G.R. No.

188920

JOSE L. ATIENZA, JR., MATIAS V. DEFENSOR, JR., RODOLFO G. VALENCIA, DANILO E. SUAREZ, SOLOMON R.
CHUNGALAO, SALVACION ZALDIVAR-PEREZ, HARLIN CAST-ABAYON, MELVIN G. MACUSI AND ELEAZAR P.
QUINTO, PETITIONERS, VS. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, MANUEL A. ROXAS II, FRANKLIN M. DRILON
AND J.R. NEREUS O. ACOSTA, RESPONDENTS.

Facts:

 Dispute arose within the Liberal Party (LP) regarding leadership.

 Petitioner Atienza and others disputed respondent Drilon's leadership and convened a party
conference in March 2006, electing new officers.
 COMELEC issued a resolution annulling the 2006 elections but recognized Drilon's holdover
capacity until new officers were elected.
 LP held a meeting to elect new leaders before Drilon's term expired, electing respondent Roxas
as LP president.

Issue:

 Validity of the election of new party leaders conducted by respondents Roxas, Drilon, and
Acosta.

Ruling:

 COMELEC denied petitioners' injunction to prevent Roxas from assuming the LP presidency,
stating the NECO composition changed due to events like elections and resignations, and the
meeting to elect Roxas was properly convened.
 COMELEC considered the expulsion of petitioners as LP members an internal party matter
beyond its jurisdiction.

Decision by the COMELEC:

 Denied petitioners' request for injunction.

 Considered the expulsion of petitioners as LP members an internal party matter.