ARTICLE II, Section 1

Agricultural Credit and Cooperative Financing Authority vs.

Confederation of Union in Government Corporations and Ofces
30 SCRA 649 Political Law Two-fold Function of the Goven!ent Fee
"nte#i$e %ini$tant v$ Con$tituent Function$
FACTS: In September 1961 a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) wa
agree! "pon b# labor "nion (ASA an! A$A) an! ACC%A (Agric"lt"ral Cre!it
an! Cooperative %inancing A!minitration)& T'e ai! CBA wa "ppoe! to be
e(ective on )"l# 1, 196*& +"e to non,implementation o- t'e CBA t'e "nion
'el! a tri.e on /ctober *0, 196*& An! 0 !a# later C12C/ (Con-e!eration o-
1nion in 2overnment Corporation an! /3ce), t'e mot'er "nion o- ASA an!
A$A 4le! a complaint againt ACC%A !"e to "n-air labor practice, among
ot'er, w'ic' C12C/ wa able to win in co"rt&
In April 1965, ACC%A appeale! t'e !eciion an! w'ile t'e appeal wa pen!ing,
Rep"blic Act 6o& 5788 wa pae! w'ic' e(ectivel# t"rne! ACC%A to ACA
(Agric"lt"ral Cre!it A!minitration)& In 9arc' 1968, ASA an! A$A t'en
petitione! t'at t'e# ma# 'ave ole bargaining rig't wit' ACA& $'ile t'i
petition wa not #et !eci!e! "pon, in t'e ame mont' o- 9arc' 1968,
E:ec"tive /r!er 6o& ;0 wa alo pae! w'ic' place! ACA "n!er t'e Lan!
Re-orm <ro=ect A!minitration (LR<A)& 6otwit'tan!ing t'e latet legilation
pae!, t'e trial co"rt an! t'e appellate co"rt r"le! in -avor o- ASA an! A$A
an! r"le! t'at t'e# 'ave bargaining rig't wit' ACA&&
SSU!: $'et'er or not ASA an! A$A can be given ole bargaining rig't wit'
ACA&
&'the #o$$i(le i$$ue) $/6 t'e CIR 'a ="ri!iction to entertain t'e petition o-
t'e 1nion -or certi4cation election given t'at t'e mot'er compan# (ACA) i
engage! in governmental -"nction
"!#$: 6o& T'e 1nion 'ave no bargaining rig't wit' ACA& E/ ;0 place! ACA
"n!er t'e LR<A an! b# virt"e o- RA 5788 t'e implementation o- t'e Lan!
Re-orm <rogram o- t'e government i a governmental -"nction 6/T a
proprietar# -"nction& Being "c', ACA can no longer tep !own to !eal
privatel# wit' ai! "nion a it ma# 'ave been !oing w'en it wa till ACC%A&
T'e S"preme Co"rt alo ma!e a prono"ncement w'ic' recogni>e! t'e
growing comple:itie o- mo!ern ociet# w'ic' 'ave ren!ere! t'e clai4cation
o- t'e governmental -"nction (minitrant an! contit"ent) a "nrealitic, i-
not obolete& 9initerial an! governmental -"nction contin"e to loe t'eir
well,!e4ne! bo"n!arie an! are aborbe! wit'in t'e activitie t'at t'e
government m"t "n!erta.e in it overeign capacit# i- it to meet t'e
increaing ocial c'allenge o- t'e time an! move towar! a greater
ociali>ation o- economic -orce& ?ence, gone are t'e !a# w'ere contit"ent
-"nction are e:cl"ivel# per-orme! b# t'e government an! not !elegate! to
private intit"tion& In t'i cae, a contit"ent -"nction i le-t to be per-orme!
b# a private entit# li.e ACA (-ormerl# ACC%A)&
Se#aate '#inion on the Fee "nte#i$e S*$te!
%. Fernando @ T'i co"ntr# never practice! t'e -ree enterprie #tem an! it
'a aban!one! t'e concept o- lai$$e+ faie& It i t'e wel-are tate concept
w'ic' i being -ollowe! a 'own b# t'e contit"tional proviion on agrarian
re-orm, 'o"ing, protection to labor an! ot'er t'at provi!e -or t'e ocial
wel-are&
&epu'lic vs. %udge of the Court of First nstance of &i(al
September 11, 197A
FACTS:
- Repon!ent )oe Sion 4le! a complaint againt t'e petitioner Rice
an! Corn A!minitration (RCA) -or a "m o- mone# wit' t'e Co"rt o-
%irt Intance, prei!e! b# t'e repon!ent )"!ge&
- T'e RCA 4le! a motion to !imi t'e complaint b"t it wa !enie! b#
t'e repon!ent )"!ge&
- A-ter a trial, t'e repon!ent )"!ge r"le! in -avor o- Sion an! or!ere!
t'e RCA to pa# t'e corn grain it p"rc'ae! -rom Sion an! t'e
attorne#B -ee an! t'e cot o- t'e "it&
- T'e RCA later on 4le! it recor! on appeal&
- Sion 4le! a motion to !imi t'e appeal -or t'e RCAB -ail"re to pot
an appeal bon! an! t'e RCA, repreente! b# t'e o3ce o- t'e Solicitor
2eneral, 4le! an oppoition to SionB motion to !imi t'e appeal&
- T'e recor! on appeal 4le! b# t'e RCA wa approve! b# t'e
repon!ent )"!ge b"t t'e RCAB e:emption -rom t'e pa#ment o- legal
-ee an! -rom poting o- t'e appeal bon! wa !enie!&
- T'e repon!ent )"!ge i"e! an or!er giving t'e RCA 0 !a# wit'in
w'ic' to pot an appeal bon!&
- T'e RCA 4le! a motion -or reconi!eration, alleging t'at t'e# are
e:empt -rom poting an appeal bon!&
- Sion 4le! a motion to !imi t'e appeal on t'e gro"n! o- petitionerB
re-"al to 4le t'e appeal bon!&
- T'e repon!ent )"!ge !imie! t'e RCAB appeal an! r"le! t'at t'e
RCA, being a mere intr"mentalit# o- t'e 2overnment o- t'e
<'ilippine, i not e:empt -rom t'e pa#ment o- legal -ee an! -rom
poting o- an appeal bon!&
SSU!: $'et'er or not t'e petitioner RCA i e:empt -rom pa#ing legal -ee
an! -rom poting an appeal bon!&
"!#$: Ce& RCA i a governmental agenc# o- Rep"blic o- t'e <'ilippine
wit'o"t a eparate, !itinct an! in!epen!ent legal peronalit# -rom t'e latter&
An!, a a governmental agenc# "n!er t'e /3ce o- t'e <rei!ent, t'e RCA i
t'" e:empt -rom t'e pa#ment o- legal -ee an! -rom poting o- an appeal
bon!&
)a*uera vs. +orra
FACTS: 9aD"era ee. to a. Rep"blic Act 6o& 88*1 reD"ire Eall can!i!ate
-or national, provincial, cit# an! m"nicipal o3ceE to pot a "ret# bon!
eD"ivalent to t'e one,#ear alar# or emol"ment o- t'e poition to w'ic' 'e i
a can!i!ate,
SSU!: w'et'er or not RA no& 88*1 i "ncontit"tional
"!#$: S"preme Co"rt 'el! t'at propert# D"ali4cation are inconitent wit'
t'e nat"re an! eence o- t'e Rep"blican #tem or!aine! in o"r Contit"tion
an! t'e principle o- ocial ="tice "n!erl#ing t'e ame& T'e co"rt reaone! o"t
t'at Sovereignt# rei!e in t'e people an! all government a"t'orit# emanate
-rom t'em, an! t'i, in t"rn, implie necearil# t'at t'e rig't to vote an! to
be vote! 'all not be !epen!ent "pon t'e wealt' o- t'e in!ivi!"al
concerne!& Social ="tice pre"ppoe eD"al opport"nit# -or all, ric' an! poor
ali.e, an! t'at, accor!ingl#, no peron 'all, b# reaon o- povert#, be !enie!
t'e c'ance to be electe! to p"blic o3ce&
ARTICLE II, Section 1*
,ierce vs. Society of Sister
+rief Fact Summary. Appellee, two non,p"blic c'ool, were protecte! b# a
preliminar# retraining or!er pro'ibiting appellant -rom en-orcing an /regon
Act t'at reD"ire! parent an! g"ar!ian to en! t'eir c'il!ren to p"blic c'ool&
Appellant appeale! t'e or!er&
Synopsis of &ule of #a-. T'e 18t' Amen!ment provi!e a libert# interet in
a parentF or g"ar!ianF rig't to !eci!e t'e mo!e in w'ic' t'eir c'il!ren are
e!"cate!& StateF ma# not ""rp t'i rig't w'en t'e D"etione! legilation
!oe not reaonabl# relate to a viable tate interet&
Facts. Appellee t'e Societ# o- Siter, a corporation wit' t'e power to
etabli' an! maintain aca!emie or c'ool an! Appellee ?ill 9ilitar#
Aca!em#, a private organi>ation con!"cting an elementar#, college
preparator#, an! militar# training c'ool, obtaine! preliminar# retraining
or!er pro'ibiting appellant -rom en-orcing /regonF Comp"lor# E!"cation
Act& T'e Act reD"ire! all parent an! g"ar!ian to en! c'il!ren between 7
an! 16 #ear to a p"blic c'ool& T'e appellant appeale! t'e granting o- t'e
preliminar# retraining or!er&
ssue. +oe t'e Act "nreaonabl# inter-ere wit' t'e libert# o- parent an!
g"ar!ian to !irect t'e "pbringing an! e!"cation o- c'il!ren "n!er t'eir
controlG
"eld. T'e Act violate t'e 18t' Amen!ment beca"e it inter-ere wit'
protecte! libert# interet an! 'a no reaonable relation'ip to an# p"rpoe
wit'in t'e competenc# o- t'e tate&
T'e Appellee 'ave tan!ing beca"e t'e re"lt o- en-orcing t'e Act wo"l! be
!etr"ction o- t'e appelleeF c'ool& T'e tate 'a t'e power to reg"late all
c'ool, b"t parent an! g"ar!ian 'ave t'e rig't an! !"t# to c'ooe t'e
appropriate preparation -or t'eir c'il!ren&
$iscussion. $'ile t'e tate 'a t'e rig't to in"re t'at c'il!ren receive a
proper e!"cation, t'e 18t' Amen!ment provi!e parent an! g"ar!ian wit' a
libert# interet in t'eir c'oice in t'e mo!e in w'ic' t'eir c'il!ren are
e!"cate!&
m'ong vs. Ochoa
.!/ TA.!0A1A/: T'e Repro!"ctive ?ealt' Law i a conoli!ation an!
en'ancement o- e:iting repro!"ctive law& It ee. to en'ance t'e
pop"lation control program o- t'e government in or!er to promote p"blic
wel-are& ?owever, w'en coercive mea"re are -o"n! wit'in t'e law,
proviion m"t be remove! or altere! in or!er to en"re t'at it !oe not !e-#
t'e Contit"tion b# in-ringing on t'e rig't o- t'e people&
,O2!2T!: 9E6+/HA, )&
CO2SO#$ATO2 OF 34 CAS!S 2A)!#/:
$AT!5G&
2O5SC&A
,!TTO2!& &!S,O2$!2T
April 7,
*A18, 2&R&
6o&
*A8719
)ame 9& Imbong Lovel#,Ann
C& Imbong, -or t'emelve
an! in be'al- o- t'eir minor
c'il!ren, L" Cia Carlo Imbong
an! Berna!ette Carlo
Imbong an! 9agni4cat C'il!
+evelopment Center, Inc&, a
!ometic, privatel#,owne!
e!"cational intit"tion
?on& <aD"ito 6& /c'oa, )r&,
E:ec"tive Secretar#I ?on&
%lorencio B& Aba!, Secretar#,
+epartment /- B"!get An!
9anagementI ?on& EnriD"e T&
/na, Secretar#, +epartment /-
?ealt'I ?on& Armin A& L"itro,
Secretar#, +epartment /-
E!"cation, C"lt"re An! SportI
an! ?on& 9an"ela& Ro:a II,
Secretar#, +epartment /-
Interior an! Local 2overnment
2R& 6o&
*A8958
ALLIA6CE %/R T?E %A9ILC
%/16+ATI/6 <?ILI<<I6ES,
I6C& JAL%IK, repreente! b# it
<rei!ent, 9aria Concepcion
S& 6oc'e, Spo"e Re#nal!o
S& L"itro L Roie B& L"itro,
)oe S& San!e=a L Elenita
S&A& San!e=a, Art"ro 9&
2orre> L 9arietta C& 2orre>,
Salva!or S& 9ante, )r& L
?a>eleen L& 9ante, Rolan!o
9& Ba"tita L 9aria %elia S&
Ba"tita, +ei!erio Rac'o L
TraD"ilina Rac'o, % eman!
Antonio A& Taningco L Carol
Anne C& Taningco -or
t'emelve an! on be'al- o-
t'eir minor c'il!ren, T'eree
Antonette C& Taningco,
Loren>o )oe C& Taningco,
9ig"el %eman!o C&
Tangingco, Carlo )oemaria
C& Taningco L )"an <aolo C&
Taningco, Spo"e 9ariano
M& Araneta L Eileen H& Araneta
-or t'emelve an! on be'al-
o- t'eir minor c'il!ren,
Ramon Carlo H& Araneta L
9a#a Angelica H& Araneta,
?/6& <AN1IT/ 6& /C?/A, )R&,
E:ec"tive Secretar#, ?/6&
E6RIN1E T& /6A,
Secretar#, +epartment o-
?ealt', ?/6& AR9I6 A&
L1ISTR/, Secretar#,
+epartment o- E!"cation,
C"lt"re an! Sport, ?/6&
C/RAH/6 S/LI9A6, Secretar#,
+epartment o- Social $el-are
an! +evelopment, ?/6&
9A61ELA& R/OAS II, Secretar#,
+epartment o- Interior an!
Local 2overnment, ?/6&
%L/RE6CI/ B& ABA+, Secretar#,
+epartment o- B"!get an!
9anagement, ?/6& ARSE6I/ 9&
BALISACA6, Socio,Economic
<lanning Secretar# an! 6E+A
+irector,2eneral, T?E
<?ILI<<I6E C/99ISSI/6 /6
$/9E6, repreente! b# it
C'airperon, Reme!io
lgnacioRi..en, T?E <?ILI<<I6E
?EALT? I6S1RA6CE
C/R</RATI/6, repreente! b#
it <rei!ent E!"ar!o Ban>on,
T?E LEA21E /% <R/MI6CES /%
T?E <?ILI<<I6ES, repreente!
Spo"e Renato C& Cator L
9il!re! C& Cator -or
t'emelve an! on be'al- o-
t'eir minor c'il!ren, Ren>
)e(re# C& Cator, )oep' Ramil
C& Cator, )o'n <a"l C& Cator
L Rap'ael C& Cator, Spo"e
Ale:an!er R& Rac'o L Hara H&
Rac'o -or t'emelve an! on
be'al- o- t'eir minor c'il!ren
9argarita Rac'o, 9i.aela
Rac'o, 9artin Rac'o, 9ari
Rac'o L 9anolo Rac'o,
Spo"e Al-re! R& Rac'o L
%rancine M& Rac'o -or
t'emelve an! on be'al- o-
t'eir minor c'il!ren 9ic'ael
Rac'o, 9ariana Rac'o, Ra-ael
Rac'o, 9a:i Rac'o, C'eie
Rac'o L La"ra Rac'o,
Spo"e +avi! R& Rac'o L
Armil#n A& Rac'o -or
t'emelve an! on be'al- o-
t'eir minor c'il! 2abriel
Rac'o, 9in!# 9& )"ata an!
on be'al- o- 'er minor
c'il!ren Eli=a' 2eral! )"ata
an! Elian 2abriel )"ata,
Salvacion 9& 9onteiro, Emil#
R& Law, )oep' R& Law L
Patrina R& Law
b# it <rei!ent Al-ono 1mali,
T?E LEA21E /% CITIES /% T?E
<?ILI<<I6ES, repreente! b# it
<rei!ent /car Ro!rig"e>, an!
T?E LEA21E /% 916ICI<ALITIES
/% T?E <?ILI<<I6ES,
repreente! b# it <rei!ent
+onato 9arco,
2R 6o&
*A890;
TASP %/RCE %/R %A9ILC A6+
LI%E MISACAS, I6C& an!
MALERIA6/ S& AMILA,
?/6& <AN1IT/ 6& /C?/A, )R&,
E:ec"tive Secretar#I ?/6&
%L/RE6CI/ B& ABA+, Secretar#,
+epartment o- B"!get an!
9anagementI ?/6& E6RIN1E T&
/6A, Secretar#, +epartment o-
E!"cationI an! ?/6& 9A61ELA&
R/OAS II, Secretar#,
+epartment o- Interior an!
Local 2overnment
2R 6o&
*A8977
SERME LI%E CA2ACA6 +E /R/
CITC, I6C&, repreente! b# +r&
6etor B& L"micao, 9&+&, a
<rei!ent an! in 'i peronal
capacit#, R/SEMALE
%/16+ATI/6 I6C&,
repreente! b# +r& Ro!rigo 9&
Alenton, 9&+&, a member o-
t'e c'ool boar! an! in 'i
peronal capacit#,
R/SE9ARIE R& ALE6T/6,
I9EL+A 2& IBARRA, C<A,
/%%ICE /% T?E <RESI+E6T,
SE6ATE /% T?E <?ILI<<I6ES,
?/1SE /% RE<RESE6TATIMES,
?/6& <AN1IT/ 6& /C?/A, )R&,
E:ec"tive Secretar#, ?/6&
%L/RE6CI/ B& ABA+, Secretar#,
+epartment o- B"!get an!
9anagementI ?/6& E6RIN1E T&
/6A, Secretar#, +epartment o-
?ealt'I ?/6& AR9I6 A&
L1ISTR/, Secretar#,
+epartment o- E!"cation an!
L/ME6IA<& 6ACES, <'!&,
A6T?/6C 2& 6A2AC, EARL
A6T?/6C C& 2A9BE an!
9ARL/6 I& CA<,
?/6& 9A61ELA& R/OAS II,
Secretar#, +epartment o-
Interior an! Local 2overnment,
Repon!ent
2R 6o&
*A0AA5
EO<E+IT/ A& B12ARI6, )R&, /%%ICE /% T?E <RESI+E6T /%
T?E RE<1BLIC /% T?E
<?ILI<<I6ES, ?/6& SE6ATE
<RESI+E6T, ?/6& S<EAPER /%
T?E ?/1SE /%
RE<RESE6TATIMES an! ?/6&
S/LICIT/R 2E6ERAL
2R 6o&
*A0A85
E+1AR+/ B& /LA21ER an!
T?E CAT?/LIC OCBRS<ACE
A</ST/LATE /% T?E
<?ILI<<I6ES,
+/? SECRETARC E6RIN1E T&
/6A, %+A +IRECT/R S1HETTE
?& LAH/, +B9 SECRETARC
%L/RE6CI/ B& ABA+, +IL2
SECRETARC 9A61ELA& R/OAS II,
+ECS SECRETARC AR9I6 A&
L1ISTR/
2R 6o&
*A0157
<?ILI<<I6E ALLIA6CE /%
OSE9I6ARIA6S, I6C& (<AO),
'erein repreente! b# it
6ational <rei!ent, Att#&
Ricar!o 9& Ribo, an! in 'i
own be'al-, Att#& Lino
E&A& +"ma, Romeo B&
Almonte, /m"n!o C&
/rlane, Arenio H& 9enor,
Sam"el )& Cap, )aime %& 9ateo,
Roll# Sig"an, +ante E&
9ag!angal, 9ic'ael E"genio
A& <lana, Bienveni!o C&
9ig"el, )r&, Lan!rito 9& +io.no
an! Bal!omero %alcone,
?/6& <AN1IT/ 6& /C?/A, )R&,
E:ec"tive Secretar#, ?/6&
%L/RE6CI/ B& ABA+, Secretar#,
+epartment o- B"!get an!
9anagement, ?/6& E6RIN1E T&
/6A, Secretar#, +epartment o-
?ealt', ?/6& AR9I6 A&
L1ISTR/, Secretar#,
+epartment o- E!"cation, ?/6&
9A61ELA& R/OAS II, Secretar#,
+epartment o- Interior an!
Local 2overnment, ?/6&
C/RAH/6 )& S/LI9A6,
Secretar#, +epartment o- Social
$el-are an! +evelopment, ?/6&
ARSE6I/ BALISACA6, +irector,
2eneral, 6ational Economic an!
+evelopment A"t'orit#, ?/6&
S1HETTE ?& LAH/,
+irector2eneral, %oo! an!
+r"g A!minitration, T?E
B/AR+ /% +IRECT/RS,
<'ilippine ?ealt' In"rance
Corporation, an! T?E B/AR+
/% C/99ISSI/6ERS, <'ilippine
Commiion on $omen,
2R 6o&
*A08;7
REC6AL+/ )& EC?AMEH, 9&+&,
)ACN1ELI6E ?& PI62, 9&+&,
CC6T?IA T& +/9I62/, 9&+&,
A6+ )/SE<?I6E 9ILLA+/,
L19ITA/, 9&+&,
collectivel# .nown a +octor
%or Li-e, an! A6T?/6C
<EREH, 9IC?AEL A6T?/6C 2&
9A<A, CARL/S A6T/6I/
?/6& <AN1IT/ 6& /C?/A, )R&,
E:ec"tive Secretar#I ?/6&
%L/RE6CI/ B& ABA+, Secretar#
o- t'e +epartment o- B"!get
an! 9anagementI ?/6&
E6RIN1E T& /6A, Secretar# o-
t'e +epartment o- ?ealt'I ?/6&
AR9I6 A& L1ISTR/, Secretar# o-
t'e +epartment o- E!"cationI
<ALA+, $IL%RE+/ )/SE,
CLAIRE 6AMARR/, A66A
C/SI/, an! 2ABRIEL +C
LIACC/ collectivel# .nown a
%ilipino %or Li-e,
an! ?/6& 9A61ELA& R/OAS II,
Secretar# o- t'e +epartment o-
Interior an! Local 2overnment,
2R 6o&
*A0891
S</1SES %RA6CISC/ S&
TATA+ A6+ 9ARIA %E66C C&
TATA+ L ALA %& <A21IA, -or
t'emelve, t'eir <oterit#,
an! t'e ret o- %ilipino
poterit#
/%%ICE /% T?E <RESI+E6T
o- t'e Rep"blic o- t'e
<'ilippine,
2R 6o&
*A0;*A
<R/,LI%E <?ILI<<I6ES
%/16+ATI/6, Inc&,
repreente! b# Loma
9elegrito, a E:ec"tive
+irector, an! in 'er peronal
capacit#, )/SELC6 B& BASILI/,
R/BERT H& C/RTES, ARIEL A&
CRIS/ST/9/, )ERE9C I&
2AT+1LA, CRISTI6A A&
9/6TES, RA1L A6T/6I/ A&
6I+/C, $I6ST/6 C/6RA+ B&
<A+/)I6/2, R1%I6/ L&
</LICAR<I/ III,
/%%ICE /% T?E <RESI+E6T,
SE6ATE /% T?E <?ILI<<I6ES,
?/1SE /%
RE<RESE6TATIMES, ?/6&
<AN1IT/ 6& /C?/A, )R&,
E:ec"tive Secretar#, ?/6&
%L/RE6CI/ B& ABA+, Secretar#,
+epartment o- B"!get an!
9anagement, ?/6& E6RIN1E T&
/6A, Secretar#, +epartment o-
?ealt', ?/6& AR9I6 A&
L1ISTR/, Secretar#,
+epartment o- E!"cation an!
?/6& 9A61EL A& R/OAS II,
Secretar#, +epartment o-
Interior an! Local 2overnment
2R 6o&
*A6500
9ILLE66I19 SAI6T
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RA9/6 <E+R/SA, ATTC& CITA
B/RR/9E/2ARCIA,
STELLAACE+ERA, ATTC&
BERTE6I CATAL16A CA1SI62
/%%ICE /% T?E <RESI+E6T,
/%%ICE /% T?E EOEC1TIME
SECRETARC, +E<ART9E6T /%
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MICT/RI/ B& L19ICA/,
)/SE<? 9ARTI6 N& MER+E)/,
A6T/6IA E99A R& R/OAS an!
L/TA LAT,21ERRER/,
?/6& <AN1IT/ 6& /C?/A, )R&,
E:ec"tive Secretar#, ?/6&
%L/RE6CI/ ABA+, Secretar#,
+epartment o- B"!get an!
9anagement, ?/6& E6RIN1E T&
/6A, Secretar#, +epartment o-
?ealt', ?/6& AR9I6 A&
L1ISTR/, Secretar#,
+epartment o- E!"cation,
C"lt"re an! Sport an! ?/6&
9A61EL A& R/OAS II, Secretar#,
+epartment o- Interior an!
Local 2overnment
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C/1<LES %/R C?RIST
%/16+ATI/6, I6C&, S</1SES
)1A6 CARL/S ARTA+I
SAR9IE6T/ A6+ %RA6CESCA
ISABELLE BESI62A,
SAR9IE6T/, A6+ S</1SES
L1IS %RA6CIS A& R/+RI2/, )R&
?/6& <AN1IT/ 6& /C?/A, )R&,
E:ec"tive Secretar#, ?/6&
%L/RE6CI/ B& ABA+, Secretar#,
+epartment o- B"!get an!
9anagement, ?/6& E6RIN1E T&
/6A, Secretar#, +epartment o-
?ealt', ?/6& AR9I6 A&
an! +EB/RA? 9ARIE
MER/6ICA 6& R/+RI2/&
L1ISTR/, Secretar#,
+epartment o- E!"cation,
C"lt"re an! Sport an! ?/6&
9A61ELA& R/OAS II, Secretar#,
+epartment o- Interior an!
