{\rtf\ansi\deff0\ansicpg1252

{\fonttbl
{\f0\froman times new roman;}}
{\colortbl\red0\green0\blue0;}
{\info{\author Arjay}}
\jexpand\viewkind1\viewscale100
\paperw12240\paperh15840\margl666\margr133\margt666\margb466
\pard\li2280\ri0\sl-213\slmult0 \fs18\cf0\par\pard\li2280\ri0\sl-213\slmult0 \fs
18\cf0\par\pard\li2280\ri0\sl-213\slmult0 \fs18\cf0\par\pard\li2280\ri0\sl-400\s
lmult0 \fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {CITIZEN\uc1\u8217XS BATTLE AGAINST CORRUPTION
(CIBAC) }\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {v.}\par\pard\li3666\ri0\sl-266\slmult0 \fs
24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {COM M ISSION ON ELECTIONS }\par\pard\li2733\ri0\sl-266\
slmult0 \fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {G.}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {R.}\fs24\cf0\
f0\charscalex100 { No.}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 { 172103,}\fs24\cf0\f0\charsca
lex100 { 13 Apri}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {l}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 { 2007
,}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 { Vel}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {asco,}\fs24\cf0\f
0\charscalex100 { Jr.}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {,}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {
J.}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 { (En Banc) }\par\pard\li1493\ri0\sl-213\slmult0
\fs18\cf0\par\pard\li1493\ri0\sl-213\slmult0 \fs18\cf0\par\pard\li1493\ri0\sl-21
3\slmult0 \fs18\cf0\par\pard\li1493\ri0\sl-400\slmult0 \fs20\cf0\f0\charscalex10
0 {The phrase \uc1\u8220Xapplying the relevant formula in Veterans to BUHAY\uc1\
u8221X admits of no other conclusion than that the }\par\pard\li773\ri0\sl-253\s
lmult0 \fs18\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {Court merely applied the Veterans formula to
Ang Bagong Bayani and Bayan Muna in resolving the additional seats by }\par\pard
\li773\ri0\sl-253\slmult0 \fs20\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {other qualified party-list
groups.}\fs22\cf0\f0\charscalex100 { However,}\fs16\cf0\f0\charscalex100 { it a
ppears that there was an inaccurate presentation of the Veterans formula as }\pa
r\pard\li773\ri0\sl-266\slmult0 \fs22\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {the Court used the m
ultiplier \uc1\u8216X}\fs22\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {allotted seats for the first p
arty\uc1\u8221X in Ang Bagong Bayani and Bayan Muna instead of the }\par\pard\li
773\ri0\sl-253\slmult0 \fs20\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {\uc1\u8220Xnumber of addition
al seats allocated to the first party\uc1\u8221X prescribed in the Veterans form
ula.}\fs22\cf0\f0\charscalex100 { It is apparent that the phrase }\par\pard\li77
3\ri0\sl-266\slmult0 \fs20\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {\uc1\u8220Xnumber of additional
\uc1\u8221X was omitted,}\fs16\cf0\f0\charscalex100 { possibly by inadvertence f
rom the phrase \uc1\u8220Xallotted seats for First Party.}\fs20\cf0\f0\charscale
x100 {\uc1\u8221X The disparity }\par\pard\li773\ri0\sl-253\slmult0 \fs24\cf0\f0
\charscalex100 {is material,}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 { substantial,}\fs18\c
f0\f0\charscalex100 { and significant since the multipliers \uc1\u8220Xnum
ber of additional seats allocated to the First Party\uc1\u8221X }\par\pa
rd\li773\ri0\sl-253\slmult0 \fs22\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {prescribed in the Vetera
ns formula pertains to a multiplier of two (}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {2)}\fs2
4\cf0\f0\charscalex100 { seats,}\fs20\cf0\f0\charscalex100 { while the multiplie
r \uc1\u8220Xallotted seats for the First }\par\pard\li773\ri0\sl-266\slmult0 \f
s16\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {Party\uc1\u8221X in Bagong Bayani and Bayan Muna
formula can mean a multiplier of maximum three (}\fs22\cf0\f0\charscalex
100 {3)}\fs22\cf0\f0\charscalex100 { seats,}\fs16\cf0\f0\charscalex100 { since
the first }\par\pard\li773\ri0\sl-253\slmult0 \fs22\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {par
ty can garner a maximum of three (}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {3)}\fs24\cf0\f0\c
harscalex100 { seats.}\par\pard\li1493\ri0\sl-213\slmult0 \fs18\cf0\par\pard\li1
493\ri0\sl-213\slmult0 \fs18\cf0\par\pard\li1493\ri0\sl-346\slmult0 \fs24\cf0\f0
\charscalex100 {The Commi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ssi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscale
x100 {on on Electi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {on (COMELEC) adopted a si}\fs
24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {mpli}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {fi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charsc
alex100 {ed formula i}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {n determi}\fs24\cf0\f0\chars
calex100 {ni}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ng the }\par\pard\li773\ri0\sl-266\slm
ult0 \fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {addi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ti}\fs24\cf0\f
0\charscalex100 {onal seats to be allotted to party-li}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex10
0 {st groups whi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ch obtai}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100
{ned at least two percent (2%) of the total }\par\pard\li773\ri0\sl-253\slmult0
 \fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {number of votes obtai}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {n
ed i}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {n the party-li}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {st
electi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {on.}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 { Such for
mula provi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {des an addi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {
ti}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {onal one seat per }\par\pard\li773\ri0\sl-253\s
lmult0 \fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {addi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ti}\fs24\cf0
