Election Law; Electoral Tribunals; Jurisdiction; Exclusive, original jurisdiction over contests

relating to the election, returns, and qualifications of the elective officials falling within the
scope of their powers is, thus, vested in these electoral tribunals.—Exclusive, original
jurisdiction over contests relating to the election, returns, and qualifications of the elective
officials falling within the scope of their powers is, thus, vested in these electoral tribunals. It is
only before them that post-election challenges against the election, returns, and qualifications
of Senators and Representatives (as well as of the President and the Vice President, in the case
of the Presidential Electoral Tribunal) may be initiated. The judgments of these tribunals are not
beyond the scope of any review. Article VI, Section 17’s stipulation of electoral tribunals’ being
the “sole” judge must be read in harmony with Article VIII, Section 1’s express statement that
“[j]udicial power includes the duty of the courts of justice . . . to determine whether or not
there has been a grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction on the
part of any branch or instrumentality of the Government.” (David vs. Senate Electoral Tribunal,
803 SCRA 435, G.R. No. 221538 September 20, 2016)