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On 7pr!( 10, 1992, respon"ent &on'ressman )a a #!(e" $!s %omment "eny!n' t$e #a%t t$at $e!s a permanent res!"ent o# t$e n!te" States@ t$at a(t$ou'$ $e /as a%%or"e" a permanentres!"en%y status on O%tober , 19 0 an ev!"en%e" by a (etter or"er o# t$e )!str!%t )!re%tor, Smm!'rat!on an" Natura(! at!on Serv!%e, <os 7n'e(es, .S.7., / $e $a" (on' /a!ve" $!sstatus /$en $e returne" to t$e *$!(!pp!nes on 7u'ust 12, 19 . 0On 7pr!( 13, 1992, pub(!% respon"ent &am!(o Sab!o, Se%retary Genera( o# t$e Aouse o#

Representat!ves, Mr. ?ose Mar! BuaCo, an O & o# t$e Genera( Serv!%es )!v!s!on, Mrs.Rosa(!n"a G. Me"!na, as &$!e# 7%%ountant o# t$e Aouse o# Representat!ves an" &omm!ss!onon 7u"!t, #!(e" t$e!r %omment. B$ey %onten" t$at !# !n"ee" &on'ressman )a a !s a 'reen%ar"$o("er an" a permanent res!"ent o# t$e n!te" States o# 7mer!%a, t$en $e s$ou(" be remove"#rom $!s pos!t!on as &on'ressman. Ao/ever, t$ey op!ne" t$at on(y &on'ressman )a a %anbest e p(a!n $!s true an" %orre%t status as a 'reen%ar" $o("er. nt!( $e #!(es $!s %omment tot$e pet!t!on, pet!t!onersD prayer #or temporary restra!n!n' or"er an" /r!t o# pre(!m!nary!n un%t!on s$ou(" not be 'rante". 1E!'$t 5 6 "ays (ater, respon"ent )a a, rea%t!n' to t$e pet!t!on be#ore t$e &OME<E& 5S*& 92-0 6 an" $ypot$es! !n' t$at t$e %ase be#ore t$e &OME<E& /ou(" be%ome moot s$ou(" t$!s&ourt #!n" t$at $!s permanent res!"ent status %ease" /$en $e /as 'rante" a S non-!mm!'rant v!sa, as+e" t$!s &ourt to "!re%t t$e &OME<E& to "!sm!ss S*& No. 92-0 . 2On May , 1992, pet!t!oners #!(e" t$e!r rep(y. On May 21, 1992, t$!s &ourt 'ave "ue %ourse tot$e pet!t!on an" re u!re" t$e part!es to #!(e t$e!r respe%t!ve memoran"a.%ra(a/

B$e %entra( !ssue to be reso(ve" !n t$!s %ase !s /$et$er or not respon"ent )a a s$ou(" be"!s ua(!#!e" as a member o# t$e Aouse o# Representat!ves #or v!o(at!on o# Se%t!on o# t$eOmn!bus E(e%t!on &o"e.*et!t!oners !ns!st t$at &on'ressman )a a s$ou(" be "!s ua(!#!e" #rom e er%!s!n' t$e #un%t!onso# $!s o##!%e be!n' a permanent res!"ent a(!en o# t$e n!te" States at t$e t!me /$en $e #!(e"$!s %ert!#!%ate o# %an"!"a%y #or t$e May 11, 19 E(e%t!ons. Bo buttress t$e!r %ontent!on,pet!t!oners %!te t$e re%ent %ase o# &aas! v. &ourt o# 7ppea(s. 3n support o# t$e!r %$ar'e t$at respon"ent )a a !s a 'reen%ar" $o("er, pet!t!oners presente"to s a (etter #rom t$e n!te" States )epartment o# ?ust!%e, mm!'rat!on an" Natura(! at!onServ!%e 5 NS6 /$!%$ rea"s: 4

F!(e No. 720 9 1)ate: Nov. , 1991<OS91 32

Gera'$ty, OD<ou'$(!n an" enney

7ttn: )av!" &. Aut%$!nson

3 N. Nasbas$a StreetSt. *au(, M!nn. 102-130

S 4?E&B:

)a a, Rau( 7.our re uest /as re%e!ve" !n t$!s o##!%e on HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH@ p(ease note t$epara'rap$=s> %$e%+e" be(o/:

10. 5886 Ot$er remar+s:Serv!%e F!(e 720 9 19 re(at!n' to Rau( )a a re#(e%ts: sub e%t be%ame a

http://www.chanrobles.com/cralaw19921.htm#ENDNOTES














<a/#u( *ermanent Res!"ent on O%t. 1 , 19 . 7s #ar as /e +no/ ob e%t (sic) st!(($as $!s 'reen%ar". No $e $as not app(!e" #or %!t! ens$!p.

S!nere(y, (sic) S'".)!str!%t )!re%torForm G-3 3 =Rev. -20- 2>N

;e vote to "!sm!ss t$e !nstant pro$!b!t!on %ase. F!rst, t$!s %ase !s a(rea"y moot an" a%a"em!%#or !t !s ev!"ent #rom t$e man!#estat!on #!(e" by pet!t!oners "ate" 7pr!( , 1992 5 t$at t$eysee+ to unseat respon"ent #rom $!s pos!t!on as &on'ressman #or t$e "urat!on o# $!s term o# o##!%e %ommen%!n' ?une 30, 19 an" en"!n' ?une 30, 1992. Se%on"(y, ur!s"!%t!on o# t$!s%ase r!'$t#u((y perta!ns to t$e Aouse E(e%tora( Br!buna(. n"er Se%t!on 1 o# 7rt!%(e I o# t$e19 &onst!tut!on, !t !s t$e Aouse E(e%tora( Br!buna( /$!%$ s$a(( be t$e so(e u"'e o# a((%ontests re(at!n' to t$e e(e%t!on, returns an" ua(!#!%at!on o# !ts members. S!n%e pet!t!oners%$a((en'e t$e ua(!#!%at!ons o# &on'ressman )a a, t$e appropr!ate reme"y s$ou(" $ave beento #!(e a pet!t!on to %an%e( respon"ent )a aDs %ert!#!%ate o# %an"!"a%y be#ore t$e e(e%t!on 6 or a quo warranto %ase /!t$ t$e Aouse E(e%tora( Br!buna( /!t$!n ten 5106 "ays a#ter )a aDspro%(amat!on. -7 B$!r", a /r!t o# pro$!b!t!on %an no (on'er be !ssue" a'a!nst respon"ents!n%e $!s term $as a(rea"y e p!re". 7 /r!t or pro$!b!t!on !s not !nten"e" to prov!"e #or a%tsa(rea"y %onsummate". -- Fourt$, as a de facto pub(!% o##!%er, -/ respon"ent %annot bema"e to re!mburse #un"s "!sburse" "ur!n' $!s term o# o##!%e be%ause $!s a%ts are as va(!" ast$ose o# a de jure o##!%er. Moreover, as a de facto o##!%er, $e !s ent!t(e" to emo(uments #or a%tua( serv!%es ren"ere". -0

7&&OR) NG<, t$e &ourt reso(ve" to ) SM SS t$e !nstant pet!t!on #or be!n' moot an"a%a"em!%.%ra(a/

SO OR)ERE).%ra(a/

G.R. N!. -71321 J$ne 3, -661REPUBLIC O8 THE PHILIPPINES,pet!t!oner,vs.HON. ROSALIO G. DE LA ROSA, PRESIDING JUDGE O8 THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT,BRANCH /5, MANILA and JUAN G. 8RI9ALDO,respon"ents.

G.R. N!. -724-2 J$ne 3, -661RAUL R. LEE,pet!t!oner,vs.COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS and JUAN G. 8RI9ALDO,respon"ents.

G.R. N!. -72402 J$ne 3, -661RAUL R. LEE,pet!t!oner,

vs.COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS and JUAN G. 8RI9ALDO,respon"ents.

The Solicitor General for petitioner in G.R. No. 104 !4.

"olando #. $i% counsel for pri&ate respondent.

:UIASON, J.:

n #ri&aldo &. 'o%%ission on lections , 1 S&R7 2 =19 9>, t$!s &ourt "e%(are" pr!vate

















as #o((o/s:

;AEREFORE, t$e pet!t!on !s GR7NBE). *et!t!oner ? 7N G. FR I7<)O, !s re-a"m!tte" as a %!t! en o# t$e Repub(!% o# t$e *$!(!pp!nes by natura(! at!on, t$erebyvest!n' upon $!m, a(( t$e r!'$ts an" pr!v!(e'es o# a natura( born F!(!p!no %!t! en=Rollo , p. 33>.

On t$e same "ay, pr!vate respon"ent /as a((o/e" to ta+e $!s oat$ o# a((e'!an%e be#orerespon"ent ?u"'e = Rollo , p. 3 >.

On Mar%$ 1 , a JMot!on #or <eave o# &ourt to ntervene an" to 7"m!t Mot!on #or Re%ons!"erat!onJ /as #!(e" by Lu!ter!o A. Aermo. Ae a((e'e" t$at t$e pro%ee"!n's /ereta!nte" /!t$ ur!s"!%t!ona( "e#e%ts, an" praye" #or a ne/ tr!a( to %on#orm /!t$ t$e re u!rementso# t$e Natura(! at!on <a/.

7#ter re%e!v!n' a %opy o# t$e )e%!s!on on Mar%$ 1 , 1992, t$e So(!%!tor Genera( !nterpose" at!me(y appea( "!re%t(y /!t$ t$e Supreme &ourt.

G.R. No. 10 1

B$!s !s a pet!t!on #or certiorari , %anda%us /!t$ !n un%t!on un"er Ru(e o# t$e Rev!se" Ru(eso# &ourt !n re(at!on to Se%t!on =2> o# 7rt!%(e I o# t$e &onst!tut!on /!t$ prayer #or temporaryrestra!n!n' or"er #!(e" by Rau( R. <ee a'a!nst t$e &omm!ss!on on E(e%t!ons =&OME<E&> an"pr!vate respon"ent, to annu( t$e en anc Reso(ut!on o# t$e &OME<E&, /$!%$ "!sm!sse" $!spet!t!on "o%+ete" as S*& &ase No. 92-2 3. B$e sa!" pet!t!on sou'$t to annu( t$epro%(amat!on o# pr!vate respon"ent as Governor-e(e%t o# t$e *rov!n%e o# Sorso'on.

*et!t!oner /as t$e o##!%!a( %an"!"ate o# t$e <aban n' )emo+rat!+on' *!(!p!no =<)*> #or t$epos!t!on o# 'overnor o# t$e *rov!n%e o# Sorso'on !n t$e May 1992 e(e%t!ons. *r!vaterespon"ent /as t$e o##!%!a( %an"!"ate o# t$e <a+as-Nat!ona( n!on o# &$r!st!an )emo%rats=<a+as-N &)> #or t$e same pos!t!on.

*r!vate respon"ent /as pro%(a!me" /!nner on May 22, 1992.

On ?une 1, pet!t!oner #!(e" a pet!t!on /!t$ t$e &OME<E& to annu( t$e pro%(amat!on o# pr!vaterespon"ent as Governor-e(e%t o# t$e *rov!n%e o# Sorso'on on t$e 'roun"s: =1> t$at t$epro%ee"!n's an" %ompos!t!on o# t$e *rov!n%!a( 4oar" o# &anvassers /ere not !n a%%or"an%e/!t$ (a/@ =2> t$at pr!vate respon"ent !s an a(!en, /$ose 'rant o# *$!(!pp!ne %!t! ens$!p !s be!n'uest!one" by t$e State !n G.R. No. 10 @ an" =3> t$at pr!vate respon"ent !s not a "u(yre'!stere" voter. *et!t!oner #urt$er praye" t$at t$e votes %ase !n #avor o# pr!vate respon"ent be%ons!"ere" as stray votes, an" t$at $e, on t$e bas!s o# t$e rema!n!n' va(!" votes %ast, bepro%(a!me" /!nner.

On ?une 10, t$e &OME<E& !ssue" t$e uest!one" en anc reso(ut!on /$!%$ "!sm!sse" t$epet!t!on #or $av!n' been #!(e" out o# t!me, %!t!n' Se%t!on 19 o# R.7. No. 1 . Sa!" se%t!on

prov!"es t$at t$e per!o" to appea( a ru(!n' o# t$e boar" o# %anvassers on uest!ons a##e%t!n'!ts %ompos!t!on or pro%ee"!n's /as t$ree "ays.

n t$!s pet!t!on, pet!t!oner ar'ues t$at t$e &OME<E& a%te" /!t$ 'rave abuse o# "!s%ret!on/$en !t !'nore" t$e #un"amenta( !ssue o# pr!vate respon"entKs "!s ua(!#!%at!on !n t$e 'u!se o# te%$n!%a(!ty.

*et!t!oner %(a!ms t$at t$e !n%(us!on o# pr!vate respon"entKs name !n t$e (!st o# re'!stere" voters!n Sta. Ma'"a(ena, Sorso'on /as !nva(!" be%ause at t$e t!me $e re'!stere" as a voter !n19 , $e /as as 7mer!%an %!t! en.



*et!t!oner #urt$er %(a!ms t$at t$e 'rant o# F!(!p!no %!t! ens$!p to pr!vate respon"ent !s not yet%on%(us!ve be%ause t$e %ase !s st!(( on appea( be#ore us.

*et!t!oner prays #or: =1> t$e annu(ment o# pr!vate respon"entKs pro%(amat!on as Governor o# t$e *rov!n%e o# Sorso'on@ =2> t$e "e(et!on o# pr!vate respon"entKs name #rom t$e (!st o# %an"!"ates #or t$e pos!t!on o# 'overnor@ =3> t$e pro%(amat!on o# t$e 'overnor-e(e%t base" ont$e rema!n!n' votes, a#ter t$e e %(us!on o# t$e votes #or pr!vate respon"ent@ = > t$e !ssuan%e

o# a temporary restra!n!n' or"er to en o!n pr!vate respon"ent #rom ta+!n' $!s oat$ an"assum!n' o##!%e@ an" = > t$e !ssuan%e o# a /r!t o# %anda%us to %ompe( t$e &OME<E& toreso(ve t$e pen"!n' "!s ua(!#!%at!on %ase "o%+ete" as S*7 &ase No. 92-01 , a'a!nst pr!vaterespon"ent.

G.R. No. 10 3

B$!s !s a pet!t!on #or %anda%us un"er Ru(e o# t$e Rev!se" Ru(es o# &ourt !n re(at!on toSe%t!on =2> o# 7rt!%(e I o# t$e &onst!tut!on, /!t$ prayer #or temporary restra!n!n' or"er. B$epart!es $ere!n are !"ent!%a( /!t$ t$e part!es !n G.R. No. 10 1 .

n substan%e, pet!t!oner prays #or t$e &OME<E&Ks !mme"!ate reso(ut!on o# S*7 &ase No. 92-01 , /$!%$ !s a pet!t!on #or t$e %an%e((at!on o# pr!vate respon"entKs %ert!#!%ate o# %an"!"a%y#!(e" on Mar%$ 23, 1992 by Lu!ter!o A. Aermo, t$e !ntervenor !n G.R. No. 10 = Rollo , p.1 >.

B$e pet!t!on #or %an%e((at!on a((e'e": =1> t$at pr!vate respon"ent !s an 7mer!%an %!t! en, an"t$ere#ore !ne(!'!b(e to run as %an"!"ate #or t$e pos!t!on o# 'overnor o# t$e *rov!n%e o# Sorso'on@ =2> t$at t$e tr!a( %ourtKs "e%!s!onre-a"m!tt!n' pr!vate respon"ent as a F!(!p!no %!t! en /as #rau'$t /!t$ (e'a( !n#!rm!t!es ren"er!n'!t nu(( an" vo!"@ =3> t$at assum!n' t$e "e%!s!on to be va(!", pr!vate respon"entKs oat$ o# a((e'!an%e, /$!%$ /as ta+en on t$e same "ay t$e uest!one" "e%!s!on /as promu('ate",v!o(ate" Repub(!% 7%t No. 30, /$!%$ prov!"es #or a t/o-year /a!t!n' per!o" be#ore t$e oat$ o# a((e'!an%e %an be ta+en by t$e app(!%ant@ an" = > t$at t$e $ear!n' o# t$e pet!t!on on February

2 , 1992, /as $e(" (ess t$an #our mont$s #rom t$e "ate o# t$e (ast pub(!%at!on o# t$e or"er an"pet!t!on. B$e pet!t!on praye" #or t$e %an%e((at!on o# pr!vate respon"entKs %ert!#!%ate o# %an"!"a%y an" t$e "e(et!on o# $!s name #rom t$e (!st o# re'!stere" voters !n Sta. Ma'"a(ena,Sorso'on.

n $!s ans/er to t$e pet!t!on #or %an%e((at!on, pr!vate respon"ent "en!e" t$e a((e'at!ons t$ere!nan" averre": =1> t$at Lu!ter!o A. Aermo, not be!n' a %an"!"ate #or t$e same o##!%e #or /$!%$pr!vate respon"ent /as asp!r!n', $a" no stan"!n' to #!(e t$e pet!t!on@ =2> t$at t$e "e%!s!on re-a"m!tt!n' $!m to *$!(!pp!ne %!t! ens$!p /as presume" to be va(!"@ an" =3> t$at no %ase $a"been #!(e" to e %(u"e $!s name as a re'!stere" voter.

Rau( R. <ee !ntervene" !n t$e pet!t!on #or %an%e((at!on o# pr!vate respon"entKs %ert!#!%ate o# %an"!"a%y =Rollo , p. 3 .>.

On May 13, 1992, sa!" !ntervenor ur'e" t$e &OME<E& to "e%!"e t$e pet!t!on #or %an%e((at!on,%!t!n' Se%t!on o# t$e Omn!bus E(e%t!on &o"e, /$!%$ prov!"es t$at a(( pet!t!ons on matters!nvo(v!n' t$e %an%e((at!on o# a %ert!#!%ate o# %an"!"a%y must be "e%!"e" Jnot (ater t$an #!#teen"ays be#ore e(e%t!on,J an" t$e %ase o# *lonto &. 'o%%ission on lection , 22 S&R7 =19 >, /$!%$ ru(e" t$at a(( pre-pro%(amat!on %ontrovers!es s$ou(" be summar!(y "e%!"e"=Rollo ,p. 0>.

B$e &OME<E& %on%e"es t$at pr!vate respon"ent $as not yet rea% u!re" $!s F!(!p!no



%!t! ens$!p be%ause t$e "e%!s!on 'rant!n' $!m t$e same !s not yet #!na( an" e e%utory = Rollo ,p. 3>. Ao/ever, !t subm!ts t$at t$e !ssue o# "!s ua(!#!%at!on o# a %an"!"ate !s not amon' t$e'roun"s a((o/e" !n apre-pro%(amat!on %ontroversy, (!+e S*& &ase No. 92-2 3. Moreover, t$e sa!" pet!t!on /as#!(e" out o# t!me.

B$e &OME<E& %onten"s t$at t$e preparat!on #or t$e e(e%t!ons o%%up!e" mu%$ o# !ts t!me,

t$us !ts #a!(ure to !mme"!ate(y reso(ve S*7 &ase No. 92-01 . t ar'ues t$at un"er Se%t!on o# Ru(e 2 o# t$e &OME<E& Ru(es o# *ro%e"ure, !t !s e %use" #rom "e%!"!n' a "!s ua(!#!%at!on%ase /!t$!n t$e per!o" prov!"e" by (a/ #or reasons beyon" !ts %ontro(. t a(so assume" t$at t$esame a%t!on /as subse uent(y aban"one" by pet!t!oner /$en $e #!(e" be#ore !t a pet!t!on #or quo warranto "o%+ete" as E*& No. 92-3 . B$e quo warranto pro%ee"!n's sou'$t pr!vaterespon"entKs "!s ua(!#!%at!on be%ause o# $!s 7mer!%an %!t! ens$!p.

G.R. No. 10

;e s$a(( #!rst reso(ve t$e !ssue %on%ern!n' pr!vate respon"entKs %!t! ens$!p.

n $!s %omment to t$e StateKs appea( o# t$e "e%!s!on 'rant!n' $!m *$!(!pp!ne %!t! ens$!p !nG.R. No. 10 , pr!vate respon"ent a((e'es t$at t$e pre%ar!ous po(!t!%a( atmosp$ere !n t$e%ountry "ur!n' Mart!a( <a/ %ompe((e" $!m to see+ po(!t!%a( asy(um !n t$e n!te" States, an"eventua((y to renoun%e $!s *$!(!pp!ne %!t! ens$!p.

Ae %(a!ms t$at $!s pet!t!on #or natura(! at!on /as $!s on(y ava!(ab(e reme"y #or $!s rea% u!s!t!ono# *$!(!pp!ne %!t! ens$!p. Ae tr!e" to rea% u!re $!s *$!(!pp!ne %!t! ens$!p t$rou'$ repatr!at!onan" "!re%t a%t o# &on'ress. Ao/ever, $e /as (ater !n#orme" t$at repatr!at!on pro%ee"!n's/ere (!m!te" to army "eserters or F!(!p!no /omen /$o $a" (ost t$e!r %!t! ens$!p by reason o# t$e!r marr!a'e to #ore!'ners = Rollo , pp. 9- 0>. A!s re uest to &on'ress #or sponsors$!p o# ab!(( a((o/!n' $!m to rea% u!re $!s *$!(!pp!ne %!t! ens$!p #a!(e" to mater!a(! e, not/!t$stan"!n't$e en"orsement o# severa( members o# t$e Aouse o# Representat!ves !n $!s #avor = Rollo , p.1>. Ae attr!bute" t$!s to t$e maneuvers o# $!s po(!t!%a( r!va(s.Ae a(so %(a!ms t$at t$e re-s%$e"u(!n' o# t$e $ear!n' o# t$e pet!t!on to an ear(!er "ate, /!t$outpub(!%at!on, /as ma"e /!t$out ob e%t!on #rom t$e O##!%e o# t$e So(!%!tor Genera(. Ae ma+esment!on t$at on t$e "ate o# t$e $ear!n', t$e %ourt /as am-pa%+e".

t !s pr!vate respon"entKs posture t$at t$ere /as substant!a( %omp(!an%e /!t$ t$e (a/ an" t$att$e pub(!% /as /e((-!n#orme" o# $!s pet!t!on #or natura(! at!on "ue to t$e pub(!%!ty '!ven by t$eme"!a.

7nent t$e !ssue o# t$e man"atory t/o-year /a!t!n' per!o" pr!or to t$e ta+!n' o# t$e oat$ o# a((e'!an%e, pr!vate respon"ent t$eor! es t$at t$e rationale o# t$e (a/ !mpos!n' t$e /a!t!n'per!o" !s to 'rant t$e pub(!% an opportun!ty to !nvest!'ate t$e ba%+'roun" o# t$e app(!%ant an"to oppose t$e 'rant o# *$!(!pp!ne %!t! ens$!p !# t$ere !s bas!s to "o so. n $!s %ase, pr!vaterespon"ent a((e'es t$at su%$ re u!rement may be "!spense" /!t$, %(a!m!n' t$at $!s (!#e, bot$pr!vate an" pub(!%, /as /e((-+no/n. *r!vate respon"ent %!tes $!s a%$!evement as a #ree"om#!'$ter an" a #ormer Governor o# t$e *rov!n%e o# Sorso'on #or s! terms.

B$e appea( o# t$e So(!%!tor Genera( !n be$a(# o# t$e Repub(!% o# t$e *$!(!pp!nes !s mer!tor!ous.B$e natura(! at!on pro%ee"!n's !n S* *ro%. No. 91- /as #u(( o# pro%e"ura( #(a/s,ren"er!n' t$e "e%!s!on an anoma(y.

*r!vate respon"ent, $av!n' opte" to rea% u!re *$!(!pp!ne %!t! ens$!p t$ru natura(! at!on un"er



t$e Rev!se" Natura(! at!on <a/, !s "uty boun" to #o((o/ t$e pro%e"ure pres%r!be" by t$e sa!"(a/. t !s not #or an app(!%ant to "e%!"e #or $!mse(# an" to se(e%t t$e re u!rements /$!%$ $ebe(!eves, even s!n%ere(y, are app(!%ab(e to $!s %ase an" "!s%ar" t$ose /$!%$ be be(!eves are!n%onven!ent or mere(y o# nu!san%e va(ue. B$e (a/ "oes not "!st!n'u!s$ bet/een an app(!%ant/$o /as #ormer(y a F!(!p!no %!t! en an" one /$o /as never su%$ a %!t! en. t "oes not prov!"ea spe%!a( pro%e"ure #or t$e rea% u!s!t!on o# *$!(!pp!ne %!t! ens$!p by #ormer F!(!p!no %!t! ens

a+!n to t$e repatr!at!on o# a /oman /$o $a" (ost $er *$!(!pp!ne %!t! ens$!p by reason o# $er marr!a'e to an a(!en.

B$e tr!a( %ourt never a% u!re" ur!s"!%t!on to $ear t$e pet!t!on #or natura(! at!on o# pr!vaterespon"ent. B$e pro%ee"!n's %on"u%te", t$e "e%!s!on ren"ere" an" t$e oat$ o# a((e'!an%eta+en t$ere!n, are nu(( an" vo!" #or #a!(ure to %omp(y /!t$ t$e pub(!%at!on an" post!n're u!rements un"er t$e Rev!se" Natura(! at!on <a/.

n"er Se%t!on 9 o# t$e sa!" (a/, bot$ t$e pet!t!on #or natura(! at!on an" t$e or"er sett!n' !t #or $ear!n' must be pub(!s$e" on%e a /ee+ #or t$ree %onse%ut!ve /ee+s !n t$e O##!%!a( Ga ettean" a ne/spaper o# 'enera( %!r%u(at!on respon"ent %!tes $!s a%$!evements as a #ree"om#!'$ter an" a #ormer Governor o# t$e *rov!n%e o# Sorso'on #or s! terms.

