conflicts domiciliary theory cases

7/25/2019 Conflicts Domiciliary Theory Cases

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IMELDA ROMUALDEZ-MARCOS, petitioner,vs.COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS and CIRILO ROY MONTEJO, respondents.

A!UNAN, J.:

A "onstit#tiona$ provision s%o#$d &e "onstr#ed as to 'ive it e((e"tive operation and s#ppress t%e )is"%ie( at *%i"% it is ai)ed.+T%e +Constit#tion )andates t%at an aspirant (or e$e"tion to t%e /o#se o( Representatives &e 0a re'istered voter in t%e distri"t in *%i"% %e

s%a$$ &e e$e"ted, and a resident t%ereo( (or a period o( not $ess t%an one 1ear i))ediate$1 pre"edin' t%e e$e"tion.0 2T%e )is"%ie( *%i"%t%is provision 3 reprod#"ed ver&ati) (ro) t%e +4 Constit#tion 3 see5s to prevent is t%e possi&i$it1 o( a 0stran'er or ne*"o)e#na"6#ainted *it% t%e "onditions and needs o( a "o))#nit1 and not identi(ied *it% t%e $atter, (ro) an e$e"tive o((i"e to serve t%at"o))#nit1.04

!etitioner I)e$da Ro)#a$de7-Mar"os (i$ed %er Certi(i"ate o( Candida"1 (or t%e position o( Representative o( t%e 8irst Distri"t o( Le1te*it% t%e !rovin"ia$ E$e"tion S#pervisor on Mar"% , +9, providin' t%e (o$$o*in' in(or)ation in ite) no. :;

RESIDENCE IN T/E CONSTITUENCY T/EELECTION: ?????????? Years and sevenMont%s.

On Mar"% 24, +9, private respondent Ciri$o Ro1 Monte@o, t%e in"#)&ent Representative o( t%e 8irst Distri"t o( Le1te and a "andidate(or t%e sa)e position, (i$ed a 0!etition (or Can"e$$ation and Dis6#a$i(i"ation0 9*it% t%e Co))ission on E$e"tions a$$e'in' t%at petitione

did not )eet t%e "onstit#tiona$ re6#ire)ent (or residen"1. In %is petition, private respondent "ontended t%at Mrs. Mar"os $a"5ed t%eConstit#tions one 1ear residen"1 re6#ire)ent (or "andidates (or t%e /o#se o( Representatives on t%e eviden"e o( de"$arations )ade&1 %er in Boter Re'istration Re"ord ;-No. 44;2and in %er Certi(i"ate o( Candida"1. /e pra1ed t%at 0an order &e iss#ed de"$arin'petitioner dis6#a$i(ied and "an"e$in' t%e "erti(i"ate o( "andida"1.0

On Mar"% 2, +9, petitioner (i$ed an A)endedFCorre"ted Certi(i"ate o( Candida"1, "%an'in' t%e entr1 0seven0 )ont%s to 0sin"e"%i$d%ood0 in ite) no. o( t%e a)ended "erti(i"ate.On t%e sa)e da1, t%e !rovin"ia$ E$e"tion S#pervisor o( Le1te in(or)ed petitionert%at:

GTH%is o((i"e "annot re"eive or a""ept t%e a(ore)entioned Certi(i"ate o( Candida"1 on t%e 'ro#nd t%at it is (i$ed o#t o(ti)e, t%e dead$ine (or t%e (i$in' o( t%e sa)e %avin' a$read1 $apsed on Mar"% 2, +9. T%e Corre"tedFA)endedCerti(i"ate o( Candida"1 s%o#$d %ave &een (i$ed on or &e(ore t%e Mar"% 2, +9 dead$ine.

Conse6#ent$1, petitioner (i$ed t%e A)endedFCorre"ted Certi(i"ate o( Candida"1 *it% t%e COMELECs /ead O((i"e in Intra)#ros, Mani$a

onMar"% 4+, +9. /er Ans*er to private respondents petition in S!A No. 9- *as $i5e*ise (i$ed *it% t%e %ead o((i"e on t%e sa)e da1In said Ans*er, petitioner averred t%at t%e entr1 o( t%e *ord 0seven0 in %er ori'ina$ Certi(i"ate o( Candida"1 *as t%e res#$t o( an 0%ones)isinterpretation0 + *%i"% s%e so#'%t to re"ti(1 &1 addin' t%e *ords 0sin"e "%i$d%ood0 in %er A)endedFCorre"ted Certi(i"ate oCandida"1 and t%at 0s%e %as a$*a1s )aintained Ta"$o&an Cit1 as %er do)i"i$e or residen"e. ++I)p#'nin' respondents )otive in (i$in't%e petition see5in' %er dis6#a$i(i"ation, s%e noted t%at:


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residen"e o( ori'in or do)i"i$e in t%e 8irst Le'is$ative Distri"t, to *%i"% s%e "o#$d %ave responded 0sin"e "%i$d%ood.0In an a""o)pan1in' a((idavit, s%e stated t%at %er do)i"i$e is Ta"$o&an Cit1, a "o)ponent o( t%e 8irst Distri"t, to *%i"%s%e a$*a1s intended to ret#rn *%enever a&sent and *%i"% s%e %as never a&andoned. 8#rt%er)ore, in %e)e)orand#), s%e tried to dis"redit petitioners t%eor1 o( dis6#a$i(i"ation &1 a$$e'in' t%at s%e %as &een a resident ot%e 8irst Le'is$ative Distri"t o( Le1te sin"e "%i$d%ood, a$t%o#'% s%e on$1 &e"a)e a resident o( t%e M#ni"ipa$it1 o(To$osa (or seven )ont%s. S%e asserts t%at s%e %as a$*a1s &een a resident o( Ta"$o&an Cit1, a "o)ponent o( t%e 8irstDistri"t, &e(ore "o)in' to t%e M#ni"ipa$it1 o( To$osa.

A$on' t%is point, it is interestin' to note t%at prior to %er re'istration in To$osa, respondent anno#n"ed t%at s%e *o#$d&e re'isterin' in Ta"$o&an Cit1 so t%at s%e "an &e a "andidate (or t%e Distri"t. /o*ever, t%is intention *as re((ed

*%en petitioner *rote t%e E$e"tion O((i"er o( Ta"$o&an not to a$$o* respondent sin"e s%e is a resident o( To$osa andnot Ta"$o&an. S%e never disp#ted t%is "$ai) and instead i)p$i"it$1 a""eded to it &1 re'isterin' in To$osa.

T%is in"ident &e$ies respondents "$ai) o( 0%onest )isinterpretation or %onest )ista5e.0 =esides, t%e Certi(i"ate o(Candida"1 on$1 as5s (or RESIDENCE. Sin"e on t%e &asis o( %er Ans*er, s%e *as 6#ite a*are o( 0residen"e o( ori'in0*%i"% s%e interprets to &e Ta"$o&an Cit1, it is "#rio#s *%1 s%e did not "ite Ta"$o&an Cit1 in %er Certi(i"ate o(Candida"1. /er ep$anation t%at s%e t%o#'%t *%at *as as5ed *as %er a"t#a$ and p%1si"a$ presen"e in To$osa is noeas1 to &e$ieve &e"a#se t%ere is none in t%e 6#estion t%at insin#ates a&o#t To$osa. In (a"t, ite) no. in t%e Certi(i"ateo( Candida"1 spea5s "$ear$1 o( 0Residen"1 in the CONSTITUENCY *%ere I see5 to &e e$e"ted i))ediate$1 pre"edin't%e e$e"tion.0 T%#s, t%e ep$anation o( respondent (ai$s to &e pers#asive.

8ro) t%e (ore'oin', respondents de(ense o( an %onest )ista5e or )isinterpretation, t%ere(ore, is devoid o( )erit.

To (#rt%er ttress respondents "ontention t%at an a)end)ent )a1 &e )ade, s%e "ited t%e "ase o( Alialy v

COMELEC 2 SCRA 9. T%e re$ian"e o( respondent on t%e "ase o( A$ia$1 is )isp$a"ed. T%e "ase on$1 app$ies to t%e0in"onse6#entia$ deviations *%i"% "annot a((e"t t%e res#$t o( t%e e$e"tion, or deviations (ro) provisions intendedpri)ari$1 to se"#re ti)e$1 and order$1 "ond#"t o( e$e"tions.0 T%e S#pre)e Co#rt in t%at "ase "onsidered t%ea)end)ent on$1 as a )atter o( (or). =#t in t%e instant "ase, t%e a)end)ent "annot &e "onsidered as a )atter o((or) or an in"onse6#entia$ deviation. T%e "%an'e in t%e n#)&er o( 1ears o( residen"e in t%e p$a"e *%ere respondentsee5s to &e e$e"ted is a s#&stantia$ )atter *%i"% deter)ines %er 6#a$i(i"ation as a "andida"1, spe"ia$$1 t%oseintended to s#ppress, a""#rate )ateria$ representation in t%e ori'ina$ "erti(i"ate *%i"% adverse$1 a((e"ts t%e (i$er. Toad)it t%e a)ended "erti(i"ate is to "ondone t%e evi$s &ro#'%t &1 t%e s%i(tin' )inds o( )anip#$atin' "andidate, o( t%edetri)ent o( t%e inte'rit1 o( t%e e$e"tion.

Moreover, to a$$o* respondent to "%an'e t%e seven )ont% period o( %er residen"1 in order to pro$on' it &1"$ai)in' it *as 0sin"e "%i$d%ood0 is to a$$o* an #ntr#t%(#$ness to &e "o))itted &e(ore t%is Co))ission. T%earit%)eti"a$ a""#ra"1 o( t%e )ont%s residen"1 t%e respondent indi"ated in %er "erti(i"ate o( "andida"1 "an &e'$eaned (ro) %er entr1 in %er Boters Re'istration Re"ord a""o)p$is%ed on Jan#ar1 2, +9 *%i"% re($e"ts t%at s%eis a resident o( =r'1. O$ot, To$osa, Le1te (or )ont%s at t%e ti)e o( t%e said re'istration Anne A, !etition. Saida""#ra"1 is (#rt%er ttressed &1 %er $etter to t%e e$e"tion o((i"er o( San J#an, Metro Mani$a, dated A#'#st 2;, +;,re6#estin' (or t%e "an"e$$ation o( %er re'istration in t%e !er)anent List o( Boters t%ereat so t%at s%e "an &e re-re'istered or trans(erred to =r'1. O$ot, To$osa, Le1te. T%e dates o( t%ese t%ree 4 di((erent do"#)ents s%o* t%erespondents "onsistent "onvi"tion t%at s%e %as trans(erred %er residen"e to O$ot, To$osa, Le1te (ro) Metro Mani$aon$1 (or s#"% $i)ited period o( ti)e, startin' in t%e $ast *ee5 o( A#'#st +; *%i"% on Mar"% , +9 *i$$ on$1 s#) #pto )ont%s. T%e Co))ission, t%ere(ore, "annot &e pers#aded to &e$ieve in t%e respondents "ontention t%at it *asan error.

=ased on t%ese reasons t%e A)endedFCorre"ted Certi(i"ate o( Candida"1 "annot &e ad)itted &1 t%is Co))ission.

Anent t%e se"ond iss#e, and &ased on t%e (ore'oin' dis"#ssion, it is "$ear t%at respondent %as not "o)p$ied *it% t%eone 1ear residen"1 re6#ire)ent o( t%e Constit#tion.

In e$e"tion "ases, t%e ter) 0residen"e0 %as a$*a1s &een "onsidered as s1non1)o#s *it% 0do)i"i$e0 *%i"% i)ports noon$1 t%e intention to reside in a (ied p$a"e t a$so persona$ presen"e in-t%at p$a"e, "o#p$ed *it% "ond#"t indi"ativeo( s#"% intention. Do)i"i$e denotes a (ied per)anent residen"e to *%i"% *%en a&sent (or siness or p$eas#re, or(or $i5e reasons, one intends to ret#rn. !er(e"to 8a1pon vs. E$iseo #irino, !%i$ 2;K Ro)#a$de7 vs. RTC-Ta"$o&an, 22 SCRA ;. In respondents "ase, *%en s%e ret#rned to t%e !%i$ippines in ++, t%e residen"e s%e"%ose *as not Ta"$o&an t San J#an, Metro Mani$a. T%#s, %er animus revertendiis pointed to Metro Mani$a and noTa"$o&an.


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T%is Division is a*are t%at %er "$ai) t%at s%e %as &een a resident o( t%e 8irst Distri"t sin"e "%i$d%ood is not%in' )oret%an to 'ive %er a "o$or o( 6#a$i(i"ation *%ere s%e is ot%er*ise "onstit#tiona$$1 dis6#a$i(ied. It "annot %o$d 'ro#nd int%e (a"e o( t%e (a"ts ad)itted &1 t%e respondent in %er a((idavit. E"ept (or t%e ti)e t%at s%e st#died and *or5ed (orso)e 1ears a(ter 'rad#ation in Ta"$o&an Cit1, s%e "ontin#o#s$1 $ived in Mani$a. In +9, a(ter %er %#s&and *ase$e"ted Senator, s%e $ived and resided in San J#an, Metro Mani$a *%ere s%e *as a re'istered voter. In +9, s%e$ived in San Mi'#e$, Mani$a *%ere s%e *as a'ain a re'istered voter. In +, s%e served as )e)&er o( t%e =atasan'!a)&ansa as t%e representative o( t%e Cit1 o( Mani$a and $ater on served as t%e >overnor o( Metro Mani$a. S%e "o#$dnot %ave served t%ese positions i( s%e %ad not &een a resident o( t%e Cit1 o( Mani$a. 8#rt%er)ore, *%en s%e (i$ed %e"erti(i"ate o( "andida"1 (or t%e o((i"e o( t%e !resident in +2, s%e "$ai)ed to &e a resident o( San J#an, MetroMani$a. As a )atter o( (a"t on A#'#st 2;, +;, respondent *rote a $etter *it% t%e e$e"tion o((i"er o( San J#an, MetroMani$a re6#estin' (or t%e "an"e$$ation o( %er re'istration in t%e per)anent $ist o( voters t%at s%e )a1 &e re-re'istered

or trans(erred to =aran'a1 O$ot, To$osa, Le1te. T%ese (a"ts )ani(est t%at s%e "o#$d not %ave &een a resident o(Ta"$o&an Cit1 sin"e "%i$d%ood #p to t%e ti)e s%e (i$ed %er "erti(i"ate o( "andida"1 &e"a#se s%e &e"a)e a resident o()an1 p$a"es, in"$#din' Metro Mani$a. T%is den5s %er "$ai) t%at prior to %er residen"e in To$osa, Le1te, s%e *as aresident o( t%e 8irst Le'is$ative Distri"t o( Le1te sin"e "%i$d%ood.

