Co vs House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (GR Nos. 92191-92192)

8/10/2019 Co vs House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (GR Nos. 92191-92192)

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Co vs. Electoral Tribunal of the House of Representatives, 199 SCRA

692 , Jul !", 1991

692

SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATEDCo vs. Electoral Tribunal of te !ouse of Re"resentatives#.R. Nos. 92$9$%92. &ul' ()* $99$.+ANTON,O -. CO* "etitioner* vs. EECTORA TR,/UNA O0 T!E !OUSE O0

REPRESENTAT,1ES AND &OSE ON#* &R.*res"onents.#.R. Nos. 922)2%)(. &ul' ()* $99$.+S,3TO T. /AAN4U,T* &R.* "etitioner* vs. EECTORA TR,/UNA O0 T!E

!OUSE O0 REPRESENTAT,1ES AND &OSE ON#* &R.* res"onents.Election a5 Election Contests Electoral Tribunals &u78ents of electoral

tribunal are be'on uicial interference save onl' in te e:ercise of te

Court;s so%calle e:traorinar' urisiction. Te autorit' conferreu"on te Electoral Tribunal is full* clear an co8"lete. Te use of te 5orsole e8"asiBes te e:clusivit' of te urisiction of tese Tribunals. TeSu"re8e Court in te case of aBatin v. !RET =$6 SCRA (9$ $9>state tat uner te $9 Constitution* te urisiction of te ElectoralTribunal is ori7inal an e:clusive* viBF GTe use of te 5or Hsole;e8"asiBes te e:clusive caracter of te urisiction conferre =An7ara v.

Electoral Co88ission* su"ra at ". $62>. Te e:ercise of "o5er b' teElectoral Co88ission uner te $9(I Constitution as been escribe asHintene to be as co8"lete an uni8"aire as if it a ori7inall're8aine in te le7islature.; =i.* at ". $I> Earlier tis 7rant of "o5er tote le7islature 5as caracteriBe b' &ustice Malcol8 as Hfull* clear anco8"lete =1eloso v. /oar of Canvassers of e'te an Sa8ar* (9 Pil. 6$9$9> Uner te a8ene $9(I Constitution* te "o5er 5asun?uali@el' re"ose u"on te Electoral Tribunal an it re8aine as full*clear an co8"lete as tat "reviousl' 7rante te e7islature an teElectoral Co88ission* =acica v. -a"* 2I SCRA $J) $96> Te sa8e 8a'be sai 5it re7ar to te urisiction of te Electoral Tribunal uner te

$9 Constitution.K =". J)$> Te Court continue furter* G. . . so lon7 aste Constitution 7rants te !RET te "o5er to be te sole u7e of allcontests relatin7 to election*

LLLLLLLLLLLLLL

+ EN /ANC.69(


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1O. $99* &U- ()* $99$69(Co vs. Electoral Tribunal of te !ouse of Re"resentativestives* an' @nal action taen b' te !RET on a 8atter 5itin its urisiction

sall* as a rule* not be revie5e b' tis Court . . . te "o5er 7rante to te

Electoral Tribunal is full* clear an co8"lete an e:clues te e:ercise ofan' autorit' on te "art of tis Court tat 5oul in an' 5ise restrict it orcurtail it or even aect te sa8e.K ="". J)(%J)J> en 8a' te Courtin?uire into acts of te Electoral Tribunals uner our constitutional 7rantsof "o5er ,n te later case of Robles v. !RET =$$ SCRA ) $99)> teSu"re8e Court state tat te u78ents of te Tribunal are be'onuicial interference save onl' Gin te e:ercise of tis Court;s so%callee:traorinar' urisiction* : : : u"on a eter8ination tat te Tribunal;secision or resolution 5as renere 5itout or in e:cess of its urisiction*or 5it 7rave abuse of iscretion or "ara"rasin7 Morrero* u"on a clearso5in7 of suc arbitrar' an i8"rovient use b' te Tribunal of its "o5er

as constitutes a enial of ue "rocess of la5* or u"on a e8onstration of aver' clear un8iti7ate ERROR* 8anifestl' constitutin7 suc #RA1E A/USEO0 D,SCRET,ON tat tere as to be a re8e' for suc abuse.K =at "".I%6>

Sa8e Sa8e Sa8e ,n te absence of a so5in7 tat te !ouse ofRe"resentatives Electoral Tribunal as co88itte 7rave abuse of iscretiona8ountin7 to lac of urisiction* te Court cannot e:ercise its corrective"o5er.


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Co vs. Electoral Tribunal of te !ouse of Re"resentativesSCRA 29 $9)> A Constitutional "rovision soul be construe so as to

7ive it eective o"eration an su""ress te 8iscief at 5ic it is ai8e*ence* it is te s"irit of te "rovision 5ic soul "revail over te lettertereof. =&arrolt v. Mabberl'* $)( U.S. I)> ,n te 5ors of te Court in te

case of &.M. Tuason v. TA =($ SCRA J$( $9)F GTo tat "ri8orial intent*all else is suborinate. Our Constitution* an' constitution is not to beconstrue narro5l' or "eanticall'* for te "rescri"tions terein containe*to "ara"rase &ustice !ol8es* are not 8ate8atical for8ulas avin7 teiressence in teir for8 but are or7anic livin7 institutions* te si7ni@cance of5ic is vital not for8al. . . . .K =". J2>

Political a5 CitiBensi" Natural%born CitiBen Te e:ercise of te ri7t ofsura7e an te "artici"ation in election e:ercises constitute a "ositive actof election of Pili""ine citiBensi".* te Court el tat te e:ercise of te ri7t ofsura7e an te "artici"ation in election e:ercises constitute a "ositive act

of election of Pili""ine citiBensi". ,n te e:act "ronounce8ent of teCourt* 5e elF Esteban;s e:ercise of te ri7t of sura7e 5en e ca8e ofa7e* constitutes a "ositive act of election of Pili""ine citiBensi"K. =". I2e8"asis su""lie> Te "rivate res"onent i 8ore tan 8erel' e:erciseis ri7t of sura7e. !e as establise is life ere in te Pili""ines. 0ortose in te "eculiar situation of te res"onent 5o cannot be e:"ecteto ave electe citiBensi" as te' 5ere alrea' citiBens* 5e a""l' te ,nRe Mallare rule.

Sa8e Sa8e Sa8e An' election of Pili""ine citiBensi" on te "art of"rivate res"onent &ose On7* &r. 5oul not onl' ave been su"erQuous but5oul also ave resulte in absurit' consierin7 tat it 5as te la5 itself

tat a alrea' electe Pili""ine citiBensi" for i8.


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no5 i8. Te' vote b' over5el8in7 nu8bers to ave i8 re"resentte8 in Con7ress. /ecause of is acts since ciloo* te' aveconsiere i8 as a 0ili"ino. Te @lin7 of a s5orn state8ent or for8aleclaration is a re?uire8ent for tose 5o still ave to elect citiBensi".0or tose alrea' 0ili"inos 5en te ti8e to elect ca8e u"* tere are acts

of eliberate coice 5ic cannot be less binin7. Enterin7 a "rofessiono"en onl' to 0ili"inos* servin7 in "ublic oce 5ere citiBensi" is a?uali@cation* votin7 urin7 election ti8e* runnin7 for "ublic oce* anoter cate7orical acts of si8ilar nature are te8selves for8al8anifestations of coice for tese "ersons. An election of Pili""inecitiBensi" "resu""oses tat te "erson electin7 is an alien. Or is status isoubtful because e is a national of t5o countries. Tere is no oubt in tiscase about Mr. On7;s bein7 a 0ili"ino 5en e turne t5ent'%one =2$>. ere"eat tat an' election of Pili""ine citiBensi" on te "art of te "rivateres"onent 5oul not onl' ave been su"erQuous but it 5oul also averesulte in an absurit'. !o5 can a 0ili"ino citiBen elect Pili""ine

citiBensi" Te res"onent !RET as an interestin7 vie5 as to o5 Mr.On7 electe citiBensi". ,t observe tat G5en "rotestee 5as onl' nine'ears of a7e* is fater* &ose On7 Cuan beca8e a naturaliBe 0ili"ino.Section $I of te Revise NaturaliBation Act s?uarel' a""lies its bene@t toi8 for e 5as ten a 8inor resiin7 in tis countr'. Conceel'* it 5as tela5 itself tat a alrea' electe Pili""ine citiBensi" for "rotestee b'eclarin7 i8 as suc.K =E8"asis su""lie>

Sa8e Sa8e An attac on a "erson;s citiBensi" 8a' onl' be one trou7 airect action for its nullit'* not trou7 a collateral a""roac.


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been unerstoo as s'non'8ous 5it o8icile not onl' uner te "reviousConstitutions but also uner te $9 Constitution. ::: Te fra8ers of teConstitution aere to te earlier e@nition 7iven to te 5or GresienceK5ic re7are it as avin7 te sa8e 8eanin7 as o8icile. Te ter8Go8icileK enotes a @:e "er8anent resience to 5ic 5en absent for

business or "leasure* one intens to return. =On7 !uan Tin v. Re"ublic* $9SCRA 966 $96> Te absence of a "erson fro8 sai "er8anent resience*no 8atter o5 lon7* not5itstanin7* it continues to be te o8icile oftat "erson. ,n oter 5ors* o8icile is caracteriBe b' ani8usreverteni. =Uano v. Re"ublic* $ SCRA $J $966>

Sa8e Sa8e ,t is not re?uire tat a "erson soul ave a ouse in orer toestablis is resience an o8icile.Sa8e Sa8e Absence fro8 resience to "ursue stuies or "ractice a"rofession or re7istration as a voter oter tan in te "lace 5ere one iselecte* oes not constitute loss of resience.


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$9(* it 5as el in Morrero vs. /ocar* construin7 Section J* Article 1, ofte $9(I Constitution 5ic "rovie tat G: : : Te Electoral Co88issionsall be te sole u7e of all contests relatin7 to te election* returns an?uali@cations of te Me8bers of te National Asse8bl'*K tatF GTeu78ent renere b' te =electoral> co88ission in te e:ercise of suc

an acno5le7e "o5er is be'on uicial interference* e:ce"t* in an'event* u"on a clear so5in7 of suc arbitrar' an i8"rovient use of te"o5er as 5ill constitute a enial of ue "rocess of la5.; =/arr' vs. US e: rel.Cunnin7a8* 29 US I9 ( a5* e.* 6 An7ara vs. ElectoralCo88ission* (I O. #aB.* 2(.>K An ten uner te afore%?uote"rovisions of Article 1,,,* Section $ of te $9 Constitution* tis Court isut'%boun to eter8ine 5eter or not* in an actual controvers'* tereas been a 7rave abuse of iscretion a8ountin7 to lac or e:cess ofurisiction on te "art of an' branc or instru8entalit' of te#overn8ent. Te "resent controvers'* it 5ill be observe* involves 8oretan "erceive irre7ularities in te conuct of a con7ressional election or a

is"ute a""reciation of ballots* in 5ic cases* it 8a' be contene 5it7reat le7al force an "ersuasion tat te ecision of te electoral tribunalsoul be @nal an conclusive* for it is* b' constitutional irective* 8aete sole u7e of contests relatin7 to suc 8atters. Te "resentcontrovers'* o5ever* involves no less tan a eter8ination of 5eterte ?uali@cations for 8e8bersi" in te !ouse of Re"resentatives* as"rescribe b' te Constitution* ave been 8et. ,nee* tis Court 5oul beunfor7ivabl' re8iss in te "erfor8ance of its uties* as 8anate b' teConstitution* 5ere it to allo5 a "erson* not a naturalborn 0ili"ino citiBen* tocontinue to sit as a Me8ber of te !ouse of Re"resentatives* solel'because te !ouse Electoral Tribunal as eclare i8 to be so. ,n suc a

case* te tribunal 5oul ave acte 5it 7rave abuse of iscretiona8ountin7 to lac or e:cess of urisiction as to re?uire te e:ercise b'tis Court of its "o5er of uicial revie5.

Political a5 CitiBensi" Private res"onent is not a natural%born 0ili"inocitiBen* as e@ne in te $9 Constitution* e avin7 been born a CinesecitiBen b' virtue of te Cinese citiBensi" of is fater at te ti8e of isbirt.


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citiBens of te Pili""ines 5ere consiere 0ili"ino citiBens. Tose 5ose8oters 5ere citiBens of te Pili""ines a to elect Pili""ine citiBensi"u"on reacin7 te a7e of 8aorit'* in orer to be consiere 0ili"inocitiBens. 0ollo5in7 te basic e@nition in te $9 Constitution of anatural%born citiBen* in relation to te $9(I Constitution "rivate

res"onent is not a natural%born 0ili"ino citiBen* avin7 been born aCinese citiBen b' virtue of te Cinese citiBensi" of is fater at te ti8eof is birt* altou7 fro8 birt* "rivate res"onent a te ri7t to electPili""ine citiBensi"* te citiBensi" of is 8oter* but onl' u"on isreacin7 te a7e of 8aorit'.