B$e appea( o# t$e So(!%!tor Genera( !n be$a(# o# t$e Repub(!% o# t$e *$!(!pp!nes !s mer!tor!ous. B$e natura(! at!on pro%ee"!n's !n S* *ro%.No. 91- /as #u(( o# pro%e"ura( #(a/s, ren"er!n' t$e "e%!s!on an anoma(y.

*r!vate respon"ent, $av!n' opte" to rea% u!re *$!(!pp!ne %!t! ens$!p t$ru natura(! at!on un"er t$e Rev!se" Natura(! at!on <a/, !s "uty boun" to #o((o/ t$e pro%e"ure pres%r!be" by t$e sa!"(a/. t !s not #or an app(!%ant to "e%!"e #or $!mse(# an" to se(e%t t$e re u!rements /$!%$ $ebe(!eves, even s!n%ere(y, are app(!%ab(e to $!s %ase an" "!s%ar" t$ose /$!%$ $e be(!eves are!n%onven!ent or mere(y o# nu!san%e va(ue. B$e (a/ "oes not "!st!n'u!s$ bet/een an app(!%ant/$o /as #ormer(y a F!(!p!no %!t! en an" one /$o /as never su%$ a %!t! en. t "oes not prov!"ea spe%!a( pro%e"ure #or t$e rea% u!s!t!on o# *$!(!pp!ne %!t! ens$!p by #ormer F!(!p!no %!t! ensa+!n to t$e repatr!at!on o# a /oman /$o $a" (ost $er *$!(!pp!ne %!t! ens$!p by reason o# $er marr!a'e to an a(!en.B$e tr!a( %ourt never a% u!re" ur!s"!%t!on to $ear t$e pet!t!on #or natura(! at!on o# pr!vaterespon"ent. B$e pro%ee"!n's %on"u%te", t$e "e%!s!on ren"ere" an" t$e oat$ o# a((e'!an%eta+en t$ere!n, are nu(( an" vo!" #or #a!(ure to %omp(y /!t$ t$e pub(!%at!on an" post!n're u!rements un"er t$e Rev!se" Natura(! at!on <a/.

n"er Se%t!on 9 o# t$e sa!" (a/, bot$ t$e pet!t!on #or natura(! at!on an" t$e or"er sett!n' !t #or $ear!n' must be pub(!s$e" on%e a /ee+ #or t$ree %onse%ut!ve /ee+s !n t$e O##!%!a( Ga ettean" a ne/spaper o# 'enera( %!r%u(at!on. &omp(!an%e t$ere/!t$ !s ur!s"!%t!ona( =*o ! 4o v.Repub(!%, 20 S&R7 00 519926>. Moreover, t$e pub(!%at!on an" post!n' o# t$e pet!t!on an" t$eor"er must be !n !ts #u(( test #or t$e %ourt to a% u!re ur!s"!%t!on =Sy v. Repub(!%, S&R7 2

519 6>.B$e pet!t!on #or natura(! at!on (a%+s severa( a((e'at!ons re u!re" by Se%t!ons 2 an" o# t$eRev!se" Natura(! at!on <a/, part!%u(ar(y: =1> t$at t$e pet!t!oner !s o# 'oo" mora( %$ara%ter@ =2>t$at $e res!"e" %ont!nuous(y !n t$e *$!(!pp!nes #or at (east ten years@ =3> t$at $e !s ab(e tospea+ an" /r!te En'(!s$ an" any one o# t$e pr!n%!pa( "!a(e%ts@ = > t$at $e /!(( res!"e%ont!nuous(y !n t$e *$!(!pp!nes #rom t$e "ate o# t$e #!(!n' o# t$e pet!t!on unt!( $!s a"m!ss!on to*$!(!pp!ne %!t! ens$!p@ an" = > t$at $e $as #!(e" a "e%(arat!on o# !ntent!on or !# $e !s e %use"#rom sa!" #!(!n', t$e ust!#!%at!on t$ere#or.



B$e absen%e o# su%$ a((e'at!ons !s #ata( to t$e pet!t!on =*o ! 4! v. Repub(!%, 20 S&R7 00519926>.

<!+e/!se, t$e pet!t!on !s not supporte" by t$e a##!"av!t o# at (east t/o %re"!b(e persons /$ovou%$e" #or t$e 'oo" mora( %$ara%ter o# pr!vate respon"ent as re u!re" by Se%t!on o# t$eRev!se" Natura(! at!on <a/. *r!vate respon"ent a(so #a!(e" to atta%$ a %opy o# $!s %ert!#!%ate o# arr!va( to t$e pet!t!on as re u!re" by Se%t!on o# t$e sa!" (a/.

B$e pro%ee"!n's o# t$e tr!a( %ourt /as marre" by t$e #o((o/!n' !rre'u(ar!t!es: =1> t$e $ear!n' o# t$e pet!t!on /as set a$ea" o# t$e s%$e"u(e" "ate o# $ear!n', /!t$out a pub(!%at!on o# t$e or"er a"van%!n' t$e "ate o# $ear!n', an" t$e pet!t!on !tse(#@ =2> t$e pet!t!on /as $ear" /!t$!n s!mont$s #rom t$e (ast pub(!%at!on o# t$e pet!t!on@ =3> pet!t!oner /as a((o/e" to ta+e $!s oat$ o# a((e'!an%e be#ore t$e #!na(!ty o# t$e u"'ment@ an" = > pet!t!oner too+ $!s oat$ o# a((e'!an%e/!t$out observ!n' t$e t/o-year /a!t!n' per!o".

7 "e%!s!on !n a pet!t!on #or natura(! at!on be%omes #!na( on(y a#ter 30 "ays #rom !tspromu('at!on an", !nso#ar as t$e So(!%!tor Genera( !s %on%erne", t$at per!o" !s %ounte" #romt$e "ate o# $!s re%e!pt o# t$e %opy o# t$e "e%!s!on =Repub(!% v. &ourt o# F!rst nstan%e o# 7(bay,0 S&R7 19 519 6>.

Se%t!on 1 o# R.7. No. 30 prov!"es t$at no "e%!s!on 'rant!n' %!t! ens$!p !n natura(! at!onpro%ee"!n's s$a(( be e e%utory unt!( a#ter t/o years #rom !ts promu('at!on !n or"er to be ab(eto observe !#: =1> t$e app(!%ant $as (e#t t$e %ountry@ =2> t$e app(!%ant $as "e"!%ate" $!mse(# %ont!nuous(y to a (a/#u( %a((!n' or pro#ess!on@ =3> t$e app(!%ant $as not been %onv!%te" o# anyo##ense or v!o(at!on o# 'overnment promu('ate" ru(es@ an" = > t$e app(!%ant $as %omm!tte"any a%t pre u"!%!a( to t$e !nterest o# t$e %ountry or %ontrary to 'overnment announ%e" po(!%!es.

Even "!s%ount!n' t$e prov!s!ons o# R.7. No. 30, t$e %ourts %annot !mp(ement any "e%!s!on'rant!n' t$e pet!t!on #or natura(! at!on be#ore !ts #!na(!ty.

G.R. No. 10 1

n v!e/ o# t$e #!n"!n' !n G.R. No. 10 t$at pr!vate respon"ent !s not yet a F!(!p!no %!t! en,/e $ave to 'rant t$e pet!t!on !n G.R. No. 10 1 a#ter treat!n' !t as a pet!t!on #or certiorari !nstea" o# a pet!t!on #or %anda%us . Sa!" pet!t!on assa!(s t$e en anc reso(ut!on o# t$e&OME<E&, "!sm!ss!n' S*& &ase No. 92-2 3, /$!%$ !n turn !s a pet!t!on to annu( pr!vaterespon"entKs pro%(amat!on on t$ree 'roun"s: 1> t$at t$e pro%ee"!n's an" %ompos!t!on o# t$e*rov!n%!a( 4oar" o# &anvassers /ere not !n a%%or"an%e /!t$ (a/@ 2> t$at pr!vate respon"ent !san a(!en, /$ose 'rant o# F!(!p!no %!t! ens$!p !s be!n' uest!one" by t$e State !n G.R. No.10 @ an" 3> t$at pr!vate respon"ent !s not a "u(y re'!stere" voter. B$e &OME<E&"!sm!sse" t$e pet!t!on on t$e 'roun"s t$at !t /as #!(e" outs!"e t$e t$ree-"ay per!o" #or uest!on!n' t$e pro%ee"!n'san" %ompos!t!on o# t$e *rov!n%!a( 4oar" o# &anvassers un"er Se%t!on 19 o# R.7. No. 1 .

B$e &OME<E& #a!(e" to reso(ve t$e more ser!ous !ssue t$e "!s ua(!#!%at!on o# pr!vaterespon"ent to be pro%(a!me" Governor on 'roun"s o# (a%+ o# F!(!p!no %!t! ens$!p. n t$!saspe%t, t$e pet!t!on !s one #or quo warranto . n #ri&aldo &. 'o%%ission on lections , 1S&R7 2 =19 9>, /e $e(" t$at a pet!t!on #or quo warranto , uest!on!n' t$e respon"entKs t!t(ean" see+!n' to prevent $!m #rom $o("!n' o##!%e as Governor #or a(!ena'e, !s not %overe" by t$eten-"ay per!o" #or appea( pres%r!be" !n Se%t!on 2 3 o# t$e Omn!bus E(e%t!on &o"e.Furt$ermore, /e e p(a!ne" t$at J ua(!#!%at!ons #or pub(!% o##!%e are %ont!nu!n' re u!rementsan" must be possesse" not on(y at t$e t!me o# appo!ntment or e(e%t!on or assumpt!on o# o##!%ebut "ur!n' t$e o##!%erKs ent!re tenure@ on%e any o# t$e re u!re" ua(!#!%at!on !s (ost, $!s t!t(e may



be seasonab(y %$a((en'e".J

*et!t!onerKs ar'ument, t$at to unseat $!m /!(( #rustrate t$e /!(( o# t$e e(e%torate, !s untenab(e.4ot$ t$e <o%a( Government &o"e an" t$e &onst!tut!on re u!re t$at on(y F!(!p!no %!t! ens %anrun an" be e(e%te" to pub(!% o##!%e. ;e %an on(y surm!se t$at t$e e(e%torate, at t$e t!me t$eyvote" #or pr!vate respon"ent, /as o# t$e m!sta+en be(!e# t$at $e $a" (e'a((y rea% u!re" F!(!p!no%!t! ens$!p.

*et!t!oner !n G.R. No. 10 1 , prays t$at t$e votes %ast !n #avor o# pr!vate respon"ent be%ons!"ere" stray an" t$at $e, be!n' t$e %an"!"ate obta!n!n' t$e se%on" $!'$est number o# votes, be "e%(are" /!nner. n $a o+ Jr. &. ',- $ ' , 1 S&R7 1 =19 9>, /e ru(e" t$at/$ere t$e %an"!"ate /$o obta!ne" t$e $!'$est number o# votes !s (ater "e%(are" to be"!s ua(!#!e" to $o(" t$e o##!%e to /$!%$ $e /as e(e%te", t$e %an"!"ate /$o 'arnere" t$ese%on" $!'$est number o# votes !s not ent!t(e" to be "e%(are" /!nner =See a(so Geron!mo v.Ramos, 13 S&R7 3 519 6@ Bopa%!o v. *are"es, 23 *$!(. 23 519126>.

G.R. No. 10 3

n v!e/ o# t$e "!s%uss!ons o# G.R. No. 10 an" G.R. No. 10 1 , /e #!n" t$e pet!t!on !nG.R. No. 10 3 moot an" a%a"em!%.

;AEREFORE, t$e pet!t!ons !n G.R. No. 10 an" G.R. No. 10 1 are bot$ GR7NBE)/$!(e t$e pet!t!on !n G.R. No. 10 3 !s ) SM SSE). *r!vate respon"ent !s "e%(are" NOB a%!t! en o# t$e *$!(!pp!nes an" t$ere#ore ) SL 7< F E) #rom %ont!nu!n' to serve asGOIERNOR o# t$e *rov!n%e o# Sorso'on. Ae !s or"ere" to I7&7BE $!s o##!%e an" toS RREN)ER t$e same to t$e I!%e-Governor o# t$e *rov!n%e o# Sorso'on on%e t$!s "e%!s!onbe%omes #!na( an" e e%utory. No pronoun%ement as to %osts.

SO OR)ERE).

G.R. N!s. -33-10)14 N!'e;<er /7, /773ABDUSA=UR M. TAN and BASARON BURAHAN, *et!t!oners,

vs.COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, THE PRO9INCIAL BOARD O8 CAN9ASSERS O8 SULU,THE MUNICIPAL BOARDS O8 CAN9ASSERS O8 MAIMBUNG, LUU=, TONG=IL,PANAMAO, ALL PRO9INCE O8 SULU, BENJAMIN LOONG and NUR)ANA SAHIDULLA,Respon"ents.

-------------------------------------------------

G.R. N!. -3356- N!'e;<er /7, /773BENJAMIN T. LOONG,*et!t!oner,vs.COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS >8&rst D&'&s&!n? and YUSOP H. JI=IRI, Respon"ents.

) E & S O N

9ELASCO, JR., J.:

;e $ave #oun" !t ne%essary to re'u(ate (!berty@ so /e #!n" !t ne%essary to re'u(ate%ompet!t!on. 1

#ormer .S. Supreme &ourt ?ust!%e <ou!s )emb!t 4ran"e!s

E(e%t!on %ases, !n"ee", J!nvo(ve not on(y t$e a" u"!%at!on o# t$e pr!vate !nterests o# r!va(%an"!"ates, but a(so t$e paramount nee" o# "!spe((!n' t$e un%erta!nty /$!%$ be%(ou"s t$e rea(

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n S*7 No. 0 -339 =Bon'+!(, Su(u>, pet!t!oners subm!tte" t$e a##!"av!ts o# po(( /at%$ers Ba(!bsama, <!n'b!r" Sabta(, usop M!r!$, as!m 7+o(, 7mma" Ma"on, )ayt!n' mam!(, Nonoy B.!""an', N!(son 4a+!(, 4oy Sabta(, Rea'an 4ensa(!, 7('u!ser 7b"u((a, Gam!n' Ba(!b, Mun!r ++an', 7b"ura$!m Sa!r!(, 7(%a#on Ba(!b, Rose#!er Ba(!b, ?u(bas!( Sabta(, )ar/!n <a(!+, Mer!n!saB. 7b"uras!", <!m B!n'+a$an, an" Mu !na G. Ba(!b, 1 over-a(( %oor"!nators o# Bon'+!( mayora(ty%an"!"ate O(um S!ra!(.

7##!ant po(( /at%$er Mer!n!sa B. 7b"uras!" atteste" to ta+!n' seven = > p$oto'rap$s 1

a((e'e"(y s$o/!n' e(e%tora( !rre'u(ar!t!es.

n S*7 No. 0 -3 0 =*anamao, Su(u>, pet!t!oners subm!tte" t$e a##!"av!ts o# po(( /at%$ers 7m!na ). n"u', )!n/a a n"u', S!tt! 7! a n"u', 7m!na n"u', n"a$ Baas n"u',Fa" rama 7u+asa, Moreno 7" an!, Nur$a!"a S. n"u', Nur a!na S. 7buba+ar, an" 7(t!m!r 7.?u($an!. 1

7##!ant po(( /at%$er 7(t!m!r 7. ?u($an! atteste" to ta+!n' #!ve = > p$oto'rap$s 19 a((e'e"(ys$o/!n' e(e%tora( !rre'u(ar!t!es.

*et!t!oners subm!tte" a""!t!ona( a##!"av!ts an" p$oto'rap$s, part!%u(ar(y t$e a##!"av!ts o#

Ma!mbun', Su(u po(( /at%$ers 7m!n+a"ra 7buba+ar, 7b"u((a 7buba+ar, M$ar Sappar!, Nas!r!n 7(-Na !b, Marv!n Sara !, Nau#a( 7buba+ar, R$!no Gumba$a(!, 4as!+ 7bton, 7b ara A. Mu"a$!, 7yatu((a ?a+ar!a, tta( ba, S!n-s!n 4u+(asan, Mar"!son . 4a+!(!, 7b"urasm!n 7b"ura$man,4!nnar *!ton', Ma$r!# Sum(a$an!, 7(b!nar S. 7saa", !n%(u"!n' t$at o# p$oto ourna(!st 7(#re"?a%!nto-&orra (20 /$o atteste" ta+!n' n!ne =9> p$oto'rap$s 21 s$o/!n' e(e%t!on !rre'u(ar!t!es.

<!+e/!se, a report /as subm!tte" by *$!(!pp!ne 7rmy 1<t. 7rt$ur I. Ge(ot!n, &omman"!n'O##!%er o# 7(p$a &ompany, 3r" n#antry =Matapat> 4N 11), Ban"u$ *aton', Ma!mbun',Su(u, /$!%$ a((e'e"(y s$o/e" mass!ve #a!(ure o# voters to %ast t$e!r ba((ots. 22

Mean/$!(e, t$e &OME<E& Se%on" )!v!s!on, a%t!n' on t$e *et!t!ons #or )e%(arat!on o# Fa!(ureo# E(e%t!ons, !ssue" !ts May 1 , 200 Or"er suspen"!n' t$e pro%(amat!on o# t$e /!nn!n''ubernator!a( %an"!"ate o# Su(u, 23 but (!#te" t$e suspens!on t$ree =3> "ays (ater. n t$e May20, 200 (!#t!n' Or"er, t$e &OME<E& Se%on" )!v!s!on "!re%te" t$e Su(u *4O& to %omp(etet$e %anvass o# votes an" Jto br!n' a(( %anvass "o%uments to Man!(a, an" to pro%(a!m t$e/!nn!n' %an"!"ates #or Governor !n Man!(a.J 2

Even be#ore t$e #!(!n' o# t$e #our = > a#oresa!" pet!t!ons, 7b"usa+ur M. Ban $a" #!(e" #our = >ot$er pet!t!ons, one be#ore t$e Mun!%!pa( 4oar" o# &anvassers o# *aran', Su(u #or t$ee %(us!on o# e(e%t!on returns #rom severa( pre%!n%ts "o%+ete" as S*7 No. 0 -13 , an" t$eot$er t$ree be#ore t$e *rov!n%!a( 4oar" o# &anvassers o# Su(u to e %(u"e %ert!#!%ates o# %anvass #rom <uu+, *anamao, an" *aran' "o%+ete" as S*7 Nos. 0 -1 3, 0 -1 an" 0 -1 , respe%t!ve(y. 7(( t$ese pet!t!ons /ere "!sm!sse" by t$e 4oar"s %on%erne", prompt!n'

pet!t!oner Ban to #!(e an appea( /!t$ t$e &OME<E& F!rst )!v!s!on /$!%$ !ssue" an Or"er 2

onMay 2 , 200 "!re%t!n' t$e %on%erne" boar"s o# %anvassers to suspen" t$e!r pro%ee"!n'san" to re#ra!n #rom pro%(a!m!n' any /!nn!n' %an"!"ate.

Ao/ever, on t$e same "ay t$at t$e &OME<E& F!rst )!v!s!on !ssue" t$e sa!" Or"er, pr!vaterespon"ent 4en am!n <oon' /as pro%(a!me" t$e /!nn!n' 'overnor o# Su(u an" $e assume"o##!%e. B$!s prompte" pet!t!oner Ban to #!(e a *et!t!on #or 7nnu(ment o# t$e *ro%(amat!on /!t$t$e &OME<E& F!rst )!v!s!on, "o%+ete" as S*7 No. 0 -20 .

On ?une 21, 200 , t$e &OME<E& F!rst )!v!s!on !ssue" an Or"er 2 /$!%$ 'rante" t$e pet!t!on




























200 or 3 "ays a#ter t$e o!nt reso(ut!on /as !ssue". B$e &omm!ss!oner op!ne" t$at t$ere/as #a!(ure o# e(e%t!ons as t$e voters /ere a((e'e"(y not su##!%!ent(y !n#orme" about t$e%$an'e an" trans#er o# po((!n' p(a%es =%(uster!n' o# pre%!n%ts> approve" 3 by t$e &OME<E&en anc on May 9, 200 or on t$e eve o# t$e May 10, 200 e(e%t!ons. &omm!ss!oner Sa"a!n%!te" assan &. ',- $ ' 3 an" 2asher &. ',- $ ' 3 /$!%$ $e(" t$at !nsu##!%!ent not!%e o# t$e %$an'e o# "ate an" venue "epr!ve" voters o# t$e opportun!ty to part!%!pate !n t$e

e(e%t!ons.B$!s bas!s o# &omm!ss!oner Sa"a!nKs )!ssent!n' Op!n!on, $o/ever, /as not ra!se" by t$epet!t!oners !n t$e!r May 1 , 200 pet!t!ons =#or "e%(arat!on o# #a!(ure o# e(e%t!ons> be#ore t$e&OME<E&.

B$e Sa"a!n )!ssent!n' Op!n!on /as re(ease" on November 23, 200 , an" a %opy o# t$eop!n!on /as serve" on pet!t!onersK %ounse( on November 2 , 200 . *et!t!oners #!(e" t$e !nstantpet!t!on !n G.R. Nos. 1 1 3- on )e%ember 13, 200 , 19 "ays a#ter t$ey re%e!ve" a %opy o# t$e Sa"a!n )!ssent!n' Op!n!on, an" 3 "ays a#ter t$ey re%e!ve" a %opy o# t$e O%tober 1 ,200 ?o!nt Reso(ut!on.

Den&a+ < t#e COMELEC 8&rst D&'&s&!n !" Pet&t&!ner L!!n*@s ;!t&!n t! d&s;&ss &n EPC N!. /771)33

7#ter t$e "!sm!ssa( o# t$e pet!t!ons to "e%(are #a!(ure o# e(e%t!ons on O%tober 1 , 200 an" t$e%onvers!on o# respon"ent ?!+!r!Ks protest ad cautela% to a re'u(ar e(e%t!on protest on O%tober 2 , 200 , pet!t!oner 4en am!n B. <oon' #!(e" on November , 200 $!s 7ns/er /!t$ Mot!on to)!sm!ss an" or /!t$ &ounter *rotest. 3 *et!t!oner <oon' an%$ore" $!s mot!on to "!sm!ss ont$e 'roun" t$at t$e &OME<E& $a" no ur!s"!%t!on to ta+e %o'n! an%e o# an e(e%t!on protest#!(e" out o# t!me.

On )e%ember 1 , 200 , t$e &OME<E& F!rst )!v!s!on !ssue" t$e #!rst assa!(e" Or"er 3

"eny!n' pet!t!oner <oon'Ks mot!on to "!sm!ss, ru(!n' t$at t$e protest /as not #!(e" out o# t!meas t$ere /ere st!(( pen"!n' pre-pro%(amat!on %ases be#ore !t, t$e resu(t o# /$!%$ %ou(" a##e%t<oon'Ks mot!on. t #urt$er $e(" t$at !t "!" not matter t$at t$ese pre-pro%(amat!on %ases /erenot #!(e" by respon"ent ?!+!r! but by anot$er %an"!"ate, 7b"usa+ur M. Ban, as Se%t!on 2 o# t$e Omn!bus E(e%t!on &o"e "oes not re u!re t$at t$e pet!t!on to annu( or suspen" t$epro%(amat!on be #!(e" by t$e protestant. B$us, t$e &OME<E& F!rst )!v!s!on %on%(u"e" t$att$ese pen"!n' pre-pro%(amat!on %ases /ou(" not prevent respon"ent ?!+!r! #rom %onvert!n' $!sprotest ad cautela% !nto a re'u(ar one, an" /$!%$ #a%t /ou(" not pre%(u"e t$e &omm!ss!on#rom "e%!"!n' t$e e(e%t!on protest %ase. 7#ter a((, t$e &OME<E& F!rst )!v!s!on note" t$at pre-pro%(amat!on %ontrovers!es an" e(e%t!on protest %ases $ave "!##erent %auses o# a%t!on, an"t$us, %ou(" pro%ee" !n"epen"ent(y. F!na((y, t$e &OME<E& F!rst )!v!s!on "!re%te" t$e%on%erne" part!es to ta+e t$e appropr!ate steps to a""ress t$e #!nan%!a( an" personne(re u!rements #or t$e protest an" %ounter-protest pro%ee"!n's.

Subse uent(y, pet!t!oner <oon'Ks Mot!on #or Re%ons!"erat!on 39 /as "en!e" t$rou'$ t$ese%on" assa!(e" February , 200 Or"er 0 /$!%$ "!re%te" &OME<E& #!e(" personne( to%omp(y /!t$ t$e "!re%t!ves o# t$e )e%ember 1 , 200 Or"er. Ao/ever, !n a subse uent or"er,t$e &OME<E& F!rst )!v!s!on staye" t$e !mp(ementat!on o# t$ese "!re%t!ves pen"!n' reso(ut!ono# t$e !nstant pet!t!on !n G.R. No. 1 91.

Mean/$!(e, on Mar%$ 1 , 200 , t$e &OME<E& F!rst )!v!s!onKs "!sm!ssa( o# t$e appea( #!(e" bypet!t!oner 7b"usa+ur M. Ban !n S*7 Nos. 0 -1 3, 0 -1 , an" 0 -1 #or t$e e %(us!on o#

















%ert!#!%ates o# %anvass, 1 ren"ere" moot an" a%a"em!% t$e !ssue on t$e annu(ment o# t$epro%(amat!on o# 4en am!n <oon' as 'overnor o# Su(u.

