1 | P a g e

DIGEST BATCH 3
ROMULO L. NERI, petitioner vs. SENATE COMMITTEE ON ACCOUNTABILITY OF
PUBLIC OFFICERS AND INVESTIATIONS, SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRADE AND
COMMERCE, AND SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL DEFENSE AND SECURITY
.R. No. !"#$%&, M'r() *+, *##"
FACTS:
On April 21, 2007, the Department ! Tran"prtatin an# Cmm$ni%atin &DOTC' entere# int
a %ntra%t (ith )hng *ing Tele%mm$ni%atin" E+$ipment &)TE' !r the "$ppl, ! e+$ipment
an# "er-i%e" !r the .atinal Bra#/an# .et(r0 &.B.' Pr1e%t in the am$nt ! 23S3 4
325,671,250 &appr8imatel, P19 Billin Pe""'3 The Pr1e%t (a" t /e :nan%e# /, the
Peple;" <ep$/li% ! China3
The Senate pa""e# -ari$" re"l$tin" relati-e t the .B. #eal3 In the Septem/er 17, 2007
hearing ="e #e >ene%ia III te"ti:e# that "e-eral high e8e%$ti-e ?%ial" an# p(er /r0er"
(ere $"ing their in@$en%e t p$"h the appr-al ! the .B. Pr1e%t /, the .EDA3
.eri, the hea# ! .EDA, (a" then in-ite# t te"ti!, /e!re the Senate Bl$e <i//n3 He
appeare# in ne hearing (herein he (a" interrgate# !r 11 hr" an# #$ring (hi%h he
a#mitte# that A/al" ! COAEBEC trie# t /ri/e him (ith P200A in e8%hange !r hi" appr-al
! the .B. pr1e%t3 He !$rther narrate# that he in!rme# Pre"i#ent Arr, a/$t the /ri/er,
attempt an# that "he in"tr$%te# him nt t a%%ept the /ri/e3
H(e-er, (hen pr/e# !$rther n (hat the, #i"%$""e# a/$t the .B. Pr1e%t, petitiner
re!$"e# t an"(er, in-0ing Ce8e%$ti-e pri-ilegeD3 In parti%$lar, he re!$"e# t an"(er the
+$e"tin" n:
&a' (hether r nt Pre"i#ent Arr, !ll(e# $p the .B. Pr1e%t,
&/' (hether r nt "he #ire%te# him t priritiEe it, an#
&%' (hether r nt "he #ire%te# him t appr-e3
He later re!$"e# t atten# the ther hearing" an# Ermita "ent a letter t the "enate a-erring
that the %mm$ni%atin" /et(een GAA an# .eri are pri-ilege# an# that the 1$ri"pr$#en%e
lai# #(n in Senate -" Ermita /e applie#3 He (a" %ite# in %ntempt ! re"pn#ent
%mmittee" an# an r#er !r hi" arre"t an# #etentin $ntil "$%h time that he ($l# appear
an# gi-e hi" te"timn,3
ISSUE:
Are the %mm$ni%atin" eli%ite# /, the "$/1e%t three &3' +$e"tin" %-ere# /, e8e%$ti-e
pri-ilegeF
,ELD:
The %mm$ni%atin" are %-ere# /, e8e%$ti-e pri-ilege
The re-%atin ! EO 696 &a#-i"e# e8e%$ti-e ?%ial" an# empl,ee" t !ll( an# a/i#e /,
the Cn"tit$tin, e8i"ting la(" an# 1$ri"pr$#en%e, in%l$#ing, amng ther", the %a"e !
