LAWYER’S LEAGUE VS.  AQUINO, ET AL. G.R. No.

73748, May 22, 1986

Ponente: GLORIA C. PARAS
 FACTS:
On February 25, 1986, President Corazon Aquino issued Proclamation No. 1 announcing that
she and Vice President Laurel were taking power.
On March 25, 1986, proclamation No.3 was issued providing the basis of the Aquino
government assumption of power by stating that the “new government was installed through a
direct exercise of the power of the Filipino people assisted by units of the New Armed Forces of
the Philippines.”
ISSUE:
Whether or not the government of Corazon Aquino is legitimate
Decision:
As early as April 10, 1986, this Court* had already voted to dismiss the petitions for the
reasons to be stated below.
1. On April 17, 1986, Atty. Lozano as counsel for the petitioners in G.R. Nos. 73748 and
73972 withdrew the petitions and manifested that they would pursue the question by
extra-judicial methods. The withdrawal is functus oficio.
2. The legitimacy of the Aquino government is not a justiciable matter. It belongs to the
realm of politics where only the people of the Philippines are the judge.  And the people
have made the judgment; they have accepted the government of President Corazon C.
Aquino
3. The community of nations has recognized the legitimacy of the present government. All
the eleven members of this Court, as reorganized, have sworn to uphold the
fundamental law of the Republic under her government.