EN BANC REPRESENTATIVE REPRESENTATIVE DANILO RAMON S. FERNANDEZ, Petitioner,
G. R. No. 187478
Present: PUNO, C.J., C.J., CARPIO, CORONA, CARPIO MORALES, VELASCO, JR., NACHURA, LEONARO-E CAS!RO, "RION, PERAL!A, "ERSAMIN, EL CAS!ILLO, A"A, #nd VILLARAMA, JR., JJ. JR., JJ.
- versus -
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES REPRESENTATIVES Pro$u%&#ted: ELECTORAL TRIBUNAL AND JESUS L. VICENTE, Respondents. e'e$(er )*, )++ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DECISION LEONARDO-DE CASTRO, J .: .:
!is petition /or certiorari #nd certiorari #nd proi(itio proi(ition n /i%ed under Ru%e 01 o/ te Ru%es HRET CASE ASE No. '7-'( 7-'(4 4 /or quo o/ Court ste$s /ro$ te D!"#"o$%1& in HRE warranto entit%ed warranto entit%ed Jesus L. Vicente v. Danilo Ramon S. Fernandez Fernandez pro$u%&#ted (2 te House o/ Represent#tives E%e'tor#% !ri(un#% 3HRE!4 on e'e$(er *0, )++5 #s 6e%% #s M"$)* R#o+)*"o$ No. '-'8' pro$u%&#ted on Apri% 7+, )++, %i8e6ise issued (2 te HRE!, den2in& petitioner9s Motion /or Re'onsider#tion. !e dispositive portion o/ te uestioned e'ision re#ds #s /o%%o6s:
;HER ;HERE< Ete? ORDERS? i$ to v#'#te is o//i'e. As soon soon #s tis tis Reso Reso%u %uti tion on (e'o (e'o$e $ess /in# /in#%% #nd #nd ee' ee'ut utor or2, 2, %et %et noti noti'e 'ess (e sent sent to te te Pres Presid iden entt o/ te te Pi% Pi%ip ippi pine nes, s, te te Hous Housee o/ Repres Represent ent#ti #tives ves trou& trou& te Spe#8e Spe#8er, r, #nd te Co$$is Co$$issio sion n on Audit Audit trou& its C#ir$#n, pursu#nt to Ru%e 0 o/ te )++@ Ru%es o/ te House o/ Represent#tives E%e'tor#% !ri(un#%. No pronoun'e$ent #s to 'osts. 'osts. SO ORDERED.%&
On e'e$(er )), )++5, petitioner #ni%o R#$on S. 7? #r&u$ents t#t >#d? not (een #ppropri#te%2 reso%ved in te e'ision. Petitioner tus #pp%ied /or re%ie/ to tis Court, '%#i$in& t#t te uestioned e'i e'isi sion on #nd #nd Reso Reso%u %uti tion on sou sou%d %d (e de'% de'%#r #red ed nu%% nu%% #nd #nd void void /or /or #vi #vin& n& (een (een respe'tive respe'tive%2 %2 issued issued with grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack of or in excess of jurisdiction , #nd pr#2in& /or te issu#n'e o/ # 6rit o/ proi(ition to enDoin #nd #nd pro proi( i(it it te te HRE! HRE! /ro /ro$ i$p% i$p%e$ e$en enti tin& n& te te ues uesti tion oned ed e'i e'isi sion on #nd #nd Reso%ution.>@? !e #nte'edent /#'ts #re '%e#r #nd undisputed. Petiti Petitione onerr /i%ed /i%ed /or '#ndid '#ndid#'2 #'2 #s Repres Represent ent#ti #tive ve o/ te First Le&is%#tive Le&is%#tive istri't o/ te Provin'e o/ L#&un# in te M#2 M#2 *@, )++ e%e'tions. e%e'tions. In is Certi/i'#te o/ C#nd C#ndid id#' #'2 2 3COC 3COC4, 4, e indi indi'# '#te ted d is is 'o$p 'o$p%e %ete teBe Be# #'t 't #ddr #ddres esss #s No. No. *7 M##r% M##r%i8# i8# St., St., Vi%%# Vi%%# !o%edo !o%edo Su(div Su(divisi ision, on, "#r#n& "#r#n #2 "#%i(# "#%i(#&o, &o, St#. St#. Ros# Ros# Cit2, Cit2, L#&un# 3#%%e&ed St#. Ros# residen'e4. >1? Priv#te respondent Jesus L. Vi'ente 3priv#te respondent4 /i%ed # Petition to en2 en2 ue Course Course to #ndBor #ndBor C#n'e% C#n'e% Certi Certi/i' /i'#te #te o/ C#ndid C#ndid#'2 #'2 #nd Petiti Petition on /or isu# isu#%i/ %i/i'# i'#tio tion n (e/ore (e/ore te O//i'e O//i'e o/ te Provin' Provin'i#% i#% E%e'ti E%e'tion on Superv Superviso isorr o/ L#&un#. L#&un#. !is 6#s /or6#rded to te Co$$ission Co$$ission on E%e'tions 3COMELEC4 3COMELEC4 #nd
do'8eted terein #s SPA No. '7-'4 /PES0 . Priv#te respondent sou&t te '#n'e%%#tion o/ petitioner9s COC #nd te %#tter9s disu#%i/i'#tion #s # '#ndid#te on te &round o/ #n #%%e&ed $#teri#% $isrepresent#tion in is COC re&#rdin& is p%#'e o/ residen'e, (e'#use durin& p#st e%e'tions, e #d de'%#red P#&s#nD#n, L#&un# #s is #ddress, #nd P#&s#nD#n 6#s %o'#ted in te Fourth Le&is%#tive istri't o/ te Provin'e o/ L#&un#. Priv#te respondent %i8e6ise '%#i$ed t#t petitioner $#int#ined #noter ouse in C#(u2#o, L#&un#, 6i' 6#s #%so outside te 0? !e COMELEC 3? Petitioner 6#s pro'%#i$ed #s te du%2 e%e'ted Represent#tive o/ te 5? On Ju%2 1, )++, priv#te respondent /i%ed # petition /or quo warranto (e/ore te HRE!, do'8eted #s HRET CASE No. '7-'(4, pr#2in& t#t petitioner (e de'%#red ine%i&i(%e to o%d o//i'e #s # Me$(er o/ te House o/ Represent#tives representin& te ? Priv#te respondent9s $#in &round /or te quo warranto petition 6#s t#t petitioner %#'8ed te reuired one-2e#r residen'2 reuire$ent provided under Arti'%e VI, Se'tion 0 o/ te *5 Constitution. In support o/ is petition, priv#te respondent #r&ued t#t petitioner /#%se%2 de'%#red under o#t: 3*4 is #%%e&ed St#. Ros# residen'eF 3)4 te period o/ is residen'e in te %e&is%#tive distri't (e/ore M#2 *@, )++, 6i' e indi'#ted #s one 2e#r #nd t6o $ontsF #nd 374 is e%i&i(i%it2 /or te o//i'e 6ere e 6#s see8in& to (e e%e'ted. Priv#te respondent presented te testi$on2 o/ # 'ert#in Att2. Noe% !. !i#$pon&, 6o st#ted t#t petitioner is not /ro$ te #%%e&ed St#. Ros# residen'e (ut # resident o/ BarangayPu%o, C#(u2#o, L#&un#F #s 6e%% #s te respe'tive testi$onies o/ Barangay "#%i(#&o He#%t ;or8ers 6o #ttested t#t te2 r#re%2, i/ ever, s#6 respondent in te %e#sed pre$ises #t te #%%e&ed St#. Ros# residen'eF #nd oter 6itnesses 6o testi/ied t#t 'ontr#r2 to te $isrepresent#tions o/ petitioner, e is not # resident o/ te #%%e&ed St#. Ros# residen'e. A 6itness testi/ied t#t petitioner #tte$pted to 'oer'e so$e o/ te oter 6itnesses to re'#nt teir de'%#r#tions #nd '#n&e teir #//id#vits. *+?