Senate -3 Ermita (hen the, are in-ite# t legi"lati-e in+$irie" in ai# ! legi"latin3', #e" nt
in an, (a, #imini"h the %n%ept ! e8e%$ti-e pri-ilege3 Thi" i" /e%a$"e thi" %n%ept ha"
Cn"tit$tinal $n#erpinning"3
The %laim ! e8e%$ti-e pri-ilege i" highl, re%gniEe# in %a"e" (here the "$/1e%t ! in+$ir,
relate" t a p(er te8t$all, %mmitte# /, the Cn"tit$tin t the Pre"i#ent, "$%h a" the area
! militar, an# !reign relatin"3 2n#er $r Cn"tit$tin, the Pre"i#ent i" the rep"itr, ! the
%mman#erGinG%hie!, appinting, par#ning, an# #iplmati% p(er"3 Cn"i"tent (ith the
#%trine ! "eparatin ! p(er", the in!rmatin relating t the"e p(er" ma, en1, greater
%n:#entialit, than ther"3
Se-eral 1$ri"pr$#en%e %ite# pr-i#e the element" ! pre"i#ential %mm$ni%atin" pri-ilege:
1' The prte%te# %mm$ni%atin m$"t relate t a C+$inte""ential an# nnG#elega/le
pre"i#ential p(er3D
2' The %mm$ni%atin m$"t /e a$thre# r C"li%ite# an# re%ei-e#D /, a %l"e a#-i"r ! the
Pre"i#ent r the Pre"i#ent him"el!3 The 1$#i%ial te"t i" that an a#-i"r m$"t /e in Cperatinal
pr8imit,D (ith the Pre"i#ent3
3' The pre"i#ential %mm$ni%atin" pri-ilege remain" a +$ali:e# pri-ilege that ma, /e
-er%me /, a "h(ing ! a#e+$ate nee#, "$%h that the in!rmatin "$ght Cli0el, %ntain"
imprtant e-i#en%eD an# /, the $na-aila/ilit, ! the in!rmatin el"e(here /, an apprpriate
in-e"tigating a$thrit,3
In the %a"e at /ar, E8e%$ti-e Se%retar, Ermita premi"e# hi" %laim ! e8e%$ti-e pri-ilege n
the gr$n# that the %mm$ni%atin" eli%ite# /, the three &3' +$e"tin" C!all $n#er
%n-er"atin an# %rre"pn#en%e /et(een the Pre"i#ent an# p$/li% ?%ial"D ne%e""ar, in
Cher e8e%$ti-e an# pli%, #e%i"inGma0ing pr%e""D an#, that Cthe in!rmatin "$ght t /e
#i"%l"e# might impair $r #iplmati% a" (ell a" e%nmi% relatin" (ith the Peple;"
<ep$/li% ! China3D Simpl, p$t, the /a"e" are pre"i#ential %mm$ni%atin" pri-ilege an#
e8e%$ti-e pri-ilege n matter" relating t #iplma%, r !reign relatin"3
2"ing the a/-e element", (e are %n-in%e# that, in#ee#, the %mm$ni%atin" eli%ite# /, the
three &3' +$e"tin" are %-ere# /, the pre"i#ential %mm$ni%atin" pri-ilege3 Hir"t, the
%mm$ni%atin" relate t a C+$inte""ential an# nnG#elega/le p(erD ! the Pre"i#ent, i3e3
the p(er t enter int an e8e%$ti-e agreement (ith ther %$ntrie"3 Thi" a$thrit, ! the
Pre"i#ent t enter int e8e%$ti-e agreement" (ith$t the %n%$rren%e ! the Begi"lat$re ha"
tra#itinall, /een re%gniEe# in Philippine 1$ri"pr$#en%e3 Se%n#, the %mm$ni%atin" are
Cre%ei-e#D /, a %l"e a#-i"r ! the Pre"i#ent3 2n#er the Cperatinal pr8imit,D te"t,
petitiner %an /e %n"i#ere# a %l"e a#-i"r, /eing a mem/er ! Pre"i#ent Arr,;" %a/inet3
An# thir#, there i" n a#e+$ate "h(ing ! a %mpelling nee# that ($l# 1$"ti!, the limitatin
! the pri-ilege an# ! the $na-aila/ilit, ! the in!rmatin el"e(here /, an apprpriate
in-e"tigating a$thrit,3
<e"pn#ent Cmmittee" !$rther %nten# that the grant ! petitiner;" %laim ! e8e%$ti-e
pri-ilege -ilate" the %n"tit$tinal pr-i"in" n the right ! the peple t in!rmatin n
matter" ! p$/li% %n%ern3I0 Je might ha-e agree# (ith "$%h %ntentin i! petitiner #i# nt
appear /e!re them at all3 B$t petitiner ma#e him"el! a-aila/le t them #$ring the
Septem/er 29 hearing, (here he (a" +$e"tine# !r ele-en &11' h$r"3 .t nl, that, he
e8pre""l, mani!e"te# hi" (illingne"" t an"(er mre +$e"tin" !rm the Senatr", (ith the
e8%eptin nl, ! th"e %-ere# /, hi" %laim ! e8e%$ti-e pri-ilege3
The right t p$/li% in!rmatin, li0e an, ther right, i" "$/1e%t t limitatin3 Se%tin 7 !
