ConstiCompiledDigests.092807

8/13/2019 ConstiCompiledDigests.092807

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AMENDMENT BY INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM

Article XVII, Section 2Santiago v. Comelec (1997)

Facts: Private respondent Atty. Jes s De!"in "i!ed #it$ t$e

%o&e!ec a Petition to Amend the Con tit!tion, "o#i$t "erm #imit o$ %lective &$$icial , ' Peo le*initiative+ 'De!"in Petition( as)in* t$e !atter "or an order

to "i+ t$e ti&e and date "or si*nat re *at$erin*, p -!is$t$e De!"in petition, and instr ct M nicipa! e!ectionre*istrars to assist in esta-!is$in* t$e si*nin* stations.

T$e petitioners, en. Miria& De"ensor antia*o,A!e+ander Padi!!a, and Maria Isa-e! /n*pin, "i!ed t$isspecia! civi! action "or pro$i-ition #it$ t$e "o!!o#in*ar* &ents 'I on!y inc! ded t$ose #$ic$ are disc ssed int$e case -oo)(:

o T$e constit tiona! provision on peop!e0sinitiative to a&end t$e %onstit tion can on!y-e i&p!e&ented -y !a# to -e passed -y%on*ress and no s c$ !a# $as -een passed1

o R.A. no. 2345 '6An Act Providin* "or ayste& o" Initiative and Re"erend & andAppropriatin* F nds T$ere"ore7( "ai!ed toprovide any s -tit!e initiative on t$e%onstit tion8 T$is de!i-erate o&issionindicates t$at t$e &atter o" peop!e0sinitiative to a&end t$e %onstit tion #as !e"tto so&e " t re !a#.

o %o&e!ec Reso! tion no. 94 , to 6*overnt$e cond ct o" initiative on t$e %onstit tionand initiative and re"erend & on nationa!!oca! !a#s78 is void since on!y t$e %on*resscan pass t$e i&p!e&entin* !a#.

o T$e peop!e0s initiative is !i&ited toa&end&ents to t$e %onstit tion and not torevision t$ereo". E+tendin* or !i"tin* ter&!i&its constit tes a revision and is,t$ere"ore, o tside t$e po#er o" t$e peop!e0sinitiative.

Iss es: ;oca! Initiative and Re"erend &, nos c$ t$in* is provided "or initiative on t$e%onstit tion. T$is si!ence si&p!y &eans t$att$e &ain t$r st o" t$e R.A. is initiative andre"erend & on Nationa! and >oca! !a#s.

Comelec e ol!tion no. 2 44, in o$ar a itre cri'e r!le and reg!lation on the cond!ct o$initiative on amendment to the Con tit!tion ivoid. T$is is so -eca se *iven t$e circ &stances,e&po#erin* t$e %o&e!ec to pro& !*ate r !es andre* !ations is a "or& o" de!e*ation o" !e*is!ative a t$ority.

Comelec acted 3ith grave a'! e o$ di cretion inentertaining the 5el$in etition. 'T$is one is aproced ra! &atter(

o T$e %o&e!ec ac= ires risdiction over apetition "or initiative on!y a"ter its "i!in*. T$epetition t$en is t$e initiatory p!eadin*. incet$e De!"in petition is not t$e initiatorypetition nder R.A. 2345 and %o&e!ecReso! tion no. 94 , it cannot -eentertained or *iven co*ni ance -y t$e%o&e!ec. ?ence, t$e said petition #as&ere!y entered as UND, &eanin*ndoc)eted. T$at petition #as not$in* &oret$an a scrap o" paper and in so di*ni"yin* it,t$e %o&e!ec acted #it$ *rave a- se o"discretion.

T$e "ore*oin* considered, " rt$er disc ssion on t$e iss e#$et$er t$e proposa! to !i"t t$e ter& !i&its o" e!ectivenationa! and !oca! o""icia!s is an a&end&ent to, and not arevision o", t$e %onstit tion is rendered nnecessary, i"not acade&ic.

