G.R. No. L-14129 July 1962 (POP v Manantan)

Question 1

Who is the petitioner?

Answer 1

People of the Philippines

Question 2

Who is the defendant?

Answer 2

Guillermo Manantan

a Justice of Peace

Question 3

What did the defendant allegedly violate?

Answer 3

Section 54 of the Revised Election Code

“No justice, judge, fiscal, treasurer, xxx shall aid any candidate, or exert influence in any manner in any election or take part therein, except to vote, xxx”

Question 4

Where was the case first filed?

Answer 4

At the provincial court of Pangasinan

Question 5

What was the defendant’s defense?

Answer 5

He cited People v Macaraeg where it was held that a justice of peace is excluded from the prohibition of Section 54 of the Revised Election Code.

Question 6

What was the decision of the Court of First Instance in Pangasinan?

Answer 6

The CA dismissed the case.

Manantan won on the basis of People v Macaraeg.

Question 7

What is the ISSUE?

Answer 7

Whether or not a justice of peace is included in the prohibition of Section 54 of the Revised Election Code

Question 8

What is the decision of the Court?

Answer 8

The People of the Philippines won.

Order of dismissal is set aside (meaning hindi dinismiss).

Case remanded for trial on the merits (ibinalik sa lower court for decision based on the merits).

Question 9

What is the reason behind the Courts decision?

Answer 9

Our law making body has consistently prohibited justices of the peace from participating in partisan politics. They were prohibited under the old Election Law since 1907. Likewise, they were so enjoined by the Revised Administrative Code.

Also, there has been no “omission” or the justices of peace in the list. There has only been a substitution of the terms from a specific term to a general term.