rules of procedure- election protest
TRANSCRIPT
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Municipal election contests; 2010 rules of procedure.
2010 RULES OF PROCEDURE FOR MUNICIPAL ELECTION CONTESTS
RULE I
S C O P E
Section 1. Title and coverae. ! T"e#e R$le# #"all %e &no'n and cited a# T"e 2010 R$le# o(
Proced$re (or M$nici)al Election Conte#t#.
T"e#e R$le# #"all a))l* to election conte#t# $nder t"e A$to+ated Election S*#te+ $#in t"e
Precinct Co$nt O)tical Scan, and #"all overn t"e (ilin o( )leadin#, )ractice and )roced$re in
t"e#e conte#t#.
Section 2. A))lication o( t"e R$le# o( Co$rt. ! T"e R$le# o( Co$rt #"all a))l* to a#)ect# o()leadin#, )ractice and )roced$re in election conte#t# not #)eci(icall* )rovided (or in t"e#e
R$le#.
Section -. E)lanation o( ter+#. ! For )$r)o#e# o( and a# $#ed in t"e#e R$le#/
a Co$rt# ! re(er# to t"e Reional Trial Co$rt
% Election ! +ean# t"e c"oice or #election o( candidate# (or )$%lic o((ice %* )o)$lar vote
t"ro$" t"e $#e o( t"e %allot. S)eci(icall*, it cover# t"e cond$ct o( t"e )oll#, incl$din t"e li#tin
o( voter#, t"e "oldin o( t"e electoral ca+)ain, t"e ca#tin and co$ntin o( %allot#, t"e
con#olidation and tran#+i##ion o( re#$lt#, and t"e canva##in o( t"e ret$rn#
c A$to+ated Election S*#te+ or AES ! re(er# to an election #*#te+ $#in t"e tec"nolo*
de#inated %* t"e Co++i##ion on Election# COMELEC (or votin, co$ntin, con#olidatin,
canva##in, tran#+i##ion o( election re#$lt#, and t"e ret$rn#
d Precinct Co$nt O)tical Scan or PCOS ! re(er# to t"e +ac"ine a# 'ell a# t"e tec"nolo* $#in
an o)tical %allot #canner, located in ever* )recinct, t"at #can# or read# )a)er %allot# t"at voter#
+ar& %* "and and in#ert into t"e #canner to %e co$nted
e O((icial %allot ! re(er# to t"e )a)er %allot, ca)a%le o( %ein o)ticall* #canned, 'it" t"e )re3
)rinted na+e# o( all candidate# and 'it" oval# corre#)ondin to eac" o( t"e )rinted na+e#. T"e
oval# are t"e #)ace# '"ere voter# e)re## t"eir c"oice t"ro$" +ar&in or #"adin $#in a
COMELEC3)rovided +ar&in )en.
( Pict$re I+ae o( t"e 4allot ! re(er# to t"e i+ae o( t"e %allot ca)t$red %* t"e PCOS +ac"ine
at t"e ti+e t"e voter (eed# "i#5"er %allot, '"ic" i+ae i# later #tored in a +e+or* or re+ova%le
data #torae device attac"ed to t"e PCOS +ac"ine#.
Election Ret$rn ! re(er# to t"e doc$+ent #"o'in t"e date o( t"e election, t"e )rovince, cit*,
+$nici)alit* and t"e )recinct '"ere votin i# "eld, and t"e n$+%er o( vote# in (i$re# (or eac"candidate in a )recinct or in cl$#tered )recinct#.
" Electronic Election Ret$rn ! re(er# to t"e co)* o( t"e election ret$rn in electronic (or+,
enerated %* t"e PCOS +ac"ine, t"at i# electronicall* tran#+itted to/ 1 t"e M$nici)al 4oard o(
Canva##er# (or t"e o((icial canva## 2 t"e COMELEC 4ac&3U) Server - t"e #erver (or t"e
do+inant +a6orit* )art* 7 t"e #erver (or do+inant +inorit* )art* 8 #erver (or t"e citi9en:#
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ar+ a$t"ori9ed %* t"e COMELEC to cond$ct a )arallel co$nt and ; t"e
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%allot# or t"e electronic co)ie# o( t"e election ret$rn#, t"e #tate+ent# o( vote#, t"e certi(icate# o(
canva##, t"e a$dit lo, and ot"er electronic data )roce##ed %* t"e PCOS and con#olidation
+ac"ine#.
# Man$al co$nt o( %allot# ! '"ere votin $#in t"e AES %allot# )roceeded +an$all* %eca$#e
t"e PCOS +ac"ine# co$ld not %e $#ed, vote# #"all %e co$nted +an$all* $nder t"e $ideline#
)rovided %* t"e COMELEC, and t"e co$rt# #"all %e $ided accordinl*.
t Election conte#t# ! re(er# to election )rote#t# or )etition# (or >$o 'arranto.
$ Election )rote#t ! re(er# to an election conte#t involvin t"e election and ret$rn# o( +$nici)al
elective o((icial#, ro$nded on (ra$d or irre$laritie# co++itted in t"e cond$ct o( t"e election#,
i.e., in t"e ca#tin and t"e co$ntin o( t"e %allot#, in t"e con#olidation o( vote# and in t"e
canva##in o( ret$rn#, not ot"er'i#e cla##i(ied a# a )re3)rocla+ation controver#* coni9a%le %*
t"e COMELEC.
T"e i##$e i# '"o o%tained t"e )l$ralit* o( valid vote# ca#t.
v ?$o @arranto $nder t"e O+ni%$# Election Code ! re(er# to an election conte#t involvin t"e
>$ali(ication# (or o((ice o( an elective +$nici)al o((icial, on t"e ro$nd o( inelii%ilit* or
di#lo*alt* to t"e Re)$%lic o( t"e P"ili))ine#. T"e i##$e i# '"et"er t"e re#)ondent )o##e##e# all
t"e >$ali(ication# and none o( t"e di#>$ali(ication# )re#cri%ed %* la'.
' Revi#ion o( %allot# ! re(er# ton t"e reco$nt o( %allot# t"ro$" t"eir )"*#ical co$nt t"e
#ereation o( %allot# (or t"e )rote#tant, t"e )rote#tee and ot"er candidate# (or t"e #a+e )o#itionand t"e recordin o( t"e o%6ection# and clai+# to t"e#e %allot#.
Pro+$lation ! re(er# to t"e )roce## o( o((iciall* i##$in t"e co$rt:# deci#ion or order in an
election conte#t.
Section 7. In"erent )o'er# o( t"e co$rt. ! A reional trial co$rt actin on an election conte#t #"all
"ave all t"e in"erent )o'er# o( a co$rt )rovided $nder R$le 1-8 o( t"e R$le# o( Co$rt, incl$din
t"e )o'er to i##$e a$iliar* 'rit#, )roce##e#, and ot"er +ean# nece##ar* to carr* it# a$t"orit* or
6$ri#diction into e((ect and to ado)t #$ita%le )roce##e# not e)re##l* )rovided %*, %$t
con(or+a%le 'it", la', t"e#e R$le#, or t"e R$le# o( Co$rt.
Section 8. Con#tr$ction. ! T"e R$le# #"all %e li%erall* con#tr$cted to ac"ieve a 6$#t, e)editio$#,
and ine)en#ive deter+ination and di#)o#ition o( +$nici)al election conte#t#.
RULE 2
ELECTION CONTESTS
Section 1. $ri#diction o( reional trial co$rt#. ! Reional trial co$rt# #"all "ave ecl$#iveoriinal 6$ri#diction over all election conte#t# involvin +$nici)al o((icial#.
Section 2. Bo' initiated. ! An election conte#t i# initiated %* t"e (ilin o( an election )rote#t or a
)etition (or >$o 'arranto aain#t an elective +$nici)al o((icial. An election )rote#t or a )etition
(or >$o 'arranto #"all %e (iled directl* 'it" t"e co$rt in t"ree lei%le co)ie# )l$# #$c" n$+%er o(
co)ie# corre#)ondin to t"e n$+%er o( )rote#tee# or re#)ondent#.
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An election )rote#t #"all not incl$de a )etition (or >$o 'arranto, nor #"all a )etition (or >$o
'arranto incl$de an election )rote#t.
Section -. Mode# o( #ervice and (ilin. ! Service and (ilin o( )leadin#, incl$din t"e initiator*
)etition and ot"er #$%#e>$ent )a)er#, #"all %e done )er#onall*.
Ece)t (or )a)er# e+anatin (ro+ t"e co$rt, re#ort to ot"er +ode# o( #ervice +$#t %e
acco+)anied %* a 'ritten e)lanation '"* t"e #ervice or (ilin 'a# not done )er#onall*. A
)leadin or +otion violatin t"i# R$le #"all %e con#idered not to "ave %een (iled.1avv)"i1
Section 7. Election )rote#t. ! A )etition conte#tin t"e election or ret$rn# (or an elective
+$nici)al o((ice #"all %e (iled 'it" t"e )ro)er Reional Trial Co$rt %* an candidate '"o 'a#
voted (or t"e #a+e o((ice and '"o received t"e #econd or t"ird3"i"e#t n$+%er o( vote# or, in a
+$lti3#lot )o#ition, 'a# a+on t"e net (o$r candidate# (ollo'in t"e la#t3ran&ed 'inner d$l*)roclai+ed, a# re(lected in t"e o((icial re#$lt# o( t"e election contained in t"e State+ent o( =ote#
%* Precinct.
T"e )art* (ilin t"e )rote#t #"all %e de#inated a# t"e )rote#tant t"e adver#e )art* #"all %e &no'n
a# t"e )rote#tee.
Eac" conte#t #"all re(er ecl$#ivel* to one o((ice "o'ever, conte#t# (or o((ice# o( t"e
San$nian 4a*an +a* %e con#olidated in one ca#e.
Section 8. ?$o 'arranto. ! A )etition (or >$o 'arranto aain#t an elective +$nici)al o((icial#"all %e (iled 'it" t"e )ro)er Reional Trial Co$rt %* an* rei#tered voter '"o voted in t"e
+$nici)al election. T"e )art* (ilin t"e )etition #"all %e de#inated a# t"e )etitioner t"e adver#e
)art* #"all %e &no'n a# t"e re#)ondent.
Section ;. Petition +$#t %e veri(ied and acco+)anied %* a certi(icate o( non3(or$+ #"o))in. !
An election )rote#t or a )etition (or >$o 'arranto #"all %e veri(ied %* an a((idavit #tatin t"at t"e
a((iant "a# read t"e )etition and t"at it# alleation# are tr$e and correct o( t"e a((iant:# o'n
&no'lede or %a#ed on a$t"entic record#. A veri(ication %a#ed on in(or+ation and %elie( or
$)on &no'lede, in(or+ation and %elie( i# not #$((icient.
T"e )rote#tant or )etitioner #"all #in )er#onall* t"e certi(icate o( non3(or$+ #"o))in, '"ic"
+$#t %e anneed to t"e election )rote#t or )etition (or >$o 'arranto.
An $nveri(ied or in#$((icientl* veri(ied )etition or one t"at lac a certi(icate o( non3(or$+
#"o))in #"all %e di#+i##ed o$tri"t and #"all not #$#)end t"e r$nnin o( t"e re>$ired )eriod (or
t"e (ilin o( an election )rote#t or )etition (or >$o 'arranto.
