libanan v hret

8/10/2019 Libanan v Hret

1/33

520

SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

Libanan vs. House of Represenaives E!e"ora! Tribuna!

#.R. No. $2%&'(. De"e)ber 22* $%%&.+

MARCEL,NO C. L,-ANAN* peiioner* vs. HOUSE O REPRESENTAT,/ES

ELECTORAL TR,-UNAL an 1OSE T. RAM,RE* responens.

E!e"ion La34 Presienia! E!e"ora! Tribuna!4 COMELEC4 So !on as 6e

Consiuion rans 6e HRET 6e po3er o be 6e so!e 7ue of a!! "oness

re!ain o 6e e!e"ion* reurns an 8ua!i9"aions of )e)bers of 6e House of

Represenaives* an: 9na! a"ion a;en b: 6e HRET on a )aer 3i6in is

7urisi"ion s6a!!* as a ru!e* no be revie3e b: 6is Cour. > >

e>"!ues 6e e>er"ise of an: au6ori: on 6e par of 6is Cour 6a 3ou! in

an: 3ise resri" i or "urai! i or even a?e" 6e sa)e.@

Sa)e4 Sa)e4 Sa)e4 6i!e 6e 7u)ens of 6e Tribuna! are be:on 7ui"ia!

inerferen"e* 6e Cour )a: o so* 6o3ever* bu on!: =in 6e e>er"ise of 6is

CourBs so"a!!e e>raorinar: 7urisi"ion.@< T6e Cour i re"onie* of

"ourse* is po3er of 7ui"ia! revie3 in e>"epiona! "ases. ,n Rob!es vs. HRET*

6e Cour 6as e>p!aine 6a 36i!e 6e 7u)ens of 6e Tribuna! are be:on

7ui"ia! inerferen"e* 6e Cour )a: o so* 6o3ever* bu on!: =in 6e e>er"ise

of 6is CourBs so"a!!e e>raorinar: 7urisi"ion* . . . upon a eer)inaion

6a 6e Tribuna!Bs e"ision or reso!uion 3as renere 3i6ou or in e>"ess of


2/33

is 7urisi"ion* or 3i6 rave abuse of is"reion or parap6rasin Morrero*

upon a "!ear s6o3in of su"6 arbirar: an i)provien use b: 6e Tribuna! of

is po3er as "onsiues a enia! of ue pro"ess of !a3* or upon a

e)onsraion of a ver: "!ear un)iiae error* )anifes!: "onsiuin su"6

rave abuse of is"reion 6a 6ere 6as o be a re)e: for su"6 abuse.@

Sa)e4 Sa)e4 Sa)e4 T6e po3er of 6e E!e"ora! Co))ission =is be:on

7ui"ia! inerferen"e e>"ep* in an: even* upon a "!ear s6o3

+ EN -ANC.

52$

/OL. 2'(* DECEM-ER 22* $%%&

52$


in of su"6 arbirar: an i)provien use of po3er as 3i!! "onsiue a enia!

of ue pro"ess.@


3/33

Sa)e4 Sa)e4 Sa)e4 or a ba!!o o be re7e"e for bein spurious* 6e ba!!o

)us no 6ave an: of 6e fo!!o3in au6eni"ain )ar;sF aG 6e COMELEC

3aer)ar;4 bG 6e sinaures or iniia! of 6e -E, C6air)an a 6e ba"; of 6e

ba!!o4 an "G re an b!ue 9bers.a)ine b: 6e Tribuna! 6a COMELEC 3aer)ar;s.

Sa)e4 Sa)e4 Sa)e4 6ere 6e 3ors an p6rases of a saue are no

obs"ure an a)biuous* 6e )eanin an inenion of 6e !eis!aure s6ou!

be eer)ine fro) 6e !anuae e)p!o:e* an 36ere 6ere is no a)biui:

in 6e 3ors* 6ere s6ou! be no roo) for "onsru"ion.


4/33


vie nor inene b: 6e !a3)a;ers. 6ere 6e 3ors an p6rases of a

saue are no obs"ure an a)biuous* 6e )eanin an inenion of 6e

!eis!aure s6ou! be eer)ine fro) 6e !anuae e)p!o:e* an 36ere

6ere is no a)biui: in 6e 3ors* 6ere s6ou! be no roo) for "onsru"ion.

Sa)e4 Sa)e4 Sa)e4 Durin 6e e!iberaion of 6e Co))iee on Su?rae

an E!e"ora! Refor)s* 6e! on 0' Auus $%%$* 6e )e)bers aree o

e!ee 6e p6rase =An: ba!!o 36i"6 is no so au6eni"ae s6a!! be ee)e

spurious.@an 6a 6e ba!!o "an be "onsiere spurious an sub7e"

o re7e"ion.


5/33

52(

/OL. 2'(* DECEM-ER 22* $%%&

52(


SPEC,AL C,/,L ACT,ON in 6e Supre)e Cour. Ceriorari.

T6e fa"s are sae in 6e opinion of 6e Cour.

Cesar A. Sevi!!a Asso"iaes for peiioner.

-ri!!anes* Navarro* 1u)a)i!* Ar"i!!a* Es"o!in Marine La3 OK"es for

privae responen.

/,TU#* 1.F

T6e 2'6 Ma: $%%& e"ision of 6e House of Represenaives E!e"ora!

Tribuna! =HRET@G* 36i"6 aKr)e 6e pro"!a)aion of 6erein privae

responen 1ose Tan Ra)ire e"!arin 6i) o be 6e u!: e!e"e

Represenaive of Easern Sa)ar for 6avin obaine 6e p!ura!i: of voesover peiioner Mar"e!ino Libanan* an 6e 206 1une $%%& reso!uion of 6e

HRET* 36i"6 enie 3i6 9na!i: peiionerBs )oion for re"onsieraion* are

sou6 o be annu!!e in 6is spe"ia! "ivi! a"ion for "eriorari.

