Ta?nada vs. Angara

15/11/2019 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED VOLUME 272
18 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

Ta ada vs. Angara
*
G.R. N . 118295. Ma 2, 1997.
WIGBERTO E. TAÑADA a d ANNA DOMINIQUE COSETENG,

a e be f he Phi i i e Se a e a d a a a e ; GREGORIO
ANDOLANA a d JOKER ARROYO a e be f he H e f
Re e e a i e a d a a a e ; NICANOR P. PERLAS a d
HORACIO R. MORALES, b h a a a e ; CIVIL LIBERTIES
UNION, NATIONAL ECONOMIC PROTECTIONISM
ASSOCIATION, CENTER FOR ALTERNATIVE
DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES, LIKAS-KAYANG
KAUNLARAN FOUNDATION, INC., PHILIPPINE RURAL
RECONSTRUCTION MOVEMENT, DEMOKRATIKONG
KILUSAN NG MAGBUBUKID NG PILIPINAS, INC., a d
PHILIPPINE PEASANT INSTITUTE, i e e e a i f ai
a a e a d a -g e e a ga i a i , e i i e , .
EDGARDO ANGARA, ALBERTO ROMULO, LETICIA
RAMOS-SHAHANI, HEHERSON ALVAREZ, AGAPITO
AQUINO, RODOLFO BIAZON, NEPTALI
______________
* EN BANC.
VOL. 272, MAY 2, 1997 19

Ta ada vs. Angara
GONZALES, ERNESTO HERRERA, JOSE LINA, GLORIA

MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, ORLANDO MERCADO, BLAS OPLE,
JOHN OSME A, SANTANINA RASUL, RAMON REVILLA,
RAUL ROCO, FRANCISCO TATAD a d FREDDIE WEBB, i
hei e ec i e ca aci ie a e be f he Phi i i e Se a e h
c c ed i he a i ca i b he P e ide f he Phi i i e f
he Ag ee e E ab i hi g he W d T ade O ga i a i ;
SALVADOR ENRIQUEZ, i hi ca aci a Sec e a f B dge
a d Ma age e ; CARIDAD VALDEHUESA, i he ca aci a
.ce a .c . h/ f eade / e i /0000016e6f1512bcaf5290ce003600fb002c009e/ /? =Fa e 1/60
Na i a T ea e ; RIZALINO NAVARRO, i hi ca aci a

Sec e a f T ade a d I d ; ROBERTO SEBASTIAN, i hi
ca aci a Sec e a f Ag ic e; ROBERTO DE OCAMPO, i
hi ca aci a Sec e a f Fi a ce; ROBERTO ROMULO, i hi
ca aci a Sec e a f F eig Affai ; a d TEOFISTO T.
GUINGONA, i hi ca aci a E ec i e Sec e a , e de .
Constitutional La ; Judicial Revie ; Separation of Po ers; Where an

action of the legislative branch is seriousl alleged to have infringed the
Constitution, it becom es not onl the right but in fact the dut of the
judiciar to settle the dispute. I eeki g if a ac f he Phi i i e
Se a e he g d ha i c a e e he C i i , he e i i
d b ai e a j iciab e c e . Whe e a ac i f he egi a i e
b a ch i e i a eged ha e i f i ged he C i i , i bec e
he igh b i fac he d f he j dicia e e he di e.
The e i h ed i j dicia a he ha i ica . The d (
adj dica e) e ai a e ha he e ac f he C i i i
he d. O ce a c e a he a ica i i e eai fa
c i i a i i i ai ed bef e hi C (a i he i a ca e), i
bec e a ega i e hich he C i b db c i i a a da e
decide.
Same; Same; Actions; Special Civil Actions; Certiorari, prohibition
and mandamus are appropriate remedies to raise constitutional issues and
to revie and/or prohibit/nullif , hen proper, acts of legislative and
e ecutive of cials. A he e i i a ege g a e ab e f di c e i a d a
he e i he ai , eed ade a e e ed i he di a c e f
a , e ha e he i a i a a i h di g ha hi e i i h d be gi e
d ec e a d he
20
Ta ada vs. Angara
ia e i ai ed he ei ed de R e 65 f he R e f
C . I deed, ce i a i, hibi i a d a da ae a ia e
e edie ai e c i i a i e a d e ie a d/ hibi / if ,
he e , ac f egi a i e a d e ec i e f cia . O hi , e ha e
e i ca i .
Same; Same; Same; Same; In deciding to take jurisdiction over this
petition, the Supreme Court does not revie the isdom of the decision of
the President and the Senate in enlisting the countr in the WTO, or pass
upon the merits of trade liberali ation as a polic espoused b said
international bod , rather, it onl e ercises its constitutional dut to
determine hether or not there had been a grave abuse of discretion
amounting to lack or e cess of jurisdiction on the part of the Senate in

ratif ing the WTO Agreement and its three anne es. We h d e ha ,
i decidi g ake j i dic i e hi e i i , hi C i e ie
he isdom f he deci i f he P e ide a d he Se a e i e i i g he
c i he WTO, a he m erits f ade ibe a i a i a a
ic e ed b aid i e a i a b d . Nei he i i e he
propriet f he g e e ec ic ic f ed ci g/ e i g a iff ,
a e , b idie , a i a i e e ic i , a d he i / ade ba ie .
Ra he , i i e e ci e i c i i a d de e i e he he
he e had bee a g a e ab e f di c e i a i g ack e ce
f j i dic i he a f he Se a e i a if i g he WTO Ag ee e
a d i h ee a e e .
Same; Constitutional Principles and State Policies; The principles and
state policies enumerated in Article II and some sections of Article XII are
not self-e ecuting provisions, the disregard of hich can give rise to a cause
of action in the courts. B i e i e, A ic e II f he C i i i a
dec a a i f i ci e a d a e icie . The c e a f hi a ic e
i he 1935 C i i i ca ed he ba ic i ica c eed f he a i b
Dea Vice e Si c . The e i ci e i A ic e II a e i e ded be
e f-e ec i g i ci e ead f e f ce e h gh he c . The a e
ed b he j dicia a aid a g ide i he e e ci e f i e f
j dicia e ie , a d b he egi a e i i e ac e f a . A he d i
he eadi g ca e f Kilosba an, Incorporated vs. Morato, he i ci e a d
ae icie e e a ed i A ic e II a d e ec i f A ic e XII a e
e f-e ec i g i i , he di ega d f hich ca gi e i e a
ca e f ac i i he c . The d e b d j dicia e f ceab e
c i i a igh b g ide i e f egi a i .
21
VOL. 272, MAY 2, 1997 21
Ta ada vs. Angara
Same; Same; Separation of Po ers; Due Process. The ea f

de i g a ca e f ac i a a eged i f i ge e f b ad c i i a
i ci e a e ced f ba ic c ide a i fd e ce a d he ack
f j dicia a h i ade i he cha ed cea f cia a d
ec ic ic aki g.
Same; Same; Trade Liberali ation; Filipino First Polic ; While the
Constitution indeed mandates a bias in favor of Filipino goods, services,
labor and enterprises, at the same time, it recogni es the need for business
e change ith the rest of the orld on the bases of equalit and reciprocit
and limits protection of Filipino enterprises onl against foreign
competition and trade practices that are unfair the Constitution did not
intend to pursue an isolationist polic . A d, hi e he C i i
i deed a da e a bia i fa f Fi i i g d , e ice , ab a d

e e i e , a he a e i e, i ec g i e he eed f b i e e cha ge
i h he e f he d he ba e f e a i a d eci ci a d i i
ec i f Fi i i e e i e agai f eig c e i i a d ade
ac ice ha a e fai . I he d , he C i i did i e d
ea i ai i ic . I did h f eig i e e , g d
a d e ice i he de e e f he Phi i i e ec . Whi e he
C i i d e e c age he i i ed e f f eig g d ,
e ice a d i e e i he c ,i d e hibi he ei he . I
fac , i a a e cha ge he ba i f e a i a d eci ci , f i g
f eig c eii ha i unfair.
Same; Same; Same; Same; World Trade Organi ation (WTO); General
Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT); There is hardl an basis for the
statement that under the WTO, local industries and enterprises ill all be
iped out and that Filipinos ill be deprived of control of the econom , for,
quite to the contrar , the eaker situations of developing nations like the
Philippines have been taken into account. M e e , GATT i e f ha
ided b i -i ec i f fai f eig c eii a d ade
ac ice i c di g a i-d i g ea e , c e ai i g ea e a d
afeg a d agai i ge . Whe e ca b i e a e je a di ed b
fai f eig c e i i , he Phi i i e ca a ai f he e ea e .
The e i ha d he ef e a ba i f he a e e ha de he WTO,
ca i d ie a d e e i e i a be i ed a d ha Fi i i i
be de i ed f c f he ec . Q i e he c a , he eake
i ai f de e i g a i ike he Phi i i e ha e bee ake i
acc ; h , he e d be ba i a
22
Ta ada vs. Angara
ha i j i i g he WTO, he e de ha e g a e ab ed hei
di c e i . T e, he ha e ade a b d deci i ee he hi f a e
i he e cha ed ea f ec ic ibe a i a i . B ch deci i
ca be e a ide he g d f g a e ab e f di c e i , i
beca e e di ag ee i h i i beca e e be ie e i he
ec ic icie . A ea ie a ed, he C i aki g j i dic i f hi
ca e i a he ad a age a d di ad a age f ade
ibe a i a i a a ec ic ic . I i ef i c i i a
d f de e i i g he he he Se a e c i ed g a e ab e f
di c e i .
Same; Same; Same; Same; Same; Same; The fundamental la
encourages industries that are competitive in both domestic and foreign
markets, thereb demonstrating a clear polic against a sheltered domestic
trade environment, but one in favor of the gradual developm ent of robust

industries that can compete ith the best in the foreign markets. The WTO
e ia ce fa ed a i , a i a ea e , a d ade i h
di c i i a i ca be ck d a c i i a a i fac he a e
e f e a i a d eci ci ha a a WTO e be . A ide
f e i i i g a ade ic ba ed e a i a d eci ci , he
f da e a a e c age i d ie ha a e c eii e i b h
d e ic a d f eig a ke , he eb de a i g a c ea ic agai
a he e ed d e ic ade e i e , b e i fa f he g ad a
de e e f b i d ie ha ca c e e i h he be i he
f eig a ke . I deed, Fi i i a age a d Fi i i e e i e ha e
h ca abi i a d e aci c e e i e a i a . A d gi e a f ee
ade e i e , Fi i i e e e e a d a age i H gk g ha e
de a ed he Fi i i ca aci g a d e agai he be
ffe ed de a ic f laisse faire.
Same; Same; Same; Same; Same; Same; Political Questions; The
responses to questions on hether WTO/GATT ill favor the general
elfare of the public at large involve judgment calls b our polic
makers, for hich the are ans erable to our people during appropriate
electoral e ercises such questions and the ans ers thereto are not subject
to judicial pronouncements based on grave abuse of discretion.
C e e , he e i b i d he he WTO/GATT i fa
he ge e a e fa e f he b ic a a ge. Wi adhe e ce he W TO ea
b i g hi idea ( f fa i g he ge e a e fa e) ea i ? Wi
WTO/GATT cceed i i g he Fi i i ge e a e fa e beca e i
i a i ed b i
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VOL. 272, MAY 2, 1997 23
Ta ada vs. Angara
e e a d he c e a d ge e a e ee e ?
Wi i b i g e ei , e e , cha i g e a d ai
d c a he ea ab e a e he Fi i i b ic? The e e
he e e i i e j dg e ca b ic ake , f hich
he a e a e ab e e e d i g a ia e e ec a e e ci e .
S ch e i a d he a e he e a e bjec j dicia
ce e ba ed g a e ab e f di c e i .
Same; It is to the credit of its drafters that the Constitution can
ithstand the assaults of bigots and in dels but at the same time bend ith
the refreshing inds of change necessitated b unfolding events. I i
dif c a e hi e i .C i i a e de ig ed ee
he aga ie f c e a e e . The h d be i e e ed c e
e e f ea d k ci c a ce . I i he c edi f i d af e ha
a C i i ca i h a d he a a f big a d i de b a he

a e i e be d i h he ef e hi g i d f cha ge ece i a ed b
f di g e e . A ee i e i ica a i e a d e ec ed j i
e ai : The C i i be i e e ia a he ha e cia ,
he a d he b , he ba e a d f a e k f he edi ce ha
i e i e. I i b he c e f he d ea ha ake ha e, i a
i ki g b a da e f de ega e , b i he c cib e f
Fi i i i d a d hea , he e i i i i e de e i i e a d
g ad a ga he i e g h a d a achie e i b a ce. I e, he
C i i ca , ike he g dde A he a, i e f -g f he b
f he C i i a C e i , ca i c j e b ee a a i a
U ia. It must gro ith the societ it seeks to re-structure and march
apace ith the progress of the race, dra ing from the vicissitudes of histor
the d namism and vitalit that ill keep it, far from becoming a petri ed
rule, a pulsing, living la attuned to the heartbeat of the nation.
Same; International La ; While sovereignt has traditionall been
deemed absolute and all encompassing on the domestic level, it is ho ever
subject to restrictions and limi tation s vol un tari l agreed to b the
Philippines, e pressl or impliedl , as a mem ber of the famil of nations.
Thi C e a d a ecia e he fe ci a d a i b hich
eii e e ed hei a g e hi i e. H e e , hi e
e eig ha adi i a bee dee ed ab e a d a -e c a i g
he d e ic e e , i i h e e bjec e ic i a d i iai
a i ag eed b he
24
Ta ada vs. Angara
Phi i i e , e e i ied , a a e be f he fa i f ai .
U e i ab , he C i i did e i i a he i - e i a i f
he c f he e f he d.
Same; Same; Doctrine of I ncorporation; Words and Phrases; B the
doctrine of incorporation, the countr is bound b generall accepted
principles of international la , hich are considered automaticall part of
our o n la s. I i Dec a a i f P i ci e a d S a e P icie , he
C i i ad he ge e a acce ed i ci e f i e a i a a
a a f he a f he a d, a d adhe e he ic f eace, e a i ,
j ice, f eed , c e a i a d a i , i h a a i . B he d c i e f
i c a i , he c i b d b ge e a acce ed i ci e f
i e a i a a , hich a e c ide ed be a a ica a f
a . O e f he de a d f da e a e i i e ai a a i
pacta sunt servanda i e a i a ag ee e be e f ed i g d
fai h. A ea e gage e i a ee a b iga i b c ea e a
ega bi di g b iga i he a ie . A a e hich ha c ac ed

a id i e a i a b iga i i b d ake i i egi a i ch

di ca i a a be ece a e e he f e f he
b iga i de ake .
Same; Same; Treaties; B their voluntar act, nations ma surrender
some aspects of their state po er in e change for greater bene ts granted
b or derived from a convention or pact. B hei i he e a e, ea ie
ea i i e ic he ab e e f e eig . B hei a
ac , a i a e de e a ec f hei a e e i e cha ge f
g ea e be e g a ed b de i ed f ac e i ac . Af e a ,
a e , ike i di id a , i e i h c e a , a d i i f a
c e a ed bjec i e a d be e , he a c ag ee i i he
e e ci e f hei he i e ab e igh .
Same; Same; Same; World Trade Organi ation; Pleadings and
Practice; Article 34 of the General Provisions and Basic Principles of the
Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Propert Rights
(TRIPS) does not contain an unreasonable burden, consistent as it is ith
due process and the concept of adversarial dispute settlement inherent in
Philippine judicial s stem. Pe i i e a e ha a ag a h 1, A ic e 34 f
he Ge e a P i i a d Ba ic P i ci e f he Ag ee e T a de-
Re a ed A ec f I e ec a P e Righ (TRIPS) i de he
e f he S e e C ga e e c ce i g eadi g,
ac ice a d ce-
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VOL. 272, MAY 2, 1997 25
Ta ada vs. Angara
d e. B a d a ge, he a g e add ced i c ec i ih di