In t%is "ase, respondents "ond#"t revea$s %er $a"5 o( intention to )a5e Ta"$o&an %er do)i"i$e. S%e re'istered as avoter in di((erent p$a"es and on severa$ o""asions de"$ared t%at s%e *as a resident o( Mani$a. A$t%o#'% s%e spent %ers"%oo$ da1s in Ta"$o&an, s%e is "onsidered to %ave a&andoned s#"% p$a"e *%en s%e "%ose to sta1 and reside inot%er di((erent p$a"es. In t%e "ase o( Rmualde! vs.RTC 22 SCRA ; t%e Co#rt ep$ained %o* one a"6#ires ane* do)i"i$e &1 "%oi"e. T%ere )#st "on"#r: + residen"e or &odi$1 presen"e in t%e ne* $o"a$it1K 2 intention tore)ain t%ereK and 4 intention to a&andon t%e o$d do)i"i$e. In ot%er *ords t%ere )#st &asi"a$$1 &e animus manend*it% animus nn revertendi.


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I.The issue $ %etitiner&s 'uali$i#atins


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Mr. No$$edo:


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In s#pport o( its asseveration t%at petitioners do)i"i$e "o#$d not possi&$1 &e in t%e 8irst Distri"t o( Le1te, t%e Se"ond Division o( t%eCOMELEC, in its assai$ed Reso$#tion o( Apri$ 2;,+9 )aintains t%at 0e"ept (or t%e ti)e *%en petitioner st#died and *or5ed (or so)e1ears a(ter 'rad#ation in Ta"$o&an Cit1, s%e "ontin#o#s$1 $ived in Mani$a.0 T%e Reso$#tion additiona$$1 "ites "ertain (a"ts as indi"ative o(t%e (a"t t%at petitioners do)i"i$e o#'%t to &e an1 p$a"e *%ere s%e $ived in t%e $ast (e* de"ades e"ept Ta"$o&an, Le1te. 8irst, a""ordin'to t%e Reso$#tion, petitioner, in +9, resided in San J#an, Metro Mani$a *%ere s%e *as a$so re'istered voter. T%en, in +9, (o$$o*in't%e e$e"tion o( %er %#s&and to t%e !%i$ippine presiden"1, s%e $ived in San Mi'#e$, Mani$a *%ere s%e as a voter. In + and t%erea(ter,s%e served as a )e)&er o( t%e =atasan' !a)&ansa and >overnor o( Metro Mani$a. 0S%e "o#$d not, %ave served t%ese positions i( s%e%ad not &een a resident o( Metro Mani$a,0 t%e COMELEC stressed. /ere is *%ere t%e "on(#sion $ies.


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do)i"i$e o( ori'in &1 esta&$is%in' residen"es in Ta"$o&an, "e$e&ratin' %er &irt%da1s and ot%er i)portant persona$ )i$estones in %er%o)e provin"e, instit#tin' *e$$-p#&$i"i7ed pro@e"ts (or t%e &ene(it o( %er provin"e and %o)eto*n, and esta&$is%in' a po$iti"a$ po*er &ase*%ere %er si&$in's and "$ose re$atives %e$d positions o( po*er eit%er t%ro#'% t%e &a$$ot or &1 appoint)ent, a$*a1s *it% eit%er %erin($#en"e or "onsent. T%ese *e$$-p#&$i"i7ed ties to %er do)i"i$e o( ori'in are part o( t%e %istor1 and $ore o( t%e 6#arter "ent#r1 o( Mar"ospo*er in o#r "o#ntr1. Eit%er t%e1 *ere entire$1 i'nored in t%e COMELECS Reso$#tions, or t%e )a@orit1 o( t%e COMELEC did not 5no**%at t%e rest o( t%e "o#ntr1 a$*a1s 5ne*: t%e (a"t o( petitioners do)i"i$e in Ta"$o&an, Le1te.

!rivate respondent in %is Co))ent, "ontends t%at Ta"$o&an *as not petitioners do)i"i$e o( ori'in &e"a#se s%e did not $ive t%ere #ntis%e *as ei'%t 1ears o$d. /e avers t%at a(ter $eavin' t%e p$a"e in +92, s%e 0a&andoned %er residen"1 si# t%erein (or )an1 1earsand . . . "o#$d not re-esta&$is% %er do)i"i$e in said p$a"e &1 )ere$1 epressin' %er intention to $ive t%ere a'ain.0


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T%e ri'%t o( t%e %#s&and to (i t%e a"t#a$ residen"e is in %ar)on1 *it% t%e intention o( t%e $a* to stren't%en and #ni(1 t%e (a)i$1,re"o'ni7in' t%e (a"t t%at t%e %#s&and and t%e *i(e &rin' into t%e )arria'e di((erent do)i"i$es o( ori'in. T%is di((eren"e "o#$d, (or t%esa5e o( (a)i$1 #nit1, &e re"on"i$ed on$1 &1 a$$o*in' t%e %#s&and to (i a sin'$e p$a"e o( a"t#a$ residen"e.

Ber1 si'ni(i"ant$1, Arti"$e ++ o( t%e Civi$ Code is (o#nd #nder Tit$e B #nder t%e %eadin': RI>/TS AND O=LI>ATIONS =ET


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(r#it(#$ even in t%e State o( Lo#isiana. In ot%er states o( t%e A)eri"an Union t%e idea o( en(or"in' "o%a&itation &1pro"ess o( "onte)pt is re@e"ted. 2+ C1"., ++;.

In a de"ision o( Jan#ar1 2, +, t%e S#pre)e Co#rt o( Spain appears to %ave a((ir)ed an order o( t%e A#dien"iaTerritoria$ de Ba$$ado$id re6#irin' a *i(e to ret#rn to t%e )arita$ do)i"i$e, and in t%e a$ternative, #pon %er (ai$#re to doso, to )a5e a parti"#$ar disposition o( "ertain )one1 and e((e"ts t%en in %er possession and to de$iver to %er%#s&and, as ad)inistrator o( t%e 'anan"ia$ propert1, a$$ in"o)e, rents, and interest *%i"% )i'%t a""r#e to %er (ro) t%epropert1 *%i"% s%e %ad &ro#'%t to t%e )arria'e. ++4 J#r. Civ., pp. +, ++ =#t it does not appear t%at t%is order (or t%eret#rn o( t%e *i(e to t%e )arita$ do)i"i$e *as san"tioned &1 an1 ot%er pena$t1 t%an t%e "onse6#en"es t%at *o#$d &evisited #pon %er in respe"t to t%e #se and "ontro$ o( %er propert1K and it does not appear t%at %er diso&edien"e to t%at

order *o#$d ne"essari$1 %ave &een (o$$o*ed &1 i)prison)ent (or "onte)pt.

!arent%eti"a$$1 *%en !etitioner *as )arried to t%en Con'ress)an Mar"os, in +9;, petitioner *as o&$i'ed 3 &1 virt#e o( Arti"$e ++ o(t%e Civi$ Code 3 to (o$$o* %er %#s&ands a"t#a$ p$a"e o( residen"e (ied &1 %i). T%e pro&$e) %ere is t%at at t%at ti)e, Mr. Mar"os %adsevera$ p$a"es o( residen"e, a)on' *%i"% *ere San J#an, Ri7a$ and =ata", I$o"os Norte. T%ere is no s%o*in' *%i"% o( t%ese p$a"es MrMar"os did (i as %is (a)i$1s residen"e. =#t ass#)in' t%at Mr. Mar"os %ad (ied an1 o( t%ese p$a"es as t%e "on@#'a$ residen"e, *%atpetitioner 'ained #pon )arria'e *as a"t#a$ residen"e. S%e did not $ose %er do)i"i$e o( ori'in.

On t%e ot%er %and, t%e "o))on $a* "on"ept o( 0)atri)onia$ do)i"i$e0 appears to %ave &een in"orporated, as a res#$t o( o#r@#rispr#dentia$ eperien"es a(ter t%e dra(tin' o( t%e Civi$ Code o( +9, into t%e Ne* 8a)i$1 Code. To #nders"ore t%e di((eren"e &et*eent%e intentions o( t%e Civi$ Code and t%e 8a)i$1 Code dra(ters, t%e ter) residen"e %as &een s#pp$anted &1 t%e ter) do)i"i$e in anentire$1 ne* provision Art. distin"t$1 di((erent in )eanin' and spirit (ro) t%at (o#nd in Arti"$e ++. T%e provision re"o'ni7esrevo$#tionar1 "%an'es in t%e "on"ept o( *o)ens ri'%ts in t%e intervenin' 1ears &1 )a5in' t%e "%oi"e o( do)i"i$e a prod#"t o( )#t#aa'ree)ent &et*een t%e spo#ses. ;

>s per)ission to 0re%a&i$itate o#r an"estra%o#se in Ta"$o&an and 8ar) in O$ot, Le1te. . . to )a5e t%e) $iva&$e (or t%e Mar"os (a)i$1 to %ave a %o)e in o#r %o)e$and.0 ;

8#rt%er)ore, petitioner o&tained %er residen"e "erti(i"ate in +2 in Ta"$o&an, Le1te, *%i$e $ivin' in %er &rot%ers %o#se, an a"t *%i"%s#pports t%e do)i"i$iar1 intention "$ear$1 )ani(ested in %er $etters to t%e !C>> C%air)an. S%e "o#$d not %ave 'one strai'%t to %e%o)e in San J#an, as it *as in a state o( disrepair, %avin' &een previo#s$1 $ooted &1 vanda$s. /er 0%o)es0 and 0residen"es0 (o$$o*in'%er arriva$ in vario#s parts o( Metro Mani$a )ere$1 6#a$i(ied as te)porar1 or 0a"t#a$ residen"es,0 not do)i"i$e. Moreover, andpro"eedin' (ro) o#r dis"#ssion pointin' o#t spe"i(i" sit#ations *%ere t%e (e)a$e spo#se eit%er reverts to %er do)i"i$e o( ori'in or"%ooses a ne* one d#rin' t%e s#&sisten"e o( t%e )arria'e, it *o#$d &e %i'%$1 i$$o'i"a$ (or #s to ass#)e t%at s%e "annot re'ain %erori'ina$ do)i"i$e #pon t%e deat% o( %er %#s&and a&sent a positive a"t o( se$e"tin' a ne* one *%ere sit#ations eist *it%in t%es#&sisten"e o( t%e )arria'e itse$( *%ere t%e *i(e 'ains a do)i"i$e di((erent (ro) %er %#s&and.

In t%e $i'%t o( a$$ t%e prin"ip$es re$atin' to residen"e and do)i"i$e en#n"iated &1 t%is "o#rt #p to t%is point, *e are pers#aded t%at t%e(a"ts esta&$is%ed &1 t%e parties *ei'% %eavi$1 in (avor o( a "on"$#sion s#pportin' petitioners "$ai) o( $e'a$ residen"e or do)i"i$e in t%e8irst Distri"t o( Le1te.

II.The 0urisdi#tinal issue

!etitioner a$$e'es t%at t%e @#risdi"tion o( t%e COMELEC %ad a$read1 $apsed "onsiderin' t%at t%e assai$ed reso$#tions *ere rendered on

Apri$ 2;, +9, (o#rteen +; da1s &e(ore t%e e$e"tion in vio$ation o( Se"tion o( t%e O)nis E$e"tion Code.;

Moreover, petitione"ontends t%at it is t%e /o#se o( Representatives E$e"tora$ Trina$ and not t%e COMELEC *%i"% %as @#risdi"tion over t%e e$e"tion o()e)&ers o( t%e /o#se o( Representatives in a""ordan"e *it% Arti"$e BI Se". + o( t%e Constit#tion. T%is is #ntena&$e.

It is a sett$ed do"trine t%at a stat#te re6#irin' rendition o( @#d')ent *it%in a spe"i(ied ti)e is 'enera$$1 "onstr#ed to &e )ere$1 dire"tor1;0so t%at non-"o)p$ian"e *it% t%e) does not inva$idate t%e @#d')ent on t%e t%eor1 t%at i( t%e stat#te %ad intended s#"% res#$t it *o#$d%ave "$ear$1 indi"ated it.0 9 T%e di((eren"e &et*een a )andator1 and a dire"tor1 provision is o(ten )ade on 'ro#nds o( ne"essit1

Adoptin' t%e sa)e vie* %e$d &1 severa$ A)eri"an a#t%orities, t%is "o#rt in Mar#elin vs.Cru! %e$d t%at: 9+

T%e di((eren"e &et*een a )andator1 and dire"tor1 provision is o(ten deter)ined on 'ro#nds o( epedien"1, t%ereason &ein' t%at $ess in@#r1 res#$ts to t%e 'enera$ p#&$i" &1 disre'ardin' t%an en(or"in' t%e $etter o( t%e $a*.


10/27

In Tra)) v. M# Crmi#5, a "ase "a$$in' (or t%e interpretation o( a stat#te "ontainin' a $i)itation o( t%irt1 4 da1s*it%in *%i"% a de"ree )a1 &e entered *it%o#t t%e "onsent o( "o#nse$, it *as %e$d t%at 0t%e stat#tor1 provisions *%i"%)a1 &e t%#s departed (ro) *it% i)p#nit1, *it%o#t a((e"tin' t%e va$idit1 o( stat#tor1 pro"eedin's, are #s#a$$1 t%ose*%i"% re$ate to t%e )ode or ti)e o( doin' t%at *%i"% is essentia$ to e((e"t t%e ai) and p#rpose o( t%e Le'is$at#re orso)e in"ident o( t%e essentia$ a"t.0 T%#s, in said "ase, t%e stat#te #nder ea)ination *as "onstr#ed )ere$1 to &edire"tor1.

T%e )is"%ie( in petitioners "ontendin' t%at t%e COMELEC s%o#$d %ave a&stained (ro) renderin' a de"ision a(ter t%e period stated int%e O)nis E$e"tion Code &e"a#se it $a"5ed @#risdi"tion, $ies in t%e (a"t t%at o#r "o#rts and ot%er 6#asi-@#di"ia$ &odies *o#$d t%enre(#se to render @#d')ents )ere$1 on t%e 'ro#nd o( %avin' (ai$ed to rea"% a de"ision *it%in a 'iven or pres"ri&ed period.

