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ELECTION LAWS
Election
Embodiment of the popular will, the expression of the sovereign power of the people.
Components:
Listing of votes
Special election – is when there is failure of election on the scheduled date of regular election in a
particular place or which is conducted to fill up certain vacancies, as provided by law.
Political Parties
An organized group of persons pursuing the same ideology, political ideas or platforms of government
including its branches and divisions.
1) Registered Parties:
Dominant Majority Party – usually the administration party; entitled to a copy of election return
Top 3 Political Parties – entitled to appoint principal watcher and a copy of the certificate of canvass
2) Non-registered parties
The status shall be deemed forfeited if the political party, singly or in coalition with others, fails to obtain
at least 10% of the votes cast in the constituency in which it nominated and supported a candidate/s in
the election next following its registration. There shall be notice and hearing.
Candidates
No person shall be elected into public office unless he files his certificate of candidacy within the
prescribed period
No person shall be eligible for more than one office. If he/she files for more than one position, he shall
not be eligible for all unless he cancels all and retains one
The certificate of candidacy shall be filed by the candidate personally or by his duly authorized
representative.
Upon filing, an individual becomes a candidate, he is already covered by rules, restrictions and processes
involving candidates.
Grounds for Disqualification
Not possessing qualifications and possessing disqualifications under the Local Government Code
2.1 Sentenced by final judgment for an offense involving moral turpitude or for an offense punishable
by one year or more of imprisonment within two years after serving sentence
2.3 Convicted by final judgment for violating the oath of allegiance to the Republic
2.6 Permanent residents in a foreign country or those who have acquired the right to reside abroad and
continue to avail of the same right
Nuisance candidate
* Disqualifications (from continuing as a candidate or from holding the office if already elected):
Any candidate, who in an action or protest in which he is a party is declared by final decision of a
competent court guilty of, or is found by the Commission of having:
Given money or other material consideration to influence, induce or corrupt the voters or public officials
performing electoral functions.
Spent in his election campaign an amount in excess of that allowed by the Omnibus Election Code )
Permanent resident of or an immigrant to a foreign country shall not be qualified to run for any elective
office UNLESS he/she has waived his/her status as a permanent resident/immigrant of a foreign country
in accordance with the residence requirement provided for under election laws.
Any candidate who has been declared by final judgment to be disqualified shall NOT be voted for. The
votes cast in his favor shall not be counted.
If the candidate is not disqualified by final judgment before the election and receives the highest number
of votes in the election, the court or COMELEC will continue with the trial and hearing of the action,
inquiry or protest. Upon motion of the complainant or intervenor, the court or COMELEC may order the
suspension of the proclamation of the candidate whenever the evidence of his guilt is strong.
Nuisance Candidates
A. The term refers to candidates who have no bona fide intention to run for the office for which the
certificate of candidacy has been filed and would thus prevent a faithful determination of the true will of
the people.
B. Power of COMELEC
May refuse to give due course to or cancel a certificate of candidacy of a nuisance candidate. This can be
done motu proprio or upon verified petition of an interested party.
Certificate of candidacy has been filed to put the election process in mockery/disrepute or
To cause confusion among the voters by the similarity of the names of the registered candidates
Other circumstances which clearly demonstrate that the candidate has no bona fide intention to run for
the office…
B. The petition should be filed not later than 25 days from the filing of the certificate of candidacy.
C. It should be decided not later than 15 days before the election, after due notice and hearing.
Ø Definition
1) It refers to an act designed to promote the election or defeat of a particular candidate/s to a public
office
2) It includes:
A. Forming organizations, associations, clubs, committees or other groups of persons for the purpose of
soliciting votes and/or undertaking any campaign for or against a candidate.
B. Holding political caucuses, conferences, meetings, rallies, parades or other similar assemblies for the
purpose of soliciting votes and/or undertaking any campaign or propaganda for or against a candidate.
C. Making speeches, announcements or commentaries or holding interviews for or against the election
of any candidate for public office.
D. Publishing or distributing campaign literature or materials designed to support or oppose the election
of any candidate.
3) When the acts enumerated above are NOT considered an election campaign/partisan political activity.
If the acts are performed for the purpose of enhancing the chances of aspirants for nomination for
candidacy to a public office by a political party, aggroupment, or coalition of parties.
