Other Related Election Cases-2

8/13/2019 Other Related Election Cases-2

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23. ESPIDOL VS COMELEC

D E C I S I O N

CALLEJO, SR., J .:

Be ore the Co%rt is the petition or certiorari an! prohi$ition ile! $'Ra'mon! P. &spi!ol see<in" to n%lli ' the Resol%tion =1> !ate! A%"%st ?@, @@ othe Commission on &lections C# &0&C en banc in SPC /o. @ ;18@. The sai!resol%tion a irme! the C# &0&C Secon! 3ivision Resol%tion = > !ate! D%l' 1 ,@@ ann%llin" the petitionerEs proclamation as the !%l';electe! m%nicipal ma'oro Ramon, +sa$ela, !%rin" the a' 1@, @@ elections.

The A !e"e#e !$

Petitioner Ra'mon! P. &spi!ol an! private respon!ent -il re!o 0. Ta$a"were rival can!i!ates or a'or o the %nicipalit' o Ramon, +sa$ela, in the a'1@, @@ s'nchroni e! national an! local elections. =?> Petitioner &spi!ol, a re;electionist, was the o icial can!i!ate o the Lakas ng Bansa (Lakas) ;Christian%slim 3emocrats C 3 coalition, = > while private respon!ent Ta$a" was theo icial can!i!ate o the Partidong Demokratiko ng Pilipinas ;Laban P3P; Laban .= > The m%nicipalit' ha! a total o 117 precincts. = >

At a$o%t :@@ p.m. o a' 1@, @@ , the %nicipal Boar! o CanvassersBC o Ramon, consistin" o Chairman Att'. A"ripino A. 3e 5% man, Dr., 4ice;

Chairman Pe!ro 0. 5%eco an! em$er;Secretar' Rosalin!a B. 3oroni,convene! at the m%nicipalit'Es Barangay Trainin" Center to commence thecanvassin". =7> Act%al canvassin" starte! at aro%n! ?:@@ a.m. o the ollowin" !a'or a' 11, @@ , an! ormall' a!(o%rne! at a$o%t 8:?@ p.m., with the BCsche!%lin" the res%mption o the canvass at 9:@@ a.m. o the ne)t !a'. =8>

*owever, no canvassin" too< place on a' 1 an! 1?, @@ $eca%se

BC Chairman 3e 5% man aile! to report or wor< at the canvassin" center.=9> +n his GA ter;+nci!ent;ReportH emoran!%m or Commissioner ehol I.Sa!ain, Commissioner;in;Char"e or Re"ions ++ an! +++, 3e 5% man reporte!that, in the evenin" o a' 11, @@ , (%st a ter the a!(o%rnment o the canvassin"

procee!in"s, he an! his "ro%p o ta$%lators were harasse! an! intimi!ate! $'allies an! political s%pporters o petitioner &spi!ol. 3e 5% man %rther averre!that on their wa' to Santia"o Cit' where the' were temporaril' $illete!, their carwas taile! $' a vehicle $elon"in" to petitioner &spi!olEs camp. Fearin" or theirsa et', 3e 5% man imme!iatel' re %este! protection rom the local police. This!i! not alla' the ears o his sta $eca%se the ne)t !a', his "ro%p o ta$%latorsle! $ac< to anila. =1@>

http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2005/oct2005/164922.htm#_ftn1






















To"ether with the GA ter;+nci!ent;Report,H 3e 5% man s%$mitte! toCommissioner Sa!ain another emoran!%m =11> re %estin" or a trans er o thecanvassin" ven%e to anila citin" as reason the volatile peace an! or!ersit%ation in Ramon, +sa$ela. #n a' 1?, @@ , Commissioner Sa!ain !enie!3e 5% manEs re %est or a chan"e o ven%e in view o the opposition o the other

mem$ers o the BC who re %te! 3e 5% manEs claims o intimi!ation an!harassment. =1 >

#n a' 1 , @@ , the BC reconvene! an! res%me! the canvassin" o

the election ret%rns. The canvassin" contin%e! %ntil the evenin" o a' 1 ,@@ . 3%rin" the sai! procee!in"s, private respon!ent Ta$a", thro%"h hislaw'ers, orall' so%"ht the e)cl%sion o several election ret%rns rom the ollowin"precincts, namel': Precinct /os. A, A 7A, 1@A, 9A, A, 7A, A, 9?A,9 9 A, 97A 98A, 1@?A, 11 A, 1 A, A, 7AJB, ?A, 88A, 9 A 9 , @A, A,@A A, 7 A, 8?A, 1 1A, 1 ?A, 11 A. Private respon!ent Ta$a" o$(ecte! tothe incl%sion o these election ret%rns on the ollowin" "ro%n!s: 1 that the

sec%rit' envelopes containin" the election ret%rns !i! not have the proper sealsas re %ire! $' Section 1 o the #mni$%s &lection Co!e #&C K that theelection ret%rns !i! not $ear the si"nat%re o the chairman o the Boar! o&lection +nspectors B&+ as re %ire! $' the same lawK an! ? that the electionret%rns !i! not have the th%m$prints o the mem$ers o the B&+ in the $o)provi!e! or the p%rpose, an! in some, the th%m$prints an! si"nat%res o the B&+at the close o each entr' or at the en! o each tall' taras o each can!i!ate weres%perimpose! on the sai! tall' taras , there$' o$sc%rin" the n%m$er o voteso$taine! $' each at the en! o ever' entr'. =1?>

3espite these o$(ections, an! witho%t an' ormal or written r%lin" thereon,

the BC incl%!e! the conteste! election ret%rns. The canvassin" was concl%!e!at a$o%t 9:?@ p.m. o a' 1 , @@ . =1 >

+n the mornin" o a' 1 , @@ , private respon!ent Ta$a", thro%"h

co%nsel, ile! a petition with the BC vi"oro%sl' opposin" the impen!in"proclamation on the "ro%n! that the procee!in"s o the $oar! were irre"%lar. 3e5% man rea! the petition alo%!. /onetheless, at 9:@@ a.m. o the same !a', or$arel' twelve 1 ho%rs a ter the concl%sion o the canvassin" o votes, the BCprocee!e! to proclaim petitioner &spi!ol as the winnin" can!i!ate or ma'or,alon" with the vice;ma'or an! ei"ht co%ncilors. =1 > Petitioner &spi!ol o$taine!8, 7 votes as a"ainst his closest rival, private respon!ent Ta$a", who o$taine!

, ? votes, or a mar"in o ,@1 votes.=1 >

in%tes a ter the proclamation, theco%nsel o private respon!ent Ta$a" s%$mitte! to the BC his written o$(ectionsto the incl%sion in the canvass o the conteste! election ret%rns. The BC !i!not ma<e a ormal or written r%lin" thereon. =17>

#n a' , @@ , private respon!ent Ta$a" ile! with the C# &0&C a

petition or ann%lment o proclamation. =18> /ame! respon!ents therein were BC



















Chairman 3e 5% man, an! petitioner &spi!ol. The petition was !oc<ete! asSPC @ ;18@ an! ra le! to the C# &0&C Secon! 3ivision.

+n s%pport o his petition, private respon!ent Ta$a" alle"e! that:

1. The B#C acte! in violation o RA 71 an! ComelecResol%tion /o. 9 9 an! with "rave a$%se o !iscretionamo%ntin" to lac< o (%ris!iction, in proclaimin" private respon!ent&spi!ol as winner !espite the pen!in" an! %nresolve! appeals$e ore it, the railroa!in" o petitions or e)cl%sion witho%t an'hearin" an! written r%lin"s thereon, an! the petitions or e)cl%sionwhich were not acte! an! r%le! %pon $' it, consi!erin" that theconteste! ret%rns will a!versel' a ect the res%lts o the election.

