1989 IBP Elections 178 SCRA 398

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Republic of the Philippines SUPREME COURT Manila EN BANC

IN THE MATTER OF THE INQUIRY INTO THE 1989 ELECTIONS OF THE INTEGRATED BAR OF THE PHILIPPINES. A. M. No. 491 Octobe !" 19#9

RESOLUTION PER CURIAM: $n the election of the national office s of the $nte% ate& Ba of the Philippines 'he eafte "IBP() hel& on *une +" 19#9 at the Philippine $nte national Con,ention Cente 'o "PICC")" the follo-in% -e e electe& b. the /ouse of 0ele%ates 'co1pose& of 123 chapte p esi&ents o thei alte nates) an& p oclai1e& as office s4 NAME Att.. 5ioleta 0 ilon Att.. Bella Ti o Att.. Sal,a&o 8ao Att.. Renato 9. Ron:uillo Att.. Teo&o o ;uico. Att.. Osca Ba&elles /ouse of 0ele%ates Att.. *ustiniano Co tes Att.. Ci iaco Atien>a Att.. Ma io *alan&oni Att.. *ose A%uila < apilon Att.. Teo&o o Al1ine Att.. Po fi io Si.an%co Att.. Rica &o Te uel Att.. <la&.s Tion%co Att.. Si1eon 0atu1anon% <o,e no = 5ice7P esi&ent fo No the n 8u>on <o,e no = 5ice7P esi&ent fo Cent al 8u>on <o,e no = 5ice7P esi&ent fo Met o Manila <o,e no = 5ice7P esi&ent fo Southe n 8u>on <o,e no = 5ice7P esi&ent fo Bicolan&ia <o,e no = 5ice7P esi&ent fo Easte n 5isa.as <o,e no = 5ice7P esi&ent fo ?este n 5isa.as <o,e no = 5ice7P esi&ent fo Easte n Min&anao <o,e no = 5ice7P esi&ent fo ?este n Min&anao POS$T$ON P esi&ent E6ecuti,e 5ice7P esi&ent Chai 1an" /ouse of 0ele%ates /ouse of 0ele%ates Sec eta . T easu e " /ouse of 0ele%ates Se %eant7at7A 1s

The ne-l.7electe& office s -e e set to ta@e thei oath of office on *ul. 4"19#9 befo e the Sup e1e Cou t en banc. /o-e,e " &istu be& b. the -i&esp ea& epo ts ecei,e& b. so1e 1e1be s of the Cou t f o1 la-.e s -ho ha& -itnesse& o pa ticipate& in the p ocee&in%s an& the a&,e se co11ents publishe& in the colu1ns of so1e ne-spape s about the intensi,e electionee in% an& o,e spen&in% b. the can&i&ates" le& b. the 1ain p ota%onists fo the office of p esi&ent of the association" na1el." Atto ne.s Ne eo Pacul&o" Ra1on Nisce" an& 5ioleta C. 0 ilon" the alle%e& use of %o,e n1ent planes" an& the officious inte ,ention of ce tain public officials to influence the ,otin%" all of -hich -e e &one in ,iolation of the $BP B.78a-s -hich p ohibit such acti,ities" the Sup e1e Cou t en banc" e6e cisin% its po-e of supe ,ision o,e the $nte% ate& Ba " esol,e& to suspen& the oath7ta@in% of the $BP office s7elect an& to in:ui e into the ,e acit. of the epo ts. $t shoul& be state& at the outset that the election p ocess itself ' i.e., the ,otin% an& the can,assin% of ,otes on *une +" 19#9) -hich -as con&ucte& b. the ($BP Co1elec"( hea&e& b. *ustice Re.nato Puno of the Cou t of Appeals" -as unani1ousl. a&Au&%e& b. the pa ticipants an& obse ,e s to be abo,e boa &. 9o *ustice Puno too@ it upon hi1self to &e,ice safe%ua &s to p e,ent ta1pe in% -ith" an& 1a @in% of" the ballots. ?hat the Cou t ,ie-e& -ith consi&e able conce n -as the epo te& electionee in% an& e6t a,a%ance that cha acte i>e& the ca1pai%n con&ucte& b. the th ee can&i&ates fo p esi&ent of the $BP. I. MEDIA ACCOUNT OF THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN. E1il *u a&o" in his colu1n ($BP < oup ;uestions 0 ilon Election( 'Manila Stan&a &" Sun&a." *une 1B" 19#9)C 8uis Mau icio" in t-o successi,e colu1ns4 (The $n,e teb ate& Ba ( 'Mala.a" *une 13" 19#9) an& (The 0isinte% atin% Ba ( 'Mala.a" *une 23" 19#9)C an& Teo&o o 8ocsin * . in an a ticle entitle& (Pa17Pa1( 'The Philippines 9 ee P ess" *ul. #"19#9)" an& the e&ito ial" entitle& D? on% 9o u1( of the 0ail. <lobe '*une #" 19#9)" -e e unani1ousl. c itical of the (,ote7bu.in% an& p essu e tactics( alle%e&l. e1plo.e& in the ca1pai%n b. the th ee p incipal can&i&ates4 Att.s. 5ioleta C. 0 ilon" Ne eo Pacul&o an& Ra1on Nisce" -ho epo te&l. (pou e& hea t" soul" 1one. an& influence to -in o,e the 123 $BP &ele%ates.( M . *u a&o 1entione& the esent1ent of Att.. 0 ilonDs i,als -ho felt at a &isa&,anta%e because Att.. 0 ilon alle%e&l. use& PNB helicopte s to ,isit fa 7flun% $BP chapte s on the p ete6t of &ist ibutin% Bigay Pu ! &onations" an& she ha& the a&&e& a&,anta%e of ha,in% e%ional &i ecto s an& labo a bite s of the 0epa t1ent of 8abo an& E1plo.1ent '-ho ha& been % ante& lea,es of absence b. he husban&" the 8abo Sec eta .) ca1pai%nin% fo he . *u a&oDs info 1ants alle%e& that the e -as a1pant ,ote7bu.in% b. so1e 1e1be s of the U.P. Si%1a Rho 9 ate nit. 'Sec eta . 0 ilonDs f ate nit.) as -ell as b. so1e la-.e s of ACCRA 'An%a a" Concepcion" C u>" Re%ala an& Abello 8a- Offices) -he e M s. 0 ilon is e1plo.e&" an& that %o,e n1ent positions -e e p o1ise& to othe s b. the office of the 8abo Sec eta ..

