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VOTERS

People vs Corral

FACTS: Appellant was charged with having votedillegally at the general elections held on June 5,193! A"ter due trial, he was convicted on theground that he had voted while la#oring under alegal dis$uali%cation! The &udg'ent o" convictionwas #ased on section ()(, in connection with

section 3(, o" the *evised Ad'inistrative Code!Said section 3( reads as "ollows: +The "ollowingpersons shall #e dis$uali%ed "ro' voting: +a- Anyperson who, since the thirteenth day o" August,eighteen hundred and ninety.eight, has #eensentenced #y %nal &udg'ent to su/er not less thaneighteen 'onths o" i'prison'ent, such having#een re'oved #y plenary pardon! +#- Any personwho has violated an oath o" allegiance ta0en #y hi'to the nited States! +c- 2nsane or "ee#le.'indedpersons! +d- ea".'utes who cannot read andwrite! +e- 4lectors registered under section c- o" the net proceeding section who, a"ter "ailing to

'a0e a sworn state'ent to the satis"action o" the#oard o" inspectors at any o" its two 'eetings "orregistration and revision, that they are incapacitated"or preparing their #allots due to per'anentphysical disa#ility, present the'selves at the houro" voting as incapacitated, irrespective o" whethersuch incapacity #e real or "eigned!+ And section()( provides: +6hoever at any election vote oratte'pts to vote 0nowing that he is not entitled todo so, ! ! ! shall #e punished #y i'prison'ent "or notless than one 'onth nor 'ore than one year and #ya %ne o" not less than one hundred pesos nor 'orethan one thousand pesos, and in all cases #ydeprivation o" the right o" su/rage anddis$uali%cation "ro' pu#lic o7ce "or a period o" not'ore than "our years!+

2SS4: 68 corral is dis$uali%ed to vote

4;: <es! e is dis$uali%ed!

The 'odern conception o" the su/rage is that votingis a "unction o" govern'ent! The right to vote is nota natural right #ut it is a right created #y law!Su/rage is a privilege granted #y the State to suchpersons or classes as are 'ost li0ely to eercise it"or the pu#lic good! 2n the early stages o" theevolution o" the representative syste' o" govern'ent, the eercise o" the right o" su/ragewas li'ited to a s'all portion o" the inha#itants! =utwith the spread o" de'ocratic ideas, the en&oy'ento" the "ranchise in the 'odern states has co'e toe'#race the 'ass o" the adult 'ale population! Forreasons o" pu#lic policy, certain classes o" personsare ecluded "ro' the "ranchise! A'ong thegenerally ecluded classes are 'inors, idiots,paupers, and convicts! The right o" the State todeprive persons o" the right o" su/rage #y reason o" their having #een convicted o" cri'e, is #eyond

$uestion! +The 'ani"est purpose o" such restrictioupon this right is to preserve the purity o" electio

The presu'ption is that one rendered in"a'ous conviction o" "elony, or those #ase o/ense indicato" 'oral turpitude, in un%t to eercise the privileo" su/rage or to hold o7ce! The eclusion 'ust this reason #e ad&udged a 'ere dis$uali%catii'posed "or protection and in not "or punish'ethe withholding o" a privilege and not the denial opersonal right!+ 9 *! C! ;!, 1>(!-! pon the "a

esta#lished in this case, it see's clear that appellant was not entitled to vote on June 5, 19#ecause o" section 3( o" the *evisAd'inistrative Code which dis$uali%ed "ro' votany person who, since 13th day o" August, 1?has #een sentenced #y %nal &udg'ent to su/er less than eighteen 'onths o" i'prison'ent, sudisa#ility not having #een re'oved #y plenpardon! As a#ove stated, the appellant had #esentenced #y %nal &udg'ent to su/er eight yeand one day o" presidio 'ayor, and not had #egranted a plenary pardon!

REGISTRATION OF VOTERS

Yra vs Abano

Facts:@arcos <ra, the vice.president elect o" @eycauay=ulacan, who challenges the right o" respondent, @ai'o A#ao, the 'unicipal presidelect o" @eycauayan, to the position to whelected on the ground that the respondentineligi#le! @ai'o A#ao is a native o" 'unicipality o" @eycauayan, =ulacan! At the proage, he trans"erred to @anila to co'plete education! 6hile te'porarily residing in @anA#ao registered as a voter there! Shortly a"$uali"ying as a 'e'#er o" the #ar and a"ter death o" his "ather, A#ao returned to @eycauayto live! Fro' @ay 1>, 19(B, until the present, A#ahas considered hi'sel" a resident o" @eycauay6hen the 19(? elections were approaching, 'ade an application "or cancellation o" registratin @anila which was dated April 3, 19(?, #ut tapplication was re&ected #y the city o7cials "or treason that it was not deposited in the 'ails on#e"ore April , 19(?! evertheless A#ao presenthi'sel" as a candidate "or 'unicipal president@eycauayan in the 19(? elections and was elect#y popular vote to that o7ce! etitioner contendthat respondent should #e dis$uali%ed on ground that a#ano is not a registered voter'eycauayan!

2ssue: won respondent is dis$uali%edD

eld: o! respondent is not dis$uali%ed!

The 4lection ;aw, as a'ended, in section provides that +o person shall #e eligi#le ! ! ! "or a



elective ! ! ! 'unicipal o7ce unless, within the ti'e%ed #y law, he shall %le a duly sworn certi%cate o" candidacy! Said certi%cate shall declare ! ! ! that heis a resident o" the ! ! ! 'unicipality, ! ! ! in which hiscandidacy is o/eredE that he is a duly $uali%edelector therein, and that he is eligi#le to the o7ce!+

The Ad'inistrative Code in section (1B, in givingthe $uali%cations o" elective 'unicipal o7cers, alsoprovides that +An elective 'unicipal o7cer 'ust, atthe ti'e o" the election, #e a $uali%ed voter in his

'unicipality and 'ust have #een resident therein"or at least one year ! ! !!+ Section 31 o" the4lection ;aw prescri#es the $uali%cations "or voters!

The Co''ittee o" the hilippine Asse'#ly reachedthe conclusion that the words +$uali%ed elector+'eant a person who had all o" the $uali%cationsprovided #y law to #e a voter and not a personregistered in the electoral list!

2t is contended that it would #e a#surd to hold one a$uali%ed elector who was not eligi#le to vote in his'unicipality! The law o" entuc0y provided that +operson shall #e eligi#le to any o7ce who is not at

the ti'e o" his election a $uali%ed voter o" the cityand who has not resided therein three yearspreceding his election!+ 8ne 6ood was elected aco''issioner o" the sin0ing "und! is eligi#ility wasprotested upon the ground that he was not, at theti'e o" his election, a $uali%ed voter o" the city o" ;ouisville since he had not registered as a voter inthat city! The Supre'e Court o" entuc0y,considering the law and the "acts in the case o" @e/ert vs! =rown G19>9H, 13( y!, (>1-, spea0ingthrough its Chie" Justice, held that under theentuc0y statutes re$uiring o7cers in certain citiesto #e $uali%ed voters, oneIs eligi#ility is not a/ected#y his "ailure to register! 2t was said that +The act o" registering is only one step towards voting, and it isnot one o" the ele'ents that 'a0es the citien a$uali%ed voter! ! ! ! 8ne 'ay #e a $uali%ed voterwithout eercising the right to vote! *egisteringdoes not con"er the rightE it is #ut a conditionprecedent to the eercise o" the right!

AKBAYAN-YOUTH v. COE!EC

FACTS: etitioners, representing the youth sector,see0 to direct the C8@4;4C to conduct a specialregistration #e"ore the @ay 1, (>>1 Keneral4lections, o" new voters ages 1? to (1! According topetitioners, around 'illion youth "ailed to registeron or #e"ore the ece'#er (B, (>>> deadline set #ythe respondent C8@4;4C under *epu#lic Acto! ?1?9! A pu#lic hearing was held! T he 'ainagenda was the re$uest #y youth organiations tohold additional two days o" registration! Thus,participating students and civic leaders along withCo'elec *epresentatives were in agree'ent that islegally "easi#le to have a two.day additionalregistration o" voters to #e conducted pre"era#ly onFe#ruary 1B and 1?, (>>1 nationwide! The deadline

"or the continuing voters registration under *?1?9 is ece'#er (B, (>>>!owever, upon deli#eration, the Co'elec issueresolution denying the two.day additioregistration! Aggrieved petitioners %led an instpetition "or certiorari and 'anda'us which see0sset aside and nulli"y respondent C8@4;4*esolution andMor to declare Section ? o" *! A! ?1unconstitutional inso"ar as said provision e/ectivcauses the disen"ranchise'ent o" petitioners a

others si'ilarly situated

ISSUE: 6hether or not the C8@4;4C *esolutunder'ined the petitionersL constitutional rightvote on the general elections and caused disen"ranchise'ent o" 'illion Filipinos o" votage who "ailed to register #e"ore the registratdeadline set #y the C8@4;4C!

HE!": 8! The C8@4;4C was well within its rito do so pursuant to the clear provisions o" Sect?, *A ?1?9 which provides that no voteregistration shall #e conducted within 1(> d

#e"ore the regular election! The right o" su/ragenot a#solute! 2t is regulated #y 'easures li0e votregistration which is not a 'ere statutre$uire'ent! The State, in the eercise o" inherent police power, 'ay then enact laws sa"eguard and regulate the act o" voteregistration "or the ulti'ate purpose o" conducthonest, orderly and peace"ul election, to incidental yet generally i'portant end, that evpre.election activities could #e per"or'ed #y duly constituted authorities in a realistic and orde'anner N one which is not indi/erent and so re'oved "ro' the pressing order o" the day and tprevalent circu'stances o" the ti'es!etitionersL #are allegation that they wdisen"ranchised when respondent C8@4;4C peggthe registration deadline on ece'#er (B, (>instead o" January 13, (>>1 N the day #e"ore tperiod #e"ore the @ay 1, (>>1 regular electico''ences N is, to our 'ind, not su7cient! 8n t'atter, there is no allegation in the tconsolidated petitions and the records are #ere"tany showing that anyone o" herein petitioners h%led an application to #e registered as a voter whwas denied #y the C8@4;4C nor %led a co'pla#e"ore the respondent C8@4;4C alleging that heshe proceeded to the 87ce o" the 4lection 87cerregister #etween the period starting "ro' ece'(?, (>>> to January 13, (>>1, and that he or swas disallowed or #arred #y respondent C8@4;"ro' %ling his application "or registration! Tpetitioners in the instant case are not without "aor #la'e! They ad'it in their petition that th"ailed to register, "or whatever reason, within period o" registration and ca'e to this Court ainvo0ed its protective 'antle not realiing, sospea0, the spec0 in their eyes! Impuris minibnemo accedat curiam! ;et no one co'e to cowith unclean hands!



