Stat Con Assignment 061816

7/26/2019 Stat Con Assignment 061816

1/61

Case Assignments I Statutory Construction18 June 2016

1. G.R. No. L-1960 Se!tem"er 29# 1966

CALTEX (PHILIPPINES), INC., petitioner-appellee,vs.ENRICO PALOMAR, in is !apa!it" as THE POSTMASTER #ENERAL,

respon$ent-appellant.

In t$e year 1960 t$e Ca%te& '($i%i!!ines) Inc. '$ereina*ter re*erre+ to as Ca%te&)concei,e+ an+ %ai+ t$e groun+or *or a !romotiona% sc$eme ca%cu%ate+ to +rum u!!atronage *or its oi% !ro+ucts. /enominate+ Ca%te& oo+e+ (um! Contest# it ca%%s*or !artici!ants t$erein to estimate t$e actua% num"er o* %iters a $oo+e+ gas !um!at eac$ Ca%te& station i%% +is!ense +uring a s!ecie+ !erio+. 3m!%oyees o* t$eCa%te& '($i%i!!ines) Inc.# its +ea%ers an+ its a+,ertising agency# an+ t$eir imme+iate*ami%ies e&ce!te+# !artici!ation is to "e o!en in+iscriminate%y to a%% motor ,e$ic%eoners an+4or %icense+ +ri,ers. 5or t$e !ri,i%ege to !artici!ate# no *ee orconsi+eration is reuire+ to "e !ai+# no !urc$ase o* Ca%te& !ro+ucts reuire+ to "ema+e. 3ntry *orms are to "e ma+e a,ai%a"%e u!on reuest at eac$ Ca%te& station

$ere a sea%e+ can i%% "e !ro,i+e+ *or t$e +e!osit o* accom!%is$e+ entry stu"s.

A t$ree-stage+ inner se%ection system is en,isione+. At t$e station %e,e%# ca%%e+/ea%er Contest# t$e contestant $ose estimate is c%osest to t$e actua% num"er o*%iters +is!ense+ "y t$e $oo+e+ !um! t$ereat is to "e aar+e+ t$e rst !ri7e t$ene&t c%osest# t$e secon+ an+ t$e ne&t# t$e t$ir+. (ri7es at t$is %e,e% consist o* a -"urner erosene sto,e *or rst a t$ermos "ott%e an+ a Ray-:-;ac $unter %antern *orsecon+ an+ an 3,errea+y $e inning stu"s o* t$e ua%ie+contestants in eac$ region i%% "e +e!osite+ in a sea%e+ can *rom $ic$ t$e rst-!ri7e# secon+-!ri7e an+ t$ir+-!ri7e inners o* t$at region i%% "e +ran. >$e regiona%

rst-!ri7e inners i%% "e entit%e+ to mae a t$ree-+ay a%%-e&!enses-!ai+ roun+ tri!to


2/61


o* t$e ($i%i!!ines# or "e +e%i,ere+ to its a++ressee "y any oDcer or em!%oyee o* t$eEureau o* (osts

Fritten or !rinte+ matter in any *orm a+,ertising# +escri"ing# or in any manner!ertaining to# or con,eying or !ur!orting to con,ey any in*ormation concerning any%ottery# gi*t enter!rise# or simi%ar sc$eme +e!en+ing in $o%e or in !art u!on %ot or

c$ance# or any sc$eme# +e,ice# or enter!rise *or o"taining any money or !ro!erty o*any in+ "y means o* *a%se or *rau+u%ent !retenses# re!resentations# or !romises.

S3C>I:N 1982. 5rau+ or+ers.!on satis*actory e,i+ence t$at any !erson orcom!any is engage+ in con+ucting any %ottery# gi*t enter!rise# or sc$eme *or t$e+istri"ution o* money# or o* any rea% or !ersona% !ro!erty "y %ot# c$ance# or +raingo* any in+# or t$at any !erson or com!any is con+ucting any sc$eme# +e,ice# orenter!rise *or o"taining money or !ro!erty o* any in+ t$roug$ t$e mai%s "y meanso* *a%se or *rau+u%ent !retenses# re!resentations# or !romises# t$e /irector o* (ostsmay instruct any !ostmaster or ot$er oDcer or em!%oyee o* t$e Eureau to return tot$e !erson# +e!ositing t$e same in t$e mai%s# it$ t$e or+ *rau+u%ent !%ain%yritten or stam!e+ u!on t$e outsi+e co,er t$ereo*# any mai% matter o* $ate,er

c%ass mai%e+ "y or a++resse+ to suc$ !erson or com!any or t$e re!resentati,e oragent o* suc$ !erson or com!any.

S3C>I:N 198. /e!ri,ation o* use o* money or+er system an+ te%egra!$ic trans*erser,ice.>$e /irector o* (osts may# u!on e,i+ence satis*actory to $im t$at any!erson or com!any is engage+ in con+ucting any %ottery# gi*t enter!rise or sc$eme*or t$e +istri"ution o* money# or o* any rea% or !ersona% !ro!erty "y %ot# c$ance# or+raing o* any in+# or t$at any !erson or com!any is con+ucting any sc$eme#+e,ice# or enter!rise *or o"taining money or !ro!erty o* any in+ t$roug$ t$e mai%s"y means o* *a%se or *rau+u%ent !retenses# re!resentations# or !romise# *or"i+ t$eissue or !ayment "y any !ostmaster o* any !osta% money or+er or te%egra!$ictrans*er to sai+ !erson or com!any or to t$e agent o* any suc$ !erson or com!any#$et$er suc$ agent is acting as an in+i,i+ua% or as a rm# "an# cor!oration# orassociation o* any in+# an+ may !ro,i+e "y regu%ation *or t$e return to t$eremitters o* t$e sums name+ in money or+ers or te%egra!$ic trans*ers +ran in*a,or o* suc$ !erson or com!any or its agent.

>$e o,ertures ere %ater *orma%i7e+ in a %etter to t$e (ostmaster Genera%# +ate+:cto"er 1# 1960# in $ic$ t$e Ca%te t$ru counse%# enc%ose+ a co!y o* t$e contestru%es an+ en+ea,ore+ to ?usti*y its !osition t$at t$e contest +oes not ,io%ate t$eanti-%ottery !ro,isions o* t$e (osta% La. nim!resse+# t$e t$en Acting (ostmasterGenera% o!ine+ t$at t$e sc$eme *a%%s it$in t$e !ur,ie o* t$e !ro,isions a*oresai+an+ +ec%ine+ to grant t$e reueste+ c%earance. In its counse%Hs %etter o* /ecem"er #1960# Ca%te& soug$t a reconsi+eration o* t$e *oregoing stan+# stressing t$at t$ere"eing in,o%,e+ no consi+eration in t$e !art o* any contestant# t$e contest as not#un+er contro%%ing aut$orities# con+emna"%e as a %ottery. Re%ying# $oe,er# on ano!inion ren+ere+ "y t$e Secretary o* Justice on an unre%ate+ case se,en years"e*ore ':!inion 21# Series o* 19)# t$e (ostmaster Genera% maintaine+ $is ,iet$at t$e contest in,o%,es consi+eration# or t$at# i* it +oes not# it is ne,ert$e%ess agi*t enter!rise $ic$ is eua%%y "anne+ "y t$e (osta% La# an+ in $is %etter o*/ecem"er 10# 1960 not on%y +enie+ t$e use o* t$e mai%s *or !ur!oses o* t$e

5u%% te&t com!i%ation on%y.


3/61


!ro!ose+ contest "ut as e%% t$reatene+ t$at i* t$e contest as con+ucte+# a *rau+or+er i%% $a,e to "e issue+ against it 'Ca%te&) an+ a%% its re!resentati,es.

Ca%te& t$ereu!on in,oe+ ?u+icia% inter,ention "y %ing t$e !resent !etition *or+ec%aratory re%ie* against (ostmaster Genera% 3nrico (a%omar# !raying t$at

?u+gment "e ren+ere+ +ec%aring its HCa%te& oo+e+ (um! ContestH not to "e

,io%ati,e o* t$e (osta% La# an+ or+ering res!on+ent to a%%o !etitioner t$e use o*t$e mai%s to "ring t$e contest to t$e attention o* t$e !u"%ic. A*ter issues ere

?oine+ an+ u!on t$e res!ecti,e memoran+a o* t$e !arties# t$e tria% court ren+ere+?u+gment as *o%%os

In ,ie o* t$e *oregoing consi+erations# t$e Court $o%+s t$at t$e !ro!ose+ HCa%te&oo+e+ (um! ContestH announce+ to "e con+ucte+ "y t$e !etitioner un+er t$e ru%esmare+ as Anne& E o* t$e !etitioner +oes not ,io%ate t$e (osta% La an+ t$eres!on+ent $as no rig$t to "ar t$e !u"%ic +istri"ution o* sai+ ru%es "y t$e mai%s.

>$e res!on+ent a!!ea%e+.

>$e !arties are no "e*ore us# arraye+ against eac$ ot$er u!on to "asic issuesrst# $et$er t$e !etition states a suDcient cause o* action *or +ec%aratory re%ie*an+ secon+# $et$er t$e !ro!ose+ Ca%te& oo+e+ (um! Contest ,io%ates t$e(osta% La. Fe s$a%% tae t$ese u! in seriatim.

1. Ey e&!ress man+ate o* section 1 o* Ru%e 66 o* t$e o%+ Ru%es o* Court# $ic$ ast$e a!!%ica"%e %ega% "asis *or t$e reme+y at t$e time it as in,oe+# +ec%aratoryre%ie* is a,ai%a"%e to any !erson $ose rig$ts are a@ecte+ "y a statute . . . to+etermine any uestion o* construction or ,a%i+ity arising un+er t$e . . . statute an+*or a +ec%aration o* $is rig$ts t$ereun+er 'no section 1# Ru%e 6B# Re,ise+ Ru%es o*Court). In am!%ication# t$is Court# con*orma"%y to esta"%is$e+ ?uris!ru+ence on t$ematter# %ai+ +on certain con+itions sine ua non t$ere*or# to it '1) t$ere must "ea ?usticia"%e contro,ersy '2) t$e contro,ersy must "e "eteen !ersons $oseinterests are a+,erse ') t$e !arty seeing +ec%aratory re%ie* must $a,e a %ega%interest in t$e contro,ersy an+ 'B) t$e issue in,o%,e+ must "e ri!e *or ?u+icia%+etermination '>o%entino ,s. >$e Eoar+ o* Accountancy# et a%.# G.R. No. L-062#Se!tem"er 28# 191 /e%umen# et a%. ,s. Re!u"%ic o* t$e ($i%i!!ines# 0 :.G.# No. 2#!!. 6# 8-9 3+a+es ,s. 3+a+es# et a%.# G.R. No. L-896B# Ju%y 1# 196). >$egra,amen o* t$e a!!e%%antHs stan+ "eing t$at t$e !etition $erein states no suDcientcause o* action *or +ec%aratory re%ie*# our +uty is to assay t$e *actua% "ases t$ereo*u!on t$e *oregoing cruci"%e.

As e %oo in retros!ect at t$e inci+ents t$at generate+ t$e !resent contro,ersy# anum"er o* signicant !oints stan+ out in "o%+ re%ie*. >$e a!!e%%ee 'Ca%te&)# as a"usiness enter!rise o* some conseuence# conce+e+%y $as t$e unuestione+ rig$tto e&!%oit e,ery %egitimate means# an+ to a,ai% o* a%% a!!ro!riate me+ia to a+,ertisean+ stimu%ate increase+ !atronage *or its !ro+ucts. In contrast# t$e a!!e%%ant# as t$eaut$ority c$arge+ it$ t$e en*orcement o* t$e (osta% La# a+mitte+%y $as t$e !oeran+ t$e +uty to su!!ress transgressions t$ereo* !articu%ar%y t$ru t$e issuance o**rau+ or+ers# un+er Sections 1982 an+ 198 o* t$e Re,ise+ A+ministrati,e Co+e#against %ega%%y non-mai%a"%e sc$emes. :",ious%y !ursuing its rig$t a*oresai+# t$ea!!e%%ee %ai+ out !%ans *or t$e sa%es !romotion sc$eme $erein"e*ore +etai%e+. >o



4/61


*oresta%% !ossi"%e +iDcu%ties in t$e +issemination o* in*ormation t$ereon t$ru t$emai%s# amongst ot$er me+ia# it as *oun+ e&!e+ient to reuest t$e a!!e%%ant *or ana+,ance c%earance t$ere*or. oe,er# %ieise "y ,irtue o* $is ?uris+iction in t$e!remises an+ construing t$e !ertinent !ro,isions o* t$e (osta% La# t$e a!!e%%antsa a ,io%ation t$ereo* in t$e !ro!ose+ sc$eme an+ accor+ing%y +ec%ine+ t$ereuest. A !oint o* +i@erence as to t$e correct construction to "e gi,en to t$e

a!!%ica"%e statute as t$us reac$e+. Communications in $ic$ t$e !artiese&!oun+e+ on t$eir res!ecti,e t$eories ere e&c$ange+. >$e con+ence it$ $ic$t$e a!!e%%ee insiste+ u!on its !osition as matc$e+ on%y "y t$e o"stinacy it$$ic$ t$e a!!e%%ant stoo+ $is groun+. An+ t$is im!asse as c%ima&e+ "y t$ea!!e%%antHs o!en arning to t$e a!!e%%ee t$at i* t$e !ro!ose+ contest ascon+ucte+# a *rau+ or+er i%% $a,e to "e issue+ against it an+ a%% itsre!resentati,es.

