Rules of Procedure- Election Protest

7/26/2019 Rules of Procedure- Election Protest

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Municipal election contests; 2010 rules of procedure.

2010 RULES OF PROCEDURE FOR MUNICIPAL ELECTION CONTESTS

RULE I

S C O P E

Section 1. Title and coverae. ! T"e#e R$le# #"all %e &no'n and cited a# T"e 2010 R$le# o(

Proced$re (or M$nici)al Election Conte#t#.

T"e#e R$le# #"all a))l* to election conte#t# $nder t"e A$to+ated Election S*#te+ $#in t"e

Precinct Co$nt O)tical Scan, and #"all overn t"e (ilin o( )leadin#, )ractice and )roced$re in

t"e#e conte#t#.

Section 2. A))lication o( t"e R$le# o( Co$rt. ! T"e R$le# o( Co$rt #"all a))l* to a#)ect# o()leadin#, )ractice and )roced$re in election conte#t# not #)eci(icall* )rovided (or in t"e#e

R$le#.

Section -. E)lanation o( ter+#. ! For )$r)o#e# o( and a# $#ed in t"e#e R$le#/

a Co$rt# ! re(er# to t"e Reional Trial Co$rt

% Election ! +ean# t"e c"oice or #election o( candidate# (or )$%lic o((ice %* )o)$lar vote

t"ro$" t"e $#e o( t"e %allot. S)eci(icall*, it cover# t"e cond$ct o( t"e )oll#, incl$din t"e li#tin

o( voter#, t"e "oldin o( t"e electoral ca+)ain, t"e ca#tin and co$ntin o( %allot#, t"e

con#olidation and tran#+i##ion o( re#$lt#, and t"e canva##in o( t"e ret$rn#

c A$to+ated Election S*#te+ or AES ! re(er# to an election #*#te+ $#in t"e tec"nolo*

de#inated %* t"e Co++i##ion on Election# COMELEC (or votin, co$ntin, con#olidatin,

canva##in, tran#+i##ion o( election re#$lt#, and t"e ret$rn#

d Precinct Co$nt O)tical Scan or PCOS ! re(er# to t"e +ac"ine a# 'ell a# t"e tec"nolo* $#in

an o)tical %allot #canner, located in ever* )recinct, t"at #can# or read# )a)er %allot# t"at voter#

+ar& %* "and and in#ert into t"e #canner to %e co$nted

e O((icial %allot ! re(er# to t"e )a)er %allot, ca)a%le o( %ein o)ticall* #canned, 'it" t"e )re3

)rinted na+e# o( all candidate# and 'it" oval# corre#)ondin to eac" o( t"e )rinted na+e#. T"e

oval# are t"e #)ace# '"ere voter# e)re## t"eir c"oice t"ro$" +ar&in or #"adin $#in a

COMELEC3)rovided +ar&in )en.

( Pict$re I+ae o( t"e 4allot ! re(er# to t"e i+ae o( t"e %allot ca)t$red %* t"e PCOS +ac"ine

at t"e ti+e t"e voter (eed# "i#5"er %allot, '"ic" i+ae i# later #tored in a +e+or* or re+ova%le

data #torae device attac"ed to t"e PCOS +ac"ine#.

Election Ret$rn ! re(er# to t"e doc$+ent #"o'in t"e date o( t"e election, t"e )rovince, cit*,

+$nici)alit* and t"e )recinct '"ere votin i# "eld, and t"e n$+%er o( vote# in (i$re# (or eac"candidate in a )recinct or in cl$#tered )recinct#.

" Electronic Election Ret$rn ! re(er# to t"e co)* o( t"e election ret$rn in electronic (or+,

enerated %* t"e PCOS +ac"ine, t"at i# electronicall* tran#+itted to/ 1 t"e M$nici)al 4oard o(

Canva##er# (or t"e o((icial canva## 2 t"e COMELEC 4ac&3U) Server - t"e #erver (or t"e

do+inant +a6orit* )art* 7 t"e #erver (or do+inant +inorit* )art* 8 #erver (or t"e citi9en:#


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ar+ a$t"ori9ed %* t"e COMELEC to cond$ct a )arallel co$nt and ; t"e


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%allot# or t"e electronic co)ie# o( t"e election ret$rn#, t"e #tate+ent# o( vote#, t"e certi(icate# o(

canva##, t"e a$dit lo, and ot"er electronic data )roce##ed %* t"e PCOS and con#olidation

+ac"ine#.

# Man$al co$nt o( %allot# ! '"ere votin $#in t"e AES %allot# )roceeded +an$all* %eca$#e

t"e PCOS +ac"ine# co$ld not %e $#ed, vote# #"all %e co$nted +an$all* $nder t"e $ideline#

)rovided %* t"e COMELEC, and t"e co$rt# #"all %e $ided accordinl*.

t Election conte#t# ! re(er# to election )rote#t# or )etition# (or >$o 'arranto.

$ Election )rote#t ! re(er# to an election conte#t involvin t"e election and ret$rn# o( +$nici)al

elective o((icial#, ro$nded on (ra$d or irre$laritie# co++itted in t"e cond$ct o( t"e election#,

i.e., in t"e ca#tin and t"e co$ntin o( t"e %allot#, in t"e con#olidation o( vote# and in t"e

canva##in o( ret$rn#, not ot"er'i#e cla##i(ied a# a )re3)rocla+ation controver#* coni9a%le %*

t"e COMELEC.

T"e i##$e i# '"o o%tained t"e )l$ralit* o( valid vote# ca#t.

v ?$o @arranto $nder t"e O+ni%$# Election Code ! re(er# to an election conte#t involvin t"e

>$ali(ication# (or o((ice o( an elective +$nici)al o((icial, on t"e ro$nd o( inelii%ilit* or

di#lo*alt* to t"e Re)$%lic o( t"e P"ili))ine#. T"e i##$e i# '"et"er t"e re#)ondent )o##e##e# all

t"e >$ali(ication# and none o( t"e di#>$ali(ication# )re#cri%ed %* la'.

' Revi#ion o( %allot# ! re(er# ton t"e reco$nt o( %allot# t"ro$" t"eir )"*#ical co$nt t"e

#ereation o( %allot# (or t"e )rote#tant, t"e )rote#tee and ot"er candidate# (or t"e #a+e )o#itionand t"e recordin o( t"e o%6ection# and clai+# to t"e#e %allot#.

Pro+$lation ! re(er# to t"e )roce## o( o((iciall* i##$in t"e co$rt:# deci#ion or order in an

election conte#t.

Section 7. In"erent )o'er# o( t"e co$rt. ! A reional trial co$rt actin on an election conte#t #"all

"ave all t"e in"erent )o'er# o( a co$rt )rovided $nder R$le 1-8 o( t"e R$le# o( Co$rt, incl$din

t"e )o'er to i##$e a$iliar* 'rit#, )roce##e#, and ot"er +ean# nece##ar* to carr* it# a$t"orit* or

6$ri#diction into e((ect and to ado)t #$ita%le )roce##e# not e)re##l* )rovided %*, %$t

con(or+a%le 'it", la', t"e#e R$le#, or t"e R$le# o( Co$rt.

Section 8. Con#tr$ction. ! T"e R$le# #"all %e li%erall* con#tr$cted to ac"ieve a 6$#t, e)editio$#,

and ine)en#ive deter+ination and di#)o#ition o( +$nici)al election conte#t#.

RULE 2

ELECTION CONTESTS

Section 1. $ri#diction o( reional trial co$rt#. ! Reional trial co$rt# #"all "ave ecl$#iveoriinal 6$ri#diction over all election conte#t# involvin +$nici)al o((icial#.

Section 2. Bo' initiated. ! An election conte#t i# initiated %* t"e (ilin o( an election )rote#t or a

)etition (or >$o 'arranto aain#t an elective +$nici)al o((icial. An election )rote#t or a )etition

(or >$o 'arranto #"all %e (iled directl* 'it" t"e co$rt in t"ree lei%le co)ie# )l$# #$c" n$+%er o(

co)ie# corre#)ondin to t"e n$+%er o( )rote#tee# or re#)ondent#.


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An election )rote#t #"all not incl$de a )etition (or >$o 'arranto, nor #"all a )etition (or >$o

'arranto incl$de an election )rote#t.

Section -. Mode# o( #ervice and (ilin. ! Service and (ilin o( )leadin#, incl$din t"e initiator*

)etition and ot"er #$%#e>$ent )a)er#, #"all %e done )er#onall*.

Ece)t (or )a)er# e+anatin (ro+ t"e co$rt, re#ort to ot"er +ode# o( #ervice +$#t %e

acco+)anied %* a 'ritten e)lanation '"* t"e #ervice or (ilin 'a# not done )er#onall*. A

)leadin or +otion violatin t"i# R$le #"all %e con#idered not to "ave %een (iled.1avv)"i1

Section 7. Election )rote#t. ! A )etition conte#tin t"e election or ret$rn# (or an elective

+$nici)al o((ice #"all %e (iled 'it" t"e )ro)er Reional Trial Co$rt %* an candidate '"o 'a#

voted (or t"e #a+e o((ice and '"o received t"e #econd or t"ird3"i"e#t n$+%er o( vote# or, in a

+$lti3#lot )o#ition, 'a# a+on t"e net (o$r candidate# (ollo'in t"e la#t3ran&ed 'inner d$l*)roclai+ed, a# re(lected in t"e o((icial re#$lt# o( t"e election contained in t"e State+ent o( =ote#

%* Precinct.

T"e )art* (ilin t"e )rote#t #"all %e de#inated a# t"e )rote#tant t"e adver#e )art* #"all %e &no'n

a# t"e )rote#tee.

Eac" conte#t #"all re(er ecl$#ivel* to one o((ice "o'ever, conte#t# (or o((ice# o( t"e

San$nian 4a*an +a* %e con#olidated in one ca#e.

Section 8. ?$o 'arranto. ! A )etition (or >$o 'arranto aain#t an elective +$nici)al o((icial#"all %e (iled 'it" t"e )ro)er Reional Trial Co$rt %* an* rei#tered voter '"o voted in t"e

+$nici)al election. T"e )art* (ilin t"e )etition #"all %e de#inated a# t"e )etitioner t"e adver#e

)art* #"all %e &no'n a# t"e re#)ondent.

Section ;. Petition +$#t %e veri(ied and acco+)anied %* a certi(icate o( non3(or$+ #"o))in. !

An election )rote#t or a )etition (or >$o 'arranto #"all %e veri(ied %* an a((idavit #tatin t"at t"e

a((iant "a# read t"e )etition and t"at it# alleation# are tr$e and correct o( t"e a((iant:# o'n

&no'lede or %a#ed on a$t"entic record#. A veri(ication %a#ed on in(or+ation and %elie( or

$)on &no'lede, in(or+ation and %elie( i# not #$((icient.

T"e )rote#tant or )etitioner #"all #in )er#onall* t"e certi(icate o( non3(or$+ #"o))in, '"ic"

+$#t %e anneed to t"e election )rote#t or )etition (or >$o 'arranto.

An $nveri(ied or in#$((icientl* veri(ied )etition or one t"at lac a certi(icate o( non3(or$+

#"o))in #"all %e di#+i##ed o$tri"t and #"all not #$#)end t"e r$nnin o( t"e re>$ired )eriod (or

t"e (ilin o( an election )rote#t or )etition (or >$o 'arranto.

