Article VII Digests

8/10/2019 Article VII Digests

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POLITICAL LAW REVIEWAtty. Jacinto Jimenez

ARTICLE VIIEXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT

SECTION 1

PHILCONSA VS. ENRIQUEZEXECUTIVE.

General Appropriations Act of 1994 RA 7663 was passe an appro!e "# Con$ress. It a%t&ori'e t&e

(e("ers of Con$ress to propose an ientif# pro)ects in *+or, -arrels/ allotte to t&e( an toreali$n t&eir respecti!e operatin$ "%$ets. Also/ t&e presient !etoe so(e pro!isions an i(poseconitions on an ite( in t&e appropriations "ill

+etitioners assail t&e constit%tionalit# of t&e C0. +etitioners clai( t&at t&e power $i!en to t&e

(e("ers of Con$ress to propose an ientif# t&e pro)ects an acti!ities to "e f%ne "# t&eCo%ntr#wie 0e!elop(ent %n is an encroac&(ent "# t&e le$islat%re on e2ec%ti!e power/ since saipower in an appropriation act is in i(ple(entation of a law. T&e# ar$%e t&at t&e proposal anientification of t&e pro)ects o not in!ol!e t&e (a,in$ of laws or t&e repeal an a(en(ent t&ereof/t&e onl# f%nction $i!en to t&e Con$ress "# t&e Constit%tion

IUE 0o t&e# &a!e le$al stanin$5

C E.&ere a !eto is clai(e to &a!e "een (ae wit&o%t or in e2cess of t&e a%t&orit# !este on t&e +resient/t&e iss%e of an i(per(issi"le intr%sion of t&e E2ec%ti!e into t&e o(ain of t&e 8e$islat%re arises. To t&ee2tent t&e powers of Con$ress are i(paire/ so is t&e power of eac& (e("er t&ereof/ since &is officeconfers a ri$&t to participate in t&e e2ercise of t&e powers of t&at instit%tion.

An act of t&e E2ec%ti!e w&ic& in)%res t&e instit%tion of Con$ress ca%ses a 0ERIVATIVE UIT/ "%tnonet&eless s%"stantial in)%r#/ w&ic& can "e %estione "# an# (e("er of Con$ress. In s%c& case/ an#(e("er of Con$ress can resort to t&e co%rts.

It is tr%e t&at t&e Constit%tion pro!ies a (ec&anis( for o!erriin$ a !eto. ai re(e# &owe!er isa!aila"le onl# w&en t&e presiential !eto is "ase on polic# or political consierations. It is :;TAVAI8A-8E w&en t&e !eto is clai(e to "e U8TRA VIRE. &en it is %ltra !ires/ it "eco(es t&e %t# of t&eCo%rt to raw t&e i!iin$ line w&ere t&e e2ercise of e2ec%ti!e power ens an t&e "o%ns of le$islati!e

)%risiction "e$in.

IUE Is t&e C0 !ali5

C Uner t&e Constit%tion/ t&e spenin$ power calle "# t&e power of t&e p%rse/>"elon$s to Con$ress/ s%")ect onl# to t&e !eto power of t&e +resient. T&e +resient (a# propose t&e"%$et/ "%t still t&e final sa# on t&e (atter of appropriations is lo$e in t&e Con$ress.

T&e power of appropriation carries wit& it t&e power to specif# t&e pro)ect or acti!it# to "e f%ne %nert&e appropriation law. It can "e as etaile an as "roa as Con$ress wants it to "e.

T&e Co%ntr#wie 0e!elop(ent %n is e2plicit t&at it s&all "e %se >for infrastr%ct%re/ p%rc&ase ofa("%lances an co(p%ters an ot&er priorit# pro)ects an acti!ities an creit facilities to %alifie"eneficiaries. . . .> It was Con$ress itself t&at eter(ine t&e p%rposes for t&e appropriation.E2ec%ti!e f%nction %ner t&e Co%ntr#wie 0e!elop(ent %n in!ol!es i(ple(entation of t&e priorit#

pro)ects specifie in t&e law.

T&e a%t&orit# $i!en to t&e (e("ers of Con$ress is onl# to propose an ientif# pro)ects to "ei(ple(ente "# t&e +resient. Uner Article X8I of t&e GAA of 1994/ t&e +resient (%st perforce e2a(inew&et&er t&e proposals s%"(itte "# t&e (e("ers of Con$ress fall wit&in t&e specific ite(s ofe2penit%res for w&ic& t&e %n was set %p/ an if %alifie/ &e ne2t eter(ines w&et&er t&e# are in linewit& ot&er pro)ects planne for t&e localit#. T&ereafter/ if t&e propose pro)ects %alif# for f%nin$ %nert&e %n/ it is t&e +resient w&o s&all i(ple(ent t&e(.

In short, the proposals and identifications made by the members of Congress are merelyrecommendatory.

Updated Champ Digests Fel. Jill. Lauren. Mon. Tara. Charms


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T&e Constit%tion is a fra(ewor, of a wor,a"le $o!ern(ent an its interpretation (%st ta,e into acco%ntt&e co(ple2ities/ realities an politics attenant to t&e operation of t&e political "ranc&es of $o!ern(ent.+rior to t&e GAA of 1991/ t&ere was an %ne!en allocation of appropriations for t&e constit%ents of t&e(e("ers of Con$ress/ wit& t&e (e("ers close to t&e Con$ressional leaers&ip or w&o &ol cars for>&orse?train$/> $ettin$ (ore t&an t&eir less fa!ore collea$%es. T&e (e("ers of Con$ress also &a torec,on wit& an %ns#(pat&etic +resient/ w&o co%l e2ercise &is !eto power to cancel fro( t&eappropriation "ill a pet pro)ect of a Representati!e or enator.

T&e Co%ntr#wie 0e!elop(ent %n atte(pts to (a,e e%al t&e %ne%al. It is also a reco$nition t&atini!i%al (e("ers of Con$ress/ far (ore t&an t&e +resient an t&eir con$ressional collea$%es are l i,el#to "e ,nowle$ea"le a"o%t t&e nees of t&eir respecti!e constit%ents an t&e priorit# to "e $i!en eac&pro)ect.

WEBB VS. DE LEONEXECUTIVE +;ER.

T&is is t&e @%"ert e""? Vi'cone =assacre case. @%"ert is co?acc%se in t&e cri(e of Rape wit&

@o(icie.


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SECTION 8

Estrada vs Ds!rt"

- T&is case concerns t&e office of t&e +resient. Erap alle$e t&at &e is t&e +resient on lea!e/

w&ile G=A clai(s s&e is t&e +resient.- In t&e =a# 199 elections/ Erap was electe +resient/ G=A was Vice?+resient. Erap was t&en

acc%se of recei!in$ (illions in )%eten$ (one#. An i(peac&(ent trial was starte. T&e senator?)%$es r%le a$ainst openin$ t&e secon en!elope w&ic& alle$el# containe e!ience t&at Erap&a a secret "an, acco%nt %ner t&e na(e


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a caniate. T&e proposal for a snap election for presient in =a# w&ere &e wo%l not "e acaniate is an inici%( t&at petitioner &a intene to $i!e %p t&e presienc# e!en at t&at ti(e.Erap also e2presse no o")ection to t&e s%$$estion for a $racef%l an i$nifie e2it "%t sai &ewo%l ne!er lea!e t&e co%ntr#. @e also sai/ *+a$o na pa$o na a,o. A#o,o na (as#ao nan$(asa,it. +a$o na a,o sa re tape/ "%rea%crac#/ intri$a. BI a( !er# tire. I onHt want an# (oreof t&is K itHs too painf%l. IH( tire of t&e re tape/ t&e "%rea%crac#/ t&e intri$%e. Erap an G=Awere also enterin$ into ne$otiations a"o%t Erap resi$nin$ "%t t&e# were c%t s&ort w&en G=A &a

alrea# ta,en t&e oat& "efore s&e co%l si$n t&eir a$ree(ent.- In s%(/ we &ol t&at t&e resi$nation of t&e petitioner cannot "e o%"te. It was confir(e "# &is

lea!in$ =alacaan$. In t&e press release containin$ &is final state(ent/ B1 &e ac,nowle$e t&eoat&?ta,in$ of t&e responent as +resient of t&e Rep%"lic al"eit wit& reser!ation a"o%t itsle$alit#L B &e e(p&asi'e &e was lea!in$ t&e +alace/ t&e seat of t&e presienc#/ for t&e sa,e ofpeace an in orer to "e$in t&e &ealin$ process of o%r nation. @e i not sa# &e was lea!in$ t&e+alace %e to an# ,in ina"ilit# an t&at &e was $oin$ to re?ass%(e t&e presienc# as soon ast&e isa"ilit# isappears B3 &e e2presse &is $ratit%e to t&e people for t&e opport%nit# toser!e t&e(. it&o%t o%"t/ &e was referrin$ to t&e past opport%nit# $i!en &i( to ser!e t&epeople as +resient B4 &e ass%re t&at &e will not s&ir, fro( an# f%t%re c&allen$e t&at (a#co(e a&ea in t&e sa(e ser!ice of o%r co%ntr#. +etitionerHs reference is to a f%t%re c&allen$eafter occ%p#in$ t&e office of t&e presient w&ic& &e &as $i!en %pL an BM &e calle on &iss%pporters to )oin &i( in t&e pro(otion of a constr%cti!e national spirit of reconciliation ansoliarit#. Certainl#/ t&e national spirit of reconciliation an soliarit# co%l not "e attaine if &ei not $i!e %p t&e presienc#. T&e press release was petitionerHs !aleictor#/ &is final act offarewell. @is presienc# is now in t&e part tense.

- Is Erap onl# te(poraril# %na"le to act as +resient5 T&is in!ol!es an e2a(ination of Article VIIec 11.

o T&e @R &a iss%e a resol%tion reco$ni'in$ G=A as t&e +resient. -ot& &o%ses of

Con$ress starte senin$ "ills to "e si$ne into law "# G=A as +resient.o -ot& &o%ses &a!e reco$ni'e G=A as t&e +resient/ i(plicitl# clear in t&at reco$nition is

t&e pre(ise t&at t&e ina"ilit# of Erap is no lon$er te(porar#. Con$ress &as re)ecteErapDs clai( of ina"ilit#.

- Iss%e of i((%nit# T&e Co%rt re)ects &is ar$%(ent t&at &e cannot "e prosec%te for t&e reasont&at &e (%st first "e con!icte in t&e i(peac&(ent proceein$s. T&e i(peac&(ent trial ofpetitioner Estraa was a"orte "# t&e wal,o%t of t&e prosec%tors an "# t&e e!ents t&at le to&is loss of t&e presienc#. ince/ t&e I(peac&(ent Co%rt is now f%nct%s officio/ it is %ntena"le forpetitioner to e(an t&at &e s&o%l first "e i(peac&e an t&en con!icte "efore &e can "eprosec%te.

o T&e scope of i((%nit# t&at can "e clai(e "# Erap as a non?sittin$ +resient. T&e cases

file a$ainst Erap are cri(inal in c&aracter. T&e# in!ol!e pl%ner/ "ri"er# an $raft an

corr%ption. -# no stretc& of t&e i(a$ination can t&ese cri(es/ especiall# pl%ner w&ic&carries t&e eat& penalt#/ "e co!ere "# t&e alle$e (antle of i((%nit# of a non?sittin$presient.