PET,T,ONS for certiorari to revie5 te ecision of te Electoral Tribunal of te!ouse of Re"resentatives.

Te facts are state in te o"inion of te Court. !ecanova Associates for "etitioner Co. /rillantes* Nacura* Navarro an Arcilla a5 Oces for res"onent On7*

&r.#UT,ERRE* &R.* &.F

Te "etitioners co8e to tis Court asin7 for te settin7 asie an reversal ofa ecision of te !ouse of Re"resentatives Electoral Tribunal =!RET>.

Te !RET eclare tat res"onent &ose On7* &r. is a natural born 0ili"inocitiBen an a resient of aoan7* Nortern Sa8ar for votin7 "ur"oses. Tesole issue before us is 5eter or not* in 8ain7 tat eter8ination* te!RET acte 5it 7rave abuse of iscretion.

On Ma' $$* $9* te con7ressional election for te secon istrict ofNortern Sa8ar 5as el.

A8on7 te caniates 5o vie for te "osition of re"resentative in tesecon le7islative istrict of Nortern Sa8ar are te "etitioners* Si:to/alin?uit an Antonio Co an te "rivate res"onent* &ose On7* &r.

Res"onent On7 5as "roclai8e te ul' electe re"resentative of tesecon istrict of Nortern Sa8ar.

Te "etitioners @le election "rotests a7ainst te "rivate res"onent"re8ise on te follo5in7 7rounsF

699

1O. $99* &U- ()* $99$699

Co vs. Electoral Tribunal of te !ouse of Re"resentatives$> &ose On7* &r. is not a natural born citiBen of te Pili""ines an2> &ose On7* &r. is not a resient of te secon istrict of Nortern Sa8ar.Te !RET* in its ecision ate Nove8ber 6* $99* foun for te "rivate

res"onent.A 8otion for reconsieration 5as @le b' te "etitioners on Nove8ber $2*

$99. Tis 5as* o5ever* enie b' te !RET* in its resolution ate0ebruar' 22* $99.


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!ence* tese "etitions for certiorari.e treat te co88ents as ans5ers an ecie te issues raise in te

"etitions.ON T!E ,SSUE O0 &UR,SD,CT,ONTe @rst ?uestion 5ic arises refers to our urisiction.

Te Constitution e:"licitl' "rovies tat te !ouse of Re"resentativesElectoral Tribunal =!RET> an te Senate Electoral Tribunal =SET> sall bete sole u7es of all contests relatin7 to te election* returns* an?uali@cations of teir res"ective 8e8bers. =See Article 1,* Section $*Constitution>

Te autorit' conferre u"on te Electoral Tribunal is full* clear anco8"lete. Te use of te 5or sole e8"asiBes te e:clusivit' of teurisiction of tese Tribunals.

Te Su"re8e Court in te case of aBatin v. !RET =$6 SCRA (9$ $9>state tat uner te $9 Constitution* te urisiction of te ElectoralTribunal is ori7inal an e:clusive* viBF

GTe use of te 5or sole; e8"asiBes te e:clusive caracter of teurisiction conferre =An7ara v. Electoral Co88ission* su"ra at ". $62>.Te e:ercise of "o5er b' te Electoral Co88ission uner te $9(IConstitution as been escribe as intene to be as co8"lete anuni8"aire as if it a ori7inall' re8aine in te le7islature.; =i.* at ".$I> Earlier tis 7rant of "o5er to te le7islature 5as caracteriBe b'&ustice Malcol8 as full* clear an co8"lete =1eloso v. /oar of Canvassersof e'te an Sa8ar* (9 Pil. 6 $9$9> Uner te a8ene $9(IConstitution* te "o5er 5as un?uali@el' re"ose u"on te ElectoralTribunal an it re8aine as full* clear an co8"lete as tat "reviousl'7rante te e7islature an te Electoral Co88ission* =acica v. -a"* 2I

SCRA $J) $96> Te sa8e 8a' be))

))SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATEDCo vs. Electoral Tribunal of te !ouse of Re"resentativessai 5it re7ar to te urisiction of te Electoral Tribunal uner te $9

Constitution.K =". J)$>Te Court continue furter* G. . . so lon7 as te Constitution 7rants te !RET

te "o5er to be te sole u7e of all contests relatin7 to election* returnsan ?uali@cations of 8e8bers of te !ouse of Re"resentatives* an' @nal

action taen b' te !RET on a 8atter 5itin its urisiction sall* as a rule*not be revie5e b' tis Court . . . te "o5er 7rante to te ElectoralTribunal is full* clear an co8"lete an e:clues te e:ercise of an'autorit' on te "art of tis Court tat 5oul in an' 5ise restrict it orcurtail it or even aect te sa8e.K ="". J)(%J)J>

en 8a' te Court in?uire into acts of te Electoral Tribunals uner ourconstitutional 7rants of "o5er ,n te later case of Robles v. !RET =$$SCRA ) $99)> te Su"re8e Court state tat te u78ents of te


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Tribunal are be'on uicial interference save onl' Gin te e:ercise of tisCourt;s so%calle e:traorinar' urisiction* : : : u"on a eter8ination tatte Tribunal;s ecision or resolution 5as renere 5itout or in e:cess ofits urisiction* or 5it 7rave abuse of iscretion or "ara"rasin7 Morrero*u"on a clear so5in7 of suc arbitrar' an i8"rovient use b' te Tribunal

of its "o5er as constitutes a enial of ue "rocess of la5* or u"on ae8onstration of a ver' clear un8iti7ate ERROR* 8anifestl' constitutin7suc #RA1E A/USE O0 D,SCRET,ON tat tere as to be a re8e' for sucabuse.K =at "". I%6>

,n te leain7 case of Morrero v. /ocar* =66 Pil. J29 $9(> te Court ruletat te "o5er of te Electoral Co88ission Gis be'on uicial interferencee:ce"t* in an' event* u"on a clear so5in7 of suc arbitrar' ani8"rovient use of "o5er as 5ill constitute a enial of ue "rocess.K TeCourt oes not venture into te "erilous area of tr'in7 to correct "erceiveerrors of ine"enent brances of te #overn8ent. ,t co8es in onl' 5enit as to vinicate a enial of ue "rocess or correct an abuse of iscretion

so 7rave or 7larin7 tat no less tan te Constitution calls for re8eialaction.Te Su"re8e Court uner te $9 Constitution* as been 7iven an

e:"ane urisiction* so to s"ea* to revie5 te ecisions of te oterbrances an a7encies of te 7overn8ent to eter8ine 5eter or notte' ave acte 5itin te bouns

)$

1O. $99* &U- ()* $99$)$Co vs. Electoral Tribunal of te !ouse of Re"resentatives

of te Constitution. =See Article 1,,,* Section $* Constitution>-et* in te e:ercise tereof* te Court is to 8erel' cec 5eter or not te

7overn8ental branc or a7enc' as 7one be'on te Constitutional li8itsof its urisiction* not tat it erre or as a ierent vie5. ,n te absence ofa so5in7 tat te !RET as co88itte 7rave abuse of iscretiona8ountin7 to lac of urisiction* tere is no occasion for te Court toe:ercise its corrective "o5er it 5ill not ecie a 8atter 5ic b' its natureis for te !RET alone to ecie. =See Marcos v. Man7la"us* $ SCRA 66$99> ,t as no "o5er to loo into 5at it tins is a""arent error.

As constitutional creations investe 5it necessar' "o5er* te ElectoralTribunals* altou7 not "o5ers in te tri"artite sce8e of te 7overn8ent*

are* in te e:ercise of teir functions ine"enent or7ans


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to re8ain 5ere te Soverei7n autorit' as "lace it. =See 1eloso v. /oarsof Canvassers of e'te an Sa8ar* (9 Pil. 6 $9$9>

,t as been ar7ue tat uner Article 1,* Section $ of te "resentConstitution* te situation 8a' e:ist as it e:ists toa' 5ere tere is anunealt' one%sie "olitical co8"osition of te t5o Electoral Tribunals.

Tere is notin7 in te Constitution* o5ever* tat 8aes te !RETbecause of its co8"osition an' less ine"enent fro8 te Court or itsconstitutional functions an' less e:clusive. Te e7ree of uicialintervention soul not be 8ae to e"en on o5 8an' le7islative8e8bers of te !RET belon7 to tis "art' or tat "art'. Te test re8ainste sa8e


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On A"ril 2* $9II* te C0, of Sa8ar* after trial* eclare &ose On7 Cuan a0ili"ino citiBen.

On Ma' $I* $9I* te Court of 0irst ,nstance of Sa8ar issue an orereclarin7 te ecision of A"ril 2* $9II as @nal an e:ecutor' an tat&ose On7 Cuan 8a' alrea' tae is Oat of Alle7iance.

)(

1O. $99* &U- ()* $99$)(Co vs. Electoral Tribunal of te !ouse of Re"resentativesPursuant to sai orer* &ose On7 Cuan too is Oat of Alle7iance

corres"onin7l'* a certi@cate of naturaliBation 5as issue to i8.At te ti8e &ose On7 Cuan too is oat* te "rivate res"onent ten a

8inor of nine 'ears 5as @nisin7 is ele8entar' eucation in te "rovinceof Sa8ar. Tere is notin7 in te recors to ierentiate i8 fro8 oter0ili"inos insofar as te custo8s an "ractices of te local "o"ulace 5ere

concerne.0ortunes can7e. Te ouse of te fa8il' of te "rivate res"onent inaoan7* Sa8ar 5as burne to te 7roun.

Unaunte b' te catastro"e* te "rivate res"onent;s fa8il' constructeanoter one in "lace of teir ruine ouse. A7ain* tere is no so5in7oter tan tat aoan7 5as teir aboe an o8e.

After co8"letin7 is ele8entar' eucation* te "rivate res"onent* in searcfor better eucation* 5ent to Manila in orer to ac?uire is seconar' ancolle7e eucation.

,n te 8eanti8e* anoter 8isfortune 5as suere b' te fa8il' in $9I5en a @re 7utte teir secon ouse in aoan7* Sa8ar. Te res"onent;s

fa8il' constructe still anoter ouse* tis ti8e a $6%oor a"art8entbuilin7* t5o oors of 5ic 5ere reserve for te fa8il'.

Te "rivate res"onent 7rauate fro8 colle7e* an tereafter too an"asse te CPA /oar E:a8inations.

Since e8"lo'8ent o""ortunities 5ere better in Manila* te res"onentlooe for 5or ere. !e foun a ob in te Central /an of te Pili""inesas an e:a8iner. ater* o5ever* e 5ore in te ar5are business of isfa8il' in Manila. ,n $9$* is eler broter* E8il* 5as electe as a ele7ateto te $9$ Constitutional Convention. !is status as a natural born citiBen5as callen7e. Parenteticall'* te Convention 5ic in raftin7 teConstitution re8ove te une?ual treat8ent 7iven to erive citiBensi"

on te basis of te 8oter;s citiBensi" for8all' an sole8nl' eclareE8il On7* res"onent;s full broter* as a natural born 0ili"ino. TeConstitutional Convention a to be a5are of te 8eanin7 of natural borncitiBensi" since it 5as "recisel' a8enin7 te article on tis subect.

Te "rivate res"onent fre?uentl' 5ent o8e to aoan7* Sa8ar* 5ere e7re5 u" an s"ent is ciloo a's.

)J


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)JSUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATEDCo vs. Electoral Tribunal of te !ouse of Re"resentatives,n $9J* te "rivate res"onent 8arrie a 0ili"ina na8e Desiree i8.0or te elections of $9J an $96* &ose On7* &r. re7istere i8self as a voter

of aoan7* Sa8ar* an corres"onin7l'* vote tere urin7 tose elections.Te "rivate res"onent after bein7 en7a7e for several 'ears in te8ana7e8ent of teir fa8il' business ecie to be of 7reater service tois "rovince an ran for "ublic oce. !ence* 5en te o""ortunit' ca8e in$9* e ran in te elections for re"resentative in te secon istrict ofNortern Sa8ar.

Mr. On7 5as over5el8in7l' vote b' te "eo"le of Nortern Sa8ar as teirre"resentative in Con7ress. Even if te total votes of te t5o "etitionersare co8bine* On7 5oul still lea te t5o b' 8ore tan *))) votes.

