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Buena : En Banc

ENBANC

[G.R.No.147066.March26,2001]

AKBAYAN Youth, SCAP, UCSC, MASP, KOMPIL II Youth, ALYANSA, KALIPI,

PATRICIAO.PICAR,MYLAGAILZ.TAMONDONG,EMMANUELE.OMBAO,
JOHNNY ACOSTA, ARCHIE JOHN TALAUE, RYAN DAPITAN,
CHRISTOPHER OARDE, JOSE MARI MODESTO, RICHARD M. VALENCIA,
EDBENTABUCOL,petitioners,vs.COMMISSIONONELECTIONS,respondents.

[G.R.No.147179.March26,2001]

MICHELLE D. BETITO, petitioner, vs. CHAIRMAN ALFREDO BENIPAYO,

COMMISSIONERS MEHOL SADAIN, RUFINO JAVIER, LUZVIMINDA
TANCANGCO, RALPH LANTION, FLORENTINO TUASON and
RESURRECCION BORRA, all of the Commission on Election (COMELEC),
respondents.

DECISION
BUENA,J.:

At the helm of controversy in the instant consolidated petitions[1] before us is the exercise of a right so
indubitablycherishedandaccordedprimacy,ifnotutmostreverence,nolessthanbythefundamentallaw-the
rightofsuffrage.
Invoking this right, herein petitioners - representing the youth sector - seek to direct the Commission on
Elections (COMELEC) to conduct a special registration before the May 14, 2001 General Elections, of new
voters ages 18 to 21. According to petitioners, around four million youth failed to register on or before the
December27,2000deadlinesetbytherespondentCOMELECunderRepublicActNo.8189.[2]
Actingontheclamorofthestudentsandcivicleaders,SenatorRaulRoco,ChairmanoftheCommitteeon
Electoral Reforms, Suffrage, and Peoples Participation, through a Letter dated January 25, 2001, invited the
COMELEC to a public hearing for the purpose of discussing the extension of the registration of voters to
accommodatethosewhowerenotabletoregisterbeforetheCOMELECdeadline.[3]
CommissionersLuzvimindaG.TancangcoandRalphC.Lantion,togetherwithConsultantResurreccionZ.
Borra (now Commissioner) attended the public hearing called by the Senate Committee headed by Senator
Roco,heldattheSenate,NewGSISHeadquartersBldg.,PasayCity.
OnJanuary29,2001,CommissionersTancangcoandLantionsubmittedMemorandumNo.2001027onthe
ReportontheRequestforaTwodayAdditionalRegistrationofNewVotersOnly,excerptsofwhicharehereto
quoted:

Please be advised that the undersigned attended the public hearing called by the Senate Committee on electoral
Reforms, Suffrage and Peoples Participation presided over by the Hon. Sen. Raul Roco, its Committee Chairman
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to date at the Senate, New GSIS Headquarters Building, Pasay City. The main agenda item is the request by
youth organizations to hold additional two days of registration. Thus, participating students and civic leaders
along with Comelec Representatives were in agreement that is legally feasible to have a two-day additional
registration of voters to be conducted preferably on February 17 and 18, 2001 nationwide. The deadline for the
continuing voters registration under R.A. 8189 is December 27, 2000.

To address the concern that this may open the ood parts for hakot system, certain restrictive parameters were
discussed. The following guidelines to serve as safeguards against fraudulent applicants:

1.Theapplicantsfortheregistrationshallbe25yearsofageorlessandwillberegisteringforthefirsttimeon
May14,2001
2.Theapplicantsshallregisterintheirplacesofresidencesand
3.Theapplicantsshallpresentvalididentificationdocuments,likeschoolrecords.

Preparatory to the registration days, the following activities are likewise agreed:

1. Submission of the list of students and their addresses immediately prior to the actual registration of the
applicants
2.TheComelecfieldofficerswillbegiventheopportunitytoverifythevotersenumeratorslistorconductocular
inspection
3.Availabilityoffundsforthepurposeand
4.Meetingswithstudentgroupstoensureorderlyandhonestconductoftheregistrationanddrumupinterestto
registeramongthenewvoters.

The rationale for the additional two-day registration is the renewed political awareness and interest to participate
in the political process generated by the recent political events in the country among our youth. Considering that
they failed to register on December 27, 2000 deadline, they approved for special registration days.

