Asistio vs. AguirreG.R. No. 191124 April 27, 2010 Facts:Private respondent c!

iverri "iled a Petition "or #clusion o" $oter "ro% t!e per%anent list o" voters o" &aloocan &it' (e"ore t!e )e*& presided (' +udge )ala(aguio. ,e alleged t!at Asistio is not a resident o" &aloocan &it' and -as no longer residing in t!e address stated in !is &o& "or )a'or in t!e 2010 lections.)ala(aguio rendered a decision directing t!e lection Registration .oard to re%ovet!e na%e o" Asistion "ro% t!e list o" per%anent voters o" &aloocan &it'. c!iverri t!en"iled -it! t!e &/) 0 & a Petition "or 1is2uali"ication on t!e grounds t!at Asistio isnot a resident o" &aloocan &it' and t!at !e !ad (een previousl' convicted o" a cri%einvolving %oral turpitude. Asistio "iled !is Notice o" Appeal and paid t!e re2uiredappeal "ees t!roug! postal %one' orders on Fe(.10,2010. c!iverri "iled a %otion todis%iss t!e appeal, arguing t!at t!e R*& did not ac2uire 3urisdiction over t!e appealon t!e ground o" "ailure to "ile t!e re2uired appeal "ees. +udge Aguirre granted t!e%otion "or "ailing to pa' t!e doc4et "ees essential "or t!e R*& to ac2uire 3urisdictionover t!e appeal. ,ence, t!is petition. 5ssue:6!et!er or not Asistio s!ould (e e#cluded "ro% t!e per%anent list o" voters o" &aloocan &it' "or "ailure to co%pl' -it! t!e residenc' re2uired (' la-. ,eld: *!e 7upre%e &ourt ruled t!at "ro% t!e provisions o" 7ection 117 o" .P 881 and7ection 9 o" RA 8189, t!e residenc' re2uire%ent o" voter is at least 1 'ear residencein t!e P!ilippines and at least 9 %ont!s in t!e place -!ere t!e person proposes orintends to vote. :Residence; as used in t!e la- prescri(ing t!e 2uali"ications "orsu""rage is doctrinall' settled to %ean :do%icile;. 1o%icile denotes a "i#edper%anent residence -!ere, -!en a(sent "or (usiness or pleasure, one intends toreturn. *o success"ull' e""ect a trans"er o" do%icile one %ust de%onstrate: <1= anactual re%oval or c!ange o" do%icile> <2= a (ona "ide intention o" a(andoning t!eplace o" residence> <?= acts -!ic! correspond -it! t!at purpose. Asistio !as al-a's(een a resident o" &aloocan &it' since (irt! and !is "a%il' is also 4no-n to (e a%ongt!e pro%inent political "a%ilies in &aloocan. ,e even served as a 2nd districtrepresentative in &aloocan and soug!t also election as &it' )a'or in 2007. *a4ingt!ese circu%stances into consideration, it cannot (e denied t!at Asistio !as 2uali"iedand continues to 2uali"' as a voter o" &aloocan &it'. )A&A05N*A0 $7. &/) 0 & G.R. No. 1@701?, +ul' 10 200? FA&*7: .e"ore t!e &ourt is a petition "or certiorari and pro!i(ition "iled (' Ro%ulo .. )acalintal, a %e%(er o" t!e P!ilippine .ar, see4ing a declaration t!at certain provisions o" Repu(lic Act No. 9189 <*!e /verseas A(sentee $oting Act o" 200?= su""er "ro% constitutional in"ir%it'. &lai%ing t!at !e !as actual and %aterial legal interest in t!e su(3ect %atter o" t!is case in seeing to it t!at pu(lic "unds are properl' and la-"ull' used and appropriated, petitioner "iled t!e instant petition as a ta#pa'er and as a la-'er.

577A 7: <1= 6!et!er or not 7ection @<d= o" Repu(lic Act No. 9189 violates t!e residenc' re2uire%ent in 7ection 1 o" Article $ o" t!e &onstitution.

<2= 6!et!er or not 7ection 18.@ o" t!e sa%e la- violates t!e constitutional %andate under 7ection 4, Article $55 o" t!e &onstitution t!at t!e -inning candidates "or President and t!e $iceB President s!all (e proclai%ed as -inners (' &ongress.