Against t$is "ac+ro!# t$e stage as in+ee+ set *or t$e reme+y !raye+ *or. >$ea!!e%%eeHs insistent assertion o* its c%aim to t$e use o* t$e mai%s *or its !ro!ose+contest# an+ t$e c$a%%enge t$ereto an+ conseuent +enia% "y t$e a!!e%%ant o* t$e!ri,i%ege +eman+e+# un+ou"te+%y s!ane+ a %i,e contro,ersy. >$e ?usticia"i%ity o*

t$e +is!ute cannot "e gainsai+. >$ere is an acti,e antagonistic assertion o* a %ega%rig$t on one si+e an+ a +enia% t$ereo* on t$e ot$er# concerning a rea% not a meret$eoretica% uestion or issue. >$e conten+ers are as rea% as t$eir interests aresu"stantia%. >o t$e a!!e%%ee# t$e uncertainty occasione+ "y t$e +i,ergence o* ,ieson t$e issue o* construction $am!ers or +istur"s its *ree+om to en$ance its"usiness. >o t$e a!!e%%ant# t$e su!!ression o* t$e a!!e%%eeHs !ro!ose+ contest"e%ie,e+ to transgress a %a $e $as sorn to u!$o%+ an+ en*orce is an una,oi+a"%e+uty. Fit$ t$e a!!e%%eeHs "ent to $o%+ t$e contest an+ t$e a!!e%%antHs t$reat to issuea *rau+ or+er t$ere*or i* carrie+ out# t$e conten+ers are con*ronte+ "y t$e ominouss$a+o o* an imminent an+ ine,ita"%e %itigation un%ess t$eir +i@erences are sett%e+an+ sta"i%i7e+ "y a tranui%i7ing +ec%aration '(a"%o y Sen# et a%. ,s. Re!u"%ic o* t$e($i%i!!ines# G.R. No. L-6868# A!ri% 0# 19). An+# contrary to t$e insinuation o* t$ea!!e%%ant# t$e time is %ong !ast $en it can rig$t%y "e sai+ t$at mere%y t$ea!!e%%eeHs +esires are t$arte+ "y its on +ou"ts# or "y t$e *ears o* ot$ers $ic$ a+mitte+%y +oes not con*er a cause o* action. /ou"t# i* any t$ere as# $asri!ene+ into a ?usticia"%e contro,ersy $en# as in t$e case at "ar# it as trans%ate+into a !ositi,e c%aim o* rig$t $ic$ is actua%%y conteste+ 'III $eaters# 6 Ari7.# 21# 28B (ac. 0).

Fe cannot $os!ita"%y entertain t$e a!!e%%antHs !retense t$at t$ere is $ere nouestion o* construction "ecause t$e sai+ a!!e%%ant sim!%y a!!%ie+ t$e c%ear!ro,isions o* t$e %a to a gi,en set o* *acts as em"o+ie+ in t$e ru%es o* t$e contest#$ence# t$ere is no room *or +ec%aratory re%ie*. >$e inrmity o* t$is !ose %ies in t$e*act t$at it !rocee+s *rom t$e assum!tion t$at# i* t$e circumstances $ere !resente+#t$e construction o* t$e %ega% !ro,isions can "e +i,orce+ *rom t$e matter o* t$eira!!%ication to t$e a!!e%%eeHs contest. >$is is not *easi"%e. Construction# ,eri%y# is t$eart or !rocess o* +isco,ering an+ e&!oun+ing t$e meaning an+ intention o* t$eaut$ors o* t$e %a it$ res!ect to its a!!%ication to a gi,en case# $ere t$atintention is ren+ere+ +ou"t*u%# amongst ot$ers# "y reason o* t$e *act t$at t$e gi,encase is not e&!%icit%y !ro,i+e+ *or in t$e %a 'E%ac# Inter!retation o* Las# !. 1). >$isis !recise%y t$e case $ere. F$et$er or not t$e sc$eme !ro!ose+ "y t$e a!!e%%ee is



5/61


it$in t$e co,erage o* t$e !ro$i"iti,e !ro,isions o* t$e (osta% La inesca!a"%yreuires an inuiry into t$e inten+e+ meaning o* t$e or+s use+ t$erein. >o ourmin+# t$is is as muc$ a uestion o* construction or inter!retation as any ot$er.

Nor is it accurate to say# as t$e a!!e%%ant intimates# t$at a !ronouncement on t$ematter at $an+ can amount to not$ing more t$an an a+,isory o!inion t$e $an+ing

+on o* $ic$ is anat$ema to a +ec%aratory re%ie* action. :* course# no "reac$ o*t$e (osta% La $as as yet "een committe+. et# t$e +isagreement o,er t$econstruction t$ereo* is no %onger ne"u%ous or contingent. It $as taen a &e+ an+na% s$a!e# !resenting c%ear%y +ene+ %ega% issues susce!ti"%e o* imme+iatereso%ution. Fit$ t$e "att%e %ines +ran# in a manner o* s!eaing# t$e !ro!riety nay# t$e necessity o* setting t$e +is!ute at rest "e*ore it accumu%ates t$eas!erity +istem!er# animosity# !assion an+ ,io%ence o* a *u%%-"%on "att%e $ic$%ooms a$ea+ 'III


6/61


cor!oration ou%+ "e su"?ect to crimina% !rosecution# it as $e%+ t$at t$ecor!oration as entit%e+ to maintain a +ec%aratory re%ie* action against t$e county!rosecutor to +etermine t$e %ega%ity o* its sa%es !romotion !%an. In !ari materia# seea%so Eunis ,s. Conay# 1 A!!. /i,. 2+.# 20# 2B N..S. 2+.# B Keit%in ,s.Arne"erg$# su!ra >$ri%%o# Inc. ,s. Scott# 1 N.J. Su!er. 12B# 82 A. 2+.# 90.

In ne# e $o%+ t$at t$e a!!e%%ee $as ma+e out a case *or +ec%aratory re%ie*.

2. >$e (osta% La# c$a!ter 2 o* t$e Re,ise+ A+ministrati,e Co+e# using a%mosti+entica% termino%ogy in sections 19B'a)# 1982 an+ 198 t$ereo*# su!ra# con+emnsas a"so%ute%y non-mai%a"%e# an+ em!oers t$e (ostmaster Genera% to issue *rau+or+ers against# or ot$erise +eny t$e use o* t$e *aci%ities o* t$e !osta% ser,ice to#any in*ormation concerning any %ottery# gi*t enter!rise# or sc$eme *or t$e+istri"ution o* money# or o* any rea% or !ersona% !ro!erty "y %ot# c$ance# or +raingo* any in+. !on t$ese or+s $inges t$e reso%ution o* t$e secon+ issue !ose+ int$is a!!ea%.

a!!i%y# t$is is not an a%toget$er untro++en ?u+icia% !at$. As ear%y as in 1922# in 3%

/e"ate# Inc. ,s. >o!acio# BB ($i%.# 28# 28-28B# $ic$ signicant%y +e%t on t$e!oer o* t$e !osta% aut$orities un+er t$e a"o,ementione+ !ro,isions o* t$e (osta%La# t$is Court +ec%are+ t$at

F$i%e count%ess +enitions o* %ottery $a,e "een attem!te+# t$e aut$oritati,e one *ort$is ?uris+iction is t$at o* t$e nite+ States Su!reme Court# in ana%ogous cases$a,ing to +o it$ t$e !oer o* t$e nite+ States (ostmaster Genera%# ,i7. >$e term%ottery e&ten+s to a%% sc$emes *or t$e +istri"ution o* !ri7es "y c$ance# suc$ as!o%icy !%aying# gi*t e&$i"itions# !ri7e concerts# raes at *airs# etc.# an+ ,arious *ormso* gam"%ing. >$e t$ree essentia% e%ements o* a %ottery are 5irst# consi+erationsecon+# !ri7e an+ t$ir+# c$ance. 'orner ,s. States M1892# 1B .S. BB9 (u"%icC%earing ouse ,s. Coyne M190# 19B .S.# B9 .S. ,s. 5i%art an+ Singson M191#0 ($i%.# 80 .S. ,s. :%sen an+


7/61


No !u77%es# no r$ymesO ou +onHt nee+ ra!!ers# %a"e%s or "o&to!sO ou +onHt $a,eto "uy anyt$ingO Sim!%y estimate t$e actua% num"er o* %iter t$e Ca%te& gas !um!it$ t$e $oo+ at your *a,orite Ca%te& +ea%er i%% +is!ense *rom to # an+ in,a%ua"%e !ri7es . . . . .

No$ere in t$e sai+ ru%es is any reuirement t$at any *ee "e !ai+# any merc$an+ise

"e "oug$t# any ser,ice "e ren+ere+# or any ,a%ue $atsoe,er "e gi,en *or t$e!ri,i%ege to !artici!ate. A !ros!ecti,e contestant $as "ut to go to a Ca%te& station#reuest *or t$e entry *orm $ic$ is a,ai%a"%e on +eman+# an+ accom!%is$ an+su"mit t$e same *or t$e +raing o* t$e inner. ;iee+ *rom a%% ang%es or turne+insi+e out# t$e contest *ai%s to e&$i"it any +iscerni"%e consi+eration $ic$ ou%+"ran+ it as a %ottery. In+ee+# e,en as e $ea+ t$e stern in?unction# %oo "eyon+ t$e*air e&terior# to t$e su"stance# in or+er to unmas t$e rea% e%ement an+ !erniciousten+encies $ic$ t$e %a is seeing to !re,ent '3% /e"ate# Inc. ,s. >o!acio# su!ra#!. 291)# e n+ none. In our a!!raisa%# t$e sc$eme +oes not on%y a!!ear to "e# "utactua%%y is# a gratuitous +istri"ution o* !ro!erty "y c$ance.

>$ere is no !oint to t$e a!!e%%antHs insistence t$at non-Ca%te& customers $o may

"uy Ca%te& !ro+ucts sim!%y to in a !ri7e ou%+ actua%%y "e in+irect%y !aying aconsi+eration *or t$e !ri,i%ege to ?oin t$e contest. (er$a!s t$is ou%+ "e tena"%e i*t$e !urc$ase o* any Ca%te& !ro+uct or t$e use o* any Ca%te& ser,ice ere a !re-reuisite to !artici!ation. Eut it is not. A contestant# it $ar+%y nee+s reiterating# +oesnot $a,e to "uy anyt$ing or to gi,e anyt$ing o* ,a%ue.1a!$P%.nQt

:@-tangent# too# is t$e suggestion t$at t$e sc$eme# "eing a+mitte+%y *or sa%es!romotion# ou%+ natura%%y "enet t$e s!onsor in t$e ay o* increase+ !atronage"y t$ose $o i%% "e encourage+ to !re*er Ca%te& !ro+ucts i* on%y to get t$e c$anceto +ra a !ri7e "y securing entry "%ans. >$e reuire+ e%ement o* consi+eration+oes not consist o* t$e "enet +eri,e+ "y t$e !ro!onent o* t$e contest. >$e truetest# as %ai+ +on in (eo!%e ,s. Car+as# 28 (. 2+.# 99# 1 Ca%. A!!. 'Su!!.) 88# is$et$er t$e !artici!ant !ays a ,a%ua"%e consi+eration *or t$e c$ance# an+ not$et$er t$ose con+ucting t$e enter!rise recei,e somet$ing o* ,a%ue in return *ort$e +istri"ution o* t$e !ri7e. (ers!ecti,e !ro!er%y oriente+# t$e stan+!oint o* t$econtestant is a%% t$at matters# not t$at o* t$e s!onsor. >$e *o%%oing# cu%%e+ *romCor!us Juris Secun+um# s$ou%+ set t$e matter at rest

>$e *act t$at t$e $o%+er o* t$e +raing e&!ects t$ere"y to recei,e# or in *act +oesrecei,e# some "enet in t$e ay o* !atronage or ot$erise# as a resu%t o* t$e+raing +oes not su!!%y t$e e%ement o* consi+eration. GriDt$ Amusement Co. ,s.e&. Ci,. A!!.# 98 S.F.# 2+.# 8BB 'B C.J.S.# !. 8B9).

>$us en%ig$tene+# e ?oin t$e tria% court in +ec%aring t$at t$e Ca%te& oo+e+ (um!Contest !ro!ose+ "y t$e a!!e%%ee is not a %ottery t$at may "e a+ministrati,e%y an+a+,erse%y +ea%t it$ un+er t$e (osta% La.

Eut it may "e ase+ Is it not at %east a gi*t enter!rise# or sc$eme *or t$e+istri"ution o* money# or o* any rea% or !ersona% !ro!erty "y %ot# c$ance# or +raingo* any in+# $ic$ is eua%%y !rescri"e+O Inci+enta%%y# $i%e t$e a!!e%%antHs "rie*a!!ears to $a,e concentrate+ on t$e issue o* consi+eration# t$is as!ect o* t$e casecannot "e a,oi+e+ i* t$e reme+y $ere in,oe+ is to ac$ie,e its tranui%i7ing e@ect as



8/61


an instrument o* "ot$ curati,e an+ !re,enti,e ?ustice. Reca%%ing t$at t$e a!!e%%antHsaction as !re+icate+# amongst ot$er "ases# u!on :!inion 21# Series 19# o* t$eSecretary o* Justice# $ic$ o!ine+ in e@ect t$at a sc$eme# t$oug$ not a %ottery *orant o* consi+eration# may ne,ert$e%ess "e a gi*t enter!rise in $ic$ t$at e%ementis not essentia%# t$e +etermination o* $et$er or not t$e !ro!ose+ contest anting in consi+eration as e $a,e *oun+ it to "e is a !ro$i"ite+ gi*t enter!rise#

cannot "e !asse+ o,er su" si%encio.

F$i%e an a%%-em"racing conce!t o* t$e term gi*t enter!rise is yet to "e s!e%%e+ outin e&!%icit or+s# t$ere a!!ears to "e a consensus among %e&icogra!$ers an+stan+ar+ aut$orities t$at t$e term is common%y a!!%ie+ to a s!orting artice o*un+er $ic$ goo+s are so%+ *or t$eir maret ,a%ue "ut "y ay o* in+ucement eac$!urc$aser is gi,en a c$ance to in a !ri7e 'B C.J.S.# 80 B Am. Jur.# 6B E%ac#La /ictionary# Bt$ e+.# !. 81 Ea%%antine# La /ictionary it$ (ronunciations# 2n+e+.# !. Retai% Section o* C$am"er o* Commerce o* (%attsmout$ ,s. iec# 2N.F.# B9# 128 Ne". 1 Earer ,s. State# 19 S.3.# 60# 6 Ga. A!!.# 0 Ee%% ,s.State# >enn. 0# 09# Snee+# 0# 09). As t$us concei,e+# t$e term c%ear%ycannot em"race t$e sc$eme at "ar. As a%rea+y note+# t$ere is no sa%e o* anyt$ing to

$ic$ t$e c$ance o@ere+ is attac$e+ as an in+ucement to t$e !urc$aser. >$econtest is o!en to a%% ua%ie+ contestants irres!ecti,e o* $et$er or not t$ey "uyt$e a!!e%%eeHs !ro+ucts.

