COURSE OUTLINE

ELECTION LAWS (LLB 247N)

Ferdinand G.S. Gujilde
Law Professor I
College of Law
School of Law & Governance
University of San Carlos
Election Officer IV
Commission on Elections
Part I
ELECTIVE OFFICIALS
Election, defined.
Election, defined under jurisprudence.
Taule v Santos, 200 SCRA 512, 519 (1991)
Election, defined within the context of the
Constitution.
Javier v Comelec, G.R. No. L-68379-81, Sept. 22, 1986
Election, purpose.
Lino Luna v Rodriguez, 39 Phil. 208, 1918
Election laws, purpose.
Rulloda v Comelec, G.R. No. 154198, January 20, 2003
Election laws, how construed.
Carlos v Angeles, 346 SCRA 571, 582 (2000)
Frivaldo v Comelec, 257 SCRA 727 (1996)
Election, classified.
Regular election.
SK election is not a regular election.
Paras v Comelec, 264 SCRA 49 (1996)
Special election to fill out vacancy.
Special election after failure of election.
Lucero v Comelec, 234 SCRA 280 (1994)
Systems of election.
Manual system of election.
B.P. 881 or the Omnibus Election Code
Automated system of election.
R.A. 8436 as amended by
R.A. 9369
Manual count during automated election.
R.A. 8436
Section 9
R.A. 9369
Section 11
Loong v Comelec, 305 SCRA 832 (1999)
Constitutional basis for election.
1987 Constitution
Article II, Section 1
Elective officials, enumerated.
1987 Constitution

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Article VII, Sections 1 & 3
Article VI, Section 2 & 5(1) & (2)
Article X, Sections 1, 15, 18 & 19
R.A. 6734 or the Organic Act for ARMM
as amended by R.A. 9054
R.A. 6766 or the Organic Act for CAR
Ordillo v Comelec, 192 SCRA 100 (1992)
Local Government Code of 1991
Section 39
Comelec Resolution, number of councilors
President, how elected, term of office and term limit.
1987 Constitution
Article VII, Section 4(1)
Presidential term limit.
Comelec Resolution, Jan. 20, 2010, 2nd Division
Pormento v Estrada, G.R. No. 191988, August 31, 2010
Difference of effects of succession on term limit
between the Vice President and Vice-Mayor
Borja v Comelec, G.R. No. 133495, Sept. 3, 1998
President, qualifications.
1987 Constitution
Article VII, Section 2
Article IV, Section 1(3) & 2
Natural-born Filipino, defined.
Fornier v Comelec, G.R. No. 161824, March 3, 2004
Residence, defined.
Marcos v Comelec, G.R. No. 119976, Sept. 18, 1995
Domino v Comelec, 310 SCRA 546 (1999)
Residence requirement, rationale.
Torayno v Comelec, 337 SCRA 574
Property qualification.
Maquera v Borra, G.R. No. L-24761, Aurea v Comelec,
G.R. No. L-24828, September 7, 1965
Vice-President, how elected, term of office and term limit.
1987 Constitution
Article VII, Section 4
President and Vice-President, basis for proclamation.
1987 Constitution
Article VII, Section 4(5)
Article IX, Section 6
Winner, defined.
Rulloda v Comelec, G.R. No. 154198, January 20, 2003
Presidential and vice-presidential tie, how broken.
1987 Constitution
Article VII, Section 4(5)
Presidential succession, in case of vacancy at the start of
term.
1987 Constitution
Article VII, Section 7

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Presidential succession, in case of vacancy on mid-term.
1987 Constitution
Article VII, Section 8
Permanent disability of the President.
1987 Constitution
Article VII, Section 11
Estrada v Desierto, G.R. No. 146710-15, March 2, 2001
Resignation of the President.
Estrada v Desierto, G.R. No. 146710-15, March 2, 2001
Vacancy in the office of the Vice-President, how filled.
1987 Constitution
Article VII, Section 9
Estrada v Desierto, G.R. No. 146710-15, March 2, 2001
Vacancy in both the presidency and vice-presidency,
how filled.
1987 Constitution
Article VII, Section 10
Article VI, Section 25(4)
Omnibus Election Code
Article II, Section 14
Senators, number, how elected, term of office & term limit.
1987 Constitution
Article VI, Section 2
Article XVIII, Section 2(1) & 2
Tolentino v Comelec, G.R. No. 148334, January 21, 2004
Article VI, Section 4
Senator, qualifications.
1987 Constitution
Article VI, Section 3
Pimentel v Comelec, G.R. No. 161658, November 3, 2008
Members of the House of Representatives, number, how
elected, term of office and term limit.
1987 Constitution
Article VI, Section 5(1), (2) & (4), Section 7
Omnibus Election Code
Article III, Section 24
Number of party-list.
Veterans Federation Party v Comelec, 342 SCRA 244
BANAT v Comelec, G.R. No. 179271, July 8, 2009, Bayan
Muna v Comelec, G.R. No. 179295, April 21, 2009