<?= 6!et!er or not &ongress %a', t!roug! t!e +oint &ongressional /versig!t &o%%ittee created in 7ection 2@ o" Rep. Act No. 9189, e#ercise t!e po-er to revie-, revise, a%end, and approve t!e 5%ple%enting Rules and Regulations t!at t!e &o%%ission on lections, pro%ulgate -it!out violating t!e independence o" t!e &/) 0 & under 7ection 1, Article 5CBA o" t!e &onstitution. , 01: <1= No. 7ection @ o" RA No. 9189 enu%erates t!ose -!o are dis2uali"ied voting under t!is Act. 5t dis2uali"ies an i%%igrant or a per%anent resident -!o is recogniDed as suc! in t!e !ost countr'. ,o-ever, an e#ception is provided i.e. unless !eEs!e e#ecutes, upon registration, an a""idavit prepared "or t!e purpose (' t!e &o%%ission declaring t!at !eEs!e s!all resu%e actual p!'sical per%anent residence in t!e P!ilippines not later t!an ? 'ears "ro% approval o" registration. 7uc! a""idavit s!all also state t!at !eEs!e !as not applied "or citiDens!ip in anot!er countr'. Failure to return s!all (e cause "or t!e re%oval o" t!e na%e o" t!e i%%igrant or per%anent resident "ro% t!e National Registr' o" A(sentee $oters and !isE!er per%anent dis2uali"ication to vote in a(sentia. Petitioner clai%s t!at t!is is violative o" t!e residenc' re2uire%ent in 7ection 1 Article $ o" t!e &onstitution -!ic! re2uires t!e voter %ust (e a resident in t!e P!ilippines "or at least one 'r, and a resident in t!e place -!ere !e proposes to vote "or at least 9 %ont!s i%%ediatel' preceding an election. ,o-ever, /7G !eld t!at ruling in said case does not !old -ater at present, and t!at t!e &ourt %a' !ave to discard t!at particular ruling. Panacea o" t!e controvers': A""idavit "or -it!out it, t!e presu%ption o" a(andon%ent o" P!il do%icile s!all re%ain. *!e 2uali"ied Filipino a(road -!o e#ecuted an a""idavit is dee%ed to !ave retained !is do%icile in t!e P!ilippines and presu%ed not to !ave lost !is do%icile (' !is p!'sical a(sence "ro% t!is countr'. 7ection @ o" RA No. 9189 does not onl' re2uire t!e pro%ise to resu%e actual p!'sical per%anent residence in t!e P!ilippines not later t!an ? 'ears a"ter approval o" registration (ut it also re2uires t!e Filipino a(road, 6/N !e is a green card !older, a te%porar' visitor or even on (usiness trip, %ust declare t!at !eEs!e !as not applied "or citiDens!ip in anot!er countr'. *!us, !eEs!e %ust return to t!e P!ilippines ot!er-ise conse2uences -ill (e %et according to RA No. 9189. Alt!oug! t!ere is a possi(ilit' t!at t!e Filipino -ill not return a"ter !e !as e#ercised !is rig!t to vote, t!e &ourt is not in a position to rule on t!e -isdo% o" t!e la- or to repeal or %odi"' it i" suc! la- is "ound to (e i%practical. ,o-ever, it can (e said t!at t!e &ongress itsel" -as conscious o" t!is pro(a(ilit' and provided "or deterrence -!ic! is t!at t!e Filipino -!o "ails to return as pro%ised stands to lose !is rig!t o" su""rage. Accordingl', t!e votes !e cast s!all not (e invalidated (ecause !e -as 2uali"ied to vote on t!e date o" t!e elections. #pressu% "acit cessare tacitu%: -!ere a la- sets do-n plainl' its -!ole %eaning, t!e &ourt is prevented "ro% %a4ing it %ean -!at t!e &ourt pleases. 5n "ine, considering t!at underl'ing intent o" t!e &onstitution, as is evident in its statutor' construction and intent o" t!e "ra%ers, -!ic! is to grant Filipino i%%igrants and per%anent residents a(road t!e un2uestiona(le rig!t

to e#ercise t!e rig!t o" su""rage <7ection 1 Article $= t!e &ourt "inds t!at 7ection @ o" RA No. 9189 is not constitutionall' de"ective. <2= Fes. &ongress s!ould not !ave allo-ed &/) 0 & to usurp a po-er t!at constitutionall' (elongs to it. *!e canvassing o" t!e votes and t!e procla%ation o" t!e -inning candidates "or President and $ice President "or t!e entire nation %ust re%ain in t!e !ands o" &ongress as its dut' and po-er under 7ection 4 o" Article $55 o" t!e &onstitution. &/) 0 & !as t!e aut!orit' to proclai% t!e -inning candidates onl' "or 7enators and Part'Blist Reps.

