Jose P. Laurel and the Comelec

THERE are three constitutional commissions in the Philippines which are independent: the Civil Service Commission, the Commission on Audit and the Commission on Elections or Comelec. The Comelec's principal role is to enforce and administer all laws and regulations relative to the conduct of elections, plebiscites, initiatives, referendums and recalls in the country. It is the premier guardian of the ballot. But in the fulfillment of its mandate from the time it was created by a 1940 amendment to the 1935 Constitution, and even with its powers expanded by the 1973 and 1987 Constitutions, the commission's exercises of administrative, judicial and quasi-judicial powers are more often than not questioned by both state and non-state players in our political arena.

Seasoned politicians, well versed in election law, have mastered the art of filing petitions, appeals, restraining orders, disqualifications, exclusions, proclamation controversies and any and all remedies in order to gain advantage over an opponent. They will use everything in the book to get the upper hand; the Comelec is then given a period to act as an arbiter between these rivals.