1 | P a g e

EVIDENCE FULLTEXT BATCH 2

ROLEX SUPLICO,
Petitioner,


versus


NATIONAL ECONOMIC ANDDEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY, represented by NEDA SECRETARY
ROMULO L. NERI, and te NEDA!INVESTMENT
COORDINATION COMMITTEE, DEPARTMENT O"
TRANSPORTATION ANDCOMMUNICATIONS #DOTC$,
represented by DOTC SECRETARY LEANDRO
MENDO%A, &n'()d&n* te COMMISSION ON
IN"ORMATIONAND COMMUNICATIONS
TECHNOLO+Y, eaded by &ts Ca&r,an, RAMON P.
SALES, THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS
O""ICE, -IDS AND A.ARDS "OR
IN"ORMATION ANDCOMMUNICATIONS
TECHNOLO+Y #ICT$, eaded by DOTC ASSISTANT
SECRETARY ELMER A. SONE/A as Ca&r,an, and te
TECHNICAL .OR0IN+ +ROUP "OR ICT, AND DOTC
ASSISTANT SECRETARY LOREN%O
"ORMOSO, AND ALLOTHER OPERATIN+ UNITS O"
THE DOTC "OR
IN"ORMATIONAND COMMUNICATIONS
TECHNOLO+Y, and %TE CORPORATION, AMSTERDAM
HOLDIN+S, INC., AND ALLPERSONS ACTIN+ IN
THEIR -EHAL",
Respondents.
+.R. N1. 234456


Present:

PUN, C.J.,
!UI"U#BIN$,
%NARE"&"ANTIA$,
CARPI,
AU"TRIA&#ARTINE',
CRNA,
CARPI #RALE",
A'CUNA,
TIN$A,
CHIC&NA'ARI,
(
VELA"C, )R.,
NACHURA,
RE%E",
LENARD&DE CA"TR, *nd
BRIN, JJ.


Pro+,-.*ted:


/)(y 27, 8664

/&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& /


AMSTERDAM HOLDIN+S, INC., and NATHANIEL SAU%,
Petitioners,


versus



DEPARTMENT O"
TRANSPORTATION ANDCOMMUNICATIONS, SECRETARY
LEANDRO MENDO%A, COMMISSION ON
IN"ORMATION ANDCOMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLO+Y, and
ASSISTANT SECRETARY LOREN%O "ORMOSO III,
Respondents.
+.R. N1. 239523


/&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& /
+ALELEO P. AN+ELES, VICENTE C.
AN+ELES, /O- "LORANTE L. CASTILLO, TRINI ANNE +.
NIEVA, ROY ALLAN T. ARELLANO, CARLO MA+NO M.
REONAL, ETHEL -. RE+ADIO, RAENAN -.
MALI+, ANDVINALYN M. POTOT, TO+ETHER .ITH
LA.YERS AND ADVOCATES "OR ACCOUNTA-ILITY,
TRANSPARENCY, INTE+RITY AND+OOD +OVERNANCE
#LATI+O$,
Petitioners,
versus
DEPARTMENT O"
TRANSPORTATION ANDCOMMUNICATIONS #DOTC$,
represented by DOTC SECRETARY LEANDRO MENDO%A,
and %HON+XIN+ E:UIPMENT
#%TE$ COMPANY,LTD., AND ANY AND ALL PERSONS ACTIN+
ON THEIR -EHAL",
Respondents.


+.R. N1. 239;25


/&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& /

R E S O L U T I O N


REYES, R.T., J.<


Under 0onsider*tion is t1e #*ni2est*tion *nd #otion
345
d*ted 0to6er 27, 2889 o2 t1e
22i0e o2 t1e "o-i0itor $ener*- :"$; <1i01 st*tes:

T1e 22i0e o2 t1e "o-i0itor $ener*- :"$; respe0t2,--= *>ers t1*t in
*n Indorse+ent d*ted 0to6er 2?, 2889, t1e Le.*- "er>i0e o2 t1e
Dep*rt+ent o2 Tr*nsport*tion *nd Co++,ni0*tions :DTC; 1*s in2or+ed it
o2 t1e P1i-ippine $o>ern+ent@s de0ision not to 0ontin,e <it1 t1e 'TE
N*tion*- Bro*d6*nd Net<orA ProBe0t :see *tt*01+ent
325
;. T1*t s*id, t1ere
is no +ore B,sti0i*6-e 0ontro>ers= 2or t1is Honor*6-e Co,rt to
reso->e. CHEREFRE, p,6-i0 respondents respe0t2,--= pr*= t1*t t1e present
petitions 6e DI"#I""ED.
2 | P a g e

n No>e+6er 4D, 2889, t1e Co,rt noted t1e "$@s +*ni2est*tion *nd +otion *nd
reE,ired petitioners in $.R. Nos. 49FFD8, 49GD49, *nd 49G74D to 0o++ent.

n De0e+6er 7, 2889, Ro-e/ ",p-i0o, petitioner in $.R. No. 49FFD8, 2i-ed 1is
Conso-id*ted Rep-= *nd pposition,
3D5
opposin. t1e *2oreE,oted "$ #*ni2est*tion *nd
#otion, *r.,in. t1*t:


77. Aside 2ro+ t1e 2*0t t1*t t1e Notes of the Meeting
Between President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Chinese President u
Jintao 1e-d 2 0to6er 2889 <ere not *tt*01ed to t1e 27 0to6er 2889
#*ni2est*tion *nd #otion t1,s depri>in. petitioners o2 t1e opport,nit= to
0o++ent t1ereon * +ere >er6*--= reE,ested !
st
"ndorse#ent is not
s,22i0ient 6*sis 2or t1e 0on0-,sion t1*t t1e 'TE&DTC NBN de*- 1*s 6een
per+*nent-= s0r*pped.

79. ",22i0e to st*te, s*id !
st
"ndorse#ent is
.-*rin.-= se(=!ser>&n*, espe0i*--= <it1o,t t1e Notes of the Meeting
Between President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Chinese President u
Jintao to s,pport its *--e.*tions or ot1er proo2 o2 t1e s,pposed de0ision to
0*n0e- t1e 'TE&DTC NBN de*-. P,6-i0 respondents 0*n 0ert*in-= do 6etter
t1*n t1*t.
3?5

Petitioner ",p-i0o 2,rt1er *r.,es t1*t:

9G. Assu#ing arguendo t1*t so+e *spe0ts o2 t1e present
Petition 1*>e 6een rendered +oot :<1i01 is >e1e+ent-= denied;, t1is
Honor*6-e Co,rt, 0onsistent <it1 <e--&entren01ed B,rispr,den0e, +*= sti--
t*Ae 0o.niH*n0e t1ereo2.
3I5

Petitioner ",p-i0o 0ites t1is Co,rt@s r,-in.s in Gon$ales v. Chave$,
375
%ufino v. &ndriga,
395
*nd Alunan """ v. Mirasol
3F5
t1*t despite t1eir +ootness, t1e Co,rt ne>ert1e-ess tooA
0o.niH*n0e o2 t1ese 0*ses *nd r,-ed on t1e +erits d,e to t1e Co,rt@s s=+6o-i0 2,n0tion o2
ed,0*tin. t1e 6en01 *nd t1e 6*r 6= 2or+,-*tin. .,idin. *nd 0ontro--in. prin0ip-es, pre0epts,
do0trines, *nd r,-es.

n )*n,*r= D4, 288F, A+sterd*+ Ho-din.s, In0. :AHI; *nd N*t1*nie- "*,H,
petitioners in $.R. No. 49GD49, *-so 2i-ed t1eir 0o++ent e/pressin. t1eir senti+ents, t1,s:

D. First o2 *--, t1e present *d+inistr*tion 1*s ne>er
6een Ano<n 2or 0*ndor. T1e present *d+inistr*tion 1*s * >er= n*st= 1*6it
o2 not Aeepin. its <ord. It s*=s one t1in., 6,t does *not1er.


?. T1is 6ein. t1e 0*se, 1erein petitioners *re ,n*6-e to 6rin.
t1e+se->es to 2ee- e>en * 6it re*ss,red t1*t t1e .o>ern+ent, in t1e e>ent
t1*t t1e *6o>e&0*ptioned 0*ses *re dis+issed, <i-- not 6*0Atr*0A, re&
tr*ns*0t, or e>en res,rre0t t1e no< in2*+o,s NBN&'TE tr*ns*0tion. T1is is
espe0i*--= re-e>*nt sin0e <1*t <*s *tt*01ed to t1e "$@s #*ni2est*tion *nd
#otion <*s * +ere one :4; p*.e <ritten 0o++,ni0*tion sent 6= t1e
Dep*rt+ent o2 Tr*nsport*tion *nd Co++,ni0*tions :DTC; to t1e "$,
*--e.ed-= re-*=in. t1*t t1e P1i-ippine $o>ern+ent 1*s de0ided not to
0ontin,e <it1 t1e NBN proBe0t ?@ @ @ d)e t1 se>era( reas1ns and
'1nstra&nts.A

Petitioners AHI *nd "*,H 2,rt1er 0ontend t1*t 6e0*,se o2 t1e tr*ns0endent*-
i+port*n0e o2 t1e iss,es r*ised in t1e petition, <1i01 *+on. ot1ers, in0-,ded t1e President@s
,se o2 t1e po<er to 6orro<, i.e., to enter into 2orei.n -o*n *.ree+ents, t1is Co,rt s1o,-d
t*Ae 0o.niH*n0e o2 t1is 0*se despite its *pp*rent +ootness.

n )*n,*r= 4I, 288F, t1e Co,rt reE,ired t1e "$ to 2i-e respondents@ rep-= to
petitioners@ 0o++ents on its +*ni2est*tion *nd +otion.

n Apri- 4F, 288F, t1e "$ 2i-ed respondents@ rep-=, reiter*tin. t1eir position t1*t
2or * 0o,rt to e/er0ise its po<er o2 *dB,di0*tion, t1ere +,st 6e *n *0t,*- 0*se or 0ontro>ers=
one <1i01 in>o->es * 0on2-i0t o2 -e.*- ri.1ts, *n *ssertion o2 opposite -e.*- 0-*i+s
s,s0epti6-e o2 B,di0i*- reso-,tionJ t1e 0*se +,st not 6e +oot or *0*de+i0 or 6*sed on e/tr*&
-e.*- or ot1er si+i-*r 0onsider*tions not 0o.niH*6-e 6= * 0o,rt o2 B,sti0e.
3G5

Respondents *-so insist t1*t t1ere is no per2e0ted 0ontr*0t in t1is 0*se t1*t <o,-d
preB,di0e t1e .o>ern+ent or p,6-i0 interest. E/p-*inin. t1e n*t,re o2 t1e NBN ProBe0t *s *n
e/e0,ti>e *.ree+ent, respondents stress t1*t it re+*ined in t1e ne.oti*tion st*.e. T1e
0onditions pre0edent
3485
2or t1e *.ree+ent to 6e0o+e e22e0ti>e 1*>e not =et 6een 0o+p-ied
<it1.
Respondents 2,rt1er oppose petitioners@ 0-*i+ o2 t1e ri.1t to in2or+*tion, <1i01 t1e=
0ontend is not *n *6so-,te ri.1t. T1e= 0ontend t1*t t1e +*tters r*ised 0on0ern e/e0,ti>e
po-i0=, * po-iti0*- E,estion <1i01 t1e B,di0i*- 6r*n01 o2 .o>ern+ent <o,-d .ener*--= 1esit*te
to p*ss ,pon.

n ),-= 2, 288F, t1e "$ 2i-ed * ",pp-e+ent*- #*ni2est*tion *nd #otion. Appended
to it is t1e Hi.1-i.1ts 2ro+ t1e Notes o2 #eetin. 6et<een President $-ori* #*0*p*.*-&Arro=o
*nd C1inese President H, )int*o, 1e-d in XI )i*o $,est1o,se, "1*n.1*i, C1in*, on 0to6er 2,
2889. In t1e Notes o2 #eetin., t1e P1i-ippine $o>ern+ent 0on>e=ed its de0ision not to
0ontin,e <it1 t1e 'TE N*tion*- Bro*d6*nd Net<orA ProBe0t d,e to se>er*- 0onstr*ints. T1e
s*+e Notes -iAe<ise 0ont*ined President H, )int*o@s e/pression o2 ,nderst*ndin. o2 t1e
P1i-ippine $o>ern+ent de0ision.

Ce reso->e to .r*nt t1e +otion.

"&rst(y, t1e Co,rt notes t1e trip-e petitions to 6e 2or certiorari, pro1i6ition *nd
+*nd*+,s, <it1 *pp-i0*tion 2or t1e iss,*n0e o2 * Te+por*r= Restr*inin. rder :TR; *ndKor
Pre-i+in*r= InB,n0tion. T1e indi>id,*- pr*=ers in e*01 o2 t1e t1ree :D; 0onso-id*ted petitions
*re:

+.R. N1. 234456
3 | P a g e

CHEREFRE, it is respe0t2,--= pr*=ed o2 t1is Honor*6-e Co,rt:

4. Upon t1e 2i-in. o2 t1is Petition, p,rs,*nt to
t1e se0ond p*r*.r*p1 o2 R,-e IF, "e0tion I o2 t1e R,-es
o2 Co,rt, iss,eforthwith *n e' parte te+por*r=
restr*inin. order enB1&n&n* resp1ndents, t1eir
s,6ordin*tes, *.ents, represent*ti>es *nd *n= *nd *--
persons *0tin. on t1eir 6e1*-2 =r1, p)rs)&n*, enter&n*
&nt1 &ndebtedness, d&sb)rs&n* =)nds, and
&,p(e,ent&n* te %TE!DOTC -r1adband Dea(J

2. C1,pe( resp1ndents, ,pon Crit o2
#*nd*+,s, t1 forthwith pr1d)'e and =)rn&s
pet&t&1ner 1r &s )nders&*ned '1)nse( a 'ert&=&ed
tr)e '1py 1= te '1ntra't 1r a*ree,ent '1>er&n* te
N-N pr1Be't as a*reed )p1n C&t %TE C1rp1rat&1nJ

D. "01ed,-e r*- Ar.,+ents in t1e present 0*se
p,rs,*nt to R,-e ?G in re-*tion to "e0tion 2, R,-e I7 o2
t1e re>ised R,-es o2 Co,rtJ *nd,

?. Ann)( and set as&de te aCard 1=
te %TE!DOTC -r1adband Dea(, *nd 0o+pe-
p,6-i0 respondents toforthwith 0o+p-= <it1 pertinent
pro>isions o2 -*< re.*rdin. pro0,re+ent o2 .o>ern+ent
ICT 0ontr*0ts *nd p,6-i0 6iddin. 2or t1e NBN 0ontr*0t.
3445
:E+p1*sis s,pp-ied;


+.R. N1. 239523

CHEREFRE, petitioners A+sterd*+ Ho-din.s, In0., *nd N*t1*nie-
"*,H respe0t2,--= pr*= *s 2o--o<s:

A. ,pon t1e 2i-in. o2 t1is Petition 2or #*nd*+,s *nd
0onditioned ,pon t1e postin. o2 * 6ond in s,01 *+o,nt
*s t1e Honor*6-e Co,rt +*= 2i/, * te+por*r= restr*inin.
order *ndKor <rit o2 pre-i+in*r= inB,n0tion be &ss)ed
d&re't&n* te Depart,ent 1= Transp1rtat&1n and
C1,,)n&'at&1n, t1e Co++ission on In2or+*tion *nd
Co++,ni0*tions Te01no-o.=, *-- ot1er .o>ern+ent
*.en0ies *nd instr,+ent*-ities, t1eir o22i0ers, e+p-o=ees,
*ndKor ot1er persons *0tin. 2or *nd on t1eir 6e1*-2 t1
des&st d,rin. t1e penden0= o2 t1e inst*nt Petition 2or
#*nd*+,s =r1, enter&n* &nt1 any 1ter a*ree,ents
and =r1, '1,,en'&n* C&t any D&nd, s1rt, 1r spe'&e
1= a't&>&ty &n '1nne't&1n C&t te Nat&1na(
-r1adband NetC1rD Pr1Be'tJ

B. t1e inst*nt Petition 2or #*nd*+,s 6e .i>en
d,e 0o,rseJ *nd,

C. *2ter d,e 0onsider*tion o2 *-- re-e>*nt
iss,es, B,d.+ent 6e rendered dire0tin. respondents to
*--o< 1erein petitioners *00ess to *-- *.ree+ents entered
into <it1 t1e $o>ern+ent o2 C1in*, t1e 'TE Corpor*tion,
*ndKor ot1er entities, .o>ern+ent instr,+ent*-ities,
*ndKor indi>id,*-s <it1 re.*rd to t1e N*tion*- Bro*d6*nd
Net<orA ProBe0t.
3425
:E+p1*sis s,pp-ied;


+.R. N1. 239;25

CHEREFRE, it is respe0t2,--= pr*=ed o2 t1is Honor*6-e Co,rt to:

4. Co+pe- respondents, ,pon Crit o2
#*nd*+,s, t1 forthwith pr1d)'e and =)rn&s
pet&t&1ner 1r &s )nders&*ned '1)nse( a 'ert&=&ed
tr)e '1py 1= te '1ntra't 1r a*ree,ent '1>er&n* te
N-N pr1Be't as a*reed )p1n C&t %TE C1rp1rat&1nJ

2. "01ed,-e r*- Ar.,+ents in t1e present 0*se
p,rs,*nt to R,-e ?G in re-*tion to "e0tion 2, R,-e I7 o2
t1e Re>ised R,-es o2 Co,rtJ

D. Ann)( and set as&de te aCard 1= te
'1ntra't =1r te nat&1na( br1adband netC1rD t1
resp1ndent %TE C1rp1rat&1n, ,pon t1e .ro,nd t1*t
s*id 0ontr*0t, *s <e-- *s t1e pro0ed,res resorted to
prep*r*tor= to t1e e/e0,tion t1ereo2, is 0ontr*r= to t1e
Constit,tion, to -*< *nd to p,6-i0 po-i0=J

?. C1,pe( p)b(&' resp1ndent
t1 forthwith '1,p(y C&t pert&nent pr1>&s&1ns 1=
(aC re*ard&n* pr1')re,ent 1= *1>ern,ent
&n=rastr)'t)re pr1Be'ts, in0-,din. p,6-i0 6iddin. 2or
s*id 0ontr*0t to ,ndert*Ae t1e 0onstr,0tion o2 t1e
n*tion*- 6ro*d6*nd net<orA.
34D5
:E+p1*sis s,pp-ied;

n "epte+6er 44, 2889, t1e Co,rt iss,ed * TR
34?5
in $.R. No. 49FFD8, enBoinin.
t1e p*rties 2ro+ Lp,rs,in., enterin. into inde6tedness, dis6,rsin. 2,nds, *nd i+p-e+entin.
t1e 'TE&DTC Bro*d6*nd De*- *nd ProBe0tM *s pr*=ed 2or. Pertinent p*rts o2 t1e s*id rder
re*d:

4 | P a g e
CHEREA", t1e ",pre+e Co,rt, on 44 "epte+6er 2889, *dopted *
reso-,tion in t1e *6o>e&entit-ed 0*se, to <it:

L$.R. No. 49FFD8 :%ole' (uplico vs. National
&cono#ic and )evelop#ent Authority, represented 6=
NEDA "e0ret*r= Ro+,-o L. Neri, *nd t1e NEDA
In>est+ent Coordin*tion Co++ittee, Dep*rt+ent o2
Tr*nsport*tion *nd Co++,ni0*tions :DTC;, represented
6= DTC "e0ret*r= Le*ndro #endoH*, in0-,din. t1e
Co++ission on In2or+*tion *nd Co++,ni0*tions
Te01no-o.=, 1e*ded 6= its C1*ir+*n, R*+on P. "*-es, T1e
Te-e0o++,ni0*tions 22i0e, Bids *nd A<*rds 2or
In2or+*tion *nd Co++,ni0*tions Te01no-o.= Co++ittee
:ICT;, 1e*ded 6= DTC Assist*nt "e0ret*r= E-+er A.
"oneB* *s C1*ir+*n, *nd T1e Te01ni0*- CorAin. $ro,p
2or ICT, *nd DTC Assist*nt "e0ret*r= LorenHo For+oso,
*nd A-- t1er per*tin. Units o2 t1e DTC 2or
In2or+*tion *nd Co++,ni0*tions Te01no-o.=, *nd 'TE
Corpor*tion, A+sterd*+ Ho-din.s, In0., *nd ARE"C#,
In0.NA0tin. on t1e inst*nt petition <it1 pr*=er 2or
te+por*r= restr*inin. order *ndKor <rit o2 pre-i+in*r=
inB,n0tion, t1e Co,rt Reso->ed, <it1o,t .i>in. d,e 0o,rse
to t1e petition, to

/ / / /

:d; Iss,e * TE#PRAR%
RE"TRAININ$ RDER, e22e0ti>e
i++edi*te-= *nd 0ontin,in. ,nti-
2,rt1er orders 2ro+ t1is Co,rt,
enBoinin. t1e :i; N*tion*-
E0ono+i0 *nd De>e-op+ent A,t1orit=,
:ii; NEDA&In>est+ent Coordin*tion
Co++ittee, :iii; Dep*rt+ent o2
Tr*nsport*tion *nd Co++,ni0*tions,
Co++ission on In2or+*tion *nd
Co++,ni0*tions Te01no-o.=, :i>;
Te-e0o++,ni0*tions 22i0e, Bids *nd
A<*rds 2or In2or+*tion *nd
Co++,ni0*tions Te01no-o.= Co++ittee
:ICT;, :>; Te01ni0*- CorAin. $ro,p 2or
ICT, *nd *-- ot1er per*tin. Units o2 t1e
DTC 2or In2or+*tion *nd
Co++,ni0*tions Te01no-o.=, :>i; 'TE
Corpor*tionJ :>ii; A+sterd*+ Ho-din.s,
In0., *nd :>iii; ARE"C#, In0., *nd *n=
*nd *-- persons *0tin. on t1eir 6e1*-2
2ro+ Op,rs,in., enterin. into
inde6tedness, dis6,rsin. 2,nds, *nd
i+p-e+entin. t1e 'TE&DTC Bro*d6*nd
De*- *nd ProBe0t@ *s pr*=ed 2or.M

NC THEREFRE, e22e0ti>e i++edi*te-= *nd 0ontin,in. ,nti-
2,rt1er orders 2ro+ t1is Co,rt, %o,, Respondents :i; N*tion*- E0ono+i0 *nd
De>e-op+ent A,t1orit=, :ii; NEDA&In>est+ent Coordin*tion Co++ittee, :iii;
Dep*rt+ent o2 Tr*nsport*tion *nd Co++,ni0*tions, Co++ission on
In2or+*tion *nd Co++,ni0*tions Te01no-o.=, :i>;
Te-e0o++,ni0*tions 22i0e, Bids *nd A<*rds 2or In2or+*tion *nd
Co++,ni0*tions Te01no-o.= Co++ittee :ICT;, :>; Te01ni0*- CorAin. $ro,p
2or ICT, *nd *-- ot1er per*tin. Units o2 t1e DTC 2or In2or+*tion *nd
Co++,ni0*tions Te01no-o.=, :>i; 'TE Corpor*tionJ :>ii; A+sterd*+
Ho-din.s, In0., *nd :>iii; ARE"C#, In0., *nd *n= *nd *-- persons *0tin. on
t1eir 6e1*-2 *re 1ere6= EN/OINED =r1, ?p)rs)&n*, enter&n* &nt1
&ndebtedness, d&sb)rs&n* =)nds, and &,p(e,ent&n* te %TE!DOTC
-r1adband Dea( and Pr1Be'tA as prayed =1r.
34I5
:E+p1*sis s,pp-ied.;

Petitioners in $.R. Nos. 49FFD8 *nd 49G74D pr*= t1*t t1e= 6e 2,rnis1ed 0erti2ied tr,e
0opies o2 t1e L0ontr*0t or *.ree+ent 0o>erin. t1e NBN proBe0t *s *.reed ,pon <it1 'TE
Corpor*tion.M It *ppe*rs t1*t d,rin. one o2 t1e "en*te 1e*rin.s on t1e NBN proBe0t, 0opies
o2 t1e s,pp-= 0ontr*0t
3475
<ere re*di-= +*de *>*i-*6-e to petitioners.
3495
E>ident-=, t1e s*id
pr*=er 1*s 6een 0o+p-ied <it1 *nd is, t1,s, ,11ted.

C1en President $-ori* #*0*p*.*-&Arro=o, *0tin. in 1er o22i0i*- 0*p*0it= d,rin. t1e
+eetin. 1e-d on 0to6er 2, 2889 in C1in*, in2or+ed C1in*@s President H, )int*o t1*t t1e
P1i-ippine $o>ern+ent 1*d de0ided not to 0ontin,e <it1 t1e 'TE&N*tion*- Bro*d6*nd
Net<orA :'TE&NBN; ProBe0t d,e to se>er*- re*sons *nd 0onstr*ints, t1ere is no do,6t t1*t a((
te 1ter pr&n'&pa( prayers &n te tree pet&t&1ns :to *nn,-, set *side, *nd enBoin t1e
i+p-e+ent*tion o2 t1e 'TE&NBN ProBe0t; ad a(s1 be'1,e ,11t.

Contr*r= to petitioners@ 0ontentions t1*t t1ese de0-*r*tions +*de 6= o22i0i*-s
6e-on.in. to t1e e/e0,ti>e 6r*n01 on t1e P1i-ippine $o>ern+ent@s de0ision not to 0ontin,e
<it1 t1e 'TE&NBN ProBe0t *re se-2&ser>in., 1en0e, in*d+issi6-e, t1e Co,rt 1*s no *-tern*ti>e
6,t to t*Ae B,di0i*- noti0e o2 t1is o22i0i*- *0t o2 t1e President o2 t1e P1i-ippines.

"e0tion 4, R,-e 42G o2 t1e R,-es o2 Co,rt pro>ides:

"ECTIN 4. Judicial Notice, when mandatory. * A 0o,rt s1*--
t*Ae B,di0i*- noti0e, C&t1)t &ntr1d)'t&1n 1= e>&den'e, o2 t1e e/isten0e
*nd territori*- e/tent o2 st*tes, t1eir po-iti0*- 1istor=, 2or+s o2 .o>ern+ent
*nd s=+6o-s o2 n*tion*-it=, t1e -*< o2 n*tions, t1e *d+ir*-t= *nd +*riti+e
0o,rts o2 t1e <or-d *nd t1eir se*-s, t1e po-iti0*- 0onstit,tion *nd 1istor= o2
t1e P1i-ippines, te 1==&'&a( a'ts 1= te -e.is-*ti>e, e@e')t&>e *nd
B,di0i*-depart,ents 1= te P&(&pp&nes, t1e -*<s o2 n*t,re, t1e +e*s,re
o2 ti+e, *nd t1e .eo.r*p1i0*- di>isions. :E+p1*sis s,pp-ied;
Under t1e r,-es, it is ,andat1ry *nd t1e Co,rt 1*s no *-tern*ti>e 6,t to t*Ae
B,di0i*- noti0e o2 t1e o22i0i*- *0ts o2 t1e President o2 t1e P1i-ippines, <1o 1e*ds t1e e/e0,ti>e
5 | P a g e
6r*n01 o2 o,r .o>ern+ent. It is 2,rt1er pro>ided in t1e *6o>e&E,oted r,-e t1*t t1e 0o,rt
s1*-- t*Ae B,di0i*- noti0e o2 t1e 2ore.oin. 2*0ts C&t1)t &ntr1d)'t&1n 1= e>&den'e. "in0e
<e 0onsider t1e *0t o2 0*n0e--*tion 6= President #*0*p*.*-&Arro=o o2 t1e proposed 'TE&NBN
ProBe0t d,rin. t1e +eetin. o2 0to6er 2, 2889 <it1 t1e C1inese President inC1in* *s
*n 1==&'&a( a't 1= te e@e')t&>e depart,ent, t1e Co,rt +,st t*Ae B,di0i*- noti0e o2 s,01
o22i0i*- *0t <it1o,t need o2 e>iden0e.

In )avid v. Macapagal-Arroyo,
34F5
Ce tooA B,di0i*- noti0e o2 t1e *nno,n0e+ent 6=
t1e 22i0e o2 t1e President 6*nnin. *-- r*--ies *nd 0*n0e-in. *-- per+its 2or p,6-i0 *sse+6-ies
2o--o<in. t1e iss,*n0e o2 Presidenti*- Pro0-*+*tion No. 4849 *nd $ener*- rder No. I.

In &strada v. )esierto,
34G5
t1e Co,rt *-so resorted to B,di0i*- noti0e in reso->in. t1e
2*0t,*- in.redient o2 t1e petition.

#oreo>er, ,nder "e0tion 2, p*r*.r*p1 :+; o2 R,-e 4D4 o2 t1e R,-es o2 Co,rt,
t1e 1==&'&a( d)ty o2 t1e e/e0,ti>e o22i0i*-s
3285
o2 in2or+in. t1is Co,rt o2 t1e .o>ern+ent@s
de0ision not to 0ontin,e <it1 t1e 'TE&NBN ProBe0t is *-so pres,+ed to a>e been re*)(ar(y
per=1r,ed, *6sent proo2 to t1e 0ontr*r=. t1er t1*n petitioner AHI@s ,ns*>or= insin,*tion
in its 0o++ent, t1e Co,rt 2inds no 2*0t,*- or -e.*- 6*sis to disre.*rd t1is disp,t*6-e
pres,+ption in t1e present inst*n0e.