<?= No. .' vesting itsel" -it! t!e po-ers to approve, revie-, a%end and revise t!e 5%ple%enting Rules G Regulations "or RA No. 9189, &ongress -ent (e'ond t!e scope o" its constitutional aut!orit'. &ongress tra%pled upon t!e constitutional %andate o" independence o" t!e &/) 0 &. Ander suc! a situation, t!e &ourt is le"t -it! no option (ut to -it!dra- "ro% its usual silence in declaring a provision o" la- unconstitutional. AH.AFANBF/A*, v. &/) 0 & Facts:Petitioners in t!is case represent t!e 'out! sector and t!e' see4 to see4 to direct &/) 0 & to conduct a specialregistration (e"ore t!e )a' 14, 2001 General lections, o" nevoters ages 18 to 21. According to t!e%, around "our%illion 'out! "ailed to register on or (e"ore t!e 1ece%(er 27, 2000 deadline set (' t!e respondent &/) 0 &. ,o-ever,t!e &/) 0 & issued Resolution No. ?@84 disapproving t!e re2uest "or additional registration o" voters on t!e groundt!at 7ection 8 o" R.A. 8189 e#plicitl' provides t!at no registration s!all (e conducted during t!e period starting one!undred t-ent' <120= da's (e"ore a regular election and t!at t!e &o%%ission !as no %ore ti%e le"t to acco%plis! allpreBelection activities.Aggrieved (' t!e denial, petitioners "iled (e"ore t!e 7& t!e instant -!ic! see4s to set aside and nulli"' respondent&/) 0 &s Resolution andEor to declare 7ection 8 o" R. A. 8189 unconstitutional inso"ar as said provision e""ectivel'causes t!e disen"ranc!ise%ent o" petitioners and ot!ers si%ilarl' situated. 0i4e-ise, petitioners pra' "or t!e issuance o" a -rit o" %anda%us directing respondent &/) 0 & to conduct a special registration o" ne- voters and to ad%it "orregistration petitioners and ot!er si%ilarl' situated 'oung Filipinos to 2uali"' t!e% to vote in t!e )a' 14, 2001 General lections. 5ssues:1.6!et!er or not respondent &/) 0 & co%%itted grave a(use o" discretion in issuing &/) 0 & Resolution 2.6!et!er or not t!e 7& can co%pel respondent &/) 0 & to conduct a special registration o" ne- voters duringt!e period (et-een t!e &/) 0 & s i%posed 1ece%(er 27, 2000 deadline and t!e )a' 14, 2001 generalelections. ,eld:1.No*!e rig!t o" su""rage invo4ed (' petitioners is not at all a(solute. *!e e#ercise o" t!e rig!t o" su""rage, as in t!een3o'%ent o" all ot!er rig!ts is su(3ect to e#isting su(stantive and procedural re2uire%ents e%(odied in our&onstitution, statute (oo4s and ot!er repositories o" la-. As to t!e procedural li%itation, t!e rig!t o" a citiDen tovote is necessaril' conditioned upon certain procedural re2uire%ents !e %ust undergo: a%ong ot!ers, t!e processo" registration. 7peci"icall', a citiDen in order to (e 2uali"ied to e#ercise !is rig!t to vote, in addition to t!e %ini%u%re2uire%ents set (' t!e "unda%ental c!arter, is o(liged (' la- to register, at present, under t!e provisions o" Repu(lic Act No. 8189, ot!er-ise 4no-n as t!e $oters Registration Act o" 1999. 7ection 8, o" t!e R.A. 8189,e#plicitl' provides t!at

No registration s!all, !o-ever, (e conducted during t!e period starting one !undred t-ent' <120= da's (e"ore a regular election and ninet' <90= da's (e"ore a special election. *!e 100Bda' pro!i(itive periodserves a vital role in protecting t!e integrit' o" t!e registration process. 6it!out t!e pro!i(itive periods, t!e&/) 0 & -ould (e deprived o" an' ti%e to evaluate t!e evidence on t!e application. 5" -e co%pro%ise on t!esesa"et' nets, -e %a' ver' -ell end up -it! a voters list "ull o" "l'ing voters, over"lo-ing -it! un2uali"ied registrants,populated -it! s!ado-s and g!osts 0i4e-ise, petitioners invo4e t!e so calledIstand('J po-ers or IresidualJpo-ers o" t!e &/) 0 &, as provided under t!e relevant provisions o" 7ec. 28 o" RA 84?9 I 1esignation o" /t!er 1ates "or &ertain PreBelection ActsJ. *!e act o" registration is concededl', (' its ver' nature, a preBelection act. Ander 7ection ?<a= o" R.A. 8189, I<a= Registration re"ers to t!e act o" acco%plis!ing and "iling o" a s-orn application "or registration (' a 2uali"ied voter

(e"ore t!e election o""icer o" t!e cit' or %unicipalit' -!erein !e resides and including t!esa%e in t!e (oo4 o" registered voters upon approval (' t!e lection Registration .oard.

