Cauton vs. Commission on Elections, 19 SCRA 911 , April 27, 1967 Case Title : LUCAS V. CAUTON, petitioner, vs.

COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS and PABLO SANIDAD, respondents.Case Nature : ORI INAL ACTION in t!e S"pre#e Co"rt. Certiorari and pro!i$ition %it! pre&i#inar' in("n)tion. Syllabi Class : E&e)tions*Co##ission on E&e)tions* Ta#pered e&e)tion ret"rns Syllabi: 1. Elections; Commission on Elections; Power over the conduct of elections.+ 2. Elections; Commissions power regarding canvass of election returns.+ . Elections; Object of the canvass.+ !. Elections; Tampered election returns; Duty of the Commission.+ ". Elections; Power of Commission to order opening of ballot bo es.+ 6. Elections; Purpose and effect of opening ballot bo es under the circumstances.+ 7. Elections; Purpose of !lection "aw.+ #. Elections; Choice of means to insure clean elections is discretionary on Commission.+ 9. Elections; #hen opening of the ballot bo is allowable.+ $oc%et Number: No. L+,-./0 Counsel: Antonio Barredo, Ra#on Barrios, Sanidad, 1.D. Vi&&an"eva and Asso)iates &onente: 2ALDIVAR $ispositive &ortion: 3!ere4ore, t!e petition 4or )ertiorari and pro!i$ition in t!e present )ase is dis#issed, %it! )osts a5ainst t!e petitioner. It is so ordered. Pa$&o C.

Cauton vs. Commission on Elections No. L-25467. April 27, 1967. LUCA !. CAU"#N, petitioner, vs. C#$$% %#N #N ELEC"%#N an& 'A(L# AN%)A), respon&ents. Elections* Commission on Elections* 'o+er over t,e con&uct o- elections.. ",e Commission ,as t,e po+er to &eci&e all a&ministrative /uestions a--ectin0 elections, e1cept t,e /uestion involvin0 t,e ri0,t to vote. ame* Commission2s po+er re0ar&in0 canvass o- election returns..",e Commission on Elections ,as t,e po+er to investi0ate an& act on t,e propriet3 or le0alit3 o- t,e canvass o- election returns ma&e 43 t,e 4oar& ocanvassers. ",e po+er o- t,e Commission in t,is respect is simpl3 a&ministrative an& supervisor3. %t is inten&e& to secure t,e proclamation ot,e +innin0 can&i&ate 4ase& on t,e true count o- t,e votes cast. ame* #45ect o- t,e canvass..",e o45ect o- t,e canvass is to .&etermine t,e result o- t,e elections 4ase& on t,e o--icial election returns. %n or&er t,at t,e result o- t,e canvass +oul& re- lect t,e true e1pression o- t,e people2s +ill, it must 4e 4ase& on 0enuine an& untampere& election returns, ",e Commission e1ercises its 5uris&iction, relative to t,e con&uct o- elections, in or&er to attain t,at result. ame* "ampere& election returns* )ut3 o- t,e Commission..#nce t,e Commission on Elections is convince& t,at t,e election returns in t,e ,an&s o- t,e 4oar& o- canvassers &o not constitute t,e proper 4asis in ascertainin0 t,e true result o- t,e elections. it is &ut3 4oun& to ta6e t,e necessar3 steps in or&er t,at t,e proper 4asis -or t,e canvass is ma&e availa4le. %t +oul& 4e a4sur& to sa3 t,e Commission ,as a le0al &ut3 to per-orm an& at t,e same time it is &enie& t,e necessar3 means to per-orm t,at &ut3. ame* 'o+er o- Commission to or&er openin0 o- 4allot 4o1es..7,ere t,e t,ree copies o- t,e election returns outsi&e 912 912 U'8E$E C#U8" 8E'#8" ANN#"A"E) Cauton vs. Commission on Elections t,e 4allot 4o1 &o not constitute a relia4le 4asis -or a canvass, t,en t,e Commission on Elections, in t,e e1ercise o- its po+er to a&minister an& en-orce t,e la+s relative to t,e con&uct o- elections, ma3 or&er t,e openin0 o- t,e 4allot 4o1es to ascertain +,et,er t,e cop3 insi&e eac, 4allot 4o1, correspon&in0 to eac, precinct, is also tampere& li6e t,e t,ree copies outsi&e