Con0o+it*nt to its 2,nd*+ent*- t*sA *s t1e ,-ti+*te 0it*de- o2 B,sti0e *nd -e.iti+*0=
is t1e B,di0i*r=@s ro-e o2 stren.t1enin. po-iti0*- st*6i-it= indispens*6-e to pro.ress *nd
n*tion*- de>e-op+ent. Ponti2i0*tin. on iss,es <1i01 no -on.er -e.iti+*te-= 0onstit,te *n
*0t,*- 0*se or 0ontro>ers= <i-- do +ore 1*r+ t1*n .ood to t1e n*tion *s * <1o-e. Cise
e/er0ise o2 B,di0i*- dis0retion +i-it*tes *.*inst reso->in. t1e *0*de+i0 iss,es, *s petitioners
<*nt t1is Co,rt to do. T1is is espe0i*--= tr,e <1ere, *s <i-- 6e 2,rt1er dis0,ssed, t1e -e.*-
iss,es r*ised 0*nnot 6e reso->ed <it1o,t pre>io,s-= est*6-is1in. t1e 2*0t,*- 6*sis or
*nte0edents.

),di0i*- po<er pres,pposes *0t,*- 0ontro>ersies, t1e >er= *ntit1esis o2
+ootness. In t1e *6sen0e o2 *0t,*- B,sti0i*6-e 0ontro>ersies or disp,tes, t1e Co,rt .ener*--=
opts to re2r*in 2ro+ de0idin. +oot iss,es. C1ere t1ere is no +ore -i>e s,6Be0t o2
0ontro>ers=, t1e Co,rt 0e*ses to 1*>e * re*son to render *n= r,-in. or +*Ae *n=
prono,n0e+ent.

Kapag wala nang buhay na kaso, wala nang dahilan para magdesisyon ang
Husgado.

In %epu+lic ,eleco##unications oldings, "nc. v. (antiago,
3245
t1e -one iss,e t*0A-ed
6= t1e Co,rt o2 Appe*-s :CA; <*s <1et1er t1e "e0,rities In>esti.*tion *nd C-e*rin.
Dep*rt+ent :"ICD; *nd "e0,rities *nd E/01*n.e Co++ission :"EC; en +anc0o++itted
re>ersi6-e error in iss,in. *nd ,p1o-din., respe0ti>e-=, t1e <rit o2 pre-i+in*r= inB,n0tion. T1e
<rit enBoined t1e e/e0,tion o2 t1e E,estioned *.ree+ents 6et<een !,*-0o++, In0. *nd
Rep,6-i0 Te-e0o++,ni0*tions Ho-din.s, In0. :RETELC#;. T1e i+p-e+ent*tion o2 t1e
*.ree+ents <*s restr*ined t1ro,.1 t1e *ss*i-ed orders o2 t1e "ICD *nd t1e "EC en
+anc <1i01, 1o<e>er, <ere n,--i2ied 6= t1e CA de0ision. T1,s, RETELC# e-e>*ted t1e
+*tter to t1is Co,rt pr*=in. 2or t1e reinst*te+ent o2 t1e <rit o2 pre-i+in*r= inB,n0tion o2 t1e
"ICD *nd t1e "EC en +anc. Ho<e>er, 6e2ore t1e +*tter <*s 2in*--= reso->ed, !,*-0o++,
In0. <it1dre< 2ro+ t1e ne.oti*tin. t*6-e. Its <it1dr*<*- 1*d t1<*rted t1e e/e0,tion *nd
en2or0e+ent o2 t1e 0ontr*0ts. T1,s, t1e reso-,tion o2 <1et1er t1e i+p-e+ent*tion o2 s*id
*.ree+ents s1o,-d 6e enBoined 6e0*+e no -on.er ne0ess*r=.

EE,*--= *pp-i0*6-e to t1e present 0*se is t1e Co,rt r,-in. in t1e *6o>e&0ited %epu+lic
,eleco##unications. T1ere Ce 1e-d, t1,s:

Indeed, t1e inst*nt petition, inso2*r *s it *ss*i-s t1e Co,rt o2
Appe*-s@ De0ision n,--i2=in. t1e orders o2 t1e "EC en 6*n0 *nd t1e "ICD,
1*s 6een rendered +oot *nd *0*de+i0. To r,-e, one <*= or t1e ot1er, on
t1e 0orre0tness o2 t1e E,estioned orders o2 t1e "EC en 6*n0 *nd t1e "ICD
<i-- 6e ind,-.in. in * t1eoreti0*- e/er0ise t1*t 1*s no pr*0ti0*- <ort1 in >ie<
o2 t1e s,per>enin. e>ent.

T1e r,-e is <e--&sett-ed t1*t 2or * 0o,rt to e/er0ise its po<er o2
*dB,di0*tion, t1ere +,st 6e *n *0t,*- 0*se or 0ontro>ers= one <1i01
in>o->es * 0on2-i0t o2 -e.*- ri.1ts, *n *ssertion o2 opposite -e.*- 0-*i+s
s,s0epti6-e o2 B,di0i*- reso-,tionJ t1e 0*se +,st not 6e +oot or *0*de+i0
or 6*sed on e/tr*&-e.*- or ot1er si+i-*r 0onsider*tions not 0o.niH*6-e 6= *
0o,rt o2 B,sti0e. C1ere t1e iss,e 1*s 6e0o+e +oot *nd *0*de+i0, t1ere is
no B,sti0i*6-e 0ontro>ers=, *nd *n *dB,di0*tion t1ereon <o,-d 6e o2 no
pr*0ti0*- ,se or >*-,e *s 0o,rts do not sit to *dB,di0*te +ere *0*de+i0
E,estions to s*tis2= s01o-*r-= interest, 1o<e>er inte--e0t,*--= 01*--en.in..

In t1e ,-ti+*te *n*-=sis, petitioners *re seeAin. t1e reinst*te+ent
o2 t1e <rit o2 inB,n0tion to pre>ent t1e 0on0erned p*rties 2ro+ p,s1in.
t1ro,.1 <it1 tr*ns*0tions <it1 !,*-0o++, In0. $i>en t1*t !,*-0o++, In0.
is no -on.er interested in p,rs,in. t1e 0ontr*0ts, t1ere is no *0t,*-
s,6st*nti*- re-ie2 to <1i01 petitioners <o,-d 6e entit-ed *nd <1i01 <o,-d 6e
ne.*ted 6= t1e dis+iss*- o2 t1e petition.

T1e Co,rt -iAe<ise 2inds it ,nne0ess*r= to r,-e <1et1er t1e
*ss*i-ed Co,rt o2 Appe*-s@ De0ision 1*d t1e e22e0t o2 o>err,-in. t1e Co,rt@s
Reso-,tion d*ted 2G )*n,*r= 4GGG, <1i01 set *side t1e TR iss,ed 6= t1e
*ppe--*te 0o,rt.

A r,-in. on t1e +*tter pr*0ti0*--= p*rt*Aes o2 * +ere *d>isor=
opinion, <1i01 2*--s 6e=ond t1e re*-+ o2 B,di0i*- re>ie<. T1e e/er0ise o2
t1e po<er o2 B,di0i*- re>ie< is -i+ited to *0t,*- 0*ses *nd 0ontro>ersies.
Co,rts 1*>e no *,t1orit= to p*ss ,pon iss,es t1ro,.1 *d>isor= opinions or
to reso->e 1=pot1eti0*- or 2ei.ned pro6-e+s.

C1i-e t1ere <ere o00*sions <1en t1e Co,rt p*ssed ,pon iss,es
*-t1o,.1 s,per>enin. e>ents 1*d rendered t1ose petitions +oot *nd
*0*de+i0, t1e inst*nt 0*se does not 2*-- ,nder t1e e/0eption*- 0*ses. In
t1ose 0*ses, t1e Co,rt <*s pers,*ded to reso->e +oot *nd *0*de+i0 iss,es
6 | P a g e
to 2or+,-*te .,idin. *nd 0ontro--in. 0onstit,tion*- prin0ip-es, pre0epts,
do0trines or r,-es 2or 2,t,re .,id*n0e o2 6ot1 6en01 *nd 6*r.

In t1e 0*se *t 6*r, t1e reso-,tion o2 <1et1er * <rit o2 pre-i+in*r=
inB,n0tion +*= 6e iss,ed to pre>ent t1e i+p-e+ent*tion o2 t1e *ss*i-ed
0ontr*0ts 0*--s 2or *n *ppr*is*- o2 2*0t,*- 0onsider*tions <1i01 *re pe0,-i*r
on-= to t1e tr*ns*0tions *nd p*rties in>o->ed in t1is 0ontro>ers=. E/0ept 2or
t1e deter+in*tion o2 <1et1er petitioners *re entit-ed to * <rit o2
pre-i+in*r= inB,n0tion <1i01 is no< +oot, t1e iss,es r*ised in t1is petition
do not 0*-- 2or * 0-*ri2i0*tion o2 *n= 0onstit,tion*- prin0ip-e or t1e
interpret*tion o2 *n= st*t,tor= pro>ision.
3225

Se'1nd(y, e>en *ss,+in. t1*t t1e Co,rt <i-- 01oose to disre.*rd t1e 2ore.oin.
0onsider*tions *nd 6r,s1 *side +ootness, t1e Co,rt 0*nnot 0o+p-ete-= r,-e on t1e +erits o2
t1e 0*se 6e0*,se te res1()t&1n 1= te tree pet&t&1ns &n>1(>es sett(&n* =a't)a( &ss)es
C&' de=&n&te(y reE)&res re'ept&1n 1= e>&den'e. T1ere is not *n iot* o2 do,6t t1*t t&s
,ay n1t be d1ne by t&s C1)rt &n te =&rst &nstan'e be'a)se, *s 1*s 6een st*ted o2ten
eno,.1, t&s C1)rt &s n1t a tr&er 1= =a'ts.

Ang pagpapasiya sa tatlong petisyon ay nangangailangan ng paglilitis na
hindi gawain ng Hukumang ito.

Respondent 'TE, in its Co++ent in $.R. No. 49FFD8,
32D5
0orre0t-= pointed o,t t1*t
sin0e petitioner ",p-i0o 2i-ed 1is petition dire0t-= <it1 t1is Co,rt, <it1o,t prior 2*0t,*- 2indin.s
+*de 6= *n= -o<er 0o,rt, * deter+in*tion o2 pertinent *nd re-e>*nt 2*0ts is needed. 'TE
en,+er*ted so+e o2 t1ese 2*0t,*- iss,es, to <it:

:4; C1et1er *n e/e0,ti>e *.ree+ent 1*s 6een re*01ed 6et<een
t1e P1i-ippine *nd C1inese .o>ern+ents o>er t1e NBN ProBe0tJ

:2; C1et1er t1e 'TE ",pp-= Contr*0t <*s entered into 6= t1e
Rep,6-i0 o2 t1e P1i-ippines, t1ro,.1 t1e DTC, *nd 'TE
Intern*tion*- p,rs,*nt to, *nd *s *n inte.r*- p*rt o2, t1e e/e0,ti>e
*.ree+entJ

:D; C1et1er * -o*n *.ree+ent 2or t1e NBN ProBe0t 1*s *0t,*--=
6een e/e0,tedJ

:?; C1et1er t1e P1i-ippine .o>ern+ent reE,ired t1*t t1e NBN
ProBe0t 6e 0o+p-eted ,nder * B,i-d&per*te&*nd&Tr*ns2er "01e+eJ

:I; C1et1er t1e AHI propos*- 0o+p-ied <it1 t1e reE,ire+ents 2or
*n ,nso-i0ited propos*- ,nder t1e BT L*<J

:7; C1et1er t1e P1i-ippine .o>ern+ent 1*s *0t,*--= e*r+*rAed
p,6-i0 2inds 2or dis6,rse+ent ,nder t1e 'TE ",pp-= Contr*0tJ *nd

:9; C1et1er t1e 0o>er*.e o2 t1e NBN ProBe0t to 6e s,pp-ied
,nder t1e 'TE ",pp-= Contr*0t is +ore e/tensi>e t1*n t1*t ,nder
t1e AHIpropos*- or s,01 ot1er propos*- s,6+itted t1ere2or.
32?5

De2inite-=, so+e >er= spe0i2i0 re-ie2s pr*=ed 2or in 6ot1 $.R. Nos. 49FFD8 *nd
49G74D reE,ire prior deter+in*tion o2 2*0ts 6e2ore pertinent -e.*- iss,es 0o,-d 6e reso->ed
*nd spe0i2i0 re-ie2s .r*nted.

In +.R. N1. 234456, petitioner seeAs to ann)( and set as&de t1e *<*rd o2 t1e
'TE&DTC Bro*d6*nd De*- *nd 0o+pe- p,6-i0 respondents to forthwith 0o+p-= <it1 pertinent
pro>isions o2 -*< re.*rdin. pro0,re+ent o2 .o>ern+ent ICT 0ontr*0ts *nd p,6-i0 6iddin. 2or
t1e NBN 0ontr*0t.

In +.R. N1. 239;25, petitioners *-so pr*= t1*t t1e Co,rt ann)( and set as&de
te aCard o2 t1e 0ontr*0t 2or t1e n*tion*- 6ro*d6*nd net<orA to respondent 'TE
Corpor*tion, ,pon t1e .ro,nd t1*t s*id 0ontr*0t, *s <e-- *s t1e pro0ed,res resorted to
prep*r*tor= to t1e e/e0,tion t1ereo2, is 0ontr*r= to t1e Constit,tion, to -*< *nd to p,6-i0
po-i0=. T1e= *-so *sA t1e Co,rt to '1,pe( p)b(&' resp1ndent t1 forthwith '1,p(y C&t
pert&nent pr1>&s&1ns 1= (aC re*ard&n* pr1')re,ent o2 .o>ern+ent in2r*str,0t,re
proBe0ts, in0-,din. p,6-i0 6iddin. 2or s*id 0ontr*0t to ,ndert*Ae t1e 0onstr,0tion o2 t1e
n*tion*- 6ro*d6*nd net<orA.

It is si+p-= &,p1ss&b(e 2or t1is Co,rt Lto annul and set aside the award of the -,&-
).,C Broad+and )ealM C&t1)t any e>&den'e to s,pport * prior 2*0t,*- 2indin. pointin. to
*n= >io-*tion o2 -*< t1*t 0o,-d -e*d to s,01 *nn,-+ent order. For s,re, t1e ",pre+e Co,rt is
not t1e proper >en,e 2or t1is 2*0t,*- +*tter to 6e t1res1ed o,t.

T&rd(y, petitioner ",p-i0o in $.R. No. 49FFD8 pr*=ed t1*t t1is Co,rt order Lp,6-i0
respondents to forthwith 0o+p-= <it1 pertinent pro>isions o2 -*< re.*rdin. pro0,re+ent o2
.o>ern+ent ICT 0ontr*0ts *nd p,6-i0 6iddin. 2or t1e NBN 0ontr*0t.M
32I5
It C1)(d be t11
pres),pt)1)s 1n te part 1= te C1)rt t1 s),,ar&(y '1,pe( p)b(&' resp1ndents to
0o+p-= <it1 pertinent pro>isions o2 -*< re.*rdin. pro0,re+ent o2 .o>ern+ent in2r*str,0t,re
proBe0ts C&t1)t any =a't)a( bas&s or prior deter+in*tion o2 >er= p*rti0,-*r >io-*tions
0o++itted 6= spe0i2i0 .o>ern+ent o22i0i*-s o2 t1e e/e0,ti>e 6r*n01. For t1e Co,rt to do so
<o,-d *+o,nt to * 6re*01 o2 t1e nor+s o2 0o+it= *+on. 0o&eE,*- 6r*n01es o2
.o>ern+ent. A per0ei>ed error 0*nnot 6e 0orre0ted 6= 0o++ittin. *not1er error. Cit1o,t
proper e>iden0e, t1e Co,rt 0*nnot B,st pres,+e t1*t t1e e/e0,ti>e did not 0o+p-= <it1
pro0,re+ent -*<s. "1o,-d t1e Co,rt *--o< itse-2 to 2*-- into t1is tr*p, it <o,-d p-*in-= 0o++it
.r*>e error itse-2.

Magiging kapangahasan sa Hukumang ito na pilitin ang mga pinipetisyon na
tumalima sa batas sa pangongontrata ng pamahalaan kung wala pang pagtitiyak o
angkop na ebidensiya ng nagawang paglabag dito.

Let it 6e 0-*ri2ied t1*t t1e "en*te in>esti.*tion in *id o2 -e.is-*tion 0*nnot 6e t1e 6*sis
o2 ,r de0ision <1i01 reE,ires * B,di0i*-2indin. o2 2*0ts.

7 | P a g e
),sti0e Antonio T. C*rpio t*Aes t1e >ie< t1*t t1e N*tion*- Bro*d6*nd Net<orA ProBe0t
s1o,-d 6e de0-*red n,-- *nd >oid. T1e 2ore.oin. t1ree2o-d re*sons <o,-d s,22i0e to *ddress
t1e 0on0ern o2 ,r estee+ed 0o--e*.,e.


T1e Co,rt is, t1ere2ore, 0onstr*ined to dis+iss t1e petitions *nd den= t1e+ d,e
0o,rse 6e0*,se o2 +ootness *nd 6e0*,se t1eir reso-,tion reE,ires re0eption o2 e>iden0e
<1i01 0*nnot 6e done in *n ori.in*- petition 6ro,.1t 6e2ore t1e ",pre+e Co,rt.

.HERE"ORE, t1e petitions *re DISMISSED. T1e Te+por*r= Restr*inin. rder
iss,ed on "epte+6er 44, 2889 isDISSOLVED.

SO ORDERED.
PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP
A.M. N1. RT/!98!43; Septe,ber 29, 2997
STATE PROSECUTORS, 0o+p-*in*nts,
>s.
/UD+E MANUEL T. MURO, Re*&1na( Tr&a( C1)rt, -ran' F7, Man&(a, respondent.