GAR&5A $. &/) 0 &227 7&RA 100PAN/, /cto(er @, 199? NA*AR /riginal Petition and t!e 7upple%ental Petition assailing t!e constitutionalit' o" section 70 o" R.A. 7190 inso"ar as it allo-s apreparator' recall asse%(l' to initiate t!e recall o" local elective o""icials FA&*7 B)a' 11, 1992, nri2ue Garcia <petitioner= -as elected governor o" .ataan.B.A* in t!e earl' evening o" +ul' 1, so%e %a'ors, viceB%a'ors and %e%(ers o" t!e 7angguinang .a'an o" t!e 12 %unicipalities o" .ataan %et at t!e NP& &o%pound and t!e "ollo-ing da', t!e' proceeded to constitute t!e%selves into a Preparator' Recall Asse%(l' <PRA&= to initiate t!e recall election o" P *5*5/N R. *!e' c!ose )a'or 1e los Re'es <)ariveles= as Presiding /""icer and)a'or Pa'u%o <1inalupi!an= as 7ecretar' o" t!e asse%(l'. $iceB)a'or Ro2ue <0i%a'= %oved t!at a resolution1 (e passed "or t!erecall o" P *5*5/N R on t!e ground o" :loss o" con"idence;, -!ic! -as :unani%ousl' seconded;.B+ul' 7, P *5*5/N R "iled -it! &/) 0 & a petition to den' due course to Resolution No. 1 alleging "ailure o" PRA& to co%pl' -it! t!eKsu(stantive and procedural re2uire%entsK laid do-n in 7ection 70 o" R.A. 7190 <0G&=B &/) 0 &: 157)577 petition, sc!edule recall elections on /cto(er 11.BP *5*5/N R "iled petition "or certiorari and pro!i(ition -it! -rit o" preli%inar' in3unction to annul &/) 0 & Resolution <argu%ents=:a. 7ec. 70, 0G& unconstitutional (ecause:<1= t!e people !ave t!e sole and e#clusive rig!t to decide -!et!er or not to initiate recall proceedings,<2= it violated t!e rig!t o" elected