Going a ste! *art$er# $oe,er# an+ assuming t$at t$e a!!e%%eeHs contest can "eencom!asse+ it$in t$e "roa+est see! t$at t$e term gi*t enter!rise is ca!a"%e o*"eing e&ten+e+# e t$in t$at t$e a!!e%%antHs !ose i%% gain no a++e+ com*ort. Asstate+ in t$e o!inion re%ie+ u!on# ru%ings t$ere are in+ee+ $o%+ing t$at a gi*tenter!rise in,o%,ing an aar+ "y c$ance# e,en in +e*au%t o* t$e e%ement o*consi+eration necessary to constitute a %ottery# is !ro$i"ite+ '3.g. Crimes ,s.States# 2 A%a 192# 18 So. Russe%% ,s. 3uita"%e Loan Sec. Co.# 129 Ga. 1B#8 S.3.# 88 State e& re%. Sta@or+ ,s. 5o&-Great 5a%%s >$eater Cor!oration# 12 (. 2+.#689# 69B# 698# 11B


9/61


consonant to t$e e%%-non !rinci!%e o* %ega% $ermeneutics noscitur a sociis $ic$ :!inion 21 a*oresai+ a%so re%ie+ u!on a%t$oug$ on%y inso*ar as t$e e%emento* c$ance is concerne+ it is on%y %ogica% t$at t$e term un+er a construction s$ou%+"e accor+e+ no ot$er meaning t$an t$at $ic$ is consistent it$ t$e nature o* t$eor+ associate+ t$ereit$. ence# i* %ottery is !ro$i"ite+ on%y i* it in,o%,es aconsi+eration# so a%so must t$e term gi*t enter!rise "e so construe+. Signicant%y#

t$ere is not in t$e %a t$e s%ig$test in+icium o* any intent to e%iminate t$at e%emento* consi+eration *rom t$e gi*t enter!rise t$erein inc%u+e+.

>$is conc%usion rms u! in t$e %ig$t o* t$e misc$ie* soug$t to "e reme+ie+ "y t$e%a# resort to t$e +etermination t$ereo* "eing an acce!te+ e&trinsic ai+ in statutoryconstruction.


10/61


>$is Court is con*ronte+ once again it$ t$e uestion o* $et$er or not it is a courtor a %a"or ar"iter t$at can !ass on a suit *or +amages %e+ "y t$e em!%oyer# $ere!ri,ate res!on+ent Kam"oanga Foo+ (ro+ucts. Res!on+ent Ju+ge Car%ito A. 3isma 1t$en o* t$e Court o* 5irst Instance# no o* t$e Regiona% >ria% Court o* Kam"oangaCity# as o* t$e ,ie t$at it is a court an+ +enie+ a motion to +ismiss %e+ "y!etitioners Nationa% 5e+eration o* %a"or an+ Kam"ooo+ $e recor+ +isc%oses t$at !etitioner Nationa% 5e+eration o* La"or# on


11/61


$is agents *rom en*orcing t$e e&-!arte or+er o* in?unction +ate+ Ju%y 20# 1982 an+to restrain t$e res!on+ent Ju+ge *rom !rocee+ing it$ t$e $earing o* t$e unti%ot$erise case e@ecti,e as o* Mt$at +ate an+ continuing or+ere+ "y Mt$e Court. Int$e e&ercise o* t$e rig$t to !eace*u% !iceting# !etitioner unions must a"i+e strict%yit$ Eatas (am"ansa E%g. 22# s!ecica%%y Section 6 t$ereo*# amen+ing Artic%e 26o* t$e La"or Co+e# $ic$ no rea+s H'e) No !erson engage+ in !iceting s$a%%

commit any act o* ,io%ence# coercion or intimi+ation or o"struct t$e *ree ingress toor egress *rom t$e em!%oyerHs !remises *or %a*u% !ur!oses# or o"struct !u"%ict$oroug$*ares.H 12

:n August 1# 1982# t$e anser o* !ri,ate res!on+ent as %e+ sustaining t$eorigina% ?uris+iction o* res!on+ent Ju+ge an+ maintaining t$at t$e or+er com!%aine+o* as not in e&cess o* suc$ ?uris+iction# or issue+ it$ gra,e a"use o* +iscretion.So%icitor Genera% 3ste%ito (.


12/61


1. Artic%e 21 is to "e a!!%ie+ t$e ay it is or+e+. >$e e&c%usi,e origina% ?uris+ictiono* a %a"or ar"iter is t$erein !ro,i+e+ *or e&!%icit%y. It means# it can on%y mean# t$at acourt o* rst instance ?u+ge t$en# a regiona% tria% court ?u+ge no# certain%y acts"eyon+ t$e sco!e o* t$e aut$ority con*erre+ on $im "y %a $en $e entertaine+ t$esuit *or +amages# arising *rom !iceting t$at accom!anie+ a strie. >$at assuare%y it$in t$e e&!ress terms o* t$e %a. Any +e,iation cannot t$ere*ore "e

to%erate+. So it $as "een t$e constant ru%ing o* t$is Court e,en !rior to Li7arragaermanos ,. a! >ico# 22 a 191 +ecision. >$e ringing or+s o* t$e !onencia o*

Justice $at same mont$# to ot$ercases ere simi%ar%y +eci+e+# 3"on ,. /e Gu7man 29 an+ Agu+a ,. ;a%%e?os. 0

. It is regretta"%e t$at t$e ru%ing in t$e a"o,e t$ree +ecisions# +eci+e+ in


13/61


num"er# "ac to or a*ter an or+er o* $e tem!oraryrestraining or+er o* August # 1982 is $ere"y ma+e !ermanent.



14/61


. G.R. No. 11110. January 10# 199

L3:NAR/: A. PAAT# in $is ca!acity as :Dcer-in-C$arge ':IC)# Regiona% 3&ecuti,e/irector 'R3/)# Region 2 an+ J:;I>: LAGAN# JR.# in $is ca!acity as Community3n,ironment an+ Natura% Resources :Dcer 'C3NR:)# "ot$ o* t$e /e!artment o*

3n,ironment an+ Natura% Resources '/3NR)# !etitioners#,s.CORT O% APPEALS# :N. RICAR/: A. EACLI in $is ca!acity as (resi+ing Ju+geo* Eranc$ 2# Regiona% >ria% Court at >uguegarao# Cagayan# an+ S(:S3SEI3N;3NI/: an+ ;IC>:RIA /3 GK$e Re,ise+ 5orestry Co+e o* t$e ($i%i!!inesO

Are t$e Secretary o* /3NR an+ $is re!resentati,es em!oere+ to conscate an+*or*eit con,eyances use+ in trans!orting i%%ega% *orest !ro+ucts in *a,or o* t$ego,ernmentO

>$ese are to *un+amenta% uestions !resente+ "e*ore us *or our reso%ution.

>$e contro,ersy on $an+ $a+ its inci!iency on ria% Court# Eranc$ 2 o* Cagayan#M $ic$ issue+ a rit or+ering t$e return o* t$e truc to !ri,ate res!on+ents.M6(etitioner Layugan an+ 3&ecuti,e /irector Eaggayan %e+ a motion to +ismiss it$t$e tria% court conten+ing# inter a%ia# t$at !ri,ate res!on+ents $a+ no cause o*action *or t$eir *ai%ure to e&$aust a+ministrati,e reme+ies. >$e tria% court +enie+ t$e



15/61


motion to +ismiss in an or+er +ate+ /ecem"er 28# 1989.M >$eir motion *orreconsi+eration $a,ing "een %ieise +enie+# a !etition *or certiorari as %e+ "yt$e !etitioners it$ t$e res!on+ent Court o* A!!ea%s $ic$ sustaine+ t$e tria% courtsor+er ru%ing t$at t$e uestion in,o%,e+ is !ure%y a %ega% uestion.M8 ence# t$is!resent !etition#M9 it$ !rayer *or tem!orary restraining or+er an+4or !re%iminaryin?unction# seeing to re,erse t$e +ecision o* t$e res!on+ent Court o* A!!ea%s as

%e+ "y t$e !etitioners on Se!tem"er 9# 199. Ey ,irtue o* t$e Reso%ution +ate+Se!tem"er 2# 199#M10 t$e !rayer *or t$e issuance o* tem!orary restraining or+ero* !etitioners as grante+ "y t$is Court.

In,oing t$e +octrine o* e&$austion o* a+ministrati,e reme+ies# !etitioners a,er t$att$e tria% court cou%+ not %ega%%y entertain t$e suit *or re!%e,in "ecause t$e truc asun+er a+ministrati,e sei7ure !rocee+ings !ursuant to Section 68-A o* (./. 0# asamen+e+ "y 3.:. 2. (ri,ate res!on+ents# on t$e ot$er $an+# ou%+ see to a,oi+t$e o!eration o* t$is !rinci!%e asserting t$at t$e instant case *a%%s it$in t$ee&ce!tion o* t$e +octrine u!on t$e ?ustication t$at '1) +ue !rocess as ,io%ate+"ecause t$ey ere not gi,en t$e c$ance to "e $ear+# an+ '2) t$e sei7ure an+*or*eiture as un%a*u% on t$e groun+s 'a) t$at t$e Secretary o* /3NR an+ $is

re!resentati,es $a,e no aut$ority to conscate an+ *or*eit con,eyances uti%i7e+ intrans!orting i%%ega% *orest !ro+ucts# an+ '") t$at t$e truc as a+mitte+ "y !etitionersas not use+ in t$e commission o* t$e crime.

!on a t$oroug$ an+ +e%icate scrutiny o* t$e recor+s an+ re%e,ant ?uris!ru+ence ont$e matter# e are o* t$e o!inion t$at t$e !%ea o* !etitioners *or re,ersa% is in or+er.

>$is Court in a %ong %ine o* cases $as consistent%y $e%+ t$at "e*ore a !arty is a%%oe+to see t$e inter,ention o* t$e court# it is a !re-con+ition t$at $e s$ou%+ $a,ea,ai%e+ o* a%% t$e means o* a+ministrati,e !rocesses a@or+e+ $im. ence# i* areme+y it$in t$e a+ministrati,e mac$inery can sti%% "e resorte+ to "y gi,ing t$ea+ministrati,e oDcer concerne+ e,ery o!!ortunity to +eci+e on a matter t$atcomes it$in $is ?uris+iction t$en suc$ reme+y s$ou%+ "e e&$auste+ rst "e*orecourts ?u+icia% !oer can "e soug$t. >$e !remature in,ocation o* courts inter,entionis *ata% to ones cause o* action.M11 Accor+ing%y# a"sent any n+ing o* ai,er oresto!!e% t$e case is susce!ti"%e o* +ismissa% *or %ac o* cause o* action.M12 >$is+octrine o* e&$austion o* a+ministrati,e reme+ies as not it$out its !ractica% an+%ega% reasons# *or one t$ing# a,ai%ment o* a+ministrati,e reme+y entai%s %essere&!enses an+ !ro,i+es *or a s!ee+ier +is!osition o* contro,ersies. It is no %ess trueto state t$at t$e courts o* ?ustice *or reasons o* comity an+ con,enience i%% s$yaay *rom a +is!ute unti% t$e system o* a+ministrati,e re+ress $as "een com!%ete+an+ com!%ie+ it$ so as to gi,e t$e a+ministrati,e agency concerne+ e,eryo!!ortunity to correct its error an+ to +is!ose o* t$e case. oe,er# e are notamiss to reiterate t$at t$e !rinci!%e o* e&$austion o* a+ministrati,e reme+ies asteste+ "y a "attery o* cases is not an ironc%a+ ru%e. >$is +octrine is a re%ati,e onean+ its =e&i"i%ity is ca%%e+ u!on "y t$e !ecu%iarity an+ uniueness o* t$e *actua% an+circumstantia% settings o* a case. ence# it is +isregar+e+ '1) $en t$ere is a,io%ation o* +ue !rocess#M1 '2) $en t$e issue in,o%,e+ is !ure%y a %ega% uestion#M1B ') $en t$e a+ministrati,e action is !atent%y i%%ega% amounting to %ac ore&cess o* ?uris+iction#M1 'B) $en t$ere is esto!!e% on t$e !art o* t$ea+ministrati,e agency concerne+#M16 ') $en t$ere is irre!ara"%e in?ury#M1 '6)$en t$e res!on+ent is a +e!artment secretary $ose acts as an a%ter ego o* t$e



16/61


(resi+ent "ears t$e im!%ie+ an+ assume+ a!!ro,a% o* t$e %atter#M18 ') $en toreuire e&$austion o* a+ministrati,e reme+ies ou%+ "e unreasona"%e#M19 '8) $enit ou%+ amount to a nu%%ication o* a c%aim#M20 '9) $en t$e su"?ect matter is a!ri,ate %an+ in %an+ case !rocee+ings#M21 '10) $en t$e ru%e +oes not !ro,i+e a!%ain# s!ee+y an+ a+euate reme+y# an+ '11) $en t$ere are circumstancesin+icating t$e urgency o* ?u+icia% inter,ention.M22

In t$e case at "ar# t$ere is no uestion t$at t$e contro,ersy as !en+ing "e*ore t$eSecretary o* /3NR $en it as *orar+e+ to $im *o%%oing t$e +enia% "y t$e!etitioners o* t$e motion *or reconsi+eration o* !ri,ate res!on+ents t$roug$ t$eor+er o* Ju%y 12# 1989. In t$eir %etter o* reconsi+eration +ate+ June 28# 1989#M2!ri,ate res!on+ents c%ear%y recogni7e t$e !resence o* an a+ministrati,e *orum to$ic$ t$ey see to a,ai%# as t$ey +i+ a,ai%# in t$e reso%ution o* t$eir case. >$e %etter#rea+s# t$us

&&&

I* t$is motion *or reconsi+eration +oes not merit your *a,ora"%e action# t$en t$is

%etter s$ou%+ "e consi+ere+ as an a!!ea% to t$e Secretary.M2B

It as easy to !ercei,e t$en t$at t$e !ri,ate res!on+ents %ooe+ u! to t$e Secretary*or t$e re,ie an+ +is!osition o* t$eir case. Ey a!!ea%ing to $im# t$ey acno%e+ge+t$e e&istence o* an a+euate an+ !%ain reme+y sti%% a,ai%a"%e an+ o!en to t$em int$e or+inary course o* t$e %a. >$us# t$ey cannot no# it$out ,io%ating t$e!rinci!%e o* e&$austion o* a+ministrati,e reme+ies# see courts inter,ention "y %ingan action *or re!%e,in *or t$e grant o* t$eir re%ie* +uring t$e !en+ency o* ana+ministrati,e !rocee+ings.