ii f he hi d i e de ga i f egi a i e e i a
hi f h i e a . S f ce i a ha he eci ci c a e e ha
j i e ch i i , if a ac a e i . Be ide , A ic e 34 d e
c ai a ea ab e b de , c i e a i i i h d e ce a d he
c ce f ad e a ia di e e e e i he e i j dicia e .S
, i ce he Phi i i e i a ig a i e ai a c e i
a e , ade a k a d c igh , he adj e i egi a i a d e
f ced e i be b a ia .
Same; Same; Same; Same; Same; Patents; Evidence; Words and
Phrases; Burden of Proof; Burden of Evidence; The burden of proof
contemplated b Article 34 should actuall and properl be understood as
referring to the burden of evidence (burden of going for ard) placed on
the producer of identical (or fake) product to sho that his product as
produced ithout the use of the patented process the patent o ner still has
the burden of proof since he still has to introduce evidence of the
e istence of the alleged identical product, the fact that it is identical to
the genuine one produced b the patented process and the fact of ne ness
of the genuine product or the fact of substantial likelihood that the
identical product as made b the patented process. F he ab e, a
WTO Me be i e i ed ide a e f di ab e ( e he d
i he ab e ce f f he c a ) e i ha a d c h
be ide ica e d ced i h he e f a a e ed ce ha be
dee ed ha e bee b ai ed b he (i ega ) e f he aid a e ed
ce , (1) he e ch d c b ai ed b he a e ed d c i e ,
(2) he e he e i b a ia ike ih d ha he ide ica d c a
ade i h he e f he aid a e ed ce b he e f he a e
c d de e i e he e ac ce ed i b ai i g ch ide ica
d c . He ce, he b de f f c e a ed b A ic e 34 h d
ac a be de d a he d f he a eged a e i f i ge
e h ch e i . S ch b de , e de d, ac a
efe he b de f e ide ce (b de f g i g f a d) aced he
d ce f he ide ica ( fake) d c h ha hi d c a
d ced ih he e f he a e ed ce . The f eg i g
i h a di g, he a e e i ha he b de f f i ce,
ega d e f he e i ided de a ag a h 1 f A ic e 34,
ch e i ha i d ce e ide ce f he e i e ce f he a eged
ide ica d c , he fac ha i i ide ica he ge i e e d ced
b he a e ed ce a d he fac f
26
Ta ada vs. Angara
e e f he ge i e d c he fac f b a ia ike ih d ha
he ide ica d c a ade b he a e ed ce .
Same; Same; Same; Same; Words and Phrases; Final Act,
E plained. A nal act, e i e ca ed protocol de cl ture, i a
i e hich ec d he i di g f he ceedi g f a di a ic
c fe e ce a d a i c de a e d c i f he e f ea ie ,
c e i , ec e da i a d he ac ag eed a d ig ed b
he e i e ia ie a e di g he c fe e ce. I i he ea i e f. I i
a he a a f he ceedi g f a ac ed c fe e ce hich a
ha e ake ace e e e a ea .
Same; Judicial Revie ; Words and Phrases; Certiorari; B grave
abuse of discretion is meant such capricious and himsical e ercise of
judgment as is equivalent to lack of jurisdiction, and mere abuse of
discretion is not enough it must be grave. B g a e ab e f di c e i i
ea ch ca ici a d hi ica e e ci e f j dg e a i e i a e
ack f j i dic i . Me e ab e f di c e i i e gh. I be
grave ab e f di c e i a he he e i e e ci ed i a a bi a

de ic a e b ea f a i e a h ii ,a d be
ae a d g a a a e ai fa ii e d a
i a ef a ef he d e j i ed ac a a i c e ai
f a . Fai e he a f he e i i e h g a e ab e f
di c e i i e i he di i a f he e i i .
Same; Same; Separation of Po ers; In rendering this Decision, the
Supreme Court never forgets that the Senate, hose act is under revie , is
one of t o sovereign houses of Congress and is thus entitled to great respect
in its actions. I e de i g hi Deci i , hi C e e f ge ha he
Se a e, h e ac i de e ie , i e f e eig h e f
C g e a d i h e i ed g ea e ec i i ac i . I i i e f a
c i i a b d i de e de a d c di a e, a d h i ac i ae
e ed eg a a d d e i g d fai h. U e c i ci g f a d
e ai e ag e a e e e ed e h ch e i , hi
C i e e e e d b i i fa . U i g he f eg i g e -
acce ed de i i f g a e ab e f di c e i a d he e i f
eg a i i he Se a e ce e , hi C ca d a c ge
ea i e g a e ab e f di c e i he Se a e e e ci e f i
e f c c e ce i he WTO Ag ee e g a ed i b Sec. 21 f
A ic e VII f he C i i .
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VOL. 272, MAY 2, 1997 27
Ta ada vs. Angara
Same; Same; Same; Treaties; World Trade Organi ation; The Senate
Act, after deliberation and voting, of voluntaril and over helmingl giving
its consent to the WTO Agreement thereb making it a part of the la of
the land, is a legitimate e ercise of its sovereign dut and po er. Tha
he Se a e, af e de ibe a i a d i g, a i a d e he i g
ga e i c e he WTO Ag ee e he eb aki g i a a f he a
f he a d i a egi i a e e e ci e f i e eig d a d e. W e
d ae a dg a bi a i e de i b ea f a i
e a h ii i ch e e ci e. I i i ib e i e ha
hi C , a ea e fi e be , a e e ag ee i h e i i e
ha i i e ad a age he a i a i e e ike d Se a e
Re i N . 97. B ha i not a legal reason a ib e g a e ab e f
di c e i he Se a e a d if i deci i . T d d
c i e g a e ab e i he e e ci e f j dicia e a dd .
I e dab , ha he Se a e did a a a id e e ci e f i a h i . A
he he ch e e ci e a i e, be e cia iab e i ide he ea f
j dicia i i a d e ie . Tha i a a e be ee he e ec ed ic
ake a d he e e. A he he he a i h d j i he d ide
a ch a d ade ibe a i a i a d ec ic g ba i a i i a a e
ha e e h d de e i e i e ec i g hei ic ake . Af e a ,

he WTO Ag ee e a i hd a a f e be hi , h d hi be he
i ica de i e f a e be .
World Trade Organi ation; Trade Liberali ation; I nternational La ;
Not ithstanding objections against possible limitations on national
sovereignt , the WTO remains as the onl viable structure for multilateral
trading and the veritable forum for the development of international trade
la . The e i e f i J h Nai bi , a h f he be e e
Megatrends, edic a A ia Re ai a ce he e he Ea i bec e he
d i a egi f he d ec ica , i ica a d c a i he
e ce . He efe he f ee a ke e ed b WTO a he
ca a i hi c i g A ia a ce da c . The e a e a e e ab 31
c ie i c di g Chi a, R ia a d Sa di A abia eg ia i g f
e be hi i he WTO. N i h a di g bjec i agai ib e
i iai ai a e eig , he WTO e ai a he iab e
c e f iaea adi g a d he e i ab e f f he
de e e f i e a i a ade a . The a e a i e WTO i i a i ,
ag a i , if ec ic e f-de c i . D e iched i h igi a
e be hi , kee a a e f he ad a age a d di ad a age f
g ba i a i ihi - i e e e ie ce, a d e d ed i h
Ta ada vs. Angara
a ii f he f e, he Phi i i e add e he c ad f a
i e ai a a eg f ec ic e i a d abi i i he e
i e i . Le he e e, h gh hei d a h i ed e ec ed f ce ,
ake hei f ee ch ice.
SPECIAL CIVIL ACTION i he S e eC . Ce i a i.
The fac a e a ed i he O i i f he C .
Abelardo F. Domondon f eii e .
The Solicitor General f e de .
PANGANIBAN, J.:
The e e ge ce Ja a 1, 1995 f he W d T ade O ga i a i ,

abe ed b he e be hi he e f he a aj i fc ie ,
ha e i i ed i e a i a b i e a d ec ic e a i
a g a e . I ha i e e ib e ed he d a d ade
ibe a i a i a d ec ic g ba i a i . Libe a i a i ,
g ba i a i , de eg a i a d i a i a i , he hi d- i e i
b d , a e he i g i a e b de e d fb i e b
ee i g a a a e e hi ica e ic he he e f e adi i a

de f i ga d ec i g a i a ec ie ike a iff ,
e b idie , i a, a i a i e e ic i , a
e e i a d c e c c . Fi di g a ke iche a d
bec i g he be i eci c i d ie i a a ke -d i e a d
e - ie ed g ba ce a i a e e aci g age- d begga - h -
eighb icie ha iaea ec eak a d i ef cie
d e ic d ce f g d a d e ice . I he d f Pe e
D cke , he e -k a age e g , I c ea ed a ici a i
i he d ec ha bec e he ke d e ic ec ic
g ha d ei .
B ief Hi o ical Backg o nd
T ha e d ide ec e f he de a a i gh b he
Sec d W d Wa , a f he e ab i h e f h ee iaea
i i i i i ed b ha g a d i ica b d , he U i ed
Na i e e di c ed a
VOL. 272, MAY 2, 1997 29

Ta ada vs. Angara
D ba Oak a d B e W d . The rst a he W d Ba k

(WB) hich a add e he ehabi i a i a d ec ci f
a - a aged a d a e de e i g c ie ; he second, he
I e a i a M e a F d (IMF) hich a dea i h c e c
b e ; a d he third, he I e a i a T ade O ga i a i (ITO),
hich a f e de a d edic abi i i d ade a d
i i i e iaea ec i i icie ha i i e cha e ge, e e
e a ia i , f he a e . H e e , f a a ie f ea ,
i c di g i - a i ca i b he U i ed S a e , he ITO, ike
he IMF a d WB, e e k ff. Wha e ai ed a GATT
he Ge e a Ag ee e Ta iff a d T ade. GATT a a c ec i
f ea ie g e i g acce he ec ie f ea adhe e
ih i i i a i ed b d ad i i e i g he ag ee e
de e dab e e f di e e e e .
Af e ha f a ce a d e e a di i g d f eg ia i ,
i ci a he Ke ed R d, he T k R d a d he U g a
R d, he d a ga e bi h ha ad i i e i g b d he
W d T ade O ga i a i i h he ig i g f he Fi a Ac i
Ma ake h, M 1
cc a d he a i ca i f he WTO Ag ee e b
i e be .
______________
1 I A e A f he Me a d , da ed A g 8, 1996, ecei ed b hi C
A g 12, 1996, Phi i i e A ba ad he U i ed Na i , W d T ade
O ga i a i a d he i e a i a ga i a i Li ia R. Ba i a (he eaf e efe ed

a Ba i a Pa e ) b i ed a 46- ea Ch g f GATT a f :
1947 The birth of GATT. O 30 Oc be 1947, he Ge e a Ag ee e Ta iff a d T ade

(GATT) a ig ed b 23 ai a he Pa ai de Na i i Ge e a. The Ag ee e
c ai ed a iff c ce i ag eed i he iaea ade eg ia i a da e f
e de ig ed e e he e c ce i f bei g f a ed b e ic i e ade ea e.
The 23 f di g c ac i g a ie ee e be f he P e a a C i ee
e ab i hed b he U i ed Na i Ec ic a d S cia C ci i 1946 d af he cha e f
he I e a i a T ade O ga i a i (ITO). The ITO a e i -
30

Ta ada vs. Angara
Like a he de e i g c ie , he Phi i i e j i ed WTO

a af di g e be i h he g a , a a ic -
_______________
aged a he a eg f a iad f -Wa ec ic age cie ( he he e e he

I e ai a M ea F d a d he I e a i a Ba k f Rec ci a e he W d
Ba k).
I aa e i h hi a k, he C i ee e be decided eg ia e a iff c ce i
a g he e e. F A i Oc be 1947, he a ici a c e ed e 123
eg ia i a d e ab i hed 20 ched e c ai i g he a iff ed c i a d bi di g hich
beca e a i eg a a f GATT. The e ched e e i gf he R d c e ed e
45,000 a iff c ce i a d ab $10 bi i i ade.
GATT a c cei ed a a i e i ea e ha i effec he c e cia - ic
ii f he ITO. I N e be , de ega i f 56 c ie e i Ha a a, C ba,
c ide he ITO d af a a h e. Af e g a d dif c eg ia i , e 53 c ie
ig ed he Fi a Ac a he ica i g he e f he Ha a a Cha e i Ma ch 1948. The e a
c i e ,h e e,f g e e a i ca i a d, i he e d, he ITO a i b ,
ea i g GATT a he i e ai a i e g e i g he c d c f d ade.
1948 Entr into force. O 1 Ja a 1948, GATT e e ed i f ce. The 23 f di g e
be e e: A a ia, Be gi , Ba i, B a, Ca ada, Ce , Chi e, Chi a, C ba,
C ech akia, F a ce, I dia, Leba , L e b g, Ne he a d , Ne Zea a d, N a ,
Paki a , S he Rh de ia, S ia, S h Af ica, U i ed Ki gd a d he U i ed S a e . The
Se i f he C ac i g Pa ie a he d f Feb a Ma ch i Ha a a, C ba. The
ec e a ia f he I e i C i i f he ITO, hich e ed a he ad hoc ec e a ia f
GATT, ed f Lake P acid, Ne Y k, Ge e a. The C ac i g Pa ie he d hei
ec d e i i Ge e a f A g Se e be .
1949 Second Round at Annec . D i g he ec d R d f ade eg ia i , he d f
A i A g a A ec , F a ce, he c ac i g a ie e cha ged e 5,000 a iff c ce
i . A hei hi d Se i , he a dea i h he acce i f e ec ie .
31

VOL. 272, MAY 2, 1997 31

Ta ada vs. Angara
a ed b P e ide Fide V. Ra i e e he Se a e (infra),

f i i g Phi i i e acce f eig a ke , e ecia i
aj adi g a e , h gh he ed c i f a iff i e ,
a ic a ag ic a a d i d ia d c . The P e ide a
a i he WTO he e i g f
_______________
1950 Third Round at Torqua . F Se e be 1950 A i 1951, he c ac i g a ie

e cha ged e 8,700 a iff c ce i i he E g i h , ie di g a iff ed c i f ab
25 e ce i eai he 1948 e e . F ec ie acceded GATT. D i g he f h
Se i f he C ac i g Pa ie , he U i ed S a e i dica ed ha he ITO Cha e d
be e- b i ed he US C g e ; hi , i effec , ea ha ITO d c e i
eai .
1956 Fourth Round at Geneva. The f h R d a c e ed i Ma a d d ced
e $2.5 bi i h f a iff ed c i . A he begi i g f he ea , he GATT
c e cia ic c ef f cia f de e i gc ie a i a g a ed.
1958 The Haberler Report. GATT b i hed Trends in International Trade i Oc be .
K a he Habe e Re i h f P fe G f ied Habe e , he chai a f he
a e f e i e ec i , i ided i i ia g ide i e f he k f GATT. The
C ac i g Pa ie a hei 13 h Se i , a e ded b Mi i e , be e e ab i hed h ee
c i ee i GATT: C i ee I c e e a f he a iff eg ia i g c fe e ce;
C i ee II e ie he ag ic a icie f e be g e e ;a dC i ee III
ack e he be faci g de e i g c ie i hei ade. The e ab i h e f he
E ea Ec ic C i d i g he e i ea a de a ded a ge- ca e a iff
eg ia i de A ic e XXIV:6 f he Ge e a Ag ee e .
1960 The Dillon Round. The f h R d e ed i Se e be a d a di ided i
ha e : he a c ce ed i h eg ia i i h EEC e be ae f he c ea i fa
i g e ched e f c ce i f he C i ba ed i C E e a Ta iff; a d
he ec d a a f he ge e a d f a iff eg ia i . Na ed i h f US
U de Sec e a f Sae D g a Di h ed he eg ia i , he R d a
c c ded i J 1962 a d e ed i ab 4,400 a iff c ce i c e i g $4.9 bi i f
ade.
32

Ta ada vs. Angara
e i ie f he e ice ec , ( he ed c i f)
c a d ce ai a cia ed i h e i g ,a d
_______________

1961 The Short-Term Arrangement c e i g c e ie a ag eed a a e ce i he

GATT e . The a a ge e e i ed he eg ia i f a e ic i affec i g he
e f c - d ci g c ie . I 1962 he Sh Te A a ge e beca e he
L g e A a ge e , a i g i 1974 he he M i b e A a ge e e e ed i
f ce.
1964 The Kenned Round. Mee i g a Mi i e ia e e , a T ade Neg ia i C i ee
f a e ed he Ke ed R d i Ma . I J e 1967, he R d Fi a Ac a ig ed
b e 50 a ici a i g c ie hich ge he acc ed f 75 e ce f d ade. F
he i e, eg ia i de a ed f he d c -b - d c a ach ed i he e i
R d a ac - he-b a d i ea eh d f c i g a iff f i d ia g d . The
ki g h he i f a 50 e ce a ge c i a iff e e a achie ed i a a ea .
C ce i c e ed a e i a ed a a e f ade f ab $40 bi i . Se a a e
ag ee e e e eached g ai , che ica d c a d a C de A i-D i g.
1965 A Ne Chapter. The ea 1960 a ked he acce i he Ge e a Ag ee e f
a e -i de e de de e i gc ie . I Feb a , he C ac i g Pa ie , ee i g
i a ecia e i , ad ed he e f Pa IV T ade a d De e e . The addi i a
cha e he GATT e i ed de e ed c ie acc d high i i he ed c i f
ade ba ie d c f de e i gc ie . A C i ee T ade a d De e e
a e ab i hed e ee he f c i i g f he e GATT ii .I he ecedi g ea ,
GATT had e ab i hed he I e a i a T ade Ce e (ITC) he de e i g c ie i
ade i a d ide i ca i f e ia a ke . Si ce 1968, he ITC had bee j i
e a ed b GATT a d he UN C fe e ce T ade a d De e e (UNCTAD). 1973 The
Tok o Round. The e e h R d a a ched b Mi i e i Se e be a he Ja a e e
ca i a . S e 99 c ie a ici a ed i eg ia i g a c ehe i e b d f ag ee e
c e i g b h a iff a d - a iff a e .
33
VOL. 272, MAY 2, 1997 33

