cases in administrative law

8/9/2019 Cases in Administrative Law

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EN BANCG.R. No. 142840 May 7, 2001ANTONIO BENGSON III, petitioner,v.HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ELECTORAL TRIBUNAL andTEODORO C. CRUZ, repon!ent.KAPUNAN, J.:T"e #iti$en"ip o% repon!ent Teo!oro C. Cr&$ i at i&e in t"i#ae, in vie' o% t"e #ontit&tiona( re)&ire*ent t"at +no peron"a(( e a Me*er o% t"e -o&e o% Repreentative &n(e "e i anat&ra(orn #iti$en.+1

Repon!ent Cr&$ 'a a nat&ra(orn #iti$en o% t"e /"i(ippine. -e

'a orn in San C(e*ente, Tar(a#, on Apri( 27, 10, o% i(ipinoparent. T"e %&n!a*enta( (a' t"en app(i#a(e 'a t"e 13Contit&tion.2

On Nove*er , 18, "o'ever, repon!ent Cr&$ en(ite! in t"e5nite! State Marine Corp an! 'it"o&t t"e #onent o% t"eRep&(i# o% t"e /"i(ippine, too6 an oat" o% a((eian#e to t"e5nite! State. A a Cone)&en#e, "e (ot "i i(ipino #iti$en"ip%or &n!er Co**on'ea(t" A#t No. 3, e#tion 149, a i(ipino#iti$en *ay (oe "i #iti$en"ip y, a*on ot"er, +ren!erinervi#e to or a##eptin #o**iion in t"e ar*e! %or#e o% a%orein #o&ntry.+ Sai! proviion o% (a' rea!:

SECTION 1. How citizenship may be lost. – A i(ipino #iti$en *ayoe "i #iti$en"ip in any o% t"e %o((o'in 'ay an!;or event:

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49 By ren!erin ervi#e to, or a##eptin #o**iion in, t"ear*e! o% a %orein #o&ntry: Provided, T"at t"e ren!erin o%ervi#e to, or t"e a##eptan#e o% &#" #o**iion in, t"e ar*e!%or#e o% a %orein #o&ntry, an! t"e ta6in o% an oat" o% a((eian#en#i!ent t"ereto, 'it" t"e #onent o% t"e Rep&(i# o% t"e/"i(ippine, "a(( not !ivet a i(ipino o% "i /"i(ippine #iti$en"ip i% eit"er o% t"e %o((o'in #ir#&*tan#e i preent:

a9 T"e Rep&(i# o% t"e /"i(ippine "a a !e%enive an!;oro=enive pa#t o% a((ian#e 'it" ai! %orein #o&ntry> or

9 T"e ai! %orein #o&ntry *aintain ar*e! %or#e on /"i(ippineterritory 'it" t"e #onent o% t"e Rep&(i# o% t"e/"i(ippine: Provided, T"at t"e i(ipino #iti$en #on#erne!, at t"e

ti*e o% ren!erin ai! ervi#e, or a##eptan#e o% ai! #o**iion,an! ta6in t"e oat" o% a((eian#e in#i!ent t"ereto, tate t"at "e!oe o on(y in #onne#tion 'it" "i ervi#e to ai! %orein#o&ntry> And provided, fnally, T"at any i(ipino #iti$en '"o iren!erin ervi#e to, or i #o**iione! in, t"e ar*e! %or#e o% a%orein #o&ntry &n!er any o% t"e #ir#&*tan#e *entione! inpararap" a9 or 9, "a(( not e Rep&(i# o% t"e /"i(ippine!&rin t"e perio! o% "i ervi#e to, or #o**iion in, t"e ar*e!%or#e o% ai! #o&ntry. 5pon "i !i#"are %ro* t"e ervi#e o% t"eai! %orein #o&ntry, "e "a(( e a&to*ati#a((y entit(e! to t"e %&((en?oy*ent o% "i #ivi( an! po(iti#a((y entit(e! to t"e %&(( en?oy*ento% "i #ivi( po(iti#a( ri"t a a i(ipino #iti$en < < <.

@"atever !o&t t"at re*aine! rear!in "i (o o% /"i(ippine#iti$en"ip 'a erae! y "i nat&ra(i$ation a a 5.S. #iti$en on

&ne , 10, in #onne#tion 'it" "i ervi#e in t"e 5.S. MarineCorp.

On Mar#" 17, 14, repon!ent Cr&$ rea#)&ire! "i /"i(ippine#iti$en"ip t"ro&" repatriation &n!er Rep&(i# A#t No. 230. 3 -eran %or an! 'a e(e#te! a t"e Repreentative o% t"e Se#on!itri#t o% /anainan in t"e May 11, 18 e(e#tion. -e 'on y a#onvin#in *arin o% 2,71 vote over petitioner AntonioBenon III, '"o 'a t"en r&nnin %or ree(e#tion.1âwphi1.nêt

S&e)&ent(y, petitioner (e! a #ae %or Qo !arranto Ad"atelam 'it" repon!ent -o&e o% Repreentative E(e#tora(Tri&na( -RET9 #(ai*in t"at repon!ent Cr&$ 'a not )&a(ie!to e#o*e a *e*er o% t"e -o&e o% Repreentative in#e "e inot a nat&ra(orn #iti$en a re)&ire! &n!er Arti#(e DI, e#tion o% t"e Contit&tion.4

On Mar#" 2, 2000, t"e -RET ren!ere! it !e#iion !i*iin petition %or #o warranto an! !e#(arin Cr&$ t"e !&(y e(e#te!Repreentative o% t"e Se#on! itri#t o% /anainan in t"e May18 e(e#tion. T"e -RET (i6e'ie !enie! petitioner *otion %re#oni!eration o% t"e !e#iion in it reo(&tion !ate! Apri( 27,2000.

/etitioner t"& (e! t"e preent petition %or #ertiorari aai(in-RET !e#iion on t"e %o((o'in ro&n!:

1. T"e -RET #o**itte! erio& error an! rave a&e o%!i#retion, a*o&ntin to e<#e o% ?&ri!i#tion, '"en it r&(e! t"private repon!ent i a nat&ra(orn #iti$en o% t"e

/"i(ippine !epite t"e %a#t t"at "e "a! #eae! ein &#" in vo% t"e (o an! ren&n#iation o% &#" #iti$en"ip on "i part.

2. T"e -RET #o**itte! erio& error an! rave a&e o%!i#retion, a*o&ntin to e<#e o% ?&ri!i#tion, '"en it #oni!eprivate repon!ent a a #iti$en o% t"e /"i(ippine !epite t"e %"e !i! not va(i!(y a#)&ire "i /"i(ippine #iti$en"ip.

3. A&*in t"at private repon!ent a#)&iition o% /"i(ippine#iti$en"ip 'a inva(i!, t"e -RET #o**itte! erio& error an!rave a&e o% !i#retion, a*o&ntin to e<#e o% ?&ri!i#tion,'"en it !i*ie! t"e petition !epite t"e %a#t t"at &#"rea#)&iition #o&(! not (ea((y an! #ontit&tiona((y retore "inat&ra(orn tat&.7

T"e i&e no' e%ore & i '"et"er repon!ent Cr&$, a nat&ra

orn i(ipino '"o e#a*e an A*eri#an #iti$en, #an ti(( e#oni!ere! a nat&ra(orn i(ipino &pon "i rea#)&iition o%/"i(ippine #iti$en"ip.

/etitioner aert t"at repon!ent Cr&$ *ay no (oner e#oni!ere! a nat&ra(orn i(ipino in#e "e (ot " i /"i(ippine#iti$en"ip '"en "e 'ore a((eian#e to t"e 5nite! State in1, an! "a! to rea#)&ire t"e a*e y repatriation. -e initt"at Arti#(e #iti$en are t"oe '"o are %ro* irt" 'it" o&t "avito per%or* any a#t to a#)&ire or per%e#t &#" #iti$en"ip.

Repon!ent on t"e ot"er "an! #onten! t"at "e rea#)&ire! "itat& a nat&ra(orn #iti$en '"en "e 'a repatriate! in#e tp"rae +%ro* irt"+ in Arti#(e ID, Se#tion 2 re%er to t"e innate,in"erent an! inorn #"ara#teriti# o% ein a nat&ra(orn #iti$

T"e petition i 'it"o&t *erit.

T"e 187 Contit&tion en&*erate '"o are i(ipino #iti$en a%o((o':

19 T"oe '"o are #iti$en o% t"e /"i(ippine at t"e ti*e o% t"ea!option o% t"i Contit&tion>

29 T"oe '"oe %at"er or *ot"er are #iti$en o% t"e /"i(ippin

39 T"oe orn e%ore an&ary 17, 173 o% i(ipino *ot"er, '"oe(e#t /"i(ippine #iti$en"ip &pon rea#"in t"e ae o% *a?ority,

49 T"oe '"o are nat&ra(i$e! in a##or!an#e 'it" (a'.8

T"ere are t'o 'ay o% a#)&irin #iti$en"ip: 19 y irt", an!

y nat&ra(i$ation. T"ee 'ay o% a#)&irin #iti$en"ip #orrepoto t"e t'o 6in! o% #iti$en: t"e nat&ra(orn #iti$en, an! t"enat&ra(i$e! #iti$en. A peron '"o at t"e ti*e o% "i irt" i a#iti$en o% a parti#&(ar #o&ntry, i a nat&ra(orn #iti$en t"ereo%.

A !ene! in t"e a*e Contit&tion, nat&ra(orn #iti$en +aret"oe #iti$en o% t"e /"i(ippine %ro* irt" 'it"o&t "avin toper%or* any a#t to a#)&ire or per%e#t "i /"i(ippine #ite$en"ip

On t"e ot"er "an!, nat&ra(i$e! #iti$en are t"oe '"o "avee#o*e i(ipino #iti$en t"ro&" nat&ra(i$ation, enera((y &n!eCo**on'ea(t" A#t No. 473, ot"er'ie 6no'n a t"e Revie!Nat&ra(i$ation Fa', '"i#" repea(e! t"e %or*er Nat&ra(i$ation FA#t No. 2279, an! y Rep&(i# A#t No. 30. 11 To e nat&ra(i$ean app(i#ant "a to prove t"at "e poee a(( t"e)&a(i#ation12 an! none o% t"e !i)&a(i#ation13 provi!e! y (



to e#o*e a i(ipino #iti$en. T"e !e#iion rantin /"i(ippine#iti$en"ip e#o*e e<e#&tory on(y a%ter t'o 29 year %ro* itpro*&(ation '"en t"e #o&rt i atie! t"at !&rin t"entervenin perio!, t"e app(i#ant "a 19 not (e%t t"e /"i(ippine>29 "a !e!i#ate! "i*e(% to a (a'%&( #a((in or pro%eion> 39 "anot een #onvi#te! o% any o=ene or vio(ation o% Govern*entpro*&(ate! r&(e> or 49 #o**itte! any a#t pre?&!i#ia( to t"enteret o% t"e nation or #ontrary to any Govern*ent anno&n#e!po(i#ie.14

i(ipino #iti$en '"o "ave (ot t"eir #iti$en"ip *ay "o'everrea#)&ire t"e a*e in t"e *anner provi!e! y (a'.Co**on'ea(t" A#t. No. C.A. No. 39, en&*erate t"e t"ree

*o!e y '"i#" /"i(ippine #iti$en"ip *ay e rea#)&ire! y a%or*er #iti$en: 19 y nat&ra(i$ation, 29 y repatriation, an! 39y !ire#t a#t o% Conre.1