Section . Period to (ile )rote#t or )etition non3etendi%le. ! T"e election )rote#t or )etition (or
>$o 'arranto #"all %e (iled 'it"in a non3etendi%le )eriod o( ten 10 da*# co$nted (ro+ t"e date
o( )rocla+ation.
Section . Pendenc* o( )re3)rocla+ation controver#*. ! T"e )endenc* o( a )re3)rocla+ation
controver#*, involvin t"e validit* o( t"e )rocla+ation a# de(ined %* la', #"all #$#)end t"e
r$nnin o( t"e )eriod (or t"e (ilin o( an election )rote#t or )etition (or >$o 'arranto.
Section . COMELEC 6$d+ent in di#>$ali(ication ca#e. ! T"e deci#ion o( t"e COMELEC,
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eit"er en %anc or in divi#ion, in a di#>$ali(ication ca#e #"all not %e a %ar to t"e (ilin o( a )etition
(or >$o 'arranto %a#ed on t"e #a+e ro$nd, ece)t '"en t"e S$)re+e Co$rt "a# a((ir+ed t"e
COMELEC deci#ion.
Section 10. Conte#t# o( t"e )rote#t or )etition. ! a An election )rote#t or )etition (or >$o
'arranto #"all co++onl* and #)eci(icall* #tate t"e (ollo'in (act#/
i t"e )o#ition involved
ii t"e date o( )rocla+ation and
iii t"e n$+%er o( vote# credited to t"e )artie# )er t"e )rocla+ation.
% A >$o 'arranto )etition #"all al#o #tate/
i i( t"e )etitioner i# not a candidate (or t"e #a+e +$nici)al )o#ition, t"e (act# ivin t"e
)etitioner #tandin to (ile t"e )etitionii t"e >$ali(ication# (or t"e +$nici)al o((ice and t"e di#>$ali(ication# )re#cri%ed %* la'
iii t"e )etitioner:# cited ro$nd (or inelii%ilit* or t"e #)eci(ic act# o( di#lo*alt* to t"e Re)$%lic
o( t"e P"ili))ine#.
c An election )rote#t #"all al#o #tate/
i t"at t"e )rote#tant 'a# a candidate '"o "ad d$l* (iled a certi(icate o( candidac* and "ad %een
voted (or t"e #a+e o((ice
ii t"e total n$+%er o( )recinct# in t"e +$nici)alit*
iii t"e )rote#ted )recinct# and vote# o( t"e )artie# are not #)eci(ied, an e)lanation '"* t"evote# are not #)eci(ied and
iv a detailed #)eci(ication o( t"e act# or o+i##ion# co+)lained o( #"o'in t"e electoral (ra$d#,
ano+alie# or irre$laritie# in t"e )rote#ted )recinct#.
Section 11. Ra((le o( ca#e#. ! T"e S$)re+e Co$rt #"all de#inate t"e Reional Trial Co$rt 'it"in
a 6$dicial reion t"at #"all ta&e coni9ance o( election )rote#t# and )etition# (or >$o 'arranto. A
ra((le cond$cted %* t"e eec$tive 6$de #"all deter+ine t"e a##in+ent o( ca#e# to t"e#e co$rt#
ece)t in #inle3#ala co$rt# or co$rt# #)eci(icall* de#inated %* t"e S$)re+e Co$rt. No co$rt
#"all a##$+e 6$ri#diction over an election conte#t $nle## t"e ca#e "a# %een )ro)erl* a##ined to it
a# )rovided "erein.
At lea#t t'ent*3(o$r 27 "o$r# %e(ore t"e ra((le, t"e cler& o( co$rt +$#t #erve )er#onal notice to
t"e )artie#, #tatin t"e date and ti+e o( t"e ra((le. Proo( o( #ervice to t"e )artie# #"all %e
#$%+itted to t"e co$rt, and t"e ra((le #"all %e o)en to t"e )$%lic. T"e S$)re+e Co$rt #"all i##$e
t"e nece##ar* circ$lar i+)le+entin t"i# )rovi#o.
T"e Co$rt +a* order a c"ane o( ven$e or )lace or trial (or co+)ellin rea#on# to avoid a
+i#carriae o( 6$#tice.
Section 12. S$++ar* di#+i##al o( election conte#t#. ! T"e co$rt #"all #$++aril* di#+i##, +ot$
)ro)orio, an election )rote#t, co$nter3)rote#t or )etition (or >$o 'arranto on an* o( t"e (ollo'in
ro$nd#/
a T"e co$rt "a# no 6$ri#diction over t"e #$%6ect +atter
% T"e )etition i# in#$((icient in (or+ and content a# re>$ired $nder Section 10
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c T"e )etition i# (iled %e*ond t"e )eriod )re#cri%ed in t"e#e R$le#
d T"e (illin (ee i# not )aid 'it"in t"e )eriod (or (illin t"e election )rote#t or )etition (or >$o
'arranto and
e In a )rote#t ca#e '"ere ca#" de)o#it i# re>$ired, t"e de)o#it i# not )aid 'it"in (ive 8 da*#
(ro+ t"e (illin o( t"e )rote#t.
RULE -
S U M M O N S
Section 1. S$++on#. ! @it"in t'ent*3(o$r 27 "o$r# (ro+ t"e (illin o( a )rote#t or )etition, t"e
cler& o( co$rt #"all i##$e t"e corre#)ondin #$++on# to t"e )rote#tee or to t"e re#)ondent,
toet"er 'it" a co)* o( t"e )rote#t or )etition, re>$irin t"e (illin o( an an#'er 'it"in a non3
etendi%le )eriod o( (ive da*# (ro+ notice.
Section 2. Service o( #$++on#. ! T"e #$++on# #"all %e #erved %* "andin co)ie# o( t"e
#$++on# and o( t"e )rote#t or t"e )etition to t"e )rote#tee or t"e re#)ondent in )er#on or, in ca#e
o( t"e )rote#tee:# or t"e re#)ondent:# re($#al to receive and #in t"e#e co)ie#, %* tenderin t"e+
to "i+ or "er.
I(, (or 6$#ti(ia%le ca$#e#, t"e )rote#tee or t"e re#)ondent cannot %e #erved in )er#on a# )rovided
a%ove, #ervice +a* %e e((ected %* leavin co)ie# o( t"e #$++on# and t"e )rote#t or t"e )etition
at/
a T"e )rote#tee:# or t"e re#)ondent:# re#idence, 'it" a )er#on o( #$ita%le ae and di#cretionre#idin t"erein, or
% T"e )rote#tee:# or t"e re#)ondent:# o((ice or re$lar )lace o( %$#ine##, 'it" a co+)etent
)er#on in c"are t"ereo(.
Section -. 4* '"o+ #erved. ! T"e #$++on# #"all %e #erved %* a #"eri((, a de)$t* #"eri((, a
)roce## #erver or an* ot"er #$ita%le )er#on a$t"ori9ed %* t"e co$rt i##$in t"e #$++on#.
RULE 7
ANS@ER AND COUNTER3PROTEST
Section 1. =eri(ied an#'er co$nter3)rote#t. ! @it"in (ive 8 da*# (ro+ recei)t o( t"e #$++on#
and t"e co)* o( t"e )rote#t or )etition, t"e )rote#tee or t"e re#)ondent #"all (ile an an#'er in
t"ree - lei%le co)ie#, 'it" )roo( o( #ervice o( a co)* on t"e )rote#tant or t"e )etitioner.
T"e an#'er #"all %e veri(ied and +a* #et (ort" ad+i##ion# and denial#, #)ecial and a((ir+ative
de(en#e#, and a co+)$l#or* co$nterclai+. T"e )rote#tee +a* incor)orate a co$nter3)rote#t in t"e
an#'er.
T"e co$nter3)rote#t #"all #)eci(* t"e co$nter3)rote#ted )recinct# and t"e )artie#: vote# )er t"eState+ent o( =ote# %* Precinct and, in t"e )ro)er ca#e, a detailed #)eci(ication o( t"e act# or
o+i##ion# co+)lained o( a# electoral (ra$d, ano+alie# or irre$laritie# in t"e co$nter3)rote#ted
)recinct# i( t"e vote# are not #o #)eci(ied, an e)lanation #"o$ld %e +ade (or t"e
o+i##ion.1avv)"i1
Section 2. An#'er to co$nterclai+ or co$nter3)rote#t. ! T"e )rote#tant or )etitioner #"all an#'er
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t"e co$nterclai+ or co$nter3)rote#t 'it"in a non-extendible period of five (5 da*# (ro+ notice.
Section -. Alleation# in t"e an#'er. !
a S)eci(ic denial. ! A )rote#tee or re#)ondent +$#t #)eci(* eac" +aterial alleation o( (act
'"o#e tr$t" "e or #"e doe# not ad+it '"enever )ractica%le, "e or #"e #"all #et (ort" t"e
#$%#tance o( t"e +atter# $)on to #$))ort t"e denial. T"e )rote#tee or re#)ondent #"all #)eci(* t"e
aver+ent# t"at are tr$e and +aterial, and #"all den* t"e re#t.
% Alleation# not #)eci(* denied dee+ed ad+itted. ! Material aver+ent# in t"e )rote#t or
)etition, ot"er t"an t"e a+o$nt o( $nli>$idated da+ae# and i##$e# on t"e a))reciation o( %allot#,
#"all %e dee+ed ad+itted '"en not #)eci(icall* denied.
Section 7. E((ect o( (ail$re to )lead. !
a De(en#e# and o%6ection# not )leaded. ! De(en#e# and o%6ection# not )leaded are dee+ed
'aived. T"e co$rt #"all di#+i## t"e clai+ '"en it a))ear# (ro+ t"e )leadin# or t"e evidence on
record t"at 1 t"e co$rt "a# no 6$ri#diction over t"e #$%6ect +atter or 2 t"ere i# anot"er action
)endin %et'een t"e #a+e )artie# (or t"e #a+e ca$#e or - t"e action i# %arred %* a )rior
6$de+ent or %* t"e #tat$te o( li+itation#.
% Co+)$l#or* co$nterclai+ or cro##3clai+ not #et $) %arred. ! A co+)$l#or* co$nterclai+ or a
cro##3clai+ not #et $) #"all %e %arred.
c E((ect o( (ail$re to an#'er. ! I( t"e )rote#tee or t"e re#)ondent (ail# to an#'er 'it"in t"e ti+eallo'ed in an election )rote#t t"at doe# not involve %allot revi#ion or in a )etition (or >$o
'arranto, t"e co$rt ! $)on +otion o( t"e Prote#tant or t"e )etitioner, 'it" notice to t"e )rote#tee
or t"e re#)ondent, and $)on )roo( o( #$c" (ail$re ! #"all )roceed to render 6$d+ent rantin t"e
relie( )ra*ed (or on t"e %a#i# o( t"e alleation# o( t"e veri(ied )rote#t or )etition, $nle## t"e co$rt
in it# di#cretion o)t# to re>$ire t"e )rote#tant or t"e )etitioner to #$%+it evidence e )arte.
@"ere t"e election )rote#t involve# revi#ion or ea+ination o( %allot# or t"e veri(ication or re3
ta%$lation o( t"e election ret$rn#, t"e co$rt #"all i##$e t"e a))ro)riate order and #"all )roceed to
render 6$d+ent %a#ed on t"e re#$lt# o( t"e revi#ion, ea+ination, veri(ication or re3ta%$lation.
