Admin&law&

&
Is#the#COMELEC#an#admin#agency?#

YES!&
It&was&created&by&the&Constitution&
Has&plenary&but&defined&powers&
Has&the&3&BROAD&powers&
o Judicial&/&quasiEjudicial&(judicial&because&the&constitution&itself&gave&its&powers)&
o Administrative&
o QuasiElegislative&

Why#is#it#important#to#determinine#if#the#power#being#used#is#judicial,#quasiAjudicial#or#administrative?#
1.
2.

3.

Venue&
o If&its&admin&:&goes&straight&to&en&banc&
Period&to&elevate&to&SC&
o If&its&judicial&you&have&30&days&to&elevate&to&the&SC&
o If&its&administrative,&you&have&60(?)&days&to&elevate&to&SC&&
Contempt&powers&
o If&its&judicial&:&they&have&contempt&powers&
o If&its&administrative&:&they&have&to&ask&from&courts&&
Remember&AAs&are&only&limited&to&their&charter.&The&default&rule&is&they&have&no&
contempt&power&&unless&granted&to&them.&

Are#findings#of#fact#and#law#by#COMELEC#subject#to#review?#

Findings&of&fact&or&law&by&division&are&reviewable&by&the&en&banc&
Findings&of&fact&by&the&COMELEC&are&binding&on&the&SC&

What#is#the#rule#on#appealing#from#the#en#banc?#

You&go&the&SC&
NOT&to&the&CA&

Can#the#SC#review#questions#of#law#(from#en#banc)?#

Yes&

What#about#questions#of#fact?#

If&it&is&backed&up&by&substantial&evidence&it&can&no&longer&be&reviewed.&It&is&binding&
The&SC&can&determine&if&there&is&substantial&evidence&or&not&
o SC&can&really&almost&do&anything&

Some&powers&
#
What#are#some#powers#of#the#COMELEC?#

Change&the&periods&to&file&MR&
Determine&deadline&for&party&list&Reps&

Call&for&special&election&

When#can#COMELEC#expand#or#retract#the#periods?#

When&the&period&is&merely&directory,&as&in&the&30Eday&period&for&holding&special&elections&(due&to&failure&of&
elections)&for&barangay&officials,&since&procedural&rules&cannot&defeat&the&right&to&suffrage&of&the&people.&

&

Relationships&
&
What#is#the#relationship#between#the#COMELEC#and#the#executive#branch,#in#particular:#the#president?#

The&COMELEC&is&independent&from&the&executive&branch&because&they&do&not&have&either&supervision&or&
control&over&them.&&
Also,&the&COMELEC,&having&charge&of&enforcement&and&administration&of&election&law,&is&also&in&charge&of&
handling&the&Presidential&election.&&
The&COMELEC&has&authority&to&deputize&any&instrumentality&of&the&government&
except:&civilian&home&defense&forces.&

What#is#the#relationship#between#the#COMELEC#and#CONGRESS?#

They&also&handle&their&respective&elections.&

&

Delineated&jurisdiction&of&COMELEC&and&ETs&
What#is#that#operative#act#by#which#once#past#this#COMELEC#loses#jurisdiction#over#actions#to#disqualify#(and#
jurisdiction#is#passed#to#the#respective#Electoral#Tribunal?)#

once&a&candidate&&has&been:&
a) validly&proclaimed&and&&
b) has&taken&his&oath.&
o They&are&separate&occasions&
o assumption&of&office&is&not&a&preErequisite&
(Re:&Congress)&So&once&a&candidate&acquires&a&seat,&jurisdiction&falls&upon&the&HRET.&&

&
If#you#are#a#winning#representative#when#will#you#take#your#oath#(assuming#you#want#to#be#under#the#
jurisdiction#of#the#HRET,#which#sir#implied#is#the#better#option)?#Early#or#whenever#is#clever?#

Take&your&oath&ASAP.&

What#is#the#exception#to#this#rule#that#COMELEC#loses#jurisdiction#after#proclamation#and#oath?#

When&a&decision&of&a&COMELEC&division&disqualifying&a&congressional&candidate&is&not&yet&final&(a&motion&
for&reconsideration&having&been&filed&with&the&COMELEC&en&banc),&the&COMELEC&en&banc&retains&
jurisdiction.&
o HRET&cannot&assume&jurisdiction&over&the&matter.&

Apportionment&

The#COMELEC#has#the#power#to#adjust#the#apportionment#in#case#of#creation#of#a#new#province#or#city.#What#do#
you#actually#apportion?#For#example:#Quezon#City#has#5#districts,#can#COMELEC#say#"you#cannot#create#another#
district!"#

COMELEC&is&merely&authorized&to&adjust&the&number&of&representatives&apportioned&to&an&old&province&if&
a&new&province&is&created&out&of&it&and&
NOT&authorized&to&transfer&municipalities&from&one&legislative&district&to&another&&

&

Interlocutory&Orders&
Can#you#review#interlocutory#orders#of#the#COMELEC#in#division?#

Generally&No&(p.&4).&&
o General&Rule:&Interlocutory&orders&may&not&be&resolved&by&the&COMELEC&en&banc.&
They&may&only&decide&MRs&of&"decisions"&of&a&division.&
o Exception:&&Interlocutory&orders&that&are&not&provided&under&the&COMELEC&Rules&of&Procedure&
are&reviewable&by&the&en&banc.&
o BUT:&interlocutory&orders&may&be&reviewed&by&the&courts&if&there&is&showing&of&grave&abuse,&
under&Rule&65&(recit&answer).&

When#can#you#go#straight#to#the#SC#for#review#of#interlocutory#orders#and#resolutions?(p.#2)#

The&party&has&hardly&enough&opportunity&to&move&for&reconsideration&and&to&obtain&a&swift&resolution&in&
time&for&the&elections∧&
The&petition&involves&transcendental&constitutional&issues.&

Can&Comelec&decisions&be&made&not&subject&to&judicial&review?&

No,&because&it&is&stated&in&the&Constitution&that&the&SC&has&power&to&review&decisions&of&the&Comelec.&
Comelec&decisions&can&be&subject&to&judicial&review&under&Rule&64&or&Rule&65&of&the&Rules&of&Court&

&

Fiscal&Autonomy&&
Does#the#COMELEC#have#fiscal#autonomy?#In#terms#of#Automatic#appropriation#etc.#

yes&

What#is#the#importance#of#having#this#autonomy?#

to&preserve&its&independence&

&

Right&to&Vote&
Does#COMELEC#have#the#power#over#questions#over#the#right#to#vote#/#right#of#suffrage?##

NO&they&do&not.&
o Though&the&COMELEC&is&vested&with&broad&power&to&enforce&all&the&laws&and&regulations&relative&
to&the&conduct&of&elections&as&well&as&the&plenary&authority&to&decide&all&questions&affecting&
elections.&

Does#this#include#appellate#authority?#OR#does#this#rule#apply#only#to#initiatory#proceedings?#(This#was#his#
question)#

The&COMELEC&does&not&have&appellate&jurisdiction&over&decisions&of&the&courts&with&regard&to&the&right&of&
suffrage.&The&right&of&suffrage&is&a&purely&judicial&question&reserved&to&the&courts.&

Who#could#determine#voters#qualifications#regarding#the#right#of#suffrage?#ie.#He's#not#a#resident,#he's#underage#
etc..#

Only&the&courts&

Under#the#Continuing#Registration#Act#COMELEC#has#the#authority#to#annul#some#voters,#on#the#ground#that#
they#voted#under#duress,#fraud,#fiscally#improbable#data#etc..#Is#that#equivalent#to#giving#the#COMELEC#the#
power#to#determine#the#right#to#vote?&

No&this&would&fall&under&a&manifestation&of&their&mandate&to&hold&free&orderly&and&honest&elections.&These&
are&procedural&matters.&
While&the&right&of&suffrage&pertains&to&a&substantive&right.&

&

Enforcement&&
Do#all#agencies#have#the#power#to#execute#their#decisions?#Can#COMELEC#enforce?#

No.&Only&if&their&charter&or&law&grant&them&such&power&
Yes&E&it&is&provided&for&in&the&constitution.&
o thus&it&does&not&need&to&go&to&court&and&apply&for&execution.&

So#does#this#make#the#COMELEC#more#independent?#

obviously.&

What#then#are#the#characteristics#of#the#COMELEC#that#make#them#more#independent?#
1.
2.
3.

Fiscal&Autonomy&
Capacity&to&enforce&its&decisions&&
Conduct&hearings&and&decide&&&

&

Division&and&En&Banc&
How#many#divisions#do#we#have?#

2&divisions&
7&member&COMELEC&
the&Chair&only&votes&in&the&En&Banc&

What#is#the#delineation#the#jurisdiction#between#the#division#and#en#banc?##

General&rule&:&primary&jurisdiction&is&with&the&division&
o Typically&moves:&division&EE>&en&banc&(for&MR)&EE>&SC&
o Exercise&of&judicial&/&quasiEjudicial&functions&
Election&protests&
Disqualification&cases&

Quo&warranto&cases&
Exception&:&COMELEC&en&banc&may&have&primary&jurisdiction&
o For&purely&administrative&matters/&functions&
Ex.&Postponing&elections&
Failure&of&elections&
Annulment&of&the&book&of&voters&
Finding&probable&cause&

When#can#you#go#from#COMELEC#in#division#straight#to#the#SC?#
a) Matters&of&transcendental&importance&
b) Matter&purely&of&law&
If#someone#went#straight#to#the#SC##what#would#be#your#objection?#

Raise&the&defense&of&nonEexhaustion&of&remedies&
o unless&he&falls&under&the&exceptions&

Some#rules#on#MR#(review#25:20)#

You&do&not&file&an&MR&to&the&division&exercising&quasiEjudicial&powers&
But&when&its&with&the&en&banc&exercising&primary&jurisdiction&(ie.&Administrative&matters)&MR&is&proper&&&

&

ET,&division,&en&banc,&legal&division,&SC&
The#power#to#exclude#a#voter#from#the#list#of#voters#because#he#is#not#of#legal#age#

Regular&courts&
This&involves&the&right&to&suffrage&&

Election#protest#(questioning#the#outcome)#involving#city#officials#

Comelec&in&division&
This&is&an&exercise&of&judicial&power&

Questioning#the#outcome#after#proclamation#of#representative#from#house#of#reps#

HRET&

Filing#a#disqualification#case#before#election#against#a#senatorial#candidate#

Comelec&division&

Questioning#qualifications#of#senator#after#proclamation#

SET&

Failure#or#postponement#of#election#

Comelec&en&banc&
This&is&an&admin&matter&

Election#offenses#in#general#

Conduct&preliminary&investigation:&COMELEC&legal&department&(shared&function&with&fiscals)&
Authority&to&file,&and&find&probable&cause:&en&banc&
Authority&to&find&guilty:&regular&courts&
&

