EN BANC

BAYAN, KARAPATAN,
KILUSANG MAGBUBUKID
NG PILIPINAS (KMP),
GABRIELA, Fr. Jose Dizon,
Renao !onsanino, Jr., Fro"e#
Yaneza, an$ Fa%i&a Ta'ar,
Peiioners,

- ( )ers*s ( G.R. No. +,-./.


EDUARD0 ERMITA, in %is
1a2a1i" as E3e1*i)e Se1rear",
Mani#a !i" Ma"or LIT0
ATIEN4A, !%ie5 o5 %e P%i#i22ine
Naiona# Po#i1e, Gen. ARTUR0
M. L0MIBA0, N!RP0 !%ie5
Ma'. Gen. 6IDAL 7UER0L,
an$ 8esern Po#i1e Disri1 !%ie5
Gen. PEDR0 BULA0NG,
Res2on$ens.

3 ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( 3

JESS DEL PRAD0, 8ILS0N
F0RTALE4A, LE0DY DE GU4MAN,
PEDR0 PINLA!, !ARMELITA
M0RANTE, RASTI DELI40, PAUL
BANGAY, MARIE J0 0!AMP0,
LILIA DELA !RU4, !RISTETA
RAM0S, ADELAIDA RAM0S,
MARY GRA!E G0N4ALES, MI!9AEL
T0RRES, REND0 SABUSAP,
PRE!I0US BALUTE, R0:ANNE
MAGB00, ERNIE BAUTISTA,
J0SEP9 DE JESUS, MARGARITA
ES!0BER, DJ0ANNALYN JANIER,
MAGDALENA SELL0TE, MANNY
7UIA40N, ERI!S0N DI40N,
NENITA !RU4AT, LE0NARD0
DE L0S REYES, PEDRIT0
FADRIG0N,
Peiioners,


( )ers*s ( G.R. No. +,-.;.


EDUARD0 ERMITA, in %is Presen<
o55i1ia# 1a2a1i" as T%e E3e1*i)e
Se1rear" an$ in %is 2ersona# PANGANIBAN, C.J.,
1a2a1i", ANGEL0 REYES, in %is PUN0,
=
o55i1ia# 1a2a1i" as Se1rear" o5 7UISUMBING,
%e Inerior an$ Lo1a# Go)ern&ens, YNARES(SANTIAG0,
ARTUR0 L0MIBA0, in %is SAND06AL(GUTIERRE4,
o55i1ia# 1a2a1i" as %e !%ie5, !ARPI0,
P%i#i22ine Naiona# Po#i1e, 6IDAL AUSTRIA(MARTINE4,
7UER0L, in %is o55i1ia# 1a2a1i" !0R0NA,
as %e !%ie5, Naiona# !a2ia# !ARPI0 M0RALES,
Re>iona# Po#i1e 055i1e (N!RP0), !ALLEJ0, SR.,
PEDR0 BULA0NG, in %is o55i1ia# A4!UNA,
1a2a1i" as %e !%ie5, Mani#a TINGA,
Po#i1e Disri1 (MPD) AND ALL !9I!0(NA4ARI0,
==

0T9ER PUBLI! 0FFI!ERS GAR!IA, an$
AND PRI6ATE INDI6IDUALS 6ELAS!0, JJ.
A!TING UNDER T9EIR !0NTR0L,
SUPER6ISI0N AND INSTRU!TI0NS, Pro&*#>ae$<
Res2on$ens.
A2ri# ?@, ?AA,
3 (((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( 3

KILUSANG MAY0 UN0, re2resene$
B" is !%air2erson ELMER !. LAB0G
an$ Se1rear" Genera# J0EL
MAGLUNS0D, NATI0NAL
FEDERATI0N 0F LAB0R
UNI0NS(KILUSANG MAY0 UN0 G.R. No. +,-..+
(NAFLU(KMU), re2resene$ B" is
Naiona# Presi$en, J0SELIT0 6.
USTARE4, ANT0NI0 !. PAS!UAL,
SAL6AD0R T. !ARRAN4A, GILDA
SUMILANG, FRAN!IS!0
LASTRELLA, an$ R07UE M. TAN,
Peiioners,
- ( )ers*s (

T9E 90N0RABLE E:E!UTI6E
SE!RETARY, PNP DIRE!T0R
GENRAL ARTUR0 L0MIBA0,
90N0RABLE MAY0R LIT0
ATIEN4A, an$ PNP MPD !9IEF
SUPT. PEDR0 BULA0NG,
Res2on$ens.

3 (((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( 3
*
*

DECISION

AZCUNA, J.:


Peiioners 1o&e in %ree >ro*2s.


T%e 5irs 2eiioners, Bayan, et al., in G.R. No. +,-./.,
+C+D
a##e>e %a %e" are
1iizens an$ a32a"ers o5 %e P%i#i22ines an$ %a %eir ri>%s as or>anizaions an$
in$i)i$*a#s Eere )io#ae$ E%en %e ra##" %e" 2ari1i2ae$ in on 01oBer ,, ?AA@ Eas
)io#en#" $is2erse$ B" 2o#i1e&en i&2#e&enin> Baas Pa&Bansa (B.P.) No. ..A.

T%e se1on$ >ro*2 1onsiss o5 ?, in$i)i$*a# 2eiioners, Jess del Prado, et al., in
G.R. No. +,-.;.,
?C?D
E%o a##e>e %a %e" Eere in'*re$, arrese$ an$ $eaine$ E%en a
2ea1e5*# &ass a1ion %e" %e#$ on Se2e&Ber ?,, ?AA@ Eas 2ree&2e$ an$ )io#en#"
$is2erse$ B" %e 2o#i1e. T%e" 5*r%er asser %a on 01oBer @, ?AA@, a >ro*2 %e"
2ari1i2ae$ in &ar1%e$ o Ma#a1aFan> o 2roes iss*an1es o5 %e Pa#a1e E%i1%, %e"
1#ai&, 2* %e 1o*nr" *n$er an G*n$e1#are$H &aria# r*#e, an$ %e 2roes Eas #iIeEise
$is2erse$ )io#en#" an$ &an" a&on> %e& Eere arrese$ an$ s*55ere$ in'*ries.

T%e %ir$ >ro*2, Kilusang ayo Uno !KU", et al., 2eiioners in G.R. No.
+,-..+,
/C/D
a##e>e %a %e" 1on$*1 2ea1e5*# &ass a1ions an$ %a %eir ri>%s as
or>anizaions an$ %ose o5 %eir in$i)i$*a# &e&Bers as 1iizens, s2e1i5i1a##" %e ri>% o
2ea1e5*# asse&B#", are a55e1e$ B" Baas Pa&Bansa No. ..A an$ %e 2o#i1" o5
G!a#iBrae$ Pree&2i)e Res2onseH (!PR) Bein> 5o##oEe$ o i&2#e&en i.

KU, et al., 1#ai& %a on 01oBer ;, ?AA@, a ra##" KMU 1o(s2onsore$ Eas o Be
1on$*1e$ a %e Men$io#a Bri$>e B* 2o#i1e B#o1Ie$ %e& a#on> !.M. Re1o an$
Le2ano Srees an$ 5or1iB#" $is2erse$ %e&, 1a*sin> in'*ries o se)era# o5 %eir
&e&Bers. T%e" 5*r%er a##e>e %a on 01oBer ,, ?AA@, a &*#i(se1ora# ra##" E%i1% KMU
a#so 1o(s2onsore$ Eas s1%e$*#e$ o 2ro1ee$ a#on> Es2aFa A)en*e in 5ron o5 %e
Uni)ersi" o5 Sano To&as an$ >oin> oEar$s Men$io#a Bri$>e. Po#i1e o55i1ers B#o1Ie$
%e& a#on> Mora"a Sree an$ 2re)ene$ %e& 5ro& 2ro1ee$in> 5*r%er. T%e" Eere
1
2
3
%en 5or1iB#" $is2erse$, 1a*sin> in'*ries on one o5 %e&.
;C;D
T%ree o%er ra##"iss Eere
arrese$.

A## 2eiioners assai# Baas Pa&Bansa No. ..A, so&e o5 %e& in toto an$ o%ers
on#" Se1ions ;, @, ,, +?, +/(a), an$ +;(a), as Ee## as %e 2o#i1" o5 !PR. T%e" seeI o
so2 )io#en $is2ersa#s o5 ra##ies *n$er %e Gno 2er&i, no ra##"H 2o#i1" an$ %e !PR 2o#i1"
re1en#" anno*n1e$.

B.P. No. ..A, GT%e P*B#i1 Asse&B#" A1 o5 +-.@,H 2ro)i$es<

Baas Pa&Bansa B#>. ..A

AN A!T ENSURING T9E FREE E:ER!ISE BY T9E PE0PLE 0F
T9EIR RIG9T PEA!EABLY T0 ASSEMBLE AND PETITI0N
T9E G06ERNMENT CANDD F0R 0T9ER PURP0SES

Be it enacted by the Batasang Pambansa in session assembled:

SE!TI0N +. Title. J T%is A1 s%a## Be InoEn as GT%e P*B#i1
Asse&B#" A1 o5 +-.@.H

SE!. ?. Declaration of policy. J T%e 1onsi*iona# ri>% o5 %e
2eo2#e 2ea1eaB#" o asse&B#e an$ 2eiion %e >o)ern&en 5or re$ress o5
>rie)an1es is essenia# an$ )ia# o %e sren>% an$ saBi#i" o5 %e Sae.
To %is en$, %e Sae s%a## ens*re %e 5ree e3er1ise o5 s*1% ri>% Ei%o*
2re'*$i1e o %e ri>%s o5 o%ers o #i5e, #iBer" an$ eK*a# 2roe1ion o5 %e
#aE.

SE!. /. Definition of terms. J For 2*r2oses o5 %is A1<

(a) GP*B#i1 asse&B#"H &eans an" ra##", $e&onsraion, &ar1%,
2ara$e, 2ro1ession or an" o%er 5or& o5 &ass or 1on1ere$ a1ion %e#$ in
a 2*B#i1 2#a1e 5or %e 2*r2ose o5 2resenin> a #aE5*# 1a*seL or e32ressin>
an o2inion o %e >enera# 2*B#i1 on an" 2ari1*#ar iss*eL or 2roesin> or
in5#*en1in> an" sae o5 a55airs E%e%er 2o#ii1a#, e1ono&i1 or so1ia#L or
2eiionin> %e >o)ern&en 5or re$ress o5 >rie)an1es.

T%e 2ro1essions, ra##ies, 2ara$es, $e&onsraions, 2*B#i1
&eein>s an$ asse&B#a>es 5or re#i>io*s 2*r2oses s%a## Be >o)erne$ B"
#o1a# or$inan1esL Provided, however, T%a %e $e1#araion o5 2o#i1" as
2ro)i$e$ in Se1ion ? o5 %is A1 s%a## Be 5ai%5*##" oBser)e$.

T%e $e5iniion %erein 1onaine$ s%a## no in1#*$e 2i1Iein> an$
o%er 1on1ere$ a1ion in sriIe areas B" EorIers an$ e&2#o"ees res*#in>
4
5ro& a #aBor $is2*e as $e5ine$ B" %e LaBor !o$e, is i&2#e&enin> r*#es
an$ re>*#aions, an$ B" %e Baas Pa&Bansa Bi#an> ??M.

(B) GP*B#i1 2#a1eH s%a## in1#*$e an" %i>%Ea", Bo*#e)ar$,
a)en*e, roa$, sree, Bri$>e or o%er %oro*>%5are, 2arI, 2#aza, sK*are,
an$Nor an" o2en s2a1e o5 2*B#i1 oEners%i2 E%ere %e 2eo2#e are a##oEe$
a11ess.

(1) GMa3i&*& o#eran1eH &eans %e %i>%es $e>ree o5
resrain %a %e &i#iar", 2o#i1e an$ o%er 2ea1e Iee2in> a*%oriies s%a##
oBser)e $*rin> a 2*B#i1 asse&B#" or in %e $is2ersa# o5 %e sa&e.

($) GMo$i5i1aion o5 a 2er&iH s%a## in1#*$e %e 1%an>e o5 %e
2#a1e an$ i&e o5 %e 2*B#i1 asse&B#", rero*in> o5 %e 2ara$e or sree
&ar1%, %e )o#*&e o5 #o*$(s2eaIers or so*n$ s"se& an$ si&i#ar
1%an>es.

SE!. ;. Permit when reqired and when not reqired. J A Erien
2er&i s%a## Be reK*ire$ 5or an" 2erson or 2ersons o or>anize an$ %o#$ a
2*B#i1 asse&B#" in a 2*B#i1 2#a1e. 9oEe)er, no 2er&i s%a## Be reK*ire$ i5
%e 2*B#i1 asse&B#" s%a## Be $one or &a$e in a 5ree$o& 2arI $*#"
esaB#is%e$ B" #aE or or$inan1e or in 2ri)ae 2ro2er", in E%i1% 1ase on#"
%e 1onsen o5 %e oEner or %e one eni#e$ o is #e>a# 2ossession is
reK*ire$, or in %e 1a&2*s o5 a >o)ern&en(oEne$ an$ o2erae$
e$*1aiona# insi*ion E%i1% s%a## Be s*B'e1 o %e r*#es an$ re>*#aions
o5 sai$ e$*1aiona# insi*ion. Po#ii1a# &eein>s or ra##ies %e#$ $*rin> an"
e#e1ion 1a&2ai>n 2erio$ as 2ro)i$e$ 5or B" #aE are no 1o)ere$ B" %is
A1.
SE!. @. !pplication reqirements. J A## a22#i1aions 5or a 2er&i
s%a## 1o&2#" Ei% %e 5o##oEin> >*i$e#ines<

(a) (a) T%e a22#i1aions s%a## Be in Eriin> an$ s%a##
in1#*$e %e na&es o5 %e #ea$ers or or>anizersL %e 2*r2ose o5 s*1%
2*B#i1 asse&B#"L %e $ae, i&e an$ $*raion %ereo5, an$ 2#a1e or srees
o Be *se$ 5or %e inen$e$ a1i)i"L an$ %e 2roBaB#e n*&Ber o5 2ersons
2ari1i2ain>, %e rans2or an$ %e 2*B#i1 a$$ress s"se&s o Be *se$.

(B) (B) T%e a22#i1aion s%a## in1or2orae %e $*" an$
res2onsiBi#i" o5 %e a22#i1an *n$er Se1ion . %ereo5.

(1) (1) T%e a22#i1aion s%a## Be 5i#e$ Ei% %e o55i1e o5
%e &a"or o5 %e 1i" or &*ni1i2a#i" in E%ose '*ris$i1ion %e inen$e$
a1i)i" is o Be %e#$, a #eas 5i)e (@) EorIin> $a"s Be5ore %e s1%e$*#e$
2*B#i1 asse&B#".

