Legal Insights

Electoral Tribunals Exclusive Jurisdiction Challenging Congressional Elections After Proclamation

The Supreme Court clarifies the boundary between COMELEC's jurisdiction over election annulment and the exclusive authority of electoral tribunals over election contests.

When Can a Losing Candidate Face Execution Pending Appeal in Election Cases

Learn the rules for execution pending appeal in election contests, including the good reasons required, based on Diego Lim v. COMELEC.

Ballot Appreciation Rules and Voter Intent in Philippine Election Contests

How Philippine courts read ballots to honor voter intent, from idem sonans to marked ballots, explained through a barangay election dispute.

Senate Electoral Tribunal Jurisdiction Ensuring Due Process in Senatorial Election Protests

Barbers v. COMELEC clarifies that the Senate Electoral Tribunal has sole jurisdiction over post-proclamation senatorial election contests.

Correcting Election Returns: The Presidential Electoral Tribunal's Authority to Rectify Manifest Errors

The PET may correct manifest errors in election returns and certificates of canvass as part of its constitutional mandate to judge election contests.

HRET Jurisdiction Over Election Contests After a Congressman's Proclamation

Once a winning congressional candidate is proclaimed and assumes office, the HRET, not the COMELEC or Supreme Court, has sole jurisdiction over election contests.

Nickname Recognition in Philippine Elections: Upholding Voters' Intent Despite Technicalities

Learn how Philippine election law treats nicknames on ballots, the idem sonans rule, and why procedural remedies matter in election contests.

Safeguarding Suffrage: Due Process and Valid Service of Summons in Election Protests

A look at Sandoval v. HRET, where the Supreme Court nullified defective substituted service of summons, upholding due process in election contests.

Premature Proclamation and Due Process in Election Contests: Abinal v. COMELEC

The Supreme Court clarifies when COMELEC may order a proclamation while a pre-proclamation appeal is pending, and the limits of due process claims.

Finality of Comelec Decisions and Grave Abuse of Discretion in Election Cases

When are Comelec rulings on barangay election contests truly final? The Supreme Court explains the narrow exception for grave abuse of discretion.

Valid Votes Are King: Why Philippine Election Protests Hinge on Ballots, Not Badges of Fraud

The Supreme Court nullified a trial court ruling that set aside valid vote tallies based on "badges of fraud," reaffirming that plurality of valid votes decides election contests.

COMELEC vs. HRET Jurisdiction: When Election Disputes Shift to the Electoral Tribunal

Learn when COMELEC loses jurisdiction over House election contests and the HRET becomes the sole judge of a member's election, returns, and qualifications.

Election Contests: Balancing Procedural Rules and the Will of the Electorate

The Supreme Court rules that technical rules on forum shopping should not defeat the people's choice in election contests.

Safeguarding Due Process in Election Proclamation Disputes: The Importance of Notice and Hearing

Learn how the Supreme Court protects due process in election contests, emphasizing notice and hearing before proclamation.

Safeguarding Due Process in Election Disputes: The Limits of COMELEC's Power

A look at how the Supreme Court defined the boundaries of COMELEC's authority in election contests, ensuring due process.

Navigating Philippine Election Disputes Understanding Comelec AND Hret Jurisdiction

A clear guide to the division of authority between the Commission on Elections and the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal in election contests.

Senate Electoral Tribunal Your Sole Remedy After Senatorial Proclamation

After a senatorial proclamation, election contests belong exclusively to the Senate Electoral Tribunal, not the Comelec or courts.