Title
Alonzo vs. Court of 1st Instance of Cagayan, Branch IV
Case
G.R. No. L-37949
Decision Date
Sep 30, 1974
Election protest dismissed by lower court citing constitutional provisions; Supreme Court ruled dismissal invalid, emphasizing public interest and need for swift resolution.
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Case Digest (G.R. No. L-37949)

Facts:

Parties Involved: Petitioner Juan Alonzo filed an election protest against Bienvenido Quirolgico, the incumbent Municipal Mayor of Ballesteros, Cagayan.
Nature of the Case: Special civil action for certiorari and mandamus with preliminary mandatory injunction.
Background: The respondent Judge of the Court of First Instance of Cagayan, Branch IV, dismissed Alonzo’s election protest on October 20, 1973, citing Section 9, Article XVII of the new Constitution in relation to General Orders Nos. 1 and 3, as rendering the protest moot. Alonzo challenged this dismissal, arguing that the constitutional provision did not apply to his case.
Key Events:

  1. The protest was initially dismissed on June 11, 1973, due to Alonzo’s repeated failure to appear at hearings.
  2. The dismissal was reconsidered on August 25, 1973, granting Alonzo 30 days to file a memorandum.
  3. On October 4, 1973, Alonzo failed to appear again, prompting the respondent Judge to dismiss the case on October 20, 1973.
    Completion of Proceedings: By the time of the dismissal, the revision of ballots and submission of documentary evidence had been completed.

Issue:

  1. Whether Section 9, Article XVII of the new Constitution, in relation to General Orders Nos. 1 and 3, rendered Alonzo’s election protest moot.
  2. Whether the respondent Judge acted correctly in dismissing the case based on Alonzo’s failure to appear at the scheduled hearings.

Ruling:

The Supreme Court granted the petition, declaring the order of dismissal dated October 20, 1973, null and void. The respondent Court of First Instance was ordered to continue the proceedings in Electoral Case No. 336-S in accordance with the law.

Ratio:

  1. Constitutional Provision Not Applicable: Section 9, Article XVII of the Transitory Provisions of the new Constitution does not render election protests moot. It applies only to duly elected provincial, city, or municipal officials who may continue in office until otherwise provided by law or decree. Since Quirolgico’s election was being contested, he was not entitled to the indefinite term of office under the Constitution.
  2. Duty to Decide on the Merits: Election protests involve public interest, as their purpose is to ascertain the candidate lawfully elected. Despite Alonzo’s repeated failure to appear, the respondent Judge should have decided the case based on the evidence already submitted, rather than dismissing it outright.
  3. Swift Resolution of Election Cases: The Supreme Court emphasized the need for swift resolution of election contests to dispel doubts about the true will of the electorate and to maintain public confidence in the electoral process.


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