[G.R. No. 154512. September 3, 2002]

VICTORINO SOCRATES vs. COMELEC, et al.

EN BANC

Gentlemen:

Quoted hereunder, for your information, is a resolution of this Court dated 3 SEPT 2002.

G.R. No. 154512 (Victorino Dennis M. Socrates, Mayor of Puerto Princesa City vs. The Commission on Elections, The Preparatory Recall Assembly (PRA) of Puerto Princesa City, PRA Interim Chairman Punong Bgy. Mark David Hagedorn, PRA Interim Secretary Punong Bgy. Benjamin Jarilla, PRA Chairman and Presiding Officer Punong Bgy. Earl S. Buenviaje and PRA Secretary Punong Bgy. Carlos Aballa, Jr.) and

G.R. No. 154683 (Vicente S. Sandoval, Jr. vs. The Hon. Commission on Elections (COMELEC).)

Acting on the Petition for Certiorari and Prohibition with Preliminary Injunction and Prayer for Temporary Restraining Order filed by petitioner Sandoval in G.R. No. 154683, the Court RESOLVES to GRANT the prayer of petitioner Sandoval for a temporary restraining order. Accordingly, respondents are hereby ENJOINED from implementing the Comelec Resolution No. 5673 insofar as it fixes the date of the recall elections in Puerto Princesa City on September 7, 2002. The Comelec is further directed to give the candidates an additional fifteen (15) days from September 7, 2002 within which to campaign.

Considering that G.R. No. 154512 and G.R. No. 154683 raise the same or similar issues, the Court further directs that these cases be consolidated. Furthermore, respondents in G.R. No. 154683 are hereby directed to comment on the petition for certiorari and prohibition within a non-extendible period of ten (10) days from receipt hereof.

Sandoval-Gutierrez, J., is on leave.

Very truly yours,

(Sgd.) LUZVIMINDA D. PUNO

Clerk of Court