Case Summary (G.R. No. 37661)
Election Disputes Arise
Following the elections, Cornell, representing the Liberal Party, petitioned the COMELEC on November 15, 1967, alleging fraud and terrorism, specifically that Tagoranao's supporters had seized and manipulated ballots. The COMELEC responded by suspending the canvassing process. Despite this, the municipal board of canvassers continued and proclaimed Tagoranao as the mayor-elect. Subsequently, the COMELEC annulled this proclamation.
Further Petitions and Actions
Mangondato, another Nacionalista Party candidate, filed a subsequent petition on December 12, 1967, seeking to annul Tagoranao's proclamation, calling it a violation of the COMELEC’s order and alleging the returns from certain precincts were fraudulently manufactured. Tagoranao opposed this petition, pointing to an earlier action he had initiated in the Court of First Instance concerning the election returns and arguing that Mangondato's request was duplicative.
Ongoing Legal Maneuvering
Cornell also filed a petition on December 20, 1967, focused on the rejection of returns from specific precincts, asserting that the counting of votes had not complied with the election law. Tagoranao contested this, affirming the counting procedures were valid. On January 3, 1968, the COMELEC upheld its earlier annulment of Tagoranao's proclamation while rejecting Cornell's petition regarding other precincts but supporting Mangondato's request regarding the fabrication claim for one precinct.
Subsequent Appeals and Jurisdiction Issues
Both Tagoranao and Cornell filed for certiorari, prohibition, and mandamus based on the COMELEC's decisions. Cornell argued that invalid registrations rendered the votes void ab initio, while the COMELEC maintained it did not possess jurisdiction to determine the validity of votes in the face of ongoing election-related disputes. Essential to the court's later decision was the determination of whether election returns could be deemed "obviously manufactured."
Examination of Election Returns
The COMELEC identified clear discrepancies in the returns from precinct 2, including statistical anomalies that suggested severe irregularities indicating the return was fabricated. It highlighted the impossibility of more votes being cast than there were registered voters and cited procedures followed for safeguarding elections under the conditions of violence in the Lanao region.
Court's Final Ruling
The court concluded that the COMELEC’s decisions to reject the
...continue readingCase Syllabus (G.R. No. 37661)
Case Overview
- This case involves the petitioner Naga Tagoranao, along with Cota Cornell and Hadji Mangata Mangondato, who were candidates in the mayoralty elections of Marantao, Lanao del Sur, held on November 14, 1967.
- The controversy arose due to allegations of fraud and terrorism during the elections, leading to multiple petitions filed with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) seeking annulment of election results in specific precincts.
Background of the Case
- Cota Cornell, representing the Liberal Party, alleged that Tagoranao's supporters engaged in violent acts, including firing guns and seizing ballots to manipulate election results in favor of Tagoranao.
- Following the election, Cornell petitioned the Comelec to annul the election results from several precincts due to these alleged irregularities.
- The Comelec acted by suspending the canvass and proclamation of winning candidates pending investigation.
Key Developments
- Despite the Comelec's order, the municipal board of canvassers proclaimed Tagoranao as the mayor-elect of Marantao on November 22, 1967.
- The Comelec annulled this proclamation on December 2, 1967, after learning of the board's actions.
- On December 12, Mangondato also filed a petition with the Comelec, asking for the annulment of Tagoranao's proclamation and the rejection of election returns from several precincts on the grounds that they were "obviously manufactured."