In view of the foregoing, the Commission en banc has to discuss all aspects regarding this request with
directives to the Finance Services Department (FSD) to submit certied available funds for the purpose,
and for the Deputy Executive Director for Operations (DEDO) for the estimated costs of additional two
days of registration.

The presence of REDs on January 30 can be used partly for consultation on the practical side and logistical
requirements of such additional registration days. The meeting will be set at 1:30 p.m. at the Ofce of ED.[4]

Immediately,CommissionerBorracalledaconsultationmeetingamongregionalheadsandrepresentatives
andanumberofseniorstaffheadedbyExecutiveDirectorMamasapunodAguam.Itwastheconsensusofthe
group, with the exception of Director Jose Tolentino, Jr. of the ASD, to disapprove the request for additional
registrationofvotersonthegroundthatSection8ofR.A.8189explicitlyprovidesthatnoregistrationshallbe
conducted during the period starting one hundred twenty (120) days before a regular election and that the
Commissionhasnomoretimelefttoaccomplishallpreelectionactivities.[5]
OnFebruary8,2001,theCOMELECissuedResolutionNo.3584,thedecretalportionofwhichreads:

Deliberating on the foregoing memoranda, the Commission RESOLVED, as it hereby RESOLVES, to deny the
request to conduct a two-day additional registration of new voters on February 17 and 18, 2001.

CommissionersRufinoS.B.JavierandMeholK.SadainvotedtodenytherequestwhileCommissioners
LuzvimindaTancangco and Ralph Lantion voted to accommodate the studentsrequest.With this impasse, the
CommissionconstrueditsResolutionashavingtakeneffect.
Aggrievedbythedenial,petitionersAKBAYANYouth,SCAP,UCSC,MASP,KOMPILII(YOUTH)etal.
filedbeforethisCourttheinstantPetitionforCertiorariandMandamus,docketedasG.R.No.147066,which
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seeks to set aside and nullify respondent COMELECs Resolution and/or to declare Section 8 of R. A. 8189
unconstitutional insofar as said provision effectively causes the disenfranchisement of petitioners and others
similarly situated. Likewise, petitioners pray for the issuance of a writ of mandamus directing respondent
COMELEC to conduct a special registration of new voters and to admit for registration petitioners and other
similarlysituatedyoungFilipinostoqualifythemtovoteintheMay14,2001GeneralElections.
On March 09, 2001, herein petitioner Michelle Betito, a student of the University of the Philippines,
likewise filed a Petition for Mandamus, docketed as G.R. No. 147179, praying that this Court direct the
COMELECtoprovideforanotherspecialregistrationdayunderthecontinuingregistrationprovisionunderthe
ElectionCode.
OnMarch13,2001,thisCourtresolvedtoconsolidatethetwopetitionsandfurtherrequiredrespondentsto
filetheirCommentthereonwithinanonextendibleperiodexpiringat10:00A.M.ofMarch16,2001.Moreover,
thisCourtresolvedtosettheconsolidatedcasesfororalargumentsonMarch16,2001.[6]
On March 16, 2001, the Solicitor General, in its Manifestation and Motion in lieu of Comment,
recommended that an additional continuing registration of voters be conducted at the soonestpossible time in
ordertoaccommodatethatdisenfranchisedvotersforpurposesoftheMay14,2001elections.
Ineffect,theCourtinpassinguponthemeritsofthepresentpetitions,istaskedtoresolveatwopronged
issue focusing on respondent COMELECs issuance of the assailed Resolution dated February 8, 2001, which
Resolution,petitioners,byandlarge,arguetohaveunderminedtheirconstitutionalrighttovoteontheMay14,
2001generalelectionsandcausedthedisenfranchisementofaroundfour(4)millionFilipinosofvotingagewho
failedtoregisterbeforetheregistrationdeadlinesetbytheCOMELEC.
Thus,thisCourtshalldetermine:
a)WhetherornotrespondentCOMELECcommittedgraveabuseofdiscretioninissuingCOMELECResolution
datedFebruary8,2001
b)WhetherornotthisCourtcancompelrespondentCOMELEC,throughtheextraordinarywritofmandamus,to
conductaspecialregistrationofnewvotersduringtheperiodbetweentheCOMELECsimposedDecember
27,2000deadlineandtheMay14,2001generalelections.
Thepetitionsarebereftofmerit.
In a representative democracy such as ours, the right of suffrage, although accorded a prime niche in the
hierarchy of rights embodied in the fundamental law, ought to be exercised within the proper bounds and
framework of the Constitution and must properly yield to pertinent laws skillfully enacted by the Legislature,
which statutes for all intents and purposes, are crafted to effectively insulate such so cherished right from
ravishmentandpreservethedemocraticinstitutionsourpeoplehave,forsolong,guardedagainstthespoilsof
opportunism,debaucheryandabuse.
Tobesure,therightofsuffrageardentlyinvokedbyhereinpetitioners,isnotatallabsolute.Needlesstosay,
theexerciseoftherightofsuffrage,asintheenjoymentofallotherrights,issubjecttoexistingsubstantiveand
proceduralrequirementsembodiedinourConstitution,statutebooksandotherrepositoriesoflaw.Thus,asto
thesubstantiveaspect,Section1,ArticleVoftheConstitutionprovides:

SECTION 1. SUFFRAGE MAY BE EXERCISED BY ALL CITIZENS OF THE PHILIPPINES NOT

OTHERWISE DISQUALIFIED BY LAW, WHO ARE AT LEAST EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE, AND WHO
SHALL HAVE RESIDED IN THE PHILIPPINES FOR AT LEAST ONE YEAR AND IN THE PLACE
WHEREIN THEY PROPOSE TO VOTE FOR AT LEAST SIX MONTHS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE
ELECTIONS. NO LITERACY, PROPERTY, OR OTHER SUBSTANTIVE REQUIREMENT SHALL BE
IMPOSED ON THE EXERCISE OF SUFFRAGE.

As to the procedural limitation, the right of a citizen to vote is necessarily conditioned upon certain
procedural requirements he must undergo: among others, the process of registration. Specifically, a citizen in
order to be qualified to exercise his right to vote, in addition to the minimum requirements set by the

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fundamental charter, is obliged by law to register, at present, under the provisions of Republic Act No. 8189,
otherwiseknownastheVotersRegistrationActof1996.
Stated differently, the act of registration is an indispensable precondition to the right of suffrage. For
registration is part and parcel of the right to vote and an indispensable element in the election process. Thus,
contrarytopetitionersargument,registrationcannotandshouldnotbedenigratedtothelowlystatureofamere
statutoryrequirement. Proceeding from the significance of registration as a necessary requisite to the right to
vote,theStateundoubtedly,intheexerciseofitsinherentpolicepower,maythenenactlawstosafeguardand
regulate the act of voters registration for the ultimate purpose of conducting honest, orderly and peaceful
election,totheincidentalyetgenerallyimportantend,thatevenpreelectionactivitiescouldbeperformedbythe
duly constituted authorities in a realistic and orderly manner one which is not indifferent and so far removed
fromthepressingorderofthedayandtheprevalentcircumstancesofthetimes.
Viewed broadly, existing legal proscription and pragmatic operational considerations bear great weight in
theadjudicationoftheissuesraisedintheinstantpetitions.
On the legal score, Section 8, of the R.A. 8189, which provides a system of continuing registration, is
explicit,towit:

SEC. 8. System of Continuing Registration of Voters. The Personal ling of application of registration of voters
shall be conducted daily in the ofce of the Election Ofcer during regular ofce hours. No registration shall,
however, be conducted during the period starting one hundred twenty (120) days before a regular election
and ninety (90) days before a special election. (Emphasis Ours)

Likewise,Section35ofR.A.8189,whichamongothers,speaksofaprohibitiveperiodwithinwhichtofile
aswornpetitionfortheexclusionofvotersfromthepermanentvoterslist,provides:

SEC. 35. Petition for Exclusion of Voters from the List Any registered voter, representative of a political party
x x x may le x x x except one hundred (100) days prior to a regular election xxx.

AsaptlyobservedandsuccinctlywordedbyrespondentCOMELECinitsComment:

x x x The petition for exclusion is a necessary component to registration since it is a safety mechanism that gives
a measure of protection against ying voters, non-qualied registrants, and the like. The prohibitive period, on
the other hand serves the purpose of securing the voters substantive right to be included in the list of voters.

