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Lopez vs. Senate of the Philippines et al. [SEPARATE OPINION, PUNO, J.]

CONGRESSMAN RUY ELIAS C. LOPEZ VS. SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES (REPRESENTED HEREIN BY THE HON. FRANKLIN DRILON, PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (REPRESENTED HEREIN BY THE HON. JOSE DE VENECIA, SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES), JOINT COMMITTEE OF CONGRESS TO CANVASS THE VOTES CAST FOR PRESIDENTIAL AND VICE-PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES IN THE MAY 10, 2004 NATIONAL ELECTIONS, THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AND CHIEF BUDGET OFFICER OF THE SENATE, AND THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AND CHIEF BUDGET OFFICER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

G.R. No. 163556 | 2004-06-08

SEPARATE OPINION
 
PUNO, J.:

The facts are sparse but sufficient. We held our national election last May 10, 2004. The candidates for President were President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, actor Fernando Poe, Jr., Senator Panfilo Lacson, former Secretary of Education Raul Roco, and religious leader Bishop Eddie Villanueva. The candidates for Vice-President were Senator Noli de Castro, Senator Loren Legarda, former Congressman Herminio Aquino and Mr. Rodolfo Pajo.

Congress thereafter convened itself in joint session to canvass the results of the Presidential and Vice-Presidential elections. It approved the Rules of the Joint Public Session of...