local pu(lic o""icials (elonging to t!e political %inorit' to e2ual protection o" la-.(. t!e proceedings "ollo-ed (' t!e PRA& in passing Resolution No. 1 su""ered "ro% nu%erous de"ects, t!e %ost "atal o" -!ic! -as t!edeli(erate "ailure to send notices o" t!e %eeting to si#t'B"ive <9@= %e%(ers o" t!e asse%(l'.B7&: ordered respondents to "ile &o%%ents, set petition "or !earing. A"ter !earing, granted petition on t!e narro- ground t!at t!esending o" selective notices to %e%(ers o" t!e PRA& violated t!e due process protection o" t!e &onstitution and "atall' "la-ed t!eenact%ent o" Resolution No. 1 <and not ruling on alleged constitutional in"ir%it' o" 7ec.70=.B5n accord -it! t!e 7& Resolution, )a'or 1e los Re'es AGA5N sent N/*5& /F 7 775/N to t!e %e%(ers o" t!e PRA& to convene andonce %ore, PRA& passed a resolution calling "or t!e recall o" P *5*5/N RBPetitioner "iled a supple%ental Petition Petition and Reiteration o" #tre%el' Argent )otion presiding "or a resolution o" t!eircontention t!at section 70 o" R.A. 7190 is unconstitutional:a. t!e rig!t to recall does not e#tend %erel' to t!e prerogative o" t!e electorate to recon"ir% or -it!dra- t!eir con"idence on t!eo""icial soug!t to (e recalled at a special election. 7uc! prerogative necessaril' includes t!e sole and e#clusive rig!t to decide on-!et!er to initiate a recall proceedings or not(. in passing Resolution No. 1, t!e .ataan Preparator' Recall Asse%(l' did not onl' initiate t!e process o" recall (ut !ad de "actorecalled petitioner Garcia "ro% o""ice, a po-er reserved to t!e people alonec. P& argu%ent: t!e local o""icials constituting t!e %a3orit' part' can constitute itsel" into a PRA and initiate t!e recall o" a dul'elected provincial o""icial (elonging to t!e %inorit' part' t!us rendering ine""ectual !is election (' popular %andate 577A 6/N 7ection 70, o" RA 7190 is unconstitutional , 01 N/. *!e petition at (enc! appears to c!a%pion t!e sovereignt' o" t!e people, particularl' t!eir direct rig!t to initiate and re%oveelective local o""icials t!ru recall elections. 5" t!e petition -ould succeed, t!e result -ill (e a return to t!e previous s'ste% o" recallelections -!ic! &ongress "ound s!ould (e i%proved. *!e alternative %ode o" initiating recall proceedings t!ru a preparator' recallasse%(l' is, !o-ever, an innovative atte%pt (' &ongress to re%ove i%pedi%ents to t!e e""ective e#ercise (' t!e people o" t!eirsovereign po-er to c!ec4 t!e per"or%ance o" t!eir elected o""icials. *!e po-er to deter%ine t!is %ode -as speci"icall' given to&ongress and is not proscri(ed (' t!e &onstitution. Ratio. </n presu%ption o" validit' o" la-s= ver' la- en3o's t!e presu%ption o" validit'. *!e presu%ption rests on t!e respectdue to t!e -isdo%, integrit', and t!e patriotis% o" t!e legislative, (' -!ic! t!e la- is passed, and t!e &!ie" #ecutive, (' -!o% t!ela- is approved. For up!olding t!e &onstitution is not t!e responsi(ilit' o" t!e 3udiciar' alone (ut also t!e dut' o" t!e legislative ande#ecutive. *o stri4e do-n a la- as unconstitutional, t!ere %ust (e a clear and une2uivocal s!o-ing t!at -!at t!e "unda%ental la-pro!i(its, t!e statute per%its. *!e annul%ent cannot (e decreed on a dou(t"ul and argua(le i%plication. *!e universal rule o" legal!er%eneutics is t!at all reasona(le dou(ts s!ould (e resolved in "avor o" t!e constitutionalit' o" a la-.<R &A00 157&A775/N= Recall is a %ode o" re%oval o" a pu(lic o""icer (' t!e people (e"ore t!e end o" !is ter% o" o""ice. *!e peopleLsprerogative to re%ove a pu(lic o""icer is an incident o" t!eir sovereign po-er and in t!e a(sence o" constitutional restraint, t!e po-eris i%plied in all govern%ental operations. 7uc! po-er !as (een !eld to (e indispensa(le "or t!e proper ad%inistration o" pu(lica""airs. Not undeservedl', it is "re2uentl' descri(ed as a "unda%ental rig!t o" t!e people in a representative

de%ocrac'.BRecall as a %ode o" re%oval o" elective local o""icials %ade its %aiden appearance in our 197? &onstitution <AC5, 72=. Pursuant to-!ic!, .atasang Pa%(ansa enacted .P ??7 <0G& o" 198?= -!erein &!ap?, 7ec@4 provided onl' 1 %ode o" initiating recall elections o" local elective o""icials <(' petition o" at least t-ent'B"ive percent <2@M= o" t!e total nu%(er o" registered Nvoters in t!e localgovern%ent unit concerned

