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ROMUALDEZ-MARCOS vs. COMELEC

G.R. No. 119976, September 18, 1995

FACTS:

Petitioner Imelda Romualdez-Maro! "iled #er $erti"iate o" $andida% &$'$( "or t#e po!ition o"

Repre!entati)e o" t#e *ir!t +i!trit o" e%te, !tatin t#at !#e i! 7-mont#! re!ident in t#e !aid di!trit. Pri)ate

re!pondent Monteo, inumbent Repre!entati)e and a andidate "or t#e !ame po!ition, "iled a Petition "or$anellation and +i!/uali"iation, allein t#at petitioner did not meet t#e on!titutional one-%ear re!iden%re/uirement. Petitioner t#u! amended #er $'$, #anin 0!e)en mont#! to 0!ine #ild#ood. 2#e pro)inia

eletion !uper)i!or re"u!ed to admit t#e amended $'$ "or t#e rea!on t#at it 3a! "iled out o" time. Petitioner

t#u!, "iled #er amended $'$ 3it# $'M44$ in di)i!ion.

2#e $'M44$ Seond +i)i!ion "ound t#e petition "or di!/uali"iation meritoriou! and !tru o"" t#e amended

a! 3ell a! oriinal $'$!. In rulin t#u!, $'M44$ in di)i!ion "ound t#at 3#en petitioner #o!e to !ta% inIloo! and later on in Manila, oupled 3it# #er intention to !ta% t#ere b% rei!terin a! a )oter t#ere and

epre!!l% delarin t#at !#e i! a re!ident o" t#at plae, !#e i! deemed to #a)e abandoned 2aloban $it%, 3#ere

!#e !pent #er #ild#ood and !#ool da%!, a! #er plae o" domiile. 2#e $'M44$ en ban a""irmed t#i! rulin.

+urin t#e penden% o" t#e di!/uali"iation a!e, petitioner 3on in t#e eletion. ut t#e $'M44$ !u!pended

#er prolamation.

ISSUES:

1. #et#er or not petitioner 3a! a re!ident, "or eletion purpo!e!, o" t#e *ir!t +i!trit o" e%te "or a period o"

one %ear at t#e time o" t#e Ma% 9, 1995 eletion!.

. #et#er or not t#e $'M44$ properl% eeri!ed it! uri!dition in di!/uali"%in petitioner out!ide t#e

period mandated b% t#e 'mnibu! 4letion $ode "or di!/uali"iation a!e! under :rtile 78 o" t#e !aid $ode.

;( #et#er or not t#e <ou!e o" Repre!entati)e! 4letoral 2ribunal a!!umed elu!i)e uri!dition o)er t#e/ue!tion o" petitioner=! /uali"iation! a"ter t#e Ma% 8, 1995 eletion!.

HELD:

Domicile vs. Residence

In 'n )!. Republi, t#i! ourt too t#e onept o" domiile to mean an indi)idual=! >permanent #ome>, >a plae

to 3#i#, 3#ene)er ab!ent "or bu!ine!! or "or plea!ure, one intend! to return, and depend! on "at! andirum!tane! in t#e !en!e t#at t#e% di!lo!e intent.> a!ed on t#e "oreoin, domiile inlude! t#e t3inelement! o" >t#e "at o" re!idin or p#%!ial pre!ene in a "ied plae> and animu! manendi, or t#e intention o"

returnin t#ere permanentl%.

Re!idene, in it! ordinar% oneption, implie! t#e "atual relation!#ip o" an indi)idual to a ertain plae. It i! t#e

p#%!ial pre!ene o" a per!on in a i)en area, ommunit% or ountr%. 2#e e!!ential di!tintion bet3een

re!idene and domiile in la3 i! t#at re!idene in)ol)e! t#e intent to lea)e 3#en t#e purpo!e "or 3#i# t#ere!ident #a! taen up #i! abode end!. 'ne ma% !ee a plae "or purpo!e! !u# a! plea!ure, bu!ine!!, or #ealt#. I"

a per!on=! intent be to remain, it beome! #i! domiile? i" #i! intent i! to lea)e a! !oon a! #i! purpo!e i!

e!tabli!#ed it i! re!idene. It i! t#u!, /uite per"etl% normal "or an indi)idual to #a)e di""erent re!idene! in



)ariou! plae!. <o3e)er, a per!on an onl% #a)e a !inle domiile, unle!!, "or )ariou! rea!on!, #e !ue!!"ull%

abandon! #i! domiile in "a)or o" anot#er domiile o" #oie. In @%ten!u )!. Republi, 3e laid t#i! di!tintion/uite learl%A

2#ere i! a di""erene bet3een domiile and re!idene. >Re!idene> i! u!ed to indiate a plae o" abode, 3#et#er permanent or temporar%? >domiile> denote! a "ied permanent re!idene to 3#i#, 3#en ab!ent, one #a! t#e

intention o" returnin. : man ma% #a)e a re!idene in one plae and a domiile in anot#er. Re!idene i! not

domiile, but domiile i! re!idene oupled 3it# t#e intention to remain "or an unlimited time. : man an #a)e but one domiile "or t#e !ame purpo!e at an% time, but #e ma% #a)e numerou! plae! o" re!idene. <i! plae o"re!idene i! enerall% #i! plae o" domiile, but it i! not b% an% mean! nee!!aril% !o !ine no lent# o"

re!idene 3it#out intention o" remainin 3ill on!titute domiile.

1. B4S. Imelda Romualdez-Maro! 3a! a re!ident o" t#e *ir!t +i!trit o" e%te "or eletion purpo!e!, and

t#ere"ore po!!e!!ed t#e nee!!ar% re!idene /uali"iation! to run in e%te a! a andidate "or a !eat in t#e <ou!eo" Repre!entati)e! "or t#e "ollo3in rea!on!A

a. Minor "ollo3! t#e domiile o" #i! parent!. :! domiile, one a/uired i! retained until a ne3 one i! ained, it

"ollo3! t#at in !pite o" t#e "at o" petitioner=! bein born in Manila, 2aloban, e%te 3a! #er domiile o" oriin b% operation o" la3. 2#i! domiile 3a! e!tabli!#ed 3#en #er "at#er brou#t #i! "amil% ba to e%te.

b. +omiile o" oriin i! not ea!il% lo!t. 2o !ue!!"ull% e""et a #ane o" domiile, one mu!t demon!trateA

1. :n atual remo)al or an atual #ane o" domiile?

. : bona "ide intention o" abandonin t#e "ormer plae o" re!idene and e!tabli!#in a ne3 one? and ;. :t! 3#i# orre!pond 3it# t#e purpo!e.

In t#e ab!ene o" lear and po!iti)e proo" ba!ed on t#e!e riteria, t#e re!idene o" oriin !#ould be deemed toontinue. 'nl% 3it# e)idene !#o3in onurrene o" all t#ree re/uirement! an t#e pre!umption o" ontinuit%

or re!idene be rebutted, "or a #ane o" re!idene re/uire! an atual and deliberate abandonment, and oneannot #a)e t3o leal re!idene! at t#e !ame time.

Petitioner #eld )ariou! re!idene! "or di""erent purpo!e! durin t#e la!t "our deade!. None o" t#e!e purpo!e!

une/ui)oall% point to an intention to abandon #er domiile o" oriin in 2aloban, e%te.

. It annot be orretl% arued t#at petitioner lo!t #er domiile o" oriin b% operation o" la3 a! a re!ult o" #er

marriae to t#e late Pre!ident *erdinand 4. Maro! in 195.

C: 3i"e doe! not automatiall% ain t#e #u!bandD! domiile.E #at petitioner ained upon marriae 3a! atual

re!idene. S#e did not lo!e #er domiile o" oriin. 2#e term re!idene ma% mean one t#in in i)il la3 &or under

t#e $i)il $ode( and /uite anot#er t#in in politial la3. #at !tand! lear i! t#at in!o"ar a! t#e $i)il $ode i!onerned-a""etin t#e ri#t! and obliation! o" #u!band and 3i"e F t#e term re!idene !#ould onl% beinterpreted to mean >atual re!idene.> 2#e ine!apable onlu!ion deri)ed "rom t#i! unambiuou! i)il la3

delineation t#ere"ore, i! t#at 3#en petitioner married t#e "ormer Pre!ident in 195, !#e ept #er domiile o"

oriin and merel% ained a ne3 #ome, not a domicilium necessarium.

d. 4)en a!!umin "or t#e !ae o" arument t#at petitioner ained a ne3 >domiile> a"ter #er marriae and onl%

a/uired a ri#t to #oo!e a ne3 one a"ter #er #u!band died, petitioner=! at! "ollo3in #er return to t#e ountr%learl% indiate t#at !#e not onl% impliedl% but epre!!l% #o!e #er domiile o" oriin &a!!umin t#i! 3a! lo!t b%

operation o" la3( a! #er domiile. 2#i! >#oie> 3a! une/ui)oall% epre!!ed in #er letter! to t#e $#airman o"

t#e P$GG 3#en petitioner !ou#t t#e P$GG=! permi!!ion to >re#abilitate &our( ane!tral #ou!e in 2aloban and



*arm in 'lot, e%te. . . to mae t#em li)able "or t#e Maro! "amil% to #a)e a #ome in our #omeland.>

*urt#ermore, petitioner obtained #er re!idene erti"iate in 199 in 2aloban, e%te, 3#ile li)in in #er brot#er=! #ou!e, an at 3#i# !upport! t#e domiiliar% intention learl% mani"e!ted in #er letter! to t#e P$GG

$#airman.

Effect of Dis!"lific"tion C"se

. It i! a !ettled dotrine t#at a !tatute re/uirin rendition o" udment 3it#in a !pei"ied time i! enerall%on!trued to be merel% diretor%, >!o t#at non-ompliane 3it# t#em doe! not in)alidate t#e udment on t#et#eor% t#at i" t#e !tatute #ad intended !u# re!ult it 3ould #a)e learl% indiated it.> 2#e di""erene bet3een a

mandator% and a diretor% pro)i!ion i! o"ten made on round! o" nee!!it%.

In an% e)ent, 3it# t#e enatment o" Setion! 6 and 7 o" R.:. 666 in relation to Setion 78 o" .P. 881, it i!

e)ident t#at t#e re!pondent $ommi!!ion doe! not lo!e uri!dition to #ear and deide a pendin di!/uali"iation

a!e under Setion 78 o" .P. 881 e)en a"ter t#e eletion!.

Section #. Effect of Dis!"lific"tion C"se. - :n% andidate 3#o #a! been delared b% "inal udment to be

di!/uali"ied !#all not be )oted "or, and t#e )ote! a!t "or #im !#all not be ounted. I" "or an% rea!on a andidate

i! not delared b% "inal udment be"ore an eletion to be di!/uali"ied and #e i! )oted "or and reei)e! t#e3innin number o" )ote! in !u# eletion, t#e $ourt or $ommi!!ion !#all ontinue 3it# t#e trial and #earin o"

t#e ation, in/uir%, or prote!t and, upon motion o" t#e omplainant or an% inter)enor, ma% durin t#e penden%

t#ereo" order t#e !u!pen!ion o" t#e prolamation o" !u# andidate 3#ene)er t#e e)idene o" #i! uilt i! !tron.

HRET $!%isdiction

;. <R42=! uri!dition a! t#e !ole ude o" all onte!t! relatin to t#e eletion!, return! and /uali"iation! o"

member! o" $onre!! bein! onl% a"ter a andidate #a! beome a member o" t#e <ou!e o" Repre!entati)e!

Petitioner not bein a member o" t#e <ou!e o" Repre!entati)e!, it i! ob)iou! t#at t#e <R42 at t#i! point #a! no uri!dition o)er t#e /ue!tion.

A&UI'O vs COMELEC( )*+ SCRA *,,

*at!A

'n H Mar# 1995, :apito :. :/uino "iled #i! $erti"iate o" $andida% "or t#e po!ition o" Repre!entati)e "ort#e ne3 Seond ei!lati)e +i!trit o" Maati $it%. In #i! erti"iate o" andida%, :/uino !tated t#at #e 3a! a

re!ident o" t#e a"orementioned di!trit "or 1H mont#!. *aed 3it# a petition "or di!/uali"iation, #e amended t#e

entr% on #i! re!iden% in #i! erti"iate o" andida% to 1 %ear and 1; da%!. 2#e $ommi!!ion on 4letion!

di!mi!!ed t#e petition on 6 Ma% and allo3ed :/uino to run in t#e eletion o" 8 Ma%. :/uino 3on. :tin on amotion "or reon!ideration on t#e abo)e di!mi!!al, t#e $ommi!!ion on 4letion later i!!ued an order !u!pendin

t#e prolamation o" :/uino until t#e $ommi!!ion re!ol)ed t#e i!!ue. 'n une, t#e $ommi!!ion on 4letion!

"ound :/uino ineliible and di!/uali"ied "or t#e eleti)e o""ie "or la o" on!titutional /uali"iation o"re!idene.

I!!ueA#et#er 0re!iden% in t#e erti"iate o" andida% atuall% onnote! 0domiile to 3arrant t#e di!/uali"iation

o" :/uino "rom t#e po!ition in t#e eletoral di!trit.



<eldA

2#e plae 03#ere a part% atuall% or on!truti)el% #a! #i! permanent #ome, 3#ere #e, no matter 3#ere #ema% be "ound at an% i)en time, e)entuall% intend! to return and remain, i.e., #i! domiile, i! t#at to 3#i# t#e

$on!titution re"er! 3#en it !pea! o" re!idene "or t#e purpo!e! o" eletion la3. 2#e purpo!e i! to elude

!traner! or ne3omer! un"amiliar 3it# t#e ondition! and need! o" t#e ommunit% "rom tain ad)antae o""a)orable irum!tane! ei!tin in t#at ommunit% "or eletoral ain. :/uinoD! erti"iate o" andida% in a

pre)iou! &199( eletion indiate! t#at #e 3a! a re!ident and a rei!tered )oter o" San o!e, $onepion, 2arla

"or more t#an 5 %ear! prior to t#at eletion. :/uinoD! onnetion to t#e Seond +i!trit o" Maati $it% i! analleed lea!e areement o" a ondominium unit in t#e area. 2#e intention not to e!tabli!# a permanent #ome inMaati $it% i! e)ident in #i! lea!in a ondominium unit in!tead o" bu%in one. 2#e !#ort lent# o" time #e

laim! to be a re!ident o" Maati &and t#e "at o" #i! !tated domiile in 2arla and #i! laim! o" ot#er re!idene!

in Metro Manila( indiate t#at #i! !ole purpo!e in tran!"errin #i! p#%!ial re!idene i! not to a/uire a ne3re!idene or domiile but onl% to /uali"% a! a andidate "or Repre!entati)e "o t#e Seond +i!trit o" Maati

$it%. :/uino 3a! t#u! ri#t"ull% di!/uali"ied b% t#e $ommi!!ion on 4letion!.

FRIALDO S. COMELEC

R / +0123( $!ne )3( 12+2 (Constitutional Law – Recovery of Citizenship)

*:$2SA Pri)ate re!pondent /ue!tioned petitioner o)ernorD! andida% and eletion "or bein null and )oid abinitio due to #i! alienae. Petitioner o)ernor ontend! t#at #i! ati)e partiipation in t#e eletion! #ad di)e!ted

#im o" :merian itizen!#ip under t#e la3! o" t#e @S, and re!tored #im o" #i! P#ilippine itizen!#ip.

ISS@4A #et#er or not t#e "ilin o" a erti"iate o" andida% b% a naturalized :merian e""eti)el% reo)er!

#i! P#ilippine itizen!#ip.

<4+A No, P#ilippine itizen!#ip pre)iou!l% di!o3ned i! not t#at #eapl% reo)ered. $itizen!#ip one lo!t ma%

be rea/uired eit#er b% naturalization or repatriation or b% diret rant b% la3 &$: 6;( 3#i# 3a! not in)oed b% t#e petitioner.

F"cts: Petitioner uan G. *ri)aldo 3a! prolaimed o)ernor-elet and a!!ume o""ie in due time. 2#e eaue o"Muniipalitie! "iled 3it# t#e $'M44$ a petition "or annulment o" *ri)aldoD! eletion and prolamation on

t#e round t#at #e 3a! not a *ilipino itizen, #a)in been naturalized in t#e @nited State!. *ri)aldo admitted t#ealleation but pleaded t#e !peial and a""irmati)e de"en!e! t#at #i! naturalization 3a! merel% "ored upon

#im!el" a! a mean! o" !ur)i)al aain!t t#e unrelentin pro!eution b% t#e Martial a3 +itatorD! aent abroad.

Iss!e: #et#er or not *ri)aldo 3a! a itizen o" t#e P#ilippine! at t#e time o" #i! eletion.

Held: No. Setion 117 o" t#e 'mnibu! 4letion $ode pro)ide! t#at a /uali"ied )oter mu!t be, amon ot#er/uali"iation!, a itizen o" t#e P#ilippine!, t#i! bein an indi!pen!able re/uirement "or !u""rae under :rtile J

Setion 1, o" t#e $on!titution.



.R. 'o. 11220# Se4tem5e% 1+( 1226

IMELDA ROMUALDEZ-MARCOS )!. COMELEC "nd CIRILO RO7 MO'TE$O

: on!titutional pro)i!ion !#ould be on!trued a! to i)e it e""eti)e operation and !uppre!! t#e mi!#ie" at

3#i# it i! aimed. 1 2#e 1987 $on!titution mandate! t#at an a!pirant "or eletion to t#e <ou!e o" Repre!entati)e! be >a rei!tered )oter in t#e di!trit in 3#i# #e !#all be eleted, and a re!ident t#ereo" "or a period o" not le!!

t#an one %ear immediatel% preedin t#e eletion.> ) 2#e mi!#ie" 3#i# t#i! pro)i!ion F reprodued )erbatim

"rom t#e 197; $on!titution F !ee! to pre)ent i! t#e po!!ibilit% o" a >!traner or ne3omer una/uainted 3it#t#e ondition! and need! o" a ommunit% and not identi"ied 3it# t#e latter, "rom an eleti)e o""ie to !er)e t#at

ommunit%.> 3

Petitioner Imelda Romualdez-Maro! "iled #er $erti"iate o" $andida% "or t#e po!ition o" Repre!entati)e o" t#e*ir!t +i!trit o" e%te 3it# t#e Pro)inial 4letion Super)i!or on Mar# 8, 1995, pro)idin t#e "ollo3inin"ormation in item no. 8A

R4SI+4N$4 IN 2<4 $'NS2I2@4N$B <4R4 I S44K 2' 4 44$24+

IMM4+I:24B PR4$4+ING 2<4 44$2I'NA LLLLLLLLLL Bear! and seven Mont#!.



'n Mar# ;, 1995, pri)ate re!pondent $irilo Ro% Monteo, t#e inumbent Repre!entati)e o" t#e *ir!t +i!trit

o" e%te and a andidate "or t#e !ame po!ition, "iled a >Petition "or $anellation and +i!/uali"iation> 6 3it# t#e$ommi!!ion on 4letion! allein t#at petitioner did not meet t#e on!titutional re/uirement "or re!iden%. In

#i! petition, pri)ate re!pondent ontended t#at Mr!. Maro! laed t#e $on!titution=! one %ear re!iden%

re/uirement "or andidate! "or t#e <ou!e o" Repre!entati)e! on t#e e)idene o" delaration! made b% #er inJoter Rei!tration Reord 9-No. ;;977 # and in #er $erti"iate o" $andida%. <e pra%ed t#at >an order be

i!!ued delarin &petitioner( di!/uali"ied and anelin t#e erti"iate o" andida%.> 0

'n Mar# 9, 1995, petitioner "iled an :mended$orreted $erti"iate o" $andida%, #anin t#e entr%

>!e)en> mont#! to >!ine #ild#ood> in item no. 8 o" t#e amended erti"iate. + 'n t#e !ame da%, t#e Pro)inial4letion Super)i!or o" e%te in"ormed petitioner t#atA

C2E#i! o""ie annot reei)e or aept t#e a"orementioned $erti"iate o" $andida% on t#e round t#at it

i! "iled out o" time, t#e deadline "or t#e "ilin o" t#e !ame #a)in alread% lap!ed on Mar# H, 1995. 2#e

$orreted:mended $erti"iate o" $andida% !#ould #a)e been "iled on or be"ore t#e Mar# H, 1995deadline.

$on!e/uentl%, petitioner "iled t#e :mended$orreted $erti"iate o" $andida% 3it# t#e $'M44$=! <ead

'""ie in Intramuro!, Manila onMar# ;1, 1995. <er :n!3er to pri)ate re!pondent=! petition in SP: No. 95-HH9 3a! lie3i!e "iled 3it# t#e

#ead o""ie on t#e !ame da%. In !aid :n!3er, petitioner a)erred t#at t#e entr% o" t#e 3ord >!e)en> in #er oriinal

$erti"iate o" $andida% 3a! t#e re!ult o" an >#one!t mi!interpretation> 1, 3#i# !#e !ou#t to reti"% b% addint#e 3ord! >!ine #ild#ood> in #er :mended$orreted $erti"iate o" $andida% and t#at >!#e #a! al3a%!

maintained 2aloban $it% a! #er domiile or re!idene. 11 Impunin re!pondent=! moti)e in "ilin t#e petition

!eein #er di!/uali"iation, !#e noted t#atA

#en re!pondent &petitioner #erein( announed t#at !#e 3a! intendin to rei!ter a! a )oter in 2aloban$it% and run "or $onre!! in t#e *ir!t +i!trit o" e%te, petitioner immediatel% oppo!ed #er intended

rei!tration b% 3ritin a letter !tatin t#at >!#e i! not a re!ident o" !aid it% but o" arana% 'lot,

2olo!a, e%te. :"ter re!pondent #ad rei!tered a! a )oter in 2olo!a "ollo3in ompletion o" #er !imont# atual re!idene t#erein, petitioner "iled a petition 3it# t#e $'M44$ to tran!"er t#e to3n o"

2olo!a "rom t#e *ir!t +i!trit to t#e Seond +i!trit and pur!ued !u# a mo)e up to t#e Supreme $ourt,

#i! purpo!e bein to remo)e re!pondent a! petitioner=! opponent in t#e onre!!ional eletion in t#e *ir!t+i!trit. <e al!o "iled a bill, alon 3it# ot#er e%te $onre!!men, !eein t#e reation o" anot#er

lei!lati)e di!trit to remo)e t#e to3n o" 2olo!a out o" t#e *ir!t +i!trit, to a#ie)e #i! purpo!e.<o3e)er, !u# bill did not pa!! t#e Senate. <a)in "ailed on !u# mo)e!, petitioner no3 "iled t#e in!tant

petition "or t#e !ame obeti)e, a! it i! ob)iou! t#at #e i! a"raid to !ubmit alon 3it# re!pondent "or t#e udment and )erdit o" t#e eletorate o" t#e *ir!t +i!trit o" e%te in an #one!t, orderl%, peae"ul, "ree

and lean eletion! on Ma% 8, 1995.

'n :pril , 1995, t#e Seond +i)i!ion o" t#e $ommi!!ion on 4letion! &$'M44$(, b% a )ote o" to 1, 13

ame up 3it# a Re!olution 1( "indin pri)ate re!pondent=! Petition "or +i!/uali"iation in SP: 95-HH9

meritoriou!? ( !triin o"" petitioner=! $orreted:mended $erti"iate o" $andida% o" Mar# ;1, 1995? and ;(



anelin #er oriinal $erti"iate o" $andida%. 1* +ealin 3it# t3o primar% i!!ue!, namel%, t#e )alidit% o"

amendin t#e oriinal $erti"iate o" $andida% a"ter t#e lap!e o" t#e deadline "or "ilin erti"iate! o"andida%, and petitioner=! ompliane 3it# t#e one %ear re!iden% re/uirement, t#e Seond +i)i!ion #eldA

Re!pondent rai!ed t#e a""irmati)e de"en!e in #er :n!3er t#at t#e printed 3ord >Se)en> &mont#!( 3a! a

re!ult o" an >#one!t mi!interpretation or #one!t mi!tae> on #er part and, t#ere"ore, an amendment!#ould !ub!e/uentl% be allo3ed. S#e a)erred t#at !#e t#ou#t t#at 3#at 3a! a!ed 3a! #er >atual and p#%!ial> pre!ene in 2olo!a and not re!idene o" oriin or domiile in t#e *ir!t ei!lati)e +i!trit, to

3#i# !#e ould #a)e re!ponded >!ine #ild#ood.> In an aompan%in a""ida)it, !#e !tated t#at #er

domiile i! 2aloban $it%, a omponent o" t#e *ir!t +i!trit, to 3#i# !#e al3a%! intended to return3#ene)er ab!ent and 3#i# !#e #a! ne)er abandoned. *urt#ermore, in #er memorandum, !#e tried to

di!redit petitioner=! t#eor% o" di!/uali"iation b% allein t#at !#e #a! been a re!ident o" t#e *ir!t

ei!lati)e +i!trit o" e%te !ine #ild#ood, alt#ou# !#e onl% beame a re!ident o" t#e Muniipalit% o"2olo!a "or !e)en mont#!. S#e a!!ert! t#at !#e #a! al3a%! been a re!ident o" 2aloban $it%, a omponent

o" t#e *ir!t +i!trit, be"ore omin to t#e Muniipalit% o" 2olo!a.

:lon t#i! point, it i! intere!tin to note t#at prior to #er rei!tration in 2olo!a, re!pondent announed

t#at !#e 3ould be rei!terin in 2aloban $it% !o t#at !#e an be a andidate "or t#e +i!trit. <o3e)ert#i! intention 3a! rebu""ed 3#en petitioner 3rote t#e 4letion '""ier o" 2aloban not to allo3

re!pondent !ine !#e i! a re!ident o" 2olo!a and not 2aloban. S#e ne)er di!puted t#i! laim and in!tead

impliitl% aeded to it b% rei!terin in 2olo!a.

2#i! inident belie! re!pondent=! laim o" >#one!t mi!interpretation or #one!t mi!tae.> e!ide!, t#e

$erti"iate o" $andida% onl% a!! "or R4SI+4N$4. Sine on t#e ba!i! o" #er :n!3er, !#e 3a! /uitea3are o" >re!idene o" oriin> 3#i# !#e interpret! to be 2aloban $it%, it i! uriou! 3#% !#e did not ite2aloban $it% in #er $erti"iate o" $andida%. <er eplanation t#at !#e t#ou#t 3#at 3a! a!ed 3a! #er

atual and p#%!ial pre!ene in 2olo!a i! not ea!% to belie)e beau!e t#ere i! none in t#e /ue!tion t#at

in!inuate! about 2olo!a. In "at, item no. 8 in t#e $erti"iate o" $andida% !pea! learl% o" >Re!iden%

in the CONSTITUENCY 3#ere I !ee to be eleted immediatel% preedin t#e eletion.> 2#u!, t#eeplanation o" re!pondent "ail! to be per!ua!i)e.

*rom t#e "oreoin, re!pondent=! de"en!e o" an #one!t mi!tae or mi!interpretation, t#ere"ore, i! de)oid

o" merit.

2o "urt#er buttre!! re!pondent=! ontention t#at an amendment ma% be made, !#e ited t#e a!e o" Alialy

v. COMELEC & S$R: 957(. 2#e reliane o" re!pondent on t#e a!e o" :lial% i! mi!plaed. 2#e a!e

onl% applie! to t#e >inon!e/uential de)iation! 3#i# annot a""et t#e re!ult o" t#e eletion, orde)iation! "rom pro)i!ion! intended primaril% to !eure timel% and orderl% ondut o" eletion!.> 2#e

Supreme $ourt in t#at a!e on!idered t#e amendment onl% a! a matter o" "orm. ut in t#e in!tant a!e,

t#e amendment annot be on!idered a! a matter o" "orm or an inon!e/uential de)iation. 2#e #ane in



t#e number o" %ear! o" re!idene in t#e plae 3#ere re!pondent !ee! to be eleted i! a !ub!tantial matter

3#i# determine! #er /uali"iation a! a andida%, !peiall% t#o!e intended to !uppre!!, auratematerial repre!entation in t#e oriinal erti"iate 3#i# ad)er!el% a""et! t#e "iler. 2o admit t#e amended

erti"iate i! to ondone t#e e)il! brou#t b% t#e !#i"tin mind! o" manipulatin andidate, o" t#e

detriment o" t#e interit% o" t#e eletion.

Moreo)er, to allo3 re!pondent to #ane t#e !e)en &7( mont# period o" #er re!iden% in order to prolonit b% laimin it 3a! >!ine #ild#ood> i! to allo3 an untrut#"ulne!! to be ommitted be"ore t#i!

$ommi!!ion. 2#e arit#metial aura% o" t#e 7 mont#! re!iden% t#e re!pondent indiated in #er

erti"iate o" andida% an be leaned "rom #er entr% in #er Joter=! Rei!tration Reord aompli!#edon anuar% 8, 1995 3#i# re"let! t#at !#e i! a re!ident o" r%. 'lot, 2olo!a, e%te "or 6 mont#! at t#e

time o" t#e !aid rei!tration &:nne :, Petition(. Said aura% i! "urt#er buttre!!ed b% #er letter to t#e

eletion o""ier o" San uan, Metro Manila, dated :uu!t , 199, re/ue!tin "or t#e anellation o" #errei!tration in t#e Permanent i!t o" Joter! t#ereat !o t#at !#e an be re-rei!tered or tran!"erred to

r%. 'lot, 2olo!a, e%te. 2#e date! o" t#e!e t#ree &;( di""erent doument! !#o3 t#e re!pondent=!

on!i!tent on)ition t#at !#e #a! tran!"erred #er re!idene to 'lot, 2olo!a, e%te "rom Metro Manila

onl% "or !u# limited period o" time, !tartin in t#e la!t 3ee o" :uu!t 199 3#i# on Mar# 8, 19953ill onl% !um up to 7 mont#!. 2#e $ommi!!ion, t#ere"ore, annot be per!uaded to belie)e in t#e

re!pondent=! ontention t#at it 3a! an error.

a!ed on t#e!e rea!on! t#e :mended$orreted $erti"iate o" $andida% annot be admitted b% t#i!$ommi!!ion.

:nent t#e !eond i!!ue, and ba!ed on t#e "oreoin di!u!!ion, it i! lear t#at re!pondent #a! notomplied 3it# t#e one %ear re!iden% re/uirement o" t#e $on!titution.

In eletion a!e!, t#e term >re!idene> #a! al3a%! been on!idered a! !%non%mou! 3it# >domiile>

3#i# import! not onl% t#e intention to re!ide in a "ied plae but al!o per!onal pre!ene in-t#at plae

oupled 3it# ondut indiati)e o" !u# intention. +omiile denote! a "ied permanent re!idene to

3#i# 3#en ab!ent "or bu!ine!! or plea!ure, or "or lie rea!on!, one intend! to return. &Per"eto *a%pon)!. 4li!eo uirino, 96 P#il 9? Romualdez )!. R2$-2aloban, 6 S$R: H8(. In re!pondent=! a!e,

3#en !#e returned to t#e P#ilippine! in 1991, t#e re!idene !#e #o!e 3a! not 2aloban but San uan,

Metro Manila. 2#u!, #er animus revertendi i! pointed to Metro Manila and not 2aloban.

2#i! +i)i!ion i! a3are t#at #er laim t#at !#e #a! been a re!ident o" t#e *ir!t +i!trit !ine #ild#ood i!

not#in more t#an to i)e #er a olor o" /uali"iation 3#ere !#e i! ot#er3i!e on!titutionall%

di!/uali"ied. It annot #old round in t#e "ae o" t#e "at! admitted b% t#e re!pondent in #er a""ida)it4ept "or t#e time t#at !#e !tudied and 3ored "or !ome %ear! a"ter raduation in 2aloban $it%, !#e

ontinuou!l% li)ed in Manila. In 1959, a"ter #er #u!band 3a! eleted Senator, !#e li)ed and re!ided in

San uan, Metro Manila 3#ere !#e 3a! a rei!tered )oter. In 1965, !#e li)ed in San Miuel, Manila



3#ere !#e 3a! aain a rei!tered )oter. In 1978, !#e !er)ed a! member o" t#e ata!an Pamban!a a! t#e

repre!entati)e o" t#e $it% o" Manila and later on !er)ed a! t#e Go)ernor o" Metro Manila. S#e ould not#a)e !er)ed t#e!e po!ition! i" !#e #ad not been a re!ident o" t#e $it% o" Manila. *urt#ermore, 3#en !#e

"iled #er erti"iate o" andida% "or t#e o""ie o" t#e Pre!ident in 199, !#e laimed to be a re!ident o"

San uan, Metro Manila. :! a matter o" "at on :uu!t , 199, re!pondent 3rote a letter 3it# t#eeletion o""ier o" San uan, Metro Manila re/ue!tin "or t#e anellation o" #er rei!tration in t#e

permanent li!t o" )oter! t#at !#e ma% be re-rei!tered or tran!"erred to arana% 'lot, 2olo!a, e%te.

2#e!e "at! mani"e!t t#at !#e ould not #a)e been a re!ident o" 2aloban $it% !ine #ild#ood up to t#etime !#e "iled #er erti"iate o" andida% beau!e !#e beame a re!ident o" man% plae!, inludinMetro Manila. 2#i! debun! #er laim t#at prior to #er re!idene in 2olo!a, e%te, !#e 3a! a re!ident o"

t#e *ir!t ei!lati)e +i!trit o" e%te !ine #ild#ood.

In t#i! a!e, re!pondent=! ondut re)eal! #er la o" intention to mae 2aloban #er domiile. S#erei!tered a! a )oter in di""erent plae! and on !e)eral oa!ion! delared t#at !#e 3a! a re!ident o"

Manila. :lt#ou# !#e !pent #er !#ool da%! in 2aloban, !#e i! on!idered to #a)e abandoned !u#

plae 3#en !#e #o!e to !ta% and re!ide in ot#er di""erent plae!. In t#e a!e o" Romualdez vs. RTC &6

S$R: H8( t#e $ourt eplained #o3 one a/uire! a ne3 domiile b% #oie. 2#ere mu!t onurA &1(re!idene or bodil% pre!ene in t#e ne3 loalit%? &( intention to remain t#ere? and &;( intention to

abandon t#e old domiile. In ot#er 3ord! t#ere mu!t ba!iall% be animus manendi 3it# animus non

revertendi. #en re!pondent #o!e to !ta% in Iloo! and later on in Manila, oupled 3it# #er intention to!ta% t#ere b% rei!terin a! a )oter t#ere and epre!!l% delarin t#at !#e i! a re!ident o" t#at plae, !#e i!

deemed to #a)e abandoned 2aloban $it%, 3#ere !#e !pent #er #ild#ood and !#ool da%!, a! #er plae

o" domiile.

Pure intention to re!ide in t#at plae i! not !u""iient, t#ere mu!t lie3i!e be ondut indiati)e o" !u#

intention. Re!pondent=! !tatement! to t#e e""et t#at !#e #a! al3a%! intended to return to 2aloban3it#out t#e aompan%in ondut to pro)e t#at intention, i! not onlu!i)e o" #er #oie o" re!ideneRe!pondent #a! not pre!ented an% e)idene to !#o3 t#at #er ondut, one %ear prior t#e eletion,

!#o3ed intention to re!ide in 2aloban. or!e, 3#at 3a! e)ident 3a! t#at prior to #er re!idene in

2olo!a, !#e #ad been a re!ident o" Manila.

It i! e)ident "rom t#e!e irum!tane! t#at !#e 3a! not a re!ident o" t#e *ir!t +i!trit o" e%te >!ine#ild#ood.>

2o "urt#er !upport t#e a!!ertion t#at !#e ould #a)e not been a re!ident o" t#e *ir!t +i!trit o" e%te "or

more t#an one %ear, petitioner orretl% pointed out t#at on anuar% 8, 1995 re!pondent rei!tered a! a)oter at preint No. 18-: o" 'lot, 2olo!a, e%te. In doin !o, !#e plaed in #er Joter Rei!tration

Reord t#at !#e re!ided in t#e muniipalit% o" 2olo!a "or a period o" !i mont#!. 2#i! ma% be

inon!e/uential a! arued b% t#e re!pondent !ine it re"er! onl% to #er re!idene in 2olo!a, e%te. ut

#er "ailure to pro)e t#at !#e 3a! a re!ident o" t#e *ir!t +i!trit o" e%te prior to #er re!idene in 2olo!alea)e! not#in but a on)inin proo" t#at !#e #ad been a re!ident o" t#e di!trit "or !i mont#! onl%.



In a Re!olution promulated a da% be"ore t#e Ma% 8, 1995 eletion!, t#e $'M44$ en anc denied petitioner=!

Motion "or Reon!ideration 1# o" t#e :pril , 1995 Re!olution delarin #er not /uali"ied to run "or t#e po!itiono" Member o" t#e <ou!e o" Repre!entati)e! "or t#e *ir!t ei!lati)e +i!trit o" e%te. 10 2#e Re!olution ter!el%

!tatedA

:"ter deliberatin on t#e Motion "or Reon!ideration, t#e $ommi!!ion R4S'J4+ to +4NB it, no ne3!ub!tantial matter! #a)in been rai!ed t#erein to 3arrant re-eamination o" t#e re!olution rantin t#e petition "or di!/uali"iation.

'n Ma% 11, 1995, t#e $'M44$ i!!ued a Re!olution allo3in petitioner=! prolamation !#ould t#e re!ult! o"

t#e an)a!! !#o3 t#at !#e obtained t#e #i#e!t number o" )ote! in t#e onre!!ional eletion! in t#e *ir!t+i!trit o" e%te. 'n t#e !ame da%, #o3e)er, t#e $'M44$ re)er!ed it!el" and i!!ued a !eond Re!olution

diretin t#at t#e prolamation o" petitioner be !u!pended in t#e e)ent t#at !#e obtain! t#e #i#e!t number o"

)ote!.

In a Supplemental Petition dated 5 Ma% 1995, petitioner a)erred t#at !#e 3a! t#e o)er3#elmin 3inner o" t#e

eletion! "or t#e onre!!ional !eat in t#e *ir!t +i!trit o" e%te #eld Ma% 8, 1995 ba!ed on t#e an)a!!

ompleted b% t#e Pro)inial oard o" $an)a!!er! on Ma% 1, 1995. Petitioner alleed t#at t#e an)a!! !#o3ed

t#at !#e obtained a total o" 7H,71 )ote! ompared to t#e ;6,8;; )ote! reei)ed b% Re!pondent Monteo. : op%o" !aid $erti"iate o" $an)a!! 3a! anneed to t#e Supplemental Petition.

'n aount o" t#e Re!olution! di!/uali"%in petitioner "rom runnin "or t#e onre!!ional !eat o" t#e *ir!t+i!trit o" e%te and t#e publi re!pondent=! Re!olution !u!pendin #er prolamation, petitioner ome! to t#i!ourt "or relie".

Petitioner rai!e! !e)eral i!!ue! in #er 'riinal and Supplemental Petition!. 2#e prinipal i!!ue! ma% be

la!!i"ied into t3o eneral area!A

I . The issue o! "etitioner#s $uali!ications

#et#er or not petitioner 3a! a re!ident, "or eletion purpo!e!, o" t#e *ir!t +i!trit o" e%te "or a

period o" one %ear at t#e time o" t#e Ma% 9, 1995 eletion!.