D$rin t"e#e )roceedin#, onl* t"e )rote#tant:# revi#or# +a* )artici)ate. T"e )rote#tee, or "i# or
"er d$l* a$t"ori9ed re)re#entative, "a# t"e ri"t to %e )re#ent and to o%#erve t"e )roceedin#,
'it"o$t t"e ri"t to o%6ect and to la* clai+ to %allot# and election ret$rn#.
Section 8. Bo' to co+)$te ti+e. ! In co+)$tin an* )eriod o( ti+e )re#cri%ed or allo'ed %*
t"e#e R$le#, %* order o( t"e co$rt or %* an* a))lica%le #tat$te, t"e da* o( t"e act or t"e event
+ar&in t"e #tart '"en ti+e %ein# to r$n i# to %e ecl$ded and t"e date o( )er(or+ance
incl$ded. I( t"e la#t da* o( t"e )eriod, a# #o co+)$ted, (all# on a Sat$rda*, a S$nda*, or a leal
"olida* in t"e )lace '"ere t"e co$rt #it#, ti+e #"all not r$n $ntil t"e net 'or&in da*.
Section ;. A+end+ent# li+itation#. ! A(ter t"e e)iration o( t"e )eriod (or t"e (illin o( an
election )rote#t, co$nter3)rote#t or )etition (or >$o 'arranto, #$%#tantial a+end+ent# t"at
%roaden t"e #co)e o( t"e action or introd$ce an additional ca$#e o( action +a* %e allo'ed onl*
$)on leave o( co$rt. Leave o( co$rt +a* %e re($#ed i( t"e +otion (or leave a))ear# to t"e co$rt to
%e intended (or dela*. An* a+end+ent in +atter# o( (or+ ! #$c" a# a de(ect in t"e de#ination o(
t"e )artie# and ot"er clearl* clerical or t*)ora)"ical error# ! +a* #$++aril* corrected %* t"e
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co$rt at an* #tae o( t"e )roceedin#, at it# initiative or on +otion, )rovided t"e correction doe#
not )re6$dice t"e adver#e )art*.
RULE 8
M O T I O N S
Section 1. Motion# +$#t %e in 'ritin. ! All +otion# #"all %e in 'ritin, ece)t (or t"o#e +ade in
o)en co$rt.
Section 2. Proo( o( #ervice nece##ar*. ! T"e co$rt #"all not act on an* 'ritten +otion, ece)t
$)on #$%+itted )roo( o( #ervice on t"e adver#e )art*.
Section -. No "earin# on +otion#. ! No +otion #"all %e #et (or "earin, and no oral ar$+ent
#"all %e allo'ed in #$))ort o( an* +otion, ece)t $)on t"e co$rt:# e)re##.
A +otion #"all %e dee+ed #$%+itted (or re#ol$tion $nle## t"e adver#e )art* (ile# "i# or "er
'ritten o%6ection# 'it"in (ive 8 da*# (ro+ #ervice. T"e co$rt #"all re#olve a +otion 'it"in 8
da*# (ro+ t"e ti+e it i# dee+ed #$%+itted (or re#ol$tion.
RULE ;
PROBI4ITED PLEADINGS
Section 1. Pro"i%ited )leadin# and +otion#. ! T"e (ollo'in )leadin#, +otion# or )etition#
#"all not %e allo'ed in t"e ca#e# covered %* t"e#e R$le#/
a Motion to di#+i## t"e )etition, ece)t on t"e ro$nd o( lac& o( 6$ri#diction over t"e #$%6ect
+atter
% Motion (or a %ill o( )artic$lar#
c De+$rrer to evidence
d Motion (or ne' trial, or (or t"e recon#ideration o( a 6$d+ent, or (or reo)enin o( trial
e Petition (or relie( (ro+ 6$d+ent
( Motion (or eten#ion o( ti+e to (ile )leadin#, a((idavit# or ot"er )a)er#
Me+oranda, ece)t a# )rovided $nder Section , Rile 1- o( t"e#e R$le#
" Motion to declare t"e )rote#tee or t"e re#)ondent in de(a$lt
i Dilator* +otion (or )o#t)one+ent#
6 Motion (or t"e in"i%ition o( t"e )re#idin 6$de, ece)t on clearl* valid ro$nd#
& Re)l* or re6oinder and
l T"ird3)art* co+)laint.
Section 2. Gro$nd# to di#+i## %e #et $) in t"e an#'er. ! All ro$nd# to di#+i## an election
)rote#t or )etition (or >$o 'arranto +$#t %e #et $) or )lea#ed a# a((ir+ative or #)ecial de(en#e#.
De(en#e# not rai#ed are dee+ed 'aived. T"e co$rt +a*, at it# di#cretion, "old a )reli+inar*
"earin on t"e ro$nd# #o )leaded.
RULE
FILING FEES AND CASB DEPOSITS
Section 1. Fillin (ee#. ! No )rote#t, co$nter3)rote#t or )etition (or >$o 'arranto
#"all %e acce)ted (or (illin 'it"o$t t"e )a*+ent o( a (illin (ee in t"e a+o$nt o( T"ree T"o$#and
Pe#o# P-,000.00 (or ever* )rote#t, co$nter3)rote#t or )etition (or >$o 'arranto (iled.
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I( clai+# (or da+ae# and attorne*:# (ee# are #et (ort" in a )rote#t or co$nter3)rote#t, additional
(illin (ee# #"all %e )aid in accordance 'it" t"e #c"ed$le $nder R$le 171 o( t"e R$le# o( Co$rt,
a# a+ended.
Section 2. Ca#" de)o#it. !
a In addition to t"e (ee# )re#cri%ed in t"e )recedin #ection, t"e )rote#tant in an election )rote#t
re>$irin revi#ion or ea+ination o( %allot#, or t"e veri(ication or re3ta%$lation o( election
ret$rn#, or '"ic" +a* re>$ire %rinin co)ie# o( ot"er election doc$+ent# and )ara)"ernalia to
co$rt, #"all +a&e a ca#" de)o#it 'it" t"e co$rt in t"e (ollo'in a+o$nt#/
i. One T"o$#and Pe#o# P1,000.00 (or eac" )recinct covered %* t"e )rote#t or co$nter3)rote#t,
)rovided t"at t"e de)o#it #"all in no ca#e %e le## t"an T'ent*3(ive T"o$#and Pe#o# P28,000.00
to %e )aid $)on t"e (illin o( t"e election )rote#t or co$nter3)rote#t
ii. T'ent*3(ive T"o$#and Pe#o# P28,000.00 (or t"e co#t o( %rinin to co$rt and o( #torin and+aintainin t"e PCOS, t"e con#olidation +ac"ine# and ot"er a$to+ated election )ara)"ernalia
%ro$"t to co$rt a# evidence or a# nece##ar* e>$i)+ent in con#iderin t"e )rote#ted or co$nter3
)rote#ted %allot#
iii. I( t"e a+o$nt to %e de)o#it doe# not eceed One B$ndred T"o$#and Pe#o# P100,000.00, t"e
re>$ired #$+ #"all %e )aid in ($ll 'it"in ten 10 da*# (ro+ t"e (illin o( t"e )rote#t or co$nter3
)rote#t and
iv. I( t"e re>$ired de)o#it #"all eceed One B$ndred T"o$#and Pe#o# P100,000.00, a ca#"
de)o#it in t"e a+o$nt o( One B$ndred T"o$#and Pe#o# P100,000.00 #"all %e +ade 'it"in ten
10 da*# (ro+ t"e (illin o( t"e )rote#t or co$nter3)rote#t. T"e %alance #"all %e )aid in
in#tall+ent# $nder t"e #c"ed$le t"e co$rt +a* re>$ire a(ter "earin t"e Prote#tant or co$nter3Prote#tant on t"e +atter.
T"e ca#" de)o#it #"all %e a))lied %* t"e co$rt to t"e )a*+ent o( t"e co+)en#ation o( revi#or# a#
)rovided $nder Section -, R$le 10 o( t"e#e R$le#, and o( all t"e e)en#e# incidental to revi#ion,
incl$din %$t not li+ited to t"e co#t o( #$))lie# and +i#cellaneo$# e)en#e# o( t"e revi#ion
co++ittee, t"e co#t o( t"e )rod$ction in co$rt and t"e #torae and +aintenance o( a$to+ated
election e>$i)+ent and )ara)"ernalia.
@"en circ$+#tance# #o de+and #$c" a# '"en t"e de)o#it "a# %een or i# a%o$t to %e de)leted,
t"e co$rt +a* re>$ire t"e )a*+ent o( additional ca#" de)o#it#. An* $n$#ed ca#" de)o#it #"all %e
ret$rned to t"e de)o#itin )art* a(ter t"e co+)lete ter+ination o( t"e )rote#t or co$nter3)rote#t.
T"e #a+e a+o$nt o( ca#" de)o#it #"all %e re>$ired (ro+ t"e )rote#tee co$nter3)rote#tant,
#"o$ld contin$ation o( revi#ion %e ordered )$r#$ant to )arara)" 2, Section 10, R$le 10 o( t"e#e
R$le#. Once re>$ired, t"e )rote#tee co$nter3)rote#tant #"all )a* t"e ca#" de)o#it 'it"in a non3
etendi%le )eriod o( t"ree da*# (ro+ recei)t o( t"e co$rt:# order.
% Fail$re to +a&e t"e ca#" de)o#it# re>$ired 'it"in t"e )re#cri%ed ti+e li+it #"all re#$lt in t"e
a$to+atic di#+i##al o( t"e )rote#t or co$nter3)rote#t.
RULE
PRODUCTION AND CUSTODH OF 4ALLOT 4OES, ELECTION DOCUMENTS,
DATA STORAGE DE=ICES AND PCOS MACBINES USED IN TBE ELECTIONS A
Section 1. I##$ance o( )reca$tionar* )rotection order. ! @"ere t"e alleation# in a )rote#t #o
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'arrant, t"e co$rt #"all order ! #i+$ltaneo$#l* 'it" t"e i##$ance o( #$++on# ! t"e +$nici)al
trea#$rer and election o((icer concerned to ta&e i++ediate and a))ro)riate +ea#$re# to #a(e$ard
t"e interit* o( all t"e %allot %oe# and t"e %allot#, t"e li#t# o( voter# and votin record#, t"e
%oo o( voter# and ot"er doc$+ent# or )ara)"ernalia $#ed in t"e election, a# 'ell a# t"e
a$to+ated election e>$i)+ent and record# #$c" a# t"e data #torae device# containin electronic
data evidencin t"e cond$ct and re#$lt# o( election# in t"e conte#ted )recinct#.
Section 2. @"en %allot %oe# and election doc$+ent# are %ro$"t %e(ore t"e co$rt. !
@it"in (ort*3ei"t 7 "o$r# (ro+ recei)t o( an an#'er 'it" co$nter3)rote#t, '"en t"e
alleation# in an )rote#t or co$nter3)rote#t #o 'arrant, t"e co$rt #"all order t"e %allot %oe# 'it"
t"eir &e*#, t"e PCOS and con#olidation +ac"ine#, t"e electronic data #torae device#, t"e li#t# o(
voter# and votin record#, t"e %oo o( voter#, and ot"er doc$+ent# or )ara)"ernalia involved in
t"e )rote#t or co$nter3)rote#t, to %e %ro$"t %e(ore it.