t,e 4allot 4o1. ",e Commission ma3 &o t,is on its o+n initiative, or upon petition 43 t,e proper part3. ",at or&er &oes not a--ect t,e ri0,t to vote or t,e vali&it3 o- t,e votes cast. ame* 'urpose an& e--ect o- openin0 4allot 4o1es un&er t,e circumstances. .#nce it is -oun& t,at t,e cop3 o- t,e election return insi&e t,e 4allot 4o1 is tampere&, t,e Commission on Elections +oul& t,en ,ave accomplis,e& t+o t,in0s, namel39 :1; secure& a 4asis -or t,e prosecution -or t,e violation ot,e la+s relative to elections an& :2; a--or&e& t,e part3 a00rieve& 43 t,e alteration o- t,e election returns outsi&e t,e 4allot 4o1 a 4asis -or a 5u&icial recount o- t,e votes. ame* 'urpose o- Election La+..",e purpose o- t,e 8evise& Election Co&e is to protect t,e inte0rit3 o- elections an& to suppress all evils t,at ma3 violate its purit3 an& &e-eat t,e +ill o- t,e-voters. ",e purit3 o- elections is one o- t,e -un&amental re/uisites o- popular 0overnment. ame* C,oice o- means to insure clean elections is &iscretionar3 on Commission..",e Commission on Elections, 43 constitutional man&ate, must &o ever3t,in0 in its po+er to secure a -air an& ,onest canvass o- t,e votes cast in t,e elections. %n t,e per-ormance o- its &uties, it must 4e 0iven a consi&era4le latitu&e in a&optin0 means an& met,o&s t,at +ill insure t,e accomplis,ment o- t,e 0reat o45ective -or +,ic, it +as create&.to promote -ree, or&erl3 an& ,onest elections. ",e c,oice o- means ta6en 43 t,e Commission, unless t,e3 are clearl3 ille0al or constitute 0rave a4use o&iscretion, s,oul& not 4e inter-ere& +it,. "ec,nicalities, +,ic, ma3 &e-eat t,e +ill o- t,e soverei0n people, as e1presse& in t,eir votes, s,oul& not 4e allo+e& to ,amper t,e Commission in t,e per-ormance o- its &uties. ame* 7,en openin0 o- t,e 4allot 4o1 is allo+a4le..",e 4allot 4o1es ma3 4e opene& in case t,ere is an election contest. ",e3 ma3 also 4e opene&, even i- t,ere is no election contest, +,en t,eir contents ,ave to 4e use& as evi&ence in t,e prosecution o- election -rau&s. $oreover, t,e3 ma3 4e opene& +,en t,e3 are t,e su45ect o- an3 o--icial investi0ation +,ic, ma3 4e or&ere& 43 a competent court or ot,er competent aut,orit3. ",e competent aut,orit3 must inclu&e t,e Commission on Elections +,ic, is c,ar0e& +it, t,e a&ministration an& en-orcement o- t,e la+s relative to t,e con&uct oelections. #8%<%NAL AC"%#N in t,e upreme Court. Certiorari an& pro,i4ition +it, preliminar3 in5unction. ",e -acts are state& in t,e opinion o- t,e Court. 91=

!#L. 19, A'8%L 27, 1967 91= Cauton vs. Commission on Elections Antonio (arre&o -or petitioner. 8amon (arrios -or respon&ent Commission on Elections. 'a4lo C. ani&a& an& >.). !illanueva an& Associates -or respon&ent ani&a&. ?AL)%!A8, @.9 %n t,e national elections ,el& on Novem4er 9, 1965, petitioner Lucas !. Cauton an& respon&ent 'a4lo ani&a&, alon0 +it, <o&o-re&o . 8e3es, +ere can&i&ates -or t,e o--ice o- 8epresentative in t,e secon& con0ressional &istrict o- %locos ur. )urin0 t,e canvass 43 t,e 'rovincial (oar& o- Canvassers o- %%ocos ur ot,e votes cast -or t,e can&i&ates -or 8epresentative in t,e secon& con0ressional &istrict o- %locos ur, an& particularl3 a-ter t,e (oar& ,a& opene& t,e envelopes containin0 t,e copies o- t,e election returns - rom eac, o- t,e election precincts in t,e municipalities o- Can&on, antia0o an& ta. CruA t,at +ere presente& 43 t,e 'rovincial "reasurer o- %locos ur to t,e (oar&, respon&ent ani&a& 4rou0,t to t,e attention- o- t,e (oar& t,e -act t,at t,e entries o- votes - or t,e can&i&ates -or 8epresentative in t,ose copies o- t,e election returns t,at came -rom t,e envelopes presente& 43 t,e provincial treasurer &i-- -ere& -rom t,e entries appearin0 in t,e copies o- t,e returns -rom t,e same election precincts t,at +ere in t,e possession o- t,e Li4eral 'art3. art3. 8espon&ent ani&a& -ile& a petition +it, t,e Commission on Elections pra3in0 -or t,e openin0 o- t,e 4allot 4o1es in all t,e precincts o- Can&on, antia0o an& ta. CruA, in or&er to retrieve t,e election returns &eposite& t,erein so t,at t,ose election returns mi0,t 4e use& in t,e canvass o- t,e votes -or t,e can&i&ates -or 8epresentative in t,e secon& &istrict o- %locos ur, an& t,at in t,e meantime t,e 'rovincial (oar& o- Canvassers o- %locos ur 4e or&ere& to re-rain -rom proclaimin0 t,e +innin0 can&i&ate -or t,e o--ice o- 8epresentative in sai& &istrict ",e Commission on Elections issue& t,e restrainin0 or&er pra3e& -or 43 respon&ent ani&a& an& set ,is petition -or ,earin0. 914 914 U'8E$E C#U8" 8E'#8" ANN#"A"E) Cauton vs. Commission on Elections