II . The %urisdictional Issue

a( Prior to t#e eletion!



#et#er or not t#e $'M44$ properl% eeri!ed it! uri!dition in di!/uali"%in petitioner

out!ide t#e period mandated b% t#e 'mnibu! 4letion $ode "or di!/uali"iation a!e! under:rtile 78 o" t#e !aid $ode.

b( :"ter t#e 4letion!

#et#er or not t#e <ou!e o" Repre!entati)e! 4letoral 2ribunal a!!umed elu!i)e uri!dition

o)er t#e /ue!tion o" petitioner=! /uali"iation! a"ter t#e Ma% 8, 1995 eletion!.

I . "etitioner#s $uali!ication

: peru!al o" t#e Re!olution o" t#e $'M44$=! Seond +i)i!ion re)eal! a !tartlin on"u!ion in t#e appliation

o" !ettled onept! o" >+omiile> and >Re!idene> in eletion la3. #ile t#e $'M44$ !eem! to be in

areement 3it# t#e eneral propo!ition t#at "or t#e purpo!e! o" eletion la3, re!idene i! !%non%mou! 3it#

domiile, t#e Re!olution re)eal! a tenden% to !ub!titute or mi!tae t#e onept o" domiile "or atual re!idene,a oneption not intended "or t#e purpo!e o" determinin a andidate=! /uali"iation! "or eletion to t#e <ou!e

o" Repre!entati)e! a! re/uired b% t#e 1987 $on!titution. :! it 3ere, re!idene, "or t#e purpo!e o" meetin t#e/uali"iation "or an eleti)e po!ition, #a! a !ettled meanin in our uri!dition.

:rtile 5H o" t#e $i)il $ode deree! t#at >C"Eor t#e eeri!e o" i)il ri#t! and t#e "ul"illment o" i)il

obliation!, t#e domiile o" natural per!on! i! t#eir plae o" #abitual re!idene.> In On& vs. Re'ulic t#i! ourt

too t#e onept o" domiile to mean an indi)idual=! >permanent #ome>, >a plae to 3#i#, 3#ene)er ab!ent "or bu!ine!! or "or plea!ure, one intend! to return, and depend! on "at! and irum!tane! in t#e !en!e t#at t#e%

di!lo!e intent.> )1 a!ed on t#e "oreoin, domiile inlude! t#e t3in element! o" >t#e "at o" re!idin or

p#%!ial pre!ene in a "ied plae> and animus manendi, or t#e intention o" returnin t#ere permanentl%.

Re!idene, in it! ordinar% oneption, implie! t#e "atual relation!#ip o" an indi)idual to a ertain plae. It i! t#e p#%!ial pre!ene o" a per!on in a i)en area, ommunit% or ountr%. 2#e e!!ential di!tintion bet3een

re!idene and domiile in la3 i! t#at re!idene in)ol)e! t#e intent to lea)e 3#en t#e purpo!e "or 3#i# t#e

re!ident #a! taen up #i! abode end!. 'ne ma% !ee a plae "or purpo!e! !u# a! plea!ure, bu!ine!!, or #ealt#. I"a per!on=! intent be to remain, it beome! #i! domiile? i" #i! intent i! to lea)e a! !oon a! #i! purpo!e i!

e!tabli!#ed it i! re!idene. )) It i! t#u!, /uite per"etl% normal "or an indi)idual to #a)e di""erent re!idene! in

)ariou! plae!. <o3e)er, a per!on an onl% #a)e a !inle domiile, unle!!, "or )ariou! rea!on!, #e !ue!!"ull%abandon! #i! domiile in "a)or o" anot#er domiile o" #oie. In Uyten&su vs. Re'ulic, 3e laid t#i! di!tintion

/uite learl%A

2#ere i! a di""erene bet3een domiile and re!idene. >Re!idene> i! u!ed to indiate a plae o" abode,

3#et#er permanent or temporar%? >domiile> denote! a "ied permanent re!idene to 3#i#, 3#enab!ent, one #a! t#e intention o" returnin. : man ma% #a)e a re!idene in one plae and a domiile in

anot#er. Re!idene i! not domiile, but domiile i! re!idene oupled 3it# t#e intention to remain "or an

unlimited time. : man an #a)e but one domiile "or t#e !ame purpo!e at an% time, but #e ma% #a)enumerou! plae! o" re!idene. <i! plae o" re!idene i! enerall% #i! plae o" domiile, but it i! not b%



an% mean! nee!!aril% !o !ine no lent# o" re!idene 3it#out intention o" remainin 3ill on!titute

domiile.

*or politial purpo!e! t#e onept! o" re!idene and domiile are ditated b% t#e peuliar riteria o" politial

la3!. :! t#e!e onept! #a)e e)ol)ed in our eletion la3, 3#at #a! learl% and une/ui)oall% emered i! t#e

"at t#at re!idene "or eletion purpo!e! i! u!ed !%non%mou!l% 3it# domiile.

In Nuval vs. (uray, t#e $ourt #eld t#at >t#e term re!idene. . . i! !%non%mou! 3it# domiile 3#i# import! notonl% intention to re!ide in a "ied plae, but al!o per!onal pre!ene in t#at plae, oupled 3it# ondut

indiati)e o" !u# intention.> Larena vs. Teves )# reiterated t#e !ame dotrine in a a!e in)ol)in t#e

/uali"iation! o" t#e re!pondent t#erein to t#e po!t o" Muniipal Pre!ident o" +umauete, Nero! 'riental )ay'on vs. *uirino, )0 #eld t#at t#e ab!ene "rom re!idene to pur!ue !tudie! or pratie a pro"e!!ion or

rei!tration a! a )oter ot#er t#an in t#e plae 3#ere one i! eleted doe! not on!titute lo!! o" re!idene. So

!ettled i! t#e onept &o" domiile( in our eletion la3 t#at in t#e!e and ot#er eletion la3 a!e!, t#i! $ourt #a!

!tated t#at t#e mere ab!ene o" an indi)idual "rom #i! permanent re!idene 3it#out t#e intention to abandon itdoe! not re!ult in a lo!! or #ane o" domiile.

2#e deliberation! o" t#e 1987 $on!titution on t#e re!idene /uali"iation "or ertain eleti)e po!ition! #a)e

plaed be%ond doubt t#e priniple t#at 3#en t#e $on!titution !pea! o" >re!idene> in eletion la3, it atuall%mean! onl% >domiile> to 3itA

Mr. NolledoA it# re!pet to Setion 5, I remember t#at in t#e 1971 $on!titutional $on)ention, t#ere3a! an attempt to re/uire re!idene in t#e plae not le!! t#an one %ear immediatel% preedin t#e da% o"t#e eletion!. So m% /ue!tion i!A #at i! t#e $ommittee=! onept o" re!idene o" a andidate "or t#e

lei!latureO I! it atual re!idene or i! it t#e onept o" domiile or on!truti)e re!ideneO

Mr. +a)ideA Madame Pre!ident, in!o"ar a! t#e reular member! o" t#e National :!!embl% areonerned, t#e propo!ed !etion merel% pro)ide!, amon ot#er!, >and a re!ident t#ereo">, t#at i!, in t#e

di!trit "or a period o" not le!! t#an one %ear preedin t#e da% o" t#e eletion. 2#i! 3a! in e""et li"ted

"rom t#e 197; $on!titution, t#e interpretation i)en to it 3a! domiile.

Mr!. Ro!ario raidA 2#e net /ue!tion i! on Setion 7, pae . I t#in $ommi!!ioner Nolledo #a! rai!edt#e !ame point t#at >re!ident> #a! been interpreted at time! a! a matter o" intention rat#er t#an atual

re!idene.

Mr. +e lo! Re%e!A +omiile.



M!. Ro!ario raidA Be!, So, 3ould t#e entleman on!ider at t#e proper time to o ba to atual

re!idene rat#er t#an mere intention to re!ideO

Mr. +e lo! Re%e!A ut 3e mi#t enounter !ome di""iult% e!peiall% on!iderin t#at a pro)i!ion in t#e$on!titution in t#e :rtile on Su""rae !a%! t#at *ilipino! li)in abroad ma% )ote a! enated b% la3. So

3e #a)e to !ti to t#e oriinal onept t#at it !#ould be b% domiile and not p#%!ial re!idene.

In Co vs. Electoral Triunal o! the +ouse o! Re'resentatives, t#i! $ourt onluded t#at t#e "ramer! o" t#e 1987$on!titution ob)iou!l% ad#ered to t#e de"inition i)en to t#e term re!idene in eletion la3, reardin it a!

#a)in t#e !ame meanin a! domiile.

In t#e li#t o" t#e priniple! u!t di!u!!ed, #a! petitioner Imelda Romualdez Maro! !ati!"ied t#e re!iden%

re/uirement mandated b% :rtile JI, Se. 6 o" t#e 1987 $on!titutionO '" 3#at !ini"iane i! t#e /ue!tionedentr% in petitioner=! $erti"iate o" $andida% !tatin #er re!idene in t#e *ir!t ei!lati)e +i!trit o" e%te a!

!e)en &7( mont#!O

It i! t#e "at o" re!idene, not a !tatement in a erti"iate o" andida% 3#i# ou#t to be dei!i)e in determinin3#et#er or not and indi)idual #a! !ati!"ied t#e on!titution=! re!iden% /uali"iation re/uirement. 2#e !aid

!tatement beome! material onl% 3#en t#ere i! or appear! to be a deliberate attempt to mi!lead, mi!in"orm, or

#ide a "at 3#i# 3ould ot#er3i!e render a andidate ineliible. It 3ould be plainl% ridiulou! "or a andidate todeliberatel% and no3inl% mae a !tatement in a erti"iate o" andida% 3#i# 3ould lead to #i! or #er

di!/uali"iation.

It !tand! to rea!on t#ere"ore, t#at petitioner merel% ommitted an #one!t mi!tae in ottin t#e 3ord >!e)en> in

t#e !pae pro)ided "or t#e re!iden% /uali"iation re/uirement. 2#e irum!tane! leadin to #er "ilin t#e/ue!tioned entr% ob)iou!l% re!ulted in t#e !ub!e/uent on"u!ion 3#i# prompted petitioner to 3rite do3n t#e

period o" #er atual !ta% in 2olo!a, e%te in!tead o" #er period o" re!idene in t#e *ir!t di!trit, 3#i# 3a!

>!ine #ild#ood> in t#e !pae pro)ided. 2#e!e irum!tane! and e)ent! are ampl% detailed in t#e $'M44$=!Seond +i)i!ion=! /ue!tioned re!olution, albeit 3it# a di""erent interpretation. *or in!tane, 3#en #erein

petitioner announed t#at !#e 3ould be rei!terin in 2aloban $it% to mae #er eliible to run in t#e *ir!t

+i!trit, pri)ate re!pondent Monteo oppo!ed t#e !ame, laimin t#at petitioner 3a! a re!ident o" 2olo!a, not2aloban $it%. Petitioner t#en rei!tered in #er plae o" atual re!idene in t#e *ir!t +i!trit, 3#i# i! 2olo!a,

e%te, a "at 3#i# !#e !ub!e/uentl% noted do3n in #er $erti"iate o" $andida%. : lo!e loo at !aid erti"iate3ould re)eal t#e po!!ible !oure o" t#e on"u!ionA t#e entr% "or re!idene &Item No. 7( i! "ollo3ed immediatel%

b% t#e entr% "or re!idene in t#e on!tituen% 3#ere a andidate !ee! eletion t#u!A

7. R4SI+4N$4 &omplete :ddre!!(A ,r&y- Olot. Tolosa. Leyte

P'S2 '**I$4 :++R4SS *'R 44$2I'N P@RP'S4SA ,r&y- Olot. Tolosa. Leyte



8. R4SI+4N$4 IN 2<4 $'NS2I2@4N$B <4R4 I S44K 2'

4 44$24+ IMM4+I:24B PR4$4+ING 2<4 44$2I'NALLLLLLLLL Bear! and Seven Mont#!.

<a)in been "ored b% pri)ate re!pondent to rei!ter in #er plae o" atual re!idene in e%te in!tead o"

petitioner=! laimed domiile, it appear! t#at petitioner #ad otted do3n #er period o" !ta% in #er leal re!idene

or domiile. 2#e utapo!ition o" entrie! in Item 7 and Item 8 F t#e "ir!t re/uirin atual re!idene and t#e!eond re/uirin domiile F oupled 3it# t#e irum!tane! !urroundin petitioner=! rei!tration a! a )oter in2olo!a ob)iou!l% led to #er 3ritin do3n an unintended entr% "or 3#i# !#e ould be di!/uali"ied. 2#i! #one!t

mi!tae !#ould not, #o3e)er, be allo3ed to neate t#e "at o" re!idene in t#e *ir!t +i!trit i" !u# "at 3ere

e!tabli!#ed b% mean! more on)inin t#an a mere entr% on a piee o" paper.

e no3 proeed to t#e matter o" petitioner=! domiile.

In !upport o" it! a!!e)eration t#at petitioner=! domiile ould not po!!ibl% be in t#e *ir!t +i!trit o" e%te, t#e

Seond +i)i!ion o" t#e $'M44$, in it! a!!ailed Re!olution o" :pril ,1995 maintain! t#at >eept "or t#etime 3#en &petitioner( !tudied and 3ored "or !ome %ear! a"ter raduation in 2aloban $it%, !#e ontinuou!l%li)ed in Manila.> 2#e Re!olution additionall% ite! ertain "at! a! indiati)e o" t#e "at t#at petitioner=!

domiile ou#t to be an% plae 3#ere !#e li)ed in t#e la!t "e3 deade! eept 2aloban, e%te. *ir!t, aordin

to t#e Re!olution, petitioner, in 1959, re!ided in San uan, Metro Manila 3#ere !#e 3a! al!o rei!tered )oter2#en, in 1965, "ollo3in t#e eletion o" #er #u!band to t#e P#ilippine pre!iden%, !#e li)ed in San Miuel,

Manila 3#ere !#e a! a )oter. In 1978 and t#erea"ter, !#e !er)ed a! a member o" t#e ata!an Pamban!a and

Go)ernor o" Metro Manila. >S#e ould not, #a)e !er)ed t#e!e po!ition! i" !#e #ad not been a re!ident o" MetroManila,> t#e $'M44$ !tre!!ed. <ere i! 3#ere t#e on"u!ion lie!.

e #a)e !tated, man% time! in t#e pa!t, t#at an indi)idual doe! not lo!e #i! domiile e)en i" #e #a! li)ed and

maintained re!idene! in di""erent plae!. Re!idene, it bear! repeatin, implie! a "atual relation!#ip to a i)en

plae "or )ariou! purpo!e!. 2#e ab!ene "rom leal re!idene or domiile to pur!ue a pro"e!!ion, to !tud% or todo ot#er t#in! o" a temporar% or !emi-permanent nature doe! not on!titute lo!! o" re!idene. 2#u!, t#e

a!!ertion b% t#e $'M44$ t#at >!#e ould not #a)e been a re!ident o" 2aloban $it% !ine #ild#ood up to t#e

time !#e "iled #er erti"iate o" andida% beau!e !#e beame a re!ident o" man% plae!> "lie! in t#e "ae o"!ettled uri!prudene in 3#i# t#i! $ourt are"ull% made di!tintion! bet3een &atual( re!idene and domiile

"or eletion la3 purpo!e!. In Larena vs. Teves, 33 su'ra, 3e !tre!!edA

C2E#i! ourt i! o" t#e opinion and !o #old! t#at a per!on 3#o #a! #i! o3n #ou!e 3#erein #e li)e! 3it# #i!

"amil% in a muniipalit% 3it#out #a)in e)er #ad t#e intention o" abandonin it, and 3it#out #a)inli)ed eit#er alone or 3it# #i! "amil% in anot#er muniipalit%, #a! #i! re!idene in t#e "ormer

muniipalit%, not3it#!tandin #i! #a)in rei!tered a! an eletor in t#e ot#er muniipalit% in /ue!tion

and #a)in been a andidate "or )ariou! in!ular and pro)inial po!ition!, !tatin e)er% time t#at #e i! are!ident o" t#e latter muniipalit%.



More !ini"iantl%, in )ay'on vs. *uirino, 3* e eplained t#atA

: itizen ma% lea)e t#e plae o" #i! birt# to loo "or >reener pa!ture!,> a! t#e !a%in oe!, to impro)e#i! lot, and t#at, o" our!e inlude! !tud% in ot#er plae!, pratie o" #i! a)oation, or enain in

bu!ine!!. #en an eletion i! to be #eld, t#e itizen 3#o le"t #i! birt#plae to impro)e #i! lot ma% de!ire

to return to #i! nati)e to3n to a!t #i! ballot but "or pro"e!!ional or bu!ine!! rea!on!, or "or an% ot#errea!on, #e ma% not ab!ent #im!el" "rom #i! pro"e!!ional or bu!ine!! ati)itie!? !o t#ere #e rei!ter!#im!el" a! )oter a! #e #a! t#e /uali"iation! to be one and i! not 3illin to i)e up or lo!e t#e

opportunit% to #oo!e t#e o""iial! 3#o are to run t#e o)ernment e!peiall% in national eletion!

+e!pite !u# rei!tration, t#e animus revertendi to #i! #ome, to #i! domiile or re!idene o" oriin #a!not "or!aen #im. 2#i! ma% be t#e eplanation 3#% t#e rei!tration o" a )oter in a plae ot#er t#an #i!

re!idene o" oriin #a! not been deemed !u""iient to on!titute abandonment or lo!! o" !u# re!idene

It "ind! u!ti"iation in t#e natural de!ire and lonin o" e)er% per!on to return to #i! plae o" birt#. 2#i!!tron "eelin o" atta#ment to t#e plae o" one=! birt# mu!t be o)erome b% po!iti)e proo" o"

abandonment "or anot#er.

*rom t#e "oreoin, it an be onluded t#at in it! abo)e-ited !tatement! !upportin it! propo!ition t#at

petitioner 3a! ineliible to run "or t#e po!ition o" Repre!entati)e o" t#e *ir!t +i!trit o" e%te, t#e $'M44$3a! ob)iou!l% re"errin to petitioner=! )ariou! plae! o" &atual( re!idene, not #er domiile. In doin !o, it not

onl% inored !ettled uri!prudene on re!idene in eletion la3 and t#e deliberation! o" t#e on!titutional

ommi!!ion but al!o t#e pro)i!ion! o" t#e 'mnibu! 4letion $ode &.P. 881(.

#at i! undeniable, #o3e)er, are t#e "ollo3in !et o" "at! 3#i# e!tabli!# t#e "at o" petitioner=! domiile,

3#i# 3e li"t )erbatim "rom t#e $'M44$=! Seond +i)i!ion=! a!!ailed Re!olutionA

In or about 19;8 3#en re!pondent 3a! a little o)er 8 %ear! old, !#e e!tabli!#ed #er domiile in 2alobane%te &2aloban $it%(. S#e !tudied in t#e <ol% In"ant :adem% in 2aloban "rom 19;8 to 199 3#en

!#e raduated "rom #i# !#ool. S#e pur!ued #er ollee !tudie! in St. Paul=! $ollee, no3 +i)ine ord

@ni)er!it% in 2aloban, 3#ere !#e earned #er deree in 4duation. 2#erea"ter, !#e tau#t in t#e e%te

$#ine!e S#ool, !till in 2aloban $it%. In 195 !#e 3ent to Manila to 3or 3it# #er ou!in, t#e late!peaer +aniel . Romualdez in #i! o""ie in t#e <ou!e o" Repre!entati)e!. In 195, !#e married e-

Pre!ident *erdinand 4. Maro! 3#en #e 3a! !till a onre!!man o" Iloo! Norte and rei!tered t#ere a! a

)oter. #en #er #u!band 3a! eleted Senator o" t#e Republi in 1959, !#e and #er #u!band li)edtoet#er in San uan, Rizal 3#ere !#e rei!tered a! a )oter. In 1965, 3#en #er #u!band 3a! eleted

Pre!ident o" t#e Republi o" t#e P#ilippine!, !#e li)ed 3it# #im in Malaanan Palae and rei!tered a!

a )oter in San Miuel, Manila.

CIEn *ebruar% 1986 &!#e laimed t#at( !#e and #er "amil% 3ere abduted and idnapped to <onolulu,

<a3aii. In No)ember 1991, !#e ame #ome to Manila. In 199, re!pondent ran "or eletion a! Pre!ident



o" t#e P#ilippine! and "iled #er $erti"iate o" $andida% 3#erein !#e indiated t#at !#e i! a re!ident and

rei!tered )oter o" San uan, Metro Manila.

:ppl%in t#e priniple! di!u!!ed to t#e "at! "ound b% $'M44$, 3#at i! ine!apable i! t#at petitioner #eld)ariou! re!idene! "or di""erent purpo!e! durin t#e la!t "our deade!. None o" t#e!e purpo!e! une/ui)oall%

point to an intention to abandon #er domiile o" oriin in 2aloban, e%te. Moreo)er, 3#ile petitioner 3a! born

in Manila, a! a minor !#e naturall% "ollo3ed t#e domiile o" #er parent!. S#e re3 up in 2aloban, rea#ed #er

adult#ood t#ere and e)entuall% e!tabli!#ed re!idene in di""erent part! o" t#e ountr% "or )ariou! rea!on!. 4)endurin #er #u!band=! pre!iden%, at t#e #ei#t o" t#e Maro! Reime=! po3er!, petitioner ept #er lo!e tie! to

#er domiile o" oriin b% e!tabli!#in re!idene! in 2aloban, elebratin #er birt#da%! and ot#er important per!onal mile!tone! in #er #ome pro)ine, in!titutin 3ell-publiized proet! "or t#e bene"it o" #er pro)ine

and #ometo3n, and e!tabli!#in a politial po3er ba!e 3#ere #er !iblin! and lo!e relati)e! #eld po!ition! o"

po3er eit#er t#rou# t#e ballot or b% appointment, al3a%! 3it# eit#er #er in"luene or on!ent. 2#e!e 3ell-

publiized tie! to #er domiile o" oriin are part o" t#e #i!tor% and lore o" t#e /uarter entur% o" Maro! po3erin our ountr%. 4it#er t#e% 3ere entirel% inored in t#e $'M44$=S Re!olution!, or t#e maorit% o" t#e

$'M44$ did not no3 3#at t#e re!t o" t#e ountr% al3a%! ne3A t#e "at o" petitioner=! domiile in

2aloban, e%te.

Pri)ate re!pondent in #i! $omment, ontend! t#at 2aloban 3a! not petitioner=! domiile o" oriin beau!e !#e

did not li)e t#ere until !#e 3a! ei#t %ear! old. <e a)er! t#at a"ter lea)in t#e plae in 195, !#e >abandoned #er

re!iden% & sic( t#erein "or man% %ear! and . . . &ould not( re-e!tabli!# #er domiile in !aid plae b% merel%epre!!in #er intention to li)e t#ere aain.> e do not aree.

*ir!t, minor "ollo3! t#e domiile o" #i! parent!. :! domiile, one a/uired i! retained until a ne3 one i!

ained, it "ollo3! t#at in !pite o" t#e "at o" petitioner=! bein born in Manila, 2aloban, e%te 3a! #er domiile

o" oriin b% operation o" la3. 2#i! domiile 3a! not e!tabli!#ed onl% 3#en #er "at#er brou#t #i! "amil% ba toe%te ontrar% to pri)ate re!pondent=! a)erment!.

Seond, domiile o" oriin i! not ea!il% lo!t. 2o !ue!!"ull% e""et a #ane o" domiile, one mu!t demon!trateA

1. :n atual remo)al or an atual #ane o" domiile?

. : ona !ide intention o" abandonin t#e "ormer plae o" re!idene and e!tabli!#in a ne3 one? and

;. :t! 3#i# orre!pond 3it# t#e purpo!e.

In t#e ab!ene o" lear and po!iti)e proo" ba!ed on t#e!e riteria, t#e re!idene o" oriin !#ould be deemed to

ontinue. 'nl% 3it# e)idene !#o3in onurrene o" all t#ree re/uirement! an t#e pre!umption o" ontinuit%

or re!idene be rebutted, "or a #ane o" re!idene re/uire! an atual and deliberate abandonment, and oneannot #a)e t3o leal re!idene! at t#e !ame time. 3+ In t#e a!e at ben#, t#e e)idene addued b% pri)ate



re!pondent plainl% la! t#e deree o" per!ua!i)ene!! re/uired to on)ine t#i! ourt t#at an abandonment o"

domiile o" oriin in "a)or o" a domiile o" #oie indeed ourred. 2o e""et an abandonment re/uire! t#e)oluntar% at o" relin/ui!#in petitioner=! "ormer domiile 3it# an intent to !upplant t#e "ormer domiile 3it#

one o" #er o3n #oo!in &domicilium voluntarium(.

In t#i! onnetion, it annot be orretl% arued t#at petitioner lo!t #er domiile o" oriin b% operation o" la3 a!a re!ult o" #er marriae to t#e late Pre!ident *erdinand 4. Maro! in 195. *or t#ere i! a learl% e!tabli!#eddi!tintion bet3een t#e $i)il $ode onept! o" >domiile> and >re!idene.> 32 2#e pre!umption t#at t#e 3i"e

automatiall% ain! t#e #u!band=! domiile b% operation o" la3 upon marriae annot be in"erred "rom t#e u!e

o" t#e term >re!idene> in :rtile 11H o" t#e $i)il $ode beau!e t#e $i)il $ode i! one area 3#ere t#e t3oonept! are 3ell delineated. +r. :rturo 2olentino, 3ritin on t#i! !pei"i area eplain!A

In t#e $i)il $ode, t#ere i! an ob)iou! di""erene bet3een domiile and re!idene. ot# term! impl%

relation! bet3een a per!on and a plae? but in re!idene, t#e relation i! one o" "at 3#ile in domiile it i!

leal or uridial, independent o" t#e nee!!it% o" p#%!ial pre!ene.

:rtile 11H o" t#e $i)il $ode pro)ide!A

:rt. 11H. F 2#e #u!band !#all "i t#e re!idene o" t#e "amil%. ut t#e ourt ma% eempt t#e 3i"e "rom

li)in 3it# t#e #u!band i" #e !#ould li)e abroad unle!! in t#e !er)ie o" t#e Republi.

: !ur)e% o" uri!prudene relatin to :rtile 11H or to t#e onept! o" domiile or re!idene a! t#e% a""et t#e"emale !pou!e upon marriae %ield! not#in 3#i# 3ould !ue!t t#at t#e "emale !pou!e automatiall% lo!e!

#er domiile o" oriin in "a)or o" t#e #u!band=! #oie o" re!idene upon marriae.

:rtile 11H i! a )irtual re!tatement o" :rtile 58 o" t#e Spani!# $i)il $ode o" 1889 3#i# !tate!A

a muer e!ta obliada a !euir a !u marido donde /uiera /ue "ie !u re!idenia. o! 2ribunale!

!in embaro, podran on u!ta au!a eimirla de e!ta obliaion uando el marido tran!ende !u

re!idenia a ultramar o= a pai! etranero.

Note t#e u!e o" t#e p#ra!e >donde $uiera su !i/e de residencia> in t#e a"ore/uoted artile, 3#i# mean!3#ere)er &t#e #u!band( 0ishes to estalish residence. 2#i! part o" t#e artile learl% ontemplate! onl% atual

re!idene beau!e it re"er! to a po!iti)e at o" "iin a "amil% #ome or re!idene. Moreo)er, t#i! interpretation i!

"urt#er !trent#ened b% t#e p#ra!e >cuando el marido translade su residencia> in t#e !ame pro)i!ion 3#i#mean!, >3#en t#e #u!band shall trans!er #i! re!idene,> re"errin to anot#er po!iti)e at o" reloatin t#e "amil%

to anot#er #ome or plae o" atual re!idene. 2#e artile ob)iou!l% annot be under!tood to re"er to domiile

3#i# i! a "ied, "airl%-permanent onept 3#en it plainl% onnote! t#e po!!ibilit% o" tran!"errin "rom one



plae to anot#er not onl% one, but a! o"ten a! t#e #u!band ma% deem "it to mo)e #i! "amil%, a irum!tane

more on!i!tent 3it# t#e onept o" atual re!idene.

2#e ri#t o" t#e #u!band to "i t#e atual re!idene i! in #armon% 3it# t#e intention o" t#e la3 to !trent#en and

uni"% t#e "amil%, reonizin t#e "at t#at t#e #u!band and t#e 3i"e brin into t#e marriae di""erent domiile!

&o" oriin(. 2#i! di""erene ould, "or t#e !ae o" "amil% unit%, be reoniled onl% b% allo3in t#e #u!band to "ia !inle plae o" atual re!idene.

Jer% !ini"iantl%, :rtile 11H o" t#e $i)il $ode i! "ound under 2itle J under t#e #eadinA RIG<2S :N+

'IG:2I'NS 4244N <@S:N+ :N+ I*4. Immediatel% preedin :rtile 11H i! :rtile 1H9 3#i#

oblie! t#e #u!band and 3i"e to li)e toet#er, t#u!A

:rt. 1H9. F 2#e #u!band and 3i"e are obliated to li)e toet#er, ob!er)e mutual re!pet and"idelit% and render mutual #elp and !upport.

2#e dut% to li)e toet#er an onl% be "ul"illed i" t#e #u!band and 3i"e are p#%!iall% toet#er. 2#i! tae! into

aount t#e !ituation! 3#ere t#e ouple #a! man% re!idene! &a! in t#e a!e o" t#e petitioner(. I" t#e #u!band #a!to !ta% in or tran!"er to an% one o" t#eir re!idene!, t#e 3i"e !#ould nee!!aril% be 3it# #im in order t#at t#e%

ma% >li)e toet#er.> <ene, it i! illoial to onlude t#at :rt. 11H re"er! to >domiile> and not to >re!idene.>

't#er3i!e, 3e !#all be "aed 3it# a !ituation 3#ere t#e 3i"e i! le"t in t#e domiile 3#ile t#e #u!band, "or pro"e!!ional or ot#er rea!on!, !ta%! in one o" t#eir &)ariou!( re!idene!. :! +r. 2olentino "urt#er eplain!A

Re!idene and +omiile F #et#er t#e 3ord >re!idene> a! u!ed 3it# re"erene to partiular matter! i!

!%non%mou! 3it# >domiile> i! a /ue!tion o" !ome di""iult%, and t#e ultimate dei!ion mu!t be made"rom a on!ideration o" t#e purpo!e and intent 3it# 3#i# t#e 3ord i! u!ed. Sometime! t#e% are u!ed

!%non%mou!l%, at ot#er time! t#e% are di!tinui!#ed "rom one anot#er.

Re!idene in t#e i)il la3 i! a material "at, re"errin to t#e p#%!ial pre!ene o" a per!on in a plae. :

per!on an #a)e t3o or more re!idene!, !u# a! a ountr% re!idene and a it% re!idene. Re!idene i!a/uired b% li)in in plae? on t#e ot#er #and, domiile an ei!t 3it#out atuall% li)in in t#e plae.

2#e important t#in "or domiile i! t#at, one re!idene #a! been e!tabli!#ed in one plae, t#ere be an

intention to !ta% t#ere permanentl%, e)en i" re!idene i! al!o e!tabli!#ed in !ome ot#er plae.

In "at, e)en t#e matter o" a ommon re!idene bet3een t#e #u!band and t#e 3i"e durin t#e marriae i! not an

iron-lad priniple? In a!e! appl%in t#e $i)il $ode on t#e /ue!tion o" a ommon matrimonial re!idene, our



uri!prudene #a! reonized ertain !ituation! *) 3#ere t#e !pou!e! ould not be ompelled to li)e 3it# ea#

ot#er !u# t#at t#e 3i"e i! eit#er allo3ed to maintain a re!idene di""erent "rom t#at o" #er #u!band or, "orob)iou!l% pratial rea!on!, re)ert to #er oriinal domiile &apart "rom bein allo3ed to opt "or a ne3 one(. In

1e la 2ina vs. 2illareal *3 t#i! $ourt #eld t#at >CaE married 3oman ma% a/uire a re!idene or domiile !eparate

"rom t#at o" #er #u!band durin t#e ei!tene o" t#e marriae 3#ere t#e #u!band #a! i)en au!e "or di)ore.> *

Note t#at t#e $ourt allo3ed t#e 3i"e eit#er to obtain ne3 re!idene or to #oo!e a ne3 domiile in !u# an

e)ent. In in!tane! 3#ere t#e 3i"e atuall% opt!, .under t#e $i)il $ode, to li)e !eparatel% "rom #er #u!band

eit#er b% tain ne3 re!idene or re)ertin to #er domiile o" oriin, t#e $ourt #a! #eld t#at t#e 3i"e ould not be ompelled to li)e 3it# #er #u!band on pain o" ontempt. In Arroyo vs. 2as$ues de Arroyo *6 t#e $ourt #eldt#atA

@pon eamination o" t#e aut#oritie!, 3e are on)ined t#at it i! not 3it#in t#e pro)ine o" t#e ourt! o"

t#i! ountr% to attempt to ompel one o" t#e !pou!e! to o#abit 3it#, and render onual ri#t! to, t#e

ot#er. '" our!e 3#ere t#e propert% ri#t! o" one o" t#e pair are in)aded, an ation "or re!titution o" !u#ri#t! an be maintained. ut 3e are di!inlined to !antion t#e dotrine t#at an order, en"orible & sic(

b% proe!! o" ontempt, ma% be entered to ompel t#e re!titution o" t#e purel% per!onal ri#t o"

on!ortium. :t be!t !u# an order an be e""eti)e "or no ot#er purpo!e t#an to ompel t#e !pou!e! toli)e under t#e !ame roo"? and #e eperiene o" t#o!e ountrie! 3#ere t#e ourt! o" u!tie #a)e a!!umed

to ompel t#e o#abitation o" married people !#o3! t#at t#e poli% o" t#e pratie i! etremel%/ue!tionable. 2#u! in 4nland, "ormerl% t#e 4le!ia!tial $ourt entertained !uit! "or t#e re!titution o"onual ri#t! at t#e in!tane o" eit#er #u!band or 3i"e? and i" t#e "at! 3ere "ound to 3arrant it, t#at

ourt 3ould mae a mandator% deree, en"oreable b% proe!! o" ontempt in a!e o" di!obediene

re/uirin t#e delin/uent part% to li)e 3it# t#e ot#er and render onual ri#t!. Bet t#i! pratie 3a!!ometime! ritiized e)en b% t#e ude! 3#o "elt bound to en"ore !u# order!, and in 3eldon v3eldon &9 P.+. 5(, deided in 188;, Sir ame! <annen, Pre!ident in t#e Probate, +i)ore and

:dmiralt% +i)i!ion o" t#e <i# $ourt o" u!tie, epre!!ed #i! reret t#at t#e 4nli!# la3 on t#e !ubet

3a! not t#e !ame a! t#at 3#i# pre)ailed in Sotland, 3#ere a deree o" ad#erene, e/ui)alent to t#ederee "or t#e re!titution o" onual ri#t! in 4nland, ould be obtained b% t#e inured !pou!e, but

ould not be en"ored b% impri!onment. :ordinl%, in obediene to t#e ro3in !entiment aain!t t#e

pratie, t#e Matrimonial $au!e! :t &188( aboli!#ed t#e remed% o" impri!onment? t#ou# a deree "ort#e re!titution o" onual ri#t! an !till be proured, and in a!e o" di!obediene ma% !er)e in

appropriate a!e! a! t#e ba!i! o" an order "or t#e periodial pa%ment o" a !tipend in t#e #arater o"

alimon%.

In t#e )oluminou! uri!prudene o" t#e @nited State!, onl% one ourt, !o "ar a! 3e an di!o)er, #a! e)erattempted to mae a preemptor% order re/uirin one o" t#e !pou!e! to li)e 3it# t#e ot#er? and t#at 3a! in

a a!e 3#ere a 3i"e 3a! ordered to "ollo3 and li)e 3it# #er #u!band, 3#o #ad #aned #i! domiile to

t#e $it% o" Ne3 'rlean!. 2#e dei!ion re"erred to &a#n ). +arb%, ;6 a. :nn., 7H( 3a! ba!ed on a pro)i!ion o" t#e $i)il $ode o" oui!iana !imilar to artile 56 o" t#e Spani!# $i)il $ode. It 3a! deided

man% %ear! ao, and t#e dotrine e)identl% #a! not been "ruit"ul e)en in t#e State o" oui!iana. In ot#er

!tate! o" t#e :merian @nion t#e idea o" en"orin o#abitation b% proe!! o" ontempt i! reeted. &1$%., 118(.

In a dei!ion o" anuar% , 19H9, t#e Supreme $ourt o" Spain appear! to #a)e a""irmed an order o" t#e

:udienia 2erritorial de Jalladolid re/uirin a 3i"e to return to t#e marital domiile, and in t#e

alternati)e, upon #er "ailure to do !o, to mae a partiular di!po!ition o" ertain mone% and e""et! t#enin #er po!!e!!ion and to deli)er to #er #u!band, a! admini!trator o" t#e ananial propert%, all inome

rent!, and intere!t 3#i# mi#t arue to #er "rom t#e propert% 3#i# !#e #ad brou#t to t#e marriae

&11; ur. $i)., pp. 1, 11( ut it doe! not appear t#at t#i! order "or t#e return o" t#e 3i"e to t#e marital



domiile 3a! !antioned b% an% ot#er penalt% t#an t#e on!e/uene! t#at 3ould be )i!ited upon #er in

re!pet to t#e u!e and ontrol o" #er propert%? and it doe! not appear t#at #er di!obediene to t#at order3ould nee!!aril% #a)e been "ollo3ed b% impri!onment "or ontempt.

Parent#etiall% 3#en Petitioner 3a! married to t#en $onre!!man Maro!, in 195, petitioner 3a! oblied F

b% )irtue o" :rtile 11H o" t#e $i)il $ode F to "ollo3 #er #u!band=! atual plae o" re!idene "ied b% #im. 2#e problem #ere i! t#at at t#at time, Mr. Maro! #ad !e)eral plae! o" re!idene, amon 3#i# 3ere San uan,Rizal and ata, Iloo! Norte. 2#ere i! no !#o3in 3#i# o" t#e!e plae! Mr. Maro! did "i a! #i! "amil%=!

re!idene. ut a!!umin t#at Mr. Maro! #ad "ied an% o" t#e!e plae! a! t#e onual re!idene, 3#at

petitioner ained upon marriae 3a! atual re!idene. S#e did not lo!e #er domiile o" oriin.

'n t#e ot#er #and, t#e ommon la3 onept o" >matrimonial domiile> appear! to #a)e been inorporated, a! a

re!ult o" our uri!prudential eperiene! a"ter t#e dra"tin o" t#e $i)il $ode o" 195H, into t#e Ne3 *amil% $ode.