PER CURIAM<
In *ss*=in. t1e reE,isite nor+s 2or E,*-i2i0*tions *nd e+inen0e o2 * +*.istr*te, -e.*-
*,t1orities p-*0e * pre+i,+ on 1o< 1e 1*s 0o+p-ied <it1 1is 0ontin,in. d,t= to Ano< t1e
-*<. A E,*-it= t1,s 0onsidered essenti*- to t1e B,di0i*- 01*r*0ter is t1*t o2 Q* +*n o2 -e*rnin.
<1o spends tire-ess-= t1e <e*r= 1o,rs *2ter +idni.1t *0E,*intin. 1i+se-2 <it1 t1e .re*t 6od=
o2 tr*ditions *nd t1e -e*rnin. o2 t1e -*<J is pro2o,nd-= -e*rned in *-- t1e -e*rnin. o2 t1e -*<J
*nd Ano<s 1o< to ,se t1*t -e*rnin..Q
2
6>io,s-=, it is t1e pri+*r= d,t= o2 * B,d.e, <1i01 1e o<es to t1e p,6-i0 *nd to t1e -e.*-
pro2ession, to Ano< t1e >er= -*< 1e is s,pposed to *pp-= to * .i>en 0ontro>ers=. He is 0*--ed
,pon to e/1i6it +ore t1*n B,st * 0,rsor= *0E,*int*n0e <it1 t1e st*t,tes *nd pro0ed,r*-
r,-es. P*rt= -iti.*nts <i-- 1*>e .re*t 2*it1 in t1e *d+inistr*tion o2 B,sti0e i2 B,d.es 0*nnot
B,st-= 6e *00,sed o2 *pp*rent de2i0ien0= in t1eir .r*sp o2 t1e -e.*- prin0ip-es. For, ser>i0e in
t1e B,di0i*r= +e*ns * 0ontin,o,s st,d= *nd rese*r01 on t1e -*< 2ro+ 6e.innin. to end.
8
In * -etter&0o+p-*int
5
d*ted A,.,st 4G, 4GG2, respondent ),d.e #*n,e- T. #,ro o2 t1e
Re.ion*- Tri*- Co,rt :RTC; o2 #*ni-*, Br*n01 I?, <*s 01*r.ed 6= "t*te Prose0,tors Ni-o C.
#*ri*no, $eor.e C. Dee *nd P*terno V. T*0&*n <it1 i.nor*n0e o2 t1e -*<, .r*>e +is0ond,0t
*nd >io-*tions o2 R,-es 2.84, D.84 *nd D.82 o2 t1e Code o2 ),di0i*- Cond,0t, 0o++itted *s
2o--o<s:
4. T1*t on A,.,st 4D, 4GG2, respondent B,d.e iss,ed *n rder dis+issin. e-e>en :44; 0*ses
:do0Aeted *s Cri+. C*ses Nos. G2&484GIG to G2& 484G7G, in0-,si>e; 2i-ed 6= t1e ,ndersi.ned
0o+p-*in*nt prose0,tors :+e+6ers o2 t1e D) P*ne- o2 Prose0,tors; *.*inst t1e *00,sed
#rs. I+e-d* Ro+,*-deH #*r0os, 2or Vio-*tion o2 Centr*- B*nA Forei.n E/01*n.e Restri0tions,
*s 0onso-id*ted in CB Cir0,-*r No. G78, in re-*tion to t1e pen*- pro>isions o2 "e0. D? o2 R.A.
27I, *s *+ended, . . .J
2. T1*t respondent ),d.e iss,ed 1is rder so-e-= on t1e 6*sis o2 ne<sp*per reports :A,.,st
44, 4GG2 iss,es o2 t1e P1i-ippine D*i-= InE,irer *nd t1e D*i-= $-o6e; 0on0ernin. t1e
*nno,n0e+ent on A,.,st 48, 4GG2 6= t1e President o2 t1e P1i-ippines o2 t1e -i2tin. 6= t1e
.o>ern+ent o2 *-- 2orei.n e/01*n.e restri0tions *nd t1e *rri>*- *t s,01 de0ision 6= t1e
#onet*r= Bo*rd *s per st*te+ent o2 Centr*- B*nA $o>ernor )ose C,isi*J
D. T1*t 0-*i+in. t1*t t1e reported *nno,n0e+ent o2 t1e E/e0,ti>e Dep*rt+ent on t1e -i2tin.
o2 2orei.n e/01*n.e restri0tions 6= t<o ne<sp*pers <1i01 *re rep,t*6-e *nd o2 n*tion*-
0ir0,-*tion 1*d t1e e22e0t o2 repe*-in. Centr*- B*nA Cir0,-*r No. G78, *s *--e.ed-= s,pported
6= ",pre+e Co,rt de0isions . . ., t1e Co,rt 0ontended t1*t it <*s depri>ed o2 B,risdi0tion,
*nd, t1ere2ore, +ot,, prop:r;io 1*d to dis+iss *-- t1e e-e>en 0*ses *2ore+entioned Q2or not
to do so opens t1is Co,rt to 01*r.es o2 tr=in. 0*ses o>er <1i01 it 1*s no +ore B,risdi0tionJQ
?. T1*t in dis+issin. *2ore0ited 0*ses on A,.,st 4D, 4GG2 on t1e 6*sis o2 * Centr*- B*nA
Cir0,-*r or #onet*r= Bo*rd Reso-,tion <1i01 *s o2 d*te 1ereo2, 1*s not e>en 6een o22i0i*--=
iss,ed, *nd 6*sin. 1is rderKde0ision on * +ere ne<sp*per *00o,nt o2 t1e *d>*n0e
*nno,n0e+ent +*de 6= t1e President o2 t1e s*id 2*0t o2 -i2tin. or -i6er*-iHin. 2orei.n
e/01*n.e 0ontro-s, respondent B,d.e *0ted pre+*t,re-= *nd in inde0ent 1*ste, *s 1e 1*d no
<*= o2 deter+inin. t1e 2,-- intent o2 t1e ne< CB Cir0,-*r or #onet*r= Bo*rd reso-,tion, *nd
<1et1er t1e s*+e pro>ided 2or e/0eption, *s in t1e 0*se o2 persons <1o 1*d pendin.
0ri+in*- 0*ses 6e2ore t1e 0o,rts 2or >io-*tions o2 Centr*- B*nA Cir0,-*rs *ndKor re.,-*tions
pre>io,s-= iss,ed on t1e +*tterJ
I. T1*t respondent ),d.eRs *rro.*nt *nd 0*>*-ier post,re in t*Ain. B,di0i*- noti0e p,rported-=
*s * +*tter o2 p,6-i0 Ano<-ed.e * +ere ne<sp*per *00o,nt t1*t t1e President 1*d
*nno,n0ed t1e -i2tin. o2 2orei.n e/01*n.e restri0tions *s 6*sis 2or 1is *ss*i-ed order o2
dis+iss*- is 1i.1-= irre.,-*r, erroneo,s *nd +isp-*0ed. For t1e respondent B,d.e to t*Ae
B,di0i*- noti0e t1ereo2 e>en 6e2ore it is o22i0i*--= re-e*sed 6= t1e Centr*- B*nA *nd its 2,-- te/t
p,6-is1ed *s reE,ired 6= -*< to 6e e22e0ti>e s1o<s 1is pre0ipit*te *0tion in ,tter disre.*rd o2
t1e 2,nd*+ent*- pre0ept o2 d,e pro0ess <1i01 t1e Peop-e is *-so entit-ed to *nd e/poses 1is
.ross i.nor*n0e o2 t1e -*<, t1ere6= t*rnis1in. p,6-i0 0on2iden0e in t1e inte.rit= o2 t1e
B,di0i*r=. Ho< 0*n t1e Honor*6-e ),d.e t*Ae B,di0i*- noti0e o2 so+et1in. <1i01 1*s not =et
0o+e into 2or0e *nd t1e 0ontents, s1*pe *nd tenor o2 <1i01 1*>e not =et 6een p,6-is1ed *nd
*s0ert*ined to 6e t1e 6*sis o2 B,di0i*- *0tionS T1e Honor*6-e ),d.e 1*d +iser*6-= 2*i-ed to
Qende*>or di-i.ent-= to *s0ert*in t1e 2*0tsQ in t1e 0*se *t 6*r 0ontr*r= to R,-e D.82 o2 t1e
Code o2 ),di0i*- Cond,0t 0onstit,tin. $r*>e #is0ond,0tJ
7. T1*t respondent ),d.e did not e>en 1*:>e; t1e pr,den0e o2 reE,irin. 2irst t1e 0o++ent o2
t1e prose0,tion on t1e e22e0t o2 *2ores*id Centr*- B*nA Cir0,-*rK#onet*r= Bo*rd reso-,tion on
t1e pendin. 0*ses 6e2ore dis+issin. t1e s*+e, t1ere6= den=in. t1e $o>ern+ent o2 its ri.1t
to d,e pro0essJ
9. T1*t t1e -i.1tnin. speed <it1 <1i01 respondent ),d.e *0ted to dis+iss t1e 0*ses +*= 6e
.-e*ned 2ro+ t1e 2*0t t1*t s,01 pre0ipit*te *0tion <*s ,ndert*Aen despite *-re*d= s01ed,-ed
0ontin,*tion o2 tri*- d*tes set in t1e order o2 t1e 0o,rt :t1e prose0,tion 1*>in. st*rted
presentin. its e>iden0e . . .; d*ted A,.,st 44, 4GG2 to <it: A,.,st D4, "epte+6er D, 48, 24,
T 2D *nd 0to6er 4, 4GG2, *-- *t G:D8 oR0-o0A in t1e +ornin., in 6r*Hen disre.*rd o2 *--
notions o2 2*ir p-*=, t1ere6= depri>in. t1e $o>ern+ent o2 its ri.1t to 6e 1e*rd, *nd 0-e*r-=
e/posin. 1is 6i*s *nd p*rti*-it=J *nd
F. T1*t, in 2*0t, t1e +oti>e o2 respondent ),d.e in dis+issin. t1e 0*se <it1o,t e>en <*itin.
2or * +otion to E,*s1 2i-ed 6= t1e 0o,nse- 2or *00,sed 1*s e>en p-*0ed 1is dis+iss*- rder
s,spe0t.
P,rs,*nt to * reso-,tion o2 t1is Co,rt d*ted "epte+6er F, 4GG2, respondent B,d.e 2i-ed 1is
0o++ent,
7
0ontendin., inter alia, t1*t t1ere <*s no need to *<*it p,6-i0*tion o2 t1e Centr*-
B*nA :CB; 0ir0,-*r repe*-in. t1e e/istin. -*< on 2orei.n e/01*n.e 0ontro-s 2or t1e si+p-e
re*son t1*t t1e p,6-i0 *nno,n0e+ent +*de 6= t1e President in se>er*- ne<sp*pers o2
.ener*- 0ir0,-*tion -i2tin. 2orei.n e/01*n.e 0ontro-s <*s tot*-, *6so-,te, <it1o,t E,*-i2i0*tion,
*nd <*s i++edi*te-= e22e0ti>eJ t1*t 1*>in. *0ted on-= on t1e 6*sis o2 s,01 *nno,n0e+ent,
8 | P a g e
1e 0*nnot 6e 6-*+ed 2or re-=in. on t1e erroneo,s st*te+ent o2 t1e President t1*t t1e ne<
2orei.n e/01*n.e r,-es rendered +oot *nd *0*de+i0 t1e 0*ses 2i-ed *.*inst #rs. #*r0os, *nd
<1i01 <*s 0orre0ted on-= on A,.,st 49, 4GG2 6,t p,6-is1ed in t1e ne<sp*pers on A,.,st 4F,
4GG2, *nd on-= *2ter respondent B,d.e 1*d iss,ed 1is order o2 dis+iss*- d*ted A,.,st 4D,
4GG2J t1*t t1e President <*s i--&*d>ised 6= 1is *d>isers *nd, inste*d o2 res0,in. t1e C1ie2
E/e0,ti>e 2ro+ e+6*rr*ss+ent 6= *ss,+in. responsi6i-it= 2or errors in t1e -*tterRs
*nno,n0e+ent, t1e= 01ose to toss t1e 6-*+e 2or t1e 0onseE,en0e o2 t1eir 2*i-,res to
respondent B,d.e <1o +ere-= *0ted on t1e 6*sis o2 t1e *nno,n0e+ents o2 t1e President
<1i01 1*d 6e0o+e o2 p,6-i0 Ano<-ed.eJ t1*t t1e Qs*>in. 0-*,seQ ,nder CB Cir0,-*r No. 4DID
spe0i2i0*--= re2ers on-= to pendin. *0tions or in>esti.*tions in>o->in. >io-*tions o2 CB Cir0,-*r
No. 4D4F, <1ere*s t1e e-e>en 0*ses dis+issed in>o->ed 01*r.es 2or >io-*tions o2 CB Cir0,-*r
No. G78, 1en0e t1e *00,sed 0*nnot 6e tried *nd 0on>i0ted ,nder * -*< di22erent 2ro+ t1*t
,nder <1i01 s1e <*s 01*r.edJ t1*t *ss,+in. t1*t respondent B,d.e erred in iss,in. t1e
order o2 dis+iss*-, t1e proper re+ed= s1o,-d 1*>e 6een *n *ppe*- t1ere2ro+ 6,t de2inite-=
not *n *d+inistr*ti>e 0o+p-*int 2or 1is dis+iss*-J t1*t * +ist*Ae 0o++itted 6= * B,d.e
s1o,-d not ne0ess*ri-= 6e i+p,ted *s i.nor*n0e o2 t1e -*<J *nd t1*t * Q0o,rt 0*n re>erse or
+odi2= * do0trine 6,t it does not s1o< i.nor*n0e o2 t1e B,sti0es or B,d.es <1ose de0isions
<ere re>ersed or +odi2iedQ 6e0*,se Qe>en do0trines initi*ted 6= t1e ",pre+e Co,rt *re -*ter
re>ersed, so 1o< +,01 +ore 2or t1e -o<er 0o,rtsSQ
He 2,rt1er *r.,ed t1*t no 1e*rin. <*s ne0ess*r= sin0e t1e prose0,tion 1*d not1in. to
e/p-*in 6e0*,se, *s 1e t1eoriHed, QC1*t e/p-*n*tion 0o,-d 1*>e 6een .i>enS T1*t t1e
President <*s t*-Ain. Rt1ro,.1 1is 1*tR :to ,se * 0o--oE,i*-is+; *nd s1o,-d not 6e 6e-ie>edS
T1*t I s1o,-d <*it 2or t1e p,6-i0*tion :*s no< *--e.ed 6= 0o+p-*in*nts;, o2 * sti-- t1en non&
e/istent CB 0ir0,-*rS . . . As it t,rned o,t, CB Cir0,-*r No. D4ID :si0; does not *22e0t +=
dis+iss*- order 6e0*,se t1e s*id 0ir0,-*rRs so&0*--ed s*>in. 0-*,se does not re2er to CB
Cir0,-*r G78 ,nder <1i01 t1e 01*r.es in t1e dis+issed 0*ses <ere 6*sedJQ t1*t it <*s
dis0retion*r= on 1i+ to t*Ae B,di0i*- noti0e o2 t1e 2*0ts <1i01 *re o2 p,6-i0 Ano<-ed.e,
p,rs,*nt to "e0tion 2 o2 R,-e 42GJ t1*t t1e 0ontention o2 0o+p-*in*nts t1*t 1e *0ted
pre+*t,re-= *nd in inde0ent 1*ste 2or 6*sin. 1is order o2 dis+iss*- on * +ere ne<sp*per
*00o,nt is 0ontr*r= to t1e <ordin.s o2 t1e ne<sp*per report <1erein t1e President
*nno,n0ed t1e -i2tin. o2 0ontro-s *s *n *00o+p-is1ed 2*0t, not *s *n intention to 6e e22e0ted
in t1e 2,t,re, 6e0*,se o2 t1e ,se o2 t1e present per2e0t tense or p*st tense Q1*s -i2ted,Q not
t1*t 1e Qintends to -i2t,Q 2orei.n e/01*n.e 0ontro-s.
Fin*--=, respondent B,d.e *sse>er*tes t1*t 0o+p-*in*nts <1o *re o22i0ers o2 t1e Dep*rt+ent
o2 ),sti0e, >io-*ted "e0tion 7, R,-e 4?8 o2 t1e R,-es o2 Co,rt <1i01 pro>ides t1*t
Qpro0eedin.s *.*inst B,d.es o2 2irst inst*n0e s1*-- 6e pri>*te *nd 0on2identi*-Q <1en t1e=
0*,sed to 6e p,6-is1ed in t1e ne<sp*pers t1e 2i-in. o2 t1e present *d+inistr*ti>e 0*se
*.*inst 1i+J *nd 1e e+p1*siHes t1e 2*0t t1*t 1e 1*d to i++edi*te-= reso->e * si+p-e *nd
p,re -e.*- +*tter in 0onson*n0e <it1 t1e *d+onition o2 t1e ",pre+e Co,rt 2or speed=
disposition o2 0*ses.
In t1eir rep-=
F
*nd s,pp-e+ent*- rep-=,
;
0o+p-*in*nts *>er t1*t *-t1o,.1 t1e s*>in. 0-*,se
,nder "e0tion 47 o2 CB Cir0,-*r No. 4DID +*de spe0i2i0 re2eren0e to CB Cir0,-*r No. 4D4F, it
<i-- 6e noted t1*t "e0tion 444 o2 Cir0,-*r No. 4D4F, <1i01 0ont*ins * s*>in. 0-*,se
s,6st*nti*--= si+i-*r to t1*t o2 t1e ne< 0ir0,-*r, in t,rn re2ers to *nd in0-,des Cir0,-*r No.
G78. Hen0e, <1et1er ,nder Cir0,-*r No. 4D4F or Cir0,-*r No. 4DID, pendin. 0*ses in>o->in.
>io-*tions o2 Cir0,-*r No. G78 *re e/0epted 2ro+ t1e 0o>er*.e t1ereo2. F,rt1er, it is *--e.ed
t1*t t1e pre0ipit*te dis+iss*- o2 t1e e-e>en 0*ses, <it1o,t *00ordin. t1e prose0,tion t1e
opport,nit= to 2i-e * +otion to E,*s1 or * 0o++ent, or e>en to s1o< 0*,se <1= t1e 0*ses
*.*inst *00,sed I+e-d* R. #*r0os s1o,-d not 6e dis+issed, is 0-e*r-= re2-e0ti>e o2
respondentRs p*rti*-it= *nd 6*d 2*it1. In e22e0t, respondent B,d.e *0ted *s i2 1e <ere t1e
*d>o0*te o2 t1e *00,sed.
n De0e+6er G, 4GGD, t1is Co,rt iss,ed * reso-,tion re2errin. t1e 0o+p-*int to t1e 22i0e o2
t1e Co,rt Ad+inistr*tor 2or e>*-,*tion, report *nd re0o++end*tion, p,rs,*nt to "e0tion 9,
R,-e 4?8 o2 t1e R,-es o2 Co,rt, *s re>ised, t1ere 6ein. no 2*0t,*- iss,es in>o->ed. T1e
0orrespondin. report *nd re0o++end*tion,
3
d*ted Fe6r,*r= 4?, 4GG?, <*s s,6+itted 6=
Dep,t= Co,rt Ad+inistr*tor ),*nito A. Bern*d, <it1 t1e *ppro>*- o2 Co,rt Ad+inistr*tor
Ern*ni Cr,H&P*Uo.
T1e E,estioned order
4
o2 respondent B,d.e re*ds *s 2o--o<s:
T1ese e-e>en :44; 0*ses *re 2or Vio-*tion o2 Centr*- B*nA Forei.n E/01*n.e Restri0tions *s
0onso-id*ted in CB Cir0,-*r No. G78 in re-*tion to t1e pen*- pro>ision o2 "e0. D? o2 R.A. 27I,
*s *+ended.
T1e *00,sed #rs. I+e-d* R. #*r0os p-e*ded not .,i-t= to *-- t1ese 0*sesJ *pp*rent-= t1e
ot1er *00,sed in so+e o2 t1ese 0*ses, Ro6erto ". Benedi0to, <*s not *rrested *nd t1ere2ore
t1e Co,rt did not *0E,ire B,risdi0tion o>er 1is personJ tri*- <*s 0o++en0ed *s *.*inst #rs.
#*r0os.
His E/0e--en0=, t1e President o2 t1e P1i-ippines, *nno,n0ed on A,.,st 48, 4GG2 t1*t t1e
.o>ern+ent 1*s -i2ted *-- 2orei.n e/01*n.e restri0tions *nd it is *-so reported t1*t Centr*-
B*nA $o>ernor )ose C,isi* s*id t1*t t1e #onet*r= Bo*rd *rri>ed *t s,01 de0ision :iss,e o2
t1e P1i-ippine D*i-= InE,irer, A,.,st 44, 4GG2 *nd iss,e o2 t1e D*i-= $-o6e o2 t1e s*+e d*te;.
T1e Co,rt 1*s to .i>e 2,-- 0on2iden0e *nd 0redit to t1e reported *nno,n0e+ent o2 t1e
E/e0,ti>e Dep*rt+ent, spe0i*--= 2ro+ t1e 1i.1est o22i0i*- o2 t1*t dep*rt+entJ t1e Co,rts *re
01*r.ed <it1 B,di0i*- noti0e o2 +*tters <1i01 *re o2 p,6-i0 Ano<-ed.e, <it1o,t introd,0tion o2
proo2, t1e *nno,n0e+ent p,6-is1ed in *t -e*st t1e t<o ne<sp*pers 0ited *6o>e <1i01 *re
rep,t*6-e *nd o2 n*tion*- 0ir0,-*tion.
Per se>er*- 0*ses de0ided 6= t1e ",pre+e Co,rt :Peop-e >s. A-0*r*s, I7 P1i-. I28, Peop-e >s.
Fr*n0is0o, I7 P1i-. I92, Peop-e >s. P*stor, 99 P1i-. 4888, Peop-e >s. Cris*nto T*+*=o, 74 P1i-.
22I;, *+on. ot1ers, it <*s 1e-d t1*t t1e repe*- o2 * pen*- -*< <it1o,t re&en*0t+ent
e/tin.,is1es t1e ri.1t to prose0,te or p,nis1 t1e o22ense 0o++itted ,nder t1e o-d -*< *nd i2
t1e -*< repe*-in. t1e prior pen*- -*< 2*i-s to pen*-iHe t1e *0ts <1i01 0onstit,ted t1e o22ense
de2ined *nd pen*-iHed in t1e repe*-ed -*<, t1e repe*-ed -*< 0*rries <it1 it t1e depri>*tion o2
t1e 0o,rts o2 B,risdi0tion to tr=, 0on>i0t *nd senten0e persons 01*r.ed <it1 >io-*tions o2 t1e
o-d -*< prior to its repe*-. Under t1e *2ore0ited de0isions t1is do0trine *pp-ies to spe0i*- -*<s
*nd not on-= to t1e 0ri+es p,nis1*6-e in t1e Re>ised Pen*- Code, s,01 *s t1e I+port Contro-
L*<. T1e Centr*- B*nA Cir0,-*r No. G78 ,nder <1i01 t1e *00,sed #rs. #*r0os is 01*r.ed is
0onsidered *s * pen*- -*< 6e0*,se >io-*tion t1ereo2 is pen*-iHed <it1 spe0i2i0 re2eren0e to t1e
pro>ision o2 "e0tion D? o2 Rep,6-i0 A0t 27I, <1i01 pen*-iHes >io-*tions o2 Centr*- B*nA
Cir0,-*r No. G78, prod,0es t1e e22e0t 0ited in t1e ",pre+e Co,rt de0isions *nd sin0e
*00ordin. to t1e de0isions t1*t repe*- depri>es t1e Co,rt o2 B,risdi0tion, t1is Co,rt #otu
proprio dis+isses *-- t1e e-e>en :44; 0*ses *s * 2orest*ted in t1e 0*ption, 2or not to do so
opens t1is Co,rt to 01*r.es o2 tr=in. 0*ses o>er <1i01 it 1*s no +ore B,risdi0tion.
T1is order <*s s,6seE,ent-= *ss*i-ed in * petition 2or certiorari 2i-ed <it1 t1e Co,rt o2
Appe*-s, entit-ed QPeop-e o2 t1e P1i-ippines >s. Hon. #*n,e- T. #,ro, ),d.e, RTC o2 #*ni-*, Br.
I? *nd I+e-d* R. #*r0os,Q do0Aeted *s CA&$.R. "P No. 2GD?G. C1en reE,ired to 2i-e 1er
0o++ent, pri>*te respondent #*r0os 2*i-ed to 2i-e *n=. LiAe<ise, *2ter t1e *ppe--*te 0o,rt
.*>e d,e 0o,rse to t1e petition, pri>*te respondent <*s ordered, 6,t *.*in 2*i-ed despite
noti0e, to 2i-e *n *ns<er to t1e petition *nd to s1o< 0*,se <1= no <rit o2 pre-i+in*r=
9 | P a g e
inB,n0tion s1o,-d iss,e. E>ent,*--=, on Apri- 2G, 4GGD, t1e Co,rt o2 Appe*-s rendered *
de0ision
9
settin. *side t1e order o2 A,.,st 4D, 4GG2, *nd reinst*tin. Cri+in*- C*ses Nos.
G2&484GIG to G2&484G7G.
In 2indin. t1*t respondent B,d.e *0ted in e/0ess o2 B,risdi0tion *nd <it1 .r*>e *6,se o2
dis0retion in iss,in. t1e order o2 dis+iss*-, t1e *ppe--*te 0o,rt 1e-d t1*t:
T1e order <*s iss,ed #otu proprio, i.e., <it1o,t *n= +otion to dis+iss 2i-ed 6= 0o,nse- 2or
t1e *00,sed, <it1o,t .i>in. *n opport,nit= 2or t1e prose0,tion to 6e 1e*rd, *nd so-e-= on t1e
6*sis o2 ne<sp*per reports *nno,n0in. t1*t t1e President 1*s -i2ted *-- 2orei.n e/01*n.e
restri0tions.
T1e ne<sp*per report is not t1e p,6-i0*tion reE,ired 6= -*< in order t1*t t1e en*0t+ent 0*n
6e0o+e e22e0ti>e *nd 6indin.. L*<s t*Ae e22e0t *2ter 2i2teen d*=s 2o--o<in. t1e 0o+p-etion o2
t1eir p,6-i0*tion in t1e 22i0i*- $*Hette or in * ne<sp*per o2 .ener*- 0ir0,-*tion ,n-ess it is
ot1er<ise pro>ided :"e0tion 4, E/e0,ti>e rder No. 288;. T1e 2,-- te/t o2 CB Cir0,-*r 4DID,
series o2 4GG2, entit-ed QF,rt1er Li6er*-iHin. Forei.n E/01*n.e Re.,-*tionQ <*s p,6-is1ed in
t1e A,.,st 29, 4GG2 iss,e o2 t1e #*ni-* C1roni0-e, t1e P1i-ippine "t*r *nd t1e #*ni-*
B,--etin. Per 0erti2i0*tion o2 t1e CB Corpor*te A22*irs 22i0e, CB Cir0,-*r No. 4DID tooA e22e0t
on "epte+6er 2 . . . .
Considerin. t1*t respondent B,d.e *d+itted-= 1*d not seen t1e o22i0i*- te/t o2 CB Cir0,-*r
No. 4DID, 1e <*s in no position to r,-e B,di0io,s-= on <1et1er CB Cir0,-*r No. G78, ,nder
<1i01 t1e *00,sed #rs. #*r0os is 01*r.ed, <*s *-re*d= repe*-ed 6= CB Cir0,-*r No.
4DID. . . .
/// /// ///
A 0,rsor= re*din. o2 t1e . . . pro>ision <o,-d 1*>e re*di-= s1o<n t1*t t1e repe*- o2 t1e
re.,-*tions on non&tr*de 2orei.n e/01*n.e tr*ns*0tions is not *6so-,te, *s t1ere is *
pro>ision t1*t <it1 respe0t to >io-*tions o2 2or+er re.,-*tions t1*t *re t1e s,6Be0t o2 pendin.
*0tions or in>esti.*tions, t1e= s1*-- 6e .o>erned 6= t1e re.,-*tions e/istin. *t t1e ti+e t1e
0*,se o2 *0tion :*rose;. T1,s 1is 0on0-,sion t1*t 1e 1*s -ost B,risdi0tion o>er t1e 0ri+in*-
0*ses is pre0ipit*te *nd 1*st=. H*d 1e *<*ited t1e 2i-in. o2 * +otion to dis+iss 6= t1e
*00,sed, *nd .i>en opport,nit= 2or t1e prose0,tion to 0o++entKoppose t1e s*+e, 1is
reso-,tion <o,-d 1*>e 6een t1e res,-t o2 de-i6er*tion, not spe0,-*tion.
I. T1e do0trine o2 B,di0i*- noti0e rests on t1e <isdo+ *nd dis0retion o2 t1e 0o,rts. T1e po<er
to t*Ae B,di0i*- noti0e is to 6e e/er0ised 6= 0o,rts <it1 0*,tionJ 0*re +,st 6e t*Aen t1*t t1e
reE,isite notoriet= e/istsJ *nd e>er= re*son*6-e do,6t on t1e s,6Be0t s1o,-d 6e pro+pt-=
reso->ed in t1e ne.*ti>e.
26
$ener*--= spe*Ain., +*tters o2 B,di0i*- noti0e 1*>e t1ree +*teri*- reE,isites: :4; t1e +*tter
+,st 6e one o2 0o++on *nd .ener*- Ano<-ed.eJ :2; it +,st 6e <e-- *nd *,t1orit*ti>e-=
sett-ed *nd not do,6t2,- or ,n0ert*inJ *nd :D; it +,st 6e Ano<n to 6e <it1in t1e -i+its o2 t1e
B,risdi0tion o2 t1e 0o,rt.
22
T1e pro>in0i*- .,ide in deter+inin. <1*t 2*0ts +*= 6e *ss,+ed to
6e B,di0i*--= Ano<n is t1*t o2 notoriet=.
28
Hen0e, it 0*n 6e s*id t1*t B,di0i*- noti0e is -i+ited
to 2*0ts e>iden0ed 6= p,6-i0 re0ords *nd 2*0ts o2 .ener*- notoriet=.
25
To s*= t1*t * 0o,rt <i-- t*Ae B,di0i*- noti0e o2 * 2*0t is +ere-= *not1er <*= o2 s*=in. t1*t t1e
,s,*- 2or+ o2 e>iden0e <i-- 6e dispensed <it1 i2 Ano<-ed.e o2 t1e 2*0t 0*n 6e ot1er<ise
*0E,ired.
27
T1is is 6e0*,se t1e 0o,rt *ss,+es t1*t t1e +*tter is so notorio,s t1*t it <i-- not
6e disp,ted.
2F
B,t B,di0i*- noti0e is not B,di0i*- Ano<-ed.e. T1e +ere person*- Ano<-ed.e o2
t1e B,d.e is not t1e B,di0i*- Ano<-ed.e o2 t1e 0o,rt, *nd 1e is not *,t1oriHed to +*Ae 1is
indi>id,*- Ano<-ed.e o2 * 2*0t, not .ener*--= or pro2ession*--= Ano<n, t1e 6*sis o2 1is *0tion.
),di0i*- 0o.niH*n0e is t*Aen on-= o2 t1ose +*tters <1i01 *re Q0o++on-=Q Ano<n.
2;
T1in.s o2 Q0o++on Ano<-ed.e,Q o2 <1i01 0o,rts t*Ae B,di0i*- noti0e, +*= 6e +*tters 0o+in.
to t1e Ano<-ed.e o2 +en .ener*--= in t1e 0o,rse o2 t1e ordin*r= e/perien0es o2 -i2e, or t1e=
+*= 6e +*tters <1i01 *re .ener*--= *00epted 6= +*nAind *s tr,e *nd *re 0*p*6-e o2 re*d=
*nd ,nE,estioned de+onstr*tion.
23
T1,s, 2*0ts <1i01 *re ,ni>ers*--= Ano<n, *nd <1i01 +*=
6e 2o,nd in en0=0-opedi*s, di0tion*ries or ot1er p,6-i0*tions, *re B,di0i*--= noti0ed, pro>ided
t1e= *re o2 s,01 ,ni>ers*- notoriet= *nd so .ener*--= ,nderstood t1*t t1e= +*= 6e re.*rded
*s 2or+in. p*rt o2 t1e 0o++on Ano<-ed.e o2 e>er= person.
24
Respondent B,d.e, in t1e .,ise o2 e/er0isin. dis0retion *nd on t1e 6*sis o2 * +ere
ne<sp*per *00o,nt <1i01 is so+eti+es e>en re2erred to *s 1e*rs*= e>iden0e t<i0e re+o>ed,
tooA B,di0i*- noti0e o2 t1e s,pposed -i2tin. o2 2orei.n e/01*n.e 0ontro-s, * +*tter <1i01 <*s
not *nd 0*nnot 6e 0onsidered o2 0o++on Ano<-ed.e or o2 .ener*- notoriet=. Corse, 1e tooA
0o.niH*n0e o2 *n *d+inistr*ti>e re.,-*tion <1i01 <*s not =et in 2or0e <1en t1e order o2
dis+iss*- <*s iss,ed. ),rispr,den0e di0t*tes t1*t B,di0i*- noti0e 0*nnot 6e t*Aen o2 * st*t,te
6e2ore it 6e0o+es e22e0ti>e.
29
T1e re*son is si+p-e. A -*< <1i01 is not =et in 2or0e *nd
1en0e, sti-- ine/istent, 0*nnot 6e o2 0o++on Ano<-ed.e 0*p*6-e o2 re*d= *nd ,nE,estion*6-e
de+onstr*tion, <1i01 is one o2 t1e reE,ire+ents 6e2ore * 0o,rt 0*n t*Ae B,di0i*- noti0e o2 *
2*0t.
E>ident-=, it <*s i+possi6-e 2or respondent B,d.e, *nd it <*s de2inite-= not proper 2or 1i+, to
1*>e t*Aen 0o.niH*n0e o2 CB Cir0,-*r No. 4DID, <1en t1e s*+e <*s not =et in 2or0e *t t1e
ti+e t1e i+pro>ident order o2 dis+iss*- <*s iss,ed.
II. Centr*- B*nA Cir0,-*r No. 4DID, <1i01 tooA e22e0t on "epte+6er 4, 4GG2, 2,rt1er
-i6er*-iHed t1e 2orei.n e/01*n.e re.,-*tions on re0eipts *nd dis6,rse+ents o2 residents
*risin. 2ro+ non&tr*de *nd tr*de tr*ns*0tions. "e0tion 47 t1ereo2 pro>ides 2or * s*>in.
0-*,se, t1,s:
"e0. 47. /inal Provisions of CB Circular No. !0!1. & A-- t1e pro>isions in C1*pter X o2 CB
Cir0,-*r No. 4D4F inso2*r *s t1e= *re not in0onsistent <it1, or 0ontr*r= to t1e pro>isions o2
t1is Cir0,-*r, s1*-- re+*in in 2,-- 2or0e *nd e22e0t: Provided, however, t1*t *n= re.,-*tion on
non&tr*de 2orei.n e/01*n.e tr*ns*0tions <1i01 1*s 6een repe*-ed, *+ended or +odi2ied 6=
t1is Cir0,-*r, >io-*tions o2 <1i01 *re t1e s,6Be0t o2 pendin. *0tions or in>esti.*tions, s1*-- not
6e 0onsidered repe*-ed inso2*r *s s,01 pendin. *0tions or in>esti.*tions *re 0on0erned, it
6ein. ,nderstood t1*t *s to s,01 pendin. *0tions or in>esti.*tions, t1e re.,-*tions e/istin.
*t t1e ti+e t1e 0*,se o2 *0tion *00r,ed s1*-- .o>ern.
Respondent B,d.e 0ontends t1*t t1e s*>in. 0-*,se re2ers on-= to t1e pro>isions o2 Cir0,-*r
No. 4D4F, <1ere*s t1e e-e>en 0ri+in*- 0*ses 1e dis+issed in>o->e * >io-*tion o2 CB Cir0,-*r
No. G78. Hen0e, 1e insists, Cir0,-*r No. G78 is dee+ed repe*-ed 6= t1e ne< 0ir0,-*r *nd
sin0e t1e 2or+er is not 0o>ered 6= t1e s*>in. 0-*,se in t1e -*tter, t1ere is no +ore 6*sis 2or
t1e 01*r.es in>o->ed in t1e 0ri+in*- 0*ses <1i01 t1ere2ore <*rr*nt * dis+iss*- o2 t1e s*+e.
T1e 0ontention is p*tent-= ,n+eritorio,s.
First-=, t1e se0ond p*rt o2 t1e s*>in. 0-*,se in Cir0,-*r No. 4DID e/p-i0it-= pro>ides t1*t
Qany re.,-*tion on non&tr*de 2orei.n tr*ns*0tions <1i01 1*s 6een repe*-ed, *+ended or
+odi2ied 6= t1is Cir0,-*r, violations of which are the su+2ect of pending actions or
investigations, s1*-- not 6e 0onsidered repe*-ed inso2*r *s s,01 pendin. *0tions or
in>esti.*tions *re 0on0erned, it 6ein. ,nderstood t1*t *s to s,01 pendin. *0tions or
in>esti.*tions, t1eregulations e'isting at the ti#e the cause of action accrued shall govern.Q
T1e ter+s o2 t1e 0ir0,-*r *re 0-e*r *nd ,n*+6i.,o,s *nd -e*>e no roo+ 2or interpret*tion. In
t1e 0*se *t 6*r, t1e *00,sed in t1e e-e>en 0*ses 1*d *-re*d= 6een *rr*i.ned, 1*d p-e*ded not
.,i-t= to t1e 01*r.es o2 >io-*tions o2 Cir0,-*r No. G78, *nd s*id 0*ses 1*d *-re*d= 6een set
2or tri*- <1en Cir0,-*r No. 4DID tooA e22e0t. ConseE,ent-=, t1e tri*- 0o,rt <*s *nd is
10 | P a g e
s,pposed to pro0eed <it1 t1e 1e*rin. o2 t1e 0*ses in spite o2 t1e e/isten0e o2 Cir0,-*r No.
4DID.
"e0ond-=, 1*d respondent B,d.e on-= 6ot1ered to re*d * -itt-e +ore 0*re2,--= t1e te/ts o2 t1e
0ir0,-*rs in>o->ed, 1e <o,-d 1*>e re*di-= per0ei>ed *nd Ano<n t1*t Cir0,-*r No. 4D4F *-so