Feb.&8,&2013&class&
Coverage:&Parts&II&to&V&
Q:&Is&the&right&to&vote&the&same&with&the&right&to&register?&
A:&No.&To&be&able&to&register,&one&has&to&meet&the&requirements&set&by&law.&A&person&must&be&registered&in&order&to&
be&able&to&vote.&
Q:&Who&are&qualified&to&register?&
A:&Filipino&citizen;&at&least&18&years&old&on&election&day&(This&year,&it&will&be&on&May&13,&2013.);&Resident&of&the&
Philippines&for&at&least&1&year&before&the&election;&Resident&of&the&city/municipality&where&he/she&proposes&to&vote&
for&at&least&6&months&before&election;&not&otherwise&disqualified&by&law.&(Art.&V,&Sec.&1,&1987&Constitution)&
Q:&Must&one&be&literate&in&order&to&register?&
A:&No.&Even&illiterate&persons&can&be&allowed&to&vote.&The&law&has&procedures&to&assist&an&illiterate&or&disabled&
person&to&vote.&(See&p.&27)&
Q:&Can&Congress&say&that&a&voter&must&be&literate?&
A:&No.&Art.&V,&Sec.&1&of&the&Constitution&provides:&No&literacy,&property,&or&substantive&requirement&shall&be&
imposed&on&the&exercise&of&suffrage.&But&Congress&can&provide&for&procedural&requirements.&
Q:&What&kind&of&citizens&are&allowed&to&vote?&
A:&Any&kind,&whether&naturalEborn&or&naturalized&citizens.&Filipinos&who&were&originally&naturalEborn,&but&lost&their&
citizenship,&and&then&reacquired&it&subsequently&thru&naturalization,&are&considered&as&naturalEborn&citizens.&
Q:&In&terms&of&requirements&for&registration,&are&residence&and&domicile&the&same?&
A:&In&election&law,&residence&is&to&be&understood&as&domicile&or&legal&residence.&It&is&the&place&where&someone&
has&a&permanent&home&and&where&he&intends&to&return&and&remain.&(Remember&Consti1:&animus'revertendi&and&
animus'manendi)&
Q:&Can&a&person&have&more&than&one&residence?&
A:&Yes,&but&only&one&domicile.&You&can&choose&any&of&your&residences&as&a&place&for&registration,&BUT&you&must&only&
make&1&choice.&
Q:&When&does&ones&right&of&suffrage&exist?&
A:&When&you&possess&all&the&qualifications&on&election&day.&
Q:&Can&a&person&register&even&if&at&the&time&he/she&applies&for&registration,&he/she&still&does&not&possess&all&the&
qualifications?&
A:&Yes,&as&long&as&all&the&qualifications&are&met&on&election&day.&Example:&a&person&can&apply&for&registration&even&if&
he/she&is&not&yet&18,&as&long&as&he/she&will&be&18&on&election&day.&

Q:&When&can&you&apply&for&registration?&
A:&Anytime.&Under&the&system&of&continuing&registration,&registration&can&be&held&daily&in&the&office&of&the&Election&
Officer&(in&the&city/municipal&hall)&during&regular&office&hours.&However,&you&cannot&register&within&120&days&before&
a&regular&election,&and&90&days&before&a&special&election.&Today,&you&cant&anymore&register&to&vote&on&the&May&13,&
2013&elections.&
Q:&Do&we&have&a&permanent&list&of&voters?&
A:&Yes.&We&also&have&a&computerized&list.&However,&the&permanent&list&is&still&subject&to&change.&&
Q:&What&type&of&changes?&
A:&Additions&and&deletions&of&names&in&the&list&as&a&result&of&inclusion&and&exclusion&cases&and&addition&of&voters.&
Q:&Would&you&rather&that&your&name&be&cancelled&or&be&placed&in&the&deactivated&list?&
A:&Its&better&to&be&on&the&deactivated&list.&It&just&means&that&you&were&excluded&because&you&havent&been&voting&
for&the&past&few&elections.&Its&easier&to&get&back&on&the&permanent&list&of&voters.&If&you&get&cancelled,&youve&been&
disqualified&because&you&do&not&possess&all&the&requirements&to&be&eligible&to&vote.&Or&you&just&died.&&
Q:&Venue&for&inclusion?&
A:&MTC.&Appeal&is&filed&with&the&RTC.&COMELEC&does&not&have&jurisdiction&because&an&inclusion&case&involves&the&
question&of&the&right&to&suffrage.&Only&the&courts&have&jurisdiction&over&questions&involving&this&right.&Art.&IXEC,&Sec.&
2(3)&explicitly&provides&that&COMELEC&cannot&decide&on&questions&involving&the&right&to&vote.&
Q:&When&does&one&file&a&petition&for&inclusion?&
A:&Such&a&petition&is&proper&when&your&name&was&previously&included&in&the&list,&but&was&subsequently&removed.&It&
also&applies&when&the&application&for&registration&was&denied&by&the&Election&Regulation&Board.&Ones&failure&to&
register&is&not&a&ground&for&a&petition&for&inclusion.&
Q:&What&about&exclusion?&
A:&This&petition&is&proper&when&ones&name&is&on&the&list,&but&such&inclusion&is&challenged&because&the&person&is&not&
qualified.&The&grounds&for&exclusion&are&(1)&the&person&is&not&qualified,&(2)&the&person&is&a&fictitious&person,&(3)&the&
person&is&already&registered&in&another&place.&
Q:&When&is&one&considered&registered?&What&is&the&operative&fact?&
A:&A&person&is&considered&registered&when&his/her&application&is&included&in&the&book&of&voters.&The&list&of&voters&is&
a&computerized&list.&The&book&of&voters&is&a&compilation&of&all&the&applications.&&
Q:&Can&you&be&penalized&for&not&being&a&registered&voter?&
A:&No.&Before,&yes&because&suffrage&was&an&obligation.&Now,&it&is&a&right&which&you&may&or&may&not&exercise.&
Q:&How&many&members&are&there&in&the&Election&Registration&Board?&
A:&There&are&3,&headed&by&the&election&officer.&
Q:&Do&we&have&candidates&today?&
A:&None&yet.&There&will&only&be&candidates&when&the&campaign&period&starts.&
Q:&What&are&the&elements&of&the&definition&of&a&candidate?&

A:&(1)&aspirant&for&elective&office;&(2)&he/she&has&filed&a&certificate&of&candidacy;&(3)&campaign&period&has&started&(RA&
9062).&
Q:&Are&representatives&(i.e.&congressmen/congresswomen)&local&officials?&
A:&They&are&national&officials&elected&locally.&
Q:&What&are&the&two&types&of&representatives?&
A:&PartyElist&reps,&and&district&reps.&(We&dont&have&sectoral&reps&anymore.)&
Q:&How&are&they&different?&How&are&they&the&same?&
A:&Both&kinds&are&representatives&in&the&full&sense&of&the&word.&They&have&the&same&rights,&privileges,&powers&and&
responsibilities&and&both&are&entitled&to&the&same&PDAF&(pork&barrel).&They&differ&in&manner&of&election.&PartyElist&
reps&are&elected&on&a&nationwide&basis.&They&must&get&at&least&2%&of&the&vote&(proportional&representation&scheme)&
(recall&BANAT'v.'COMELEC,&Consti1).&A&district&representative&is&elected&by&people&in&a&particular&legislative&district.&
They&represent&different&groups&of&people.&Thats&why&on&your&ballot,&there&are&two&votes&for&congressman.&
Q:&In&order&to&be&a&representative,&must&a&candidate&get&a&majority&of&the&votes?&
A:&No.&What&is&required&is&plurality.&This&means&that&anyone&who&gets&the&most&votes&wins.&Theres&no&majority&in&
the&Philippines&since&we&do&not&have&a&twoEparty&system.&This&rule&applies&with&all&positions.&We&also&dont&have&a&
runEoff&election&like&in&other&countries.&(RunEoff&election:&After&1&round&of&voting,&the&top&2&candidates&participate&
in&another&round&of&voting&to&determine&who&is&the&winner&by&majority.)&
Q:&Who&are&the&national&officials?&
A:&President,&ViceEPresident,&Senators.&Congressmen&also,&but&they&are&elected&locally.&
Q:&Who&are&the&local&officials?&
A:&Local&chief&executives&(Governor,&Mayor);&Vice&Local&Chief&Executives&(ViceEGovernor,&ViceEMayor);&Local&
legislative&bodies&(sangguniang&panlalawigan,&panglungsod,&pambayan,&pambaranggay)&
Q:&When&do&the&campaign&periods&start?&
A:&For&nationally&elected&(includes&partyElists),&Feb.&12,&2013&(90&days&before&election&day).&For&locally&elected,&
March&29,&2013&(45&days&before&election&day).&
Q:&How&can&a&person&who&is&not&yet&a&candidate&(because&the&campaign&period&hasnt&started)&be&liable&for&an&
election&offense?&
A:&If&right&after&filing,&he/she&participates&in&a&motorcade&announcing&the&filing&of&his&CoC.&
Q:&A&person&today&(Feb.&8,&2013)&who&comes&out&in&media,&is&that&part&of&his/her&campaign&expenditures?&
A:&No.&He&is&still&not&a&candidate&since&the&campaign&period&hasnt&started&yet.&&
Q:&Can&a&nonEcandidate&campaign?&
A:&Yes.&Campaign&or&partisan&political&activity&is&defined&as&an&act&designed&to&promote&the&election&or&defeat&of&a&
particular&candidate&or&candidates&to&a&public&office.&This&can&be&done&both&by&a&candidate&and&a&nonEcandidate.&&
Q:&Can&there&be&voteEbuying&today?&
A:&No.&

Q:&Today,&do&we&have&electoral&contributions&which&you&must&report&as&a&candidate?&
A:&No&because&technically,&there&are&no&candidates&yet&since&the&campaign&period&hasnt&started.&
Q:&Can&you&campaign&today?&
A:&No.&Campaign&period&hasnt&started&so&campaigning&today&will&be&premature.&
Q:&So&what&do&you&call&the&ads&released&by&people&today&on&media?&(i.e.&political&ads)&Isnt&it&campaigning?&
A:&As&long&as&the&ads&dont&explicitly&solicit&votes&for&the&senatoriables,&theyre&just&promoting&their&advocacy&(e.g.&
Tuwid&na&Daan&of&Team&PNoy).&&
Q:&(Points&to&a&cardboard&fan&with&Sonny&Angaras&face&on&it.)&Is&that&a&campaign&material?&
A:&Technically,&no.&It&doesnt&explicitly&ask&people&to&vote&for&Sonny&Angara.&
Q:&But&can&he&be&held&liable&for&premature&campaigning?&
A:&Yes.&There&is&case&law&to&support&this.&(Recall&the&case&about&the&candidate&who&went&on&a&motorcade&right&after&
filing&his&CoC.)&
Q:&If&you&were&a&consultant&of&a&candidate,&would&you&tell&your&client&not&to&come&out&in&media&even&before&the&
start&of&election&period?&
A:&Its&ok&to&come&out&in&media&as&long&as&you&do&not&explicitly&solicit&votes&for&or&against&any&particular&candidate.&&
Q:&A&mayor,&during&the&campaign&period,&gave&out&basketballs&because&every&year,&that&mayor&has&a&sports&
program.&The&basketballs&have&the&mayors&name&on&it.&Is&that&considered&campaigning?&
A:&No.&Not&all&acts&of&beneficence&by&a&candidate&may&be&considered&as&campaigning.&(Pangkat&Laguna&v.&COMELEC)&
Q:&So&what&is&the&critical&factor&in&campaigning?&
A:&The&intent.&&
Q:&Therefore,&our&senatorial&candidates&who&have&paid&ads,&are&they&campaigning?&
A:&No.&They&are&just&promoting&their&advocacy.&&
Q:&What&are&the&words&which&a&candidate&should&avoid&so&that&it&will&not&be&construed&as&campaigning?&
A:&Vote&me&and&other&similar&phrases.&
Q:&For&suffrage,&Congress&cannot&impose&a&literacy&requirement.&For&national&officials,&can&Congress&impose&literacy&
requirements?&
A:&Yes.&According&to&the&Constitution,&the&President,&ViceEPresident,&Senators&and&Representatives&must&be&able&to&
read&and&write.&&
Q:&Can&Congress&say&that&they&must&be&college&graduates?&
A:&No.&This&would&be&adding&an&additional&qualification&that&is&prohibited&by&the&Constitution.&
Q:&Can&Congress&limit&the&requirements&in&the&Consti?&

