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Velayo vs. COMELEC [SEPARATE OPINION, DISSENTING, VITUG, J.]

ARTHUR V. VELAYO, petitioner, vs. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS AND ERNESTO NATIVIDAD, respondents.

G.R. No. 135613 | 2000-03-09

DISSENTING OPINION

VITUG, J.:

In a democratic society, the immense power of the State is placed in the hands of the people. Whether this apothegm is truly genuine or merely a farce depends on how the institution values the sanctity and strength of the ballot through which that power is wielded.

The COMELEC is entrusted with the task of seeing to it that the results of any election reflect the true will of the electorate, and it has been correspondingly accorded broad powers, administrative and judicial, to carry out that mandate.

Brought up for consideration by the Court is a special civil action for certiorari at the instance of...