RUBI, ET AL.

(manguianes), plaintiffs, 

vs. 

THE PROVINCIAL BOARD OF MINDORO, defendant.

FACTS:

On February 1, 1917, the provincial board of Mindoro adopted resolution No. 25. On
December 4, 1917, the provincial governor of Mindoro issued executive order No.  2
which says: 

"Whereas the provincial board, by Resolution No. 25, current series, has selected a  site
in the sitio of Tigbao on Naujan Lake for the permanent settlement of  Mangyanes in
Mindoro. 

"Whereas said resolution has been duly approve by the Honorable, the Secretary of  the
Interior, on February 21, 1917.

Rubi and those living in his rancheria have not fixed their dwelling within the reservation
of Tigbao and are liable to be punished in accordance with section 2759 of Act No.
2711. This is an application for habeas corpus in favor of Rubi and other Manguianes of
the Province of Mindoro. It is alleged that the Maguianes are being illegally deprived of
their liberty by the provincial officials of that province. Rubi and his companions are said
to be held on the reservation established at Tigbao, Mindoro, against their will, and one
Dabalos is said to be held under the custody of the provincial sheriff in the prison at
Calapan for having run away form the reservation. Petitioners, however, challenge the
validity of this section of the Administrative Code.

ISSUE: whether the Section 2145 of the Administrative Code of 1917 Constitute is
unconstitutional?

Ruling:

the Supreme Court sustained the constitutionality of this section of the Administrative
Code. If we were to follow the literal meaning of the word "non-Christian," it would of
course result in  giving to it a religious signification. Obviously, Christian would be those
who profess the Christian  religion, and non-Christians, would be those who do not
profess the Christian religion. In partial  corroboration of this view, there could also be
cited section 2576 of the last Administrative Code  and certain well-known authorities,
as Zuñiga, "Estadismo de las Islas Filipinas," Professor  Ferdinand Blumentritt,
"Philippine Tribes and Languages," and Dr. N. M. Saleeby, "The Origin of  Malayan
Filipinos." The Supreme Court held that the resolution of the provincial board of Mindoro
was neither discriminatory nor class legislation, and stated among other things:  one
cannot hold that the liberty of the citizen is unduly interfered with when the degree of
civilization of the Manguianes is considered. They are restrained for their own good and
the general good of the Philippines. Nor can one say that due process of law has not
been followed.