Te "ertinent "ortions of te Constitution foun in Article ,1 reaFGSECT,ON $* te follo5in7 are citiBens of te Pili""inesF

$. Tose 5o are citiBens of te Pili""ines at te ti8e of te ao"tion of teConstitution2. Tose 5ose faters or 8oters are citiBens of te Pili""ines(. Tose born before &anuar' $* $9(* of 0ili"ino 8oters* 5o elect

Pili""ine citiBensi" u"on reacin7 te a7e of 8aorit' anJ. Tose 5o are naturaliBe in accorance 5it la5. SECT,ON 2* Natural%

born CitiBens are tose 5o are citiBens of te Pili""ines fro8 birt5itout avin7 to "erfor8 an' act to ac?uire or "erfect teir citiBensi".Tose 5o elect Pili""ine citiBensi" in accorance 5it "ara7ra" (ereof sall be ee8e natural%born citiBens.K

Te Court inter"rets Section $* Para7ra" ( above as a""l'in7 not onl' to

tose 5o elect Pili""ine citiBensi" after 0ebruar' 2* $9 but also totose 5o* avin7 been born of 0ili"ino 8oters* electe citiBensi" beforetat ate.

Te "rovision in Para7ra" ( 5as intene to correct an unfair "osition 5iciscri8inates a7ainst 0ili"ino 5o8en. Tere is no a8bi7uit' in teeliberations of te Constitutional Co88ission* viBF

)I

1O. $99* &U- ()* $99$)ICo vs. Electoral Tribunal of te !ouse of Re"resentatives

GMr. ABcunaF it res"ect to te "rovision of section J* 5oul tis refer onl'to tose 5o elect Pili""ine citiBensi" after te eectivit' of te $9(Constitution or 5oul it also cover tose 5o electe it uner te $9(Constitution 0r. /ernasF ,t 5oul a""l' to an'bo' 5o electe Pili""inecitiBensi" b' virtue of te "rovision of te $9(I Constitution 5eter teelection 5as one before or after &anuar' $* $9(.K =Recors of teConstitutional Co88ission* 1ol. $* ". 22 E8"asis su""lie>

: : : : : : : : :


13/55

GMr. TrenasF Te Co88ittee on CitiBensi"* /ill of Ri7ts* Political Ri7ts anObli7ations an !u8an Ri7ts as 8ore or less ecie to e:ten teinter"retation of 5o is a natural%born citiBen as "rovie in section J ofte $9( Constitution b' ain7 tat "ersons 5o ave electe Pili""ineCitiBensi" uner te $9(I Constitution sall be natural%born A8 , ri7t

Mr. Presiin7 Ocer0r. /ernasF 'es.K: : : : : : : : : GMr. NolleoF An , re8e8ber ver' 5ell tat in te

Reveren 0ater /ernas; 5ell 5ritten boo* e sai tat te ecision 5asesi7ne 8erel' to acco88oate for8er ele7ate Ernesto An7 an tatte e@nition on natural%born as no retroactive eect. No5 it see8s tatte Reveren 0ater /ernas is 7oin7 a7ainst tis intention b' su""ortin7te a8en8ent

0r. /ernasF As te Co88issioner can see* tere as been an evolution in 8'tinin7. =Recors of te Constitutional Co88ission* 1ol. $* ". $9>

: : : : : : : : :

GMr. Rori7oF /ut tis "rovision beco8es ver' i8"ortant because is electionof Pili""ine citiBensi" 8aes i8 not onl' a 0ili"ino citiBen but a natural%born 0ili"ino citiBen entitlin7 i8 to run for Con7ress. . .

0r. /ernasF Correct. e are ?uite a5are of tat an for tat reason 5e 5illleave it to te bo' to a""rove tat "rovision of section J.

Mr. Rori7oF , tin tere is a 7oo basis for te "rovision because it stries8e as unfair tat te 0ili"ino citiBen 5o 5as born a a' before &anuar' $*$9( cannot be a 0ili"ino citiBen or a naturalborn citiBen.K =Recors of teConstitutional Co88ission* 1ol. $* ". 2($>

: : : : : : : : :GMr. Rori7oF Te "ur"ose of tat "rovision is to re8e' an ine?uitable

situation. /et5een $9(I an $9( 5en 5e 5ere uner te $9(IConstitution* tose born of 0ili"ino faters but alien 8oters 5ere natural%born 0ili"inos. !o5ever* tose born of 0ili"ino 8oters

)6

)6SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATEDCo vs. Electoral Tribunal of te !ouse of Re"resentativesbut alien faters 5oul ave to elect Pili""ine citiBensi" u"on reacin7 te

a7e of 8aorit' an if te' o elect* te' beco8e 0ili"ino citiBens but notnatural%born 0ili"ino citiBens.K =Recors of te Constitutional Co88ission*

1ol. $* ". (I6>Te fore7oin7 si7ni@cantl' reveals te intent of te fra8ers. To 8ae te

"rovision "ros"ective fro8 0ebruar' (* $9 is to 7ive a narro5inter"retation resultin7 in an ine?uitable situation. ,t 8ust also beretroactive.

,t soul be note tat in construin7 te la5* te Courts are not al5a's to bee7e in b' te literal 8eanin7 of its lan7ua7e. Te s"irit an inten8enttereof* 8ust "revail over te letter* es"eciall' 5ere aerence to te


14/55

latter 5oul result in absurit' an inustice. =Casela v. Court of A""eals*(I SCRA 29 $9)>

A Constitutional "rovision soul be construe so as to 7ive it eectiveo"eration an su""ress te 8iscief at 5ic it is ai8e* ence* it is tes"irit of te "rovision 5ic soul "revail over te letter tereof. =&arrolt v.

Mabberl'* $)( U.S. I)>,n te 5ors of te Court in te case of &.M. Tuason v. TA =($ SCRA J$($9)F

GTo tat "ri8orial intent* all else is suborinate. Our Constitution* an'constitution is not to be construe narro5l' or "eanticall'* for te"rescri"tions terein containe* to "ara"rase &ustice !ol8es* are not8ate8atical for8ulas avin7 teir essence in teir for8 but are or7aniclivin7 institutions* te si7ni@cance of 5ic is vital not for8al. . . . .K =".J2>

Te "rovision in ?uestion 5as enacte to correct te ano8alous situation5ere one born of a 0ili"ino fater an an alien 8oter 5as auto8aticall'

7rante te status of a natural%born citiBen 5ile one born of a 0ili"ino8oter an an alien fater 5oul still ave to elect Pili""ine citiBensi". ,fone so electe* e 5as not* uner earlier la5s* conferre te status of anatural%born.

Uner te $9( Constitution* tose born of 0ili"ino faters an tose born of0ili"ino 8oters 5it an alien fater 5ere "lace on e?ual footin7. Te'5ere bot consiere as naturalborn citiBens.

)

1O. $99* &U- ()* $99$)

Co vs. Electoral Tribunal of te !ouse of Re"resentatives!ence* te besto58ent of te status of Gnatural%bornK cannot be 8ae to

e"en on te Qeetin7 accient of ti8e or result in t5o ins of citiBens8ae u" of essentiall' te sa8e si8ilarl' situate 8e8bers.

,t is for tis reason tat te a8en8ents 5ere enacte* tat is* in orer tore8e' tis acciental ano8al'* an* terefore* treat e?uall' all toseborn before te $9( Constitution an 5o electe Pili""ine citiBensi"eiter before or after te eectivit' of tat Constitution.

Te Constitutional "rovision in ?uestion is* terefore curative in nature. Teenact8ent 5as 8eant to correct te ine?uitable an absur situation5ic ten "revaile* an tus* rener tose acts vali 5ic 5oul ave

been nil at te ti8e a it not been for te curative "rovisions. =SeeDevelo"8ent /an of te Pili""ines v. Court of A""eals* 96 SCRA (J2$9)>

Tere is no is"ute tat te res"onent;s 8oter 5as a natural born 0ili"inaat te ti8e of er 8arria7e. Crucial to tis case is te issue of 5eter ornot te res"onent electe or cose to be a 0ili"ino citiBen.

Election beco8es 8aterial because Section 2 of Article ,1 of te Constitutionaccors natural born status to cilren born of 0ili"ino 8oters before


15/55

&anuar' $* $9(* if te' elect citiBensi" u"on reacin7 te a7e of8aorit'.

To e:"ect te res"onent to ave for8all' or in 5ritin7 electe citiBensi"5en e ca8e of a7e is to as for te unnatural an unnecessar'. Tereason is obvious. !e 5as alrea' a citiBen. Not onl' 5as is 8oter a

natural born citiBen but is fater a been naturaliBe 5en teres"onent 5as onl' nine =9> 'ears ol. !e coul not ave ivine 5en eca8e of a7e tat in $9( an $9 te Constitution 5oul be a8ene tore?uire i8 to ave @le a s5orn state8ent in $969 electin7 citiBensi"ins"ite of is alrea' avin7 been a citiBen since $9I. ,n $969* electiontrou7 a s5orn state8ent 5oul ave been an unusual an unnecessar'"roceure for one 5o a been a citiBen since e 5as nine 'ears ol.

e ave uris"ruence tat e@nes GelectionK as bot a for8al an aninfor8al "rocess.

,n te case of ,n ReF 0lorencio Mallare =I9 SCRA JI $9J>* te Court eltat te e:ercise of te ri7t of sura7e an te

)

)SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATEDCo vs. Electoral Tribunal of te !ouse of Re"resentatives"artici"ation in election e:ercises constitute a "ositive act of election of

Pili""ine citiBensi". ,n te e:act "ronounce8ent of te Court* 5e elFEsteban;s e:ercise of te ri7t of sura7e 5en e ca8e of a7e* constitutes

a "ositive act of election of Pili""ine citiBensi"K. =". I2 e8"asissu""lie>

Te "rivate res"onent i 8ore tan 8erel' e:ercise is ri7t of sura7e.

!e as establise is life ere in te Pili""ines.0or tose in te "eculiar situation of te res"onent 5o cannot be e:"ecte

to ave electe citiBensi" as te' 5ere alrea' citiBens* 5e a""l' te ,nRe Mallare rule. Te res"onent 5as born in an outl'in7 rural to5n ofSa8ar 5ere tere are no alien enclaves an no racial istinctions. Teres"onent as live te life of a 0ili"ino since birt. !is fater a""lie fornaturaliBation 5en te cil 5as still a s8all bo'. !e is a Ro8an Catolic.!e as 5ore for a sensitive 7overn8ent a7enc'. !is "rofession re?uirescitiBensi" for tain7 te e:a8inations an 7ettin7 a license. !e as"artici"ate in "olitical e:ercises as a 0ili"ino an as al5a's consierei8self a 0ili"ino citiBen. Tere is notin7 in te recors to so5 tat e

oes not e8brace Pili""ine custo8s an values* notin7 to inicate an'tin7e of alien%ness* no acts to so5 tat tis countr' is not is naturalo8elan. Te 8ass of voters of Nortern Sa8ar are full' a5are of Mr.On7;s "arenta7e. Te' soul no5 i8 better tan an' 8e8ber of tisCourt 5ill ever no5 i8. Te' vote b' over5el8in7 nu8bers to avei8 re"resent te8 in Con7ress. /ecause of is acts since ciloo* te'ave consiere i8 as a 0ili"ino.


16/55

Te @lin7 of s5orn state8ent or for8al eclaration is a re?uire8ent for tose5o still ave to elect citiBensi". 0or tose alrea' 0ili"inos 5en te ti8eto elect ca8e u"* tere are acts of eliberate coice 5ic cannot be lessbinin7. Enterin7 a "rofession o"en onl' to 0ili"inos* servin7 in "ublic oce5ere citiBensi" is a ?uali@cation* votin7 urin7 election ti8e* runnin7 for

"ublic oce* an oter cate7orical acts of si8ilar nature are te8selvesfor8al 8anifestations of coice for tese "ersons.)9

1O. $99* &U- ()* $99$)9Co vs. Electoral Tribunal of te !ouse of Re"resentativesAn election of Pili""ine citiBensi" "resu""oses tat te "erson electin7 is

an alien. Or is status is oubtful because e is a national of t5o countries.Tere is no oubt in tis case about Mr. On7;s bein7 a 0ili"ino 5en eturne t5ent'%one =2$>.

e re"eat tat an' election of Pili""ine citiBensi" on te "art of te"rivate res"onent 5oul not onl' ave been su"erQuous but it 5oul alsoave resulte in an absurit'. !o5 can a 0ili"ino citiBen elect Pili""inecitiBensi"

Te res"onent !RET as an interestin7 vie5 as to o5 Mr. On7 electecitiBensi". ,t observe tat G5en "rotestee 5as onl' nine 'ears of a7e*is fater* &ose On7 Cuan beca8e a naturaliBe 0ili"ino. Section $I of teRevise NaturaliBation Act s?uarel' a""lies its bene@t to i8 for e 5asten a 8inor resiin7 in tis countr'. Conceel'* it 5as te la5 itself tata alrea' electe Pili""ine citiBensi" for "rotestee b' eclarin7 i8 assuc.K =E8"asis su""lie>

Te "etitioners ar7ue tat te res"onent;s fater 5as not* valil'* anaturaliBe citiBen because of is "re8ature tain7 of te oat ofcitiBensi".