($) ($) U2on re1ei2 o5 %e a22#i1aion, E%i1% &*s Be
$*#" a1InoE#e$>e$ in Eriin>, %e o55i1e o5 %e 1i" or &*ni1i2a# &a"or
s%a## 1a*se %e sa&e o i&&e$iae#" Be 2ose$ a a 1ons2i1*o*s 2#a1e in
%e 1i" or &*ni1i2a# B*i#$in>.

SE!. ,. !ction to be ta"en on the application. J

(a) (a) I s%a## Be %e $*" o5 %e &a"or or an"
o55i1ia# a1in> in %is Be%a#5 o iss*e or >ran a 2er&i *n#ess %ere is 1#ear
an$ 1on)in1in> e)i$en1e %a %e 2*B#i1 asse&B#" Ei## 1reae a 1#ear an$
2resen $an>er o 2*B#i1 or$er, 2*B#i1 sa5e", 2*B#i1 1on)enien1e, 2*B#i1
&ora#s or 2*B#i1 %ea#%.

(B) (B) T%e &a"or or an" o55i1ia# a1in> in %is
Be%a#5 s%a## a1 on %e a22#i1aion Ei%in Eo (?) EorIin> $a"s 5ro& %e
$ae %e a22#i1aion Eas 5i#e$, 5ai#in> E%i1%, %e 2er&i s%a## Be $ee&e$
>rane$. S%o*#$ 5or an" reason %e &a"or or an" o55i1ia# a1in> in %is
Be%a#5 re5*se o a11e2 %e a22#i1aion 5or a 2er&i, sai$ a22#i1aion s%a##
Be 2ose$ B" %e a22#i1an on %e 2re&ises o5 %e o55i1e o5 %e &a"or an$
s%a## Be $ee&e$ o %a)e Been 5i#e$.

(1) (1) I5 %e &a"or is o5 %e )ieE %a %ere is
i&&inen an$ >ra)e $an>er o5 a s*Bsani)e e)i# Earranin> %e $enia# or
&o$i5i1aion o5 %e 2er&i, %e s%a## i&&e$iae#" in5or& %e a22#i1an E%o
&*s Be %ear$ on %e &aer.

($) ($) T%e a1ion on %e 2er&i s%a## Be in Eriin>
an$ ser)e$ on %e a22#i1aCnD Ei%in Een"(5o*r %o*rs.

(e) (e) I5 %e &a"or or an" o55i1ia# a1in> in %is
Be%a#5 $enies %e a22#i1aion or &o$i5ies %e er&s %ereo5 in %is 2er&i,
%e a22#i1an &a" 1ones %e $e1ision in an a22ro2riae 1o*r o5 #aE.

(5) (5) In 1ase s*i is Bro*>% Be5ore %e
Mero2o#ian Tria# !o*r, %e M*ni1i2a# Tria# !o*r, %e M*ni1i2a# !ir1*i
Tria# !o*r, %e Re>iona# Tria# !o*r, or %e Iner&e$iae A22e##ae 1o*r,
is $e1isions &a" Be a22ea#e$ o %e a22ro2riae 1o*r Ei%in 5or"(ei>%
(;.) %o*rs a5er re1ei2 o5 %e sa&e. No a22ea# Bon$ an$ re1or$ on
a22ea# s%a## Be reK*ire$. A $e1ision >ranin> s*1% 2er&i or &o$i5"in> i
in er&s sais5a1or" o %e a22#i1an s%a## Be i&&e$iae#" e3e1*or".

(>) (>) A## 1ases 5i#e$ in 1o*r *n$er %is se1ion
s%a## Be $e1i$e$ Ei%in Een"(5o*r (?;) %o*rs 5ro& $ae o5 5i#in>. !ases
5i#e$ %ere*n$er s%a## Be i&&e$iae#" en$orse$ o %e e3e1*i)e '*$>e 5or
$is2osiion or, in %is aBsen1e, o %e ne3 in ranI.

(%) (%) In a## 1ases, an" $e1ision &a" Be
a22ea#e$ o %e S*2re&e !o*r.

(i) (i) Te#e>ra2%i1 a22ea#s o Be 5o##oEe$ B"
5or&a# a22ea#s are %ereB" a##oEe$.

SE!. M. #se of Pblic throroghfare. J S%o*#$ %e 2ro2ose$
2*B#i1 asse&B#" in)o#)e %e *se, 5or an a22re1iaB#e #en>% o5 i&e, o5 an"
2*B#i1 %i>%Ea", Bo*#e)ar$, a)en*e, roa$ or sree, %e &a"or or an"
o55i1ia# a1in> in %is Be%a#5 &a", o 2re)en >ra)e 2*B#i1 in1on)enien1e,
$esi>nae %e ro*e %ereo5 E%i1% is 1on)enien o %e 2ari1i2ans or
rero*e %e )e%i1*#ar ra55i1 o ano%er $ire1ion so %a %ere Ei## Be no
serio*s or *n$*e iner5eren1e Ei% %e 5ree 5#oE o5 1o&&er1e an$ ra$e.

SE!. .. $esponsibility of applicant. J I s%a## Be %e $*" an$
res2onsiBi#i" o5 %e #ea$ers an$ or>anizers o5 a 2*B#i1 asse&B#" o aIe
a## reasonaB#e &eas*res an$ se2s o %e en$ %a %e inen$e$ 2*B#i1
asse&B#" s%a## Be 1on$*1e$ 2ea1e5*##" in a11or$an1e Ei% %e er&s o5
%e 2er&i. T%ese s%a## in1#*$e B* no Be #i&ie$ o %e 5o##oEin><

(a) (a) To in5or& %e 2ari1i2ans o5 %eir
res2onsiBi#i" *n$er %e 2er&iL

(B) (B) To 2o#i1e %e ranIs o5 %e
$e&onsraors in or$er o 2re)en non($e&onsraors 5ro& $isr*2in> %e
#aE5*# a1i)iies o5 %e 2*B#i1 asse&B#"L

(1) (1) To 1on5er Ei% #o1a# >o)ern&en
o55i1ia#s 1on1erne$ an$ #aE en5or1ers o %e en$ %a %e 2*B#i1
asse&B#" &a" Be %e#$ 2ea1e5*##"L
($) ($) To see o i %a %e 2*B#i1 asse&B#"
*n$eraIen s%a## no >o Be"on$ %e i&e sae$ in %e 2er&iL an$

(e) (e) To aIe 2osii)e se2s %a
$e&onsraors $o no &o#es an" 2erson or $o an" a1 *n$*#" iner5erin>
Ei% %e ri>%s o5 o%er 2ersons no 2ari1i2ain> in %e 2*B#i1 asse&B#".

SE!. -. %on&interference by law enforcement athorities. J LaE
en5or1e&en a>en1ies s%a## no iner5ere Ei% %e %o#$in> o5 a 2*B#i1
asse&B#". 9oEe)er, o a$eK*ae#" ens*re 2*B#i1 sa5e", a #aE
en5or1e&en 1onin>en *n$er %e 1o&&an$ o5 a res2onsiB#e 2o#i1e
o55i1er &a" Be $eai#e$ an$ saione$ in a 2#a1e a #eas one %*n$re$
(+AA) &eers aEa" 5ro& %e area o5 a1i)i" rea$" o &ainain 2ea1e an$
or$er a a## i&es.

SE!. +A. Police assistance when reqested. J I s%a## Be
i&2erai)e 5or #aE en5or1e&en a>en1ies, E%en %eir assisan1e is
reK*ese$ B" %e #ea$ers or or>anizers, o 2er5or& %eir $*ies a#Ea"s
&in$5*# %a %eir res2onsiBi#i" o 2ro)i$e 2ro2er 2roe1ion o %ose
e3er1isin> %eir ri>% 2ea1eaB#" o asse&B#e an$ %e 5ree$o& o5
e32ression is 2ri&or$ia#. ToEar$s %is en$, #aE en5or1e&en a>en1ies
s%a## oBser)e %e 5o##oEin> >*i$e#ines<

(a) (a) Me&Bers o5 %e #aE en5or1e&en
1onin>en E%o $ea# Ei% %e $e&onsraors s%a## Be in 1o&2#ee *ni5or&
Ei% %eir na&e2#aes an$ *nis o E%i1% %e" Be#on> $is2#a"e$
2ro&inen#" on %e 5ron an$ $orsa# 2ars o5 %eir *ni5or& an$ &*s
oBser)e %e 2o#i1" o5 G&a3i&*& o#eran1eH as %erein $e5ine$L

(B) (B) T%e &e&Bers o5 %e #aE en5or1e&en
1onin>en s%a## no 1arr" an" Iin$ o5 5irear&s B* &a" Be eK*i22e$ Ei%
Baon or rio si1Is, s%ie#$s, 1ras% %e#&es Ei% )isor, >as &asIs, Boos or
anI#e %i>% s%oes Ei% s%in >*ar$sL

(1) (1) Tear >as, s&oIe >rena$es, Eaer
1annons, or an" si&i#ar ani(rio $e)i1e s%a## no Be *se$ *n#ess %e 2*B#i1
asse&B#" is aen$e$ B" a1*a# )io#en1e or serio*s %reas o5 )io#en1e, or
$e#iBerae $esr*1ion o5 2ro2er".

SE!. ++. Dispersal of pblic assembly with permit. J No 2*B#i1
asse&B#" Ei% a 2er&i s%a## Be $is2erse$. 9oEe)er, E%en an asse&B#"
Be1o&es )io#en, %e 2o#i1e &a" $is2erse s*1% 2*B#i1 asse&B#" as
5o##oEs<

(a) (a) A %e 5irs si>n o5 i&2en$in> )io#en1e,
%e ranIin> o55i1er o5 %e #aE en5or1e&en 1onin>en s%a## 1a## %e
aenion o5 %e #ea$ers o5 %e 2*B#i1 asse&B#" an$ asI %e #aer o
2re)en an" 2ossiB#e $is*rBan1eL

(B) (B) I5 a1*a# )io#en1e sars o a 2oin
E%ere ro1Is or o%er %ar&5*# oB'e1s 5ro& %e 2ari1i2ans are %roEn a
%e 2o#i1e or a %e non(2ari1i2ans, or a an" 2ro2er" 1a*sin> $a&a>e
o s*1% 2ro2er", %e ranIin> o55i1er o5 %e #aE en5or1e&en 1onin>en
s%a## a*$iB#" Earn %e 2ari1i2ans %a i5 %e $is*rBan1e 2ersiss, %e
2*B#i1 asse&B#" Ei## Be $is2erse$L

(1) (1) I5 %e )io#en1e or $is*rBan1e
2re)ai#in> as sae$ in %e 2re1e$in> s*B2ara>ra2% s%o*#$ no so2 or
aBae, %e ranIin> o55i1er o5 %e #aE en5or1e&en 1onin>en s%a## a*$iB#"
iss*e a Earnin> o %e 2ari1i2ans o5 %e 2*B#i1 asse&B#", an$ a5er
a##oEin> a reasonaB#e 2erio$ o5 i&e o #a2se, s%a## i&&e$iae#" or$er i o
5or%Ei% $is2erseL

($) ($) No arres o5 an" #ea$er, or>anizer or
2ari1i2an s%a## a#so Be &a$e $*rin> %e 2*B#i1 asse&B#" *n#ess %e
)io#aes $*rin> %e asse&B#" a #aE, sa*e, or$inan1e or an" 2ro)ision o5
%is A1. S*1% arres s%a## Be >o)erne$ B" Ari1#e +?@ o5 %e Re)ise$
Pena# !o$e, as a&en$e$L

(e) (e) Iso#ae$ a1s or in1i$ens o5 $isor$er or
Brea1% o5 %e 2ea1e $*rin> %e 2*B#i1 asse&B#" s%a## no 1onsi*e a
>ro*n$ 5or $is2ersa#.

SE!. +?. Dispersal of pblic assembly withot permit. J 8%en %e
2*B#i1 asse&B#" is %e#$ Ei%o* a 2er&i E%ere a 2er&i is reK*ire$, %e
sai$ 2*B#i1 asse&B#" &a" Be 2ea1e5*##" $is2erse$.

SE!. +/. Prohibited acts. J T%e 5o##oEin> s%a## 1onsi*e
)io#aions o5 %e A1<

(a) (a) T%e %o#$in> o5 an" 2*B#i1 asse&B#" as
$e5ine$ in %is A1 B" an" #ea$er or or>anizer Ei%o* %a)in> 5irs se1*re$
%a Erien 2er&i E%ere a 2er&i is reK*ire$ 5ro& %e o55i1e 1on1erne$,
or %e *se o5 s*1% 2er&i 5or s*1% 2*r2oses in an" 2#a1e o%er %an %ose
se o* in sai$ 2er&i< Provided, however, T%a no 2erson 1an Be
2*nis%e$ or %e#$ 1ri&ina##" #iaB#e 5or 2ari1i2ain> in or aen$in> an
o%erEise 2ea1e5*# asse&B#"L

(B) (B) ArBirar" an$ *n'*si5ie$ $enia# or
&o$i5i1aion o5 a 2er&i in )io#aion o5 %e 2ro)isions o5 %is A1 B" %e
&a"or or an" o%er o55i1ia# a1in> in %is Be%a#5L

(1) (1) T%e *n'*si5ie$ an$ arBirar" re5*sa# o
a11e2 or a1InoE#e$>e re1ei2 o5 %e a22#i1aion 5or a 2er&i B" %e
&a"or or an" o55i1ia# a1in> in %is Be%a#5L

($) ($) 0Bsr*1in>, i&2e$in>, $isr*2in> or
o%erEise $en"in> %e e3er1ise o5 %e ri>% o 2ea1e5*# asse&B#"L

(e) (e) T%e *nne1essar" 5irin> o5 5irear&s B" a
&e&Ber o5 an" #aE en5or1e&en a>en1" or an" 2erson o $is2erse %e
2*B#i1 asse&B#"L

(5) (5) A1s in )io#aion o5 Se1ion +A %ereo5L

(>) (>) A1s $es1riBe$ %ere*n$er i5 1o&&ie$
Ei%in one %*n$re$ (+AA) &eers 5ro& %e area o5 a1i)i" o5 %e 2*B#i1
asse&B#" or on %e o11asion %ereo5<

+. +. %e 1arr"in> o5 a $ea$#" or
o55ensi)e Eea2on or $e)i1e s*1% as 5irear&, 2i##Bo3,
Bo&B, an$ %e #iIeL

?. ?. %e 1arr"in> o5 a B#a$e$
Eea2on an$ %e #iIeL
/. /. %e &a#i1io*s B*rnin> o5 an"
oB'e1 in %e srees or %oro*>%5aresL

;. ;. %e 1arr"in> o5 5irear&s B"
&e&Bers o5 %e #aE en5or1e&en *niL

@. @. %e iner5erin> Ei% or
ineniona##" $is*rBin> %e %o#$in> o5 a 2*B#i1
asse&B#" B" %e *se o5 a &oor )e%i1#e, is %orns
an$ #o*$ so*n$ s"se&s.