Peiioner Mar"e!ino Libanan an privae responen 1ose Ra)ire 3ere


6/33

a)on 6e "aniaes for 6e !one "onressiona! sea of Easern Sa)ar in 6e

Ma: $%%5 e!e"ions. Afer 6e "anvass of 6e reurns 3as )ae on $( Ma:

$%%5* 6e Provin"ia! -oar of Canvassers of Easern Sa)ar pro"!ai)e

responen Ra)ire o 6ave been u!: e!e"e Represenaive of 6e Disri"

3i6 a oa! of for:one 6ousan 9ve 6unre 3en:6ree I$*52(G voes*

"o)pare o peiionerBs for: 6ousan ei6 6unre si>:nine I0*'J%Gvoes* or a )arin of si> 6unre 9f:four J5IG voes over 6ose of

peiioner.

Peiioner Libanan seasonab!: 9!e an e!e"ion proes before 6e HRET

"!ai)in* a)on o6er 6ins* 6a 6e 0'6 Ma: $%%5 e!e"ions in Easern

Sa)ar 3ere )arre b: )assive e!e"ora! irreu!ariies perperae or

insiae b: responen Ra)ire* as 3e!! as 6is !eaers an fo!!o3ers* in 6e

3en:6ree 2(G )uni"ipa!iies of 6e !one isri" of Easern Sa)ar 3i6 6e

ai* in various insan"es* of pea"e oK"ers suppose!: "6are 3i6)ainainin an orer!: an 6ones e!e"ion. Peiioner "onese seven:nine

&%G pre"in"s in

52I

52I



9ve 5G )uni"ipa!iies. He a!so )ainaine 6a 6e e!e"ion reurns anorba!!os in "erain pre"in"s 3ere a)pere 3i6* subsiue* or s:se)ai"a!!:

)ar;e in favor of responen Ra)ire. Libanan pra:e 6a* afer ue

pro"eeins* 6e HRET s6ou! issue an orer o annu! 6e e!e"ion an

pro"!a)aion of Ra)ire an o 6ereafer so pro"!ai) peiioner as 6e u!:

e!e"e Represenaive of 6e Lone Disri" of Easern Sa)ar.


7/33

,n 6is ans3er an "ounerproes* 3i6 a peiion for pre!i)inar: 6earin on

6e spe"ia! an aKr)aive efenses* responen Ra)ire enie 6e "6ares.

He "ounerproese 6e resu!s of 6e e!e"ions in "erain pre"in"s 36ere*

6e "!ai)e* Libanan enae in )assive voe bu:in* !ansaera* erroris)

an earin of 6e !is of voers o isenfran"6ise voers 6erein !ise.

A""orin!:* 6e pra:e* iner a!ia* for 6e is)issa! of 6e proes an 6e"on9r)aion of 6is e!e"ion as 6e u!: e!e"e represenaive of 6e Lone

Disri" of Easern Sa)ar.

Afer so)e perip6era! issues 3ere se!e b: 6e HRET* 6e revision of ba!!os

in 6e proese pre"in"s "o))en"e on 20 ebruar: $%%J. T6e HRET noe

6a Libanan "onese a oa! of seven:nine &%G pre"in"s. , 3as noe

urin 6e revision* 6o3ever* 6a si> JG of 6e "onese pre"in"s* na)e!:*

Pre"in"s Nos. $I* $5* $J* $'* $% an 20 of Are"6e* 3ere foun o 6ave been

)ere urin 6e 0' Ma: $%%5 e!e"ions ino 6ree (G pre"in"s* i.e.*Pre"in"s Nos. $I an $%* Pre"in"s Nos. $5 an $J an Pre"in"s Nos. $' an

20. T6us* on!: seven:si> &JG ba!!o bo>es 3ere a"ua!!: opene for revision*

one of 36i"6* Pre"in" No. I$ of #uiuan* i no "onain an: ba!!o.

On 22 ebruar: $%%J* 36i!e 6e revision of 6e "ounerproese pre"in"s

3as bein 6e!* Ra)ire 9!e an =Uren Moion o i6ra3Abanon

CounerProes in Spe"i9" Muni"ipa!iiesPre"in"s@ pra:in 6a 6e be

rane !eave o 3i6ra3 an abanon paria!!: 6is "ounerproes in

"erain

525

/OL. 2'(* DECEM-ER 22* $%%&

525



8/33

pre"in"s.$ Libanan 9!e an opposiion 6ereo bu 6e )oion 3as evenua!!:

rane b: 6e C6air)an of 6e HRET an subse8uen!: "on9r)e in a

reso!uion b: 6e ribuna!.

On 2$ Mar"6 $%%J* 6e HRET esinae a Hearin Co))issioner an a

Depu: Hearin Co))issioner for 6e re"epion of evien"e. o!!o3in 6a

re"epion* 6e respe"ive )e)orana of Libanan an Ra)ire 3ere 9!e.

