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D E C I S I O N

MENDOZA, J.:

When the judiciary mediates to allocate constitutional boundaries, it

does not assert any superiority over the other departments; it does not in

reality nullify or invalidate an act of the legislature, but only asserts the

solemn and sacred obligation assigned to it by the Constitution to determine

conflicting claims of authority under the Constitution and to establish for the

parties in an actual controversy the rights which that instrument secures and

guarantees to them.

--- Justi)e Jose P. Laure'/0

#1e ro'e o2 t1e Constitution )annot *e over'oo3ed. It is t1rou(1 t1e Constitution t1at t1e

2unda&enta' po4ers o2 (overn&ent are esta*'is1ed, 'i&ited and de2ined, and *5 41i)1

t1ese po4ers are distri*uted a&on( t1e severa' depart&ents. /0#1e Constitution is t1e

*asi) and para&ount 'a4 to 41i)1 a'' ot1er 'a4s &ust )on2or& and to 41i)1 a'' persons,

in)'udin( t1e 1i(1est o22i)ia's o2 t1e 'and, &ust de2er./60Constitutiona' do)trines &ust

re&ain stead2ast no &atter 41at &a5 *e t1e tides o2 ti&e. It )annot *e si&p'5 &ade to

s4a5 and a))o&&odate t1e )a'' o2 situations and &u)1 &ore tai'or itse'2 to t1e 41i&s

and )apri)es o2 (overn&ent and t1e peop'e 41o run it./70

8or )onsideration *e2ore t1e Court are t4o )onso'idated )ases/90*ot1 o2 41i)1 essentia''5

assai' t1e va'idit5 and )onstitutiona'it5 o2 Exe)utive Order No. , dated Ju'5 6, ,

entit'ed Creating the Philippine Truth Commission of !"!.

#1e 2irst )ase is .R. No. ;;69, a spe)ia' )ivi' a)tion 2or pro1i*ition instituted

*5 petitioner Louis $irao(o #$iraogo%in 1is )apa)it5 as a )iti


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#1e se)ond )ase, .R. No. ;66=, isa spe)ia' )ivi' a)tion 2or certiorari and pro1i*ition

2i'ed *5 petitioners Ed)e' C. La(&an, Rodo'2o $. A'*ano Jr., Si&eon A. "atu&anon(,

and Or'ando $. 8ua, Sr. #petitioners&legislators%as in)u&*ent &e&*ers o2 t1e ouse o2

Representatives.

#1e (enesis o2 t1e 2ore(oin( )ases )an *e tra)ed to t1e events prior to t1e 1istori) Ma5

e'e)tions, 41en t1en Senator $eni(no Si&eon A>uino III de)'ared 1is staun)1

)onde&nation o2 (ra2t and )orruption 4it1 1is s'o(an,'ung walang corrupt, walang

mahirap.#1e 8i'ipino peop'e, )onvin)ed o2 1is sin)erit5 and o2 1is a*i'it5 to )arr5 out

t1is no*'e o*?e)tive, )atapu'ted t1e (ood senator to t1e presiden)5.

#o trans2or& 1is )a&pai(n s'o(an into rea'it5, President A>uino 2ound a need 2or a

spe)ia' *od5 to investi(ate reported )ases o2 (ra2t and )orruption a''e(ed'5 )o&&itteddurin( t1e previous ad&inistration.

#1us, at t1e da4n o2 1is ad&inistration, t1e President on Ju'5 6, , si(ned

Exe)utive Order No. esta*'is1in( t1ePhilippine Truth Commission of !"! #Truth

Commission%.Pertinent provisions o2 said exe)utive order read:EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 1

CREATING THE PHILIPPINE TRUTH COMMISSION OF 2010

WHEREAS, Articl XI, Scti!" 1 !# t$ 1%&' C!"(tit)ti!" !# t$ P$ili**i"( (!l+"l"($ri"( t$ *ri"ci*l t$-t - *)lic !##ic i( - *)lic tr)(t -"/ +-"/-t( t$-t *)lic!##icr( -"/ +*l!(, $! -r (r-"t( !# t$ *!*l, +)(t -t -ll ti+( -cc!)"t-lt! t$ l-ttr, (r t$+ it$ )t+!(t r(*!"(iilit, i"trit, l!-lt -"/ ##ici"c, -ct

it$ *-tri!ti(+ -"/ 3)(tic, -"/ l-/ +!/(t li(4

WHEREAS, c!rr)*ti!" i( -+!" t$ +!(t /(*ic-l -ct( !# /#i-"c !# t$i( *ri"ci*l-"/ "!t!ri!)( i!l-ti!" !# t$i( +-"/-t4

WHEREAS, c!rr)*ti!" i( -" il -"/ (c!)r $ic$ (ri!)(l -##ct( t$ *!litic-l,c!"!+ic, -"/ (!ci-l li# !# - "-ti!"4 i" - r (*ci-l - it i"#lict( )"t!l/ +i(#!rt)"-"/ +i(r !" t$ *!!r, t$ +-ri"-li5/ -"/ )"/r*riil/ (ct!r !# (!cit4

WHEREAS, c!rr)*ti!" i" t$ P$ili**i"( $-( r-c$/ r -l-r+i" ll(, -"/)"/r+i"/ t$ *!*l( tr)(t -"/ c!"#i/"c i" t$ G!r"+"t -"/ it( i"(tit)ti!"(4

WHEREAS, t$r i( -" )r"t c-ll #!r t$ /tr+i"-ti!" !# t$ tr)t$ r-r/i" crt-i"r*!rt( !# l-r (c-l r-#t -"/ c!rr)*ti!" i" t$ !r"+"t -"/ t! *)t - cl!()r t! t$+

t$ #ili" !# t$ -**r!*ri-t c-(( --i"(t t$!( i"!l/, i# -rr-"t/, -"/ t! /tr!t$r( #r!+ c!++itti" t$ il, r(t!r t$ *!*l( #-it$ -"/ c!"#i/"c i" t$G!r"+"t -"/ i" t$ir *)lic (r-"t(4

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WHEREAS, t$ Pr(i/"t( -ttlcr /)ri" $i( c-+*-i" #!r t$ Pr(i/"c i" t$ l-(tlcti!"( kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap6*r((( - (!l+" *l/ t$-t i#lct/, $ !)l/ "/ c!rr)*ti!" -"/ t$ il it r/(4

WHEREAS, t$r i( - "/ #!r - (*-r-t !/ //ic-t/ (!ll t! i"(ti-ti" -"/

#i"/i" !)t t$ tr)t$ c!"cr"i" t$ r*!rt/ c-(( !# r-#t -"/ c!rr)*ti!" /)ri" t$*ri!)( -/+i"i(tr-ti!", -"/ $ic$ ill rc!++"/ t$ *r!(c)ti!" !# t$ !##"/r( -"/(c)r 3)(tic #!r -ll4

WHEREAS, 7!!8 III, C$-*tr 10, Scti!" 91 !# E6c)ti Or/r N!. 2%2, !t$ri(8"!" -( t$ Ri(/ A/+i"i(tr-ti C!/ !# t$ P$ili**i"(, i( t$ Pr(i/"t t$c!"ti")i" -)t$!rit t! r!r-"i5 t$ O##ic !# t$ Pr(i/"t.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, 7ENIGNO SIMEON A:UINO III, Pr(i/"t !# t$ R*)lic !#t$ P$ili**i"(, irt) !# t$ *!r( (t/ i" + l-, /! $r !r/r;

SECTION 1. Cr-ti!" !# - C!++i((i!". T$r i( $r cr-t/ t$ PHILIPPINE TRUTHCOMMISSION, $ri"-#tr r#rr/ t! -( t$ COMMISSION, $ic$ ($-ll *ri+-ril (8

-"/ #i"/ t$ tr)t$ !", -"/ t!-r/ t$i( "/, i"(ti-t r*!rt( !# r-#t -"/ c!rr)*ti!" !#()c$ (c-l -"/ +-"it)/ t$-t ($!c8 -"/ !##"/ t$ +!r-l -"/ t$ic-l ("(iiliti( !# t$*!*l, c!++itt/ *)lic !##icr( -"/ +*l!(, t$ir c!


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/!c)+"t( i" r(*ct t! c!rr)*ti!" c-(( #il/ it$ t$ S-"/i-"--" !r t$ r)l-rc!)rt(, -( t$ c-( +- 4? I"it !r ()*!"- it"((( -"/ t-8 t$ir t(ti+!"i( -"/ #!r t$-t *)r*!(,-/+i"i(tr !-t$( !r -##ir+-ti!"( -( t$ c-( +- 4

#? Rc!++"/, i" c-(( $r t$r i( - "/ t! )tili5 -" *r(!" -( - (t-t it"((t! "()r t$-t t$ "/( !# 3)(tic #)ll (r/, t$-t ()c$ *r(!" $! @)-li#i( -( - (t-t

it"(( )"/r t$ Ri(/ R)l( !# C!)rt !# t$ P$ili**i"( -/+itt/ #!r t$-t *)r*!(4? T)r" !r #r!+ ti+ t! ti+, #!r 6*/iti!)( *r!(c)ti!", t! t$ -**r!*ri-t*r!(c)t!ri-l -)t$!riti(, +-"( !# - (*ci-l !r interimr*!rt -"/ rc!++"/-ti!",-ll i/"c !" c!rr)*ti!" !# *)lic !##icr( -"/ +*l!( -"/ t$ir *ri-t (ct!r c!. Tr+ !# t$ C!++i((i!". T$ C!++i((i!" ($-ll -cc!+*li($ it( +i((i!" !"!r #!r Dc+r 91, 2012.

SECTION 1B. P)lic-ti!" !# Fi"-l R*!rt. 6 6 6.

SECTION 1. Tr-"(#r !# Rc!r/( -"/ F-ciliti( !# t$ C!++i((i!". 6 6 6.

SECTION 1'. S*ci-l Pr!i(i!" C!"cr"i" M-"/-t. I# -"/ $" i" t$ 3)/+"t !# t$Pr(i/"t t$r i( - "/ t! 6*-"/ t$ +-"/-t !# t$ C!++i((i!" -( /#i"/ i" Scti!"1 $r!# t! i"cl)/ t$ i"(ti-ti!" !# c-(( -"/ i"(t-"c( !# r-#t -"/ c!rr)*ti!" /)ri"t$ *ri!r -/+i"i(tr-ti!"(, ()c$ +-"/-t +- (! 6t"// -cc!r/i"l - !# -()**l+"t-l E6c)ti Or/r.

SECTION 1&. S*-r-ilit Cl-)(. I# -" *r!i(i!" !# t$i( Or/r i( /cl-r/)"c!"(tit)ti!"-l, t$ (-+ ($-ll "!t -##ct t$ -li/it -"/ ##ctiit !# t$ !t$r*r!i(i!"( $r!#.