In an1 event, *it% t%e ena"t)ent o( Se"tions and o( R.A. ; in re$ation to Se"tion o( =.!. +, 92 it is evident t%at t%erespondent Co))ission does not $ose @#risdi"tion to %ear and de"ide a pendin' dis6#a$i(i"ation "ase #nder Se"tion o( =.!. + evena(ter t%e e$e"tions.

As to t%e /o#se o( Representatives E$e"tora$ Trina$s s#pposed ass#)ption o( @#risdi"tion over t%e iss#e o( petitioners 6#a$i(i"ationsa(ter t%e Ma1 , +9 e$e"tions, s#((i"e it to sa1 t%at /RETs @#risdi"tion as t%e so$e @#d'e o( a$$ "ontests re$atin' to t%e e$e"tions, ret#rnsand 6#a$i(i"ations o( )e)&ers o( Con'ress &e'ins on$1 a(ter a "andidate %as &e"o)e a )e)&er o( t%e /o#se o( Representatives. 9

!etitioner not &ein' a )e)&er o( t%e /o#se o( Representatives, it is o&vio#s t%at t%e /RET at t%is point %as no @#risdi"tion over t%e6#estion.

It *o#$d &e an a&di"ation o( )an1 o( t%e idea$s ens%rined in t%e + Constit#tion (or #s to eit%er to i'nore or de$i&erate$1 )a5edistin"tions in $a* so$e$1 on t%e &asis o( t%e persona$it1 o( a petitioner in a "ase. O&vio#s$1 a distin"tion *as )ade on s#"% a 'ro#nd%ere. S#re$1, )an1 esta&$is%ed prin"ip$es o( $a*, even o( e$e"tion $a*s *ere ($o#ted (or t%e sa5e perpet#atin' po*er d#rin' t%e pre-

EDSA re'i)e.


11/27

ROMMEL A!OLINARIO JALOSJOS, !etitioner,vs.T/E COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS and DAN ERASMO, SR.,

D E C I S I O N

A=AD, J.:

T%is "ase is a&o#t t%e proo( re6#ired to esta&$is% t%e do)i"i$e o( a reinstated 8i$ipino "iti7en *%o see5s e$e"tion as 'overnor o( aprovin"e.

T%e 8a"ts and t%e Case

!etitioner Ro))e$ Ja$os@os *as &orn in #e7on Cit1 on O"to&er 2, +4. /e )i'rated to A#stra$ia in ++ *%en %e *as ei'%t 1earso$d and t%ere a"6#ired A#stra$ian "iti7ens%ip. On Nove)&er 22, 2, at a'e 49, %e de"ided to ret#rn to t%e !%i$ippines and $ived *it%%is &rot%er, Ro)eo, Jr., in =aran'a1 Beterans Bi$$a'e, Ipi$, Za)&oan'a Si'a1. 8o#r da1s #pon %is ret#rn, %e too5 an oat% o(a$$e'ian"e to t%e Rep#&$i" o( t%e !%i$ippines, res#$tin' in %is &ein' iss#ed a Certi(i"ate o( Rea"6#isition o( !%i$ippine Citi7ens%ip &1 t%e=#rea# o( I))i'ration.+On Septe)&er +, 2 %e reno#n"ed %is A#stra$ian "iti7ens%ip, ee"#tin' a s*orn ren#n"iation o( t%e sa)e2in"o)p$ian"e *it% Rep#&$i" A"t R.A. 229.4

8ro) t%e ti)e o( %is ret#rn, Ja$os@os a"6#ired a residentia$ propert1 in t%e sa)e vi$$a'e *%ere %e $ived and a (is%pond in San Isidro,Na'a, Za)&oan'a Si'a1. /e app$ied (or re'istration as a voter in t%e M#ni"ipa$it1 o( Ipi$ t respondent Dan Eras)o, Sr., t%e=aran'a1 Captain o( =aran'a1 Beterans Bi$$a'e, opposed t%e sa)e. A"tin' on t%e app$i"ation, t%e E$e"tion Re'istration =oard

approved it and in"$#ded Ja$os@os na)e in t%e Co))ission on E$e"tions COMELECs voters $ist (or !re"in"t 9+8 o( =aran'a1Beterans Bi$$a'e, Ipi$, Za)&oan'a Si'a1.;

Unda#nted, Eras)o (i$ed &e(ore t%e +st M#ni"ipa$ Cir"#it Tria$ Co#rt MCTC o( Ipi$-T#n'a*an-R.T. Li) in Ipi$ a petition (or t%e e"$#siono( Ja$os@os na)e (ro) t%e o((i"ia$ voters $ist. A(ter %earin', t%e MCTC rendered a de"ision, den1in' t%e petition. 9On appea$, t%eRe'iona$ Tria$ Co#rt RTC a((ir)ed t%e MCTC de"ision. T%e RTC de"ision &e"a)e (ina$ and ee"#tor1.

On Nove)&er 2, 2 Ja$os@os (i$ed %is Certi(i"ate o( Candida"1 COC (or >overnor o( Za)&oan'a Si'a1 !rovin"e (or t%e Ma1 +2+ e$e"tions. Eras)o pro)pt$1 (i$ed a petition to den1 d#e "o#rse or to "an"e$ Ja$os@os COC on t%e 'ro#nd t%at t%e $atter )ade)ateria$ )isrepresentation in t%e sa)e sin"e %e (ai$ed to "o)p$1 *it% + t%e re6#ire)ents o( R.A. 229 and 2 t%e one-1ear residen"1re6#ire)ent o( t%e Lo"a$ >overn)ent Code.

A(ter %earin', t%e Se"ond Division o( t%e COMELEC r#$ed t%at, *%i$e Ja$os@os %ad re'ained !%i$ippine "iti7ens%ip &1 "o)p$1in' *it% t%ere6#ire)ents o( R.A. 229, %e (ai$ed to prove t%e residen"1 re6#ire)ent (or a '#&ernatoria$ "andidate. /e (ai$ed to present a)p$e proo(

o( a &ona (ide intention to esta&$is% %is do)i"i$e in Ipi$, Za)&oan'a Si'a1. On )otion (or re"onsideration, t%e COMELEC En =an"a((ir)ed t%e Se"ond Divisions de"ision, r#$in' t%at Ja$os@os %ad &een a )ere '#est or transient visitor in %is &rot%ers %o#se and, (ort%is reason, %e "annot "$ai) Ipi$ as %is do)i"i$e.

A"tin' on Ja$os@os pra1er (or t%e iss#an"e o( a te)porar1 restrainin' order, t%e Co#rt reso$ved on Ma1 , 2+ to iss#e a stat#s 6#oante order, en@oinin' t%e COMELEC (ro) en(or"in' its 8e&r#ar1 ++, 2+ de"ision pendin' (#rt%er orders. Mean*%i$e, Jo$os@os *on t%ee$e"tion and *as pro"$ai)ed *inner o( t%e 2+ '#&ernatoria$ ra"e in t%e !rovin"e o( Za)&oan'a Si'a1.

T%e Iss#e !resented

T%e so$e iss#e presented in t%is "ase is *%et%er or not t%e COMELEC a"ted *it% 'rave ase o( dis"retion a)o#ntin' to $a"5 or e"esso( @#risdi"tion in r#$in' t%at Ja$os@os (ai$ed to present a)p$e proo( o( a &ona (ide intention to esta&$is% %is do)i"i$e in Ipi$, Za)&oan'aSi'a1.

T%e Co#rts R#$in'

T%e Lo"a$ >overn)ent Code re6#ires a "andidate see5in' t%e position o( provin"ia$ 'overnor to &e a resident o( t%e provin"e (or at$east one 1ear &e(ore t%e e$e"tion.8or p#rposes o( t%e e$e"tion $a*s, t%e re6#ire)ent o( residen"e is s1non1)o#s *it% do)i"i$e, +

)eanin' t%at a person )#st not on$1 intend to reside in a parti"#$ar p$a"e t )#st a$so %ave persona$ presen"e in s#"% p$a"e "o#p$ed*it% "ond#"t indi"ative o( s#"% intention.++

T%ere is no %ard and (ast r#$e to deter)ine a "andidates "o)p$ian"e *it% residen"1 re6#ire)ent sin"e t%e 6#estion o( residen"e is a6#estion o( intention.+2 Sti$$, @#rispr#den"e %as $aid do*n t%e (o$$o*in' '#ide$ines: a ever1 person %as a do)i"i$e or residen"eso)e*%ereK & *%ere on"e esta&$is%ed, t%at do)i"i$e re)ains #nti$ %e a"6#ires a ne* oneK and " a person "an %ave t one do)i"i$eat a ti)e.+4
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12/27

It is inevita&$e #nder t%ese '#ide$ines and t%e pre"edents app$1in' t%e) t%at Ja$os@os %as )et t%e residen"1 re6#ire)ent (or provin"ia'overnor o( Za)&oan'a Si'a1.

One. T%e COMELEC appears %ast1 in "on"$#din' t%at Ja$os@os (ai$ed to prove t%at %e s#""ess(#$$1 "%an'ed %is do)i"i$e to Za)&oan'aSi'a1. T%e COMELEC points o#t t%at, sin"e %e *as #na&$e to dis"%ar'e t%e rden o( provin' Za)&oan'a Si'a1 to &e %is ri'%t(#do)i"i$e, it )#st &e ass#)ed t%at %is do)i"i$e is eit%er #e7on Cit1 or A#stra$ia.

=#t it is "$ear (ro) t%e (a"ts t%at #e7on Cit1 *as Ja$os@os do)i"i$e o( ori'in, t%e p$a"e o( %is &irt%. It )a1 &e ta5en (or 'ranted t%at %ee((e"tive$1 "%an'ed %is do)i"i$e (ro) #e7on Cit1 to A#stra$ia *%en %e )i'rated t%ere at t%e a'e o( ei'%t, a"6#ired A#stra$ian"iti7ens%ip, and $ived in t%at "o#ntr1 (or 2 1ears. A#stra$ia &e"a)e %is do)i"i$e &1 operation o( $a* and &1 "%oi"e.+;

On t%e ot%er %and, *%en %e "a)e to t%e !%i$ippines in Nove)&er 2 to $ive *it% %is &rot%er in Za)&oan'a Si'a1, it is evident t%aJa$os@os did so *it% intent to "%an'e %is do)i"i$e (or 'ood. /e $e(t A#stra$ia, 'ave #p %is A#stra$ian "iti7ens%ip, and reno#n"ed %isa$$e'ian"e to t%at "o#ntr1. In addition, %e rea"6#ired %is o$d "iti7ens%ip &1 ta5in' an oat% o( a$$e'ian"e to t%e Rep#&$i" o( t%e !%i$ippinesres#$tin' in %is &ein' iss#ed a Certi(i"ate o( Rea"6#isition o( !%i$ippine Citi7ens%ip &1 t%e =#rea# o( I))i'ration. =1 %is a"ts, Ja$os@os(or(eited %is $e'a$ ri'%t to $ive in A#stra$ia, "$ear$1 provin' t%at %e 'ave #p %is do)i"i$e t%ere. And %e %as sin"e $ived no*%ere e$see"ept in Ipi$, Za)&oan'a Si'a1.

To %o$d t%at Ja$os@os %as not esta&$is% a ne* do)i"i$e in Za)&oan'a Si'a1 despite t%e $oss o( %is do)i"i$e o( ori'in #e7on Cit1and %is do)i"i$e o( "%oi"e and &1 operation o( $a* A#stra$ia *o#$d vio$ate t%e sett$ed )ai) t%at a )an )#st %ave a do)i"i$e orresiden"e so)e*%ere.

T*o. T%e COMELEC "on"$#ded t%at Ja$os@os %as not "o)e to sett$e %is do)i"i$e in Ipi$ sin"e %e %as )ere$1 &een sta1in' at %is&rot%ers %o#se. =#t t%is "ir"#)stan"e a$one "annot s#pport s#"% "on"$#sion. Indeed, t%e Co#rt %as repeated$1 %e$d t%at a "andidate is

not re6#ired to %ave a %o#se in a "o))#nit1 to esta&$is% %is residen"e or do)i"i$e in a parti"#$ar p$a"e. It is s#((i"ient t%at %e s%o#$d $ivet%ere even i( it &e in a rented %o#se or in t%e %o#se o( a (riend or re$ative. +9To insist t%at t%e "andidate o*n t%e %o#se *%ere %e $ives*o#$d )a5e propert1 a 6#a$i(i"ation (or p#&$i" o((i"e. overnor o( Za)&oan'a Si'a1.

SO ORDERED.
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13/27

MANUEL =. JA!ZON, !etitioner,vs.COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS and JAIME S. TY, Respondents.

D E C I S I O N

C/ICO-NAZARIO, J.:

T%is is a !etition (or Revie* on Certiorari #nder R#$es ; +and 92o( t%e Revised R#$es o( Co#rt see5in' to ann#$ and set aside t%eReso$#tion4dated 4+ J#$1 2 o( t%e 8irst Division o( p#&$i" respondent Co))ission on E$e"tions COMELEC and t%e Reso$#tion

dated 2 Septe)&er 2 o( COMELEC en &an", in S!A No. -9, (or %avin' &een rendered *it% 'rave ase o( dis"retiona)o#ntin' to $a"5 or e"ess o( @#risdi"tion.

=ot% petitioner Man#e$ =. Jap7on Jap7on and private respondent Jai)e S. T1 T1 *ere "andidates (or t%e O((i"e o( Ma1or o( t%eM#ni"ipa$it1 o( >enera$ Ma"art%#r, Eastern Sa)ar, in t%e $o"a$ e$e"tions %e$d on +; Ma1 2.