\f0\charscalex100 {onal 2%.}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 { Thi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charsc
alex100 {s formula,}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 { however,}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscale
x100 { foreclosed the opportuni}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ty of CIBAC to obtai
}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {n an addi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ti}\fs24\cf0\
f0\charscalex100 {onal seat.}\par\pard\li1493\ri0\sl-213\slmult0 \fs18\cf0\par\p
ard\li1493\ri0\sl-306\slmult0 \fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {CIBAC clai}\fs24\cf0\f
0\charscalex100 {ms i}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ts enti}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscale
x100 {tlement to addi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ti}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100
{onal seat i}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {n the House of Representati}\fs24\cf0\f
0\charscalex100 {ve.}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 { It contends that }\par\pard\li
773\ri0\sl-266\slmult0 \fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {the COMELEC commi}\fs24\cf0\f
0\charscalex100 {tted grave abuse of di}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {screti}\fs24
\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {on i}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {n adopti}\fs24\cf0\f0\ch
arscalex100 {ng the si}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {mpli}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex1
00 {fi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ed formula and i}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {
n fai}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {li}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ng to }\par\par
d\li773\ri0\sl-253\slmult0 \fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {adopt the formula lai}\fs
24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {d down by the Supreme Court i}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex10
0 {n the case of Ang Bagong Bayani}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {-OFW Labor Party
}\par\pard\li773\ri0\sl-253\slmult0 \fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {v.}\fs24\cf0\f0
\charscalex100 { COMELEC (Ang Bagi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ng Bayani}\fs24\c
f0\f0\charscalex100 { and Bayan Muna).}\par\pard\li773\ri0\sl-213\slmult0 \fs18\
cf0\par\pard\li773\ri0\sl-213\slmult0 \fs18\cf0\par\pard\li773\ri0\sl-360\slmult
0 \fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ISSUE:}\par\pard\li1493\ri0\sl-253\slmult0 \fs22\c
f0\f0\charscalex100 {W hether or not the COMELEC commi}\fs22\cf0\f0\charscalex10
0 {tted grave abuse of di}\fs22\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {screti}\fs22\cf0\f0\charsc
alex100 {on when i}\fs22\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {t deni}\fs22\cf0\f0\charscalex100
{ed peti}\fs22\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ti}\fs22\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {oner }\par\
pard\li773\ri0\sl-253\slmult0 \fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {CIBAC an addi}\fs24\cf
0\f0\charscalex100 {ti}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {onal seat i}\fs24\cf0\f0\char
scalex100 {n the House of Representati}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ves by usi}\f
s24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ng the si}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {mpli}\fs24\cf0\f
0\charscalex100 {fi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ed formula i}\fs24\cf0\f0\charsc
alex100 {nstead of the }\par\pard\li773\ri0\sl-266\slmult0 \fs24\cf0\f0\charscal
ex100 {clai}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {med fomula i}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100
{n Ang Bagong Bayani}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 { and Bayan Muna }\par\pard\li77
3\ri0\sl-213\slmult0 \fs18\cf0\par\pard\li773\ri0\sl-213\slmult0 \fs18\cf0\par\p
ard\li773\ri0\sl-346\slmult0 \fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {H ELD:}\par\pard\li1493
\ri0\sl-253\slmult0 \fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {The peti}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex
100 {ti}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {on i}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {s DENIED.}\
par\pard\li1493\ri0\sl-213\slmult0 \fs18\cf0\par\pard\li1493\ri0\sl-306\slmult0
\fs22\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {The Court affi}\fs22\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {rmed C
omelec Resoluti}\fs22\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {on No.}\fs22\cf0\f0\charscalex100
{ 06-0248 only i}\fs22\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {nsofar as i}\fs22\cf0\f0\chars
calex100 {t deni}\fs22\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ed peti}\fs22\cf0\f0\charscalex10
0 {ti}\fs22\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {oner }\par\pard\li773\ri0\sl-266\slmult0 \fs24
\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {CIBAC\uc1\u8217Xs moti}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {on for
the proclamati}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {on of i}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {
ts second nomi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {nee to an addi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscale
x100 {ti}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {onal seat under the 2004 party-}\par\pard\l
i773\ri0\sl-253\slmult0 \fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {li}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex10
0 {st electi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {on.}\par\pard\li1493\ri0\sl-213\slmult0
\fs18\cf0\par\pard\li1493\ri0\sl-333\slmult0 \fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {The Co
urt i}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {n the leadi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ng cas
e of Veterans,}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 { li}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {sted
