in theproceedin3s$7% e moved for reconsideration of that part of theresolution directin3 the Municipal Board of Canvassers toGimmediatel reconvene and, on the asis of the completed canvassof the election returns, determine the 0inner out of the remainin32ualified candidates 0ho shall e immediatel proclaimedG e ur3edthat as vice-maor he should e declared maor in the event Blanco0as finall dis2ualified ?he motions 0ere heard on *eptemer 6,

!""; ?he parties 0ere allo0ed to file their memoranda 0ith ri3ht ofrepl On Octoer ., !"";, the COMELEC en anc denied themotions for reconsideration

4n this petition for certiorari,$;% Blanco contends<

@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @

!# Respondent COMELEC En Banc committed 3rave ause ofdiscretion amountin3 to lac1 or e@cess of 5urisdiction and acted

aritraril in affirmin3 en toto and adoptin3 as its o0n the ma5oritdecision of the &irst Division in that<

!#! 4t upheld the validit of the Ma !6, !""; order suspendin3proclamation of +etitioner Blanco herein as the 0innin3 candidate forMaor of Mecauaan 0ithout the enefit of an notice or hearin3 in

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3ross and palpale violation of BlancoKs constitutional ri3ht to dueprocess of la0

!# 4t violated the provisions of COMELEC Res No :;: as

amended, prescriin3 the procedure for disposin3 of dis2ualificationcases arisin3 out of the prohiited acts mentioned in *ec /# of theOmnius Election Code, 0hich Resolution this onorale ?riunale@plicitl sanctioned in the case of Lo9ano vs =orac Moreover, it(COMELEC) violated BlancoKs ri3ht to e2ual protection of the la0s settin3 him apart from other respondents facin3 similar dis2ualificationsuits 0hose case 0ere referred COMELEC to the La0 Departmentpursuant to Com Res No :;: and orderin3 their proclamation -- anact 0hich evidentl discriminated a3ainst +etitioner Blanco herein

!#. 4t decided +etitioner BlancoKs dis2ualification case in a*MMAR= +ROCEED4N in violation of la0 and the precedents0hich consistentl hold that 2uestions of >O?E-B=4N, terrorismand similar such acts should e resolve in a formal election protest0here the issue of vote uin3 is su5ected to a full-dress hearin3instead of disposin3 of the issue in a summar proceedin3

!#7 4t declared +etitioner Blanco as havin3 een involved in a

conspirac to en3a3e in >O?E-B=4N 0ithout that minimum2uantum of proof re2uired to estalish a disputale presumption ofvote-uin3 in 3ross and palpale violation of the provisions of *ection#, Rep Act //7/

!#; 4t ordered the proclamation of a *ECOND +LACER as the dulelected Maor of Mecauaan, Bulacan, in 3ross violation and utterdisre3ard of the doctrine laid do0n this onorale *upreme Courtin the case of LABO vs COMELEC 0hich 0as reiterated onl recentlin the case of A2uino vs *5uco

On the other hand, Nolasco contends in his petition forcertiorari$/% that he should e declared as Maor in vie0 of thedis2ualification of Blanco e cites section 77 of RA No 6!/:other0ise 1no0n as the Local overnment Code of !""! and ourdecision in Lao vs COMELEC$6%

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e shall first resolve the Blanco petition

Blanco 0as not denied due process 0hen the COMELEC (&irstDivision) suspended his proclamation as maor pendin3 determination

of the petition for dis2ualification a3ainst him*ection / of RA No//7/ and sections 7 and ; of the Rule ; of the Comelec Rules of+rocedure merel re2uire that evidence of 3uilt should e stron3 to

 5ustif the COMELEC in suspendin3 a 0innin3 candidateKsproclamation 4t ou3ht to e emphasi9ed that the suspension order isprovisional in nature and can e lifted 0hen the evidence so0arrants 4t is a1in to a temporar restrainin3 order 0hich a court canissue e@-parte under e@i3ent circumstances