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SECTION 1#

C!v!$ L!%rt!s U&!"& vs. ESpro&i"ition a$ainst &olin$ anot&er office or e(plo#(ent

+etitioners assail constit%tionalit# of E; 4 allowin$ (e("ers of ca"inet/ Usecs/ Asecs to &ol ot&er

$o!ern(ent offices in aition to t&eir pri(ar# positions. T&e# conten t&at t&is r%ns co%nter to ec13 w&ic& pro!ies t&at *(e("ers of Ca"inet/ ep%ties/ assistants/ s&all not &ol an# ot&er office ore(plo#(ent %rin$ t&eir ten%reN

E; 4 allows t&ese people to &ol not (ore t&an positions.

T&e ecretar# of


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It refers to an a%t&orit# eri!e fro( official c&aracter/ not e2pressl# conferre %pon t&e ini!i%al/ "%trat&er anne2e to t&e official position.It also (eans an# act one in official c&aracter/ or as a conse%ence of office/ an wit&o%t an# ot&erappoint(ent t&an t&at conferre "# t&e office.

:ote also t&at t&e aitional %ties (%st not onl# "e closel# relate to / "%t (%st "e re%ire "# t&e

officialDs pri(ar# f%nctions. If t&e f%nctions re%ire to "e perfor(e are (erel# inciental/ re(otel#relate/ inconsistent/ inco(pati"le/ or alien to t&e pri(ar# f%nction/ t&en it wo%l "e pro&i"ite.

-eca%se e2?officio position is reall# part of t&e principal office/ t&en it follows t&at t&ere wo%l "e no ri$&tto recei!e aitional co(pensation. T&ese ser!ices are alrea# pai for an co!ere "# t&e co(pensationfro( &is principal office. Bnot entitle to per ie(/ &onorari%(/ allowance/ or an# ot&er e%p&e(is(

8A I :U88 A:0 V;I0.

SECTION 1'

IN RE( VALENZUELApro&i"ition a$ainst (ini$&t appoint(ents

;n =arc& 3/ t&e presient appointe Valen'%ela an Vallarta as RTC )%$es.

Also/ appoint(ents to t&e CA &a!e "een (ae/ ate =arc& 11/ 199 Bt&e a# "efore t&e

constit%tional "an on appoint(ents =a# 4/ 199 K t&e C&ief


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ec 1M allows onl# a narrow e2ception/ t&at is/ (a,in$ TE=+;RAR A++;I:T=E:T to EXECUTIVE+;IT;I: w&en contin%e !acancies wo%l +RE


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BERMUDEZ VS. TORRESnat%re of appointin$ power

T&ere was a !acanc# for t&e post of +ro!incial +rosec%tor of Tarlac -er(%e' was t&e 1stAsst +ro!incial +rosec%tor of Tarlac/ w&o was a reco((ene "# 0;< ec.

G%in$ona. O%iaoit was t&e one reco((ene "# Con$ress(an


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As to t&e 4t&$ro%p/ it is ar$%e t&at since a law is neee to !est t&e appoint(ent of lower?ran,e

officers in t&e +resient alone/ t&is i(plies t&at t&e a"sence of s%c& law/ a lower?ran,e officer &as to"e appointe "# t&e +resient s%")ect to confir(ation "# t&e CA. conse%entl#/ &i$&er ran,e officerss&o%l "e appointe "# t&e +resient/ also s%")ect to confir(ation "# t&e CA

IUE 0oes t&e position of Co((issioner of -oC re%ire CA confir(ation5

CVA8I0 A++;I:T=E:TT&e n/ 3r$ro%ps o not re%ire CA confir(ation. T&e power to appoint is f%na(entall# e2ec%ti!e orpresiential in c&aracter. 8i(itations on or %alifications of s%c& power s&o%l "e strictl# constr%e a$ainstt&e(. %c& li(itation or %alifications (%st "e clearl# state in orer to "e reco$ni'e. It is onl# in t&efirst sentence of ec 16w&ere it is clearl# state t&at appoint(ents "# t&e +resient to t&e positionsen%(erate t&erein re%ire t&e consent of t&e CA.

As to t&e 4t&$ro%p/ t&e clear an e2press intent of t&e constit%tion was to e2cl%e presientialappoint(ents fro( CA confir(ation/ e2cept t&e appoint(ents to offices e2pressl# (entione in t&e firstsentence of ec 16.

T&%s/ in t&e case of lower?ran,e officers/ t&e Con$ress (a# "# law !est t&eir appoint(ent in t&e+resient/ in t&e co%rts/ or in t&e &eas of !ario%s epart(ents. In s&ort t&e wor/ *A8;:E/ appears to"e re%nant.

It is t&%s e!ient t&at t&e position of C;==II;:ER ; T@E -;C/ Ba "%rea% &ea/ is :;T ;:E ;T@;E IT@I: T@E IRT GR;U+ of appoint(ents w&ere consent of t&e CA is re%ire. As alrea# sai/t&e constit%tion eli"eratel# e2cl%e t&e position of "%rea% &eas fro( t&e appoint(ents t&at nee t&eCA confir(ation.

=oreo!er/ t&e +resient is e2pressl# a%t&ori'e "# law to appoint t&e Co((issioner of t&e -;C/ %ner ec61 of t&e RA 1937.

CALDERON VS. CARALEappointi!e positions s%")ect to CA confir(ation

RA 671M Bt&e @errera Veloso 8aw was enacte to a(en t&e 8a"or Coe. It pro!ie t&at t&e

C&air(an an Co((issioners of t&e :8RC s&all "e appointe "# t&e +resient an s%")ect to CA

confir(ation +resient A%ino t&%s appointe t&e C&air(an an Co((issioners of :8RC.

T&is was c&allen$e "# Caleron w&o assails t&e le$alit# of t&e per(anent appoint(ents (ae "# t&e

+resient to t&e responent C&air(an an Co((issioners of t&e :8RC. Caleron clai(s t&at RA 671M (%st "e co(plie wit& since Con$ress (a# "# law/ re%ire confir(ation

"# t&e CA on ot&er officers asie fro( t&ose (entione in t&e Constit%tion. @e clai(s t&at t&e r%lin$sin =ison an -a%tista are not rele!ant &ere "eca%se t&ere is a law RA 671M w&ic& re%ires CAconfir(ation of s%c& appoint(ents.

ol$en on t&e ot&er &an contens t&at RA 671M %n%l# e2pans t&e confir(ation powers of t&e CA.

IUE &et&er Con$ress can/ "# law/ re%ire CA confir(ation of appoint(ents (ae "# t&e +resient/ inaition to t&ose e2pressl# (entione in ec 16.

C :;. U:C;:TITUTI;:A8.T&e :8RC officers fall wit&in t&e nsentence of ec 16/ or t&e 3 r$ro%p referre to in t&e =ison r%lin$

Bt&ose w&o( t&e +resient (a# "e a%t&ori'e "# law to appoint.

T&e re%ire(ent of CA confir(ation on appoint(ents of t&e officers of t&e :8RC is %nconstit%tional"eca%se1 it a(ens "# le$islation t&e first sentence of t&e ec 16 of t&e Constit%tion/ ain$ t&eretoappoint(ents re%irin$ CA confir(ation. it a(ens "# le$islation t&e secon sentence of ec 16 of t&e Constit%tion/ "# i(posin$ t&econfir(ation of t&e CA on appoint(ents w&ic& are ot&erwise entr%ste onl# to t&e +resient.

A$ain/ t&e confir(ation of t&e CA is re%ire onl# for presiential appoint(ents (entione in t&e firstsentence of ec 16 Bor t&e first $ro%p in t&e =ison r%lin$. Uner t&e secon sentence/ t&e +resient(a#"e a%t&ori'e to appoint wit&o%t nee for CA confir(ation.



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C&air(an an =e("ers of :8RC :; :EE0 ;R CA C;:IR=ATI;:.

RU*INO V. ENDRI,A- /$0 1- 22)Art!3$ VII- S3t!"& 1)

- +resiential 0ecree :o. 1M B+0 1M create t&e C%lt%ral Center of t&e +&ilippines BCC+ for t&e

pri(ar# p%rpose of propa$atin$ arts an c%lt%re in t&e +&ilippines. +0 1M increase t&e (e("ersof CC+Hs -oar fro( se!en to nine tr%stees. 8ater/ E2ec%ti!e ;rer :o. 1M/ increase f%rt&ert&e tr%stees to 11.

- E!ent%all#/ %rin$ t&e ter( of Ra(os/ t&e CC+ -oar incl%e t&e Enri$a Gro%p

- Estraa appointe se!en new tr%stees to t&e CC+ -oar for a ter( of fo%r #ears to replace t&e

Enri$a $ro%p as well as two ot&er inc%("ent tr%stees. T&e R%fino $ro%p too, t&eir oat&s ofoffice an ass%(e t&e perfor(ance of t&eir %ties.

- t&e Enri$a $ro%p file a petition for 4uo #arranto%estionin$ EstraaHs appoint(ent of se!en

new (e("ers to t&e CC+ -oar. They claimed that it is only #hen the CC' oard is entirely!acant may the 'resident of the 'hilippines fill such !acancies, acting in consultation #ith theran*ing officers of the CC'.

o T&e clear an cate$orical lan$%a$e of ection 6B" of +0 1M states t&at !acancies in t&e

CC+ -oar s&all "e 4!$$d %0 a 5a6"r!t0 v"t"4 t7 r5a!&!& tr/sts. &o%l onl#one tr%stee s%r!i!e/ t&e !acancies s7a$$ % 4!$$d %0 t7 s/rv!v!& tr/st a3t!& !&3"&s/$tat!"& 9!t7 t7 ra&:!& "44!3rs "4 t7 CCP. S7"/$d t7 B"ard %3"5&t!r$0va3a&t/ t7 va3a&3!s s7a$$ % 4!$$d %0 t7 Prs!d&t "4 t7 P7!$!;;!&sactin$ in cons%ltation wit& t&e sa(e ran,in$ officers of t&e CC+. T&%s/ t&e re(ainin$tr%stees/ w&et&er one or (ore/ elect t&eir fellow tr%stees for a fi2e fo%r?#ear ter(. ;nt&e ot&er &an/ ection 6Bc of +0 1M oes not allow tr%stees to reelect fellow tr%steesfor (ore t&an two consec%ti!e ter(s.

o T&e Enri$a $ro%p asserte t&at w&en for(er +resient Estraa appointe t&e R%fino

$ro%p/ onl# one seat was !acant %e to t&e e2piration of =aosaHs ter(. T&e CC+ -oart&en &a 1 inc%("ent tr%stees. T&e# (aintaine t&at %ner t&e CC+ C&arter/ t&etr%steesH fi2e fo%r?#ear ter( co%l onl# "e ter(inate >"# reason of resi$nation/incapacit#/ eat&/ or ot&er ca%se.> 'residential action #as neither necessary nor 5ustifiedsince the CC' oard then still had 6 incumbent trustees #ho had the statutory po#er

to fill by election any !acancy in the oard.o T&e Enri$a $ro%p ref%se to accept t&at t&e CC+ was %ner t&e s%per!ision an control

of t&e +resient. T&e Enri$a $ro%p cite ection 3 of +0 1M/ w&ic& states t&at t&e CC+>s&all en)o# a%tono(# of polic# an operation 2 2 2.>

- R%fino Gro%p t&at t&e la# could only delegate to the CC' oard the po#er to appoint officers

lo#er in ran* than the trustees of the oard. ection 6B" of +0 1M a%t&ori'in$ t&e CC+ tr%steesto elect t&eir fellow tr%stees s&o%l "e eclare %nconstit%tional "ein$ rep%$nant to ection 16/Article VII of t&e 197 Constit%tion allowin$ t&e appoint(ent onl# of >officers lower in ran,> t&ant&e appointin$ power.

- CA Enri$a $ro%p entitle to t&e office.