Three-term limit.
Term limit, purpose of.
Borja v Comelec, G.R. No. 133495, Sept. 3, 1998
Latasa v Comelec, G.R. No. 154829, Dec. 10, 2003
Succession, effect on term continuity.
Borja v Comelec, G.R. No. 133495, Sept. 3, 1998
Montebon v Comelec, G.R. No. 180444, April 9, 2008
Preventive suspension, effect on term continuity.

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Aldovino v Comelec, 184836, December 23, 2009
Disqualification prior to term end, effect of.
Lonzanida v Comelec, G.R. No. 135150, July 28, 1999
Disqualification after term end, effect of.
Ong v Alegre, G.R. No. 163295, January 23, 2006
Rivera v Comelec, G.R. No. 167591, May 9, 2007
Recall, effect on three-term disqualification.
Adormeo v Comelec, 426 Phil. 472 (2002)
Socrates v Comelec, 440 Phil. 106 (2002)
Conversion of municipality to city, effect of.
Latasa v Comelec, G.R. No. 154829, Dec. 10, 2003
Election protest, effects of.
Abundo v Comelec, GR No. 201716, January 8, 2013
Members of the House of Representatives, qualifications.
1987 Constitution
Article VI, Section 1
Party-List Representatives or Nominees, qualifications.
1987 Constitution
Article VI, Section 5(2)
Article IX(C), Section 8
R.A. 7941
Sections 2 & 9
Bagong Bayani-OFW v Comelec, GR No. 147589
June 26, 2001
BANAT v Comelec, G.R. No. 179271, July 8, 2009,
Bayan Muna v Comelec, G.R. No. 179295,
April 21, 2009
Atong Paglaum v COMELEC, GR No. 203766, Apr. 2, 2013
Sectors to be represented by party-list, enumerated.
1987 Constitution
Article VI, Section 5(2)
R.A. 7941
Section 5
Sectors to be represented by party-list, classified.
Atong Paglaum v COMELEC, G.R. No. 203766, Apr. 2, 2013
Nature of constitutional & statutory enumeration of
sectors.
Ang Ladlad v Comelec, G.R. No. 190582, April 8, 2010
Nature of list of nominees.
BA-RA 7941 v Comelec, G.R. No. 177271, May 4, 2007
Vacancy in the Senate or House of Representatives,
how filled.
1987 Constitution
Article VI, Section 9
Omnibus Election Code
Article III, Section 22
R.A. 6645
Sections 1 & 2
R.A. 7166

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Section 4
Tolentino v Comelec, G.R. No. 148334, January 21, 2004
Elective local officials, term of office & term limit.
1987 Constitution
Article X, Section 8
Local Government Code of 1991
Section 43
David v Comelec, G.R. No. 127116, April 8, 1997
Elective local officials, qualifications.
Local Government Code of 1991
Section 39
R.A. 9164
Section 7
Frivaldo v Comelec, 257 SCRA 727 (1996)
Labo v Comelec, 176 SCRA 1 (1989)
Elective local officials, disqualifications.
Local Government Code of 1991
Section 40
Dual citizenship.
1987 Constitution
Article IV, Section 5
Local Government Code of 1991
Section 40(d)
R.A. 9225
Valles v Comelec, G.R. No. 137000, August 9, 2000
Mercado v Manzano, 307 SCRA 630 (1999)
Labo v Comelec, 176 SCRA 1 (1989)
Roseller de Guzman v Comelec, G.R. No. 180048,
June 19, 2009
Teodora Sobejana-Condon v Comelec, G.R. No. 198742,
August 10, 2012
Macquiling v Comelec, G.R. No. 195649, April 16, 2013,
Motion for Reconsideration, July 2, 2013
Fugitives from justice.
Marquez v Comelec, 243 SCRA 538
Permanent residents in foreign country.
Caasi v CA, 191 SCRA 229
Omnibus Election Code
Sections 12 & 68
Vacancy in elective local offices, grounds.
Vacancy in elective local offices, how filled.
Local Government Code of 1991
Section 45(c)
Date of election.
1987 Constitution
Article XVIII, Sections 1, 5
Local Government Code
Section 42
R.A. 7166
Sections 1 & 2