A:&No.&The&requirements&for&qualifications&of&national&officials&are&provided&for&by&the&Constitution.&They&can&only&
be&added&to,&limited&or&modified&by&a&constitutional&amendment.&
Q:&How&about&for&governors?&
A:&Yes.&The&qualifications&for&local&officials&are&provided&by&law.&
Q:&Under&the&Comprehensive&Dangerous&Drugs&Act,&a&drug&test&was&required&for&candidates&for&senator.&Is&this&
allowed?&
A:&No.&The&Supreme&Court&struck&down&this&requirement&in&the&case&of&SJS&v.&DDB.&It&is&unconstitutional&for&adding&
a&requirement&to&national&officials.&
Q:&For&local&officials,&can&this&be&allowed?&
A:&The&argument&against&it&is&that&it&is&a&violation&of&the&privacy&of&candidates&for&local&office,&but&the&Court&didnt&
really&touch&upon&this&issue&in&the&case.&So,&the&answer&to&this&question&is&still&arguable.&
Q:&When&must&a&candidate&possess&the&qualifications?&
A:&On&election&day.&(Take&note&that&jurisprudence&has&held&that&a&naturalEborn&Filipino&who&loses&his&citizenship,&
and&is&subsequently&regains&his&Filipino&citizenship&(by&naturalization),&is&still&considered&to&be&a&naturalEborn&
Filipino.&Thus,&he&is&eligible&to&run&for&President&of&VP.)&&
Q:&Can&a&candidate&use&the&name&of&his&or&her&spouse?&
A:&No.&Votes&cast&under&that&name&would&be&stray&votes.&
Q:&Would&that&be&a&ground&to&disqualify&the&candidate&for&using&a&different&name?&
A:&No.&
Q:&Using&the&name&of&the&common&law&spouse?&
A:&No.&Case&law&shows&that&it&is&not&a&ground&for&disqualification&when&there&is&no&intent&to&misrepresent.&
Q:&Being&illegitimate?&
A:&This&does&not&have&any&effect&on&qualifications&to&run.&(Tecson&v.&COMELEC)&
Q:&Would&you&advise&a&friend&whos&running&for&office&to&join&a&political&party?&
A:&Yes,&provided&that&the&political&party&is&registered&with&the&COMELEC.&
Q:&If&the&party&is&registered&in&the&SEC,&would&that&be&enough?&
A:&No.&Registration&in&the&SEC&is&appropriate&only&for&corporations.&COMELEC&registration&is&different.&
Q:&What&is&the&advantage&for&a&party&who&is&registered&with&the&COMELEC?&
A:&A&political&party&acquires&juridical&personality,&is&accredited,&and&is&entitled&to&the&rights&of&political&parties&(e.g.&
have&watchers,&spending&allowances,&etc.)&if&they&are&registered&with&the&COMELEC.&
Q:&What&type&of&rights&does&a&COMELECEregistered&party&have&that&a&SECEregistered&group&does&not&have?&
A:&Right&to&have&watchers;&to&be&entitled&to&copies&of&election&returns&or&certificates&of&canvass&(if&they&are&the&
dominant&minority&or&majority&party);&nominate&candidates;&etc.&

Q:&Can&UNA&be&the&dominant&minority&party?&
A:&No.&UNA&(United&Nationalist&Alliance)&is&not&a&registered&political&party.&It&is&just&a&coalition&of&several&parties&
which&have&joined&forces&with&VP&Binay&and&Erap.&One&of&the&constituent&parties&of&UNA&can&be&the&dominant&
minority&party,&but&not&UNA&itself.&The&dominant&majority&party&for&the&2013&elections&is&the&Liberal&Party,&headed&
by&PNoy.&
Q:&Is&it&correct&to&say&that&any&organization&can&be&registered&as&a&political&party?&
A:&No.&The&following&political&parties&cannot&be&registered:&FUCAR#
1.
2.
3.
4.

Religious&sects&
Those&which&seek&to&achieve&their&goals&through&unlawful&means&
Those&which&refuse&to&adhere&to&the&Constitution&
Those&which&are&supported&by&any&foreign&government&

Q:&Is&there&a&continuing&requirement&for&political&parties?&Does&a&political&party&remain&registered&forever?&
A:&No.&A&party&which&fails&to&obtain&at&least&10%&of&the&votes&cast&in&the&constituency&in&which&it&nominated&
candidates&shall&forfeit&its&registration.&Also,&if&it&violates&the&law,&it&can&lose&its&registration.&Of&course,&they&can&
also&voluntarily&delist.&
Q:&Im&a&district&representative.&I&file&my&certificate&of&candidacy&for&governor.&What&will&happen&to&me&at&the&start&
of&the&campaign&period?&
A:&You&still&remain&a&district&representative.&An&elective&official&continues&to&hold&office&and&is&not&deemed&resigned&
upon&the&filing&of&a&certificate&of&candidacy&for&the&same&or&a&different&position.&On&the&other&hand,&an&appointive&
public&official&is&deemed&ipso'facto&resigned&upon&filing&of&his&certificate&of&candidacy.&This&includes&employees&of&
GOCCs.&
(Agra&says&that&hes&lost&60lbs,&and&has&gone&from&XXXL&to&M.&Clap&clap.)&
Q:&A&candidate&filed&5&certificates&of&candidacy.&What&is&the&effect?&
A:&A&person&who&files&a&certificate&of&candidacy&for&more&than&one&office&should&not&be&eligible&for&any&of&them,&
unless&he&withdraws&all&but&one.&
Q:&Is&substitution&of&candidates&possible?&What&are&the&grounds&for&substitution?&(DWD)&
A:&If&after&the&last&day&for&filing&certificates,&the&candidate&dies,&withdraws&or&is&disqualified,&he&may&be&substituted&
by&a&person&belonging&to&the&same&part&not&later&than&midEday&of&the&election.&&
Q:&When&is&substitution&not&allowed?&
th

A:&If&the&disqualification&is&due&to&the&fact&that&the&candidate&was&running&for&a&4 &consecutive&term,&then&he&cant&
be&substituted.&It&is&also&not&allowed&when&the&ground&for&disqualification&was&material&misrepresentation.&
Q:&Who&can&be&the&substitute?&
A:&A&person&belonging&to&the&same&party&as&the&substituted&candidate.&An&independent&candidate&cannot&be&
substituted.&However,&in&one&case&involving&a&barangay&election,&the&spouse&of&the&candidate&was&allowed&to&
substitute.&(On&paper,&all&barangay&officials&are&independent&because&barangay&elections&are&nonEpartisan.)&
An&independent&candidate&who&joined&the&party&of&a&disqualified&candidate&may&be&nominated&as&substitute&even&if&
he&joined&the&party&only&after&the&disqualification.&

Q:&Any&other&requirement&for&substitution?&
A:&The&substitute&must&of&course&be&qualified&for&the&same&position.&
(At&this&point,&Agra&said&that&he&is&the&president&of&the&ChowEChow&Club&of&the&Philippines.&Haha!)&
Q:&What&are&the&grounds&for&disqualification?&

Omnibus#Election#Code#
Any&person&declared&insane&or&
incompetent&
Sentenced&by&final&judgment&
for:&
o Insurrection&or&rebellion&
o Offense&with&penalty&of&
more&than&18&months&&
o Crimes&involving&moral&
turpitude&
Permanent&resident&to&or&
immigrant&to&a&foreign&country,&
unless&he&waives&such&status&

&
Removed&by:&
Declaration&by&competent&
authority&of&removal&of&insanity&
or&incompetence&
Plenary&pardon&
Amnesty&
&

Local#Government#Code#
SADAFOPI#

Sentenced&by&final&judgment&for&
an&offense&involving&moral&
turpitude,&or&punishable&by&
imprisonment&for&at&least&1&

year,&within&2&years&after&
service&of&sentence&
Removed&as&a&result&of&an&
administrative&case&
Violating&oath&of&allegiance&to&
the&Republic&
Those&with&dual&citizenship&
Fugitives&from&justice&
Permanent&residents&in&foreign&
country,&or&those&who&have&the&
right&to&reside&abroad&and&
continue&to&avail&of&it&
Insane&or&feebleEminded&

Revised#Administrative#Code#
Ecclesiastics&
Persons&receiving&
compensation&from&provincial&
or&municipal&funds&
Contractors&for&public&works&of&
municipalities&

Q:&This&is&what&well&do.&Name&the&ground,&title&of&the&petition,&where&to&file,&when&to&file,&who&will&file.&
Ground#
Any&of&the&grounds&
in&the&Omnibus&
Election&Code,&Local&
Government&Code,&
Revised&
Administrative&Code&
Not&possessing&all&
the&qualifications&for&
the&position,&or&
possessing&some&or&
all&of&the&
disqualifications&
Material&
misrepresentation&

Title#of#Petition#

Where#to#File#

When#to#file#

Who#will#file#

COMELEC&division&

Anytime&before&
proclamation&

Any&voter&or&
registered&political&
party&

COMELEC&division&

Any&day&after&the&
last&day&for&filing&of&
CoCs,&but&not&later&
than&proclamation&

Any&voter&or&
registered&political&
party&

Petition&to&deny&due&
course&to&or&cancel&a& COMELEC&division&
CoC&

Within&5&days&from&
the&last&day&for&
filing,&but&not&later&
than&25&days&from&
the&time&of&filing&

Any&voter&or&
registered&political&
party&

Petition&for&
disqualification&

Petition&for&
disqualification&

Nuisance&candidates&

Petition&to&declare&a&
candidate&as&a&
nuisance&candidate&

Election&offenses&

Complaint&(like&
initiating&a&criminal&
proceeding)&

COMELEC&division&

Within&5&days&from&
the&filing&of&the&
certificate&

Any&candidate&for&
the&same&position&
(or&Comelec&motu&
proprio)&

COMELEC&Law&Dept&
or&DOJ&

Up&to&proclamation;&
Prescription&period&
of&5&years&

Any&person&

&
Q:&Right&to&run&for&office?&Or&Privilege&to&run&for&office?&
A:&Privilege&to&run&for&office.&&
Q:&Is&there&a&disqualification&case&which&you&file&outside&the&COMELEC&division?&
A:&Election&offenses&can&be&filed&with&the&COMELEC&Law&Department.&They&function&like&a&prosecutor,&and&they&
decide&whether&there&is&probable&cause.&If&there&is,&the&Information&is&filed&in&the&courts.&Conviction&by&the&courts&
would&result&in&disqualification.&It&can&also&be&initiated&by&filing&with&the&DOJ.&
A&disqualification&case&has&two&aspects.&The&administrative/judicial/quasiEjudicial/electoral&aspect&can&be&initiated&
in&the&COMELEC&division,&then&to&the&en&banc,&then&to&the&Supreme&Court.&Proceedings&are&summary&in&character.&
The&criminal&aspect&can&be&initiated&either&in&the&COMELEC&Law&Department&or&the&DOJ.&Both&will&investigate&if&
there&is&probable&cause,&and&if&there&is,&an&Information&will&be&filed&in&the&courts.&A&person&can&choose&either&route.&
Q:&&Are&voteEbuying,&terrorism,&unlawful&expenditure&or&contributions&and&premature&campaigning&grounds&to&
disqualify?&
A:&Yes.&There&are&election&offenses.&Complainants&can&chose&either&mode&of&initiating&a&complaint&(administrative&
or&judicial).&
Q:&What&if&youre&a&mayor&and&you&use&the&municipal/city&vehicle&for&your&campaign.&Is&this&a&ground&to&disqualify?&
A:&Yes.&But&you&should&use&the&criminal&track&of&initiating&the&complaint.&For&it&to&be&judicial,&it&must&fall&under&the&
enumeration&under&the&Omnibus&Election&Code,&Sec.&64(?).&This&enumeration&is&finite.&However,&there&are&other&
offenses&found&at&the&end&of&the&OEC,&such&as,&use&of&government&resources.&Those&enumerated&in&Sec.&64,&either&
mode&of&initiation.&Those&not&listed,&criminal.&&
(Note:&Im&not&really&sure&what&hes&talking&about&here,&because&Sec.&64&enumerates&the&qualifications&of&Batasang&
Pambansa&members.&Hes&probably&referring&to&a&different&provision&such&as&Sec.&261&or&262&which&lists&down&
election&offenses.)&
Q:&Former&First&Lady&Imelda&Marcoz&indicated&in&her&CoC&that&her&residency&is&7&months.&The&requirement&is&1&year.&
Is&she&disqualified?&
A:&This&was&just&a&mistake,&not&a&misrepresentation.&She&actually&had&a&residency&of&at&least&1&year,&thus,&she&is&
actually&qualified.&There&is&no&material&misrepresentation.&(RomualdezEMarcos&v.&COMELEC)&&
Q:&What&are&the&elements&of&the&ground&of&material&misrepresentation?&
A:&(1)&Its&material.&(2)&There&is&intent&to&defraud.&(3)&The&person&is&not&actually&qualified.&
Q:&There&was&no&proof&that&FPJ&was&not&a&Filipino&citizen.&Is&he&disqualified&to&run&for&office?&
A:&No.&He&is&actually&qualified.&&