Section . Period to (ile )rote#t or )etition non3etendi%le. ! T"e election )rote#t or )etition (or

>$o 'arranto #"all %e (iled 'it"in a non3etendi%le )eriod o( ten 10 da*# co$nted (ro+ t"e date

o( )rocla+ation.

Section . Pendenc* o( )re3)rocla+ation controver#*. ! T"e )endenc* o( a )re3)rocla+ation

controver#*, involvin t"e validit* o( t"e )rocla+ation a# de(ined %* la', #"all #$#)end t"e

r$nnin o( t"e )eriod (or t"e (ilin o( an election )rote#t or )etition (or >$o 'arranto.

Section . COMELEC 6$d+ent in di#>$ali(ication ca#e. ! T"e deci#ion o( t"e COMELEC,


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eit"er en %anc or in divi#ion, in a di#>$ali(ication ca#e #"all not %e a %ar to t"e (ilin o( a )etition

(or >$o 'arranto %a#ed on t"e #a+e ro$nd, ece)t '"en t"e S$)re+e Co$rt "a# a((ir+ed t"e

COMELEC deci#ion.

Section 10. Conte#t# o( t"e )rote#t or )etition. ! a An election )rote#t or )etition (or >$o

'arranto #"all co++onl* and #)eci(icall* #tate t"e (ollo'in (act#/

i t"e )o#ition involved

ii t"e date o( )rocla+ation and

iii t"e n$+%er o( vote# credited to t"e )artie# )er t"e )rocla+ation.

% A >$o 'arranto )etition #"all al#o #tate/

i i( t"e )etitioner i# not a candidate (or t"e #a+e +$nici)al )o#ition, t"e (act# ivin t"e

)etitioner #tandin to (ile t"e )etitionii t"e >$ali(ication# (or t"e +$nici)al o((ice and t"e di#>$ali(ication# )re#cri%ed %* la'

iii t"e )etitioner:# cited ro$nd (or inelii%ilit* or t"e #)eci(ic act# o( di#lo*alt* to t"e Re)$%lic

o( t"e P"ili))ine#.

c An election )rote#t #"all al#o #tate/

i t"at t"e )rote#tant 'a# a candidate '"o "ad d$l* (iled a certi(icate o( candidac* and "ad %een

voted (or t"e #a+e o((ice

ii t"e total n$+%er o( )recinct# in t"e +$nici)alit*

iii t"e )rote#ted )recinct# and vote# o( t"e )artie# are not #)eci(ied, an e)lanation '"* t"evote# are not #)eci(ied and

iv a detailed #)eci(ication o( t"e act# or o+i##ion# co+)lained o( #"o'in t"e electoral (ra$d#,

ano+alie# or irre$laritie# in t"e )rote#ted )recinct#.

Section 11. Ra((le o( ca#e#. ! T"e S$)re+e Co$rt #"all de#inate t"e Reional Trial Co$rt 'it"in

a 6$dicial reion t"at #"all ta&e coni9ance o( election )rote#t# and )etition# (or >$o 'arranto. A

ra((le cond$cted %* t"e eec$tive 6$de #"all deter+ine t"e a##in+ent o( ca#e# to t"e#e co$rt#

ece)t in #inle3#ala co$rt# or co$rt# #)eci(icall* de#inated %* t"e S$)re+e Co$rt. No co$rt

#"all a##$+e 6$ri#diction over an election conte#t $nle## t"e ca#e "a# %een )ro)erl* a##ined to it

a# )rovided "erein.

At lea#t t'ent*3(o$r 27 "o$r# %e(ore t"e ra((le, t"e cler& o( co$rt +$#t #erve )er#onal notice to

t"e )artie#, #tatin t"e date and ti+e o( t"e ra((le. Proo( o( #ervice to t"e )artie# #"all %e

#$%+itted to t"e co$rt, and t"e ra((le #"all %e o)en to t"e )$%lic. T"e S$)re+e Co$rt #"all i##$e

t"e nece##ar* circ$lar i+)le+entin t"i# )rovi#o.

T"e Co$rt +a* order a c"ane o( ven$e or )lace or trial (or co+)ellin rea#on# to avoid a

+i#carriae o( 6$#tice.

Section 12. S$++ar* di#+i##al o( election conte#t#. ! T"e co$rt #"all #$++aril* di#+i##, +ot$

)ro)orio, an election )rote#t, co$nter3)rote#t or )etition (or >$o 'arranto on an* o( t"e (ollo'in

ro$nd#/

a T"e co$rt "a# no 6$ri#diction over t"e #$%6ect +atter

% T"e )etition i# in#$((icient in (or+ and content a# re>$ired $nder Section 10


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c T"e )etition i# (iled %e*ond t"e )eriod )re#cri%ed in t"e#e R$le#

d T"e (illin (ee i# not )aid 'it"in t"e )eriod (or (illin t"e election )rote#t or )etition (or >$o

'arranto and

e In a )rote#t ca#e '"ere ca#" de)o#it i# re>$ired, t"e de)o#it i# not )aid 'it"in (ive 8 da*#

(ro+ t"e (illin o( t"e )rote#t.

RULE -

S U M M O N S

Section 1. S$++on#. ! @it"in t'ent*3(o$r 27 "o$r# (ro+ t"e (illin o( a )rote#t or )etition, t"e

cler& o( co$rt #"all i##$e t"e corre#)ondin #$++on# to t"e )rote#tee or to t"e re#)ondent,

toet"er 'it" a co)* o( t"e )rote#t or )etition, re>$irin t"e (illin o( an an#'er 'it"in a non3

etendi%le )eriod o( (ive da*# (ro+ notice.

Section 2. Service o( #$++on#. ! T"e #$++on# #"all %e #erved %* "andin co)ie# o( t"e

#$++on# and o( t"e )rote#t or t"e )etition to t"e )rote#tee or t"e re#)ondent in )er#on or, in ca#e

o( t"e )rote#tee:# or t"e re#)ondent:# re($#al to receive and #in t"e#e co)ie#, %* tenderin t"e+

to "i+ or "er.

I(, (or 6$#ti(ia%le ca$#e#, t"e )rote#tee or t"e re#)ondent cannot %e #erved in )er#on a# )rovided

a%ove, #ervice +a* %e e((ected %* leavin co)ie# o( t"e #$++on# and t"e )rote#t or t"e )etition

at/

a T"e )rote#tee:# or t"e re#)ondent:# re#idence, 'it" a )er#on o( #$ita%le ae and di#cretionre#idin t"erein, or

% T"e )rote#tee:# or t"e re#)ondent:# o((ice or re$lar )lace o( %$#ine##, 'it" a co+)etent

)er#on in c"are t"ereo(.

Section -. 4* '"o+ #erved. ! T"e #$++on# #"all %e #erved %* a #"eri((, a de)$t* #"eri((, a

)roce## #erver or an* ot"er #$ita%le )er#on a$t"ori9ed %* t"e co$rt i##$in t"e #$++on#.

RULE 7

ANS@ER AND COUNTER3PROTEST

Section 1. =eri(ied an#'er co$nter3)rote#t. ! @it"in (ive 8 da*# (ro+ recei)t o( t"e #$++on#

and t"e co)* o( t"e )rote#t or )etition, t"e )rote#tee or t"e re#)ondent #"all (ile an an#'er in

t"ree - lei%le co)ie#, 'it" )roo( o( #ervice o( a co)* on t"e )rote#tant or t"e )etitioner.

T"e an#'er #"all %e veri(ied and +a* #et (ort" ad+i##ion# and denial#, #)ecial and a((ir+ative

de(en#e#, and a co+)$l#or* co$nterclai+. T"e )rote#tee +a* incor)orate a co$nter3)rote#t in t"e

an#'er.

T"e co$nter3)rote#t #"all #)eci(* t"e co$nter3)rote#ted )recinct# and t"e )artie#: vote# )er t"eState+ent o( =ote# %* Precinct and, in t"e )ro)er ca#e, a detailed #)eci(ication o( t"e act# or

o+i##ion# co+)lained o( a# electoral (ra$d, ano+alie# or irre$laritie# in t"e co$nter3)rote#ted

)recinct# i( t"e vote# are not #o #)eci(ied, an e)lanation #"o$ld %e +ade (or t"e

o+i##ion.1avv)"i1

Section 2. An#'er to co$nterclai+ or co$nter3)rote#t. ! T"e )rote#tant or )etitioner #"all an#'er


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t"e co$nterclai+ or co$nter3)rote#t 'it"in a non-extendible period of five (5 da*# (ro+ notice.

Section -. Alleation# in t"e an#'er. !

a S)eci(ic denial. ! A )rote#tee or re#)ondent +$#t #)eci(* eac" +aterial alleation o( (act

'"o#e tr$t" "e or #"e doe# not ad+it '"enever )ractica%le, "e or #"e #"all #et (ort" t"e

#$%#tance o( t"e +atter# $)on to #$))ort t"e denial. T"e )rote#tee or re#)ondent #"all #)eci(* t"e

aver+ent# t"at are tr$e and +aterial, and #"all den* t"e re#t.

% Alleation# not #)eci(* denied dee+ed ad+itted. ! Material aver+ent# in t"e )rote#t or

)etition, ot"er t"an t"e a+o$nt o( $nli>$idated da+ae# and i##$e# on t"e a))reciation o( %allot#,

#"all %e dee+ed ad+itted '"en not #)eci(icall* denied.

Section 7. E((ect o( (ail$re to )lead. !

a De(en#e# and o%6ection# not )leaded. ! De(en#e# and o%6ection# not )leaded are dee+ed

'aived. T"e co$rt #"all di#+i## t"e clai+ '"en it a))ear# (ro+ t"e )leadin# or t"e evidence on

record t"at 1 t"e co$rt "a# no 6$ri#diction over t"e #$%6ect +atter or 2 t"ere i# anot"er action

)endin %et'een t"e #a+e )artie# (or t"e #a+e ca$#e or - t"e action i# %arred %* a )rior

6$de+ent or %* t"e #tat$te o( li+itation#.

% Co+)$l#or* co$nterclai+ or cro##3clai+ not #et $) %arred. ! A co+)$l#or* co$nterclai+ or a

cro##3clai+ not #et $) #"all %e %arred.

c E((ect o( (ail$re to an#'er. ! I( t"e )rote#tee or t"e re#)ondent (ail# to an#'er 'it"in t"e ti+eallo'ed in an election )rote#t t"at doe# not involve %allot revi#ion or in a )etition (or >$o

'arranto, t"e co$rt ! $)on +otion o( t"e Prote#tant or t"e )etitioner, 'it" notice to t"e )rote#tee

or t"e re#)ondent, and $)on )roo( o( #$c" (ail$re ! #"all )roceed to render 6$d+ent rantin t"e

relie( )ra*ed (or on t"e %a#i# o( t"e alleation# o( t"e veri(ied )rote#t or )etition, $nle## t"e co$rt

in it# di#cretion o)t# to re>$ire t"e )rote#tant or t"e )etitioner to #$%+it evidence e )arte.

@"ere t"e election )rote#t involve# revi#ion or ea+ination o( %allot# or t"e veri(ication or re3

ta%$lation o( t"e election ret$rn#, t"e co$rt #"all i##$e t"e a))ro)riate order and #"all )roceed to

render 6$d+ent %a#ed on t"e re#$lt# o( t"e revi#ion, ea+ination, veri(ication or re3ta%$lation.