#am'ino, et al. v . C&6%#%C ( . . 8o. 17 1/ , 2/&cto'er 244-) 5ige tP -!is$ed /cto-er 95t$, 9 2 in E!ections and %onstit tiona!>a# and Di*ests .

/n @5 Fe-r ary 9 2, t$e *ro p o" Ra ! >a&-ino and EricoA &entado '6>a&-ino Cro p7( co&&enced *at$erin*si*nat res "or an initiative petition to c$an*e t$e @ 3%onstit tion . /n 95 A * st 9 2, t$e >a&-ino Cro p "i!ed apetition #it$ t$e %o&&ission on E!ections '%/ME>E%( to $o!d

a p!e-iscite t$at #i!! rati"y t$eir initiative petition nderection 5'-( and 'c( and ection 3 o" Rep -!ic Act No. 2345 ort$e Initiative and Referendum Act . T$e proposed c$an*esnder t$e petition #i!! s$i"t t$e present Bica&era! Presidentia!syste& to a Unica&era! Par!ia&entary "or& o" *overn&ent.

T$e >a&-ino Cro p c!ai&s t$at: 'a( t$eir petition $ad t$es pport o" 2,493, 59 individ a!s constit tin* at !east @9G o"a!! re*istered voters, #it$ eac$ !e*is!ative district represented-y at !east 4G o" its re*istered voters1 and '-( %/ME>E%e!ection re*istrars $ad veri"ied t$e si*nat res o" t$e 2.4&i!!ion individ a!s.

T$e %/ME>E%, $o#ever, denied d e co rse to t$e petition "or!ac) o" an ena-!in* !a# *overnin* initiative petitions to a&endt$e %onstit tion, p rs ant to t$e pre&e %o rt0s r !in* inSantiago vs. Commission on Elections . T$e >a&-ino Cro pe!evated t$e &atter to t$e pre&e %o rt, #$ic$ a!so t$re#o t t$e petition.

1 . "he initiative etition doe not com l 3ith Section2, Article XVII o$ the Con tit!tion on direct ro o al 'the eo leection 9, Artic!e HVII o" t$e %onstit tion is t$e *overnin*provision t$at a!!o#s a peop!e0s initiative to proposea&end&ents to t$e %onstit tion. ;$i!e t$is provision does note+press!y state t$at t$e petition & st set "ort$ t$e " !! te+t o"t$e proposed a&end&ents, t$e de!i-erations o" t$e "ra&ers o"o r %onstit tion c!ear!y s$o# t$at: 'a( t$e "ra&ers intended toadopt t$e re!evant A&erican rispr dence on peop!e0sinitiative1 and '-( in partic !ar, t$e peop!e & st "irst see t$e" !! te+t o" t$e proposed a&end&ents -e"ore t$ey si*n, andt$at t$e peop!e & st si*n on a petition containin* s c$ " !!te+t.
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T$e essence o" a&end&ents 6direct!y proposed -y t$e peop!et$ro *$ initiative pon a petition7 is t$at t$e entire proposa!on its "ace is a petition -y t$e peop!e. T$is &eans t#oessentia! e!e&ents & st -e present.First, t$e peop!e & st a t$or and t$ s si*n t$e entireproposa!. No a*ent or representative can si*n on t$eir -e$a!".econd, as an initiative pon a petition, t$e proposa! & st -ee&-odied in a petition.

