G.R. No.

L-49705-09 February 8, 1979

TOMATIC ARATUC, SERGIO TOCAO, CISCOLARIO DIAZ, FRED TAMULA, MANGONTAWAR
GURO and BONIFACIO LEGASPI, petitioners,
vs.
The COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, REGIONAL BOARD OF CANVASSERS for Region XII
(Central Mindanao), ABDULLAH DIMAPORO, JESUS AMPARO, ANACLETO BADOY, et al.,
respondents.
FACTS:
The COMPEC for lack of material time did not further pursue examination of the questioned voting
records, instead, it just stand on COMELEC/NBI experts' reports to the Regional Board.
ISSUE:
WON the Comelec committed grave abuse of discretion in not conducting further examination in
upholding the board resolution
HELD:
Conceived by the charter as the effective instrument to preserve the sanctity of popular suffrage,
endowed with independence and all the needed concommittant powers, it is but proper that the Court
should accord the greatest measure of presumption of regularity to its course of action and choice of
means in performing its duties, to the end that it may achieve its designed place in the democratic
fabric of our government. Ideally, its members should be free from all suspicions of partisan
inclinations, but the fact that actually some of them have had stints in the arena of politics should not,
unless the contrary is shown, serve as basis for denying to its actuations the respect and
consideration that the Constitution contemplates should be accorded to it.
In conclusion, petition dismissed.