Te Court cannot 7o into te collateral "roceure of stri""in7 Mr. On7;sfater of is citiBensi" after is eat an at tis ver' late ate ust so 5ecan 7o after te son.

Te "etitioners ?uestion te citiBensi" of te fater trou7 a collaterala""roac. Tis can not be one. ,n our urisiction* an attac on a "erson;scitiBensi" 8a' onl' be one trou7 a irect action for its nullit'. =See4ueto v. Catolico* ($ SCRA I2 $9)>

To as te Court to eclare te 7rant of Pili""ine citiBensi" to &ose On7

Cuan as null an voi 5oul run a7ainst te "rinci"le of ue "rocess. &oseOn7 Cuan as alrea' been lai to rest. !o5 can e be 7iven a fairo""ortunit' to efen i8self. A ea 8an cannot s"ea. To ?uote te5ors of te !RETF GOn7 Cuan;s li"s ave lon7 been 8ute to "er"etuit'b' is e8ise an obviousl' e coul not rise be'on 5ere is 8ortalre8ains no5 lie to efen i8self 5ere tis 8atter to be 8ae a centralissue in tis case.K


17/55

Te issue before us is not te nulli@cation of te 7rant of citiBensi" to &oseOn7 Cuan. Our function is to eter8ine 5eter or not te !RETco88itte abuse of autorit' in te

$)

$)SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATEDCo vs. Electoral Tribunal of te !ouse of Re"resentativese:ercise of its "o5ers. Moreover* te res"onent traces is natural born

citiBensi" trou7 is 8oter* not trou7 te citiBensi" of is fater.Te citiBensi" of te fater is relevant onl' to eter8ine 5eter or notte res"onent GcoseK to be a 0ili"ino 5en e ca8e of a7e. At tat ti8ean u" to te "resent* bot 8oter an fater 5ere 0ili"inos. Res"onentOn7 coul not ave electe an' oter citiBensi" unless e @rst for8all'renounce Pili""ine citiBensi" in favor of a forei7n nationalit'. Unlieoter "ersons face 5it a "roble8 of election* tere 5as no forei7n

nationalit' of is fater 5ic e coul "ossibl' ave cosen.Tere is anoter reason 5' 5e cannot eclare te !RET as avin7co88itte 8anifest 7rave abuse of iscretion. Te sa8e issue of natural%born citiBensi" as alrea' been ecie b' te ConstitutionalConvention of $9$ an b' te /atasan7 Pa8bansa convene b' autorit'of te Constitution rafte b' tat Convention. E8il On7* full bloo broterof te res"onent* 5as eclare an acce"te as a natural born citiBen b'bot boies.

Assu8in7 tat our o"inion is ierent fro8 tat of te ConstitutionalConvention* te /atasan7 Pa8bansa* an te res"onent !RET* suc aierence coul onl' be caracteriBe as error. Tere 5oul be no basis to

call te !RET ecision so arbitrar' an 5i8sical as to a8ount to 7raveabuse of iscretion.

at 5as te basis for te Constitutional Convention;s eclarin7 E8il On7 anatural born citiBen

Uner te Pili""ine /ill of $9)2* inabitants of te Pili""ines 5o 5ereS"anis subects on te $$t a' of A"ril $99 an ten resiin7 in saiislans an teir cilren born subse?uent tereto 5ere conferre testatus of a 0ili"ino citiBen.

as te 7ranfater of te "rivate res"onent a S"anis subectArticle $ of te Civil Coe of S"ain enu8erates tose 5o 5ere consiere

S"anis Subects* viBF

GART,CE $. Te follo5in7 are S"aniarsF$. Persons born in S"anis territor'.2. Cilren born of a S"anis fater or 8oter* even tou7 te' 5ere born

out of S"ain.$$

1O. $99* &U- ()* $99$$$


18/55

Co vs. Electoral Tribunal of te !ouse of Re"resentatives(. 0orei7ners 5o 8a' ave obtaine naturaliBation "a"ers.J.Tose 5itout suc "a"ers* 5o 8a' ave ac?uire o8icile in an' to5n in

te Monarc'.K =E8"asis su""lie>Te o8icile of a natural "erson is te "lace of is abitual resience. Tis

o8icile* once establise is consiere to continue an 5ill not beee8e lost until a ne5 one is establise. =Article I)* NCC Article J)*Civil Coe of S"ain uelli7 v. Re"ublic* ( Pil. 6 $9J9>

As earlier state* On7 Te beca8e a "er8anent resient of aoan7* Sa8araroun $9I. Corres"onin7l'* a certi@cate of resience 5as ten issueto i8 b' virtue of is bein7 a resient of aoan7* Sa8ar. =Re"ort of teCo88ittee on Election Protests an Creentials of te $9$ ConstitutionalConvention* Se"te8ber * $92* ". (>

Te o8icile tat On7 Te establise in $9I continue until A"ril $$* $99it even 5ent be'on te turn of te $9t centur'. ,t is also in tis "lace5ere On7 Te set%u" is business an ac?uire is real "ro"ert'.

As conclue b' te Constitutional Convention* On7 Te falls 5itin te8eanin7 of sub%"ara7ra" J of Article $ of te Civil Coe of S"ain.Altou7 On7 Te 8ae brief visits to Cina* e* neverteless* al5a's

returne to te Pili""ines. Te fact tat e ie in Cina* urin7 one of isvisits in sai countr'* 5as of no 8o8ent. Tis 5ill not can7e te fact tate alrea' a is o8icile @:e in te Pili""ines an "ursuant to teCivil Coe of S"ain* e a beco8e a S"anis subect.

,f On7 Te beca8e a S"anis subect b' virtue of avin7 establise iso8icile in a to5n uner te Monarc' of S"ain* necessaril'* On7 Te 5asalso an inabitant of te Pili""ines for an inabitant as been e@ne asone 5o as actual @:e resience in a "lace one 5o as a o8icile in a

"lace. =/ouvier;s a5 Dictionar'* 1ol. ,,> A "riori* tere can be no oterlo7ical conclusion but to euce tat On7 Te ?uali@e as a 0ili"ino citiBenuner te "rovisions of section J of te Pili""ine /ill of $9)2.

Te !RET itself foun tis fact of absolute verit' in concluin7 tat te"rivate res"onent 5as a natural%born 0ili"ino.

Te "etitioners; sole 7roun in is"utin7 tis fact is tat te$2

$2SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATEDCo vs. Electoral Tribunal of te !ouse of Re"resentatives

ocu8ents "resente to "rove it 5ere not in co8"liance 5it te bestevience rule. Te "etitioners alle7e tat te "rivate res"onent faile to"resent te ori7inal of te ocu8entar' evience* testi8onial eviencean of te transcri"t of te "roceein7s of te bo' 5ic te aforesairesolution of te $9$ Constitutional Convention 5as "reicate.

On te contrar'* te ocu8ents "resente b' te "rivate res"onent falluner te e:ce"tions to te best evience rule.


19/55

,t 5as establise in te "roceein7s before te !RET tat te ori7inals ofte Co88ittee Re"ort No. $2* te 8inutes of te "lenar' session of $9$Constitutional Convention el on Nove8ber 2* $92 cannot be foun.

Tis 5as ar8e b' Att'. Ricafrente* Assistant Secretar' of te $9$Constitutional Convention b' Att'. Nolleo* Dele7ate to te $9$

Constitutional Convention an b' Att'. Antonio Santos* Cief ibrarian ofte U.P a5 Center* in teir res"ective testi8onies 7iven before te !RETto te eect tat tere is no 7overn8ental a7enc' 5ic is te ocialcustoian of te recors of te $9$ Constitutional Convention. =TSN*Dece8ber $2* $9* "". ()%($ TSN* &anuar' $* $99* "". (J%(I TSN*0ebruar' $* $99* ". JJ TSN* 0ebruar' 6* $99* "". 2%29> Te e:ecutionof te ori7inals 5as establise b' Att'. Ricafrente* 5o as te AssistantSecretar' of te $9$ Constitutional Convention 5as te "ro"er "art' totestif' to suc e:ecution. =TSN* Dece8ber $2* $99* "". $$%2J>

Te inabilit' to "rouce te ori7inals before te !RET 5as also testi@e to asaforestate b' Att'. Ricafrente* Att'. Nolleo* an Att'. Santos. ,n "rovin7

te inabilit' to "rouce* te la5 oes not re?uire te e7ree of "roof to beof sucient certaint' it is enou7 tat it be so5n tat after a bona @eili7ent searc* te sa8e cannot be foun. =see #overn8ent of P.,. v.MartineB* JJ Pil. $ $9$>

Since te e:ecution of te ocu8ent an te inabilit' to "rouce 5ereae?uatel' establise* te contents of te ?uestione ocu8ents can be"roven b' a co"' tereof or b' te recollection of 5itnesses.

Moreover* to erase all oubts as to te autenticit' of te ocu8entar'evience cite in te Co88ittee Re"ort* te for8er 8e8ber of te $9$Constitutional Convention* Att'. Nolleo* 5en e 5as "resente as a5itness in te earin7 of te

$(

1O. $99* &U- ()* $99$$(Co vs. Electoral Tribunal of te !ouse of Re"resentatives"rotest a7ainst te "rivate res"onent* cate7oricall' state tat e sa5 te

is"ute ocu8ents "resente urin7 te earin7 of te election "rotesta7ainst te broter of te "rivate res"onent. =TSN* 0ebruar' $* $99* "".%9>

,n is concurrin7 o"inion* Mr. &ustice Sar8iento* a vice%"resient of teConstitutional Convention* states tat e 5as "resiin7 ocer of te

"lenar' session 5ic eliberate on te re"ort on te election "rotesta7ainst Dele7ate E8il On7. !e cites a lon7 list of na8es of ele7ates"resent. A8on7 te8 are Mr. Cief &ustice 0ernan* an Mr. &ustice Davie*&r. Te "etitioners coul ave "resente an' one of te lon7 list ofele7ates to refute Mr. On7;s avin7 been eclare a naturalborn citiBen.Te' i not o so. Nor i te' e8ur to te contents of te ocu8ents"resente b' te "rivate res"onent. Te' 8erel' relie on te "roceuralobections res"ectin7 te a8issibilit' of te evience "resente.


20/55

Te Constitutional Convention 5as te sole u7e of te ?uali@cations of E8ilOn7 to be a 8e8ber of tat bo'. Te !RET* b' e:"licit 8anate of teConstitution* is te sole u7e of te ?uali@cations of &ose On7* &r. to be a8e8ber of Con7ress. /ot boies eliberate at len7t on tecontroversies over 5ic te' 5ere sole u7es. Decisions 5ere arrive at

onl' after a full "resentation of all relevant factors 5ic te "arties5ise to "resent. Even assu8in7 tat 5e isa7ree 5it teir conclusions*5e cannot eclare teir acts as co88itte 5it 7rave abuse of iscretion.e ave to ee" clear te line bet5een error an 7rave abuse.

ON T!E ,SSUE O0 RES,DENCETe "etitioners ?uestion te resience ?uali@cation of res"onent On7.Te "etitioners lose si7t of te 8eanin7 of GresienceK uner te

Constitution. Te ter8 GresienceK as been unerstoo as s'non'8ous5it o8icile not onl' uner te "revious Constitutions but also uner te$9 Constitution.

Te eliberations of te Constitutional Co88ission reveal tat te 8eanin7

of resience vis%a%vis te ?uali@cations of a caniate for Con7resscontinues to re8ain te sa8e as tat of o8icile* to 5itF$J

$JSUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATEDCo vs. Electoral Tribunal of te !ouse of Re"resentativesGMr. NolleoF it res"ect to Section I* , re8e8ber tat in te $9$

Constitutional Convention* tere 5as an atte8"t to re?uire resience inte "lace not less tan one 'ear i88eiatel' "recein7 te a' of teelections. So 8' ?uestion isF at is te Co88ittee;s conce"t of resience

of a caniate for te le7islature ,s it actual resience or is it te conce"tof o8icile or constructive resience

Mr. DavieF Maa8e Presient* insofar as te re7ular 8e8bers of teNational Asse8bl' are concerne* te "ro"ose section 8erel' "rovies*a8on7 oters* an a resient tereof;* tat is* in te istrict* for a "erioof not less tan one 'ear "recein7 te a' of te election. Tis 5as ineect lifte fro8 te $9( Constitution* te inter"retation 7iven to it 5aso8icile.K =Recors of te $9 Constitutional Convention* 1ol. ,,* &ul' 22*$96* ". >

: : : : : : : : :GMrs. Rosario /raiF Te ne:t ?uestion is on Section * "a7e 2. , tin

Co88issioner Nolleo as raise te sa8e "oint tat resient; as beeninter"rete at ti8es as a 8atter of intention rater tan actual resience.