T$ese essentia! e!e&ents are present on!y i" t$e " !! te+t o"t$e proposed a&end&ents is "irst s$o#n to t$e peop!e #$oe+press t$eir assent -y si*nin* s c$ co&p!ete proposa! in apetition. T$e " !! te+t o" t$e proposed a&end&ents &ay -e

eit$er #ritten on t$e "ace o" t$e petition, or attac$ed to it. I"so attac$ed, t$e petition & st state t$e "act o" s c$attac$&ent. T$is is an ass rance t$at every one o" t$e severa!&i!!ions o" si*natories to t$e petition $ad seen t$e " !! te+t o"t$e proposed a&end&ents -e"ore not a"ter si*nin*.Moreover, 6an initiative si*ner & st -e in"or&ed at t$e ti&eo" si*nin* o" t$e nat re and e""ect o" t$at #$ic$ is proposed7and "ai! re to do so is 6deceptive and &is!eadin*7 #$ic$renders t$e initiative void.In t$e case o" t$e >a&-ino Cro p0s petition, t$ere0s not asin*!e #ord, p$rase, or sentence o" te+t o" t$e proposedc$an*es in t$e si*nat re s$eet. Neit$er does t$e si*nat res$eet state t$at t$e te+t o" t$e proposed c$an*es is attac$edto it. T$e si*nat re s$eet &ere!y as)s a = estion #$et$er t$epeop!e approve a s$i"t "ro& t$e Bica&era! Presidentia! to t$eUnica&era! Par!ia&entary syste& o" *overn&ent. T$esi*nat re s$eet does not s$o# to t$e peop!e t$e dra"t o" t$eproposed c$an*es -e"ore t$ey are as)ed to si*n t$e si*nat res$eet. T$is o&ission is "ata!.An initiative t$at *at$ers si*nat res "ro& t$e peop!e #it$o t"irst s$o#in* to t$e peop!e t$e " !! te+t o" t$e proposeda&end&ents is &ost !i)e!y a deception, and can operate as a*i*antic "ra d on t$e peop!e. T$at0s #$y t$e %onstit tionre= ires t$at an initiative & st -e 6direct!y proposed -y t$epeop!e + + + in a petition7 &eanin* t$at t$e peop!e & stsi*n on a petition t$at contains t$e " !! te+t o" t$e proposeda&end&ents. /n so vita! an iss e as a&endin* t$e nation0s" nda&enta! !a#, t$e #ritin* o" t$e te+t o" t$e proposeda&end&ents cannot -e $idden "ro& t$e peop!e nder a*enera! or specia! po#er o" attorney to nna&ed, "ace!ess,and ne!ected individ a!s.

2. "he initiative violate Section 2, Article XVII o$ theCon tit!tion di allo3ing revi ion thro!gh initiativeArtic!e HVII o" t$e %onstit tion spea)s o" t$ree &odes o"a&endin* t$e %onstit tion. T$e "irst &ode is t$ro *$%on*ress pon t$ree "o rt$s vote o" a!! its Me&-ers. T$esecond &ode is t$ro *$ a constit tiona! convention. T$e t$ird&ode is t$ro *$ a peop!e0s initiative.ection @ o" Artic!e HVII , re"errin* to t$e "irst and second&odes, app!ies to 6any a&end&ent to, or revision o", t$is%onstit tion.7 In contrast, ection 9 o" Artic!e HVII, re"errin* tot$e t$ird &ode, app!ies on!y to 6a&end&ents to t$is%onstit tion.7 T$is distinction #as intentiona! as s$o#n -y t$ede!i-erations o" t$e %onstit tiona! %o&&ission. A peop!e0sinitiative to c$an*e t$e %onstit tion app!ies on!y to ana&end&ent o" t$e %onstit tion and not to its revision. Incontrast, %on*ress or a constit tiona! convention can propose-ot$ a&end&ents and revisions to t$e %onstit tion.

