8/9/2019 g.r. No. 94771 Veloria vs. Comelec

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Republic of the Philippines

SUP EME COU T

Manila

EN BANC

G. . No. 94! "ul# $9% !99$

ATT&. AMON ". 'E(O )A% ENG . ENATO ". ESPE"O% "ESUS O.

BAN*O()N% SEGUN*O *. B)((OTE% GE ON)MO B. EN )+UE,% O*O(-O

C. MA* )AGA% an SO- ON)O (. MANGONON% an /ON. OMU(O E.

ABASO(O% as P0esiin1 "u1e2*esi1nate% e1ional T0ial Cou0t% -i0st

"uicial e1ion% B0anch 49% U0aneta% Pan1asinan%

petitione0s%

3s.

COMM)SS)ON ON E(ECT)ONS% copose of *A )O C. AMA%

Coissione02Ponente% /A&*EE B. &O AC% Actin1 Chai0pe0son%

A(- E*O E. ABUEG% Coissione0% (EOPO(*O (. A- )CA%

Coissione0% AN* ES . -(O ES% Coissione0% MAG*A A B.

*)MAAMPAO% Coissione0% /ON SANT)AGO G. EST E((A% as

P0esiin1 "u1e% e1ional T0ial Cou0t% -i0st "uicial e1ion% B0anch

49% U0aneta% Pan1asinan% ATT&. PE* O N. SA(ES% ENG . 5)(- E*O

E. SO )ANO% E ()N*A C. TAMBAOAN% ENG . EM)()O M. ANGE(ES% " .%

E(EUTE )O C. S)SON% MANUE( -E E an SANTOS S)BA&AN%

0esponents.

 

G )6O2A+U)NO% 7

This petition fo0 ce0tio0a0i  see8s the nullification of the !: 0esolution !

 

of 

the Coission on Elections ate Au1ust $% !99;% an $: 0esolution $

ate Ma0ch % !99; issue b# "u1e Santia1o Est0ella isissin1 the

election p0otest file b# the petitione0s a1ainst the p0i3ate 0esponents%

Att#. Pe0o N. Sales. En10. 5ilf0eo E. So0iano% E0lina C. Tabaoan% En10.

Eilio M. An1eles% "0.% Eleute0io C. Sison% Manuel -e00e0 an Santos

Siba#an.

The se3en : petitione0s% Raon 'elo0ia% Renato Espe<o% "esus Banolin%

Se1uno Billote% Ge0onio En0i=ue>% Roolfo Ma0ia1a an Sof0onio

Man1onon% as ?ell as the se3en : p0i3ate 0esponents% Pe0o Sales%

5ilf0eo So0iano% E0lina Tabaoan% Eilio An1eles% "0.% Eleute0io Sison%

Manuel -e00e0 an Santos Siba#an ?e0e caniates fo0 unicipal a#o0 

'elo0ia an Sales:% 3ice2a#o0 Espe<o an So0iano: an ebe0s of the

8/9/2019 g.r. No. 94771 Veloria vs. Comelec

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San11unian1 Ba#an of Manaoa1% Pan1asinan% in the local elections of 

"anua0# !@% !9@@.

Afte0 the can3ass of the election 0etu0ns on "anua0# !% !9@@% the p0i3ate

0esponents ?e0e p0oclaie ul# electe to the positions the# 0an fo0.

*issatisfie% the petitione0s file Election P0otest No. U249 ?hich ?as

0affle to B0anch 4@ of the Re1ional T0ial Cou0t of U0aneta% Pan1asinan%

then p0esie o3e0 b# the late /on. Alf0eo e 'e0a.

Se3e0al p0oceein1s ?e0e ha% an soe issues ?e0e b0ou1ht up to the

Cou0t of Appeals an this Cou0t fo0 ete0ination.

-inall#% the 0e3ision of ballots ?as set on -eb0ua0# $% !99; b# "u1e

Santia1o Est0ella% P0esiin1 "u1e of B0anch 49% Re1ional T0ial Cou0t of 

U0aneta% Pan1asinan% ?he0e the Election P0otest No. U249 ?as 0e2

assi1ne b# 0affle afte0 "u1e 'e0aDs untiel# eath.