A-ter ,earin0, t,e Commission on Elections -oun& Bt,at it ,a& 4een clearl3 esta4lis,e& t,at t,e copies o- t,e election returns - or t,e $unicipal "reasurer, -or t,e Commission on Elections an& -or t,e 'rovincial "reasurer -or t,e municipalit3 o- anta CruA ,ave uni-orm alterations in t,e entries ot,e votes cast -or representative s,o+in0 &i- - erent num4er o- votes compare& +it, t,e Li4eral 'art3 copies, +,ile t,e copies o- t,e election returns -or t,e Commission on Elections an& t,e 'rovincial "reasurer -or t,e municipalities o- Can&on an& antia0o ,ave li6e+ise uni-orm alterations an& s,o+in0 &i--erent num4ers compare& +it, t,e Li4eral 'art3 copies 1 1 1.C1 ",e copies o- t,e election returns t,at +ere -urnis,e& t,e municipal treasurers o- Can&on an& antia0o +ere never veri-ie& 4ecause t,e municipal treasurers o- t,ose t+o municipalities &i& not compl3 +it, t,e su4poena &uces tecum issue& 43 t,e Commission on Elections &irectin0 t,em to 4rin0 to t,e Commission t,e copies o- t,e election returns o- t,e precincts in t,eir respective municipalities t,at +ere in t,eir possession. #n )ecem4er 22, 1965, respon&ent Commission on Elections issue& an or&er provi&in0, amon0 ot,ers, t,at B1 1 1 to ena4le t,e a00rieve& part3 to esta4lis, &iscrepanc3 4et+een copies o- t,e election returns provi&e& 43 la+ in t,e a-orementione& precincts -or t,e purpose o- o4tainin0 5u&icial reme&3 un&er t,e provisions o- ection 16= o- t,e 8evise& Election Co&e, t,e Commission 8esolve& 1 1 1 to &irect imme&iatel3 t,e openin0 o- t,e 4allot 4o1es o- t,e municipalities o- Can&on, ta. CruA an& antia0o +,ic, are no+ impoun&e& an& un&er t,e custo&3 ot,e ?one Comman&er o- t,e 1st 'C ?one in Camp #livas, an >ernan&o, 'ampan0a solel3 -or t,e purpose o- retrievin0 t,ere-rom t,e correspon&in0 election returns, copies -or t,e 4allot 4o1, in all t,e precincts o- sai& municipalities.D 'ursuant to t,e instructions o- respon&ent Commission, containe& in t,e resolution o- )ecem4er 22, 1965, t,e 4allot 4o1es -rom all t,e precincts in t,e municipalities o- Can&on, ta. CruA an& antia0o +ere opene& 43 t,e C,ie- o- t,e La+ En-orcement )ivision o- t,e Commission, Att3. >ernan&o <orospe, @r., in t,e presence o- +itnesses, an& t,e envelopes containin0 t,e election returns -oun& insi&e EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE 1 As /uote& -rom t,e resolution o- t,e Commission on Elections &ate& )ecem4er 22, 1965. 915 !#L. 19, A'8%L 27, 1967

915 Cauton vs. Commission on Elections t,e 4allot 4o1es +ere ta6en an& 4rou0,t to $anila on )ecem4er 2=, 1965. #n t,e same &ate, )ecem4er 2F, 1965, ,erein petitioner, Lucas !. Cauton, -ile& 4e-ore t,is Court a petition -or certiorari an& pro,i4ition +it, preliminar3 in5unction, pra3in0 t,at t,e resolution o- t,e respon&ent Commission on Elections &ate& )ecem4er 22, 1965 or&erin0 t,e openin0 ot,e 4allot 4o1es use& in all t,e precincts o- Can&on, ta. CruA an& antia0o in t,e elections o- Novem4er 9, 1965 4e annulle& an& set asi&e. ",e petition -urt,er pra3s t,at t,e Commission on Elections 4e restraine& -rom openin0 t,e envelopes containin0 t,e election returns -oun& in t,e a-ore-mentione& 4allot 4o1es an& 4e or&ere& to return t,e sai& envelopes to t,e correspon&in0 4allot 4o1es. %n ,is petition, petitioner alle0es t,at t,e respon&ent Commission on Elections acte& +it,out or in e1cess o- its 5uris&iction in issuin0 t,e resolution o- )ecem4er 22, 1965. ",is Court 0ave &ue course to t,e petition, 4ut &i& not issue t,e +rit o- preliminar3 in5unction pra3e& -or, ",is petition is no+ t,e case 4e-ore Us. Upon instructions 43 respon&ent Commission on Elections, on )ecem4er 2F, 1965, t,e envelopes t,at +ere ta6en -rom t,e 4allot 4o1es +ere opene& an& t,e election returns +ere ta6en out an& t,eir contents e1amine& an& recor&e& 43 a committee appointe& 43 t,e Commission. ",is +as &one in a -ormal ,earin0 +it, notice to t,e parties concerne&. 