CAN"I"ATES

VI!!ABER v. COE!EC

FACTS# =oth petitioner Oilla#er andrespondent Cagas were rival candidates "or acongressional seat in the First istrict o" avao delSur! Cagas %led with the Co'elec a consolidatedpetition to dis$uali"y Oilla#er and to cancel the

latterLs certi%cate o" candidacy! Oilla#er wasconvicted #y the *egional Trial Court o" @anila "orviolation o" =atas a'#ansa =lg! (( and wassentenced to su/er 1 year i'prison'ent! Thechec0 that #ounced was in the su' o" 1>>,>>>!>>! Cagas "urther alleged that thiscri'e $nvolves %oral &'rp$&'(eE hence, under the8'ni#us 4lection Code, he is dis$uali%ed to run "orany pu#lic o7ce! e also asserted that Oilla#er'ade a "alse 'aterial representation in hiscerti%cate o" candidacy that he is P4ligi#le "or theo7ce 2 see0 to #e electedQ N which "alse state'entis a ground to deny due course or cancel the said

certi%cate pursuant to Section B? o" the 8'ni#us4lection Code!

ISSUE# 6hether or not violation o" =!! =lg! ((involves %oral &'rp$&'(e and would constitute adis$uali%cation "or electoral candidacy!

HE!"# Yes. oral T'rp$&'(e $s an act o" #aseness, vileness, or depravity in the privateduties which a 'an owes his "ellow 'en, or tosociety in general, contrary to the accepted andcusto'ary rule o" right and duty #etween 'an andwo'an, or conduct contrary to &ustice, honesty,'odesty, or good 'orals!2n dis$uali"ying petitioner Oilla#er "ro' #eing acandidate "or Congress'an, the C8@4;4C appliedSection 1( o" the 8'ni#us 4lection Code whichprovides:

PSe). *+. "$s,'al$)a&$ons. . An person/0o has #een declared #y co'petent authorityinsane or inco'petent, or 0as been sen&en)e( bnal 1'(2%en& "or su#version, insurrection,re#ellion, or "or any o/ense "or which he has #eensentenced to a penalty o" 'ore than eighteen'onths, or 3or a )r$%e $nvolv$n2 %oral&'rp$&'(e4 s0all be ($s,'al$e( &o be a)an($(a&e an( &o 0ol( an o5)e4 'nless 0e0as been 2$ven plenar par(on or 2ran&e(a%nes&.6

e was convicted "or violating Section 1 o" =!! =lg!(( which provides:PS4CT28 1! Chec0s without su7cient "unds! . Anyperson who 'a0es or draws and issues any chec0 toapply on account or "or value, 7no/$n2 a& &0e&$%e o3 $ss'e &0a& 0e (oes no& 0ave s'5)$en&3'n(s $n or )re($& /$&0 &0e (ra/ee ban7 3or&0e pa%en& o3 s')0 )0e)7 $n 3'll 'pon $&s

presen&%en&4 which chec0 is su#se$uendishonored #y the drawee #an0 "or insu7ciency"unds or credit or would have #een dishonored the sa'e reason had not the drawer, without avalid reason, ordered the #an0 to stop pay'eshall #e punished #y i'prison'ent o" not less ththirty days #ut not 'ore than one 1- year or #y%ne o" not less than #ut not 'ore than dou#le ta'ount o" the chec0 which %ne shall in no caeceed Two undred Thousand esos, or #oth su

%ne and i'prison'ent at the discretion o" court!Q

The ele'ents o" the o/ense under = (( are:1! The accused 'a0es, draws or issues any chec0apply to account or "or valueE(! T0e a))'se( 7no/s a& &0e &$%e o3 &$ss'an)e &0a& 0e or s0e (oes no& 0as'5)$en& 3'n(s $n4 or )re($& /$&04 &0e (ra/ban7 3or &0e pa%en& o3 &0e )0e)7 $n 3'll 'p$&s presen&%en&E and3! The chec0 is su#se$uently dishonored #y drawee #an0 "or insu7ciency o" "unds or credit, o

would have #een dishonored "or the sa'e reashad not the drawer, without any valid reasordered the #an0 to stop pay'ent!

The presence o" the second ele'ent 'ani"e'oral turpitude!

!on8an$(a vs. Co%ele)

Fa)&s#. etitioner *o'eo ;onanida was previously elecand served two consecutive ter's as 'ayor o" SAntonio, Ra'#ales prior to the @ay 1995 'ayoraelections!

. 2n the @ay 1995 elections, he again ran "or 'ayo" San Antonio, Ra'#ales and was proclai'winner! e assu'ed o7ce and discharged the rigand duties o" 'ayor until @arch 199? and he wordered to vacate the post #y reason o" a C8@4;decision dated ove'#er 13, 199B on the electprotest %led against hi' which declared opponent Juan Alve as the duly elected 'ayorSan Anton. Alve served the re'aining portion o" the 199199? 'ayoral ter. Again, on @ay 11, 199? elections, petitioner %his certi%cate o" candidacy "or 'ayor o" SAntonio!. 8n April (1, 199?, his opponent 4u"e'io @ti'ely %led a petition to dis$uali"y the petitio"ro' running "or 'ayor o" San Antonio on ground that he had served three consecutive terin the sa'e po. 8n @ay 13, 199?, the petitioner was proclai'winner!. 8n @ay (1, 199? the Fivision o" the C8@4;4C issued a resolutgranting the petition which was aa7r'ed #y the C8@4;4C 4n =a



Iss'e# . whether or not petitioner is in violation o" the threeter' li'it

Hel(#. The Court ruled that the two re$uisites "or theapplication o" the three.ter' rule in thiscase were a#sent! First, the petitioner cannot #econsidered as having #een duly elected to the postin the @ay 1995 elections, and second, the

petitioner did not "ully serve the 1995.199? 'ayoralter' #y reason o" involuntary relin$uish'ent o" o7ce!. A"ter a re. appreciation and revision o" thecontested #allots the C8@4;4C itsel" declared #y%nal &udg'ent that petitioner ;onanida lost in the@ay 1995 'ayoralty elections and his previousprocla'ation as winner was declared null and void!is assu'ption o" o7ce as 'ayor cannot #edee'ed to have #een #y reason o" valid election #ut#y reason o" a void procla'ation!. 2t has #een repeatedly held #y the Court that aprocla'ation su#se$uently declared void is no

procla'ation at all while a proclai'ed candidate'ay assu'e o7ce on the strength o" theprocla'ation o" the =oard o" Canvassers he is only apresu'ptive winner who assu'es o7ce su#&ect tothe %nal outco'e o" the election protest!. Second, the petitioner cannot #e dee'ed to haveserved the @ay 1995 to 199? ter' #ecause he wasordered to vacate his post #e"ore the epiration o" the ter'! The respondentsI contention that thepetitioner should #e dee'ed to have served one "ullter' "ro' @ay 1995.199? #ecause he served thegreater portion o" that ter' has no legal #asis tosupport itE it disregarded the second re$uisite "or

the application o" the dis$uali%cation, i!e! that hehad "ully served three consecutive ter's!

Ab'n(o vs. Co%ele)

Fa)&s#. For "our - successive regular elections, na'ely,the (>>1, (>>, (>>B and (>1> national and localelections, A#undo vied "or the position o" 'unicipal'ayor o" Oiga, Catanduanes!. 2n #oth the (>>1 and (>>B runs, he e'erged andwas proclai'ed as the winning 'ayoralty candidateand accordingly served the corresponding ter's as'ayor!. 2n the (>> electoral der#y, however,the Oiga 'unicipal #oard o" canvassers initiallyproclai'ed as winner one Jose Torres Torres-, who,in due ti'e, per"or'ed the "unctions o" the o7ce o" 'ayor!. A#undo protested TorresI election andprocla'ation! A#undo was eventually declared thewinner o" the (>> 'ayoralty electoral contest,paving the way "or his assu'ption o" o7ce starting@ay 9, (>>) until the end o" the (>>.(>>B ter' on

June 3>, (>>B, or "or a period o" a little over oyear and one 'onth!. Then ca'e the @ay 1>, (>1> electiowhere A#undo and Torres again opposed each oth. 6hen A#undo %led his certi%cate o" candidacy"or the 'ayoralty seat relative to this electocontest, Torres lost no ti'e in see0ing the "or'edis$uali%cation to run predicated on the thrconsecutive ter' li'it rule!