D$rin t"e#e )roceedin#, onl* t"e )rote#tant:# revi#or# +a* )artici)ate. T"e )rote#tee, or "i# or

"er d$l* a$t"ori9ed re)re#entative, "a# t"e ri"t to %e )re#ent and to o%#erve t"e )roceedin#,

'it"o$t t"e ri"t to o%6ect and to la* clai+ to %allot# and election ret$rn#.

Section 8. Bo' to co+)$te ti+e. ! In co+)$tin an* )eriod o( ti+e )re#cri%ed or allo'ed %*

t"e#e R$le#, %* order o( t"e co$rt or %* an* a))lica%le #tat$te, t"e da* o( t"e act or t"e event

+ar&in t"e #tart '"en ti+e %ein# to r$n i# to %e ecl$ded and t"e date o( )er(or+ance

incl$ded. I( t"e la#t da* o( t"e )eriod, a# #o co+)$ted, (all# on a Sat$rda*, a S$nda*, or a leal

"olida* in t"e )lace '"ere t"e co$rt #it#, ti+e #"all not r$n $ntil t"e net 'or&in da*.

Section ;. A+end+ent# li+itation#. ! A(ter t"e e)iration o( t"e )eriod (or t"e (illin o( an

election )rote#t, co$nter3)rote#t or )etition (or >$o 'arranto, #$%#tantial a+end+ent# t"at

%roaden t"e #co)e o( t"e action or introd$ce an additional ca$#e o( action +a* %e allo'ed onl*

$)on leave o( co$rt. Leave o( co$rt +a* %e re($#ed i( t"e +otion (or leave a))ear# to t"e co$rt to

%e intended (or dela*. An* a+end+ent in +atter# o( (or+ ! #$c" a# a de(ect in t"e de#ination o(

t"e )artie# and ot"er clearl* clerical or t*)ora)"ical error# ! +a* #$++aril* corrected %* t"e


8/22

co$rt at an* #tae o( t"e )roceedin#, at it# initiative or on +otion, )rovided t"e correction doe#

not )re6$dice t"e adver#e )art*.

RULE 8

M O T I O N S

Section 1. Motion# +$#t %e in 'ritin. ! All +otion# #"all %e in 'ritin, ece)t (or t"o#e +ade in

o)en co$rt.

Section 2. Proo( o( #ervice nece##ar*. ! T"e co$rt #"all not act on an* 'ritten +otion, ece)t

$)on #$%+itted )roo( o( #ervice on t"e adver#e )art*.

Section -. No "earin# on +otion#. ! No +otion #"all %e #et (or "earin, and no oral ar$+ent

#"all %e allo'ed in #$))ort o( an* +otion, ece)t $)on t"e co$rt:# e)re##.

A +otion #"all %e dee+ed #$%+itted (or re#ol$tion $nle## t"e adver#e )art* (ile# "i# or "er

'ritten o%6ection# 'it"in (ive 8 da*# (ro+ #ervice. T"e co$rt #"all re#olve a +otion 'it"in 8

da*# (ro+ t"e ti+e it i# dee+ed #$%+itted (or re#ol$tion.

RULE ;

PROBI4ITED PLEADINGS

Section 1. Pro"i%ited )leadin# and +otion#. ! T"e (ollo'in )leadin#, +otion# or )etition#

#"all not %e allo'ed in t"e ca#e# covered %* t"e#e R$le#/

a Motion to di#+i## t"e )etition, ece)t on t"e ro$nd o( lac& o( 6$ri#diction over t"e #$%6ect

+atter

% Motion (or a %ill o( )artic$lar#

c De+$rrer to evidence

d Motion (or ne' trial, or (or t"e recon#ideration o( a 6$d+ent, or (or reo)enin o( trial

e Petition (or relie( (ro+ 6$d+ent

( Motion (or eten#ion o( ti+e to (ile )leadin#, a((idavit# or ot"er )a)er#

Me+oranda, ece)t a# )rovided $nder Section , Rile 1- o( t"e#e R$le#

" Motion to declare t"e )rote#tee or t"e re#)ondent in de(a$lt

i Dilator* +otion (or )o#t)one+ent#

6 Motion (or t"e in"i%ition o( t"e )re#idin 6$de, ece)t on clearl* valid ro$nd#

& Re)l* or re6oinder and

l T"ird3)art* co+)laint.

Section 2. Gro$nd# to di#+i## %e #et $) in t"e an#'er. ! All ro$nd# to di#+i## an election

)rote#t or )etition (or >$o 'arranto +$#t %e #et $) or )lea#ed a# a((ir+ative or #)ecial de(en#e#.

De(en#e# not rai#ed are dee+ed 'aived. T"e co$rt +a*, at it# di#cretion, "old a )reli+inar*

"earin on t"e ro$nd# #o )leaded.

RULE

FILING FEES AND CASB DEPOSITS

Section 1. Fillin (ee#. ! No )rote#t, co$nter3)rote#t or )etition (or >$o 'arranto

#"all %e acce)ted (or (illin 'it"o$t t"e )a*+ent o( a (illin (ee in t"e a+o$nt o( T"ree T"o$#and

Pe#o# P-,000.00 (or ever* )rote#t, co$nter3)rote#t or )etition (or >$o 'arranto (iled.


9/22

I( clai+# (or da+ae# and attorne*:# (ee# are #et (ort" in a )rote#t or co$nter3)rote#t, additional

(illin (ee# #"all %e )aid in accordance 'it" t"e #c"ed$le $nder R$le 171 o( t"e R$le# o( Co$rt,

a# a+ended.

Section 2. Ca#" de)o#it. !

a In addition to t"e (ee# )re#cri%ed in t"e )recedin #ection, t"e )rote#tant in an election )rote#t

re>$irin revi#ion or ea+ination o( %allot#, or t"e veri(ication or re3ta%$lation o( election

ret$rn#, or '"ic" +a* re>$ire %rinin co)ie# o( ot"er election doc$+ent# and )ara)"ernalia to

co$rt, #"all +a&e a ca#" de)o#it 'it" t"e co$rt in t"e (ollo'in a+o$nt#/

i. One T"o$#and Pe#o# P1,000.00 (or eac" )recinct covered %* t"e )rote#t or co$nter3)rote#t,

)rovided t"at t"e de)o#it #"all in no ca#e %e le## t"an T'ent*3(ive T"o$#and Pe#o# P28,000.00

to %e )aid $)on t"e (illin o( t"e election )rote#t or co$nter3)rote#t

ii. T'ent*3(ive T"o$#and Pe#o# P28,000.00 (or t"e co#t o( %rinin to co$rt and o( #torin and+aintainin t"e PCOS, t"e con#olidation +ac"ine# and ot"er a$to+ated election )ara)"ernalia

%ro$"t to co$rt a# evidence or a# nece##ar* e>$i)+ent in con#iderin t"e )rote#ted or co$nter3

)rote#ted %allot#

iii. I( t"e a+o$nt to %e de)o#it doe# not eceed One B$ndred T"o$#and Pe#o# P100,000.00, t"e

re>$ired #$+ #"all %e )aid in ($ll 'it"in ten 10 da*# (ro+ t"e (illin o( t"e )rote#t or co$nter3

)rote#t and

iv. I( t"e re>$ired de)o#it #"all eceed One B$ndred T"o$#and Pe#o# P100,000.00, a ca#"

de)o#it in t"e a+o$nt o( One B$ndred T"o$#and Pe#o# P100,000.00 #"all %e +ade 'it"in ten

10 da*# (ro+ t"e (illin o( t"e )rote#t or co$nter3)rote#t. T"e %alance #"all %e )aid in

in#tall+ent# $nder t"e #c"ed$le t"e co$rt +a* re>$ire a(ter "earin t"e Prote#tant or co$nter3Prote#tant on t"e +atter.

T"e ca#" de)o#it #"all %e a))lied %* t"e co$rt to t"e )a*+ent o( t"e co+)en#ation o( revi#or# a#

)rovided $nder Section -, R$le 10 o( t"e#e R$le#, and o( all t"e e)en#e# incidental to revi#ion,

incl$din %$t not li+ited to t"e co#t o( #$))lie# and +i#cellaneo$# e)en#e# o( t"e revi#ion

co++ittee, t"e co#t o( t"e )rod$ction in co$rt and t"e #torae and +aintenance o( a$to+ated

election e>$i)+ent and )ara)"ernalia.

@"en circ$+#tance# #o de+and #$c" a# '"en t"e de)o#it "a# %een or i# a%o$t to %e de)leted,

t"e co$rt +a* re>$ire t"e )a*+ent o( additional ca#" de)o#it#. An* $n$#ed ca#" de)o#it #"all %e

ret$rned to t"e de)o#itin )art* a(ter t"e co+)lete ter+ination o( t"e )rote#t or co$nter3)rote#t.

T"e #a+e a+o$nt o( ca#" de)o#it #"all %e re>$ired (ro+ t"e )rote#tee co$nter3)rote#tant,

#"o$ld contin$ation o( revi#ion %e ordered )$r#$ant to )arara)" 2, Section 10, R$le 10 o( t"e#e

R$le#. Once re>$ired, t"e )rote#tee co$nter3)rote#tant #"all )a* t"e ca#" de)o#it 'it"in a non3

etendi%le )eriod o( t"ree da*# (ro+ recei)t o( t"e co$rt:# order.

% Fail$re to +a&e t"e ca#" de)o#it# re>$ired 'it"in t"e )re#cri%ed ti+e li+it #"all re#$lt in t"e

a$to+atic di#+i##al o( t"e )rote#t or co$nter3)rote#t.

RULE

PRODUCTION AND CUSTODH OF 4ALLOT 4OES, ELECTION DOCUMENTS,

DATA STORAGE DE=ICES AND PCOS MACBINES USED IN TBE ELECTIONS A

Section 1. I##$ance o( )reca$tionar* )rotection order. ! @"ere t"e alleation# in a )rote#t #o


10/22

'arrant, t"e co$rt #"all order ! #i+$ltaneo$#l* 'it" t"e i##$ance o( #$++on# ! t"e +$nici)al

trea#$rer and election o((icer concerned to ta&e i++ediate and a))ro)riate +ea#$re# to #a(e$ard

t"e interit* o( all t"e %allot %oe# and t"e %allot#, t"e li#t# o( voter# and votin record#, t"e

%oo o( voter# and ot"er doc$+ent# or )ara)"ernalia $#ed in t"e election, a# 'ell a# t"e

a$to+ated election e>$i)+ent and record# #$c" a# t"e data #torae device# containin electronic

data evidencin t"e cond$ct and re#$lt# o( election# in t"e conte#ted )recinct#.

Section 2. @"en %allot %oe# and election doc$+ent# are %ro$"t %e(ore t"e co$rt. !

@it"in (ort*3ei"t 7 "o$r# (ro+ recei)t o( an an#'er 'it" co$nter3)rote#t, '"en t"e

alleation# in an )rote#t or co$nter3)rote#t #o 'arrant, t"e co$rt #"all order t"e %allot %oe# 'it"

t"eir &e*#, t"e PCOS and con#olidation +ac"ine#, t"e electronic data #torae device#, t"e li#t# o(

voter# and votin record#, t"e %oo o( voter#, and ot"er doc$+ent# or )ara)"ernalia involved in

t"e )rote#t or co$nter3)rote#t, to %e %ro$"t %e(ore it.