four (4) i}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {nvi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {olable pa
rameters to determi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ne the }\par\pard\li773\ri0\sl-2
53\slmult0 \fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {wi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {nners i}\f
s24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {n a Phi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {li}\fs24\cf0\f0\ch
arscalex100 {ppi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ne-style party-li}\fs24\cf0\f0\char
scalex100 {st electi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {on mandated by the Consti}\fs24
\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {tuti}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {on and R.}\fs24\cf0\f0\c
harscalex100 {A.}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 { 7941,}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {
as follows:}\par\pard\li1493\ri0\sl-213\slmult0 \fs18\cf0\par\pard\li1493\ri0\s
l-320\slmult0 \fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {Fi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {rst,}\f
s24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 { the twenty percent allocati}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex
100 {on - the combi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ned number of all party-li}\
fs22\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {st congressmen shall }\par\pard\li773\ri0\sl-266\sl
mult0 \fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {not exceed twenty percent of the total mem
bershi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {p of the House of Representati}\fs24\cf0\f0\
charscalex100 {ves,}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 { i}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {
ncludi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ng those }\par\pard\li773\ri0\sl-253\slmult0
\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {elected under the party li}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex10
0 {st.}\par\pard\sect\sectd\sbkpage\pgwsxn12240\pghsxn15840\marglsxn666\margrsxn
133\margtsxn666\margbsxn413\pard\li1493\ri0\sl-213\slmult0 \fs18\cf0\par\pard\li
1493\ri0\sl-213\slmult0 \fs18\cf0\par\pard\li1493\ri0\sl-213\slmult0 \fs18\cf0\p
ar\pard\li1493\ri0\sl-386\slmult0 \fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {Second,}\fs24\cf0\
f0\charscalex100 { the two percent threshold - only those parti}\fs24\cf0\f0\cha
rscalex100 {es garneri}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ng a mi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscal
ex100 {ni}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {mum of two percent of }\par\pard\li773\ri0
\sl-266\slmult0 \fs22\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {the total vali}\fs22\cf0\f0\charsc
alex100 {d votes cast for the party-li}\fs22\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {st syste
m are "quali}\fs22\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {fi}\fs22\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ed" t
o have a seat i}\fs22\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {n the House of }\par\pard\li7
73\ri0\sl-253\slmult0 \fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {Representati}\fs24\cf0\f0\char
scalex100 {ves.}\par\pard\li1493\ri0\sl-213\slmult0 \fs18\cf0\par\pard\li1493\ri
0\sl-320\slmult0 \fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {Thi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {rd,
}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 { the three-seat li}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {mi
}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {t - each quali}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {fi}\f
s24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ed party,}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 { regardless of
the number of votes i}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {t actually }\par\pard\li773\
ri0\sl-266\slmult0 \fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {obtai}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100
{ned,}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 { i}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {s enti}\fs24\cf
0\f0\charscalex100 {tled to a maxi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {mum of three seat
s;}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 { that i}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {s,}\fs24\cf0\
f0\charscalex100 { one "quali}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {fyi}\fs24\cf0\f0\chars
calex100 {ng" and two addi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ti}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscale
x100 {onal seats.}\par\pard\li1493\ri0\sl-213\slmult0 \fs18\cf0\par\pard\li1493\
ri0\sl-320\slmult0 \fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {Fourth,}\fs20\cf0\f0\charscalex10
0 {proportional representation}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 { - the addi}\fs24\cf0
\f0\charscalex100 {ti}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {onal seats whi}\fs24\cf0\f0\ch
arscalex100 {ch a quali}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {fi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex10
0 {ed party i}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {s enti}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {tle
d to shall be }\par\pard\li773\ri0\sl-253\slmult0 \fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {co
mputed "i}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {n proporti}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {on
to thei}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {r total number of votes.}\fs24\cf0\f0\charsc
alex100 {" }\par\pard\li1493\ri0\sl-213\slmult0 \fs18\cf0\par\pard\li1493\ri0\sl
-333\slmult0 \fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {From a scruti}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex
100 {ny of the Veterans and Ang Bagong Bayani}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100
{ and Bayan Muna formulae i}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {n }\par\pard\li773\