Ta ada vs. Angara
( he a ac i f) ei e e i he c . A h gh he
Chief E ec i e did e e e i i i hi
_______________
A he e d f he R d i N e be 1979, a ici a e cha ged a iff ed c i a d

bi di g hich c e ed e ha $300 bi i f ade. A a e f he e c , he eigh ed
a e age a iff a fac ed g d i he d i e aj i d ia a ke dec i ed
f 7.0 4.7 e ce . Ag ee e e e eached i he f i g a ea : b idie a d
c e ai i g ea e , ech ica ba ie ade, i ice i g ced e , g e e
c e e ,c a a i , a e i ed a i-d i g c de, ade i b i e ea , ade i
dai d c a d ade i ci i ai c af . The c cee e f he R d a he
ed c i fi d ie a d he ade ba ie b i d ia c ie ica d c
e ed b de e i gc ie .
1974 O 1 Ja a 1974, he A a ge e Rega di g I e a i a T ade i Te i e ,
he iek a he Multi- bre Arrangement (MFA), e e ed i f ce. I e eded he
a a ge e ha had bee g e i g ade i c e ie i ce 1961. The MFA eek

e he e a i a d g e i e ibe a i a i f ade i e ie d c hi e a he
a e i e a idi g di i e effec i i di id a a ke a d i e f d c i . The MFA
a e e ded i 1978, 1982, 1986, 1991 a d 1992. MFA e be acc f f he
de f e ie a dc hi g hich i 1986 a ed US$128 bi i .
1982 Ministerial Meeting. Mee i g f he i ei ea e ea , he GATT Mi i e
i N e be a Ge e a eaf ed he a idi f GATT e f he c d c fi e ai a
ade a d c i ed he e e c ba i g ec i i e e . The a e ab i hed a
ide- a gi g k ga ef he GATT hich a a d he g d kf a e
R d.
1986 The Urugua Round. The GATT T ade Mi i e ee i g a P a de E e, U g a ,
a ched he eigh h R d f ade eg ia i 20 Se e be . The P a de E e
Dec a a i , hi e e e e i g a i g e i ica de aki g, a di ided i ec i .
The c e ed eg ia i ade i g d a d he ec d i i ia ed eg ia i ade i
e ice . I he a ea f ade i g d , he Mi i
34

Ta ada vs. Angara
e e , he Phi i i e a d hi i f ecia i e e he ega

fe i i be e f he WTO e f di e e e e
b j dicia adj dica i h gh he i de e de WTO e e e
b die ca ed (1) Di e Se e e Pa e a d (2) A e ae
T ib a . He e f e, ade di e e e e ed ai h gh
eg ia i he e i e e a i ed a f e e he ba i
f e a i e ba gai i g e g h , a d he e a a , eak a d
de de e ed c ie e e a a di ad a age.
The Pe i ion in B ief
A g i g ai (1) ha he WTO e i e he Phi i i e ace

ai a a d d c f e be -c ie he a ef i ga
Fi i i a d ca d c a d (2) ha he WTO i de , i i
a d/ i ai he c i i a e fb hC g e a d he
S e e C , he i a eii bef e hi C a ai he
WTO Ag ee e f
________________
e c i ed he e e a a d i e ade ea e i c i e i h hei
GATT b iga i a d a back ga e ai ed a ha i g e i i gi c i e
ea e . E i aged a f ea , eg ia i a ed i ea Feb a 1987 i he
f i g a ea : a iff , - a iff ea e, ica d c , a a e ce-ba ed d c ,
e ie a d c hi g, ag ic e, b idie , afeg a d , ade- e a ed a ec f i e ec a
e igh i c di g ade i c e fei g d , a d ade- e a ed i e e ea e .
The k f he g i c ded a e ie f GATT a ic e , he GATT di e- e e e

ced e, he T k R d ag ee e ,a e a he f c i i g f he GATT e a a
h e.
1994 GATT 1994 i he da ed e i f GATT 1947 a d ake i acc he
b a i e a d i i i a cha ge eg ia ed i he U g a R d. GATT 1994 i a
i eg a a f he W d T ade O ga i a i e ab i hed 1 Ja a 1995. I i ag eed ha
he e be a e ea a ii e i d d i g hich ce ai GATT 1947 b die a d c i e
d c -e i i h h e f he W d T ade O ga i a i .
35
VOL. 272, MAY 2, 1997 35

Ta ada vs. Angara
i a i g he a da e f he 1987 C i i de e a e f-
e ia a d i de e de a i a ec effec i e c ed b
Fi i i ( ) gi e efe e ce a i ed Fi i i (a d )
e he efe e ia e f Fi i i ab , d e ic a e ia
a d ca d ced g d .
Si a ed, d e he Phi i i e C i i hibi
Phi i i e a ici a i i d ide ade ibe a i a i a d
ec ic g ba i a i ? D e i c ibe Phi i i e i eg a i
i a g ba ec ha i ibe a i ed, de eg a ed a d i a i ed?
The e a e he ai e i ai ed i hi e i i f ce i a i,
hibi i a d a da de R e 65 f he R e f C
a i g (1) f he i ca i , c i i a g d , f he
c c e ce f he Phi i i e Se a e i he a i ca i b he
P e ide f he Phi i i e f he Ag ee e E ab i hi g he
W d T ade O ga i a i (WTO Ag ee e , f b e i ) a d (2) f
he hibi i fi i e e a i a d e f ce e h gh he
e ea e a d i i a i f b ic f d , he a ig e f b ic
f cia a d e ee , a e a he e f g e e e ie
a d e ce b e de -head f a i e ec i e f ce
c ce ed he e i h. Thi c c e ce i e b died i Se a e
Re i N . 97, da ed Dece be 14, 1994.
The Fac
O A i 15, 1994, Re de Ri a i Na a , he Sec e a f

he De a e f T ade a d I d (Sec e a Na a , f
b e i ), e e e i g he G e e f he Re b ic f he
Phi i i e , ig ed i Ma ake h, M cc , he Fi a Ac
E b d i g he Re f he U g a R d f M i a e a
Neg ia i (Fi a Ac , f b 2e i ).
B ig i g he Fi a Ac , Sec e a Na a beha f f he
Re b ic f he Phi i i e , ag eed:
_______________

2 The Fi a Ac a ig ed b e e e ai e f 125 e i ie , a e A ge ia,
A g a, A ig a a d Ba b da, A ge i e Re b ic, A a ia, Re b ic f A ia,
Sae f Bah ai , Pe e Re b ic f Ba g ade h, Ba bad , The Ki gd f
Be gi , Be i e, Re b ic f
36

Ta ada vs. Angara
(a) b i, a a ia e, he WTO Ag ee e f he
c ide a i f hei e ec i e c e e a h i ie , i h a ie
eeki g a a f he Ag ee e i acc da ce i h hei
ced e ; a d
(b) ad he Mi i e ia Dec a a i a d Deci i .
O A g 12, 1994, he e be f he Phi i i e Se a e ecei ed

a e e da ed A g 11, 1994 f he P e ide f
_______________
Be i , B i ia, B a a, B a i , B ei Da a a , B ki a Fa , B di, Ca e ,
Ca ada, Ce a Af ica Re b ic, Chad, Chi e, Pe e Re b ic f Chi a, C bia, C g ,
C a Rica, Re b ic f C e d I i e, C ba, C , C ech Re b ic, Ki gd f De a k,
C ea h f D i ica, D i ica Re b ic, A ab Re b ic f Eg , E Sa ad ,
E ea C i ie , Re b ic f Fiji, Fi a d, F e ch Re b ic, Gab e e Re b ic,
Ga bia, Fede a Re b ic f Ge a , Gha a, He e ic Re b ic, G e ada, G a e a a,
Re b ic f G i ea-Bi a , Re b ic f G a a, Hai i, H d a, H gk g, H ga ,
Ice a d, I dia, I d e ia, I e a d, S a e f I ae , I a ia Re b ic, Ja aica, Ja a , Ke a,
K ea, S a e f K ai , Ki gd f Le h , P i ci a i f Liech e ei , G a d D ch f
L e b g, Maca , Re b ic f Madaga ca , Re b ic f Ma a i, Ma a ia, Re b ic f
Ma di e , Re b ic f Ma i, Re b ic f Ma a, I a ic Re b ic f Ma i a ia, Re b ic f
Ma i i , U i ed Me ica S a e , Ki gd fM cc , Re b ic f M a bi e, U i f
M a a , Re b ic f Na ibia, Ki gd f he Ne he a d , Ne Zea a d, Nica ag a,
Re b ic f Nige , Fede a Re b ic f Nige ia, Ki gd f N a , I a ic Re b ic f
Paki a , Pa ag a , Pe , Phi i i e , P a d, P g e e Re b ic, S a e f Qa a , R a ia,
R a de e Re b ic, Sai Ki a d Ne i , Sai L cia, Sai Vi ce a d he G e adi e ,
Se ega , Sie a Le e, Si ga e, S ak Re b ic, S h Af ica, Ki gd f S ai ,
De c a ic S cia i Re b ic f S i La ka, Re b ic f S i a , Ki gd f S a i a d,
Ki gd f S ede , S i C fede a i , U i ed Re b ic f Ta a ia, Ki gd f
Thai a d, T g e e Re b ic, Re b ic f T i idad a d T bag , T i ia, T ke , Uga da,
U i ed A ab E i a e , U i ed Ki gd f G ea B i ai a d N he I e a d, U i ed S a e
f A e ica, Ea e Re b ic f U g a , Ve e e a, Re b ic f Zai e, Re b ic f Za bia,
Re b ic f Zi bab e; ee . 6-25, V . 1, U g a R d f M i a e a T ade
Neg ia i .
37

VOL. 272, MAY 2, 1997 37

Ta ada vs. Angara
3
he Phi i i e , a i g a g he ha he U g a R d
Fi a Ac i he eb b i ed he Se a e f i
________________
11 A g 1994
The H ab e Me be
Se a e
Th gh Se a e P e ide Edga d A ga a
Ma i a
Ladie a d Ge e e :
I ha e he h f a d he e i h a a he ica ed c f he U g a
R d Fi a Ac ig ed b De a e f T ade a d I d Sec e a Ri a i
S. Na a f he Phi i i e 15 A i 1994 i Ma ake h, M cc .
The U g a R d Fi a Ac ai ibe a i e a d e a d d ade a d
e g he he i e e a i hi be ee ade a d ec ic icie affec i g
g h a d de e e .
The Fi a Ac i i e Phi i i e acce f eig a ke , e ecia
i aj adi g a e h gh he ed c i f a iff i e
a ic a ag ic a a d i d ia d c . The e c ce i a be
a ai ed f b he Phi i i e , if i i a e be f he W d T ade
O ga i a i . B GATT e i a e , he Phi i i e ca ac i e addi i a e
e e e f $2.2 $2.7 Bi i a a de U g a R d. Thi i be
f he a i c ea e i e ha he Phi i i e a e e ie ce.
The Fi a Ac i a e e i ie f he e ice ec i
ch a ea a he e e f e e , (e.g., fe i a e ice a d
c ci e ice ), c -b de (e.g., c e - e a ed e ice ),
c i ab ad (e.g., i , c e i e ice , e c.) a d c e cia
e e ce.
The c a i ed a d i ed e a d di ci i e a i-d i g a d
c e ai i g ea e i a be e Phi i i e e e b ed ci g he
c a d ce ai a cia ed i h e i g hi e a he a e i e idi g
a ea f d e ic i d ie afeg a d he e e agai fai i .
Like i e, he ii f ade a e ec i f i e ec a e igh
i e ec ed a ac e i e e i he c a d ake i e
e ab e i a e a ac i b i adi g a e (e.g., Sec. 301 f he
U i ed S a e O ib T ade La ).

Ta ada vs. Angara
c c e ce a Sec i 21, A ic e VII f he C i i .

O A g 13, 1994, he e be f he Phi i i 4e Se a e
ecei ed a he e e f he P e ide f he Phi i i e
_______________
I ie f he f eg i g, he U g a R d Fi a Ac i he eb b i ed he
Se a e f i c c e ce a Sec i 21, A ic e VI I f he C i i .
A d af f a ed Re i gi i g i c c e ce he af e aid
Ag ee e i e c ed.
Ve ,
(SGD.) FIDEL V. RAMOS
4
11 A g 1994
The H ab e Me be
Se a e
Th gh Se a e P e ide Edga d A ga a
Ma i a
Ladie a d Ge e e :
I ha e he h f a d he e i h a a he ica ed c f he U g a
R d Fi a Ac ig ed b De a e f T ade a d I d Sec e a Ri a i
S. Na a f he Phi i i e 13 A i 1994 i Ma akech ( ic), M cc .
Me be f he ade eg ia i c i ee, hich i c ded he
Phi i i e , ag eed ha he Ag ee e E ab i hi g he W d T ade
O ga i a i , he Mi i e ia Dec a a i a d Deci i , a d he U de a di g
C i e i Fi a cia Se ice e b d he e f hei eg ia i
a df a i eg a a f he U g a R d Fi a Ac .
B ig i g he U g a R d Fi a Ac , he Phi i i e , h gh Sec e a
Na a , ag eed:
(a) T b i he Ag ee e E ab i hi g he W d T ade O ga i a i
he Se a e f i c c e ce a Sec i 21, A ic e VII f he
C i i ;a d
(b) T ad he Mi i e ia Dec a a i a d Deci i . The U g a
R d Fi a Ac ai ibe a i e a d e a d d ade a d
e g he he i e e a i hi be ee ade a d ec ic icie
affec i g g h a d de e e .
VOL. 272, MAY 2, 1997 39

Ta ada vs. Angara
ike i e da ed A g 11, 1994, hich a ed a g he ha he

U g a R d Fi a Ac , he Ag ee e E ab i hi g he W d
T ade O ga i a i , he Mi i e ia Dec a a i a d Deci i , a d

he U de a di g C i e i Fi a cia Se ice a e he eb
b i ed he Se -
______________
The Fi a Ac i i e Phi i i e acce f eig a ke , e ecia i aj

adi g 0 a e h gh he ed c i f a iff i e a ic a
ag ic a a d i d ia d c . The e c ce i a be a ai ed f b he
Phi i i e , if i i a e be f he W d T ade O ga i a i . B GATT
e i a e , he Phi i i e ca ac i e addi i a e e e e f $2.2. $2.7
Bi i a a de U g a R d. Thi i be f he a i c ea e i
he e ha he Phi i i e a e e ie ce.
The Fi a Ac i a e e i ie f he e ice ec i ch
a ea a he e e f e e , (e.g., fe i a e ice a d c ci
e ice ), c -b de (e.g., c e - e a ed e ice ), c i ab ad
(e.g., i ,c e i e ice , e c.) a d c e cia e e ce.
The c a i ed a d i ed e a d di ci i e a i-d i g a d
c e ai i g ea e i a be e Phi i i e e e b ed ci g he c
a d ce ai a cia ed ihe i g hi e a he a e i e idi g a ea
f d e ic i d ie afeg a d he e e agai fai i .
Like i e, he ii f ade a e ec i f i e ec a e igh i
e ec ed a ac ei e e i he c a d ake i e e ab e
i a e a ac i b i adi g a e (e.g., Sec. 301 f he U i ed S a e
O ib T ade La ).
I ie f he f eg i g, he U g a R d Fi a Ac , he Ag ee e
E ab i hi g he W d T ade O ga i a i , he Mi i e ia Dec a a i a d
Deci i , a d he U de a di g C i e i Fi a cia Se ice , a
e b died i he U g a R d Fi a Ac a d f i g a i eg a a he e f a e
he eb b i ed he Se a e f i c c e ce a Sec i 21, A ic e VII
f he C i i .
A d af f a ed Re i gi i g i c c e ce he af e aid
Ag ee e i e c ed.
Ve ,
40

Ta ada vs. Angara
a e f i c c e ce a Sec i 21, A ic e VII f he

C i i .
O Dece be 9, 1994, he P e ide f he Phi i i e ce i ed
he ece i f he i edia e ad i f P.S. 1083, a e i
e i ed C c i g i he Ra i ca i 5 f he Ag ee e
E ab i hi g he W d T ade O ga i a i .
O Dece be 14, 1994, he Phi i i e Se a e ad ed
Re i N . 97 hich Re ed, a i i he eb e ed, ha he
Se a e c c , a i he eb c c , i he a i ca i b he
P e ide f he Phi i i e6 f he Ag ee e E ab i hi g he
W d T ade O ga i a i . The e f he WTO Ag ee e i
i e age 137 et seq. f V e I f he 36- e Urugua
Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations a d i c de a i
ag ee e a d a cia ed ega
_______________
Dece be 9, 1994
HON. EDGARDO J. ANGARA
Se a e P e ide
Se a e, Ma i a
Dea Se a e P e ide A ga a:
P a he i i f Sec. 26(2), A ic e VI f he C i i , I
he eb ce if he ece i f he i edia e ad i f P.S. 1083, e i ed:
CONCURRING IN THE RATIFICATION OF THE AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING

THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION
ee a b ic e e ge c c i i g f he eed f i edia e e be hi
i he WTO i de a e he be e he Phi i i e ec aii g
f ch e be hi .
Ve ,
6 A ached a A e A; Pe i i ; , . 52. P.S. 1083 i he f e e f

a ai ed Se a e Re i N . 97. I a e a ed b he C i ee f he Wh e
he Ge e a Ag ee e Ta iff a d T ade chai ed b Se . B a F. O e a d c -
chai ed b Se . G ia Maca aga -A ; ee A e C, C ia ce f e i i e
da ed Ja a 28, 1997.
41
VOL. 272, MAY 2, 1997 41

Ta ada vs. Angara
i e (ide i ed i he aid Ag ee e a A e e 1, 2 a d 3
he e a d c ec i e efe ed a M i a e a T ade
Ag ee e , f b e i ) a f :
ANNEX 1
A e 1A: M i a e a Ag ee e T ade i G d
Ge e a Ag ee e Ta iff a d T ade 1994
Ag ee e Ag ic e
Ag ee e he A ica i f Sa i a a d
Ph a i a Mea e

Ag ee e Te i e a d C hi g
Ag ee e Tech ica Ba ie T ade
Ag ee e T ade-Re a ed I e e Mea e
Ag ee e I e e ai f A ic e VI f he
Ag ee e I e e ai f A ic e VII f he
Ag ee e P e-Shi e I ec i
Ag ee e R e f O igi
Ag ee e I Lice i g P ced e
Ag ee e S b idie a d C di a i g Mea e
Ag ee e Safeg a d
A e 1B: Ge e a Ag ee e T ade i Se ice a d
A e e
A e 1C: Ag ee e T ade-Re a ed A ec f
I e ec a P e Righ
ANNEX 2
U de a di g R e a d P ced e
G e i g he Se e e f Di e
ANNEX 3
T ade P ic Re ie Mecha i
7
O Dece be 16, 1994, he P e ide f he Phi i i e ig ed he
I e f Ra i ca i , dec a i g:
_______________
7 The Phi i i e i h c ide ed a igi a f di g e be f WTO,

hich a f J 26, 1996 had 123 e be a f : A ig a a d Ba b da,
A ge i a, A a ia, A ia, Bah ai , Ba g ade h, Ba bad , Be g i , Be i e,
Be i , B i ia, B a a, B a i , B ei Da a a , B ki a Fa , B di, Ca e
42

Ta ada vs. Angara
NOW THEREFORE, be i k ha I, FIDEL V. RAMOS, P e ide f

he Re b ic f he Phi i i e , af e ha i g ee a d c ide ed he
af e e i ed Ag ee e E ab i hi g he W d T ade O ga i a i a d
he ag ee e a d a cia ed ega i e i c ded i A e e e
(1), (2) a d h ee (3) f ha Ag ee e hich a e i eg a a he e f,
ig ed a Ma ake h, M cc 15 A i 1994, d he eb a if a d
c he a e a d e e A ic e a d C a e he e f.