T#e Iss$esn G.R. Nos. 1 1 3- , pet!t!oners Ban an" 4ura$an ra!se t$e #o((o/!n' !ssues #or our%ons!"erat!on:

;$et$er 5or not6 t$e respon"ent &OME<E& %omm!tte" 'rave abuse o# "!s%ret!on amount!n'to (a%+ or e %ess o# ur!s"!%t!on, !n "!sm!ss!n' t$e %onso(!"ate" pet!t!ons "esp!te t$e ev!"entmass!ve "!sen#ran%$!sement o# t$e voters.

;$et$er 5or not6 t$e pro%(amat!on o# t$e respon"ents, a(be!t patentl null and &oid , bars t$e#!(!n' o# t$e !nstant pet!t!ons #or "e%(arat!on o# #a!(ure o# e(e%t!ons. 2

n G.R. No. 1 91, pet!t!oner <oon' s!mu(taneous(y ra!ses t$e #o((o/!n' !ssues be#ore us:

#et#er !r n!t t#e COMELEC #as $r&sd&ct&!n t! enterta&n e+ect!ra+ %r!tests "&+ed<e !nd ten >-7? da s a"ter t#e %r!c+a;at&!n !" t#e res$+ts !" an e+ect&!n "!r a *&'en%r!'&nc&a+ !""&ce.

#et#er !r n!t t#e COMELEC #as $r&sd&ct&!n t! enterta&n s&;$+tane!$s+ %re)%r!c+a;at&!n c!ntr!'ers&es and e+ect!ra+ %r!tests.T#e C!$rt@s R$+&n*

B$e pet!t!ons are bere#t o# mer!t.

G.R. N!s. -33-10)14*re(!m!nary ssue: B!me(!ness o# t$e *et!t!on

*et!t!oners Ban an" 4ura$an ma!nta!n t$at t$e 30-"ay re'(ementary per!o" to #!(e t$e pet!t!on#or %ert!orar! on(y starte" to run on November 2 , 200 , t$e "ay t$ey re%e!ve" a %opy o# t$eNovember 23, 200 )!ssent!n' Op!n!on, /$!%$ %omp(ete" t$e ?o!nt Reso(ut!on. Moreover,

t$ey %onten" t$at t$e assa!(e" O%tober 1 , 200 ?o!nt Reso(ut!on re%e!ve" by pet!t!oners onO%tober 21, 200 /as !n%omp(ete s!n%e t$e so(e )!ssent!n' Op!n!on /as /!t$$e(" an" t$ey%ou(" not !nte((!'ent(y an" reasonab(y #!(e t$e !nstant pet!t!on /!t$out !t.

On t$e ot$er $an", bot$ t$e O##!%e o# t$e So(!%!tor Genera( =OSG> an" pr!vate respon"ent<oon' stron'(y assert t$at t$e !nstant pet!t!on /as #!(e" out o# t!me as t$e start o# t$ere'(ementary per!o" to #!(e t$e appea( must be %ounte" #rom t$e re%e!pt o# t$e O%tober 1 ,200 ?o!nt Reso(ut!on s!n%e !t !s t$e u"'ment an" not t$e Sa"a!n )!ssent!n' Op!n!on be!n'assa!(e". B$ey a(so po!nt out t$at t$e /!t$$e(" )!ssent!n' Op!n!on !s on(y &omm!ss!oner Sa"a!nKs v!e/ an", t$us, ne!t$er !s !t essent!a( to nor "oes !t a##e%t t$e ru(!n' o# t$e &OME<E&en anc .

&onst!tut!on an" Ru(es s!(ent on /$en a )e%!s!on !s &omp(eteBo reso(ve t$e pre(!m!nary pro%e"ura( matter on /$et$er t$e appea( /as #!(e" on t!me, t$e&ourt must #!rst "eterm!ne /$et$er a separate "!ssent!n' op!n!on !n an e(e%t!on %ase be#oret$e &OME<E& !s a part or %omponent o# a reso(ut!on or "e%!s!on.

Se%t!on 13, 7rt!%(e I o# t$e 19 &onst!tut!on prov!"es:

B$e %on%(us!ons o# t$e Supreme &ourt !n any %ase subm!tte" to !t #or "e%!s!on en ban% or !n"!v!s!on s$a(( be reac#ed &n c!ns$+tat&!n <e"!re t#e case &s ass&*ned t! a Me;<er "!r t#er&t&n* !" t#e !%&n&!n !" t#e C!$rt. 7 %ert!#!%at!on to t$!s e##e%t s!'ne" by t$e &$!e# ?ust!%e









or"er or reso(ut!on an" not #rom t$e re%e!pt o# a "!ssent!n' op!n!on !ssue" (ater. n t$e !nstant%ase, t$e "!ssent!n' op!n!on /as subm!tte" an" promu('ate" 3 "ays a#ter t$e assa!(e" o!ntreso(ut!on.

Sect&!ns 0 and 1, R$+e -5 !" COMELEC R$+es!" Pr!ced$re Unc!nst&t$t&!na+n"er t$e &OME<E& Ru(es o# *ro%e"ure t$ere !s an !nstan%e /$en t$e 30-"ay re'(ementaryper!o" to appea( !s re%+one" ot$er t$an t$e "ate o# re%e!pt o# t$e reso(ut!on or "e%!s!on. B$!s!s /$en an e3tended opinion is reser&ed . B$e 30-"ay re'(ementary per!o" starts to run on(yupon t$e re%e!pt by t$e part!es o# t$e reserve" e ten"e" op!n!on re(ease" /!t$!n 1 "ays #romt$e promu('at!on o# t$e reso(ut!on or "e%!s!on. Se%t!ons 3 an" o# Ru(e 1 , &OME<E& Ru(eso# *ro%e"ure prov!"es t$us

Sect&!n 0. ;$en E ten"e" Op!n!on Reserve" .F ;$en !n a '!ven reso(ut!on or "e%!s!on t$e/r!t!n' o# an e ten"e" op!n!on !s reserve", t$e e ten"e" op!n!on s$a(( be re(ease" /!t$!n#!#teen =1 > "ays a#ter t$e promu('at!on o# t$e reso(ut!on.

Sect&!n 1. *er!o" to 7ppea( or F!(e Mot!on #or Re%ons!"erat!on ;$en E ten"e" Op!n!on !sReserve". # an e ten"e" op!n!on !s reserve" !n a "e%!s!on or reso(ut!on, t$e per!o" to #!(e apet!t!on #or %ert!orar! /!t$ t$e Supreme &ourt or to #!(e a mot!on #or re%ons!"erat!on s$a(( be'!nto run on(y #rom t$e "ate t$e a''r!eve" party re%e!ve" a %opy o# t$e e ten"e" op!n!on.=Emp$as!s supp(!e".>

From t$e above- uote" ru(es, !t may be %ons!"ere" t$at t$e "!ssent!n' op!n!on "u(y note" Jto#o((o/J !n t$e o!nt reso(ut!on !s an e ten"e" reserve" op!n!on. 4ut su%$ /onKt serve to $e(ppet!t!onersK pos!t!on. ;$!(e /e are sympat$et!% to t$e pre"!%ament o# pet!t!oners, /e $o/ever "e%(are t$at Se%t!ons 3 an" o# Ru(e 1 , &OME<E& Ru(es o# *ro%e"ure are un%onst!tut!ona(an" must per#or%e be stru%+ "o/n. B$e 19 &onst!tut!on, un"er 7rt!%(e 8-7, Se%t!on an"

7rt!%(e 8-&, Se%t!on 3, 'rants an" aut$or! es t$e &OME<E& to promu('ate !ts o/n ru(es o# pro%e"ures as (on' as such rules concernin pleadin s and practice "o not di%inish+

increase or %odif su stanti&e ri hts @ on t$e ot$er $an", t$!s &ourt $as a ru(e-ma+!n' po/er prov!"e" !n 7rt!%(e I , Se%t!on , para'rap$ = > t$e %onst!tut!ona( prero'at!ve an"aut$or!ty to str!+e "o/n an" "!sapprove rules of procedure of special courts and quasi judicial odies .

B$us, /e e er%!se t$!s po/er an" aut$or!ty !n vo!"!n' Se%t!ons 3 an" o# Ru(e 1 , &OME<E&Ru(es o# *ro%e"ure #or %ontraven!n' 7rt!%(e 8, Se%t!on o# t$e 19 &onst!tut!on /$!%$pert!nent(y prov!"es:

Se%. . n(ess ot$er/!se prov!"e" by t$!s &onst!tut!on or by (a/, any "e%!s!on, or"er, or ru(!n' o# ea%$ &omm!ss!on may be brou'$t to t$e Supreme &ourt on certiorari by t$ea''r!eve" party /!t$!n t#&rt 07 da s "r!; rece&%t !" a c!% t#ere!" =emp$as!s supp(!e">.

B$e above uote" %onst!tut!ona( prov!so %(ear(y pos!ts t$e une u!vo%a( s%enar!o t$at a"e%!s!on, or"er, or ru(!n' !s !ssue" %omp(ete /!t$ separate op!n!ons "u(y !n%orporate" upon !tspromu('at!on. t "oes not env!s!on /$at Se%t!ons 3 an" o# Ru(e 1 prov!"e an un/arrante"e tens!on o# t$e per!o" to #!(e an appea( on %ert!orar!.

4es!"es, str!+!n' "o/n Se%t!ons 3 an" o# Ru(e 1 /!(( obv!ate #uture %on#us!on as to /$ent$e 30-"ay re'(ementary per!o" !s re%+one" an" #oresta(( unne%essary "e(ays !n t$epro%ess!n' an" a" u"!%at!on o# e(e%t!on %ases an" pro%ee"!n's. t /!(( re!n#or%e t$e %orre%t

u"!%!a( pra%t!%e /$!%$ pub(!% respon"ent &OME<E& pra%t!%es o# promu('at!n' a(( separate









op!n!ons to'et$er /!t$ t$e ma or!ty op!n!on. B$us, !n (!ne /!t$ t$!s ru(!n', /e (eave !t torespon"ent &OME<E& to promu('ate a more or"er(y ru(e pursuant to !ts ru(e ma+!n' po/er un"er t$e &onst!tut!on to ensure t$at t$e ma or!ty an" separate op!n!ons are %o((ate" an"appen"e" to'et$er to %onst!tute a %omp(ete "e%!s!on, or"er, or ru(!n' be#ore !t !s promu('ate"by t$e %(er+ o# %ourt an" to "ev!se a pro%e"ure t$at ma+es %erta!n o# t$e prompt subm!ss!ono# t$e reserve" e ten"e" or separate op!n!on /!t$!n a #! e" per!o".

Pet&t&!n "&+ed !$t !" t&;eFore'o!n' %ons!"ere", t$e !nstant pet!t!on /as %(ear(y #!(e" out o# t!me. Aav!n' re%e!ve" t$e

o!nt reso(ut!on on O%tober 21, 200 pet!t!oners $a" unt!( November 20, 200 , t$e (ast "ay o# t$e 30-"ay re'(ementary per!o", /!t$!n /$!%$ to #!(e t$e pet!t!on #or %ert!orar!. For #!(!n' t$e!nstant pet!t!on on(y on )e%ember 13, 200 or 23 "ays beyon" t$e 30-"ay re'(ementaryper!o", t$e !nstant pet!t!on must be "!sm!sse" #or be!n' #!(e" out o# t!me.

Separate op!n!ons subm!tte" be#ore promu('at!on

Nonet$e(ess, !t $as to be ma"e %(ear t$at "e%!s!ons, reso(ut!ons or or"ers o# %o((e'!ate %ourtsmust $ave separate %on%urr!n' or "!ssent!n' op!n!ons appen"e" to t$e ma or!ty op!n!onbe#ore t$ese are promu('ate". 7n" !t !s t$e respons!b!(!ty o# t$e %(er+ o# %ourt to ensure t$att$ese separate op!n!ons are subm!tte" /!t$!n t$e re u!re" per!o" so t$at t$e "e%!s!on,reso(ut!on or or"er !s t!me(y promu('ate".

B$ere are t/o =2> sa(!ent reasons /$y t$!s pr!n%!p(e must be #o((o/e", to /!t:

F!rst, bot$ part!es "eserve to +no/ a(( t$e v!e/s o# t$e %o((e'!ate %ourt /$o vote" #or t$ema or!ty an" m!nor!ty op!n!ons an" t$e reasons /$y t$ey vote" !n su%$ manner, espe%!a((y t$e(os!n' party "e%!"!n' to appea( to a $!'$er %ourt.

Se%on", !# t$e separate op!n!ons are not appen"e" to t$e ma!n op!n!on, t$e part!es /!(( $ave"!##!%u(ty un"erstan"!n' t$e "!ssertat!on !n t$e ponencia o# t$e ma or!ty t$at a""resse" t$epo!nts ra!se" an" reasons presente" !n t$e separate op!n!ons, more part!%u(ar(y !n t$e"!ssent!n' op!n!on.

Even !# /e %on%e"e t$at Ban an" 4ura$anKs pet!t!on /as #!(e" on t!me, /e #!n" t$at t$e pet!t!on#a!(e" to estab(!s$ t$at t$e &OME<E& en ban% %omm!tte" 'rave abuse o# "!s%ret!on.

F!rst ssue: No )!sen#ran%$!sement o# IotersGroun" not ra!se" be(o/ %annot be ra!se" on appea(

B$e re%or"s o# t$e %ase #rom t$e &OME<E& s$o/ t$at pet!t!oners "!" not ra!se t$e a((e'e"abrupt %$an'e o# po((!n' p(a%e as an !ssue.

*et!t!oners no/ mo"!#y t$e!r t$eory on appea(. Luot!n' e tens!ve(y &omm!ss!oner Sa"a!nKs)!ssent!n' Op!n!on /$!%$ app(!e" assan an" 2asher , 9 pet!t!oners no/ a((e'e t$at t$esu""en %$an'e !n t$e po((!n' p(a%es "epr!ve" t$e %an"!"ates an" voters o# su##!%!ent not!%e/$!%$ a##or"e" pr!vate respon"ents un"ue a"vanta'e an" enab(e" t$em to en'a'e t$ea((e'e" e(e%t!on !rre'u(ar!t!es to ensure t$e!r v!%tory.

B$e a#orement!one" !ssue !s no/ ra!se" on(y #or t$e #!rst t!me on appea( be#ore t$!s &ourt.Sett(e" !s t$e ru(e t$at !ssues not ra!se" !n t$e pro%ee"!n's be(o/ =&OME<E& en ban%>%annot be ra!se" #or t$e #!rst t!me on appea(. Fa!rness an" "ue pro%ess "!%tate t$at ev!"en%ean" !ssues not presente" be(o/ %annot be ta+en up #or t$e #!rst t!me on appea(. 0

B$us, !n -atu as &. 'o%%ission on lections , 1 /e re!terate" t$!s ru(e, say!n':











B$e ru(e !n appe((ate pro%e"ure !s t$at a #a%tua( uest!on may not be ra!se" #or t$e #!rst t!meon appea(, 2 an" "o%uments #orm!n' no part o# t$e proo#s be#ore t$e appe((ate %ourt /!(( notbe %ons!"ere" !n "!spos!n' o# t$e !ssues o# an a%t!on. 3 B$!s !s true /$et$er t$e "e%!s!one(evate" #or rev!e/ or!'!nate" #rom a re'u(ar %ourt or an a"m!n!strat!ve a'en%y or uas!-

u"!%!a( bo"y, an" /$et$er !t /as ren"ere" !n a %!v!( %ase, a spe%!a( pro%ee"!n', or a%r!m!na( %ase. *!e%emea( presentat!on o# ev!"en%e !s s!mp(y not !n a%%or" /!t$ or"er(y

ust!%e.

Moreover, !n 5da. /e Gual erto &. Go+ 9 /e a(so $e(":

n $a or 'on ress of the 6hilippines &. N$R' , 0 /e $ave ma"e !t %(ear t$at Jto a((o/ #res$!ssues on appea( !s v!o(at!ve o# t$e ru"!ments o# #a!r p(ay, ust!%e an" "ue pro%ess.J 1

<!+e/!se, !n ,rosa &. 'ourt of *ppeals , 2 t$e &ourt "!sa((o/e" !t be%ause J!t /ou(" beo##ens!ve to t$e bas!% ru(e o# #a!r p(ay, ust!%e an" "ue pro%ess !# !t %ons!"ere" 5t$e6 !ssue5s6ra!se" #or t$e #!rst t!me on appea(.J ;e %annot ta+e an oppos!te stan%e !n t$e present %ase.

n#ormat!on on %(uster!n' o# po((!n' p(a%es "u(y"!ssem!nate" to t$e e(e%torate

Even 'rant!n' ar uendo t$at t$e !ssue o# t$e a((e'e" %$an'e an" trans#er o# po((!n' p(a%es/as ra!se" be#ore t$e &OME<E&, !t /ou(" st!(( not ust!#y a "e%(arat!on o# #a!(ure o# e(e%t!on !nt$e sub e%t mun!%!pa(!t!es.

B$e re%or"s su##!%!ent(y s$e" (!'$t on t$!s !ssue an" "!spe( any "oubt as to t$e #a!(ure o# e(e%t!on as a((e'e". t !s apparent t$at t$e May 9, 200 approva( o# t$e %$an'e an" trans#er o# po((!n' p(a%es /$!%$ /as "u(y "!ssem!nate" to t$e part!es, %an"!"ates, an" voters /as amere #orma(!ty to %on#!rm /$at /as a(rea"y set /ay be#ore t$e May 10, 200 e(e%t!ons.

B$e 7pr!( 13, 200 &OME<E& Reso(ut!on No. 9 3 'rante" aut$or!ty to t$e&omm!ss!oners-!n-&$ar'e o# re'!ons to "e%!"e on a(( a"m!n!strat!ve matters not %overe" by

spe%!#!% reso(ut!ons or po(!%!es. B$e %(uster!n' o# pre%!n%ts !n Su(u *rov!n%e /as ana"m!n!strat!ve matter t$at &OME<E& &omm!ss!oner Manue( 7. 4ar%e(ona, &omm!ss!oner-!n-&$ar'e o# Re'!on 8, approve" an" %ause" to be "!ssem!nate" t$rou'$ &OME<E& Re'!ona()!re%tor o# Re'!on 8, Ae(en G. 7'u!(a-F(ores, !n %on un%t!on /!t$ t$e 7F* an" E(e%t!onO##!%ers. &onse uent(y, t$e %on%erne" po(!t!%a( part!es, %an"!"ates, an" re'!stere" voters o# Su(u *rov!n%e $a" su##!%!ent t!me to be !n#orme" about t$e (o%at!on o# t$e po((!n' p(a%es an"t$e %(uster!n' o# pre%!n%ts be#ore t$e May 10, 200 e(e%t!ons.

*ursuant to &OME<E& Reso(ut!on No. 9 o# 7pr!( 13, 200 , &omm!ss!oner 4ar%e(onasubm!tte" #or %on#!rmat!on to t$e &OME<E& en anc $!s memoran"um on t$e approva( o# %(uster!n' o# pre%!n%ts !n Su(u *rov!n%e. &onse uent(y, &OME<E& Reso(ut!on No. 932/as !ssue" on May 9, 200 %on#!rm!n' &omm!ss!oner 4ar%e(onaKs pr!or approva( o# t$e%(uster!n' o# pre%!n%ts. &ontrary to &omm!ss!oner Sa"a!nKs )!ssent!n' Op!n!on an" /$atpet!t!oners /ant us to be(!eve, t$ere /as no (a%+ o# amp(e not!%e to pet!t!oners, t$e!r po((/at%$ers an" supporters, an" t$e voters o# t$e sub e%t mun!%!pa(!t!es !n Su(u *rov!n%e aboutt$e %(uster!n' o# pre%!n%ts an" t$e trans#er o# po((!n' %enters be#ore t$e May 10, 200e(e%t!ons. 7s a matter o# #a%t, pet!t!oners $a" t$e!r po(( /at%$ers !n p(a%e, part!%u(ar(y t$ose/$o e e%ute" a##!"av!ts on t$e a((e'e" !rre'u(ar!t!es. B$!s e p(a!ns /$y pet!t!oners avo!"e"ra!s!n' t$!s !ssue !n t$e!r *et!t!ons #or )e%(arat!on o# Fa!(ure o# E(e%t!on be#ore t$e &OME<E&en anc . B$us, pet!t!oners %annot re(y on t$!s ar'ument #or support. S!'n!#!%ant(y,

































&omm!ss!oner Sa"a!n approve" an" s!'ne" &OME<E& Reso(ut!on Nos. 9 an" 932.

No #a!(ure o# e(e%t!on

*et!t!oners ar'ue t$at t$ere /as #a!(ure o# e(e%t!ons !n t$e #our = > sub e%t mun!%!pa(!t!es ast$ere /as rea((y no e(e%t!on $e(" be%ause a(( t$e ba((ots !n t$ese mun!%!pa(!t!es /ere #!((e" outby pr!vate respon"entsK re(at!ves an" supporters. B$ey assert t$at t$ere /as mere(y a s$am

e(e%t!on #o((o/e" by a s!m!(ar s$am %anvass!n', an" t$e voters /ere %onse uent(y"!sen#ran%$!se". B$ey stron'(y ma!nta!n t$at t$!s !nstant %ase #a((s /!t$!n t$e #!rst !nstan%eun"er Se%t!on o# t$e Omn!bus E(e%t!on &o"e /$ere a #a!(ure o# e(e%t!on may be "e%(are"by &OME<E&.

;e are not persua"e".

B$e &OME<E& %orre%t(y "!sm!sse" t$e *et!t!ons #or )e%(arat!on o# Fa!(ure o# E(e%t!on s!n%et$e e(e%tora( anoma(!es a((e'e" !n t$e pet!t!ons s$ou(" $ave been ra!se" !n an e(e%t!on protest,not !n a pet!t!on to "e%(are a #a!(ure o# e(e%t!on.

n"er Repub(!% 7%t No. 1 , ot$er/!se +no/n as JB$e Syn%$ron! e" E(e%t!ons <a/ o# 1991,J t$e &OME<E& en anc !s empo/ere" to "e%(are a #a!(ure o# e(e%t!on un"er Se%t!on o# t$e Omn!bus E(e%t!on &o"e. Se%t!on o# t$e &o"e pres%r!bes t$e %on"!t!ons #or t$ee er%!se o# t$!s po/er, t$us:

Se%t!on . Fa!(ure o# E(e%t!on. #, on a%%ount o# force %ajeure , v!o(en%e, terror!sm, #rau" or ot$er ana(o'ous %auses5,6 t$e e(e%t!on !n any po((!n' p(a%e $as not been $e(" on t$e "ate#! e", or $a" been suspen"e" be#ore t$e $our #! e" by (a/ #or %(os!n' o# t$e vot!n', or a#ter t$e vot!n' an" "ur!n' t$e preparat!on an" t$e transm!ss!on o# t$e e(e%t!on returns or !n t$e%usto"y or %anvass t$ereo#, su%$ e(e%t!on resu(ts !n a #a!(ure to e(e%t, an" !n any o# su%$ %asest$e #a!(ure or suspens!on o# e(e%t!on /ou(" a##e%t t$e resu(t o# t$e e(e%t!on, t$e &omm!ss!ons$a((, on t$e bas!s o# a ver!#!e" pet!t!on by any !ntereste" party an" a#ter "ue not!%e an"$ear!n', %a(( #or t$e $o("!n' or %ont!nuat!on o# t$e e(e%t!on not $e(", suspen"e" or /$!%$

resu(te" !n a #a!(ure to e(e%t on a "ate reasonab(y %(ose to t$e "ate o# t$e e(e%t!on not $e(",suspen"e" or /$!%$ resu(te" !n a #a!(ure to e(e%t but not (ater t$an t$!rty "ays a#ter t$e%essat!on o# t$e %ause o# su%$ postponement or suspens!on o# t$e e(e%t!on or #a!(ure to e(e%t.

