inspectors to be proposed by the political parties and persons named
therein. Petitioner, Juan Sumulong, President of the political party
Pagkakaisa ng Bayan, claims the exclusive right to propose the
appointment of such inspectors. He contends that the resolution of the
Comelec, by giving the so-called rebel candidate or free-zone faction of
the Nationalista Party the right to propose one election inspector for each
of the precincts in each of the 53 legislative districts, contravenes Section
5 of the Commonwealth Act No. 657. He argues that under that section
the Nationalista Party has the right to propose one, and only one
inspector for each precinct, and that the resolution has the effect of giving
that party two inspectors in each and every precinct within those
legislative districts. Petitioner maintains that the discretion given by
Section 5 of Commonwealth Act No. 657 to the Comelec in the Choice of
election inspectors is not absolute, but limited by the provision of the Act
that the majority party shall have the right to propose only one inspector.
Issue:
Whether or not the Comelec, in giving the so-called rebel
candidates and free-zone factions of the Nationalista Party the right to
propose election inspectors, has acted within the limits of the discretion
granted to it by law.
Held:
The present case is not an appropriate case for review by the
Supreme Court. The Comelec is a constitutional body. It is intended to
play a distinct and important part in our scheme of government. It should
be allowed considerable latitude in devising means and methods that will
insure the accomplishment of the great objective for which it was created
– free, orderly, and honest elections. The Supreme Court may not agree
fully with its choice of means, but unless these are clearly illegal /
constitute grave abuse of discretion, this court should not interfere. The
Comelec because of its fact-finding facilities, its contacts with political
strategists, and its knowledge derived from actual experience in dealing
with political controversies, is in a peculiarly advantageous position to
decide complex political questions. Due regard to the independent
character of the Commission, as ordained in the Constitution requires
that the power of the Supreme Court to review the acts of that body
should, as a general proposition, be used sparingly, but firmly in
appropriate cases.
LIDASAN vs COMELEC
FACTS:
Lidasan is a resident of Parang, Cotabato. Later, RA 4790, which is entitled
"An Act Creating the Municipality of Dianaton in the Province of Lanao del
Sur," was passed. Lidasan came to know later on that barrios Togaig and
Madalum just mentioned are within the municipality of Buldon, Province of
Cotabato, and that Bayanga, Langkong, Sarakan, Kat-bo, Digakapan,
Magabo, Tabangao, Tiongko, Colodan, and Kabamakawan are parts and
parcel of another municipality, the municipality of Parang, also in the
Province of Cotabato and not of Lanao del Sur. [Remarkably, even the
Congressman of Cotabato voted in favor of RA 4790.] Pursuant to this law,