17A R $/0A*5/N: our people %ore t!an e#ercised t!eir rig!t o" recall "or t!e' resorted to revolution and t!e' (ooted out o" o""icet!e !ig!est elective o""icials o" t!e landB1987 &onsti: AC555, 7ec 1@ and 19 <PeopleOs Participation= and AC, 7ec?<7i%ilar to 197? &onsti= <7 &/N7*5=B RA 7190 -as enacted in response to t!ese consti provisions. 5n t!is &ode, &ongress provided "or a second %ode o" initiating t!erecall process t!roug! a preparator' recall asse%(l' -!ic! in t!e provincial level is co%posed o" all %a'ors, viceB%a'ors andsanggunian %e%(ers o" t!e %unicipalities and co%ponent cities -!' add a second %ode: t!e idea o" e%po-ering a preparator' recall asse%(l' to initiate t!e recall "ro% o""ice o" local electiveo""icials originated "ro% t!e ,ouse o" Representatives and not t!e 7enate. *!e legislative records reveal t!at t!ere -ere t-o <2=principal reasons -!' t!is alternative %ode o" initiating t!e recall process t!ru an asse%(l' -as adopted, viD: <a= to di%inis! t!edi""icult' o" initiating recall t!ru t!e direct action o" t!e people> and <(= to cut do-n on its e#penses. Reasoning. /n "irst argu%ent: &onsti did not provide t!at onl' t!e people !ave t!e rig!t to decide on 6/N to initiate a recall> didnot provide %ode "or initiating recall (ut gave &/NGR 77 t!e po-er to c!oose t!e e""ective %ec!anis% o" recall. AN1 &ongressdee%ed it -ise to enact an alternative %ode o" initiating recall elections to supple%ent t!e "or%er %ode o" initiation (' direct actiono" t!e people. &ongress !as %ade its c!oice as called "or (' t!e &onstitution and it is not t!e prerogative o" t!is &ourt to supplant t!is 3udg%ent. *!e c!oice %a' (e erroneous (ut even t!en, t!e re%ed' against a (ad la- is to see4 its a%end%ent or repeal (' t!elegislative. .' t!e principle o" separation o" po-ers, it is t!e legislative t!at deter%ines t!e necessit', ade2uac', -isdo% ande#pedienc' o" an' la-.B on second argu%ent: 5nitiation (' t!e PRA& is also initiation (' t!e people, al(eit done indirectl' t!roug! t!eir representatives. 5tis not constitutionall' i%per%issi(le "or t!e people to act t!roug! t!eir elected representatives. PRA resolution o" recall %erel' startst!e process. 5t is part o" t!e process (ut is not t!e -!ole process. *!is oug!t to (e sel" evident "or a PRA resolution o" recall t!at is notsu(%itted to t!e &/) 0 & "or validation -ill not recall its su(3ect o""icial. 0i4e-ise, a PRA resolution o" recall t!at is re3ected (' t!epeople in t!e election called "or t!e purpose (ears no e""ect -!atsoever. *!e initiator' resolution %erel' sets t!e stage "or t!e o""icialconcerned to appear (e"ore t!e tri(unal o" t!e people so !e can 3usti"' -!' !e s!ould (e allo-ed to continue in o""ice. .e"ore t!epeople render t!eir sovereign 3udg%ent, t!e o""icial concerned re%ains in o""ice (ut !is rig!t to continue in o""ice is su(3ect to2uestion. *!is is clear in section 72 o" t!e 0ocal Govern%ent &ode -!ic! e#plicitl' states t!at Kt!e recall o" an elective local o""icials!all (e e""ective onl' upon t!e election and procla%ation o" a successor in t!e person o" t!e candidate receiving t!e !ig!est nu%(ero" votes cast during t!e election on recall.K

Bon P& argu%ent: *!e la- does not give an as'%%etrical treat%ent to locall' elected o""icials (elonging to t!e political %inorit'.First to (e considered is t!e politicall' neutral co%position o" t!e preparator' recall asse%(l'. Ander t!e la-, all %a'ors, viceB%a'orsand sangguniang %e%(ers o" t!e %unicipalities and co%ponent cities are %ade %e%(ers o" t!e preparator' recall asse%(l' at t!eprovincial level. 5ts %e%(ers!ip is not apportioned to political parties. No signi"icance is given to t!e political a""iliation o" its%e%(ers. 7econdl'> t!e preparator' recall asse%(l' at t!e provincial level includes all t!e elected o""icials in t!e provinceconcerned. &onsidering t!eir nu%(er, t!e greater pro(a(ilit' is t!at no one political part' can control its %a3orit'. *!irdl', sec. 99 o" t!e &ode provides t!at t!e onl' ground to recall a locall' elected pu(lic o""icial is loss o" con"idence o" t!e people. *!e %e%(ers o" t!e PRA& are in t!e PRA& not in representation o" t!eir political parties (ut as representatives o" t!e people. .' necessar'i%plication, loss o" con"idence cannot (e pre%ised on %ere di""erences in political part' a""iliation. 5ndeed, our &onstitutionencourages t!e %ultiBpart' s'ste% "or t!e e#istence o" opposition parties is indispensa(le to t!e gro-t! and nurture o" t!ede%ocratic s'ste%. &learl' t!en, t!e la- as cra"ted cannot (e "aulted "or discri%inating against elected local o""icials (elonging tot!e %inorit'.B*!e "ear t!at a preparator' recall asse%(l' %a' (e do%inated (' a political part' and t!at it %a' use its po-er to initiate t!e recallo" o""icials o" opposite political persuasions, especiall' t!ose (elonging to t!e %inorit', is not a ground to stri4e do-n t!e laasunconstitutional. *o (e sure, t!is argu%ent !as long (een in disuse "or t!ere can (e no escape "ro% t!e realit' t!at all po-ers aresuscepti(le o" a(use. *!e %ere possi(ilit' o" a(use cannot, !o-ever, in"ir% per se t!e grant o" po-er to an individual or entit'. *oden' po-er si%pl' (ecause it can (e a(used (' t!e grantee is to render govern%ent po-erless and no people need an i%potentgovern%ent. *!ere is no de%ocratic govern%ent t!at can operate on t!e (asis o" "ear and distrust o" its o""icials, especiall' t!oseelected (' t!e people t!e%selves. /n t!e contrar', all our la-s assu%e t!at our o""icials, -!et!er appointed or elected, -ill act ingood "ait! and -ill regularl' per"or% t!e duties o" t!eir o""ice. 7uc! a presu%ption "ollo-s t!e sole%n oat! t!at t!e' too4 a"terassu%ption o" o""ice, to "ait!"ull' e#ecute all our la-s.