0ont*ins * s,6st*nti*--= si+i-*r s*>in. 0-*,se *s t1*t 2o,nd in Cir0,-*r No. 4DID, sin0e
"e0tion 444 o2 t1e 2or+er pro>ides:
"e0. 444. %epealing clause. & A-- e/istin. pro>isions o2 Cir0,-*rs D7I, G78 *nd 482F, in0-,din.
*+end+ents t1ereto, <it1 t1e e/0eption o2 t1e se0ond p*r*.r*p1 o2 "e0tion 7F o2 Cir0,-*r
482F, *s <e-- *s *-- ot1er e/istin. Centr*- B*nA r,-es *nd re.,-*tions or p*rts t1ereo2, <1i01
*re in0onsistent <it1 or 0ontr*r= to t1e pro>isions o2 t1is Cir0,-*r, *re 1ere6= repe*-ed or
+odi2ied *00ordin.-=: Pro>ided, 1o<e>er, t1*t re.,-*tions, >io-*tions o2 <1i01 *re t1e s,6Be0t
o2 pendin. *0tions or in>esti.*tions, s1*-- 6e 0onsidered repe*-ed inso2*r *s s,01 pendin.
*0tions or in>esti.*tions *re 0on0erned, it 6ein. ,nderstood t1*t *s to s,01 pendin. *0tions
or in>esti.*tions, t1e re.,-*tions e/istin. *t t1e ti+e t1e 0*,se o2 *0tion *00r,ed s1*--
.o>ern.
It ,neE,i>o0*--= *ppe*rs 2ro+ t1e se0tion *6o>e E,oted t1*t *-t1o,.1 Cir0,-*r No. 4D4F
repe*-ed Cir0,-*r No. G78, t1e 2or+er spe0i2i0*--= e/0epted 2ro+ its p,r>ie< *-- 0*ses 0o>ered
6= t1e o-d re.,-*tions <1i01 <ere t1en pendin. *t t1e ti+e o2 t1e p*ss*.e o2 t1e ne<
re.,-*tions. T1,s, *n= re2eren0e +*de to Cir0,-*r No. 4D4F ne0ess*ri-= in>o->es *nd *22e0ts
Cir0,-*r No. G78.
III. It 1*s 6een s*id t1*t ne/t in i+port*n0e to t1e d,t= o2 renderin. * ri.1teo,s B,d.+ent is
t1*t o2 doin. it in s,01 * +*nner *s <i-- 6e.et no s,spi0ion o2 t1e 2*irness *nd inte.rit= o2
t1e B,d.e.
86
T1is +e*ns t1*t * B,d.e s1o,-d not on-= render * B,st, 0orre0t *nd i+p*rti*-
de0ision 6,t s1o,-d do so in s,01 * +*nner *s to 6e 2ree 2ro+ *n= s,spi0ion *s to its 2*irness
*nd i+p*rti*-it= *nd *s to 1is inte.rit=. C1i-e * B,d.e s1o,-d possess pro2i0ien0= in -*< in
order t1*t 1e 0*n 0o+petent-= 0onstr,e *nd en2or0e t1e -*<, it is +ore i+port*nt t1*t 1e
s1o,-d *0t *nd 6e1*>e in s,01 * +*nner t1*t t1e p*rties 6e2ore 1i+ s1o,-d 1*>e 0on2iden0e
in 1is i+p*rti*-it=. T1,s, it is not eno,.1 t1*t 1e de0ides 0*ses <it1o,t 6i*s *nd 2*>oritis+.
Nor is it s,22i0ient t1*t 1e in 2*0t rids 1i+se-2 o2 prepossessions. His *0t,*tions s1o,-d
+oreo>er inspire t1*t 6e-ie2. LiAe C*es*rRs <i2e, * B,d.e +,st not on-= 6e p,re 6,t 6e=ond
s,spi0ion.
82
#oreo>er, it 1*s *-<*=s 1ereto2ore 6een t1e r,-e t1*t in disposin. o2 0ontro>erted 0*ses,
B,d.es s1o,-d s1o< t1eir 2,-- ,nderst*ndin. o2 t1e 0*se, *>oid t1e s,spi0ion o2 *r6itr*r=
0on0-,sion, pro+ote 0on2iden0e in t1eir inte--e0t,*- inte.rit= *nd 0ontri6,te ,se2,- pre0edents
to t1e .ro<t1 o2 t1e -*<.
88
A B,d.e s1o,-d 6e +ind2,- t1*t 1is d,t= is t1e *pp-i0*tion o2
.ener*- -*< to p*rti0,-*r inst*n0es, t1*t o,rs is * .o>ern+ent o2 -*<s *nd not o2 +en, *nd
t1*t 1e >io-*tes 1is d,t= *s * +inister o2 B,sti0e ,nder s,01 * s=ste+ i2 1e seeAs to do <1*t
1e +*= person*--= 0onsider s,6st*nti*- B,sti0e in * p*rti0,-*r 0*se *nd disre.*rds t1e .ener*-
-*< *s 1e Ano<s it to 6e 6indin. on 1i+. ",01 *0tion +*= 1*>e detri+ent*- 0onseE,en0es
6e=ond t1e i++edi*te 0ontro>ers=. He s1o,-d *d+inister 1is o22i0e <it1 d,e re.*rd to t1e
inte.rit= o2 t1e s=ste+ o2 t1e -*< itse-2, re+e+6erin. t1*t 1e is not * depositor= o2 *r6itr*r=
po<er, 6,t * B,d.e ,nder t1e s*n0tion o2 t1e -*<.
85
T1ese *re i++,t*6-e prin0ip-es t1*t .o
into t1e >er= essen0e o2 t1e t*sA o2 dispensin. B,sti0e *nd <e see no re*son <1= t1e= s1o,-d
not 6e d,-= 0onsidered in t1e present 0*se.
T1e *ssertion o2 respondent B,d.e t1*t t1ere <*s no need to *<*it p,6-i0*tion o2 Cir0,-*r No.
4DID 2or t1e re*son t1*t t1e p,6-i0 *nno,n0e+ent +*de 6= t1e President in se>er*-
ne<sp*pers o2 .ener*- 0ir0,-*tion -i2tin. 2orei.n e/01*n.e 0ontro-s is tot*-, *6so-,te, <it1o,t
E,*-i2i0*tion, *nd i++edi*te-= e22e0ti>e, is 6e=ond 0o+pre1ension. As * B,d.e o2 t1e Re.ion*-
Tri*- Co,rt o2 #*ni-*, respondent is s,pposed to 6e <e--&>ersed in t1e e-e+ent*r= -e.*-
+*nd*tes on t1e p,6-i0*tion o2 -*<s 6e2ore t1e= t*Ae e22e0t. It is in0on0ei>*6-e t1*t
respondent s1o,-d insist on *n *-to.et1er di22erent *nd i--o.i0*- interpret*tion o2 *n
est*6-is1ed *nd <e--&entren01ed r,-e i2 on-= to s,it 1is o<n person*- opinion *nd, *s it <ere,
to de2end 1is inde2ensi6-e *0tion. It <*s not 2or 1i+ to ind,-.e or e>en to .i>e t1e
*ppe*r*n0e o2 0*terin. to t1e *t&ti+es 1,+*n 2*i-in. o2 =ie-din. to 2irst i+pressions.
87
He
1*>in. done so, in t1e 2*0e o2 t1e 2ore.oin. pre+ises, t1is Co,rt is 1*rd p,t to 6e-ie>e t1*t
1e indeed *0ted in .ood 2*it1.
IV. T1is is not * si+p-e 0*se o2 * +is*pp-i0*tion or erroneo,s interpret*tion o2 t1e -*<. T1e
>er= *0t o2 respondent B,d.e in *-to.et1er dis+issin. sua sponte t1e e-e>en 0ri+in*- 0*ses
<it1o,t e>en * +otion to E,*s1 1*>in. 6een 2i-ed 6= t1e *00,sed, *nd <it1o,t *t -e*st .i>in.
t1e prose0,tion t1e 6*si0 opport,nit= to 6e 1e*rd on t1e +*tter 6= <*= o2 * <ritten
0o++ent or on or*- *r.,+ent, is not on-= * 6-*t*nt deni*- o2 e-e+ent*r= d,e pro0ess to t1e
$o>ern+ent 6,t is p*-p*6-= indi0*ti>e o2 6*d 2*it1 *nd p*rti*-it=.
T1e *>o<ed desire o2 respondent B,d.e to speedi-= dispose o2 t1e 0*ses *s e*r-= *s possi6-e
is no -i0ense 2or *6,se o2 B,di0i*- po<er *nd dis0retion,
8F
nor does s,01 pro2essed o6Be0ti>e,
e>en i2 tr,e, B,sti2= * depri>*tion o2 t1e prose0,tionRs ri.1t to 6e 1e*rd *nd * >io-*tion o2 its
ri.1t to d,e pro0ess o2
-*<.
8;
T1e -i.1tnin. speed, to 6orro< t1e <ords o2 0o+p-*in*nts, <it1 <1i01 respondent B,d.e
reso->ed to dis+iss t1e 0*ses <it1o,t t1e 6ene2it o2 * 1e*rin. *nd <it1o,t re*son*6-e noti0e
to t1e prose0,tion ine>it*6-= opened 1i+ to s,spi0ion o2 1*>in. *0ted o,t o2 p*rti*-it= 2or t1e
*00,sed. Re.*rd-ess o2 1o< 0*re2,--= 1e +*= 1*>e e>*-,*ted 01*n.es in t1e 2*0t,*- sit,*tion
*nd -e.*- st*ndin. o2 t1e 0*ses, *s * res,-t o2 t1e ne<sp*per report, t1e 2*0t re+*ins t1*t 1e
.*>e t1e prose0,tion no 01*n0e <1*tsoe>er to s1o< or pro>e t1*t it 1*d stron. e>iden0e o2
t1e .,i-t o2 t1e *00,sed. To repe*t, 1e t1ere6= e22e0ti>e-= depri>ed t1e prose0,tion o2 its
ri.1t to d,e pro0ess.
83
#ore i+port*nt-=, not<it1st*ndin. t1e 2*0t t1*t respondent <*s not
s,re o2 t1e e22e0ts *nd i+p-i0*tions o2 t1e PresidentRs *nno,n0e+ent, *s 6= 1is o<n
*d+ission 1e <*s in do,6t <1et1er or not 1e s1o,-d dis+iss t1e 0*ses,
84
1e nonet1e-ess
de-i6er*te-= re2r*ined 2ro+ reE,irin. t1e prose0,tion to 0o++ent t1ereon. In * p,eri-e
de2ense o2 1is *0tion, respondent B,d.e 0*n 6,t r1etori0*--= *sA: QC1*t e/p-*n*tion 0o,-d
1*>e 6een .i>enS T1*t t1e President <*s t*-Ain. Rt1ro,.1 1is 1*tR *nd s1o,-d not 6e
6e-ie>edS T1*t I s1o,-d <*it 2or t1e p,6-i0*tion o2 * sti-- t1en non& e/istent CB Cir0,-*rSQ T1e
pretended 0o.en0= o2 t1is r*tio0in*tion 0*nnot st*nd e>en t1e +in,test -e.*- s0r,tin=.
In order t1*t 6i*s +*= not 6e i+p,ted to * B,d.e, 1e s1o,-d 1*>e t1e p*tien0e *nd
0ir0,+spe0tion to .i>e t1e opposin. p*rt= * 01*n0e to present 1is e>iden0e e>en i2 1e t1inAs
t1*t t1e oppositorRs proo2s +i.1t not 6e *deE,*te to o>ert1ro< t1e 0*se 2or t1e ot1er p*rt=.
A disp-*= o2 pet,-*n0e *nd i+p*tien0e in t1e 0ond,0t o2 t1e tri*- is * nor+ o2 0ond,0t <1i01
is in0onsistent <it1 t1e Q0o-d ne,tr*-it= o2 *n i+p*rti*- B,d.e.Q
89
At t1e >er= -e*st,
respondent B,d.e *0ted inB,di0io,s-= *nd <it1 ,nB,sti2ied 1*ste in t1e o,tri.1t dis+iss*- o2
t1e e-e>en 0*ses, *nd t1ere6= rendered 1is *0t,*tion 1i.1-= d,6io,s.
V. It 6e*rs stressin. t1*t t1e E,estioned order o2 respondent B,d.e 0o,-d 1*>e serio,s-= *nd
s,6st*nti*--= *22e0ted t1e ri.1ts o2 t1e prose0,tion 1*d t1e *00,sed in>oAed t1e de2ense o2
do,6-e Beop*rd=, 0onsiderin. t1*t t1e dis+iss*- <*s ordered *2ter *rr*i.n+ent *nd <it1o,t
t1e 0onsent o2 s*id *00,sed. T1is 0o,-d 1*>e sp*<ned -e.*- 0o+p-i0*tions *nd ine>it*6-e
de-*= in t1e 0ri+in*- pro0eedin.s, <ere it not 2or t1e 1o-din. o2 t1e Co,rt o2 Appe*-s t1*t
respondent B,d.e *0ted <it1 .r*>e *6,se o2 dis0retion *+o,ntin. to -*0A o2 B,risdi0tion. T1is
s*>ed t1e d*= 2or t1e Peop-e sin0e in t1e *6sen0e o2 B,risdi0tion, do,6-e Beop*rd= <i-- not set
11 | P a g e
in. To stress t1is point, *nd *s *caveat to tri*- 0o,rts *.*inst 2*--in. into t1e s*+e B,di0i*-
error, <e reiter*te <1*t <e 1*>e 1ereto2ore de0-*red:
It is sett-ed do0trine t1*t do,6-e Beop*rd= 0*nnot 6e in>oAed *.*inst t1is Co,rtRs settin.
*side o2 t1e tri*- 0o,rtRs B,d.+ent o2 dis+iss*- or *0E,itt*- <1ere t1e prose0,tion <1i01
represents t1e so>erei.n peop-e in 0ri+in*- 0*ses is denied d,e pro0ess. . . . .
C1ere t1e prose0,tion is depri>ed o2 * 2*ir opport,nit= to prose0,te *nd pro>e its 0*se, its
ri.1t to d,e pro0ess is t1ere6= >io-*ted.
T1e 0*rdin*- pre0ept is t1*t <1ere t1ere is * >io-*tion o2 6*si0 0onstit,tion*- ri.1ts, 0o,rts
*re o,sted o2 t1eir B,risdi0tion. T1,s, t1e >io-*tion o2 t1e "t*teRs ri.1t to d,e pro0ess r*ises *
serio,s B,risdi0tion*- iss,e . . . <1i01 0*nnot 6e .-ossed o>er or disre.*rded *t <i--. C1ere
t1e deni*- o2 t1e 2,nd*+ent*- ri.1t o2 d,e pro0ess is *pp*rent, * de0ision rendered in
disre.*rd o2 t1*t ri.1t is >oid 2or -*0A o2 B,risdi0tion . . . .
56
It is *-so si.ni2i0*nt t1*t *00,sed #*r0os, despite d,e noti0e, ne>er s,6+itted eit1er 1er
0o++ent on or *n *ns<er to t1e petition 2or certiorari *s reE,ired 6= t1e Co,rt o2 Appe*-s,
nor <*s do,6-e Beop*rd= in>oAed in 1er de2ense. T1is ser>es to 2,rt1er ,nders0ore t1e 2*0t
t1*t t1e order o2 dis+iss*- <*s 0-e*r-= ,nB,sti2ied *nd erroneo,s. F,rt1er+ore, 0onsiderin.
t1*t t1e *00,sed is * pro+inent p,6-i0 2i.,re <it1 * re0ord o2 in2-,en0e *nd po<er, it is not
e*s= to *--*= p,6-i0 sAepti0is+ *nd s,spi0ions on 1o< s*id dis+iss*- order 0*+e to 6e, to t1e
0onseE,ent *-t1o,.1 ,ndeser>ed dis0redit o2 t1e entire B,di0i*r=.
VI. To 1o-d * B,d.e -i*6-e 2or renderin. * +*ni2est-= ,nB,st order t1ro,.1 ine/0,s*6-e
ne.-i.en0e or i.nor*n0e, it +,st 6e 0-e*r-= s1o<n t1*t *-t1o,.1 1e 1*s *0ted <it1o,t +*-i0e,
1e 2*i-ed to o6ser>e in t1e per2or+*n0e o2 1is d,t= t1*t di-i.en0e, pr,den0e *nd 0*re <1i01
t1e -*< is entit-ed to e/*0t in t1e renderin. o2 *n= p,6-i0 ser>i0e. Ne.-i.en0e *nd i.nor*n0e
*re ine/0,s*6-e i2 t1e= i+p-= * +*ni2est inB,sti0e <1i01 0*nnot 6e e/p-*ined 6= * re*son*6-e
interpret*tion, *nd e>en t1o,.1 t1ere is * +is,nderst*ndin. or error o2 t1e -*< *pp-ied, it
ne>ert1e-ess res,-ts -o.i0*--= *nd re*son*6-=, *nd in * >er= 0-e*r *nd indisp,t*6-e +*nner, in
t1e notorio,s >io-*tion o2 t1e -e.*- pre0ept.
52
In t1e present 0*se, * 0,rsor= per,s*- o2 t1e 0o++ent 2i-ed 6= respondent B,d.e re>e*-s t1*t
no s,6st*nti*- *r.,+ent 1*s 6een *d>*n0ed in p-*,si6-e B,sti2i0*tion o2 1is *0t. He ,tter-=
2*i-ed to s1o< *n= -e.*-, 2*0t,*-, or e>en eE,it*6-e B,sti2i0*tion 2or t1e dis+iss*- o2 t1e e-e>en
0ri+in*- 0*ses. T1e e/p-*n*tion .i>en is no e/p-*n*tion *t *--. T1e str*ined *nd 2*--*0io,s
s,6+issions t1erein do not spe*A <e-- o2 respondent *nd 0*nnot 6,t 2,rt1er depre0i*te 1is
pro6it= *s * B,d.e. n t1is point, it is 6est t1*t pertinent ,nedited e/0erpts 2ro+ 1is
0o++ent
58
6e E,oted 6= <*= o2 .r*p1i0 i--,str*tion *nd e+p1*sis:
n t1e *--e.ed i.nor*n0e o2 t1e -*< i+p,ted to +e, it is s*id t1*t I iss,ed t1e rder
dis+issin. t1e e-e>en :44; 0*ses *.*inst #rs. I+e-d* R. #*r0os on t1e 6*sis o2 ne<sp*per
reports re2erred to in p*r*.r*p1 2 o2 t1e -etter 0o+p-*int <it1o,t *<*itin. t1e o22i0i*-
p,6-i0*tion o2 t1e Centr*- B*nA Cir0,-*r. rdin*ri-= * Centr*- B*nA Cir0,-*rKReso-,tion +,st
6e p,6-is1ed in t1e 22i0i*- $*Hette or in * ne<sp*per o2 .ener*- 0ir0,-*tion, 6,t t1e -i2tin. o2
Q*-- 2orei.n e/01*n.e 0ontro-sQ <*s *nno,n0ed 6= t1e President o2 t1e P1i-ippines CITHUT
!UALIFICATIN"J *s p,6-is1ed in t1e D*i-= $-o6e, A,.,st 44, 4GG2Q t1e .o>ern+ent 1*s
-i2ted ALL 2orei.n e/01*n.e 0ontro-s,Q *nd in t1e <ords o2 t1e P1i-ippine D*i-= InE,irer report
o2 t1e s*+e d*te QT1e .o>ern+ent =esterd*= LIFTED t1e LA"T re+*inin. restri0tions on
2orei.n e/01*n.e tr*ns*0tions, . . .Q :e+p1*sis in 6ot1 E,ot*tions s,pp-ied; not on-= t1e
President +*de t1e *nno,n0e+ent 6,t *-so t1e Centr*- B*nA $o>ernor )ose C,isi* Boined in
t1e *nno,n0e+ent 6= s*=in. t1*t Qt1e #onet*r= Bo*rd *rri>ed *t t1e de0ision *2ter notin.
1o< t1e Qp*rti*- -i6er*-iH*tionQ initi*ted e*r-= t1is =e*r <orAed.Q
T1ere2ore, 6e0*,se o2 t1e AB"LUTE -i2tin. o2 ALL restri0tions on 2orei.n e/01*n.e
tr*ns*0tions, t1ere <*s no need to *<*it t1e p,6-i0*tion o2 t1e repe*-in. 0ir0,-*r o2 t1e
Centr*- B*nA. T1e p,rpose o2 reE,irin. p,6-i0*tion o2 -*<s *nd *d+inistr*ti>e r,-es *22e0tin.
t1e p,6-i0 is to in2or+ t1e -*tter *s to 1o< t1e= <i-- 0ond,0t t1eir *22*irs *nd 1o< t1e= <i--
0on2or+ to t1e -*<s or t1e r,-es. In t1is p*rti0,-*r 0*se, <it1 t1e tot*- -i2tin. o2 t1e 0ontro-s,
t1ere is no need to *<*it p,6-i0*tion. It <o,-d 1*>e 6een di22erent i2 t1e 0ir0,-*r t1*t in e22e0t
repe*-ed Centr*- B*nA Cir0,-*r No. G78, ,nder <1i01 t1e *00,sed <*s 01*r.ed in t1e 0*ses
dis+issed 6= +e, 1*d pro>ided 2or pen*-ties *ndKor +odi2ied t1e pro>isions o2 s*id Cir0,-*r
No. G78.
T1e Co+p-*in*nts st*te t1*t t1e -i2tin. o2 0ontro-s <*s not =et in 2or0e <1en I dis+issed t1e
0*ses 6,t it s1o,-d 6e noted t1*t in t1e report o2 t1e t<o :2; ne<sp*pers *2oreE,oted, t1e
PresidentRs *nno,n0e+ent o2 t1e -i2tin. o2 0ontro-s <*s st*ted in t1e present per2e0t tense
:$-o6e; or p*st tense :InE,irer;. In ot1er <ords, it 1*s *-re*d= 6een -i2tedJ t1e
*nno,n0e+ent did not s*= t1*t t1e .o>ern+ent INTEND" to -i2t *-- 2orei.n e/01*n.e
restri0tions 6,t inste*d s*=s t1*t t1e .o>ern+ent Q1*s LIFTED *-- 2orei.n e/01*n.e 0ontro-s,Q
*nd in t1e ot1er ne<sp*per 0ited *6o>e, t1*t QT1e .o>ern+ent =esterd*= -i2ted t1e -*st
re+*inin. restri0tions on 2orei.n e/01*n.e tr*ns*0tionsQ. T1e -i2tin. o2 t1e -*st re+*inin.
e/01*n.e re.,-*tions e22e0ti>e-= 0*n0e--ed or repe*-ed Cir0,-*r No. G78.
T1e President, <1o is t1e C1ie2 E/e0,ti>e, p,6-i0-= *nno,n0ed t1e -i2tin. o2 *-- 2orei.n
e/01*n.e re.,-*tions. T1e President 1*s <it1in 1is 0ontro- dire0t-= or indire0t-= t1e Centr*-
B*nA o2 t1e P1i-ippines, t1e "e0ret*r= o2 Fin*n0e 6ein. t1e C1*ir+*n o2 t1e #onet*r= Bo*rd
<1i01 de0ides t1e po-i0ies o2 t1e Centr*- B*nA.
No o22i0i*- 6ot1ered to 0orre0t or E,*-i2= t1e PresidentRs *nno,n0e+ent o2 A,.,st 48,
p,6-is1ed t1e 2o--o<in. d*=, nor +*de *n *nno,n0e+ent t1*t t1e -i2tin. o2 t1e 0ontro-s do
not *pp-= to 0*ses *-re*d= pendin., not ,nti- A,.,st 49 :t1e 2o,rt1 d*= *2ter += rder, *nd
t1e t1ird d*= *2ter report o2 s*id order <*s p,6-is1ed; *nd *2ter t1e President s*id on A,.,st
49, reported in t1e IN!UIRERRs iss,e o2 A,.,st 4F, 4GG2, t1*t t1e Qne< 2orei.n e/01*n.e
r,-es 1*>e n,--i2ied .o>ern+ent 0*ses *.*inst I+e-d* R. #*r0os, te--in. reporters t1*t t1e
01*r.es *.*inst t1e <ido< o2 2or+er President #*r0os Q1*>e 6e0o+e +oot *nd *0*de+i0Q
6e0*,se o2 ne< r,-in.:s; <1i01 *--o< 2ree 2-o< o2 0,rren0= in *nd o,t o2 t1e 0o,ntr=Q :Note,
p*rent1eti0*--=, t1e re2eren0e to Qne< r,-esQ not to Qr,-es sti-- to 6e dr*2tedQ;. T1e IN!UIRER
report 0ontin,es: QA 2e< 1o,rs -*ter, presidenti*- spoAes<o+*n Ann*6e--e A6*=* s*id,
RA#" :si0; 1*d Q0orre0ted 1i+se-2R.Q QHe 1*d 6een 6e-*ted-= *d>ised 6= t1e Centr*- B*nA
$o>ernor )ose C,isi* *nd ),sti0e "e0ret*r= Fr*nA-in Dri-on t1*t t1e #onet*r= Bo*rd
Re.,-*tion e/0-,ded 2ro+ its 0o>er*.e *-- 0ri+in*- 0*ses pendin. in 0o,rt *nd s,01 * position
s1*-- st*nd -e.*- s0r,tin=R, #rs. A6*=*, s*id.Q
I <i-- e-*6or*te on t<o points:
4. I2 t1e President <*s <ron. in +*Ain. t1e A,.,st 48 *nno,n0e+ent :p,6-is1ed in A,.,st
44, 4GG2, ne<sp*pers; *nd in t1e A,.,st 49 *nno,n0e+ent, (3P%A, *nd t1,s I s1o,-d 1*>e
re-ied on t1e Presidenti*- *nno,n0e+ents, *nd t1ere is 6*sis to 0on0-,de t1*t t1e President
<*s *t t1e >er= -e*st ILL&"ERVED 6= 1is 2in*n0i*- *nd -e.*- *d>isers, 6e0*,se no one
6ot1ered to *d>ise t1e President to 0orre0t 1is *nno,n0e+ents, not ,nti- A,.,st 49, 4GG2, *
2e< 1o,rs *2ter t1e President 1*d +*de *not1er *nno,n0e+ent *s to t1e 01*r.es *.*inst
I+e-d* #*r0os 1*>in. 6een rendered +oot *nd *0*de+i0. T1e President 1*s * -ot o2 <orA to
do, *nd is not, to += Ano<-ed.e, * 2in*n0ier, e0ono+ist, 6*nAer or -*<=er. It t1ere2ore
6e1oo>ed 1is s,6*-terns to .i>e 1i+ ti+e-= :not Q6e-*tedQ; *d>i0e, *nd 6rie2 1i+ on +*tters
o2 i++edi*te *nd 2*r&re*01in. 0on0erns :s,01 *s t1e -i2tin. o2 2orei.n e/01*n.e 0ontro-s,
desi.ned, *+on. ot1ers to en0o,r*.e t1e entr= o2 2orei.n in>est+ents;. Inste*d o2 res0,in.
12 | P a g e
t1e C1ie2 E/e0,ti>e 2ro+ e+6*rr*ss+ent 6= *ss,+in. responsi6i-it= 2or errors in t1e -*tterRs
*nno,n0e+ent, t1ese *d>isers 1*>e 01osen to toss t1e 6-*+e 2or t1e 0onseE,en0e o2 t1eir
2*i-in. to +e, <1o on-= *0ted on t1e 6*sis o2 *nno,n0e+ents o2 t1eir C1ie2, <1i01 1*d
6e0o+e o2 p,6-i0 Ano<-ed.e.
/// /// ///
T1e Co,rt stron.-= 2ee-s t1*t it 1*s e>er= ri.1t to *ss,+e *nd e/pe0t t1*t respondent B,d.e
is possessed <it1 +ore t1*n ordin*r= 0redenti*-s *nd E,*-i2i0*tions to +erit 1is *ppoint+ent
*s * presidin. B,d.e in t1e Re.ion*- Tri*- Co,rt o2 t1e N*tion*- C*pit*- ),di0i*- Re.ion,
st*tioned in t1e Cit= o2 #*ni-* itse-2. It is, *00ordin.-=, dis1e*rtenin. *nd re.rett*6-e to note
t1e n*t,re o2 t1e *r.,+ents *nd t1e Aind o2 -o.i0 t1*t respondent B,d.e <o,-d <*nt to
i+pose on t1is Co,rt not<it1st*ndin. t1e +*ni2est -*0A o2 0o.en0= t1ereo2. T1is 0*--s to +ind
si+i-*r s0en*rios *nd 1o< t1is Co,rt re*0ted t1ereto.
In one 0*se, *n RTC ),d.e <*s *d+inistr*ti>e-= 01*r.ed 2or *0E,ittin. t1e *00,sed o2 *
>io-*tion o2 CB Cir0,-*r No. G78 despite t1e 2*0t t1*t t1e *00,sed <*s *ppre1ended <it1
U"VDII,D?G.88 <1i-e 6o*rdin. * p-*ne 2or Hon.Aon., erroneo,s-= r,-in. t1*t t1e "t*te +,st
2irst pro>e 0ri+in*- intent to >io-*te t1e -*< *nd 6ene2it 2ro+ t1e i--e.*- *0t, *nd 2,rt1er
orderin. t1e ret,rn o2 U"VD,888.88 o,t o2 t1e tot*- *+o,nt seiHed, on t1e +ist*Aen
interpret*tion t1*t t1e CB 0ir0,-*r e/e+pts s,01 *+o,nt 2ro+ seiH,re. Respondent B,d.e
t1erein <*s ordered dis+issed 2ro+ t1e .o>ern+ent ser>i0e 2or .ross in0o+peten0e *nd
i.nor*n0e o2 t1e -*<.
55
",6seE,ent-=, t1e Co,rt dis+issed *not1er RTC B,d.e, <it1 2or2eit,re o2 retire+ent 6ene2its,
2or .ross i.nor*n0e o2 t1e -*< *nd 2or Ano<in.-= renderin. *n ,nB,st order or B,d.+ent
<1en 1e .r*nted 6*i- to *n *00,sed 01*r.ed <it1 r*pin. *n 44&=e*r o-d .ir-, despite t1e
0ontr*r= re0o++end*tion o2 t1e in>esti.*tin. B,d.e, *nd t1ere*2ter .r*nted t1e +otion to
dis+iss t1e 0*se *--e.ed-= e/e0,ted 6= t1e 0o+p-*in*nt.
57
"i+i-*r-=, *n RTC B,d.e <1o <*s des0ri6ed 6= t1is Co,rt *s one Q<1o is i.nor*nt o2 2*ir-=
e-e+ent*r= *nd E,ite 2*+i-i*r -e.*- prin0ip-es *nd *d+inistr*ti>e re.,-*tions, 1*s * +*rAed
pen01*nt 2or *pp-=in. ,nort1odo/, e>en str*n.e t1eories *nd 0on0epts in t1e *dB,di0*tion o2
0ontro>ersies, e/1i6its indi22eren0e to *nd e>en disd*in 2or d,e pro0ess *nd t1e r,-e o2 -*<,
*pp-ies t1e -*< <1i+si0*--=, 0*pri0io,s-= *nd oppressi>e-=, *nd disp-*=s 6i*s *nd i+p*rti*-it=,Q
<*s dis+issed 2ro+ t1e ser>i0e <it1 2or2eit,re o2 *-- retire+ent 6ene2its *nd <it1 preB,di0e to
reinst*te+ent in *n= 6r*n01 o2 t1e .o>ern+ent or *n= o2 its *.en0ies or instr,+ent*-ities.
5F
"ti-- in *not1er *d+inistr*ti>e 0*se, *n RT) B,d.e <*s *-so dis+issed 6= t1is Co,rt 2or .ross
i.nor*n0e o2 t1e -*< *2ter s1e ordered, in * pro6*te pro0eedin., t1e 0*n0e--*tion o2 t1e
0erti2i0*tes o2 tit-e iss,ed in t1e n*+e o2 t1e 0o+p-*in*nt, <it1o,t *22ordin. d,e pro0ess to
t1e -*tter *nd ot1er interested p*rties.
5;
n-= re0ent-=, *n RTC B,d.e <1o 1*d 6een reinst*ted in t1e ser>i0e <*s dis+issed *2ter 1e
*0E,itted *-- t1e *00,sed in 2o,r 0ri+in*- 0*ses 2or i--e.*- possession o2 2ire*r+s, on t1e
.ro,nd t1*t t1ere <*s no proo2 o2 +*-i0e or de-i6er*te intent on t1e p*rt o2 t1e *00,sed to
>io-*te t1e -*<. T1e Co,rt 2o,nd 1i+ .,i-t= o2 .ross i.nor*n0e o2 t1e -*<, 1is error o2
B,d.+ent 6ein. *-+ost de-i6er*te *nd t*nt*+o,nt to Ano<in.-= renderin. *n in0orre0t *nd
,nB,st B,d.+ent.
53
ACCRDIN$L%, on t1e 2ore.oin. pre+ises *nd 0onsider*tions, t1e Co,rt 2inds respondent
),d.e #*n,e- T. #,ro .,i-t= o2 .ross i.nor*n0e o2 t1e -*<. He is 1ere6= DI"#I""ED 2ro+ t1e
ser>i0e, s,01 dis+iss*- to 0*rr= <it1 it 0*n0e--*tion o2 e-i.i6i-it=, 2or2eit,re o2 -e*>e 0redits *nd
retire+ent 6ene2its, *nd disE,*-i2i0*tion 2ro+ ree+p-o=+ent in t1e .o>ern+ent ser>i0e.
54
Respondent is 1ere6= ordered to CEA"E *nd DE"I"T i++edi*te-= 2ro+ renderin. *n=
B,d.+ent or order, or 0ontin,in. *n= B,di0i*- *0tion or pro0eedin. <1*tsoe>er, e22e0ti>e ,pon
re0eipt o2 t1is de0ision.
" RDERED.
PPPPPPPPPPPPPPP
+.R. N1. 2F;6F8 Mar' 3, 8663
SOCIAL /USTICE SOCIETY #S/S$, VLADIMIR ALARI:UE T. CA-I+AO, and
-ONI"ACIO S. TUM-O0ON,Petitioners,
>s.
HON. /OSE L. ATIEN%A, /R., &n &s 'apa'&ty as May1r 1= te C&ty 1=
Man&(a, Respondent.
D E C I " I N
CORONA, J.:
In t1is ori.in*- petition 2or #anda#us,
4
petitioners "o0i*- ),sti0e "o0iet= :")";, V-*di+ir
A-*riE,e T. C*6i.*o *nd Boni2*0io ". T,+6oAon seeA to 0o+pe- respondent Hon. )ose L.
AtienH*, )r., +*=or o2 t1e Cit= o2 #*ni-*, to en2or0e rdin*n0e No. F829.
T1e *nte0edents *re *s 2o--o<s.
n No>e+6er 28, 2884, t1e (angguniang Panlungsod o2 #*ni-* en*0ted rdin*n0e No.
F829.
2
Respondent +*=or *ppro>ed t1e ordin*n0e on No>e+6er 2F, 2884.
D
It 6e0*+e
e22e0ti>e on De0e+6er 2F, 2884, *2ter its p,6-i0*tion.
?
rdin*n0e No. F829 <*s en*0ted p,rs,*nt to t1e po-i0e po<er de-e.*ted to -o0*- .o>ern+ent
,nits, * prin0ip-e des0ri6ed *s t1e po<er in1erent in * .o>ern+ent to en*0t -*<s, <it1in
0onstit,tion*- -i+its, to pro+ote t1e order, s*2et=, 1e*-t1, +or*-s *nd .ener*- <e-2*re o2 t1e
so0iet=.
I
T1is is e>ident 2ro+ "e0tions 4 *nd D t1ereo2 <1i01 st*te:
"ECTIN 4. For t1e p,rpose o2 pro+otin. so,nd ,r6*n p-*nnin. *nd ens,rin. 1e*-t1, p,6-i0
s*2et=, *nd .ener*- <e-2*re o2 t1e residents o2 P*nd*0*n *nd "t*. An* *s <e-- *s its *dBoinin.
*re*s, t1e -*nd ,se o2 3t1ose5 portions o2 -*nd 6o,nded 6= t1e P*si. Ri>er in t1e nort1, PNR
R*i-ro*d Tr*0A in t1e e*st, Be*t* "t. in t1e so,t1, P*-,+pon. "t. in t1e so,t1<est, *nd
Estero de P*n0*0*n in t1e <est3,5 PNR R*i-ro*d in t1e nort1<est *re*, Estero de P*nd*0*n in
t1e 3n5ort1e*st, P*si. Ri>er in t1e so,t1e*st *nd Dr. #.L. C*rreon in t1e so,t1<est. T1e *re*
o2 P,nt*, "t*. An* 6o,nded 6= t1e P*si. Ri>er, #*r0e-ino 6rero "t., #*=o 2F "t., *nd F.
#*n*-o "treet, *re 1ere6= re0-*ssi2ied 2ro+ Ind,stri*- II to Co++er0i*- I.
/// /// ///
"EC. D. <ners or oper*tors o2 ind,stries *nd ot1er 6,sinesses, t1e oper*tion o2 <1i01 *re
no -on.er per+itted ,nder "e0tion 4 1ereo2, *re 1ere6= .i>en * period o2 si/ :7; +ont1s
2ro+ t1e d*te o2 e22e0ti>it= o2 t1is rdin*n0e <it1in <1i01 to 0e*se *nd desist 2ro+ t1e
oper*tion o2 6,sinesses <1i01 *re 1ere6= in 0onseE,en0e, dis*--o<ed.
rdin*n0e No. F829 re0-*ssi2ied t1e *re* des0ri6ed t1erein 2ro+ ind,stri*- to 0o++er0i*- *nd
dire0ted t1e o<ners *nd oper*tors o2 6,sinesses dis*--o<ed ,nder "e0tion 4 to 0e*se *nd
desist 2ro+ oper*tin. t1eir 6,sinesses <it1in si/ +ont1s 2ro+ t1e d*te o2 e22e0ti>it= o2 t1e
ordin*n0e. A+on. t1e 6,sinesses sit,*ted in t1e *re* *re t1e so&0*--ed QP*nd*0*n Ter+in*-sQ
o2 t1e oi- 0o+p*nies C*-te/ :P1i-ippines;, In0., Petron Corpor*tion *nd Pi-ipin*s "1e--
Petro-e,+ Corpor*tion.