T6e evien"e an 6e issues sub)ie b: 6e paries for "onsieraion b: 6e

HRET re!ae )ain!: o 6e proper appre"iaion of 6e ba!!os ob7e"e o* or

"!ai)e b:* 6e paries urin 6e revision. No evien"e 3ere presene in

suppor of 6e o6er a!!eaions of 6e proes !i;e 6e a!!ee a)perin of

e!e"ion reurnsG an of 6e "ounerproes su"6 as 6e a!!ee earin of

so)e of 6e paes of 6e "o)puerie !is of voers o isenfran"6ise

!eii)ae voers an 6e use of oons o errorie an "o)pe! voers o voe

for LibananG* nor 3ere 6ese issues is"usse in 6e )e)orana of 6e

paries. T6e HRET 6us "on"enrae* su"6 as "an be ri6!: e>pe"e* is

aenion o 6e basi" appre"iaion of ba!!os.2

T6e pari"u!ar )aer fo"use in 6is peiion ea!s 3i6 36a peiioner

"!ai)s o be spurious ba!!os4 on 6is s"ore* 6e HRET 6as e>p!aineF

=No spurious ba!!o 3as foun in 6is "ase. or a ba!!o o be re7e"e for

bein spurious* 6e ba!!o )us no 6ave an: of 6e fo!!o3in au6eni"ain

)ar;sF aG 6e COMELEC 3aer)ar;4 bG

$ =$G A!! 6e for:9ve I5G pre"in"s of Do!ores4 2G A!! 6e 6ir: (0G pre"in"sof Taf4 (G A!! 6e proese pre"in"s fro) 6e )uni"ipa!iies of Ma:o!on*

L!orene* Sa!"eo an #ipor!os Ro!!o* p. ('G.

2 =ReF Mu!ip!e -a!!os rien -: One Person ,bi.* p. 5$G.


9/33

ReF -a!!os A""o)p!is6e b: T3o 2G Persons ,bi.* p. 52G.

ReF Mar;e -a!!os ,bi.* 5&G.

ReF Spurious -a!!os ,bi.* J0G.

ReF -a!!os Ob7e"e o on Mis"e!!aneous #rouns ,bi.* p. J(G.

ReF -a!!os Ob7e"e o on Co)binaion of #rouns > > >@ ,bi.G.

52J

52J



6e sinaures or iniia! of 6e -E, C6air)an a 6e ba"; of 6e ba!!o4 an "G

re an b!ue 9bers. ,n 6e presen "ase* a!! 6e ba!!os e>a)ine b: 6e

Tribuna! 6a COMELEC 3aer)ar;s.

=T6e Tribuna! i no aop proesanBs sub)ission in 6is Me)oranu) 6a

6e absen"e of 6u)b)ar; or -E, C6air)anBs sinaure a 6e ba"; of 6e

ba!!o renere 6e ba!!o spurious. T6e app!i"ab!e !a3 on 6is issue is Se".

2I* R.A. &$JJ. , reasF


10/33

=,n ever: "ase before e!iverin an oK"ia! ba!!o o 6e voer* 6e C6air)an

of 6e -oar of E!e"ion ,nspe"ors s6a!!* in 6e presen"e of 6e voer* aK> 6is

sinaure a 6e ba"; 6ereof. ai!ure o so au6eni"ae s6a!! be noe in 6e

)inues of 6e boar of e!e"ion inspe"ors an s6a!! "onsiue an e!e"ion

o?ense punis6ab!e uner Se"ion 2J( an 2JI of 6e O)nibus E!e"ion Coe.B

=As )a: be !eane above* un!i;e 6e provision of Se"ion 2$0 of 6e

O)nibus E!e"ion Coe 36ere 6e -E, C6air)an 3as re8uire o aK> 6is ri6

6u)b)ar; a 6e ba"; of 6e ba!!o i))eiae!: afer i 3as "oune* 6e

presen !a3 no !oner re8uires 6e sa)e.

=Anen 6e -E, C6air)anBs sinaure* 36i!e Se"ion 2I of R.A. &$JJ provies

6a fai!ure o au6eni"ae 6e ba!!o s6a!! "onsiue an e!e"ion o?ense*

6ere is no6in in 6e sai !a3 36i"6 provies 6a ba!!os no so

au6eni"ae s6a!! be "onsiere inva!i. ,n fa"* 6e )e)bers of 6e

Co))iee on Su?rae an E!e"ora! Refor)s aree urin 6eir

e!iberaion on 6e sub7e" 6a 6e absen"e of 6e -E, C6air)anBs sinaure

a 6e ba"; of 6e ba!!o 3i!! no per se )a;e a ba!!o spurious.

=Moreover* 36i!e Rep. Pa!a"o!* 6en C6air)an of 6e Co))iee on Su?rae

an E!e"ora! Refor)s* )enione urin 6is sponsors6ip spee"6 6a one of

6e sa!ien feaures of 6e bi!! 9!e 3as o re8uire 6e "6air)an of 6e -oar

of E!e"ion ,nspe"ors o au6eni"ae a ba!!o iven o a voer b: aK>in 6issinaure on si"G 6e ba"; 6ereof an o "onsier an: ba!!o as spurious*B

R.A. &$JJ* as approve* oes no "onain an: provision o 6a e?e". C!ear!:*

6erefore* 6e Conress as a 36o!e House of Represenaives an Senae

fai!e o aop 6e proposa! of Rep. Pa!a"o! 6a ba!!os 3i6ou 6e -E,

C6air)anBs sinaure a 6e ba"; 3i!! be e"!are spurious. 6a is "!ear!:

provie uner 6e sai !a3 is 6e san"ion

52&

/OL. 2'(* DECEM-ER 22* $%%&


11/33

52&


i)posab!e upon an errin C6air)an of 6e -E,* an no 6e

isenfran"6ise)en of 6e voer.@(

,n is assai!e e"ision* 6e HRET ru!e in favor of responen Ra)ire4 i

"on"!ueF

=HEREORE* in !i6 of 6e foreoin* 6e Tribuna! Reso!ve o D,SM,SS 6einsan e!e"ion proes* in"!uin 6e pariesB )uua! "!ai)s for a)aes an

aorne:Bs fee4 A,RM 6e pro"!a)aion of Proesee 1ose Tan Ra)ire4 an

DECLARE 6i) o be 6e u!: e!e"e Represenaive of 6e Lone Disri" of

Easern Sa)ar* for 6avin obaine a p!ura!i: of $I( voes over se"on

p!a"er Proesan Mar"e!ino Libanan.@I

Peiioner Libanan )ove for a re"onsieraion of 6e e"ision of 6e HRET

aruin* a)on o6er rouns*5 6a 6e absen"e of 6e -E, C6air)anBs

sinaure a 6e ba"; of 6e ba!!os "ou! no bu ini"ae 6a 6e ba!!os3ere no 6ose issue o 6e voers urin 6e e!e"ions. He averre 6a 6e