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R.A. 9164
Section 1
Adjustment of period of pre-election requirements.
R.A. 8436
Section 28
Akbayan v Comelec, G.R. No. 147066, March 26, 2001
Nature of Barangay elections.
Omnibus Election Code
Section 38
Occena v Comelec, 127 SCRA 404 (1984)
Postponement of election, grounds.
Omnibus Election Code
Section 5
R.A. 7166
Section 4
R.A. 6679
Section 2
Dimaporo v Comelec, G.R. No. 152295, July 9, 2002
Postponement of election, jurisdiction.
Benito v Comelec, G.R. No. 134913, January 19, 2001
Sumbing v Davide, G.R. No. 86850 July 20, 1989
Basher v Comelec, 330 SCRA 736
Failure of election, grounds.
Omnibus Election Code
Section 6
R.A. 7166
Section 4
Mitmug v. Commission on Elections, G.R. Nos.
106270-73, 10 February 1994, 230 SCRA 54
Canicosa v Comelec, 282 SCRA 512
Batabor v Comelec, G.R. No. 160428, July 21, 2004
Sardea v Comelec, 225 SCRA 374
Declaration of failure of election, jurisdiction.
Benito v Comelec, G.R. No. 134913, January 19, 2001
Loong v Comelec, G.R. No. 133676, April 14, 1999
Carlos v Angeles, 346 SCRA 571 (2000)
Postponement or failure of election in Barangay elections,
grounds.
Omnibus Election Code
Article VI, Section 45
Special election.
1987 Constitution
Article VI, Section 9
Omnibus Election Code
Section 7
R.A. 7166
Section 4
Fixing date of special election.
Pangandaman v Comelec, 319 SCRA 283
Notice of special election.

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Hassan v Comelec, 264 SCRA 125
Tolentino v Comelec, G.R. No. 148334, January 21, 2004
Special election after failure of election.
Omnibus Election Code
Section 6
R.A. 7166
Section 4
Special election after failure of election,
requisites.
Lucero v Comelec, 234 SCRA 280 (1994)
Calling of special election, jurisdiction.
Benito v Comelec, G.R. No. 134913, January 19, 2001

Part II
SUFFRAGE
Suffrage, defined.
Nolasco v Comelec, 275 SCRA 763 (1997)
People v San Juan, 22 SCRA 505
Constitutional basis of suffrage.
1987 Constitution
Article V, Sections 1 & 2
Nature of suffrage.
1973 Constitution
Article V, Section 4
Omnibus Election Code
Article I, Section 4
Section 261(y)(1)
Section 264
1987 Constitution
Article V, Section 1
Suffrage for overseas absentee voters.
R.A. 9189
Section 5(d)
Macalintal v Comelec, G.R. No. 157013, July 3, 2003
Suffrage for local absentee voters.
EO 157, March 30, 1987
Omnibus Election Code
Section 169
R.A. 7166
Section 12
R.A. 10380, Local Absentee Voting for Media
Suffrage for disabled and illiterate voters.
1987 Constitution
Article V, Section 2(1) & (2)
RA 10366
Section 11
RA 8189
Section 14
Voters registration, defined.
RA 8189
Section 3(a) (g)
Sections 15 & 20
Yra v Abano, 52 Phil. 380
System of continuing registration.
RA 8189
Section 8
Period of registration.

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Akbayan-Youth v Comelec, 355 SCRA 318, March 26, 2001
Kabataan Party List Rep. Palatino v Comelec,
GR No. 189868, December 15, 2009
Registration, jurisdiction.
R.A. 8189
Section 15
Voters
registration,
qualifications,
procedure.
1987 Constitution
Article V, Section 1
Omnibus Election Code
Section 118
R.A. 8189
Sections 9, 10, 11, 12 13 & 14
Residence.
Romualdez v RTC, 226 SCRA 406

disqualifications,

Deactivation, reactivation and cancellation of registration.

