ATTY. REYNANTE B.

ORCEO,
Petitioner,








- versus -









COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS,
Respondent.
G.R. No. 190779

Present:

PUNO, C.J.,
*
CARPIO,
**
CORONA,
CARPIO MORALES,
VELASCO, JR.,
NACHURA,
LEONARDO-DE CASRO,
!RION,
PERALA,
!ERSAMIN,
DEL CASILLO,
A!AD,
VILLARAMA, JR.,
PERE", #nd
MENDO"A, JJ.

Promul!te":
M#r$% &', &()(
*---- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------*

# E C I S I O N


PERALTA, J.:

%is is # petition +or certiorari
,)-
./estionin0 t%e 1#2idit3
o+ Reso2/tion No. 45)6 inso+#r #s it pro1ides t%#t t%e ter7 8+ire#r79
in$2/des #irso+t 0/ns #nd t%eir rep2i$#s:i7it#tions, ;%i$% res/2ts in t%eir
$o1er#0e <3 t%e 0/n <#n d/rin0 t%e e2e$tion period t%is 3e#r.
Reso2/tion No. 45)6 is entit2ed Rules and Regulations on the:
(1) Bearing, Carrying or Transporting of irear!s or other "eadly
#eapons$ and (%) &!ploy!ent, 'vail!ent or &ngage!ent of the
(ervices of (ecurity )ersonnel or Bodyguards, "uring the &lection
)eriod for the *ay 1+, %+1+ ,ational and -ocal &lections. %e
Reso2/tion ;#s pro7/20#ted <3 t%e Co77ission on E2e$tions
=COMELEC> on De$e7<er )', &((?, #nd too@ e++e$t on De$e7<er &A,
&((?.

Reso2/tion No. 45)6 $ont#ins t%e i7p2e7entin0 r/2es #nd
re0/2#tions o+ Se$. B& =C%o M#3 !e#r Dire#r7s> #nd Se$tion BB
=Se$/rit3 Personne2 #nd !od30/#rds> o+ Rep/<2i$ A$t =R.A.> No. 5)'',
entit2ed 'n 'ct )roviding for ([Link] ,ational and -ocal &lections
and for &lectoral Refor!s, '[Link] 'ppropriations Therefor, and for
/ther )urposes.

Se$tion ) o+ Reso2/tion No. 45)6 pro%i<its #n /n#/t%oriEed
person +ro7 <e#rin0, $#rr3in0 or tr#nsportin0 +ire#r7s or ot%er de#d23
;e#pons in p/<2i$ p2#$es, in$2/din0 #22 p/<2i$ </i2din0s, streets, p#r@s,
#nd pri1#te 1e%i$2es or p/<2i$ $on1e3#n$es, e1en i+ 2i$ensed to possess
or $#rr3 t%e s#7e, d/rin0 t%e e2e$tion period.

Under Se$tion & =<> o+ Reso2/tion No. 45)6, t%e ter7 8+ire#r79
in$2/des 8#ir0/n, #irso+t 0/ns, #nd t%eir rep2i$#:i7it#tion in ;%#te1er +or7
t%#t $#n $#/se #n ordin#r3 person to <e2ie1e t%#t t%e3 #re re#2.9 Hen$e,
#irso+t 0/ns #nd t%eir rep2i$#s:i7it#tions #re in$2/ded in t%e 0/n <#n
d/rin0 t%e e2e$tion period +ro7 J#n/#r3 )(, &()( to J/ne ?, &()(.

Petitioner $2#i7s t%#t %e is # re#2 p#rt3-in-interest, <e$#/se %e
%#s <een p2#3in0 #irso+t sin$e t%e 3e#r &(((. %e $ontin/in0
i7p2e7ent#tion o+ Reso2/tion No. 45)6 ;i22 p/t %i7 in d#n0er o+
s/st#inin0 dire$t inF/r3 or 7#@e %i7 2i#<2e +or #n e2e$tion o++ense
,&-
i+
$#/0%t in possession o+ #n #irso+t 0/n #nd its rep2i$#:i7it#tion in 0oin0 to
#nd +ro7 t%e 0#7e site #nd p2#3in0 t%e sport d/rin0 t%e e2e$tion period.