On +9 J#ne 2, Jap7on instit#ted S!A No. -9 &1 (i$in' &e(ore t%e COMELEC a !etition 9 to dis6#a$i(1 andFor "an"e$ T1sCerti(i"ate o( Candida"1 on t%e 'ro#nd o( )ateria$ )isrepresentation. Jap7on averred in %is !etition t%at T1 *as a (or)er nat#ra$-&orn8i$ipino, %avin' &een &orn on O"to&er +;4 in *%at *as t%en !a)@an S#r, /ernani Eastern Sa)ar no* t%e M#ni"ipa$it1 o( >eneraMa"art%#r, Easter Sa)ar to spo#ses An' C%i) T1 a C%inese and Crisanta Aranas S#)i'#in a 8i$ipino. T1 event#a$$1 )i'rated tot%e United States o( A)eri"a USA and &e"a)e a "iti7en t%ereo(. T1 %ad &een residin' in t%e USA (or t%e $ast 29 1ears. eneraMa"art%#r, Eastern Sa)ar, (or one 1ear &e(ore +; Ma1 2, and *as not a per)anent resident or i))i'rant o( an1 (orei'n "o#ntr1.enera$ Ma"art%#r, Eastern Sa)ar, (or a period o( one 1ear i))ediate$1 pre"edin' t%e date o( e$e"tion as re6#ired #nder Se"tion 4 oRep#&$i" A"t No. +, ot%er*ise 5no*n as t%e Lo"a$ >overn)ent Code o( ++. In (a"t, even a(ter (i$in' %is app$i"ation (orea"6#isition o( %is !%i$ippine "iti7ens%ip, T1 "ontin#ed to )a5e trips to t%e USA, t%e )ost re"ent o( *%i"% *as on 4+ O"to&er 2$astin' #nti$ 2 Jan#ar1 2. Moreover, a$t%o#'% T1 a$read1 too5 %is Oat% o( A$$e'ian"e to t%e Rep#&$i" o( t%e !%i$ippines, %e "ontin#edto "o)port %i)se$( as an A)eri"an "iti7en as proven &1 %is trave$ re"ords. /e %ad a$so (ai$ed to reno#n"e %is (orei'n "iti7ens%ip asre6#ired &1 Rep#&$i" A"t No. 229, ot%er*ise 5no*n as t%e Citi7ens%ip Retention and Rea"6#isition A"t o( 24, or re$ated $a*s./en"e, Jap7on pra1ed (or in %is !etition t%at t%e COMELEC order t%e dis6#a$i(i"ation o( T1 (ro) r#nnin' (or p#&$i" o((i"e and t%e"an"e$$ation o( t%e $atters Certi(i"ate o( Candida"1.

In %is Ans*erto Jap7ons !etition in S!A No. -9, T1 ad)itted t%at %e *as a nat#ra$-&orn 8i$ipino *%o *ent to t%e USA to *or5 ands#&se6#ent$1 &e"a)e a nat#ra$i7ed A)eri"an "iti7en. T1 "$ai)ed, %o*ever, t%at prior to (i$in' %is Certi(i"ate o( Candida"1 (or t%e O((i"eo( Ma1or o( t%e M#ni"ipa$it1 o( >enera$ Ma"art%#r, Eastern Sa)ar, on 2 Mar"% 2, %e a$read1 per(or)ed t%e (o$$o*in' a"ts: + *it%t%e ena"t)ent o( Rep#&$i" A"t No. 229, 'rantin' d#a$ "iti7ens%ip to nat#ra$-&orn 8i$ipinos, T1 (i$ed *it% t%e !%i$ippine Cons#$ate>enera$ in Los An'e$es, Ca$i(ornia, USA, an app$i"ation (or t%e rea"6#isition o( %is !%i$ippine "iti7ens%ipK 2 on 2 O"to&er 29, T1

ee"#ted an Oat% o( A$$e'ian"e to t%e Rep#&$i" o( t%e !%i$ippines &e(ore Noe)i T. Dia7, Bi"e Cons#$ o( t%e !%i$ippine Cons#$ate>enera$ in Los An'e$es, Ca$i(ornia, USAK 4 T1 app$ied (or a !%i$ippine passport indi"atin' in %is app$i"ation t%at %is residen"e in t%e!%i$ippines *as at A. Ma&ini St., =aran'a1 , !o&$a"ion, >enera$ Ma"art%#r, Eastern Sa)ar. T1s app$i"ation *as approved and %e *asiss#ed on 2 O"to&er 29 a !%i$ippine passportK ; on Mar"% 2, T1 persona$$1 se"#red and si'ned %is Co))#nit1 TaCerti(i"ate CTC (ro) t%e M#ni"ipa$it1 o( >enera$ Ma"art%#r, in *%i"% %e stated t%at %is address *as at =aran'a1 , !o&$a"ion,>enera$ Ma"art%#r, Eastern Sa)arK 9 t%erea(ter, on + J#$1 2, T1 *as re'istered as a voter in !re"in"t +4A, =aran'a1 ,!o&$a"ion, >enera$ Ma"art%#r, Eastern Sa)arK T1 se"#red anot%er CTC dated ; Jan#ar1 2 a'ain statin' t%erein %is address as=aran'a1 , !o&$a"ion, >enera$ Ma"art%#r, Eastern Sa)arK and (ina$$1, T1 ee"#ted on + Mar"% 2 a d#$1 notari7edRen#n"iation o( 8orei'n Citi7ens%ip. >iven t%e a(ore)entioned (a"ts, T1 ar'#ed t%at %e %ad rea"6#ired %is !%i$ippine "iti7ens%ip andreno#n"ed %is A)eri"an "iti7ens%ip, and %e %ad &een a resident o( t%e M#ni"ipa$it1 o( >enera$ Ma"art%#r, Eastern Sa)ar, (or )oret%an one 1ear prior to t%e +; Ma1 2 e$e"tions. T%ere(ore, T1 so#'%t t%e dis)issa$ o( Jap7ons !etition in S!A No. -9.

!endin' t%e s#&)ission &1 t%e parties o( t%eir respe"tive !osition !apers in S!A No. -9, t%e +; Ma1 2 e$e"tions *ere a$read1%e$d. T1 a"6#ired t%e %i'%est n#)&er o( votes and *as de"$ared Ma1or o( t%e M#ni"ipa$it1 o( >enera$ Ma"art%#r, Eastern Sa)ar, &1 t%eM#ni"ipa$ =oard o( Canvassers on +9 Ma1 2.

8o$$o*in' t%e s#&)ission o( t%e !osition !apers o( &ot% parties, t%e COMELEC 8irst Division rendered its Reso$#tion dated 4+ J#$12 in (avor o( T1.

T%e COMELEC 8irst Division (o#nd t%at T1 "o)p$ied *it% t%e re6#ire)ents o( Se"tions 4 and 9 o( Rep#&$i" A"t No. 229 andrea"6#ired %is !%i$ippine "iti7ens%ip, to *it:

!%i$ippine "iti7ens%ip is an indispensa&$e re6#ire)ent (or %o$din' an e$e"tive p#&$i" o((i"e, and t%e p#rpose o( t%e "iti7ens%ip6#a$i(i"ation is none ot%er t%an to ens#re t%at no a$ien, i.e., no person o*in' a$$e'ian"e to anot%er nation, s%a$$ 'overn o#r peop$e ando#r "o#ntr1 or a #nit o( territor1 t%ereo(. Eviden"es revea$ed t%at GT1H ee"#ted an Oat% o( A$$e'ian"e &e(ore Noe)i T. Dia7, Bi"e Cons#o( t%e !%i$ippine Cons#$ate >enera$, Los An'e$es, Ca$i(ornia, U.S.A. on O"to&er 2, 29 and ee"#ted a Ren#n"iation o( 8orei'nCiti7ens%ip on Mar"% +, 2 in "o)p$ian"e *it% R.A. GNo.H 229. Moreover, neit%er is GT1H a "andidate (or or o""#p1in' p#&$i" o((i"e
http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2009/jan2009/gr_180088_2009.html#fnt1http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2009/jan2009/gr_180088_2009.html#fnt2http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2009/jan2009/gr_180088_2009.html#fnt2http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2009/jan2009/gr_180088_2009.html#fnt3http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2009/jan2009/gr_180088_2009.html#fnt3http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2009/jan2009/gr_180088_2009.html#fnt5http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2009/jan2009/gr_180088_2009.html#fnt6http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2009/jan2009/gr_180088_2009.html#fnt7http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2009/jan2009/gr_180088_2009.html#fnt7http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2009/jan2009/gr_180088_2009.html#fnt8http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2009/jan2009/gr_180088_2009.html#fnt8http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2009/jan2009/gr_180088_2009.html#fnt1http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2009/jan2009/gr_180088_2009.html#fnt2http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2009/jan2009/gr_180088_2009.html#fnt3http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2009/jan2009/gr_180088_2009.html#fnt4http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2009/jan2009/gr_180088_2009.html#fnt5http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2009/jan2009/gr_180088_2009.html#fnt6http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2009/jan2009/gr_180088_2009.html#fnt7http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2009/jan2009/gr_180088_2009.html#fnt8


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nor is in a"tive servi"e as "o))issioned or non-"o))issioned o((i"er in t%e ar)ed (or"es in t%e "o#ntr1 o( *%i"% %e *as nat#ra$i7ed"iti7en.

T%e COMELEC 8irst Division a$so %e$d t%at T1 did not "o))it )ateria$ )isrepresentation in statin' in %is Certi(i"ate o( Candida"1 t%at%e *as a resident o( =aran'a1 , !o&$a"ion, >enera$ Ma"art%#r, Eastern Sa)ar, (or at $east one 1ear &e(ore t%e e$e"tions on +; Ma12. It reasoned t%at:

A$t%o#'% GT1H %as $ost %is do)i"i$e in Gt%eH !%i$ippines *%en %e *as nat#ra$i7ed as U.S. "iti7en in +, t%e rea"6#isition o( %is!%i$ippine "iti7ens%ip and s#&se6#ent a"ts t%ereo( proved t%at %e %as &een a resident o( =aran'a1 , !o&$a"ion, >enera$ Ma"art%#rEastern Sa)ar (or at $east one + 1ear &e(ore t%e e$e"tions %e$d on +; Ma1 2 as %e represented in %is "erti(i"ate o( "andida"1G.H

As %e$d in Co6#i$$a vs. Co)e$e":

0T%e ter) residen"e is to &e #nderstood not in its "o))on a""eptation as re(errin' to d*e$$in' or %a&itation, t rat%er to do)i"i$eor $e'a$ residen"e, t%at is, t%e p$a"e *%ere a part1 a"t#a$$1 or "onstr#"tive$1 %as %is per)anent %o)e, *%ere %e, no )atter *%ere %e)a1 &e (o#nd at an1 'iven ti)e, event#a$$1 intends to ret#rn and re)ain ani)#s )anendi. A do)i"i$e o( ori'in is a"6#ired &1 ever1person at &irt%. It is #s#a$$1 t%e p$a"e *%ere t%e "%i$ds parents reside and "ontin#es #nti$ t%e sa)e is a&andoned &1 a"6#isition o( ne*do)i"i$e do)i"i$e o( "%oi"e.

In t%e "ase at &ar, petitioner $ost %is do)i"i$e o( ori'in in Oras &1 &e"o)in' a U.S. "iti7en a(ter en$istin' in t%e U.S. Nav1 in +9. 8ro)t%en on and #nti$ Nove)&er +, 2, *%en %e rea"6#ired !%i$ippine "iti7ens%ip, petitioner *as an a$ien *it%o#t an1 ri'%t to reside int%e !%i$ippines save as o#r i))i'ration $a*s )a1 %ave a$$o*ed %i) to sta1 as a visitor or as a resident a$ien.

Indeed, residen"e in t%e United States is a re6#ire)ent (or nat#ra$i7ation as a U.S. "iti7en. Tit$e , P+;2a o( t%e United States Codeprovides:

Re6#ire)ents o( nat#ra$i7ation: Residen"e

a No person, e"ept as ot%er*ise provided in t%is s#&"%apter, s%a$$ &e nat#ra$i7ed #n$ess s#"% app$i"ant, + 1ear i))ediate$1pre"edin' t%e date o( (i$in' %is app$i"ation (or nat#ra$i7ation %as resided "ontin#o#s$1, a(ter &ein' $a*(#$$1 ad)itted (or per)anentresiden"e, *it%in t%e United States (or at $east (ive 1ears and d#rin' t%e (ive 1ears i))ediate$1 pre"edin' t%e date o( (i$in' %is petition%as &een p%1si"a$$1 present t%erein (or periods tota$in' at $east %a$( o( t%at ti)e, and *%o %as resided *it%in t%e State or *it%in t%edistri"t o( t%e Servi"e in t%e United States in *%i"% t%e app$i"ant (i$ed t%e app$i"ation (or at $east t%ree )ont%s, 2 %as resided"ontin#o#s$1 *it%in t%e United States (ro) t%e date o( t%e app$i"ation #p to t%e ti)e o( ad)ission to "iti7ens%ip, and 4 d#rin' a$$ periodre(erred to in t%is s#&se"tion %as &een and sti$$ is a person o( 'ood )ora$ "%ara"ter, atta"%ed to t%e prin"ip$es o( t%e Constit#tion o( t%eUnited States, and *e$$ disposed to t%e 'ood order and %appiness o( t%e United States. E)p%asis added

In Caasi v. Co#rt o( Appea$s, t%is Co#rt r#$ed t%at i))i'ration to t%e United States &1 virt#e o( a 'reen"ard, *%i"% entit$es one to resideper)anent$1 in t%at "o#ntr1, "onstit#tes a&andon)ent o( do)i"i$e in t%e !%i$ippines.


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O*in' to its pri)ordia$ i)portan"e, it is t%#s pres#)ed t%at ever1 person is a "iti7en o( t%e "o#ntr1 in *%i"% %e residesK t%at "iti7ens%ipon"e 'ranted is pres#)a&$1 retained #n$ess vo$#ntari$1 re$in6#is%edK and t%at t%e rden rests #pon *%o a$$e'es a "%an'e in "iti7ens%ipand a$$e'ian"e to esta&$is% t%e (a"t.

O#r revie* o( t%e Motion (or Re"onsideration s%o*s t%at it does not raise an1 ne* or nove$ iss#es. T%e ar'#)ents )ade t%erein %avea$read1 &een disse"ted and epo#nded #pon etensive$1 &1 t%e (irst Division o( t%e Co))ission, and t%ere appears to &e no reason todepart (ro) t%e *isdo) o( t%e ear$ier reso$#tion. RABE A=USE O8 DISCRETION AMOUNTIN> TO LAC OR EQCESS O8JURISDICTION TO LAC OR EQCESS O8JURISDICTION enera$ Ma"art%#r, Eastern Sa)ar, !%i$ippines, @#st &e"a#se %e rea"6#ired %is !%i$ippine "iti7ens%ip. T%e rden(a$$s #pon T1 to prove t%at %e esta&$is%ed a ne* do)i"i$e o( "%oi"e in >enera$ Ma"art%#r, Eastern Sa)ar, a rden *%i"% %e (ai$ed todis"%ar'e. T1 did not &e"o)e a resident o( >enera$ Ma"art%#r, Eastern Sa)ar, &1 )ere$1 ee"#tin' t%e Oat% o( A$$e'ian"e #ndeRep#&$i" A"t No. 229.

