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)