G.R. No. 104732 - Flores vs. Drilon

Representative Danilo E. Suarez publicly sought President Duterte’s endorsement to lead a “cooperative minority,” allegedly encamping in Davao post–May 2016 elections and arranging “loaned” members to swell his minority bloc.
On July 25, 2016, Acting Floor Leader Rodolfo C. Fariñas, in response to a parliamentary inquiry, stated that (a) those voting for the winning Speaker join the Majority, (b) those voting other candidates or abstaining join the Minority, and (c) the Minority elects its own Leader.

Speaker Election (July 25, 2016): 252 votes for Pantaleon D. Alvarez, 8 for Teddy Brawner Baguilat Jr., 7 for Danilo E. Suarez, 21 abstentions, 1 no vote—Alvarez duly elected Speaker.
Petitioners (Baguilat, Lagman, Daza, Erice, Billones, Villarin, Alejano) expected Baguilat, as second placer, to be Minority Leader per “long-standing tradition,” but he was not recognized.
Manifestation (August 1, 2016): Rep. Harlin Neil Abayon III (an abstentionist) reported that abstainers elected Suarez as Minority Leader on July 27, 2016.
Recognition Motion (August 15, 2016): Majority Leader Fariñas moved to recognize Suarez; Rep. Lagman objected citing (a) Suarez’s majority vote for Alvarez and (b) abstainers being independent, not minority; objection overruled and Suarez was recognized.
Petitioners filed a petition for a writ of mandamus to compel recognition of Baguilat as Minority Leader and petitioners as legitimate Minority members.

Suarez: Election of Minority Leader is an internal House matter; absent constitutional violation or grave abuse, courts must not interfere.
OSG (for Alvarez and Fariñas): House has exclusive rule-making and officer-selection power under separation of powers; recognition of Suarez was without constitutional breach or grave abuse.

May the Supreme Court, via mandamus, compel respondents to recognize Rep. Baguilat as House Minority Leader?
May respondents be compelled to recognize petitioners as the legitimate members of the House Minority?