Iss/( 9


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s%c& appoint(ents s&all "e effecti!e onl# %ntil isappro!al "# t&e Co((ission on Appoint(entsor %ntil t&e ne2t a)o%rn(ent of t&e Con$ress. BE(p&asis s%pplie

- T&e power to appoint is t&e prero$ati!e of t&e +resient/ e2cept in t&ose instances w&en t&e

Constit%tion pro!ies ot&erwise. Us%rpation of t&is f%na(entall# E2ec%ti!e power "# t&e8e$islati!e an &eas> refers to t&e c&airpersons of t&e co((issions or "oars an :;T T; T@EIR =E=-ER/for se!eral reasons

o a plain reain$ of t&e last sentence of t&e first para$rap& of ection 16/ Article VII of t&e

197 Constit%tion s&ows t&at t&e wor >&eas> refers to all t&e offices s%cceein$ t&atter(/ na(el#/ t&e epart(ents/ a$encies/ co((issions/ or "oars. T&is plain reain$ isconsistent wit& ot&er relate pro!isions of t&e Constit%tion.

o a$encies/ li,e epart(ents/ &a!e no colle$ial $o!ernin$ "oies "%t &a!e onl# c&ief

e2ec%ti!es or &eas of a$encies. T&%s/ t&e wor >&eas> applies to a$encies. An# ot&erinterpretation is %ntena"le.

o all co((issions or "oars &a!e c&ief e2ec%ti!es w&o are t&eir &eas. ince t&e

Constit%tion spea,s of >&eas> of offices/ an all co((issions or "oars &a!e c&iefe2ec%ti!es or &eas/ t&e wor >&eas> co%l onl# refer to t&e c&ief e2ec%ti!es or &easof t&e co((issions or "oars.

o t&e co%nterpart pro!isions of ection 16/ Article VII of t&e 197 Constit%tion in t&e 193M

an 1973 Constit%tions %nifor(l# refer to >&eas> of offices. T&e 193M Constit%tionli(ite t&e $rant of t&e appoint(ent power onl# to >&eas of epart(ents.> 3T&e 1973Constit%tion e2pane s%c& $rant to ot&er officers/ na(el#/ >(e("ers of t&e Ca"inet/ 22 2/ co%rts/ &eas of a$encies/ co((issions/ an "oars 2 2 2.>33 If t&e 1973Constit%tion intene to e2ten t&e $rant to (e("ers of co((issions or "oars/ it co%l&a!e followe t&e sa(e lan$%a$e %se for >(e("ers of t&e Ca"inet> so as to state>(e("ers of co((issions or "oars.> Alternati!el#/ t&e 1973 Constit%tion co%l &a!e

http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/jul2006/gr_139554_2006.html#fnt28http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/jul2006/gr_139554_2006.html#fnt28http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/jul2006/gr_139554_2006.html#fnt29http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/jul2006/gr_139554_2006.html#fnt30http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/jul2006/gr_139554_2006.html#fnt32http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/jul2006/gr_139554_2006.html#fnt33http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/jul2006/gr_139554_2006.html#fnt29http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/jul2006/gr_139554_2006.html#fnt30http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/jul2006/gr_139554_2006.html#fnt32http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/jul2006/gr_139554_2006.html#fnt33http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/jul2006/gr_139554_2006.html#fnt28


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place t&e wors co((issions an "oars after t&e wor >co%rts> so as to state>(e("ers of t&e Ca"inet/ 2 2 2/ co%rts/ co((issions an "oars.> Instea/ t&e 1973Constit%tion %se >&eas of a$encies/ co((issions/ an "oars.>

o t&e 193M/ 1973/ an 197 Constit%tions (a,e a clear istinction w&ene!er $rantin$ t&e

power to appoint lower?ran,e officers to (e("ers of a colle$ial "o# or to t&e &ea oft&at colle$ial "o#. T&%s/ t&e 193M Constit%tion spea,s of !estin$ t&e power to appoint>!& t7 3"/rts/ or in t&e &eas of epart(ents.> i(ilarl#/ t&e 1973 Constit%tion spea,s

of >55%rs "4 t7 Ca%!&t- 3"/rts/ &eas of a$encies/ co((issions/ an "oars.>o As an &/5rat!"&of offices/ w&at applies to t&e first office in t&e en%(eration also

applies to t&e s%cceein$ offices (entione in t&e en%(eration. ince t&e wors > !& t77ads "4> refer to >epart(ents/> t&e sa(e wors >!& t7 7ads "4> also refer to t&eot&er offices liste in t&e en%(eration/ na(el#/ >a$encies/ co((issions/ or "oars.>

- T&%s/ t&e C&air(an of t&e CC+ -oar is t&e >&ea> of t&e CC+ w&o (a# "e !este "# law/ %ner

ection 16/ Article VII of t&e 197 Constit%tion/ wit& t&e power to appoint lower?ran,e officersof t&e CC+.

- t&e CC+ is a p%"lic corporation $o!erne "# a -oar of Tr%stees. T&e CC+/ "ein$ $o!erne "# a

"oar/ is not an a$enc# "%t a "oar for p%rposes of ection 16/ Article VII of t&e 197Constit%tion.

- ection 6B" an Bc of +0 1M is t&%s irreconcila"l# inconsistent wit& ection 16/ Article VII of

t&e 197 Constit%tion. ection 6B" an Bc of +0 1M e(powers t&e re(ainin$ tr%stees of t&e CC+-oar to fill !acancies in t&e CC+ -oar/ allowin$ t&e( to elect t&eir fellow tr%stees. ;n t&e ot&er

&an/ ection 16/ Article VII of t&e 197 Constit%tion allows 7adsof epart(ents/ a$encies/co((issions/ or "oars to appoint onl# >"44!3rs $"9r !& ra&:> t&an s%c& >&eas ofepart(ents/ a$encies/ co((issions/ or "oars.> T&is e2cl%es a sit%ation w&ere t&e appointin$officer appoints an officer e%al in ran, as &i(. T&%s/ insofar as it a%t&ori'es t&e tr%stees of t&eCC+ -oar to elect t&eir co?tr%stees/ ection 6B" an Bc of +0 1M is %nconstit%tional "eca%se it!iolates ection 16/ Article VII of t&e 197 Constit%tion.

o It oes not (atter t&at ection 6B" of +0 1M e(powers t&e re(ainin$ tr%stees to

>elect> an not >appoint> t&eir fellow tr%stees for t&e effect is t&e sa(e/ w&ic& is to fill!acancies in t&e CC+ -oar. A stat%te cannot circ%(!ent t&e constit%tional li(itations ont&e power to appoint "# fillin$ !acancies in a p%"lic office t&ro%$& election "# t&e co?wor,ers in t&at office. %c& (anner of fillin$ !acancies in a p%"lic office &as noconstit%tional "asis.

- %rt&er/ ection 6B" an Bc of +0 1M (a,es t&e CC+ tr%stees t&e inepenent appointin$ power

of t&eir fellow tr%stees. T&e creation of an inepenent appointin$ power in&erentl# conflicts wit&t&e +resientHs power to appoint. T&is in&erent conflict &as spawne rec%rrin$ contro!ersies in

t&e appoint(ent of CC+ tr%stees e!er# ti(e a new +resient ass%(es office.

POWER O* CONTROL OVER THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH

- T&e presiential power of control o!er t&e E2ec%ti!e "ranc& of $o!ern(ent e2tens to all

e2ec%ti!e e(plo#ees fro( t&e 0epart(ent ecretar# to t&e lowliest cler,.3M T&is constit%tionalpower of t&e +resient is self?e2ec%tin$ an oes not re%ire an# i(ple(entin$ law. Con$resscannot li(it or c%rtail t&e +resientHs power of control o!er t&e E2ec%ti!e "ranc&.36

- T&e CC+ falls %ner t&e E2ec%ti!e "ranc&. ince t&e +resient e2ercises control o!er >all t&e

e2ec%ti!e epart(ents/ "%rea%s/ an offices/> t&e +resient necessaril# e2ercises control o!er t&eCC+ w&ic& is an office in t&e E2ec%ti!e "ranc&. In (anatin$ t&at t&e +resient >s&all &a!econtrol of all execti!e x x x o""ice#/> ection 17/ Article VII of t&e 197 Constit%tion oes note2e(pt an# e2ec%ti!e office S one perfor(in$ e2ec%ti!e f%nctions o%tsie of t&e inepenentconstit%tional "oies S fro( t&e +resientHs power of control. T&ere is no isp%te t&at t&e CC+perfor(s e2ec%ti!e/ an not le$islati!e/ )%icial/ or %asi?)%icial f%nctions.

-T&e 8e$islat%re cannot !alil# enact a law t&at p%ts a $o!ern(ent office in t&e E2ec%ti!e "ranc&o%tsie t&e control of t&e +resient in t&e $%ise of ins%latin$ t&at office fro( politics or (a,in$ itinepenent. If t&e office is part of t&e E2ec%ti!e "ranc&/ it (%st re(ain s%")ect to t&e control oft&e +resient. ;t&erwise/ t&e 8e$islat%re can epri!e t&e +resient of &is constit%tional power ofcontrol o!er >all t&e e2ec%ti!e 2 2 2 offices.> If t&e 8e$islat%re can o t&is wit& t&e E2ec%ti!e"ranc&/ t&en t&e 8e$islat%re can also eal a si(ilar "low to t&e


13/26


197 Constit%tion. T&e intent of ection 6B" an Bc of +0 1M is to ins%late t&e CC+ fro( politicalinfl%ence an press%re/ specificall# fro( t&e +resient.44ection 6B" an Bc of +0 1M (a,es t&eCC+ a self?perpet%atin$ entit#/ !irt%all# o%tsie t&e control of t&e +resient. %c& a p%"lic officeor "oar cannot le$all# e2ist %ner t&e 197 Constit%tion.

TIN,A d!ss&ts

SECTION 1

AN,AN,CO VS. CASTILLOpo#er of control and security of tenure

+epsi sent a letter to t&e ecretar# of Co((erce to re%est for a special per(it to wit&raw pepsi

concentrates fro( t&e c%sto(s &o%se. T&e# were i(porte wit&o%t an# ollar allocation or fore2re(ittance.

T&e# also wrote t&e ecretar# of inance/ t&e Central -an, Go!ernor.

T&e I(port?E2port Co((ittee of t&e C- s%"(itte to t&e =onetar# -oar a (e(oran%( of +epsiDs

letter. T&e =onetar# -oar &owe!er faile to ta,e %p t&e (atter "eca%se t&e transaction i notin!ol!e an# ollar allocation or fore2.

+epsi still &a no a%t&ori'ation to wit&raw t&e concentrates.

o/ +espsi approac&e An$an$co Bt&e Collector of C%sto(s to sec%re t&e i((eiate release of t&e

concentrates. @owe!er/ since t&ere was no C- certificate/ An$an$co tol +epsi to $et one fro( t&e :o?0ollar I(port

;ffice w&o &a )%risiction o!er t&e case. 8ater/ t&e sai ;ffice also sai t&at it was not wit&in t&eir )%risiction.

T&%s/ An$an$co calle %p t&e ecretar# of inance B@ernane' an t&e ecretar# VER-A88

A++R;VE0 T@E RE8EAE ; T@E +E+I +R;0UCT. An$an$co t&%s a%t&ori'e t&e release.

