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Regina Ongsiako Reyes Vs. Commission on Elections and Joseph Socorro B. Tan [Separate Concurring Opinion C.J. Sereno]

REGINA ONGSIAKO REYES, Petitioner, vs. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS and JOSEPH SOCORRO B. TAN, Respondents. [Separate Concurring Opinion C.J. Sereno]

G.R. No. 207264 | 2013-10-22

EN BANC

SEPARATE CONCURRING OPINION

SERENO, CJ:

Certain views, distinctly different from the ponencia and from the Concurring and Dissenting Opinions, prompt me to write this Separate Opinion.

Guided by consistency in the interpretation of constitutional language, it is my view that the 1987 Constitution "intended to give [the electoral tribunals] full authority to hear and decide these cases from beginning to end and on all matters related thereto, including those arising before the proclamation of the winners."1

Javier v. COMELEC2 , decided under the auspices of the 1973 Constitution, is instructive and sheds light on the extent of the...