8espon&ent 'a4lo C. ani&a& -ile& ,is ans+er to instant petition on @anuar3 5, 1966, a&mittin0 some o- t,e alle0ations an& &en3in0 ot,ers, an& maintainin0 t,at t,e Commission on Elections ,a& acte& +ell +it,in t,e 4oun&s o- its aut,orit3 in issuin0 t,e or&er o- )ecem4er 22, 1965. 8espon&ent Commission on Elections also -ile& its ans+er on @anuar3 5, 1966, maintainin0 t,at it ,as aut,orit3 un&er t,e la+ to or&er t,e openin0 ot,e 4allot 4o1es as state& in its resolution o- )ecem4er 22, 1965. %n t,e meantime, on t,e 4asis o- t,e &iscrepancies in t,e entries o- t,e votes -or t,e can&i&ates -or 8epresentative, 4et+een t,e election returns ta6en out o- t,e 4allot 4o1es t,at +ere opene& 43 or&er o- t,e Commission on 916 916 U'8E$E C#U8" 8E'#8" ANN#"A"E) Cauton vs. Commission on Elections Elections an& t,e election returns su4mitte& 43 t,e 'rovincial "reasurer o%locos ur to t,e 'rovincial (oar& o- Canvassers o- %locos ur, respon&ent 'a4lo C. ani&a& -ile& a petition +it, t,e Court o- >irst %nstance o- %locos

ur, &oc6ete& as Election Case No. 16-N, -or a recount o- t,e votes in all t,e precincts o- Can&on, ta. CruA an& antia0o, pursuant to t,e provisions oection 16= o- t,e 8evise& Election Co&e. #n >e4ruar3 14, 1966, petitioner -ile& 4e- ore t,is Court an ur0ent motion, in t,is case, pra3in0 -or t,e issuance o- an or&er en5 oinin0 t,e Court o- >irst %nstance o- %locos ur :(ranc, %%-Narvacan; -rom -urt,er procee&in0 +it, Election Case No. 16-N, a4ovementione&, pen&in0 -inal &ecision o- t,e instant case, upon t,e 0roun& t,at t,e recount o- t,e 4allots in t,at case in t,e court 4elo+ +oul& ren&er t,e instant case moot an& aca&emic. ",is motion +as &enie& 43 t,is Court in a resolution &ate& >e4ruar3 17, 1966. ",e principal issue in t,e present case revolves on t,e le0alit3 o- t,e resolution o- t,e respon&ent Commission on Elections, &ate& )ecem4er 22, 1965, +,ic, or&ers t,e openin0 o- t,e 4allot 4o1es use& in all t,e precincts in t,e municipalities o- Can&on, ta. CruA an& antia0o, %locos ur, &urin0 t,e elections o- Novem4er 9, 1965 -or t,e purpose o- retrievin0 t,ere-rom t,e correspon&in0 election returns, copies -or t,e 4allot 4o1, Bto ena4le t,e a00rieve& part3 to esta4lis, &iscrepanc3 4et+een copies o- t,e election returns provi&e& 43 la+ in t,e a-orementione& precincts -or t,e purpose oo4tainin0 5u&icial reme&3 un&er t,e provisions o- ection 16= o- t,e 8evise& Election Co&eGH %t is t,e stan& o- t,e petitioner t,at respon&ent Commission on Elections is +it,out 5uris&iction to issue, or ,as acte& in e1cess o- 5uris&iction in issuin0, t,e resolution in /uestion, so t,at sai& resolution is null an& voi& an& s,oul& not 4e 0iven le0al -orce an& e--ect. ",e petitioner conten&s t,at un&er ection 157 o- t,e 8evise& Election Co&e t,e Commission on Elections ,as aut,orit3 to or&er t,e openin0 o- t,e 4allot 4o1es Bonl3 in connection +it, an investi0ation con&ucte& -or t,e purpose o- ,elpin0 in t,e prosecution oan3 violation o- t,e election la+s or -or purel3 a&ministrative purpose 4ut not +,en 917 !#L. 19, A'8%L 27, 1967 917 Cauton vs. Commission on Elections t,e sole purpose is, as in t,is case, to assist a part3 in tr3in0 to +in t,e election 1 1 1.D ",e petitioner -urt,er conten&s t,at Bt,e mere - act t,at t,e copies o- t,e returns in t,e precincts in /uestion in t,e possession o- t,e Li4eral 'art3 &o not tall3 +it, t,e returns involvin0 t,e same precincts in t,e possession o- t,e 'rovincial "reasurer, t,e Commission on Elections an& t,e