Blac4 o" con"idence <vote (e'ond an' in2uir'= accdg to Pi%entel: K*!ere is onl' one ground "or t!e recall o" local govern%ent o""icials:loss o" con"idence. *!is %eans t!at t!e people %a' petition or t!e Preparator' Recall Asse%(l' %a' resolve to recall an' localelective o""icials -it!out speci"'ing an' particular ground e#cept loss o" con"idence. *!ere is no need "or t!e% to (ring up an' c!argeo" a(use or corruption against t!e local elective o""icials -!o are t!e su(3ect o" an' recall petition.5n t!e case o" vardone vs. &o%%ission on lections t!e &ourt ruled t!at Kloss o" con"idenceK as a ground "or recall is a political 2uestion . 5n t!e -ords o" t!e &ourt, K-!et!er or not t!e electorate o" t!e %unicipalit' o" 7ulat !as lost con"idence in t!eincu%(ent %a'or is a political 2uestion.K 1isposition. 5N $5 6 6, R /F, t!e original Petition and t!e 7upple%ental Petition assailing t!e constitutionalit' o" section 70 o" R.A. 7190 inso"ar as it allo-s a preparator' recall asse%(l' to initiate t!e recall process are dis%issed "or lac4 o" %erit. *!is 1ecisionis i%%ediatel' e#ecutor'. 7/ /R1 R 1.7 PARA* /P5N5/N7PA5A7/N, +., concurring:B*!e 1987 &onstitution does not prescri(e t!e procedure in t!e recall o" elective o""icials. *!e intent is clear t!at t!e 1987&onstitution leaves it to &ongress to provide t!e recall %ec!anis% -it!out an' preBordained

restrictions. *!e (road po-ers o" &ongress in prescri(ing t!e procedure "or recall include t!e deter%ination as to t!e nu%(er o" electors needed to initiate t!e recall,t!e %et!od o" voting o" t!e electors, t!e ti%e and place o" t!e voting and -!et!er t!e process includes t!e election o" t!e successoro" t!e recalled o""icial.B5n t!e 0ocal Govern%ent &ode o" 1991 <R.A. No. 7190=, &ongress adopted an alternative procedure "or initiating t!e recall and %adeit as a %ere stage o" t!e recall process.B&ongress also deigned it -ise to give t!e electorate a c!ance to participate in t!e e#ercise t-ice: "irst, in t!e initiation o" t!e recall>and, secondl', in t!e election o" t!e person to occup' t!e o""ice su(3ect o" t!e recall. *!is is in contrast -it! t!e "irst recall statute int!e P!ilippines, t!e Festin 0a- <&o%. Act No. @90= -!ere t!e participation o" t!e electorate ended a"ter t!e voting "or t!e recall. 5nt!e Festin 0a-, t!e electorate -ere denied t!e opportunit' to vote "or t!e retention o" t!e o""icial su(3ect o" t!e recall.B5n a sense, t!e %e%(ers o" t!e PRA can (e considered as constituting a seg%ent o" t!e electorate (ecause t!e' are all registeredvoters o" t!e province. 5" t!e' constitute less t!an one percent o" t!e voters in t!e province, t!at %iniscule nu%(er goes to t!e polic',not t!e validit' o" t!e la- and t!e re%ed' to correct suc! a "la- is le"t -it! t!e legislature, not -it! t!e 3udiciar'.$5*AG, +., concurring:Bit is not -it!in t!e province o" t!e courts to 2uestion t!e -isdo% o", let alone supplant, legislative 3udg%ents laid do-n (' &ongressto t!e e#tent o" its constitutional aut!orit' and %andate.B&AA*5/N against an' idea o" o%nipotence in -ielding t!e Kpo-er o" recallK con"erred to t!e KPreparator' Recall Asse%(l'.K &learl'i%plicit in an' grant o" po-er, li4e an' ot!er rig!t, is an assu%ption o" a correlative dut' to e#ercise it responsi(l' . 6!en it, t!ere"ore,(eco%es all too evident t!at t!ere !as (een an a(use o" t!at aut!orit', appropriate 3udicial recourse to, and corrective relie" (', t!is&ourt -ill not (e denied.