Does t$e >a&-ino Cro p0s initiative constit te an a&end&entor revision o" t$e %onstit tion Yes. By any !e*a! test andnder any risdiction, a s$i"t "ro& a Bica&era! Presidentia! toa Unica&era! Par!ia&entary syste&, invo!vin* t$e a-o!ition o"t$e /""ice o" t$e President and t$e a-o!ition o" one c$a&-er o"%on*ress, is -eyond do -t a revision, not a &ere a&end&ent.%o rts $ave !on* reco*ni ed t$e distinction -et#een ana&end&ent and a revision o" a constit tion. Revision -road!yi&p!ies a c$an*e t$at a!ters a -asic princip!e in t$econstit tion, !i)e a!terin* t$e princip!e o" separation o" po#ersor t$e syste& o" c$ec)s and -a!ances. T$ere is a!so revision i"t$e c$an*e a!ters t$e s -stantia! entirety o" t$e constit tion,as #$en t$e c$an*e a""ects s -stantia! provisions o" t$econstit tion. /n t$e ot$er $and, a&end&ent -road!y re"ers toa c$an*e t$at adds, red ces, or de!etes #it$o t a!terin* t$e-asic princip!e invo!ved. Revision *enera!!y a""ects severa!

provisions o" t$e constit tion, #$i!e a&end&ent *enera!!ya""ects on!y t$e speci"ic provision -ein* a&ended.;$ere t$e proposed c$an*e app!ies on!y to a speci"icprovision o" t$e %onstit tion #it$o t a""ectin* any ot$ersection or artic!e, t$e c$an*e &ay *enera!!y -e considered ana&end&ent and not a revision. For e+a&p!e, a c$an*ered cin* t$e votin* a*e "ro& @ years to @5 years is ana&end&ent and not a revision. i&i!ar!y, a c$an*e red cin*Fi!ipino o#ners$ip o" &ass &edia co&panies "ro& @ G to2 G is an a&end&ent and not a revision. A!so, a c$an*ere= irin* a co!!e*e de*ree as an additiona! = a!i"ication "ore!ection to t$e Presidency is an a&end&ent and not a

revision. T$e c$an*es in t$ese e+a&p!es do not entai! any &odi"icationo" sections or artic!es o" t$e %onstit tion ot$er t$an t$especi"ic provision -ein* a&ended. T$ese c$an*es do not a!soa""ect t$e str ct re o" *overn&ent or t$e syste& o" c$ec)sand -a!ances a&on* or #it$in t$e t$ree -ranc$es.?o#ever, t$ere can -e no "i+ed r !e on #$et$er a c$an*e isan a&end&ent or a revision. A c$an*e in a sin*!e #ord o" onesentence o" t$e %onstit tion &ay -e a revision and not ana&end&ent. For e+a&p!e, t$e s -stit tion o" t$e #ord6rep -!ican7 #it$ 6&onarc$ic7 or 6t$eocratic7 in ection @,Artic!e II o" t$e %onstit tion radica!!y over$a !s t$e entirestr ct re o" *overn&ent and t$e " nda&enta! ideo!o*ica!-asis o" t$e %onstit tion. T$ s, eac$ speci"ic c$an*e #i!! $aveto -e e+a&ined case -y case, dependin* on $o# it a""ectsot$er provisions, as #e!! as $o# it a""ects t$e str ct re o"*overn&ent, t$e care" !!y cra"ted syste& o" c$ec)s and-a!ances, and t$e nder!yin* ideo!o*ica! -asis o" t$e e+istin*%onstit tion.ince a revision o" a constit tion a""ects -asic princip!es, orsevera! provisions o" a constit tion, a de!i-erative -ody #it$recorded proceedin*s is -est s ited to nderta)e a revision. Arevision re= ires $ar&oni in* not on!y severa! provisions, - ta!so t$e a!tered princip!es #it$ t$ose t$at re&ain na!tered.