Nat&ra(i$ation i *o!e %or ot" a#)&iition an! rea#)&iition o%/"i(ippine #iti$en"ip. A a *o!e o% initia((y a#)&irin /"i(ippine#iti$en"ip, nat&ra(i$ation i overne! y Co**on'ea(t" A#t No.473, a a*en!e!. On t"e ot"er "an!, nat&ra(i$ation a a *o!e%or rea#)&irin /"i(ippine #iti$en"ip i overne! yCo**on'ea(t" A#t No. 3.1 5n!er t"i (a', a %or*er i(ipino#iti$en '"o 'i"e to rea#)&ire /"i(ippine #iti$en"ip *&tpoe #ertain )&a(i#ation17 an! none o% t"e !i)&a(i#ation*entione! in Se#tion 4 o% C.A. 473.18

Repatriation, on t"e ot"er "an!, *ay e "a! &n!er vario&

tat&te y t"oe '"o (ot t"eir #iti$en"ip !&e to: 19 !eertiono% t"e ar*e! %or#e>1 ervi#e in t"e ar*e! %or#e o% t"e a((ie!%or#e in @or(! @ar II>20 39 ervi#e in t"e Ar*e! or#e o% t"e5nite! State at any ot"er ti*e,21 49 *arriae o% a i(ipino'o*an to an a(ien>22 an! 9 po(iti#a( e#ono*i# ne#eity.23

A !itin&i"e! %ro* t"e (ent"y pro#e o% nat&ra(i$ation,repatriation i*p(y #onit o% t"e ta6in o% an oat" o% a((eian#eto t"e Rep&(i# o% t"e /"i(ippine an! reiterin ai! oat" in t"eFo#a( Civi( Reitry o% t"e p(a#e '"ere t"e peron #on#erne!rei!e or (at rei!e!.

n An$at v. %epblic,24 'e "e(!:

<<<. /arent"eti#a((y, &n!er t"ee tat&te re%errin to RA No. an! 230H, t"e peron !eirin to rea#)&ire /"i(ippine

#iti$en"ip 'o&(! not even e re)&ire! to (e a petition in #o&rt,an! a(( t"at "e "a! to !o 'a to ta6e an oat" o% a((eian#e to t"eRep&(i# o% t"e /"i(ippine an! to reiter t"at %a#t 'it" t"e #ivi(reitry in t"e p(a#e o% "i rei!en#e or '"ere "e "a! (at rei!e!n t"e /"i(ippine. Ita(i# in t"e oriina(.2

Moreover, repatriation re&(t in t"e re#overy o% t"e oriina(nationa(ity.2 T"i *ean t"at a nat&ra(i$e! i(ipino '"o (ot "i#iti$en"ip 'i(( e retore! to "i prior tat& a a nat&ra(i$e!i(ipino #iti$en. On t"e ot"er "an!, i% "e 'a oriina((y a nat&ra(orn #iti$en e%ore "e (ot "i /"i(ippine #iti$en"ip, "e 'i(( eretore! to "i %or*er tat& a a nat&ra(orn i(ipino.

n repon!ent Cr&$ #ae, "e (ot "i i(ipino #iti$en"ip '"en "eren!ere! ervi#e in t"e Ar*e! or#e o% t"e 5nite! State.-o'ever, "e &e)&ent(y rea#)&ire! /"i(ippine #iti$en"ip &n!er

R.A. No. 230, '"i#" provi!e:

Se#tion 1. Any peron '"o "a! (ot "i /"i(ippine #iti$en"ip yren!erin ervi#e to, or a##eptin #o**iion in, t"e Ar*e!or#e o% t"e 5nite! State, or a%ter eparation %ro* t"e Ar*e!or#e o% t"e 5nite! State, a#)&ire! 5nite! State #iti$en"ip,*ay rea#)&ire /"i(ippine #iti$en"ip y ta6in an oat" o%a((eian#e to t"e Rep&(i# o% t"e /"i(ippine an! reiterin t"ea*e 'it" Fo#a( Civi( Reitry in t"e p(a#e '"ere "e rei!e orat rei!e! in t"e /"i(ippine. T"e ai! oat" o% a((eian#e "a((#ontain a ren&n#iation o% any ot"er #iti$en"ip.

-avin t"& ta6en t"e re)&ire! oat" o% a((eian#e to t"e Rep&(i#an! "avin reitere! t"e a*e in t"e Civi( Reitry o%Maantare*, /anainan in a##or!an#e 'it" t"e a%ore#ite!

proviion, repon!ent Cr&$ i !ee*e! to "ave re#overe! "i

oriina( tat& a a nat&ra(orn #iti$en, a tat& '"i#" "ea#)&ire! at irt" a t"e on o% a i(ipino %at"er.27 It ear tret"at t"e a#t o% repatriation a((o' "i* to recover, or retrn t

!"# or"$"na% #tat# &e'ore !e %o#t !"# P!"%"(("ne c"t")en#

/etitioner #ontention t"at repon!ent Cr&$ i no (oner anat&ra(orn #iti$en in#e "e "a! to per%or* an a#t to reain "#iti$en"ip i &ntena(e. A #orre#t(y e<p(aine! y t"e -RET in!e#iion, t"e ter* +nat&ra(orn #iti$en+ 'a rt !ene! inArti#(e III, Se#tion 4 o% t"e 173 Contit&tion a %o((o':

Se#. 4. A nat&ra(orn #iti$en i one '"o i a #iti$en o% t"e/"i(ippine %ro* irt" 'it"o&t "avin to per%or* any a#t to

a#)&ire or per%e#t "i /"i(ippine #iti$en"ip.

T'o re)&iite *&t #on#&r %or a peron to e #oni!ere! a &19 a peron *&t e a i(ipino #iti$en irt" an! 29 "e !oe no"ave to per%or* any a#t to otain or per%e#t "i /"i(ippine#iti$en"ip.

5n!er t"e 173 Contit&tion !enition, t"ere 'ere t'o #ateoo% i(ipino #iti$en '"i#" 'ere not #oni!ere! nat&ra(orn: 19t"oe '"o 'ere nat&ra(i$e! an! 29 t"oe orn e%ore an&ary 173,38 o% i(ipino *ot"er '"o, &pon rea#"in t"e ae o%*a?ority, e(e#te! /"i(ippine #iti$en"ip. T"oe +nat&ra(i$e!#iti$en+ 'ere not #oni!ere! nat&ra(orn ovio&(y e#a&et"ey 'ere not i(ipino at irt" an! "a! to per%or* an a#t toa#)&ire /"i(ippine #iti$en"ip. T"oe orn o% i(ipino *ot"ere%ore t"e e=e#tive(y o% t"e 173 Contit&tion 'ere (i6e'ie n#oni!ere! nat&ra(orn e#a&e t"ey a(o "a! to per%or* an to per%e#t t"eir /"i(ippine #iti$en"ip.

T"e preent Contit&tion, "o'ever, no' #oni!er t"oe orn oi(ipino *ot"er e%ore t"e e=e#tivity o% t"e 173 Contit&tionan! '"o e(e#te! /"i(ippine #iti$en"ip &pon rea#"in t"e *a?oae a nat&ra(orn. A%ter !enin '"o re nat&ra(orn #iti$enSe#tion 2 o% Arti#(e ID a!! a enten#e: +T"oe '"o e(e#t/"i(ippine #iti$en"ip in a##or!an#e 'it" pararap" 39, Se#tio"ereo% "a(( e !ee*e! nat&ra(orn #iti$en.+ Cone)&ent(y, onat&ra(i$e! i(ipino are #oni!ere! not nat&ra(orn #iti$en. Iapparent %ro* t"e en&*eration o% '"o are #iti$en &n!er t"epreent Contit&tion t"at t"ere are on(y t'o #(ae o% #iti$en19 t"oe '"o are nat&ra(orn an! 29 t"oe '"o are nat&ra(i$in a##or!an#e 'it" (a'. A #iti$en '"o i not a nat&ra(i$e! i(ipi

i.e., !i! not "ave to &n!ero t"e pro#e o% nat&ra(i$ation tootain /"i(ippine #iti$en"ip, ne#eari(y i nat&ra(orn i(ipinoNote'ort"y i t"e aen#e in ai! en&*eration o% a eparate#ateory %or peron '"o, a%ter (oin /"i(ippine #iti$en"ip,&e)&ent(y rea#)&ire it. T"e reaon t"ere%or i #(ear: a to peron, t"ey 'o&(! eit"er e nat&ra(orn or nat&ra(i$e!!epen!in on t"e reaon %or t"e (o o% t"eir #iti$en"ip an! t*o!e pre#rie! y t"e app(i#a(e (a' %or t"e rea#)&iitiont"ereo%. A repon!ent Cr&$ 'a not re)&ire! y (a' to ot"ro&" nat&ra(i$ation pro#ee!in in or!er to rea#)&ire "i#iti$en"ip, "e i per%or#e a nat&ra(orn i(ipino. A &#", "epoee! a(( t"e ne#eary )&a(i#ation to e e(e#te! a*e*er o% t"e -o&e o% Repreentative.

A na( point. T"e -RET "a een e*po'ere! y t"e Contit&ti

to e t"e +o(e ?&!e+ o% a(( #ontet re(atin to t"e e(e#tion,ret&rn, an! )&a(i#ation o% t"e *e*er o% t"e -o&e.2 T"eCo&rt ?&ri!i#tion over t"e -RET i *ere(y to #"e#6 +'"et"er not t"ere "a een a rave a&e o% !i#retion a*o&ntin to (aor e<#e o% ?&ri!i#tion+ on t"e part o% t"e (atter.30 In t"e aet"ereo%, t"ere i no o##aion %or t"e Co&rt to e<er#ie it#orre#tive po'er an! ann&( t"e !e#iion o% t"e -RET nor to&tit&te t"e Co&rt ?&!e*ent %or t"at o% t"e (atter %or t"ei*p(e reaon t"at it i not t"e o#e o% a petition %or #ertiorariin)&ire into t"e #orre#tne o% t"e aai(e! !e#iion. 31 T"ere i&#" "o'in o% rave a&e o% !i#retion in t"i #ae.

*HEREFORE, t"e petition i "erey DIS+ISSED.

EN BANC.R. No. -/01 2ne 3, -004



2UAN . FRIVALDO, petitioner,v.CO++ISSION ON ELECTIONS, and RAUL R. LEE, repon!ent..R. No. -5611 2ne 3, -004RAUL R. LEE, petitioner,v.CO++ISSION ON ELECTIONS and 2UAN .FRIVALDO, repon!ent.PANANIBAN, J.: p

T"e &(ti*ate )&etion poe! e%ore t"i Co&rt in t"ee t'in #ae: @"o "o&(! e !e#(are! t"e ri"t%&( overnor o% Soroon

i9 &an G. riva(!o, '"o &n)&etiona(y otaine! t"e "i"etn&*er o% vote in t"ree &##eive e(e#tion &t '"o 'a t'i#e!e#(are! y t"i Co&rt to e !i)&a(ie! to "o(! &#" o#e !&e to"i a(ien #iti$en"ip, an! '"o no' #(ai* to "ave rea&*e! "iot /"i(ippine #iti$en"ip t"r& repatriation>

ii9 Ra&( R. Fee, '"o 'a t"e e#on! p(a#er in t"e #anva, &t'"o #(ai* t"at t"e vote #at in %avor o% riva(!o "o&(! e#oni!ere! voi!> t"at t"e e(e#torate "o&(! e !ee*e! to "avententiona((y t"ro'n a'ay t"eir a((ot> an! t"at le$ally , "ee#&re! t"e *ot n&*er o% valid vote> or

iii9 T"e in#&*ent Di#eGovernor, O#ar G. eri, '"o ovio&(y'a not vote! !ire#t(y to t"e poition o% overnor, &t '"oa##or!in to prevai(in ?&ripr&!en#e "o&(! ta6e over t"e ai!pot ina*&#" a, y t"e ine(iii(ity o% riva(!o, a +per*anent

va#an#y in t"e #ontete! o#e "a o##&rre!+J

n r&(in %or riva(!o, t"e Co&rt (ay !o'n ne' !o#trine onrepatriation, #(arie;reiterate;a*p(ie e<itin ?&ripr&!en#eon #iti$en"ip an! e(e#tion, an! &p"o(! t"e &periority o%&tantia( ?&ti#e over p&re (ea(i*.