Petitioner, #s respondent in HRET C# No. '7-'(4, presented #s is 6itnesses residents o/ Vi%%# de !o%edo 6o testi/ied t#t te2 #d seen respondent #nd is /#$i%2 residin& in teir %o'#%it2, #s 6e%% #s "ienvenido G. Asun'ion 6o testi/ied t#t petitioner is te %essee in Unit No. *7 "%o'8 * Lot I, M##r%i8# St., Vi%%# de !o%edo Su(division, "r&2. "#%i(#&o, St#. Ros# Cit2, L#&un#. Petitioner %i8e6ise presented Mr. Josep ;#de, President o/ Sout Point Ho$eo6ner9s Asso'i#tion o/ C#(u2#o, L#&un#, #s 6e%% #s En&r. L#rr2 E. C#stro 3C#stro4, 6o testi/ied t#t sin'e **? Petitioner testi/ied t#t e #d (een # resident o/ St#. Ros# even (e/ore *)? Sin'e te HRE! ru%ed in /#vor o/ priv#te respondent, tis petition 6#s /i%ed (e/ore us. In petitioner9s #ssi&n$ent o/ errors, e #%%e&es t#t te HRE! &rievous%2 erred #nd 'o$$itted &r#ve #(use o/ dis'retion: *. In not p%#'in& on te quo warranto petitioner Jesus L. Vi'ente te (urden o/ provin& t#t ten respondent 3no6 petitioner4
0. ;en it /#i%ed to 'onsider te intent o/ te petitioner to tr#ns/er do$i'i%e (#sed on te tot#%it2 o/ te eviden'e #ddu'edF #nd . ;en it /#i%ed to /ind te petitioner in HRE! C#se No. +-+7@ &ui%t2 o/ /oru$-soppin&. >*7? On te /irst #ssi&n$ent o/ error, petitioner uestions te /o%%o6in& pronoun'e$ent o/ te HRE! in its de'ision: In te '#se (e/ore us, petitioner #s '%e#r%2 #sserted, #nd respondent does not den2, t#t is do$i'i%e o/ ori&in is P#&s#nD#n in te *@?
Petitioner 'ontends t#t it is # (#si' evidenti#r2 ru%e t#t te (urden o/ proo/ is on e 6o #%%e&es, #nd e 6o re%ies on su' #n #%%e&#tion #s is '#use o/ #'tion sou%d prove te s#$e. >*1? Sin'e priv#te respondent is te p#rt2 #%%e&in& t#t petitioner is not e%i&i(%e /or is position, it is tere/ore in'u$(ent on te /or$er, 6o /i%ed te quo warranto '#se (e/ore te HRE!, to prove su' #%%e&#tion. He 'ites in support o/ is 'ontention Se'. *, Ru%e *7* o/ te Ru%es o/ Court, to 6it: SEC!ION *. Burden of proof . "urden o/ proo/ is te dut2 o/ # p#rt2 to present eviden'e on te /#'ts in issue ne'ess#r2 to est#(%is is '%#i$ or de/ense (2 te #$ount o/ eviden'e reuired (2 %#6.
Petitioner #vers t#t priv#te respondent /#i%ed to est#(%is is '%#i$ #nd to #ddu'e eviden'e su//i'ient to over'o$e petitioner9s e%i&i(i%it2 to (e # '#ndid#te /or Represent#tive o/ te
Con&ress$#n o/ te o$ *< ?9!"# o #)9.
Petitioner #%%e&es t#t in te uestioned e'ision, te HRE! #dded # ne6 u#%i/i'#tion reuire$ent /or '#ndid#tes see8in& e%e'tion to te position o/ Me$(er o/ te House o/ Represent#tives, #nd t#t is, te2 $ust (e re#% propert2 o6ners in te %e&is%#tive distri't 6ere te2 see8 e%e'tion. On te /ourt #ssi&n$ent o/ error, petitioner #ddresses priv#te respondent9s #r&u$ents #&#inst te 'ontr#'t o/ %e#se t#t e presented #s p#rt o/ te proo/ o/ is 'o$p%i#n'e 6it te residen'2 reuire$ent. Petitioner #sserts t#t te no$en'%#ture used (2 'ontr#'tin& p#rties to des'ri(e # 'ontr#'t does not deter$ine its n#ture, (ut te de'isive /#'tor is te intention o/ te p#rties to # 'ontr#'t #s so6n (2 teir 'ondu't, 6ords, #'tions, #nd deeds prior to, durin& #nd #/ter ee'utin& te #&ree$ent. >*0? Petitioner '%#i$s t#t e #s presented #$p%e proo/ o/ is residen'2 in ter$s o/ eviden'e $ore nu$erous #nd (e#rin& $ore 6ei&t #nd 'redi(i%it2 t#n tose o/ priv#te respondent. He pro'eeds to i&%i&t so$e o/ te eviden'e e o//ered in te quo warranto '#se t#t #%%e&ed%2 prove t#t is tr#ns/er o/ residen'e #nd intention to reside in St#. Ros# 6ere proven (2 is st#2 in Vi%%# de !o%edo, to 6it: 3*4 even e#r%ier t#n )++0, e #d pur'#sed # ouse #nd %ot in "e%Air Su(division in St#. Ros# 6i' e rented out (e'#use e 6#s not 2et st#2in& tere #t t#t ti$eF 3)4 e sent is 'i%dren to s'oo%s in St#. Ros# #s e#r%2 #s )++)F #nd 374 e #nd is 6i/e est#(%ised # rest#ur#nt (usiness tere in )++7. Petitioner
'ontends t#t 6en e #nd is /#$i%2 $oved to St#. Ros# (2 initi#%%2 rentin& # to6nouse in Vi%%# de !o%edo, it '#nnot (e s#id t#t e did tis on%2 in order to run /or e%e'tion in te *? As re&#rds te #%%e&ed in/ir$ities '#r#'teri=in& te ee'ution o/ te 'ontr#'t o/ %e#se #nd te rene6#% o/ s#id 'ontr#'t o/ %e#se, petitioner 'ontends t#t tese #re not $#teri#% sin'e te %essor, "ienvenido Asun'ion, #//ir$ed is st#2 in is to6nouseF te nei&(ors #nd oter (#r#n person#%ities 'on/ir$ed is #nd is /#$i%29s st#2 in teir #re#F #nd petitioner #s 'ontinued #'tu#% residen'e in St#. Ros# /ro$ e#r%2 )++0 to te present. Petitioner '%#i$s t#t #%% tese prove t#t e #d e//e'tive%2 '#n&ed is residen'e #nd 'ou%d tere/ore %i8e6ise tr#ns/er is voter9s re&istr#tion /ro$ P#&s#nD#n to St#. Ros# under Se'. *) o/ R.A. No. 5*5. >*5? Petitioner #%so #%%e&es t#t e #d (e'o$e u#%i/ied to see8 e%e'tive o//i'e in is ne6 p%#'e o/ residen'e #nd re&istr#tion #s # voter. !o /urter prove t#t e #s $#de St#. Ros# is do$i'i%e o/ 'oi'e /ro$ e#r%2 )++0 to te present, petitioner points out t#t e #nd is 6i/e #d pur'#sed # %ot in te s#$e #re#, Vi%%# de !o%edo, on Apri% )*, )++, (ui%t # ouse tereon, #nd $oved in s#id ouse 6it teir /#$i%2. Re&#rdin& te non-not#ri=#tion o/ te 'ontr#'t o/ %e#se r#ised (2 priv#te respondent, petitioner #vers t#t tis does not ne'ess#ri%2 nu%%i/2 nor render te p#rties9 tr#ns#'tion void ab initio.