Petitioner $ontends t%#t t%e COMELEC 0r#1e23 #</sed its
dis$retion #7o/ntin0 to 2#$@ or e*$ess o+ F/risdi$tion in in$2/din0
8#irso+t 0/ns #nd t%eir rep2i$#s:i7it#tions9 in t%e de+inition o+ 8+ire#r79 in
Reso2/tion No. 45)6, sin$e t%ere is not%in0 in R.A. No. 5)'' t%#t
7entions 8#irso+t 0/ns #nd t%eir rep2i$#s:i7it#tions.9 He #sserts t%#t t%e
intend7ent o+ R.A. No. 5)'' is t%#t t%e ter7 8+ire#r79 re+ers to re#2
+ire#r7 in its $o77on #nd ordin#r3 /s#0e. In s/pport o+ t%is #ssertion, %e
$ites t%e Sen#te de2i<er#tion on t%e <i22,
,B-
;%i$% 2#ter <e$#7e R.A. No.
5)'', ;%ere it ;#s $2#ri+ied t%#t #n /n#/t%oriEed person $#/0%t $#rr3in0
# +ire#r7 d/rin0 t%e e2e$tion period is 0/i2t3 o+ #n e2e$tion o++ense /nder
Se$tion &') =.> o+ t%e O7ni</s E2e$tion Code.

D/rt%er, petitioner #22e0es t%#t t%ere is no 2#; t%#t $o1ers
#irso+t 0/ns. !3 in$2/din0 #irso+t 0/ns in t%e de+inition o+ 8+ire#r7,9
Reso2/tion No. 45)6, in e++e$t, $ri7in#2iEes t%e sport, sin$e t%e
possession o+ #n #irso+t 0/n or its rep2i$#:i7it#tion is no; #n e2e$tion
o++ense, #2t%o/0% t%ere is sti22 no 2#; t%#t 0o1erns t%e /se t%ereo+.

Petitioner pr#3s t%#t t%e Co/rt render # de$ision #s
+o22o;s: =)> Ann/22in0 Reso2/tion No. 45)6 inso+#r #s it in$2/des #irso+t
0/ns #nd t%eir rep2i$#s:i7it#tions ;it%in t%e 7e#nin0 o+ 8+ire#r7,9 #nd
de$2#rin0 t%e Reso2/tion #s in1#2idG =&> orderin0 t%e COMELEC to desist
+ro7 +/rt%er i7p2e7entin0 Reso2/tion No. 45)6 inso+#r #s #irso+t 0/ns
#nd t%eir rep2i$#s:i7it#tions #re $on$ernedG =B> orderin0 t%e COMELEC
to #7end Reso2/tion No. 45)6 <3 re7o1in0 #irso+t 0/ns #nd t%eir
rep2i$#s:i7it#tions ;it%in t%e 7e#nin0 o+ 8+ire#r79G #nd =6> orderin0 t%e
COMELEC to iss/e # Reso2/tion dire$tin0 t%e Ar7ed Dor$es o+ t%e
P%i2ippines, P%i2ippine N#tion#2 Po2i$e #nd ot%er 2#; en+or$e7ent
#0en$ies dep/tiEed <3 t%e COMELEC to desist +ro7 +/rt%er en+or$in0
Reso2/tion No. 45)6 inso+#r #s #irso+t 0/ns #nd t%eir rep2i$#s:i7it#tions
#re $on$erned.

%e 7#in iss/e is ;%et%er or not t%e COMELEC 0r#1e23
#</sed its dis$retion in in$2/din0 #irso+t 0/ns #nd t%eir rep2i$#s:i7it#tions
in t%e ter7 8+ire#r79 in Se$tion & =<> o+ R.A. No. 45)6.