. The proclamation $' the $oar! o private respon!ent aswinner, is vitiate! $' !%ress, coercion, intimi!ation an! threats an!the mo$ r%le, an! the preparation o the election ret%rns incertain barangays o the m%nicipalit' is li<ewise vitiate! $'intimi!ation an! threats res%ltin" to alsi ie! an! materiall' !e ectiveret%rns an! ail%re o elections an!, there ore, not ma!e reel' an!vol%ntaril' as the tr%e will o the electorate, consi!erin" that theconteste! ret%rns will a ect the res%lts o the election.

?. The inte"rit', "en%ineness an! sanctit' o the conteste!election ret%rns have $een violate! $eca%se the sec%rit' envelopescontainin" the election ret%rns !o not have the proper sealsprovi!e! $' the commission or the p%rpose when prepare! $' theB&+ %ntil the same were s%$se %entl' transmitte! to an!canvasse! $' the B#C, the election ret%rns !i! not $ear thesi"nat%re o the chairman o the B&+s, the election ret%rns !o nothave the th%m$mar<s th%m$prints o the mem$ers o the B&+ in the$o)es provi!e! or the p%rpose, an! in some, the th%m$mar<s an!si"nat%res o the B&+ at the close o each entr' or at the en! oeach tall' taras o each can!i!ate were s%perimpose! on the sai!tall' taras there$' o$sc%rin" the n%m$er o votes o$taine! $' eachat the en! o ever' entr'.

. 3iscrepanc' in the statement o votes $' precinct o theB#C where the s%m total o the n%m$er o votes o$taine! $' thethree ? ma'oralt' can!i!ates is "reater than the n%m$er o thosewho act%all' vote! in all the 117 precincts o the m%nicipalit' oRamon, +sa$ela. =19>





#n D%ne 9, @@ , the C# &0&C Secon! 3ivision iss%e! s%mmonses withnotice o hearin" on D%ne 17, @@ . 3%rin" the sai! hearin", the parties ma!etheir respective mani estations. S%$se %entl', petitioner &spi!ol was "iven ive

!a's to ile his Answer; emoran!%m, while private respon!ent Ta$a" an! 3e5% man were also "iven the same perio! to ile their respective memoran!a. #n

D%ne 1, @@ , private respon!ent Ta$a" ile! his emoran!%m, while petitioner&spi!ol an! 3e 5% man ile! their respective Answer; emoran!a on D%ne ,@@ . = @>

+n his Answer; emoran!%m, = 1> petitioner &spi!ol conten!e! that the"ro%n!s raise! $' private respon!ent Ta$a" were not proper or a pre;proclamation controvers'. oreover, the latter !i! not raise his o$(ectionsproperl'. Petitioner &spi!ol also re %te! private respon!ent Ta$a"Es alle"ationso massive vote $%'in", threats an! intimi!ation.

For his part, BC Chairman 3e 5% man, in his Answer; emoran!%m,

= >

a!mitte! that the $oar! !i! not ma<e an' ormal or written r%lin"s on theo$(ections raise! $' private respon!ent Ta$a". 3e 5% man averre! that therewere persistent threats an! intimi!ation which constraine! him to hastil' inishthe canvassin". +n act, two o the ta$%lators with him 3e 5% man who wererom anila went home witho%t inishin" their tas< o ta$%latin" $eca%se o earor their sa et'. These ta$%lators rom anila, were replace! with local m%nicipalemplo'ees.

Actin" on the plea!in"s ile! $' the parties, the C# &0&C Secon!3ivision iss%e! the #r!er = ?> !ate! D%ne ?, @@ s%spen!in" the e ects opetitioner &spi!olEs proclamation:

3%e to the serio%sness o the alle"ation that the Boar! oCanvassers iss%e! the proclamation even $e ore %estionsinvolvin" the vali!it' o ret%rns which will a ect the res%lt o theelection are resolve! $' the Commission, which is clearl' inviolation o the a$ove man!ate! proce!%re, an!, %rther, that theproclamation o private respon!ent =re errin" to &spi!ol> as thea'or;elect o the %nicipalit' o Ramon, +sa$ela was alle"e!l'iss%e! %n!er !%ress, an! with intimi!ation, coercion an! threats,the Commission Secon! 3ivision here$' or!ers that the e ect othe proclamation o private respon!ent Ra'mon! P. &spi!ol $e

s%spen!e! %ntil the iss%es raise! on the irre"%larities an! alle"e!!%ress in the iss%ance o the proclamation $e resolve! on themerit.

-*&R&F#R&, premises consi!ere!, the Secon! 3ivision o

the Commission here$' S SP&/3S T*& &FF&CT #F T*&PR#C0A AT+#/ o private respon!ent Ra'mon! P. &spi!ol, with











the note that the instant petition shall $e resolve! on the merit with!ispatch.

S# #R3&R&3. = >





+n !e iance o the sai! or!er, petitioner &spi!ol too< his oath o o ice asa'or o Ramon, +sa$ela on D%ne , @@ . = > Conse %entl', on D%ne , @@ ,private respon!ent Ta$a" ile! with the C# &0&C an %r"ent motion to ann%l theoath o petitioner &spi!ol an! to restrain him rom ass%min" the !%ties an!%nctions o the %nicipal a'or o Ramon, +sa$ela. Private respon!ent Ta$a"

also pra'e! that petitioner &spi!ol $e cite! or contempt or $latantl' !isre"ar!in"the D%ne ?, @@ #r!er. = >

#n D%ne 9, @@ , the C# &0&C Secon! 3ivision, actin" on the %r"ent

motion, iss%e! an #r!er, the fallo o which state! th%s ;

-*&R&F#R&, premises consi!ere!, respon!ent =re errin"to petitioner &spi!ol> is here$' !irecte! to s%$mit his comment tothe a$ove motion within ive !a's rom notice. A stern warnin" is%rther !irecte! %pon respon!ent to re rain rom committin" actswhich are in contravention o the CommissionEs D%ne ?, @@

#r!er an! which ten! to o$str%ct the proper resol%tion $' theCommission o the present controvers', lest a severe sanction shall$e impose! %pon the same.

S# #R3&R&3. = 7>

/otwithstan!in" the two or!ers, on D%ne ?@, @@ L the $e"innin" o the

term o o ice o all elective o icials L &spi!ol ass%me! o ice as a'or oRamon, +sa$ela an! has since $een !ischar"in" its %nctions an! !%ties.