&.%. 'o. 1()*++

T"i i a pe#ia( #ivi( a#tion &n!er R&(e an! 8 o% t"e R&(e o%Co&rt %or certiorari an! pre(i*inary in?&n#tion to revie' an! ann&(a Reo(&tion o% t"e repon!ent Co**iion on E(e#tionCo*e(e#9, irt iviion, - pro*&(ate! on e#e*er 1,1 an! anot"er Reo(&tion o% t"e Co*e(e# enbanc pro*&(ate! er&ary 23, 1 5 !enyin petitioner*otion %or re#oni!eration.

he -acts

On Mar#" 20, 1, private repon!ent &an G. riva(!o (e! "iCerti#ate o% Can!i!a#y %or t"e o#e o% Governor o% Soroon int"e May 8, 1 e(e#tion. On Mar#" 23, 1, petitioner Ra&( R.Fee, anot"er #an!i!ate, (e! a petition 7 'it" t"e Co*e(e#!o#6ete! a S/A No. 028 prayin t"at riva(!o +e !i)&a(ie!%ro* ee6in or "o(!in any p&(i# o#e or poition y reaon o%not yet ein a #iti$en o% t"e /"i(ippine+, an! t"at "i Certi#ateo% Can!i!a#y e #an#e(e!. On May 1, 1, t"e Se#on! iviiono% t"e Co*e(e# pro*&(ate! a Reo(&tion 1rantin t"e petition'it" t"e %o((o'in !ipoition 4:

@-EREORE, t"i iviion reo(ve to GRANT t"e petition an!!e#(are t"at repon!ent i ISK5AFIIE to r&n %or t"e O#e o%

Governor o% Soroon on t"e ro&n! t"at "e i NOT a #iti$en o%t"e /"i(ippine. A##or!in(y, repon!ent #erti#ate o% #an!i!a#y #an#e(e!.

T"e Motion %or Re#oni!eration (e! y riva(!o re*aine!&na#te! &pon &nti( a%ter t"e May 8, 1 e(e#tion. So, "i#an!i!a#y #ontin&e! an! "e 'a vote! %or !&rin t"e e(e#tion"e(! on ai! !ate. On May 11, 1, t"e Co*e(e# en

banc 6 ar*e! t"e a%ore*entione! Reo(&tion o% t"e Se#on!iviion.

T"e /rovin#ia( Boar! o% Canvaer #o*p(ete! t"e #anva o% t"ee(e#tion ret&rn an! a Certi#ate o% Dote 3!ate! May 27, 1'a i&e! "o'in t"e %o((o'in vote otaine! y t"e#an!i!ate %or t"e poition o% Governor o% Soroon:

Antonio -. E#&!ero, r. 1,00

&an G. riva(!o 73,440

Ra&( R. Fee 3,304

Iaani /. O#a*po 1,2

On &ne , 1, Fee (e! in ai! S/A No. 028, a&pp(e*enta(9 petition 0 prayin %or "i pro#(a*ation a t"e !e(e#te! Governor o% Soroon.

In an or!er -/ !ate! &ne 21, 1, &t pro*&(ate! a##or!int"e petition +on(y on &ne 2, 1,+ t"e Co*e(e# enbanc !ire#te! +t"e /rovin#ia( Boar! o% Canvaer o% Soroonre#onvene %or t"e p&rpoe o% pro#(ai*in #an!i!ate Ra&( Fee at"e 'innin &ernatoria( #an!i!ate in t"e provin#e o% Sorooon &ne 2, 1 . . .+ A##or!in(y, at 8:30 in t"e evenin o% &30, 1, Fee 'a pro#(ai*e! overnor o% Soroon.

On &(y , 1, riva(!o (e! 'it" t"e Co*e(e# a ne'petition, -- !o#6ete! a S/C No. 317, prayin %or t"eann&(*ent o% t"e &ne 30, 1 pro#(a*ation o% Fee an! %or "io'n pro#(a*ation. -e a((ee! t"at on &ne 30, 1, at 2:00 int"e a%ternoon, "e too6 "i oat" o% a((eian#e a a #iti$en o% t"e/"i(ippine a%ter +"i petition %or repatriation &n!er /.. 72 '"e (e! 'it" t"e Spe#ia( Co**ittee on Nat&ra(i$ation inSepte*er 14 "a! een rante!+. A &#", '"en +t"e ai!or!er !ate! &ne 21, 19 o% t"e Co*e(e#9 . . . 'a re(eae!

an! re#eive! y riva(!o on &ne 30, 1 at :30 o#(o#6 in t"evenin, t"ere 'a no *ore (ea( i*pe!i*ent to t"e pro#(a*ao% riva(!o9 a overnor . . .+ In t"e a(ternative, "e averre! t"ap&r&ant to t"e t'o #ae o% abo vs. "omelec, - t"e Di#eGovernor not Fee "o&(! o##&py ai! poition o% overnor.

On e#e*er 1, 1, t"e Co*e(e# irt iviion pro*&(atet"e "erein aai(e! Reo(&tion -5 "o(!in t"at Fee, +not "avinarnere! t"e "i"et n&*er o% vote,+ 'a not (ea((y entit(e!e pro#(ai*e! a !&(ye(e#te! overnor> an! t"at riva(!o,+"avin arnere! t"e "i"et n&*er o% vote,an! . . . "avin rea#)&ire! "i i(ipino #iti$en"ip y repatriatioon &ne 30, 1 &n!er t"e proviion o% /rei!entia( e#ree N72 . . . i9 )&a(ie! to "o(! t"e o#e o% overnor o% Soroont"&:

/REMISES CONSIERE, t"e Co**iion irt iviion9,t"ere%ore RESOFDES to GRANT t"e /etition.

Conitent 'it" t"e !e#iion o% t"e S&pre*e Co&rt, t"epro#(a*ation o% Ra&( R. Fee a Governor o% Soroon i "ereyor!ere! ann&((e!, ein #ontrary to (a', "e not "avin arneret"e "i"et n&*er o% vote to 'arrant "i pro#(a*ation.

5pon t"e na(ity o% t"e ann&(*ent o% t"e pro#(a*ation o% Ra&(Fee, t"e /rovin#ia( Boar! o% Canvaer i !ire#te! to i**e!iare#onvene an!, on t"e ai o% t"e #o*p(ete! #anva, pro#(aipetitioner &an G. riva(!o a t"e !&(y e(e#te! Governor o%Soroon "avin arnere! t"e "i"et n&*er o% vote, an! ""avin rea#)&ire! "i i(ipino #iti$en"ip y repatriation on &n30, 1 &n!er t"e proviion o% /rei!entia( e#ree No. 72 a

t"&, )&a(ie! to "o(! t"e o#e o% Governor o% Soroon.

Con%or*a(y 'it" Se#tion 20 o% t"e O*ni& E(e#tion Co!e/.P. /l$. 0019, t"e C(er6 o% t"e Co**iion i !ire#te! to noti%-i E<#e((en#y t"e /rei!ent o% t"e /"i(ippine, an! t"e Se#retao% t"e San&nian /an(a(a'ian o% t"e /rovin#e o% Soroon t"i reo(&tion i**e!iate(y &pon t"e !&e i*p(e*entation t"er

On e#e*er 2, 1, Fee (e! a *otion %or re#oni!eration'"i#" 'a !enie! y t"e Co*e(e# en banc in itReo(&tion -7 pro*&(ate! on er&ary 23, 1. On er&ary 1, t"e preent petition 'a (e!. A#tin on t"e prayer %or ate*porary retrainin or!er, t"i Co&rt i&e! on er&ary 27,1 a Reo(&tion '"i#" inter alia !ire#te! t"e partie +to*aintain t"e stats #o prevai(in prior to t"e (in o% t"ipetition.+



he sses in &.%. 'o. 1()*++

/etitioner Fee +poition on t"e *atter at "an! *ay rieLy e#ap&(i$e! in t"e %o((o'in propoition+ -1:

-irst T"e initiatory petition e(o' 'a o %ar in&#ient in %or*an! &tan#e to 'arrant t"e e<er#ie y t"e COMEFEC o% it&ri!i#tion 'it" t"e re&(t t"at, in e=e#t, t"e COMEFEC a#te!'it"o&t ?&ri!i#tion in ta6in #oni$an#e o% an! !e#i!in ai!petition>

2econd 33 T"e ?&!i#ia((y !e#(are! !i)&a(i#ation o% repon!ent'a a #ontin&in #on!ition an! ren!ere! "i* ine(ii(e to r&n %or,

to e e(e#te! to an! to "o(! t"e O#e o% Governor>

hird 33 T"e a((ee! repatriation o% repon!ent 'a neit"er va(i!nor i t"e e=e#t t"ereo% retroa#tive a to #&re "i ine(iii(ity an!)&a(i%y "i* to "o(! t"e O#e o% Governor> an!

-orth Corre#t(y rea! an! app(ie!, t"e Fao o#trine %&((y&pport t"e va(i!ity o% petitioner pro#(a*ation a !&(y e(e#te!Governor o% Soroon.

&.%. 'o. 1(4(5+

T"i i a petition to ann&( t"ree Reo(&tion o% t"e repon!entCo*e(e#, t"e rt t'o o% '"i#" are a(o at i&e in G.R. No.1237, a %o((o':

1. Reo(&tion

-4

o% t"e Se#on! iviion, pro*&(ate! on May 1,1, !i)&a(i%yin riva(!o %ro* r&nnin %or overnor o%Soroon in t"e May 8, 1 e(e#tion +on t"e ro&n! t"at "e inot a #iti$en o% t"e /"i(ippine+>

2. Reo(&tion -6 o% t"e Co*e(e# en banc, pro*&(ate! on May 11,1> an!

3. Reo(&tion -3 o% t"e Co*e(e# en banc, pro*&(ate! a(o on May11, 1 &pen!in t"e pro#(a*ation o%, a*on ot"er, riva(!o.

he -acts and the sse

T"e %a#t o% t"i #ae are eentia((y t"e a*e a t"oe in G.R.No. 1237. -o'ever, riva(!o aai( t"e aove*entione!reo(&tion on a !i=erent ro&n!: t"at &n!er Se#tion 78 o% t"e

O*ni& E(e#tion Co!e, '"i#" i repro!&#e! "erein&n!er:Se#. 78. Petition to deny de corse or to cancel a certifcate o6candidacy . A verie! petition ee6in to !eny !&e #o&re or to#an#e( a #erti#ate o% #an!i!a#y *ay e (e! y any perone<#(&ive(y on t"e ro&n! t"at any *ateria( repreentation#ontaine! t"erein a re)&ire! &n!er Se#tion 74 "ereo% i %a(e.T"e petition *ay e (e! at any ti*e not (ater t"an t'entyve!ay %ro* t"e ti*e o% t"e (in o% t"e #erti#ate o% #an!i!a#yan! shall be decided, a%ter noti#e an! "earin, not later than

f6teen days be6ore the election. E*p"ai &pp(ie!.9

t"e Co*e(e# "a! no ?&ri!i#tion to i&e ai! Reo(&tion e#a&et"ey 'ere not ren!ere! +'it"in t"e perio! a((o'e! y (a'+ i.e.,+not (ater t"an %teen !ay e%ore t"e e(e#tion.+

Ot"er'ie tate!, riva(!o #onten! t"at t"e %ai(&re o% t"eCo*e(e# to a#t on t"e petition %or !i)&a(i#ation 'it"in t"eperio! o% %teen !ay prior to t"e e(e#tion a provi!e! y (a' i a&ri!i#tiona( !e%e#t '"i#" ren!er t"e ai! Reo(&tion n&(( an!voi!.

