Risos-Vidal v COMELEC it must be given its literal meaning and applied without attempted

(G.R. No. 206666, 21 January 2015) interpretation. Verba legis non est recedendum. From the words of a
statute there should be no departure.
Petitioner(s): Atty. Alicia Risos-Vidal and Alfredo Lim
Respondent(s): COMELEC and Joseph Estrada It is this Court’s firm view that the phrase in the presidential pardon at
issue which declares that former President Estrada "is hereby restored to
his civil and political rights" substantially complies with the requirement of
ANTECEDENT FACTS
express restoration.
On September 12, 2007, the Sandiganbayan convicted former President
Estrada for the crime of plunder. October 25, 2007, however, former
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (PGMA) extended executive
clemency, by way of pardon, to Estrada.

Estrada once more ventured into the political arena, and filed a Certificate
of Candidacy (COC), this time vying for a local elective post, that of the
Mayor of the City of Manila.

Atty. Risos-Vidal, the petitioner in this case, filed a Petition for

Disqualification against former President Estrada before the COMELEC,
stating that "Former President Estrada is disqualified to run for public
office because of his conviction for plunder by the Sandiganbayan
sentencing him to suffer the penalty of reclusion perpetua with perpetual
absolute disqualification."

ISSUE(S)

Whether or not former Estrada is qualified to vote and be voted for in

public office as a result of the pardon granted to him by PGMA

OPINION(S) OF THE COURT and RULING

PGMA’s Pardon: “In view hereof and pursuant to the authority conferred
upon me by the Constitution, I hereby grant executive clemency to
Joseph Ejercito Estrada... He is hereby restored to his civil and political
rights.”

Estrada is, beyond doubt, qualified to vote and be voted for in public office
as a result of the pardon granted to him by PGMA. It is well-entrenched
that where the words of a statute are clear, plain, and free from ambiguity,

Reviewer by Alecs Laohoo