Local 2overnment, Repon!ent
2R 6o&
*A;065
AL9ARI9 CE6TI TILLA? an!
AB+1L?1SSEI6 9& PAS?I9,
?/6& <AN1IT/ 6& /C?/A, )R&,
E:ec"tive Secretar#, ?/6&
E6RIN1E T& /6A, Secretar# o-
t'e +epartment o- ?ealt', an!
?/6& AR9I6 A&
L1ISTR/,Secretar# o- t'e
+epartment o- B"!get an!
9anagement
FACTS
,etitionQ to !eclare proviion o- Rep"blic Act 6o& 1A508 a
"ncontit"tional
Factual Antecedents
$ecem'er 637 6836: Congre enacte! RA 6o& 1A508 alo
.nown a t'e Reponible <arent'oo! an! Repro!"ctive ?ealt'
Act o- *A1* (R? LA$)
T'e prei!entF imprimat"r an! "pport -or t'e ai! law lea! to a
range o- petition againt t'e law lea!ing to iui$ contove$* in
co"rt& <etition -or certiorari an! pro'ibition were place! b#
n"mero" partie& All in all, 18 petition an! * petition,in,
intervention were 4le!&
)arch 397 683:Q t'e R?,IRR or en-orcement o- t'e law too.
place
)arch 3;7 683:Q A-ter !eliberating t'e i"e an! arg"ment
raie!, t'e co"rt i"e! Stat" N"o Ante /r!er (SNA/) w'ic' lea!
to a 1*A !a# 'alt on t'e implementation o- t'e legilation
+"e to -"rt'er arg"ment an! !ebate -rom oppoing partie, t'e
SNA/ wa e:ten!e! "ntil -"rt'er or!er o- t'e co"rt lat %uly 3<7
683:
Statute nvolved:
Rep"blic Act 1A508, RT'e Reponible <arent'oo! an!
Repro!"ctive ?ealt' Act o- *A1*S
,osition of ,etitioner:
o <etitioner claim t'at t'e proviion o- RA 1A508 are
"ncontit"tional a t'e# violate t'e rig't to li-e, to 'ealt', to
-ree!om o- e:preion an! peec', to t'e privac# o- -amilie,
to aca!emic -ree!om, to !"e proce o- law, to eD"al
protection, an! againt invol"ntar# ervit"!e& T'e# alo
intr"!e on t'e a"tonom# o- local government an! t'e AR99,
an! violate nat"ral law& %"rt'ermore, t'e# claim t'at
CongreF !elegation o- a"t'orit# to t'e %+A in !etermining
w'ic' 'o"l! be incl"!e! in t'e E+L i invali!&
,osition of &espondent
T'ere i no act"al cae or controver# an!, t'ere-ore, t'e
i"e are not #et ripe -or ="!icial !etermination
Some petitioner lac. tan!ing to D"etion t'e R? Law
T'e petition are eentiall# petition -or !eclarator# relie-
over w'ic' t'e Co"rt 'a no original ="ri!iction&
SSU!S
,rocedural
o $'et'er or not t'e Co"rt ma# e:ercie it power o- ="!icial
review
o $'et'er or not t'ere i an act"al cae or controver#
o $'et'er t'e Co"rt ma# appl# -acial c'allenge
o $'et'er or not t'e petition are pra#ing -or !eclarator# relie-
o $'et'er t'e petition violate t'e /ne S"b=ectT/ne Title R"le
Su'stantive
o $'et'er or not t'e R? Law i "ncontit"tional on t'e gro"n!
t'at it violate
Rig't to Li-e
Rig't to ?ealt'
%ree!om o- Religion an! t'e Rig't to %ree Speec'
T'e %amil#
%ree!om o- E:preion an! Aca!emic %ree!om
+"e <roce
ED"al <rotection
Invol"ntar# Servit"!e
A"tonom# o- Local 2overnmentTAR99
6at"ral Law
o $'et'er or not CongreF !elegation o- a"t'orit# to t'e %+A in
!etermining w'ic' 'o"l! be incl"!e! in t'e E+L i vali!
"!#$
,rocedural
o 1hether or not the court may e=ercise its po-er of
>udicial revie- 0 /!S
$'ile t'e Co"rt ma# not pa "pon D"etion o- wi!om,
="tice or e:pe!ienc# o- t'e R? Law, it ma# !o o w'ere
an atten!ant "ncontit"tionalit# or grave ab"e o-
!icretion re"lt& T'e -ollowing reD"iite -or ="!icial
review were metQ (a) t'ere m"tbe an act"al cae or
controver#I (b) t'e petitioner m"t poe locu$ $tandi,
( c) t'e D"etion o- contit"tionalit# m"t be raie! at t'e
earliet opport"nit#I an! ( !) t'e i"e o- contit"tionalit#
m"t be t'e li$ !ota o- t'e cae
o 1hether or not there is an actual case or controversy ?
/!S
Coni!ering t'at t'e R? Law an! it implementing r"le
'ave alrea!# ta.en e(ect an! t'at b"!getar# mea"re to
carr# o"t t'e law 'ave alrea!# been pae!, it i evi!ent
t'at t'e "b=ect petition preent a ="ticiable controver#&
A tate! earlier, w'en an action o- t'e legilative branc'
i erio"l# allege! to 'ave in-ringe! t'e Contit"tion, it
not onl# become a rig't, b"t alo a !"t# o- t'e )"!iciar#
to ettle t'e !ip"te&
9oreover, t'e petitioner 'ave 'own t'at t'e cae i o
beca"e me!ical practitioner or me!ical provi!er are in
!anger o- being criminall# proec"te! "n!er t'e R? Law
-or vag"e violation t'ereo-, partic"larl# pu'lic health
ofcers w'o are threatened to 'e dismissed from the
service -ith forfeiture of retirement and other
'ene@ts.
o 1hether the Court may apply facial challenge ? /!S
T'e cope o- application o- -acial c'allenge e:ten! to
t'e reg"lation o- free speech7 b"t alo t'oe involving
religious freedom7 an! other fundamental rights.
ConeD"entl#, coni!ering t'at t'e -oregoing petition
'ave erio"l# allege! t'at t'e contit"tional '"man
rig't to li-e, peec' an! religion an! ot'er -"n!amental
rig't mentione! above 'ave been violate! b# t'e
aaile! legilation, t'e Co"rt 'a a"t'orit# to ta.e
cogni>ance o- t'ee .in!re! petition an! to !etermine i-
t'e R? Law can in!ee! pa contit"tional cr"tin#&
o 1hether or not Locus Standi applies ? /!S
Regar!le o- w'et'er t'e petitioner are !irectl# in="re!
o- a(ecte! b# t'e R? Law or not, t'e Co"rt lean on t'e
!octrine t'at Et'e r"le on tan!ing i a matter o-
proce!"re, 'ence, can be rela:e! -or non,tra!itional
plainti( li.e or!inar# citi>en, ta:pa#er, an! legilator
w'en t'e p"blic interet o reD"ire, "c' a w'en t'e
matter i o- transcendental importance, o-
overreac'ing igni4cance to ociet#, or o- paramo"nt
p"blic interet&E T'e R? Law -all "n!er trancen!ental
importance a it !raticall# a(ect t'e contit"tional
proviion on t'e rig't to li-e an! 'ealt', t'e -ree!om o-
religion an! e:preion an! ot'er contit"tional rig't&
o 1hether or not the petitions are praying for
declaratory relief 0 /!S
9ot o- t'e petition are pra#ing -or in="nctive relie-, not
!eclarator# relie-, an! o t'e Co"rt wo"l! ="t coni!er
t'em a petition -or pro'ibition "n!er R"le 60, over w'ic'
it 'a original ="ri!iction& $'ere t'e cae 'a -ar,reac'ing
implication an! pra# -or in="nctive relie-, t'e Co"rt ma#
coni!er t'em a petition -or pro'ibition "n!er R"le 60&
o 1hether the petitions violate the One Su'>ect5One Title
&ule ? 2O
In a te:t"al anal#i o- t'e vario" proviion o- t'e law,
bot' Erepro!"ctive 'ealt'E an! Ereponible parent'oo!E
are interrelate! an! germane to t'e overri!ing ob=ective
to control t'e pop"lation growt'& T'", t'e Co"rt 4n! no
reaon to believe t'at Congre 'a! t'e intention to
!eceive t'e p"blic regar!ing t'e content o- t'e ai! law&
Su'stantive
o $'et'er or not t'e R? Law i "ncontit"tional on t'e gro"n!
t'at it violate
&ight to #ife ? 2O
Contit"tion inten!e! t'at 1&) conception to re-er to
t'e time o- -ertili>ation an! *&) t'e protection o- t'e
"nborn "pon ai! -ertili>ation
6ot all contraceptive are to be banne! (onl# t'oe
t'at .ill a -ertili>e! ov"m)
Contraceptive t'at prevent "nion o- perm an! egg
are t'" permiible
It i t'e inten!e! b# t'e -ramer o- t'e 197;
Contit"tion to prevent t'e enacting o- a law t'at
legali>e abortion&
R? law pro'ibit abortion
R? law recogni>e t'at abortion i a crime
R? law pro'ibit aborti-acient
&ight to "ealth 0 2O
$it' t'e proviion o- RA 8;*9 till in place, t'e tat"
D"o on t'e ale o- contraceptive i maintaine! an!
t'e Co"rt believe t'at t'ere are a!eD"ate mea"re
t'at en"re t'at t'e p"blic 'a acce to
contraceptive t'at 'ave been !etermine! a-e
-ollowing teting, eval"ation, an! approval b# t'e %+A
Freedom of &eligion and the &ight to Free Speech ?
2O and /!S
R? law !oe not violate g"arantee o- religio"
-ree!om via t'e tate,ponore! proc"rement o-
contraceptive, w'ic' contravene t'e religio" belie-
o- t'e people incl"!ing t'e petitioner& T'i i beca"e
in !oing o, t'e tate wo"l! be a!'ering to one
religion, ma.ing a !e -acto tate religion w'ic' i
contrar# to religio" -ree!om&
T'e eparation o- C'"rc' an! State 'all be inviolable
T'ere limit to t'e e:ercie o- religio" -ree!om
(compelling tate interet tet)
Benevolent ne"tralit#
R? law !oe not violate t'e g"arantee o- religio"
-ree!om b# reD"iring wo"l!,be po"e, a a con!ition
-or t'e i"ance o- a marriage licene, to atten! a
eminar on parent'oo!, -amil# planning,
breat-ee!ing an! in-ant n"trition (ec&;, *5, *8)
"o-ever7 R? Law violate t'e g"arantee o- religio"
-ree!om b# compelling me!ical 'ealt' practitioner,
'opital, an! 'ealt' care provi!er, "n!er pain o-
penalt#, to re-er patient to ot'er intit"tion !epite
t'eir concientio" ob=ection
The Family 0 /!S
Section *5(a)(*)(i) o- t'e R? Law, w'ic' nee! onl#
t'e conent o- t'e po"e "n!ergoing t'e proviion in
or!er to "n!ergo repro!"ctive proce!"re intr"!e
into martial privac# an! a"tonom# an! goe againt
t'e contit"tional a-eg"ar! -or t'e -amil# a t'e
baic ocial intit"tion& 6ot onl# t'at, b"t t'e e:cl"ion
o- parental conent in cae w'ere a minor
"n!ergoing a proce!"re i alrea!# a parent or 'a 'a!
a micarriage (Section ; o- t'e R? Law) i alo anti,
-amil# an! violate Article II, Section 1* o- t'e
Contit"tion, w'ic' !eclare t'at t'e rearing o-
c'il!ren b# parent i a nat"ral rig't&
Freedom of !=pression and Academic Freedom ?
U2$!C$!$
T'e co"rt !eci!e! t'at ma.ing a r"ling on Section 18
o- t'e R? Law, w'ic' man!ate t'e State to
provi!e Age,an! +evelopment,Appropriate
Repro!"ctive ?ealt' E!"cation, i premat"re& T'e
+epartment o- E!"cation 'a not #et create! a
c"rric"l"m on age,appropriate repro!"ctive 'ealt'
e!"cation, t'" t'e contit"tionalit# o- t'e peci4c in
"c' a c"rric"l"m till cannot be !etermine!& T'e
e:cl"ion o- private e!"cational intit"tion -rom t'e
man!ator# R? e!"cation program "n!er Section 18 i
vali!& T'ere i a nee! to recogni>e t'e aca!emic
-ree!om o- private e!"cational intit"tion epeciall#
wit' repect to religio" intr"ction an! to coni!er
t'eir enitivit# towar! t'e teac'ing o- repro!"ctive
'ealt' e!"cation&
$ue ,rocess 0 2O
T'e !e4nition o- everal term pinpointe! b# t'e
petitioner in t'e R? Law are not vag"e&
<rivate 'ealt' care intit"tion U private 'ealt'
care ervice provi!er&
RerviceS an! Rmet'o!S are alo broa! eno"g'
to incl"!e giving in-ormation an! per-orming
me!ical proce!"re, o 'opital r"n b# religio"
gro"p can be e:empte!&
Rincorrect in-ormationS connote a ene o-
malice an! ill motive to milea! t'e p"blic&
!*ual ,rotection 0 2O
It i p"r"ant to Section 11, Article OIII o- t'e
Contit"tion, w'ic' tate t'at t'e State 'all
prioriti>e t'e nee! o- t'e "n!erprivilege!, ic.
el!erl#, !iable!, women, an! c'il!ren an! t'at it 'all
en!eavor to provi!e me!ical care to pa"per&
nvoluntary Servitude 0 2O
T'e State 'a t'e power to reg"late t'e practice o-
me!icine in or!er to en"re t'e wel-are o- t'e p"blic&
6ot onl# t'at, b"t Section 1; onl# enco"rage private
an! non,government R? ervice provi!er to give pro
bono erviceI t'e# !o not inc"r penaltie i- t'e#
re-"e& Concientio" ob=ect are e:empt i- t'eir
religio" belie- !o not allow t'em to provi!e t'e ai!
ervice&
Autonomy of #ocal Governments5A&)) ? 2O
T'e R? Law !oe not in-ringe "pon t'e a"tonom# o-
local government& 1n!er paragrap' (c) o- Section 1;,
"nle a local government "nit (L21) i partic"larl#
!eignate! a t'e implementing agenc#, it 'a no
power over a program -or w'ic' -"n!ing 'a been
provi!e! b# t'e national government "n!er t'e
ann"al 2eneral Appropriation Act, even i- t'e
program involve t'e !eliver# o- baic ervice wit'in
t'e ="ri!iction o- t'e L21& 6ot onl# t'at, b"t L21
are merel# encoua-ed an! not compelle! to provi!e
R? ervice& <roviion o- t'ee ervice are not
man!ator#& Latl#, Article III, Section 6, 1A, an! 11 o-
RA 9A08 !eor t'e /rganic Act o- t'e AR99 merel#
o"tline t'e power t'at ma# be e:ercie! b# t'e
regional government an! !oe not in!icate t'e StateF
ab!ication to create law in t'e name o- p"blic
wel-are&
2atural #a- ? disregarded
6at"ral law, accor!ing to t'e Co"rt, i not recogni>e!
a proper legal bai -or ma.ing !eciion
o 1hether or not CongressA delegation of authority to
the F$A in determining -hich should 'e included in the
!$# is valid0 /!S
1n!er RA 5;*A, t'e %+A, being t'e primar# an! ole
premiere an! onl# agenc# t'at en"re t'e a-et# o- -oo!
an! me!icine available to t'e p"blic, 'a t'e power an!
competenc# to eval"ate, regiter an! cover 'ealt'
ervice an! met'o!
Final Rulin-
o <etition partiall# grante!& T'e RA 1A508 i !eclare!
contit"tional, an! Stat" N"o Ante /r!er li-te! wit' repect
to proviion o- RA 1A508 t'at 'ave been !eclare! a
contit"tional& ?owever, t'e -ollowing proviion an! t'eir
correpon!ing proviion in t'e R?,IRR 'ave been !eclare!
"ncontit"tionalQ
Section B and the corresponding provision in the
&"0&& ino-ar a t'e#Q a) reD"ire private 'ealt' -acilitie
an! non,maternit# pecialt# 'opital an! 'opital owne!
an! operate! b# a religio" gro"p to re-er patient, not in
an emergenc# or li-e,t'reatening cae, a !e4ne! "n!er
Rep"blic Act 6o& 7588, to anot'er 'ealt' -acilit# w'ic' i
convenientl# acceibleI an! b) allow minor,parent or
minor w'o 'ave "(ere! a micarriage acce to mo!em
met'o! o- -amil# planning wit'o"t written conent -rom
t'eir parent or g"ar!ianTI
Section 6:CaDClD and the corresponding provision in
the &"0&&, partic"larl# Section 0 &*8 t'ereo-, ino-ar a
t'e# p"ni' an# 'ealt'care ervice provi!er w'o -ail an!
or re-"e to !ieminate in-ormation regar!ing program
an! ervice on repro!"ctive 'ealt' regar!le o- 'i or
'er religio" belie-&
Section 6:CaDC6DCiD and the corresponding provision
in the &"0&& ino-ar a t'e# allow a marrie! in!ivi!"al,
not in an emergenc# or li-e,t'reatening cae, a !e4ne!
"n!er Rep"blic Act 6o& 7588, to "n!ergo repro!"ctive
'ealt' proce!"re wit'o"t t'e conent o- t'e po"eI
Section 6:CaDC6DCiiD and the corresponding provision
in the &"0&& ino-ar a t'e# limit t'e reD"irement o-
parental conent onl# to elective "rgical proce!"re&
Section 6:CaDC:D and the corresponding provision in
the &"0&&, partic"larl# Section 0&*8 t'ereo-, ino-ar a
t'e# p"ni' an# 'ealt'care ervice provi!er w'o -ail
an!Tor re-"e to re-er a patient not in an emergenc# or
li-e,t'reatening cae, a !e4ne! "n!er Rep"blic Act 6o&
7588, to anot'er 'ealt' care ervice provi!er wit'in t'e
ame -acilit# or one w'ic' i convenientl# acceible
regar!le o- 'i or 'er religio" belie-I
Section 6:C'D and the corresponding provision in
the &"0&&, partic"larl# Section 0 &*8 t'ereo-, ino-ar a
t'e# p"ni' an# p"blic o3cer w'o re-"e to "pport
repro!"ctive 'ealt' program or 'all !o an# act t'at
'in!er t'e -"ll implementation o- a repro!"ctive 'ealt'
program, regar!le o- 'i or 'er religio" belie-I
Section 3B and the corresponding provision in the
&"0&& regar!ing t'e ren!ering o- #o (ona repro!"ctive
'ealt' ervice in o -ar a t'e# a(ect t'e concientio"
ob=ector in ec"ring <'il?ealt' accre!itationI
Section :.8lCaD and Section :.83 GD of the &"0&&,
w'ic' a!!e! t'e D"ali4er Eprimaril#E in !e4ning
aborti-acient an! contraceptive, a t'e# are ulta vie$
an!, t'ere-ore, n"ll an! voi! -or contravening Section 8(a)
o- t'e R? Law an! violating Section 1*, Article II o- t'e
Contit"tion&
$issenting Opinion
#eonen7 %.
. ,reliminary Considerations
6one o- t'e petition properl# preent an Ract"al cae or controver#S
w'ic' !eerve t'e e:ercie o- ="!icial review& T'e conoli!ate!
petition !o not provi!e t'e proper ven"e to !eci!e on -"n!amental
i"e& T'e law in D"etion i nee!e! ocial legilation&
An act"al cae or controver# i Rone w'ic' involve a conVict o- legal
rig't, an aertion o- oppoite legal claim "ceptible o- ="!icial
reol"tionI t'e cae m"t not be moot or aca!emic or bae! on e:tra,
legal or ot'er imilar coni!eration not cogni>able b# a co"rt o-
="tice&S
.o locu$ $tandi/ <etitioner, b# no tretc' o- t'e imagination, cannot
be repreentative o- t'e interet o- Rt'e entire %ilipino nation&S 6ot all
%ilipino are Roman Cat'olic& 6ot all %ilipino are -rom t'e Mia#a&
Certainl# not all %ilipino 'ave a common interet t'at will lea! to a
common point o- view on t'e contit"tionalit# o- t'e vario"
proviion o- t'e R? law&
. Su'stantive $iscussions
T'e co"rt cannot ma.e a !eclaration on t'e beginning o- li-e& An#
!eclaration on t'i i"e will be -ra"g't wit' contra!iction& Even t'e
Contit"tional Commiioner were not in -"ll agreementI 'ence, t'e
"e o- t'e wor! RconceptionS rat'er t'an R-ertili>e! ov"mS in Article II,
Section 1* o- t'e Contit"tion& T'ere were glaring -act"al inacc"racie
pe!!le! !"ring t'eir !ic"ion&
T'e Contit"tional Commiion !eliberation 'ow t'at it i not tr"e
t'at t'e i"e o- w'en li-e begin i alrea!# a ettle! matter& T'ere are
everal ot'er opinion on t'i i"e& The Con$titutional Co!!i$$ione$
ado#ted the te! 0conce#tion1 athe than 0fetili+ed ovu!/1
Initing t'at we can impoe, mo!i-# or alter r"le o- t'e %oo! an!
+r"g A!minitration i ""rpation o- t'e e:ec"tive power o- control
over a!minitrative agencie& It i a violation o- t'e principle o-
eparation o- power, w'ic' recogni>e t'at RJeKac' !epartment o-
t'e government 'a e:cl"ive cogni>ance o- matter wit'in it
="ri!iction, an! i "preme wit'in it own p'ere&S T'e #tem o-
c'ec. an! balance onl# allow " to !eclare, in t'e e:ercie o- o"r
="!icial power, t'e %oo! an! +r"g A!minitrationF act a violative
o- t'e law or a committe! wit' grave ab"e o- !icretion& S"c'
power i -"rt'er limite! b# t'e reD"irement o- act"al cae or
controver#&
T'e petition 'ave -aile! to preent clear cae w'en t'e proviion
-or concientio" ob=ection wo"l! tr"l# amo"nt to a violation o-
religion& T'e# 'ave not !iting"i'e! t'e relation'ip o- concience
an! peci4c religio" !ogma& T'e# 'ave not etabli'e! religio"
canon t'at conVict wit' t'e general proviion o- Section ;, 1; an! *5
o- t'e law& T'e comment in intervention in -act raie erio"
D"etion regar!ing w'at co"l! be acceptable Cat'olic !octrine on
ome i"e o- contraception an! e: a onl# -or procreation&
Separate Concurring Opinion
Carpio7 %.
. ,reliminary Considerations
T'e co"rt i not competent to !eclare w'en '"man li-e begin& T'e
i"e wit' regar! to t'i m"t be ettle! wit'in t'e cienti4c an!
me!ical comm"nit#&
. Su'stantive $iscussions
RA 6o& 1A508 protect t'e ov"m "pon it -ertili>ation (wit'o"t act"all#
a#ing t'at li-e begin 'ere)& T'e i"e t'en, o- w'et'er li-e begin
!"ring -ertili>ation or w'en t'e ov"m plant itel- on t'e "ter" wall, i
covere! a t'i protect at bot' tage&
Alt'o"g' t'e law !oe not provi!e a !e4nition o- conception, it 'a
proviion t'at embo!# t'e polic# o- t'e tate to protect t'e travel o-
t'e -ertili>e! ov"m to t'e "ter" wall& T'e law tate t'at it will
provi!e mean -hich do not prevent implantation of a fertili(ed
ovum a !etermine! b# t'e %oo! an! +r"g A!minitration.
Separate Concurring Opinion
+rion7 %.
