86. DANTE V. LIBAN VS.RICHARD J.

GORDON
GR. NO. 175352
Facts:
Petitioners Dante V. Liban, Reynaldo M. Bernardo, and Salvador M. Viari
(petitioners) filed it! t!is "o#rt a Petition to De$lare Ri$!ard %. &ordon as 'avin(
)orfeited 'is Seat in t!e Senate. Petitioners are offi$ers of t!e Board of Dire$tors of t!e
*#e+on "ity Red "ross "!apter !ile respondent is "!air,an of t!e P!ilippine
-ational Red "ross (P-R") Board of &overnors.
D#rin( respondent.s in$#,ben$y as a ,e,ber of t!e Senate of t!e P!ilippines, !e as
ele$ted "!air,an of t!e P-R" d#rin( t!e /0 )ebr#ary /116 ,eetin( of t!e P-R"
Board of &overnors. Petitioners alle(ed t!at by a$$eptin( t!e $!air,ans!ip of t!e
P-R" Board of &overnors, respondent !as $eased to be a ,e,ber of t!e Senate as
provided in Se$tion 20, 3rti$le V4 of t!e "onstit#tion.
Petitioners $lai, t!at t!eir petition is neit!er an a$tion for 5#o arranto nor an
a$tion for de$laratory relief. Petitioners ,aintain t!at t!e present petition is a ta6payer.s
s#it 5#estionin( t!e #nlaf#l disb#rse,ent of f#nds, $onsiderin( t!at respondent !as
been drain( !is salaries and ot!er $o,pensation as a Senator even if !e is no lon(er
entitled to !is offi$e. Petitioners point o#t t!at t!is "o#rt !as 7#risdi$tion over t!is petition
sin$e it involves a le(al or $onstit#tional iss#e !i$! is of trans$endental i,portan$e.
4n !is "o,,ent, respondent asserts t!at petitioners !ave no standin( to file t!is
petition !i$! appears to be an a$tion for 5#o arranto, sin$e t!e petition alle(es t!at
respondent $o,,itted an a$t !i$!, by provision of la, $onstit#tes a (ro#nd for
forfeit#re of !is p#bli$ offi$e. Petitioners do not $lai, to be entitled to t!e Senate offi$e
of respondent. 8nder Se$tion 9, R#le 66 of t!e R#les of "ivil Pro$ed#re, only a person
$lai,in( to be entitled to a p#bli$ offi$e #s#rped or #nlaf#lly !eld by anot!er ,ay brin(
an a$tion for 5#o arranto in !is on na,e. 4f t!e petition is one for 5#o arranto, it is
already barred by pres$ription sin$e #nder Se$tion 22, R#le 66 of t!e R#les of "ivil
Pro$ed#re, t!e a$tion s!o#ld be $o,,en$ed it!in one year after t!e $a#se of t!e
p#bli$ offi$er.s forfeit#re of offi$e. 4n t!is $ase, respondent !as been or:in( as a Red
"ross vol#nteer for t!e past ;1 years. Respondent as already "!air,an of t!e P-R"
Board of &overnors !en !e as ele$ted Senator in May /11;, !avin( been ele$ted
"!air,an in /110 and re<ele$ted in /119.
Respondent also ,aintains t!at if t!e petition is treated as one for de$laratory
relief, t!is "o#rt o#ld !ave no 7#risdi$tion sin$e ori(inal 7#risdi$tion for de$laratory relief
lies it! t!e Re(ional =rial "o#rt.
Respondent f#rt!er insists t!at t!e P-R" is not a (overn,ent<oned or
$ontrolled $orporation and t!at t!e pro!ibition #nder Se$tion 20, 3rti$le V4 of t!e
"onstit#tion does not apply in t!e present $ase sin$e vol#nteer servi$e to t!e P-R" is
neit!er an offi$e nor an e,ploy,ent.
Issues:
>!et!er P-R" is a (overn,ent oned or $ontrolled $orporation and !et!er
respondent violated Se$. 20, 3rt. V4 of t!e P!il. "onstit#tion. >!et!er petitioner.s ,ay
le(ally instit#te t!is petition a(ainst respondent.
He!:
=!e S#pre,e "o#rt find t!e petition it!o#t ,erit. Petitioners Have No
Standing to File this Petition 3 $aref#l readin( of t!e petition reveals t!at it is an
a$tion for 5#o arranto. Se$tion 2, R#le 66 of t!e R#les of "o#rt. 4t is $lear t!at
Petitioners filed an a$tion for #s#rpation of p#bli$ offi$e a(ainst respondent, a p#bli$
offi$er !o alle(edly $o,,itted an a$t !i$! $onstit#tes a (ro#nd for t!e forfeit#re of
!is p#bli$ offi$e. *#o arranto is (enerally $o,,en$ed by t!e &overn,ent as t!e
proper party plaintiff. 'oever, an individ#al ,ay $o,,en$e s#$! an a$tion if !e $lai,s
to be entitled to t!e p#bli$ offi$e alle(edly #s#rped by anot!er, in !i$! $ase !e $an
brin( t!e a$tion in !is on na,e. =!e person instit#tin( 5#o arranto pro$eedin(s in !is
on be!alf ,#st $lai, and be able to s!o t!at !e is entitled to t!e offi$e in disp#te?
ot!erise t!e a$tion ,ay be dis,issed at any sta(e. 4n t!e present $ase, petitioners do
not $lai, to be entitled to t!e Senate offi$e of respondent. "learly, petitioners !ave no
standin( to file t!e present petition.
=!e President does not appoint t!e "!air,an of t!e P-R". -eit!er does t!e
!ead of any depart,ent, a(en$y, $o,,ission or board appoint t!e P-R" "!air,an.
=!#s, t!e P-R" "!air,an is not an offi$ial or e,ployee of t!e @6e$#tive bran$! sin$e
!is appoint,ent does not fall #nder Se$tion 26, 3rti$le V44 of t!e "onstit#tion. "ertainly,
t!e P-R" "!air,an is not an offi$ial or e,ployee of t!e %#di$iary or Le(islat#re. =!is
leads #s to t!e obvio#s $on$l#sion t!at t!e P-R" "!air,an is not an offi$ial or
e,ployee of t!e P!ilippine &overn,ent. -ot bein( a (overn,ent offi$ial or e,ployee,
t!e P-R" "!air,an, as s#$!, does not !old a (overn,ent offi$e or e,ploy,ent.
P-R" is a Private Ar(ani+ation Perfor,in( P#bli$ )#n$tions. An // Mar$! 2B;C,
President Man#el 3. Ro6as si(ned Rep#bli$ 3$t -o. B9, ot!erise :non as t!e P-R"
"!arter. =!e P-R" is a non<profit, donor<f#nded, vol#ntary, !#,anitarian or(ani+ation,
!ose ,ission is to brin( ti,ely, effe$tive, and $o,passionate !#,anitarian assistan$e
for t!e ,ost v#lnerable it!o#t $onsideration of nationality, ra$e, reli(ion, (ender, so$ial
stat#s, or politi$al affiliation.
=!e )#nda,ental Prin$iples provide a #niversal standard of referen$e for all
,e,bers of t!e Move,ent. =!e P-R", as a ,e,ber -ational So$iety of t!e
Move,ent, !as t!e d#ty to #p!old t!e )#nda,ental Prin$iples and ideals of t!e
Move,ent. 4n order to be re$o(ni+ed as a -ational So$iety, t!e P-R" !as to be
a#tono,o#s and ,#st operate in $onfor,ity it! t!e )#nda,ental Prin$iples of t!e
Move,ent.
4n t!e P!ilippines !ere t!ere is a $o,,#nist ins#r(en$y and a M#sli,
separatist rebellion, t!e P-R" $annot be seen as (overn,ent<oned or $ontrolled and
neit!er $an t!e P-R" vol#nteers be identified as (overn,ent personnel or as
instr#,ents of (overn,ent poli$y. At!erise, t!e ins#r(ents or separatists ill treat
P-R" vol#nteers as ene,ies !en t!e vol#nteers tend to t!e o#nded in t!e battlefield
or t!e displa$ed $ivilians in $onfli$t areas.
=o ens#re and ,aintain its a#tono,y, ne#trality, and independen$e, t!e P-R"
$annot be oned or $ontrolled by t!e (overn,ent. 4ndeed, t!e P!ilippine (overn,ent
does not on t!e P-R".
=!e S#pre,e "o#rt !as resolved t!at P-R" "!arter is violative of t!e
"onstit#tional Pros$ription a(ainst t!e "reation of Private "orporations by Spe$ial La.
=!e 2B09 "onstit#tion, as a,ended, as in for$e !en t!e P-R" as $reated by
spe$ial $!arter on // Mar$! 2B;C. Se$tion C, 3rti$le D4V of t!e 2B09 "onstit#tion. 4t
re$o(ni+es to $lasses of $orporations. =!e first refers to private $orporations $reated
#nder a (eneral la. =!e se$ond refers to (overn,ent<oned or $ontrolled $orporations
$reated by spe$ial $!arters. Se$tion 26, 3rti$le D44 of t!e "onstit#tion.
"on(ress $annot ena$t a la $reatin( a private $orporation it! a spe$ial
$!arter. S#$! le(islation o#ld be #n$onstit#tional. Private $orporations ,ay e6ist only
#nder a (eneral la. 4f t!e $orporation is private, it ,#st ne$essarily e6ist #nder a
(eneral la. Stated differently, only $orporations $reated #nder a (eneral la $an 5#alify
as private $orporations. 8nder e6istin( las, t!e (eneral la is t!e "orporation "ode,
e6$ept t!at t!e "ooperative "ode (overns t!e in$orporation of $ooperatives. =!e
"onstit#tion a#t!ori+es "on(ress to $reate (overn,ent<oned or $ontrolled
$orporations t!ro#(! spe$ial $!arters. Sin$e private $orporations $annot !ave spe$ial
$!arters, it follos t!at "on(ress $an $reate $orporations it! spe$ial $!arters only if
s#$! $orporations are (overn,ent<oned or $ontrolled.
P-R" as $reated t!ro#(! a spe$ial $!arter, and $annot be $onsidered a
(overn,ent<oned or $ontrolled $orporation in t!e absen$e of t!e essential ele,ents of
oners!ip and $ontrol by t!e (overn,ent. 4n $reatin( t!e P-R" as a $orporate entity,
"on(ress as in fa$t $reatin( a private $orporation. 'oever, t!e $onstit#tional
pro!ibition a(ainst t!e $reation of private $orporations by spe$ial $!arters provides no
e6$eption even for non<profit or $!aritable $orporations. "onse5#ently, t!e P-R"
"!arter, insofar as it $reates t!e P-R" as a private $orporation and (rants it $orporate
poers, is void for bein( #n$onstit#tional. =!#s, Se$tions 2, /,0,;(a), 9, 6,C,8, B,21 22,
2/, and 20 of t!e P-R" "!arter, as a,ended, are void.
4n s#,, S#pre,e "o#rt !old t!at t!e offi$e of t!e P-R" "!air,an is not a
(overn,ent offi$e or an offi$e in a (overn,ent<oned or $ontrolled $orporation for
p#rposes of t!e pro!ibition in Se$tion 20, 3rti$le V4 of t!e 2B8C "onstit#tion. 'oever,
sin$e t!e P-R" "!arter is void insofar as it $reates t!e P-R" as a private $orporation,
t!e P-R" s!o#ld in$orporate #nder t!e "orporation "ode and re(ister it! t!e
Se$#rities and @6$!an(e "o,,ission if it ants to be a private $orporation.
SA ARD@R@D.
8C. "#$AT VS. DE G#%&AN' JR.
113 SCRA 31 (1)*2+
Facts:
3sse,bly,an @stanislao )ernande+ appeared as $o#nsel of a party in a $ase
before t!e S@". P#yat, t!e opposin( party, ob7e$ted to t!e appearan$e of 3sse,bly,an
)ernande+. 'oever, )ernande+ p#r$!ased ten s!ares of t!e $o,pany of !is $lient and
pro$eeded to intervene in t!e $ase.
Issue:
>!et!er or not 3sse,bly,an )ernande+ violated t!e $onstit#tional pro!ibition
not to appear as $o#nselE
He!:
4n effe$t, 3sse,bly,an )ernande+ appeared as $o#nsel, albeit indire$tly, before
an ad,inistrative body in $ontravention of t!e $onstit#tional provision.
'is a$t of a$5#irin( s!ares of t!e $o,pany as done Fafter t!e fa$tG and !is
intervention as an aftert!o#(!t to enable !i, to appear a$tively in t!e pro$eedin(s in
so,e ot!er $apa$ity.
8B. AVELINO VS. C#ENCO
*3 "HIL 17 (1)7)+
Facts:
An )ebr#ary /2, 2B;B, s!ortly before t!e openin( of t!e Senate session Senator
=anada and Senator Prospero Sanidad filed it! t!e Se$retary of t!e Senate a
resol#tion en#,eratin( $!ar(es a(ainst t!e t!en petitioner Senate President %ose
3velino and orderin( t!e investi(ation. S#ffi$ient n#,ber of senator ere at t!e session
!all to $onstit#te a 5#or#, at t!e appointed ti,e, t!e petitioner delayed !is appearan$e
at t!e session !all and re5#ested instead fro, t!e Se$retary a $opy of t!e resol#tion
s#b,itted by Senators =anada and Salidad and in t!e presen$e of t!e p#bli$ !e read
t!e said resol#tion sloly and $aref#lly, ordered t!e arrest of any senator !o o#ld
spea: it!o#t bein( re$o(ni+ed by t!e petitioner and ban(ed t!e (avel and abandonin(
t!e "!air deliberately. 4n order to $ontin#e t!e session and not to paraly+e t!e session
Senator Mariano %es#s "#en$o as voted and too: t!e oat! to be t!e Senate President
of t!e P!ilippines.
Issue:
>!et!er or not t!e Resol#tion of de$larin( va$ant t!e position of t!e President of
t!e Senate.
He!:
4n fine, all t!e fo#r 7#sti$es a(ree t!at t!e "o#rt bein( $onfronted it! t!e
pra$ti$al sit#ation t!at of t!e tenty t!ree senators !o ,ay parti$ipate in t!e Senate
deliberations in t!e days i,,ediately after t!is de$ision, telve senators ill s#pport
Senator "#en$o and, at ,ost, eleven ill side it! Senator 3velino, it o#ld be ,ost
in7#di$io#s to de$lare t!e latter as t!e ri(!tf#l President of t!e Senate, t!at offi$e bein(
essentially one t!at depends e6$l#sively #pon t!e ill of t!e ,a7ority of t!e senators,
t!e r#le of t!e Senate abo#t ten#re of t!e President of t!at body bein( a,endable at
any ti,e by t!at ,a7ority. 3nd at any session !ereafter !eld it! t!irteen or ,ore
senators, in order to avoid all $ontroversy arisin( fro, t!e diver(en$e of opinion !ere
abo#t 5#or#, and for t!e benefit of all $on$erned, t!e said telve senators !o
approved t!e resol#tions !erein involved $o#ld ratify all t!eir a$ts and t!ereby pla$e
t!e, beyond t!e s!ado of a do#bt.
3s, t!e si6 7#sti$es !ereinabove ,entioned voted to dis,iss t!e petition. it!o#t
$osts.
B1. "EO"LE VS JALOSJOS
32, SCRA -*)
Facts:
>!ile servin( !is senten$e at t!e -e Bilibid prison, M#ntinl#pa "ity. Ro,eo
%alos7os as re<ele$ted as "on(ress,an for t!e first Distri$t of Ha,boan(a Del -orte.
%alos7os filed a ,otion as:in( t!at !e ill be alloed to f#lly dis$!ar(e t!e d#ties
of a "on(ress,an, in$l#din( attendan$e of le(islative sessions and $o,,ittee
,eetin(s despite !is !avin( been $onvi$ted in t!e first instan$e of non<bailable offense.
3nd !is $onfine,ent as deprivin( !is $onstit#ents of t!eir voi$e in $on(ress.
Issues:
2.) Does ,e,bers!ip in "on(ress e6e,pt an a$$#sed fro, stat#tes and r#les !i$!
ill apply to validly in$ar$erated persons in (eneralE

/.) 3re arti$les V4 and V444 valid to s#pport !is ,otionE
He!:
@le$tion to !i(! (overn,ent offi$e does not (ive yo# t!e freedo, fro, t!e
$o,,on $o,,and of (eneral la.
Se$tion/, 3rti$le 6 I 3rti$le 8 of t!e $onstit#tion state: 3 ,e,ber of t!e 'o#se of
representative is privile(e fro, arrest d#rin( !is attendan$e at its sessions only if
offense is p#nis!able by ,ore t!an 6 year i,prison,ent . 4n !is $ase, $onfine,ent of a
"on(ress,an $!ar(ed it! $ri,es p#nis!able by ,ore t!an 6 years !as $onstit#tional
fo#ndation.
B2. ARRO$O VS DE VENECIA
277 SCRA 2-* (1))7+
Facts:
Petitioner passed an a,end,ent to t!e 'o#se of Representative and later
bro#(!t to t!e 'o#se of t!e Senate. 3fter t!e 5#estionin(, t!e petitioner ,oved for
ad7o#rn,ent for la$: of 5#or#, !i$! is needed to dis$#ss t!e b#siness #nder t!e
"onstit#tion. =!e Bill as later ,ade into La and si(ned by t!e President of t!e
P!ilippines.