Q:&A&candidate&who&is&not&an&accountant&indicates&on&his&CoC&that&he&is&an&accountant.&Is&that&enough&basis&to&
disqualify?&
A:&No.&Profession&is&not&a&qualification&for&elective&office.&Therefore,&such&misrepresentation&is&not&material.&It&will&
only&be&material&if&it&relates&to&the&qualifications&for&the&position.&
Q:&Who&is&a&nuisance&candidate?&
A:&One&who,&based&on&attendant&circumstances,&has&no&bona&fide&intention&to&run&for&the&office&for&which&the&
certificate&of&candidacy&has&been&filed,&his/her&sole&purpose&being&the&reduction&of&votes&of&a&strong&candidate,&
upon&the&expectation&that&the&ballots&with&only&the&surname&of&such&candidate&will&be&considered&stray&and&not&
counted&for&either&of&them.&&
Q:&What&can&be&your&evidence&to&prove&that&a&candidate&is&a&nuisance?&
A:&&In&some&cases,&being&an&independent&candidate&can&be&a&basis&for&being&a&nuisance&candidate.&Also,&the&fact&that&
it&is&someones&first&time&can&be&a&basis&for&being&declared&a&nuisance&candidate.&Health&and&wealth&can&also&be&
reasons.&(There&was&really&no&clear&answer&for&this&question,&even&sir&didnt&offer&any&answer.)&
Q:&What&type&of&disqualification&cases&can&you&still&file&today?&Those&based&on&which&grounds?&
A:&Disqualification&based&on&election&offenses&and&not&possessing&all&the&qualifications&or&possessing&any&or&all&of&
the&disqualifications.&
Q:&What&are&the&allowable&campaign&forms?&Do&we&have&an&inclusive&or&exclusive&list?&
A:&We&have&an&inclusive&list.&There&are&other&forms&not&listed&in&the&law.&If&you&want&to&campaign&using&modes&not&
provided&in&the&law&or&COMELEC&resolutions,&you&should&file&a&petition.&
Q:&What&is&an&example&of&a&campaign&paraphernalia&not&found&in&Comelec&Res.&No.&9615&and&not&prohibited&by&
law?&
A:&TEshirts.&They&used&to&be&prohibited,&but&now&they&are&allowed.&You&can&also&give&out&food&and&drinks&during&
campaign&rallies&within&5&hours&before&and&after&the&rally.&Billboards&along&EDSA&can&also&be&used.&
Q:&For&example,&a&senatorial&candidate&gives&out&food&and&drinks&to&all&the&people&in&a&municipality,&even&if&theres&
no&campaign&rally.&Is&this&allowed?&
A:&No.&This&would&amount&to&vote&buying.&Vote&buying&includes&giving&out&anything&of&value.&Food&is&of&value.&
Q:&What&are&other&forms&of&campaigns?&
A:&Online&campaign,&as&provided&for&in&Comelec&Resolution&No.&9615.&(Agra&pointed&out&that&the&resolution,&with&
regard&to&regulating&online&campaigns,&went&beyond&the&law&it&seeks&to&enforce.&Thus,&he&says&it&can&be&argued&to&
be&unconstitutional.&But&theres&still&no&case&law&about&this,&thus,&the&resolution&stands.)&
Q:&What&can&you&put&in&your&headquarters?&
A:&Posters&(2ft&x&3ft),&signboards&(3ft&x&8ft),&handwritten&or&printed&letters&(no&limit).&Banners&and&streamers&(3ft&x&
8ft)&are&not&allowed.&Streamers&can&only&be&displayed&at&the&site&of&a&campaign&rally&5&days&before&such&rally,&and&
must&be&taken&down&within&24&hours&after&the&said&rally.&
Q:&Can&you&display&a&streamer&outside&a&house?&
A:&No.&Streamers&can&only&be&hanged&in&sites&of&campaign&rallies.&

Q:&What&possible&reason&do&you&have&to&not&put&down&the&streamers&during&the&entire&campaign&period,&yet&it&is&
legal?&
A:&Hold&a&rally&in&the&same&place&every&5&days.&
Q:&Are&blogs&considered&campaigning?&
A:&Not&always.&It&is&only&considered&campaigning&when&expressed&by&government&officials&in&the&Executive&
Department,&Legislative&Department,&Judiciary,&Constitutional&Commissions&and&member&of&the&Civil&Service.&
Q:&Can&a&government&official&campaign?&
A:&Yes.&Elected&officials&can.&Appointed&officials&may&not,&but&members&of&the&Presidents&Cabinet&may&campaign&
even&if&they&are&appointed.&
Q:&Manny&Pacquiao&has&a&show&now.&What&happens&to&that&show&at&the&start&of&the&campaign&period?&
A:&The&show&has&to&be&cancelled,&or&Pacman&must&take&a&leave.&
Q:&Can&a&provincial&candidate&come&out&on&television?&
A:&Yes.&&
Q:&What&are&the&limits&for&broadcast&campaigns?&
A:&For&national&elective&officials,&120&minutes&for&television&and&180&minutes&for&radio.&For&local&elective&positions,&
60&minutes&for&television&and&90&minutes&for&television.&These&time&limits&are&aggregate&limits&to&all&stations.&
COMELEC&changed&its&position&because&before,&each&candidate&was&allowed&to&have&90&minutes&for&EACH&TV&
station.&
Q:&Where&can&you&hang&posters?&
A:&Comelec&poster&areas.&
Q:&Can&you&remove&a&poster&which&is&posted&on&a&tree&(thus&is&unlawful)?&
A:&Based&on&the&Comelec&resolution,&only&Comelec&can&remove.&
Q:&&Can&you&remove&lawful&propaganda?&
A:&No.&&
Page&23&of&the&reviewer&enumerates&the&prohibited&contributions.&At&the&same&time,&the&OEC&also&provides&for&
lawful&expenditures.&How&much&can&a&candidate&spend?&It&depends.&If&youre&running&for&President&or&VP,&10&pesos&
per&voter.&For&candidates&for&other&offices,&3&pesos&per&voter.&For&parties&and&independent&candidates,&5&pesos&per&
voter.&(The&3Epeso&limit&only&applies&if&the&party&supports&you&[i.e.&you&are&the&official&nominee].&According&to&the&
law,&membership&is&not&enough.)&
For&example,&the&constituency&is&composed&of&10,000&voters&and&you&are&running&for&Mayor.&Your&limit&is&30,000&
pesos.&Assuming&you&spend&35,000&pesos,&thus&going&over&the&limit&by&5,000,&how&can&you&defend&yourself?&Well,&
there&are&certain&kinds&of&expenditures&which&are&not&included&in&the&computation&of&expenditures.&Some&examples&
are&(1)&printing&of&sample&ballots,&(2)&payment&for&your&volunteer,&(3)&payment&for&your&lawyer.&
&
&

Feb.&12&transcript&
Coverage:&postponement&and&failure&of&elections,&automated&elections,&casting&and&counting&of&votes&
&
Sec.&5.&Postponement)of)election.))When&for&any&serious&cause&such&as&violence,&terrorism,&loss&or&destruction&of&
election&paraphernalia&or&records,&force&majeure,&and&other&analogous&causes&of&such&a&nature&that&the&holding&of&
a&free,&orderly&and&honest&election&should&become&impossible&in&any&political&subdivision,&the&Commission,&motu&
proprio&or&upon&a&verified&petition&by&any&interested&party,&and&after&due&notice&and&hearing,&whereby&all&
interested&parties&are&afforded&equal&opportunity&to&be&heard,&shall&postpone&the&election&therein&to&a&date&which&
should&be&reasonably&close&to&the&date&of&the&election&not&held,&suspended&or&which&resulted&in&a&failure&to&elect&
but&not&later&than&thirty&days&after&the&cessation&of&the&cause&for&such&postponement&or&suspension&of&the&election&
or&failure&to&elect.&
&
&
&
Sec.&6.&Failure)of)election.))If,&on&account&of&force&majeure,&violence,&terrorism,&fraud,&or&other&analogous&causes&
the&election&in&any&polling&place&has&not&been&held&on&the&date&fixed,&or&had&been&suspended&before&the&hour&fixed&
by&law&for&the&closing&of&the&voting,&or&after&the&voting&and&during&the&preparation&and&the&transmission&of&the&
election&returns&or&in&the&custody&or&canvass&thereof,&such&election&results&in&a&failure&to&elect,&and&in&any&such&
cases&the&failure&or&suspension&of&election&would&affect&the&result&of&the&election,&the&Commission&shall,&on&the&
basis&of&a&verified&petition&by&any&interested&party&and&after&due&notice&and&hearing,&call&for&the&holding&or&
continuation&of&the&election&not&held,&suspended&or&which&resulted&in&a&failure&to&elect&on&a&date&reasonably&close&
to&the&date&of&the&election&not&held,&suspended&or&which&resulted&in&a&failure&to&elect&but&not&later&than&thirty&days&
after&the&cessation&of&the&cause&of&such&postponement&or&suspension&of&the&election&or&failure&to&elect.&
&
&
Q:&Who&has&the&power&to&postpone&the&election?&
A:&Comelec&en&banc.&It&is&done&when&violence&or&other&causes&occur&before&the&elections,&and&such&causes&prevent&
the&conduct&of&a&free,&honest,&orderly&and&peaceful&elections.&
Q:&Who&has&the&power&to&declare&a&failure&of&elections?&
A:&Comelec&en&banc.&The&grounds&for&declaring&a&failure&of&elections&are&force&majeure,&violence,&terrorism,&fraud,&
or&other&analogous&causes.&(Sec.&6,&OEC.)&These&grounds&must&have&prevented&the&conduct&of&the&election&in&
certain&precints.&
Q:&Is&there&a&particular&number&of&votes&which&would&necessitate&a&declaration&of&failure&of&elections?&
A:&It&is&on&a&caseEtoEcase&basis.&The&number&of&votes&must&be&big&enough&to&affect&the&outcome&of&the&election.&For&
example,&if&the&current&lead&is&5000&votes&and&the&violence&prevented&the&conduct&of&elections&in&a&precint&with&just&
50&votes,&then&failure&of&elections&will&not&be&declared.&
Q:&Can&COMELEC&postpone&an&election&today?&
A:&Yes,&if&there&are&serious&causes&which&will&prevent&the&conduct&of&a&free,&orderly&and&honest&election.&
Q:&Can&COMELEC&declare&a&failure&of&election&today?&
A:&No.&That&can&only&be&done&during&election&day&itself.&
Q:&Can&failure&of&elections&be&declared&on&the&basis&of&violence&occurring&on&election&day?&