T e ha i e, he WTO Ag ee e a i ed b he P e ide f he
Phi i i e i c ed f he Ag ee e P e a d he
a cia ed ega i e i c ded i A e e e (1), (2)
a d h ee (3) f ha Ag ee e hich a e i eg a a he e f.
O he he ha d, he Fi a Ac ig ed b Sec e a Na a
e b die he WTO Ag ee e (a d i i eg a a e e
af e e i ed) b a (1) he Mi i e ia Dec a a i a d
Deci i a d (2) he U de a di g C i e i Fi a cia
Se ice . I hi Me a d
______________
, Ca ada, Ce a Af ica Re b ic, Chi i, C bia, C a Rica, C e

dI i e, C ba, C , C ech Re b ic, De a k, Djib i, D i ica, D i ica
Re b ic, Ec ad , Eg , E Sa ad , E ea C i , Fiji, Fi a d, F a ce,
Gab , Ge a , Gha a, G eece, G e ada, G a e a a, G i ea, G i ea Bi a ,
G a a, Hai i, H d a, H gk g, H ga , Ice a d, I dia, I d e ia, I e a d,
I ae , I a , Ja aica, Ja a , Ke a, K ea, K ai , Le h , Liech e ei ,
L e b g, Maca , Madaga ca , Ma a i, Ma a ia, Ma di e , Ma i, Ma a,
Ma i a ia, Ma i i , Me ic , M cc , M a bi e, M a a , Na ibia,
Ne he a d f he Ki gd i E e a d f he Ne he a d A i e , Ne
Zea a d, Nica ag a, Nige ia, N a , Paki a , Pa a Ne G i ea, Pa ag a , Pe ,
Phi i i e , P a d, P ga , Qa a , R a ia, R a da, Sai Ki a d Ne i , Sai
L cia, Sai Vi ce & he G e adi e , Se ega , Si e a Le e, Si ga e, S ak
Re b ic, S e i a, S I a d, S h Af ica, S ai , S i La ka, S i a ,
S a i a d, S ede , S i e a d, Ta a ia, Thai a d, T g , T i idad a d T bag ,
T i ia, T ke , Uga da, U i ed A ab E i a e , U i ed Ki gd , U i ed S a e ,
U g a , Ve e e a, Za bia a d Zi bab e. See A e A, Ba i a Pa e , infra.
43
VOL. 272, MAY 2, 1997 43

Ta ada vs. Angara
8
da ed Ma 13, 1996, he S ici Ge e a de c ibe he e a e
d c e a f :
The Mi i e ia Deci i a d Dec a a i a e e - e dec a a i

a d deci i a ide a ge f a e , ch a ea e i fa f ea
de e ed c ie , i ca i ced e , e a i hi f WTO i h he
I e a i a M e a F d (I MF), a d ag ee e ech ica ba ie
ade a d di e e e e .
The U de a di g C i e i Fi a cia Se ice d e ,
a g he hi g , a d i i iai a d a i ca i f
c i e e i i g -c f i g ea e , a ke acce , a i a
ea e , a d de i i f - e ide ie f a cia e ice ,
c e cia e e ce a d e a cia e ice.

O Dece be 29, 1994, he e e eii a ed. Af e ca ef

de ibe a i e de c e a d eii e e he e ,
he C e ed Dece be 12, 1995, gi e d e c e he
e i i , a d he a ie he eaf e ed hei e ec i e e a da.
The C a e e ed he H ab e Li ia R. Ba i a, he
Phi i i e A ba ad he U i ed Na i a i ed i Ge e a,
S i e 9 a d, b i a a e , he eaf e efe ed a Ba i a
Pa e , f b e i , (1) idi g a hi ica backg d f a d (2)
a i i g he aid ag ee e .
D i g he O a A g e he d A g 27, 1996, he C
di ec ed:
(a) he e i i e b i he (1) Se a e C i ee Re he
a e i c e a d (2) he a c i f ceedi g /hea i g
i he Se a e; a d
(b) he S ici Ge e a , a c e f e de , e (1) a
i f Phi i i e ea ie ig ed i he Phi i i e adhe
______________
8 Page 6; . 261.
9 I c ia ce, A ba ad Ba i a b i ed he C A g 12, 1996, a
Me a d ( he Ba i a Pa e ) c i i g f 56 age e c di g a e e . Thi i he
a ed c e e i ed i f e N . 1.
44

Ta ada vs. Angara
e ce he WTO Ag ee e , hich de ga e f Phi i i e

e eig a d (2) c ie f he i- e WTO Ag ee e a d he
d c e e i ed i he Fi a Ac , a a ib e.
Af e ecei f he f eg i g d c e , he C aid i d
c ide he ca e b i ed f e i .I aC ia ce da ed
Se e be 16, 1996, he S ici Ge e a b i ed a i ed c
f he 36- e Urugua Round of Multilateral Trade
Negotiations, a d i a he C ia ce da ed Oc be 24, 1996, he
i ed he a i bi a e a i a e a ea ie i e ai a
i e i i g de ga i f Phi i i e e eig .
Pe i i e , he he ha d, b i ed hei C ia ce da ed
Ja a 28, 1997, Ja a 30, 1997.
The I e
I hei Me a d da ed Ma ch 11, 1996, eii e

a i ed he i e a f :

A. Whe he he e i i ee a i ica e i i he ie
j iciab e.
B. Whe he he e i i e e be f he Se a e h a ici a ed i
he de ibe a i a d i g eadi g he c c e ce a e
e ed f i g i g he a idi f he Ag ee e
E ab i hi g he W d T ade O ga i a i f he a idi f he
c c e ce.
C. Whe he he ii f he Ag ee e E ab i hi g he W d
T ade O ga i a i c a e e he ii f Sec. 19, A ic e II,
a d Sec . 10 a d 12, A ic e XII, a f he 1987 Phi i i e
C i i .
D. Whe he ii f he Ag ee e E ab i hi g he W d
T ade O ga i a i d i i, e ic a d i ai Phi i i e
e eig eci ca he egi a i e e hich, de Sec. 2,
A ic e VI, 1987 Phi i i e C i i i e ed i he C g e
f he Phi i i e .
E. Whe he ii f he Ag ee e E ab i hi g he W d T ade
O ga i a i i e fe e i h he e e ci e f j dicia e.
F. Whe he he e de e be f he Se a e ac ed i ga e
ab e f di c e i a i g ack e ce f j i dic i
45
VOL. 272, MAY 2, 1997 45

Ta ada vs. Angara
he he ed f c c e ce i he a i ca i f he
c i i a -i Ag ee e E ab i hi g he W d T ade
O ga i a i .
G. Whe he he e de e be f he Se a e ac ed i g a e ab e
f di c e i a i g ack e ce f j i dic i he he
c c ed i he a i ca i f he Ag ee e E ab i hi g he W d
T ade O ga i a i , a d i h he P e ide ia b i i hich
i c ded he Fi a Ac , Mi i e ia Dec a a i a d Deci i , a d he
U de a di g C i e i Fi a cia Se ice .
O he he ha d, he S ici Ge e a a c e f e de
he i ed10 he e e a i e ai ed b eii e i he
f i g:
1. Whe he he ii f he Ag ee e E ab i hi g he
W d T ade O ga i a i a d he Ag ee e a d A cia ed
Lega I e i c ded i A e e e (1), (2) a d h ee
(3) f ha ag ee e ci ed b e i i e di ec c a e e
de i e he e e , i i a d i e f Sec i 19, A ic e II a d
Sec i 10 a d 12, A ic e XII f he 1987 C i i .

2. Whe he ce ai ii f he Ag ee e d i i,
e ic i ai he e e ci e f egi a i e e b C ge .
3. Whe he ce ai i i f he Ag ee e i ai he
e e ci e f j dicia e b hi H ab e C i ga i g
he e f e ide ce.
4. Whe he he c c e ce f he Se a e i he a i ca i b
he P e ide f he Phi i i e f he Ag ee e e ab i hi g he
W d T ade O ga i a i i ied ejec i f he ea
e b died i he Fi a Ac .
B ai i g a d a g i g f i e agai he e e e e ed
b e i i e , he S ici Ge e a ha effec i e ig ed h ee,
a e : (1) he he he e i i ee a i ica e i i
he i e j iciab e; (2) he he e i i e - e be f he
Se a e (Wigbe E. Tañada a d A a D i i e C e e g) a e
e ed f j i i g hi
_______________
10 Me a d f Re de , . 13; , . 268.
46

Ta ada vs. Angara
i ; a d (3) he he he e de - e be f he Se a e ac ed i
g a e ab e f di c e i he he ed f c c e ce i he
a i ca i f he WTO Ag ee e . The f eg i g i h a di g,
hi C e ed dea i h he e h ee i e h :
(1) The i ica e i i e bei g e f da e a a d

i a , a d bei g a a e ha be i he e
j i dic i f hi C hea a d decide hi ca e a
de ibe a ed b he C a d i h be ed
a he i e;
(2) The a e f e e i be ake beca e hi
defe e i ai ab e a d he e de ha e effec i e
ai ed i b i gi i a f hei eadi g ; i a
e e , hi i e, e e if ed i e de fa , i
ca e he e i i di i a a he e a e e i i e
he ha he e a , h ae e ab e he
defe e f e e;a d
(3) The i e f a eged g a e ab e f di c e i he a f
he e de e a i be ake a a i eg a a
f he di ii f he f i e ai ed b he S ici
Ge e a .

D i g i de ibe a i he ca e, he C ed ha he
e de did e i he locus standi f e i i e . He ce,
he a e a dee ed ha e ai ed he be e f ch i e. The
bab ea i ed ha g a e c i i a i e , e e di e f
b ic f d a d e i i e ai a c i e f he a i a e
i ed he e, a d ha a ce de a b ic i e e e i e ha
he b a i e i e be e head a d decided 11 he e i ,
a he ha ki ed de ec ed b ced a a e .
T eca i a e, he i e ha i be ed h a e:
______________
11 Cf. Kilosba an, Incorporated vs. Morato, 246 SCRA 540, J 17, 1995 f a
di c i locus standi. See a he C c i gO i i fM.J ice Vice e V.
Me d a i Tatad vs. Garcia, Jr., 243 SCRA 473, A i 6, 1995, a e a Kilusang
Ma o Uno Labor Center vs. Garcia, Jr., 239 SCRA 386, 414, Dece be 23, 1994.
47
VOL. 272, MAY 2, 1997 47

Ta ada vs. Angara
(1) DOES THE PETITION PRESENT A JUSTICIABLE

CONTROVERSY? OTHERWISE STATED, DOES THE
PETITION INVOLVE A POLITI CAL QUESTION OVER
WHICH THIS COURT HAS NO JURISDICTION?
(2) DO THE PROVI SI ONS OF THE WTO AGREEM ENT AND
ITS THREE ANNEXES CONTRAVENE SEC. 19, ARTICLE II,
AND SECS. 10 AND 12, ARTICLE XII, OF THE PHILIPPINE
CONSTITUTION?
(3) DO THE PROVISIONS OF SAID AGREEMENT AND ITS
ANNEXES LIMIT, RESTRICT, OR IMPAIR THE EXERCISE OF
LEGISLATIVE POWER BY CONGRESS?
(4) DO SAID PROVISIONS UNDULY IMPAIR OR INTERFERE
WITH THE EXERCISE OF JUDICIAL POWER BY THIS
COURT IN PROMULGATING RULES ON EVIDENCE?
(5) WAS THE CONCURRENCE OF THE SENATE IN THE WTO
AGREEMENT AND ITS ANNEXES SUFFICIENT AND/OR
VALID, CONSIDERING THAT I T DID NOT INCLUDE THE FI
NAL ACT, MINISTERIAL DECLARATIONS AND DECISIONS,
AND THE UNDERSTANDING ON COMMITMENTS IN
FINANCIAL SERVICES?
The Fi I e: Doe he Co
Ha e J i dic ion O e he Con o e ?

I eeki g if a ac f he Phi i i e Se a e he g d
ha i c a e e he C i i , he e i i d b ai e a
j iciab e c e . Whe e a ac i f he egi a i e b a ch i
ei a eged ha e i f i ged he C i i , i bec e
he igh b i fac he d f he j dicia e e he
di e. The e i h ed i j dicia a he ha i ica .
The d ( adj dica e)12 e ai a e ha he e ac f he
C i i i he d. O ce a c e a he a ica i
i e eai fac i i a i i i ai ed bef e hi
_______________
12 Aquino, Jr. vs. Ponce Enrile, 59 SCRA 183, 196, Se e be 17, 1974, ci ed i
Bondoc vs. Pineda, 201 SCRA 792, 795, Se e be 26, 1991.

Ta ada vs. Angara
C (a i he i a ca e), i bec e a ega i13 e hich he

C i b db c i i a a da e decide. 14
The j i dic i f hi C adj dica e he a15 e ai ed i
he e i i i c ea e i he 1987 C i i , a f :
J dicia e i c de he d f he c f j ice e e ac a
c e ie i i g igh hich ae ega de a dab e a d
e f ceab e, a d de e i e he he he e ha bee a g a e ab e
f di c e i a i g ack e ce f j i dic i he a f a
b a ch i e ai f he g e e .
The f eg i g e e ha i e he j dicia de a e d a d
e ike d g a e ab e f di c e i he a f a
b a ch i e ai f g e16 e i c di g C g e . I i a
i ai i i ica 17a . A e ai ed b f e Chief
J ice R be C ce ci , he j dicia i he a a bi e
he e i f he he a b a ch f g e e a fi
f cia ha ac ed i h j i dic i i e ce f j i dic i
ca ici a c i e a ab e f di c e i a i g
e ce f j i dic i . Thi i a j dicia e b ad
a j dg e a e f hi a e.
A 18 hi C ha e ea ed a d e ha i ed i a
ca e , i i hi k, dig e f aba d i ac ed d a d
a h i h d he C i i i a e ha i e ga e
ab e f di c e i b gh bef e i i
________________
13 Guingona, Jr. vs. Gon ales, 219 SCRA 326, 337, Ma ch 1, 1993.
14 See Tanada and Macapagal vs. Cuenco, et al., 103 Phi . 1051 f a di c i
he c e f i ica e i .
15 Sec i 1, A ic e VIII, ( a . 2).
16 I a i i ege eech Ma 17, 1993, e i ed S e e C P e ia
T a ? Se a A T e i c cede ha hi e ii gi e he
S e e C a d i de i he j i dic i f he C g e he
P e ide .
17 I Rec d f he C i i a C i i 436.
18 Cf. Da a vs. Singson, 180 SCRA 496, Dece be 21, 1989.
VOL. 272, MAY 2, 1997 49

Ta ada vs. Angara
a ia e ca e , c i ed b a f ce , age c , i e ai
de a e f he g e e .
A he e i i a ege g a e ab e f di c e i a d a he e i
he ai , eed ade a e e ed i he di a c e f
a , e ha e he i a i a a i h di g ha hi e i i h d
be gi e d e c e a d he i a e i ai ed he ei ed
de R e 65 f he R e f C . I deed, ce i a i, hibi i
a d a da ae a ia e e edie ai e c i i a
i e a d e ie a d/ hibi / if , he e , ac f
egi a i e a d e ec i e f cia . O hi , e ha e e i ca i .
We h d e ha , i decidi g ake j i dic i e hi
e i i , hi C i e ie he isdom f he deci i f he
P e ide a d he Se a e i e i i g he c i he WTO,
a he merits f ade ibe a i a i a a ic e ed b
aid i e a i a b d . Nei he i i e he propriet f he
g e e ec ic ic f ed ci g/ e i g a iff , a e ,
b idie , a i a i e e ic i , a d he i / ade ba ie .
Ra he , i i e e ci e i c i i a d de e i e
he he he e had bee a g a e ab e f di c e i a i g
ack e ce f j i dic i he a f he Se a e i
a if i g he WTO Ag ee e a d i h ee a e e .
Second I e: The WTO Ag eemen

and Economic Na ionali m
Thi i he lis mota, he ai i e, ai ed b he e i i .