ri0\sl-253\slmult0 \fs22\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {determi}\fs22\cf0\f0\charscalex10
0 {ni}\fs22\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ng the addi}\fs22\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ti}\f
s22\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {onal seats for party-li}\fs22\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {s
t representati}\fs22\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ves,}\fs22\cf0\f0\charscalex100 { i
}\fs22\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {t i}\fs22\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {s readi}\fs22\cf0\
f0\charscalex100 {ly apparent that the Veterans }\par\pard\li773\ri0\sl-266\sl
mult0 \fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {formula i}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {s materi
}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ally di}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {fferent from th
e one used i}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {n Ang Bagong Bayani}\fs24\cf0\f0\charsc
alex100 { and Bayan Muna.}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 { In Veterans,}\par\pard\li
773\ri0\sl-253\slmult0 \fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {the multi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charsc
alex100 {pli}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {er used was "the [}\fs24\cf0\f0\charsca
lex100 {number]}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 { of addi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100
{ti}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {onal seats allocated to the fi}\fs24\cf0\f0\char
scalex100 {rst party,}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {" whi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex1
00 {le i}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {n the Ang }\par\pard\li773\ri0\sl-266\slmul
t0 \fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {Bagong Bayani}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 { and Ba
yan Muna formula,}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 { the multi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex
100 {pli}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {er "allotted seats for fi}\fs24\cf0\f0\char
scalex100 {rst party" was appli}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ed.}\fs24\cf0\f0\cha
rscalex100 { The }\par\pard\li773\ri0\sl-253\slmult0 \fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100
{di}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ssi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {mi}\fs24\cf0\f0\
charscalex100 {lari}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ty i}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100
{n the multi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {pli}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {er u
sed spells out a bi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {g di}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex
100 {fference i}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {n the outcome of the equati}\fs
24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {on.}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 { Thi}\fs24\cf0\f0\char
scalex100 {s }\par\pard\li773\ri0\sl-253\slmult0 \fs22\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {di}
\fs22\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {vergence on the multi}\fs22\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {p
li}\fs22\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {er was poi}\fs22\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {nted out
and stressed by respondent COMELEC.}\fs22\cf0\f0\charscalex100 { Neverthele
ss,}\par\pard\li773\ri0\sl-266\slmult0 \fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {peti}\fs24\cf
0\f0\charscalex100 {ti}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {oner i}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscale
x100 {nsi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {sts that the correct multi}\fs24\cf0\f0\ch
arscalex100 {pli}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {er i}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {s
the ALLOTTED seats for the fi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {rst party referri}\fs2
4\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ng to the }\par\pard\li773\ri0\sl-253\slmult0 \fs24\cf0\
f0\charscalex100 {three (3) seats won by Bayan Muna whi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex1
00 {ch emerged as the wi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {nni}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex
100 {ng fi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {rst party,}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 { a
s allegedly prescri}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {bed i}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100
{n }\par\pard\li773\ri0\sl-266\slmult0 \fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {Ang Bagong B
ayani}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 { and Bayan Muna.}\par\pard\li1493\ri0\sl-213\s
lmult0 \fs18\cf0\par\pard\li1493\ri0\sl-293\slmult0 \fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {
The phrase \uc1\u8220Xapplyi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ng the relevant fo
rmula i}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {n Veterans to BUHAY\uc1\u8221X admi}\fs
24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ts of no other }\par\pard\li773\ri0\sl-266\slmult0 \
fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {conclusi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {on than that the
Court merely appli}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ed the Veterans formula to Ang B
agong Bayani}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 { and Bayan }\par\pard\li773\ri0\sl-253\
slmult0 \fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {Muna i}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {n resolvi
}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ng the addi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ti}\fs24\cf