R.A. 8189
Sections 27, 28, 29
R.A. 10367
Section 7
R.A. 8189
Sections 32, 33, 34
Sections 18 & 20
Inclusion and exclusion proceedings.
R.A. 8189
Sections 24, 32, 33, 34 & 35
1987 Constitution
Article IX(C), Section 2(3)
Pungutan v Abubakar, 43 SCRA 1, 12 (1972)
Domino v Comelec, GR No. 134015, July 19, 1999
Nature of voters registration records.
R.A. 8189
Section 41
RA 10367
Section 9
Comelec Minute Res. No. 13-1132, October 17, 2013
Annulment of list of voters.
R.A. 8189
Sections 33 & 39
Ututalum v Comelec, 181 SCRA 335
Sarangani v Comelec, 334 SCRA 379

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Part III
THE COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS
Comelec, composition, qualifications &

term of office.

1987 Constitution
Article IX(C), Sections 1(1) & (2)
Cayetano v Monsod, 201 SCRA 210, 214 (1991)
Brillantes v Yorac, 192 SCRA 358, (1990)
Comelec, disabilities, inhibitions & disqualifications.
1987 Constitution
Article IX(A), Section 2
Comelec, independence of.
1987 Constitution
Article IX(A), Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6
Article IX(C), Sections 1 & 2
Comelec, powers & functions.
Omnibus Election Code
Article VII, Section 52
Filipinas Engg. Machine Shop v Ferrer,
135 SCRA 25 (1985)
History of functions.
Loong v Comelec, G.R. No. 133676, April 14, 1999
General functions.
Baytan v Comelec, G.R. No. 153945, February 4, 2003
Taule v Santos, G.R. No. 90336, August 12, 1991
ADMINISTRATIVE POWERS:

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(1) Power to enforce and administer elections laws.
1987 Constitution
Article IX(C), Section 2(1)
Sandoval v Comelec, G.R. No. 133842, January 26, 2000
Loong v Comelec, 305 SCRA 832 (1999)
(2) Power to conduct plebiscite, initiative, referendum and
recall.
Plebiscite, defined.
1987 Constitution
Article XVII, Section 4
R.A. 6735
Section 3(e)
Initiative, defined.
1987 Constitution
Article XVII, Sections 1 & 2
R.A. 6735
Sections 3(a), (f), 4 & 5
Santiago v Comelec, G.R. No. 127325
March 19, 1997
Lambino v Comelec, G.R. No. 174153
October 25, 2006
Recall, defined.
Garcia v Comelec, 227 SCRA 100 (1993)
Local Government Code of 1991
Sections 69, 70, 71, 72, 73 & 74
R.A. 9244
Section 3
Comelec Resolution No. 7505, June 6, 2005
Paras v Comelec, 264 SCRA 49 (1996)
Angobung v Comelec, 269 SCRA 245 (1997)
Referendum, defined.
R.A. 6735
Section 3(c)
Revision, defined.
1987 Constitution
Article XVII, Section 1
Lambino v Comelec, G.R. No. 174153
October 25, 2006
Amendment, defined.
1987 Constitution
Article XVII, Section 1
Lambino v Comelec, G.R. No. 174153
October 25, 2006
(3)

Power to decide all questions affecting elections.

1987 Constitution
Article IX(C), Section 2(3)
Domino v Comelec, GR No. 134015, July 19, 1999
Sarmiento v Comelec, 212 SCRA 307
Pangarungan v Comelec, 216 SCRA 522
Powers not given.
Pungutan v Abubakar, 43 SCRA 1, 12 (1972)
Montejo v Comelec, 242 SCRA 415 (1995)

(4)

Power to deputize other government agencies.

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1987 Constitution
Article IX(C), Section 2(4)
People v Basilla, 179 SCRA 87 (1987)
(5)

Recommendatory power.

1987 Constitution
Article IX(C), Section 2(7) & (8)
People v Basilla, 179 SCRA 87 (1987)
Tan v Comelec, 237 SCRA 353
(6) Power to register political parties and party-list.
1987 Constitution
Article IX(C), Section 2(5)
Santos v Comelec, 103 SCRA 628 (1981)
Veterans Federation Party v Comelec, 342 SCRA 244
Bagong Bayani-OFW v Comelec, G.R. No. 147589
June 26, 2001
Banat v Comelec, G.R. No. 179271, July 8, 2009
Bayan Muna v Comelec, G.R. No. 179295
April 21, 2009)
Atong Paglaum v COMELEC, G.R. No. 203766, April 2, 2013