By Reo(&tion on Mar#" 12, 1, t"e Co&rt #ono(i!ate! G.R.No. 1202 an! 1237 in#e t"ey are inti*ate(y re(ate! in t"eir%a#t&a( environ*ent an! are i!enti#a( in t"e &(ti*ate )&etionraie!, viz ., '"o "o&(! o##&py t"e poition o% overnor o% t"eprovin#e o% Soroon.

On Mar#" 1, 1, t"e Co&rt "ear! ora( ar&*ent %ro* t"epartie an! re)&ire! t"e* t"erea%ter to (e i*&(taneo&(y t"eirrepe#tive *e*oran!a.

he "onsolidated sses

ro* t"e %oreoin &*iion, t"e #ono(i!ate! i&e *ay retate! a %o((o':

1. @a t"e repatriation o% riva(!o va(i! an! (ea(J I% o, !i! iteaona(y #&re "i (a#6 o% #iti$en"ip a to )&a(i%y "i* to epro#(ai*e! an! to "o(! t"e O#e o% GovernorJ I% not, *ay it iven retroa#tive e=e#tJ I% o, %ro* '"enJ

2. I riva(!o +?&!i#ia((y !e#(are!+ !i)&a(i#ation %or (a#6 o%i(ipino #iti$en"ip a #ontin&in ar to "i e(iii(ity to r&n %or, e(e#te! to or "o(! t"e overnor"ip o% SoroonJ

3. i! t"e repon!ent Co*e(e# "ave ?&ri!i#tion over t"e

initiatory petition in S/C No. 317 #oni!erin t"at ai! petiti not +a prepro#(a*ation #ae, an e(e#tion protet or a #owarranto #ae+J

4. @a t"e pro#(a*ation o% Fee, a r&nner&p in t"e e(e#tion, vaan! (ea( in (i"t o% e<itin ?&ripr&!en#eJ

. i! t"e repon!ent Co**iion on E(e#tion e<#ee! it ?&ri!i#tion in pro*&(atin t"e aai(e! Reo(&tion, a(( o% '"iprevente! riva(!o %ro* a&*in t"e overnor"ip o% Soroo#oni!erin t"at t"ey 'ere not ren!ere! 'it"in t"e perio!re%erre! to in Se#tion 78 o% t"e O*ni& E(e#tion Co!e, viz ., +n(ater t"an %teen !ay e%ore t"e e(e#tion+J

he -irst sse: -rivaldo7s %epatriation

T"e va(i!ity an! e=e#tivity o% riva(!o repatriation i t"e lismota, t"e t"re"o(! (ea( i&e in t"i #ae. A(( t"e ot"er *atteraie! are e#on!ary to t"i.

T"e Fo#a( Govern*ent Co!e o% 11 -0 e<pre(y re)&ire/"i(ippine #iti$en"ip a a )&a(i#ation %or e(e#tive (o#a( o#iain#(&!in t"at o% provin#ia( overnor, t"&:

Se#. 3. Qalifcations. a9 An e(e#tive (o#a( o#ia( *&t e #iti$en o% t"e /"i(ippine> a reitere! voter in t"e aranay,*&ni#ipa(ity, #ity, or provin#e or, in t"e #ae o% a *e*er o% t"an&nian pan(a(a'ian, an&nian pan(&no!, oran&nian ayan, t"e !itri#t '"ere "e inten! to e e(e#te!rei!ent t"erein %or at (eat one 19 year i**e!iate(y pre#e!int"e !ay o% t"e e(e#tion> an! a(e to rea! an! 'rite i(ipino or aot"er (o#a( (an&ae or !ia(e#t.

9 Can!i!ate %or t"e poition o% overnor, vi#e overnor or*e*er o% t"e an&nian pan(a(a'ian, or *ayor, vi#e *ayor *e*er o% t"e an&nian pan(&no! o% "i"(y &rani$e!#itie *&t e at (eat t'entyt"ree 239 year o% ae on e(e#ti!ay.

<<< <<< <<<

Ina*&#" a riva(!o "a! een !e#(are! y t"i Co&rt / a a n#iti$en, it i t"ere%ore in#&*ent &pon "i* to "o' t"at "e "area#)&ire! #iti$en"ip> in ne, t"at "e poee t"e)&a(i#ation pre#rie! &n!er t"e ai! tat&te R.A. 7109.

5n!er /"i(ippine (a', - #iti$en"ip *ay e rea#)&ire! y !ire#a#t o% Conre, y nat&ra(i$ation or y repatriation. riva(!o t

t"i Co&rt in G.R. No. 1044 an! !&rin t"e ora( ar&*ent t"i #ae t"at "e trie! to re&*e "i #iti$en"ip y direct act o"on$ress, &t t"at t"e i(( a((o'in "i* to !o o +%ai(e! to*ateria(i$e, not'it"tan!in t"e en!ore*ent o% evera(*e*er o% t"e -o&e o% Repreentative+ !&e, a##or!in to "to t"e +*ane&ver o% "i po(iti#a( riva(.+ In t"e a*e #ae, "iatte*pt at natralization 'a re?e#te! y t"i Co&rt e#a&e o ?&ri!i#tiona(, &tantia( an! pro#e!&ra( !e%e#t.

epite "i (a#6 o% /"i(ippine #iti$en"ip, riva(!o 'aover'"e(*in(y e(e#te! overnor y t"e e(e#torate o% Soroo'it" a *arin o% 27,000 vote in t"e 188 e(e#tion, 7,000 in12, an! 20,000 in 1 over t"e a*e opponent Ra&( Fee. T'i#e, "e 'a ?&!i#ia((y !e#(are! a noni(ipino an! t"& t'i#e!i)&a(ie! %ro* "o(!in an! !i#"arin "i pop&(ar *an!ate

No', "e #o*e to & a t"ir! ti*e, 'it" a %re" vote %ro* t"e



peop(e o% Soroon an! a %avora(e !e#iion %ro* t"e Co**iionon E(e#tion to oot. Moreover, "e no' oat o% "avin&##e%&((y pae! t"ro&" t"e t"ir! an! (at *o!e o%rea#)&irin #iti$en"ip: y repatriation &n!er /.. No. 72, 'it"no (e t"an t"e So(i#itor Genera( "i*e(%, '"o 'a t"e pri*eoppoin #o&ne( in t"e previo& #ae "e (ot, t"i ti*e, a#o&ne( %or #orepon!ent Co*e(e#, ar&in t"e va(i!ity o% "i#a&e in a!!ition to "i a(e private #o&ne( Si<to S. Bri((ante,r.9. T"at "e too6 "i oat" o% a((eian#e &n!er t"e proviion o%ai! e#ree at 2:00 p.*. on &ne 30, 1 i not !ip&te!. -en#e,"e init t"at "e not Fee "o&(! "ave een pro#(ai*e! a t"e!&(ye(e#te! overnor o% Soroon '"en t"e /rovin#ia( Boar! o%Canvaer *et at 8:30 p.*. on t"e ai! !ate in#e, #(ear(y an!&n)&etiona(y, "e arnere! t"e "i"et n&*er o% vote in t"ee(e#tion an! in#e at t"at ti*e, "e a(rea!y rea#)&ire! "i#iti$en"ip.

8n contrario, Fee ar&e t"at riva(!o repatriation i tainte! 'it"erio& !e%e#t, '"i#" 'e "a(( no' !i#& in seriatim.

-irst , Fee te(( & t"at /.. No. 72 "a! +een e=e#tive(yrepea(e!+, aertin t"at +t"en /rei!ent Cora$on A)&inoe<er#iin (ei(ative po'er &n!er t"e Tranitory /roviion o%t"e 187 Contit&tion, %ora!e t"e rant o% #iti$en"ip y/rei!entia( e#ree or E<e#&tive I&an#e a t"e a*e poe aerio& an! #ontentio& i&e o% po(i#y '"i#" t"e preentovern*ent, in t"e e<er#ie o% pr&!en#e an! o&n! !i#retion,"o&(! et (eave to t"e ?&!*ent o% t"e rt Conre &n!er t"e

187 Contit&tion+, a!!in t"at in "er *e*oran!&* !ate! Mar#"27, 187 to t"e *e*er o% t"e Spe#ia( Co**ittee onNat&ra(i$ation #ontit&te! %or p&rpoe o% /rei!entia( e#ree No.72, /rei!ent A)&ino !ire#te! t"e* +to #eae an! !eit %ro*&n!erta6in any an! a(( pro#ee!in 'it"in yo&r %&n#tiona( areao% reponii(ity a !ene! &n!er Fetter o% Intr&#tion FOI9 No.270 !ate! Apri( 11, 17, a a*en!e!.+ 5

T"i *e*oran!&* !ate! Mar#" 27, 187 7 #annot y any tret#"o% (ea( "er*ene&ti# e #ontr&e! a a (a' an#tionin ora&t"ori$in a repea( o% /.. No. 72. Fa' are repea(e! on(y y&e)&ent one 1 an! a repea( *ay e e<pre or i*p(ie!. It iovio& t"at no e9press repeal 'a *a!e e#a&e t"en /rei!entA)&ino in "er *e*oran!&* ae! on t"e #opy %&rni"e! & yFee !i! not #ateori#a((y an!;or i*p(ie!(y tate t"at /.. 72'a ein repea(e! or 'a ein ren!ere! 'it"o&t any (ea(e=e#t. In %a#t, "e !i! not even *ention it pe#i#a((y y itn&*er or te<t. On t"e ot"er "an!, it i a ai# r&(e o% tat&tory#ontr&#tion t"at repeals by implication are not %avore!. An*p(ie! repea( 'i(( not e a((o'e! +&n(e it i #onvin#in(y an!&na*i&o&(y !e*ontrate! t"at t"e t'o (a' are #(ear(yrep&nant an! patent(y in#onitent t"at t"ey #annot #oe<it+. 4

T"e *e*oran!&* o% t"en /rei!ent A)&ino #annot even erear!e! a a (ei(ative ena#t*ent, %or not everyprono&n#e*ent o% t"e C"ie% E<e#&tive even &n!er t"e Tranitory/roviion o% t"e 187 Contit&tion #an nor "o&(! e rear!e! aan e<er#ie o% "er (a'*a6in po'er. At et, it #o&(! e treate!a an e<e#&tive po(i#y a!!ree! to t"e Spe#ia( Co**ittee to "a(tt"e a##eptan#e an! pro#ein o% app(i#ation %or repatriationpen!in '"atever +?&!*ent t"e rt Conre &n!er t"e 187

Contit&tion+ *i"t *a6e. In ot"er 'or!, t"e %or*er /rei!ent!i! not repea( /.. 72 &t (e%t it to t"e rt Conre on#e#reate! to !ea( 'it" t"e *atter. I% "e "a! inten!e! to repea(&#" (a', "e "o&(! "ave &ne)&ivo#a((y ai! o intea! o%re%errin t"e *atter to Conre. T"e %a#t i "e #are%&((y#o&#"e! "er prei!entia( i&an#e in ter* t"at #(ear(y in!i#ate!t"e intention o% +t"e preent overn*ent, in t"e e<er#ie o%pr&!en#e an! o&n! !i#retion+ to (eave t"e *atter o% repea( tot"e ne' Conre. Any ot"er interpretation o% t"e ai!/rei!entia( Me*oran!&*, &#" a i no' ein pro=ere! to t"eCo&rt y Fee, 'o&(! viit &n*itiate! vio(en#e not on(y &pontat&tory #ontr&#tion &t on #o**on ene a 'e((.

