In the Resolution dated 30 January 2008, the COMELEC en banc denied
Peneras Motion for Reconsideration, disposing thus:
WHEREFORE, this Commission RESOLVES to DENY the
instant Motion for Reconsideration filed by [Penera] for UTTER LACK
OF MERIT.[16]
The COMELEC en banc ruled that Penera could no longer advance the
arguments set forth in her Motion for Reconsideration and Supplemental Motion
for Reconsideration, given that she failed to first express and elucidate on the same
in her Answer and Position Paper. Penera did not specifically deny the material
averments that the motorcade went as far as Barangay Mabini, announcing their
candidacy and requesting the people to vote for them on Election Day, despite the
fact that the same were clearly propounded by Andanar in his Petition for
Disqualification and Position Paper. Therefore, these material averments should be
considered admitted. Although the COMELEC en banc agreed that no undue
importance should be given to sworn statements or affidavits submitted as
evidence, this did not mean that such affidavits should not be given any evidentiary
weight at all. Since Penera neither refuted the material averments in Andanars
Petition and the Affidavits attached thereto nor submitted countervailing evidence,
then said Affidavits, even if taken ex parte, deserve some degree of
importance. The COMELEC en banc likewise conceded that the pictures submitted
by Andanar as evidence would have been unreliable, but only if they were
presented by their lonesome. However, said pictures, together with Peneras
admissions and the Affidavits of Andanars witnesses, constituted sufficient
evidence to establish Peneras violation of the rule against premature
campaigning. Lastly, the COMELEC en banc accused Penera of deliberately trying
to mislead the Commission by citing Barroso, given that the said case was not
even remotely applicable to the case at bar.