From t$e above-%!te" prov!so, t$ree =3> !nstan%es ust!#y t$e "e%(arat!on o# #a!(ure o# e(e%t!on,to /!t:

=a> t$e election in an pollin place has not een held on t$e "ate #! e" on a%%ount o# force %ajeure , v!o(en%e, terror!sm, #rau", or ot$er ana(o'ous %auses@

=b> t$e election in an pollin place had een suspended be#ore t$e $our #! e" by (a/#or t$e %(os!n' o# t$e vot!n' on a%%ount o# force %ajeure , v!o(en%e, terror!sm, #rau", or ot$er ana(o'ous %auses@ or

=%> a#ter t$e vot!n' an" "ur!n' t$e preparat!on an" transm!ss!on o# t$e e(e%t!on returnsor !n t$e %usto"y or %anvass t$ereo#, su%$ e(e%t!on results in a failure to elect ona%%ount o#force %ajeure , v!o(en%e, terror!sm, #rau", or ot$er ana(o'ous %auses. 9

n t$ese t$ree =3> !nstan%es, t$ere must be a resu(t!n' #a!(ure to e(e%t. 7s state" !n 4ana'a, ?r.v. &omm!ss!on on E(e%t!ons, Jt$!s !s obv!ous !n t$e #!rst t/o s%enar!os, /$ere t$e e(e%t!on /asnot $e(" an" /$ere t$e e(e%t!on /as suspen"e".J 0 7s to t$e t$!r" s%enar!o, /$ere t$epreparat!on an" t$e transm!ss!on o# t$e e(e%t!on returns '!ve r!se to t$e %onse uen%e o# #a!(ure to e(e%t must, as ment!one" ear(!er, be !nterprete" to mean t$at nobo"y emer'e" as a













/!nner. 1

n 4ana'a, /e $e(" t$at:

4e#ore t$e &OME<E& %an a%t on a ver!#!e" pet!t!on see+!n' to "e%(are a #a!(ure o# e(e%t!on t/o%on"!t!ons must %on%ur, name(y =1> no vot!n' too+ p(a%e !n t$e pre%!n%t or pre%!n%ts on t$e"ate #! e" by (a/, or even !# t$ere /as vot!n', t$e e(e%t!on resu(te" !n a #a!(ure to e(e%t@ an" =2>

t$e votes not %ast /ou(" $ave a##e%te" t$e resu(t o# t$e e(e%t!on.2

Note t$at t$e %ause o# su%$#a!(ure o# e(e%t!on %ou(" on(y be any o# t$e #o((o/!n': force %ajeure , v!o(en%e, terror!sm, #rau"or ot$er ana(o'ous %auses. 3

7 s%rut!ny o# t$e pet!t!ons #!(e" be#ore t$e &OME<E& s$o/s t$at pet!t!oners never a((e'e" t$atno vot!n' /as $e(" nor /as vot!n' suspen"e" !n t$e sub e%t mun!%!pa(!t!es. Ne!t$er "!"pet!t!oners a((e'e t$at no one /as e(e%te". *et!t!oners on(y a((e'e t$at t$ere /as a s$ame(e%t!on an" s!m!(ar s$am %anvass!n'. 7s note" ear(!er, to /arrant a "e%(arat!on o# #a!(ure o# e(e%t!on, t$e a((e'e" !rre'u(ar!t!es must be proven to $ave prevente" or suspen"e" t$e$o("!n' o# an e(e%t!on, or marre" #ata((y t$e preparat!on an" transm!ss!on, %usto"y, an"%anvass o# t$e e(e%t!on returns. B$ese essent!a( #a%ts s$ou(" $ave been %(ear(y a((e'e" bypet!t!oners be#ore t$e &OME<E& en anc , but t$ey /ere not.

No ev!"en%e o# mass!ve "!sen#ran%$!sement

*et!t!oners /ant us to e am!ne t$e ev!"en%e an" t$e #!n"!n's o# #a%ts by t$e &OME<E& enanc assert!n' t$at t$ere /as ev!"ent mass!ve "!sen#ran%$!sement o# voters. ;$!(e t$!s &ourt!s not a tr!er o# #a%ts, an" un"er t$e &onst!tut!on, t$!s &ourt reso(ves J%ases !n /$!%$ on(y anerror or uest!on o# (a/ !s !nvo(ve".J Nevert$e(ess, a#ter a t$orou'$ e am!nat!on o# t$e"o%umentary ev!"en%e presente" by pet!t!oners !n t$e pro%ee"!n's be(o/, /e #!n" no %o'entreason to a(ter t$e #!n"!n's an" %on%(us!ons o# respon"ent &OME<E& en anc .

Fa%tua( #!n"!n's o# t$e &OME<E& /$!%$ $as t$e e pert!se !n t$e en#or%ement an"a"m!n!strat!on o# a(( e(e%t!on (a/s an" re'u(at!ons are b!n"!n' on t$e &ourt an" must be

respe%te". 4es!"es, base" on t$e &OME<E& en ban%Ks s%rut!ny o# t$e #a%ts, t$e a((e'at!ons"o not %onst!tute su##!%!ent 'roun"s to nu((!#y t$e e(e%t!on. ;e a'ree /!t$ t$e #!n"!n' o# t$e&OME<E& en ban% t$at t$e ev!"en%e re(!e" upon by pet!t!oners to support t$e!r %$ar'es o# #rau" an" !rre'u(ar!t!es !n t$e %on"u%t o# e(e%t!ons !n t$e uest!one" mun!%!pa(!t!es %ons!ste"o# a##!"av!ts prepare" an" e e%ute" by t$e!r o/n representat!ves@ an" t$at t$e ot$er p!e%es o# ev!"en%e subm!tte" by pet!t!oners /ere not %re"!b(e an" !na"e uate to substant!atepet!t!onersK %$ar'es o# #rau" an" !rre'u(ar!t!es !n t$e %on"u%t o# e(e%t!ons. Mere a##!"av!ts are!nsu##!%!ent, more so, /$en t$ey /ere e e%ute" by pet!t!onersK po(( /at%$ers. B$e %on%(us!ono# respon"ent &OME<E& !s %orre%t t$at a(t$ou'$ pet!t!oners spe%!#!%a((y a((e'e" v!o(en%e,terror!sm, #rau", an" ot$er !rre'u(ar!t!es !n t$e %on"u%t o# e(e%t!ons, t$ey #a!(e" to substant!ateor prove sa!" a((e'at!ons. Aa" t$ere been mass!ve "!sen#ran%$!sement, pet!t!oners s$ou("$ave presente" t$e a##!"av!ts o# t$ese "!sen#ran%$!se" voters, !nstea" o# on(y a s!n'(e a##!"av!to# one a((e'e"(y "!sen#ran%$!se" voter.

;e 'o a(on' /!t$ t$e &OME<E& en ban% !n '!v!n' more /e!'$t to t$e a##!"av!ts an"%ert!#!%at!ons e e%ute" by t$e members o# t$e 4oar" o# E(e%t!on nspe%tors an" t$e *N* an"m!(!tary aut$or!t!es t$at t$e e(e%t!ons $e(" /ere pea%e#u( an" or"er(y, un"er t$e presumpt!ont$at t$e!r o##!%!a( "ut!es $a" been re'u(ar(y per#orme". 9

Ier!(y, t$e above-ment!one" so(e a##!"av!t o# M!r!am A. 4!nan', an a((e'e" "!sen#ran%$!se"voter #rom t$e Mun!%!pa(!ty o# <uu+, Su(u presente" by 'ubernator!a( %an"!"ate respon"ent






















usop ?!+!r! !n S*7 No. 0 -33 , !s not enou'$ to annu( t$e e(e%t!on. &ons!"er!n' pet!t!onersKa((e'at!on o# mass!ve "!sen#ran%$!sement o# voters /$ere!n (e'!t!mate voters /ere s!mp(yor"ere" to a##! t$e!r s!'natures an" t$umbpr!nts, /e a'ree /!t$ pub(!% respon"ent t$atpet!t!oners s$ou(" $ave presente" t$e a##!"av!ts o# t$e a((e'e" "!sen#ran%$!se" voters #rom t$esub e%t #our = > mun!%!pa(!t!es, but t$ey "!" not.

Groun"s ra!se" proper #or e(e%t!on %ontest

assan 0 an" 2asher 1 "o not app(y to t$e !nstant %ase. n(!+e !n t$ese %ases, t$ere /assu##!%!ent not!%e to t$e po(!t!%a( part!es, %an"!"ates, an" voters re'ar"!n' t$e %(uster!n' o# pre%!n%ts an" trans#er o# po((!n' p(a%es. Moreover, t$e e(e%t!on pro%ee"e" as s%$e"u(e", an"none o# t$e e treme !rre'u(ar!t!es t$at marre" t$e e(e%t!ons !n assan an" 2asher /erepresent. n 2ana a , 2 /e re!terate" t$e ru(e t$at t$ere !s #a!(ure o# e(e%t!on on(y !# t$e /!(( o# t$e e(e%torate !s mute" an" %annot be as%erta!ne". 3 # t$e /!(( o# t$e peop(e !s "eterm!nab(e,t$e same must be respe%te" as mu%$ as poss!b(e. n t$e !nstant %ase, t$e /!(( o# t$e peop(e/as ev!"ent as t$e *4& "u(y pro%(a!me" t$e /!nn!n' %an"!"ates. 7s apt(y ru(e" by respon"ent&OME<E&, pet!t!oners s$ou(" $ave #!(e" an e(e%t!on protest to substant!ate t$e!r a((e'at!ons o# e(e%t!on anoma(!es, not a pet!t!on to "e%(are a #a!(ure o# e(e%t!on.

B$ere#ore, /e #!n" no abuse o# "!s%ret!on, mu%$ (ess 'rave abuse, %omm!tte" by t$e&OME<E& en anc !n "!sm!ss!n' t$e *et!t!ons #or )e%(arat!on o# Fa!(ure o# E(e%t!on #or (a%+ o# mer!t.

7nent t$e se%on" !ssue ra!se" on J/$et$er or not t$e pro%(amat!on o# t$e respon"ents, a(be!tpatent(y nu(( an" vo!", bars t$e #!(!n' o# t$e !nstant pet!t!ons #or "e%(arat!on o# #a!(ure o# e(e%t!on,J /e #!n" t$at t$!s matter !s a(rea"y moot as a non-!ssue, as "ue %ourse /as '!ven tot$e !nstant pet!t!ons even !# t$e annu(ment o# t$e pro%(amat!on o# respon"ent <oon' t$rou'$t$e ?une 21, 200 &OME<E& F!rst )!v!s!on Or"er /as set as!"e an" superse"e" by Mar%$1 , 200 Or"er "!sm!ss!n' t$e appea( o# pet!t!oner Ban !n S*7 Nos. 0 -1 3, 0 -1 , an" 0 -1 .

G.R. N!. -3356-8&rst Iss$e T&;e+&ness !" e+ect&!n %r!test

D&st&nct&!n <et een e+ect!ra+ %r!tests "&+ed $nder Sect&!ns /15 and /25 !" t#e O;n&<$s E+ect&!n C!deMov!n' to t$e !ssues ra!se" !n t$e se%on" pet!t!on =G.R. No. 1 91>, /e note t$at /$!(epet!t!oner <oon' "oubt(ess(y %on%e"es t$e or!'!na( ur!s"!%t!on o# &OME<E& over e(e%t!onprotests !nvo(v!n' prov!n%!a( o##!%!a(s, amon' ot$ers, $e e %epts, at t$e #!rst !nstan%e, to !tsassumpt!on o# ur!s"!%t!on over su%$ %ontest /$!%$, to $!m, /as #!(e" a#ter t$e re'(ementaryper!o".

Se%t!on 2 0 o# t$e Omn!bus E(e%t!on &o"e un"er /$!%$ t$e pet!t!oner an%$ors $!s %aseprov!"es as #o((o/s:

Se%t!on 2 0. lection contests for 2atasan 6a% ansa+ re ional+ pro&incial and cit offices . 7 s/orn pet!t!on %ontest!n' t$e e(e%t!on o# P any re'!ona(, prov!n%!a( or %!ty o##!%!a( s$a(( be#!(e" /!t$ t$e &omm!ss!on by any %an"!"ate /$o $as "u(y #!(e" a %ert!#!%ate o# %an"!"a%y an"$as been vote" #or t$e same o##!%e, /!t$!n ten "ays a#ter t$e pro%(amat!on o# t$e resu(ts o# t$ee(e%t!on. = n"ers%or!n' a""e">

B$e %omp(ement!n' Se%t!on 1, Ru(e 20 o# t$e &OME<E& Ru(es o# *ro%e"ure pra%t!%a((y says















t$e same t$!n'.

B$e pet!t!onerKs #ormu(at!on o# $!s bas!% subm!ss!on an" t$e prem!ses $o("!n' !t to'et$er runas #o((o/s: B$e *4O& o# Su(u pro%(a!me" t$e resu(ts o# t$e 'ubernator!a( e(e%t!on, or, !n #!ne,"e%(are" $!m as t$e "u(y e(e%te" 'overnor o# Su(u, on May 2 , 200 . 7%%or"!n'(y, a protest%ontest!n' $!s e(e%t!on ou'$t to $ave been #!(e" on or be#ore ?une 3, 200 or ten =10> "ays#rom May 2 , 200 . 7 be(ate" protest, as /$at pr!vate respon"ent ?!+!r! #!(e" on ?u(y 19, 200

or a (!tt(e over #!#ty = 0> "ays a#ter t$e pro%(amat!on, e##e%t!ve(y "epr!ve" t$e &OME<E& o# ur!s"!%t!on to enterta!n t$e sa!" protest. 7%%or"!n' to pet!t!oner, t$e &OME<E& F!rst )!v!s!ona%te" /!t$out ur!s"!%t!on or /!t$ 'rave abuse o# "!s%ret!on /$en !t nonet$e(ess enterta!ne"respon"ent ?!+!r!Ks e(e%t!on protest #!(e" beyon" t$e re'(ementary 10-"ay per!o".

*et!t!onerKs bas!% posture may be a%%or"e" p(aus!b!(!ty, e %ept t$at !t '(osse" over a statutoryprov!s!on /$!%$, !n t$e (!'$t o# %erta!n pro%ee"!n's as t$us narrate", m!(!tates a'a!nst $!sstan%e. n"er Se%t!on 2 o# t$e E(e%t!on &o"e, t$e #!(!n' o# %erta!n pet!t!ons /or+s to stopt$e runn!n' o# t$e re'(ementary per!o" to #!(e an e(e%t!on protest, t$us:

Se%t!on 2 . ffect of filin petition to annul or to suspend the procla%ation . B$e #!(!n' /!t$t$e &omm!ss!on o# a pet!t!on to annu( or to suspen" t$e pro%(amat!on o# any %an"!"ate s$a((

suspen" t$e runn!n' o# t$e per!o" /!t$!n /$!%$ to #!(e an e(e%t!on protest or quo warrantopro%ee"!n's.

7s may be note", t$e a#ore uote" Se%t!on 2 %ontemp(ates t/o =2> po!nts o# re#eren%e, t$at!s, pre- an" post-pro%(amat!on, un"er /$!%$ e!t$er o# t$e pet!t!ons re#erre" to t$ere!n !s #!(e".4e#ore t$e pro%(amat!on, /$at ou'$t to be #!(e" !s a pet!t!on to Jsuspen"J or stop an !mpen"!n'pro%(amat!on. 7#ter t$e pro%(amat!on, an a"verse party s$ou(" #!(e a pet!t!on to Jannu(J or un"oa pro%(amat!on ma"e. *re-pro%(amat!on %ontrovers!es parta+e o# t$e nature o# pet!t!ons tosuspen". B$e purpose #or a((o/!n' pre-pro%(amat!on %ontrovers!es, t$e #!(!n' o# /$!%$ !s%overe" by t$e a#ore uote" Se%t!on 2 o# t$e Omn!bus E(e%t!on &o"e, !s to n!p !n t$e bu"t$e o%%urren%e o# /$at, !n e(e%t!on pra%t!%e, !s re#erre" to as J'rab t$e pro%(amat!on an"pro(on' t$e protestJ s!tuat!on.

&orre(at!n' t$e pet!t!ons ment!one" !n Se%t!on 2 /!t$ t$e 10-"ay per!o" set #ort$ !n t$esu%%ee"!n' Se%t!on 2 0, a pet!t!on to suspen" to((s t$e 10-"ay per!o" #or #!(!n' an e(e%t!onprotest #rom runn!n', /$!(e a pet!t!on to annu( !nterrupts t$e runn!n' o# t$e per!o". n ot$er /or"s, !n a Section 748 petition to suspend /$ere t$e 10-"ay per!o" "!" not start to run at a((,t$e #!(!n' o# a Section 7!0 election contest a#ter t$e tent$ =10t$> "ay #rom pro%(amat!on !s not(ate. On t$e ot$er $an", !n a Section 748 petition to annul , t$e party see+!n' annu(ment must#!(e t$e pet!t!on be#ore t$e e p!rat!on o# t$e 10-"ay per!o".

E+ect&!n %r!test case "&+ed !n t&;en t$e %ase at ben%$, t$e pet!t!onerKs ar'uments on t$e be(ate" #!(!n' o# t$e respon"entKs

e(e%t!on protest may mer!t %ons!"erat!on $a" t$e pet!t!ons a'a!nst $!m been on(y #or t$eannu(ment o# $!s May 2 , 200 pro%(amat!on. Ao/ever, t$e numerous e(e%t!on-re(ate"pet!t!ons, /$!%$ /ere #!(e" a'a!nst pet!t!oner <oon' by t$e ot$er Su(u 'ubernator!a(%an"!"ates, sou'$t to s$s%end $!s t$en !mpen"!n' pro%(amat!on /$!%$, as turne" out, /aseventua((y ma"e on May 2 , 200 . 7n" as events un#o("e", some o# t$e pet!t!ons a"verte" toresu(te" !n t$e !ssuan%e on May 1 , 200 o# an Or"er suspen"!n' t$e pro%(amat!on o# t$e'overnor-e(e%t o# Su(u. *et!t!oner <oon' $!mse(# a"m!tte" as mu%$: J on May 1 , 200 ,t$e &OME<E& Se%on" )!v!s!on !ssue" an Or"er suspen"!n' t$e pro%(amat!on o# t$e /!nn!n'%an"!"ate #or Governor o# t$e prov!n%e o# Su(u.J









Not to be over(oo+e", be%ause a %orrespon"!n' pos!t!on %ou(" $ave pre%e"e" !t, !s t$e ?une21, 200 Or"er o# t$e &OME<E& F!rst )!v!s!on annu((!n' pet!t!oner <oon'Ks pro%(amat!on as'overnor-e(e%t. B$e fallo o# sa!" annu((!n' or"er rea"s:

n v!e/ o# t$e #ore'o!n' but /!t$out pre u"!%e to any reso(ut!on /$!%$ /ou(" !ssue !n"!spos!t!on o# t$e pen"!n' appea(s an" pet!t!ons !nvo(ve" !n S*& 0 -13 , S*7 No. 0 -1 3,S*7 No. 0 -1 an" S*7 No. 0 -1 , 5S*& !nstea" o# S*7 s$ou(" $ave been use"6 t$e

&omm!ss!on =F RSB ) I S ON> $ereby 7NN <S t$e pre%!p!tate an" premature pro%(amat!ono# 4EN?7M N <OONG as t$e /!nn!n' %an"!"ate o# 'overnor o# Su(u. 9

pon t$e #ore'o!n' %ons!"erat!ons, t$e #!(!n' o# t$e e(e%t!on protest ad cautela% on ?u(y 19,200 or #!#ty-s! = > "ays a#ter t$e May 2 , 200 pro%(amat!on /as %onte tua((y on t!me. B$!s!s be%ause t$e 10-"ay re'(ementary per!o" to #!(e su%$ protest /$!%$ or"!nar!(y /ou(" $avee p!re" on ?une 3, 200 "!" not start to run at a((. t %annot be over-emp$as! e" t$at t$epre-pro%(amat!on %ontrovers!es 7b"usa+ur Ban !n!t!ate" r!'$t a#ter t$e May 10, 200 e(e%t!ons,t$at !s, S*& Nos. 0 -1 3, 0 -1 , an" 0 -1 , /ere on(y reso(ve" on Marc# -5, /772 . ;erepro"u%e /!t$ approva( /$at t$e pub(!% respon"ent sa!", respe%t!n' t$e "en!a( o# t$e mot!onto "!sm!ss #!(e" by pet!t!oner <oon' a'a!nst t$e e(e%t!on protest o# respon"ent ?!+!r!:

Re%or"s s$o/ t$at t$ere are st!(( pre-pro%(amat!on %ases pen"!n' be#ore t$e &omm!ss!on, t$eresu(t o# /$!%$ %ou(" a##e%t t$e protestee 5pet!t!oner <oon'6, to /!t: S*& 0 -1 3 =7b"usa+ur Ban vs. B$e *rov!n%!a( 4oar" o# &anvassers o# Su(u>, S*& 0 -1 =7b"usa+ur Ban vs.*rov!n%!a( 4oar" o# &anvassers o# Su(u> an" S*& 0 -1 =7b"usa+ur Ban vs. *rov!n%!a(4oar" o# &anvassers o# Su(u>. B$!s s!tuat!on "!st!n'u!s$es t$e !nstant %ase #rom t$at o# )a'(o% vs. &OME<E& =321 S&R7 2 3> to /$!%$ t$e protestee !s an%$or!n' $!s "e#ense.

t !s (!+e/!se o# no moment t$at t$e pre-pro%(amat!on %ases /ere #!(e" not by t$e protestantbut by anot$er %an"!"ate. Se%t!on 2 o# t$e Omn!bus E(e%t!on &o"e "oes not re u!re t$at t$epet!t!on to annu( or to suspen" t$e pro%(amat!on be #!(e" by t$e protestant. B$!s (!bera(!nterpretat!on (!+e/!se s!ts /e(( /!t$ our po(!%y to #ore'o /!t$ te%$n!%a(!t!es !# t$ey stan" !n t$e/ay o# "eterm!n!n' t$e true /!(( o# t$e peop(e.

B$at t$e %ases are st!(( pen"!n' /!t$ t$e &omm!ss!on /!(( not prevent t$e protestant #rom%onvert!n' $!s e(e%t!on protest a" %aute(a !nto a re'u(ar one. Su%$ %onvers!on !s an opt!on/$!%$ t$e protestant en oys. Sa!" #a%t (!+e/!se "oes not pre%(u"e us #rom "e%!"!n' t$ee(e%t!on protest %ase. *re-pro%(amat!on %ontrovers!es an" e(e%t!on protest %ases $ave"!##erent %auses o# a%t!on. B$ey %an pro%ee" !n"epen"ent(y. 90

B$us, t$e !mputat!on o# 'rave abuse o# "!s%ret!on, on t$e part o# respon"ent &OME<E&Ks F!rst)!v!s!on, !n re#us!n' to "!sm!ss respon"ent ?!+!r!Ks *et!t!on o# *rotest *d 'autela% =E*& No.200 - > on t$e state" 'roun" t$at $e #!(e" t$e same a#ter t$e (apse o# t$e per!o" #or #!(!n' ane(e%t!on protest !s untenab(e.

R$+es %rescr&<ed t! %r!;!te s$<stant&'e $st&cet may be /e(( to po!nt out at t$!s un%ture t$at t$e ru(es on re'(ementary per!o"s, per$aps, (!+eany ru(e !ssue" by u"!%!a( an" uas!- u"!%!a( bo"!es, are pres%r!be" to ensure stab!(!ty !n t$ea"m!n!strat!on o# ust!%e, as /e(( as to promote substant!ve ust!%e. n"ee", t$ey s$ou(" be"!sre'ar"e" /$en t$ey pose obstru%t!on to t$e atta!nment o# su%$ (o#ty en"s, /$!%$, !ne(e%t!on-re(ate" %ases, as $ere, !s t$e "eterm!nat!on o# t$e popu(ar /!((. ;$!(e t$e #a%ts !n2ince+ Jr. &. ',- $ ' 91 are not on a(( #ours s!m!(ar, /$at /e sa!" t$ere!n !s most apt:

7ssum!n' #or t$e sa+e o# ar'ument t$at t$e pet!t!on /as #!(e" out o# t!me, t$!s !n%!"ent a(one









/!(( not t$/art t$e proper "eterm!nat!on an" reso(ut!on o# t$e !nstant %ase on substant!a('roun"s. 7"$eren%e to a te%$n!%a(!ty t$at /ou(" put a stamp o# va(!"!ty on a pa(pab(y vo!"pro%(amat!on, /!t$ t$e !nev!tab(e resu(t o# #rustrat!n' t$e peop(eKs /!(( %annot be%ountenan%e". 92

Sec!nd Iss$e S&;$+tane!$s %r!sec$t&!n !" %re)%r!c+a;at&!n c!ntr!'ers&es and e+ect&!n %r!tests

On t$e (ast !ssue o# t$e propr!ety o# prose%ut!n' s!mu(taneous(y pre-pro%(amat!on%ontrovers!es an" an e(e%tora( protest, pet!t!oner <oon' $o("s t$e ne'at!ve v!e/, subm!tt!n', !n'!st, t$at an e(e%t!on %ontest s$ou(" be put on $o(" unt!( pre-pro%(amat!on %ontrovers!es are%on%(u"e". Ae t$us #au(ts an" 'oes on to as%r!be 'rave abuse o# "!s%ret!on on t$e &OME<E&F!rst )!v!s!on #or $o("!n' ot$er/!se, stat!n' as #o((o/s:

&(ear(y, t$e 5ru(!n' o# t$e &OME<E& F!rst )!v!s!on6 !s !((o'!%a( an" absur". ;$at /!(( $appen !# t$e pre-pro%(amat!on appea(s o# P Ban are susta!ne" an" t$e "e#eate" %an"!"ate P Ban !s#oun" to be t$e /!nner !n $!s pre-pro%(amat!on appea(sQ Obv!ous(y, t$e ru(!n' o# t$e&OME<E& "oes not promote or"er(y pro%e"ure !n t$e reso(ut!on o# e(e%t!on %ases. tpromotes use(ess, unne%essary, an" ve at!ous (!t!'at!ons. 93

7s ear(!er state", !t !s not (e'a((y poss!b(e #or t$e &OME<E& F!rst )!v!s!on to "e%(are ?!+!r! t$ee(e%te" 'overnor !n t$e e(e%tora( protest #!(e" a'a!nst pet!t!oner 5<oon'6 an" at t$e same t!me!ssue a "e%!s!on !n t$e pre-pro%(amat!on appea(s o# 7b"usa+ur Ban t$at t$e (atter !s t$ee(e%te" 'overnor. B$e 'rave abuse o# "!s%ret!on amount!n' to (a%+ o# ur!s"!%t!on !s veryobv!ous. 9

*et!t!oner <oon'Ks ar'uments, #or a(( t$e!r eas!(y-per%ept!b(e mer!t, are not an%$ore" on any(e'a( prov!s!on. 19wphi1 B$ey are %ommon sens!%a( to be sure. Nonet$e(ess, (ay!n' 'raveabuse o# "!s%ret!on on t$e "oorsteps o# t$e respon"ent &OME<E& F!rst )!v!s!on #or '!v!n'"ue %ourse to respon"ent ?!+!r!Ks e(e%tora( protest /!t$out /a!t!n' #or t$e #!na( resu(t o# t$e pre-pro%(amat!on appea(s !s a "!##erent matter a(to'et$er.