4n an event, Blanco 0as 3iven all the opportunit to prove that theevidence on his dis2ualification 0as not stron3 On Ma ;, !"";, hefiled a Motion to Lift or *et Aside the Order suspendin3 hisproclamation On Ma ", !"";, he filed his Ans0er to the petitionto dis2ualif him ?he COMELEC heard the petition Blanco thereaftersumitted his position paper and repl to AlarillaKs position paper ?heCOMELEC considered the evidence of the parties and theirar3uments and thereafter affirmed his dis2ualification ?he hoar ruleis that due process does not mean prior hearin3 ut onl an

opportunit to e heard ?he COMELEC 3ave Blanco all theopportunit to e heard +etitions for dis2ualification are su5ect tosummar hearin3s$#%

Blanco also faults the COMELEC for departin3 from the procedurelaid do0n in COMELEC Resolution :;: as amended, indis2ualification cases ?he resolution pertinentl provides<

@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @

here a similar complaint is filed after election ut eforeproclamation of the respondent candidate the complaint shall,nevertheless, e dismissed as a dis2ualification case o0ever, thecomplaint shall e referred for preliminar investi3ation to the La0Department 4f, efore proclamation, the La0 Department ma1es aprima facie findin3 of 3uilt and the correspondin3 information has een

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filed 0ith the appropriate trial court, the complainant ma file a petitionfor suspension of the proclamation of the respondent 0ith the courtefore 0hich the criminal case is pendin3 and the said court maorder the suspension of the proclamation if the evidence of 3uilt is

stron3G

4t is alle3ed that the violation is fatal as it deprived Blanco of e2ualprotection of our la0s

e do not a3ree 4t cannot e denied that the COMELEC has 5urisdiction over proclamation and dis2ualification cases Article 4-C,section of the Constitution endo0s the COMELEC the allencompassin3 po0er to Genforce and administer all la0s and

re3ulations relative to the conduct of an election @ @ @G e have lon3ruled that this road po0er includes the po0er to cancelproclamations$"% Our la0s are no less e@plicit on the matter *ection/# of B+ Bl3 ##! (Omnius Election Code) provides<

G*ec /# Disqualifications - An candidate 0ho, in an action orprotest in 0hich he is a part is declared final decision of acompetent court 3uilt of, or found the Commission of havin3 (a)3iven mone or other material consideration to influence, induce or

corrupt the voters or pulic officials performin3 electoral functions ()committed acts of terrorism to enhance his candidac (c) spent in hiselection campai3n an amount in e@cess of that allo0ed this Code(d) solicited, received or made an contriution prohiited under*ections #", ";, "/, "6 and !:7 or (e) violated an of *ections #:,#., #;, #/ and /!, para3raphs d, e, 1, v, and cc, su-para3raph /,shall e dis2ualified from continuin3 as a candidate, or if he has eenelected, from holdin3 the office An person 0ho is a permanentresident of or an immi3rant to a forei3n countr shall not e 2ualified

to run for an elective office under this Code, unless said person has0aived his status as permanent resident or immi3rant of a forei3ncountr in accordance 0ith the residence re2uirement provided for inthe elections la0sG

*ection / of RA No //7/ li1e0ise provides<

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G*ec / Effect of Disqualification ase - An candidate 0ho has eendeclared final 5ud3ment to e dis2ualified shall not e voted for, andthe votes cast for him shall not e counted 4f for an reason acandidate is not declared final 5ud3ment efore an election to e

dis2ualified and he is voted for and receives the 0innin3 numer ofvotes in such election, the Court or Commission shall continue 0iththe trial and hearin3 of the action, in2uir or protest and, upon motionof the complainant or an intervenor, ma durin3 the pendenc thereof order the suspension of the proclamation of such candidate 0heneverthe evidence of his 3uilt is stron3G

Despite these la0s and e@istin3 5urisprudence, Blanco contendsthat COMELEC must follo0 the procedure in Resolution No :;: as

amended e hold that COMELEC cannot al0as e strait5ac1eted this procedural rule ?he COMELEC has e@plained that the resolution0as passed to ta1e care of the proliferation of dis2ualification cases atthat time 4t deemed it 0ise to dele3ate its authorit to its La0Department as partial solution to the prolem ?he Ma #, !"";elections, ho0ever, did not result in a surfeit of dis2ualification cases0hich the COMELEC cannot handle ence, its decision to resolvethe dis2ualification case of Blanco directl and 0ithout referrin3 it to itsLa0 Department is 0ithin its authorit, a sound e@ercise of its

discretion ?he action of the COMELEC is in accord 0ith *ection # of RA No //7/, vi <