A:&Yes.&
Q:&What&about&the&day&after&elections?&
A:&Yes.&Failure&of&elections&contemplates&violence&or&other&causes&throughout&the&election&process.&The&election&
process&is&composed&of&casting&of&votes,&counting&of&votes,&transmission&of&election&returns&or&certificates&of&
canvass,&canvassing&and&proclamation.&In&manual&elections,&the&process&could&take&several&days.&In&automated&
elections,&the&counting,&transmission&and&canvassing&are&done&electronically&and&is&thus&faster.&The&process&can&
take&only&one&day.&
Q:&What&would&be&the&evidence&of&voting&in&an&election?&
A:&The&ballot.&
Q:&What&would&be&the&evidence&of&all&the&votes&in&a&precint?&
A:&The&election&return&
Q:&Basis&of&the&election&in&a&municipality,&city&or&province?&
A:&Certificate&of&canvass&
Q:&Can&failure&of&elections&be&declared&after&counting,&during&canvassing?&
A:&Yes.&(See&the&provision.)&
Q:&Is&it&correct&to&say&that&for&postponement&of&elections&to&be&declared&by&the&en&banc,&no&casting&has&been&
conducted?&
A:&Yes.&
Q:&How&about&failure&of&elections?&
A:&Failure&of&elections&can&be&declared&if&the&causes&occurred&during&the&period&from&casting&until&before&
proclamation.&You&cant&postpone&elections&when&it&has&already&started.&
Q:&Why&is&that&so?&
A:&When&you&talk&about&postponement,&you&talk&about&possibility&that&you&will&not&be&able&to&conduct&an&honest,&
orderly&and&peaceful&elections&if&the&causes&persist.&You&havent&conducted&the&elections&yet.&When&you&talk&about&
failure,&elections&have&been&held,&whether&casting,&counting,&canvassing.&Therefore,&you&must&prove&that&the&
results&of&the&elections&would&be&altered&by&such&failure.&You&have&to&show&actual&results&when&you&file&a&petition&
for&declaration&of&failure.&You&have&to&prove&that&the&results&were&altered&by&the&causes&for&failure.&
Q:&If&COMELEC&will&postpone,&what&will&happen&to&the&election&in&that&area?&
A:&A&special&election&shall&be&held&not&later&than&30&days&after&the&cessation&of&the&cause&for&postponement.&
Q:&For&failure&of&elections?&What&will&the&COMELEC&do?&
A:&Hold&special&elections&within&30&days&after&the&cessation&of&such&cause&for&failure&of&election.&
Q:&What&is&a&precint?&
A:&A&unit&of&territory.&A&school&where&elections&are&held&is&a&polling&place.&A&polling&place&can&contain&several&
precints.&

Q:&How&many&voters&to&a&precint?&
A:&Usually,&200.&Sometimes,&it&can&reach&300&if&precints&are&clustered.&
Q:&Who&supervises&the&elections&at&the&precint&level?&
A:&The&Board&of&Election&Inspectors.&They&are&composed&of&1&chairman&and&2&members,&all&of&whom&are&public&
school&teachers.&&
Q:&Who&supervises&the&elections&at&the&canvassing&level?&
A:&The&Board&of&Canvassers&
Q:&Who&would&guard&the&votes?&
A:&Poll&watchers&
Q:&Who&are&entitled&to&designate&poll&watchers?&&
A:&Political&parties,&coalitions&and&candidates&are&entitled&to&one&poll&watcher&per&precint.&Candidates&for&a&local&
legislature&belonging&to&the&same&party&are&collectively&entitled&to&1&poll&watcher.&
Q:&Describe&the&features&of&the&automated&election&system.&
A:&The&law&allows&for&several&methods&of&automated&election.&It&also&allows&the&entire&process&(casting,&counting,&
transmission,&canvassing)&to&be&automated.&The&COMELEC&has&the&discretion&to&choose&which&one.&During&the&last&
election,&the&casting&of&votes&was&paperEbased&(i.e.&filling&in&of&ovals&in&the&ballot).&The&other&processes&were&all&
automated.&&
The&current&AES&must&provide&for&the&use&of&ballots,&standEalone&machine,&with&audit&trails,&minimum&human&
intervention&and&security&measures.&&
Q:&What&other&methods&of&automated&election&can&be&allowed?&
A:&Aside&from&being&paperEbased,&it&can&also&be&a&direct&recording&election&system.&As&an&example,&in&some&states&in&
the&US,&they&use&touchscreens&or&buttons&to&cast&votes.&These&are&examples&of&direct&recording&systems.&
Q:&Can&proclamation&be&automated?&
A:&No.&It&must&be&done&by&the&Board&of&Canvassers&itself.&
Q:&Must&the&machine&be&connected&to&another&city,&for&purposes&of&counting?&
A:&No.&They&are&standEalone.&
Q:&Each&machine&produces&results&for&one&precint.&What&do&you&call&that?&
A:&These&are&the&equivalent&of&the&election&returns.&Each&machine&prints&out&30&copies.&They&are&like&receipts&from&
a&cash&register.&COMELEC&cannot&dispense&with&the&printing&because&the&law&provides&that&the&AES&must&have&audit&
trails.&
Q:&There&was&an&objection&before&about&Smartmatic&(contractor&of&the&PCOS&machines)&that&the&conduct&of&
elections&is&a&governmental&function,&but&you&are&allowing&a&private&company&to&facilitate&it.&What&was&the&ruling&of&
the&Supreme&Court?&

A:&The&contract&to&automate&may&be&awarded&to&the&private&sector,&provided&that&the&solutions&provider&(i.e.&
Smartmatic)&is&under&the&supervision&and&control&of&the&COMELEC.&This&is&not&an&abdication&of&the&constitutionally&
mandated&duty&of&COMELEC.&
Q:&What&is&the&procedure&for&casting&your&vote?&
A:&The&typical&steps&are&the&following:&
1.
2.
3.

4.

5.

6.

7.
8.
9.

Go&to&the&polling&place&and&look&for&your&name&in&the&voters&list&posted.&
Go&to&the&designated&precint.&Give&your&name&to&the&BEI.&They&will&check&your&name&on&their&list.&
Your&name&is&said&aloud&to&allow&poll&watchers&to&challenge&you&and&prevent&you&from&voting&based&on&
two&grounds:&
a. Being&an&illegal&voter&(disqualified,&flying&voter,&etc.)&
b. Committing&an&illegal&act&(vote&selling,&betting&on&the&result&of&the&election,&etc.)&
If&there&is&a&challenge,&you&can&still&vote&if,&
a. On&the&ground&of&being&an&illegal&voter,&you&show&identification&and&2&out&of&the&3&BEIs&allow&you&
to&vote&
b. On&the&ground&of&committing&an&illegal&act,&you&can&take&an&oath&and&then&be&allowed&to&vote.&
When&you&are&allowed&to&vote,&the&BEI&Chairperson&will&sign&the&ballot&and&give&it&to&you.&You&also&have&to&
sign&the&voters&list.&
a. Omission&of&such&signature&does&not&affect&the&validity&of&the&ballot.&
Go&take&a&seat&and&cast&your&votes&on&the&ballot.&Making&a&copy&of&the&ballot&by&using&carbon&paper&or&
other&means&is&unlawful.&
th
a. Illiterate&or&physically&disabled&voters&may&be&assisted&by&a&relative&within&the&4 &degree,&or&any&
person&in&the&same&household,&or&any&member&of&the&BEI&
Go&back&to&the&BEI.&The&Chairman&will&detach&the&coupon&on&the&ballot.&Deposit&your&votes&in&the&ballot& Sign the ballot
box&(or&the&PCOS&machine).&The&chairman&will&deposit&the&coupon&in&the&compartment&for&spoiled&ballots.&at the back by
Your&finger&will&be&marked&with&indelible&ink&so&that&it&will&be&known&that&youve&cast&your&vote.&
the chairperson.
Go&home.&Or&wherever.&

Q:&Whats&the&difference&between&a&marked&and&a&stray&ballot?&
A:&A&marked&ballot&identifies&the&voter.&It&can&be&a&means&of&cheating.&Thus,&the&whole&ballot&is&invalidated.&In&a&
stray&ballot,&only&the&vote&for&the&particular&position&is&invalidated,&not&the&entire&ballot.&
Q:&Can&COMELEC,&in&a&manual&election,&use&a&nonEofficial&ballot?&
A:&As&a&rule,&no.&But&if&there&is&a&shortage&of&ballots&or&the&ballots&are&not&received&on&time,&voters&can&use&an&
emergency&ballot.&It&is&the&local&treasurer&who&will&approve&that.&(Sec.&182,&OEC)&
Q:&What&is&an&excess&ballot?&
A:&Before&counting&begins,&the&BEI&shall&count&the&number&of&ballots&in&the&compartment&for&valid&ballots.&If&there&
are&more&ballots&than&the&number&of&voters&who&voted,&there&are&excess&ballots.&The&BEI&chairperson&should&then&
return&the&ballots&in&the&ballot&box&and&draw&out&as&many&ballots&equal&to&the&excess&without&seeing&them.&These&
excess&ballots&shall&not&be&counted.&(Sec.&207,&OEC)&
Q:&What&are&spoiled&ballots?&
A:&These&are&the&ones&which&are&accidentally&torn&or&otherwise&soiled.&They&are&placed&in&the&compartment&for&
soiled&ballots,&and&the&voter&is&given&a&new&one.&Under&the&old&rule,&you&can&only&spoil&a&ballot&twice.&Under&the&
new&rule,&you&can&only&spoil&it&once.&&
Ballots&in&the&compartment&for&spoiled&ballots&are&presumed&spoiled&(and&thus&not&counted.)&

But&if&the&BEI&finds&a&valid&ballot&erroneously&deposited&in&the&compartment&for&spoiled&ballots,&it&shall&be&counted.&
If&the&inclusion&of&this&valid&ballot&would&result&in&an&excess,&the&procedure&for&excess&ballots&should&be&followed&
first.&(Sec.&209,&OEC)&
Q:&Give&an&example&of&a&rule&of&appreciation.&
A:&Summary&of&the&list&in&pp.&42E44&of&the&reviewer:&(A&more&detailed&enumeration&can&be&found&in&Sec.&211&of&the&
OEC)&
Situation#
Only&the&first&name&or&last&name&is&written,&and&no&
other&candidate&of&the&same&name&
Only&the&first&name&is&written,&and&it&sounds&like&the&
surname&of&a&candidate&
Two&or&more&candidates&with&the&same&name,&and&one&
is&the&incumbent&
Two&or&more&words,&written&on&different&lines,&which&
are&surnames&of&two&or&more&candidates&with&the&same&
surname&for&an&office&which&allows&election&of&more&
than&one&(e.g.&councilors,&senators)&
First&name&of&one&candidate&and&surname&of&another&
Incorrectly&written&name&which&sounds&like&the&correct&
name&
Identical&names,&none&of&whom&is&an&incumbent&
Wrong&initial&for&first&name,&but&correct&surname;&OR&
wrong&initial&for&surname&but&correct&first&name&
Correct&first&name,&but&wrong&surname;&OR&correct&
surname,&but&wrong&first&name&
Two&or&more&candidates&voted&for&in&an&office&which&is&
only&available&for&one&
Candidates&voted&for&exceed&the&number&of&those&to&be&
elected&(e.g.&14&votes&for&senator&were&written,&but&only&
12&slots&are&allowed)&
Name&of&a&candidate&was&written&on&a&wrong&space&
A&ballot&with&an&unattached&coupon&
&

