Arao vs. Commission on Elections, 210 SCRA 290 , June 23, 1992 Case Title : BENJAMIN F.

ARAO, petitioner, vs. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS AND WARLITO PULMONES, respon ents.Case Nature : PETITION !or "ertior#ri to revie$ t%e e"ision o! t%e Co&&ission on E'e"tions. Syllabi Class : Appe#'(E'e"tions(Certior#ri(E'e"tions Syllabi: 1. Appeal; Certiorari; Distinction between special civil action of certiorari and appeal by certiorari.+ 2. Appeal; Certiorari; Elections; Supreme Court passes upon COMELEC decisions with caution.+ 3. Elections; etitioner!s premise" that COMELEC counted votes from non#contested precincts" is wron$.+ . Elections; COMELEC may invalidate ballots with identical hand#writin$s even thou$h not raised in the protest.+ !. Elections; etitioner deemed to have waived his ri$ht to %uestion the failure of COMELEC to e&plain its reasons for invalidatin$ certain ballots by his failure to as' for reconsideration thereof.+ "ivision: EN BANC "oc#et Number: ).R. No. *+,-.. Counsel: R/0en E. A1p#'o $onente: BELLOSILLO "is%ositive $ortion: W2EREFORE, !in in1 no #0/se o! is"retion, &/"% 'ess 1r#ve, p#tent #n s/0st#nti#', t%e petition is DENIED. T%e te&por#r3 restr#inin1 or er iss/e 03 t%is Co/rt on M#r"% ,, *445, is %ere03 'i!te #n set #si e. Arao vs. Commission on Elections G.R. No. 103877. June 23, 1992.*

ENJA!"N #. ARA$, %etitioner, vs. C$!!"&&"$N $N E'EC("$N& AN) *AR'"($ +,'!$NE&, res%on-ents. A%%eal. Certiorari. )istinction /et0een s%ecial civil action o1 certiorari ana%%eal /2 certiorari.3 e1ore resolvin4 t5ese issues, a -istinction s5oul- at t5e outset /e -ra0n /et0een an ori4inal action 1or certiorari, as in t5is case /rou45t un-er &ec. 7, Art. "67A, 1987 Constitution, an- an a%%eal /2 certiorari or %etition 1or revie0. "n t5e s%ecial civil action 1or certiorari, t5e main issue is lac8 o1 9uris-iction or 4rave a/use o1 -iscretion amountin4 to e:cess o1 9uris-iction, 05ile an a%%eal /2 certiorari or %etition 1or revie0 is limite- to t5e consi-eration o1 ;uestions o1 la0. &ame. &ame. Elections. &u%reme Court %asses u%on C$!E'EC -ecisions 0it5 caution.3*5at is certain 1rom t5e a/ove -is;uisition is t5at t5e e:traor-inar2 %o0er o1 t5is Court to %ass u%on an or-er or -ecision o1 C$!E'EC s5oul- /e e:ercise- restrictivel2, 0it5 care an- caution, 05ile 4ivin4 it t5e 5i45est re4ar- an- res%ect -ue a constitutional /o-2. #or, not ever2 a/use o1 -iscretion 9usti1ies t5e ori4inal action o1 certiorari. it must /e 4rave. Nor an2 -enial o1 -ue %rocess 0it5in its am/it. it must /e %atent anit must /e su/stantial. (5e test t5ere1ore is 05et5er %etitioner 5as -emonstrate- convincin4l2 t5at C$!E'EC 5as committe- 4rave a/use o1 -iscretion or e:cee-e- its 9uris-iction amountin4 to %atent an- su/stantial -enial o1 -ue %rocess in issuin4 t5e c5allen4e- -ecision. <ere, %etitioner 5as utterl2 1aile-. Elections. +etitioner=s %remise, t5at C$!E'EC counte- votes 1rom non7 conteste- %recincts, is 0ron4.3"t ma2 /e note- t5at 05ile %rotestant -iattem%t to intro-uce ne0 %recincts in 5is Amen-e- +rotest 1ile- on #e/ruar2 1>, 1988, namel2, +recincts Nos. 101, 111, 112, 113, 121, 122, 129, 137, 1?3, 1>3, 108 an- 131, 05ic5 0ere not enumerate- in t5e ori4inal +rotest, t5ese %recincts 0ere not ta8en into consi-eration /2 C$!E'EC in -eci-in4 E+C No. 8871. <ence, t5e 1irst issue clearl2 a%%ears to /e /ase- on a 0ron4 %remise. &ame. C$!E'EC ma2 invali-ate /allots 0it5 i-entical 5an-70ritin4s even t5ou45 not raise- in t5e %rotest.3,nli8e an or-inar2 suit, an election %rotest is o1 utmost %u/lic concern. (5e ri45ts o1 t5e @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ * EN ANC. 291 A$'. 210, J,NE 23, 1992 291

