G.R. No. 45938 ; February 26, 1938
GAUDENCIO GREGORIO, petitioner, vs. ELEUTERIO DE JESUS, respondent.

FACTS

Petitioner Gaudencio Gregorio filed a petition for quo warranto seeking to annul the election of respondent Eleuterio de Jesus as municipal mayor of Malabon, Rizal. The petition alleged that at the time of the election on December 14, 1937, the respondent was ineligible because he did not know how to write intelligently in Spanish, English, or Tagalog. In his answer, the respondent claimed he knew how to read and write Tagalog intelligently. During trial, evidence was presented, including writing samples from the respondent.

ISSUE

Whether or not respondent Eleuterio de Jesus possessed the eligibility requirement under Section 2174 of the Administrative Code to “read and write intelligently” Spanish, English, or the local dialect at the time of his election.

RULING

The Supreme Court dismissed the petition. It held that the respondent knew how to write Tagalog intelligently. The Court defined the phrase “to write intelligently” as the ability to put ideas in written words so as to be understood; it does not require a high degree of culture or learning, but merely the ability to express ideas as people in general do. Examining the evidence, including letters written by the respondent in Tagalog during the proceedings, the Court found that he demonstrated sufficient ability to write intelligently in Tagalog. The Court also found that the respondent had learned to read and write at a young age. Thus, he was eligible for the office.

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