Ho<e>er, on ),ne 27, 2882, t1e Cit= o2 #*ni-* *nd t1e Dep*rt+ent o2 Ener.= :DE; entered
into * +e+or*nd,+ o2 ,nderst*ndin. :#U;
7
<it1 t1e oi- 0o+p*nies in <1i01 t1e= *.reed
t1*t Qt1e s0*-in. do<n o2 t1e P*nd*0*n Ter+in*-s 3<*s5 t1e +ost >i*6-e *nd pr*0ti0*6-e
option.Q Under t1e #U, t1e oi- 0o+p*nies *.reed to per2or+ t1e 2o--o<in.:
13 | P a g e
Se't&1n 2. & Consistent <it1 t1e o6Be0ti>es st*ted *6o>e, t1e IL C#PANIE" s1*--, ,pon
si.nin. o2 t1is #U, ,ndert*Ae * pro.r*+ to s0*-e do<n t1e P*nd*0*n Ter+in*-s <1i01 s1*--
in0-,de, *+on. ot1ers, t1e i++edi*te re+o>*-Kde0o++issionin. pro0ess o2 TCENT% EI$HT
:2F; t*nAs st*rtin. <it1 t1e LP$ sp1eres *nd t1e 0o++en0in. o2 <orAs 2or t1e 0re*tion o2
s*2et= 6,22er *nd .reen Hones s,rro,ndin. t1e P*nd*0*n Ter+in*-s. ///
Se't&1n 8. Consistent <it1 t1e s0*-e&do<n pro.r*+ +entioned *6o>e, t1e IL C#PANIE"
s1*-- est*6-is1 Boint oper*tions *nd +*n*.e+ent, in0-,din. t1e oper*tion o2 0o++on,
inte.r*ted *ndKor s1*red 2*0i-ities, 0onsistent <it1 intern*tion*- *nd do+esti0 te01ni0*-,
s*2et=, en>iron+ent*- *nd e0ono+i0 0onsider*tions *nd st*nd*rds. ConseE,ent-=, t1e Boint
oper*tions o2 t1e IL C#PANIE" in t1e P*nd*0*n Ter+in*-s s1*-- 6e -i+ited to t1e 0o++on
*nd inte.r*ted *re*sK2*0i-ities. A sep*r*te *.ree+ent 0o>erin. t1e 0o++er0i*- *nd
oper*tion*- ter+s *nd 0onditions o2 t1e Boint oper*tions, s1*-- 6e entered into 6= t1e IL
C#PANIE".
Se't&1n 5. & T1e de>e-op+ent *nd +*inten*n0e o2 t1e s*2et= *nd .reen 6,22er Hones
+entioned t1erein, <1i01 s1*-- 6e t*Aen 2ro+ t1e properties o2 t1e IL C#PANIE" *nd not
2ro+ t1e s,rro,ndin. 0o++,nities, s1*-- 6e t1e so-e responsi6i-it= o2 t1e IL C#PANIE".
T1e Cit= o2 #*ni-* *nd t1e DE, on t1e ot1er 1*nd, 0o++itted to do t1e 2o--o<in.:
Se't&1n 2. & T1e Cit= #*=or s1*-- endorse to t1e Cit= Co,n0i- t1is #U 2or its *ppropri*te
*0tion <it1 t1e >ie< o2 i+p-e+entin. t1e spirit *nd intent t1ereo2.
Se't&1n 8. & T1e Cit= #*=or *nd t1e DE s1*--, 0onsistent <it1 t1e spirit *nd intent o2 t1is
#U, en*6-e t1e IL C#PANIE" to 0ontin,o,s-= oper*te in 0o+p-i*n0e <it1 -e.*-
reE,ire+ents, <it1in t1e -i+ited *re* res,-tin. 2ro+ t1e Boint oper*tions *nd t1e s0*-e do<n
pro.r*+.
Se't&1n 5. & T1e DE *nd t1e Cit= #*=or s1*-- +onitor t1e IL C#PANIE"@ 0o+p-i*n0e <it1
t1e pro>isions o2 t1is #U.
Se't&1n 7. & T1e CIT% F #ANILA *nd t1e n*tion*- .o>ern+ent s1*-- prote0t t1e s*2et=
6,22er *nd .reen Hones *nd s1*-- e/ert *-- e22orts *t pre>entin. 2,t,re o00,p*tion or
en0ro*01+ent into t1ese *re*s 6= i--e.*- sett-ers *nd ot1er ,n*,t1oriHed p*rties.
T1e (angguniang Panlungsod r*ti2ied t1e #U in Reso-,tion No. G9.
9
In t1e s*+e reso-,tion,
t1e (angguniande0-*red t1*t t1e #U <*s e22e0ti>e on-= 2or * period o2 si/ +ont1s st*rtin.
),-= 2I, 2882.
F
T1ere*2ter, on )*n,*r= D8, 288D, t1e (anggunian *dopted Reso-,tion No.
4D
G
e/tendin. t1e >*-idit= o2 Reso-,tion No. G9 to Apri- D8, 288D *nd *,t1oriHin. #*=or
AtienH* to iss,e spe0i*- 6,siness per+its to t1e oi- 0o+p*nies. Reso-,tion No. 4D, s. 288D
*-so 0*--ed 2or * re*ssess+ent o2 t1e ordin*n0e.
48
#e*n<1i-e, petitioners 2i-ed t1is ori.in*- *0tion 2or #anda#us on De0e+6er ?, 2882 pr*=in.
t1*t #*=or AtienH* 6e 0o+pe--ed to en2or0e rdin*n0e No. F829 *nd order t1e i++edi*te
re+o>*- o2 t1e ter+in*-s o2 t1e oi- 0o+p*nies.
44
T1e iss,es r*ised 6= petitioners *re *s 2o--o<s:
4. <1et1er respondent 1*s t1e +*nd*tor= -e.*- d,t= to en2or0e rdin*n0e No. F829 *nd
order t1e re+o>*- o2 t1e P*nd*0*n Ter+in*-s, *nd
2. <1et1er t1e ),ne 27, 2882 #U *nd t1e reso-,tions r*ti2=in. it 0*n *+end or repe*-
rdin*n0e No. F829.
42
Petitioners 0ontend t1*t respondent 1*s t1e +*nd*tor= -e.*- d,t=, ,nder "e0tion ?II :6; :2;
o2 t1e Lo0*- $o>ern+ent Code :RA 9478;,
4D
to en2or0e rdin*n0e No. F829 *nd order t1e
re+o>*- o2 t1e P*nd*0*n Ter+in*-s o2 t1e oi- 0o+p*nies. Inste*d, 1e 1*s *--o<ed t1e+ to
st*=.
Respondent@s de2ense is t1*t rdin*n0e No. F829 1*s 6een s,perseded 6= t1e #U *nd t1e
reso-,tions.
4?
Ho<e>er, 1e *-so 0on2,sin.-= *r.,es t1*t t1e ordin*n0e *nd #U *re not
in0onsistent <it1 e*01 ot1er *nd t1*t t1e -*tter 1*s not *+ended t1e 2or+er. He insists t1*t
t1e ordin*n0e re+*ins >*-id *nd in 2,-- 2or0e *nd e22e0t *nd t1*t t1e #U did not in *n= <*=
pre>ent 1i+ 2ro+ en2or0in. *nd i+p-e+entin. it. He +*int*ins t1*t t1e #U s1o,-d 6e
0onsidered *s * +ere .,ide-ine 2or its 2,-- i+p-e+ent*tion.
4I
Under R,-e 7I, "e0tion D
47
o2 t1e R,-es o2 Co,rt, * petition 2or #anda#us +*= 6e 2i-ed <1en
*n= tri6,n*-, 0orpor*tion, 6o*rd, o22i0er or person ,n-*<2,--= ne.-e0ts t1e per2or+*n0e o2 *n
*0t <1i01 t1e -*< spe0i2i0*--= enBoins *s * d,t= res,-tin. 2ro+ *n o22i0e, tr,st or
st*tion. Manda#us is *n e/tr*ordin*r= <rit t1*t is e+p-o=ed to 0o+pe- t1e per2or+*n0e,
<1en re2,sed, o2 * +inisteri*- d,t= t1*t is *-re*d= i+posed on t1e respondent *nd t1ere is
no ot1er p-*in, speed= *nd *deE,*te re+ed= in t1e ordin*r= 0o,rse o2 -*<. T1e petitioner
s1o,-d 1*>e * <e--&de2ined, 0-e*r *nd 0ert*in -e.*- ri.1t to t1e per2or+*n0e o2 t1e *0t *nd it
+,st 6e t1e 0-e*r *nd i+per*ti>e d,t= o2 respondent to do t1e *0t reE,ired to 6e done.
49
Manda#us <i-- not iss,e to en2or0e * ri.1t, or to 0o+pe- 0o+p-i*n0e <it1 * d,t=, <1i01 is
E,estion*6-e or o>er <1i01 * s,6st*nti*- do,6t e/ists. T1e prin0ip*- 2,n0tion o2 t1e <rit
o2 #anda#us is to 0o++*nd *nd to e/pedite, not to inE,ire *nd to *dB,di0*teJ t1,s, it is
neit1er t1e o22i0e nor t1e *i+ o2 t1e <rit to se0,re * -e.*- ri.1t 6,t to i+p-e+ent t1*t <1i01
is *-re*d= est*6-is1ed. Un-ess t1e ri.1t to t1e re-ie2 so,.1t is ,n0-o,ded, #anda#us <i-- not
iss,e.
4F
To s,pport t1e *ssertion t1*t petitioners 1*>e * 0-e*r -e.*- ri.1t to t1e en2or0e+ent o2 t1e
ordin*n0e, petitioner ")" st*tes t1*t it is * po-iti0*- p*rt= re.istered <it1 t1e Co++ission on
E-e0tions *nd 1*s its o22i0es in #*ni-*. It 0-*i+s to 1*>e +*n= +e+6ers <1o *re residents o2
#*ni-*. T1e ot1er petitioners, C*6i.*o *nd T,+6oAon, *re *--e.ed-= residents o2 #*ni-*.
Ce need not 6e-*6or t1is point. Ce 1*>e r,-ed in pre>io,s 0*ses t1*t <1en
* #anda#us pro0eedin. 0on0erns * p,6-i0 ri.1t *nd its o6Be0t is to 0o+pe- * p,6-i0 d,t=, t1e
peop-e <1o *re interested in t1e e/e0,tion o2 t1e -*<s *re re.*rded *s t1e re*- p*rties in
interest *nd t1e= need not s1o< *n= spe0i2i0 interest.
4G
Besides, *s residents o2 #*ni-*,
petitioners 1*>e * dire0t interest in t1e en2or0e+ent o2 t1e 0it=@s ordin*n0es. Respondent
ne>er E,estioned t1e ri.1t o2 petitioners to instit,te t1is pro0eedin..
n t1e ot1er 1*nd, t1e Lo0*- $o>ern+ent Code i+poses ,pon respondent t1e d,t=, *s 0it=
+*=or, to Qen2or0e *-- -*<s *nd ordin*n0es re-*ti>e to t1e .o>ern*n0e o2 t1e 0it=.QW
28
ne o2
t1ese is rdin*n0e No. F829. As t1e 01ie2 e/e0,ti>e o2 t1e 0it=, 1e 1*s t1e d,t= to en2or0e
rdin*n0e No. F829 *s -on. *s it 1*s not 6een repe*-ed 6= t1e(anggunian or *nn,--ed 6= t1e
0o,rts.
24 He 1*s no ot1er 01oi0e. It is 1is +inisteri*- d,t= to do so. In )i#aporo v. Mitra, Jr.,22 <e st*ted t1e re*son 2or t1is:
T1ese o22i0ers 0*nnot re2,se to per2or+ t1eir d,t= on t1e .ro,nd o2 *n *--e.ed in>*-idit= o2 t1e st*t,te i+posin. t1e d,t=. T1e re*son 2or t1is is o6>io,s. It +i.1t
serio,s-= 1inder t1e tr*ns*0tion o2 p,6-i0 6,siness i2 t1ese o22i0ers <ere to 6e per+itted in *-- 0*ses to E,estion t1e 0onstit,tion*-it= o2 st*t,tes *nd ordin*n0es
i+posin. d,ties ,pon t1e+ *nd <1i01 1*>e not B,di0i*--= 6een de0-*red ,n0onstit,tion*-. 22i0ers o2 t1e .o>ern+ent 2ro+ t1e 1i.1est to t1e -o<est *re 0re*t,res
o2 t1e -*< *nd *re 6o,nd to o6e= it.2D
T1e E,estion no< is <1et1er t1e #U entered into 6= respondent <it1 t1e oi- 0o+p*nies *nd t1e s,6seE,ent reso-,tions p*ssed 6= t1e (anggunian 1*>e +*de
t1e respondent@s d,t= to en2or0e rdin*n0e No. F829 do,6t2,-, ,n0-e*r or ,n0ert*in. T1is is *-so 0onne0ted to t1e se0ond iss,e r*ised 6= petitioners, t1*t is,
<1et1er t1e #U *nd Reso-,tion Nos. G9, s. 2882 *nd 4D, s. 288D o2 t1e (anggunian 0*n *+end or repe*- rdin*n0e No. F829.
Ce need not reso->e t1is iss,e. Ass,+in. t1*t t1e ter+s o2 t1e #U <ere in0onsistent <it1 rdin*n0e No. F829, t1e reso-,tions <1i01 r*ti2ied it *nd +*de it
6indin. on t1e Cit= o2 #*ni-* e/press-= .*>e it 2,-- 2or0e *nd e22e0t 1n(y )nt&( Apr&( 56, 8665. T1,s, *t present, t1ere is not1in. t1*t -e.*--= 1inders respondent
2ro+ en2or0in. rdin*n0e No. F829.2?
rdin*n0e No. F829 <*s en*0ted ri.1t *2ter t1e P1i-ippines, *-on. <it1 t1e rest o2 t1e <or-d, <itnessed t1e 1orror o2 t1e "epte+6er 44, 2884 *tt*0A on t1e T<in
To<ers o2 t1e Cor-d Tr*de Center in Ne< %orA Cit=. T1e o6Be0ti>e o2 t1e ordin*n0e is to prote0t t1e residents o2 #*ni-* 2ro+ t1e 0*t*strop1i0 de>*st*tion t1*t <i--
s,re-= o00,r in 0*se o2 * terrorist *tt*0A2I on t1e P*nd*0*n Ter+in*-s. No re*son e/ists <1= s,01 * prote0ti>e +e*s,re s1o,-d 6e de-*=ed.
.HERE"ORE, t1e petition is 1ere6= +RANTED. Respondent Hon. )ose L. AtienH*, )r., *s +*=or o2 t1e Cit= o2 #*ni-*, is dire0ted to i++edi*te-= en2or0e
rdin*n0e No. F829.
14 | P a g e
SO ORDERED.
PPPPPPPPPPPP
THE DIRECTOR O" LANDS, petitioner, vs. COURT O" APPEALS and TEODORO
A-ISTADO, s)bst&t)ted by MAR+ARITA, MARISSA, MARI-EL, ARNOLD and MARY
ANN, a(( s)rna,ed A-ISTADO, respondents.
D E C I S I O N
PAN+ANI-AN, J.<
Is ne<sp*per p,6-i0*tion o2 t1e noti0e o2 initi*- 1e*rin. in *n ori.in*- -*nd re.istr*tion 0*se
+*nd*tor= or dire0tor=S
State,ent 1= te Case
T1e Co,rt o2 Appe*-s r,-ed t1*t it <*s +ere-= pro0ed,r*- *nd t1*t t1e 2*i-,re to 0*,se s,01
p,6-i0*tion did not depri>e t1e tri*- 0o,rt o2 its *,t1orit= to .r*nt t1e *pp-i0*tion. B,t t1e
"o-i0itor $ener*- dis*.reed *nd t1,s 2i-ed t1is petition to set *side t1e
De0ision
345
pro+,-.*ted on ),-= D, 4GG4 *nd t1e s,6seE,ent Reso-,tion
325
pro+,-.*ted on
No>e+6er 4G, 4GG4 6= Respondent Co,rt o2 Appe*-s
3D5
in CA&$.R. CV No. 2D94G. T1e
dispositi>e portion o2 t1e 01*--en.ed De0ision re*ds:
3?5
QCHEREFRE, pre+ises 0onsidered, t1e B,d.+ent o2 dis+iss*- *ppe*-ed 2ro+ is 1ere6= set
*side, *nd * ne< one entered 0on2ir+in. t1e re.istr*tion *nd tit-e o2 *pp-i0*nt, Teodoro
A6ist*do, Fi-ipino, * resident o2 B*r*n.*= 9, Po6-*0ion #*+6,r*o, 00ident*- #indoro, no<
de0e*sed *nd s,6stit,ted 6= #*r.*rit*, #*riss*, #*ri6e-, Arno-d *nd #*r= Ann, *-- s,rn*+ed
A6ist*do, represented 6= t1eir *,nt, #iss )ose2* A6ist*do, Fi-ipinos, residents o2 Po6-*0ion
#*+6,r*o, 00ident*- #indoro, to t1e p*r0e- o2 -*nd 0o>ered ,nder #"I :IV&A&F; D4I&D
-o0*ted in Po6-*0ion #*+6,r*o, 00ident*- #indoro.
T1e oppositions 2i-ed 6= t1e Rep,6-i0 o2 t1e P1i-ippines *nd pri>*te oppositor *re 1ere6=
dis+issed 2or <*nt o2 e>iden0e.
Upon t1e 2in*-it= o2 t1is de0ision *nd p*=+ent o2 t1e 0orrespondin. t*/es d,e on t1is -*nd,
-et *n order 2or t1e iss,*n0e o2 * de0ree 6e iss,ed.Q
Te "a'ts
n De0e+6er F, 4GF7, Pri>*te Respondent Teodoro A6ist*do 2i-ed * petition 2or ori.in*-
re.istr*tion o2 1is tit-e o>er 7?F sE,*re +eters o2 -*nd ,nder Presidenti*- De0ree :PD; No.
4I2G.
3I5
T1e *pp-i0*tion <*s do0Aeted *s L*nd Re.istr*tion C*se :LRC; No. F7 *nd *ssi.ned
to Br*n01 ?? o2 t1e Re.ion*- Tri*- Co,rt o2 #*+6,r*o, 00ident*- #indoro.
375
Ho<e>er, d,rin.
t1e penden0= o2 1is petition, *pp-i0*nt died. Hen0e, 1is 1eirs && #*r.*rit*, #*riss*, #*ri6e-,
Arno-d *nd #*r= Ann, *-- s,rn*+ed A6ist*do && represented 6= t1eir *,nt )ose2* A6ist*do,
<1o <*s *ppointed t1eir .,*rdi*n ad lite#, <ere s,6stit,ted *s *pp-i0*nts.
T1e -*nd re.istr*tion 0o,rt in its de0ision d*ted ),ne 4D, 4GFG dis+issed t1e petition L2or
<*nt o2 B,risdi0tion.M Ho<e>er, it 2o,nd t1*t t1e *pp-i0*nts t1ro,.1 t1eir prede0essors&in&
interest 1*d 6een in open, 0ontin,o,s, e/0-,si>e *nd pe*0e2,- possession o2 t1e s,6Be0t -*nd
sin0e 4GDF.
In dis+issin. t1e petition, t1e tri*- 0o,rt re*soned:
395
Q/ / /. Ho<e>er, t1e Co,rt noted t1*t *pp-i0*nts 2*i-ed to 0o+p-= <it1 t1e pro>isions o2
"e0tion 2D :4; o2 PD 4I2G, reE,irin. t1e App-i0*nts to p,6-is1 t1e noti0e o2 Initi*- He*rin.
:E/1. XER; in * ne<sp*per o2 .ener*- 0ir0,-*tion in t1e P1i-ippines. E/1i6it XER <*s on-=
p,6-is1ed in t1e 22i0i*- $*Hette :E/1i6its XFR *nd X$R;. ConseE,ent-=, t1e Co,rt is o2 t1e <e--
0onsidered >ie< t1*t it 1*s not -e.*--= *0E,ired B,risdi0tion o>er t1e inst*nt *pp-i0*tion 2or
<*nt o2 0o+p-i*n0e <it1 t1e +*nd*tor= pro>ision reE,irin. p,6-i0*tion o2 t1e noti0e o2 initi*-
1e*rin. in * ne<sp*per o2 .ener*- 0ir0,-*tion.Q
T1e tri*- 0o,rt *-so 0ited #inistr= o2 ),sti0e pinion No. ?F, "eries o2 4GF2, <1i01 in its
pertinent portion pro>ides:
3F5
LIt 6e*rs e+p1*sis t1*t t1e p,6-i0*tion reE,ire+ent ,nder "e0tion 2D 3o2 PD 4I2G5 1*s *
t<o&2o-d p,rposeJ t1e 2irst, <1i01 is +entioned in t1e pro>ision o2 t1e *2oreE,oted pro>ision
re2ers to p,6-i0*tion in t1e 22i0i*- $*Hette, *nd is B,risdi0tion*-J <1i-e t1e se0ond, <1i01 is
+entioned in t1e openin. 0-*,se o2 t1e s*+e p*r*.r*p1, re2ers to p,6-i0*tion not on-= in t1e
22i0i*- $*Hette 6,t *-so in * ne<sp*per o2 .ener*- 0ir0,-*tion, *nd is pro0ed,r*-. Neit1er one
nor t1e ot1er is dispens*6-e. As to t1e 2irst, p,6-i0*tion in t1e 22i0i*- $*Hette is
indispens*6-= ne0ess*r= 6e0*,se <it1o,t it, t1e 0o,rt <o,-d 6e po<er-ess to *ss,+e
B,risdi0tion o>er * p*rti0,-*r -*nd re.istr*tion 0*se. As to t1e se0ond, p,6-i0*tion o2 t1e
noti0e o2 initi*- 1e*rin. *-so in * ne<sp*per o2 .ener*- 0ir0,-*tion is indispens*6-= ne0ess*r=
*s * reE,ire+ent o2 pro0ed,r*- d,e pro0essJ ot1er<ise, *n= de0ision t1*t t1e 0o,rt +*=
pro+,-.*te in t1e 0*se <o,-d 6e -e.*--= in2ir+.M
Uns*tis2ied, pri>*te respondents *ppe*-ed to Respondent Co,rt o2 Appe*-s <1i01, *s e*r-ier
e/p-*ined, set *side t1e de0ision o2 t1e tri*- 0o,rt *nd ordered t1e re.istr*tion o2 t1e tit-e in
t1e n*+e o2 Teodoro A6ist*do.
T1e s,6seE,ent +otion 2or re0onsider*tion <*s denied in t1e 01*--en.ed CA Reso-,tion d*ted
No>e+6er 4G, 4GG4.
T1e Dire0tor o2 L*nds represented 6= t1e "o-i0itor $ener*- t1,s e-e>*ted t1is re0o,rse to
,s. T1is Co,rt notes t1*t t1e petitioner@s 0o,nse- *n01ored 1is petition on R,-e 7I. T1is is
*n error. His re+ed= s1o,-d 6e 6*sed on R,-e ?I 6e0*,se 1e is *ppe*-in. * 2in*- disposition
o2 t1e Co,rt o2 Appe*-s. Hen0e, <e s1*-- tre*t 1is petition *s one 2or re>ie< ,nder R,-e ?I,
*nd not 2or 0ertior*ri ,nder R,-e 7I.
3G5
Te Iss)e
Petitioner *--e.es t1*t Respondent Co,rt o2 Appe*-s 0o++itted L.r*>e *6,se o2
dis0retionM
3485
in 1o-din.
L/ / / t1*t p,6-i0*tion o2 t1e petition 2or re.istr*tion o2 tit-e in LRC C*se No. F7 need not 6e
p,6-is1ed in * ne<sp*per o2 .ener*- 0ir0,-*tion, *nd in not dis+issin. LRC C*se No. F7 2or
<*nt o2 s,01 p,6-i0*tion.M
Petitioner points o,t t1*t ,nder "e0tion 2D o2 PD 4I2G, t1e noti0e o2 initi*- 1e*rin. s1*-- 6e
Lp,6-is1ed +oth in t1e 22i0i*- $*Hette and in * ne<sp*per o2 .ener*- 0ir0,-*tion.M A00ordin.
to petitioner, p,6-i0*tion in t1e 22i0i*- $*Hette is Lne0ess*r= to 0on2er B,risdi0tion ,pon t1e
tri*- 0o,rt, *nd /// in /// * ne<sp*per o2 .ener*- 0ir0,-*tion to 0o+p-= <it1 t1e noti0e
reE,ire+ent o2 d,e pro0ess.M
3445
Pri>*te respondents, on t1e ot1er 1*nd, 0ontend t1*t 2*i-,re to 0o+p-= <it1 t1e reE,ire+ent
o2 p,6-i0*tion in * ne<sp*per o2 .ener*- 0ir0,-*tion is * +ere Lpro0ed,r*- de2e0t.M T1e= *dd
t1*t p,6-i0*tion in t1e 22i0i*- $*Hette is s,22i0ient to 0on2er B,risdi0tion.
3425
In re>ersin. t1e de0ision o2 t1e tri*- 0o,rt, Respondent Co,rt o2 Appe*-s r,-ed:
34D5
L/ / / *-t1o,.1 t1e reE,ire+ent o2 p,6-i0*tion in t1e 22i0i*- $*Hette *nd in * ne<sp*per o2
.ener*- 0ir0,-*tion is 0o,01ed in +*nd*tor= ter+s, it 0*nnot 6e .*ins*id t1*t t1e -*< *-so
+*nd*tes <it1 eE,*- 2or0e t1*t p,6-i0*tion in t1e 22i0i*- $*Hette s1*-- 6e s,22i0ient to 0on2er
B,risdi0tion ,pon t1e 0o,rt.M
F,rt1er, Respondent Co,rt 2o,nd t1*t t1e oppositors <ere *22orded t1e opport,nit= Lto
e/p-*in +*tters 2,--= *nd present t1eir side.M T1,s, it B,sti2ied its disposition in t1is <ise:
34?5
L/ / / Ce do not see 1o< t1e -*0A o2 0o+p-i*n0e <it1 t1e reE,ired pro0ed,re preB,di0ed
t1e+ in *n= <*=. #oreo>er, t1e ot1er reE,ire+ents o2: p,6-i0*tion in t1e 22i0i*- $*Hette,
person*- noti0e 6= +*i-in., *nd postin. *t t1e site *nd ot1er 0onspi0,o,s p-*0es, <ere
15 | P a g e
0o+p-ied <it1 *nd t1ese *re s,22i0ient to noti2= *n= p*rt= <1o is +inded to +*Ae *n=
o6Be0tion o2 t1e *pp-i0*tion 2or re.istr*tion.M
Te C1)rtGs R)(&n*
Ce 2ind 2or petitioner.
Newspaper ubli!ation Mandatory
T1e pertinent p*rt o2 "e0tion 2D o2 Presidenti*- De0ree No. 4I2G reE,irin. p,6-i0*tion o2 t1e
noti0e o2 initi*- 1e*rin. re*ds *s 2o--o<s:
L"e0. 2D. Noti!e of initial hearing, publi!ation, et!. && T1e 0o,rt s1*--, <it1in 2i>e d*=s
2ro+ 2i-in. o2 t1e *pp-i0*tion, iss,e *n order settin. t1e d*te *nd 1o,r o2 t1e initi*- 1e*rin.
<1i01 s1*-- not 6e e*r-ier t1*n 2ort=&2i>e d*=s nor -*ter t1*n ninet= d*=s 2ro+ t1e d*te o2 t1e
order.
T1e p,6-i0 s1*-- 6e .i>en noti0e o2 initi*- 1e*rin. o2 t1e *pp-i0*tion 2or -*nd re.istr*tion 6=
+e*ns o2 :4; p,6-i0*tionJ :2; +*i-in.J *nd :D; postin..
4. "y publi!ation. &&
Upon re0eipt o2 t1e order o2 t1e 0o,rt settin. t1e ti+e 2or initi*- 1e*rin., t1e Co++issioner
o2 L*nd Re.istr*tion s1*-- 0*,se * noti0e o2 initi*- 1e*rin. to 6e p,6-is1ed on0e in t1e 22i0i*-
$*Hette *nd on0e in * ne<sp*per o2 .ener*- 0ir0,-*tion in t1e P1i-ippines: Pro>ided, 1o<e>er,
t1*t t1e p,6-i0*tion in t1e 22i0i*- $*Hette s1*-- 6e s,22i0ient to 0on2er B,risdi0tion ,pon t1e
0o,rt. "*id noti0e s1*-- 6e *ddressed to *-- persons *ppe*rin. to 1*>e *n interest in t1e -*nd
in>o->ed in0-,din. t1e *dBoinin. o<ners so 2*r *s Ano<n, *nd Xto *-- <1o+ it +*=
0on0ern.R "*id noti0e s1*-- *-so reE,ire *-- persons 0on0erned to *ppe*r in 0o,rt *t * 0ert*in
d*te *nd ti+e to s1o< 0*,se <1= t1e pr*=er o2 s*id *pp-i0*tion s1*-- not 6e .r*nted.
/// /// ///M
Ad+itted-=, t1e *6o>e pro>ision pro>ides in 0-e*r *nd 0*te.ori0*- ter+s t1*t p,6-i0*tion in t1e
22i0i*- $*Hette s,22i0es to 0on2er B,risdi0tion ,pon t1e -*nd re.istr*tion 0o,rt. Ho<e>er, t1e
E,estion 6oi-s do<n to <1et1er, *6sent *n= p,6-i0*tion in * ne<sp*per o2 .ener*- 0ir0,-*tion,
t1e -*nd re.istr*tion 0o,rt 0*n >*-id-= 0on2ir+ *nd re.ister t1e tit-e o2 pri>*te respondents.
Ce *ns<er t1is E,er= in t1e ne.*ti>e. T1is *ns<er is i+pe--ed 6= t1e de+*nds o2 st*t,tor=
0onstr,0tion *nd t1e d,e pro0ess r*tion*-e 6e1ind t1e p,6-i0*tion reE,ire+ent.
T1e -*< ,sed t1e ter+ Ls1*--M in pres0ri6in. t1e <orA to 6e done 6= t1e Co++issioner o2
L*nd Re.istr*tion ,pon t1e -*tter@s re0eipt o2 t1e 0o,rt order settin. t1e ti+e 2or initi*-
1e*rin.. T1e s*id <ord denotes *n i+per*ti>e *nd t1,s indi0*tes t1e +*nd*tor= 01*r*0ter o2
* st*t,te.
34I5
C1i-e 0on0eded-= s,01 -iter*- +*nd*te is not *n *6so-,te r,-e in st*t,tor=
0onstr,0tion, *s its i+port ,-ti+*te-= depends ,pon its 0onte/t in t1e entire pro>ision, <e
1o-d t1*t in t1e present 0*se t1e ter+ +,st 6e ,nderstood in its nor+*- +*nd*tor=
+e*nin.. In %epu+lic vs. Marasigan,
3475
t1e Co,rt t1ro,.1 #r. ),sti0e Hi-*rio $. D*>ide, )r.
1e-d t1*t "e0tion 2D o2 PD 4I2G reE,ires noti0e o2 t1e initi*- 1e*rin. 6= +e*ns o2 :4;
p,6-i0*tion, :2; +*i-in. *nd :D; postin., *-- o2 <1i01 +,st 6e 0o+p-ied <it1. LI2 t1e intention
o2 t1e -*< <ere ot1er<ise, s*id se0tion <o,-d not 1*>e stressed in det*i- t1e reE,ire+ents o2
+*i-in. o2 noti0es to *-- persons n*+ed in t1e petition <1o, per "e0tion 4I o2 t1e De0ree,
in0-,de o<ners o2 *dBoinin. properties, *nd o00,p*nts o2 t1e -*nd.M Indeed, i2 +*i-in. o2
noti0es is essenti*-, t1en 6= p*rit= o2 re*sonin., p,6-i0*tion in * ne<sp*per o2 .ener*-
0ir0,-*tion is -iAe<ise i+per*ti>e sin0e t1e -*< in0-,ded s,01 reE,ire+ent in its det*i-ed
pro>ision.
It s1o,-d 6e noted 2,rt1er t1*t -*nd re.istr*tion is * pro0eedin. in re#.
3495
Bein. in re#, s,01
pro0eedin. reE,ires 0onstr,0ti>e seiH,re o2 t1e -*nd *s *.*inst all persons, in0-,din. t1e
st*te, <1o 1*>e ri.1ts to or interests in t1e propert=. An in re# pro0eedin. is >*-id*ted
essenti*--= t1ro,.1 p,6-i0*tion. T1is 6ein. so, t1e pro0ess +,st stri0t-= 6e 0o+p-ied
<it1. t1er<ise, persons <1o +*= 6e interested or <1ose ri.1ts +*= 6e *d>erse-= *22e0ted
<o,-d 6e 6*rred 2ro+ 0ontestin. *n *pp-i0*tion <1i01 t1e= 1*d no Ano<-ed.e o2. As 1*s
6een r,-ed, * p*rt= *s *n o<ner seeAin. t1e ins0ription o2 re*-t= in t1e -*nd re.istr*tion 0o,rt
+,st pro>e 6= s*tis2*0tor= *nd 0on0-,si>e e>iden0e not on-= 1is o<ners1ip t1ereo2 6,t t1e
identit= o2 t1e s*+e, 2or 1e is in t1e s*+e sit,*tion *s one <1o instit,tes *n *0tion 2or
re0o>er= o2 re*-t=.
34F5
He +,st pro>e 1is tit-e *.*inst t1e <1o-e <or-d. T1is t*sA, <1i01 rests
,pon t1e *pp-i0*nt, 0*n 6est 6e *01ie>ed <1en *-- persons 0on0erned && n*=, Lt1e <1o-e
<or-dM && <1o 1*>e ri.1ts to or interests in t1e s,6Be0t propert= *re noti2ied *nd e22e0ti>e-=
in>ited to 0o+e to 0o,rt *nd s1o< 0*,se <1= t1e *pp-i0*tion s1o,-d not 6e .r*nted. T1e
e-e+ent*r= nor+s o2 d,e pro0ess reE,ire t1*t 6e2ore t1e 0-*i+ed propert= is t*Aen 2ro+
0on0erned p*rties *nd re.istered in t1e n*+e o2 t1e *pp-i0*nt, s*id p*rties +,st 6e .i>en
noti0e *nd opport,nit= to oppose.
It +*= 6e *sAed <1= p,6-i0*tion in * ne<sp*per o2 .ener*- 0ir0,-*tion s1o,-d 6e dee+ed
+*nd*tor= <1en t1e -*< *-re*d= reE,ires noti0e 6= p,6-i0*tion in t1e 22i0i*- $*Hette *s <e--
*s 6= +*i-in. *nd postin., *-- o2 <1i01 1*>e *-re*d= 6een 0o+p-ied <it1 in t1e 0*se *t
1*nd. T1e re*son is d,e pro0ess *nd t1e re*-it= t1*t t1e 22i0i*- $*Hette is not *s <ide-=
re*d *nd 0ir0,-*ted *s ne<sp*pers *nd is o2tenti+es de-*=ed in its 0ir0,-*tion, s,01 t1*t t1e
noti0es p,6-is1ed t1erein +*= not re*01 t1e interested p*rties on ti+e, i2 *t *--. Addition*--=,
s,01 p*rties +*= not 6e o<ners o2 nei.16orin. properties, *nd +*= in 2*0t not o<n *n=
ot1er re*- est*te. In s,+, t1e *--&en0o+p*ssin. in re# n*t,re o2 -*nd re.istr*tion 0*ses, t1e
0onseE,en0es o2 de2*,-t orders iss,ed *.*inst t1e <1o-e <or-d *nd t1e o6Be0ti>e o2
disse+in*tin. t1e noti0e in *s <ide * +*nner *s possi6-e de+*nd * +*nd*tor= 0onstr,0tion
o2 t1e reE,ire+ents 2or p,6-i0*tion, +*i-in. *nd postin..
Ad+itted-=, t1ere <*s 2*i-,re to 0o+p-= <it1 t1e e/p-i0it p,6-i0*tion reE,ire+ent o2 t1e
-*<. Pri>*te respondents did not pro22er *n= e/0,seJ e>en i2 t1e= 1*d, it <o,-d not 1*>e
+*ttered 6e0*,se t1e st*t,te itse-2 *--o<s no e/0,ses. Ine-,di6-=, t1is Co,rt 1*s no *,t1orit=
to dispense <it1 s,01 +*nd*tor= reE,ire+ent. T1e -*< is ,n*+6i.,o,s *nd its r*tion*-e
0-e*r. Ti+e *nd *.*in, t1is Co,rt 1*s de0-*red t1*t <1ere t1e -*< spe*As in 0-e*r *nd
0*te.ori0*- -*n.,*.e, t1ere is no roo+ 2or interpret*tion, >*0i--*tion or eE,i>o0*tionJ t1ere is
roo+ on-= 2or *pp-i0*tion.
34G5
T1ere is no *-tern*ti>e. T1,s, t1e *pp-i0*tion 2or -*nd re.istr*tion
2i-ed 6= pri>*te respondents +,st 6e dis+issed <it1o,t preB,di0e to re*pp-i0*tion in t1e
2,t,re, *2ter *-- t1e -e.*- reE,isites s1*-- 1*>e 6een d,-= 0o+p-ied <it1.
.HERE"ORE, t1e petition is G%AN,&) *nd t1e *ss*i-ed De0ision *nd Reso-,tion
*re %&4&%(&) *nd (&, A(")&. T1e *pp-i0*tion o2 pri>*te respondent 2or -*nd re.istr*tion
is )"(M"((&) <it1o,t preB,di0e. No 0osts.
SO ORDERED.
PPPPPPPPPPPPPPP
PEOPLE O" THE PHILIPPINES, +.R. N1. 242489
Appellee,