M . Mau icio" in his colu1n - ote about the sa1e 1atte s an&" in a&&ition" 1entione& (tal@ of pe sonnel of the 0epa t1ent of 8abo " especiall. conciliato s an& e1plo.e s" notabl. Chinese 9ilipinos" %i,in% ai& an& co1fo t to he 'Att.. 0 ilonDs) can&i&ac.(C the billetin% of out7of7to-n &ele%ates in plush hotels -he e the. -e e epo te&l. (-ine& an& &ine& continuousl." -o1ene& an& subAecte& to en&less ha%%lin% o,e the p ice of thei ,otes.......( -hich alle%e&l. ( an%e& f o1 PlE"333 to P23"333" an&" on the &a. of the election" so1e t-el,e to t-ent. ,otes -hich -e e belie,e& c ucial" app eciate& to PE3"333.( $n his secon& colu1n" M . Mau icio 1entione& (ho- a top official of the Au&icia . alle%e&l. in,ol,e& hi1self in $BP politics on election &a. b. closetin% hi1self -ith ca1pai%ne s as the. plotte& thei election st ate%. in a oo1 of the P$CC 'the Philippine $nte national Con,ention Cente -he e the con,entionFelection -e e hel&) &u in% a ecess........( M . 8ocsin in his colu1n an& e&ito ial substantiall. e7echoe& Mau icioDs epo ts -ith so1e e1bellish1ents. II. THE COURT"# DECI#ION TO IN$E#TIGATE. Respon&in% to the c itical epo ts" the Cou t" in its en banc Resolution &ate& *une 1E" 19#9" &i ecte& the out%oin% an& inco1in% 1e1be s of the $BP Boa & of <o,e no s" the p incipal office s an& Chai 1an of the /ouse of 0ele%ates" to appea befo e it on Tues&a." *une 23" 19#9" at 2433 oDcloc@ p.1." an& the e to info 1 the Cou t on the ,e acit. of the afo e1entione& epo ts an& to eco11en&" fo the consi&e ation of the Cou t" app op iate app oaches to the p oble1 of confi 1in% an& st en%thenin% a&he ence to the fun&a1ental p inciples of the $BP. $n that Resolution" the Cou t (calle& to 1in& that a basic postulate of the $nte% ate& Ba of the Philippines '$BP)" hea,il. st esse& at the ti1e of its o %ani>ation an& co11ence1ent of e6istence" is that the $BP shall be non7political in cha acte an& that the e shall be no lobb.in% no ca1pai%nin% in the choice of 1e1be s of the Boa & of <o,e no s an& of the /ouse of 0ele%ates" an& of the $BP office s" national" o e%ional" o chapte . The fun&a1ental assu1ption -as that office s" &ele%ates an& %o,e no s -oul& be chosen on the basis of p ofessional 1e it an& -illin%ness an& abilit. to se ,e.( The Resolution -ent on to sa. that the (Cou t is &eepl. &istu be& to note that in connection -ith the election of 1e1be s of the Boa & of <o,e no s an& of the /ouse of 0ele%ates" the e is a -i&esp ea& belief" base& on epo ts ca ie& b. 1e&ia an& t ans1itte& as -ell b. -o & of 1outh" that the e -as e6tensi,e an& intensi,e ca1pai%nin% b. can&i&ates fo $BP positions as -ell as e6pen&itu e of consi&e able su1s of 1one. b. can&i&ates" inclu&in% ,ote7bu.in%" &i ect o in&i ect.( The ,ene able eti e& Sup e1e Cou t *ustice an& $BP P esi&ent E1e itus" *ose B.8. Re.es" atten&e& the &ialo%ue" upon in,itation of the Cou t" to %i,e counsel an& a&,ice. The 1eetin% bet-een the Cou t en banc, on the one han&" an& the out%oin% an& inco1in% $BP office s" on the othe " -as an info 1al one. The eafte " the Cou t esol,e&

to con&uct a fo 1al in:ui . to &ete 1ine -hethe the p ohibite& acts an& acti,ities enu1e ate& in the $BP B.78a-s -e e co11itte& befo e an& &u in% the 19#9 elections of $BPDs national office s. The Cou t en banc fo 1e& a co11ittee an& &esi%nate& Senio Associate *ustice An& es R. Na ,asa" as Chai 1an" an& Associate *ustices Teo&o o R. Pa&illa" E1ilio A. <anca.co" Ab aha1 9. Sa 1iento" an& Ca olina C. < iGo7A:uino" as 1e1be s" to con&uct the in:ui .. The Cle @ of Cou t" Att.. 0aniel Ma tine>" acte& as the co11itteeDs Reco &in% Sec eta .. A total of fo t.7nine '49) -itnesses appea e& an& testifie& in esponse to subpoenas issue& b. the Cou t to she& li%ht on the con&uct of the elections. The 1ana%e s of th ee fi,e7sta hotels the Philippine Pla>a" the /.att" an& the /oli&a. $nn -he e the th ee p ota%onists '0 ilon" Nisce an& Pacul&o) alle%e&l. set up thei especti,e hea&:ua te s an& -he e the. billete& thei suppo te s" -e e su11one&. The office of the Philippine National Ban@ an& the Ai T anspo t Office -e e calle& to enli%hten the Cou t on the cha %e that an $BP p esi&ential can&i&ate an& the 1e1be s of he slate use& PNB planes to fe . the1 to &istant places in thei ca1pai%n to -in the ,otes of &ele%ates. The Philippine Ai lines officials -e e calle& to testif. on the cha %e that so1e can&i&ates %a,e f ee ai fa es to &ele%ates to the con,ention. Officials of the 8abo 0epa t1ent -e e also calle& to enable the Cou t to asce tain the t uth of the epo ts that labo officials openl. ca1pai%ne& o -o @e& fo the election of Att.. 0 ilon. The ne-spape colu1nists" Mess s. 8uis Mau icio" *esus Bi%o nia an& E1il *u a&o -e e subpoenae& to &ete 1ine the natu e of thei sou ces of info 1ation elati,e to the $BP elections. Thei sto ies -e e base&" the. sai&" on lette s" phone calls an& pe sonal inte ,ie-s -ith pe sons -ho clai1e& to ha,e @no-le&%e of the facts" but -ho1 the." in,o@in% the P ess 9 ee&o1 8a-" efuse& to i&entif.. The Co11ittee has since sub1itte& its Repo t afte ecei,in% an& anal.>in% an& assessin% e,i&ence %i,en b. such pe sons as -e e pe cei,e& to ha,e &i ect an& pe sonal @no-le&%e of the ele,ant factsC an& the Cou t" afte &elibe atin% the eon" has Resol,e& to accept an& a&opt the sa1e. III. PROHIBITED ACT# AND PRACTICE# UNDER IBP B%&LA'#. A ticle $" Section 4 of the $BP B.78a-s e1phasi>es the (st ictl. non7political( cha acte of the $nte% ate& Ba of the Philippines" thus4 "#ec. (. N!n&)!*i+ica* Ba,. & The $nte% ate& Ba is st ictl. non7political" an& e,e . acti,it. ten&in% to i1pai this basic featu e is st ictl. p ohibite& an& shall be penali>e& acco &in%l.. No la-.e hol&in% an electi,e" Au&icial" :uasi7Au&icial" o p osecuto . office in the <o,e n1ent o an. political sub&i,ision o inst u1entalit. the eof shall be eli%ible fo election o appoint1ent to an. position in the $nte% ate& Ba o an. Chapte the eof. A &ele%ate" %o,e no " office o e1plo.ee of the $nte% ate& Ba " o an office o e1plo.ee of an. chapte the eof shall be consi&e e& i) ! -ac+! esi%ne& f o1 his position as of the

1o1ent he files his ce tificate of can&i&ac. fo an. electi,e public office o accepts appoint1ent to an. Au&icial" :uasi7Au&icial" o p osecuto . office in the <o,e n1ent o an. political sub&i,ision o inst u1entalit. the eof. (D Section 14 of the sa1e B.78a-s enu1e ates the p ohibite& acts elati,e to $BP elections4 #ec. .(. P,!/ibi+e0 ac+ an0 ),ac+ice ,e*a+i1e +! e*ec+i!n . & The follo-in% acts an& p actices elati,e to election a e p ohibite&" -hethe co11itte& b. a can&i&ate fo an. electi,e office in the $nte% ate& Ba o b. an. othe 1e1be " &i ectl. o in&i ectl." in an. fo 1 o 1anne " b. hi1self o th ou%h anothe pe son4 'a) 0ist ibution" e6cept on election &a." of election ca1pai%n 1ate ialsC 'b) 0ist ibution" on election &a." of election ca1pai%n 1ate ials othe than a state1ent of the bio&ata of a can&i&ate on not 1o e than one pa%e of a le%al7si>e sheet of pape C o causin% &ist ibution of such state1ent to be &one b. pe sons othe than those autho i>e& b. the office p esi&in% at the electionsC 'c) Ca1pai%nin% fo o a%ainst an. can&i&ate" -hile hol&in% an electi,e" Au&icial" :uasi7Au&icial o p osecuto . office in the <o,e n1ent o an. political sub&i,ision" a%enc. o inst u1entalit. the eofC '&) 9o 1ation of tic@ets" sin%le slates" o co1binations of can&i&ates as -ell as the a&,e tise1ent the eofC 'e) 9o the pu pose of in&ucin% o influencin% a 1e1be to -ithhol& his ,ote" o to ,ote fo o a%ainst a can&i&ate4 '1) pa.1ent of the &ues o othe in&ebte&ness of an. 1e1be C '2) %i,in% of foo&" & in@" ente tain1ent" t anspo tation o an. a ticle of ,alue" o an. si1ila consi&e ation to an. pe sonC o '+) 1a@in% a p o1ise o causin% an e6pen&itu e to be 1a&e" offe e& o p o1ise& to an. pe son.( Section 12'&) of the B.78a-s p esc ibes sanctions fo ,iolations of the abo,e ules4 '&) An. ,iolation of the ules %o,e nin% elections o co11ission of an. of the p ohibite& acts an& p actices &efine& in Section 14 'P ohibite& Acts an& P actices Relati,e to ElectionsH of the B.7la-s of the $nte% ate& Ba shall be a % oun& fo the &is:ualification of a can&i&ate o his e1o,al f o1 office if electe&" -ithout p eAu&ice to the i1position of sanctions upon an. e in% 1e1be pu suant to the B.7la-s of the $nte% ate& Ba . At the fo 1al in,esti%ation -hich -as con&ucte& b. the in,esti%atin% co11ittee" the follo-in% ,iolations -e e establishe&4 2.3 P,!/ibi+e0 ca4)aigning an0 !*ici+a+i!n !- 1!+e by +/e can0i0a+e -!, ),e i0en+, e5ecu+i1e 1ice&),e i0en+, +/e !--ice, !, can0i0a+e -!, +/e H!u e !- De*ega+e an0 B!a,0 !- G!1e,n!, .