#n D%l' 1 , @@ , the C# &0&C Secon! 3ivision prom%l"ate! the

Resol%tion= 8>

!eclarin" petitioner &spi!olEs proclamation ille"al. +t hel! that theBC aile! to "ive private respon!ent Ta$a" ho%rs rom the time o his oralo$(ections to s%$mit his evi!ence in s%pport thereo , in "ross violation o Section@ c o Rep%$lic Act R.A. /o. 71 . -orse, the BC acte! witho%t a%thorit'when it proclaime! petitioner &spi!ol as the !%l' electe! a'or o Ramon,+sa$ela, witho%t ma<in" an' written r%lin"s on the o$(ections raise! $' privaterespon!ent Ta$a", in "ross violation o para"raph i o the same provision. +t%rther r%le! that BC was press%re!, coerce!, threatene! an! intimi!ate! $'petitioner &spi!ol in or!er to proclaim him. F%rther, the C# &0&C Secon!3ivision opine! that since the n%m$er o the votes cast or the ma'oralt' positione)cee!e! the n%m$er o re"istere! voters who act%all' vote! $' 8 8 as re lecte!

in the Statement o 4otes S#4 , there was eno%"h $asis to ann%l petitioner&spi!olEs proclamation. The !ispositive portion o the resol%tion rea!s: -*&R&F#R&, premises consi!ere!, the Petition to Ann%l

the Proclamation o Respon!ent Ra'mon! P. &spi!ol, as a'or oRamon, +sa$ela, is here$' 5RA/T&3K conse %entl', theproclamation o Respon!ent Ra'mon! P. &spi!ol is here$'!eclare! / 00 an! 4#+3. A %nicipal Boar! o Canvassers shall











$e reconstit%te! to con!%ct a re;canvassin" o the election ret%rnsstrictl' a!herin" to the prescri$e! proce!%res or canvassin" an! inhan!lin" conteste! election ret%rnsK meanwhile, the 4ice; a'orelect shall temporaril' ass%me the ma'oralt' post as Actin" a'or,%ntil %rther noticeK %rthermore, the Provincial Comman!in" # icer

o the Philippine /ational Police in the Province o +sa$ela is here$'!ep%ti e!, to"ether with the Chie o Police o the %nicipalit' oRamon, +sa$ela, to assist the &lection # icer o the samem%nicipalit', in ens%rin" that this resol%tion $e imme!iatel'en orce!. 0et a cop' o this resol%tion $e %rnishe! to the3epartment o +nterior an! 0ocal 5overnment or their in ormationan! "%i!ance in implementin" the provision on temporar's%ccession in the local "overnment as provi!e! in the 0ocal5overnment Co!e.

The char"e o in!irect contempt a"ainst respon!ent

Ra'mon! P. &spi!ol shall $e treate! as a separate case an!s%$(ecte! to a hearin" in compliance with the re %irements o !%eprocess. Petitioner is %rther a!vise! that the appropriate complaintor election o ense a"ainst the alle"e! o en!ers $e ile! with theCommission.

S# #R3&R&3. = 9>

#n D%l' 1, @@ , petitioner &spi!ol ile! a motion or reconsi!eration withthe C# &0&C Secon! 3ivision. =?@>

#n A%"%st ?@, @@ , the C# &0&C en banc prom%l"ate! itsResol%tion =?1> a irmin" in toto the C# &0&C Secon! 3ivisionEs Resol%tion oD%l' 1 , @@ . The !ispositive portion o the C# &0&C en banc Es resol%tionrea!s:

-*&R&F#R&, premises consi!ere!, the Commission &nBanc here$' 3&/+&S the otion or Reconsi!eration o PrivateRespon!ent or lac< o merit an! AFF+R S the Resol%tion o theSecon! 3ivision o the Commission A// 00+/5 T*&PR#C0A AT+#/ o Private Respon!ent Ra'mon! &spi!ol. -e%rther AFF+R the Secon! 3ivisionEs iss%ance o the interloc%tor'or!er S SP&/3+/5 T*& &FF&CT #F T*& PR#C0A AT+#/ oPrivate Respon!ent Ra'mon! &spi!ol. -e %rther emphasi e thatprivate respon!ent Ra'mon! &spi!ol has no a%thorit' to ass%methe # ice o the a'or rom the ver' $e"innin" or on D%ne ?@,@@ , his proclamation $ein" n%ll an! voi! ab initio . Private

respon!ent Ra'mon! &spi!ol is here$' !irecte! to ph'sicall'vacate the # ice o the a'or or havin" no a%thorit' to ass%me









an! remain therein. Accor!in"l', as provi!e! in the 0ocal5overnment Co!e, the 4ice; a'or is here$' !irecte! to ass%methe # ice o the a'or temporaril' %ntil the controvers' as to whoshall ass%me the post shall have $een resolve!. 0et a cop' o thisresol%tion $e iss%e! to the 3epartment o +nterior an! 0ocal

5overnment an! the Philippine /ational Police or their in ormationan! "%i!ance. F%rthermore, the Provincial Comman!er o thePhilippine /ational Police o the Province o +sa$ela, as assiste! $'the %nicipal Chie o Police o Ramon, +sa$ela is here$'3&P T+M&3 T# ASS+ST the &lection # icer o Ramon, +sa$ela oran' a%thori e! representative o the Commission on &lections, an!&/S R& that this resol%tion $e &/F#RC&3.

S# #R3&R&3. =? >

The C# &0&C en banc a irme! the in!in"s o the Secon! 3ivision as ithel! that Gthe proclamation o petitioner &spi!ol is n%ll an! voi! or havin" $eenma!e ami!st %estiona$le circ%mstances, partic%larl' $' railroa!in" theproclamation, as a!mitte! $' the Chairman o the BC, when he aile! orre %se! to ollow the canvassin" proce!%re, especiall' the iss%ance o writtenr%lin"s in the !isposition o o$(ecte! election ret%rns.H This act, accor!in" tothe C# &0&C en banc , is also reveale! $' the min%tes o the $oar! ocanvassers when no report was ma!e that written r%lin"s were iss%e! in the!isposition o the o$(ections to the election ret%rns. The C# &0&C enbanc th%s r%le! that the Secon! 3ivision was correct in preliminaril' s%spen!in"the e ects o petitioner &spi!olEs proclamation an! event%all' ann%llin" the

same. The C# &0&C en banc opine! that while it is tr%e that a ter a winnin"

can!i!ate has $een proclaime!, the reme!' o a losin" can!i!ate is to ile anelection protest, s%ch r%le is applica$le onl' when there has $een a vali!proclamation. +t li<ewise !e$%n<e! petitioner &spi!olEs interpretation o Section@ c o R.A. /o. 71 that oral an! written o$(ections on election ret%rns m%st$e Gsim%ltaneo%sl',H i.e. , witho%t interval o time, s%$mitte! to the $oar!. +tcharacteri e! this interpretation as too constrictin". Rather, the C# &0&C enbanc ratiocinate!, an o$(ectin" can!i!ate ma' still s%$mit his written o$(ectionan! evi!ence in s%pport thereo within ho%rs rom ma<in" the oral o$(ection. +t

concl%!e! that election cases are im$%e! with p%$lic interest an! laws "overnin"election contests m%st $e li$erall' constr%e! to the en! that the tr%e wishes othe electorate prevail.

Commissioner 4ir"ilio #. 5arcillano !issente! rom the C# &0&C enbanc Es Resol%tion o A%"%st ?@, @@ as he vote! to reconsi!er the Resol%tion othe Secon! 3ivision. Commissioner 5arcillano was o the





view that the G=$>oar! correctl' incl%!e! the conteste! election ret%rns inthe canvass as the' !i! not s% er an' serio%s in irmities a ectin" theirinte"rit'.H =??>

A""rieve!, petitioner &spi!ol so%"ht reco%rse to the Co%rt $' ilin" the

present Petition or Certiorari an! Prohi$ition with Pra'er or Temporar'Restrainin" #r!er, aintenance o Status quo an! or -rit o Preliminar'+n(%nction.

+n the Resol%tion =? > !ate! Septem$er 7, @@ , the Co%rt !irecte! theparties to o$serve the status quo prevailin" $e ore the ilin" o the petition.