Arti%le III pr-i#e":
The right ! the peple t in!rmatin n matter" ! p$/li% %n%ern "hall /e re%gniEe#3
A%%e"" t ?%ial re%r#", an# t #%$ment", an# paper" pertaining t ?%ial a%t",
tran"a%tin", r #e%i"in", a" (ell a" t g-ernment re"ear%h #ata $"e# a" /a"i" !r pli%,
#e-elpment, "hall /e aKr#e# the %itiEen, "$/1e%t t "$%h limitatin" a" ma, /e pr-i#e# /,
la(3
LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
Neri vs Sen'te Co--ittee on A((o.nt'/i0it1 o2 P./0i( O3(ers
nquiry in aid of legislation Executive Privilege
2 | P a g e
Legislative (Sec 21) & Oversight (Sec 22) Poers
On 21 April 2007, DOTC entere# int a %ntra%t (ith )hng *ing Tele%mm$ni%atin"
E+$ipment &)TE' !r the "$ppl, ! e+$ipment an# "er-i%e" !r the .atinal Bra#/an#
.et(r0 &.B.' Pr1e%t in the am$nt ! 4325,671,250300 &appr8imatel, P19 Billin Pe""'3
The Pr1e%t (a" t /e :nan%e# /, the P<C3 The Senate pa""e# -ari$" re"l$tin" relati-e t
the .B. #eal3 On the ther han#, De >ene%ia i""$e# a "tatement that "e-eral high e8e%$ti-e
?%ial" an# p(er /r0er" (ere $"ing their in@$en%e t p$"h the appr-al ! the .B. Pr1e%t
/, the .EDA3 .eri, the hea# ! .EDA, (a" then in-ite# t te"ti!, /e!re the Senate Bl$e
<i//n3 He appeare# in ne hearing (herein he (a" interrgate# !r 11 hr" an# #$ring (hi%h
he a#mitte# that A/al" ! COAEBEC trie# t /ri/e him (ith P200A in e8%hange !r hi"
appr-al ! the .B. pr1e%t3 He !$rther narrate# that he in!rme# Pre"i#ent Arr, a/$t the
/ri/er, attempt an# that "he in"tr$%te# him nt t a%%ept the /ri/e3 H(e-er, (hen pr/e#
!$rther n (hat the, #i"%$""e# a/$t the .B. Pr1e%t, petitiner re!$"e# t an"(er, in-0ing
Ce8e%$ti-e pri-ilegeD3 In parti%$lar, he re!$"e# t an"(er the +$e"tin" n &a' (hether r nt
Pre"i#ent Arr, !ll(e# $p the .B. Pr1e%t, &/' (hether r nt "he #ire%te# him t priritiEe
it, an# &%' (hether r nt "he #ire%te# him t appr-e3 He later re!$"e# t atten# the ther
hearing" an# Ermita "ent a letter t the S<BC a-erring that the %mm$ni%atin" /et(een
GAA an# .eri i" pri-ilege# an# that the 1$ri"pr$#en%e lai# #(n in Senate -" Ermita /e
applie#3 The S<BC %ite# .eri !r %ntempt3
ISSUE4 Jhether r nt the three +$e"tin" "$ght /, the S<BC t /e an"(ere# !all" $n#er
e8e%$ti-e pri-ilege3
,ELD4 The -er"ight !$n%tin ! Cngre"" ma, /e !a%ilitate# /, %mp$l"r, pr%e"" nl, t
the e8tent that it i" per!rme# in p$r"$it ! legi"latin3
The %mm$ni%atin" eli%ite# /, the three &3' +$e"tin" are %-ere# /, the presi5enti'0
(o--.ni('tions privi0e6e3
1st, the %mm$ni%atin" relate t a C7.intessenti'0 'n5 non85e0e6'/0e po9erD ! the
Pre"i#ent, i3e3 the p(er t enter int an e8e%$ti-e agreement (ith ther %$ntrie"3 Thi"
a$thrit, ! the Pre"i#ent t enter int executive agree!ents (ith$t the %n%$rren%e ! the
Begi"lat$re ha" tra#itinall, /een re%gniEe# in Philippine 1$ri"pr$#en%e3
2nd, the %mm$ni%atin" are Cre%ei-e#D /, a %l"e a#-i"r ! the Pre"i#ent3 2n#er the
Coper'tion'0 pro:i-it1; test, petitiner %an /e %n"i#ere# a %l"e a#-i"r, /eing a
mem/er ! Pre"i#ent Arr,;" %a/inet3 An#
3rd, there i" n a#e+$ate "h(ing ! a %mpelling nee# that ($l# 1$"ti!, the limitatin !
the pri-ilege
an# ! the .n'v'i0'/i0it1! the in!rmatin el"e(here /, an apprpriate in-e"tigating
a$thrit,3
LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
on<'0es vs Co.rt o2 Appe'0s
..R. No. &$*!&
=.ne *>, !>">
F'(ts4
The petitiner" lea"e# a lt in the "$/#i-i"in n (hi%h the, /$ilt their h$"e, an#, /,
tleran%e ! the "$/#i-i"in (ner, the, %$lti-ate# "me -a%ant a#1ining lt"3 The C$rt !