T"e co$rt #"all noti(* t"e )artie# o( t"e date and ti+e o( retrieval and tran#(er (ro+ t"eirre#)ective c$#todian# o( t"e %allot %oe#, t"e PCOS and con#olidation +ac"ine# i( nece##ar*,
t"e electronic# data #torae device# and all ot"er a$to+ated election doc$+ent# and
)ara)"ernalia. T"e )artie# +a* #end re)re#entative# to 'itne## t"e retrieval and tran#(er. T"e
a%#ence, "o'ever, o( a re)re#entative o( a )art* #"all not %e rea#on to )o#t)one or dela* t"e
retrieval or tran#(er o( t"e a%ove3+entioned e>$i)+ent, device# and election doc$+ent#.
T"e co$rt, at it# di#cretion, +a* #ee& t"e a##i#tance o( t"e P"ili))ine National Police PNP or
t"e Ar+ed Force# o( t"e P"ili))ine# in en#$rin t"e #a(e deliver* o( t"e %allot %oe# and t"e
election e>$i)+ent, device# and doc$+ent# to it# c$#tod*.
@"ere an* o( t"e %allot %oe#, %allot#, PCOS +ac"ine#, data #torae device#, election ret$rn#,election doc$+ent# or )ara)"ernalia +entioned a%ove are al#o involved in election conte#t#
%e(ore ot"er (or a #$c" a# t"e Pre#idential Electoral Tri%$nal, t"e Senate Electoral Tri%$nal, t"e
Bo$#e o( Re)re#entative# Electoral Tri%$nal or t"e Co++i##ion on Election# 'it" )re(erential
ri"t# o( c$#tod* and revi#ion in #i+$ltaneo$# )rote#t# $nder COMELEC Re#ol$tion No. 212
dated 1 Octo%er 18, t"e co$rt #"all coordinate 'it" and +a&e t"e a))ro)riate re>$e#t 'it" t"e
"i"er tri%$nal# (or t"e te+)orar* )rior c$#tod* o( %allot %oe#, PCOS +ac"ine#, electronic data
#torae device# and ot"er election doc$+ent# and )ara)"ernalia, or (or t"e #*nc"roni9ation o(
revi#ion activitie#.
T"e e)en#e# nece##ar* and incidental to t"e )rod$ction in co$rt o( t"e %allot %oe# and election
doc$+ent# and t"e )rod$ction, #torae and +aintenance o( PCOS +ac"ine#, data #torae
device#, and a$to+ated election )ara)"ernalia and doc$+ent# #"all %e #"o$ldered and )ro+)tl*
)aid %* t"e )rote#tant and co$nter3)rote#tant in )ro)ortion to t"e )recinct# covered %* t"eir
)rotect# or co$nter3)rote#t#. T"e e)en#e# nece##ar* and incidental to t"e ret$rn o( t"e +aterial#
and doc$+ent# )rod$ced in co$rt to t"eir oriinal c$#todian# or to t"e )ro)er tri%$nal a(ter t"e
ter+ination o( t"e ca#e #"all li&e'i#e %e #"ared )ro)ortionatel* %* t"e )rote#tant and t"e
)rote#tee %a#ed on t"e n$+%er o( )recinct# t"e* re#)ectivel* conte#t.
Section -. Acce## to electronic data in t"e COMELEC %ac&3$) #erver. ! U)on +otion d$l* +ade%a#ed on de+on#trated need, t"e co$rt +a* order t"e COMELEC to )rovide t"e +ovin )art*
acce## to, or to recover and $#e, electronic data (ro+ t"e COMELEC %ac&3$) #erver $nder
condition# and #a(e$ard# re>$ired %* COMELEC.
RULE
PRELIMINARH CONFERENCE
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Section 1. Preli+inar* con(erence +andator*. ! @it"in t"ree - da*# a(ter t"e (illin o( t"e la#t
re#)on#ive )leadin allo'ed %* t"e#e R$le#, or on t"e e)iration o( t"i# )eriod 'it"o$t an*
re#)on#ive )leadin "avin %een (iled, t"e co$rt #"all cond$ct a +andator* )reli+inar*
con(erence a+on t"e )artie# to con#ider/
a T"e #i+)li(ication o( i##$e
% T"e nece##ar* or de#ira%ilit* o( a+end+ent# to t"e )leadin#
c T"e )o##i%ilit* o( o%tainin #ti)$lation# or ad+i##ion o( (act# and o( doc$+ent# to avoid
$nnece##ar* )roo(
d T"e li+itation o( t"e n$+%er o( 'itne##e#
e T"e nat$re o( t"e te#ti+onie# o( t"e 'itne##e# and '"et"er t"e* relate to evidence t"at do not
involve t"e %allot#, or ot"er'i#e
( T"e 'it"dra'al o( certain )rote#ted or co$nter3)rote#ted )recinct#, e#)eciall* t"o#e '"ere t"e
%allot %oe# or %allot# are $navaila%le or are +i##in, cannot %e located, "ave %een de#tro*ed d$eto nat$ral di#a#ter# or cala+itie#, or '"ere t"e PCOS and ot"er electronic data are +i##in
T"e n$+%er o( revi#ion co++ittee# to %e con#tit$ted
" T"e )roced$re to %e (ollo'ed in ca#e t"e election )rote#t or co$nter3)rote#t #ee, '"oll* or
)artiall*, t"e ea+ination o( %allot#, or t"e veri(ication or re3ta%$lation o( election ret$rn#
i T"e )roced$re in "andlin t"e PCOS and t"e ot"er electronic +ac"ine# and data and
6 Ot"er +atter# t"at +a* contri%$te to )ro+)t di#)o#ition o( t"e ca#e.
Section 2. Notice t"ro$" co$n#el. ! T"e notice o( )reli+inar* con(erence #"all %e #erved on
co$n#el or on co$n#el on t"e )art* "i+#el( or "er#el( '"o i# not )re#ented %* co$n#el. Notice to
co$n#el i# to notice to t"e )art*, a# co$n#el i# c"ared 'it" t"e d$t* to noti(* t"e )art*re)re#ented.
Section -. A))earance# o( )artie#. 3 T"e )artie# "ave t"e d$t* to a))ear t"e )er#on %e(ore t"e
co$rt at t"e )reli+inar* con(erence. Co$n#el# a))earin 'it"o$t t"eir client# #"o$ld %e
#)eci(icall* a$t"ori9ed to a))ear (or and to %ind t"eir client# on t"e +atter# covered %* t"e
)reli+inar* con(erence.
Section 7. Preli+inar* con(erence %rie(. ! T"e )artie# #"all (ile 'it" t"e co$rt t"eir re#)ective
)reli+inar* con(erence %rie(# and #erve t"e#e on t"e adver#e )art* in a +anner t"at #"all en#$re
t"e ot"er )art*:# recei)t o( t"e %rie( at lea#t one da* %e(ore t"e date o( t"e )reli+inar*
con(erence. T"e %rie(# #"all contain t"e (ollo'in/
a A #$++ar* o( ad+itted (act# and )ro)o#ed #ti)$lation#
% T"e i##$e# i# to %e tried and re#olved i.e., (or election )rote#t#, t"e alleed (ra$d# or
irre$laritie# co++itted in t"e cond$ct o( t"e election (or >$o 'arranto )roceedin#, t"e ro$nd
(or inelii%ilit* or act# o( di#lo*alt*
c T"e doc$+ent# or e"i%it# to %e )re#ented
d A +ani(e#tation indicatin t"e $#e o( t"e intent to $#e di#cover* )roced$re# or re(erral to
co++i##ioner#e T"e n$+%er and na+e# o( 'itne##e#, t"eir addre##e#, and t"e #$%#tance o( t"eir re#)ective
te#ti+onie#. T"e te#ti+onie# o( 'itne##e# #"all %e %* a((idavit#, in >$e#tion and an#'er (or+,
'"ic" #"all #erve a# t"eir direct te#ti+onie#, #$%6ect to oral cro##3ea+ination
( A +ani(e#tation o( 'it"dra'al o( certain )rote#ted or co$nter )rote#ted )recinct#, i( t"i# i# t"e
ca#e
T"e )ro)o#ed n$+%er o( revi#ion co++ittee# and t"e na+e# o( )ro)o#e# revi#or# and
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alternated revi#or# and
" T"e )roced$re to %e (ollo'ed in ca#e t"e election )rote#t or co$nter )rote#t #ee t"e revi#ion
or ea+ination o( %allot#, or t"e veri(ication or re3ta%$lation o( election ret$rn#.
Section 8. Fail$re to (ile %rie(. 3 T"e (ail$re to (ile t"e re>$ired %rie( or to )rovide t"e %rie(:#
+andator* conte#t# #"all "ave t"e #a+e e((ect a# t"e (ail$re to a))ear at t"e )reli+inar*
con(erence.
Section ;. E((ect o( (ail$re to a))ear. ! T"e (ail$re o( t"e )rote#tant5)etitioner or t"e d$l*
a$t"ori9ed co$n#el to a))ear at t"e )reli+inar* con(erence a$t"ori9e# t"e co$rt, a# it# o'n
initiative, to di#+i## t"e )rote#t, or co$nter3)rote#t or )etition. T"e (ail$re o( t"e
)rote#tee5re#)ondent or o( t"e d$l* a$t"ori9ed co$n#el to a))ear at t"e )reli+inar* con(erence
+a* li&e'i#e "ave t"e e((ect )rovided $nder
Section 7c, R$le 7 o( t"e#e R$le#, i.e., t"e co$rt +a* allo' t"e )rote#tant5)etitioner to )re#entevidence e )arte and render 6$d+ent %a#ed on t"e evidence )re#ented.
Section . Preli+inar* con(erence order. ! T"e co$rt #"all i##$e an order #$++ari9in t"e
+atter# ta&en $) and t"e #ti)$lation# or aree+ent# reac"ed d$rin t"e con(erence 'it"in t"ree
- da*# (ollo'in t"e ter+ination o( t"e )reli+inar* con(erence. T"e co$rt #"all co++ence, t"e
#tartin date o( '"ic" #"all %e 'it"in (ive 8 da*# (ro+ t"e ter+ination o( t"e )reli+inar*
con(erence.
RULE 10
RE=ISION OF 4ALLOTS
Section 1. Start o( revi#ion. ! T"e revi#ion o( %allot# #"all co++ence on t"e date #)eci(ied in t"e
)reli+inar* con(erence order.
Section 2. Revi#ion co++ittee $nder t"e #$)ervi#ion o( t"e co$rt. ! A# +an* revi#ion
co++ittee# a# +a* %e nece##ar* #"all %e con#tit$ted. Eac" revi#ion co++ittee #"all %e
co+)o#ed o( a c"air)er#on and t'o +e+%er#, one o( '"o+ i# de#inated %* t"e )rote#tant and
t"e ot"er %* t"e )rote#tee. T"e co$rt #"all de#inate t"e c"air)er#on and a recorder (ro+ a+on
it# )er#onnel. T"e )artie# #"all al#o de#inate t"eir re#)ective #$%#tit$te revi#or#.
T"e revi#ion co++ittee #"all cond$ct t"e revi#ion in t"e co$rt )re+i#e# or at #$c" ot"er )lace in
t"e co$rt +a* de#inate, in ever* ca#e $nder it# #trict #$)ervi#ion.