SE!. +;. Penalties. J An" 2erson 5o*n$ >*i#" an$ 1on)i1e$ o5
an" o5 %e 2ro%iBie$ a1s $e5ine$ in %e i&&e$iae#" 2re1e$in> se1ion
s%a## Be 2*nis%e$ as 5o##oEs<

(a) (a) )io#aion o5 s*B2ara>ra2% (a) s%a## Be 2*nis%e$ B"
i&2rison&en o5 one &on% an$ one $a" o si3 &on%sL

(B) (B) )io#aions o5 s*B2ara>ra2%s (B), (1), ($), (e), (5),
an$ ie& ;, s*B2ara>ra2% (>) s%a## Be 2*nis%e$ B" i&2rison&en o5 si3
&on%s an$ one $a" o si3 "earsL

(1) (1) )io#aion o5 ie& +, s*B2ara>ra2% (>) s%a## Be
2*nis%e$ B" i&2rison&en o5 si3 &on%s an$ one $a" o si3 "ears Ei%o*
2re'*$i1e o 2rose1*ion *n$er Presi$enia# De1ree No. +.,,L

($) ($) )io#aions o5 ie& ?, ie& /, or ie& @ o5
s*B2ara>ra2% (>) s%a## Be 2*nis%e$ B" i&2rison&en o5 one $a" o %ir"
$a"s.

SE!. +@. 'reedom par"s. J E)er" 1i" an$ &*ni1i2a#i" in %e
1o*nr" s%a## Ei%in si3 &on%s a5er %e e55e1i)i" o5 %is A1 esaB#is% or
$esi>nae a #eas one s*iaB#e G5ree$o& 2arIH or &a## in %eir res2e1i)e
'*ris$i1ions E%i1%, as 5ar as 2ra1i1aB#e, s%a## Be 1enra##" #o1ae$ Ei%in
%e 2oB#a1ion E%ere $e&onsraions an$ &eein>s &a" Be %e#$ a an"
i&e Ei%o* %e nee$ o5 an" 2rior 2er&i.

In %e 1iies an$ &*ni1i2a#iies o5 Mero2o#ian Mani#a, %e
res2e1i)e &a"ors s%a## esaB#is% %e 5ree$o& 2arIs Ei%in %e 2erio$ o5
si3 &on%s 5ro& %e e55e1i)i" %is A1.

SE!. +,. Constittionality. J S%o*#$ an" 2ro)ision o5 %is A1 Be
$e1#are$ in)a#i$ or *n1onsi*iona#, %e )a#i$i" or 1onsi*iona#i" o5 %e
o%er 2ro)isions s%a## no Be a55e1e$ %ereB".

SE!. +M. $epealing clase. J A## #aEs, $e1rees, #eers o5
insr*1ions, reso#*ions, or$ers, or$inan1es or 2ars %ereo5 E%i1% are
in1onsisen Ei% %e 2ro)isions o5 %is A1 are %ereB" re2ea#e$, a&en$e$,
or &o$i5ie$ a11or$in>#".

SE!. +.. (ffectivity. J T%is A1 s%a## aIe e55e1 *2on is a22ro)a#.

A22ro)e$, 01oBer ??, +-.@.



!PR, on %e o%er %an$, is a 2o#i1" se 5or% in a 2ress re#ease B" Ma#a1aFan>
$ae$ Se2e&Ber ?+, ?AA@, s%oEn in Anne3 GAH o %e Peiion in G.R. No. +,-.;., %*s<

Ma#a1aFan> 055i1ia#
Mani#a, P%i#i22ines NE8S

Re#ease No. ? Se2e&Ber ?+, ?AA@


STATEMENT 0F E:E!UTI6E SE!RETARY EDUARD0 ERMITA

)n #nlawfl *ass !ctions

In )ieE o5 ine##i>en1e re2ors 2oinin> o 1re$iB#e 2#ans o5 ani(
>o)ern&en >ro*2s o in5#a&e %e 2o#ii1a# si*aion, soE $isor$er an$
in1ie 2eo2#e a>ains %e $*#" 1onsi*e$ a*%oriies, Ee %a)e insr*1e$
%e PNP as Ee## as %e #o1a# >o)ern&en *nis o sri1#" en5or1e a Gno
2er&i, no ra##"H 2o#i1", $is2erse >ro*2s %a r*n a5o*# o5 %is san$ar$ an$
arres a## 2ersons )io#ain> %e #aEs o5 %e #an$ as Ee## as or$inan1es on
%e 2ro2er 1on$*1 o5 &ass a1ions an$ $e&onsraions.

T%e r*#e o5 1a#iBrae$ 2ree&2i)e res2onse is noE in 5or1e, in #ie*
o5 &a3i&*& o#eran1e. T%e a*%oriies Ei## no san$ asi$e E%i#e %ose
Ei% i## inen are %er$in> a Eiin> or *nEiin> &ass o5 2eo2#e an$ in1iin>
%e& ino a1ions %a are ini&i1a# o 2*B#i1 or$er, an$ %e 2ea1e o5 &in$
o5 %e naiona# 1o&&*ni".

Un#aE5*# &ass a1ions Ei## Be $is2erse$. T%e &a'ori" o5 #aE(
aBi$in> 1iizens %a)e %e ri>% o Be 2roe1e$ B" a )i>i#an an$ 2roa1i)e
>o)ern&en.

8e a22ea# o %e $era1ors o5 %e >o)ern&en o en>a>e in #aE5*#
an$ 2ea1e5*# 1on$*1 Be5iin> o5 a $e&o1rai1 so1ie".

T%e Presi$enOs 1a## 5or *ni" an$ re1on1i#iaion san$s, Base$ on
%e r*#e o5 #aE.

Peiioners Bayan, et al., 1onen$ %a Baas Pa&Bansa No. ..A is 1#ear#" a
)io#aion o5 %e !onsi*ion an$ %e Inernaiona# !o)enan on !i)i# an$ Po#ii1a# Ri>%s
an$ o%er %*&an ri>%s reaies o5 E%i1% %e P%i#i22ines is a si>naor".
@C@D

T%e" ar>*e %a B.P. No. ..A reK*ires a 2er&i Be5ore one 1an sa>e a 2*B#i1
asse&B#" re>ar$#ess o5 %e 2resen1e or aBsen1e o5 a 1#ear an$ 2resen $an>er. I a#so
1*rai#s %e 1%oi1e o5 )en*e an$ is %*s re2*>nan o %e 5ree$o& o5 e32ression 1#a*se
as %e i&e an$ 2#a1e o5 a 2*B#i1 asse&B#" 5or& 2ar o5 %e &essa>e 5or E%i1% %e
e32ression is so*>%. F*r%er&ore, i is no 1onen(ne*ra# as i $oes no a22#" o &ass
a1ions in s*22or o5 %e >o)ern&en. T%e Eor$s G#aE5*# 1a*se,H Go2inion,H G2roesin> or
in5#*en1in>H s*>>es %e e32osiion o5 so&e 1a*se no es2o*se$ B" %e >o)ern&en.
A#so, %e 2%rase G&a3i&*& o#eran1eH s%oEs %a %e #aE a22#ies o asse&B#ies a>ains
%e >o)ern&en Be1a*se %e" are Bein> o#erae$. As a 1onen(Base$ #e>is#aion, i
1anno 2ass %e sri1 s1r*in" es.

5
Peiioners Jess del Prado, et al., in *rn, ar>*e %a B.P. No. ..A is
*n1onsi*iona# as i is a 1*rai#&en o5 %e ri>% o 2ea1e5*##" asse&B#e an$ 2eiion 5or
re$ress o5 >rie)an1es Be1a*se i 2*s a 1on$iion 5or %e )a#i$ e3er1ise o5 %a ri>%. I
a#so 1%ara1erizes 2*B#i1 asse&B#ies Ei%o* a 2er&i as i##e>a# an$ 2ena#izes %e& an$
a##oEs %eir $is2ersa#. T%*s, is 2ro)isions are no &ere re>*#aions B* are a1*a##"
2ro%iBiions.

F*r%er&ore, %e #aE $e#e>aes 2oEers o %e Ma"or Ei%o* 2ro)i$in> 1#ear
san$ar$s. T%e Eo san$ar$s sae$ in %e #aEs (1#ear an$ 2resen $an>er an$
i&&inen an$ >ra)e $an>er) are in1onsisen.

Re>ar$in> %e !PR 2o#i1", i is )oi$ 5or Bein> an ltra vires a1 %a a#ers %e
san$ar$ o5 &a3i&*& o#eran1e se 5or% in B.P. No. ..A, asi$e 5ro& Bein> )oi$ 5or Bein>
)a>*e an$ 5or #a1I o5 2*B#i1aion.

Fina##", 2eiioners KU, et al., ar>*e %a %e !onsi*ion ses no #i&is on %e
ri>% o asse&B#" an$ %ere5ore B.P. No. ..A 1anno 2* %e 2rior reK*ire&en o5
se1*rin> a 2er&i. An$ e)en ass*&in> %a %e #e>is#a*re 1an se #i&is o %is ri>%, %e
#i&is 2ro)i$e$ are *nreasonaB#e< Firs, a##oEin> %e Ma"or o $en" %e 2er&i on 1#ear
an$ 1on)in1in> e)i$en1e o5 a 1#ear an$ 2resen $an>er is oo 1o&2re%ensi)e. Se1on$,
%e 5i)e($a" reK*ire&en o a22#" 5or a 2er&i is oo #on> as 1erain e)ens reK*ire insan
2*B#i1 asse&B#", o%erEise ineres on %e iss*e Eo*#$ 2ossiB#" Eane.

As o %e !PR 2o#i1", %e" ar>*e %a i is 2ree&2i)e, %a %e >o)ern&en aIes
a1ion e)en Be5ore %e ra##"iss 1an 2er5or& %eir a1, an$ %a no #aE, or$inan1e or
e3e1*i)e or$er s*22ors %e 2o#i1". F*r%er&ore, i 1onra)enes %e &a3i&*& o#eran1e
2o#i1" o5 B.P. No. ..A an$ )io#aes %e !onsi*ion as i 1a*ses a 1%i##in> e55e1 on %e
e3er1ise B" %e 2eo2#e o5 %e ri>% o 2ea1eaB#" asse&B#e.

Res2on$ens in #.$. No. %&'()( are Eduardo Er*ita, as E3e1*i)e Se1rear",
Mani#a !i" ayor +ito Atien,a, !%ie5, o5 %e P%i#i22ine Naiona# Po#i1e (PNP) #en.
Arturo +o*i-ao, Naiona# !a2ia# Re>ion Po#i1e 055i1e (N!RP0) !%ie5, PNP a.. #en.
/idal 0uerol, an$ Mani#a Po#i1e Disri1 (MPD) !%ie5 #en. Pedro Bulaong.

Res2on$ens in #.$. No. %&'(1( are Eduardo Er*ita as E3e1*i)e Se1rear"
an$ in %is 2ersona# 1a2a1i"L Angelo $eyes, as Se1rear" o5 %e Inerior an$ Lo1a#
Go)ern&ensL Arturo +o*i-ao, as !%ie5 /idal 0uerol, as !%ie5, N!RP0L Pedro
Bulaong, as !%ie5, MPD, an$ a## o%er 2*B#i1 o55i1ers an$ 2ri)ae in$i)i$*a#s a1in>
*n$er %eir 1onro#, s*2er)ision an$ insr*1ion.

Res2on$ens in #.$. No. %&'((% are %e 9onoraB#e E2e3uti4e Se3retary, PNP
Dire3tor #eneral Arturo +o*i-ao, %e 9onoraB#e ayor Joselito Atien,a, an$ PNP
MPD C5ie6 Pedro Bulaong.

Res2on$ens ar>*e %a<

+. +. Peiioners %a)e no san$in> Be1a*se %e" %a)e no
2resene$ e)i$en1e %a %e" %a$ Been Gin'*re$, arrese$ or $eaine$ Be1a*se o5 %e
!PR,H an$ %a G%ose arrese$ san$ o Be 1%ar>e$ Ei% )io#ain> Baas Pa&Bansa CNo.D
..A an$ o%er o55enses.H

2. ?. Nei%er B.P. No. ..A nor !PR is )oi$ on is 5a1e. Peiioners
1anno %ones#" 1#ai& %a %e i&e, 2#a1e an$ &anner re>*#aion e&Bo$ie$ in B.P. No.
..A )io#aes %e %ree(2ron>e$ es 5or s*1% a &eas*re, o Ei< (a) B.P. No. ..A is
1onen(ne*ra#, i.e., i %as no re5eren1e o 1onen o5 re>*#ae$ s2ee1%L (B) B.P. No. ..A
is narroE#" ai#ore$ o ser)e a si>ni5i1an >o)ern&ena# ineres, i.e., %e ineres 1anno
Be eK*a##" Ee## ser)e$ B" a &eans %a is #ess inr*si)e o5 5ree s2ee1% ineressL an$ (1)
B.P. No. ..A #ea)es o2en a#ernai)e 1%anne#s 5or 1o&&*ni1aion o5 %e in5or&aion.
,C,D

3. /. B.P. No. ..A is 1onen(ne*ra# as seen 5ro& %e e3 o5 %e
#aE. Se1ion @ reK*ires %e sae&en o5 %e 2*B#i1 asse&B#"Os i&e, 2#a1e an$ &anner
o5 1on$*1. I enai#s ra55i1 re(ro*in> o 2re)en >ra)e 2*B#i1 in1on)enien1e an$ serio*s
or *n$*e iner5eren1e in %e 5ree 5#oE o5 1o&&er1e an$ ra$e. F*r%er&ore, no%in> in
B.P. No. ..A a*%orizes %e $enia# o5 a 2er&i on %e Basis o5 a ra##"Os 2ro>ra& 1onen
or %e sae&ens o5 %e s2eaIers %erein, e31e2 *n$er %e 1onsi*iona# 2re1e2 o5 %e
6
G1#ear an$ 2resen $an>er es.H T%e sa*s o5 B.P. No. ..A as a 1onen(ne*ra#
re>*#aion %as Been re1o>nize$ in )sme+a v. Comelec.
MCMD


4. ;. !diong v. Comelec
.C.D
%e#$ %a B.P. No. ..A is a 1onen(
ne*ra# re>*#aion o5 %e i&e, 2#a1e an$ &anner o5 %o#$in> 2*B#i1 asse&B#ies an$ %e
#aE 2asses %e es 5or s*1% re>*#aion, na&e#", %ese re>*#aions nee$ on#" a
s*Bsania# >o)ern&ena# ineres o s*22or %e&.