Petitioner &spi!ol pro ers the ollowin" iss%es or the Co%rtEs resol%tion:+

3i! respon!ent C# &0&C commit "rave a$%se o !iscretionamo%ntin" to lac< or e)cess o (%ris!iction when it resolve! to a irm

the 1 D%l' @@ Resol%tion o the C# &0&C Secon! 3ivisionwhich erroneo%sl' hel! that the BC o Ramon, +sa$ela !i! notollow the prescri$e! proce!%re in !isposin" the private

respon!ents o$(ection to certain &Rs=6>

++3i! respon!ent C# &0&C commit "rave a$%se o !iscretionamo%ntin" to lac< or e)cess o (%ris!iction when it hel! that thepetitionerEs proclamation was vitiate! $' threat, intimi!ation,coercion an! !%ress=6>

+++3i! respon!ent C# &0&C commit "rave a$%se o !iscretion=a>mo%ntin" to lac< or e)cess o (%ris!iction when it s%spen!e! thee ects o the petitionerEs proclamation=6> =? >

Petitioner &spi!ol conten!s that 3e 5% manEs tale o threats an!intimi!ation sho%l! have $een ta<en $' the C# &0&C with a "rain o salt. +t$ein" Gpatentl' $aseless an! totall' a$ricate!,H the C# &0&C "ravel' a$%se!its !iscretion in swallowin" the same Ghoo<, line an! sin<er.H Petitioner &spi!olalso assails the C# &0&C Secon! 3ivisionEs interloc%tor' or!er s%spen!in" the

e ects o his proclamation, claimin" that the same was iss%e! witho%t there %ire! notice an! hearin". Petitioner &spi!ol %rther ar"%es that the "ro%n!s invo<e! $' private

respon!ent Ta$a", i.e. , lac< o inner paper seals, lac< o si"nat%re o B&+chairman, a$sence o th%m$mar<s on the election ret%rns, amon" others, aremerel' !e ects in orm an! not proper s%$(ects o a pre;proclamationcontrovers'. Citin" (%rispr%!ence, petitioner &spi!ol emphaticall' asserts that the









en%meration in Section ? o the #mni$%s &lection Co!e #&C o the iss%esthat ma' $e raise! in a pre;proclamation controvers' is restrictive an! e)cl%sive.

*e maintains that even ass%min" that the "ro%n!s relie! %pon $' private

respon!ent Ta$a" were proper iss%es in a pre;proclamation controvers', the

BC, nonetheless, correctl' incl%!e! the orall' o$(ecte! election ret%rns in thecanvassin" since the latterEs oral o$(ections were not re!%ce! into writin" an!sim%ltaneo%sl' ile! with the $oar! as re %ire! $' Section @ o R.A. /o. 71 .Petitioner &spi!ol posits that Section o the #&C, which allows the ilin" othe written o$(ection within ho%rs rom the time the oral o$(ection was ma!e,has $een amen!e! $' Section @ o R.A. /o. 71 which now re %ires $oth oralan! written o$(ections to $e Gsim%ltaneo%sl'H ile! with the BC. Th%s, therewas alle"e!l' no nee! or the BC to ma<e an' written r%lin"s on the o$(ectionsma!e $' private respon!ent Ta$a" $eca%se these were not raise! properl' or inthe manner prescri$e! $' Section @ o R.A. /o. 71 .

Petitioner &spi!ol points o%t that private respon!ent Ta$a"Es reme!' is

not the e)cl%sion o the conteste! election ret%rns, $%t that provi!e! %n!erSection ? o the #&C, th%s L

Section ? . Material defects in t e election returns. L + it

sho%l! clearl' appear that some re %isites in orm or !ata ha! $eenomitte! in the election ret%rns, the $oar! o canvassers shall call orall mem$ers o the $oar! o election inspectors concerne! $' themost e)pe!itio%s means, or the same $oar! to e ect thecorrection.

Provi!e!, That in case o the omission in the election ret%rns

o the name o an' can!i!ate an! or his correspon!in" votes, the$oar! o canvassers shall re %ire the $oar! o election inspectorsconcerne! to complete the necessar' !ata in the election ret%rnsan! a i) therein their initials: Provi!e!, %rther, That i the votesomitte! in the ret%rns cannot $e ascertaine! $' other means e)cept$' reco%ntin" the $allots, the Commission, a ter satis 'in" itsel thatthe i!entit' an! inte"rit' o the $allot $o) have not $een violate!,shall or!er the $oar! o election inspectors to open the $allot $o),an!, also a ter satis 'in" itsel that the inte"rit' o the $allots thereinhas $een !%l' preserve!, or!er the $oar! o election inspectors toco%nt the votes or the can!i!ate whose votes have $een omitte!with notice thereo to all can!i!ates or the position involve! an!therea ter complete the ret%rns.

The ri"ht o a can!i!ate to avail o this provision shall not $e

lost or a ecte! $' the act that an election protest is s%$se %entl'ile! $' an' o the can!i!ates.



+n his Comment, =? > private respon!ent Ta$a" s%pports the in!in"s o theC# &0&C. +n a!!ition, he avers that the petition is !e ective since it aile! toimplea! 4ice; a'or erce!e . 4i carra, who is now the Actin" a'or oRamon, +sa$ela. *e ar"%es that 4ice; a'or 4i carra is an in!ispensa$le part'witho%t whom no inal !etermination o the action ma' $e ha!.

The petition is $ere t o merit.

Section @ o R.A. /o. 71 o%tlines the proce!%re or the !isposition oconteste! election ret%rns, th%s:

S&CT+#/ @. Proce!%re in 3isposition o Conteste! &lectionRet%rns. L

a An' can!i!ate, political part' or coalition o politicalparties contestin" the incl%sion or e)cl%sion in the canvass o an'election ret%rns on an' o the "ro%n!s a%thori e! %n!er Article NNor Section ? , ? an! ? o Article N+N o the #mni$%s &lectionCo!e shall s%$mit their oral o$(ection to the chairman o the $oar!o canvassers at the time the %estione! ret%rn is presente! orincl%sion in the canvass. S%ch o$(ection shall $e recor!e! in themin%tes o the canvass.

$ pon receipt o an' s%ch o$(ection, the $oar! o

canvassers shall a%tomaticall' !e er the canvass o the conteste!ret%rns an! shall procee! to canvass the ret%rns which are notconteste! $' an' part'.

c Sim%ltaneo%s with the oral o$(ection, the o$(ectin" part'

shall also enter his o$(ection in the orm or written o$(ections to $eprescri$e! $' the Commission. -ithin twent'; o%r ho%rs roman! a ter the presentation o s%ch an o$(ection, the o$(ectin" part'shall s%$mit the evi!ence in s%pport o the o$(ection, which shall $eattache! to the orm or written o$(ections. -ithin the same perio!o twent'; o%r ho%rs a ter presentation o the o$(ection, an'part' ma' ile a written an! veri ie! opposition to the o$(ection inthe orm also to $e prescri$e! $' the Commission, attachin"thereto s%pportin" evi!ence, i an'. The $oar! shall not entertain

an' o$(ection or opposition %nless re!%ce! to writin" in theprescri$e! orms.

The evi!ence attache! to the o$(ection or opposition

s%$mitte! $' the parties, shall $e imme!iatel' an! ormall'a!mitte! into the recor!s o the $oar! $' the chairman a i)in" hissi"nat%re at the $ac< o each an! ever' pa"e thereo .





! pon receipt o the evi!ence, the $oar! shall ta<e %p theconteste! ret%rns, consi!er the written o$(ections thereto an!opposition, i an', an! s%mmaril' an! imme!iatel' r%lethereon. The %&'(# $h')) e !e( *!$ (+)* & !he -(e$"(*%e# &(/' # '+!he !*"'!e !he $'/e %0 !he $* '!+(e$ & *!$ /e/%e($.

e An' part' a!versel' a ecte! $' the r%lin" o the $oar!shall imme!iatel' in orm the $oar! i he inten!s to appeal sai!r%lin". The $oar! shall enter sai! in ormation in the min%tes o thecanvass, set asi!e the ret%rns an! procee! to consi!er the otherret%rns.