T$ s, constit tions nor&a!!y a t$ori e de!i-erative -odies !i)econstit ent asse&-!ies or constit tiona! conventions tonderta)e revisions. /n t$e ot$er $and, constit tions a!!o#peop!e0s initiatives, #$ic$ do not $ave "i+ed and identi"ia-!ede!i-erative -odies or recorded proceedin*s, to nderta)eon!y a&end&ents and not revisions.In %a!i"ornia #$ere t$e initiative c!a se a!!o#s a&end&ents- t not revisions to t$e constit tion st !i)e in o r%onstit tion, co rts $ave deve!oped a t#o part test: t$e= antitative test and t$e = a!itative test. T$e = antitative testas)s #$et$er t$e proposed c$an*e is 6so e+tensive in itsprovisions as to c$an*e direct!y t$e s -stantia! entirety0 o"t$e constit tion -y t$e de!etion or a!teration o" n &ero se+istin* provisions.7 T$e co rt e+a&ines on!y t$e n &-er o"provisions a""ected and does not consider t$e de*ree o" t$ec$an*e.

T$e = a!itative test in= ires into t$e = a!itative e""ects o" t$eproposed c$an*e in t$e constit tion. T$e &ain in= iry is#$et$er t$e c$an*e #i!! 6acco&p!is$ s c$ "ar reac$in*c$an*es in t$e nat re o" o r -asic *overn&enta! p!an as toa&o nt to a revision.7 ;$et$er t$ere is an a!teration in t$estr ct re o" *overn&ent is a proper s - ect o" in= iry. T$ s,6a c$an*e in t$e nat re o" Kt$eL -asic *overn&enta! p!an7inc! des 6c$an*e in its " nda&enta! "ra&e#or) or t$e" nda&enta! po#ers o" its Branc$es.7 A c$an*e in t$e nat re

o" t$e -asic *overn&enta! p!an a!so inc! des c$an*es t$at6 eopardi e t$e traditiona! "or& o" *overn&ent and t$esyste& o" c$ec) and -a!ances.7Under -ot$ t$e = antitative and = a!itative tests, t$e >a&-inoCro p0s initiative is a revision and not &ere!y an a&end&ent.antitative!y, t$e >a&-ino Cro p0s proposed c$an*es

over$a ! t#o artic!es Artic!e VI on t$e >e*is!at re and Artic!eVII on t$e E+ec tive a""ectin* a tota! o" @ 5 provisions in t$eentire %onstit tion. a!itative!y, t$e proposed c$an*es a!ters -stantia!!y t$e -asic p!an o" *overn&ent, "ro& presidentia!to par!ia&entary, and "ro& a -ica&era! to a nica&era!!e*is!at re.A c$an*e in t$e str ct re o" *overn&ent is a revision o" t$e%onstit tion, as #$en t$e t$ree *reat co e= a! -ranc$es o"*overn&ent in t$e present %onstit tion are red ced into t#o.

T$is a!ters t$e separation o" po#ers in t$e %onstit tion. A s$i"t
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A"ter de!i-eratin* on t$e va!idity o" t$e speci"ic provisions o"RA 2@49, %o rt "o nd t$at t$ey are not nconstit tiona!.

T$ s, t$at '@( enact&ent o" RA 2@49 #as constit tiona! and'9( assai!ed provisions o" RA 2@49 itse!" are constit tiona!, t$epetitions & st "ai!.

To!entino vs. %/ME>E%

RATIFI%ATI/N

P!anas vs. %/ME>E%

>avellana v. % ec. Sec. ( . 12 1)

QT$is is &ore or !ess a contin ation o" P!anas v. %/ME>E%.erio s!y, t$is case is so con" sin* t$at even t$e d*es $addi""erent opinions.

:act ;a&e "acts nder t$e P!anas case. In t$is case no#, t$ey are= estionin* #$et$er Proc!a&ation No. @@ 9 iss ed -y t$enPresident Marcos, is va!id.