SECTION 1%. E##ctiit. T$i( E6c)ti Or/r ($-ll t-8 ##ct i++/i-tl.DONE i" t$ Cit !# M-"il-, P$ili**i"(, t$i( 90 t$/- !# )l 2010.=SGD.? 7ENIGNO S. A:UINO III7 t$ Pr(i/"t;=SGD.? PA:UITO N. OCHOA, R.E6c)ti Scrt-r

Nature of the Truth Commission

As )an *e ('eaned 2ro& t1e a*ove->uoted provisions, t1e P1i'ippine #rut1

Co&&ission #PTC%is a &ere ad hoc*od5 2or&ed under t1e O22i)e o2 t1e President 4it1

t1epri&ar5 tas3 to investi(ate reports o2 (ra2t and )orruption )o&&itted *5 t1ird-'eve'

pu*'i) o22i)ers and e&p'o5ees, t1eir )o-prin)ipa's, a))o&p'i)es and a))essories durin(

t1e previous ad&inistration, and t1erea2ter to su*&it its 2indin( and re)o&&endations to

t1e President, Con(ress and t1e O&*uds&an. #1ou(1 it 1as *een des)ri*ed as an

independent )o''e(ia' *od5, it is essentia''5 an entit5 4it1in t1e O22i)e o2 t1e President

Proper and su*?e)t to 1is )ontro'. "ou*t'ess, it )onstitutes a pu*'i) o22i)e, as an ad 1o)

*od5 is one./@0

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#o a))o&p'is1 its tas3, t1e P#C s1a'' 1ave a'' t1e po4ers o2 an investi(ative *od5

under Se)tion 6+, C1apter ;, $oo3 I o2 t1e Ad&inistrative Code o2 ;@+. It is not,

1o4ever, a >uasi-?udi)ia' *od5 as it )annot ad?udi)ate, ar*itrate, reso've, sett'e, or render

a4ards in disputes *et4een )ontendin( parties. A'' it )an do is (at1er, )o''e)t and assesseviden)e o2 (ra2t and )orruption and &a3e re)o&&endations. It &a5 1ave su*poena

po4ers *ut it 1as no po4er to )ite peop'e in )onte&pt, &u)1 'ess order t1eir

arrest. A't1ou(1 it is a 2a)t-2indin( *od5, it )annot deter&ine 2ro& su)1 2a)ts i2 pro*a*'e

)ause exists as to 4arrant t1e 2i'in( o2 an in2or&ation in our )ourts o2 'a4. Need'ess to

state, it )annot i&pose )ri&ina', )ivi' or ad&inistrative pena'ties or san)tions.

#1e P#C is di22erent 2ro& t1e trut1 )o&&issions in ot1er )ountries 41i)1 1ave

*een )reated as o22i)ia', transitor5 and non-?udi)ia' 2a)t-2indin( *odies to esta*'is1 t1e

2a)ts and )ontext o2 serious vio'ations o2 1u&an ri(1ts or o2 internationa' 1u&anitarian

'a4 in a )ountr5s past./;0#1e5 are usua''5 esta*'is1ed *5 states e&er(in( 2ro& periods o2

interna' unrest, )ivi' stri2e or aut1oritarianis& to serve as &e)1anis&s 2or transitiona'

?usti)e.

#rut1 )o&&issions 1ave *een des)ri*ed as *odies t1at s1are t1e 2o''o4in(

)1ara)teristi)s: B t1e5 exa&ine on'5 past events B t1e5 investi(ate patterns o2 a*use

)o&&itted over a period o2 ti&e, as opposed to a parti)u'ar event 6B t1e5 are te&porar5

*odies t1at 2inis1 t1eir 4or3 4it1 t1e su*&ission o2 a report )ontainin( )on)'usions and

re)o&&endations and 7B t1e5 are o22i)ia''5 san)tioned, aut1ori


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#1e P#C is a 2ar )r5 2ro& Sout1 A2ri)as &ode'. #1e 'atter p'a)ed &ore e&p1asis

on re)on)i'iation t1an on ?udi)ia' retri*ution, 41i'e t1e &ar)1in( order o2 t1e P#C is t1e

identi2i)ation and punis1&ent o2 perpetrators. As one 4riter/0puts it:

T$ !r/r r)l/ !)t rc!"cili-ti!". It tr-"(l-t/ t$ Dr-c!"i-" c!/(*ll/ !)t A@)i"! i" $i( i"-))r-l (*c$; T! t$!( $! t-l8 -!)trc!"cili-ti!", i# t$ +-" t$-t t$ !)l/ li8 )( t! (i+*l #!rt -!)t t$r!"( t$-t t$ $- c!++itt/ i" t$ *-(t, $- t$i( t! (-; T$r c-" "!rc!"cili-ti!" it$!)t 3)(tic. W$" -ll! cri+( t! ! )"*)"i($/, ic!"("t t! t$ir !cc)rri" !r -"/ !r --i".

The Thrusts of the Petitions

$are'5 a &ont1 a2ter t1e issuan)e o2 Exe)utive Order No. , t1e petitioners as3ed

t1e Court to de)'are it un)onstitutiona' and to en?oin t1e P#C 2ro& per2or&in( its

2un)tions. A perusa' o2 t1e ar(u&ents o2 t1e petitioners in *ot1 )ases s1o4s t1at t1e5 are

essentia''5 t1e sa&e. #1e petitioners-'e(is'ators su&&ariua' prote)tion )'ause as it se'e)tive'5

tar(ets 2or investi(ation and prose)ution o22i)ia's and personne' o2 t1e

previous ad&inistration as i2 )orruption is t1eir pe)u'iar spe)ies even as it

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ex)'udes t1ose o2 t1e ot1er ad&inistrations, past and present, 41o &a5 *e

indi)ta*'e.

eB #1e )reation o2 t1e P1i'ippine #rut1 Co&&ission o2 vio'ates

t1e )onsistent and (enera' internationa' pra)ti)e o2 2our de)ades 41erein

States )onstitute trut1 )o&&issions to ex)'usive'5 investi(ate 1u&an ri(1ts

vio'ations, 41i)1 )usto&ar5 pra)ti)e 2or&s part o2 t1e (enera''5 a))epted

prin)ip'es o2 internationa' 'a4 41i)1 t1e P1i'ippines is &andated to ad1ere

to pursuant to t1e "e)'aration o2 Prin)ip'es ens1rined in t1e Constitution.

2B #1e )reation o2 t1e #rut1 Co&&ission is an exer)ise in 2uti'it5, an

adventure in partisan 1osti'it5, a 'aun)1in( pad 2or tria'D)onvi)tion *5

pu*'i)it5 and a &ere popu'ist propa(anda to &ista3en'5 i&press t1e peop'e

t1at 4idespread povert5 4i'' a'to(et1er vanis1 i2 )orruption is e'i&inated

4it1out even addressin( t1e ot1er &a?or )auses o2 povert5.

(B #1e &ere 2a)t t1at previous )o&&issions 4ere not )onstitutiona''5

)1a''en(ed is o2 no &o&ent *e)ause neit1er 'a)1es nor estoppe' )an *ar an

eventua' >uestion on t1e )onstitutiona'it5 and va'idit5 o2 an exe)utive

issuan)e or even a statute./60

In t1eir Conso'idated Co&&ent,/70t1e respondents, t1rou(1 t1e O22i)e o2 t1e

So'i)itor enera' #()*%,essentia''5 >uestioned t1e 'e(a' standin( o2 petitioners andde2ended t1e assai'ed exe)utive order 4it1 t1e 2o''o4in( ar(u&ents:

0 E.O. No. does not arro(ate t1e po4ers o2 Con(ress to )reate a

pu*'i) o22i)e *e)ause t1e Presidents exe)utive po4er and po4er o2 )ontro'

ne)essari'5 in)'ude t1e in1erent po4er to )ondu)t investi(ations to ensure

t1at 'a4s are 2ait12u''5 exe)uted and t1at, in an5 event, t1e Constitution,

Revised Ad&inistrative Code o2 ;@+ E.O. No. ;B, /90Presidentia' "e)ree

P.".B No. 7=/=0as a&ended *5 P.". No. ++B, R.A. No. ;;+, /+0and

sett'ed ?urispruden)e t1at aut1ori


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60 #1e #rut1 Co&&ission does not dup'i)ate or supersede t1e

2un)tions o2 t1e O22i)e o2 t1e O&*uds&an #(mbudsman%and t1e

"epart&ent o2 Justi)e #+(J%,*e)ause it is a 2a)t-2indin( *od5 and not a

>uasi-?udi)ia' *od5 and its 2un)tions do not dup'i)ate, supp'ant or erode t1e

'atters ?urisdi)tion.

70 #1e #rut1 Co&&ission does not vio'ate t1e e>ua' prote)tion )'ause

*e)ause it 4as va'id'5 )reated 2or 'auda*'e purposes.

#1e OS t1en points to t1e )ontinued existen)e and va'idit5 o2 ot1er exe)utive

orders and presidentia' issuan)es )reatin( si&i'ar *odies to ?usti25 t1e )reation o2 t1e P#C

su)1 as Presidentia' Co&p'aint and A)tion Co&&ission #PCC%*5 President Ra&on $.

Ma(sa5sa5, Presidentia' Co&&ittee on Ad&inistrative Per2or&an)e

E22i)ien)5 #PCP-%*5 President Car'os P. ar)ia and Presidentia' A(en)5 on Re2or&

and overn&ent Operations #P*(%*5 President 8erdinand E. Mar)os./@0

8ro& t1e petitions, p'eadin(s, trans)ripts, and &e&oranda, t1e 2o''o4in( are t1e

prin)ipa' issues to *e reso'ved:

. 1et1er or not t1e petitioners 1ave t1e 'e(a' standin( to 2i'e

t1eir respe)tive petitions and >uestion Exe)utive Order No.

. 1et1er or not Exe)utive Order No. vio'ates t1e prin)ip'eo2 separation o2 po4ers *5 usurpin( t1e po4ers o2 Con(ress to )reate and to

appropriate 2unds 2or pu*'i) o22i)es, a(en)ies and )o&&issions

6. 1et1er or not Exe)utive Order No. supp'ants t1e po4ers o2 t1e

O&*uds&an and t1e "OJ

7. 1et1er or not Exe)utive Order No. vio'ates t1e e>ua' prote)tion

)'ause and

9. 1et1er or not petitioners are entit'ed to in?un)tive re'ie2.

Essential requisites for judiial re!ie"

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$e2ore pro)eedin( to reso've t1e issue o2 t1e )onstitutiona'it5 o2 Exe)utive Order No. ,

t1e Court needs to as)ertain 41et1er t1e re>uisites 2or a va'id exer)ise o2 its po4er o2

?udi)ia' revie4 are present.

Li3e a'&ost a'' po4ers )on2erred *5 t1e Constitution, t1e po4er o2 ?udi)ia' revie4 issu*?e)t to 'i&itations, to 4it: B t1ere &ust *e an a)tua' )ase or )ontrovers5 )a''in( 2or

t1e exer)ise o2 ?udi)ia' po4er B t1e person )1a''en(in( t1e a)t &ust 1ave t1e standin(

to >uestion t1e va'idit5 o2 t1e su*?e)t a)t or issuan)e ot1er4ise stated, 1e &ust 1ave a

persona' and su*stantia' interest in t1e )ase su)1 t1at 1e 1as sustained, or 4i'' sustain,

dire)t in?ur5 as a resu't o2 its en2or)e&ent 6B t1e >uestion o2 )onstitutiona'it5 &ust *e

raised at t1e ear'iest opportunit5 and 7B t1e issue o2 )onstitutiona'it5 &ust *e t1e

ver5 lis motao2 t1e )ase./;0

A&on( a'' t1ese 'i&itations, on'5 t1e 'e(a' standin( o2 t1e petitioners 1as *een put at

issue.