!a3 3ou! re8uire 6e C6air)an of 6e -E, o au6eni"ae or sin 6e ba!!o

before issuin i o 6e voer. A"in on peiionerBs )oion for

re"onsieraion* 6e HRET "reie peiioner Libanan 3i6 6ir: (0G voes

be"ause of 6e error in 6e "o)puaion of 6e base 9ure an re7e"e

3e!ve $2G ba!!os for responen Ra)ire. Responen Ra)ire*

never6e!ess* re)aine o be 6e 3inner 3i6 a !ea of nine:nine %%G voes

in 6is favor. As rears 6e absen"e of -E, C6air)anBs sinaure a 6e ba";

of 6e ba!!os* 6e HRET sresseF

( ,bi.* pp. J0J2.


12/33

I ,bi.* p. &I.

5 =aG Error in "o)puin =base 9ure@ for proesan ,bi.* p. 2(5G4 bG

Re"ourse o 6e e!e"ion reurns is no 3arrane 36en a)perin of 6e

ba!!os 3as esine o pre"!ue "6a!!ene of voes ree"e in 6e e!e"ion

reurns ,bi.* 2(JG4 "G absen"e of -E, C6air)anBs sinaure on ba!!os

ini"aes 6a 6e: 3ere subsiue of* su?e ino 6e ba!!o bo>es afer 6e

e!e"ion ,bi.* 2('G4 an* G ba!!os for 6e proesee 36i"6 are "!ear!:

)u!ip!e ba!!os 3rien b: one 6an bu 36i"6 3ere no re7e"e as su"6.@

,bi.* p. 2I$G.

52'

52'



=rau is no presu)e. , )us be suK"ien!: esab!is6e. Moreover* Se"ion

2$$ of 6e O)nibus E!e"ion Coe provies in par 6a in 6e reain an

appre"iaion of ba!!os* ever: ba!!o s6a!! be presu)e o be va!i un!ess

6ere is "!ear an oo reason o 7usif: is re7e"ion.B ,n 6e insan "ase*

6ere is no evien"e o suppor proesanBs a!!eaion 6a 6e ba!!os 6e

enu)erae in 6is Moion for Re"onsieraion are subsiue ba!!os. T6e

absen"e of 6e -E, C6air)anBs sinaure a 6e ba"; of 6e ba!!o "anno be

an ini"aion of ba!!o s3i"6in or subsiuion. A bes* su"6 absen"e of -E,C6air)anBs sinaure is a pri)a fa"ie evien"e 6a 6e -E, C6air)en

"on"erne 3ere ere!i" in 6eir u: of au6eni"ain 6e ba!!os. Su"6

o)ission* as sae in 6e De"ision* is no faa! o 6e va!ii: of 6e ba!!os.@J

T6us* 6e presen re"ourse.


13/33

A perusa! of 6e rouns raise b: peiioner o annu! 6e HRET e"ision an

reso!uion boi!s o3n o 6e issue of 36e6er or no 6e HRET "o))ie

rave abuse of is"reion in ru!in 6a 6e absen"e of 6e sinaure of 6e

C6air)an of 6e -E, in 6e ba!!os i no rener 6e ba!!os spurious.

Peiioner Libanan "onens 6a 6e 6ree 6unre e!even ($$G ba!!os 2J5

of 36i"6 6ave been for privae responen Ra)ireG 3i6ou 6e sinaure of

6e C6air)an of 6e -E,* bu 36i"6 6a 6e COMELEC 3aer)ar;s anor

"o!ore 9bers* s6ou! be inva!iae. , is 6e posiion of peiioner 6a 6e

purpose of 6e !a3 in re8uirin 6e -E, C6air)an o aK> 6is sinaure a 6e

ba"; of 6e ba!!o 36en 6e issues i o 6e voer is =o au6eni"ae@ 6e ba!!o

an* absen 6a sinaure* 6e ba!!o )us be "onsiere spurious.

Prefaori!:* 6e Cour ou"6es base on is 7urisi"ion o revie3 an pass upon

e"isions or reso!uions of 6e e!e"ora! ribuna!s.

T6e Consiuion )anaes 6a 6e House of Represenaives E!e"ora!

Tribuna! an 6e Senae E!e"ora! Tribuna! s6a!! ea"6* respe"ive!:* be 6e so!e

7ue of a!! "oness re!ain o 6e e!e"ion* reurns an 8ua!i9"aions of 6eir

re

J ,bi.* p. 2J&.