In the Matter of the Petition for Registration of Ang

Ladlad LGBT Party for Party-List System SPP Case
No.09-228 (PL), Nov. 11, 2009
Ang Ladlad v Comelec, GR No. 190582, April 8, 2010
Atienza v Comelec, GR No. 188920, February 16, 2010
Political party, defined.
R.A. 7941
Groups which cannot be registered as political
parties.
1987 Constitution
Article IX-C, Section 2(5)
Grounds for cancellation of registration.
1987 Constitution
Article IX-C, Section 2(5)
R.A. 7941
(7)

Power
to
supervise
or
regulate
franchises,
transportation, etc.
1987 Constitution
Article IX(C), Section 4
NPC v Comelec, G.R. No. 102653, March 5, 1992
SWS v Comelec, G.R. No. 147571, May 5, 2001
Exit polls.
ABS-CBN v Comelec, G.R. No. 133486, January 28, 2000
Media practitioners during plebiscite.
Sanidad v Comelec, 181 SCRA 529 (1990)

(8) Power to investigate and prosecute.

1987 Constitution
Article IX(C), Section 2(6)
Omnibus Election Code
Section 265
R.A. 9369
Section 43

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Kilosbayan v Comelec, 280 SCRA 892, October 16, 1997
(9) Duty to report.
1987 Constitution
Article IX(C), Section 2(9)
LEGISLATIVE POWERS:
(1) Rule making power, laws and regulations
1987 Constitution
Article IX(C), Section 2(1)
BP 881
Section 52(c)
Gallardo v Tabamo, 218 SCRA 253, 263-264 (1993)
Aruelo Jr. v CA, 227 SCRA 311
(2) Suspension of Rules of Procedure.
Llana v Comelec, G.R. No. 152080, November 28, 2003
JUDICIAL POWERS:
(1) Exercise original jurisdiction over regional, provincial,
and city election contests and appellate jurisdiction
over municipal and Barangay election contests
1987 Constitution
Article IX(C), Section 2(2)
Omnibus Election Code
Section 249
Javier v Comelec, 144 SCRA 194
Canicosa v Comelec, 282 SCRA 512 (1997)
Lazatin v Comelec, G.R. No. L-80007, January 25, 1988
Lazatin v HRET, G.R. No. 84297, December 8, 1988
Motion for Reconsiderations, In Division:
Roces v HRET, G.R. No. 167499, September 15, 2005
Mendoza v Comelec, G.R. No. 188308, October 15, 2009
Ceriaco Bulilis v Victoriano Nuez, G.R. No. 195953,
August 9, 2011
Flores v Comelec, 184 SCRA 484 (1990)
(2) Power to issue extraordinary writs.
Carlos v Angeles, 346 SCRA 571
(3) Contumacy powers.
Filipinas Engg. Machine Shop v Ferrer,
135 SCRA 25 (1985)
Masangkay v Comelec, 6 SCRA 27 (1962)
(4) Jurisdiction of en banc or division.
1987 Constitution
Article IX(C), Section 3
Sarmiento v Comelec, 212 SCRA 307
Soller v Comelec, G.R. No. 139853, Sept. 5, 2000,
339 SCRA 685
Canicosa v Comelec, 282 SCRA 512 (1977)
Baytan v Comelec, G.R. No. 153945, February 4, 2003
Correction of manifest errors.
Torres v Comelec, 270 SCRA 583
Interlocutory orders.
Kho v Comelec, 279 SCRA 463
Subject of Motion for Reconsideration

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Salazar v Comelec, 184 SCRA 433, 441 (1990)
Garvida v Sales, 271 SCRA 764
Zarate v Comelec, 318 SCRA 608
Soller v Comelec, 339 SCRA 685
QUASI-JUDICIAL POWERS:
Sandoval v Comelec, G.R. No. 133842, January 26, 2000
Judicial review.
1987 Constitution
Article IX-A, Section 7.
Article VIII, Section 5(1)
Certiorari jurisdiction of the SC.
Aratuc v Comelec, 88 SCRA 251
Loong v Comelec, 305 SCRA 832 (1999)
Reyes v RTC, 244 SCRA 41 (1995)
Ambil v Comelec, 244 SCRA 358
Salva v Makalintal, 340 SCRA 506
Relationship with lower courts.
Comelec v Datuimam, 304 SCRA 106 (1999)
Gallardo v Comelec, 218 SCRA 253 (1993)

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