Iss'e#. 6hether the service o" a ter' less than the "three years #y an elected o7cial arising "ro' #eing declared as the duly elected o7cial upon election protest is considered as "ull service o" tter' "or purposes o" the application o" the thconsecutive ter' li'it "or elective local o7cials

Hel(#NO. The three.ter' li'it rule "or elective loo7cials, a dis$uali%cation rule, is "ound in SectionArticle o" the 19?B Constitution, which providesSec! ?! The ter' o" o7ce o" elective local o7cia

ecept #arangay o7cials, which shall #e deter'in#y law, shall #e three years and no s')0 o5)s0all serve 3or %ore &0an &0ree )onse)'&&er%s! Ooluntary renunciation o" the o7ce "or alength o" ti'e shall not #e considered as interruption in the continuity o" his service "or t"ull ter' "or which he was elected! 4'phasupplied!-and is reiterated in Sec! 3 #- o" *epu#lic Act *A- B1)>, or the ;ocal Kovern'ent Code ;KC-1991, thusly:

Sec! 3! Term of Oce. — #-No lo)al ele)&$ve o5)$al s0all serve 3or %o&0an &0ree 9:; )onse)'&$ve &er%s $n &0e sa%pos$&$on! Ooluntary renunciation o" the o7ce any length o" ti'e shall not #e considered as interruption in the continuity o" service "or the "ter' "or which the elective o7cial concerned welected! 4'phasis 8urs!-

To constitute a dis$uali%cation to run "or an electlocal o7ce pursuant the a"ore$uoted constitutional and statutprovisions, the "ollowing re$uisites 'ust concur:1- that the o7cial concerned has #een elected three consecutive terms in the sa'e logovern'ent postE and

9+; &0a& 0e 0as fully served three consecutiterms.To s'%%ar$8e4 0ere'n(er are &0e preva$l$

1'r$spr'(en)e on $ss'es a<e)&$)onse)'&$veness o3 &er%s an(=or $nvol'n&a$n&err'p&$on4 viz.#*. >0en a per%anen& va)an) o))'rs $n ele)&$ve pos$&$on an( &0e o5)$al %erass'%e( &0e pos$&$on p'rs'an& &o &0e r'les



s'))ess$on 'n(er &0e !GC4 &0en 0$s serv$)e 3or&0e 'ne?p$re( por&$on o3 &0e &er% o3 &0erepla)e( o5)$al )anno& be &rea&e( as one 3'll&er% as )on&e%pla&e( 'n(er &0e s'b1e)&)ons&$&'&$onal an( s&a&'&or prov$s$on &0a&serv$)e )anno& be )o'n&e( $n &0e appl$)a&$ono3 an &er% l$%$& (Borja, Jr.). I3 &0e o5)$al r'nsa2a$n 3or &0e sa%e pos$&$on 0e 0el( pr$or &o0$s ass'%p&$on o3 &0e 0$20er o5)e4 &0en 0$ss'))ess$on &o sa$( pos$&$on $s b opera&$on o3

la/ an( $s )ons$(ere( an $nvol'n&arseveran)e or $n&err'p&$on (Montebon).

(! An elective o7cial, who has served "or threeconsecutive ter's and who did not see0 the electiveposition "or what could #e his "ourth ter', #ut laterwon in a recall election, had an interruption in thecontinuity o" the o7cialIs service! For, he had#eco'e in the interi', i.e.,"ro' the end o" the 3rdter' up to the recall election, a privatecitien (Adormeo and Socrates).

3! The a#olition o" an elective local o7ce due to the

conversion o" a 'unicipality to a city does not, #yitsel", wor0 to interrupt the incu'#ent o7cialIscontinuity o" service (Latasa).

@. Preven&$ve s'spens$on $s no& a &er%-$n&err'p&$n2 even& as &0e ele)&$ve o5)ers)on&$n'e( s&a an( en&$&le%en& &o &0e o5)ere%a$n 'na<e)&e( ('r$n2 &0e per$o( o3 s'spens$on4 al&0o'20 0e $s barre( 3ro%e?er)$s$n2 &0e 3'n)&$ons o3 0$s o5)e ('r$n2&0$s per$o( (Aldovino, Jr.).

. >0en a )an($(a&e $s pro)la$%e( as /$nner3or an ele)&$ve pos$&$on an( ass'%es o5)e40$s &er% $s $n&err'p&e( /0en 0e loses $n anele)&$on pro&es& an( $s o's&e( 3ro% o5)e4&0's ($senabl$n2 0$% 3ro% serv$n2 /0a& /o'l(o&0er/$se be &0e 'ne?p$re( por&$on o3 0$s&er% o3 o5)e 0a( &0e pro&es& been($s%$sse( (onzanida an( !izon).T0e brea7 or$n&err'p&$on nee( no& be 3or a 3'll &er% o3 &0ree ears or 3or &0e %a1or par& o3 &0e :-ear&er% an $n&err'p&$on 3or an len2&0 o3 &$%e4prov$(e( &0e )a'se $s $nvol'n&ar4 $s s'5)$en&&o brea7 &0e )on&$n'$& o3 serv$)e ("ocrates, )$&$n2 onzanida).

D. >0en an o5)$al $s (e3ea&e( $n an ele)&$onpro&es& an( sa$( (e)$s$on be)o%es nal a3&ersa$( o5)$al 0a( serve( &0e 3'll &er% 3or sa$(o5)e4 &0en 0$s loss $n &0e ele)&$on)on&es& does not )ons&$&'&e an $n&err'p&$ons$n)e 0e 0as %ana2e( &o serve &0e &er% 3ro%s&ar& &o n$s0. H$s 3'll serv$)e4 (esp$&e &0e(e3ea&4 s0o'l( be )o'n&e( $n &0e appl$)a&$ono3 &er% l$%$&s be)a'se &0e n'll$)a&$on o3 0$spro)la%a&$on )a%e a3&er &0e e?p$ra&$on o3 &0e&er% 9#n$ an( %ivera;.

Unl$7e $n &0e above%en&$one( ele)&$on pro&e)ases /0ere$n &0e $n($v$('als s'b1e)& ($s,'al$)a&$on /ere candidates &ho lost&0e ele)&$on pro&es& an( ea)0 (e)lare( los('r$n2 &0e ele)&$ons4 Abundo&as the &inndurin$ the election protest and &as declarthe ri$htful holder of the mayora

post. Unl$7e aor !on8an$(a an( aorales4 /0o /ere bo&0 'nsea&e( &o/ar( &en( o3 &0e$r respe)&$ve &er%s4 Abundo &as t

protestant &ho ousted his opponent and hassumed the remainder of the term.

There can #e no $ui##ling that, during the te(>>.(>>B, and with the en"orce'ent o" decision o" the election protest his "avor, A#undo assu'ed the 'ayoralty post oon @ay 9, (>>) and served the ter' until June (>>B or "or a period o" a little over one ear aone %on&0! Conse$uently, unli0e @ayor 8in Ong and @ayor @orales in Rivera, it cannot said that @ayor A#undo was a#le to serve fully entire (>>.(>>B ter' to which he was otherw

entitled!

A &er%4 as (ene( $n Appari v. 'ourt Appeals, %eans4 $n a le2al sense4 a ?e( a(en$&e per$o( o3 &$%e /0$)0 &0e l(es)r$bes &0a& an o5)er %a 0ol( an o5)e.also %eans &0e &$%e ('r$n2 /0$)0 &0e o5)%a )la$% &o 0ol( o5)e as a %a&&er o3 r$2an( ?es &0e $n&erval a3&er /0$)0 &0e seve$n)'%ben&s s0all s'))ee( one ano&0er. I&&0e per$o( o3 &$%e ('r$n2 /0$)0 a ('l ele)&o5)$al 0as &$&le &o an( )an serve &0e 3'n)&$oo3 an ele)&$ve o5)e. Fro% para2rap0 9a; Se). @:4 RA *D4 &0e &er% 3or lo)al ele)&o5)$als $s &0ree 9:; ears s&ar&$n2 3ro% noo3 'ne : o3 &0e rs& ear o3 sa$( &er%.

In &0e presen& )ase4 durin$ the period of oyear and ten months,or 3ro% 'ne :4 +'n&$l a 4 +D4 Ab'n(o )anno& pla's$)la$%4 even $3 0e /an&e( &o4 &0a& 0e )o'l( 0oo5)e o3 &0e %aor as a %a&&er o3 r$2Ne$&0er )an 0e asser& &$&le &o &0e sa%e nserve &0e 3'n)&$ons o3 &0e sa$( ele)&o5)e. T0e reason $s s$%ple# ('r$n2 &0per$o(4 &$&le &o 0ol( s')0 o5)e an( &)orrespon($n2 r$20& &o ass'%e &0e 3'n)&$o&0ereo3 s&$ll belon2e( &o 0$s opponen&4 pro)la$%e( ele)&$on /$nner.

A))or($n2l4 Ab'n(o a)&'all 0el( &0e o5an( e?er)$se( &0e 3'n)&$ons as %aor o'pon 0$s (e)lara&$on4 3ollo/$n2 &0e resol'&o3 &0e pro&es&4 as ('l ele)&e( )an($(a&e &0e a +@ ele)&$ons or 3or onl a l$&&le ovone ear an( one %on&0. Conse,'en&l4 s$n&0e le2all )on&e%pla&e( 3'll &er% 3or loele)&e( o5)$als $s &0ree 9:; ears4 $& )anno& sa$( &0a& Ab'n(o 3'll serve( &0e &er% +



+. T0e real$& on &0e 2ro'n( $s&0a& Ab'n(o a)&'all serve( less.

An involuntary interrupted ter', cannot, in thecontet o" the dis$uali%cation rule, #e consideredas one &er% "or purposes o" counting the three.ter' threshold!

The notion o" 3'll serv$)e o3 &0ree )onse)'&$ve&er%s is related to the concepts o" $n&err'p&$on o3

serv$)e and vol'n&ar ren'n)$a&$on o3 serv$)e! The word $n&err'p&$on 'eans te'porary cessation,inter'ission or suspension! To interrupt is too#struct, thwart or prevent! 6hen the Constitutionand the ;KC o" 1991 spea0 o" $n&err'p&$on, there"erence is to the o#struction to the continuance o" the service #y the concerned elected o7cial #ye/ectively cutting short the service o" a ter' orgiving a hiatus in the occupation o" the electiveo7ce! 8n the other hand, the word +renunciation+connotes the idea o" waiver or a#andon'ent o" a0nown right! To renounce is to give up, aandon,decline or resign. Ooluntary renunciation o" the

o7ce #y an elective local o7cial would thus 'eanto give up or a#andon the title to the o7ce and tocut short the service o" the ter' the concernedelected o7cial is entitled to!