KABATAAN PARTY-LIST REPRESENTATIVE PALATINO vs COMELEC Case Digest

KABATAAN PARTY-LIST REPRESENTATIVE RAYMOND V. PALATINO, et al. v. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS G.R. No. 1898 8, 1! De"e#$e% &''9, EN BANC (Ca%)*o Mo%ale+, ,.Preserving the sanctity of the right of suffrage ensures that the State derives its power from the consent of the governed. .ACTS/ On February 12, 2009 the COMELEC issued Resolution No. 8585 ad ustin! the deadline o" #oter re!istration "or the May 10, 2010 National and Lo$al Ele$tions to O$tober %1, 2009, instead o" &e$e'ber 15, 2009 as "i(ed by their )rior Resolution No. 851* )ursuant to R.+. 8189 or the ,oter-s Re!istration +$t o" 199.. /he )ubli$ $la'ored "or an e(tension but the COMELEC ar!ued that they need 'ore ti'e to )re)are "or the auto'ated ele$tions. 0t $ontends that the O'nibus Ele$tion Code $on"er u)on it the )o1er to )ro'ul!ate rules ad re!ulations in order to ensure "ree, orderly and honest ele$tions. 0t also $ited the $ase o" +2bayan34outh #. Co''ission on Ele$tions 1here the $ourt denied a si'ilar )rayer "or an e(tension o" the deadline o" #oter re!istration "or the May 1*, 2001 ele$tions. Ray'ond ,. 5alatino, re)resentati#e o" 6abataan 5arty3list assailed the #alidity o" COMELEC Resolution No. 8585 and see2s de$laration o" its nullity. 5alatino $ontends that this 1ould be $onsidered an en$roa$h'ent o" the le!islati#e )o1er o" Con!ress as it a'ends the syste' o" $ontinuin! #oter re!istration under 7e$tion 8 o" /he ,oter-s Re!istration +$t o" 199.. 0t 1as )rayed that Resolution No. 8585 be de$lared null and #oid and to e(tend the re!istration until 8anuary 9, 2010. ISS0E/ 9hether or not R.+. 8585, ad ustin! the deadline o" #oter re!istration to O$tober %1, 2009 instead o" &e$e'ber 15, 2009, is null and #oid 1ELD/ 5reser#in! the san$tity o" the ri!ht o" su""ra!e ensures that the 7tate deri#es its )o1er "ro' the $onsent o" the !o#erned. /he )ara'ount i')ortan$e o" this ri!ht is also a "un$tion o" the 7tate )oli$y o" )eo)le e')o1er'ent arti$ulated in the $onstitutional de$laration that so#erei!nty resides in the )eo)le and all !o#ern'ent authority e'anates "ro' the', bolstered by the re$o!nition o" the #ital role o" the youth in nation3buildin! and dire$ti#e to the 7tate to en$oura!e their in#ol#e'ent in )ubli$ and $i#i$ a""airs. /he $lear te(t o" the la1 thus de$rees that #oters be allo1ed to re!ister daily durin! re!ular o""i$es hours, e($e)t durin! the )eriod startin! 120 days be"ore a re!ular ele$tion and 90 days be"ore a s)e$ial ele$tion. 0n the )resent $ase, the Court "inds no !round to hold that the 'andate o" $ontinuin! #oter re!istration $annot be reasonably held 1ithin the )eriod )ro#ided by R.+. 8189, 7e$. 8 3 daily durin! o""i$e hours, e($e)t durin! the )eriod startin! 120 days be"ore the May 10, 2010 re!ular ele$tions. /here is thus no o$$asion "or the COMELEC to e(er$ise its )o1er to "i( other dates or deadlines there"or.

COMELEC Resolution No. 8585 is de$lared null and #oid inso"ar as it set the deadline o" #oter re!istration "or the May 10, 2010 ele$tions on O$tober %1, 2009. /he COMELEC is dire$ted to )ro$eed 1ith dis)at$h in reo)enin! the re!istration o" #oters and holdin! the sa'e until 8anuary 9, 2010.