$e assum!tion "y t$e tria% court# t$ere*ore# o* t$ere!%e,in suit %e+ "y !ri,ate res!on+ents constitutes an un?ustie+ encroac$mentinto t$e +omain o* t$e a+ministrati,e agencys !rerogati,e. >$e +octrine o* !rimary

?uris+iction +oes not arrant a court to arrogate unto itse%* t$e aut$ority to reso%,e acontro,ersy t$e ?uris+iction o,er $ic$ is initia%%y %o+ge+ it$ an a+ministrati,e"o+y o* s!ecia% com!etence.M2 In 5e%i!e Ismae%# Jr. an+ Co. ,s. /e!uty 3&ecuti,eSecretary#M26 $ic$ as reiterate+ in t$e recent case o* Concerne+ :Dcia%s o*$us# $i%e t$e a+ministration gra!!%es it$ t$e com!%e& an+ mu%ti*arious !ro"%emscause+ "y un"ri++%e+ e&!%oitation o* t$ese resources# t$e ?u+iciary i%% stan+ c%ear.A %ong %ine o* cases esta"%is$ t$e "asic ru%e t$at t$e courts i%% not inter*ere inmatters $ic$ are a++resse+ to t$e soun+ +iscretion o* go,ernment agenciesentruste+ it$ t$e regu%ation o* acti,ities coming un+er t$e s!ecia% tec$nica%no%e+ge an+ training o* suc$ agencies.



17/61


>o sustain t$e c%aim o* !ri,ate res!on+ents ou%+ in e@ect "ring t$e instantcontro,ersy "eyon+ t$e !a%e o* t$e !rinci!%e o* e&$austion o* a+ministrati,ereme+ies an+ *a%% it$in t$e am"it o* e&ce!te+ cases $ereto*ore state+. oe,er#consi+ering t$e circumstances !re,ai%ing in t$is case# e can not "ut ru%e out t$eseassertions o* !ri,ate res!on+ents to "e it$out merit. 5irst# t$ey argue+ t$at t$ereas ,io%ation o* +ue !rocess "ecause t$ey +i+ not recei,e t$e $is contention $as no %eg to stan+ on. /ue!rocess +oes not necessari%y mean or reuire a $earing# "ut sim!%y an o!!ortunityor rig$t to "e $ear+.M28 :ne may "e $ear+ # not so%e%y "y ,er"a% !resentation "uta%so# an+ !er$a!s many times more cre+ita"%y an+ !ractica"%e t$an ora% argument#t$roug$ !%ea+ings.M29 In a+ministrati,e !rocee+ings moreo,er# tec$nica% ru%es o*!roce+ure an+ e,i+ence are not strict%y a!!%ie+ a+ministrati,e !rocess cannot "e*u%%y euate+ it$ +ue !rocess in its strict ?u+icia% sense.M0 In+ee+# +e!ri,ation o*+ue !rocess cannot "e success*u%%y in,oe+ $ere a !arty as gi,en t$e c$ance to"e $ear+ on $is motion *or reconsi+eration#M1 as in t$e instant case# $en !ri,ateres!on+ents ere un+is!ute+%y gi,en t$e o!!ortunity to !resent t$eir si+e $ent$ey %e+ a %etter o* reconsi+eration +ate+ June 28# 1989 $ic$ as# $oe,er#+enie+ in an or+er o* Ju%y 12# 1989 o* 3&ecuti,e /irector Eaggayan. In Na,arro III ,s.

/amasco#M2 e ru%e+ t$at

>$e essence o* +ue !rocess is sim!%y an o!!ortunity to "e $ear+# or as a!!%ie+ toa+ministrati,e !rocee+ings# an o!!ortunity to e&!%ain ones si+e or an o!!ortunity tosee a reconsi+eration o* t$e action or ru%ing com!%aine+ o*. A *orma% or tria% ty!e$earing is not at a%% times an+ in a%% instances essentia%. >$e reuirements aresatise+ $en t$e !arties are a@or+e+ *air an+ reasona"%e o!!ortunity to e&!%aint$eir si+e o* t$e contro,ersy at $an+. F$at is *rone+ u!on is t$e a"so%ute %ac o*notice or $earing.

Secon+# !ri,ate res!on+ents im!ute+ t$e !atent i%%ega%ity o* sei7ure an+ *or*eitureo* t$e truc "ecause t$e a+ministrati,e oDcers o* t$e /3NR a%%ege+%y $a,e no!oer to !er*orm t$ese acts un+er t$e %a. >$ey insiste+ t$at on%y t$e court isaut$ori7e+ to conscate an+ *or*eit con,eyances use+ in trans!orting i%%ega% *orest!ro+ucts as can "e g%eane+ *rom t$e secon+ !aragra!$ o* Section 68 o* (./. 0# asamen+e+ "y 3.:. 2. >$e !ertinent !ro,ision rea+s as *o%%os

S3C>I:N 68. &&&

&&&

>$e court s$a%% *urt$er or+er t$e conscation in *a,or o* t$e go,ernment o* t$etim"er or any *orest !ro+ucts cut# gat$ere+# co%%ecte+# remo,e+# or !ossesse+# ase%% as t$e mac$inery# eui!ments# im!%ements an+ too%s i%%ega%y Msic use+ in t$earea $ere t$e tim"er or *orest !ro+ucts are *oun+. 'n+er%ine ours)

A rea+ing# $oe,er# o* t$e %a !ersua+es us not to go a%ong it$ !ri,ateres!on+ents t$ining not on%y "ecause t$e a*oreuote+ !ro,ision a!!arent%y +oesnot mention nor inc%u+e con,eyances t$at can "e t$e su"?ect o* conscation "y t$ecourts# "ut to a %arge e&tent# +ue to t$e *act t$at !ri,ate res!on+ents inter!retationo* t$e su"?ect !ro,ision un+u%y restricts t$e c%ear intention o* t$e %a an+ ine,ita"%yre+uces t$e ot$er !ro,ision o* Section 68-A # $ic$ is uote+ $erein "e%o



18/61


S3C>I:N 68-A. A+ministrati,e Aut$ority o* t$e /e!artment or is /u%y Aut$ori7e+Re!resentati,e >o :r+er Conscation. In a%% cases o* ,io%ation o* t$is Co+e or ot$er*orest %as# ru%es an+ regu%ations# t$e /e!artment ea+ or $is +u%y aut$ori7e+re!resentati,e# may or+er t$e conscation o* any *orest !ro+ucts i%%ega%%y cut#gat$ere+# remo,e+# or !ossesse+ or a"an+one+# an+ a%% con,eyances use+ eit$er "y

%an+# ater or air in t$e commission o* t$e o@ense an+ to +is!ose o* t$e same inaccor+ance it$ !ertinent %as# regu%ations an+ !o%icies on t$e matter. 'n+er%ineours)

It is# t$us# c%ear *rom t$e *oregoing !ro,ision t$at t$e Secretary an+ $is +u%yaut$ori7e+ re!resentati,es are gi,en t$e aut$ority to conscate an+ *or*eit anycon,eyances uti%i7e+ in ,io%ating t$e Co+e or ot$er *orest %as# ru%es an+regu%ations. >$e !$rase to +is!ose o* t$e same is "roa+ enoug$ to co,er t$e act o**or*eiting con,eyances in *a,or o* t$e go,ernment. >$e on%y %imitation is t$at its$ou%+ "e ma+e in accor+ance it$ !ertinent %as# regu%ations or !o%icies on t$ematter. In t$e construction o* statutes# it must "e rea+ in suc$ a ay as to gi,ee@ect to t$e !ur!ose !ro?ecte+ in t$e statute.M Statutes s$ou%+ "e construe+ in

t$e %ig$t o* t$e o"?ect to "e ac$ie,e+ an+ t$e e,i% or misc$ie* to "e su!!resse+# an+t$ey s$ou%+ "e gi,en suc$ construction as i%% a+,ance t$e o"?ect# su!!ress t$emisc$ie*# an+ secure t$e "enets inten+e+.MB In t$is ise# t$e o"ser,ation o* t$eSo%icitor Genera% is signicant# t$us

Eut !recise%y "ecause o* t$e nee+ to mae *orestry %as more res!onsi,e to !resentsituations an+ rea%ities an+ in ,ie o* t$e urgency to conser,e t$e remainingresources o* t$e country# t$at t$e go,ernment o!te+ to a++ Section 68-A. >$isamen+atory !ro,ision is an a+ministrati,e reme+y tota%%y se!arate an+ +istinct *romcrimina% !rocee+ings. $e !ream"%e o* 3: 2-t$e %a t$at a++e+ Section 68-A to (/ 0-is mostre,ea%ing

F3R3AS# t$ere is an urgency to conser,e t$e remaining *orest resources o* t$ecountry *or t$e "enet an+ e%*are o* t$e !resent an+ *uture generations o*5i%i!inos

F3R3AS# our *orest resources may "e e@ecti,e%y conser,e+ an+ !rotecte+ t$roug$t$e ,igi%ant en*orcement an+ im!%ementation o* our *orestry %as# ru%es an+regu%ations

F3R3AS# t$e im!%ementation o* our *orestry %as su@ers *rom tec$nica%+iDcu%ties# +ue to certain ina+euacies in t$e !ena% !ro,isions o* t$e Re,ise+5orestry Co+e o* t$e ($i%i!!ines an+

F3R3AS# to o,ercome t$is +iDcu%ties# t$ere is a nee+ to !ena%i7e certain actsmore res!onsi,e to !resent situations an+ rea%ities

It is interesting to note t$at Section 68-A is a ne !ro,ision aut$ori7ing t$e /3NR toconscate# not on%y con,eyances# "ut *orest !ro+ucts as e%%. :n t$e ot$er $an+#conscation o* *orest !ro+ucts "y t$e court in a crimina% action $as %ong "een



19/61


!ro,i+e+ *or in Section 68. I* as !ri,ate res!on+ents insist# t$e !oer onconscation cannot "e e&ercise+ e&ce!t on%y t$roug$ t$e court un+er Section 68#t$en Section 68-A ou%+ $a,e no !ur!ose at a%%. Sim!%y !ut# Section 68-A ou%+ not$a,e !ro,i+e+ any so%ution to t$e !ro"%em !ercei,e+ in 3: 2# su!ra.M

(ri,ate res!on+ents# %ieise# conten+ t$at t$e sei7ure as i%%ega% "ecause t$e

!etitioners t$emse%,es a+mitte+ in t$e :r+er +ate+ Ju%y 12# 1989 o* 3&ecuti,e/irector Eaggayan t$at t$e truc o* !ri,ate res!on+ents as not use+ in t$ecommission o* t$e crime. >$is or+er# a co!y o* $ic$ as gi,en to an+ recei,e+ "yt$e counse% o* !ri,ate res!on+ents# rea+s in !art # ,i7.

&&& $i%e it is true t$at t$e truc o* your c%ient as not use+ "y $er in t$ecommission o* t$e crime# e u!$o%+ your c%aim t$at t$e truc oner is not %ia"%e *ort$e crime an+ in no case cou%+ a crimina% case "e %e+ against $er as !ro,i+e+un+er Artic%e 09 an+ 10 o* t$e Re,ise+ (ena% Co+e. &&&M6

Fe o"ser,e+ t$at !ri,ate res!on+ents misrea+ t$e content o* t$e a*orestate+ or+eran+ o",ious%y misinter!rete+ t$e intention o* !etitioners. F$at is contem!%ate+ "y

t$e !etitioners $en t$ey state+ t$at t$e truc as not use+ in t$e commission o*t$e crime is t$at it as not use+ in t$e commission o* t$e crime o* t$e*t# $ence# inno case can a crimina% action "e %e+ against t$e oner t$ereo* *or ,io%ation o*Artic%e 09 an+ 10 o* t$e Re,ise+ (ena% Co+e. (etitioners +i+ not e%iminate t$e!ossi"i%ity t$at t$e truc as "eing use+ in t$e commission o* anot$er crime# t$atis# t$e "reac$ o* Section 68 o* (./.0 as amen+e+ "y 3.:. 2. In t$e same or+er o*

Ju%y 12# 1989# !etitioners !ointe+ out

&&& oe,er# un+er Section 68 o* (./.0 as amen+e+ an+ *urt$er amen+e+ "y3&ecuti,e :r+er No.2 s!ecica%%y !ro,i+es *or t$e conscation o* t$e con,eyanceuse+ in t$e trans!ort o* *orest !ro+ucts not co,ere+ "y t$e reuire+ %ega%+ocuments. S$e may not $a,e "een in,o%,e+ in t$e cutting an+ gat$ering o* t$e!ro+uct in uestion "ut t$e *act t$at s$e acce!te+ t$e goo+s *or a *ee or *are t$esame is t$ere*or %ia"%e. &&&M

(ri,ate res!on+ents# $oe,er# conten+e+ t$at t$ere is no crime +ene+ an+!unis$a"%e un+er Section 68 ot$er t$an ua%ie+ t$e*t# so t$at# $en !etitionersa+mitte+ in t$e Ju%y 12# 1989 or+er t$at !ri,ate res!on+ents cou%+ not "e c$arge+*or t$e*t as !ro,i+e+ *or un+er Artic%es 09 an+ 10 o* t$e Re,ise+ (ena% Co+e# t$ennecessari%y !ri,ate res!on+ents cou%+ not $a,e committe+ an act constituting acrime un+er Section 68. Fe +isagree. 5or c%arity# t$e !ro,ision o* Section 68 o* (./.0 "e*ore its amen+ment "y 3.:. 2 an+ t$e !ro,ision o* Section 1 o* 3.:. No.2amen+ing t$e a*orementione+ Section 68 are re!ro+uce+ $erein# t$us

S3C>I:N 68. Cutting# gat$ering an+4or co%%ecting tim"er or ot$er !ro+ucts it$out%icense. - Any !erson $o s$a%% cut # gat$er # co%%ect # or remo,e tim"er or ot$er*orest !ro+ucts *rom any *orest %an+# or tim"er *rom a%iena"%e an+ +is!osa"%e !u"%ic%an+s# or *rom !ri,ate %an+s# it$out any aut$ority un+er a %icense agreement#%ease# %icense or !ermit# s$a%% "e gui%ty o* ua%ie+ t$e*t as +ene+ an+ !unis$e+un+er Artic%es 09 an+ 10 o* t$e Re,ise+ (ena% Co+e &&&. 'n+erscoring oursSection 68# (./.0 "e*ore its amen+ment "y 3.:.2 )



20/61


S3C>I:N 1. Section 68 o* (resi+entia% /ecree No.0# as amen+e+# is $ere"yamen+e+ to rea+ as *o%%os

Section 68. Cutting# gat$ering an+4or co%%ecting tim"er or ot$er *orest !ro+uctsit$out %icense. -Any !erson $o s$a%% cut# gat$er# co%%ect# remo,e tim"er or ot$er*orest !ro+ucts *rom any *orest %an+# or tim"er *rom a%iena"%e or +is!osa"%e !u"%ic

%an+# or *rom !ri,ate %an+# it$out any aut$ority# or !ossess tim"er or ot$er *orest!ro+ucts it$out t$e %ega% +ocuments as reuire+ un+er e&isting *orest %as an+regu%ations# s$a%% "e !unis$e+ it$ t$e !ena%ties im!ose+ un+er Artic%es 09 an+10 o* t$e Re,ise+ (ena% Co+e &&&. 'n+erscoring ours Section 1# 3.: No. 2amen+ing Section 68# (./. 0 as amen+e+)

Fit$ t$e intro+uction o* 3&ecuti,e :r+er No. 2 amen+ing Section 68 o* (./. 0#t$e act o* cutting# gat$ering# co%%ecting# remo,ing# or !ossessing *orest !ro+uctsit$out aut$ority constitutes a +istinct o@ense in+e!en+ent no *rom t$e crime o*t$e*t un+er Artic%es 09 an+ 10 o* t$e Re,ise+ (ena% Co+e# "ut t$e !ena%ty to "eim!ose+ is t$at !ro,i+e+ *or un+er Artic%e 09 an+ 10 o* t$e Re,ise+ (ena% Co+e.