N! r$+e !r +a %r!#&<&ts s&;$+tane!$s %r!sec$t&!nFor one, t$ere !s no (a/ or ru(e pro$!b!t!n' t$e s!mu(taneous prose%ut!on or a" u"!%at!on o# pre-pro%(amat!on %ontrovers!es an" e(e%t!ons protests. 7((o/!n' t$e s!mu(taneous prose%ut!ons%enar!o may be e p(a!ne" by t$e #a%t t$at pre-pro%(amat!on %ontrovers!es an" e(e%t!onprotests "!##er !n terms o# t$e !ssues !nvo(ve" an" t$e ev!"en%e a"m!ss!b(e !n ea%$ %ase 9 an"t$e ob e%t!ve ea%$ see+s to a%$!eve. Moreover, t$e &ourt, un"er %erta!n %!r%umstan%es, evenen%oura'es t$e re!n#or%ement o# a pre-pro%(amat!on su!t /!t$ an e(e%t!on protest. 7s /e $e("!n -atala% &. 'o%%ission on lections :9

B$e &ourt a'on! e" over !ts !nab!(!ty to #u((y (oo+ !nto t$e e(e%t!on !rre'u(ar!t!es a((e'e" by

pet!t!oner, "ue to t$e very (!m!te" s%ope o# pre-pro%(amat!on %ontroversy. B$us, t$e &ourtrem!n"s (a/yers $an"(!n' e(e%t!on %ases to ma+e a %are#u( %$o!%e o# reme"!es. ;$ere !tbe%omes apparent t$at a pre-pro%(amat!on su!t !s !na"e uate, t$ey s$ou(" !mme"!ate(y%$oose anot$er t!me(y reme"y, (!+e a pet!t!on to annu( t$e e(e%t!on resu(ts or to "e%(are a#a!(ure o# e(e%t!ons or even an e(e%t!on protest, so t$at e(e%t!on !rre'u(ar!t!es may be #u((yvent!(ate" an" proper(y a" u"!%ate" by t$e %ompetent tr!buna(. 9

Spee"y "!spos!t!on paramount

For anot$er, s!mu(taneous a" u"!%at!ons o##er more pra%t!%a( #eatures t$an p!e%emea(


















B$e re(evant ante%e"ents are as #o((o/s:

*et!t!oner E"uar"o I. Ro uero an" pr!vate respon"ent Reyna("o 7. I!((ano /ere %an"!"ates#or Mayor o# San ?ose "e( Monte, 4u(a%an "ur!n' t$e (o%a( e(e%t!ons $e(" on May , 199 .

On ?u(y 1 , 199 , respon"ent &OME<E& !ssue" an or"er "!re%t!n' t$e Mun!%!pa( 4oar" o#&anvassers =M4&> to re%onvene, prepare t$e %ert!#!%ate o# %anvass an" pro%(a!m t$e /!nn!n'%an"!"ates !n sa!" mun!%!pa(!ty.

On ?u(y 19, 199 , t$e M4& pro%(a!me" pet!t!oner Ro uero as t$e "u(y e(e%te" Mayor o# San?ose "e( Monte, 4u(a%an 'arner!n' 20,131 votes to pr!vate respon"ent I!((anoKs 1 ,312 votes.

B$erea#ter, or on ?u(y 2 , 199 , pr!vate respon"ent I!((ano #!(e" a mot!on #or re%ons!"erat!ono# t$e &OME<E& Or"er "ate" ?u(y 1 , 199 .

Sa!" mot!on #or re%ons!"erat!on /as "en!e" by t$e &OME<E& on September , 199 !n areso(ut!on re%e!ve" by pr!vate respon"ent I!((ano on September 11, 199 .

On O%tober 10, 199 , pr!vate respon"ent #!(e" a pet!t!on #or certiorari be#ore t$!s &ourtassa!(!n' t$e &OME<E&Ks "en!a( o# $!s mot!on #or re%ons!"erat!on.

On ?anuary 30, 199 , t$!s &ourt !ssue" a reso(ut!on "!sm!ss!n' sa!" pet!t!on. 7re%ons!"erat!on o# t$e same reso(ut!on /as "en!e" on 7pr!( 1 , 199 . B$!s reso(ut!on /asre%e!ve" by pr!vate respon"ent I!((ano on May , 199 .

On May 1 , 199 , pr!vate respon"ent I!((ano #!(e" an e(e%t!on protest be#ore t$e Re'!ona( Br!a(&ourt o# Ma(o(os, 4u(a%an, 4ran%$ 2, "o%+ete" as E(e%t!on &ase No. 01-M-9 .

On ?une , 199 , be#ore summons /ere serve" to pet!t!oner Ro uero, pr!vate respon"entI!((ano #!(e" a supp(ementa( pet!t!on enumerat!n' t$e 10 pre%!n%ts o# San ?ose "e( Monte $e/as %ontest!n'.

On ?une 1 , 199 , pet!t!oner Ro uero #!(e" an ans/er /!t$ omn!bus mot!on an" %ounter-protest.

On ?u(y 1 , 199 , pet!t!oner #!(e" a mot!on to "!sm!ss on t$e 'roun" t$at t$e e(e%t!on protest"!" not a((e'e #a%ts %onst!tut!n' a %ause o# a%t!on #or an e(e%t!on protest an" t$at t$e e(e%t!onprotest /as #!(e" beyon" t$e ten-"ay re'(ementary per!o" #or #!(!n' t$e same.

On 7u'ust 29, 199 , respon"ent u"'e Os%ar *. 4arr!entos !ssue" an or"er "eny!n' pet!t!oner Ro ueroKs mot!on to "!sm!ss. 7 subse uent Or"er "ate" September 3, 199 /as (!+e/!se!ssue" "!re%t!n' t$e part!es to nom!nate t$e!r respe%t!ve representat!ves to serve as memberso# t$e &omm!ttee on Rev!s!on /$!%$ /as set to start !ts rev!s!on an" or re%ount!n' o# ba((otson September 1 , 199 .

7''r!eve" by t$e !ssuan%e o# t$e #ore'o!n' or"ers, pet!t!oner Ro uero #!(e" a pet!t!on #orcertiorari an" pro$!b!t!on be#ore respon"ent &OME<E&, "o%+ete" as S*R No. 3 -9 on t$e

#o((o/!n' 'roun"s, to /!t: 7. Respon"ent &ourt %omm!tte" 'rave abuse o# "!s%ret!on tantamount to (a%+ or e %ess o# ur!s"!%t!on !n not "!sm!ss!n' protestantKs pet!t!on protest #or #a!(ure to state u(t!mate #a%ts to%onst!tute a %ause o# a%t!on.

4. Respon"ent &ourt %omm!tte" 'rave abuse o# "!s%ret!on tantamount to (a%+ or e %ess o# ur!s"!%t!on !n a"m!tt!n' protestantKs supp(ementa( pet!t!on protest /$!%$ /as #!(e" /!t$out(eave o# %ourt.

&. Respon"ent &ourt %omm!tte" 'rave abuse o# "!s%ret!on tantamount to (a%+ or e %ess o#



ur!s"!%t!on by '!v!n' "ue %ourse to protestantKs supp(ementa( pet!t!on protest "esp!te t$at t$esame /as #!(e" outs!"e o# t$e re'(ementary per!o".

). Respon"ent %ourt abuse" !ts "!s%ret!on tantamount to (a%+ or e %ess o# ur!s"!%t!on bysett!n' t$e rev!s!on or re%ount!n' o# ba((ots !n v!o(at!on o# Se%. 2, Ru(e 3 !n %on un%t!on /!t$Se%. 2, Ru(e 1 o# t$e &ome(e% Ru(es o# *ro%e"ure. 516

On ?anuary 2 , 199 , respon"ent &OME<E& !ssue" t$e uest!one" reso(ut!on =1> "!sm!ss!n't$e pet!t!on #or (a%+ o# mer!t an" =2> "!re%t!n' t$e RB& to pro%ee" /!t$ t$e rev!s!on o# ba((otsan" "e%!"e t$e e(e%t!on protest /!t$ "!spat%$. 526

n brus$!n' as!"e pet!t!oner Ro ueroKs %(a!m t$at respon"ent I!((anoKs protest /as #!(e" out o#t!me, t$e &OME<E& rat!o%!nate":

7nent *rotesteeKs #urt$er a((e'at!ons t$at t$e protest =to'et$er /!t$ t$e supp(ement> /as #!(e"out o# t!me an" t$at t$e sa!" supp(ement /as #!(e" by (a/yers /$o $a" not entere" t$e!rappearan%e, t$e same are !nstantaneous(y re e%te" be%ause by (a/ an" ur!spru"en%e /$!%$nee" no %!tat!on #or be!n' so e(ementary, !n t$e %omputat!on o# t$e per!o", t$e #!rst "ay s$a((be e %(u"e" an" t$e (ast "ay !n%(u"e". Su##!%e !s !t to say t$at sa!" protest /as #!(e" on t!meas a#ter $av!n' re%e!ve" t$e Supreme &ourt reso(ut!on "eny!n' t$e!r mot!on to "!sm!ss on May, 199 an e(e%t!on protest $a" been #!(e" !n t$!s &ourt on May 1 , 199 . 536Aen%e, t$e present pet!t!on ra!s!n' t$e #o((o/!n' !ssues:

;AEBAER OR NOB BAE &OME<E& &OMM BBE) GR7IE 74 SE OF ) S&REB ON NR < NG BA7B BAE MERE 7<<EG7B ON OF FR7 ) S S FF & ENB BO O*EN BAE47<<OB 4O8.

;AEBAER OR NOB BAE &OME<E& &OMM BBE) GR7IE 74 SE OF ) S&REB ON NR < NG BA7B *R I7BE RES*ON)ENBKS E<E&B ON *ROBESB SB7BES 7 &7 SE OF

7&B ON.

;AEBAER OR NOB BAE &OME<E& &OMM BBE) GR7IE 74 SE OF ) S&REB ON N

NOB R < NG BA7B BAE *R I7BE RES*ON)ENBKS S **<EMENB7< *ROBESB SN7)M SS 4<E FOR A7I NG 4EEN F <E) ; BAO B <E7IE OF &O RB.

;AEBAER OR NOB BAE &OME<E& &OMM BBE) GR7IE 74 SE OF ) S&REB ON NNOB R < NG BA7B BAE *R I7BE RES*ON)ENBKS E<E&B ON *ROBESB ;7S F <E)O B OF B ME. 5 6

B$e ma!n uest!on to be reso(ve" !s: ;as t$e e(e%t!on protest #!(e" by pr!vate respon"entI!((ano #!(e" on t!meQ

B$e &OME<E&, !n ru(!n' t$at t$e e(e%t!on protest /as #!(e" on t!me, mere(y re%+one" t$e 10-"ay per!o" #rom May , 199 =/$!%$ /as t$e re%e!pt by respon"ent I!((ano o# t$!s &ourtKsreso(ut!on "eny!n' $!s mot!on #or re%ons!"erat!on o# t$e reso(ut!on "!sm!ss!n' $!s pet!t!on> toMay 1 , 199 /$en $e #!(e" $!s e(e%t!on protest. n %omput!n' t$e 10-"ay per!o", t$e&OME<E& "!" not %ons!"er t$e runn!n' o# t$e per!o" #rom t$e "ate o# pro%(amat!on o# t$epet!t!oner %an"!"ate to t$e "ate t$e p(ea"!n' /as #!(e" /!t$ t$e &OME<E& to annu( orsuspen" t$e pro%(amat!on@ an" #rom t$e t!me pr!vate respon"ent re%e!ve" t$e ru(!n' o# t$e&OME<E& "eny!n' t$e pet!t!on, to t$e t!me $e #!(e" t$e pet!t!on be#ore t$!s &ourt uest!on!n't$e &OME<E&Ks ru(!n'.

Se%t!on 2 1 o# t$e Omn!bus E(e%t!on &o"e prov!"es:

SE&. 2 1. lection contests for %unicipal offices. - 7 s/orn pet!t!on %ontest!n' t$e e(e%t!on o#

http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/1998/apr1998/128165.htm#_edn1












"!s%ret!on !n "eny!n' pet!t!oner Ro ueroKs pet!t!on #or certiorari an" pro$!b!t!on.

HERE8ORE, t$e present pet!t!on #or certiorari !s $ereby '!ven ) E &O RSE an" !sa%%or"!n'(y GR7NBE). B$e Reso(ut!on "ate" ?anuary 2 , 199 o# respon"ent &omm!ss!onon E(e%t!ons !n S*R No. 3 -9 an" t$e Or"ers "ate" 7u'ust 29, 199 an" September 3,199 o# t$e Re'!ona( Br!a( &ourt o# Ma(o(os, 4u(a%an, 4ran%$ 2, !n E(e%t!on &ase No. 01-M-9 are $ereby 7NN <<E) an" SEB 7S )E. Ne%essar!(y, E(e%t!on &ase No. 01-M-9 !s

or"ere" ) SM SSE) #or (a%+ o# ur!s"!%t!on.SO OR)ERE).

5G.R. No. 13 9 9. )e%ember 1 , 19996

S7< *ONG7N )7G<O&, petitioner+ &s. BAE &OMM SS ON ON E<E&B ONS, AON.EMM7N E< 47)O, an" S7<7M47 7M4O<O)BO, respondents .

) E & S O N

MEN)O 7, J .:

B$!s !s a pet!t!on #or certiorari see+!n' to set as!"e t$e reso(ut!on, 516 "ate" ?une 29, 1999, o#

t$e &omm!ss!on on E(e%t!onsen anc

up$o("!n' t$e "en!a( by t$e Re'!ona( Br!a( &ourt,4ran%$ 1 , &otabato &!ty o# pet!t!onerKs mot!on to "!sm!ss t$e e(e%t!on protest #!(e" by pr!vaterespon"ent an" "!re%t!n' t$e %ont!nuan%e o# t$e pro%ee"!n's.

B$e ante%e"ent #a%ts are:

*r!vate respon"ent Sa(amba! 7mbo(o"to an" Su+arno Sama" /ere mayora(ty %an"!"ates !nt$e (o%a( e(e%t!ons $e(" on May 11, 199 !n abunta(an, Ma'u!n"anao. Sama" /as "e%(are"/!nner. Ae an" $ere!n pet!t!oner Sa(!pon'an )a'(o%, /$o /as e(e%te" v!%e-mayor, /erepro%(a!me" on May 1 , 199 .

On May 23, 199 , pr!vate respon"ent #!(e" a pet!t!on !n t$e &OME<E& ent!t(e" pet!t!on to"e%(are a #a!(ure o# e(e%t!on an" or annu( t$e e(e%t!on resu(ts !n t$e mun!%!pa(!ty o# +abunta(an,

#!rst "!str!%t o# ma'u!n"anao, 526 "o%+ete" as S*7 No. 9 -3 . n a""!t!on, on ?une 19, 199 ,s$e #!(e" an e(e%t!on protest e3 a undanti cautela ,536 "o%+ete" as E(e%t!on *rotest No. 3 -9 ,!n t$e RB&, 4ran%$ 1 , &otabato &!ty.

On ?u(y , 199 , pr!vate respon"ent move" to /!t$"ra/ S*7 No. 9 -3 !n t$e &OME<E& !nor"er to prose%ute E(e%t!on *rotest No. 3 -9 !n t$e RB&. 5 6 B$e &OME<E& 'rante" $ermot!on !n !ts or"er "ate" February , 1999. 5 6

Mean/$!(e, Sama" #!(e" $!s ans/er !n E(e%t!on *rotest No. 3 -9 !n /$!%$ $e sou'$t t$e"!sm!ssa( o# t$e protest on t$e 'roun" t$at !t /as #!(e" more t$an 10 "ays #rom t$e "ate o#pro%(amat!on on May 1 , 199 . Ae re!terate" $!s mot!on to "!sm!ss 5 6!n a subse uentp(ea"!n', an", !n a""!t!on, as+e" t$at !t be reso(ve" be#ore pr!vate respon"entKs mot!on #or

te%$n!%a( e am!nat!on o# &.E. Forms 1 an" 2. n an or"er, "ate" 7u'ust 1 , 199 , t$e tr!a(%ourt "en!e" t$e mot!on to "!sm!ss.

Sama" t$en #!(e" a pet!t!on #or certiorari =S*R No. 3 -9 > !n t$e &OME<E&, assa!(!n' t$eor"er o# t$e RB& "eny!n' $!s mot!on to "!sm!ss. ;$!(e t$e %ase /as pen"!n', Sama" "!e",an" $ere!n pet!t!oner, /$o $a" su%%ee"e" $!m as mayor o# abunta(an, /as subst!tute" !n $!sp(a%e !n t$e pen"!n' %ases be#ore t$e &OME<E& =S*R No. 3 -9 > an" t$e RB& =E(e%t!on*rotest No. 3 -9 >.

On ?une 29, 1999, t$e &OME<E& en anc "!sm!sse" S*R No. 3 -9 #or (a%+ o# mer!t. t $e("t$at /$!(e S*7 No. 9 -3 #!(e" by Sama" /as "enom!nate" as pet!t!on to "e%(are a #a!(ure o#

http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/1999/dec99/138969.htm#_edn1
















$as been $e(", set as!"e, t$e po(!%y be$!n" t$e a((o/an%e o# pre-pro%(amat!on %ontrovers!es,i.e. , to prevent (os!n' %an"!"ates #rom 'rabb!n' t$e pro%(amat!on an" "e(ay!n' t$e reso(ut!ono# t$e e(e%tora( %ontest, /!(( be "e#eate". B$us, !n squi&el &. 'o%%ission on lections ,5 6 !t/as $e(" t$at t$e 10-"ay per!o" #or #!(!n' an e(e%t!on protest un"er 2 9 o# t$e #ormer E(e%t!on&o"e /as suspen"e" by t$e #!(!n' o# a pet!t!on #or annu(ment o# pro%(amat!on. B$!s &ourtsa!":

B$e suspens!on o# t$e 10-"ay statutory per!o" #or t$e #!(!n' o# an e(e%t!on protest unt!( su%$t!me as t$e &omm!ss!on on E(e%t!ons $as #!na((y "e%!"e" t$e pen"!n' pre-pro%(amat!on%ontroversy !s but (o'!%a( an" ust, s!n%e !# t$e protestant preva!(s !n t$e pre-pro%(amat!on%ontroversy, t$ere /ou(" be no #urt$er nee" #or $!m to #!(e a re'u(ar e(e%t!on protest. . . .

B$!s &ourt $as s!n%e t$e %ase o# 4en am!n S. 7ba(os vs. Ernesto S. )om!n'o 5G.R. No.2 , Reso(ut!on o# February 29, 19 06 "eeme" suspen"e" t$e 10-"ay statutory per!o" #ort$e #!(!n' o# an e(e%t!on protest "ur!n' t$e pen"en%y o# a pre-pro%(amat!on %ontroversy an" !na(( subse uent %ases, t$e (atest o# /$!%$ !s !ts "e%!s!on o# ?u(y 2 , 19 0 5G.R. No. 3 32, No(!M. Ia(en ue(a v. &ome(e%6 /$ere!n t$e (os!n' party !n t$e pre-pro%(amat!on %ontroversy /as'rante" Ta per!o" o# ten 5106 "ays #rom re%e!pt o# t$!s Reso(ut!on 5o# "!sm!ssa(6 to #!(e be#oret$e proper %ourt a uo /arranto su!t or e(e%t!on protest.U 5 6

B$e #!(!n' o# pre-pro%(amat!on %ontrovers!es un"er 2 o# t$e Omn!bus E(e%t!on &o"e,$o/ever, !s not t$e on(y 'roun" #or t$e suspens!on o# pro%(amat!on. B/o ot$er !nstan%es areprov!"e" !n R.7. No. , +no/n as TB$e E(e%tora( Re#orms <a/ o# 19 ,U &iA .: =1> n"er o# t$e statute, t$e &OME<E& may, upon mot!on o# t$e %omp(a!nant !n an a%t!on #or"!s ua(!#!%at!on, suspen" t$e pro%(amat!on o# t$e /!nn!n' %an"!"ate !# t$e ev!"en%e o# $!s 'u!(t!s stron', an" =2> un"er t$ereo#, t$e &OME<E& may (!+e/!se suspen" t$e pro%(amat!on o#t$e /!nn!n' %an"!"ate !# t$ere !s 'roun" #or "eny!n' or %an%e(!n' $!s %ert!#!%ate o# %an"!"a%y.B$us, o# R.7. No. prov!"es:

ffect of /isqualification 'ase . - 7ny %an"!"ate /$o $as been "e%(are" by #!na( u"'ment tobe "!s ua(!#!e" s$a(( not be vote" #or, an" t$e votes %ast #or $!m s$a(( not be %ounte". # #orany reason a %an"!"ate !s not "e%(are" by #!na( u"'ment be#ore an e(e%t!on to be "!s ua(!#!e"an" $e !s vote" #or an" re%e!ves t$e /!nn!n' number o# votes !n su%$ e(e%t!on, t$e &ourt or&omm!ss!on s$a(( %ont!nue /!t$ t$e tr!a( an" $ear!n' o# t$e a%t!on, !n u!ry or protest an", uponmot!on o# t$e %omp(a!nant or any !ntervenor, may "ur!n' t$e pen"en%y t$ereo# or"er t$esuspens!on o# t$e pro%(amat!on o# su%$ %an"!"ate /$enever t$e ev!"en%e o# $!s 'u!(t !sstron'.

Se%. , on t$e ot$er $an", states:

6etition to /en /ue 'ourse to or 'ancel a 'ertificate of 'andidac . B$e pro%e"ure$ere!nabove prov!"e" s$a(( app(y to pet!t!ons to "eny "ue %ourse to or %an%e( a %ert!#!%ate o#%an"!"a%y as prov!"e" !n Se%t!on o# 4atas *ambansa 4('. 1.

B$ese a%t!ons are !n t$e nature o# pre-pro%(amat!on %ontrovers!es an", t$ere#ore, (!+e pre-pro%(amat!on %ontests, t$e!r #!(!n' !s a 'roun" #or t$e suspens!on o# pro%(amat!on an",%onse uent(y, o# t$e per!o" #or #!(!n' e!t$er an e(e%t!on protest or a pet!t!on #or quo warranto.

Ao/ever, pet!t!oner !s %orre%t t$at S*7 No. 9 -3 !s not a pre-pro%(amat!on %ontroversy.Mu%$ (ess !s !t a pet!t!on #or "!s ua(!#!%at!on or #or t$e "en!a( or %an%e(at!on o# a %ert!#!%ate o#%an"!"a%y. n"ee", pr!vate respon"ent "oes not %(a!m t$at $er pet!t!on ra!ses pre-pro%(amat!on !ssues. S$e #ran+(y a"m!ts t$at S*7 No. 9 -3 !s a pet!t!on #!(e" un"er o#t$e Omn!bus E(e%t!on &o"e #or a "e%(arat!on o# #a!(ure o# e(e%t!on. 596 n #a%t, $er pet!t!on









%(ear(y states !ts nature, as !t !s "enom!nate" *EB B ON BO )E&<7RE 7 F7 < RE OFE<E&B ON 7N) OR BO 7NN < BAE E<E&B ON RES <BS N BAE M N & *7< B OF74 NB7<7N, F RSB ) SBR &B OF M7G N)7N7O, an" a((e'es t$e #o((o/!n': 5106

.1 No va(!" an" (e'!t!mate e(e%t!ons /ere a%tua((y $e(" or %on"u%te" !n t$e above-ment!one"mun!%!pa(!ty@

.2 No va(!" an" or (e'!t!mate e(e%t!ons /ere a%tua((y $e(" !n t$e sa!" mun!%!pa(!ty asOFF & 7< 47<<OBS /ere, !n #a%t, *RE*7RE) 4 ON< a #e/ !n"!v!"ua(s. B$!s #a%t /!(( bes$o/n by t$e s!'natures an" t$umbmar+s a##! e" !n t$e Iot!n' Re'!strat!on Re%or"s o# ea%$o# t$e pre%!n%ts !n t$e mun!%!pa(!ty /$!%$ "o not be(on' to t$e re'!stere" voters@

.3 B$e o##!%!a( ba((ots $av!n' been prepare" by persons ot$er t$an t$e re'!stere" voters, t$evotes re#(e%te" !n t$e e(e%t!on returns %om!n' #rom t$e var!ous pre%!n%ts o# t$e samemun!%!pa(!ty are not tru(y re#(e%t!ve o# t$e a%tua( an" true votes %ast !n t$e sa!" pre%!n%ts@

. ;!"esprea" v!o(en%e an" !nt!m!"at!on /ere emp(oye" to #or%e /at%$ers o# t$e *et!t!onersto (eave t$e po((!n' p(a%es an" t$us, '!v!n' a %$an%e #or t$e representat!ves o# t$e respon"entto perpetrate t$e above a((e'at!ons.

