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Philippine Supreme Court Jurisprudence > Year 2003 > July 2003 Decisions > G.R. No. 157004 July 4, 2003 - SALLY A. LEE v. COMELEC, ET AL.:




PHILIPPINE SUPREME COURT DECISIONS

EN BANC

[G.R. No. 157004. July 4, 2003.]

SALLY A. LEE, Petitioner, v. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS and LEOVIC R. DIONEDA, Respondents.

D E C I S I O N


CARPIO MORALES, J.:


Before this Court is a petition for certiorari with prayer for a temporary restraining order/writ of preliminary injunction under Rule 64 of the 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure seeking to set aside the February 11, 2003 En Banc Resolution 1 of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) in SPC No. 01-124.chanrob1es virtua1 1aw 1ibrary

Sally A. Lee (petitioner) and Leovic R. Dioneda (private respondent) were candidates for mayor of Sorsogon City, Sorsogon in the May 14, 2001 elections.

During the canvassing of the election returns, counsel for private respondent objected to the inclusion of Election Return No. 41150266 for Precinct No. 28A2 in barangay Bucalbucalan, Sorsogon City on the grounds that 1) no entries were made for the position of congressman, and 2) Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP) watchers were utilized to fill up election returns. 2

In her opposition to private respondent’s objection, petitioner alleged that 1) the omitted entry in the election return pertains to the position of congressman which cannot be a subject of pre-proclamation controversy, 2) the utilization of the watchers, who were under the direct supervision of the Board of Election Inspectors (BEI), was limited only to the filling up of the entries affecting the party-list and justified by the severe lack of personnel to perform the task, and 3) the alleged defect does not affect the integrity of the election return. 3

On May 18, 2001, the Board of Canvassers (BOC), finding that the 1) questioned election return was clear and regular on its face, 2) there was no pre-proclamation for members of the House of Representatives and party list, and 3) the grounds relied upon by private respondent are all directed against the proceedings of the BEI and not the BOC, ruled for the inclusion of the return. 4 Private respondent thereupon filed on the same day a notice of appeal of the BOC ruling. 5

In the meantime, or on May 19, 2001, the BOC proclaimed the winning candidates, including petitioner as city mayor. 6

Private respondent thus filed on May 23, 2001 before the COMELEC a petition, 7 docketed as SPC No. 01-124, assailing the ruling of the BOC and praying for the exclusion of the questioned election return and the annulment of petitioner’s proclamation.

Petitioner filed her answer 8 to the COMELEC petition, praying for its dismissal.

By Resolution 9 of January 10, 2003, the COMELEC Second Division granted the petition of private respondent and accordingly excluded the questioned return from the canvass and nullified the proclamation of petitioner. The dispositive portion of the resolution reads:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

WHEREFORE, premises considered, the petition is GRANTED. The order of respondent Board dated May 18, 2001 including Election Return No. 41150266 from Precinct No. 28A2 of Bucalbucalan, Sorsogon City in the May 14, 2001 Elections canvass of Sorsogon City is hereby REVERSED AND SET ASIDE. Said election return is hereby excluded from the May 14, 2001 Elections canvass of Sorsogon City. Further, the proclamation of private respondent Sally Lee on May 19, 2001 is hereby declared NULL and VOID ab initio pursuant to Section 20 (i) of RA 7166.

A new City Board of Canvassers of Sorsogon City is hereby constituted to be composed of the following COMELEC lawyers:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

1. Atty. Nelia Aureus — Chairperson

2. Atty. Allen Francis Abaya — Vice-Chairperson

3. Atty. Emilio Santos — Secretary

The new City Board of Canvassers of Sorsogon City is hereby directed to prepare a new Statement of Votes for the position of mayor of Sorsogon City excluding the election return from Precinct No. 28A2 of Bucalbucalan, Sorsogon City and, based on said canvass in the new Statement of Votes, proceed to proclaim the winning candidate for mayor of Sorsogon City.

The original City Board of Canvassers of Sorsogon City is hereby directed to transmit to the new Board all COMELEC forms and documents used in the canvassing including the Board’s copies of all election returns canvassed in the May 14, 2001 Elections in Sorsogon City.

Finally, the Law Department is directed to conduct the necessary investigation of the members of the BEI of Precinct No. 28A2 of Bucalbucalan, Sorsogon City for the possible commission of election offenses.