Issue:
>!et!er or not t!e La passed as a violation of t!e "onstit#tional Mandate.
He!:
=!e 'o#se $on$erned !as no r#le t!at 5#or#, s!all be deter,ined by a$t#al
votin(. =!e "onstit#tion does not re5#ire t!at t!e opinion of t!e Me,bers beta:en every
ti,e a 'o#se !as to vote, e6$ept only on t!e folloin( instan$es #pon t!e last and t!e
t!ird readin(s of t!e bill, at t!e re5#est of 2J9 of t!e Me,bers present and in re<passin(
a bill over t!e veto of t!e President. 3nd t!ere is obvio#sness on t!e part of t!e
petitioner to delay t!e b#siness of t!e 'o#se, eli,inatin( t!e alle(ed tri$: on part of t!e
a$$#sed. Lastly, t!e enrolled bill do$trine states t!at enrolled bills are in itself $on$l#sive
t!#s le(ally bindin( provided it is in !ar,ony it! t!e $onstit#tion. =!e $o#rt #p!eld
prin$iple of separation of poers, !i$! !erein, is appli$able for t!e le(islative bran$!
for it !as e6er$ised its poer it!o#t (rave ab#se of dis$retion res#ltin( to la$: or
e6$ess of 7#risdi$tion.
B/. OS&E.A VS. "ENDAT#N
1/) "HIL *-3 (1))/+
Facts:
=!en "on(ress,an As,eKa %r. filed a verified petition it! t!e S#pre,e "o#rt
for de$laratory relief, $ertiorari and pro!ibition it! preli,inary in7#n$tion a(ainst
"on(ress,an Pendat#n and fo#rteen ot!ers in t!eir $apa$ity as ,e,bers of t!e
Spe$ial "o,,ittee $reated by 'o#se Resol#tion 9B. 4n t!e said petition, !e alle(ed,
a,on( ot!ers, t!at !is one<!o#r privile(ed spee$! entitled FMessa(e to &ar$iaG did not
$onstit#te disorderly be!avior and t!at !e $o#ld not be $ens#red for !is spee$! sin$e
ot!er b#siness transpired before "on(ress de$ided to ta:e a$tion. 'e f#rt!er as:ed t!at
said respondents s!o#ld not re5#ire !i, to s#bstantiate !is $!ar(es a(ainst t!e
president !i$! $onstit#ted a serio#s assa#lt #pon t!e di(nity and presti(e of &ar$ia as
t!e t!en President. )or ref#sin( to provide eviden$e as t!e basis of !is alle(ations,
As,eKa as s#spended for 29 ,ont!s for t!e serio#s disorderly be!avior.
Issues:
2. >!et!er or not As,eKa.s spee$! $onstit#ted disorderly $ond#$tE
/. >!et!er or not t!e 'o#se !as t!e poer to s#spend one of its ,e,bersE
He!:
2. =!e 'o#se is t!e 7#d(e of !at $onstit#tes disorderly $ond#$t, not only be$a#se
t!e "onstit#tion !as $onferred 7#risdi$tion #pon it, b#t also be$a#se t!e ,atter
depends ,ainly on fa$t#al $ir$#,stan$es of !i$! t!e 'o#se :nos best.
3nyt!in( to t!e $ontrary ill a,o#nt to violation of t!e t!eory of separation of
poers observed by t!e "o#rt.
/. =!e Le(islative poer of t!e P!ilippine "on(ress is plenary, s#b7e$t only to s#$!
li,itations are fo#nd in t!e Rep#bli$Ls "onstit#tion. So t!at any poer dee,ed to
be le(islative by #sa(e or tradition, is ne$essarily possessed by t!e P!ilippine
"on(ress, #nless t!e "onstit#tion provides ot!erise. 'en$e, t!e "on(ress has
the inherent legislative prerogative of suspension !i$! t!e "onstit#tion did not
i,pair. 4n fa$t, as already pointed o#t, t!e P!ilippine Senate s#spended a
Senator for 2/ ,ont!s in 2B;B. =!erefore, As,eKa.s petition is dis,issed.
B0 SANTIAGO V. SANDIGANBA$AN
35- SCRA -3-
Facts:
=!e $ase arose fro, $o,plaints filed by t!e (ro#p of e,ployees of t!e
"o,,ission of 4,,i(ration and Deportation ("4D) !ere s!e t!en a$ted as t!e "4D
"o,,issioner.
=!e $o#rt is $alled #pon to revie t!e a$t of Sandi(anbayan and !o far it $an
(o in orderin( t!e preventive s#spension of Senator Miria, Defensor<Santia(o in
$onne$tion it! pendin( $ri,inal $ases filed a(ainst !er for violation of Rep#bli$ 3$t
012B as a,ended ot!erise :non as t!e 3nti<(raft and "orr#pt pra$ti$es 3$t.
An May /;, 2BB/ Senator Miria, Santia(o filed a petition to revie on $ertiorari
of a de$ision it! pro!ibition and preli,inary in7#n$tion before t!e $o#rt and a ,otion
before t!e Sandi(anbayan to defer !er arrai(n,ent .
Issue:
4f t!e a#t!ority of Sandi(anbayan to order t!e preventive s#spension of an in$#,bent
p#bli$ offi$ial $!ar(ed it! violation of t!e provisions of R3 no 012B !as bot! le(al and
7#rispr#dential s#pport and $ertiorari ill be (ranted by t!e "o#rt relative to t!is $ase.
He!:
An %an 02, 2BB/ t!e "o#rt rendered its de$ision dis,issin( t!e petition and liftin(
t!e te,porary restrainin( order. =!e s#bse5#ent ,otion for re$onsideration filed by t!e
petitioner proved #nvailin(.
4n iss#in( t!e preventive s#spension, t!e Sandi(anbayan ,erely ad!ered to t!e
$lear and #ne5#ivo$al ,andate of t!e la , as ell as t!e 7#rispr#den$e in !i$! t!e
$o#rt !as. Se$tion20 of R3 012B does not state t!at t!e p#bli$ offi$er $on$erned ,#st
be s#spended only in t!e offi$e !ere !e is alle(edly to !ave $o,,itted t!e a$ts it!
!i$! !e !as been $!ar(ed
=!e $o#rt s#spends t!e a$$#sed fro, !er position as Senator of t!e rep#bli$ of
t!e P!ilippines and fro, any (overn,ent position s!e ,ay be !oldin( at present. 'er
s#spension s!all be !oldin( B1 days only and s!all ta:e effe$t i,,ediately #pon noti$e.
B;. #NITED STATES VS J#AN "ONS
3, "HIL 72)
Facts:
Pons and &abino Beliso ere tradin( partners. An 9 3pr 2B2;, t!e stea,er
Lope+ y Lope+ arrived at Manila fro, Spain and it $ontained /9 barrels of ine. =!e
said barrels of ine ere delivered to Beliso. Beliso s#bse5#ently delivered 9 barrels to
Pons. !o#se. An t!e ot!er !and, t!e $#sto,s a#t!orities noti$ed t!at t!e said /9 barrels
listed as ine on re$ord ere not delivered to any listed ,er$!ant (Beliso not bein(
one). 3nd so t!e $#sto,s offi$ers $ond#$ted an investi(ation t!ereby dis$overin( t!at
t!e /9 barrels of ine a$t#ally $ontained tins of opi#,. Sin$e t!e $t of tradin( and
dealin( opi#, is a(ainst 3$t /082, Pons and Beliso ere $!ar(ed for ille(ally and
fra#d#lently i,portin( and introd#$in( s#$! $ontraband ,aterial to t!e P!ilippines. Pons
appealed t!e senten$e ar(#in( t!at 3$t /082 as not approved !ile t!e P!ilippine
"o,,ission ("on(ress) as not in session. 'e said t!at !is itnesses $lai, t!at t!e
said la as passedJapproved on 12 Mar$! 2B2; !ile t!e spe$ial session of t!e
"o,,ission as ad7o#rned at 2/M- on /8 )eb 2B2;. Sin$e t!is is t!e $ase, 3$t /082
s!o#ld be n#ll and void.
Issue:
>!et!er or not t!e S" ,#st (o beyond t!e re$itals of t!e %o#rnals to deter,ine if
3$t /082 as indeed ,ade a as la on /8 )eb 2B2;.
He!:
=!e S" loo:ed into t!e %o#rnals to as$ertain t!e date of ad7o#rn,ent b#t t!e S"
ref#sed to (o beyond t!e re$itals in t!e le(islative %o#rnals. =!e said %o#rnals are
$on$l#sive on t!e "o#rt and to in5#ire into t!e vera$ity of t!e 7o#rnals of t!e P!ilippine
Le(islat#re, !en t!ey are, as t!e S" !ave said, $lear and e6pli$it, o#ld be to violate
bot! t!e letter and t!e spirit of t!e or(ani$ las by !i$! t!e P!ilippine &overn,ent
as bro#(!t into e6isten$e, to invade a $oordinate and independent depart,ent of t!e
&overn,ent, and to interfere it! t!e le(iti,ate poers and f#n$tions of t!e
Le(islat#re. Pons. itnesses $annot be (iven d#e ei(!t a(ainst t!e $on$l#siveness of
t!e %o#rnals !i$! is an a$t of t!e le(islat#re. =!e 7o#rnals say t!at t!e Le(islat#re
ad7o#rned at 2/ ,idni(!t on )ebr#ary /8, 2B2;. =!is settles t!e 5#estion, and t!e $o#rt
did not err in de$linin( to (o be!ind t!ese 7o#rnals. =!e S" passed #pon t!e
$on$l#siveness of t!e enrolled bill in t!is parti$#lar $ase.
B9.CASCO "HILI""INES VS. GI&ENE%
7 SCRA 3,7
Facts:
"as$o P!ilippine "!e,i$al "o., 4n$. as en(a(ed in t!e prod#$tion of synt!eti$
resin (l#es #sed pri,arily in t!e prod#$tion of plyood. =!e ,ain $o,ponents of t!e
said (l#e are #rea and for,alde!yde !i$! are bot! bein( i,ported abroad. P#rs#ant
to R3 /61B ()orei(n @6$!an(e Mar(in )ee La), t!e "entral Ban: of t!e P!ilippines
iss#ed on %#ly 2, 2B9B, its "ir$#lar -o. B9, fi6in( a #nifor, ,ar(in fee of /9M on forei(n
e6$!an(e transa$tions. =o s#pple,ent t!e $ir$#lar, t!e Ban: later pro,#l(ated a
,e,orand#, establis!in( t!e pro$ed#re for appli$ations for e6e,ption fro, t!e
pay,ent of said fee, as provided in sa,e la. 4n $o,plian$e, "as$o paid t!e fees b#t
later ,oved for rei,b#rse,ent as "as$o ,aintained t!at #rea and for,alde!yde are
e6e,pted fro, s#$! fees. =!e "BP iss#ed t!e vo#$!ers for ref#nd (p#rs#ant to
Resol#tion 29/B of t!e "BP) b#t t!e ban:.s a#ditor ref#sed to !onor t!e vo#$!ers sin$e
!e ,aintained t!at t!is is in $ontrast to t!e provision of Se$ /, par 28 of R3 /61B !i$!
provides: F=!e ,ar(in establis!ed by t!e Monetary Board p#rs#ant to t!e provision of
se$tion one !ereof s!all not be i,posed #pon t!e sale of forei(n e6$!an(e for t!e
i,portation of t!e folloin(:
666 666 666
FDV444. 8rea for,alde!yde for t!e ,an#fa$t#re of plyood and !ardboard !en
i,ported by and for t!e e6$l#sive #se of end<#sers.G
=!e 3#ditor &eneral, &i,ene+, affir,ed t!e r#lin( of "BP.s a#ditor. "as$o ,aintains
t!at t!e ter, F#rea for,alde!ydeG appearin( in t!is provision s!o#ld be $onstr#ed as
F#rea and for,alde!ydeG 'e f#rt!er $ontends t!at t!e bill approved in "on(ress
$ontained t!e $op#lative $on7#n$tion FandG beteen t!e ter,s F#reaG and,
Ffor,alde!ydeG, and t!at t!e ,e,bers of "on(ress intended to e6e,pt F#reaG and
Ffor,alde!ydeG separately as essential ele,ents in t!e ,an#fa$t#re of t!e synt!eti$
resin (l#e $alled F#rea for,alde!ydeG, not t!e latter a finis!ed prod#$t, $itin( in s#pport
of t!is vie t!e state,ents ,ade on t!e floor of t!e Senate, d#rin( t!e $onsideration of
t!e bill before said 'o#se, by ,e,bers t!ereof.
Issue:
>!et!er or not t!e ter, F#rea for,alde!ydeG s!o#ld be $onstr#ed as F#rea and
for,alde!ydeG.
He!:
8rea for,alde!yde is not a $!e,i$al sol#tion. 4t is t!e synt!eti$ resin for,ed as a
$ondensation prod#$t fro, definite proportions of #rea and for,alde!yde #nder $ertain
$onditions relatin( to te,perat#re, a$idity, and ti,e of rea$tion. =!is prod#$e !en
applied in ater sol#tion and e6tended it! ine6pensive fillers $onstit#tes a fairly lo
$ost ad!esive for #se in t!e ,an#fa$t#re of plyood. F8rea for,alde!ydeG is $learly a
finis!ed prod#$t, !i$! is patently distin$t and different fro, F#reaG and Ffor,alde!ydeG,
as separate arti$les #sed in t!e ,an#fa$t#re of t!e synt!eti$ resin :non as F#rea
for,alde!ydeG =!e opinions of any ,e,ber of "on(ress does not represent t!e entirety
of t!e "on(ress itself. >!at is printed in t!e enrolled bill o#ld be $on$l#sive #pon t!e
$o#rts. 4t is ell settled t!at t!e enrolled bill N !i$! #ses t!e ter, F#rea for,alde!ydeG
instead of F#rea and for,alde!ydeG N is $on$l#sive #pon t!e $o#rts as re(ards t!e
tenor of t!e ,eas#re passed by "on(ress and approved by t!e President. 4f t!ere !as
been any ,ista:e in t!e printin( of t!e bill before it as $ertified by t!e offi$ers of
"on(ress and approved by t!e @6e$#tive N on !i$! t!e S" $annot spe$#late, it!o#t
7eopardi+in( t!e prin$iple of separation of poers and #nder,inin( one of t!e
$ornerstones of o#r de,o$rati$ syste, N t!e re,edy is by a,end,ent or $#rative
le(islation, not by 7#di$ial de$ree.
B6. ASTORGA VS. VILLEGAS
G.R. NO. L023,75 (A"RIL 3/' 1)7,+
Facts:
'o#se Bill -o. B/66 as passed fro, t!e 'o#se of Representatives to
t!e Senate. Senator 3rt#ro =olentino ,ade s#bstantial a,end,ents !i$!
ere approved by t!e Senate. =!e 'o#se, it!o#t noti$e of said a,end,ents,
t!ereafter si(ned its approval #ntil all t!e presidin( offi$ers of bot! !o#ses $ertified and
attested to t!e bill. =!e President also si(ned it and t!ere#pon be$a,e R3 ;169.
Senator =olentino ,ade a press state,ent t!at t!e enrolled $opy of 'o#se Bill -o. B/66
as a ron( version of t!e bill be$a#se it did not e,body t!e a,end,ents introd#$ed
by !i, and approved by t!e Senate. Bot! t!e Senate President and t!e
President it!dre t!eir si(nat#res and deno#n$ed R3 ;169 as invalid. Petitioner
ar(#ed t!at t!e a#t!enti$ation of t!e presidin( offi$ers of t!e "on(ress is $on$l#sive
proof of a bill.s d#e ena$t,ent.
Issue:
>J- 'o#se Bill -o. B/66 is $onsidered ena$ted and valid.
He!:
Sin$e bot! t!e Senate President and t!e "!ief @6e$#tive it!dre
t!eir si(nat#res t!erein, t!e $o#rt de$lared t!at t!e bill as not d#ly ena$ted
and t!erefore did not be$o,e a la. =!e "onstit#tion re5#ires t!at ea$! 'o#se s!all
:eep a 7o#rnal. 3n i,portan$e of !avin( a 7o#rnal is t!at in t!e absen$e of attestation or
eviden$e of t!e bill.s d#e ena$t,ent, t!e $o#rt ,ay resort to t!e 7o#rnals of t!e
"on(ress to verify s#$!. F>!ere t!e 7o#rnal dis$loses t!at s#bstantial a,end,ent ere
introd#$ed and approved and ere not in$orporated in t!e printed te6t sent to t!e
President for si(nat#re, t!e $o#rt $an de$lare t!at t!e bill !as not been d#ly ena$ted
and did not be$o,e a la.G
BC. "HILI""INE J#DGES ASSOCIATION VS. "RADO
227 SCRA 7/3 N12e34e5 11' 1))3
Facts:
=!e P!ilippine Postal "orporation iss#ed $ir$#lar -o. B/</8 to i,ple,ent Se$tion
09 of R3 C09; it!drain( t!e fran:in( privile(e fro, t!e S", "3, R="s, Me="s,
M="s and Land Re(istration "o,,ission and it! $ertain ot!er (overn,ent offi$es. 4t
is alle(ed t!at R3 C09; is dis$ri,inatory be$as#e !ile it!drain( t!e fran:in(
privile(e fro, 7#di$iary, it retains t!e sa,e for t!e President I Vi$e<President of t!e
P!ilippines, Senator I ,e,bers of t!e 'o#se of Representatives, "AM@L@", -ational
"ens#s I Statisti$s Affi$e and t!e (eneral p#bli$. =!e respondents $o#nter t!at t!ere is
no dis$ri,ination be$a#se t!e la is based on a valid $lassifi$ation in a$$ordan$e it!
t!e e5#al prote$tion $la#se.