The th ee can&i&ates fo $BP P esi&ent" 0 ilon" Nisce an& Pacul&o" be%an t a,ellin% a oun& the count . to solicit the ,otes of &ele%ates as ea l. as Ap il" 19#9. Upon the in,itation of $BP P esi&ent" 8eon <a cia" * . 't.s.n." *ul. 1+"19#9" p. 4)" the. atten&e& the Bench an& Ba &ialo%ues hel& in Cotabato in Ap il 19#9 't.s.n." *une 29" 19#9" p. 12+)" in Ta%a.ta. Cit." Pa1pan%a" an& in Ba%uio Cit." &u in% the confe ence of chapte p esi&ents of No the n 8u>on 't.s.n." *ul. +"19#9" p. 11+C t.s.n." *ul. 13" p. 41C t.s.n." *ul. 1+" p. 4B) -he e the. announce& thei can&i&acies an& 1et the chapte p esi&ents. Att.. Nisce a&1itte& that he -ent a oun& the count . see@in% the help of $BP chapte office s" solicitin% thei ,otes" an& secu in% thei - itten en&o se1ents. /e pe sonall. han&7ca ie& no1ination fo 1s an& e:ueste& the chapte p esi&ents an& &ele%ates to fill up an& si%n the fo 1s to fo 1ali>e thei co11it1ent to his no1ination fo $BP P esi&ent. /e sta te& ca1pai%nin% an& &ist ibutin% the no1ination fo 1s in Ma ch" 19#9" afte the chapte elections -hich &ete 1ine& the 1e1be ship of the /ouse of 0ele%ates co1pose& of the 123 chapte p esi&ents 't.s.n." *une 29" 19#9" pp. #27#!). /e obtaine& fo t. '43) co11it1ents. /e sub1itte& photocopies of his no1ination fo 1s -hich ea&4 (No1ination 9o 1 $ *oin in No1inatin% RAMON M. N$SCE as National P esi&ent of the $nte% ate& Ba of the Philippines IIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIII Chapte Si%natu e( A1on% those -ho si%ne& the no1ination fo 1s -e e4 Onof e P. TeAa&a" Can&i&o P. Balbin" * ." Coni>a&o 5. Posa&as" ;ui ico 8. ;ui ico" E nesto S. Salun7at" <lo ia C. A%unos" Osca B. Be na &o" 9eliciano 9. ?.coco" A1o 8. $ba a" *ose M. Atien>a" *ose N. Cont e as" Ro1eo T. Men&o>a" 8eo C. Me&ial&ea" * ." Paulino <. Cla in" *ulius J. Neil" Roe1 *. A bola&o" 0e1oc ito M. Pe e>" Abela &o 9e 1in" 0ios&a&o B. 5illa in" * ." 0aniel C. Maca ae%" Confeso R. Sansano" 0ionisio E. Bala" * ." E1esto A. A1o es" Ro1eo 5. Pefianco" Au%u io C. Pa1intuan" Atlee T. 5i a." Cefe ino C. Cabanas" *ose S. Buban" 0ios&a&o J. ReloA" * ." Cesa C. 5iola" Osca C. 9e nan&e>" Rica &o B. Te uel Ro& i%o R. 9lo es" Si6to Ma ella" * ." A senio C. 5illalon" Renato 9. Ron:uillo" Antonio <. Nalapo" Ro1ual&o A. 0in * ." *ose P. $caonapo * ." an& Manuel S. Pa son. Att.. Nisce a&1itte& that he ese ,e& oo1s at the /.att /otel base& on the co11it1ents he ha& obtaine& 't.s.n." *une 29" 19#9" pp. #27#E). Unfo tunatel." &espite those fo 1al co11it1ents" he obtaine& onl. 14 ,otes in the election 't.s.n." *une 29" 1

9#9" p. #!). The eason" he sai&" is that. so1e of those -ho ha& co11itte& thei ,otes to hi1 -e e (1anipulate&" inti1i&ate&" p essu e&" o e1une ate&( 't.s.n." *une 29"19#9" pp. #!9EC E6hibit (M747Nisce"( t.s.n." *ul. 4" 19#9" pp. 13371 34). 263 U e !- PNB )*ane in +/e ca4)aign. The eco &s of the Philippine National Ban@ 'E6hibit C717C u&o an& E6hibit C727C u&o) sho- that Sec eta . 9ul%encio S. 9acto an" * . of the 0epa t1ent of En,i on1ent = Natu al Resou ces '0ENR) bo o-e& a plane f o1 the Philippine National Ban@ fo his Bicol COR0 'Cabinet Office s fo Re%ional 0e,elop1ent) Assistant" Un&e sec eta . Antonio T ia. The plane 1anifest 'E6h. C727C u&o) liste& Att.. 5ioleta 0 ilon" A tu o Tusi 'Tiu)" Assistant Sec eta . fo En,i on1ent an& Natu al Resou ces K0ENRH Ton. T ia" Att.. <la&.s Tion%co" an& A1. ?on%. E6cept fo Ton. T ia" the est of the passen%e s -e e $BP can&i&ates. Att.. 0 ilon a&1itte& that she (hitche&( a i&e on a PNB plane. She sai& that she -as info 1e& b. Att.. Tiu about the a,ailabilit. of a PNB plane 't.s.n." *ul. +"19#9" pp. 11!7 11#). Att.. Tiu" -ho an fo the position of $BP E6ecuti,e 5ice7P esi&ent in the 0 ilon tic@et" testifie& that so1eti1e in Ma. 19#9" he faile& to obtain boo@in% f o1 the Philippine Ai lines fo the p oAecte& t ip of his % oup to Bicol. /e -ent to the 0ENR alle%e&l. to follo- up so1e pape s fo a client. ?hile at the 0ENR" he lea ne& that Assistant Sec eta . T ia -as %oin% on an official business in Bicol fo Sec eta . 9ul%encio 9acto an an& that he -oul& be ta@in% a PNB plane. As Assistant Sec eta . T ia is his f ate nit. b othe " he as@e& if he" to%ethe -ith the 0 ilon % oup" coul& hitch a i&e on the plane to Bicol. /is e:uest -as % ante&. Thei pu pose in %oin% to Bicol -as to assess thei chances in the $BP elections. The 0 ilon co1pan. tal@e& -ith the $BP Chapte P esi&ents in 0aet" Na%a an& 8e%aspi" an& as@e& fo thei suppo t 't.s.n." *ul. 13" 19#9" pp. E49). Assistant Sec eta . Antonio S. T ia confi 1e& the use of a PNB plane b. Att.. 0 ilon an& he % oup. /e ecalle& that on Ma. 2+"19#9" 0ENR Sec eta . 9acto an inst ucte& hi1 to %o to Bicol to 1onito ce tain e%ional &e,elop1ent p oAects the e an& to su ,e. the effect of the t.phoon that hit the e%ion in the 1i&&le of Ma.. On the sa1e &a." Att.. Tiu" a f ate nit. b othe '1eanin% that Tiu belon%s to the Si%1a Rho f ate nit.) -ent to the 0ENR office an& e:ueste& the Sec eta . '9acto an) if he 'Tiu) coul& be allo-e& to hitch a i&e on the plane. Assistant Sec eta . T ia" to%ethe -ith the 0 ilon % oup -hich inclu&e& Atto ne.s 0 ilon" < apilon" A1. ?on%" <la&.s Tion%co" an& Tiu" too@ off at the 0o1estic Ai po t boun& fo Na%a" 0aet an& 8e%aspi. $n 8e%aspi" the 0 ilon % oup ha& lunch -ith Att.. 5icente Real" * ." an $BP Chapte P esi&ent 't.s.n." *ul. 13" 19#9" pp. E47!9). 273 F!,4a+i!n !- +ic8e+ an0 ing*e *a+e . The th ee can&i&ates" Pacul&o" Nisce an& 0 ilon" a&1itte& ha,in% fo 1e& thei o-n slates fo the election of $BP national office s on *une +" 19#9.