>$is is c%ear *rom t$e %anguage o* 3&ecuti,e :r+er No. 2 $en it e%iminate+ t$e

!$rase s$a%% "e gui%ty o* ua%ie+ t$e*t as +ene+ an+ !unis$e+ un+er Artic%es 09an+ 10 o* t$e Re,ise+ (ena% Co+e an+ inserte+ t$e or+s s$a%% "e !unis$e+ it$t$e !ena%ties im!ose+ un+er Artic%e 09 an+ 10 o* t$e Re,ise+ (ena% Co+e . F$ent$e statute is c%ear an+ e&!%icit# t$ere is $ar+%y room *or any e&ten+e+ courtratiocination or rationa%i7ation o* t$e %a.M8

5rom t$e *oregoing +isuisition# it is c%ear t$at a suit *or re!%e,in can not "esustaine+ against t$e !etitioners *or t$e su"?ect truc taen an+ retaine+ "y t$em*or a+ministrati,e *or*eiture !rocee+ings in !ursuant to Section 68-A o* t$e (. /.0# as amen+e+. /ismissa% o* t$e re!%e,in suit *or %ac o* cause o* action in ,ie o*t$e !ri,ate res!on+ents *ai%ure to e&$aust a+ministrati,e reme+ies s$ou%+ $a,e"een t$e !ro!er course o* action "y t$e %oer court instea+ o* assuming ?uris+ictiono,er t$e case an+ conseuent%y issuing t$e rit or+ering t$e return o* t$e truc.3&$austion o* t$e reme+ies in t$e a+ministrati,e *orum# "eing a con+ition !rece+ent!rior to ones recourse to t$e courts an+ more im!ortant%y# "eing an e%ement o*!ri,ate res!on+ents rig$t o* action# is too signicant to "e ay%ai+ "y t$e %oercourt.

It is ort$ stressing at t$is !oint# t$at a suit *or re!%e,in is *oun+e+ so%e%y on t$ec%aim t$at t$e +e*en+ant rong*u%%y it$$o%+s t$e !ro!erty soug$t to "e reco,ere+.It %ies to reco,er !ossession o* !ersona% c$atte%s t$at are un%a*u%%y +etaine+.M9 >o+etain is +ene+ as to mean to $o%+ or ee! in custo+y#MB0 an+ it $as "een $e%+t$at t$ere is tortuous taing $ene,er t$ere is an un%a*u% me++%ing it$ t$e!ro!erty# or an e&ercise or c%aim o* +ominion o,er it# it$out any !retense o*aut$ority or rig$t t$is# it$out manua% sei7ing o* t$e !ro!erty is suDcient.MB1n+er t$e Ru%es o* Court# it is in+is!ensa"%e in re!%e,in !rocee+ings# t$at t$e!%ainti@ must s$o "y $is on aD+a,it t$at $e is entit%e+ to t$e !ossession o*!ro!erty# t$at t$e !ro!erty is rong*u%%y +etaine+ "y t$e +e*en+ant# a%%eging t$ecause o* +etention# t$at t$e same $as not "een taen *or ta& assessment# or sei7e+un+er e&ecution# or attac$ment# or i* so sei7e+# t$at it is e&em!t *rom suc$ sei7ure#an+ t$e actua% ,a%ue o* t$e !ro!erty.MB2 (ri,ate res!on+ents misera"%y *ai%e+ tocon,ince t$is Court t$at a rong*u% +etention o* t$e su"?ect truc o"tains in t$e



21/61


instant case. It s$ou%+ "e note+ t$at t$e truc as sei7e+ "y t$e !etitioners "ecauseit as trans!orting *orest !ro+ucts it$ out t$e reuire+ !ermit o* t$e /3NR inmani*est contra,ention o* Section 68 o* (./. 0 as amen+e+ "y 3.: 2. Section68-A o* (./. 0# as amen+e+# unuestiona"%y arrants t$e conscation as e%% ast$e +is!osition "y t$e Secretary o* /3NR or $is +u%y aut$ori7e+ re!resentati,es o*t$e con,eyances use+ in ,io%ating t$e !ro,ision o* *orestry %as. 3,i+ent%y# t$e

continue+ !ossession or +etention o* t$e truc "y t$e !etitioners *or a+ministrati,e*or*eiture !rocee+ing is %ega%%y !ermissi"%e# $ence # no rong*u% +etention e&ists int$e case at "ar.

3/ t$e /ecision o* t$e res!on+ent Court o*A!!ea%s +ate+ :cto"er 16# 1991 an+ its Reso%ution +ate+ Ju%y 1B# 1992 are $ere"yS3> ASI/3 AN/ R3;3RS3/ t$e Restraining :r+er !romu%gate+ on Se!tem"er 2#199 is $ere"y ma+e !ermanent an+ t$e Secretary o* /3NR is +irecte+ to reso%,et$e contro,ersy it$ utmost +is!atc$.

S: :R/3R3/.

B. G.R. No. L-2201 August 0# 196

THE PEOPLE O% THE PHILIPPINES# !%ainti@-a!!e%%ee#,s.MARIO MAPA MAPLON## +e*en+ant-a!!e%%ant.

>$e so%e uestion in t$is a!!ea% *rom a ?u+gment o* con,iction "y t$e %oer court is

$et$er or not t$e a!!ointment to an+ $o%+ing o* t$e !osition o* a secret agent tot$e !ro,incia% go,ernor ou%+ constitute a suDcient +e*ense to a !rosecution *or t$ecrime o* i%%ega% !ossession o* rearm an+ ammunition. Fe $o%+ t$at it +oes not.

>$e accuse+ in t$is case as in+icte+ *or t$e a"o,e o@ense in an in*ormation +ate+August 1B# 1962 rea+ing as *o%%os >$e un+ersi7e+ accuses


22/61


1t$ +ay o* August# 1962# in t$e City o* $e e&$i"its ere a+mitte+ an+ t$e !arties ere gi,en time to %e t$eirres!ecti,e memoran+a.1U!$V1.WXt

>$erea*ter on No,em"er 2# 196# t$e %oer court ren+ere+ a +ecision con,ictingt$e accuse+ o* t$e crime o* i%%ega% !ossession o* rearms an+ sentence+ to anin+eterminate !ena%ty o* *rom one year an+ one +ay to to years an+ to !ay t$ecosts. >$e rearm an+ ammunition conscate+ *rom $im are *or*eite+ in *a,or o* t$eGo,ernment.

>$e on%y uestion "eing one o* %a# t$e a!!ea% as taen to t$is Court. >$e +ecisionmust "e aDrme+.



23/61


>$e %a is e&!%icit t$at e&ce!t as t$erea*ter s!ecica%%y a%%oe+# it s$a%% "e un%a*u%*or any !erson to . . . !ossess any rearm# +etac$e+ !arts o* rearms or ammunitiont$ere*or# or any instrument or im!%ement use+ or inten+e+ to "e use+ in t$emanu*acture o* rearms# !arts o* rearms# or ammunition. >$e ne&t section!ro,i+es t$at rearms an+ ammunition regu%ar%y an+ %a*u%%y issue+ to oDcers#so%+iers# sai%ors# or marines Mo* t$e Arme+ 5orces o* t$e ($i%i!!ines# t$e ($i%i!!ine

Consta"u%ary# guar+s in t$e em!%oyment o* t$e Eureau o* (risons# munici!a% !o%ice#!ro,incia% go,ernors# %ieutenant go,ernors# !ro,incia% treasurers# munici!a%treasurers# munici!a% mayors# an+ guar+s o* !ro,incia% !risoners an+ ?ai%s# are notco,ere+ $en suc$ rearms are in !ossession o* suc$ oDcia%s an+ !u"%ic ser,ants*or use in t$e !er*ormance o* t$eir oDcia% +uties.6

>$e %a cannot "e any c%earer. No !ro,ision is ma+e *or a secret agent. As suc$ $eis not e&em!t. :ur tas is eua%%y c%ear. >$e rst an+ *un+amenta% +uty o* courts isto a!!%y t$e %a. Construction an+ inter!retation come on%y a*ter it $as "een+emonstrate+ t$at a!!%ication is im!ossi"%e or ina+euate it$out t$em. >$econ,iction o* t$e accuse+ must stan+. It cannot "e set asi+e.

Accuse+ $oe,er ou%+ re%y on (eo!%e ,. o t$e e&tent t$ere*ore t$att$is +ecision con=icts it$ $at as $e%+ in (eo!%e ,.


24/61


Gon7a%es *or Fi%son $e un+is!ute+ *acts o* t$e case are as *o%%os

:n 2 $e !ertinent !ro,ision o* %a rea+s# as *o%%os

Art. . >$e *o%%oing cannot a+o!t

'1) >$ose $o $a,e %egitimate# %egitimate+# acno%e+ge+ natura% c$i%+ren# orc$i%+ren "y %ega% ction

&&& &&& &&&



25/61


In o,erru%ing t$e o!!osition o* t$e $erein !etitioners# t$e res!on+ents ?u+ge $e%+t$at to a++ gran+c$i%+ren in t$is artic%e $ere no gran+c$i% is inc%u+e+ ou%+,io%ate to 'sic) t$e %ega% ma&im t$at $at is e&!ress%y inc%u+e+ ou%+ natura%%ye&c%u+e $at is not inc%u+e+.

Eut# it is conten+e+ "y t$e !etitioners# citing t$e case o* In re A+o!tion o* $ec$i%+ren mentione+ t$erein $a,e a c%ear%y +ene+ meaning in %a an+# as !ointe+out "y t$e res!on+ent ?u+ge# +o not inc%u+e gran+c$i%+ren.

Fe%% non is t$e ru%e o* statutory construction to t$e e@ect t$at a statute c%ear an+unam"iguous on its *ace nee+ not "e inter!rete+ state+ ot$erise# t$e ru%e is t$aton%y statutes it$ an am"iguous or +ou"t*u% meaning may "e t$e su"?ect o*statutory construction.

Eesi+es# it a!!ears t$at t$e %egis%ator# in enacting t$e Ci,i% Co+e o* t$e ($i%i!!ines#o",ious%y inten+e+ t$at on%y t$ose !ersons $o $a,e certain c%asses o* c$i%+ren# are+isua%ie+ to a+o!t. >$e Ci,i% Co+e o* S!ain# $ic$ as once in *orce in t$e($i%i!!ines# an+ $ic$ ser,e+ as t$e !attern *or t$e Ci,i% Co+e o* t$e ($i%i!!ines# inits Artic%e 1B# +isua%ie+ !ersons $o $a,e %egitimate or %egitimate+ +escen+ants*rom a+o!ting. n+er t$is artic%e# t$e s!ouses Antero an+ Aman+a Agonoy ou%+$a,e "een +isua%ie+ to a+o!t as t$ey $a,e %egitimate gran+c$i%+ren# t$e!etitioners $erein. Eut# $en t$e Ci,i% Co+e o* t$e ($i%i!!ines as a+o!te+# t$eor+ +escen+ants as c$ange+ to c$i%+ren# in !aragra!$ '1) o* Artic%e .

A+o!tion use+ to "e *or t$e "enet o* t$e a+o!tor. It as inten+e+ to a@or+ to!ersons $o $a,e no c$i%+ o* t$eir on t$e conso%ation o* $a,ing one# "y creatingt$roug$ %ega% ction# t$e re%ation o* !aternity an+ %iation $ere none e&ists "y"%oo+ re%ations$i!. 8 >$e !resent ten+ency# $oe,er# is geare+ more toar+s t$e!romotion o* t$e e%*are o* t$e c$i%+ an+ t$e en$ancement o* $is o!!ortunities *or ause*u% an+ $a!!y %i*e# an+ e,ery inten+ment is sustaine+ to !romote t$at o"?ecti,e.9 n+er t$e %a no in *orce# $a,ing %egitimate# %egitimate+# acno%e+ge+ natura%c$i%+ren# or c$i%+ren "y %ega% ction# is no %onger a groun+ *or +isua%ication toa+o!t. 10

F3R35:R3# t$e !etition is /3NI3/. >$e ?u+gment o* t$e


26/61


6. G.R. No. 12169. No,em"er B# 1996

/ANIL: 3. PARAS# !etitioner#,s.COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS# res!on+ent.

(etitioner /ani%o 3. (aras is t$e incum"ent (unong Earangay o* (u%a# Ca"anatuanCity $o on +uring t$e %ast regu%ar "arangay e%ection in 199B. A !etition *or $isreca%% as (unong Earangay as %e+ "y t$e registere+ ,oters o* t$e "arangay. Actingon t$e !etition *or reca%%# !u"%ic res!on+ent Commission on 3%ections 'C:$e C:o !re,ent t$e $o%+ing o* t$e reca%% e%ection# !etitioner%e+ "e*ore t$e Regiona% >ria% Court o* Ca"anatuan City a !etition *or in?unction#+ocete+ as S( Ci,i% Action No. 22B-A5# it$ t$e tria% court issuing a tem!oraryrestraining or+er. A*ter con+ucting a summary $earing# t$e tria% court %i*te+ t$erestraining or+er# +ismisse+ t$e !etition an+ reuire+ !etitioner an+ $is counse% toe&!%ain $y t$ey s$ou%+ not "e cite+ *or contem!t *or misre!resenting t$at t$e"arangay reca%% e%ection as it$out C:


27/61


'") No reca%% s$a%% tae !%ace it$in one '1) year *rom t$e +ate o* t$e oDcia%sassum!tion to oDce or one '1) year imme+iate%y !rece+ing a regu%ar %oca% e%ection.

M3m!$asis a++e+.