Pe i i e ig a g e ha he e e , i i a d i e f
he C i i a da i g ec ic a i a i a e i a ed b
he -ca ed a i ii a d a i a ea e ca e
ca e ed i a i a f he WTO Ag ee e a d i
a e e b a i he Mi i e ia Deci i a d Dec a a i a d
i he U de a di g C i e i Fi a cia Se ice .

S eci ca , he ag hi c i i a ii efe ed
a e Sec. 19, A ic e II, a d Sec . 10 a d 12, A ic e XII, f he
C i i , hich a e ded a f :
50

Ta ada vs. Angara
A ic e II
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES
AND STATE POLICI ES
Sec. 19. The S a e ha de e a e f- e ia a d i de e de ai a

ec effec i e c ed b Fi i i .
A ic e XII
NATIONAL ECONOM Y AND PATRIMONY
Sec. 10. . The C g e ha e ac ea e ha i e c age he

f ai a d eai f e e ie h e ca i a i h ed b
Fi i i .
I he g a f igh , i i ege , a d c ce i c e i g he a i a
ec a d a i , he S a e ha gi e efe e ce a i ed
Fi i i .
Sec. 12. The S a e ha e he efe e ia e f Fi i i ab ,

d e ic a e ia a d ca d ced g d , a d ad ea e ha
he ake he c e i i e.
Pe i i e a e ha he e ac ed c i i a i ci e a e
de ec a ed b 19 he f i g WTO ii ed i hei
e a d :
a) I he a ea f i e e ea e e a ed ade i g d (TRIMS, f
b e i ):
A ic e 2
Na i a T ea e a d Q a i a i e Re ic i .
1. Wi h ej dice he igh a d b iga i de GATT 1994,

Me be ha a a TRIM ha i i c i e i h he ii f
A ic e III A ic e XI f GATT 1994.
2. A I ai e i f TRIMS ha a e i c i e i h he b iga i f
ge e a e i i a i f a iai e e
_______________
19 Me a d f Pe i i e , . 14-16; , . 204-206.
51
VOL. 272, MAY 2, 1997 51

Ta ada vs. Angara
ic i ided f i a ag a h I f A ic e XI f GATT 1994 i

c ai ed i he A e hi Ag ee e . (Ag ee e T ade-Re a ed
I e e Mea e , V . 27, U -g a R d, Lega I e , .
22121, e ha i ied). The A e efe ed ead a f :
ANNEX
I a i e Li
1. TRIMS ha a e i c i e i h he b iga i f a i a ea e
ided f i a ag a h 4 f A ic e III f GATT 1994 i c de h e
hich a e a da e f ceab e de d e ic a de
ad i i a i e i g , c ia ce i h hich i ece a b ai a
ad a age, a d hich e i e:
(a) he cha e eb a e e ie f d c fd e ic igi f

a d e ic ce, he he eci ed i e f a ic a d c ,i
e f e a e f d c , i e f i f e
a e fi ca d ci ;
(b) ha a e e ie cha e e fi - ed d c be i i ed a
a e a ed he e a e f ca d c ha i e .
2. TRIMS ha a e i c i e i h he b iga i f ge e a
ei i ai f a i a i e e ic i ided f i a ag a h 1 f A ic e
XI f GATT 1994 i c de h e hich a e a da e f ceab e de
d e ic a de ad i i a i e i g , c ia ce i h hich i
ece a b ai a ad a age, a d hich e ic :
(a) he i ai b a e e ie f d c ed i e a ed he ca
d ci ha i e ;
(b) he i ai b a e e ie f d c ed i e a ed i ca
d ci b e ic i g i acce f eig e cha ge i a ib ab e
he e e i e;
(c) he e ai aef e eci ed i e f a ic a d c ,i
e f e a e f d c , i e fa e aai f e
a e f i ca d c i . (A e he Ag ee e T ade-
Re a ed I e e Mea e , V . 27, U -
52

Ta ada . Anga a
g a R d Lega D c e , . 22125, e ha i ied).
The a ag a h 4 f A ic e III f GATT 1994 efe ed i ed a

f :
The d c f he e i fa c ac i g a i ed i he e i f
a he c ac i g a shall be accorded treatment no less favourable than that
accorded to like products of national origin i e ec f a , eg a i a d
e ie e affec i g hei i e a a e, ffe i g f a e, cha e, a ai ,
di ib i e. The ii f hi a ag a h ha e e he a ica i
f diffe e ia i e a a ai cha ge hich a e ba ed e c i e he
ec ic eai f he ea f a a d he a i a i f he
d c . (A ic e III , GATT 1947, a a e ded b he P c M dif i g Pa II,
a d A ic e XXVI f GATT, 14 Se e be 1948, 62 UMTS 82-84 i eai
a ag a h 1(a) f he Ge e a Ag ee e Ta iff a d T ade 1994, V . 1, U g a
R d, Lega I e , . 177, e ha i ied).
b) I he a ea f ade e a ed a ec f i e ec a e igh
(TRIPS, f b e i ):
Each Mem ber shall accord to the nationals of other Members treatment no less
favourable than hat it accords to its o n nationals i h ega d he ec i f
i e ec a e . . . ( a . 1, A ic e 3, Ag ee e T ade-Re a ed A ec f
I e ec a P e Righ , V . 31, U g a R d, Lega I e , . 25432,
e ha i ied).
(c) I he a ea f he Ge e a Ag ee e T ade i Se ice :
Na i a T ea e
1. I he ec i c ibed i i ched e, a d bjec a c di i a d

a i ca i e he ei , each Me be ha acc d e ice a d e ice
ie fa he Me be , i e ec fa ea e affec i g he f
e ice , treatment no less favourable than it accords to its o n like services and
service suppliers.
53
VOL. 272, MAY 2, 1997 53

Ta ada . Anga a
2. A Me be a ee he e i e e f a ag a h I b acc di g
e ice a d e ice ie f a he Me be , ei he f a
ide ica ea e f a diffe e ea e ha i acc d i
ike e ice a d e ice ie .
3. F a ide ica f a diffe e ea e ha be c ide ed be
e fa ab e if i di e he c di i f c ei i fa f
e ice e ice ie f he Me be c a ed ike e ice

e ice ie fa he Me be . (A ic e XVII, Ge e a Ag ee e
T ade i Se ice , V . 28, U g a R d, Lega I e , . 22610
e ha i ied).
I i eii e ii ha he f eg i g a i a ea e a d
ai ii f he WTO Ag ee e ace a i a a d
d c f e be c ie he a e f i g a Fi i i a d
ca d c , i c a e i f he Fi i i Fi ic f he
C i i . The a eged e de ea i g e he h a e
effec i e c ed b Fi i i . The c i i a c ic
bec e e a ife he ie ed i he c e f he c ea d
i ed he Phi i i e a a WTO e be e e he
c f i f i a , eg a i a d ad i i a i e ced e20
ih i b iga i a ided i he a e ed ag ee e .
Pe i i e f he a g e ha he e ii c a e e
c i i a i iai he e e a i ai a
de e e a d ega e he efe e ia ea e acc ded
Fi i i ab , d e ic a e ia a d ca d ced g d .
O he he ha d, e de h gh he S ici Ge e a
c e (1) ha ch Cha e ii ae e f-e ec i g a d
ee e ge e a icie ; (2) ha he e a i a i ic i f
he C i i i ked b eii e h d be ead i
i ai b h d be e a ed he e e a ii fA .
XII, a ic a Sec . 1 a d 13 he e f; (3) ha ead e , he
ci ed WTO c a e d c ic i h he C i i ; a d (4) ha
he WTO
_______________
20 Pa . 4, A ic e XVI, WTO Ag ee e , Urugua Round of Multilateral Trade

Negotiations, V . 1, . 146.
54

Ta ada vs. Angara
Ag ee e c ai f cie ii ec de e i g
c ie ike he Phi i i e f he ha h e f dde ade
ibe a i a i .
We ha di c a d e he e a g e .
Declaration of Principles Not Self-E ecuting

B i e i e, A ic e II f he C i i i a dec a a i f
i ci e a d a21e icie . The c e a f hi a ic e i he
1935 C i i i ca 22ed he ba ic i ica c eed f he a i
b Dea Vice e Si c . The e i ci e i A ic e II a e
i e ded be e f-e ec i g i ci e ead f e f ce e
23
23
h gh he c . The a e ed b he j dicia a aid a
g ide i he e e ci e f i e f j dicia e ie , a d b he
egi a e i i e ac e f a . A 24he d i he eadi g ca e f
Kilosba an, Incorporated . Morato, he i ci e a d a e
icie e e a ed i A ic e II a d e ec i f A ic e XII
ae e f-e ec i g i i , he di ega d f hich ca gi e
i e a ca e f ac i i he c . The d e b d j dicia
e f ceab e c i i a igh b g ide i e f egi 25a i .
I he a e igh , e he d i Basco . Pagcor ha b ad
c i i a i ci e eed egi a i e e ac e i e e
he , h :
_______________
21 A e i ed Dec a a i f P i ci e . The e ca ei he 1973 Cha e

i ide ica i h ha i he 1987 .
22 Philippine Political La , 1962 Ed., . 116.
23 Be a , The Constitution of the Philippines: A Comm entar , V . II, 1988 Ed.,
. 2. I he e ece ca e f Manila Prince Hotel vs. GSIS, G.R. N . 122156,
Feb a 3, 1997, . 8, i a he d ha A ii hich a d a ge e a
i ci e, ch a h e f d i A . II f he 1987 C i i ,i a e f-
e ec i g.
24 246 SCRA 540, 564, J 17, 1995. See a Tolentino vs. Secretar of Finance,
G.R. N . 115455 a d c ida ed ca e , A g 25, 1995.
25 197 SCRA 52, 68, Ma 14, 1991.
55
VOL. 272, MAY 2, 1997 55

Ta ada vs. Angara
O eii e a ega i ha P.D. 1869 i a e Sec i 11 (Pe a

Dig i ) 12 (Fa i ) a d 13 (R e f Y h) f A ic e II; Sec i 13
(S cia J ice) f A ic e XIII a d Sec i 2 (Ed ca i a Va e ) f A ic e
XIV f he 1987 C i i , f ce i aea ha he e a e e e
ae e f i ci e a d icie . A ch, he a e ba ica e f-
e ec i g, ea i g a a h d be a ed b C g e c ea de e
a d effec a e ch i ci e .
I ge e a , he ef e, he 1935 ii ee i e ded be e f-e ec i g

i ci e ead f e f ce e h gh he c . The e e a he di ec i e
add e ed he e ec i e a d he egi a e. If he e ec i e a d he egi a e
fai ed heed he di ec i e f he a ic e, he a ai ab e e ed a j dicia b
i ica . The e ec ae c d e e hei di ea e i h he fai e f he
e ec i e a d he egi a e h gh he a g age f he ba . (Be a , V . II, .
2).
The ea f de i g a ca e f ac i a a eged i f i ge e
f b ad c i i a i ci e a e ced f ba ic
c ide a i f d e ce a d he ack f j dicia a h i

ade i he cha ed cea f cia a d ec ic ic
aki g. M . J ice F e i P. 26Fe icia i hi c c i g
i i in Oposa . Factoran, Jr., e ai ed he e ea a
f :
M gge i i i ha e i i e , bef e he ia c , h
a e eci c ega igh a igh ca i a g age f a ig i ca e
de f ge e a i ha A ic e II (15) f he C i i ha i a be
i a ed b he ac i , fai e ac , i ed he b ic e de
b eii e ha he ia c ca a id e de j dg e g a i g a
a f he e ief a ed f . T i d, he c h d be de d
a i a i g ha ch a e eci c ega igh igh a e
e i i c f a , c ide i g he ge e a ic i ci e f di
he C i i a d he e i e ce f he Phi i i e E i e C de, a d
ha he ia c h d ha e gi e e i i e a effec i e i
de a e, i ead f ab i g he ceedi g a i di i .
_______________
26 224 SCRA 792, 817, J 30, 1993.
56

Ta ada vs. Angara
I ee e i a ha he ega igh hich i a e e ia

c e f a ca e f ac i be a eci c, e ab e ega igh , a he
ha a c i i a a ic , f a ea (2) ea .O ei
ha e he ega igh c ai ed ha e bee i a ed di ega ded i
gi e eci ca i i e a i a e , defe da a e be ab e
defe d he e e i e ige a d effec i e ; i he d , he e a e d e
ce di e i hi a e .
The ec d i a b ade -ga ge c ide a i he e a eci c i a i
f a a icab e eg a i i a eged ed, e i i e ca be
e ec ed fa back he e a ded c ce i f j dicia e i he
ec d a ag a h f Sec i 1 f A ic e VIII f he C i i hich
ead :
Sec i 1.
J dicia e i c de he d f he c f j ice e e ac a
c e ie i i g igh hich a e ega de a dab e a d e f ceab e, a d
de e i e he he he e ha bee a g a e ab e f di c e i a i g
ack e ce f j i dic i he a fa b a ch i e ai f he
G e e . (E ha e ied)
Whe b a i e a da d a ge e a a he igh a ba a ced a d

hea h ec g a d he igh hea h a e c bi ed i h e edia

a da d a b ad a gi g a a g a e ab e f di c e i a i g ack
e ce f j i dic i , he e i be, i i e ec f b i ed,
e c i he cha ed cea f cia a d ec ic ic
aki g. A ea i e ec f he a a ea f e i e a ec i a d
a age e , c ha e c ai ecia ech ica c e e ce a d
e e ie ce a d fe i a a i ca i . Whe e eci c, e ab e
a d a da d a e h e i , he he ic aki g
de a e he egi a i e a d e ec i e de a e be gi e a
ea a d effec i e i fa hi a d ga e h e a d
a da d , a d i e e he bef e he c h d i e e e.
Economic Nationalism Should Be Read ith

Other Constitutional Mandates to Attain
Balanced Development of Econom
O he he ha d, Sec . 10 a d 12 f A ic e XII, a a f ee
a i gd ge e a i ci e e a i g he
57
VOL. 272, MAY 2, 1997 57

Ta ada vs. Angara
a i a ec a d a i , h d be ead a d de di
eai he he ec i i aid a ic e, e ecia Sec . 1 a d 13
he e f hich ead:
Sec i 1. The g a f he a i a ec ae a e e i ab e
di ib i f i ie , i c e, a d ea h; a ai ed i c ea e i he
a f g d a d e ice d ced b he a i f he be e f he
e e; a d a e a di g d c i i a he ke ai i g he a i f
ife f a , e ecia he de i i eged.
The S a e ha ei d ia i a i a d f e e ba ed
d ag ic a de e e a d ag a ia ef , h gh i d ie ha
ake f a d ef cie e fh a a d a a e ce , a d hich a e
c e i i e i b h d e ic a d f eig a ke . H e e , he S a e ha
ec Fi i i e e i e agai fai f eig c eii a d ade
ac ice .
I he i f he e g a , a ec f he ec a d a egi f
he c ha be gi e i i de e .
Sec. 13. The S a e ha e a ade ic ha e e he ge e a

e fa e a d i i e a f a d a a ge e f e cha ge he ba i f
e a i a d eci ci .
A i ed b he S ici Ge e a , Sec. 1 a d he basic

goals f a i a ec ic de e e ,a f :

1. A e e i ab e di ib i f i ie , i c e a d
ea h;
2. A ai ed i c ea e i he a f g d a d e ice
ided b he a i f he be e f he e e; a d
3. A e a di g d c i i a he ke ai i g he a i
f ife f a e ecia he de i i eged.
Wi h he e g a i c e , he C i i he dai he idea
f ec ic ai ai (1) b e e i g efe e ce i fa f
a i ed Fi i i i he g a f igh , i i ege
27
a dc ce i
c e i g he ai a ec a d a i a di he e f
Fi i i ab ,d e ic a e-
_______________
27 Sec. 10, A ic e XI I.