On -eb0ua0# $% !99;% u0in1 the scheule initial 0e3ision of the ballots in

P0ecinct No. $$% Ba0an1a# (icsi% the p0i3ate 0esponents% as p0otestees%

file a Motion to *isiss on the 10oun that the RTC ha not ac=ui0e

 <u0isiction o3e0 the election p0otest on account of the follo?in17

!: that the election p0otest in3ol3es the contests o3e0 th0ee :

iffe0ent Municipal Offices <oine to1ethe0 in one !: sin1le

petition nael#7 the Office of Municipal Ma#o0% the Office of 'ice

Ma#o0% an the Offices of the San11unian1 Ba#an% in ?anton

3iolation an clea0 is0e1a0 of the specific an anato0#p0o3isions of Section $% Rule % Pa0t ') of the COME(EC RU(ES

O- PROCE*URE% anFo0 Section $% Rule )) of Coelec Resolution

No. !4! P0oceu0al Rules fo0 Election Contests:

$: that the Election P0otest ?as 3e0ifie b# onl# fou0 4: of the

se3en : p0otestants in 3iolation of Section % Rule % Pa0t ') of 

the COME(EC RU(ES O- PROCE*URE% anFo0 Section % Rule ))

of Coelec Resolution No. !4! an

: that the0e is no sho?in1 that the p0otestants pai the0e=uisite filin1 fees an le1al 0esea0ch fees fo0 each inte0est%

also in 3iolation of Section 9% Rule % Pa0t ') of the COME(EC

RU(ES O- PROCE*URE% anFo0 Section % Rule )' of the

P0oceu0al Rules fo0 Election Contests.

On Ma0ch % !99;% the p0i3ate 0esponents file a Suppleental Motion to

*isiss% alle1in1 as aitional 10oun fo0 the isissal of the p0otest that7

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4: the se3en : p0otestants 0ep0esentin1 se3en : inte0ests o0 

se3en : election contests o0 p0otests faile to a8e the

necessa0# cash eposit ?ithin the pe0io 0e=ui0e b# this

/ono0able Cou0t in clea0 3iolation of Section !;% subpa0a10aph

b: of Rule % Pa0t ') of the COME(EC RU(ES O- PROCE*URE.

The petitione0s2p0otestants oppose the Motion to *isiss. On Ma0ch  %

!99; % "u1e Santia1o Est0ella isisse the election p0otest p. $% Rollo :.

The petitione0s 0ecei3e a cop# of the cou0tDs Resolution on Ma0ch !%

!99;. /o?e3e0% instea of pe0fectin1 an appeal ?ithin fi3e : a#s as

p0o3ie b# la?% the petitione0s file a Motion fo0 Reconsie0ation on Ma0ch

$;% !99;.

The p0otestees oppose the Motion fo0 Reconsie0ation% an the

petitione0s file a Re<oine0.

)n the eantie% "u1e Roulo E. Abasolo% p0esiin1 <u1e of B0anch 4%

RTC of U0aneta% Pan1asinan% ?as assi1ne to ta8e cha01e of the cases in

B0anch 49 in 3ie? of "u1e Santia1o Est0ellaDs etail in B0anch 9%

Re1ional T0ial Cou0t of Pasi1% Met0o Manila% b# o0e0 of this Cou0t.

On Ma0ch $9% !99;% "u1e Abasolo enie petitione0sD Motion fo0 

Reconsie0ation. On Ap0il % !99;% the petitione0s as p0otestants: file a

Notice of Appeal.

On Ap0il !;% !99;% the p0i3ate 0esponents file a Motion to *isiss Notice

of Appeal on the 10ouns% that7

!. the Notice of Appeal ?as file out of tie in 3iolation of 

Section $% A0t. HH) of the Onibus Election Coe of the

Philippines BP Bl1. @@!: anFo0 Section $$% Rule % Pa0t ') of 

the COME(EC Rules of P0oceu0e.

$. the Resolution of the t0ial cou0t ate Ma0ch % !99;

isissin1 the election p0otest ha al0ea# becoe final an

eIecuto0#.

On Ma# !;% !99;% "u1e Abasolo 1a3e ue cou0se to petitione0sD Notice of Appeal.

The p0i3ate 0esponents as p0otestees: sou1ht 0ecou0se in the

Coission on Elections COME(EC: b# a petition fo0 ce0tio0a0i   an

P0ohibition ?ith a P0a#e0 fo0 a 50it of P0eliina0# )n<unction o0 Rest0ainin1

O0e0 SPR No. @29;: to annul "u1e AbasoloDs o0e0 1i3in1 ue cou0se to

the appeal.

8/9/2019 g.r. No. 94771 Veloria vs. Comelec

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On Ma# ;% !99;% the Coission en banc issue a Tepo0a0# Rest0ainin1

O0e0 en<oinin1 "u1e Abasolo f0o ipleentin1 his O0e0 of Ma# !;%

!99;.