Agrarian <elatin", a" (ell a" the C$rt ! Appeal", r$le# that Mthe plaintiK" are nt #e 1$re
agri%$lt$ral tenant"3M
On O%t/er 29, 1577, B$%ia A3 Si"n :le# a mtin t /e "$/"tit$te# in lie$ ! the pri-ate
re"pn#ent" An#re" Ag%aile &(h #ie# n Aa, 20, 1579' an# Benra Ag%aile &(h #ie# n
Aar%h 22, 1575' a" "he inherite#, an# i" n( the regi"tere# (ner !, nine &5' $n"l# lt" in
the "$/#i-i"in %-ere#3
On He/r$ar, 22, 1575, thi" C$rt grante# her mtin3 The !a%t" ! thi" %a"e are nt #i"p$te#
an# are re%ite# in the appeale# #e%i"in #ate# De%em/er 9, 1572 ! the C$rt ! Appeal"3
Iss.e4
JN. an agri%$lt$ral tenan%, relatin"hip %an /e %reate# -er lan# em/ra%e# in an appr-e#
re"i#ential "$/#i-i"in3
,e054
There i" n merit in the petitiner"O arg$ment that ina"m$%h a" re"i#ential an# %mmer%ial
lt" ma, /e %n"i#ere# Magri%$lt$ralM &Pri-en0 -"3 <egi"ter ! Dee#", 75 Phil3 691' an
agri%$lt$ral tenan%, %an /e e"ta/li"he# n lan# in a re"i#ential "$/#i-i"in3 The Pri-en0
#e%i"in interpreting the %n"tit$tinal prhi/itin again"t tran"!erring pri-ate agri%$lt$ral
lan# t in#i-i#$al", %rpratin", r a""%iatin" nt +$ali:e# t a%+$ire r hl# lan#" ! the
p$/li% #main, "a-e in the %a"e ! here#itar, "$%%e""in &Art3 *III Se%3 I, 153I Cn"tit$tinQ
later Art3 *I>, Se%3 16, 1573 Cn"tit$tinQ Art3 *II, Se%3 7, 1577 Cn"tit$tin' ha" nthing t #
(ith agri%$lt$ral tenan%,3 An agri%$lt$ral lea"ehl# %annt /e e"ta/li"he# n lan# (hi%h ha"
%ea"e# t /e #e-te# t %$lti-atin r !arming /e%a$"e ! it" %n-er"in int a re"i#ential
"$/#i-i"in3
Petitiner" ma, nt in-0e Se%tin 39&l' ! <ep$/li% A%t .3 3766 (hi%h pr-i#e" that M(hen
the le""rG(ner !ail" t "$/"tantiall, %arr, $t the %n-er"in ! hi" agri%$lt$ral lan# int a
"$/#i-i"in (ithin ne ,ear a!ter the #i"p""e""in ! the le""ee, the le""ee "hall /e entitle#
t rein"tatement an# #amage",M !r the petitiner" (ere nt agri%$lt$ral le""ee" r tenant" !
the lan# /e!re it" %n-er"in int a re"i#ential "$/#i-i"in in 15II3 .t ha-ing /een
#i"p""e""e# /, the %n-er"in ! the lan# int a re"i#ential "$/#i-i"in, the, ma, nt %laim
a right t rein"tatement3
On the ther han#, the petitiner"O ta%ti% ! entering the "$/#i-i"in a" le""ee ! a hmelt
an# therea!ter %$lti-ating "me $n"l# lt" "ten"i/l, !r temprar, $"e a" a hme gar#en,
/$t %-ertl, !r the p$rp"e ! later %laiming the lan# a" Mtenante#M !arm lt", re%all" the
!a/le ! the %amel that "$ght "helter in"i#e it" ma"terO" tent #$ring a "trm, an# n%e
in"i#e, 0i%0e# it" ma"ter $t ! the tent3 Here, the pri-ate re"pn#ent"O tleran%e ! the
petitiner"O "$pp"e#l, temprar, $"e ! "me -a%ant lt" in the "$/#i-i"in (a" "eiEe# /,
the latter a" a (eapn t #epri-e the re"pn#ent" ! their lan#3
JHE<EHO<E, :n#ing n re-er"i/le errr in the #e%i"in ! the C$rt ! Appeal", Je #en, the
petitin !r re-ie( !r la%0 ! merit3
LLLLLLLLLLL
3 | P a g e
REALA ET AL. VS. SANDIANBAYAN
R NO. !#+>&", SEPTEMBER *#, !>>$
FACTS 4
Client" %n"$lte# the petitiner", in their %apa%it, a" la(,er",
regar#ing the :nan%ial an# %rprate "tr$%t$re, !rame(r0 an# "etG$p
! the %rpratin" in +$e"tin3 In t$rn, petitiner" ga-e their
pr!e""inal a#-i%e in the !rm !, amng ther", the #ee#" !
a""ignment %-ering their %lientO" "harehl#ing"3
Petitiner" !ear that i#enti!,ing their %lient" ($l# impli%ate them in
the -er, a%ti-it, !r (hi%h legal a#-i%e ha# /een "$ght, i3e3, the
allege# a%%$m$latin ! illGgtten (ealth in the a!rementine#
%rpratin"3
13 =$l, 31, 1577 R %mplaint /e!re the San#igan/a,an ! PCGG -"3
E#$ar# A3 C1$ang%, =r3, &prin%ipal #e!en#ant' et al3 !r re%-er, !
allege# illGgtten (ealth, i3 e3, "hare" ! "t%0" in name# %rpratin"
in PCGG Ca"e .3 33 &Ci-il Ca"e .3 0033', entitle# M<3 P3 -3
C1$ang%, et al3M
23 De!en#ant" name# in the %a"e are herein petitiner" &pl$" pri-ate
re"pn#ent <a$l S3 <%' G then partner" ! the la( :rm Angara,
A/ell, Cn%ep%in, <egala an# Cr$E Ba( O?%e" &ACC<A Ba( Hirm'3
33 ACC<A Ba( Hirm R acquired info on assets of clients" #ersonal and
$usiness circu!stances% a""i"te# in rganiEatin an# a%+$i"itin !