T%ere(ore, Jap7on asserts t%at T1 did not )eet t%e one-1ear residen"1 re6#ire)ent (or r#nnin' as a )a1ora$t1 "andidate in t%e +; Ma12 $o"a$ e$e"tions. T%e one-1ear residen"1 re6#ire)ent (or t%ose r#nnin' (or p#&$i" o((i"e "annot &e *aived or $i&era$$1 app$ied in(avor o( d#a$ "iti7ens. Conse6#ent$1, Jap7on &e$ieves %e *as t%e on$1 re)ainin' "andidate (or t%e O((i"e o( Ma1or o( t%e M#ni"ipa$it1 o>enera$ Ma"art%#r, Eastern Sa)ar, and is t%e on$1 p$a"er in t%e +; Ma1 2 $o"a$ e$e"tions.

Jap7on pra1s (or t%e Co#rt to ann#$ and set aside t%e Reso$#tions dated 4+ J#$1 2 and 2 Septe)&er 2 o( t%e COMELEC 8irstDivision and en &an", respe"tive$1K to iss#e a ne* reso$#tion den1in' d#e "o#rse to or "an"e$in' T1s Certi(i"ate o( Candida"1K and tode"$are Jap7on as t%e d#$1 e$e"ted Ma1or o( t%e M#ni"ipa$it1 o( >enera$ Ma"art%#r, Eastern Sa)ar.

As epe"ted, T1 so#'%t t%e dis)issa$ o( t%e present !etition. A""ordin' to T1, t%e COMELEC a$read1 (o#nd s#((i"ient eviden"e to provet%at T1 *as a resident o( t%e M#ni"ipa$it1 o( >enera$ Ma"art%#r, Eastern Sa)ar, one 1ear prior to t%e +; Ma1 2 $o"a$ e$e"tions. T%eCo#rt "annot eva$#ate a'ain t%e ver1 sa)e pie"es o( eviden"e *it%o#t vio$atin' t%e *e$$-entren"%ed r#$e t%at (indin's o( (a"t o( t%eCOMELEC are &indin' on t%e Co#rt. T1 disp#tes Jap7ons assertion t%at t%e COMELEC "o))itted 'rave ase o( dis"retion inrenderin' t%e assai$ed Reso$#tions, and avers t%at t%e said Reso$#tions *ere &ased on t%e eviden"e presented &1 t%e parties and"onsistent *it% prevai$in' @#rispr#den"e on t%e )atter. Even ass#)in' t%at T1, t%e *innin' "andidate (or t%e O((i"e o( Ma1or o( t%eM#ni"ipa$it1 o( >enera$ Ma"art%#r, Eastern Sa)ar, is indeed dis6#a$i(ied (ro) r#nnin' in t%e $o"a$ e$e"tions, Jap7on as t%e se"ondp$a"er in t%e sa)e e$e"tions "annot ta5e %is p$a"e.

T%e O((i"e o( t%e So$i"itor >enera$ OS>, )ean*%i$e, is o( t%e position t%at T1 (ai$ed to )eet t%e one-1ear residen"1 re6#ire)ent set &1$a* to 6#a$i(1 %i) to r#n as a )a1ora$t1 "andidate in t%e +; Ma1 2 $o"a$ e$e"tions. T%e OS> opines t%at T1 *as #na&$e to prove t%a%e intended to re)ain in t%e !%i$ippines (or 'ood and #$ti)ate$1 )a5e it %is ne* do)i"i$e. Nonet%e$ess, t%e OS> sti$$ pra1s (or t%edis)issa$ o( t%e instant !etition "onsiderin' t%at Jap7on, 'at%erin' on$1 t%e se"ond %i'%est n#)&er o( votes in t%e $o"a$ e$e"tions"annot &e de"$ared t%e d#$1 e$e"ted Ma1or o( t%e M#ni"ipa$it1 o( >enera$ Ma"art%#r, Eastern Sa)ar, even i( T1 is (o#nd to &e

dis6#a$i(ied (ro) r#nnin' (or t%e said position. And sin"e it too5 a position adverse to t%at o( t%e COMELEC, t%e OS> pra1s (ro) t%isCo#rt to a$$o* t%e COMELEC to (i$e its o*n Co))ent on Jap7ons !etition. T%e Co#rt, %o*ever, no $on'er a"ted on t%is parti"#$arpra1er o( t%e COMELEC, and *it% t%e s#&)ission o( t%e Me)oranda &1 Jap7on, T1, and t%e OS>, it a$read1 s#&)itted t%e "ase (orde"ision.

T%e Co#rt (inds no )erit in t%e !etition at &ar.

T%ere is no disp#te t%at T1 *as a nat#ra$-&orn 8i$ipino. /e *as &orn and raised in t%e M#ni"ipa$it1 o( >enera$ Ma"art%#r, EasternSa)ar, !%i$ippines. /o*ever, %e $e(t to *or5 in t%e USA and event#a$$1 &e"a)e an A)eri"an "iti7en. On 2 O"to&er 29, T1 rea"6#ired%is !%i$ippine "iti7ens%ip &1 ta5in' %is Oat% o( A$$e'ian"e to t%e Rep#&$i" o( t%e !%i$ippines &e(ore Noe)i T. Dia7, Bi"e Cons#$ o( t%e!%i$ippine Cons#$ate >enera$ in Los An'e$es, Ca$i(ornia, USA, in a""ordan"e *it% t%e provisions o( Rep#&$i" A"t No. 229. +At t%ispoint, T1 sti$$ %e$d d#a$ "iti7ens%ip, i.e., A)eri"an and !%i$ippine. It *as on$1 on + Mar"% 2 t%at T1 reno#n"ed %is A)eri"an"iti7ens%ip &e(ore a notar1 p#&$i" and, res#$tant$1, &e"a)e a p#re !%i$ippine "iti7en a'ain.
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It &ears to point o#t t%at Rep#&$i" A"t No. 229 'overns t%e )anner in *%i"% a nat#ra$-&orn 8i$ipino )a1 rea"6#ire or retain + %is!%i$ippine "iti7ens%ip despite a"6#irin' a (orei'n "iti7ens%ip, and provides (or %is ri'%ts and $ia&i$ities #nder s#"% "ir"#)stan"es. A "$oses"r#tin1 o( said stat#te *o#$d revea$ t%at it does not at a$$ to#"% on t%e )atter o( residen"e o( t%e nat#ra$-&orn 8i$ipino ta5in' advanta'eo( its provisions. Rep#&$i" A"t No. 229 i)poses no residen"1 re6#ire)ent (or t%e rea"6#isition or retention o( !%i$ippine "iti7ens%ipK nodoes it )ention an1 e((e"t o( s#"% rea"6#isition or retention o( !%i$ippine "iti7ens%ip on t%e "#rrent residen"e o( t%e "on"erned nat#ra$-&orn 8i$ipino. C$ear$1, Rep#&$i" A"t No. 229 treats "iti7ens%ip independent$1 o( residen"e. T%is is on$1 $o'i"a$ and "onsistent *it% t%e'enera$ intent o( t%e $a* to a$$o* (or d#a$ "iti7ens%ip. Sin"e a nat#ra$-&orn 8i$ipino )a1 %o$d, at t%e sa)e ti)e, &ot% !%i$ippine and(orei'n "iti7ens%ips, %e )a1 esta&$is% residen"e eit%er in t%e !%i$ippines or in t%e (orei'n "o#ntr1 o( *%i"% %e is a$so a "iti7en.

Residen"1 in t%e !%i$ippines on$1 &e"o)es re$evant *%en t%e nat#ra$-&orn 8i$ipino *it% d#a$ "iti7ens%ip de"ides to r#n (or p#&$i" o((i"e.

Se"tion 92 o( Rep#&$i" A"t No. 229 reads:

SEC. 9. Civi$ and !o$iti"a$ Ri'%ts and Lia&i$ities. T%ose *%o retain or rea"6#ire !%i$ippine "iti7ens%ip #nder t%is A"t s%a$$ en@o1 (#$$ "iviand po$iti"a$ ri'%ts and &e s#&@e"t to a$$ attendant $ia&i$ities and responsi&i$ities #nder eistin' $a*s o( t%e !%i$ippines and t%e (o$$o*in'"onditions:

2 T%ose see5in' e$e"tive p#&$i" o((i"e in t%e !%i$ippines s%a$$ )eet t%e 6#a$i(i"ations (or %o$din' s#"% p#&$i" o((i"e as re6#ired &1 t%eConstit#tion and eistin' $a*s and, at t%e ti)e o( t%e (i$in' o( t%e "erti(i"ate o( "andida"1, )a5e a persona$ and s*orn ren#n"iation o(an1 and a$$ (orei'n "iti7ens%ip &e(ore an1 p#&$i" o((i"er a#t%ori7ed to ad)inister an oat%.

=rea5in' do*n t%e a(ore-6#oted provision, (or a nat#ra$ &orn 8i$ipino, *%o rea"6#ired or retained %is !%i$ippine "iti7ens%ip #nderRep#&$i" A"t No. 229, to r#n (or p#&$i" o((i"e, %e )#st: + )eet t%e 6#a$i(i"ations (or %o$din' s#"% p#&$i" o((i"e as re6#ired &1 t%eConstit#tion and eistin' $a*sK and 2 )a5e a persona$ and s*orn ren#n"iation o( an1 and a$$ (orei'n "iti7ens%ips &e(ore an1 p#&$i"o((i"er a#t%ori7ed to ad)inister an oat%.

T%at T1 "o)p$ied *it% t%e se"ond re6#ire)ent is &e1ond 6#estion. On + Mar"% 2, %e persona$$1 ee"#ted a Ren#n"iation o(8orei'n Citi7ens%ip &e(ore a notar1 p#&$i". =1 t%e ti)e %e (i$ed %is Certi(i"ate o( Candida"1 (or t%e O((i"e o( Ma1or o( t%e M#ni"ipa$it1 o(>enera$ Ma"art%#r, Eastern Sa)ar, on 2 Mar"% 2, %e %ad a$read1 e((e"tive$1 reno#n"ed %is A)eri"an "iti7ens%ip, 5eepin' so$e$1%is !%i$ippine "iti7ens%ip.

T%e ot%er re6#ire)ent o( Se"tion 92 o( Rep#&$i" A"t No. 229 pertains to t%e 6#a$i(i"ations re6#ired &1 t%e Constit#tion and eistin'$a*s.

Arti"$e Q, Se"tion 4 o( t%e Constit#tion $e(t it to Con'ress to ena"t a $o"a$ 'overn)ent "ode *%i"% s%a$$ provide, a)on' ot%er t%in's, (o

t%e 6#a$i(i"ations, e$e"tion, appoint)ent and re)ova$, ter), sa$aries, po*ers and (#n"tions and d#ties o( $o"a$ o((i"ia$s, and a$$ ot%e)atters re$atin' to t%e or'ani7ation and operation o( t%e $o"a$ #nits.

!#rs#ant to t%e (ore'oin' )andate, Con'ress ena"ted Rep#&$i" A"t No. +, t%e Lo"a$ >overn)ent Code o( ++, Se"tion 4 o*%i"% $a1s do*n t%e (o$$o*in' 6#a$i(i"ations (or $o"a$ e$e"tive o((i"ia$s:

SEC. 4. #a$i(i"ations. a An e$e"tive $o"a$ o((i"ia$ )#st &e a "iti7en o( t%e !%i$ippinesK a re'istered voter in t%e &aran'a1)#ni"ipa$it1, "it1 or provin"e or, in t%e "ase o( a )e)&er o( t%e san''#nian' pan$a$a*i'an, san''#nian' pan$#n'sod, or san''#nian&a1an, t%e distri"t *%ere %e intends to &e e$e"tedK a resident t%erein (or at $east one + 1ear i))ediate$1 pre"edin' t%e da1 o( t%ee$e"tionK and a&$e to read and *rite 8i$ipino or an1 ot%er $o"a$ $an'#a'e or dia$e"t.

" Candidates (or t%e position o( )a1or or vi"e )a1or o( independent "o)ponent "ities, "o)ponent "ities, or )#ni"ipa$ities )#st &e a$east t*ent1-one 2+ 1ears o( a'e on e$e"tion da1.

T%e "%a$$en'e a'ainst T1s 6#a$i(i"ation to r#n as a "andidate (or t%e O((i"e o( Ma1or o( t%e M#ni"ipa$it1 o( >enera$ Ma"art%#r, EasternSa)ar, "enters on %is p#rported (ai$#re to )eet t%e one-1ear residen"1 re6#ire)ent in t%e said )#ni"ipa$it1.

T%e ter) 0residen"e0 is to &e #nderstood not in its "o))on a""eptation as re(errin' to 0d*e$$in'0 or 0%a&itation,0 t rat%er to 0do)i"i$e0or $e'a$ residen"e, t%at is, 0t%e p$a"e *%ere a part1 a"t#a$$1 or "onstr#"tive$1 %as %is per)anent %o)e, *%ere %e, no )atter *%ere %e)a1 &e (o#nd at an1 'iven ti)e, event#a$$1 intends to ret#rn and re)ain ani)#s )anendi.0+

A do)i"i$e o( ori'in is a"6#ired &1 ever1 person at &irt%. It is #s#a$$1 t%e p$a"e *%ere t%e "%i$ds parents reside and "ontin#es #nti$ t%esa)e is a&andoned &1 a"6#isition o( ne* do)i"i$e do)i"i$e o( "%oi"e. In Co6#i$$a, + t%e Co#rt a$read1 a"5no*$ed'ed t%at (or anindivid#a$ to a"6#ire A)eri"an "iti7ens%ip, %e )#st esta&$is% residen"e in t%e USA. Sin"e T1 %i)se$( ad)itted t%at %e &e"a)e a
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nat#ra$i7ed A)eri"an "iti7en, t%en %e )#st %ave ne"essari$1 a&andoned t%e M#ni"ipa$it1 o( >enera$ Ma"art%#r, Eastern Sa)ar!%i$ippines, as %is do)i"i$e o( ori'inK and trans(erred to t%e USA, as %is do)i"i$e o( "%oi"e.