T"e co$rt #"all noti(* t"e )artie# o( t"e date and ti+e o( retrieval and tran#(er (ro+ t"eirre#)ective c$#todian# o( t"e %allot %oe#, t"e PCOS and con#olidation +ac"ine# i( nece##ar*,

t"e electronic# data #torae device# and all ot"er a$to+ated election doc$+ent# and

)ara)"ernalia. T"e )artie# +a* #end re)re#entative# to 'itne## t"e retrieval and tran#(er. T"e

a%#ence, "o'ever, o( a re)re#entative o( a )art* #"all not %e rea#on to )o#t)one or dela* t"e

retrieval or tran#(er o( t"e a%ove3+entioned e>$i)+ent, device# and election doc$+ent#.

T"e co$rt, at it# di#cretion, +a* #ee& t"e a##i#tance o( t"e P"ili))ine National Police PNP or

t"e Ar+ed Force# o( t"e P"ili))ine# in en#$rin t"e #a(e deliver* o( t"e %allot %oe# and t"e

election e>$i)+ent, device# and doc$+ent# to it# c$#tod*.

@"ere an* o( t"e %allot %oe#, %allot#, PCOS +ac"ine#, data #torae device#, election ret$rn#,election doc$+ent# or )ara)"ernalia +entioned a%ove are al#o involved in election conte#t#

%e(ore ot"er (or a #$c" a# t"e Pre#idential Electoral Tri%$nal, t"e Senate Electoral Tri%$nal, t"e

Bo$#e o( Re)re#entative# Electoral Tri%$nal or t"e Co++i##ion on Election# 'it" )re(erential

ri"t# o( c$#tod* and revi#ion in #i+$ltaneo$# )rote#t# $nder COMELEC Re#ol$tion No. 212

dated 1 Octo%er 18, t"e co$rt #"all coordinate 'it" and +a&e t"e a))ro)riate re>$e#t 'it" t"e

"i"er tri%$nal# (or t"e te+)orar* )rior c$#tod* o( %allot %oe#, PCOS +ac"ine#, electronic data

#torae device# and ot"er election doc$+ent# and )ara)"ernalia, or (or t"e #*nc"roni9ation o(

revi#ion activitie#.

T"e e)en#e# nece##ar* and incidental to t"e )rod$ction in co$rt o( t"e %allot %oe# and election

doc$+ent# and t"e )rod$ction, #torae and +aintenance o( PCOS +ac"ine#, data #torae

device#, and a$to+ated election )ara)"ernalia and doc$+ent# #"all %e #"o$ldered and )ro+)tl*

)aid %* t"e )rote#tant and co$nter3)rote#tant in )ro)ortion to t"e )recinct# covered %* t"eir

)rotect# or co$nter3)rote#t#. T"e e)en#e# nece##ar* and incidental to t"e ret$rn o( t"e +aterial#

and doc$+ent# )rod$ced in co$rt to t"eir oriinal c$#todian# or to t"e )ro)er tri%$nal a(ter t"e

ter+ination o( t"e ca#e #"all li&e'i#e %e #"ared )ro)ortionatel* %* t"e )rote#tant and t"e

)rote#tee %a#ed on t"e n$+%er o( )recinct# t"e* re#)ectivel* conte#t.

Section -. Acce## to electronic data in t"e COMELEC %ac&3$) #erver. ! U)on +otion d$l* +ade%a#ed on de+on#trated need, t"e co$rt +a* order t"e COMELEC to )rovide t"e +ovin )art*

acce## to, or to recover and $#e, electronic data (ro+ t"e COMELEC %ac&3$) #erver $nder

condition# and #a(e$ard# re>$ired %* COMELEC.

RULE

PRELIMINARH CONFERENCE


11/22

Section 1. Preli+inar* con(erence +andator*. ! @it"in t"ree - da*# a(ter t"e (illin o( t"e la#t

re#)on#ive )leadin allo'ed %* t"e#e R$le#, or on t"e e)iration o( t"i# )eriod 'it"o$t an*

re#)on#ive )leadin "avin %een (iled, t"e co$rt #"all cond$ct a +andator* )reli+inar*

con(erence a+on t"e )artie# to con#ider/

a T"e #i+)li(ication o( i##$e

% T"e nece##ar* or de#ira%ilit* o( a+end+ent# to t"e )leadin#

c T"e )o##i%ilit* o( o%tainin #ti)$lation# or ad+i##ion o( (act# and o( doc$+ent# to avoid

$nnece##ar* )roo(

d T"e li+itation o( t"e n$+%er o( 'itne##e#

e T"e nat$re o( t"e te#ti+onie# o( t"e 'itne##e# and '"et"er t"e* relate to evidence t"at do not

involve t"e %allot#, or ot"er'i#e

( T"e 'it"dra'al o( certain )rote#ted or co$nter3)rote#ted )recinct#, e#)eciall* t"o#e '"ere t"e

%allot %oe# or %allot# are $navaila%le or are +i##in, cannot %e located, "ave %een de#tro*ed d$eto nat$ral di#a#ter# or cala+itie#, or '"ere t"e PCOS and ot"er electronic data are +i##in

T"e n$+%er o( revi#ion co++ittee# to %e con#tit$ted

" T"e )roced$re to %e (ollo'ed in ca#e t"e election )rote#t or co$nter3)rote#t #ee, '"oll* or

)artiall*, t"e ea+ination o( %allot#, or t"e veri(ication or re3ta%$lation o( election ret$rn#

i T"e )roced$re in "andlin t"e PCOS and t"e ot"er electronic +ac"ine# and data and

6 Ot"er +atter# t"at +a* contri%$te to )ro+)t di#)o#ition o( t"e ca#e.

Section 2. Notice t"ro$" co$n#el. ! T"e notice o( )reli+inar* con(erence #"all %e #erved on

co$n#el or on co$n#el on t"e )art* "i+#el( or "er#el( '"o i# not )re#ented %* co$n#el. Notice to

co$n#el i# to notice to t"e )art*, a# co$n#el i# c"ared 'it" t"e d$t* to noti(* t"e )art*re)re#ented.

Section -. A))earance# o( )artie#. 3 T"e )artie# "ave t"e d$t* to a))ear t"e )er#on %e(ore t"e

co$rt at t"e )reli+inar* con(erence. Co$n#el# a))earin 'it"o$t t"eir client# #"o$ld %e

#)eci(icall* a$t"ori9ed to a))ear (or and to %ind t"eir client# on t"e +atter# covered %* t"e

)reli+inar* con(erence.

Section 7. Preli+inar* con(erence %rie(. ! T"e )artie# #"all (ile 'it" t"e co$rt t"eir re#)ective

)reli+inar* con(erence %rie(# and #erve t"e#e on t"e adver#e )art* in a +anner t"at #"all en#$re

t"e ot"er )art*:# recei)t o( t"e %rie( at lea#t one da* %e(ore t"e date o( t"e )reli+inar*

con(erence. T"e %rie(# #"all contain t"e (ollo'in/

a A #$++ar* o( ad+itted (act# and )ro)o#ed #ti)$lation#

% T"e i##$e# i# to %e tried and re#olved i.e., (or election )rote#t#, t"e alleed (ra$d# or

irre$laritie# co++itted in t"e cond$ct o( t"e election (or >$o 'arranto )roceedin#, t"e ro$nd

(or inelii%ilit* or act# o( di#lo*alt*

c T"e doc$+ent# or e"i%it# to %e )re#ented

d A +ani(e#tation indicatin t"e $#e o( t"e intent to $#e di#cover* )roced$re# or re(erral to

co++i##ioner#e T"e n$+%er and na+e# o( 'itne##e#, t"eir addre##e#, and t"e #$%#tance o( t"eir re#)ective

te#ti+onie#. T"e te#ti+onie# o( 'itne##e# #"all %e %* a((idavit#, in >$e#tion and an#'er (or+,

'"ic" #"all #erve a# t"eir direct te#ti+onie#, #$%6ect to oral cro##3ea+ination

( A +ani(e#tation o( 'it"dra'al o( certain )rote#ted or co$nter )rote#ted )recinct#, i( t"i# i# t"e

ca#e

T"e )ro)o#ed n$+%er o( revi#ion co++ittee# and t"e na+e# o( )ro)o#e# revi#or# and


12/22

alternated revi#or# and

" T"e )roced$re to %e (ollo'ed in ca#e t"e election )rote#t or co$nter )rote#t #ee t"e revi#ion

or ea+ination o( %allot#, or t"e veri(ication or re3ta%$lation o( election ret$rn#.

Section 8. Fail$re to (ile %rie(. 3 T"e (ail$re to (ile t"e re>$ired %rie( or to )rovide t"e %rie(:#

+andator* conte#t# #"all "ave t"e #a+e e((ect a# t"e (ail$re to a))ear at t"e )reli+inar*

con(erence.

Section ;. E((ect o( (ail$re to a))ear. ! T"e (ail$re o( t"e )rote#tant5)etitioner or t"e d$l*

a$t"ori9ed co$n#el to a))ear at t"e )reli+inar* con(erence a$t"ori9e# t"e co$rt, a# it# o'n

initiative, to di#+i## t"e )rote#t, or co$nter3)rote#t or )etition. T"e (ail$re o( t"e

)rote#tee5re#)ondent or o( t"e d$l* a$t"ori9ed co$n#el to a))ear at t"e )reli+inar* con(erence

+a* li&e'i#e "ave t"e e((ect )rovided $nder

Section 7c, R$le 7 o( t"e#e R$le#, i.e., t"e co$rt +a* allo' t"e )rote#tant5)etitioner to )re#entevidence e )arte and render 6$d+ent %a#ed on t"e evidence )re#ented.

Section . Preli+inar* con(erence order. ! T"e co$rt #"all i##$e an order #$++ari9in t"e

+atter# ta&en $) and t"e #ti)$lation# or aree+ent# reac"ed d$rin t"e con(erence 'it"in t"ree

- da*# (ollo'in t"e ter+ination o( t"e )reli+inar* con(erence. T"e co$rt #"all co++ence, t"e

#tartin date o( '"ic" #"all %e 'it"in (ive 8 da*# (ro+ t"e ter+ination o( t"e )reli+inar*

con(erence.

RULE 10

RE=ISION OF 4ALLOTS

Section 1. Start o( revi#ion. ! T"e revi#ion o( %allot# #"all co++ence on t"e date #)eci(ied in t"e

)reli+inar* con(erence order.

Section 2. Revi#ion co++ittee $nder t"e #$)ervi#ion o( t"e co$rt. ! A# +an* revi#ion

co++ittee# a# +a* %e nece##ar* #"all %e con#tit$ted. Eac" revi#ion co++ittee #"all %e

co+)o#ed o( a c"air)er#on and t'o +e+%er#, one o( '"o+ i# de#inated %* t"e )rote#tant and

t"e ot"er %* t"e )rote#tee. T"e co$rt #"all de#inate t"e c"air)er#on and a recorder (ro+ a+on

it# )er#onnel. T"e )artie# #"all al#o de#inate t"eir re#)ective #$%#tit$te revi#or#.

T"e revi#ion co++ittee #"all cond$ct t"e revi#ion in t"e co$rt )re+i#e# or at #$c" ot"er )lace in

t"e co$rt +a* de#inate, in ever* ca#e $nder it# #trict #$)ervi#ion.