/$"ine"" a""%iatin" an#Nr rganiEatin" &%mpanie" li"te# in Ci-il
Ca"e 0033', (here it" mem/er" a%te# a" in%rpratr", r "impl,, a"
"t%0hl#er" et%Q #eli-ere# #%$ment" (hi%h "$/"tantiate the %lientO"
e+$it, hl#ing", i3e3, &1' "t%0 %erti:%ate" en#r"e# in /lan0
repre"enting the "hare" regi"tere# in the %lientO" name, an# &2' a
/lan0 #ee# ! tr$"t r a""ignment %-ering "ai# "hare"Q a%te# a"
nminee"G"t%0hl#er" ! the "ai# %rpratin" in-l-e# in
"e+$e"tratin pr%ee#ing" &a" ?%e pra%ti%e'
63 A$g$"t 20, 1551 G re"pn#ent PCGG;" MAtin t A#mit Thir#
Amen#e# CmplaintM an# MThir# Amen#e# CmplaintM e8%l$#e# pri-ate
re"pn#ent <a$l <% !rm %mplaint in PCGG Ca"e .3 33 /e%a$"e !
hi" $n#erta0ing that he (ill re-eal the i#entit, ! the prin%ipalN" !r
Create# /,: Aa3 Angela Benr C3 Ag$inal# Atene Ba( 1E 2010
Page 26 ! 167
(hm he a%te# a" nmineeN"t%0hl#er in the %mpanie" in-l-e# in
PCGG Ca"e .3 333
I3 Thir# Amen#e# Cmplaint R "ai# #e!en#ant" %n"pire# in helping
"et $p, thr$gh the $"e ! the %%n$t le-, !$n#", 2CPB, 2.ICOA,
COCOBIHE, COCOAA<P, CIC, an# mre than 20 ther %%n$t le-,
!$n#e# %rpratin", in%l$#ing the a%+$i"itin ! San Aig$el
Crpratin "hare"
93 ACC<A In-e"tment" Crpratin G /e%ame the hl#er !
appr8imatel, 1I millin "hare" &r$ghl, 333S' ! ttal $t"tan#ing
%apital "t%0 ! 2CPB a" ! 31 Aar%h 1577Q 66 amng the tp 100
/igge"t "t%0hl#er" ! 2CPB &a/$t 1,600,000 "harehl#er"'Q a
(hll,G(ne# in-e"tment arm
73 E#gar# =3 Angara G hl#ing appr8imatel, &"'(( "hare" a" !
He/r$ar,, 1576 ! 2CPB
73 E8pan#e# Amen#e# Cmplaint ! ACC<A R "ai# that i" nl, in
legitimate la(,eringQ /e%ame hl#er" ! "hare" ! "t%0 in the
%rpratin" li"te# /$t # nt %laim an, prprietar, intere"t in the "ai#
"hare" ! "t%0Q "ai# A-elin >3 Cr$E an in%rpratr in 1579 !
Aermai# Aar0eting Crpratin /$t !r legitimate /$"ine"" p$rp"e"
an# alrea#, tran"!erre# "hare"
53 Petitiner Para1a Ha,$#ini G #enie# /eing n-l-e# in the allege# illgtten
(ealth
103 MCOAAE.T A.DNO< OPPOSITIO.M #ate# O%t/er 7, 1551 (ith
C$nterGAtin ! ACC<A R m-ing that re"pn#ent PCGG "imilarl,
grant the "ame treatment t them &e8%l$"in a" partie"G#e!en#ant"'
a" a%%r#e# <%3
113 Cn#itin" pre%e#ent !r the e8%l$"in ! petitiner", namel,
&PCGG;" Cmment': &a' the #i"%l"$re ! the i#entit, ! it" %lient"Q &/'
#%$ment" "$/"tantiating the la(,erG%lient relatin"hipQ an# &%' #ee#"
! a""ignment" petitiner" e8e%$te# !r %lient" %-ering
"hare"
123 PCGG;" "$pp"e# pr! t "$/"tantiate %mplian%e /, <%: &a'
Better t re"pn#ent PCGG ! hi" the %$n"el reiterating pre-i$"
re+$e"t !r rein-e"tigatinQ &/' A?#a-it a" Atta%hmentQ &%' Better !