SO ORDERED. (Emphasis supplied)

Petitioner’s Motion for Reconsideration 10 of the COMELEC Second Division January 10, 2003 Resolution was denied by the COMELEC En Banc, by Resolutions 11 of February 11, 2003 the dispositive portion of which reads:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

WHEREFORE, in view of the foregoing, the Commission En Banc DENIES the Motion for Reconsideration for lack of merit. The Resolution of the Second Division promulgated on January 10, 2003 is hereby AFFIRMED.

The New City Board of Canvassers of Sorsogon City constituted by said Resolution is hereby ORDERED to convene immediately, prepare a new Statement of Votes excluding the election returns from Precinct No. 28A[2], Bucalbucalan, Sorsogon City, and on the basis of the new Statement of Votes, proclaim the winning candidate for mayor of Sorsogon City.

The original City Board of Canvassers is directed to transmit to the new City Board of Canvassers the COMELEC documents they used in their canvass. In the event however that the old City Board of Canvassers, for any reason, fail to deliver to the new City Board of Canvassers the COMELEC documents used in the canvassing, specifically the old statement of votes and the election return for Precinct No. 28A[2], prior to date of canvass, the new Board is hereby authorized to use the COMELEC copy of said documents.

This resolution is immediately executory.

SO ORDERED.

Hence, the present petition, alleging that:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

I.


PUBLIC RESPONDENT IS WITHOUT JURISDICTION TO GO BEYOND OR BEHIND ELECTION RETURNS AND INVESTIGATE ELECTION IRREGULARITIES IN PRE-PROCLAMATION CONTROVERSY.

II.


PUBLIC RESPONDENT GRAVELY ABUSED ITS DISCRETION WHEN IT RENDERED THE ASSAILED RESOLUTIONS DESPITE THE CLEAR AND APPARENT LACK OF FACTUAL AND LEGAL BASIS TO SUPPORT THE SAME.

III.


PUBLIC RESPONDENT COMMITTED PROCEDURAL LAPSES IN THE PROMULGATION OF THE ASSAILED RESOLUTIONS WHICH AFFECTS THE FAIRNESS STANDARD. 12

On February 18, 2003, this Court issued a Status Quo Ante Order 13 enjoining the COMELEC to observe the status quo prevailing before the filing of the petition and refrain from implementing the assailed January 10, 2003 and February 11, 2003 Resolutions until further orders from this Court.

Section 243 of the Omnibus Election Code provides:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

Section 243. Issues that may be raised in a pre-proclamation controversy. — The following shall be proper issues that may be raised in a pre-proclamation controversy:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

(a) Illegal composition or proceeding of the board of canvassers;

(b) The canvassed election returns are incomplete, contain material defects, appear to be tampered with or falsified, or contain discrepancies in the same returns or in other authentic copies thereof as mentioned in Sections 233, 234, 235, and 236 of this Code;

(c) The election returns were prepared under duress, threats, coercion, or intimidation, or they are obviously manufactured or not authentic; and

(d) When substitute or fraudulent returns in controverted polling places were canvassed, the results of which materially affected the standing of the aggrieved candidate or candidates. (Emphasis supplied)

On the first assigned error, petitioner argues that as the case at bar is a pre-proclamation controversy, the COMELEC is "restricted to an examination of the election returns and is without jurisdiction to go [beyond] or behind them and investigate election irregularities," 14 citing the case of Loong v. Commission on Elections 15 which held:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

x       x       x


We have recently reiterated the Dianalan and Dimaporo rulings in the case of Alfonso v. Commission on Elections, promulgated in June, 1994. The prevailing doctrine in this jurisdiction, therefore, is that as long as the returns appear to be authentic and duly accomplished on their face, the Board of Canvassers cannot look beyond or behind them to verify the allegations of irregularities in the casting or the counting of the votes. Corollarily, technical examination of voting paraphernalia involving analysis and comparison of voters’ signatures and thumbprints thereon is prohibited in pre-proclamation cases which are mandated by law to be expeditiously resolved without involving evidence aliunde and examination of voluminous documents which take up much time and cause delay in defeat of the public policy underlying the summary nature of pre-proclamation controversies.

x       x       x (Italics in the original; Emphasis supplied)

Petitioner’s argument is bereft of merit.