T"e revi#or# #"all di#c"are t"eir d$tie# 'it" t"e "i"e#t deree o( interit*, cond$ctin t"e
)roceedin# 'it" t"e #a+e dinit* and di#ci)line t"e co$rt it#el( %rin# to t"e )roceedin#. T"e*
#"all eerci#e etraordinar* dilience and ta&e t"e )reca$tionar* +ea#$re# re>$ire# %* t"i# level
o( dilience to )revent lo##, di#a))earance or i+)air+ent o( t"e interit* o( t"e %allot# and t"e
election doc$+ent#, '"et"er electronic or )rinted, and t"e +i#$#e o( t"e electronic election
+ac"ine#, device# and )ara)"ernalia.
Section -. Co+)en#ation o( t"e revi#or#. 3 T"e co$rt #"all (i t"e co+)en#ation o( t"e revi#or# at
Ei"t B$ndred Pe#o# P00.00 )er %allot %o (or t"e c"air)er#on and T"ree B$ndred Pe#o#
P-00.00 )er %allot %o (or eac" )art* revi#or. T"e )art* revi#or# #"all eac" %e entitled to an
additional )er die+ o( Five B$ndred Pe#o# P800.00 )er da*. T"e co+)en#ation (or a recorder
#"all %e T"ree B$ndred Pe#o# P-00.00 )er %allot %o. T"i# co+)en#ation #"all %e c"area%le
aain#t t"e ca#" de)o#it a# )rovided (or $nder Section2, R$le o( t"e#e R$le#.
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Section 7. Contin$o$# revi#ion#. !
a Period (or revi#ion. ! Revi#ion #"all %e cond$cted (ro+ /-0 a.+. to 12/00 noon and (ro+
1/-0 ).+. to 7/-0 ).+. (ro+ Monda* to Frida*, ece)t on non3'or&in "olida*#. T"e revi#or#
+a* ta&e (i(teen3+in$te %rea d$rin t"e revi#ion.
% Revi#ion to contin$e even i( a )art* revi#or i# a%#ent or late. ! T"e revi#ion #"all %ot %e
dela*ed or )o#t)oned %* rea#on o( t"e a%#ence or tardine## o( a )art*:# revi#or or #$%#tit$te
revi#or, a# lon a# t"e c"air)er#on and one )art* revi#or are )re#ent. T"e co$rt +a* at an* ti+e
de#inate anot"er c"air)er#on i( t"e re$lar c"air)er#on (ail# (or an* rea#on to re)ort.
c I( t"e revi#or o( t"e )rote#tee i# a%#ent or late. 3 I( t"e revi#or o( t"e )rote#tee i# a%#ent or late
(or t"irt* +in$te# and no alternate a))ear# a# a #$%#tit$te, t"e revi#ion #"all nevert"ele##
co++ence. T"e )rote#tee #"all %e dee+ed to "ave 'aived t"e ri"t to a))ear and to o%6ect to t"e
revi#ion o( %allot# +ade d$rin "i# or "er revi#or:# a%#ence or tardine##.
d I( t"e revi#or o( t"e )rote#tant or t"e revi#or# o( %ot" )artie# (ail to a))ear. ! I( t"e
)rote#tant:# revi#or or t"e revi#or# o( %ot" )artie# or t"eir alternate# (ail to a))ear 'it"o$t
6$#ti(ia%le rea#on 'it"in one "o$r a(ter t"e #c"ed$led #tart o( t"e revi#ion, t"e %allot %oe#
#c"ed$led (or revi#ion t"at da* and t"e corre#)ondin %allot %o &e*# in t"e )o##e##ion o( t"e
c"air)er#on, #"all %e ret$rned to t"e co$rt:# %allot %o c$#todian, and t"e %allot# #"all no loner
%e revi#ed, t"e )artie# are dee+ed to "ave 'aived t"eir ri"t to t"e revi#ion (or t"at da*, and t"e
c"air)er#on #"all #tate t"e (act# o( a%#ence and 'aiver in t"e revi#ion re)ort.
Section 8. Pro"i%ited acce##. ! D$rin t"e revi#ion, no )er#on ot"er t"an t"e 6$de, t"e cler& o(t"e co$rt, t"e c"air)er#on and t"e +e+%er# o( t"e revi#ion co++ittee, t"e )artie# and t"eir d$l*
a$t"ori9ed re)re#entative# #"all "ave t"e acce## to t"e revi#ion area.
Section ;. Cond$ct o( revi#ion. ! T"e revi#ion o( t"e vote# on t"e %allot# #"all %e done +an$all*
and vi#$all* and t"ro$" t"e $#e o( a))ro)riate PCOS +ac"ine#, accordin to t"e )roced$re
%elo'/
a On t"e #c"ed$led da* o( revi#ion, t"e (ollo'in, i( needed, #"o$ld %e in t"e c$#tod* o( t"e
co$rt/
it"e %allot %oe# containin t"e %allot# in )rote#ted and co$nter )rote#ted )recinct# and
ii t"e data #torae device# and t"e PCOS +ac"ine# $#ed in t"e )recinct# concerned or an* ot"er
device t"at can %e $#ed to a$t"enticate or a##$re t"e en$inene## o( t"e %allot#
% T"e revi#ion co++ittee #"all initiall* note, %e(ore an*t"in el#e, t"e condition o( t"e %allot
%o and it# loc and loc&in +ec"ani#+, and record t"i# condition in t"e revi#ion re)ort. 4a#ed
on t"i# o%#ervation, t"e revi#ion co++ittee +$#t al#o deter+ine '"et"er t"e interit* o( t"e
%allot %o "a# %een )re#erved.
c T"e %allot %o #"all t"en %e o)ened and t"e %allot# ta&en o$t. T"e valid %allot# #"all (ir#t %e
co$nted, 'it"o$t reard to t"e vote# o%tained %* t"e )artie#. T"i# 'ill %e (ollo'ed %* t"e
co$ntin o( t"e torn, $n$#ed #tra* and re6ected %allot#, a# cla##i(ied at t"e )ollin )lace.
d T"e vote# a))earin in t"e election ret$rn# co)* (or t"e %allot %o #"all t"en %e recorded in
t"e +in$te#.
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e Prior to t"e act$al revi#ion, t"e revi#ion co++ittee +$#t a$t"enticate eac" and ever* %allot to
+a&e #$re t"at it 'a# t"e #a+e %allot# ca#t and (ed to t"e PCOS +ac"ine d$rin t"e votin. T"e
a$t"entication #"all %e t"ro$" t"e $#e o( PCOS +ac"ine# act$all* $#ed d$rin t"e election# in
t"e #$%6ect )recinct, or %* anot"er device certi(ied %* t"e Co++i##ion to %e ca)a%le o(
)er(or+in t"e de#ired a$t"entication re>$ire+ent t"ro$" t"e $#e o( t"e %ar code# and t"e $ltra3
violet ra* code detection +ec"ani#+.
( T"e reco$nt #"all onl* )roceed a(ter t"e revi#ion co++ittee, t"ro$" it# c"air)er#on and
+e+%er#, "a# deter+ined t"at t"e interit* o( t"e %allot# "a# %een )re#erved.
T"e revi#ion co++ittee #"all t"erea(ter )roceed to loo& at t"e %allot# and co$nt t"e indicated
vote# (or t"e conte#ted )o#ition.
" In loo&in at t"e #"ade# or +ar $#ed to rei#ter vote#, t"e revi#ion co++ittee #"all %ear in+ind t"at t"e 'ill o( t"e voter# re(lected a# vote# in t"e %allot# #"all a# +$c" a# )o##i%le %e iven
e((ect, #ettin tec"nicalitie# a#ide.
F$rt"er+ore, t"e vote# are )re#$+ed to "ave %een +ade %* t"e voter and #"all %e #o con#idered
$nle## rea#on# ei#t to 6$#ti(* t"eir re6ection. Bo'ever, +ar or #"ade# t"at are le## t"an 80J o(
t"e oval #"all not %e con#idered a# valid vote#. An* i##$e a# to '"et"er a certain +ar& or #"ade i#
'it"in t"e t"re#"old #"all %e deter+ined %* $#in t"e PCOS +ac"ine, not %* "$+an
deter+ination.
i T"e r$le# on t"e a))reciation o( t"e %allot# $nder Section211 o( t"e O+ni%$# Election Code#"all a))l* #$))letoril* '"en a))ro)riate.
6 T"ere #"all %e a tall* #"eet in at lea#t 8 co)ie#, )l$# additional co)ie# de)endin on t"e
n$+%er o( additional )artie#, t"at #"all %e $#ed to tall* t"e vote# a# t"e* are co$nted t"ro$" t"e
$#e o( tara# and #tic.
& A(ter all t"e %allot# (ro+ one %allot %o "ave %een co$nted, t"e revi#ion co++ittee #"all
#ec$re t"e conte#ted %allot# and co+)lete t"e reco$nt re)ort (or t"e )recinct. T"erea(ter, it #"all
)roceed to reco$nt t"e vote# (ro+ t"e %allot# o( t"e net )recinct.
l In ca#e o( +$lti)le revi#ion co++ittee#, t"e reco$nt #"all %e done #i+$ltaneo$#l*.
+ In t"e event t"at t"e revi#ion co++ittee deter+ine# t"at t"e interit* o( t"e %allot# and t"e
%allot %o "ave not %een )re#erved, a# '"en )roo( o( ta+)erin or #$%#tit$tion ei#t#, it #"all
)roceed to in#tr$ct t"e )rintin o( t"e )ict$re i+ae o( t"e %allot# #tored in t"e data #torae
device (or t"e )recinct. T"e co$rt #"all )rovide a non3)arti#an tec"nical )er#on '"o #"all cond$ct
t"e nece##ar* a$t"entication )roce## to en#$re t"at t"e data or i+ae #tored i# en$ine and not a
#$%#tit$te. Onl* a(ter t"i# deter+ination can t"e )rinted )ict$re i+ae %e $#ed (or t"e reco$nt,
Section . Pre)aration and #$%+i##ion o( revi#ion re)ort. ! T"e co++ittee #"all )re)are and
#$%+it to t"e co$rt a revi#ion re)ort )er )recinct #tatin t"e (ollo'in/
a t"e )recinct n$+%er
% t"e date, t"e )lace and t"e ti+e o( revi#ion
c t"e vote# o( t"e )artie# )er )"*#ical co$nt
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d t"e condition and t"e #erial n$+%er# o( t"e (ollo'in/.
i %allot %oe#
ii #el(3loc&in #ec$rit* +etal or )la#tic #eal# inner and o$ter and )adloc o( t"e %allot %oe#
iii #ec$rit* envelo)e# containin t"e election ret$rn# and
iv n$+%ered )a)er #eal o( t"e envelo)e#
e i( re>$ired, t"e availa%ilit* o( and ot"er circ$+#tance# attendant to t"e PCOS +ac"ine# and
ot"er a$to+ated election device# and )ara)"ernalia $#ed in t"e revi#ion
( t"e vote# o( t"e )artie# )er t"e %allot %o co)* o( t"e election ret$rn# and )er t"e tall*
#"eet5%oard (o$nd in#ide t"e %allot %o
t"e n$+%er o( %allot# o%6ected to %* t"e )artie# indicatin t"erein t"e e"i%it n$+%er#
" t"e ro$nd# o( o%6ection#
i t"e n$+%er o( #tra* %allot#
6 t"e clai+# on %allot# 'it" t"eir e"i%it n$+%er# and& t"e entrie# in t"e Min$te# o( =otin and Co$ntin, )artic$larl*/
i t"e n$+%er o( rei#tered voter#
ii t"e n$+%er o( voter# '"o act$all* voted
iii t"e n$+%er o( o((icial %allot#, toet"er 'it" t"eir #erial n$+%er#, $#ed in t"e election
iv t"e n$+%er i( %allot# act$all* $#ed indicatin t"e #erial n$+%er# o( t"e %allot# and
v t"e $n$#ed %allot# toet"er 'it" t"eir #erial n$+%er#.