%e Co/rt +inds t%#t t%e COMELEC did not $o77it 0r#1e
#</se o+ dis$retion in t%is $#se.

R.A. No. 5)'' ='n 'ct )roviding for ([Link] ,ational
and -ocal &lections and for &lectoral Refor!s, '[Link]
'ppropriations Therefor, and for /ther )urposes>
,6-
pro1ides:

SEC. B&. #ho *ay Bear irear!s. H D/rin0
t%e e2e$tion period, no person s%#22 <e#r, $#rr3 or
tr#nsport +ire#r7s or ot%er de#d23 ;e#pons in p/<2i$
p2#$es, in$2/din0 #n3 </i2din0, street, p#r@, pri1#te
1e%i$2e or p/<2i$ $on1e3#n$e, e1en i+ 2i$ensed to
possess or $#rr3 t%e s#7e, /n2ess #/t%oriEed in
;ritin0 <3 t%e Co77ission. %e iss/#n$e o+ +ire#r7s
2i$enses s%#22 <e s/spended d/rin0 t%e e2e$tion
period.

On23 re0/2#r 7e7<ers or o++i$ers o+ t%e
P%i2ippine N#tion#2 Po2i$e, t%e Ar7ed Dor$es o+ t%e
P%i2ippines #nd ot%er 2#; en+or$e7ent #0en$ies o+ t%e
Io1ern7ent ;%o #re d/23 dep/tiEed in ;ritin0 <3 t%e
Co77ission +or e2e$tion d/t3 7#3 <e #/t%oriEed to
$#rr3 #nd possess +ire#r7s d/rin0 t%e e2e$tion
period: )rovided, %#t, ;%en in t%e possession o+
+ire#r7s, t%e dep/tiEed 2#; en+or$e7ent o++i$er 7/st
<e: =#> in +/22 /ni+or7 s%o;in0 $2e#r23 #nd 2e0i<23 %is
n#7e, r#n@ #nd seri#2 n/7<er, ;%i$% s%#22 re7#in
1isi<2e #t #22 ti7esG #nd =<> in t%e #$t/#2 per+or7#n$e o+
%is e2e$tion d/t3 in t%e spe$i+i$ #re# desi0n#ted <3 t%e
Co77ission.

* * * *

SEC. BA. Rules and Regulations. J
%e Co77ission s%#22 iss/e r/2es #nd re0/2#tions
to i7p2e7ent t%is A$t. S#id r/2es s%#22 <e p/<2is%ed
in #t 2e#st t;o =&> n#tion#2 ne;sp#pers o+ 0ener#2
$ir$/2#tion.

P/rs/#nt to Se$tion BA o+ R.A. No. 5)'', t%e COMELEC
pro7/20#ted Reso2/tion No. 45)6, ;%i$% $ont#ins t%e i7p2e7entin0
r/2es #nd re0/2#tions o+ Se$tions B& #nd BB o+ R.A. No. 5)''. %e
pertinent portion o+ t%e Reso2/tion st#tes:

NOC, HEREDORE, p/rs/#nt to t%e
po;ers 1ested in it <3 t%e Constit/tion o+ t%e
Rep/<2i$ o+ t%e P%i2ippines, t%e O7ni</s E2e$tion
Code =!.P. !20. 44)>, Rep/<2i$ A$ts Nos. ''6',
5)'', 4)4?, 46B', ?)4?, ?B'? #nd ot%er e2e$tions
2#;s, t%e Co77ission RESOLVED, #s it %ere<3
RESOLVES, to pro7/20#te t%e +o22o;in0 r/2es #nd
re0/2#tions to i7p2e7ent Se$tions B& #nd BB o+
Rep/<2i$ A$t No. 5)'' in $onne$tion ;it% t%e
$ond/$t o+ t%e M#3 )(, &()( n#tion#2 #nd 2o$#2
e2e$tions:

SECION ). 0eneral 0uiding
)rinciples. K #ur$n t%e ele&t$on 'er$o"( )!* no
'erson s%!ll +e!r, &!rr, or tr!ns'ort -$re!rms or
ot%er "e!"l, .e!'ons $n 'u+l$& 'l!&es,
$n&lu"$n !ll 'u+l$& +u$l"$ns, streets, '!r/s,
!n" 'r$0!te 0e%$&les or 'u+l$& &on0e,!n&es,
e0en $- l$&ense" to 'ossess or &!rr, t%e s!meG
#nd =<> no $#ndid#te +or p/<2i$ o++i$e, in$2/din0
in$/7<ent p/<2i$ o++i$ers see@in0 e2e$tion to #n3
p/<2i$ o++i$e, s%#22 e7p2o3, #1#i2 %i7se2+ o+ or
en0#0e t%e ser1i$es o+ se$/rit3 personne2 or
<od30/#rds, ;%et%er or not s/$% <od30/#rds #re
re0/2#r 7e7<ers or o++i$ers o+ t%e P%i2ippine
N#tion#2 Po2i$e =PNP>, t%e Ar7ed Dor$es o+ t%e
P%i2ippines =ADP> or ot%er 2#; en+or$e7ent #0en$3
o+ t%e Io1ern7ent.

%e tr#nsport o+ +ire#r7s o+ t%ose ;%o
#re en0#0ed in t%e 7#n/+#$t/re, i7port#tion,
e*port#tion, p/r$%#se, s#2e o+ +ire#r7s, e*p2osi1es
#nd t%eir sp#re p#rts or t%ose in1o21in0 t%e
tr#nsport#tion o+ +ire#r7s, e*p2osi1es #nd t%eir
sp#re p#rts, 7#3, ;it% prior noti$e to t%e
Co77ission, <e #/t%oriEed <3 t%e Dire$tor Iener#2
o+ t%e PNP pro1ided t%#t t%e +ire#r7s, e*p2osi1es
#nd t%eir sp#re p#rts #re i77edi#te23 tr#nsported
to t%e Dire#r7s #nd E*p2osi1es Di1ision, CSI,
PNP.

SEC. &. "efinition of Ter!s. K As /sed
in t%is Reso2/tion:

=#> &lection )eriod re+ers to
t%e e2e$tion period pres$ri<ed in Co7e2e$
Reso2/tion No. 4'6' d#ted )6 J/23 &((? ;%i$% is
+ro7 )( J#n/#r3 &()( to (? J/ne &()(G

=<> Firearm s%!ll re-er to t%e
1-$re!rm1 !s "e-$ne" $n e2$st$n l!.s, rules !n"
reul!t$ons. T%e term !lso $n&lu"es
!$run, !$rso-t uns, !n" t%e$r
re'l$&!3$m$t!t$on $n .%!te0er -orm t%!t &!n
&!use !n or"$n!r, 'erson to +el$e0e t%!t t%e,
!re re!lG

=$> "eadly 1eapon in$2/des
<2#ded instr/7ent, %#nd0ren#des or ot%er
e*p2osi1es, e*$ept p3rote$%ni$s.
* * * *

SEC. 6. #ho *ay Bear irear!s. H On23
t%e +o22o;in0 persons ;%o #re in t%e re0/2#r
p2#nti22# o+ t%e PNP or ADP or ot%er 2#;
en+or$e7ent #0en$ies #re #/t%oriEed to <e#r, $#rr3
or tr#nsport +ire#r7s or ot%er de#d23 ;e#pons
d/rin0 t%e e2e$tion period:

=#> Re0/2#r 7e7<er or o++i$er o+ t%e
PNP, t%e ADP #nd ot%er 2#;
en+or$e7ent #0en$ies o+ t%e
Io1ern7ent, pro1ided t%#t ;%en in
t%e possession o+ +ire#r7, %e is: =)>
in t%e re0/2#r p2#nti22# o+ t%e s#id
#0en$ies #nd is re$ei1in0 re0/2#r
$o7pens#tion +or t%e ser1i$es
rendered in s#id #0en$iesG #nd =&>
in t%e #0en$3-pres$ri<ed /ni+or7
s%o;in0 $2e#r23 #nd 2e0i<23 %is
n#7e, r#n@ #nd seri#2 n/7<er or,
in $#se r#n@ #nd seri#2 n/7<er #re
in#pp2i$#<2e, %is #0en$3-iss/ed
identi+i$#tion $#rd s%o;in0 $2e#r23
%is n#7e #nd position, ;%i$%
identi+i$#tion $#rd s%#22 re7#in
1isi<2e #t #22 ti7esG =B> d/23 2i$ensed
to possess +ire#r7 #nd to $#rr3 t%e
s#7e o/tside o+ residen$e <3
7e#ns o+ # 1#2id 7ission order or
2etter orderG #nd =6> in t%e #$t/#2
per+or7#n$e o+ o++i$i#2 2#;
en+or$e7ent d/t3, or in 0oin0 to or
ret/rnin0 +ro7 %is
residen$e:<#rr#$@s or o++i$i#2
st#tion.

* * * *

=<> Me7<er o+ pri1#te23 o;ned or
oper#ted se$/rit3, in1esti0#ti1e,
prote$ti1e or inte22i0en$e #0en$ies
d/23 #/t%oriEed <3 t%e PNP,
pro1ided t%#t ;%en in t%e
possession o+ +ire#r7, %e is: =)> in
t%e #0en$3-pres$ri<ed /ni+or7 ;it%
%is #0en$3-iss/ed identi+i$#tion
$#rd pro7inent23 disp2#3ed #nd
1isi<2e #t #22 ti7es, s%o;in0 $2e#r23
%is n#7e #nd positionG #nd =&> in
t%e #$t/#2 per+or7#n$e o+ d/t3 #t
%is spe$i+ied p2#$e:#re# o+ d/t3.

* * * *

SEC. 4. &nforce!ent. K An3 person
;%o, not ;e#rin0 t%e #/t%oriEed /ni+or7 7entioned
%erein, <e#rs, $#rries or tr#nsports +ire#r7 or ot%er
de#d23 ;e#pon, s%#22 <e pres/7ed /n#/t%oriEed to
$#rr3 +ire#r7s #nd s/<Fe$t to #rrest.
,A-


Petitioner $ontends t%#t /nder R.A. No. 5)'', t%e ter7
8+ire#r79 $onnotes re#2 +ire#r7. Moreo1er, R.A. No. 5)'' does not
7ention #irso+t 0/ns #nd t%eir rep2i$#s:i7it#tions.
Hen$e, its i7p2e7entin0 r/2es #nd re0/2#tions $ont#ined in Reso2/tion
No. 45)6 s%o/2d not in$2/de #irso+t 0/ns #nd t%eir rep2i$#s:i7it#tions in
t%e de+inition o+ t%e ter7 8+ire#r7.9

%e Co/rt is not pers/#ded.
2oly (pirit 2o!eo1ners 'ssociation, 3nc. v. "efensor
,'-
%e2d:

C%ere # r/2e or re0/2#tion %#s #
pro1ision not e*press23 st#ted or $ont#ined in t%e
st#t/te <ein0 i7p2e7ented, t%#t pro1ision does not
ne$ess#ri23 $ontr#di$t t%e st#t/te. A 2e0is2#ti1e r/2e
is in t%e n#t/re o+ s/<ordin#te 2e0is2#tion, desi0ned
to i7p2e7ent # pri7#r3 2e0is2#tion <3 pro1idin0 t%e
det#i2s t%ereo+. All t%!t $s re4u$re" $s t%!t t%e
reul!t$on s%oul" +e erm!ne to t%e o+5e&ts
!n" 'ur'oses o- t%e l!.6 t%!t t%e reul!t$on +e
not $n &ontr!"$&t$on to, +ut $n &on-orm$t, .$t%,
t%e st!n"!r"s 'res&r$+e" +, t%e l!..
,5-