T&e Co((issioner of C%sto(s =ana&an &owe!er orere t&e sei'%re of t&e $oos. =ana&an file a

case a$ainst An$an$co for $ra!e ne$lect of %t#/ pre)%icial to t&e -%rea% of C%sto(s +resient =a$sa#sa# wante an in!esti$ation. An$an$co was s%spene fro( office "%t was

reinstate "# ecretar# of inance @ernane'. =a$sa#sa# ie.. -%t after 3 #ears E2ec%ti!e ecretar# Castillo "# a%t&orit# of now +resient Garcia/

renere a ecision finin$ An$an$co GUI8T an C;:I0ERE0 REIG:E0. An$an$co assails t&is ecision an ar$%es t&at it epri!es &i( of &is office wit&o%t %e process.

Castillo &owe!er clai(s t&at t&e +resient &as t&e power of control o!er officers an e(plo#ees in t&e

e2ec%ti!e epart(ent.

IUE &et&er t&e +resient &as t&e power to ta,e irect action e!en if An$an$co "elon$s to t&eclassifie ser!ice %ner Ci!il er!ice Act of 19M9

C An$an$co was epri!e of %e processJJ

;fficers in t&e C8AIIE0 CIVI8 ERVICE co(es wit&in t&e EXC8UIVE


14/26


@ere/ t&e RE=;VA8 ; A: ;ICER BAn$an$co cannot "e sai to co(e wit&in t&e (eanin$ of C;:TR;8;VER A +ECIIC +;8IC ; G;VER:=E:T.

T&e power of control of t&e +resient (a# inee e2ten to t&e power to in!esti$ate/ s%spen or re(o!eofficers w&o "elon$ to t&e e2ec%ti!e/ %ner t&e principle t&at t&e power to re(o!e is in&erent in t&epower to appoint. @owe!er t&is applies onl# if t&e# are presiential appointees or o not "elon$ to t&e

classifie ser!ice.As to t&ose officers w&o "elon$ to t&e classifie ser!ice t&at power cannot "e e2ercise.

T&e action of t&e E2ec%ti!e ecretar#/ wit&o%t s%"(ittin$ t&e case to t&e Co((issioner of Ci!il er!ice/ iscontrar# to law.

An$an$co reinstate.

VILLALUZ VS. ZALDIVARpower to re(o!e appointee

Villal%' was t&e =otor Ve&icles ;ffice A(instrator. @e was re(o!e on alle$ations of $raft an

corr%ption. In a letter to t&e +resient/ Con$ress(an


15/26


:a(arco clai(s t&at t&e wor *;ICE s&o%l refer onl# to offices perfor(in$ $o!ern(ental

f%nctions/ t&ose wit&o%t separate )%riical personalit#. :a(arco clai(s t&at G;CCDs li,e :a(arco/s&o%l not "e incl%e in t&e ter( *;ffices

:a(arco f%rt&er clai(s t&at t&e :a(arco C&arter $rants onl# t&e General =ana$er an t&e -oar of

0irectors t&e power to re(o!e e(plo#ees.

IUE &et&er t&e +resient &as t&e power to re!iew t&e ecisions of G;CCs5

C E.

e &ol t&at t&e +resient &as t&e a%t&orit# to re!iew an re!erse t&e ecision of :a(arco. It falls wit&int&e constit%tional power of t&e +resient o!er all e2ec%ti!e epart(ents/ "%rea%s an offices.

A G;CC s%c& as :a(arco/ parta,es t&e nat%re of $o!ern(ent "%rea% or office/ w&ic& are a(inistrati!el#s%per!ise "# t&e A(inistrator of t&e ;ffice of Econo(ic Coorination/ w&ose ran, is e%i!alent to a&ea of an E2ec%ti!e 0epart(ent/ an is responsi"le to t&e +resient %ner w&ose control &is f%nctionss&all "e e2ercise.

T&e ri$&t to appeal to t&e +resient reposes %pon t&e +resient t&e power of control o!er e2ec%ti!eepart(ents. Uner t&e +REI0E:TIA8 TE= ; G;VER:=E:T/ all all e&ecuti!e and administrati!eorgani2ation are ad5uncts of the %&ecuti!e Department. The heads of the !arious e&ecuti!e departments

are agents of the Chief %&ecuti!e.

;rer of Reinstate(ent VA8I0.

SECTION 18

LANSAN, vs. ,ARCIAs%spension of pri!ile$e of writ

T&ere was t&is +la'a =irana -o("in$ on A%$%st 1 1979. T&e 8i"eral +art# was &a!in$ a ca(pai$n

for t&e elections. +resient =arcos iss%e +rocla(ation 9 s%spenin$ t&e pri!ile$e of writ of &a"eascorp%s.

8ansan$ et al were arreste wit&o%t a warrant/ on reasona"le "elief t&at t&e# &a participate in t&e

cri(e of ins%rrection or re"ellion. T&e# now file t&is petition for writ of &a"eas corp%s an assail t&e !aliit# of +rocla(ation 9.

Garcia/ t&e &ea of t&e +C/ clai(s t&at t&eir contin%e s%spension is !ali %e to t&e s%spension of

t&e pri!ile$e/ an "eca%se t&ere was a state of ins%rrection or re"ellion in t&is co%ntr#.

IUE ince t&e a%t&orit# to ecie w&et&er an e2i$enc# &as arisen re%irin$ t&e s%spension of t&epri!ile$e "elon$s to t&e +resient/ oes t&e Co%rt &a!e t&e power to re!iew t&is ecision5C E. T&e Co%rt &as a%t&orit# to in%ire into t&e e2istence of t&e fact%al "ases for t&e s%spension oft&e pri!ile$e.

IUE +etitioners clai( t&at +rocla(ation 9 ne!er eclare t&e e2istence of *act%al in!asionins%rrection or re"ellion/ nor i((eiate an$er t&ereof. T&e# clai( t&at t&ere was no fact%al "asis for t&e+rocla(ation.

C T&is &as "een renere =;;T "eca%se a s%"se%ent +rocla(ation 9?A was iss%e statin$ t&att&ere were *lawless ele(ents w&o &a!e entere into a conspirac#N. An are act%all# en$a$e in ar(eins%rrection an re"ellionN. In orer to sei'e powerN @ence/ t&ere was a eclaration of t&e e2istence ofact%al conspirac# an of t&e intent to rise in ar(s.

IUE Is t&e +rocla(ation concl%si!e %pon t&e co%rts5C :;.Two conitions (%st occ%r for t&e !ali e2ercise of a%t&orit# to s%spen t&e pri!ile$e of writ of &a"eascorp%s.

1 in!asion/ ins%rrection/ re"ellion/ p%"lic safet# re%ires s%c& s%spension.



16/26


In t&is case/ "ot& are eclare in t&e +rocla(ation/ &owe!er t&e Co%rt still &as t&e a%t&orit# to in%ireinto t&e e2istence of t&e fact%al "ases in orer to eter(ine t&e constit%tionalit# t&ereof.

T&e $rant of t&e power to s%spen t&e pri!ile$e is neit&er a"sol%te nor %n%alifie. T&e a%t&orit# is li(itean conitional. T&e a%t&orit# to s%spen t&e pri!ile$e is t&%s circ%(scri"e/ confine an restricte notonl# "# t&e +RECRI-E0 ETTI:G or t&e C;:0ITI;: essential to its e2istence/ "%t also as re$ars t&e

TI=E A:0 +8ACE w&ere it (a# "e e2ercise.

IUE Is t&e +rocla(ation !ali5 0oes it &a!e "asis.C E.T&ere e2ists a re"ellion e!en if t&e :+A is too s(all co(pare to t&e A+. i'e oes not (atter. It oes notne$ate t&e e2istence of re"ellion. Re"ellion nee not "e wiesprea or attain t&e (a$nit%e of a ci!il war.T&e cri(e of re"ellion (a# "e li(ite in its scope to an# part in t&e +&ilippines. In s&ort/ t&ere wasre"ellion.

If t&e co%rts no lon$er f%nctione/ t&en s%spension wo%l not "e necessar#/ t&ere "ein$ no co%rts to iss%et&e writ. BIn s&ort/ e!en if t&ere are nor(al operations of t&e co%rts/ t&is oes not inicate t&at t&e+rocla(ation was in!ali.

IUE Can t&e +resient s%spen t&e pri!ile$e in t&e entire co%ntr#5C E &e can.@e neee so(e ti(e to fin o%t &ow t&e s%spension wor,s/ so &e ca%se t&e s%spension to "e $ra%all#lifte in so(e pro!inces t&ereafter.

:ote t&at t&e +resient co%l &a!e eclare a $eneral s%spension of t&e pri!ile$e.Instea/ +rocla(ation 9 li(ite t&e s%spension to persons etaine for cri(es of ins%rrection anre"ellion onl#. +?9?A f%rt&er li(ite t&e co!era$e.

Uner t&e Constit%ion/ t&e +resient &a 3 options1 to call o%t t&e Ar(e orces to s%spen t&e pri!ile$e of writ of &a"eas corp%s3 to place t&e +&ilippines Bentirel# or partl# %ner (artial law.

=arcos alrea# calle o%t t&e ar(e forces "%t was inae%ate. @ence &e c&ose t&e s%spen t&epri!ile$e.

+0 9 VA8I0J

ABERCA VS. VER

Ille$al searc&es an sei'%res an ot&er &%(an ri$&ts !iolations were alle$e to &a!e "een co((itte

"# t&e Tas, orce =a,a"ansa of t&e A+. General a"ian Ver orere t&e pre?e(pti!e stri,es a$ainstco((%nist terrorists.

T&e !icti(s now file an action for a(a$es.

T&e A+ $enerals file t&eir =T0 on t&e $ro%n t&at )%icial action is "arre since t&e s%spension of

t&e pri!ile$e of writ of &a"eas corp%s precl%e )%icial in%ir# into t&e le$alit# of t&e etention. RTC $rante t&e =T0.

+etitioners appeale clai(in$ t&at Art 3 of t&e Ci!il Coe entitles t&e( to a(a$es.

Responents &owe!er insist t&at t&e# are co!ere "# t&e (antle of state i((%nit# for acts one in

t&e perfor(ance of official %ties. T&e# rel# on +rocla(ation M4/ t&at as (e("ers of t&e A+/ t&e#

were (erel# pre!entin$ or s%ppressin$ lawless !iolence/ re"ellion/ s%"!ersion. T&e# f%rt&er conten t&at t&e !icti(s are circ%(!entin$ t&e s%spension "# resortin$ to a ci!il s%it

ai(e at t&e sa(e p%rpose of (a,in$ )%icial in%ir# into t&e le$alit# of t&eir etention5

IUE 0oes t&e s%spension of t&e pri!ile$e "ar a ci!il case5 Are t&e# i((%ne5

CT&e# are :;T I==U:E0 R;= UIT. T&e +rocla(ation cannot "e a "lan,et license or a ro!in$ co((ission%ntra((ele "# an# constit%tional restraint/ to isre$ar or trans$ress %pon t&e ri$&ts an li"erties ofini!i%als.



17/26


T&e (ain relief t&e# are as,in$ is ine(nification for alle$e a(a$es t&e# s%ffere. T&eir ca%se of actionis ine2trica"l# lin,e on t&e sa(e clai( of !iolations of t&eir constit%tional ri$&ts t&at t&e# in!o,e in t&e&a"eas corp%s case.

T&e s%spension of t&e pri!ile$e oes not estro# t&e petitionersD ri$&t an ca%se of action for a(a$es forille$al arrest an etention an ot&er !iolations of t&eir consti ri$&ts. T&e U+E:I;: 0;E :;TRE:0ER VA8I0 A: ;T@ERIE I:VA8I0 ARRET ;R 0ETE:TI;:. 7hat is suspended is merely the right

of the indi!idual to see* release from detention through the #rit of habeas corpus as a speedier means ofobtaining his liberty.

%ffect of the uspension+ the court may not grant release of the persons detained but they court maya#ard damages.