Att.. Pacul&oDs slate consiste& of hi1self fo P esi&entC Bella 0. Ti o" fo E6ecuti,e 5ice7P esi&entC an& fo <o,e no s4 *ustiniano P. Co te> 'No the n 8u>on)" Osca C. 9e nan&e> 'Cent al 8u>on)" Ma io C.5. *alan&oni '< eate Manila)" Pet onilo A. &e la C u> 'Southe n 8u>on)" Teo&o ico C. Al1ine" * . 'Bicolan&ia)" Rica &o B. Te uel '?este n 5isa.as)" Po fi io P. Si.an%co 'Easte n 5isa.as)" *esus S. Anonat '?este n Min&anao)" an& < e%o io A. A&a>a" * . 'Easte n Min&anao). KE6hibit M7NisceH. The 0 ilon tic@et consiste& of. 5ioleta C. 0 ilon fo P esi&ent" A tu o Tiu fo E6ecuti,e 5ice P esi&ent" Sal,a&o 8ao fo Chai 1an of the /ouse of 0ele%ates" an&" fo <o,e no s4 Basil Rupisan 'No the n D8u>on)" Acon% Atien>a 'Cent al 8u>on)" A1. ?on% 'Met o Manila)" *ose < apilon 'Southe n Ta%alo%)" Teo&o o Al1ine 'Bicolan&ia)" Bal&o1e o Esten>o 'Easte n 5isa.as)" *oselito Ba e a '?este n 5isa.as)" <la&.s Tion%co 'Easte n Min&anao)" an& Si1eon 0atu1anon% 'Easte n Min&anao). KE6hibit M717NisceH. Att.. Ra1on N. NisceDs line7up liste& hi1self an& Confesso B. Sansano" BenAa1in B. Be na &ino" Antonio 8. Nalapo" Renato 9. Ron:uillo" <lo ia C. A%unos" Ma io 5al&e a1a" Can&i&o P. Balbin * ." Osca C. 9e nan&e>" Cesa <. 5iola" 8eo C. Me&ial&ea" * ." 5icente P. To &illa" * ." *ose S. Buban" *oel A. 8losa" *esus T. Albacite" an& Osca 5. Ba&elles. 2(3 Gi1ing -,ee +,an )!,+a+i!n +! !u+&!-&+!9n 0e*ega+e an0 a*+e,na+e . Att.. Nisce a&1itte& ha,in% bou%ht plane tic@ets fo so1e &ele%ates to the con,ention. /e 1entione& Osca Ba&elles to -ho1 he %a,e fou oun&7t ip tic@ets '-o th about P13"333) f o1 $li%an Cit. to Manila an& bac@. Ba&elles -as a ,otin% &ele%ate. Nisce" ho-e,e " faile& to %et a - itten co11it1ent f o1 hi1 because Att.. Me&ial&ea assu e& hi1 'Nisce) " igu,a0! na "yan, /"9ag 4! nang )a)i,4a/in." Ba&elles -on as Se %eant7 at7A 1s" not in NisceDs tic@et" but in that of 0 ilon. Ba&elles a&1itte& that Nisce sent hi1 th ee ai plane tic@ets" but he 'Ba&elles) sai& that he &i& not use the1" because if he &i&" he -oul& be co11itte& to Nisce" an& he 'Ba&elles) &i& not -ant to be co11itte& 't.s.n." *ul. 4"19#9" pp. BB7B9" 9E79!). Nisce also sent a plane tic@et to Att.. Atilano" -ho -as his can&i&ate" an& anothe tic@et to M s. 8in&a 8i1 of Ja1boan%a. Reco &s of the Philippine Ai lines sho-e& that Att.. Nisce pai& fo the plane tic@ets of 5icente Real" * . 'E6h. 0717Calica)" Ro1eo 9o tes 'E6h. 0717Calica)" Cesa Batica 'E6h. 0727Calica)" *ose Buban of 8e.te 'E6h. 0727 Calica)" 0elsanto Resuello 'E6h. 07+7 Calica)" an& Cefe ino Cabanas 'E6h. 07+7Calica). $n spite of his effo ts an& e6penses" onl. one of NisceDs can&i&ates -on4 Renato Ron:uillo of Manila 4" as Sec eta . of the /ouse of 0ele%ates 't.s.n. *ul. +" p. 1!1). 2:3 Gi1ing -,ee /!+e* acc!44!0a+i!n , -!!0, 0,in8 , an0 en+e,+ain4en+ +! 0e*ega+e . KaH ATTL. NEREO PACU80O

Att.. Pacul&o alle%e& that he boo@e& 24 e%ula oo1s an& th ee suites at the /oli&a. $nn -hich se ,e& as his hea&:ua te s. The 24 oo1s -e e to be occupie& b. his staff '1ostl. la&ies) an& the $BP &ele%ates. The th ee suites -e e to be occupie& b. hi1self" the office s of the Capitol Ba Association" an& Att.. Ma io *alan&oni. /e pai& P1E3"333 fo the hotel bills of his &ele%ates at the /oli&a. $nn" -he e a oo1 cost P993 pe &a. -ith b ea@fast. Those liste& as %uests of Att.. Pacul&o at the /oli&a. $nn -e e4 E1esto C. Pe e>" Tolo1eo 8i%utan" *u&%e Alfonso Co1bon%" Rica &o Cali-a%" Antonio Bisna " Bene&icto BalaAa&ia" *esus Cast o" Restituto 5illanue,a" Se apio C ibe" *uanita Subia" Teo&o ico *. Al1ine" Ru&. <u1ban" Roel A bola&o" Rica &o Te uel" Shi le. Moises" Ra1on Roco" Albe to T ini&a&" Teo&o o ;uico." Manito 8uce o" 9 e& Cle&e a" 5icente To &illa" *ulian Oca1po" 9 ancisco 9eli>1enio" Ma ,el Cla,ecilla" A1a&o Capi al" Euf onio Ma istela" Po fi io Si.an%co" ?illia1 8lanes" * ." Ma ciano Ne i" <ue e o A&a>a" 0ios&a&o Pe alta" 8uis C. 9o 1ille>a" * ." 0e1oc ito Pe e>" B uno 9lo es" 0ennis Ren&on" *u&%e Cefe ino Chan" Ma io *alan&oni" Menneth Si uelo" Bella Ti o" Antonio Santos" Tibu cio E&ano" *a1es Tan" Cesilo A. A&a>a" 9 ancisco Ro6as" An%elita <acutan" *esse Pi1entel" *u&%e *ai1e /a1o." *esus Anonat" Ca los E%a." *u&%e Ca lito Eis1a" *u&%e *esus Ca bon" *o,en Jach" an& BenAa1in Pa&on. Noel &e <u>1an" /oli&a. $nnDs C e&it Mana%e " testifie& that Att.. Pacul&o boo@e& E2 'not 24) oo1s" inclu&in% the p esi&ential suite" -hich -as use& as the Sec eta iat. The % oup boo@in%s -e e 1a&e b. Att.. <lo ia Pacul&o" the -ife of Ne eo Pacul&o 't.s.n. *une 2#" 19#9" pp. !+7!#). The total su1 of P22B"114.#9 -as pai& to /oli&a. $nn fo the use of the oo1s. KbH ATTL. 5$O8ETA C. 0R$8ON The &ele%ates an& suppo te s of Att.. 0 ilon -e e billete& at the Philippine Pla>a /otel -he e he ca1pai%n 1ana%e " Att.. Renato Callanta" boo@e& 43 oo1s" E of -hich -e e suites. Acco &in% to Ms. 5illanue,a" Philippine Pla>a Ban:uet an& Con,entions Mana%e " the cont act that Att.. Callanta si%ne& -ith the Philippine Pla>a -as 1a&e in the na1e of the ($BP cFo Att.. Callanta.( M s. 8ou &es *uco" a Sales Mana%e of the Philippine Pla>a" ecalle& that it -as M . Ma iano Bene&icto -ho fi st ca1e to boo@ oo1s fo the $BP &ele%ates. She su%%este& that he obtain a % oup 'o &iscounte&) ate. /e %a,e he the na1e of Att.. Callanta -ho -oul& 1a@e the a an%e1ents -ith he . M . Bene&icto tu ne& out to be the Assistant Sec eta . of the 0epa t1ent of 8abo an& E1plo.1ent '0O8E). The total su1 of P+1!"411.E+ -as pai& b. Att.. Callanta fo the oo1s" foo&" an& be,e a%es consu1e& b. the 0 ilon % oup" -ith an unpai& balance of P+32"19B.+3. Pe Atto ne. 0aniel Ma tine>Ds last telephone con,e sation -ith Ms. 5illanue,a" Att.. Callanta still has an outstan&in% account of P2+2"B#2.!E at Philippine Pla>a.