Nacionalista 'art3 as +ell &oes not le0all3 support t,e vali&it3 o- t,e resolution o- t,e respon&ent Commission in /uestion 1 1 1.C2 7e cannot sustain t,e stan& o- t,e petitioner. 7e 4elieve t,at in issuin0 t,e resolution in /uestion t,e Commission on Elections simpl3 per-orme& a -unction as aut,oriAe& 43 t,e Constitution, t,at is, to B,ave e1clusive c,ar0e o- t,e en-orcement an& a&ministration o- all la+s relative to t,e con&uct oelections an& 1 1 1 e1ercise all ot,er -unctions +,ic, ma3 4e con-erre& upon it 43 la+.D ",e Commission ,as t,e po+er to &eci&e all a&ministrative /uestions a--ectin0 elections, e1cept t,e /uestion involvin0 t,e ri0,t to vote.= ",is Court in a line o- &ecisions ,as rule& t,at t,e Commission on Elections ,as t,e po+er to investi0ate an& act on t,e propriet3 or le0alit3 o- t,e canvass o- election returns ma&e 43 t,e 4oar& o- canvassers.4 %n t,e case oAl4ano vs. ArranA, L-1926I, @anuar3 =1, 1962, t,is Court, t,rou0, $r. @ustice @.(.L. 8e3es, ,el& as -ollo+s9 B",e suspension o- t,e proclamation o- t,e +innin0 can&i&ate pen&in0 an in/uir3 into irre0ularities 4rou0,t to t,e attention o- t,e Commission on Elections +as +ell +it,in its a&ministrative 5uris&iction, in vie+ o- t,e e1clusive aut,orit3 con-erre& upon it 43 t,e Constitution :Art, J; -or t,e a&ministration an& en-orcement o- all la+s relative to elections. ",e Commission certainl3 ,a& t,e ri0,t to in/uire +,et,er or not &iscrepancies e1iste& 4et+een t,e various copies o- election returns -or t,e precincts in /uestion, an& suspen& t,e canvass in t,e EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE 2 7or&s in /uotation mar6s are as /uote& - rom petitioner2s memoran&um. = Article J, ection 2, Constitution o- t,e ',ilippines. 4 $intu vs. Ena0e, L-1F=4, )ecem4er =1, 1947* 8amos vs Comelec, FI ',il. 722* A4en&ante vs. 8elato, L-6F1=, Novem4er 5, 195=* Lacson vs. Comelec, L-16261, )ecem4er 2F, 1959* antos vs. Comelec, L-1641=, @anuar3 26, 196I* @avier vs. Commission on Elections, etc., L-2224F, @anuar3 =I, 1965. 91F 91F U'8E$E C#U8" 8E'#8" ANN#"A"E) Cauton vs. Commission on Elections meantime so t,e parties coul& as6 -or a recount in case o- variance 1 1 1.2 7,at t,e respon&ent Commission on Elections &i& in t,e case ,o+ 4e-ore Us is 5ust +,at is contemplate& in t,e a4ove/uote& rulin0 o- t,is Court. ",e

po+er o- t,e Commission on Elections in t,is respect is simpl3 a&ministrative an& supervisor3.inten&e& to secure t,e proclamation o- t,e +innin0 can&i&ate 4ase& on t,e true count o- t,e votes cast. 7,en t,e Commission on Elections e1ercises t,is po+er t,e purpose is not -or t,e Commission to ,elp a can&i&ate +in t,e election 4ut to 4rin0 a4out t,e canvass o- t,e true results o- t,e elections as certi-ie& 43 t,e 4oar&s oelection inspectors in ever3 precinct. ",e o45ect o- t,e canvass is to &etermine t,e result o- t,e elections 4ase& on t,e o--icial election returns. %n or&er t,at t,e result o- t,e canvass +oul& re-lect t,e true e1pression o- t,e people2s +ill in t,e c,oice o- t,eir elective o--icials, t,e canvass must 4e 4ase& on true, 0enuine, correct, na3 untampere&, election returns. %t is in t,is procee&in0 t,at t,e Commission on Elections e1ercises its supervisor3 an& a&ministrative po+er in t,e en-orcement o- la+s relative to t,e con&uct oelections, 43 seein0 to it t,at t,e canvass is 4ase& on t,e election returns as actuall3 certi-ie& 43 t,e mem4ers o- t,e 4oar& o- inspectors. #nce t,e Commission on Elections is convince& t,at t,e election returns in t,e ,an&s o- t,e 4oar& o- canvassers &o not constitute t,e proper 4asis in ascertainin0 t,e true result o- t,e elections, it s,oul& 4e its concern, na3 its &ut3, to or&er t,e ta6in0 o- suc, steps as ma3 4e necessar3 in or&er t,at t,e proper 4asis -or t,e canvass is o4taine& or ma&e availa4le. ",e election la+ re/uires t,e 4oar& o- inspectors to prepare - our copies ot,e election return in eac, precinct.one to 4e &eposite& in t,e 4allot 4o1, one to 4e &elivere& to t,e municipal treasurer, one to 4e sent to t,e provincial treasurer, an& one to 4e sent to t,e Commission on Elections. %n t,e case o- t,e canvass o- t,e election returns -or can&i&ates -or provincial or national o--ices, t,e election returns receive& 43 t,e provincial treasurer -rom t,e 4oar&s o- inspectors are use&. %t is t,e &ut3 o- t,e provincial treasurer to turn over to t,e provincial 4oar& o919 !#L. 19, A'8%L 27, 1967 919 Cauton vs. Commission on Elections canvassers t,e election returns receive& 43 ,im -rom t,e 4oar&s oinspectors. %- t,e Commission on Elections is &ul3 in-orme& an& it so -in&s, in appropriate procee&in0s, t,at t,e election returns in t,e ,an&s o- t,e provincial treasurer are tampere&, t,en t,e Commission s,oul& a--or& t,e can&i&ate a&versel3 a--ecte& 43 t,e tamperin0 an opportunit3 to s,o+ t,at t,ere e1ist aut,entic copies o- t,e same election returns +,ic, are not tampere&. A recourse ma3 4e ,a& to t,e copies receive& 43 t,e Commission