#e$al %tandin$ of the Petitioners

#1e OS atta)3s t1e 'e(a' persona'it5 o2 t1e petitioners-'e(is'ators to 2i'e t1eir

petition 2or 2ai'ure to de&onstrate t1eir persona' sta3e in t1e out)o&e o2 t1e )ase. It

ar(ues t1at t1e petitioners 1ave not s1o4n t1at t1e5 1ave sustained or are in dan(er o2

sustainin( an5 persona' in?ur5 attri*uta*'e to t1e )reation o2 t1e P#C. Not )'ai&in( to *et1e su*?e)t o2 t1e )o&&issions investi(ations, petitioners 4i'' not sustain in?ur5 in its

)reation or as a resu't o2 its pro)eedin(s./0

#1e Court disa(rees 4it1 t1e OS in >uestionin( t1e 'e(a' standin( o2 t1e

petitioners-'e(is'ators to assai' Exe)utive Order No. . Evident'5, t1eir petition pri&ari'5

invo3es usurpation o2 t1e po4er o2 t1e Con(ress as a *od5 to 41i)1 t1e5 *e'on( as

&e&*ers. #1is )ertain'5 ?usti2ies t1eir reso've to ta3e t1e )ud(e's 2or Con(ress as an

institution and present t1e )o&p'aints on t1e usurpation o2 t1eir po4er and ri(1ts as&e&*ers o2 t1e 'e(is'ature *e2ore t1e Court. As 1e'd inPhilippine Constitution

ssociation v. -nri/ue0,/0

T! t$ 6t"t t$ *!r( !# C!"r(( -r i+*-ir/, (! i( t$ *!r !# -c$++r t$r!#, (i"c $i( !##ic c!"#r( - ri$t t! *-rtici*-t i" t$ 6rci( !#t$ *!r( !# t$-t i"(tit)ti!".

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12/39

A" -ct !# t$ E6c)ti $ic$ i"3)r( t$ i"(tit)ti!" !# C!"r(( c-)(( -/ri-ti )t "!"t$l(( ()(t-"ti-l i"3)r, $ic$ c-" @)(ti!"/ -++r !# C!"r((. I" ()c$ - c-(, -" ++r !# C!"r(( c-" $- - r(!rt t!t$ c!)rt(.

Indeed, 'e(is'ators 1ave a 'e(a' standin( to see to it t1at t1e prero(ative, po4ers

and privi'e(es vested *5 t1e Constitution in t1eir o22i)e re&ain invio'ate. #1us, t1e5 are

a''o4ed to >uestion t1e va'idit5 o2 an5 o22i)ia' a)tion 41i)1, to t1eir &ind, in2rin(es on

t1eir prero(atives as 'e(is'ators./0

it1 re(ard to $irao(o, t1e OS ar(ues t1at, as a taxpa5er, 1e 1as no standin( to

>uestion t1e )reation o2 t1e P#C and t1e *ud(et 2or its operations. /60It e&p1asi


13/39

()##ici"t i"tr(t i" t$ i"/ic-ti!" !# t$ *)lic !r/r -"/ t$ (c)ri" !# rli#-( - citi5" !r t-6*-r.

C-( l- i" +!(t 3)ri(/icti!"( "! -ll!( !t$ citi5" -"/ t-6*-r

(t-"/i" i" *)lic -cti!"(. T$ /i(ti"cti!" -( #ir(t l-i/ /!" i"Beauchamp v.

Silk, $r it -( $l/ t$-t t$ *l-i"ti## i" - t-6*-r( ()it i( i" - /i##r"tc-t!r #r!+ t$ *l-i"ti## i" - citi5"( ()it. I" t$ #!r+r, t$ *l-i"ti## i( -##ct/ t$ 6*"/it)r !# *)lic #)"/(, $il i" t$ l-ttr, $ i( )t t$ +ri"(tr)+"t !# t$ *)lic c!"cr". A( $l/ t$ N !r8 S)*r+ C!)rti"People ex rel Case v. Collins; I" +-ttr !# +r *)lic ri$t, $!rt$ *!*l-r t$ r-l *-rti(It i( -t l-(t t$ ri$t, i# "!t t$ /)t, !# r citi5" t!i"tr#r -"/ ( t$-t - *)lic !##"c *r!*rl *)r()/ -"/ *)"i($/, -"/t$-t - *)lic ri-"c r+/i/. Wit$ r(*ct t! t-6*-r( ()it(, Terr v.Jordan$l/ t$-t t$ ri$t !# - citi5" -"/ - t-6*-r t! +-i"t-i" -" -cti!" i"c!)rt( t! r(tr-i" t$ )"l-#)l )( !# *)lic #)"/( t! $i( i"3)r c-""!t /"i/.

H!r, t! *r"t 3)(t -!)t -" *r(!" #r!+ (8i" 3)/ici-l

i"tr#r"c i" -" !##ici-l *!lic !r -ct it$ $ic$ $ /i(-r/ it$, -"/ t$)($i"/r( t$ -ctiiti( !# !r"+"t-l -"ci( "-/ i" *)lic (ric, t$U"it/ St-t S)*r+ C!)rt l-i/ /!" t$ +!r (tri""t !-)'+ -6/)*'i"ExParte Levitt, l-tr r-##ir+/ i" Tileston v. llman.T$ (-+ C!)rt r)l/ t$-t #!r- *ri-t i"/ii/)-l t! i"!8 t$ 3)/ici-l *!r t! /tr+i" t$ -li/it !# -"6c)ti !r li(l-ti -cti!", 4' / 4"7 4a 4' 4a /a-'! a !-)'+ -6/)* aa )'/5 "3 4a a+-", a! - - " /33-+-' 4a 4' 4a a 8'')a5 -')' +""

" a55 '') "3 4' /5-+.

T$i( C!)rt -/!*t/ t$ !-)'+ -6/)* 'i" !)r 3)ri(/icti!". I"People v.!era, it $l/ t$-t t$ *r(!" $! i+*)"( t$ -li/it !# - (t-t)t +)(t $- a')"a5 a! /a-a5 -')' - 4' +a' /+4 4a 4' 4a /a-'!, ") 7-55

/a- !-)'+ -6/)* a a )'/5.T$ !era/!ctri" -( )*$l/ i" - lit-" !# c-((,()c$ -(, Custodio v. President o" the Senate,#anila $ace %orse Trainers&ssociation v. 'e la (uente,Pascual v. Secretar) o" Pu*lic +orks-"/&nti

Chinese League o" the Philippines v. (elix.E+*$-(( i"cl)//. Cit-ti!"(!+itt/

Not4it1standin(, t1e Court 'eans on t1e do)trine t1at t1e ru'e on standin( is a

&atter o2 pro)edure, 1en)e, )an *e re'axed 2or nontraditiona' p'ainti22s 'i3e ordinar5

)itiuestions are invo'ved, t1e

13
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14/39

standin( re>uire&ents &a5 *e re'axed and a suit &a5 *e a''o4ed to prosper even 41ere

t1ere is no dire)t in?ur5 to t1e part5 )'ai&in( t1e ri(1t o2 ?udi)ia' revie4. In t1e

2irst-mergency Powers Cases,/+0ordinar5 )itiuestion t1e )onstitutiona'it5 o2 severa' exe)utive orders a't1ou(1 t1e5 1ad on'5 an

indire)t and (enera' interest s1ared in )o&&on 4it1 t1e pu*'i).

#1e OS )'ai&s t1at t1e deter&inants o2 trans)endenta' i&portan)e /@0'aid do4n

in C-$ v. -C and 2eralco/;0are non-existent in t1is )ase. #1e Court, 1o4ever, 2inds

reason in $irao(os assertion t1at t1e petition )overs &atters o2 trans)endenta' i&portan)e

to ?usti25 t1e exer)ise o2 ?urisdi)tion *5 t1e Court. #1ere are )onstitutiona' issues in t1e

petition 41i)1 deserve t1e attention o2 t1is Court in vie4 o2 t1eir seriousness, nove't5 and

4ei(1t as pre)edents. 1ere t1e issues are o2 trans)endenta' and para&ount i&portan)e

not on'5 to t1e pu*'i) *ut a'so to t1e $en)1 and t1e $ar, t1e5 s1ou'd *e reso'ved 2or t1e

(uidan)e o2 a''./60!ndou*ted'5, t1e 8i'ipino peop'e are &ore t1an interested to 3no4 t1e

status o2 t1e Presidents 2irst e22ort to *rin( a*out a pro&ised )1an(e to t1e )ountr5. #1e

Court ta3es )o(ni


15/39

Si&i'ar'5, in .R. No. ;66=, petitioners-'e(is'ators ar(ue t1at t1e )reation o2 a

pu*'i) o22i)e 'ies 4it1in t1e provin)e o2 Con(ress and not 4it1 t1e exe)utive *ran)1 o2

(overn&ent. #1e5 &aintain t1at t1e de'e(ated aut1orit5 o2 t1e President to reor(ani


16/39

va'id de'e(ation o2 t1e 'e(is'ative po4er to reor(aniuestion is in t1e ne(ative.

#o sa5 t1at t1e P#C is *orne out o2 a restru)turin( o2 t1e O22i)e o2 t1e Presidentunder Se)tion 6 is a &isp'a)ed supposition, even in t1e p'ainest &eanin( attri*uta*'e to

t1e ter& restru)ture an a'teration o2 an existin( stru)ture. Evident'5, t1e P#C 4as not part

o2 t1e stru)ture o2 t1e O22i)e o2 t1e President prior to t1e ena)t&ent o2 Exe)utive Order

No. . As 1e'd in$u3lod ng 'awaning -11$ v. 4on. -5ecutive )ecretary,/7=0

7)t !# c!)r(, t$ li(t !# l-l -(i( -)t$!ri5i" t$ Pr(i/"t t! r!r-"i5-" /*-rt+"t !r -"c i" t$ 6c)ti r-"c$ /!( "!t $- t! "/ $r. W+)(t "!t l!( (i$t !# t$ r (!)rc !# t$ *!r t$-t $ic$ c!"(tit)t( -"

6*r(( r-"t !# *!r. U"/r Scti!" 91, 7!!8 III !# E6c)ti Or/r N!. 2%2=!t$ri( 8"!" -( t$ A/+i"i(tr-ti C!/ !# 1%&'?, t$ Pr(i/"t, ()3ct t!t$ *!lic i" t$ E6c)ti O##ic -"/ i" !r/r t! -c$i (i+*licit, c!"!+ -"/##ici"c, ($-ll $- t$ c!"ti")i" -)t$!rit t! r!r-"i5 t$ -/+i"i(tr-ti(tr)ct)r !# t$ O##ic !# t$ Pr(i/"t. F!r t$i( *)r*!(, $ +- tr-"(#r t$#)"cti!"( !# !t$r D*-rt+"t( !r A"ci( t! t$ O##ic !# t$ Pr(i/"t.-nCanoniado v. &guirre 929 SCRA 912 =2000?, r)l/ t$-t r!r-"i5-ti!"i"!l( t$ r/)cti!" !# *r(!""l, c!"(!li/-ti!" !# !##ic(, !r -!liti!" t$r!#

16


17/39

r-(!" !# c!"!+ !r r/)"/-"c !# #)"cti!"(. I a9' 5a+' 74' 4')' - aa5')a-" "3 4' ':--8 )/+/)' "3 8"(')' "33-+' ") /- 4')'-, -+5/!-8

4' 5-' "3 +")"5, a/4")-* a! )'"--5-* '7'' 4'. T$ EII7 i( - )r-)-tt-c$/ t! t$ D*-rt+"t !# Fi"-"c. It #-ll( )"/r t$ O##ic !# t$ Pr(i/"t.H"c, it i( ()3ct t! t$ Pr(i/"t( c!"ti")i" -)t$!rit t! r!r-"i5.