It is a ru%e in statutory construction t$at e,ery !art o* t$e statute must "e

inter!rete+ it$ re*erence to t$e conte&t# i.e.# t$at e,ery !art o* t$e statute must "econsi+ere+ toget$er it$ t$e ot$er !arts# an+ e!t su"ser,ient to t$e genera% intento* t$e $o%e enactment.MB >$e e,i+ent intent o* Section B is to su"?ect an e%ecti,e%oca% oDcia% to reca%% e%ection once +uring $is term o* oDce. (aragra!$ '") construe+toget$er it$ !aragra!$ 'a) mere%y +esignates t$e !erio+ $en suc$ e%ecti,e %oca%oDcia% may "e su"?ect o* a reca%% e%ection# t$at is# +uring t$e secon+ year o* $isterm o* oDce. >$us# su"scri"ing to !etitioners inter!retation o* t$e !$rase regu%ar%oca% e%ection to inc%u+e t$e S e%ection i%% un+u%y circumscri"e t$e no,e% !ro,isiono* t$e Loca% Go,ernment Co+e on reca%%# a mo+e o* remo,a% o* !u"%ic oDcers "yinitiation o* t$e !eo!%e "e*ore t$e en+ o* $is term. An+ i* t$e S e%ection $ic$ is set"y R.A. No. 808 to "e $e%+ e,ery t$ree years *rom $us# t$e inter!retation o* SectionB o* t$e Loca% Go,ernment Co+e# s!ecica%%y !aragra!$ '") t$ereo*# s$ou%+ not "ein con=ict it$ t$e Constitutiona% man+ate o* Section o* Artic%e [ o* t$eConstitution to enact a %oca% go,ernment co+e $ic$ s$a%% !ro,i+e *or a moreres!onsi,e an+ accounta"%e %oca% go,ernment structure institute+ t$roug$ a systemo* +ecentra%i7ation it$ e@ecti,e mec$anisms o* reca%%# initiati,e# an+ re*eren+um && &.

$e s!irit# rat$er t$an t$e %etter o* a %a +etermines its construction $ence# astatute# as in t$is case# must "e rea+ accor+ing to its s!irit an+ intent.

5ina%%y# reca%% e%ection is !otentia%%y +isru!ti,e o* t$e norma% oring o* t$e %oca%go,ernment unit necessitating a++itiona% e&!enses# $ence t$e !ro$i"ition against



28/61


t$e con+uct o* reca%% e%ection one year imme+iate%y !rece+ing t$e regu%ar %oca%e%ection. >$e !roscri!tion is +ue to t$e !ro&imity o* t$e ne&t regu%ar e%ection *or t$eoDce o* t$e %oca% e%ecti,e oDcia% concerne+. >$e e%ectorate cou%+ c$oose t$eoDcia%s re!%acement in t$e sai+ e%ection $o certain%y $as a %onger tenure in oDcet$an a successor e%ecte+ t$roug$ a reca%% e%ection. It ou%+# t$ere*ore# "e more inee!ing it$ t$e intent o* t$e reca%% !ro,ision o* t$e Co+e to construe regu%ar %oca%

e%ection as one re*erring to an e%ection $ere t$e oDce $e%+ "y t$e %oca% e%ecti,eoDcia% soug$t to "e reca%%e+ i%% "e conteste+ an+ "e %%e+ "y t$e e%ectorate.

Ne,ert$e%ess# reca%% at t$is time is no %onger !ossi"%e "ecause o* t$e %imitationstate+ un+er Section B '") o* t$e Co+e consi+ering t$at t$e ne&t regu%ar e%ectionin,o%,ing t$e "arangay oDce concerne+ is "are%y se,en ') mont$s aay# t$e same$a,ing "een sc$e+u%e+ on $e tem!orary restraining or+er issue+ "y t$e Court on January 12# 1996#en?oining t$e reca%% e%ection s$ou%+ "e as it is $ere"y ma+e !ermanent.

S: :R/3R3/.

. G.R. No. L-06B2 A!ri% 0# 198

(3R53C>: S. %LORESCA#;s.PHILEX MININ# CORPORATION an+ :N. J3SS (. $at *or sometime !rior an+ u! to June 28#196# t$e +e*en+ant (IL3[# it$gross an+ rec%ess neg%igence an+ im!ru+ence an+ +e%i"erate *ai%ure to tae t$ereuire+ !recautions *or t$e +ue !rotection o* t$e %i,es o* its men oringun+ergroun+ at t$e time# an+ in utter ,io%ation o* t$e %as an+ t$e ru%es an+regu%ations +u%y !romu%gate+ "y t$e Go,ernment !ursuant t$ereto# a%%oe+ greatamount o* ater an+ mu+ to accumu%ate in an o!en !it area at t$e mine a"o,eE%oc B-S-1 $ic$ see!e+ t$roug$ an+ saturate+ t$e 600 *t. co%umn o* "roen orean+ roc "e%o it# t$ere"y e&erting tremen+ous !ressure on t$e oring s!aces atits B00 %e,e%# it$ t$e resu%t t$at# on t$e sai+ +ate# at a"out B oHc%oc in t$e



29/61


a*ternoon# it$ t$e co%%a!se o* a%% un+ergroun+ su!!orts +ue to suc$ enormous!ressure# a!!ro&imate%y 00#000 cu"ic *eet o* "roen ores rocs# mu+ an+ ater#accom!anie+ "y sur*ace "ou%+ers# "%aste+ t$roug$ t$e tunne%s an+ =oe+ out an+%%e+ in# in a matter o* a!!ro&imate%y ,e ') minutes# t$e un+ergroun+ orings#ri!!e+ tim"er su!!orts an+ carrie+ o@ materia%s# mac$ines an+ eui!ment $ic$"%oce+ a%% a,enues o* e&it# t$ere"y tra!!ing it$in its tunne%s o* a%% its men a"o,e

re*erre+ to# inc%u+ing t$ose name+ in t$e ne&t !rece+ing !aragra!$# re!resente+ "yt$e !%ainti@s $erein

10. >$at out o* t$e B8 mine orers $o ere t$en oring at +e*en+ant(IL3[Hs mine on t$e sai+ +ate# ,e ') ere a"%e to esca!e *rom t$e terri*ying$o%ocaust 22 ere rescue+ it$in t$e ne&t +ays an+ t$e rest# 21 in num"er#inc%u+ing t$ose re*erre+ to in !aragra!$ $ereina"o,e# ere %e*t merci%ess%y to t$eir*ate# notit$stan+ing t$e *act t$at u! to t$en# a great many o* t$em ere sti%% a%i,e#entom"e+ in t$e tunne%s o* t$e mine# "ut ere not rescue+ +ue to +e*en+ant(IL3[Hs +ecision to a"an+on rescue o!erations# in utter +isregar+ o* its "oun+en%ega% an+ mora% +uties in t$e !remises

&&& &&& &&&

1. >$at +e*en+ant (IL3[ not on%y ,io%ate+ t$e %a an+ t$e ru%es an+regu%ations +u%y !romu%gate+ "y t$e +u%y constitute+ aut$orities as set out "y t$eS!ecia% Committee a"o,e re*erre+ to# in t$eir Re!ort o* in,estigation# !ages -1#Anne& HEH $ereo*# "ut a%so *ai%e+ com!%ete%y to !ro,i+e its men oring un+ergroun+t$e necessary security *or t$e !rotection o* t$eir %i,es notit$stan+ing t$e *act t$atit $a+ ,ast nancia% resources# it $a,ing ma+e# +uring t$e year 1966 a%one# a tota%o!erating income o* ( 8#220#2B.00# or net earnings# a*ter ta&es o*(19#11#9B.00# as !er its %%t$ Annua% Re!ort *or t$e year en+e+ /ecem"er 1#1966# an+ it$ aggregate assets tota%%ing ( B#9B#10.00 as o* /ecem"er 1#1966

&&& &&& &&&

'!!. B2-BB# rec.)

A motion to +ismiss +ate+


30/61


Art. 218. >$e !ro,isions o* artic%es 112 to 11B are a%so a!!%ica"%e to a uasi-+e%ict.

'") Art. 11>$e *au%t or neg%igence o* t$e o"%igor consists in t$e omission o*t$at +i%igence $ic$ is reuire+ "y t$e nature o* t$e o"%igation an+ corres!on+s it$t$e circumstances o* t$e !ersons# o* t$e time an+ o* t$e !%ace. F$en neg%igence

s$os "a+ *ait$# t$e !ro,isions o* Artic%es 111 an+ 2201# !aragra!$ 2 s$a%% a!!%y.

Art. 2201. & & & & & & & & &

In case o* *rau+# "a+ *ait$# ma%ice or anton attitu+e# t$e o"%igor s$a%% "eres!onsi"%e *or a%% +amages $ic$ may "e reasona"%y attri"ute+ to t$e non-!er*ormance o* t$e o"%igation.

Art. 221. In uasi-+e%icts# e&em!%ary +amages may "e grante+ i* t$e +e*en+antacte+ it$ gross neg%igence.

A*ter a re!%y an+ a re?oin+er t$ereto ere %e+# res!on+ent Ju+ge issue+ an or+er

+ate+ June 2# 1968 +ismissing t$e case on t$e groun+ t$at it *a%%s it$in t$ee&c%usi,e ?uris+iction o* t$e FormenHs Com!ensation Commission. :n !etitionersHmotion *or reconsi+eration o* t$e sai+ or+er# res!on+ent Ju+ge# on Se!tem"er 2#1968# reconsi+ere+ an+ set asi+e $is or+er o* June 2# 1968 an+ a%%oe+ ($i%e& to%e an anser to t$e com!%aint. ($i%e& mo,e+ to reconsi+er t$e a*oresai+ or+er$ic$ as o!!ose+ "y !etitioners.

:n /ecem"er 16# 1968# res!on+ent Ju+ge +ismisse+ t$e case *or %ac o* ?uris+ictionan+ ru%e+ t$at in accor+ance it$ t$e esta"%is$e+ ?uris!ru+ence# t$e FormenHsCom!ensation Commission $as e&c%usi,e origina% ?uris+iction o,er +amage orcom!ensation c%aims *or or-connecte+ +eat$s or in?uries o* ormen orem!%oyees# irres!ecti,e o* $et$er or not t$e em!%oyer as neg%igent# a++ing t$ati* t$e em!%oyerHs neg%igence resu%ts in or-connecte+ +eat$s or in?uries# t$eem!%oyer s$a%%# !ursuant to Section B-A o* t$e FormenHs Com!ensation Act# !aya++itiona% com!ensation eua% to 0Z o* t$e com!ensation &e+ in t$e Act.

(etitioners t$us %e+ t$e !resent !etition.

In t$eir "rie*# !etitioners raise+ t$e *o%%oing assignment o* errors

I

>3 L:F3R C:R> 3RR3/ IN /IS3 (LAIN>I55S- (3>I>I:N3RSHC: 5:R LAC :5 JRIS/IC>I:N.

II

>3 L:F3R C:R> 3RR3/ IN 5AILING >: C:NSI/3R >3 CL3AR /IS>INC>I:NE3>F33N CLAI


31/61


In t$e rst assignment o* error# !etitioners argue t$at t$e %oer court $as?uris+iction o,er t$e cause o* action since t$e com!%aint is "ase+ on t$e !ro,isionso* t$e Ci,i% Co+e on +amages# !articu%ar%y Artic%es 216# 218# 11# 2201 an+221# an+ not on t$e !ro,isions o* t$e FormenHs Com!ensation Act. >$ey !oint outt$at t$e com!%aint a%%eges gross an+ "ra7en neg%igence on t$e !art o* ($i%e& in

*ai%ing to tae t$e necessary security *or t$e !rotection o* t$e %i,es o* its em!%oyeesoring un+ergroun+. >$ey a%so assert t$at since ($i%e& o!te+ to %e a motion to+ismiss in t$e court a uo# t$e a%%egations in t$eir com!%aint inc%u+ing t$osecontaine+ in t$e anne&es are +eeme+ a+mitte+.

In t$e secon+ assignment o* error# !etitioners asse,erate t$at res!on+ent Ju+ge*ai%e+ to see t$e +istinction "eteen t$e c%aims *or com!ensation un+er t$eFormenHs Com!ensation Act an+ t$e c%aims *or +amages "ase+ on grossneg%igence o* ($i%e& un+er t$e Ci,i% Co+e. >$ey !oint out t$at ormenHscom!ensation re*ers to %ia"i%ity *or com!ensation *or %oss resu%ting *rom in?ury#+isa"i%ity or +eat$ o* t$e oring man t$roug$ in+ustria% acci+ent or +isease#it$out regar+ to t$e *au%t or neg%igence o* t$e em!%oyer# $i%e t$e c%aim *or

+amages un+er t$e Ci,i% Co+e $ic$ !etitioners !ursue+ in t$e regu%ar court# re*ersto t$e em!%oyerHs %ia"i%ity *or rec%ess an+ anton neg%igence resu%ting in t$e +eat$o* t$e em!%oyees an+ *or $ic$ t$e regu%ar court $as ?uris+iction to a+?u+icate t$esame.

:n t$e ot$er $an+# ($i%e& asserts t$at or-connecte+ in?uries are com!ensa"%ee&c%usi,e%y un+er t$e !ro,isions o* Sections an+ B6 o* t$e FormenHsCom!ensation Act# $ic$ rea+

S3C. . 3&c%usi,e rig$t to com!ensation.>$e rig$ts an+ reme+ies grante+ "yt$is Act to an em!%oyee "y reason o* a !ersona% in?ury entit%ing $im to com!ensations$a%% e&c%u+e a%% ot$er rig$ts an+ reme+ies accruing to t$e em!%oyee# $is !ersona%re!resentati,es# +e!en+ents or nearest o* in against t$e em!%oyer un+er t$e Ci,i%Co+e an+ ot$er %as "ecause o* sai+ in?ury ...

S3C. B6. Juris+iction. >$e FormenHs Com!ensation Commissioner s$a%% $a,ee&c%usi,e ?uris+iction to $ear an+ +eci+e c%aims *or com!ensation un+er t$eFormenHs Com!ensation Act# su"?ect to a!!ea% to t$e Su!reme Court# ...

($i%e& cites t$e case o*


32/61


+ecease+ miners# e&ce!t t$e $eirs o* Na7arito 5%oresca $o insiste+ t$at t$ey areentit%e+ to a greater amount o* +amages un+er t$e Ci,i% Co+e.

