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Rodriguez and Defensor vs. COMELEC et al.

EDWIN D. RODRIGUEZ AND MICHAEL T. DEFENSOR, PETITIONERS, VS. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, MARIA JOSEFINA G. BELMONTE, GIAN CARLO G. SOTTO, WILFREDO B. REVILLAME, AND ELIZABETH A. DELARMENTE, RESPONDENTS.

G.R. No. 255509 | 2023-10-01

EN BANC

D E C I S I O N
 
ZALAMEDA, J.:
 
Any complaint that charges the election offense of vote-buying must be supported by credible evidence that substantiates the elements of the offense. General averments of vote-buying, when accompanied by uncorroborated video clips and screenshots from such video clips, will be adjudged as mere speculation because they cannot substitute for proof required to establish probable cause.
 
The Case

Petitioners Edwin D. Rodriguez and Michael T. Defensor (collectively, petitioners) filed a Petition[1] for Certiorari under Rule 64 of the Rules of Court, seeking to annul and set aside...