Issue:
>!et!er or -ot Se$tion 09 of R3 C09; is $onstit#tional.
He!:
=!e e5#al prote$tion of t!e las is e,bra$ed in t!e $on$ept of d#e pro$ess, as
every #nfair dis$ri,ination offends t!e re5#ire,ents of 7#sti$e and fair play. 4t !as
nonet!eless been e,bodied in a separate $la#se in 3rti$le 444 Se$tion 2 of t!e
"onstit#tion to provide for a,ore spe$ifi$ (#arantee a(ainst any for, of #nd#e
favoritis, or !ostility fro, t!e (overn,ent. 3rbitrariness in (eneral ,ay be $!allen(ed
on t!e basis of t!e d#e pro$ess $la#se. B#t if t!e parti$#lar a$t assailed parta:es of an
#narranted partiality or pre7#di$e, t!e s!arper eapon to $#t it don is t!e e5#al
prote$tion $la#se. @5#al prote$tion si,ply re5#ires t!at all persons or t!in(s si,ilarly
sit#ated s!o#ld be treated ali:e, bot! as to ri(!ts $onferred and responsibilities
i,posed. >!at t!e $la#se re5#ires is e5#ality a,on( e5#als as deter,ined a$$ordin(
to a valid $lassifi$ation. Se$tion 09 of R3 C09; is de$lared #n$onstit#tional. "ir$#lar -o.
B/</8 is set aside insofar.
B8. ABA6ADA G#RO "ART$ LIST' ET AL. VS. E7EC#TIVE SECRETAR$
ED#ARDO ER&ITA' ET AL.
,-) SCRA 1
Facts:
An May /;, /119, t!e President si(ned into la Rep#bli$ 3$t B00C or t!e V3=
Refor, 3$t. Before t!e la too: effe$t on %#ly 2, /119, t!e "o#rt iss#ed a =RA
en7oinin( (overn,ent fro, i,ple,entin( t!e la in response to a sle of petitions for
$ertiorari and pro!ibition 5#estionin( t!e $onstit#tionality of t!e ne la.
=!e $!allen(ed se$tion of R.3. -o. B00C is t!e $o,,on proviso in Se$tions ;, 9
and 6: F=!at t!e President, #pon t!e re$o,,endation of t!e Se$retary of )inan$e, s!all,
effe$tive %an#ary 2, /116, raise t!e rate of val#e<added ta6 to 2/M, after any of t!e
folloin( $onditions !as been satisfied:
(i) Val#e<added ta6 $olle$tion as a per$enta(e of &ross Do,esti$ Prod#$t (&DP) of t!e
previo#s year e6$eeds to and fo#r<fift! per$ent (/ ;J9M)?
(ii) -ational (overn,ent defi$it as a per$enta(e of &DP of t!e previo#s year e6$eeds
one and one<!alf per$ent (2OM)G
Petitioners alle(e t!at t!e (rant of stand<by a#t!ority to t!e President to in$rease
t!e V3= rate is an abdi$ation by "on(ress of its e6$l#sive poer to ta6 be$a#se s#$!
dele(ation is not $overed by Se$tion /8 (/), 3rti$le V4 "onsti. =!ey ar(#e t!at V3= is a
ta6 levied on t!e sale or e6$!an(e of (oods and servi$es !i$! $an.t be in$l#ded it!in
t!e p#rvie of tariffs #nder t!e e6e,ption dele(ation sin$e t!is refers to $#sto,s d#ties,
tolls or trib#te payable #pon ,er$!andise to t!e (overn,ent and #s#ally i,posed on
i,portedJe6ported (oods. =!ey also said t!at t!e President !as poers to $a#se,
infl#en$e or $reate t!e $onditions provided by la to brin( abo#t t!e $onditions
pre$edent. Moreover, t!ey alle(e t!at no (#idin( standards are ,ade by la as to !o
t!e Se$retary of )inan$e ill ,a:e t!e re$o,,endation.
Issue:
>!et!er or not t!e R3 B00CLs stand<by a#t!ority to t!e @6e$#tive to in$rease t!e
V3= rate, espe$ially on a$$o#nt of t!e re$o,,endatory poer (ranted to t!e Se$retary
of )inan$e, $onstit#tes #nd#e dele(ation of le(islative poerE
He!:
-A. 4t is not a dele(ation of le(islative poer B8= a dele(ation of as$ertain,ent
of fa$ts #pon !i$! enfor$e,ent and ad,inistration of t!e in$reased rate #nder t!e la
is $ontin(ent. 4t is t!e ,inisterial d#ty of t!e President to i,,ediately i,pose t!e 2/M
rate #pon t!e e6isten$e of any of t!e $onditions spe$ified by "on(ress. =!is is a d#ty,
!i$! $annot be evaded by t!e President. 4t is a $lear dire$tive to i,pose t!e 2/M V3=
rate !en t!e spe$ified $onditions are present.
"on(ress 7#st (ranted t!e Se$retary of )inan$e t!e a#t!ority to as$ertain t!e
e6isten$e of a fa$t<<< !et!er by De$e,ber 02, /119, t!e V3= $olle$tion as a
per$enta(e of &DP of t!e previo#s year e6$eeds / ;J9 M or t!e national (overn,ent
defi$it as a per$enta(e of &DP of t!e previo#s year e6$eeds one and 2OM. =!ere is no
#nd#e dele(ation of le(islative poer b#t only of t!e dis$retion as to t!e e6e$#tion of a
la. =!is is $onstit#tionally per,issible. "on(ress did not dele(ate t!e poer to ta6 b#t
t!e ,ere i,ple,entation of t!e la.
BB. A8#ILINO 8. "I&ENTEL' JR.' ET AL. VS. SENATE CO&&ITTEE OF THE
9HOLE RE"RESENTED B$ SENATE "RESIDENT J#AN "ONCE ENRILE'

G.R. N1. 1*771,' &a5c: *' 2/11
Facts:
=!e $ase at bar refers to t!e et!i$s $o,plaint filed a(ainst Sen. Manny Villar on
t!e alle(ed do#ble insertion of P!p/11 ,illion for t!e "<9 Road @6tension Pro7e$t in t!e
/118 &eneral 3ppropriations 3$t. Petitioners alle(e t!at t!e adoption of t!e R#les of t!e
@t!i$s "o,,ittee by t!e Senate "o,,ittee of t!e >!ole is violative of Senator Villar.s
ri(!t to d#e pro$ess.
Issue:
>!et!er @t!i$s "o,,ittee by t!e Senate "o,,ittee of t!e >!ole is violative of
Senator Villar.s ri(!t to d#e pro$ess.
He!:
=!e S" did not a(ree. =!e "onstit#tional ri(!t of t!e Senate to pro,#l(ate its
on r#les of pro$eedin(s !as been re$o(ni+ed and affir,ed by t!is "o#rt. =!e only
li,itation to t!e poer of "on(ress to pro,#l(ate its on r#les is t!e observan$e of
5#or#,, votin(, and p#bli$ation !en re5#ired. 3s lon( as t!ese re5#ire,ents are
$o,plied it!, a$$ordin( to t!e S", t!e "o#rt ill not interfere it! t!e ri(!t of "on(ress
to a,end its on r#les.
211. JOSE A. ANGARA VS. THE ELECTORAL CO&&ISSION' "EDRO $NS#A'
&IG#EL CASTILLO' a;! DIONISIO C. &A$OR
-3 "HIL 13) Ju< 15' 1)3-
Facts:
4n t!e $ase at bar, Petitioner 3n(ara r#n for t!e position of ,e,bers of t!e
-ational 3sse,bly for t!e first distri$t of =ayabas on Septe,ber 2C, 2B09 @le$tions
to(et!er it! Pedro Pns#a, Mi(#el "astillo, and Dionisio Mayor as rivals for t!e said
position. An A$t. C, 2B09, t!e provin$ial board of $anvassers pro$lai,ed 3n(ara as
,e,ber<ele$t of t!e -ational 3sse,bly and on -ov. 29, 2B09, !e too: !is oat! of offi$e.
An De$. 0, 2B09, t!e -ational 3sse,bly passed Resol#tion -o. 8, !i$! in
effe$t, fi6ed t!e last date to file ele$tion protests. An De$. 8, 2B09, Pns#a filed before
t!e @le$toral "o,,ission a QMotion of ProtestQ a(ainst 3n(ara and prayin(, a,on(
ot!er t!in(s, t!at Pns#a be na,edJde$lared ele$ted Me,ber of t!e -ational 3sse,bly
or t!at t!e ele$tion of said position be n#llified.
An De$. B, 2B09, t!e @le$toral "o,,ission adopted a resol#tion (-o. 6) statin(
t!at last day for filin( of protests is on De$. B. 3n(ara $ontended t!at t!e "onstit#tion
$onfers e6$l#sive 7#risdi$tion #pon t!e @le$toral "o,,ission solely as re(ards t!e
,erits of $ontested ele$tions to t!e -ational 3sse,bly and t!e S#pre,e "o#rt t!erefore
!as no 7#risdi$tion to !ear t!e $ase.
Issue:
>!et!er or not t!e S#pre,e "o#rt !as 7#risdi$tion over t!e @le$toral
"o,,ission and t!e s#b7e$t ,atter of t!e $ontroversyE
He!:
P@S. =!e @le$toral "o,,ission is not a separate depart,ent of t!e (overn,ent,
and even if it ere, $onfli$tin( $lai,s of a#t!ority #nder t!e f#nda,ental la beteen
depart,ental poers and a(en$ies of t!e (overn,ent are ne$essarily deter,ined by
t!e 7#di$iary in 7#sti$iable and appropriate $ases.
=!e $o#rt !as 7#risdi$tion over t!e @le$toral "o,,ission and t!e s#b7e$t ,atter
of t!e present $ontroversy for t!e p#rpose of deter,inin( t!e $!ara$ter, s$ope, and
e6tent of t!e $onstit#tional (rant to t!e @le$toral "o,,ission as Qt!e sole 7#d(e of all
$ontests relatin( to t!e ele$tion, ret#rns, and 5#alifi$ations of t!e ,e,bers of t!e
-ational 3sse,bly.Q
212. OSE O. VERA' ET AL. VS. JOSE A. AVELINO' ET AL.
G.R. NO. L05,3 A#G#ST 31' 1),-
Facts:
An May 2B;6, t!e "o,,ission on @le$tions s#b,itted to t!e President and t!e
"on(ress of t!e P!ilippines a report re(ardin( t!e national ele$tions !eld t!e previo#s
,ont! statin( t!at by reason of $ertain spe$ified a$ts of terroris, and violen$e in t!e
provin$e of Pa,pan(a, -#eva @$i7a, B#la$an and =arla$, t!e votin( in said re(ion did
not refle$t t!e tr#e and free e6pression of t!e pop#lar ill. D#rin( t!e session, !en t!e
senate $onvened on May /9, 2B;6, a pendat#, resol#tion as approved referrin( to
t!e report orderin( t!at %ose A. Vera, Ra,on Dio:no and %ose @. Ro,ero R !o !ad
been in$l#ded a,on( t!e 26 $andidates for senator re$eivin( t!e !i(!est n#,ber of
votes, pro$lai,ed by t!e "o,,issions on @le$tions R s!all not be sorn, nor seated, as
,e,bers of t!e $!a,ber, pendin( t!e ter,ination of t!e of t!e protest lod(ed a(ainst
t!eir ele$tion.
Petitioners t!#s i,,ediately instit#ted an a$tion a(ainst t!eir $ollea(#es
responsible for t!e resol#tion, prayin( for an order to ann#l it and $o,pellin(
respondents to per,it t!e, to o$$#py t!eir seats and to e6er$ise t!eir senatorial
prero(ative. =!ey also alle(e t!at only t!e @le$toral =rib#nal !ad 7#risdi$tion over
$ontests relatin( to t!eir ele$tion, ret#rns and 5#alifi$ations. Respondents assert t!e
validity of t!e pendat#, resol#tion.
Issue:
>!et!er t!e "o,,ission on @le$tions !as t!e 7#risdi$tion to deter,ine !et!er
or not votes $ast in t!e said provin$es are valid.
He!:
=!e "onstit#tion provides (3rti$le V4, se$tion 29) t!at Qfor any spee$! or debateQ
in $on(ress, Senators and $on(ress,en Qs!all not be 5#estioned in any ot!er pla$e.Q
=!e S#pre,e "o#rt ref#sed to intervene, #nder t!e $on$ept of separation of poers,
!oldin( t!at t!e $ase as not a F$ontestG, and affir,ed t!e in!erent ri(!t of t!e
le(islat#re to deter,ine !o s!all be ad,itted to its ,e,bers!ip.
>!erefore, t!e $ase at bar is dis,issed.
21/. FRANCISCO I. CHAVE% VS. CO&&ISSION ON ELECTIONS

211 SCRA 315
Facts:
An May 9, 2BB/, t!is "o#rt iss#ed a Resol#tion in &R -o. 21;C1;, dis5#alifyin(
Mel$!or "!ave+, private respondent t!erein, fro, r#nnin( for t!e Affi$e of Senator in
t!e May 22, 2BB/ ele$tions. Petitioner filed an #r(ent ,otion it! t!e "o,ele$ prayin(
t!at it (2) disse,inate t!ro#(! t!e fastest available ,eans t!is "o#rt.s Resol#tion dated
May 9, 2BB/ to all re(ional ele$tion dire$tors, provin$ial ele$tion s#pervisors, $ity and
,#ni$ipal ele$tion re(istrars, boards of ele$tion inspe$tors, t!e si6 (6) a$$redited
politi$al parties and t!e (eneral p#bli$? and (/) order said ele$tion offi$ials to delete t!e
na,e of Mel$!or "!ave+ as printed in t!e $ertified list of $andidates tally s!eets,
ele$tion ret#rns and to $o#nt all votes $ast for t!e dis5#alified Mel$!or, "!ave+ in favor
of )ran$is$o 4. "!ave+. An May 8, 2BB/, t!e "o,ele$ iss#ed Res. -o. B/<20// !i$!
resolved to delete t!e na,e of Mel$!or "!ave+ fro, t!e list of 5#alified $andidates.
'oever, it failed to order t!e $reditin( of all F"!ave+G votes in favor of petitioner as ell
as t!e $an$ellation of Mel$!or "!ave+. na,e in t!e list of 5#alified $andidates.
Issue:
>!et!er or not t!e la allos pre<pro$la,ation $ontroversy involvin( t!e ele$tion
of t!e ,e,bers of t!e Senate.
He!:
3 si,ple readin( of t!e petition o#ld readily s!o t!at petitioner !as no $a#se
of a$tion, t!e $ontroversy presented bein( one in t!e nat#re of a pre<pro$la,ation.
>!ile t!e "o,,ission !as e6$l#sive 7#risdi$tion over pre<pro$la,ation $ontroversies
involvin( lo$al ele$tive offi$ials (Se$. /;/, A,nib#s @le$tion "ode), nevert!eless, pre<
pro$la,ation $ases are not alloed in ele$tions for President, Vi$e<President, Senator
and Me,ber of t!e 'o#se of Representatives. Se$. 29 of Rep#bli$ 3$t C266 provides:
F)or p#rposes of t!e ele$tions for President, Vi$e<President, Senator and Me,ber of t!e
'o#se of Representatives, no pre<pro$la,ation $ases s!all be alloed on ,atters
relatin( to t!e preparation, trans,ission, re$eipt, $#stody and appre$iation of t!e
ele$tion ret#rns or t!e $ertifi$ate of $anvass, as t!e $ase ,ay be. 'oever, t!is does
not pre$l#de t!e a#t!ority of t!e appropriate $anvassin( body ,ot# propio or #pon
ritten $o,plaint of an interested person to $orre$t ,anifest errors in t!e $ertifi$ate of
$anvass or ele$tion ret#rns before it.
210. A8#INO VS. CO&ELEC
2,3 SCRA ,// (1))5)
Facts:
Petitioner 3(apito 35#ino filed !is $ertifi$ate of $andida$y for t!e position of
Representative for t!e Se$ond Distri$t of Ma:ati "ity. Private respondents Move Ma:ati,
a d#ly re(istered politi$al party, and Mateo Bedon, "!air,an of L3S3S<-8"D<8MDP of
Br(y. "e,bo, Ma:ati "ity, filed a petition to dis5#alify petitioner on t!e (ro#nd t!at t!e
latter la$:ed t!e residen$e 5#alifi$ation as a $andidate for $on(ress,an !i$!, #nder
Se$. 6, 3rt. V4 of t!e "onstit#tion, s!o#ld be for a period not less t!an 2 year
i,,ediately pre$edin( t!e ele$tions.