Ta ada vs. Angara
ia a d ca - d ced g d ; (2) b a da i g28 he S a e

ad ea e ha he ake he c e i i e ; a d (3) b
e i i g he S a e de e a e f- e ia a d 29i de e de
a i a ec effec i e c ed b Fi i i . I i i a
a g age, he C i i ake i acc he ea i ie f he
ide d a i e i e he i f a ade ic ha e e
he ge e a e fa e a d i i e a f a d 30a a ge e f
e cha ge he ba i f e a i a d eci ci ; a d eak f
i d ie hich a e c eii e i b h d e ic a d foreign
a ke a e a f he ec i f Fi i i e e i e agai
unfair f eig c e i i a d ade ac ice .
I i e ha i he ece ca e f Manila 31
Prince Hotel .
Government Service Insurance S stem, et al., hi C he d ha
Sec. 10, ec d a ., A . XII f he 1987 C i i i a
a da , ii ec a d hich i c e e i i e f a d hich
eed f he g ide i e i e e i g a e f i
e f ce e . F i e d he ii d e e iea
egi a i i i e a i . I i per se j dicia e f ceab e.
H e e, a he c i i a ii i ef ae , i i
e f ceab e i ega d he g a f igh , i i ege a d
c ce i c e i g a i a ec a d a i a d
e e a ec f ade a d c e ce. I efe e ce i a he
ha he e. The i e he e i he he hi a ag a h f Sec. 10
f A . XII i e f-e ec i g . Ra he , he i e i he he , a a
e, he e a e e gh ba a ci g ii i he C i i

a he Se a e a if he Phi i i e c c e ce i he WTO
Ag ee e . A d e h d ha he e a e.
A d, hi e he C i i i deed a da e a bia i fa
f Fi i i g d , e ice , ab a d e e i e , a he a e i e,
i ec g i e he eed f b i e e cha ge i h he e f he
d he ba e f e a i a d eci ci
_______________
28 Sec. 12, A ic e XI I.
29 Sec. 19, A . I I.
30 Sec. 13, A . XII.
31 G.R. N . 122156, Feb a 3, 1997, .13-14.
VOL. 272, MAY 2, 1997 59

Ta ada vs. Angara
a d i i ec i f Fi i i e e i e 32 agai f eig
c e i i a d ade ac ice ha a e fai . I he d , he
C i i did i e d ea i ai i ic . I did
h f eig i e e , g d a d e ice i he de e e
f he Phi i i e ec . Whi e he C i i d e
e c age he i i ed e f f eig g d , e ice a d
i e e i he c ,i d e hibi he ei he . I fac ,
i a a e cha ge he ba i f e a i a d eci ci ,
f i g f eig c eii ha i unfair.
WTO Recogni es Need to

Protect Weak Economies
U he he ha d, e de ai ai ha he WTO i e f ha
e b i -i ad a age ec eak a d de e i g ec ie ,
hich c i e he a aj i fi e be . U ike i he UN
he e aj a e ha e e a e ea a d e e i he
Sec i C ci , i he WTO, deci i ae ade he ba i f
e eig e a i , i h each e be ee a i eigh ha
f a he . The e i WTO e i a e f he UN Sec i
C ci .
WTO decide b c e he e e ib e, he i e, deci i f he

Mi i e ia C fe e ce a d he Ge e a C ci ha be ake b he
aj i f he e ca , e ce i ca e fi e eai f he Ag ee e
ai e f he b iga i f a e be hich d e i e h ee f h
e. A e d e d e ie hi d e i ge e a . A e d e
MFN ii a d he A e d e ii i e iea e fa
e be . A e be a i hd a f he Ag ee e he
33
e iai f i h f he da e f ice f i hd a a .

He ce, c ie ca ec hei c i ee e
effec i e h gh he WTO ha h gh e- - e eg ia i
i h de e ed c ie . Wi hi he WTO, de e i g c ie
ca f ef b c h hei ec -
______________
32 Sec. 1, A . XII.
33 Ba i a Pa e , . 19.
60

Ta ada vs. Angara
ic age da e deci i e ha ide he O ga i a i . Thi i

e e a a e f ac ica a ia ce b a eg ia i g a eg
ed i a . Th , he ba ic i ci e de i g he WTO
Ag ee e ec g i e he eed f de e i g c ie ike he
Phi i i e ha e i he g h i i e ai a ade
commensurate ith the needs of their economic 34development.
The e ba ic i ci e a e f d i he ea b e f he WTO
Ag ee e a f :
The Pa ie hi Ag ee e ,
Rec g i i g ha hei e a i i he e d f ade a d ec ic
e dea h d be c d c ed i h a ie ai i g a da d f i i g,
e i gf e e a d a a ge a d eadi g i g e f ea
i c e a d effec i e de a d, a d e a di g he d ci f a d ade i
g d a d e ice , hi e a i g f he i a e f he d
e ce i acc da ce i h he bjec i e f ai ab e de e e ,
eeki g b h ec a d e e e he e i e a d e ha ce he
ea f d i g in a manner consistent ith their respective needs and
concerns at different levels of economic development,
Rec g i i g f he ha he e i eed f i i e eff de ig ed
e e ha de e i g c ie , a d e ecia he ea de e ed a g
he , ec e a share in the gro th in international trade commensurate ith
the needs of their economic developm ent,
Bei g de i f c ib i g he e bjec i e b e e i g i
eci ca a d a ad a age a a ge e di ec ed he
b a ia ed c i f a iff a d he ba ie ade a d he
elimination of discriminator treatment in international trade relations,
Re ed, he ef e, de e a i eg a ed, e iab e a d d ab e
i a e a adi g e e c a i g he Ge e a Ag ee e Ta iff
a d T ade, he e f a ade ibe a i a i eff , a d a f he
e f he U g a R d f M i a e a T ade Neg ia i ,
De e i ed e e e he ba ic i ci e a d f he he bjec i e
de i g hi i a e a adi g e , . (i a ic ied.)

_______________
34 P ea b e, WTO Ag ee e . 137, V . 1, Urugua Round of Multilateral

Trade Negotiations. I a ic ied.
61
VOL. 272, MAY 2, 1997 61

Ta ada vs. Angara
Speci c WTO Provisos

Protect Developing Countries
S , he S ici Ge e a i ha a a d
c i e i h he f eg i g ba ic i ci e , he WTO Ag ee e
ga de e i g c ie a e e ie ea e , gi i g hei
d e ic i d ie e ec i f he h f f eig
c e i i . Th , i h e ec a iff i ge e a , efe e ia
ea e i gi e de e i g c ie i e f he amount of
tariff reduction a d he period ithin hich the reduction is to be
spread out. S eci ca , GATT e i e a a e age a iff reduction
rate of 36% for developed countries be effec ed i hi a period of
si (6) ears hi e de e i g c ie i c di g he Phi i i e
a e required to effect an average tariff reduction of onl 24%
ithin ten (10) ears.
I e ec domestic b id , GATT e i e developed
countries ed ce d e ic ag ic a d c b
20% over si (6) ears, a c a ed onl 13% for developing
countries to be effected ithin ten (10) ears.
I ega d e b id f ag ic a d c , GATT
e i e de e ed c ie ed ce hei b dge a a f
e b id b 36% a d e e ecei i g e b id
b 21% ithin a period of si (6) ears. F de e i g c ie ,
h e e , he ed c i aei t o-thirds f ha e c ibed f
de e ed c ie a d a ge period of ten (10) ears i hi
hich effec ch ed c i .
M e e , GATT i e f ha id ed b i -i ec i f
fai f eig c eii a d ade ac ice i c di g a i-
d i g ea e , c e ai i g ea e a d afeg a d agai
i ge . Whe e ca b i e e a e je a di ed b fai
f eig c e i i , he Phi i i e ca a ai f he e ea e .
The e i ha d he ef e a ba i f he a e e ha de he
WTO , ca i d ie a d e e i e i a be i ed a d ha
Fi i i i be de i ed f c f he ec . Q i e he
c a , he eake i a i f de e i g a i ike he
Phi i i e ha e bee ake i acc ; h , he e d be
ba i

62

Ta ada vs. Angara
a ha i j i i g he WTO, he e de ha e g a e ab ed
hei di c e i . T e, he ha e ade a b d deci i ee he
hi f a e i he e cha ed ea f ec ic ibe a i a i .
B ch deci i ca be e a ide he g d f g a e ab e
f di c e i , i beca e e di ag ee i h i i beca e
e be ie e i he ec ic icie . A ea ie a ed, he
C i aki g j i dic i f hi ca e i a he
ad a age a d di ad a age f ade ibe a i a i a a ec ic
ic . I i ef i c i i a d f de e i i g
he he he Se a e c i ed g a e ab e f di c e i .
Constitution Does Not

Rule Out Foreign Competition
F he e, he c i i a35 ic f a e f- e ia a d
i de e de a i a ec d e ece a i e he
e f f eig i e e , g d a d e ice . I c e ae
ei he ec ic ec i e dica c i he i e a i a
c i . A e ai ed b C i i a C i i e
Be a d Vi ega , f hi c i i a ic :
Economic self-reliance is a primar objective of a developing countr that

is keenl a are of overdependence on e ternal assistance for even its most
basic needs. It does not mean autark or economic seclusion; a he , i
ea a idi g e dica c i he i e a i a c i . I de e de ce
efe he f eed f d e f eig c f he a i a ec ,
e ecia i ch a egic i d ie a i he de e e f a a
36
e ce a d b ic i i ie .
The WTO e ia ce fa ed ai , ai a ea e ,
a d ade i h di c i i a i ca be ck d a
c i i a a i fac he a e e fe ai a d eci ci
ha a a WTO e be . A ide f e ii i g a ade
ic ba ed e ai a d
_______________
35 Sec. 19, A ic e II, C i i .

36 II I Rec d f he C i i a C i i 252.
63
VOL. 272, MAY 2, 1997 63

Ta ada vs. Angara
37
eci ci , he f da e a a e c age i d ie ha a e
c e i i e i b h d e ic a d f eig a ke , he eb
de a i g a c ea ic agai a he e ed d e ic ade
e i e ,b e i fa f he g ad a de e e f b
i d ie ha ca c e e i h he be i he f eig a ke .
I deed, Fi i i a age a d Fi i i e e i e ha e h
ca abi i a d e aci c e e i e a i a . A d gi e a f ee
ade e i e , Fi i i e e e e a d a age i
H gk g ha e de a ed he Fi i i ca aci g a d
e agai he be ffe ed de a ic f laisse faire.
Constitution Favors Consumers,

Not Industries or Enterprises
The C i i ha ea h a ba a ced bia i fa
f a b i e e e i e, d e i c ai a eci c
ce e ha Fi i i c a ie h d be a e ed i h a
a ci i f f eig c e i i . O he he ha d,
e de c ai ha WTO/GATT ai ake a ai ab e he
Fi i i c e he be g d a d e ice b ai ab e a he e
i he d a he ea ab e ice . C e e , he
e i b i d he he WTO/GATT i fa he ge e a
e fa e f he b ic a a ge.
Wi adhe e ce he WTO ea b i g hi idea ( f fa i g
he ge e a e fa e) ea i ?
Wi WTO/GATT cceed i i g he Fi i i ge e a
e fa e beca e i i a i ed b i e e a d he
c e a d ge e a e ee e ?
Wi i b i g e e i ,e e , cha i g e a d
ai d c a he ea ab e a e he Fi i i b ic?
The e e he e e i i e j dg e ca b
ic ake , f hich he a e a e ab e e ed i g
a ia e e ec a e e ci e . S ch e i
______________
37 Sec. 13, A ic e XI I, C i i .
64

Ta ada vs. Angara
a d he a e he e a e bjec j dicia ce e
ba ed g a e ab e f di c e i .
Constitution Designed to Meet

Future Events and Contingencies
N d b , he WTO Ag ee e a e i e i e ce he he
C i i a d af ed a d a i ed i 1987. Tha d e ea
h e e ha he Cha e i ece a i a ed i he e e ha i
fa e igh ha e a ici a ed he ad e f a b de e d
f b i e . B he a e ke , he U i ed Na i a e i
e i e ce he he 1935 C i i beca e effec i e. Did ha
ece a i ea ha he he C i i igh ha e
c e a ed a di i i f he ab e e f e eig he
he Phi i i e ig ed he UN Cha e , he eb effec i e
e de i g a f i c e i f eig e a i he
deci i f ai UN ga ike he Sec i C ci ?
I i dif c a e hi e i . C i i ae
de ig ed ee he aga ie f c e a e e .
The h d be i e e ed c e e e f e a d k
ci c a ce . I i he c edi f i d af e ha a C i i ca
i h a d he a a f big a d i de b a he a e i e
be d i h he ef e hi g i d f cha ge ece i a ed b f di g38
e e . A e e i e i ica a i e a d e ec ed j i
e ai :
The C i i be i e e ia a he ha e cia , he a d
he b , he ba e a d f a e k f he edi ce ha i e
i e. I i b he c e f he d ea ha ake ha e, i a i ki g
b a da e f de ega e , b i he c cib e f Fi i i i d
a d hea , he e i i i i e de e i i e a d g ad a ga he i
e g h a d a achie e i b a ce. I e, he C i i ca ,
ike he g dde A he a, i e f -g f he b f he C i -
______________
38 J ice I aga i A. C , Philippine Political La , 1995 Ed., . 13, i g hi a ic e

e i ed, A Q i e e ia C i i ea ie b i hed i he San Beda La Journal, A i
1972; I a ic ied.
65
VOL. 272, MAY 2, 1997 65

Ta ada vs. Angara
i a C e i , ca i c j e b e e a a i a U ia. It must
gro ith the societ it seeks to re-structure and march apace ith the
progress of the race, dra ing from the vicissitudes of histor the d namism
and vitalit that ill keep it, far from becoming a petri ed rule, a pulsing,
living la attuned to the heartbeat of the nation.
Thi d I e: The WTO Ag eemen and Legi la i e Po e

The WTO Ag ee e ide ha (e)ach Me be ha e e he

c f i f i a , eg a i a d ad i i a i e ced e39
ih i b iga i a ided i he a e ed Ag ee e .
Pe i i e ai ai ha hi de aki g d i i , e ic
a d i ai Phi i i e e eig , eci ca he egi a i e e
hich de Sec. 2, A ic e VI f he 1987 Phi i i e C i i i
e ed i he C g e f he Phi i i e . I i a a a he
e eig e f he Phi i i e beca e hi ea ha
C ge c d a egi a i ha i be g d f ai a
i e e a d ge e a e fa e if ch egi a i i c f ih
he WTO Ag ee e , hich eae he ade i g d
b a he fi e e a d e a e40 a
a h e e f ag ee e ci -c a a e .
M e eci ca , e i i e c ai ha aid WTO i 41
de ga e f he e a , hich i dged i he C g e .
A d hi e he C i i a C ge a h i e he
P e ide a iff a e , i a de a, age a d
ha fage d e , a d he d ie i , ch a h i i bjec
eci ed i i a d42 ch i i a i a d e ic i a
C ge a ide, a i fac i did de Sec. 401 f he Ta iff
a dC C de.
_______________
39 Pa . 4, A ic e XVI (M i ce a e P ii ), WTO Ag ee e , . 146, V .

1, Urugua Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations.
40 Me a d f he Pe i i e , . 29; , . 219.
41 Sec. 24, A ic e VI, C i i .
42 S b ec i (2), Sec. 28, A ic e VI, C i i .
66

Ta ada vs. Angara
Sovereignt Limited b
International La and Treaties
Thi C e a d a ecia e he fe ci a d a i b hich
eii e e ed hei a g e hi i e. H e e , hi e
e eig ha adi i a bee dee ed ab e a d a -
e c a i g he d e ic e e , i i h e e bjec
e ic i a d i iai a i ag eed b he Phi i i e ,
e e i ied , a a e be f he fa i f ai .
U e i ab , he C i i did e ii a he i - e
i ai f he c f he e f he d. I i Dec a a i
f P i ci e a d S a e P icie , he C i i ad he
ge e a acce ed i ci e f i e a i a a a a f he a
f he a d, a d adhe e he ic f eace, 43e a i , j ice,

f eed , c e a i a d a i , i h a a i . B he d c i e
f i c a i , he c i b d b ge e a acce ed
i ci e f i e a i a a , 44hich a e c ide ed be
a a ica a f a . O e f he de a d
f da e a e i i e a i a a i pacta sunt servanda
i e a i a ag ee e be e f ed i g d fai h. A ea
e gage e i a ee a b iga i b c ea e a ega
bi di g b iga i he a ie . A a e hich ha c ac ed
a id i e a i a b iga i i b d ake i i egi a i
ch di ca i a a be 45
ece a e e he f e f
he b iga i de ake .
B hei i he e a e, ea ie ea i i e ic he
ab e e f e eig . B hei a ac , a i a
e de e a ec f hei a e e i e cha ge f g ea e
be e g a ed b de i ed f ac e i ac . Af e a ,
a e , ike i di id a , i e ih c e a , a d i i f
a c e a ed bjec i e a d be e , he a c
ag ee i i he e e ci e f hei he -
______________
43 Sec. 2, A ic e II, C i i .
44 C , Philippine Political La , 1995 Ed., . 55.
45 Sa ga a d Ya , op cit., 305.
67
VOL. 272, MAY 2, 1997 67

Ta ada vs. Angara
i e ab e igh . Th , ea ie ha e bee ed ec d
ag ee e be ee S a e c ce i g ch ide di e e a e
a, f e a e, he ea e f a a ba e , he a e ce i f
e i , he e i a i f a , he eg a i f c d c f
h i i ie , he f ai f a ia ce , the regulation of commercial
relations, he e i g f c ai , he a i g d f e g e i g
c d c i 46 eace a d he e ab i h e f i e ai a
ga i a i . The e eig f a a e he ef e ca i fac
a d i ea i be c ide ed ab e. Ce ai e ic i e e i
he ic e: (1) i i a i i ed b he e a e f
e be hi i he fa i f ai a d (2) i i a i i ed b
ea i ai . A a b J h F. Ke ed , T da ,
ai ca b i d i de i a e. The age f e47f- f cie
ai ai i e . The age f i e de e de ce i he e.
UN Charter and Other Treaties

Limit Sovereignt

Th , he he Phi i i e j i ed he U i ed Na i a e fi
51 cha e e be , i c e ed e ic i e eig
47a
igh
de he c ce f e eig a a i iai . U de
A ic e 2 f he UN Cha e , (a) e be ha gi e he U i ed
Na i e e a i a ce i a ac i i ake i acc da ce i h
he e e Cha e , a d ha ef ai f gi i g a i a ce a
a e agai hich he U i ed Na i i aki g e e i e
e f ce e ac i . S ch a i a ce i c de a e f i
c e di g ha e e e i ad i i a i e e e e b a
i e e di e f he eace-kee i g e a i f he ga i a i .
I i ad i i i fJ 20, 1961, he I e a i a C f
J ice he d ha e ed b he U i ed Na i E e ge c
F ce i he Midd e Ea a d i he C g e e
______________
46 Sa ga, ci ., . 287.
47 Q ed i Pa a a d Pa a , J ., International La and World Politics, 1994 Ed.,
. 178.
47a Reagan vs. Commission of I nternal Revenue, 30 SCRA 968, 973, Dece be
27, 1969.

