Santiago filed an election protest after she lost in the 1992 presidential election. In 1995 election, she was elected senator. Was her assumption to the office as such effectively abandoned or withdrawn her election protest?

Yes. In assuming the office of Senator, the protestant has effectively abandoned or withdrawn her election protests, thereby making it moot.

The term of office of the Senators elected in the 8 May 1995 election is six years, the first three of which coincides with the last three years of the term of the President elected in the 11 May 1992 synchronized elections. The latter would be Protestant Santiago's term if she would succeed in proving in the instant protest that she was the true winner in the 1992 elections. In assuming the office of Senator then, the Protestant has effectively abandoned or withdrawn this protest, or at the very least, abandoned her determination to protect and pursue the public interest involved in the matter of who is the real choice of the electorate. Such abandonment or withdrawal operates to render moot the instant protest.

Moreover, the dismissal of this protest would serve public interest as it would dissipate the aura of uncertainty as to the results of the 1992 presidential elections, thereby enhancing the all too crucial political stability of the nation during this period of national recovery.

Also, the PET issued a resolution ordering the protestant to inform the PET within 10 days if after the completion of the revision of the ballots from her pilot areas, she still wishes to present evidence. Since she has not informed the Tribunal of any such intention, such is a manifest indication that she no longer intends to do so. (Santiago vs. Ramos, P.E.T. Case No. 001. February 13, 1996)