Title
Arzadon vs. Chanco
Case
G.R. No. 4479
Decision Date
Jan 10, 1910
A candidate's election victory was annulled due to alleged vote-buying, but the trial court exceeded jurisdiction by declaring him ineligible and imposing special election costs, later overturned by the Supreme Court.
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Case Digest (G.R. No. 4479)

Facts:

Election and Protest:

  • Silvestre Arzadon won the majority of votes for the office of municipal president of Badoc, Ilocos Norte, in the elections held on November 5, 1907.
  • Lorenzo Baldueza, the defeated candidate, filed a protest with the Court of First Instance of Ilocos Norte, alleging violations of paragraph 3 of section 30 of the Election Law (Act No. 1582).

Allegations:

  • Arzadon was accused of organizing a group of electors and promising them benefits, such as exemption from town work and financial assistance in legal matters, in exchange for their votes.
  • He allegedly distributed pre-marked ballots to electors before they took the oath required by law and instructed them to vote only for the candidates named on the ballots.
  • Arzadon was also accused of holding meetings to influence voters and offering money to those who did not want employment.

Trial Court Decision:

  • The trial court found Arzadon guilty of violating the Election Law by engaging in actions and promises aimed at influencing votes.
  • The court declared Arzadon’s election illegal, ordered a special election at his expense, and declared him ineligible to run in the special election.

Issue:

  1. Whether the Court of First Instance exceeded its jurisdiction by declaring Arzadon ineligible for the special election and ordering him to bear the expenses of the new election.
  2. Whether certiorari is the proper remedy to challenge the trial court’s decision.

Ruling:

  • (Subscriber-Only)

Ratio:

  • (Subscriber-Only)


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