THE OMNIBUS ELECTION CODE, AND OTHER ELECTION LAWS, RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES.

By RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ

PART 1 THE COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS A. The role, mandate and functions of the comelec The commission on elections (COMELEC) is the premier guardian of the ballot. Its principal role is to enforce and administer all the laws and regulations relative to the conduct of the election, plebiscites, initiatives, referendums and recalls. The periodic political exercises give meaning to the declaration in the constitution that Sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them.

Public service is a public trust. As protector of the peoples right of suffrage, COMELEC endeavors to faithfully and evenly discharge its solemn constitutional responsibility of ensuring the sanctity of elections. COMELEC is a creation of the constitution in 1940, which amended the 1935 constitution. Its existence as an independent body was reiterated in the 1973 Constitution, the Freedom Constitution of 1986 and the 1987 Constitution. It is independent of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the government, for which purpose it has been vested the following functions: 1. Judicial Functions--- To exercise exclusive original jurisdiction over all contests relating to the elections, returns and qualifications of the all elective regional, provincial, and city officials, and appellate jurisdiction over all