Arao vs. Commission on Elections conten-in4 %arties in t5e %osition as%ire- 1or must 2iel- to t5e 1ar 4reater interest o1 t5e citiBens in t5e sanctit2 o1 t5e electoral %rocess. (5is /ein4 t5e case, t5e c5oice o1 t5e %eo%le to re%resent t5em ma2 not /e /ar4aine- a0a2 /2 t5e s5eer ne4li4ence o1 a %art2, nor -e1eate- /2 tec5nical rules o1 %roce-ure. (5us, C$!E'EC cannot 9ust close its e2es to t5e ille4alit2 o1 t5e /allots /rou45t /e1ore it, 05ere t5e 4roun- 1or t5e invali-ation 0as omitte/2 t5e %rotestant. &ame. +etitioner -eeme- to 5ave 0aive- 5is ri45t to ;uestion t5e 1ailure o1 C$!E'EC to e:%lain its reasons 1or invali-atin4 certain /allots /2 5is 1ailure to as8 1or reconsi-eration t5ereo1.3<avin4 /een -eclare- 0inner in t5e Resolution o1 )ecem/er 11, 1991, %etitioner 0oul- not or-inaril2 /e e:%ecte- to initiate a motion 1or reconsi-eration. Nonet5eless, 5e coul- 5ave /rou45t u% 5is o/9ections in 5is !emoran-um in o%%osition to t5e +rotestant=s !otion 1or Reconsi-eration so t5at %u/lic res%on-ent coul5ave %ro%erl2 rule- t5ereon. Conse;uentl2, %etitioner ma2 /e -eeme- to 5ave 0aive- 5is ri45t to ;uestion t5e Resolution 05en 5e 1aile- to act accor-in4l2 -es%ite t5e o%%ortunit2 so to -o. <e s5oul- not /e %ermitte-, in ot5er 0or-s, to remain mute an- una11ecte- in t5e 1ace o1 a %erceive9uris-ictional -e1ect an-, 0orse, %ro1it 1rom 5is ;uiescence, onl2 to 4rum/le in t5e en- 05en it turns out to /e %re9u-icial to 5is interest. As it 5as /een sai-, CDnEeit5er e;uit2 nor t5e la0 relieves t5ose 05o see8 ai- in Court merel2 to avoi- t5e e11ects o1 t5eir o0n ne4li4ence : : :F G'i%scom/ v. (al/ott, 2?3 !o 1, 3H D1912EI. +E("("$N 1or certiorari to revie0 t5e -ecision o1 t5e Commission on Elections. (5e 1acts are state- in t5e o%inion o1 t5e Court. Ru/en E. A4%alo 1or %etitioner. E''$&"''$, J.J (5is %etition 1or certiorari1 see8s to set asi-e, 1or 5avin4 alle4e-l2 /een issue- 0it5 4rave a/use o1 -iscretion an-Kor in e:cess o1 9uris-iction, t5e )ecision o1 res%on-ent Commission on Elections GC$!E'ECI in E+C No. 8871,2 %romul4ate- Januar2 23, 1992, 05ic5 reconsi-ere- t5e Resolution o1 its #irst @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 1 #ile- %ursuant to &ec. 7, Art. "67A, 1987 Constitution. 2 Anne: C",F +etition, Rollo, %%. 1977203.

292 292 &,+RE!E C$,R( RE+$R(& ANN$(A(E) Arao vs. Commission on Elections )ivision o1 )ecem/er 11, 1991,3 1in-in4 %etitioner G%rotestee t5ereinI C0inner o1 t5e election %rotest /2 a mar4in o1 378 votes in lieu o1 t5e ori4inal lea- o1 %rotestee o1 ?17 votes over %rotestant at t5e time o1 t5e 1ormer=s %roclamation /2 t5e Cit2 oar- o1 Canvassers o1 +a4a-ian Cit2,F an- -eclarin4 instea- %rivate res%on-ent G%rotestant t5ereinI -ul2 electema2or t5ereo1. +etitioner en9amin Arao an- %rivate res%on-ent *arlito +ulmones 0ere can-i-ates 1or t5e $11ice o1 Cit2 !a2or o1 +a4a-ian Cit2 in t5e Januar2 18, 1988, local elections. A1ter canvass, %etitioner 0as s5o0n to 5ave 4arnere12,??7 votes, 05ile %rivate res%on-ent, onl2 12,030 votes,? or a mar4in o1 ?17 votes in 1avor o1 %etitioner. Conse;uentl2, on Januar2 21, 1988, %etitioner 0as %roclaime- Cit2 !a2or7elect o1 +a4a-ian Cit2.> $n Januar2 28, 1988, %rivate res%on-ent 1ile- 5is +rotest 0it5 C$!E'ECH more %articularl2 alle4in4 t5at C05ile 1rau- an- anomalies 0ere ram%ant in %racticall2 all t5e votin4 centers o1 +a4a-ian Cit2, t5e violations 0ere 4larin4l2 an- nota/l2 %er%etrate- in t5e 1ollo0in4 -istricts an-Kor %recincts, to 0itJ GaI D"En all t5e t5ree G3I %recincts o1 La0it )istrict : : : : G/I D"En (u/uran )istrict : : : %articularl2 in +recincts 77 an- 80 :::: GcI G"In oni1acio )istrict, %articularl2 +recinct H9 :::: G-I G"In &ta. 'ucia )istrict, %articularl2 +recinct No. ?2 : : : GeI G"In all o1 t5e seven G7I %recincts in &to. NiMo )istrict : : : : G1I G"In &an Jose )istrict, %articularl2 +recinct No. 32 : : : : G4I G"In +recinct No. 33 at &an Jose )istrict : : : : G5I G"In +recinct No. 3? o1 &an Jose )istrict : : : : GiI G"In all o1 t5e %recincts in &an +e-ro )istrict : : : : G9I G"In +recincts 19 an- 22 o1 Gatas )istrict : : : : G8I : : : in all t5e %recincts in alan4asa )istrict /ut more nota/l2 in +recincts 8 an- 11 : : : :F $n #e/ruar2 8, 1988, %etitioner 1ile- 5is Ans0er 0it5 Counter%rotest.7 <o0ever, C$!E'EC G#irst )ivisionI -ismisse- t5e counter%rotest %er its Resolution o1 #e/ruar2 7, @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 3 Anne: C#,F +etition, Rollo, %%. 8371H2. ? Erroneousl2 alle4e- in %ar. "A. 1, +etition, as C12,03?.F > Anne: C#,F +etition, Rollo, %%. 8371H2. H Anne: CA,F +etition, +rotest, %ar. >. Rollo, %%. ?>7?9.