Important Features:
1) Repeal of Sec. 67 of the OEC – Now, any ELECTIVE official, whether national or local, running for any
office other than the one which he is holding in a permanent capacity shall not be considered ipso facto
resigned from his office upon the filing of his certificate of candidacy.
2) Lifting of the Political Ad Ban – Written and Printed Materials (8.5” W x 14L”)
Letters
Posters (2’ x 3’) in common-private poster areas ( not more than 10 public places per political party or
independent candidate, 12’ 16’), private places and public places
Television: 120 minutes for candidate for nationally elective office and 60 for local
Radio: 180 minutes for candidate for nationally elective office and 90 for local
COMELEC free space (3 national newspaper for nationally elective officials and 1 national newspaper for
local) and airtime
(3 national television networks for nationally elective officials and 1 station for local ) : equal allocation
for all candidates for 3 calendar days
P 3 for other candidates for every voter currently registered in the constituency
Voters
Qualifications
He /she should have resided in the Philippines for one year and
Resided in the city/municipality wherein he proposes to vote for at least 6 months immediately
preceding the election.
Residence Requirement
If the transfer of residence is due to any of the following reasons, the person concerned will be deemed
NOT to have lost his original residence:
B. Educational activities
A: No more, because 8189 (7) provides for such only for the May ’98 elections
Q: What kind of registration system do we have?
Disqualifications
A. If sentenced by final judgment to suffer imprisonment for not less than 1 year and such disability was
not removed by plenary pardon or has not been granted amnesty. However, any person disqualified to
vote shall automatically reacquire the right to vote upon expiration of 5 years after service of sentence.
B. Any person who has been adjudged by final judgment by competent court or tribunal of having
committed any crime involving disloyalty to the duly constituted government such as rebellion or any
crime against national security:
1. UNLESS restored to his full civil and political rights in accordance with law.
2. However, he shall regain his right to vote automatically upon expiration of 5 years after service of
sentence.
A. The municipal and metropolitan trial courts shall have original and exclusive jurisdiction over all
matters of inclusion and exclusion of voters from the list in their respective municipalities or cities.
Petition filed at any time except 105 days before regular election or 75 days before special election
B. Decisions may be appealed to the RTC within 5 days from receipt of notice of decision.
C. RTC will decide the appeal within 10 days. Decision is final and executory.
D. Note: Relate this to Article IX of the Constitution which provides that the COMELEC has no jurisdiction
over questions involving the right to vote.
E. Exclusion is through sworn petition and not later than 100 days before regular election; 65 days before
special election
Deactivation/ Reactivation
Exclusion/ Inclusion
New voters
Transfer of Residence
Deactivation means removing the registration records of persons from the precinct book of voters and
place the same, properly marked and dated in indelible ink, in the inactive file after entering the cause of
deactivation.
How is reactivation of registration effected ?
Affidavit
Not later than 120 days before regular election and 90 days before special election
Annulment of Book of Voters is through verified petition; notice and hearing; not prepared in accordance
with law or prepared through fraud, bribery, forgery, impersonation, intimidation, force, any similar
irregularity or which contains data that are statistically improbable
Postponement of Election
Causes
Violence
Terrorism
Force majeure
Effect
It is impossible to hold a free, orderly and honest election in any political subdivision
COMELEC can postpone the election (when decided by a majority vote of the COMELEC sitting en banc,
RA 7166):
A. Motu proprio
B. Upon a verified petition by any interested party, after due notice and hearing
The date of the postponed election should be reasonably close to the date of the election not held,
suspended, or which resulted in a failure to elect. It should not be later than 30 days after the cessation
of the cause for such postponement or suspension of the election or failure to elect.
Failure of Election
Causes
Force majeure
Violence
Terrorism
Fraud
Under RA 7166, the causes for the declaration of the failure of election may occur before or after the
casting of votes or on the day of the election.
A. Election in any polling place was not held on the date fixed;
B. Election was suspended before the hour fixed by law for the closing of the voting
C. Elections results in a failure to elect (after the voting and during the preparation and transmission
of the election returns or in the custody or canvass thereof)
AND the failure or suspension of the election would affect the result of the election
Remedy
COMELEC can call for the holding or continuation of the election not held, suspended, or which resulted
in a failure to elect. The election should be held not later than 30 days after the cessation of the cause
of the postponement or suspension of the election or failure to elect. This is decided by the COMELEC,
by a majority vote of its members, sitting en banc.