52%

/OL. 2'(* DECEM-ER 22* $%%&


14/33

52%


spe"ive )e)bers.& ,n Laain vs. HRET*' 6e Cour 6as ob serve 6a"!usive "6ara"er of 6e

7urisi"ion "onferre. T6e e>er"ise of 6e po3er b: 6e E!e"ora! Co))ission

uner 6e $%(5 Consiuion 6as been es"ribe as inene o be as

"o)p!ee an uni)paire as if i 6as re)aine oriina!!: in 6e !eis!aure.B

Ear!ier 6is ran of po3er o 6e !eis!aure 3as "6ara"erie b: 1usi"e

Ma!"o!) as fu!!* "!ear an "o)p!ee.B Uner 6e a)ene $%(5 Consiuion*6e po3er 3as un8ua!i9e!: repose upon 6e E!e"ora! Tribuna! an i

re)aine as fu!!* "!ear an "o)p!ee as 6a previous!: rane 6e

Leis!aure an 6e E!e"ora! Co))ission. T6e sa)e )a: be sai 3i6 rear

o 6e 7urisi"ion of 6e E!e"ora! Tribuna!s uner 6e $%'& Consiuion.@%

T6e Cour 6as sresse 6a =. . . so !on as 6e Consiuion rans 6e HRET

6e po3er o be 6e so!e 7ue of a!! "oness re!ain o 6e e!e"ion* reurns

an 8ua!i9"aions of )e)bers of 6e House of Represenaives* an: 9na!

a"ion a;en b: 6e HRET on a )aer 3i6in is 7urisi"ion s6a!!* as a ru!e*no be revie3e b: 6is Cour. . . . 6e po3er rane o 6e E!e"ora! Tribuna!

> > > e>"!ues 6e e>er"ise of an: au6ori: on 6e par of 6is Cour 6a

3ou! in an: 3ise resri" i or "urai! i or even a?e" 6e sa)e.@

T6e Cour i re"onie* of "ourse* is po3er of 7ui"ia! revie3 in e>"epiona!

"ases. ,n Rob!es vs. HRET*$0 6e Cour 6as e>p!aine 6a 36i!e 6e

7u)ens of 6e Tribuna! are be:on 7ui"ia! inerferen"e* 6e Cour )a: o

so* 6o3ever* bu on!: =in 6e e>er"ise of 6is Cours so"a!!e e>raorinar:

7urisi"ion* . . . upon a eer)inaion 6a 6e Tribuna!Bs e"ision or

reso!uion 3as renere 3i6ou or in e>"ess of is 7urisi"ion* or 3i6 rave

abuse of is"reion or parap6rasin Morrero* upon a "!ear s6o3in of su"6

arbirar: an i)provi


15/33

& Se"ion $&* Ari"!e /,* $%'& Consiuion.

' $J' SCRA (%$.

% A p. I0$.

$0 $'$ SCRA &'0.

5(0

5(0



en use b: 6e Tribuna! of is po3er as "onsiues a enia! of ue pro"ess of

!a3* or upon a e)onsraion of a ver: "!ear un)iiae error* )anifes!:

"onsiuin su"6 rave abuse of is"reion 6a 6ere 6as o be a re)e: for

su"6 abuse.@

,n 6e o!* bu si!! re!evan* "ase of Morrero vs. -o"ar*$$ 6e Cour 6as ru!e

6a 6e po3er of 6e E!e"ora! Co))ission =is be:on 7ui"ia! inerferen"e

e>"ep* in an: even* upon a "!ear s6o3in of su"6 arbirar: an i)provien

use of po3er as 3i!! "onsiue a enia! of ue pro"ess.@ T6e Cour oes no*

o parap6rase i in Co vs. HRET*$2 venure ino 6e peri!ous area of "orre"in

per"eive errors of inepenen bran"6es of 6e #overn)en4 i "o)es in

on!: 36en i 6as o vini"ae a enia! of ue pro"ess or "orre" an abuse of


16/33


17/33

/OL. 2'(* DECEM-ER 22* $%%&

5($


=> > > > > > > > >

=Anen 6e -E, C6air)anBs sinaure* 36i!e Se"ion 2I of R.A. &$JJ provies6a fai!ure o au6eni"ae 6e ba!!o s6a!! "onsiue an e!e"ion o?ense*

6ere is no6in in 6e sai !a3 36i"6 provies 6a ba!!os no so

au6eni"ae s6a!! be "onsiere inva!i. ,n fa"* 6e )e)bers of 6e

Co))iee on Su?rae an E!e"ora! Refor)s aree urin 6eir

e!iberaion on 6e sub7e" 6a 6e absen"e of 6e -E, C6air)anBs sinaure

a 6e ba"; of 6e ba!!o 3i!! no per se )a;e a ba!!o spurious.

=Moreover* 36i!e Rep. Pa!a"o!* 6en C6air)an of 6e Co))iee on Su?rae

an E!e"ora! Refor)s* )enione urin 6is sponsors6ip spee"6 6a one of6e sa!ien feaures of 6e bi!! 9!e 3as o re8uire 6e "6air)an of 6e -oar

of E!e"ion ,nspe"ors o au6eni"ae a ba!!o iven o a voer b: aK>in 6is

sinaure on si"G 6e ba"; 6ereof an o "onsier an: ba!!o as spurious*B

R.A. &$JJ* as approve* oes no "onain an: provision o 6a e?e". C!ear!:*

6erefore* 6e Conress as a 36o!e House of Represenaives an SenaeG

fai!e o aop 6e proposa! of Rep. Pa!a"o! 6a ba!!os 3i6ou 6e -E,

C6air)anBs sinaure a 6e ba"; 3i!! be e"!are spurious. 6a is "!ear!:

provie uner 6e sai !a3 is 6e san"ion i)posab!e upon an errin

C6air)an of 6e -E,* an no 6e isenfran"6ise)en of 6e voer.@$5

T6e perinen provision of 6e !a3* Se"ion 2I of R.A. No. &$JJ* proviesF

=SEC. 2I. Sinaure of C6air)an a 6e ba"; of Ever: -a!!o.


18/33


19/33

Represenaives on 6ir reain* 3as a "onso!iaion of i?eren bi!!s. T3o of

6e bi!!s "onso!iae an "onsiere in rafin H.-. No. (I'$$ 3ere H.-. No.

