Source: https://fr.scribd.com/document/253130493/Frivaldo-vs-Comelec-257-SCRA-731
Timestamp: 2019-04-26 12:12:28+00:00

Document:
HEREIN REPRESENTED BY ITS PRESIDENT, SALVADOR NEE ESTUYE, respondents.
J.L. Misa & Associates for petitioner.
Lladoc, Huab & Associates for private respondent.
was not a voter and so could not sue under the said section.
required comments from the respondents.
capacity, could nevertheless institute the suit by himself alone.
He also joined in the private respondent's argument that Section 253 of the Omnibus Election Code was not applicable because what the League and Estuye were seeking was not only the annulment of the proclamation and election of Frivaldo. his active participation in the 1987 congressional elections had divested him of American citizenship under the laws of the United States. long delay. the Local Government Code. the decision on Frivaldo's citizenship has already been made by the COMELEC through its counsel. albeit only after a.A. OFFICE OF THE CLERK UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA September 23. of the Constitution.because the electorate of Sorsogon could not amend the Constitution.J. U. 1988. as provincial governor of Sorsogon. The reason for this inquiry is the provision in Article XI. Frivaldo was a citizen of the Philippines at the time of his election on January 18. The evidence shows. However. of the Constitution that all public officials and employees owe the State and the Constitution "allegiance at all times" and the specific requirement in Section 42 of the Local Government Code that a candidate for local elective office must be inter alia a citizen of the Philippines and a qualified voter of the constituency where he is running. who categorically claims that Frivaldo is a foreigner. the Court has decided to resolve it directly instead of allowing the normal circuitous route that will after all eventually end with this Court. Frivaldo described himself as a "natural-born" citizen of the Philippines. this being an indispensable requirement for suffrage under Article V. we shall consider the present petition as having been filed in accordance with Article IX-A Section 7. Northern District of California. He agreed that they were also asking for the termination of Frivaldo's incumbency as governor of Sorsogon on the ground that he was not a Filipino. The basic question we must resolve is whether or not Juan G. and the Omnibus Election Code. Section 9. Exercising our discretion to interpret the Rules of Court and the Constitution. thus restoring his Philippine citizenship. 396 (1955)] where a German national's naturalization in Liechtenstein was not recognized because it had been obtained for reasons of convenience only. 49 A. We cannot permit this delay. Section 117 of the Omnibus Election Code provides that a qualified voter must be.S. All the other issues raised in this petition are merely secondary to this basic question. 4. however. 27C had not yet been organized then. among other qualifications. Additionally. 1987. Cortez of the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco. omitting mention of any subsequent loss of such status. His oath in his certificate of candidacy that he was a natural-born citizen should be a sufficient act of repatriation. Frivaldo insisted that he was a citizen of the Philippines because his naturalization as an American citizen was not "impressed with voluntariness. In the certificate of candidacy he filed on November 19.I." In support he cited the Nottebohm Case. returns and qualifications of the members of the Congress and elective provincial and city officials. Section 1. of the Constitution. Such delay will be inimical to the public interest and the vital principles of public office to be here applied.C. Considering the importance and urgency of the question herein raised. to challenge the aforementioned Orders of the COMELEC. that he was naturalized as a citizen of the United States in 1983 per the following certification from the United States District Court. California. [(1955 I. It therefore represents the decision of the COMELEC itself that we may now review. the Solicitor General. He ended by reiterating his prayer for the rejection of the move to disqualify him for being time-barred under Section 253 of the Omnibus Election Code. We assume this stance was taken by him after consultation with the public respondent and with its approval. 1988 TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: 2 . as duly authenticated by Vice Consul Amado P.L. It is true that the Commission on Elections has the primary jurisdiction over this question as the sole judge of all contests relating to the election. In his Reply. a citizen of the Philippines. He said he could not have repatriated himself before the 1988 elections because the Special Committee on Naturalization created for the purpose by LOI No.J.