Mr. De los Re'esF Do8icile.Ms. Rosario /raiF -es* So* 5oul te 7entle8en consier at te "ro"er ti8e

to 7o bac to actual resience rater tan 8ere intention to resieMr. De los Re'esF /ut 5e 8i7t encounter so8e icult' es"eciall'

consierin7 tat a "rovision in te Constitution in te Article on Sura7esa's tat 0ili"inos livin7 abroa 8a' vote as enacte b' la5. So* 5e ave


21/55

to stic to te ori7inal conce"t tat it soul be b' o8icile an not"'sical an actual resience.K =Recors of te $9 ConstitutionalCo88ission* 1ol. ,,* &ul' 22* $96* ". $$)>

Te fra8ers of te Constitution aere to te earlier e@nition 7iven to te5or GresienceK 5ic re7are it as avin7 te sa8e 8eanin7 as

o8icile.Te ter8 Go8icileK enotes a @:e "er8anent resience to 5ic 5enabsent for business or "leasure* one intens to return. =On7 !uan Tin v.Re"ublic* $9 SCRA 966 $96> Te absence of a "erson fro8 sai"er8anent resience* no 8atter o5 lon7* not5itstanin7* it continues tobe te o8icile of tat "erson. ,n oter 5ors* o8icile is caracteriBe b'ani8us reverteni. =Uano v. Re"ublic* $ SCRA $J $966> Te o8icileof ori7in of te "rivate res"onent* 5ic 5as te o8icile of is "arents*is @:e at aoan7* Sa8ar. Contrar' to te "etitioners; i8"utation* &oseOn7* &r. never abanone

$I

1O. $99* &U- ()* $99$$ICo vs. Electoral Tribunal of te !ouse of Re"resentativessai o8icile it re8aine @:e terein even u" to te "resent.Te "rivate res"onent* in te "roceein7s before te !RET* sucientl'

establise tat after te @re tat 7utte teir ouse in $96$* anoter one5as constructe.

ie5ise* after te secon @re 5ic a7ain estro'e teir ouse in $9I* asi:teen%oor a"art8ent 5as built b' teir fa8il'* t5o oors of 5ic 5erereserve as teir fa8il' resience. =TSN* &ose On7* &r.* Nove8ber $* $9*

". >Te "etitioners; alle7ation tat since te "rivate res"onent o5ns no

"ro"ert' in aoan7* Sa8ar* e cannot* terefore* be a resient of sai"lace is 8is"lace.

Te "ro"erties o5ne b' te On7 0a8il' are in te na8e of te "rivateres"onent;s "arents. U"on te e8ise of is "arents* necessaril'* te"rivate res"onent* "ursuant to te la5s of succession* beca8e te co%o5ner tereof =as a co%eir>* not5itstanin7 te fact tat tese 5ere stillin te na8es of is "arents.

Even assu8in7 tat te "rivate res"onent oes not o5n an' "ro"ert' inSa8ar* te Su"re8e Court in te case of De los Re'es v. Soliu8 =6$ Pil.

9( $9(I> el tat it is not re?uire tat a "erson soul ave a ousein orer to establis is resience an o8icile. ,t is enou7 tat e soullive in te 8unici"alit' or in a rente ouse or in tat of a frien orrelative. =E8"asis su""lie>

To re?uire te "rivate res"onent to o5n "ro"ert' in orer to be eli7ible torun for Con7ress 5oul be tanta8ount to a "ro"ert' ?uali@cation. TeConstitution onl' re?uires tat te caniate 8eet te a7e* citiBensi"*votin7 an resience re?uire8ents. No5ere is it re?uire b' te


22/55

Constitution tat te caniate soul also o5n "ro"ert' in orer to be?uali@e to run. =see Ma?uera v. /orra* $22 Pil. J$2 $96I>

,t as also been settle tat absence fro8 resience to "ursue stuies or"ractice a "rofession or re7istration as a voter oter tan in te "lace5ere one is electe* oes not constitute loss of resience. =0a'"on v.

4uirino* 96 Pil. 29J $9IJ>As "reviousl' state* te "rivate res"onent sta'e in Manila for te "ur"oseof @nisin7 is stuies an later to "ractice is "rofession. Tere 5as nointention to abanon te resience in aoan7* Sa8ar. On te contrar'* te"erioical ourne's 8ae to is o8e "rovince reveal tat e al5a's ate ani8us

$6

$6SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATEDCo vs. Electoral Tribunal of te !ouse of Re"resentatives

reverteni.Te Pili""ines is 8ae u" not onl' of a sin7le race it as* rater* uner7onean interracial evolution. Trou7out our istor'* tere as been acontinuin7 inQu: of Mala's* Cinese* A8ericans* &a"anese* S"aniars anoter nationalities. Tis racial iversit' 7ives stren7t to our countr'.

Man' 7reat 0ili"inos ave not been 5ole%blooe nationals* if tere is suca "erson* for tere is none. To 8ention a fe5* te 7reat &ose RiBal 5as "artCinese* te late Cief &ustice Clauio Teeanee 5as "art Cinese* an ofcourse our o5n Presient* CoraBon A?uino is also "art Cinese. 1eril'*so8e 0ili"inos of 5o8 5e are "rou 5ere etnicall' 8ore Cinese tante "rivate res"onent.

Our citiBens no oubt constitute te countr';s 7reatest 5ealt. CitiBensi" isa s"ecial "rivile7e 5ic one 8ust forever ceris.

!o5ever* in orer to trul' revere tis treasure of citiBensi"* 5e o not* onte basis of too ars an inter"retation* ave to unreasonabl' en' it totose 5o ?ualif' to sare in its ricness.

Uner te overl' strict uris"ruence surrounin7 our anti?uatenaturaliBation la5s onl' te ver' aVuent bace b' inQuential "atrons*5o 5ere 5illin7 to suer te ini7nities of a len7t'* so8eti8esu8iliatin7* an often corru"t "rocess of clearances b' 8inor bureaucratsan 5ose la5'ers ne5 o5 to overco8e so 8an' tecnical tra"s of teuicial "rocess 5ere able to ac?uire citiBensi". ,t is ti8e for te

naturaliBation la5 to be revise to enable a 8ore "ositive* ar8ative* an8eanin7ful e:a8ination of an a""licant;s suitabilit' to be a 0ili"ino. A 8oreu8ane* 8ore inubitable an less tecnical a""roac to citiBensi""roble8s is essential.

!ERE0ORE* te "etitions are ereb' D,SM,SSED. Te ?uestione ecisionof te !ouse of Re"resentatives Electoral Tribunal is A00,RMED.Res"onent &ose On7* &r. is eclare a natural%born citiBen of tePili""ines an a resient of aoan7* Nortern Sa8ar.


23/55

SO ORDERED. /iin* #riWo%A?uino* Meialea an Davie* &r.* &&.* concur.$

1O. $99* &U- ()* $99$

$Co vs. Electoral Tribunal of te !ouse of Re"resentatives 0ernan =C.&.>* No "art. 0or8er 8e8ber of !RET. Narvasa* &.* , oin in te issent of &ustice Pailla. Melencio%!errera* &.* No "art !RET Cair8an. CruB* &.* No "art. Me8ber of te !RET. Paras* &.* , oin &ustice Pailla in is issent. 0eliciano an #anca'co* &&.* No "art. Pailla* &.* See issentin7 o"inion. Sar8iento* &.* See concurrin7 o"inion. Re7alao* &.* , oin &ustice Pailla in is issent.

CONCURR,N# OP,N,ONSARM,ENTO* &.F

, concur 5it te 8aorit'.=$>, 5is to "oint out @rst tat te ?uestion of citiBensi" is a ?uestion of fact*

an as a rule* te Su"re8e Court leaves facts to te tribunal tateter8ine te8. , a8 ?uite a7ree tat te Electoral Tribunal of te!ouse of Re"resentatives* as te Gsole u7eK of all contests relatin7 to te8e8bersi" in te !ouse* as follo5sF

Sec. $. Te Senate an te !ouse of Re"resentatives sall eac ave an

Electoral Tribunal 5ic sall be te sole u7e of all contests relatin7 tote election* returns* an ?uali@cations of teir res"ective Me8bers. EacElectoral Tribunal sall be co8"ose of nine Me8bers* tree of 5o8 sallbe &ustices of te Su"re8e Court to be esi7nate b' te Cief &ustice* ante re8ainin7 si: sall be Me8bers of te Senate or te !ouse ofRe"resentatives* as te case 8a' be* 5o sall be cosen on te basis of"ro"ortional re"resentation fro8 te "olitical "arties an te "arties oror7aniBations re7istere uner te "art'%list s'ste8 re"resente terein.Te senior &ustice in te Electoral Tribunal sall be its Cair8an.$

is te best u7e of facts an tis Court can not substitute its u78entbecause it tins it no5s better.

,n te case of Aratuc v. Co88ission on Elections*2 it 5as el tat tis Courtcan not revie5 te errors of te Co88ission on

LLLLLLLLLLLLLL

$ CONST.* art. 1,* sec. $.2 Nos. %J9)I%)9 J9$%2$* 0ebruar' * $99* SCRA 2I$.$


24/55

$SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATEDCo vs. Electoral Tribunal of te !ouse of Re"resentativesElections =ten te Gsole u7eK of all election contests>


25/55

E8il On7* &ose On7;s full bloo broter. Accorin7 to te Re"ort* On7 Te* teOn7s; 7ranfater* 5as alrea' a 0ili"ino citiBen avin7 co8"lie 5it tere?uire8ents on 0ili"iniBation b' e:istin7 la5s for 5ic is successorsnee not ave electe 0ili"ino citiBensi". , ?uoteF

::: ::: :::

Tere is 8erit in "rotestee;s clai8. Tere can arl' be an' oubt tat On7Te* "rotestees;s 7ranfater* 5as a S"anis subect resiin7 in tePili""ines on A"ril $$* $99* an 5as terefore one of te 8an' 5obeca8e i"so facto citiBens of te Pili""ines uner te "rovisions of tePili""ine /ill of $9)2. Sai la5 e:"ressl' eclare tat all inabitants ofte Pili""ine ,slans 5o continue to resie terein an 5o 5ereS"anis subects on A"ril $$* $99* as 5ell as teir cilren bornsubse?uent tereto* Gsall be ee8e an el to be citiBens of tePili""ine ,slansK =Sec. J* Pili""ine /ill of $9)2>. E:ce"te fro8 teo"eration of tis rule 5ere S"anis subects 5o sall ave electe to"reserve teir alle7iance to te Cro5n of S"ain in accorance 5it te

Treat' of Paris of Dece8ber $)* $9. /ut uner te Treat' of Paris* onl'S"anis subects 5o 5ere natives of Peninsular S"ain a te "rivile7e of"reservin7 teir S"anis nationalit'.

::: ::: ::: ::: ::: :::As earlier note* "rotestee;s 7ranfater establise resience in te

Pili""ines in $9I* as so5n b' te Re7istro Central e Cinos. !e 5asalso issue a certi@cate of re7istration. !e establise a business ere*an later ac?uire real "ro"ert'. Altou7 e 5ent bac to Cina for briefvisits* e invariabl' ca8e bac. !e even brou7t is elest son* On7Cuan* to live in te Pili""ines 5en te latter 5as onl' $) 'ears ol. AnOn7 Cuan 5as a8itte into te countr' because* as ul' note on is

lanin7 certi@cate* is fater* On7 Te* a been ul' enrolle uner CR$6))9%(6II


26/55

Te 5as ul' o8icile in te Pili""ines as of A"ril $$* $99* 5itin te8eanin7 of "ar. J* Art. $* of te Civil Coe of $9. Too* esto""el a""lies onl' to?uestions of fact an not of la5 =TaWaa v. Cuenco* %$)I2)* 0eb. 2*$9I>.9

,t is to be note tat te Re"ort 5as unani8ousl' a""rove b' teCo88ittee* an on Nove8ber 2* $92* a""rove 5itout an' obectionb' te Convention in "lenar' session.$)

LLLLLLLLLLLLLL

,.* J%I.