5. @. ,angalang v. -ntermediate !ppellate Cort
-C-D
%e#$ %a a #o1a#
1%ie5 e3e1*i)e %as %e a*%ori" o e3er1ise 2o#i1e 2oEer o &ee G%e $e&an$s o5 %e
1o&&on >oo$ in er&s o5 ra55i1 $e1on>esion an$ 2*B#i1 1on)enien1e.H F*r%er&ore,
%e $is1reion >i)en o %e &a"or is narroE#" 1ir1*&s1riBe$ B" Se1ions @ ($), an$ , (a),
(B), (1), ($), (e), +/ an$ +@ o5 %e #aE.

6. ,. T%e san$ar$s se 5or% in %e #aE are no in1onsisen.
G!#ear an$ 1on)in1in> e)i$en1e %a %e 2*B#i1 asse&B#" Ei## 1reae a 1#ear an$ 2resen
$an>er o 2*B#i1 or$er, 2*B#i1 sa5e", 2*B#i1 1on)enien1e, 2*B#i1 &ora#s or 2*B#i1 %ea#%H
an$ Gi&&inen an$ >ra)e $an>er o5 a s*Bsani)e e)i#H Bo% e32ress %e &eanin> o5 %e
G1#ear an$ 2resen $an>er es.H
+AC+AD

M. M. !PR is si&2#" %e res2onsiB#e an$ '*$i1io*s *se o5 &eans
a##oEe$ B" e3isin> #aEs an$ or$inan1es o 2roe1 2*B#i1 ineres an$ resore 2*B#i1
or$er. T%*s, i is no a11*rae o 1a## i a neE r*#e B* ra%er i is a &ore 2ro(a1i)e an$
$"na&i1 en5or1e&en o5 e3isin> #aEs, re>*#aions an$ or$inan1es o 2re)en 1%aos in
%e srees. I $oes no re2#a1e %e r*#e o5 &a3i&*& o#eran1e in B.P. No. ..A.

Res2on$en Ma"or Jose#io Aienza, 5or %is 2ar, s*B&ie$ in %is !o&&en %a
%e 2eiion in G.R. No. +,-./. s%o*#$ Be $is&isse$ on %e >ro*n$ %a Re2*B#i1 A1 No.
M+,A >i)es %e Ma"or 2oEer o $en" a 2er&i in$e2en$en#" o5 B.P. No. ..AL %a %is
$enia#s o5 2er&is Eere *n$er %e G1#ear an$ 2resen $an>erH r*#e as %ere Eas a 1#a&or
o so2 ra##ies %a $isr*2 %e e1ono&" an$ o 2roe1 %e #i)es o5 o%er 2eo2#eL %a J. B.
7
8
9
10
.. $eyes v. Bagatsing,
//[11]
Primicias v. 'goso,
/0[12]
an$ Jacinto v. CA,
/1[13]
%a)e a55ir&e$
%e 1onsi*iona#i" o5 reK*irin> a 2er&iL %a %e 2er&i is 5or %e *se o5 a 2*B#i1 2#a1e
an$ no 5or %e e3er1ise o5 ri>%sL an$ %a B.P. No. ..A is no a 1onen(Base$ re>*#aion
Be1a*se i 1o)ers a## ra##ies.

T%e 2eiions Eere or$ere$ 1onso#i$ae$ on FeBr*ar" +;, ?AA,. A5er %e
s*B&ission o5 a## %e !o&&ens, %e !o*r se %e 1ases 5or ora# ar>*&ens on A2ri# ;,
?AA,,
+;C+;D
sain> %e 2rin1i2a# iss*es, as 5o##oEs<

+. +. 0n %e 1onsi*iona#i" o5 Baas Pa&Bansa No. ..A,
s2e1i5i1a##" Se1ions ;, @, ,, +? +/(a) an$ +;(a) %ereo5, an$
Re2*B#i1 A1 No. M+,A<

(a) (a) Are %ese 1onen(ne*ra# or 1onen(Base$
re>*#aionsP
(B) (B) Are %e" )oi$ on >ro*n$s o5 o)erBrea$% or
)a>*enessP
(1) (1) Do %e" 1onsi*e 2rior resrainP
($) ($) Are %e" *n$*e $e#e>aions o5 2oEers o Ma"orsP
(e) (e) Do %e" )io#ae inernaiona# %*&an ri>%s reaies
an$ %e Uni)ersa# De1#araion o5 9*&an Ri>%sP

?. ?. 0n %e 1onsi*iona#i" an$ #e>a#i" o5 %e 2o#i1" o5
!a#iBrae$ Pree&2i)e Res2onse (!PR)<

(a) (a) Is %e 2o#i1" )oi$ on is 5a1e or $*e o
)a>*enessP
(B) (B) Is i )oi$ 5or #a1I o5 2*B#i1aionP
(1) (1) Is %e 2o#i1" o5 !PR )oi$ as a22#ie$ o %e ra##ies
o5 Se2e&Ber ?, an$ 01oBer ;, @ an$ ,, ?AA@P

D*rin> %e 1o*rse o5 %e ora# ar>*&ens, %e 5o##oEin> $e)e#o2&ens ooI 2#a1e
an$ Eere a22ro)e$ an$Nor noe$ B" %e !o*r<

+. +. Peiioners, in %e ineres o5 a s2ee$" reso#*ion o5 %e
2eiions, Ei%$reE %e 2orions o5 %eir 2eiions raisin> 5a1*a# iss*es, 2ari1*#ar#" %ose
raisin> %e iss*e o5 E%e%er B.P. No. ..A an$Nor !PR is )oi$ as a22#ie$ o %e ra##ies o5
Se2e&Ber ?A, 01oBer ;, @ an$ ,, ?AA@.
11
12
13
14

?. ?. T%e So#i1ior Genera# a>ree$ Ei% %e oBser)aion o5 %e
!%ie5 J*si1e %a !PR s%o*#$ no #on>er Be *se$ as a #e>a# er& inas&*1% as, a11or$in>
o res2on$ens, i Eas &ere#" a G1a1%Eor$H inen$e$ o 1#ari5" E%a Eas %o*>% o Be a
&is*n$ersan$in> o5 %e &a3i&*& o#eran1e 2o#i1" se 5or% in B.P. No. ..A an$ %a, as
sae$ in %e a55i$a)i e3e1*e$ B" E3e1*i)e Se1rear" E$*ar$o Er&ia an$ s*B&ie$ o
%e 0&B*$s&an, i $oes no re2#a1e B.P. No. ..A an$ %e &a3i&*& o#eran1e 2o#i1"
e&Bo$ie$ in %a #aE.

T%e !o*r Ei## noE 2ro1ee$ o a$$ress %e 2rin1i2a# iss*es, aIin> ino a11o*n
%e 5ore>oin> $e)e#o2&ens.

PeiionersO san$in> 1anno Be serio*s#" 1%a##en>e$. T%eir ri>% as 1iizens o
en>a>e in 2ea1e5*# asse&B#" an$ e3er1ise %e ri>% o5 2eiion, as >*aranee$ B" %e
!onsi*ion, is $ire1#" a55e1e$ B" B.P. No. ..A E%i1% reK*ires a 2er&i 5or a## E%o
Eo*#$ 2*B#i1#" asse&B#e in %e naionOs srees an$ 2arIs. T%e" %a)e, in 5a1, 2*r2ose#"
en>a>e$ in 2*B#i1 asse&B#ies Ei%o* %e reK*ire$ 2er&is o 2ress %eir 1#ai& %a no
s*1% 2er&i 1an Be )a#i$#" reK*ire$ Ei%o* )io#ain> %e !onsi*iona# >*aranee.
Res2on$ens, on %e o%er %an$, %a)e 1%a##en>e$ s*1% a1ion as 1onrar" o #aE an$
$is2erse$ %e 2*B#i1 asse&B#ies %e#$ Ei%o* %e 2er&i.

Se1ion ; o5 Ari1#e III o5 %e !onsi*ion 2ro)i$es<

SE!. ;. No #aE s%a## Be 2asse$ aBri$>in> %e 5ree$o& o5 s2ee1%,
o5 e32ression, or o5 %e 2ress, or %e ri>% o5 %e 2eo2#e 2ea1eaB#" o
asse&B#e an$ 2eiion %e >o)ern&en 5or re$ress o5 >rie)an1es.

T%e 5irs 2oin o &arI is %a %e ri>% o 2ea1eaB#" asse&B#e an$ 2eiion 5or
re$ress o5 >rie)an1es is, o>e%er Ei% 5ree$o& o5 s2ee1%, o5 e32ression, an$ o5 %e
2ress, a ri>% %a en'o"s 2ri&a1" in %e rea#& o5 1onsi*iona# 2roe1ion. For %ese
ri>%s 1onsi*e %e )er" Basis o5 a 5*n1iona# $e&o1rai1 2o#i", Ei%o* E%i1% a## %e
o%er ri>%s Eo*#$ Be &eanin>#ess an$ *n2roe1e$. As sae$ in Jacinto v. C!,
+@C+@D
%e
15
!o*r, as ear#" as %e onse o5 %is 1en*r", in #.,. v. !prado,
+,C+,D
a#rea$" *2%e#$ %e
ri>% o asse&B#" an$ 2eiion, as 5o##oEs<

T%ere is no K*esion as o %e 2eiionersO ri>%s o 2ea1e5*#
asse&B#" o 2eiion %e >o)ern&en 5or a re$ress o5 >rie)an1es an$, 5or
%a &aer, o or>anize or 5or& asso1iaions 5or 2*r2oses no 1onrar" o
#aE, as Ee## as o en>a>e in 2ea1e5*# 1on1ere$ a1i)iies. T%ese ri>%s
are >*aranee$ B" no #ess %an %e !onsi*ion, 2ari1*#ar#" Se1ions ;
an$ . o5 %e Bi## o5 Ri>%s, Se1ion ?(@) o5 Ari1#e I:, an$ Se1ion / o5
Ari1#e :III. J*ris2r*$en1e aBo*n$s Ei% %a##oEe$ 2rono*n1e&ens
$e5en$in> an$ 2ro&oin> %e 2eo2#eOs e3er1ise o5 %ese ri>%s. As ear#"
as %e onse o5 %is 1en*r", %is !o*r in #.,. vs. !prado, a#rea$"
*2%e#$ %e ri>% o asse&B#" an$ 2eiion an$ e)en Een as 5ar as o
a1InoE#e$>e<

GI is ra%er o Be e32e1e$ %a &ore or #ess $isor$er Ei## &arI %e
2*B#i1 asse&B#" o5 %e 2eo2#e o 2roes a>ains >rie)an1es E%e%er rea#
or i&a>inar", Be1a*se on s*1% o11asions 5ee#in> is a#Ea"s Ero*>% o a
%i>% 2i1% o5 e31ie&en, an$ %e >reaer, %e >rie)an1e an$ %e &ore
inense %e 5ee#in>, %e #ess 2er5e1, as a r*#e Ei## Be %e $is1i2#inar"
1onro# o5 %e #ea$ers o)er %eir irres2onsiB#e 5o##oEers. B* i5 %e
2rose1*ion Be 2er&ie$ o seize *2on e)er" insan1e o5 s*1% $isor$er#"
1on$*1 B" in$i)i$*a# &e&Bers o5 a 1roE$ as an e31*se o 1%ara1erize
%e asse&B#" as a se$iio*s an$ *&*#*o*s risin> a>ains %e a*%oriies,
%en %e ri>% o asse&B#e an$ o 2eiion 5or re$ress o5 >rie)an1es Eo*#$
Be1o&e a $e#*sion an$ a snare an$ %e ae&2 o e3er1ise i on %e &os
ri>%eo*s o11asion an$ in %e &os 2ea1eaB#e &anner Eo*#$ e32ose a##
%ose E%o ooI 2ar %erein o %e se)eres an$ &os *n&erie$
2*nis%&en, i5 %e 2*r2oses E%i1% %e" so*>% o aain $i$ no %a22en o
Be 2#easin> o %e 2rose1*in> a*%oriies. I5 insan1es o5 $isor$er#"
1on$*1 o11*r on s*1% o11asions, %e >*i#" in$i)i$*a#s s%o*#$ Be so*>%
o* an$ 2*nis%e$ %ere5or, B* %e *&os $is1reion &*s Be e3er1ise$ in
$raEin> %e #ine BeEeen disorderly an$ seditios 1on$*1 an$ BeEeen
an essenia##" 2ea1eaB#e asse&B#" an$ a *&*#*o*s *2risin>.H


A>ain, in Primicias v. 'goso,
+MC+MD
%e !o*r #iIeEise s*saine$ %e 2ri&a1" o5
5ree$o& o5 s2ee1% an$ o asse&B#" an$ 2eiion o)er 1o&5or an$ 1on)enien1e in %e
*se o5 srees an$ 2arIs.