the <%, B$nag, an# Pap$nan Ba( O?%e" riginall, re+$e"ting the
Create# /,: Aa3 Angela Benr C3 Ag$inal# Atene Ba( 1E 2010
Page 2I ! 167
rein-e"tigatin an#Nr reGe8aminatin ! e-i#en%e ! PCGG again"t
<%
133 <% #i# nt re!$te petitiner"O %ntentin that he #i# a%t$all, nt
re-eal i#entit, ! the %lient, nr $n#ert0 t re-eal the i#entit, ! the
%lient !r (hm he a%te# a" nmineeG"t%0hl#er3
163 Aar%h 17, 1552 G re"pn#ent San#igan/a,an prm$lgate#
<e"l$tin herein +$e"tine#, #en,ing the e8%l$"in ! petitiner" !r
their re!$"al t %mpl, (ith the %n#itin" /, PCGG
1I3 Hen%e, petitin !r %ertirari, gr$n#": "tri%t appli%atin ! the la(
! agen%,Q a/"l$tel, n e-i#en%e that Ar3 <% ha# re-eale#, r ha#
$n#erta0en t re-eal, #i"%l"$re nt %n"tit$te a "$/"tantial #i"tin%tin
!r e+$al prte%tin %la$"e, !a-riti"m an# $n#$e pre!eren%eQ nt
hl#ing that, $n#er the !a%t" ! thi" %a"e, the attrne,G%lient pri-ilege
prhi/it" petitiner" ACC<A la(,er" !rm re-ealing the i#entit, ! their
%lient&"' an# the ther in!rmatin re+$e"te# /, the PCGGQ
$nrea"na/le r $n1$"t
ISSUE4 Pri-ilege# In!rmatin
Jhether r nt the la(,er;" :#$%iar, #$t, &u$erri!ei )dei) ma, /e
a""erte# in re!$"ing t #i"%l"e the i#entit, ! %lient" Tname !
petitiner"O %lient&"'U $n#er the !a%t" an# %ir%$m"tan%e" /taining in
the in"tant %a"e
,ELD4
The High C$rt $phel# that petitiner"O right nt t re-eal the i#entit,
! their %lient" $n#er pain ! the /rea%h ! :#$%iar, #$t, (ing t their
6 | P a g e
%lient", /e%a$"e the !a%t" ! the in"tant %a"e %learl, !all (ithin
re%gniEe# e8%eptin" t the r$le that the %lientO" name i" nt
pri-ilege# in!rmatin3 San#igan/a,an re"l$tin ann$lle# an# "et
a"i#e3 Petitiner" e8%l$#e# !rm %mplaint3
13 A la(,er ma, nt in-0e the pri-ilege an# re!$"e t #i-$lge the
name r i#entit, ! thi" %lient3 <ea"n": 13 C$rt ha" a right t 0n(
that the %lient (h"e pri-ilege# in!rmatin i" "$ght t /e prte%te#
i" @e"h an# /l#3 23 Pri-ilege /egin" t e8i"t nl, a!ter the attrne,%lient
relatin"hip ha" /een e"ta/li"he#3 The attrne,G%lient pri-ilege
#e" nt atta%h $ntil there i" a %lient3 33 Pri-ilege generall, pertain" t
the su$*ect !atter ! the relatin"hip3 63 D$e pr%e"" %n"i#eratin"
Create# /,: Aa3 Angela Benr C3 Ag$inal# Atene Ba( 1E 2010
Page 29 ! 167
re+$ire that the pp"ing part, "h$l#, a" a general r$le, 0n( hi"
a#-er"ar,3
23 B2T &E:(eptions?R'(io De(i5en5i@: Jhen the %lientO" name it"el!
ha" an in#epen#ent "igni:%an%e, "$%h that #i"%l"$re ($l# then
re-eal %lient %n:#en%e"
13 A "trng pr/a/ilit, e8i"t" that re-ealing the %lientO" name ($l#
impli%ate that %lient in the -er, a%ti-it, !r (hi%h he "$ght the
la(,erO" a#-i%e3 &Bair# e8%eptin !r !ree#m ! %n"$ltatin'
23 Di"%l"$re ($l# pen the %lient t %i-il lia/ilit,3 &%a"e at /ar'
33 G-ernmentO" la(,er" ha-e n %a"e again"t an attrne,O" %lient
$nle"", /, re-ealing the %lientO" name, the "ai# name ($l# !$rni"h
the nl, lin0 that ($l# !rm the %hain ! te"timn, ne%e""ar, t
%n-i%t an in#i-i#$al ! a %rime3 &%a"e at /ar R BAI<D E*CEPTIO.'
63 <ele-ant t the "$/1e%t matter ! the legal pr/lem n (hi%h the
%lient "ee0" legal a""i"tan%e &%a"e at /ar'
I3 +ature ! the attrne,G%lient relatin"hip ha" /een pre-i$"l,
#i"%l"e# an# it is the identity hich is intended to $e con)dential
33 Petitiner" (ere implea#e# /, PCGG a" %G#e!en#ant" t !r%e them
t #i"%l"e the i#entit, ! their %lient", a!ter the M/igger :"hM a" the,
"a, in "treet parlan%e V the name" ! their %lient" in e8%hange !r
e8%l$"in !rm the %mplaint3 &Prima-era Harm", In%3, et al3 -"3 PCGG
Aari Ong0i0' G M" %alle# %lient i" Ar3 E#$ar# C1$ang%M &le-erage
t nail %lient"'
63 . -ali# %a$"e ! a%tin3 It ($l# "eem that petitiner" are merel,
"tan#ing in !r their %lient" a" #e!en#ant" in the %mplaint3 Petitiner"
are /eing pr"e%$te# "lel, n the /a"i" ! a%ti-itie" an# "er-i%e"
per!rme# in the %$r"e ! their #$tie" a" la(,er"3
I3 The nat$re ! la(,erG%lient relatin"hip i" premi"e# n the <man
Ba( %n%ept" ! locatio conductio o#eraru! &%ntra%t ! lea"e !
