Title
Dela Torre vs. Commission on Elections
Case
G.R. No. 121592
Decision Date
Jul 5, 1996
Petitioner disqualified from mayoral race due to fencing conviction involving moral turpitude; probation does not nullify disqualification under Local Government Code.

Case Digest (G.R. No. 214986)
Expanded Legal Reasoning Model

Facts:

  • Parties and Proceedings
    • Petitioner Rolando P. Dela Torre filed a petition for certiorari dated September 8, 1995 seeking nullification of two COMELEC resolutions in SPA No. 95-047.
    • Respondents are the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and Marcial Villanueva, candidate for Mayor of Cavinti, Laguna.
  • COMELEC Resolutions
    • Resolution dated May 6, 1995
      • Declared petitioner disqualified from running as Mayor of Cavinti, Laguna in the May 8, 1995 elections.
      • Cited Section 40(a) of R.A. 7160 disqualification for “offense involving moral turpitude.”
      • Relied on petitioner’s conviction for violation of P.D. 1612 (Anti-Fencing Law): MTC decision June 1, 1990; RTC affirmation November 14, 1990; final January 18, 1991.
    • Resolution dated August 28, 1995
      • Denied petitioner’s motion for reconsideration (filed May 16, 1995).
      • Petitioner contended that probation granted December 21, 1994 suspended execution of his conviction and legal consequences under Section 40(a).

Issues:

  • Does the crime of fencing under P.D. 1612 involve moral turpitude for purposes of Section 40(a), R.A. 7160?
  • Does the grant of probation suspend the applicability of Section 40(a) disqualification for a prior conviction?

Ruling:

  • (Subscriber-Only)

Ratio:

  • (Subscriber-Only)

Doctrine:

  • (Subscriber-Only)

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