7 Anne: C ,F +etition, Rollo, %%. >37H0. 293 A$'. 210, J,NE 23, 1992 293 Arao vs. Commission on Elections 1991, 1or 1ailure to %a2 t5e re;uire- 1ilin4 1ee 0it5in t5e re4lementar2 %erio-.8 $n #e/ruar2 1>, 1988, or a1ter t5e 107-a2 %erio- to 1ile an election %rotest, %rivate res%on-ent 1ile- an Amen-e- +rotest enumeratin4 t5erein t5irteen G13I %recincts 05ic5 0ere not %reviousl2 s%eci1ie-J +recincts 17A, ?, H, 9, 17, 20, 21, 30, 31, 3>, 3H, >0 an- 70.9 Actuall2, ot5er %recincts, i.e., +recincts 101, 110, 111, 112, 113, 121, 122, 129, 137, 1?3, 1>3, 108 an131, 05ic5 0ere not %articularl2 mentione- in t5e +etition, 0ere inclu-e- in t5e Amen-e- +rotest.10 $n !arc5 3, 1988, %etitioner 1ile- 5is +rotestee=s Comments an$/servations on t5e Amen-e- +rotest, alt5ou45 receive- /2 C$!E'EC onl2 on A%ril ?, 1988.11 $n #e/ruar2 7, 1991, C$!E'EC G#irst )ivisionI issue- t5e 1ollo0in4 ResolutionJ CA%%arentl2, t5e Commission ta8in4 into consi-eration t5e comments ano/servations o1 %rotestee, 0as convince- t5at t5e amen-e- %rotest 0as not a-missi/le as t5e recor- 1aile- to 2iel- an2 1ormal or-er a-mittin4 t5e amen-e- %rotest.F12 $n )ecem/er 11, 1991, C$!E'EC G#irst )ivisionI issue- a Resolution %ar. ? o1 05ic5 statesJ C?. +rotestant 1ile- 5is Amen-e- +rotest on #e/ruar2 1>, 1988, alt5ou45 t5ere is not5in4 on recor- t5at s5o0s t5e same 0as -ul2 a-mitte-. t5e recors5o0s, 5o0ever, t5at t5e +rotestee su/mitte- 5is NComments an$/servations on t5e Amen-e- +rotest= in a 1ormal -ocument -ate- !arc5 3, 1988 an- receive- /2 t5is Commission on A%ril ?, 1988.F13 "n 5ol-in4 t5at t5ere 0as not5in4 on recor- s5o0in4 t5at +rotestant=s Amen-e- +rotest 0as -ul2 a-mitte-, %u/lic re7 @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 8 Anne: CE,F +etition, Rollo, %%. 7>781. 9 Anne: CC,F +etition, Rollo, %%. H1772. 10 "/i-. 11 Resolution, C$!E'EC G#irst )ivisionI, %rom. )ecem/er 11, 1991, %. 3. 12 Anne: CE,F +etition, Rollo, %%. 7>781.

13 Anne: C#,F +etition, Rollo, %%. 8371H2. 29? 29? &,+RE!E C$,R( RE+$R(& ANN$(A(E) Arao vs. Commission on Elections s%on-ent=s #irst )ivision a%%arentl2 overloo8e- its $r-er o1 A%ril 7, 1988, 05ic5 rea-sJ C#or consi-eration is t5e +rotestee=s Comments an- $/servations on t5e Amen-e- +rotest -ate- !arc5 3, 1988, 1ile- /2 Counsel 1or +rotestee %ra2in4 t5at t5e amen-e- %rotest -ate- #e/ruar2 1>, 1988, 1ile- /2 +rotestant /e -enie- a-mission. "t a%%earin4 1rom t5e recor-s o1 t5e case t5at +rotestant=s Amen-e- +rotest 0as 1ile- in accor-ance 0it5 &ec. 17, Rule 6 o1 C$!E'EC Resolution No. 199H, t5e Commission 5ere/2 -enies t5e 5erein +rotestee=s Comments an- $/servations on t5e +rotestant=s Amen-e+rotest.F "n t5e resolution En anc o1 t5is Court -ate- &e%tem/er 7, 1989, in G.R. No. 8803H, 05ere %etitioner ;uestione- t5e Ctrans1er o1 t5e ;uestione- /allot /o:es to Ca4a2an -e $ro in vie0 o1 t5e serious %eace an- or-er %ro/lem in +a4a-ian Cit2,F it clearl2 a%%ears t5at t5e Amen-e- +rotest 0as in 1act a-mitte-, t5us3 C: : : : esi-es, t5e $r-er o1 A%ril 7, 1988, a-mittin4 t5e amen-e- %rotest 0as ;uestione- onl2 on !a2 11, 1989, 05en t5e 5erein %etition 0as 1ile-, or 0a2 /e2on- t5e 307-a2 re4lementar2 %erio- %rescri/e- in Article "67A, &ection 7, o1 t5e Constitution.F $n )ecem/er 11, 1991, a1ter revision o1 /allots an- 5earin4, C$!E'EC G#irst )ivisionI %romul4ate- a Resolution t5e -is%ositive %ortion o1 05ic5 rea-sJ C*<ERE#$RE : : : : t5e Commission G#irst )ivisionI RE&$'AE&, as it 5ere/2 RE&$'AE&, to )"&!"&& Election +rotest Case No. 8871 an)EC'ARE& %rotestee 0inner o1 t5e election %rotest /2 a mar4in o1 378 votes in lieu o1 t5e ori4inal lea- o1 %rotestee /2 ?17 votes over %rotestant at t5e time o1 t5e 1ormer=s %roclamation /2 t5e Cit2 oar- o1 Canvassers o1 +a4a-ian Cit2.F1? $n )ecem/er 1H, 1991, %rivate res%on-ent 1ile- 5is !otion 1or Reconsi-eration.1> @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 1? Anne: C#,F +etition, Rollo, %%. 8371H2. 1> Anne: CG,F +etition, Rollo, %%. 1H371H9.