2t cannot #e overe'phasied that pendingthe "avora#le resolution o" his electionprotest, Ab'n(o /as rele2a&e( &o be$n2an ordinary constituent since his opponent, aspresu'ptive victor in the (>> elections, wasoccupying the 'ayoralty seat! 2n other words, "oral'ost two years or "ro' July 1, (>> the start o" the ter' until @ay 9, (>>) or during which hisopponent actually assu'ed the 'ayoraltyo7ce, Ab'n(o /as a pr$va&e )$&$8en /ar%$n20$s 0eels /0$le a/a$&$n2 &0e o'&)o%e o3 0$spro&es&! ence, even i" declared later as having theright to serve the elective position "ro' July 1, (>>,such declaration would not erase the "act that priorto the %nality o" the election protest, A#undodid notserve in the 'ayorIs o7ce and, in "act, had no legalright to said position!

ar,'e8 v COE!EC

Facts: 2t is averred that at the ti'e respondent4duardo *odrigue %led his certi%cate o" candidacy,a cri'inal charge against hi' "or ten counts o" insurance "raud or grand the"t o" personal propertywas still pending #e"ore the @unicipal Court o" ;osAngeles, SA! A warrant issued #y said court "or hisarrest, it is clai'ed, has yet to #e served on privaterespondent on account o" his alleged PUightQ "ro'that country! =e"ore the @ay 199( elections, apetition "or cancellation o" respondentLs certi%cateo" candidacy on the ground o" the candidateLsdis$uali%cation under section > o" the ;ocalKovern'ent Code !Section "#. $is%uali&cation. T'efolloing persons are dis%uali&ed from running for

any local elective position... (e) ugitive from *ustin criminal or non+political cases 'ere or aroawas %led #y petitioner, #ut C8@4;4C dis'issed tpetition! rivate respondent was proclai'Kovernor.elect o" Vueon! etitioner instituted $warranto proceedings against private respond#e"ore the C8@4;4C #ut the latter dis'issed tpetition!2ssue: 6hether or not private respondent, whothe ti'e o" the %ling o" his C8C is said to #e "ac

cri'inal charges #e"ore a "oreign court and evada warrant o" arrest co'es within the ter' P"ugit"ro' &usticeQ!eld: The case is here#y *e'anded to Co'ission!

The Supre'e Court ruled that Article B3 o" the *uand *egulations i'ple'enting the ;oKovern'ent Code o" 1991 provides:

Article B3! is$uali%cations N The "ollowing persoshall #e dis$uali%ed "ro' running "or any electlocal position:

Pe- Fugitives "ro' &ustice in cri'inal or npolitical cases here or a#road! Fugitive "ro' &ustre"ers to a person who has #een convicted #y %

&udg'ent!Q

2t is clear "ro' this provision that "ugitives "r &ustice re"er only to persons who has #een convic#y %nal &udg'ent! owever, C8@4;4C did not 'aany de%nite %nding on whether or not privrespondent is a "ugitive "ro' &ustice whenoutrightly denied the petition "or $uo warranto! TCourt opted to re'and the case to C8@4;4Cresolve and proceed with the case!

The 8versight Co''ittee evidently entertainserious apprehensions on the possi#le constitutioin%r'ity o" Section >e- o" *A B1)> i" dis$uali%cation therein 'eant were to #e so ta0as to e'#race those who 'erely were "accri'inal charges!

The 8versight Co''ittee %nally ca'e out wArticle B3 o" the *ules and *egulatio2'ple'enting the ;ocal Kovern'ent Code o" 192t provided:

Art! B3! is$uali%cations! The "ollowing persons sh#e dis$uali%ed "ro' running "or any elective loposition: e- Fugitives "ro' &ustice in cri'inal or npolitical cases here or a#road. F'2$&$ve 3ro

1's&$)e re3ers &o a person /0o 0as be)onv$)&e( b nal 1'(2%en&. I& $n)l'(es &0o/0o a3&er be$n2 )0ar2e( Jee &o avoprose)'&$on. The C8@4;4C is directed to proceand settle the case in con"or'ity o" the givclari%cation with the ter' P"ugitive "ro' &usticeQ!

"ela Cr'8 v COE!EC



Facts etitioner Casi'ira ela cru ran "or and waselected 'e'#er o" the Sangguniang =ayan o" =ugasong, Anti$ue in the (>>1, (>> and (>>Belections! 8n ove'#er (?, (>>9, petitioner %lesher C8C "or the postion o" Oice.@ayor o" the@unicipality o" =ugasong, Anti$ue! Su#se$uently,Aurelio ela Cru also %led C8C "or the sa'eposition!etitioner %led a petition to declare Aurelio anuisance candidate on the ground that he %led his

C8C to put the election process in 'oc0ery and tocause con"usion a'ong voters due to the si'ilarityo" his surna'e with petitionerLs surna'e!C8@4;4C First ivision declared Aurelio as anuisance candidate and cancelling his C8C "or thevice.'ayoralty position in =ugasong!espite thedeclaration, however, his na'e was not deleted inthe Certi%ed ;ist o" Candidates and 87cial Sa'ple=allot issued #y the C8@4;4C!C8@4;4C 4 =anc issued *esolution o! ??listing the na'es o" dis$uali%ed candidates,including Aurelio and to delete the na'es o" thesaid candidates "ro' the certi%ed list o" candidates

and to consider stray the votes o" said candidates, i" voted upon!8n @ay 1>, (>1>, the %rst auto'ated national andlocal elections proceeded as scheduled! AurelioIsna'e re'ained in the o7cial #allots! Conse$uently,on @ay 13, (>1>, private respondent John ;loyd @!acete was proclai'ed Oice.@ayor o" =ugasong #ythe @=8C o" =ugasong!

8n @ay (1, (>1>, petitioner %led with the *egional Trial Court o" the rovince o" Anti$ue an electionprotest praying "or 1- the tallying in her "avor o" the53( votes cast "or AurelioE (- the annul'ent o" respondent aceteIs procla'ation as Oice.@ayor o" =ugasongE and 3- her procla'ation as winningcandidate "or the position o" Oice.@ayor o" =ugasong rivate respondent thus suggests thatregardless o" the ground "or dis$uali%cation, thevotes cast "or the dis$uali%ed candidate shouldresult in considering the votes cast "or hi' as strayas eplicitly 'andated #y Section (11 (- inrelation to Section B( o" the 84C!

2ssue: 6hether or not votes cast "or the candidatewhose C8C was cancelled or denied due course #econsidered strayD

eld:2t #ears to stress that Sections (11 (- and B(applies to all dis$uali%cation cases and not topetitions to cancel or deny due course to acerti%cate o" candidacy such as Sections )9nuisance candidates- and B? 'aterialrepresentation shown to #e "alse-!

Clearly, a petition to cancel or deny due course to aC8C under Section )9 as in Section B? cannot #etreated in the sa'e 'anner as a petition todis$uali"y under Section )? as what C8@4;4C did

when it applied the rule provided in Section B( tthe votes cast "or a dis$uali%ed candidate considered stray, to those registered candidawhose C8CIs had #een cancelled or denied dcourse! Strictly spea0ing, a cancelled certi%ccannot give rise to a valid candidacy, and 'uch lto valid votes! Said votes cannot #e counted in "ao" the candidate whose C8C was cancelled heMshe is not treated as a candidate at all, asheMshe never %led a C8C!

C8@4;4C *esolution o! 11) issued in relationthe %nality o" resolutions or decisions in specaction cases, provides:5-the decision or resolution o" a 2O2S28 nuisance candidate, particularly where the nuisancandidate has the sa'e na'e as the #ona %candidate shall #e i''ediately eecutory a"ter tlapse o" %ve 5- days unless a 'otion reconsideration is seasona#ly %led! 2n which cathe votes cast shall not #e considered stray #ut sh#e counted and tallied "or the #ona %de candidate

ere, Aurelio was declared a nuisance candidlong #e"ore the @ay 1>, (>1> elections! As shownthis case, C8@4;4C issued *esolution o! ?? @ay 1, (>1>, nine days #e"ore the elections, wsu7cient ti'e to delete the na'es o" dis$uali%candidates not &ust "ro' the Certi%ed ;ist Candidates #ut also "ro' the 87cial =allot! 2ndewhat use will it serve i" C8@4;4C orders the na'o" dis$uali%ed candidates to #e deleted "ro' listo7cial candidates i" the o7cial #allots still catheir na'esD 6e hold that the rule in *esolution 11) considering the votes cast "or a nuisancandidate declared as such in a %nal &udg'eparticularly where such nuisance candidate has tsa'e surna'e as that o" the legiti'ate candidanot stray #ut counted in "avor o" the latter, re'aa good law! As earlier discussed, a petition to canor deny a C8C under Section )9 o" the 84C sho#e distinguished "ro' a petition to dis$uali"y undSection )?! ence, the legal e/ect o" sucancellation o" a C8C o" a nuisance candidcannot #e e$uated with a candidate dis$uali%ed grounds provided in the 84C and ;ocal Kovern'eCode! 4cTCA @oreover, private respondent ad'that the voters were properly in"or'ed o" cancellation o" C8C o" Aurelio #ecause C8@4;pu#lished the sa'e #e"ore election day! As pronounced in =autista, the votersI construct0nowledge o" such cancelled candidacy 'ade thwill 'ore deter'ina#le, as it is then 'ore logicaconclude that the votes cast "or Aurelio could ha#een intended only "or the legiti'ate candidapetitioner! The possi#ility o" con"usion in na'escandidates i" the na'es o" nuisance candidare'ained on the #allots on election day, cannotdiscounted or eli'inated, even under auto'ated voting syste' especially considerthat voters who 'ista0enly shaded the oval #esthe na'e o" the nuisance candidate instead o" t



#ona %de candidate they intended to vote "or couldno longer as0 "or replace'ent #allots to correct thesa'e!

COE!EC Resol'&$on No. @@ (a&e( a *4+* $nso3ar as $& or(ers &0a& &0e vo&es )as&3or )an($(a&es l$s&e( &0ere$n4 /0o /ere(e)lare( n'$san)e )an($(a&es an( /0ose)er&$)a&es o3 )an($(a) 0ave been e$&0er)an)elle( or se& as$(e4 be )ons$(ere( s&ra4 $s

0ereb (e)lare( NU!! an( VOI".Conse,'en&l4 &0e :+ vo&es )as& 3or A'rel$oN. "ela Cr'8 ('r$n2 &0e ele)&$ons o3 a *4+* s0o'l( 0ave been )o'n&e( $n 3avor o3 Cas$%$ra S. "ela Cr'8 an( no& )ons$(ere(s&ra vo&es4 %a7$n2 0er &o&al 2arnere( vo&esD4+* as a2a$ns& &0e D4@+ vo&es o3 pr$va&erespon(en& o0n !lo( . Pa)e&e /0o /as &0e(e)lare( /$nner. Pe&$&$oner Cas$%$ra S. "elaCr'8 $s 0ereb "EC!ARE" &0e ('l ele)&e(V$)e-aor o3 &0e 'n$)$pal$& o3 B'2ason24Prov$n)e o3 An&$,'e $n &0e a *4 +*ele)&$ons.

