Creation of the Sub Committee on Election Rules

March 26, 2007

SUPREME COURT MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 13-07

CREATING THE SUB COMMITTEE ON ELECTION RULES WHICH SHALL PROPOSE AMENDMENTS TO EXISTING RULES ON ELECTION CASES FALLING UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF FIRST AND SECOND LEVEL COURTS

WHEREAS, in a letter dated 21 March 2007, four prominent election lawyers, namely, Romulo B. Macalintal, Sixto S. Brillantes, Jr., Pete Q. Quadra, and Leila M. De Lima, brought to the attention of Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno "corruption committed by certain trial courts in election protest cases assigned in their salas;"

WHEREAS, in a subsequent conference, the above-named lawyers informed the Chief Justice of the need to review the rules in deciding election protests in the trial courts to make them fairer and faster;

WHEREAS, the May 2007 national and local elections are fast approaching and there is a necessity to insure that any dispute related to their conduct, as well as all election protests that may be filed by losing candidates, will be resolved strictly in accordance with our laws, and without unnecessary delay;

WHEREAS, it is imperative to create and organize a sub committee, under the Committee on Revision of the Rules of Court,which shall propose to the Supreme Court remedial measures, including, but not limited to, the review and updating of existing rules on election cases falling under the jurisdiction of first and second level courts;

WHEREFORE, be it resolved, as it is hereby resolved that a Sub Committee on Election Rules is hereby created and organized to be composed by the following —

SUB COMMITTEE ON ELECTION RULES
Chairperson:	(1)	Supreme Court Associate Justice Bernardo P. Pardo (ret.)
Members:	(2)	Court of Appeals Associate Justice Oscar M. Herrera (ret.)
	(3)	Court of Appeals Associate Justice Remedios A. Salazar-Fernando
	(4)	Atty. Romulo B. Macalintal
	(5)	Atty. Sixto S. Brillantes, Jr.
	(6)	Atty. Pete Q. Quadra
	(7)	Atty. Leila M. De Lima
Secretary:	(8)	Atty. Douglas F. Anama
Asst. Secretary:	(9)	Ma. Emelita S. De Guzman

The Sub Committee on Election Rules shall propose to the Supreme Court revised rules on election cases falling within the jurisdiction of the first and second level trial courts.

The Sub Committee shall submit its proposed rules to the Supreme Court on or before 20 April 2007. TAScID

The Chairperson, Members, Secretary, and Assistant Secretary shall receive the usual expense allowances.

This Memorandum Order shall take effect upon its issuance this 26 day of March 2007.

(SGD.) REYNATO S. PUNOChief Justice

(SGD.) LEONARDO A. QUISUMBINGAssociate JusticeChairperson, Second Division

(SGD.) CONSUELO YNARES-SANTIAGOAssociate JusticeChairperson, Third Division