29> A$'. 210, J,NE 23, 1992 29> Arao vs. Commission on Elections +etitioner claims t5at on Januar2 1>, 1992, 5e 1ile- a !emoran-um in $%%osition to t5e !otion 1or Reconsi-eration o1 %rivate res%on-ent1H raisin4 t5e 1ollo0in4 %ointsJ GaI e:amination an- a%%reciation o1 /allots s5oul- 5ave /een con1ine- to 31 %roteste- %recincts %er ori4inal %rotest 1ile- Januar2 28, 1988, consi-erin4 t5at amen-e- %rotest 0as -ecree- as Cnot a-missi/leF in t5e #e/ruar2 7, 1991, Resolution o1 C$!E'EC G#irst )ivisionI. G/I e:amination o1 /allots to -etermine i-entical 5an-0ritin4s s5oul- /e limite- to +recincts 19, 22, 8 an- 11 as alle4e- in t5e ori4inal %rotest. GcI it 0as contrar2 to /asic rules 1or C$!E'EC to %ass u%on /allots Gin 1avor o1 %rotesteeI as i-entical 0it5 eac5 ot5er 05en t5e2 0ere not even ;uestione- /2 %rotestant, t5us -e%rivin4 %rotestee t5e ri45t to %resent controvertin4 evi-ence. G-I C$!E'EC 1aile- to consi-er its recor-s s5o0in4 t5at t5ere 0ere 139 assiste- illiterate or -isa/le- voters, 5ence, to invali-ate t5eir votes is tec5nicall2 a -isen1ranc5isement an- a su/version o1 soverei4n 0ill. GeI it is statisticall2 im%ro/a/le 1or a can-i-ate to 5ave utiliBe- 332 4rou%s G%ersonsI to 0rite 723 /allots Ga ratio o1 1 %erson 1or 2 /allotsI. G1I mat5ematical com%utation o1 %rotestant in 5is motion 1or reconsi-eration is erroneous an- sel17servin4. an-, G4I C$!E'EC s5oul- 5ave cre-ite- 10 more votes 1or %rotestee as a11irme-Ka-mitte- -urin4 t5e revision o1 /allots. <o0ever, in 5is Comment, %rivate res%on-ent +ulmones -enies all t5ese averments o1 %etitioner, an- claims t5at t5e2 contain C/aseless anun1oun-e-F alle4ations 05ic5 are %recisel2 to /e re9ecte- in t5is %etition. $n Januar2 23, 1992, C$!E'EC En anc %romul4ate- its )ecision t5us3 CACC$R)"NG'O, t5e Commission En anc 5ere/2 ren-ers 9u-4mentJ a. GRAN("NG +rotestant +ulmones= !otion 1or Reconsi-eration. /. )ENO"NG +rotestee Arao=s !ani1estation 1or t5e -ismissal o1 +rotestant=s !otion 1or Reconsi-eration. c. A##"R!"NG t5e @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 1H Anne: C<,F +etition, Rollo, %%. 170719>. 29H

29H &,+RE!E C$,R( RE+$R(& ANN$(A(E) Arao vs. Commission on Elections 1actual 1in-in4s o1 t5e Commission G#irst )ivisionI relative to t5e e:amination o1 t5e conteste- /allots o1 /ot5 +rotestant an- +rotestee. -. )EC'AR"NG +rotestant *arlito +ulmones as t5e -ul2 electe- !a2or o1 +a4a-ian Cit2 in t5e Januar2 18, 1988 elections 0it5 a mar4in o1 >1H votes a4ainst +rotestee en9amin #. Arao. an-, e. $R)ER"NG +rotestee Arao to AACA(E 5is o11ice an- surren-er t5e same to +rotestant +ulmones once t5is -ecision /ecomes 1inal an- e:ecutor2.F17 !ean05ile, on #e/ruar2 28, 1992, actin4 on t5e motion o1 +ulmones, res%on-ent C$!E'EC 4rante- t5e issuance o1 a 0rit o1 e:ecution to en1orce its )ecision o1 Januar2 23, 1992. $n !arc5 ?, 1992, %etitioner 1ile- 0it5 ,s an ur4ent motion 1or t5e issuance o1 a 0rit o1 %reliminar2 in9unction or a tem%orar2 restrainin4 or-er a4ainst t5e #e/ruar2 28, 1992, $r-er o1 %u/lic res%on-ent. $n !arc5 >, 1992, t5is Court issue- a tem%orar2 restrainin4 or-er as %ra2e1or /2 %etitioner, an- re;uire- %rivate res%on-ent to comment t5ereon. "n 5is %etition, Arao raises 1ive issues 05ic5 nevert5eless ma2 sim%l2 /e re-uce- into 05et5er res%on-ent C$!E'EC 4ravel2 a/use- its -iscretion or e:cee-e- its 9uris-ictionJ G1I 05en it e:amine- an- invali-ate- ?2H /allots 1or %etitioner in %recincts not inclu-e- in t5e ori4inal %rotest /ut onl2 in t5e amen-e- %rotest 1ile- /e2on- t5e ten7-a2 %erio-. G2I 05en it invali-ate- ?HH /allots 1or %etitioner as 5avin4 i-entical 5an-70ritin4s alt5ou45 %rotestant -i- not raise suc5 issues, nor im%u4n t5e vali-it2 o1 t5e /allots on suc5 4roun-. an-, G3I 05en it conclu-e- t5at certain /allots 0ere 0it5 i-entical 5an-70ritin4s, some mar8e-, an- ot5ers stra2, an- -e-uctin4 t5em 1rom t5e total votes o1 %etitioner 0it5out statin4 t5e 4roun-s t5ere1or. e1ore resolvin4 t5ese issues, a -istinction s5oul- at t5e outset /e -ra0n /et0een an ori4inal action 1or certiorari, as in t5is case /rou45t un-er &ec. 7, Art. "67A, 1987 Constitution, an- an a%%eal /2 certiorari or %etition 1or revie0. "n t5e s%ecial civil action 1or certiorari, t5e main issue is lac8 o1 9uris-iction or 4rave a/use o1 -iscretion amountin4 to e:cess o1 9uris-iction, @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 17 Anne: C",F +etition, Rollo, %%. 1977203. 297 A$'. 210, J,NE 23, 1992 297

Arao vs. Commission on Elections 05ile an a%%eal /2 certiorari or %etition 1or revie0 is limite- to t5e consi-eration o1 ;uestions o1 la0. (5us, in t5e o1t7cite- case o1 +a-illa vs. C$!E'EC,18 *e rule-J C(5e %rinci%al relie1 sou45t /2 %etitioner is %re-icate- on t5e certiorari 9uris-iction o1 t5is Court as %rovi-e- in &ection 11, Article 6""7C, 1973 Constitution. "t is, as e:%laine- in Aratuc vs. Commission on Elections G88 &CRA 2>1I, Nnot as /roa- as it use- to /e= un-er t5e ol- Constitution an- it Ns5oul- /e con1ine- to instances o1 4rave a/use o1 -iscretion amountin4 to %atent an- su/stantial -enial o1 -ue %ro7cess= : : : : !oreover, t5e le4islative construction : : : o1 t5e constitutional %rovision 5as narro0e-o0n Nt5e sco%e an- e:tent o1 t5e in;uir2 t5e Court is su%%ose- to un-erta8e to 05at is strictl2 t5e o11ice o1 certiorari as -istin4uis5e- 1rom revie0.= Anin 'ucman vs. )ima%oro : : : a case -eci-e- un-er t5e Constitution o1 193>, t5is Court, s%ea8in4 t5rou45 t5en C5ie1 Justice Conce%cion, rule- t5at Nt5is Court cannot : : : revie0 rulin4s or 1in-in4s o1 1act o1 t5e Commission on Elections= : : : as t5ere is Nno reason to /elieve t5at t5e 1ramers o1 our Constitution inten-e- to %lace t5e Dsai-E Commis7sion3create- ane:%licitl2 ma-e in-e%en-ent /2 t5e Constitution itsel13on a lo0er level= t5an statutor2 a-ministrative or4ans G05ose 1actual 1in-in4s are not -istur/e- /2 courts o1 9ustice, e:ce%t 05en t5ere is a/solutel2 no evi-ence or no su/stantial evi-ence in su%%ort o1 suc5 1in-in4s=I : : : : #actual matters 0ere -eeme- not %ro%er 1or consi-eration in %rocee-in4s /rou45t eit5er Nas an ori4inal action 1or certiorari or as an a%%eal /2 certiorari . . . D1orE t5e main issue in . . . certiorari is one o1 9uris-iction3lac8 o1 9uris-iction or 4rave a/use o1 -iscretion amountin4 to e:cess o1 9uris-iction= 05ile N%etitions 1or revie0 on certiorari are limite- to t5e consi-eration o1 ;uestions o1 la0.= (5e a1orementione- rule 0as reiterate- in t5e cases o1 (icBon an- as5ier : : : : "n-ee-, as earl2 as t5e 2ear 1938, a%%l2in4 &ection ?, Article A" o1 t5e 193> Constitution : : : t5is Court 5el- t5at t5e Electoral Commission=s Ne:clusive 9uris-iction= /ein4 clear 1rom t5e lan4ua4e o1 t5e %rovision, N9u-4ment ren-ere- . . . in t5e e:ercise o1 suc5 an ac8no0le-4e- %o0er is /e2on- 9u-icial inter1erence, e:ce%t . . . . Nu%on a clear s5o0in4 o1 suc5 ar/itrar2 an- im%rovi-ent use o1 t5e %o0er as 0ill constitute a -enial o1 -ue %rocess o1 la0= : : : : $ri4inall2 lo-4e- in t5e le4islature t5at e:clusive 1unction o1 /ein4 t5e Nsole 9u-4e= o1 contests Nrelatin4 to t5e election, returns an- ;uali1i7 @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