As %as a$read1 &een previo#s$1 dis"#ssed &1 t%is Co#rt %erein, T1s rea"6#isition o( %is !%i$ippine "iti7ens%ip #nder Rep#&$i" A"t No229 %ad no a#to)ati" i)pa"t or e((e"t on %is residen"eFdo)i"i$e. /e "o#$d sti$$ retain %is do)i"i$e in t%e USA, and %e did notne"essari$1 re'ain %is do)i"i$e in t%e M#ni"ipa$it1 o( >enera$ Ma"art%#r, Eastern Sa)ar, !%i$ippines. T1 )ere$1 %ad t%e option to a'ainesta&$is% %is do)i"i$e in t%e M#ni"ipa$it1 o( >enera$ Ma"art%#r, Eastern Sa)ar, !%i$ippines, said p$a"e &e"o)in' %is ne* do)i"i$e o("%oi"e. T%e $en't% o( %is residen"e t%erein s%a$$ &e deter)ined (ro) t%e ti)e %e )ade it %is do)i"i$e o( "%oi"e, and it s%a$$ not retroa"to t%e ti)e o( %is &irt%.

/o* t%en "o#$d it &e esta&$is%ed t%at T1 indeed esta&$is%ed a ne* do)i"i$e in t%e M#ni"ipa$it1 o( >enera$ Ma"art%#r, Eastern Sa)ar!%i$ippines

In !apanda1an, Jr. v. Co))ission on E$e"tions,2 t%e Co#rt provided a s#))ation o( t%e di((erent prin"ip$es and "on"epts in@#rispr#den"e re$atin' to t%e residen"1 6#a$i(i"ation (or e$e"tive $o"a$ o((i"ia$s. !ertinent portions o( t%e ratio in !apanda1an arereprod#"ed &e$o*:

O#r de"isions %ave app$ied "ertain tests and "on"epts in reso$vin' t%e iss#e o( *%et%er or not a "andidate %as "o)p$ied *it% t%eresiden"1 re6#ire)ent (or e$e"tive positions. T%e prin"ip$e o( ani)#s revertendi %as &een #sed to deter)ine *%et%er a "andidate %asan 0intention to ret#rn0 to t%e p$a"e *%ere %e see5s to &e e$e"ted. Coro$$ar1 to t%is is a deter)ination *%et%er t%ere %as &een an0a&andon)ent0 o( %is (or)er residen"e *%i"% si'ni(ies an intention to depart t%ere(ro). In Caasi v. Co#rt o( Appea$s, t%is Co#rt setaside t%e appea$ed orders o( t%e COMELEC and t%e Co#rt o( Appea$s and ann#$$ed t%e e$e"tion o( t%e respondent as M#ni"ipa$ Ma1oro( =o$inao, !an'asinan on t%e 'ro#nd t%at respondents i))i'ration to t%e United States in +; "onstit#ted an a&andon)ent o( %isdo)i"i$e and residen"e in t%e !%i$ippines. =ein' a 'reen "ard %o$der, *%i"% *as proo( t%at %e *as a per)anent resident or i))i'rant o(

t%e United States, and in t%e a&sen"e o( an1 *aiver o( %is stat#s as s#"% &e(ore %e ran (or e$e"tion on Jan#ar1 +, +, respondent*as %e$d to &e dis6#a$i(ied #nder P o( t%e O)nis E$e"tion Code o( t%e !%i$ippines =atas !a)&ansa =$'. +.

In Co v. E$e"tora$ Trina$ o( t%e /o#se o( Representatives, respondent Jose On', Jr. *as pro"$ai)ed t%e d#$1 e$e"ted representative o(t%e 2nd Distri"t o( Nort%ern Sa)ar. T%e /o#se o( Representatives E$e"tora$ Trina$ /RET #p%e$d %is e$e"tion a'ainst "$ai)s t%at %e*as not a nat#ra$ &orn 8i$ipino "iti7en and a resident o( Laoan', Nort%ern Sa)ar. In s#stainin' t%e r#$in' o( t%e /RET, t%is Co#rt, "itin'8a1pon v. #irino, app$ied t%e "on"ept o( ani)#s revertendi or 0intent to ret#rn,0 statin' t%at %is a&sen"e (ro) %is residen"e in order top#rs#e st#dies or pra"ti"e %is pro(ession as a "erti(ied p#&$i" a""o#ntant in Mani$a or %is re'istration as a voter ot%er t%an in t%e p$a"e*%ere %e *as e$e"ted did not "onstit#te $oss o( residen"e. T%e (a"t t%at respondent )ade periodi"a$ @o#rne1s to %is %o)e provin"e inLaoa' revea$ed t%at %e a$*a1s %ad ani)#s revertendi.

In A&e$$a v. Co))ission on E$e"tions and Larra7a&a$ v. Co))ission on E$e"tions, it *as ep$ained t%at t%e deter)ination o( a persons$e'a$ residen"e or do)i"i$e $ar'e$1 depends #pon t%e intention t%at )a1 &e in(erred (ro) %is a"ts, a"tivities, and #tteran"es. In t%a"ase, petitioner Ade$ina Larra7a&a$, *%o %ad o&tained t%e %i'%est n#)&er o( votes in t%e $o"a$ e$e"tions o( 8e&r#ar1 +, + and *%o

%ad t%#s &een pro"$ai)ed as t%e d#$1 e$e"ted 'overnor, *as dis6#a$i(ied &1 t%e COMELEC (or $a"5 o( residen"e and re'istration6#a$i(i"ations, not &ein' a resident nor a re'istered voter o( anan'a, Le1te. T%e COMELEC r#$ed t%at t%e atte)pt o( petitionerLarra7a&a$ to "%an'e %er residen"e one 1ear &e(ore t%e e$e"tion &1 re'isterin' at anan'a, Le1te to 6#a$i(1 %er to r#n (or t%e position o('overnor o( t%e provin"e o( Le1te *as proo( t%at s%e "onsidered %erse$( a resident o( Or)o" Cit1. T%is Co#rt a((ir)ed t%e r#$in' o( t%eCOMELEC and %e$d t%at petitioner Larra7a&a$ %ad esta&$is%ed %er residen"e in Or)o" Cit1, not in anan'a, Le1te, (ro) +9 #p to t%eti)e t%at s%e ran (or t%e position o( !rovin"ia$ >overnor o( Le1te on 8e&r#ar1 +, +. T%ere *as no eviden"e to s%o* t%at s%e and %er%#s&and )aintained separate residen"es, i.e., s%e at anan'a, Le1te and %er %#s&and at Or)o" Cit1. T%e (a"t t%at s%e o""asiona$$1visited anan'a, Le1te t%ro#'% t%e 1ears did not si'ni(1 an intention to "ontin#e %er residen"e a(ter $eavin' t%at p$a"e.

In Ro)#a$de7 v. RTC, =r. , Ta"$o&an Cit1, t%e Co#rt %e$d t%at 0do)i"i$e0 and 0residen"e0 are s1non1)o#s. T%e ter) 0residen"e,0 as#sed in t%e e$e"tion $a*, i)ports not on$1 an intention to reside in a (ied p$a"e t a$so persona$ presen"e in t%at p$a"e, "o#p$ed *it%"ond#"t indi"ative o( s#"% intention. 0Do)i"i$e0 denotes a (ied per)anent residen"e to *%i"% *%en a&sent (or siness or p$eas#re, o(or $i5e reasons, one intends to ret#rn. In t%at "ase, petitioner !%i$ip >. Ro)#a$de7 esta&$is%ed %is residen"e d#rin' t%e ear$1 +s in=aran'a1 Ma$&o', To$osa, Le1te. It *as %e$d t%at t%e s#dden depart#re (ro) t%e "o#ntr1 o( petitioner, &e"a#se o( t%e EDSA !eop$es!o*er Revo$#tion o( +, to 'o into se$(-ei$e in t%e United States #nti$ (avora&$e "onditions %ad &een esta&$is%ed, *as not vo$#ntar1so as to "onstit#te an a&andon)ent o( residen"e. T%e Co#rt ep$ained t%at in order to a"6#ire a ne* do)i"i$e &1 "%oi"e, t%ere )#st"on"#r + residen"e or &odi$1 presen"e in t%e ne* $o"a$it1, 2 an intention to re)ain t%ere, and 4 an intention to a&andon t%e o$ddo)i"i$e. T%ere )#st &e ani)#s )anendi "o#p$ed *it% ani)#s non revertendi. T%e p#rpose to re)ain in or at t%e do)i"i$e o( "%oi"e)#st &e (or an inde(inite period o( ti)eK t%e "%an'e o( residen"e )#st &e vo$#ntar1K and t%e residen"e at t%e p$a"e "%osen (or t%e ne*do)i"i$e )#st &e a"t#a$.

U$ti)ate$1, t%e Co#rt re"apit#$ates in !apanda1an, Jr. t%at it is t%e (a"t o( residen"e t%at is t%e de"isive (a"tor in deter)inin' *%et%er ornot an individ#a$ %as satis(ied t%e residen"1 6#a$i(i"ation re6#ire)ent.

As espo#sed &1 T1, t%e iss#e o( *%et%er %e "o)p$ied *it% t%e one-1ear residen"1 re6#ire)ent (or r#nnin' (or p#&$i" o((i"e is a 6#estiono( (a"t. Its deter)ination re6#ires t%e Co#rt to revie*, ea)ine and eva$#ate or *ei'% t%e pro&ative va$#e o( t%e eviden"e presented &1t%e parties &e(ore t%e COMELEC.
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T%e COMELEC, ta5in' into "onsideration t%e ver1 sa)e pie"es o( eviden"e present$1 &e(ore t%is Co#rt, (o#nd t%at T1 *as a resident o(t%e M#ni"ipa$it1 o( >enera$ Ma"art%#r, Eastern Sa)ar, one 1ear prior to t%e +; Ma1 2 $o"a$ e$e"tions. It is aio)ati" t%at (a"t#a$(indin's o( ad)inistrative a'en"ies, s#"% as t%e COMELEC, *%i"% %ave a"6#ired epertise in t%eir (ie$d are &indin' and "on"$#sive ont%e Co#rt. An app$i"ation (or "ertiorari a'ainst a"tions o( t%e COMELEC is "on(ined to instan"es o( 'rave ase o( dis"retion a)o#ntin'to patent and s#&stantia$ denia$ o( d#e pro"ess, "onsiderin' t%at t%e COMELEC is pres#)ed to &e )ost "o)petent in )atters (a$$in'*it%in its do)ain.2+

T%e Co#rt even *ent (#rt%er to sa1 t%at t%e r#$e t%at (a"t#a$ (indin's o( ad)inistrative &odies *i$$ not &e dist#r&ed &1 "o#rts o( @#sti"e,e"ept *%en t%ere is a&so$#te$1 no eviden"e or no s#&stantia$ eviden"e in s#pport o( s#"% (indin's, s%o#$d &e app$ied *it% 'reater (or"e*%en it "on"erns t%e COMELEC, as t%e (ra)ers o( t%e Constit#tion intended to p$a"e t%e COMELEC3"reated and ep$i"it$1 )ade

independent &1 t%e Constit#tion itse$(3on a $eve$ %i'%er t%an stat#tor1 ad)inistrative or'ans. T%e (a"t#a$ (indin' o( t%e COMELEC en&an" is t%ere(ore &indin' on t%e Co#rt.22

T%e (indin's o( (a"ts o( 6#asi-@#di"ia$ a'en"ies *%i"% %ave a"6#ired epertise in t%e spe"i(i" )atters entr#sted to t%eir @#risdi"tion area""orded &1 t%is Co#rt not on$1 respe"t t even (ina$it1 i( t%e1 are s#pported &1 s#&stantia$ eviden"e. On$1 s#&stantia$, nopreponderan"e, o( eviden"e is ne"essar1. Se"tion 9, R#$e +44 o( t%e R#$es o( Co#rt provides t%at in "ases (i$ed &e(ore ad)inistrative o6#asi-@#di"ia$ &odies, a (a"t )a1 &e dee)ed esta&$is%ed i( it is s#pported &1 s#&stantia$ eviden"e, or t%at a)o#nt o( re$evant eviden"e*%i"% a reasona&$e )ind )i'%t a""ept as ade6#ate to @#sti(1 a "on"$#sion.24

T%e assai$ed Reso$#tions dated 4+ J#$1 2 and 2 Septe)&er 2 o( t%e COMELEC 8irst Division and en &an", respe"tive$1, *ere&ot% s#pported &1 s#&stantia$ eviden"e and are, t%#s, &indin' and "on"$#sive #pon t%is Co#rt.

T1s intent to esta&$is% a ne* do)i"i$e o( "%oi"e in t%e M#ni"ipa$it1 o( >enera$ Ma"art%#r, Eastern Sa)ar, !%i$ippines, &e"a)e apparent*%en, i))ediate$1 a(ter rea"6#irin' %is !%i$ippine "iti7ens%ip on 2 O"to&er 29, %e app$ied (or a !%i$ippine passport indi"atin' in %is

app$i"ation t%at %is residen"e in t%e !%i$ippines *as at A. Ma&ini St., =aran'a1 , !o&$a"ion, >enera$ Ma"art%#r, Eastern Sa)ar. 8ot%e 1ears 2 and 2, T1 vo$#ntari$1 s#&)itted %i)se$( to t%e $o"a$ ta @#risdi"tion o( t%e M#ni"ipa$it1 o( >enera$ Ma"art%#r, EasternSa)ar, &1 pa1in' "o))#nit1 ta and se"#rin' CTCs (ro) t%e said )#ni"ipa$it1 statin' t%erein %is address as A. Ma&ini St., =aran'a1 !o&$a"ion, >enera$ Ma"art%#r, Eastern Sa)ar. T%erea(ter, T1 app$ied (or and *as re'istered as a voter on + J#$1 2 in !re"in"t+4A, =aran'a1 , !o&$a"ion, >enera$ Ma"art%#r, Eastern Sa)ar.

In addition, T1 %as a$so &een &odi$1 present in t%e M#ni"ipa$it1 o( >enera$ Ma"art%#r, Eastern Sa)ar, !%i$ippines, sin"e %is arriva$ on ;Ma1 2, inar'#a&$1, @#st a $itt$e over a 1ear prior to t%e +; Ma1 2 $o"a$ e$e"tions. Jap7on )aintains t%at T1s trips a&road d#rin'said period, i.e., to =an'5o5, T%ai$and (ro) +; to + J#$1 2, and to t%e USA (ro) 4+ O"to&er 2 to + Jan#ar1 2, indi"atet%at T1 %ad no intention to per)anent$1 reside in t%e M#ni"ipa$it1 o( >enera$ Ma"art%#r, Eastern Sa)ar, !%i$ippines. T%e COMELEC8irst Division and en &an", as *e$$ as t%is Co#rt, %o*ever, vie* t%ese trips di((erent$1. T%e (a"t t%at T1 did "o)e &a"5 to t%e M#ni"ipa$it1o( >enera$ Ma"art%#r, Eastern Sa)ar, !%i$ippines, a(ter said trips, is a (#rt%er )ani(estation o( %is ani)#s )anendi and ani)#srevertendi.

