Case No. 594

Bayan vs Zamora – GR 138570, October 10, 2000

FACTS:

The United States panel met with the Philippine panel to discussed, among others, the possible elements of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). This resulted to a series of conferences and negotiations which culminated on January 12 and 13, 1998. Thereafter, President Fidel Ramos approved the VFA, which was respectively signed by Secretary Siazon and United States Ambassador Thomas Hubbard.

Pres. Joseph Estrada ratified the VFA on October 5, 1998 and on May 27, 1999, the senate approved it by (2/3) votes.

ISSUE:Whether or not the petitioners has the legal standing as concerned

citizens, taxpayers or legislators to question the constitutionality of the VFA.

HELD:No, the petitioners have no legal standing. A party bringing a suit

challenging the constitutionality of a law, act, or statute must show not only that the law is invalid, but also that he has sustained or in is in immediate, or imminent danger of sustaining some direct injury as a result of its enforcement, and not merely that he suffers thereby in some indefinite way.

The petitioners failed to show, to the satisfaction of the Court, that they have sustained, or are in danger of sustaining direct injury as a result of the enforcement of the VFA.

Thus, their petitions were dismissed by the Supreme Court.