Present:

CRNA, C. J., Chairperson,
16 | P a g e
& >ers,s & VELA"C, )R.,
LENARD&DE CA"TR,
DEL CA"TILL, and
PERE', JJ.

SATURNINO VILLANUEVA, Pro+,-.*ted:
Appellant. "epte+6er 4, 2848
/ & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & &
& & /

D E C I S I O N

DEL CASTILLO, J.<


n *ppe*- is t1e No>e+6er I, 2889 De0ision
345
o2 t1e Co,rt o2 Appe*-s :CA; in CA&
$.R. CR&H.C. No. 82248 <1i01 *22ir+ed <it1 +odi2i0*tion t1e No>e+6er 2F, 288D
De0ision
325
o2 t1e Re.ion*- Tri*- Co,rt :RTC; o2 T*=,., P*n.*sin*n, Br*n01 I4. T1e CA 2o,nd
*ppe--*nt "*t,rnino Vi--*n,e>* .,i-t= 6e=ond re*son*6-e do,6t o2 t1ree 0o,nts o2 E,*-i2ied
r*pe *nd senten0ed 1i+ to s,22er t1e pen*-t= o2 reclusion perpetua *nd to p*= 1is >i0ti+ t1e
*+o,nts o2 P9I,888.88 *s 0i>i- inde+nit=, P9I,888.88 *s +or*- d*+*.es, *nd P2I,888.88 *s
e/e+p-*r= d*+*.es, 2or e*01 0o,nt.



#a!tual Ante!edents:

n No>e+6er 7, 2882, t1ree In2or+*tions <ere 2i-ed *.*inst *ppe--*nt 2or t1e 0ri+e o2
r*pe. T1e *00,s*tor= portions o2 t1e In2or+*tions re*d:

Cr&,. Case N1. T!52F3<

T1*t on or *6o,t t1e G
t1
d*= o2 ),ne, 2882, *t d*<n, / / /, pro>in0e o2 P*n.*sin*n,
P1i-ippines, *nd <it1in t1e B,risdi0tion o2 t1is Honor*6-e Co,rt, t1e *6o>e&n*+ed *00,sed
<1o is t1e 2*t1er o2 0o+p-*in*nt, *r+ed <it1 * 6-*ded <e*pon, 6= +e*ns o2 2or0e, t1re*t
*nd inti+id*tion, did t1en *nd t1ere <i--2,--=, ,n-*<2,--= *nd 2e-onio,s-= 1*>e se/,*-
inter0o,rse <it1 one LAAA,M
3D5
* +inor 42 =e*rs o2 *.e, *.*inst 1er <i-- *nd 0onsent, to t1e
d*+*.e *nd preB,di0e o2 s*id LAAA.M

CNTRAR% to Arti0-e DDI o2 t1e Re>ised Pen*- Code, *s *+ended 6= Rep,6-i0 A0t FDID.
3?5

Cr&,. Case N1. T!52F4<

T1*t on or *6o,t t1e 29
t1
d*= o2 "epte+6er, 4GGG, in t1e e>enin., *t / / /,
pro>in0e o2 P*n.*sin*n, P1i-ippines, *nd <it1in t1e B,risdi0tion o2 t1is Honor*6-e Co,rt, t1e
*6o>e&n*+ed *00,sed <1o is t1e 2*t1er o2 0o+p-*in*nt, *r+ed <it1 * 6-*ded <e*pon, 6=
+e*ns o2 2or0e, t1re*t *nd inti+id*tion, did t1en *nd t1ere <i--2,--=, ,n-*<2,--= *nd
2e-onio,s-= 1*>e se/,*- inter0o,rse <it1 one LAAA,M * +inor G =e*rs o2 *.e, *.*inst 1er <i--
*nd 0onsent, to t1e d*+*.e *nd preB,di0ie o2 s*id LAAA.M

CNTRAR% to Arti0-e DDI o2 t1e Re>ised Pen*- Code, *s *+ended 6= Rep,6-i0 A0t
FDID.
3I5

Cr&,. Case N1. T!52F9<

T1*t on or *6o,t t1e 2F
t1
d*= o2 "epte+6er, 4GGG, *t d*<n, *t / / /, pro>in0e o2
P*n.*sin*n, P1i-ippines, *nd <it1in t1e B,risdi0tion o2 t1is Honor*6-e Co,rt, t1e *6o>e&n*+ed
*00,sed <1o is t1e 2*t1er o2 0o+p-*in*nt, *r+ed <it1 * 6-*ded <e*pon, 6= +e*ns o2 2or0e,
t1re*t *nd inti+id*tion, did t1en *nd t1ere <i--2,--=, ,n-*<2,--= *nd 2e-onio,s-= 1*>e se/,*-
inter0o,rse <it1 one LAAA,M * +inor G =e*rs o2 *.e, *.*inst 1er <i-- *nd 0onsent, to t1e
d*+*.e *nd preB,di0e o2 s*id LAAA.M

CNTRAR% to Arti0-e DDI o2 t1e Re>ised Pen*- Code, *s *+ended 6= Rep,6-i0 A0t
FDID.
375


C1en *rr*i.ned on No>e+6er 4?, 2882, *ppe--*nt p-e*ded not .,i-t= to *-- 01*r.es.
395

D,rin. pre&tri*-, t1e p*rties stip,-*ted t1*t t1e *ppe--*nt is t1e 2*t1er o2 LAAA.M It <*s
-iAe<ise *.reed t1*t LAAAM <*s 6e-o< 42 =e*rs o2 *.e <1en t1e r*pe in0idents 1*ppened.
3F5
LAAA@sM 6irt1 *nd +edi0*- 0erti2i0*tes <ere -iAe<ise +*rAed *s E/1i6its LAM *nd LC,M
respe0ti>e-=.
3G5

T1ere*2ter, t1e 0*ses <ere tried Boint-=.
3485

$ersion of the rose!ution

T1e prose0,tion presented LAAAM *s its <itness. LAAAM n*rr*ted t1*t <1en s1e <*s
*6o,t ? =e*rs o-d, 1er +ot1er -e2t 1er in t1e 0*re o2 1er 2*t1er, 1erein *ppe--*nt. "in0e t1en,
s1e 1*d 6een -i>in. <it1 1er 2*t1er.

LAAAM 0-*i+ed t1*t *ppe--*nt se/,*--= *6,sed 1er on "epte+6er 29 *nd 2F, 4GGG *nd on
),ne G, 2882. D,rin. 1er testi+on=, LAAAM n*rr*ted t1*t:

PR". ULANDA%:
! Ci-- =o, p-e*se st*te =o,r n*+e, *.e *nd ot1er person*- 0ir0,+st*n0esS

CITNE"":
A I *+ LAAA,M 4D =e*rs o-d, o,t&o2&s01oo- =o,t1, present-= residin. *t / / /
3445

/ / / /
17 | P a g e
PR". ULANDA%:
! #*d*+ Citness, do =o, sti-- re+e+6er "epte+6er 29, 4GGGS
A %es, sir.

! C1= do =o, re+e+6er t1*t p*rti0,-*r d*teS
A T1*t <*s t1e 6irt1d*= o2 += 2*t1er *nd t1e d*te <1en 1e to,01ed +e, sir.

/ / / /

! C1o r*pe3d5 =o,S
A #= p*p*, sir. Citness pointed to t1e *00,sed.

/ / / /

PR". ULANDA%:
! %o, 0-*i+ed t1*t =o,r 2*t1er to,01ed *nd ,sed =o,. Ho< did 1e 6e.in in to,01in.
=o,S
A He tied +e, sir.

/ / / /

! C1*t p*rt o2 =o,r 6od= <*s / / / tied 6= =o,r 2*t1erS
A #= +o,t1, sir.

! C1*t ot1er p*rts o2 =o,r 6od=, i2 t1ere 3*re5 *n=S
A #= 1*nds *nd += 2eet, sir.

PR". ULANDA%:
#= <itness is 0r=in., =o,r Honor.
3425

/ / / /

! No<, *2ter =o,r 2*t1er tied =o, on "epte+6er 29, 4GGG, <1*t did 1e do, i2 t1ere@s
*n=S
A He r*ped +e, sir.

CURT:
! C1*t do =o, +e*n 6= / / / s*=in. 1e r*ped =o,S

/ / / /

A He ,ndressed +e, sir.

/ / / /

CURT:
And <e +*Ae o2 re0ord t1*t 3<itness is no<5 in te*rs.
34D5

/ / / /


PR". ULANDA%:
! #*d*+ Citness, d,rin. t1e -*st 1e*rin. =o, ,ttered t1e <ord Lin0,* n*.M C1*t do
=o, +e*n 6= t1*tS
A He inserted 1is penis into += >*.in*, sir.

! Ho< -on. * ti+e did =o,r 2*t1er 3insert5 1is penis into =o,r >*.in*S
A A6o,t t<o +in,tes, sir.

! At e*r-= d*<n o2 "epte+6er 2F, 4GGG, <1*t 1*ppened i2 *n=, 6et<een =o, *nd
=o,r 2*t1erS
A T1e s*+e, sir.

! C1*t do =o, +e*n 6= t1e s*+eS
A T1*t 1e inserted 1is penis into += >*.in*, sir.

! Be2ore =o,r 2*t1er inserted 1is penis into =o,r >*.in*, <1*t did 1e do, i2 t1ere <*s
*n=S
A He 2irst ,ndressed +e, sir.

! C1i-e 1e <*s ,ndressin. =o, <1*t <ere =o, doin., i2 *n=S
A I 2*i-ed to do *n=, sir.

! C1= did =o, 2*i- to do *n=S
A Be0*,se I <*s *2r*id, sir.

! C1= <ere =o, *2r*id *t t1e ti+eS
A Be0*,se 1e t1re*tened +e, sir.

! Ho< did 1e 3t1re*ten5 =o,S
A T1*t i2 I <o,-d report t1e +*tter to *n=one 1e <o,-d Ai-- t1e person to <1o+ I <i--
report, sir.

! Do =o, re+e+6er ),ne G, 2882 *t D:88 o@0-o0A d*<nS
A %es, sir.

! C1= do =o, re+e+6er t1*t p*rti0,-*r d*teS
A Be0*,se 1e *.*in r*ped +e, sir.

! C1o r*ped =o,S
A #= 2*t1er, sir.

! In <1*t p*rti0,-*r p-*0e 3<ere5 =o, r*pedS
A In o,r 1o,se, sir.

/ / / /
18 | P a g e

! %o, 0-*i+ed t1*t =o, <ere r*ped 6= =o,r 2*t1er, 1o< did 1e r*pe =o,S
A He ,ndressed +e, sir.

! C1*t e-se did 1e do *side 2ro+ ,ndressin. =o,S
A He poAed * Ani2e *t +e, sir.

! And *2ter poAin. * Ani2e *t =o,, <1*t 1*ppened ne/t, i2 *n=S
A T1en 1e to,01ed :Ain,ti; +e, sir.
! C1*t p*rt o2 =o,r 6od= <*s to,01ed 6= =o,r 2*t1erS
A #= >*.in*, sir.

! Ho< did 1e to,01 =o,r >*.in*S
A He inserted 1is penis into += >*.in*, sir.


! C1*t 1*ppened <1en 1e inserted 1is penis into =o,r >*.in*S
A I 0ried, sir.
34?5


A2ter t1e present*tion o2 LAAA@sM testi+on=, t1e prose0,tion rested its 0*se.


$ersion of the %efense

T1e de2ense presented *ppe--*nt *s its 2irst <itness. In 1is testi+on=, *ppe--*nt
*d+itted t1*t LAAAM is 1is d*,.1ter.
34I5
He *-so *d+itted t1*t on "epte+6er 29 *nd 2F, 4GGG
*nd ),ne G, 2882, 1e <*s -i>in. in t1e s*+e 1o,se *s LAAA.M
3475
Ho<e>er, <1en *sAed
re.*rdin. t1e r*pe 01*r.es 2i-ed *.*inst 1i+ 6= 1is d*,.1ter, *ppe--*nt denied t1e
s*+e. T1,s:

! And t1is d*,.1ter o2 =o,r3s5 no< 01*r.e =o, 3<it15 r*pe in Cri+. C*se Nos. T&
D4I9KD4IFKD4IG 2or *--e.ed-= 1*>in. se/,*- inter0o,rse <it1 1er *.*inst 1er <i-- *nd
0onsent. C1*t 0*n =o, s*= *.*inst t1ese 01*r.es 6= =o,r d*,.1terS
A 3T1ose *re5 not tr,e, sir.
3495


T1e de2ense ne/t presented #*r0e-ino Vi--*n,e>* :#*r0e-ino; <1o testi2ied t1*t 1e is
t1e 2*t1er o2 t1e *ppe--*nt.
34F5
He 0-*i+ed t1*t LAAAM 2i-ed t1e r*pe 0*ses *.*inst *ppe--*nt
6e0*,se t1e -*tter 2or6*de 1er to entert*in s,itors.
34G5
#*r0e-ino *-so *--e.ed t1*t *2ter
*ppe--*nt <*s in0*r0er*ted, LAAAM e-oped <it1 1er 28&=e*r o-d 6o=2riend *nd t1*t LAAAM on-=
sep*r*ted 2ro+ 1er 6o=2riend <1en s1e <*s 6ro,.1t ,nder t1e 0*re o2 t1e Dep*rt+ent o2
"o0i*- Ce-2*re *nd De>e-op+ent.
3285
C1en *sAed 1o< o-d LAAAM <*s <1en s1e *--e.ed-=
e-oped <it1 1er 6o=2riend, #*r0e-ino *ns<ered t1*t LAAAM <*s on-= 4D =e*rs o-d.
3245

&uling of the &egional 'rial (ourt

T1e tri*- 0o,rt -ent 0reden0e to t1e testi+on= o2 LAAA.M Ho<e>er, it noted t1*t
*-t1o,.1 it <*s *.reed ,pon d,rin. t1e pre&tri*- t1*t LAAAM <*s * +inor 6e-o< 42 =e*rs o2
*.e, t1e 2*0t re+*ins t1*t LAAAM <*s 42 =e*rs, si/ +ont1s *nd 4G d*=s <1en s1e <*s
r*>is1ed 6= t1e *ppe--*nt on ),ne G, 2882.
3225
T1e 0o,rt 6e-o< *-so o6ser>ed t1*t LAAA 1*s
*-<*=s 6een * p*t1eti0 01i-d o2 oppression, *6,se *nd ne.-e0tM *nd t1*t L315er inno0en0e,
tender *.e, dependen0e 3on *ppe--*nt5 2or s,r>i>*-, *nd 1er >irt,*- orp1*n1ood s,22i0ed to
E,*-i2= e>er= se/,*- +o-est*tion perpetr*ted 6= 1er 2*t1er *s r*pe / / /.M
32D5

T1e dispositi>e portion o2 t1e De0ision re*ds:

CHEREFRE, 2indin. t1e *00,sed "ATURNIN VILLANUEVA .,i-t= 6e=ond re*son*6-e
do,6t o2 t1ree 0o,nts o2 r*pe, de2ined *nd pen*-iHed 6= Arti0-e 277&A o2 t1e Re>ised Pen*-
Code, perpetr*ted *.*inst 31is5 d*,.1ter on "epte+6er 29, 4GGG, "epte+6er 2F, 4GGG *nd
),ne G, 2882, / / / *nd *s +*nd*ted 6= Arti0-e 277&B, s*+e Code, t1e Co,rt 1ere6=
senten0es 1i+ to s,22er t1e pen*-t= o2 DEATH 2or e*01 o22ense, to inde+ni2= t1e 0o+p-*in*nt
LAAAM 2or d*+*.es in t1e *+o,nt o2 PI8,888.88 per 30o,nt5, *nd to p*= t1e 0osts.