Effect#
Count&in&his&favor&
Count&in&favor&of&the&candidate&with&such&surname&
Count&in&favor&of&the&incumbent&
Count&in&favor&of&all&candidates&with&same&surname&

Count&in&favor&of&the&candidate&with&such&surname&
Count&in&favor&of&the&candidate&with&such&name&
Count&in&favor&of&the&candidate&who&belongs&to&the&
same&ticket&(i.e.&political&party)&as&all&others&in&the&ballot&
Count&in&his&favor&(the&vote&is&not&annulled)&
Not&counted&
Not&counted&
Only&the&first&12&allowed&

Still&counted&in&his&favor&if&intention&to&vote&for&him&can&
be&determined&
Still&be&counted&

Q:&Do&these&rules&of&appreciation&apply&even&in&automated&elections?&
A:&No.&Though&these&rules&remain&good&law&because&they&have&not&been&repealed,&the&automated&elections&have&
rendered&them&useless.&There&are&other&provisions&of&the&OEC&which&are&rendered&useless&by&the&automated&
elections.&
&
&
&
&
&

Feb&19&transcript&
Coverage:&Parts&X,&XI,&XII&
Q:&How&would&you&distinguish&casting&from&counting&from&canvassing?&
A:&Casting&is&when&the&voters&actually&fill&out&their&ballots&and&put&it&in&the&ballot&box.&Counting&refers&to&the&
process&where&the&Board&of&Election&Inspectors&tallies&the&ballots&cast.&The&BEI&then&prepares&election&returns&for&
each&precint.&These&election&returns&are&then&transmitted&to&the&Board&of&Canvassers&who&tally&the&results&of&the&
election&returns.&The&Board&of&Canvassers&then&prepare&a&certificate&of&canvass.&
Q:&At&the&higher&level&(i.e.&district,&provincial,&Comelec,&Congressional&level),&what&do&you&canvass?&
A:&Certificates&of&canvass&of&the&lower&levels.&In&the&manual&of&system,&the&certificate&of&canvass,&there&is&an&
attachment&called&the&statement&of&votes.&Its&like&a&matrix&table&which&shows&all&the&votes&of&several&precints,&or&
several&cities&or&municipalities&
Q:&Who&oversees&the&casting&and&counting&of&votes?&
A:&The&Board&of&Election&Inspectors.&It&is&composed&of&a&chairman&and&2&members&who&must&be&public&school&
teachers.&(Sec.&164,&OEC,&as&amended&by&RA&6646)&
Q:&Where&it&the&casting&and&counting&done?&
A:&At&the&precint&
Q:&Where&is&canvassing&done?&
A:&At&the&municipal/city/provincial&hall&
Q:&Who&oversees&canvassing?&
A:&Board&of&Canvassers.&Their&composition&is&as&follows:&(Sec.&221,&Omnibus&Election&Code,&as&amended&by&R.A.&
6646)&
Level#
Congress&as&the&National&Board&of&
Canvassers&
COMELEC&en&banc&
Provincial&Board&of&Canvassers&

City&BoC&

Municipal&BoC&

Members#
Congress&
COMELEC&en&banc&
Chairperson:&Provincial&election&
supervisor&OR&lawyer&in&the&regional&
office&of&the&Comelec&
ViceEchairperson:&Provincial&fiscal&
Member:&Provincial&superintendent&of&
schools&
Chairperson:&City&election&registrar&OR&
lawyer&of&the&Comelec&&
ViceEchairperson:&city&fiscal&
Member:&City&superintendent&of&
schools&
Chairperson:&election&registrar&OR&
representative&of&the&Comelec&
ViceEchairperson:&Municipal&treasurer&
Member:&most&senior&district&school&

Who#can#they#proclaim?#
President&and&ViceEPresident&
Senators&
PartyElist&representatives&
Congressmen&
Governor&
ViceEgovernor&
Members&of&the&Sangguniang&
Panlalawigan&
Congressmen&
Mayor&
ViceEmayor&
Members&of&the&Sangguniang&
Panglungsod&
Congressmen&
Mayor&
ViceEmayor&
Members&of&the&Sangguniang&

supervisor&or,&in&his&absence,&any&
principal&of&the&school&district&
District&BoC&of&Metro&Manila&
Chairperson:&lawyer&of&the&Comelec&
&
ViceEchairperson:&ranking&fiscal&in&the&
(As&of&now,&the&only&municipality&
district&
remaining&in&Metro&Manila&is&
Member:&most&senior&district&school&
Pateros.&All&others&are&cities&already.)& supervisor&
&

Bayan&
Congressmen&
Municipal&officials&

Q:&What&can&the&Board&of&Canvassers&do?&
A:&They&canvass&the&votes&and&prepare&a&certificate&of&canvass&for&the&higher&levels,&and&they&proclaim&those&in&
their&level.&&
Q:&Any&other&function&by&the&Board&of&Canvassers?&
A:&They&can&rule&on&preEproclamation&controversies&with&regard&to&the&election&returns.&They&also&have&concurrent&
jurisdiction&with&the&COMELEC&division&in&ruling&on&issues&regarding&the&composition&of&the&Board&of&Canvassers.&
Q:&Is&a&preEproclamation&case&available&for&all&positions?&
A:&No.&PreEproclamation&cases&cannot&be&raised&for&President,&ViceEpresident,&Senate,&House&of&Representatives.&(In&
short,&national&elective&officials.)&PreEproclamation&cases&are&only&available&for&local&positions.&
Q:&What&types&of&disputes&can&arise&for&national&elective&offices?&
A:&Correction&of&manifest&errors.&An&error&is&manifest&when&it&is&erroneous&on&its&face&(i.e.&it&is&obvious).&Examples&
can&be&found&on&p.&52E53&of&the&reviewer.&
Q:&Can&you&consider&a&Board&of&Canvassers&and&admin&agency?&
A:&Yes.&Therefore,&it&only&has&the&powers&which&the&law&gives&it.&BoCs&cannot&cite&a&person&in&contempt&nor&issue&a&
subpoena.&It&does&not&have&quasiElegislative&powers.&
Q:&What&types&of&controversies&are&outside&the&jurisdiction&of&a&Board&of&Canvassers?&Do&we&have&an&exclusive&list&
of&powers?&
A:&We&have&an&exclusive&list&of&powers.&They&have&jurisdiction&over&preEproclamation&cases.&Issues&in&preE
proclamation&cases&can&be&clustered&into&two&groups.&
The&first&cluster&involves&the&BoC&itself.&They&can&rule&on&issues&regarding&the&illegality&of&the&composition&and&
proceedings&of&the&BoC.&An&example&of&a&challenge&with&regard&to&the&proceedings&is&the&fact&that&the&BoC&did&not&
allow&the&watchers&or&lawyers&to&enter&the&canvassing&area.&An&example&of&a&challenge&regarding&the&composition&
th
of&the&BoC&is&that&one&of&the&members&is&related&with&the&4 &degree&to&any&candidate,&thus&making&him/her&
unqualified.&
(While&in&this&regard,&the&BoC&and&the&Comelec&division&have&concurrent&jurisdiction,&it&is&more&practical&to&go&to&
the&Comelec&division&because&it&is&unlikely&that&the&BoC&members&will&declare&themselves&illegal.)&
The&second&cluster&of&issues&in&preEproclamation&cases&include&challenges&to&the&authenticity&and&irregularities&
affecting&the&preparation&of&the&election&returns&or&certificates&of&canvass.&
The&BoC&does&not&have&jurisdiction&to&resolve&issues&relating&to&the&casting&of&votes&itself&(e.g.&padding&of&voters&list,&
terrorism,&misappreciation&of&votes,&etc.).&These&will&be&relevant&ground&for&an&election&protest.&

Q:&If&you&were&the&chairperson&of&a&provincial&BoC,&and&out&of&the&50&CoCs&from&cities&and&municipalities,&theres&
only&one&missing,&what&will&you&do?&
A:&Proceed&with&partial&proclamation.&Even&if&there&is&delay&in&the&CoC,&it&wont&affect&the&outcome&of&the&election&
anyway,&so&you&can&proceed&with&proclamation.&
Q:&Is&that&the&case&for&an&automated&system&of&election?&
A:&No.&In&an&automated&system,&the&election&returns&and&certificates&of&canvass&are&sent&electronically,&thus&making&
it&faster.&The&electronic&transmission&of&the&ERs&or&CoCs&is&enough.&The&transmission&of&the&CF&cards&in&the&PCOS&
machines&only&serve&as&backup.&
Q:&If&you&were&the&lawyer&of&a&candidate&who&is&leading,&and&there&are&still&CoCs&which&are&delayed,&but&which&will&
not&affect&the&outcome,&what&will&you&do?&
A:&Move&for&partial&proclamation&of&your&candidate.&In&this&way,&preEproclamation&cases&against&your&candidate&will&
not&anymore&be&entertained.&Your&candidate&will&be&able&to&assume&office.&
Q:&If&the&election&return&from&one&precint&was&destroyed.&What&should&you&do?&
A:&Look&at&the&other&authentic&copies&of&the&ERs.&In&manual&elections,&there&are&7&copies&of&the&ERs.&
Q:&If&all&the&copies&are&compromised,&what&should&you&do?&
A:&Recount&the&ballots&if&their&integrity&is&intact.&
Q:&Can&this&be&done&motu&proprio&by&the&BoC?&
A:&No.&It&requires&Comelec&approval.&(The&law&did&not&specify&whether&en&banc&or&division.)&
Q:&In&the&manual&elections,&there&are&what&we&call&taras&(i.e.&hashmarks&used&to&tally&votes,&4&vertical&lines&and&1&
th
th
diagonal&line&for&the&5 &vote.)&Some&actually&put&the&diagonal&line&only&on&the&4 &vote,&in&order&to&make&the&set&
look&like&5&votes&already.&Sometimes&also,&another&0&is&added&to&make&10&look&like&100&or&0&look&like&8.&
Assuming&that&the&votes&in&the&taras,&figures&and&words&do&not&match,&what&would&you&do?&
A:&The&taras&will&prevail.&
Q:&If&there&is&a&discrepancy&between&election&returns,&what&do&you&do?&
A:&Refer&to&the&other&copies&of&the&election&returns,&provided&that&they&have&not&been&tampered&with.&&
Q:&What&do&you&mean&when&you&say&statistically&improbable?&
A:&Determination&of&statistical&improbability&is&on&a&caseEtoEcase&basis.&Jurisprudence&has&given&several&examples.&
In&50&precints,&all&the&senatorial&candidates&of&one&particular&party&got&the&same&number&of&votes&which&was&equal&
to&the&number&of&all&registered&voters,&and&the&opposition&got&zero&votes,&there&is&uniformity&and&systematic&
blanking&out&of&the&opposition.&The&election&returns&are&statistically&improbable&and&are&obviously&fabricated.&
Other&examples&are&on&p.&56E57&
Q:&If&youre&the&lawyer&of&a&disadvantaged&candidate,&and&you&see&an&irregularity&during&the&counting&or&canvassing,&
what&would&you&do?&
A:&Make&an&oral&objection,&accompanied&by&a&written&objection.&Simultaneous&can&mean&within&5&mins&or&so&after&
the&oral&objection.&Filing&it&within&24&hours&is&substantial&compliance.&&