A ter all the %nconteste! ret%rns have $een canvasse!

an! the conteste! ret%rns r%le! %pon $' it, the $oar! shall s%spen!the canvass. -ithin ort';ei"ht 8 ho%rs there rom, an' part'a!versel' a ecte! $' the r%lin" ma' ile with the $oar! a written

an! veri ie! notice o appealK an! within an %ne)ten!i$le perio! oive !a's therea ter, an appeal ma' $e ta<en to theCommission.

" +mme!iatel' %pon receipt o the notice o appeal, the

$oar! shall ma<e an appropriate report to the Commission,elevatin" therewith the complete recor!s an! evi!ence s%$mitte! inthe canvass, an! %rnishin" the parties with copies o the report.

h #n the $asis o the recor!s an! evi!ence elevate! to it

$' the $oar!, the Commission shall !eci!e s%mmaril' the appeal

within seven 7 !a's rom receipt o the sai! recor!s an! evi!ence. An' appeal $ro%"ht $e ore the Commission on the r%lin" o the$oar!, witho%t the accomplishe! orms an! the evi!ence appen!e!thereto, shall $e s%mmaril' !ismisse!.

The !ecision o the Commission shall $e e)ec%tor' a ter the

lapse o seven 7 !a's rom receipt thereo $' the losin" part'. i The $oar! o canvassers shall not proclaim an' can!i!ate

as winner %nless a%thori e! $' the Commission a ter the latter hasr%le! on the o$(ections $ro%"ht to it on appeal $' the losin" part'.

An' proclamation ma!e in violation hereo shall $e voi! ab initio ,%nless the conteste! ret%rns will not a!versel' a ect the res%lts othe election. =?7>

+n the present case, private respon!ent Ta$a", thro%"h his law'ers, so%"ht!%rin" the canvassin" the e)cl%sion o several election ret%rns on vario%s"ro%n!s, amon" them: lac< o inner paper seals, lac< o si"nat%re o the





Chairman o the B&+, a$sence o th%m$mar<s o the mem$ers o the B&+, etc.These o$(ections were ta$%late! =?8> as ollows:

Precinct/%m$er

/%m$er o 4otes Cast

A ; petition or e)cl%sion ile! $' petitioner $%tincl%sion was or!ere! $' B#C *!h&+!(*!!e (+)* K ver$all' appeale! whilewritten /otice o Appeal was &! '"!e#+-& .

1 1

A 7A ; petition or e)cl%sion ile! $' petitioner $%tincl%sion was or!ere! $' B#C *!h&+!(*!!e (+)* K ver$all' appeale! whilewritten /otice o Appeal was &! '"!e#+-& .

17

1@A ; petition or e)cl%sion ile! $' petitioner $%tincl%sion was or!ere! $' B#C *!h&+!(*!!e (+)* K ver$all' appeale! whilewritten /otice o Appeal was &! '"!e#+-& .

1?8

9A ; petition or e)cl%sion ile! $' petitioner $%tincl%sion was or!ere! $' B#C *!h&+!(*!!e (+)* K ver$all' appeale! whilewritten /otice o Appeal was &! '"!e#+-& .

1?

A ; petition or e)cl%sion ile! $' petitioner $%tincl%sion was or!ere! $' B#C *!h&+!(*!!e (+)* K ver$all' appeale! whilewritten /otice o Appeal was &! '"!e#+-& .

1?

7A ; petition or e)cl%sion ile! $' petitioner $%tincl%sion was or!ere! $' B#C *!h&+!(*!!e (+)* K ver$all' appeale! whilewritten /otice o Appeal was &! '"!e#+-& .

1

A ; petition or e)cl%sion ile! $' petitioner $%tincl%sion was or!ere! $' B#C *!h&+!(*!!e (+)*

K ver$all' appeale! whilewritten /otice o Appeal was &! '"!e#+-& .

1?7

9?A ; petition or e)cl%sion ile! $' petitioner $%tincl%sion was or!ere! $' B#C *!h&+!(*!!e (+)* K ver$all' appeale! whilewritten /otice o Appeal was &! '"!e#+-& .

1 8





9 9 A ; petition or e)cl%sion ile! $' petitioner $%tincl%sion was or!ere! $' B#C *!h&+!(*!!e (+)* K ver$all' appeale! whilewritten /otice o Appeal was &! '"!e#+-& .

198

97A 98A ; petition or e)cl%sion ile! $' petitioner $%tincl%sion was or!ere! $' B#C *!h&+!(*!!e (+)* K ver$all' appeale! whilewritten /otice o Appeal was &! '"!e#+-& .

178

1@?A ; petition or e)cl%sion ile! $' petitioner $%tincl%sion was or!ere! $' B#C *!h&+!(*!!e (+)* K ver$all' appeale! whilewritten /otice o Appeal was &! '"!e#+-& .

1

11 A ; petition or e)cl%sion ile! $' petitioner $%t

incl%sion was or!ere! $' B#C *!h&+!(*!!e (+)* K ver$all' appeale! whilewritten /otice o Appeal was &! '"!e#+-& .

1 1

1 A ; petition or e)cl%sion ile! $' petitioner $%tincl%sion was or!ere! $' B#C *!h&+!(*!!e (+)* K no appeal rom privaterespon!ent.

1

A ; petition or e)cl%sion ile! $' petitioner $%tincl%sion was or!ere! $' B#C *!h&+!(*!!e (+)* K no appeal rom private

respon!ent.

1? O

7A J B ; petition or e)cl%sion ile! $' petitioner $%tincl%sion was or!ere! $' B#C *!h&+!(*!!e (+)* K no appeal rom privaterespon!ent.

O

?A ; petition or e)cl%sion ile! $' petitioner $%tincl%sion was or!ere! $' B#C *!h&+!(*!!e (+)* K no appeal rom privaterespon!ent.

1?8O

88A ; petition or e)cl%sion ile! $' petitioner $%tincl%sion was or!ere! $' B#C *!h&+!(*!!e (+)* K no appeal rom privaterespon!ent.

1 O

9 A 9 ;canvass was !e erre! $' B#C or lac< o s%mmation on the irst pa"e o the &R $%ttheincl%sion therea ter was ma!e *!h&+!(*!!e (+)* o the B#C.

188O

@A ; petition or e)cl%sion with o er o evi!ence 1 8



in writin" was s%$mitte! in the mornin" $%twas not acte! an! not r%le! %pon,therea ter, B#C proclaime! therespon!ent.

A ; petition or e)cl%sion with o er o evi!ence

in writin" was s%$mitte! in the mornin" $%twas not acte! an! not r%le! %pon,therea ter, B#C proclaime! therespon!ent.

1 9

@A A ; petition or e)cl%sion with o er o evi!encein writin" was s%$mitte! in the mornin" $%twas not acte! an! not r%le! %pon,therea ter, B#C proclaime! therespon!ent.

1@

7 A ; petition or e)cl%sion with o er o evi!encein writin" was s%$mitte! in the mornin" $%t

was not acte! an! not r%le! %pon,therea ter, B#C proclaime! therespon!ent.

1

8?A ; petition or e)cl%sion with o er o evi!encein writin" was s%$mitte! in the mornin" $%twas not acte! an! not r%le! %pon,therea ter, B#C proclaime! therespon!ent.

1

1 1A ; petition or e)cl%sion with o er o evi!encein writin" was s%$mitte! in the mornin" $%twas not acte! an! not r%le! %pon,

therea ter, B#C proclaime! therespon!ent.