"er-i%e"' (here ne per"n let" hi" "er-i%e" an# anther hire" them
(ith$t re!eren%e t the /1e%t ! (hi%h the "er-i%e" are t /e
per!rme#3 Their "er-i%e" ma, /e %mpen"ate# /, honorariu! r !r
hire, an# !andato &%ntra%t ! agen%,' (herein a !rien# n (hm
relian%e %$l# /e pla%e# ma0e" a %ntra%t in hi" name, /$t gi-e" $p all
that he gaine# /, the %ntra%t t the per"n (h re+$e"te# him3
Create# /,: Aa3 Angela Benr C3 Ag$inal# Atene Ba( 1E 2010
Page 27 ! 167
93 OTHE<S: Pri-ilege# Cmm$ni%atin Ba(" Appli%a/le
a3 Ol# C#e ! Ci-il Pr%e#$re ena%te# /, the Philippine Cmmi""in
n A$g$"t 7, 15013 Se%tin 373 M!r/i#" %$n"el, (ith$t a$thrit, !
hi" %lient t re-eal an, %mm$ni%atin ma#e /, the %lient t him r hi"
a#-i%e gi-en theren in the %$r"e ! pr!e""inal empl,ment3M
/3 <$le" ! C$rt Se%3 26: CDi"+$ali:%atin /, rea"n ! pri-ilege#
%mm$ni%atin3 V The !ll(ing per"n" %annt te"ti!, a" t matter"
learne# in %n:#en%e in the !ll(ing %a"e": CAn attrne, %annt,
(ith$t the %n"ent ! hi" %lient, /e e8amine# a" t an,
%mm$ni%atin ma#e /, the %lient t him, r hi" a#-i%e gi-en theren
in the %$r"e !WD
%3 <$le 137 ! the <$le" ! C$rt "tate", Se%3 20: C#$t, ! an attrne,:
&e' t maintain in-ilate the %n:#en%e, an# at e-er, peril t him"el!,
t pre"er-e the "e%ret" ! hi" %lient, an# t a%%ept n %mpen"atin in
%nne%tin (ith hi" %lientO" /$"ine"" e8%ept !rm him r (ith hi"
0n(le#ge an# appr-al3D
#3 Cann 17 ! the C#e ! Pr!e""inal <e"pn"i/ilit,: CA la(,er (e"
:#elit, t the %a$"e ! hi" %lient an# he "hall /e min#!$l ! the tr$"t
an# %n:#en%e rep"e# in him3D
e3 Cann 1I ! the Cann" ! Pr!e""inal Ethi%": The la(,er" (e"
Mentire #e-tin t the intere"t ! the %lient, (arm Eeal in the
maintenan%e an# #e!en"e ! hi" right" an# the e8ertin ! hi" $tm"t
learning an# a/ilit,,M
73 E+$al prte%tin %la$"e G a g$arantee (hi%h pr-i#e" a (all !
prte%tin again"t $ne-en appli%atin ! "tat$" an# reg$latin"3 In the
/ra#er "en"e, the g$arantee perate" again"t $ne-en a##lication !
legal nrm" " that all per"n" $n#er "imilar %ir%$m"tan%e" ($l# /e
a%%r#e# the "ame treatment3
73 >ilate" the e+$al prte%tin g$arantee an# the right again"t "el:n%riminatin
an# "$/-ert" the la(,erG%lient %n:#entialit, pri-ilege3
SEPARATE OPINIONS AT,REE OT,ER =USTICES4 VITU,
DAVIDE AND PUNO@
VITU, J., %n%$rring:
Create# /,: Aa3 Angela Benr C3 Ag$inal# Atene Ba( 1E 2010
Page 27 ! 167
13 Cn:#entialit, ! the la(,erG%lient relatin"hip G all(" the la(,er
an# the %lient t in"tit$tinaliEe a $ni+$e relatin"hip /a"e# n !$ll
tr$"t an# %n:#en%e
23 A "it$atin ! (hat it %$l# eli%it !rm a %$n"el again"t hi" %lient,
$nrea"na/le an# (ith thinl, #i"g$i"e# threat ! in%riminatin3
DAVIDE, =R., J.: #i""enting
13 C$rt m$"t %n:ne it"el! t the 0e, i""$e, i""$e /$rrie#: (hether r
nt the San#igan/a,an a%te# (ith gra-e a/$"e ! #i"%retin in nt
e8%l$#ing the #e!en#ant", the petitiner" herein, !rm the Thir#
Amen#e# Cmplaint in Ci-il Ca"e .3 00333
23 San#igan/a,an #i# nt %mmit gra-e a/$"e ! #i"%retin in nt
a%ting !a-ra/l, n the petitiner"O pra,er t e8%l$#e them3 The
prergati-e t #etermine (h "hall /e ma#e #e!en#ant" in a %i-il %a"e
I | P a g e
i" initiall, -e"te# in the plaintiK, r the PCGG in thi" %a"e3
33 I! <%O" re-elatin -ilate# the %n:#entialit, ! a la(,erG%lient
relatin"hip, he ($l# /e "lel, an"(era/le there!r t hi"
prin%ipal"N%lient" an#, pr/a/l,, t thi" C$rt in an apprpriate
#i"%iplinar, a%tin i! (arrante#3
63 The, ha-e n right t ma0e "$%h a #eman# !r $ntil the, "hall ha-e
%mplie# (ith the %n#itin" imp"e# !r their e8%l$"in, the, %annt
/e e8%l$#e# e8%ept /, (a, ! a mtin t #i"mi""3,he rule of
con)dentiality under the layer-client relationshi# is not a cause to
exclude a #arty. /t is !erely a ground for disquali)cation of a itness.