Dav!d vs. Arr"0"

acts;n e"r%ar# 4/ 6/ as t&e nation cele"rate t&e t& Anni!ersar# of t&e%dsa 'eople 'o#er I/+resient Arro#o iss%e ++ 117 eclarin$ a state of national e(er$enc#.

*an in (# capacit# as t&eir Co((aner?in?C&ief/ d" 7r%0 3"55a&d t7 Ar5d *"r3s "4 t7P7!$!;;!&s- t" 5a!&ta!& $a9 a&d "rdr t7r"/7"/t t7 P7!$!;;!&s- ;rv&t "r s/;;rss a$$4"r5s "4 $a9$ss v!"$&3 as 9$$ as a&0 a3t "4 !&s/rr3t!"& "r r%$$!"& a&d t" &4"r3

"%d!&3 t" a$$ t7 $a9s a&d t" a$$ d3rs- "rdrs a&d r/$at!"&s ;r"5/$atd %0 5;rs"&a$$0 "r /;"& 50 d!r3t!"&L an as ;r"v!dd !& S3t!"& 1- Art!3$ 1 "4 t7 C"&st!t/t!"& d"7r%0 d3$ar a Stat "4 Nat!"&a$ E5r&30.

;n =arc& 3/ 6/ e2actl# one wee, after t&e eclaration of a state of national e(er$enc# an after allt&ese petitions &a "een file/ t&e +resient lifte ++ 117. &e iss%e +rocla(ation :o. 11.In t&eir presentation of t&e fact%al "ases of ++ 117 an G.;. :o. M/ responents state t&at t&epro2i(ate ca%se "e&in t&e e2ec%ti!e iss%ances was t&e conspirac# a(on$ so(e (ilitar# officers/ leftistins%r$ents of t&e :ew +eopleDs Ar(# B:+A/ an so(e (e("ers of t&e political opposition in a plot to%nseat or assassinate +resient Arro#o.4T&e# consiere t&e ai( to o%st or assassinate t&e +resient anta,e?o!er t&e rei$ns of $o!ern(ent as a clear an present an$er.

0%rin$ t&e oral ar$%(ents &el on =arc& 7/ 6/ t&e olicitor General specifie t&e facts leain$ to t&eiss%ance of ++ 117 an G.;. :o. M. S!&!4!3a&t$0- t7r 9as &" r4/tat!"& 4r"5 ;t!t!"&rs3"/&s$s.

SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES(

1> &et&er t&e %pre(e Co%rt can re!iew t&e fact%al "ases of ++ 117.

As to &ow t&e Co%rt (a# in%ire into t&e +resientDs e2ercise of power/ Lansang aopte t&e test t&at>)%icial in%ir# can go no furthert&an to satisf# t&e Co%rt not t&at t&e +resientDs ecision is correct,> "%tt&at >t&e +resient i not act arbitrarily.> T&%s/ t&e stanar lai own is not correctness/ "%tar"itrariness.3In Integrated ar of the 'hilippines/ t&is Co%rt f%rt&er r%le t&at >!t !s !&3/5%&t /;"&t7 ;t!t!"&r t" s7"9 t7at t7 Prs!d&ts d3!s!"& !s t"ta$$0 %r4t "4 4a3t/a$ %as!s > an t&at if&e fails/ "# wa# of proof/ to s%pport &is assertion/ t&en >t7!s C"/rt 3a&&"t /&drta: a& !&d;&d&t!&vst!at!"& %0"&d t7 ;$ad!&s.>

+etitioners faile to s&ow t&at +resient Arro#oDs e2ercise of t&e callin$?o%t power/ "# iss%in$ ++ 117/ istotall# "ereft of fact%al "asis. A reain$ of t&e olicitor GeneralDs Consoliate Co((ent an=e(oran%( s&ows a etaile narration of t&e e!ents leain$ to t&e iss%ance of ++ 117/ wit& s%pportin$reports for(in$ part of t&e recors. =entione are t&e escape of t&e =a$alo Gro%p/ t&eir a%acio%st&reat of t&e Magdalo D8Day/ t&e efections in t&e (ilitar#/ partic%larl# in t&e +&ilippine =arines/ an t&erepro!in$ state(ents fro( t&e co((%nist leaers. T&ere was also t&e =in%tes of t&e Intelli$ence Reportan ec%rit# Gro%p of t&e +&ilippine Ar(# s&owin$ t&e $rowin$ alliance "etween t&e :+A an t&e (ilitar#.+etitioners presente not&in$ to ref%te s%c& e!ents. T&%s/ a"sent an# contrar# alle$ations/ t&e Co%rt iscon!ince t&at t&e +resient was )%stifie in iss%in$ ++ 117 callin$ for (ilitar# ai.

Inee/ )%$in$ t&e serio%sness of t&e incients/ +resient Arro#o was not e2pecte to si(pl# fol &erar(s an o not&in$ to pre!ent or s%ppress w&at s&e "elie!e was lawless !iolence/ in!asion or re"ellion.@owe!er/ t&e e2ercise of s%c& power or %t# (%st not stifle li"ert#.

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18/26


> &et&er ++ 117 an G.;. :o. M are %nconstit%tional.

a.acial C&allen$e

A facial re!iew of ++ 117/ %sin$ t&e o!er"reat& octrine/ is %ncalle for.

First and foremost/ t&e o!er"reat& octrine is an anal#tical tool e!elope for testin$ >on t&eir faces>stat%tes in 4r s;37 3ass- also ,nown %ner t&e A(erican 8aw as irst A(en(ent cases.13

A plain reain$ of ++ 117 s&ows t&at it is not pri(aril# irecte to speec& or e!en speec&?relatecon%ct. It is act%all# a call %pon t&e A+ to pre!ent or s%ppress all for(s of $a9$ssv!"$&3.In Unitedtates !. alerno/14 t&e U %pre(e Co%rt &el t&at >9 7av &"t r3"&!Fd a& G"vr%radt7d"3tr!& "/ts!d t7 $!5!td 3"&tt "4 t7 *!rst A5&d5&t =4rd"5 "4 s;37>.

econd,facial in!aliation of laws is consiere as >5a&!4st$0 str"& 5d!3!&/> to "e %se >s;ar!&$0a&d "&$0 as a $ast rs"rt/> an is >&ra$$0 d!s4av"rdL>17T&e reason for t&is is o"!io%s. E("eein t&e traitional r%les $o!ernin$ constit%tional a)%ication is t&e principle t&at a person to w&o( a law(a# "e applie will not "e &ear to c&allen$e a law on t&e $ro%n t&at it (a# concei!a"l# "e applie%nconstit%tionall# to ot&ers/ i.e./ !& "t7r s!t/at!"&s &"t %4"r t7 C"/rt.

An third, a facial c&allen$e on t&e $ro%n of o!er"reat& is t&e (ost iffic%lt c&allen$e to (o%nts%ccessf%ll#/ since t&e c&allen$er (%st esta"lis& t&at t7r 3a& % &" !&sta&3 97& t7 assa!$d $a95a0 % va$!d. @ere/ petitioners i not e!en atte(pt to s&ow w&et&er t&is sit%ation e2ists.

+etitioners li,ewise see, a facial re!iew of ++ 117 on t&e $ro%n of !a$%eness. T&is/ too/ is %nwarrante.

Relate to t&e >o!er"reat&> octrine is t&e >!oi for !a$%eness octrine> w&ic& &ols t&at >a $a9 !s4a3!a$$0 !&va$!d !4 5& "4 3"55"& !&t$$!&3 5/st &3ssar!$0 /ss at !ts 5a&!& a&d d!44ras t" !ts a;;$!3at!"&.>11It is s%")ect to t&e sa(e principles $o!ernin$ o!er"reat& octrine. or one/ it isalso an anal#tical tool for testin$ >on t&eir faces> stat/ts !& 4r s;37 3ass. An li,e o!er"reat&/ itis sai t&at a liti$ant (a# c&allen$e a stat%te on its face onl# if it is va/ !& a$$ !ts ;"ss!%$a;;$!3at!"&s. Aa!&- ;t!t!"&rs d!d &"t v& att5;t t" s7"9 t7at PP 121 !s va/ !& a$$ !tsa;;$!3at!"&. T&e# also faile to esta"lis& t&at (en of co((on intelli$ence cannot %nerstan t&e(eanin$ an application of ++ 117.

%. Constit%tional -asis

$i%#t &%o!i#ion'

>"# !irt%e of t&e power !este %pon (e "# ection 1/ Artilce VII N o &ere"# co((an t&e Ar(eorces of t&e +&ilippines/ to (aintain law an orer t&ro%$&o%t t&e +&ilippines/ pre!ent or s%ppress allfor(s of lawless !iolence as well an# act of ins%rrection or re"ellion>

Uner t&e callin$?o%t power/ t&e +resient (a# s%((on t&e ar(e forces to ai &i( in s%ppressin$$a9$ss v!"$&3- !&vas!"& a&d r%$$!"&. T&is in!ol!es orinar# police action. -%t e!er# act t&at $oes"e#on t&e +resientDs callin$?o%t power is consiere ille$al orultra !ires. or t&is reason/ a +resient(%st "e caref%l in t&e e2ercise of &is powers. @e cannot in!o,e a $reater power w&en &e wis&es to act%ner a lesser power. T&ere lies t&e wiso( of o%r Constit%tion/ t&e $reater t&e power/ t&e $reater are t&eli(itations.

o(e of t&e petitioners !e&e(entl# (aintain t&at ++ 117 is act%all# a eclaration of =artial 8aw. It is noso. &at efines t&e c&aracter of ++ 117 are its worin$s. It is plain t&erein t&at w&at t&e +resientin!o,e was &er callin$?o%t power.

Secon( P%o!i#ion' )Ta*e Ca%e) Po+e%

T&e secon pro!ision pertains to t&e power of t&e +resient to ens%re t&at t&e laws "e fait&f%ll# e2ec%te.T&is is "ase on ection 17/ Article VII w&ic& reas

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19/26


SEC. 1. T&e +resient s&all &a!e control of all t&e e2ec%ti!e epart(ents/ "%rea%s/ an offices. H s7a$$&s/r t7at t7 $a9s % 4a!t74/$$0 3/td.

As t&e E2ec%ti!e in w&o( t&e e2ec%ti!e power is !este/11Mt&e pri(ar# f%nction of t&e +resient is toenforce t&e laws as well as to for(%late policies to "e e("oie in e2istin$ laws. @e sees to it t&at all lawsare enforce "# t&e officials an e(plo#ees of &is epart(ent. -efore ass%(in$ office/ &e is re%ire to

ta,e an oat& or affir(ation to t&e effect t&at as +resient of t&e +&ilippines/ &e will/ a(on$ ot&ers/>e2ec%te its laws.>116In t&e e2ercise of s%c& f%nction/ t&e +resient/ if neee/ (a# e(plo# t&e powersattac&e to &is office as t&e Co((aner?in?C&ief of all t&e ar(e forces of t&e co%ntr#/117 incl%in$ t&e+&ilippine :ational +olice11%ner t&e 0epart(ent of Interior an 8ocal Go!ern(ent.119

T7!s C"/rt r/$s t7at t7 assa!$d PP 121 !s /&3"&st!t/t!"&a$ !&s"4ar as !t ra&ts Prs!d&tArr"0" t7 a/t7"r!t0 t" ;r"5/$at d3rs.8e$islati!e power is pec%liarl# wit&in t&e pro!ince oft&e 8e$islat%re. ection 1/ Article VI cate$oricall# states t&at >tJ7 $!s$at!v ;"9r s7a$$ % vstd!& t7 C"&rss "4 t7 P7!$!;;!&s 97!37 s7a$$ 3"&s!st "4 a S&at a&d a H"/s "4R;rs&tat!vs .> To "e s%re/ neit&er =artial 8aw nor a state of re"ellion nor a state of e(er$enc# can

)%stif# +resient Arro#oDs e2ercise of le$islati!e power "# iss%in$ ecrees.