Ta ada vs. Angara
e e e f he U i ed Na i de A ic e 17, a ag a h 2, f
he UN Cha e . He ce, a i e be bea hei
c e di g ha e i ch e e e . I hi e e, he Phi i i e
C g e i e ic ed i i e a ia e. I i c e ed
a ia e f d he he i ag ee ih ch eace-kee i g
e e e .S , de A ic e 105 f he aid Cha e , he
UN a d i e e e ai e e j di a ic i i ege a d
i i ie , he eb i i i g agai he e e ci e f e eig f
e be i hi hei e i . A he e a e: a h gh
e eig e a i a d d e ic j i dic i fa e be a e
e f ha de i g i ci e i he UN Cha e , ch i
ae h e e bjec e f ce e ea e decided b he
Sec i C ci f he ai e a ce f i e a i a eace a d
ec i de Cha e VII f he Cha e . A a e a e: de
A ic e 103, (i) he e e fac ic be ee he b iga i f
he Me be f he U i ed Na i de he e e Cha e a d
hei b iga i de a he i e a i a ag ee e , hei
b iga i de he ee cha e ha e ai , h
e i ab de i g he Phi i i e a a e be he
e eig e ake a ch ice a hich f c ic i g
b iga i , if a , h . A a f he UN T ea , he
Phi i i e ha e e ed i a he i e a i a ac b h
bi a e a a d iaea ha i e i iai Phi i i e
e eig . The e a e e e a ed b he S ici Ge e a i hi
C ia ce da ed Oc be 24, 1996, a f :
(a) Bi a e a c e i i h he U i ed S a e ega di g a e i c e,
he e he Phi i i e ag eed, a g he , e e f a ,i c e
ecei ed i he Phi i i e b , a g he , he Fede a Re e e Ba k f
he U i ed S a e , he E /I Ba k f he U i ed S a e , he O e ea
Pi ae I e e C ai f he U i ed S a e . Like i e, i aid
c e i , age , a a ie a d i i a e eai aid b he U i ed
Sae i ci i e f ab a d e a e ice e f ed b he a
e ee f cia f he U i ed S a e a e e e f i c e a b
he Phi i i e .
VOL. 272, MAY 2, 1997 69

Ta ada vs. Angara
(b) Bi a e a ag ee e i h Be gi , idi g, a g he , f he
a ida ce f d b e a a i i h e ec a e i c e.
(c) Bi a e a c e i i h he Ki gd f S ede f he
a ida ce f d b e a a i .
(d) Bi a e a c e i i h he F e ch Re b ic f he a ida ce f
d be a ai .
(e) Bi a e a ai a ag ee e i h K ea he e he Phi i i e
ag eed e e f a c d ie , i ec i fee a d he
d ie a e ai c af f S h K ea a d he eg a e i e ,
ae a a d ie a i i g i h aid ai c af .
(f) Bi a e a ai e ice ag ee e i h Ja a , he e he Phi i i e
ag eed e e f c d ie , e ci e a e , i ec i fee
a d he i i a d ie , a e cha ge f e , b ica i g i ,
a e a , eg a e i e , e b a d Ja a e e ai c af
hi e Phi i i e i .
(g) Bi a e a ai e ice ag ee e i h Be gi he e he Phi i i e
g a ed Be gia ai ca ie he a e i i ege a h e g a ed
Ja a e e a d K ea ai ca ie de e a a e ai e ice
ag ee e .
(h) Bi a e a e i h I ae f he ab i i f a i a d i i
ia he e he Phi i i e e e ed I ae i a i a f he
e ie e f b ai i g a i ii ia f a j i he
Phi i i e e ceedi g 59 da .
(i) Bi a e a ag ee e i h F a ce e e i g F e ch a i a f
he e i e e f b ai i g a i a d i i iaf a j
e ceedi g 59 da .

(j) M i a e a C e i S ecia Mi i , he e he
Phi i i e ag eed ha e ie f S ecia Mi i i he
Phi i i e a e i i ab e a d i age ca e e aid e i
e ih c e f he Head f Mi i c ce ed. S ecia
Mi i aea e e ed f c d ie , a e a d e a ed
cha ge .
(k) M i a e a C e i he La f T ea ie . I hi c e i ,
he Phi i i e ag eed be g e ed b he Vie a C e i
he La f T ea ie .
( ) Dec a a i f he P e ide f he Phi i i e acce i g c
j i dic i f he I e a i a C f J ice. The
I e ai a C f J ice ha j i dic i i a ega di e
c ce i g he i e eai f a ea , a e i fi e a
70

Ta ada vs. Angara
i a a , he e i e ce f a fac hich, if e ab i hed, d

c i e a b each f i e a i a b iga i .
I he f eg i g ea ie , he Phi i i e ha effec i e ag eed

i i he e e ci e f i e eig e f a ai , e i e
d ai a d ice e . The de i g c ide a i i hi
a ia e de f e eig i he eci ca c i e f he
he c ac i g a e i g a i g he a e i i ege a d
i i ie he Phi i i e , i f cia a d i ci i e . The a e
eci ci cha ac e i e he Phi i i e c i e de WTO-
GATT.
I e a i a ea ie , he he e a i g c ea di a a e , h a
igh , he e i e , he a f he ea, ade, c ai d e ic
i ica e eig h gh he a i f e e a b iga i . B
e a a ch i i e a i a e a i i efe ed a a a e a i e, i
ca e e acce ha he be e f he eci ca b iga i i ed
eigh he c a cia ed i h a f i ica e eig . (T) ade
ea ie ha c e eai b efe e ce d ab e, e -de ed
b a i e a d bjec i e di e e i ced e ed ce he
i k f a ge c ie e i i g a ec ic e b a e
c ie , b bjec i g e eai ef f ega de i g. I
addi i , a e c ie ica a d gai di i ae f
ade ibe a i a i . Thi i d e he i e fac ha ibe a i a i i
ide acce a a ge e f e ia e adi g e a i hi ha i
ca e f he a ge c gai i g e ha ced cce he a e c
48
a ke .

The i i ha , a h b he f eg i g ea ie , a i f
e eig a be ai ed i h i a i g he C i i , ba ed
he a i a e ha he Phi i i e ad he ge e a acce ed
i ci e f i e a i a a a a f he a f he a d a d
adhe e he ic f c eai a d a i ih a
ai .
_______________
48 T ebi c ck a d H e. The Reg a i f I e a i a T ade, . 14, L d ,

1995, ci ed . 55-56, Ba i a Pa e .
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Ta ada vs. Angara
Fourth Issue: The WTO Agreement and Judicial Po er

Pe i i e a e ha a ag a h 1, A ic e 34 f he Ge e a
P ii a d Ba ic P i ci e f he Ag ee e 49 T ade-Re a ed
A ec f I e ec a P e Righ (TRIPS) i de he
e f he S e e C 50
ga e e c ce i g
eadi g, ac ice a d ced e . 51
T de a d he c e a d ea i g f A ic e 34, TRIPS, i
i be f i f e aei f e a f :
A ic e 34
Process Patents: Burden of Proof
1. F he e f ci i ceedi g i e ec f he i f i ge e f he
igh f he e efe ed i a ag a h 1(b) f A ic e 28, if he bjec
a e f a ae i a ce f b ai i g a d c , he j dicia
a h i ie ha ha e he a h i de he defe da e ha he
ce b ai a ide ica d c i diffe e f he a e ed ce .
The ef e, Me be ha ide, i a ea e f he f i g
ci c a ce , ha a ide ica d c he d ced i h he
c e f he a e e ha , i he ab e ce f f he c a , be
dee ed ha e bee b ai ed b he a e ed ce :
(a) if he d c b ai ed b he a e ed ce i e ;
(b) if he e i a b a ia ike ih d ha he ide ica d c a ade b he
ce a d he e f he a e ha bee ab e h gh ea ab e
eff de e i e he ce ac a ed.
2. A Me be ha be f ee ide ha he b de f f
i dica ed i a ag a h 1 ha be he a eged i f i ge if he
c di i efe ed i b a ag a h (a) i f ed if he
c di i efe ed i b a ag a h (b) i f ed.
3. I he add c i f f he c a , he egi i a e i e e f
defe da i ec i g hei a fac i g a d b i e
_______________
49 Urugua Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations, V . 31, . 25445.

50 Ie 5, Sec. 5, A ic e VII I, C i i .
51 Urugua Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations, V . 31, . 25445.
72

Ta ada vs. Angara
ec e ha be ake i acc .
F he ab e, a WTO Me be i e i ed ide a e f
di ab e ( e he d i he ab e ce f f he c a )
e i ha a d c h be ide ica e d ced
i h he e f a a e ed ce ha be dee ed ha e bee
b ai ed b he (i ega ) e f he aid a e ed ce , (1) he e
ch d c b ai ed b he a e ed d c i e , (2) he e
he e i b a ia ike ih d ha he ide ica d c a ade
i h he e f he aid a e ed ce b he e f he a e
c d de e i e he e ac ce ed i b ai i g ch
ide ica d c . He ce, he b de f f c e a ed b
A ic e 34 h d ac a be de d a he d f he a eged
a e i f i ge e h ch e i . S ch b de ,
e de d, ac a efe he b de f e ide ce
(b de f g i g f a d) aced he d ce f he ide ica (
fake) d c h ha hi d c a d ced i h he e
f he a e ed ce .
The f eg i g i h a di g, he a e e i ha he
b de f f i ce, ega d e f he e i ided
de a ag a h 1 f A ic e 34, ch e i ha i d ce
e ide ce f he e i e ce f he a eged ide ica d c , he fac
ha i i ide ica he ge i e e d ced b he a e ed
ce a d he fac f e e f he ge i e d c he fac
f b a ia ike ih d ha he ide ica d c a ade b
he a e ed ce .
The f eg i g h d ea ee b e i cha gi g he
e f e ide ce a he e e a he bjec , Re b ic Ac N .
165, a a e ded, he i e k a he Pa e La , ide a
i ia e i i ca e f i f i ge e f a e ed de ig
ii de , h :
Sec. 60. Infringement. I f i ge e f a de ig a e fa ae f

ii de ha c i i a h i ed c i g f he a e ed de ig
ii de f he e f ade i d i he a ic e d c
a d i he aki g, i g e i g f he a ic e d c c i g he
a e ed de ig ii de . Identit or substantial identit ith the
patented design or utilit model shall constitute evidence of cop ing.
(i a ic ied)
73
VOL. 272, MAY 2, 1997 73

Ta ada vs. Angara
M e e , i h d be ed ha he e i e e f A ic e 34
ide a di ab e e i a ie if (1) he d c
b ai ed b he a e ed ce i NEW (2) he e i a b a ia
ike ih d ha he ide ica d c a ade b he ce a d
he ce e ha bee ab e h gh ea ab e eff
de e i e he ce ed. Whe e ei he f he e i d e
b ai , e be ha be f ee de e i e he a ia e
eh d fi e e i g he ii f TRIPS i hi hei
i e a e a d ce e .
B a d a ge, he a g e add ced i c ec i ih
di ii f he hi d i e de ga i f egi a i e e i
a hi f h i e a . S f ce i a ha he eci ci
ca e e ha j i e ch i i , if a ac a e i .
Be ide , A ic e 34 d e c ai a ea ab e b de ,
c i e a i i ih d e ce a d he c ce f ad e a ia
di e e e e i he e i j dicia e .
S , i ce he Phi i i e i a ig a i e ai a
c e i a e , ade a k a d c igh , he adj 52
e
i egi a i a d e f ced e i be b a ia .
Fif h I e: Conc ence Onl in he WTO Ag eemen and

No in O he Doc men Con ained in he Final Ac
Pe i i e a ege ha he Se a e c c e ce i he WTO
Ag ee e a d i a e e b i he he d c e efe ed
i he Fi a Ac , a e he Mi i e ia Dec a a i a d
Deci i a d he U de a di g C i e i Fi a cia
Se ice i defec i e a d i f cie a d h c i e ab e f
di c e i . The b i ha ch c c e ce i he WTO
Ag ee e alone i a ed beca e i i i effec a ejec i f he
Fi a Ac , hich i a he d c e ig ed b Sec e a
Na a , i e e e a i f he Re b ic a h i f he
P e ide53 . The c e d ha he ec d e e f he P e ide he
Se a e hich
________________
52 Ba i a Pa e , . 13.
53 See f e 3 f he e f hi e e .
74

Ta ada vs. Angara
e e a ed ha c i e he Fi a Ac h d ha e bee he
bjec f c c e ce f he Se a e.
A nal act, e i e ca ed protocol de cl ture, i a
i e hich ec d he i di g f he ceedi g f a
di a ic c fe e ce a d a i c de a e d c i f he
e f ea ie , c e i , ec e da i a d he ac
ag eed 54
a d ig ed b he e i e ia ie a e di g he
c fe e ce. I i he ea i e f. I i a he a a f he
ceedi g f a ac ed c fe e ce hich a ha e ake ace
e e e a ea . The e f he Fi a Ac E b d i g he Re
f he U g a R d 55f M i a e a T ade Neg ia i i
c ai ed i j e age i V . I f he 36- e Urugua
Round of Multilat-
______________
54 Sa ga a d Ya , op cit., . 289-290.
55 The f e , ih he ig a e , f he Fi a Ac i a f :
“Final Act Embodying the Results of the Uruguay Round

of Multilateral Trade Negotiations
1. Ha i g e i de c c de he U g a R d fM i a e a T ade
Neg ia i , e e e ai e f he g e e a d f he E ea C
i ie , e be f he T ade Neg ia i C i ee, agree ha he
Ag ee e E ab i hi g he W d T ade O ga i a i ( efe ed i he
Fi a Ac a he WTO Ag ee e ), he Mi i e ia Dec a a i a d
Deci i , a d he U de a di g C i e i Fi a cia Se ice , a
a e ed he e , e b d he e f hei eg ia i a df a i eg a
a f hi Fi a Ac .
2. B ig i g he ee Fi a Ac , he e e e a i e agree.
(a) b i, a a ia e, he WTO Ag ee e f he c ide a i f hei

e ec i e c ee a h i ie i h a ie eeki g a a f he Ag ee e i
acc da ce i h hei ced e ; a d
3. The e e e a i e agree he de i abi i f acce a ce f he WTO

Ag ee e b a a ici a i he U g a R d f M iaea T ade
Neg ia i (he ei af e efe ed a a ici
75

VOL. 272, MAY 2, 1997 75

Ta ada vs. Angara
eral Trade Negotiations. B ig i g aid Fi a Ac , Sec e a

Na a a e e e a i e f he Re b ic f he Phi i i e
de k:
(a) b i, a a ia e, he WTO Ag ee e f he
c ide a i f hei e ec i e c e e a h i ie i h a ie
eeki g a a f he Ag ee e i acc da ce i h hei
ced e ; a d
The a ai ed Se a e Re i N . 97 e e ed c c e ce i
e ac ha he Fi a Ac e i ed f i ig a ie , a e ,
c c e ce f he Se a e i he WTO Ag ee e .
_______________
a ) i h a ie i e i f ce b 1 Ja a 1995, a ea a
ib e he eaf e . N a e ha a e 1994, Mi i e i ee , i acc da ce ih
he a a ag a h f he P a de E e Mi i e ia Dec a a i , decide he
i e ai a i e e ai f he e , i c di g he i i g f hei e i
f ce.
4. The e e e a i e ag ee ha he WTO Ag ee e ha be e f
acce a ce a a h e, b ig a e he i e, b a a ici a a
A ic e XIV he e f. The acce a ce a d e i f ce f a P iaea
T ade Ag ee e i c ded i A e 4 f he WTO Ag ee e ha be
g e ed b he ii f ha P i a e a T ade Ag ee e .
5. Bef e acce i g he WTO Ag ee e , a ici a hich a e
c ac i g a ie he Ge e a Ag ee e Ta iff a d T ade
ha e c c ded eg ia i f hei acce i he Ge e a Ag ee e
a d bec e c ac i g a ie he e . F a ici a hich a e
c ac i g a ie he Ge e a Ag ee e a f he da e f he Fi a Ac ,
he Sched e a e de i i e a d ha be be e c e ed f he
e f hei acce i he Ge e a Ag ee e a d acce a ce f he
WTO Ag ee e .
6. Thi Fi a Ac a d he e a e ed he e ha be de i ed i h he
Di ec -Ge e a he CONTRACTING PARTIES he Ge e a Ag ee
e Ta iff a d T ade h ha f ih each a ici a a
ce i ed c he e f. DONE a Ma ake h hi f ee h da fA i e
h a d i e h d ed a d i e -f , i a i ge c , i he E g i h,
F e ch a d S a i h a g age , each e bei g a he ic.
76