2o under!ore t#e di""erene bet3een t#e intention! o" t#e $i)il $ode and t#e *amil% $ode dra"ter!, t#e term

re!idene #a! been !upplanted b% t#e term domiile in an entirel% ne3 pro)i!ion &:rt. 69( di!tintl% di""erent inmeanin and !pirit "rom t#at "ound in :rtile 11H. 2#e pro)i!ion reonize! re)olutionar% #ane! in t#e

onept o" 3omen=! ri#t! in t#e inter)enin %ear! b% main t#e #oie o" domiile a produt o" mutual

areement bet3een t#e !pou!e!. *#

it#out a! mu# belaborin t#e point, t#e term re!idene ma% mean one t#in in i)il la3 &or under t#e $i)il

$ode( and /uite anot#er t#in in politial la3. #at !tand! lear i! t#at in!o"ar a! t#e $i)il $ode i! onerned-

a""etin t#e ri#t! and obliation! o" #u!band and 3i"e F t#e term re!idene !#ould onl% be interpreted tomean >atual re!idene.> 2#e ine!apable onlu!ion deri)ed "rom t#i! unambiuou! i)il la3 delineation

t#ere"ore, i! t#at 3#en petitioner married t#e "ormer Pre!ident in 195, !#e ept #er domiile o" oriin andmerel% ained a ne3 #ome, not a domicilium necessarium.

4)en a!!umin "or t#e !ae o" arument t#at petitioner ained a ne3 >domiile> a"ter #er marriae and onl%

a/uired a ri#t to #oo!e a ne3 one a"ter #er #u!band died, petitioner=! at! "ollo3in #er return to t#e ountr%

learl% indiate t#at !#e not onl% impliedl% but epre!!l% #o!e #er domiile o" oriin &a!!umin t#i! 3a! lo!t b%

operation o" la3( a! #er domiile. 2#i! >#oie> 3a! une/ui)oall% epre!!ed in #er letter! to t#e $#airman o"t#e P$GG 3#en petitioner !ou#t t#e P$GG=! permi!!ion to >re#abilitate &our( ane!tral #ou!e in 2aloban and

*arm in 'lot, e%te. . . to mae t#em li)able "or t#e Maro! "amil% to #a)e a #ome in our #omeland.> *

*urt#ermore, petitioner obtained #er re!idene erti"iate in 199 in 2aloban, e%te, 3#ile li)in in #er brot#er=! #ou!e, an at 3#i# !upport! t#e domiiliar% intention learl% mani"e!ted in #er letter! to t#e P$GG

$#airman. S#e ould not #a)e one !trai#t to #er #ome in San uan, a! it 3a! in a !tate o" di!repair, #a)in

been pre)iou!l% looted b% )andal!. <er >#ome!> and >re!idene!> "ollo3in #er arri)al in )ariou! part! o" MetroManila merel% /uali"ied a! temporar% or >atual re!idene!,> not domiile. Moreo)er, and proeedin "rom our

di!u!!ion pointin out !pei"i !ituation! 3#ere t#e "emale !pou!e eit#er re)ert! to #er domiile o" oriin or

#oo!e! a ne3 one durin t#e !ub!i!tene o" t#e marriae, it 3ould be #i#l% illoial "or u! to a!!ume t#at !#e

annot reain #er oriinal domiile upon t#e deat# o" #er #u!band ab!ent a po!iti)e at o" !eletin a ne3 one3#ere !ituation! ei!t 3it#in t#e !ub!i!tene o" t#e marriae it!el" 3#ere t#e 3i"e ain! a domiile di""erent

"rom #er #u!band.



In t#e li#t o" all t#e priniple! relatin to re!idene and domiile enuniated b% t#i! ourt up to t#i! point, 3e

are per!uaded t#at t#e "at! e!tabli!#ed b% t#e partie! 3ei# #ea)il% in "a)or o" a onlu!ion !upportin petitioner=! laim o" leal re!idene or domiile in t#e *ir!t +i!trit o" e%te.

II. The /urisdictional issue

Petitioner allee! t#at t#e uri!dition o" t#e $'M44$ #ad alread% lap!ed on!iderin t#at t#e a!!ailedre!olution! 3ere rendered on :pril , 1995, "ourteen &1( da%! be"ore t#e eletion in )iolation o" Setion 78 o"

t#e 'mnibu! 4letion $ode. *+ Moreo)er, petitioner ontend! t#at it i! t#e <ou!e o" Repre!entati)e! 4letoral

2ribunal and not t#e $'M44$ 3#i# #a! uri!dition o)er t#e eletion o" member! o" t#e <ou!e o"

Repre!entati)e! in aordane 3it# :rtile JI Se. 17 o" t#e $on!titution. 2#i! i! untenable.

It i! a !ettled dotrine t#at a !tatute re/uirin rendition o" udment 3it#in a !pei"ied time i! enerall%

on!trued to be merel% diretor%, *2 >!o t#at non-ompliane 3it# t#em doe! not in)alidate t#e udment on t#e

t#eor% t#at i" t#e !tatute #ad intended !u# re!ult it 3ould #a)e learl% indiated it.> 6, 2#e di""erene bet3een amandator% and a diretor% pro)i!ion i! o"ten made on round! o" nee!!it%. :doptin t#e !ame )ie3 #eld b%

!e)eral :merian aut#oritie!, t#i! ourt in Marcelino vs. Cruz #eld t#atA 61

2#e di""erene bet3een a mandator% and diretor% pro)i!ion i! o"ten determined on round! o"

epedien%, t#e rea!on bein t#at le!! inur% re!ult! to t#e eneral publi b% di!reardin t#an en"orint#e letter o" t#e la3.

In Tra'' v. Mc Cormic4 , a a!e allin "or t#e interpretation o" a !tatute ontainin a limitation o" t#irt%

&;H( da%! 3it#in 3#i# a deree ma% be entered 3it#out t#e on!ent o" oun!el, it 3a! #eld t#at >t#e!tatutor% pro)i!ion! 3#i# ma% be t#u! departed "rom 3it# impunit%, 3it#out a""etin t#e )alidit% o"

!tatutor% proeedin!, are u!uall% t#o!e 3#i# relate to t#e mode or time o" doin t#at 3#i# i! e!!ential

to e""et t#e aim and purpo!e o" t#e ei!lature or !ome inident o" t#e e!!ential at.> 2#u!, in !aid a!e,t#e !tatute under eamination 3a! on!trued merel% to be diretor%.

2#e mi!#ie" in petitioner=! ontendin t#at t#e $'M44$ !#ould #a)e ab!tained "rom renderin a dei!ion

a"ter t#e period !tated in t#e 'mnibu! 4letion $ode beau!e it laed uri!dition, lie! in t#e "at t#at ourourt! and ot#er /ua!i-udiial bodie! 3ould t#en re"u!e to render udment! merel% on t#e round o" #a)in

"ailed to rea# a dei!ion 3it#in a i)en or pre!ribed period.



In an% e)ent, 3it# t#e enatment o" Setion! 6 and 7 o" R.:. 666 in relation to Setion 78 o" .P. 881, 6) it i!

e)ident t#at t#e re!pondent $ommi!!ion doe! not lo!e uri!dition to #ear and deide a pendin di!/uali"iationa!e under Setion 78 o" .P. 881 e)en a"ter t#e eletion!.

:! to t#e <ou!e o" Repre!entati)e! 4letoral 2ribunal=! !uppo!ed a!!umption o" uri!dition o)er t#e i!!ue o"

petitioner=! /uali"iation! a"ter t#e Ma% 8, 1995 eletion!, !u""ie it to !a% t#at <R42=! uri!dition a! t#e !ole ude o" all onte!t! relatin to t#e eletion!, return! and /uali"iation! o" member! o" $onre!! bein! onl%a"ter a andidate #a! beome a member o" t#e <ou!e o" Repre!entati)e!. 63 Petitioner not bein a member o" t#e

<ou!e o" Repre!entati)e!, it i! ob)iou! t#at t#e <R42 at t#i! point #a! no uri!dition o)er t#e /ue!tion.

It 3ould be an abdiation o" man% o" t#e ideal! en!#rined in t#e 1987 $on!titution "or u! to eit#er to inore ordeliberatel% mae di!tintion! in la3 !olel% on t#e ba!i! o" t#e per!onalit% o" a petitioner in a a!e. 'b)iou!l% a

di!tintion 3a! made on !u# a round #ere. Surel%, man% e!tabli!#ed priniple! o" la3, e)en o" eletion la3!

3ere "louted "or t#e !ae perpetuatin po3er durin t#e pre-4+S: reime. e renee on t#e!e !ared ideal!

inludin t#e meanin and !pirit o" 4+S: our!el)e! bendin e!tabli!#ed priniple! o" priniple! o" la3 to den%an indi)idual 3#at #e or !#e u!tl% de!er)e! in la3. Moreo)er, in doin !o, 3e ondemn our!el)e! to repeat t#e

mi!tae! o" t#e pa!t.

<4R4*'R4, #a)in determined t#at petitioner po!!e!!e! t#e nee!!ar% re!idene /uali"iation! to run "or a!eat in t#e <ou!e o" Repre!entati)e! in t#e *ir!t +i!trit o" e%te, t#e $'M44$=! /ue!tioned Re!olution!

dated :pril , Ma% 7, Ma% 11, and Ma% 5, 1995 are #ereb% S42 :SI+4. Re!pondent $'M44$ i! #ereb%

direted to order t#e Pro)inial oard o" $an)a!!er! to prolaim petitioner a! t#e dul% eleted Repre!entati)e o"t#e *ir!t +i!trit o" e%te.

.R. 'o. 1),)#6 Se4tem5e% 1+( 1226

AA8ITO A. A&UI'O )!. COMELEC( MOE MA9ATI( MATEO EDO' "nd $UA'ITO ICARO

2#e !antit% o" t#e people=! 3ill mu!t be ob!er)ed at all time! i" our na!ent demora% i! to be pre!er)ed. Inan% #allene #a)in t#e e""et o" re)er!in a demorati #oie, epre!!ed t#rou# t#e ballot, t#i! $ourt !#ould

be e)er !o )iilant in "indin !olution! 3#i# 3ould i)e e""et to t#e 3ill o" t#e maorit%, "or !ound publi

poli% ditate! t#at all eleti)e o""ie! are "illed b% t#o!e 3#o #a)e reei)ed t#e #i#e!t number o" )ote! a!t inan eletion. #en a #allene to a 3innin andidate=! /uali"iation! #o3e)er beome! ine)itable, t#e

ineliibilit% ou#t to be !o noiou! to t#e $on!titution t#at i)in e""et to t#e apparent 3ill o" t#e people 3ould

ultimatel% do #arm to our demorati in!titution!.



'n Mar# H, 1995, petitioner :apito :. :/uino "iled #i! $erti"iate o" $andida% "or t#e po!ition o"

Repre!entati)e "or t#e ne3 Seond ei!lati)e +i!trit o" Maati $it%. :mon ot#er!, :/uino pro)ided t#e"ollo3in in"ormation in #i! erti"iate o" andida%, viz A

&7( R4SI+4N$4 &$omplete :ddre!!(A 8 :M:P': $'R. :+:: S2S., P:M JI:G4,

M:K:2I.

&8( R4SI+4N$4 IN 2<4 $'NS2I2@4N$B <4R4 I S44K 2' 4 44$24+ IMM4+I:24BPR4$4+ING 2<4 44$2I'NA LLLLLL Bear! and 56 Mont#!.

2<:2 I :M 4IGI4 "or !aid '""ie? 2#at I 3ill !upport and de"end t#e $on!titution o" t#e Republi

o" t#e P#ilippine! and 3ill maintain true "ait# and alleiane t#ereto? 2#at I 3ill obe% t#e la3, rule! and

deree! promulated b% t#e dul% on!tituted aut#oritie!? 2#at t#e obliation impo!ed to !u# i! a!!umed)oluntaril%, 3it#out mental re!er)ation or purpo!e o" e)a!ion, and t#at t#e "at! t#erein are true to t#e

be!t o" m% no3lede.

'n :pril , 1995, Mo)e Maati, a dul% rei!tered politial part%, and Mateo edon, $#airman o" t#e :K:S- N@$+-@M+P o" arana% $embo, Maati $it%, "iled a petition to di!/uali"% :apito :. :/uino ) on t#e

round t#at t#e latter laed t#e re!idene /uali"iation a! a andidate "or onre!!man 3#i#, under Setion 6,

:rt. JI o" t#e 1987 t#e $on!titution, !#ould be "or a period not le!! t#an one &1( %ear immediatel% preedin t#eMa% 8, 1995 eletion!. 2#e petition 3a! doeted a! SP: No. 95-11; and 3a! a!!ined to t#e Seond +i)i!ion

o" t#e $ommi!!ion on 4letion! &$'M44$(.

'n :pril 5, 1995, a da% a"ter !aid petition "or di!/uali"iation 3a! "iled, petitioner "iled anot#er erti"iate o"andida% amendin t#e erti"iate dated Mar# H, 1995. 2#i! time, petitioner !tated in Item 8 o" #i! erti"iate

t#at #e #ad re!ided in t#e on!tituen% 3#ere #e !ou#t to be eleted "or one &l( %ear and t#irteen &1;( da%!. 3

'n Ma% , 1995, petitioner "iled #i! :n!3er dated :pril 9, 1995 pra%in "or t#e di!mi!!al o" t#e

di!/uali"iation a!e.

'n t#e !ame da%, Ma% , 1995, a #earin 3a! onduted b% t#e $'M44$ 3#erein petitioner te!ti"ied and

pre!ented in e)idene, amon ot#er!, #i! :""ida)it dated Ma% , 1995, 6 lea!e ontrat bet3een petitioner and

eonor *eliiano dated :pril 1, 199, # :""ida)it o" eonor *eliiano dated :pril 8,1995 0 and :""ida)it o"+aniel Galama% dated :pril 8, 1995. +



:"ter #earin o" t#e petition "or di!/uali"iation, t#e Seond +i)i!ion o" t#e $'M44$ promulated a

Re!olution dated Ma% 6, 1995, t#e decretal portion o" 3#i# read!A

<4R4*'R4, in )ie3 o" t#e "oreoin, t#i! $ommi!!ion &Seond +i)i!ion( R4S'J4S to +ISMISS

t#e in!tantA petition "or +i!/uali"iation aain!t re!pondent :G:PI2' :@IN' and delare! #im

4IGI4 to run "or t#e '""ie o" Repre!entati)e in t#e Seond ei!lati)e +i!trit o" Maati $it%. S''R+4R4+. 2

'n Ma% 7, 1995, Mo)e Maati and Mateo edon "iled a Motion "or Reon!ideration o" t#e Ma% 6, 1995

re!olution 3it# t#e $'M44$ en anc.

Mean3#ile, on Ma% 8, 1995, eletion! 3ere #eld. In Maati $it% 3#ere t#ree &;( andidate! )ied "or t#e

onre!!ional !eat in t#e Seond +i!trit, petitioner arnered t#irt% ei#t t#ou!and "i)e #undred "ort% !e)en&;8,57( )ote! a! aain!t anot#er andidate, :u!to S%uo, 3#o obtained t#irt% "i)e t#ou!and nine #undred ten

&;5,91H( )ote!. 1,

'n Ma% 1H, 1995, pri)ate re!pondent! Mo)e Maati and edon "iled an @rent Motion Ad Cautelum toSu!pend Prolamation o" petitioner. 2#erea"ter, t#e% "iled an 'mnibu! Motion "or Reon!ideration o" t#e

$'M44$=! Seond +i)i!ion re!olution dated Ma% 6, 1995 and a nd @rent Motion Ad Cautelum to Su!pend

Prolamation o" petitioner.

'n Ma% 15, 1995, $'M44$ en anc i!!ued an 'rder !u!pendin petitioner=! prolamation. 2#e di!po!iti)e

portion o" t#e order read!A

<4R4*'R4, pur!uant to t#e pro)i!ion! o" Setion 6 o" Republi :t No. 666, t#e oard o"$an)a!!er! o" t#e $it% o" Maati i! #ereb% direted to omplete t#e an)a!!in o" eletion return! o" t#e

Seond +i!trit o" Maati, but to !u!pend t#e prolamation o" re!pondent :apito :. :/uino !#ould #e

obtain t#e 3innin number o" )ote! "or t#e po!ition o" Repre!entati)e o" t#e Seond +i!trit o" t#e $it%

o" Maati, until t#e motion "or reon!ideration "iled b% t#e petitioner! on Ma% 7, 1995, !#all #a)e beenre!ol)ed b% t#e $ommi!!ion.

2#e 4euti)e +iretor, t#i! $ommi!!ion, i! direted to au!e t#e immediate implementation o" t#i!

'rder. 2#e $ler o" $ourt o" t#e $ommi!!ion i! lie3i!e direted to in"orm t#e partie! b% t#e "a!te!tmean! a)ailable o" t#i! 'rder, and to alendar t#e #earin o" t#e Motion "or Reon!ideration on Ma% 17,

1995, at 1HAHH in t#e mornin, PI$$ Pre!! $enter, Pa!a% $it%. S' 'R+4R4+. 11



'n Ma% 16, 1995, petitioner "iled #i! $omment'ppo!ition 3it# urent motion to li"t order o" !u!pen!ion o"

prolamation.

'n une 1, 1995, petitioner "iled a >Motion to *ile Supplemental Memorandum and Motion to Re!ol)e @rentMotion to Re!ol)e Motion to i"t Su!pen!ion o" Prolamation> 3#erein #e mani"e!ted #i! intention to rai!e,

amon ot#er!, t#e i!!ue o" 3#et#er o" not t#e determination o" t#e /uali"iation! o" petitioner a"ter t#e eletion!i! loded elu!i)el% in t#e <ou!e o" Repre!entati)e! 4letoral 2ribunal pur!uant to Setion 17, :rtile JI o"

t#e 1987 $on!titution.

Re!ol)in petitioner=! motion to li"t !u!pen!ion o" #i! prolamation, t#e $'M44$ en anc i!!ued an 'rder on

une , 1995, t#e deretal portion t#ereo" re!idinA

Pur!uant to t#e !aid pro)i!ion! and on!iderin t#e attendant irum!tane! o" t#e a!e, t#e $ommi!!ion

R4S'J4+ to proeed 3it# t#e promulation but to !u!pend it! rule!, to aept t#e "ilin o" t#e

a"ore!aid motion, and to allo0 the 'arties to e heard thereon ecause the issue o! /urisdiction no0e!ore the Commission has to e studied 0ith more re!lection and /udiciousness. 1)

'n t#e !ame da%, une , 1995, t#e $'M44$ en anc i!!ued a Re!olution re)er!in t#e re!olution o" t#e

Seond +i)i!ion dated Ma% 6, 1995. 2#e !allo read! a! "ollo3!A

<4R4*'R4, in )ie3 o" t#e "oreoin, petitioner!= Motion "or Reon!ideration o" t#e Re!olution o"t#e Seond +i)i!ion, promulated on Ma% 6, 1995, i! GR:N24+. Re!pondent :apito :. :/uino i!

delared ineliible and t#u! di!/uali"ied a! a andidate "or t#e '""ie o" Repre!entati)e o" t#e Seond

ei!lati)e +i!trit o" Maati $it% in t#e Ma% 8, 1995 eletion!, "or la o" t#e on!titutional/uali"iation o" re!idene. $on!e/uentl%, t#e order o" !u!pen!ion o" prolamation o" t#e re!pondent

!#ould #e obtain t#e 3innin number o" )ote!, i!!ued b% t#i! $ommi!!ion on Ma% 15, 1995 i! no3 made

permanent.

@pon t#e "inalit% o" t#i! Re!olution, t#e oard o" $an)a!!er! o" t#e $it% o" Maati !#all immediatel%reon)ene and, on t#e ba!i! o" t#e ompleted an)a!! o" eletion return!, determine t#e 3inner out o" t#e

remainin /uali"ied andidate!, 3#o !#all be immediatel% be prolaimed. S' 'R+4R4+. 13

<ene, t#e in!tant Petition "or Certiorari 1* a!!ailin t#e order! dated Ma% 15, 1995 and une , 1995, a! 3ell a!t#e re!olution dated une , 1995 i!!ued b% t#e $'M44$ en anc. Petitioner=! rai!e! t#e "ollo3in error! "or

on!ideration, to 3itA



:

2<4 $'M44$ <:S N' @RIS+I$2I'N 2' +424RMIN4 :N+ :+@+G4 2<4

+IS@:I*I$:2I'N ISS@4 INJ'JING $'NGR4SSI'N: $:N+I+:24S :*24R 2<4 M:B8, 1995 44$2I'NS, S@$< +424RMIN:2I'N 4ING R4S4RJ4+ 2' :N+ '+G4

4Q$@SIJ4B I2< 2<4 <'@S4 '* R4PR4S4N2:2IJ4 44$2'R: 2RI@N:

:SS@MING AR(UEN1O 2<:2 2<4 $'M44$ <:S @RIS+I$2I'N, S:I+ @RIS+I$2I'N$4:S4+ IN 2<4 INS2:N2 $:S4 :*24R 2<4 44$2I'NS, :N+ 2<4 R4M4+BI4S

:J:I:4 2' 2<4 :+J4RS4 P:R2I4S I4S IN :N'2<4R *'R@M <I$<, I2 IS

S@MI224+, IS 2<4 <R42 $'NSIS24N2 I2< S4$2I'N 17, :R2I$4 JI '* 2<4 1987$'NS2I2@2I'N

$

2<4 $'M44$ $'MMI224+ GR:J4 :@S4 '* +IS$R42I'N <4N I2 PR'$44+4+ 2'

PR'M@G:24 I2S @4S2I'N4+ +4$ISI'N &:NN4Q >$>, P42I2I'N( +4SPI24 I2 'NR4$'GNI2I'N 2<:2 : 2<R4S<'+ ISS@4 '* @RIS+I$2I'N <:S 2' 4 @+I$I'@SBR4JI44+ :G:IN, :SS@MING AR(UEN1O 2<:2 2<4 $'M44$ <:S @RIS+I$2I'N, 2<4

$'M44$ $'MMI224+ GR:J4 :@S4 '* +IS$R42I'N, :N+ S4RI'@S 4RR'R IN

+IR4$2ING I2<'@2 N'2I$4 2<4 S@SP4NSI'N '* 2<4 PR'$:M:2I'N '* 2<4P42I2I'N4R :S 2<4 INNING $'NGR4SSI'N: $:N+I+:24 :N+ +4SPI24 2<4

MINIS24RI: N:2@R4 '* S@$< +@2B 2' PR'$:IM &P4N+ING 2<4 *IN:I2B '* 2<4

+IS@:I*I$:2I'N $:S4 :G:INS2 2<4 P42I2I'N4R( I* 'NB N'2 2' 2<:R2 2<4P4'P4=S I.

+

2<4 $'M44$=S *IN+ING '* N'N-$'MPI:N$4 I2< 2<4 R4SI+4N$B R4@IR4M4N2

'* 'N4 B4:R :G:INS2 2<4 P42I2I'N4R IS $'N2R:RB 2' 4JI+4N$4 :N+ 2'

:PPI$:4 :S :N+ @RISPR@+4N$4.

4

IN :NB $:S4, 2<4 $'M44$ $RI2I$:B 4RR4+ IN *:IING 2' :PPR4$I:24 2<4

4G: IMP'SSIII2B '* 4N*'R$ING 2<4 'N4 B4:R R4SI+4N$B R4@IR4M4N2 '*

$'NGR4SSI'N: $:N+I+:24S IN N4B $R4:24+ P'I2I$: +IS2RI$2S <I$<4R4 'NB 4QIS2ING *'R 4SS 2<:N : B4:R :2 2<4 2IM4 '* 2<4 44$2I'N :N+

:R4B *'@R M'N2<S IN 2<4 $:S4 '* P42I2I'N4R=S +IS2RI$2 IN M:K:2I '*$'NGR4SSI'N:.

*

2<4 $'M44$ $'MMI224+ S4RI'@S 4RR'R :M'@N2ING 2' :$K '* @RIS+I$2I'N<4N I2 'R+4R4+ 2<4 ':R+ '* $:NJ:SS4RS 2' >+424RMIN4 :N+ PR'$:IM 2<4

INN4R '@2 '* 2<4 R4M:INING @:I*I4+ $:N+I+:24S> :*24R 2<4 4RR'N4'@S

+IS@:I*I$:2I'N '* B'@R P42I2I'N4R IN 2<:2 S@$< +IR4$2IJ4 IS IN 2'2:+ISR4G:R+ '* 2<4 4 S4224+ +'$2RIN4 2<:2 : S4$'N+ P:$4 $:N+I+:24 'R



P4RS'N <' :S R4P@+I:24+ B 2<4 44$2'R:24 IS : 'S4R :N+ $:NN'2 4

PR'$:IM4+ :S S@S2I2@24INN4R. 16

I

In #i! "ir!t t#ree a!!inment! o" error, petitioner )iorou!l% ontend! t#at a"ter t#e Ma% 8, 1995 eletion!, t#e

$'M44$ lo!t it! uri!dition o)er t#e /ue!tion o" petitioner=! /uali"iation! to run "or member o" t#e <ou!eo" Repre!entati)e!. <e laim! t#at uri!dition o)er t#e petition "or di!/uali"iation i! elu!i)el% loded 3it#t#e <ou!e o" Repre!entati)e! 4letoral 2ribunal &<R42(. Gi)en t#e %et unre!ol)ed /ue!tion o" uri!dition,

petitioner a)er! t#at t#e $'M44$ ommitted !eriou! error and ra)e abu!e o" di!retion in diretin t#e

!u!pen!ion o" #i! prolamation a! t#e 3innin andidate in t#e Seond $onre!!ional +i!trit o" Maati $it%e di!aree.

Petitioner on)enientl% on"u!e! t#e di!tintion bet3een an unprolaimed andidate to t#e <ou!e o"

Repre!entati)e! and a member o" t#e !ame. 'btainin t#e #i#e!t number o" )ote! in an eletion doe! not

automatiall% )e!t t#e po!ition in t#e 3innin andidate. Setion 17 o" :rtile JI o" t#e 1987 $on!titutionread!A

2#e Senate and t#e <ou!e o" Repre!entati)e! !#all #a)e an 4letoral 2ribunal 3#i# !#all be t#e !ole

ude o" all onte!t! relatin to t#e eletion, return! and /uali"iation! o" t#eir re!peti)e Member!.

@nder t#e abo)e-!tated pro)i!ion, t#e eletoral tribunal learl% a!!ume! uri!dition o)er all onte!t! relati)e to

t#e eletion, return! and /uali"iation! o" andidate! "or eit#er t#e Senate or t#e <ou!e onl% 3#en t#e latter

beome memers o" eit#er t#e Senate or t#e <ou!e o" Repre!entati)e!. : andidate 3#o #a! not been

prolaimed 1# and 3#o #a! not taen #i! oat# o" o""ie annot be !aid to be a member o" t#e <ou!e o"Repre!entati)e! !ubet to Setion. 17 o" t#e $on!titution. #ile t#e prolamation o" a 3innin andidate in an

eletion i! mini!terial, .P. 881 in onuntion 3it# Se 6 o" R.:. 666 allo3! !u!pen!ion o" prolamation

under irum!tane! mentioned t#erein. 2#u!, petitioner=! ontention t#at >a"ter t#e ondut o" t#e eletion and&petitioner( #a! been e!tabli!#ed t#e 3inner o" t#e eletoral eeri!e "rom t#e moment o" eletion, t#e

$'M44$ i! automatiall% di)e!ted o" aut#orit% to pa!! upon t#e /ue!tion o" /uali"iation> "ind! no ba!i!

beau!e e)en a!ter t#e eletion! t#e $'M44$ i! empo3ered b% Setion 6 &in relation to Setion 7( o" R.:.666 to ontinue to #ear and deide /ue!tion! relatin to /uali"iation! o" andidate! Setion 6 !tate!A

Se. 6. E!!ect o! 1is$uali!ication Case. F :n% andidate, 3#o #a! been delared b% "inal udment to be di!/uali"ied !#all not be )oted "or, and t#e )ote! a!t "or #im !#all not be ounted. I" "or an% rea!on a

andidate i! not delared b% "inal udment be"ore an eletion to be di!/uali"ied and #e i! )oted "or andreei)e! t#e 3innin number o" )ote! in !u# eletion, t#e $ourt or $ommi!!ion !#all ontinue 3it# t#e

trial and #earin o" t#e ation, in/uir% or prote!t and, upon motion o" t#e omplainant or an% inter)enor,

ma% durin t#e penden% t#ereo" order t#e !u!pen!ion o" t#e prolamation o" !u# andidate 3#ene)ert#e e)idene o" uilt i! !tron.



@nder t#e abo)e-/uoted pro)i!ion, not onl% i! a di!/uali"iation a!e aain!t a andidate allo3ed to ontinue

a"ter t#e eletion &and doe! not ou!t t#e $'M44$ o" it! uri!dition(, but #i! obtainin t#e #i#e!t number o")ote! 3ill not re!ult in t#e !u!pen!ion or termination o" t#e proeedin! aain!t #im 3#en t#e e)idene o" uilt

i! !tron. #ile t#e p#ra!e >3#en t#e e)idene o" uilt i! !tron> !eem! to !ue!t t#at t#e pro)i!ion! o" Setion

6 ou#t to be appliable onl% to di!/uali"iation a!e! under Setion 68 o" t#e 'mnibu! 4letion $ode, Setion7 o" R.:. 666 allo3! t#e appliation o" t#e pro)i!ion! o" Setion 6 to a!e! in)ol)in di!/uali"iation ba!ed on

ineliibilit% under Setion 78 o" .P. 881. Setion 7 !tate!A

Se. 7. "etition to 1eny 1ue Course or to Cancel a Certi!icate o! Candidacy. F 2#e proedure

#ereinabo)e pro)ided !#all appl% to petition to den% due our!e to or anel a erti"iate o" andida% ba!ed on Se. 78 o" ,atas "amansa 881.

II

e aree 3it# $'M44$=! ontention t#at in order t#at petitioner ould /uali"% a! a andidate "orRepre!entati)e o" t#e Seond +i!trit o" Maati $it% t#e latter >mu!t pro)e t#at #e #a! e!tabli!#ed not u!tre!idene but domicile o" #oie. 10

2#e $on!titution re/uire! t#at a per!on !eein eletion to t#e <ou!e o" Repre!entati)e! !#ould be a resident o"

t#e district in 3#i# #e !ee! eletion "or a period o" not le!! t#an one &l( %ear prior to t#e eletion!. 1+ Re!idene, "or eletion la3 purpo!e!, #a! a !ettled meanin in our uri!dition.

In Co v. Electoral Triunal o! the +ouse o! Re'resentatives 12 t#i! $ourt #eld t#at t#e term >re!idene> #a!

al3a%! been under!tood a! !%non%mou! 3it# >domicile> not onl% under t#e pre)iou! $on!titution! but al!o

under t#e 1987 $on!titution. 2#e $ourt t#ere #eldA ),

2#e deliberation! o" t#e $on!titutional $ommi!!ion re)eal t#at t#e meanin o" re!idene vis7a7vis t#e

/uali"iation! o" a andidate "or $onre!! ontinue! to remain t#e !ame a! t#at o" domicile, to 3itA

Mr. NolledoA it# re!pet to Setion 5, I remember t#at in t#e 1971

$on!titutional $on)ention, t#ere 3a! an attempt to re/uire re!idene in t#e plae not le!! t#an one%ear immediatel% preedin t#e da% o" eletion!. So m% /ue!tion i!A #at i! t#e $ommittee=!

onept o" domiile or on!truti)e re!ideneO



Mr. +a)ideA Madame Pre!ident, in!o"ar a! t#e reular member! o" t#e National :!!embl% are

onerned, t#e propo!ed !etion merel% pro)ide!, amon ot#er!, and a re!ident t#ereo"=, t#at i!, in t#edi!trit, "or a period o" not le!! t#an one %ear preedin t#e da% o" t#e eletion. 2#i! 3a! in e""et

li"ted "rom t#e 197; $on!titution, the inter'retation &iven to it 0as domicile &emp#a!i! our!

Reord! o" t#e 1987 $on!titutional $on)ention, Jol. II, ul% , 1986, p. 87(.

Mr!. Ro!ario raidA 2#e net /ue!tion i! on !etion 7, pae . I t#in $ommi!!ioner Nolledo #a!rai!ed t#e !ame point t#at >re!ident> #a! been interpreted at time! a! a matter o" intention rat#er t#an

atual re!idene.

Mr. +e o! Re%e!A 1omicile.

M!. Ro!ario raidA Be!, So, 0ould the &entlemen consider at the 'ro'er time to &o ac4 to actualresidence rather than mere intention to reside8

Mr. +e lo! Re%e!A ut e mi#t enounter !ome di""iult% e!peiall% on!iderin t#at t#e pro)i!ion

in t#e $on!titution in t#e :rtile on Su""rae !a%! t#at *ilipino! li)in abroad ma% )ote a! enated b% la3. So, 0e have to stic4 to the ori&inal conce't that it should e y domicile and not 'hysical

and actual residence. &Reord! o" t#e 1987 $on!titutional $ommi!!ion, Jol. II, ul% , 1986, p

11H(.

2#e "ramer! o" t#e $on!titution ad#ered to t#e earlier de"inition i)en to t#e 3ord >re!idene> 3#i#

rearded it a! #a)in t#e !ame meanin a! domicile.

$learl%, t#e plae >3#ere a part% atuall% or on!truti)el% #a! #i! permanent #ome,> )1 3#ere #e, no matter3#ere #e ma% be "ound at an% i)en time, e)entuall% intend! to return and remain, i.e., #i! domiile, i! t#at to

3#i# t#e $on!titution re"er! 3#en it !pea! o" re!idene "or t#e purpo!e! o" eletion la3. 2#e mani"e!t purpo!e

o" t#i! de)iation "rom t#e u!ual oneption! o" re!iden% in la3 a! eplained in (alle&o vs. 2era at )) i! >to

elude !traner! or ne3omer! un"amiliar 3it# t#e ondition! and need! o" t#e ommunit%> "rom tainad)antae o" "a)orable irum!tane! ei!tin in t#at ommunit% "or eletoral ain. #ile t#ere i! not#in

3ron 3it# t#e pratie o" e!tabli!#in re!idene in a i)en area "or meetin eletion la3 re/uirement!, t#i!

nonet#ele!! de"eat! t#e e!!ene o" repre!entation, 3#i# i! to plae t#rou# t#e a!!ent o" )oter! t#o!e mo!tonizant and !en!iti)e to t#e need! o" a partiular di!trit, i" a andidate "all! !#ort o" t#e period o" re!iden%

mandated b% la3 "or #im to /uali"%. 2#at purpo!e ould be ob)iou!l% be!t met b% indi)idual! 3#o #a)e eit#er

#ad atual re!idene in t#e area "or a i)en period or 3#o #a)e been domiiled in t#e !ame area eit#er b% oriinor b% #oie. It 3ould, t#ere"ore, be imperati)e "or t#i! $ourt to in/uire into t#e t#re!#old /ue!tion a! to

3#et#er or not petitioner atuall% 3a! a re!ident "or a period o" one %ear in t#e area no3 enompa!!ed b% t#e

Seond ei!lati)e +i!trit o" Maati at t#e time o" #i! eletion or 3#et#er or not #e 3a! domiiled in t#e !ame.



:! "ound b% t#e $'M44$ en anc petitioner in #i! $erti"iate o" $andida% "or t#e Ma% 11, 199 eletion!,

indiated not onl% t#at #e 3a! a resident o" San o!e, $onepion, 2arla in 199 but t#at #e 3a! a resident o"t#e !ame "or 5 %ear! immediatel% preedin t#at eletion. )3 :t t#e time, #i! erti"iate indiated t#at #e 3a!

al!o a rei!tered )oter o" t#e !ame di!trit. )* <i! birt# erti"iate plae! $onepion, 2arla a! t#e birt#plae o"

bot# o" #i! parent! enino and :urora. )6 2#u!, "rom data "urni!#ed b% petitioner #im!el" to t#e $'M44$ at

)ariou! time! durin #i! politial areer, 3#at !tand! on!i!tentl% lear and una!!ailable i! t#at t#i! domicile o!ori&in o" reord up to t#e time o" "ilin o" #i! mo!t reent erti"iate o" andida% "or t#e 1995 eletion! 3a!

$onepion, 2arla.

Petitioner=! alleed onnetion 3it# t#e Seond +i!trit o" Maati $it% i! an alleed lea!e areement o"

ondominium unit in t#e area. :! t#e $'M44$, in it! di!puted Re!olution notedA

2#e intention not to e!tabli!# a permanent #ome in Maati $it% i! e)ident in #i! lea!in a ondominiumunit in!tead o" bu%in one. #ile a lea!e ontrat ma%be indiati)e o" re!pondent=! intention to re!ide inMaati $it% it doe! not enender t#e ind o" permanen% re/uired to pro)e abandonment o" one=!

oriinal domicile e!peiall% !ine, b% it! term!, it i! onl% "or a period o" t3o &( %ear!, and re!pondent

:/uino #im!el" te!ti"ied t#at #i! intention 3a! reall% "or onl% one &l( %ear beau!e he has other9residences9 in Manila or *uezon City. )#

#ile propert% o3ner!#ip i! not and !#ould ne)er be an indicia o" t#e ri#t to )ote or to be )oted upon, t#e "at

t#at petitioner #im!el" laim! t#at #e #a! ot#er re!idene! in Metro Manila oupled 3it# t#e !#ort lent# o" time

#e laim! to be a re!ident o" t#e ondominium unit in Maati &and t#e "at, o" #i! !tated domiile in 2arla(>indiate t#at t#e !ole purpo!e o" &petitioner( in tran!"errin #i! p#%!ial re!idene> )0 i! not to a/uire=! ne3

re!idene or domicile >but onl% to /uali"% a! a andidate "or Repre!entati)e o" t#e Seond +i!trit o" Maati

$it%.> )+ 2#e ab!ene o" lear and po!iti)e proo" !#o3in a !ue!!"ul abandonment o" domicile under t#eondition! !tated abo)e, t#e la o" identi"iation F !entimental, atual or ot#er3i!e F 3it# t#e area, and t#e

!u!piiou! irum!tane! under 3#i# t#e lea!e areement 3a! e""eted all belie petitioner=! laim o" re!iden%

"or t#e period re/uired b% t#e $on!titution, in t#e Seond +i!trit o" Maati. :! t#e $'M44$ en ancemp#atiall% pointed outA

C2E#e lea!e areement 3a! eeuted mainl% to !upport t#e one %ear re!idene re/uirement a! a/uali"iation "or a andidate o" Repre!entati)e, b% e!tabli!#in a ommenement date o" #i! re!idene. I"

a per"etl% )alid lea!e areement annot, b% it!el" e!tabli!#? a domicile o" #oie, t#i! partiular lea!eareement annot do better. )2

Moreo)er, #i! a!!ertion t#at #e #a! tran!"erred #i! domicile "rom 2arla to Maati i! a bare a!!ertion 3#i# i!