I !e ;@( Is t$e iss e o" t$e va!idity o" Proc!a&ation No. @@ 9 a

sticia-!e or po!itica! and t$ere "ore non sticia-!e,= estion

9( ?as t$e %onstit tion proposed -y t$e @ 3@ %onsti%onvention -een rati"ied va!id!y

4( ?as t$e a"ore&entioned proposed %onsti -eenac= iesced in '#it$ or #it$o t va!id rati"ication( -yt$e peop!e

( Are petitioners entit!ed to re!ie"5( Is t$e a"ore&entioned proposed %onsti in "orce

Conce cion

As to t$e t$ird iss e:

Accordin* to %J %oncepcion, t$ere are t$ree essentia! steps into revise < a&end t$e %onsti. First step is proposa! eit$er -yt$e %on*ress or -y a convention ca!!ed "or t$at p rpose.econd is t$at s c$ a&end&ents s$o !d -e s -&itted to t$epeop!e "or t$eir rati"ication at an e!ection and !ast step is s c$a&end&ents -e approved -y a &a ority o" t$e votes cast insaid e!ection.

In $is opinion, $e raises 4 = estions.

@( ?as t$e contested dra"t o" t$e ne# or revised %onsti-een s -&itted to t$e peop!e "or t$eir rati"ication

con"or&a-!y to Art. @5 o" t$e %onsti

?e #as o" t$e opinion t$at it #as not. To ans#er t$is = estion,$e " rt$er as)s '9 nd = estion( #$o &ay vote in a p!e-iscitender Art. 5 o" t$e %onsti.

Reca!! t$at t$e res !ts contained in Proc!a&ation @@ 9 #ereta)en "ro& t$e votes t$at #ere &ade -y t$e %iti ensAsse&-!ies '%A(. T$e %A #ere co&posed o" Fi!ipino citi ens @5years and 2 &ont$s o!d a-ove. T$is is c!ear!y in vio!ation o"t$e @ 45 %onsti -eca se it prescri-ed t$at on!y Fi!ipinociti ens 9@ years o" a*e or o!der can vote 'inc! din*

p!e-iscites(.

T$e !ast = estion $e ans#ered #as: ?o# s$o !d t$e p!e-iscite-e $e!d '%/ME>E% s pervision indispensa-!e, essentia!re= isites(

;$at $appened in t$e 6p!e-iscite7 in t$e %iti ens Asse&-!ies#as t$ey #ere &anned not -y %/ME>E% - t nder t$es pervision o" certain o""icers o" t$e E+ec tive Depart&ent.Reca!! t$at %/ME>E% $as so!e a t$ority over p!e-iscites.

& inion o$ >! tice 6a?a iar

T$e opinion o" J stice Ma)asiar s pports t$e vie# t$at anentire!y ne# %onsti does not $ave to -e rati"ied in accordance#it$ t$e e+istin* constit tiona! and stat tory !a#. ?e -asica!!yanc$ored $is ar* &ent on t$e -irt$ o" t$e A&erican%onstit tion. ;$en t$e P$i!ade!p$ia %onvention &et to reviset$e artic!es o" con"ederation t$ey vio!ated t$e re= ire&entsprescri-ed in t$e Artic!es o" %on"ederation and Perpet a!Union "or t$e a!teration and "or t$e rati"ication o" t$e%onstit tion. o #$at t$ey did, t$ey as)ed %on*ress to pass areso! tion providin* t$at t$e Federa! %onstit tion s$o !d -es -&itted to e!ected state conventions and i" rati"ied -y t$econvention in states, t$e said %onstit tion s$a!! ta)e e""ect.

Art @3 ec '@%(amon 6itra, >r., 8a oleon ama, %mman!el ". Santo ,%rnie ondon, Antonio 6artine=, >e@omar ina ,odrigo oa0!in ("itong) oce , a$ael Ba ,and 6el #o e= v Commi ion on %lection (C&6%#%C) D hort title; 6itra, >r. v C&6%#%CECR No > 525 4 Apri! , @ @

Facts:Petitioners $ere are contendin* t$at t$e @ 34 %onstit tion isnot in "orce and is t$ s prayin* "or pro$i-ition and &anda& s.