CAPAIGN4 E!ECTION PROPAGAN"A4 ETC.

CHAVEL VS COE!EC

FACTS#etitioner Chave, on various dates, entered

into "or'al agree'ents with certain esta#lish'entsto endorse their products! ursuant to theseagree'ents, three #ill#oards were set up along the=alintawa0 2nterchange o" the orth 4pressway!8ne #ill#oard showed petitioner pro'oting theplastic products o" on0a 2nternational lastics@anu"acturing Corporation, and the other twoshowed petitioner endorsing the clothes o" 9)Worth! 8ne 'ore #ill#oard was set up along *oas=oulevard showing petitioner pro'oting the ga'eand a'use'ent parlors o" K.=o!

8n ece'#er 3>, (>>3, however, petitioner%led his certi%cate o" candidacy "or the position o" Senator under Alyansa ng ag.asa, a tripartitealliance o" three political parties: *8@2,*48*@A, and A0syon e'o0rati0o!

*espondent C8@4;4C issued *esolution o!)5(>, which contained Section 3(, the provisionassailed herein which states that:

Section 3(! All propaganda 'aterials such asposters, strea'ers, stic0ers or paintings on wallsand other 'aterials showing the picture, i'age, orna'e o" a person, and all advertise'ents on print,in radio or on television showing the i'age or'entioning the na'e o" a person, who su#se$uentto the place'ent or display thereo" #eco'es acandidate "or pu#lic o7ce shall #e i''ediatelyre'oved #y said candidate and radio station, print'edia or television station within 3 days a"ter thee/ectivity o" these i'ple'enting rulesE otherwise,he and said radio station, print 'edia or television

station shall #e presu'ed to have conducpre'ature ca'paigning in violation o" Section ?>the 8'ni#us 4lection Code!

8n January (1, (>>, petitioner was directto co'ply with the said provision #y the C8@4;4;aw epart'ent! e replied, on January (9, (>#y re$uesting the C8@4;4C that he #e in"or'edto how he 'ay have violated the assailed provisie sent another letter dated Fe#ruary (3, (>>, tti'e as0ing the C8@4;4C that he #e ee'pted "r

the application o" Section 3(, considering that t#ill#oards adverted to are 'ere prodendorse'ents and cannot #e construed paraphernalia "or pre'ature ca'paigning under rules!

The C8@4;4C answered petitionerIs re$u#y issuing another letter, dated Fe#ruary (B, (>wherein it ordered hi' to re'ove or cause re'oval o" the #ill#oards, or to cover the' "rpu#lic view pending the approval o" his re$uest!

Aggrieved, Chave %led a co'plaint agaiC8@4;4C, praying to declare the assailed provisunconstitutional, alleging that it is 1- a gr

violation o" the non.i'pair'ent clauseE (- invalid eercise o" police powerE 3- in the naturean e-+post facto lawE - contrary to the F4lections ActE and 5- invalid due to over#readth!

ISSUE# 68 contentions o" Chave are tena#leHE!"# NO.

an $nval$( e?er)$se o3 pol$)e po/erA close ea'ination o" the assailed provis

reveals that its pri'ary o#&ectives are to prohpre'ature ca'paigning and to level the play%eld "or candidates o" pu#lic o7ce, to e$ualie tsituation #etween popular or rich candidates, on ohand, and lesser.0nown or poorer candidates, on tother, #y preventing the "or'er "ro' en&oyundue advantage in eposure and pu#licity account o" their resources and popularity!

@oreover, petitioner cannot clai' that tsu#&ect #ill#oards are purely product endorse'eand do not announce nor solicit any support "or candidacy! nder the 8'ni#us 4lection Co+election ca'paign+ or +partisan political activityde%ned as an act designed to pro'ote the elector de"eat o" a particular candidate or candidatesa pu#lic o7ce!

2t is true that when petitioner entered inthe contracts or agree'ents to endorse certproducts, he acted as a private individual and hall the right to lend his na'e and i'age to theproducts! owever, when he %led his certi%catecandidacy "or Senator, the #ill#oards "eaturing na'e and i'age assu'ed partisan politcharacter #ecause the sa'e indirectly pro'oted candidacy! There"ore, the C8@4;4C was acting wwithin its scope o" powers when it re$uipetitioner to discontinue the display o" the su#&#ill#oards! 2" the su#&ect #ill#oards were to allowed, candidates "or pu#lic o7ce whose na



and i'age are used to advertise co''ercialproducts would have 'ore opportunity to 'a0ethe'selves 0nown to the electorate, to thedisadvantage o" other candidates who do not havethe sa'e chance o" lending their "aces and na'esto endorse popular co''ercial products as i'age'odels! Si'ilarly, an individual intending to run "orpu#lic o7ce within the net "ew 'onths, could payprivate corporations to use hi' as their i'age'odel with the intention o" "a'iliariing the pu#lic

with his na'e and i'age even #e"ore the start o" the ca'paign period! This, without a dou#t, would#e a circu'vention o" the rule against pre'atureca'paigning!

2ross v$ola&$on o3 &0e non-$%pa$r%en& )la'seeither is Section 3( o" *esolution o! )5(>

a gross violation o" the non.i'pair'ent clause! Thenon.i'pair'ent clause o" the Constitution 'ustyield to the lo"tier purposes targeted #y theKovern'ent! 4$ual opportunity to pro/er onesel" "or pu#lic o7ce, without regard to the level o" %nancial resources one 'ay have at his disposal, is

indeed o" vital interest to the pu#lic! The State hasthe duty to enact and i'ple'ent rules to sa"eguardthis interest! Ti'e and again, this Court has saidthat contracts a/ecting pu#lic interest contain ani'plied reservation o" the police power as apostulate o" the eisting legal order! This power can#e activated at anyti'e to change the provisions o" the contract, or even a#rogate it entirely, "or thepro'otion or protection o" the general wel"are! Suchan act will not 'ilitate against the i'pair'entclause, which is su#&ect to and li'ited #y thepara'ount police power!

$n &0e na&'re o3 an epost facto la/A close scrutiny o" this rationale, however,

de'onstrates its lac0 o" persuasiveness! Section 3(,although not penal in nature, de%nes an o/ense andprescri#es a penalty "or said o/ense! ;aws o" thisnature 'ust operate prospectively, ecept whenthey are "avora#le to the accused! 2t should #enoted, however, that the o/ense de%ned in theassailed provision is not t'e putting up of +propaganda 'aterials such as posters, strea'ers,stic0ers or paintings on walls and other 'aterialsshowing the picture, i'age or na'e o" a person,and all advertise'ents on print, in radio or ontelevision showing the i'age or 'entioning thena'e o" a person, who su#se$uent to theplace'ent or display thereo" #eco'es a candidate"or pu#lic o7ce!+ or does it prohi#it or consider ano/ense t'e entering of contracts "or suchpropaganda 'aterials #y an individual whosu#se$uently #eco'es a candidate "or pu#lic o7ce!8ne de%nitely does not co''it an o/ense #yentering into a contract with private parties to usehis na'e and i'age to endorse certain productsprior to his #eco'ing a candidate "or pu#lic o7ce!

The o/ense, as epressly prescri#ed in the assailedprovision, is t'e non+removal of t'e descried

propaganda materials t'ree () days after te/ectivity of 0O12L20 Resolution 3o! 456#! 2" tcandidate "or pu#lic o7ce "ails to re'ove supropaganda 'aterials a"ter the given period, shall #e lia#le under Section ?> o" the 8'ni#4lection Code "or pre'ature ca'paigning! 2ndenowhere is it indicated in the assailed provision tit shall operate retroactively! There is, there"ore, e- post facto law in this case!

)on&rar &o &0e Fa$r Ele)&$ons A)&the assailed provision does not proh#ill#oards as law"ul election propaganda! 2t oregulates their use to prevent pre'atca'paigning and to e$ualie, as 'uch practica#le, the situation o" all candidates preventing popular and rich candidates "ro' gainundue advantage in eposure and pu#licity account o" their resources and popularity! @oreover, #y regulating the use o" such electpropaganda 'aterials, the C8@4;4C is 'erely doits duty under the law!

$nval$( ('e &o overbrea(&0.A statute or regulation is considered void over#readth when it o/ends the constitutioprinciple that a govern'ental purpose to controprevent activities constitutionally su#&ect to Stregulations 'ay not #e achieved #y 'eans tsweep unnecessarily #roadly and there#y invade tarea o" protected "reedo's!

The provision in $uestion is li'ited in operation #oth as to ti'e and scope! 2t odisallows the continued display o" a persopropaganda 'aterials and advertise'ents a"ter has %led a certi%cate o" candidacy and #e"ore tstart o" the ca'paign period! Said 'aterials aadvertise'ents 'ust also show his na'e ai'age!

There is no #lan0et prohi#ition o" the usepropaganda 'aterials and advertise'ents! urthe ca'paign period, these 'ay #e used su#&only to reasona#le li'itations necessary aincidental to achieving the purpose o" preventpre'ature ca'paigning and pro'oting e$ualityopportunities a'ong all candidates!

PENERA VS COE!EC

FACTS#8n 11 Septe'#er (>>9, the Supre'e Co

a7r'ed the C8@4;4CLs decision todis$uali"y petitioner *osalinda enera enera- 'ayoralty candidate in Sta! @onica, Surigao orte, "or engaging in election ca'paign outside ca'paign period, in violation o" Section ?> o" =aa'#ansa =lg! ??1 the 8'ni#us 4lection Code-!

enera 'oved "or reconsideration, arguthat she was not yet a candidate at the ti'e o" t



supposed pre'ature ca'paigning, since underSection 15 o" *epu#lic Act o! ?3) the lawauthoriing the C8@4;4C to use an auto'atedelection syste' "or the process o" voting, countingo" votes, and canvassingMconsolidating the results o" the national and local elections-, as a'ended #y*epu#lic Act o! 93)9, one is not o7cially acandidate until the start o" the ca'paign period!