2econd, Fee a(o ar&e t"at +erio& #onenita( irre&(aritieLa'e! t"e repatriation pro#ee!in,+ aertin t"at riva(!o

app(i#ation t"ere%or 'a +(e! on &ne 2, 1 . . . an!9 'a

approve! in ?&t one !ay or on &ne 30, 1 . . .+, '"i#"+prevente! a ?&!i#io& revie' an! eva(&ation o% t"e *eritt"ereo%.+ riva(!o #o&nter t"at "e (e! "i app(i#ation %orrepatriation 'it" t"e O#e o% t"e /rei!ent in Ma(a#aan /a(aon A&&t 17, 14. T"i i #onr*e! y t"e So(i#itor Genera(.-o'ever, t"e Spe#ia( Co**ittee 'a rea#tivate! on(y on &ne 1, '"en pre&*a(y t"e ai! Co**ittee tarte! pro#ein"i app(i#ation. On &ne 2, 1, "e ((e! &p an! re&*itte!t"e ORM t"at t"e Co**ittee re)&ire!. 5n!er t"ee#ir#&*tan#e, it #o&(! not e ai! t"at t"ere 'a +in!e#ent"ate+ in t"e pro#ein o% "i app(i#ation.

Anent Fee #"are t"at t"e +&!!en re#ontit&tion o% t"e Spe#

Co**ittee on Nat&ra(i$ation 'a inten!e! o(e(y %or t"e perointeret o% repon!ent,+ 6 t"e So(i#itor Genera( e<p(aine! !&rit"e ora( ar&*ent on Mar#" 1, 1 t"at &#" a((eation ii*p(y ae(e a t"ere 'ere *any ot"er '"o app(ie! an! '#oni!ere! %or repatriation, a (it o% '"o* 'a &*itte! y "to t"i Co&rt, t"ro&" a Mani%etation 3 (e! on Apri( 3, 1.

On t"e ai o% t"e partie &*iion, 'e are #onvin#e! t"at"e pre&*ption o% re&(arity in t"e per%or*an#e o% o#ia( !&tan! t"e pre&*ption o% (ea(ity in t"e repatriation o% riva(!o"ave not een &##e%&((y re&tte! y Fee. T"e *ere %a#t t"at"e pro#ee!in 'ere pee!e! &p i y ite(% not a ro&n! to#on#(&!e t"at &#" pro#ee!in 'ere ne#eari(y tainte!. A%tea((, t"e re)&ire*ent o% repatriation &n!er /.. No. 72 are not!i#&(t to #o*p(y 'it", nor are t"ey te!io& an! #&*ero*e

%a#t, /..72 0 ite(% re)&ire very (itt(e o% an app(i#ant, an! even t"e r&an! re&(ation to i*p(e*ent t"e ai! !e#ree 'ere (e%t to t"eSpe#ia( Co**ittee to pro*&(ate. T"i i not &n&&a( in#e,&n(i6e in nat&ra(i$ation '"ere an a(ien #ovet a frst3timeentryinto /"i(ippine po(iti#a( (i%e, in repatriation t"e app(i#ant i a%or*er nat&ra(orn i(ipino '"o i *ere(y ee6in to rea#)&ireprevio& #iti$en"ip. In t"e #ae o% riva(!o, "e 'a &n!o&te!nat&ra(orn #iti$en '"o open(y an! %ait"%&((y erve! "i #o&ntan! "i provin#e prior to "i nat&ra(i$ation in t"e 5nite! Statea nat&ra(i$ation "e init 'a *a!e ne#eary on(y to e#apeiron #(&t#"e o% a !i#tator"ip "e a"orre! an! #o&(! not in#on#ien#e e*ra#e an! '"o, a%ter t"e %a(( o% t"e !i#tator ant"e reeta(i"*ent o% !e*o#rati# pa#e, 'ate! no ti*e inret&rnin to "i #o&ntry o% irt" to o=er on#e *ore "i ta(ent a

ervi#e to "i peop(e.So too, t"e %a#t t"at ten ot"er peron, a #ertie! to y t"eSo(i#itor Genera(, 'ere rante! repatriation ar&e #onvin#inan! #on#(&ive(y aaint t"e e<iten#e o% %avoriti* ve"e*entpoite! y Ra&( Fee. At any rate, any #ontet on t"e (ea(ity o%riva(!o repatriation "o&(! "ave een p&r&e! e%ore t"eCo**ittee ite(%, an!, %ai(in t"ere, in t"e O#e o% t"e /rei!ep&r&ant to t"e !o#trine o% e<"a&tion o% a!*initrativere*e!ie.

hird, Fee %&rt"er #onten! t"at a&*in t"e aai(e!repatriation to e va(i!, nevert"e(e it #o&(! on(y e e=e#tiveat 2:00 p.*. o% &ne 30, 1 '"erea t"e #iti$en"ip )&a(i#apre#rie! y t"e Fo#a( Govern*ent Co!e +*&t e<it on t"e !o% "i e(e#tion, i% not '"en t"e #erti#ate o% #an!i!a#y i (e!,

#itin o&r !e#iion in G.R. 1044 5/ '"i#" "e(! t"at +ot" t"eFo#a( Govern*ent Co!e an! t"e Contit&tion re)&ire t"at on(y/"i(ippine #iti$en can rn and be elected to pblic o:ce.+Ovio&(y, "o'ever, t"i 'a a *ere obiter a t"e on(y i&e iai! #ae 'a '"et"er riva(!o nat&ra(i$ation 'a va(i! or noan! NOT t"e e=e#tive !ate t"ereo%. Sin#e t"e Co&rt "e(! "inat&ra(i$ation to e inva(i!, t"en t"e i&e o% '"en an apirantp&(i# o#e "o&(! e a #iti$en 'a NOT reo(ve! at a(( y t"eCo&rt. @"i#" )&etion 'e "a(( no' !ire#t(y r&(e on.

5n!er Se#. 3 o% t"e Fo#a( Govern*ent Co!e, +a9n e(e#tive (oo#ia( *&t e:

a #iti$en o% t"e /"i(ippine>

a reitere! voter in t"e aranay, *&ni#ipa(ity, #ity, or

provin#e . . . '"ere "e inten! to e e(e#te!>



a rei!ent t"erein %or at (eat one 19 year i**e!iate(ypre#e!in t"e !ay o% t"e e(e#tion>

a(e to rea! an! 'rite i(ipino or any ot"er (o#a( (an&ae or!ia(e#t.

In a!!ition, +#an!i!ate %or t"e poition o% overnor . . . *&t eat (eat t'entyt"ree 239 year o% ae on e(e#tion !ay.

ro* t"e aove, it 'i(( e note! t"at t"e (a' !oe not pe#i%y anyparti#&(ar !ate or ti*e '"en t"e #an!i!ate *&t poe#iti$en"ip, &n(i6e t"at %or rei!en#e '"i#" *&t #onit o% ateat one year7s residency immediately precedin$ t"e !ay o%

e(e#tion9 an! ae at (eat t'enty t"ree year o% ae on electionday 9.

/"i(ippine #iti$en"ip i an in!ipena(e re)&ire*ent %or "o(!inan e(e#tive p&(i# o#e, 5- an! t"e p&rpoe o% t"e #iti$en"ip)&a(i#ation i none ot"er t"an to en&re t"at no a(ien, i.e., noperon o'in a((eian#e to anot"er nation, "a(( overn o&rpeop(e an! o&r #o&ntry or a &nit o% territory t"ereo%. No', ano#ia( ein to overn or to !i#"are "i %&n#tion on(y &pon"i pro#(a*ation and on t"e !ay t"e (a' *an!ate "i ter* o%o#e to ein. Sin#e riva(!o rea&*e! "i #iti$en"ip on &ne30, 1 t"e very !ay 5 t"e ter* o% o#e o% overnor an!ot"er e(e#tive o#ia(9 ean "e 'a t"ere%ore a(rea!y)&a(ie! to e pro#(ai*e!, to "o(! &#" o#e an! to !i#"aret"e %&n#tion an! reponii(itie t"ereo% a o% ai! !ate. In "ort,at t"at ti*e, "e 'a a(rea!y )&a(ie! to overn "i nativeSoroon. T"i i t"e (iera( interpretation t"at "o&(! ive pirit,i%e an! *eanin to o&r (a' on )&a(i#ation #onitent 'it" t"ep&rpoe %or '"i#" &#" (a' 'a ena#te!. So too, even %ro*a literal a !itin&i"e! %ro* liberal9 #ontr&#tion, it "o&(! enote! t"at Se#tion 3 o% t"e Fo#a( Govern*ent Co!e pea6 o%+Qalifcations+ o% +EFECTIDE OICIAFS+, not o6 candidates. @"yt"en "o&(! &#" )&a(i#ation e re)&ire! at t"e ti*e o% e(e#tionor at t"e ti*e o% t"e (in o% t"e #erti#ate o% #an!i!a#ie, aFee initJ Fitera((y, &#" )&a(i#ation &n(e ot"er'iee<pre(y #on!itione!, a in t"e #ae o% ae an! rei!en#e "o&(! t"& e poee! '"en t"e +e(e#tive or e(e#te!H o#ia(+ein to overn, i.e., at t"e ti*e "e i pro#(ai*e! and at t"etart o% "i ter* in t"i #ae, on &ne 30, 1. /arap"raint"i Co&rt r&(in in ;as#ez vs. &iap and i 2en$ &iap <2ons, 55 i% t"e p&rpoe o% t"e #iti$en"ip re)&ire*ent i to en&re

t"at o&r peop(e an! #o&ntry !o not en! &p ein overne! ya(ien,i.e., peron o'in a((eian#e to anot"er nation, t"at ai*or p&rpoe 'o&(! not be thwarted bt instead achieved y#ontr&in t"e #iti$en"ip )&a(i#ation a app(yin to t"e ti*e o%pro#(a*ation o% t"e e(e#te! o#ia( an! at t"e tart o% "i ter*.

B&t per"ap t"e *ore !i#&(t o?e#tion 'a t"e one raie! !&rint"e ora( ar&*ent 57 to t"e e=e#t t"at t"e #iti$en"ip )&a(i#ation"o&(! e poee! at t"e ti*e t"e #an!i!ate or %or t"at *attert"e e(e#te! o#ia(9 reitere! a a voter. A%ter a((, Se#tion 3,apart %ro* re)&irin t"e o#ia( to e a #iti$en, a(o pe#ie aanot"er ite* o% )&a(i#ation, t"at "e e a +reitere! voter+. An!,&n!er t"e (a' 51 a +voter+ *&t e a #iti$en o% t"e /"i(ippine. Sot"ere%ore, riva(!o #o&(! not "ave een a voter *&#" (ea validly reitere! one i% "e 'a not a #iti$en at t"e ti*e o%

&#" reitration.