E1ident23, t%e COMELEC %#d t%e #/t%orit3 to pro7/20#te
Reso2/tion No. 45)6 p/rs/#nt to Se$tion BA o+ R.A. No. 5)''. It ;#s
0r#nted t%e po;er to iss/e t%e i7p2e7entin0 r/2es #nd re0/2#tions o+
Se$tions B& #nd BB o+ R.A. No. 5)''. Under t%is <ro#d po;er, t%e
COMELEC ;#s 7#nd#ted to pro1ide t%e det#i2s o+ ;%o 7#3 <e#r, $#rr3
or tr#nsport +ire#r7s or ot%er de#d23 ;e#pons, #s ;e22 #s t%e de+inition o+
8+ire#r7s,9 #7on0 ot%ers. %ese det#i2s #re 2e+t to t%e dis$retion o+ t%e
COMELEC, ;%i$% is # $onstit/tion#2 <od3 t%#t possesses spe$i#2
@no;2ed0e #nd e*pertise on e2e$tion 7#tters, ;it% t%e o<Fe$ti1e o+
ens/rin0 t%e %o2din0 o+ +ree, order23, %onest, pe#$e+/2 #nd $redi<2e
e2e$tions.

In its Co77ent,
,4-
t%e COMELEC, represented <3 t%e O++i$e o+
t%e So2i$itor Iener#2, st#tes t%#t t%e COMELECLs intent in t%e in$2/sion
o+ #irso+t 0/ns in t%e ter7 8+ire#r79 #nd t%eir res/2t#nt $o1er#0e <3 t%e
e2e$tion 0/n <#n is to #1oid t%e possi<2e /se o+ re$re#tion#2 0/ns in
so;in0 +e#r, inti7id#tion or terror d/rin0 t%e e2e$tion period. An ordin#r3
$itiEen 7#3 not <e #<2e to distin0/is% <et;een # re#2 0/n #nd #n #irso+t
0/n. It is +e#r s/<1ertin0 t%e ;i22 o+ # 1oter, ;%et%er <ro/0%t #<o/t <3 t%e
/se o+ # re#2 0/n or # re$re#tion#2 0/n, ;%i$% is so/0%t to <e
#1erted. U2ti7#te23, t%e o<Fe$ti1e is to ens/re t%e %o2din0 o+ +ree,
order23, %onest, pe#$e+/2 #nd $redi<2e e2e$tions t%is 3e#r.
Contr#r3 to petitionerLs #22e0#tion, t%ere is # re0/2#tion t%#t
0o1erns t%e possession #nd $#rri#0e o+ #irso+t ri+2es:pisto2s,
n#7e23, P%i2ippine N#tion#2 Po2i$e =PNP> Cir$/2#r No. )) d#ted
De$e7<er 6, &((5, entit2ed Revised Rules and Regulations 0overning
the *anufacture, 3!portation, &4portation, (ale, )ossession, Carrying of
'irsoft Rifles5)istols and /peration of 'irsoft 0a!e (ites and 'irsoft
Tea!s. %e Cir$/2#r de+ines #n #irso+t 0/n #s +o22o;s:

Airso+t Ri+2e:Pisto2 * * * in$2/des 8<#tter3
oper#ted, sprin0 #nd 0#s t3pe po;ered ri+2es:pisto2s
;%i$% dis$%#r0e p2#sti$ or r/<<er pe22ets on23 #s
</22ets or #77/nition. %is di++ers +ro7 rep2i$# #s
t%e 2#tter does not +ire p2#sti$ or r/<<er pe22et.