#ardl% !upported b% t#e "at! in t#e a!e at ben#. 1omicile o" oriin i! not ea!il% lo!t. 2o !ue!!"ull% e""et a#ane o" domicile, petitioner mu!t pro)e an atual remo)al or an atual #ane o" domicile? a ona !ide



intention o" abandonin t#e "ormer plae o" re!idene and e!tabli!#in a ne3 one and de"inite at! 3#i#

orre!pond 3it# t#e purpo!e. 3, 2#e!e re/uirement! are #ardl% met b% t#e e)idene addued in !upport o" petitioner=! laim! o" a #ane o" domicile "rom 2arla to t#e Seond +i!trit o" Maati. In t#e ab!ene o" lear

and po!iti)e proo", t#e domiile o" oriin be deemed to ontinue re/uirement! are #ardl% met b% t#e e)idene

addued in !upport o" petitioner=! laim! o" a #ane o" domiile "rom 2arla to t#e Seond +i!trit o" MaatiIn t#e ab!ene o" lear and po!iti)e proo", t#e domicile o" oriin !#ould be deemed to ontinue.

*inall%, petitioner=! !ubmi!!ion t#at it 3ould be leall% impo!!ible to impo!e t#e one %ear re!iden%

re/uirement in a ne3l% reated politial di!trit i! !peiou! and la! ba!i! in loi. : ne3 politial di!trit i!

not reated out o" t#in air. It i! ar)ed out "rom part o" a real and ei!tin eorap#i area, in t#i! a!e t#e oldMuniipalit% o" Maati. 2#at people atuall% li)ed or 3ere domiiled in t#e area enompa!!ed b% t#e ne3

Seond +i!trit annot be denied. Modern-da% arpetbaer! annot be allo3ed tae ad)antae o" t#e reation

o" ne3 politial di!trit! b% !uddenl% tran!plantin t#em!el)e! in !u# ne3 di!trit!, preudiin t#eir enuinere!ident! in t#e proe!! o" tain ad)antae o" ei!tin ondition! in t#e!e area!. It 3ill be noted, a! $'M44$

did in it! a!!ailed re!olution, t#at petitioner 3a! di!/uali"ied "rom runnin in t#e Senate beau!e o" t#e

on!titutional t3o-term limit, and #ad to !#op around "or a plae 3#ere #e ould run "or publi o""ie. Not#in

3ron 3it# t#at, but #e mu!t "ir!t pro)e 3it# rea!onable ertaint% t#at #e #a! e""eted a #ane o" re!idene "oreletion la3 purpo!e! "or t#e period re/uired b% la3. 2#i! #e #a! not e""eti)el% done.

III

2#e net i!!ue #ere i! 3#et#er or not t#e $'M44$ erred in i!!uin it 'rder in!trutin t#e oard o"$an)a!!er! o" Maati $it% to prolaim a! 3inner t#e andidate reei)in t#e net #i#er number o" )ote!. 2#e

an!3er mu!t be in t#e neati)e.

2o ontend t#at S%uo !#ould be prolaimed beau!e #e 3a! t#e >"ir!t> amon t#e /uali"ied andidate! in t#eMa% 8, 1995 eletion! i! to mi!on!true t#e nature o" t#e demorati eletoral proe!! and t#e !oioloial and

p!%#oloial underpinnin! be#ind )oter!= pre"erene!. 2#e re!ult !ue!ted b% pri)ate re!pondent 3ould lead

not onl% to our re)er!in t#e dotrine! "irml% entren#ed in t#e t3o a!e! o" Lao vs. Comelec 31 but al!o to a

ma!!i)e di!en"ran#i!ement o" t#e t#ou!and! o" )oter! 3#o a!t t#eir )ote in "a)or o" a andidate t#e% belie)edould be )alidl% )oted "or durin t#e eletion!. <ad petitioner been di!/uali"ied be"ore t#e eletion!, t#e #oie,

moreo)er, 3ould #a)e been di""erent. 2#e )ote! "or :/uino i)en t#e arimon% 3#i# attended t#e ampain

3ould not #a)e automatiall% one to !eond plaer S%uo. 2#e nature o" t#e pla%in "ield 3ould #a)e!ub!tantiall% #aned. 2o !impli!tiall% a!!ume t#at t#e !eond plaer 3ould #a)e reei)ed t#e ot#er )ote!

3ould be to !ub!titute our udment "or t#e mind o" t#e )oter. 2#e !eond plaer i! u!t t#at, a !eond plaer. <e

lo!t t#e eletion!. <e 3a! repudiated b% eit#er a maorit% or pluralit% o" )oter!. <e ould not be on!idered t#e"ir!t amon /uali"ied andidate! beau!e in a "ield 3#i# elude! t#e di!/uali"ied andidate, t#e ondition!

3ould #a)e !ub!tantiall% #aned. e are not prepared to etrapolate t#e re!ult! under !u# irum!tane!.



In t#e!e a!e!, t#e pendulum o" udiial opinion in our ountr% #a! !3un "rom one end to t#e ot#er. In t#e earl%

a!e o" To'acio v. "aredes. 3) 3e delared a! )alid, )ote! a!t in "a)or o" a di!/uali"ied, ineliilble or deadandidate pro)ided t#e people 3#o )oted "or !u# andidate belie)ed in ood "ait# t#at at t#e time o" t#e

eletion! !aid andidate 3a! eit#er /uali"ied, eliible or ali)e. 2#e )ote! a!t in "a)or o" a di!/uali"ied

ineliible or dead andidate 3#o obtained t#e net #i#er number o" )ote! annot be prolaimed a! 3inner.:ordin to t#i! $ourt in t#e !aid a!e, >t#ere i! not, !tritl% !peain, a onte!t, t#at 3reat# o" )itor% annot

be tran!"erred "rom an ineliible andidate to an% ot#er andidate 3#en t#e !ole /ue!tion i! t#e eliibilit% o" t#e

one reei)in t#e pluralit% o" t#e leall% a!t ballot!.>

2#en in Ticson v. Comelec, 33 t#i! $ourt #eld t#at )ote! a!t in "a)or o" a non-andidate in )ie3 o" #i! unla3"u#ane o" part% a""iliation &3#i# 3a! t#en a round "or di!/uali"iation( annot be on!idered in t#e

an)a!!in o" eletion return! and t#e )ote! "all into t#e ateor% o" in)alid and nonei!tent )ote! beau!e a

di!/uali"ied andidate i! no andidate at all and i! not a andidate in t#e e%e! o" t#e la3. :! a re!ult, t#i! $ourtup#eld t#e prolamation o" t#e onl% andidate le"t in t#e di!puted po!ition.

In (eronimo v. Ramos 3* 3e reiterated our rulin in To'acio v. "aredes t#at t#e andidate 3#o lo!t in an

eletion annot be prolaimed t#e 3inner in t#e e)ent t#e andidate 3#o ran "or t#e portion i! ineliible. e

#eld in (eronimoA

CIEt 3ould be etremel% repunant to t#e ba!i onept o" t#e on!titutionall% uaranteed ri#t to

!u""rae i" a andidate 3#o #a! not a/uired t#e maorit% or pluralit% o" )ote! i! prolaimed a 3inner

and impo!ed a! t#e repre!entati)e o" a on!tituen%, t#e maorit% o" 3#i# #a)e po!iti)el% delaredt#rou# t#eir ballot! t#at t#e% do not #oo!e #im.

Sound poli% ditate! t#at publi eleti)e o""ie! are "illed b% t#o!e 3#o #a)e reei)ed t#e #i#e!t

number o" )ote! a!t in t#e eletion "or t#at o""ie, and it i! "undamental idea in all republian "orm! o"

o)ernment t#at no one an be delared eleted and no mea!ure an be delared arried unle!! #e or itreei)e! a maorit% or pluralit% o" t#e leal )ote! a!t in t#e eletion!. &H $orpu! uri! nd, S ;, p

676.(

<o3e)er, in Santos v. Comelec 36 3e made a turnabout "rom our pre)iou! rulin in (eronimo v. Ramos and pronouned t#at >)ote! a!t "or a di!/uali"ied andidate "all 3it#in t#e ateor% o" in)alid or non-ei!tent )ote!

beau!e a di!/uali"ied andidate i! no andidate at all in t#e e%e! o" t#e la3,> re)ertin to our earlier rulin inTicson v. Comelec.

In t#e more reent a!e! o" Lao. %r . v. Comelec 3# Aella v. Comelec? 30 and ,enito v. Comelec, 3+ t#i! $ourtreiterated and up#eld t#e rulin in To'acio v. "aredes and (eronimo v. Ramos to t#e e""et t#at t#e ineliibilit%

o" a andidate reei)in t#e net #i#er number o" )ote! to be delared eleted, and t#at a minorit% or de"eated

andidate annot be delared eleted to t#e o""ie. In t#e!e a!e!, 3e put emp#a!i! on our pronounement in(eronimo v. Ramos t#atA



2#e "at t#at a andidate 3#o obtained t#e #i#e!t number o" )ote! i! later delared to be di!/uali"ied or

not eliible "or t#e o""ie to 3#i# #e 3a! eleted doe! not nee!!aril% entitle t#e andidate 3#oobtained t#e !eond #i#e!t number o" )ote! to be delared t#e 3inner o" t#e eleti)e o""ie. 2#e )ote!

a!t "or a dead, di!/uali"ied, or non-eliible per!on ma% be )alid to )ote t#e 3inner into o""ie or

maintain #im t#ere. <o3e)er, in t#e ab!ene o" a !tatute 3#i# learl% a!!ert! a ontrar% politial and

lei!lati)e poli% on t#e matter, i" t#e )ote! 3ere a!t in !inere belie" t#at andidate 3a! ali)e/uali"ied, or eliible? t#e% !#ould not be treated a! !tra%, )oid or meaninle!!.

S%nt#e!izin t#e!e rulin! 3e delared in t#e late!t a!e o" Lao. %r . v. COMELEC t#atA 32

#ile 'rtea ma% #a)e arnered t#e !eond #i#e!t number o" )ote! "or t#e o""ie o" it% ma%or, t#e"at remain! t#at #e 3a! not t#e #oie o" t#e !o)erein 3ill. Petitioner abo 3a! o)er3#elminl% )oted

b% t#e eletorate "or t#e o""ie o" ma%or in t#e belie" t#at #e 3a! t#en /uali"ied to !er)e t#e people o"auio $it% and #i! !ub!e/uent di!/uali"iation doe! not mae re!pondent 'rtea t#e ma%or-elet. 2#i!i! t#e import o" t#e reent a!e o" Aella v. Comelec &H1 S$R: 5; C1991E(, 3#erein 3e #eld t#atA

3hile it is true that S"C No . ::7;<= 0as ori&inally a 'etition to deny due course to the

certi!icate o! candidacy o! Larrazaal and 0as !iled e!ore Larrazaal could e 'roclaimed the !act remains that the local elections o" *eb. 1, 1988 in t#e pro)ine o" e%te 'roceeded 0ith

Larrazaal considered as a ona !ide candidate. The voters o! the 'rovince voted !or her in the

sincere elie! that she 0as a $uali!ied candidate !or the 'osition o! &overnor . +er votes 0as

counted and she otained the hi&hest numer o! votes . 2#e net e""et i! t#at petitioner lo!t in t#eeletion. <e 3a! repudiated b% t#e eletorate. . . #at matter! i! t#at in the event a candidate !or

an elected 'osition 0ho is voted !or and 0ho otains the hi&hest numer o! votes is dis$uali!ied

!or not 'ossessin& the eli&iility. re$uirements at the time o! the election as 'rovided y la0. thecandidate 0ho otains the second hi&hest numer o! votes !or the same 'osition cannot assume

the vacated 'osition. &4mp#a!i! !upplied(.

'ur rulin in Aella applie! !/uarel% to t#e a!e at bar and 3e !ee no ompellin rea!on to

depart t#ere"rom. ie :bella, petitioner 'rtea lo!t in t#e eletion. <e 3a! repudiated b% t#eeletorate. <e 3a! ob)iou!l% not t#e #oie o" t#e people o" auio $it%.

2#u!, 3#ile re!pondent 'rtea &G.R. No. 1H5111( oriinall% "iled a di!/uali"iation a!e 3it# t#e$omele &doeted a! SP:-9-H9( !eein to den% due our!e to petitioner=! &abo=!(

andida%, t#e !ame did not deter t#e people o" auio $it% "rom )otin "or petitioner abo,3#o, b% t#en, 3a! allo3ed b% t#e re!pondent $omele to be )oted upon, t#e re!olution "or #i!

di!/uali"iation #a)in %et to attain t#e deree o" "inalit% &Se. 78, 'mnibu! 4letion $ode(.

:nd in t#e earlier a!e o" Lao v. Comelec. & su'ra(, e #eldA



*inall%, t#ere i! t#e /ue!tion o" 3#et#er or not t#e pri)ate re!pondent, 3#o "iled t#e $uo

0arranto petition, an replae t#e petitioner a! ma%or. <e annot. 2#e !imple rea!on i!t#at a! #e obtained onl% t#e !eond #i#e!t number o" )ote! in t#e eletion, #e 3a!

ob)iou!l% not t#e #oie o" t#e people o" auio $it%.

2#e late!t rulin o" t#e $ourt in t#i! i!!ue i! Santos v. Commission on Election, &1;7S$R: 7H( deided in 1985. In t#at a!e, t#e andidate 3#o plaed !eond 3a! prolaimed eleted a"ter t#e )ote! "or #i! 3innin ri)al, 3#o 3a! di!/uali"ied a! a

turnoat and on!idered a non-andidate, 3ere all di!rearded a! !tra%. In e""et, t#e

!eond plaer 3on b% de"ault. 2#at dei!ion 3a! !upported b% ei#t member! o" t#e$ourt t#en &$ue)a! % ., 'onente, 3it# Maa!iar, $onepion, r., 4!olin, Relo)a, +e la

*uente, :lampa%, and :/uino, %% ., onurrin( 3it# t#ree di!!entin &2ee#anee, atin

C . % . . :bad Santo! and Melenio-<errera( and anot#er t3o re!er)in t#eir )ote! &Planaand Gutierrez, r.(. 'ne 3a! on o""iial lea)e &*ernando, C . % .(

Re-eaminin t#at dei!ion, t#e $ourt "ind!, and !o #old!, t#at it !#ould be re)er!ed in "a)or o" t#e

earlier a!e o" (eronimo v. Santos &1;6 S$R: ;5(, 3#i# repre!ent! t#e more loial and demorati

rule. 2#at a!e, 3#i# reiterated t#e dotrine "ir!t announed in 191 in To'acio vs. "aredes &; P#il;8( 3a! !upported b% ten member! o" t#e $ourt. . . .

2#e rule, t#ere"ore, i!A t#e ineliibilit% o" a andidate reei)in maorit% )ote! doe! not entitle t#e

eliible andidate reei)in t#e net #i#e!t number o" )ote! to be delared eleted. : minorit% orde"eated andidate annot be deemed eleted to t#e o""ie.

Indeed, t#i! #a! been t#e rule in t#e @nited State! !ine 189 &State e rel. +unnin ). Gile!, 5 :m.

+e. 19(.

It i! t#ere"ore inorret to arue t#at !ine a andidate #a! been di!/uali"ied, t#e )ote! intended "or t#e

di!/uali"ied andidate !#ould, in e""et, be on!idered null and )oid. 2#i! 3ould amount to

di!en"ran#i!in t#e eletorate in 3#om, !o)ereint% re!ide!. :t t#e ri! o" bein repetitiou!, t#e people

o" auio $it% opted to elet petitioner abo ona !ide 3it#out an% intention to mi!!appl% t#eir"ran#i!e, and in t#e #one!t belie" t#at abo 3a! t#en /uali"ied to be t#e per!on to 3#om t#e% 3ould

entru!t t#e eeri!e o" t#e po3er! o" t#e o)ernment. @n"ortunatel%, petitioner abo turned out to be

di!/uali"ied and annot a!!ume t#e o""ie.

#et#er or not t#e andidate 3#om t#e maorit% )oted "or an or annot be in!talled, under noirum!tane! an a minorit% or de"eated andidate be deemed eleted to t#e o""ie. Surel%, t#e 1,6H

)ote! a!t "or petitioner 'rtea i! not a larer number t#an t#e 7,71 )ote! a!t "or petitioner abo &a!

erti"ied b% t#e 4letion Rei!trar o" auio $it%? rollo, p. 1H9? G.R. No. 1H5111(.



2#i!, it bear! repeatin, epre!!e! t#e more loial and demorati )ie3. e annot, in anot#er !#i"t o" t#e

pendulum, !ub!ribe to t#e ontention t#at t#e runner-up in an eletion in 3#i# t#e 3inner #a! beendi!/uali"ied i! atuall% t#e 3inner amon t#e remainin /uali"ied andidate! beau!e t#i! learl% repre!ent! a

minorit% )ie3 !upported onl% b% a !attered number o" ob!ure :merian !tate and 4nli!# ourt dei!ion!. *

2#e!e dei!ion! nelet t#e po!!ibilit% t#at t#e runner-up, t#ou# ob)iou!l% /uali"ied, ould reei)e )ote! !o

mea!l% and in!ini"iant in number t#at t#e )ote! t#e% reei)e 3ould be tantamount to reetion. 2#eoretiall%,t#e >!eond plaer> ould reei)e u!t one )ote. In !u# a a!e, it i! ab!urd to prolaim t#e totall% repudiated

andidate a! t#e )oter!= >#oie.> Moreo)er, e)en in in!tane! 3#ere t#e )ote! reei)ed b% t#e !eond plaerma% not be on!idered numeriall% in!ini"iant, )oter! pre"erene! are nonet#ele!! !o )olatile and

unpreditable t#at t#e re!ult amon /uali"ied andidate!, !#ould t#e e/uation #ane beau!e o" t#e

di!/uali"iation o" an ineliible andidate, 3ould not be !el"-e)ident. :b!ene o" t#e apparent t#ou# ineliible

3inner amon t#e #oie! ould lead to a !#i"tin o" )ote! to andidate! ot#er t#an t#e !eond plaer. % an%mat#ematial "ormulation, t#e runner-up in an eletion annot be on!trued to #a)e obtained a maorit% or

pluralit% o" )ote! a!t 3#ere an >ineliible> andidate #a! arnered eit#er a maorit% or pluralit% o" t#e )ote!.

In "ine, 3e are le"t 3it# no #oie but to a""irm t#e $'M44$=! onlu!ion delarin #erein petitionerineliible "or t#e eleti)e po!ition o" Repre!entati)e o" Maati $it%=! Seond +i!trit on t#e ba!i! o" re!pondent

ommi!!ion=! "indin t#at petitioner la! t#e one %ear re!idene in t#e di!trit mandated b% t#e 1987

$on!titution. : demorati o)ernment i! nee!!aril% a o)ernment o" la3!. In a republian o)ernment t#o!ela3! are t#em!el)e! ordained b% t#e people. 2#rou# t#eir repre!entati)e!, t#e% ditate t#e /uali"iation!

nee!!ar% "or !er)ie in o)ernment po!ition!. :nd a! petitioner learl% la! one o" t#e e!!ential /uali"iation!

"or runnin "or member!#ip in t#e <ou!e o" Repre!entati)e!, not e)en t#e 3ill o" a maorit% or pluralit% o" t#e

)oter! o" t#e Seond +i!trit o" Maati $it% 3ould !ub!titute "or a re/uirement mandated b% t#e "undamentalla3 it!el".

<4R4*'R4, premi!e! on!idered, t#e in!tant petition i! #ereb% +ISMISS4+. 'ur 'rder re!trainin

re!pondent $'M44$ "rom prolaimin t#e andidate arnerin t#e net #i#e!t number o" )ote! in t#eonre!!ional eletion! "or t#e Seond +i!trit o" Maati $it% i! made P4RM:N4N2.



;.R. 'o. 1),)26. $!ne )+( 122#<

$UA' . FRIALDO( petitioner, vs. COMMISSIO' O' ELECTIO'S( "nd RAUL R. LEE( respondents.

;.R. 'o. 1)3066. $!ne )+( 122#<

RAUL R. LEE( petitioner, vs. COMMISSIO' O' ELECTIO'S "nd $UA' . FRIALDO( respondents.

D E C I S I O '

2#e ultimate /ue!tion po!ed be"ore t#i! $ourt in t#e!e t3in a!e! i!A #o !#ould be delared t#e ri#t"ul

o)ernor o" Sor!oonF

&i( uan G. *ri)aldo, 3#o un/ue!tionabl% obtained t#e #i#e!t number o" )ote! in t#ree !ue!!i)eeletion! but 3#o 3a! t3ie delared b% t#i! $ourt to be di!/uali"ied to #old !u# o""ie due to #i!

alien itizen!#ip, and 3#o no3 laim! to #a)e re-a!!umed #i! lo!t P#ilippine itizen!#ip t#rurepatriation?

&ii( Raul R. ee, 3#o 3a! t#e !eond plaer in t#e an)a!!, but 3#o laim! t#at t#e )ote! a!t in"a)or o" *ri)aldo !#ould be on!idered )oid? t#at t#e eletorate !#ould be deemed to #a)e intentionall%

t#ro3n a3a% t#eir ballot!? and t#at le&ally. #e !eured t#e mo!t number o! valid votes> or

&iii( 2#e inumbent Jie-Go)ernor, '!ar G. +eri, 3#o ob)iou!l% 3a! not )oted diretl% to t#e po!ition o" o)ernor, but 3#o aordin to pre)ailin uri!prudene !#ould tae o)er t#e !aid po!t

ina!mu# a!, b% t#e ineliibilit% o" *ri)aldo, a >permanent )aan% in t#e onte!ted o""ie #a!

ourred>O



In rulin "or *ri)aldo, t#e $ourt la%! do3n ne3 dotrine! on repatriation, lari"ie!reiterate!ampli"ie!

ei!tin uri!prudene on itizen!#ip and eletion!, and up#old! t#e !uperiorit% o" !ub!tantial u!tie o)er pureleali!m!.

G.R. No. 1;755.

2#i! i! a !peial i)il ation under Rule! 65 and 58 o" t#e Rule! o" $ourt "or ertiorari and preliminar%inuntion to re)ie3 and annul a Re!olution o" t#e re!pondent $ommi!!ion on 4letion! &$omele(, *ir!t

+i)i!ion,1 promulated on +eember 19,1995 and anot#er Re!olution o" t#e $omele en ane promulated

*ebruar% ;, 1996; den%in petitioner=! motion "or reon!ideration.

T=e F"cts

'n Mar# H, 1995, pri)ate re!pondent uan G. *ri)aldo "iled #i! $erti"iate o" $andida% "or t#e o""ie o"

Go)ernor o" Sor!oon in t#e Ma% 8, 1995 eletion!. 'n Mar# ;, 1995, petitioner Raul R. ee, anot#er

andidate, "iled a petition 3it# t#e $omele doeted a! SP: No. 95-H8 pra%in t#at *ri)aldo >be di!/uali"ied"rom !eein or #oldin an% publi o""ie or po!ition b% rea!on o" not %et bein a itizen o" t#e P#ilippine!,>

and t#at #i! $erti"iate o" $andida% be anelled. 'n Ma% 1, 1995, t#e Seond +i)i!ion o" t#e $omele

promulated a Re!olution5 rantin t#e petition 3it# t#e "ollo3in di!po!itionA6

><4R4*'R4, t#i! +i)i!ion re!ol)e! to GR:N2 t#e petition and delare! t#at re!pondent i!

+IS@:I*I4+ to run "or t#e '""ie o" Go)ernor o" Sor!oon on t#e round t#at #e i! N'2 a itizeno" t#e P#ilippine!. :ordinl%, re!pondent=! erti"iate o" andida% i! anelled.>

2#e Motion "or Reon!ideration "iled b% *ri)aldo remained unated upon until a"ter t#e Ma% 8, 1995

eletion!. So, #i! andida% ontinued and #e 3a! )oted "or durin t#e eletion! #eld on !aid date. 'n Ma% 11,

1995, t#e $omele en anc7 a""irmed t#e a"orementioned Re!olution o" t#e Seond +i)i!ion.

2#e Pro)inial oard o" $an)a!!er! ompleted t#e an)a!! o" t#e eletion return! and a $erti"iate o"Jote!8.dated Ma% 7, 1995 3a! i!!ued !#o3in t#e "ollo3in )ote! obtained b% t#e andidate! "or t#e po!ition

o" Go)ernor o" Sor!oonA

:ntonio <. 4!udero, r. 51,H6H

uan G. *ri)aldo 7;,H

RaulR.ee 5;,;H

I!aani P. 'ampo 1,95

'n une 9, 1995, ee "iled in !aid SP: No. 95-H8, a &!upplemental( petition 9 pra%in "or #i! prolamationa! t#e dul%-eleted Go)ernor o" Sor!oon.

In an order 1H dated une 1, 1995, but promulated aordin to t#e petition >onl% on une 9, 1995,> t#e

$omele en ane direted >t#e Pro)inial oard o" $an)a!!er! o" Sor!oon to reon)ene "or t#e purpo!e o"



prolaimin andidate Raul ee a! t#e 3innin ubernatorial andidate in t#e pro)ine o" Sor!oon on une

9,1995 .> :ordinl%, at 8A;H in t#e e)enin o" une ;H,1995, ee 3a! prolaimed o)ernor o"Sor!oon.

'n ul% 6, 1995, *ri)aldo "iled 3it# t#e $omele a ne3 petition, 11 doeted a! SP$ No. 95-;17, pra%in "or

t#e annulment o" t#e une ;H, 1995 prolamation o" ee and "or #i! o3n prolamation. <e alleed t#at on une

;H, 1995, at AHH in t#e a"ternoon, #e too #i! oat# o" alleiane a! a itizen o" t#e P#ilippine! a"ter >#i! petition"or repatriation under P.+. 75 3#i# #e "iled 3it# t#e Speial $ommittee on Naturalization in September 199

#ad been ranted.> :! !u#, 3#en >t#e !aid order &dated une 1, 1995( &o" t#e $omele( 3a! relea!ed andreei)ed b% *ri)aldo on une ;H, 1995 at 5A;H o=lo in t#e e)enin, t#ere 3a! no more leal impediment to t#e

prolamation &o" *ri)aldo( a! o)ernor .> In t#e alternati)e, #e a)erred t#at pur!uant to t#e t3o a!e! o!

Lao vs- Comelec.1 t#e Jie-Go)ernorF not ee F !#ould oup% !aid po!ition o" o)ernor.

'n +eember 19, 1995, t#e $omele *ir!t +i)i!ion promulated t#e #erein a!!ailed Re!olution1; #oldin

t#at ee, >not #a)in arnered t#e #i#e!t number o" )ote!,> 3a! not leall% entitled to be prolaimed a! dul%-

eleted o)ernor? and t#at *ri)aldo, >#a)in arnered t#e #i#e!t number o" )ote!, and #a)in rea/uired

#i! *ilipino itizen!#ip b% repatriation on une ;H, 1995 under t#e pro)i!ion! o" Pre!idential +eree No. 75 &i!( /uali"ied to #old t#e o""ie o" o)ernor o" Sor!oon>? t#u!A

>PR4MIS4S $'NSI+4R4+, t#e $ommi!!ion &*ir!t +i)i!ion(, t#ere"ore R4S'J4S to GR:N2t#e Petition.

$on!i!tent 3it# t#e dei!ion! o" t#e Supreme $ourt, t#e prolamation o" Raul R. ee a! Go)ernoro" Sor!oon i! #ereb% ordered annulled, bein ontrar% to la3, #e not #a)in arnered t#e #i#e!t

number o" )ote! to 3arrant #i! prolamation.

@pon t#e "inalit% o" t#e annulment o" t#e prolamation o" Raul R. ee, t#e Pro)inial oard o"$an)a!!er! i! direted to immediatel% reon)ene and, on t#e ba!i! o" t#e ompleted an)a!!, prolaim

petitioner uan G. *ri)aldo a! t#e dul% eleted Go)ernor o" Sor!oon #a)in arnered t#e #i#e!t

number o" )ote!, and #e #a)in rea/uired #i! *ilipino itizen!#ip b% repatriation on une ;H,1995under t#e pro)i!ion! o" Pre!idential +eree No. 75 and, t#u!, /uali"ied to #old t#e o""ie o" Go)ernor

o" Sor!oon.

$on"ormabl% 3it# Setion 6H o" t#e 'mnibu! 4letion $ode & ,-"- ,l&- ::5( . t#e $ler o" t#e

$ommi!!ion i! direted to noti"% <i! 4ellen% t#e Pre!ident o" t#e P#ilippine!, and t#e Seretar% o"t#e Sanunian Panlala3ian o" t#e Pro)ine o" Sor!oon o" t#i! re!olution immediatel% upon t#e

due implementation t#ereo".>

'n +eember 6,1995, ee "iled a motion "or reon!ideration 3#i# 3a! denied b% t#e $omele

en anc in it! Re!olution1 promulated on *ebruar% ;, 1996. 'n *ebruar% 6, 1996, t#e pre!ent

petition 3a! "iled. :tin on t#e pra%er "or a temporar% re!trainin order, t#i! $ourt i!!ued on *ebruar%7, 1996 a Re!olution 3#i# inter alia direted t#e partie! >to maintain t#e status $uo pre)ailin prior

to t#e "ilin o" t#i! petition.>



T=e Iss!es in .R. 'o. 1)3066

Petitioner ee=! >po!ition on t#e matter at #and brie"l% be ap!ulized in t#e "ollo3in propo!ition!>A15

9)irst 7 2#e initiator% petition belo3 3a! !o "ar in!u""iient in "orm and !ub!tane to 3arrant t#eeeri!e b% t#e $'M44$ o" it! uri!dition 3it# t#e re!ult t#at, in e""et, t#e $'M44$ ated

3it#out uri!dition in tain onizane o" and deidin !aid petition?

Second7 2#e udiiall% delared di!/uali"iation o" re!pondent 3a! a ontinuin ondition and

rendered #im ineliible to run "or, to be eleted to and to #old t#e '""ie o" Go)ernor?

Third 7 2#e alleed repatriation o" re!pondent 3a! neit#er )alid nor i! t#e e""et t#ereo" retroati)ea! to ure #i! ineliibilit% and /uali"% #im to #old t#e '""ie o" Go)ernor? and

)ourth 7 $orretl% read and applied, t#e abo +otrine "ull% !upport! t#e )alidit% o" petitioner=!

prolamation a! dul% eleted Go)ernor o" Sor!oon.>

.R. 'o. 1),)26

2#i! i! a petition to annul t#ree Re!olution! o" t#e re!pondent $omele, t#e "ir!t t3o o" 3#i# are al!o at

i!!ue in G.R. No. 1;755, a! "ollo3!A

1. Re!olution16 o" t#e Seond +i)i!ion, promulated on Ma% 1, 1995, di!/uali"%in *ri)aldo "rom

runnin "or o)ernor o" Sor!oon in t#e Ma% 8, 1995 eletion! >on t#e round t#at #e i! not a itizen

o" t#e P#ilippine!>?

. Re!olution17 o" t#e $omele en ane. promulated on Ma% 11, 1995? and

;. Re!olution18 o" t#e $omele en ane. promulated al!o on Ma% 11, 1995 !u!pendin t#e prolamation o", amon ot#er!, *ri)aldo.

T=e F"cts "nd t=e Iss!e



2#e "at! o" t#i! a!e are e!!entiall% t#e !ame a! t#o!e in G.R. No. 1;755. <o3e)er, *ri)aldo a!!ail! t#e

abo)e-mentioned re!olution! on a di""erent roundA t#at under Setion 78 o" t#e 'mnibu! 4letion $ode, 3#i#i! reprodued #ereinunderA

>Setion 78. "etition to deny due course or to cancel a certi!icate o! candidacy- F : )eri"ied petition !eein to den% due our!e or to anel a erti"iate o" andida% ma% be "iled b% an% per!on

elu!i)el% on t#e round t#at an% material repre!entation ontained t#erein a! re/uired under Setion

7 #ereo" i! "al!e. 2#e petition ma% be "iled at an% time not later t#an t3ent%-"i)e da%! "rom t#e time

o" t#e "ilin o" t#e erti"iate o" andida% and shall e decided. a"ter notie and #earin, not later than !i!teen days e!ore the election-9 &Itali! !upplied.(

t#e $omele #ad no uri!dition to i!!ue !aid Re!olution! beau!e t#e% 3ere not rendered >3it#in t#e periodallo3ed b% la3,> i.e., >not later t#an "i"teen da%! be"ore t#e eletion.>

't#er3i!e !tated, *ri)aldo ontend! t#at t#e "ailure o" t#e $omele to at on t#e petition "or di!/uali"iation

3it#in t#e period o" "i"teen da%! prior to t#e eletion a! pro)ided b% la3 i! a uri!ditional de"et 3#i# render!t#e !aid Re!olution! null and )oid.

% Re!olution on Mar# 1, 1996, t#e $ourt on!olidated G.R. No!. 1H95 and 1;755 !ine t#e% are

intimatel% related in t#eir "atual en)ironment and are idential in t#e ultimate /ue!tion rai!ed, viz-. 3#o !#ouldoup% t#e po!ition o" o)ernor o" t#e pro)ine o" Sor!oon.

'n Mar# 19, 1995, t#e $ourt #eard oral arument "rom t#e partie! and re/uired t#em t#erea"ter to "ile!imultaneou!l% t#eir re!peti)e memoranda.

T=e Consolid"ted Iss!es

*rom t#e "oreoin !ubmi!!ion!, t#e on!olidated i!!ue! ma% be re!tated a! "ollo3!A

1. a! t#e repatriation o" *ri)aldo )alid and lealO I" !o, did it !ea!onabl% ure #i! la o"

itizen!#ip a! to /uali"% #im to be prolaimed and to #old t#e '""ie o" Go)ernorO I" not, ma% it be

i)en retroati)e e""etO I" !o, "rom 3#enO

. I! *ri)aldo=! >udiiall% delared> di!/uali"iation "or la o" *ilipino itizen!#ip a ontinuin

bar to #i! eliibilit% to run "or, be eleted to or #old t#e o)ernor!#ip o" Sor!oonO



;. +id t#e re!pondent $omele #a)e uri!dition o)er t#e initiator% petition in SP$ No. 95-;17on!iderin t#at A !aid petition i! not >a pre-prolamation a!e, an eletion prote!t or a $uo 0arranto

a!e>O

. a! t#e prolamation o" ee, a runner-up in t#e eletion, )alid and leal in li#t o" ei!tin uri!prudeneO

5. +id t#e re!pondent $ommi!!ion on 4letion! eeed it! uri!dition in promulatin t#e

a!!ailed Re!olution!, all o" 3#i# pre)ented *ri)aldo "rom a!!umin t#e o)ernor!#ip o" Sor!oon,on!iderin t#at t#e% 3ere not rendered 3it#in & t#e period re"erred to in Setion 78 o" t#e 'mnibu!

4letion $ode, viz-. >not later t#an "i"teen da%! be"ore t#e eletion!>O

T=e Fi%st Iss!e: F%iv"ldo>s Re4"t%i"tion

2#e )alidit% and e""eti)it% o" *ri)aldo=! repatriation i! t#e lis mota. t#e t#re!#old leal i!!ue in t#i! a!e

:ll t#e ot#er matter! rai!ed are !eondar% to t#i!.

2#e oal Go)ernment $ode o" 199119 epre!!l% re/uire! P#ilippine itizen!#ip a! a /uali"iation "or

eleti)e loal o""iial!, inludin t#at o" pro)inial o)ernor, t#u!A

>Se. ;9. *uali!ications- F &a( :n eleti)e loal o""iial mu!t be a itizen o" t#e P#ilippine!? a

rei!tered )oter in t#e barana%, muniipalit%, it%, or pro)ine or, in t#e a!e o" a member o" t#e!anunian panlala3ian, !anunian panlun!od, or !anunian ba%an, t#e di!trit 3#ere #e

intend! to be eleted? a re!ident t#erein "or at lea!t one &1( %ear immediatel% preedin t#e da% o" t#e

eletion? and able to read and 3rite *ilipino or an% ot#er loal lanuae or dialet.

&b( $andidate! "or t#e po!ition o" o)ernor, )ie o)ernor or member o" t#e !anunian

panlala3ian, or ma%or, )ie ma%or or member o" t#e !anunian panlun!od o" #i#l% urbanizeditie! mu!t be at lea!t t3ent%-t#ree &;( %ear! o" ae on eletion da%.

Ina!mu# a! *ri)aldo #ad been delared b% t#i! $ourt H a! a non-itizen, it i! t#ere"ore inumbent upon #im

to !#o3 t#at #e #a! rea/uired itizen!#ip? in "ine, t#at #e po!!e!!e! t#e /uali"iation! pre!ribed under t#e !aid!tatute &R. :. 716H(.

@nder P#ilippine la3,1 itizen!#ip ma% be rea/uired b% diret at o" $onre!!, b% naturalization or b%

repatriation. *ri)aldo told t#i! $ourt in G.R. No. 1H65 and durin t#e oral arument in t#i! a!e t#at #e tried



to re!ume #i! itizen!#ip b% direct act o! Con&ress. but t#at t#e bill allo3in #im to do !o >"ailed to materialize

not3it#!tandin t#e endor!ement o" !e)eral member! o" t#e <ou!e o" Repre!entati)e!> due, aordin to #imto t#e >maneu)er! o" #i! politial ri)al!.> In t#e !ame a!e, #i! attempt at naturalization 3a! reeted b% t#i!

$ourt beau!e o" uri!ditional, !ub!tantial and proedural de"et!.

+e!pite #i! la o" P#ilippine itizen!#ip, *ri)aldo 3a! o)er3#elminl% eleted o)ernor b% t#e eletorate

o" Sor!oon, 3it# a marin o" 7,HHH )ote! in t#e 1988 eletion!, 57,HHH in 199, and H,HHH in 1995 o)er t#e!ame opponent Raul ee. 23ie, #e 3a! udiiall% delared a non-*ilipino and t#u! t3ie di!/uali"ied "rom

#oldin and di!#arin #i! popular mandate. No3, #e ome! to u! a t#ird time, 3it# a "re!# )ote "rom t#e people o" Sor!oon and a "a)orable dei!ion "rom t#e $ommi!!ion on 4letion! to boot. Moreo)er, #e no3

boa!t! o" #a)in !ue!!"ull% pa!!ed t#rou# t#e t#ird and la!t mode o" rea/uirin itizen!#ipA b% repatriation

under P.+. No. 75, 3it# no le!! t#an t#e Soliitor General #im!el", 3#o 3a! t#e prime oppo!in oun!el in t#e pre)iou! a!e! #e lo!t, t#i! time, a! oun!el "or o-re!pondent $omele, aruin t#e )alidit% o" #i! au!e &in

addition to #i! able pri)ate oun!el Sito S. rillante!, r.(. 2#at #e too #i! oat# o" alleiane under t#e

pro)i!ion! o" !aid +eree at AHH p.m. on une ;H, 1995 i! not di!puted. <ene, #e in!i!t! t#at #eFnot eeF

!#ould #a)e been prolaimed a! t#e dul%-eleted o)ernor o" Sor!oon 3#en t#e Pro)inial oard o"$an)a!!er! met at 8A;H p.m. on t#e !aid date !ine, learl% and un/ue!tionabl%, #e arnered t#e #i#e!t number

o" )ote! in t#e eletion! and !ine at t#at time, #e alread% rea/uired #i! itizen!#ip.

4n ontrario, ee arue! t#at *ri)aldo=! repatriation i! tainted ? 3it# !eriou! de"et!, 3#i# 3e !#all no3

di!u!! in !eriatim

.