E+*$-(i( S)**li/

In t1e sa&e vein, t1e )reation o2 t1e P#C is not ?usti2ied *5 t1e Presidents po4er o2

)ontro'. Contro' is essentia''5 t1e po4er to a'ter or &odi25 or nu''i25 or set aside 41at a

su*ordinate o22i)er 1ad done in t1e per2or&an)e o2 1is duties and to su*stitute t1e

?ud(&ent o2 t1e 2or&er 4it1 t1at o2 t1e 'atter./7+0C'ear'5, t1e po4er o2 )ontro' is entire'5

di22erent 2ro& t1e po4er to )reate pu*'i) o22i)es. #1e 2or&er is in1erent in t1e Exe)utive,

41i'e t1e 'atter 2inds *asis 2ro& eit1er a va'id de'e(ation 2ro& Con(ress, or 1is in1erent

dut5 to 2ait12u''5 exe)ute t1e 'a4s.

#1e >uestion is t1is, is t1ere a va'id de'e(ation o2 po4er 2ro& Con(ress,

e&po4erin( t1e President to )reate a pu*'i) o22i)eF

A))ordin( to t1e OS, t1e po4er to )reate a trut1 )o&&ission pursuant to t1e

a*ove provision 2inds statutor5 *asis under P.". 7=, as a&ended *5 P.". No. ++./7@0#1e said 'a4 (ranted t1e President t1e )ontinuin( aut1orit5 to reor(ani


18/39

C'ear'5, as it 4as on'5 2or t1e purpose o2 providin( &ana(ea*i'it5 and resi'ien)5

durin( t1e interi&, P.". No. 7=, as a&ended *5 P.". No. ++, *e)a&efunctus

oficioupon t1e )onvenin( o2 t1e 8irst Con(ress, as express'5 provided in Se)tion =,Arti)'e GVIII o2 t1e ;@+ Constitution. In 2a)t, even t1e So'i)itor enera' a(rees 4it1

t1is vie4. #1us:

ASSOCIATE USTICE CARPIO; 7c-)( P.D. 1>1 -( "-ct/ -( t$ l-(t$r-( cl-)( !# P.D. 1>1 (-( it -("-ct/ t! *r*-r t$ tr-"(iti!" #r!+*r(i/"ti-l t! *-rli-+"t-r. N!, i" -*-rli-+"t-r #!r+ !# !r"+"t, t$

li(l-ti -"/ 6c)ti *!r( -r #)(/,c!rrct

SOLICITOR GENERAL CADIJ; (, !)r H!"!r.ASSOCIATE USTICE CARPIO; T$-t i( $, t$-t P.D. 1>1 -( i(()/. N!

!)l/ !) -r it$ + t$-t P.D. 1>1($!)l/ "!t c!"(i/r/ ##cti -"+!r)*!" t$ *r!+)l-ti!", -/!*ti!", r-ti#ic-ti!"!# t$ 1%&' C!"(tit)ti!".

SOLICITOR GENERAL CADIJ; N!t t$ $!l !# P.D. N!. 1>1, !)r H!"!r.ASSOCIATE USTICE CARPIO; T$ *!r !# t$ Pr(i/"t t! r!r-"i5 t$

"tir N-ti!"-l G!r"+"t i( /+/r*-l/, -t l-(t, )*!" t$ -/!*ti!" !# t$1%&' C!"(tit)ti!", c!rrct.

SOLICITOR GENERAL CADIJ; (, !)r H!"!r./90

1i'e t1e po4er to )reate a trut1 )o&&ission )annot pass &uster on t1e *asis o2 P.". No.7= as a&ended *5 P.". No. ++, t1e )reation o2 t1e P#C 2inds ?usti2i)ation under

Se)tion +, Arti)'e VII o2 t1e Constitution, i&posin( upon t1e President t1e dut5 to

ensure t1at t1e 'a4s are 2ait12u''5 exe)uted. Se)tion + reads:

18


19/39

Scti!" 1'. T$ Pr(i/"t ($-ll $- c!"tr!l !# -ll t$ 6c)ti/*-rt+"t(, )r-)(, -"/ !##ic(. H' 4a55 '/)' 4a 4' 5a7 ' 3a-43/55*':'+/'!.=E+*$-(i( ()**li/?.

As )orre)t'5 pointed out *5 t1e respondents, t1e a''o)ation o2 po4er in t1e t1ree

prin)ipa' *ran)1es o2 (overn&ent is a (rant o2 a'' po4ers in1erent in t1e&. #1e Presidents

po4er to )ondu)t investi(ations to aid 1i& in ensurin( t1e 2ait12u' exe)ution o2 'a4s in

t1is )ase, 2unda&enta' 'a4s on pu*'i) a))ounta*i'it5 and transparen)5 is in1erent in t1e

Presidents po4ers as t1e C1ie2 Exe)utive. #1at t1e aut1orit5 o2 t1e President to )ondu)t

investi(ations and to )reate *odies to exe)ute t1is po4er is not exp'i)it'5 &entioned in t1e

Constitution or in statutes does not &ean t1at 1e is *ere2t o2 su)1 aut1orit5./90As

exp'ained in t1e 'and&ar3 )ase o22arcos v. 2anglapus7/90

6 6 6. T$ 1%&' C!"(tit)ti!", $!r, r!)$t -c8 t$ *r(i/"ti-l

((t+ !# !r"+"t -"/ r(t!r/ t$ (*-r-ti!" !# li(l-ti, 6c)ti -"/3)/ici-l *!r( t$ir -ct)-l /i(tri)ti!" -+!" t$r /i(ti"ct r-"c$( !#!r"+"t it$ *r!i(i!" #!r c$c8( -"/ -l-"c(.

It !)l/ "!t -cc)r-t, $!r, t! (t-t t$-t 6c)ti *!r i( t$

*!r t! "#!rc t$ l-(, #!r t$ Pr(i/"t i( $-/ !# (t-t -( ll -( $-/ !#!r"+"t -"/ $-tr *!r( i"$r i" ()c$ *!(iti!"( *rt-i" t! t$ !##ic)"l(( t$ C!"(tit)ti!" it(l# it$$!l/( it. F)rt$r+!r, t$ C!"(tit)ti!" it(l#*r!i/( t$-t t$ 6c)ti!" !# t$ l-( i( !"l !" !# t$ *!r( !# t$Pr(i/"t. It -l(! r-"t( t$ Pr(i/"t !t$r *!r( t$-t /! "!t i"!l t$6c)ti!" !# -" *r!i(i!" !# l-, .., $i( *!r !r t$ c!)"trK( #!ri"

rl-ti!"(.

O" t$( *r+i((, $!l/ t$ i t$-t -lt$!)$ t$ 1%&' C!"(tit)ti!"i+*!(( li+it-ti!"( !" t$ 6rci( !# '+-3-+*!r( !# t$ Pr(i/"t, it+-i"t-i"( i"t-ct $-t i( tr-/iti!"-ll c!"(i/r/ -( it$i" t$ (c!* !# 6c)ti*!r. C!r!ll-ril, t$ *!r( !# t$ Pr(i/"t c-""!t (-i/ t! li+it/ !"lt! t$ (*ci#ic *!r( ")+r-t/ i" t$ C!"(tit)ti!". I" !t$r !r/(, 6c)ti*!r i( +!r t$-" t$ ()+ !# (*ci#ic *!r( (! ")+r-t/.

It $-( " -/-"c/ t$-t $-tr *!r i"$r"t i" t$ !r"+"t t$-t

i( "it$r li(l-ti "!r 3)/ici-l $-( t! 6c)ti. 6 6 6.

Indeed, t1e Exe)utive is (iven &u)1 'ee4a5 in ensurin( t1at our 'a4s are 2ait12u''5

exe)uted. As stated a*ove, t1e po4ers o2 t1e President are not 'i&ited to t1ose spe)i2i)

po4ers under t1e Constitution./960One o2 t1e re)o(ni


20/39

#1is 2'o4s 2ro& t1e o*vious need to as)ertain 2a)ts and deter&ine i2 'a4s 1ave *een

2ait12u''5 exe)uted. #1us, inDe&artment of 'ealth !. Cam&osano,/970t1e aut1orit5 o2 t1e

President to issue Ad&inistrative Order No. ;@, )reatin( an investi(ative )o&&ittee to

'oo3 into t1e ad&inistrative )1ar(es 2i'ed a(ainst t1e e&p'o5ees o2 t1e "epart&ent o2

ea't1 2or t1e ano&a'ous pur)1ase o2 &edi)ines 4as up1e'd. In said )ase, it 4as ru'ed:

T4' C4-'3 E:'+/-(' "7') " +)'a' 4'Ad hoI('-8a-8 C"-'' +a" '

!"/'!. H-i" " c!"(tit)ti!"-ll r-"t/ #)ll c!"tr!l !# t$ E6c)tiD*-rt+"t, t! $ic$ r(*!"/"t( l!", t$ Pr(i/"t $-( t$ !li-ti!" t!"()r t$-t -ll 6c)ti !##ici-l( -"/ +*l!( #-it$#)ll c!+*l it$ t$l-. Wit$ AO 2%& -( +-"/-t, t$ l-lit !# t$ i"(ti-ti!" i( ()(t-i"/. S)c$-li/it i( "!t -##ct/ t$ #-ct t$-t t$ i"(ti-ti" t-+ -"/ t$ PCAGC $-/t$ (-+ c!+*!(iti!", !r t$-t t$ #!r+r )(/ t$ !##ic( -"/ #-ciliti( !# t$l-ttr i" c!"/)cti" t$ i"@)ir. E+*$-(i( ()**li/

It s1ou'd *e stressed t1at t1e purpose o2 a''o4in( ad hoc investi(atin( *odies to

exist is to a''o4 an in>uir5 into &atters 41i)1 t1e President is entit'ed to 3no4 so t1at 1e

)an *e proper'5 advised and (uided in t1e per2or&an)e o2 1is duties re'ative to t1e

exe)ution and en2or)e&ent o2 t1e 'a4s o2 t1e 'and. And i2 1istor5 is to *e revisited, t1is

4as a'so t1e o*?e)tive o2 t1e investi(ative *odies )reated in t1e past 'i3e t1e PCAC,

PCAPE, PARO, t1e 8e'i)iano Co&&ission, t1e Me'o Co&&ission and t1e %enarosa

Co&&ission. #1ere *ein( no )1an(es in t1e (overn&ent stru)ture, t1e Court is not

in)'ined to de)'are su)1 exe)utive po4er as non-existent ?ust *e)ause t1e dire)tion o2 t1e

po'iti)a' 4inds 1ave )1an(ed.On t1e )1ar(e t1at Exe)utive Order No. trans(resses t1e po4er o2 Con(ress to

appropriate 2unds 2or t1e operation o2 a pu*'i) o22i)e, su22i)e it to sa5 t1at t1ere 4i'' *e no

appropriation *ut on'5 an a''ot&ent or a''o)ations o2 existin( 2unds a'read5

appropriated. A))ordin('5, t1ere is no usurpation on t1e part o2 t1e Exe)utive o2 t1e

po4er o2 Con(ress to appropriate 2unds. 8urt1er, t1ere is no need to spe)i25 t1e a&ount to

*e ear&ar3ed 2or t1e operation o2 t1e )o&&ission *e)ause, in t1e 4ords o2 t1e So'i)itor

enera', 41atever 2unds t1e Con(ress 1as provided 2or t1e O22i)e o2 t1e President 4i'' *et1e ver5 sour)e o2 t1e 2unds 2or t1e )o&&ission. /990Moreover, sin)e t1e a&ount t1at

4ou'd *e a''o)ated to t1e P#C s1a'' *e su*?e)t to existin( auditin( ru'es and re(u'ations,

t1ere is no i&propriet5 in t1e 2undin(.