(IJ(% an H.-. No. (IJJ0. Se"ion 22 of 6e 3o !aer bi!!s provie 6aF

=,n ever: "ase before e!iverin an oK"ia! ba!!o o 6e voer* 6e "6air)an of

6e -oar of E!e"ion ,nspe"ors s6a!!* in 6e presen"e of 6e voer* aK> 6is

sinaure a 6e ba"; 6ereof. An: ba!!o 36i"6 is no so au6eni"ae s6a!!

be ee)e spurious. ai!ure o so au6eni"ae s6a!! "onsiue an e!e"ion

o?ense.@$&

Durin 6e e!iberaion of 6e Co))iee on Su?rae an E!e"ora! Refor)s*

6e! on 0' Auus $%%$* 6e )e)bers aree o e!ee 6e p6rase =An:

ba!!o 36i"6 is no so au6eni"ae s6a!! be ee)e spurious.@ Perinen

porions of 6e rans"rip of senorap6i" noes =TSN@G a;en urin 6e

Meein of 6e Co))iee on Su?rae an E!e"ora! Refor)s reaF

=THE CHA,RMAN. es* Conress)an Mer"ao.

=HON. MERCADO. , 6in;* Se"ion 22* 3e o o 6e inen of 6e provision. ,

6in; 6e inen 6ere is o san"ion 6e inspe"or so , 3ou! propose a

"o)pro)ise. T6e ba!!o s6ou! no be ee)e as spurious. Ho3ever* i 3ou!ra6er be fai!ure of 6e inspe"or o* or 6e "6air)an o aK> 6is sinaure

3ou! ra6er be a "ir"u)san"e 36i"6

$J A!!are vs. Co))ission on Aui* 2$' SCRA 22&.

$& Co))en of 6e So!i"ior #enera!* p. I.

5((


20/33

/OL. 2'(* DECEM-ER 22* $%%&

5((


3ou! aravae 6e "ri)e* 36i"6 3ou! aravae 6e e!e"ion o?ense* on

6e par of 6e inspe"or* bu no o isenfran"6ise 6e voer. -e"ause 6e

inenion 6ere is o punis6 6e e!e"ion inspe"or for no aK>in 6e

sinaure. 6: s6ou! 3e punis6 6e voerQ So , 6in; 6e "o)pro)ise 6ere. .

.

=THE CHA,RMAN. A serious e!e"ion o?ense.

=HON. MERCADO. es* i s6ou! be a serious e!e"ion o?ense on 6e par of

6e "6air)an for no aK>in 6e sinaure* bu no o )a;e 6e ba!!o

spurious.

=HON. RONO. Mr. C6air)an.

=THE CHA,RMAN. es* Conress)an Rono.

=HON. RONO. One 6in 6a 3e 6ave o uar aains is 36en 3e ea! 3i6

6e ba!!o an 6e ri6 o su?rae* 3e s6ou! no rea!!: )a;e !a3 6a 3ou!

preven 6e e>ibi!i: of 6e Co))ission of E!e"ions* an 6e Supre)e Cour

fro) ein o6er e>raneous e?ors o "on9r) au6eni"i: or 6e

spuriousness of 6e ba!!o* b: )a;in a provision 6a b: 6a sin!e )isa;e

or inaveren"e of 6e "6air)an 3e )a;e 6e ba!!o auo)ai"a!!: spurious is

anerous. , s6ou! be . . . 36a ,B) sa:in is 6a 6e Co))ission or 6e

proper boies b: 36i"6 6is )aer 3i!! be a;en up )a: "onsier i as one of

6e evien"es of spuriousness bu no per se or ipso fa"o i be"o)es4 i


21/33

s6ou! !oo; for o6er e>raneous evien"e. So 36a , a) suesin is !e us

ive 6e) 6is ;in of e>ibi!i: before 3e eer)ine or before 3e sa: 6a

6is ba!!o is spurious* 3e ive 6e COMELEC so)e e>ibi!i: in 6e

eer)inaion of o6er e>raneous evien"e.

=HON. #ARC,A. Ma: , o?er a suesionQ

=THE CHA,RMAN. es* Conress)an #ar"ia.

=HON. #ARC,A. T6a 6e fa" 6a a ba!!o oes no "onain 6e sinaure* ,

6in;* iniia! 3i!! no be suK"ien* 6e sinaure of 6e C6air)an s6ou! be

noe in 6e )inues. Noe in 6e )inues. So 6a in "ase of proes* 6ereis basis.

=HON. RONO. Oo* )a: basis na. ,:on !an* , 6in; 6a 3ou! so!ve our

prob!e).

5(I

5(I



=THE CHA,RMAN. es* Mr. C6air)an.

=MR. MONSOD. our 6onor* 3eBre 3i!!in o a""ep 6a a)en)en. Ta;e ou


22/33

6a senen"e spurious* 3i6 6e inrou"ion of 6e propose )easure > >

>.@$'

T6e TSN of 6e pro"eeins of 6e -i"a)era! Conferen"e Co))iee on

E!e"ion La3* 6e! on 2% O"ober $%%$* in urn* 3ou! s6o3 6ese e>"6anesF

=CHA,RMAN #ONALEF Are 6ere an:6in )oreQ

=HON. ROCO. T6ere is a se"ion in 6e Senae version abou 6e ba!!o sine

a 6e ba";.

=CHA,RMAN #ONALE. Couner sie.

=HON. ROCO. ,f i is no sine 6en i is bein spurious 36i"6 is a ver:

anerous* , 6in;G iG is a ver: anerous provision an so . . .