Can 'resident $rroyo enforce obedience to all decrees and la#s through the military5

As t&is Co%rt state earlier/ +resient Arro#o &as no a%t&orit# to enact ecrees. It follows t&at t&ese

ecrees are !oi an/ t&erefore/ cannot "e enforce. it& respect to >laws/> s&e cannot call t&e (ilitar# toenforce or i(ple(ent certain laws/ s%c& as c%sto(s laws/ laws $o!ernin$ fa(il# an propert# relations/laws on o"li$ations an contracts an t&e li,e. &e can onl# orer t&e (ilitar#/ %ner ++ 117/ to enforcelaws pertinent to its %t# t" s/;;rss $a9$ss v!"$&3.

T&e pertinent pro!ision of ++ 117 states

2 2 2 an to enforce o"eience to all t&e laws an to all ecrees/ orers/ an re$%lations pro(%l$ate "#(e personall# or %pon (# irectionL a&d as ;r"v!dd !& S3t!"& 1- Art!3$ XII "4 t7 C"&st!t/t!"&d" 7r%0 d3$ar a stat "4 &at!"&a$ 5r&30.

T&e i(port of t&is pro!ision is t&at +resient Arro#o/ %rin$ t&e state of national e(er$enc# %ner ++117/ can call t&e (ilitar# not onl# to enforce o"eience >to all t&e laws an to all ecrees 2 2 2> "%t alsoto act p%rs%ant to t&e pro!ision of ection 17/ Article XII w&ic& reas

S3. 1. In ti(es of national e(er$enc#/ w&en t&e p%"lic interest so re%ires/ t&e tate (a#/ %rin$ t&ee(er$enc# an %ner reasona"le ter(s prescri"e "# it/ te(poraril# ta,e o!er or irect t&e operation ofan# pri!atel#?owne p%"lic %tilit# or "%siness affecte wit& p%"lic interest.

7hat could be the reason of 'resident $rroyo in in!o*ing the abo!e pro!ision #hen she issued '' 69:

T&e answer is si(ple. 0%rin$ t&e e2istence of t&e state of national e(er$enc#/ ++ 117 p%rports to $rantt&e +resient/ wit&o%t an# a%t&orit# or ele$ation fro( Con$ress/ to ta,e o!er or irect t&e operation ofan# pri!atel#?owne p%"lic %tilit# or "%siness affecte wit& p%"lic interest.

,&ra$$0- C"&rss !s t7 r;"s!t"r0 "4 5r&30 ;"9rs. T&is is e!ient in t&e tenor of ection3 B/ Article VI a%t&ori'in$ it to ele$ate s%c& powers to t&e +resient. Crta!&$0- a %"d0 3a&&"td$at a ;"9r &"t r;"sd /;"& !t.@owe!er/ ,nowin$ t&at %rin$ $ra!e e(er$encies/ it (a# not

"e possi"le or practica"le for Con$ress to (eet an e2ercise its powers/ t&e ra(ers of o%r Constit%tionee(e it wise to allow Con$ress to $rant e(er$enc# powers to t&e +resient/ s%")ect to certainconitions/ t&%s

=1>T&ere (%st "e a 9aror "t7r 5r&30.

=>T&e ele$ation (%st "e for a $!5!td ;r!"d "&$0.

=#>T&e ele$ation (%st "e s/%63t t" s/37 rstr!3t!"&s as t7 C"&rss 5a0 ;rs3r!%.

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20/26


=K>T&e e(er$enc# powers (%st "e e2ercise to 3arr0 "/t a &at!"&a$ ;"$!30eclare "# Con$ress.

T&e point is/ %ner t&is fra(ewor, of $o!ern(ent/ le$islation is preser!e for Con$ress all t&e ti(e/ note2ceptin$ perios of crisis no (atter &ow serio%s. :e!er in t&e &istor# of t&e Unite tates/ t&e "asicfeat%res of w&ose Constit%tion &a!e "een copie in o%rs/ &a!e specific f%nctions of t&e le$islati!e "ranc&of enactin$ laws "een s%rrenere to anot&er epart(ent K %nless we re$ar as le$islatin$ t&e carr#in$

o%t of a le$islati!e polic# accorin$ to prescri"e stanarsL no/ not e!en w&en t&at Rep%"lic was fi$&tin$a total war/ or w&en it was en$a$e in a life?an?eat& str%$$le to preser!e t&e Union. T&e tr%t& is t&at%ner o%r concept of constit%tional $o!ern(ent/ in ti(es of e2tre(e perils (ore t&an in nor(alcirc%(stances t&e !ario%s "ranc&es/ e2ec%ti!e/ le$islati!e/ an )%icial/D $i!en t&e a"ilit# to act/ are calle%pon to perfor( t&e %ties an isc&ar$e t&e responsi"ilities co((itte to t&e( respecti!el#.>

ollowin$ o%r interpretation of ection 17/ Article XII/ in!o,e "# +resient Arro#o in iss%in$ ++ 117/ t&isCo%rt r%les t&at s%c& +rocla(ation oes not a%t&ori'e &er %rin$ t&e e(er$enc# to te(poraril# ta,e o!eror irect t&e operation of an# pri!atel# owne p%"lic %tilit# or "%siness affecte wit& p%"lic interestwit&o%t a%t&orit# fro( Con$ress.

8et it "e e(p&asi'e t&at w&ile t&e +resient alone can eclare a state of national e(er$enc#/ &owe!er/wit&o%t le$islation/ &e &as no power to ta,e o!er pri!atel#?owne p%"lic %tilit# or "%siness affecte wit&p%"lic interest. T&e +resient cannot ecie w&et&er e2ceptional circ%(stances e2ist warrantin$ t&e ta,eo!er of pri!atel#?owne p%"lic %tilit# or "%siness affecte wit& p%"lic interest. :or can &e eter(ine w&en

s%c& e2ceptional circ%(stances &a!e cease. 8i,ewise/ 9!t7"/t $!s$at!"&, t&e +resient &as no powerto point o%t t&e t#pes of "%sinesses affecte wit& p%"lic interest t&at s&o%l "e ta,en o!er. In s&ort/ t&e+resient &as no a"sol%te a%t&orit# to e2ercise all t&e powers of t&e tate %ner ection 17/ Article VII int&e a"sence of an e(er$enc# powers act passe "# Con$ress.

3. As Applie C&allen$e

;ne of t&e (isfort%nes of an e(er$enc#/ partic%larl#/ t&at w&ic& pertains to sec%rit#/ is t&at (ilitar#necessit# an t&e $%arantee ri$&ts of t&e ini!i%al are often not co(pati"le. ;%r &istor# re!eals t&at int&e cr%ci"le of conflict/ (an# ri$&ts are c%rtaile an tra(ple %pon. @ere/ t&e r!7t aa!&st/&ras"&a%$ sar37 a&d s!F/r t7 r!7t aa!&st 9arra&t$ss arrst an t7 4rd"5 "4s;37- "4 ;rss!"&- "4 t7 ;rss- a&d "4 ass5%$0 %ner t&e -ill of Ri$&ts s%ffere t&e $reatest"low.

Can this Court ad5udge as unconstitutional '' 69 and 0.(. ;o < on the basis of these illegal acts: In$eneral/ does the illegal implementation of a la# render it unconstitutional:

ettle is t&e r%le t&at co%rts are not at li"ert# to eclare stat%tes in!ali a$t7"/7 t70 5a0 % a%/sda&d 5!sa%/sd13Man 5a0 a44"rd a& ";;"rt/&!t0 4"r a%/s !& t7 5a&&r "4 a;;$!3at!"& .136T&e!aliit# of a stat%te or orinance is to "e eter(ine fro( its $eneral p%rpose an its efficienc# toacco(plis& t&e en esire/ &"t 4r"5 !ts 443ts !& a ;art!3/$ar 3as.137 ++ 117 is (erel# anin!ocation of t&e +resientDs callin$?o%t power. Its $eneral p%rpose is to co((an t&e A+ to s%ppress allfor(s of lawless !iolence/ in!asion or re"ellion. It &a acco(plis&e t&e en esire w&ic& pro(pte+resient Arro#o to iss%e ++ 11. -%t t&ere is not&in$ in ++ 117 allowin$ t&e police/ e2pressl# ori(pliel#/ to con%ct ille$al arrest/ searc& or !iolate t&e citi'ensD constit%tional ri$&ts.

:ow/ (a# t&is Co%rt a)%$e a law or orinance %nconstit%tional on t&e $ro%n t&at its i(ple(entorco((itte ille$al acts5 T&e answer is no. T&e criterion "# w&ic& t&e !aliit# of t&e stat%te or orinance isto "e (eas%re is t&e essential "asis for t&e e2ercise of power/ a&d &"t a 5r !&3!d&ta$ rs/$t

ar!s!& 4r"5 !ts rt!"&.

13

T&is is lo$ical.


21/26


In s%(/ t&e liftin$ of ++ 117 t&ro%$& t&e iss%ance of ++ 11 K a s%per!enin$ e!ent K wo%l &a!enor(all# renere t&is case (oot an acae(ic. @owe!er/ w&ile ++ 117 was still operati!e/ ille$al actswere co((itte alle$el# in p%rs%ance t&ereof. -esies/ t&ere is no $%arantee t&at ++ 117/ or onesi(ilar to it/ (a# not a$ain "e iss%e. Alrea#/ t&ere &a!e "een (eia reports on April 3/ 6 t&atalle$el# ++ 117 wo%l "e rei(pose >if t&e =a# 1 rallies> "eco(e >%nr%l# an !iolent.> Conse%entl#/t&e transcenental iss%es raise "# t&e parties s&o%l not "e >e!aeL> t&e# (%st now "e resol!e topre!ent f%t%re constit%tional a"erration.

T&e Co%rt fins an so &ols t&at ++ 117 is constit%tional insofar as it constit%tes a call "# t&e +resientfor t&e A+ to pre!ent or s%ppress $a9$ss v!"$&3.T&e procla(ation is s%staine "# ection 1/ ArticleVII of t&e Constit%tion an t&e rele!ant )%rispr%ence isc%sse earlier. @owe!er/ ++ 117Ds e2traneo%spro!isions $i!in$ t&e +resient e2press or i(plie power B1 to iss%e ecreesL B to irect t&e A+ toenforce o"eience to a$$ $a9se!en t&ose not relate to lawless !iolence as well as ecrees pro(%l$ate"# t&e +resientL an B3 to i(pose stanars on (eia or an# for( of prior restraint on t&e press/ areultra !ires an /&3"&st!t/t!"&a$. T&e Co%rt also r%les t&at %ner ection 17/ Article XII of t&eConstit%tion/ t&e +resient/ in t&e a"sence of a le$islation/ cannot ta,e o!er pri!atel#?owne p%"lic %tilit#an pri!ate "%siness affecte wit& p%"lic interest.