T$e case is si&i!ar to t$e dis&issed pro$i-ition proceedin*se+cept t$at t$e petitioners $erein are a!so prayin* to $o!d ap!e-iscite so t$at t$e peop!e &ay vote on t$e rati"ication o"t$e %onstit tion, #$ic$ is a!ready in "orce.For t$e petitioners, t$e @ 34 %onstit tion is sti!! st in t$esta*e o" proposa!. T$e petitioners are a!so t$in)in* t$at t$e@ 45 %onstit tion #as te&porari!y !i"ted pon t$eesta-!is$&ent o" &artia! !a# and co !d once &ore -eoperative #it$ t$e !i"tin* o" &artia! !a# on Jan ary @3, @ @.

Iss e:

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po!!s #o !d -e indicative o" t$eir ac= iescence in t$e present%onstit tion.Accordin*!y, one o" t$e separate opinions in t$e Jave!!ana casereads: Independent!y o" t$e !ac) o" va!idity o" t$e rati"icationo" t$e ne# %onstit tion, i$ it 'e acce ted ' the eo le, in3hom overeignt re ide according to theCon tit!tion, then thi Co!rt cannot re$! e to ielda ent to !ch a olitical deci ion o$ the !tmo tgravit , concl! ive in it e$$ect . c$ a " nda&enta!princip!e is &eanin*!ess i" it does not i&p!y, to "o!!o# >as)i,t$at t$e nation as a #$o!e constit tes t$e sin*!e center o"!ti&ate re"erence, necessari!y t$e possessor o" t$at Spo#er

t$at is a-!e to reso!ve disp tes -y sayin* t$e !ast #ord.

eparate /pinion -y J stice Tee$an)ee:68Petitioners pray "or t$e $o!din* o" a p!e-iscite "or t$epeop!e to vote ane# on t$e rati"ication o" t$e @ 34%onstit tion since si+ &e&-ers o t o" t$e ten &e&-ers o" t$epre&e %o rt $e!d in t$e rati"ication cases, Javellana vs.

Executive Secretary, et al. t$at t$e '@ 34( %onstit tionproposed -y t$e @ 3@ %onstit tiona! %onvention #as notva!id!y rati"ied in accordance #it$ Artic!e HV, section @ o" t$e@ 45 %onstit tion, #$ic$ provides on!y one #ay "orrati"ication, i.e., Sin an e!ection or p!e-iscite $e!d inaccordance #it$ !a# and participated in on!y -y = a!i"ied andd !y re*istered voters.6Un!ess t$e Jave!!ana r !in* is overt rned -y t$is %o rt itse!"and t$e passa*e and attrition o" ti&e s$o# t$e " ti!ity o"e+pectin* s c$ a contin*ency, t$e @ 34 %onstit tion standsas t$e s pre&e !a# o" t$e !and, -y #$ic$ t$e va!idity andconstit tiona!ity o" o""icia!s acts are tested.7

E%URITY /F TENURE

Dario vs. Mison

6endo=a v . F!i !m'ing

:act ; T$e petitioners and intervenors #$o are per&anente&p!oyees in t$e Depart&ent o" Environ&ent and Nat ra!Reso rces 'DENR( to stop t$e respondents "ro& re&ovin*

t$e& "ro& t$eir positions in t$e DENR p rs ant to t$e @ 3reor*ani ation o" t$at depart&ent.t$e DENR re= ested t$e DBM to restore 4 positions #$ic$DBM $ad disapproved ear!ier. T$e re= est #as approved ons - ect to t$e condition t$at t$ese positions s$a!! -ecoter&ino s #it$ t$e appointees - t not to e+ceed t$ree '4(years.