of the nationalities which any such person possesses. Without prejudice to the application of its law in matters of personal status and of any convention in force. born on October 20. held fast to their Philippine citizenship despite the perils of their resistance to the Marcos regime. A23 079 270. unlike the petitioner. 5. unlike the petitioner who solemnly declared "on oath. The martyred Ninoy Aquino heads the impressive list of those Filipinos in exile who.) ARACELI V. who did not find it necessary — nor do they claim to have been coerced — to abandon their cherished status as Filipinos. WILLIAM L. Alien Registration No. state or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen. he expressly admitted it in his answer. a third State shall. 1915. They did not take the oath of allegiance to the United States. In fact. 280225. Petition No. 11690178. Nevertheless. The Nottebohm case cited by the petitioner invoked the international law principle of effective nationality which is clearly not applicable to the case at bar. Even so. it cannot agree that as a consequence thereof he was coerced into embracing American citizenship. The Court sees no reason not to believe that the petitioner was one of the enemies of the Marcos dictatorship. His feeble suggestion that his naturalization was not the result of his own free and voluntary choice is totally unacceptable and must be rejected outright. that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince. potentate." meaning in his case the Republic of the Philippines. 1983.Our records show that JUAN GALLANOSA FRIVALDO. and some of them subject to greater risk than he. as earlier noted. was naturalized in this Court on January 20. recognize exclusively in its territory either the nationality of the country in which he is 3 . Very truly yours. This principle is expressed in Article 5 of the Hague Convention of 1930 on the Conflict of Nationality Laws as follows: Art. he claims it was "forced" on him as a measure of protection from the persecution of the Marcos government through his agents in the United States. WHITTAKER Clerk by: (Sgd. Within a third State a person having more than one nationality shall be treated as if he had only one. BAREN Deputy Clerk This evidence is not denied by the petitioner. There were many other Filipinos in the United States similarly situated as Frivaldo. and issued Certificate of Naturalization No.
The International Court of Justice held Nottebohm to be still a national of Germany. 63 as amended by CA No. If the Special Committee had not yet been convened. as its citizen. as it were. That case is not relevant to the petition before us because it dealt with a conflict between the nationality laws of two states as decided by a third state. Philippine citizenship may be reacquired by direct act of Congress. Many members of his family and his business interests were in Germany. regardless of other nationality laws. what might have happened as a result of the loss of his naturalized citizenship was that he became a stateless individual. he automatically forfeited American citizenship under the laws of the United States. It should be obvious that even if he did lose his naturalized American citizenship. The argument that the petition filed with the Commission on Elections should be dismissed for tardiness is not well-taken. which had declared war on Germany. or by repatriation. what that meant simply was that the petitioner had to wait until this was done. We can decide this question alone as sovereign of our own territory. Philippine citizenship previously disowned is not that cheaply recovered. Such laws do not concern us here. It does not appear that Frivaldo has taken these categorical acts. It would allow all Filipinos who have renounced this country to claim back their abandoned citizenship without formally rejecting their adoptedstate and reaffirming their allegiance to the Philippines. Once any of the required qualifications is lost. The herein private respondents are seeking to prevent Frivaldo from continuing to discharge his office of governor because he is disqualified from doing so as a foreigner. or seek naturalization by legislative or judicial proceedings. without more. Frivaldo's contention that he could not have repatriated himself under LOI 270 because the Special Committee provided for therein had not yet been constituted seems to suggest that the lack of that body rendered his repatriation unnecessary. The alleged forfeiture is between him and the United States as his adopted country. But that is hardly the formal declaration the law envisions — surely. If he really wanted to disavow his American citizenship and reacquire Philippine citizenship. such forfeiture did not and could not have the effect of automatically restoring his citizenship in the Philippines that he had earlier renounced. arrested Nottebohm and confiscated all his properties on the ground that he was a German national. He contends that by simply filing his certificate of candidacy he had. conformably to Section 1 of the said Convention providing that "it is for each State to determine under its law who are its nationals. the petitioner should have done so in accordance with the laws of our country. Nottebohm was a German by birth but a resident of Guatemala for 34 years when he applied for and acquired naturalization in Liechtenstein one month before the outbreak of World War II. He claims that by actively participating in the elections in this country. his title 4 . Qualifications for public office are continuing requirements and must be possessed not only at the time of appointment or election or assumption of office but during the officer's entire tenure. Under CA No. in fact. by naturalization. The sole question presented to us is whether or not Frivaldo is a citizen of the Philippines under our own laws. That is far-fetched if not specious Such a conclusion would open the floodgates. While Frivaldo does not invoke either of the first two methods. with which he was more closely connected than with Liechtenstein. Liechtenstein thereupon filed suit on his behalf. At best. No third state is involved in the case at bar. 725. he nevertheless claims he has reacquired Philippine citizenship by virtue of a valid repatriation. even the United States is not actively claiming Frivaldo as its national." It is also worth noting that Nottebohm was invoking his naturalization in Liechtenstein whereas in the present case Frivaldo is rejecting his naturalization in the United States. against Guatemala. 473 and PD No.habitually and principally resident or the nationality of the country with which in the circumstances he appears to be in fact most closely connected. already effectively recovered Philippine citizenship. Guatemala. In 1943.