Att.. Callanta a&1itte& that he si%ne& the cont act fo 43 oo1s at the Philippine Pla>a. /e 1a&e a &o-npa.1ent of P12+"333. /is -o @in% sheet sho-e& that the follo-in% pe sons cont ibute& fo that &o-npa.1ent4 'a) Nilo Pena ';uasha 8a- Office) 7 P 2E"333 'b) Antonio Ca pio 7 23"333 'c) Toto 9e e 'Ca pio 8a- Office) 7 13"333 '&) *a. Cast o 7 13"333 'e) 0ann. 0een 7 23"333 'f) An%an%co Tan 'An%a a 8a- Office) 7 13"333 '%) Alfonso Re.no 7 23"333 'h) Cos1e Rossel 7 1E"+33 't.s.n. *ul. 4" 1 9#9" pp. +74). Att.. Callanta e6plaine& that the abo,e liste& pe sons ha,e been cont ibutin% 1one. e,e . ti1e the $BP e1ba @s on a p oAect. This ti1e" the. cont ibute& so that thei pa tne s o associates coul& atten& the le%al ai& se1ina an& the $BP con,ention" too. Att.. 0 ilon alle%e& that she &i& not @no- that Att.. Callanta ha& billete& he &ele%ates at the Philippine Pla>a. She alle%e&l. &i& not also @no- in -hose na1e the oo1 she occupie& -as e%iste e&. But she &i& as@ fo a oo1 -he e she coul& est &u in% the con,ention. She a&1itte&" ho-e,e " that she pai& fo he hotel oo1 an& 1eals to Att.. Callanta" th ou%h Att.. 8oan>on 't.s.n. *ul. +"19#9). The follo-in% -e e liste& as ha,in% occupie& the oo1s ese ,e& b. Att.. Callanta at the Philippine Pla>a4 5ioleta 0 ilon" 5icto ia A. 5e ciles" 5icto ia C. 8oan>on" 8eopol&o A. Consulto" A&o 8ao" 5icto ia Bo a" A1. ?on%" Callanta" Pena" Tiu" <alla &o" Acon% Atien>a" 0. Be na &o" A1o es" Silao Cain%at" Manuel Luson" Si1eon 0atu1anon%" Manuel Pecson" Si6to Ma ella" *oselito Ba e a" Ra&on Macalala%" Osca Ba&elles" Antonio Ac.atan" $l&efonso C. Pue to" Nesto Atien>a" <il Batula" A a. Co ot" 0i1a@uta Co ot" Ro1eo 9o tes" $ ,in% Petilla" Teo&o o Pal1a" <il Pal1a" 0anilo 0een" 0elsanto" Resuello" A aneta" 5icente Real" S.l,io Casunca& Espina" <ue e o" *ulius Ne i" 8in&a 8i1" Ben 8i1" C. Batica" 8uis 9o 1ille>a" 9eli6 Macala% Ma iano Bene&icto" Atilano" A aneta" Renato Callanta. Att.. Nilo Pena a&1itte& that the ;uasha 8a- Office of -hich he is a senio pa tne " %a,e P2E"333 to Callanta fo oo1s at the Philippine Pla>a so that so1e 1e1be s of his la- fi 1 coul& ca1pai%n fo the 0 ilon % oup 't.s.n. *ul. E"19#9" pp. B!B#) &u in% the le%al ai& se1ina an& the $BP con,ention. Most of the 1e1be s of his la- fi 1 a e f ate nit. b othe s of Sec eta . 0 ilon '1eanin%" 1e1be s of the Si%1a Rho 9 ate nit.). /e a&1itte& bein% s.1pathetic to the can&i&ac. of Att.. 0 ilon an& the 1e1be s of he slate" t-o of -ho1 *ose < apilon an& Si1eon 0atu1anon%" a e Si%1a Rhoans. The. consi&e Att.. 0 ilon as a (Si%1a Rho siste "( he husban& bein% a Si%1a Rhoan. Att.. Antonio Ca pio" also a Si%1a Rhoan" ese ,e& a oo1 fo the 1e1be s of his o-n fi 1 -ho atten&e& the le%al ai& se1ina an& the con,ention. /e 1a&e the ese ,ation th ou%h Att.. Callanta to -ho1 he pai& P23"333 't.s.n. *ul. !"19#9" pp. +37+4). Att..

Ca pio assiste& Att.. 0 ilon in he ca1pai%n &u in% the con,ention" b. solicitin% the ,otes of &ele%ates he @ne-" li@e Att.. Albacite" his fo 1e teache 'but the latte -as al ea&. co11itte& to Nisce) an& Att.. Ro1. 9o tes" a class1ate of his in the U.P. Colle%e of 8a- 't.s.n. *ul. !" 19#9" pp. 22" 29" +9). ;c< ATT%. RAMON NI#CE. Att.. Nisce" th ou%h his b othe 7in7la-" Rica &o Pa as" ente e& into a cont act -ith the /.att /otel fo a total of 29 oo1s plus one '1) se,enth7floo oo1. /e 1a&e a &o-npa.1ent of P23"333 't.s.n. *une 2#" 19#9" p. E#) on Ap il 23" 19#9" an& P+B"!+2.4E on Ma. 13" o a total of PEB"!+2.4E. Ms. Cecile 9lo es" Ms. Mila% os Oca1po" an& M . Ra1on *acinto" the Sales 0epa t1ent Mana%e " C e&it Mana%e " an& Rese ,ation Mana%e " especti,el. of the /.att" testifie& that Att.. NisceDs bill a1ounte& to P21!"12B.B4 't.s.n. *une 2#" 19#9" pp. EB7E#C E6hibits E79lo es" 97*acinto <7Oca1po). As ea lie 1entione&" Att.. Nisce a&1itte& that he ese ,e& oo1s fo those -ho co11itte& the1sel,es to his can&i&ac.. The hotel %uests of Att.. Nisce -e e4 <lo ia A%unos" 0ennis /abanel B. Batula" *ohn E. Asuncion" Re.nal&o Co tes" 8ou &es Santos" El1e 0atuin" Ro1ual&o 0in" Antonio Nalapo" $s ael 0a1asco" Can&i&o Balbin" Se ano Balot" $ba a" *oel 8losa" Eltanal" Rupe to" Asuncion" ;. Pilotin Re.1un&o P. <u>1an" Joilo A%uinal&o" Cla in R. Ron:uillo" 0o1ina&o Ca illo" 9ilo1eno Balinas" E nesto Sabulan" Lusop Pan%a&apun" A. 5i a." $caonapo" Abela &o 9e 1in" C. ;uiaoit" Au%u io Pa1intuan" 0aniel Maca ae%" an& Onof e TeAa&a. ;=< Ca4)aigning by *ab!, !--icia* -!, A++y. $i!*e+a D,i*!n $n ,iolation of the p ohibition a%ainst (ca1pai%nin% fo o a%ainst a can&i&ate -hile hol&in% an electi,e" Au&icial" :uasi7Au&icial" o p osecuto . office in the <o,e n1entD KSec. 14'c)" A t. $" $BP B.78a-sH" Ma iano E. Bene&icto $$" Assistant Sec eta ." 0epa t1ent of 8abo an& E1plo.1ent" testifie& that he too@ a lea,e of absence f o1 his office to atten& the $BP con,ention. /e sta.e& at the Philippine Pla>a -ith the 0 ilon % oup a&1itte&l. to %i,e (so1e 1o al assistance( to Att.. 5ioleta 0 ilon. /e &i& so because he is a 1e1be of the Si%1a Rho 9 ate nit.. ?hen as@e& about the si%nificance of Si%1a Rho" Sec eta . Bene&icto e6plaine&4 (Mo e than the husban& of M s. 0 ilon bein% 1. boss" the si%nificance the e is that the husban& is 1. b othe in the Si%1a Rho.( /e chee e& up M s. 0 ilon -hen he spi its -e e lo-. /e tal@e& to he i11e&iate ci cle -hich inclu&e& A t Tiu" Ton. Ca pio" Nilo Pena" A1. ?on%" Att.. < apilon" 5icto 8a>atin an& Bo. Re.no. The. assesse& the p o% ess of the ca1pai%n" an& 1easu e& the st en%ths an& -ea@nesses of the othe % oups The % oup ha& sessions as ea l. as the late pa t of Ma.. Roo1 114" the suite liste& in the na1e of Assistant Sec eta . Bene&icto" tote& up a bill of P2+"113 &u in% the 27&a. $BP con,entionFelection. A total of 11+ phone calls 'a1ountin% to Pl"+E!) -e e eco &e& as e1anatin% f o1 his oo1. Opposite Roo1 114 -as Roo1 112" also a suite" liste& in the na1es of M s. 0 ilon" <la&.s Tion%co 'can&i&ate fo <o,e no " Easte n Min&anao) an& A1. ?on% 'can&i&ate