Po"er of the Truth Commission to (n!esti$ate

20


21/39

#1e Presidents po4er to )ondu)t investi(ations to ensure t1at 'a4s are 2ait12u''5 exe)uted

is 4e'' re)o(niuestions o2 2a)t to 41i)1 t1e 'e(is'ative po'i)5 is to app'5and to de)ide in a))ordan)e 4it1 t1e standards 'aid do4n *5 'a4 itse'2 in en2or)in( and

ad&inisterin( t1e sa&e 'a4./9@0In si&p'er ter&s, ?udi)ia' dis)retion is invo'ved in t1e

exer)ise o2 t1ese >uasi-?udi)ia' po4er, su)1 t1at it is ex)'usive'5 vested in t1e ?udi)iar5

and &ust *e )'ear'5 aut1ori


22/39

t$ tr+ -( t! (ttl #i"-ll =t$ ri$t( -"/ /)ti( !# t$ *-rti( t! - c!)rt c-(?!" t$ +rit( !# i(()( r-i(/; 6 6 t! *-(( 3)/+"t !"; (ttl 3)/ici-ll; 6 6 -ct -(3)/. A"/ -/3)/ +-"( t! /ci/ !r r)l )*!" -( - 3)/ !r it$ 3)/ici-l !r@)-(i


23/39

a/4")-;'! 8"(')' a8'+-'()c$ -( t$ PCGG -"/ 3)/( !# +)"ici*-l tri-lc!)rt( -"/ +)"ici*-l circ)it tri-l c!)rt(. T$ *!r t! c!"/)ct *rli+i"-ri"(ti-ti!" !" c$-r( --i"(t *)lic +*l!( -"/ !##ici-l( i( li8i(c!"c)rr"tl ($-r/ it$ t$ D*-rt+"t !# )(tic. D(*it t$ *-((- !# t$L!c-l G!r"+"t C!/ i" 1%%1, t$ O+)/(+-" rt-i"( c!"c)rr"t 3)ri(/icti!"

it$ t$ O##ic !# t$ Pr(i/"t -"/ t$ l!c-lSanggunianst! i"(ti-tc!+*l-i"t( --i"(t l!c-l lcti !##ici-l(. E+*$-(i( ()**li/.

A'so, Exe)utive Order No. )annot )ontravene t1e po4er o2 t1e O&*uds&an to

investi(ate )ri&ina' )ases under Se)tion 9 B o2 R.A. No. =++, 41i)1 states:

=1? I"(ti-t -"/ *r!(c)t !" it( !" !r !" c!+*l-i"t -" *r(!",-" -ct !r !+i((i!" !# -" *)lic !##icr !r +*l!, !##ic !r -"c, $" ()c$-ct !r !+i((i!" -**-r( t! ill-l, )"3)(t, i+*r!*r !r i"##ici"t. It$-( )-a)* 6/)-!-+-"!r c-(( c!"i5-l t$ S-"/i-"--" -"/, i" t$

6rci( !# it( *ri+-r 3)ri(/icti!", - a* a9' "('), a a* a8', 3)" a*-('-8a")* a8'+* "3 8"(')', 4' -('-8a-" "3 /+4 +a'. E+*$-((()**li/

#1e a)t o2 investi(ation *5 t1e O&*uds&an as enun)iated a*ove )onte&p'ates t1e

)ondu)t o2 a pre'i&inar5 investi(ation or t1e deter&ination o2 t1e existen)e o2 pro*a*'e

)ause. #1is is )ate(ori)a''5 out o2 t1e P#Cs sp1ere o2 2un)tions. Its po4er to investi(ate

is 'i&ited to o*tainin( 2a)ts so t1at it )an advise and (uide t1e President in t1e

per2or&an)e o2 1is duties re'ative to t1e exe)ution and en2or)e&ent o2 t1e 'a4s o2 t1e'and. In t1is re(ard, t1e P#C )o&&its no a)t o2 usurpation o2 t1e O&*uds&ans

pri&ordia' duties.

#1e sa&e 1o'ds true 4it1 respe)t to t1e "OJ. Its aut1orit5 under Se)tion 6 B, C1apter ,

#it'e III, $oo3 IV in t1e Revised Ad&inistrative Code is *5 no &eans ex)'usive and, t1us,

)an *e s1ared 4it1 a *od5 'i3e4ise tas3ed to investi(ate t1e )o&&ission o2 )ri&es.

8ina''5, no41ere in Exe)utive Order No. )an it *e in2erred t1at t1e 2indin(s o2 t1e P#C

are to *e a))orded )on)'usiveness. Mu)1 'i3e its prede)essors, t1e "avide Co&&ission,

t1e 8e'i)iano Co&&ission and t1e %enarosa Co&&ission, its 2indin(s 4ou'd, at *est, *e

re)o&&endator5 in nature. And *ein( so, t1e O&*uds&an and t1e "OJ 1ave a 4ider

de(ree o2 'atitude to de)ide 41et1er or not to re?e)t t1e re)o&&endation. #1ese o22i)es,

t1ere2ore, are not deprived o2 t1eir &andated duties *ut 4i'' instead *e aided *5 t1e

reports o2 t1e P#C 2or possi*'e indi)t&ents 2or vio'ations o2 (ra2t 'a4s.

23


24/39

)iolation of the Equal Protetion Clause

A't1ou(1 t1e purpose o2 t1e #rut1 Co&&ission 2a''s 4it1in t1e investi(ative po4er

o2 t1e President, t1e Court 2inds di22i)u't5 in up1o'din( t1e )onstitutiona'it5 o2 Exe)utiveOrder No. in vie4 o2 its apparent trans(ression o2 t1e e>ua' prote)tion )'ause ens1rined

in Se)tion , Arti)'e III $i'' o2 Ri(1tsB o2 t1e ;@+ Constitution. Se)tion reads:

Scti!" 1.N! *r(!" ($-ll /*ri/ !# li#, lirt, !r *r!*rt it$!)t/) *r!c(( !# l-, ") 4a55 a* ')" ' !'-'! 4' '


25/39

said ad&inistration./+0Assu&in( arguendo t1at t1e )o&&ission 4ou'd )on2ine its

pro)eedin(s to o22i)ia's o2 t1e previous ad&inistration, t1e petitioners ar(ue t1at no

o22ense is )o&&itted a(ainst t1e e>ua' prote)tion )'ause 2or t1e se(re(ation o2 t1e

transa)tions o2 pu*'i) o22i)ers durin( t1e previous ad&inistration as possi*'e su*?e)ts o2

investi(ation is a va'id )'assi2i)ation *ased on su*stantia' distin)tions and is (er&ane tot1e evi's 41i)1 t1e Exe)utive Order see3s to )orre)t./+0#o distin(uis1 t1e Arro5o

ad&inistration 2ro& past ad&inistrations, it re)ited t1e 2o''o4in(:

8irst. E.O. No. 4as issued in vie4 o2 widespread reports of large

scale graft and corruptionin t1e previous ad&inistration 41i)1 1ave eroded

pu*'i) )on2iden)e in pu*'i) institutions. #1ere is, t1ere2ore, an ur(ent )a'' 2or

t1e deter&ination o2 t1e trut1 re(ardin( )ertain reports o2 'ar(e s)a'e (ra2t

and )orruption in t1e (overn&ent and to put a )'osure to t1e& *5 t1e 2i'in(

o2 t1e appropriate )ases a(ainst t1ose invo'ved, i2 4arranted, and to deterot1ers 2ro& )o&&ittin( t1e evi', restore t1e peop'es 2ait1 and )on2iden)e in

t1e overn&ent and in t1eir pu*'i) servants.

)econd.#1e se(re(ation o2 t1e pre)edin( ad&inistration as t1e o*?e)t

o2 2a)t-2indin( is 4arranted *5 t1e rea'it5 t1at un'i3e 4it1 ad&inistrations

'on( (one, t1e )urrent ad&inistration 4i'' &ost 'i3e'5 *ear t1e i&&ediate

)onse>uen)e o2 t1e po'i)ies o2 t1e previous ad&inistration.

Third.#1e )'assi2i)ation o2 t1e previous ad&inistration as a separate

)'ass 2or investi(ation 'ies in t1e rea'it5 t1at t1e evidence o2 possi*'e

)ri&ina' a)tivit5, t1e eviden)e t1at )ou'd 'ead to re)over5 o2 pu*'i) &onies

i''e(a''5 dissipated, t1e po'i)5 'essons to *e 'earned to ensure t1at anti-

)orruption 'a4s are 2ait12u''5 exe)uted, are more easily establishedin t1e

re(i&e t1at i&&ediate'5 pre)ede t1e )urrent ad&inistration.