. ,reliminary Considerations
T'e petition are ripe -or ="!icial review& T'e petition allege action
b# t'e legilat"re an! b# t'e e:ec"tive t'at lie o"ti!e t'e
contemplation o- t'e Contit"tion& A controver# e:it appropriate -or
t'i Co"rtB initial coni!eration o- t'e preence o- grave ab"e o-
!icretionQ an! coneD"ent a!="!ication i- t'e legilative an!
e:ec"tive action can be o c'aracteri>e!&
. Su'stantive $iscussions
$'ile t'e R? Law generall# protect an! promote t'e "nbornF rig't
to li-e, it Section 9 an! it IRR -ail in t'eir 4!elit# to t'e Contit"tion
an! to t'e ver# term o- t'e R? Law itel-& It -ail to a!opt t'e
principle o- !o"ble e(ect "n!er Section 1*, Article II o- t'e 197;
Contit"tion&
T'e Co"rt 'o"l! -orm"late g"i!eline on w'at t'e government can
act"all# proc"re an! !itrib"te "n!er t'e R? law, conitent wit' it
a"t'orit# "n!er t'i law an! Section 1*, Article II to ac'ieve t'e -"ll
protection t'e Contit"tion enviion&
T'e attac. on Section 18F contit"tionalit# i premat"re beca"e t'at
t'e lac. o- an implementing c"rric"l"m b# t'e +epartment o-
E!"cation ma.e it premat"re to r"le on contit"tionalit#& T'e co"rt
cannot !etermine #et 'ow parental rig't will be a(ecte! ince t'e
peci4c o- w'at wo"l! be ta"g't "n!er t'e R? e!"cation program !o
not #et e:it&
T'e R? LawF implementation co"l! 'ave political an! economic
coneD"ence& It co"l! alo pro!"ce ocial coneD"ence b# "'ering
in be'avior an! perception abo"t e:, marriage, an! -amil# t'at are
vatl# !i(erent (in a negative wa#) -rom t'e norm&
Section *5(a) (l) o- t'e R? Law i an "ncontit"tional "beD"ent p"ni'ment
o- peec'& It 'a overreac'e! t'e permiible coverage o- reg"lation on t'e
peec' o- !octor an! ot'er 'ealt' pro-eional& T'e e:iting in-ormation
!iemination program -o"n! in t'e R? law i "3cient in provi!ing
in-ormation abo"t available repro!"ctive 'ealt' ervice an! program, an!
t'e e:iting reg"lator# -ramewor. -or t'eir practice alrea!# "3cientl#
protect againt "c' negligence an! malpractice& %"rt'ermore, t'e ai!
ection can create a c'illing e(ect -or t'oe in t'e pro-eion&
Article MI, Section 1
Solicitor General vs. )etropolitan )anila Authority
FACTS:
In %eto#olitan Ta2c Co!!and3 4e$t Ta2c 5i$tict v$/ 6on/ A$enio
%/ Gonon-, t'e SC r"le! t'at (1) t'e con4cation o- t'e licene plate
o- motor ve'icle -or tra3c violation wa not among t'e anction
t'at co"l! be impoe! b# t'e 9etro 9anila Commiion "n!er <+
16A0I an!, t'at (*) even t'e con4cation o- !riverB licene -or tra3c
violation wa not !irectl# precribe! b# t'e !ecree nor wa it allowe!
b# t'e !ecree to be impoe! b# t'e Commiion&
Several complaint were 4le! in t'e SC againt t'e con4cation b#
police a"t'oritie o- !riverB licene an! removal o- licene plate-or
allege! tra3c violation& T'ee anction were not among t'oe t'at
ma# be impoe! "n!er <+ 16A0&
T'e 9etropolitan 9anila A"t'orit# i"e! /r!inance 6o& 11, Serie o-
1991, a"t'ori>ing itel- Eto !etac' t'e licene plateTtow an! impo"n!
atten!e!T "natten!e!T aban!one! motor ve'icle illegall# par.e! or
obtr"cting t'e Vow o- tra3c in 9etro 9anila&E
o T'e 9etropolitan 9anila A"t'orit# !e-en!e! t'e ai!
or!inance on t'e gro"n! t'at it wa a!opte! p"r"ant to t'e
power con-erre! "pon it b# E/ 59*& T'ere wa no conVict
between t'e !eciion an! t'e or!inance beca"e t'e latter
wa meant to "pplement an! not "pplant t'e latter&
o T'e Solicitor 2eneral e:pree! t'e view t'at t'e or!inance
wa n"ll an! voi! beca"e it repreente! an invali! e:ercie o-
a !elegate! legilative power& It violate! <+ 16A0 w'ic' !oe
not permit, an! o implie!l# pro'ibit, t'e removal o- licene
plate an! t'e con4cation o- !riverB licene -or tra3c
violation in 9etropolitan 9anila&
SSU! E "!#$:$/6 /r!inance 6o& 11 i vali! (6/)
&ATO:
T'e problem be-ore t'e Co"rt i not t'e vali!it# o- t'e dele-ation o-
legilative power& T'e D"etion t'e SC m"t reolve i t'e vali!it# o-
t'e e7eci$e o- "c' !elegate! power&
o A m"nicipal or!inance, to be vali!Q 1) m"t not contravene t'e
Contit"tion or an# tat"teI *) m"t not be "n-air or
oppreiveI 5) m"t not be partial or !icriminator#I 8) m"t
not pro'ibit b"t ma# reg"late tra!eI 0) m"t not be
"nreaonableI an! 6) m"t be general an! conitent wit'
p"blic polic#&
<+ 16A0 !oe not allow eit'er t'e removal o- licene plate or t'e
con4cation o- !riverB licene -or tra3c violation committe! in
9etropolitan 9anila& T'ere i not'ing in t'e !ecree a"t'ori>ing t'e
9etropolitan 9anila Commiion, now t'e 9etropolitan 9anila
A"t'orit#, to impoe "c' anction&
Local political "b!iviion are able to legilate onl# b# virt"e o- a
vali! !elegation o- legilative power -rom t'e national legilat"re
(e:cept onl# t'at t'e power to create t'eir own o"rce o- reven"e
an! to lev# ta:e i con-erre! b# t'e Contit"tion itel-)& T'e# are
mere agent vete! wit' w'at i calle! t'e power o- "bor!inate
legilation& A !elegate o- t'e Congre, t'e local government "nit
cannot contravene b"t m"t obe# at all time t'e will o- t'eir
principal& ?ere, t'e enactment in D"etion, w'ic' are merel# local in
origin, cannot prevail againt t'e !ecree, w'ic' 'a t'e -orce an!
e(ect o- a tat"te&
T'e mea"re in D"etion !o not merel# a!! to t'e reD"irement o- <+
16A0 b"t, wore, impoe anction t'e !ecree !oe not allow an! in
-act act"all# pro'ibit&
T'ere i no tat"tor# a"t'orit# -or W an! in!ee! t'ere i a tat"tor#
pro'ibition againt W t'e impoition o- "c' penaltie in t'e
9etropolitan 9anila area& ?ence, regar!le o- t'eir merit, t'e#
cannot be impoe! b# t'e c'allenge! enactment b# virt"e onl# o-
t'e !elegate! legilative power&
2OT!: SC emp'ai>e! t'at t'e r"ling in t'e Gonon- cae t'at <+ 16A0
applie onl# to t'e 9etropolitan 9anila area& It i an e:ception to t'e general
a"t'orit# con-erre! b# RA 815 on t'e Commiioner o- Lan! Tranportation to
p"ni' violation o- tra3c r"le elew'ere in t'e co"ntr# wit' t'e anction
t'erein precribe!, incl"!ing t'oe 'ere D"etione!&
,eople vs. &osenthal
Facts:
X )acob Roent'al an! 6icaio /meYa were -o"n!er an! 'are'ol!er o- t'e
/&R&/& /il Compan#& T'e main ob=ect an! p"rpoe o- t'e compan# are to
mine, re4ne, mar.et, b"# an! ell petrole"m, nat"ral ga an! ot'er oil
pro!"ct&
X Roent'al an! /meYa were -o"n! g"ilt# b# t'e RTC in two cae o- elling
t'eir 'are to in!ivi!"al wit'o"t 4rt obtaining t'e correpon!ing written
permit or licene -rom t'e In"lar Trea"rer o- t'e Commonwealt' o- t'e
<'ilippine&
X T'i i in violation o- Section * L 0 o- Act 6o& *071, commonl# .nown a t'e
Bl"e S.# Law&
o Section * o- ai! law provi!e t'at eve* #e$on3 #atne$hi#3 a$$ociation3 o
co#oation atte!#tin- to o8e to $ell in the Phili##ine$ $#eculative $ecuitie$
of an* 9ind o chaacte what$oeve3 i$ unde o(li-ation to :le #eviou$l* with
the ;n$ula Tea$ue the vaiou$ docu!ent$ and#a#e$ enu!eated theein
and to #a* the e<uied ta7 of twent*-#e$o$&
o Sec 0, on t'e ot'er 'an!, provi!e t'at Rwhateve the $aid Tea$ue of the
Phili##ine ;$land$ i$ $ati$:ed3 eithe with o without the e7a!ination heein
#ovided3 that an* #e$on3 #atne$hi#3 a$$ociation o co#oation i$ entitled
to the i-ht to o8e it$ $ecuitie$ a$ a(ove de:ned and #ovided fo $ale in the
Phili##ine ;$land$3 he $hall i$$ue to $uch #e$on3 #atne$hi#3 a$$ociation o
co#oation a ceti:cate o #e!it ecitin- that $uch #e$on3 #atne$hi#3
a$$ociation o co#oation ha$ co!#lied with the #ovi$ion$ of thi$ act3 and
that $uch #e$on3 #atne$hi#3 a$$ociation o co#oation3 it$ (o9e$ o
a-ent$ ae entitled to ode the $ecuitie$ na!ed in $aid ceti:cate o #e!it
fo $ale1, that 0$aid Tea$ue $hall futhe!oe have authoit*3 wheneve in
hi$ =ud-!ent it i$ in the #u(lic intee$t3 to cancel $aid ceti:cate o #e!it13
and that 0an a##eal fo! the deci$ion of the ;n$ula Tea$ue !a* (e had
within the #eiod of thit* da*$ to the Seceta* of Finance&S
X T'e 'are are ai! to be $#eculative beca"e t'eir val"e materiall#
!epen!e! "pon a promie o- -"t"re promotion an! !evelopment o- t'e oil
b"ine, rat'er t'an on act"al tangible aet&
X /n appeal, Roent'al L /mena arg"e! t'at Act *071 i "ncontit"tional on
t'ree gro"n!Q
o 1) T'at it contit"te "n!"e !elegation o- legilative a"t'orit# to t'e In"lar
trea"rer
o *) t'at it !oe not a(or! eD"al protection be-ore t'e law
o 5) t'at it i vag"e an! ambig"o"
ssueQ $/6 t'e law i "ncontit"tional in an# o- t'e t'ree gro"n!
"eldQ T'e law i CO2STTUTO2A# on all gro"n! allege! b# t'e appellant&
&atio:
X T'at it contit"te "n!"e !elegation o- legilative a"t'orit# to t'e In"lar
trea"rer
T'e Act -"rni'e a "3cient tan!ar! -or t'e Trea"rer to
-ollow in reac'ing a !eciion regar!ing t'e i"ance or cancellation o- a
certi4cate or permit& T'e certi4cate or permit to be i"e! "n!er t'e Act m"t
recite t'at t'e peron ,partner'ip, aociation or corporation appl#ing
t'ere-or R'a complie! wit' t'e proviion o- t'i ActS, an! t'i reD"irement,
contr"e! in relation to t'e ot'er proviion o- t'e law, mean t'at a
certi4cate or permit 'all be i"e! b# t'e In"lar Trea"rer w'en t'e
proviion o- Act *071 'ave been complie! wit'& 1pon t'e ot'er 'an!, t'e
a"t'orit# o- t'e In"lar Trea"rer to cancel a certi4cate or permit i e:prel#
con!itione! "pon a 4n!ing t'at "c' cancellation Ri in t'e p"blic interet&S In
view o- t'e intention an! p"rpoe o- Act *071 to protect t'e p"blic againt
Rpec"lative c'eme w'ic' 'ave no more bai t'an o man# -eet o- bl"e
.#S an! againt t'e Rale o- toc. inV#,b#,nig't concern, viionar# oil well,
!itant gol! mine, an! ot'er li.e -ra"!"lent e:ploitationS, we 'ol! t'at
Rp"blic interetS in t'i cae i a "3cient tan!ar! to g"i!e t'e In"lar
Trea"rer in reac'ing a !eciion on a matter pertaining to t'e i"ance or
cancellation o- certi4cate or permit&
Act *071 allow appeal -rom t'e !eciion o- t'e Trea"rer to
t'e Sec o- %inance& ?ence, it cannot be conten!e! t'at t'e Trea"rer can act
an! !eci!e wit'o"t an# retraining inV"ence&
T'e t'eor# o- t'e eparation o- power i !eigne! b# it
originator to ec"re action an! at t'e ame time to -oretall over action
w'ic' necearil# re"lt -rom "n!"e concentration o- power, an! t'ereb#
obtain e3cienc# an! prevent !epotim& T'ereb#, t'e Rr"le o- lawS wa
etabli'e! w'ic' narrow t'e range o- governmental action an! ma.e it
"b=ect to control b# certain legal !evice& A a corollar#, we 4n! t'e r"le
pro'ibiting !elegation o- legilative a"t'orit#, an! -rom t'e earliet time
American legal a"t'oritie 'ave procee!e! on t'e t'eor# t'at legilative
power m"t be e:ercie! b# t'e legilative alone& It i -ran.ne, 'owever, to
con-e t'at a one !elve into t'e ma o- ="!icial prono"ncement, 'e 4n!
a great !eal o- con-"ion&
t'e ma:im Rdele-atu$ non #ote$t dele-ae o dele-ata
#ote$ta$ non #ote$t dele-ae1 'a beenma!e to a!apt itel- to t'e
comple:itie o- mo!ern government, giving rie to t'e a!option, wit'in
certain limit, o- t'e principle o- R"bor!inate legilationS, in practicall# all
mo!ern government& +i3c"lt# lie in 4:ing t'e limit an! e:tent o- t'e
a"t'orit#& $'ile co"rt 'ave "n!erta.en to la#!own general principle, t'e
a-et i to !eci!e eac' cae accor!ing to it pec"liar environment, 'aving in
min! t'e w'oleome legilative p"rpoe inten!e! to be ac'ieve!&
"all v Geiger0%onesQ it i well,ettle! principle o- law in t'i
tate t'at b# legilative act a commiion or boar! ma# be empowere! to
acertain t'e e:itence o- -act, "pon t'e 4n!ing o- w'ic' ma# !epen! t'e
rig't to contin"e in t'e practice o- a pro-eion or a reg"late! b"ine&
X t'at it !oe not a(or! eD"al protection be-ore t'e law
o Anot'er gro"n! relie! "pon b# appellant in conten!ing t'at Act 6o& *071 i
"ncontit"tional i t'at it !enie eD"al protection o- t'e law beca"e t'e law
!icriminate between an owner w'o ell 'i ec"ritie in a ingle tranaction
an! one w'o !ipoe o- t'em in repeate! an! "cceive tranaction&
o "all vs. Geiger0%ones CoQ E<rominent among "c' !icrimination are & & &
between an owner w'o ell 'i ec"ritie in a ingle tranaction an! one w'o
!ipoe o- t'em in "cceive tranactionI & & & E I- a cla i !eeme! to
preent a conpic"o" e:ample o- w'at t'e legilat"re ee. to prevent, t'e
18t' Amen!ment allow it to be !ealt wit' alt'o"g' ot'erwie an! merel#
logicall# not !iting"i'able -rom ot'er not embrace! in t'e law
X t'at it i vag"e an! ambig"o"
o People vs. Fernandez and Trinidad& An Act will be !eclare! voi! an!
inoperative on t'e gro"n! o- vag"ene an! "ncertaint# only upon a
sho-ing t'at t'e defect is such that the courts are una'le to
determine, wit' an# reasona'le degree of certainty, w'at t'e legilat"re
inten!e!&
o In t'i connection we cannot pretermit re-erence to t'e r"le t'at Rle-i$lation
$hould not (e held invalid on the -ound of uncetaint* if $u$ce#ti(le of an*
ea$ona(le con$tuction that will $u##ot and -ive it e8ect/ An Act will not
be declared inoperative and inefectual on the ground that it
furnishes no adeuate means to secure the purpose for which it is
passed, if !en of co!!on $en$e and ea$on can devi$e and #ovide the
!ean$3 and all the in$tu!entalitie$ nece$$a* fo it$ e7ecution ae within the
each of tho$e intu$ted theewith&S
)"!gement o- lower co"rt i a3rme!, wit' mo!i4cation t'at t'e 4ne are
re!"ce!&
Roent'alQ -rom <0AA ,Z <*AA in eac' cae
/menaQ -rom <1AAA ,Z <0AA, -rom <*AAA ,Z <1AAA
S"bi!iar# imprionment -or bot' in cae o- inolvenc#, an! cot&
Agustin vs. !du
A21STI6 MS& E+1 (LA6+ TRA6S</RTATI/6 C/99ISSI/6ER), !igete!
<ote! b# <i" 9ora!o on 6ovember 7, *A11
77 SCRA 190, *15I %ebr"ar# *, 19;9 &Con$titutional Law Police Powe3 .on-
5ele-ation of Le-i$lative Powe3 Pe$u!ed >alidit*)
FACTSQ <etitioner aaile! t'e vali!it# o- a Letter o- Intr"ction &L'; ??93 a$
a!ended) provi!ing -or earl# warning !evice (E$+) -or motor ve'icle a an
e:ercie o- police power i being violative o- t'e contit"tional g"arantee o-
!"e proce an!, it implementing r"le an! reg"lation (A' .o/@ and %C .o/
3?) -or trangreion o- t'e principle o- non,!elegation o- legilative power&
T'e aaile! L/I wa i"e! prior to a care-"l t"!# b# t'e E:ec"tive
+epartment w'ic' wa recogni>e! b# international bo!ie concerne! wit'
tra3c a-et# &@96A >ienna Convention on Road Si-n$ and Si-nal$ and the
B.)& Repon!ent !en# t'e allegation an! conten! t'at ai! allegation are
wit'o"t legal an! -act"al bai&
SSU!Q $'et'er or not a L/I n!it implementing r"le an! reg"lation,
reD"iring E$+ -or motor ve'icle i a violation o- t'e proviion an!
!elegation o- police power&
"!#$Q 6o, t'e c'allenge! L/I i a vali! police power mea"re coni!ering
t'at t'e petitioner -aile! to la# t'e necear# -act"al -o"n!ation to reb"t it
pre"me! vali!it#& Li.ewie, t'e implementing r"le an! reg"lation i -ree
-rom taint o- "nlaw-"l !elegation beca"e t'ee were prom"lgate! b# t'e
a!minitrative o3ce bae! on t'e tan!ar! o- p"blic a-et# lai! !own b# t'e
legilat"re&
Chiong'ian Fs. Or'os
G.&. 2o. ;<B94 %une 667 3;;9C"O2G+A27 et.al. v. O&+OS et.al.
FACTS: <"r"ant to t'e Contit"tion, Congre pae! R&A 6;58, t'e /rganic
Act -or t'e A"tonomo" Region in 9"lim 9in!anao calling -or a plebicite to
create an a"tonomo" region& T'e province o- Lanao !el S"r, 9ag"in!anao,
S"l" an! Tawi,Tawi, w'ic' vote! -or t'e creation o- "c' region were later
on .nown a t'e A"tonomo" Region in 9"lim 9in!anao& Conitent wit' t'e
a"t'orit# grante! b# Article OIO, Section 15 o- RA 6;58 w'ic' a"t'ori>e t'e
<rei !ent to merge t'e e:iti ng regi on, <rei!ent Cora>on AD"i no
i "e! E&/ 6o& 8*9 provi!ing -or t'e Reorgani>ation o- t'e
A!minitrative Region in 9in!anao& <eti tioner conten! t'at Art& OIO,
Secti on 15 o- R&A& 6o& 6;58 i "nconti t"ti onal beca"e it "n!"l#
!el egate legilative power to t'e <rei!ent b# a"t'ori>ing 'im to merge b#
a!minitrative !etermination t'e e:iting regionor at an# rate provi!e
no tan!ar! -or t'e e:ercie o- t'e power !elegate! an! t'at t'e
power grante! i not e:pree! in t'e title o- t'e law& T'e# alo c'allenge
t'e vali!it# o- E&/& 6o& 8*9 on t'e gro"n! t'at t'e power grante! b# RA 6;58
to t'e <rei!ent i onl# to merge region IO an! OII b"t not to reorgani>e t'e
entire a!minitrative region in 9in!anao an! certainl# not to tran-er t'e
regional center o- Region IO -rom Hamboanga Cit# to <aga!ian Cit#&
SSU!: $'et'er or not t'e R&A 6;58 i invali! beca"e it contain no tan!ar!
to g"i!e t'e <rei!entF !icretion&
"!#$: 6o, i n con-erring on t'e <rei !ent t'e power to merge b#
a!minitrative !eterminati on t'e e:iti ng regi on -ollowing t'e
etabli'ment o- t'e A"tonomo" Region in 9"lim 9in!anao, Congre
merel# -ollowe! t'e pattern et in previo" legilation !ating bac. to t'e initial
organi>ation o- a!minitrative region in 19;*& T'e c'oice o- t'e <rei!ent a
!elegate i logical beca"e t'e !iviion o- t'e co"ntr# into region i inten!e!
to -acilitate not onl# t'e a!minitration o- local government b"t alo t'e
!irection o- e:ec"tive !epartment w'ic' t'e law reD"ire 'o"l! 'ave
regional o3ce& $'il e t'e power to merge a!mi ni trati ve region
i not e:prel # provi !e! -or i n t'e Contit"tion, it i a power w'ic' 'a
tra!itionall# been lo!ge! wit' t'e <rei!ent to -acilitate t'e e:ercie o-
t'e power o- general "pervi i on over l ocal government& (Abba v&
C/9ELEC) T'e region t'emel ve are not territorial an! political
!iviion li.e province, citie, m"nicipalitie an! baranga# b"t are Emere
gro"ping o- contig"o" province -or a!minitrative p"rpoe& T'e power
con-erre! on t'e <rei!ent i imilar to t'e power to a!="t m"nicipal
bo"n!arie w'ic' 'a been !ecribe! a Ea!minitrative in nat"re&S (<elae> v&
A"!itor 2eneral)T'", t'e regro"ping i !one onl# on paper& It involve no
more t'an are !e4nition or re!rawing o- t'e line eparating a!minitrative
region -or t'e p"rpoe o- -acilitating t'e a!minitrative "perviion o-
local government "nit b# t'e <rei!ent an! in"ring t'e e3cient !eliver# o-
eential ervice
/not vs. ntermediate Appellate Court
Police Powe .ot >alidl* "7eci$ed
FACTS: T'ere 'a! been an e:iting law w'ic' pro'ibite! t'e la"g'tering o-
carabao (E/ 6*6)& To trengt'en t'e law, 9arco i"e! E/ 6*6,A w'ic' not
onl# banne! t'e movement o- carabao -rom interprovince b"t a well a t'e
movement o- carabee-& /n 15 )an 1978, Cnot wa ca"g't tranporting 6
carabao -rom 9abate to Iloilo& ?e wa t'en c'arge! in violation o- E/ 6*6,A&
Cnot averre! E/ 6*6,A a "ncontit"tional -or it violate! 'i rig't to be 'ear!
or 'i rig't to !"e proce& ?e ai! t'at t'e a"t'orit# provi!e! b# E/ 6*6,A to
o"trig'tl# con4cate carabao even wit'o"t being 'ear! i "ncontit"tional&
T'e lower co"rt r"le! againt Cnot r"ling t'at t'e E/ i a vali! e:ercie o-
police power in or!er to promote general wel-are o a to c"rb !own t'e
in!icriminate la"g'ter o- carabao&
SSU!: $'et'er or not t'e law i vali!&
"!#$: T'e SC r"le! t'at t'e E/ i not vali! a it in!ee! violate !"e proce&
E/ 6*6,A ctreate! a pre"mption bae! on t'e ="!gment o- t'e e:ec"tive&
T'e movement o- carabao -rom one area to t'e ot'er !oe not mean a
"beD"ent la"g'ter o- t'e ame wo"l! en"e& Cnot 'o"l! be given to
!e-en! 'imel- an! e:plain w'# t'e carabao are being tran-erre! be-ore
t'e# can be con4cate!& T'e SC -o"n! t'at t'e c'allenge! mea"re i an
invali! e:ercie o- t'e police power beca"e t'e met'o! emplo#e! to
conerve t'e carabao i not reaonabl# necear# to t'e p"rpoe o- t'e law
an!, wore, i "n!"l# oppreive& +"e proce i violate! beca"e t'e owner
o- t'e propert# con4cate! i !enie! t'e rig't to be 'ear! in 'i !e-ene an!
i imme!iatel# con!emne! an! p"ni'e!& T'e con-erment on t'e
a!minitrative a"t'oritie o- t'e power to a!="!ge t'e g"ilt o- t'e "ppoe!
o(en!er i a clear encroac'ment on ="!icial -"nction an! militate againt
t'e !octrine o- eparation o- power& T'ere i, 4nall#, alo an invali!
!elegation o- legilative power to t'e o3cer mentione! t'erein w'o are
grante! "nlimite! !icretion in t'e !itrib"tion o- t'e propertie arbitraril#
ta.en&
&u'i vs. ,rovincial +oard
Political Law 5ele-ation of Powe$
FACTs: R"bi an! vario" ot'er 9ang"iane in t'e province o- 9in!oro were
or!ere! b# t'e provincial governor o- 9in!oro to remove t'eir rei!ence -rom
t'eir native 'abitat an! to etabli'e! t'emelve on a reervation at Tigbao
in t'e province o- 9in!oro an! to remain t'ere, or be p"ni'e! b#
imprionment i- t'e# ecape!& 9ang"iane 'a! been or!ere! to live in a
reervation ma!e to t'at en! an! -or p"rpoe o- c"ltivation "n!er certain
plan& T'e 9ang"iane are a 6on,C'ritian tribe wit' a ver# low c"lt"re& T'ee
reervation, a appear -rom t'e reol"tion o- t'e <rovincial Boar!, e:ten!
over an area o- 7AA 'ectare o- lan!, w'ic' i appro:imatel# *AAA acre, on
w'ic' abo"t 5AA 9ang"iane are con4ne!& /ne o- t'e 9ang"iane, +abalo,
ecape! -rom t'e reervation an! wa ta.en in 'an! b# t'e provincial 'eri(
an! place! in prion at Calapan, olel# beca"e 'e ecape! -rom t'e
reervation& An application -or 'abea corp" wa ma!e on be'al- o- R"bi an!
ot'er 9ang"iane o- t'e province, alleging t'at b# virt"e o- t'e reol"tion o-
t'e provincial boar! o- 9in!oro creating t'e reervation, t'e# 'a! been
illegall# !eprive! o- t'eir libert#& In t'i cae t'e vali!it# o- ection *180 o- t'e
A!minitrative Co!e, rea!ingQ R$it' t'e prior approval o- t'e +epartment
?ea!, t'e provincial governor o- an# province in w'ic' non,C'ritian
in'abitant are -o"n! i a"t'ori>e!, w'en "c' a co"re i !eeme! necear#
in t'e interet o- law an! or!er, to !irect "c' in'abitant to ta.e "p t'eir
'abitation on ite on "nocc"pie! p"blic lan! to be electe! b# 'im an!
approve! b# t'e provincial boar!,S wa c'allenge!&
SSU!: $'et'er or not t'e ai! law i contit"tional&
"!#$: B# a vote o- 4ve to -o"r, t'e S"preme Co"rt "taine! t'e
contit"tionalit# o- t'i ection o- t'e A!minitrative Co!e& Among ot'er
t'ing, it wa 'el! t'at t'e term Rnon,C'ritianS 'o"l! not be given a literal
meaning or a religio" igni4cation, b"t t'at it wa inten!e! to relate to
!egree o- civili>ation& T'e term Rnon,C'ritianS it wa ai!, re-er not to
religio" belie-, b"t in a wa# to geograp'ical area, an! more !irectl# to native
o- t'e <'ilippine Ilan! o- a low gra!e o- civili>ation& /n t'e ot'er 'an!, none
o- t'e proviion o- t'e <'ilippine /rganic Law co"l! 'ave 'a! t'e e(ect o-
!en#ing to t'e 2overnment o- t'e <'ilippine Ilan!, acting t'ro"g' it
Legilat"re, t'e rig't to e:ercie t'at mot eential, initent, an! illimitable
o- power, t'e overeign police power, in t'e promotion o- t'e general wel-are
an! t'e p"blic interet& w'en to a!vance t'e p"blic wel-are, t'e law wa -o"n!
to be a legitimate e:ertion o- t'e police power, An! it i "nnecear# to a!!
t'at t'e prompt regitration o- title to lan! in t'e <'ilippine contit"te an
a!vancement o- t'e p"blic interet, -or, bei!e promoting peace an! goo!
or!er among lan!owner in partic"lar an! t'e people in general, it 'elp
increae t'e in!"trie o- t'e co"ntr#, an! ma.e -or t'e !evelopment o- t'e
nat"ral reo"rce, wit' t'e coneD"ent progre o- t'e general properit#& An!
t'ee en! are p"r"e! in a pecial manner b# t'e State t'ro"g' t'e e:ercie
o- it police power& T'e S"preme Co"rt 'el! t'at t'e reol"tion o- t'e
provincial boar! o- 9in!oro wa neit'er !icriminator# nor cla legilation,
an! tate! among ot'er t'ingQ R& & & one cannot 'ol! t'at t'e libert# o- t'e
citi>en i "n!"l# inter-ere! wit' w'en t'e !egree o- civili>ation o- t'e
9ang"iane i coni!ere!& T'e# are retraine! -or t'eir own goo! an! t'e
general goo! o- t'e <'ilippine& 6or can one a# t'at !"e proce o- law 'a
not been -ollowe!& To go bac. to o"r !e4nition o- !"e proce o- law an! eD"al
protection o- t'e law, t'ere e:it a lawI t'e law eem to be reaonableI it i
en-orce! accor!ing to t'e reg"lar met'o! o- proce!"re precribe!I an! it
applie ali.e to all o- a cla&S
,eople vs. Fera
Political Law 5ele-ation of Powe$
FACTS: C" 1n=ieng wa convicte! b# t'e trial co"rt in 9anila& ?e 4le! -or
reconi!eration w'ic' wa elevate! to t'e SC an! t'e SC reman!e! t'e
appeal to t'e lower co"rt -or a new trial& $'ile awaiting new trial, 'e appeale!