The doctrine cited by petitioner presupposes that the returns "appear to be authentic and duly accomplished on their face." Where, as in the case at bar, there is a prima facie showing that the return is not genuine, several entries having been omitted in the questioned election return, the doctrine does not apply. The COMELEC is thus not powerless to determine if there is basis for the exclusion of the questioned election return.

As to the second error raised by petitioner, she claims that contrary to the findings of the COMELEC, there is no evidence on record that an LDP watcher participated in the preparation of the questioned election return. She posits that the omission of entries was not done with malice or bad faith nor meant to subvert the true will of the people, and that the election return in question is clear and regular on its face, duly authenticated by the signatures and thumbmarks of the six watchers and all the members of the BEI. Finally, she posits that an incomplete election return is not necessarily spurious, manufactured or fraudulent to necessitate its exclusion. 16

While the BOC indeed found the questioned election return clear and regular on its face, it is not conclusive on the COMELEC nor on this Court in light of what transpired during the proceedings before the BOC in which the members of the BEI were examined and gave the following explanations behind the omission of entries for the position of congressman:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

x       x       x


APP DIMAANO:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

Ito ba ang mga papeles o election return na inyong ginawa sa presinto.

MS. LADUB:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

Opo.

APP DIMAANO:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

Opo. Ngayon, page one tungkol senators, okay. Sa party list, meron kayong inilagay na resulta ng botohan. Punta tayo sa page one noong local positions, tignan nyo po sa parte ng congressman kung ano ang nakalagay. Kayo po una — kayo po Ginang Jamisal.

MS. JAMISAL:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

Wala ho.

APP DIMAANO:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

Wala ho. Kayo po Gina Labayo.

MS. LABAYO:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

Wala ho.

APP DIMAANO:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

Wala ho. Kayo ho Ladub — Ginang Ladub.

MS. LADUB.

Wala ho.

APP DIMAANO.

Okay, doon sa ibang position, governor, vice governor, board member, city . . . anong masasabi ninyo?

MS. JAMISAL:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

Okay naman po.

APP DIMAANO:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

Meron lahat — meron doon. Balik tayo doon sa position noong congressman at saka representative.

APP DIMAANO:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

Maari bang sabihin ninyo sa amin kung bakit ito inamin niyo at nakikita rito sa dokumentong ito sa election return na wala ni anong marka, ni pangalan at saka itong mga ano ‘yan . . . nararapat na markings. Mauna ka Ginang Jamisal.

MS. JAMISAL:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

Siguro ho dahil siguro medyo ano na kami over fatigue na — inaantok na.’yong nakita ko na mga nakatally dito ‘yon lang at saka may mga bilang ‘yon lang ang pinirmahan ko dahil ‘yon lang . . . Hindi ko na ho na ano ‘yong sa taas may pangalan ng kandidato sa congressman kaya’t hindi ko na pinirmahan. So ang pinirmahan ko lang ‘yong may mga tally. Hindi ko na na ano ho na wala pala ‘yong congressman. Hindi ko lang nabasa ito na congressman. Kung siguro ho nakita ko lang na congressman sasabihin ko ho . . . sasabihin ko kay Gina na ilagay ang ano . . . ang kandidato sa congressman.

APP DIMAANO:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

Kayo Ginang Ladub, ano ang paliwanang niyo.

MS. LADUB:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

Masama ho ang pakiramdam ko.

APP DIMAANO:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

Ano ho ba ang isaktong papel niyo noong election doon sa loob ng presinto. Taga ano ho kayo?

MS. LADUB:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

Nagta-tally ho.

APP DIMAANO:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

Anong ibig sabihin ng tally.

MS. LADUB:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

Ako pa ang humahawak nitong sa senator sa pag tally ko po.

APP DIMAANO:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

Alin ang isaktong pinagtally-han niyo ho? Anong position?

MS. LADUB:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

Senator.

APP DIMAANO:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

At saka senator lang ho ba?

MS. LADUB:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

Opo.

APP DIMAANO:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

eh ‘yong party list sinong . . .

MS. JAMISAL:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

‘Yong iba ho, sir na ano naming, ‘yong watcher kasi hindi pa naming kayang na ano . . . siguro naman sir walang problema . . .

ATTY. FORTES:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

Anong presinto ‘yan?

WATCHER:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

28A

ATTY. FORTES:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

28A.

APP DIMAANO:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

Okay, dito tayo sa congressman sinong may in-charge dito — sino?

MS. JAMISAL:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

(Pointing to Ms. Labayo.)