G@ @ @

G*EC # +rosecution of >ote-Buin3 and >ote-sellin3 - ?hepresentation of a complaint for violations of para3raph (a) or () of*ection /! of Batas +amansa Bl3 ##! supported affidavits ofcomplainin3 0itness attestin3 to the offer or promise or of the

voterKs acceptance of mone or other consideration from the relatives,leaders or smpathi9ers of a candidate, shall e sufficient asis for aninvesti3ation to e immediatel conducted the Commission, directlor throu3h its dul authori9ed le3al officers under *ection /# or*ection /; of said Batas +amansa Bl3 ##! (emphasis supplied)

G@ @ @G

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4ndeed, even Commissioner Maamon3 0ho dissented from thema5orit rulin3, clin3s to the vie0 that GResolution No :;: cannotdivest the Commission of its dut to resolve dis2ualification casesunder the clear provision of section / of RA No //7/G$!:% Clearl too,

BlancoKs contention that he 0as denied e2ual protection of the la0 isoff-line e 0as not the o5ect of an invidiousdiscrimination COMELEC assumed direct 5urisdiction over hisdis2ualification case not to favor anod ut to dischar3e itsconstitutional dut of disposin3 the case in a fair and as fast a manneras possile

Blanco also ur3es that COMELEC erred in usin3 summarproceedin3s to resolve his dis2ualification case A3ain, the COMELEC

action is safel anchored on section 7 of its Rules of +rocedure 0hiche@pressl provides that petitions for dis2ualification Gshall e heardsummaril after due noticeG >ote-uin3 has its criminal and electoralaspects 4ts criminal aspect to determine the 3uilt or innocence of theaccused cannot e the su5ect of summar hearin3 o0ever, itselectoral aspect to ascertain 0hether the offender should edis2ualified from office can e determined in an administrativeproceedin3 that is summar in character

?he ne@t issue is 0hether there is sustantial evidence to provethe vote uin3 activities of Blanco ?he factual findin3s of theCOMELEC (&irst Division) are as follo0s<$!!%

G@ @ @

GRespondent ar3ues that the claim of vote-uin3 has no factual asisecause the affidavits and s0orn statements admitted as evidencea3ainst him are products of hearsa inadmissile ecause of theille3al searches the violate the Rule of Res 4nter Alios Acta and theoffense of vote-uin3 re2uires consummation

e are not impressed

 A studied readin3 of the affidavits $RespondentKs affidavit is unsi3ned%attached to the Repl of the Respondent to the +osition +aper of the

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+etitioner $Anne@es !, and .% 0ould reveal that the are in thenature of 3eneral denials emanatin3 from individuals closelassociated or related to respondent Blanco

?he same holds true 0ith the affidavits attached to RespondentKs+osition +aper $Anne@es !, , . and 7% *aid affidavits 0ere e@ecuted BlancoKs political leaders and private secretar

On the other hand, the affidavit of Romeo Bur3os $E@hiit GE-!G% is richin detail as to ho0 the alle3ed vote-uin3 0as conducted

Moreover, the same is corroorated o5ect evidence in the natureof M?B $Movement for ?ino Blanco% cards 0hich 0ere in thepossession of the affiants and alle3edl used as a means to facilitatethe vote-uin3 scheme

?here are also admissions of certain individuals 0ho received moneto vote for Respondent $Anne@es GE-G, GE-.G, GE-7G, GE-;G, GE-/G, GE-6G, GE-#G, GE-"G and GE-!:G%

On the da of the elections, t0o individuals 0ere apprehended forattemptin3 to vote for Respondent 0hen the alle3edl are notre3istered voters of Mecauaan A criminal complaint for violation of

section /! $% of B+ ##! 0as filed +*r 4nspector Alfred * Corpuson Ma ", !""; 0ith the Municipal ?rial Court of Bulacan ?he same0as doc1eted as Criminal Case ";-!/""/ $E@hiit &-%

 A3ain, similar pa envelopes 0ith mone inside them 0ere found inthe possession of the suspected flin3 voters

?he incident 0as corroorated Adriano Llorente in his affidavitnarratin3 the same $E@hiit G&-!G% Llorente, a poll 0atcher of