-or probation alleging t'at t'e 'e i innocent o- t'e crime 'e wa convicte! o-&
)"!ge T"aon o- t'e 9anila C%I !irecte! t'e appeal to t'e In"lar <robation
/3ce& T'e I</ !enie! t'e application& ?owever, )"!ge Mera "pon anot'er
reD"et b# petitioner allowe! t'e petition to be et -or 'earing& T'e Cit#
<roec"tor co"ntere! alleging t'at Mera 'a no power to place C" 1n=ieng
"n!er probation beca"e it i in violation o- Sec& 11 Act 6o& 8**1 w'ic'
provi!e t'at t'e act o- Legilat"re granting provincial boar! t'e power to
provi!e a #tem o- probation to convicte! peron& 6ow'ere in t'e law i
tate! t'at t'e law i applicable to a cit# li.e 9anila beca"e it i onl#
in!icate! t'erein t'at onl# province are covere!& An! even i- 9anila i
covere! b# t'e law it i "ncontit"tional beca"e Sec 1 Art 5 o- t'e
Contit"tion provi!e eD"al protection o- law& T'e ai! law provi!e abol"te
!icretion to provincial boar! an! t'i alo contit"te "n!"e !elegation o-
power& %"rt'er, t'e ai! probation law ma# be an encroac'ment o- t'e power
o- t'e e:ec"tive to provi!e par!on beca"e provi!ing probation, in e(ect, i
granting -ree!om, a in par!on&
SSU!: $'et'er or not t'ere i "n!"e !elegation o- power&
"!#$: T'e act o- granting probation i not t'e ame a par!on& In -act it i
limite! an! i in a wa# an impoition o- penalt#& T'ere i "n!"e !elegation o-
power beca"e t'ere i no et tan!ar! provi!e! b# Congre on 'ow
provincial boar! m"t act in carr#ing o"t a #tem o- probation& T'e
provincial boar! are given abol"te !icretion w'ic' i violative o- t'e
contit"tion an! t'e !octrine o- t'e non !elegabilit# o- power& %"rt'er, it i a
violation o- eD"it# o protecte! b# t'e contit"tion& T'e c'allenge! ection o-
Act 6o& 8**1 in ection 11 w'ic' rea! a -ollowQ This Act 'all appl# onl# in
t'oe province in w'ic' t'e repective provincial boar! 'ave provi!e! -or
t'e alar# o- a probation o3cer at rate not lower t'an t'oe now provi!e! -or
provincial 4cal& Sai! probation o3cer 'all be appointe! b# t'e Secretar# o-
)"tice an! 'all be "b=ect to t'e !irection o- t'e <robation /3ce. T'i onl#
mean t'at onl# province t'at can provi!e appropriation -or a probation
o3cer ma# 'ave a #tem o- probation wit'in t'eir localit#& T'i wo"l! mean
to a# t'at convict in province w'ere no probation o3cer i intit"te! ma#
not avail o- t'eir rig't to probation&
United States vs. ,anlilio
$octrineQThe ode$3 ule$ and e-ulation$ of an ad!ini$tative o2ce$ o
(od* i$$ued #u$uant to a $tatute have the foce of law (ut ae not #enal in
natue and a violation of $uch ode$ i$ not a o8en$e #uni$ha(le (* law unle$$
the $tatute e7#e$$l* #enali+e$ $uch violation/
FACTSQ In %eb& 1915, all o- t'e carabao belonging to acc"e!, <anlilio 'aving
been e:poe! to t'e !angero" an! contagio" !ieae .nown a rin!erpet,
were, in accor!ance wit' an or!er o- !"l#,a"t'ori>e! agent o- t'e +irector o-
Agric"lt"re, !"l# D"arantine! in a corral in t'e barrio o- 9aamat, <ampangaI
t'at, on ai! place, <anlilio, illegall# an! vol"ntaril# an! wit'o"t being
a"t'ori>e! o to !o, an! w'ile t'e D"arantine againt ai! carabao wa till
in -orce, permitte! an! or!ere! ai! carabao to be ta.en -rom t'e corral in
w'ic' t'e# were t'en D"arantine! an! con!"cte! -rom one place to anot'erI
t'at b# virt"e o- ai! or!er o- t'e acc"e!, 'i ervant an! agent too. t'e
ai! carabao -rom t'e ai! corral an! !rove t'em -rom one place to anot'er
-or t'e p"rpoe o- wor.ing t'em&
T'e acc"e! wa convicte! o- violation o- Act 1;6A relating to t'e
D"arantining o- animal "(ering -rom !angero" comm"nicable or
contagio" !ieae an! entencing 'im to pa# a 4ne o- <8A wit' "bi!iar#
imprionment in cae o- inolvenc# an! to pa# t'e cot o- trial& T'e acc"e!
conten! t'at t'e -act allege! in t'e in-ormation an! prove! on t'e trial !o
not contit"te a violation o- Act 6o& 1;6A
SSU!Q $'et'er acc"e! can be penali>e! -or violation o- t'e or!er o- t'e
B"rea" o- Agric"lt"reG
"!#$Q 6/& 6ow'ere in t'e law i t'e violation o- t'e or!er o- t'e B"rea" o-
Agric"lt"re pro'ibite! or ma!e "nlaw-"l, nor i t'ere provi!e! an# p"ni'ment
-or a violation o- "c' or!er& Section 7 o- Act 6o& 1;6A provi!e t'at an#
peron violating an# o- t'e proviion o- t'e Act 'all, "pon conviction, be
p"ni'e!& ?owever, t'e onl# ection o- t'e Act w'ic' pro'ibit act an!
prono"nce t'em a "nlaw-"l are Section 5, 8 an! 0& T'i cae !oe not -all
wit'in an# o- t'em& A violation o- t'e or!er o- t'e B"rea" o- Agric"lt"re, a
a"t'ori>e! b# paragrap', i not a violation o- t'e proviion o- t'e Act& T'e
or!er o- t'e B"rea" o- Agric"lt"re, w'ile t'e# ma# poibl# be ai! to 'ave
t'e -orce o- law, are tat"te an! partic"larl# not penal tat"te, an! a
violation o- "c' or!er i not a penal o(ene "nle t'e tat"te itel-
omew'ere ma.e a violation t'ereo- "nlaw-"l an! penali>e it& 6ow'ere in
Act 6o& 1;6A i a violation o- t'e or!er o- t'e B"rea" o- Agric"lt"re ma!e a
penal o(ene, nor i "c' violation p"ni'e! in an# wa# t'erein& ?owever, t'e
acc"e! !i! violate Art& 071, par * o- t'e <enal Co!e w'ic' p"ni'e an#
peron w'o violate reg"lation or or!inance wit' re-erence to epi!emic
!ieae among animal&
A'aGada Guro ,arty #ist vs. ,urisima
G.&. 2o. 3<<B397 August 347 688H
FACTS:
1& T'i petition -or pro'ibition

ee. to prevent repon!ent -rom
implementing an! en-orcing Rep"blic Act (RA) 9550

(Attrition Act o-
*AA0)&
RA 9550 wa enacte! to optimi>e t'e reven"e,generation capabilit#
an! collection o- t'e B"rea" o- Internal Reven"e (BIR) an! t'e B"rea"
o- C"tom (B/C)& T'e law inten! to enco"rage BIR an! B/C o3cial
an! emplo#ee to e:cee! t'eir reven"e target b# provi!ing a #tem
o- rewar! an! anction t'ro"g' t'e creation o- a Rewar! an!
Incentive %"n! (%"n!) an! a Reven"e <er-ormance Eval"ation Boar!
(Boar!)& It cover all o3cial an! emplo#ee o- t'e BIR an! t'e B/C
wit' at leat i: mont' o- ervice, regar!le o- emplo#ment tat"
*& <etitioner, invo.ing t'eir rig't a ta:pa#er 4le! t'i petition
c'allenging t'e contit"tionalit# o- RA 9550, a ta: re-orm legilation&
T'e# contend that7 'y esta'lishing a system of re-ards and
incentives7 the la- ItransformJsK the ofcials and employees
of the +& and the +OC into mercenaries and 'ounty huntersI
as they -ill do their 'est only in consideration of such
re-ards. ,etitioners also assail the creation of a
congressional oversight committee on the ground that it
violates the doctrine of separation of po-ers7 -or it permit
legilative participation in t'e implementation an! en-orcement o- t'e
law&
SSU!: $/6 t'e =oint congreional committee i vali! an! contit"tional
"!#$: 6o& It i "ncontit"tional&
In t'e cae o- 9acalintal, in t'e !ic"ion o- )& <"no, the po-er of
oversight em'races all activities undertaGen 'y Congress to enhance
its understanding of and inLuence over the implementation of
legislation it has enacted. Clearly7 oversight concerns post!
enactment measures undertaGen 'y Congress: CaD to monitor
'ureaucratic compliance -ith program o'>ectives7 C'D to determine
-hether agencies are properly administered7 CcD to eliminate
e=ecutive -aste and dishonesty7 CdD to prevent e=ecutive usurpation
of legislative authority7 and CdD to assess e=ecutive conformity -ith
the congressional perception of pu'lic interest. T'e power o- overig't
'a been 'el! to be intrinic in t'e grant o- legilative power itel- an!
integral to t'e c'ec. an! balance in'erent in a !emocratic #tem o-
government
$it' t'i bac.!rop, it i clear t'at congreional overig't i not
"ncontit"tional #e $e, meaning, it neit'er necearil# contit"te an
encroac'ment on t'e e:ec"tive power to implement law nor "n!ermine t'e
contit"tional eparation o- power& Rat'er, it i integral to t'e c'ec. an!
balance in'erent in a !emocratic #tem o- government& It ma# in -act even
en'ance t'e eparation o- power a it prevent t'e over,acc"m"lation o-
power in t'e e:ec"tive branc'&
"o-ever7 to forestall the danger of congressional encroachment
I'eyond the legislative sphere7I the Constitution imposes t-o 'asic
and related constraints on Congress& It ma# not vet itel-, an# o- it
committee or it member wit' eit'er e:ec"tive or ="!icial power&

An!, w'en
it e:ercie it legilative power, it m"t -ollow t'e Eingle, 4nel# wro"g't an!
e:'a"tivel# coni!ere!, proce!"reE peci4e! "n!er t'e Contit"tion
incl"!ing t'e proce!"re -or enactment o- law an! preentment&
T'", an# pot,enactment congreional mea"re "c' a t'i 'o"l! be
limite! to cr"tin# an! invetigation& In partic"lar, congreional overig't
m"t be con4ne! to t'e -ollowingQ (1) cr"tin# bae! primaril# on CongreB
power o- appropriation an! t'e b"!get 'earing con!"cte! in connection wit'
it, it power to a. 'ea! o- !epartment to appear be-ore an! be 'ear! b#
eit'er o- it ?o"e on an# matter pertaining to t'eir !epartment an! it
power o- con4rmation

an! (*) invetigation an! monitoring

o- t'e
implementation o- law p"r"ant to t'e power o- Congre to con!"ct
inD"irie in ai! o- legilation&
An# action or tep be#on! t'at will "n!ermine t'e eparation o- power
g"arantee! b# t'e Contit"tion& Legilative vetoe -all in t'i cla&
Legilative veto i a tat"tor# proviion reD"iring t'e <rei!ent or an
a!minitrative agenc# to preent t'e propoe! implementing r"le an!
reg"lation o- a law to Congre w'ic', b# itel- or t'ro"g' a committee
-orme! b# it, retain a Erig'tE or EpowerE to approve or !iapprove "c'
reg"lation be-ore t'e# ta.e e(ect& A "c', a legilative veto in t'e -orm o- a
congreional overig't committee i in t'e -orm o- an inwar!,t"rning
!elegation !eigne! to attac' a congreional lea' (ot'er t'an t'ro"g'
cr"tin# an! invetigation) to an agenc# to w'ic' Congre 'a b# law initiall#
!elegate! broa! power& It ra!icall# c'ange t'e !eign or tr"ct"re o- t'e
Contit"tionB !iagram o- power a it entr"t to Congre a !irect role in
en-orcing, appl#ing or implementing it own law&
+elgica vs. "onora'le !=ecutive Secretary
G/R/ .o/ ?0AC66 Political Law Con$titutional Law Local Goven!ent
;nvalid 5ele-ation
Le-i$lative 5e#at!ent ;nvalid 5ele-ation of Le-i$lative Powe
T'i cae i conoli!ate! wit' 2&R& 6o& *A7895 an! 2&R& 6o& *A9*01&
FACTS: T'e o,calle! por. barrel #tem 'a been aro"n! in t'e <'ilippine
ince abo"t 19**& <or. Barrel i commonl# .nown a t'e l"mp,"m,
!icretionar# -"n! o- t'e member o- t'e Congre& It "n!erwent everal
legal !eignation -rom RCon-e$$ional Po9 DaelS to t'e latet RPioit*
5evelo#!ent A$$i$tance FundS or ,$AF& T'e allocation -or t'e por. barrel i
integrate! in t'e ann"al Geneal A##o#iation$ Act (2AA)&
Since *A11, t'e allocation o- t'e <+A% 'a been !one in t'e -ollowing mannerQ
a& ,B8 millionQ -or eac' member o- t'e lower 'o"eI bro.en !own to @ <8A
million -or Rhad #o=ect$S (in-ratr"ct"re pro=ect li.e roa!, b"il!ing,
c'ool, etc&), an! <5A million -or R$oft #o=ect$S (c'olar'ip grant, me!ical
aitance, liveli'oo! program, IT !evelopment, etc&)I
b& ,688 millionQ -or eac' enatorI bro.en !own to @ <1AA million -or 'ar!
pro=ect, <1AA million -or o-t pro=ectI
c& ,688 millionQ -or t'e Mice,<rei!entI bro.en !own to @ <1AA million -or 'ar!
pro=ect, <1AA million -or o-t pro=ect&
T'e <+A% article in t'e 2AA !o provi!e -or realignment of funds w'ereb#
certain cabinet member ma# reD"et -or t'e realignment o- -"n! into t'eir
!epartment provi!e! t'at t'e reD"et -or realignment i approve! or
conc"rre! b# t'e legilator concerne!&
Pe$idential Po9 Dael
T'e prei!ent !oe 'ave 'i own o"rce o- -"n! albeit not incl"!e! in t'e
2AA& T'e o,calle! prei!ential por. barrel come -rom two o"rceQ (a)
t'e 9alampa#a %"n!, -rom t'e 9alampa#a 2a <ro=ect @ t'i 'a been
aro"n! ince 19;6, an! (b) t'e <rei!ential Social %"n! w'ic' i !erive! -rom
t'e earning o- <A2C/R @ t'i 'a been aro"n! ince abo"t 1975&
Po9 Dael Sca! Contove$*
Ever ince, t'e por. barrel #tem 'a been beiege! b# allegation o-
corr"ption& In )"l# *A15, i: w'itle blower, 'ea!e! b# Ben'"r L"#, e:poe!
t'at -or t'e lat !eca!e, t'e corr"ption in t'e por. barrel #tem 'a! been
-acilitate! b# )anet Lim 6apole& 6apole 'a! been 'elping lawma.er in
-"nneling t'eir por. barrel -"n! into abo"t *A bog" 62/F (non,government
organi>ation) w'ic' wo"l! ma.e it appear t'at government -"n! are being
"e! in legit e:iting pro=ect b"t are in -act going to Rg'otS pro=ect& An
a"!it wa t'en con!"cte! b# t'e Commiion on A"!it an! t'e re"lt t'ereo-
conc"rre! wit' t'e e:poe o- L"# et al&
9otivate! b# t'e -oregoing, 2reco Belgica an! everal ot'er, 4le! vario"
petition be-ore t'e S"preme Co"rt D"etioning t'e contit"tionalit# o- t'e
por. barrel #tem&
SSU!S:
I& $'et'er or not t'e congreional por. barrel #tem i contit"tional&
II& $'et'er or not prei!ential por. barrel #tem i contit"tional&
"!#$:
. 6o, t'e congreional por. barrel #tem i "ncontit"tional& It i
"ncontit"tional beca"e it violate t'e -ollowing principleQ
a/ Se#aation of Powe$
A a r"le, t'e b"!geting power lie in Congre& It reg"late t'e releae o-
-"n! (power o- t'e p"re)& T'e e:ec"tive, on t'e ot'er 'an!, implement t'e
law @ t'i incl"!e t'e 2AA to w'ic' t'e <+A% i a part o-& /nl# t'e e:ec"tive
ma# implement t'e law b"t "n!er t'e por. barrel #tem, w'atF 'appening
wa t'at, a-ter t'e 2AA, itel- a law, wa enacte!, t'e legilator t'emelve
!ictate a to w'ic' pro=ect t'eir <+A% -"n! 'o"l! be allocate! to @ a clear
act o- implementing t'e law t'e# enacte! @ a violation o- t'e principle o-
eparation o- power& (6ote in t'e ol!er cae o- <?ILC/6SA v EnriD"e>, it
wa r"le! t'at por. barrel, t'en calle! a C+% or t'e Co"ntr#wi!e
+evelopment %"n!, wa contit"tional ino-ar a t'e legilator onl#
recommen! w'ere t'eir por. barrel -"n! go)&
T'i i alo 'ig'lig'te! b# t'e -act t'at in realigning t'e <+A%, t'e e:ec"tive
will till 'ave to get t'e conc"rrence o- t'e legilator concerne!&
(/ .on-dele-a(ilit* of Le-i$lative Powe
A a r"le, t'e Contit"tion vet legilative power in Congre alone& (T'e
Contit"tion !oe grant t'e people legilative power b"t onl# ino-ar a t'e
procee o- re-eren!"m an! initiative are concerne!)& T'at being, legilative
power cannot be !elegate! b# Congre -or it cannot !elegate -"rt'er t'at
w'ic' wa !elegate! to it b# t'e Contit"tion&
E:ception to t'e r"le areQ
(i) !elegate! legilative power to local government "nit b"t t'i 'all involve
p"rel# local matterI
(ii) a"t'orit# o- t'e <rei!ent to, b# law, e:ercie power necear# an! proper
to carr# o"t a !eclare! national polic# in time o- war or ot'er national
emergenc#, or 4: wit'in peci4e! limit, an! "b=ect to "c' limitation an!
retriction a Congre ma# impoe, tari( rate, import an! e:port D"ota,
tonnage an! w'ar-age !"e, an! ot'er !"tie or impot wit'in t'e -ramewor.
o- t'e national !evelopment program o- t'e 2overnment&
In t'i cae, t'e <+A% article w'ic' allow t'e in!ivi!"al legilator to i!enti-#
t'e pro=ect to w'ic' 'i <+A% mone# 'o"l! go to i a violation o- t'e r"le on
non,!elegabilit# o- legilative power& T'e power to appropriate -"n! i olel#
lo!ge! in Congre (in t'e two 'o"e compriing it) collectivel# an! not
lo!ge! in t'e in!ivi!"al member& %"rt'er, now'ere in t'e e:ception !oe it
tate t'at t'e Congre can !elegate t'e power to t'e in!ivi!"al member o-
Congre&
c/ Pinci#le of Chec9$ and Dalance$
/ne -eat"re in t'e principle o- c'ec. an! balance i t'e power o- t'e
prei!ent to veto item in t'e 2AA w'ic' 'e ma# !eem to be inappropriate&
B"t t'i power i alrea!# being "n!ermine! beca"e o- t'e -act t'at once t'e
2AA i approve!, t'e legilator can now i!enti-# t'e pro=ect to w'ic' 'e will
appropriate 'i <+A%& 1n!er "c' #tem, 'ow can t'e prei!ent veto t'e
appropriation ma!e b# t'e legilator i- t'e appropriation i ma!e a-ter t'e
approval o- t'e 2AA @ again, RCongre cannot c'ooe a mo!e o- b"!geting
w'ic' e(ectivel# ren!er t'e contit"tionall#,given power o- t'e <rei!ent
"ele&S
d/ Local Autono!*
A a r"le, t'e local government 'ave t'e power to manage t'eir local a(air&
T'ro"g' t'eir Local +evelopment Co"ncil (L+C), t'e L21 can !evelop t'eir
own program an! policie concerning t'eir localitie& B"t wit' t'e <+A%,
partic"larl# on t'e part o- t'e member o- t'e 'o"e o- repreentative,
w'atF 'appening i t'at a congreman can eit'er b#pa or !"plicate a
pro=ect b# t'e L+C an! later on claim it a 'i own& T'i i an intance w'ere
t'e national government (note, a congreman i a national o3cer) me!!le
wit' t'e a(air o- t'e local government @ an! t'i i contrar# to t'e State
polic# embo!ie! in t'e Contit"tion on local a"tonom#& ItF goo! i- t'atF all
t'at i 'appening "n!er t'e por. barrel #tem b"t wore, t'e <+A% become
more o- a peronal -"n! on t'e part o- legilator&
. Ce, t'e prei!ential por. barrel i vali!&
T'e main i"e raie! b# Belgica et al againt t'e prei!ential por. barrel i
t'at it i "ncontit"tional beca"e it violate Section *9 (1), Article MI o- t'e
Contit"tion w'ic' provi!eQ
.o !one* $hall (e #aid out of the Tea$u* e7ce#t in #u$uance of an
appropriation !ade (* law/
Belgica et al emp'ai>e! t'at t'e prei!ential por. come -rom t'e earning
o- t'e 9alampa#a an! <A2C/R an! not -rom an# appropriation -rom a
partic"lar legilation&
T'e S"preme Co"rt !iagree a it r"le! t'at <+ 91A, w'ic' create! t'e
9alampa#a %"n!, a well a <+ 1769 (a amen!e! b# <+ 1995), w'ic'
amen!e! <A2C/RF c'arter, provi!e! -or t'e appropriation, to witQ
(i) <+ 91AQ Section 7 t'ereo- provi!e t'at all -ee, among ot'er, collecte!
-rom certain energ#,relate! vent"re 'all -orm part o- a pecial -"n! (t'e
9alampa#a %"n!) w'ic' 'all be "e! to -"rt'er 4nance energ# reo"rce
!evelopment an! -or ot'er p"rpoe w'ic' t'e <rei!ent ma# !irectI
(ii) <+ 1769, a amen!e!Q Section 1* t'ereo- provi!e t'at a part o- <A2C/RF
earning 'all be allocate! to a 2eneral %"n! (t'e <rei!ential Social %"n!)
w'ic' 'all be "e! in government in-ratr"ct"re pro=ect&
T'ee are "3cient law w'ic' met t'e reD"irement o- Section *9, Article MI
o- t'e Contit"tion& T'e appropriation contemplate! t'erein !oe not 'ave to
be a partic"lar appropriation a it can be a general appropriation a in t'e
cae o- <+ 91A an! <+ 1769&
Araullo vs. A*uino
Political Law Con$titutional Law Se#aation of Powe$ Fund Reali-n!ent
Con$titutionalit* of the 5i$(u$e!ent Acceleation Po-a!