T"e revi#ion (or+# #"all %e +ade availa%le )rior to t"e revi#ion. T"e )er3)recinct revi#ion re)ort
#"all %e #ined and certi(ied %* t"e c"air)er#on and %* t"e )artie#: revi#or#, and #"all (or+ )arto( t"e record# o( t"e ca#e.
In addition to t"e )er3)recinct revi#ion re)ort, t"e revi#ion co++ittee #"all al#o )re)are and
#$%+it to t"e co$rt, 'it"in t"ree da*# (ro+ ter+ination o( t"e revi#ion, a co++ittee re)ort
#$++ari9in t"e data, vote#, %allot o%6ection# and clai+#, and #ini(icant o%#ervation# +ade
d$rin t"e revi#ion o( %allot# (ro+ t"e )rote#ted )recinct# and later (ro+ t"e co$nter3)rote#ted
)recinct#, i( #o cond$cted %a#ed on t"e )rovi#ion# o( Section 10 %elo'. Eac" )art* ($rni#"ed 'it"
a co)* o( t"e co++ittee re)ort +a* #$%+it it# co++ent# t"ereon 'it"in a non3etendi%le )eriod
o( t"ree - da*# (ro+ notice.
Section . Order o( revi#ion. ! Revi#ion o( %allot# #"all #tart 'it" t"o#e (ro+ t"e )rote#ted
)recinct# , #$%6ect to t"e )rovi#ion# o( Section 10 t"ereo(.
Section . In>$ir* a# to #ec$rit* +ar&in# and vital in(or+ation relative to %allot# and election
doc$+ent#. ! @"en a revi#ion o( %allot# i# ordered, and (or t"e $idance o( t"e revi#or#, t"e
co$rt #"all in>$ire a%o$t t"e #ec$rit* +ar&in# on t"e %allot# and t"e #ec$rit* +ea#$re# $#ed in
t"e election doc$+ent# (ro+ t"e C"air)er#on o( COMELEC '"o #"all %e o%lied to indicate t"i#
+ar&in#, +ea#$re# and ot"er vital in(or+ation t"at +a* aid t"e co$rt in deter+inin t"e
a$t"enticit* o( t"e %allot# and election doc$+ent#. T"e )artie# #"all %e noti(ied o( t"e re#$lt# o(t"i# in>$ir*.
Section 10. Po#t3revi#ion deter+ination o( t"e +erit or leiti+ac* o( t"e )rote#t
)rior to revi#ion o( t"e co$nter3)rote#t. ! I++ediatel* a(ter t"e revi#ion or ea+ination o(
%allot#, or t"e veri(ication or re3ta%$lation o( election ret$rn# in all )rote#ted )recinct#, t"e
)rote#tant #"all %e re>$ired to )oint to a n$+%er o( )recinct#, corre#)ondin to t'ent* )ercent
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20J o( t"e total o( t"e revi#ed )rote#ted )recinct#, t"at 'ill %e#t atte#t to t"e vote# recovered,
ore t"at 'ill %e#t ee+)li(* t"e (ra$d or irre$laritie# )leaded in t"e )rote#t. In t"e +ean'"ile,
t"e revi#ion or ea+ination o( t"e %allot#, or t"e veri(ication or re3ta%$lation o( election ret$rn#
in t"e co$nter3)rote#ted )recinct#, #"all %e #$#)ended (or a )eriod not eceedin (i(teen da*# to
allo' t"e co$rt to )reli+inaril* deter+ine, t"ro$" t"e a))reciation o( %allot# and ot"er
#$%+itted election doc$+ent#, t"e +erit o( leiti+ac* o( t"e )rote#t %a#ed in t"e c"o#en t'ent*
)ercent 20J o( t"e )rote#ted )recinct#.
4a#ed on t"e re#$lt# o( t"i# )o#t3revi#ion )reli+inar* deter+ination, t"e co$rt +a* di#+i## t"e
)rote#t 'it"o$t ($rt"er )roceedin# i( t"e validit* o( t"e ro$nd# (or t"e )rote#t i# no e#ta%li#"ed
%* t"e evidence (ro+ t"e c"o#en t'ent* )ercent 20J o( t"e )rote#ted )recinct# or )roceed
'it" t"e revi#ion or ea+ination i( t"e %allot#, or t"e veri(ication or re3ta%$lation o( election
ret$rn# in t"e co$nter3)rote#ted )recinct#. In t"e latter ca#e, t"e )rote#tee #"all %e re>$ired to )a*
t"e ca#" de)o#it 'it"in a non3etendi%le )eriod o( t"ree - da*# (ro+ notice.
Section 11. Contin$ation o( t"e a))reciation o( %allot#. 3 I( t"e co$rt decide# not to di#+i## t"e
)rote#t a(ter t"e )reli+inar* ea+ination o( t"e evidence (ro+ t"e c"o#e t'ent* )ercent 20J o(
t"e )rote#ted )recinct#, revi#ion 'it" re#)ect to t"e re+ainin )recinct# #"all )roceed at t"e #a+e
ti+e t"at t"e %allot# or election doc$+ent# (ro+ t"e co$nter3)rote#ted )recinct# are %ein
revi#ed. A(ter co+)letion o( t"e revi#ion o( t"e )rote#ted )recinct#, t"e co$rt #"all )roceed 'it"
t"e a))reciation and revi#ion o( %allot# (ro+ t"e co$nter3)rote#ted )recinct#.
RULE 11
TECBNICAL EAMINATION
Section 1. Motion ( or tec"nical ea+ination content#. ! Ece)t '"en t"e )rote#t or co$nter3
)rote#t involve# alleation o( +a##ive #$%#tit$te votin, a )art* +a* +ove (or t"e tec"nical
ea+ination o( t"e )re#ented evidence 'it"in (ive 8 da*# a(ter co+)letion o( t"e revi#ion in t"e
)rote#t or co$nter3)rote#t, #)eci(*in/
a T"e nat$re o( t"e tec"nical ea+ination re>$e#ted e.., (iner)rint ea+ination, etc.
% T"e doc$+ent# or +ac"ine#5e>$i)+ent to %e #$%6ected to tec"nical ea+ination
c T"e o%6ection# +ade in t"e co$r#e o( t"e revi#ion o( %allot# '"ic" t"e +ovant intend# to
#$%#tantiate 'it" t"e re#$lt# o( t"e tec"nical ea+ination and
d T"e %allot# covered %* t"e#e o%6ection#.
Section 2. Tec"nical ea+ination ti+e li+it#. ! T"e co$rt +a* rant t"e +otion (or tec"nical
ea+ination at it# di#cretion and $nder t"e condition# it +a* i+)o#e. I( t"e +otion i# ranted, t"e
tec"nical ea+ination #"all #tart 'it"in (ive 8 da*# (ro+ notice to %ot" )artie#, and #"all %e
co+)leted 'it"in t"e )eriod #)eci(ied %* t"e co$rt, in no ca#e to eceed to t'ent* #$cce##ive
'or&in da*#, $nle## t"e co$rt rant# an eten#ion %a#ed on ece)tionall* +eritorio$# ro$nd. A
)art* +a* attend t"e tec"nical ea+ination eit"er )er#onall* or t"ro$" a re)re#entative.
Bo'ever t"e tec"nical ea+ination #"all )roceed 'it" or 'it"o$t t"e attendance o( a )art*,
)rovided t"at t"e d$e notice "a# %een iven.
T"e e)en#e# (or tec"nical ea+ination #"all %e (or t"e acco$nt o( t"e )art* re>$e#tin t"e
ea+ination. T"e tec"nical ea+ination #"all %e $nder t"e #$)ervi#ion o( t"e cler& o( co$rt.
Section -. E)ert# '"o #"all )rovide. ! E)ert# nece##ar* (or t"e cond$ct o( tec"nical
ea+ination #"all %e )rovided %* t"e )art* re>$e#tin t"e #a+e and +a* co+e (ro+ t"e National
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4$rea$ o( Inve#tiation, t"e PNP Cri+e La%orator*, t"e Co++i##ion on Election#, t"e
De)art+ent o( Science and Tec"nolo*, or e)ert# (ro+ t"e )rivate #ector. T"e ot"er )art* +a*
#ec$re t"e #ervice# o( "i# or "er o'n e)ert '"o +a* onl* o%#erve, not inter(ere 'it", t"e
ea+ination cond$cted %* t"e +ovant:# e)ert#.
RULE 12
PBOTOCOPHING OF 4ALLOTS
Section 1. P"otoco)*in #i+$ltaneo$# 'it" revi#ion. ! On t"e +otion o( a )art*, t"e co$rt +a*
allo' t"e )"otoco)*in o( %allot# and election doc$+ent#, $)on #$c" ter+# and condition# a# t"e
co$rt +a* i+)o#e. T"e )"otoco)*in, i( allo'ed, +$#t #tart at t"e co++ence+ent o( revi#ion
and, a# (ar a# )ractica%le, +$#t %e co+)leted #i+$ltaneo$#l* 'it" t"e ter+ination o( revi#ion.
Section 2. @"ere cond$cted )artie# to )rovide o'n )"otoco)*in $nit#. ! P"otoco)*in #"all %e
done 'it"in t"e )re+i#e# o( t"e co$rt, near t"e revi#ion area, and #"all %e $nder t"e #$)ervi#iono( t"e cler& o( co$rt. T"e re>$e#tin )art* #"all )rovide an e((icient )"otoco)*in $nit and #"all
%ear all attendant e)en#e#.
Section -. Co)*in or re)rod$ction o( electronic data. ! On t"e +otion o( a )art*, t"e co$rt +a*
allo' t"e re)rod$ction o( electronic data t"at are #$%+itted a# evidence, or t"at are 'it"in t"e
c$#tod* and control o( t"e COMELEC $nder t"e condition# and #a(e$ard# t"e COMELEC #"all
re>$ire. T"e co#t# and e)en#e# #"all %e (or t"e acco$nt o( t"e )art* #ee&in t"e re)rod$ction.
RULE 1-
PRESENTATION OF E=IDENCE
Section 1. Pre#entation and rece)tion o( evidence order o( "earin. ! I( at t"e )reli+inar*
con(erence t"e )artie# "ave areed on i##$e# t"at do not involve t"e ea+ination and
a))reciation o( %allot# or ot"er election doc$+ent# e.., vote3%$*in, (ra$d, terrori#+ or
violence, t"e rece)tion o( evidence on t"e i##$e#, incl$din t"e te#ti+onie# o( 'itne##e#, #"all %e
done #i+$ltaneo$#l* 'it" t"e revi#ion o( %allot# t"at +a* %e re>$ired.