18 G.R. Nos. H83>17>2, Jul2 9, 198>. 137 &CRA ?2?. 298 298 &,+RE!E C$,R( RE+$R(& ANN$(A(E) Arao vs. Commission on Elections cations= o1 mem/ers o1 t5e le4islature 0as trans1erre- Nin its totalit2= to t5e Electoral Commission /2 t5e 193> Constitution. (5at 4rant o1 %o0er, to use t5e lan4ua4e o1 t5e late Justice Jose +. 'aurel, N0as inten-e- to /e as com%lete an- unim%aire- as i1 it 5a- remaine- ori4inall2 in t5e le4islature . . .= : : : : (5ese o/servations remain vali- an- a%%lica/le to t5e e:ercise o1 t5at 1unction, as no0 veste- in t5e res%on-ent Commission /2 t5e 1973 Constitution.F Earlier, in &i-ro v. Commission on Elections,19 it 0as 5el-3 C: : : : (5is Court 5as invaria/l2 1ollo0e- t5e %rinci%le t5at in t5e a/sence o1 an2 9uris-ictional in1irmit2 or an error o1 la0 o1 t5e utmost 4ravit2, t5e conclusion reac5e- /2 res%on-ent Commission on a matter t5at 1alls 0it5in its com%etence is entitle- to t5e utmost res%ect. &o it 5as /een reiterate- time an- time a4ain.F Alt5ou45 t5e +a-illa case 5erein/e1ore ;uote- 0as -eci-e- un-er t5e 1973 Constitution, t5e -octrine t5erein enunciate- is still a%%lica/le un-er t5e 1987 Constitution consi-erin4 t5at &ec. 11, Art. 6""7C o1 t5e 1973 Constitution, invo8e- t5erein 5as /een retaine- in t5e 1987 Constitution e:ce%t 1or t5e limitation Cas ma2 /e %rovi-e- /2 t5is Constitution or /2 la0.F Conse;uentl2, unless it is s5o0n t5at t5e Constitution itsel1 or an2 la0 mo-i1ies t5e %rovision t5at C: : : an2 -ecision, or-er, or rulin4 o1 eac5 Commission20 ma2 /e /rou45t to t5e &u%reme Court on certiorari /2 t5e a44rieve- %art2 0it5in t5irt2 -a2s 1rom recei%t o1 a co%2 t5ereo1,F an- none is %ointe- to ,s, our inter%retation o1 t5e %ertinent %rovisions a-verte- to in /ot5 Constitutions, as 0ell as our a-5erence t5ereto, cannot /e an2 less 1irm an- 1ait51ul. *5at is certain 1rom t5e a/ove -is;uisition is t5at t5e e:traor-inar2 %o0er o1 t5is Court to %ass u%on an or-er or -ecision o1 C$!E'EC s5oul- /e e:ercise- restrictivel2, 0it5 care an- caution, 05ile 4ivin4 it t5e 5i45est re4ar- an- res%ect -ue a constitutional /o-2. #or, not ever2 a/use o1 -iscretion 9usti1ies @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 19 G.R. No. H?033, Jul2 2>, 1983. 123 &CRA 7>9.

20 Art. "6, 1987 Constitution re1ers to Constitutional Commissions, namel2, t5e Civil &ervice Commission G%ar. I, t5e Commission on Elections G%ar. CI an- t5e Commission on Au-it G%ar. )I. 299 A$'. 210, J,NE 23, 1992 299 Arao vs. Commission on Elections t5e ori4inal action o1 certiorari. it must /e 4rave. Nor an2 -enial o1 -ue %rocess 0it5in its am/it. it must /e %atent an- it must /e su/stantial. (5e test t5ere1ore is 05et5er %etitioner 5as -emonstrate- convincin4l2 t5at C$!E'EC 5as committe- 4rave a/use o1 -iscretion or e:cee-e- its 9uris-iction amountin4 to %atent an- su/stantial -enial o1 -ue %rocess in issuin4 t5e c5allen4e- -ecision. <ere, %etitioner 5as utterl2 1aile-. As re4ar-s t5e 1irst issue o1 %etitioner, it a%%ears t5at t5e ori4inal +rotest o1 %rivate res%on-ent +ulmones -i- in 1act cover all t5e 1ort271ive G?>I %recincts t5e C$!E'EC too8 co4niBance o1 in resolvin4 E+C No. 8871. As alle4e- in %ar. > o1 5is +rotest3 C>. (5at 05ile 1rau- an- anomalies 0ere ram%ant in %racticall2 all t5e votin4 centers o1 +a4a-ian Cit2, t5e violations 0ere 4larin4l2 an- nota/l2 %er%etrate- in t5e 1ollo0in4 -istricts an-Kor %recincts : : : :F (5e %ra2er in t5e same +rotest also con1irms t5at it re1ers to 1ort271ive G?>I %recincts as it see8s t5e Co%enin4 an- recountin4 o1 votes cast in all 3 %recincts in La0it )istrict. +recs. 77 an- 80 in (u/uran )istrict. +recs. 77, ?2, >8, 80 an- 70 all o1 +a4a-ian Cit2. +rec. H9 o1 oni1acio )istrict. +rec. ?2 an- all %recincts in &ta. 