Powe of the Pu$e "7ecutive ;!#ound!ent
FACTS: $'en <rei!ent Benigno AD"ino III too. o3ce, 'i a!minitration
notice! t'e l"ggi' growt' o- t'e econom#& T'e $orl! Ban. a!vie! t'at t'e
econom# nee!e! a tim"l" plan& B"!get Secretar# %lorencio RB"tc'S Aba!
t'en came "p wit' a program calle! t'e +ib"rement Acceleration <rogram
(+A<)&
T'e +A< wa een a a reme!# to pee! "p t'e -"n!ing o- government
pro=ect& +A< enable t'e E:ec"tive to realign -"n! -rom low moving
pro=ect to priorit# pro=ect intea! o- waiting -or ne:t #earF appropriation& So
w'at 'appen "n!er t'e +A< wa t'at i- a certain government pro=ect i being
"n!erta.en lowl# b# a certain e:ec"tive agenc#, t'e -"n! allotte! t'ere-or
will be wit'!rawn b# t'e E:ec"tive& /nce wit'!rawn, t'ee -"n! are !eclare!
a RavingS b# t'e E:ec"tive an! ai! -"n! will t'en be reallotte! to ot'er
priorit# pro=ect& T'e +A< program !i! wor. to tim"late t'e econom# a
economic growt' wa in -act reporte! an! portion o- "c' growt' wa
attrib"te! to t'e +A< (a note! b# t'e S"preme Co"rt)&
/t'er o"rce o- t'e +A< incl"!e t'e "nprogramme! -"n! -rom t'e 2eneral
Appropriation Act (2AA)& 1nprogramme! -"n! are tan!b# appropriation
ma!e b# Congre in t'e 2AA&
9eanw'ile, in September *A15, Senator )inggo# Etra!a ma!e an e:po[
claiming t'at 'e, an! ot'er Senator, receive! <'p0A9 -rom t'e <rei!ent a
an incentive -or voting in -avor o- t'e impeac'ment o- t'en C'ie- )"tice
Renato Corona& Secretar# Aba! claime! t'at t'e mone# wa ta.en -rom t'e
+A< b"t wa !ib"re! "pon t'e reD"et o- t'e Senator&
T'i apparentl# opene! a can o- worm a it t"rn o"t t'at t'e +A< !oe not
onl# realign -"n! wit'in t'e E:ec"tive& It t"rn o"t t'at ome non,E:ec"tive
pro=ect were alo -"n!e!I to name a -ewQ <'p1&0B -or t'e C<LA (Cor!illera
<eopleF Liberation Arm#), <'p1&7B -or t'e 96L% (9oro 6ational Liberation
%ront), <;AA9 -or t'e N"e>on <rovince, <0A,<1AA9 -or certain Senator eac',
<1AB -or Relocation <ro=ect, etc&
T'i prompte! 9aria Carolina Ara"llo, C'airperon o- t'e Da-on- Al*an$an-
%a9a(a*an, an! everal ot'er concerne! citi>en to 4le vario" petition wit'
t'e S"preme Co"rt D"etioning t'e vali!it# o- t'e +A<& Among t'eir
contention waQ
+A< i "ncontit"tional beca"e it violate t'e contit"tional r"le w'ic'
provi!e t'at Rno !one* $hall (e #aid out of the Tea$u* e7ce#t in #u$uance
of an a##o#iation !ade (* law&S
Secretar# Aba! arg"e! t'at t'e +A< i bae! on certain law partic"larl# t'e
2AA (aving an! a"gmentation proviion t'ereo-), Sec& *0(0), Art& MI o- t'e
Contit"tion (power o- t'e <rei!ent to a"gment), Sec& 57 an! 89 o-
E:ec"tive /r!er *9* (power o- t'e <rei!ent to "pen! e:pen!it"re an!
a"t'orit# to "e aving, repectivel#)&
ssues:
I& $'et'er or not t'e +A< violate t'e principle Rno mone# 'all be pai! o"t o-
t'e Trea"r# e:cept in p"r"ance o- an appropriation ma!e b# lawS (Sec&
*9(1), Art& MI, Contit"tion)&
II& $'et'er or not t'e +A< realignment can be coni!ere! a impo"n!ment
b# t'e e:ec"tive&
III& $'et'er or not t'e +A< realignmentTtran-er are contit"tional&
IM& $'et'er or not t'e o"rcing o- "nprogramme! -"n! to t'e +A< i
contit"tional&
M& $'et'er or not t'e +octrine o- /perative %act i applicable&
"!#$:
. 6o, t'e +A< !i! not violate Section *9(1), Art& MI o- t'e Contit"tion& +A<
wa merel# a program b# t'e E:ec"tive an! i not a -"n! nor i it an
appropriation& It i a program -or prioriti>ing government pen!ing& A "c', it
!i! not violate t'e Contit"tional proviion cite! in Section *9(1), Art& MI o- t'e
Contit"tion& In +A< no a!!itional -"n! were wit'!rawn -rom t'e Trea"r#
ot'erwie, an appropriation ma!e b# law wo"l! 'ave been reD"ire!& %"n!,
w'ic' were alrea!# appropriate! -or b# t'e 2AA, were merel# being realigne!
via t'e +A<&
. 6o, t'ere i no e:ec"tive impo"n!ment in t'e +A<& Impo"n!ment o- -"n!
re-er to t'e <rei!entF power to re-"e to pen! appropriation or to retain
or !e!"ct appropriation -or w'atever reaon& Impo"n!ment i act"all#
pro'ibite! b# t'e 2AA "nle t'ere will be an "nmanageable national
government b"!get !e4cit (w'ic' !i! not 'appen)& 6evert'ele, t'ereF no
impo"n!ment in t'e cae at bar beca"e w'atF involve! in t'e +A< wa t'e
tran-er o- -"n!&
. 6o, t'e tran-er ma!e t'ro"g' t'e +A< were "ncontit"tional& It i tr"e
t'at t'e <rei!ent (an! even t'e 'ea! o- t'e ot'er branc'e o- t'e
government) are allowe! b# t'e Contit"tion to ma.e realignment o- -"n!,
'owever, "c' tran-er or realignment 'o"l! onl# be ma!e Rwit'in t'eir
repective o3ceS& T'", no cro,bor!er tran-erTa"gmentation ma# be
allowe!& B"t "n!er t'e +A<, t'i wa violate! beca"e -"n! appropriate! b#
t'e 2AA -or t'e E:ec"tive were being tran-erre! to t'e Legilative an! ot'er
non,E:ec"tive agencie&
%"rt'er, tran-er Rwit'in t'eir repective o3ceS alo contemplate
realignment o- -"n! to an e:iting pro=ect in t'e 2AA& 1n!er t'e +A<, even
t'o"g' ome pro=ect were wit'in t'e E:ec"tive, t'ee pro=ect are non,
e:itent ino-ar a t'e 2AA i concerne! beca"e no -"n! were appropriate!
to t'em in t'e 2AA& Alt'o"g' ome o- t'ee pro=ect ma# be legitimate, t'e#
are till non,e:itent "n!er t'e 2AA beca"e t'e# were not provi!e! -or b#
t'e 2AA& A "c', tran-er to "c' pro=ect i "ncontit"tional an! i wit'o"t
legal bai&
'n the i$$ue of what ae 0$avin-$1
T'ee +A< tran-er are not RavingS contrar# to w'at wa being !eclare! b#
t'e E:ec"tive& 1n!er t'e !e4nition o- RavingS in t'e 2AA, aving onl#
occ"r, among ot'er intance, w'en t'ere i an e:ce in t'e -"n!ing o- a
certain pro=ect once it i complete!, 4nall# !icontin"e!, or 4nall# aban!one!&
T'e 2AA !oe not re-er to RavingS a -"n! wit'!rawn -rom a low moving
pro=ect& T'", ince t'e tat"tor# !e4nition o- aving wa not complie! wit'
"n!er t'e +A<, t'ere i no bai at all -or t'e tran-er& %"rt'er, aving
'o"l! onl# be !eclare! at t'e en! o- t'e 4cal #ear& B"t "n!er t'e +A<, -"n!
are alrea!# being wit'!rawn -rom certain pro=ect in t'e mi!!le o- t'e #ear
an! t'en being !eclare! a RavingS b# t'e E:ec"tive partic"larl# b# t'e
+B9&
F. 6o& 1nprogramme! -"n! -rom t'e 2AA cannot be "e! a mone# o"rce
-or t'e +A< beca"e "n!er t'e law, "c' -"n! ma# onl# be "e! i- t'ere i a
certi4cation -rom t'e 6ational Trea"rer to t'e e(ect t'at t'e reven"e
collection 'ave e:cee!e! t'e reven"e target& In t'i cae, no "c'
certi4cation wa ec"re! be-ore "nprogramme! -"n! were "e!&
F. Ce& T'e +octrine o- /perative %act, w'ic' recogni>e t'e legal e(ect o- an
act prior to it being !eclare! a "ncontit"tional b# t'e S"preme Co"rt, i
applicable& T'e +A< 'a !e4nitel# 'elpe! tim"late t'e econom#& It 'a
-"n!e! n"mero" pro=ect& I- t'e E:ec"tive i or!ere! to revere all action
"n!er t'e +A<, t'en it ma# ca"e more 'arm t'an goo!& T'e +A< e(ect can
no longer be "n!one& T'e bene4ciarie o- t'e +A< cannot be a.e! to ret"rn
w'at t'e# receive! epeciall# o t'at t'e# relie! on t'e vali!it# o- t'e +A<&
?owever, t'e +octrine o- /perative %act ma# not be applicable to t'e a"t'or,
implementer, an! proponent o- t'e +A< i- it i o -o"n! in t'e appropriate
trib"nal (civil, criminal, or a!minitrative) t'at t'e# 'ave not acte! in goo!
-ait'&
ARTICLE MI, Section 0(*)
Atong ,anlaum7 nc. vs. CO)!#!C
G/R/ .o/ ?03E66 Political Law Con$titutional Law Le-i$lative 5e#at!ent
Pat*-Li$t S*$te!
T'i cae partiall# aban!one! t'e r"ling in An-Da-on-Da*ani v$
C'%"L"Can! DA.AT v$ C'%"L"C&
FACTS: Atong<agla"m, Inc& an! 01 ot'er partie were !iD"ali4e! b# t'e
Commiion on Election in t'e 9a# *A15 part#,lit election -or vario"
reaon b"t primaril# -or not being D"ali4e! a repreentative -or
marginali>e! or "n!errepreente! ector&
Atong<agla"m et al t'en 4le! a petition -or certiorari againt C/9ELEC
alleging grave ab"e o- !icretion on t'e part o- C/9ELEC in !iD"ali-#ing
t'em&
SSU!: $'et'er or not t'e C/9ELEC committe! grave ab"e o- !icretion in
!iD"ali-#ing t'e ai! part#,lit&
"!#$: 6o& T'e C/9ELEC merel# -ollowe! t'e g"i!eline et in t'e cae o-
An- Da-on- Da*ani an! DA.AT& ?owever, t'e S"preme Co"rt reman!e! t'e
cae bac. to t'e C/9ELEC a t'e S"preme Co"rt now provi!e -or new
g"i!eline w'ic' aban!one! ome principle etabli'e! in t'e two
a-oretate! cae& T'e new g"i!eline are a -ollowQ
I& <arameter& In D"ali-#ing part#,lit, t'e C/9ELEC m"t "e t'e -ollowing
parameterQ
1& T'ree !i(erent gro"p ma# participate in t'e part#,lit #temQ (1) national
partie or organi>ation, (*) regional partie or organi>ation, an! (5) ectoral
partie or organi>ation&
*& 6ational partie or organi>ation an! regional partie or organi>ation !o
not nee! to organi>e along ectoral line an! !o not nee! to repreent an#
Rmarginali>e! an! "n!errepreente!S ector&
5& <olitical partie can participate in part#,lit election provi!e! t'e# regiter
"n!er t'e part#,lit #tem an! !o not 4el! can!i!ate in legilative !itrict
election& A political part#, w'et'er ma=or or not, t'at 4el! can!i!ate in
legilative !itrict election can participate in part#,lit election onl# t'ro"g'
it ectoral wing t'at can eparatel# regiter "n!er t'e part#,lit #tem& T'e
ectoral wing i b# itel- an in!epen!ent ectoral part#, an! i lin.e! to a
political part# t'ro"g' a coalition&
8& Sectoral partie or organi>ation ma# eit'er be Rmarginali>e! an!
"n!errepreente!S or lac.ing in Rwell,!e4ne! political contit"encie&S It i
eno"g' t'at t'eir principal a!vocac# pertain to t'e pecial interet an!
concern o- t'eir ector& T'e ector t'at are Rmarginali>e! an!
"n!errepreente!S incl"!e labor, peaant, 4'er-ol., "rban poor, in!igeno"
c"lt"ral comm"nitie, 'an!icappe!, veteran, an! overea wor.er& T'e
ector t'at lac. Rwell,!e4ne! political contit"encieS incl"!e pro-eional,
t'e el!erl#, women, an! t'e #o"t'&
0& A ma=orit# o- t'e member o- ectoral partie or organi>ation t'at
repreent t'e Rmarginali>e! an! "n!errepreente!S m"t belong to t'e
Rmarginali>e! an! "n!errepreente!S ector t'e# repreent& Similarl#, a
ma=orit# o- t'e member o- ectoral partie or organi>ation t'at lac. Rwell,
!e4ne! political contit"encieS m"t belong to t'e ector t'e# repreent& T'e
nominee o- ectoral partie or organi>ation t'at repreent t'e Rmarginali>e!
an! "n!errepreente!,S or t'at repreent t'oe w'o lac. Rwell,!e4ne!
political contit"encie,S eit'er m"t belong to t'eir repective ector, or
m"t 'ave a trac. recor! o- a!vocac# -or t'eir repective ector& T'e
nominee o- national an! regional partie or organi>ation m"t be bona,4!e
member o- "c' partie or organi>ation&
6& 6ational, regional, an! ectoral partie or organi>ation 'all not be
!iD"ali4e! i- ome o- t'eir nominee are !iD"ali4e!, provi!e! t'at t'e# 'ave
at leat one nominee w'o remain D"ali4e!&
. In t'e DA.AT cae, ma=or political partie are !iallowe!, a 'a alwa#
been t'e practice, -rom participating in t'e part#,lit election& B"t, ince
t'ereF reall# no contit"tional pro'ibition nor a tat"tor# pro'ibition, ma=or
political partie can now participate in t'e part#,lit #tem provi!e! t'at t'e#
!o o t'ro"g' t'eir bona 4!e ectoral wing (ee parameter 5 above)&
Allowing ma=or political partie to participate, albeit in!irectl#, in t'e part#,lit
election will enco"rage t'em to wor. ai!"o"l# in e:ten!ing t'eir
contit"encie to t'e Rmarginali>e! an! "n!errepreente!S an! to t'oe w'o
Rlac. well,!e4ne! political contit"encie&S
1ltimatel#, t'e S"preme Co"rt gave weig't to t'e !eliberation o- t'e
Contit"tional Commiion w'en t'e# were !ra-ting t'e part#,lit #tem
proviion o- t'e Contit"tion& T'e Commiioner !eliberate! t'at it wa t'eir
intention to incl"!e all partie into t'e part#,lit election in or!er to !evelop a
political #tem w'ic' i pl"ralitic an! m"ltipart#& (In t'e DA.AT cae, )"tice
<"no emp'ai>e! t'at t'e will o- t'e people 'o"l! !e-eat t'e intent o- t'e
-ramerI an! t'at t'e intent o- t'e people, in rati-#ing t'e 197; Contit"tion,
i t'at t'e part#,lit #tem 'o"l! be reerve! -or t'e marginali>e! ector&)
& T'e S"preme Co"rt alo emp'ai>e! t'at t'e part#,lit #tem i 6/T
RESERME+ -or t'e Rmarginali>e! an! "n!errepreente!S or -or partie w'o
lac. Rwell,!e4ne! political contit"encieS& It i alo -or national or regional
partie& It i alo -or mall i!eolog#,bae! an! ca"e,oriente! partie w'o lac.
Rwell,!e4ne! political contit"encieS& T'e common !enominator 'owever i
t'at all o- t'em cannot, t'e# !o not 'ave t'e mac'iner# @ "nli.e ma=or
political partie, to 4el! or ponor can!i!ate in t'e legilative !itrict b"t
t'e# can acD"ire t'e nee!e! vote in a national election #tem li.e t'e part#,
lit #tem o- election&
I- t'e part#,lit #tem i onl# reerve! -or marginali>e! repreentation, t'en
t'e #tem itel- "n!"l# e:cl"!e ot'er ca"e,oriente! gro"p -rom r"nning
-or a eat in t'e lower 'o"e&
A e:plaine! b# t'e S"preme Co"rt, part#,lit repreentation 'o"l! not be
"n!ertoo! to incl"!e onl# labor, peaant, 4'er-ol., "rban poor, in!igeno"
c"lt"ral comm"nitie, 'an!icappe!, veteran, overea wor.er, an! ot'er
ector t'at b# t'eir nat"re are economically at t'e margin o- ociet#& It
'o"l! be note! t'at Section 0 o- Rep"blic Act ;981 incl"!e, among ot'er,
in it proviion -or ectoral repreentation gro"p o- pro-eional, w'ic' are
not per e economicall# marginali>e! b"t are till D"ali4e! a Rmarginali>e!,
"n!errepreente!, an! !o not 'ave well,!e4ne! political contit"encieS a
t'e# are ideologically marginali(ed&
ARTICLE MI, Section 11
,o're vs. $efensor0Santiago
Facts: <obre a. t'at !ibarment procee!ing or ot'er !iciplinar# action
be ta.en againt Sen& Santiago on 'er peec' 'e !elivere! in t'e !ic'arge
o- 'er !"t# a member o- t'e Congre on t'e Senate Voor in"lting t'e
)"!icial Bar Co"ncil an! C'ie- )"tice <anganiban&
ssueQ $a t'e peec' o- Sen& Santiago wit'in contit"tional bo"n! o-
-ree!om o- peec'G
&ulingQ Ce& Alt'o"g' 'e 'a not categoricall# !enie! ma.ing "c'
tatement, 'e 'a "neD"ivocall# ai! ma.ing t'em a part o- 'er privilege
peec'& %or t'e above reaon, t'e plea o- Senator Santiago -or t'e !imial
o- t'e complaint -or !ibarment or !iciplinar# action i well ta.en& In!ee!, 'er
privilege peec' i not actionable criminall# or in a !iciplinar# procee!ing
"n!er t'e R"le o- Co"rt&
T'e Co"rt, 'owever, wi'e to e:pre it !eep concern abo"t t'e lang"age
Senator Santiago, a member o- t'e Bar, "e! in 'er peec' an! it e(ect on
t'e a!minitration o- ="tice& To t'e Co"rt, t'e la!# enator 'a "n!o"bte!l#
croe! t'e limit o- !ecenc# an! goo! pro-eional con!"ct& It i at once
apparent t'at 'er tatement in D"etion were intemperate an! 'ig'l#
improper in "btance&
&Anothe 5i-e$t)
In t'e recent a!minitrative cae o- A2T!&O %. ,O+&! vs. Sen. )&A)
$!F!2SO&0 SA2TAGO7 A.C. 2o. B:;;7 August 697 688;7 t'e <'ilippine
S"preme Co"rt !imie! t'e letter,complaint o- Antero )& <obre againt
SenatorTAtt#& 9iriam +e-enor,Santiago, con-ormabl# to Art& MI, Sec& 11 o- t'e
Contit"tion, b"t catigate!, o to pea., t'e -eit# an! aggreive, i- not -o"l,
mo"t', repon!ent la!# enator -or "ing w'at I wo"l! call intemperate an!
'ate,4lle! lang"age in a privilege peec' 'e 'a! !elivere! be-ore t'e
<'ilippine Senate w'ic' wa !irecte! againt t'e <'ilippine S"preme Co"rt
C'ie- )"tice Artemio <anganiban an! t'e )"!icial an! Bar Co"ncil ()BC)&
T'e )BC 'a! previo"l# re=ecte! 'er nomination a C'ie- )"tice o- t'e
<'ilippine S"preme Co"rt&
I am tr"l# gla! t'e )BC 'a! re=ecte! 'er nomination to t'e 'ig'et trib"nal o-
t'e lan!, coni!ering 'er notorio" p"blic image a a war,-rea. peron&
In t'e a-orecite! cae, alt'o"g' t'e Co"rt 'el! t'at t'e privilege peec' o- t'e
combative la!# enator wa not actionable criminall# or in a !iciplinar#
procee!ing "n!er t'e R"le o- Co"rt, it 'owever e:pree! it !eep concern
abo"t t'e lang"age Senator Santiago, a member o- t'e Bar, "e! in 'er
peec' an! it e(ect on t'e a!minitration o- ="tice& To the Court7 the lady
senator has undou'tedly crossed the limits of decency and good
professional conduct. t is at once apparent that her statements in
*uestion -ere intemperate and highly improper in su'stance. To
reiterate7 she -as *uoted as stating that she -anted Mto spit on the
face of Chief %ustice Artemio ,angani'an and his cohorts in the
Supreme Court7N and calling the Court a MSupreme Court of idiots.N
T'e o(enive an! !irepect-"l wor! o- t'e la!# enator were a -ollowQ
M= = = am not angry. am irate. am foaming in the mouth. am
homicidal. am suicidal. am humiliated7 de'ased7 degraded. And
am not only that7 feel liGe thro-ing up to 'e living my middle years
in a country of this nature. am nauseated. spit on the face of Chief
%ustice Artemio ,angani'an and his cohorts in the Supreme Court7
am no longer interested in the position Jof Chief %usticeK if -as to 'e
surrounded 'y idiots. -ould rather 'e in another environment 'ut
not in the Supreme Court of idiots = = =.N
Let me !iget t'e cae -or legal reearc' p"rpoe&
In 'i worn letterTcomplaint !ate! +ecember **, *AA6, wit' enclo"re,
Antero )& <obre invite! t'e Co"rtF attention to t'e -ollowing e:cerpt o-
Senator 9iriam +e-enor,SantiagoF peec' !elivere! on t'e Senate VoorQ
E: : : I am not angr#& I am irate& I am -oaming in t'e mo"t'& I am 'omici!al& I
am "ici!al& I am '"miliate!, !ebae!, !egra!e!& An! I am not onl# t'at, I -eel
li.e t'rowing "p to be living m# mi!!le #ear in a co"ntr# o- t'i nat"re& I am
na"eate!& I pit on t'e -ace o- C'ie- )"tice Artemio <anganiban an! 'i
co'ort in t'e S"preme Co"rt, I am no longer interete! in t'e poition Jo-
C'ie- )"ticeK i- I wa to be "rro"n!e! b# i!iot& I wo"l! rat'er be in anot'er
environment b"t not in t'e S"preme Co"rt o- i!iot : : :&E
To <obre, t'e -oregoing tatement reVecte! a total !irepect on t'e part o-
t'e pea.er towar! t'en C'ie- )"tice Artemio <anganiban an! t'e ot'er
member o- t'e Co"rt an! contit"te! !irect contempt o- co"rt& Accor!ingl#,
<obre a.e! t'at !ibarment procee!ing or ot'er !iciplinar# action be
ta.en againt t'e la!# enator&
In 'er comment on t'e complaint !ate! April *0, *AA;, Senator Santiago,
t'ro"g' co"nel, !i! not !en# ma.ing t'e a-oreD"ote! tatement& S'e,
'owever, e:plaine! t'at t'oe tatement were covere! b# t'e contit"tional
proviion on parliamentar# imm"nit#, being part o- a peec' 'e !elivere! in
t'e !ic'arge o- 'er !"t# a member o- Congre or it committee& T'e
p"rpoe o- 'er peec', accor!ing to 'er, wa to bring o"t in t'e open
controverial anomalie in governance wit' a view to -"t"re reme!ial
legilation& S'e averre! t'at 'e wante! to e:poe w'at 'e believe! Rto be
an "n="t act o- t'e )"!icial Bar Co"ncil J)BCK,S w'ic', a-ter en!ing o"t p"blic
invitation -or nomination to t'e oon to,be vacate! poition o- C'ie- )"tice,
wo"l! event"all# in-orm applicant t'at onl# inc"mbent ="tice o- t'e
S"preme Co"rt wo"l! D"ali-# -or nomination& S'e -elt t'at t'e )BC 'o"l! 'ave
at leat given an a!vance! a!vior# t'at non,itting member o- t'e Co"rt,
li.e 'er, wo"l! not be coni!ere! -or t'e poition o- C'ie- )"tice&
T'e imm"nit# Senator Santiago claim i roote! primaril# on t'e proviion o-
Article MI, Section 11 o- t'e Contit"tion, w'ic' provi!eQ RA Senator or
9ember o- t'e ?o"e o- Repreentative 'all, in all o(ene p"ni'able b# not
more t'an i: #ear imprionment, be privilege! -rom arret w'ile t'e
Congre i in eion& 6o member 'all be D"etione! nor be 'el! liable in
an# ot'er place -or an# peec' or !ebate in t'e Congre or in an# committee
t'ereo-&S
/"r Contit"tion en'rine parliamentar# imm"nit# to enable an! enco"rage
a repreentative o- t'e p"blic to !ic'arge 'i p"blic tr"t wit' 4rmne an!
"cce -or it i in!ipenabl# necear# t'at 'e 'o"l! en=o# t'e -"llet
libert# o- peec' an! t'at 'e 'o"l! be protecte! -rom reentment o- ever#
one, 'owever, power-"l, to w'om t'e e:ercie o- t'at libert# ma# occaion
o(ene, t'e Co"rt ai!, citing previo" !eci!e! cae&
$it'o"t parliamentar# imm"nit#, parliament, or it eD"ivalent, wo"l!