1 9

1 ?A ; petition or e)cl%sion with o er o evi!encein writin" was s%$mitte! in the mornin" $%twas not acte! an! not r%le! %pon,therea ter, B#C proclaime! therespon!ent.

1 9

11 A ; petition or e)cl%sion with o er o evi!encein writin" was s%$mitte! in the mornin" $%twas not acte! an! not r%le! %pon,therea ter, B#C proclaime! therespon!ent.

1 1

T&!') V&!e$ C'$! & C& !e$!e# P(e"* "!$

,16



As shown a$ove, in no sin"le instance !i! the BC ma<e an' writtenr%lin" on the n%mero%s petitions or e)cl%sion ile! $' private respon!ent Ta$a".&ven those o$(ections ma!e in writin" $' private respon!ent Ta$a" were notacte! an! r%le! %pon $' the BCK neither !i! it act on the several written notices

o appeal ile! $' private respon!ent Ta$a".

Clearl', the BC violate! its !%t' %n!er para"raph ! o Section @ oR.A. /o. 71 to enter its r%lin"s, partic%larl' on those o$(ections that have $eenre!%ce! to writin", on the prescri$e! orm an! a%thenticate the same $' thesi"nat%res o its mem$ers. 3e 5% man, the Chairman o the BC, in hisanswer;memoran!%m ile! with the C# &0&C Secon! 3ivision, a!mitte! thatthe BC !i! not ma<e an' written r%lin" !is"#"!is private respon!ent Ta$a"Eso$(ections, even those ma!e in writin".

Petitioner &spi!ol maintains that the BC co%l! not $e a%lte! or not

ma<in" an' written r%lin"s on private respon!ent Ta$a"Es o$(ections $eca%semost were not re!%ce! to writin" as re %ire! $' para"raph c o Section @ oR.A. /o. 71 . F%rther, those o$(ections ma!e in writin" were not alle"e!l'sim%ltaneo%sl' s%$mitte! with the oral o$(ections. Accor!in" to petitioner&spi!ol, the wor! Gsim%ltaneo%sH in Section @ c o R.A. /o. 71 sho%l! $econstr%e! strictl' in view o its man!ator' nat%re.

This pro ere! constr%ction ails to pers%a!e. As correctl' r%le! $' theC# &0&C en banc an! the Secon! 3ivision, the wor! Gsim%ltaneo%sH m%st not$e "iven a strict an! constrictin" meanin". S%$mission o the written o$(ectionwithin ho%rs rom when the oral o$(ection was ma!e is s%$stantial compliance

with the law. The C# &0&C en banc Es ratiocination on this point is %ote! withapproval:

There is no !e$ate that an oral o$(ection m%st $e re!%ce!into writin". &ven the case laws cite! $' private respon!ent=re errin" to &spi!ol> assert the same re %irement. *owever, therewas never an' !isc%ssion that the same shall $e s%$mitte! atthe same moment as the oral o$(ection. The re %irement there orethat written o$(ections m%st $e s%$mitte! sim%ltaneo%sl' is (%stlimite! to the provision itsel .

To a!vance, there ore, the technical interpretation o thewor! sim%ltaneo%s, is to re %ire that written o$(ections sho%l! $es%$mitte! at the same time with the oral o$(ection. The act that ther%le spea<s o an oral o$(ection separate rom the writtencontemplates that $oth orms ma' $e s%$mitte! at !i erentmoments, as lon" as this is !one within reasona$le time. *ence, ia co%nsel s%$mits his written o$(ection an ho%r later, the same ma'$e consi!ere! compliance with the r%le. The same ma' $e the



sit%ation i co%nsel ma' s%$mit written o$(ections at the en! o thecanvassin" or the !a'. The %estion, there ore, is %p to whenGreasona$le timeH $e in the s%$mission o written o$(ections.

The interpretation m%st $e p%t in the conte)t o the whole

process o !isposin" o$(ecte! ret%rns. Consi!erin" that theo$(ections have to $e r%le! %pon $' the $oar! o canvassers $ase!on the evi!ence which are re %ire! to $e s%$mitte! within twent';o%r ho%rs, the $oar!, there ore, has to wait or at least twent';o%r ho%rs, $e ore the' co%l! r%le on the o$(ection. *ence,even i the $oar! alrea!' has written o$(ections with them, the' stillcannot r%le on the same %ntil the evi!ence has $een s%$mitte!within twent'; o%r ho%rs.

+t is there ore, the consi!eration o this Commission that the$oar! o canvassers sho%l! not r%le on the o$(ections o the parties

%ntil the twent'; o%r;ho%r perio! has lapse!, %nless the'alrea!' have with them the written o$(ections as well as theevi!ence. +n that case, s%$mission o written o$(ections withintwent'; o%r ho%rs to"ether with the evi!ence, ma' $econsi!ere! s%$stantial compliance with the r%le. =?9>

Petitioner &spi!ol li<ewise (%sti ies the BCEs ail%re to r%le on theo$(ections o private respon!ent Ta$a" $' statin" that these were not proper orpre;proclamation controvers'K hence, the !ismissal thereo $' the BC wasproper. This contention !eserves scant consi!eration.

A pre;proclamation controvers' is !e ine! as re errin" Gto an' %estionpertainin" to or a ectin" the procee!in"s o the $oar! o canvassers which ma'$e raise! $' an' can!i!ate or $' an' re"istere! political part' or coalition opolitical parties $e ore the $oar! or !irectl' with the Commission, or any matterraised under Sections $%% , $%&, $%' and $% in relation to t e preparationtransmission receipt custody and appreciation of t e election returns .H= @> +ss%esthat ma' $e raise! in a pre;proclamation controvers' are as ollows:

a +lle"al composition or procee!in"s o the $oar! o canvassersK

$ * e can!assed election returns are incomplete contain materialdefects appear to be tampered +it or falsified or containdiscrepancies in t e same returns or in anot er aut entic copiest ereof as mentioned in Sections $%% $%& $%' and $% of t isCode,

c The election ret%rns were prepare! %n!er !%ress, threats,coercion or intimi!ation, or the' are o$vio%sl' man% act%re! or nota%thenticK an!







! -hen s%$stit%te or ra%!%lent ret%rns in controvers' pollin"places were canvasse!, the res%lts o which materiall' a ecte! thestan!in" o the a""rieve! can!i!ate or can!i!ates. = 1>

A!mitte!l', the Co%rt ha! the occasion to state that lac< o inner paperseals in the election ret%rns !oes not (%sti ' their e)cl%sion rom canvassin" an!that s%ch is not proper s%$(ect o a pre;proclamation controvers'. = > *owever, inthe present case, asi!e rom the lac< o inner paper seals, private respon!entTa$a" raise! other "ro%n!s or the e)cl%sion o certain election ret%rns, incl%!in"lac< o si"nat%re o the Chairman o the B&+ an! a$sence o th%m$mar<s o themem$ers o the B&+.

The si"nat%res an! th%m$mar<s o the B&+ mem$ers are re %ire! to $ea i)e! on the election ret%rns %n!er Section 1 o the #&C, which states in

part: Sec. 1 . -lection returns . L The $oar! o election inspectorsshall prepare the election ret%rns sim%ltaneo%sl' with the co%ntin"o the votes in the pollin" place as prescri$e! in Section 1@hereo . The ret%rn shall $e prepare! in se)t%plicate. The recor!in"o votes shall $e ma!e as prescri$e! in sai! section. * e entry of!otes in +ords and figures for eac candidate s all be closed +itt e signature and t e clear imprint of t e t umbmark of t e rig tand of all t e members like+ise to be affi ed in full !ie+ of t e

public , imme!iatel' a ter the last vote recor!e! or imme!iatel' a terthe name o the can!i!ate who !i! not receive an' vote.