is LIFTED. the renewal of his loyalty and love. The will of the people as expressed through the ballot cannot cure the vice of ineligibility.. SO ORDERED.. and not even denied. C.J. JR. Paras. say. took no part. But once it is surrendered and renounced. It is true as the petitioner points out that the status of the natural-born citizen is favored by the Constitution and our laws..may be seasonably challenged. If. especially if they mistakenly believed.. JJ. that the evidence of Frivaldo's naturalization was discovered only eight months after his proclamation and his title was challenged shortly thereafter. I fail to see how the Court could allow a person who by his own admissions is indubitably an alien to continue holding the office of Governor of any province. Separate Opinions GUTIERREZ. he must owe his total loyalty to this country only. This country of ours. J. Medialdea and Regalado. Sarmiento. Feliciano. that the candidate was qualified. WHEREFORE. concurs in the result. This Court will not permit the anomaly of a person sitting as provincial governor in this country while owing exclusive allegiance to another country. would she have a right to remain in office simply because the challenge to her title may no longer be made within ten days from her proclamation? It has been established. The temporary restraining order dated March 9. 1989. FRIVALDO is hereby declared not a citizen of the Philippines and therefore DISQUALIFIED from serving as Governor of the Province of Sorsogon.. the quo warranto petition seeking to annul the petitioner's election and proclamation should have been filed with ten days after the proclamation of election results. Accordingly. 2 The purpose of the law in not allowing the filing of protests beyond the period fixed by law is to have a certain and definite time within which petitions against the results of an 5 . he is ordered to vacate his office and surrender the same to the duly elected Vice-Governor of the said province once this decision becomes final and executory. the public good should supersede any procedural infinities which may affect a petition filed with the Commission on Elections. Cortes J. Melencio-Herrera. this rule requires strict application when the deficiency is lack of citizenship. concurring: I concur in the pragmatic approach taken by the Court. is like a jealous and possessive mother. If a person seeks to serve in the Republic of the Philippines. as in this case. a female legislator were to marry a foreigner during her term and by her act or omission acquires his nationality. the petition is DISMISSED and petitioner JUAN G. it is not quick to welcome back with eager arms its prodigal if repentant children. by an express and unequivocal act. Bidin. 1 As a rule. The qualifications prescribed for elective office cannot be erased by the electorate alone. for all its difficulties and limitations. Obviously.. I agree that when the higher interests of the State are involved. It is an established rule of long standing that the period fixed by law for the filing of a protest — whether quo warranto or election contest — is mandatory and jurisdictional. Once rejected. Fernan. GriñoAquino. Padilla. J. The returning renegade must show. the gift is gone and cannot be lightly restored. Narvasa. The fact that he was elected by the people of Sorsogon does not excuse this patent violation of the salutary rule limiting public office and employment only to the citizens of this country. abjuring and renouncing all fealty and fidelity to any other state. concur. which is all the more reason why it should be treasured like a pearl of great price. Gancayco.