7tta%$e" $ereto an" mar+e" as 7nne es are t$e s/orn a##!"av!ts o# /!tnesses o# *et!t!onersas /e(( as %ert!#!e" true %op!es o# t$e Ioters Re'!strat!on Re%or"s an" t$e IoterKs Iot!n'Re%or"s attest!n' to t$e #a%ts o# t$e a((e'at!ons above-state"@

*(ease re#er to t$e 7nne es $ereto atta%$e".

B$e IoterKs Re'!strat!on Re%or"s "u(y %ert!#!e" by t$e E(e%t!on 7ss!stant o# abunta(an,Ma'u!n"anao, on May 19, 199 , s$o/s t$at t$e Iot!n' Re%or" at t$e ba%+ t$ereo# !sBOB7<< 4<7N , mean!n' entr!es t$ere!n /ere not #!((e" up. B$e IoterKs Iot!n' Re%or",/$!%$ !s (!+e/!se, $ereto atta%$e", "oes not mat%$ /!t$ t$e IoterKs Re'!strat!on Re%or". Even/!t$ our na+e" eye, one %an a(rea"y %on%(u"e t$at t$ere /as a%tua((y NO vot!n' t$at too+p(a%e !n t$e Mun!%!pa(!ty o# abunta(an.

. 4y reason o# t$e above terror!sm, #rau" an" v!o(en%e %omm!tte" by t$e respon"ent, $ersupporters an" sympat$! ers, t$ere /as #a!(ure o# e(e%t!on !n abunta(an, Ma'u!n"anao. 7nypro%(amat!on o# t$e respon"ent !s vo!" a initio t$ere be!n' a #a!(ure o# e(e%t!on@

. B$ere !s a nee" #or a te%$n!%a( e am!nat!on o# t$e IoterKs Re'!strat!on Re%or"s an" t$e<!st o# Ioters /!t$ Iot!n' re%or"s #or t$e purpose o# "eterm!n!n' t$e mass!ve subst!tute vot!n'!n t$e pre%!n%ts !n abunta(an, Ma'u!n"anao

n -atala% &. ',- $ ' ,5116 !t /as $e(" t$at an a%t!on #or a "e%(arat!on o# t$e #a!(ure o#e(e%t!on !s not !n t$e nature o# a pre-pro%(amat!on %ontroversy. B$e "!st!n%t!on bet/een t$et/o a%t!ons /as "!s%usse" by t$e &ourt !n $oon &. ',- $ ' 5126 !n t$!s /!se:

;$!(e, $o/ever, t$e &OME<E& !s restr!%te", !n pre-pro%(amat!on %ases, to an e am!nat!on o#t$e e(e%t!on returns on t$e!r #a%e an" !s /!t$out ur!s"!%t!on to 'o beyon" or be$!n" t$em an"!nvest!'ate e(e%t!on !rre'u(ar!t!es, t$e &OME<E& !s "uty boun" to !nvest!'ate a((e'at!ons o##rau", terror!sm, v!o(en%e an" ot$er ana(o'ous %auses !n a%t!ons #or annu(ment o# e(e%t!onresu(ts or #or "e%(arat!on o# #a!(ure o# e(e%t!ons, as t$e Omn!bus E(e%t!on &o"e "enom!natest$e same. B$us, t$e &OME<E&, !n t$e %ase o# a%t!ons #or annu(ment o# e(e%t!on resu(ts or"e%(arat!on o# #a!(ure o# e(e%t!ons, may %on"u%t te%$n!%a( e am!nat!on o# e(e%t!on "o%umentsan" %ompare an" ana(y e votersK s!'natures an" #!n'erpr!nts !n or"er to "eterm!ne /$et$er ornot t$e e(e%t!ons $a" !n"ee" been #ree, $onest an" %(ean. Nee"(ess to say, a pre-pro%(amat!on %ontroversy !s not t$e same as an a%t!on #or annu(ment o# e(e%t!on resu(ts or









"e%(arat!on o# #a!(ure o# e(e%t!ons.

*r!vate respon"ent, on t$e ot$er $an", %onten"s t$at as (on' as t$ere !s a prayer #or t$eannu(ment o# a pro%(amat!on, t$e #!(!n' o# su%$ pet!t!on e##e%t!ve(y suspen"s t$e runn!n' o# t$eper!o" #or #!(!n' an e(e%t!on protest. B$!s %ontent!on $as no mer!t. Not a(( a%t!ons see+!n' t$eannu(ment o# pro%(amat!on suspen" t$e runn!n' o# t$e per!o" #or #!(!n' an e(e%t!on protest or apet!t!on #or uo /arranto. For !t !s not t$e re(!e# praye" #or /$!%$ "!st!n'u!s$es a%t!ons un"er

2 #rom an e(e%t!on protest or uo /arranto pro%ee"!n's, but t$e 'roun"s on /$!%$ t$eyare base".

B$e purpose #or a((o/!n' pre-pro%(amat!on %ontrovers!es !s to put a stop to t$e pern!%!ouspra%t!%e o# uns%rupu(ous %an"!"ates o# T'rabb!n' t$e pro%(amat!on an" pro(on'!n' t$eprotest.U 7%%or"!n'(y, 'roun"s /$!%$ are proper #or e(e%tora( protests s$ou(" not be a((o/e" to"e(ay t$e pro%(amat!on o# t$e /!nners. 7s t$!s &ourt po!nte" out !n /i%aporo &. 'o%%issionon lections :5136

t may /e(( be true t$at t$at pub(!% po(!%y may o%%as!ona((y perm!t t$e o%%urren%e o# T'rab t$epro%(amat!on an" pro(on' t$e protestU s!tuat!ons@ t$at pub(!% po(!%y, $o/ever, ba(an%es t$eposs!b!(!ty o# su%$ s!tuat!ons a'a!nst t$e s$orten!n' o# t$e per!o" "ur!n' /$!%$ no /!nners are

pro%(a!me", a per!o" %ommon(y #rau'$t /!t$ tens!on an" "an'er #or t$e pub(!% at (ar'e.n v!e/ o# t$e #ore'o!n', /e $o(" t$at t$e #!(!n' by pr!vate respon"ent o# a pet!t!on #or"e%(arat!on o# #a!(ure o# e(e%t!on =S*7 No. 9 -3 > "!" not suspen" t$e runn!n' o# t$ere'(ementary per!o" /!t$!n /$!%$ to #!(e an e(e%t!on protest or uo /arranto pro%ee"!n's. B$eper!o" #or pr!vate respon"ent to "o so e p!re" on May 2 , 199 , 10 "ays #rom t$epro%(amat!on o# Su+arno Sama" an" pet!t!oner as mayor an" v!%e-mayor, respe%t!ve(y. B$e#!(!n' o# pr!vate respon"entKs e(e%t!on protest !n t$e RB& on ?une 19, 199 /as ma"e out o#t!me.

Ao/ever, pet!t!onerKs %ontent!on t$at t$e assa!(e" reso(ut!on !s !nva(!" be%ause &omm!ss!oner 7b"u( Gan! M. Maro$ombsar $a" no aut$or!ty to s!'n t$e same, be%ause $!s term $a" e p!re"

/$en t$e reso(ut!on /as promu('ate", !s /!t$out mer!t. t appears t$at &omm!ss!onerMaro$ombsarKs term e p!re" on ?une 3, 1999 =not ?une , 1999 as a((e'e" by pet!t!oner>,/$!(e t$e assa!(e" reso(ut!on /as promu('ate" on ?une 29, 1999. B$e vot!n' /as -1. Even"!sre'ar"!n' t$e vote o# &omm!ss!oner Maro$ombsar t$ere /as st!(( a ma or!ty. B$ereso(ut!on !n uest!on !s, t$ere#ore, va(!".

On t$e ot$er $an", pr!vate respon"ent %onten"s t$at t$e pet!t!on !n S*R No. 3 -9 #!(e" !n t$e&OME<E& by Sama", pet!t!onerKs pre"e%essor, s$ou(" be "!sm!sse" an" str!%+en out s!n%e !t!s a%tua((y base" on a mot!on to "!sm!ss !n E(e%t!on *rotest No. 3 -9 !n t$e RB&, /$!%$ !s apro$!b!te" p(ea"!n' un"er t$e &OME<E& Ru(es o# *ro%e"ure.

B$e ar'ument !s a(so untenab(e. *r!vate respon"ent apparent(y re#ers to t$e pro$!b!t!on #oun"!n Ru(e 13, 1 o# t$e &OME<E& Ru(es o# *ro%e"ure, 51 6 un"er *art ent!t(e" !n!t!at!on o#a%t!ons or pro%ee"!n's be#ore t$e %omm!ss!on. 7s !s ev!"ent #rom t$e sa!" $ea"!n', t$!sprov!s!on !s app(!%ab(e on(y to a%t!ons or pro%ee"!n's be#ore t$e &OME<E&. Ru(e 1, 2 o# t$e&OME<E& Ru(es states:

B$ese ru(es, e %ept *art I , s$a(( app(y to a(( a%t!ons an" pro%ee"!n's brou'$t be#ore t$e&omm!ss!on. *art I s$a(( app(y to e(e%t!on %ontests an" quo warranto %ases %o'n! ab(e by%ourts o# 'enera( or (!m!te" ur!s"!%t!on.

B$e pro$!b!t!on, t$ere#ore, "oes not app(y to t$e pro%ee"!n's !n t$e RB& /$ere t$e mot!on to"!sm!ss /as #!(e".










# t$ere !s a r!'$t, t$ere must be a reme"y !s an o(" (e'a( a"a'e. B$e %ase at bar prov!"es t$e

per#e%t sett!n' #or t$e app(!%at!on o# t$!s a"a'e /$!%$ !s a "eman" #or s!mp(e ust!%e. B$e #a%ts

/!(( s$o/ $o/ t$e respon"entKs r!'$t to run #or a pub(!% o##!%e $as been #rustrate" by

uns%rupu(ous o##!%!a(s !n %$ar'e o# t$e san%t!ty o# our e(e%tora( pro%ess.

*et!t!oner M!(es Ro%es =Ro%es> an" #ormer &on'ressman Aarry 7n' *!n' =Mr. 7n' *!n'> #!(e"

t$e!r respe%t!ve %ert!#!%ates o# %an"!"a%y =&O&s> #or t$e pos!t!on o# Representat!ve #or t$e 3 r"

&on'ress!ona( )!str!%t o# Man!(a !n t$e May 200 e(e%t!ons.

On ?anuary , 200 , a re*&stered '!ter o# Man!(a name" 7(e an"ro Gome uest!one" Mr.

7n' *!n'Ks %an"!"a%y be#ore t$e &OME<E& t$rou'$ a pet!t!on to "eny "ue %ourse or %an%e(

$!s &O&. - B$e pet!t!on a((e'e" t$at Mr. 7n' *!n' m!srepresente" $!mse(# to be a natura(-

born %!t! en, $en%e /as "!s ua(!#!e" #or t$e pos!t!on.

7%t!n' #or t$e &OME<E& F!rst )!v!s!on, &omm!ss!oner 9&r*&+&! O. Garc&++&an!!ssue" an

or"er on A%r&+ 07, /771 s%$e"u(!n' t$e %r!;$+*at&!n o# !ts reso(ut!on on Ma 2, /771 . /

B/o "ays <e"!re t$e s%$e"u(e" promu('at!on or on Ma 0, /771 , Mr. 7n' *!n' #!(e" /!t$ t$e

&OME<E& a S/orn )e%(arat!on o# ;!t$"ra/a( o# $!s &O&. 0 B$e ne t "ay, Ma 1, /771 , t$e

Genera( &ounse( #or t$e Nat!ona(!st *eop(es &oa(!t!on, t$e po(!t!%a( party o# Mr. 7n' *!n',

sou'$t t$at Mr. 7n' *!n'Ks /!#e, Ma. ena!"a 7n' *!n' =Mrs. 7n' *!n'>, subst!tute #or $!m. 1

Mr. 7n' *!n' a(so #!(e" a mot!on to %an%e( t$e s%$e"u(e" promu('at!on an" "!sm!ss t$e

pet!t!on to "eny "ue %ourse or %an%e( $!s &O& on t$e same "ate. 2 On Ma 2, /771 ,

&omm!ss!oner Resurre%%!on . 4orra de"erred t#e %r!;$+*at&!n "!r +ac !" $!r$; as #e

as t#e s!+e C!;;&ss&!ner &n attendance. 3

http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2005/sep2005/167499.htm#_ftn1














Des%&te a++ t#ese de'e+!%;ents, t$e &OME<E& F!rst )!v!s!on, t#r!$*# C!;;&ss&!ners

R$"&n! S.B. Ja'&er, Res$rrecc&!n Z. B!rra, and 9&r*&+&! O. Garc&++&an!,!ssue" a

res!+$t&!n *rant&n* t#e %et&t&!n t! den d$e c!$rse to Mr. 7n' *!n'Ks &O& an" or"er!n'

t$e 4oar" o# E(e%t!on nspe%tors o# Man!(a not to %ount any vote %ast !n $!s #avor. 4 t ru(e"t$at t$e res!+$t&!n /$!%$ /as !r&*&na++ sc#ed$+ed "!r %r!;$+*at&!nby &omm!ss!oner

Gar%!((!ano on Ma 2, /771 /as &nstead %r!;$+*ated !n A%r&+ 07, /771, t#e sa;e date

t#at t#e n!t&ce !" %r!;$+*at&!n as &ss$ed. 5 B$e reso(ut!on /as serve" on Mr. 7n'

*!n'Ks %ounse( on Ma 5, /771 . 6

&ompoun"!n' t$e /oes o# Mr. 7n' *!n', an" des%&te t#e de"er;ent !" t#e %r!;$+*at&!n

< C!;;&ss&!ner B!rra at a #ear&n* !n Ma 2, /771, t$e &OME<E& F!rst )!v!s!on !ssue"

!n t#e sa;e date an !rder den &n* Mr. 7n' *!n'Ks ;!t&!n t! d&s;&ss . t $e(" t$at t$e

mot!on to "!sm!ss /as #!(e" a"ter t$e T%r!;$+*at&!n o# t$e A%r&+ 07, /771 res!+$t&!n

'rant!n' t$e pet!t!on to "eny "ue %ourse to Mr. 7n' *!n'Ks &O&. -7 On May 9, 200 , and

<e"!re t#e e %&rat&!n !" t#e "&'e)da re*+e;entar %er&!d , -- Mr. 7n' *!n' move" #or

re%ons!"erat!on o# t$e 7pr!( 30, 200 reso(ut!on an" t$e %ase /as e(evate" to t$e &OME<E&

en anc . -/

#&+e t#e case as st&++ &t# t#e COMELEC 8&rst D&'&s&!n, or on May , 200 , t$e

&OME<E& en banc !ssue" Res!+$t&!n N!. 35/0, dec+ar&n* ;!!t Mr. An* P&n*@s A""&da'&t

!" &t#dra a+, den &n* d$e c!$rse t! t#e s$<st&t$te COC !" Mrs. An* P&n* and

!rder&n* t#e Re*&!na+ E+ect&!n D&rect!r t! de+ete Mr. An* P&n*@s na;e "r!; t#e cert&"&ed

+&st !" cand&dates. -0 7mon' t$e s!'nator!es to t$e Reso(ut!on /ere C!;;&ss&!ners

Ja'&er, B!rra, and Garc&++&an! !" t#e COMELEC 8&rst D&'&s&!nbe#ore /$!%$ t$e pet!t!on to

"eny "ue %ourse as st&++ %end&n*. -1 Mr. 7n' *!n' $a" no +no/(e"'e o# t$e reso(ut!on.






















Ra%!n' a'a!nst t!me or on May 11, 200 , t$e spouses 7n' *!n' re%a&red t! t#&s C!$rtan"

#!(e" a %et&t&!n "!rcertiorari /!t$ prayer #or temporary restra!n!n' or"er, status uo or"er

an" or /r!t o# pre(!m!nary !n un%t!on "o%+ete" as G.R. No. 1 32 9, assa!(!n' &OME<E&

Reso(ut!on No. 23. -2 B$e ne t "ay or on May 12, 200 , t$!s &ourt !ssue" a reso(ut!onre u!r!n' Ro%es to %omment an" "en!e" t$e !ssuan%e o# an or"er suspen"!n' t$e

pro%(amat!on. -3

On t$e e+ect&!n da &tse+" , t$e Man&+a C&t B!ard !" Can'assers reso(ve" not to %anvass

t$e votes #or Mr. or Mrs. 7n' *!n' c&t&n* COMELEC Res!+$t&!n N!. 35/0. -4 On May 1 ,

200 , a#ter %ount!n' on(y 3,014 votes out o# t$e -27,054 re*&stered '!ters &n t#e d&str&ct, !t

pro%(a!me" Ro%es /!nner. -5 B$e spouses 7n' *!n' appea(e" t$e 4oar" reso(ut!on to t$e

&OME<E& en anc -6 an" #!(e" a pet!t!on to annu( t$e pro%(amat!on /7 but t$ese /ere

"!sm!sse" by &OME<E&Ks Reso(ut!on No. 2 an" Omn!bus Or"er o# ?u(y , 200 . /-

On May 19, 200 , Ro%es #!(e" $!s &omment to t$e pet!t!on o# spouses 7n' *!n' /!t$ t$!s

&ourt. // On May 2 , 200 , t$!s &ourt re u!re" t$e spouses 7n' *!n' to #!(e t$e!r

%onso(!"ate" rep(y to t$e &omment. /0

On May 2 , 200 , Mrs. 7n' *!n' #!(e" an E+ect&!n Pr!test Ad Cautelam /!t$ t$e Aouse o#

Representat!ves E(e%tora( Br!buna( =AREB>, /$!%$ /as "o%+ete" as AREB &ase No. 0 -00 .

/1 n $er e(e%t!on protest, Mrs. 7n' *!n' a((e'e", amon' ot$ers, t$at &OME<E& Reso(ut!on

No. 23 /as a T'(ar!n' %ase o# "epr!vat!onU o# Mr. an" Mrs. 7n' *!n'Ks r!'$t to Te(evate S*&

0 -22 to t$e &omm!ss!on en anc U an" t$at t$e &OME<E&Ks 7pr!( 30, 200 reso(ut!on /as

!rre'u(ar(y promu('ate". Ro%es #!(e" $!s ans/er a((e'!n', amon' ot$ers, t$at t$e AREB $as no

ur!s"!%t!on over t$e %ase. /2

On ?u(y 1 , 200 , t$e spouses 7n' *!n' #!(e" t$e!r %onso(!"ate" rep(y /!t$ t$!s &ourt. /3 On




























?u(y 2 , 200 , /e re u!re" Mrs. 7n' *!n' to s$o/ %ause /$y t$e pet!t!on !n G.R. No. 1 32 9

s$ou(" not be "!sm!sse" !n v!e/ o# t$e #!(!n' an" pen"en%y o# AREB &ase No. 0 -00 . /4 n

$er &omp(!an%e #!(e" on ?u(y 30, 200 , Mrs. 7n' *!n' e p(a!ne" t$at t$e !ssue o# /$et$er t$e

&OME<E& 'rave(y abuse" !ts "!s%ret!on !n !ssu!n' t$e &OME<E& Reso(ut!on No. 23 maybe vent!(ate" as one o# t$e !ssues to be sett(e" !n t$e AREB E(e%t!on *rotest s!n%e t$e non-

%anvass!n' o# t$e T7n' *!n' votesU an" t$e pro%(amat!on o# pet!t!oner Ro%es /ere #oun"e" on

&OME<E& Reso(ut!on No. 23 an" /ere ra!se" as t$e pr!n%!pa( !ssues !n t$e AREB E(e%t!on

*rotest. B$!s not/!t$stan"!n', t$e spouses 7n' *!n' man!#este" t$at t$ey /!(( Tsubm!t to any

"!sposa( /$!%$ t$!s Aonorab(e &ourt may #!n" appropr!ate un"er t$e above %!r%umstan%esU

an" T/ou(" "e#er an" /!(( a%%ept any or"er reso(ut!on o# t$e Aonorab(e &ourt t$at /ou("

reso(ve to "!sm!ss t$e !nstant pet!t!on %ontroversy, <$t a++! &n* t#e; t! %$rs$e and

c!ncentrate t#e&r t&;e and e""!rt &n t#e a<!'e);ent&!ned Ad Cautela HRET E+ect&!n

Pr!test Case, #&c# t#e &ntend t! c!n'ert t! a REGULAR PROTEST case, &n s$c# an

e'ent. /5

On 7u'ust 10, 200 , t#&s C!$rt d&s;&ssed G.R. N!. -30/26 &n '&e !" t#e %end&n* HRET

%r!test #!(e" by Mrs. 7n' *!n'. /6 B$e reso(ut!on eventua((y be%ame #!na( an" e e%utory. 07

B$erea#ter, Mrs. 7n' *!n' #!(e" !n t$e AREB a ;!t&!n t! c!n'ert t#e ad cautelam %r!test t!

a re*$+ar %r!test. B$e AREB 'rante" t$e mot!on on September 9, 200 . 0-

n t$e AREB, Ro%es #!(e" a mot!on to "!sm!ss t$e protest, assa!(!n' !n t$e ma!n t$e

%ers!na+&t o# Mrs. 7n' *!n' to #!(e t$e protest. t a(so ra!se" t$e #o((o/!n' !ssues: =1> /$et$er

t$e AREB $as ur!s"!%t!on to rev!e/ &OME<E& Reso(ut!on No. 23@ =2> /$et$er Mrs. 7n'

*!n' %an va(!"(y subst!tute #or Mr. 7n' *!n'@ =3> /$et$er t$e protest may be reso(ve" by mere

%anvass o# e(e%t!on returns@ = > /$et$er t$e pro%ee"!n' !s a TprotestU %ons!"er!n' t$at !t

uest!ons pro%ee"!n's $e(" be#ore t$e Man!(a &!ty 4oar" o# &anvassers@ = > /$et$er Mrs.













7n' *!n' %ou(" %(a!m any r!'$t to t$e ba((ots %ast %ons!"er!n' s$e /as not (!ste" !n t$e

%ert!#!e" (!st o# &OME<E& %an"!"ates@ = > /$et$er t$e pet!t!on !s su##!%!ent !n #orm an"

substan%e "esp!te #a!(!n' to state t$e spe%!#!% pre%!n%ts proteste"@ an" = > /$et$er #orum

s$opp!n' /as %omm!tte".

7#ter e tens!ve ora( ar'uments, t$e AREB den&ed R!ces@s ;!t&!n t! d&s;&ss on Mar%$ 3,

200 . t ru(e" t$at Mrs. 7n' *!n' /as a %r!%er %art to #!(e t$e protest a'a!nst Ro%es s!n%e:

=1> t$ere /as no #!na( &OME<E& reso(ut!on "!s ua(!#y!n' or "eny!n' "ue %ourse to t$e &O& o#

Mr. 7n' *!n', t$us $er subst!tut!on #or t$e (atter /as (e'a((y perm!ss!b(e un"er t$e Omn!bus

E(e%t!on &o"e@0/ =2> s$e /as one o# t$e %an"!"ates vote" #or "ur!n' e(e%t!on "ay !n t$e 3r"

)!str!%t o# Man!(a@00 an" =3> t#e COMELEC Order !" Ma 2, /771 as !" $est&!na<+e

'a+&d&t#or t$e reason t$at: =a> !t /as !ssue" !n v!o(at!on o# !ts 7pr!( 30, 200 reso(ut!on sett!n'

t$e promu('at!on #or May , 200 an" "esp!te t$e #a%t t$at t$e re%or"s $a" not yet rea%$e"

t$e &OME<E& en anc @01 an" =b> t$ere /as no pr!or not!%e an" $ear!n' !n v!o(at!on o#

Se%t!on o# t$e Omn!bus E(e%t!on &o"e. 02 Ro%esKs mot!on #or re%ons!"erat!on o# t$e

AREB or"er /as "en!e" on Mar%$ 21, 200 .

Ro%es t$en #!(e" t$e %resent %et&t&!n#or certiorari assa!(!n' t$e t/o pre%e"!n' reso(ut!ons o#

t$e AREB. 03 B$e &ss$es "!r res!+$t&!n are: =1> /$et$er or not t$e AREB %omm!tte" 'rave

abuse o# "!s%ret!on amount!n' to (a%+ or e %ess o# ur!s"!%t!on /$en !t ru(e" t$at Mrs. 7n'

*!n' !s a proper party to #!(e t$e e(e%t!on protest "esp!te t$e "en!a( !n "ue %ourse an"

%an%e((at!on o# $er &O& un"er &OME<E& Reso(ut!on No. 23@ an" =2> /$et$er or not AREB

$as ur!s"!%t!on to rev!e/ a reso(ut!on or or"er o# t$e &OME<E& an" or "e%(are t$e same as

vo!" an" "!sre'ar" or set !t as!"e.

A"ter se'era+ ;!nt#s !r !n A%r&+ /5, /772, t$e &OME<E& en banc !ssue" a reso(ut!on















"eterm!n!n' /$et$er Ro%es /as ab(e to "!s%$ar'e $!s bur"en o# prov!n' t$at Mrs. 7n' *!n' !s

not t$e proper party to assa!( $!s e(e%t!on. n pass!n' upon t$e &OME<E& reso(ut!ons

espe%!a((y #or t$at purpose, !t %annot be sa!" t$at t$e AREB usurpe" t$e ur!s"!%t!on o# t$e

&OME<E&.