PNP Cir$/2#r No. )) $2#ssi+ies t%e #irso+t ri+2e:pisto2 #s #
spe$i#2 t3pe o+ #ir 0/n, ;%i$% is restri$ted in its /se on23 to sportin0
#$ti1ities, s/$% #s ;#r 0#7e si7/2#tion.
,?-
An3 person ;%o desires to
possess #n #irso+t ri+2e:pisto2 needs # 2i$ense +ro7 t%e PNP, #nd %e s%#22
+i2e %is #pp2i$#tion in #$$ord#n$e ;it% PNP St#nd#rd Oper#tin0
Pro$ed/re No. )B, ;%i$% pres$ri<es t%e pro$ed/re to <e +o22o;ed in t%e
2i$ensin0 o+ +ire#r7s.
,)(-
%e 7ini7/7 #0e 2i7it o+ t%e #pp2i$#nt is )4
3e#rs o2d.
,))-
%e Cir$/2#r #2so re./ires # Per7it to r#nsport #n #irso+t
ri+2e:pisto2 +ro7 t%e p2#$e o+ residen$e to #n3 0#7e or e*%i<ition site.
,)&-

A 2i$ense to possess #n #irso+t 0/n, F/st 2i@e ordin#r3 2i$enses
in ot%er re0/2#ted +ie2ds, does not $on+er #n #<so2/te ri0%t, </t on23 #
person#2 pri1i2e0e to <e e*er$ised /nder e*istin0 restri$tions, #nd s/$% #s
7#3 t%ere#+ter <e re#son#<23 i7posed.
,)B-


%e in$2/sion o+ #irso+t 0/ns #nd #ir0/ns in t%e ter7 8+ire#r79
in Reso2/tion No. 45)6 +or p/rposes o+ t%e 0/n <#n d/rin0 t%e e2e$tion
period is # re#son#<2e restri$tion, t%e o<Fe$ti1e o+ ;%i$% is to ens/re t%e
%o2din0 o+ +ree, order23, %onest, pe#$e+/2 #nd $redi<2e e2e$tions.

Ho;e1er, t%e Co/rt e*$2/des t%e rep2i$#s #nd i7it#tions
o+ #irso+t 0/ns #nd #ir0/ns +ro7 t%e ter7 8+ire#r79 /nder Reso2/tion No.
45)6, <e$#/se t%e3 #re not s/<Fe$t to #n3 re0/2#tion, /n2i@e #irso+t 0/ns.

Petitioner +/rt%er $ontends t%#t Reso2/tion No. 45)6 is not in
#$$ord#n$e ;it% t%e St#te po2i$ies in t%ese $onstit/tion#2 pro1isions:

Art. II, Se$. )&. %e St#te re$o0niEes t%e
s#n$tit3 o+ +#7i23 2i+e #nd s%#22 prote$t #nd
stren0t%en t%e +#7i23 #s # <#si$ #/tono7o/s so$i#2
instit/tion. * * *

Art. MV, Se$. ). %e St#te re$o0niEes
t%e Di2ipino +#7i23 #s t%e +o/nd#tion o+ t%e
n#tion. A$$ordin023, it s%#22 stren0t%en its so2id#rit3
#nd #$ti1e23 pro7ote its tot#2 de1e2op7ent.

Art. II, Se$. )5. %e St#te s%#22 0i1e
priorit3 to * * * sports to +oster p#triotis7 #nd
n#tion#2is7, #$$e2er#te so$i#2 pro0ress, #nd
pro7ote tot#2 %/7#n 2i<er#tion #nd de1e2op7ent.


Petitioner #sserts t%#t p2#3in0 #irso+t pro1ides <ondin0
7o7ents #7on0 +#7i23 7e7<ers. D#7i2ies #re entit2ed to prote$tion <3
t%e so$iet3 #nd t%e St#te /nder t%e Uni1ers#2 De$2#r#tion o+ H/7#n
Ri0%ts. %e3 #re +ree to $%oose #nd enFo3 t%eir re$re#tion#2
#$ti1ities. %ese 2i<erties, petitioner $ontends, $#nnot <e #<rid0ed <3 t%e
COMELEC.

