Case Digest (G.R. No. L-60504)
Facts:
- Meliton C. Geronimo filed a petition against Lt. Gen. Fidel V. Ramos, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), and others.
- The case arose from the mayoralty elections in Baras, Rizal, on January 30, 1980.
- Geronimo was disqualified from running for mayor due to allegations of political turncoatism, as filed by Julian Pendre with COMELEC on January 8, 1980.
- COMELEC issued Resolution No. 8305 on January 19, 1980, disqualifying Geronimo.
- Despite the disqualification, Geronimo won the election with 2,695 votes against Bayani Ferrera's 2,370 votes.
- On March 11, 1980, COMELEC temporarily reinstated Geronimo's proclamation pending the Supreme Court's decision.
- The Supreme Court dismissed Geronimo's petition on September 26, 1981, affirming his disqualification.
- COMELEC issued Resolution No. 82-428 on February 15, 1982, declaring Geronimo's candidacy null and void and proclaiming Ferrera as mayor.
- Geronimo and his supporters occupied the municipal hall from May 3 to May 13, 1982, leading to a contempt charge against him.
- On May 12, 1982, COMELEC found Geronimo guilty of contempt, sentencing him to five months of imprisonment and a fine of P1,000.
- Geronimo was forcibly removed from the municipal hall on May 14, 1982, and subsequently filed a petition for habeas corpus.
Issue:
- (Unlock)
Ruling:
- The Supreme Court granted Geronimo's petition for habeas corpus, declaring the contempt penalty satisfied and restoring his liberty.
- The Court set aside COMELEC's proclamation of Bayani Ferrera as mayor, declaring a permanent vacancy and directing the vice-mayor to assume the position.
- The Court recalled the warrants of arrest aga...(Unlock)
Ratio:
- The Supreme Court ruled that the COMELEC's contempt resolution was valid, as Geronimo was notified of the charges and given a chance to be heard, fulfilling due process.
- The contempt charge was based on Geronimo's defiance of a final COMELEC decision, which the Court affirmed.
- The five-month imprisonment penalt...continue reading
Case Digest (G.R. No. L-60504)
Facts:
The case involves Meliton C. Geronimo as the petitioner against several respondents, including Lt. Gen. Fidel V. Ramos, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), and others. The controversy arose from the mayoralty elections in Baras, Rizal, held on January 30, 1980. Geronimo was initially disqualified from running for mayor due to allegations of political turncoatism, as filed by private respondent Julian Pendre with the COMELEC on January 8, 1980. The COMELEC issued Resolution No. 8305 on January 19, 1980, disqualifying Geronimo. Despite this, he won the election with 2,695 votes against his opponent Bayani Ferrera, who received 2,370 votes.
On March 11, 1980, the COMELEC reinstated Geronimo's proclamation as the winning candidate, but this was made temporary pending the Supreme Court's decision on Geronimo's petition for certiorari. On September 26, 1981, the Supreme Court dismissed Geronimo's petition, affirming his disqualification. Following this, the COMELEC issued Resolution No. 82-428 on February 15, 1982, declaring Geronimo's candidacy null and void and proclaiming Ferrera as the duly elected mayor.
Geronimo, along with his supporters, occupied the municipal hall from May 3 to May 13, 1982, leading to a contempt charge against him by Pendre. On May 12, 1982, the COMELEC found Geronimo guilty of contempt, sentencing him to five months of imprisonment and a fine of P1,000. On May 14, 1982, Geronimo was forcibly removed from the municipal hall by military personnel. He subsequently filed a petition for habeas corpus, claiming his detention was unlawful. This led to mult...