T"e revi#or# #"all di#c"are t"eir d$tie# 'it" t"e "i"e#t deree o( interit*, cond$ctin t"e

)roceedin# 'it" t"e #a+e dinit* and di#ci)line t"e co$rt it#el( %rin# to t"e )roceedin#. T"e*

#"all eerci#e etraordinar* dilience and ta&e t"e )reca$tionar* +ea#$re# re>$ire# %* t"i# level

o( dilience to )revent lo##, di#a))earance or i+)air+ent o( t"e interit* o( t"e %allot# and t"e

election doc$+ent#, '"et"er electronic or )rinted, and t"e +i#$#e o( t"e electronic election

+ac"ine#, device# and )ara)"ernalia.

Section -. Co+)en#ation o( t"e revi#or#. 3 T"e co$rt #"all (i t"e co+)en#ation o( t"e revi#or# at

Ei"t B$ndred Pe#o# P00.00 )er %allot %o (or t"e c"air)er#on and T"ree B$ndred Pe#o#

P-00.00 )er %allot %o (or eac" )art* revi#or. T"e )art* revi#or# #"all eac" %e entitled to an

additional )er die+ o( Five B$ndred Pe#o# P800.00 )er da*. T"e co+)en#ation (or a recorder

#"all %e T"ree B$ndred Pe#o# P-00.00 )er %allot %o. T"i# co+)en#ation #"all %e c"area%le

aain#t t"e ca#" de)o#it a# )rovided (or $nder Section2, R$le o( t"e#e R$le#.


13/22

Section 7. Contin$o$# revi#ion#. !

a Period (or revi#ion. ! Revi#ion #"all %e cond$cted (ro+ /-0 a.+. to 12/00 noon and (ro+

1/-0 ).+. to 7/-0 ).+. (ro+ Monda* to Frida*, ece)t on non3'or&in "olida*#. T"e revi#or#

+a* ta&e (i(teen3+in$te %rea d$rin t"e revi#ion.

% Revi#ion to contin$e even i( a )art* revi#or i# a%#ent or late. ! T"e revi#ion #"all %ot %e

dela*ed or )o#t)oned %* rea#on o( t"e a%#ence or tardine## o( a )art*:# revi#or or #$%#tit$te

revi#or, a# lon a# t"e c"air)er#on and one )art* revi#or are )re#ent. T"e co$rt +a* at an* ti+e

de#inate anot"er c"air)er#on i( t"e re$lar c"air)er#on (ail# (or an* rea#on to re)ort.

c I( t"e revi#or o( t"e )rote#tee i# a%#ent or late. 3 I( t"e revi#or o( t"e )rote#tee i# a%#ent or late

(or t"irt* +in$te# and no alternate a))ear# a# a #$%#tit$te, t"e revi#ion #"all nevert"ele##

co++ence. T"e )rote#tee #"all %e dee+ed to "ave 'aived t"e ri"t to a))ear and to o%6ect to t"e

revi#ion o( %allot# +ade d$rin "i# or "er revi#or:# a%#ence or tardine##.

d I( t"e revi#or o( t"e )rote#tant or t"e revi#or# o( %ot" )artie# (ail to a))ear. ! I( t"e

)rote#tant:# revi#or or t"e revi#or# o( %ot" )artie# or t"eir alternate# (ail to a))ear 'it"o$t

6$#ti(ia%le rea#on 'it"in one "o$r a(ter t"e #c"ed$led #tart o( t"e revi#ion, t"e %allot %oe#

#c"ed$led (or revi#ion t"at da* and t"e corre#)ondin %allot %o &e*# in t"e )o##e##ion o( t"e

c"air)er#on, #"all %e ret$rned to t"e co$rt:# %allot %o c$#todian, and t"e %allot# #"all no loner

%e revi#ed, t"e )artie# are dee+ed to "ave 'aived t"eir ri"t to t"e revi#ion (or t"at da*, and t"e

c"air)er#on #"all #tate t"e (act# o( a%#ence and 'aiver in t"e revi#ion re)ort.

Section 8. Pro"i%ited acce##. ! D$rin t"e revi#ion, no )er#on ot"er t"an t"e 6$de, t"e cler& o(t"e co$rt, t"e c"air)er#on and t"e +e+%er# o( t"e revi#ion co++ittee, t"e )artie# and t"eir d$l*

a$t"ori9ed re)re#entative# #"all "ave t"e acce## to t"e revi#ion area.

Section ;. Cond$ct o( revi#ion. ! T"e revi#ion o( t"e vote# on t"e %allot# #"all %e done +an$all*

and vi#$all* and t"ro$" t"e $#e o( a))ro)riate PCOS +ac"ine#, accordin to t"e )roced$re

%elo'/

a On t"e #c"ed$led da* o( revi#ion, t"e (ollo'in, i( needed, #"o$ld %e in t"e c$#tod* o( t"e

co$rt/

it"e %allot %oe# containin t"e %allot# in )rote#ted and co$nter )rote#ted )recinct# and

ii t"e data #torae device# and t"e PCOS +ac"ine# $#ed in t"e )recinct# concerned or an* ot"er

device t"at can %e $#ed to a$t"enticate or a##$re t"e en$inene## o( t"e %allot#

% T"e revi#ion co++ittee #"all initiall* note, %e(ore an*t"in el#e, t"e condition o( t"e %allot

%o and it# loc and loc&in +ec"ani#+, and record t"i# condition in t"e revi#ion re)ort. 4a#ed

on t"i# o%#ervation, t"e revi#ion co++ittee +$#t al#o deter+ine '"et"er t"e interit* o( t"e

%allot %o "a# %een )re#erved.

c T"e %allot %o #"all t"en %e o)ened and t"e %allot# ta&en o$t. T"e valid %allot# #"all (ir#t %e

co$nted, 'it"o$t reard to t"e vote# o%tained %* t"e )artie#. T"i# 'ill %e (ollo'ed %* t"e

co$ntin o( t"e torn, $n$#ed #tra* and re6ected %allot#, a# cla##i(ied at t"e )ollin )lace.

d T"e vote# a))earin in t"e election ret$rn# co)* (or t"e %allot %o #"all t"en %e recorded in

t"e +in$te#.


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e Prior to t"e act$al revi#ion, t"e revi#ion co++ittee +$#t a$t"enticate eac" and ever* %allot to

+a&e #$re t"at it 'a# t"e #a+e %allot# ca#t and (ed to t"e PCOS +ac"ine d$rin t"e votin. T"e

a$t"entication #"all %e t"ro$" t"e $#e o( PCOS +ac"ine# act$all* $#ed d$rin t"e election# in

t"e #$%6ect )recinct, or %* anot"er device certi(ied %* t"e Co++i##ion to %e ca)a%le o(

)er(or+in t"e de#ired a$t"entication re>$ire+ent t"ro$" t"e $#e o( t"e %ar code# and t"e $ltra3

violet ra* code detection +ec"ani#+.

( T"e reco$nt #"all onl* )roceed a(ter t"e revi#ion co++ittee, t"ro$" it# c"air)er#on and

+e+%er#, "a# deter+ined t"at t"e interit* o( t"e %allot# "a# %een )re#erved.

T"e revi#ion co++ittee #"all t"erea(ter )roceed to loo& at t"e %allot# and co$nt t"e indicated

vote# (or t"e conte#ted )o#ition.

" In loo&in at t"e #"ade# or +ar $#ed to rei#ter vote#, t"e revi#ion co++ittee #"all %ear in+ind t"at t"e 'ill o( t"e voter# re(lected a# vote# in t"e %allot# #"all a# +$c" a# )o##i%le %e iven

e((ect, #ettin tec"nicalitie# a#ide.

F$rt"er+ore, t"e vote# are )re#$+ed to "ave %een +ade %* t"e voter and #"all %e #o con#idered

$nle## rea#on# ei#t to 6$#ti(* t"eir re6ection. Bo'ever, +ar or #"ade# t"at are le## t"an 80J o(

t"e oval #"all not %e con#idered a# valid vote#. An* i##$e a# to '"et"er a certain +ar& or #"ade i#

'it"in t"e t"re#"old #"all %e deter+ined %* $#in t"e PCOS +ac"ine, not %* "$+an

deter+ination.

i T"e r$le# on t"e a))reciation o( t"e %allot# $nder Section211 o( t"e O+ni%$# Election Code#"all a))l* #$))letoril* '"en a))ro)riate.

6 T"ere #"all %e a tall* #"eet in at lea#t 8 co)ie#, )l$# additional co)ie# de)endin on t"e

n$+%er o( additional )artie#, t"at #"all %e $#ed to tall* t"e vote# a# t"e* are co$nted t"ro$" t"e

$#e o( tara# and #tic.

& A(ter all t"e %allot# (ro+ one %allot %o "ave %een co$nted, t"e revi#ion co++ittee #"all

#ec$re t"e conte#ted %allot# and co+)lete t"e reco$nt re)ort (or t"e )recinct. T"erea(ter, it #"all

)roceed to reco$nt t"e vote# (ro+ t"e %allot# o( t"e net )recinct.

l In ca#e o( +$lti)le revi#ion co++ittee#, t"e reco$nt #"all %e done #i+$ltaneo$#l*.

+ In t"e event t"at t"e revi#ion co++ittee deter+ine# t"at t"e interit* o( t"e %allot# and t"e

%allot %o "ave not %een )re#erved, a# '"en )roo( o( ta+)erin or #$%#tit$tion ei#t#, it #"all

)roceed to in#tr$ct t"e )rintin o( t"e )ict$re i+ae o( t"e %allot# #tored in t"e data #torae

device (or t"e )recinct. T"e co$rt #"all )rovide a non3)arti#an tec"nical )er#on '"o #"all cond$ct

t"e nece##ar* a$t"entication )roce## to en#$re t"at t"e data or i+ae #tored i# en$ine and not a

#$%#tit$te. Onl* a(ter t"i# deter+ination can t"e )rinted )ict$re i+ae %e $#ed (or t"e reco$nt,

Section . Pre)aration and #$%+i##ion o( revi#ion re)ort. ! T"e co++ittee #"all )re)are and

#$%+it to t"e co$rt a revi#ion re)ort )er )recinct #tatin t"e (ollo'in/

a t"e )recinct n$+%er

% t"e date, t"e )lace and t"e ti+e o( revi#ion

c t"e vote# o( t"e )artie# )er )"*#ical co$nt


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d t"e condition and t"e #erial n$+%er# o( t"e (ollo'in/.

i %allot %oe#

ii #el(3loc&in #ec$rit* +etal or )la#tic #eal# inner and o$ter and )adloc o( t"e %allot %oe#

iii #ec$rit* envelo)e# containin t"e election ret$rn# and

iv n$+%ered )a)er #eal o( t"e envelo)e#

e i( re>$ired, t"e availa%ilit* o( and ot"er circ$+#tance# attendant to t"e PCOS +ac"ine# and

ot"er a$to+ated election device# and )ara)"ernalia $#ed in t"e revi#ion

( t"e vote# o( t"e )artie# )er t"e %allot %o co)* o( t"e election ret$rn# and )er t"e tall*

#"eet5%oard (o$nd in#ide t"e %allot %o

t"e n$+%er o( %allot# o%6ected to %* t"e )artie# indicatin t"erein t"e e"i%it n$+%er#

" t"e ro$nd# o( o%6ection#

i t"e n$+%er o( #tra* %allot#

6 t"e clai+# on %allot# 'it" t"eir e"i%it n$+%er# and& t"e entrie# in t"e Min$te# o( =otin and Co$ntin, )artic$larl*/

i t"e n$+%er o( rei#tered voter#

ii t"e n$+%er o( voter# '"o act$all* voted

iii t"e n$+%er o( o((icial %allot#, toet"er 'it" t"eir #erial n$+%er#, $#ed in t"e election

iv t"e n$+%er i( %allot# act$all* $#ed indicatin t"e #erial n$+%er# o( t"e %allot# and

v t"e $n$#ed %allot# toet"er 'it" t"eir #erial n$+%er#.