T$e *ronds re!ied pon -y t$e petitioners are:@. T$at t$e i&pendin* &ass dis&issa! o" petitioners "ro&e&p!oy&ent on #o !d vio!ate t$eir ri*$t to sec rity o" ten re9. T$at t$e appoint&ent o" t$e petitioners to t$e so ca!!edcoter&ino s positions deprived t$e& o" t$e ri*$t to d eprocess1I !e; GH8 the reorgani=ation 3a validr. v. o a , etal

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-e represented in t$e B/D o" t$e corporation, its s -sidiaries,its E+ec tive and A dit %o&&ittees

9. e= estered s$ares o" stoc) constit te a ma@orit o" t$evotin* s$ares o" t$e corporation invo!ved &ini& &sa"e* ards & st -e p t into p!ace 'a !ot P. @93@ o"case-oo)(.

More additiona! sa"e* ards "or -ot$ cases@. e= estered s$ares &ay not -e so!d, a!ienated or disposedo" 9. Dividends and !i= idatin* distri- tions are not to -ede!ivered

T$is decision & st -e i&p!e&ented nder t$e s pervision andcontro! o" t$e andi*an-ayan.

DATE /F EFFE%TIVITY /F T?E %/N TITUTI/N

A#: %5& 6. 5% #%&8 VS. A6I8 .%S J% A, in hi ca acit a &IC overnor o$ theProvince o$ i=alA * st 4@, @ 3

:act ; In t$e Baran*ay e!ections $e!d on May @3, @ 9,petitioner A!"redo M. De >eon #as e!ected Baran*ay %aptainand 5 ot$er petitioners #ere e!ected as Baran*ay %o nci!&eno" Baran*ay Do!ores, Taytay, Ri a! nder Batas Pa&-ansa B!*.999, ot$er#ise )no#n as t$e Baran*ay E!ection Act o" @ 9./n Fe-r ary , @ 3, petitioner A!"redo M, de >eon received aMe&orand & antedated Dece&-er @, @ 2 - t si*ned -yrespondent /I% Covernor Ben a&in Es* erra on Fe-r ary ,@ 3 desi*natin* respondent F!orentino C. Ma*no asBaran*ay %aptain in $is p!ace, as #e!! as 5 ot$er individ a!sas co nci!&en.Petitioners pray t$at t$e s - ect Me&oranda o" Fe-r ary ,@ 3 -e dec!ared n !! and void and t$at respondents -epro$i-ited "ro& ta)in* over t$eir positions o" Baran*ay%aptain and Baran*ay %o nci!&en, respective!y. Petitioners&aintain t$at p rs ant to ection 4 o" t$e Baran*ay E!ectionAct o" @ 9 'BP B!*. 999(, t$eir ter&s o" o""ice s$a!! -e si+ '2(years #$ic$ s$a!! co&&ence on J ne 3, @ 9 and s$a!!contin e nti! t$eir s ccessors s$a!! $ave e!ected and s$a!!$ave = a!i"ied, or p to J ne 3, @ . It is a!so t$eir position

t$at #it$ t$e rati"ication o" t$e @ 3 %onstit tion, respondent/I% Covernor no !on*er $as t$e a t$ority to rep!ace t$e& andto desi*nate t$eir s ccessors./n t$e ot$er $and, respondents re!y on ection 9, Artic!e III o"t$e Provisiona! %onstit tion, pro& !*ated on Marc$ 95, @ 2,#$ic$ provided:SEC%I&' (. All elective and a!!ointive officials andem!loyees under the $#)* Constitution shall continue inoffice until other+ise !rovided y !roclamation or executiveorder or u!on the designation or a!!ointment andualification of their successors, if such a!!ointment is made+ithin a !eriod of one year from -e ruary ( ,$#/0.

E+a&inin* t$e said provision, t$ere s$o !d -e no = estiont$at petitioners, as e!ective o""icia!s nder t$e @ 34%onstit tion, &ay contin e in o""ice - t s$o !d vacate t$eirpositions pon t$e occ rrence o" any o" t$e a-ove&entionedevents.I !e;

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