+etitioner, 0as the one 0ho accosted the t0o suspected flin3 voters0hen the latter attempted to vote despite failin3 to locate their namesin the voterKs list

&rom this rich ac1drop of detail, e are disappointed the 3eneraldenial offered Respondent 4n +eople of the +hilippines vs

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Navarro, R No "/;!, Ma !!, !""., *CRA /#7, the *upremeCourt noted that GDenial is the 0ea1est defenseK $pa3e /"%

4n +eople of the +hilippines vs Rolando +recioso, et al, R No

";#":, Ma !, !""., ! *CRA !""., the *upreme Court oservedthat,

e have consistentl ruled that denials if unsustantiated clearand convincin3 evidence are ne3ative and self-servin3 evidence 0hichdeserves no 0ei3ht in la0 and cannot e 3iven 3reater evidentiar0ei3ht over the testimon of credile 0itnesses Er3o, as et0een thepositive declarations of the prosecution 0itness and the ne3ativestatements of the accused, the former deserves more

credenceG $pa3e 6;7%K

o0ever, Respondent convenientl resorts to section .., Rule !.: ofthe Revised Rules of Court 0hich states that a declaration of anaccused ac1no0led3in3 his 3uilt of the offense char3ed, or of anoffense necessaril included herein, ma e 3iven in evidence a3ainsthim $affiants 0ho e@ecuted E@hiits E-! to E-!:% ut not a3ainstRespondent

?here is no merit in this contention

?he affiants are not the accused ?heir participation in the herein caseis in the nature of 0itnesses 0ho have assumed the ris1 of ein3suse2uentl char3ed 0ith violatin3 *ection /! $!% of B+ ##! 4n fact,their affidavits 0ere sou3ht the +etitioner and not an la0enforcement a3enc Even Respondent admits this findin3 0hen hefiled his Repl to +etitionerKs +osition +aper and Motion to Refer for+reliminar 4nvesti3ation and &ilin3 of 4nformation in Court a3ainst the+ersons ho E@ecuted E@hiits E-! to E-!: for avin3 Admitted

Commission of Election Offense 4f the 0ere the accused, 0h file themotionJ ould not this e redundant if not irrelevantJ

@ @ @

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 Another tellin3 lo0 is the une@plained mone destined for theteachers h such a hu3e amountJ h should the Respondent, amaoralt candidate, and accordin3 to his o0n admission, e 3ivin3mone to teachers a da efore the electionsJ hat 0ere the peso

ills doin3 in pa envelopes 0ith the inscription G>O?ESSS ?4NO=G, and1ept in shoe o@es 0ith the 0ord G?eachersG 0ritten on the coversthereofJ

?here is also somethin3 0ron3 0ith the issuance of theaforementioned M?B cards 0hen one considers the testimon ofBur3os that more or less ;:,::: of these cards, 0hich is e2uivalent tomore or less ; of the "6,::: re3istered voters of Mecauaan,Bulacan, 0ere printed respondent that there are onl 77. precincts

in Mecauaan that under the la0, a candidate is allo0ed onl one0atcher per pollin3 place and canvassin3 area and, finall, that thereis no e@planation at all the respondent as to 0hat theseG0atchersG did in order to 3et paid +.:::: each

@ @ @

Respondent also avers that for an alle3ation of vote-uin3 to prosper,the act of 3ivin3 must e consummated

*ection #! $a% of B+ ##! states Gan person 0ho 3ives, offers, orpromises mone @ @ @G *ection # of RA //7/ also states that Gthe3iver, offeror, the promisor as 0ell as the solicitor, recipient andconspirator referred to in para3raphs $a% and $% of section /! ofBatas +amansa Bl3 ##! shall e liale as principals< @ @ @

hile the 3ivin3 must e consummated, the mere act of offerin3 orpromisin3 somethin3 in consideration for someoneKs vote constitutesthe offense of vote-uin3

4n the case at ar, the acts of offerin3 and promisin3 mone inconsideration for the votes of said affiants is sufficient for a findin3 ofthe commission of the offense of vote-uin3G

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?hese factual findin3s 0ere affirmed the COMELEC en anca3ainst the lone dissent of Commissioner Maamon3