fo <o,e no " Met o Manila). These t-o oo1s se ,e& as the (action cente D o (-a oo1( -he e ca1pai%n st ate%ies -e e &iscusse& befo e an& &u in% the con,ention. $t -as in these oo1s -he e the suppo te s of the 0 ilon % oup" li@e Att.s. Ca pio" Callanta" Bene&icto" the ;uasha an& the ACCRA la-.e s 1et to plot thei 1o,es. ;>< Paying +/e 0ue !, !+/e, in0eb+e0ne !- any 4e4be, ;#ec. .(2e3, IBP B%&La9 <.

Att.. Te esita C. Sison" $BP T easu e " testifie& that she has hea & of can&i&ates pa.in% the $BP &ues of la-.e s -ho p o1ise& to ,ote fo o suppo t the1" but she has no -a. of asce tainin% -hethe it -as a can&i&ate -ho pai& the &elin:uent &ues of anothe " because the eceipts a e issue& in the na1e of the 1e1be fo -ho1 pa.1ent is 1a&e 't.s.n. *une 2#" 19#9" pp. 2472#). She has notice&" thou%h" that the e is an upsu %e of pa.1ents in Ma ch" Ap il" an& Ma. &u in% an. election .ea . This .ea " the collections inc ease& b. P133"333 o,e that of last .ea 'a non7election .ea ) f o1 Pl"41+"42E to Pl"E24"#BE. 't.s.n. *une 2#" 19#9" p. 2E). ;?< Di +,ibu+i!n !- 4a+e,ia* !+/e, +/an bi!&0a+a !- n!+ 4!,e +/an !ne )age !- *ega* i@e /ee+ !- )a)e, ;#ec. .(2a3, IBP By&La9 <. On the con,ention floo on the &a. of the election" Att.. Pacul&o cause& to be &ist ibute& his bio7&ata an& copies of a leaflet entitle& (M. ;uest( as -ell as the lists of his slate. Att.s. 0 ilon an& Nisce si1ila l. &ist ibute& thei tic@ets an& bio7&ata. The ca1pai%n 1ate ials of Att.. Pacul&o cost f o1 P1E"333 to P23"333. The. -e e p inte& b. his o-n p intin% shop. ;A< Cau ing 0i +,ibu+i!n !- uc/ +a+e4en+ +! be 0!ne by )e, !n !+/e, +/an +/! e au+/!,i@e0 by +/e !--ice, ),e i0ing a+ +/e e*ec+i!n ;#ec. .(2b3, IBP By&La9 <. Att.. Pacul&o e1plo.e& unifo 1e& %i ls to &ist ibute his ca1pai%n 1ate ials on the con,ention floo . Att.. Ca pio note& that the e -e e 1o e ca1pai%n 1ate ials &ist ibute& at the con,ention site this .ea than in p e,ious .ea s. The election -as 1o e heate& an& e6pensi,e 't.s.n. *ul. !"19#9" p. +9). Att.. BenAa1in Be na &ino" the incu1bent P esi&ent of the $BP Ri>al Chapte " an& a can&i&ate fo chai 1an of the /ouse of 0ele%ates on NisceDs tic@et" testifie& that ca1pai%n 1ate ials -e e &ist ibute& &u in% the con,ention b. %i ls an& b. la-.e s. /e sa- 1e1be s of the ACCRA la- fi 1 ca1pai%nin% fo Att.. 0 ilon 't.s.n. *ul. +"19#9" pp. 142714E). ;.B< In0ucing !, in-*uencing a 4e4be, +! 9i+//!*0 /i 1!+e, !, +! 1!+e -!, !, again + a can0i0a+e ;#ec. .(2e3, IBP B%&La9 <. Att.. Be na &ino &isclose& that his cousin" Att.. Ro1eo Capulon%" u %e& hi1 to -ith& a- his can&i&ac. fo chai 1an of the /ouse of 0ele%ates an& to un as ,ice7 chai 1an in 5iol. 0 ilonDs slate" but he &ecline& 't.s.n. *ul. +"19#9" pp. 1+B" 149).

Att.. <lo ia A%unos" Pe sonnel 0i ecto of the /.att Te aces /otel in Ba%uio an& P esi&ent of the Ba%uio7Ben%uet $BP Chapte " ecalle& that in the thi & -ee@ of Ma. 19#9" afte the t ipa tite 1eetin% of the 0epa t1ent of 8abo an& E1plo.1ent at the < een 5alle. Count . Club in Ba%uio Cit." she 1et Att.. 0 ilon" to%ethe -ith t-o labo office s of Re%ion 1" Att.s. 9ilo1eno Balbin an& Att.. Mansala. Att.. 0 ilon solicite& he 'Att.. A%unosD) ,ote an& in,ite& he to sta. at the Philippine Pla>a -he e a oo1 -oul& be a,ailable fo he . Att.. Pacul&o also t ie& to enlist he suppo t &u in% the chapte p esi&entsD 1eetin% to choose thei no1inee fo <o,e no fo the No the n 8u>on Re%ion 't.s.n. *ul. 1+"19#9" pp. 4+7E4). Att.. Nisce testifie& that a Manila Chapte 4 &ele%ate" Ma cial Ma%sino" -ho ha& ea lie co11itte& his ,ote to Nisce chan%e& his 1in& -hen he -as offe e& a Au&%eship 'This state1ent" ho-e,e " is a&1itte&l. hea sa.). ?hen Nisce conf onte& Ma%sino about the alle%e& offe " the latte &enie& that the e -as such an offe . NisceDs info 1ant -as Antonio <. Nalapo" an $BP can&i&ate" -ho also -ith& e-. Anothe Nisce can&i&ate" Cesa 5iola" -ith& e- f o1 the ace an& efuse& to be no1inate& 't.s.n. *une 29" 19#9" p. 134). 5icente P. To &illa -ho -as NisceDs can&i&ate fo <o,e no " beca1e Pacul&oDs can&i&ate instea& 't.s.n. *une 29" 19#9" p. 134). Nisce ecalle& that &u in% the Bench an& Ba 0ialo%ue in Cotabato Cit." Cou t A&1inist ato Ti o -ent a oun& sa.in%" ($ a1 not ca1pai%nin%" but 1. -ife is a can&i&ate.( Nisce sai& that the p esi&ents of se,e al $BP chapte s info 1e& hi1 that labo officials -e e ca1pai%nin% fo M s. 0 ilon 't.s.n. *une 29"19#9" pp. 1397113). /e 1entione& Cion. &e la Ce na" -ho alle%e&l. ca1pai%ne& in 8a Union 't.s.n. *une 29"19#9"p.111). Att.. *oel A. 8losa" NisceDs suppo te an& can&i&ate fo %o,e no of the ?este n 5isa.as" e6p esse& his &isappoint1ent o,e the $BP elections because so1e &ele%ates flip7 floppe& f o1 one ca1p to anothe . /e testifie& that -hen he a i,e& at the Manila 0o1estic Ai po t" he -as 1et b. an Assistant Re%ional 0i ecto of the 0O8E -ho offe e& to b in% hi1 to the Philippine Pla>a" but he &ecline& the offe . 0u in% the le%al ai& se1ina " Att.. 0 ilon in,ite& hi1 to t ansfe to the Philippine Pla>a -he e a oo1 ha& been ese ,e& fo hi1. /e &ecline& the in,itation 't.s.n. *ul. 4"19#9" pp. 132713!). Att.. 8losa sai& that -hile he -as still in 0u1a%uete Cit." he al ea&. @ne- that the th ee can&i&ates ha& thei hea&:ua te s in sepa ate hotels4 Pacul&o" at the /oli&a. $nnC 0 ilon" at the Philippine Pla>aC an& Nisce" at the /.att. /e @ne- about this because a -ee@ befo e the elections" ep esentati,es of Att.. 0 ilon -ent to 0u1a%uete Cit. to ca1pai%n. /e 1entione& Att.. Ro&il Montebon of the ACCRA 8a- Office" acco1panie& b. Att.. *ul,e" the Assistant Re%ional 0i ecto of the 0epa t1ent of 8abo in 0u1a%uete Cit.. These t-o" he sai&" offe e& to %i,e hi1 t-o PA8 tic@ets an& acco11o&ations at the Philippine Pla>a 't.s.n. *ul. 4"19#9" pp. 1317134). But he &ecline& the offe because he -as al ea&. co11itte& to Att.. Nisce.