APP DIMAANO:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

Gina Labayo. Kayo ho anong masasabi niyo rito. Dapat ba ritong meron o wala.

MS. LABAYO:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

Meron ho.

APP DIMAANO:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

Dapat . . . meron daw. O ngayon, bakit wala?

MS. LABAYO:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

Nakalimutan ko ho. Humihingi po ako ng tawad sa inyo.

APP DIMAANO:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

Hindi, ipaliwanag mo lang kung bakit kayo nakalimot. Hindi naman kami nag-ano niyon. Nag-uusig kami kasi `yon din ang sasabihin naming kung bakit.

MS. LABAYO:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

Sobrang pagod po, sir.

APP DIMAANO:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

Wala na bang ibang dahilan diyan. Wala ka na bang ibang paliwanang maliban sa nakalimot ka’t napapagod ka na.

MS. LABAYO:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

(Silence.)

x       x       x 17 (Italics in the original; Emphasis supplied)

As the above-quoted record of the proceedings before the BOC shows, Gina Labayo, a member of the BEI, admitted that there were supposed to be entries for the position of congressman but she forgot to record them as she was extremely tired. Such convenient explanation, without more, does not, however, appear satisfactory.

Moreover, in her Answer to the original petition filed with the COMELEC, petitioner admitted that pollwatchers, who were not members of the BEI, participated in the preparation of the election return. Thus she alleged:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

x       x       x


More importantly, the transcript of the proceedings (Annex "A-3" page 9 and 15) will show and prove that what were prepared and made by the pollwatchers were the entries in the TALLY BOARD and the votes cast in the Election Return for Party List Representative;

x       x       x 18 (emphasis and underscoring omitted; Italics supplied)

As thus correctly ruled by the COMELEC Second Division:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

Votes for an important position such as congressman do not simply vanish into thin air. Those who are mandated by law to account for such votes, if mistakenly omitted, are at least expected to give a fairly reasonable account of why and how then have been omitted. Absent such explanation, doubt arises as to the authenticity of the returns and the manner of their preparation, specially in this case where a party watcher was allowed to take part in the preparation of the election return.

x       x       x 19 (Emphasis and Italics supplied)

As to the third error raised by petitioner, she argues that the January 10, 2003 Resolution of the COMELEC Second Division was promulgated without giving her notice, and that were it not for her counsel’s "accidental" visit to the COMELEC on January 13, 2003, said counsel would not have known that said resolution was already promulgated and the 5-day period from the date of promulgation to file a motion for reconsideration, as provided under the following provision of Rule 19 of the 1993 COMELEC Rules of Procedure, would have lapsed: 20

Section 2. Period for Filing Motions for Reconsideration. — A motion to reconsider a decision, resolution, order or ruling of a Division shall be filed within five (5) days from the promulgation thereof. Such motion, if not pro forma, suspend the execution or implementation of the decision, resolution, order and ruling.

And petitioner, noting that the ponente of the En Banc Resolution was not therein indicated, raises the possibility that the ponente for the Second Division Resolution and that of the En Banc Resolution were the same, thus violating Section 1, Rule 4 of the COMELEC Rules 21 which reads:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

Section 1. Disqualification or Inhibition of Members. — (a) No Member shall sit in any case in which he or his spouse or child is related to any party within the sixth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, or in which he has publicly expressed prejudgment as may be shown by convincing proof, or in which the subject thereof is a decision promulgated by him while previously serving as presiding judge of an inferior court, without the written consent of all the parties, signed by them and entered in the records of the case; Provided, that no Member shall be the "ponente" of an en banc decision/resolution on a motion to reconsider a decision/resolution written by him in a Division.

x       x       x (Emphasis supplied; italics in the original)

In Lindo v. Commission on Elections, 22 this Court held that the 5-day period for the filing of an appeal commences from the date of receipt of copy of the decision. As correctly ruled by the COMELEC

The petitioner misinterpreted the provision of Section 2, Rule 19 of the 1993 Comelec Rules of Procedure when she stated that "Unlike other cases, the reglementary period within which a party can have the decision or resolution reviewed on motion for reconsideration runs from the date of promulgation." When not promulgated in open hearing, a simple procedural sense would dictate that the period to file a Motion for Reconsideration must have to be tolled from the date of receipt of the decision/resolution involved.

