Facts:

OnOctober4,2006,PresidentArroyoappointedrespondentMariaElenaH.Bautistaas
Undersecretaryof
DOTC,viceAgustinR.Bengzon.BautistawasdesignatedasUndersecretaryforMaritime
Transportofthe
departmentunderSpecialOrderNo.2006171datedOctober23,2006.OnSeptember1,
2008,following
theresignationofthenMARINAAdministratorVicenteT.Suazo,Jr.,Bautistawas
designatedasOfficerin
Charge(OIC),OfficeoftheAdministrator,MARINA,inconcurrentcapacityasDOTC
Undersecretary.On
October21,2008,DennisA.B.Funainhiscapacityastaxpayer,concernedcitizenand
lawyer,filedthe
instantpetitionchallengingtheconstitutionalityofBautistasappointment/designation,
whichis
proscribedbytheprohibitiononthePresident,VicePresident,theMembersofthe
Cabinet,andtheir
deputiesandassistantstoholdanyotherofficeoremployment.OnJanuary5,2009,during
thependencyof
thispetition,BautistawasappointedAdministratoroftheMARINAviceVicenteT.
Suazo,Jr.andshe
assumedherdutiesandresponsibilitiesassuchonFebruary2,2009.