on Elections an& to t,e copies receive& 43 t,e municipal treasurer. %- it is s,o+n, t,at t,e copies in t,e ,an&s o- t,e Commission on Elections an& ot,e municipal treasurer are similarl3 tampere& as t,e copies in t,e ,an&s ot,e provincial treasurer, t,en it 4ecomes evi&ent t,at all t,e t,ree copies ot,e election returns outsi&e t,e 4allot 4o1 &o not constitute a relia4le 4asis or a canvass, ",e onl3 copies le-t to 4e c,ec6e&, +,et,er t,e3 are also tampere& or not, are t,e ones insi&e t,e 4allot 4o1es. Certainl3, t,e Commission on Elections, in t,e e1ercise o- its po+er to a&minister an& en-orce t,e la+s relative to t,e con&uct o- elections, ma3 or&er t,e openin0 o- t,e 4allot 4o1es to ascertain +,et,er t,e cop3 insi&e eac, 4allot 4o1 is also tampere& li6e t,e t,ree copies outsi&e t,e 4allot 4o1, correspon&in0 to eac, precinct. ",e Commission on Elections ma3 &o t,is on its o+n initiative, or upon petition 43 t,e proper part3, #nce it is -oun& t,at t,e cop3 o- t,e election return insi&e t,e 4allot 4o1 is untampere&, t,e Commission on Elections +oul& t,en ,ave accomplis,e& t+o t,in0s, namel39 :1; secure& a 4asis -or t,e prosecution -or t,e violation o- t,e la+s relative to elections, an& :2; a--or&e& t,e part3 a00rieve& 43 t,e alteration o- t,e election returns outsi&e t,e 4allot 4o1 a 4asis -or a 5u&icial recount o- t,e votes as provi&e& -or in ection 16= o- t,e 8evise& Election Co&e. ",us, t,e Commission on Elections ,as t,ere43 ma&e availa4le t,e proper an& relia4le 4asis -or t,e canvass o- t,e votes t,at +ill lea& to t,e proclamation 43 t,e 4oar& ocanvassers o- t,e true +inner in t,e elections. %n so &oin0 t,e Commission on Elections, as 7e ,ave sai&, ,a& per-orme& its constitutional &ut3 oa&ministerin0 an& en-orcin0 t,e la+s relative to t,e con&uct o- elections +it, a vie+ to 92I 92I U'8E$E C#U8" 8E'#8" ANN#"A"E) Cauton vs. Commission on Elections promotin0 clean an& ,onest elections.t,e ver3 purpose -or +,ic, t,e Commission on Elections +as create& 43 constitutional man&ate. %n t,e case no+ 4e-ore Us, t,e Commission on Elections issue& t,e /uestione& resolution Ba-ter ,earin0 t,e ar0uments o- t,e petitioner an& t,e opposition t,ereto an& consi&erin0 t,at it ,as 4een clearl3 esta4lis,e& t,at t,e copies o- t,e election returns -or t,e $unicipal "reasurer, -or t,e Commission on Elections an& -or t,e 'rovincial "reasurer -or t,e municipalit3 o- ta. CruA ,ave uni-orm alteration in t,e entries o- t,e votes cast -or representative s,o+in0 &i--erent num4er o- votes compare& +it, t,e Li4eral 'art3 copies, +,ile t,e copies o- t,e election returns -or t,e

Commission o- Elections an& t,e 'rovincial "reasurer -or t,e municipalities o- Can&on an& antia0o ,ave li6e+ise uni-orm alterations an& s,o+in0 &i--erent num4ers compare& +it, t,e Li4eral 'art3 copies 1 1 1C5 %n&ee&, in t,e -ace o- t,is -in&in0 43 t,e Commission on Elections, +,ic, in&icates a clear violation o- t,e election la+, an& +,ic, in&icates an attempt to procure t,e proclamation o- t,e +inner in t,e elections -or 8epresentative in t,e secon& con0ressional &istrict o- %locos ur 43 t,e use o- tampere& election returns, can t,e Commission on Elections 4e remiss in t,e per-ormance o- its &uties as a constitutional 4o&3 committe& +it, t,e e1clusive c,ar0e o- t,e en-orcement an& a&ministration o- all la+s relative to t,e con&uct oelectionsK ",e 8evise& Election Co&e 0ives to t,e Commission on Elections t,e &irect an& imme&iate supervision over provincial, municipal an& cit3 o--icials &esi0nate& 43 la+ to per-orm &uties relative to t,e con&uct oelections.an& inclu&e& amon0 t,ese o--icials are mem4ers o- t,e provincial 4oar& o- canvassers.6 ",e provincial 4oar& o- canvassers is en5oine& 43 la+ to canvass all t,e votes cast -or 8epresentatives on t,e 4asis o- t,e election returns pro&uce& 43 t,e provincial treasurer.7 ",e Commission on Elections ,as a &ut3 to enEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE 5 As /uote& -rom resolution o- )ecem4er 22, 1965* %talics supplie&. 