Q:&If&there&is&an&oral&objection,&what&should&the&BoC&do&with&the&CoC&or&ER?&
A:&They&should&not&canvass&the&CoC&or&ER&first&and&wait&on&the&ruling&on&the&objection.&
Q:&In&an&automated&election,&which&of&the&grounds&for&preEproclamation&cases&are&still&relevant?&
A:&Only&those&regarding&the&(1)&illegal&composition&or&proceedings&of&the&BoC,&or&(2)&having&incomplete&or&
statistically&improbable&returns.&Since&transmission&is&electronic,&the&following&grounds&are&irrelevant:&lost&copies&of&
the&ER&or&CoC,&omission&of&the&votes,&ERs&are&tampered&(but&the&data&storage&devices&can&be&tampered&with),&
discrepancies&between&the&taras,&words,&figures.&
(In&automated&elections,&there&are&30&copies&of&the&documents.&In&manual&elections,&only&7&copies.)&
&

Protests&v&Quo&Warranto&and&basics&&
What#are#election#contests?##

Elections&contests&are&actions&filed&(either)&&&
a) Election&PROTEST&
b) Quo&Warranto&&
BOTH&however&have&one&objective:&to&dislodge&the&WINNING&candidate.&
a) take&note:&he&already&won!&
b) meaning:&POSTEproclamation&
remember:&an&election&controversy&raised&:&
Before&proclamation:&preEproclamation&.&&
After&proclamation:&election&contest&&

So#what#is#an#Election#PROTEST?#

It&is&an&election&contest&&
concerning&elective&officials&
Relating&to:&the&election&and&returns&
Grounded&on:&frauds&or&irregularities&
in&the&:&&
o conduct&of&the&elections&
o counting&of&the&ballots&
o preparation&and&canvassing&of&returns&
the&Issue&is:&who&obtained&the&PLURALITY&of&votes&cast.&
o Thus,&if&the&winning&candidate&is&thus&unseated,&the&petitioner&will&not&necessarily&be&the&one&
who&will&replace&the&dislodged&candidate.&It&is&the&candidate&who&actually&won&plurality&of&the&
votes&who&replaces&him.&This&may&or&may&not&be&the&petitioner.&
Nature&(De&leon):&&questions&here&(protests)&are&those&involving&the&appreciation&of&the&votes&and&the&
conduct&of&the&balloting,&which&require&MORE&DELIBERATE&and&necessarily&LONGER&consideration,&are&left&
for&examination&in&the&corresponding&election&protest.&
Purpose&(De&leon):&Who&actually&got&the&plurality&of&votes&and&thus&entitled&to&hold&the&office.&&

&
So#what#is#an#action#for#Quo#Warranto#?#

an&election&contest&&
concerning&elective&officials&
on&the&grounds&:&&

a) ineligibility∨&
b) disloyalty&to&the&Republic&
the&Issue&:&whether&or&not&the&respondent&&
o possesses&all&the&qualifications∧&
o none&of&the&disqualifications&
Nature&and&purpose&(De&leon):&strictly&speaking,&not&a&contest&where&the&parties&strive&for&supremacy&
because&the&petitioner&will&NOT&BE&SEATED&even&if&the&respondent&may&be&unseated.&(ex:&the&vice)&
If&the&winning&candidate&is&dislodged&via&a&quo&warranto&proceeding,&the&seat&is&declared&vacant&and&the&
rules&on&succession&will&apply&(i.e.&the&next&in&line&will&succeed&to&the&position.)&
o Contrast&with&an&election&protest:&In&quo&warranto,&the&issue&of&who&won&the&plurality&of&votes&is&
irrelevant.&

So#based#on#the#De#Leon#portions,#what#the#big#deal#why#they#had#to#separate#protests#and#quo#warranto#
despite#having#the#SAME#goal?#

Note&that&only&candidates&may&file&protests&E&after&all&if&they&WIN&the&protest:&they&can&be&granted&the&seat&
(given&if,&after&determining&the&real&"will&of&the&people"&it&turns&out&they&got&the&plurality).&
Concurrently&any&voter&can&initiate&a&Quo&Warranto&case&.&After&all,&the&petitioner,&despite&winning&the&
case,&will&not&be&seated.&It&will&be&the&successor&based&on&law&(ex.&the&vice)&

What#periods#are#covered#by#election#protests?#

De'leon:'the'purpose'of'an'election'protest'is'to'ascertain'whether'the'candidate'proclaimed'elected'by'the'
board'of'canvassers'is'the'true'and'lawful'choice'of'the'electorate.'An'election'protest'is'a'contest'
between'the'defeated'and'winning'candidates'on'the'grounds'of'fraud'or'irregularities'in'the'casting'and'
counting'of'the'ballots,'or'in'the'preparation'of'the'returns.'It'answers:'who'actually'won.'
SO..&having&said&that,&it&covers&:&&
1. casting&of&ballots&
2. counting&ballots&
3. preparation&of&returns&
4. canvassing&

Filing&
When#do#you#file#Election#contests?#

after&there&has&been&a&proclamation&

What#if#there#was#a#material#defect#in#the#counting#of#the#ballots#BEFORE#proclamation#what#do#you#file?#

preEproclamation&controversy&
Agra's'point'here:'even'if'it'is'a'ground'that'falls'squarely'within'the'description'of'a'election'protest,'don't'
be'fooled.'If'it'was'before'proclamation:'file'preHproclamation'controversy.'Nonetheless'memorize'the'
grounds'for'each.'

Who#files#an#election#protest#case?#

SHORT&version&&
o for&election&protests&:&only&CANDIDATES&with&&
duly&filed&certificate&of&candidacy&
been&voted&for&
o for&Quo&Warranto&:&any&voter&
Long&Version:&see&the&AGRA&reviewer.&He'hinted'that'you'don't'have'to'memorize'the'exact'rules.'He'
didnt'even'know'himself.'&

Shortcut&of&long&version:&
o For&some&positions:&&only&the&second&or&third&highest&candidate&can&protest&
a) President&&
b) VP&
c) Municipal&officials&(Mayor,&viceEmayor)&
d) barangay&officials&(Barangay&Captain)&
e) Sanggunian&Kabataan&Chairperson&
o For&Multi&seatEslot&positions:&Only&the&next&4&candidates&following&the&LAST&ranked&winner&may&
protest&
a) Municipal&officials&(Sangguniang&Bayan)&
b) Barangay&officials&(Sangguniang&Barangay)&
c) Sanggunian&Kabataan&(SK&Kagawad)&
o for&some&Quo&Warranto&cases&it&is&:&any&voter&who&voted&"in&the&election&concerned"&&
a) Municipal&
b) Barangay&
c) Sanggunian&Kabataan&

Will#preAproclamation#cases#and#election#contests#have#the#same#jurisdictions?##
(Meaning:&for&the&same&offense,&do&you&file&in&the&same&place&regardless&of&whether&it&is&a&preEproclamation&
controversy&or&election&protest?&)&

NO,&you&will&file&in&different&places.&
As&a&rule:&
o PreEProclamation:&exclusive&original&jurisdiction&by&the&Comelec&divisions&
legal&defect,&tampering&with&returns,&etc..&:&Board&of&Canvassers&
except&if&you&are&questioning&the&proceedings&of&the&board&or&the&legality&of&the&
composition:&&
a) Comelec&DIVISION∨&
b) Board&of&Canvassers&(they&have&concurrent&jurisdiction)&
o Take&note&the&ff:&from&RA&7188&
Sec.#17.'PreHproclamation'Controversies;'How'Commenced.'H&
Questions&affecting&the&composition&or&proceedings&of&the&
board&of&canvassers&may&be&initiated&in&the&board&or&directly&
with&the&Commission.&However,&matters&raised&under&
Sections&233,&234,&235&and&236&of&the&Omnibus&Election&Code&
in&relation&to&the&preparation,&transmission,&receipt,&custody&
and&appreciation&of&the&election&returns,&and&the&certificates&
of&canvass&shall&be&brought&in&the&first&instance&before&the&
board&of&canvassers&only.&
o Post&election:&Depends&
SC&(PET):&President,&VP&
SET:&Senate&
HRET:&Reps&
COMELEC:&Regional,&Provincial,&City&officials&
RTC:&Municipal&officials&
MTC:&Barangay&officials,&SK&

&

The&Players&
What#do#you#call#the#person#a.)#who#files?#b.)#being#filed#against?##

a) Protestant&
b) Protestee&&
An#elective#official#is#proclaimed#and#thereafter#a#protest#was#filed.#Does#this#mean#his#powers#are#suspended?#
What#do#you#call#this#guy?#

This&guy&is&called&the&presumptive&winner&
And&NO&E&his&powers&are&not&suspended.&&
o a&pending&protest&does&NOT&make&him&less&than&a&duly&elected&official&

You#live#in#Quezon#City.#Can#you#file#a#Quo#Warranto#case#against#the#mayor#of#Makati?#

The&recit&answer&to&this&was:&"you&can&only&file&in&the&place&where&you&voted"&
o to&this&Agra&did&not&react&EE&hinting&that&it&was&right.&
o however&note&the&following&provision&of&the&Omnibus&Election&Code&:&
Sec.#253.&Petition)for)quo)warranto.&E&Any&voter&contesting&the&election&of&any&Member&
of& the& Batasang& Pambansa,& regional,& provincial,& or& city& officer& on& the& ground& of&
ineligibility&or&of&disloyalty&to&the&Republic&of&the&Philippines&shall&file&a&sworn&petition&
for& quo& warranto& with& the& Commission& within& ten& days& after& the& proclamation& of& the&
results&of&the&election.&
Any& voter& contesting& the& election& of& any& municipal& or& barangay& officer& on& the&
ground&of&ineligibility&or&of&disloyalty&to&the&Republic&of&the&Philippines&shall&file&a&sworn&
petition&for&quo&warranto&with&the&regional&trial&court&or&metropolitan&or&municipal&trial&
court,&respectively,&within&ten&days&after&the&proclamation&of&the&results&of&the&election.&

&
The#Protestant#in#an#Election#Protest#/#Quo#Warranto#case#WINS.#Who#becomes#the#seated#official?#

Election&protest:&the&candidate&who&achieved&the&PLURALITY&of&votes&&
Quo&Warranto:&Depends&on&the&successor&as&given&by&law&
o Ex.&&
The&Vice&Governor&will&succeed&for&the&Governor&
If&it&is&a&district&rep&("congressman")&there&will&be&a&special&election&

&
Are#the#periods#for#filing#PreAproc#and#PostAproc#the#same?#

No,&they&are&different&&
postEproc&(&protest&/&Quo&Warranto&)&
o President,&VP:&30/&10&
o Senators:&15/10&
o the&REST&:&10/10&
All&preEproclamation&cases&pending&before&the&COMELEC&shall&be&terminated&at&the&beginning&of&the&term&
office&concerned&
Contested&returns&(and&this&is&a&review):&
o submitted&orally&to&the&chairman&of&the&board&of&canvassers&
o AT&THE&TIME&the&return&is&presented&for&inclusion&in&the&canvass&
so&do&it&BEFORE&it&is&canvassed&E&otherwise&you&cannot&question&via&preEproc&anymore&
your&remedy&is&to&file&an&election&protest&
submit&the&written&simultaneously&&
But&may&be&presented&AFTER&proclamation&(5&days&max)&if&the&error&was&discovered&only&
after&getting&the&statement&of&votes.&

but&Comelec&can&suspend&its&rules&on&these&periods.&

How#about#jurisdictional#requirements?#is#there#a#difference?#

No&&
(check&reviewer&for&answers)&
&

Situation#:#A#candidate#lost#the#vote#by#a#mere#1#vote.#Can#he#allege#that#there#was#fraud,#miscounting#etc..#in#3#
out#of#20#precincts?#So#let's#just#count#those#3.#Or#should#he#just#allege#that#there#was#miscount#in#somewhere#in#
the#20?#

An&election&protest&has&to&specify&the&precinct&where&the&alleged&irregularities&occurred&&&
o Failure&to&do&so&is&fatal&&
However,&if&the&protest&states&that&the&election&returns&from&all&the&precincts&are&being&questioned,&there&
is&no&need&to&specify&the&precincts&involved&in&the&protest&