*ir!t, ee tell! u! t#at P.+. No. 75 #ad >been e""eti)el% repealed,> a!!ertin t#at >t#en Pre!ident $orazon:/uino eeri!in lei!lati)e po3er! under t#e 2ran!itor% Pro)i!ion! o" t#e 1987 $on!titution, "orbade t#e

rant o" itizen!#ip b% Pre!idential +eree or 4euti)e I!!uane! a! t#e !ame po!e! a !eriou! and ontentiou!

i!!ue o" poli% 3#i# t#e pre!ent o)ernment, in t#e eeri!e o" prudene and !ound di!retion, !#ould be!t

lea)e to t#e udment o" t#e "ir!t $onre!! under t#e 1987 $on!titution,> addin t#at in #er memorandum datedMar# 7,1987 to t#e member! o" t#e Speial $ommittee on Naturalization on!tituted "or purpo!e! o"

Pre!idential +eree No. 75, Pre!ident :/uino direted t#em >to ea!e and de!i!t "rom undertain an% and all

proeedin! 3it#in %our "untional area o" re!pon!ibilit% a! de"ined under etter o" In!trution! &'I( No. 7Hdated :pril 11, 1975, a! amended.>;

2#i! memorandum dated Mar# 7, 1987 annot b% an% !tret# o" leal #ermeneuti! be on!trued a! ala3 !antionin or aut#orizin a repeal o" P.+. No. 75. a3! are repealed onl% b% !ub!e/uent one! 5 and a

repeal ma% be epre!! or implied. It i! ob)iou! t#at no e?'ress re'eal 0as made beau!e t#en Pre!ident :/uino

in #er memorandum F ba!ed on t#e op% "urni!#ed u! b% ee F did not ateoriall% andor impliedl% !tate

t#at P.+. 75 3a! bein repealed or 3a! bein rendered 3it#out an% leal e""et. In "at, !#e did not e)enmention it !pei"iall% b% it! number or tet. 'n t#e ot#er #and, it i! a ba!i rule o" !tatutor% on!trution t#at

re'eals y im'lication are not "a)ored. :n implied repeal 3ill not be allo3ed >unle!! it i! on)ininl% and

unambiuou!l% demon!trated t#at t#e t3o la3! are learl% repunant and patentl% inon!i!tent t#at t#e% annoto-ei!t.>6

2#e memorandum o" t#en Pre!ident :/uino annot e)en be rearded a! a lei!lati)e enatment, "or not

e)er% pronounement o" t#e $#ie" 4euti)e e)en under t#e 2ran!itor% Pro)i!ion! o" t#e 1987 $on!titution annor !#ould be rearded a! an eeri!e o" #er la3-main po3er!. :t be!t, it ould be treated a! an eeuti)e



poli% addre!!ed to t#e Speial $ommittee to #alt t#e aeptane and proe!!in o" appliation! "or repatriation

pendin 3#ate)er >udment t#e "ir!t $onre!! under t#e 1987 $on!titution> mi#t mae. In ot#er 3ord!, t#e"ormer Pre!ident did not repeal P.+. 75 but le"t it to t#e "ir!t $onre!! F one reatedFto deal 3it# t#e

matter. I" !#e #ad intended to repeal !u# la3, !#e !#ould #a)e une/ui)oall% !aid !o in!tead o" re"errin t#e

matter to $onre!!. 2#e "at i! !#e are"ull% ou#ed #er pre!idential i!!uane in term! t#at learl% indiated t#eintention o" >t#e pre!ent o)ernment, in t#e eeri!e o" prudene and !ound di!retion> to lea)e t#e matter o"

repeal to t#e ne3 $onre!!. :n% ot#er interpretation o" t#e !aid Pre!idential Memorandum, !u# a! i! no3

bein pro""ered to t#e $ourt b% ee, 3ould )i!it unmitiated )iolene not onl% upon !tatutor% on!trution buton ommon !en!e a! 3ell.

Second- ee al!o arue! t#at >!eriou! onenital irreularitie! "la3ed t#e repatriation proeedin!,>

a!!ertin t#at *ri)aldo=! appliation t#ere"or 3a! >"iled on une 9, 1995 &and( 3a! appro)ed in u!t oneda% or on une ;H, 1995 ,> 3#i# >pre)ented a udiiou! re)ie3 and e)aluation o" t#e merit! t#ereo".>

*ri)aldo ounter! t#at #e "iled #i! appliation "or repatriation 3it# t#e '""ie o" t#e Pre!ident in Malaanan

Palae on :uu!t 17, 199. 2#i! i! on"irmed b% t#e Soliitor General. <o3e)er, t#e Speial $ommittee 3a!

reati)ated onl% on une 8, 1995, 3#en pre!umabl% t#e !aid $ommittee !tarted proe!!in #i! appliation. 'nune 9, 1995, #e "illed up and re-!ubmitted t#e *'RM t#at t#e $ommittee re/uired. @nder t#e!e

irum!tane!, it ould not be !aid t#at t#ere 3a! >indeent #a!te> in t#e proe!!in o" #i! appliation.

:nent ee=! #are t#at t#e >!udden reon!titution o" t#e Speial $ommittee on Naturalization 3a!

intended !olel% "or t#e per!onal intere!t o" re!pondent,>7 t#e Soliitor General eplained durin t#e oral

arument on Mar# 19, 1996 t#at !u# alleation i! !impl% ba!ele!! a! t#ere 3ere man% ot#er! 3#o applied and

3ere on!idered "or repatriation, a li!t o" 3#om 3a! !ubmitted b% #im to t#i! $ourt, t#rou# a Mani"e!tation

"iled on :pril ;, 1996.

'n t#e ba!i! o" t#e partie!= !ubmi!!ion!, 3e are on)ined t#at t#e pre!umption o" reularit% in t#e

per"ormane o" o""iial dut% and t#e pre!umption o" lealit% in t#e repatriation o" *ri)aldo #a)e not been!ue!!"ull% rebutted b% ee. 2#e mere "at t#at t#e proeedin! 3ere !peeded up i! b% it!el" not a round to

onlude t#at !u# proeedin! 3ere nee!!aril% tainted. :"ter all, t#e re/uirement! o" repatriation under P.+

No. 75 are not di""iult to ompl% 3it#, nor are t#e% tediou! and umber!ome. In "at, P.+. 75 9 it!el" re/uire!)er% little o" an appliant, and e)en t#e rule! and reulation! to implement t#e !aid deree 3ere le"t to t#e

Speial $ommittee to promulate. 2#i! i! not unu!ual !ine, unlie in naturalization 3#ere an alien o)et! a

!irst7time entr% into P#ilippine politial li"e, in repatriation t#e appliant i! a "ormer natural-born *ilipino 3#o i!merel% !eein to rea/uire #i! pre)iou! itizen!#ip. In t#e a!e o" *ri)aldo, #e 3a! undoubtedl% a natural-born

itizen 3#o openl% and "ait#"ull% !er)ed #i! ountr% and #i! pro)ine prior to #i! naturalization in t#e @nited

State! F a naturalization #e in!i!t! 3a! made nee!!ar% onl% to e!ape t#e iron lut#e! o" a ditator!#ip #eab#orred and ould not in on!iene embrae F and 3#o, a"ter t#e "all o" t#e ditator and t#e re-e!tabli!#ment

o" demorati !pae, 3a!ted no time in returnin to #i! ountr% o" birt# to o""er one more #i! talent and!er)ie! to #i! people.

So too, t#e "at t#at ten ot#er per!on!, a! erti"ied to b% t#e Soliitor General, 3ere ranted repatriation

arue! on)ininl% and onlu!i)el% aain!t t#e ei!tene o" "a)oriti!m )e#ementl% po!ited b% Raul ee. :t

an% rate, an% onte!t on t#e lealit% o" *ri)aldo=! repatriation !#ould #a)e been pur!ued be"ore t#e $ommitteeit!el", and, "ailin t#ere, in t#e '""ie o" t#e Pre!ident, pur!uant to t#e dotrine o" e#au!tion o" admini!trati)e

remedie!.



Third- ee "urt#er ontend! t#at a!!umin t#e a!!ailed repatriation to be )alid, ne)ert#ele!! it ould onl% be

e""eti)e a! at AHH p.m. o" une ;H, 1995 3#erea! t#e itizen!#ip /uali"iation pre!ribed b% t#e oalGo)ernment $ode >mu!t ei!t on t#e date o" #i! eletion, i" not 3#en t#e erti"iate o" andida% i! "iled,> itin

our dei!ion in G.R. 1H65;H 3#i# #eld t#at >bot# t#e oal Go)ernment $ode and t#e $on!titution re/uire

t#at onl% P#ilippine itizen! can run and e elected to "ulic o!!ice9 'b)iou!l%, #o3e)er, t#i! 3a! a mere

oiter a! t#e onl% i!!ue in !aid a!e 3a! 3#et#er *ri)aldo=! naturalization 3a! )alid or not F and N'2 t#e

e""eti)e date t#ereo". Sine t#e $ourt #eld #i! naturalization to be in)alid, t#en t#e i!!ue o" 0hen an a!pirant

"or publi o""ie !#ould be a itizen 3a! N'2 re!ol)ed at all b% t#e $ourt. #i# /ue!tion 3e !#all no3diretl% rule on.

@nder Se. ;9 o" t#e oal Go)ernment $ode, >&a(n eleti)e loal o""iial mu!t beA

a itizen o" t#e P#ilippine!?

a rei!tered )oter in t#e barana%, muniipalit%, it%, or pro)ine 3#ere #e intend! to beeleted?

a re!ident t#erein "or at lea!t one &1( %ear immediatel% preedin t#e da% o" t#e eletion?

able to read and 3rite *ilipino or an% ot#er loal lanuae or dialet.>

In addition, >andidate! "or t#e po!ition o" o)ernor mu!t be at lea!t t3ent%-t#ree &;( %ear! o"ae on eletion da%.>

*rom t#e abo)e, it 3ill be noted t#at t#e la3 doe! not !pei"% an% partiular date or time 3#en t#eandidate mu!t po!!e!! itizen!#ip, unlie t#at "or re!idene &3#i# mu!t on!i!t o" at lea!t one year#s residency

immediately 'recedin& t#e da% o" eletion( and ae &at lea!t t3ent% t#ree %ear! o" ae on election day@-

P#ilippine itizen!#ip i! an indi!pen!able re/uirement "or #oldin an eleti)e publi o""ie,;1

and t#e purpo!e o" t#e itizen!#ip /uali"iation i! none ot#er t#an to en!ure t#at no alien, i.e., no per!on o3in

alleiane to anot#er nation, !#all o)ern our people and our ountr% or a unit o" territor% t#ereo". No3, an

o""iial bein! to o)ern or to di!#are #i! "untion! onl% upon #i! prolamation and on t#e da% t#e la3mandate! #i! term o" o""ie to bein. Sine *ri)aldo re-a!!umed #i! itizen!#ip on une ;H, 1995Ft#e )er%

da%; t#e term o" o""ie o" o)ernor &and ot#er eleti)e o""iial!( beanF#e 3a! t#ere"ore alread% /uali"ied to

be prolaimed, to #old !u# o""ie and to di!#are t#e "untion! and re!pon!ibilitie! t#ereo" a! o" !aid date. In

!#ort, at t#at time, #e 3a! alread% /uali"ied to o)ern #i! nati)e Sor!oon. 2#i! i! t#e liberal interpretation t#at!#ould i)e !pirit, li"e and meanin to our la3 on /uali"iation! on!i!tent 3it# t#e purpo!e "or 3#i# !u# la3

3a! enated. So too, e)en "rom a literal as di!tinui!#ed "rom lieral@ on!trution, it !#ould be noted t#at

Setion ;9 o" t#e oal Go)ernment $ode !pea! o! 9*uali!ications9 o" >44$2IJ4 '**I$I:S,> not o!

candidates- #% t#en !#ould !u# /uali"iation be re/uired at t#e time o" eletion or at t#e time o" t#e "ilin o"t#e erti"iate! o" andidaie!, a! ee in!i!t!O iterall%, !u# /uali"iation! F unle!! ot#er3i!e epre!!l%

onditioned, a! in t#e a!e o" ae and re!idene F !#ould t#u! be po!!e!!ed 3#en t#e >eleti)e Cor eletedEo""iial> bein! to o)ern, i.e., at t#e time #e i! prolaimed and at t#e !tart o" #i! term F in t#i! a!e, on une

;H, 1995. Parap#ra!in t#i! $ourt=! rulin in 2as$uez vs- (ia'and Li Sen& (ia' B Sons.;; i" t#e purpo!e o" t#e

itizen!#ip re/uirement i! to en!ure t#at our people and ountr% do not end up bein o)erned b% alien!, i.e., per!on! o3in alleiane to anot#er nation, t#at aim or purpo!e 3ould not e th0arted ut instead achieved b%

on!truin t#e itizen!#ip /uali"iation a! appl%in to t#e time o" prolamation o" t#e eleted o""iial and at t#e

!tart o" #i! term.



:$24+ to t#e date o" t#e "ilin o" #i! appliation on :uu!t 17,199.

It i! true t#at under t#e $i)il $ode o" t#e P#ilippine!, ;9 >&l(a3! !#all #a)e no retroati)e e""et, unle!! t#eontrar% i! pro)ided.> ut t#ere are !ettled eeption!H to t#i! eneral rule, !u# a! 3#en t#e !tatute i!

$@R:2IJ4 or R4M4+I: in nature or 3#en it $R4:24S N4 RIG<2S.

:ordin to 2olentino,1 urati)e !tatute! are t#o!e 3#i# undertae to ure error! and irreularitie!

t#ereb% )alidatin udiial or admini!trati)e proeedin!, at! o" publi o""ier!, or pri)ate deed! and ontrat!

0hich other0ise 0ould not 'roduce their intended conse$uences y reason o! some statutory disaility or

!ailure to com'ly 0ith some technical re$uirement- 2#e% operate on ondition! alread% ei!tin, and arenee!!aril% retroati)e in operation. :palo, on t#e ot#er #and, !a%! t#at urati)e !tatute! are >#ealin at!

urin de"et! and addin to t#e mean! o" en"orin ei!tin obliation! &and( are intended to !uppl%

de"et!, abride !uper"luitie! in ei!tin la3!, and urb ertain e)il! % t#eir )er% nature, urati)e !tatute!are retroati)e &and( rea# ba to pa!t e)ent! to orret error! or irreularitie! and to render )alid and

e""eti)e attempted at! 3#i# 3ould be ot#er3i!e ine""eti)e "or t#e purpo!e t#e partie! intended.>

'n t#e ot#er #and, remedial or proedural la3!, i.e., t#o!e !tatute! relatin to remedie! or mode! o"

proedure, 3#i# do not reate ne3 or tae a3a% )e!ted ri#t!, but onl% operate in "urt#erane o" t#e remed% or

on"irmation o" !u# ri#t!, ordinaril% do not ome 3it#in t#e leal meanin o" a retro!peti)e la3, nor 3it#in

t#e eneral rule aain!t t#e retro!peti)e operation o" !tatute!.;

: readin o" P.+. 75 immediatel% !#o3! t#at it reate! a ne3 ri#t, and al!o pro)ide! "or a ne3 remed%,

t#ereb% "illin ertain )oid! in our la3!. 2#u!, in it! preamble, P.+. 75 epre!!l% reonize! t#e pli#t o">man% *ilipino 3omen &3#o( #ad lo!t t#eir P#ilippine itizen!#ip b% marriae to alien!> and 3#o ould not,

under t#e ei!tin la3 &$. :. No. 6;, a! amended( a)ail o" repatriation until >a"ter t#e deat# o" t#eir #u!band! or

t#e termination o" t#eir marital !tatu!> and 3#o ould neit#er be bene"itted b% t#e 197; $on!titution=! ne3 pro)i!ion allo3in >a *ilipino 3oman 3#o marrie! an alien to retain #er P#ilippine itizen!#ip > beau!e>!u# pro)i!ion o" t#e ne3 $on!titution doe! not appl% to *ilipino 3omen 3#o #ad married alien! be"ore !aid

on!titution too e""et.> 2#u!, P.+. 75 ranted a ne3 ri#t to t#e!e 3omenFt#e ri#t to re-a/uire *ilipino

itizen!#ip e)en durin t#eir marital o)erture, 3#i# ri#t did not ei!t prior to P.+. 75. 'n t#e ot#er #and,!aid !tatute al!o pro)ided a ne3 remed% and a ne3 ri#t in "a)or o" ot#er >natural born *ilipino! 3#o &#ad( lo!t

t#eir P#ilippine itizen!#ip but no3 de!ire to re-a/uire P#ilippine itizen!#ip,> beau!e prior to t#e

promulation o" P.+. 75 !u# "ormer *ilipino! 3ould #a)e #ad to undero t#e tediou! and umber!ome proe!! o" naturalization, but 3it# t#e ad)ent o" P.+. 75 t#e% ould no3 re-a/uire t#eir P#ilippine itizen!#ip

under t#e !impli"ied proedure o" repatriation.

2#e Soliitor General arue!A

>% t#eir )er% nature, urati)e !tatute! are retroati)e, &+P vs- $:, 96 S$R: ;(, !ine t#e% are

intended to !uppl% de"et!, abride !uper"luitie! in ei!tin la3! &+el $a!tillo vs- Seuritie! and

4#ane $ommi!!ion, 96 P#il. 119( and urb ertain e)il! &Santo! vs- +uata, 1 S$R: 1H1(.



repatriation.

:not#er arument "or retroati)it% to t#e date o" "ilin i! t#at it 3ould pre)ent preudie to appliant!. I"P.+. 75 3ere not to be i)en retroati)e e""et, and t#e Speial $ommittee deide! not to at, i.e., to dela% t#e

proe!!in o" appliation! "or an% !ub!tantial lent# o" time, t#en t#e "ormer *ilipino! 3#o ma% be !tatele!!, a!

*ri)aldoF#a)in alread% renouned #i! :merian itizen!#ip F 3a!, ma% be preudied "or au!e! out!ide

t#eir ontrol. 2#i! !#ould not be. In a!e o" doubt in t#e interpretation or appliation o" la3!, it i! to be pre!umed t#at t#e la3-main bod% intended ri#t and u!tie to pre)ail.7

:nd a! eperiene 3ill !#o3, t#e Speial $ommittee 3a! able to proe!!, at upon and rant appliation! "orrepatriation 3it#in relati)el% !#ort !pan! o" time a"ter t#e !ame 3ere "iled. 8 2#e "at t#at !u# interrena 3ere

relati)el% in!ini"iant minimize! t#e lieli#ood o" preudie to t#e o)ernment a! a re!ult o" i)in

retroati)it% to repatriation. e!ide!, to t#e mind o" t#e $ourt, diret preudie to t#e o)ernment i! po!!ibleonl% 3#ere a per!on=! repatriation #a! t#e e""et o" 3ipin out a liabilit% o" #i! to t#e o)ernment ari!in in

onnetion 3it# or a! a re!ult o" #i! bein an alien, and aruin onl% durin t#e interrenum bet3een

appliation and appro)al, a !ituation t#at i! not pre!ent in t#e in!tant a!e.

:nd it i! but ri#t and u!t t#at t#e mandate o" t#e people, alread% t3ie "ru!trated, !#ould no3 pre)ail.

@nder t#e irum!tane!, t#ere i! not#in unu!t or ini/uitou! in treatin *ri)aldo=! repatriation a! #a)in

beome e""eti)e a! o" t#e date o" #i! appliation, i.e., on :uu!t 17, 199. 2#i! bein !o, all /ue!tion! about#i! po!!e!!ion o" t#e nationalit% /uali"iationF 3#et#er at t#e date o" prolamation &une ;H, 1995( or t#e date

o" eletion &Ma% 8, 1995( or date o" "ilin #i! erti"iate o" andida% &Mar# H, 1995( 3ould beome moot.

a!ed on t#e "oreoin, an% /ue!tion reardin *ri)aldo=! !tatu! a! a rei!tered )oter 3ould al!o

be deemed !ettled. Ina!mu# a! #e i! on!idered a! #a)in been repatriatedFi.e., #i! *ilipino

itizen!#ip re!tored F a! o" :uu!t 17, 199, #i! pre)iou! rei!tration a! a )oter i! lie3i!e deemed)alidated a! o" !aid date.

It i! not di!puted t#at on anuar% H, 198; *ri)aldo beame an :merian. ould t#e retroati)it%

o" #i! repatriation not e""eti)el% i)e #im dual itizen!#ip, 3#i# under Se. H o" t#e oalGo)ernment $ode 3ould di!/uali"% #im >"rom runnin "or an% eleti)e loal po!itionO>9 e an!3er

t#i! /ue!tion in t#e neati)e, a! t#ere i! oent rea!on to #old t#at *ri)aldo 3a! reall% S2:244SS at

t#e time #e too !aid oat# o" alleiane and e)en be"ore t#at, 3#en #e ran "or o)ernor in 1988. In #i!

$omment, *ri)aldo 3rote t#at #e >#ad lon renouned and #ad lon abandoned #i! :merianitizen!#ipFlon be"ore Ma% 8, 1995. :t be!t, *ri)aldo 3a! !tatele!! in t#e interim F 3#en #e

abandoned and renouned #i! @S itizen!#ip but be"ore #e 3a! repatriated to #i! *ilipinoitizen!#ip.>5H

'n t#i! point, 3e /uote "rom t#e a!!ailed Re!olution dated +eember 19, 1995A 51

>% t#e la3! o" t#e @nited State!, petitioner *ri)aldo lo!t #i! :merian itizen!#ip 3#en #e too

#i! oat# o" alleiane to t#e P#ilippine Go)ernment 3#en #e ran "or Go)ernor in 1988, in 199, and in1995. 4)er% erti"iate o" andida% ontain! an oat# o" alleiane to t#e P#ilippine Go)ernment.>



2#e!e "atual "indin! t#at *ri)aldo #a! lo!t #i! "orein nationalit% lon be"ore t#e eletion! o" 1995 #a)e

not been e""eti)el% rebutted b% ee. *urt#ermore, it i! ba!i t#at !u# "indin! o" t#e $ommi!!ion areonlu!i)e upon t#i! $ourt, ab!ent an% !#o3in o" apriiou!ne!! or arbitrarine!! or abu!e.5

T=e Second Iss!e: Is L"c? of Citi@ens=i4 " Contin!in Dis!"lific"tionB

ee ontend! t#at t#e Ma% 1,1995 Re!olution5; o" t#e $omele Seond +i)i!ion in SP: No. 95-H8 a!

a""irmed in toto b% $omele En ,anc in it! Re!olution o" Ma% 11, 1995 >beame "inal and eeutor% a"ter "i)e&5( da%! or on Ma% 17,1995, no re!trainin order #a)in been i!!ued b% t#i! <onorable $ourt.> 5 <ene, be"ore

ee >3a! prolaimed a! t#e eleted o)ernor on une ;H, 1995, t#ere 3a! alread% a "inal and eeutor%

udment di!/uali"%in> *ri)aldo. ee add! t#at t#i! $ourt=! t3o rulin! &3#i# *ri)aldo no3 onede! 3ereleall% >orret>( delarin *ri)aldo an alien #a)e al!o beome "inal and eeutor% 3a% be"ore t#e 1995

eletion!, and t#e!e >udiial pronounement! o" #i! politial !tatu! a! an :merian itizen ab!olutel% and "or alltime di!/uali"ied &#im( "rom runnin "or, and #oldin an% publi o""ie in t#e P#ilippine!.>

e do not aree.

It !#ould be noted t#at our "ir!t rulin in G.R. No. 8719; di!/uali"%in *ri)aldo 3a! rendered in onnetion3it# t#e 1988 eletion! 3#ile t#at in G.R. No. 1H65 3a! in onnetion 3it# t#e 199 eletion!. 2#at #e 3a!

di!/uali"ied "or !u# eletion! i! "inal and an no loner be #aned. In t#e 3ord! o" t#e re!pondent

$ommi!!ion &Seond +i)i!ion( in it! a!!ailed Re!olutionA55

>2#e reord! !#o3 t#at t#e <onorable Supreme $ourt #ad deided t#at *ri)aldo 3a! not a *ilipino

itizen and t#u! di!/uali"ied "or t#e purpo!e o" t#e 1988 and 199 eletion!. <o3e)er, t#ere i! no

reord o" an% ="inal udment= o" t#e di!/uali"iation o" *ri)aldo a! a andidate "or t#e Ma% 8, 1995eletion!. #at t#e $ommi!!ion !aid in it! 'rder o" une 1, 1995 &im'lemented on %une 6. 5DD;( .diretin t#e prolamation o" Raul R. ee, 3a! t#at *ri)aldo 3a! not a *ilipino itizen #havin& een

declared y the Su'reme Court in its Order dated March ;. 5DD;. not a citizen o! the "hili''ines- =

2#i! delaration o" t#e Supreme $ourt, #o3e)er, 3a! in onnetion 3it# t#e 199 eletion!.>

Indeed, dei!ion! delarin t#e a/ui!ition or denial o" itizen!#ip annot o)ern a per!on=! "uture !tatu!

3it# "inalit%. 2#i! i! beau!e a per!on ma% !ub!e/uentl% rea/uire, or "or t#at matter lo!e, #i! itizen!#ip underan% o" t#e mode! reonized b% la3 "or t#e purpo!e. <ene, in Lee vs- Commissioner o! Immi&ration.56 3e #eldA

>4)er%time t#e itizen!#ip o" a per!on i! material or indi!pen!able in a udiial or admini!trati)e

a!e, 3#ate)er t#e orre!pondin ourt or admini!trati)e aut#orit% deide! t#erein a! to !u#itizen!#ip i! enerall% not on!idered res /udicata. #ene it #a! to be t#re!#ed out aain and aain, a!

t#e oa!ion demand!.>

T=e T=i%d Iss!e: Comelec>s $!%isdiction



Ove% T=e 8etition in S8C 'o. 26-310

ee al!o a)er! t#at re!pondent $omele #ad no uri!dition to entertain t#e petition in SP$ No. 95-;17 beau!e t#e onl% >po!!ible t%pe! o" proeedin! t#at ma% be entertained b% t#e $omele are a pre-prolamation

a!e, an eletion prote!t or a $uo 0arranto a!e.> :ain, ee remind! u! t#at #e 3a! prolaimed on une ;H

1995 but t#at *ri)aldo "iled SP$ No. 95-;17 /ue!tionin #i! &ee=!( prolamation onl% on ul% 6, 1995 F

>be%ond t#e 5-da% relementar% period.> <ene, aordin to #im, *ri)aldo=! >reour!e 3a! to "ile eit#er aneletion prote!t or a $uo 0arranto ation.>

2#i! arument i! not meritoriou!. 2#e $on!titution57 #a! i)en t#e $omele ample po3er to >eeri!eelu!i)e oriinal uri!dition o)er all onte!t! relatin to t#e eletion!, return! and /uali"iation! o" all eleti)e

pro)inial o""iial!.> In!tead o" d3ellin at lent# on t#e )ariou! petition! t#at $omele, in t#e

eeri!e o" it! on!titutional preroati)e!, ma% entertain, !u""ie

it to !a% t#at t#i! $ourt #a! in)ariabl% reonized t#e $ommi!!ion=! aut#orit% to #ear and deide petition!

"or annulment o" prolamation! Fo" 3#i# SP$ No. 95-;17 ob)iou!l% i! one.58 2#u!, in Mentan& vs-

COMELEC.

59

3e ruledA

>2#e petitioner arue! t#at a"ter prolamation and a!!umption o" o""ie, a pre-prolamation

ontro)er!% i! no loner )iable. Indeed, 3e are a3are o" a!e! #oldin t#at pre-prolamation

ontro)er!ie! ma% no loner be entertained b% t#e $'M44$ a"ter t#e 3innin andidate #a! been prolaimed, &itin Gallardo vs- Rimando, 187 S$R: 6;? Sal)aion vs- $'M44$, 17H S$R: 51;?

$a!imiro vs- $'M44$, 171 S$R: 68.( 2#i! rule, #o3e)er, i! premi!ed on an a!!umption t#at t#e

prolamation i! no prolamation at all and t#e prolaimed andidate=! a!!umption o" o""ie annotdepri)e t#e $'M44$ o" t#e po3er to mae !u# delaration o" nullit%. &itin :uam vs-

$'M44$, ; S$R: 88;? :ba%ani vs- $'M44$, 186 S$R: 8.(>

2#e $ourt #o3e)er autioned t#at !u# po3er to annul a prolamation mu!t >be done 3it#in ten &1H( da%!"ollo3in t#e prolamation.> Ina!mu# a! *ri)aldo=! petition 3a! "iled onl% !i &6( da%! a"ter ee=!

prolamation, t#ere i! no /ue!tion t#at t#e $omele orretl% a/uired uri!dition o)er t#e !ame.

T=e Fo!%t= Iss!e: "s Lee>s 8%ocl"m"tion "lid

*ri)aldo a!!ail! t#e )alidit% o" t#e ee prolamation. e up#old #im "or t#e "ollo3in rea!on!A

)irst- 2o parap#ra!e t#i! $ourt in Lao vs- COMELEC.6H >t#e "at remain! t#at #e &ee( 3a! not

t#e #oie o" t#e !o)erein 3ill,> and in A$uino vs- COMELEC.61 ee i! >a !eond plaer, u!t t#at,a !eond plaer.>



In !pite o" t#i!, ee an#or! #i! laim to t#e o)ernor!#ip on t#e pronounement o" t#i! $ourt in t#e

a"ore!aid Lao6 a!e, a! "ollo3!A

>2#e rule 3ould #a)e been di""erent i" t#e eletorate "ull% a3are in "at and in la3 o" a andidate=!

di!/uali"iation !o a! to brin !u# a3arene!! 3it#in t#e realm o" notoriet%, 3ould nonet#ele!! a!t

t#eir )ote! in "a)or o" t#e ineliible andidate. In !u# a!e, t#e eletorate ma% be !aid to #a)e 3ai)ed

t#e )alidit% and e""ia% o" t#eir )ote! b% notoriou!l% mi!appl%in t#eir "ran#i!e or t#ro3in a3a%t#eir )ote!, in 3#i# a!e, t#e eliible andidate obtainin t#e net #i#er number o" )ote! ma% be

deemed eleted.>

ut !u# #oldin i! /uali"ied b% t#e net pararap#, t#u!A

>ut t#i! i! not t#e !ituation obtainin in t#e in!tant di!pute. It #a! not been !#o3n, and none 3a!alleed, t#at petitioner abo 3a! notoriou!l% no3n a! an ineliible andidate, mu# le!! t#e eletorate

a! #a)in no3n o" !u# "at. 'n t#e ontrar%, petitioner abo 3a! e)en allo3ed b% no le!! t#an t#e

$omele it!el" in it! re!olution dated Ma% 1H, 199 to be )oted "or t#e o""ie o" t#e city ma%or a! it!re!olution dated Ma% 9,199 den%in due our!e to petitioner abo=! erti"iate o" andida% #ad not

%et beome "inal and !ubet to t#e "inal outome o" t#i! a!e.>

2#e la!t-/uoted pararap# in Lao. un"ortunatel% "or ee, i! t#e rulin appropriate in t#i! a!e beau!e*ri)aldo 3a! in 1995 in an idential !ituation a! abo 3a! in 199 3#en t#e $omele=! anellation o" #i!

erti"iate o" andida% 3a! not %et "inal on eletion da% a! t#ere 3a! in bot# a!e! a pendin motion "or

reon!ideration, "or 3#i# rea!on $omele i!!ued an &omnibu!( re!olution delarin t#at *ri)aldo &lie abo in199( and !e)eral ot#er! an !till be )oted "or in t#e Ma% 8, 1995 eletion, a! in "at, #e 3a!.

*urt#ermore, t#ere #a! been no !u""iient e)idene pre!ented to !#o3 t#at t#e eletorate o" Sor!oon 3a!

>"ull% a3are in "at and in la3> o" *ri)aldo=! alleed di!/uali"iation a! to >brin !u# a3arene!! 3it#in t#erealm o" notoriet%>, in ot#er 3ord!, t#at t#e )oter! intentionall% 3a!ted t#eir ballot! no3in t#at, in !pite o"

t#eir )otin "or #im, #e 3a! ineliible. I" Lao #a! an% rele)ane at all, it i! t#at t#e )ie-o)ernor and not ee

F!#ould be prolaimed, !ine in lo!in t#e eletion, ee 3a!, to parap#ra!e Lao aain, >ob)iou!l% not t#e#oie o" t#e people> o" Sor!oon. 2#i! i! t#e emp#ati tea#in o! LaoA

>2#e rule, t#ere"ore, i!A t#e ineliibilit% o" a andidate reei)in maorit% )ote! doe! not entitle t#e

eliible andidate reei)in t#e net #i#e!t number o" )ote! to be delared eleted. : minorit% or

de"eated andidate annot be deemed eleted to t#e o""ie.>

Second- :! 3e #a)e earlier delared *ri)aldo to #a)e !ea!onabl% re-a/uired #i! itizen!#ip and ina!mu#

a! #e obtained t#e #i#e!t number o" )ote! in t#e 1995 eletion!, #eFnot ee F!#ould be prolaimed. <ene,ee=! prolamation 3a! patentl% erroneou! and !#ould no3 be orreted.

T=e Fift= Iss!e: Is Section 0+ of t=e Election Code M"nd"to%B



In G.R. No. 1H95, *ri)aldo laim! t#at t#e a!!ailed Re!olution o" t#e $omele &Seond +i)i!ion( dated

Ma% 1, 1995 and t#e on"irmator% en anc Re!olution o" Ma% 11, 1995 di!/uali"%in #im "or 3ant o"itizen!#ip !#ould be annulled beau!e t#e% 3ere rendered be%ond t#e "i"teen &15( da% period pre!ribed b%

Setion 78 o" t#e 'mnibu! 4letion $ode 3#i# read! a! "ollo3!A

>Setion 78. "etition to deny due course or to cancel a certi!icate o! candidacy-F : )eri"ied

petition !eein to den% due our!e or to anel a erti"iate o" andida% ma% be "iled b% an% per!on

elu!i)el% on t#e round t#at an% material repre!entation ontained t#erein a! re/uired under Setion

7 #ereo" i! "al!e. 2#e petition ma% be "iled at an% time not later t#an t3ent%-"i)e da%! "rom t#e timeo" t#e "ilin o" t#e erti"iate o" andida% and shall e decided a!ter notie and #earin, not later than

!i!teen days e!ore the election9 &itali! !upplied.(

2#i! laim i! no3 moot and aademi ina!mu# a! t#e!e re!olution! are deemed !uper!eded b% t#e

!ub!e/uent one! i!!ued b% t#e $ommi!!ion &*ir!t +i)i!ion( on +eember 19, 1995, a""irmed en anc6;

on*ebruar% ;, 1996, 3#i# bot# up#eld #i! eletion. :t an% rate, it i! ob)iou! t#at Setion 78 i! merel% diretor%

a! Setion 6 o" R.:. No. 666 aut#orize! t#e $ommi!!ion to tr% and deide petition! "or di!/uali"iation! e)ena"ter t#e eletion!, t#u!A

>S4$. 6. E!!ect o! 1is$uali!ication Case- F :n% andidate 3#o #a! been delared b% "inal udment to be di!/uali"ied !#all not be )oted "or, and t#e )ote! a!t "or #im !#all not be ounted. I!

!or any reason a candidate is not declared y !inal /ud&ment e!ore an election to e dis$uali!ied and

he is voted !or and receives the 70innin& numer o! votes in such election. the Court or Commission

shall continue 0ith the trial and hearin& o! the action. in$uiry or 'rotest and. u'on motion o! the

com'lainant or any intervenor. may durin& the 'endency thereo! order the sus'ension o! the 'roclamation o! such candidate 0henever the evidence o! his &uilt is stron&-> &Itali! !upplied(

Ref!t"tion of M%. $!stice D"vide>s Dissent

In #i! di!!entin opinion, t#e e!teemed Mr. u!tie <ilario G. +a)ide, r. arue! t#at Pre!ident :/uino=!memorandum dated Mar# 7, 1987 !#ould be )ie3ed a! a !u!pen!ion &not a repeal, a! ured b% ee( o" P.+

75. ut 3#et#er it deree! a !u!pen!ion or a repeal i! a purel% aademi di!tintion beau!e t#e !aid i!!uane i!

not a !tatute t#at an amend or abroate an ei!tin la3. 2#e ei!tene and !ub!i!tene o" P.+. 75 3erereonized in t#e "ir!t *ri)aldo a!e?6 viz. 9u@nder CA No- = as amended y CA No- <G and "-1- No- G;.

"hili''ine citizenshi' maye reac$uired y ??? re'atriation9 <e al!o ontend! t#at b% allo3in *ri)aldo to

rei!ter and to remain a! a rei!tered )oter, t#e $omele and in e""et t#i! $ourt abetted a >moer%> o" our t3o pre)iou! udment! delarin #im a non-itizen. e do not !ee !u# abettin or moer%. 2#e retroati)it% o"

#i! repatriation, a! di!u!!ed earlier, leall% ured 3#ate)er de"et! t#ere ma% #a)e been in #i! rei!tration a! a

)oter "or t#e purpo!e o" t#e 1995 eletion!. Su# retroati)it% did not #ane #i! di!/uali"iation! in 1988 and199, 3#i# 3ere t#e !ubet! o" !u# pre)iou! rulin!.



Mr. u!tie +a)ide al!o belie)e! t#at *uo 3arranto i! not t#e !ole remed% to /ue!tion t#e ineliibilit% o" aandidate, itin t#e $omele=! aut#orit% under Setion 78 o" t#e 'mnibu! 4letion $ode allo3in t#e denial o"

a erti"iate o" andida% on t#e round o" a "al!e material repre!entation t#erein a! re/uired b% Setion 7

$itin Loon&. #e t#en !tate! #i! di!areement 3it# our #oldin t#at Setion 78 i! merel% diretor%. e reall%

#a)e no /uarrel. 'ur point i! t#at *ri)aldo 3a! in error in #i! laim in G.R. No. 1H95 t#at t#e $omele

Re!olution! promulated on Ma% 1, 1995 and Ma% 11, 1995 3ere in)alid beau!e t#e% 3ere i!!ued >not latert#an "i"teen da%! be"ore t#e eletion> a! pre!ribed b% Setion 78. In di!mi!!in t#e petition in G.R. No

1H95, 3e #old t#at t#e $omele did not ommit ra)e abu!e o" di!retion beau!e >Setion 6 o" R. :. 666aut#orize! t#e $omele to tr% and deide di!/uali"iation! e)en a"ter t#e eletion!.> In !pite o" #i! di!areement

3it# u! on t#i! point, i-e-. t#at Setion 78 >i! merel% diretor%,> 3e note t#at u!t lie u!, Mr. u!tie +a)ide

nonet#ele!! )ote! to >+ISMISS G.R. No. 1H95.> 'ne ot#er point. Loon&. a! /uoted in t#e di!!ent, tea#e!t#at a petition to den% due our!e under Setion 78 mu!t be !iled 3it#in t#e ;7day period pre!ribed t#erein

2#e pre!ent a!e #o3e)er deal! 3it# t#e period durin 3#i# t#e $omele ma% decide !u# petition. :nd 3e

#old t#at it ma% be deided e)en a"ter t#e !i!teen day period mentioned in Setion 78. <ere, 3e rule t#at a

decision 'romul&ated y t#e $omele e)en a"ter t#e eletion! i! )alid but Loon& #eld t#at a petition !iledeyond t#e 5-da% period i! out o" time. 2#ere i! no inon!i!ten% nor on"lit.