9 ,.* I%6.$) Te Dele7ates "resent 5ere as follo5sFDele7ate Abalos E.Dele7ate /acaltosDele7ate AblanDele7ate /aellesDele7ate Abue7Dele7ate /a7uilatDele7ate AbunoDele7ate /araiDele7ate Ail

Dele7ate /arberoDele7ate AlanisDele7ate /autistaDele7ate AlanoDele7ate /eloDele7ate A8anteDele7ate /lanciaDele7ate Anni


27/55

Dele7ate /on7bon7Dele7ate A"alisoDele7ate /oraDele7ate ArabeoDele7ate /orra

2$

1O. $99* &U- ()* $99$2$Co vs. Electoral Tribunal of te !ouse of Re"resentatives, a8 not* of course* to be 8istaen as actin7 as 8out"iece of E8il On7* but

in all canor* , s"ea fro8 e:"erience* becauseLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

Dele7ate /orro8eoDele7ate a77ui

Dele7ate /uenDele7ate aBoDele7ate /u7nosenDele7ate ees8a C.Dele7ate Cain7letDele7ate e7as"iDele7ate Caleron C.Dele7ate eviste C.Dele7ate Caleron P.Dele7ate i8 P.Dele7ate Cali5ara

Dele7ate i8 R.Dele7ate Ca8elloDele7ate Macara'aDele7ate Ca8"o8anesDele7ate MaciasDele7ate CanilaoDele7ate MarilleosDele7ate CarrilloDele7ate Ma8entaDele7ate Castillo P.Dele7ate Ma"u"uno

Dele7ate CastroDele7ate MariWoDele7ate CatanDele7ate MeniolaDele7ate CeniBaDele7ate MiaresDele7ate Cle8enteDele7ate Misa


28/55

Dele7ate Cor"usDele7ate MonteoDele7ate DaviDele7ate MontinolaDele7ate Davie

Dele7ate Ol8eoDele7ate De #uB8anDele7ate On7Dele7ate De la SernaDele7ate OBa8iBDele7ate EncarnacionDele7ate PanotesDele7ate Es"iritu A.C.Dele7ate Pe"itoDele7ate EstanielDele7ate Pi8entel A.

Dele7ate EstrellaDele7ate 4uibranBaDele7ate E:8unoDele7ate 4uinteroDele7ate 0lores A.Dele7ate 4uirinoDele7ate 0lores T.Dele7ate Re'es #.Dele7ate #arcia &.Dele7ate Rori7ueB /.Dele7ate #auiel

Dele7ate Rori7ueB P.Dele7ate #onBa7aDele7ate Ro8ualoDele7ate #uevaraDele7ate SabioDele7ate #uirnalaDele7ate SalaBar A.Dele7ate #uB8anDele7ate San7ulaDele7ate !ilaoDele7ate Santillan

Dele7ate !ocsonDele7ate Santos O.Dele7ate ,7nacioDele7ate Sar8ientoDele7ate Xintanar &.Dele7ate Sera"ioDele7ate acicaDele7ate Serrano


29/55

Dele7ate a7a8onDele7ate Sinco22

22

SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATEDCo vs. Electoral Tribunal of te !ouse of Re"resentatives5en te Convention a""rove te Re"ort in ?uestion* , 5as one of its vice%

"resients an te "resiin7 ocer.LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

Dele7ate TabuenaDele7ate /ritanicoDele7ate Tano"oDele7ate CabalDele7ate Tin7son

Dele7ate Cala'ca'Dele7ate TolentinoDele7ate Caleron &.Dele7ate TronoDele7ate Ca"ulon7Dele7ate Tu"aB A.Dele7ate Castilo N.Dele7ate 1aleBDele7ate Catubi7Dele7ate 1elascoDele7ate Cea

Dele7ate 1erBolaDele7ate ClaverDele7ate 1illarDele7ate ConcoriaDele7ate 1inBonsDele7ate CruBDele7ate 1iterboDele7ate De la CruBDele7ate -a"Dele7ate De la PaBDele7ate -ulo A.

Dele7ate De i8aDele7ate -ulo &.#.Dele7ate De los Re'esDele7ate afraDele7ate De PioTe PresientDele7ate DeavitDele7ate Aba


30/55

Dele7ate Es"arra7oDele7ate Abalos 0.Dele7ate Es"inaDele7ate AbubaarDele7ate Es"iritu R.

Dele7ate A7uilarDele7ate 0aaroDele7ate AlbanoDele7ate 0al7uiDele7ate AlabaDele7ate 0ernanDele7ate AlfelorDele7ate 0ernaneBDele7ate AlontoDele7ate #aW7anDele7ate A8aton7

Dele7ate #arcia A.Dele7ate A8"atuanDele7ate #arcia 0.Dele7ate An7araDele7ate #arcia .P.Dele7ate An7alaDele7ate #arcia .M.Dele7ate AntonioDele7ate #oronDele7ate Araneta T.Dele7ate #uni7uno

Dele7ate Arue7oDele7ate !er8osoDele7ate AstillaDele7ate !ortinelaDele7ate ABcunaDele7ate ,8"erialDele7ate /alaneDele7ate &a8irDele7ate /alinon7Dele7ate &onstonDele7ate /arrera

Dele7ate &uabanDele7ate /en7BonDele7ate Xintanar S.Dele7ate aurel2(

1O. $99* &U- ()* $99$


31/55

2(Co vs. Electoral Tribunal of te !ouse of Re"resentatives,t is to be note @nall'* tat te 8atter 5as elevate to tis Court =on a

?uestion involvin7 E8il On7;s ?uali@cation to sit asLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

Dele7ate ees8a 0.Dele7ate Ra?uiBaDele7ate ees8a O.Dele7ate RestorDele7ate eioDele7ate Re'es /.Dele7ate obre7atDele7ate Re'es C.Dele7ate obrinDele7ate Re'es &.

Dele7ate ocsin &.Dele7ate Re'es P.Dele7ate ocsin M.Dele7ate RoblesDele7ate Maaran7Dele7ate RocoDele7ate MartineBDele7ate RosalesDele7ate MasturaDele7ate RubenDele7ate Matas

Dele7ate Sa7aalDele7ate MenoBaDele7ate Sa78itDele7ate MolinaDele7ate Sa7uinDele7ate MontillaDele7ate SalaBar R.Dele7ate MorenoDele7ate SalvaDele7ate NisceDele7ate Sa8bola5an

Dele7ate Nu7uiDele7ate SanceBDele7ate OcaDele7ate SantelicesDele7ate O"inionDele7ate Santia7oDele7ate OroWeBDele7ate Santos E.


32/55

Dele7ate Orte7aDele7ate Sarra7aDele7ate OrtiB P.Dele7ate SarteDele7ate OrtiB R.

Dele7ate Sa5itDele7ate Paci@caorDele7ate SearesDele7ate PaiernosDele7ate SevillaDele7ate Paua C.Dele7ate Si7uion Re'naDele7ate Paua M.Dele7ate SinsuatDele7ate Pan7ana8anDele7ate Sison A.

Dele7ate PareesDele7ate Sison E.Dele7ate PiitDele7ate SoroW7anDele7ate Pi8entel 1.Dele7ate SuareBDele7ate Pin7o'Dele7ate S'ucoDele7ate PoncinlanDele7ate TeooroDele7ate Pri8icias

Dele7ate TevesDele7ate Puris8aDele7ate TiraorDele7ate Puru7ananDele7ate TirolDele7ate PuBonDele7ate TocaoDele7ate 4uintosDele7ate TrillanaDele7ate Ra8osDele7ate Tu"aB D.

2J

2JSUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATEDCo vs. Electoral Tribunal of te !ouse of Re"resentativesCourt allo5e te use of te Co88ittee Re"ort.0ace 5it suc "ositive acts of te #overn8ent* , sub8it tat te ?uestion

of te On7;s citiBensi" is a settle 8atter. et it rest.


33/55

,t is true tat Electoral Protest Nos. EP%) an EP%) of te Convention as5ell as #.R. No. 62)$ of tis Court* involve E8il On7 an not is broter, sub8it* o5ever* tat 5at is sauce for te 7oose is sauce for te 7aner.

, also sub8it tat te funa8ental ?uestion is 5eter or not 5e 5illoverturn te unani8ous rulin7 of 26 ele7ates* inee* also of tis Court.

D,SSENT,N# OP,N,ONPAD,A* &.F

, issent.Tese se"arate "etitions for certiorari an 8ana8us see to annul te

ecision+ of res"onent !ouse of Re"resentatives Electoral Tribunal=ereinafter referre to as te tribunal> ate 6 Nove8ber $99 5iceclare "rivate res"onent &ose . On7* a natural%born citiBen of tePili""ines an a le7al resient of aoan7* Nortern Sa8ar* an teresolution of te tribunal ate 22 0ebruar' $99) en'in7 "etitioners;8otions for reconsieration.

,n #.R. Nos. 92$9$%92* "etitioner Co also "ra's tat te Court eclare "rivateres"onent On7 not ?uali@e to be a Me8ber of te !ouse ofRe"resentatives an to eclare i8 ="etitioner Co>

LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

Dele7ate 1aleraDele7ate -aneBaDele7ate 1eloso D.Dele7ate -aranonDele7ate 1eloso ,.Dele7ate -Wi7ueB

Dele7ate 1illael7aoDele7ate -uBonDele7ate -ancaDele7ate osa$$ On7 v. Co88ission on Elections* #.R. No. 62)$* Ma' * $9J.+ it te concurrence of Con7ress8en Mario . Ta7arao* Davi A. Ponce De

eon* Si8eon E. #arcia* &uanito #. Ca8asura* &r. an &ose E. Calin7asan&ustices A8eur@na A. Melencio%!errera* ,sa7ani A. CruB* 0lorentino P.0eliciano an Con7ress8an Antonio !. Cerilles issente.

2I

1O. $99* &U- ()* $99$2ICo vs. Electoral Tribunal of te !ouse of Re"resentatives5o alle7el' obtaine te i7est nu8ber of votes a8on7 te ?uali@e

caniates* te ul' electe re"resentative of te secon le7islativeistrict of Nortern Sa8ar.

,n #.R. Nos. 922)2%)(* "etitioner /alan?uit "ra's tat te Court eclare"rivate res"onent On7 an Co ="etitioner in #.R. Nos. 92$9$%92> not


34/55

?uali@e for 8e8bersi" in te !ouse of Re"resentatives an to "roclai8i8 =/alan7uit> as te ul' electe re"resentative of sai istrict.

Petitioners Antonio -. Co* Si:to T. /alan?uit* &r. an "rivate res"onent &oseOn7 Cuan* &r. 5ere a8on7 te caniates for te "osition ofRe"resentative or Con7ress8an for te secon istrict of Nortern Sa8ar

urin7 te $$ Ma' $9 con7ressional elections. Private res"onent 5as"roclai8e ul'%electe on $ Ma' $9 5it a "luralit' of so8e si:teentousan =$6*)))> votes over "etitioner Co 5o obtaine te ne:t i7estnu8ber of votes.

Petitioners Co an /alan?uit ten @le se"arate election "rotests a7ainst"rivate res"onent 5it te tribunal* ocete as !RET Cases Nos. $( an$I res"ectivel'. /ot "rotests raise al8ost te sa8e issues an 5ere tusconsiere an ecie ointl' b' te tribunal.

Te issues raise before te tribunal 5ere te follo5in7F$. eter or not "rotestee =8eanin7* On7> is a natural%born citiBen of te

Pili""ines in conte8"lation of Section 6* Article 1, of te $9

Constitution in relation to Sections 2 an $=(>* Article ,1 tereof an2. eter or not "rotestee 5as a resient of aoan7* Nortern Sa8ar* inconte8"lation of Section 6* Article 1, of te sa8e Constitution* for a "erioof not less tan one 'ear i88eiatel' "recein7 te con7ressionalelections of Ma' $9.

Te res"onent tribunal in its ecision ate 6 Nove8ber $99 el tatres"onent &ose . On7 is a natural%born citiBen of te Pili""ines an 5asa le7al resient of aoan7* Nortern Sa8ar for te re?uire "erio "rior tote Ma' $9 con7ressional elections. !e 5as* terefore* eclare?uali@e to continue in oce as Me8ber of te !ouse of Re"resentatives*Con7ress of te Pili""ines* re"resentin7 te secon le7islative istrict of

Nortern Sa8ar.Te factual anteceents taen fro8 te consoliate "roceein7s in te

tribunal are te follo5in7F26

26SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATEDCo vs. Electoral Tribunal of te !ouse of Re"resentativesG$. Te Protestee =On7> 5as born on &une $9* $9J to te le7al s"ouses On7

Cuan also no5n as &ose On7 Cuan an A7ri@na E. ao. !is "lace of birtis aoan7 5ic is no5 one of te 8unici"alities co8"risin7 te "rovince of

Nortern Sa8ar =Re"ublic Act No. 6$(2 a""rove on Au7ust 2J* $9) ante Orinance a""ene to te $9 Constitution>.

G2. On te oter an* &ose On7 Cuan 5as born in Cina an arrive inManila on Dece8ber $6* $9$I. =E:ibit BB> Subse?uentl' tereafter* etoo u" resience in aoan7* Sa8ar.

G(. On 0ebruar' J* $9(2* e 8arrie A7ri@na E. ao. Teir 5ein7 5ascelebrate accorin7 to te rites an "ractices of te Ro8an CatolicCurc in te Munici"alit' of aoan7 =E:. E>.