In t$e $earing o* t$is case# t$en n+ersecretary o* La"or Israe% Eoco"o# t$en Atty.3+gar+o Angara# no (resi+ent o* t$e ni,ersity o* t$e ($i%i!!ines# Justice


33/61


e&em!%ary an+ mora%) in t$e tota% amount o* eig$t $un+re+ tenty-,e t$ousan+'(82#000.00) !esos. (etitioners +i+ not in,oe t$e !ro,isions o* t$e FormenHsCom!ensation Act to entit%e t$em to com!ensation t$ereun+er. In *act# no a%%egationa!!eare+ in t$e com!%aint t$at t$e em!%oyees +ie+ *rom acci+ent arising out o* an+in t$e course o* t$eir em!%oyments. >$e com!%aint instea+ a%%eges gross an+rec%ess neg%igence an+ +e%i"erate *ai%ure on t$e !art o* ($i%e& to !rotect t$e %i,es o*

its orers as a conseuence o* $ic$ a ca,e-in occurre+ resu%ting in t$e +eat$ o*t$e em!%oyees oring un+ergroun+. Sett%e+ is t$e ru%e t$at in ascertaining $et$eror not t$e cause o* action is in t$e nature o* ormenHs com!ensation c%aim or ac%aim *or +amages !ursuant to t$e !ro,isions o* t$e Ci,i% Co+e# t$e test is t$ea,erments or a%%egations in t$e com!%aint 'Ee%an+res ,s. Lo!e7 Sugar $e !ro,isions o* t$e Ci,i% Co+e oncases o* "reac$ o* contract $en t$ere is *rau+ or "a+ *ait$# rea+

Art. 222. In contracts an+ uasi-contracts# t$e court may aar+ e&em!%ary+amages i* t$e +e*en+ant acte+ in a anton# *rau+u%ent# rec%ess# o!!ressi,e orma%e,o%ent manner.

Art. 2201. In contracts an+ uasi-contracts# t$e +amages *or $ic$ t$e o"%igor $oacte+ in goo+ *ait$ is a"%e s$a%% "e t$ose t$at are t$e natura% an+ !ro"a"%econseuences o* t$e "reac$ o* t$e o"%igation# an+ $ic$ t$e !arties $a,e *oreseenor cou%+ $a,e reasona"%y *oreseen at t$e time t$e o"%igation as constitute+.

In cases o* *rau+# "a+ *ait$# ma%ice or anton attitu+e# t$e o"%igor s$a%% "eres!onsi"%e *or a%% +amages $ic$ may "e reasona"%y attri"ute+ to t$e non-!er*ormance o* t$e o"%igation.

5urt$ermore# Artic%es 2216 et se.# Ci,i% Co+e# a%%o t$e !ayment o* a%% in+s o*+amages# as assesse+ "y t$e court.

>$e rationa%e in aar+ing com!ensation un+er t$e FormenHs Com!ensation Act+i@ers *rom t$at in gi,ing +amages un+er t$e Ci,i% Co+e. >$e com!ensation acts are"ase+ on a t$eory o* com!ensation +istinct *rom t$e e&isting t$eories o* +amages#!ayments un+er t$e acts "eing ma+e as com!ensation an+ not as +amages '99C.J.S. ). Com!ensation is gi,en to mitigate t$e $ars$ness an+ insecurity o*in+ustria% %i*e *or t$e orman an+ $is *ami%y. ence# an em!%oyer is %ia"%e $et$erneg%igence e&ists or not since %ia"i%ity is create+ "y %a. Reco,ery un+er t$e Act isnot "ase+ on any t$eory o* actiona"%e rong on t$e !art o* t$e em!%oyer '99 C.J.S.6).

In ot$er or+s# un+er t$e com!ensation acts# t$e em!%oyer is %ia"%e to !aycom!ensation "enets *or %oss o* income# as %ong as t$e +eat$# sicness or in?ury isor-connecte+ or or-aggra,ate+# e,en i* t$e +eat$ or in?ury is not +ue to t$e*au%t o* t$e em!%oyer '


34/61


It is t$e in+emnity reco,era"%e "y a !erson $o $as sustaine+ in?ury eit$er in $is!erson# !ro!erty or re%ati,e rig$ts# t$roug$ t$e act or +e*au%t o* anot$er '2 C.J.S.B2).

>$e c%aimant *or +amages un+er t$e Ci,i% Co+e $as t$e "ur+en o* !ro,ing t$e causa%re%ation "eteen t$e +e*en+antHs neg%igence an+ t$e resu%ting in?ury as e%% as t$e

+amages su@ere+. F$i%e un+er t$e FormenHs Com!ensation Act# t$ere is a!resum!tion in *a,or o* t$e +ecease+ or in?ure+ em!%oyee t$at t$e +eat$ or in?ury isor-connecte+ or or-aggra,ate+ an+ t$e em!%oyer $as t$e "ur+en to !ro,eot$erise '/e %os Ange%es ,s. GSIS# 9B SCRA 08 Carino ,s. FCC# 9 SCRA 1$e c%aim o* !etitioners t$at t$e case is not cogni7a"%e "y t$e FormenHsCom!ensation Commission t$en# no 3m!%oyees Com!ensation Commission# isstrengt$ene+ "y t$e *act t$at un%ie in t$e Ci,i% Co+e# t$e FormenHs Com!ensationAct +i+ not contain any !ro,ision *or an aar+ o* actua%# mora% an+ e&em!%ary+amages. F$at t$e Act !ro,i+e+ as mere%y t$e rig$t o* t$e $eirs to c%aim %imite+com!ensation *or t$e +eat$ in t$e amount o* si& t$ousan+ '(6#000.00) !esos !%us

"uria% e&!enses o* to $un+re+ '(200.00) !esos# an+ me+ica% e&!enses $enincurre+ 'Sections 8# 12 an+ 1# FormenHs Com!ensation Act)# an+ an a++itiona%com!ensation o* on%y 0Z i* t$e com!%aint a%%eges *ai%ure on t$e !art o* t$eem!%oyer to insta%% an+ maintain sa*ety a!!%iances or to tae ot$er !recautions *ort$e !re,ention o* acci+ent or occu!ationa% +isease 'Section B-A# I"i+.). In t$e caseat "ar# t$e amount soug$t to "e reco,ere+ is o,er an+ a"o,e t$at $ic$ as!ro,i+e+ un+er t$e FormenHs Com!ensation Act an+ $ic$ cannot "e grante+ "yt$e Commission.

$e FormenHs Com!ensation Act as s!ecica%%yenacte+ to a@or+ !rotection to t$e em!%oyees or ormen. It is a socia% %egis%ation+esigne+ to gi,e re%ie* to t$e orman $o $as "een t$e ,ictim o* an acci+entcausing $is +eat$ or ai%ment or in?ury in t$e !ursuit o* $is em!%oyment 'A"ong ,s.FCC# B SCRA 9).

F3 no come to t$e uery as to $et$er or not t$e in?ure+ em!%oyee or $is $eirs incase o* +eat$ $a,e a rig$t o* se%ection or c$oice o* action "eteen a,ai%ingt$emse%,es o* t$e orerHs rig$t un+er t$e FormenHs Com!ensation Act an+ suingin t$e regu%ar courts un+er t$e Ci,i% Co+e *or $ig$er +amages 'actua%# mora% an+e&em!%ary) *rom t$e em!%oyers "y ,irtue o* t$at neg%igence or *au%t o* t$eem!%oyers or $et$er t$ey may a,ai% t$emse%,es cumu%ati,e%y o* "ot$ actions# i.e.#co%%ect t$e %imite+ com!ensation un+er t$e FormenHs Com!ensation Act an+ sue ina++ition *or +amages in t$e regu%ar courts.

In +is!osing o* a simi%ar issue# t$is Court in (acana ,s. Ce"u Auto"us Com!any# 2SCRA BB2# ru%e+ t$at an in?ure+ orer $as a c$oice o* eit$er to reco,er *rom t$eem!%oyer t$e &e+ amounts set "y t$e FormenHs Com!ensation Act or to



35/61


!rosecute an or+inary ci,i% action against t$e tort*easor *or $ig$er +amages "ut $ecannot !ursue "ot$ courses o* action simu%taneous%y.

In (acaWa F3 sai+

In t$e ana%ogous case o* 3sguerra ,s.


36/61


!etitioners in t$eir o!!osition to t$e motion to +ismiss +ate+ $e case s$ou%+ t$ere*ore "e reman+e+ to t$e %oer court *or

*urt$er !rocee+ings. oe,er# s$ou%+ t$e !etitioners "e success*u% in t$eir "i+"e*ore t$e %oer court# t$e !ayments ma+e un+er t$e FormenHs Com!ensation Acts$ou%+ "e +e+ucte+ *rom t$e +amages t$at may "e +ecree+ in t$eir *a,or.

E

Contrary to t$e !erce!tion o* t$e +issenting o!inion# t$e Court +oes not %egis%ate int$e instant case. >$e Court mere%y a!!%ies an+ gi,es e@ect to t$e constitutiona%guarantees o* socia% ?ustice t$en secure+ "y Section o* Artic%e 11 an+ Section 6 o*Artic%e [I; o* t$e 19 Constitution# an+ no "y Sections 6# # an+ 9 o* Artic%e 11 o*t$e /3CLARA>I:N :5 (RINCI(L3S AN/ S>A>3 (:LICI3S o* t$e 19 Constitution# asamen+e+# an+ as im!%emente+ "y Artic%es 216# 21# 218# 11# 2201# 2216#221 an+ 222 o* t$e Ne Ci,i% Co+e o* 190.

>o em!$asi7e# t$e 19 Constitution +ec%ares t$at

Sec. . >$e !romotion o* socia% ?ustice to insure t$e e%%-"eing an+ economicsecurity o* a%% t$e !eo!%e s$ou%+ "e t$e concern o* t$e State 'Art. II).

Sec. 6. >$e State s$a%% a@or+ !rotection to %a"or# es!ecia%%y to oring omen# an+minors# an+ s$a%% regu%ate t$e re%ations "eteen %an+oner an+ tenant# an+"eteen %a"or an+ ca!ita% in in+ustry an+ in agricu%ture. >$e State may !ro,i+e *orcom!u%sory ar"itration 'Art. [I;).

>$e 19 Constitution %ieise comman+s t$e State to !romote socia% ?ustice toinsure t$e +ignity# e%*are# an+ security o* a%% t$e !eo!%e ... regu%ate t$e use ... an++is!osition o* !ri,ate !ro!erty an+ euita"%y +i@use !ro!erty oners$i! an+ !rotsesta"%is$# maintain an+ ensure a+euate socia% ser,ices in# t$e e%+ o* e+ucation#$ea%t$# $ousing# em!%oyment# e%*are an+ socia% security to guarantee t$een?oyment "y t$e !eo!%e o* a +ecent stan+ar+ o* %i,ing 'Sections 6 an+ # Art. II#19 Constitution) ... a@or+ !rotection to %a"or# ... an+ regu%ate t$e re%ations



37/61


"eteen orers an+ em!%oyers ...# an+ assure t$e rig$ts o* orers to ... ?ust an+$umane con+itions o* or 'Sec. 9# Art. II# 19 Constitution# em!$asis su!!%ie+).

>$e *oregoing constitutiona% guarantees in *a,or o* %a"or institutiona%i7e+ in Section9 o* Artic%e 11 o* t$e 19 Constitution an+ re-state+ as a +ec%aration o* "asic !o%icyin Artic%e o* t$e Ne La"or Co+e# t$us

Art. . /ec%aration o* "asic !o%icy.>$e State s$a%% a@or+ !rotection to %a"or#!romote *u%% em!%oyment# ensure eua% or o!!ortunities regar+%ess o* se raceor cree+# an+ regu%ate t$e re%ations "eteen orers an+ em!%oyers. >$e State s$a%%assure t$e rig$ts o* orers to se%*-organi7ation# co%%ecti,e "argaining# security o*tenure# an+ ?ust an+ $umane con+itions o* or. 'em!$asis su!!%ie+).

>$e a*orestate+ constitutiona% !rinci!%es as im!%emente+ "y t$e a*orementione+artic%es o* t$e Ne Ci,i% Co+e cannot "e im!%ie+%y re!ea%e+ "y t$e restricti,e!ro,isions o* Artic%e 1 o* t$e Ne La"or Co+e. Section o* t$e FormenHsCom!ensation Act '"e*ore it as amen+e+ "y R.A. No. 2 on June 20# 192)#!re+ecessor o* Artic%e 1 o* t$e Ne La"or Co+e# $as "een su!erse+e+ "y t$e

a*orestate+ !ro,isions o* t$e Ne Ci,i% Co+e# a su"seuent %a# $ic$ too e@ect onAugust 0# 190# $ic$ o"ey t$e constitutiona% man+ates o* socia% ?usticeen$ancing as t$ey +o t$e rig$ts o* t$e orers as against t$eir em!%oyers. Artic%e1 o* t$e Ne La"or Co+e seems to +iminis$ t$e rig$ts o* t$e orers an+t$ere*ore co%%i+es it$ t$e socia% ?ustice guarantee o* t$e Constitution an+ t$e%i"era% !ro,isions o* t$e Ne Ci,i% Co+e.

>$e guarantees o* socia% ?ustice em"o+ie+ in Sections 6# an+ 9 o* Artic%e II o* t$e19 Constitution are statements o* %ega% !rinci!%es to "e a!!%ie+ an+ en*orce+ "yt$e courts.


38/61


Artic%e 10 o* t$e Ne Ci,i% Co+e states In case o* +ou"t in t$e inter!retation ora!!%ication o* %as# it is !resume+ t$at t$e %a-maing "o+y inten+e+ rig$t an+

?ustice to !re,ai%.

$e rig$ts an+ reme+ies grante+ "y t$isAct to an em!%oyee "y reason o* a !ersona% in?ury entit%ing $im to com!ensations$a%% e&c%u+e a%% ot$er rig$ts an+ reme+ies accruing to t$e em!%oyee# $is !ersona%re!resentati,es# +e!en+ents or nearest o* in against t$e em!%oyer un+er t$e Ci,i%Co+e an+ ot$er %as# "ecause o* sai+ in?ury 'em!$asis su!!%ie+).

3m!%oyers contracting %a"orecsrs in t$e ($i%i!!ine Is%an+s *or or outsi+e t$e same

may sti!u%ate it$ suc$ %a"orers t$at t$e reme+ies !rescri"e+ "y t$is Act s$a%%a!!%y e&c%usi,e%y to in?uries recei,e+ outsi+e t$e Is%an+s t$roug$ acci+ents$a!!ening in an+ +uring t$e !er*ormance o* t$e +uties o* t$e em!%oyment an+ a%%ser,ice contracts ma+e in t$e manner !rescri"e+ in t$is section s$a%% "e !resume+to inc%u+e suc$ agreement.

:n%y t$e secon+ !aragra!$ o* Section o* t$e FormenHs Com!ensation Act No.B28# as amen+e+ "y Commonea%t$ Act No. 2 on June 20# 192# t$us

Sec. . 3&c%usi,e rig$t to com!ensation.- >$e rig$ts an+ reme+ies grante+ "y t$isAct to an em!%oyee "y reason o* a !ersona% in?ury entit%ing $im to com!ensations$a%% e&c%u+e a%% ot$er rig$ts an+ reme+ies accruing to t$e em!%oyee# $is !ersona%re!resentati,es# +e!en+ents or nearest o* in against t$e em!%oyer un+er t$e Ci,i%Co+e an+ ot$er %as# "ecause o* sai+ in?ury.