T%ere is no &asis (or t%is Co#rt to re6#ire T1 to sta1 in and never $eave at a$$ t%e M#ni"ipa$it1 o( >enera$ Ma"art%#r, Eastern Sa)ar, (ot%e (#$$ one-1ear period prior to t%e +; Ma1 2 $o"a$ e$e"tions so t%at %e "o#$d &e "onsidered a resident t%ereo(. To t%e "ontrar1, t%eCo#rt %as previo#s$1 r#$ed t%at a&sen"e (ro) residen"e to p#rs#e st#dies or pra"ti"e a pro(ession or re'istration as a voter ot%er t%anin t%e p$a"e *%ere one is e$e"ted, does not "onstit#te $oss o( residen"e.2; T%e Co#rt a$so notes, t%at even *it% %is trips to ot%e"o#ntries, T1 *as a"t#a$$1 present in t%e M#ni"ipa$it1 o( >enera$ Ma"art%#r, Eastern Sa)ar, !%i$ippines, (or at $east nine o( t%e +2)ont%s pre"edin' t%e +; Ma1 2 $o"a$ e$e"tions. Even i( $en't% o( a"t#a$ sta1 in a p$a"e is not ne"essari$1 deter)inative o( t%e (a"t o(residen"e t%erein, it does stron'$1 s#pport and is on$1 "onsistent *it% T1s avo*ed intent in t%e instant "ase to esta&$is%residen"eFdo)i"i$e in t%e M#ni"ipa$it1 o( >enera$ Ma"art%#r, Eastern Sa)ar.

Jap7on repeated$1 &rin's to t%e attention o( t%is Co#rt t%at T1 arrived in t%e M#ni"ipa$it1 o( >enera$ Ma"art%#r, Eastern Sa)ar, on ;Ma1 2 on$1 to "o)p$1 *it% t%e one-1ear residen"1 re6#ire)ent, so T1 "o#$d r#n as a )a1ora$t1 "andidate in t%e +; Ma1 2e$e"tions. In A6#ino v. COMELEC,29t%e Co#rt did not (ind an1t%in' *ron' in an individ#a$ "%an'in' residen"es so %e "o#$d r#n (or ane$e"tive post, (or as $on' as %e is a&$e to prove *it% reasona&$e "ertaint1 t%at %e %as e((e"ted a "%an'e o( residen"e (or e$e"tion $a*p#rposes (or t%e period re6#ired &1 $a*. As t%is Co#rt a$read1 (o#nd in t%e present "ase, T1 %as proven &1 s#&stantia$ eviden"e t%at %e%ad esta&$is%ed residen"eFdo)i"i$e in t%e M#ni"ipa$it1 o( >enera$ Ma"art%#r, Eastern Sa)ar, &1 ; Ma1 2, a $itt$e over a 1ear prior tot%e +; Ma1 2 $o"a$ e$e"tions, in *%i"% %e ran as a "andidate (or t%e O((i"e o( t%e Ma1or and in *%i"% %e 'arnered t%e )ost n#)&ero( votes.

8ina$$1, *%en t%e eviden"e o( t%e a$$e'ed $a"5 o( residen"e 6#a$i(i"ation o( a "andidate (or an e$e"tive position is *ea5 or in"on"$#siveand it "$ear$1 appears t%at t%e p#rpose o( t%e $a* *o#$d not &e t%*arted &1 #p%o$din' t%e vi"tors ri'%t to t%e o((i"e, t%e *i$$ o( t%ee$e"torate s%o#$d &e respe"ted. 8or t%e p#rpose o( e$e"tion $a*s is to 'ive e((e"t to, rat%er t%an (r#strate, t%e *i$$ o( t%e voters. 2Tos#""ess(#$$1 "%a$$en'e T1s dis6#a$i(i"ation, Jap7on )#st "$ear$1 de)onstrate t%at T1s ine$i'i&i$it1 is so patent$1 anta'onisti" to"onstit#tiona$ and $e'a$ prin"ip$es t%at overridin' s#"% ine$i'i&i$it1 and t%ere&1 'ivin' e((e"t to t%e apparent *i$$ o( t%e peop$e *o#$d#$ti)ate$1 "reate 'reater pre@#di"e to t%e ver1 de)o"rati" instit#tions and @#risti" traditions t%at o#r Constit#tion and $a*s so 7ea$o#s$1prote"t and pro)ote. In t%is "ase, Jap7on (ai$ed to s#&stantiate %is "$ai) t%at T1 is ine$i'i&$e to &e Ma1or o( t%e M#ni"ipa$it1 o( >eneraMa"art%#r, Eastern Sa)ar, !%i$ippines.


19/27

ROSELLER DE >UZMAN, !etitioner,vs.COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS and AN>ELINA D>. DELA CRUZ, Respondents.

D E C I S I O N

YNARES-SANTIA>O, J.:

T%is petition+(or "ertiorari *it% pra1er (or pre$i)inar1 in@#n"tion and te)porar1 restrainin' order assai$s t%e J#ne +9, 2 Reso$#tion2ot%e 8irst Division o( t%e Co))ission on E$e"tions COMELEC in S!A No. -2++, dis6#a$i(1in' petitioner Rose$$er De >#7)an (ro)

r#nnin' as vi"e-)a1or in t%e Ma1 +;, 2 S1n"%roni7ed Nationa$ and Lo"a$ E$e"tions. A$so assai$ed is t%e O"to&er , 2 Reso$#tiono( t%e COMELEC En =an" den1in' petitioners )otion (or re"onsideration.

!etitioner De >#7)an and private respondent An'e$ina D>. De$a Cr#7 *ere "andidates (or vi"e-)a1or o( >#i)&a, N#eva E"i@a in t%eMa1 +;, 2 e$e"tions. On Apri$ 4, 2, private respondent (i$ed a'ainst petitioner a petition;(or dis6#a$i(i"ation do"5eted as S!A No-2++, a$$e'in' t%at petitioner is not a "iti7en o( t%e !%i$ippines, t an i))i'rant and resident o( t%e United States o( A)eri"a.

In %is ans*er, petitioner ad)itted t%at %e *as a nat#ra$i7ed A)eri"an. /o*ever, on Jan#ar1 29, 2, %e app$ied (or d#a$ "iti7ens%ip#nder Rep#&$i" A"t No. 229 R.A. No. 229, ot%er*ise 5no*n as t%e Citi7ens%ip Retention and Re-A"6#isition A"t o( 24. 9Uponapprova$ o( %is app$i"ation, %e too5 %is oat% o( a$$e'ian"e to t%e Rep#&$i" o( t%e !%i$ippines on Septe)&er , 2. /e ar'#ed t%at,%avin' re-a"6#ired !%i$ippine "iti7ens%ip, %e is entit$ed to eer"ise (#$$ "ivi$ and po$iti"a$ ri'%ts. As s#"%, %e is 6#a$i(ied to r#n as vi"e-)a1or o( >#i)&a, N#eva E"i@a.

D#rin' t%e Ma1 +;, 2 e$e"tions, private respondent *on as vi"e-)a1or. !etitioner (i$ed an e$e"tion protest on 'ro#nds oirre'#$arities and )assive "%eatin'. T%e "ase *as (i$ed &e(ore =ran"% 4+ o( t%e Re'iona$ Tria$ Co#rt o( >#i)&a, N#eva E"i@a and *asdo"5eted as E$e"tion !rotest No. -+.

Mean*%i$e, in S!A No. -2++, t%e COMELEC 8irst Division rendered its J#ne +9, 2 Reso$#tion dis6#a$i(1in' petitioner, *%i"% readsas (o$$o*s:

Se"tion 4 o( R.A. No. 229 states:

0Retention o( !%i$ippine Citi7ens%ip. Nat#ra$-&orn "iti7ens o( t%e !%i$ippines *%o %ave $ost t%eir !%i$ippine "iti7ens%ip &1 reason o(t%eir nat#ra$i7ation as "iti7ens o( a (orei'n "o#ntr1 are %ere&1 dee)ed to %ave rea"6#ired !%i$ippine "iti7ens%ip #pon ta5in' t%e(o$$o*in' oat% o( a$$e'ian"e to t%e Rep#&$i": 0

/en"e, #nder t%e provisions o( t%e a(ore)entioned $a*, respondent %as va$id$1 rea"6#ired 8i$ipino "iti7ens%ip. =1 ta5in' t%is Oat% o(

A$$e'ian"e to t%e Rep#&$i" o( t%e !%i$ippines on Septe)&er , 2 &e(ore Mar1 Jo =ernardo Ara'on, Dep#t1 Cons#$ >enera$ at t%e!%i$ippine Cons#$ate >enera$, Los An'e$es, Ca$i(ornia respondent *as dee)ed a d#a$ "iti7en, possessin' &ot% 8i$ipino and A)eri"an"iti7ens%ip.

/o*ever, s#&para'rap% 2, Se"tion 9 o( t%e a(ore)entioned A"t a$so provides:

Se"tion 9. Civi$ and !o$iti"a$ Ri'%ts and Lia&i$ities -- T%ose *%o retain or re-a"6#ire !%i$ippine Citi7ens%ip #nder t%is A"t s%a$$ en@o1 (#$"ivi$ and po$iti"a$ ri'%ts and &e s#&@e"t to a$$ attendant $ia&i$ities and responsi&i$ities #nder eistin' $a*s o( t%e !%i$ippines and t%e(o$$o*in' "onditions:

2 T%ose see5in' e$e"tive p#&$i" o((i"e in t%e !%i$ippines s%a$$ )eet t%e 6#a$i(i"ations (or %o$din' s#"% p#&$i" o((i"e as re6#ired &1 t%e

Constit#tion and eistin' $a*s and, at t%e ti)e o( t%e (i$in' o( t%e "erti(i"ate o( "andida"1, )a5e a persona$ and s*orn ren#n"iation o(an1 and a$$ (orei'n "iti7ens%ip &e(ore an1 p#&$i" o((i"er a#t%ori7ed to ad)inister an oat%.

As "an &e '$eaned (ro) t%e a&ove "ited provision, respondent G%erein petitionerH s%o#$d %ave reno#n"ed %is A)eri"an "iti7ens%ip&e(ore %e "an r#n (or an1 p#&$i" e$e"tive position. T%is respondent did not do. T%e Oat% o( A$$e'ian"e ta5en &1 respondent *as (or t%ep#rpose o( re-a"6#irin' !%i$ippine "iti7ens%ip. It did not, at t%e sa)e ti)e, )ean t%at respondent %as reno#n"ed %is A)eri"an"iti7ens%ip. T%#s, at t%e ti)e respondent (i$ed %is "erti(i"ate o( "andida"1 (or t%e position o( Bi"e-Ma1or o( >#i)&a, N#eva E"i@a %e *asand sti$$ is, a d#a$ "iti7en, possessin' &ot% !%i$ippine and A)eri"an "iti7ens%ip. 8or t%is reason a$one, respondent is dis6#a$i(ied to r#n(or t%e a&ove)entioned e$e"tive position.

#7)an is dis6#a$i(ied to r#n as Bi"e-Ma1or o( >#i)&a, N#eva E"i@a in t%e Ma1 +;, 2 S1n"%roni7ed Nationa$ and Lo"a$ E$e"tions.
http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2009/jun2009/gr_180048_2009.html#fnt1http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2009/jun2009/gr_180048_2009.html#fnt1http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2009/jun2009/gr_180048_2009.html#fnt2http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2009/jun2009/gr_180048_2009.html#fnt4http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2009/jun2009/gr_180048_2009.html#fnt4http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2009/jun2009/gr_180048_2009.html#fnt5http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2009/jun2009/gr_180048_2009.html#fnt6http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2009/jun2009/gr_180048_2009.html#fnt6http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2009/jun2009/gr_180048_2009.html#fnt1http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2009/jun2009/gr_180048_2009.html#fnt2http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2009/jun2009/gr_180048_2009.html#fnt3http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2009/jun2009/gr_180048_2009.html#fnt4http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2009/jun2009/gr_180048_2009.html#fnt5http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2009/jun2009/gr_180048_2009.html#fnt6


20/27

!etitioner (i$ed a )otion (or re"onsideration t it *as dis)issed on O"to&er , 2 &1 t%e COMELEC En =an" (or %avin' &eenrendered )oot in vie* o( private respondents vi"tor1.

T%erea(ter, t%e tria$ "o#rt in E$e"tion !rotest No. -+ rendered a De"ision, dated Nove)&er 2, 2, de"$arin' petitioner as t%e*inner (or t%e Bi"e-Ma1ora$t1 position. It %e$d:

UZMAN, as t%e *inner (or t%e Bi"e-Ma1ora$t1position *it% a p$#ra$it1 o( votes over t%e protestee, AN>ELINA D.>. DELA CRUZ, in t%e Ma1 +;, 2 Lo"a$ E$e"tions in >#i)&aN#eva E"i@a.


21/27

Contrar1 to petitioners "$ai)s, t%e (i$in' o( a "erti(i"ate o( "andida"1 does not i)s $a#ta)o#nt to a ren#n"iation o( %is (orei'n"iti7ens%ip #nder R.A. No. 229. O#r r#$in's in t%e "ases o( 8riva$do and Mer"ado are not app$i"a&$e to t%e instant "ase &e"a#se R.A.No. 229 provides (or )ore re6#ire)ents.