Ne3, %oEe)er, i &*s Be re&e&Bere$ %a %e ri>%, E%i#e sa1rosan1, is no
aBso#*e. In Primicias, %is !o*r sai$<

16
17
T%e ri>% o 5ree$o& o5 s2ee1%, an$ o 2ea1e5*##" asse&B#e an$
2eiion %e >o)ern&en 5or re$ress o5 >rie)an1es, are 5*n$a&ena#
2ersona# ri>%s o5 %e 2eo2#e re1o>nize$ an$ >*aranee$ B" %e
1onsi*ions o5 $e&o1rai1 1o*nries. B* i is a se#e$ 2rin1i2#e >roEin>
o* o5 %e na*re o5 Ee##(or$ere$ 1i)i# so1ieies %a %e e3er1ise o5 %ose
ri>%s is no aBso#*e 5or i &a" Be so re>*#ae$ %a i s%a## no Be
in'*rio*s o %e eK*a# en'o"&en o5 o%ers %a)in> eK*a# ri>%s, nor
in'*rio*s o %e ri>%s o5 %e 1o&&*ni" or so1ie". T%e 2oEer o re>*#ae
%e e3er1ise o5 s*1% an$ o%er 1onsi*iona# ri>%s is er&e$ %e
so)erei>n G2o#i1e 2oEer,H E%i1% is %e 2oEer o 2res1riBe re>*#aions, o
2ro&oe %e %ea#%, &ora#s, 2ea1e, e$*1aion, >oo$ or$er or sa5e", an$
>enera# Ee#5are o5 %e 2eo2#e. T%is so)erei>n 2o#i1e 2oEer is e3er1ise$
B" %e >o)ern&en %ro*>% is #e>is#ai)e Bran1% B" %e ena1&en o5 #aEs
re>*#ain> %ose an$ o%er 1onsi*iona# an$ 1i)i# ri>%s, an$ i &a" Be
$e#e>ae$ o 2o#ii1a# s*B$i)isions, s*1% as oEns, &*ni1i2a#iies an$
1iies B" a*%orizin> %eir #e>is#ai)e Bo$ies 1a##e$ &*ni1i2a# an$ 1i"
1o*n1i#s o ena1 or$inan1es 5or %e 2*r2ose.
+.C+.D


$eyes v. Bagatsing
/2[19]
5*r%er e32o*n$e$ on %e ri>% an$ is #i&is, as 5o##oEs<
+. I is %*s 1#ear %a %e !o*r is 1a##e$ *2on o 2roe1 %e
e3er1ise o5 %e 1o>nae ri>%s o 5ree s2ee1% an$ 2ea1e5*# asse&B#",
arisin> 5ro& %e $enia# o5 a 2er&i. T%e !onsi*ion is K*ie e32#i1i< GNo
#aE s%a## Be 2asse$ aBri$>in> %e 5ree$o& o5 s2ee1%, or o5 %e 2ress, or
%e ri>% o5 %e 2eo2#e 2ea1eaB#" o asse&B#e an$ 2eiion %e
Go)ern&en 5or re$ress o5 >rie)an1es.H Free s2ee1%, #iIe 5ree 2ress,
&a" Be i$eni5ie$ Ei% %e #iBer" o $is1*ss 2*B#i1#" an$ r*%5*##" an"
&aer o5 2*B#i1 1on1ern Ei%o* 1ensors%i2 or 2*nis%&en. T%ere is o
Be %en no 2re)io*s resrain on %e 1o&&*ni1aion o5 )ieEs or
s*BseK*en #iaBi#i" E%e%er in #iBe# s*is, 2rose1*ion 5or se$iion, or
a1ion 5or $a&a>es, or 1one&2 2ro1ee$in>s *n#ess %ere Be a G1#ear
an$ 2resen $an>er o5 a s*Bsani)e e)i# %a C%e SaeD %as a ri>% o
2re)en.H Free$o& o5 asse&B#" 1onnoes %e ri>% o5 %e 2eo2#e o &ee
2ea1eaB#" 5or 1ons*#aion an$ $is1*ssion o5 &aers o5 2*B#i1 1on1ern. I
is eni#e$ o Be a11or$e$ %e *&os $e5eren1e an$ res2e1. I is no o
Be #i&ie$, &*1% #ess $enie$, e31e2 on a s%oEin>, as is %e 1ase Ei%
5ree$o& o5 e32ression, o5 a 1#ear an$ 2resen $an>er o5 a s*Bsani)e e)i#
%a %e sae %as a ri>% o 2re)en. E)en 2rior o %e +-/@ !onsi*ion,
J*si1e Ma#1o#& %a$ o11asion o sress %a i is a ne1essar"
1onseK*en1e o5 o*r re2*B#i1an insi*ions an$ 1o&2#e&ens %e ri>% o5
5ree s2ee1%. To 2ara2%rase %e o2inion o5 J*si1e R*#e$>e, s2eaIin> 5or
%e &a'ori" o5 %e A&eri1an S*2re&e !o*r in T%o&as ). !o##ins, i Eas
no B" a11i$en or 1oin1i$en1e %a %e ri>%s o 5ree$o& o5 s2ee1% an$ o5
%e 2ress Eere 1o*2#e$ in a sin>#e >*aranee Ei% %e ri>%s o5 %e 2eo2#e
2ea1eaB#" o asse&B#e an$ o 2eiion %e >o)ern&en 5or re$ress o5
>rie)an1es. A## %ese ri>%s, E%i#e no i$eni1a#, are inse2araB#e. In e)er"
18
19
1ase, %ere5ore, E%ere %ere is a #i&iaion 2#a1e$ on %e e3er1ise o5 %is
ri>%, %e '*$i1iar" is 1a##e$ *2on o e3a&ine %e e55e1s o5 %e 1%a##en>e$
>o)ern&ena# a1*aion. T%e so#e '*si5i1aion 5or a #i&iaion on %e
e3er1ise o5 %is ri>%, so 5*n$a&ena# o %e &ainenan1e o5 $e&o1rai1
insi*ions, is %e $an>er, o5 a 1%ara1er Bo% >ra)e an$ i&&inen, o5 a
serio*s e)i# o 2*B#i1 sa5e", 2*B#i1 &ora#s, 2*B#i1 %ea#%, or an" o%er
#e>ii&ae 2*B#i1 ineres.

?. NoE%ere is %e raiona#e %a *n$er#ies %e 5ree$o& o5
e32ression an$ 2ea1eaB#e asse&B#" Beer e32resse$ %an in %is e31er2
5ro& an o2inion o5 J*si1e FranI5*rer< GI &*s ne)er Be 5or>oen,
%oEe)er, %a %e Bi## o5 Ri>%s Eas %e 1%i#$ o5 %e En#i>%en&en. Ba1I
o5 %e >*aran" o5 5ree s2ee1% #a" 5ai% in %e 2oEer o5 an a22ea# o
reason B" a## %e 2ea1e5*# &eans 5or >ainin> a11ess o %e &in$. I Eas
in or$er o a)er 5or1e an$ e32#osions $*e o resri1ions *2on raiona#
&o$es o5 1o&&*ni1aion %a %e >*aran" o5 5ree s2ee1% Eas >i)en a
>enero*s s1o2e. B* *eran1e in a 1one3 o5 )io#en1e 1an #ose is
si>ni5i1an1e as an a22ea# o reason an$ Be1o&e 2ar o5 an insr*&en o5
5or1e. S*1% *eran1e Eas no &ean o Be s%e#ere$ B" %e !onsi*ion.H
8%a Eas ri>%5*##" sresse$ is %e aBan$on&en o5 reason, %e *eran1e,
E%e%er )erBa# or 2rine$, Bein> in a 1one3 o5 )io#en1e. I &*s a#Ea"s
Be re&e&Bere$ %a %is ri>% #iIeEise 2ro)i$es 5or a sa5e" )a#)e,
a##oEin> 2aries %e o22or*ni" o >i)e )en o %eir )ieEs, e)en i5 1onrar"
o %e 2re)ai#in> 1#i&ae o5 o2inion. For i5 %e 2ea1e5*# &eans o5
1o&&*ni1aion 1anno Be a)ai#e$ o5, resor o non(2ea1e5*# &eans &a"
Be %e on#" a#ernai)e. Nor is %is %e so#e reason 5or %e e32ression o5
$issen. I &eans &ore %an '*s %e ri>% o Be %ear$ o5 %e 2erson E%o
5ee#s a>>rie)e$ or E%o is $issais5ie$ Ei% %in>s as %e" are. Is )a#*e
&a" #ie in %e 5a1 %a %ere &a" Be so&e%in> Eor% %earin> 5ro& %e
$issener. T%a is o ens*re a r*e 5er&en o5 i$eas. T%ere are, o5
1o*rse, Ee##($e5ine$ #i&is. 8%a is >*aranee$ is 2ea1eaB#e asse&B#".
0ne &a" no a$)o1ae $isor$er in %e na&e o5 2roes, &*1% #ess 2rea1%
reBe##ion *n$er %e 1#oaI o5 $issen. T%e !onsi*ion 5roEns on $isor$er
or *&*# aen$in> a ra##" or asse&B#". Resor o 5or1e is r*#e$ o* an$
o*BreaIs o5 )io#en1e o Be a)oi$e$. T%e *&os 1a#& %o*>% is no
reK*ire$. As 2oine$ o* in an ear#" P%i#i22ine 1ase, 2enne$ in +-AM o
Be 2re1ise, Unie$ Saes ). A2*ra$o< GI is ra%er o Be e32e1e$ %a
&ore or #ess $isor$er Ei## &arI %e 2*B#i1 asse&B#" o5 %e 2eo2#e o
2roes a>ains >rie)an1es E%e%er rea# or i&a>inar", Be1a*se on s*1%
o11asions 5ee#in> is a#Ea"s Ero*>% o a %i>% 2i1% o5 e31ie&en, an$ %e
>reaer %e >rie)an1e an$ %e &ore inense %e 5ee#in>, %e #ess 2er5e1,
as a r*#e, Ei## Be %e $is1i2#inar" 1onro# o5 %e #ea$ers o)er %eir
irres2onsiB#e 5o##oEers.H I Bears re2eain> %a 5or %e 1onsi*iona# ri>%
o Be in)oIe$, rioo*s 1on$*1, in'*r" o 2ro2er", an$ a1s o5 )an$a#is&
&*s Be a)oi$e$. To >i)e 5ree rein o oneOs $esr*1i)e *r>es is o 1a## 5or
1on$e&naion. I is o &aIe a &o1Ier" o5 %e %i>% esae o11*2ie$ B"
ine##e1*a# #iBer" in o*r s1%e&e o5 )a#*es.

T%ere 1an Be no #e>a# oB'e1ion, aBsen %e e3isen1e o5 a 1#ear
an$ 2resen $an>er o5 a s*Bsani)e e)i#, on %e 1%oi1e o5 L*nea as %e
2#a1e E%ere %e 2ea1e ra##" Eo*#$ sar. T%e P%i#i22ines is 1o&&ie$ o
%e )ieE e32resse$ in %e 2#*ra#i" o2inion, o5 +-/- )ina>e, o5 J*si1e
RoBers in 9a>*e ). !I0< G8%ene)er %e i#e o5 srees an$ 2arIs &a"
res, %e" %a)e i&&e&oria##" Been %e#$ in r*s 5or %e *se o5 %e 2*B#i1
an$, i&e o* o5 &in$, %a)e Been *se$ 5or 2*r2oses o5 asse&B#",
1o&&*ni1ain> %o*>%s BeEeen 1iizens, an$ $is1*ssin> 2*B#i1
K*esions. S*1% *se o5 %e srees an$ 2*B#i1 2#a1es %as, 5ro& an1ien
i&es, Been a 2ar o5 %e 2ri)i#e>es, i&&*niies, ri>%s an$ #iBeries o5
1iizens. T%e 2ri)i#e>e o5 a 1iizen o5 %e Unie$ Saes o *se %e srees
an$ 2arIs 5or 1o&&*ni1aion o5 )ieEs on naiona# K*esions &a" Be
re>*#ae$ in %e ineres o5 a##L i is no aBso#*e, B* re#ai)e, an$ &*s Be
e3er1ise$ in s*Bor$inaion o %e >enera# 1o&5or an$ 1on)enien1e, an$
in 1onsonan1e Ei% 2ea1e an$ >oo$ or$erL B* &*s no, in %e >*ise o5
re>*#aion, Be aBri$>e$ or $enie$.H T%e aBo)e e31er2 Eas K*oe$ Ei%
a22ro)a# in Pri&i1ias ). F*>oso. Pri&i1ias &a$e e32#i1i E%a Eas i&2#i1i
in M*ni1i2a#i" o5 !a)ie ). Ro'as, a +-+@ $e1ision, E%ere %is !o*r
1ae>ori1a##" a55ir&e$ %a 2#azas or 2arIs an$ srees are o*si$e %e
1o&&er1e o5 &an an$ %*s n*##i5ie$ a 1onra1 %a #ease$ P#aza So#e$a$
o5 2#aini55(&*ni1i2a#i". Re5eren1e Eas &a$e o s*1% 2#aza GBein> a
2ro&ena$e 5or 2*B#i1 *se,H E%i1% 1erain#" is no %e on#" 2*r2ose %a i
1o*#$ ser)e. To re2ea, %ere 1an Be no )a#i$ reason E%" a 2er&i s%o*#$
no Be >rane$ 5or %e 2ro2ose$ &ar1% an$ ra##" sarin> 5ro& a 2*B#i1
2arI %a is %e L*nea.

;. Nei%er 1an %ere Be an" )a#i$ oB'e1ion o %e *se o5 %e
srees o %e >aes o5 %e US e&Bass", %ar$#" Eo B#o1Is aEa" a %e
Ro3as Bo*#e)ar$. Pri&i1ias ). F*>oso %as reso#)e$ an" #*rIin> $o*B on
%e &aer. In %o#$in> %a %e %en Ma"or F*>oso o5 %e !i" o5 Mani#a
s%o*#$ >ran a 2er&i 5or a 2*B#i1 &eein> a P#aza Miran$a in 7*ia2o,
%is !o*r 1ae>ori1a##" $e1#are$< G0*r 1on1#*sion 5in$s s*22or in %e
$e1ision in %e 1ase o5 8i##is !o3 ). Sae o5 NeE 9a&2s%ire, /+? U.S.,
@,-. In %a 1ase, %e sa*e o5 NeE 9a&2s%ire P.L. 1%a2. +;@, se1ion
?, 2ro)i$in> %a no 2ara$e or 2ro1ession *2on an" >ro*n$ aB*in>
%ereon, s%a## Be 2er&ie$ *n#ess a s2e1ia# #i1ense %ere5or s%a## 5irs Be
oBaine$ 5ro& %e se#e1&en o5 %e oEn or 5ro& #i1ensin> 1o&&iee,O
Eas 1onsr*e$ B" %e S*2re&e !o*r o5 NeE 9a&2s%ire as no
1on5errin> *2on %e #i1ensin> Boar$ *n5eere$ $is1reion o re5*se o
>ran %e #i1ense, an$ %e#$ )a#i$. An$ %e S*2re&e !o*r o5 %e Unie$
Saes, in is $e1ision (+-;+) 2enne$ B" !%ie5 J*si1e 9*>%es a55ir&in>
%e '*$>&en o5 %e Sae S*2re&e !o*r, %e#$ %a Qa sa*e reK*irin>
2ersons *sin> %e 2*B#i1 srees 5or a 2ara$e or 2ro1ession o 2ro1*re a
s2e1ia# #i1ense %ere5or 5ro& %e #o1a# a*%oriies is no an *n1onsi*iona#
aBri$>&en o5 %e ri>%s o5 asse&B#" or o5 5ree$o& o5 s2ee1% an$ 2ress,
E%ere, as %e sa*e is 1onsr*e$ B" %e sae 1o*rs, %e #i1ensin>
a*%oriies are sri1#" #i&ie$, in %e iss*an1e o5 #i1enses, o a
1onsi$eraion o5 %e i&e, 2#a1e, an$ &anner o5 %e 2ara$e or 2ro1ession,
Ei% a )ieE o 1onser)in> %e 2*B#i1 1on)enien1e an$ o5 a55or$in> an
o22or*ni" o 2ro)i$e 2ro2er 2o#i1in>, an$ are no in)ese$ Ei% arBirar"
$is1reion o iss*e or re5*se #i1ense, = = =. GNor s%o*#$ %e 2oin &a$e B"
!%ie5 J*si1e 9*>%es in a s*BseK*en 2orion o5 %e o2inion Be i>nore$<
G!i)i# #iBeries, as >*aranee$ B" %e !onsi*ion, i&2#" %e e3isen1e o5
an or>anize$ so1ie" &ainainin> 2*B#i1 or$er Ei%o* E%i1% #iBer" ise#5
Eo*#$ Be #os in %e e31esses o5 *nresri1e$ aB*ses. T%e a*%ori" o5 a
&*ni1i2a#i" o i&2ose re>*#aions in or$er o ass*re %e sa5e" an$
1on)enien1e o5 %e 2eo2#e in %e *se o5 2*B#i1 %i>%Ea"s %as ne)er Been
re>ar$e$ as in1onsisen Ei% 1i)i# #iBeries B* ra%er as one o5 %e &eans
o5 sa5e>*ar$in> %e >oo$ or$er *2on E%i1% %e" *#i&ae#" $e2en$. T%e
1onro# o5 ra)e# on %e srees o5 1iies is %e &os 5a&i#iar i##*sraion o5
%is re1o>niion o5 so1ia# nee$. 8%ere a resri1ion o5 %e *se o5 %i>%Ea"s
in %a re#aion is $esi>ne$ o 2ro&oe %e 2*B#i1 1on)enien1e in %e
ineres o5 a##, i 1anno Be $isre>ar$e$ B" %e ae&2e$ e3er1ise o5 so&e
1i)i# ri>% E%i1% in o%er 1ir1*&san1es Eo*#$ Be eni#e$ o 2roe1ion.H