Jr. 43 Phil.election should be filed and to provide summary proceedings for the settlement of such disputes. 5 the Court should allow a person like respondent Estuye or his league to bring the action. 47 Phil. Gutierrez and Lucot. 3 The Rules of Court allow the Republic of the Philippines to file quo warranto proceedings against any public officer who performs an act which works a forfeiture of his office. I must emphasize. And perhaps in a clear case of disloyalty to the Republic of the Philippines. residence. however. and Nisperos v. I fail to see how the Court could allow a person who by his own admissions is indubitably an alien to continue holding the office of Governor of any province. 795 . 3 The Rules of Court allow the Republic of the Philippines to file quo warranto proceedings against any public officer who performs an act which works a forfeiture of his office. or any of the many grounds for ineligibility. 4 However. The pragmatic approach is also shown by the fact that the Court found it inexpedient to wait for the final decision of COMELEC. I agree that when the higher interests of the State are involved. Footnotes Gutierrez. I am constrained to concur in the procedure pro hac vice. the public good should supersede any procedural infinities which may affect a petition filed with the Commission on Elections. where the Solicitor General or the President feel that there are no good reasons to commence quo warranto proceedings. 806 . concurring: I concur in the pragmatic approach taken by the Court. I am constrained to concur in the procedure pro hac vice. or any of the many grounds for ineligibility. The pragmatic approach is also shown by the fact that the Court found it inexpedient to wait for the final decision of COMELEC. J. 1 Ferrer v. Araneta Diaz and Flores. 6 . that my concurrence is limited to a clear case of an alien holding an elective public office. that my concurrence is limited to a clear case of an alien holding an elective public office. where the Solicitor General or the President feel that there are no good reasons to commence quo warranto proceedings. the quo warranto petition seeking to annul the petitioner's election and proclamation should have been filed with ten days after the proclamation of election results. however.. This step is most unusual but considering the total lack of any serious grounds for the petitioner's claim of having regained his Philippine citizenship. 7 I believe that the ten-day period should be applied strictly. 6Where the disqualification is based on age. JR. 7 I believe that the ten-day period should be applied strictly. I must emphasize. 1 As a rule. Separate Opinions GUTIERREZ. residence. This step is most unusual but considering the total lack of any serious grounds for the petitioner's claim of having regained his Philippine citizenship.. 2 The purpose of the law in not allowing the filing of protests beyond the period fixed by law is to have a certain and definite time within which petitions against the results of an election should be filed and to provide summary proceedings for the settlement of such disputes. 6Where the disqualification is based on age. 4 However. It is an established rule of long standing that the period fixed by law for the filing of a protest — whether quo warranto or election contest — is mandatory and jurisdictional. 5 the Court should allow a person like respondent Estuye or his league to bring the action. And perhaps in a clear case of disloyalty to the Republic of the Philippines.
using prohibited forms of certificate election propaganda (Section 85. soliciting. id). B. B. electioneering within the prohibited space around or inside a polling place (Section 261 -k. 580 . coercion by a public officer of subordinates to campaign for or against a candidate (Section 261-d.P. Blg. certain persons like ecclesiastics and soldiers in the active service are disqualified from running for elective municipal office. 80 Phil. id). using threats and intimidation to force a person to campaign or to prevent him from campaigning for or against a candidate (Section 261 -e. 6 Section 253. and use of a void certificate of candidacy (Section 78). 881. 758 . id). 881). id). Section 2. id). 4 Rule 66. 95. the use of a void certificate of candidacy (Section 78. Under Section 2175 of the Revised Administrative Code. receiving.P. 97. Section 1. unlawful use of mass media (Section 86. Guevarra. id). 96. use of public funds for certain election purposes (Section 261 -u. 44 Phil. destroying or defacing lawful election propaganda (Section 83. and 104 of B. Caluag.2 Section 253.P. 3 Municipal Council of Masantol v. id). over spending for election expenses (id). Omnibus Election Code. 7 . id). engaging in partisan political activity outside of the campaign period (Section 80. 881). id). Rules of Court. 7 Among them are corrupting voters or election officials with money or other material considerations (Section 68. Omnibus Election Code. committing acts of terrorism to enhance one's candidacy (id). See Casin v. or making prohibited contributions (Sections 89. 5 Rule 66.
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