Further, the doctrine laid down in the case of Lindo v. Comelec (194 SCRA 25) would have supported the proposition that the additional requirement imposed by the COMELEC Rules on advance notice of promulgation does not form part of the process of promulgation and that the failure to serve such notice in advance did not prejudice the rights of the parties and did not vitiate the validity of the decision nor of the promulgation, as the period for the unsatisfied party to move for reconsideration can be exercised — not from the date of promulgation, as misconstrued by petitioner, but from her actual receipt of a copy of the resolution in question. 23 (Italics in the original; Emphasis supplied)

As to the non-indication of the ponente of the COMELEC En Banc Resolution, petitioner merely proffers a possibility of violation of the COMELEC Rules. It is presumed, however, that an official duty has been regularly performed. 24

The lack of merit of petitioner’s arguments notwithstanding, the COMELEC, in ordering the exclusion of the questioned return, should have determined the integrity of the ballot box, the ballot-contents of which were tallied and reflected in the return, and if it was intact, it should have ordered its opening for a recounting of the ballots if their integrity was similarly intact. So instructs Section 234 of the Omnibus Election Code which reads:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

Section 234. Material defects in the election returns. — If it should clearly appear that some requisites in form or data had been omitted in the election returns, the board of canvassers shall call for all members of the board of election inspectors concerned by the most expeditious means, for the same board to effect the correction.

Provided, That in case of the omission in the election returns of the name of any candidate and/or his corresponding votes, the board of canvassers shall require the board of election inspectors concerned to complete the necessary data in the election returns and affix therein their initials: Provided, further, That if the votes omitted in the returns cannot be ascertained by other means except by recounting the ballots, the Commission, after satisfying itself that the identity and integrity of the ballot box have not been violated, shall order the board of election inspectors to open the ballot box, and, also after satisfying itself that the integrity of the ballots therein has been duly preserved, order the board of election inspectors to count the votes for the candidate whose votes have been omitted with notice thereof to all candidates for the position involved and thereafter complete the returns. The right of a candidate to avail of this provision shall not be lost or affected by the fact that an election protest is subsequently filed by any of the candidates. (Emphasis supplied)

And so does Section 235 of the same Code which provides:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

Section 235. When election returns appear to be tampered with or falsified. — If the election returns submitted to the board of canvassers appear to be tampered with, altered or falsified after they have left the hands of the board of election inspectors under duress, force, intimidation, or prepared by persons other than the members of the board of election inspectors, the board of canvassers shall use other copies of said election returns and if necessary, the copy inside the ballot box which upon previous authority given by the Commission may be retrieved in accordance with Section 220 hereof. If the other copies of the returns are likewise tampered with, altered, falsified, not authentic, prepared under duress, force, intimidation, or prepared by persons other than the board of election inspectors, the board of canvassers or any candidate affected shall bring the matter to the attention of the Commission. The Commission shall then, after giving notice to all candidates concerned and after satisfying itself that the integrity of the ballot box and, likewise after satisfying itself that the integrity of the ballots therein has been duly preserved shall order the board of election inspectors to recount the votes of the candidates affected and prepare a new return which shall then be used by the board of canvassers as basis of the canvass. (Emphasis and Emphasis supplied)

Thus, this Court in Patoray v. Commission on Elections 25 held:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

x       x       x


As to the election return for Precinct No. 20-A, we ruled that the COMELEC erred in resorting to the Certificate of Votes in excluding the return in said precinct. Since the return was incomplete for it lacked the data as to provincial and congressional candidates, the applicable provision would be Section 234 of the Omnibus Election Code which deals with material defects in election returns. Thus, we ruled that the COMELEC should have first determined the integrity of the ballot box, ordered the opening thereof and recounted the ballots therein after satisfying itself that the integrity of the ballots is intact. We then directed the COMELEC to issue another Order in accordance with said Decision.

x       x       x (Italics in the original; emphasis and underscoring supplied)

If the integrity of the ballot box had been violated, then there would be no need to open it. If not, and upon opening it there is evidence that the integrity of the ballots had been violated, there would be no recounting thereof, and the COMELEC would then seal the box and order its safekeeping. Thus Section 237 of the Omnibus Election Code provides:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

Sec. 237. When integrity of ballots is violated. — If upon the opening of the ballot box as ordered by the Commission under Sections 234, 235 and 236, hereof, it should appear that there are evidence or signs of replacement, tampering or violation of the integrity of the ballots, the Commission shall not recount the ballots but shall forthwith seal the ballot box and order its safekeeping.