ISSUE# 68 eneraLs dis$uali%cation "or engaging

in pre'ature ca'paigning should #e reconsidered

HE!"# YES.Section B9 a- o" the 8'ni#us 4lection Code

de%nes a +candidate+ as +any person aspiring "or orsee0ing an elective pu#lic o7ce, who has %led acerti%cate o" candidacy ! ! ! +! The second sentence,third paragraph, Section 15 o" *A ?3), as a'ended#y Section 13 o" *A 93)9, provides that Manperson /0o les 0$s )er&$)a&e o3 )an($(a)/$&0$n M&0e per$o( 3or l$n2 s0all only be)ons$(ere( as a )an($(a&e a& &0e s&ar& o3 &0e)a%pa$2n per$o( 3or /0$)0 0e le( 0$s

)er&$)a&e o3 )an($(a)! The i''ediatelysucceeding proviso in the sa'e third paragraphstates that 'nla/3'l a)&s or o%$ss$onsappl$)able &o a )an($(a&e s0all &a7e e<e)& only 'pon &0e s&ar& o3 &0e a3oresa$( )a%pa$2nper$o(! These two provisions deter'ine theresolution o" this case!

Congress wanted to insure that no person%ling a certi%cate o" candidacy under the earlydeadline re$uired #y the auto'ated election syste'would #e dis$uali%ed or penalied "or any partisanpolitical act done #e"ore the start o" the ca'paignperiod! Thus, in enacting *A 93)9, Congressepressly wrote the Lanot doctrine into the se)on(sen&en)e, third paragraph o" the a'ended Section15 o" *A ?3)!

Congress not only reiterated #ut alsostrengthened its 'andatory directive that electiono/enses can #e co''itted #y a candidate onlupon the start o" the ca'paign period! This clearly'eans that #e"ore the start o" the ca'paign period,such election o/enses cannot #e so co''itted!

6hen the applica#le provisions o" *A ?3),as a'ended #y *A 93)9, are read together, theseprovisions o" law do not consider enera a candidate"or purposes other than the printing o" #allots, untilthe start o" the ca'paign period! There is a#solutelyno roo' "or any other interpretation!

The law does not state, as the assailedecision asserts, that partisan political acts done #ya candidate #e"ore the ca'paign period areunlaw"ul, #ut 'ay #e prosecuted only upon the starto" the ca'paign period! either does the law statethat partisan political acts done #y a candidate#e"ore the ca'paign period are te'porarily law"ul,#ut #eco'es unlaw"ul upon the start o" theca'paign period! This is clearly not the language o" the law! =esides, such a law as envisioned in theecision, which de%nes a cri'inal act and curtails

"reedo' o" epression and speech, would #e v"or vagueness!

Congress has laid down the law candidate is lia#le "or election o/enses only upthe start o" the ca'paign period! This Court haspower to ignore the clear and epress 'andatethe law that an person /0o les )er&$)a&e o3 )an($(a) /$&0$n M&0e l$nper$o( s0all onl be )ons$(ere( a )an($(a&e&0e s&ar& o3 &0e )a%pa$2n per$o( 3or /0$)0

le( 0$s )er&$)a&e o3 )an($(a)! either cthis Court turn a #lind eye to the epress and clelanguage o" the law that an 'nla/3'l a)& o%$ss$on appl$)able &o a )an($(a&e s0all &ae<e)& onl 'pon &0e s&ar& o3 &0e )a%paper$o(!

S>S vs. COE!EC

PO!ITICA! PARTYPARTY-!IST ORGANILATION

VETERANS FE"ERATION PARTY vs. COE!EC

An2 Ba2on2 Baan$ vs. COE!EC

FACTS: Two petitions was %led #e"ore the challenging 8'ni#us *esolution o! 3B?5 issuedthe C8@4;4C approving the participation o" 1organiations and parties, including the heri'pleaded, in the (>>1 party.list election!

The C8@4;4C received several petitions registration %led #y sectoral parties, organiatioand political parties! Oeri%cations were 'ade asthe status and capacity o" these parties aorganiations! =e"ore the deadline, the registeparties and organiations %led their @ani"estatiostating their intention to participate in the party.elections! 8ther sectoral and political parties whoregistrations were denied, also epressed thintent to participate in the party.list electioC8@4;4C gave due course or approved @ani"estations o" 15 parties!

A0#ayan Citien Action arty %led a petition deletion o" the na'es o" so'e o" the responde"ro' the Certi%ed ;ist o" olitical artiesMSectoartiesM 8rganiationsMCoalitions articipating in arty ;ist Syste' "or @ay (>11 4lections! =ay@una and =ayan @una <outh also %led a etition Cancellation o" *egistration and o'ination agaiso'e o" herein respondents! ue to the slow paceC8@4;4C, Ang =agong =ayani.8F6 ;a#or arty a=ayan @una %led to SC assailing the C8@4;8'ni#us *esolution o! 3B?5! The SC ordeconsolidation and added that the C8@4;4C 'proceed with the counting and canvassing o" vocast "or the party.list elections, #ut #arred procla'ation o" any winner therein!



2SS4S:1! 6hether or not political parties 'ay participate inthe party.list elections(! 6hether or not the party.list syste' is eclusiveto 'arginalied and underrepresented sectors andorganiations

4;:1! <es! nder the Constitution and *A B91, privaterespondents cannot #e dis$uali%ed "ro' the party.

list elections 'erely on the ground that they arepolitical parties! Sec! 5, Art! O2 o" the Constitutionprovides that the 'e'#ers o" the ouse o" *epresentatives 'ay P#e elected through a party.list syste' o" the registered national, regional, andsectoral parties or organiations! nder Sec! B and?, Art! 2X o" the Constitution, political parties 'ay#e registered under the party.list syste':

Sec! B: o votes cast in "avor o" a political party ,organiation, or coalition shall #e valid, ecept "orthose registered under the party.list syste' asprovided in the Constitution!

Sec! ?: olitical parties or organiations or coalitionsregistered under the party.list syste', shall not #erepresented in the votersL registration #oards,#oards o" election inspectors, #oards o" canvassers,or other si'ilar #odies! owever, they shall #eentitled to appoint poll watchers in accordance withthe law!

2n the deli#erations o" the ConstitutionalCo''ission, it was pointed out that the participantsin the party.list syste' 'ay #e Pregional party, asectoral party, national party, 28, @agsasa0a orregional party in @indanaoQ since the purpose o" theparty.list provision was to open up the syste', inorder to give a chance to parties that consistentlyplace third or "ourth in congressional districtelections to win a seat in Congress!

Sec! ( o" *A B91 also provides "or Pa party.listsyste' o" registered national, regional, and sectoralparties or organiations or coalitions thereo"Q!Section 3 states that a PpartyQ is Peither a politicalparty or a sectoral party or a coalition o" partiesQ!Ppolitical partyQ is an Porganied group o" citiensadvocating an ideology or plat"or', principles andpolicies "or the general conduct o" govern'ent andwhich, as the 'ost i''ediate 'eans o" securingtheir adoption, regularyly no'inates and supportscertain o" its leaders and 'e'#ers as candidates "orpu#lic o7ceQ! Section 11 o" *A B91 leaves nodou#t as to participation o" political parties in theparty.list syste'

(! o! That political parties 'ay participate in theparty list election does not 'ean that any politicalparties 'ay do so! The re$uisite character o" theseparties or organiations 'ust #e consistent with thepurpose o" the party.list syste', as laid down in theConstitution and *A B91! Rea( Se). 4 Ar&. VI o3

&0e Cons&$&'&$on. *A B91 'andates a state poo" pro'oting proportional representation #y 'eao" Filipino.style party.list syste', which will enathe election to ouse o" *ep o" the Filipino citien

a! who #elong the 'arginalied aunderrepresented sectors, orgs, and partiesE and

#! who lac0 well.de%ned constituenciesE #uc! who could contri#ute to the "or'ulat

and enact'ent o" appropriate legislation that w#ene%t the nation as a whole!

7roportional representation re"ers to representation o" the 'arginalied aunderrepresented as ee'pli%ed #y enu'erationSec!5 o" the lawE la#or, peasants, %sher"ol0s, ur#poor, indigenous cultural co''unities, eldehandicapped, wo'en, youth, veterans, oversewor0ers, and pro"essionals! Lac8 of ell+de&nconstituency re"ers to the a#sence o" a traditionaidenti%a#le electoral group li0e voters o" congressional district or territorial unit o" govt!

The intent o" the Constitution is clear: to ggenuine power to the people, not only #y giv'ore law to those who have less in li"e, #ut 'ore

#y ena#ling the' to #eco'e verita#le law'a0the'selves! Consistent with this intent, the policyi'ple'enting law is clear: to ena#le Filipino citie#elonging to 'arginalied and underrepresensectors, organiations, and parties!!!to #eco'e'#ers o" ouse o" *ep! 6hile the enu'eration'arginalied and underrepresented sectors is eclusive, it de'onstrates the clear intent o" the lthat not all sectors can #e represented under tparty.list syste'!