T"e an'er to t"i pro(e* aain (ie in !i#ernin t"e p&rpoe o% t"e re)&ire*ent. I% t"e (a' inten!e! t"ecitizenship )&a(i#ation toe poee! prior to e(e#tion #onitent 'it" t"e re)&ire*ent o%ein a reitere! voter, t"en it 'o&(! not "ave *a!e #iti$en"ipa SE/ARATE )&a(i#ation. T"e (a' a"or a re!&n!an#y. Itt"ere%ore tan! to reaon t"at t"e (a' inten!e! CITIENS-I/ toe a )&a(i#ation !itin#t %ro* ein a DOTER, even i% ein avoter pre&*e ein a #iti$en rt. It a(o tan! to reaon t"att"e voter re)&ire*ent 'a in#(&!e! a anot"er )&a(i#ationai!e %ro* +#iti$en"ip+9, not to reiterate t"e nee! %or nationa(ity&t to re)&ire t"at t"e o#ia( e reitere! a a voter IN T-EAREA OR TERRITORP "e ee6 to overn, i.e., t"e (a' tate: +areitere! voter in t"e aranay, *&ni#ipa(ity, #ity, or provin#e . . '"ere "e inten! to e e(e#te!.+ It "o&(! e e*p"ai$e! t"at

t"e Fo#a( Govern*ent Co!e re)&ire an e(e#tive o#ia( to ea re$istered voter . It !oe not re)&ire "i* to vote actally . -ereitration not t"e a#t&a( votin i t"e #ore o% t"i+)&a(i#ation+. In ot"er 'or!, t"e (a' p&rpoe in t"i e#on!re)&ire*ent i to en&re t"at t"e prope#tive o#ia( i a#t&a((reitere! in t"e area "e ee6 to overn and not anywhereelse.

Be%ore t"i Co&rt, riva(!o "a repeate!(y e*p"ai$e! an! F"a not !ip&te! t"at "e +'a an! i a reitere! voter o%Soroon, an! "i reitration a a voter "a een &taine! ava(i! y ?&!i#ia( !e#(aration . . . In %a#t, "e #at "i vote in "ipre#in#t on May 8, 1.+ 54

So too, !&rin t"e ora( ar&*ent, "i #o&ne( tea!%at(y*aintaine! t"at +Mr. riva(!o "a a('ay een a reitere! voto% Soroon. -e "a vote! in 187, 188, 12, t"en "e vote!aain in 1. In %a#t, "i e(iii(ity a a voter 'a )&etione!,&t t"e #o&rt !i*ie! sic9 "i e(iii(ity a a voter an! "e 'a((o'e! to vote a in %a#t, "e vote! in a(( t"e previo& e(e#tionin#(&!in on May 8, 1.+ 56

It i t"& #(ear t"at riva(!o i a re$istered voter in the

province '"ere "e inten!e! to e e(e#te!.

T"ere i yet anot"er reaon '"y t"e pri*e i&eo% citizenship "o&(! e re#6one! %ro* t"e !ate o% pro#(a*ationot ne#eari(y t"e !ate o% e(e#tion or !ate o% (in o% t"e#erti#ate o% #an!i!a#y. Se#tion 23 o% t"e O*ni& E(e#tionCo!e 53 ive any voter, pre&*a(y in#(&!in t"e !e%eate!#an!i!ate, t"e opport&nity to )&etion t"e EFIGIBIFITP or t"e!i(oya(ty9 o% a #an!i!ate. T"i i t"e on(y proviion o% t"e Co!t"at a&t"ori$e a re*e!y on "o' to #ontet e%ore t"e Co*e(ean in#&*ent ine(iii(ity ariin %ro* %ai(&re to *eet t"e)&a(i#ation en&*erate! &n!er Se#. 3 o% t"e Fo#a( Govern*Co!e. S&#" re*e!y o% Qo !arranto #an e avai(e! o% +'it"in !ay a%ter pro#(a*ation+ o% t"e 'innin #an!i!ate. -en#e, iti only at sch time t"at t"e i&e o% ine(iii(ity *ay e ta6en#oni$an#e o% y t"e Co**iion. An! in#e, at t"e very *o*o% Fee pro#(a*ation 8:30 p.*., &ne 30, 19, &an G. riva'a a(rea!y an! in!&ita(y a #iti$en, "avin ta6en "i oat" o%a((eian#e ear(ier in t"e a%ternoon o% t"e a*e !ay, t"en "e"o&(! "ave een t"e #an!i!ate pro#(ai*e! a "e &n)&etionaarnere! t"e "i"et n&*er o% vote in t"e i**e!iate(y

pre#e!in e(e#tion an! &#" oat" "a! a(rea!y #&re! "i previ+?&!i#ia((y!e#(are!+ a(ienae. -en#e, at &#" ti*e, "e 'a no(oner ine(ii(e.

B&t to re*ove a(( !o&t on t"i i*portant i&e, 'e a(o "o(!t"at t"e repatriation o% riva(!o RETROACTE to t"e !ate o% t"(in o% "i app(i#ation on A&&t 17, 14.

It i tr&e t"at &n!er t"e Civi( Co!e o% t"e /"i(ippine, 50 +(9a'"a(( "ave no retroa#tive e=e#t, &n(e t"e #ontrary i provi!eB&t t"ere are ett(e! e<#eption 7/ to t"i enera( r&(e, &#" a'"en t"e tat&te i C5RATIDE or REMEIAF in nat&re or '"en CREATES NE@ RIG-TS.

A##or!in to To(entino, 7- #&rative tat&te are t"oe '"i#"&n!erta6e to #&re error an! irre&(aritie, t"erey va(i!atin ?&!i#ia( or a!*initrative pro#ee!in, a#t o% p&(i# o#er, oprivate !ee! an! #ontra#t which otherwise wold not prodctheir intended conse#ences by reason o6 some stattory

disability or 6ailre to comply with some technical re#iremen T"ey operate on #on!ition a(rea!y e<itin, an! are ne#earretroa#tive in operation. Apa(o, 7 on t"e ot"er "an!, ay t"a#&rative tat&te are+"ea(in a#t . . . #&rin !e%e#t an! a!!in to t"e *ean o%en%or#in e<itin o(iation . . . an!9 are inten!e! to &pp(y!e%e#t, ari!e &perL&itie in e<itin (a', an! #&r #ertainevi(. . . . By t"eir very nat&re, #&rative tat&te areretroa#tive . . . an!9 rea#" a#6 to pat event to #orre#t erroor irre&(aritie an! to ren!er va(i! an! e=e#tive atte*pte! a#'"i#" 'o&(! e ot"er'ie ine=e#tive %or t"e p&rpoe t"e partiinten!e!.+



On t"e ot"er "an!, re*e!ia( or pro#e!&ra( (a', i.e., t"oetat&te re(atin to re*e!ie or *o!e o% pro#e!&re, '"i#" !o not#reate ne' or ta6e a'ay vete! ri"t, &t on(y operate in%&rt"eran#e o% t"e re*e!y or #onr*ation o% &#" ri"t,or!inari(y !o not #o*e 'it"in t"e (ea( *eanin o% a retrope#tivea', nor 'it"in t"e enera( r&(e aaint t"e retrope#tiveoperation o% tat&te. 75

A rea!in o% /.. 72 i**e!iate(y "o' t"at it #reate a ne'ri"t, an! a(o provi!e %or a ne' re*e!y, t"erey ((in #ertainvoi! in o&r (a'. T"&, in it prea*(e, /.. 72 e<pre(yre#oni$e t"e p(i"t o% +*any i(ipino 'o*en '"o9 "a! (ot t"eir/"i(ippine #iti$en"ip y *arriae to a(ien+ an! '"o #o&(! not,

&n!er t"e e<itin (a' C.A. No. 3, a a*en!e!9 avai( o%repatriation &nti( +a%ter t"e !eat" o% t"eir "&an! or t"eter*ination o% t"eir *arita( tat&+ an! '"o #o&(! neit"er eenette! y t"e 173 Contit&tion ne' proviion a((o'in +ai(ipino 'o*an '"o *arrie an a(ien to retain "er /"i(ippine#iti$en"ip . . .+ e#a&e +&#" proviion o% t"e ne' Contit&tion!oe not app(y to i(ipino 'o*en '"o "a! *arrie! a(ien e%oreai! #ontit&tion too6 e=e#t.+ T"&, /.. 72 rante! a newri$ht to t"ee 'o*en t"e ri"t to rea#)&ire i(ipino #iti$en"ipeven !&rin t"eir *arita( #overt&re, '"i#" ri"t !i! not e<it priorto /.. 72. On t"e ot"er "an!, ai! tat&te a(o provi!e! a newremedy an! a new ri$ht in %avor o% ot"er +nat&ra( orn i(ipino'"o "a!9 (ot t"eir /"i(ippine #iti$en"ip &t no' !eire to rea#)&ire /"i(ippine #iti$en"ip+, e#a&e prior to t"e pro*&(ationo% /.. 72 &#" %or*er i(ipino 'o&(! "ave "a! to &n!ero t"e

te!io& an! #&*ero*e pro#e o% nat&ra(i$ation, &t 'it" t"ea!vent o% /.. 72 t"ey #o&(! no' rea#)&ire t"eir /"i(ippine#iti$en"ip &n!er t"e i*p(ie! pro#e!&re o% repatriation.

T"e So(i#itor Genera( 77 ar&e:

By t"eir very nat&re, #&rative tat&te are retroa#tive, B/ v.CA, SCRA 3429, in#e t"ey are inten!e! to &pp(y !e%e#t,ari!e &perL&itie in e<itin (a' e( Cati((o v. Se#&ritiean! E<#"ane Co**iion, /"i(. 119 an! #&r #ertain evi(Santo v. &ata, 14 SCRA 10419.

n t"i #ae, /.. No. 72 'a ena#te! to #&re t"e !e%e#t in t"ee<itin nat&ra(i$ation (a', pe#i#a((y C.A. No. 3 '"erein*arrie! i(ipino 'o*en are a((o'e! to repatriate on(y &pon t"e!eat" o% t"eir "&an!, an! nat&ra(orn i(ipino '"o (ot t"eir

#iti$en"ip y nat&ra(i$ation an! ot"er #a&e %a#e! t"e !i#&(tyo% &n!eroin t"e rii! pro#e!&re o% C.A. 3 %or rea#)&iition o%i(ipino #iti$en"ip y nat&ra(i$ation.

/rei!entia( e#ree No. 72 provi!e! a re*e!y %or t"ea%ore*entione! (ea( aerration an! t"& it proviion are#oni!ere! eentia((y re*e!ia( an! #&rative.

n (i"t o% t"e %oreoin, an! pre#in!in %ro* t"e 'or!in o% t"eprea*(e, it i &nar&a(e t"at t"e (ei(ative intent 'a pre#ie(yto ive t"e tat&te retroa#tive operation. +A9 retrope#tiveoperation i iven to a tat&te or a*en!*ent '"ere t"e intentt"at it "o&(! o operate #(ear(y appear %ro* a #oni!eration o%t"e a#t a a '"o(e, or %ro* t"e ter* t"ereo%.+ 71 It i ovio& tot"e Co&rt t"at t"e tat&te 'a *eant to +rea#" a#6+ to t"oe

peron, event an! trana#tion not ot"er'ie #overe! yprevai(in (a' an! ?&ripr&!en#e. An! ina*&#" a it "a een"e(! t"at #iti$en"ip i a po(iti#a( an! #ivi( ri"t e)&a((y a*portant a t"e %ree!o* o% pee#", (ierty o% ao!e, t"e ri"taaint &nreaona(e ear#"e an! ei$&re an! ot"er&arantee en"rine! in t"e Bi(( o% Ri"t, t"ere%ore t"eei(ative intent to ive retrope#tive operation to /.. 72 *&te iven t"e %&((et e=e#t poi(e. +I9t "a een ai! t"at aremedial statte mst be so constred as to ma=e it e>ect theevident prpose 6or which it was enacted, o t"at i% the reason o6the statte e9tends to past transactions, a 'e(( a to t"oe in t"e%&t&re, t"en it 'i(( e o app(ie! a(t"o&" t"e tat&te !oe not inter* o !ire#t, &n(e to !o o 'o&(! i*pair o*e vete! ri"t orvio(ate o*e #ontit&tiona( &aranty.+ 74 T"i i a(( t"e *ore tr&eo% /.. 72, '"i#" !i! not pe#i%y any retri#tion on or !e(i*it or)&a(i%y t"e ri"t o% repatriation rante! t"erein.