3 3 3
,. 3 3 3 T%e 2rin1i2#e *n$er A&eri1an $o1rines Eas >i)en
*eran1e B" !%ie5 J*si1e 9*>%es in %ese Eor$s< GT%e K*esion, i5 %e
ri>%s o5 5ree s2ee1% an$ 2ea1eaB#e asse&B#" are o Be 2reser)e$, is no
as o %e a*s2i1es *n$er E%i1% %e &eein> is %e#$ B* as o is 2*r2oseL
no as o %e re#aions o5 %e s2eaIers, B* E%e%er %eir *eran1es
rans1en$ %e Bo*n$s o5 %e 5ree$o& o5 s2ee1% E%i1% %e !onsi*ion
2roe1s.H T%ere 1o*#$ Be $an>er o 2*B#i1 2ea1e an$ sa5e" i5 s*1% a
>a%erin> Eere &arIe$ B" *rB*#en1e. T%a Eo*#$ $e2ri)e i o5 is
2ea1e5*# 1%ara1er. E)en %en, on#" %e >*i#" 2aries s%o*#$ Be %e#$
a11o*naB#e. I is r*e %a %e #i1ensin> o55i1ia#, %ere res2on$en Ma"or,
is no $e)oi$ o5 $is1reion in $eer&inin> E%e%er or no a 2er&i Eo*#$ Be
>rane$. I is no, %oEe)er, *n5eere$ $is1reion. 8%i#e 2r*$en1e
reK*ires %a %ere Be a rea#isi1 a22raisa# no o5 E%a &a" 2ossiB#" o11*r
B* o5 E%a &a" probably o11*r, >i)en a## %e re#e)an 1ir1*&san1es, si##
%e ass*&2ion J es2e1ia##" so E%ere %e asse&B#" is s1%e$*#e$ 5or a
s2e1i5i1 2*B#i1 2#a1e J is %a %e 2er&i &*s Be 5or %e asse&B#" Bein>
%e#$ %ere. T%e e3er1ise o5 s*1% a ri>%, in %e #an>*a>e o5 J*si1e
RoBers, s2eaIin> 5or %e A&eri1an S*2re&e !o*r, is no o Be GaBri$>e$
on %e 2#ea %a i &a" Be e3er1ise$ in so&e o%er 2#a1e.H

3 3 3

.. B" Ea" o5 a s*&&ar". T%e a22#i1ans 5or a 2er&i o %o#$
an asse&B#" s%o*#$ in5or& %e #i1ensin> a*%ori" o5 %e $ae, %e 2*B#i1
2#a1e where an$ %e i&e when i Ei## aIe 2#a1e. I5 i Eere a 2ri)ae
2#a1e, on#" %e 1onsen o5 %e oEner or %e one eni#e$ o is #e>a#
2ossession is reK*ire$. S*1% a22#i1aion s%o*#$ Be 5i#e$ Ee## a%ea$ in
i&e o enaB#e %e 2*B#i1 o55i1ia# 1on1erne$ o a22raise E%e%er %ere &a"
Be )a#i$ oB'e1ions o %e >ran o5 %e 2er&i or o is >ran B* a ano%er
2*B#i1 2#a1e. I is an in$is2ensaB#e 1on$iion o s*1% re5*sa# or
&o$i5i1aion %a %e 1#ear an$ 2resen $an>er es Be %e san$ar$ 5or %e
$e1ision rea1%e$. I5 %e is o5 %e )ieE %a %ere is s*1% an i&&inen an$
>ra)e $an>er o5 a s*Bsani)e e)i#, %e a22#i1ans &*s Be %ear$ on %e
&aer. T%erea5er, %is $e1ision, E%e%er 5a)oraB#e or a$)erse, &*s Be
rans&ie$ o %e& a %e ear#ies o22or*ni". T%*s i5 so &in$e$, %e"
1an %a)e re1o*rse o %e 2ro2er '*$i1ia# a*%ori". Free s2ee1% an$
2ea1eaB#e asse&B#", a#on> Ei% %e o%er ine##e1*a# 5ree$o&s, are
%i>%#" ranIe$ in o*r s1%e&e o5 1onsi*iona# )a#*es. I 1anno Be oo
sron>#" sresse$ %a on %e '*$i1iar", (( e)en &ore so %an on %e o%er
$e2ar&ens J ress %e >ra)e an$ $e#i1ae res2onsiBi#i" o5 ass*rin>
res2e1 5or an$ $e5eren1e o s*1% 2re5erre$ ri>%s. No )erBa# 5or&*#a, no
san1i5"in> 2%rase 1an, o5 1o*rse, $is2ense Ei% E%a %as Been so
5e#i1iio*s#" er&e$ B" J*si1e 9o#&es Gas %e so)erei>n 2rero>ai)e o5
'*$>&en.H None%e#ess, %e 2res*&2ion &*s Be o in1#ine %e Eei>% o5
%e s1a#es o5 '*si1e on %e si$e o5 s*1% ri>%s, en'o"in> as %e" $o
2re1e$en1e an$ 2ri&a1". 3 3 3.


B.P. No. ..A Eas ena1e$ a5er %is !o*r ren$ere$ is $e1ision in $eyes.

T%e 2ro)isions o5 B.P. No. ..A 2ra1i1a##" 1o$i5" %e r*#in> in $eyes<


$eyes 4. Bagatsing
(G.R. No. L(,@/,,, No)e&Ber -, +-./,
+?@ S!RA @@/, @,-)

.. B" Ea" o5 a s*&&ar". T%e a22#i1ans
5or a 2er&i o %o#$ an asse&B#" s%o*#$
in5or& %e #i1ensin> a*%ori" o5 %e $ae, %e
2*B#i1 2#a1e where an$ %e i&e when i Ei##
aIe 2#a1e. I5 i Eere a 2ri)ae 2#a1e, on#"
%e 1onsen o5 %e oEner or %e one eni#e$
o is #e>a# 2ossession is reK*ire$. S*1%
a22#i1aion s%o*#$ Be 5i#e$ Ee## a%ea$ in i&e
o enaB#e %e 2*B#i1 o55i1ia# 1on1erne$ o
a22raise E%e%er %ere &a" Be )a#i$
oB'e1ions o %e >ran o5 %e 2er&i or o is
>ran B* a ano%er 2*B#i1 2#a1e. I is an
in$is2ensaB#e 1on$iion o s*1% re5*sa# or
&o$i5i1aion %a %e 1#ear an$ 2resen
$an>er es Be %e san$ar$ 5or %e $e1ision
rea1%e$. I5 %e is o5 %e )ieE %a %ere is
s*1% an i&&inen an$ >ra)e $an>er o5 a
s*Bsani)e e)i#, %e a22#i1ans &*s Be
%ear$ on %e &aer. T%erea5er, %is
$e1ision, E%e%er 5a)oraB#e or a$)erse, &*s
Be rans&ie$ o %e& a %e ear#ies
o22or*ni". T%*s i5 so &in$e$, %e" 1an
%a)e re1o*rse o %e 2ro2er '*$i1ia#
a*%ori".







B.P. No. ((7



SE!. ;. Permit when reqired and
when not reqired.(( A Erien 2er&i
s%a## Be reK*ire$ 5or an" 2erson or
2ersons o or>anize an$ %o#$ a 2*B#i1
asse&B#" in a 2*B#i1 2#a1e. 9oEe)er, no
2er&i s%a## Be reK*ire$ i5 %e 2*B#i1
asse&B#" s%a## Be $one or &a$e in a
5ree$o& 2arI $*#" esaB#is%e$ B" #aE or
or$inan1e or in 2ri)ae 2ro2er", in E%i1%
1ase on#" %e 1onsen o5 %e oEner or
%e one eni#e$ o is #e>a# 2ossession is
reK*ire$, or in %e 1a&2*s o5 a
>o)ern&en(oEne$ an$ o2erae$
e$*1aiona# insi*ion E%i1% s%a## Be
s*B'e1 o %e r*#es an$ re>*#aions o5
sai$ e$*1aiona# insi*ion. Po#ii1a#
&eein>s or ra##ies %e#$ $*rin> an"
e#e1ion 1a&2ai>n 2erio$ as 2ro)i$e$ 5or
B" #aE are no 1o)ere$ B" %is A1.
SE!. @. !pplication reqirements.((
A## a22#i1aions 5or a 2er&i s%a## 1o&2#"
Ei% %e 5o##oEin> >*i$e#ines<
(a) T%e a22#i1aions s%a## Be in Eriin>
an$ s%a## in1#*$e %e na&es o5 %e
#ea$ers or or>anizersL %e 2*r2ose o5
s*1% 2*B#i1 asse&B#"L %e $ae, i&e an$
$*raion %ereo5, an$ 2#a1e or srees o
Be *se$ 5or %e inen$e$ a1i)i"L an$ %e
2roBaB#e n*&Ber o5 2ersons
2ari1i2ain>, %e rans2or an$ %e 2*B#i1
a$$ress s"se&s o Be *se$.
(B) T%e a22#i1aion s%a## in1or2orae
%e $*" an$ res2onsiBi#i" o5 a22#i1an
*n$er Se1ion . %ereo5.
(1) T%e a22#i1aion s%a## Be 5i#e$ Ei%
%e o55i1e o5 %e &a"or o5 %e 1i" or
&*ni1i2a#i" in E%ose '*ris$i1ion %e
inen$e$ a1i)i" is o Be %e#$, a #eas
5i)e (@) EorIin> $a"s Be5ore %e
s1%e$*#e$ 2*B#i1 asse&B#".
($) U2on re1ei2 o5 %e a22#i1aion,
E%i1% &*s Be $*#" a1InoE#e$>e$ in
Eriin>, %e o55i1e o5 %e 1i" or &*ni1i2a#
&a"or s%a## 1a*se %e sa&e o
i&&e$iae#" Be 2ose$ a a 1ons2i1*o*s
2#a1e in %e 1i" or &*ni1i2a# B*i#$in>.

SE!. ,. !ction to be ta"en on the
application. J
(a) I s%a## Be %e $*" o5 %e &a"or or
an" o55i1ia# a1in> in %is Be%a#5 o iss*e or
>ran a 2er&i *n#ess %ere is 1#ear an$
1on)in1in> e)i$en1e %a %e 2*B#i1
asse&B#" Ei## 1reae a 1#ear an$ 2resen
$an>er o 2*B#i1 or$er, 2*B#i1 sa5e",
2*B#i1 1on)enien1e, 2*B#i1 &ora#s or
2*B#i1 %ea#%.
(B) T%e &a"or or an" o55i1ia# a1in> in
%is Be%a#5 s%a## a1 on %e a22#i1aion
Ei%in Eo (?) EorIin> $a"s 5ro& %e $ae
%e a22#i1aion Eas 5i#e$, 5ai#in> E%i1%,
%e 2er&i s%a## Be $ee&e$ >rane$.
S%o*#$ 5or an" reason %e &a"or or an"
o55i1ia# a1in> in %is Be%a#5 re5*se o
a11e2 %e a22#i1aion 5or a 2er&i, sai$
a22#i1aion s%a## Be 2ose$ B" %e
a22#i1an on %e 2re&ises o5 %e o55i1e o5
%e &a"or an$ s%a## Be $ee&e$ o %a)e
Been 5i#e$.
(1) I5 %e &a"or is o5 %e )ieE %a
%ere is i&&inen an$ >ra)e $an>er o5 a
s*Bsani)e e)i# Earranin> %e $enia# or
&o$i5i1aion o5 %e 2er&i, %e s%a##
i&&e$iae#" in5or& %e a22#i1an E%o
&*s Be %ear$ on %e &aer.
($) T%e a1ion on %e 2er&i s%a## Be in
Eriin> an$ ser)e$ on %e a22#i1aCnD
Ei%in Een"(5o*r %o*rs.
(e) I5 %e &a"or or an" o55i1ia# a1in> in
%is Be%a#5 $enies %e a22#i1aion or
&o$i5ies %e er&s %ereo5 in %is 2er&i,
%e a22#i1an &a" 1ones %e $e1ision in
an a22ro2riae 1o*r o5 #aE.
(5) In 1ase s*i is Bro*>% Be5ore %e
Mero2o#ian Tria# !o*r, %e M*ni1i2a#
Tria# !o*r, %e M*ni1i2a# !ir1*i Tria#
!o*r, %e Re>iona# Tria# !o*r, or %e
Iner&e$iae A22e##ae !o*r, is
$e1isions &a" Be a22ea#e$ o %e
a22ro2riae 1o*r Ei%in 5or"(ei>% (;.)
%o*rs a5er re1ei2 o5 %e sa&e. No
a22ea# Bon$ an$ re1or$ on a22ea# s%a##
Be reK*ire$. A $e1ision >ranin> s*1%
2er&i or &o$i5"in> i in er&s
sais5a1or" o %e a22#i1an s%a## Be
i&&e$iae#" e3e1*or".
(>) A## 1ases 5i#e$ in 1o*r *n$er %is
se1ion s%a## Be $e1i$e$ Ei%in Een"(
5o*r (?;) %o*rs 5ro& $ae o5 5i#in>. !ases
5i#e$ %ere*n$er s%a## Be i&&e$iae#"
en$orse$ o %e e3e1*i)e '*$>e 5or
$is2osiion or, in %is aBsen1e, o %e ne3
in ranI.
(%) In a## 1ases, an" $e1ision &a" Be
a22ea#e$ o %e S*2re&e !o*r.
(i) Te#e>ra2%i1 a22ea#s o Be 5o##oEe$
B" 5or&a# a22ea#s are %ereB" a##oEe$.