35/55

GJ. At te ti8e of er 8arria7e to &ose On7 Cuan* A7ri@na E. ao 5as anatural%born 0ili"ino citiBen* bot er "arents at te ti8e of er birt bein70ili"ino citiBens. =E:ibits E ,>

GI. On 0ebruar' $I* $9IJ* &ose On7 Cuan* esirin7 to ac?uire Pili""inecitiBensi"* @le is "etition for naturaliBation 5it te Court of 0irst

,nstance of Sa8ar* "ursuant to Co88on5ealt Act No. J(* oter5iseno5n as te Revise NaturaliBation a5.G6. On A"ril 2* $9II* te Court of 0irst ,nstance of Sa8ar renere a

ecision a""rovin7 te a""lication of &ose On7 Cuan for naturaliBation aneclarin7 sai "etitioner a 0ili"ino citiBen G5it all te ri7ts an "rivile7esan uties* liabilities an obli7ations inerent to 0ili"ino citiBens. =E:. E>

G. On Ma' $I* $9I* te sa8e Court issue an orerF=$> eclarin7 te ecision of tis Court of A"ril 2* $9II @nal an e:ecutor'=2> irectin7 te cler of court to issue te corres"onin7 Certi@cate of

NaturaliBation in favor of te a""licant On7 Cuan 5o "refers to tae isoat an re7ister is na8e as &ose On7 Cuan. Petitioner 8a' tae is

oat as 0ili"ino citiBen uner is ne5 cristian na8e* &ose On7 Cuan.;=E:. 0>G. On te sa8e a'* &ose On7 Cuan avin7 taen te corres"onin7 oat

of alle7iance to te Constitution an te #overn8ent of te Pili""ines as"rescribe b' Section $2 of Co88on5ealt Act No. J(* 5as issue tecorres"onin7 Certi@cate of NaturaliBation. =E:. #>

G9. On Nove8ber $)* $9)* E8il . On7* a full%broter of te "rotestee an ason born on &ul' 2I* $9( at aoan7* Sa8ar to te s"ouses &ose On7 Cuanan A7ri@na E. ao* 5as electe ele7ate fro8 Nortern Sa8ar to te $9$Constitutional Convention.

G$). /' "rotestee;s o5n testi8on'* it 5as establise tat e a attene

7rae scool in aoan7. Tereafter* e 5ent to Manila 5ere e @niseis seconar' as 5ell as is colle7e eucation. ile

2

1O. $99* &U- ()* $99$2Co vs. Electoral Tribunal of te !ouse of Re"resentativeslater e8"lo'e in Manila* "rotestee o5ever 5ent o8e to aoan7 5enever

e a te o""ortunit' to o so* 5ic invariabl' 5oul be as fre?uent ast5ice to four ti8es a 'ear.

G$$. Protestee also so5e tat bein7 a native an le7al resient of aoan7*

e re7istere as a voter terein an corres"onin7l' vote in sai8unici"alit' in te $9J an $96 elections.

G$2. A7ain in Dece8ber $96* urin7 te 7eneral re%re7istration of all votersin te countr'* Protestee re7istere as a voter in Precinct No. J of/aran7a' Tu8a7uintin7 in aoan7. ,n is voter;s aavit* Protesteeinicate tat e is a resient of aoan7 since birt.K =E:. >$

Petitioners; 8otions for reconsieration of te tribunal;s ecision avin7been enie* "etitioners @le te "resent "etitions.


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,n teir co88ents* te res"onents @rst raise te issue of te Court;surisiction to revie5 te ecision of te !ouse Electoral Tribunal*consierin7 te constitutional "rovision vestin7 u"on sai tribunal te"o5er an autorit' to act as te sole u7e of all contests relatin7 to te?uali@cations of te Me8bers of te !ouse of Re"resentatives.2

On te ?uestion of tis Court;s urisiction over te "resent controvers'* ,believe tat* contrar' to te res"onents; contentions* te Court as teurisiction an co8"etence to revie5 te ?uestione ecision of tetribunal an to ecie te "resent controvers'.

Article 1,,,* Section $ of te $9 Constitution "rovies tatFG&uicial "o5er inclues te ut' of te courts of ustice to settle actual

controversies involvin7 ri7ts 5ic are le7all' e8anable anenforceable* an to eter8ine 5eter or not tere as been a 7raveabuse of iscretion a8ountin7 to lac or e:cess of urisiction on te "artof an' branc or instru8entalit' of te #overn8ent.K

Te Constitution* it is true* constitutes te tribunal as te sole u7e of all

contests relatin7 to te election* returns* an ?uali@cations of Me8bers ofte !ouse of Re"resentatives. /ut as earl' as $9(* it 5as el in Morrerovs. /ocar*( construin7

LLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

$ #.R. Nos. 92$9$%92* Rollo* "". 2$%2(.2 Section $* Article 1,* $9 Constitution.( No. JI(I2* October ($* $9(* 66 Pil. J29.2

2

SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATEDCo vs. Electoral Tribunal of te !ouse of Re"resentativesSection J* Article 1, of te $9(I Constitution 5ic "rovie tat G: : : Te

Electoral Co88ission sall be te sole u7e of all contests relatin7 to teelection* returns an ?uali@cations of te Me8bers of te NationalAsse8bl'*K tatF

GTe u78ent renere b' te =electoral> co88ission in te e:ercise ofsuc an acno5le7e "o5er is be'on uicial interference* e:ce"t* inan' event* u"on a clear so5in7 of suc arbitrar' an i8"rovient use ofte "o5er as 5ill constitute a enial of ue "rocess of la5.; =/arr' vs. USe: rel. Cunnin7a8* 29 US I9 ( a5. e.* 6 An7ara vs. Electoral

Co88ission* (I O. #aB.* 2(.>KAn ten uner te afore%?uote "rovisions of Article 1,,,* Section $ of te

$9 Constitution* tis Court is ut'%boun to eter8ine 5eter or not* inan actual controvers'* tere as been a 7rave abuse of iscretiona8ountin7 to lac or e:cess of urisiction on te "art of an' branc orinstru8entalit' of te #overn8ent.

Te "resent controvers'* it 5ill be observe* involves 8ore tan "erceiveirre7ularities in te conuct of a con7ressional election or a is"ute


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a""reciation of ballots* in 5ic cases* it 8a' be contene 5it 7reatle7al force an "ersuasion tat te ecision of te electoral tribunal soulbe @nal an conclusive* for it is* b' constitutional irective* 8ae te soleu7e of contests relatin7 to suc 8atters. Te "resent controvers'*o5ever* involves no less tan a eter8ination of 5eter te

?uali@cations for 8e8bersi" in te !ouse of Re"resentatives* as"rescribe b' te Constitution* ave been 8et. ,nee* tis Court 5oul beunfor7ivabl' re8iss in te "erfor8ance of its uties* as 8anate b' teConstitution* 5ere it to allo5 a "erson* not a natural%born 0ili"ino citiBen* tocontinue to sit as a Me8ber of te !ouse of Re"resentatives* solel'because te !ouse Electoral Tribunal as eclare i8 to be so. ,n suc acase* te tribunal 5oul ave acte 5it 7rave abuse of iscretiona8ountin7 to lac or e:cess of urisiction as to re?uire te e:ercise b'tis Court of its "o5er of uicial revie5.

/esies* te citiBensi" an resience ?uali@cations of "rivate res"onent forte oce of Me8ber of te !ouse of Re"resentatives* are ere

controverte b' "etitioners 5o* at te sa8e ti8e* clai8 tat te' areentitle to te oce ille7all'29

1O. $99* &U- ()* $99$29Co vs. Electoral Tribunal of te !ouse of Re"resentativesel b' "rivate res"onent. 0ro8 tis aitional irection* 5ere one asserts

an earnestl' "erceive ri7t tat in turn is vi7orousl' resiste b' anoter*tere is clearl' a usticiable controvers' "ro"er for tis Court to consieran ecie.

Nor can it be sai tat te Court* in revie5in7 te ecision of te tribunal*asserts su"re8ac' over it in contravention of te ti8e%onore "rinci"le ofconstitutional se"aration of "o5ers. Te Court in tis instance si8"l'"erfor8s a function entruste an assi7ne to it b' te Constitution ofinter"retin7* in a usticiable controvers'* te "ertinent "rovisions of teConstitution 5it @nalit'.

G,t is te role of te &uiciar' to re@ne an* 5en necessar'* correctconstitutional =anYor statutor'> inter"retation* in te conte:t of teinteractions of te tree brances of te 7overn8ent* al8ost al5a's insituations 5ere so8e a7enc' of te State as en7a7e in action tatste8s ulti8atel' fro8 so8e le7iti8ate area of 7overn8ental "o5er =te

Su"re8e Court in Moern Role* C./. Seviser* $9I* ". (6>.KJMoreover* it is eciel' a 8atter of 7reat "ublic interest an concern to

eter8ine 5eter or not "rivate res"onent is ?uali@e to ol soi8"ortant an i7 a "ublic oce 5ic is s"eci@call' reserve b' teConstitution onl' to natural%born 0ili"ino citiBens.

After a careful consieration of te issues an te evience* it is 8'consiere o"inion tat te res"onent tribunal co88itte 7rave abuse of


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iscretion a8ountin7 to lac or e:cess of urisiction in renerin7 its?uestione ecision an resolution* for reasons to be "resentl' state.

Te ConstitutionI re?uires tat a Me8ber of te !ouse of Re"resentatives8ust be a natural%born citiBen of te Pili""ines an* on te a' of teelection* is at least t5ent'%@ve =2I> 'ears of a7e* able to rea an 5rite*

an* e:ce"t te "art'%list re"resentatives* a re7istere voter in te istrictin 5ic e sall be electe* an a resient tereof for a "erio of not lessLLLLLLLLLLLLL

J Cartere /an E8"lo'ees Association vs. O"le* #.R. No. JJ$* Au7ust2* $9I* $( SCRA 2(.

I Article 1,* Section 6.()

()SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

Co vs. Electoral Tribunal of te !ouse of Re"resentativestan one =$> 'ear i88eiatel' "recein7 te a' of te election.Article ,1* Section 2 of te $9 Constitution e@nes naturalborn =0ili"ino>

citiBens asFGNatural%born citiBens are tose 5o are citiBens of te Pili""ines fro8 birt

5itout avin7 to "erfor8 an' act to ac?uire or "erfect teir Pili""inecitiBensi". Tose 5o elect Pili""ine citiBensi" in accorance 5it"ara7ra" =(>* Section $ ereof sall be ee8e natural%born citiBen.K

Artcle ,1* Section $* "ara7ra" =(> of te $9 Constitution "rovies tatFGSection $. Te follo5in7 are citiBens of te Pili""inesF: : :

G=(> Tose born before &anuar' $* $9(* of 0ili"ino 8oters* 5o electPili""ine citiBensi" u"on reacin7 te a7e of 8aorit'.K

Te Court in tis case is face 5it te ut' of inter"retin7 te above%?uoteconstitutional "rovisions. Te @rst sentence of Section 2 of Article ,1 stateste basic e@nition of a naturalborn 0ili"ino citiBen. Does "rivateres"onent fall 5itin sai e@nition

To te res"onent tribunal*GProtestee 8a' even be eclare a natural%born citiBen of te Pili""ines

uner te @rst sentence of Sec. 2 of Article ,1 of te $9 Constitutionbecause e i not ave to "erfor8 an' act to ac?uire or "erfect isPili""ine citiBensi".; ,t bears to re"eat tat on $I Ma' $9I* 5ile still a

8inor of 9 'ears e alrea' beca8e a 0ili"ino citiBen b' eclaration of la5.Since is 8oter 5as a natural%born citiBen at te ti8e of er 8arria7e*"rotestee a an incoate ri7t to Pili""ine citiBensi" at te 8o8ent ofis birt an* conse?uentl' te eclaration b' virtue of Sec. $I of CA J(tat e 5as a 0ili"ino citiBen retroacte to te 8o8ent of is birt 5itoutis avin7 to "erfor8 an' act to ac?uire or "erfect suc Pili""inecitiBensi".K6


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, re7ret tat , a8 neiter convince nor "ersuae b' suc aleiosco"icratiocination. Te recors so5 tat "rivate re%

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6 #.R. No. 92$9$%92* Rollo* "". J$%J2.

($

1O. $99* &U- ()* $99$($Co vs. Electoral Tribunal of te !ouse of Re"resentativess"onent 5as born on $9 &une $9J to te s"ouses &ose On7 Cuan* a

Cinese citiBen* an A7ri@na E. ao* a natural%born 0ili"ino citiBen* inaoan7* Nortern Sa8ar. ,n oter 5ors* at birt* "rivate res"onent 5as aCinese citiBen =not a natural%born 0ili"ino citiBen> because is fater 5asten a Cinese citiBen =not a naturaliBe 0ili"ino citiBen>. Uner te $9(IConstitution 5ic 5as enforce at te ti8e of "rivate res"onent;s birt

on $9 &une $9J* onl' tose 5ose faters 5ere citiBens of te Pili""ines5ere consiere 0ili"ino citiBens. Tose 5ose 8oters 5ere citiBens of tePili""ines a to elect Pili""ine citiBensi" u"on reacin7 te a7e of8aorit'* in orer to be consiere 0ili"ino citiBens.

