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Harry L. Roque, et al. Vs. COMELEC, et al. [DISSENTING OPINION, BRION. J.]

H. HARRY L. ROQUE, JR., JOEL R. BUTUYAN, ROMEL R. BAGARES, ALLAN JONES F. LARDIZABAL, GILBERT T. ANDRES, IMMACULADA D. GARCIA, ERLINDA T. MERCADO, FRANCISCO A. ALCUAZ, MA. AZUCENA P. MACEDA, and ALVIN A. PETERS, Petitioners, vs COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, Represented by HON. CHAIRMAN JOSE MELO, COMELEC SPECIAL BIDS and AWARDS COMMITTEE, represented by its CHAIRMAN HON. FERDINAND RAFANAN, DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET and MANAGEMENT, represented by HON. ROLANDO ANDAYA, TOTAL INFORMATION MANAGEMENT CORPORATION and SMARTMATIC INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION, Respondents. / PETE QUIRINO-QUADRA, Petitioner-in-Intervention. / SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES, represented by its President, JUAN PONCE ENRILE, Movant-Intervenor.

G.R. No. 188456 | 2009-09-10

DISSENTING OPINION

BRION, J.:

I write this Dissent mindful that a new system of exercising the constitutional right of suffrage is upon us. Automated election, first tested in the ARMM election on August 11, 2008, shall sooner or later be applied at the national level. The development, to be sure, is a change that we should welcome for the promises it brings - a peaceful, clean, orderly, fair, honest, efficient, and credible election. The fulfillment of this promise, however, is not a result that we can simply wish into our national life. Nor is it something we can attain in a hurry. Fulfillment is a result that the whole country must plan,...