3m!%oyers contracting %a"orers in t$e ($i%i!!ine Is%an+s *or or outsi+e t$e sames$a%% sti!u%ate it$ suc$ %a"orers t$at t$e reme+ies !rescri"e+ "y t$is Act s$a%%a!!%y to in?uries recei,e+ outsi+e t$e Is%an+ t$roug$ acci+ents $a!!ening in an++uring t$e !er*ormance o* t$e +uties o* t$e em!%oyment. Suc$ sti!u%ation s$a%% not!re?u+ice t$e rig$t o* t$e %a"orers to t$e "enets o* t$e FormenHs Com!ensationLa o* t$e !%ace $ere t$e acci+ent occurs# s$ou%+ suc$ %a "e more *a,ora"%e tot$em 'As amen+e+ "y section o* Re!u"%ic Act No. 2).

Artic%e 1 o* t$e Ne La"or Co+e +oes not re!ea% e&!ress%y nor im!%ie+%y t$ea!!%ica"%e !ro,isions o* t$e Ne Ci,i% Co+e# "ecause sai+ Artic%e 1 !ro,i+es

Art. 1. 3&c%usi,eness o* %ia"i%ity.- n%ess ot$erise !ro,i+e+# t$e %ia"i%ity o* t$eState Insurance 5un+ un+er t$is >it%e s$a%% "e e&c%usi,e an+ in !%ace o* a%% ot$er%ia"i%ities o* t$e em!%oyer to t$e em!%oyee# $is +e!en+ents or anyone ot$eriseentit%e+ to recei,e +amages on "e$a%* o* t$e em!%oyee or $is +e!en+ents. >$e!ayment o* com!ensation un+er t$is >it%e s$a%% "ar t$e reco,ery o* "enets as!ro,i+e+ *or in Section 699 o* t$e Re,ise+ A+ministrati,e Co+e# Re!u"%ic Act



39/61


Num"ere+ 3%e,en $un+re+ si&ty-one# as amen+e+# Commonea%t$ Act Num"ere+:ne $un+re+ eig$ty- si as amen+e+# Commonea%t$ Act Num"ere+ Si& $un+re+ten# as amen+e+# Re!u"%ic Act Num"ere+ 5orty-eig$t $un+re+ Si&ty-*our# asamen+e+# an+ ot$er %as $ose "enets are a+ministere+ "y t$e System +uring t$e!erio+ o* suc$ !ayment *or t$e same +isa"i%ity or +eat$# an+ con,erse%y 'em!$asissu!!%ie+).

As a"o,e-uote+# Artic%e 1 o* t$e Ne La"or Co+e e&!ress%y re!ea%e+ on%ySection 699 o* t$e Re,ise+ A+ministrati,e Co+e# R.A. No. 1161# as amen+e+# C.A.No. 186# as amen+e+# R.A. No. 610# as amen+e+# R.A. No. B86B# as amen+e+# an+a%% ot$er %as $ose "enets are a+ministere+ "y t$e System 're*erring to t$e GSISor SSS).

n%ie Section o* t$e FormenHs Com!ensation Act as a*oreuote+# Artic%e 1 o*t$e Ne La"or Co+e +oes not e,en remote%y# muc$ %ess e&!ress%y# re!ea% t$e NeCi,i% Co+e !ro,isions $ereto*ore uote+.

It is !atent# t$ere*ore# t$at reco,ery un+er t$e Ne Ci,i% Co+e *or +amages arising

*rom neg%igence# is not "arre+ "y Artic%e 1 o* t$e Ne La"or Co+e. An+ t$e+amages reco,era"%e un+er t$e Ne Ci,i% Co+e are not a+ministere+ "y t$e System!ro,i+e+ *or "y t$e Ne La"or Co+e# $ic$ +enes t$e System as re*erring to t$eGo,ernment Ser,ice Insurance System or t$e Socia% Security System 'Art. 16 Mc#M+ an+ Me o* t$e Ne La"or Co+e).

5urt$ermore# un+er Artic%e 8 o* t$e Ne Ci,i% Co+e# +ecisions o* t$e Su!reme Court*orm !art o* t$e %a o* t$e %an+.

Artic%e 8 o* t$e Ne Ci,i% Co+e !ro,i+es

Art. 8. Ju+icia% +ecisions a!!%ying or inter!reting t$e %as or t$e Constitution s$a%%*orm a !art o* t$e %ega% system o* t$e ($i%i!!ines.

>$e Court# t$roug$ t$e %ate C$ie* Justice 5re+ Rui7 Castro# in (eo!%e ,s. Licera ru%e+

Artic%e 8 o* t$e Ci,i% Co+e o* t$e ($i%i!!ines +ecrees t$at ?u+icia% +ecisions a!!%yingor inter!reting t$e %as or t$e Constitution *orm !art o* t$is ?uris+ictionHs %ega%system. >$ese +ecisions# a%t$oug$ in t$emse%,es not %as# constitute e,i+ence o*$at t$e %as mean. >$e a!!%ication or inter!retation !%ace+ "y t$e Court u!on a%a is !art o* t$e %a as o* t$e +ate o* t$e enactment o* t$e sai+ %a since t$eCourtHs a!!%ication or inter!retation mere%y esta"%is$es t$e contem!oraneous%egis%ati,e intent t$at t$e construe+ %a !ur!orts to carry into e@ect '6 SCRA 20#22-2 M19).

F3 ru%e+ t$at ?u+icia% +ecisions o* t$e Su!reme Court assume t$e same aut$ority ast$e statute itse%* 'Ca%te& ,s. (a%omer# 18 SCRA 2B 12B ($i%. 6).

>$e a*oreuote+ !ro,isions o* Section o* t$e FormenHs Com!ensation Act# "e*orean+ a*ter it as amen+e+ "y Commonea%t$ Act No. 2 on June 20# 192# %imite+t$e rig$t o* reco,ery in *a,or o* t$e +ecease+# ai%ing or in?ure+ em!%oyee to t$ecom!ensation !ro,i+e+ *or t$erein. Sai+ Section as not accor+e+ contro%%ing



40/61


a!!%ication "y t$e Su!reme Court in t$e 190 case o* (acana ,s. Ce"u Auto"usCom!any '2 SCRA BB2) $en F3 ru%e+ t$at an in?ure+ orer $as a c$oice o*eit$er to reco,er *rom t$e em!%oyer t$e &e+ amount set "y t$e FormenHsCom!ensation Act or to !rosecute an or+inary ci,i% action against t$e tort*easor *orgreater +amages "ut $e cannot !ursue "ot$ courses o* action simu%taneous%y. Sai+(acana case !enne+ "y ee$anee# a!!%ie+ Artic%e 111 o* t$e Ci,i% Co+e

as against t$e FormenHs Com!ensation Act# reiterating t$e 1969 ru%ing in t$e caseo* ;a%encia ,s. $e +issent seems to su"or+inate t$e %i*e o* t$e %a"orer to t$e !ro!erty rig$ts o* t$eem!%oyer. >$e rig$t to %i*e is guarantee+ s!ecica%%y "y t$e +ue !rocess c%ause o*t$e Constitution. >o re%ie,e t$e em!%oyer *rom %ia"i%ity *or t$e +eat$ o* $is orersarising *rom $is gross or anton *au%t or *ai%ure to !ro,i+e sa*ety +e,ices *or t$e!rotection o* $is em!%oyees or orers against t$e +angers $ic$ are in$erent inun+ergroun+ mining# is to +e!ri,e t$e +ecease+ orer an+ $is $eirs o* t$e rig$t toreco,er in+emnity *or t$e %oss o* t$e %i*e o* t$e orer an+ t$e conseuent %oss to$is *ami%y it$out +ue !rocess o* %a. >$e +issent in e@ect con+ones an+ t$ere*oreencourages suc$ gross or anton neg%ect on t$e !art o* t$e em!%oyer to com!%yit$ $is %ega% o"%igation to !ro,i+e sa*ety measures *or t$e !rotection o* t$e %i*e#%im" an+ $ea%t$ o* $is orer. 3,en *rom t$e mora% ,ie!oint a%one# suc$ attitu+e isun-C$ristian.

It is t$ere*ore !atent t$at gi,ing e@ect to t$e socia% ?ustice guarantees o* t$eConstitution# as im!%emente+ "y t$e !ro,isions o* t$e Ne Ci,i% Co+e# is not ane&ercise o* t$e !oer o* %a-maing# "ut is ren+ering o"e+ience to t$e man+ates o*t$e *un+amenta% %a an+ t$e im!%ementing %egis%ation a*orementione+.

>$e Court# to re!eat# is not %egis%ating in t$e instant case.



41/61


It is a&iomatic t$at no or+inary statute can o,erri+e a constitutiona% !ro,ision.

>$e or+s o* Section o* t$e FormenHs Com!ensation Act an+ o* Artic%e 1 o* t$eNe La"or Co+e su",ert t$e rig$ts o* t$e !etitioners as sur,i,ing $eirs o* t$e+ecease+ mining em!%oyees. Section o* t$e FormenHs Com!ensation Act an+

Artic%e 1 o* t$e Ne La"or Co+e are retrogressi,e "ecause t$ey are a t$ro"acto t$e o"so%ete %aisse7-*aire +octrine o* A+am Smit$ enunciate+ in 16 in $istreatise Fea%t$ o* Nations 'Co%%ierHs 3ncyc%o!e+ia# ;o%. 21# !. 9# 196B)# $ic$ $as"een +iscar+e+ soon a*ter t$e c%ose o* t$e 18t$ century +ue to t$e In+ustria%Re,o%ution t$at generate+ t$e mac$ines an+ ot$er mec$anica% +e,ices '"eginningit$ 3%i F$itneyHs cotton gin o* 19 an+ Ro"ert 5u%tonHs steam"oat o* 180) *or!ro+uction an+ trans!ortation $ic$ are +angerous to %i*e# %im" an+ $ea%t$. >$e o%+socio-!o%itica%-economic !$i%oso!$y o* %i,e-an+-%et-%i,e is no su!er+ese+ "y t$e"enign C$ristian s$i""o%et$ o* %i,e-an+-$e%! ot$ers to %i,e. >$ose $o !ro*ess to "eC$ristians s$ou%+ not a+$ere to CainHs se%s$ aDrmation t$at $e is not $is "rot$erHsee!er. In t$is our ci,i%i7ation# eac$ one o* us is our "rot$erHs ee!er. No man is anis%an+. >o assert ot$erise is to "e as ata,istic an+ ante-+e%u,ian as t$e 18 case

o* (ris%ey ,s. 5o%er ' o stress t$is a@ront to $uman +ignity# F3on%y $a,e to restate t$e uotation *rom (ris%ey# t$us >$e mere re%ation o* t$emaster an+ t$e ser,ant ne,er can im!%y an o"%igation on t$e !art o* t$e master totae more care o* t$e ser,ant t$an $e may reasona"%y "e e&!ecte+ to +o $imse%*.

>$is is t$e ,ery se%s$ +octrine t$at !ro,oe+ t$e American Ci,i% Far $ic$generate+ so muc$ $atre+ an+ +re so muc$ !recious "%oo+ on American !%ainsan+ ,a%%eys *rom 1861 to 186B.

I+o%atrous re,erence *or t$e %etter o* t$e %a sacrices t$e $uman "eing. >$e s!irito* t$e %a insures manHs sur,i,a% an+ enno"%es $im. In t$e or+s o* S$aes!eare#t$e %etter o* t$e %a i%%et$ its s!irit gi,et$ %i*e.

C

It is curious t$at t$e +issenting o!inion c%ings to t$e myt$ t$at t$e courts cannot%egis%ate.

>$at myt$ $a+ "een e&!%o+e+ "y Artic%e 9 o* t$e Ne Ci,i% Co+e# $ic$ !ro,i+est$at No ?u+ge or court s$a%% +ec%ine to ren+er ?u+gment "y reason o* t$e si%ence#o"scurity or insuDciency o* t$e %as.

ence# e,en t$e %egis%ator $imse%*# t$roug$ Artic%e 9 o* t$e Ne Ci,i% Co+e#recogni7es t$at in certain instances# t$e court# in t$e %anguage o* Justice o%mes#+o an+ must %egis%ate to %% in t$e ga!s in t$e %a "ecause t$e min+ o* t$e%egis%ator# %ie a%% $uman "eings# is nite an+ t$ere*ore cannot en,isage a%% !ossi"%e



42/61


cases to $ic$ t$e %a may a!!%y Nor $as t$e $uman min+ t$e innite ca!acity toantici!ate a%% situations.

Eut a"out to centuries "e*ore Artic%e 9 o* t$e Ne Ci,i% Co+e# t$e *oun+ing *at$erso* t$e American Constitution *oresa an+ recogni7e+ t$e e,entua%ity t$at t$e courtsmay $a,e to %egis%ate to su!!%y t$e omissions or to c%ari*y t$e am"iguities in t$e

American Constitution an+ t$e statutes.

H>$us# A%e&an+er ami%ton !ragmatica%%y a+mits t$at ?u+icia% %egis%ation may "e?ustie+ "ut +enies t$at t$e !oer o* t$e Ju+iciary to nu%%i*y statutes may gi,e riseto Ju+icia% tyranny '>$e 5e+era%ist# $e ritten or+ is no %onger t$e so,ereign ta%isman. In t$e e!igrammatic%anguage o*


43/61


5ina%%y# Justice o%mes +e%i,ere+ t$e cou! +e grace $en $e !ragmatica%%y a+mitte+#a%t$oug$ it$ a cautionary un+ertone t$at ?u+ges +o an+ must %egis%ate# "ut t$eycan +o so on%y interstitia%%y t$ey are conne+ *rom mo%ar to mo%ecu%ar motions'Sout$ern (acic Com!any ,s. Jensen# 2BB S 20B 191). An+ in t$e su"seuentcase o* S!ringer ,s. Go,ernment '2 S 188# 210-212# 2 L.e+. 8B# 82- 8)#

Justice o%mes !ronounce+

>$e great or+inances o* t$e Constitution +o not esta"%is$ an+ +i,i+e e%+s o* "%acan+ $ite. 3,en t$e more s!ecic o* t$em are *oun+ to terminate in a !enum"ras$a+ing gra+ua%%y *rom one e&treme to t$e ot$er. & & &. F$en e come to t$e*un+amenta% +istinctions it is s

Documents

Stat Con Assignment 061816