+ the si"nat%res an! or th%m$mar<s o the mem$ers o the

$oar! o election inspectors or some as re %ire! in this provisionare missin" in the election ret%rns, the $oar! o canvassers ma's%mmon the mem$ers o the $oar! o election inspectorsconcerne! to complete the ret%rns.

+n relation thereto, the pertinent proviso o Section ? o the #&C is%ote! anew:

Sec. ? . Material defects in t e election returns . L + it sho%l!

appear that some re %isites in orm or !ata ha! $een omitte! in theelection ret%rns, the $oar! o canvassers shall call or all themem$ers o the $oar! o election inspectors concerne! $' the moste)pe!itio%s means, or the same $oar! to e ect the correction







Conse %entl', the a$sence o these si"nat%res an! th%m$mar<s ren!ere!the sai! election ret%rns materiall' !e ective an!, there ore, proper s%$(ect o apre;proclamation controvers' partic%larl' allin" %n!er para"raph $ o Section? o the #&C which is %ote! anew:

$ The canvasse! election ret%rns are incomplete, containmaterial defects , appear to $e tampere! with or alsi ie!, or contain!iscrepancies in the same ret%rns or in another a%thentic copiesthereo as mentione! in Sections ??, $%&, ? an! ? o thisCo!eK 5rantin" arguendo that the o$(ections interpose! $' private respon!ent

Ta$a" were not proper or a pre;proclamation controvers', nonetheless, theBC sho%l! have ma!e written r%lin"s thereon. n!er Section @ o R.A. /o.71 , the $oar! o canvassers is man!ate! to "rant an o$(ectin" part' ho%rsrom the time o the presentation o the oral o$(ection to s%$mit its evi!ence.

Therea ter, the other part' is also "iven ho%rs to s%$mit its opposition. + noopposition has $een ile!, the $oar! shall r%le on the o$(ections an! enter itsr%lin" in the prescri$e! orm an! a%thenticate the same with the si"nat%res o themem$ers o the $oar!. As earlier opine!, 3e 5% man, as Chairman o theBC, a!mitte! in his Answer; emoran!%m that the $oar! !i! not ma<e an'written r%lin"s on the o$(ections interpose! $' private respon!ent Ta$a",incl%!in" those re!%ce! to writin".

The re %irement that the $oar! o canvassers re!%ce to writin" its r%lin"s

is man!ator': +t is clear rom this provision that the $oar! o canvassers

is %n!er the o$li"ation to ma<e a written r%lin" on the ormalo$(ections ma!e $' an' o the parties, who ma' then appeal thesame to the C# &0&C. +t is e %all' clear that the ail%re or re %salo the $oar! o canvassers to !ischar"e this o$li"ation sho%l! not inan' wa' pre(%!ice the o$(ectin" part'Es ri"ht to elevate the matter tothe C# &0&C or proper review. #therwise, all that a $oar! ocanvassers partial to one o the can!i!ates has to !o to avor himwo%l! $e to re %se to ma<e a written r%lin" on his opponentEso$(ections an! there$' prevent their review $' the C# &0&C. = ?>

The Co%rt notes that !%rin" the inal !a' o the canvassin", or on a' 1 ,@@ , private respon!ent Ta$a" ma!e oral o$(ections to the incl%sion o severalelection ret%rns. The canvassin" concl%!e! at a$o%t 9:?@ p.m. o the sai! !a'.Barel' 1 ho%rs therea ter, or at 9:@@ a.m. o a' 1 , @@ , the BC proclaime!petitioner &spi!ol as the ma'or;elect o Ramon, +sa$ela. B' so !oin", the BCe ectivel' !eprive! private respon!ent Ta$a" o the opport%nit' to seasona$l's%$stantiate his oral o$(ections with evi!ence an! s%$mit the correspon!in"written o$(ections. The proclamation o petitioner &spi!ol was clearl' ma!e with





%n!%e haste, consi!erin" that it was ma!e even $e ore the lapse o the ;ho%rperio! "iven to private respon!ent Ta$a" %n!er Section @ c o R.A. /o. 71to s%$mit the evi!ence an! written o$(ections in s%pport o his oral o$(ections. +nother wor!s, the BC, witho%t awaitin" or or consi!erin" private respon!entTa$a"Es evi!ence an! written o$(ections to s%pport his oral o$(ections an!,

conse %entl', witho%t an' law %l r%lin" thereon, proclaime! petitioner &spi!ol. +n the process, the BC not onl' !eprive! private respon!ent Ta$a" o

the ri"ht to appeal its r%lin" to the C# &0&C, it li<ewise !eprive! the latter $o!'to r%le on the o$(ections o private respon!ent Ta$a". S%ch act o the BCviolate! Section @ i o R.A. /o. 71 , %ote! a"ain $elow:

i The $oar! o canvassers shall not proclaim an' can!i!ate

as winner %nless a%thori e! $' the Commission a ter the latter hasr%le! on the o$(ections $ro%"ht to it on appeal $' the losin" part'.

An' proclamation ma!e in violation hereo shall $e voi! a$ initio ,

%nless the conteste! ret%rns will not a!versel' a ect the res%lts othe election.

The ollowin" prono%ncement in /amil !. Comelec = > is li<ewise instr%ctive:

+t is o%r consi!ere! view that $oth proclamations o petitioneran! private respon!ent are invali!.

Clear it is that petitioner Damil was proclaime! on D%ne ,199 a ter Casan aca!ato, chairman o the secon! BC,

con!%cte! an investi"ation with respect to the incl%sion ore)cl%sion o the ret%rns rom Precinct /os. , 1@;1 an! @;1 an!a ter he s%$mitte! his investi"ation report, which he alone si"ne!,to the C# &0&C on D%ne , 199 merel' recommen!in" theincl%sion o the three ? ret%rns in the canvass. As we havementione! a$ove, sai! investi"ation report was not in orm ors%$stance a r%lin" o the BC $eca%se it !i! not ma<e a !e initiveprono%ncement or !isposition resolvin" the iss%es re"ar!in" the%estione! ret%rns $%t onl' a recommen!ation to theC# &0&C. The(e %e* & (+)* & !he * ")+$*& &( e4")+$*&& !he #*$-+!e# (e!+( $, !he(e "&+)# h' e %ee & "&/-)e!e

' # ')*# "' '$$ h*"h *$ ' -(e(e +*$*!e !& ' ')*#-(&")'/'!*& . = >

+n a!!ition, it is si"ni icant to note that the C# &0&C Secon! 3ivisiono%n! a !iscrepanc' $etween the n%m$er o votes cast or thema'oralt' can!i!ates an! the n%m$er o re"istere! voters who act%all' vote!.pon veri ication o the S#4, the C# &0&C Secon! 3ivision !iscovere! that thetotal n%m$er o those who act%all' vote! was 17, @7K on the other han!, the







total n%m$er o votes cast or the ma'oralt' can!i!ates a!!e! %p to 18,@ ,hence, e)cee!in" the total n%m$er o those who act%all' vote! $' 8 8. Thisin!in" was a irme! $' the C# &0&C en banc .

Pertinentl', in Duremdes !. C0M-L-C ,= >

cite! $' the C# &0&C Secon!3ivision, the Co%rt a irme! the C# &0&CEs n%lli ication o the proclamation o acan!i!ate or the 4ice;5overnor as there e)iste! !iscrepancies $etween then%m$er o votes appearin" in the S#4 an! that in the election ret%rns.