T"e rece)tion o( evidence on all ot"er +atter# or i##$e# incidental to or involvin t"e %allot# and
related election doc$+ent# #"all %e +ade $)on co+)letion o( a t"e revi#ion o( %allot# or
election doc$+ent# or % t"e tec"nical ea+ination, i( allo'ed %* t"e co$rt $nder t"e
)rovi#ion# o( R$le 11 o( t"e#e R$le#.
Rece)tion o( evidence #"all %e +ade in accordance 'it" t"e (ollo'in order o( "earin/
a T"e )rote#tant or )etitioner #"all )re#ent evidence in #$))ort o( t"e )rote#t or )etition
% T"e )rote#tee or re#)ondent #"all t"en add$ce evidence in #$))ort o( t"e de(en#e,
co$nterclai+ or co$nter3)rote#t, i( an*
c T"e )artie# +a* t"en re#)ectivel* o((er re%$ttal evidence onl*, $nle## t"e co$rt (or ood
rea#on# and in t"e ($rt"erance o( 6$#tice, )er+it# t"e+ to o((er evidence on t"eir oriinal ca#e
and
d No #$r3re%$ttal evidence #"all %e allo'ed.
In o((erin te#ti+onial evidence, t"e )art* #"all re>$ire t"e )ro)o#ed 'itne## to eec$te an
a((idavit '"ic" #"all %e con#idered a# t"e 'itne##: direct te#ti+on*, #$%6ect to t"e ri"t o( t"e
adver#e )art* to o%6ect to it# inad+i##i%le )ortion# and to orall* cro##3ea+ine t"e 'itne##. T"e
a((idavit #"all %e %a#ed on )er#onal &no'lede, #"all #et (ort" (act# a# 'o$ld %e ad+i##i%le in
evidence, and #"all #"o' a((ir+ativel* t"at t"e a((iant i# co+)etent to te#ti(* on t"e #tated
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+atter#. T"e a((idavit #"all %e in >$e#tion and an#'er (or+, and #"all %e #$%+itted to t"e co$rt
and #erved on t"e adver#e )art* at lea#t t"ree - da*# %e(ore t"e "earin.
Fail$re to #$%+it t"e a((idavit o( 'itne## 'it"in t"e #)eci(ied ti+e #"all con#tit$te a 'aiver o( t"e
)art*:# ri"t to )re#ent te#ti+onial evidence.
T"e one3da*3cro##3ea+ination3o( 'itne## r$le ! i.e., t"at a 'itne## "a# to %e ($ll* cro##3
ea+ined on one da* ! #"all #trictl* %e (ollo'ed, #$%6ect to t"e co$rt:# di#cretion to etend t"e
cro##3ea+ination (or 6$#ti(ia%le rea#on#.
T"e revi#ion re)ort#, a# 'ell a# t"e %allot# o%6ected to or clai+ed %* t"e )artie# and t"e #$%+itted
electronic evidence, #"all a$to+aticall* (or+ )art o( co$rt record# and +a* %e ado)ted %* t"e
ot"er )artie# a# t"eir evidence.
Section 2. O((er o( evidence. ! T"e co$rt #"all not con#ider an* evidence t"at "a# not %een
(or+all* o((ered. O((er o( evidence #"all %e done orall* on t"e la#t da* o( "earin allo'ed (or
eac" )art* a(ter t"e )re#entation o( t"e )art*:# la#t 'itne##. T"e o))o#in )art* #"all %e re>$iredto i++ediatel* inter)o#e o%6ection# to t"e o((er. T"e co$rt #"all r$le on t"e o((er o( evidence in
o)en co$rt. Bo'ever, t"e co$rt +a*, at it# di#cretion, allo' t"e )art* to +a&e an o((er o(
evidence in 'ritin, '"ic" #"all %e #$%+itted 'it"in t"ree da*# (ro+ notice o( t"e co$rt:# order.
I( t"e co$rt re6ect# an* evidence o((ered, t"e )art* +a* +a&e a tender o( t"e ecl$ded evidence.
Section -. Rece)tion o( evidence contin$o$#. ! Rece)tion o( evidence, once co++enced, #"all
contin$e (ro+ da* to da*, a# (ar a# )ractica%le, $ntil ($ll* co+)leted or ter+inated at t"e co$rt:#
order. In no ca#e #"all t"e entire )eriod (or rece)tion o( evidence eceed ten #$cce##ive da*# (or
eac" )art*, (ro+ t"e (ir#t da* rece)tion o( evidence #tart#, $nle## ot"er'i#e a$t"ori9ed %* t"e
S$)re+e Co$rt.
Section 7. Ad6o$rn+ent# and )o#t)one+ent#. ! No +otion (or )o#t)one+ent #"all %e allo'ed,
ece)t (or clearl* +eritorio$# rea#on#. In no ca#e #"all t"e re#ettin o( "earin# "ave an interval
eceedin t"ree calendar da*#, nor #"all t"e )o#t)one+ent# o( "earin ranted to eac" )art*
eceed t"ree -. T"e (ilin o( dilator* )leadin# or +otion# #"all con#tit$te direct conte+)t o(
co$rt and #"all %e )$ni#"ed accordinl*.
Section 8. 4$rden o( )roo(. ! 4$rden o( )roo( i# t"e d$t* o( a )art* to )re#ent evidence o( t"e
(act# in i##$e to e#ta%li#" "i# or "er clai+ or de(en#e.
Section ;. Di#)$ta%le )re#$+)tion#. ! T"e (ollo'in )re#$+)tion# are con#idered a# e#ta%li#"ed
(act#, $nle## contradicted and overco+e %* ot"er evidence/
a On t"e election )roced$re/
i T"e election o( candidate# 'a# "eld on t"e date and at t"e ti+e #et and in t"e )ollin )lace
deter+ined %* t"e Co++i##ion on Election#
ii T"e 4oard# o( Election In#)ector# 'ere d$l* con#tit$ted and orani9ed
iii Political )artie# and candidate# 'ere d$l* re)re#ented %* )oll'atc"er#
iv Poll'atc"er# 'ere a%le to )er(or+ t"eir ($nction#v T"e Min$te# o( =otin and Co$ntin contain# all t"e incident# t"at tran#)ired %e(ore t"e
4oard o( Election In#)ector# and
vi T"e A$dit Lo contain# t"e li#t o( all activitie# )er(or+ed %* t"e PCOS +ac"ine# (ro+ t"e
ti+e it 'a# )o'ered on $ntil it 'a# t$rned o((.
% On election )ara)"ernalia/
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i 4allot# and election ret$rn# t"at %ear t"e #ec$rit* +ar&in# and (eat$re# )re#cri%ed %* t"e
Co++i##ion on Election# are en$ine
ii T"e data and in(or+ation #$))lied %* t"e +e+%er# o( t"e 4oard# o( Election In#)ector# in
t"e acco$nta%le (or+# are tr$e and correct and
iii T"e allocation, )ac&in and di#tri%$tion o( election doc$+ent# or )ara)"ernalia 'ere
)ro)erl* and ti+el* done
iv T"e PCOS and con#olidation +ac"ine# and t"e data #torae device# are all in order, and t"e
data enerated re(lect t"e activitie# entered in t"e#e electronic +ac"ine# and device#.
c On a))reciation o( %allot#/
i A %allot 'it" a))ro)riate #ec$rit* +ar&in# i# valid
ii T"e %allot re(lect# t"e intent o( t"e voter
iii T"e %allot 'a# )ro)erl* acco+)li#"ediv A voter )er#onall* )re)ared one %allot, ece)t in t"e ca#e o( a##i#tor# and
v T"e eerci#e o( one:# ri"t to vote 'a# vol$ntar* and (ree.
Section . S$%+i##ion o( +e+oranda. ! T"e co$rt +a* allo' t"e )artie# to #$%+it t"eir
re#)ective +e+oranda 'it"in a non3etendi%le )eriod o( ten 10 da*# (ro+ t"e ver%al r$lin o(
t"e co$rt on t"e la#t o((er o( e"i%it# or, i( t"e o((er 'a# +ade in 'ritin, 'it"in ten 10 da*#
(ro+ recei)t o( t"e 'ritten r$lin o( t"e co$rt. No #$))le+ental, re)l* or re%$ttal +e+orand$+
#"all %e allo'ed.
RULE 17D E C I S I O N
Section 1. Rendition o( deci#ion. ! T"e co$rt #"all decide t"e election conte#t 'it"in t"irt* -0
da*# (ro+ t"e date t"e ca#e i# #$%+itted (or deci#ion, in no ca#e %e*ond #i ; +ont"# a(ter it#
(ilin, $nle## t"e S$)re+e Co$rt a$t"ori9e# an eten#ion in 'ritin. Fail$re to co+)l* 'it" t"i#
ti+eline #"all %e con#idered a #erio$# o((en#e and #"all %e a ro$nd (or di#ci)linar* action
aain#t t"e 6$de. In addition, #i ; +ont"# a(ter t"e #$%+i##ion o( t"e ca#e (or deci#ion, t"e
6$de #"all %e relieved o( all d$tie# and ($nction# ece)t to decide t"e election ca#e.
An election )rote#t i# dee+ed #$%+itted (or deci#ion a(ter co+)letion o( t"e rece)tion o(
evidence or, i( t"e )artie# 'ere allo'ed to #$%+it +e+oranda, $)on #$%+i##ion o( t"eir
+e+oranda or t"e e)iration o( t"e )eriod (or t"eir (ilin, '"ic"ever i# earlier. In an election
)rote#t, t"e 'inner #"all %e t"e candidate '"o o%tained t"e )l$ralit* o( t"e valid vote# ca#t.
Section 2. For+ o( deci#ion in election )rote#t#. ! A(ter t"e ter+ination o( t"e revi#ion o( %allot#
and %e(ore renderin it# deci#ion in an election )rote#t t"at involved a revi#ion, t"e co$rt #"all
ea+ine and a))reciate t"e oriinal %allot#.
T"e co$rt, in it# a))reciation o( t"e %allot# and in r$lin on t"e )artie#: clai+# and o%6ection#,#"all o%#erve t"e (ollo'in r$le#/
a On +ar&ed %allot# ! T"e co$rt +$#t #)eci(* and )oint to t"e +ar&in clearl* indicatin t"e
voter:# intent to identi(* t"e %allot.
% On (a&e or #)$rio$# %allot#, election doc$+ent, +ac"ine, device or )ara)"ernalia ! T"e co$rt
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+$#t #)eci(* t"e COMELEC #ec$rit* +ar&in# or (eat$re# t"at are not (o$nd in t"e %allot,
election doc$+ent#, +ac"ine, device or )ara)"ernalia con#idered (a&e or #)$rio$#, or t"e
o)eration or a#)ect# o( t"e +ac"ine, device or )ara)"ernalia t"at re#$lted in (a&e or #)$rio$#
re#$lt#
c On #tra* %allot# ! T"e co$rt +$#t #)eci(* and #tate in detail '"* t"e %allot# are con#idered
#tra*
d On clai+ed %allot# ! T"e co$rt +$#t #)eci(* t"e eact %a#i# (or ad+ittin clai+ed vote# or
creditin t"e#e to eit"er )art*.
Section -. Several 6$d+ent#. ! In a )rote#t or )etition aain#t #everal )rote#tee# or re#)ondent#,
t"e co$rt +a*, '"en a #everal 6$d+ent i# )ro)er, render 6$d+ent aain#t one or +ore o( t"e+,
leavin t"e )rote#t or )etition to )roceed aain#t t"e ot"er#.