Issue:
>!et!er or not t!e petitioner la$:ed t!e residen$e 5#alifi$ation as a $andidate for
$on(ress,an as ,andated by Se$. 6, 3rt. V4 of t!e "onstit#tion
He!:
4n order t!at petitioner $o#ld 5#alify as a $andidate for Representative of t!e Se$ond
Distri$t of Ma:ati "ity, !e ,#st prove t!at !e !as establis!ed not 7#st residen$e b#t
do,i$ile of $!oi$e.
Petitioner, in !is $ertifi$ate of $andida$y for t!e 2BB/ ele$tions, indi$ated not only t!at
!e as a resident of San %ose, "on$ep$ion, =arla$ in 2BB/ b#t t!at !e as a resident of
t!e sa,e for 9/ years i,,ediately pre$edin( t!at ele$tions. 3t t!at ti,e, !is $ertifi$ate
indi$ated t!at !e as also a re(istered voter of t!e sa,e distri$t. 'is birt! $ertifi$ate
pla$es "on$ep$ion, =arla$ as t!e birt!pla$e of !is parents. >!at stands $onsistently
$lear and #nassailable is t!at !is do,i$ile of ori(in of re$ord #p to t!e ti,e of filin( of !is
,ost re$ent $ertifi$ate of $andida$y for t!e 2BB9 ele$tions as "on$ep$ion, =arla$.
=!e intention not to establis! a per,anent !o,e in Ma:ati "ity is evident in !is leasin(
a $ondo,ini#, #nit instead of b#yin( one. >!ile a lease $ontra$t ,ay be indi$ative of
petitioner.s intention to reside in Ma:ati "ity, it does not en(ender t!e :ind of
per,anen$y re5#ired to prove abandon,ent of one.s ori(inal do,i$ile.
Petitioner.s assertion t!at !e !as transferred !is do,i$ile fro, =arla$ to Ma:ati is a bare
assertion !i$! is !ardly s#pported by t!e fa$ts. =o s#$$essf#lly effe$t a $!an(e of
do,i$ile, petitioner ,#st prove an a$t#al re,oval or an a$t#al $!an(e of do,i$ile? a
bona fide intention of abandonin( t!e for,er pla$e of residen$e and establis!in( a ne
one and definite a$ts !i$! $orrespond it! t!e p#rpose. 4n t!e absen$e of $lear and
positive proof, t!e do,i$ile of ori(in s!o#ld be dee,ed to $ontin#e.
21;. FIRDA#SI S&AIL ABBAS VS. SENATE ELECTORAL TRIB#NAL
1-- SCRA -51 (1)**+
Facts:
=!is is a Spe$ial "ivil 3$tion for $ertiorari to n#llify and set aside t!e Resol#tions of t!e
Senate @le$toral =rib#nal dated )ebr#ary 2/, 2B88 and May /C, 2B88, denyin(,
respe$tively, t!e petitionersL Motion for Dis5#alifi$ation or 4n!ibition and t!eir Motion for
Re$onsideration t!ereafter filed.
Senator Me,bers of t!e Senate @le$toral =rib#nal ere bein( as:ed to in!ibit
t!e,selves in !earin( S@= "ase -o. 11/<8C as t!ey are $onsidered interested parties,
t!erefore leavin( t!e Senate @le$toral =rib#nal senateless, and all re,ainin( ,e,bers
$o,in( fro, t!e 7#di$iary.
Issue:
>A- t!e S@= $an f#n$tion it!o#t t!e Senator ,e,bers.
He!:
=!e S#pre,e "o#rt dis,issed t!e petition for $ertiorari for la$: of ,erit and affir,ed t!e
de$ision of t!e =rib#nal to not let Senator<Me,bers to in!ibit or dis5#alify !i,self,
rat!er, 7#st let t!e, refrain fro, parti$ipatin( in t!e resol#tion of a $ase !ere !e
sin$erely feels t!at !is personal interests or biases o#ld stand in t!e ay of an
ob7e$tive and i,partial 7#d(,ent.
219. BONDOC V. "INEDA
2/1 SCRA 7)2 (1))1+
'R@= !as sole and e6$l#sive 7#risdi$tion to 7#d(e ele$tion $ontests and
5#alifi$ations $on$ernin( ,e,bers of "on(ress
)or 'R@= to e6er$ise its e6$l#sive 7#risdi$tion, it ,#st be independent and
i,partial, a separate body fro, t!e le(islative
'R@= ,e,bers are entitled to se$#rity of ten#re re(ardless of any $!an(e in
t!eir politi$al affiliations
'R@= ,e,bers $annot be re,oved for disloyalty to a party
Facts:
Pineda and Bondo$ ere rival $andidates as Representatives of t!e ;t! distri$t.
Pineda on in t!e ele$tions, pro,ptin( Bondo$ to file a protest it! t!e 'R@=,
!i$! de$ided in favor of t!e latter. 'oever, before pro,#l(ation of t!e
de$ision, "on(ress,an "a,as#ra.s ,e,bers!ip it! t!e 'R@= as it!dran
on t!e (ro#nd t!at !e as e6pelled fro, t!e LDP. 3s s#$!, t!e de$ision $o#ld not
be pro,#l(ated sin$e it!o#t "on(ress,an "a,as#ra.s vote, t!e dei$ison la$:s
t!e $on$#rren$e of 9 ,e,bers as re5#ired by t!e R#les of t!e =rib#nal.
Issues:
>!et!er or not t!e 'o#se of Representatives $an iss#e a resol#tion $o,pellin(
'R@= not to pro,#l(ate its de$ision
>!et!er or not t!e $o,position of t!e 'R@= ,ay be affe$ted by a $!an(e in t!e
politi$al allian$e of its ,e,bers
He!:
'R@= is a non<politi$al body
=!e #se of t!e ord QsoleQ in bot! Se$tion 2C of t!e 2B8C "onstit#tion and
Se$tion 22 of t!e 2B09 "onstit#tion #nders$ores t!e e6$l#sive 7#risdi$tion of t!e
'o#se @le$toral =rib#nal as 7#d(e of $ontests relatin( to t!e ele$tion, ret#rns and
5#alifi$ations of t!e ,e,bers of t!e 'o#se of Representatives (Robles vs.
'o#se of Representatives @le$toral =rib#nal, &.R. -o. 866;C, )ebr#ary 9, 2BB1).
=!e trib#nal as $reated to f#n$tion as a nonpartisan $o#rt alt!o#(! to<t!irds of
its ,e,bers are politi$ians. 4t is a non<politi$al body in a sea of politi$ians. >!at
t!is "o#rt !ad earlier said abo#t t!e @le$toral "o,,ission applies as ell to t!e
ele$toral trib#nals of t!e Senate and 'o#se of Representatives:
@le$toral trib#nals are independent and i,partial
=!e p#rpose of t!e $onstit#tional $onvention $reatin( t!e @le$toral "o,,ission
as to provide an independent and i,partial trib#nal for t!e deter,ination of
$ontests to le(islative offi$e, devoid of partisan $onsideration, and to transfer to
t!at trib#nal all t!e poers previo#sly e6er$ised by t!e le(islat#re in ,atters
pertainin( to $ontested ele$tions of its ,e,bers.
=!e poer (ranted to t!e ele$toral "o,,ission to 7#d(e $ontests relatin( to t!e
ele$tion and 5#alifi$ation of ,e,bers of t!e -ational 3sse,bly is intended to be
as $o,plete and #ni,paired as if it !ad re,ained in t!e le(islat#re.
@le$toral trib#nals as sole 7#d(e of all $ontests relatin( to ele$tion ret#rns and
5#alifi$ations of ,e,bers of t!e le(islative !o#ses
=!e @le$toral =rib#nals of t!e Senate and t!e 'o#se ere $reated by t!e
"onstit#tion as spe$ial trib#nals to be t!e sole 7#d(e of all $ontests relatin( to
ele$tion ret#rns and 5#alifi$ations of ,e,bers of t!e le(islative !o#ses, and, as
s#$!, are independent bodies !i$! ,#st be per,itted to sele$t t!eir on
e,ployees, and to s#pervise and $ontrol t!e,, it!o#t any le(islative
interferen$e. (S#anes vs. "!ief 3$$o#ntant of t!e Senate, 82 P!il. 828.)
=o be able to e6er$ise e6$l#sive 7#risdi$tion, t!e 'o#se @le$toral =rib#nal ,#st
be independent. 4ts 7#risdi$tion to !ear and de$ide $on(ressional ele$tion
$ontests is not to be s!ared by it it! t!e Le(islat#re nor it! t!e "o#rts.
=!e @le$toral "o,,ission is a body separate fro, and independent of t!e
le(islat#re and t!o#(! not a poer in t!e tripartite s$!e,e of (overn,ent, it is to
all intents and p#rposes, !en a$tin( it!in t!e li,its of its a#t!ority, an
independent or(an? !ile $o,posed of a ,a7ority of ,e,bers of t!e le(islat#re it
is a body separate fro, and independent of t!e le(islat#re.
666 666 666
=!e @le$toral "o,,ission, a $onstit#tional or(an $reated for t!e spe$ifi$ p#rpose
of deter,inin( $ontests relatin( to ele$tion ret#rns and 5#alifi$ations of ,e,bers
of t!e -ational 3sse,bly ,ay not be interfered it! by t!e 7#di$iary !en and
!ile a$tin( it!in t!e li,its of its a#t!ority, b#t t!e S#pre,e "o#rt !as
7#risdi$tion over t!e @le$toral "o,,ission for t!e p#rpose of deter,inin( t!e
$!ara$ter, s$ope and e6tent of t!e $onstit#tional (rant to t!e $o,,ission as sole
7#d(e of all $ontests relatin( to t!e ele$tion and 5#alifi$ations of t!e ,e,bers of
t!e -ational 3sse,bly. (3n(ara vs. @le$toral "o,,ission, 60 P!il. 20B.)
"an t!e 'o#se of Representatives $o,pel t!e 'R@= not to pro,#l(ate its
de$isionE
=!e independen$e of t!e 'o#se @le$toral =rib#nal so +ealo#sly (#arded by t!e
fra,ers of o#r "onstit#tion, o#ld, !oever, by a ,yt! and its pro$eedin(s a
far$e if t!e 'o#se of Representatives, or t!e ,a7ority party t!erein, ,ay s!#ffle
and ,anip#late t!e politi$al (as distin(#is!ed fro, t!e 7#di$ial) $o,ponent of t!e
ele$toral trib#nal, to serve t!e interests of t!e party in poer.
Re,oval of 'R@= ,e,ber for disloyalty to a party i,pairs 'R@= $onstit#tional
prero(ative
=!e resol#tion of t!e 'o#se of Representatives re,ovin( "on(ress,an
"a,as#ra fro, t!e 'o#se @le$toral =rib#nal for disloyalty to t!e LDP, be$a#se
!e $ast !is vote in favor of t!e -a$ionalista PartyLs $andidate, Bondo$, is a $lear
i,pair,ent of t!e $onstit#tional prero(ative of t!e 'o#se @le$toral =rib#nal to be
t!e sole 7#d(e of t!e ele$tion $ontest beteen Pineda and Bondo$.
=o san$tion s#$! interferen$e by t!e 'o#se of Representatives in t!e or: of t!e
'o#se @le$toral =rib#nal o#ld red#$e t!e trib#nal to a ,ere tool for t!e
a((randi+e,ent of t!e party in poer (LDP) !i$! t!e t!ree 7#sti$es of t!e
S#pre,e "o#rt and t!e lone -P ,e,ber o#ld be poerless to stop. 3 ,inority
party $andidate ,ay as ell abandon all !ope at t!e t!res!old of t!e trib#nal.
4s disloyalty to a party a valid $a#se for ter,ination of ,e,bers!ip in t!e 'R@=E
3s 7#d(es, t!e ,e,bers of t!e trib#nal ,#st be non<partisan. =!ey ,#st
dis$!ar(e t!eir f#n$tions it! $o,plete deta$!,ent, i,partiality, and
independen$e even independen$e fro, t!e politi$al party to !i$! t!ey belon(.
'en$e, Qdisloyalty to partyQ and Qbrea$! of party dis$ipline,Q are not valid (ro#nds
for t!e e6p#lsion of a ,e,ber of t!e trib#nal. 4n e6pellin( "on(ress,an
"a,as#ra fro, t!e 'R@= for !avin( $ast a $ons$ien$e voteQ in favor of Bondo$,
based stri$tly on t!e res#lt of t!e e6a,ination and appre$iation of t!e ballots and
t!e re$o#nt of t!e votes by t!e trib#nal, t!e 'o#se of Representatives $o,,itted
a (rave ab#se of dis$retion, an in7#sti$e, and a violation of t!e "onstit#tion. 4ts
resol#tion of e6p#lsion a(ainst "on(ress,an "a,as#ra is, t!erefore, n#ll and
void.
'R@= ,e,bers en7oy se$#rity of ten#re
3not!er reason for t!e n#llity of t!e e6p#lsion resol#tion of t!e 'o#se of
Representatives is t!at it violates "on(ress,an "a,as#raLs ri(!t to se$#rity of
ten#re. Me,bers of t!e 'R@= as Qsole 7#d(eQ of $on(ressional ele$tion $ontests,
are entitled to se$#rity of ten#re 7#st as ,e,bers of t!e 7#di$iary en7oy se$#rity of
ten#re #nder o#r "onstit#tion (Se$. /, 3rt. V444, 2B8C "onstit#tion). =!erefore,
,e,bers!ip in t!e 'o#se @le$toral =rib#nal ,ay not be ter,inated e6$ept for a
7#st $a#se, s#$! as, t!e e6piration of t!e ,e,berLs $on(ressional ter, of offi$e,
!is deat!, per,anent disability, resi(nation fro, t!e politi$al party !e represents
in t!e trib#nal, for,al affiliation it! anot!er politi$al party, or re,oval for ot!er
valid $a#se. 3 ,e,ber ,ay not be e6pelled by t!e 'o#se of Representatives for
Qparty disloyaltyQ s!ort of proof t!at !e !as for,ally affiliated it! anot!er politi$al
(ro#p. 3s t!e re$ords of t!is $ase fail to s!o t!at "on(ress,an "a,as#ra !as
be$o,e a re(istered ,e,ber of anot!er politi$al party, !is e6p#lsion fro, t!e
LDP and fro, t!e 'R@= as not for a valid $a#se, !en$e, it violated !is ri(!t to
se$#rity of ten#re.
216.+ VIRGILIO ROBLES VS. (HRET
GR N1. *--,7(Fe45ua5< 5' 1))/+

Facts:
Petitioner and private respondent Ro,eo Santos ere $andidate for t!e position
of $on(ress,an of t!e first distri$t of "aloo$an $ity in t!e last May 22, 2B8C
$on(ressional ele$tions, petitioner Robles as pro$lai,ed t!e inner of De$e,ber /0,
2B8C. An %an#ary 9. 2B88 Santos filed an ele$tion protest it! respondent 'R@=. =!e
alle(ed a,on( ot!ers t!at t!e ele$tion in t!e first distri$t of "aloo$an $ity !eld last May
22, 2B8C. >ere $!ara$teri+ed by t!e $o,,ission of ele$toral fra#ds and irre(#larities in
vario#s for,s. =!e private respondent li:eise prayed for t!e re$o#ntin( of t!e ballots
$asted in all 0/1 $ontested pre$in$ts. An %an. 2;, 2B88. =!e petitioner filed !is anser
to t!e protest. 'e alle(ed as a,on( !is affir,ative defen$e t!e la$: of residen$e of
protestant and t!e late fillin( of t!e protest.
Issue:
>!et!er or not t!e alle(ation of petitioner t!at !e as deprived of d#e pro$ess
!en respondent trib#nals rendered partial de$ision p#rs#ant to se$tion 28 of t!e
'R@=.
He!:
4t o#ld not be a,iss to t!e state at t!is point t!at F an ele$tion protest is
i,pressed it! p#bli$ interest in t!e sense t!at t!e p#bli$ is interested in :noin( !at
!appened in t!e ele$tionG(Di,aporo v. @stipona,s#pra), for t!is reason, it ,#st yield to
!at is for t!e $o,,on (ood. 3$$ordin(ly, findin( no (rave ab#se of dis$retion on t!e
part of t!e !o#se of t!e representative ele$toral trib#nal in iss#in( t!e assailed
resol#tion, t!e instant petition is dis,issed.
21C. JO6ER ARRO$O VS. (HRET+
GR N1. 11*5)7(Ju< 1,' 1))5+
Facts:
3fter t!e May 22, 2BB/ ele$tion, 3rroyo as de$lared as t!e d#ly ele$ted
$on(ress,an of t!e lone distri$t of Ma:ati. 3rroyo on by 20,99Bvotes over !is
opponent. 'is opponent Sy 7#$o protested t!e de$laration before t!e 'R@=. 'e alle(ed
t!at 3rroyo on d#e to ,assive fra#d !en$e !e ,oved for revision and re$o#ntin( of
t!e ballots $asted. 'R@= (ave ay b#t d#rin( t!e pro$ess so,e 'R@= e,ployees and
personnel $ond#$ted so,e irr#(alarities to ens#re Sy %#$o.s in. 3fter so,e paper
battles beteen t!e to, Sy %#$o, reali+ed t!at ,ere revision and re$o#ntin( o#ld not
s#ffi$e to overt!ro t!e ,ore t!an 2/,111 votes lead of 3rroyo over !i,. 'e revised !is
$o,plaint by in$l#din( and introd#$in( in !is ,e,orand#, $#, addend#, t!at !is
$o,plaint is based on a broader and ,ore e5#itable and non<traditional deter,ination
of t!e e6isten$e of t!e pre$in$t<level do$#,ent based on ano,alies and t!at t!e
revision !e initially is 7#st in$idental to s#$! deter,ination. =!e 0 7#sti$es ,e,bers of
t!e 'R@= r#led t!at s#$! a,end,ent is already beyond t!e trib#nals 7#risdi$tion abd
t!e 6 representative ,e,bers r#led ot!erise. "onse5#ently, by a vote of 6<0, t!e
'R@= did not dis,iss t!e protest filed by Sy %#$o and t!e 'R@= later de$lared Sy %#$o
t!e inner.