>*? On te /i/t #ssi&n$ent o/ error, petitioner #%%e&es t#t te HRE! re%ied on priv#te respondent9s 6itnesses in ne&#tin& petitioner9s '%#i$ t#t e #d v#%id%2 resided #t te #%%e&ed St#. Ros# residen'e /or $ore t#n one 2e#r #nd t6o $onts prior to te M#2 *@, )++ e%e'tions, #nd did not tou' on te testi$onies o/ is 6itnesses. !e uestioned e'ision pointed out petitioner9s #%%e&ed non#ppe#r#n'e in te d#2-to-d#2 #'tivities o/ te Ho$eo6ners9 Asso'i#tion #nd 'onsidered tis #s /#i%ure to prove t#t e is # resident o/ Vi%%# de !o%edo, 6itout 'onsiderin& te /#'t t#t priv#te respondent /#i%ed to dis'#r&e te (urden o/ proo/ in support o/ is indi't$ent #&#inst petitioner. On te sit #ssi&n$ent o/ error, petitioner '%#i$s t#t te uestioned e'ision 6#s #rrived #t (#sed on te per'eived 6e#8ness o/ is eviden'e #nd #r&u$ents #s respondent, inste#d o/ te stren&t o/ priv#te respondent9s o6n eviden'e #nd #r&u$ents in is quo warranto petition.
On te sevent #nd %#st #ssi&n$ent o/ error, petitioner #%%e&es t#t te $#tters r#ised in HRET C# No. '7-'(4 6ere no di//erent /ro$ te ones r#ised (2 priv#te respondent (e/ore te COMELEC in SPA No. '7-'4 /PES0 F tus, priv#te respondent9s petition sou%d #ve (een dis$issed (2 te HRE! /or /oru$soppin&. In is Co$* d#ted June )), )++, priv#te respondent su$$#ri=ed te issues r#ised in petitioner9s #ssi&n$ent o/ errors into t6o: 3*4 tose t#t invo%ve te issue o/ 'on/%i't o/ Durisdi'tion (et6een te HRE! #nd te COMELEC respe'tin& te e%i&i(i%it2, u#%i/i'#tionBs or disu#%i/i'#tion o/ e%e'tive pu(%i' o//i'i#%sF #nd 3)4 tose t#t invo%ve /#'tu#% #nd evidenti#r2 $#tters desi&ned #s supposed errors. >)+? Re&#rdin& te /irst issue, priv#te respondent 'ontends t#t te *5 Constitution is $ost euivo'#% in de'%#rin& t#t te HRE! is te so%e Dud&e o/ #%% 'ontests re%#tin& to te e%e'tion, returns #nd u#%i/i'#tions o/ Me$(ers o/ te House o/ Represent#tives, under te /o%%o6in& provision: A9*. VI, SECTION 17. !e Sen#te #nd te House o/ Represent#tives s#%% e#' #ve #n E%e'tor#% !ri(un#% 6i' s#%% (e te so%e Dud&e o/ #%% 'ontests re%#tin& to te e%e'tion, returns, #nd u#%i/i'#tions o/ teir respe'tive Me$(ers.
Priv#te respondent #%%e&es t#t te #(ove 'onstitution#% provision 6#s #dopted (2 te HRE! in its Ru%es, 6i' re#d: THE 18 RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ELECTORAL TRIBUNAL !e House o/ Represent#tives E%e'tor#% !ri(un#% ere(2 #dopts #nd pro$u%&#tes te /o%%o6in& Ru%es &overnin& its pro'eedin&s #s te so%e Dud&e o/ #%% 'ontests re%#tin& to te e%e'tion, returns #nd u#%i/i'#tions o/ Me$(ers o/ te House o/ Represent#tives, pursu#nt to Se'tion *, Arti'%e VI o/ te Constitution.
RULE 17
Quo arranto
A veri/ied petition /or quo warranto 'ontestin& te e%e'tion o/ # Me$(er o/ te House o/ Represent#tives on te &round o/ ine%i&i(i%it2 or o/ dis%o2#%t2 to te Repu(%i' o/ tePi%ippines s#%% (e /i%ed (2 #n2 voter 6itin ten 3*+4 d#2s #/ter te pro'%#$#tion o/ te 6inner. !e p#rt2 /i%in& te petition s#%% (e desi&n#ted #s te petitioner 6i%e te #dverse p#rt2 s#%% (e 8no6n #s te respondent. !e ru%e on veri/i'#tion provided in Se'tion *0 ereo/ s#%% #pp%2 to petitions /or quo warranto.
Priv#te respondent 'on'%udes /ro$ te #(ove t#t petitioner #d no %e&#% (#sis to '%#i$ t#t te HRE!, 6en re/eren'e to te u#%i/i'#tionBs o/ Me$(ers o/ te House o/ Represent#tives is 'on'erned, is 'o-eu#% to te COMELEC, su' t#t te HRE! '#nnot disre&#rd #n2 ru%in& o/ COMELEC respe'tin& te $#tter o/ e%i&i(i%it2 #nd u#%i/i'#tion o/ # $e$(er o/ te House o/ Represent#tives. !e trut is te oter 6#2 #round, (e'#use te COMELEC is su(servient to te HRE! 6en te dispute or 'ontest #t issue re/ers to te e%i&i(i%it2 #ndBor u#%i/i'#tion o/ # Me$(er o/ te House o/ Represent#tives. A petition /or quo warranto is 6itin te e'%usive Durisdi'tion o/ te HRE! #s so%e Dud&e, #nd '#nnot (e 'onsidered /oru$ soppin& even i/ #noter (od2 $#2 #ve p#ssed upon in #d$inistr#tive or u#si-Dudi'i#% pro'eedin&s te issue o/ te Me$(er9s u#%i/i'#tion 6i%e te Me$(er 6#s sti%% # '#ndid#te. !ere is /oru$-soppin& on%2 6ere t6o '#ses invo%ve te s#$e p#rties #nd te s#$e '#use o/ #'tion. !e t6o '#ses ere #re distin't #nd dissi$i%#r in teir n#ture #nd '#r#'ter. Anent te se'ond issue, priv#te respondent 'ontends t#t petitioner r#ised errors o/ Dud&$ent, $ist#8es in te /#'tu#% /indin&s, #ndBor /%#6s in te eviden'e #ppre'i#tion, 6i' #re #ppropri#te on #ppe#%, (ut not in # petition /or certiorari 6i' is # spe'i#% 'ivi% #'tion, 6ere te on%2 #%%o6#(%e &round in order to prosper is &r#ve #(use o/ dis'retion #$ountin& to %#'8 or in e'ess o/ Durisdi'tion. )*?