On t$e mer!ts o# t$e AREB ru(!n', /e $o(" t$at t$e AREB "!" not abuse !ts "!s%ret!on !n

$o("!n' t$at Mrs. 7n' *!n' !s a proper party to %ontest t$e e(e%t!on o# Ro%es. n"er

&OME<E& ru(es, t$e pro%e"ure o# promu('at!on o# a "e%!s!on or reso(ut!on !s as #o((o/s:

SE&B ON . 6ro%ul ation . B$e promu('at!on o# a "e%!s!on or reso(ut!on o# t$e&omm!ss!on or a )!v!s!on s$a(( be ma"e on a "ate prev!ous(y #! e", o# /$!%$ not!%e s$a(( be

serve" !n a"van%e upon t$e part!es or t$e!r attorneys persona((y or by re'!stere" ma!( or byte(e'ram. 10

Pr!;$+*at&!n !s !mportant be%ause !t "eterm!nes /$en t$e re*+e;entar %er&!d <e*&ns t!

t!++. n t$e %ase at bar, C!;;&ss&!ner Garc&++&an!#! e" t$e promu('at!on o# !ts reso(ut!on

/$et$er to '!ve "ue %ourse to t$e %an"!"a%y o# Mr. 7n' *!n' on May , 200 .

For ; ster&!$s reas!ns , t$e &OME<E& F!rst )!v!s!on o# &omm!ss!oner Gar%!((ano "!" not

%r!;$+*ate t#e res!+$t&!n on Ma 2, /771 !n a%%or"an%e /!t$ !ts not!%e o# promu('at!on. In

'&!+at&!n !" t#e a<!'ec&ted r$+e, and des%&te t#e de"er;ent !" t#e %r!;$+*at&!n <

C!;;&ss&!ner B!rra t! a date t! <e set < t#e COMELEC 8&rst D&'&s&!n, t$e reso(ut!on

/as "eeme" Tpromu('ate"U by t$e &OME<E& on A%r&+ 07, /771 /$en !t /as #!(e" /!t$ t$e

%(er+ o# %ourt. B$e A%r&+ 07, /771 &OME<E& reso(ut!on /as re%e!ve" by Mr. 7n' *!n'Ks

%ounse( on(y on Ma 5, /771 . 11

T#e ; ster&!$s A%r&+ 07, /771 res!+$t&!n as t#erea"ter $sed t! r$n r!$*#s#!d !'er

t#e r&*#ts !" t#e An* P&n*s. B$us, on May , 200 , t$e &OME<E& F!rst )!v!s!on o#







&omm!ss!oner Gar%!((!ano "en!e" Mr. 7n' *!n'Ks mot!on to "!sm!ss. 7((e'e"(y, Mr. 7n' *!n'Ks

mot!on /as #!(e" a#ter t$e 7pr!( 30, 200 reso(ut!on.

Bo ma+e matters /orse, t$e &OME<E& en anc $s$r%ed t#e $r&sd&ct&!n !" t#e COMELEC

8&rst D&'&s&!n #en &t &ss$ed Res!+$t&!n N!. 35/0 !n Ma 5, /771 /$!%$ or"ere" t$e

"e(et!on o# Mr. 7n' *!n'Ks name #rom t$e &ert!#!e" <!st o# &an"!"ates an" "en!e" t$e spouses

7n' *!n'Ks mot!ons to /!t$"ra/ an" subst!tute "esp!te t$e #a%t t$at: =1> t$e re'(ementary

per!o" o# Mr. 7n' *!n' to appea( $a" n!t et e %&red an" =2> Mr. 7n' *!n' $a" "&+ed a

;!t&!n "!r rec!ns&derat&!n o# t$e pre%e"!n' or"er on Ma -7, /771 &t#&n t#e "&'e)da

re*+e;entar %er&!d . N! #ere &s &t %r!'&ded &n t#e +a t#at t#e COMELEC en banc #as

t#e %! er t! ass$;e $r&sd&ct&!n motu proprio !'er a %et&t&!n t! den d$e c!$rse

%end&n* <e"!re a d&'&s&!n !" t#e C!;;&ss&!n. )!ametr!%a((y oppose" t$ereto are t$e

prov!s!ons o# t$e &onst!tut!on an" &OME<E& Ru(es o# *ro%e"ure /$!%$ prov!"e t$at ;!t&!ns

"!r rec!ns&derat&!n o# t$e &OME<E& "!v!s!onKs "e%!s!ons, reso(ut!ons, or"ers or ru(!n's

;$st "&rst <e "&+ed &n t#e D&'&s&!ns <e"!re t#e C!;;&ss&!n en banc ;a ta e

c!*n&Kance t#ere!" , &iA.:

SE&B ON 3. B$e &omm!ss!on on E(e%t!ons may s!t en anc or !n t/o "!v!s!ons, an" s$a((promu('ate !ts ru(es o# pro%e"ure !n or"er to e pe"!te "!spos!t!on o# e(e%t!on %ases, !n%(u"!n'pre-pro%(amat!on %ontrovers!es. A++ s$c# e+ect&!n cases s#a++ <e #eard and dec&ded &nd&'&s&!n, %r!'&ded t#at ;!t&!ns "!r rec!ns&derat&!n !" dec&s&!ns s#a++ <e dec&ded <t#e C!;;&ss&!n en banc . 12

SE&B ON 3. The 'o%%ission Sittin in /i&isions. T#e C!;;&ss&!n s#a++ s&t &n t !

>/? D&'&s&!ns t! #ear and dec&deprotests or pet!t!ons !n or"!nary a%t!ons, s%ec&a+ act&!ns,spe%!a( %ases, prov!s!ona( reme"!es, %ontempt an" spe%!a( pro%ee"!n's e %ept !na%%re"!tat!on o# %!t! ensD arms o# t$e &omm!ss!on. 5 6

SE&B ON . ow -otion for Reconsideration /isposed ,f. U%!n t#e "&+&n* !" a;!t&!n t! rec!ns&der a dec&s&!n, res!+$t&!n, !rder !r r$+&n* !" a D&'&s&!n, t$e &(er+ o#&ourt %on%erne" s$a((, /!t$!n t/enty-#our =2 > $ours #rom t$e #!(!n' t$ereo#, not!#y t$e*res!"!n' &omm!ss!oner. T#e +atter s#a++ &t#&n t ! >/? da s t#erea"ter cert&" t#e case t!







t#e C!;;&ss&!n en banc .

SE&B ON . /ut of 'lerB of 'ourt of 'o%%ission to 'alendar -otion for Resolution.T#e C+er !" C!$rt c!ncerned s#a++ ca+endar t#e ;!t&!n "!r rec!ns&derat&!n "!r t#eres!+$t&!n !" t#e C!;;&ss&!n en banc &t#&n ten >-7? da s "r!; t#e cert&"&cat&!nt#ere!". =Emp$ases supp(!e"> 14

B$!s %re;at$re &OME<E& Reso(ut!on No. 23 as t#en $sed on Ma -/, /771, or on t$e

e(e%t!on "ay !tse(#, by t$e Man!(a &!ty 4oar" o# &anvassers as t$e bas!s o# !ts reso(ut!on n!t t!

can'ass t#e '!tes #or Mr. or Mrs. 7n' *!n'. t t$en pro%(a!me" Ro%es t$e /!nner "esp!te

$av!n' %ounte" on(y 3,014 votes out o# t$e -27,054 re*&stered '!ters !" t#e d&str&ct . 15

Fo((o/!n' t$ese #&*#+ s$s%ect res!+$t&!ns, Ro%es /as pro%(a!me" /!nner on May 1 ,

200 . 7(( to(", !t %annot be "en!e" t$at t$e e""ect o# &OME<E& en anc Reso(ut!on No. 23

/as to e ec$te t#e A%r&+ 07, /771 res!+$t&!n !" &ts 8&rst D&'&s&!n #&c#, at t#at t&;e, #ad

n!t et <ec!;e "&na+ and e ec$t!r . B$ese !rre'u(ar!t!es %annot be s/ept a/ay by t$e

be(ate" &OME<E& en anc@s A%r&+ /5, /772 reso(ut!on "eny!n' Mr. 7n' *!n'Ks mot!on #or

re%ons!"erat!on "ate" May 10, 200 . 16

t !s ar'ue" t$at Mrs. 7n' *!n'Ks mot!ons #or re%ons!"erat!on an" appea(s T c$red /$atever

"e#e%ts o%%urre" at t$e &OME<E&. &!t!n' T.H. 9a+dera;a S!ns, Inc. '. Dr&+!n , 27 Ro%es

po!nts to t$e pet!t!on #or certiorari #!(e" /!t$ t$!s &ourt on May 11, 200 by Mrs. 7n' *!n'

assa!(!n' &OME<E& Reso(ut!on No. 23 an" $er a% u!es%en%e to any Tappropr!ate a%t!on

ta+en =by t$e &ourt> !n%(u"!n' t$e "!sm!ssa( o# t$e above pet!t!on.U &ontrary to Ro%esKsposture, 9a+dera;a an" !ts +!n re u!re" t$at t$e a''r!eve" party be '!ven an !%%!rt$n&t t!

<e #eard . In t#e case at <ar , !t ou'$t to be emp$as! e" t$at t$e pr!vate respon"ent /as

s ste;at&ca++ den&ed t#e !%%!rt$n&t t! <e #eard . T#e res!+$t&!n !" t#e COMELEC@s

8&rst D&'&s&!n as ;ade <e"!re &ts %r&!r&+ set date !" %r!;$+*at&!n, dee;ed "&na+ and











e ec$t!r < t#e COMELEC en banc &n Res!+$t&!n N!. 35/0 <e"!re e %&r !" t#e

re*+e;entar %er&!d, and e ec$ted < t#e Man&+a C&t B!ard !" Can'assers. B$e pet!t!on

#or certiorari #!(e" by Mrs. 7n' *!n' %$a((en'e" t$ese reso(ut!ons an" c!$+d n!t #a'e c$red

t#ese <+atant '&!+at&!ns !" #er r&*#t t! d$e %r!cess. In tr$t#, t#&s C!$rt re"erred t#ecase !" Mrs. An* P&n* t! t#e HRET #ere s#e #as "&+ed a %r!test ad cautelam .

B$ere !s no !ota o# "oubt t$at t$e &OME<E&Ks reso(ut!ons are '!&d ab initio #or v!o(at!n' Mrs.

7n' *!n'Ks %onst!tut!ona( r!'$t to "ue pro%ess. ?u"'ments entere" !n a pro%ee"!n' #a!(!n' to

%omp(y /!t$ pro%e"ura( "ue pro%ess are vo!", as !s one entere" by a %ourt a%t!n' !n a manner

!n%ons!stent /!t$ "ue pro%ess. 2- 7 vo!" u"'ment !s "e#!ne" as one t$at, "r!; &ts &nce%t&!n,

&s a c!;%+ete n$++&t and &t#!$t +e*a+ e""ect. 7 vo!" u"'ment !s not ent!t(e" to t$e respe%t

a%%or"e" to, an" !s atten"e" by none o# t$e %onse uen%es o#, a va(!" a" u"!%at!on. n"ee", a

'!&d $d*;ent need n!t <e rec!*n&Ked < an !ne, <$t ;a <e ent&re+ d&sre*arded !r

dec+ared &n!%erat&'e < an tr&<$na+ &n #&c# e""ect &s s!$*#t t! <e *&'en t! &t. t $as no

(e'a( or b!n"!n' #or%e or e##!%a%y #or any purpose or at any p(a%e. t %annot a##e%t, !mpa!r, or

%reate r!'$ts, nor %an any r!'$ts be base" on !t. 7(( pro%ee"!n's #oun"e" on t$e vo!" u"'ment

are t$emse(ves re'ar"e" as !nva(!" an" !ne##e%t!ve #or any purpose. 2/ Nee"(ess to stress,

t$e AREB "!" not %omm!t 'rave abuse o# "!s%ret!on !n assum!n' ur!s"!%t!on over t$e e(e%t!on

protest as t$e &OME<E& Reso(ut!on "ate" 7pr!( 30, 200 , Or"er o# May , 200 , an"

Reso(ut!on No. 23 /ere '!&d ab initio .

T#&rd. *et!t!oner %onten"s t$at t$e AREB %annot rev!e/ "e%!s!ons o# t$e &OME<E& an"

t$at &OME<E& "e%!s!ons, or"ers, or ru(!n's may be so(e(y rev!e/e" by t$e Supreme &ourt on

certiorari by t$e a''r!eve" party /!t$!n t$!rty "ays #rom re%e!pt o# a %opy t$ereo#. 20 t !s true

t$at 'enera((y, t$e met$o" o# assa!(!n' a u"'ment or or"er o# t$e &OME<E& !s &ia pet!t!on #or

certiorari . 21 7s a#orestate", $o/ever, !t /as pet!t!oner /$o subm!tte" t$ese reso(ut!ons to











t$e AREB as proo#s t$at Mrs. 7n' *!n' /as not a proper party. T#ese sa;e res!+$t&!ns

ere c!++atera++ attac ed < Mrs. An* P&n* <e"!re t#e HRET #en s#e a++e*ed t#at

t#ese '&!+ated #er r&*#t t! d$e %r!cess. 22 A '!&d $d*;ent !r res!+$t&!n may be

!mpea%$e" t$rou'$ c!++atera+ attac . 23 7 d&rect attac on a u"'ment or reso(ut!on !s"e#!ne" as an attempt to avo!" or %orre%t !t !n some manner prov!"e" by (a/, !n a pro%ee"!n'

!nst!tute" #or t$at very purpose, !n t$e same a%t!on an" !n t$e same tr!buna(. &onverse(y, a

c!++atera+ attac !s an attempt to !mpea%$ t$e u"'ment or reso(ut!on by matters "e$ors t$e

re%or", be#ore a tr!buna( ot$er t$an t$e one !n /$!%$ !t /as ren"ere", !n an a%t!on ot$er t$an

t$at !n /$!%$ !t /as ren"ere"@ an atte;%t t! a'!&d, de"eat, !r e'ade &t, !r den &ts "!rce

and e""ect, &n s!;e &nc&denta+ %r!ceed&n* n!t %r!'&ded < +a "!r t#e e %ress %$r%!se

!" attac &n* &t an %r!ceed&n* #&c# &s n!t &nst&t$ted "!r t#e e %ress %$r%!se !"

ann$++&n*, c!rrect&n*, !r ;!d&" &n* s$c# decree @ an ob e%t!on, !n%!"enta((y ra!se" !n t$e

%ourse o# t$e pro%ee"!n', /$!%$ presents an !ssue %o((atera( to t$e !ssues ma"e by t$e

p(ea"!n's. 24 B$e ru(e t$at a vo!" u"'ment or "e%ree !s sub e%t to %o((atera( atta%+ at any

t!me !s base" upon a %ourtDs !n$erent aut$or!ty to e pun'e vo!" a%ts #rom !ts re%or"s. 25 B$e

vo!" reso(ut!ons o# t$e &OME<E&, espe%!a((y t$e 7pr!( 30, 200 reso(ut!on !ssue" by !ts F!rst

)!v!s!on, %annot oust t$e AREB o# !ts ur!s"!%t!on over t$e %ase at bar.

8!$rt# . ;e $asten to a"" t$at u"'ments, or"ers an" reso(ut!ons s$ou(" on(y be "e%(are"

vo!" !n t$e ;!st e ce%t&!na+ c&rc$;stances "ue to "etr!menta( e##e%ts on t$e "o%tr!ne o#

#!na(!ty o# u"'ments. B$e %!r%umstan%es o# t$!s %ase, $o/ever, are $n& $e !n t$at t$e pr!vate

respon"ent /as den&ed d$e %r!cess an" /as "!rced to see+ ust!%e !n t$e AREB. n #a%t, !t

/as t$!s &ourt t$at re"erred t$e pr!vate respon"ent to t$e AREB /$en !t d&s;&ssed t$e

(atterKs pet!t!on !n G.R. No. 1 32 9 !n t#e *r!$nd !" t#e %endenc !" HRET Case N!. 71)

771. Bo 'rant t$e pet!t!on no/ /ou(" e""ect&'e+ "!rec+!se t$e pr!vate respon"entKs a%%ess to











any reme"y "esp!te v!o(at!on o# $er r!'$t to "ue pro%ess.

IN 9IE HEREO8, t$e pet!t!on !s "!sm!sse". B$e temporary restra!n!n' or"er prev!ous(y

!ssue" by t$e &ourt !s (!#te".

SO ORDERED.

G.R. N!. -74646 J$ne -6, -662DANILO 8. GATCHALIAN,pet!t!oner,vs.COURT O8 APPEALS, JUDGE IBARRA S. 9IGILIA >Branc# -4, RTC !" BULACAN? andGREGORIO N. ARUELO, JR.,respon"ents.

:UIASON, J.:

B$!s !s a pet!t!on #or certiorari an" pro$!b!t!on to set as!"e t$e )e%!s!on o# t$e &ourt o# 7ppea(s!n &7-G.R. S* No. 2 21.

)an!(o F. Gat%$a(!an an" Gre'or!o N. 7rue(o, ?r. /ere r!va( %an"!"ates #or t$e o##!%e o# t$e I!%eMayor o# 4a(a'tas, 4u(a%an !n t$e May 11, 1992 e(e%t!ons.

On May 13, 1992, t$e Mun!%!pa( 4oar" o# &anvassers pro%(a!me" Gat%$a(!an as t$e "u(ye(e%te" I!%e Mayor o# 4a(a'tas, 4u(a%an by a mar'!n o# #our votes.

On May 22, 1992, 7rue(o #!(e" /!t$ t$e &omm!ss!on on E(e%t!ons =&OME<E&> a ver!#!e"pet!t!on "o%+ete" as S*& No. 92-130 see+!n' to annu( t$e pro%(amat!on o# Gat%$a(!an.

On ?une 2, 1992, 7rue(o #!(e" /!t$ t$e Re'!ona( Br!a( &ourt, 4ran%$ 1 , Ma(o(os, 4u(a%an, ane(e%t!on protest "o%+ete" as &!v!( &ase No. 3 3-M-92. n sa!" e(e%t!on protest, 7rue(o a((e'e"t$at t$e protest /as #!(e" e3 a undante cautela , t$ere be!n' a pen"!n' pre-pro%(amat!on %asebe#ore t$e &OME<E&. t (!+e/!se %onta!ne" a %(a!m #or "ama'es !n t$e amount o# *100,000.00 by /ay o# attorneyDs #ees. On t$e same "ate, 7rue(o pa!" t$e amount o# * 10.00as #!(!n' #ees.

On ?une 10, 1992, Gat%$a(!an re%e!ve" an amen"e" summons #rom t$e %(er+ o# %ourt o# t$etr!a( %ourt, '!v!n' $!m #!ve "ays /!t$!n /$!%$ to ans/er.

nstea" o# #!(!n' an ans/er, Gat%$a(!an #!(e" a mot!on to "!sm!ss on ?une 1 , 1992 on t$e#o((o/!n' 'roun"s: =a> t$e pet!t!on /as #!(e" out o# t!me@ =b> t$ere /as a pen"!n' pre-pro%(amat!on %ase be#ore t$e &OME<E&, an" $en%e t$e protest /as premature@ an" =%>

7rue(o #a!(e" to pay t$e pres%r!be" #!(!n' #ees an" %as$ "epos!t upon #!(!n' o# t$e pet!t!on. 7rue(o #!(e" an oppos!t!on to t$e mot!on to "!sm!ss, to /$!%$ Gat%$a(!an #!(e" a rep(y.





# a %(a!m #or "ama'es an" attorneyDs #ees are set #ort$ !n a protest, %ounter-protest or protest-!n-!ntervent!on, an a""!t!ona( #!(!n' #ee s$a(( be pa!" !na%%or"an%e /!t$ t$e s%$e"u(e prov!"e" #or !n t$e Ru(es o# &ourt !n t$e*$!(!pp!nes.

n"er sa!" Ru(e, a protestant $as to pay t$e #o((o/!n':

a> #!(!n' #ee o# *300.00@ b> (e'a( resear%$ #ee@ an" %> a""!t!ona( #!(!n' #ee !# t$ere be a %(a!m #or "ama'es or attorneyDs #ees.

7rue(o, upon #!(!n' t$e e(e%t!on protest /!t$ t$e tr!a( %ourt on ?une 2, 1992, pa!" t$e #o((o/!n'amounts:

O.R.No.

7mount

20 19-R * 0.00 )o%+et Fee-?u"!%!ary

)eve(opment Fun"

0129S 1 0.00 Genera( Fun"

1, 0 ,31 .00 10.00 <e'a( Resear%$

1, 0 ,0 3.00 . 0 Summons Fee

2,0 , 20.00 .00 Summons Fee

From t$e above !tem! at!on, !t !s %(ear t$at 7rue(o #a!(e" to pay t$e #!(!n' #ee o# *300.00 #or t$e

e(e%t!on protest pres%r!be" by t$e &OME<E& Ru(es o# *ro%e"ure.B$e amount o# * 00.00, %ons!st!n' o# * 0.00 =?u"!%!ary )eve(opment Fun"> an" *1 0.00=Genera( Fun">, re#ers to t$e "o%+et #ee #or 7rue(oDs %(a!m o# attorneyD s #ees !n t$e amount o# *100,000.00 !n a%%or"an%e /!t$ t$e s%$e"u(e prov!"e" #or !n Se%t!on =a>, Ru(e 1 1 o# t$eRev!se" Ru(es o# &ourt = 'f. Ru(e 3 , Se%t!on 9, t$!r" para'rap$, &OME<E& Ru(es o# *ro%e"ure>.

B$e tr!a( %ourt %annot s!mp(y "e"u%t #rom t$e * 00.00 t$e #!(!n' #ee o# *300.00 be%ause t$e#ormer amount !s spe%!#!%a((y a((o%ate" by (a/ =*.). No. 19 9> an" by Supreme &ourt

7"m!n!strat!ve &!r%u(ar No. 31-90 "ate" O%tober 1 , 1990 to t$e ?u"!%!ary )eve(opment Fun"an" t$e Genera( Fun". 7 separate set o# re%e!pts !s use" #or t$e %o((e%t!on o# "o%+et #ees.

t !s t$e payment o# t$e #!(!n' #ee t$at vests ur!s"!%t!on o# t$e %ourt over t$e e(e%t!on protest,not t$e payment o# t$e "o%+et #ees #or t$e %(a!m o# "ama'es an" attorneyDs #ees. For #a!(ure topay t$e #!(!n' #ee pres%r!be" un"er Se%t!on 9, Ru(e 3 o# t$e &OME<E& Ru(es o# *ro%e"ure,t$e e(e%t!on protest must be "!sm!sse". n"er Se%t!on 9, Ru(e 3 o# t$e &OME<E& Ru(es o# *ro%e"ure, J5n6o protest . . . s$a(( be '!ven "ue %ourse /!t$out t$e payment o# a #!(!n' #ee !nt$e amount o# t$ree $un"re" pesos =*300.00> #or ea%$ !nterest.

n 6ahilan &. Ta al a , 230 S&R7 20 =199 >, /e $a" o%%as!on to ru(e as #o((o/s:

n t$e %ase no/ be#ore us, an" !n e(e%t!on %ases !n 'enera(, !t !s not t$e amount



o# "ama'es, !# any, t$at !s sou'$t to be re%overe" /$!%$ vests !n t$e %ourts t$e ur!s"!%t!on to try t$e same. Rat$er, !t !s t$e nature o# t$e a%t!on /$!%$ !s"eterm!nat!ve o# ur!s"!%t!on.

;AEREFORE, t$e pet!t!on !s GR7NBE). B$e )e%!s!on o# t$e &ourt o# 7ppea(s !n &7-G.R.S* No. 2 21 !s SEB 7S )E. &!v!( &ase No. 3 3-M-92 o# t$e Re'!ona( Br!a( &ourt, 4ran%$ 1 ,Ma(o(os, 4u(a%an !s ) SM SSE).

SO OR)ERE).

G.R. N!. --7-47 8e<r$ar /-, -661ROLETO A. PAHILAN,pet!t!oner,vs.RUDY A. TABALBA, COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, and HONORABLE JUDGESIN8OROSO 9. TABAMO, JR., BRANCH /5, MAMBAJAO, CAMIGUIN,respon"ents.

6i%entel+ *postol+ $a osa C Si a an $aw ,ffice for petitioner.

-arciano $l. *parte+ Jr. for Rud *. Ta al a.

REGALADO,J.:

B$!s or!'!na( a%t!on #or certiorari !mpu'ns t$e Or"er - o# respon"ent &omm!ss!on on E(e%t!ons,"ate" ?anuary 19, 1993, "!sm!ss!n' t$e appea( #!(e" by pet!t!oner Ro(eto 7. *a$!(an #or t$e(atterDs #a!(ure to #!(e a not!%e o# appea( /!t$ t$e Re'!ona( Br!a( &ourt o# Mumba ao, &am!'u!n,an", ne%essar!(y on t$e same rat!ona(e, t$e Reso(ut!on / promu('ate" by sa!" respon"ent onMay , 1993 "eny!n' pet!t!onerDs mot!on #or re%ons!"erat!on.

*et!t!oner *a$!(an an" pr!vate respon"ent Baba(ba /ere %an"!"ates #or Mayor o# Gu!ns!(!ban,&am!'u!n "ur!n' t$e (o%a( e(e%t!ons $e(" on May 11, 1992. On May 13, 1992, t$e Mun!%!pa(4oar" o# &anvassers pro%(a!me" Baba(ba as t$e "u(y e(e%te" Mayor o# Gu!ns!(ban, t$e (atter $av!n' 'arnere" 1,0 votes as a'a!nst 0 votes #or *a$!(an.