Issue:
>!et!er or not 'R@= a$ted it! (rave ab#se of dis$retion a,o#ntin( to la$: or
e6$ess of 7#risdi$tion.
He!:
'oever (#ised or 7#stified by Sy %#$o, t!is innovative t!eory !e introd#$ed for
t!e first ti,e in !is ,e,orand#, $#, addend#, indeed t!e s$ope of t!e ele$tion
protest beyond !at !e ori(inally so#(!t t!e ,ere revision of ballots. )ro, !is initial
prayer for revision !i$! lays pri,ary, if not e6$l#sive e,p!asis on t!e p!ysi$al re$o#nt
and appre$iation of ballots alone, private respondent atte,pt to in7e$t !is t!eory at t!e
,e,orand#, sta(e $alls for presentation of eviden$e aside fro, ot!ers t!an, t!e
ballots t!e,selves, Sy %#$o in fa$t intended to $o,pletely abandon t!e pro$ess and
res#lts of t!e revision and t!ere after so#(!t to rely on !is brain$!ild pro$ess.G =!is is
$learly s#bstantial a,end,ent of t!e ele$tion protest e6pressly pres$ribed by r#le /8 of
t!e 'R@= internal r#le.
21B. GEORGINI AGGABO VS. CO&&ISSION ON ELECTION (CO&ELEC+
GR NO. 13575-(JAN#AR$ 2-' 2//5+
Facts:
=!e petitioner see:s to ann#l and set aside as !avin( been iss#ed it! (rave
ab#se of dis$retion t!e resol#tion -o. C/00 of t!e "AM@L@" @n ban: and t!e
pro$la,ation of private respondent 3nt!ony Miranda as $on(ress,an for t!e fo#rt!
distri$t of 4sabela. D#rin( t!e ,ay 21,/11; ele$tion. 4t as $lai,ed t!at $anvass of
votes("A"8) for t!e ,#ni$ipalities of "ordon and San a(#stin as ta,pered. Miranda
,oved for t!e e6$l#sion of t!e first $opy of t!e "A"V. An ,ay //, /11;, t!e provin$ial
board of $anvassers (PB") e6$l#ded fro, $anvass t!e $ontested "A"V.s and #sed
instead t!e ;
t!
and C
t!
$opies of t!e "A"V.s. Based on t!e res#lts, Miranda (arnered
t!e !i(!est n#,ber of votes for t!e position of $on(ress,an.
Issue:
4s "AM@L@" pro$la,ation of Miranda as inin( $andidate valid $onsiderin( t!at
t!ere is an appeal still #n resolved.E
He!:
=!e petition is i,pressed it! ,erit be$a#se t!e petitioner !as been pro$lai,ed
inner for t!e $on(ressional ele$tion in t!e first distri$t of Pa,pan(a, !as ta:en !is oat!
of offi$e as s#$!, and ass#,ed !is d#tie0s a(ainst !i, o#ld be #s#rp t!e f#n$tion of
t!e !o#se of trib#nal. =!e reason for t!is r#lin( is t!e avoid d#pli$ity of pro$eedin(s and
a $las! of 7#risdi$tion beteen $onstit#tional bodies it! d#e re(ards to t!e people.s
,andate.
221. LI&6AICHONG V. CO&ELEC
GR NO. 17**31' A"RIL 2//)
Facts:
%o$elyn Li,:ai$!on( filed a $andida$y as a $on(resso,an in t!e 2
st
Distri$t of
-e(ros Ariental. Paras, !er rival, and so,e ot!er $on$erned $iti+ens filed
dis5#alifi$ation $ases a(ainst !er. Li,:ai$!on( is p#rportedly not a nat#ral born $iti+en
of t!e P!ilippines be$a#se !en s!e as born !er fat!er as still a "!inese and t!at
!er ,o,, t!o#(! )ilipino lost !er $iti+ens!ip by virt#e of !er ,arria(e to Li,:ai$!on(.s
dad. D#rin( t!e penden$y of t!e $ase a(ainst Li,:ai$!on( before t!e "AM@L@",
@le$tion day $a,e and L4,:ai$!on( on. 3bo#t / days after t!e $o#ntin( of votes,
"AM@L@" de$lared Li,:ai$!on( as a dis5#alified $andidate. An t!e folloin( days
!oever, notit!standin( t!eir pro$la,ation dis5#alifyin( Li,:ai$!on(, t!e "AM@L@"
iss#ed a pro$la,ation anno#n$in( Li,:ai$!on( as t!e inner of t!e re$ently $ond#$ted
ele$tions.. Paras opposed t!e pro$la,ation and s!e filed a petition before t!e
"AM@L@". Li,:ai$!on( assailed t!e petition filed by Paras on t!e (ro#nd t!at t!at
sin$e s!e is no t!e pro$lai,ed inner, t!e "AM@L@" $an no lon(er e6er$ise
7#risdi$tion over t!e ,atter. 4t s!o#ld be t!e 'R@= !i$! s!o#ld e6er$ise 7#risdi$tion
fro, t!en on. "AM@L@" a(reed it! Li,:ai$!on(.
Issue:
>!et!er or not "AM@L@" s!o#ld still e6er$ise 7#risdi$tion over t!e ,atter.
He!:
=!e 'R@= ,#st e6er$ise 7#risdi$tion after Li,:ai$!on(.s pro$la,ation. =!e S"
!as invariably !eld t!at on$e a innin( $andidate !as been pro$lai,ed, ta:en !is oat!,
and ass#,ed offi$e as a Me,ber of t!e 'AR, t!e "AM@L@".s 7#risdi$tion over ele$tion
$ontests relatin( to !is ele$tion, ret#rns, and 5#alifi$ations ends, and t!e 'R@=.s on
7#risdi$tion be(ins. 4t follos t!en t!at t!e pro$la,ation of a innin( $andidate divests
t!e "AM@L@" of its 7#risdi$tion over ,atters pendin( before it at t!e ti,e of t!e
pro$la,ation. =!e party 5#estionin( !is 5#alifi$ation s!o#ld no present !is $ase in a
proper pro$eedin( before t!e 'R@=, t!e $onstit#tionally ,andated trib#nal to !ear and
de$ide a $ase involvin( a Me,ber of t!e 'o#se of Representatives it! respe$t to t!e
latter.s ele$tion, ret#rns and 5#alifi$ations. =!e #se of t!e ord FsoleG in Se$tion 2C,
3rti$le V4 of t!e "onstit#tion and in Se$tion /91 of t!e A@" #nders$ores t!e e6$l#sivity
of t!e @le$toral =rib#nals. 7#risdi$tion over ele$tion $ontests relatin( to its ,e,bers.
222. BANAT V. CO&ELEC
GR NO. 1775/*' A#G#ST 7' 2//)
Facts:
=!is is a petition for Pro!ibition it! a prayer for t!e iss#an$e of a te,porary
restrainin( order or a rit of preli,inary in7#n$tion filed by petitioner Baran(ay
3sso$iation for -ational 3dvan$e,ent and =ransparen$y (B3-3=) Party List (petitioner)
assailin( t!e $onstit#tionality of Rep#bli$ 3$t -o. B06B (R3 B06B)and en7oinin(
respondent "o,,ission on @le$tions ("AM@L@") fro, i,ple,entin( t!e stat#te. R3
B06B is a $onsolidation of Senate Bill -o. //02 and 'o#se Bill -o. 909/ passed by t!e
Senate on C De$e,ber /116 and t!e 'o#se of Representatives on 2B De$e,ber
/116.An /0 %an#ary /11C, less t!an fo#r ,ont!s before t!e 2; May /11C lo$al
ele$tions. An C May /11C, petitioner, a d#ly a$$redited ,#lti<se$toral or(ani+ation, filed
t!is petition for pro!ibition alle(in( t!at R3 B06B violated Se$tion /6(2), 3rti$le V4 of t!e
"onstit#tion.Petitioner also assails t!e $onstit#tionality of Se$tions 0;, 0C, 08, and ;0 of
R3 B06B.3$$ordin( to petitioner, t!ese provisions are of 5#estionable appli$ation and
do#btf#l validity for failin( to $o,ply it! t!e provisions of t!e "onstit#tion. Petitioner
ar(#ed t!at Se$tions 0C and 08 violate t!e "onstit#tion by i,pairin( t!e poers of t!e
Presidential @le$toral =rib#nal (P@=) and t!e Senate @le$toral =rib#nal (S@=).3$$ordin(
to petitioner, #nder t!e a,ended provisions, "on(ress as t!e -ational Board of
"anvassers for t!e ele$tion of President and Vi$e President ("on(ress), and t!e
"AM@L@"en ban$ as t!e -ational Board of "anvassers ("AM@L@" en ban$), for t!e
ele$tion of Senators,ay no entertain pre<pro$la,ation $ases in t!e ele$tion of t!e
President, Vi$e President, and Senators.Petitioner $on$l#des t!at in entertainin( pre<
pro$la,ation $ases, "on(ress and t!e "AM@L@" en ban$ #nder,ine t!e
independen$e and en$roa$! #pon t!e 7#risdi$tion of t!e P@= and t!e S@=.
Issue:
>!et!er or not R3 B06B is #n$onstit#tional.
He!:
=!e "AM@L@" ,aintains t!at t!e a,end,ents introd#$ed by Se$tion 0C pertain
only to t!e adoption and appli$ation of t!e pro$ed#res on pre<pro$la,ation
$ontroversies in $ase of any dis$repan$y, in$o,pleteness, eras#re or alteration in t!e
$ertifi$ates of $anvass.=!e "AM@L@" adds t!at Se$tion 0C does not provide t!at
"on(ress and t!e "AM@L@" en ban$,ay no entertain pre<pro$la,ation $ases for
national ele$tive posts. Se$tion /(6), 3rti$le 4D<" of t!e "onstit#tion vests in t!e
"AM@L@" t!e poer to investi(ate and, !ere appropriate, prose$#te $ases of
violations of ele$tion las, in$l#din( a$ts or o,issions $onstit#tin( ele$tion fra#ds,
offenses, and ,alpra$ti$es."AM@L@" !as t!e e6$l#sive poer to $ond#$t preli,inary
investi(ations and prose$#te ele$tion offenses, it li:eise a#t!ori+es t!e "AM@L@" to
avail itself of t!e assistan$e of ot!er prose$#tin( ar,s of t!e (overn,ent. 4n t!e 2BB0
"AM@L@" R#les of Pro$ed#re, t!e a#t!ority of t!e "AM@L@" as s#bse5#ently
5#alified and e6plained.
22/. DRILON' ET AL VS. S"EA6ER
GR NO. 1*//55' J#L$ 31' 2//)
Facts:
Senate and t!e 'o#se of Representatives ele$ted t!eir respe$tive $ontin(ents to
t!e "o,,ission on 3ppoint,ents ("3). Petitioners ent to respondent t!en Spea:er
%ose de Vene$ia to as: for one seat for t!e Liberal Party in t!e "3. Representative
=aKada, by letter of Septe,ber 21, /11C, re5#ested t!e Se$retary &eneral of t!e 'o#se
of Representatives t!e re$onstit#tion of t!e 'o#se $ontin(ent in t!e "3 to in$l#de one
seat for t!e Liberal Party in $o,plian$e it! t!e provision of Se$tion 28, 3rti$le V4 of t!e
"onstit#tionRepresentative =aKada also bro#(!t t!e ,atter to t!e attention of t!en
Spea:er De Vene$ia, reiteratin( t!e position t!at sin$e t!ere ere at least /1 ,e,bers
of t!e Liberal Party in t!e 2;
t!
"on(ress, t!e party s!o#ld be represented in t!e
"3.'oever, -o report or re$o,,endation as proffered by t!e Le(al Depart,ent,
drain( Representative =aKada to re5#est a report or re$o,,endation on t!e ,atter
it!in t!ree days. 'en$e spaned t!e filin( on A$tober 02, /11C of t!e first petition by
petitioner for,er Senator )ran:lin M. Drilon (in representation of t!e Liberal Party), et
al., for pro!ibition, ,anda,#s, and 5#o arranto it! prayer for t!e iss#an$e of rit of
preli,inary in7#n$tion and te,porary restrainin( order, a(ainst t!en Spea:er De
Vene$ia, Representative 3rt!#r Defensor, Sr. in !is $apa$ity as Ma7ority )loor Leader of
t!e 'o#se of Representatives, Senator Man#el B. Villar in !is $apa$ity as e6
offi$io $!air,an of t!e "3, 3tty. Ma. &e,,a D. 3spiras in !er $apa$ity as Se$retary of
t!e "3, and t!e individ#al ,e,bers of t!e 'o#se of Representatives $ontin(ent to t!e
"3.
Issue:
>!et!er t!e 'o#se of Representatives !ave $o,,itted (rave ab#se of
dis$retion a,o#ntin( to al$: or e6$ess of 7#risdi$tion in $onstit#tin( t!e $o,,ission on
appoint,ents in $ontravention of t!e re5#ired proportional $onstit#tion by deprivin( t!e
Liberal Party of its $onstit#tional entitle,ent to one seat t!erein.
He!:
=!e "onstit#tion e6pressly (rants to t!e 'o#se of Representatives t!e
prero(ative, it!in $onstit#tionally defined li,its, to $!oose fro, a,on( its distri$t and
party<list representatives t!ose !o ,ay o$$#py t!e seats allotted to t!e 'o#se in t!e
'R@= and t!e "3. Se$tion 28, 3rti$le V4 of t!e "onstit#tion e6pli$itly $onfers on t!e
Senate and on t!e 'o#se t!e a#t!ority to ele$t a,on( t!eir ,e,bers t!ose !o o#ld
fill t!e 2/ seats for Senators and 2/ seats for 'o#se ,e,bers in t!e "o,,ission on
3ppoint,ents. 8nder Se$tion 2C, 3rti$le V4 of t!e "onstit#tion, ea$! $!a,ber e6er$ises
t!e poer to $!oose, it!in $onstit#tionally defined li,its, !o a,on( t!eir ,e,bers
o#ld o$$#py t!e allotted 6 seats of ea$! $!a,ber.s respe$tive ele$toral trib#nal.
220. G#ERRERO VS. CO&ELEC
G.R. NO. 137//,' J#L$ 2-' 2///
Facts:
&#iller,o R#i+ so#(!t to dis5#alify respondent )arinas as a $andidate for
t!e position of "on(ress,an in t!e )irst Distri$t of 4lo$os -orte. R#i+ alle(ed t!at
)arinas !ad been $a,pai(nin( as a $andidate for "on(ress,an in t!e May 22, 2BB8
polls, despite !is fail#re to file a $ertifi$ate of $andida$y for said offi$e. An May 8, 2BB8,
)arinas filed !is $ertifi$ate of $andida$y s#bstit#tin( $andidate "!evylle )arinas !o
it!dre on 3pril 0, 2BB8. An May 21, 2BB8, t!e "AM@L@" dis,issed t!e petition of
R#i+ for la$: of ,erit. 3fter t!e ele$tion, )arinas as d#ly pro$lai,ed inner.
=!ereafter, R#i+ filed a ,otion for re$onsideration, $ontendin( t!at )arinas $o#ld not
validly s#bstit#te for "!evylle )arinas, sin$e t!e latter as not t!e offi$ial $andidate of
L3MMP, b#t as an independent $andidate. 3not!er person $annot s#bstit#te for an
independent $andidate. R#i+ $lai,ed t!at )arinas. $ertifi$ate of $andida$y as fatally
defe$tive. An %#ne 0, 2B88, )arinas too: !is oat! of offi$e as a ,e,ber of t!e 'o#se of
Representatives. =!e "AM@L@" dis,issed t!e $ase for la$: of 7#risdi$tion.
Issue:
>!et!er or not t!e "AM@L@" !as $o,,itted (rave ab#se of dis$retion in
!oldin( t!at t!e deter,ination of t!e validity of t!e $ertifi$ate of $andida$y of respondent
)arinas is already it!in t!e e6$l#sive 7#risdi$tion of t!e 'o#se of
Representatives @le$toral =rib#nal ('R@=).