Section 7. Pro+$lation o( deci#ion. ! T"e deci#ion #ined %* t"e )re#idin 6$de #"all %e
)ro+$lated %* readin it# di#)o#itive )ortion in o)en co$rt on a date #et 'it" notice to t"e)artie# and (ilin t"e deci#ion 'it" t"e cler& o( co$rt or %* t"e deliver* o( a co)* o( t"e #ined
deci#ion to t"e cler& o( co$rt, '"o #"all (ort"'it" indicate t"e date o( rendition and ca$#e tr$e
co)ie# t"ereo( to %e #erved, )er#onall* or %* rei#tered +ail, on t"e co$n#el# or on t"e )artie# i(
t"e* are not re)re#ented %* co$n#el.
Section 8. Finalit* o( deci#ion. ! T"e co$rt:# )ro+$lated deci#ion #"all %eco+e (inal and
eec$tor* (ive 8 da*# a(ter recei)t o( notice %* t"e )artie# i( no a))eal i# ta&en.
Section ;. Entr* o( 6$d+ent. ! I( no a))eal i# (iled 'it"in t"e ti+e )rovided in t"e#e R$le#, t"e
6$d+ent #"all %e entered %* t"e cler& in t"e %oo& o( entrie# o( 6$d+ent#. T"e date o( (inalit* o(t"e 6$d+ent #"all %e t"e date o( it# entr*. T"e record #"all contain t"e di#)o#itive )art o( t"e
6$d+ent and #"all %e #ined %* t"e cler&, 'it" a certi(icate t"at t"e 6$d+ent "a# %eco+e (inal
and eec$tor*.
Section . Notice o( (inal deci#ion. ! A# #oon a# t"e deci#ion %eco+e# (inal, t"e cler& o( co$rt
#"all #end notice# to t"e COMELEC, t"e De)art+ent o( t"e Interior and Local Govern+ent, and
t"e Co++i##ion on A$dit.
Section . A))eal. ! An arieved )art* +a* a))eal t"e deci#ion to t"e COMELEC 'it"in (ive
8 da*# a(ter )ro+$lation, %* (ilin a notice o( a))eal 'it" t"e co$rt t"at rendered t"e deci#ion,
'it" co)* #erved on t"e adver#e co$n#el or on t"e adver#e )art* '"o i# not re)re#ented %*
co$n#el.
Section . A))eal (ee. ! T"e a))ellant in an election conte#t #"all )a* to t"e co$rt t"at rendered
t"e deci#ion an a))eal (ee o( One T"o$#and Pe#o# P1,000.00, #i+$ltaneo$#l* 'it" t"e (ilin o(
t"e notice o( a))eal.
Section 10. I++ediate tran#+ittal o( record# o( t"e ca#e. ! T"e cler& o( co$rt #"all, 'it"in (i(teen
18 da*# (ro+ t"e (ilin o( t"e notice o( a))eal, tran#+it to t"e Electoral Conte#t# Ad6$dicationDe)art+ent, COMELEC, t"e co+)lete record# o( t"e ca#e, toet"er 'it" all t"e evidence,
incl$din t"e oriinal and t"ree co)ie# o( t"e tran#cri)t o( #tenora)"ic note# o( t"e )roceedin#.
Section 11. Eec$tion )endin a))eal. ! On +otion o( t"e )revailin )art* 'it" notice to t"e
adver#e )art*, t"e co$rt, at it# di#cretion and '"ile #till in )o##e##ion o( t"e oriinal record#, +a*
order t"e eec$tion o( it# deci#ion %e(ore t"e e)iration o( t"e )eriod to a))eal, #$%6ect to t"e
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(ollo'in r$le#/
a Eec$tion )endin a))eal #"all not i##$e ece)t $)on +otion and "earin 'it" )rior notice o(
t"e +otion o( at lea#t t"ree - da*# to t"e adver#e )art*. T"e +otion (or eec$tion )endin
a))eal +$#t %e #$))orted %* ood rea#on# cited and #tated %* t"e co$rt in a #)ecial order. T"e#e
rea#on# +$#t/
i con#tit$te #$)erior circ$+#tance# de+andin $renc* t"at 'o$ld o$t'ei" t"e in6$r* or
da+ae, #"o$ld t"e lo#in )art* #ec$re a rever#al o( t"e 6$d+ent on a))eal and
ii +ani(e#t, in t"e deci#ion #o$"t to %e eec$ted, t"at t"e de(eat o( t"e )rote#tee or t"e victor*
o( t"e )rote#tant "a# %een clearl* e#ta%li#"ed.
% I( t"e co$rt rant# an eec$tion )endin a))eal, an arieved )art* #"all "ave t'ent* 'or&in
da*# (ro+ notice o( t"e #)ecial order 'it"in '"ic" to #ec$re a re#trainin order or #tat$# >$o
order (ro+ t"e S$)re+e Co$rt or t"e COMELEC. T"e corre#)ondin 'rit o( eec$tion #"alli##$e a(ter t'ent* 20 da*# i( no re#trainin order or #tat$# >$o order i# i##$ed. D$rin t"e
t'ent* 203da* )eriod, t"e i##$ance o( a 'rit o( eec$tion )endin a))eal #"all %e #ta*ed.
Section 12. $ri#diction o( t"e Co++i##ion on Election# in certiorari ca#e#. ! T"e COMELEC
"a# t"e a$t"orit* to i##$e t"e etraordinar* 'rit# o( certiorari, )ro"i%ition and +anda+$# onl* in
aid o( it# a))ellate 6$ri#diction over deci#ion# o( t"e co$rt# in election ca#e# involvin elective
+$nici)al o((icial#.
Section 1-. Pre(erential di#)o#ition o( election conte#t#. ! T"e co$rt# #"all ive )re(erence to
election conte#t# over all ot"er ca#e#, ece)t )etition# (or "a%ea# cor)$# and (or t"e 'rit# o(a+)aro and "a%ea# data.
RULE 18
COSTS, DAMAGES AND ATTORNEH:S FEES
Section 1. Co#t# '"en allo'ed. ! Co#t# #"all %e allo'ed to t"e )revailin )art* a# a +atter o(
co$r#e. T"e co$rt #"all "ave t"e )o'er, (or #)ecial rea#on#, to a))ortion t"e co#t#, a# +a* %e
e>$ita%le. T"e co$rt +a* render 6$d+ent (or co#t# i( a )rote#t, a co$nter3)rote#t or a )etition (or
>$o 'arranto i# di#+i##ed. @"en a )rote#t, a co$nter3)rote#t or a )etition (or >$o 'arranto i#
(o$nd to %e (rivolo$#, do$%le or tre%le co#t# +a* %e i+)o#ed on t"e )rote#tant, t"e co$nter3
)rote#tant or t"e )etitioner.
Section 2. Da+ae# and attorne*:# (ee#. ! In all election conte#t#, t"e co$rt +a* ad6$dicate
da+ae# and attorne*:# (ee# a# it +a* dee+ 6$#t and a# e#ta%li#"ed %* t"e evidence, i( t"e
arieved )art* "a# incl$ded t"e#e clai+# in t"e )leadin#.
RULE 1;
ELECTRONIC E=IDENCE
Section 1. Oriinal o( an electronic doc$+ent or data. ! An electronic doc$+ent or data #"all %e
rearded a# t"e e>$ivalent o( an oriinal doc$+ent $nder t"e 4e#t Evidence R$le i( it i# a
)rinto$t or an o$t)$t reada%le %* #i"t or ot"er +ean# and #"o'n to re(lect t"e data acc$ratel*.
Section 2. Co)ie# a# e>$ivalent o( t"e oriinal#. When a document is in two or more
copies executed at or about the same time with identical contents, or is a
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counterpart produced by the same impression as the original, or from the same
matrix, or by mechanical or electronic re-recording, or by chemical reproduction, or
by other equivalent techniques that accurately reproduce the original, such copies
or duplicates s
l be regarded as the equivalent of the original.
Not'it"#tandin t"e (oreoin, co)ie# or d$)licate# #"all not %e ad+i##i%le to t"e #a+e etent a#
t"e oriinal i(/
a a en$ine >$e#tion i# rai#ed a# to t"e a$t"enticit* o( t"e oriinal or
% $nder t"e circ$+#tance#, it 'o$ld %e $n6$#t or ine>$ita%le to ad+it t"e co)* in lie$ o( t"e
oriinal.
Section -. A((idavit a# evidence. ! All +atter# relatin to t"e ad+i##i%ilit* and evidentiaryweight of an electronic document may be established by an adavit stating facts ofdirect personal knowledge of the aant or based on authentic records. he adavitmust armatively show the competence of the aant to testify on the matterscontained therein. he aant shall be made to arm the contents of the adavit inopen session and may be cross-examined as a matter of right by the adverse party.
RULE 1
AUTBENTICATION OF ELECTRONIC DOCUMENTS AND DATA
Section 1. 4$rden o( )rovin a$t"enticit*. ! T"e )er#on #ee&in to introd$ce an electronic
doc$+ent in an election )rote#t "a# t"e %$rden o( )rovin it# a$t"enticit* in t"e +anner )rovided
in t"i# R$le.Section 2. Manner o( a$t"entication. ! 4e(ore an* electronic doc$+ent or data o((ered a#
a$t"entic i# received in evidence, it# a$t"enticit* +$#t %e )roved %* an* o( t"e (ollo'in +ean#/
a 4* evidence t"at it "a# %een diitall* #ined %* t"e )er#on )$r)orted to "ave #ined it.
Diitall* #ined re(er# to an electronic doc$+ent or electronic data +e##ae %earin a diital
#inat$re veri(ied %* t"e )$%lic &e* li#ted in a certi(icate.
% 4* evidence t"at ot"er a))ro)riate #ec$rit* )roced$re# or device# (or a$t"entication o(
electronic doc$+ent# a$t"ori9ed %* t"e S$)re+e Co$rt or %* la' (or t"e a$t"entication o(
electronic doc$+ent# 'ere a))lied to t"e doc$+ent orc 4* ot"er evidence #"o'in it# interit* and relia%ilit* to t"e #ati#(action o( t"e 6$de.
Section -. T"e R$le# on Electronic Evidence. ! T"e R$le# on Electronic Evidence #"all a))l* toevidentiar* a#)ect# o( )leadin#, )ractice and )roced$re in election conte#t# not ot"er'i#e
#)eci(icall* )rovided (or in t"e#e R$le#.
RULE 1
FINAL PRO=ISIONS
Section 1. Re)ealin cla$#e. ! For +$nici)al election conte#t#, t"e#e r$le# #$)er#ede A.M. No.0373183SC T"e R$le# o( Proced$re In Election Conte#t# 4e(ore T"e Co$rt# Involvin
M$nici)al and 4arana* O((icial# '"ic" %eca+e e((ective on Ma* 18, 200. All ot"er r$le#,
re#ol$tion#, re$lation# or circ$lar# o( t"e S$)re+e Co$rt or )art# t"ereo( t"at are incon#i#tent
'it" an* )rovi#ion o( t"e#e R$le# are "ere%* dee+ed re)ealed or +odi(ied accordinl*.
Section 2. E((ectivit* cla$#e. T"e#e R$le# #"all ta&e e((ect (i(teen 18 da*# a(ter t"eir )$%licationin a ne'#)a)er o( eneral circ$lation in t"e P"ili))ine#.