I3 The re-elatin i" entirel, ptinal, #i"%retinar,, n their part3 The
attrne,G%lient pri-ilege i" nt there!r appli%a/le3 The la(,erG%lient
pri-ilege pr-i#e" the petitiner" n re!$ge3 The, are "$e# a" prin%ipal
#e!en#ant" !r re%-er, ! allege# illGgtten (ealth3
93 Jrng $"e ! Ameri%an 1$ri"pr$#en%e in pnen%ia: 13 I""$e !
pri-ilege %nte"te# therein ar"e in gran# 1$r, pr%ee#ing" n #iKerent
State"3 23 In the %a"e" %ite# /, the ma1rit,, the la(,er" %n%erne#
(ere merel, a#-%ating the %a$"e ! their %lient" /$t (ere nt in#i%te#
!r the %harge" again"t their "ai# %lient"3 Here, the %$n"el them"el-e"
are %G#e!en#ant" #$l, %harge# in %$rt a" %G%n"piratr"3
73 Ba(,erG%lient pri-ilege i" nt a "hiel# !r the %mmi""in ! a %rime
r again"t the pr"e%$tin ! the la(,er there!r3
Create# /,: Aa3 Angela Benr C3 Ag$inal# Atene Ba( 1E 2010
Page 25 ! 167
73 A" a general r$le, the i#entit, ! a #e!en#ant in a %riminal
pr"e%$tin i" a matter ! p$/li% re%r# an#, th$", nt %-ere# /, the
attrne,G%lient pri-ilege3 I#entit, ! a %lient i" nt (ithin the la(,er%lient
pri-ilege in thi" manner /e%a$"e e-er, litigant i" in 1$"ti%e
entitle# t 0n( the i#entit, ! hi" ppnent"3
PUNO, J., #i""enting:
13 AAI. POI.T OH P2.O: San#igan/a,an %mmitte# gra-e a/$"e !
#i"%retin (hen it mi"#elineate# the mete" an# /$n#" ! the
attrne,G%lient pri-ilege /, !ailing t re%gniEe the e8%eptin"3 B$t
petitiner" nee# t pr-e that pr-e the, !all (ithin the e8%eptin" t
the general r$le3 .ee#" !a%t$al /a"i"3
23 <EASO.: Attrne,G%lient pri-ilege i" nt a magi% mantra (h"e
in-%atin (ill i#so facto an# i#so *ure #rape he (h in-0e" it (ith it"
prte%tin3 Plainl, p$t, it i" nt en$gh t a""ert the pri-ilege3
33 Begal a#-i%e e8%eptin ma, /e #e!eate# thr$gh a #ri!a facie0 in
!$rtheran%e ! pre"ent r inten#e# %ntin$ing illegalit,, a" (here the
legal repre"entatin it"el! i" part ! a larger %n"pira%,3 Tli0e thi" %a"eU
63 At,pi%al ! the $"$al %a"e (here the hinge i""$e in-l-e" the
appli%a/ilit, ! attrne,G%lient pri-ilege: petitiner" in%l$#e# a"
#e!en#ant" an# %n"piratr"3
I3 The i""$e ! attrne,G%lient pri-ilege ar"e (hen PCGG agree# t
e8%l$#e petitiner" !rm the %mplaint n %n#itin the, re-eal the
i#entit, ! their %lient3
93 The i""$e p"e" a trilemma: nee# !r %$rt" t #i"%-er the tr$th,
nee# t prte%t a#-er"ar, ","tem ! 1$"ti%e, nee# t 0eep in-ilate the
%n"tit$tinal right again"t "el!Gin%riminatin an# eKe%ti-e %$n"el in
%riminal litigatin"3
73 Attrne,G%lient pri-ilege %an ne-er /e $"e# a" a "hiel# t %mmit a
%rime r a !ra$#3
73 PCGG relente# n it" riginal "tan%e a" "pelle# $t in it" Cmplaint
that petitiner" are %G%n"piratr" in %rime" an# %annt in-0e the
attrne,G%lient pri-ilege3