He!:
=!ere is no (rave ab#se of dis$retion on t!e part of t!e "AM@L@" !en it !eld
t!at its 7#risdi$tion over t!e $ase !ad $eased it! t!e ass#,ption of offi$e of respondent
)arinas as Representative for t!e first distri$t of 4lo$os -orte. >!ile "AM@L@" is
vested it! t!e poer to de$lare valid or invalid a $ertifi$ate of $andida$y, its ref#sal to
e6er$ise t!at poer folloin( t!e pro$la,ation and ass#,ption of t!e position by
)arinas is a re$o(nition of t!e 7#risdi$tional bo#ndaries separatin( t!e "AM@L@" and
t!e 'R@=. 8nder 3rt. V4, Se$. 2C of t!e "onstit#tion, t!e 'R@= !as sole and e6$l#sive
7#risdi$tion over all $ontests relative to t!e ele$tion, ret#rns and 5#alifi$ations of
,e,bers of t!e 'o#se of Representatives. =!#s, on$e a innin( $andidate !as been
pro$lai,ed, ta:en !is oat!, and ass#,ed offi$e as a ,e,ber of t!e 'o#se of
Representatives, "AM@L@".s 7#risdi$tion over ele$tion $ontests relatin( to !is ele$tion,
ret#rns and 5#alifi$ations ends, and t!e 'R@=.s on 7#risdi$tion be(ins. =!#s, t!e
"AM@L@".s de$ision to dis$ontin#e e6er$isin( 7#risdi$tion over t!e $ase is 7#stifiable, in
deferen$e to t!e 'R@=.s on 7#risdi$tion and f#n$tions.
228.TEOFISTO G#INGONA VS. NE"TALI GON%ALES
21, SCRA 7*)
Facts:
4n May 22, 2BB/ ele$tions, t!e senate as $o,posed of 29 LDP senators, 9 -P"
senators, 0 L3S3S<-8"D senators, and 2 LP<PDP<L3B3- senator. =o s#ffi$e t!e
re5#ire,ent t!at ea$! !o#se ,#st !ave 2/ representatives in t!e "o3, t!e parties
a(reed to #se t!e traditional for,#la: (-o. of Senators of a politi$al party) 6 2/ seats) T
=otal -o. of Senators ele$ted. =!e res#lts of s#$! a for,#la o#ld prod#$e C.9
,e,bers for LDP, /.9 ,e,bers for -P", 2.9 ,e,bers for L3S3S<-8"D, and 1.9
,e,ber for LP<PDP<L3B3-. Ro,#lo, as t!e ,a7ority floor leader, no,inated 8
senators fro, t!eir party be$a#se !e ro#nded off C.9 to 8 and t!at =aUada fro, LP<
PDP<L3B3- s!o#ld represent t!e sa,e party to t!e "o3. =!is is also p#rs#ant to t!e
proposition $o,pro,ise by Sen=olentino !o proposed t!at t!e ele$ted ,e,bers of t!e
"o3 s!o#ld $onsist of ei(!t LDP, one LP<PDP<L3B3-, to -P" and one L3S3S<
-8"D. &#in(ona, a ,e,ber of L3S3S<-8"D, opposed t!e said $o,pro,ise. 'e
alle(ed t!at t!e $o,pro,ise is a(ainst proportional representation.
Issue:
>!et!er or not ro#ndin( off is alloed in deter,inin( a party.s representation in
t!e "A3.
He!:
4t is a fa$t a$$epted by all s#$! parties t!at ea$! of t!e, is entitled to a fra$tional
,e,bers!ip on t!e basis of t!e r#le on proportional representation of ea$! of t!e
politi$al parties. 3 literal interpretation of Se$tion 28 of 3rti$le V4 of t!e "onstit#tion leads
to no ot!er ,anner of appli$ation. =!e proble, is !at to do it! t!e fra$tion of .9 or
2J/ to !i$! ea$! of t!e parties is entitled. =!e LDP ,a7ority in t!e Senate $onverted a
fra$tional !alf ,e,bers!ip into a !ole ,e,bers!ip of one senator by addin( one !alf
or .9 to C.9 to be able to ele$t Ro,#lo. 4n so doin( one ot!er party.s fra$tional
,e,bers!ip as $orrespondin(ly red#$ed leavin( t!e latter.s representation in t!e
"o,,ission on 3ppoint,ents to less t!an t!eir proportional representation in t!e
Senate. =!is is $learly a violation of Se$tion 28 be$a#se it is no lon(er in $o,plian$e
it! its ,andate t!at ,e,bers!ip in t!e "o,,ission be based on t!e proportional
representation of t!e politi$al parties. =!e ele$tion of Senator Ro,#lo (ave ,ore
representation to t!e LDP and red#$ed t!e representation of one politi$al party eit!er
t!e L3S3S -8"D or t!e -P".3 party s!o#ld !ave at least 2 seat for every / d#ly
ele$ted senators<,e,bers in t!e "o3. >!ere t!ere are ,ore t!an / parties in Senate,
a party !i$! !as only one ,e,ber senator $annot $onstit#tionally $lai, a seat. 4n
order to resolve s#$!, t!e parties ,ay $oales$e it! ea$! ot!er in order to $o,e #p it!
proportional representation espe$ially sin$e one party ,ay !ave affiliations it! t!e
ot!er party.
2/1. BENG%ON VS. SENATE BL#E RIBBON CO&&ITTEE
2/3 SCRA 7-7
Facts :
4t as alle(ed t!at Ben7a,in So:oyRo,#alde+ and !is ife to(et!er it! t!e
Mar$oses #nlaf#lly and #n7#stly enri$!ed t!e,selves at t!e e6pense of t!e )ilipino
people. =!at t!ey obtained it! t!e !elp of t!e Ben(+on la offi$e and Ri$ardo Lopa R
"ory.s brot!er in la, a,on( ot!ers, $ontrol over so,e of t!e bi((est b#siness
enterprises in t!e $o#ntry in$l#din( M@R3L"A, P"4 Ban:, S!ell P!ilippines and
Ben(#et "onsolidated Minin( "orporation. Sen. @nrile s#bse5#ently delivered a
privile(e spee$! alle(in( t!at Lopa too: over vario#s (overn,ent oned $orporations
!i$! is in violation of t!e 3nti<&raft and "orr#pt Pra$ti$es 3$t. "ontained in t!e spee$!
is a ,otion to investi(ate on t!e ,atter. =!e ,otion as referred to t!e "o,,ittee on
3$$o#ntability of P#bli$ Affi$ers or t!e Bl#e Ribbon "o,,ittee. 3fter $o,,ittee
!earin(, Lopa ref#sed to testify before t!e $o,,ittee for it ,ay #nd#ly pre7#di$e a
pendin( $ivil $ase a(ainst !i,. Ben(+on li:eise ref#sed invo:in( !is ri(!t to d#e
pro$ess. Lopa !oever sent a letter to @nrile $ate(ori$ally denyin( !is alle(ations and
t!at !is alle(ations are baseless and ,ali$io#s. @nrile s#bse5#ently too: advanta(e of
t!e Senate.s privile(e !o#r #pon !i$! !e insisted to !ave an in5#iry re(ardin( t!e
,atter. =!e SBR" re7e$ted Lopa.s and Ben(+on.s plea. "lai,in( t!at t!e Senate Bl#e
Ribbon "o,,ittee is poised to s#bpoena t!e, and re5#ire t!eir attendan$e and
testi,ony in pro$eedin(s before t!e "o,,ittee, in e6$ess of its 7#risdi$tion and
le(islative p#rpose, in $lear and blatant disre(ard of t!eir $onstit#tional ri(!ts, and to
t!eir (rave and irreparable da,a(e, pre7#di$e and in7#ry, and t!at t!ere is no appeal nor
any ot!er plain, speedy and ade5#ate re,edy in t!e ordinary $o#rse of la, t!e
Ben(+on et al filed t!e present petition for pro!ibition it! a prayer for te,porary
restrainin( order andJor in7#n$tive relief.
Issue:
>!et!er or not t!e in5#iry so#(!t by t!e SBR" be (ranted.
He!:
-o, t!e in5#iry $annot be (iven d#e $o#rse. =!e spee$! of @nrile $ontained no
s#((estion of $onte,plated le(islation? !e ,erely $alled #pon t!e Senate to loo: into a
possible violation of Se$. 9 of R3 -o. 012B, ot!erise :non as F=!e 3nti<&raft and
"orr#pt Pra$ti$es 3$t.G 4n ot!er ords, t!e p#rpose of t!e in5#iry to be $ond#$ted by t!e
Bl#e Ribbon "o,,ittee as to find o#t !et!er or not t!e relatives of "ory, parti$#larly
Lopa, !ad violated t!e la in $onne$tion it! t!e alle(ed sale of t!e 06 or 0B
$orporations belon(in( to So:oy to t!e Lopa &ro#p. =!ere appears to be, t!erefore, no
intended le(islation involved. 'en$e, t!e $onte,plated in5#iry by t!e SBR" is not really
Fin aid of le(islationG be$a#se it is not related to a p#rpose it!in t!e 7#risdi$tion of
"on(ress, sin$e t!e ai, of t!e investi(ation is to find o#t !et!er or not t!e relatives of
t!e President or Mr. Ri$ardo Lopa !ad violated Se$tion 9 of R3 -o. 012B, t!e F3nti<&raft
and "orr#pt Pra$ti$es 3$tG, a ,atter t!at appears ,ore it!in t!e provin$e of t!e $o#rts
rat!er t!an of t!e le(islat#re. Besides, t!e "o#rt ,ay ta:e 7#di$ial noti$e t!at Mr.
Ri$ardo Lopa died d#rin( t!e penden$y of t!is $ase.
2/2. STANDARD CHARTER VS. SENATE
GR. NO. 1-7173
Facts:
Before #s is a Peti tion for Pro!ibition (>it!Prayer for 4ss#an$e of =e,porary
Restrai nin( Arder andJor 4n7#n$tion) dated and filed on Mar$! 22, /119 by
peti ti oners a(ainst respondent Senat e "o,,itteeon Ban:s, )inan$i al
4nsti t#tions and "#rren$ies, asrepresented by @d(ardo 3n(ara.Pe t i t i o n e r S"B
i s a b a n : i n s t i t # t e d i n @n(l and. Petitioners are @6e$#tive offi$ers of
said.Respondent isis one of t!e per,anent $o,,ittees of t!e Senate of t!e
P!ilippines. =!e petition see:s t!e iss#an$e of a te,porary restrai nin( order
(=RA) to en7oin respondent fro, (2) pro$eedin( it! its in5#iry p#rs#ant to
P!ilippine Senate (P.S.) Resol#tion -o.266? (/) $o,pelli n( peti tioners !o
are offi $ers of petitioner S"B<P!ilippines to attend and testify before any f#rt!er
!earin( to be $ond#$ted by respondent, par t i $#l ar l y t !at set on Mar $!
29, /119? and ( 0) enf or $i n( any !ol d< depar t #r e or der ( 'DA) andJ or
p#ttin( t!e petitioners on t!e >at$! List. 4t also prayst!at 7#d(,ent be rendered (2)
ann#llin( t!e
Subpoenae adtestificandum and ducestecum iss#ed to petitioners, and (/)
pro!ibitin( t!e respondent fro, $o,pellin( peti tioners to appear and testi fy
in t!e in5#i ry bei n($ond#$ted p#rs#ant to P.S. Resol#tion -o. 266.S e n a t o r
% # a n P o n $ e @ n r i l e , V i $ e "!ai r per son of r espondent ,
del i ver ed a pr i vi l e(e spee$! entitled Arrogance of
Wealthbeforet!eSenate based on a letter fro, 3tty. Mar: R. Bo$obo
deno#n$in( S"B<P!ilippines for sellin( #nre(istered f o r e i ( n s e $ # r i t i e s i n
v i o l a t i o n o f t ! e Se $ # r i t i e s Re(#l at i on "ode ( R. 3. -o. 8CBB) and
#r (i n( t !e Senate to i,,ediatel y $ond#$t an in5#iry, in aid of l e(i sl at i on,
t o pr event t !e o$$#r r en$e of a si ,i l ar fra#d#l ent a$tivity in t!e f#t#re.
8pon ,oti on of Senator )ran$is Pan(ilinan, t!e spee$! as referred torespondent.
Prior to t!e pri vi le(e spee$!, Senator @n r i l e ! a d i n t r o d # $ e d P. S.
Re s o l # t i o n -o . 2 6 6 ,
d i r e $ t i n ( t ! e $ o ,, i t t e e o n b a n : s , finan$ial insti t#tions and
$#rren$ies,t o $ o n d # $ t a n i n 5 # i r y , i n a i d o f l e ( i s l a t i o n ,
i n t o t ! e i l l e ( a l s a l e o f #nre(istered and !i(!<ris: se$#rities by s t a n d a r d
$ ! a r t e r e d b a n : , ! i $ ! res#lted in billi ons of pesos of losses to t!e
investin( p#bli$.
3$tin( on t!e referral, respondent, t!ro#(!its "!airperson, Senator @d(ardo
%. 3n(ara, set t!einitial !earin( on )ebr#ary /8, /119 to investi(ate, inaid of
le(islation, t!e s#b7e$t ,atter of t!e spee$! andresol#tion filed by Senator
@nrile.Respondent invited petitioners to attend t!e!ear i n(, r e5#est i n( t !e, t o
s#b,i t t !ei r r i t t en position paper. Petitioners, t!ro#(! $o#nsel, s#b,ittedt o
r e s p o n d e n t a l e t t e r d a t e d ) e b r # a r y / ; , / 1 1 9 presentin( t!ei r
position, parti $#larl y stressin( t!at t!ere ere $ases pendin( in $o#rt alle(edly
involvin(t !e sa,e i ss#es s#b7 e$t of t !e l e(i sl at i ve i n5#i r y, t !er eby
posi n( a $!al l en(e t o t !e 7 #r i sdi $t i on of respondent to $ontin#e it! t!e
in5#iry.A n ) e b r # a r y / 8 , / 1 1 9 , r e s p o n d e n t $o,,en$ed t!e
investi(ation. Senator @nrilein5#ired!o a,on( t!ose invi ted as reso#r$e
persons ere present and !o ere absent. =!ereafter, Senator @nrile
,oved t!at s#bpoenae be iss#ed to t!ose !odid not attend t!e !earin( and t!at
t!e Senate re5#estt !e Depar t ,ent of %#st i $e, t !r o#(! t !e B#r ea# of
4,,i(ration and Deportation, to iss#e an 'DA a(ainstt!e, andJor in$l#de t!e, in t!e
B#rea#.s >at$! List.Senat or %#an )l avi er se$onded t !e ,ot i on and
t !e,otion as approved.R e s p o n d e n t t ! e n p r o $ e e d e d i t !
t ! e investi(ation proper. =oards t!e end of t!e !earin(, p e t i t i o n e r s , t ! r o # ( !
$ o # n s e l , ,a d e a n Ap e n i n ( State,ent t!at bro#(!t to t!e attention of
respondentt!e la$: of proper a#t!ori+ation fro, affe$ted $lientsfor t!e ban: to ,a:e
dis$los#res of t!eir a$$o#nts andt ! e l a $ : o f $ o p i e s o f t ! e a $ $ # s i n (
d o $ # ,e n t s ,enti oned in Senator @nrileL s privil e(e spee$!,
andr e i t e r a t e d t ! a t t ! e r e e r e p e n d i n ( $ o # r t $ a s e s re(ardin( t!e
alle(ed sale in t!e P!ilippines by S"B<P!ilippines of #nre(istered forei(n se$#rities.
Issue:
>!et!er or not petitioners S"B<P!il ippines ille(all y sold #nre(i stered
forei(n se$#ri ti es i s already pree,pted by t!e $o#rts t !at t oo: $o(ni +an$e
of t !e f or e(oi n( $ases, t !e respondent, by t!i s investi (ati on, o#ld
en$roa$! #pon t!e 7#di$ial poers vested solely in t!ese $o#rts.
He!:
"ontention is 8-=@-3BL@.P.S. Resol#tion -o. 266 is e6pl i$i t on t!e
s#b7e$t and nat#re of t!e in5#i ry to be (and already bein() $ond#$ted by t!e
respondent "o,,ittee, as fo#nd in t!e last t!ree
Whereas $la#ses t!ereof. = ! e # n , i s t a : a b l e o b 7 e $ t i v e o f t ! e
i nvest i (at i on, as set f or t ! i n t !e sai d r esol #t i on, e6poses t!e error in
peti tioners. all e(ation t!at t!e in5#iry, as initiated in a privile(e spee$! by t!e very
sa,e Senator @nrile, as si,pl y Fto deno#n$e t!e ille(al pra$ti$e $o,,itted by
a forei(n ban: in sellin( #nre(istered forei(n se$#rities 6 66.G =!is falla$y is ,ade
,or e (l ar i n( !en e $onsi der t !at , at t !e $on$l#sion of !i s privil e(e
spee$!, Senator @nrile # r ( e d t ! e S e n a t e F
t o i ,,edi at el y $ond#$t an i n5#i ry, i n aid of le(i sl ati on, so as to prevent t!e
o$$#rren$e of a si,il ar fra#d#l ent a$ti vi ty i n t!e f#t#re
.G4ndeed, t!e ,ere fili n( of a $ri,inal or an ad,i nistrative $o,plaint before a
$o#rt or a 5#asi < 7#di$ial body s!o#ld not a#to,ati$ally bar t!e $ond#$t.