?here is an attempt to discredit these findin3s 4mmediatel

ovious in the effort is the resort to our technical rules ofevidence A3ain, our in3rained 5urisprudence is that technical rules ofevidence should not e ri3orousl applied in administrativeproceedin3s especiall 0here the la0 calls for the proceedin3 to esummar in character More importantl, 0e cannot depart from thesettled norm of revie0in3 decisions of the COMELEC, ie, that GthisCourt cannot revie0 the factual findin3s of the COMELEC asent a3rave ause of discretion and a sho0in3 of aritrariness in itsdecision, order or resolutionG$!%

e no0 come to the petition of Nolasco that he should e declaredas maor in the event Blanco is finall dis2ualified$!.% e sustain theplea *ection 77, Chapter of the Local overnment Code of !""!(RA No 6!/:) is une2uivocal, thus<

G@ @ @

G*EC 77 +ermanent >acancies in the Offices of the overnor, >iceovernor, Maor, and >ice Maor- (a) 4f a permanent vacanc occursin the office of the 3overnor or maor, the vice 3overnor or vice maorconcerned shall ecome the 3overnor or maor 4f a permanentvacanc occurs in the offices of the 3overnor, vice 3overnor, maor, or vice maor, the hi3hest ran1in3 san33unian memer or, in case of hispermanent inailit, the second hi3hest ran1in3 san33unian memer,shall ecome the 3overnor, vice 3overnor, maor or vice maor, as thecase ma e *use2uent vacancies in the said office shall e filledautomaticall the other san33unian memers accordin3 to theirran1in3 as defined herein

() 4f a permanent vacanc occurs in the office of the punon3aran3a, the hi3hest ran1in3 san33unian aran3a memer or, incase of his permanent inailit, the second hi3hest ran1in3san33unian memer, shall ecome the punon3 aran3a

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(c) A tie et0een or amon3 the hi3hest ran1in3 san33unian3 memersshall e resolved the dra0in3 of lots

(d) ?he successors as defined herein shall serve onl the une@pired

terms of their predecessors

&or purposes of this Chapter, a permanent vacanc arises 0hen anelective local official fills a hi3her vacant office, refuses to assumeoffice, fails to 2ualif, dies, is removed from office, voluntaril resi3ns,or is other0ise permanentl incapacitated to dischar3e the functions of his office

&or purposes of succession as provided in this Chapter, ran1in3 in thesan33unian shall e determined on the asis of the proportion of votesotained each 0innin3 candidate to the total numer of re3isteredvoters in each distriution the immediatel precedin3 electionG

4n the same vein, Article #. of the Rules and Re3ulations4mplementin3, the Local overnment Code of !""! provides<

G@ @ @

GAR? #. >acancies and *uccession of Elective Local Officials-

(a) hat constitutes permanent vacanc - A permanent vacancarises 0hen an elective local official fills a hi3her vacant office, refusesto assume office, fails to 2ualif, dies, is removed from office,voluntaril resi3ns, or is other0ise permanentl incapacitated todischar3e the functions of his office

() +ermanent vacancies in the offices of the 3overnor, vice 3overnor,maor and vice maor -

(!) 4f a permanent vacanc occurs in the office of the 3overnor ormaor, the vice 3overnor or vice maor concerned shall ipso factoecome the 3overnor or maor 4f a permanent vacanc occurs in theoffices of the 3overnor, vice 3overnor, maor, or vice maor, thehi3hest ran1in3 san33unian memer or, in case of his permanentinailit, the second hi3hest ran1in3 san33unian memer, shall ipsofacto ecome the 3overnor, vice 3overnor, maor or vice maor, as the

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case ma e *use2uent vacancies in the said office shall e filledautomaticall the other san33unian memers accordin3 to theirran1in3 as defined in this ArticleG

Our case la0 is no0 settled that in a maoralt election, thecandidate 0ho otained the second hi3hest numer of votes, in thiscase Alarilla, cannot e proclaimed 0inner in case the 0innin3candidate is dis2ualified ?hus, 0e reiterated the rule in the fairlrecent case of Rees v COMELEC, $!7% vi <

G@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Ge li1e0ise find no 3rave ause of discretion on the part of theCOMELEC in denin3 petitioner 'ulius O arciaKs petition to eproclaimed maor in vie0 of the dis2ualification of Renato Rees