In real-world terms, this means that if a special voters registration is conducted, then the prohibitive period for
ling petitions for exclusion must likewise be adjusted to a later date. If we do not, then no one can challenge the
Voters list since we would already be well into the 100-day prohibitive period. Aside from being a agrant
breach of the principles of due process, this would open the registration process to abuse and seriously
compromise the integrity of the voters list, and consequently, that of the entire election.

x x x It must be remembered that the period serve a vital role in protecting the integrity of the registration
process. Without the prohibitive periods, the COMELEC would be deprived of any time to evaluate the evidence
on the application. We would be obliged to simply take them at face value. If we compromise on these safety
nets, we may very well end up with a voters list full of ying voters, overowing with unqualied registrants,
populated with shadows and ghosts x x x.

x x x The short cuts that will have to be adopted in order to t the entire process of registration within the last 60
days will give rise to haphazard list of voters, some of whom might not even be qualied to vote. x x x the very
possibility that we shall be conducting elections on the basis of an inaccurate list is enough to cast a cloud of
doubt over the results of the polls. If that happens, the unforgiving public will disown the results of the elections,
regardless of who wins, and regardless of how many courts validate our own results. x x x

Perhapsundauntedbysuchscenario,petitionersinvokethesocalledstandbypowersorresidualpowersof
theCOMELEC,asprovidedundertherelevantprovisionsofSection29,RepublicActNo.6646[7]andadopted
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verbatiminSection28ofRepublicActNo.8436,[8]thus:

SEC. 28. Designation of other Dates for Certain Pre-election Acts - If it should no longer be possible to
observe the periods and dates prescribed by law for certain pre-election acts, the Commission shall x other
periods and dates in order to ensure accomplishments of the activities so voters shall not be deprived of their
right to suffrage.

Onthismatter,theactofregistrationisconcededly,byitsverynature,apreelectionact.UnderSection3(a)
ofR.A.8189,registration,asaprocess,hasitsownspecificdefinition,precisemeaningandcoverage,thus:

a) Registration refers to the act of accomplishing and ling of a sworn application for registration by a qualied
voter before the election ofcer of the city or municipality wherein he resides and including the same in the book
of registered voters upon approval by the Election Registration Board;

Atthispoint,itbearsemphasisthattheprovisionsofSection29ofR.A.8436invokedbyhereinpetitioners
andSection8ofR.A.8189volunteeredbyrespondentCOMELEC,farfromcontradictingeachother,actually
share some common ground. True enough, both provisions, although at first glance may seemto be at war in
relationtotheother,areinamorecircumspectperusal,necessarilycapableofbeingharmonizedandreconciled.
Rudimentary is the principle in legal hermeneutics that changes made by the legislature in the form of
amendments to a statute should be given effect, together with other parts of the amended act. It is not to be
presumedthatthelegislature,inmakingsuchchanges,wasindulginginmeresemanticexercise.Theremustbe
somepurposeinmakingthem,whichshouldbeascertainedandgiveneffect.[9]
Similarly,everynewstatuteshouldbeconstruedinconnectionwiththosealreadyexistinginrelationtothe
samesubjectmatterandallshouldbemadetoharmonizeandstandtogether,iftheycanbedonebyanyfairand
reasonable interpretation.[10] Interpretare et concordare legibus est optimus interpretandi, which means that
the best method of interpretation is that which makes laws consistent with other laws.Accordingly, courts of
justice, when confronted with apparently conflicting statutes, should endeavor to reconcile them instead of
declaring outright the invalidity of one against the other. Courts should harmonize them, if this is possible,
becausetheyareequallythehandiworkofthesamelegislature.[11]
Inlightoftheforegoingdoctrine,weholdthatSection8ofR.A.8189appliesinthepresentcase,forthe
purposeofupholdingtheassailedCOMELECResolutionanddenyingtheinstantpetitions,consideringthatthe
aforesaidlawexplicitlyprovidesthatnoregistrationshallbeconductedduringtheperiodstartingonehundred
twenty(120)daysbeforearegularelection.
Corollarily,itisspeciousforhereinpetitionerstoarguethatrespondentCOMELECmayvalidlyandlegally
conductatwodayspecialregistration,throughtheexpedientoftheletterofSection28ofR.A.8436.To this
end, the provisions of Section 28, R.A. 8436 would come into play in cases where the preelection acts are
susceptible of performance within the available period prior to election day. In more categorical language,
Section28ofR.A.8436is,toourmind,anchoredonthesoundpremisethatthesecertainpreelectionactsare
still capable of being reasonably performed visavis the remaining period before the date of election and the
conductofotherrelatedpreelectionactivitiesrequiredunderthelaw.
In its Comment, respondent COMELECwhich is the constitutional body tasked by no less than the
fundamentalcharter(Sec.2,par.3,ArticleIXCoftheConstitution)todecide,exceptthoseinvolvingtheright
to vote, all questions affecting elections, including registration of voterspainstakingly and thoroughly
emphasizedtheoperationalimpossibility[12]ofconductingaspecialregistration,whichinitsonlanguage,can
nolongerbeaccomplishedwithinthetimeleftto(us)theCommission.[13]
Hence:

xxx xxx xxx.

19)Inanycase,evenwithoutthelegalobstacles,thelast60dayswillnotbeawalkintheparkfortheComelec.
AllowustooutlinewhattheCommissionhasyettodo,andthetimetodoitin:
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20)FirstwehavetocompletetheProjectofPrecinctsbythe19thofMarch.TheProjectsofPrecinctsIndicate
the total number of established precincts and the number of registered voters per precincts in a city or
municipality.WithoutthefinalProjectofPrecincts,wecannotevendeterminetheproperallocationofofficial
ballots,electionreturnsandotherelectionformsandparaphernalia.Moresuccinctlysaid,withouttheProject
ofPrecincts,wewontknowhowmanyformstoprintandsowereliabletocomeupshort.
21)MoreImportantly,withoutacompletedProjectofPrecincts,itwillbeimpossibletocompletetherestofthe
tasksthatmustbeaccomplishedpriortotheelections.
22)Second,theBoardofElectionsInspectorsmustbeconstitutedonorbeforethe4thofMarch.Inaddition,the
listofthemembersoftheBEIincludingtheprecinctwheretheyareassignedandthebarangaywherethat
precinctislocatedmustbefurnishedbytheElectionOfficertoallthecandidatesandpoliticalcandidatesnot
laterthanthe26thofMarch.
23)Third, the Book of Voters, which contains the approved Voter Registration Records of registered voters in
particularprecinct,mustbeinspected,verified,andsealedbeginningMarch30,untilApril15.
24)Fourth,theComputerizedVotersListmustbefinalizedandprintedoutofuseonelectiondayandfinally
25)Fifth,thepreparation,bidding,printing,anddistributionoftheVotersInformationSheetmustbecompleted
onorbeforeApril15.
26)Withthisrigorousscheduleofpreelectionactivities,theComelecwillhaveroughlyamonththatwillactas
abufferagainstanynumberofunforeseenoccurrencesthatmightdelaytheelections.Thisisthelogicandthe
wisdombehindsettingthe120dayprohibitiveperiod.Afterall,preparingforanelectionisnoeasytask.
27)Toholdspecialregistrationsnowwould,asidefrombeingIllegal,whittlethatapproximately30daymargin
awaytonothing.
28)Whenwesayregistrationofvoters,wedonotcontrarytopopularopinionreferonlytotheactofgoingto
theElectionOfficerandwritingournamesdown.Registrationis,Infact,alongprocessthattakesaboutthree
weekstocompletenotevencountinghowlongitwouldtaketopreparefortheregistrationinthefirstplace.
29)In order to concretize, the senior Staff of the Comelec, the other Commissioners, prepared a timetable in
ordertoseeexactlyhowthesuperimpositionofspecialregistrationwouldaffecttheongoingpreparationfor
theMay14elections.
30)WeassumedforthesakeofargumentthatweweretoholdthespecialregistrationonApril16and17.These
are not arbitrary numbers, by the way it takes in account the fact that we only have about 800,000 Voters
RegistrationFormsavailable,asagainstanestimated4.5millionpotentialregistrants,anditwouldtakeabout
14 days If we were to declare special registrations today to print up the difference and to verify these
accountableforms.Afterprintingandverification,theformswouldhavetobepackedandshippedroughly
takingupafurthertwoandahalfweeks.Onlythencanwegetonwithregistration.
31)Thefirststepinregistrationis,ofcourse,fillingtheapplicationforregistrationwiththeElectionOfficer.The
application,accordingtoSection17ofR.A.8189,isthensetforhearing,withnoticeofthathearingbeing
postedinthecityormunicipalbulletinboardforatleastoneweekprior.Thus,ifweheldregistrationsonthe
16thand the 17th the posting requirement would be completed by the 24th.Considering that time must be
allowed for the filling of oppositions, the earliest that the Election Registration Board can be convened for
hearingwouldbetheMay1stand2nd.
32)Assumingand this is a big assumption that there are nit challenges to the applicants right to register, the
ElectionregistrationBoardcanimmediatelyruleontheApplicantsregistration,andpostnoticesofitsaction
bythe2nduntilthe7thofMay.Bythe10th,copiesofthenoticeoftheactiontakenbytheBoardwillhave
alreadybeenfurnishedtotheapplicantsandtheheadsofregisteredpoliticalparties.
33) Only at this point can our Election Officers once again focus on the business of getting ready for the
elections. Once the results of the special registration are finalized, they can be encoded and a new
ComputerizedVotersListgeneratedattheearliest,byMay11,afterwhichthenewCVLwouldbeposted.
Incidentally,itweweretofollowtheletterofthelawstrictly,aMay11postingdateforthenewCVLwould
beimpropersincetheR.A.8189providesthattheCVLbepostedatleast90daysbeforetheelection.