In t&e sa(e !ein/ t&e Co%rt fins G.;. :o. M !ali. It is an ;rer iss%e "# t&e +resient K actin$ asCo((aner?in?C&ief K aresse to s%"alterns in t&e A+ to carr# o%t t&e pro!isions of ++ 117.i$nificantl#/ it also pro!ies a !ali stanar K t&at t&e (ilitar# an t&e police s&o%l ta,e onl# t&e>&3ssar0 a&d a;;r";r!at a3t!"&s a&d 5as/rs t" s/;;rss a&d ;rv&t a3ts "4 $a9$ssv!"$&3.>-%t t&e wors >a3ts "4 trr"r!s5> fo%n in G.;. :o. M &a!e not "een le$all# efine an (aep%nis&a"le "# Con$ress an s&o%l t&%s "e ee(e elete fro( t&e sai G.;. &ile >terroris(> &as "eeneno%nce $enerall# in (eia/ no law &as "een enacte to $%ie t&e (ilitar#/ an e!ent%all# t&e co%rts/to eter(ine t&e li(its of t&e A+Ds a%t&orit# in carr#in$ o%t t&is portion of G.;. :o. M.

;n t&e "asis of t&e rele!ant an %nconteste facts narrate earlier/ it is also pristine clear t&at B1 t&ewarrantless arrest of petitioners Ranolf . 0a!i an Ronal 8la(asL B t&e ispersal of t&e rallies anwarrantless arrest of t&e =U an :A8U?=U (e("ersL B3 t&e i(position of stanars on (eia or an#prior restraint on t&e pressL an B4 t&e warrantless searc& of t&e Tribune offices an t&e w&i(sicalsei'%res of so(e articles for p%"lication an ot&er (aterials/ are not a%t&ori'e "# t&e Constit%tion/ t&elaw an )%rispr%ence. :ot e!en "# t&e !ali pro!isions of ++ 117 an G.;. :o. M.

;t&er t&an t&is eclaration of in!aliit#/ t&is Co%rt cannot i(pose an# ci!il/ cri(inal or a(inistrati!esanctions on t&e ini!i%al police officers concerne. T&e# &a!e not "een ini!i%all# ientifie an $i!en

t&eir a# in co%rt. T&e ci!il co(plaints or ca%ses of action anFor rele!ant cri(inal Infor(ations &a!e not"een presente "efore t&is Co%rt. Ele(entar# %e process "ars t&is Co%rt fro( (a,in$ an# specificprono%nce(ent of ci!il/ cri(inal or a(inistrati!e lia"ilities.

It is 9$$ t" r55%r t7at 5!$!tar0 ;"9r !s a 5a&s t" a& &d a&d s/%sta&t!v 3!v!$ r!7ts ar&ds !& t75s$vs. H"9 t" !v t7 5!$!tar0 t7 ;"9r !t &ds t" ;r"t3t t7 R;/%$!3 9!t7"/t/&&3ssar!$0 tra5;$!& !&d!v!d/a$ r!7ts !s "& "4 t7 tr&a$ %a$a&3!& tas:s "4 a d5"3rat!3

stat.0%rin$ e(er$enc#/ $o!ern(ental action (a# !ar# in "reat& an intensit# fro( nor(al ti(es/ #ett&e# s&o%l not "e ar"itrar# as to %n%l# restrain o%r peopleDs li"ert#.

+er&aps/ t&e !ital lesson t&at we (%st learn fro( t&e t&eorists w&o st%ie t&e !ario%s co(petin$ politicalp&ilosop&ies is t&at/ it is possi"le to $rant $o!ern(ent t&e a%t&orit# to cope wit& crises wit&o%ts%rrenerin$ t&e two !ital principles of constit%tionalis( t7 5a!&t&a&3 "4 $a$ $!5!ts t" ar%!trar0;"9r/ an ;"$!t!3a$ rs;"&s!%!$!t0 "4 t7 "vr&5&t t" t7 "vr&d.1M

WHERE*ORE/ t&e +etitions are partl# $rante. T&e Co%rt r%les t&at ++ 117 is CONSTITUTIONALinsofar as it constit%tes a call "# +resient Gloria =acapa$al?Arro#o on t&e A+ t" ;rv&t "r s/;;rss$a9$ss v!"$&3. @owe!er/ t&e pro!isions of ++ 117 co((anin$ t&e A+ to enforce laws not relate tolawless !iolence/ as well as ecrees pro(%l$ate "# t&e +resient/ are eclare UNCONSTITUTIONAL .In aition/ t&e pro!ision in ++ 117 eclarin$ national e(er$enc# %ner ection 17/ Article VII of t&eConstit%tion is CONSTITUTIONAL- "%t s%c& eclaration oes not a%t&ori'e t&e +resient to ta,e o!erpri!atel#?owne p%"lic %tilit# or "%siness affecte wit& p%"lic interest wit&o%t prior le$islation.

G.;. :o. M is CONSTITUTIONAL since it pro!ies a stanar "# w&ic& t&e A+ an t&e +:+ s&o%li(ple(ent ++ 117/ i.e. w&ate!er is >&3ssar0 a&d a;;r";r!at a3t!"&s a&d 5as/rs t" s/;;rssa&d ;rv&t a3ts "4 $a9$ss v!"$&3.>Consierin$ t&at >acts of terroris(> &a!e not #et "een efine

http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/may2006/gr_171396_2006.html#fnt158http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/may2006/gr_171396_2006.html#fnt158


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an (ae p%nis&a"le "# t&e 8e$islat%re/ s%c& portion of G.;. :o. M is eclare UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

T&e warrantless arrest of Ranolf . 0a!i an Ronal 8la(asL t&e ispersal an warrantless arrest of t&e=U an :A8U?=U (e("ers %rin$ t&eir rallies/ in t&e a"sence of proof t&at t&ese petitioners wereco((ittin$ acts constit%tin$ lawless !iolence/ in!asion or re"ellion an !iolatin$ -+ L t&e i(position ofstanars on (eia or an# for( of prior restraint on t&e press/ as well as t&e warrantless searc& of t&e

Tribune offices an w&i(sical sei'%re of its articles for p%"lication an ot&er (aterials/ are eclareUNCONSTITUTIONAL.

SECTION 1

DRILON VS. CA

reopening of a case after pardon

197s =a#or Roolfo Gan'on c&ar$e wit& o%"le (%rer in t&e (ilitar# co%rts. entence to life

i(prison(ent wit& &ar la"or. @e later )oine -8 B=arcosD part# w&ere &e was esi$nate asca(pai$n (ana$er. B-eca%se of t&is/ &is sentence was re%ce to 6 #ears

After Esa I/ t&en )%stice secretar# ;rone' wante to con%ct preli(inar# in!esti$ation a$ainst

Gan'on for t&e (%rers. Gan'on clai(e t&at &e &a "een e2tene an a"sol%te paron "# +resient =arcos/ an &a!in$ "een

pre!io%sl# con!icte/ &e cannot "e trie anew. T&e RTC enie t&e =T0/ "%t t&e CA $rante t&e =T0.

0rilon/ as t&e new )%stice secretar# clai(s t&at t&ere e2ists no e!ience to pro!e t&at Gan'on was

parone.

IUE Can Gan'on still "e prosec%te5

C :; =;RE.T&e recor s&ows t&at Gan'on &a alrea# "een arrai$ne "# t&e (ilitar# co%rt/ pleae not $%ilt#/ "%tcon!icte an sentence. @e ser!e ti(e %ntil 197/ w&en &e was place %ner @;UE ARRET "#+resient =arcos.

ince Gan'on ser!e alrea# 6 #ears an release/ t&e co%rt cannot tolerate an# f%rt&er rein!esti$ation.T&e 6?#ear ser!ice of sentence an s%"se%ent release are si$nificant since if +resient =arcos orere

Gan'onDs release after 6 #ears of i(prison(ent/ =arcos %na!oia"l# co((%te Gan'onDs lifei(prison(ent to 6 #ears.

If Gan'onDs sentence &a alrea# "een co((%te/ &e &as t&erefore ser!e &is sentence f%ll#/ an if &e&as ser!e &is sentence f%ll#/ &e can no lon$er "e rein!esti$ate. Uner t&e Constit%tion/ t&e paronin$power of t&e +resient is final an %nappeala"le. o is co((%tation of sentence/ in w&ic& t&e +resientre%ces a sentence. It e2tin$%is&es cri(inal partiall#/ an &as t&e effect of c&an$in$ t&e penalt# to alesser one.

T&e co((%tation of sentence nee not "e in a specific for(. It is s%fficient t&at Gan'on was !ol%ntaril#release in 197 wit& no ter(s or conitions/ e2cept t&at &e s&o%l re(ain in &o%se arrest. T&is &o%searrest cannot "e consiere as a contin%ation of &is sentence/ "eca%se in no wa# is arrest a penalt#/ "%trat&er a (ere (eans of ta,in$ a person into c%sto#. Also/ t&e e2act ter(s of t&e &o%se arrest are not,nown.

@ence/ irrespecti!e of t&e paron/ Gan'on &as ser!e &is sentence an cannot "e rein!esti$ate for t&e

sa(e offense/ (%c& (ore %ner$o f%rt&er i(prison(ent to co(plete &is sentence.

T&e fact t&at Gan'on (i$&t &a!e $otten off too li$&tl# is i((aterial. e cannot i$nore t&e le$al effects of=arcosD acts.

CRISTOBAL VS. LABRADOR.'urpose of e&ecuti!e clemency

Teofilo antos was fo%n $%ilt# of estafa/ sentence to 6 (os. @owe!er &e contin%e to "e a

re$istere elector/ seate as t&e (%nicipal presient in =ala"on



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&en t&e Election Coe was passe/ it is%alifie fro( !otin$/ persons w&o are $%ilt# of an# cri(e

a$ainst propert#. antos t&%s applie for a"sol%te paron fro( t&e +resient. T&is was $rante an &e was restore to

f%ll ci!il an political ri$&ts/ EXCE+T wit& respect to t&e ri$&t to &ol p%"lic office. In s&ort/ &e wasonl# eli$i"le to clerical positions/ w&ic& o not in!ol!e (one# or propert#.

Cristo"al &owe!er file a petition for e2cl%sion of antos fro( t&e list of !oters/ contenin$ t&e antos

is still is%alifie. Crisoto"al ar$%es t&at t&e paron $rante "# t&e +resient i not restore &i( tof%ll en)o#(ent of &is political ri$&ts "eca%se

A t&e paronin$ power of t&e +resient oes not appl# to le$islati!e pro&i"itions

- t&e paronin$ power a(o%nts to %nlawf%l e2ercise "# t&e +resient of a

le$islati!e f%nction C antos &as ser!e &is sentence an t&ere is not&in$ to paron

IUE &at is t&e nat%re of antosD paron "# t&e +resient5

CIn t&e present case/ w&ile t&e paron e2tene to antos is conitional in t&e sense t&at &e can onl# "eappointe to clerical or (an%al positions/ IT I TI88 A-;U8TE I:;AR A IT RET;RE A:T; T;U88 A:0 CIVI8 +;8ITICA8 RIG@T.

T&ere are li(itations on t&e E2ercise of +aronin$ +ower1 power e2ercise after con!iction

power oes not e2ten to i(peac&(ent cases

T&e +aronin$ +ower cannot "e restricte or controlle "# le$islati!e action. It can onl# "e s%")ect toconstit%tional li(itations.

An a"sol%te paron erases not onl# t&e cri(e co((itte "%t also re(o!es all isa"ilities res%ltin$ fro(con!iction. T&%s it e2tens to accessor# an res%ltant isa"ilities. &en it is $rante after con!iction itre(o!es all t&at is left of t&e conse%ences of t&e con!iction.

TORRES VS. ,ONZALEZ!iolation of conitional paron

Torres con!icte of Estafa. @e was $rante conitional paron "# t&e +resient. Conition was t&at &e

s&o%l not !iolate an# of t&e penal laws/ if &e oes/ &e will "e proceee a$ainst in t&e (annerprescri"e "# law.