Att.. 8losa also e,eale& that befo e he left fo Manila on Ma. +1" 19#9" a business1an" /en . 0." app oache& hi1 to con,ince hi1 to ,ote fo Att.. Pacul&o. But 8losa tol& 0. that he -as al ea&. co11itte& to Nisce. /e &i& not ecei,e an. plane tic@ets f o1 Att.. Nisce because he an& his t-o co1panions 'Att.. Eltanal an& Att.. Rupe to) ha& ea lie bou%ht thei o-n tic@ets fo Manila 't.s.n. *ul. 4" 19#9" p. 131). SUMMARL O9 CAMPA$<N ENPENSES $NCURRE0 BL T/E CAN0$0ATES Att.. Pacul&o a&1itte& ha,in% spent so1e P2E3"333 &u in% his th ee -ee@s of ca1pai%nin%. Of this a1ount" the Capitol Ba Association 'of -hich he -as the chapte p esi&ent) cont ibute& about P1E3"333. The Capitol Ba Association is a ,olunta . ba association co1pose& of ;ue>on Cit. la-.e s. /e spent about P133"333 to &ef a. the e6penses of his t ips to the p o,inces KBicol p o,inces" Pa1pan%a" Ab a" Mountain P o,ince an& BulacanH. 't.s.n. *une 29"19#9" pp. 9714). Att.. NisceDs hotel bills at the /.att a1ounte& to P21!"12B.B4. This &oes not inclu&e the e6penses fo his ca1pai%n -hich be%an se,e al 1onths befo e the *une + & election" an& his pu chases of ai plane tic@ets fo so1e &ele%ates. The eco &s of the Philippine Pla>a /otel" hea&:ua te s of Att.. 0 ilonDs ca1p" sho-e& that he ca1pai%n an% up o,e P!33"333 in hotel bills. Att.. Callanta pai& P+1!"411.E+ fo the oo1s" foo&" an& be,e a%e consu1e& b. Att.. 0 ilonDs suppo te s" but still left an unpai& bill of P+32"19B.+3 at con,entionDs en&. 9$N0$N<S 9 o1 all the fo e%oin%" it is e,i&ent that the 1anne in -hich the p incipal can&i&ates fo the national positions in the $nte% ate& Ba con&ucte& thei ca1pai%n p epa ato . to the elections on *une +" 19#9" ,iolate& Section 14 of the $BP B.78a-s an& 1a&e a t a,est. of the i&ea of a (st ictl. non7political( $nte% ate& Ba ensh ine& in Section 4 of the B.78a-s. The settin% up of ca1pai%n hea&:ua te s b. the th ee p incipal can&i&ates '0 ilon" Nisce an& Pacul&o) in fi,e7sta hotels4 The Philippine Pla>a" the /oli&a. $nn an& The /.att" the bette fo the1 to co al an& ente tain the &ele%ates billete& the einC the islan&7hoppin% to solicit the ,otes of the chapte p esi&ents -ho co1p ise the 1237 1e1be /ouse of 0ele%ates that elects the national office s an& e%ional %o,e no sC the fo 1ation of tic@ets" slates" o line7ups of can&i&ates fo the othe electi,e positions ali%ne& -ith" o suppo tin%" eithe 0 ilon" Pacul&o o NisceC the p ocu e1ent of - itten co11it1ents an& the &ist ibution of no1ination fo 1s to be fille& up b. the &ele%atesC the ese ,ation of oo1s fo &ele%ates in th ee bi% hotels at the e6pense of the p esi&ential can&i&atesC the use of a PNB plane b. 0 ilon an& so1e 1e1be s of he tic@et to enable the1 to (assess thei chances( a1on% the chapte p esi&ents in the Bicol

p o,incesC the p intin% an& &ist ibution of tic@ets an& bio7&ata of the can&i&ates -hich" in the case of Pacul&o" a&1itte&l. cost hi1 so1e P1E"333 to P23"333C the e1plo.1ent of unifo 1e& %i ls 'b. Pacul&o) an& la-.e s 'b. 0 ilon) to &ist ibute thei ca1pai%n 1ate ials on the con,ention floo on the &a. of the electionC the %i,in% of assistance b. the Un&e sec eta . of 8abo to M s. 0 ilon an& he % oupC the use of 8abo A bite s to 1eet &ele%ates at the ai po t an& esco t the1 to the Philippine Pla>a /otelC the %i,in% of p e7pai& plane tic@ets an& hotel acco11o&ations to &ele%ates 'an& so1e fa1ilies -ho acco1panie& the1) in e6chan%e fo thei suppo tC the pi atin% of so1e can&i&ates b. in&ucin% the1 to (hop( o (flipflop( f o1 one tic@et to anothe fo so1e u1o e& consi&e ationC all these p actices 1a&e a political ci cus of the p ocee&in%s an& tainte& the -hole election p ocess. The can&i&ates an& 1an. of the pa ticipants in that election not onl. ,iolate& the B.7 8a-s of the $BP but also the ethics of the le%al p ofession -hich i1poses on all la-.e s" as a co olla . of thei obli%ation to obe. an& uphol& the Constitution an& the la-s" the &ut. to (p o1ote espect fo la- an& le%al p ocesses( an& to abstain f o1 (acti,ities ai1e& at &efiance of the la- o at lessenin% confi&ence in the le%al s.ste1.( 'Rule 1.32" Canon 1" Co&e of P ofessional Responsibilit.). Respect fo la- is % a,el. e o&e& -hen la-.e s the1sel,es" -ho a e suppose& to be 1inions of the la-" en%a%e in unla-ful p actices an& ca,alie l. b ush asi&e the ,e . ules that the $BP fo 1ulate& fo thei obse ,ance. The unsee1l. a &o -ith -hich the can&i&ates pu sue& the p esi&enc. of the association &et acte& f o1 the &i%nit. of the le%al p ofession. The spectacle of la-.e s b ibin% o bein% b ibe& to ,ote one -a. o anothe ce tainl. &i& not uphol& the hono of the p ofession no ele,ate it in the publicDs estee1. The Cou t notes -ith % a,e conce n -hat appea to be the e,asions" &enials an& out i%ht p e,a ications that tainte& the state1ents of the -itnesses" inclu&in% so1e of the can&i&ates" &u in% the initial hea in% con&ucte& b. it befo e its fact7fin&in% co11ittee -as c eate&. The subse:uent in,esti%ation con&ucte& b. this Co11ittee has e,eale& that those pa ties ha& been less than can&i& -ith the Cou t an& see1 to ha,e conspi e& a1on% the1sel,es to &ecei,e it o " at least" -ithhol& ,ital info 1ation f o1 it to conceal the i e%ula ities co11itte& &u in% the ca1pai%n. CONC8US$ONS $t has been 1entione& -ith no little insistence that the p o,ision in the 19#B Constitution 'See. #" A t. 5$$$) p o,i&in% fo a *u&icial an& Ba Council co1pose& of se,en 'B) 1e1be s a1on% -ho1 is (a ep esentati,e of the $nte% ate& Ba "( tas@e& to pa ticipate in the selection of no1inees fo appoint1ent to ,acant positions in the Au&icia ." 1a. be the eason -h. the position of $BP p esi&ent has att acte& so 1uch inte est a1on% the la-.e s. The 1uch co,ete& (po-e ( e oneousl. pe cei,e& to be inhe ent in that office 1i%ht ha,e cause& the co uption of the $BP elections. To i1p ess upon the pa ticipants in that electo al e6e cise the se iousness of the 1iscon&uct -hich atten&e& it an& the ste n &isapp o,al -ith -hich it is ,ie-e& b. this Cou t" an& to