Ta ada vs. Angara
The Mi i e ia Dec a a i a d Deci i e e dee ed ad ed

ih eed f a i ca i . The eea ed b he i i e
b i e f A ic e XXV: 1 f GATT hich ide ha
e e e a i e f he e be ca ee gi e effec h e
ii f hi Ag ee e hich i ke j i ac i , a d
ge e a i h a ie faci i 56a i g he e a i a d f he i g he
bjec i e f hi Ag ee e .
The U de a di g C i e i Fi a cia Se ice a
a ed i Ma ake h d e a he Phi i i e . I a ie
h e 27 Me be hich ha e i dica ed i hei e ec i e
ched e f c i e a d i , ei i ai f ,
e a i f eai f e i i g a cia e ice ie ,
e a e f e e , f ee a fe a d ce i g f
i f ai , a d ai a ea e i h e ec acce
a e , c ea i g 57 e a d e a ci g a ai ab e i he a
c e fb i e .
O he he ha d, he WTO Ag ee e i e f e e e 58ha
i a e a ag ee e a e dee ed i c ded a i i eg a a , a
f :
A ic e II
Scope of the WTO
1. The WTO ha ide he c i i i a fa e k f

he c d c f ade e a i a g i Me be i a e he
ag ee e a d a cia ed ega i e i c ded i he
A e e hi Ag ee e .
2. The Ag ee e a d a cia ed ega i e i c ded i
A e e 1, 2, a d 3 (he ei af e efe ed a M iaea
Ag ee e ) a e i eg a a f hi Ag ee e , bi di g a
Me be .
3. The Ag ee e a d a cia ed ega i e i c ded i
A e 4 (he ei af e efe ed a P i a e a T ade
Ag ee e )aea a f hi Ag ee e f h e Me be
ha ha e acce ed he , a d a e bi di g h e Me be . The
P iaea
_______________
56 Ba i a Pa e , . 16.
57 Ba i a Pa e , . 16.
58 Urugua Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations, V . I, . 137-138.
77
VOL. 272, MAY 2, 1997 77

Ta ada vs. Angara
T ade Ag ee e d c ea e ei he b iga i igh f Me be

ha ha e acce ed he .
4. The Ge e a Ag ee e Ta iff a d T ade 1994 a eci ed i
A e 1A (he ei af e efe ed a GATT 1994 ) i ega di i c f
he Ge e a Ag ee e Ta iff a d T ade, da ed 30 Oc be 1947,
a e ed he Fi a Ac ad ed a he c c i f he Sec d Se i f
he P e a a C i ee f he U i ed Na i C fe e ce T ade a d
E e , a be e ec i ed, a e ded di ed (he ei af e
efe ed a GATT 1947 ).
I h d be added ha he Se a e a e -a a e f ha i a
c c i gi a h b he e be de ibe a i A g 25,
1994.59Af e eadi g he e e f P e ide Ra da ed A g 11,
1994, he e a f he Re b ic 60 i e di ec ed ha he
Se a e a c c i g i , a f :
THE CHAIRMAN: Ye . N , he e i f he a idi f he

b i i ca e i he da hea i g f hi C i ee
e e da . Wa he b e a i ade b Se a Tañada ha
ha a b i ed he Se a e a he ag ee e e
ab i hi g he W d T ade O ga i a i b he a ac f he
U g a R d hich i he a e a he ag ee e
e ab i hi g he W d T ade O ga i a i ? A d ha ba i ,
Se a T e i ai ed a i f de hich, h e e , he
ag eed i hd a de a di g ha hi gge i f a
a e ai e i a ha i e a acce ab e. Tha gge i
a ea he ceedi g f he C i ee a bei g i he
a e f b ie g f Se a i he e i f he
b i i c d be c a i ed. A d , Sec e a R , i
effec , i he P e ide b i i g a e . . . i he aki g a e
b i i hich i e he c a i f he b i i ?
MR. ROMULO: M . Chai a , ake e ha i i c ea c a d
he e h d be i de a di g, i a hi i e i
c a if a a e b gi i g hi e e .
THE CHAIRMAN: Tha k .
_______________
59 See f e3f c ee e .
60 Take f . 63-85, Re de Me a d .

Ta ada . Anga a

Ca hi C i ee hea f Se a Tañada a d a e Se a
T e i i ce he e e he e ha ai ed hi e i
e e da ?
Se a Tañada, ea e.
SEN. TA ADA: Thank ou, Mr. Chairman.
Based on hat Secretar Romulo has read, it ould no clearl
appear that hat is being submitted to the Senate for rati cation
is not the Final Act of the Urugua Round, but rather the
Agreement on the World Trade Organi ation as ell as the
Ministerial Declarations and Decisions, and the Understanding
and Comm itm ents in Financial Services.
I am no satis ed ith the ording of the ne submission of
President Ramos.
SEN. TAÑADA. . . . f P e ide Ra , M . Chai a .
THE CHAIRMAN. Tha k , Se a Tañada. Ca e hea f
Se a T e i ? A d af e hi Se a Ne a i G a e a d
Se a Li a.
SEN. TOLENTI NO. MR. Chairman, I have not seen the ne
submission actuall transmitted to us but I sa the draft of his
earlier, and I think it no complies ith the provisions of the
Constitution, and ith the Final Act itself. The Constitution does
not require us to ratif the Final Act. It requires us to ratif the
Agreement hich is no being submitted. The Final Act itself
speci es hat is going to be submitted to ith the governments of
the participants.
In paragraph 2 of the Final Act, e read and I quote:
B signing the present Final Act, the representatives agree: (a) to submit as
appropriate the WTO Agreement for the consideration of the respective
competent authorities ith a vie to seeking approval of the Agreement in
accordance ith their procedures.
In other ords, it is not the Final Act that as agreed to be

submitted to the governments for rati cation or acceptance as
hatever their constitutional procedures ma provide but it is the
World Trade Organi ation Agreement. And if that is the one that
is being submitted no , I think it satis es both the Constitution
and the Final Act itself.
Tha k , M . Chai a .
THE CHAIRMAN. Tha k , Se a T e i , Ma I ca
Se a G a e .
VOL. 272, MAY 2, 1997 79

Ta ada . Anga a

SEN. GONZALES. Mr. Chairman, m vie s on this matter are

alread a matter of record. And the had been adequatel
re ected in the journal of esterda s session and I don t see an
need for repeating the same.
No , I ould consider the ne submission as an act e abudante
cautela.
THE CHAIRMAN. Tha k , Se a G a e . Se a Li a, d
a ake a c e hi ?
SEN. LINA. Mr. President, I agree ith the observation just made b
Senator Gon ales out of the abundance of question. Then the ne
submission is, I believe, stating the obvious and therefore I have
no further comment to make.
E ilog e
I a i gf he i ca i f he Phi i i e a i ca i f he
WTO Ag ee e , eii e a e i ki g hi C
c i i a i ed d de e i e he he he e ha
bee g a e ab e f di c e i a i g ack e ce f
j i dic i he a f he Se a e i gi i g i c c e ce
he ei ia Se a e Re i N . 97. P ced a , a i f
ce i a i g ded g a e ab e f di c e i a be i ed b
he C de R e 65 f he R e f C he i i a
h ha e i i e ha e he ai , eed a d ade a e
e ed i he di a c e f a .
B g a e ab e f di c e i i ea ch ca ici a d
hi ica 61e e ci e f j dg e a i e i ae ack f
j i dic i . Me e ab e f di c e i i e gh. I be
grave ab e f di c e i a he he e i e e ci ed i a
a bi a de ic a e b ea f a i e a
h ii , a d be ae a d g a a a
e ai fa ii ed a i a ef a 62 e f he d
e j i ed ac a a i c e ai f a . Fai e he a
f he e i i e h ga e
_______________
61 Zarate vs. Olegario, G.R. N . 90655, Oc be 7, 1996.

62 San Sebastian College vs. Court of Appeals, 197 SCRA 138, 144, Ma 15,
1991; Comm issioner of Internal Revenue vs. Court of Ta Appeals, 195 SCRA 444,
458 Ma ch 20, 1991; Simon vs. Civil

Ta ada vs. Angara
63
63
ab e f di c e i i e i he di i a f he e i i .
I e de i g hi D eci i , hi C e e f ge ha he
Se a e, h e ac i de e ie , i e f e eig h e f
C g e a d i h e i ed g ea e ec i i ac i . I i i e f
a c i i a b d i de e de a d c di a e, a d h i
ac i ae e ed eg a a d d e i g d fai h. U e
c i ci g f a d e ai e ag e ae e e ed
e h ch e i , hi C i e ee e d b i
i fa . U i g he f eg i g e -acce ed de i i f ga e
ab e f di c e i a d he e i f eg a i i he Se a e
ce e , hi C ca d a c ge ea i ega e
ab e f di c e i he Se a e e e ci e f i e f
c c e ce i he WTO 64
Ag ee e g a ed i b Sec. 21 f A ic e
VII f he C i i .
I i e, a a eged b e i i e , ha b ad c i i a
i ci e e i e he S a e de e a i de e de ai a
ec effec i e c ed b Fi i i ; a d ec a d/
efe Fi i i ab , d c , d e ic a e ia a d ca
d ced g d . B i i e a e ha ch i ci e hi e
e i g a j dicia a d egi a i e g ide a e i he e e
ce f ca e f ac i . M e e , he e a e he e a
f da e a c i i a i ci e e ied b he Se a e
hich a da e he i f a ade ic ha e e he ge e a
e fa e a d i i e a f a d a a ge e f e cha ge he
ba i f e a i a d eci ci a d he i fi d ie
hich a e c e i i e i b h d e ic a d f eig a ke , he eb
j if i g i acce a ce f aid ea . S , he a eged
i ai e f e eig i he e e ci e f egi a-
_______________
Service Commission, 215 SCRA 410, N e be 5, 1992; Bustamante vs.

Commissioner on Audit, 216 SCRA 134, 136, N e be 27, 1992.
63 Paredes vs. Civil Service Commission, 192 SCRA 84, 94, Dece be 4, 1990.
64 Sec. 21. N ea i e a i a ag ee e ha be a id a d effec i e e
c c ed i b a ea - hi d fa he Me be f he Se a e.
VOL. 272, MAY 2, 1997 81

Ta ada vs. Angara
i e a d j dicia e i ba a ced b he ad i f he ge e a
acce ed i ci e f i e a i a a a a f he a f he a d
a d he adhe e ce f he C i i he ic f c e a i
a da i iha ai .
Tha he Se a e, af e de ibe a i a d i g, ai a d
e he i g ga e i c e he WTO Ag ee e he eb
aki g i a a f he a f he a d i a egi i a e e e ci e f
i e eig d a d e . We d ae a d g
a bi a i e de i b ea f a i e a
h ii i ch e e ci e. I i i ib e i e ha hi
C , a ea e f i e be , a e e ag ee i h
e i i e ha i i e ad a age he a i a i e e
ike d Se a e Re i N . 97. B ha i not a legal reason
a ib e g a e ab e f di c e i he Se a e a d if i
deci i . T d dc i e g a e ab e i he e e ci e f
j dicia e a d d . I e dab , ha he Se a e did
a a a id e e ci e f i a h i . A he he ch e e ci e a
i e, be e cia iab e i ide he ea f j dicia i i a d
e ie . Tha i a a e be ee he e ec ed ic ake a d he
e e. A he he he a i h d j i he d ide a ch
a d ade ibe a i a i a d ec ic g ba i a i i a a e
ha e e h d de e i e i e ec i g hei ic ake .
Af e a , he WTO Ag ee e a i hd a a f e be hi ,
h d hi be he i ica de i e f a e be .
The e i e f i J h Nai bi , a 65h f he be e e
Megatrends, edic a A ia Re ai a ce he e he Ea i
bec e he d i a egi f he d ec ica , i ica
a dc a i he e ce . He efe he f ee a ke
e ed b WTO a he ca a i hi c i g A ia a ce d
a c . The e a e a e e ab 31 c ie i c di g Chi a,
R ia a d Sa di A abia eg ia i g f e be hi i he WTO.
N i h a di g bjec i agai ib e i i a i a
i a e eig , he WTO e ai a he iab e c ef
iaea
_______________
65 Reader s Digest, Dece be 1996 i e, . 28.

Ta ada vs. Angara
adi g a d he e i ab e f f he de e e fi e ai a
ade a . The a e a i e WTO i i a i , ag a i , if
ec ic e f-de c i . D e iched i h igi a e be hi ,
kee a a e f he ad a age a d di ad a age f g ba i a i
ihi - i e e e ie ce, a d e d ed i h a i i f he f e,
he Phi i i e add e he c ad f a i e a i a
a eg f ec ic ei a d abi i i he e
i e i . Le he e e, h gh hei d a h i ed e ec ed
f ce , ake hei f ee ch ice.
WHEREFORE, he e i i i DISMISSED f ack f e i .
SO ORDERED.
Narvasa (C.J.), Regalado, Davide, Jr., Romero, Bellosillo,

Melo, Puno, Kapunan, Mendo a, Francisco, Hermosisima, Jr. a d
Torres, Jr., JJ., c c .
Padilla a d Vitug, JJ., I he e .
Petition dismissed.
Notes. The i a e f he c i i e i e a di g
he c ce f j dicia e i e i i a e he defe e f i ica
e i hich i he a de i ed he S e e C f he
j i dic i ike d ab e f e b g e e . (Arro o
vs. House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal, 246 SCRA 384
[1995])
Whe he C i i a da e ha i he g a f igh ,
i i ege , a d c ce i c e i g a i a ec a d
a i , he S a e ha gi e efe e ce a i ed Fi i i , i
ea j ha a i ed Fi i i ha be efe ed. (Manila
Prince Hotel vs. Government Service Insurance S stem, 267 SCRA
[1997])
C 2019 Ce a B S , I c. A e e ed.

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15/11/2019 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED VOLUME 272

18 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

WIGBERTO E. TAÑADA a d ANNA DOMINIQUE COSETENG,

VOL. 272, MAY 2, 1997 19

GONZALES, ERNESTO HERRERA, JOSE LINA, GLORIA

Na i a T ea e ; RIZALINO NAVARRO, i hi ca aci a

Constitutional La ; Judicial Revie ; Separation of Po ers; Where an

20 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

Ta ada vs. Angara

amounting to lack or e cess of jurisdiction on the part of the Senate in

VOL. 272, MAY 2, 1997 21

Ta ada vs. Angara

Same; Same; Separation of Po ers; Due Process. The ea f

.ce a .c . h/ f eade / e i /0000016e6f1512bcaf5290ce003600fb002c009e/ /? =Fa e 3/60

22 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

Ta ada vs. Angara

.ce a .c . h/ f eade / e i /0000016e6f1512bcaf5290ce003600fb002c009e/ /? =Fa e 4/60

VOL. 272, MAY 2, 1997 23

Ta ada vs. Angara

.ce a .c . h/ f eade / e i /0000016e6f1512bcaf5290ce003600fb002c009e/ /? =Fa e 5/60

24 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

Ta ada vs. Angara

.ce a .c . h/ f eade / e i /0000016e6f1512bcaf5290ce003600fb002c009e/ /? =Fa e 6/60

a id i e a i a b iga i i b d ake i i egi a i ch

VOL. 272, MAY 2, 1997 25

Ta ada vs. Angara

d e. B a d a ge, he a g e add ced i c ec i ih di

26 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

Ta ada vs. Angara

.ce a .c . h/ f eade / e i /0000016e6f1512bcaf5290ce003600fb002c009e/ /? =Fa e 8/60

VOL. 272, MAY 2, 1997 27

Ta ada vs. Angara

.ce a .c . h/ f eade / e i /0000016e6f1512bcaf5290ce003600fb002c009e/ /? =Fa e 9/60

28 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

Ta ada vs. Angara

SPECIAL CIVIL ACTION i he S e eC . Ce i a i.

The e e ge ce Ja a 1, 1995 f he W d T ade O ga i a i ,

.ce a .c . h/ f eade / e i /0000016e6f1512bcaf5290ce003600fb002c009e/ /? =Fa e 10/60

B ief Hi o ical Backg o nd

VOL. 272, MAY 2, 1997 29

D ba Oak a d B e W d . The rst a he W d Ba k

O ga i a i a d he i e a i a ga i a i Li ia R. Ba i a (he eaf e efe ed

1947 The birth of GATT. O 30 Oc be 1947, he Ge e a Ag ee e Ta iff a d T ade

30 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

Like a he de e i g c ie , he Phi i i e j i ed WTO

aged a he a eg f a iad f -Wa ec ic age cie ( he he e e he

.ce a .c . h/ f eade / e i /0000016e6f1512bcaf5290ce003600fb002c009e/ /? =Fa e 12/60

VOL. 272, MAY 2, 1997 31

a ed b P e ide Fide V. Ra i e e he Se a e (infra),

1950 Third Round at Torqua . F Se e be 1950 A i 1951, he c ac i g a ie

32 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

.ce a .c . h/ f eade / e i /0000016e6f1512bcaf5290ce003600fb002c009e/ /? =Fa e 13/60

1961 The Short-Term Arrangement c e i g c e ie a ag eed a a e ce i he

VOL. 272, MAY 2, 1997 33

A he e d f he R d i N e be 1979, a ici a e cha ged a iff ed c i a d

.ce a .c . h/ f eade / e i /0000016e6f1512bcaf5290ce003600fb002c009e/ /? =Fa e 14/60

34 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

e e , he Phi i i e a d hi i f ecia i e e he ega

The Pe i ion in B ief

A g i g ai (1) ha he WTO e i e he Phi i i e ace

.ce a .c . h/ f eade / e i /0000016e6f1512bcaf5290ce003600fb002c009e/ /? =Fa e 15/60

VOL. 272, MAY 2, 1997 35