&

Proclamation&
Is#this#a#valid#statement:#when#you#file#a#protest#case#you#are#accepting#the#validity#of#the#proclamation?#

Technically&yes,&in&an&election&protest&you&are&questioning&election&and&returns,&not&per&se&the&
proclamation.&
o Grounded&on:&frauds&or&irregularities&
o in&the:&&
conduct&of&the&elections&
counting&of&the&ballots&
preparation&and&canvassing&of&returns&
Though&the&proclamation&itself&is&not&necessarily&under&question&&its&basis&&is.&
o The&proclamation&stage&is&distinct&from&the&election,&counting,&and&canvassing&stages.&

&
In#election#protests,#can#you#just#question#the#manner#in#which#the#election#returns#were#prepared?#Or#are#you#
limited#to#questioning#the#ballots#themselves#only?#

Yes.&You&can.&
There&is&no&such&limitation.&This&was&the&issue&in&that&case&with&Loren&Legarda.&&

So#if#you#were#to#question#the#proclamation#itself,#meaning#you#dont#accept#the#validity#of#the#proclamation#A#
what#is#the#action#you#must#file?#

Annulment&of&proclamation&

Can#you#file#an#election#protest#at#the#SAME#TIME#as#an#annulment#of#proclamation#(filed#in#division#always)?#

&

Yes&you&can.&
If&you&do&choose&to&file&at&the&same&time:&
o The&election&protest&will&be&suspended&and&archived&
o These&archived&cases&are&called&election&protest&ad'cautelam&

Best&evidence&
What#is#the#best#evidence#in#an#election#protest#case?#

It&depends&&
If&you&want&to&question&the&&
o returns&only&:&Ballots&(are&the&best&evidence)&
o results&at&the&precinct&level:&ballots&
what&if&they&were&all&destroyed&or&tampered&with?&
The&election&returns&
What&if&the&election&returns&are&tampered&with?&
You&can&use&the&certified&true&copies&
What&if&there&are&NO,&original&nor&certified&true&copies?&
You&can&present&photoEcopies&&
Those&were&ALL&tampered&with?&
You&can&use&the&certificate&of&votes&
o This&is&a&count&signed&by&the&teachers&given&by&the&watchers&

&
What#if#all#of#those#evidences#are#found#to#be#tampered#with?#Will#your#protest#be#dismissed?#

Not&necessarily.&There&are&other&forms&of&evidence,&such&as&testimonial&evidence,&which&may&be&used.&

What#are#the#other#jurisdictional#requirements#for#an#election#protest?#

Filed&within&the&period&
Paid&the&proper&filing&fee&
But&this&must&be&raised&by&the&protestee&during&his&answer&as&an&affirmative&defense&
Otherwise&he&will&be&estopped&
An&election&protest&should&contain&the&following&jurisdictional&allegations&
1. The&protestant&is&a&candidate&&
who&duly&filed&a&certificate&of&candidacy&and&&
was&voted&
2. The&protestee&has&been&proclaimed&elected&
3. The&date&of&the&proclamation&
4. The&Precinct&where&the&alleged&irregularities&occurred&&
Must&be&Verified&&
Must&have&a&certificate&of&nonEforums&shopping&

Your#case#was#not#dismissed#(you#were#able#to#find#some#evidence#that#was#not#tampered#with),#what#happens#
now#during#the#trial#of#the#case?#

The&court&can&order&a&revision&of&the&ballots&
1. Given&this&is&what&you&are&asking&for,&which&is&usually&the&case&anyway.&

&

Substitution&
What#happens#when#the#protestant#dies#during#the#pendency#of#the#case?#

He&should&be&substituted&by&the&public&official&who&WOULD&HAVE&succeeded&him&(that&is,&if&he&won&the&
protest),&&
1. such&as&the&vice&mayor&

What#if#the#protestee#dies#during#the#pendency#of#the#protest?#

Substituted&by&his&successor&&
1. such&as&the&vice&mayor&

Why#is#this#vice#guy#so#concerned#about#the#case?#

Because&he&has&the&highest&potential&to&be&seated&in&that&position&
st
1. Highest&potential&meaning:&the&1 &councilor&is&next&in&line&and&so&and&so&forth.&
2. This&is&based&on&the&laws&of&succession&

&

REVIEW#ON#WHAT#/#WHERE#TO#FILE##
Cases&against&voters&
What#is#the#general#objective#here?#

To&allow&or&deny&a&person&to&vote&

When#we#talk#about#voters#what#kind#of#cases#can#we#file?#(against#voters)#

Re:&the&list&of&voters&&
1. Inclusion&&
Your&name&was&excluded&from&the&list&of&voters&and&you&want&to&be&included&
2. Exclusion&
Your&name&is&on&the&list&but&it&should&not&be&
3. &Annulment&of&list&of&voters&

During#election#day#you#can#question#or#challenge#the#voters#on#two#grounds#

Youre&an&illegal&voter&
Or&you&committed&and&illegal&act&

&
Where#do#you#file#these#cases?##

NOT&with&COMELEC&because&they&have&no&jurisdiction&over&the&substantive&aspects&of&suffrage&
You&file&with&the&:&
o MTC,&initially&
o RTC:&appellate&
o SC:&appellate&over&RTC&on&questions&of&law&&

Annulment#of#proclamation#of#ballot#transfer#(check)##

Pertains&to&the&manner&by&which&to&book&of&voters&was&prepared&
It&DOES&NOT&go&into&the&qualifications&or&disqualifications&of&a&voter&
This&pertains&to&the&administrative&aspect&of&election&
o Si&file&with&the&EN&BANC&

On#Election#Day#can#you#still#challenge#voters?#

Yes&
Not&WON&he&is&a&legal&voter&or&not&

BUT&to&not&ALLOW&them&to&vote&

If#you#are#challenged#this#way##can#you#still#vote?#How?#

If&the&BEI&allows&you&to&vote&
o AGRA&:&Just&befriend&the&teachers&or&whatever&&remember&on&that&level&the&BEI&is&like&SC&!&
BUT&you&must&take&an&oath&&
There&is&NO&DOCUMENTATION&here!&

&

Cases&against&candidates&

Regarding&their&
a. Qualifications&
b. Acts&&

What#would#be#the#main#objectives#here?#

Be&declared:&qualified&or&not&qualified&

What#are#the#grounds#to#disqualify#a#candidate?#

There&are&two&sets&of&grounds:&
1. File&a&disqualification&case&&
File&this&with&the&Comelec&Division&(quasiEjudicial&matter)&
2. They&committed&certain&election&offenses&
EX:&
Using&government&vehicles&
Other&CRIMINAL&grounds&which&carry&ancillary&penalty&of&disqualification&from&holding&
public&office&&

Where#to#file?#

BEFORE&proclamation:&ONLY&with&the&COMELEC&division&&
AFTER&proclamation:&(file&an&election&protest&or&quo&warranto)&&

Can#you#still#file#a#disqualification#case#during#the#canvassing#stage#of#an#election?##

YES,&because&commission&of&certain&acts&even&up&to&canvassing&will&be&covered&

When#can#you#file#(disqualification)#to#question#the#qualifications#of#a#candidate?#

Any&time&before&proclamation&

When#can#you#file#for#a#commission#of#an#election#offense?#

Any&time&before&proclamation&

What#about#material#misrepresentation#

Within&5&days&from&the&last&day&for&filing,&but&not&later&than&25&days&from&the&time&of&filing##

Nuisance#candidate?#

5&days&after&the&filling&of&the&certificate&of&candidacy&

But#there#are#two#grounds#wherein#where#you#can#still#file#AFTER#the#election#day#but#before#proclamation#
1.
2.

Commission&of&an&election&offence&&
Lack&of&qualification&or&possesses&some&or&all&of&the&disqualifications&

&

Ballot&related&cases&
What#is#the#general#objective#here?#

To&determine&who&is&the&REAL&winner&

What#cases#are#filed#regarding#ballots?#
1.

After&proclamation:&election&protest&case&
o Includes&casting,&counting,&canvassing&

While#the#votes#are#being#cast#the#ballots#can#you#question#how#the#ballots#are#being#prepared,#counted#etc?##

Yes&
Raise&it&with&the&BEI&

Misappreciation#of#votes,#tampering#of#ballots##can#they#be#raised#as#a#pre#proclamation#case?#

No&

Canvassing&related&cases&

Just&canvassing&&not&including&counting&and&casting&

What#is#the#general#objective#here?#

Whether&the&procedures&are&followed&

After#proclamation#what#is#the#canvassing#related#case?#

Election&protest&

During#the#canvassing#can#terrorism#be#raised?#

No&

What#about#illegal#voters?#

No&

Padding#of#the#voters#list#cannot#be#raised#
&
During#canvassing,#depending#on#the#official,#there#are#two#sets#of#cases#

PreEproclamation:&for&local&elective&offices&
Petition&for&correction&of&manifest&errors:&national&offices&
o Though&this&become&irrelevant&in&an&automated&election&system&
o Though&it&is&unlikely&because&the&results&from&precincts&can&be&counted&twice.&

&

Election&environment&
What#does#this#refer#to?#

Referring&to&terrorism,&violence&

What#kinds#of#cases#do#you#file#here?#

Before&casting:&POSTPONEMENT&of&elections&
o To&the&COMELEC&en&banc&
o If&there&is&a&possibility&that&there&will&no&hope&for&an&honest&of&peaceful&election&
From&after&casting&to&canvassing&&if&there&is&violence&etc:&FAILURE&of&elections&
After&proclamation&E&If&there&is&violence&in&the&casting&counting&and&canvassing:&&
o FAILURE&of&elections∨&
o Election&protest&

&

After&proclamation&
What#cases#can#be#filed#after#proclamation?#
1.
2.
3.

4.

Election&protests&
o To&unseat&the&presumptive&winner&
Quo&warranto&&
o To&question&eligibility&and&loyalty&
Annulment&of&proclamation&
o Presumed&a&prior&proclamation&
o This&is&an&election&contest&case&as&well&
Election&offenses&

&

SAMPLE#QUESTIONS#(AND#GENERAL#PANGKUPS)#
Violence#happened#before#the#elections#and#it#was#so#prevalent#it#affected#the#outcome,#can#you#file#a#case#the#
second#day#after#election?#What#case#will#you#file?#

You&can&file&a&failure&of&election&

Your&candidate&is&not&a&resident.&
Before#proclamation#what#/#where#will#you#file?##

o Disqualification&case&
o Comelec&Division&
After&proclamation&what&/&where&will&you&file?&
o Quo&warranto&
o Depends&of&the&position&(PET,&SET,&HRET&etc)&

When#will#you#file#with#the#CA?#
o
o

Questions&of&fact&in&exclusion&or&inclusion&cases&
Questioning&a&contract&entered&into&by&COMELC&

This&is&not&election&related&but&still&within&COMELECs&powers&as&and&admin&agency&

Lack#of#material#time,#there#is#a#ruling#of#the#COMELEC#you#want#to#question#right#away#because#Election#Day#is#
fast#coming#and#it#tramples#on#one#of#your#constitutional#rights.#Can#you#go#straight#to#SC?#
o

Yes,&this&is&one&of&the&exceptions&to&the&exhaustion&of&remedies&

So#where#do#you#file#an#election#protest#regarding#the#President?#
o

Either&the&SC&or&the&PET&&some&of&the&above&

What#about#the#DOJ?#
o
o

Election&offenses&
Preliminary&investigation&

So#who#do#you#file#an#election#offense#with#ba#talaga?#
o
o
o

COMELEC&law&department&or&
COMELEC&division&&
DOJ&