Kuidelines "or Screening arty.;ist articipants1! The political party, sector, organiation, coalition 'ust represent the 'arginalied aunderrepresented groups identi%ed in Sec! 5 *AB91(! 6hile even 'a&or political parties are epresallowed #y *A B91 and the Constitution participate in the party.list syste', they 'co'ply with the declared statutory policy ena#ling PFilipino citiens #elongin to 'arginaliand underrepresented sectors to #e elected ouse o" *epQ3! *eligious sector 'ay not #e represented in tparty.list syste'! a party or an organiation 'ust not dis$uali%ed under Section ) o" *A B91, whenu'erates the grounds "or dis$uali%cation "ollows:

1- 2t is a religious sect or deno'inatiorganiation or association organied "or religipurposesE

(- 2t advocates violence or unlaw"ul 'eato see0 its goalE

3- 2t is a "oreign party or organiationE- 2t is receiving support "ro' any "ore

govern'ent, "oreign political party, "oundatiorganiation, whether directly or through any o"



o7cers or 'e'#ers or indirectly through thirdparties "or partisan election purposesE

5- 2t violates or "ails to co'ply with laws,rules or regulations relating to electionsE

)- 2t declares untruth"ul state'ents in itspetitionE

B- 2t has ceased to eist "or at least one 1-yearE or

?- 2t "ails to participate in the last two (-preceding elections or "ails to o#tain at least two per

centu' (Y- o" the votes cast under the party.listsyste' in the two (- preceding elections "or theconstituency in which it has registered5! The party or organiation 'ust not #e an ad&uncto", or a pro&ect organied or an entity "unded orassisted #y, the govern'ent!)! The party 'ust not only co'ply with there$uire'ents o" the law: its no'inees 'ust li0ewisedo so!B! ot only the candidate party or org 'ustrepresent 'arginalied and underrepresentedsectorsE so as its no'inees?! o'inees 'ust li0ewise #e a#le to contri#ute to

the "or'ulation and enact'ent o" appropriatelegislation that will #ene%t the nation as a whole

A&on2 Pa2la'%4 In). vs. COE!EC

FACTS: These cases constitutes 5 petitions %led #y5( party.list groups and organiations assailing the*esolution issued #y the C8@4;4C dis$uali"yingthe' "ro' participating in the @ay (>13 party.listelections, either #y denial o" their petitions "orregistration under the party.list syste', orcancellation o" their registration and accreditationas party.list organiations!

ursuant to *A B91 and Co'elec *es! os! 93))and 9513, appro! (?> groups and orgs registeredand 'ani"ested their desire to participate in @ay(>13 elections! Oia the Co'elec 4n =ancLsauto'atic review o" the C8@4;4C ivisionLsresolution approving registration o" groupsMorganiations, ? were denied! Oia Co'elec4n =ancLs review on @* o" the Co'elec ivisionLsresolutions denying registration o" groups and orgs, denied! artido ng =ayan ng =idaLs registrationwere also denied #ecause it does not represent the'arginalied and underrepresented sector! These 13petitionersL na'e were ecluded in the printing o" the o7cial #allot! Co'elec en #anc issued*esolution no! 9513 "or su''ary evidentiaryhearing to deter'ine whether the groups and orgshas co'plied with the re$uire'ents in *A B91 and=agong =ayani case! Co'elec dis$uali%ed 39parties! These 39 petitioners were a#le to secure a'andatory in&uction "ro' this Court, directingC8@4;4C to include their na'es in the #allot!

2SS4:

1! 6hether or not the Co'elec co''itted graa#use o" discretion in dis$uali"ying the petition"ro' participating in the elections, either #y deno" registration or cancellation o" eisting registrat(! 6hether the criteria "or participating in the parlist syste' laid down in =agong =ayani and =Ashould #e applied

4;:1! o! The party list syste' is intended

de'ocratie political power #y giving politparties that cannot win in legislative distelections a chance to win seats in the ouse o" *

The voter elects two reps in the ouse: one "or legislative district, and another "or his party.lRea( Se). 4 Ar&. VI an( Se). an( o3 Ar&. C o3 &0e Cons&$&'&$on.

2n the deli#eration o" the Constitutional Co''issiit is stressed that the party.list syste' is synony'ous with that o" the sectorepresentation! The "ra'ers o" the Constitutintended that the party.list syste' to include

only sectoral parties #ut also non.sectoral parti The "ra'ers intended the sectoral parties constitute a part, #ut not the entirety o" the palist syste'! olitical parties can participate in party.list syste', "or as long as they %candidates who co'e "ro' di/erent 'arginalisectors that we shall designate in this Constitution

Sec! 5 Art O2 is clear that there shall #e a party syste' o" registered national, regional, and sectoparties or organiations! Thus, the party list systis co'posed o" three di/erent groups: a- natioparties or orgsE #- regional parties or orgsE sectoral parties or orgs! ational and regioparties are di/erent "ro' sectoral parties! atioand regional parties need not #e organied alosectoral lines and need not represent any particusector!*A B91 de%nes a PpartyQ as either a political osectoral party or coalition o" partiesE and politiparties re"ers to an organied group o" citieadvocating an ideology or plat"or', principles apolicies "or the general conduct o" the govt awhich as the 'ost i''ediate 'eans o" securtheir adoption, regularly no'inates and suppocertain o" its leaders and 'e'#ers as candidates pu#lic o7ce! A sectoral party re"ers to an organigroup o" citiens #elonging to any o" the sectenu'erated in Sec! 5 hereo" whose princiadvocacy pertains to special interest and conceo" their sector! *A B91 does not re$uire natioand regional parties or organiations to represthe P'arginalied and underrepresentedQ secto

To re$uire all national and regional parties under party list syste' to represent the 'arginalied aunderrepresented is to deprive and eclude

&udicial %at, ideology.#ased and cause orienparty list syste'!



2n Sec! ) o" *A B91 which the grounds "or there"usal or cancellation o" *egistration, no groundstherein re"ers to non.representation o" the'arginalied and underrepresented!

The phrase 'arginalied and underrepresentedshould re"er only to the sectors in Sec! 5 that are #ytheir nature, econo'ically 'arginalied andunderrepresented! For these sectors, a 'a&ority o" the 'e'#ers o" the sectoral party 'ust #elong to

the 'arginalied and underrepresented! Theno'inees o" the sectoral party either 'ust #elongto the sector or 'ust have tract record o" advocacy"or the sector represented! The 'a&or politicalparties are those that %led candidates in thelegislative districts election! @a&or political partiescannot participate in the party.list elections sincethey neither lac0 Pwell de%ned politicalconstituenciesQ nor represent P'arginalied andunderrepresented sectors!Q Thus, the national orregional parties under the party.list syste' arenecessarily those that do not #elong to 'a&orpolitical parties

(! 2n =agong =ayani, it is declared that 'a&orpolitical parties are epressly allowed #y *A B91 toparticipate in party list syste', however, it 'ustrepresent the 'arginalied and underrepresentedQ!

This inherent inconsistency in =agong =ayani has#een co'pounded #y the C8@4;4CLs re"usal toregister sectoral wings o7cially organied #y 'a&orpolitical parties! =AAT 'erely "or'alied theprevailing practice when it epressly prohi#ited'a&or political parties "ro' participating in theparty.list syste' even though their sectoral wings!

The 19?B and *A B91 allow 'a&or political partiesto participate in party.list elections! Thus, toparticipate in party list elections, a 'a&or politicalparty that %elds candidates in the legislative districtelections 'ust organie a sectoral wing li0e a la#or,peasant, %sher"ol0s, ur#anpoor, pro"essional,wo'en, youth wing, that can register under theparty list syste'!

Kuidelines "or Screening arty.;ist articipants1! The political party, sector, organiation, orcoalition 'ust represent the 'arginalied andunderrepresented groups identi%ed in Sec! 5 o" *AB91(! 6hile even 'a&or political parties are epresslyallowed #y *A B91 and the Constitution toparticipate in the party.list syste', they 'ustco'ply with the declared statutory policy o" ena#ling PFilipino citiens #elongin to 'arginaliedand underrepresented sectors to #e elected toouse o" *epQ3! *eligious sector 'ay not #e represented in theparty.list syste'! a party or an organiation 'ust not #edis$uali%ed under Section ) o" *A B91, which

enu'erates the grounds "or dis$uali%cation "ollows:

1- 2t is a religious sect or deno'inatiorganiation or association organied "or religipurposesE

(- 2t advocates violence or unlaw"ul 'eato see0 its goalE

3- 2t is a "oreign party or organiationE- 2t is receiving support "ro' any "ore

govern'ent, "oreign political party, "oundati

organiation, whether directly or through any o"o7cers or 'e'#ers or indirectly through thparties "or partisan election purposesE

5- 2t violates or "ails to co'ply with lawrules or regulations relating to electionsE

)- 2t declares untruth"ul state'ents in petitionE

B- 2t has ceased to eist "or at least one yearE or

?- 2t "ails to participate in the last two preceding elections or "ails to o#tain at least two centu' (Y- o" the votes cast under the party.syste' in the two (- preceding elections "or t

constituency in which it has registered5! The party or organiation 'ust not #e an ad&uo", or a pro&ect organied or an entity "undedassisted #y, the govern'ent!)! The party 'ust not only co'ply with re$uire'ents o" the law: its no'inees 'ust li0ewdo so!B! ot only the candidate party or org 'represent 'arginalied and underrepresensectorsE so as its no'inees?! o'inees 'ust li0ewise #e a#le to contri#utethe "or'ulation and enact'ent o" approprilegislation that will #ene%t the nation as a whole

In Bana&4 &0e %a1or$& o5)$all e?)l'(e( %apol$&$)al par&$es 3ro% par&$)$pa&$n2 $n &par&-l$s& ele)&$ons aban(on$n2 even &0e lserv$)e &0a& An2 Ba2on2 Baan$ a))or(e( * Cons&$&'&$on an( RA @* &0a& %apol$&$)al par&$es )an par&$)$pa&e $n par&-lele)&$on.

2n deter'ining who 'ay participate in the co'@ay (>13 elections, the C8@4;4C shall adherethe "ollowing para'eters:

1! Three di/erent groups 'ay participate in tparty.list syste': 1- national parties organiations, (- regional parties organiations, and 3- sectoral parties organiations!

(! ational parties or organiations and regioparties or organiations do not need organie along sectoral lines and do not neto represent any P'arginalied aunderrepresentedQ sector!

3! olitical parties can participate in party.elections provided they register under party.list syste' and do not %eld candidain legislative district elections! A polit



party, whether 'a&or or not, that %eldscandidates in legislative district elections canparticipate in partylist elections only throughits sectoral wing that can separately registerunder the party.list syste'! The sectoralwing is #y itsel" an independent sectoralparty, and is lin0ed to a political partythrough a coalition!