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34)Assumingoptimisticallythatwecanthenfinishtheinspection,verification,andsealingoftheBookifVoters
byMay15,wewillalreadyhaveovershottheMay14,electiondate,andstillnothavefinishedourelection
preparations.
35)Afterthispoint,wecouldhavetopreparetheallocationofOfficialBallots,ElectionReturns,andotherNon
AccountableFormsandSuppliestobeusedforthenewregistrants.Oncetheallocationisready,thecontracts
would be awarded, the various forms printed, delivered, verified, and finally shipped out to the different
municipalities.Alltold,thisprocesswouldtakeapproximately26days,fromthe15thofMayuntilJune10.
36)Onlythencanwetrulysaythatwearereadytoholdtheelections.

xxx xxx xxx.[14]

It is an accepted doctrine in administrative law that the determination of administrative agency as to the
operation, implementation and application of a law would be accorded great weight considering that these
specialized government bodies are, by their nature and functions, in the best position to know what they can
possiblydoornotdo,underprevailingcircumstances.
Beyondthis,itislikewisewellsettledthatthelawdoesnotrequirethattheimpossiblebedone.[15]Thelaw
obligesnoonetoperformanimpossibility,expressedinthemaxim,nemoteneturadimpossible.[16] In other
words,thereisnoobligationtodoanimpossiblething.Impossibiliumnullaobligatoest.Hence,astatutemay
not be so construed as to require compliance with what it prescribes cannot, at the time, be legally,
coincidentally[17],itmustbepresumedthatthelegislaturedidnotatallintendaninterpretationorapplicationof
a law which is far removed from the realm of the possible. Truly, in the interpretation of statutes, the
interpretationtobegivenmustbesuchthatitisinaccordancewithlogic,commonsense,reasonablenessand
practicality.Thus,weareoftheconsideredviewthatthestandbypoweroftherespondentCOMELECunder
Section28ofR.A.8436,presupposesthepossibilityofitsbeingexercisedoravailedof,andnototherwise.
Further,petitionersbareallegationthattheyweredisenfranchisedwhenrespondentCOMELECpeggedthe
registration deadline on December 27, 2000 instead of January 13, 2001 the day before the period before the
May14,2001regularelectionscommencesis,toourmind,notsufficient.Onthismatter,thereisnoallegation
inthetwoconsolidatedpetitionsandtherecordsarebereftofanyshowingthatanyoneofhereinpetitionershas
filedanapplicationtoberegisteredasavoterwhichwasdeniedbytheCOMELECnorfiledacomplaintbefore
the respondent COMELEC alleging that he or she proceeded to the Office of the Election Officer to register
betweentheperiodstartingfromDecember28,2000toJanuary13,2001,andthatheorshewasdisallowedor
barred by respondent COMELEC from filing his application for registration. While it may be true that
respondentCOMELECsettheregistrationdeadlineonDecember27,2000,thisCourtisoftheFirmviewthat
petitionerswerenottotallydeniedtheopportunitytoavailofthecontinuingregistrationunderR.A.8189.Stated
in a different manner, the petitioners in the instant case are not without fault or blame. They admit in their
petition[18]that they failed to register, for whatever reason, within the period of registration and came to this
Court and invoked its protective mantle not realizing, so to speak, the speck in their eyes. Impuris minibus
nemoaccedatcuriam.Letnoonecometocourtwithuncleanhands.
Inasimilarvein,wellentrenchedistheruleinourjurisdictionthatthelawaidsthevigilantandnotthose
whoslumberontheirrights.Vigilantissednondormientibusjurainresubveniunt.
Applyingtheforegoing,thiscourtisofthefirmviewthatrespondentCOMELECdidnotcommitanabuse
of discretion, much less be adjudged to have committed the same in some patent, whimsical and arbitrary
manner, in issuing Resolution No. 3584 which, in respondents own terms, resolved to deny the request to
conductatwodayadditionalregistrationofnewvotersonFebruary17and18,2001.
Onthisparticularmatter,graveabuseofdiscretionimpliesacapriciousandwhimsicalexerciseofjudgment
as is equivalent to lack of jurisdiction, or, when the power is exercised in an arbitrary or despotic manner by
reasonofpassionorpersonalhostility,anditmustbesopatentandgrossastoamounttoanevasionofpositive
dutyenjoinedortoactatallincontemplationoflaws.[19]