" RDERED.
32?5


&uling of the (ourt of Appeals

In 1is 6rie2 2i-ed 6e2ore t1e *ppe--*te 0o,rt, *ppe--*nt 0-*i+ed t1*t t1e prose0,tion
2*i-ed to present e>iden0e t1*t <o,-d o>er0o+e t1e pres,+ption o2 1is inno0en0e. Appe--*nt
*-so *--e.ed t1*t t1e tri*- 0o,rt erred in -endin. 0reden0e to t1e ,nre*-isti0 *nd ,nn*t,r*-
testi+on= o2 LAAA.M
32I5
He 0-*i+ed t1*t it <*s ,n,s,*- 2or LAAAM not to o22er *n= resist*n0e to
t1e *d>*n0es *--e.ed-= +*de 6= 1i+ 0onsiderin. t1*t 1e <*s ,n*r+ed. A00ordin. to t1e
*ppe--*nt, LAAAM s1o,-d 1*>e str,..-ed or *t -e*st o22ered so+e resist*n0e 6e0*,se s1e <*s
not 0o+p-ete-= 1e-p-ess.
3275
Appe--*nt *-so s,..ested t1*t LAAAM +,st 1*>e 6een 0o*01ed
6e0*,se initi*--=, s1e did not Ano< t1e *0ts <1i01 0onstit,te r*pe. Ho<e>er, d,rin. t1e
s,00eedin. 1e*rin.s, LAAAM *--e.ed-= testi2ied in det*i- t1e 6esti*- *0ts 0o++itted *.*inst 1er.
3295


#oreo>er, *ppe--*nt *r.,ed t1*t t1e prose0,tion 2*i-ed to 2or+*--= o22er in e>iden0e
t1e +edi0*- 0erti2i0*te *nd to present t1e do0tor <1o 0ond,0ted t1e +edi0*- e/*+in*tion to
testi2= on 1is 2indin.s.
32F5
LiAe<ise, LAAA@sM 6irt1 0erti2i0*te <*s not 2or+*--= o22ered. Neit1er
did t1e #,ni0ip*- Ci>i- Re.istr*r <1o *--e.ed-= prep*red t1e s*+e t*Ae t1e <itness
st*nd. T1,s *ppe--*nt 0-*i+ed t1*t *ss,+in. 1e <*s indeed .,i-t= o2 t1e 0ri+es 01*r.ed, 1e
s1o,-d on-= 6e 1e-d -i*6-e 2or si+p-e r*pe *nd not E,*-i2ied r*pe 6e0*,se t1e +inorit= o2 t1e
>i0ti+ <*s not d,-= est*6-is1ed.
32G5
F,rt1er, <it1 t1e p*ss*.e o2 Rep,6-i0 A0t No. GD?7,
*ppe--*nt s1o,-d not 6e senten0ed to de*t1.
3D85


n t1e ot1er 1*nd, *ppe--ee +*int*ined t1*t LAAA@sM 0redi6i-it= <*s 6e=ond
do,6t
3D45
*nd t1*t it <*s ,nne0ess*r= to o22er proo2 o2 resist*n0e <1ere t1e *ss*i-*nt
e/er0ised +or*- *s0end*n0= *.*inst 1is >i0ti+, *s in t1is 0*se.
3D25
Appe--ee insisted t1*t t1e
0ri+es 0o++itted <ere t1ree 0o,nts o2 E,*-i2ied, *nd not si+p-e, r*pe 0onsiderin. t1*t LAAAM
<*s * +inor *nd t1e o22ender <*s 1er 2*t1er,
3DD5
*nd t1*t t1e p*rties 1*d *-re*d= stip,-*ted
d,rin. pre&tri*- *s re.*rds t1e *.e o2 t1e >i0ti+.
3D?5
19 | P a g e

n No>e+6er I, 2889, t1e *ppe--*te 0o,rt rendered its De0ision disposin. t1,s:

CHEREFRE, pre+ises 0onsidered, t1e De0ision d*ted 2F No>e+6er 288D o2 t1e
Re.ion*- Tri*- Co,rt o2 T*=,., P*n.*sin*n, Br*n01 I4 in Cri#. Case Nos. ,-0!56, ,-
0!51 *nd ,-0!57 2indin. *00,sed&*ppe--*nt "*t,rnino Vi--*n,e>* .,i-t= 6e=ond re*son*6-e
do,6t o2 t1ree :D; 0o,nts o2 E,*-i2ied r*pe ,nder Arti0-es 277&A *nd 277&B
is A""IRMED <it1 t1e MODI"ICATION t1*t p,rs,*nt to Rep,6-i0 A0t No. GD?7, t1e pen*-t=
o2 de*t1 i+posed on *ppe--*nt is red,0ed to reclusion perpetua 2or e*01 0o,nt o2 E,*-i2ied
r*pe, <it1o,t e-i.i6i-it= 2or p*ro-e ,nder A0t No. ?48D, *s *+ended. F,rt1er, *00,sed&
*ppe--*nt is ordered to p*= t1e pri>*te 0o+p-*in*ntK>i0ti+ 3LAAAM5, 2or e*01 0o,nt o2
E,*-i2ied r*pe, t1e *+o,nts o2 P1p 9I,888.88 *s 0i>i- inde+nit=, P1p 9I,888.88 *s +or*-
d*+*.es *nd P1p 2I,888.88 *s e/e+p-*r= d*+*.es.

" RDERED.
3DI5



T1e *ppe--*te 0o,rt 2o,nd no re*son to re>erse t1e 2indin.s o2 t1e tri*- 0o,rt on t1e
0redi6i-it= o2 LAAA.M
3D75
A-t1o,.1 t1ere <ere o00*sions <1en LAAAM <o,-d not i++edi*te-=
*ns<er t1e E,estions propo,nded to 1er, t1e CA opined t1*t it <*s 6e0*,se s1e <*s eit1er
distressed in re0o,ntin. 1er 1orri6-e e/perien0es or in te*rs.
3D95
T1e *ppe--*te 0o,rt -iAe<ise
0onsidered t1e 2*0t t1*t LAAAM <*s on-= 4D =e*rs o-d <1en s1e testi2ied on 1er 1*rro<in.
e/perien0es.
3DF5


T1e *ppe--*te 0o,rt -iAe<ise 6r,s1ed *side *ppe--*nt@s 0ontention t1*t LAAAM did not
o22er *n= resist*n0e. A00ordin. to t1e CA, *ppe--*nt@s +or*- *s0end*n0= o>er LAAAM
s,6stit,tes 2or >io-en0e or inti+id*tion.
3DG5


T1e CA *-so 0on0-,ded t1*t e>en <it1o,t t1e +edi0*- 0erti2i0*te, *ppe--*nt 0o,-d sti--
6e 1e-d -i*6-e 2or t1ree 0o,nts o2 r*pe. His 0on>i0tion 0o,-d rest e/0-,si>e-= on t1e 0redi6-e
testi+on= o2 LAAAM *nd t1e +edi0*- 0erti2i0*te <o,-d on-= 6e 0orro6or*ti>e e>iden0e.
3?85
Anent t1e 6irt1 0erti2i0*te, t1e CA re0*--ed t1*t d,rin. pre&tri*-, t1e +inorit= o2 t1e >i0ti+
*nd 1er re-*tions1ip <it1 t1e *ppe--*nt 1*d *-re*d= 6een stip,-*ted ,pon. Hen0e, t1e s*id
e-e+ents 1*>e 6een s,22i0ient-= *--e.ed in t1e In2or+*tions *nd pro>en d,rin. tri*-.
3?45


Fin*--=, t1e CA 1e-d t1*t *ppe--*nt@s deni*- is intrinsi0*--= <e*A *nd se-2&ser>in.
espe0i*--= 0onsiderin. LAAA@sM 0redi6-e *nd str*i.1t2or<*rd testi+on=.
3?25


O)r R)(&n*

Bot1 t1e *ppe--*nt *nd t1e *ppe--ee opted not to 2i-e t1eir s,pp-e+ent*- 6rie2s.
3?D5

T1e *ppe*- is p*rt-= +eritorio,s.

At t1e o,tset, <e +,st st*te t1*t <e entert*in no do,6t t1*t *ppe--*nt t1ri0e r*ped
1is d*,.1ter, LAAA.M Ce e/*+ined t1e re0ords *nd <e 2ind LAAA@sM testi+on= 0on>in0in. *nd
str*i.1t2or<*rd. Ce t1ere2ore 1*>e no re*son to re>erse or +odi2= t1e 2indin.s o2 t1e tri*-
0o,rt on t1e 0redi6i-it= o2 t1e >i0ti+@s testi+on=, +ore so in t1is 0*se <1ere t1e s*id 2indin.s
<ere *22ir+ed 6= t1e CA.

Ce *-so *.ree <it1 t1e r,-in. o2 t1e *ppe--*te 0o,rt t1*t *ppe--*nt 0o,-d 6e 0on>i0ted
o2 r*pe e>en <it1o,t t1e +edi0*- 0erti2i0*te. LIn r*pe 0*ses, t1e *00,sed +*= 6e 0on>i0ted
so-e-= on t1e testi+on= o2 t1e >i0ti+, pro>ided t1e testi+on= is 0redi6-e, n*t,r*-, 0on>in0in.,
*nd 0onsistent <it1 1,+*n n*t,re *nd t1e nor+*- 0o,rse o2 t1in.s.M
3??5
As st*ted *6o>e,
LAAA@sM testi+on= <*s 0redi6-e *nd 0on>in0in.. As s,01, *ppe--*nt@s 0on>i0tion 0o,-d rest
so-e-= on it. T1e +edi0*- 0erti2i0*te <o,-d on-= ser>e *s 0orro6or*ti>e e>iden0e.
Ce, 1o<e>er, *.ree <it1 t1e *ppe--*nt t1*t 6ot1 t1e +edi0*- 0erti2i0*te *nd LAAA@sM
6irt1 0erti2i0*te, *-t1o,.1 +*rAed *s e/1i6its d,rin. t1e pre&tri*-, s1o,-d not 1*>e 6een
0onsidered 6= t1e tri*- 0o,rt *nd t1e CA 6e0*,se t1e= <ere not 2or+*--= o22ered in
e>iden0e. "e0tion D?, R,-e 4D2 o2 t1e R,-es o2 Co,rt e/p-i0it-= pro>ides: LT1e 0o,rt s1*--
0onsider no e>iden0e <1i01 1*s not 6een 2or+*--= o22ered. T1e p,rpose 2or <1i01 t1e
e>iden0e is o22ered +,st 6e spe0i2ied.M

In t1is 0*se, <e note t1*t *2ter t1e +*rAin. o2 t1e e/1i6its d,rin. pre&tri*-, t1e
prose0,tion did not 2or+*--= o22er t1e s*id +edi0*- 0erti2i0*te or 6irt1 0erti2i0*te in
e>iden0e. In 2*0t, t1e prose0,tion rested its 0*se *2ter presentin. t1e testi+on= o2 LAAAM
<it1o,t 2or+*--= o22erin. *n= do0,+ent*r= e/1i6it *t *--.

,r r,-in. in eirs of Pedro Pasag v. Parocha
3?I5
is instr,0ti>e, t1,s:

T1e r,-e on 2or+*- o22er o2 e>iden0e is not * tri>i*- +*tter. F*i-,re to +*Ae * 2or+*- o22er
<it1in * 0onsider*6-e period o2 ti+e s1*-- 6e dee+ed * <*i>er to s,6+it it. ConseE,ent-=, *s
in t1is 0*se, *n= e>iden0e t1*t 1*s not 6een o22ered s1*-- 6e e/0-,ded *nd reBe0ted.

/ / / /

T1e R,-es o2 Co,rt 3pro>ide5 t1*t Ot1e 0o,rt s1*-- 0onsider no e>iden0e <1i01 1*s not 6een
2or+*--= o22ered.@ A 2or+*- o22er is ne0ess*r= 6e0*,se B,d.es *re +*nd*ted to rest t1eir
2indin.s o2 2*0ts *nd t1eir B,d.+ent on-= *nd stri0t-= ,pon t1e e>iden0e o22ered 6= t1e
p*rties *t t1e tri*-. Its 2,n0tion is to en*6-e t1e tri*- B,d.e to Ano< t1e p,rpose or p,rposes
2or <1i01 t1e proponent is presentin. t1e e>iden0e. n t1e ot1er 1*nd, t1is *--o<s opposin.
p*rties to e/*+ine t1e e>iden0e *nd o6Be0t to its *d+issi6i-it=. #oreo>er, it 2*0i-it*tes re>ie<
*s t1e *ppe--*te 0o,rt <i-- not 6e reE,ired to re>ie< do0,+ents not pre>io,s-= s0r,tiniHed 6=
t1e tri*- 0o,rt.

/ / / /

T1,s, t1e tri*- 0o,rt is 6o,nd to 0onsider on-= t1e testi+oni*- e>iden0e presented *nd
e/0-,de t1e do0,+ents not o22ered. D1'),ents C&' ,ay a>e been &dent&=&ed and
,arDed as e@&b&ts d)r&n* pre!tr&a( 1r tr&a( b)t C&' Cere n1t =1r,a((y 1==ered &n
e>&den'e 'ann1t &n any ,anner be treated as e>&den'e. Ne&ter 'an s)'
)nre'1*n&Hed pr11= be ass&*ned any e>&dent&ary Ce&*t and >a()e. It +,st 6e
stressed t1*t t1ere is * si.ni2i0*nt distin0tion 6et<een identi2i0*tion o2 do0,+ent*r= e>iden0e
*nd its 2or+*- o22er. T1e 2or+er is done in t1e 0o,rse o2 t1e pre&tri*-, *nd tri*- is
*00o+p*nied 6= t1e +*rAin. o2 t1e e>iden0e *s *n e/1i6itJ <1i-e t1e -*tter is done on-=
20 | P a g e
<1en t1e p*rt= rests its 0*se. T1e +ere 2*0t t1*t * p*rti0,-*r do0,+ent is identi2ied *nd
+*rAed *s *n e/1i6it does not +e*n t1*t it 1*s *-re*d= 6een o22ered *s p*rt o2 t1e
e>iden0e. It +,st 6e e+p1*siHed t1*t *n= e>iden0e <1i01 * p*rt= desires to s,6+it 2or t1e
0onsider*tion o2 t1e 0o,rt +,st 2or+*--= 6e o22ered 6= t1e p*rt=J ot1er<ise, it is e/0-,ded
*nd reBe0ted.
3?75


Ce reiter*ted t1e *6o>e r,-in. in )i$on v. Court of ,a' Appeals
3?95
<1ere one o2 t1e iss,es
presented <*s <1et1er t1e Co,rt o2 T*/ Appe*-s *nd t1e CA .r*>e-= *6,sed t1eir dis0retion
Lin *--o<in. t1e *d+ission o2 t1e pie0es o2 e>iden0e <1i01 <ere not 2or+*--= o22eredM 6= t1e
B,re*, o2 Intern*- Re>en,e.
3?F5
In 2indin. t1e 0*se i+pressed <it1 +erit, t1e Co,rt 1e-d
t1*t:

Under "e0tion F o2 RA 442I, t1e CTA is 0*te.ori0*--= des0ri6ed *s * 0o,rt o2 re0ord. As 0*ses
2i-ed 6e2ore it *re -iti.*ted de novo, p*rt=&-iti.*nts s1*-- pro>e e>er= +in,te *spe0t o2 t1eir
0*ses. Ind,6it*6-=, no e>identi*r= >*-,e 0*n 6e .i>en t1e pie0es o2 e>iden0e s,6+itted 6=
t1e BIR, *s t1e r,-es on do0,+ent*r= e>iden0e reE,ire t1*t t1ese do0,+ents +,st 6e
2or+*--= o22ered 6e2ore t1e CTA. / / /

/ / / /

/ / / 3T51e present*tion o2 t1e BIR@s e>iden0e is not * +ere pro0ed,r*- te01ni0*-it= <1i01
+*= 6e disre.*rded 0onsiderin. t1*t it is t1e on-= +e*ns 6= <1i01 t1e CTA +*= *s0ert*in
*nd >eri2= t1e tr,t1 o2 BIR@s 0-*i+s *.*inst t1e Est*te. T1e BIR@s 2*i-,re to 2or+*--= o22er
t1ese pie0es o2 e>iden0e, despite CTA@s dire0ti>es, is 2*t*- to its 0*,se. ",01 2*i-,re is
*..r*>*ted 6= t1e 2*0t t1*t not e>en * sin.-e re*son <*s *d>*n0ed 6= t1e BIR to B,sti2= s,01
2*t*- o+ission. T1is, <e t*Ae *.*inst t1e BIR.
3?G5



Ce *re not ,n*<*re t1*t t1ere is *n e/0eption to t1e *6o>e&st*ted r,-e. In People
v. Mate,
3I85
"i->estre #*te :#*te; <*s 01*r.ed <it1 t1e 0ri+e o2 LYidn*ppin. 2or R*nso+ <it1
#,rder *nd Fr,str*ted #,rder.M
3I45
D,rin. *rr*i.n+ent, 1e entered * p-e* o2 L.,i-t=.M T1e
0o,rt t1en propo,nded 0-*ri2i0*tor= E,estions to deter+ine <1et1er t1e *00,sed ,nderstood
t1e 0onseE,en0es o2 1is p-e*. I++edi*te-= t1ere*2ter, t1e tri*- 0o,rt pro+,-.*ted its
de0ision 2indin. t1e *00,sed .,i-t= *s 01*r.ed *nd senten0ed 1i+ to de*t1.
3I25
It <*s on-=
*2ter t1e rendition o2 t1e B,d.+ent t1*t t1e tri*- 0o,rt 0ond,0ted 1e*rin.s 2or t1e re0eption
o2 t1e prose0,tion@s e>iden0e.
3ID5


Fro+ t1e prose0,tion@s e>iden0e, it <o,-d *ppe*r t1*t d,rin. t1e in>esti.*tion, #*te
>o-,nt*ri-= +*de e/tr*&B,di0i*- st*te+ents *s 0ont*ined in E/1i6its LA,M LB,M *nd L).M A-so,
*2ter 1is 0on>i0tion, 1e *ppe*red *s <itness 2or t1e prose0,tion *.*inst 1is 0o&*00,sed <1ere
1e *22ir+ed 1is e/tr*&B,di0i*- st*te+ents in E/1i6its LA,M LB,M *nd L).M Ho<e>er, t1e st*te
prose0,tor 2*i-ed to 2or+*--= o22er s*id e/1i6its.

In de6,nAin. t1e de2ense@s 0ontentions t1*t t1e tri*- 0o,rt erred in renderin. * B,d.+ent o2
0on>i0tion on #*te e>en 6e2ore t1e prose0,tion 0o,-d present its e>iden0e, *nd in
0onsiderin. t1e e/1i6its <1i01 <ere not 2or+*--= o22ered, t1e Co,rt 1e-d
t1,s:

T1e de2ense 0ontends t1*t t1e tri*- 0o,rt 0o++itted * serio,s error in renderin.
B,d.+ent o2 0on>i0tion i++edi*te-= *2ter #*te 1*d p-e*ded .,i-t= to t1e 0ri+e 01*r.ed on
t1e 6*sis o2 1is p-e* o2 .,i-t= *nd 6e2ore re0ei>in. *n= e>iden0e. C1i-e t1e tri*- 0o,rt
0o++itted *n error in renderin. B,d.+ent i++edi*te-= *2ter t1e *00,sed 1*d p-e*ded .,i-t=,
*nd, t1ere*2ter, 0ond,0ted 1e*rin.s 2or t1e re0eption o2 t1e e>iden0e 2or t1e prose0,tion,
s,01 *n irre.,-*rit=, is ins,22i0ient to B,sti2= t1e settin. *side o2 t1e B,d.+ent o2 0on>i0tion,
0onsiderin. t1*t it is s,pported 6= t1e B,di0i*- *nd e/tr*&B,di0i*- 0on2essions o2 t1e *00,sed
*nd 6= ot1er e>iden0e. / / /

/ / / /

T1e de2ense E,estions *-so t1e 2*i-,re o2 t1e st*te prose0,tor Corne-io #e-endres
to +*Ae * 2or+*- o22er o2 1is e/1i6its, *-t1o,.1 t1e= 1*>e 6een +*rAed *nd identi2ied. ",01
*n o>ersi.1t *ppe*rs tri>i*- 6e0*,se t1e entire e>iden0e 2or t1e prose0,tion is
re0orded. E>en <it1o,t t1e e/1i6its <1i01 1*>e 6een in0orpor*ted into t1e re0ords o2 t1e
0*se, t1e prose0,tion 0*n sti-- est*6-is1 t1e 0*se 6e0*,se t1e <itnesses proper-= identi2ied
t1ose e/1i6its *nd t1eir testi+onies *re re0orded.

E/1i6its LAM, LBM, *nd L)M *re *-- *d+issi6-e *.*inst #*te 6e0*,se it *ppe*rs <it1
0-*rit= t1*t 1e >o-,nt*ri-= *nd spont*neo,s-= .*>e t1ose n*rr*tions <it1o,t 0o+p,-sion 2ro+
*n=6od=. In 2*0t, . . . <1en 1e testi2ied *.*inst Ben Bo1o- 1e *22ir+ed t1ose n*rr*tions
*.*in.
3I?5


In Mato v. Court of Appeals,
3II5
<e 0on0retiHed t1e *6o>e r,-in. 6= 1o-din. t1*t e>iden0e,
*-t1o,.1 not 2or+*--= o22ered in e>iden0e, +*= 6e L*d+itted *nd 0onsidered 6= t1e tri*-
0o,rt pro>ided t1e 2o--o<in. reE,ire+ents *re present, vi$: 2irst, t1e s*+e +,st 1*>e 6een
d,-= identi2ied 6= testi+on= d,-= re0orded *nd, se0ond, t1e s*+e +,st 1*>e 6een
in0orpor*ted in t1e re0ords o2 t1e 0*se.M
3I75
In %a#os v. )i$on,
3I95
<e dee+ed t1e e/1i6its to
1*>e 6een in0orpor*ted into t1e re0ords 6e0*,se t1e= 1*d 6een Lpresented *nd +*rAed
d,rin. t1e pre&tri*- o2 t1e 0*se.M
3IF5
LiAe<ise, t1e 2irst reE,isite <*s dee+ed s*tis2ied
6e0*,se one o2 t1e p*rties t1erein e/p-*ined t1e 0ontents o2 t1e e/1i6its <1en interro.*ted
6= t1e respondents@ 0o,nse-.
3IG5

In t1e inst*nt 0*se, <e 2ind t1e r,-in.s espo,sed in People v. Mate,
3785
Mato v. Court of
Appeals,
3745
*nd %a#os v. )i$on
3725
not *pp-i0*6-e. T1,s, <e 2ind t1*t 6ot1 t1e tri*- 0o,rt *nd
t1e CA erred in *--o<in. t1e *d+ission o2 LAAA@sM +edi0*- 0erti2i0*te *nd 6irt1
0erti2i0*te. T1e re0ords <o,-d s1o< t1*t t1e -one <itness 2or t1e prose0,tion did not identi2=
t1e s*id e/1i6its or e/p-*in t1eir 0ontents. C1en LAAAM <*s p-*0ed on t1e <itness st*nd, s1e
+ere-= st*ted t1*t s1e <*s 4D =e*rs o-d. No re2eren0e <*s e>er +*de to 1er 6irt1
0erti2i0*te. T1e s*+e is tr,e <it1 t1e +edi0*- 0erti2i0*te. A2ter t1e +*rAin. d,rin. t1e pre&
tri*-, t1e prose0,tion did not re2er to it in *n= st*.e o2 t1e pro0eedin.s. Neit1er did it
present t1e do0tor <1o prep*red t1e s*+e.

21 | P a g e
#oreo>er, *ppe--*nt@s *d+ission d,rin. t1e pre&tri*- t1*t LAAAM <*s * +inor 6e-o< 42 =e*rs
o2 *.e
37D5
<o,-d not 1e-p t1e prose0,tion@s 0*se. First, t1e tri*- 0o,rt 2o,nd t1is *d+ission
in*00,r*te *s in 2*0t, LAAAM <*s *-re*d= *6o>e 42 =e*rs o2 *.e <1en t1e r*pe in0ident
tr*nspired on ),ne G, 2882. "e0ond *nd +ore i+port*nt, *ppe--*nt@s *d+ission d,rin. pre&
tri*- is not *d+issi6-e *s it >io-*tes "e0tion 2, R,-e 44F o2 t1e R,-es o2 Co,rt <1i01 e/p-i0it-=
pro>ides t1*t: LA-- *.ree+ents or *d+issions +*de or entered d,rin. t1e pre&tri*-
0on2eren0e s1*-- 6e red,0ed in <ritin. *nd si.ned 6= t1e *00,sed *nd 1is 0o,nse-, ot1er<ise
t1e= 0*nnot 6e ,sed *.*inst t1e *00,sed. / / /.M In People v. Chua 3y,
37?5
<e 1e-d t1*t:

E>en .r*ntin. 2or t1e s*Ae o2 *r.,+ent t1*t RA#N *d+itted d,rin. t1e pre&tri*- t1*t
E/1i6its LDM to LD&?M, in0-,si>e, *nd E/1i6it LEM 0ont*ined +et1*+p1et*+ine 1=dro01-oride,
t1e *d+ission 0*nnot 6e ,sed in e>iden0e *.*inst 1i+ +ecause the Joint .rder was not
signed +y %AM.N and his counsel. "e0tion ? o2 R,-e 44F o2 t1e R,-es o2 Co,rt e/press-=
pro>ides:

"EC. ?. Pre-trial agree#ents #ust +e signed. No *.ree+ent or *d+ission +*de or entered
d,rin. t1e pre&tri*- 0on2eren0e s1*-- 6e ,sed in e>iden0e *.*inst t1e *00,sed ,n-ess red,0ed
to <ritin. *nd si.ned 6= 1is 0o,nse-.

P,t in *not1er <*=, to 6ind t1e *00,sed t1e pre&tri*- order +,st 6e si.ned not on-= 6= 1i+
6,t 1is 0o,nse- *s <e--. T1e p,rpose o2 t1is reE,ire+ent is to 2,rt1er s*2e.,*rd t1e ri.1ts o2
t1e *00,sed *.*inst i+pro>ident or ,n*,t1oriHed *.ree+ents or *d+issions <1i01 1is
0o,nse- +*= 1*>e entered into <it1o,t 1is Ano<-ed.e, *s 1e +*= 1*>e <*i>ed 1is presen0e
*t t1e pre&tri*- 0on2eren0eJ e-i+in*te *n= do,6t on t1e 0on2or+it= o2 t1e *00,sed o2 t1e 2*0ts
*.reed ,pon.


In t1is 0*se, re0ords <o,-d s1o< t1*t t1e Pre&tri*- rder <*s not si.ned 6= 6ot1 *ppe--*nt
*nd 1is 0o,nse-.