Accor!in" to the Co%rt in the sai! case, Gan' error in the Statement o 4oteswo%l! a ect the proclamation ma!e on the $asis thereo . The tr%e will o theelectorate ma' th%s $e not %ll' an! aith %ll' re lecte! $' the proclamationH = 7>

& %all' !ama"in" to petitioner &spi!olEs ca%se is the a!mission ma!e $'

3e 5% man in his Answer; emoran!%m o the presence o threats an!intimi!ation that constraine! him to hastil' inish the canvassin" an!proclamation. = 8> The ollowin" !is %isition o the C# &0&C Secon! 3ivisionwith respect to the !iscrepanc' in the S#4 an! the presence o threats an!intimi!ation is apropos :

The a$ove !iscrepanc' ma' not overt%rn the alle"e! lea!

o respon!ent =re errin" to &spi!ol> rom petitioner =re errin" toTa$a"> $%t s%ch i"%re tells o the act that a !eli$erate attempt topa! oneEs votes ma' have transpire!, an! the Commission cannot

(%st close its e'es to this travest' o the inte"rit' o the electoralprocess. +n a!!ition to this, when -e consi!er all the othercirc%mstances s%rro%n!in" the canvassin" o the ret%rns in Ramon,

+sa$ela, incl%!in" the a!mission o the B#C Chairman o thepresence o threats an! intimi!ation, as well as the irre"%larities inthe accomplishment o the election ret%rns as o%n! !%rin" thecanvassin", -e are lea! to concl%!e that the procee!in"s o theB#C in Ramon, +sa$ela has $een irre"%lar an! that the same has$een vitiate! with threats an! intimi!ation, hence, ann%lment oRespon!entEs proclamation is in or!er. = 9>

n!er the ore"oin" circ%mstances, the C# &0&C !i! not commit "rave

a$%se o !iscretion when it n%lli ie! the proclamation o petitioner &spi!ol. +n alon" line o cases, the Co%rt has a irme! the power o the C# &0&C to ann%l

an ille"al canvass an! proclamation. = @>

0astl', petitioner &spi!ol !ecries that he was !eprive! o !%e processwhen the C# &0&C Secon! 3ivision iss%e! the #r!er !ate! D%ne ?, @@s%spen!in" the e ects o his proclamation. The recor!s, however, $elie thisclaim, as it has $een shown that on D%ne 9, @@ , the C# &0&C iss%e!s%mmonses with notice o the hearin" set on D%ne 17, @@ K on the sai! !ate,













respective co%nsel o petitioner &spi!ol an! private respon!ent Ta$a" atten!e!the hearin"K a ter ma<in" their respective mani estations, petitioner &spi!olEsco%nsel was "iven ive !a's to ile his answer;memoran!%mK an! on D%ne ,@@ , petitioner ile! his Answer; emoran!%m.

The act that the or!er o the C# &0&C Secon! 3ivision s%spen!in" thee ects o petitioner &spi!olEs proclamation was iss%e! a !a' a ter he ile! his Answer; emoran!%m !oes not mean that the or!er was tainte! with irre"%larit'. As the C# &0&C en banc e)plaine! L

The or!er to s%spen! the e ect o private respon!entEs

=re errin" to petitioner &spi!ol> proclamation is an interloc%tor'or!er $ase! on a prima acie in!in" that the alle"ations raise! $'the petitioner have merits. +t is also inten!e! to prevent privaterespon!ent rom havin" the a!vanta"e o inc%m$enc', hence,!eprivin" him o the possi$ilit' o !ela'in" the resol%tion o this

case an! o a possi$le election protest. + , on the other han!,private respon!ent is con i!ent that he is the tr%e winner o theelection then s%ch act will come o%t !%rin" the re;canvassin" othe election ret%rns. *owever, i he has somethin" to hi!e then his$est strate"', in!ee!, is to "ra$ the proclamation, ass%me theo ice an! !ela' an' controvers' or protest ile! a"ainst him %ntilthe en! o the term o the s%$(ect o ice.

S%ch interloc%tor' or!er was event%all' (%sti ie! $' theact%ation o private respon!ent o ta<in" his oath o o ice an! inact%all' ass%min" the post o a'or !espite the or!er s%spen!in"

the e ect o his proclamation. *is co%nsel sho%l! have a!vise! himto ollow the or!er o the Commission an! p%sh or the imme!iateresol%tion o the controvers' so that an' !o%$t as re"ar!s hisproclamation will imme!iatel' $e erase!, %nless, s%ch !o%$t iscorro$orate! !%rin" the re;canvassin" o the election ret%rns. = 1>

+n a!ministrative procee!in"s, the essence o !%e process is simpl' anopport%nit' to $e hear!, or an opport%nit' to e)plain oneEs si!e or opport%nit' tosee< a reconsi!eration o the action or r%lin" complaine! o . = > Clearl', petitioner&spi!ol was "iven %ll opport%nit' to present his si!e on the petition or

ann%lment ile! $' private respon!ent Ta$a". +t $ears reiteratin", at this point, that the Co%rt has "iven its imprimat%r on

the principle that the C# &0&C is with a%thorit' to ann%l an' canvass an!proclamation ille"all' ma!e. = ?> The act that a can!i!ate ille"all' proclaime! hasass%me! o ice is not a $ar to the e)ercise o s%ch power. = > +t is also tr%e that asa "eneral r%le, the proper reme!' a ter the proclamation o the winnin" can!i!ateor the position conteste! wo%l! $e to ile a re"%lar election protest or quo











+arranto .= > This r%le, however, a!mits o e)ceptions an! one o those is wherethe proclamation was n%ll an! voi!. = > +n s%ch a case, i.e. , where theproclamation is n%ll an! voi!, the proclaime! can!i!ateEs ass%mption o o icecannot !eprive the C# &0&C o the power to !eclare s%ch proclamation an%llit'. = 7>

The rationale there or is aptl' el%ci!ate! th%s: -e !raw rom past e)perience. A pattern o con!%ct

o$serve! in past elections has $een the Gpernicio%s "ra$;the;proclamation;prolon";the;protest;slo"anH o some can!i!ates orparties.H Reall', were a victim o a proclamation to $e precl%!e!rom challen"in" the vali!it' thereo a ter that proclamation an! theass%mption o o ice there%n!er, $ane %l e ects ma' easil's%pervene. +t ma' not $e o%t o place to state that in the lon"histor' o election contests in this co%ntr', as serve! in Lagumbay

!. Climaco , s%ccess %l contestant in an election protest o ten wins$%t Ga mere p'rrhic victor', i.e., a vin!ication when the term o o iceis a$o%t to e)pire or has e)pire!.H Protests, co%nter;protests,revisions o $allots, appeals, !ilator' tactics, ma' well r%strate thewill o the electorate. An! what i the protestant ma' not have thereso%rces an! an %nwaverin" !etermination with which to s%stain alon" !rawn;o%t election contest6 +n this conte)t there ore all e ortssho%l! $e straine! L as ar as is h%manl' possi$le L to ta<e electionret%rns o%t o the reach o the %nscr%p%lo%sK an! to prevent ille"alor ra%!%lent proclamation rom ripenin" into ille"al ass%mption oo ice. = 8>

All tol!, the C# &0&C en banc !i! not commit "rave a$%se o !iscretion

in a irmin" in toto the resol%tion o the Secon! 3ivision ann%llin" theproclamation o petitioner &spi!ol.

8ERE9ORE , the petition is 3+S +SS&3. The Resol%tion !ate! A%"%st?@, @@ o the C# &0&C en banc in SPC /o. @ ;18@ is AFF+R &3 in toto .The status quo or!er iss%e! on Septem$er 7, @@ is here$' set asi!e.









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