I is )er" 1#ear, %ere5ore, %a B.P. No. ..A is no an aBso#*e Ban o5 2*B#i1
asse&B#ies B* a resri1ion %a si&2#" re>*#aes %e i&e, 2#a1e an$ &anner o5 %e
asse&B#ies. T%is Eas a$)ere$ o in )sme+a v. Comelec,
?AC?AD
E%ere %e !o*r re5erre$
o i as a G1onen(ne*ra#H re>*#aion o5 %e i&e, 2#a1e, an$ &anner o5 %o#$in> 2*B#i1
asse&B#ies.
?+C?+D

A 5air an$ i&2aria# rea$in> o5 B.P. No. ..A %*s rea$i#" s%oEs %a i re5ers o all
Iin$s o5 2*B#i1 asse&B#ies
??C??D
%a Eo*#$ *se 2*B#i1 2#a1es. T%e re5eren1e o G#aE5*#
1a*seH $oes no &aIe i 1onen(Base$ Be1a*se asse&B#ies rea##" %a)e o Be 5or #aE5*#
1a*ses, o%erEise %e" Eo*#$ no Be G2ea1eaB#eH an$ eni#e$ o 2roe1ion. Nei%er are
%e Eor$s Go2inion,H G2roesin>H an$ Gin5#*en1in>H in %e $e5iniion o5 2*B#i1 asse&B#"
20
21
22
1onen Base$, sin1e %e" 1an re5er o an" s*B'e1. T%e Eor$s G2eiionin> %e
>o)ern&en 5or re$ress o5 >rie)an1esH 1o&e 5ro& %e Eor$in> o5 %e !onsi*ion, so is
*se 1anno Be a)oi$e$. Fina##", &a3i&*& o#eran1e is 5or %e 2roe1ion an$ Bene5i o5
a## ra##"iss an$ is in$e2en$en o5 %e 1onen o5 %e e32ressions in %e ra##".

F*r%er&ore, %e 2er&i 1an on#" Be $enie$ on %e >ro*n$ o5 1#ear an$ 2resen
$an>er o 2*B#i1 or$er, 2*B#i1 sa5e", 2*B#i1 1on)enien1e, 2*B#i1 &ora#s or 2*B#i1 %ea#%.
T%is is a re1o>nize$ e31e2ion o %e e3er1ise o5 %e ri>% e)en *n$er %e Uni)ersa#
De1#araion o5 9*&an Ri>%s an$ %e Inernaiona# !o)enan on !i)i# an$ Po#ii1a#
Ri>%s, %*s<


Uni4ersal De3laration o6 8u*an $ig5ts

Ari1#e ?A

+. +. E)er"one %as %e ri>% o 5ree$o& o5 2ea1e5*#
asse&B#" an$ asso1iaion.

3 3 3

Ari1#e ?-

+. E)er"one %as $*ies o %e 1o&&*ni" in E%i1% a#one %e
5ree an$ 5*## $e)e#o2&en o5 %is 2ersona#i" is 2ossiB#e.

?. In %e e3er1ise o5 %is ri>%s an$ 5ree$o&s, e)er"one s%a##
Be s*B'e1 on#" o s*1% #i&iaions as are $eer&ine$ B" #aE so#e#" 5or %e
2*r2ose o5 se1*rin> $*e re1o>niion an$ res2e1 5or %e ri>%s an$
5ree$o&s o5 o%ers an$ o5 &eein> %e '*s reK*ire&ens o5 &ora#i",
2*B#i1 or$er an$ %e >enera# Ee#5are in a $e&o1rai1 so1ie".

/. T%ese ri>%s an$ 5ree$o&s &a" in no 1ase Be e3er1ise$
1onrar" o %e 2*r2oses an$ 2rin1i2#es o5 %e Unie$ Naions.


95e International Co4enant on Ci4il and Politi3al $ig5ts

Ari1#e +-.

+. E)er"one s%a## %a)e %e ri>% o %o#$ o2inions Ei%o*
iner5eren1e.

?. ?. E)er"one s%a## %a)e %e ri>% o 5ree$o& o5
e32ressionL %is ri>% s%a## in1#*$e 5ree$o& o seeI, re1ei)e an$ i&2ar
in5or&aion an$ i$eas o5 a## Iin$s, re>ar$#ess o5 5roniers, ei%er ora##", in
Eriin> or in 2rin, in %e 5or& o5 ar, or %ro*>% an" o%er &e$ia o5 %is
1%oi1e.

/. /. T%e e3er1ise o5 %e ri>%s 2ro)i$e$ 5or in
2ara>ra2% ? o5 %is ari1#e 1arries Ei% i s2e1ia# $*ies an$
res2onsiBi#iies. I &a" %ere5ore Be s*B'e1 o 1erain resri1ions, B*
%ese s%a## on#" Be s*1% as are 2ro)i$e$ B" #aE an$ are ne1essar"<

(a) (a) For res2e1 o5 %e ri>%s or
re2*aions o5 o%ersL
(B) (B) For %e 2roe1ion o5 naiona#
se1*ri" or o5 2*B#i1 or$er (or$re 2*B#i1), or o5 2*B#i1 %ea#%
or &ora#s.


!onrar" o 2eiionerOs 1#ai&, %e #aE is )er" 1#ear an$ is noE%ere )a>*e in is
2ro)isions. GP*B#i1H $oes no %a)e o Be $e5ine$. Is or$inar" &eanin> is Ee##(InoEn.
8eBserOs Di1ionar" $e5ines i, %*s<
?/C?/D

2*B#i1, n, 3 3 3 ?a< an or>anize$ Bo$" o5 2eo2#e 3 3 3 /< a >ro*2 o5
2eo2#e $isin>*is%e$ B" 1o&&on ineress or 1%ara1erisi1s 3 3 3.

No e)er" e32ression o5 o2inion is a 2*B#i1 asse&B#". T%e #aE re5ers o Gra##",
$e&onsraion, &ar1%, 2ara$e, 2ro1ession or an" o%er 5or& o5 &ass or 1on1ere$ a1ion
%e#$ in a 2*B#i1 2#a1e.H So i $oes no 1o)er an" an$ a## Iin$s o5 >a%erin>s.

Nei%er is %e #aE o)erBroa$. I re>*#aes %e e3er1ise o5 %e ri>% o 2ea1e5*#
asse&B#" an$ 2eiion on#" o %e e3en nee$e$ o a)oi$ a 1#ear an$ 2resen $an>er o5
%e s*Bsani)e e)i#s !on>ress %as %e ri>% o 2re)en.

T%ere is, #iIeEise, no 2rior resrain, sin1e %e 1onen o5 %e s2ee1% is no
re#e)an o %e re>*#aion.

As o %e $e#e>aion o5 2oEers o %e &a"or, %e #aE 2ro)i$es a 2re1ise an$
s*55i1ien san$ar$ J %e 1#ear an$ 2resen $an>er es sae$ in Se1. ,(a). T%e
re5eren1e o Gi&&inen an$ >ra)e $an>er o5 a s*Bsani)e e)i#H in Se1. ,(1) s*Bsania##"
&eans %e sa&e %in> an$ is no an in1onsisen san$ar$. As o E%e%er res2on$en
23
Ma"or %as %e sa&e 2oEer in$e2en$en#" *n$er Re2*B#i1 A1 No. M+,A
?;C?;D
is %*s no
ne1essar" o reso#)e in %ese 2ro1ee$in>s, an$ Eas no 2*rs*e$ B" %e 2aries in %eir
ar>*&ens.

Fina##", 5or %ose E%o 1anno Eai, Se1ion +@ o5 %e #aE 2ro)i$es 5or an
a#ernai)e 5or*& %ro*>% %e 1reaion o5 5ree$o& 2arIs E%ere no 2rior 2er&i is nee$e$
5or 2ea1e5*# asse&B#" an$ 2eiion a an" i&e<

SE!. +@. 'reedom par"s. J E)er" 1i" an$ &*ni1i2a#i" in %e
1o*nr" s%a## Ei%in si3 &on%s a5er %e e55e1i)i" o5 %is A1 esaB#is% or
$esi>nae a #eas one s*iaB#e G5ree$o& 2arIH or &a## in %eir res2e1i)e
'*ris$i1ions E%i1%, as 5ar as 2ra1i1aB#e, s%a## Be 1enra##" #o1ae$ Ei%in
%e 2oB#a1ion E%ere $e&onsraions an$ &eein>s &a" Be %e#$ a an"
i&e Ei%o* %e nee$ o5 an" 2rior 2er&i.

In %e 1iies an$ &*ni1i2a#iies o5 Mero2o#ian Mani#a, %e
res2e1i)e &a"ors s%a## esaB#is% %e 5ree$o& 2arIs Ei%in %e 2erio$ o5
si3 &on%s 5ro& %e e55e1i)i" %is A1.


T%is Brin>s *2 %e 2oin, %oEe)er, o5 1o&2#ian1e Ei% %is 2ro)ision.

T%e So#i1ior Genera# sae$ $*rin> %e ora# ar>*&ens %a, o %is InoE#e$>e,
on#" !eB* !i" %as $e1#are$ a 5ree$o& 2arI J F*ene 0s&eFa.
T%a o5 Mani#a, %e S*nIen Gar$ens, %as sin1e Been 1on)ere$ ino a >o#5 1o*rse, %e
a$$e$.

I5 %is is so, %e $e>ree o5 oBser)an1e o5 B.P. No. ..AOs &an$ae %a e)er" 1i"
an$ &*ni1i2a#i" se asi$e a 5ree$o& 2arI Ei%in si3 &on%s 5ro& is e55e1i)i" in +-.@,
or ?A "ears a>o, Eo*#$ Be 2a%ei1 an$ re>reaB#e. T%e &aer a22ears o %a)e Been
aIen 5or >rane$ a&i$s %e sEe## o5 5ree$o& %a rose 5ro& %e 2ea1e5*# re)o#*ion o5
+-.,.
!onsi$erin> %a %e e3isen1e o5 s*1% 5ree$o& 2arIs is an essenia# 2ar o5 %e
#aEOs s"se& o5 re>*#aion o5 %e 2eo2#eOs e3er1ise o5 %eir ri>% o 2ea1e5*##" asse&B#e
an$ 2eiion, %e !o*r is 1onsraine$ o r*#e %a a5er %ir" (/A) $a"s 5ro& %e 5ina#i" o5
24
%is De1ision, no 2rior 2er&i &a" Be reK*ire$ 5or %e e3er1ise o5 s*1% ri>% in an" 2*B#i1
2arI or 2#aza o5 a 1i" or &*ni1i2a#i" *ni# %a 1i" or &*ni1i2a#i" s%a## %a)e 1o&2#ie$
Ei% Se1ion +@ o5 %e #aE. For Ei%o* s*1% a#ernai)e 5or*&, o $en" %e 2er&i Eo*#$
in e55e1 Be o $en" %e ri>%. A$)an1e noi1es s%o*#$, %oEe)er, Be >i)en o %e
a*%oriies o ens*re 2ro2er 1oor$inaion an$ or$er#" 2ro1ee$in>s.

T%e !o*r noE 1o&es o %e &aer o5 %e !PR. As sae$ ear#ier, %e So#i1ior
Genera# %as 1on1e$e$ %a %e *se o5 %e er& s%o*#$ noE Be $is1onin*e$, sin1e i
$oes no &ean an"%in> o%er %an %e &a3i&*& o#eran1e 2o#i1" se 5or% in B.P. No.
..A. T%is is sae$ in %e A55i$a)i o5 res2on$en E3e1*i)e Se1rear" E$*ar$o Er&ia,
s*B&ie$ B" %e So#i1ior Genera#, %*s<

+;. T%e r*% o5 %e &aer is %e 2o#i1" o5 G1a#iBrae$
2ree&2i)e res2onseH is in 1onsonan1e Ei% %e #e>a# $e5iniion o5
G&a3i&*& o#eran1eH *n$er Se1ion / (1) o5 B.P. B#>. ..A, E%i1% is %e
G%i>%es $e>ree o5 resrain %a %e &i#iar", 2o#i1e an$ o%er
2ea1eIee2in> a*%oriies s%a## oBser)e $*rin> a 2*B#i1 asse&B#" or in %e
$is2ersa# o5 %e sa&e.H Un5or*nae#", %oEe)er, %e 2%rase G&a3i&*&
o#eran1eH %as a1K*ire$ a $i55eren &eanin> o)er %e "ears. Man" %a)e
aIen i o &ean ina1ion on %e 2ar o5 #aE en5or1ers e)en in %e 5a1e o5
&a"%e& an$ serio*s %reas o 2*B#i1 or$er. More so, o%er 5e# %a %e"
nee$ no Bo%er se1*re a 2er&i E%en %o#$in> ra##ies %inIin> %is Eo*#$
Be Go#erae$.H !#ear#", %e 2o2*#ar 1onnoaion o5 G&a3i&*& o#eran1eH
%as $e2are$ 5ro& is rea# essen1e *n$er B.P. B#>. ..A.

+@. +@. I s%o*#$ Be e&2%asize$ %a %e 2o#i1" o5
&a3i&*& o#eran1e is 2ro)i$e$ *n$er %e sa&e #aE E%i1% reK*ires a##
2*Bi1 asse&B#ies o %a)e a 2er&i, E%i1% a##oEs %e $is2ersa# o5 ra##ies
Ei%o* a 2er&i, an$ E%i1% re1o>nizes 1erain insan1es E%en Eaer
1annons &a" Be *se$. T%is 1o*#$ on#" &ean %a G&a3i&*& o#eran1eH is
no in 1on5#i1 Ei% a Gno 2er&i, no ra##" 2o#i1"H or Ei% %e $is2ersa# an$
*se o5 Eaer 1annons *n$er 1erain 1ir1*&san1es 5or in$ee$, %e
&a3i&*& a&o*n o5 o#eran1e reK*ire$ is $e2en$en on %oE 2ea1e5*# or
*nr*#" a &ass a1ion is. 0*r #aE en5or1ers s%o*#$ 1a#iBrae %eir
res2onse Base$ on %e 1ir1*&san1es on %e >ro*n$ Ei% %e )ieE o
2ree&2in> %e o*BreaI o5 )io#en1e.