Mr. u!tie +a)ide al!o di!aree! 3it# t#e $ourt=! #oldin t#at, i)en t#e uni/ue "atual irum!tane! o"*ri)aldo, repatriation ma% be i)en retroati)e e""et. <e arue! t#at !u# retroati)it% >dilute!> our #oldin in

t#e "ir!t *ri)aldo a!e. ut t#e "ir!t &and e)en t#e !eond *ri)aldo( dei!ion did not diretl% in)ol)e repatriation

a! a mode o" a/uirin itizen!#ip. I" 3e ma% repeat, t#ere i! no /ue!tion t#at *ri)aldo 3a! not a *ilipino "or purpo!e! o" determinin #i! /uali"iation! in t#e 1988 and 199 eletion!. 2#at i! !ettled. ut #i! !uper)enin

repatriation #a! #aned #i! politial !tatu! F not in 1988 or 199, but onl% in t#e 1995 eletion!.

'ur learned olleaue al!o di!pute! our #oldin t#at *ri)aldo 3a! !tatele!! prior to #i! repatriation, !a%in

t#at >in"ormal renuniation or abandonment i! not a round to lo!e :merian itizen!#ip.> Sine our ourt! are#ared onl% 3it# t#e dut% o" t#e determinin 3#o are P#ilippine national!, 3e annot rule on t#e leal /ue!tion

o" 3#o are or 3#o are not :merian!. It i! ba!i in international la3 t#at a State determine! 'NB t#o!e 3#oare it! o3n itizen! F not 3#o are t#e itizen! o" ot#er ountrie!.65 2#e i!!ue #ere i!A t#e $omele made a

"indin o" "at t#at *ri)aldo 3a! !tatele!! and !u# "indin #a! not been !#o3n b% ee to be arbitrar% or

3#im!ial. 2#u!, "ollo3in !ettled a!e la3, !u# "indin i! bindin and "inal.

2#e di!!entin opinion al!o !ubmit! t#at ee 3#o lo!t b% #a!mi marin! to *ri)aldo in all t#ree pre)iou!

eletion!, !#ould be delared 3inner beau!e >*ri)aldo=! ineliibilit% "or bein an :merian 3a! publil%

no3n.> *ir!t, t#ere i! ab!olutel% no empirial e)idene "or !u# >publi> no3lede. Seond, e)en i" t#ere i!,

!u# no3lede an be true 'ost !acto onl% o" t#e la!t t3o pre)iou! eletion!. 2#ird, e)en t#e $omele and no3t#i! $ourt 3ereare !till deliberatin on #i! nationalit% be"ore, durin and a"ter t#e 1995 eletion!. <o3 t#en an

t#ere be !u# >publi> no3ledeO

Mr. u!tie +a)ide !ubmit! t#at Setion ;9 o" t#e oal Go)ernment $ode re"er! to t#e /uali"iation! o"

elective loal o""iial!, i.e., andidate!, and not elected o""iial!, and t#at t#e itizen!#ip /uali"iation Cunder par

&a( o" t#at !etionE mu!t be po!!e!!ed b% andidate!, not merel% at t#e ommenement o" t#e term, but b%eletion da% at t#e late!t. e !ee it di""erentl%. Setion ;9, par. &a( t#ereo" !pea! o" >eleti)e loal o""iial>

3#ile par. &b( to &"( re"er to >andidate!.> I" t#e /uali"iation! under par. &a( 3ere intended to appl% to

>andidate!> and not eleted o""iial!, t#e lei!lature 3ould #a)e !aid !o, in!tead o" di""erentiatin par. &a( "rom



t#e re!t o" t#e pararap#!. Seondl%, i" $onre!! #ad meant t#at t#e itizen!#ip /uali"iation !#ould be

po!!e!!ed at eletion da% or prior t#ereto, it 3ould #a)e !pei"iall% !tated !u# detail, t#e !ame 3a% it did in par!. &b( to &"( "or ot#er /uali"iation! o" andidate! "or o)ernor, ma%or, et.

Mr. u!tie +a)ide al!o /ue!tion! t#e i)in o" retroati)e e""et to *ri)aldo=! repatriation on t#e round

amon ot#er!, t#at t#e la3 !pei"iall% pro)ide! t#at it i! onl% a"ter tain t#e oat# o" alleiane t#at appliant!

!#all be deemed to #a)e rea/uired P#ilippine itizen!#ip. e do not /ue!tion 3#at t#e pro)i!ion !tate!. e#old #o3e)er t#at t#e pro)i!ion !#ould be under!tood t#u!A that a!ter ta4in& the oath o! alle&iance the a''licant

is deemed to have reac$uired "hili''ine citizenshi'. 0hich reac$uisition or re'atriation@ is deemed !or all 'ur'oses and intents to have retroacted to the date o! his a''lication there!or-

In an% e)ent, our >!o too> arument reardin t#e literal meanin o" t#e 3ord >eleti)e> in re"erene to

Setion ;9 o" t#e oal Go)ernment $ode, a! 3ell a! reardin Mr. u!tie +a)ide=! t#e!i! t#at t#e )er%3ordin! o" P.+. 75 !ue!t non-retroati)it%, 3ere alread% taen up rat#er eten!i)el% earlier in t#i!

+ei!ion.

Mr. u!tie +a)ide ap! #i! paper 3it# a larion allA >2#i! $ourt mu!t be t#e "ir!t to up#old t#e Rule o"

a3.> e aree F 3e mu!t all "ollo3 t#e rule o" la3. ut t#at i! N'2 t#e i!!ue #ere. 2#e i!!ue i! ho0 !#ould

t#e la0 be interpreted and applied in t#i! a!e !o it an be "ollo3ed, !o it an rule

:t balane, t#e /ue!tion reall% boil! do3n to a #oie o" p#ilo!op#% and pereption o" #o3 to interpret and

appl% la3! relatin to eletion!A literal or liberal? t#e letter or t#e !pirit? t#e naed pro)i!ion or it! ultimate

purpo!e? leal !%lloi!m or !ub!tantial u!tie? in i!olation or in t#e ontet o" !oial ondition!? #ar!#l% aain!tor entl% in "a)or o" t#e )oter!= ob)iou! #oie. In appl%in eletion la3!, it 3ould be "ar better to err in "a)or

o" popular !o)ereint% t#an to be ri#t in omple but little under!tood leali!m!. Indeed, to in"lit a t#rie

reeted andidate upon t#e eletorate o" Sor!oon 3ould on!titute unmitiated udiial t%rann% and anunaeptable a!!ault upon t#i! $ourt=! on!iene.

E8ILOUE

In !um, 3e rule t#at t#e itizen!#ip re/uirement in t#e oal Go)ernment $ode i! to be po!!e!!ed b% an

eleti)e o""iial at t#e late!t a! o" t#e time #e i! prolaimed and at t#e !tart o" t#e term o" o""ie to 3#i# #e #a! been eleted. e "urt#er #old P.+. No. 75 to be in "ull "ore and e""et up to t#e pre!ent, not #a)in been

!u!pended or repealed epre!!l% nor impliedl% at an% time, and *ri)aldo=! repatriation b% )irtue t#ereo" to #a)e

been properl% ranted and t#u! )alid and e""eti)e. Moreo)er, b% rea!on o" t#e remedial or urati)e nature o"

t#e la3 rantin #im a ne3 ri#t to re!ume #i! politial !tatu! and t#e lei!lati)e intent be#ind it, a! 3ell a! #i!uni/ue !ituation o" #a)in been "ored to i)e up #i! itizen!#ip and politial a!piration a! #i! mean! o"

e!apin a reime #e ab#orred, #i! repatriation i! to be i)en retroati)e e""et a! o" t#e date o" #i! appliation

t#ere"or, durin t#e penden% o" 3#i# #e 3a! !tatele!!, #e #a)in i)en = up #i! @. S. nationalit%. 2#u!, inontemplation o" la3, #e po!!e!!ed t#e )ital re/uirement o" *ilipino itizen!#ip a! o" t#e !tart o" t#e term o"



plent% a! a itizen o" t#e mo!t po3er"ul ountr% in t#e 3orld. ut #e opted, na%, !inle-mindedl% in!i!ted on

returnin to and !er)in one more #i! !trulin but belo)ed land o" birt#. <e t#ere"ore de!er)e! e)er% liberainterpretation o" t#e la3 3#i# an be applied in #i! "a)or. :nd in t#e "inal anal%!i!, o)er and abo)e *ri)aldo

#im!el", t#e indomitable people o" Sor!oon mo!t ertainl% de!er)e to be o)erned b% a leader o" t#eir

o)er3#elmin #oie.

HEREFORE( in on!ideration o" t#e "oreoinA

&1( 2#e petition in G.R. No. 1;755 i! #ereb% +ISMISS4+. 2#e a!!ailed Re!olution! o" t#e re!pondent

$ommi!!ion are :**IRM4+.

&( 2#e petition in G.R. No. 1H95 i! al!o +ISMISS4+ "or bein moot and aademi. In an% e)ent, it #a!

no merit.

.R. 'o. 16121* $!l 31( ),,)

TEODULO M. CO&UILLA )!. THE HO'. COMMISSIO' O' ELECTIO'S

2#i! i! a petition "or ertiorari to !et a!ide t#e re!olution,1 dated ul% 19, HH1, o" t#e Seond +i)i!ion o" t#e

$ommi!!ion on 4letion! &$'M44$(, orderin t#e anellation o" t#e erti"iate o" andida% o" petitioner

2eodulo M. $o/uilla "or t#e po!ition o" ma%or o" 'ra!, 4a!tern Samar in t#e Ma% 1, HH1 eletion! and t#e

order, dated anuar% ;H, HH, o" t#e $'M44$ en anc den%in petitionerD! motion "or reon!ideration.

2#e "at! are a! "ollo3!A

Petitioner $o/uilla 3a! born on *ebruar% 17, 19;8 o" *ilipino parent! in 'ra!, 4a!tern Samar. <e re3 up and

re!ided t#ere until 1965, 3#en #e oined t#e @nited State! Na)%. <e 3a! !ub!e/uentl% naturalized a! a @.S.itizen. *rom 197H to 197;, petitioner t#rie )i!ited t#e P#ilippine! 3#ile on lea)e "rom t#e @.S. Na)%.;

't#er3i!e, e)en a"ter #i! retirement "rom t#e @.S. Na)% in 1985, #e remained in t#e @nited State!.

'n 'tober 15, 1998, petitioner ame to t#e P#ilippine! and too out a re!idene erti"iate, alt#ou# #e

ontinued main !e)eral trip! to t#e @nited State!, t#e la!t o" 3#i# too plae on ul% 6, HHH and la!ted until

:uu!t 5, HHH.

Sub!e/uentl%, petitioner applied "or repatriation under R.:. No. 8171

5

to t#e Speial$ommittee on Naturalization. <i! appliation 3a! appro)ed on No)ember 7, HHH, and, on No)ember 1H, HHH,

#e too #i! oat# a! a itizen o" t#e P#ilippine!. Petitioner 3a! i!!ued $erti"iate o" Repatriation No. HHH7;7 on No)ember 1H, HHH and ureau o" Immiration Identi"iation $erti"iate No. 1151; on No)ember 1;, HHH.

'n No)ember 1, HHH, petitioner applied "or rei!tration a! a )oter o" utna, 'ra!, 4a!tern Samar. <i!

appliation 3a! appro)ed b% t#e 4letion Rei!tration oard on anuar% 1, HH1.6 'n *ebruar% 7, HH1, #e

"iled #i! erti"iate o" andida% !tatin t#erein t#at #e #ad been a re!ident o" 'ra!, 4a!tern Samar "or >t3o &(%ear!.>7



'n Mar# 5, HH1, re!pondent Neil M. :l)arez, 3#o 3a! t#e inumbent ma%or o" 'ra! and 3#o 3a! runnin

"or reeletion, !ou#t t#e anellation o" petitionerD! erti"iate o" andida% on t#e round t#at t#e latter #admade a material mi!repre!entation in #i! erti"iate o" andida% b% !tatin t#at #e #ad been a re!ident o" 'ra!

"or t3o %ear! 3#en in trut# #e #ad re!ided t#erein "or onl% about !i mont#! !ine No)ember 1H, HHH, 3#en #e

too #i! oat# a! a itizen o" t#e P#ilippine!.

2#e $'M44$ 3a! unable to render udment on t#e a!e be"ore t#e eletion! on Ma% 1, HH1. Mean3#ile, petitioner 3a! )oted "or and reei)ed t#e #i#e!t number o" )ote! &6,1;1( aain!t pri)ate re!pondentD! 5,75

)ote!, or a marin o" ;79 )ote!. 'n Ma% 17, HH1, petitioner 3a! prolaimed ma%or o" 'ra! b% t#e Muniipal

oard o" $an)a!!er!.8 <e !ub!e/uentl% too #i! oat# o" o""ie.

'n ul% 19, HH1, t#e Seond +i)i!ion o" t#e $'M44$ ranted pri)ate re!pondentD! petition and ordered t#e

anellation o" petitionerD! erti"iate o" andida% on t#e ba!i! o" t#e "ollo3in "indin!A

Re!pondentD! "re/uent or reular trip! to t#e P#ilippine! and !ta% in 'ra!, 4a!tern Samar a"ter #i!retirement "rom t#e @.S. Na)% in 1985 annot be on!idered a! a 3ai)er o" #i! !tatu! a! a permanent

re!ident or immirant . . . o" t#e @.S.:. prior to No)ember 1H, HHH a! 3ould /uali"% #im to a/uire t#e

!tatu! o" re!iden% "or purpo!e! o" ompliane 3it# t#e one-%ear re!iden% re/uirement o" Setion ;9&a(

o" t#e oal Go)ernment $ode o" 1991 in relation to Setion! 65 and 68 o" t#e 'mnibu! 4letion $ode.2#e one &1( %ear re!iden% re/uirement ontemplate! o" t#e atual re!idene o" a *ilipino itizen in t#e

on!tituen% 3#ere #e !ee! to be eleted.

:ll t#in! on!idered, t#e number o" %ear! #e laimed to #a)e re!ided or !ta%ed in 'ra!, 4a!tern Samar

!ine 1985 a! an :merian itizen and permanent re!ident o" t#e @.S.:. be"ore No)ember 1H, HHH3#en #e rea/uired #i! P#ilippine itizen!#ip b% CrepatriationE annot be added to #i! atual re!idene

t#ereat a"ter No)ember 1H, HHH until Ma% 1, HH1 to ure #i! de"iien% in da%!, mont#!, and %ear to

allo3 or render #im eliible to run "or an eleti)e o""ie in t#e P#ilippine!. @nder !u# irum!tane!, b% 3#ate)er "ormula o" omputation u!ed, re!pondent i! !#ort o" t#e one-%ear re!idene re/uirement

be"ore t#e Ma% 1, HH1 eletion!.9

Petitioner "iled a motion "or reon!ideration, but #i! motion 3a! denied b% t#e $'M44$ en anc on anuar%;H, HH. <ene t#i! petition.

I.

23o /ue!tion! mu!t "ir!t be re!ol)ed be"ore on!iderin t#e merit! o" t#i! a!eA &a( 3#et#er t#e ;H-da% period

"or appealin t#e re!olution o" t#e $'M44$ 3a! !u!pended b% t#e "ilin o" a motion "or reon!ideration b%

petitioner and &b( 3#et#er t#e $'M44$ retained uri!dition to deide t#i! a!e not3it#!tandin t#e prolamation o" petitioner.



:. it# re!pet to t#e "ir!t /ue!tion, pri)ate re!pondent ontend! t#at t#e petition in t#i! a!e !#ould be

di!mi!!ed beau!e it 3a! "iled late? t#at t#e $'M44$ en anc #ad denied petitionerD! motion "orreon!ideration "or bein pro "orma? and t#at, pur!uant to Rule 19, T o" t#e $'M44$ Rule! o" Proedure,

t#e !aid motion did not !u!pend t#e runnin o" t#e ;H-da% period "or "ilin t#i! petition. <e point! out t#at

petitioner reei)ed a op% o" t#e re!olution, dated ul% 19, HH1, o" t#e $'M44$D! Seond +i)i!ion on ul%8, HH1, !o t#at #e #ad onl% until :uu!t 7, HH1 3it#in 3#i# to "ile t#i! petition. Sine t#e petition in t#i!

a!e 3a! "iled on *ebruar% 11, HH, t#e !ame !#ould be on!idered a! #a)in been "iled late and !#ould be

di!mi!!ed. Pri)ate re!pondentD! ontention #a! no merit.

Rule 19 o" t#e $'M44$ Rule! o" Proedure pro)ide! in pertinent part!A

Se. . "eriod !or )ilin& Motions !or Reconsideration. : motion to reon!ider a dei!ion, re!olution,

order, or rulin o" a +i)i!ion !#all be "iled 3it#in "i)e da%! "rom t#e promulation t#ereo". Su# motion,

i" not pro-"orma, !u!pend! t#e eeution "or implementation o" t#e dei!ion, re!olution, order, or rulin.

Se. . E!!ect o! Motion !or Reconsideration on "eriod to A''eal- : motion to reon!ider a dei!ion,

re!olution, order, or rulin, 3#en not pro-"orma, !u!pend! t#e runnin o" t#e period to ele)ate t#e matterto t#e Supreme $ourt.

2#e "i)e-da% period "or "ilin a motion "or reon!ideration under Rule 19, T !#ould be ounted "rom t#e reeipt

o" t#e dei!ion, re!olution, order, or rulin o" t#e $'M44$ +i)i!ion.1H In t#i! a!e, petitioner reei)ed a op%o" t#e re!olution o" ul% 19, HH1 o" t#e $'M44$D! Seond +i)i!ion on ul% 8, HH1. *i)e da%! later, on

:uu!t , HH1, #e "iled #i! motion "or reon!ideration. 'n *ebruar% 6, HH, #e reei)ed a op% o" t#e order,

dated anuar% ;H, HH, o" t#e $'M44$ en anc den%in #i! motion "or reon!ideration. *i)e da%! later, on*ebruar% 11, HH, #e "iled t#i! petition "or ertiorari. 2#ere i! no /ue!tion, t#ere"ore, t#at petitionerD! motion

"or reon!ideration o" t#e re!olution o" t#e $'M44$ Seond +i)i!ion, a! 3ell a! #i! petition "or ertiorari to!et a!ide o" t#e order o" t#e $'M44$ en anc, 3a! "iled 3it#in t#e period pro)ided "or in Rule 19, T o" t#e$'M44$ Rule! o" Proedure and in :rt. IQ&:(, T7 o" t#e $on!titution.

It i! ontended, #o3e)er, t#at petitionerD! motion "or reon!ideration be"ore t#e $'M44$ en anc did not

!u!pend t#e runnin o" t#e period "or "ilin t#i! petition beau!e t#e motion 3a! pro "orma and, on!e/uentl%,

t#i! petition !#ould #a)e been "iled on or be"ore :uu!t 7, HH1. It 3a! atuall% "iled, #o3e)er, onl% on*ebruar% 11, HH. Pri)ate re!pondent ite! t#e "indin o" t#e $'M44$ en anc t#at F

:n ini!i)e eamination o" t#e alleation! in t#e Motion "or Reon!ideration !#o3! t#at t#e !ame CareE a

mere re#a!# o" #i! a)erment! ontained in #i! 2eri!ied Ans0er and Memorandum. Neit#er didre!pondent rai!e ne3 matter! t#at 3ould !u""iientl% 3arrant a re)er!al o" t#e a!!ailed re!olution o" t#e

Seond +i)i!ion. 2#i! mae! t#e !aid Motion 'ro !orma.11



e do not t#in t#i! ontention i! orret. 2#e motion "or reon!ideration 3a! not pro "orma and it! "ilin did

!u!pend t#e period "or "ilin t#e petition "or ertiorari in t#i! a!e. 2#e mere reiteration in a motion "orreon!ideration o" t#e i!!ue! rai!ed b% t#e partie! and pa!!ed upon b% t#e ourt doe! not mae a motion pro

"orma? ot#er3i!e, t#e mo)antD! remed% 3ould not be a reon!ideration o" t#e dei!ion but a ne3 trial or !ome

ot#er remed%.1 ut, a! 3e #a)e #eld in anot#er a!eA1;

:mon t#e end! to 3#i# a motion "or reon!ideration i! addre!!ed, one i! prei!el% to on)ine t#eourt t#at it! rulin i! erroneou! and improper, ontrar% to t#e la3 or t#e e)idene? and in doin !o, t#e

mo)ant #a! to d3ell o" nee!!it% upon t#e i!!ue! pa!!ed upon b% t#e ourt. I" a motion "or

reon!ideration ma% not di!u!! t#e!e i!!ue!, t#e on!e/uene 3ould be t#at a"ter a dei!ion i! rendered,t#e lo!in part% 3ould be on"ined to "ilin onl% motion! "or reopenin and ne3 trial.

Indeed, in t#e a!e! 3#ere a motion "or reon!ideration 3a! #eld to be pro "orma, t#e motion 3a! !o #eld

beau!e &1( it 3a! a !eond motion "or reon!ideration,1 or &( it did not ompl% 3it# t#e rule t#at t#e motion

mu!t !pei"% t#e "indin! and onlu!ion! alleed to be ontrar% to la3 or not !upported b% t#e e)idene, 15 or&;( it "ailed to !ub!tantiate t#e alleed error!,15 or &( it merel% alleed t#at t#e dei!ion in /ue!tion 3a! ontrar%

to la3,17 or &5( t#e ad)er!e part% 3a! not i)en notie t#ereo". 18 2#e 16-pae motion "or reon!ideration "iled b%

petitioner in t#e $'M44$ en anc !u""er! "rom none o" t#e "oreoin de"et!, and it 3a! error "or t#e$'M44$ en anc to rule t#at petitionerD! motion "or reon!ideration 3a! pro "orma beau!e t#e alleation!

rai!ed t#erein are a mere >re#a!#> o" #i! earlier pleadin! or did not rai!e >ne3 matter!.> <ene, t#e "ilin o" t#e

motion !u!pended t#e runnin o" t#e ;H-da% period to "ile t#e petition in t#i! a!e, 3#i#, a! earlier !#o3n, 3a!done 3it#in t#e relementar% period pro)ided b% la3.

. :! !tated be"ore, t#e $'M44$ "ailed to re!ol)e pri)ate re!pondentD! petition "or anellation o" petitionerD! erti"iate o" andida% be"ore t#e eletion! on Ma% 1, HH1. In t#e meantime, t#e )ote! 3erean)a!!ed and petitioner 3a! prolaimed eleted 3it# a marin o" ;79 )ote! o)er pri)ate re!pondent. +id t#e

$'M44$ t#ereb% lo!e aut#orit% to at on t#e petition "iled b% pri)ate re!pondentO

R.:. No. 666 pro)ide!A

S4$2I'N 6. E!!ect o! 1is$uali!ication Case- H :n% andidate 3#o #a! been delared b% "inal udmentto be di!/uali"ied !#all not be )oted "or, and t#e )ote! a!t "or #im !#all not be ounted. I" "or an% rea!on

a andidate i! not delared b% "inal udment be"ore an eletion to be di!/uali"ied and #e i! )oted "or andreei)e! t#e 3innin number o" )ote! in !u# eletion, t#e $ourt or $ommi!!ion !#all ontinue 3it# t#e

trial and #earin o" t#e ation, in/uir%, or prote!t and, upon motion o" t#e omplainant or an% inter)enor,ma% durin t#e penden% t#ereo" order t#e !u!pen!ion o" t#e prolamation o" !u# andidate 3#ene)er

t#e e)idene o" #i! uilt i! !tron. &4mp#a!i! added(



S4$2I'N 7. "etition to 1eny 1ue Course To or Cancel a Certi!icate o! Candidacy. F 2#e proedure

#ereinabo)e pro)ided !#all appl% to petition! to den% due our!e to or anel a erti"iate o" andida%a! pro)ided in Setion 78 o" ata! Pamban!a l. 881.

2#e rule t#en i! t#at andidate! 3#o are di!/uali"ied b% "inal udment be"ore t#e eletion !#all not be )oted "or

and t#e )ote! a!t "or t#em !#all not be ounted. ut t#o!e aain!t 3#om no "inal udment o" di!/uali"iation#ad been rendered ma% be )oted "or and prolaimed, unle!!, on motion o" t#e omplainant, t#e $'M44$!u!pend! t#eir prolamation beau!e t#e round! "or t#eir di!/uali"iation or anellation o" t#eir erti"iate! o"

andida% are !tron. Mean3#ile, t#e proeedin! "or di!/uali"iation o" andidate! or "or t#e anellation or

denial o" erti"iate! o" andida%, 3#i# #a)e been beun be"ore t#e eletion!, !#ould ontinue e)en a"ter !u#eletion! and prolamation o" t#e 3inner!. In Aella v- COMELEC 19 and Salcedo II v- COMELEC ,H t#e

andidate! 3#o!e erti"iate! o" andida% 3ere t#e !ubet o" petition! "or anellation 3ere )oted "or and,

#a)in reei)ed t#e #i#e!t number o" )ote!, 3ere dul% prolaimed 3inner!. 2#i! $ourt, in t#e "ir!t a!e,a""irmed and, in t#e !eond, re)er!ed t#e dei!ion! o" t#e $'M44$ rendered a"ter t#e prolamation o"

andidate!, not on t#e round t#at t#e latter #ad been di)e!ted o" uri!dition upon t#e andidate!D prolamation

but on t#e merit!.

II.

'n t#e merit!, t#e /ue!tion i! 3#et#er petitioner #ad been a re!ident o" 'ra!, 4a!tern Samar at lea!t one &1( %ear be"ore t#e eletion! #eld on Ma% 1, HH1 a! #e repre!ented in #i! erti"iate o" andida%. e "ind t#at #e #ad

not.

*ir!t, T;9&a( o" t#e oal Go)ernment $ode &R.: No. 716H( pro)ide!A

*uali!ications. - &a( :n eleti)e loal o""iial mu!t be a itizen o" t#e P#ilippine!? a rei!tered )oter int#e barana%, muniipalit%, it%, or pro)ine or, in t#e a!e o" a member o" t#e !anunian

panlala3ian, !anunian panlun!od, or !anunian ba%an, t#e di!trit 3#ere #e intend! to be

eleted? a re!ident t#erein "or at lea!t one &1( %ear immediatel% preedin t#e da% o" t#e eletion? andable to read and 3rite *ilipino or an% ot#er loal lanuae or dialet. &4mp#a!i! added(

2#e term >re!idene> i! to be under!tood not in it! ommon aeptation a! re"errin to >d3ellin> or

>#abitation,>1 but rat#er to >domiile> or leal re!idene, t#at i!, >t#e plae 3#ere a part% atuall% oron!truti)el% #a! #i! permanent #ome, 3#ere #e, no matter 3#ere #e ma% be "ound at an% i)en time,

e)entuall% intend! to return and remain &animus manendi(.>; : domiile o" oriin i! a/uired b% e)er% per!onat birt#. It i! u!uall% t#e plae 3#ere t#e #ildD! parent! re!ide and ontinue! until t#e !ame i! abandoned b%

a/ui!ition o" ne3 domiile &domiile o" #oie(.

In t#e a!e at bar, petitioner lo!t #i! domiile o" oriin in 'ra! b% beomin a @.S. itizen a"ter enli!tin in t#e

@.S. Na)% in 1965. *rom t#en on and until No)ember 1H, HHH, 3#en #e rea/uired P#ilippine itizen!#ip,

petitioner 3a! an alien 3it#out an% ri#t to re!ide in t#e P#ilippine! !a)e a! our immiration la3! ma% #a)eallo3ed #im to !ta% a! a )i!itor or a! a re!ident alien.



Indeed, re!idene in t#e @nited State! i! a re/uirement "or naturalization a! a @.S. itizen. 2itle 8, T17&a( o"

t#e @nited State! $ode pro)ide!A

Re$uirements o! naturalization- H Residence

&a( No per!on, eept a! ot#er3i!e pro)ided in t#i! !ub#apter, !#all be naturalized unle!! !u#appliant, &1( immediatel% preedin t#e date o" "ilin #i! appliation "or naturalization #a! re!ided

ontinuou!l%, a"ter bein la3"ull% admitted "or permanent re!idene, 3it#in t#e @nited State! "or at lea!t"i)e %ear! and durin t#e "i)e %ear! immediatel% preedin t#e date o" "ilin #i! petition #a! been

p#%!iall% pre!ent t#erein "or period! totalin at lea!t #al" o" t#at time, and 3#o #a! re!ided 3it#in t#e

State or 3it#in t#e di!trit o" t#e Ser)ie in t#e @nited State! in 3#i# t#e appliant "iled t#e appliation"or at lea!t t#ree mont#!, &( #a! re!ided ontinuou!l% 3it#in t#e @nited State! "rom t#e date o" t#e

appliation up to t#e time o" admi!!ion to itizen!#ip, and &;( durin all t#e period re"erred to in t#i!

!ub!etion #a! been and !till i! a per!on o" ood moral #arater, atta#ed to t#e priniple! o" t#e

$on!titution o" t#e @nited State!, and 3ell di!po!ed to t#e ood order and #appine!! o" t#e @nitedState!. &4mp#a!i! added(

In Caasi v- Court o! A''eals,5 t#i! $ourt ruled t#at immiration to t#e @nited State! b% )irtue o" a >reenard,>

3#i# entitle! one to re!ide permanentl% in t#at ountr%, on!titute! abandonment o" domiile in t#eP#ilippine!. it# more rea!on t#en doe! naturalization in a "orein ountr% re!ult in an abandonment o"

domiile in t#e P#ilippine!.

Nor an petitioner ontend t#at #e 3a! >ompelled to adopt :merian itizen!#ip> onl% b% rea!on o" #i! !er)ie

in t#e @.S. armed "ore!.6 It i! note3ort#% t#at petitioner 3a! repatriated not under R.:. No. 6;H, 3#i#applie! to t#e repatriation o" t#o!e 3#o lo!t t#eir P#ilippine itizen!#ip b% aeptin ommi!!ion in t#e :rmed

*ore! o" t#e @nited State!, but under R.:. No. 8171, 3#i#, a! earlier mentioned, pro)ide! "or t#e repatriation

o", amon ot#er!, natural-born *ilipino! 3#o lo!t t#eir itizen!#ip on aount o" politial or eonomi nee!!it%.In an% e)ent, t#e "at i! t#at, b% #a)in been naturalized abroad, #e lo!t #i! P#ilippine itizen!#ip and 3it# it #i!

re!idene in t#e P#ilippine!. @ntil #i! rea/ui!ition o" P#ilippine itizen!#ip on No)ember 1H, HHH, petitioner

did not rea/uire #i! leal re!idene in t#i! ountr%.

Seond, it i! not true, a! petitioner ontend!, t#at #e ree!tabli!#ed re!idene in t#i! ountr% in 1998 3#en #e

ame ba to prepare "or t#e ma%oralt% eletion! o" 'ra! b% !eurin a $ommunit% 2a $erti"iate in t#at %earand b% >on!tantl% delarin> to #i! to3nmate! o" #i! intention to !ee repatriation and run "or ma%or in t#e

Ma% 1, HH1 eletion!.7 2#e !tatu! o" bein an alien and a non-re!ident an be 3ai)ed eit#er !eparatel%, 3#enone a/uire! t#e !tatu! o" a re!ident alien be"ore a/uirin P#ilippine itizen!#ip, or at t#e !ame time 3#en one

a/uire! P#ilippine itizen!#ip. :! an alien, an indi)idual ma% obtain an immirant )i!a under T1;8 o" t#e

P#ilippine Immiration :t o" 198 and an Immirant $erti"iate o" Re!idene &I$R(9 and t#u! 3ai)e #i!!tatu! a! a non-re!ident. 'n t#e ot#er #and, #e ma% a/uire P#ilippine itizen!#ip b% naturalization under $.:.

No. 7;, a! amended, or, i" #e i! a "ormer P#ilippine national, #e ma% rea/uire P#ilippine itizen!#ip b%

repatriation or b% an at o" $onre!!,;H in 3#i# a!e #e 3ai)e! not onl% #i! !tatu! a! an alien but al!o #i! !tatu!a! a non-re!ident alien.



In t#e a!e at bar, t#e onl% e)idene o" petitionerD! !tatu! 3#en #e entered t#e ountr% on 'tober 15, 1998,

+eember H, 1998, 'tober 16, 1999, and une ;, HHH i! t#e !tatement >P#ilippine Immiration CUEaliba%an> in #i! 1998-HH8 @.S. pa!!port. :! "or #i! entr% on :uu!t 5, HHH, t#e !tamp bore t#e added

in!ription >ood "or one %ear !ta%.>;1 @nder T o" R.:. No. 6768 &:n :t In!titutin a ,ali4ayan Proram(,

t#e term ali4ayan inlude! a "ormer *ilipino itizen 3#o #ad been naturalized in a "orein ountr% and ome!

or return! to t#e P#ilippine! and, i" !o, #e i! entitled, amon ot#er!, to a >)i!a-"ree entr% to t#e P#ilippine! "or a period o" one &1( %ear> &T;&((. It 3ould appear t#en t#at 3#en petitioner entered t#e ountr% on t#e date! in

/ue!tion, #e did !o a! a )i!a-"ree ali4ayan )i!itor 3#o!e !ta% a! !u# 3a! )alid "or one %ear onl%. <ene, petitioner an onl% be #eld to #a)e 3ai)ed #i! !tatu! a! an alien and a! a non-re!ident onl% on No)ember 1H,

HHH upon tain #i! oat# a! a itizen o" t#e P#ilippine! under R.:. No. 8171.; <e laed t#e re/ui!ite

re!iden% to /uali"% #im "or t#e ma%or!#ip o" 'ra!, 4a!tern, Samar.

Petitioner in)oe! t#e rulin in )rivaldo v- Commission on Elections;; in !upport o" #i! ontention t#at t#ere!iden% re/uirement in T;9&a( o" t#e oal Go)ernment $ode inlude! t#e re!iden% o" one 3#o i! not a

itizen o" t#e P#ilippine!. Re!iden%, #o3e)er, 3a! not an i!!ue in t#at a!e and t#i! $ourt did not mae an%rulin on t#e i!!ue no3 at bar. 2#e /ue!tion in )rivaldo 3a! 3#et#er petitioner, 3#o too #i! oat# o"repatriation on t#e !ame da% t#at #i! term a! o)ernor o" Sor!oon bean on une ;H, 1995, omplied 3it# t#e

itizen!#ip re/uirement under T;9&a(. It 3a! #eld t#at #e #ad, beau!e itizen!#ip ma% be po!!e!!ed e)en on t#e

da% t#e andidate a!!ume! o""ie. ut in t#e a!e o" re!iden%, a! alread% noted, T;9&a( o" t#e oalGo)ernment $ode re/uire! t#at t#e andidate mu!t #a)e been a re!ident o" t#e muniipalit% >"or at lea!t one &1(

%ear immediatel% preedin t#e da% o" t#e eletion.>

Nor an petitioner in)oe t#i! $ourtD! rulin in ,en&zon III v- +ouse o! Re'resentatives Electoral Triunal-;

#at t#e $ourt #eld in t#at a!e 3a! t#at, upon repatriation, a "ormer natural-born *ilipino i! deemed to #a)ereo)ered #i! oriinal !tatu! a! a natural-born itizen.

2#ird, petitioner nonet#ele!! !a%! t#at #i! rei!tration a! a )oter o" utna, 'ra!, 4a!tern Samar in anuar%

HH1 i! onlu!i)e o" #i! re!iden% a! a andidate beau!e T117 o" t#e 'mnibu! 4letion $ode re/uire! t#at a)oter mu!t #a)e re!ided in t#e P#ilippine! "or at lea!t one %ear and in t#e it% or muniipalit% 3#erein #e

propo!e! to )ote "or at lea!t !i mont#! immediatel% preedin t#e eletion. :! #eld in Nuval v- (uray,;5

#o3e)er, rei!tration a! a )oter doe! not bar t#e "ilin o" a !ub!e/uent a!e /ue!tionin a andidateD! la o"re!iden%.

PetitionerD! in)oation o" t#e liberal interpretation o" eletion la3! annot a)ail #im an%. :! #eld in A$uino v-

Commission on ElectionsA;6

: demorati o)ernment i! nee!!aril% a o)ernment o" la3!. In a republian o)ernment t#o!e la3!are t#em!el)e! ordained b% t#e people. 2#rou# t#eir repre!entati)e!, t#e% ditate t#e /uali"iation!

nee!!ar% "or !er)ie in o)ernment po!ition!. :nd a! petitioner learl% la! one o" t#e e!!ential

/uali"iation! "or runnin "or member!#ip in t#e <ou!e o" Repre!entati)e!, not e)en t#e 3ill o" a



maorit% or pluralit% o" t#e )oter! o" t#e Seond +i!trit o" Maati $it% 3ould !ub!titute "or a

re/uirement mandated b% t#e "undamental la3 it!el".

*ourt#, petitioner 3a! not denied due proe!! beau!e t#e $'M44$ "ailed to at on #i! motion to be allo3ed

to pre!ent e)idene. @nder T5&d(, in relation to T7, o" R.:. No. 666 &4letoral Re"orm! a3 o" 1987(,

proeedin! "or denial or anellation o" a erti"iate o" andida% are !ummar% in nature. 2#e #oldin o" a"ormal #earin i! t#u! not de ri&eur . In an% e)ent, petitioner annot laim denial o" t#e ri#t to be #eard !ine #e"iled a Jeri"ied :n!3er, a Memorandum and a Mani"e!tation, all dated Mar# 19, HH1, be"ore t#e $'M44$

in 3#i# #e !ubmitted doument! relied b% #im in t#i! petition, 3#i#, ontrar% to petitionerD! laim, are

omplete and intat in t#e reord!.

III.

2#e !tatement in petitionerD! erti"iate o" andida% t#at #e #ad been a re!ident o" 'ra!, 4a!tern Samar "or

>t3o %ear!> at t#e time #e "iled !u# erti"iate i! not true. 2#e /ue!tion i! 3#et#er t#e $'M44$ 3a! u!ti"iedin orderin t#e anellation o" #i! erti"iate o" andida% "or t#i! rea!on. e #old t#at it 3a!. Petitioner made a"al!e repre!entation o" a material "at in #i! erti"iate o" andida%, t#u! renderin !u# erti"iate liable to

anellation. 2#e 'mnibu! 4letion $ode pro)ide!A

S4$. 7. Contents o! certi!icate o! candidacy. U 2#e erti"iate o" andida% !#all !tate t#at t#e per!on"ilin it i! announin #i! andida% "or t#e o""ie !tated t#erein and t#at #e i! eliible "or !aid o""ie? i"

"or Member o" t#e ata!an Pamban!a, t#e pro)ine, inludin it! omponent itie!, #i#l% urbanized

it% or di!trit or !etor 3#i# #e !ee! to repre!ent? t#e politial part% to 3#i# #e belon!? i)il !tatu!?