!egenerate into a polite an! ine(ective !ebating -or"m& Legilator are
imm"ne -rom !eterrent to t'e "nin'ibite! !ic'arge o- t'eir legilative
!"tie, not -or t'eir private in!"lgence, b"t -or t'e p"blic goo!& T'e privilege
wo"l! be o- little val"e i- t'e# co"l! be "b=ecte! to t'e cot an!
inconvenience an! !itraction o- a trial "pon a concl"ion o- t'e plea!er, or
to t'e 'a>ar! o- a ="!gment againt t'em bae! "pon a ="!geF pec"lation a
to t'e motive&
T'e Co"rt ai! t'at it !oe not inter-ere wit' t'e legilat"re or it member in
t'e manner t'e# per-orm t'eir -"nction in t'e legilative Voor or in
committee room& An# claim o- an "nwort'# p"rpoe or o- t'e -alit# an! mala
4!e o- t'e tatement "ttere! b# t'e member o- t'e Congre !oe not
!etro# t'e privilege& T'e !iciplinar# a"t'orit# o- t'e aembl# an! t'e
voter, not t'e co"rt, can properl# !ico"rage or correct "c' ab"e
committe! in t'e name o- parliamentar# imm"nit#&
Alt'o"g' t'e Co"rt 'el! t'at t'e privilege peec' o- t'e combative la!#
enator wa not actionable criminall# or in a !iciplinar# procee!ing "n!er t'e
R"le o- Co"rt, it -elt, 'owever, e:pree! it !eep concern abo"t t'e
lang"age Senator Santiago, a member o- t'e Bar, "e! in 'er peec' an! it
e(ect on t'e a!minitration o- ="tice& To t'e Co"rt, t'e la!# enator 'a
"n!o"bte!l# croe! t'e limit o- !ecenc# an! goo! pro-eional con!"ct& It i
at once apparent t'at 'er tatement in D"etion were intemperate an! 'ig'l#
improper in "btance& To reiterate, 'e wa D"ote! a tating t'at 'e
wante! Rto pit on t'e -ace o- C'ie- )"tice Artemio <anganiban an! 'i
co'ort in t'e S"preme Co"rt,S an! calling t'e Co"rt a RS"preme Co"rt o-
i!iot&S
6o law#er w'o 'a ta.en an oat' to maintain t'e repect !"e to t'e co"rt
'o"l! be allowe! to ero!e t'e peopleF -ait' in t'e ="!iciar#& T'e Co"rt tate!
t'at in t'i cae, t'e la!# enator clearl# violate! Canon 7, R"le 7&A1 an!
Canon 11 o- t'e Co!e o- <ro-eional Reponibilit#, w'ic' repectivel#
provi!eQ
ECanon 7, R"le 7&A1&@@A law#er 'all not, in 'i pro-eional !ealing, "e
lang"age w'ic' i ab"ive, o(enive or ot'erwie improper&
ECanon 11&@@A law#er 'all oberve an! maintain t'e repect !"e to t'e
co"rt an! to t'e ="!icial o3cer an! 'o"l! init on imilar con!"ct b#
ot'er&E
It will be note! t'at SenatorTAtt#& Santiago wa a -ormer Regional Trial Co"rt
="!ge, a law pro-eor, an o-t,cite! a"t'orit# on contit"tional an!
international law, an a"t'or o- n"mero" law te:tboo., an! an electe!
enator o- t'e lan!& 6ee!le to tre, Senator Santiago, a a member o- t'e
Bar an! o3cer o- t'e co"rt, li.e an# ot'er, wa !"t#,bo"n! to "p'ol! t'e
!ignit# an! a"t'orit# o- t'i Co"rt an! to maintain t'e repect !"e it
member& Law#er in p"blic ervice are .eeper o- p"blic -ait' an! are
b"r!ene! wit' t'e 'ig'er !egree o- ocial reponibilit#, per'ap 'ig'er t'an
t'eir bret'ren in private practice& Senator Santiago 'o"l! 'ave .nown, a an#
perceptive in!ivi!"al, t'e impact 'er tatement wo"l! ma.e on t'e peopleF
-ait' in t'e integrit# o- t'e co"rt&
T'e Co"rt tree! t'at a care-"l re,rea!ing o- 'er -o"l an! rep"live
"tterance wo"l! rea!il# 'ow t'at 'er tatement were e:preion o-
peronal anger an! -r"tration at not being coni!ere! -or t'e pot o- C'ie-
)"tice& In a ene, t'ere-ore, 'er remar. were o"ti!e t'e pale o- 'er o3cial
parliamentar# -"nction& Even parliamentar# imm"nit# m"t not be allowe! to
be "e! a a ve'icle to ri!ic"le, !emean, an! !etro# t'e rep"tation o- t'e
Co"rt an! it magitrate, nor a armor -or peronal wrat' an! !ig"t&
A"t'oritie are agree! t'at parliamentar# imm"nit# i not an in!ivi!"al
privilege accor!e! t'e in!ivi!"al member o- t'e <arliament or Congre -or
t'eir peronal bene4t, b"t rat'er a privilege -or t'e bene4t o- t'e people an!
t'e intit"tion t'at repreent t'em&
T'e Co"rt tate! t'at Senator SantiagoF o"tb"rt wa !irectl# traceable to
w'at 'e coni!ere! a an R"n="t actS t'e )BC 'a! ta.en in connection wit'
'er application -or t'e poition o- C'ie- )"tice& B"t w'ile t'e )BC -"nction
"n!er t'e Co"rtF "perviion, it in!ivi!"al member, ave per'ap -or t'e
C'ie- )"tice w'o it a t'e )BCF e:,o3cio c'airperon, 'ave no o3cial !"t#
to nominate can!i!ate -or appointment to t'e poition o- C'ie- )"tice& T'e
Co"rt i, t'", at a lo to "n!ertan! Senator SantiagoF w'oleale an!
in!icriminate aa"lt on t'e member o- t'e Co"rt an! 'er c'oice o- critical
an! !e-amator# wor! againt all o- t'em&
A e:plicit i t'e 4rt canon o- legal et'ic w'ic' prono"nce t'at it i t'e !"t#
o- a law#er to maintain towar! t'e Co"rt a repect-"l attit"!e, not -or t'e
a.e o- t'e temporar# inc"mbent o- t'e ="!icial o3ce, b"t -or t'e
maintenance o- it "preme importance& T'at ame canon, a a corollar#,
ma.e it pec"liarl# inc"mbent "pon law#er to "pport t'e co"rt againt
"n="t criticim an! clamor& An! more& T'e attorne#F oat' olemnl# bin!
'im to a con!"ct t'at 'o"l! be wit' all goo! 4!elit# to t'e co"rt&
A law#er i an o3cer o- t'e co"rtI 'e i, Rli.e t'e co"rt itel-, an intr"ment
or agenc# to a!vance t'e en! o- ="tice&S ?i !"t# i to "p'ol! t'e !ignit#
an! a"t'orit# o- t'e co"rt to w'ic' 'e owe 4!elit#, Rnot to promote !itr"t
in t'e a!minitration o- ="tice&S %ait' in t'e co"rt, a law#er 'o"l! ee. to
preerve& %or, to "n!ermine t'e ="!icial e!i4ce Ri !iatro" to t'e contin"it#
o- government an! to t'e attainment o- t'e libertie o- t'e people&S T'" 'a
it been ai! o- a law#er t'at RJaK an o3cer o- t'e co"rt, it i 'i worn an!
moral !"t# to 'elp b"il! an! not !etro# "nnecearil# t'at 'ig' eteem an!
regar! towar! t'e co"rt o eential to t'e proper a!minitration o- ="tice&S
T'e Co"rt in a "btle wa# critici>e! t'e Senate itel- -or neglecting it !"t# to
!icipline t'e repon!ent enator -or 'er o(enive lang"age& T'e R"le o- t'e
Senate itel- contain a proviion on 1nparliamentar# Act an! Lang"age t'at
en=oin a Senator -rom "ing, "n!er an# circ"mtance, Ro(enive or improper
lang"age againt anot'er Senator or againt an# p"blic intit"tion&S B"t a to
Senator SantiagoF "nparliamentar# remar., t'e Senate <rei!ent 'a! not
apparentl# calle! 'er to or!er, let alone re-erre! t'e matter to t'e Senate
Et'ic Committee -or appropriate !iciplinar# action, a t'e R"le !ictate
"n!er "c' circ"mtance& T'e la!# enator clearl# violate! t'e r"le o- 'er
own c'amber& It i "n-ort"nate t'at 'er peer bent bac.war! an! avoi!e!
impoing t'eir own r"le on 'er&
ARTICLE MI, Section 6 (*)
,eople vs. %alos>os
%eb& 5, *AAA
FactsQ T'e acc"e!,appellant, Romeo )alo=o, i a -"ll,Ve!ge! member o-
Congre w'o i con4ne! at t'e national penitentiar# w'ile 'i conviction -or
tat"tor# rape an! act o- lacivio"ne i pen!ing appeal& T'e acc"e!,
appellant 4le! a motion a.ing t'at 'e be allowe! to -"ll# !ic'arge t'e !"tie
o- a Congreman, incl"!ing atten!ance at legilative eion an! committee
meeting !epite 'i 'aving been convicte! in t'e 4rt intance o- a non,
bailable o(ene on t'e bai o- pop"lar overeignt# an! t'e nee! -or 'i
contit"ent to be repreente!
ssueQ $'et'er or not acc"e!,appellant 'o"l! be allowe! to !ic'arge
man!ate a member o- ?o"e o- Repreentative
"eldQ Election i t'e e:preion o- t'e overeign power o- t'e people&
?owever, inpite o- it importance, t'e privilege an! rig't ariing -rom
'aving been electe! ma# be enlarge! or retricte! b# law&
T'e imm"nit# -rom arret or !etention o- Senator an! member o- t'e ?o"e
o- Repreentative arie -rom a proviion o- t'e Contit"tion& T'e privilege
'a alwa# been grante! in a retrictive ene& T'e proviion granting an
e:emption a a pecial privilege cannot be e:ten!e! be#on! t'e or!inar#
meaning o- it term& It ma# not be e:ten!e! b# inten!ment, implication or
eD"itable coni!eration&
T'e acc"e!,appellant 'a not given an# reaon w'# 'e 'o"l! be e:empte!
-rom t'e operation o- Sec& 11, Art& MI o- t'e Contit"tion& T'e member o-
Congre cannot compel abent member to atten! eion i- t'e reaon -or
t'e abence i a legitimate one& T'e con4nement o- a Congreman c'arge!
wit' a crime p"ni'able b# imprionment o- more t'an i: #ear i not merel#
a"t'ori>e! b# law, it 'a contit"tional -o"n!ation& To allow acc"e!,
appellant to atten! congreional eion an! committee meeting -or 0 !a#
or more in a wee. will virt"all# ma.e 'im a -ree man wit' all t'e privilege
app"rtenant to 'i poition& S"c' an aberrant it"ation not onl# elevate
acc"e!,appellantF tat" to t'at o- a pecial cla, it alo wo"l! be a
moc.er# o- t'e p"rpoe o- t'e correction #tem&
ARTICLE MI, Section 16 (5)
OsmeOa vs. ,endatun
Political Law ;!!unit*
FACTS: T'en Congreman /meYa )r 4le! a veri4e! petition -or !eclarator#
relie-, pro'ibition an! certiorari wit' preliminar# in="nction againt
Congreman <en!at"n an! ot'er in t'eir capacit# a member o- t'e
Special Committee create! b# ?o"e Reol"tion 09& ?e a.e! -or t'e
ann"lment o- t'e reol"tion on t'e gro"n! o- in-ringement "pon 'i
parliamentar# imm"nit#& ?e -"rt'er a.e! t'at t'e repon!ent 'o"l! not
reD"ire 'im to "btantiate 'i c'arge againt t'e prei!ent wit' t'e
a!monition t'at i- 'e -aile! to !o o 'e m"t 'ow ca"e w'# t'e ?o"e
'o"l! not p"ni' 'im& Sai! c'arge emanate! -rom 'i one,'o"r privilege!
peec' entitle! RA 9eage to 2arciaS, w'ic' contit"te! a erio" aa"lt
"pon t'e !ignit# o- 2arcia a t'e t'en <rei!ent&
SSU!Q $'et'er or not /meYaF imm"nit# 'a been violate!G
"!#$: Section 10, Article 6 o- t'e 1950 Contit"tion en'rine parliamentar#
imm"nit# "pon member o- t'e legilat"re w'ic' i a -"n!amental privilege
c'eri'e! in ever# parliament in a !emocratic worl!& It g"arantee t'e
legilator complete -ree!om o- e:preion wit'o"t -ear o- being ma!e
reponible in criminal or civil action be-ore t'e co"rt or an# ot'er -or"m
o"ti!e t'e ?all o- Congre& ?owever, it !oe not protect 'im -rom
reponibilit# be-ore t'e legilative bo!# w'enever 'i wor! an! con!"ct are
coni!ere! !ior!erl# or "nbecoming o- a member t'erein& T'ere-ore,
/meYaF petition i !imie!&
,aredes vs. Sandigan'ayan
Political Law Su$#en$ion of a %e!(e of Con-e$$ RA 30@9
FACTS: /n *5 )an 199A, 2elacio, t'e t'en vice ma#or o- San %rancico,
Ag"an!el S"r 4le! a cae againt <are!e (w'o wa t'en t'e governor o- t'e
ame province), Att#& Sanaet (co"nel o- <are!e), an! ?onra!a (t'e cler. o-
co"rt)& T'e t'ree allege!l# conpire! to -ali-# a cop# o- a 6otice o-
Arraignment an! o- t'e Trancript o- Stenograp'ic 6ote& 2elacio claime!
t'at, in -act, no arraignment 'a ever been i"e! againt 'im in a criminal
procee!ing againt 'im& 2elacio wa able to pro!"ce a certi4cation -rom t'e
="!ge 'an!ling t'e cae 'imel- t'at t'e criminal cae againt 'im never
reac'e! t'e arraignment tage beca"e t'e proec"tion wa !imie!& Att#&
Sanaet on 'i part maintaine! t'at t'ere wa in!ee! a 6otice o- Arraignment
b"t 'e later retracte! 'i tetimonie& <are!e claime! t'at Sanaet onl#
c'ange! 'i i!e beca"e o- political realignment& S"beD"entl#, t'e /3ce o-
t'e /mb"!man recommen!e! t'at <are!e et al be c'arge! wit'
%ali4cation o- <"blic +oc"ment& <are!e appeale! b"t wa event"all# !enie!
b# t'e San!iganba#an&
SSU!: $'et'er or not <are!e, now a member o- Congre, be "pen!e! b#
or!er o- t'e San!iganba#an&
"!#$: T'e S"preme Co"rt a3rme! t'e or!er o- "penion o- Congreman
<are!e b# t'e San!iganba#an, !epite 'i protetation on t'e encroac'ment
b# t'e co"rt on t'e prerogative o- congre& T'e SC r"le!Q
07 77/ PetitioneF$ invocation of Section @6 &3)3 Aticle >; of the Con$titution
which deal$ with the #owe of each 6ou$e of Con-e$$ inte alia to G#uni$h it$
%e!(e$ fo di$odel* (ehavio3F and G$u$#end o e7#el a %e!(eF (* a vote
of two-thid$ of all it$ %e!(e$ $u(=ect to the <uali:cation that the #enalt* of
$u$#en$ion3 when i!#o$ed3 $hould not e7ceed $i7t* da*$ i$ unavailin-3 a$ it
a##ea$ to (e <uite di$tinct fo! the $u$#en$ion $#o9en of in Section @3 of RA
30@93 which i$ not a #enalt* (ut a #eli!ina*3 #eventive !ea$ue3
#e$cindin- fo! the fact that the latte i$ not (ein- i!#o$ed on #etitione fo
!i$(ehavio a$ a %e!(e of the 6ou$e of Re#e$entative$/1
Santiago vs. Sandigan'ayan
Political Law Su$#en$ion of a %e!(e of Con-e$$ RA 30@9
FACTS: /n or abo"t 1; /ct 1977, Santiago t'e t'en Commiioner o- t'e
Commiion o- Immigration an! +eportation (CI+) approve! t'e application
-or legali>ation o- t'e ta# o- abo"t 5* alien& ?er act wa ai! to be illegal
an! wa tainte! wit' ba! -ait' an! it ran co"nter againt RA 5A19 (Anti,2ra-t
an! Corr"pt <ractice Act)& T'e legali>ation o- "c' i alo a violation o- E/
5*8 w'ic' pro'ibit t'e legali>ation o- !iD"ali4e! alien& T'e alien legali>e!
b# Santiago were allege!l# .nown b# 'er to be !iD"ali4e!& Two ot'er criminal
cae were 4le! againt Santiago& <"r"ant to t'i in-ormation, 2arc'itorena,
prei!ing )"tice o- San!iganba#an, i"e! t'e arret o- Santiago& Santiago
petitione! -or a proviional libert# ince 'e wa ="t recovering -rom a car
acci!ent w'ic' wa approve!& A-ter a long erie o- appeal an! co"rt battle
between Santiago an! San!iganba#an, in 1990 t'e latter move! -or t'e
"penion o- Santiago, w'o wa alrea!# a enator b# t'en, -rom o3ce&
San!iganba#an or!ere! t'e Senate prei!ent (9ace!a) to "pen! Santiago
-rom o3ce -or 9A !a#&
SSU!: $'et'er or not San!iganba#an can or!er "penion o- a member o-
t'e Senate wit'o"t violating t'e Contit"tion&
"!#$: T'e Contit"tion provi!e t'at eac' R\ 'o"e ma# !etermine t'e r"le
o- it procee!ing, p"ni' it 9ember -or !ior!erl# be'avior, an!, wit' t'e
conc"rrence o- two,t'ir! o- all it 9ember, "pen! or e:pel a 9ember& A
penalt# o- "penion, w'en impoe!, 'all not e:cee! i:t# !a#&S /n t'e
ot'er 'an!, Sec 15 o- RA 5A19 provi!e Q RSEC& 15& S"penion an! lo o-
bene4t& @ an# inc"mbent p"blic o3cer againt w'om an# criminal
proec"tion "n!er a vali! in-ormation "n!er t'i Act or "n!er Title ;, Boo. II o-
t'e Revie! <enal Co!e or -or an# o(ene involving -ra"! "pon government or
p"blic -"n! or propert# w'et'er a a imple or a a comple: o(ene an! in
w'atever tage o- e:ec"tion an! mo!e o- participation, i pen!ing in co"rt,
'all be "pen!e! -rom o3ce& S'o"l! 'e be convicte! b# 4nal ="!gment, 'e
'all loe all retirement or grat"it# bene4t "n!er an# law, b"t i- 'e i
acD"itte!, 'e 'all be entitle! to reintatement an! to t'e alarie an!
bene4t w'ic' 'e -aile! to receive !"ring "penion, "nle in t'e meantime
a!minitrative procee!ing 'ave been 4le! againt 'im&S
In 'ere, t'e or!er o- "penion precribe! b# RA& 5A19 i !itinct -rom t'e
power o- Congre to !icipline it own ran. "n!er t'e Contit"tion& T'e
"penion contemplate! in t'e above contit"tional proviion i a p"nitive
mea"re t'at i impoe! "pon !etermination b# t'e Senate or t'e ?/R, a t'e
cae ma# be, "pon an erring member& T'i i D"ite !itinct -rom t'e
"penion po.en o- in Section 15 o- RA 5A19, w'ic' i not a penalt# b"t a
preliminar#, preventive mea"re, precin!ing -rom t'e -act t'at t'e latter i
not being impoe! on petitioner -or mibe'avior a a 9ember o- t'e Senate&
B"t Santiago committe! t'e ai! act w'en 'e wa till t'e CI+ commiioner,
can 'e till be "pen!e! a a enatorG
In i"ing t'e preventive "penion o- petitioner, t'e San!iganba#an merel#
a!'ere! to t'e clear an "neD"ivocal man!ate o- t'e law, a well a t'e
="ripr"!ence in w'ic' t'e SC 'a, more t'an once, "p'el! San!iganba#anF
a"t'orit# to !ecree t'e "penion o- p"blic o3cial an! emplo#ee in!icte!
be-ore it&
Section 15 o- Rep"blic Act 6o& 5A19 !oe not tate t'at t'e p"blic o3cer
concerne! m"t be "pen!e! onl# in t'e o3ce w'ere 'e i allege! to 'ave
committe! t'e act wit' w'ic' 'e 'a been c'arge!& T'", it 'a been 'el!
t'at t'e "e o- t'e wor! Ro3ceS wo"l! in!icate t'at it applie to an# o3ce
w'ic' t'e o3cer c'arge! ma# be 'ol!ing, an! not onl# t'e partic"lar o3ce
"n!er w'ic' 'e tan! acc"e!&
Santiago 'a not #et been convicte! o- t'e allege! crime, can 'e till be
"pen!e!G
T'e law !oe not reD"ire t'at t'e g"ilt o- t'e acc"e! m"t be etabli'e! in a
pre,"penion procee!ing be-ore trial on t'e merit procee!& 6eit'er !oe it
contemplate a procee!ing to !etermine (1) t'e trengt' o- t'e evi!ence o-
c"lpabilit# againt 'im, (*) t'e gravit# o- t'e o(ene c'arge!, or (5) w'et'er
or not 'i contin"ance in o3ce co"l! inV"ence t'e witnee or poe a t'reat
to t'e a-et# an! integrit# o- t'e recor! anot'er evi!ence be-ore t'e co"rt
co"l! 'ave a vali! bai in !ecreeing preventive "penion pen!ing t'e trial
o- t'e cae& All it ec"re to t'e acc"e! i a!eD"ate opport"nit# to c'allenge
t'e vali!it# or reg"larit# o- t'e procee!ing againt 'im, "c' a, t'at 'e 'a
not been a(or!e! t'e rig't to !"e preliminar# invetigation, t'at t'e act
imp"te! to 'im !o not contit"te a peci4c crime warranting 'i man!ator#
"penion -rom o3ce "n!er Section 15 o- Rep"blic Act 6o& 5A19, or t'at t'e
in-ormation i "b=ect to D"a'al on an# o- t'e gro"n! et o"t in Section 5,
R"le 11;, o- t'e Revie! R"le on Criminal proce!"re&
ARTICLE MI, Section 16 (8)
,hilippine %udges Association vs. ,rado
Facts: T'e main target o- t'i petition i Section 50 o- R&A& 6o& ;508 a
implemente! b# t'e <'ilippine <otal Corporation t'ro"g' it Circ"lar 6o& 9*,
*7& T'ee mea"re wit'!raw t'e -ran.ing privilege -rom t'e SC, CA, RTC,
9TC, 9eTC an! t'e Lan! Regitration Commiion an! it Regiter o- +ee!,
along wit' certain ot'ergovernment o3ce& T'e petitioner are member o-
t'e lower co"rt w'o -eel t'at t'eir o3cial -"nction a ="!ge will be
pre="!ice! b# t'e above,name! mea"re& T'e petition aail t'e
contit"tionalit# o- R&A& 6o& ;508&
ssues:
(1) $'et'er or not it title embrace more t'an one "b=ect an! !oe not
e:pre it p"rpoe
(*) $'et'er or not it !i! not pa t'e reD"ire! rea!ing in bot' ?o"e o-
Congre an! printe! copie o- t'e bill in it 4nal -orm were not !itrib"te!
among t'e member be-ore it paageI
(5) $'et'er or not it i !icriminator# an! encroac'e on t'e in!epen!ence o-
t'e )"!iciar#
"eld:
(1) Article MI, Sec& *6(l), o- t'e Contit"tion provi!ing t'at EEver# bill pae!
b# t'e Congre 'all embrace onl# one "b=ect w'ic' 'all be e:pree!
in t'e title t'ereo-&E T'e p"rpoe o- t'i r"le areQ (1) to prevent 'o!ge,po!ge
or Elog,rollingE legilationI (*) to prevent "rprie or -ra"! "pon t'e legilat"re
b# mean o- proviion in bill o- w'ic' t'e title give no intimation, an! w'ic'
mig't t'ere-ore be overloo.e! an! carelel# an! "nintentionall# a!opte!I
an! (5) to -airl# apprie t'e people, t'ro"g' "c' p"blication o- legilative
procee!ing a i ""all# ma!e, o- t'e "b=ect o- legilation t'at i being
coni!ere!, in or!er t'at t'e# ma# 'ave opport"nit# o- being 'ear! t'ereon,
b# petition or ot'erwie, i- t'e# 'all o !eire&
It i t'e "bmiion o- t'e petitioner t'at Section 50 o- R&A& 6o& ;508 w'ic'
wit'!rew t'e -ran.ing privilege -rom t'e )"!iciar# i not e:pree! in t'e
title o- t'e law, nor !oe it reVect it p"rpoe& R&A& 6o& ;508 i entitle! EAn
Act Creating t'e <'ilippine <otal Corporation, +e4ning it <ower, %"nction
an! Reponibilitie, <rovi!ing -or Reg"lation o- t'e In!"tr# an! -or /t'er
<"rpoe Connecte! T'erewit'&E T'e petitionerB contention i "ntenable& T'e
title o- t'e bill i not reD"ire! to be an in!e: to t'e bo!# o- t'e act, or to be
a compre'enive a to cover ever# ingle !etail o- t'e mea"re& It 'a been
'el! t'at i- t'e title -airl# in!icate t'e general "b=ect, an! reaonabl# cover
all t'e proviion o- t'e act, an! i not calc"late! to milea! t'e legilat"re or
t'e people, t'ere i "3cient compliance wit' t'e contit"tional reD"irement&
%"rt'ermore, t'e repeal o- a tat"te on a given "b=ect i properl# connecte!