0\f0\charscalex100 {onal seats by other quali}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {fi}\fs
24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ed party-li}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {st groups.}\fs2
4\cf0\f0\charscalex100 { However,}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 { i}\fs24\cf0\f0\ch
arscalex100 {t appears that there }\par\pard\li773\ri0\sl-266\slmult0 \fs24\cf0\
f0\charscalex100 {was an i}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {naccurate presentati}\fs2
4\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {on of the Veterans formula as the Court used the multi}\
fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {pli}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {er \uc1\u8216X}\fs24\
cf0\f0\charscalex100 {allotted seats for }\par\pard\li773\ri0\sl-253\slmult0 \fs
24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {the fi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {rst party\uc1\u8221
X i}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {n Ang Bagong Bayani}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex1
00 { and Bayan MUna i}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {nstead of the \uc1\u8220Xn
umber of addi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ti}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {onal s
eats }\par\pard\li773\ri0\sl-253\slmult0 \fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {allocated t
o the fi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {rst party\uc1\u8221X prescri}\fs24\cf0\f0\c
harscalex100 {bed i}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {n the Veterans formula.}\fs24\cf
0\f0\charscalex100 { It i}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {s apparent that the phrase
\uc1\u8220Xnumber of }\par\pard\li773\ri0\sl-266\slmult0 \fs24\cf0\f0\charscale
x100 {addi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ti}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {onal\uc1\u
8221X was omi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {tted,}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 { po
ssi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {bly by i}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {nadvertence
from the phrase \uc1\u8220Xallotted seats for Fi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {
rst Party.}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {\uc1\u8221X The }\par\pard\li773\ri0\sl-
253\slmult0 \fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {di}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {spari}\fs
24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ty i}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {s materi}\fs24\cf0\f
0\charscalex100 {al,}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 { substanti}\fs24\cf0\f0\charsc
alex100 {al,}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 { and si}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {g
ni}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {fi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {cant si}\fs24\cf0
\f0\charscalex100 {nce the multi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {pli}\fs24\cf0\f0\
charscalex100 {ers \uc1\u8220Xnumber of addi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ti}\
fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {onal seats }\par\pard\li773\ri0\sl-266\slmult0 \fs22
\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {allocated to the Fi}\fs22\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {rst Party
\uc1\u8221X prescri}\fs22\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {bed i}\fs22\cf0\f0\charscalex100
{n the Veterans formula pertai}\fs22\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ns to a multi}\fs22\
cf0\f0\charscalex100 {pli}\fs22\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {er of two (2) seats,}\par\
pard\li773\ri0\sl-253\slmult0 \fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {whi}\fs24\cf0\f0\chars
calex100 {le the multi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {pli}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex10
0 {er \uc1\u8220Xallotted seats for the Fi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {rst Party
\uc1\u8221X i}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {n Bagong Bayani}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscale
x100 { and Bayan Muna formula can }\par\pard\li773\ri0\sl-253\slmult0 \fs24\cf0\
f0\charscalex100 {mean a multi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {pli}\fs24\cf0\f0\char
scalex100 {er of maxi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {mum three (3) seats,}\fs24\cf0
\f0\charscalex100 { si}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {nce the fi}\fs24\cf0\f0\chars
calex100 {rst party can garner a maxi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {mum of three (
3) }\par\pard\li773\ri0\sl-266\slmult0 \fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {seats.}\par\p
ard\li1493\ri0\sl-213\slmult0 \fs18\cf0\par\pard\li1493\ri0\sl-306\slmult0 \fs24
\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {As a matter of fact,}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 { the Co
urt had i}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {n mi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {nd th
e appli}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {cati}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {on of the
ori}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {gi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {nal Veterans for
mula i}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {n }\par\pard\li773\ri0\sl-253\slmult0 \fs24\c
f0\f0\charscalex100 {Ang Bagong Bayani}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 { and Bayan Mu
na.}\par\pard\li1493\ri0\sl-213\slmult0 \fs18\cf0\par\pard\li1493\ri0\sl-306\slm
ult0 \fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {Applyi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ng the Veter
ans formula i}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {n peti}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ti}
\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {oner\uc1\u8217Xs case,}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {
we reach the conclusi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {on that CIBAC i}\fs24\cf0\f0\c
harscalex100 {s not }\par\pard\li773\ri0\sl-253\slmult0 \fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex1
00 {enti}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {tled to an addi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100
{ti}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {onal seat.}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 { Party-Li
}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {st Canvass Report No.}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {
20 contai}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ned i}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {n the pe
ti}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ti}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {on shows that the
}\par\pard\li773\ri0\sl-266\slmult0 \fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {fi}\fs24\cf0\f0\
charscalex100 {rst party,}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 { Bayan Muna,}\fs24\cf0\
f0\charscalex100 { garnered the hi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ghest number
of votes,}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 { that i}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {s,}\
fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 { a total of 1,}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {203,}\f
s24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {305 votes.}\par\pard\li773\ri0\sl-253\slmult0 \fs24\c
f0\f0\charscalex100 {Peti}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ti}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex
100 {oner CIBAC,}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 { on the other hand,}\fs24\cf0\f0\ch
arscalex100 { recei}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ved a total of 495,}\fs24\cf0\f0
\charscalex100 {190 votes.}\par\pard\li773\ri0\sl-213\slmult0 \fs18\cf0\par\pard
\li773\ri0\sl-320\slmult0 \fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {COM ELEC\uc1\u8217Xs appl}
\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ication of Ang Bagong Bayani and Bayan M una is inco
rrect }\par\pard\li1493\ri0\sl-213\slmult0 \fs18\cf0\par\pard\li1493\ri0\sl-293\
slmult0 \fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {The Court laments the fact that the COMELEC
i}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {nsi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {sted i}\fs24\cf0\f
0\charscalex100 {n usi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ng a si}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscal
ex100 {mpli}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {fi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ed formul
a when i}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {t i}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {s }\par\par
d\li773\ri0\sl-253\slmult0 \fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {fully aware of the ruli}\
fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ng i}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {n the Veterans case.
}\par\pard\li1493\ri0\sl-213\slmult0 \fs18\cf0\par\pard\li1493\ri0\sl-306\slmult
0 \fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {The Court has consi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {st
ently remi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {nded the COMELEC of i}\fs24\cf0\f0\charsc
alex100 {ts "functi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {on to enforce and admi}\fs24\cf0
\f0\charscalex100 {ni}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ster }\par\pard\li773\ri0\sl-2
53\slmult0 \fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {all laws and regulati}\fs24\cf0\f0\charsc
alex100 {ons relati}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ve to the conduct of an electi}\
fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {on.}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {" As j}\fs24\cf0\f0\c
harscalex100 {udi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ci}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {al
deci}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {si}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ons form part of
the law }\par\pard\sect\sectd\sbkpage\pgwsxn12240\pghsxn15840\marglsxn666\margr
sxn133\margtsxn666\margbsxn666\pard\li773\ri0\sl-213\slmult0 \fs18\cf0\par\pard\
li773\ri0\sl-213\slmult0 \fs18\cf0\par\pard\li773\ri0\sl-213\slmult0 \fs18\cf0\p
ar\pard\li773\ri0\sl-386\slmult0 \fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {of the land,}\fs24\
cf0\f0\charscalex100 { the COMELEC cannot j}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ust i}\f
s24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {gnore or be obli}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {vi}\fs24\
cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ous to the ruli}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ngs i}\fs24\cf
0\f0\charscalex100 {ssued by the Court.}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 { Basi}\fs24\
cf0\f0\charscalex100 {c i}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {s }\par\pard\li773\ri0\sl-
266\slmult0 \fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {the rule that lower courts and quasi}\fs
24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {-j}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {udi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charsca
lex100 {ci}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {al tri}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {bunals
must bow to the deci}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {si}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100
{ons and resoluti}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ons of the }\par\pard\li773\ri0\sl
-253\slmult0 \fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {hi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {ghest co
urt of the land.}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 { The COMELEC i}\fs24\cf0\f0\charsca
lex100 {s not an excepti}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {on.}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex
100 { It cannot do otherwi}\fs24\cf0\f0\charscalex100 {se.}\par}