122. A5;aut 2 Na=a5e;1
*7 "HIL 25 (1))/+
Facts:
4n t!e latter part of A$tober, 2B;B, t!e P!ilippine &overn,ent, t!ro#(! t!e R#ral
Pro(ress 3d,inistration, bo#(!t to estates :non as B#enavista and =a,bobon( for
t!e s#,s of P;,911,111 and P911,111, respe$tively. P2,111,111 as paid for t!e first
s#, and P 911,111 to t!e se$ond s#, bot! to @rnest '. B#rt, a nonresident 3,eri$an,
t!r# !is to attorney<in<fa$t in t!e P!ilippines, as represented by %ean L. 3rna#lt, for
bot! estates respe$tively. 'oever, @rnest '. B#rt as not t!e ori(inal oner of t!e
estate. 'e bo#(!t t!e first fro, San %#an de Dios !ospital and t!e se$ond fro, t!e
P!ilippine tr#st $o,pany. 4n bot! instan$es, B#rt as not able to pay t!e ne$essary
a,o#nt of ,oney to $o,plete !is pay,ents. 3s s#$!, !is $ontra$t it! said oners
ere $an$elled. An Septe,ber ;, 2B;C, t!e P!ilippine =r#st "o,pany sold, $onveyed,
and delivered t!e =a,bobon( @state to t!e R#ral Pro(ress 3d,inistration by an
absol#te deed of sale in$onsideration of t!e s#, of PC91,111. =!e P!ilippine
&overn,ent t!en, t!ro#(! t!e Se$retary of %#sti$e as "!air,an of t!e Board of
Dire$tors of t!e R#ral Pro(ress 3d,inistration and as "!air,an of t!e Board of
Dire$tors of t!e P!ilippine -ational Ban:, fro, !i$! t!e ,oney as borroed,
a$$o,plis!ed t!e p#r$!ase of t!e to estates in t!e latter part of A$tober, 2B;B, as
stated at t!e o#tset .An )ebr#ary /C, 2B91, t!e Senate adopted its Resol#tion -o.8,
!i$! $reated a spe$ial $o,,ittee to investi(ate t!e transa$tions s#rro#ndin( t!e
estates. =!e spe$ial $o,,ittee $reated by t!e resol#tion $alled and e6a,ined vario#s
itnesses, a,on( t!e ,ost i,portant of !o, as %ean L. 3rna#lt. 3n intri(#in(
5#estion !i$! t!e $o,,ittee so#(!t to resolve as t!e apparent #nne$essariness and
irre(#larity of t!e &overn,entLs payin( to B#rt t!e total s#, of P2,911,111for !is
alle(ed interest of only P/1,111 in t!e to estates, !i$! !e see,ed to !ave forfeited
anyay lon( before A$tober, 2B;B. =!e $o,,ittee so#(!t to deter,ine !o ere
responsible for and !o benefited fro, t!e transa$tion at t!e e6pense of t!e
&overn,ent. 3rna#lt testified t!at to $!e$:s payable to B#rt a((re(atin(P2,911,111
ere delivered to !i, on t!e afternoon of A$tober /B, 2B;B? t!at on t!e sa,e date !e
opened a ne a$$o#nt in t!e na,e of @rnest '. B#rt it! t!e P!ilippine -ational
Ban: in !i$! !e deposited t!e to $!e$:s a((re(atin( P2,911,111?and t!at on t!e
sa,e o$$asion !e dre on said a$$o#nt to $!e$:s? one for P911,111, !i$! !e
transferred to t!e a$$o#nt of t!e 3sso$iated 3(en$ies, 4n$., it! t!e P!ilippine -ational
Ban:, and anot!er for P;;1,111 payable to $as!, !i$! !e !i,self $as!ed. 4t as t!e
desire of t!e $o,,ittee to deter,ine t!e #lti,ate re$ipient of t!is s#, of P;;1,111 t!at
(ave rise to t!e present $ase. 3s 3rna#lt resisted to na,e t!e re$ipient of t!e ,oney,
t!e senate t!en approved a resol#tion t!at $ited !i, for $onte,pt. 4t is t!is resol#tion
!i$! bro#(!t !i, to 7ailand is bein( $ontested in t!is petition.
Issue:
2. >A- t!e Senate !as t!e poer to p#nis! 3rna#lt for $onte,pt for ref#sin( to reveal
t!e na,e of t!e person to !o, !e (ave t!e P;;1,111.
/. >A- t!e Senate la$:s a#t!ority to $o,,it !i, for $onte,pt for a ter, beyond its
period of le(islative session, !i$! ended on May 28, 2B91.0. >A- t!e privile(e
a(ainst self in$ri,ination prote$ts t!e petitioner fro, bein( 5#estioned.
He!:
2. P@S. An$e an in5#iry is ad,itted or establis!ed to be it!in t!e 7#risdi$tion of a
le(islative body to ,a:e, t!e investi(atin( $o,,ittee !as t!e poer to re5#ire a itness
to anser any 5#estion pertinent to t!at in5#iry, s#b7e$t of $o#rse to !is $onstit#tional
ri(!t a(ainst self<in$ri,ination. =!e in5#iry, to be it!in t!e 7#risdi$tion of t!e le(islative
body to ,a:e, ,#st be ,aterial or ne$essary to t!e e6er$ise of a poer in it vested by
t!e "onstit#tion, s#$! as to le(islate, or to e6pel a Me,ber? and every 5#estion !i$!
t!e investi(ator is e,poered to $oer$e a itness to anser ,#st be ,aterial or
pertinent to t!e s#b7e$t of t!e in5#iry or investi(ation.=!e ,ateriality of t!e 5#estion
,#st be deter,ined by its dire$t relation to t!e s#b7e$t of t!e in5#iry and not by its
indire$t relation to any proposed or possible le(islation. =!e reason is, t!at t!e
ne$essity or la$: of ne$essity for le(islative a$tion and t!e for, and $!ara$ter of t!e
a$tion itself are deter,ined by t!e s#, total of t!e infor,ation to be (at!ered as a res#lt
of t!e investi(ation, and not by a fra$tion of s#$! infor,ation eli$ited fro, a sin(le
5#estion.
/. -A. Senate is a $ontin#in( body and !i$! does not $ease to e6ist #pon t!e
periodi$al dissol#tion of t!e "on(ress or of t!e 'o#se of Representatives. =!ere is no
li,it as to ti,e to t!e SenateLs poer to p#nis! for $onte,pt in $ases !ere t!at poer
,ay $onstit#tionally be e6erted as in t!e present $ase. Senate ill not be disposed to
e6ert t!e poer beyond its proper bo#nds, i.e. ab#se t!eir poer and :eep t!e itness
in prison for life. 4f proper li,itations are disre(arded, "o#rt is alays open to t!ose
!ose ri(!ts ,i(!t t!#s be trans(ressed.
0. -A. "o#rt is satisfied t!at t!ose ansers of t!e itness to t!e i,portant 5#estion,
!i$! is t!e na,e of t!at person to !o, itness (ave t!e P;;1,111, ere obvio#sly
false. 'is insistent $lai, before t!e bar of t!e Senate t!at if !e s!o#ld reveal t!e na,e
!e o#ld in$ri,inate !i,self, ne$essarily i,plied t!at
"OLITICAL LA9 "ART 7I
ACCO#NTABILIT$ OF "#BLIC OFFICERS
1. Sect>1;s 1. "u4>c O??>ce >s a @u4>c t5ust.
123. CA&ILO L. SABIO 2s. GORDON' G.R. N1. 17,3,/' Oct14e5 17' 2//-' 5/,
SCRA 7/,
Facts:
An )ebr#ary /1, /116, Senator Miria, Defensor Santia(o introd#$ed P!ilippine
Senate Resol#tion -o. ;99 (Senate Res. -o. ;99), Fdire$tin( an in5#iry in aid of
le(islation on t!e ano,alo#s losses in$#rred by t!e P!ilippines Averseas
=ele$o,,#ni$ations "orporation (PA="), P!ilippine "o,,#ni$ations Satellite
"orporation (P'4L"AMS3=), and P'4L"AMS3= 'oldin(s "orporation (P'") d#e to t!e
alle(ed i,proprieties in t!eir operations by t!eir respe$tive Board of Dire$tors.G
An May 8, /116, "!ief of Staff Rio ". 4no$en$io, #nder t!e a#t!ority of Senator
Ri$!ard %. &ordon, rote "!air,an "a,ilo L. Sabio of t!e P"&&, one of t!e !erein
petitioners, invitin( !i, to be one of t!e reso#r$e persons in t!e p#bli$ ,eetin( 7ointly
$ond#$ted by t!e Committee on Government Corporations and Public Enterprises and
Committee on Public Services. =!e p#rpose of t!e p#bli$ ,eetin( as to deliberate on
Senate Res. -o. ;99.
An May B, /116, "!air,an Sabio de$lined t!e invitation be$a#se of prior
$o,,it,ent. At t:e sa3e t>3e' :e >;21Ae! Sect>1; ,(4+ 1? E.O. N1. 1.
Issue:
"r#$ial to t!e resol#tion of t!e present petitions is t!e f#nda,ental iss#e of
!et!er Sect>1; ,(4+ 1? E.O. N1. 1 >s 5e@eae! 4< t:e 1)*7 C1;st>tut>1;. 3ss#,in(
t!at it !as not been repealed, is it not in$onsistent it! Se$tion 2, 3rt. D4 !i$! states
t!at p#bli$ offi$e is a p#bli$ tr#stE
=!e petition !as no ,erit.
Se$tion ;(b) of @.A. -o.2 li,its t!e poer of le(islative in5#iry by e6e,ptin( all
P"&& ,e,bers or staff fro, testifyin( in any 7#di$ial, le(islative or ad,inistrative
pro$eedin(, t!#s:
N1 3e34e5 15 sta?? 1? t:e C133>ss>1; s:a 4e 5eBu>5e! t1 test>?< 15
@51!uce e2>!e;ce >; a;< Cu!>c>a' eD>sat>2e 15 a!3>;>st5at>2e @51cee!>;D
c1;ce5;>;D 3atte5s E>t:>; >ts 1??>c>a c1D;>=a;ce.
Se$tion ;(b) is also in$onsistent it! 3rti$le D4, Se$tion 2 of t!e "onstit#tion
statin( t!at: FPublic office is a public trust. Public officers and employees must at all
times be accountable to the people serve them !ith utmost responsibility integrity
loyalty and efficiency act !ith patriotism and "ustice and lead modest lives.G
=!e provision pres#pposes t!at sin$e an in$#,bent of a p#bli$ offi$e is invested it!
$ertain poers and $!ar(ed it! $ertain d#ties pertinent to soverei(nty, t!e poers so
dele(ated to t!e offi$er are !eld >; t5ust ?15 t:e @e1@e and a5e t1 4e eFe5c>se! >;
4e:a? 1? t:e D12e5;3e;t or 1? a c>t>=e;s E:1 3a< ;ee! t:e >;te52e;t>1; 1? t:e
1??>ce5s. Suc: t5ust eFte;!s t1 a 3atte5s E>t:>; t:e 5a;De 1? !ut>es @e5ta>;>;D t1
t:e 1??>ce. I; 1t:e5 E15!s' @u4>c 1??>ce5s a5e 4ut t:e se52a;ts 1? t:e @e1@e' a;!
;1t t:e>5 5ue5s.
Se$tion ;(b), bein( in t!e nat#re of i,,#nity, >s >;c1;s>ste;t E>t: t:e @5>;c>@e
1? @u4>c acc1u;ta4>>t<. 4t pla$es t!e P"&& ,e,bers and staff beyond t!e rea$! of
$o#rts, "on(ress and ot!er ad,inistrative bodies. I;stea! 1? e;c1u5aD>;D @u4>c
acc1u;ta4>>t<' t:e sa3e @512>s>1; 1;< >;st>tut>1;a>=es >55es@1;s>4>>t< a;! ;1;0
acc1u;ta4>>t<. 4n Presidential Commission on Good Government v. Pe#a %#sti$e
)lorentino P. )eli$iano $!ara$teri+ed as FobiterG t!e portion of t!e ,a7ority opinion
barrin(, on t!e basis of Se$tions ;(a) and (b) of @.A. -o. 2, a $ivil $ase for da,a(es
filed a(ainst t!e P"&& and its "o,,issioners. 'e elo5#ently opined:
=!e above #nders$ored portions are, it is respe$tf#lly s#b,itted, $learly obiter. It
>s >3@15ta;t t1 3aAe cea5 t:at t:e C1u5t >s ;1t :e5e >;te5@5et>;D' 3uc: ess
u@:1!>;D as 2a>! a;! c1;st>tut>1;a' t:e >te5a te53s 1? Sect>1; , (a+' (4+ 1?
EFecut>2e O5!e5 N1.1. 4f Se$tion ; (a) ere (iven its literal i,port as i,,#ni+in( t!e
P"&& or any ,e,ber t!ereof fro, $ivil liability Ffor anything done or omitted in t!e
dis$!ar(e of t!e tas: $onte,plated by t!is Arder,G t!e $onstit#tionality of Se$tion ; (a)
o#ld, in ,y s#b,ission, be open to ,ost serio#s do#bt. )or so vieed, Se$tion ; (a)
o#ld instit#tionali+e t!e irresponsibility and non<a$$o#ntability of ,e,bers and staff of
t!e P"&&, a notion t!at is $learly rep#(nant to bot! t!e 2BC0 and 2B8C "onstit#tion
and a privile(ed stat#s not $lai,ed by any ot!er offi$ial of t!e Rep#bli$ #nder t!e 2B8C
"onstit#tion. 6 6 6.
It E1u! see3 c1;st>tut>1;a< 1??e;s>2e t1 su@@1se t:at a 3e34e5 15 sta??
3e34e5 1? t:e "CGG c1u! ;1t 4e 5eBu>5e! t1 test>?< 4e?15e t:e Sa;!>Da;4a<a;
15 t:at suc: 3e34e5s Ee5e eFe3@te! ?513 c13@<>;D E>t: 15!e5s 1? t:>s
C1u5t.
Chave$ v. Sandiganbayan reiterates t!e sa,e vie. 4ndeed, Se$tion ;(b) !as
been froned #pon by t!is "o#rt even before t!e filin( of t!e present petitions.
/. Se$tions 2/R28
a. 4,pea$!,ent, offi$ers of t!e (overn,ent !o are i,pea$!able, (ro#nds, li,itations
for its e6er$ise, pro$ed#re, et$.
125. Se;ate 2s. E53>ta
GR 1-)777' A@5> 2/' 2//-
Facts:
=!is is a petition for $ertiorari and pro!ibition proffer t!at t!e President !as ab#sed
poer by iss#in( @.A. ;6; F@ns#rin( Abservan$e of t!e Prin$iples of Separation of
Poers, 3d!eren$e to t!e R#le on @6e$#tive Privile(e and Respe$t for t!e Ri(!ts of
P#bli$ Affi$ials 3ppearin( in Le(islative 4n5#iries in 3id of Le(islation 8nder t!e
"onstit#tion, and for At!er P#rposesG. Petitioners pray for its de$laration as n#ll and
void for bein( #n$onstit#tional.
4n t!e e6er$ise of its le(islative poer, t!e Senate of t!e P!ilippines, t!ro#(! its vario#s
Senate "o,,ittees, $ond#$ts in5#iries or investi(ations in aid of le(islation !i$! $all
for, inter alia, t!e attendan$e of offi$ials and e,ployees of t!e e6e$#tive depart,ent,
b#rea#s, and offi$es in$l#din( t!ose e,ployed in &overn,ent Aned and "ontrolled
"orporations, t!e 3r,ed )or$es of t!e P!ilippines (3)P), and t!e P!ilippine -ational
Poli$e (P-P).
=!e "o,,ittee of t!e Senate iss#ed invitations to vario#s offi$ials of t!e @6e$#tive
Depart,ent for t!e, to appear as reso#r$e spea:ers in a p#bli$ !earin( on t!e railay
pro7e$t, ot!ers on t!e iss#es of ,assive ele$tion fra#d in t!e P!ilippine ele$tions, ire
tappin(, and t!e role of ,ilitary in t!e so<$alled F&loria(ate S$andalG.
Said offi$ials ere not able to attend d#e to la$: of $onsent fro, t!e President as
provided by @.A. ;6;, Se$tion 0 !i$! re5#ires all t!e p#bli$ offi$ials en#,erated in
Se$tion /(b) to se$#re t!e $onsent of t!e President prior to appearin( before eit!er
!o#se of "on(ress.
ISS#E:
4s Se$tion 0 of @.A. ;6;, !i$! re5#ires all t!e p#bli$ offi$ials, en#,erated in Se$tion
/(b) to se$#re t!e $onsent of t!e President prior to appearin( before eit!er !o#se of
"on(ress, valid and $onstit#tionalE
R#LING:
-o. =!e en#,eration in Se$tion / (b) of @.A. ;6; is broad and is $overed by t!e
e6e$#tive privile(e. =!e do$trine of e6e$#tive privile(e is pre,ised on t!e fa$t t!at
$ertain infor,ation ,#st, as a ,atter of ne$essity, be :ept $onfidential in p#rs#it of t!e
p#bli$ interest. =!e privile(e bein(, by definition, an e6e,ption fro, t!e obli(ation to
dis$lose infor,ation, in t!is $ase to "on(ress, t!e ne$essity ,#st be of s#$! !i(!
de(ree as to o#tei(! t!e p#bli$ interest in enfor$in( t!at obli(ation in a parti$#lar $ase.