!e HRE! #vers t#t te uestioned e'ision is supported (2 /#'tu#% #nd %e&#% (#sis, /or it /ound t#t te ori&in#% #nd etended 'ontr#'ts o/ %e#se presented (2 petitioner 6ere de/e'tive #nd /#(ri'#ted, #s it 'ont#ined sever#% #pp#rent, i/ not visi(%e, de/i'ien'ies #s to /or$, i.e.>,? it (ein& not not#ri=edF te #(sen'e o/ 6itnesses, te inter'#%#tions tere#t espe'i#%%2 on te ter$Bperiod o/ te #%%e&ed %e#seF te #(sen'e o/ respondent9s p#rti'ip#tion terein #nd so$e oters pointed out in te petition. >))? !e e'ision st#tes t#t even i/ te 'ontr#'t o/ %e#se 6#s v#%id #nd %e&iti$#te, # /ied period o/ one 2e#r ne&#tes te 'on'ept o/ per$#nen'2 t#t 6ou%d su//i'e to prove #(#ndon$ent o/ respondent9s previous residen'e or do$i'i%e #t P#&s#nD#n. !e e'ision /urter re#ds #s /o%%o6s: Respondent9s 'onne'tion to te $* "$ <"# +#"$ *o3$ o 5)6"$ o$. T< #$* o *< F"9#* D"#*9"!* o L)$ /$> *< !* *<* <"# >o"!"+ o o9""$ "# P#$@$, L)$ "# $o* 3"*<"$ *< F"9#* D"#*9"!* o L)$0 "$>"!* *<* <"# #o+ ;)9;o# "$ *9$#99"$ <"# ;<6#"!+ 9#">$! "# $o* *o !=)"9 $3 9#">$! o9 >o"!"+ 5)* o$+6 *o =)+"6 # !$>">* o9 R;9#$**"2 o *< F"9#* D"#*9"!* o L)$.>)7?
Ei(it 7 is te ver2 do'u$ent t#t 6#s produ'ed #nd presented (2 respondent to #ttest t#t 6i%e te ori&in#% 'ontr#'t, rep%ete 6it in/ir$ities, #s on%2 /or one 2e#r epirin& even (e/ore te M#2 *@, )++ e%e'tions, ere no6 'o$es te rene6ed Contr#'t o/ Le#se, si&ned (2 respondent i$se%/, no %on&er is 6i/e, i$$#'u%#te%2 per/e't on its /#'e, no6 not#ri=ed #nd proper%2 6itnessed, #nd even te ter$s #nd 'onditions tereo/ undeni#(%2 '%e#r #nd ep%i'it, 6it te #dded /e#ture o/ # pro%on&ed )-2e#r period o/ %e#se t#t 6i%% &o 6e%% (e2ond te M#2 *@, )++ e%e'tions. ;e '#nnot o6ever, si$p%2 #''ept te rene6ed Contr#'t o/ Le#se 3Ei(it 74 on its /#'e. In /#'t, #s su''in't%2 pointed out (2 petitioner, te rene6ed Contr#'t o/ Le#se su//ers /ro$ # $ore &rievous in/ir$it2. As respondent9s (roter-in-%#6, Att2. M#'#%#%#& is proi(ited /ro$ not#ri=in& # do'u$ent t#t invo%ves te respondent. >)@?
"ut te %#'8 o/ not#ri#% #utenti'#tion does not even 'onstitute te $#in de/e't o/ >Ei(it 7?. !e sur/#'in& o/ Ei(it 7 ver2 %#te in te d#2 '#nnot (ut %e#d to te 'on'%usion t#t te s#$e 6#s # $ere #/tertou&t. >)1?
;e #ve to e$p#si=e t#t te initi#% one-2e#r %e#se 'ontr#'t epired on )0?
"2 te unep%#ined de%#2 in te produ'tion #nd present#tion o/ Ei(it 7, respondent9s residen'e u#%i/i'#tions su//ered # /#t#% (%o6. )?
C#(u2#o, L#&un#, even i/ se 6#s # resident o/ St#. Ros#. >)5? !e So%i'itor Gener#% uotes te /o%%o6in& portion /ro$ te uestioned e'ision: ;#t #ppe#rs ver2 evident /ro$ tis is t#t respondent #s #(so%ute%2 not te s%i&test intention to reside in St#. Ros# per$#nent%2. !is ine%u't#(%2 'on/ir$s t#t respondent #s not deve%oped animus manendi over te %#tter p%#'e, St#. Ros#>,? #nd t#t e #s not #'tu#%%2 #(#ndoned is o%d do$i'i%e o/ ori&in in P#&s#nD#n. >)?
As /or te tird "H; 6itness, <%o'er/in# !orres, te HRE! &ives 'reden'e to er testi$on2 t#t se 'ondu'ted # ouseo%d 'ensus in Vi%%# de !o%edo ever2 tree $onts, (ut not on'e #d se seen petitioner in te #%%e&ed St#. Ros# residen'e, #nd t#t se 6#s #dvised (2 petitioner to pro'eed to is ouse in C#(u2#o, L#&un# 6en se #d #tte$pted to so%i'it /ro$ petitioner #t is R#/ter9s est#(%is$ent (e'#use it 6#s ne#r er residen'e in St#. Ros#. 7+?
!e HRE! %i8e6ise 'ontends t#t te /#'t t#t petitioner re&istered #s # voter in St#. Ros# does not prove t#t e is # resident tere#t, &iven t#t # voter is reuired to reside in te p%#'e 6erein e proposes to vote on%2 /or six months pre'edin& te e%e'tion. !e HRE! #vers t#t tis Court #d ep%#ined te i$port#n'e o/ propert2 o6nersip in !quino v. C"#$%$C& et al. >7*? #nd /inds no $erit in petitioner9s insisten'e t#t te 6i%% o/ te e%e'tor#te #ttests to is residen'e in St#. Ros# (e'#use, te HRE! /urter #vers, >#? disu#%i/ied '#ndid#te '#nnot #ssu$e o//i'e.>7)? !e HRE! %i8e6ise 'ontends t#t te purpose o/ te residen'2 reuire$ent is to ensure t#t te person e%e'ted is /#$i%i#r 6it te needs #nd pro(%e$s o/ is 'onstituen'2.
