PHRASE: Writ of Quo Warranto
MEANING: It is a special form of legal action used to resolve a dispute over whether a specific person has a legal right to hold a government position that he occupies. It is often used as a test of someone's legal right to hold an office ... not to evaluate someone's performance in the office.
This writ is issued to inquire into the legality of a claim of a person or a public office. It restrains the person or their authority to act in an office he is not entitled to.
This writ applies to public or government offices ONLY, but not to private offices.
The government takes action against individuals who unlawfully hold an office or position. It is not a personal dispute but a public issue concerning someone's legitimacy or authority to hold a particular office.
EXAMPLE: One blogger suggested that the writ of quo warranto could be petitioned against two vocal senators for allegedly pocketing millions of pesos from government contractors in previous elections.
-Several years back ... Solicitor General Jose Calida filed a quo warranto petition against ABS-CBN.