In 196/ t&e -oar of +arons an +arole reco((ene t&e conitional paron "eca%se 1 &e was

c&ar$e for co%nts of estafa/ &e was con!icte of seition "%t penin$ appeal to t&e CA/ 3accorin$ to t&e :-I report/ &e &aa a lon$ list of c&ar$e for !ario%s cri(es.

T&e +resient t&%s cancelle t&e conitional paron. T&e (inister of )%stice iss%e t&e orer of arrest

an reco((it(ent. Torres now assails t&e !aliit# of t&is ;rer of Arrest. @e clai(s t&at &e i not !iolate t&e conitions

of &is parole since &e &as not "een con!icte "# final )%$(ent of t&e co%nts of estafa/ nor of t&ecri(e of seition. @e also clai(s t&at &e was not $i!en t&e opport%nit# to "e &ear.

IUE &et&er con!iction of a cri(e "# final )%$(ent of a co%rt is necessar# "efore t&e petitioner can!alil# "e re?arreste an re?co((itte for !iolation of t&e ter(s of &is conitional paron5

C :;.T&e $rant of paron an t&e eter(ination of t&e ter(san conitions of t&e paron are p%rel# e2ec%ti!e

acts/ an are not s%")ect to )%icial re!iew. T&e eter(ination of t&e "reac& of conitional paron (a#eit&er "e1 p%rel# e2ec%ti!e act K not s%")ect to )%icial re!iew. @ere/ no )%icial prono%nce(ent of $%ilt isnecessar#. Con!iction "# final )%$(ent is not necessar#. a )%icial act K consists of trial an con!iction of !iolation of conitional paron.

@ere/ w&ere t&e +resient opts to procee %ner ec 64 of t&e Re!ise A(inistrati!e Coe/ no )%icialprono%nce(ent of $%ilt is necessar#/ (%c& less a con!iction "# final )%$(ent of a co%rt/ in orer t&at acon!ict (a# "e reco((ene for t&e !iolation of &is conitional paron.



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&at is in!ol!e in t&is case/ is not t&e prosec%tion of t&e parolee for a s%"se%ent offense. &at isin!ol!e &ere is rat&er t&e ascertain(ent of w&et&er t&e con!ict &as "reac&e t&e conitions of &is parole/t&at &e wo%l not a$ain !iolate an# of t&e penal laws/ for purposes of reimposition upon him of theremitted portion of his original sentence. T&e conse%ences t&at we &ere eal wit& are t&e conse%ence ofan ascertaine "reac& of t&e conitions of paron.

In s%(/ w&en proceein$ a$ainst a con!ict w&o &as "een conitionall# parone "%t &a!e "reac&e t&e

conitions/ t&e +resient &as two options1 procee a$ainst &i( %ner t&e Re!ise A(in Coe procee a$ainst &i( %ner Art 1M9 of t&e R+C/ w&ic& i(poses t&e penalt# of prision correctional for

*&a!in$ !iolate a conitional paron.

@ere t&e +resient c&ose 1. T&at c&oice is an e2ercise of t&e +resientDs e2ec%ti!e prero$ati!e an :;TU-


25/26


8la(as was Vice Go!ernor of Tarlac. @e ass%(e t&e position as Go!ernor "eca%se Go!ernor ;ca(po

was s%spene fro( office. Go!ernor ;ca(po was pre!io%sl# c&ar$e wit& $raft an corr%ption "efore t&e o("%s(an in

connection wit& t&e 8oan A$ree(ent (ae wit& 8in$,o Tarlac o%nation/ w&ic& was alle$el# notappro!e "# t&e pro!incial "oar.

Go!ernor ;ca(po was also c&ar$e "efore t&e 0epart(ent of 8ocal Go!ern(ent.

Go!ernor ;ca(po was fo%n $%ilt# an was s%spene for 9 a#s. @e appeale to t&e ;ffice of t&e

+resient. -%t E2ec%ti!e ecretar# ;r"os enie it. :ow/ w&en 8la(as ass%(e as $o!ernor/ ;ca(po still iss%e an a(inistrati!e orer si$nif#in$ &is

intention to contin%e &is office at &is resience. ;r"os re%ce t&e 9?a# s%spension to ti(e alrea# ser!e. In s&ort/ ;ca(po was $rante

e2ec%ti!e cle(enc# "eca%se of *&is ea$erness to eli!er li!eli&oo pro)ects. o ;ca(po re?ass%(e $o!ernors&ip.

8la(as assails t&e resol%tion of E2ec%ti!e ecretar# ;r"os/ clai(in$ it was GA0A8E% D%%M(. &en t&e law oes not istin$%is& neit&ers&all we. T&e Constit%tion oes not istin$%is& "etween w&ic& cases e2ec%ti!e cle(enc# (a# "e e2ercise

"# t&e +resient. Be2cept onl# in cases of i(peac&(ent. If a(inistrati!e cases were not incl%e/ t&enw wo%l t&e constit%tion state t&at t&e onl# e2ception wo%l "e i(peac&(ent cases Bw&ic& is not acri(inal case.

If t&ose a)%$e $%ilt# cri(inall# (a# "e paron t&ere is no reason w t&e sa(e "enefit (a# not "ee2tene to t&ose a)%$e $%ilt# a(inistrati!el#. T&e presient can $rant e2ec%ti!e cle(enc# ina(inistrati!e cases/ w&ic& are clearl# less serio%s t&an cri(inal offenses.

Also/ "# !irt%e of t&e +;ER ; U+ERVII;: A:0 C;:TR;8/ t&e +resient (a# re!erse or (oif# ar%lin$ iss%e "# a s%"orinate a$ainst an errin$ p%"lic official.

:ote also t&at %pon acceptance of paron/ t&e $rantee is ee(e to &a!e wai!e an# appeal w&ic& &e(a# &a!e file.

SECTION 1

,ONZALES VS. HECHANOVA

E2ec%ti!e ecretar# a%t&ori'e t&e i(portation of forei$n rice to "e p%rc&ase fro( pri!ate so%rces.

BT&e was a +roc%re(ent Co((ittee create. Gon'ales/ a rice planter/ file a petition %estion t&e !aliit# of t&e atte(pt to i(port forei$n rice. @e

contens it is a$ainst RA 34M w&ic& pro&i"its i(portation of rice an corn "# t&e Rice an CornA(in or an# ot&er $o!Dt a$enc#.

@ec&ano!a co%ntere t&at t&e i(portation is a%t&ori'e "# t&e +resient for (ilitar# stoc, pile

p%rposes. Bt&at t&e presient is %t#?"o%n to Kprepare for t&e c&allen$e of t&reats of war ore(er$enc# wit&o%t waitin$ for special a%t&orit#

@ec&ano!a f%rt&er contens t&at t&ere is no pro&i"ition on i(portation (ae "# t&e *Go!ern(ent

itself. @ec&ano!a also ar$%e t&at t&e Go!ern(ent &as alrea# entere into contracts wit& Vietna( an

-%r(a. T&at t&ese contracts constit%te !ali e2ec%ti!e a$ree(ents %ner international lawL t&at s%c&a$ree(ents "eca(e "inin$ an effecti!e %pon si$nin$ t&ereof "# t&e representati!es of "ot& parties.

o It is ar$%e t&at w&en t&ere is a conflict "etween a *treat# an a *stat%te Bt&e stat%te

pro&i"itin$ i(portation/ t&en t&e conflict (%st "e resol!e in fa!or of t&e one w&ic& is latestin point of ti(e Bin t&is case/ t&e treat#.

IUE &at is t&e nat%re of t&e $o!ern(ent contracts wit& Vietna( an -%r(a5 &ic& s&o%l pre!ail/t&e contracts or RA 34MC



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T&e parties to sai contracts o not appear to &a!e re$are t&e sa(e as e2ec%ti!e a$ree(ents. E!enass%(in$ t&at sai contracts are e2ec%ti!e a$ree(ents/ t&e# are n%ll an !oi/ "eca%se t&e# areinconsistent wit& RA 34M.

Alt&o%$& t&e +resient (a# enter into e2ec%ti!e a$ree(ents wit&o%t pre!io%s le$islati!e a%t&orit#/ &e(a# not/ "# e2ec%ti!e a$ree(ent/ enter into a transaction w&ic& is pro&i"ite "# stat%tes enacte priort&ereto. Uner t&e Constit%tion/ t&e (ain f%nction of t&e E2ec%ti!e is to enforce t&e laws enacte "#

Con$ress. @e (a# not efeat le$islati!e enact(ents "# indirectly repealing the same through an e&ecuti!eagreement pro!iding for the performance of the !ery act prohibited by said la#s.

Also/ t&e %pre(e Co%rt &as )%risiction o!er t&e case. T&e Constit%tion a%t&ori'es t&e n%llification of atreat# not onl# w&en it conflicts wit& t&e f%na(ental law/ "%t also w&en it r%ns co%nter to t&e act ofCon$ress.

T&e E.. &as no power to a%t&ori'e t&e i(portation.

USA**E VS. TREASURER

T&e petitioners assail t&e !aliit# of t&e Ro(%lo K n#er A$ree(ent of 19M/ si$ne in as&in$ton.

T&e W3M= re(aine %ne2pene an in t&e possession of t&e A+. +resient O%irino t&r% Central -an,Go!ernor propose to U officials t&e retention of t&e W3M= as a loan.

Uner t&e A$ree(ent/ t&e +&ilippine $o!Dt %nertoo, to ret%rn to t&e U in 1 ann%al install(ents a

total of W3M= a!ance "# t&e U/ "%t was not spent "# t&e +&ilippinesD :ational 0efense forces. T&e Usaffe Veterans clai( t&at t&e a$ree(ent is ille$al "eca%se t&e# are f%ns alrea# appropriate

"# A(erican Con$ress for t&e +&ilippine Ar(#. T&e# also conten t&at U ecretar# of Treas%r##ner an +&ilippine orei$n ecretar# Carlos + Ro(%lo "ot& &a!e no a%t&orit# in enterin$ into t&ea$ree(ent.

T&e# conten t&at t&e a$ree(ent lac,s t&e ratification "# t&e +&ilippine enate to (a,e it "inin$ on

+&ilippine Go!ern(ent. ;n t&e ot&er &an/ t&e $o!ern(ent contens t&at t&e a$ree(ent is not a *treat#/ "%t an *e2ec%ti!e

a$ree(ent/ an t&erefore it oes not re%ire ratification of enate.

IUE &at is t&e nat%re of t&e A$ree(ent5

CE2ec%ti!e a$ree(ents are of two classes1 a$ree(ent (ae p%rel# as e2ec%ti!e acts affectin$ e2ternatl relations an inepenent of or nees nole$islati!e a%t&ori'ation. B+resiential A$ree(ents

a$ree(ent entere into in p%rs%ance of acts of Con$ress/ BCon$ressional?E2ec%ti!e A$ree(ents

T&e A$ree(ent (a# fall %ner an# of t&ese classes. 3 -eca%se Con$ress $rante a%t&orit# to t&e +resient to o"tain loans an inc%r ine"teness wit& t&eGo!ern(ent of t&e U. E!en ass%(in$ t&at t&ere was no le$islati!e a%t&ori'ation/ t&e A$ree(ent (a# still "e entere intop%rel# as e2ec%ti!e acts. Bw&ic& %s%all# relates to (one# a$ree(ents for settle(ent of pec%niar# clai(sof citi'ens3 enate Resol%tion 1M a(itte t&e !aliit# an "inin$ force of t&e a$ree(ent.4 T&e act of Con$ress appropriatin$ f%ns for t&e #earl# install(ents B%ner t&e A$ree(ent constit%te aratification t&ereof.

@ence/ t&e !aliit# of t&e A$ree(ent is "e#on t&e Co%rtDs reac&.

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Article VII Digests