!e issues /or deter$in#tion #re: 3*4 6eter te HRE! #d Durisdi'tion over te '#seF #nd 3)4 6eter petitioner su//i'ient%2 'o$p%ied 6it te one-2e#r residen'2 reuire$ent to (e # Me$(er o/ te House o/ Represent#tives, #s provided in te *5 Constitution. !e /irst issue is pro'edur#% #nd invo%ves te Durisdi'tion o/ te HRE! vis-Kvis t#t o/ te COMELEC in '#ses invo%vin& te u#%i/i'#tion o/ Me$(ers o/ te House o/ Represent#tives. Petitioner su&&ests t#t te $#tters r#ised in HRET C# No. '7-'(4 6ere #%re#d2 p#ssed upon (2 te COMELEC in SPA No. '7-'4 /PES0, tus te HRE! sou%d #ve dis$issed te '#se /or /oru$-soppin&. ;e do not #&ree. !e *5 Constitution ep%i'it%2 provides under Arti'%e VI, Se'tion * tereo/ t#t te HRE! #nd te Sen#te E%e'tor#% !ri(un#% 3SE!4 s#%% (e te sole judges o/ #%% 'ontests re%#tin& to te e%e'tion, returns, #nd qualifications o/ teir respe'tive $e$(ers. !e #utorit2 'on/erred upon te E%e'tor#% !ri(un#% is /u%%, '%e#r #nd 'o$p%ete. !e use o/ te 6ord sole e$p#si=es te e'%usivit2 o/ te Durisdi'tion o/ tese !ri(un#%s, >77? 6i' is 'on/erred upon te HRE! #nd te SE! #/ter e%e'tions #nd te pro'%#$#tion o/ te 6innin& '#ndid#tes. A '#ndid#te 6o #s not (een pro'%#i$ed #nd 6o #s not t#8en is o#t o/ o//i'e '#nnot (e s#id to (e # $e$(er o/ te House o/ Represent#tives. >7@? !us, priv#te respondent 'orre't%2 pointed out t#t # petition /or quo warranto is 6itin te e'%usive Durisdi'tion o/ te HRE!, #nd '#nnot (e 'onsidered /oru$ soppin& even i/, #s in tis '#se, te COMELEC #d #%re#d2 p#ssed upon in #d$inistr#tive or u#si-Dudi'i#% pro'eedin&s te issue o/ te u#%i/i'#tion o/ te Me$(er o/ te House o/ Represent#tives 6i%e te %#tter 6#s sti%% # '#ndid#te. Anent te se'ond issue pert#inin& to petitioner9s 'o$p%i#n'e 6it te residen'2 reuire$ent /or Me$(ers o/ te House o/ Represent#tives, #/ter stud2in& te eviden'e su($itted (2 te p#rties, 6e /ind /or petitioner, t#8in& into #''ount our ru%in& in 'rivaldo v. C"#$%$C ,>71? 6i' re#ds in p#rt: !is Court #s ti$e #nd "$ +"59++6 $> =)"*5+6 !o$#*9)> *< +!*o9+ +3# o o)9 !o)$*96 *o "2 )++#* !* *o *< $"#* 3"++ o o)9 ;o;+, o9 "$ !# o >o)5*, ;o+"*"!+ +3# )#*
5 "$*9;9*> *o "2 +" $> #;"9"* *o *< ;o;)+9 $>* 9+6 ?;9##> *<9o)< *< 5++o*. Oter6ise st#ted, %e&#% ni'eties #nd te'ni'#%ities '#nnot st#nd in te 6#2 o/ te soverei&n 6i%%. 3E$p#sis supp%ied4
$* *<9o o9 ;9"o> o $o* +## *<$ o$ 69 ">"*+6 ;9!>"$ *< >6 o *< +!*"o$. 3E$p#sis supp%ied4
;e /ind te interpret#tion o/ te HRE! o/ te residen'2 reuire$ent under te Constitution to (e over%2 restri'tive #nd un6#rr#nted under te /#'tu#% 'ir'u$st#n'es o/ tis '#se. !e eviden'e presented (2 priv#te respondent (e/ore te HRE! #rd%2 su//i'es to prove t#t petitioner /#i%ed to 'o$p%2 6it te one-2e#r residen'2 reuire$ent under te Constitution. Priv#te respondent9s do'u$ent#r2 eviden'e to disu#%i/2 petitioner $#in%2 'onsisted o/ 3#4 petitioner9s 'erti/i'#tes o/ '#ndid#'2 3COCs4 /or v#rious positions in *5, )++* #nd )++@, 6i' #%% indi'#ted is residen'e #s P#&s#nD#n, L#&un# 6itin te
COC is t#t e #d (een # resident o/ St#. Ros#, L#&un# in te
residen'e, #s tere is notin& in te residen'2 reuire$ent /or '#ndid#tes t#t proi(its te$ /ro$ o6nin& propert2 #nd eer'isin& teir ri&ts o/ o6nersip tereto in oter p%#'es #side /ro$ te #ddress te2 #d indi'#ted #s teir p%#'e o/ residen'e in teir COC. As re&#rds te 6ei&t to (e &iven te 'ontr#'t o/ %e#se vis()(vis petitioner9s previous COCs, 6e /ind *ere+ v. C"#$%$C >70? to (e instru'tive in tis '#se, #nd uote te pertinent portions o/ te de'ision (e%o6: In te '#se #t (#r, te COMELEC /ound t#t priv#te respondent '#n&ed is residen'e /ro$ G#tt#r#n to !u&ue&#r#o, te '#pit#% o/ C##n, in Ju%2 *+ on te (#sis o/ te /o%%o6in&: 3*4 te #//id#vit o/ En&ineer A%/redo A(%#=#, te o6ner o/ te residenti#% #p#rt$ent #t *7-E M#&#%%#nes St., !u&ue&#r#o, C##n, 6ere priv#te respondent #d %ived in *+F 3)4 te 'ontr#'t o/ %e#se (et6een priv#te respondent, #s %essee, #nd !o$#s !. e'en#, #s %essor, o/ # residenti#% #p#rt$ent #t #$i#s St., !#n=#, !u&ue&#r#o, C##n, /or te period Ju%2 *, *1 to June 7+, *0F 374 te $#rri#&e 'erti/i'#te, d#ted J#nu#r2 *5, *5, (et6een priv#te respondent #nd Ler$# u$#&uitF 3@4 te 'erti/i'#te o/ %ive (irt o/ priv#te respondents se'ond d#u&terF #nd 314 v#rious %etters #ddressed to priv#te respondent #nd is /#$i%2, 6i' #%% so6 t#t priv#te respondent 6#s # resident o/ !u&ue&#r#o, C##n /or #t %e#st one 3*4 2e#r i$$edi#te%2 pre'edin& te e%e'tions on M#2 **, *5. !ere is tus su(st#nti#% eviden'e supportin& te /indin& t#t priv#te respondent #d (een # resident o/ te !ird istri't o/ C##n #nd tere is notin& in te re'ord to detr#'t /ro$ te $erit o/ tis /#'tu#% /indin&. Petitioner 'ontends t#t te /#'t t#t priv#te respondent 6#s # resident o/ G#tt#r#n, #t %e#st unti% June )), *, is so6n (2 te /o%%o6in& do'u$ent#r2 eviden'e in te re'ord, to 6it: 3*4 is 'erti/i'#tes o/ '#ndid#'2 /or &overnor o/ C##n in te *55, *) #nd *1 e%e'tionsF 3)4 is voters re&istr#tion re'ords, te %#test o/ 6i' 6#s $#de on June )), *F #nd 374 te /#'t t#t priv#te respondent voted in G#tt#r#n, C##n, in te e%e'tions o/ *5, *55, *) #nd *1. !e 'ontention is 6itout $erit. !e /#'t t#t # person is re&istered #s # voter in one distri't is not proo/ t#t e is not do$i'i%ed in #noter distri't. !us, in 'aypon v. Quirino, tis Court e%d t#t te re&istr#tion o/
# voter in # p%#'e oter t#n is residen'e o/ ori&in is not su//i'ient to 'onsider i$ to #ve #(#ndoned or %ost is residen'e. No9 "# "* o )!< ";o9*$! *<* "$ <"# !9*""!*# o !$>">!6 o9 ;9o2"$!"+ o29$o9 "$ *< +!*"o$# o 188, 1, $> 1, ;9"2* 9#;o$>$* #**> *<* < 3# 9#">$* o G**9$. U$>9 *< +3, 3<* "# 9=)"9> o9 *< +!*"o$ o o29$o9 "# 9#">$!6 "$ *< ;9o2"$!, $o* "$ $6 >"#*9"!* o9 )$"!";+"*6, o$ 69 5o9 *< +!*"o$.