T"e revi#ion (or+# #"all %e +ade availa%le )rior to t"e revi#ion. T"e )er3)recinct revi#ion re)ort

#"all %e #ined and certi(ied %* t"e c"air)er#on and %* t"e )artie#: revi#or#, and #"all (or+ )arto( t"e record# o( t"e ca#e.

In addition to t"e )er3)recinct revi#ion re)ort, t"e revi#ion co++ittee #"all al#o )re)are and

#$%+it to t"e co$rt, 'it"in t"ree da*# (ro+ ter+ination o( t"e revi#ion, a co++ittee re)ort

#$++ari9in t"e data, vote#, %allot o%6ection# and clai+#, and #ini(icant o%#ervation# +ade

d$rin t"e revi#ion o( %allot# (ro+ t"e )rote#ted )recinct# and later (ro+ t"e co$nter3)rote#ted

)recinct#, i( #o cond$cted %a#ed on t"e )rovi#ion# o( Section 10 %elo'. Eac" )art* ($rni#"ed 'it"

a co)* o( t"e co++ittee re)ort +a* #$%+it it# co++ent# t"ereon 'it"in a non3etendi%le )eriod

o( t"ree - da*# (ro+ notice.

Section . Order o( revi#ion. ! Revi#ion o( %allot# #"all #tart 'it" t"o#e (ro+ t"e )rote#ted

)recinct# , #$%6ect to t"e )rovi#ion# o( Section 10 t"ereo(.

Section . In>$ir* a# to #ec$rit* +ar&in# and vital in(or+ation relative to %allot# and election

doc$+ent#. ! @"en a revi#ion o( %allot# i# ordered, and (or t"e $idance o( t"e revi#or#, t"e

co$rt #"all in>$ire a%o$t t"e #ec$rit* +ar&in# on t"e %allot# and t"e #ec$rit* +ea#$re# $#ed in

t"e election doc$+ent# (ro+ t"e C"air)er#on o( COMELEC '"o #"all %e o%lied to indicate t"i#

+ar&in#, +ea#$re# and ot"er vital in(or+ation t"at +a* aid t"e co$rt in deter+inin t"e

a$t"enticit* o( t"e %allot# and election doc$+ent#. T"e )artie# #"all %e noti(ied o( t"e re#$lt# o(t"i# in>$ir*.

Section 10. Po#t3revi#ion deter+ination o( t"e +erit or leiti+ac* o( t"e )rote#t

)rior to revi#ion o( t"e co$nter3)rote#t. ! I++ediatel* a(ter t"e revi#ion or ea+ination o(

%allot#, or t"e veri(ication or re3ta%$lation o( election ret$rn# in all )rote#ted )recinct#, t"e

)rote#tant #"all %e re>$ired to )oint to a n$+%er o( )recinct#, corre#)ondin to t'ent* )ercent


16/22

20J o( t"e total o( t"e revi#ed )rote#ted )recinct#, t"at 'ill %e#t atte#t to t"e vote# recovered,

ore t"at 'ill %e#t ee+)li(* t"e (ra$d or irre$laritie# )leaded in t"e )rote#t. In t"e +ean'"ile,

t"e revi#ion or ea+ination o( t"e %allot#, or t"e veri(ication or re3ta%$lation o( election ret$rn#

in t"e co$nter3)rote#ted )recinct#, #"all %e #$#)ended (or a )eriod not eceedin (i(teen da*# to

allo' t"e co$rt to )reli+inaril* deter+ine, t"ro$" t"e a))reciation o( %allot# and ot"er

#$%+itted election doc$+ent#, t"e +erit o( leiti+ac* o( t"e )rote#t %a#ed in t"e c"o#en t'ent*

)ercent 20J o( t"e )rote#ted )recinct#.

4a#ed on t"e re#$lt# o( t"i# )o#t3revi#ion )reli+inar* deter+ination, t"e co$rt +a* di#+i## t"e

)rote#t 'it"o$t ($rt"er )roceedin# i( t"e validit* o( t"e ro$nd# (or t"e )rote#t i# no e#ta%li#"ed

%* t"e evidence (ro+ t"e c"o#en t'ent* )ercent 20J o( t"e )rote#ted )recinct# or )roceed

'it" t"e revi#ion or ea+ination i( t"e %allot#, or t"e veri(ication or re3ta%$lation o( election

ret$rn# in t"e co$nter3)rote#ted )recinct#. In t"e latter ca#e, t"e )rote#tee #"all %e re>$ired to )a*

t"e ca#" de)o#it 'it"in a non3etendi%le )eriod o( t"ree - da*# (ro+ notice.

Section 11. Contin$ation o( t"e a))reciation o( %allot#. 3 I( t"e co$rt decide# not to di#+i## t"e

)rote#t a(ter t"e )reli+inar* ea+ination o( t"e evidence (ro+ t"e c"o#e t'ent* )ercent 20J o(

t"e )rote#ted )recinct#, revi#ion 'it" re#)ect to t"e re+ainin )recinct# #"all )roceed at t"e #a+e

ti+e t"at t"e %allot# or election doc$+ent# (ro+ t"e co$nter3)rote#ted )recinct# are %ein

revi#ed. A(ter co+)letion o( t"e revi#ion o( t"e )rote#ted )recinct#, t"e co$rt #"all )roceed 'it"

t"e a))reciation and revi#ion o( %allot# (ro+ t"e co$nter3)rote#ted )recinct#.

RULE 11

TECBNICAL EAMINATION

Section 1. Motion ( or tec"nical ea+ination content#. ! Ece)t '"en t"e )rote#t or co$nter3

)rote#t involve# alleation o( +a##ive #$%#tit$te votin, a )art* +a* +ove (or t"e tec"nical

ea+ination o( t"e )re#ented evidence 'it"in (ive 8 da*# a(ter co+)letion o( t"e revi#ion in t"e

)rote#t or co$nter3)rote#t, #)eci(*in/

a T"e nat$re o( t"e tec"nical ea+ination re>$e#ted e.., (iner)rint ea+ination, etc.

% T"e doc$+ent# or +ac"ine#5e>$i)+ent to %e #$%6ected to tec"nical ea+ination

c T"e o%6ection# +ade in t"e co$r#e o( t"e revi#ion o( %allot# '"ic" t"e +ovant intend# to

#$%#tantiate 'it" t"e re#$lt# o( t"e tec"nical ea+ination and

d T"e %allot# covered %* t"e#e o%6ection#.

Section 2. Tec"nical ea+ination ti+e li+it#. ! T"e co$rt +a* rant t"e +otion (or tec"nical

ea+ination at it# di#cretion and $nder t"e condition# it +a* i+)o#e. I( t"e +otion i# ranted, t"e

tec"nical ea+ination #"all #tart 'it"in (ive 8 da*# (ro+ notice to %ot" )artie#, and #"all %e

co+)leted 'it"in t"e )eriod #)eci(ied %* t"e co$rt, in no ca#e to eceed to t'ent* #$cce##ive

'or&in da*#, $nle## t"e co$rt rant# an eten#ion %a#ed on ece)tionall* +eritorio$# ro$nd. A

)art* +a* attend t"e tec"nical ea+ination eit"er )er#onall* or t"ro$" a re)re#entative.

Bo'ever t"e tec"nical ea+ination #"all )roceed 'it" or 'it"o$t t"e attendance o( a )art*,

)rovided t"at t"e d$e notice "a# %een iven.

T"e e)en#e# (or tec"nical ea+ination #"all %e (or t"e acco$nt o( t"e )art* re>$e#tin t"e

ea+ination. T"e tec"nical ea+ination #"all %e $nder t"e #$)ervi#ion o( t"e cler& o( co$rt.

Section -. E)ert# '"o #"all )rovide. ! E)ert# nece##ar* (or t"e cond$ct o( tec"nical

ea+ination #"all %e )rovided %* t"e )art* re>$e#tin t"e #a+e and +a* co+e (ro+ t"e National


17/22

4$rea$ o( Inve#tiation, t"e PNP Cri+e La%orator*, t"e Co++i##ion on Election#, t"e

De)art+ent o( Science and Tec"nolo*, or e)ert# (ro+ t"e )rivate #ector. T"e ot"er )art* +a*

#ec$re t"e #ervice# o( "i# or "er o'n e)ert '"o +a* onl* o%#erve, not inter(ere 'it", t"e

ea+ination cond$cted %* t"e +ovant:# e)ert#.

RULE 12

PBOTOCOPHING OF 4ALLOTS

Section 1. P"otoco)*in #i+$ltaneo$# 'it" revi#ion. ! On t"e +otion o( a )art*, t"e co$rt +a*

allo' t"e )"otoco)*in o( %allot# and election doc$+ent#, $)on #$c" ter+# and condition# a# t"e

co$rt +a* i+)o#e. T"e )"otoco)*in, i( allo'ed, +$#t #tart at t"e co++ence+ent o( revi#ion

and, a# (ar a# )ractica%le, +$#t %e co+)leted #i+$ltaneo$#l* 'it" t"e ter+ination o( revi#ion.

Section 2. @"ere cond$cted )artie# to )rovide o'n )"otoco)*in $nit#. ! P"otoco)*in #"all %e

done 'it"in t"e )re+i#e# o( t"e co$rt, near t"e revi#ion area, and #"all %e $nder t"e #$)ervi#iono( t"e cler& o( co$rt. T"e re>$e#tin )art* #"all )rovide an e((icient )"otoco)*in $nit and #"all

%ear all attendant e)en#e#.

Section -. Co)*in or re)rod$ction o( electronic data. ! On t"e +otion o( a )art*, t"e co$rt +a*

allo' t"e re)rod$ction o( electronic data t"at are #$%+itted a# evidence, or t"at are 'it"in t"e

c$#tod* and control o( t"e COMELEC $nder t"e condition# and #a(e$ard# t"e COMELEC #"all

re>$ire. T"e co#t# and e)en#e# #"all %e (or t"e acco$nt o( t"e )art* #ee&in t"e re)rod$ction.

RULE 1-

PRESENTATION OF E=IDENCE

Section 1. Pre#entation and rece)tion o( evidence order o( "earin. ! I( at t"e )reli+inar*

con(erence t"e )artie# "ave areed on i##$e# t"at do not involve t"e ea+ination and

a))reciation o( %allot# or ot"er election doc$+ent# e.., vote3%$*in, (ra$d, terrori#+ or

violence, t"e rece)tion o( evidence on t"e i##$e#, incl$din t"e te#ti+onie# o( 'itne##e#, #"all %e

done #i+$ltaneo$#l* 'it" t"e revi#ion o( %allot# t"at +a* %e re>$ired.