Any party already registered need not register anew. File manifestation not later than 90 days before
election.
Advocates violence
Failed to participate in the last two preceding elections or fails to obtain at least 2% of the votes cast
under the party-list system in the 2 preceding elections for the constituency in which it has registered
Nomination of party-list reps should not include any candidate for any elective office or a person who
has lost his bid for an elective office in the immediately preceding election
Incumbent sectoral representatives in the House of Representatives who are nominated in the party-list
system shall not be considered resigned
Party List Reps constitute 20% of the total number of the members of the House of Reps including those
under the party-list
How do we determine the number of party list seats in the House of Reps?
There are presently 208 legislative districts, according to the Veterans Federation Case
The 5 major political parties are now entitled to participate in the party list system
Parties receiving at least 2% of the total votes cast for the party-list system shall be entitled to one seat
each
Currently, there are 260 seats. So 20 % of 260 is 52 seats. But this is only a ceiling.
A list with 5 names should be submitted to COMELEC as to who will represent the party in the Congress.
Ranking in the list submitted determines who shall represent party or organization.
Incumbency / Surname
Pre-Proclamation Controversies
Definition
A pre-proclamation controversy refers to any question pertaining to or affecting the proceedings of the
board of canvassers which may be raised by any candidate or by any registered political party or coalition
of political parties before the board or directly with the COMELEC.
It would also refer to any matter 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. (Board of canvassers have original jurisdiction while COMELEC have appellate jurisdiction)
C. Those that can be filed with COMELEC directly are the ff:
Issue involves the illegal composition or proceedings of the board of canvassers, as when a majority or all
of the members do not hold legal appointments or are in fact usurpers
Recount
There can be a recount under the grounds of 234-236. The returns involved will affect the results and the
integrity of the ballot box has been preserved
The canvassed election returns are incomplete, contain material defects, appear to be tampered with
or falsified, or contain discrepancies in the same returns or in authentic copies thereof.
The election returns were prepared under duress, threats, coercion, or intimidation, or they are
obviously manufactured, or not authentic.
When substitute or fraudulent returns in controverted polling places were canvassed, the results of
which materially affected the standing of the aggrieved candidate/s.
Procedure
Matters relating to the preparation, transmission, receipt, custody and appreciation of the election
returns, and certificate of canvass, should be brought in the first instance before the board of canvassers
only.
Its decision shall be executory after the lapse of 5 days from receipt by the losing party of the decision,
unless restrained by the SC.
It suspends the running of the period within which to file an election protest or quo warranto
proceedings.
Pre-proclamation cases on matters relating to the preparation, transmission, receipt, custody and
appreciation of the election returns or the certificates of canvass NOT allowed in elections for: (under RA
7166)
President
Vice-President
Senator
BUT: The appropriate canvassing body motu propio or upon written complaint of an interested person
can correct manifest errors in the certificate of canvass or election returns before it.
BUT: Questions affecting the composition or proceedings of the board of canvassers may be initiated in
the board or directly with COMELEC.
All pre-proclamation cases pending before the COMELEC shall be deemed terminated at the beginning of
the term of the office involved and the rulings of the boards of canvassers concerned deemed affirmed.
B. This is without prejudice to the filing of a regular election protest by the aggrieved party.
The COMELEC determines that the petition is meritorious and issues an order for the proceedings to
continue or
The Supreme Court issues an order for the proceedings to continue in a petition for certiorari.
Election Contest
Original Jurisdiction
COMELEC has ORIGINAL jurisdiction over contests relating to the elections, returns, qualifications of all
elective:
Regional
Provincial
City officials
Appellate Jurisdiction
Any candidate who has duly filed a certificate of candidacy and has been voted for the same office
The defeated candidate seeks to outs the proclaimed winner and claims the seat.