In its Co77ent, t%e COMELEC, t%ro/0% t%e So2i$itor Iener#2,
st#tes t%#t it #d%eres to t%e #+ore7entioned st#te po2i$ies, </t e1en
$onstit/tion#2 +reedo7s #re not #<so2/te, #nd t%e3 7#3 <e #<rid0ed to
so7e e*tent to ser1e #ppropri#te #nd i7port#nt interests.

As # 2on0-ti7e p2#3er o+ t%e #irso+t sport, it is pres/7ed t%#t
petitioner %#s # 2i$ense to possess #n #irso+t 0/n. As # 2#;3er,
petitioner is #;#re t%#t
# 2i$ensee o+ #n #irso+t 0/n is s/<Fe$t to t%e restri$tions i7posed /pon
%i7 <3 PNP Cir$/2#r No. )) #nd ot%er 1#2id restri$tions, s/$% #s
Reso2/tion No. 45)6. %ese restri$tions e*ist in spite o+ t%e
#+ore7entioned St#te po2i$ies, ;%i$% do not dire$t23 /p%o2d # 2i$enseeLs
#<so2/te ri0%t to possess or $#rr3 #n #irso+t 0/n /nder #n3 $ir$/7st#n$e.

PetitionerLs #22e0#tion o+ 0r#1e #</se o+ dis$retion <3
respondent COMELEC i7p2ies s/$% $#pri$io/s #nd ;%i7si$#2 e*er$ise o+
F/d07ent #s is e./i1#2ent to 2#$@ o+ F/risdi$tion or, in ot%er ;ords, t%e
e*er$ise o+ po;er in #n #r<itr#r3 7#nner <3 re#son o+ p#ssion, preF/di$e
or person#2 %osti2it3, #nd it 7/st <e so p#tent or 0ross #s to #7o/nt to #n
e1#sion o+ # positi1e d/t3 or to # 1irt/#2 re+/s#2 to per+or7 t%e d/t3
enFoined or to #$t #t #22 in $onte7p2#tion o+ 2#;.
,)6-

%e Co/rt %o2ds t%#t t%e COMELEC did not 0r#1e23 #</se its
dis$retion in in$2/din0 #irso+t 0/ns #nd #ir0/ns in t%e ter7 8+ire#r79 in
Reso2/tion No. 45)6 +or p/rposes o+ t%e 0/n <#n d/rin0 t%e e2e$tion
period, ;it% t%e #pp#rent o<Fe$ti1e o+ ens/rin0 +ree, %onest, pe#$e+/2 #nd
$redi<2e e2e$tions t%is 3e#r. Ho;e1er, t%e rep2i$#s #nd i7it#tions
o+ #irso+t0/ns #nd #ir0/ns #re e*$2/ded +ro7 t%e ter7 8+ire#r79 in
Reso2/tion No. 45)6.

78ERE9ORE, t%e petition is PARTLY GRANTE# inso+#r #s
t%e e*$2/sion o+ rep2i$#s #nd i7it#tions o+ #irso+t 0/ns +ro7 t%e ter7
8+ire#r79 is $on$erned. Rep2i$#s #nd i7it#tions o+ #irso+t 0/ns
#nd #ir0/ns #re %ere<3 de$2#red e*$2/ded +ro7 t%e ter7 8+ire#r79 in
Reso2/tion No. 45)6. %e petition is #ISMISSE# in re0#rd to t%e
e*$2/sion o+#irso+t 0/ns +ro7 t%e ter7 8+ire#r79 in Reso2/tion No.
45)6. Airso+t 0/ns #nd #ir0/ns #re $o1ered <3 t%e 0/n <#n d/rin0 t%e
e2e$tion period.

No $osts.
SO OR#ERE#.