0ollo5in7 te basic e@nition in te $9 Constitution of a natural%borncitiBen* in relation to te $9(I Constitution* "rivate res"onent is not anatural%born 0ili"ino citiBen* avin7 been born a Cinese citiBen b' virtueof te Cinese citiBensi" of is fater at te ti8e of is birt* altou7fro8 birt* "rivate res"onent a te ri7t to elect Pili""ine citiBensi"*te citiBensi" of is 8oter* but onl' u"on is reacin7 te a7e of8aorit'.

ile uner Section $I of te Revise NaturaliBation a5 =C.A. J(> 8inorcilren of a naturaliBe citiBen =fater>* 5o 5ere born in te Pili""ines"rior to te naturaliBation of te "arent auto8aticall' beco8e 0ili"inocitiBens* tis oes not alter te fact tat "rivate res"onent 5as not bornto a 0ili"ino fater* an te o"eration of Section $I of CA J( i notconfer u"on i8 te status of a natural%born citiBen 8erel' because e inot ave to "erfor8 an' act to ac?uire or "erfect is status as a 0ili"inocitiBen.

/ut even assu8in7 ar7ueno tat "rivate res"onent coul be consiere anatural%born citiBen b' virtue of te o"eration of

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Article ,,,* Section $ =(> an =J>* $9(I Constitution "rovieFSection $. Te follo5in7 are citiBens of te Pili""ines.=(> Tose 5ose faters are citiBens of te Pili""ines.=J> Tose 5ose 8oters are citiBens of te Pili""ines an u"on reacin7

te a7e of 8aorit'* elect Pili""ine citiBensi". /urca vs. Re"ublic* #.R. No. %2J2I2* &anuar' ()* $96* $9 SCRA $6.(2


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(2SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATEDCo vs. Electoral Tribunal of te !ouse of Re"resentativesCA J(* "etitioners o5ever conten tat te naturaliBation of "rivate

res"onent;s fater 5as invali an voi fro8 te be7innin7* an*terefore* "rivate res"onent is not even a 0ili"ino citiBen.Res"onent tribunal in its ?uestione ecision rule tat onl' a irect

"roceein7 for nullit' of naturaliBation as a 0ili"ino citiBen is "er8issible*an* terefore* a collateral attac on On7 Cuan;s naturaliBation is barrein an electoral contest 5ic oes not even involve i8 =On7 Cuan>.

Private res"onent* for is "art* avers in is Co88ent tat te callen7ea7ainst On7 Cuan;s naturaliBation 8ust e8anate fro8 te #overn8entan 8ust be 8ae in a "ro"erY a""ro"riate an irect "roceein7 for e%naturaliBation irecte a7ainst te "ro"er "art'* 5o in suc case is On7Cuan* an also urin7 is lifeti8e.

A u78ent in a naturaliBation "roceein7 is not* o5ever* aore tecaracter of i8"re7nabilit' uner te "rinci"le of res uicata.9 Section $of CA J( "rovies tat a certi@cate of naturaliBation 8a' be cancelleu"on 8otion 8ae in te "ro"er "roceein7 b' te Solicitor #eneral or isre"resentative* or b' te "ro"er "rovincial @scal.

,n Re"ublic vs. #o /on ee*$) tis Court el tatFGAn alien frien is oere uner certain conitions te "rivile7e of

citiBensi". !e 8a' acce"t te oer an beco8e a citiBen u"onco8"liance 5it te "rescribe conitions* but not oter5ise. !is clai8 isof favor* not of ri7t. !e can onl' beco8e a citiBen u"on an after a strictco8"liance 5it te acts of Con7ress. An a""licant for tis i7 "rivile7e is

boun* terefore* to confor8 to te ter8s u"on 5ic alone te ri7t esees can be conferre. ,t is is "rovince* an e is boun* to see tat teurisictional facts u"on 5ic te 7rant is "reicate actuall' e:ist* an ifte' o not e taes notin7 b' tis "a"er 7rant.

: : :GCon7ress avin7 li8ite tis "rivile7e to a s"eci@e class of "ersons* no

oter "erson is entitle to suc "rivile7e* nor to a certi@cate "ur"ortin7 to7rant it* an an' suc certi@cate issue to a "erson

LLLLLLLLLLLLL

9 Sia Re'es vs. De"ortation /oar* No. %($6(* Ma' ()* $9(* $22 SCRA

J.$) #.R. No. %$$J99* A"ril 29* $96$* $ SCRA citin7 U.S. vs. S"on%rer* $I 0e.

JJ).((

1O. $99* &U- ()* $99$((Co vs. Electoral Tribunal of te !ouse of Re"resentatives


41/55

not so entitle to receive it 8ust be treate as a 8ere nullit'* 5ic confersno le7al ri7ts as a7ainst te 7overn8ent* fro8 5ic it as been obtaine5itout 5arrant of la5.K

GNaturaliBation is not a ri7t* but a "rivile7e of te 8ost iscri8inatin7 as5ell as elicate an e:actin7 nature* aectin7 "ublic interest of te

i7est orer* an 5ic 8a' be eno'e onl' uner te "recise conitions"rescribe b' la5 terefor.K$$Consierin7 te le7al i8"lications of te alle7ation 8ae b' te "etitioners

tat te naturaliBation of "rivate res"onent;s fater On7 Cuan* is anullit'* te Court soul 8ae a rulin7 on te valiit' of sai naturaliBation"roceein7s. Tis course of action beco8es all te 8ore inevitable anusti@e in te "resent case 5ere* to re"eat for stress* it is clai8e tat aforei7ner is olin7 a "ublic oce.$2

,t cannot be overlooe* in tis connection* tat te citiBensi" of "rivateres"onent is erive fro8 is fater. ,f is fater;s 0ili"ino citiBensi" isvoi fro8 te be7innin7* ten tere is notin7 fro8 5ic "rivate

res"onent can erive is o5n clai8e 0ili"ino citiBensi". 0or a s"rin7cannot rise i7er tan its source. An to allo5 "rivate res"onent to availof te "rivile7es of 0ili"ino citiBensi" b' virtue of a voi naturaliBation ofis fater* 5oul constitute or at least sanction a continuin7 oensea7ainst te Constitution.

Te recors so5 tat "rivate res"onent;s fater* &ose On7 Cuan* too teoat of alle7iance to te Constitution an te Pili""ine #overn8ent* as"rescribe b' Section $2 of CA J( on te sa8e a' =$I Ma' $9I> tatte C0, issue its orer irectin7 te cler of court to issue tecorres"onin7 Certi@cate of NaturaliBation an for te a""licant to tae teoat of alle7iance.

!o5ever* it is settle tat an orer 7rantin7 a "etition to tae te re?uisiteoat of alle7iance of one 5o as "reviousl' obtaine a ecision favorableto is a""lication for

LLLLLLLLLLLL

$$ Cuasi Tan Si vs. Re"ublic* #.R. No. %$))6* October ($* $962* 6 SCRAIJI.

$2 abo vs. COMEEC* #.R. No. 6I6J* Au7ust $* $99* $6 SCRA $.(J

(J

SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATEDCo vs. Electoral Tribunal of te !ouse of Re"resentativesnaturaliBation* is a""ealable. ,t is* terefore* i8"ro"er an ille7al to autoriBe

te tain7 of sai oat u"on te issuance of sai orer an before tee:"iration of te re7le8entar' "erio to "erfect an' a""eal fro8 saiorer.$(

,n Cua Sun Xe vs. Re"ublic*$J tis Court el tatF


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GA8inistration of te oat of alle7iance on te sa8e a' as issuance oforer 7rantin7 citiBensi" is irre7ular an 8aes te "roceein7s so taennull an voi. =Re"ublic vs. #u'* $$I SCRA 2JJ $92 citin7 te case ofOn7 So vs. Re"ublic of te Pili""ines* $2$ Pil. $($>.K

,t 5oul a""ear fro8 te fore7oin7 iscussion tat te naturaliBation of &ose

On7 Cuan ="rivate res"onent;s fater> 5as null an voi. ,t follo5s tatte "rivate res"onent i not ac?uire an' le7al ri7ts fro8 te voinaturaliBation of is fater an tus e cannot i8self be consiere a0ili"ino citiBen* 8ore so* a natural%born 0ili"ino citiBen.

/ut assu8in7 tat te C0, orer of $I Ma' $9I irectin7 te cler of courtto issue te certi@cate of naturaliBation to On7 Cuan an for te latter totae te oat of alle7iance 5as @nal an not a""ealable* te resultin7naturaliBation of On7 Cuan eecte* as "reviousl' state* an auto8aticnaturaliBation of "rivate res"onent* ten a 8inor* as a 0ili"ino citiBen on$I Ma' $9I* but not is ac?uisition or "erfection of te status of anatural%born 0ili"ino citiBen.

et us no5 loo into te ?uestion of 5eter or not "rivate res"onentac?uire te status of a natural%born 0ili"ino citiBen b' reason of teunis"ute fact tat is 8oter 5as a natural%born 0ili"ino citiBen. Tis inturn leas us to an e:a8ination of te secon sentence in Article ,1*Section 2 of te $9 Constitution. ,t e:"ans* in a 8anner of s"eain7* inrelation to Section $* "ara7ra" =(> of te sa8e Article ,1* te status of anatural%born 0ili"ino citiBen to tose 5o elect Pili""ine citiBensi" u"onreacin7 te a7e of 8aorit'. Te ri7t or "rivile7e of election is available*o5ever* onl' to tose born to

LLLLLLLLLLLLLL

$( Tan vs. Re"ublic* #.R. No. %2)6* &anuar' ()* $9$* ( SCRA (I(.$J #.R. No. %296J* A"ril * $9* $I9 SCRA J.(I

1O. $99* &U- ()* $99$(ICo vs. Electoral Tribunal of te !ouse of Re"resentatives0ili"ino 8oters uner te $9(I Constitution* an before te $9(

Constitution too eect on $ &anuar' $9(.Te "etitioners conten tat te res"onent tribunal acte in e:cess of its

urisiction or 7ravel' abuse its iscretion as to e:cee its urisiction in

Gistortin7K te confer8ent b' te $9 Constitution of te status ofGnatural%bornK 0ili"ino citiBen on tose 5o elect Pili""ine citiBensi" ofArticle ,1 of te $9 Constitution conte8"lates tat onl' te le7iti8atecilren of 0ili"ino 8oters 5it alien fater* born before $ &anuar' $9(


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an 5o 5oul reac te a7e of 8aorit' =an tus elect Pili""inecitiBensi"> after te eectivit' of te $9 Constitution are entitle to testatus of natural%born 0ili"ino citiBen.$6

Te res"onent tribunal in resolvin7 te issue of te constitutional"rovisions; inter"retation* foun reason to refer to te inter"ellations 8ae

urin7 te $96 Constitutional Co88ission. ,t saiFGTat te benevolent "rovisions of Sections 2 an $=(> of Article ,1 of te$9 Constitution 5as =sic> intene b' its =sic> fra8ers to be eno5e*5itout istinction* to all 0ili"inos b' election "ursuant to te $9(IConstitution is 8ore tan "ersuasivel' establise b' te e:tensiveinter"ellations an ebate on te issue as borne b' te ocial recors ofte $96 Constitutional Co88ission.K$

Altou7 , @n te istinction as to 5en election of Pili""ine citiBensi"5as 8ae irrelevant to te case at bar* since "rivate res"onent* contrar'to te conclusion of te res"onent tribunal* i not elect Pili""inecitiBensi"* as "rovie b' la5* , still consier it necessar' to settle te

controvers' re7arin7 te 8eanin7 of te constitutional "rovisions in?uestion., a7ree 5it res"onent tribunal tat te ebates* inter"ella%LLLLLLLLLLLL

$I #.R. No. 92$9$%92* Rollo* ". .$6 #.R. No. 922)2%)(* Rollo* ". 2(.$ #.R. No. 92$9$%92* Rollo* ". ().(6

(6

SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATEDCo vs. Electoral Tribunal of te !ouse of Re"resentativestions an o"inions e:"resse in te $96 Constitutional Co88ission 8a' be

resorte to in ascertainin7 te 8eanin7 of so8e5at elusive an evennebulous constitutional "rovisions. Tus of te sa8e Article* a""ear tone7ate te contention of "etitioners tat onl' tose born to 0ili"ino8oters before $ &anuar' $9( an 5o 5oul elect Pili""ine citiBensi"after te eectivit' of te $9 Constitution* are to be consiere natural%born 0ili"ino citiBens.


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Durin7 te free%5eelin7 iscussions on citiBensi"* Co88issioner TreWass"eci@call' ase Co88issioner /ernas re7arin7 te "rovisions in?uestion* tusF

GMR. TRENASF Te Co88ittee on CitiBensi"* /ill of Ri7ts*

Co vs House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (GR Nos. 92191-92192)

Documents

Transcript of Co vs House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (GR Nos. 92191-92192)