Facts: On May 20, 2001, the Municipal Board of Canvassers of Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat proclaimed the petitioners as winning candidates for their Sangguniang Bayan. The following day, herein private respondents were proclaimed winners as well. Private respondents claimed that they should be recognized as the winners, and not the petitioners. Upon receipt of such letter, the Commissioner-in-charge for Region XII asked the Law Department, the Regional Election Registrar and the Provincial Elections Supervisor to submit their reports on the matter. All of them found the second proclamation valid. Hence, the COMELEC issued a Resolution ordering the immediate installation of the private respondents as the newly elected members of the Sangguniang Bayan, even though petitioners herein have already taken their oath and have assumed office. Petitioners contend that such Resolution is null and void because they were not accorded due notice and hearing, hence constituting a violation of the due process principle.
Issue: Whether or Not due the COMELEC has the power to suspend a proclamation or the effects thereof without notice and hearing.
Held: No. The COMELEC is without power to partially or totally annul a proclamation or suspend the effects of a proclamation without notice and hearing. The proclamation on May 20, 2001 enjoys the presumption of regularity and validity since no contest or protest was even filed assailing the same. The petitioners cannot be removed from office without due process of law. Due process in quasi-judicial proceedings before the COMELEC requires due notice and hearing. Furthermore, the proclamation of a winning candidate cannot be annulled if he has not been notified of any motion to set aside his proclamation. Hence, as ruled in Fariñas vs. COMELEC, Reyes vs. COMELEC and Gallardo vs. COMELEC, the COMELEC is without power to partially or totally annul a proclamation or suspend the effects of a proclamation without notice and hearing.
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