WHEREFORE, the COMELEC is, in accordance with the foregoing discussion, hereby DIRECTED to determine within twenty days whether the integrity of the ballot box, the ballot-contents of which were tallied and reflected in the questioned return, is intact and, if in the affirmative and the integrity of the ballots is likewise intact, to order the Sorsogon City Board of Election Inspectors to recount the votes cast in Precinct No. 28A2 in Barangay Bucalbucalan, Sorsogon City and prepare a new return to serve as basis of canvass by said board; otherwise the ballot box should no longer be opened or the ballots should no longer be recounted as the case may be, in which case an order for the safekeeping of the ballot box should be issued. The Status Quo Ante Order issued on February 18, 2003 is hereby DISSOLVED.chanrob1es virtua1 1aw 1ibrary

SO ORDERED.

Davide, Jr., C.J., Bellosillo, Puno, Vitug, Panganiban, Ynares-Santiago, Sandoval-Gutierrez, Carpio, Corona and Azcuna, JJ., concur.

Quisumbing, J., is on leave.

Austria-Martinez, J., on official leave.

Callejo, Sr., J., took no part.

Endnotes:



1. Rollo at 76–81.

2. Id. at 103.

3. Id. at 130.

4. Id. at 130–131.

5. Id. at 132.

6. Id. at 133.

7. Id. at 85–101.

8. Id. at 134–149.

9. Id. at 59–73; Presiding Commissioner Ralph C. Lantion dissents.

10. Id. at 150–195.

11. Id. at 76–81.

12. Id. at 26.

13. Id. at 224–225.

14. Id., at 27.

15. 257 SCRA 1 (1996).

16. Rollo at 28–39.

17. Id. at 107–111.

18. Id. at 137.

19. Id. at 67.

20. Id. at 40–42.

21. Id. at 42–43.

22. 194 SCRA 25 (1991).

23. Rollo at 238.

24. Section 3(m), Rule 131 of the Revised Rules on Evidence.

25. 274 SCRA 470(1997).




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  • G.R. No. 154203 July 8, 2003 - REY CARLO and GLADYS RIVERA v. VIRGILIO RIVERA

  • A.M. No. MTJ-01-1346 July 9, 2003 - RUDY G. LACADIN v. MARVIN B. MANGINO

  • G.R. No. 147149 July 9, 2003 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. CARLOS MANANSALA

  • G.R. No. 153888 July 9, 2003 - ISLAMIC DA’WAH COUNCIL OF THE PHIL. v. OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, ET AL.

  • A.M. No. 01-1-15-RTC July 10, 2003 - URGENT APPEAL/PETITION FOR IMMEDIATE SUSPENSION & DISMISSAL OF JUDGE EMILIO B. LEGASPI, RTC, Iloilo City, Br. 22

  • A.M. No. MTJ-03-1496 July 10, 2003 - ELIEZER R. DE LOS SANTOS v. MARVIN B. MANGINO

  • G.R. No. 131442 July 10, 2003 - BANGUS FRY FISHERFOLK, ET AL. v. ENRICO LANZANAS, ET AL.

  • G.R. Nos. 138195-96 July 10, 2003 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. NICANOR ROA

  • G.R. No. 140183 July 10, 2003 - TEODORO K. KATIGBAK, ET AL. v. SANDIGANBAYAN, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 144672 July 10, 2003 - SAN MIGUEL CORP. v. MAERC INTEGRATED SERVICES, INC., ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 150487 July 10, 2003 - GERARDO F. SAMSON JR. v. BANK OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS

  • G.R. No. 157013 July 10, 2003 - ROMULO B. MACALINTAL v. COMELEC, ET AL.