6 ection =, 8evise& Election Co&e. 7 ection 16I, 8evise& Election Co&e. 921 !#L. 19, A'8%L 27, 1967 921 Cauton vs. Commission on Elections -orce t,is la+, an& it ,as t,e &ut3 to see to it t,at t,e election returns to 4e use& -or canvassin0 must 4e 0enuine an& aut,entic, not -alsi-ie& or tampere& +it,. 7,ere t,e election returns pro&uce& 43 t,e provincial treasurer ,ave 4een s,o+n to ,ave 4een tampere&, an& all t,e ot,er copies outsi&e t,e 4allot 4o1es ,ave also 4een s,o+n to ,ave 4een tampere& or -alsi-ie&, it is certainl3 +it,in t,e po+er o- t,e Commission on Elections to issue suc, or&er as +oul& ascertain. t,e e1istence o- t,e 0enuine, aut,entic an& untampere& election returns, an& t,us open t,e +a3 -or t,e summar3 recount o- t,e votes, in accor&ance +it, la+, -or t,e purposes onl3 o- t,e canvass ot,e votes an& t,e proclamation o- t,e can&i&ate -oun& to ,ave o4taine& t,e ,i0,est num4er o- votes. %n t,e case no+ 4e-ore Us, it is -oun& 43 t,e Commission on Elections t,at no ot,er copies can 4e ,a& e1cept t,ose

&eposite& in t,e 4allot 4o1es, Lence, t,e necessit3 - or t,e Commission to or&er t,e retrievin0 o- t,e copies o- t,e election returns -rom t,e 4allot 4o1es. An or&er to t,is e--ect &oes not a--ect t,e ri0,t to vote or t,e vali&it3 o- an3 vote cast, so t,at it is per-ectl3 +it,in t,e po+er o- t,e Commission on Elections to issue suc, an or&er in t,e e1ercise o- its e1clusive po+er to a&minister an& en-orce t,e la+s relative to t,e con&uct o- elections. %t +oul& in&ee& 4e a4sur& to sa3 t,at t,e Commission on Elections ,as a le0al &ut3 to per-orm an& at t,e same time it is &enie& t,e necessar3 means to per-orm sai& &ut3. ",e purpose o- t,e 8evise& Election Co&e is to protect t,e inte0rit3 oelections an& to suppress all evils t,at ma3 violate its purit3 an& &e-eat t,e +ill o- t,e voters.F ",e purit3 o- t,e elections is one o- t,e most un&amental re/uisites o- popular 0overnment.9 ",e Commission on Elections, 43 constitutional man&ate, must &o ever3t,in0 in its po+er to secure a -air an& ,onest canvass o- t,e votes cast in t,e elections. %n t,e per-ormance o- its &uties, t,e Commission must 4e 0iven a consi&era4le latitu&e in a&optin0 means an& met,o&s t,at +ill insure t,e EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE F Camerino vs. <onAales, L-14129, @ul3 =1, 1962. 9 U. . vs. Cueto, =F ',il. 9=5, 9=7* <ar&iner vs. 8omulo, 26 ',il. 621, 66I. 922 922 U'8E$E C#U8" 8E'#8" ANN#"A"E) Cauton vs. Commission on Elections accomplis,ment o- t,e 0reat o45ective -or +,ic, it +as create&.to promote -ree, or&erl3, an& ,onest elections. ",e c,oice o- means ta6en 43 t,e Commission on Elections, unless t,e3 are clearl3 ille0al or constitute 0rave a4use o- &iscretion, s,oul& not 4e inter-ere& +it,.1I "ec,nicalities, +,ic, are not con&ucive to -ree, or&erl3 an& ,onest elections, 4ut on t,e contrar3 ma3 &e-eat t,e +ill o- t,e soverei0n people as e1presse& in t,eir votes, s,oul& not 4e allo+e& to ,amper t,e Commission on Elections in t,e per-ormance o- its &uties. "o sustain t,e petitioner in t,e present case is to &en3 t,e Commission on Elections t,e po+er to retrieve t,e copies o- t,e election returns -rom t,e 4allot 4o1es in or&er t,at t,e true num4er o- votes cast -or a can&i&ate ma3 4e 6no+n an& t,us permit a canvass on t,e 4asis oelection returns t,at are patentl3 -alsi-ie&. 7e cannot, an& 7e must not, sanction t,e stan& o- petitioner.