In >ie< o2 t1e 2ore.oin., <e 2ind t1*t t1e prose0,tion did not present *n= s*tis2*0tor=
e>iden0e to pro>e LAAA@sM +inorit=. LIn t1e prose0,tion o2 0ri+in*- 0*ses, / / /, not1in. 6,t
proo2 6e=ond re*son*6-e do,6t o2 e>er= 2*0t ne0ess*r= to 0onstit,te t1e 0ri+e <it1 <1i01 *n
*00,sed is 01*r.ed +,st 6e est*6-is1ed. !,*-i2=in. 0ir0,+st*n0es or spe0i*- E,*-i2=in.
0ir0,+st*n0es +,st 6e pro>ed <it1 eE,*- 0ert*int= *nd 0-e*rness *s t1e 0ri+e itse-2J
ot1er<ise, t1ere 0*n 6e no 0on>i0tion o2 t1e 0ri+e in its E,*-i2ied 2or+. As * E,*-i2=in.
0ir0,+st*n0e o2 t1e 0ri+e o2 r*pe, t1e 0on0,rren0e o2 t1e >i0ti+@s +inorit= *nd 1er
re-*tions1ip to t1e *00,sed&*ppe--*nt +,st 6e 6ot1 *--e.ed *nd pro>en 6e=ond re*son*6-e
do,6t.M
37I5


In >ie< o2 t1e 2ore.oin., <e 2ind *ppe--*nt .,i-t= on-= o2 t1ree 0o,nts o2 si+p-e r*pe
3775
t1e
pen*-t= 2or <1i01 is reclusion perpetua 2or e*01 0o,nt. A00ordin.-=, t1e *<*rds o2 0i>i-
inde+nit= +,st 6e red,0ed to PI8,888.88 *nd +or*- d*+*.es toPI8,888.88. Fin*--=, t1e
*<*rd o2 e/e+p-*r= d*+*.es is proper. LE/e+p-*r= d*+*.es +*= 6e *<*rded in 0ri+in*-
0*ses *s p*rt o2 0i>i- -i*6i-it= i2 t1e 0ri+e <*s 0o++itted <it1 one or +ore *..r*>*tin.
0ir0,+st*n0es. Re-*tions1ip *s *n *-tern*ti>e 0ir0,+st*n0e ,nder Arti0-e 4I o2 t1e Re>ised
Pen*- Code is 0onsidered *..r*>*tin. in t1e 0ri+e o2 r*pe.M
3795
In t1is 0*se, t1e *..r*>*tin.
0ir0,+st*n0e o2 re-*tions1ip <*s d,-= est*6-is1ed. Appe--*nt 1i+se-2 *d+itted <1en 1e
testi2ied in open 0o,rt t1*t 1e is LAAA@sM 2*t1er. Ho<e>er, t1e *<*rd o2 P2I,888.88 *s
e/e+p-*r= d*+*.es +,st 6e in0re*sed to PD8,888.88 in -ine <it1 pre>*i-in. B,rispr,den0e.
37F5


.HERE"ORE, <e 2ind *ppe--*nt "*t,rnino Vi--*n,e>* +UILTY o2 t1ree 0o,nts o2 si+p-e r*pe
*nd *00ordin.-= senten0e 1i+ to s,22er t1e pen*-t= o2 reclusion perpetua *nd to inde+ni2= 1is
>i0ti+ LAAAM t1e *+o,nts o2 PI8,888.88 *s 0i>i- inde+nit=,PI8,888.88 *s +or*- d*+*.es,
*nd PD8,888.88 *s e/e+p-*r= d*+*.es, 2or e*01 0o,nt.

SO ORDERED.


PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP
I+.R. N1. 22733;. "ebr)ary 8, 8666J
MENANDRO -. LAUREANO, petitioner, vs. COURT O" APPEALS AND SIN+APORE
AIRLINES LIMITED,respondents.
D E C I S I O N
:UISUM-IN+, J.:
T1is petition 2or re>ie< on certiorari ,nder R,-e ?I o2 t1e R,-es o2 Co,rt seeAs to re>erse t1e
De0ision o2 t1e Co,rt o2 Appe*-s, d*ted 0to6er 2G, 4GGD, in C.A. $.R. No. CV D??97, *s <e--
*s its Reso-,tion d*ted Fe6r,*r= 2F, 4GG?, <1i01 denied t1e +otion 2or re0onsider*tion.
T1e 2*0ts o2 t1e 0*se *s s,++*riHed 6= t1e respondent *ppe--*te 0o,rt *re *s 2o--o<s:
Q"o+eti+e in 4G9F, p-*inti22 3#en*ndro B. L*,re*no, 1erein petitioner5, t1en Dire0tor o2
F-i.1t per*tions *nd C1ie2 Pi-ot o2 Air #*ni-*, *pp-ied 2or e+p-o=+ent <it1 de2end*nt
0o+p*n= 31erein pri>*te respondent5 t1ro,.1 its Are* #*n*.er in #*ni-*.
n "epte+6er D8, 4G9F, *2ter t1e ,s,*- person*- inter>ie<, de2end*nt <rote to p-*inti22,
o22erin. * 0ontr*0t o2 e+p-o=+ent *s *n e/p*tri*te B&989 0*pt*in 2or *n ori.in*- period o2
t<o :2; =e*rs 0o++en0in. on )*n,*r= 24, 4G9F, P-*inti22 *00epted t1e o22er *nd 0o++en0ed
<orAin. on )*n,*r= 28, 4G9G. A2ter p*ssin. t1e si/&+ont1 pro6*tion period, p-*inti22Rs
*ppoint+ent <*s 0on2ir+ed e22e0ti>e ),-= 24, 4G9G. :Anne/ QBQ, p. D8, Ro--o;.
n ),-= 24, 4G9G, de2end*nt o22ered p-*inti22 *n e/tension o2 1is t<o&=e*r 0ontr*0t to 2i>e :I;
=e*rs e22e0ti>e )*n,*r= 24, 4G9G to )*n,*r= 28, 4GF? s,6Be0t to t1e ter+s *nd 0onditions set
2ort1 in t1e 0ontr*0t o2 e+p-o=+ent, <1i01 t1e -*tter *00epted :Anne/ QCQ, p. D4, Re0.;.
D,rin. 1is ser>i0e *s B&989 0*pt*in, p-*inti22 on A,.,st 2?, 4GF8, <1i-e in 0o++*nd o2 *
2-i.1t, 0o++itted * noise >io-*tion o22ense *t t1e ',ri01 Airport, 2or <1i01 p-*inti22
*po-o.iHed. :E/1. QDQ, p. D89, Re0.;.
"o+eti+e in 4GF8, p-*inti22 2e*t,red in * t*i- s0r*pin. in0ident <1erein t1e t*i- o2 t1e *ir0r*2t
s0r*ped or to,01ed t1e r,n<*= d,rin. -*ndin.. He <*s s,spended 2or * 2e< d*=s ,nti- 1e <*s
in>esti.*ted 6= * 6o*rd 1e*ded 6= C*pt. C1o=. He <*s repri+*nded. "0B,ris
n "epte+6er 2I, 4GF4, p-*inti22 <*s in>ited to t*Ae * 0o,rse o2 A&D88 0on>ersion tr*inin. *t
Aero2or+*0ion, To,-o,se, Fr*n0e *t de2end*ntRs e/pense. H*>in. s,00ess2,--= 0o+p-eted *nd
p*ssed t1e tr*inin. 0o,rse, p-*inti22 <*s 0-e*red on Apri- 9, 4GF4 2or so-o d,t= *s 0*pt*in o2
t1e Air6,s A&D88 *nd s,6seE,ent-= *ppointed *s 0*pt*in o2 t1e A&D88 2-eet 0o++*ndin. *n
Air6,s A&D88 in 2-i.1ts o>er "o,t1e*st Asi*. :Anne/es QDQ, QEQ *nd QFQ, pp. D?&DF, Re0.;.
"o+eti+e in 4GF2, de2end*nt, 1it 6= * re0ession, initi*ted 0ost&0,ttin. +e*s,res. "e>enteen
:49; e/p*tri*te 0*pt*ins in t1e Air6,s 2-eet <ere 2o,nd in e/0ess o2 t1e de2end*ntRs
reE,ire+ent :t.s.n., ),-= 7, 4GFF. p. 44;. ConseE,ent-=, de2end*nt in2or+ed its e/p*tri*te
22 | P a g e
pi-ots in0-,din. p-*inti22 o2 t1e sit,*tion *nd *d>ised t1e+ to t*Ae *d>*n0e -e*>es. :E/1. Q4IQ,
p. ?77, Re0.;.
Re*-iHin. t1*t t1e re0ession <o,-d not 6e 2or * s1ort ti+e, de2end*nt de0ided to ter+in*te its
e/0ess personne- :t.s.n., ),-= 7, 4GFF, p. 49;. It did not, 1o<e>er, i++edi*te-= ter+in*te itRs
A&D88 pi-ots. It re>ie<ed t1eir E,*-i2i0*tions 2or possi6-e pro+otion to t1e B&9?9 2-eet. A+on.
t1e 49 e/0ess Air6,s pi-ots re>ie<ed, t<e->e <ere 2o,nd E,*-i2ied. Un2ort,n*te-=, p-*inti22 <*s
not one o2 t1e t<e->e. ),riss0
n 0to6er I, 4GF2, de2end*nt in2or+ed p-*inti22 o2 1is ter+in*tion e22e0ti>e No>e+6er 4,
4GF2 *nd t1*t 1e <i-- 6e p*id t1ree :D; +ont1s s*-*r= in -ie, o2 t1ree +ont1s noti0e :Anne/
QIQ, pp. ?4&?2, Re0.;. Be0*,se 1e 0o,-d not ,proot 1is 2*+i-= on s,01 s1ort noti0e, p-*inti22
reE,ested * t1ree&+ont1 noti0e to *22ord 1i+ ti+e to e/1*,st *-- possi6-e *>en,es 2or
re0onsider*tion *nd retention. De2end*nt .*>e on-= t<o :2; +ont1s noti0e *nd one :4;
+ont1 s*-*r=. :t.s.n., No>. 42, 4GF9. p. 2I;.
A..rie>ed, p-*inti22 on ),ne 2G, 4GFD, instit,ted * 0*se 2or i--e.*- dis+iss*- 6e2ore t1e L*6or
Ar6iter. De2end*nt +o>ed to dis+iss on B,risdi0tion*- .ro,nds. Be2ore s*id +otion <*s
reso->ed, t1e 0o+p-*int <*s <it1dr*<n. T1ere*2ter, p-*inti22 2i-ed t1e inst*nt 0*se 2or
d*+*.es d,e to i--e.*- ter+in*tion o2 0ontr*0t o2 ser>i0es 6e2ore t1e 0o,rt * E,o :Co+p-*int,
pp. 4&48, Re0.;.
A.*in, de2end*nt on Fe6r,*r= 44, 4GF9 2i-ed * +otion to dis+iss *--e.in. inter *-i*: :4; t1*t
t1e 0o,rt 1*s no B,risdi0tion o>er t1e s,6Be0t +*tter o2 t1e 0*se, *nd :2; t1*t P1i-ippine
0o,rts 1*>e no B,risdi0tion o>er t1e inst*nt 0*se. De2end*nt 0ontends t1*t t1e 0o+p-*int is
2or i--e.*- dis+iss*- to.et1er <it1 * +one= 0-*i+ *risin. o,t o2 *nd in t1e 0o,rse o2 p-*inti22Rs
e+p-o=+ent Qt1,s it is t1e L*6or Ar6iter *nd t1e NLRC <1o 1*>e t1e B,risdi0tion p,rs,*nt to
Arti0-e 249 o2 t1e L*6or CodeQ *nd t1*t, sin0e p-*inti22 <*s e+p-o=ed in "in.*pore, *-- ot1er
*spe0ts o2 1is e+p-o=+ent 0ontr*0t *ndKor do0,+ents e/e0,ted in "in.*pore. T1,s,
de2end*nt post,-*tes t1*t "in.*pore -*<s s1o,-d *pp-= *nd 0o,rts t1ere*t s1*-- 1*>e
B,risdi0tion. :pp. I8&7G, Re0.;. #isB,ris
In tr*>ersin. de2end*ntRs *r.,+ents, p-*inti22 0-*i+ed t1*t: :4; <1ere t1e ite+s de+*nded in
* 0o+p-*int *re t1e n*t,r*- 0onseE,en0es 2-o<in. 2ro+ * 6re*01 o2 *n o6-i.*tion *nd not
-*6or 6ene2its, t1e 0*se is intrinsi0*--= * 0i>i- disp,teJ :2; t1e 0*se in>o->es * E,estion t1*t is
6e=ond t1e 2ie-d o2 spe0i*-iH*tion o2 -*6or *r6itersJ *nd :D; i2 t1e 0o+p-*int is .ro,nded not
on t1e e+p-o=eeRs dis+iss*- per se 6,t on t1e +*nner o2 s*id dis+iss*- *nd t1e 0onseE,en0e
t1ereo2, t1e 0*se 2*--s ,nder t1e B,risdi0tion o2 t1e 0i>i- 0o,rts. :pp. 98&9D, Re0.;
n #*r01 2D, 4GF9, t1e 0o,rt * E,o denied de2end*ntRs +otion to dis+iss :pp. F2&F?, I6id;.
T1e +otion 2or re0onsider*tion <*s -iAe<ise denied. :p. GI i6id;
n "epte+6er 47, 4GF9, de2end*nt 2i-ed its *ns<er reiter*tin. t1e .ro,nds re-ied ,pon in its
+otion to dis+iss *nd 2,rt1er *r.,in. t1*t p-*inti22 is 6*rred 6= -*01es, <*i>er, *nd estoppe-
2ro+ instit,tin. t1e 0o+p-*int *nd t1*t 1e 1*s no 0*,se o2 *0tion. :pp. 482&44I;Q
345
n Apri- 48, 4GG4, t1e tri*- 0o,rt 1*nded do<n its de0ision in 2*>or o2 p-*inti22. T1e
dispositi>e portion o2 <1i01 re*ds:
QCHEREFRE, B,d.+ent is 1ere6= rendered in 2*>or o2 p-*inti22 #en*ndro L*,re*no *nd
*.*inst de2end*nt "in.*pore Air-ines Li+ited, orderin. de2end*nt to p*= p-*inti22 t1e *+o,nts
o2 &
"INVDG7,48?.88, or its eE,i>*-ent in P1i-ippine 0,rren0= *t t1e 0,rrent r*te o2 e/01*n.e *t
t1e ti+e o2 p*=+ent, *s *nd 2or ,ne*rned 0o+pens*tion <it1 -e.*- interest 2ro+ t1e 2i-in. o2
t1e 0o+p-*int ,nti- 2,--= p*idJ )B-e/
"INV4I?,9?2.88, or its eE,i>*-ent in P1i-ippine 0,rren0= *t t1e 0,rrent r*te o2 e/01*n.e *t
t1e ti+e o2 p*=+entJ *nd t1e 2,rt1er *+o,nts o2 P79,I88.88 *s 0onseE,enti*- d*+*.es <it1
-e.*- interest 2ro+ t1e 2i-in. o2 t1e 0o+p-*int ,nti- 2,--= p*idJ
P4,888,888.88 *s *nd 2or +or*- d*+*.esJ P4,888,888.88 *s *nd 2or e/e+p-*r= d*+*.esJ
*nd P488,888.88 *s *nd 2or *ttorne=Rs 2ees.
Costs *.*inst de2end*nt.
" RDERED.Q
325
"in.*pore Air-ines ti+e-= *ppe*-ed 6e2ore t1e respondent 0o,rt *nd r*ised t1e iss,es o2
B,risdi0tion, >*-idit= o2 ter+in*tion, estoppe-, *nd d*+*.es.
n 0to6er 2G, 4GGD, t1e *ppe--*te 0o,rt set *side t1e de0ision o2 t1e tri*- 0o,rt, t1,s,
Q...In t1e inst*nt 0*se, t1e *0tion 2or d*+*.es d,e to i--e.*- ter+in*tion <*s 2i-ed 6= p-*inti22&
*ppe--ee on-= on )*n,*r= F, 4GF9 or +ore t1*n 2o,r :?; =e*rs *2ter t1e e22e0ti>it= d*te o2 1is
dis+iss*- on No>e+6er 4, 4GF2. C-e*r-=, p-*inti22&*ppe--eeRs *0tion 1*s *-re*d= pres0ri6ed.
CHEREFRE, t1e *ppe*-ed de0ision is 1ere6= REVER"ED *nd "ET A"IDE. T1e 0o+p-*int is
1ere6= dis+issed.
" RDERED.Q
3D5
Ne<+iso
PetitionerRs *nd "in.*pore Air-inesR respe0ti>e +otions 2or re0onsider*tion <ere denied.
No<, 6e2ore t1e Co,rt, petitioner poses t1e 2o--o<in. E,eries:
4. I" THE PRE"ENT ACTIN NE BA"ED N CNTRACT CHICH PRE"CRIBE" IN TEN
%EAR" UNDER ARTICLE 44?? F THE NEC CIVIL CDE R NE FR DA#A$E" ARI"IN$
FR# AN IN)UR% T THE RI$HT" F THE PLAINTIFF CHICH PRE"CRIBE" IN FUR %EAR"
UNDER ARTICLE 44?7 F THE NEC CIVIL CDES
2. CAN AN E#PL%EE CITH A FIXED PERID F E#PL%#ENT BE RETRENCHED B% HI"
E#PL%ERS
D. CAN THERE BE VALID RETRENCH#ENT IF AN E#PL%ER #EREL% FAIL" T REALI'E
THE EXPECTED PRFIT" EVEN IF IT CERE NT, IN FACT, INCURRIN$ L""E"S
At t1e o,tset, <e 2ind it ne0ess*r= to st*te o,r 0on0,rren0e on t1e *ss,+ption o2 B,risdi0tion
6= t1e Re.ion*- Tri*- Co,rt o2 #*ni-*, Br*n01 G. T1e tri*- 0o,rt ri.1t-= r,-ed on t1e *pp-i0*tion
o2 P1i-ippine -*<, t1,s: A00t+is
QNeit1er 0*n t1e Co,rt deter+ine <1et1er t1e ter+in*tion o2 t1e p-*inti22 is -e.*- ,nder t1e
"in.*pore L*<s 6e0*,se o2 t1e de2end*ntRs 2*i-,re to s1o< <1i01 spe0i2i0 -*<s o2 "in.*pore
L*<s *pp-= to t1is 0*se. As s,6st*nti*--= dis0,ssed in t1e pre0edin. p*r*.r*p1s, t1e
P1i-ippine Co,rts do not t*Ae B,di0i*- noti0e o2 t1e -*<s o2 "in.*pore. T1e de2end*nt t1*t
0-*i+s t1e *pp-i0*6i-it= o2 t1e "in.*pore L*<s to t1is 0*se 1*s t1e 6,rden o2 proo2. T1e
de2end*nt 1*s 2*i-ed to do so. T1ere2ore, t1e P1i-ippine -*< s1o,-d 6e *pp-ied.Q
3?5
Respondent Co,rt o2 Appe*-s *0E,ired B,risdi0tion <1en de2end*nt 2i-ed its *ppe*- 6e2ore s*id
0o,rt.
3I5
n t1is +*tter, respondent 0o,rt <*s 0orre0t <1en it 6*rred de2end*nt&*ppe--*nt
6e-o< 2ro+ r*isin. 2,rt1er t1e iss,e o2 B,risdi0tion.
375
Petitioner no< r*ises t1e iss,e o2 <1et1er 1is *0tion is one 6*sed on Arti0-e 44?? or on
Arti0-e 44?7 o2 t1e Ci>i- Code. A00ordin. to 1i+, 1is ter+in*tion o2 e+p-o=+ent e22e0ti>e
No>e+6er 4, 4GF2, <*s 6*sed on *n e+p-o=+ent 0ontr*0t <1i01 is ,nder Arti0-e 44??, so 1is
*0tion s1o,-d pres0ri6e in 48 =e*rs *s pro>ided 2or in s*id *rti0-e. T1,s 1e 0-*i+s t1e r,-in.
o2 t1e *ppe--*te 0o,rt 6*sed on Arti0-e 44?7 <1ere pres0ription is on-= 2o,r :?; =e*rs, is *n
error. T1e *ppe--*te 0o,rt 0on0-,ded t1*t t1e *0tion 2or i--e.*- dis+iss*- ori.in*--= 2i-ed 6e2ore
t1e L*6or Ar6iter on ),ne 2G, 4GFD, 6,t <1i01 <*s <it1dr*<n, t1en 2i-ed *.*in in 4GF9
6e2ore t1e Re.ion*- Tri*- Co,rt, 1*d *-re*d= pres0ri6ed.
In o,r >ie<, neit1er Arti0-e 44??
395
nor Arti0-e 44?7
3F5
o2 t1e Ci>i- Code is 1ere pertinent. C1*t
is *pp-i0*6-e is Arti0-e 2G4 o2 t1e L*6or Code, vi$:
23 | P a g e
QArticle 87!. #one= 0-*i+s. & A-- +one= 0-*i+s *risin. 2ro+ e+p-o=ee&e+p-o=er re-*tions
*00r,in. d,rin. t1e e22e0ti>it= o2 t1is Code s1*-- 6e 2i-ed <it1in t1ree :D; =e*rs 2ro+ t1e ti+e
t1e 0*,se o2 *0tion *00r,edJ ot1er<ise t1e= s1*-- 6e 2ore>er 6*rred.
/ / /Q #is*0t
C1*t r,-es on pres0ription s1o,-d *pp-= in 0*ses -iAe t1is one 1*s -on. 6een de0ided 6= t1is
Co,rt. In i--e.*- dis+iss*-, it is sett-ed, t1*t t1e ten&=e*r pres0ripti>e period 2i/ed in Arti0-e
44?? o2 t1e Ci>i- Code ,ay n1t 6e in>oAed 6= petitioners, 2or t1e Ci>i- Code is * -*< o2
.ener*- *pp-i0*tion, <1i-e t1e pres0ripti>e period 2i/ed in Arti0-e 2G2 o2 t1e L*6or Code 3no<
Arti0-e 2G45 is * "PECIAL LAC *pp-i0*6-e to 0-*i+s *risin. 2ro+ e+p-o=ee&e+p-o=er re-*tions.
3G5
#ore re0ent-= in )e Gu$#an. vs. Court of Appeals,
3485
<1ere t1e +one= 0-*i+ <*s 6*sed on *
<ritten 0ontr*0t, t1e Co--e0ti>e B*r.*inin. A.ree+ent, t1e Co,rt 1e-d:
Q...T1e -*n.,*.e o2 Art. 2G4 o2 t1e L*6or Code does not -i+it its *pp-i0*tion on-= to R+one=
0-*i+s spe0i2i0*--= re0o>er*6-e ,nder s*id CodeR 6,t 0o>ers *-- +one= 0-*i+s *risin. 2ro+ *n
e+p-o=ee&e+p-o=er re-*tionsQ :Citin. Cadalin v. P.&A Ad#inistrator, 2DF "CRA 924, 97?
34GG?5J *nd 3y v. National 9a+or %elations Co##ission, 274 "CRA I8I, I4I 34GG75;. ...
It s1o,-d 6e noted 2,rt1er t1*t Arti0-e 2G4 o2 t1e L*6or Code is * spe0i*- -*< *pp-i0*6-e to
+one= 0-*i+s *risin. 2ro+ e+p-o=er&e+p-o=ee re-*tionsJ t1,s, it ne0ess*ri-= pre>*i-s o>er
Arti0-e 44?? o2 t1e Ci>i- Code, * .ener*- -*<. B*si0 is t1e r,-e in st*t,tor= 0onstr,0tion t1*t
R<1ere t<o st*t,tes *re o2 eE,*- t1eoreti0*- *pp-i0*tion to * p*rti0,-*r 0*se, t1e one desi.ned
t1ere2ore s1o,-d pre>*i-.R :Citin. 9everi$a v. "nter#ediate Appellate Court, 4I9 "CRA 2F2,
2G?.; Generalia speciali+us non derogant.:
3445
In t1e -i.1t o2 Arti0-e 2G4, *2ore0ited, <e *.ree <it1 t1e *ppe--*te 0o,rtRs 0on0-,sion t1*t
petitionerRs *0tion 2or da#ages due to illegal ter#ination 2i-ed *.*in on )*n,*r= F, 4GF9 or
+ore t1*n 2o,r :?; =e*rs *2ter t1e e22e0ti>e d*te o2 1is dis+iss*- on No>e+6er 4, 4GF2 1*s
*-re*d= pres0ri6ed.
QIn t1e inst*nt 0*se, t1e *0tion 2or d*+*.es d,e to i--e.*- ter+in*tion <*s 2i-ed 6= p-*inti22&
*ppe--ee on-= on )*n,*r= F, 4GF9 or +ore t1*n 2o,r :?; =e*rs *2ter t1e e22e0ti>it= d*te o2 1is
dis+iss*- on No>e+6er 4, 4GF2. C-e*r-=, p-*inti22&*ppe--eeRs *0tion 1*s *-re*d= pres0ri6ed.Q
Ce 6*se o,r 0on0-,sion not on Arti0-e 44?? o2 t1e Ci>i- Code 6,t on Arti0-e 2G4 o2 t1e L*6or
Code, <1i01 sets t1e pres0ription period *t t1ree :D; =e*rs *nd <1i01 .o>erns ,nder t1is
B,risdi0tion.
Petitioner 0-*i+s t1*t t1e r,nnin. o2 t1e pres0ripti>e period <*s to--ed <1en 1e 2i-ed 1is
0o+p-*int 2or i--e.*- dis+iss*- 6e2ore t1e L*6or Ar6iter o2 t1e N*tion*- L*6or Re-*tions
Co++ission. Ho<e>er, t1is 0-*i+ deser>es s0*nt 0onsider*tionJ it 1*s no -e.*- -e. to st*nd
on. In .ly#pia "nternational, "nc. vs. Court of Appeals, <e 1e-d t1*t Q*-t1o,.1 t1e
0o++en0e+ent o2 * 0i>i- *0tion stops t1e r,nnin. o2 t1e st*t,te o2 pres0ription or -i+it*tions,
its dis+iss*- or >o-,nt*r= *6*ndon+ent 6= p-*inti22 -e*>es t1e p*rties in e/*0t-= t1e s*+e
position *s t1o,.1 no *0tion 1*d 6een 0o++en0ed *t *--.Q
3425
No<, *s to <1et1er petitionerRs sep*r*tion 2ro+ t1e 0o+p*n= d,e to retren01+ent <*s >*-id,
t1e *ppe--*te 0o,rt 2o,nd t1*t t1e e+p-o=+ent 0ontr*0t o2 petitioner *--o<ed 2or pre&
ter+in*tion o2 e+p-o=+ent. Ce *.ree <it1 t1e Co,rt o2 Appe*-s <1en it s*id, "dB*d
QIt is * sett-ed r,-e t1*t 0ontr*0ts 1*>e t1e 2or0e o2 -*< 6et<een t1e p*rties. Fro+ t1e
+o+ent t1e s*+e is per2e0ted, t1e p*rties *re 6o,nd not on-= to t1e 2,-2i--+ent o2 <1*t 1*s
6een e/press-= stip,-*ted 6,t *-so to *-- 0onseE,en0es <1i01, *00ordin. to t1eir n*t,re, +*=
6e in Aeepin. <it1 .ood 2*it1, ,s*.e *nd -*<. T1,s, <1en p-*inti22&*ppe--ee *00epted t1e
o22er o2 e+p-o=+ent, 1e <*s 6o,nd 6= t1e ter+s *nd 0onditions set 2ort1 in t1e 0ontr*0t,
*+on. ot1ers, t1e ri.1t o2 +,t,*- ter+in*tion 6= .i>in. t1ree +ont1s <ritten noti0e or 6=
p*=+ent o2 t1ree +ont1s s*-*r=. ",01 pro>ision is 0-e*r *nd re*di-= ,nderst*nd*6-e, 1en0e,
t1ere is no roo+ 2or interpret*tion.Q
/ / /
F,rt1er, p-*inti22&*ppe--eeRs 0ontention t1*t 1e is not 6o,nd 6= t1e pro>isions o2 t1e
A.ree+ent, *s 1e is not * si.n*tor= t1ereto, deser>es no +erit. It +,st 6e noted t1*t <1en
p-*inti22&*ppe--eeRs e+p-o=+ent <*s 0on2ir+ed, 1e *pp-ied 2or +e+6ers1ip <it1 t1e
"in.*pore Air-ines Li+ited :Pi-ots; Asso0i*tion, t1e si.n*tor= to t1e *2ore+entioned
A.ree+ent. As s,01, p-*inti22&*ppe--ee is estopped 2ro+ E,estionin. t1e -e.*-it= o2 t1e s*id
*.ree+ent or *n= pro>iso 0ont*ined t1erein.Q
34D5
#oreo>er, t1e re0ords o2 t1e present 0*se 0-e*r-= s1o< t1*t respondent 0o,rtRs de0ision is
*+p-= s,pported 6= e>iden0e *nd it did not err in its 2indin.s, in0-,din. t1e re*son 2or t1e
retren01+ent:
QC1en de2end*nt&*ppe--*nt <*s 2*0ed <it1 t1e <or-d&<ide re0ession o2 t1e *ir-ine ind,str=
res,-tin. in * s-o< do<n in t1e 0o+p*n=Rs .ro<t1 p*rti0,-*r-= in t1e re.ion*- oper*tion :Asi*n
Are*; <1ere t1e Air6,s D88 oper*tes. It 1*d no 01oi0e 6,t to *dopt 0ost 0,ttin. +e*s,res,
s,01 *s 0,ttin. do<n ser>i0es, n,+6er o2 2reE,en0ies o2 2-i.1ts, *nd red,0tion o2 t1e n,+6er
o2 2-=in. points 2or t1e A&D88 2-eet :t.s.n., ),-= 7, 4GFF, pp. 49&4F;. As * res,-t, de2end*nt&
*ppe--*nt 1*d to -*=o22 A&D88 pi-ots, in0-,din. p-*inti22&*ppe--ee, <1i01 it 2o,nd to 6e in
e/0ess o2 <1*t is re*son*6-= needed.Q
34?5
A-- t1ese 0onsidered, <e 2ind s,22i0ient 2*0t,*- *nd -e.*- 6*sis to 0on0-,de t1*t petitionerRs
ter+in*tion 2ro+ e+p-o=+ent <*s 2or *n *,t1oriHed 0*,se, 2or <1i01 1e <*s .i>en *+p-e
noti0e *nd opport,nit= to 6e 1e*rd, 6= respondent 0o+p*n=. No error nor .r*>e *6,se o2
dis0retion, t1ere2ore, 0o,-d 6e *ttri6,ted to respondent *ppe--*te 0o,rt. "ppeds0
ACCORDIN+LY, t1e inst*nt petition is DI"#I""ED. T1e de0ision o2 t1e Co,rt o2 Appe*-s in
C.A. CV No. D??97 is AFFIR#ED.
SO ORDERED.