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Under these circumstances, we rule that the COMELEC, in denying the request of petitioners to hold a
specialregistration,actedwithintheboundsandconfinesoftheapplicablelawonthematterSection8ofRA
8189. In issuing the assailed Resolution, respondent COMELEC simply performed its constitutional task to
enforce and administer all laws and regulations relative to the conduct of an election,[20]inter alia, questions
relating to the registration of voters evidently, respondent COMELEC merely exercised a prerogative that
chiefly pertains to it and one which squarely falls within the proper sphere of its constitutionallymandated
powers.Hence,whateveractionrespondenttakesintheexerciseofitswidelatitudeofdiscretion,specificallyon
mattersinvolvingvotersregistration,pertainstothewisdomratherthanthelegalityoftheact.Accordingly, in
theabsenceofclearshowingofgraveabuseofpowerofdiscretiononthepartofrespondentCOMELEC,this
Court may not validly conduct an incursion and meddle with affairs exclusively within the province of
respondentCOMELECabodyaccordedbynolessthanthefundamentallawwithindependence.
Astopetitionersprayerfortheissuanceofthewritofmandamus,weholdthatthisCourtcannot,inviewof
theverynatureofsuchextraordinarywrit,issuethesamewithouttransgressingthetimehonoredprinciplesin
thisjurisdiction.
Asanextraordinarywrit,theremedyofmandamusliesonlytocompelanofficertoperformaministerial
duty,notadiscretionaryonemandamuswillnotissuetocontroltheexerciseofdiscretionofapublicofficer
wherethelawimposesuponhimthedutytoexercisehisjudgmentinreferencetoanymannerinwhichheis
requiredtoact,becauseitishisjudgmentthatistobeexercisedandnotthatofthecourt.[21]
Consideringthecircumstanceswherethewritofmandamusliesandthepeculiaritiesofthepresentcase,we
areofthefirmbeliefthatpetitionersfailedtoestablish,tothesatisfactionofthisCourt,thattheyareentitledto
theissuanceofthisextraordinarywritsoastoeffectivelycompelrespondentCOMELECtoconductaspecial
registrationofvoters.Forthedeterminationofwhetherornottheconductofaspecialregistrationofvotersis
feasible,possibleorpracticalwithintheremainingperiodbeforetheactualdateofelection,involvestheexercise
ofdiscretionandthus,cannotbecontrolledbymandamus.
InBayanvs.ExecutiveSecretaryZamoraandrelatedcases,[22]weenunciatedthattheCourtsfunction,as
sanctionedbyArticleVIII,Section1,ismerely(to)checkwhetherornotthegovernmentalbranchoragencyhas
gonebeyondtheconstitutionallimitsofitsjurisdiction,notthatiterredorhasadifferentview.Intheabsenceof
ashowing...(of)graveabuseofdiscretionamountingtolackofjurisdiction,thereisnooccasionfortheCourtto
exerciseitscorrectivepower...Ithasnopowertolookintowhatitthinksisapparenterror.[23]
Finally,theCourtlikewisetakesjudicialnoticeofthefactthatthePresidenthasissuedProclamationNo.15
callingCongresstoaSpecialSessiononMarch19,2001,toallowtheconductofSpecialRegistrationofnew
voters.HouseBillNo.12930hasbeenfiledbeforetheLowerHouse,whichbillseekstoamendR.A.8189asto
the120dayprohibitiveperiodprovidedforundersaidlaw.Similarly,SenateBillNo.2276[24]wasfiledbefore
the Senate, with the same intention to amend the aforesaid law and, in effect, allow the conduct of special
registrationbeforetheMay14,2001GeneralElections.ThisCourtviewstheforegoingfactualcircumstancesas
aclearintimationonthepartofboththeexecutiveandlegislativedepartmentsthatalegalobstacleindeedstands
in the way of the conduct by the Commission on Elections of a special registration before the May 14, 2001
GeneralElections.
WHEREFORE, premises considered, the instant petitions for certiorari and mandamus are hereby
DENIED.
SOORDERED.
YnaresSantiago,DeLeon,andSandovalGutierrez,JJ.,concur.
Davide,Jr.,C.J.,Vitug,Panganiban,Quisumbing,andGonzagaReyes,JJ.,joinedMr.JusticePardoinhis
dissentingopinion.
Bellosillo,Melo,andMendoza,JJ.,concurinthemajorityopinionaswellasintheSeparateOpinionofJ.
Kapunan.
Puno,J.,onofficialbusinessabroad.
Kapunan,J.,seeconcurringopinion.
Pardo,J.,seedissentingopinion.
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5/19/2017 Akbayan vs Comelec: 147066 : March 26, 2001 : J. Buena : En Banc