=MR. MONSOD. e aree 3i6 6e House version 6a an:3a: 36en "6air)an

of -E, oesnB sin sub7e" o an e!e"ion o?ense. -u i s6ou! no be a basis

for isenfran"6ise)en of 6e voer. So* 3e be!ieve 3e se 6is in 6e 6earins

in 6e House 6a 3e s6ou! sri;e ou 6a senen"e 6a sa:s 6a 6is ba!!o

is auo)ai"a!!: spurious.@$%

T6us* 6e 9na! raf* 36i"6 3as !aer o be"o)e R.A. No. &$JJ* no !oner

in"!ue 6e provision =An: ba!!o no so au6eni"ae s6a!! be ee)e

spurious.@ T6e inenion of 6e !eis!aure even 6en 3as 8uie evien.

T6e re!ian"e on -auisa vs. Casro20 b: peiioner* is )isire"e. , )us be

sresse 6a -.P. -!. 222*2$ o6er3ise ;no3n as 6e =-arana: E!e"ion A"

of $%'2*@ approve on 25 Mar"6 $%'2* ise!f "aeori"a!!: e>presses 6a i

s6a!! on!: be


23/33

$' Ro!!o* p. J$.

$% Co))en of 6e So!i"ior#enera!* pp. 5J.

20 20J SCRA (05.

2$ Eni!e* =An A" Proviin or T6e E!e"ion of -arana: OK"ia!s* An or

O6er Purposes.@

5(5

/OL. 2'(* DECEM-ER 22* $%%&

5(5


=app!i"ab!e o 6e e!e"ion of barana: oK"ia!s.@ Se"ion $I of -.P. -!. 222

an is i)p!e)enin ru!e in Se"ion (J of COMELEC Reso!uion No. $5(%

6ave bo6 provieF

Se"ion $I of -.P. 222F

=Se". $I. OK"ia! barana: ba!!os.


24/33

pres"ribe b: 6e Co))ission on E!e"ions.

=Su"6 oK"ia! ba!!o s6a!!* before i is 6ane o 6e voer a 6e voin "ener*

be au6eni"ae in 6e presen"e of 6e voer* 6e o6er Te!!ers* an 6e

3a"6ers presen b: 6e C6air)an of 6e -oar of E!e"ion Te!!ers 36o s6a!!

aK> 6is sinaure a 6e ba"; 6ereof.@

Se"ion (J of COMELEC Reso!uion No. $5(%F

=Se". (J. Pro"eure in 6e "asin of voes. > >

=b. De!iver: of ba!!o. > > > > > > > >.

=e. Reurnin 6e ba!!o. $G ,n 6e presen"e of a!! 6e )e)bers of 6e -oar*

6e voer s6a!! aK> 6is ri6 6an 6u)b)ar; on 6e "orresponin spa"e in

6e ea"6ab!e "oupon* an s6a!! ive 6e fo!e ba!!o o 6e "6air)an. 2G

T6e "6air)an s6a!! 3i6ou unfo!in 6e ba!!o or !oo;in a is "onens* an

in 6e presen"e of 6e voer an a!! 6e )e)bers of 6e -oar* verif: if i

bears 6is sinaure an 6e sa)e seria! nu)ber re"ore in 6e voin

re"or. (G ,f 6e ba!!o is foun o be au6eni"* 6e voer s6a!! 6en bere8uire o i)prin 6is ri6 6an 6u)b)ar; on 6e proper spa"e in 6e

voin re"or. IG T6e "6air)an s6a!! 6en ea"6 6e "oupon an s6a!!

eposi 6e fo!e ba!!o in 6e "o)par)en for va!i

5(J


25/33

5(J



ba!!o an 6e "oupon in 6e "o)par)en for spoi!e ba!!os. 5G T6e voer

s6a!! 6en !eave 6e voin "ener.

=f. 6en ba!!o )a: be "onsiere spoi!e.


26/33

=Se". &(. Sinaure of "6air)an a 6e ba"; of ever: ba!!o.in 6is sinaure a 6e ba"; 6ereof before e!iverin i

o 6e voer. A,LURE TO SO AUTHENT,CATE SHALL -E NOTED ,N THEM,NUTES O THE -OARD AND SHALL CONST,TUTE AN ELECT,ON OENSE.@

22 -auisa vs. Casro* 20J SCRA (05* ($(($I.

5(&

/OL. 2'(* DECEM-ER 22* $%%&

5(&


Aain* in Reso!uion No. 2&('*2( pro)u!ae b: 6e COMELEC on 0( 1anuar:

$%%5*2I 36i"6 i)p!e)ene* a)on o6er e!e"ion !a3s* R.A. No. &$JJ 6a

overne 6e e!e"ion for Me)bers of 6e House of Represenaives 6e! on

0' Ma: $%%5G* 6e re!evan provision is in Se"ion $( 36i"6 ise!f 6as on!:

saeF

=Se". $(. Au6eni"aion of 6e ba!!o. 6is

sinaure a 6e ba"; 6ereof.@


27/33

, 3ou! appear evien 6a 6e ru!in in -auisa vs. Casro 3as pro)pe

be"ause of 6e e>press e"!araion in Se"ion (JfG of COMELEC Reso!uion

No. $5(%* i)p!e)enin Se"ion $I of -.P. -!. 222* 6aF =An: ba!!o reurne

o 6e "6air)an . . . 36i"6 oes no bear 6e sinaure of 6e "6air)an . . .