On "une !4% !99;% the Coission en banc issue the follo?in1 O0e0 

efinin1 the issues7

Afte0 a tho0ou1h iscussion of the issues% the follo?in1

c0#stalli>e as the onl# issues to be p0esente fo0 0esolution b#

the Coission% nael#7 !: the issue of ?hethe0 o0 not a

Motion fo0 Reconsie0ation in electo0al cases is a p0ohibite

pleain1 an $: the pa0ties a10ee that in case the ans?e0 to

the fi0st issue is #es% the notice of appeal ?as file out of tie

an in case the ans?e0 is no% the notice of appeal ?as file on

tie.

/a3in1 a10ee on these issues% the pa0ties also a10ee tosubit the sae fo0 0esolution on the basis the0eof. p. $;%

Rollo .:

On Au1ust $ % !99; % the COME(EC 10ante the petition fo0 ce0tio0a0i . The

ispositi3e po0tion of its 0esolution 0eas7

5/ERE-ORE% p0eises consie0e% the Coission En Banc 

RESO('ES% as it he0eb# RESO('ES% to7

!. GRANT the petition fo0 Ce0tio0a0i 

$. Pe0anentl# EN"O)N Public Responent f0o ipleentin1

the o0e0 of Ma# !;% !99;7 an

. OR*ER the Cou0t a =uo   to p0ocee ?ith the isposition of 

Election P0otest Case No. U249 in acco0ance ?ith the

Resolution of Ma0ch % !99; isissin1 the election p0otest

a1ainst he0ein Petitione0s. pp. $$2$% Rollo .:

/ence% this special ci3il action of Ce0tio0a0i  an P0ohibition ?ith p0a#e0 fo0 

a ?0it of p0eliina0# in<unction anFo0 tepo0a0# 0est0ainin1 o0e0% file on

Au1ust !% !99; b# the petitione0s p0otestants belo?:% pu0suant to Rule9% Section !% COME(EC RU(ES O- PROCE*URE on Re3ie? of ecisions of 

the COME(EC: attac8in17

!. the Resolution of the COME(EC En Banc ate Au1ust $% !99; an

$. the Resolution of "u1e Santia1o Est0ella ate Ma0ch % !99;

isissin1 the election p0otest of the petitione0s.

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5ithout 1i3in1 ue cou0se to the petition% ?e 0e=ui0e the 0esponents to

coent.

Afte0 the latte0 ha file thei0 Coents pp. 2% !!;2!$4% Rollo :% the

petitione0s as8e fo0 eItensions of tie to 0epl# ?hich the Cou0t 10ante

but the# i not file the p0oise pleain1:.

As 10ouns of this petition% the petitione0s alle1e that the =uestione

0esolutions a0e not onl# e00oneous but ?e0e issue b# the COME(EC ?ith

10a3e abuse of isc0etion tantaount to lac8 of <u0isiction.

The0e is no e0it in this petition fo0 0e3ie? fo0 the COME(EC co00ectl#

foun that the petitione0sD appeal f0o the cou0tDs o0e0 isissin1 thei0 

election p0otest ?as inee ta0#. )t ?as ta0# because thei0 otion fo0 

0econsie0ation i not suspen thei0 pe0io to appeal. The petitione0sD

0eliance on Section 4% Rule !9 of the COME(EC RU(ES O- PROCE*URE

?hich p0o3ies7

Sec. 4. Effect of 4otion fo0 0econsie0ation on pe0io to appeal .

 J A otion to 0econsie0 a ecision% 0esolution% o0e0% o0 0ulin1

?hen not p0o2fo04a % suspens the 0unnin1 of the pe0io to

ele3ate the atte0 to the Sup0ee Cou0t.

is isplace. The otion fo0 0econsie0ation 0efe00e to abo3e is a

otion fo0 0econsie0ation file in the COME(EC % not in the t0ial cou0t

?he0e a otion fo0 0econsie0ation is not ente0taine.

The 0ule applicable to ecisions o0 o0e0s of the cou0t in election p0otestsis Section $;% Rule of the COME(EC RU(ES O- PROCE*URE ?hich

p0o3ies7

Sec. $;. P0o4ul1ation an -inalit# of *ecision . J The ecision

of the cou0t shall be p0oul1ate on a ate set b# it of ?hich

ue notice ust be 1i3en the pa0ties. )t shall becoe final fi3e 

: a#s afte0 p0o4ul1ation . No 4otion fo0 0econsie0ation shall 

be ente0taine . Ephasis supplie.:

The abo3e COME(EC 0ule ipleents Section $ of the Onibus ElectionCoe =uote belo?7

Sec. $. Appeals . J Appeals f0o an# ecision 0ene0e b# the

0e1ional t0ial cou0t une0 Section $! an pa0a10aph t?o%

Section $ he0eof ?ith 0espect to =uo2?a00anto petitions file

in election contests affectin1 unicipal office0s% the a110ie3e

pa0t# a# appeal to the )nte0eiate Appellate Cou0t Kno?