wit' t'e "b=ect matter o- a new tat"te on t'e ame "b=ectI an! t'ere-ore a
repealing ection in t'e new tat"te i vali!, notwit'tan!ing t'at t'e title i
ilent on t'e "b=ect& T'e reaon i t'at w'ere a tat"te repeal a -ormer law,
"c' repeal i t'e e(ect an! not t'e "b=ect o- t'e tat"teI an! it i t'e
"b=ect, not t'e e(ect o- a law, w'ic' i reD"ire! to be brieV# e:pree! in it
title& T'e wit'!rawal o- t'e -ran.ing privilege -rom ome agencie i germane
to t'e accompli'ment o- t'e principal ob=ective o- R&A& 6o& ;508, w'ic' i t'e
creation o- a more e3cient an! e(ective potal ervice #tem&
(*) It i a matter o- recor! t'at t'e con-erence Committee Report on t'e bill in
D"etion wa ret"rne! to an! !"l# approve! b# bot' t'e Senate an! t'e
?o"e o- Repreentative& T'erea-ter, t'e bill wa enrolle! wit' it certi4cation
b# Senate <rei!ent 6eptali A& 2on>ale an! Spea.er Ramon M& 9itra o- t'e
?o"e o- Repreentative a 'aving been !"l# pae! b# bot' ?o"e o-
Congre& It wa t'en preente! to an! approve! b# <rei!ent Cora>on C&
AD"ino on April 5, 199*& 1n!er t'e !octrine o- eparation power, t'e Co"rt
ma# not inD"ire be#on! t'e certi4cation o- t'e approval o- a bill -rom t'e
prei!ing o3cer o- Congre& T'e enrolle! bill i concl"ive "pon t'e )"!iciar#
(e:cept in matter t'at 'ave to be entere! in t'e =o"rnal li.e t'e #ea an!
na# on t'e 4nal rea!ing o- t'e bill)&
(5) It i allege! t'at R&A& 6o& ;508 i !icriminator# beca"e w'ile
wit'!rawing t'e -ran.ing privilege -rom t'e )"!iciar#, it retain t'e ame -or
t'e <rei!ent o- t'e <'ilippine, t'e Mice <rei!ent o- t'e <'ilippineI Senator
an! 9ember o- t'e ?o"e o- Repreentative, t'e Commiion on ElectionI
-ormer <rei!ent o- t'e <'ilippineI t'e 6ational Cen" an! Statitic /3ceI
an! t'e general p"blic in t'e 4ling o- complaint againt p"blic o3ce an!
o3cer& T'e wit'!rawal o- t'e -ran.ing privilege wa in!ee! !icriminator#& I-
t'e problem o- t'e repon!ent i t'e lo o- reven"e -rom t'e -ran.ing
privilege, t'e reme!# i to wit'!raw it altoget'er -rom all agencie o-
government, incl"!ing t'oe w'o !o not nee! it& T'e problem i not olve! b#
retaining it -or ome an! wit'!rawing it -rom ot'er, epeciall# w'ere t'ere i
no "btantial !itinction between t'oe -avore!, w'ic' ma# or ma# not nee!
it at all, an! t'e )"!iciar#, w'ic' !e4nitel# nee! it& T'e problem i not olve!
b# violating t'e Contit"tion& T'e clai4cation wa not bae! on "btantial
!itinction&
A'aGada Guro ,arty #ist vs. !rmita
Facts: /n 9a# *8, *AA0, t'e <rei!ent igne! into law Rep"blic Act 955; or
t'e MAT Re-orm Act& Be-ore t'e law too. e(ect on )"l# 1, *AA0, t'e
Co"rt i"e! a TR/ en=oining government -rom implementing t'e law in
repone to a lew o- petition -or certiorari an! pro'ibition D"etioning t'e
contit"tionalit# o- t'e new law&
T'e c'allenge! ection o- R&A& 6o& 955; i t'e common provio in Section 8,
0 an! 6Q RT'at t'e <rei!ent, "pon t'e recommen!ation o- t'e Secretar# o-
%inance, 'all, e(ective )an"ar# 1, *AA6, raie t'e rate o- val"e,a!!e! ta: to
1*], a-ter an# o- t'e -ollowing con!ition 'a been ati4e!Q
(i) Mal"e,a!!e! ta: collection a a percentage o- 2ro +ometic <ro!"ct
(2+<) o- t'e previo" #ear e:cee! two an! -o"r,4-t' percent (* 8T0])I
or (ii) 6ational government !e4cit a a percentage o- 2+< o- t'e previo" #ear
e:cee! one an! one,'al- percent (1^])S
<etitioner allege t'at t'e grant o- tan!,b# a"t'orit# to t'e <rei!ent to
increae t'e MAT rate i an ab!ication b# Congre o- it e:cl"ive power to
ta: beca"e "c' !elegation i not covere! b# Section *7 (*), Article MI Conti&
T'e# arg"e t'at MAT i a ta: levie! on t'e ale or e:c'ange o- goo! an!
ervice w'ic' canFt be incl"!e! wit'in t'e p"rview o- tari( "n!er t'e
e:emption !elegation ince t'i re-er to c"tom !"tie, toll or trib"te
pa#able "pon merc'an!ie to t'e government an! ""all# impoe! on
importe!Te:porte! goo!& T'e# alo ai! t'at t'e <rei!ent 'a power to
ca"e, inV"ence or create t'e con!ition provi!e! b# lawto bring abo"t t'e
con!ition prece!ent& 9oreover, t'e# allege t'at no g"i!ing tan!ar! are
ma!e b# law a to 'ow t'e Secretar# o- %inance will ma.e t'e
recommen!ation&
ssue: $'et'er or not t'e RA 955;B tan!,b# a"t'orit# to t'e E:ec"tive to
increae t'e MAT rate, epeciall# on acco"nt o- t'e recommen!ator# power
grante! to t'e Secretar# o- %inance, contit"te "n!"e !elegation o-
legilative powerG 6/
"eld: T'e power w'ic' Congre i pro'ibite! -rom !elegating are t'oe
w'ic' are trictl#, or in'erentl# an! e:cl"ivel#, legilative& <"rel# legilative
power w'ic' can never be !elegate! i t'e a"t'orit# to ma.e a complete law,
complete a to t'e time w'en it 'all ta.e e(ect an! a to w'om it 'all be
applicable, an! to !etermine t'e e:pe!ienc# o- it enactment& It i t'e nat"re
o- t'e power an! not t'e liabilit# o- it "e or t'e manner o- it e:ercie w'ic'
!etermine t'e vali!it# o- it !elegation&
T'e e:ception areQ
(a) !elegation o- tari( power to <rei!ent "n!er Contit"tion
(b) !elegation o- emergenc# power to <rei!ent "n!er Contit"tion
(c) !elegation to t'e people at large
(!) !elegation to local government
(e) !elegation to a!minitrative bo!ie
%or t'e !elegation to be vali!, it m"t be complete an! it m"t 4: a tan!ar!&
A "3cient tan!ar! i one w'ic' !e4ne legilative polic#, mar. it limit,
map o"t it bo"n!arie an! peci4e t'e p"blic agenc# to appl# it&
In t'i cae, it i not a !elegation o- legilative power B1T a !elegation o-
acertainment o- -act "pon w'ic' en-orcement an! a!minitration o- t'e
increae! rate "n!er t'e law i contingent& T'e legilat"re 'a ma!e t'e
operation o- t'e 1*] rate e(ective )an"ar# 1, *AA6, contingent "pon a
peci4e! -act or con!ition& It leave t'e entire operation or non,operation o-
t'e 1*] rate "pon -act"al matter o"ti!e o- t'e control o- t'e e:ec"tive& 6o
!icretion wo"l! be e:ercie! b# t'e <rei!ent& ?ig'lig'ting t'e abence o-
!icretion i t'e -act t'at t'e wor! S?ALL i "e! in t'e common provio& T'e
"e o- t'e wor! S?ALL connote a man!ator# or!er& It "e in a tat"te
!enote an imperative obligation an! i inconitent wit' t'e i!ea o-
!icretion&
T'", it i t'e miniterial !"t# o- t'e <rei!ent to imme!iatel# impoe t'e 1*]
rate "pon t'e e:itence o- an# o- t'e con!ition peci4e! b# Congre& T'i i
a !"t#, w'ic' cannot be eva!e! b# t'e <rei!ent& It i a clear !irective to
impoe t'e 1*] MAT rate w'en t'e peci4e! con!ition are preent&
Congre ="t grante! t'e Secretar# o- %inance t'e a"t'orit# to acertain t'e
e:itence o- a -act,,, w'et'er b# +ecember 51, *AA0, t'e MAT collection a
a percentage o- 2+< o- t'e previo" #ear e:cee! * 8T0 ] or t'e national
government !e4cit a a percentage o- 2+< o- t'e previo" #ear e:cee! one
an! 1^]& I- eit'er o- t'ee two intance 'a occ"rre!, t'e Secretar# o-
%inance, b# legilative man!ate, m"t "bmit "c' in-ormation to t'e
<rei!ent&
In ma.ing 'i recommen!ation to t'e <rei!ent on t'e e:itence o- eit'er o-
t'e two con!ition, t'e Secretar# o- %inance i not acting a t'e alter ego o-
t'e <rei!ent or even 'er "bor!inate& ?e i acting a t'e agent o- t'e
legilative !epartment, to !etermine an! !eclare t'e event "pon w'ic' it
e:pree! will i to ta.e e(ect& T'e Secretar# o- %inance become t'e mean
or tool b# w'ic' legilative polic# i !etermine! an! implemente!, coni!ering
t'at 'e poee all t'e -acilitie to gat'er !ata an! in-ormation an! 'a a
m"c' broa!er perpective to properl# eval"ate t'em& ?i -"nction i to gat'er
an! collate tatitical !ata an! ot'er pertinent in-ormation an! veri-# i- an# o-
t'e two con!ition lai! o"t b# Congre i preent&
Congre !oe not ab!icate it -"nction or "n!"l# !elegate power w'en it
!ecribe w'at =ob m"t be !one, w'o m"t !o it, an! w'at i t'e cope o- 'i
a"t'orit#I in o"r comple: econom# t'at i -reD"entl# t'e onl# wa# in w'ic'
t'e legilative proce can go -orwar!&
T'ere i no "n!"e !elegation o- legilative power b"t onl# o- t'e !icretion a
to t'e e:ec"tion o- a law& T'i i contit"tionall# permiible& Congre !i! not
!elegate t'e power to ta: b"t t'e mere implementation o- t'e law&
ARTICLE MI, Section *1
Arnault vs. 2a(areno
;n<ui* in Aid of Le-i$lation
T'i cae aroe -rom t'e legilative inD"ir# into t'e acD"iition b# t'e
<'ilippine 2overnment o- t'e B"enavita an! Tambobong etate ometime in
1989& Among t'e witnee calle! to be e:amine! b# t'e pecial committee
create! b# a Senate reol"tion wa )ean L& Arna"lt, a law#er w'o !elivere! a
partial o- t'e p"rc'ae price to a repreentative o- t'e ven!or& +"ring t'e
Senate invetigation, Arna"lt re-"e! to reveal t'e i!entit# o- ai!
repreentative, at t'e ame time invo.ing 'i contit"tional rig't againt el-,
incrimination& T'e Senate a!opte! a reol"tion committing Arna"lt to t'e
c"to!# o- t'e Sergeant,at,Arm an! imprione! R"ntil 'e 'all 'ave p"rge!
t'e contempt b# revealing to t'e Senate & & & t'e name o- t'e peron to w'om
'e gave t'e <88A,AAA, a well a anwer ot'er pertinent D"etion in
connection t'erewit'&S Arna"lt petitione! -or a writ o- ?abea Corp"
SSU!: Can t'e enate impoe penalt# againt t'oe w'o re-"e to anwer it
D"etion in a congreional 'earing in ai! o- legilation&
"!#$: It i t'e in'erent rig't o- t'e Senate to impoe penalt# in carr#ing o"t
t'eir !"t# to con!"ct inD"ir# in ai! o- legilation& B"t it m"t be 'erein
etabli'e! t'at a witne w'o re-"e to anwer a D"er# b# t'e Committee
ma# be !etaine! !"ring t'e term o- t'e member impoing ai! penalt# b"t
t'e !etention 'o"l! not be too long a to violate t'e witneF rig't to !"e
proce o- law&
ARTICLE MI, Section *8
Tolentino vs7 Secretary of Finance
Political Law 'i-ination of Revenue Dill$ ">AT A!end!ent (*
Su($titution
FACTS: Tolentino et al i D"etioning t'e contit"tionalit# o- RA ;;16
ot'erwie .nown a t'e E:pan!e! Mal"e A!!e! Ta: (EMAT) Law& Tolentino
averre! t'at t'i reven"e bill !i! not e:cl"ivel# originate -rom t'e ?o"e o-
Repreentative a reD"ire! b# Section *8, Article 6 o- t'e Contit"tion& Even
t'o"g' RA ;;16 originate! a ?B 1119; an! t'at it pae! t'e 5 rea!ing in
t'e ?oR, t'e ame !i! not complete t'e 5 rea!ing in Senate -or a-ter t'e
1
t
rea!ing it wa re-erre! to t'e Senate $a# L 9ean Committee t'erea-ter
Senate pae! it own verion .nown a Senate Bill 165A& Tolentino averre!
t'at w'at Senate co"l! 'ave !one i amen! ?B 1119; b# tri.ing o"t it te:t
an! "btit"ting it wT t'e te:t o- SB 165A in t'at wa# Rt'e bill remain a ?o"e
Bill an! t'e Senate verion ="t become t'e te:t (onl# t'e te:t) o- t'e ?BS&
Tolentino an! co,petitioner Roco J'oweverK even igne! t'e ai! Senate Bill&
SSU!: $'et'er or not EMAT originate! in t'e ?oR&
"!#$: B# a 9,6 vote, t'e SC re=ecte! t'e c'allenge, 'ol!ing t'at "c'
conoli!ation wa conitent wit' t'e power o- t'e Senate to propoe or
conc"r wit' amen!ment to t'e verion originate! in t'e ?oR& $'at t'e
Contit"tion impl# mean, accor!ing to t'e 9 ="tice, i t'at t'e initiative
m"t come -rom t'e ?oR& 6ote alo t'at t'ere were everal intance be-ore
w'ere Senate pae! it own verion rat'er t'an 'aving t'e ?oR verion a
-ar a reven"e an! ot'er "c' bill are concerne!& T'i practice o-
amen!ment b# "btit"tion 'a alwa# been accepte!& T'e propoition o-
Tolentino concern a mere matter o- -orm& T'ere i no 'owing t'at it wo"l!
ma.e a igni4cant !i(erence i- Senate were to a!opt 'i over w'at 'a been
!one&
ARTICLE MI, Section *0 (0)
,hilippine Constitution Association vs. !nri*ue(
?3C SCRA C06 Political Law >eto Powe Pat of the Le-i$lative Poce$$
Con$titutionalit* of the Po9 Dael 0Count*wide 5evelo#!ent Fund1
FACTSQ T'i i a conoli!ation o- cae w'ic' o"g't to D"etion t'e veto
a"t'orit# o- t'e prei!ent involving t'e 2eneral Appropriation Act o- 1998 a
well a t'e contit"tionalit# o- t'e por. barrel& T'e <'ilippine Contit"tion
Aociation (<?ILC/6SA) D"etion t'e co"ntr#wi!e !evelopment -"n!&
<?ILC/6SA ai! t'at Congre can onl# allocate -"n! b"t t'e# cannot peci-#
t'e item a to w'ic' t'oe -"n! wo"l! be applie! -or ince t'at i alrea!#
t'e -"nction o- t'e e:ec"tive&
In 2&R& 6o& 115;66, a-ter t'e vetoing b# t'e prei!ent o- ome proviion o-
t'e 2AA o- 1998, neit'er 'o"e o- congre too. tep to overri!e t'e veto&
Intea!, Senator TaYa!a an! Rom"lo o"g't t'e i"ance o- t'e writ o-
pro'ibition an! man!am" againt t'e repon!ent in 2&R& 6o& 115;66& In t'i
petition, petitioner contet t'e contit"tionalit# o-Q (1) t'e veto on -o"r
pecial proviion a!!e! to item in t'e 2AA o- 1998 -or t'e Arme! %orce o-
t'e <'ilippine (A%<) an! t'e +epartment o- <"blic $or. an! ?ig'wa#
(+<$?)I an! (*) t'e con!ition impoe! b# t'e <rei!ent in t'e
implementation o- certain appropriation -or t'e CA%21F, t'e +<$?, an! t'e
6ational ?o"ing A"t'orit# (6?A)&
SSU!: $'et'er or not t'e <rei!entF veto i vali!&
"!#$: In t'e <?ILC/6SA petition, t'e SC r"le! t'at Congre acte! wit'in it
power an! t'at t'e C+% i contit"tional& In t'e TaYa!a petition t'e SC
!imie! t'e ot'er petition an! grante! t'e ot'er&
Feto on special provisions
T'e prei!ent !i! 'i veto wit' certain con!ition an! compliant to t'e r"ling
in Gon+ale$ v$ %acaai-/ T'e prei!ent partic"larl# vetoe! t'e !ebt re!"ction
c'eme in t'e 2AA o- 1998 commenting t'at t'e c'eme i alrea!# ta.en
care! o- b# ot'er legilation an! ma# be more properl# a!!ree! b# reviing
t'e !ebt polic#& ?e, 'owever !i! not !elete t'e <76,5*5,857,AAA&AA
appropriation t'ere-or& TaYa!a et al averre! t'at t'e prei!ent cannot vali!l#
veto t'at proviion wTo vetoing t'e amo"nt allotte! t'ere-or& T'e veto o- t'e
prei!ent 'erein i "taine! -or t'e vetoe! proviion i coni!ere!
RinappropriateSI in -act t'e Sc -o"n! t'at "c' proviion i- not vetoe! wo"l! in
e(ect repeal t'e %oreign Borrowing Act ma.ing t'e legilation a a log,rolling
legilation&
Feto of provisions for revolving funds of SUCs
T'e appropriation -or State 1niveritie an! College (S1CF), t'e <rei!ent
vetoe! pecial proviion w'ic' a"t'ori>e t'e "e o- income an! t'e creation,
operation an! maintenance o- revolving -"n! wa li.ewie vetoe!& T'e
reaon -or t'e veto i t'at t'ere were alrea!# -"n! allotte! -or t'e ame in
t'e 6ational e:pen!it"re <rogram& TaYa!a et al claime! t'i a
"ncontit"tional& T'e SC r"le! t'at t'e veto i vali! -or it i in compliant to t'e
R/ne %"n! <olic#S @ it avoi!e! !o"ble -"n!ing an! re!"n!anc#&
Feto of provision on B8P CadministrativeD5:8P CcontractD ratio for
road maintenance
T'e <rei!ent vetoe! t'i proviion on t'e bai t'at it ma# re"lt to a breac'
o- contract"al obligation& T'e -"n! i- allotte! ma# re"lt to aban!onment o-
ome e:iting contract& T'e SC r"le! t'at t'i Special <roviion in D"etion i
not an inappropriate proviion w'ic' can be t'e "b=ect o- a veto& It i not
alien to t'e appropriation -or roa! maintenance, an! on t'e ot'er 'an!, it
peci4e 'ow t'e ai! item 'all be e:pen!e! @ ;A] b# a!minitrative an!
5A] b# contract& T'e 197; Contit"tion allow t'e a!!ition b# Congre o-
pecial proviion, con!ition to item in an e:pen!it"re bill, w'ic' cannot be
vetoe! eparatel# -rom t'e item to w'ic' t'e# relate o long a t'e# are
RappropriateS in t'e b"!getar# ene& T'e veto 'erein i t'en not vali!&
Feto of provision on prior approval of Congress for purchase of
military e*uipment
A reaon -or t'e veto, t'e <rei!ent tate! t'at t'e ai! con!ition an!
pro'ibition violate t'e Contit"tional man!ate o- non,impairment o-
contract"al obligation, an! i- allowe!, R'all e(ectivel# alter t'e original
intent o- t'e A%< 9o!erni>ation %"n! to cover all militar# eD"ipment !eeme!
necear# to mo!erni>e t'e A%<S& T'e SC a3rme! t'e veto& An# proviion
bloc.ing an a!minitrative action in implementing a law or reD"iring
legilative approval o- e:ec"tive act m"t be incorporate! in a eparate an!
"btantive bill& T'ere-ore, being RinappropriateS proviion&
Feto of provision on use of savings to augment AF, pension funds
Accor!ing to t'e <rei!ent, t'e grant o- retirement an! eparation bene4t
'o"l! be covere! b# !irect appropriation peci4call# approve! -or t'e
p"rpoe p"r"ant to Section *9(1) o- Article MI o- t'e Contit"tion& 9oreover,
'e tate! t'at t'e a"t'orit# to "e aving i lo!ge! in t'e o3cial
en"merate! in Section *0(0) o- Article MI o- t'e Contit"tion& T'e SC retaine!
t'e veto per reaon provi!e! b# t'e prei!ent&
Condition on the deactivation of the CAFGUAs
Congre appropriate! compenation -or t'e CA%21F incl"!ing t'e pa#ment
o- eparation bene4t& T'e <rei!ent !eclare! in 'i Meto 9eage t'at t'e
implementation o- t'i Special <roviion to t'e item on t'e CA%21F 'all be
"b=ect to prior <rei!ential approval p"r"ant to <&+& 6o& 109; an! R&A& 6o&
6;07& T'e SC r"le! to retain t'e veto per reaon provi!e! b# t'e prei!ent&
%"rt'er, i- t'i proviion i allowe! t'e it wo"l! onl# lea! to t'e repeal o- ai!
e:iting law&
Conditions on the appropriation for the Supreme Court7 etc
In 'i veto meageQ RT'e ai! con!ition i conitent wit' t'e Contit"tional
in="nction precribe! "n!er Section 7, Article IO,B o- t'e Contit"tional w'ic'
tate t'at _no elective or appointive p"blic o3cer or emplo#ee 'all receive
a!!itional, !o"ble, or in!irect compenation "nle peci4call# a"t'ori>e! b#
law&F I am, t'ere-ore, con4!ent t'at t'e 'ea! o- t'e ai! o3ce 'all maintain
4!elit# to t'e law an! -ait'-"ll# a!'ere to t'e well,etabli'e! principle on
compenation tan!ar!i>ation& TaYa!a et al claim t'at t'e con!ition impoe!
b# t'e <rei!ent violate! t'e in!epen!ence an! 4cal a"tonom# o- t'e
S"preme co"rt, t'e /mb"!man, t'e C/A an! t'e C?R& T'e SC "taine! t'e
vetoQ In t'e 4rt place, t'e con!ition D"etione! b# petitioner were place! in
t'e 2AB b# Congre itel-, not b# t'e <rei!ent& T'e Meto 9eage merel#
'ig'lig'te! t'e Contit"tional man!ate t'at a!!itional or in!irect
compenation can onl# be given p"r"ant to law& In t'e econ! place, "c'
tatement are mere remin!er t'at t'e !ib"rement o- appropriation
m"t be ma!e in accor!ance wit' law& S"c' tatement ma#, at wore, be
treate! a "perV"itie&
,orG +arrel Constitutional
T'e por. barrel ma.e t'e "neD"al eD"al& T'e Congremen, being
repreentative o- t'eir local !itrict .now more abo"t t'e problem in t'eir
contit"ent area t'an t'e national government or t'e prei!ent -or t'at
matter& ?ence, wit' t'at .nowle!ge, t'e Congremen are in a better poition
to recommen! a to w'ere -"n! 'o"l! be allocate!&
Sanche( vs. Commission on Audit
FACTS: In 1991, Congre pae! Rep"blic Act 6o& ;17A (R&A& ;17A)
ot'erwie .nown a t'e 2eneral Appropriation Act o- 199*& T'i law provi!e!
an appropriation -or t'e +IL2 "n!er Title OIII an! et ai!e t'e amo"nt o-
<;0,AAA,AAA&AA -or t'e +IL2B Capabilit# B"il!ing <rogram& /n 11 6ovember
1991, Att#& ?iram C& 9en!o>a (Att#& 9en!o>a), <ro=ect +irector o- t'e A! ?oc
Ta. %orce -or Inter,Agenc# Coor!ination to Implement Local A"tonom#,
in-orme! t'en +ep"t# E:ec"tive Secretar# +ioniio !e la Serna o- t'e propoal
to contit"te an! implement a E'amroc.E t#pe ta. -orce to implement local
a"tonom# intit"tionali>e! "n!er t'e Local 2overnment Co!e o- 1991& T'e
propoal wa accepte! b# t'e +ep"t# E:ec"tive Secretar# an! attete! b#
t'en +IL2 Secretar# Cear 6& Sarino, one o- t'e petitioner 'erein, w'o
coneD"entl# i"e! a memoran!"m -or t'e tran-er an! remittance to t'e
/3ce o- t'e <rei!ent o- t'e "m o- <5AA,AAA&AA -or t'e operational e:pene
o- t'e ta. -orce& An a!!itional ca' a!vance o- <5AA,AAA&AA wa reD"ete!&
1pon pot,a"!it con!"cte! b# +epartment a"!itor Il"mina!a 9&M& %abroa,
'owever, t'e amo"nt were !iallowe!&
SSU!: $'at are two eential reD"iite in or!er t'at a tran-er o-
appropriation ma# be allowe!G Are t'oe preent in t'i caeG
&U#2G: Contrar# to anot'er "bmiion in t'i cae, t'e <rei!ent, C'ie-
)"tice, Senate <rei!ent, an! t'e 'ea! o- contit"tional commiion nee!
not 4rt prove an! !eclare t'e e:itence o- aving be-ore tran-erring -"n!,
t'e Co"rt in <'ilcona v& EnriD"e>, "pra, categoricall# !eclare! t'at t'e
Senate <rei!ent an! t'e Spea.er o- t'e ?o"e o- Repreentative, a t'e
cae ma# be, 'all approve t'e realignment (o- aving)& ?owever, EJBKe-ore
giving t'eir tamp o- approval, t'ee two o3cial will 'ave to ee to it t'atQ
(1) T'e -"n! to be realigne! or tran-erre! are act"all# aving in t'e item
o- e:pen!it"re -rom w'ic' t'e ame are to be ta.enI an! (*) T'e tran-er or
realignment i -or t'e p"rpoe o- a"gmenting t'e item o- e:pen!it"re to
w'ic' ai! tran-er or realignment i to be ma!e&S T'e abence o- an# item to
be a"gmente! tar.l# pro=ect t'e illegalit# o- t'e !iverion o- t'e -"n! an!
t'e proVigate pen!ing t'ereo-& $it' t'e -oregoing coni!eration, it i clear
t'at no vali! tran-er o- t'e %"n! to t'e /3ce o- t'e <rei!ent co"l! 'ave
occ"rre! in t'i cae a t'ere wa neit'er allegation nor proo- t'at t'e amo"nt
tran-erre! wa aving or t'at t'e tran-er wa -or t'e p"rpoe o-
a"gmenting t'e item to w'ic' t'e tran-er wa ma!e& %"rt'er, we 4n! t'at
t'e "e o- t'e tran-erre! -"n! wa not in accor!ance wit' t'e p"rpoe lai!