#i! date o" birt#? re!idene? #i! po!t o""ie addre!! "or all eletion purpo!e!? #i! pro"e!!ion oroupation? t#at #e 3ill !upport and de"end t#e $on!titution o" t#e P#ilippine! and 3ill maintain true

"ait# and alleiane t#ereto? t#at #e 3ill obe% t#e la3!, leal order!, and deree! promulated b% t#e

dul% on!tituted aut#oritie!? t#at #e i! not a permanent re!ident or immirant to a "orein ountr%? t#att#e obliation impo!ed b% #i! oat# i! a!!umed )oluntaril%, 3it#out mental re!er)ation or purpo!e o"

e)a!ion? and t#at t#e "at! !tated in t#e erti"iate o" andida% are true to t#e be!t o" #i! no3lede.

S4$. 78. "etition to deny due course to or cancel a certi!icate o! candidacy- H : )eri"ied petition

!eein to den% due our!e or to anel a erti"iate o" andida% ma% be "iled b% an% per!on elu!i)el%on t#e round t#at an% material repre!entation ontained t#erein a! re/uired under Setion 7 #ereo" i!

"al!e. 2#e petition ma% be "iled at an% time not later t#an t3ent%-"i)e da%! "rom t#e time o" t#e "ilin o"

t#e erti"iate o" andida% and !#all be deided, a"ter due notie and #earin, not later t#an "i"teen da%! be"ore t#e eletion.

Indeed, it #a! been #eld t#at a andidateD! !tatement in #er erti"iate o" andida% "or t#e po!ition o" o)ernor

o" e%te t#at !#e 3a! a re!ident o" Kanana, e%te 3#en t#i! 3a! not !o;7 or t#at t#e andidate 3a! a >natural- born> *ilipino 3#en in "at #e #ad beome an :u!tralian itizen;8 on!titute! a round "or t#e anellation o" a

erti"iate o" andida%. 'n t#e ot#er #and, 3e #eld in Salcedo II v- COMELEC ;9 t#at a andidate 3#o u!ed #er

#u!bandD! "amil% name e)en t#ou# t#eir marriae 3a! )oid 3a! not uilt% o" mi!repre!entation onernin a



material "at. In t#e a!e at bar, 3#at i! in)ol)ed i! a "al!e !tatement onernin a andidateD! /uali"iation "or

an o""ie "or 3#i# #e "iled t#e erti"iate o" andida%. 2#i! i! a mi!repre!entation o" a material "at u!ti"%int#e anellation o" petitionerD! erti"iate o" andida%. 2#e anellation o" petitionerD! erti"iate o" andida%

in t#i! a!e i! t#u! "ull% u!ti"ied.

<4R4*'R4, t#e petition i! +ISMISS4+ and t#e re!olution o" t#e Seond +i)i!ion o" t#e $ommi!!ion on

4letion!, dated ul% 19, HH1, and t#e order, dated anuar% ;H, HH o" t#e $ommi!!ion on 4letion! en anc

are :**IRM4+.

G.R. No. 195649 April 16, 2013

CASAN MACODE MAQUILING vs.COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS

TE CASE

This is a Petition for Certiorari ender Rule 64 in conjunction with Rule 65 of the Rules of Court to review theResolutions of the Commission on Elections (COMEEC!. The Resolution" in #P$ %o. "&'" &()C! of theCOMEEC *irst )ivision dated 5 Octo+er ,&" & is +ein- assailed for al/in- #ection 44 of the ocal 0overnmentCode while the Resolution, of the COMEEC En 1anc dated , *e+ruar/ ,&"" is +ein- 2uestioned for findin- thatresondent Rommel $rnado / Ca-oco (resondent $rnado3$rnado! is solel/ a *iliino citien 2ualified to run foru+lic office desite his continued use of a .#. assort.

!ACTS

Resondent $rnado is a natural +orn *iliino citien.

7owever8 as a conse2uence of his su+se2uent naturaliationas a citien of the nited #tates of $merica8 he lost his *iliino citienshi. $rnado alied for reatriation underReu+lic $ct (R.$.! %o. ,,5 +efore the Consulate 0eneral of the Philiines in #an *ranciso8 #$ and too9 theOath of $lle-iance to the Reu+lic of the Philiines on "& :ul/ ,&&;.4 On the same da/ an Order of $roval of hisCitienshi Retention and Re'ac2uisition was issued in his favor.5

The aforementioned Oath of $lle-iance states<

=8 Rommel Ca-oco $rnado8 solemnl/ swear that = will suort and defend the Constitution of the Reu+lic of thePhiliines and o+e/ the laws and le-al orders romul-ated +/ the dul/ constituted authorities of the Philiinesand = here+/ declare that = reco-nie and accet the sureme authorit/ of the Philiines and will maintain true faithand alle-iance thereto> and that = imose this o+li-ation uon m/self voluntaril/ without mental reservation orurose of evasion.6

On $ril ,&& $rnado a-ain too9 his Oath of $lle-iance to the Reu+lic and e?ecuted an $ffidavit of Renunciationof his forei-n citienshi8 which states<

=8 Rommel Ca-oco $rnado8 do solemnl/ swear that = a+solutel/ and eretuall/ renounce all alle-iance and fidelit/to the %=TE) #T$TE# O* $MER=C$ of which = am a citien8 and = divest m/self of full emlo/ment of all civil andolitical ri-hts and rivile-es of the nited #tates of $merica.

= solemnl/ swear that all the fore-oin- statement is true and correct to the +est of m/ 9nowled-e and +elief. @

http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2013/apr2013/gr_195649_2013.html#fnt1

















On & %ovem+er ,&&8 $rnado filed his Certificate of Candidac/ for Ma/or of Aauswa-an8 anao del %orte8 whichcontains8 amon- others8 the followin- statements<

= am a natural +orn *iliino citien 3 naturalied *iliino citien.

= am not a ermanent resident of8 or immi-rant to8 a forei-n countr/.

= am eli-i+le for the office = see9 to +e elected to.

= will suort and defend the Constitution of the Reu+lic of the Philiines and will maintain true faith andalle-iance thereto. = will o+e/ the laws8 le-al orders and decrees romul-ated +/ the dul/ constituted authorities.

= imose this o+li-ation uon m/self voluntaril/ without mental reservation or urose of evasion. ;

On ,; $ril ,&"&8 resondent ino- C. 1alua (1alua!8 another ma/oralt/ candidate8 filed a etition to dis2ualif/ $rnado and3or to cancel his certificate of candidac/ for municial ma/or of Aauswa-an8 anao del %orte inconnection with the "& Ma/ ,&"& local and national elections.

Resondent 1alua contended that $rnado is not a resident of Aauswa-an8 anao del %orte and that he is a

forei-ner8 attachin- thereto a certification issued +/ the 1ureau of =mmi-ration dated , $ril ,&"& indicatin- thenationalit/ of $rnado as B#$'$merican.B"&To further +olster his claim of $rnados # citienshi8 1alua resentedin his Memorandum a comuter'-enerated travel record"" dated & )ecem+er ,&& indicatin- that $rnado has +eenusin- his # Passort %o. &5@@;,@&& in enterin- and deartin- the Philiines. The said record shows that $rnadoleft the countr/ on "4 $ril ,&& and returned on ,5 :une ,&&8 and a-ain dearted on , :ul/ ,&&8 arrivin- +ac9in the Philiines on ,4 %ovem+er ,&&.

1alua li9ewise resented a certification from the 1ureau of =mmi-ration dated , $ril ,&"&8 certif/in- that the nameB$rnado8 Rommel Ca-ocoB aears in the availa+le Comuter )ata+ase3Passen-er manifest3=1M listin- on file as of," $ril ,&"&8 with the followin- ertinent travel records<

)$TE O* $rrival < &"3",3,&"&

%$T=O%$=TD < #$'$MER=C$%

P$##PORT < &5@@;,@&&

)$TE O* $rrival < &3,3,&"&

%$T=O%$=TD < #$'$MER=C$%

P$##PORT < &5@@;,@&&",

On & $ril ,&"&8 the COMEEC (*irst )ivision! issued an Order " re2uirin- the resondent to ersonall/ file his

answer and memorandum within three (! da/s from receit thereof.

$fter $rnado failed to answer the etition8 1alua moved to declare him in default and to resent evidence e?'arte.

%either motion was acted uon8 havin- +een overta9en +/ the ,&"& elections where $rnado -arnered the hi-hestnum+er of votes and was su+se2uentl/ roclaimed as the winnin- candidate for Ma/or of Aauswa-an8 anao del%orte.

=t was onl/ after his roclamation that $rnado filed his verified answer8 su+mittin- the followin- documents asevidence<"4

". $ffidavit of Renunciation and Oath of $lle-iance to the Reu+lic of the Philiines dated & $ril ,&&>

















,. :oint'$ffidavit dated " Ma/ ,&"& of En-r. ir-il #eno8 ir-inia 1ranuela8 eoncio )ali-di-8 and :ess/Corin8 all nei-h+ors of $rnado8 attestin- that $rnado is a lon-'time resident of Aauswa-an and that he has+een consicuousl/ and continuousl/ residin- in his famil/s ancestral house in Aauswa-an>

. Certification from the Punon- 1aran-a/ of Po+lacion8 Aauswa-an8 anao del %orte dated & :une ,&"&statin- that $rnado is a +ona fide resident of his +aran-a/ and that $rnado went to the nited #tates in ";5to wor9 and returned to the Philiines in ,&&>

4. Certification dated " Ma/ ,&"& from the Municial ocal 0overnment Oerations Office of Aauswa-anstatin- that )r. Ma?imo P. $rnado8 #r. served as Ma/or of Aauswa-an8 from :anuar/ "64 to :une "@4and from "5 *e+ruar/ "@ to "5 $ril ";6> and

5. oter Certification issued +/ the Election Officer of Aauswa-an certif/in- that $rnado has +een are-istered voter of Aauswa-an since & $ril ,&&.

TE RULING O! TE COMELEC !IRST DI"ISION

=nstead of treatin- the Petition as an action for the cancellation of a certificate of candidac/ +ased onmisreresentation8"5 the COMEEC *irst )ivision considered it as one for dis2ualification. 1aluas contention that

$rnado is a resident of the nited #tates was dismissed uon the findin- that B1alua failed to resent an/ evidenceto suort his contention8B"6 whereas the *irst )ivision still could Bnot conclude that $rnado failed to meet the one'/ear residenc/ re2uirement under the ocal 0overnment Code.B "@

=n the matter of the issue of citienshi8 however8 the *irst )ivision disa-reed with $rnados claim that he is a*iliino citien.";

Fe find that althou-h $rnado aears to have su+stantiall/ comlied with the re2uirements of R.$. %o. ,,58 $rnados act of consistentl/ usin- his # assort after renouncin- his # citienshi on & $ril ,&& effectivel/ne-ated his $ffidavit of Renunciation.

$rnados continued use of his # assort is a stron- indication that $rnado had no real intention to renounce his# citienshi and that he onl/ e?ecuted an $ffidavit of Renunciation to ena+le him to run for office. Fe cannot turna +lind e/e to the -larin- inconsistenc/ +etween $rnados une?lained use of a # assort si? times and his claimthat he re'ac2uired his Philiine citienshi and renounced his # citienshi. $s noted +/ the #ureme Court inthe Du case8 Ba assort is defined as an official document of identit/ and nationalit/ issued to a erson intendin- totravel or sojourn in forei-n countries.B #urel/8 one who trul/ divested himself of # citienshi would not continue toavail of rivile-es reserved solel/ for # nationals."

The disositive ortion of the Resolution rendered +/ the COMEEC

*irst )ivision reads<

F7ERE*ORE8 in view of the fore-oin-8 the etition for dis2ualification and3or to cancel the certificate of candidac/of Rommel C. $rnado is here+/ 0R$%TE). Rommel C. $rnados roclamation as the winnin- candidate forMunicial Ma/or of Aauswa-an8 anao del %ore is here+/ $%%E). et the order of succession under #ection44 of the ocal 0overnment Code of "" ta9e effect.,&

The Motion for Reconsideration andthe Motion for =ntervention

$rnado sou-ht reconsideration of the resolution +efore the COMEEC En 1anc on the -round that Bthe evidence isinsufficient to justif/ the Resolution and that the said Resolution is contrar/ to law.B," 7e raised the followin-contentions<,,





















". The findin- that he is not a *iliino citien is not suorted +/ the evidence consistin- of his Oath of $lle-iance and the $ffidavit of Renunciation8 which show that he has su+stantiall/ comlied with there2uirements of R.$. %o. ,,5>

,. The use of his # assort su+se2uent to his renunciation of his $merican citienshi is not tantamountto a reudiation of his *iliino citienshi8 as he did not erform an/ act to swear alle-iance to a countr/other than the Philiines>

. 7e used his # assort onl/ +ecause he was not informed of the issuance of his Philiine assort8and that he used his Philiine assort after he o+tained it>

4. 1aluas etition to cancel the certificate of candidac/ of $rnado was filed out of time8 and the *irst)ivisions treatment of the etition as one for dis2ualification constitutes -rave a+use of discretionamountin- to e?cess of jurisdiction>,

5. 7e is undou+tedl/ the eoles choice as indicated +/ his winnin- the elections>

6. 7is roclamation as the winnin- candidate ousted the COMEEC from jurisdiction over the case> and

@. The roer remed/ to 2uestion his citienshi is throu-h a etition for 2uo warranto8 which should have+een filed within ten da/s from his roclamation.

Petitioner Casan Macode Ma2uilin- (Ma2uilin-!8 another candidate for ma/or of Aauswa-an8 and who -arnered thesecond hi-hest num+er of votes in the ,&"& elections8 intervened in the case and filed +efore the COMEEC En1anc a Motion for Reconsideration to-ether with an Oosition to $rnados $mended Motion for Reconsideration.Ma2uilin- ar-ued that while the *irst )ivision correctl/ dis2ualified $rnado8 the order of succession under #ection 44of the ocal 0overnment Code is not alica+le in this case. Conse2uentl/8 he claimed that the cancellation of

$rnados candidac/ and the nullification of his roclamation8 Ma2uilin-8 as the le-itimate candidate who o+tainedthe hi-hest num+er of lawful votes8 should +e roclaimed as the winner.

Ma2uilin- simultaneousl/ filed his Memorandum with his Motion for =ntervention and his Motion for Reconsideration. $rnado oosed all motions filed +/ Ma2uilin-8 claimin- that intervention is rohi+ited after a decision has alread/

+een rendered8 and that as a second'lacer8 Ma2uilin- undou+tedl/ lost the elections and thus does not stand to +erejudiced or +enefitted +/ the final adjudication of the case.

RULING O! TE COMELEC EN #ANC

=n its Resolution of &, *e+ruar/ ,&""8 the COMEEC En 1anc held that under #ection 6 of Reu+lic $ct %o. 66468the Commission Bshall continue with the trial and hearin- of the action8 in2uir/ or rotest even after the roclamationof the candidate whose 2ualifications for office is 2uestioned.B

$s to Ma2uilin-s intervention8 the COMEEC En 1anc also cited #ection 6 of R.$. %o. 6646 which allowsintervention in roceedin-s for dis2ualification even after elections if no final jud-ment has +een rendered8 +ut wenton further to sa/ that Ma2uilin-8 as the second lacer8 would not +e rejudiced +/ the outcome of the case as it

a-rees with the disositive ortion of the Resolution of the *irst )ivision allowin- the order of succession under#ection 44 of the ocal 0overnment Code to ta9e effect.

The COMEEC En 1anc a-reed with the treatment +/ the *irst )ivision of the etition as one for dis2ualification8and ruled that the etition was filed well within the eriod rescri+ed +/ law8,4 havin- +een filed on ,; $ril ,&"&8which is not later than "" Ma/ ,&"&8 the date of roclamation.

7owever8 the COMEEC En 1anc reversed and set aside the rulin- of the *irst )ivision and -ranted $rnadosMotion for Reconsideration8 on the followin- remises<

*irst<







1/ renouncin- his # citienshi as imosed +/ R.$. %o. ,,58 the resondent em+raced his Philiine citienshias thou-h he never +ecame a citien of another countr/. =t was at that time8 $ril 8 ,&&8 that the resondent+ecame a ure Philiine Citien a-ain.

The use of a # assort G does not oerate to revert +ac9 his status as a dual citien rior to his renunciation asthere is no law sa/in- such. More succinctl/8 the use of a # assort does not oerate to Bun'renounceB what hehas earlier on renounced. The *irst )ivisions reliance in the case of =n Re< Petition for 7a+eas Corus of Fill/ Du v)efensor'#antia-o8 et al. is mislaced. The etitioner in the said case is a naturalied citien who8 after ta9in- his

oath as a naturalied *iliino8 alied for the renewal of his Portu-uese assort. #trict olic/ is maintained in theconduct of citiens who are not natural +orn8 who ac2uire their citienshi +/ choice8 thus discardin- their ori-inalcitienshi. The Philiine #tate e?ects strict conduct of alle-iance to those who choose to +e its citiens. =n theresent case8 resondent is not a naturalied citien +ut a natural +orn citien who chose -reener astures +/wor9in- a+road and then decided to reatriate to suosedl/ hel in the ro-ress of Aauswa-an. 7e did not al/for a # assort after his renunciation. Thus the mentioned case is not on all fours with the case at +ar.

The resondent resented a lausi+le e?lanation as to the use of his # assort. $lthou-h he alied for aPhiliine assort8 the assort was onl/ issued on :une ";8 ,&&. 7owever8 he was not notified of the issuance ofhis Philiine assort so that he was actuall/ a+le to -et it a+out three (! months later. Det as soon as he was inossession of his Philiine assort8 the resondent alread/ used the same in his su+se2uent travels a+road. Thisfact is roven +/ the resondents su+mission of a certified true co/ of his assort showin- that he used the same

for his travels on the followin- dates< :anuar/ "8 ,&"&8 $ril "68 ,&"&8 Ma/ ,&8 ,&"&8 :anuar/ ",8 ,&"&8 March "8,&"& and :une 48 ,&"&. This then shows that the use of the # assort was +ecause to his 9nowled-e8 hisPhiliine assort was not /et issued to him for his use. $s ro+a+l/ ressin- needs mi-ht +e underta9en8 theresondent used whatever is within his control durin- that time.,5

=n his #earate Concurrin- Oinion8 COMEEC Chairman #i?to 1rillantes cited that the use of forei-n assort isnot one of the -rounds rovided for under #ection " of Commonwealth $ct %o. 6 throu-h which Philiinecitienshi ma/ +e lost.

BThe alication of the more assimilative rincile of continuit/ of citienshi is more aroriate in this case. ndersaid rincile8 once a erson +ecomes a citien8 either +/ +irth or naturaliation8 it is assumed that he desires tocontinue to +e a citien8 and this assumtion stands until he voluntaril/ denationalies or e?atriates himself. Thus8in the instant case resondent after reac2uirin- his Philiine citienshi should +e resumed to have remained a*iliino desite his use of his $merican assort in the a+sence of clear8 une2uivocal and cometent roof ofe?atriation. $ccordin-l/8 all dou+ts should +e resolved in favor of retention of citienshi.B,6

On the other hand8 Commissioner Rene . #armiento dissented8 thus<

Resondent evidentl/ failed to rove that he trul/ and wholeheartedl/ a+andoned his alle-iance to the nited#tates. The latters continued use of his # assort and enjo/ment of all the rivile-es of a # citien desite hisrevious renunciation of the afore'mentioned citienshi runs contrar/ to his declaration that he chose to retain onl/his Philiine citienshi. Resondents su+mission with the twin re2uirements was o+viousl/ onl/ for the urose ocoml/in- with the re2uirements for runnin- for the ma/oralt/ ost in connection with the Ma/ "&8 ,&"& $utomated%ational and ocal Elections.

Hualifications for elective office8 such as citienshi8 are continuin- re2uirements> once an/ of them is lost durin- hisincum+enc/8 title to the office itself is deemed forfeited. =f a candidate is not a citien at the time he ran for office or ifhe lost his citienshi after his election to office8 he is dis2ualified to serve as such. %either does the fact thatresondent o+tained the luralit/ of votes for the ma/oralt/ ost cure the latters failure to coml/ with the2ualification re2uirements re-ardin- his citienshi.

#ince a dis2ualified candidate is no candidate at all in the e/es of the law8 his havin- received the hi-hest num+er ofvotes does not validate his election. =t has +een held that where a etition for dis2ualification was filed +eforeelection a-ainst a candidate +ut was adversel/ resolved a-ainst him after election8 his havin- o+tained the hi-hestnum+er of votes did not ma9e his election valid. 7is ouster from office does not violate the rincile of vo? oulisurema est le? +ecause the alication of the constitutional and statutor/ rovisions on dis2ualification is not a







Mercado v. Manano,;

clarified the ri-ht of intervention in a dis2ualification case. =n that case8 the Court said<

That etitioner had a ri-ht to intervene at that sta-e of the roceedin-s for the dis2ualification a-ainst rivateresondent is clear from #ection 6 of R.$. %o. 66468 otherwise 9nown as the Electoral Reforms aw of ";@8 whichrovides< $n/ candidate who has +een declared +/ final jud-ment to +e dis2ualified shall not +e voted for8 and thevotes cast for him shall not +e counted. =f for an/ reason a candidate is not declared +/ final jud-ment +efore anelection to +e dis2ualified and he is voted for and receives the winnin- num+er of votes in such election8 the Courtor Commission shall continue with the trial and hearin- of the action8 in2uir/8 or rotest and8 uon motion of thecomlainant or an/ intervenor8 ma/ durin- the endenc/ thereof order the susension of the roclamation of suchcandidate whenever the evidence of -uilt is stron-. nder this rovision8 intervention ma/ +e allowed in roceedin-sfor dis2ualification even after election if there has /et +een no final jud-ment rendered. ,

Clearl/ then8 Ma2uilin- has the ri-ht to intervene in the case. The fact that the COMEEC En 1anc has alread/ruled that Ma2uilin- has not shown that the re2uisites for the e?emtion to the second'lacer rule set forth in#insuat v. COMEEC& are resent and therefore would not +e rejudiced +/ the outcome of the case8 does notderive Ma2uilin- of the ri-ht to elevate the matter +efore this Court.

$rnados claim that the main case has attained finalit/ as the ori-inal etitioner and resondents therein have not

aealed the decision of the COMEEC En 1anc8 cannot +e sustained. The elevation of the case +/ the intervenorrevents it from attainin- finalit/. =t is onl/ after this Court has ruled uon the issues raised in this instant etition thatthe dis2ualification case ori-inall/ filed +/ 1alua a-ainst $rnado will attain finalit/.

The use of foreign passport after renouncing one’s foreign citizenship is a positive and voluntary act ofrepresentation as to one’s nationality and citizenship; it does not divest Filipino citizenship regained byrepatriation but it recants the Oath of enunciation required to qualify one to run for an elective position.

#ection 5(,! of The Citienshi Retention and Re'ac2uisition $ct of ,&& rovides<

Those who retain or re'ac2uire Philiine citienshi under this $ct shall enjo/ full civil and olitical ri-hts and +esu+ject to all attendant lia+ilities and resonsi+ilities under e?istin- laws of the Philiines and the followin-

conditions<

(,!Those see9in- elective u+lic in the Philiines shall meet the 2ualification for holdin- such u+lic office asre2uired +/ the Constitution and e?istin- laws and8 at the time of the filin- of the certificate of candidac/8 ma9e aersonal and sworn renunciation of an/ and all forei-n +efore an/ u+lic officer authoried to administer an oath.

Rommel $rnado too9 all the necessar/ stes to 2ualif/ to run for a u+lic office. 7e too9 the Oath of $lle-iance andrenounced his forei-n citienshi. There is no 2uestion that after erformin- these twin re2uirements re2uired under#ection 5(,! of R.$. %o. ,,5 or the Citienshi Retention and Re'ac2uisition $ct of ,&&8 he +ecame eli-i+le to runfor u+lic office.

=ndeed8 $rnado too9 the Oath of $lle-iance not just onl/ once +ut twice< first8 on "& :ul/ ,&&; when he alied for

reatriation +efore the Consulate 0eneral of the Philiines in #an *rancisco8 #$8 and a-ain on & $ril ,&&simultaneous with the e?ecution of his $ffidavit of Renunciation. 1/ ta9in- the Oath of $lle-iance to the Reu+lic8 $rnado re'ac2uired his Philiine citienshi. $t the time8 however8 he li9ewise ossessed $merican citienshi. $rnado had therefore +ecome a dual citien.

$fter reac2uirin- his Philiine citienshi8 $rnado renounced his $merican citienshi +/ e?ecutin- an $ffidavit ofRenunciation8 thus comletin- the re2uirements for eli-i+ilit/ to run for u+lic office.

1/ renouncin- his forei-n citienshi8 he was deemed to +e solel/ a *iliino citien8 re-ardless of the effect of suchrenunciation under the laws of the forei-n countr/.,











7owever8 this le-al resumtion does not oerate ermanentl/ and is oen to attac9 when8 after renouncin- theforei-n citienshi8 the citien erforms ositive acts showin- his continued ossession of a forei-n citienshi.

$rnado himself su+jected the issue of his citienshi to attac9 when8 after renouncin- his forei-n citienshi8 hecontinued to use his # assort to travel in and out of the countr/ +efore filin- his certificate of candidac/ on &%ovem+er ,&&. The ivotal 2uestion to determine is whether he was solel/ and e?clusivel/ a *iliino citien at thetime he filed his certificate of candidac/8 there+/ renderin- him eli-i+le to run for u+lic office.

1etween & $ril ,&&8 the date he renounced his forei-n citienshi8 and & %ovem+er ,&&8 the date he filed hisCOC8 he used his # assort four times8 actions that run counter to the affidavit of renunciation he had earliere?ecuted. 1/ usin- his forei-n assort8 $rnado ositivel/ and voluntaril/ reresented himself as an $merican8 ineffect declarin- +efore immi-ration authorities of +oth countries that he is an $merican citien8 with all attendantri-hts and rivile-es -ranted +/ the nited #tates of $merica.

The renunciation of forei-n citienshi is not a hollow oath that can siml/ +e rofessed at an/ time8 onl/ to +eviolated the ne?t da/. =t re2uires an a+solute and eretual renunciation of the forei-n citienshi and a fulldivestment of all civil and olitical ri-hts -ranted +/ the forei-n countr/ which -ranted the citienshi.

Mercado v. Manano4 alread/ hinted at this situation when the Court declared<

7is declarations will +e ta9en uon the faith that he will fulfill his underta9in- made under oath. #hould he +etra/that trust8 there are enou-h sanctions for declarin- the loss of his Philiine citienshi throu-h e?atriation inaroriate roceedin-s. =n Du v. )efensor'#antia-o8 we sustained the denial of entr/ into the countr/ of etitioneron the -round that8 after ta9in- his oath as a naturalied citien8 he alied for the renewal of his Portu-ueseassort and declared in commercial documents e?ecuted a+road that he was a Portu-uese national. $ similarsanction can +e ta9en a-ainst an/one who8 in electin- Philiine citienshi8 renounces his forei-n nationalit/8 +utsu+se2uentl/ does some act constitutin- renunciation of his Philiine citienshi.

Fhile the act of usin- a forei-n assort is not one of the acts enumerated in Commonwealth $ct %o. 6constitutin- renunciation and loss of Philiine citienshi85 it is nevertheless an act which reudiates the ver/ oathof renunciation re2uired for a former *iliino citien who is also a citien of another countr/ to +e 2ualified to run fora local elective osition.

Fhen $rnado used his # assort on "4 $ril ,&&8 or just eleven da/s after he renounced his $mericancitienshi8 he recanted his Oath of Renunciation6 that he Ba+solutel/ and eretuall/ renounce(s! all alle-ianceand fidelit/ to the %=TE) #T$TE# O* $MER=C$B@ and that he Bdivest(s! himself of full emlo/ment of all civil andolitical ri-hts and rivile-es of the nited #tates of $merica.B;

Fe a-ree with the COMEEC En 1anc that such act of usin- a forei-n assort does not divest $rnado of his*iliino citienshi8 which he ac2uired +/ reatriation. 7owever8 +/ reresentin- himself as an $merican citien8

$rnado voluntaril/ and effectivel/ reverted to his earlier status as a dual citien. #uch reversion was not retroactive>it too9 lace the instant $rnado reresented himself as an $merican citien +/ usin- his # assort.

This act of usin- a forei-n assort after renouncin- ones forei-n citienshi is fatal to $rnados +id for u+lic

office8 as it effectivel/ imosed on him a dis2ualification to run for an elective local osition.

$rnados cate-or/ of dual citienshi is that +/ which forei-n citienshi is ac2uired throu-h a ositive act ofal/in- for naturaliation. This is distinct from those considered dual citiens +/ virtue of +irth8 who are not re2uired+/ law to ta9e the oath of renunciation as the mere filin- of the certificate of candidac/ alread/ carries with it animlied renunciation of forei-n citienshi. )ual citiens +/ naturaliation8 on the other hand8 are re2uired to ta9enot onl/ the Oath of $lle-iance to the Reu+lic of the Philiines +ut also to ersonall/ renounce forei-n citienshiin order to 2ualif/ as a candidate for u+lic office.

1/ the time he filed his certificate of candidac/ on & %ovem+er ,&&8 $rnado was a dual citien enjo/in- the ri-htsand rivile-es of *iliino and $merican citienshi. 7e was 2ualified to vote8 +ut +/ the e?ress dis2ualificationunder #ection 4&(d! of the ocal 0overnment Code84& he was not 2ualified to run for a local elective osition.



















=n effect8 $rnado was solel/ and e?clusivel/ a *iliino citien onl/ for a eriod of eleven da/s8 or from $ril ,&&until "4 $ril ,&&8 on which date he first used his $merican assort after renouncin- his $merican citienshi.

This Court has reviousl/ ruled that<

Hualifications for u+lic office are continuin- re2uirements and must +e ossessed not onl/ at the time ofaointment or election or assumtion of office +ut durin- the officerKs entire tenure. Once an/ of the re2uired2ualifications is lost8 his title ma/ +e seasona+l/ challen-ed. ? ? ?.4"

The citienshi re2uirement for elective u+lic office is a continuin- one. =t must +e ossessed not just at the time ofthe renunciation of the forei-n citienshi +ut continuousl/. $n/ act which violates the oath of renunciation oensthe citienshi issue to attac9.

Fe a-ree with the ronouncement of the COMEEC *irst )ivision that B$rnados act of consistentl/ usin- his #assort effectivel/ ne-ated his B$ffidavit of Renunciation.B4, This does not mean8 that he failed to coml/ with thetwin re2uirements under R.$. %o. ,,58 for he in fact did.

=t was after coml/in- with the re2uirements that he erformed ositive acts which effectivel/ dis2ualified him fromrunnin- for an elective u+lic office ursuant to #ection 4&(d! of the ocal 0overnment Code of "".

The urose of the ocal 0overnment Code in dis2ualif/in- dual citiens from runnin- for an/ elective u+lic officewould +e thwarted if we were to allow a erson who has earlier renounced his forei-n citienshi8 +ut whosu+se2uentl/ reresents himself as a forei-n citien8 to hold an/ u+lic office.

$rnado justifies the continued use of his # assort with the e?lanation that he was not notified of the issuance ofhis Philiine assort on "; :une ,&&8 as a result of which he was onl/ a+le to o+tain his Philiine assortthree (! months later.4

The COMEEC En 1anc differentiated $rnado from Fill/ Du8 the Portu-uese national who sou-ht naturaliation asa *iliino citien and later alied for the renewal of his Portu-uese assort. That $rnado did not al/ for a #assort after his renunciation does not ma9e his use of a # assort less of an act that violated the Oath ofRenunciation he too9. =t was still a ositive act of reresentation as a # citien +efore the immi-ration officials of

this countr/.

The COMEEC8 in rulin- favora+l/ for $rnado8 stated BDet8 as soon as he was in ossession of his Philiineassort8 the resondent alread/ used the same in his su+se2uent travels a+road.B44 Fe cannot a-ree with theCOMEEC. Three months from :une is #etem+er. =f indeed8 $rnado used his Philiine assort as soon as hewas in ossession of it8 he would not have used his # assort on ,4 %ovem+er ,&&.

1esides8 $rnados su+se2uent use of his Philiine assort does not correct the fact that after he renounced hisforei-n citienshi and rior to filin- his certificate of candidac/8 he used his # assort. =n the same wa/ that theuse of his forei-n assort does not undo his Oath of Renunciation8 his su+se2uent use of his Philiine assortdoes not undo his earlier use of his # assort.

Citienshi is not a matter of convenience. =t is a +ad-e of identit/ that comes with attendant civil and olitical ri-htsaccorded +/ the state to its citiens. =t li9ewise demands the concomitant dut/ to maintain alle-iance to ones fla-and countr/. Fhile those who ac2uire dual citienshi +/ choice are afforded the ri-ht of suffra-e8 those who see9election or aointment to u+lic office are re2uired to renounce their forei-n citienshi to +e deservin- of theu+lic trust. 7oldin- u+lic office demands full and undivided alle-iance to the Reu+lic and to no other.

Fe therefore hold that $rnado8 +/ usin- his # assort after renouncin- his $merican citienshi8 has recantedthe same Oath of Renunciation he too9. #ection 4&(d! of the ocal 0overnment Code alies to his situation. 7e isdis2ualified not onl/ from holdin- the u+lic office +ut even from +ecomin- a candidate in the Ma/ ,&"& elections.

Fe now resolve the ne?t issue.











Resolvin- the third issue necessitates revisitin- Toacio v. Paredes45 which is the jurisrudential srin- of therincile that a second'lacer cannot +e roclaimed as the winner in an election contest. This doctrine must +e re'e?amined and its soundness once a-ain ut to the test to address the ever'recurrin- issue that a second'lacer wholoses to an ineli-i+le candidate cannot +e roclaimed as the winner in the elections.

The *acts of the case are as follows<

On :une 48 "",8 a -eneral election was held in the town of =mus8 Province of Cavite8 to fill the office of municialresident. The etitioner8 *elie Toacio8 and the resondent8 Ma?imo $+ad8 were oosin- candidates for thatoffice. Toacio received 4& votes8 and $+ad ,;". $+ad contested the election uon the sole -round that Toaciowas ineli-i+le in that he was reelected the second time to the office of the municial resident on :une 48 "",8without the four /ears re2uired +/ $ct %o. ,&45 havin- intervened.46

$+ad thus 2uestioned the eli-i+ilit/ of To a c i o on the +asis of a statutor/ rohi+ition for see9in- a second re'election a+sent the four /ear interrution.

The often'2uoted hrase in Toacio v. Paredes is that Bthe wreath of victor/ cannot +e transferred from an ineli-i+lecandidate to an/ other candidate when the sole 2uestion is the eli-i+ilit/ of the one receivin- a luralit/ of the le-all/cast +allots.B4@

This hrase is not even the ratio decidendi> it is a mere o+iter dictum. The Court was comarin- Bthe effect of adecision that a candidate is not entitled to the office +ecause of fraud or irre-ularities in the elections ? ? ? with thatroduced +/ declarin- a erson ineli-i+le to hold such an office.B

The comlete sentence where the hrase is found is art of a comarison and contrast +etween the two situations8thus<

$-ain8 the effect of a decision that a candidate is not entitled to the office +ecause of fraud or irre-ularities in theelections is 2uite different from that roduced +/ declarin- a erson ineli-i+le to hold such an office. =n the formercase the court8 after an e?amination of the +allots ma/ find that some other erson than the candidate declared tohave received a luralit/ +/ the +oard of canvassers actuall/ received the -reater num+er of votes8 in which casethe court issues its mandamus to the +oard of canvassers to correct the returns accordin-l/> or it ma/ find that the

manner of holdin- the election and the returns are so tainted with fraud or ille-alit/ that it cannot +e determined whoreceived a luralit/ of the le-all/ cast +allots. =n the latter case8 no 2uestion as to the correctness of the returns orthe manner of castin- and countin- the +allots is +efore the decidin- ower8 and -enerall/ the onl/ result can +ethat the election fails entirel/. =n the former8 we have a contest in the strict sense of the word8 +ecause of theoosin- arties are strivin- for suremac/. =f it +e found that the successful candidate (accordin- to the +oard ofcanvassers! o+tained a luralit/ in an ille-al manner8 and that another candidate was the real victor8 the former mustretire in favor of the latter. =n the other case8 there is not8 strictl/ sea9in-8 a contest8 as the wreath of victor/ cannot+e transferred from an ineli-i+le candidate to an/ other candidate when the sole 2uestion is the eli-i+ilit/ of the onereceivin- a luralit/ of the le-all/ cast +allots. =n the one case the 2uestion is as to who received a luralit/ of thele-all/ cast +allots> in the other8 the 2uestion is confined to the ersonal character and circumstances of a sin-leindividual.4; (Emhasis sulied!

%ote that the sentence where the hrase is found starts with B=n the other case8 there is not8 strictl/ sea9in-8 acontestB in contrast to the earlier statement8 B=n the former8 we have a contest in the strict sense of the word8+ecause of the oosin- arties are strivin- for suremac/.B

The Court in Toacio v. Paredes cannot +e said to have held that Bthe wreath of victor/ cannot +e transferred froman ineli-i+le candidate to an/ other candidate when the sole 2uestion is the eli-i+ilit/ of the one receivin- a luralit/of the le-all/ cast +allots.B

$ roer readin- of the case reveals that the rulin- therein is that since the Court of *irst =nstance is without jurisdiction to tr/ a dis2ualification case +ased on the eli-i+ilit/ of the erson who o+tained the hi-hest num+er ofvotes in the election8 its jurisdiction +ein- confined Bto determine which of the contestants has +een dul/ electedB the

jud-e e?ceeded his jurisdiction when he Bdeclared that no one had +een le-all/ elected resident of the municialit/












of =mus at the -eneral election held in that town on 4 :une "",B where Bthe onl/ 2uestion raised was whether or notToacio was eli-i+le to +e elected and to hold the office of municial resident.B

The Court did not rule that Toacio was dis2ualified and that $+ad as the second lacer cannot +e roclaimed in hisstead. The Court therein ruled<

*or the fore-oin- reasons8 we are of the oinion and so hold that the resondent jud-e e?ceeded his jurisdiction indeclarin- in those roceedin-s that no one was elected municial resident of the municialit/ of =mus at the last-eneral election> and that said order and all su+se2uent roceedin-s +ased thereon are null and void and of noeffect> and8 althou-h this decision is rendered on resondentsK answer to the order to show cause8 unlessresondents raised some new and additional issues8 let jud-ment +e entered accordin-l/ in 5 da/s8 without costs.#o ordered.4

On closer scrutin/8 the hrase relied uon +/ a host of decisions does not even have a le-al +asis to stand on. =twas a mere ronouncement of the Court comarin- one rocess with another and e?lainin- the effects thereof. $san indeendent statement8 it is even illo-ical.

et us e?amine the statement<

B? ? ? the wreath of victor/ cannot +e transferred from an ineli-i+le candidate to an/ other candidate when the sole

2uestion is the eli-i+ilit/ of the one receivin- a luralit/ of the le-all/ cast +allots.B

Fhat revents the transfer of the wreath of victor/ from the ineli-i+le candidate to another candidateL

Fhen the issue +ein- decided uon +/ the Court is the eli-i+ilit/ of the one receivin- a luralit/ of the le-all/ cast+allots and ineli-i+ilit/ is thereafter esta+lished8 what stos the Court from adjud-in- another eli-i+le candidate whoreceived the ne?t hi-hest num+er of votes as the winner and +estowin- uon him that BwreathLB

$n ineli-i+le candidate who receives the hi-hest num+er of votes is a wron-ful winner. 1/ e?ress le-al mandate8he could not even have +een a candidate in the first lace8 +ut +/ virtue of the lac9 of material time or an/ otherintervenin- circumstances8 his ineli-i+ilit/ mi-ht not have +een assed uon rior to election date. Conse2uentl/8 hema/ have had the oortunit/ to hold himself out to the electorate as a le-itimate and dul/ 2ualified candidate.