T"e rece)tion o( evidence on all ot"er +atter# or i##$e# incidental to or involvin t"e %allot# and

related election doc$+ent# #"all %e +ade $)on co+)letion o( a t"e revi#ion o( %allot# or

election doc$+ent# or % t"e tec"nical ea+ination, i( allo'ed %* t"e co$rt $nder t"e

)rovi#ion# o( R$le 11 o( t"e#e R$le#.

Rece)tion o( evidence #"all %e +ade in accordance 'it" t"e (ollo'in order o( "earin/

a T"e )rote#tant or )etitioner #"all )re#ent evidence in #$))ort o( t"e )rote#t or )etition

% T"e )rote#tee or re#)ondent #"all t"en add$ce evidence in #$))ort o( t"e de(en#e,

co$nterclai+ or co$nter3)rote#t, i( an*

c T"e )artie# +a* t"en re#)ectivel* o((er re%$ttal evidence onl*, $nle## t"e co$rt (or ood

rea#on# and in t"e ($rt"erance o( 6$#tice, )er+it# t"e+ to o((er evidence on t"eir oriinal ca#e

and

d No #$r3re%$ttal evidence #"all %e allo'ed.

In o((erin te#ti+onial evidence, t"e )art* #"all re>$ire t"e )ro)o#ed 'itne## to eec$te an

a((idavit '"ic" #"all %e con#idered a# t"e 'itne##: direct te#ti+on*, #$%6ect to t"e ri"t o( t"e

adver#e )art* to o%6ect to it# inad+i##i%le )ortion# and to orall* cro##3ea+ine t"e 'itne##. T"e

a((idavit #"all %e %a#ed on )er#onal &no'lede, #"all #et (ort" (act# a# 'o$ld %e ad+i##i%le in

evidence, and #"all #"o' a((ir+ativel* t"at t"e a((iant i# co+)etent to te#ti(* on t"e #tated


18/22

+atter#. T"e a((idavit #"all %e in >$e#tion and an#'er (or+, and #"all %e #$%+itted to t"e co$rt

and #erved on t"e adver#e )art* at lea#t t"ree - da*# %e(ore t"e "earin.

Fail$re to #$%+it t"e a((idavit o( 'itne## 'it"in t"e #)eci(ied ti+e #"all con#tit$te a 'aiver o( t"e

)art*:# ri"t to )re#ent te#ti+onial evidence.

T"e one3da*3cro##3ea+ination3o( 'itne## r$le ! i.e., t"at a 'itne## "a# to %e ($ll* cro##3

ea+ined on one da* ! #"all #trictl* %e (ollo'ed, #$%6ect to t"e co$rt:# di#cretion to etend t"e

cro##3ea+ination (or 6$#ti(ia%le rea#on#.

T"e revi#ion re)ort#, a# 'ell a# t"e %allot# o%6ected to or clai+ed %* t"e )artie# and t"e #$%+itted

electronic evidence, #"all a$to+aticall* (or+ )art o( co$rt record# and +a* %e ado)ted %* t"e

ot"er )artie# a# t"eir evidence.

Section 2. O((er o( evidence. ! T"e co$rt #"all not con#ider an* evidence t"at "a# not %een

(or+all* o((ered. O((er o( evidence #"all %e done orall* on t"e la#t da* o( "earin allo'ed (or

eac" )art* a(ter t"e )re#entation o( t"e )art*:# la#t 'itne##. T"e o))o#in )art* #"all %e re>$iredto i++ediatel* inter)o#e o%6ection# to t"e o((er. T"e co$rt #"all r$le on t"e o((er o( evidence in

o)en co$rt. Bo'ever, t"e co$rt +a*, at it# di#cretion, allo' t"e )art* to +a&e an o((er o(

evidence in 'ritin, '"ic" #"all %e #$%+itted 'it"in t"ree da*# (ro+ notice o( t"e co$rt:# order.

I( t"e co$rt re6ect# an* evidence o((ered, t"e )art* +a* +a&e a tender o( t"e ecl$ded evidence.

Section -. Rece)tion o( evidence contin$o$#. ! Rece)tion o( evidence, once co++enced, #"all

contin$e (ro+ da* to da*, a# (ar a# )ractica%le, $ntil ($ll* co+)leted or ter+inated at t"e co$rt:#

order. In no ca#e #"all t"e entire )eriod (or rece)tion o( evidence eceed ten #$cce##ive da*# (or

eac" )art*, (ro+ t"e (ir#t da* rece)tion o( evidence #tart#, $nle## ot"er'i#e a$t"ori9ed %* t"e

S$)re+e Co$rt.

Section 7. Ad6o$rn+ent# and )o#t)one+ent#. ! No +otion (or )o#t)one+ent #"all %e allo'ed,

ece)t (or clearl* +eritorio$# rea#on#. In no ca#e #"all t"e re#ettin o( "earin# "ave an interval

eceedin t"ree calendar da*#, nor #"all t"e )o#t)one+ent# o( "earin ranted to eac" )art*

eceed t"ree -. T"e (ilin o( dilator* )leadin# or +otion# #"all con#tit$te direct conte+)t o(

co$rt and #"all %e )$ni#"ed accordinl*.

Section 8. 4$rden o( )roo(. ! 4$rden o( )roo( i# t"e d$t* o( a )art* to )re#ent evidence o( t"e

(act# in i##$e to e#ta%li#" "i# or "er clai+ or de(en#e.

Section ;. Di#)$ta%le )re#$+)tion#. ! T"e (ollo'in )re#$+)tion# are con#idered a# e#ta%li#"ed

(act#, $nle## contradicted and overco+e %* ot"er evidence/

a On t"e election )roced$re/

i T"e election o( candidate# 'a# "eld on t"e date and at t"e ti+e #et and in t"e )ollin )lace

deter+ined %* t"e Co++i##ion on Election#

ii T"e 4oard# o( Election In#)ector# 'ere d$l* con#tit$ted and orani9ed

iii Political )artie# and candidate# 'ere d$l* re)re#ented %* )oll'atc"er#

iv Poll'atc"er# 'ere a%le to )er(or+ t"eir ($nction#v T"e Min$te# o( =otin and Co$ntin contain# all t"e incident# t"at tran#)ired %e(ore t"e

4oard o( Election In#)ector# and

vi T"e A$dit Lo contain# t"e li#t o( all activitie# )er(or+ed %* t"e PCOS +ac"ine# (ro+ t"e

ti+e it 'a# )o'ered on $ntil it 'a# t$rned o((.

% On election )ara)"ernalia/


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i 4allot# and election ret$rn# t"at %ear t"e #ec$rit* +ar&in# and (eat$re# )re#cri%ed %* t"e

Co++i##ion on Election# are en$ine

ii T"e data and in(or+ation #$))lied %* t"e +e+%er# o( t"e 4oard# o( Election In#)ector# in

t"e acco$nta%le (or+# are tr$e and correct and

iii T"e allocation, )ac&in and di#tri%$tion o( election doc$+ent# or )ara)"ernalia 'ere

)ro)erl* and ti+el* done

iv T"e PCOS and con#olidation +ac"ine# and t"e data #torae device# are all in order, and t"e

data enerated re(lect t"e activitie# entered in t"e#e electronic +ac"ine# and device#.

c On a))reciation o( %allot#/

i A %allot 'it" a))ro)riate #ec$rit* +ar&in# i# valid

ii T"e %allot re(lect# t"e intent o( t"e voter

iii T"e %allot 'a# )ro)erl* acco+)li#"ediv A voter )er#onall* )re)ared one %allot, ece)t in t"e ca#e o( a##i#tor# and

v T"e eerci#e o( one:# ri"t to vote 'a# vol$ntar* and (ree.

Section . S$%+i##ion o( +e+oranda. ! T"e co$rt +a* allo' t"e )artie# to #$%+it t"eir

re#)ective +e+oranda 'it"in a non3etendi%le )eriod o( ten 10 da*# (ro+ t"e ver%al r$lin o(

t"e co$rt on t"e la#t o((er o( e"i%it# or, i( t"e o((er 'a# +ade in 'ritin, 'it"in ten 10 da*#

(ro+ recei)t o( t"e 'ritten r$lin o( t"e co$rt. No #$))le+ental, re)l* or re%$ttal +e+orand$+

#"all %e allo'ed.

RULE 17D E C I S I O N

Section 1. Rendition o( deci#ion. ! T"e co$rt #"all decide t"e election conte#t 'it"in t"irt* -0

da*# (ro+ t"e date t"e ca#e i# #$%+itted (or deci#ion, in no ca#e %e*ond #i ; +ont"# a(ter it#

(ilin, $nle## t"e S$)re+e Co$rt a$t"ori9e# an eten#ion in 'ritin. Fail$re to co+)l* 'it" t"i#

ti+eline #"all %e con#idered a #erio$# o((en#e and #"all %e a ro$nd (or di#ci)linar* action

aain#t t"e 6$de. In addition, #i ; +ont"# a(ter t"e #$%+i##ion o( t"e ca#e (or deci#ion, t"e

6$de #"all %e relieved o( all d$tie# and ($nction# ece)t to decide t"e election ca#e.

An election )rote#t i# dee+ed #$%+itted (or deci#ion a(ter co+)letion o( t"e rece)tion o(

evidence or, i( t"e )artie# 'ere allo'ed to #$%+it +e+oranda, $)on #$%+i##ion o( t"eir

+e+oranda or t"e e)iration o( t"e )eriod (or t"eir (ilin, '"ic"ever i# earlier. In an election

)rote#t, t"e 'inner #"all %e t"e candidate '"o o%tained t"e )l$ralit* o( t"e valid vote# ca#t.

Section 2. For+ o( deci#ion in election )rote#t#. ! A(ter t"e ter+ination o( t"e revi#ion o( %allot#

and %e(ore renderin it# deci#ion in an election )rote#t t"at involved a revi#ion, t"e co$rt #"all

ea+ine and a))reciate t"e oriinal %allot#.

T"e co$rt, in it# a))reciation o( t"e %allot# and in r$lin on t"e )artie#: clai+# and o%6ection#,#"all o%#erve t"e (ollo'in r$le#/

a On +ar&ed %allot# ! T"e co$rt +$#t #)eci(* and )oint to t"e +ar&in clearl* indicatin t"e

voter:# intent to identi(* t"e %allot.

% On (a&e or #)$rio$# %allot#, election doc$+ent, +ac"ine, device or )ara)"ernalia ! T"e co$rt


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+$#t #)eci(* t"e COMELEC #ec$rit* +ar&in# or (eat$re# t"at are not (o$nd in t"e %allot,

election doc$+ent#, +ac"ine, device or )ara)"ernalia con#idered (a&e or #)$rio$#, or t"e

o)eration or a#)ect# o( t"e +ac"ine, device or )ara)"ernalia t"at re#$lted in (a&e or #)$rio$#

re#$lt#

c On #tra* %allot# ! T"e co$rt +$#t #)eci(* and #tate in detail '"* t"e %allot# are con#idered

#tra*

d On clai+ed %allot# ! T"e co$rt +$#t #)eci(* t"e eact %a#i# (or ad+ittin clai+ed vote# or

creditin t"e#e to eit"er )art*.

Section -. Several 6$d+ent#. ! In a )rote#t or )etition aain#t #everal )rote#tee# or re#)ondent#,

t"e co$rt +a*, '"en a #everal 6$d+ent i# )ro)er, render 6$d+ent aain#t one or +ore o( t"e+,

leavin t"e )rote#t or )etition to )roceed aain#t t"e ot"er#.