'ucia )istrict. all seven %recincts in t5e )istrict o1 &to. NiMo. +recs. 32, 33 an- 3?, an- all %recincts o1 &an Jose )istrict. all t5e %recincts in &an +e-ro )istrict. +recs. 19 an- 32 an- all ot5er %recincts in t5e Gatas )istrict. an- +recs. 8 an- 11 an- all ot5er %recincts o1 alan4asan )istrict, all o1 +a4a-ian Cit2F Gitalics su%%lie-I. &%eci1icall2, t5e %recincts covere- areJ GaI all %recincts o1 La0it GH3, H? an- H>. G/I t0o in (u/uran G77 an- 80I. GcI one in oni1acio GH9I. G-I all in &ta. 'ucia G?2 an>0I. GeI all in &to. NiMo G117A, 12, 137A, 1?, 1> an- 1HI. G1I all in &an Jose G30, 31, 32, 33, 3?, 3> an- 3HI. G4I all in &an +e-ro G>2, >3, >?, >>, >H, >7, >8, >9, H0, H1 an- H2I. G5I all in Gatas G17, 18, 19, 20, 21 an- 22I. GiI all in alan4asan G17A, ?, H, 8, 9 an- 11I. an-, G9I +rec. 70 Guns%eci1ie- -istrictI. (5e sum total o1 t5ese %recincts is 1ort271ive G?>I, 05ic5 tallies 0it5 t5e total num/er o1 %recincts conteste- /2 %rotestant, no0 %rivate res%on-ent. "t ma2 /e note- t5at 05ile %rotestant -i- attem%t to intro-uce ne0 %recincts in 5is Amen-e- +rotest 1ile- on #e/ruar2

300 300 &,+RE!E C$,R( RE+$R(& ANN$(A(E) Arao vs. Commission on Elections 1>, 1988, namel2, +recincts Nos. 101, 111, 112, 113, 121, 122, 129, 137, 1?3, 1>3, 108 an- 131, 05ic5 0ere not enumerate- in t5e ori4inal +rotest, t5ese %recincts 0ere not ta8en into consi-eration /2 C$!E'EC in -eci-in4 E+C No. 8871. <ence, t5e 1irst issue clearl2 a%%ears to /e /ase- on a 0ron4 %remise. $n t5e secon- issue, t5e 1ailure or omission o1 %rotestant to raise t5e ;uestion o1 i-entical 5an-0ritin4 or o1 im%u4nin4 t5e vali-it2 o1 t5e /allots on t5at 4roun-, resultin4 in t5e invali-ation o1 ?HH /allots 1or %etitioner, -oes not %reclu-e res%on-ent C$!E'EC 1rom re9ectin4 t5em on t5at 4roun-. ,nli8e an or-inar2 suit, an election %rotest is o1 utmost %u/lic concern. (5e ri45ts o1 t5e conten-in4 %arties in t5e %osition as%ire- 1or must 2iel- to t5e 1ar 4reater interest o1 t5e citiBens in t5e sanctit2 o1 t5e electoral %rocess. (5is /ein4 t5e case, t5e c5oice o1 t5e %eo%le to re%resent t5em ma2 not /e /ar4aine- a0a2 /2 t5e s5eer ne4li4ence o1 a %art2, nor -e1eate- /2 tec5nical rules o1 %roce-ure. (5us, C$!E'EC cannot 9ust close its e2es to t5e ille4alit2 o1 t5e /allots /rou45t /e1ore it, 05ere t5e 4roun- 1or t5e invali-ation 0as omitte- /2 t5e %rotestant. As 5el- in Oalun4 v. AtienBaJ21 C: : : : "nasmuc5 as it is not necessar2 to s%eci12 in -etail in t5e motion o1 %rotest in 05ic5 o1 t5e /allots t5e 1rau-s an- irre4ularities 0ere committe-, suc5 a %roce-ure /ein4 0ell7ni45 im%ossi/le, an- it /ein4 enou45 to alle4e in 05at t5e 1rau- an- irre4ularit2 consiste-, an- t5at 5a- it not /een 1or suc5 anomalies, t5e result o1 t5e election 0oul- 5ave /een ot5er0ise, all o1 05ic5 5ave /een alle4e- in t5e motion o1 %rotest in ;uestion, t5e court or t5e commissioners a%%ointe- /2 t5e same ma2 revise all t5e /allots, a-mittin4 t5e vali- an- le4al ones an- re9ectin4 t5e ot5ers, 0it5 a vie0 to arrivin4 at t5e la01ull2 e:%resse- 0ill o1 t5e electors. (5e institution o1 %o%ular su11ra4e is one o1 %u/lic interest an- not a %rivate interest o1 t5e can-i-ates, so t5at i1 in t5e revision o1 t5e /allots some ille4al /allots are 1oun- 05ic5 5ave not /een s%eci1icall2 im%u4ne- in t5e motion o1 %rotest, t5e court ma2 re9ect t5em motu %ro%rio, since it is not essential t5at t5e contestant set 1ort5 t5e 4roun-s o1 5is contest 0it5 t5e same %recision re;uire- o1 a %lea-in4 in or-inar2 civil cases G20 Cor%us Juris, 227. italics su%%lie-I. @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