Provision that decisions, final orders, rulings of the Commission on election contests involving municipal
and barangay offices are final, executory and not appealable:
A. This only applies to questions of FACT. ( Flores v. COMELEC, 184 SCRA 484)
B. It does NOT preclude a special civil action of certiorari. (Galido v. COMELEC, Jan. 18,1991)
2) Jurisdiction
A. Pre-proclamation controversy
B. Election contest
3) In some cases, even if the case (involving municipal officials) began with the COMELEC before
proclamation but a proclamation is made before the controversy is resolved, it ceases to be a pre-
proclamation controversy and becomes an election contest cognizable by the RTC.
4) However, in some cases, the SC has recognized the jurisdiction of COMELEC over municipal cases
even after proclamation. Relate to the provision in RA 7166 allowing pre-proclamation controversy
proceedings to continue even after a proclamation has been made.
A. Covered acts
2. Making or offer to make any expenditure, directly or indirectly, or cause an expenditure to be made to
any person, association, corporation, entity or community
3.Soliciting or receiving, directly or indirectly, any expenditure or promise of any office or employment,
public or private
B. Purpose of acts
1. To induce anyone or the public in general to vote for or against any candidate or withhold his vote in
the election or
2. To vote for or against any aspirant for the nomination or choice of a candidate in a convention or
similar selection
Proof affects at least 20% of the precincts of the municipality, city or province to which the public office
aspired for by the favored candidate relates. This will constitute a disputable presumption of the
involvement of such candidate and of his principal campaign managers in each of the municipalities
concerned in the conspiracy
Coercion of a subordinate
1. public officer
4. employer/landowner
B. Prohibited acts
Appointment of new employees, creation of new position, promotion or giving salary increases:
A. Who can be held liable: Any head/official/appointing officer of a government office, agency or
instrumentality, whether national or local, including GOCCs.
B. Prohibited acts
D. Exceptions
Upon prior authority of COMELEC if it is satisfied that the position to be filled is essential to the proper
functioning of the office/agency concerned AND that the position is not filled in a manner that may
influence the election
In case of urgent need, a new employee may be appointed. Notice of appointment should be given to
COMELEC within 3 days from appointment.
A. Who can be held liable: Any public official or employee including barangay officials and those of
GOCCs/subsidiaries
B. Prohibited acts:
The release, disbursement or expenditure of public funds for any and other kinds of public works
D. Exception
work undertaken by contract through public bidding, or by negotiated contract awarded before the 45
day period before election
payment for the usual cooperation for working drawings, specfications and other procedures
preparatory to actual construction including the purchase of material and equipment and incidental
expenses for wages.
Emergency work necessitated by the occurrence of a public calamity but such work shall be limited to
the restoration of the damaged facility.
Ongoing public work projects commenced before the campaign period or similar projects under foreign
agreements.
A. General rule: public official CANNOT suspend any of the officers enumerated above during the
election period.
B. Exceptions
Suspension is for the purpose of applying the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act
Voting more than once in the same election/voting when not a registered voter
Voting in substitution for another with or without the latters’ knowledge and/or consent etc.
Causing the printing of official ballots and election returns by printing establishments not on contract
with COMELEC and printing establishments which undertakes unauthorized printing
Tampering, increasing or decreasing the votes received by a candidate or refusing after proper
verification and hearing to credit the correct votes or deduct the tampered votes (committed by a
member of the board of election inspectors)
Refusing to issue the certificate of voters to the duly accredited watchers (committed by a member of
the BEI)
Person who violated provisions against prohibited forms of election propaganda
Failure to give notice of meetings to other members of the board, candidate or political party
(committed by the Chairman of the board of canvassers)
A person who has been declared a nuisance candidate or is otherwise disqualified who continues to
misrepresent himself as a candidate (Ex. by continuing to campaign) and any public officer or private
individual who knowingly induces or abets such misrepresentation by commission or omission.
If the chairman of the BEI fails to affix his signature at the back of the official ballot, in the presence of
the voter, before delivering the ballot to the voter. (under RA 7166)
Election offenses shall prescribe after 5 years from the date of their commission
If the discovery of the offense is made in an election contest proceeding, the period of prescription shall
commence on the date on which the judgment in such proceedings becomes final and executory
Jurisdiction of courts
RTC has exclusive original jurisdiction to try and decide any criminal action or proceedings for violation of
the Code.
Source:
Ateneo
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