8ourth.Man5 ad&inistrations su*?e)t t1e transa)tions o2 t1eir

prede)essors to investi(ations to provide )'osure to issues t1at are pivota' to

nationa' 'i2e or even as a routine &easure o2 due di'i(en)e and (ood

1ouse3eepin( *5 a nas)ent ad&inistration 'i3e t1e Presidentia' Co&&issionon ood overn&ent PCB, )reated *5 t1e 'ate President Corauino under Exe)utive Order No. to pursue t1e re)over5 o2 i''-(otten

4ea't1 o2 1er prede)essor 2or&er President 8erdinand Mar)os and 1is

)ronies, and t1e )aguisag Co&&ission )reated *5 2or&er President Josep1

Estrada under Ad&inistrative Order No, 96, to 2or& an ad-1o) and

independent )iti


26/39

surroundin( P1i'ippine Centennia' pro?e)ts o2 1is prede)essor, 2or&er

President 8ide' V. Ra&os./+60/E&p1ases supp'ied0

C"+' "3 4' Eua'it5

o2 ri(1t 41i)1 is e&*odied in Se)tion , Arti)'e III o2 t1e ;@+ Constitution. #1e e>ua'

prote)tion o2 t1e 'a4s is e&*ra)ed in t1e )on)ept o2 due pro)ess, as ever5 un2air

dis)ri&ination o22ends t1e re>uire&ents o2 ?usti)e and 2air p'a5. It 1as *een e&*odied in a

separate )'ause, 1o4ever, to provide 2or a &ore spe)i2i) (uarant5 a(ainst an5 2or& o2

undue 2avoritis& or 1osti'it5 2ro& t1e (overn&ent. Ar*itrariness in (enera' &a5 *e

)1a''en(ed on t1e *asis o2 t1e due pro)ess )'ause. $ut i2 t1e parti)u'ar a)t assai'ed

parta3es o2 an un4arranted partia'it5 or pre?udi)e, t1e s1arper 4eapon to )ut it do4n is

t1ee>ua' prote)tion )'ause./+70

A))ordin( to a 'on( 'ine o2 de)isions, e>ua' prote)tion si&p'5 re>uires t1at a''

persons or t1in(s si&i'ar'5 situated s1ou'd *e treated a'i3e, *ot1 as to ri(1ts )on2erred and

responsi*i'ities i&posed./+90 It re>uires pu*'i) *odies and institutions to treat si&i'ar'5

situated individua's in a si&i'ar &anner./+=0#1e purpose o2 t1e e>ua' prote)tion )'ause is

to se)ure ever5 person 4it1in a states ?urisdi)tion a(ainst intentiona' and ar*itrar5

dis)ri&ination, 41et1er o))asioned *5 t1e express ter&s o2 a statue or *5 its i&proper

exe)ution t1rou(1 t1e states du'5 )onstituted aut1orities./++0In ot1er 4ords, t1e )on)ept o2e>ua' ?usti)e under t1e 'a4 re>uires t1e state to (overn i&partia''5, and it &a5 not dra4

distin)tions *et4een individua's so'e'5 on di22eren)es t1at are irre'evant to a 'e(iti&ate

(overn&enta' o*?e)tive./+@0

#1e e>ua' prote)tion )'ause is ai&ed at a'' o22i)ia' state a)tions, not ?ust t1ose o2

t1e 'e(is'ature./+;0Its in1i*itions )over a'' t1e depart&ents o2 t1e (overn&ent in)'udin(

t1e po'iti)a' and exe)utive depart&ents, and extend to a'' a)tions o2 a state den5in( e>ua'

prote)tion o2 t1e 'a4s, t1rou(1 41atever a(en)5 or 41atever (uise is ta3en.

/@0

26
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27/39

It, 1o4ever, does not re>uire t1e universa' app'i)ation o2 t1e 'a4s to a'' persons or

t1in(s 4it1out distin)tion. 1at it si&p'5 re>uires is e>ua'it5 a&on( e>ua's as

deter&ined a))ordin( to a va'id )'assi2i)ation. Indeed, t1e e>ua' prote)tion )'ause per&its

)'assi2i)ation. Su)1 )'assi2i)ation, 1o4ever, to *e va'id &ust pass t1e test

o2reasona*leness. #1e test 1as 2our re>uisites: B #1e )'assi2i)ation rests on su*stantia'distin)tions B It is (er&ane to t1e purpose o2 t1e 'a4 6B It is not 'i&ited to existin(

)onditions on'5 and 7B It app'ies e>ua''5 to a'' &e&*ers o2 t1e sa&e )'ass./@0Super2i)ia'

di22eren)es do not &a3e 2or a va'id )'assi2i)ation./@0

8or a )'assi2i)ation to &eet t1e re>uire&ents o2 )onstitutiona'it5, it &ust in)'ude or

e&*ra)e a'' persons 41o natura''5 *e'on( to t1e )'ass./@60#1e )'assi2i)ation 4i'' *e

re(arded as inva'id i2 a'' t1e &e&*ers o2 t1e )'ass are not si&i'ar'5 treated, *ot1 as to

ri(1ts )on2erred and o*'i(ations i&posed. It is not ne)essar5 t1at t1e )'assi2i)ation *e&ade 4it1 a*so'ute s5&&etr5, in t1e sense t1at t1e &e&*ers o2 t1e )'ass s1ou'd possess

t1e sa&e )1ara)teristi)s in e>ua' de(ree. Su*stantia' si&i'arit5 4i'' su22i)e and as 'on( as

t1is is a)1ieved, a'' t1ose )overed *5 t1e )'assi2i)ation are to *e treated e>ua''5. #1e &ere

2a)t t1at an individua' *e'on(in( to a )'ass di22ers 2ro& t1e ot1er &e&*ers, as 'on( as t1at

)'ass is su*stantia''5 distin(uis1a*'e 2ro& a'' ot1ers, does not ?usti25 t1e non-app'i)ation

o2 t1e 'a4 to 1i&./@70

#1e )'assi2i)ation &ust not *e *ased on existin( )ir)u&stan)es on'5, or so

)onstituted as to pre)'ude addition to t1e nu&*er in)'uded in t1e )'ass. It &ust *e o2 su)1a nature as to e&*ra)e a'' t1ose 41o &a5 t1erea2ter *e in si&i'ar )ir)u&stan)es and

)onditions. It &ust not 'eave out or underin)'ude t1ose t1at s1ou'd ot1er4ise 2a'' into a

)ertain )'assi2i)ation. As e'u)idated in 9ictoriano v. -li0alde ope Wor3ers: nion/@90and

reiterated in a 'on( 'ine o2 )ases,/@=0

T$ )-r-"t !# @)-l *r!tcti!" !# t$ l-( i( "!t - )-r-"t !# @)-lit i"t$ -**lic-ti!" !# t$ l-( )*!" -ll citi5"( !# t$ (t-t. It i( "!t, t$r#!r, -r@)ir+"t, i" !r/r t! -!i/ t$ c!"(tit)ti!"-l *r!$iiti!" --i"(t i"@)-lit,t$-t r +-", !+-" -"/ c$il/ ($!)l/ -##ct/ -li8 - (t-t)t. E@)-lit !#!*r-ti!" !# (t-t)t( /!( "!t +-" i"/i(cri+i"-t !*r-ti!" !" *r(!"( +rl

-( ()c$, )t !" *r(!"( -cc!r/i" t! t$ circ)+(t-"c( ()rr!)"/i" t$+. It)-r-"t( @)-lit, "!t i/"tit !# ri$t(. T$ C!"(tit)ti!" /!( "!t r@)ir t$-tt$i"( $ic$ -r /i##r"t i" #-ct tr-t/ i" l- -( t$!)$ t$ r t$ (-+.T$ @)-l *r!tcti!" cl-)( /!( "!t #!ri/ /i(cri+i"-ti!" -( t! t$i"( t$-t -r/i##r"t. It /!( "!t *r!$iit li(l-ti!" $ic$ i( li+it/ it$r i" t$ !3ct t!$ic$ it i( /irct/ !r t$ trrit!r it$i" $ic$ it i( t! !*r-t.

27
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28/39

T$ @)-l *r!tcti!" !# t$ l-( cl-)( !# t$ C!"(tit)ti!" -ll!( cl-((i#ic-ti!".Cl-((i#ic-ti!" i" l-, -( i" t$ !t$r /*-rt+"t( !# 8"!l/ !r *r-ctic, i( t$r!)*i" !# t$i"( i" (*c)l-ti!" !r *r-ctic c-)( t$ -r it$ !" -"!t$ri" crt-i" *-rtic)l-r(. A l- i( "!t i"-li/ c-)( !# (i+*l i"@)-lit. T$ ri/- !# cl-((i#ic-ti!" i( t$-t !# i"@)-lit, (! t$-t it !( it$!)t (-i" t$-t t$

+r #-ct !# i"@)-lit i" "! +-""r /tr+i"( t$ +-ttr !# c!"(tit)ti!"-lit.All t$-t i( r@)ir/ !# - -li/ cl-((i#ic-ti!" i( t$-t it r-(!"-l, $ic$ +-"(t$-t t$ cl-((i#ic-ti!" ($!)l/ -(/ !" ()(t-"ti-l /i(ti"cti!"( $ic$ +-8 #!rr-l /i##r"c(, t$-t it +)(t r+-" t! t$ *)r*!( !# t$ l-4 t$-t it +)(t"!t li+it/ t! 6i(ti" c!"/iti!"( !"l4 -"/ t$-t it +)(t -**l @)-ll t! -c$++r !# t$ cl-((. T$i( C!)rt $-( $l/ t$-t t$ (t-"/-r/ i( (-ti(#i/ i# t$cl-((i#ic-ti!" !r /i(ti"cti!" i( -(/ !" - r-(!"-l #!)"/-ti!" !r r-ti!"-l -(i(-"/ i( "!t *-l*-l -ritr-r. Cit-ti!"( !+itt/

App'5in( t1ese pre)epts to t1is )ase, Exe)utive Order No. s1ou'd *e stru)3 do4n

as vio'ative o2 t1e e>ua' prote)tion )'ause. #1e )'ear &andate o2 t1e envisioned trut1

)o&&ission is to investi(ate and 2ind out t1e trut1 )on)ernin( t1e reported )ases o2 (ra2t

and )orruption durin( t1eprevious administration+-on'5. #1e intent to sin('e out t1e

previous ad&inistration is p'ain, patent and &ani2est. Mention o2 it 1as *een &ade in at

'east t1ree portions o2 t1e >uestioned exe)utive order. Spe)i2i)a''5, t1ese are:

WHEREAS, t$r i( - "/ #!r - (*-r-t !/ //ic-t/ (!ll t! i"(ti-ti"-"/ #i"/i" !)t t$ tr)t$ c!"cr"i" t$ r*!rt/ c-(( !# r-#t -"/ c!rr)*ti!"/)ri" t$)'(-"/ a!--)a-", -"/ $ic$ ill rc!++"/ t$ *r!(c)ti!" !#t$ !##"/r( -"/ (c)r 3)(tic #!r -ll4

SECTION 1. Cr-ti!" !# - C!++i((i!". T$r i( $r cr-t/t$ PHILIPPINE TRUTH COMMISSION, $ri"-#tr r#rr/ t! -(t$ COMMISSION, $ic$ ($-ll *ri+-ril (8 -"/ #i"/ t$ tr)t$ !", -"/ t!-r/t$i( "/, i"(ti-t r*!rt( !# r-#t -"/ c!rr)*ti!" !# ()c$ (c-l -"/ +-"it)/t$-t ($!c8 -"/ !##"/ t$ +!r-l -"/ t$ic-l ("(iiliti( !# t$ *!*l, c!++itt/ *)lic !##icr( -"/ +*l!(, t$ir c!


29/39

In t1is re(ard, it &ust *e *orne in &ind t1at t1e Arro5o ad&inistration is *ut ?ust a

&e&*er o2 a )'ass, t1at is, a )'ass o2 past ad&inistrations. It is not a )'ass o2 its o4n. Not

to in)'ude past ad&inistrations si&i'ar'5 situated )onstitutes ar*itrariness 41i)1 t1e e>ua'

prote)tion )'ause )annot san)tion. Su)1 dis)ri&inatin( di22erentiation )'ear'5 rever*eratesto 'a*e' t1e )o&&ission as a ve1i)'e 2or vindi)tiveness and se'e)tive retri*ution.