  • A.M. No. P-03-1709 July 11, 2003 - EDNA B. DAVID v. ANGELINA C. RILLORTA

  • G.R. No. 127489 July 11, 2003 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. ALFREDO GALLEGO, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 133237 July 11, 2003 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. ERNESTO I. DIZON

  • G.R. No. 143958 July 11, 2003 - ALFRED FRITZ FRENZEL v. EDERLINA P. CATITO

  • A.C. No. 4078 July 14, 2003 - WILLIAM ONG GENATO v. ATTY. ESSEX L. SILAPAN

  • A.M. No. 03-1787-RTJ July 14, 2003 - SPS. RODOLFO and VIOLETA GUEVARRA v. BONIFACIO SANZ MACEDA

  • G.R. No. 109791 July 14, 2003 - PHILIPPINE PORTS AUTHORITY v. CITY OF ILOILO

  • G.R. Nos. 128159-62 July 14, 2003 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. HIPOLITO PASCUA

  • G.R. No. 129988 July 14, 2003 - CHINA AIRLINES v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 143989 July 14, 2003 - ISABELITA S. LAHOM v. JOSE MELVIN SIBULO

  • G.R. No. 144214 July 14, 2003 - LUZVIMINDA J. VILLAREAL v. DONALDO EFREN C. RAMIREZ, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 146875 July 14, 2003 - JOSE G. MENDOZA, ET AL. v. MANUEL D. LAXINA, SR.

  • G.R. No. 149784 July 14, 2003 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. CAMILO D. ANSUS

  • G.R. No. 150947 July 15, 2003 - COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE v. MICHEL J. LHUILLIER PAWNSHOP, INC.

  • G.R. No. 152154 July 15, 2003 - REPUBLIC OF THE PHIL. v. SANDIGANBAYAN, ET AL.

  • A.M. No. 02-8-188-MTCC July 17, 2003 - REPORT ON THE JUDICIAL AUDIT CONDUCTED IN THE MTCC-Brs. 1, 2 & 3, Mandaue City

  • A.M. No. MTJ-01-1383 July 17, 2003 - PERLITA AVANCENA v. RICARDO P. LIWANAG

  • A.M. No. P-02-1576 July 17, 2003 - VEDASTO TOLARBA v. ANGEL C. CONEJERO

  • G.R. Nos. 98494-98692, 99006-20, 99059-99259, 99309-18, 99412-16 & 99436-996369, 99417-21 & 99637-99837 & 99887-100084 July 17, 2003 - ROGELIO ALVIZO, ET AL. v. SANDIGANBAYAN, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 127848 July 17, 2003 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. MARLENE OLERMO

  • G.R. No. 136741 July 17, 2003 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. VICTOR B. AÑORA

  • G.R. Nos. 138931-32 July 17, 2003 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. JOSELITO D. DELA CRUZ

  • G.R. No. 140895 July 17, 2003 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. ALMA BISDA, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 141121 July 17, 2003 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. REYNALDO S. LOZADA

  • G.R. Nos. 143002-03 July 17, 2003 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. CHARMIE G. SERVANO

  • G.R. No. 143294 July 17, 2003 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. CIRILO MAGALONA

  • G.R. No. 146590 July 17, 2003 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. DOMINGO G. OPERARIO

  • G.R. No. 114951 July 18, 2003 - PHILIPPINE COMMERCIAL INTERNATIONAL BANK v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 140348 July 18, 2003 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. GERRYMEL P. ESTILLORE

  • G.R. No. 141259 July 18, 2003 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. LAMBERTINO PRIETO

  • G.R. No. 147010 July 18, 2003 - PIONEER INSURANCE AND SURETY CORP. v. DE DIOS TRANSPORTATION CO.

  • G.R. No. 148821 July 18, 2003 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. JERRY FERRER

  • G.R. No. 151216 July 18, 2003 - MANUEL MILLA v. REGINA BALMORES-LAXA

  • G.R. Nos. 153664 & 153665 July 18, 2003 - GRAND BOULEVARD HOTEL v. GENUINE LABOR ORGANIZATION OF WORKERS IN HOTEL

  • A.M. No. 00-3-50-MTC July 21, 2003 - REPORT ON THE JUDICIAL AUDIT CONDUCTED IN THE MTC, BOCAUE, BULACAN

  • G.R. No. 104768 July 21, 2003 - REPUBLIC OF THE PHIL. v. SANDIGANBAYAN, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 143467 July 21, 2003 - KALAYAAN ARTS AND CRAFTS v. MANUEL ANGLO, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 107199 July 22, 2003 - CEBU CONTRACTORS CONSORTIUM CO. v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. Nos. 132076 & 140989 July 22, 2003 - ROBERTO U. GENOVA v. LEVITA DE. CASTRO

  • G.R. No. 140549 July 22, 2003 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. JOHN PETER HIPOL

  • G.R. No. 149531 July 22, 2003 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. ERNESTO RAMIREZ

  • G.R. No. 153686 July 22, 2003 - LEANDRO A. SULLER v. SANDIGANBAYAN

  • A.M. No. CA-03-35 July 24, 2003 - ROSALIO DE LA ROSA v. JOSE L. SABIO, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 132218 July 24, 2003 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. JOSE NAVARRO, JR.