+,. +,. T%*s, :5en I stated t5at 3ali-rated ;ree*;ti4e
res;onse is -eing en6or3ed in lieu o6 *a2i*u* toleran3e I 3learly
:as not re6erring to its legal de6inition -ut to t5e distorted and *u35
a-used de6inition t5at it 5as no: a3<uired. I only :anted to
disa-use t5e *inds o6 t5e ;u-li3 6ro* t5e notion t5at la: en6or3ers
:ould s5ir= t5eir res;onsi-ility o6 =ee;ing t5e ;ea3e e4en :5en
3on6ronted :it5 dangerously t5reatening -e5a4ior. I :anted to send
a *essage t5at :e :ould no longer -e la2 in en6or3ing t5e la: -ut
:ould 5en3e6ort5 6ollo: it to t5e letter. 95us I said, we have
instructed the PNP as well as the local government units to strictly
enforce a no permit no rally policy ! ! ! arrest all persons violating
the laws of the land ! ! ! unlawful mass actions will "e dispersed!#
None o6 t5ese is at logger5eads :it5 t5e letter and s;irit o6 Batas
Pa*-ansa Blg. ((7. I is %*s aBs*r$ 5or 1o&2#ainans o e)en 1#ai&
%a I or$ere$ &" 1o(res2on$ens o )io#ae an" #aE.
?@C?@D


A an" rae, %e !o*r r*#es %a in )ieE o5 %e &a3i&*& o#eran1e &an$ae$ B"
B.P. No. ..A, !PR ser)es no )a#i$ 2*r2ose i5 i &eans %e sa&e %in> as &a3i&*&
o#eran1e an$ is i##e>a# i5 i &eans so&e%in> e#se. A11or$in>#", E%a is o Be 5o##oEe$ is
an$ s%o*#$ Be %a &an$ae$ B" %e #aE ise#5, na&e#", &a3i&*& o#eran1e, E%i1%
s2e1i5i1a##" &eans %e 5o##oEin><

SE!. /. Definition of terms. J For 2*r2oses o5 %is A1<

3 3 3

(1) GMa3i&*& o#eran1eH &eans %e %i>%es $e>ree o5
resrain %a %e &i#iar", 2o#i1e an$ o%er 2ea1e Iee2in> a*%oriies s%a##
oBser)e $*rin> a 2*B#i1 asse&B#" or in %e $is2ersa# o5 %e sa&e.

3 3 3

SE!. -. %on&interference by law enforcement athorities. J LaE
en5or1e&en a>en1ies s%a## no iner5ere Ei% %e %o#$in> o5 a 2*B#i1
asse&B#". 9oEe)er, o a$eK*ae#" ens*re 2*B#i1 sa5e", a #aE
en5or1e&en 1onin>en *n$er %e 1o&&an$ o5 a res2onsiB#e 2o#i1e
o55i1er
&a" Be $eai#e$ an$ saione$ in a 2#a1e a #eas one %*n$re$ (+AA)
&eers aEa" 5ro& %e area o5 a1i)i" rea$" o &ainain 2ea1e an$ or$er
a a## i&es.

SE!. +A. Police assistance when reqested. J I s%a## Be
i&2erai)e 5or #aE en5or1e&en a>en1ies, E%en %eir assisan1e is
reK*ese$ B" %e #ea$ers or or>anizers, o 2er5or& %eir $*ies a#Ea"s
&in$5*# %a %eir res2onsiBi#i" o 2ro)i$e 2ro2er 2roe1ion o %ose
e3er1isin> %eir ri>% 2ea1eaB#" o asse&B#e an$ %e 5ree$o& o5
e32ression is 2ri&or$ia#. ToEar$s %is en$, #aE en5or1e&en a>en1ies
s%a## oBser)e %e 5o##oEin> >*i$e#ines<

(a) Me&Bers o5 %e #aE en5or1e&en 1onin>en E%o $ea# Ei%
%e $e&onsraors s%a## Be in 1o&2#ee *ni5or& Ei% %eir na&e2#aes an$
*nis o E%i1% %e" Be#on> $is2#a"e$ 2ro&inen#" on %e 5ron an$ $orsa#
2ars o5 %eir *ni5or& an$ &*s oBser)e %e 2o#i1" o5 G&a3i&*& o#eran1eH
as %erein $e5ine$L
25

(B) T%e &e&Bers o5 %e #aE en5or1e&en 1onin>en s%a## no
1arr" an" Iin$ o5 5irear&s B* &a" Be eK*i22e$ Ei% Baon or rio si1Is,
s%ie#$s, 1ras% %e#&es Ei% )isor, >as &asIs, Boos or anI#e %i>% s%oes
Ei% s%in >*ar$sL

(1) Tear >as, s&oIe >rena$es, Eaer 1annons, or an" si&i#ar
ani(rio $e)i1e s%a## no Be *se$ *n#ess %e 2*B#i1 asse&B#" is aen$e$
B" a1*a# )io#en1e or serio*s %reas o5 )io#en1e, or $e#iBerae $esr*1ion
o5 2ro2er".

,ec. ++. Dispersal of pblic assembly with permit. J No 2*B#i1
asse&B#" Ei% a 2er&i s%a## Be $is2erse$. 9oEe)er, E%en an asse&B#"
Be1o&es )io#en, %e 2o#i1e &a" $is2erse s*1% 2*B#i1 asse&B#" as
5o##oEs<

(a) A %e 5irs si>n o5 i&2en$in> )io#en1e, %e ranIin> o55i1er
o5 %e #aE en5or1e&en 1onin>en s%a## 1a## %e aenion o5 %e #ea$ers o5
%e 2*B#i1 asse&B#" an$ asI %e #aer o 2re)en an" 2ossiB#e
$is*rBan1eL

(B) I5 a1*a# )io#en1e sars o a 2oin E%ere ro1Is or o%er
%ar&5*# oB'e1s 5ro& %e 2ari1i2ans are %roEn a %e 2o#i1e or a %e
non(2ari1i2ans, or a an" 2ro2er" 1a*sin> $a&a>e o s*1% 2ro2er", %e
ranIin> o55i1er o5 %e #aE en5or1e&en 1onin>en s%a## a*$iB#" Earn %e
2ari1i2ans %a i5 %e $is*rBan1e 2ersiss, %e 2*B#i1 asse&B#" Ei## Be
$is2erse$L

(1) I5 %e )io#en1e or $is*rBan1e 2re)ai#in> as sae$ in %e
2re1e$in> s*B2ara>ra2% s%o*#$ no so2 or aBae, %e ranIin> o55i1er o5
%e #aE en5or1e&en 1onin>en s%a## a*$iB#" iss*e a Earnin> o %e
2ari1i2ans o5 %e 2*B#i1 asse&B#", an$ a5er a##oEin> a reasonaB#e
2erio$ o5 i&e o #a2se, s%a## i&&e$iae#" or$er i o 5or%Ei% $is2erseL
($) No arres o5 an" #ea$er, or>anizer or 2ari1i2an s%a## a#so
Be &a$e $*rin> %e 2*B#i1 asse&B#" *n#ess %e )io#aes $*rin> %e
asse&B#" a #aE, sa*e, or$inan1e or an" 2ro)ision o5 %is A1. S*1%
arres s%a## Be >o)erne$ B" Ari1#e +?@ o5 %e Re)ise$ Pena# !o$e, as
a&en$e$L

($) ($) Iso#ae$ a1s or in1i$ens o5 $isor$er or Brea1% o5
%e 2ea1e $*rin> %e 2*B#i1 asse&B#" s%a## no 1onsi*e a >ro*n$ 5or
$is2ersa#.

3 3 3

SE!. +?. Dispersal of pblic assembly withot permit. J 8%en %e
2*B#i1 asse&B#" is %e#$ Ei%o* a 2er&i E%ere a 2er&i is reK*ire$, %e
sai$ 2*B#i1 asse&B#" &a" Be 2ea1e5*##" $is2erse$.

SE!. +/. Prohibited acts. J T%e 5o##oEin> s%a## 1onsi*e
)io#aions o5 %e A1<

(e) (e) 0Bsr*1in>, i&2e$in>, $isr*2in> or o%erEise
$en"in> %e e3er1ise o5 %e ri>% o 2ea1e5*# asse&B#"L

(5) (5) T%e *nne1essar" 5irin> o5 5irear&s B" a &e&Ber
o5 an" #aE en5or1e&en a>en1" or an" 2erson o $is2erse %e 2*B#i1
asse&B#"L

(>) A1s $es1riBe$ %ere*n$er i5 1o&&ie$ Ei%in one %*n$re$
(+AA) &eers 5ro& %e area o5 a1i)i" o5 %e 2*B#i1 asse&B#" or on %e
o11asion %ereo5<

3 3 3

;. %e 1arr"in> o5 5irear&s B" &e&Bers o5 %e #aE
en5or1e&en *niL

@. %e iner5erin> Ei% or ineniona##" $is*rBin> %e
%o#$in> o5 a 2*B#i1 asse&B#" B" %e *se o5 a &oor
)e%i1#e, is %orns an$ #o*$ so*n$ s"se&s.

F*r%er&ore, %ere is nee$ o a$$ress %e si*aion a$)ere$ o B" 2eiioners
E%ere &a"ors $o no a1 on a22#i1aions 5or a 2er&i an$ E%en %e 2o#i1e $e&an$ a
2er&i an$ %e ra##"iss 1o*#$ no 2ro$*1e one, %e ra##" is i&&e$iae#" $is2erse$. In
s*1% a si*aion, as a ne1essar" 1onseK*en1e an$ 2ar o5 &a3i&*& o#eran1e, ra##"iss
E%o 1an s%oE %e 2o#i1e an a22#i1aion $*#" 5i#e$ on a >i)en $ae 1an, a5er Eo $a"s
5ro& sai$ $ae, ra##" in a11or$an1e Ei% %eir a22#i1aion Ei%o* %e nee$ o s%oE a
2er&i, %e >ran o5 %e 2er&i Bein> %en 2res*&e$ *n$er %e #aE, an$ i Ei## Be %e
B*r$en o5 %e a*%oriies o s%oE %a %ere %as Been a $enia# o5 %e a22#i1aion, in E%i1%
1ase %e ra##" &a" Be 2ea1e5*##" $is2erse$ 5o##oEin> %e 2ro1e$*re o5 &a3i&*&
o#eran1e 2res1riBe$ B" %e #aE.

In s*&, %is !o*r reieraes is Basi1 2o#i1" o5 *2%o#$in> %e 5*n$a&ena# ri>%s
o5 o*r 2eo2#e, es2e1ia##" 5ree$o& o5 e32ression an$ 5ree$o& o5 asse&B#". In se)era#
2o#i1" a$$resses, !%ie5 J*si1e Are&io 6. Pan>aniBan %as re2eae$#" )oEe$ o *2%o#$
%e #iBer" o5 o*r 2eo2#e an$ o n*r*re %eir 2ros2eri". 9e sai$ %a Gin 1ases in)o#)in>
#iBer", %e s1a#es o5 '*si1e s%o*#$ Eei>% %ea)i#" a>ains %e >o)ern&en an$ in 5a)or o5
%e 2oor, %e o22resse$, %e &ar>ina#ize$, %e $is2ossesse$ an$ %e EeaI. In$ee$,
#aEs an$ a1ions %a resri1 5*n$a&ena# ri>%s 1o&e o %e 1o*rs Ei% a %ea)"
2res*&2ion a>ains %eir )a#i$i". T%ese #aEs an$ a1ions are s*B'e1e$ o 5eig5tened
s1r*in".H
?,C?,D

For %is reason, %e so(1a##e$ 1a#iBrae$ 2ree&2i)e res2onse 2o#i1" %as no 2#a1e
in o*r #e>a# 5ir&a&en an$ &*s Be sr*1I $oEn as a $arIness %a s%ro*$s 5ree$o&. I
&ere#" 1on5*ses o*r 2eo2#e an$ is *se$ B" so&e 2o#i1e a>ens o '*si5" aB*ses. 0n %e
o%er %an$, B.P. No. ..A 1anno Be 1on$e&ne$ as *n1onsi*iona#L i $oes no 1*rai# or
*n$*#" resri1 5ree$o&sL i &ere#" re>*#aes %e *se o5 2*B#i1 2#a1es as o %e i&e,
2#a1e an$ &anner o5 asse&B#ies. Far 5ro& Bein> insi$io*s, G&a3i&*& o#eran1eH is 5or
%e Bene5i o5 ra##"iss, no %e >o)ern&en. T%e $e#e>aion o %e &a"ors o5 %e 2oEer o
iss*e ra##" G2er&isH is )a#i$ Be1a*se i is s*B'e1 o %e 1onsi*iona##"(so*n$ G1#ear an$
2resen $an>erH san$ar$.

In %is De1ision, %e !o*r >oes e)en one se2 5*r%er in sa5e>*ar$in> #iBer" B"
>i)in> #o1a# >o)ern&ens a $ea$#ine o5 /A $a"s Ei%in E%i1% o $esi>nae s2e1i5i1
5ree$o& 2arIs as 2ro)i$e$ *n$er B.P. No. ..A. I5, a5er %a 2erio$, no s*1% 2arIs are
so i$eni5ie$ in a11or$an1e Ei% Se1ion +@ o5 %e #aE, all 2*B#i1 2arIs an$ 2#azas o5 %e
&*ni1i2a#i" or 1i" 1on1erne$ s%a## in e55e1 Be $ee&e$ 5ree$o& 2arIsL no 2rior 2er&i
o5 E%ae)er Iin$ s%a## Be reK*ire$ o %o#$ an asse&B#" %erein. T%e on#" reK*ire&en
Ei## Be Erien noi1es o %e 2o#i1e an$ %e &a"orOs o55i1e o a##oE 2ro2er 1oor$inaion
an$ or$er#" a1i)iies.

>8E$E?O$E, %e 2eiions are #$AN9ED in 2ar, an$ res2on$ens, &ore
2ari1*#ar#" %e Se1rear" o5 %e Inerior an$ Lo1a# Go)ern&ens, are DI$EC9ED o aIe
a## ne1essar" se2s 5or %e i&&e$iae 1o&2#ian1e Ei% Se1ion +@ o5 Baas Pa&Bansa
No. ..A %ro*>% %e esaB#is%&en or $esi>naion o5 a #eas one s*iaB#e 5ree$o& 2arI
or 2#aza in e)er" 1i" an$ &*ni1i2a#i" o5 %e 1o*nr". A5er %ir" (/A) $a"s 5ro& %e
5ina#i" o5 %is De1ision, s*B'e1 o %e >i)in> o5 a$)an1e noi1es, no 2rior 2er&i s%a## Be
reK*ire$ o e3er1ise %e ri>% o 2ea1eaB#" asse&B#e an$ 2eiion in %e 2*B#i1 2arIs or
2#azas o5 a 1i" or &*ni1i2a#i" %a %as no "e 1o&2#ie$ Ei% Se1ion +@ o5 %e #aE.
F*r%er&ore, Cali-rated Pree*;ti4e $es;onse !CP$), inso5ar as i Eo*#$ 2*r2or o
$i55er 5ro& or Be in #ie* o5 &a3i&*& o#eran1e, is NU++ an$ /OID an$ res2on$ens are
ENJOINED o $E?$AIN 5ro& *sin> i an$ o S9$IC9+@ OBSE$/E %e reK*ire&ens o5
26
&a3i&*& o#eran1e. T%e 2eiions are DISISSED in a## o%er res2e1s, an$ %e
CONS9I9U9IONA+I9@ o5 Baas Pa&Bansa No. ..A is SUS9AINED.

No 1oss.

SO O$DE$ED.