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Coission on ElectionsL ?ithin fi3e a#s afte0 0eceipt of a cop#

of the ecision. No 4otion fo0 0econsie0ation shall be 

ente0taine b# the Cou0t . The appeal shall be ecie ?ithin

siIt# a#s afte0 the case has been subitte fo0 ecision.

Ephasis supplie.:

Petitione0s aitte 0eceipt of the 0esolution of the t0ial cou0t ate Ma0ch

% !99; on Ma0ch !% !99; but the# file a notice of appeal on Ap0il % !99;

onl#% instea of on o0 befo0e Ma0ch $;% !99; fi3e a#s f0o 0eceipt of the

t0ial cou0tDs ecision:% because the# file a otion fo0 0econsie0ation

?hich% as p0e3iousl# state% is p0ohibite b# Section $ of the Onibus

Election Coe an Section $;% Rule of the COME(EC RU(ES O-

PROCE*URE.

The COME(EC% the0efo0e% co00ectl# 0ule that the otion fo0 

0econsie0ation file b# the petitione0s in the t0ial cou0t on Ma0ch $;% !99;

i not suspen the pe0io to appeal since a otion fo0 0econsie0ation is

p0ohibite une0 Section $ of the Onibus Election Coe.

Since the 0i1ht to appeal is not a natu0al 0i1ht no0 is it a pa0t of ue

p0ocess% fo0 it is e0el# a statuto0# p0i3ile1e that ust be eIe0cise in the

anne0 an acco0in1 to p0oceu0es lai o?n b# la? Bo00e 3s. Cou0t of 

Appeals% !@ SCRA ;:% an its tiel# pe0fection ?ithin the statuto0#

pe0io is anato0# an <u0isictional *el1ao 3s. Republic% !4 SCRA

4 Seb0ano 3s. Rai0e>% ! SCRA ; PC) Ban8 3s. O0ti>% !; SCRA

@; +ui=ui 3s. Bonca0os% !! SCRA 4!:% "u1e Abasolo 10a3el# abusehis isc0etion ?hen he 1a3e ue cou0se to the petitione0sD ta0# appeal

f0o his p0eecesso0Ds "u1e Santia1o Est0ellaDs: 0esolution of Ma0ch %

!99; isissin1 the petitione0sD election p0otest. Sai 0esolution ha

becoe final an unappealable.

Ne3e0theless% ?e ust 10ant this petition fo0 ce0tio0a0i   fo0 the COME(EC

oes not possess <u0isiction to 10ant the p0i3ate 0esponentsD petition fo0 

ce0tio0a0i . This Cou0t% th0ou1h Me. "ustice Aeu0fina A. Melencio2

/e00e0a% in the consoliate cases of Ga0cia% et al . 3s . COME(EC % et al .

G.R. No. @@!@:an Tobon U# 3s. COME(EC an Ne#0a G.R. Nos. 9!;@2

;9: p0oul1ate on Ma0ch 4% !99$% 0ule that the COME(EC has not been

1i3en% b# the Constitution no0 b# la?% <u0isiction to issue ?0its of 

ce0tio0a0i % p0ohibition an 4ana4us 7

)n the Philippine settin1% the autho0it# to issue 50its of 

Ce0tio0a0i% P0ohibition an Mana4us in3ol3es the eIe0cise of 

o0i1inal <u0isiction . Thus% such autho0it# has al?a#s been 

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eIp0essl# confe00e % eithe0 b# the Constitution o0 b# la? . As a

atte0 of fact% the ?ell2settle 0ule is that <u0isiction is

confe00e onl# b# the Constitution o0 b# la?. O0osa% "0. 3s. Cou0t

of Appeals% G.R. Nos. @$@2$% $@ "anua0# !99! Bacalso 3s.

Raolete% G.R. No. (2$$4@@% $ Octobe0 !9% $! SCRA !9:. )t 

is ne3e0 e0i3e b# i4plication . )nee% K?Lhile the po?e0 toissue the ?0it of ce0tio0a0i  is in soe instance confe00e on all

cou0ts b# constitutional o0 statuto0# p0o3isions% o0ina0il#% the

pa0ticula0 cou0ts ?hich ha3e such po?e0 a0e eIp0essl# 

esi1nate  " . A=uinoDs Concu00in1 Opinion in Pientel% sup0a %

citin1 !4 C.". S. $;$ Ephasis supplie:.