!own b# t'e Special <roviion o- R&A& ;17A&
ARTICLE MI, Section *6 (1)
,hilippine Constitution Association vs. Gimene(
Political Law Salaie$ of the %e!(e$ of Con-e$$ 'the "!olu!ent
FACTS: <'ilippine Contit"tion Aociation, Inc (<?ILC/6SA) aail t'e
vali!it# o- RA 5756 ino-ar a t'e ame allow retirement grat"it# an!
comm"tation o- vacation an! ic. leave to Senator an! Repreentative, an!
to t'e elective o3cial o- bot' ?o"e (o- Congre)& T'e proviion on
retirement grat"it# i an attempt to circ"mvent t'e Contit"tional ban on
increae o- alarie o- t'e member o- Congre !"ring t'eir term o- o3ce,
contrar# to t'e proviion o- Article MI, Section 18 o- t'e Contit"tion& T'e
ame proviion contit"te Rel4' cla legilationS beca"e it allow
member an! o3cer o- Congre to retire a-ter twelve (1*) #ear o- ervice
an! give t'em a grat"it# eD"ivalent to one #ear alar# -or ever# -o"r #ear o-
ervice, w'ic' i not re-"n!able in cae o- reintatement or re election o- t'e
retiree, w'ile all ot'er o3cer an! emplo#ee o- t'e government can retire
onl# a-ter at leat twent# (*A) #ear o- ervice an! are given a grat"it# w'ic'
i onl# eD"ivalent to one mont' alar# -or ever# #ear o- ervice, w'ic', in an#
cae, cannot e:cee! *8 mont'& T'e proviion on vacation an! ic. leave,
comm"table at t'e 'ig'et rate receive!, ino-ar a member o- Congre are
concerne!, i anot'er attempt o- t'e legilator to -"rt'er increae t'eir
compenation in violation o- t'e Contit"tion&
T'e Sol,2en co"nter arg"e! alleging t'at T'e grant o- retirement or penion
bene4t "n!er Rep"blic Act 6o& 5756 to t'e o3cer ob=ecte! to b# t'e
petitioner !oe not contit"te R-orbi!!en compenationS wit'in t'e meaning
o- Section 18 o- Article MI o- t'e <'ilippine Contit"tion& T'e law in D"etion
!oe not contit"te cla legilation& T'e pa#ment o- comm"table vacation
an! ic. leave bene4t "n!er t'e ai! Act i merel# Rin t'e nat"re o- a bai
-or comp"ting t'e grat"it# !"e eac' retiring memberS an!, t'ere-ore, i not
an in!irect c'eme to increae t'eir alar#&
SSU!: $'et'er or not RA 5756 i contit"tional&
"!#$: Section 18, Article MI, o- t'e Contit"tion, w'ic' rea!Q
RT'e enator an! t'e 9ember o- t'e ?o"e o- Repreentative 'all, "nle
ot'erwie provi!e! b# law, receive an ann"al compenation o- even
t'o"an! two '"n!re! peo eac', incl"!ing per !iem an! ot'er emol"ment
or allowance, an! e:cl"ive onl# o- travelling e:pene to an! -rom t'eir
repective !itrict in t'e cae o- 9ember o- t'e ?o"e o- Repreentative an!
to an! -rom t'eir place o- rei!ence in t'e cae o- Senator, w'en atten!ing
eion o- t'e Congre& 6o increae in ai! compenation 'all ta.e e(ect
"ntil a-ter t'e e:piration o- t'e -"ll term o- all t'e 9ember o- t'e Senate an!
o- t'e ?o"e o- Repreentative approving "c' increae& 1ntil ot'erwie
provi!e! b# law, t'e <rei!ent o- t'e Senate an! t'e Spea.er o- t'e ?o"e o-
Repreentative 'all eac' receive an ann"al compenation o- i:teen
t'o"an! peo&S
$'en t'e Contit"tional Convention 4rt !etermine! t'e compenation -or t'e
9ember o- Congre, t'e amo"nt 4:e! b# it wa onl# <0,AAA&AA per ann"m
b"t it embo!ie a pecial provio w'ic' rea! a -ollowQ R6o increae in ai!
compenation 'all ta.e e(ect "ntil a-ter t'e e:piration o- t'e -"ll term o- all
t'e member o- t'e 6ational Aembl# electe! "beD"ent to approval o-
"c' increae&S In ot'er wor!, "n!er t'e original contit"tional proviion
regar!ing t'e power o- t'e 6ational Aembl# to increae t'e alarie o- it
member, no increae wo"l! ta.e e(ect "ntil a-ter t'e e:piration o- t'e -"ll
term o- t'e member o- t'e Aembl# electe! "beD"ent to t'e approval o-
"c' increae&
T'e Contit"tional proviion in t'e a-orementione! Section 18, Article MI,
incl"!e in t'e term compenation Rot'er emol"mentS& T'i i t'e pivotal
point on t'i -"n!amental D"etion a to w'et'er t'e retirement bene4t a
provi!e! -or in Rep"blic Act 5756 -all wit'in t'e p"rview o- t'e term Rot'er
emol"ment&S
REmol"mentS a Rt'e pro4t ariing -rom o3ce or emplo#mentI t'at w'ic' i
receive! a compenation -or ervice or w'ic' i anne:e! to t'e poeion
o- an o3ce, a alar#, -ee an! perD"iite&S
It i evi!ent t'at retirement bene4t i a -orm or anot'er pecie o-
emol"ment, beca"e it i a part o- compenation -or ervice o- one
poeing an# o3ce&
Rep"blic Act 5756 provi!e -or an increae in t'e emol"ment o- Senator an!
9ember o- t'e ?o"e o- Repreentative, to ta.e e(ect "pon t'e approval o-
ai! Act, w'ic' wa on )"ne **, 1965& Retirement were imme!iatel# available
t'ere"n!er, wit'o"t awaiting t'e e:piration o- t'e -"ll term o- all t'e 9ember
o- t'e Senate an! t'e ?o"e o- Repreentative approving "c' increae&
S"c' proviion clearl# r"n co"nter to t'e pro'ibition in Article MI, Section 18
o- t'e Contit"tion& RA 5756 i 'ereb# !eclare! "ncontit"tional b# t'e SC&
nsular #um'er Company vs. Court of Ta= Appeals
Political Law 'ne Su(=ect "!(aced in the Title of a Dill
FACTS: In"lar L"mber (ILC) i an American compan# engage! a a licene!
-oret conceionaire& T'e ILC p"rc'ae! man"-act"re! oil an! motor -"el
w'ic' it "e! in t'e operation o- it -oret conceion& In 1906, RA 1850 wa
pae!& Sec 0 t'ereo- provi!e t'at t'ere 'o"l! be a partial ta: re-"n! to
t'oe "ing oil in t'e operation o- -oret an! mining conceion& In 1968 ILC
4le! wit' t'e Commiioner o- Internal Reven"e to 'ave a ta: re-"n! o-
<19,9*1&5; p"r"ant to t'e ai! RA& T'e Co"rt o- In!"trial Relation (CIR)
r"le! t'at ILC i not covere! b# "c' proviion beca"e Sec 0, RA 1850 i onl#
e(ective 0 #ear -rom it enactment& ?ence, in 1961 t'e proviion ceae! to
be e(ective& ICL appeale! t'e i"e to t'e CTA an! t'e CTA r"le! t'e
operation o- a awmill i !itinct -rom t'e operation o- a -oret conceion,
'ence, t'e re-"n! proviion o- Sec 0, RA1850 allowing partial re-"n! to -oret
an! mining conceionaire cannot be e:ten!e! to t'e operator o- a awmill&
An! o"t o- t'e <19,9*1&5; claime!, onl# t'e amo"nt o- <18,097&A7 wa pai!
on oil "tili>e! in logging operation& T'e CTA !i! not allow t'e re-"n! o- t'e
-"ll amo"nt o- <18,097&A7 beca"e t'e ILCF rig't to claim t'e re-"n! o- a
portion t'ereo-, partic"larl# t'oe pai! !"ring t'e perio! -rom )an"ar# 1, 1965
to April *9, 1965 'a! alrea!# precribe!& ?ence, ICL wa cre!ite! t'e re-"n!
o- <1A,06A&*A onl#& Bot' partie appeale! -rom t'e !eciion o- t'e CTA& T'e
CIR averre! t'at CTA 'o"l! not 'ave r"le! t'i wa#& T'e title o- RA 1850 i
RAn Act to <rovi!e 9ean -or Increaing T'e ?ig'wa# Special %"n!&S T'e CIR
conten! t'at t'e "b=ect o- RA 1850 wa to increae ?ig'wa# Special %"n!&
?owever, Section 0 o- t'e Act !eal wit' anot'er "b=ect w'ic' i t'e partial
e:emption o- miner an! logger& An! t'i partial e:emption on w'ic' t'e
Compan# bae! it claim -or re-"n! i clearl# not e:pree! in t'e title o- t'e
a-oreai! Act& 9ore importantl#, Section 0 provi!e -or a !ecreae rat'er t'an
an increae o- t'e ?ig'wa# Special %"n!&
SSU!: $'et'er or not to grant t'e partial ta: re-"n! to ICL&
"!#$: T'e SC r"le! t'at t'ere i no merit in t'e contention o- t'e CIR& RA
1850 !eal wit' onl# one "b=ect an! proclaim ="t one polic#, namel#, t'e
neceit# -or increaing t'e ?ig'wa# Special %"n! t'ro"g' t'e impoition o-
an increae! peci4c ta: on man"-act"re! oil& T'e provio in Sec 0 o- t'e law
i in e(ect a partial e:emption -rom t'e impoe! increae! ta:& Sai! provio,
w'ic' 'a re-erence to peci4c ta: on oil an! -"el, i not a !eviation -rom t'e
general "b=ect o- t'e law& T'e primar# p"rpoe o- t'e a-oreD"ote!
contit"tional proviion i to pro'ibit !"plicit# in legilation t'e title o- w'ic'
mig't completel# -ail to apprie t'e legilator or t'e p"blic o- t'e nat"re,
cope an! coneD"ence o- t'e law or it operation& B"t t'at i not o -or in
t'e paage o- RA 1850 ince, a t'e recor! o- it procee!ing bear o"t, a -"ll
!ebate on preciel# t'e i"e o- w'et'er it title reVect it complete "b=ect
wa 'el! b# Congre w'ic' pae! it&
ARTICLE MI, Section *; (*)
+eng(on vs. $rilon
Political Law >eto Powe of the Pe$ident
FACTS: /n 10 )an 199*, ome proviion o- t'e Special <roviion -or t'e
S"preme Co"rt an! t'e Lower Co"rtF 2eneral Appropriation were vetoe! b#
t'e <rei!ent beca"e a reol"tion b# t'e Co"rt provi!ing -or appropriation
-or retire! ="tice 'a been enacte!& T'e vetoe! bill provi!e! -or t'e increae
o- t'e penion o- t'e retire! ="tice o- t'e S"preme Co"rt, an! t'e Co"rt o-
Appeal a well a member o- t'e Contit"tional Commiion&
SSU!: $'et'er or not t'e veto o- t'e <rei!ent on t'at portion o- t'e
2eneral Appropriation bill i contit"tional&
"!#$: T'e )"tice o- t'e Co"rt 'ave vete! rig't to t'e accr"e! penion
t'at i !"e to t'em in accor!ance to Rep"blic Act 1;9;& T'e prei!ent 'a no
power to et ai!e an! overri!e t'e !eciion o- t'e S"preme Co"rt neit'er
!oe t'e prei!ent 'ave t'e power to enact or amen! tat"te prom"lgate!
b# 'er pre!eceor m"c' le to t'e repeal o- e:iting law& T'e veto i
"ncontit"tional ince t'e power o- t'e prei!ent to !iapprove an# item or
item in t'e appropriation bill !oe not grant t'e a"t'orit# to veto part o- an
item an! to approve t'e remaining portion o- ai! item&
ARTICLE MI, Section *7
A'ra Falley College7 nc. vs. A*uino
FACTS: <etitioner, an e!"cational corporation an! intit"tion o- 'ig'er
learning !"l# incorporate! wit' t'e Sec"ritie an! E:c'ange Commiion in
1987, 4le! a complaint to ann"l an! !eclare voi! t'e R6otice o- Sei>"reF an!
t'e R6otice o- SaleS o- it lot an! b"il!ing locate! at Bang"e!, Abra, -or non,
pa#ment o- real etate ta:e an! penaltie amo"nting to <0,18A&51& Sai!
R6otice o- Sei>"reS b# repon!ent 9"nicipal Trea"rer an! <rovincial
Trea"rer, !e-en!ant below, wa i"e! -or t'e ati-action o- t'e ai! ta:e
t'ereon& T'e partie entere! into a tip"lation o- -act a!opte! an! embo!ie!
b# t'e trial co"rt in it D"etione! !eciion& T'e trial co"rt r"le! -or t'e
government, 'ol!ing t'at t'e econ! Voor o- t'e b"il!ing i being "e! b# t'e
!irector -or rei!ential p"rpoe an! t'at t'e gro"n! Voor "e! an! rente! b#
6ort'ern 9ar.eting Corporation, a commercial etabli'ment, an! t'" t'e
propert# i not being "e! e:cl"ivel# -or e!"cational p"rpoe& Intea! o-
per-ecting an appeal, petitioner availe! o- t'e intant petition -or review on
certiorari wit' pra#er -or preliminar# in="nction be-ore t'e S"preme Co"rt, b#
4ling ai! petition on 1; A"g"t 19;8&
SSU!: $'et'er or not t'e lot an! b"il!ing are "e! e:cl"ivel# -or
e!"cational p"rpoe&
"!#$: Section **, paragrap' 5, Article MI, o- t'e t'en 1950 <'ilippine
Contit"tion, e:prel# grant e:emption -rom realt# ta:e -or cemeterie,
c'"rc'e an! paronage or convent app"rtenant t'ereto, an! all lan!,
b"il!ing, an! improvement "e! e:cl"ivel# -or religio", c'aritable or
e!"cational p"rpoe& Reaonable emp'ai 'a alwa# been ma!e t'at t'e
e:emption e:ten! to -acilitie w'ic' are inci!ental to an! reaonabl#
necear# -or t'e accompli'ment o- t'e main p"rpoe& T'e "e o- t'e
c'ool b"il!ing or lot -or commercial p"rpoe i neit'er contemplate! b# law,
nor b# ="ripr"!ence& In t'e cae at bar, t'e leae o- t'e 4rt Voor o- t'e
b"il!ing to t'e 6ort'ern 9ar.eting Corporation cannot b# an# tretc' o- t'e
imagination be coni!ere! inci!ental to t'e p"rpoe o- e!"cation& T'e tet o-
e:emption -rom ta:ation i t'e "e o- t'e propert# -or p"rpoe mentione! in
t'e Contit"tion& T'e !eciion o- t'e C%I Abra (Branc' I) i a3rme! "b=ect to
t'e mo!i4cation t'at 'al- o- t'e aee! ta: be ret"rne! to t'e petitioner&
T'e mo!i4cation i !erive! -rom t'e -act t'at t'e gro"n! Voor i being "e!
-or commercial p"rpoe (leae!) an! t'e econ! Voor being "e! a
inci!ental to e!"cation (rei!ence o- t'e !irector)&
ARTICLE MI, Section *9
,ascual vs. Secretary of ,u'lic 1orGs and Communications
Political Law A##o#iation Fo Pivate B$e .ot Allowed
FACTS: In 1905, RA 9*A wa pae!& T'i law appropriate! <70,AAA&AA R-or
t'e contr"ction, recontr"ction, repair, e:tenion an! improvementS o- R<aig
-ee!er roa! terminal& <ac"al, t'en governor o- Ri>al, aaile! t'e vali!it# o-
t'e law& ?e claime! t'at t'e appropriation wa act"all# going to be "e! -or
private "e -or t'e terminal o"g't to be improve! were part o- t'e Antonio
S"b!iviion& T'e ai! S"b!iviion i owne! b# Senator H"l"eta w'o wa a
member o- t'e ame Senate t'at pae! an! approve! t'e ame RA& <ac"al
claime! t'at H"l"eta mirepreente! in Congre t'e -act t'at 'e own t'oe
terminal an! t'at 'i propert# wo"l! be "nlaw-"ll# enric'e! at t'e e:pene
o- t'e ta:pa#er i- t'e ai! RA wo"l! be "p'el!& <ac"al t'en pra#e! t'at t'e
Sec o- <"blic $or. be retraine! -rom releaing -"n! -or "c' p"rpoe&
H"l"eta, on t'e ot'er 'an!, per'ap a an a-tert'o"g't, !onate! t'e ai!
propert# to t'e Cit# o- <aig&
SSU!: $'et'er or not t'e appropriation i vali!&
"!#$: T'e !onation o- t'e propert# to t'e government to ma.e t'e propert#
p"blic !oe not c"re t'e contit"tional !e-ect& T'e -act t'at t'e law wa
pae! w'en t'e ai! propert# wa till a private propert# cannot be ignore!&
RIn accor!ance wit' t'e r"le t'at t'e ta:ing power m"t be e:ercie! -or
p"blic p"rpoe onl#, mone# raie! b# ta:ation can be e:pan!e! onl# -or
p"blic p"rpoe an! not -or t'e a!vantage o- private in!ivi!"al&S Inam"c'
a t'e lan! on w'ic' t'e pro=ecte! -ee!er roa! were to be contr"cte!
belonge! t'en to H"l"eta, t'e re"lt i t'at ai! appropriation o"g't a private
p"rpoe, an!, 'ence, wa n"ll an! voi!&
Gaston vs. &epu'lic ,lanters +anG
Facts: <etitioner are "gar pro!"cer an! planter an! miller 4le! a
9A6+A91S to implement t'e privati>ation o- Rep"blic <lanter Ban., an!
-or t'e tran-er o- t'e 'are in t'e government ban. to "gar pro!"cer an!
planter& (beca"e t'e# are allege!l# t'e tr"e bene4cial owner o- t'e
ban. ince t'e# pa# <1&AA per pic"l o- "gar -rom t'e procee! o-
"gar pro!"cer a STABILIHATI/6 %EES)
T'e 'are are c"rrentl# 'el! b# <'il"com T S"gar Reg"lator# A!min&
T'e Solgen co"ntere! t'at t'e tabili>ation -ee are coni!ere! government
-"n! an! t'at t'e tran-er o- 'are to -rom <'il"com to t'e
"gar pro!"cer wo"l! be irreg"lar&
ssueQ $'at i t'e nat"re o- t'e <1&AA tabili>ation -ee collecte! -rom
"gar pro!"cerG Are t'e# -"n! 'el! in tr"t -or t'em, or are t'e# p"blic
-"n!G Are t'e 'are in t'e ban. (pai! "ing t'ee -ee) owne! b# t'e
government <'il"com or privatel# b# t'e !i(erent "gar planter -rom w'om
"c' -ee were collecte!G
"eldQ <1BLIC %16+S& $'ile it i tr"e t'at t'e collecte! -ee were "e! to b"#
'are in R<B, it !i! not collect ai! -ee -or t'e acco"nt o- "gar pro!"cer&
T'e tabili>ation -ee were c'arge! on "gar pro!"ce! an! mille! w'ic'
ACCR1E+ T/ <?ILS1C/9, "n!er <+ 557&
T'e -ee collecte! ARE I6 T?E 6AT1RE /% A TAO&, w'ic' i wit'in t'e power o-
t'e tate to impoe %/R T?E <R/9/TI/6 /% T?E S12AR I6+1STRC& T'e#
contit"te "gar lien& T'e collection accr"e to a S<ECIAL %16+S& It i levie!
not p"rel# -or ta:ation, b"t -or reg"lation, to provi!e mean T/ STABILIHE T?E
S12AR I6+1STRC& T'e lev# i primaril# an e:ercie o- police power&
T'e -act t'at t'e State 'a ta.en mone# p"r"ant to law i "3cient to
contit"te t'em a STATE %16+S, even t'o"g' 'el! -or a pecial p"rpoe&
?aving been levie! -or a pecial p"rpoe, t'e reven"e are treate! a a
pecial -"n!, a!minitere! in tr"t -or t'e p"rpoe inten!e!& /nce t'e p"rpoe
'a been -"l4lle! or aban!one!, t'e balance will be tran-erre! to t'e general
-"n! o- govFt&
It i a pecial -"n! ince t'e -"n! are !epoite! in <6B, not in t'e 6ational
Trea"r#&
T'e "gar planter are 6/T BE6E%ICIAL /$6ERS& T'e mone# i collecte! -rom
t'em onl# beca"e t'e# it i alo t'e# w'o are to be bene4te! -rom t'e
e:pen!it"re o- -"n! !erive! -rom it& T'e inveting o- t'e -"n! in R<B i not
alien to t'e p"rpoe ince t'e Ban. i a commo!it# ban. -or "gar, conceive!
-or t'e "gar in!"tr#F growt' an! !evelopment&
Reven"e !erive! -rom ta:e cannot be "e! p"rel# -or private p"rpoe or
-or t'e e:cl"ive bene4t o- private peron& T'e Stabili>ation %"n! i to be
"tili>e! -or t'e bene4t o- t'e E6TIRE S12AR I6+1STRC, an! all it
component, tabili>ation o- !ometic an! -oreign mar.et, ince t'e "gar
in!"tr# i o- vital importance to t'e co"ntr#F econom# an! national interet&
,lanters ,roducts7 nc. vs. Fertiphil Corporation
,lanters ,roducts nc vs Fertiphil Corp G.&. 2o. 3<<88< )arch 347 68
8H
FACTSQ <etitioner <<I an! repon!ent %ertip'il are private corporation
incorporate! "n!er <'ilippinelaw, bot' engage! in t'e importation an!
!itrib"tion o- -ertili>er, petici!e an! agric"lt"ralc'emical&9arco i"e!
Letter o- Intr"ction (L/I) 1860, impoing a capital recover# component o-
<'p1A&AA perbag o- -ertili>er& T'e lev# wa to contin"e "ntil a!eD"ate capital
wa raie! to ma.e <<I 4nanciall#viable& %ertip'il remitte! to t'e %ertili>er an!
<etici!e A"t'orit# (%<A), w'ic' wa t'en remitte! t'e!epoitor# ban. o-
<<I& %ertip'il pai! <6,679,188 to %<A -rom 1970 to 1976&A-ter t'e 1976
E!a Revol"tion, %<A vol"ntaril# toppe! t'e impoition o- t'e <1A lev#&
%ertip'il!eman!e! -rom <<I a re-"n! o- t'e amo"nt it remitte!, 'owever <<I
re-"e!& %ertip'il 4le! a complaint-or collection an! !amage, D"etioning t'e
contit"tionalit# o- L/I 1860, claiming t'at it wa "n="t,"nreaonable,
oppreive, invali! an! an "nlaw-"l impoition t'at amo"nte! to a !enial
o- !"e proce&<<I arg"e t'at %ertip'il 'a no loc" tan!i to D"etion t'e
contit"tionalit# o- L/I 6o& 1860 beca"e it!oe not 'ave a Eperonal an!
"btantial interet in t'e cae or will "tain !irect in="r# a a re"lt o- it
en-orcement&E It aert t'at %ertip'il !i! not "(er an# !amage -rom t'e
impoition beca"eEinci!ence o- t'e lev# -ell on t'e "ltimate con"mer or t'e
-armer t'emelve, not on t'e eller-ertili>er compan#&
SSU!Q $'et'er or not %ertip'il 'a loc" tan!i to D"etion t'e
contit"tionalit# o- L/I 6o& 1860&$'at i t'e power o- ta:ationG
&U#2GQ %ertip'il 'a loc" tan!i beca"e it "(ere! !irect in="r#I !octrine
o- tan!ing i a mereproce!"ral tec'nicalit# w'ic' ma# be waive!&T'e
impoition o- t'e lev# wa an e:ercie o- t'e ta:ation power o- t'e
tate& $'ile it i tr"e t'at t'epower to ta: can be "e! a an implement o-
police power, t'e primar# p"rpoe o- t'e lev# wa reven"egeneration& I- t'e
p"rpoe i primaril# reven"e, or i- reven"e i, at leat, one o- t'e real
an! "btantialp"rpoe, t'en t'e e:action i properl# calle! a ta:&<olice
power an! t'e power o- ta:ation are in'erent power o- t'e State& T'ee
power are !itinct an!'ave !i(erent tet -or vali!it#& <olice power i t'e
power o- t'e State to enact legilation t'at ma#inter-ere wit' peronal libert#
or propert# in or!er to promote t'e general wel-are, w'ile t'e power
o- ta:ation i t'e power to lev# ta:e to be "e! -or p"blic p"rpoe& T'e main
p"rpoe o- police power it'e reg"lation o- a be'avior or con!"ct, w'ile
ta:ation i reven"e generation& T'e Elaw-"l "b=ectE an!Elaw-"l meanE tet
are "e! to !etermine t'e vali!it# o- a law enacte! "n!er t'e police power&
T'epower o- ta:ation, on t'e ot'er 'an!, i circ"mcribe! b# in'erent an!
contit"tional limitation