s6a!! be "onsiere as spoi!e . . . an s6a!! no be "oune.@ T6is Cour 6us

sae in -auisaF

=T6e !a3 Se". $I of -.P. -!. 222G an 6e ru!es i)p!e)enin i Se". (J of

Co)e!e" Res. No. $5(%G !eave no roo) for inerpreaion. T6e absen"e of 6e

sinaure of 6e C6air)an of 6e -oar of E!e"ion Te!!ers in 6e ba!!o iven

o a voer as re8uire b: !a3 an 6e ru!es as proof of 6e au6eni"i: of sai

ba!!o is faa!. T6is re8uire)en is )anaor: for 6e va!ii: of 6e sai

ba!!o.@

, s6ou! be noe3or6: 6a in an unsine 0(r Apri! $%%0 reso!uion* in

=1o!!: ernane vs. COMELEC*@25 6e Cour en ban" 6a 6e opporuni: o

ebun; 6e aru)en 6a a!! ba!!os no sine a 6e ba"; 6ereof b: 6e

C6air)an an 6e Po!! C!er; 3ere o be "onsiere spurious for

2( Eni!e* =#enera! ,nsru"ions or T6e -oar of E!e"ion ,nspe"ors On T6e

Casin An Counin Of /oes ,n T6e Ma: '* $%%5 E!e"ions.@

2I Pub!is6e on 0& 1anuar: $%%5 in Mani!a Sanar.

25 #.R. No. %$(5$* 0( Apri! $%%0.

5('

5('


28/33



non"o)p!ian"e 3i6 Se"ion $5 of R.A. No. JJIJ*2J i.e.* =T6e E!e"ora!

Refor)s La3 of $%'&*@ reain as fo!!o3sF

=Se". $5. Sinaure of C6air)an an Po!! C!er; a 6e -a"; of Ever: -a!!o. 6eir sinaures a 6e ba"; of ea"6 an

ever: oK"ia! ba!!o o be use urin 6e voin. A "eri9"aion o 6a e?e"

)us be enere in 6e )inues of 6e voin.@

T6e Cour e"!areF

=T6e "arina! ob7e"ive in 6e appre"iaion of 6e ba!!os is o is"over an

ive e?e" o 6e inenion of 6e voer. T6a inenion 3ou! be nu!!i9e b:6e sri" inerpreaion of 6e sai se"ion as suese b: 6e peiioner for

i 3ou! resu! in 6e inva!iaion of 6e ba!!o even if u!: a""o)p!is6e b:

6e voer* an si)p!: be"ause of an o)ission no i)puab!e o 6i) bu o 6e

e!e"ion oK"ia!s. T6e "iien "anno be eprive of 6is "onsiuiona! ri6 of

su?rae on 6e spe"ious roun 6a o6er persons 3ere ne!ien in

perfor)in 6eir o3n u:* 36i"6 in 6e "ase a bar 3as pure!: )iniseria!

an e"6ni"a!* b: no )eans )anaor: bu a )ere ane"een )easure

inene o au6eni"ae 6e ba!!o. A "onrar: ru!in 3ou! p!a"e a pre)iu)

on oK"ia! inepness an )a;e i possib!e for a s)a!! roup of fun"ionaries*

b: 6eir ne!ien"e


29/33


30/33


31/33



of Represenaives E!e"ora! Tribuna! in is issuan"e of 6e assai!e e"ision

an reso!uion.

One o6er i)poran poin. Rearin 6e )e)bers6ip of "erain 1usi"es of

6is Cour in 6e HRET an 6eir pari"ipaion in 6e reso!uion of 6e insanpeiion* 6e Cour sees no "oni" a a!!* an i* 6erefore* re7e"s 6e o?er of

in6ibiion b: ea"6 of 6e "on"erne 7usi"es. As ear!: as /era vs. Ave!ino*($

6is Cour* "onfrone 3i6 a !i;e siuaion* 6as sai une8uivo"a!!:F

=> > > Mu!!in over 6is* 3e e>perien"e no 8ua!)is6 fee!ins abou 6e

"oin"ien"e. T6eir esinaion o 6e e!e"ora! ribuna!s eu"e no a 36i

fro) 6eir fun"ions as )e)bers of 6is Supre)e Cour* an i no is8ua!if:

6e) in 6is !iiaion. Nor 3i!! 6eir e!iveran"es 6erea on a iven 8uesion

operae o preven 6e) fro) voin in 6e e!e"ora! foru) on ieni"a!8uesions4 be"ause 6e Consiuion* esab!is6in no in"o)paibi!i: be3een

6e 3o ro!es* naura!!: i no "one)p!ae* nor 3an* 7usi"es opinin one

3a: 6ere* an 6ereafer 6o!in o6er3ise* pari )aeria* in 6e e!e"ora!

ribuna!* or vi"eversa.@(2

Su"6 6as 6us been* an so i is o be in 6is peiion* as 3e!! as in 6e "ases

6a )a: :e "o)e before 6e Cour.

HEREORE* 6e insan peiion is D,SM,SSED.

,T ,S SO ORDERED.


32/33

Narvasa C.1.G* Rea!ao* Davie* 1r.* Ro)ero* Me!o* Puno* apunan*

Menoa* ran"is"o* Pananiban an Marine* 11.* "on"ur.

-e!!osi!!o* 1.* i6ou pre7ui"e o 9!in separae opinion o 8ua!if:

o"rine.

Peiion is)isse.

($ && P6i!. $%2* 2$(.

(2 A pp. 2$(2$I.

5I$

/OL. 2'(* DECEM-ER 22* $%%&

5I$


Noes.a)inaion of voin parap6erna!ia invo!vin ana!:sis an

"o)parison of voerBs sinaures an 6u)bprins 6ereon is pro6ibie in


33/33

prepro"!a)aion "ases. Loon vs. Co))ission on E!e"ions* 25& SCRA $

$%%JG

T6e er) =reu!ar e!e"ion*@ )us be "on9ne o 6e reu!ar e!e"ion of

e!e"ive oK"ia!s* as isinuis6e fro) 6e reu!ar e!e"ion of naiona!

oK"ia!s. Paras vs. Co))ission on E!e"ions* 2JI SCRA I% $%%JG

libanan v hret

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