Section 7. Pro+$lation o( deci#ion. ! T"e deci#ion #ined %* t"e )re#idin 6$de #"all %e

)ro+$lated %* readin it# di#)o#itive )ortion in o)en co$rt on a date #et 'it" notice to t"e)artie# and (ilin t"e deci#ion 'it" t"e cler& o( co$rt or %* t"e deliver* o( a co)* o( t"e #ined

deci#ion to t"e cler& o( co$rt, '"o #"all (ort"'it" indicate t"e date o( rendition and ca$#e tr$e

co)ie# t"ereo( to %e #erved, )er#onall* or %* rei#tered +ail, on t"e co$n#el# or on t"e )artie# i(

t"e* are not re)re#ented %* co$n#el.

Section 8. Finalit* o( deci#ion. ! T"e co$rt:# )ro+$lated deci#ion #"all %eco+e (inal and

eec$tor* (ive 8 da*# a(ter recei)t o( notice %* t"e )artie# i( no a))eal i# ta&en.

Section ;. Entr* o( 6$d+ent. ! I( no a))eal i# (iled 'it"in t"e ti+e )rovided in t"e#e R$le#, t"e

6$d+ent #"all %e entered %* t"e cler& in t"e %oo& o( entrie# o( 6$d+ent#. T"e date o( (inalit* o(t"e 6$d+ent #"all %e t"e date o( it# entr*. T"e record #"all contain t"e di#)o#itive )art o( t"e

6$d+ent and #"all %e #ined %* t"e cler&, 'it" a certi(icate t"at t"e 6$d+ent "a# %eco+e (inal

and eec$tor*.

Section . Notice o( (inal deci#ion. ! A# #oon a# t"e deci#ion %eco+e# (inal, t"e cler& o( co$rt

#"all #end notice# to t"e COMELEC, t"e De)art+ent o( t"e Interior and Local Govern+ent, and

t"e Co++i##ion on A$dit.

Section . A))eal. ! An arieved )art* +a* a))eal t"e deci#ion to t"e COMELEC 'it"in (ive

8 da*# a(ter )ro+$lation, %* (ilin a notice o( a))eal 'it" t"e co$rt t"at rendered t"e deci#ion,

'it" co)* #erved on t"e adver#e co$n#el or on t"e adver#e )art* '"o i# not re)re#ented %*

co$n#el.

Section . A))eal (ee. ! T"e a))ellant in an election conte#t #"all )a* to t"e co$rt t"at rendered

t"e deci#ion an a))eal (ee o( One T"o$#and Pe#o# P1,000.00, #i+$ltaneo$#l* 'it" t"e (ilin o(

t"e notice o( a))eal.

Section 10. I++ediate tran#+ittal o( record# o( t"e ca#e. ! T"e cler& o( co$rt #"all, 'it"in (i(teen

18 da*# (ro+ t"e (ilin o( t"e notice o( a))eal, tran#+it to t"e Electoral Conte#t# Ad6$dicationDe)art+ent, COMELEC, t"e co+)lete record# o( t"e ca#e, toet"er 'it" all t"e evidence,

incl$din t"e oriinal and t"ree co)ie# o( t"e tran#cri)t o( #tenora)"ic note# o( t"e )roceedin#.

Section 11. Eec$tion )endin a))eal. ! On +otion o( t"e )revailin )art* 'it" notice to t"e

adver#e )art*, t"e co$rt, at it# di#cretion and '"ile #till in )o##e##ion o( t"e oriinal record#, +a*

order t"e eec$tion o( it# deci#ion %e(ore t"e e)iration o( t"e )eriod to a))eal, #$%6ect to t"e


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(ollo'in r$le#/

a Eec$tion )endin a))eal #"all not i##$e ece)t $)on +otion and "earin 'it" )rior notice o(

t"e +otion o( at lea#t t"ree - da*# to t"e adver#e )art*. T"e +otion (or eec$tion )endin

a))eal +$#t %e #$))orted %* ood rea#on# cited and #tated %* t"e co$rt in a #)ecial order. T"e#e

rea#on# +$#t/

i con#tit$te #$)erior circ$+#tance# de+andin $renc* t"at 'o$ld o$t'ei" t"e in6$r* or

da+ae, #"o$ld t"e lo#in )art* #ec$re a rever#al o( t"e 6$d+ent on a))eal and

ii +ani(e#t, in t"e deci#ion #o$"t to %e eec$ted, t"at t"e de(eat o( t"e )rote#tee or t"e victor*

o( t"e )rote#tant "a# %een clearl* e#ta%li#"ed.

% I( t"e co$rt rant# an eec$tion )endin a))eal, an arieved )art* #"all "ave t'ent* 'or&in

da*# (ro+ notice o( t"e #)ecial order 'it"in '"ic" to #ec$re a re#trainin order or #tat$# >$o

order (ro+ t"e S$)re+e Co$rt or t"e COMELEC. T"e corre#)ondin 'rit o( eec$tion #"alli##$e a(ter t'ent* 20 da*# i( no re#trainin order or #tat$# >$o order i# i##$ed. D$rin t"e

t'ent* 203da* )eriod, t"e i##$ance o( a 'rit o( eec$tion )endin a))eal #"all %e #ta*ed.

Section 12. $ri#diction o( t"e Co++i##ion on Election# in certiorari ca#e#. ! T"e COMELEC

"a# t"e a$t"orit* to i##$e t"e etraordinar* 'rit# o( certiorari, )ro"i%ition and +anda+$# onl* in

aid o( it# a))ellate 6$ri#diction over deci#ion# o( t"e co$rt# in election ca#e# involvin elective

+$nici)al o((icial#.

Section 1-. Pre(erential di#)o#ition o( election conte#t#. ! T"e co$rt# #"all ive )re(erence to

election conte#t# over all ot"er ca#e#, ece)t )etition# (or "a%ea# cor)$# and (or t"e 'rit# o(a+)aro and "a%ea# data.

RULE 18

COSTS, DAMAGES AND ATTORNEH:S FEES

Section 1. Co#t# '"en allo'ed. ! Co#t# #"all %e allo'ed to t"e )revailin )art* a# a +atter o(

co$r#e. T"e co$rt #"all "ave t"e )o'er, (or #)ecial rea#on#, to a))ortion t"e co#t#, a# +a* %e

e>$ita%le. T"e co$rt +a* render 6$d+ent (or co#t# i( a )rote#t, a co$nter3)rote#t or a )etition (or

>$o 'arranto i# di#+i##ed. @"en a )rote#t, a co$nter3)rote#t or a )etition (or >$o 'arranto i#

(o$nd to %e (rivolo$#, do$%le or tre%le co#t# +a* %e i+)o#ed on t"e )rote#tant, t"e co$nter3

)rote#tant or t"e )etitioner.

Section 2. Da+ae# and attorne*:# (ee#. ! In all election conte#t#, t"e co$rt +a* ad6$dicate

da+ae# and attorne*:# (ee# a# it +a* dee+ 6$#t and a# e#ta%li#"ed %* t"e evidence, i( t"e

arieved )art* "a# incl$ded t"e#e clai+# in t"e )leadin#.

RULE 1;

ELECTRONIC E=IDENCE

Section 1. Oriinal o( an electronic doc$+ent or data. ! An electronic doc$+ent or data #"all %e

rearded a# t"e e>$ivalent o( an oriinal doc$+ent $nder t"e 4e#t Evidence R$le i( it i# a

)rinto$t or an o$t)$t reada%le %* #i"t or ot"er +ean# and #"o'n to re(lect t"e data acc$ratel*.

Section 2. Co)ie# a# e>$ivalent o( t"e oriinal#. When a document is in two or more

copies executed at or about the same time with identical contents, or is a


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counterpart produced by the same impression as the original, or from the same

matrix, or by mechanical or electronic re-recording, or by chemical reproduction, or

by other equivalent techniques that accurately reproduce the original, such copies

or duplicates s

l be regarded as the equivalent of the original.

Not'it"#tandin t"e (oreoin, co)ie# or d$)licate# #"all not %e ad+i##i%le to t"e #a+e etent a#

t"e oriinal i(/

a a en$ine >$e#tion i# rai#ed a# to t"e a$t"enticit* o( t"e oriinal or

% $nder t"e circ$+#tance#, it 'o$ld %e $n6$#t or ine>$ita%le to ad+it t"e co)* in lie$ o( t"e

oriinal.

Section -. A((idavit a# evidence. ! All +atter# relatin to t"e ad+i##i%ilit* and evidentiaryweight of an electronic document may be established by an adavit stating facts ofdirect personal knowledge of the aant or based on authentic records. he adavitmust armatively show the competence of the aant to testify on the matterscontained therein. he aant shall be made to arm the contents of the adavit inopen session and may be cross-examined as a matter of right by the adverse party.

RULE 1

AUTBENTICATION OF ELECTRONIC DOCUMENTS AND DATA

Section 1. 4$rden o( )rovin a$t"enticit*. ! T"e )er#on #ee&in to introd$ce an electronic

doc$+ent in an election )rote#t "a# t"e %$rden o( )rovin it# a$t"enticit* in t"e +anner )rovided

in t"i# R$le.Section 2. Manner o( a$t"entication. ! 4e(ore an* electronic doc$+ent or data o((ered a#

a$t"entic i# received in evidence, it# a$t"enticit* +$#t %e )roved %* an* o( t"e (ollo'in +ean#/

a 4* evidence t"at it "a# %een diitall* #ined %* t"e )er#on )$r)orted to "ave #ined it.

Diitall* #ined re(er# to an electronic doc$+ent or electronic data +e##ae %earin a diital

#inat$re veri(ied %* t"e )$%lic &e* li#ted in a certi(icate.

% 4* evidence t"at ot"er a))ro)riate #ec$rit* )roced$re# or device# (or a$t"entication o(

electronic doc$+ent# a$t"ori9ed %* t"e S$)re+e Co$rt or %* la' (or t"e a$t"entication o(

electronic doc$+ent# 'ere a))lied to t"e doc$+ent orc 4* ot"er evidence #"o'in it# interit* and relia%ilit* to t"e #ati#(action o( t"e 6$de.

Section -. T"e R$le# on Electronic Evidence. ! T"e R$le# on Electronic Evidence #"all a))l* toevidentiar* a#)ect# o( )leadin#, )ractice and )roced$re in election conte#t# not ot"er'i#e

#)eci(icall* )rovided (or in t"e#e R$le#.

RULE 1

FINAL PRO=ISIONS

Section 1. Re)ealin cla$#e. ! For +$nici)al election conte#t#, t"e#e r$le# #$)er#ede A.M. No.0373183SC T"e R$le# o( Proced$re In Election Conte#t# 4e(ore T"e Co$rt# Involvin

M$nici)al and 4arana* O((icial# '"ic" %eca+e e((ective on Ma* 18, 200. All ot"er r$le#,

re#ol$tion#, re$lation# or circ$lar# o( t"e S$)re+e Co$rt or )art# t"ereo( t"at are incon#i#tent

'it" an* )rovi#ion o( t"e#e R$le# are "ere%* dee+ed re)ealed or +odi(ied accordinl*.

Section 2. E((ectivit* cla$#e. T"e#e R$le# #"all ta&e e((ect (i(teen 18 da*# a(ter t"eir )$%licationin a ne'#)a)er o( eneral circ$lation in t"e P"ili))ine#.

Rules of Procedure- Election Protest

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Transcript of Rules of Procedure- Election Protest