esto e the non7political cha acte of the $BP an& e&uce" if not enti el. eli1inate" e6pensi,e electionee in% fo the top positions in the o %ani>ation -hich" as the ecentl. conclu&e& elections e,eale&" spa-ne& unethical p actices -hich se iousl. &i1inishe& the statu e of the $BP as an association of the p actitione s of a noble an& hono e& p ofession" the Cou t he eb. o &e s4 1. The $BP elections hel& on *une+"19#9 shoul& be as the. a e he eb. annulle&. 2. The p o,isions of the $BP B.78a-s fo the &i ect election b. the /ouse of 0ele%ates 'app o,e& b. this Cou t in its Resolution of *ul. 9" 19#E in Ba Matte No. 2#B) of the follo-in% national office s4 'a) the office s of the /ouse of 0ele%atesC 'b) the $BP p esi&entC an& 'c) the e6ecuti,e ,ice7p esi&ent" be epeale&" this Cou t bein% e1po-e e& to a1en&" 1o&if. o $BP un&e Section BB" A t. N$ of sai& B.78a-s. epeal the B.78a-s of the

+. The fo 1e s.ste1 of ha,in% the $BP P esi&ent an& E6ecuti,e 5ice7P esi&ent electe& b. the Boa & of <o,e no s 'co1pose& of the %o,e no s of the nine K9H $BP e%ions) f o1 a1on% the1sel,es 'as p o,i&e& in Sec. 4B" A t. 5$$" O i%inal $BP B.78a-s) shoul& be esto e&. The i%ht of auto1atic succession b. the E6ecuti,e 5ice7P esi&ent to the p esi&enc. upon the e6pi ation of thei t-o7.ea te 1 '-hich -as abolishe& b. this Cou tDs Resolution &ate& *ul. 9"19#E in Ba Matte No. 2#B) shoul& be as it is he eb. esto e&. 4. At the en& of the P esi&entDs t-o7.ea te 1" the E6ecuti,e 5ice7P esi&ent shall auto1aticall. succee& to the office of P esi&ent. The inco1in% Boa & of <o,e no s shall then elect an E6ecuti,e 5ice7P esi&ent f o1 a1on% the1sel,es. The position of E6ecuti,e 5ice7P esi&ent shall be otate& a1on% the nine '9) $BP e%ions. One -ho has se ,e& as p esi&ent 1a. not un fo election as E6ecuti,e 5ice7P esi&ent in a succee&in% election until afte the otation of the p esi&enc. a1on% the nine '9) e%ions shall ha,e been co1plete&C -he eupon" the otation shall be%in ane-. E. Section 4B of A ticle 5$$ is he eb. a1en&e& to ea& as follo-s4 #ec+i!n (>. Na+i!na* O--ice, . & The $nte% ate& Ba of the Philippines shall ha,e a P esi&ent an& E6ecuti,e 5ice7P esi&ent to be chosen b. the Boa & of <o,e no s f o1 a1on% nine '9) e%ional %o,e no s" as 1uch as p acticable" on a otation basis. The %o,e no s shall be e5 !-ici! 5ice7P esi&ent fo thei especti,e e%ions. The e shall also be a Sec eta . an& T easu e of the Boa & of <o,e no s to be appointe& b. the P esi&ent -ith the consent of the Boa &. !. Section ++'b)" A t. 5" $BP B.78a-s" is he eb. a1en&e& as follo-s4

'b) The P esi&ent an& E6ecuti,e 5ice7P esi&ent of the $BP shall be the Chai 1an an& 5ice7Chai 1an" especti,el." of the /ouse of 0ele%ates. The Sec eta ." T easu e " an& Se %eant7at7A 1s shall be appointe& b. the P esi&ent -ith the consent of the /ouse of 0ele%ates.D B. Section ++'%) of A ticle 5 p o,i&in% fo the positions of Chai 1an" 5ice7Chai 1an" Sec eta ." T easu e an& Se %eant7at7A 1s of the /ouse of 0ele%ates" is he eb. epeale&. #. Section +B" A ticle 5$ is he eb. a1en&e& to ea& as follo-s4 #ec+i!n 7>. C!4)! i+i!n !- +/e B!a,0. & The $nte% ate& Ba of the Philippines shall be %o,e ne& b. a Boa & of <o,e no s consistin% of nine '9) <o,e no s f o1 the nine '9) e%ions as &elineate& in Section + of the $nte% ation Rule" on the ep esentation basis of one '1) <o,e no fo each e%ion to be electe& b. the 1e1be s of the /ouse of 0ele%ates f o1 that e%ion onl.. The position of <o,e no shoul& be otate& a1on% the &iffe ent Chapte s in the e%ion. 9. Section +9" A ticle 5" is he eb. a1en&e& as follo-s4 #ec+i!n 7A. N!4ina+i!n an0 e*ec+i!n !- +/e G!1e,n!, a+ *ea + !ne 2.3 4!n+/ be-!,e +/e na+i!na* c!n1en+i!n. & The &ele%ates f o1 each e%ion shall elect the <o,e no fo thei e%ion" the choice of -hich shall as 1uch as possible be otate& a1on% the chapte s in the e%ion. 13. Section++ 'a)" A ticle 5" is he eb. a1en&e& b. a&&in% the follo-in% p o,ision as pa t of the fi st pa a% aph4 No con,ention of the /ouse of 0ele%ates no of the %ene al 1e1be ship shall be hel& p io to an. election in an election .ea . 11. Section +9 'a)" 'b)" '1)" '2)" '+)" '4)" 'E)" '!)" an& 'B) of A ticle 5$ shoul& be" as the. a e he eb." &elete&. All othe p o,isions of the B.78a-s" inclu&in% its a1en&1ent b. the Resolution en banc of this Cou t of *ul. 9" 19#E 'Ba Matte No. 2#B) that a e inconsistent he e-ith a e he eb. epeale& o 1o&ifie&. 12. Special elections fo the Boa & of <o,e no s shall be hel& in the nine '9) $BP e%ions -ithin th ee '+) 1onths" afte the p o1ul%ation of the Cou tDs Resolution in this case. ?ithin thi t. '+3) &a.s the eafte " the Boa & of <o,e no s shall 1eet at the $BP Cent al Office in Manila to elect f o1 a1on% the1sel,es" the $BP National P esi&ent an& E6ecuti,e 5ice7P esi&ent. $n these special elections" the can&i&ates in the election of the national office s hel& on *une +"19#9" pa ticula l. i&entifie& in Sub7/ea& + of this Resolution entitle& (9o 1ation of Tic@ets an& Sin%le Slates(" as -ell as those i&entifie& in this Resolution as connecte& -ith an. of the i e%ula ities atten&ant upon that election" a e ineli%ible an& 1a. not p esent the1sel,es as can&i&ates fo an. position.

1+. Pen&in% such special elections" a ca eta@e Boa & shall be appointe& b. the Cou t to a&1iniste the affai s of the $BP. The Cou t 1a@es clea that the &ispositions he e 1a&e a e -ithout p eAu&ice to its a&option in &ue ti1e of such fu the an& othe 1easu es as a e -a ante& in the p e1ises. SO OR0ERE0. Narvasa, Me e!"#$%Herrera, Cr&', Paras, Fe #"#a!$, Ga!"a("$, Pa)# a. B#)#!, Sar*#e!+$, C$r+es, Gr#,$%A-&#!$ a!) Re.a a)$, JJ., "$!"&r. Fer!a!, C.J. a!) Me)#a )ea, J., +$$/ !$ 0ar+. G&+#erre', 1r., J., #s $! eave.

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