T%#s, in Ja)!n v. COMELEC,+9 t%e Co#rt %e$d t%at Se"tion 92 o( R.A. No. 229 re6#ires t%e t*in re6#ire)ents o( s*earin' to anOat% o( A$$e'ian"e and ee"#tin' a Ren#n"iation o( 8orei'n Citi7ens%ip, vi7:

=rea5in' do*n t%e a(ore-6#oted provision, (or a nat#ra$ &orn 8i$ipino, *%o rea"6#ired or retained %is !%i$ippine "iti7ens%ip #nderRep#&$i" A"t No. 229, to r#n (or p#&$i" o((i"e, %e )#st: + )eet t%e 6#a$i(i"ations (or %o$din' s#"% p#&$i" o((i"e as re6#ired &1 t%eConstit#tion and eistin' $a*sK and 2 )a5e a persona$ and s*orn ren#n"iation o( an1 and a$$ (orei'n "iti7ens%ips &e(ore an1 p#&$i"

o((i"er a#t%ori7ed to ad)inister an oat%.6a1)hi6

8#rt%er, in Ja#t v. 2al and COMELEC,+t%e Co#rt r#$ed t%at a "andidates oat% o( a$$e'ian"e to t%e Rep#&$i" o( t%e !%i$ippines and %isCerti(i"ate o( Candida"1 do not s#&stantia$$1 "o)p$1 *it% t%e re6#ire)ent o( a persona$ and s*orn ren#n"iation o( (orei'n "iti7ens%ip.T%#s:

T%e $a* "ate'ori"a$$1 re6#ires persons see5in' e$e"tive p#&$i" o((i"e, *%o eit%er retained t%eir !%i$ippine "iti7ens%ip or t%ose *%orea"6#ired it, to )a5e a persona$ and s*orn ren#n"iation o( an1 and a$$ (orei'n "iti7ens%ip &e(ore a p#&$i" o((i"er a#t%ori7ed toad)inister an oat% si)#$taneo#s *it% or &e(ore t%e (i$in' o( t%e "erti(i"ate o( "andida"1.

/en"e, Se"tion 92 o( Rep#&$i" A"t No. 229 "o)pe$s nat#ra$-&orn 8i$ipinos, *%o %ave &een nat#ra$i7ed as "iti7ens o( a (orei'n"o#ntr1, t *%o rea"6#ired or retained t%eir !%i$ippine "iti7ens%ip + to ta5e t%e oat% o( a$$e'ian"e #nder Se"tion 4 o( Rep#&$i" A"t No229, and 2 (or t%ose see5in' e$e"tive p#&$i" o((i"es in t%e !%i$ippines, to additiona$$1 ee"#te a persona$ and s*orn ren#n"iation o(an1 and a$$ (orei'n "iti7ens%ip &e(ore an a#t%ori7ed p#&$i" o((i"er prior or si)#$taneo#s to t%e (i$in' o( t%eir "erti(i"ates o( "andida"1, to

6#a$i(1 as "andidates in !%i$ippine e$e"tions.

C$ear$1 Se"tion 92 o( Rep#&$i" A"t No. 229 on t%e )a5in' o( a persona$ and s*orn ren#n"iation o( an1 and a$$ (orei'n "iti7ens%ipre6#ires o( t%e 8i$ipinos avai$in' t%e)se$ves o( t%e &ene(its #nder t%e said A"t to a""o)p$is% an #nderta5in' ot%er t%an t%at *%i"% t%e1%ave pres#)a&$1 "o)p$ied *it% #nder Se"tion 4 t%ereo( oat% o( a$$e'ian"e to t%e Rep#&$i" o( t%e !%i$ippines. T%is is )ade "$ear in t%edis"#ssion o( t%e =i"a)era$ Con(eren"e Co))ittee on Disa'reein' !rovisions o( /o#se =i$$ No. ;2 and Senate =i$$ No. 2+4 %e$d on+ A#'#st 24 pre"#rsors o( Rep#&$i" A"t No. 229, *%ere t%e /on. C%air)an 8ran5$in Dri$on and /on. Representative Art%#rDe(ensor ep$ained to /on. Representative Ee6#ie$ Javier t%at t%e oat% o( a$$e'ian"e is di((erent (ro) t%e ren#n"iation o( (orei'n"iti7ens%ip:

C-AIRMAN 2RILON. O5ay. S/ N. 8. 9Thse see5in( ele#tive )u"li# $$i#e in the %hili))ines shall meet the 'uali$i#atins $rhldin( su#h )u"li# $$i#e as re'uired "y the Cnstitutin and eistin( la1s and/ at the time $ the $ilin( $ the #erti$i#ate $#andida#y/ ma5e a )ersnal and s1rn renun#iatin $ any and all $rei(n #iti!enshi) "e$re any )u"li# $$i#er authri!ed tadminister an ath.9 I thin5 it;s very (d/ ha< N )r"lemovern)ent pro)#$'ated r#$esK or ; "o))itted an1 a"t pre@#di"ia$ to t%e interest o( t%e nation or "ontrar1 to an1>overn)ent anno#n"ed po$i"ies.+;

8i$ipino "iti7ens *%o %ave $ost t%eir "iti7ens%ip )a1 %o*ever rea"6#ire t%e sa)e in t%e )anner provided &1 $a*. Co))on*ea$t% A"t.No. C.A. No. 4, en#)erates t%e t%ree )odes &1 *%i"% !%i$ippine "iti7ens%ip )a1 &e rea"6#ired &1 a (or)er "iti7en: + &1nat#ra$i7ation, 2 &1 repatriation, and 4 &1 dire"t a"t o( Con'ress.+9

Nat#ra$i7ation is )ode (or &ot% a"6#isition and rea"6#isition o( !%i$ippine "iti7ens%ip. As a )ode o( initia$$1 a"6#irin' !%i$ippine"iti7ens%ip, nat#ra$i7ation is 'overned &1 Co))on*ea$t% A"t No. ;4, as a)ended. On t%e ot%er %and, nat#ra$i7ation as a )ode (orrea"6#irin' !%i$ippine "iti7ens%ip is 'overned &1 Co))on*ea$t% A"t No. 4. +Under t%is $a*, a (or)er 8i$ipino "iti7en *%o *is%es to

rea"6#ire !%i$ippine "iti7ens%ip )#st possess "ertain 6#a$i(i"ations+

and none o( t%e dis6#a$i(i"ation )entioned in Se"tion ; o( C.A;4.+

Repatriation, on t%e ot%er %and, )a1 &e %ad #nder vario#s stat#tes &1 t%ose *%o $ost t%eir "iti7ens%ip d#e to: + desertion o( t%ear)ed (or"esK+servi"es in t%e ar)ed (or"es o( t%e a$$ied (or"es in


27/27

. !arent%eti"a$$1, #nder t%ese stat#tes Gre(errin' to RA Nos. 9 and 24H, t%e person desirin' to rea"6#ire !%i$ippine"iti7ens%ip *o#$d nt even &e re6#ired to (i$e a petition in "o#rt, and a$$ t%at %e %ad to do *as to ta5e an oat% o( a$$e'ian"e tot%e Rep#&$i" o( t%e !%i$ippines and to re'ister t%at (a"t *it% t%e "ivi$ re'istr1 in t%e p$a"e o( %is residen"e or *%ere %e %ad $astresided in t%e !%i$ippines. GIta$i"s in t%e ori'ina$.29

Moreover, repatriation res#$ts in t%e re"over1 o( t%e ori'ina$ nationa$it1.2T%is )eans t%at a nat#ra$i7ed 8i$ipino *%o $ost %is "iti7ens%ip*i$$ &e restored to %is prior stat#s as a nat#ra$i7ed 8i$ipino "iti7en. On t%e ot%er %and, i( %e *as ori'ina$$1 a nat#ra$-&orn "iti7en &e(ore %e$ost %is !%i$ippine "iti7ens%ip, %e *i$$ &e restored to %is (or)er stat#s as a nat#ra$-&orn 8i$ipino.

In respondent Cr#7s "ase, %e $ost %is 8i$ipino "iti7ens%ip *%en %e rendered servi"e in t%e Ar)ed 8or"es o( t%e United States. /o*ever

%e s#&se6#ent$1 rea"6#ired !%i$ippine "iti7ens%ip #nder R.A. No. 24, *%i"% provides:

Se"tion +. An1 person *%o %ad $ost %is !%i$ippine "iti7ens%ip &1 renderin' servi"e to, or a""eptin' "o))ission in, t%e Ar)ed8or"es o( t%e United States, or a(ter separation (ro) t%e Ar)ed 8or"es o( t%e United States, a"6#ired United States"iti7ens%ip, )a1 rea"6#ire !%i$ippine "iti7ens%ip &1 ta5in' an oat% o( a$$e'ian"e to t%e Rep#&$i" o( t%e !%i$ippines andre'isterin' t%e sa)e *it% Lo"a$ Civi$ Re'istr1 in t%e p$a"e *%ere %e resides or $ast resided in t%e !%i$ippines. T%e said oat% o(a$$e'ian"e s%a$$ "ontain a ren#n"iation o( an1 ot%er "iti7ens%ip.

/avin' t%#s ta5en t%e re6#ired oat% o( a$$e'ian"e to t%e Rep#&$i" and %avin' re'istered t%e sa)e in t%e Civi$ Re'istr1 o( Ma'antare),!an'asinan in a""ordan"e *it% t%e a(ore"ited provision, respondent Cr#7 is dee)ed to %ave re"overed %is ori'ina$ stat#s as a nat#ra$&orn "iti7en, a stat#s *%i"% %e a"6#ired at &irt% as t%e son o( a 8i$ipino (at%er.2It &ears stressin' t%at t%e a"t o( repatriation a$$o*s %i)to re"over, or ret#rn to, %is ori'ina$ stat#s &e(ore %e $ost %is !%i$ippine "iti7ens%ip.

!etitioners "ontention t%at respondent Cr#7 is no $on'er a nat#ra$-&orn "iti7en sin"e %e %ad to per(or) an a"t to re'ain %is "iti7ens%ip is

#ntena&$e. As "orre"t$1 ep$ained &1 t%e /RET in its de"ision, t%e ter) 0nat#ra$-&orn "iti7en0 *as (irst de(ined in Arti"$e III, Se"tion ; o(t%e +4 Constit#tion as (o$$o*s:

Se". ;. A nat#ra$-&orn "iti7en is one *%o is a "iti7en o( t%e !%i$ippines (ro) &irt% *it%o#t %avin' to per(or) an1 a"t to a"6#ire oper(e"t %is !%i$ippine "iti7ens%ip.

T*o re6#isites )#st "on"#r (or a person to &e "onsidered as s#"%: + a person )#st &e a 8i$ipino "iti7en &irt% and 2 %e does not %aveto per(or) an1 a"t to o&tain or per(e"t %is !%i$ippine "iti7ens%ip.

Under t%e +4 Constit#tion de(inition, t%ere *ere t*o "ate'ories o( 8i$ipino "iti7ens *%i"% *ere not "onsidered nat#ra$-&orn: + t%ose*%o *ere nat#ra$i7ed and 2 t%ose &orn &e(ore Jan#ar1 +, +4,4o( 8i$ipino )ot%ers *%o, #pon rea"%in' t%e a'e o( )a@orit1, e$e"ted!%i$ippine "iti7ens%ip. T%ose 0nat#ra$i7ed "iti7ens0 *ere not "onsidered nat#ra$-&orn o&vio#s$1 &e"a#se t%e1 *ere not 8i$ipino at &irt%and %ad to per(or) an a"t to a"6#ire !%i$ippine "iti7ens%ip. T%ose &orn o( 8i$ipino )ot%ers &e(ore t%e e((e"tive$1 o( t%e +4

Constit#tion *ere $i5e*ise not "onsidered nat#ra$-&orn &e"a#se t%e1 a$so %ad to per(or) an a"t to per(e"t t%eir !%i$ippines "iti7ens%ip.

T%e present Constit#tion, %o*ever, no* "onsider t%ose &orn o( 8i$ipino )ot%ers &e(ore t%e e((e"tivit1 o( t%e +4 Constit#tion and *%oe$e"ted !%i$ippine "iti7ens%ip #pon rea"%in' t%e )a@orit1 a'e as nat#ra$-&orn. A(ter de(inin' *%o re nat#ra$-&orn "iti7ens, Se"tion 2 o(

Arti"$e IB adds a senten"e: 0T%ose *%o e$e"t !%i$ippine "iti7ens%ip in a""ordan"e *it% para'rap% 4, Se"tion + %ereo( s%a$$ &e dee)ednat#ra$-&orn "iti7ens.0 Conse6#ent$1, on$1 nat#ra$i7ed 8i$ipinos are "onsidered not nat#ra$-&orn "iti7ens. It is apparent (ro) t%een#)eration o( *%o are "iti7ens #nder t%e present Constit#tion t%at t%ere are on$1 t*o "$asses o( "iti7ens: + t%ose *%o are nat#ra$-&orn and 2 t%ose *%o are nat#ra$i7ed in a""ordan"e *it% $a*. A "iti7en *%o is not a nat#ra$i7ed 8i$ipino, i.e., did not %ave to #nder'ot%e pro"ess o( nat#ra$i7ation to o&tain !%i$ippine "iti7ens%ip, ne"essari$1 is nat#ra$-&orn 8i$ipino. Note*ort%1 is t%e a&sen"e in saiden#)eration o( a separate "ate'or1 (or persons *%o, a(ter $osin' !%i$ippine "iti7ens%ip, s#&se6#ent$1 rea"6#ire it. T%e reason t%ere(oris "$ear: as to s#"% persons, t%e1 *o#$d eit%er &e nat#ra$-&orn or nat#ra$i7ed dependin' on t%e reasons (or t%e $oss o( t%eir "iti7ens%ipand t%e )ode pres"ri&ed &1 t%e app$i"a&$e $a* (or t%e rea"6#isition t%ereo(. As respondent Cr#7 *as not re6#ired &1 $a* to 'o t%ro#'%nat#ra$i7ation pro"eedin' in order to rea"6#ire %is "iti7ens%ip, %e is per(or"e a nat#ra$-&orn 8i$ipino. As s#"%, %e possessed a$$ t%ene"essar1 6#a$i(i"ations to &e e$e"ted as )e)&er o( t%e /o#se o( Representatives.

A (ina$ point. T%e /RET %as &een e)po*ered &1 t%e Constit#tion to &e t%e 0so$e @#d'e0 o( a$$ "ontests re$atin' to t%e e$e"tion, ret#rnsand 6#a$i(i"ations o( t%e )e)&ers o( t%e /o#se.2T%e Co#rts @#risdi"tion over t%e /RET is )ere$1 to "%e"5 0*%et%er or not t%ere %as&een a 'rave ase o( dis"retion a)o#ntin' to $a"5 or e"ess o( @#risdi"tion0 on t%e part o( t%e $atter. 4In t%e a&sen"e t%ereo(, t%ere isno o""asion (or t%e Co#rt to eer"ise its "orre"tive po*er and ann#$ t%e de"ision o( t%e /RET nor to s#&stit#te t%e Co#rts @#d'e)ent(or t%at o( t%e $atter (or t%e si)p$e reason t%at it is not t%e o((i"e o( a petition (or "ertiorari to in6#ire into t%e "orre"tness o( t%e assai$edde"ision.4+T%ere is no s#"% s%o*in' o( 'rave ase o( dis"retion in t%is "ase.

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