7owever8 notwithstandin- the outcome of the elections8 his ineli-i+ilit/ as a candidate remains unchan-ed.=neli-i+ilit/ does not onl/ ertain to his 2ualifications as a candidate +ut necessaril/ affects his ri-ht to hold u+licoffice. The num+er of +allots cast in his favor cannot cure the defect of failure to 2ualif/ with the su+stantive le-alre2uirements of eli-i+ilit/ to run for u+lic office.

The popular vote does not cure the ineligibility of a candidate.

The +allot cannot override the constitutional and statutor/ re2uirements for 2ualifications and dis2ualifications ofcandidates. Fhen the law re2uires certain 2ualifications to +e ossessed or that certain dis2ualifications +e notossessed +/ ersons desirin- to serve as elective u+lic officials8 those 2ualifications must +e met +efore one even+ecomes a candidate. Fhen a erson who is not 2ualified is voted for and eventuall/ -arners the hi-hest num+er ofvotes8 even the will of the electorate e?ressed throu-h the +allot cannot cure the defect in the 2ualifications of the

candidate. To rule otherwise is to tramle uon and rent asunder the ver/ law that sets forth the 2ualifications anddis2ualifications of candidates. Fe mi-ht as well write off our election laws if the voice of the electorate is the soledeterminant of who should +e roclaimed worth/ to occu/ elective ositions in our reu+lic.

This has +een8 in fact8 alread/ laid down +/ the Court in *rivaldo v. COMEEC5& when we ronounced<

? ? ?. The fact that he was elected +/ the eole of #orso-on does not e?cuse this atent violation of the salutar/rule limitin- u+lic office and emlo/ment onl/ to the citiens of this countr/. The 2ualifications rescri+ed forelective office cannot +e erased +/ the electorate alone.

The will of the eole as e?ressed throu-h the +allot cannot cure the vice of ineli-i+ilit/8 eseciall/ if the/mista9enl/ +elieved8 as in this case8 that the candidate was 2ualified. O+viousl/8 this rule re2uires strict alication







when the deficienc/ is lac9 of citienshi. =f a erson see9s to serve in the Reu+lic of the Philiines8 he must owehis total lo/alt/ to this countr/ onl/8 a+jurin- and renouncin- all fealt/ and fidelit/ to an/ other state. 5" (Emhasissulied!

This issue has also +een jurisrudentiall/ clarified in elasco v. COMEEC5, where the Court ruled that the rulin- inHuion and #a/a'an- cannot +e interreted without 2ualifications lest BElection victor/ ? ? ? +ecomes a ma-icformula to +/ass election eli-i+ilit/ re2uirements.B5

Fe have ruled in the ast that a candidates victor/ in the election ma/ +e considered a sufficient +asis to rule infavor of the candidate sou-ht to +e dis2ualified if the main issue involves defects in the candidates certificate ofcandidac/. Fe said that while rovisions relatin- to certificates of candidac/ are mandator/ in terms8 it is anesta+lished rule of interretation as re-ards election laws8 that mandator/ rovisions re2uirin- certain stes +eforeelections will +e construed as director/ after the elections8 to -ive effect to the will of the eole. Fe so ruled inHuion v. COMEEC and #a/a'an- v. COMEEC<

The resent case erhas resents the roer time and oortunit/ to fine'tune our a+ove rulin-. Fe sa/ this withthe realiation that a +lan9et and un2ualified readin- and alication of this rulin- can +e frau-ht with dan-eroussi-nificance for the rule of law and the inte-rit/ of our elections. *or one8 such +lan9et3un2ualified readin- ma/rovide a wa/ around the law that effectivel/ ne-ates election re2uirements aimed at rovidin- the electorate withthe +asic information to ma9e an informed choice a+out a candidates eli-i+ilit/ and fitness for office.

The first re2uirement that ma/ fall when an un2ualified readin- is made is #ection of the 0C which secifies the+asic 2ualifications of local -overnment officials. E2uall/ suscetive of +ein- rendered toothless is #ection @4 of theOEC that sets out what should +e stated in a COC. #ection @; ma/ li9ewise +e emasculated as mere dela/ in theresolution of the etition to cancel or den/ due course to a COC can render a #ection @; etition useless if acandidate with false COC data wins. To state the o+vious8 candidates ma/ ris9 falsif/in- their COC 2ualifications ifthe/ 9now that an election victor/ will cure an/ defect that their COCs ma/ have. Election victor/ then +ecomes ama-ic formula to +/ass election eli-i+ilit/ re2uirements. (Citations omitted!

Fhat will sto an otherwise dis2ualified individual from filin- a seemin-l/ valid COC8 concealin- an/ dis2ualification8and emlo/in- ever/ strate-/ to dela/ an/ dis2ualification case filed a-ainst him so he can su+mit himself to theelectorate and win8 if winnin- the election will -uarantee a disre-ard of constitutional and statutor/ rovisions on

2ualifications and dis2ualifications of candidatesL

=t is imerative to safe-uard the e?ression of the soverei-n voice throu-h the +allot +/ ensurin- that its e?erciseresects the rule of law. To allow the soverei-n voice so9en throu-h the +allot to trum constitutional and statutor/rovisions on 2ualifications and dis2ualifications of candidates is not democrac/ or reu+licanism. =t is electoralanarch/. Fhen set rules are disre-arded and onl/ the electorates voice so9en throu-h the +allot is made to matterin the end8 it recisel/ serves as an oen invitation for electoral anarch/ to set in. 1âwphi1

!aquiling is not a second"placer as he obtained the highest number of votes from among the qualified candidates.

Fith $rnados dis2ualification8 Ma2uilin- then +ecomes the winner in the election as he o+tained the hi-hestnum+er of votes from amon- the 2ualified candidates.

Fe have ruled in the recent cases of $ratea v. COMEEC54 and :alosjos v. COMEEC55 that a void COC cannotroduce an/ le-al effect.

Thus8 the votes cast in favor of the ineli-i+le candidate are not considered at all in determinin- the winner of anelection.

Even when the votes for the ineli-i+le candidate are disre-arded8 the will of the electorate is still resected8 andeven more so. The votes cast in favor of an ineli-i+le candidate do not constitute the sole and total e?ression of thesoverei-n voice. The votes cast in favor of eli-i+le and le-itimate candidates form art of that voice and must also+e resected.














$s in an/ contest8 elections are -overned +/ rules that determine the 2ualifications and dis2ualifications of thosewho are allowed to articiate as la/ers. Fhen there are articiants who turn out to +e ineli-i+le8 their victor/ isvoided and the laurel is awarded to the ne?t in ran9 who does not ossess an/ of the dis2ualifications nor lac9s an/of the 2ualifications set in the rules to +e eli-i+le as candidates.

There is no need to al/ the rule cited in a+o v. COMEEC56 that when the voters are well aware within the realmof notoriet/ of a candidates dis2ualification and still cast their votes in favor said candidate8 then the eli-i+lecandidate o+tainin- the ne?t hi-her num+er of votes ma/ +e deemed elected. That rule is also a mere o+iter that

further comlicated the rules affectin- 2ualified candidates who laced second to ineli-i+le ones.

The electorates awareness of the candidates dis2ualification is not a rere2uisite for the dis2ualification to attach tothe candidate. The ver/ e?istence of a dis2ualif/in- circumstance ma9es the candidate ineli-i+le. Anowled-e +/ theelectorate of a candidates dis2ualification is not necessar/ +efore a 2ualified candidate who laced second to adis2ualified one can +e roclaimed as the winner. The second'lacer in the vote count is actuall/ the first'laceramon- the 2ualified candidates.

That the dis2ualified candidate has alread/ +een roclaimed and has assumed office is of no moment. Thesu+se2uent dis2ualification +ased on a su+stantive -round that e?isted rior to the filin- of the certificate ofcandidac/ voids not onl/ the COC +ut also the roclamation.

#ection 6 of R.$. %o. 6646 rovides<

#ection 6. Effect of )is2ualification Case. ' $n/ candidate who has +een declared +/ final jud-ment to +edis2ualified shall not +e voted for8 and the votes cast for him shall not +e counted. =f for an/ reason a candidate isnot declared +/ final jud-ment +efore an election to +e dis2ualified and he is voted for and receives the winnin-num+er of votes in such election8 the Court or Commission shall continue with the trial and hearin- of the action8in2uir/8 or rotest and8 uon motion of the comlainant or an/ intervenor8 ma/ durin- the endenc/ thereof orderthe susension of the roclamation of such candidate whenever the evidence of his -uilt is stron-.

There was no chance for $rnados roclamation to +e susended under this rule +ecause $rnado failed to file hisanswer to the etition see9in- his dis2ualification. $rnado onl/ filed his $nswer on "5 :une ,&"&8 lon- after theelections and after he was alread/ roclaimed as the winner.

The dis2ualif/in- circumstance surroundin- $rnados candidac/ involves his citienshi. =t does not involve thecommission of election offenses as rovided for in the first sentence of #ection 6; of the Omni+us Election Code8the effect of which is to dis2ualif/ the individual from continuin- as a candidate8 or if he has alread/ +een elected8from holdin- the office.

The dis2ualif/in- circumstance affectin- $rnado is his citienshi. $s earlier discussed8 $rnado was +oth a *iliinoand an $merican citien when he filed his certificate of candidac/. 7e was a dual citien dis2ualified to run for u+licoffice +ased on #ection 4&(d! of the ocal 0overnment Code.

#ection 4& starts with the statement BThe followin- ersons are dis2ualified from runnin- for an/ elective localosition.B The rohi+ition serves as a +ar a-ainst the individuals who fall under an/ of the enumeration from

articiatin- as candidates in the election.

Fith $rnado +ein- +arred from even +ecomin- a candidate8 his certificate of candidac/ is thus rendered void fromthe +e-innin-. =t could not have roduced an/ other le-al effect e?cet that $rnado rendered it imossi+le to effecthis dis2ualification rior to the elections +ecause he filed his answer to the etition when the elections wereconducted alread/ and he was alread/ roclaimed the winner.

To hold that such roclamation is valid is to ne-ate the rohi+itor/ character of the dis2ualification which $rnadoossessed even rior to the filin- of the certificate of candidac/. The affirmation of $rnadoKs dis2ualification8althou-h made lon- after the elections8 reaches +ac9 to the filin- of the certificate of candidac/. $rnado is declaredto +e not a candidate at all in the Ma/ ,&" & elections.





$rnado +ein- a non'candidate8 the votes cast in his favor should not have +een counted. This leaves Ma2uilin- asthe 2ualified candidate who o+tained the hi-hest num+er of votes. Therefore8 the rule on succession under theocal 0overnment Code will not al/.

F7ERE*ORE8 remises considered8 the Petition is 0R$%TE). The Resolution of the COMEEC En 1ane dated ,*e+ruar/ ,&"" is here+/ $%%E) and #ET $#=)E. Resondent ROMME $R%$)O / C$0OCO is dis2ualifiedfrom runnin- for an/ local elective osition. C$#$% M$CO)E M$H==%0 is here+/ )EC$RE) the dul/ electedMa/or of Aauswa-an8 anao del %orte in the "& Ma/ ,&"& elections.

This )ecision is immediatel/ e?ecutor/.

et a co/ of this )ecision +e served ersonall/ uon the arties and the Commission on Elections.

%o ronouncement as to costs.

Co!ill" vs COMELEC ;3+6 SCRA #,0 R 16121*( Se4tem5e% 10( ),,)<

Munici'al Cor'oration. *uali!ications H Residence@

F"ctsA Petitioner $o/uilla 3a! born o" *ilipino parent! in 'ra!, 4a!tern Samar, 3#ere #e re3 up and re!ided.

In 1965, #e oined t#e @S Na)% and !ub!e/uentl% naturalized a! a @S itizen. 'n 'tober 15, 1998, petitioner

ame to t#e P#ilippine! and too out a re!idene erti"iate, albeit ontinued main !e)eral trip! to t#e @S. 'n No)ember 1H, HHH, #e too #i! oat# a! a itizen o" t#e P#ilippine! !ub!e/uentl% a"ter #i! appliation "or

repatriation 3a! appro)ed. 'n No)ember 1, HHH, #e applied "or rei!tration a! a )oter o" utuna, 'ra!,

4a!tern Samar. 'n *ebruar% 7, HH1, #e "iled #i! $'$ !tatin t#erein t#at #e #a! been a re!ident o" 'ra!,4a!tern Samar "or %ear!. 'n Mar# 5, HH1, re!pondent inumbent ma%or o" 'ra! 3#o 3a! runnin "or re-

eletion, !ou#t t#e anellation o" petitionerD! $'$ on t#e round t#at t#e latter #ad re!ided in 'ra! "or onl%

about 6 mont#! !ine 3#en #e too #i! oat# a! a itizen o" t#e P#ilippine!. 'n Ma% 1, HH1, petitioner

arnered t#e #i#e!t number o" )ote! and 3a! !ub!e/uentl% prolaimed ma%or o" 'ra!.

Iss!eA 'N petitioner !ati!"ied t#e re!iden% re/uirement "or t#e po!ition o" ma%or.

HeldA No. Par. ;9, $#apter 1, 2itle o" t#e oal Go)ernment $ode &R: 716H( pro)ide! t#at an eleti)e

o""iial mu!t be a 0Vre!ident t#erein &barana%, muniipalit%, it% or pro)ine( "or at lea!t 1 %ear immediatel%

preeedin t#e da% o" t#e eletionV

2#e term 0re!idene i! to be under!tood not in it! ommon aeptation a! re"errin to 0d3ellin or

0#abitation, but rat#er to 0domiile or leal re!idene, t#at i!, 0t#e plae 3#ere a part% atuall% oron!truti)el% #a! #i! permanent #ome, 3#ere #e, no matter 3#ere #e ma% be "ound at an% i)en time,

e)entuall% intend! to return and remain &animus manendi(. : domiile o" oriin i! a/uired b% e)er% per!on at birt#. It i! u!uall% t#e plae 3#ere t#e #ildD! parent! re!ide and ontinue! until t#e !ame i! abandoned b%

a/ui!ition o" a ne3 domiile &domiile o" #oie(.

In t#e a!e at bar, petitioner lo!t #i! domiile o" oriin in 'ra! b% beomin a @S itizen a"ter enli!tin in t#e@S Na)% in 1965. *rom t#en on and until No)ember 1H, HHH, 3#en #e rea/uired P#ilippine itizen!#ip, #e

3a! an alien.

http://piusmorados.wordpress.com/2011/11/06/coquilla-vs-comelec-385-scra-607-gr-151914-september-17-2002/

http://piusmorados.wordpress.com/2011/11/06/coquilla-vs-comelec-385-scra-607-gr-151914-september-17-2002/



• &!"lific"tions

Sec 39, LC

See abo)e

!"ella v. Co#elec

enamin :bella 3a! a andidate "or e%te o)ernor "or t#e 1988 eletion!. 4meterio arrazabal 3a! al!o a andidate "ore%te o)ernor, but 3a! di!/uali"ied "or la o" re!idene. 'n t#e da% be"ore t#e eletion!, #i! 3i"e :delina arrazabal

t#en "iled #er andida% a! #i! !ub!titute. 2#e "ollo3in da% Sil)e!tre de la $ruz, a rei!tered )oter o" 2aloban $it%, "iled

a petition to di!/uali"% #er, on t#e round t#at !#e mi!repre!ented #er re!idene a! Kanana, e%te 3#en in "at !#e 3a! a

re!ident o" 'rmo $it% lie #er #u!band. S#e 3a! #o3e)er prolaimed a! t#e 3innin andidate, and t#u! a!!umed o""ie

3#ile t#e #earin! on #er di!/uali"iation a!e ontinued. S#e 3a! later on delared b% t#e $'M44$ a! di!/uali"ied"rom runnin a! o)ernor. 2#e inumbent )ie-o)ernor eopoldo Petilla t#en too #i! oat# a! e%te Go)ernor and

a!!umed o""ie, 3#i# $'M44$ re!ol)ed b% orderin Petilla to maintain !tatu! /uo ante and re"rain "rom a!!umin t#e

o""ie o" o)ernor.

'N :delina arrazabal 3a! /uali"ied to run a! o)ernor o" e%te

<4+A No

:delina arrazabal laed t#e re/uired re!idene beau!e !#e #a! e!tabli!#ed #er re!idene at 'rmo $it% !ine 1975 and

not at Kanana. <er attempt to purportedl% #ane #er re!idene one %ear be"ore t#e eletion b% rei!terin at Kananalearl% !#o3! t#at !#e on!ider! #er!el" a! an 'rmo $it% re!ident. 2#ere i! no e)idene to pro)e t#at t#e petitioner

temporaril% le"t #er re!idene to pur!ue an% allin, pro"e!!ion or bu!ine!! to !ati!"% t#e priniple o" animu! re)ertendi.

2#e "at t#at !#e oa!ionall% )i!it! Kanana t#rou# t#e %ear! doe! not !ini"% an intention to ontinue #er re!idenet#erein. <a)in t#u! been e!tabli!#ed a! an 'rmo $it% re!ident, !#e i! di!/uali"ied "rom runnin a! e%te o)ernor !ine'rmo $it%D! #arter pro#ibit! it! )oter! "rom )otin "or pro)inial eleti)e o""iial!, !ine it i! treated lie a #i#l%

urbanized it% 3#i# i! out!ide t#e !uper)i!or% po3er o" t#e pro)ine to 3#i# it i! eorap#iall% atta#ed. 2#e

pro)i!ion in t#e #arter onnote! t3o pro#ibition!A one "rom runnin and t#e ot#er "rom )otin "or an% pro)inial eleti)e

o""iial. &Sine t#ere 3a! a )aan% in t#e '""ie o" t#e Go)ernor, t#e )ie-o)ernor a!!umed o""ie.(

$rivaldo v. Co#elec (%9&9)

uan *ri)aldo a!!umed o""ie a! Sor!oon o)ernor in 1988. 'n 7 't 1988 t#e eaue o" Muniipalitie! Sor!oon

$#apter, repre!ented b% it! pre!ident Sal)ador 4!tu%e &al!o !uin in #i! per!onal apait%( "iled 3it# t#e $'M44$ a

petition "or t#e annulment o" *ri)aldoD! eletion on t#e round t#at #e 3a! not a *Iipino itizen. *ri)aldo admitted #e 3a!



naturalized in t#e @S, but eplained t#at !u# 3a! onl% to protet #im!el" aain!t Pre!ident Maro!. <e !aid #e ould not

#a)e repatriated #im!el" !ine t#e Speial $ommittee on Naturalization &reated b% 'I 7H( #ad not %et been oranized.

<e arued t#at #i! oat# in #i! erti"iate o" andida% t#at #e 3a! a natural-born itizen 3a! a !u""iient at o" repatriation,

and t#at #i! ati)e partiipation in t#e 1987 eletion! #ad di)e!ted #im o" :merian itizen!#ip under @S la3!, t#u!

re!torin #i! *ilipino itizen!#ip.

'N *ri)aldo 3a! a *ilipino itizen at t#e time o" #i! eletion a! Sor!oon o)ernor

<4+A No2#e alleed "or"eiture o" #i! :merian itizen!#ip due to #i! ati)e partiipation in P#ilippine politi! doe! not

automatiall% re!tore #i! *ilipino itizen!#ip. I" t#e $ommittee ta!ed to #andle t#e repatriation #ad not %et been

on!tituted, it onl% meant t#at *ri)aldo !#ould #a)e 3aited until t#i! 3a! done, or el!e #e !#ould #a)e !ou#t rea/ui!ition

o" #i! *ilipino itizen!#ip t#rou# ot#er mean! &i.e., diret at o" $onre!! or applied "or naturalization(. *ri)aldo 3a!

t#en not a *ilipino itizen, and t#u! di!/uali"ied to )ote and run "or o""ie !ine *ilipino itizen!#ip i! one o" t#e

/uali"iation! "or )otin and "or bein a andidate "or loal eleti)e o""ie. &2#ere 3a! t#en a )aan% in t#e '""ie o" t#eGo)ernor, t#u! t#e eleted )ie-o)ernor a!!umed o""ie.(

La"o v. Co#elec (%9&9)

Ramon abo r married an :u!tralian itizen in t#e P#ilippine!. :! t#e !pou!e o" an :u!tralian itizen, #e 3a! not

re/uired to meet normal re/uirement! "or t#e rant o" itizen!#ip, and 3a! ranted :u!tralian itizen!#ip on 8 ul 1976.

<i! marriae 3a! later delared )oid "or bein biamou!. <e returned to t#e P#ilippine! u!in an :u!tralian pa!!port and

obtained an :lien $erti"iate o" Rei!tration &:$R(. <e applied "or a #ane in !tatu! "rom immirant to returnin*ilipino itizen, but 3a! denied b% t#e $ommi!!ion on Immiration and +eportation !ine #e #a! not applied "or

rea/ui!ition o" #i! *ilipino itizen!#ip. <e later on ran "or and 3on a! Ma%or o" auio $it%. 2#e !eond-plaer ui!

ardizabal "iled a petition "or /uo 3arranto, allein t#at abo i! di!/uali"ied "rom #oldin publi o""ie on t#e round

t#at abo 3a! an alien, and a!in t#at aboD! prolamation a! Ma%or be annulled.

'N abo i! a *ilipino itizen and #ene /uali"ied to be Ma%or

<4+A No

abo i! not a *ilipino itizen beau!e #e #a! lo!t #i! *ilipino itizen!#ip b% all t#ree mode! !pei"ied in t#e $on!titutionA

&1( naturalization in a "orein ountr%, &( epre!! renuniation o" itizen!#ip, and &;( !ub!ribin to an oat# o" alleiane

to !upport t#e $on!titution or la3! o" a "orein ountr%. 4)en i" it be a!!umed t#at #i! :u!tralian itizen!#ip 3a! annulled beau!e #i! marriae 3a! )oid "or bein biamou!, t#at irum!tane alone doe! not automatiall% re!tore #i! P#ilippine

itizen!#ip. It doe! not appear t#at abo !ou#t to rea/uire #i! *ilipino itizen!#ip t#rou# an% o" t#e t#ree mode!

pro)ided b% our la3!A diret at o" $onre!!, naturalization or repatriation. &:l!o, t#e earlier ontrar% $'M44$dei!ion an al!o be re)er!ed !ine re! udiata doe! not appl% to /ue!tion! o" itizen!#ip.( Not bein a *ilipino itizen,

abo i! di!/uali"ied to run "or ma%or. &2#ere 3a! t#en a )aan% in t#e '""ie o" Ma%or, t#u! t#e Jie Ma%or a!!umed

o""ie.(

La"o v. Co#elec (%99')

Ramon abo r "iled #i! erti"iate o" andida% "or ma%or o" auio $it% in t#e 199 eletion!. Roberto 'rtea al!o "iled

#i! erti"iate o" andida% "or t#e !ame o""ie, and al!o !ub!e/uentl% "iled "or aboD! di!/uali"iation be"ore t#e$'M44$ on t#e round t#at abo 3a! an alien. abo "ailed to :n!3er and pre!ent e)idene? $'M44$ !ub!e/uentl%

anelled aboD! erti"iate o" andida%. abo t#en mo)ed to !ta% t#e implementation o" t#e $'M44$ dei!ion, 3#i#3a! ranted 3it# $'M44$ i!!uin an 'rder t#at 0abo ma% !till ontinue to be )oted upon a! ma%or in t#e 199

eletion!, but it re!ol)ed to !u!pend aboD! prolamation in t#e e)ent #e 3in! t#e eletion!.

'N abo i! a *ilipino itizen and #ene /uali"ied to be Ma%or

<4+A No

abo "ailed to !ubmit proo" t#at #e #a! rea/uired #i! P#ilippine itizen!#ip. <e laim! t#at #e #a! rea/uired #i! *ilipino

itizen!#ip b% itin #i! appliation "or rea/ui!ition o" P#ilippine itizen!#ip "iled be"ore t#e 'SG, but de!pite "a)orable

reommendation b% t#e Soliitor General, t#e Speial $ommittee on Naturalization #ad %et to at upon #i! appliation "or

repatriation. In t#e ab!ene o" an% o""iial ation or appro)al b% t#e proper aut#oritie!, a mere appliation "or repatriation

doe! not, and annot, amount to an automati rea/ui!ition o" t#e appliantD! P#ilippine itizen!#ip. &NoteA Seond-plaer



'rtea i! not entitled to be prolaimed a! Ma%or beau!e #e 3a! not t#e #oie o" t#e !o)erein 3ill. 2#e ineliibilit% o" a

andidate reei)in maorit% )ote! doe! not entitle t#e eliible andidate reei)in t#e net #i#e!t number o" )ote! to be

delared eleted.(

$rivaldo v. Co#elec (%99)

'n H Mar 1995, uan *ri)aldo "iled #i! erti"iate o" andida% "or Sor!oon o)ernor in t#e 1995 eletion!. 2#ree da%!

later, anot#er Sor!oon o)ernor andidate, Raul ee "iled "or t#e anellation o" #i! *ri)aldoD! erti"iate o" andida%

on t#e round t#at *ri)aldo 3a! not a *ilipino itizen. $'M44$ ranted t#e petition. *ri)aldo "iled a MR, 3#i# 3a!not ated upon until a"ter t#e eletion!. <i! andida% t#en ontinued and 3a! t#u! )oted upon &#e reei)ed t#e #i#e!t

number o" )ote!(. It 3a! onl% a"ter t#e eletion! t#at t#e $'M44$ en ban a""irmed t#e re!olution o" it! Seond

+i)i!ion. % order o" $'M44$, ee 3a! prolaimed a! o)ernor at 8;H PM on ;H un 1995. 'n 6 ul 1995, *ri)aldo

"iled a petition 3it# t#e $'M4$ pra%in "or t#e annulment o" eeD! prolamation, laimin t#at !ine #e too #i! oat#

o" alleiane to t#e P#ilippine! at PM on ;H un 1995, t#ere 3a! no more impediment to #i! bein prolaimed a!

o)ernor. In t#e alternati)e, #e a)erred t#at it 3a! t#e Jie-Go)ernor-elet t#at !#ould a!!ume t#e o""ie and not ee.

'N *ri)aldo 3a! /uali"ied to be eleted a! Sor!oon o)ernor

<4+A Be!2#e la3 doe! not !pei"% an% partiular date or time 3#en t#e andidate mu!t po!!e!! itizen!#ip. Sine *ri)aldo

rea!!umed #i! itizen!#ip on ;H une 1995 U t#e )er% da% t#e term o" o""ie o" o)ernor bean U #e 3a! t#ere"ore alread%

/uali"ied to be prolaimed, to #old !u# o""ie and to di!#are t#e "untion! and re!pon!ibilitie! a! o" !aid date.

*urt#ermore, *ri)aldoD! repatriation retroated to t#e date o" t#e "ilin o" #i! appliation on 17 :u 199, !ine la3!3#i# reate ne3 ri#t! are i)en retroati)e e""et. :nd e)en i" *ri)aldo 3a! pre)iou!l% delared a! not a *ilipino itizen

b% t#e Supreme $ourt, !u# dei!ion! delarin t#e a/ui!ition or denial o" itizen!#ip annot o)ern a per!onD! "uture

!tatu! 3it# "inalit%, beau!e a per!on ma% !ub!e/uentl% rea/uire, or "or t#at matter lo!e, #i! itizen!#ip under an% o" t#e

mode! reonized b% la3 "or t#e purpo!e.

S$ add!, 0:nd let it not be o)erlooed t#at *ri)aldoD! demon!trated tenait% and !#eer determination to rea!!ume #i!

nationalit% o" birt# de!pite !e)eral !etba! !pea more loudl%, in !pirit, in "at and in trut# t#an an% leal te#nialit%, o"#i! on!umin intention and burnin de!ire to re-embrae #i! nati)e P#ilippine! e)en no3 at t#e ripe old ae o" 81 %ear!.

u!tie +a)ide +ISS4N24+, !a%in t#at 0Setion ;9 o" t#e oal Go)ernment $ode o" 1991 re"er! to no ot#er t#an t#e

/uali"iation! o" andidate! "or eleti)e loal o""ie! and t#eir eletion. <ene, in no 3a% ma% t#e !etion be on!trued tomean t#at po!!e!!ion o" /uali"iation! !#ould be reoned "rom t#e ommenement o" t#e term o" o""ie o" t#e eleted

andidate. :l!o, it i! onl% upon tain t#e oat# o" alleiane t#at t#e appliant i! deemed ip!o ure to #a)e rea/uired

P#ilippine itizen!#ip. I" t#e deree #ad intended t#e oat# tain to retroat to t#e date o" t#e "ilin o" t#e appliation, t#enit !#ould not #a)e epliitl% pro)ided ot#er3i!e.

ercado v. anzano

In t#e 1998 eletion!, ; andidate! "or )ie-ma%or ompeted "or t#e po!tA 4duardo Manzano, 4rne!to Merado and

Gabriel +aza III. Manzano 3on t#e eletion! but #i! prolamation 3a! !u!pended due to a pendin petition "or

di!/uali"iation "iled b% 4rne!to Mamaril 3#o alleed t#at Manzano 3a! not a *ilipino itizen but 3a! in!tead a @S

itizen. Manzano 3a! born in San *rani!o, $ali"ornia, @S: and t#u! a/uired @S itizen!#ip b% operation o" t#e @S$on!titution and la3! under t#e priniple o" u! !oli. <e 3a! al!o a natural-born *ilipino itizen b% )irtue o" t#e 19;5

P#ilippine $on!titution, a! #i! "at#er and mot#er 3ere *ilipino! at t#e time o" #i! birt#. :t t#e ae o" 6, #i! parent! brou#t #im to t#e P#ilippine! u!in an :merian pa!!port. <i! parent! rei!tered #i! a! an alien 3it# t#e P#ilippine

ureau o" Immiration and 3a! t#u! i!!ued an :lien $erti"iate o" Rei!tration &:$R(. #en #e attained t#e ae o"

maorit%, #e rei!tered #im!el" a! a )oter, and )oted in t#e eletion! o" 199, 1995 and 1998. 'n 7 Ma% 1998, $'M44$

ranted MamarilD! petition and anelled ManzanoD! erti"iate o" andida% on t#e round t#at #e 3a! a dual itizen and

t#u! di!/uali"ied "rom runnin "or an% eleti)e po!ition. 'n 8 Ma% 1998, Manzano mo)ed "or reon!ideration o" t#e

dei!ion, and t#e motion remained pendin e)en until a"ter t#e eletion!. 'n ;1 :u 1998 t#e $'M44$ en ban

delared t#at Manzano 3a! /uali"ied to run "or )ie ma%or.

&1( 'N Manzano po!!e!!e! dual itizen!#ip, and &( 'N #e i! di!/uali"ied "rom runnin "or and bein eleted a! )ie

ma%or



<4+A &1( Be! and &( No

+ual itizen!#ip i! di""erent "rom dual alleiane. 2#e "ormer ari!e! 3#en, a! a re!ult o" t#e onurrent appliation o" t#e

di""erent la3! o" t3o or more !tate!, a per!on i! !imultaneou!l% on!idered a national b% t#e !aid !tate!. Su# a per!on,

ip!o "ato and 3it#out an% )oluntar% at on #i! part, i! onurrentl% on!idered a itizen o" bot# !tate!. +ual alleiane, on

t#e ot#er #and, re"er! to t#e !ituation in 3#i# a per!on !imultaneou!l% o3e!, b% !ome po!iti)e at, lo%alt% to t3o or more

!tate!. #ile dual itizen!#ip i! in)oluntar%, dual alleiane i! t#e re!ult o" an indi)idualD! )olition. In inludin Setion 5

in :rtile IJ o" t#e $on!titution &0+ual alleiane o" itizen! i! inimial to t#e national intere!t and !#all be dealt 3it# b%

la3.(, t#e onern o" t#e $on!titutional $ommi!!ion 3a! not 3it# dual itizen! per !e but 3it# naturalized itizen! 3#o

maintain t#eir alleiane to t#eir ountrie! o" oriin e)en a"ter t#eir naturalization. <ene, t#e p#ra!e 0dual itizen!#ip in

R: 716H &oal Go)ernment $ode o" 1991( Se H&d( and R: 785 &Maati $it% $#arter( Se H mu!t be under!tood a!

re"errin to dual alleiane. 2#u!, per!on! 3it# mere dual itizen!#ip do not "all under t#i! di!/uali"iation.

2#e oat# o" alleiane ontained in ManzanoD! erti"iate o" andida% i! !u""iient to on!titute renuniation o" #i!

:merian itizen!#ip, e""eti)el% remo)in an% di!/uali"iation #e mi#t #a)e a! a dual itizen. 2#ere i! no merit to t#e

ontention t#at to be e""eti)e, !u# renuniation !#ould #a)e been made upon ManzanoD! rea#in t#e ae o" maorit%,

!ine no la3 re/uire! t#e eletion o" P#ilippine itizen!#ip to be made upon attainment o" t#e ae o" maorit%.

ManzanoD! oat# o" alleiane to t#e P#ilippine!, 3#en on!idered 3it# t#e "at t#at #e #a! !pent #i! %out# and adult#ood,

reei)ed #i! eduation, pratied #i! pro"e!!ion a! an arti!t, and taen part in pa!t eletion! in t#i! ountr%, lea)e! no

doubt o" #i! eletion o" P#ilippine itizen!#ip.

Co*uilla v. Co#elec

$o/uilla 3a! born o" *ilipino parent! in 'ra!, 4a!tern Samar. <e re!ided t#ere until 1965, 3#en #e oined t#e @nited

State! Na)%. <e 3a! !ub!e/uentl% naturalized a! a @.S. itizen. 'n 'tober 15, 1998, petitioner ame to t#e P#ilippine!

and too out a re!idene erti"iate but !till made !e)eral trip! to t#e @S. 'n No)ember 1H, HHH, #e 3a! repatriated and

#e too #i! oat# a! a itizen o" t#e P#ilippine!. 'n *ebruar% 7, HH1, a"ter #i! appliation "or rei!tration a! a )oter o"

utna, 'ra!, 4a!tern Samar 3a! appro)ed, #e "iled #i! erti"iate o" andida% !tatin t#erein t#at #e #ad been a re!ident

o" 'ra!, 4a!tern Samar "or 0t3o &( %ear!.

Re!pondent :l)arez &inumbent ma%or o" 'ra! and 3#o 3a! runnin "or reeletion( !ou#t t#e anellation o"

petitionerD! erti"iate o" andida% on t#e round t#at t#e $o/uilla #ad made a material mi!repre!entation in #i!

erti"iate o" andida% b% !tatin t#at #e #ad been a re!ident o" 'ra! "or t3o %ear! 3#en in trut# #e #ad re!ided t#erein

"or onl% about !i mont#! !ine No)ember 1H, HHH, 3#en #e too #i! oat# a! a itizen o" t#e P#ilippine!.

2#e $'M44$ 3a! unable to render udment on t#e a!e be"ore t#e eletion! on Ma% 1, HH1. Mean3#ile, petitioner

3a! eleted b% a marin o" ;79 )ote!, 3a! prolaimed ma%or, and !ub!e/uentl% too #i! oat# o" o""ie.

<4+A Petitioner #ad N'2 been a re!ident o" 'ra!, 4a!tern Samar at lea!t one &1( %ear be"ore t#e eletion! #eld on Ma%

1, HH1 a! #e repre!ented in #i! erti"iate o" andida%.

:n eleti)e loal o""iial mu!t be a itizen o" t#e P#ilippine!? a rei!tered )oter in t#e barana%, muniipalit%, it%, or

pro)ine or, in t#e a!e o" a member o" t#e !anunian panlala3ian, !anunian panlun!od, or !anunian ba%an,

t#e di!trit 3#ere #e intend! to be eleted? a re!ident t#erein "or at lea!t one &1( %ear immediatel% preedin t#e da% o" t#e

eletion? and able to read and 3rite *ilipino or an% ot#er loal lanuae or dialet. &Se. ;9&a(, G$(

2#e term 0re!idene i! to be under!tood not in it! ommon aeptation a! re"errin to 0d3ellin or 0#abitation, butrat#er to 0domiile or leal re!idene, t#at i!, 0t#e plae 3#ere a part% atuall% or on!truti)el% #a! #i! permanent #ome

3#ere #e, no matter 3#ere #e ma% be "ound at an% i)en time, e)entuall% intend! to return and remain &animu!

manendi(. : domiile o" oriin i! a/uired b% e)er% per!on at birt#. It i! u!uall% t#e plae 3#ere t#e #ildD! parent!

re!ide and ontinue! until t#e !ame i! abandoned b% a/ui!ition o" ne3 domiile &domiile o" #oie(. Petitioner lo!t #i!

domiile o" oriin in 'ra! b% beomin a @.S. itizen a"ter enli!tin in t#e @.S. Na)% in 1965. *rom t#en on and until

No)ember 1H, HHH, 3#en #e rea/uired P#ilippine itizen!#ip, petitioner 3a! an alien 3it#out an% ri#t to re!ide in t#e

P#ilippine! !a)e a! our immiration la3! ma% #a)e allo3ed #im to !ta% a! a )i!itor or a! a re!ident alien.

It i! not true, a! petitioner ontend!, t#at #e ree!tabli!#ed re!idene in t#i! ountr% in 1998 3#en #e ame ba to prepare

"or t#e ma%oralt% eletion! o" 'ra! b% !eurin a $ommunit% 2a $erti"iate in t#at %ear and b% 0on!tantl% delarin to

#i! to3nmate! o" #i! intention to !ee repatriation and run "or ma%or in t#e Ma% 1, HH1 eletion!. 4)idene !#o3! t#at



3#en petitioner entered t#e ountr% in 1998, #e did !o a! a )i!a-"ree baliba%an )i!itor 3#o!e !ta% a! !u# 3a! )alid "or

one %ear onl%. <ene, petitioner an be #eld to #a)e 3ai)ed #i! !tatu! a! an alien and a! a non-re!ident onl% on No)ember

1H, HHH upon tain #i! oat# a! a itizen o" t#e P#ilippine! under R.:. No. 8171. <e laed t#e re/ui!ite re!iden% to

/uali"% #im "or t#e ma%or!#ip o" 'ra!, 4a!tern, Samar.



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