#1ou(1 t1e OS enu&erates severa' di22eren)es *et4een t1e Arro5o

ad&inistration and ot1er past ad&inistrations, t1ese distin)tions are not su*stantia'

enou(1 to &erit t1e restri)tion o2 t1e investi(ation to t1e previous ad&inistration

on'5. #1e reports o2 4idespread )orruption in t1e Arro5o ad&inistration )annot *e ta3en

as *asis 2or distin(uis1in( said ad&inistration 2ro& ear'ier ad&inistrations 41i)1 4ere

a'so *'e&is1ed *5 si&i'ar 4idespread reports o2 i&propriet5. #1e5 are not in1erent in,and do not inure so'e'5 to, t1e Arro5o ad&inistration. As Justi)e Isa(ani Cru< put it,

Super2i)ia' di22eren)es do not &a3e 2or a va'id )'assi2i)ation./@@0

#1e pu*'i) needs to *e en'i(1tened 415 Exe)utive Order No. )1ooses to 'i&it t1e

s)ope o2 t1e intended investi(ation to t1e previous ad&inistration on'5. #1e OS

ventures to opine t1at to in)'ude ot1er past ad&inistrations, at t1is point, &a5

unne)essari'5 over*urden t1e )o&&ission and 'ead it to 'ose its e22e)tiveness. /@;0#1e

reason (iven is spe)ious. It is 4it1out dou*t irre'evant to t1e 'e(iti&ate and no*'eo*?e)tive o2 t1e P#C to sta&p out or end )orruption and t1e evi' it *reeds. /;0

#1e pro*a*i'it5 t1at t1ere 4ou'd *e di22i)u't5 in uneart1in( eviden)e or t1at t1e

ear'ier reports invo'vin( t1e ear'ier ad&inistrations 4ere a'read5 in>uired into is *eside

t1e point. O*vious'5, de)eased presidents and )ases 41i)1 1ave a'read5 pres)ri*ed )an no

'on(er *e t1e su*?e)ts o2 in>uir5 *5 t1e P#C. Neit1er is t1e P#C expe)ted to )ondu)t

si&u'taneous investi(ations o2 previous ad&inistrations, (iven t1e *od5s 'i&ited ti&e and

resour)es. #1e 'a4 does not re>uire t1e i&possi*'e #6e5 non cogit ad impossibilia%.+/0

iven t1e 2ore(oin( p15si)a' and 'e(a' i&possi*i'it5, t1e Court 'o(i)a''5

re)o(ni


30/39

investi(ate a'' past ad&inistrations. 1i'e )'a"a5' )-")--;a-"is per&itted, it

s1ou'd not *e ar*itrar5 'est it *e stru)3 do4n 2or *ein( un)onstitutiona'. In t1e o2ten

>uoted 'an(ua(e o2


31/39

t1e dis)ri&inator5 'e(is'ation and 41i)1 are indistin(uis1a*'e 2ro& t1ose o2 t1e &e&*ers

o2 t1e )'ass &ust *e *rou(1t under t1e in2'uen)e o2 t1e 'a4 and treated *5 it in t1e sa&e

4a5 as are t1e &e&*ers o2 t1e )'ass./;+0

#1e Court is not una4are t1at &ere underin)'usiveness is not 2ata' to t1e va'idit5 o2a 'a4 under t1e e>ua' prote)tion )'ause./;@0Le(is'ation is not un)onstitutiona' &ere'5

*e)ause it is not a''-e&*ra)in( and does not in)'ude a'' t1e evi's 4it1in its rea)1. /;;0It 1as

*een 4ritten t1at a re(u'ation )1a''en(ed under t1e e>ua' prote)tion )'ause is not devoid

o2 a rationa' predi)ate si&p'5 *e)ause it 1appens to *e in)o&p'ete./0In severa'

instan)es, t1e underin)'usiveness 4as not )onsidered a va'id reason to stri3e do4n a 'a4

or re(u'ation 41ere t1e purpose )an *e attained in 2uture 'e(is'ations or

re(u'ations. #1ese )ases re2er to t1e step *5 step pro)ess./0it1 re(ard to e>ua'

prote)tion )'ai&s, a 'e(is'ature does not run t1e ris3 o2 'osin( t1e entire re&edia' s)1e&esi&p'5 *e)ause it 2ai's, t1rou(1 inadverten)e or ot1er4ise, to )over ever5 evi' t1at &i(1t

)on)eiva*'5 1ave *een atta)3ed./0

In Exe)utive Order No. , 1o4ever, t1ere is no inadverten)e. #1at t1e previous

ad&inistration 4as pi)3ed out 4as de'i*erate and intentiona' as )an *e ('eaned 2ro& t1e

2a)t t1at it 4as unders)ored at 'east t1ree ti&es in t1e assai'ed exe)utive order. It &ust *e

noted t1at Exe)utive Order No. does not even &ention an5 parti)u'ar a)t, event or

report to *e 2o)used on un'i3e t1e investi(ative )o&&issions )reated in t1e past. #1e

e>ua' prote)tion )'ause is vio'ated *5 purpose2u' and intentiona' dis)ri&ination./60

#o disprove petitioners )ontention t1at t1ere is de'i*erate dis)ri&ination, t1e OS

)'ari2ies t1at t1e )o&&ission does not on'5 )on2ine itse'2 to )ases o2 'ar(e s)a'e (ra2t and

)orruption )o&&itted durin( t1e previous ad&inistration./70#1e OS points to Se)tion

+ o2 Exe)utive Order No. , 41i)1 provides:

SEC#ION +. )pecial Provision Concerning 2andate. I2 and 41en in t1e ?ud(&ent o2

t1e President t1ere is a need to expand t1e &andate o2 t1e Co&&ission as de2ined inSe)tion 1ereo2 to in)'ude t1e investi(ation o2 )ases and instan)es o2 (ra2t and

)orruption durin( t1e prior ad&inistrations, su)1 &andate &a5 *e so extended

a))ordin('5 *5 4a5 o2 a supp'e&enta' Exe)utive Order.

31
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#1e Court is not )onvin)ed. A't1ou(1 Se)tion + a''o4s t1e President t1e

dis)retion to expand t1e s)ope o2 investi(ations o2 t1e P#C so as to in)'ude t1e a)ts o2

(ra2t and )orruption )o&&itted in ot1er past ad&inistrations, it does not (uarantee t1at

t1e5 4ou'd *e )overed in t1e 2uture. Su)1 expanded &andate o2 t1e )o&&ission 4i'' sti''

depend on t1e 41i& and )apri)e o2 t1e President. I2 1e 4ou'd de)ide not to in)'ude t1e&,t1e se)tion 4ou'd t1en *e &eanin('ess. #1is 4i'' on'5 2orti25 t1e 2ears o2 t1e petitioners

t1at t1e Exe)utive Order No. 4as )ra2ted to tai'or-2it t1e prose)ution o2 o22i)ia's and

persona'ities o2 t1e Arro5o ad&inistration./90

#1e Court tried to see3 (uidan)e 2ro& t1e pronoun)e&ent in t1e )ase o2 9irata v.

)andiganbayan,

/=0

t1at t1e PC C1arter )o&posed o2 Exe)utive Orders Nos. , and7B does not vio'ate t1e e>ua' prote)tion )'ause. #1e de)ision, 1o4ever, 4as devoid o2

an5 dis)ussion on 1o4 su)1 )on)'usor5 state&ent 4as arrived at, t1e prin)ipa' issue in

said )ase *ein( on'5 t1e su22i)ien)5 o2 a )ause o2 a)tion.

A 3-a5 7")!

#1e issue t1at see&s to ta3e )enter sta(e at present is - 41et1er or not t1e Supre&e

Court, in t1e exer)ise o2 its )onstitutiona''5 &andated po4er o2 Judi)ia' Revie4 4it1

respe)t to re)ent initiatives o2 t1e 'e(is'ature and t1e exe)utive depart&ent, is exer)isin(undue inter2eren)e. Is t1e i(1est #ri*una', 41i)1 is expe)ted to *e t1e prote)tor o2 t1e

Constitution, itse'2 (ui't5 o2 vio'atin( 2unda&enta' tenets 'i3e t1e do)trine o2 separation

o2 po4ersF #i&e and a(ain, t1is issue 1as *een addressed *5 t1e Court, *ut it see&s t1at

t1e present po'iti)a' situation )a''s 2or it to on)e a(ain exp'ain t1e 'e(a' *asis o2 its a)tion

'est it )ontinua''5 *e a))used o2 *ein( a 1indran)e to t1e nations t1rust to pro(ress.

#1e P1i'ippine Supre&e Court, a))ordin( to Arti)'e VIII, Se)tion o2 t1e ;@+

Constitution, is vested 4it1 Judi)ia' Po4er t1at in)'udes t1e dut5 o2 t1e )ourts o2 ?usti)e

to sett'e a)tua' )ontroversies invo'vin( ri(1ts 41i)1 are 'e(a''5 de&anda*'e and

en2or)ea*'e, and to deter&ine 41et1er or not t1ere 1as *een a (rave o2 a*use o2 dis)retion

a&ountin( to 'a)3 or ex)ess o2 ?urisdi)tion on t1e part o2 an5 *ran)1 or instru&enta'it5 o2

t1e (overn&ent.

32


33/39

8urt1er&ore, in Se)tion 7B t1ereo2, it is vested 4it1 t1e po4er o2 ?udi)ia' revie4

41i)1 is t1e po4er to de)'are a treat5, internationa' or exe)utive a(ree&ent, 'a4,

presidentia' de)ree, pro)'a&ation, order, instru)tion, ordinan)e, or re(u'ation

un)onstitutiona'. #1is po4er a'so in)'udes t1e dut5 to ru'e on t1e )onstitutiona'it5 o2 t1e

app'i)ation, or operation o2 presidentia' de)rees, pro)'a&ations, orders, instru)tions,ordinan)es, and ot1er re(u'ations. #1ese provisions, 1o4ever, 1ave *een 2erti'e (rounds

o2 )on2'i)t *et4een t1e Supre&e Court, on one 1and, and t1e t4o )o-e>ua' *odies o2

(overn&ent, on t1e ot1er. Man5 ti&es t1e Court 1as *een a))used o2 assertin( superiorit5

over t1e ot1er depart&ents.

#o ans4er t1is a))usation, t1e 4ords o2 Justi)e Laure' 4ou'd *e a (ood sour)e o2

en'i(1ten&ent, to 4it: And 41en t1e ?udi)iar5 &ediates to a''o)ate )onstitutiona'

*oundaries, it does not assert an5 superiorit5 over t1e ot1er depart&ents it does not in

rea'it5 nu''i25 or inva'idate an a)t o2 t1e 'e(is'ature, *ut on'5 asserts t1e so'e&n and

sa)red o*'i(ation assi(ned to it *5 t1e Constitution to deter&ine )on2'i)tin( )'ai&s o2

aut1orit5 under t1e Constitution and to esta*'is1 2or t1e parties in an a)tua' )ontrovers5

t1e ri(1ts 41i)1 t1at instru&ent se)ures and (uarantees to t1e&./+0

#1us, t1e Court, in exer)isin( its po4er o2 ?udi)ia' revie4, is not i&posin( its o4n

4i'' upon a )o-e>ua' *od5 *ut rat1er si&p'5 &a3in( sure t1at an5 a)t o2 (overn&ent is

done in )onsonan)e 4it1 t1e aut1orities and ri(1ts a''o)ated to it *5 t1e Constitution.