! Sectoral parties or organiations 'ay either#e P'arginalied and underrepresentedQ or

lac0ing in Pwell.de%ned politicalconstituencies!Q 2t is enough that theirprincipal advocacy pertains to the specialinterest and concerns o" their sector! Thesectors that are P'arginalied andunderrepresentedQ include la#or, peasant,%sher"ol0, ur#an poor, indigenous culturalco''unities, handicapped, veterans, andoverseas )( *ule ) in relation to *ule )5,199B *ules o" Civil rocedure!wor0ers! Thesectors that lac0 Pwell.de%ned politicalconstituenciesQ include pro"essionals, theelderly, wo'en, and the youth!

5! A 'a&ority o" the 'e'#ers o" sectoral partiesor organiations that represent theP'arginalied and underrepresentedQ 'ust#elong to the P'arginalied andunderrepresentedQ sector they represent!Si'ilarly, a 'a&ority o" the 'e'#ers o" sectoral parties or organiations that lac0Pwell.de%ned political constituenciesQ 'ust#elong to the sector they represent! Theno'inees o" sectoral parties or organiationsthat represent the P'arginalied andunderrepresented,Q or that represent thosewho lac0 Pwell.de%ned politicalconstituencies,Q either 'ust #elong to theirrespective sectors, or 'ust have a trac0record o" advocacy "or their respectivesectors! The no'inees o" national andregional parties or organiations 'ust #e#ona.%de 'e'#ers o" such parties ororganiations!

)! ational, regional, and sectoral parties ororganiations shall not #e dis$uali%ed i" so'e o" their no'inees are dis$uali%ed,provided that they have at least oneno'inee who re'ains $uali%ed!

Palparan vs. HRET

Facts: 2n K!*! 1?9)), petitioner aryl Krace J!A#ayon is the %rst no'inee o" the Aangat Tayoparty.list organiation that won a seat in the ouseo" *epresentatives during the (>>B elections!*espondents er"ecto C! ;uca#an, Jr!, *onyl S! elaCru, and Agustin C! oroga, all registered voters,%led a petition "or $uo warranto with respondent*4T against Aangat Tayo and its no'inee,petitioner A#ayon, in *4T Case >B.>1! Theyclai'ed that Aangat Tayo was not eligi#le "or aparty.list seat in the ouse o" *epresentatives, since

it did not represent the 'arginalied aunderrepresented sectors!

2n K!*! 1?95>), petitioner Jovito S! alparan, Jrthe %rst no'inee o" the =antay party. list group twon a seat in the (>>B elections "or the 'e'#ersthe ouse o" *epresentatives! *esponde*eynaldo ;esaca, Jr!, Cristina ala#ay, *enato *eyes, Jr!, 4rlinda Cadapan, Antonio Flores, a

Joselito stare are 'e'#ers o" so'e other pa

list groups! Shortly a"ter the elections, responde;esaca and the others with hi' %led wrespondent *4T a petition "or $uo warranto agai=antay and its no'inee, petitioner alparan, *4T Case >B.>>! ;esaca and the others allegthat alparan was ineligi#le to sit in the ouse*epresentatives as party.list no'inee #ecause did not #elong to the 'arginalied aunderrepresented sectors that =antay representna'ely, the victi's o" co''unist re#els, CivilAr'ed Forces Keographical nits CAFKs-, "or're#els, and security guards! ;esaca and the othsaid that alparan co''itted gross hu'an rig

violations against 'arginalied aunderrepresented sectors and organiatioetitioner alparan countered that the *4T had

&urisdiction over his person since it was actually party.list =antay, not he, that was elected to aassu'ed 'e'#ership in the ouse *epresentatives! alparan clai'ed that he was &=antayIs no'inee! Conse$uently, any $uestinvolving his eligi#ility as %rst no'inee was internal concern o" =antay! Such $uestion 'ust #rought, he said, #e"ore that party.list group, #e"ore the *4T!

2ssue: won hret has &urisdiction!

eld: yes hret has &urisdiction!

As this Court also held in =antay *epu#lic Act or =*A B91 v! Co''ission on 4lections, "oot )party.list representative is in every sense elected 'e'#er o" the ouse o" *epresentativeAlthough the vote cast in a party.list election ivote "or a party, such vote, in the end, would #vote "or its no'inees, who, in appropriate caswould eventually sit in the ouse o" *epresentativ

6hat is inevita#le is that Section 1B, Article O2 o" tConstitution "oot 9 provides that the *4T shallthe sole &udge o" all contests relating to, a'oother things, the $uali%cations o" the 'e'#ersthe ouse o" *epresentatives! Since, as pointed a#ove, party.list no'inees are +elected 'e'#eo" the ouse o" *epresentatives no less than tdistrict representatives are, the *4T h

&urisdiction to hear and pass upon th$uali%cations! =y analogy with the cases o" distrepresentatives, once the party or organiationthe party.list no'inee has #een proclai'ed and



no'inee has ta0en his oath and assu'ed o7ce as'e'#er o" the ouse o" *epresentatives, theC8@4;4CIs &urisdiction over election contestsrelating to his $uali%cations ends and the *4TIsown &urisdiction #egins!

etitioners A#ayon and alparan o" course point outthat the authority to deter'ine the $uali%cations o" a party.list no'inee #elongs to the party ororganiation that no'inated hi'! This is true,

initially! The right to ea'ine the %tness o" aspiringno'inees and, eventually, to choose %ve "ro'a'ong the' a"ter all #elongs to the party ororganiation that no'inates the'! "oot ? =utwhere an allegation is 'ade that the party ororganiation had chosen and allowed a dis$uali%edno'inee to #eco'e its party.list representative inthe lower ouse and en&oy the secured tenure thatgoes with the position, the resolution o" the disputeis ta0en out o" its hand!

AUTOATE" E!ECTIONSRo,'e vs. COE!EC

Capalla vs. COE!EC

Capalla vs! Co''ission on 4lection

Fa)&s#

ursuant to its authority to use an auto'atedelection syste' A4S-, Co'elec posted anopu#lished an invitation to apply "or eligi#ility and to#id "or the (>1> oll Auto'ation ro&ect! Co'elecawarded the contract "or the pro&ect to respondent

S'art'atic.T2@! Therea"ter, they entered into acontract "or the provision o" an auto'ated electionsyste' "or the 'ay 1>,(>1> synchronied nationaland local election! The contract was one o" lease o" the A4S with the option to purchase 8T- the goodslisted in the contract! 2n the said contract, theco'elec was given until ec! 31, (>1> within whichto eercise the option! Several etensions weregiven "or the co'elec to eercise 8T until its %naletension on @arch 31, (>1(! 8n 'arch (9,(>1(,the co'elec issued a resolution resolving to accepts'art'atic.T2@Ls o/er to etend!

2n a consolidated petition, petitioners contend thatthe 8T clause e'#odied in the contract withS'art'atic.T2@ should #e rendered invalid not only#ecause the 8T has already lapsed #ut #ecause o" the "act that the 8T clause is a circu'vention o" the eplicit provisions o" *A 91?E that the periodwithin which the co'elec 'ay eercise the 8Tcould last only until ec! 31, (>1> without etensionas provided in the co'elecLs #ulletin and that inetending the option period, it is tanta'ount togiving the winning #idder a #ene%t that was not0nown and availa#le to all #idders!

Iss'es#

1! 6hether or not co'elec 'ay validly accthe etension o" ti'e to eercise optionpurchase under article o" the contractthe rovision o" an Auto'ated 4lectSyste' "or the @ay 1>, (>1> Synchroniational and ;ocal 4lection!

(! 6hether or not the acceptance o" etension violates *A91? Kovern'

rocure'ent *e"or' Act and 2'ple'enting *ules- and *A 93 Auto'ated 4lection Syste' Act!

Hel(#

1! <es, there is no prohi#ition either in contract or provision o" law "or it to etethe option period, the contract itsel" allothe parties to a'end the sa'e! As statearticle and ) o" the contract, it would shthat the parties are given the right to a'e

the contract which 'ay include the perwithin which to eercise the optiA'end'ents can still #e 'ade during e/ectivity o" the contract!9Arcticle 6, 6.6 Term of t'is contract egfrom t'e date of e/ectivity until t'e releaof t'e performance security, it'o

pre*udice to t'e surving provisions of tcontract, including t'e arranty provision

prescried in article :. and t'e period of option to purc'ase.; S'art'atic.T2@ categorically stated tco'elec still retains 5>@ o" the a'ount d

S'art'atic.T2@ as per"or'ance security short, the per"or'ance security had not #een released to S'art'atic.T2@ whindicates that A4S contract is still e/ectand not yet ter'inated!

(! A winning #idder is not precluded "r'odi"ying or a'ending certain provisiprovided that such changes 'ust constitute su#stantial or 'atea'end'ents that would alter para'eters o" the contract and woconstitute a denial to the other #idders o" t

opportunity to #id on the sa'e ter's!

rinciples o" pu#lic #idding:A! The o/er to the pu#lic=! An opportunity "or co'petitionC! =asis "or the eact co'parison o" #ids

Ad'ittedly, the A4S contract was awrdedS@art'atic.T2@ a"ter co'pliance with all tre$uire'ents o" a co'petitive pu#lic #iddi

The *F, #id #ulletins and the A4S contridenti%ed the contract as one o" lease w



otion to purchase! The a'end'ent was notsu#stantial! The contract a'ount not onlyincluded that "or the contract o" lease #utalso the 8T! ence, the co'petitive pu#lic#idding conducted "or the A4S contract wassu7cient! A new pu#lic #idding would #e asuperUuity! @ore i'portantly, thea'end'ent o" the A4S contract is 'oreadvantageous to Co'elec and the pu#lic#ecause the B,191,?,B39!? rentals paid

"or the lease o" goods and purchase o" services under the A4S contract wasconsidered part o" the purchase price! Forthe Co'elec to own the su#&ect goods, it wasre$uired to pay only (,13>,)35,>?!15! 2" the Co'elec did not eercise the option, therentals already paid would &ust #e one o" thegovern'ent epenses "or the past electionand would #e o" no use to "uture elections!

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