  • G.R. No. 143395 July 24, 2003 - WILFREDO SILVERIO, ET AL. v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 150618 July 24, 2003 - EVANGELINE CABRERA v. PEOPLE OF THE PHIL., ET AL.

  • A.M. No. MTJ-03-1482 July 25, 2003 - ILUMINADA SANTILLAN VDA. DE NEPOMUCENO v. NICASIO V. BARTOLOME

  • G.R. No. 127878 July 25, 2003 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL v. MAURO M. DE JESUS

  • G.R. No. 143124 July 25, 2003 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. ANTHONY E. SANDIG

  • G.R. No. 146956 July 25, 2003 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. ROGER B. FEDERICO

  • G.R. No. 150159 July 25, 2003 - TERESITA VILLAREAL MANIPOR, ET AL. v. SPS. PABLO and ANTONIA RICAFORT

  • G.R. No. 154489 July 25, 2003 - FAR EAST BANK AND TRUST CO., ET AL. v. SPS. ROMULO & WILMA PLAZA

  • A.C. No. 4838 July 29, 2003 - EMILIO GRANDE v. EVANGELINE DE SILVA

  • A.C. No. 5332 July 29, 2003 - JOHNNY K.H. UY v. REYNALDO C. DEPASUCAT, ET AL.

  • A.M. No. P-02-1663 July 29, 2003 - MARITES B. KEE v. JULIET H. CALINGIN

  • A.M. No. P-03-1702 July 29, 2003 - LYDIA Q. LAYOSA v. TONETTE M. SALAMANCA

  • G.R. Nos. 136760 & 138378 July 29, 2003 - SENATE BLUE RIBBON COMMITTEE v. JOSE B. MAJADUCON, ET AL.

  • G.R. Nos. 137587 & 138329 July 29, 2003 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL v. TEOFILO I. MADRONIO

  • G.R. No. 142565 July 29, 2003 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. NESTOR G. SORIANO

  • G.R. No. 145349 July 29, 2003 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. JENIS PATEÑO

  • G.R. No. 152121 July 29, 2003 - EDUARDO G. EVIOTA v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. Nos. 133923-24 July 30, 2003 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. JUANITO IBAÑEZ

  • G.R. No. 152122 July 30, 2003 - CHINA AIRLINES v. DANIEL CHIOK

  • G.R. Nos. 155217 and 156393 July 30, 2003 - GATEWAY ELECTRONICS CORP. v. LAND BANK OF THE PHIL.

  • A.M. No. 00-11-566-RTC July 31, 2003 - RE: REQUEST OF JUDGE SYLVIA G. JURAO

  • A.M. No. RTJ-03-1747 July 31, 2003 - PROCOPIO S. BELTRAN v. MAXIMO G. PADERANGA

  • A.M. No. RTJ-03-1783 July 31, 2003 - CHRISTOPHER V. AGUILAR v. ROLANDO C. HOW, ET AL.

  • A.M. No. RTJ-03-1790 July 31, 2003 - PABLO B. FRANCISCO v. HILARIO F. CORCUERA

  • G.R. No. 120874 July 31, 2003 - NAPOLEON TUGADE, SR., ET AL. v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 124699 July 31, 2003 - BOGO-MEDELLIN MILLING CO. v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 139120 July 31, 2003 - SPS. FREDDIE & ELIZABETH WEBB, ET AL. v. SECRETARY OF JUSTICE, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 143126 July 31, 2003 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. ERIC V. BALTAZAR

  • G.R. No. 145260 July 31, 2003 - CITY OF ILIGAN v. PRINCIPAL MANAGEMENT GROUP

  • G.R. Nos. 146693-94 July 31, 2003 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. ROLANDO MENDOZA

  • G.R. No. 148725 July 31, 2003 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. LUIS TAMPIS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 154650 July 31, 2003 - SPS. MANUEL and CORAZON CAMARA v. SPS. JOSE and PAULINA MALABAO

  • G.R. No. 154826 July 31, 2003 - ROMY AGAG v. ALPHA FINANCING CORP.