As 7e ,ave a&verte& to, t,e Commission on Elections ,as t,e po+er to in/uire +,et,er t,ere e1ist &iscrepancies amon0 t,e various copies o- t,e election returns.11 #- all t,e copies prepare& 43 t,e 4oar& o- inspectors t,e cop3 least suscepti4le to 4ein0 tampere& +it, is t,e one &eposite& in t,e 4allot 4o1. 7,ere t,e t,ree copies outsi&e t,e 4allot 4o1es appear to ,ave 4een uni-orml3 altere&, t,ere is no plausi4le reason +,3 t,e cop3 &eposite& in t,e 4allot 4o1 ma3 not 4e use& to &etermine +,et,er &iscrepancies e1ist in t,e various copies. %nasmuc, as t,e Commission on Elections ,as t,e ri0,t to &etermine +,et,er sai& &iscrepancies e1ist, it must also ,ave t,e ri0,t to consult sai& returns, +,ic, cannot 4e &one unless t,e 4allot 4o1es are opene&. %t is note+ort,3 t,at t,e 8evise& Election Co&e &oes not provi&e t,at it is t,e courts t,at ,ave t,e po+er to or&er t,e openin0 o- t,e 4allot 4o1 in a situation li6e t,is. ection 157 o- t,e 8evise& Election Co&e, on +,ic, petitioner ,erein relies in support o- ,is stan& in t,e present case, aut,oriAes t,e openin0 o- t,e 4allot 4o1 +,enever it is t,e su45ect o- an o--icial investi0ation. %t provi&es9 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE 1I umulon0 vs. Commission on Elections, 7= ',il. 2FF. 11 Al4ano vs. ArranA, L-1926I, @anuar3 =1, 1962. 92= !#L. 19, A'8%L 27, 1967 92= Cauton vs. Commission on Elections B",e municipal treasurer s,all 6eep t,e 4o1es unopene& in ,is possession in a secure place an& un&er ,is responsi4ilit3 -or t,ree mont,s, unless t,e3 are t,e su45ect o- an o--icial investi0ation, or a component court or tri4unal s,all &eman& t,em sooner, or t,e competent aut,orit3 s,all or&er t,eir preservation -or a lon0er time in connection +it, an3 pen&in0 contest or investi0ation.D Un&er t,is section t,e 4allot 4o1es ma3 4e opene& in case t,ere is an election contest. ",e3 ma3 also 4e opene& even i- t,ere is no election contest +,en t,eir contents ,ave to 4e use& as evi&ence in t,e prosecution oelection - rau&s.12 $oreover, t,e3 ma3 4e opene& +,en t,e3 are t,e su45ect o- an3 o--icial investi0ation +,ic, ma3 4e or&ere& 43 a competent court or ot,er competent aut,orit3.1= ",e Bcompetent aut,orit3D must inclu&e t,e Commission on Elections +,ic, is c,ar0e& +it, t,e a&ministration an& en-orcement o- t,e la+s relative to t,e con&uct o- elections. la t,e instant case t,e Commission on Elec-tions -oun& t,at it ,as 4een clearl3 esta4lis,e&

t,at t,e election returns outsi&e t,e 4allot 4o1es, in all t,e precincts in t,e municipalities o- Can&on, antia0o an& ta. CruA, ,ave 4een tampere& +it,. %t is +it,in t,e po+er o- t,e Commission to or&er t,e investi0ation o- t,at apparent anomal3 t,at ,as connection +it, t,e con&uct o- elections. ",e investi0ation ma3 4e in connection +it, t,e prosecution -or t,e violations ot,e election la+s an& at t,e same time to ascertain t,e con&ition o- t,e election returns insi&e t,e 4allot 4o1es as compare& +it, t,e election returns outsi&e t,e 4allot 4o1es, -or t,e same precincts. ",e openin0 o- t,e 4allot 4o1es ma3, t,ere-ore, 4e pra3e& -or 43 a can&i&ate +,o is pre5u&ice& 43 t,e apparent -alsi-ication o- t,e election returns outsi&e t,e 4allot 4o1es, an& in or&erin0 t,e openin0 o- t,e 4allot 4o1es t,e purpose o- t,e Commission is not to ,elp a particular can&i&ate +in an election 4ut to properl3 a&minister an& en-orce t,e la+s relative to t,e con&uct o- elections. >rom +,at ,as 4een sai& 7e ,ol& t,at t,e or&er o- )ecem4er 22, 1965, 4ein0 /uestione& 43 t,e petitioner in t,e EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE 12 'rovincial >iscal o- Nueva Eci5a vs. <utierreA )avi& 59 ',il, 6=7. 1= (oar& o- %nspectors vs. 'iccio, F1 ',il. 577. 924 924 U'8E$E C#U8" 8E'#8" ANN#"A"E) a&a3a vs. evilla present case, +as per-ectl3 +it,in t,e po+er o- t,e Commission on Elections to issue. 7,ere-ore, t,e petition -or certiorari an& pro,i4ition in t,e present case is &ismisse&, +it, costs a0ainst t,e petitioner. %t is so or&ere&. Concepcion, C.@., 8e3es, @.(.L., )iAon, 8e0ala, $a6alintal, anc,eA an& Castro. @@., concur. 'etition &enie&. EEEEEEEEEEEEE MCauton vs. Commission on Elections, 19 C8A 911:1967;N