Moreover, #s tis Court s#id in ,omualde+(#arcos v. C"#$%$C : It is te /#'t o/ residen'e, not # st#te$ent in # 'erti/i'#te o/ '#ndid#'2, 6i' ou&t to (e de'isive in deter$inin& 6eter or not #n individu#% #s s#tis/ied te 'onstitutions residen'2 u#%i/i'#tion reuire$ent. !e s#id st#te$ent (e'o$es $#teri#% on%2 6en tere is or #ppe#rs to (e # de%i(er#te #tte$pt to $is%e#d, $isin/or$, or ide # /#'t 6i' 6ou%d oter6ise render # '#ndid#te ine%i&i(%e. In tis '#se, #%tou& priv#te respondent de'%#red in is 'erti/i'#tes o/ '#ndid#'2 prior to te M#2 **, *5 e%e'tions t#t e 6#s # resident o/ G#tt#r#n, C##n, te /#'t is t#t e 6#s #'tu#%%2 # resident o/ te !ird istri't not Dust /or one 3*4 2e#r prior to te M#2 **, *5 e%e'tions (ut /or $ore t#n seven 34 2e#rs sin'e Ju%2 *+. H"# !+" *<* < <> 5$ 9#">$* o T))9o #"$! J)+6 1' "# !9>"5+ !o$#">9"$ *<* < 3# o29$o9 9o 188 *o 18 $>, *<9o9, "* 3o)+> 5 !o$2$"$* o9 <" *o "$*"$ <"# 9#">$! "$ T))9o, 3<"!< "# *< !;"*+ o *< ;9o2"$! o C6$. As #%6#2s, te po%est#r o/ #dDudi'#tion in '#ses o/ tis n#ture is -allego v. era, in 6i' tis Court e%d: %&<$ *< 2">$! o$ *< ++> +! o 9#">$! =)+""!*"o$ "# 3 o9 "$!o$!+)#"2 $> "* !+9+6 ;;9#, # "$ *< "$#*$* !#, *<* *< ;)9;o# o *< +3 3o)+> $o* 5 *<39*> 56 );"$ *< 9"<* *o *< o"!, *< 3"++ o *< +!*o9* # 5 9#;!*>. In tis '#se, 'onsiderin& te purpose o/ te residen'2 reuire$ent, i.e., to ensure t#t te person e%e'ted is /#$i%i#r 6it te needs #nd pro(%e$s o/ is 'onstituen'2, tere '#n (e no dou(t t#t priv#te respondent is u#%i/ied, #vin& (een &overnor
o/ te entire provin'e o/ C##n /or ten 2e#rs i$$edi#te%2 (e/ore is e%e'tion #s Represent#tive o/ t#t provin'es !ird istri't. >7?
!us, in te '#se #(ove, te Court /ound t#t te #//id#vit o/ te %essor #nd te 'ontr#'t o/ %e#se 6ere su//i'ient proo/ t#t priv#te respondent terein #d '#n&ed is residen'e. In te '#se no6 (e/ore us, #%tou& priv#te respondent r#ised #%%e&ed /or$#% de/e'ts in te 'ontr#'t o/ %e#se, te %essor i$se%/ testi/ied t#t #s /#r #s e 6#s 'on'erned, e #nd petitioner #d # v#%id 'ontr#'t #nd e 'on/ir$ed t#t petitioner #nd is /#$i%2 #re te o''up#nts o/ te %e#sed pre$ises. Petitioner 'orre't%2 pointed out t#t te %#'8 o/ proper not#ri=#tion does not ne'ess#ri%2 nu%%i/2 nor render te p#rties9 tr#ns#'tion void ab initio. In #allari v. !lsol& 6e /ound # 'ontr#'t o/ %e#se to (e v#%id despite te non-#ppe#r#n'e o/ one o/ te p#rties (e/ore # not#r2 pu(%i', #nd ru%ed in tis 6ise: Not#ri=#tion 'onverts # priv#te do'u$ent into # pu(%i' do'u$ent. Ho6ever, te non-#ppe#r#n'e o/ te p#rties (e/ore te not#r2 pu(%i' 6o not#ri=ed te do'u$ent does not ne'ess#ri%2 nu%%i/2 nor render te p#rties tr#ns#'tion void #( initio. !us: . . . Arti'%e *715 o/ te Ne6 Civi% Code on te ne'essit2 o/ # pu(%i' do'u$ent is on%2 /or 'onvenien'e, not /or v#%idit2 or en/or'e#(i%it2. <#i%ure to /o%%o6 te proper /or$ does not inv#%id#te # 'ontr#'t. ;ere # 'ontr#'t is not in te /or$ pres'ri(ed (2 %#6, te p#rties '#n $ere%2 'o$pe% e#' oter to o(serve t#t /or$, on'e te 'ontr#'t #s (een per/e'ted. !is is 'onsistent 6it te (#si' prin'ip%e t#t 'ontr#'ts #re o(%i&#tor2 in 6#tever /or$ te2 $#2 #ve (een entered into, provided #%% essenti#% reuisites #re present. Hen'e, te Le#se Contr#'t is v#%id despite M#2or Pere=s /#i%ure to #ppe#r (e/ore te not#r2 pu(%i'. >75?
!e HRE! puts undue e$p#sis on te /#'t t#t petitioner is on%2 %e#sin& # to6nouse in St#. Ros# 6i%e e o6ns ouses in P#&s#nD#n #nd C#(u2#o. His o6nersip o/ properties in oter p%#'es #s (een t#8en to $e#n t#t petitioner did not intend to $#8e St#. Ros# is per$#nent residen'e or t#t e #d not #(#ndoned is do$i'i%e o/ ori&in.