"on(ress #ndo#btedly !as a ri(!t to infor,ation fro, t!e e6e$#tive bran$! !enever it
is so#(!t in aid of le(islation. 4f t!e e6e$#tive bran$! it!!olds s#$! infor,ation on t!e
(ro#nd t!at it is privile(ed, it ,#st so assert it and state t!e reason t!erefore and !y it
,#st be respe$ted.
=!e infir, provisions of @.A. ;6;, !oever, allo t!e e6e$#tive bran$! to evade
$on(ressional re5#ests for infor,ation it!o#t need of $learly assertin( a ri(!t to do so
andJor profferin( its reasons t!erefor. By t!e ,ere e6pedient of invo:in( said provisions,
t!e poer of "on(ress to $ond#$t in5#iries in aid of le(islation is fr#strated.
12-. NERI VS. SENATE
5,) SCRA 77
Facts:
An 3pril /2, /11C, t!e DA=" and H!in( Din( =ele$o,,#ni$ations @5#ip,ent
(H=@), a $orporation oned by t!e People.s Rep#bli$ of "!ina, e6e$#ted a F"ontra$t for
t!e S#pply of @5#ip,ent and Servi$es for t!e -ational Broadband -etor: Pro7e$tG
(-B-<H=@ "ontra$t) ort! 8SV0/B,;82,/B1.11 (aro#nd P!P 26B). =!e pro7e$t so#(!t
to provide landline, $ell#lar and internet servi$es in (overn,ent offi$es nationide and
as to be finan$ed t!ro#(! a loan by "!ina to t!e P!ilippines. President 3rroyo
itnessed t!e $ontra$t si(nin( in "!ina.
3fter its si(nin(, reports of ano,alies $on$ernin( t!e pro7e$t (e.(.,bribery,
Foverpri$in(G by 8SV 201M, F:i$:ba$: $o,,issionsG involvin( top (overn,ent offi$ials,
and loss of t!e $ontra$t) pro,pted t!e Senate, t!ro#(! t!e "o,,ittees on
3$$o#ntability of P#bli$ Affi$ers and 4nvesti(ations (Bl#e Ribbon), =rade and
"o,,er$e, and -ational Defense and Se$#rity, to $ond#$t an in5#iry in aid of
le(islation.
=!e in5#iry as based on a n#,ber of Senate resol#tions and in$onne$tion it!
pendin( bills $on$ernin( f#ndin( in t!e pro$#re,ent of (overn,ent pro7e$ts, $ontra$tin(
of loans as develop,ent assistan$e, and Senate $on$#rren$e to e6e$#tive a(ree,ents.
4n one of t!e !earin(s !eld on Sept. /6, /11C, for,er -@D3 Dire$tor &eneral
Ro,#lo -eri testified t!at President 3rroyo initially (ave instr#$tions for t!e pro7e$t to be
#nderta:en on a B#ild<Aperate< =ransfer (BA=) arran(e,ent so t!e (overn,ent o#ld
not spend ,oney for it, b#t event#ally t!e pro7e$t as aarded to H=@ it! a
(overn,ent<to<(overn,ent loan fro, "!ina. 'e also said t!at t!en "AM@L@"
"!air,an Ben7a,in 3balos, t!e alle(ed bro:er in t!e pro7e$t, offered !i, P!P /11M in
e6$!an(e for -@D3.s approval of t!e pro7e$t.
-eri testified t!at !en !e told President 3rroyo of t!e bribe offer,s!e told !i, not
to a$$ept it. B#t -eri ref#sed to anser 5#estions abo#t !at !e and t!e President
dis$#ssed after t!at, invo:in( e6e$#tive privile(e sin$e t!ey $on$erned !is
$onversations it! t!e President. =!e Senate re5#ired !i, to appear a(ain and testify
on -ove,ber /1, /11C.
>!en -eri failed to appear on -ove,ber /1, /11C, t!e Senate re5#ired !i, to
s!o $a#se !y !e s!o#ld not be $ited in $onte,pt. -eri e6plained t!at !e t!o#(!t t!e
only re,ainin( 5#estions ere t!ose !e $lai,ed to be $overed by e6e$#tive privile(e
and t!at s!o#ld t!ere be ne ,atters to be ta:en #p, !e as:ed t!at !e be infor,ed in
advan$e of !at else !e needs to $larify so !e $o#ld prepare !i,self.
An De$. C, /11C, -eri 5#estioned t!e validity of t!e Senate.s s!o$a#se order
before t!e S#pre,e "o#rt. An %an#ary 01, /118, t!e Senate $ited -eri in $onte,pt and
ordered !is arrest for !is fail#re to appear in t!e Senate !earin(s. An )ebr#ary 2, /118,
-eri as:ed t!e S#pre,e "o#rt to stop t!e Senate fro, i,ple,entin( its $onte,pt order,
!i$! t!e "o#rt (ranted on )eb. 9, /118. =!e S#pre,e "o#rt also re5#ired t!e parties
to observe t!e stat#s 5#o prevailin( before t!e iss#an$e of t!e $onte,pt order.
Issues:
=!e S#pre,e "o#rt said t!ere ere to $r#$ial 5#estions at t!e $ore of t!e $ontroversy:
a. 3re t!e $o,,#ni$ations so#(!t to be eli$ited by t!e t!ree 5#estions $overed by
e6e$#tive privile(eE
b. Did t!e Senate "o,,ittees $o,,it (rave ab#se of dis$retion in $itin( -eri in
$onte,pt and orderin( !is arrestE
He!:
=!e S#pre,e "o#rt first re$o(ni+ed t!e poer of "on(ress to $ond#$t in5#iries in aid of
le(islation. =!e "o#rt said t!at t!e poer e6tends even to e6e$#tive offi$ials and t!e
only ay for t!e, to be e6e,pted is t!ro#(! a valid $lai, of e6e$#tive privile(e.
An t!e first 5#estion, t!e S#pre,e "o#rt said t!at t!e $o,,#ni$ations so#(!t to be
eli$ited by t!e t!ree 5#estions are $overed by t!e presidential $o,,#ni$ations privile(e,
!i$! is one type of e6e$#tive privile(e. 'en$e, t!e Senate $annot $o,pel -eri to
anser t!e t!ree
5#estions.
An t!e se$ond 5#estion, t!e S#pre,e "o#rt said t!at t!e Senate "o,,ittees
$o,,itted (rave ab#se of dis$retion in $itin( -eri in $onte,pt. 'en$e, t!e Senate order
$itin( -eri in $onte,pt and orderin( !is arrest as not valid.
127.
NEGROS ORIENTAL II ELEC. COO".' INC. 2s. SANGG#NIANG "ANL#NGSOD OF
D#&AG#ETE
5-, SCRA 152
Facts:
3 s#bpoena as sent by t!e 3d 'o$ "o,,ittee of San((#nian( Panl#n(sod of
D#,a(#ete (respondent) to t!e petitioners Paterio =orres and 3rt#ro 8,ba$, "!air,an
of t!e Board of Dire$tors and t!e &eneral Mana(er, respe$tively, of petitioner -e(ros
Ariental 44 @le$tri$ "ooperative -AR@"A 44), re5#irin( t!eir attendan$e and testi,ony at
t!e "o,,itteeLs investi(ation. 'oever, t!ey failed to appear at said investi(ation and
ere sent ere ordered to s!o $a#se !y t!ey s!o#ld not be p#nis!ed for le(islative
$onte,pt d#e to t!eir fail#re to appear at said investi(ation. =!e investi(ation to be
$ond#$ted by respondent "o,,ittee as Qin $onne$tion it! pendin( le(islation related
to t!e operations of p#bli$ #tilitiesQ in t!e "ity of D#,a(#ete and t!e in5#iry as to
fo$#s on t!e alle(ed installation and #se by t!e petitioner -AR@"A 44 of ineffi$ient
poer lines in t!at $ity. Petitioners ,oved to 5#as! t!e s#bpoena b#t t!e ,otion to
5#as! as denied. Petitioners $ontend t!at t!e respondent San((#nian( Panl#n(sod of
D#,a(#ete is bereft of t!e poer to $o,pel t!e attendan$e and testi,ony of itnesses,
nor t!e poer to order t!e arrest of itnesses !o fail to obey its s#bpoena. 4t is f#rt!er
ar(#ed t!at ass#,in( t!e poer to $o,pel t!e attendan$e and testi,ony of itnesses
to be lod(ed in said body, it $annot be e6er$ised in t!e investi(ation of ,atters affe$tin(
t!e ter,s and $onditions of t!e fran$!ise (ranted to -AR@"A 44 !i$! are beyond t!e
7#risdi$tion of t!e San((#nian( Panl#n(sod.
Issue:
Does a San((#nian( Pan(l#n(sod !ave a poer to p#nis! for a le(islative $onte,pt for
a party.s disobedien$e of s#bpoenaE
He!:
-o. =!ere is no e6press provision eit!er in t!e 2BC0 "onstit#tion or in t!e Lo$al
&overn,ent (rantin( lo$al le(islative bodies, t!e poer to s#bpoena itnesses and t!e
poer to p#nis! non<,e,bers for $onte,pt. =!ere bein( no provision in t!e Lo$al
&overn,ent "ode e6pli$itly (rantin( lo$al le(islative bodies, t!e poer to iss#e
$o,p#lsory pro$ess and t!e poer to p#nis! for $onte,pt, t!e San((#nian Panl#n(sod
of D#,a(#ete is devoid of poer to p#nis! t!e petitioners =orres and 8,ba$ for
$onte,pt. =!e 3d<'o$ "o,,ittee of said le(islative body !as even less basis to $lai,
t!at it $an e6er$ise t!ese poers. @ven ass#,in( t!at t!e respondent San((#nian(
Panl#n(sod and t!e respondent 3d<'o$ "o,,ittee !ad t!e poer to iss#e t!e
s#bpoena and t!e order $o,plained of, s#$! iss#an$es o#ld still be void for bein(
#ltra vires. =!e $onte,pt poer (and t!e s#bpoena poer) if a$t#ally possessed, ,ay
only be e6er$ised !ere t!e s#b7e$t ,atter of t!e investi(ation is it!in t!e 7#risdi$tion
of t!e le(islative body. 3s ad,itted by t!e respondents in t!eir "o,,ent, t!e
investi(ation to be $ond#$ted by t!e 3d<'o$ "o,,ittee as to loo: into t!e #se by
-AR@"A 44 of ineffi$ient poer lines Qof pre<ar vinta(eQ !i$! t!e latter !ad a$5#ired
fro, t!e Visayan @le$tri$ "o,. $o,pany, and Qto !ear t!e side of t!e petitionersQ. 4t
$o,es evident t!at t!e in5#iry o#ld to#$! #pon t!e effi$ien$y of t!e ele$tri$ servi$e of
-AR@"A 44 and, ne$essarily, its $o,plian$e it! t!e fran$!ise. S#$! in5#iry is beyond
t!e 7#risdi$tion of t!e respondent San((#nian( Panl#n(sod and t!e respondent
$o,,ittee.es.
12*. GARCILLANO V.S HO#SE OF RE"RESENTATIVES

GR N1. 17/33*' Dece34e5 23' 2//*
Facts:
=!is $ase involves t!e infa,o#s &ar$i =apes !i$! alle(edly $ontained t!e
$onversation of P&M3 and "AM@L@" "o,,issioner &ar$illano !ere t!e for,er
instr#$ted t!e latter to ,anip#late t!eele$tion res#lts in favor of P&M3. =!e spee$! of
"on(. @s$#dero int!e 'o#se of Reps 7#,pstarted t!e $on(ressional investi(ation over
t!ese tapes. D#rin( t!e in5#iry, several versions of t!e iretapped $onversation
e,er(ed. B#t on %#ly 9, /119, -ational B#rea# of4nvesti(ation (-B4) Dire$tor Reynaldo
>y$o$o, 3tty. 3lan Pa(#ia and t!e layer of for,er -B4 Dep#ty Dire$tor Sa,#el An(
s#b,itted to t!e respondent 'o#se "o,,ittees seven alle(ed Qori(inalQ tape
re$ordin(s of t!e s#pposed t!ree<!o#r taped $onversation. 3fter prolon(ed and
i,passioned debate by t!e $o,,ittee ,e,bers on t!e ad,issibility and a#t!enti$ity of
t!e re$ordin(s, t!e tapes ere event#ally played in t!e $!a,bers of t!e 'o#se. =!e
'o#se"o,,ittee also de$ided to prepare $o,,ittee reports based on t!e re$ordin(s
and t!e testi,onies of t!e reso#r$e persons in t!e !earin(s.
4n t!e Senate, Senator La$son also delivered a spee$! re(ardin( t!e &ar$i
=apes. An ,otion of Sen. Pan(ilinan, t!ese tapes s!o#ld be t!e s#b7e$t of a
le(islative investi(ation by t!e Senate. 'oever, Senator Ri$!ard &ordon aired !is
$on$ern on t!e possible trans(ression of Rep#bli$ 3$t (R.3.) -o. ;/11 if t!e body ere
to $ond#$t a le(islative in5#iry on t!e ,atter. Sen. Defensor<Santia(o also delivered a
privile(e spee$!, arti$#latin( !er $onsidered vie t!at t!e "onstit#tion absol#tely bans
t!e #se, possession, replay or $o,,#ni$ation of t!e $ontents of t!e Q'ello &ar$iQ
tapes.
Be$a#se of t!ese develop,ents, &ar$illano, and retired "3 %#sti$es Ranada and
3($aoili filed separate petitions before t!e S#pre,e "o#rt to for Pro!ibition it! Prayer
for t!e 4ss#an$e of a =e,porary Restrainin( Arder andJor >rit of Preli,inary 4n7#n$tion.
&ar$illano prayed t!at t!e respondent 'o#se "o,,ittees be restrained fro, #sin(
t!ese tape re$ordin(s of t!e Qille(ally obtainedQ iretapped $onversations in t!eir
$o,,ittee reports and for any ot!er p#rpose. 'e f#rt!er i,plored t!at t!e said
re$ordin(s and any referen$e t!ereto be ordered stri$:en off t!e re$ords of t!e in5#iry,
and t!e respondent 'o#se "o,,ittees dire$ted to desist fro, f#rt!er #sin( t!e
re$ordin(s in any of t!e 'o#se pro$eedin(s. An t!e ot!er !and, petitioners Ranada and
3($aoili prayed t!at t!e Senate be barred fro, $ond#$tin( its s$!ed#led
le(islative in5#iry. =!ey ar(#ed in t!e ,ain t!at t!e intended le(islative in5#iry violates
R.3. -o. ;/11 and Se$tion 0, 3rti$le 444 of t!e "onstit#tion.
Issue:
>!et!er or not t!e 'o#se "o,,ittee !earin(s and t!e Senate le(islative s!o#ld be
pro!ibited for violation of R3 -o. ;/11 (3nti<iretappin( La) and se$. 0, 3rt. 444 of t!e
"onstit#tion (priva$y of $o,,#ni$ations)
He!:
=!e petition of &ar$illano prayin( t!at t!e 'o#se "o,,ittee !earin(s on t!e
&ar$i tapes be stopped ,#st be dis,issed for bein( ,oot and a$ade,i$. =!e "o#rt
noted t!at t!e re$ordin(s ere already played in t!e 'o#se and !eard by its ,e,bers.
=!ere is also t!e idely p#bli$i+ed fa$t t!at t!e $o,,ittee reports on t!e Q'ello
&ar$iQ in5#iry ere $o,pleted and s#b,itted to t!e 'o#se in plenary by t!e respondent
$o,,ittees.
'oever, t!e petition for pro!ibition of petitioners Ranada and 3($aoili ,#st be
(ranted. ('oever, t!e ponente did not to#$! #pon t!e iss#e of t!e ad,issibility of t!e
&ar$i =apes. =!e (rantin( of t!e se$ond petition as based on t!e non<$o,plian$e of
t!e le(islativeinvesti(ation it! se$. /2, art. V4 of t!e "onstit#tion !i$! re5#ires t!at
in5#iries in aid of le(islation in a$$ordan$e ,#st be $ond#$ted in a$$ordan$e it! t!e
Senate.s d#ly p#blis!ed r#les of pro$ed#re. Sin$e t!e Senate did not p#blis! its r#les of
pro$ed#re, t!en noin5#iry ,#st be alloed lest violate t!e (iven $onstit#tional
re5#ire,ent. =!e p!rase Qd#ly p#blis!ed r#les of pro$ed#reQ re5#ires t!e Senate of
every "on(ress to p#blis! its r#les of pro$ed#re (overnin( in5#iries in aid of le(islation
be$a#se every Senate is distin$t fro, t!e one before it or after it. Sin$e Senatorial
ele$tions are !eld every t!ree (0) years for one<!alf of t!e Senate.s ,e,bers!ip, t!e
$o,position of t!e Senate also $!an(es by t!e end of ea$! ter,. @a$! Senate ,ay
t!#s ena$t a different set of r#les as it ,ay dee, fit. -ot !avin( p#blis!ed its R#les of
Pro$ed#re, t!e s#b7e$t !earin(s in aid of le(islation to be $ond#$ted by t!e Senate, are
t!erefore, pro$ed#rally infir,.