And, i2 a2ter said revie4, t1e Court 2inds no )onstitutiona' vio'ations o2 an5 sort, t1en, it1as no &ore aut1orit5 o2 pros)ri*in( t1e a)tions under revie4. Ot1er4ise, t1e Court 4i''

not *e deterred to pronoun)e said a)t as void and un)onstitutiona'.

It )annot *e denied t1at &ost (overn&ent a)tions are inspired 4it1 no*'e

intentions, a'' (eared to4ards t1e *etter&ent o2 t1e nation and its peop'e. $ut t1en a(ain,

it is i&portant to re&e&*er t1is et1i)a' prin)ip'e: #1e end does not ?usti25 t1e &eans. No

&atter 1o4 no*'e and 4ort15 o2 ad&iration t1e purpose o2 an a)t, *ut i2 t1e &eans to *e

e&p'o5ed in a))o&p'is1in( it is si&p'5 irre)on)i'a*'e 4it1 )onstitutiona' para&eters,

t1en it )annot sti'' *e a''o4ed./@0#1e Court )annot ?ust turn a *'ind e5e and si&p'5 'et it

pass. It 4i'' )ontinue to up1o'd t1e Constitution and its ens1rined prin)ip'es.

The Constitution must ever remain supreme. ll must bow to the

mandate of this law. -5pediency must not be allowed to sap its strength nor

greed for power debase its rectitude.+01/

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34/39

Lest it *e &isunderstood, t1is is not t1e deat1 3ne'' 2or a trut1 )o&&ission as no*'5

envisioned *5 t1e present ad&inistration. Per1aps a )'(--" "3 4' ':'+/-(' -/a+'

" a " -+5/!' 4' 'a)5-') a a!--)a-"7"/5! a55"7 - " a 4' ' "3)'a"a5'' a! " ' a a33)" " 4' C"-/-". O2 a'' t1e *ran)1es o2 t1e

(overn&ent, it is t1e ?udi)iar5 41i)1 is t1e &ost interested in 3no4in( t1e trut1 and so it

4i'' not a''o4 itse'2 to *e a 1indran)e or o*sta)'e to its attain&ent. It &ust, 1o4ever, *e

e&p1asiua' prote)tion )'ause

o2 t1e Constitution.

As a'so pra5ed 2or, t1e respondents are 1ere*5 ordered to )ease and desist 2ro&

)arr5in( out t1e provisions o2 Exe)utive Order No. .

SO ORDERED.

JOSE CATRAL MENDO>A

Asso)iate Justi)e

=E CONCUR?

S'' 'a)a' "--" @+"+/))-8

RENATO C. CORONA

C1ie2 Justi)e

See dissentin( opinion P'ease see dissentin( opinion

34


35/39

ANTONIO T. CARPIOCONCHITA CARPIO MORALES

Asso)iate Justi)e Asso)iate Justi)e

I )erti25 t1at Justi)e Ve'as)o 'e2t 1is )on)urrin( vote See )on)urrin( dissentin( opinion

PRESBITERO J. VELASCO, JR. ANTONIO EDUARDO B. NACHURA


S'' 'a)a' +"+/))-8 "--" S'' 'a)a' "--" @+"+/))-8

TERESITA J. LEONARDODE CASTRO ARTURO D. BRIONAsso)iate Justi)e Asso)iate Justi)e

S'' 'a)a' +"+/))-8 "--" '' * 'a)a' +"+/))-8 "--"

DIOSDADO M. PERALTA LUCAS P. BERSAMIN


S'' 'a)a' !-'-8 "--"

MARIANO C. DEL CASTILLO ROBERTO A. ABAD


35


36/39

See separate opinion )on)urrin(B

MARTIN S. VILLARAMA, JR. JOSE PORTUGAL PERE>


S'' !-'-8 "--"

MARIA LOURDES P.A. SERENO

Asso)iate Justi)e

C E 2 T ( 3 ( C A T ( O N

Pursuant to Se)tion 6, Arti)'e VIII o2 t1e Constitution, I )erti25 t1at t1e)on)'usions in t1e a*ove "e)ision 1ad *een rea)1ed in )onsu'tation *e2ore t1e )ase 4as

assi(ned to t1e 4riter o2 t1e opinion o2 t1e Court.

RENATO C. CORONAC1ie2 Justi)e

36


37/39

/0ngara v. The -lectoral Commission, =6 P1i'. 6;, 9@ ;6=B./0$ernas, #1e ;@+ Constitution o2 t1e Repu*'i) o2 t1e P1i'ippines A Co&&entar5, ;;= ed., p. xxxiv, )itin( 2iller,

Le)tures on t1e Constitution o2 t1e !nited States =7 @;6B S)14artuirer.netDin>uirer1ead'inesDnationDvie4D@-@7777D#rut1-*od5-to'd-#a3e-noprisonersK visited Nove&*er ;, ./60La(&an Petition, pp. 9-9, rollo,pp. 9@-=./70ollo,pp. -=./90Ot1er4ise 3no4n as t1e Ad&inistrative Code o2 ;@+./=0rantin( Continuin( Aut1orit5 #o #1e President O2 #1e P1i'ippines #o Reor(ani


38/39

/70Citin(+epartment of 4ealth v. Camposano, .R. No. 9+=@7, Apri' +, 9, 79+ SCRA 76@, 79./70Citin(-vangelista v. Jarencio, No. L-++7, Nove&*er +, ;+9, =@ SCRA ;;, 7./760Citin(odrigue0 v. )antos +ia0, No. L-;996, 8e*ruar5 ;, ;=7, SCRA 77, 779./770.R. No. ===, Apri' , ./790Conso'idated Co&&ent, p. 79, rollo, p. =9./7=0.R. Nos. 7@-@, Ju'5 , , 6= SCRA +@, a'so )ited in$anda, supra./7+0The 9eterans 8ederation of the Philippines v. eyes,. R. No. 99+, 8e*ruar5 @, =, 7@6 SCRA 9=, 9=7+(TC v.

2abalot, 7@ P1i'. 97, =7-=9 B2ondano v. )ilvosa,;+ P1i'. 76 ;99B./7@0OS Me&orandu&, p. 9=, rollo, p. 6+9./7;0.R. No. +79, O)to*er =, ;;+, @ SCRA +6, +6./90#SN, Septe&*er @, , pp. 9-+./90OS Me&orandu&, p. 6+, rollo, p.69=./90.R. @@, Septe&*er 9, ;@;, ++ SCRA =@@./960Id. at =;./9707;= P1i'. @@=, @;=-@;+ 9B./990Conso'idated Co&&ent, p. 7@ rollo, p. =@./9=0Se)tion +. #1e President s1a'' 1ave )ontro' o2 a'' t1e exe)utive depart&ents, *ureaus, and o22i)es. e s1a'' ensure t1at t1e

'a4s *e 2ait12u''5 exe)uted./9+0(ple v. Torres, 697 P1i'. ;7@, ;=+ ;;@B./9@0)mart Communications, 1nc. et al. v. =ational Telecommunications Commission , 79= P1i'. 79, 9= 6B./9;0.R. No. ;==@, "e)e&*er , ;;, 7 SCRA 7@6./=0Id. at 7;./=0#SN, Septe&*er @, , pp. 6;-77and OS Me&orandu&, p. =+, rollo, p. 66;./=0OS Conso'idated Co&&ent, p. 99, rollo, p. +9./=60Id. at 9=, rollo, p. +=./=70Id./=90.R. No. =++, O)to*er , @, 9=@ SCRA 6+, 66;./==0La(&an Petition, pp. 76, 9-9, rollo, pp. 9, 9-=./=+0La(&an Me&orandu&, .R. ;66=, pp. @-;, rollo, pp. 67+-67@./=@0La(&an Petition, p. 6, rollo, p. 6;./=;0Id. at @-;, rollo, pp. 6=-6+./+0Id. at ;, rollo, p. 6+./+0OS Me&orandu&, p. @@; rollo, p. 7+./+0OS Conso'idated Co&&ent. p. =@,rollo, p. @@./+60OS Me&orandu&, pp. ;-;6, rollo,pp. 7;-7./+70The Philippine Judges ssociation v. 4on. Pardo, .R. No. 96+, Nove&*er , ;;6, + SCRA +6, +./+90Id. at +, )itin(1chong v. 4ernande0, P1i'. 99 ;9+B )ison, Jr. v. ncheta, No. L-9;76, Ju'5 9, ;@7, 6

SCRA =97ssociation of )mall 6andowners in the Philippines v. )ecretary of grarian eform, .R. No. +@7, Ju'5 7,

;@;, +9 SCRA 676, 6+9./+=0*uino v. )en3ows3i,97 8 6d 9 d. Cir. ;;9B )ited in A&. Jur, d, Vo'. = *B, p. 6./++0-dward 9alves, 1nc. v. Wa3e Country, 676 N.C. 7= )ited in A&. Jur. d, Vo'. = *B, p. 66./+@06ehr v. obertson, 7=6 !S 7@, 6 )ited in A&. Jur. d, Vo'. = *B, p. 66./+;0See Columbus $d. of -d. v. Penic3,776 !S 77; )ited A&. Jur. d, Vo'. = *B, pp. 6=-6+./@0See6ombard v. )tate of 6a.,6+6 !S =+ )ited in A&. Jur. d, Vo'. = *B, p. 6=./@0$eltran v. )ecretary of 4ealth, 9 P1i' 9=, 9@6 9B./@0Cru


39/39

ppeals, .R. No. +7, Januar5 , ;;;, 6 SCRA +@, @@-@;. )ee also 1chong v. 4ernande0,No. L-+;;9,

P1i'. 99 ;9+B 9era v. Cuevas, Nos. L-66=;6-;7, Ma5 6, ;+;, ; SCRA 6+;, 6@@ and Tolentino v. )ecretary of

8inance, .R. Nos. 9799, 999, 9976, 9977, 9+97, 9+@, 9@9, 9@+6, and 9;6, Au(ust 9, ;;7, 69

SCRA =6, =@7./@+0+t11ereas )'ause, Exe)utive Order No. ./@@0Cruua' Prote)tion

C'ause, address a pro*'e& one step at a ti&e, or even se'e)t one p1ase o2 one 2ie'd and app'5 a re&ed5 t1ere, ne('e)tin(t1e ot1ers. /Je22eson v. a)3ne5, 7= !S 9690.

/02c+onald v. $oard of -lection Comrs of Chicago, 6;7 !S @ )ited in A& Jur d, 8ootnote No. ;./60ic3etts v. City of 4ardford, +7 8. 6d 6;+ )ited in A&. Jur. d, Vo'. = *B, p. 66./70OS Conso'idated Co&&ent, p. ==, rollo, p.@=./90La(&an Me&orandu&, p. 6 rollo, p. @./=0.R. No. @=;=, O)to*er 9, ;; SCRA =@./+0ngara v. -lectoral Commission, =6 P1i'. 6;, 9@ ;6=B./@0Cru

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