B$erea#ter, *a$!(an #!(e" an e(e%t!on protest 0 /$!%$ $e sent by re'!stere" ma!( on May 23,1992, a""resse" to t$e &(er+ o# &ourt o# t$e Re'!ona( Br!a( &ourt o# Mamba ao, &am!'u!n,atta%$!n' t$ereto *200.00 !n %as$ as payment #or "o%+et #ees. n a (etter 1 "ate" May 2 ,1992, t$e O &-&(er+ o# &ourt o# t$e Re'!ona( Br!a( &ourt o# Mamba ao, &am!'u!n, 4ran%$ 2 ,!n#orme" *a$!(an t$at t$e %orre%t #ees t$at /$ere suppose" to be pa!" amounte" to * 20.00,an" t$at, a%%or"!n'(y, t$e pet!t!on /ou(" not be entere" !n t$e %ourt "o%+et an" summons/ou(" not be !ssue" pen"!n' payment o# t$e ba(an%e o# * 20.00.

On ?une 1 , 1992, upon re%e!pt o# t$e (atter, *a$!(an pa!" t$e re u!re" ba(an%e !n t$e tota(amount * 0.00. 2

Subse uent(y, on ?une 22, 1992, Baba(ba #!(e" $!s ans/er /!t$ &ounter%(a!m, 3 a((e'!n' asone o# $!s a##!rmat!ve "e#enses (a%+ o# ur!s"!%t!on on t$e part o# t$e tr!a( %ourt to enterta!n t$ee(e%t!on protest #or $av!n' been #!(e" beyon" t$e ten-"ay per!o" prov!"e" by (a/.

On 7u'ust 1 , 1992, *a$!(an #!(e" a Mot!on #or n$!b!t!on, "ate" 7u'ust 1 , 1992, be%ause o# a((e'e" ser!ous an" 'rave "oubts t$at t$e pres!"!n' u"'e %ou(" !mpart!a((y $ear an" "e%!"e$!s e(e%t!on protest /!t$ t$e %o(" neutra(!ty o# an !mpart!a( u"'e, as t$e (atter a((e'e"(ybe(on's to an" $a" supporte" a po(!t!%a( 'roup a"verse to t$e %an"!"a%y o# pet!t!oner.



On 7u'ust 1 , 1992, t$e tr!a( %ourt pro%ee"e" /!t$ t$e pre-tr!a( %on#eren%e, $ear" t$e "e#enseon t$e a((e'at!on o# (a%+ o# ur!s"!%t!on #or non-payment o# "o%+et #ees, an" t$erea#ter or"ere"t$e part!es to subm!t t$e!r respe%t!ve memoran"a.

Baba(ba #!(e" $!s Memoran"um !n Support o# 7##!rmat!ve )e#ense o# <a%+ o# ?ur!s"!%t!on, 4

"ate" September , 1992. n"er "ate o# September 22, 1992, *a$!(an #!(e" a Memoran"um 5

as /e(( as a Mot!on to Reso(ve Mot!on #or n$!b!t!on *r!or to Reso(ut!on o# 7##!rmat!ve)e#enses. 6

On O%tober 2, 1992, t$e tr!a( %ourt !ssue" an Or"er -7 "eny!n' t$e mot!on #or !n$!b!t!on an""!sm!ss!n' t$e e(e%t!on protest #or Jnon-payment on t!me o# t$e re u!re" #ees #or #!(!n' an!n!t!atory p(ea"!n'.J *a$!(anDs %ounse( re%e!ve" a %opy o# sa!" or"er on O%tober 12, 1992 !n&a'ayan "e Oro &!ty.

On O%tober 1 , 1992 an" /!t$!n t$e -"ay per!o" to appea(, *a$!(an #!(e" a ver!#!e" appea(br!e# -- !n respon"ent &omm!ss!on on E(e%t!ons, /!t$ %op!es "u(y serve" on t$e Re'!ona( Br!a(&ourt o# Mamba ao, &am!'u!n an" t$e %ounse( #or $ere!n pr!vate respon"ent.

On )e%ember 12, 1992, t$e &ome(e% &ontests 7" u"!%at!on )epartment "!re%te" t$e &(er+ o# &ourt, Re'!ona( Br!a( &ourt, &am!'u!n, 4ran%$ 2 , to !mme"!ate(y transm!t t$e %omp(etere%or"s o# E* %ase No. 3=92> /$!%$ /as be!n' appea(e" by $ere!n pet!t!oner. -/ B$erea#ter, !na (etter -0 "ate" ?anuary , 1993, t$e sa!" &(er+ o# &ourt !n#orme" respon"ent &omm!ss!ont$at Jto t$!s very (ate "ate, t$!s o##!%e $as not re%e!ve" any not!%e o# appea( #rom t$e a''r!eve"party.J 7s a %onse uen%e, respon"ent &omm!ss!on, !n an Or"er "ate" ?anuary 19, 1993,"!sm!sse" *a$!(anDs ver!#!e" appea( #or #a!(ure to appea( /!t$!n t$e pres%r!be" per!o".

*a$!(an #!(e" a mot!on #or re%ons!"erat!on -1 o# t$e or"er "!sm!ss!n' $!s appea(. 4ot$ part!es/ere re u!re" by respon"ent &omm!ss!on to #!(e t$e!r respe%t!ve memoran"a. F!na((y, on May, 1993, respon"ent &omm!ss!on !ssue" !ts a#orestate" reso(ut!on "eny!n' *a$!(anDs mot!on#or re%ons!"erat!on.

Aen%e, t$!s pet!t!on on t$e bases o# t$e #o((o/!n' ass!'ne" errors:

1. ;$et$er or not respon"ent &omm!ss!on va(!"(y "!sm!sse" t$e ver!#!e"J7ppea(J o# pet!t!oner /$!%$ %onta!ns a(( t$e e(ements o# a Jnot!%e o# appea(J an"more e press!ve o# t$e !ntent to e(evate t$e %ase #or rev!e/ by sa!" appe((atebo"y, an" #urn!s$!n' %op!es t$ereo# to t$e respon"ent tr!a( u"'e an" %ounse( #or t$e a"verse party, as!"e #rom t$e !n%omp(ete payment o# t$e appea( #ee@ an"

2. ;$et$er or not t$e respon"ent tr!a( u"'e va(!"(y "!sm!sse" t$e pet!t!on o# protest o# pet!t!oner #or non-payment on t!me o# t$e re u!re" #ee.

;e #!n" %o'en%y an" mer!t !n t$e pet!t!on.

B$e bone o# %ontent!on !n t$!s pet!t!on !s t$e a((e'e" erroneous "!sm!ssa( o# pet!t!onerDs appea(by respon"ent &omm!ss!on be%ause o# t$e #a!(ure o# pet!t!oner to #!(e a not!%e o# appea( be#oret$e Re'!ona( Br!a( &ourt o# Mamba ao, &am!'u!n /$!%$, !n turn, "!sm!sse" t$e e(e%t!on protesto# pet!t!oner #or non-payment o# "o%+et #ees.

B$e &OME<E& R <ES OF *RO&E) RE prov!"e #or t$e manner !n /$!%$ appea(s #rom"e%!s!ons o# %ourts !n e(e%t!on %ontests s$a(( be ma"e, to /!t:

R <E 22 7ppea(s #rom )e%!s!ons o# &ourts!n E(e%t!on *rotest &ases



Se%. 1. 'aption and title of appealed cases . n a(( e(e%t!on %ontests !nvo(v!n't$e e(e%t!ons, returns, an" ua(!#!%at!ons o# mun!%!pa( or baran'ay o##!%!a(s, t$eparty !nterpos!n' t$e appea( s$a(( be %a((e" t$e J7ppe((antJ an" t$e a"verseparty t$e J7ppe((eeJ, but t$e t!t(e o# t$e %ase s$a(( rema!n as !t /as !n t$e %ourt o# or!'!n.

Se%. 3. Notice of *ppeal . ;!t$!n #!ve = > "ays a#ter promu('at!on o# t$e"e%!s!on o# t$e %ourt, t$e a''r!eve" party may #!(e /!t$ sa!" %ourt a not!%e o# appea(, an" serve a %opy t$ereo# upon t$e attorney o# re%or" o# t$e a"verseparty.

Se%. . ;%%ediate trans%ittal of records of the case . B$e &(er+ o# t$e %ourt%on%erne" s$a((, /!t$!n #!#teen =1 > "ays #rom t$e #!(!n' o# t$e not!%e o# appea(,transm!t to t$e E(e%tora( &ontests 7" u"!%at!on )epartment t$e %omp(ete re%or"so# t$e %ase, to'et$er /!t$ a(( t$e ev!"en%e, !n%(u"!n' t$e or!'!na( an" t$ree=3>%op!es o# t$e trans%r!pt o# steno'rap$!% notes o# t$e pro%ee"!n's.

Se%. . #ilin of riefs . B$e &(er+ o# &ourt %on%erne", upon re%e!pt o# t$e%omp(ete re%or"s o# t$e %ase, s$a(( not!#y t$e appe((ant or $!s %ounse( to #!(e /!t$t$e E(e%tora( &ontests 7" u"!%at!on )epartment /!t$!n t$!rty =30> "ays #romre%e!pt o# su%$ not!%e, ten =10> (e'!b(e %op!es o# $!s br!e# /!t$ proo# o# serv!%et$ereo# upon t$e appe((ee.

;!t$!n t$!rty =30> "ays #rom re%e!pt o# t$e br!e# o# t$e appe((ant, t$e appe((ees$a(( #!(e ten =10> (e'!b(e %op!es o# $!s br!e# /!t$ proo# o# serv!%e t$ereo# upon t$eappe((ant.

Se%. 9. Grounds for dis%issal of appeal . B$e appea( may be "!sm!sse" uponmot!on o# e!t$er party or at t$e !nstan%e o# t$e &omm!ss!on on any o# t$e#o((o/!n' 'roun"s:

=a> Fa!(ure o# t$e appe((ant to pay t$e appea( #ee@

=b> Fa!(ure o# t$e appe((ant to #!(e %op!es o# $!s br!e# /!t$!n t$e t!me prov!"e" byt$ese ru(es@

=%> ;ant o# spe%!#!% ass!'nment o# errors !n t$e appe((antDs br!e#@ an"

="> Fa!(ure to #!(e not!%e o# appea( /!t$!n t$e pres%r!be" per!o".

n t$e %ase at bar, pet!t!oner re%e!ve" a %opy o# t$e tr!a( %ourtDs or"er "!sm!ss!n' $!s e(e%t!onprotest on O%tober 12, 1992. 7s ear(!er state", $ere!n pet!t!oner, !nstea" o# #!(!n' a not!%e o#

appea( as re u!re" by t$e ru(es, #!(e" /!t$ respon"ent &omm!ss!on a ver!#!e" appea( br!e# /!t$!n t$e #!ve-"ay re'(ementary per!o" by re'!stere" ma!( un"er Re'!stry Re%e!pt No. 3093,"ate" O%tober 1 , 1992. t /!(( be note", $o/ever, t$at on even "ate, pet!t!oner (!+e/!se sentby re'!stere" ma!( %op!es o# $!s appea( br!e# to t$e Re'!ona( Br!a( &ourt o# Mamba ao,&am!'u!n, un"er Re'!stry Re%e!pt No. 3091, an" to t$e %ounse( o# $ere!n pr!vaterespon"ent, un"er Re'!stry Re%e!pt No. 3092. -2

B$e uest!on no/ pose" by t$e #ore'o!n' #a%tua( s!tuat!on !s /$et$er t$e not!%e o# appea( %anbe va(!"(y subst!tute" by an appea( br!e#. ;e #!rm(y be(!eve an" so $o(", un"er t$e%ons!"erat!ons $ere!nun"er "!s%usse", t$at t$e same may be a((o/e".





B$!r", app(y!n' supp(etor!(y t$e prov!s!ons o# t$e Ru(es o# &ourt, /0 part!%u(ar(y Se%t!on , Ru(e1 t$ereo#, t$e re u!rement !s t$at a not!%e o# appea( s$a(( spe%!#y t$e part!es to t$e appea(@s$a(( "es!'nate t$e u"'ment or or"er, or part t$ereo#, appea(e" #rom@ an" s$a(( spe%!#y t$e%ourt to /$!%$ t$e appea( !s ta+en. 7 perusa( o# $ere!n pet!t!onerDs appea( br!e# /!(( "!s%(ose t$e#o((o/!n' !n#ormat!on: t$at t$e part!es to t$e %ase are Ro(eto 7. *a$!(an as protestant-appe((ant an" Ru"y 7 Baba(ba as protestee-appe((ee@ t$at appe((ant t$ere!n !s appea(!n' #rom

t$e or"er o# t$e Re'!ona( Br!a( &ourt o# Mamba ao, &am!'u!n, "!sm!ss!n' t$e pet!t!on #or e(e%t!on %ontest !n E(e%t!on &ase No. 3=92>@ an" t$at t$e appea( !s be!n' ma"e pursuant toSe%t!on 22 o# Repub(!% 7%t No. 1 , t$at !s, be#ore t$e &omm!ss!on on E(e%t!ons.

7%%or"!n'(y, t$ere !s no 'a!nsay!n' t$e #a%t t$at t$e part!%u(ars /$!%$ ou'$t to be re#(e%te" !nt$e not!%e o# appea( $ave been spe%!#!%a((y an" %ate'or!%a((y spe((e" out !n t$e appea( br!e# o# pet!t!oner. *er#or%e, an" !n (!'$t o# t$e #ore'o!n' "!s u!s!t!ons, /e #!n" an" so $o(" t$atpet!t!oner !s ent!t(e" to t$e re(!e# praye" #or.

;e no/ pro%ee" to reso(ve t$e !ssue anent t$e "!sm!ssa( o# pet!t!onerDs e(e%t!on protest by t$eRe'!ona( Br!a( &ourt #or non-payment, or more a%%urate(y t$e inco%plete payment, o# "o%+et#ees. Or"!nar!(y, /!t$ t$e reversa( o# t$e respon"ent &omm!ss!onDs uest!one" or"er, t$!s %ase

s$ou(" be reman"e" to sa!" %ourt #or a" u"!%at!on on t$e mer!ts. &ons!"er!n', $o/ever, t$ee !'en%!es o# t!me appurtenant to t$e "!spos!t!on o# e(e%t!on %ases, an" %ons!"er!n' #urt$er t$at t$e !ssue $as at any rate been s uare(y ra!se" !n t$!s pet!t!on, !t !s no/ !n%umbent upont$!s &ourt to a%t on t$e propr!ety o# t$e tr!a( %ourtDs or"er "!sm!ss!n' t$e e(e%t!on protest #or #a!(ure o# pet!t!oner to pay t$e correct amount o# "o%+et #ees.

n "!sm!ss!n' pet!t!onerDs a%t!on, t$e tr!a( %ourt re(!e" on t$e ru(!n's enun%!ate" !n t$e %ases o# -ali%it &s . /e a%o /1 =an a%t!on #or quo warranto >, -a aspi+ et al . &s. Ra%olete+ et al . /2 =asu!t #or re%overy o# possess!on an" o/ners$!p o# (an" )+ $ee &s . Repu lic /3 =a pet!t!on #or "e%(arat!on o# !ntent!on to be%ome a F!(!p!no %!t! en>, -anchester /e&elop%ent 'orporation&s. 'ourt of *ppeals+ et al . /4 =an a%t!on #or a sum o# money an" "ama'es>, Sun ;nsurance

,ffice+ $td .+ (S;,$) et al . &s. *suncion ./5

=a su!t #or a sum o# money an" "ama'es>, an"Taca + et al . &s. Re ional Trial 'ourt of Ta u%+ /a&ao del Norte+ etc ., et al . /6 =an a%t!on #or "ama'es>. t bears emp$as!s t$at t$e #ore'o!n' %ases, e %ept #or -ali%it &s . /e a%o+ areor"!nary %!v!( a%t!ons. B$!s #a%t a(one /ou(" $ave su##!%e" #or a "e%(arat!on t$at t$ere /as nobas!s #or t$e "!sm!ssa( o# pet!t!onerDs protest #or t$e s!mp(e reason t$at an e(e%t!on %ontest !snot an or"!nary %!v!( a%t!on. &onse uent(y t$e ru(es 'overn!n' or"!nary %!v!( a%t!ons are notne%essar!(y b!n"!n' on spe%!a( a%t!ons (!+e an e(e%t!on %ontest /$ere!n pub(!% !nterest /!(( bea"verse(y a##e%te".

B$e %ase o# -ali%it &s . /e a%o+ on !ts part, !s not on a(( #ours /!t$ t$e present %ase. n t$at%ase, t$e pet!t!on #or quo warranto /as ma!(e" to t$e %(er+ o# &ourt on )e%ember 1 , 19 9an" /as re%e!ve" by t$e (atter on )e%ember 1 , 19 9. B$e "o%+et #ee /as "eeme" pa!" on(yon ?anuary , 19 0, be%ause t$e pet!t!oner t$ere!n #a!(e" to prove $!s a((e'at!on t$at a posta(money or"er #or t$e "o%+et #ee /as atta%$e" to $!s pet!t!on. Aen%e, t$e pet!t!on #or quowarranto /as %orre%t(y "!sm!sse".

n t$e %ase at bar, !t %annot be 'a!nsa!" t$at t$e sum o# *200.00 /as atta%$e" to t$e pet!t!onma!(e" to t$e Re'!ona( Br!a( &ourt o# &am!'u!n an" t$!s #a%t /as even a%+no/(e"'e" by t$e&(er+ o# &ourt t$ereo# /$en $e re ueste" $ere!n pet!t!oner to pay t$e alance o# t$e %orre%t"o%+et #ee. n -ali%it+ t$ere /as no "o%+et #ee pa!" at a(( at t$e t!me o# ma!(!n'@ !n t$e present%ase, t$e "o%+et #ee /as pa!" e %ept t$at t$e amount '!ven /as not %orre%t. &ons!"er!n' t$e#a%t t$at t$ere /as an $onest e##ort on t$e part o# $ere!n pet!t!oner to pay t$e #u(( amount o#



"o%+et #ees, /e are not !n%(!ne" to !ns!st on a str!n'ent app(!%at!on o# t$e ru(es.

Furt$ermore, t$ere are stron' an" %ompe((!n' reasons to ru(e t$at t$e "o%tr!ne /e $aveestab(!s$e" !n -anchester an" %ases subse uent t$ereto %annot be ma"e to app(y to e(e%t!on%ases.

7s /e $ave ear(!er state", t$e %ases %!te" are or"!nary %!v!( a%t!ons /$ereas e(e%t!on %asesare not. B$e ru(es /$!%$ app(y to or"!nary %!v!( a%t!ons may not ne%essar!(y serve t$e purposeo# e(e%t!on %ases, espe%!a((y !# /e %ons!"er t$e #a%t t$at e(e%t!on (a/s are to be a%%or"e"utmost (!bera(!ty !n t$e!r !nterpretat!on an" app(!%at!on, bear!n' !n m!n" a(/ays t$at t$e /!(( o# t$e peop(e must be up$e(". Or"!nary %!v!( a%t!ons /ou(" 'enera((y !nvo(ve pr!vate !nterests/$!(e a(( e(e%t!ons %ases are, at a(( t!mes, !nveste" /!t$ pub(!% !nterest /$!%$ %annot be"e#eate" by mere pro%e"ura( or te%$n!%a( !n#!rm!t!es.

7'a!n, t$e &ourt !n -anchester ma"e !ts ru(!n' !n v!e/ o# !ts #!n"!n' t$at t$ere e !ste" t$eunet$!%a( pra%t!%e o# (a/yers an" part!es o# #!(!n' an or!'!na( %omp(a!nt /!t$out spe%!#y!n' !nt$e prayer t$e amount o# "ama'es /$!%$, $o/ever, !s state" !n t$e bo"y o# t$e %omp(a!nt.B$!s strata'em !s %(ear(y !nten"e" #or no ot$er purpose t$an to eva"e t$e payment o# t$e%orre%t #!(!n' #ees by m!s(ea"!n' t$e "o%+et %(er+ !n t$e assessment t$ereo#. B$us, t$e %ourt

t$ere!n $e(" t$at ur!s"!%t!on s$a(( be a% u!re" on(y upon payment o# t$e pres%r!be" "o%+et#ee.

B$at ru(!n' /as (ater re(a e" !n t$e %ase o# Sun ;nsurance /$!%$ a((o/e" t$e subse uentpayment o# t$e %orre%t "o%+et #ees prov!"e" !t !s ma"e /!t$!n t$e re'(ementary per!o" or be#ore pres%r!pt!on $as set !n. B$e reason '!ven /as t$at t$ere /as no !ntent on t$e part o# t$e pet!t!oners t$ere!n to "e#rau" t$e 'overnment, un(!+e t$e p(a!nt!## !n t$e %ase o# -anchester .

n Taca + et al . &s. Ta u%+ et al ., !t /as state" t$at t$!s &ourt, !nsp!re" by t$e "o%tr!ne (a!""o/n !n -anchester+ !ssue" &!r%u(ar No. on Mar%$ 2 , 19 , /$!%$ /as a!me" at t$epra%t!%e o# %erta!n part!es /$o om!t #rom t$e prayer o# t$e!r %omp(a!nts any spe%!#!%at!on o# t$e

amount o# "ama'es, t$e om!ss!on be!n' %(ear(y !nten"e" #or no ot$er purpose t$an to eva"et$e payment o# t$e %orre%t #!(!n' #ees by "e(u"!n' t$e "o%+et %(er+ !n $!s assessment o# t$esame. n a(( t$ese %ases, t$e ru(e /as app(!e" #or #a!(ure o# t$e p(a!nt!## to !n%(u"e !n t$e prayer o# t$e %omp(a!nt t$e tota( amount o# "ama'es sou'$t a'a!nst t$e "e#en"ant. B$e reason #or t$!s, a%%or"!n' to t$e Taca %ase, !s be%ause t$e amount o# "ama'es /!(( $e(p "eterm!ne t/ot$!n's: #!rst, t$e ur!s"!%t!on o# t$e %ourt@ an", se%on", t$e amount o# "o%+et #ees to be pa!".

n t$e %ase no/ be#ore us, an" !n e(e%t!on %ases !n 'enera(, !t !s not t$e amount o# "ama'es,!# any, t$at !s sou'$t to be re%overe" /$!%$ vests !n t$e %ourts t$e ur!s"!%t!on to try t$e same.Rat$er, !t !s t$e nature o# t$e a%t!on /$!%$ !s "eterm!nat!ve o# ur!s"!%t!on. B$us, re'ar"(ess o# t$e amount o# "ama'es %(a!me", t$e a%t!on /!(( st!(( $ave to be #!(e" /!t$ t$e Re'!ona( Br!a(&ourt. n su%$ a %ase, t$e ev!( sou'$t to be avo!"e" !n -anchester an" (!+e %ases /!(( never

ar!se. *eremptor!(y, t$ere /!(( be no o%%as!on to app(y t$e ru(!n's !n t$e %ases ment!one". na""!t!on, t$e #!(!n' #ee to be pa!" !n an e(e%t!on %ase !s a #! e" amount o# *300.00. B$ere /!((%onse uent(y be no opportun!ty #or a s!tuat!on to ar!se /$ere!n an e(e%t!on %ontest /!(( $ave tobe "!sm!sse" #or #a!(ure to state t$e e a%t amount o# "ama'es an" t$us ev!n%e an !ntent to"epr!ve t$e Government o# t$e "o%+et #ees "ue.

F!na((y, !n -anchester+ t$ere /as a "e(!berate attempt on t$e part o# t$e p(a!nt!##s t$ere!n toeva"e payment o# t$e %orre%t "o%+et #ees. n t$e %ase o# pet!t!oner, $e a(rea"y e p(a!ne", an"t$!s /e #!n" a%%eptab(e an" ust!#!e", t$at Js!n%e t$e s%$e"u(e o# t$e ne/ rates o# %ourt #ees/as not t$en ava!(ab(e an" t$e #!(!n' o# t$e pet!t!on #or e(e%t!on %ontests /as "one t$ru t$e



ma!(s, t$e o(" rates rea"!(y %ame to m!n", an" t$!s /as t$e reason /$y on(y t/o $un"re"pesos /as rem!tte" at t$e same t!me /!t$ t$e pet!t!on.J 07

Bo summar! e, t$e ev!( sou'$t to be avo!"e" !n -anchester an" s!m!(ar %ases %an never obta!n !n e(e%t!on %ases s!n%e =1> t$e #!(!n' #ee !n an e(e%t!on %ases !s #! e" an" not "epen"enton t$e amount o# "ama'es sou'$t to be re%overe", !# any@ an" =2> a %(a!m #or "ama'es !n ane(e%t!on %ase !s mere(y an%!((ary to t$e ma!n %ause o# a%t!on an" !s not even "eterm!nat!ve o# t$e %ourtDs ur!s"!%t!on /$!%$ !s 'overne" by t$e nature o# t$e e(e%t!on #!(e".;AEREFORE, t$e Or"er o# t$e &omm!ss!on on E(e%t!ons "ate" ?anuary 19, 1993, as /e(( as!ts Reso(ut!on promu('ate" on May , 1993, bot$ !n E7& No. 2 -92@ an" t$e Or"er o# t$eRe'!ona( Br!a( %ourt o# Mamba ao, &am!'u!n, "ate" O%tober 2, 1992, !n E(e%t!on &ase No.3=92> are $ereby REIERSE) an" SEB 7S )E, an" t$e re%or"s o# t$!s %ase are $erebyor"ere" REM7N)E) to t$e %ourt a quo #or t$e e pe"!t!ous %ont!nuat!on o# t$e pro%ee"!n's !nan" t$e a" u"!%at!on o# t$e e(e%t!on protest pen"!n' t$ere!n as ear(y as pra%t!%ab(e.

SO OR)ERE).

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