[1]G.R.No.147066andG.R.No.147179.

[2] AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A GENERAL REGISTRATION OF VOTERS, ADOPTING A SYSTEM OF CONTINUING
REGISTRATION, PRESCRIBING PROCEDURE THEREOF AND AUTHORIZING THE APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS
THEREFOR.
[3]LetterofSenatorRaulRoco.

[4]G.R.No.147066Rollo,p.24.

[5]SeeResolutionNo.3584.

[6]ResolutiondatedMarch13,2001.

[7]ANACTINTRODUCINGADDITIONALREFORMSINTHEELECTORALSYSTEMANDFOROTHERPURPOSES.

[8] AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE COMELEC TO USE AN AUTOMATED ELECTION SYSTEM IN THE MAY 11, 1998
NATIONAL OR LOCAL ELECTIONS AND IN SUBSEQUENT NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTORAL EXERCISES,
PROVIDINGFUNDSTHEREFORANDFOROTHERPURPOSES.
[9] Agpalo, Statutory Construction, pp. 265266, Fourth Edition, 1998 Tan Kim Kee vs. Court of Appeals, 7 SCRA 670 (1963)
CollectorofInternalRevenue,7SCRA872(1963).
[10]Agpalo,Ibid.,p.271CityofNagavs.Agna,71SCRA176(1976).

[11]Ibid.,p.271Gordonvs.VeridainoII,167SCRA51(1988).

[12]CommentofrespondentCOMELEC,p.14.

[13]Ibid.,p.9.

[14]G.R.No.147179Rollo,pp.98102.

[15]Reyesvs.Republic,104Phil.889(1958).

[16]ProvinceofCebuvs.IntermediateAppellateCourt,147SCRA447(1987).

[17]Agpalo,StatutoryConstruction,pp.157158,FourthEdition,1998.

[18]Paragraphs4and5inG.R.No.147066andParagraph9inG.R.No.147179.

[19]Cuisonvs.CourtofAppeals,289SCRA159(1998)Jardinevs.NLRC,G.R.No.119268,February23,2000citingArroyovs.de
Venecia,277SCRA268(1997).
[20]ArticleIXC,Section2.

[21]SyHavs.Gulang7SCRA797[1963]Apruebavs.Ganzon,18SCRA8[1966].

[22]G.R.No.138570,promulgatedonOctober10,2000.

[23]Covs.ElectoralTribunaloftheHouseofRepresentative,199SCRA692(1991)Llamasvs.Orbos,202SCRA849,857(1991)
Lansangvs.Garcia,42SCRA480481(1971).
[24]AnActProvidingfortheConductofSpecialRegistrationofVotersbeforetheMay14,2001,NationalandLocalElections.

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