Thus% ou0 Cou0ts eIe0cise the po?e0 to issue 50its of Ce0tio0a0i %

P0ohibition an Mana4us   b# 3i0tue of eIp0ess constitutional

10ant o0 le1islati3e enactents. To enue0ate7

!: Section KlL% A0ticle '))) of the !9@ Constitution confe00e

upon this Cou0t such <u0isiction

$: Section 9K!L of Batas Pabansa Bl1. !$9% o0 the "uicia0#

Re1o01ani>ation Act of !9@;% to the Cou0t of Appeals then

)nte0eiate Appellate Cou0t:.

: Section $!KlL of the sai Act% to Re1ional T0ial Cou0ts

4: Section K!L of Republic Act No. 4% o0 the O01anic Act fo0 

the Autonoous Re1ion in Musli Minanao% to the ne?l#

c0eate Sha0iDah Appellate Cou0t an

: A0ticle !4 KeL% Chapte0 )% Title )% Boo8 )' of P0esiential

*ec0ee No. !;@% o0 the Coe of Musli Pe0sonal (a?% to Sha0iDa

*ist0ict Cou0ts.

Si1nificantl#% ?hat the Constitution 10ante the COME(EC ?as 

appellate <u0isiction . The Constitution 4a8es no 4ention of an# 

po?e0 1i3en the COME(EC to eIe0cise o0i1inal <u0isiction o3e0 

Petitions fo0 Ce0tio0a0i% P0ohibition an Mana4us unli8e in the

case of the Sup0ee Cou0t ?hich ?as specificall# confe00e

such autho0it# A0t. ')))% Sec. K!L. The i44utable oct0ine bein1 

that <u0isiction is fiIe b# la?% the po?e0 to issue such 50its 

can not be i4plie f0o4 the 4e0e eIistence of appellate 

 <u0isiction . "ust as iplie 0epeal of statutes a0e f0o?ne upon%

so also shoul the 10ant of o0i1inal <u0isiction b# e0e

iplication to a =uasi2<uicial bo# be tabooe. )f appellate

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 <u0isiction has to be statuto0il# 10ante% ho? uch o0e the

o0i1inal <u0isiction to issue the p0e0o1ati3e 50its

)n 3ie? of this p0onounceent% an o0i1inal special ci3il action of ce0tio0a0i %

p0ohibition o0 4ana4us   a1ainst a 0e1ional t0ial cou0t in an election

contest a# be file onl# in the Cou0t of Appeals o0 in this Cou0t% bein1 the

onl# cou0ts 1i3en such o0i1inal <u0isiction une0 the Constitution an the

la?.

5/ERE-ORE% the petition fo0 ce0tio0a0i  is GRANTE*. The Resolution ate

Au1ust $% !99;% of the COME(EC en banc is annulle fo0 lac8 of <u0isiction.

The Resolution ate Ma0ch % !99; of RTC "u1e Santia1o Est0ella%

isissin1 the election p0otest of the petitione0s is A--)RME* an

ecla0e final an eIecuto0#. Costs a1ainst the petitione0s.

SO OR*ERE*.

Na03asa% C.".% C0u>% Pailla% Meialea% Re1alao% Ro4e0o% Nocon an 

Bellosillo% "".% concu0.

Gutie00e>% "0. an *a3ie% "0.% "".% concu0 in the 0esult.

Pa0as% ".% Reti0e.

-eliciano% ".% concu0s in the 0esult% on the basis of Biin% ".Ds issent in the

Ga0cia2Tobon U# cases.

Biin% ".% concu0s in the 0esult. Consistent ?ith 4# issent in the Ga0cia2 

Tobon U# cases% ) sub4it the Co4elec has ce0tio0a0i <u0isiction o3e0ecision of the RTC in election cases.

-ootnotes

l En Banc  Resolution ate Au1ust $% !99; in SPR No. @29; ?ith

Coissione0 *a0io C. Raa as Ponente an Coissione0s

/a#ee B. &o0ac% Alf0eo Abue1% (eopolo Af0ica% An0es R.

-lo0es an Ma1a0a *iaapao% Concu00in1 pp. !@2$% Rollo :.

$ Resolution in Election P0otest No. U249 befo0e the Re1ional

T0ial Cou0t% B0anch 49% U0aneta% Pan1asinan% ?ith Santia1oEst0ella as P0esiin1 "u1e.