A%tou& it is true t#t te %#test #'uired #(ode is not ne'ess#ri%2 te do$i'i%e o/ 'oi'e o/ # '#ndid#te, tere is notin& in te Constitution or our e%e'tion %#6s 6i' reuire # 'on&ression#% '#ndid#te to se%% # previous%2 #'uired o$e in one distri't #nd (u2 # ne6 one in te p%#'e 6ere e see8s to run in order to u#%i/2 /or # 'on&ression#% se#t in t#t oter distri't. Neiter do 6e see te /#'t t#t petitioner 6#s on%2 %e#sin& # residen'e in St#. Ros# #t te ti$e o/ is '#ndid#'2 #s # (#rrier /or i$ to run in t#t distri't. Cert#in%2, te Constitution does not reuire # 'on&ression#% '#ndid#te to (e # propert2 o6ner in te distri't 6ere e see8s to run (ut on%2 t#t e resides in t#t distri't /or #t %e#st # 2e#r prior to e%e'tion d#2. !o use o6nersip o/ propert2 in te distri't #s te deter$in#tive indi'iu$ o/ per$#nen'e o/ do$i'i%e or residen'e i$p%ies t#t on%2 te %#nded '#n est#(%is 'o$p%i#n'e 6it te residen'2 reuire$ent. !is Court 6ou%d (e, in e//e't, i$posin& # propert2 reuire$ent to te ri&t to o%d pu(%i' o//i'e, 6i' propert2 reuire$ent 6ou%d (e un'onstitution#%. !is '#se $ust (e distin&uised /ro$ !quino v. C"#$%$C >7? #nd /omino v. C"#$%$C ,>@+? 6ere te disu#%i/ied '#ndid#te 6#s so6n to (e $ere%2 %e#sin& # residen'e in te p%#'e 6ere e sou&t to run /or o//i'e. In !quino #nd /omino, tere #ppe#red to (e no oter $#teri#% re#son /or te '#ndid#te to %e#se residenti#% propert2 in te p%#'e 6ere e /i%ed is COC, e'ept to /u%/i%% te residen'2 reuire$ent under e%e'tion %#6s. In te '#se #t (#r, tere #re re#% #nd su(st#nti#% re#sons /or petitioner to est#(%is St#. Ros# #s is do$i'i%e o/ 'oi'e #nd #(#ndon is do$i'i%e o/ ori&in #ndBor #n2 oter previous do$i'i%e. !o (e&in 6it, petitioner #nd is 6i/e #ve o6ned #nd oper#ted (usinesses in St#. Ros# sin'e )++7. !eir 'i%dren #ve #ttended s'oo%s in St#. Ros# #t %e#st sin'e )++1. A%tou& o6nersip o/ propert2 sou%d never (e 'onsidered # reuire$ent /or #n2 '#ndid#'2, petitioner #d su//i'ient%2 'on/ir$ed is intention to per$#nent%2 reside in St#. Ros# (2 pur'#sin& residenti#% properties in t#t 'it2 even prior to te M#2 )++ e%e'tion, #s eviden'ed (2 'erti/i'#tes o/ tit%e issued in te n#$e o/ petitioner #nd is 6i/e. One o/ tese properties is # residen'e in "e%-Air, St#. Ros# 6i' petitioner #'uired even (e/ore )++0 (ut 6i' petitioner #d (een %e#sin& out. He '%#i$s t#t e rented out tis propert2 (e'#use prior to )++0 e #d not de'ided to per$#nent%2 reside in St#. Ros#. !is 'ou%d ep%#in 62 in e#r%2 )++0 petitioner #d to rent # to6nouse in Vi%%# de !o%edo is "e%-Air residen'e 6#s o''upied (2 # ten#nt. !e re%#tive%2 sort period o/ te %e#se 6#s #%so #deu#te%2 ep%#ined (2 petitioner te2 rented # to6nouse 6i%e te2 6ere in te pro'ess o/ (ui%din& teir o6n ouse in St#. Ros#. !rue enou&, petitioner #nd is spouse su(seuent%2
pur'#sed # %ot #%so in Vi%%# de !o%edo in Apri% )++, #(out # $ont (e/ore e%e'tion d#2, 6ere te2 #ve 'onstru'ted # o$e /or teir /#$i%29s use #s # residen'e. In #%%, petitioner #d #deu#te%2 so6n t#t is tr#ns/er o/ residen'e to St#. Ros# 6#sbona fide #nd 6#s not $ere%2 /or 'o$p%2in& 6it te residen'2 reuire$ent under e%e'tion %#6s. It 6#s in'u$(ent upon priv#te respondent to prove is #ssertion t#t petitioner is indeed disu#%i/ied /ro$ o%din& is 'on&ression#% se#t. Priv#te respondent9s (urden o/ proo/ 6#s not on%2 to est#(%is t#t petitioner9s do$i'i%e o/ ori&in is di//erent /ro$ St#. Ros# (ut #%so t#t petitioner9s do$i'i%e /or te one 2e#r prior to e%e'tion d#2 'ontinued to (e P#&s#nD#n, L#&un# 6i' 6#s petitioner9s do$i'i%e o/ ori&in or t#t petitioner #d 'osen # do$i'i%e oter t#n St#. Ros#, L#&un# /or t#t s#$e period. In oter 6ords, to prove petitioner9s disu#%i/i'#tion, te re%ev#nt period is te one 2e#r period prior to e%e'tion d#2. It 6ou%d (e #(surd to ru%e t#t te petitioner in # quo warranto suit on%2 needs to prove t#t te '#ndid#te #d so$e oter previous do$i'i%e, re&#rd%ess o/ o6 re$ote in ti$e /ro$ e%e'tion d#2 t#t previous do$i'i%e 6#s est#(%ised, #nd ten te '#ndid#te 6ou%d #%re#d2 #ve te (urden to prove #(#ndon$ent o/ t#t previous do$i'i%e. It is te (urden o/ te petitioner in # quo warranto '#se to /irst prove te ver2 /#'t o/ disu#%i/i'#tion (e/ore te '#ndid#te sou%d even (e '#%%ed upon to de/end i$se%/ 6it 'ounterv#i%in& eviden'e. In our 'onsidered vie6, priv#te respondent /#i%ed to dis'#r&e is (urden o/ proo/. Petitioner9s COCs /or previous e%e'tions #nd is )++1 #pp%i'#tion /or # driver9s %i'ense on%2 proved t#t is do$i'i%e o/ ori&in 6#s P#&s#nD#n, L#&un# #nd it re$#ined to (e so up to )++1. A//id#vitsBtesti$onies o/ respondent9s 6itnesses, #t $ost, tended to prove t#t petitioner 6#s on sever#% inst#n'es /ound in is ouse in C#(u2#o, L#&un#, 6i' 6#s not even is do$i'i%e o/ ori&in. C#(u2#o, L#&un# is in te S!o$> istri't o/ L#&un# 6i%e petitioner9s do$i'i%e o/ ori&in, P#&s#nD#n, is in te Fo)9*< istri't o/ L#&un#. "#sed on priv#te respondent9s o6n do'u$ent#r2 su($issions, C#(u2#o 6#s never even st#ted #s # do$i'i%e or residen'e in #n2 o/ te petitioner9s COCs. Moreover, o6nin& #n #(ode in C#(u2#o 6ere petitioner is o''#sion#%%2 /ound did not prove t#t C#(u2#o is petitioner9s re#% do$i'i%e. Indeed, disre&#rdin& C#(u2#o #s petitioner9s do$i'i%e 6ou%d (e 'onsistent 6it te est#(%ised prin'ip%e t#t p2si'#% presen'e in # p%#'e sans te intent to per$#nent%2 reside terein is insu//i'ient to est#(%is do$i'i%e. Neiter did priv#te respondent9s su($issions re/ute petitioner9s eviden'e t#t sin'e
!o su$$#ri=e, priv#te respondent9s o6n eviden'e did not '#te&ori'#%%2 est#(%is 6ere petitioner9s do$i'i%e is nor did s#id eviden'e 'on'%usive%2 prove t#t /or te 2e#r prior to te M#2 *@, )++ petitioner #d # do$i'i%e oter t#n 6ere e #'tu#%%2 resided, i.e. St#. Ros#, L#&un#. !o (e sure, -allego v. era>@*? de'reed t#t: ;e $i&t #dd t#t te $#ni/est intent o/ te %#6 in /iin& # residen'e u#%i/i'#tion is to e'%ude # str#n&er or ne6'o$er, un#'u#inted 6it te 'onditions #nd needs o/ # 'o$$unit2 #nd not identi/ied 6it te %#tter, /ro$ #n e%e'tive o//i'e to serve t#t 'o$$unit2F #nd 3<$ *< 2">$! o$ *< ++> +! o 9#">$! =)+""!*"o$ "# 3 o9 "$!o$!+)#"2 $> "* !+9+6 ;;9#, # "$ *< "$#*$* !#, *<* *< ;)9;o# o *< +3 3o)+> $o* 5 *<39*> 56 );"$ *< 9"<* *o *< o"!, *< 3"++ o *< +!*o9* # 5 9#;!*>. 3E$p#sis supp%ied4
'rivaldo>@)? %i8e6ise pres'ri(ed t#t: !o su''ess/u%%2 '#%%en&e # 6innin& '#ndid#tes u#%i/i'#tions, te ;*"*"o$9 )#* !+9+6 >o$#*9* *<* *< "$+""5"+"*6 "# #o ;*$*+6 $*o$"#*"! *o !o$#*"*)*"o$+ $> ++ ;9"$!";+# *<* o299">"$ #)!< "$+""5"+"*6 $> *<956 "2"$ !* *o *< ;;9$* 3"++ o *< ;o;+, 3o)+> )+*"*+6 !9* 9*9 ;9@)>"! to te ver2 de$o'r#ti' institutions #nd Duristi' tr#ditions t#t our Constitution #nd %#6s so =e#%ous%2 prote't #nd pro$ote. 3E$p#sis supp%ied4
In 0orayno,>@7? te Court #d te o''#sion to s#2 t#t: !e Constitution #nd te %#6 reuires residen'e #s # u#%i/i'#tion /or see8in& #nd o%din& e%e'tive pu(%i' o//i'e, in order to &ive '#ndid#tes te opportunit2 to (e /#$i%i#r 6it te needs, di//i'u%ties, #spir#tions, potenti#%s /or &ro6t #nd #%% $#tters vit#% to te 6e%/#re o/ teir 'onstituen'iesF %i8e6ise, it en#(%es te e%e'tor#te to ev#%u#te te o//i'e see8ers u#%i/i'#tions #nd /itness /or te Do( te2 #spire /or.