21 >2 +5il. 781 G1929I. 301 A$'. 210, J,NE 23, 1992 301 Arao vs. Commission on Elections C"n t5e case o1 'ucero vs. )e GuBman G?> +5il., 8>2I, t5is court state- t5e 1ollo0in4J N(5e %ur%ose o1 t5e le4islature in -eclarin4 t5at contests s5oulnot /e con-ucte- u%on %lea-in4s or /2 action 0as to 1ree t5e courts as 1ar as %ossi/le 1rom t5e tec5nicalities inci-ent to or-inar2 %rocee-in4 /2 action an- to ena/le t5e courts to a-minister 9ustice s%ee-il2 an- 0it5out com%lication.= C(5e trial court, t5en, -i- not err in ta8in4 into account in t5e revision o1 t5e /allots, irre4ularities not set 1ort5 in t5e motion o1 %rotest.F *it5 re4ar- to t5e t5ir- issue, t5e com%laint o1 %etitioner a4ainst t5e alle4eomission o1 C$!E'EC to state t5e reasons 1or its conclusion t5at certain /allots 0ere 0it5 i-entical 5an-70ritin4s, some mar8e- an- ot5ers stra2, -oes not in an2 ma4nitu-e -iminis5 t5e strai45t1or0ar- statement o1 t5e %u/lic res%on-ent t5at Cit %ainsta8in4l2 e:amine- an- a%%reciatein-ivi-uall2 t5e conteste- /allots 1or /ot5 %rotestant an- %rotestee in accor-ance 0it5 e:istin4 norms : : : :F22 +etitioner -i- not ;uestion t5is alle4e- irre4ularit2 /2 /rin4in4 t5e matter to t5e attention o1 C$!E'EC G#irst )ivisionI imme-iatel2 a1ter t5e %romul4ation o1 its Resolution. (5e Resolution containin4 t5e alle4e9uris-ictional -e1ect 0as %romul4ate- on )ecem/er 11, 1991. <o0ever, it 0as not until 5e 1ile- 5is %etition on #e/ruar2 17, 1992, t5at %etitioner com%laine- 1or t5e 1irst time. Certainl2, t5at Resolution 5avin4 /een ren-ere- /2 a -ivision o1 C$!E'EC coul- 5ave /een su/9ect o1 a motion 1or reconsi-eration. A-mitte-l2, %etitioner -i- not ta8e ste%s to 5ave t5e matter reconsi-ere- /2 %u/lic res%on-ent /e1ore comin4 to ,s. <avin4 /een -eclare- 0inner in t5e Resolution o1 )ecem/er 11, 1991, %etitioner 0oul- not or-inaril2 /e e:%ecte- to initiate a motion 1or reconsi-eration. Nonet5eless, 5e coul- 5ave /rou45t u% 5is o/9ections in 5is !emoran-um in o%%osition to t5e +rotestant=s !otion 1or Reconsi-eration so t5at %u/lic res%on-ent coul- 5ave %ro%erl2 rule- t5ereon. Conse;uentl2, %etitioner ma2 /e -eeme- to 5ave 0aive- 5is ri45t to ;uestion t5e Resolution 05en 5e 1aile- to act accor-in4l2 -es%ite t5e o%%or7 @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 22 Resolution, C$!E'EC G#irst )ivisionI, o1 )ecem/er 11, 1991, %. 8.

302 302 &,+RE!E C$,R( RE+$R(& ANN$(A(E) Arao vs. Commission on Elections tunit2 so to -o. <e s5oul- not /e %ermitte-, in ot5er 0or-s, to remain mute an- una11ecte- in t5e 1ace o1 a %erceive- 9uris-ictional -e1ect an-, 0orse, %ro1it 1rom 5is ;uiescence, onl2 to 4rum/le in t5e en- 05en it turns out to /e %re9u-icial to 5is interest. As it 5as /een sai-, CDnEeit5er e;uit2 nor t5e la0 relieves t5ose 05o see8 ai- in Court merel2 to avoi- t5e e11ects o1 t5eir o0n ne4li4ence : : :F G'i%scom/ v. (al/ott, 2?3 !o 1, 3H D1912EI. *<ERE#$RE, 1in-in4 no a/use o1 -iscretion, muc5 less 4rave, %atent ansu/stantial, t5e %etition is )EN"E). (5e tem%orar2 restrainin4 or-er issue/2 t5is Court on !arc5 3, 1992, is 5ere/2 li1te- an- set asi-e. &$ $R)ERE). Narvasa GC.J.I, GutierreB, Jr., CruB, +aras, #eliciano, +a-illa, i-in, GriMo7A;uino, !e-ial-ea, Re4ala-o, )avi-e, Jr. an- Romero, JJ., concur. Nocon, J., $n leave. +etition -enie-. Notes.3&%ecial civil action o1 certiorari con1ine- to ;uestions o1 ar/itrar2 acts a11ectin4 9uris-iction. GCaran-an4 vs. Ca/atuan-o, >2 &CRA 383.I C$!E'EC 5as /roa- %o0ers to ascertain results o1 election /2 means availa/le to it, suc5 as rel2in4 in t5e certi1icate issue- /2 its re4istrar 05ic5 con1irms t5at issue- /2 t5e /oar- o1 canvassers. GGeromo vs. Commission on Elections, 118 &CRA 1H>.I DArao vs. Commission on Elections, 210 &CRA 290G1992IE