G?hat the candidate 0ho otains the second hi3hest numer of votesma not e proclaimed 0inner in case the 0innin3 candidate isdis2ualified is no0 settled ?he doctrinal instailit caused see-sa0in3 rulin3s has since een removed 4n the latest rulin3 on the2uestion, this Court said<

?o simplisticall assume that the second placer 0ould have received

the other votes 0ould e to sustitute our 5ud3ment for the mind of thevoter ?he second placer is 5ust that, a second placer e lost theelections e 0as repudiated either a ma5orit or pluralit ofvoters e could not e considered the first amon3 2ualifiedcandidates ecause in a field 0hich e@cludes the dis2ualifiedcandidate, the conditions 0ould have sustantiall chan3ed e arenot prepared to e@trapolate the results under the circumstances

GarciaKs plea that the votes cast for Rees e invalidated is 0ithout

merit ?he votes cast for Rees are presumed to have een cast in theelief that Rees 0as 2ualified and for that reason can not e treatedas stra, void, or meanin3less ?he suse2uent findin3 that he isdis2ualified cannot retroact to the date of the elections so as toinvalidate the votes cast for himG

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Conse2uentl, respondent COMELEC committed 3rave ause ofdiscretion insofar as it failed to follo0 the aove doctrine, adescendant of our rulin3 in Lao v COMELEC $!;%

 A final 0ord ?he dispute at ar involves more than the maoralt ofthe municipalit of Mecauan, Bulacan 4t concerns the ri3ht ofsuffra3e 0hich is the edroc1 of repulicanism *uffra3e is the means 0hich our people e@press their soverei3n 5ud3ment 4ts freee@ercise must e protected especiall a3ainst the purchasin3 po0er of the peso As 0e succinctl held in +eople v *an 'uan, $!/% Geach timethe enfranchised citi9en 3oes to the polls to assert this soverei3n 0ill,that aidin3 credo of repulicanism is translated into livin3 realit 4fthat 0ill must remain undefiled at the startin3 level of its e@pression

and application, ever assumption must e indul3ed in and ever3uarantee adopted to assure the unmolested e@ercise of the citi9enKsfree choice &or to impede, 0ithout authorit valid in la0, the free andorderl e@ercise of the ri3ht of suffra3e, is to inflict the ultimateindi3nit on the democratic processG

IN 4IE+ +%EREO, the resolution of the respondent COMELECen anc dated Octoer ., !""; is affirmed 0ith the modification thatpetitioner Ed3ardo C Nolasco is ad5ud3ed as Maor of Mecauan,

Bulacan in vie0 of the dis2ualification of &lorentino + Blanco Nocosts

SO ORDERED.

+arvasa$ .0.$ *egalado$ Davide$ 0r.$ *omero$ "elo$ 1itug$"endoa and /rancisco$ 00.$ concur .

Bellosillo$ 0.$ please see Concurrin3 and Dissentin3 Opinion

3ermosisima$ 0r.$ and 4orres$ 0r.$ 00.$ on official leave

(apunan$ 0.$ on leave

adilla$ 0.$ no part on leave durin3 delieration

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anganiban$ 0.$ no part &ormer la0 office 0as counsel ofpetitioner Blanco

$!% A third candidate, Mauro *C del Rosario received /, .;" votes

$% Blanco sumitted his position paper on 'une ;, !"";

$.% Composed of +residin3 Commissioner Re3alado E Maamon3 andCommissioners raduacion A Rees-Claravall and 'ulio &

Desamito 0ith Commissioner Maamon3 dissentin3$7% e filed a Motion to Admit 4ntervenorKs Motion for Reconsideration

on Au3ust !#, !"";

$;% R No !;#

$/% R No !;:

$6% !6/ *CRA !

$#% *ee *ection 7 of COMELEC Rules of +rocedure

$"% Lacson v. COMELEC, R No L-!//!, Decemer #, !";!

$!:% *ee p 6 of his Au3ust !;, !""; Concurrin3 and Dissentin3Opinion

$!!% *ee pp ;:-;. of Au3ust !;, !""; Resolution

$!% Lo9ano v  =orac, :. *CRA ;/

$!.% ?he same plea is made Blanco in his petition

$!7% ;7 *CRA ;!7 (!""/)

$!;% Supra.

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$!/%  *CRA ;:;