Re'ent%2, in Jap+on v. C"#$%$C ,>@@? te Court, 'itin& *apandayan& Jr. v. C"#$%$C ,>@1? s#id:
In *apandayan& Jr. v. Commission on $lections& te Court provided # su$$#tion o/ te di//erent prin'ip%es #nd 'on'epts in Durispruden'e re%#tin& to te residen'2 u#%i/i'#tion /or e%e'tive %o'#% o//i'i#%s. Pertinent portions o/ te ratio in *apandayan #re reprodu'ed (e%o6: Our de'isions #ve #pp%ied 'ert#in tests #nd 'on'epts in reso%vin& te issue o/ 6eter or not # '#ndid#te #s 'o$p%ied 6it te residen'2 reuire$ent /or e%e'tive positions. !e prin'ip%e o/ animus revertendi #s (een used to deter$ine 6eter # '#ndid#te #s #n intention to return to te p%#'e 6ere e see8s to (e e%e'ted. Coro%%#r2 to tis is # deter$in#tion 6eter tere #s (een #n #(#ndon$ent o/ is /or$er residen'e 6i' si&ni/ies #n intention to dep#rt tere/ro$. In Caasi v. Court of !ppeals& tis Court set #side te #ppe#%ed orders o/ te COMELEC #nd te Court o/ Appe#%s #nd #nnu%%ed te e%e'tion o/ te respondent #s Muni'ip#% M#2or o/ "o%in#o, P#n&#sin#n on te &round t#t respondents i$$i&r#tion to te United St#tes in *5@ 'onstituted #n #(#ndon$ent o/ is do$i'i%e #nd residen'e in te Pi%ippines. "ein& # &reen '#rd o%der, 6i' 6#s proo/ t#t e 6#s # per$#nent resident or i$$i&r#nt o/ te United St#tes, #nd in te #(sen'e o/ #n2 6#iver o/ is st#tus #s su' (e/ore e r#n /or e%e'tion on J#nu#r2 *5, *55, respondent 6#s e%d to (e disu#%i/ied under 05 o/ te O$ni(us E%e'tion Code o/ te Pi%ippines 3"#t#s P#$(#ns# "%&. 55*4. In Co v. $lectoral 0ribunal of the 1ouse of ,epresentatives& respondent Jose On&, Jr. 6#s pro'%#i$ed te du%2 e%e'ted represent#tive o/ te )nd istri't o/ Nortern S#$#r. !e House o/ Represent#tives E%e'tor#% !ri(un#% 3HRE!4 upe%d is e%e'tion #&#inst '%#i$s t#t e 6#s not # n#tur#% (orn
persons %e&#% residen'e or do$i'i%e %#r&e%2 depends upon te intention t#t $#2 (e in/erred /ro$ is #'ts, #'tivities, #nd utter#n'es. In t#t '#se, petitioner Ade%in# L#rr#=#(#%, 6o #d o(t#ined te i&est nu$(er o/ votes in te %o'#% e%e'tions o/
(e vo%unt#r2F #nd te residen'e #t te p%#'e 'osen /or te ne6 do$i'i%e $ust (e #'tu#%. U%ti$#te%2, te Court re'#pitu%#tes in *apandayan& Jr. t#t it is te /#'t o/ residen'e t#t is te de'isive /#'tor in deter$inin& 6eter or not #n individu#% #s s#tis/ied te residen'2 u#%i/i'#tion reuire$ent.
;e do not dou(t t#t te residen'2 reuire$ent is # $e#ns to prevent # str#n&er or ne6'o$er /ro$ o%din& o//i'e on te #ssu$ption t#t su' str#n&er or ne6'o$er 6ou%d (e insu//i'ient%2 #'u#inted 6it te needs o/ is prospe'tive 'onstituents. Ho6ever, it is #ppropri#te to point out #t tis Dun'ture t#t #side /ro$ petitioner9s #'tu#%, p2si'#% presen'e in St#. Ros# /or $ore t#n # 2e#r prior to e%e'tion d#2, e #s de$onstr#ted t#t e #s su(st#nti#% ties to St#. Ros# #nd te @0? to 6it4 >;en? # '#ndid#te #s re'eived popu%#r $#nd#te, over6e%$in&%2 #nd '%e#r%2 epressed, #%% possi(%e dou(ts sou%d (e reso%ved in /#vor o/ te '#ndid#tes e%i&i(i%it2 /or to ru%e oter6ise is to de/e#t te 6i%% o/ te peop%e. A(ove #nd (e2ond #%%, te deter$in#tion o/ te true 6i%% o/ te e%e'tor#te sou%d (e p#r#$ount. It is teir voi'e, not ours or o/ #n2one e%se, t#t $ust prev#i%. !is, in essen'e, is te de$o'r#'2 6e 'ontinue to o%d s#'red.
HEREFORE, pre$ises 'onsidered, te petition is ere(2 GRANTED. !e de'ision o/ te HRE! in HRET CASE No. '7'(4 pro$u%&#ted on e'e$(er *0, )++5, #nd its M"$)* R#o+)*"o$ No. ''8' pro$u%&#ted on Apri% 7+, )++ in te s#$e '#se, #re ere(2 REVERSED AND SET ASIDE. SO ORDERED.