At t"i point, a va(i! )&etion *ay e raie!: -o' #an t"eretroa#tivity o% /.. 72 enet riva(!o #oni!erin t"at ai! ('a ena#te! on &ne , 17, '"i(e riva(!o (ot "i i(ipino#iti$en"ip *&#" (ater, on an&ary 20, 183, an! app(ie! %orrepatriation even (ater, on A&&t 17, 14J

@"i(e it i tr&e t"at t"e (a' 'a a(rea!y in e=e#t at t"e ti*e t"riva(!o e#a*e an A*eri#an #iti$en, nevert"e(e, it i not ont"e (a' ite(% /.. 729 '"i#" i to e iven retroa#tive e=e#t, even t"e repatriation rante! &n!er ai! (a' to riva(!o on &n30, 1 i to e !ee*e! to "ave retroa#te! to t"e !ate o% "iapp(i#ation t"ere%or, A&&t 17, 14. T"e reaon %or t"i ii*p(y t"at i%, a in t"i #ae, it 'a t"e intent o% t"e (ei(ative

a&t"ority t"at t"e (a' "o&(! app(y to past event i.e.,it&ation an! trana#tion e9istin$ even be6ore the law came

into bein$ in or!er to enet t"e reatet n&*er o% %or*eri(ipino poi(e t"erey ena(in t"e* to en?oy an! e<er#ie#ontit&tiona((y &arantee! ri"t o% #iti$en"ip, an! &#"(ei(ative intention i to e iven t"e %&((et e=e#t an!e<preion, t"en there is all the more reason to have the lawapply in a retroactive or retrospective manner to sitations,events and transactions sbse#ent to the passa$e o6 sch la T"at i, t"e repatriation rante! to riva(!o on &ne 30, 1 #an! "o&(! e *a!e to ta6e e=e#t a o% !ate o% "i app(i#ationear(ier *entione!, t"ere i not"in in t"e (a' t"at 'o&(! ar t"or 'o&(! "o' a #ontrary intention on t"e part o% t"e (ei(ativa&t"ority> an! t"ere i no "o'in t"at !a*ae or pre?&!i#e toanyone, or anyt"in &n?&t or in?&rio& 'o&(! re&(t %ro* ivin

retroa#tivity to "i repatriation. Neit"er "a Fee "o'n t"at t"e'i(( re&(t t"e i*pair*ent o% any #ontra#t&a( o(iation,!it&ran#e o% any vete! ri"t or rea#" o% o*e #ontit&tion&aranty.

Bein a %or*er i(ipino '"o "a erve! t"e peop(e repeate!(y,riva(!o !eerve a (iera( interpretation o% /"i(ippine (a' an!'"atever !e%e#t t"ere 'ere in "i nationa(ity "o&(! no' e!ee*e! *oote! y "i repatriation.

Anot"er ar&*ent %or retroa#tivity to t"e !ate o% (in i t"at i'o&(! prevent pre?&!i#e to app(i#ant. I% /.. 72 'ere not to iven retroa#tive e=e#t, an! t"e Spe#ia( Co**ittee !e#i!e noto a#t, i.e., to !e(ay t"e pro#ein o% app(i#ation %or any&tantia( (ent" o% ti*e, t"en t"e %or*er i(ipino '"o *ay tate(e, a riva(!o "avin a(rea!y reno&n#e! "i A*eri#a#iti$en"ip 'a, *ay e pre?&!i#e! %or #a&e o&ti!e t"eir#ontro(. T"i "o&(! not e. In #ae o% !o&t in t"e interpretatioor app(i#ation o% (a', it i to e pre&*e! t"at t"e (a'*a6ino!y inten!e! ri"t an! ?&ti#e to prevai(. 76

An! a e<perien#e 'i(( "o', t"e Spe#ia( Co**ittee 'a a(e pro#e, a#t &pon an! rant app(i#ation %or repatriation 'it"inre(ative(y "ort pan o% ti*e a%ter t"e a*e 'ere (e!. 73 T"e t"at &#" interrena 'ere re(ative(y inini#ant *ini*i$e t"e(i6e(i"oo! o% pre?&!i#e to t"e overn*ent a a re&(t o% ivinretroa#tivity to repatriation. Bei!e, to t"e *in! o% t"e Co&rt,!ire#t pre?&!i#e to t"e overn*ent i poi(e on(y '"ere aperon repatriation "a t"e e=e#t o% 'ipin o&t a (iai(ity o% "to t"e overn*ent ariin in #onne#tion 'it" or a a re&(t o% "ein an a(ien, an! a##r&in on(y !&rin t"e interren&*

et'een app(i#ation an! approva(, a it&ation t"at i not preein t"e intant #ae.

An! it i &t ri"t an! ?&t t"at t"e *an!ate o% t"e peop(e,a(rea!y t'i#e %r&trate!, "o&(! no' prevai(. 5n!er t"e#ir#&*tan#e, t"ere i not"in &n?&t or ini)&ito& in treatinriva(!o repatriation a "avin e#o*e e=e#tive a o% t"e !ao% "i app(i#ation, i.e., on A&&t 17, 14. T"i ein o, a(()&etion ao&t "i poeion o% t"e nationa(ity )&a(i#ation '"et"er at t"e !ate o% pro#(a*ation &ne 30, 19 or t"e !ato% e(e#tion May 8, 19 or !ate o% (in "i #erti#ate o%#an!i!a#y Mar#" 20, 19 'o&(! e#o*e *oot.

Bae! on t"e %oreoin, any )&etion rear!in riva(!o tata a reitere! voter 'o&(! a(o e !ee*e! ett(e!. Ina*&#""e i #oni!ere! a "avin een repatriate! i.e., "i i(ipino



#iti$en"ip retore! a o% A&&t 17, 14, "i previo&reitration a a voter i (i6e'ie !ee*e! va(i!ate! a o% ai!!ate.

t i not !ip&te! t"at on an&ary 20, 183 riva(!o e#a*e anA*eri#an. @o&(! t"e retroa#tivity o% "i repatriation note=e#tive(y ive "i* !&a( #iti$en"ip, '"i#" &n!er Se#. 40 o% t"eFo#a( Govern*ent Co!e 'o&(! !i)&a(i%y "i* +%ro* r&nnin %orany e(e#tive (o#a( poitionJ+ 70 @e an'er t"i )&etion in t"eneative, a t"ere i #oent reaon to "o(! t"at riva(!o 'area((y STATEFESS at t"e ti*e "e too6 ai! oat" o% a((eian#e an!even e%ore t"at, '"en "e ran %or overnor in 188. In "iCo**ent, riva(!o 'rote t"at "e +"a! (on reno&n#e! an! "a!

on aan!one! "i A*eri#an #iti$en"ip (on e%ore May 8,1. At et, riva(!o 'a tate(e in t"e interi* '"en "eaan!one! an! reno&n#e! "i 5S #iti$en"ip &t e%ore "e 'arepatriate! to "i i(ipino #iti$en"ip.+ 1/

On t"i point, 'e )&ote %ro* t"e aai(e! Reo(&tion !ate!e#e*er 1, 1: 1-

By t"e (a' o% t"e 5nite! State, petitioner riva(!o (ot "iA*eri#an #iti$en"ip '"en "e too6 "i oat" o% a((eian#e to t"e/"i(ippine Govern*ent '"en "e ran %or Governor in 188, in12, an! in 1. Every #erti#ate o% #an!i!a#y #ontain anoat" o% a((eian#e to t"e /"i(ippine Govern*ent.+

T"ee %a#t&a( n!in t"at riva(!o "a (ot "i %orein nationa(ityon e%ore t"e e(e#tion o% 1 "ave not een e=e#tive(yre&tte! y Fee. &rt"er*ore, it i ai# t"at &#" n!in o% t"eCo**iion are #on#(&ive &pon t"i Co&rt, aent any "o'ino% #apri#io&ne or aritrarine ora&e. 1

he 2econd sse: s ac= o6 "itizenshipa "ontinin$ ?is#alifcation@

Fee #onten! t"at t"e May 1, 1 Reo(&tion 15 o% t"e Co*e(e#Se#on! iviion in S/A No. 028 a ar*e! in toto yCo*e(e# 8n /anc in it Reo(&tion o% May 11, 1 +e#a*e na(an! e<e#&tory a%ter ve 9 !ay or on May 17, 1, noretrainin or!er "avin een i&e! y t"i -onora(eCo&rt. 17 -en#e, e%ore Fee +'a pro#(ai*e! a t"e e(e#te!overnor on &ne 30, 1, t"ere 'a a(rea!y a na( an!

e<e#&tory ?&!*ent !i)&a(i%yin+ riva(!o. Fee a!! t"at t"iCo&rt t'o r&(in '"i#" riva(!o no' #on#e!e 'ere (ea((y+#orre#t+9 !e#(arin riva(!o an a(ien "ave a(o e#o*e na( an!e<e#&tory 'ay e%ore t"e 1 e(e#tion, an! t"ee +?&!i#ia(prono&n#e*ent o% "i po(iti#a( tat& a an A*eri#an #iti$enao(&te(y an! %or a(( ti*e !i)&a(ie! "i*9 %ro* r&nnin %or, an!"o(!in any p&(i# o#e in t"e /"i(ippine.+

@e !o not aree.

t "o&(! e note! t"at o&r rt r&(in in G.R. No. 8713!i)&a(i%yin riva(!o 'a ren!ere! in #onne#tion 'it" t"e 188e(e#tion '"i(e t"at in G.R. No. 1044 'a in #onne#tion 'it" t"e12 e(e#tion. T"at "e 'a !i)&a(ie! %or &#" e(e#tion i na(an! #an no (oner e #"ane!. In t"e 'or! o% t"e repon!entCo**iion Se#on! iviion9 in it aai(e! Reo(&tion: 11

T"e re#or! "o' t"at t"e -onora(e S&pre*e Co&rt "a! !e#i!e!t"at riva(!o 'a not a i(ipino #iti$en an! t"& !i)&a(ie! %or t"ep&rpoe o% t"e 188 an! 12 e(e#tion. -o'ever, t"ere i nore#or! o% any +na( ?&!*ent+ o% t"e !i)&a(i#ation o% riva(!o aa #an!i!ate %or t"e May 8, 1 e(e#tion. @"at t"e Co**iionai! in it Or!er o% &ne 21, 1 implemented on ne )4,155+9, !ire#tin t"e pro#(a*ation o% Ra&( R. Fee, 'a t"at riva(!o'a not a i(ipino #iti$en +havin$ been declared by the 2preme"ort in its Brder dated Carch (+, 155+, not a citizen o6 thePhilippines.+ T"i !e#(aration o% t"e S&pre*e Co&rt, "o'ever, 'an #onne#tion 'it" t"e 12 e(e#tion.

n!ee!, !e#iion !e#(arin t"e a#)&iition or !enia( o% #iti$en"ip#annot overn a peron %&t&re tat& 'it" na(ity. T"i i

e#a&e a peron *ay &e)&ent(y rea#)&ire, or %or t"at *atter

(oe, "i #iti$en"ip &n!er any o% t"e *o!e re#oni$e! y (a't"e p&rpoe. -en#e, in ee vs. "ommissioner o6

mmi$ration, 14 'e "e(!:

Everyti*e t"e #iti$en"ip o% a peron i *ateria( or in!ipenain a ?&!i#ia( or a!*initrative #ae, '"atever t"e #orrepon!in#o&rt or a!*initrative a&t"ority !e#i!e t"erein a to &#"#iti$en"ip i enera((y not #oni!ere! res Ddicata, "en#e it "ato e t"re"e! o&t aain an! aain, a t"e o##aion !e*an!.

he hird sse: "omelec7s risdictionBver he Petition in 2P" 'o. 5+3)1*

Fee a(o aver t"at repon!ent Co*e(e# "a! no ?&ri!i#tion toentertain t"e petition in S/C No. 317 e#a&e t"e on(y+poi(e type o% pro#ee!in t"at *ay e entertaine! y t"eCo*e(e# are a prepro#(a*ation #ae, an e(e#tion protet ora #o warranto #ae+. Aain, Fee re*in! & t"at "e 'apro#(ai*e! on &ne 30, 1 &t t"at riva(!o (e! S/C No. 317 )&etionin "i Fee9 pro#(a*ation on(y on &(y , 1 +eyon! t"e !ay re(e*entary perio!.+ -en#e, a##or!in to"i*, riva(!o +re#o&re 'a to (e eit"er an e(e#tion protet oa #o warranto a#tion.+

T"i ar&*ent i not *eritorio&. T"e Contit&tion 16 "a ivet"e Co*e(e# a*p(e po'er to +e<er#ie e<#(&ive oriina( ?&ri!i#tion over a(( #ontet re(atin to t"e e(e#tion, ret&rn a)&a(i#ation o% a(( e(e#tive . . . provin#ia( . . . o#ia(.+ Intea!!'e((in at (ent" on t"e vario& petition t"at Co*e(e#, in t"ee<er#ie o% it #ontit&tiona( preroative, *ay entertain, &to ay t"at t"i Co&rt "a invaria(y re#oni$e! t"e Co**iioa&t"ority to "ear an! !e#i!e petition %or ann&(*ent o%pro#(a*ation o% '"i#" S/C No. 317 ovio&(y ione. 13 T"&, in Centan$ vs."BC88", 10 'e r&(e!:

T"e petitioner ar&e t"at a%ter pro#(a*ation an! a&*ption o#e, a prepro#(a*ation #ontrovery i no (oner via(e. In!e'e are a'are o% #ae "o(!in t"at prepro#(a*ation#ontroverie *ay no (oner e entertaine! y t"e COMEFECa%ter t"e 'innin #an!i!ate "a een pro#(ai*e!. citin$ Ga((av. Ri*an!o, 187 SCRA 43> Sa(va#ion v. COMEFEC, 170 SCR13> Cai*iro v. COMEFEC, 171 SCRA 48.9 T"i r&(e, "o'evei pre*ie! on an a&*ption t"at t"e pro#(a*ation i nopro#(a*ation at a(( an! t"e pro#(ai*e! #an!i!ate a&*ption

o#e #annot !eprive t"e COMEFEC o% t"e po'er to *a6e &#"!e#(aration o% n&((ity. citin$ A&a* v. COMEFEC, 23 SCRA 88Aayani v. COMEFEC, 18 SCRA 484.9

T"e Co&rt "o'ever #a&tione! t"at &#" po'er to ann&( apro#(a*ation *&t +e !one 'it"in ten 109 !ay %o((o'in t"epro#(a*ation.+ Ina*&#" a riva(!o petition 'a (e! on(y 9 !ay a%ter Fee pro#(a*ation, t"ere i no )&etion t"at t"eCo*e(e# #orre#t(y a#)&ire! ?&ri!i#tion over t"e a*e.

he -orth sse: !as ee7s Proclamation ;alid@

riva(!o aai( t"e va(i!ity o% t"e Fee pro#(a*ation. @e &p"o(!"i* %or t"e %o((o'in reaon:

-irst . To parap"rae t"i Co&rt in abo vs. "BC88", 4/ +t"e %a#

re*ain t"at "e Fee9 'a not t"e #"oi#e o% t"e overein 'i((,an! in A#ino vs. "BC88", 4- Fee i +a e#on! p(a#er, . . . ?&tt"at, a e#on! p(a#er.+

In pite o% t"i, Fee an#"or "i #(ai* to t"e overnor"ip on t"prono&n#e*ent o% t"i Co&rt in t"e a%oreai! Fao 4 #ae, a%o((o':



T"e r&(e 'o&(! "ave een !i=erent i% t"e e(e#torate %&((y a'are in%a#t an! in (a' o% a #an!i!ate !i)&a(i#ation o a to rin&#" a'arene 'it"in t"e rea(* o% notoriety, 'o&(! nonet"e(e#at t"eir vote in %avor o% t"e ine(ii(e #an!i!ate. In &#" #ae,t"e e(e#torate *ay e ai! to "ave 'aive! t"e va(i!ity an!e#a#y o% t"eir vote y notorio&(y *iapp(yin t"eir %ran#"ieor t"ro'in a'ay t"eir vote, in '"i#" #ae, t"e e(ii(e #an!i!ateotainin t"e ne<t "i"er n&*er o% vote *ay e !ee*e!e(e#te!.

B&t &#" "o(!in i )&a(ie! y t"e ne<t pararap", t"&:

B&t t"i i not t"e it&ation otainin in t"e intant !ip&te. It "a

not een "o'n, an! none 'a a((ee!, t"at petitioner Fao 'anotorio&(y 6no'n a an ine(ii(e #an!i!ate, *&#" (e t"ee(e#torate a "avin 6no'n o% &#" %a#t. On t"e #ontrary,petitioner Fao 'a even a((o'e! y no (e t"an t"e Co*e(e#te(% in it reo(&tion !ate! May 10, 12 to e vote! %or t"eo#e o% t"e #ity /ayor a it reo(&tion !ate! May , 12!enyin !&e #o&re to petitioner Fao #erti#ate o% #an!i!a#y"a! not yet e#o*e na( an! &?e#t to t"e na( o&t#o*e o% t"i#ae.

T"e (at)&ote! pararap" in abo, &n%ort&nate(y %or Fee, i t"er&(in appropriate in t"i #ae e#a&e riva(!o 'a in 1 in an!enti#a( it&ation a Fao 'a in 12 '"en t"e Co*e(e##an#e((ation o% "i #erti#ate o% #an!i!a#y 'a not yet na( one(e#tion !ay a t"ere 'a in ot" #ae a pen!in *otion %or

re#oni!eration, %or '"i#" reaon Co*e(e# i&e! an o*ni&9reo(&tion !e#(arin t"at riva(!o (i6e Fao in 129 an! evera(ot"er #an ti(( e vote! %or in t"e May 8, 1 e(e#tion, a in%a#t, "e 'a.

&rt"er*ore, t"ere "a een no &#ient evi!en#e preente! to"o' t"at t"e e(e#torate o% Soroon 'a +%&((y a'are in %a#t an!n (a'+ o% riva(!o a((ee! !i)&a(i#ation a to +rin &#"a'arene 'it"in t"e rea(* o% notoriety>+ in ot"er 'or!, t"at t"evoter intentiona((y 'ate! t"eir a((ot 6no'in t"at, in pite o%t"eir votin %or "i*, "e 'a ine(ii(e. I% abo "a any re(evan#eat a((, it i t"at t"e vi#eovernor an! not Fee "o&(! e pro#(ai*e!, in#e in (oin t"e e(e#tion, Fee 'a, toparap"rae abo aain, +ovio&(y not t"e #"oi#e o% t"e peop(e+o% Soroon. T"i i t"e e*p"ati# tea#"in o% abo:

T"e r&(e, t"ere%ore, i: t"e ine(iii(ity o% a #an!i!ate re#eivin*a?ority vote !oe not entit(e t"e e(ii(e #an!i!ate re#eivint"e ne<t "i"et n&*er o% vote to e !e#(are! e(e#te!. A*inority or !e%eate! #an!i!ate #annot e !ee*e! e(e#te! to t"eo#e.

2econd. A 'e "ave ear(ier !e#(are! riva(!o to "ave eaona(yrea#)&ire! "i #iti$en"ip an! ina*&#" a "e otaine! t"e"i"et n&*er o% vote in t"e 1 e(e#tion, "e not Fee "o&(! e pro#(ai*e!. -en#e, Fee pro#(a*ation 'a patent(yerroneo& an! "o&(! no' e #orre#te!.

he -i6th sse: s 2ection *0 o6 the

8lection "ode Candatory@

n G.R. No. 1202, riva(!o #(ai* t"at t"e aai(e! Reo(&tion o%

t"e Co*e(e# Se#on! iviion9 !ate! May 1, 1 an! t"e#onr*atory en banc Reo(&tion o% May 11, 1 !i)&a(i%yin"i* %or 'ant o% #iti$en"ip "o&(! e ann&((e! e#a&e t"ey 'ereren!ere! eyon! t"e %teen 19 !ay perio! pre#rie! y Se#tion78, o% t"e O*ni& E(e#tion Co!e '"i#" rea! a %o((o':

Se#. 78. Petition to deny de corse or to cancel a certifcate o6candidacy . A verie! petition ee6in to !eny !&e #o&re or to#an#e( a #erti#ate o% #an!i!a#y *ay e (e! y any perone<#(&ive(y on t"e ro&n! t"at any *ateria( repreentation#ontaine! t"erein a re)&ire! &n!er Se#tion 74 "ereo% i %a(e.T"e petition *ay e (e! at any ti*e not (ater t"an t'entyve!ay %ro* t"e ti*e o% t"e (in o% t"e #erti#ate o% #an!i!a#y an!"a(( e !e#i!e! a%ter noti#e an! "earin, not later than f6teendays be6ore the election. E*p"ai &pp(ie!.9

T"i #(ai* i no' *oot an! a#a!e*i# ina*&#" a t"eereo(&tion are !ee*e! &pere!e! y t"e &e)&ent onei&e! y t"e Co**iion irt iviion9 on e#e*er 1, 1ar*e! en banc 45 on er&ary 23, 1> '"i#" ot" &p"e(! "e(e#tion. At any rate, it i ovio& t"at Se#tion 78 i *ere(y!ire#tory a Se#tion o% R.A. No. 4 a&t"ori$e t"e Co**ito try an! !e#i!e petition %or !i)&a(i#ation even a%ter t"ee(e#tion, t"&:

Se#. . 8>ect o6 ?is#alifcation "ase. Any #an!i!ate '"o "aeen !e#(are! y na( ?&!*ent to e !i)&a(ie! "a(( not evote! %or, an! t"e vote #at %or "i* "a(( not e #o&nte!. 6 6oany reason a candidate is not declared by fnal Dd$ment be6o

an election to be dis#alifed and he is voted 6or and receives winnin$ nmber o6 votes in sch election, the "ort or

"ommission shall contine with the trial and hearin$ o6 theaction, in#iry or protest and pon motion o6 the complainant

any intervenor, may drin$ the pendency thereo6 order thesspension o6 the proclamation o6 sch candidate whenever th

evidence o6 his $ilt is stron$. e*p"ai &pp(ie!9

%e6tation o6

Cr . stice ?avide7s ?issent

In "i !ientin opinion, t"e etee*e! Mr. &ti#e -i(ario G.avi!e, r. ar&e t"at /rei!ent A)&ino *e*oran!&* !ate!Mar#" 27, 187 "o&(! e vie'e! a a &penion not a repeaa &re! y Fee9 o% /.. 72. B&t '"et"er it !e#ree a &pen

or a repea( i a p&re(y a#a!e*i# !itin#tion e#a&e t"e ai!i&an#e i not a tat&te t"at #an a*en! or aroate an e<iti(a'. T"e e<iten#e an! &iten#e o% /.. 72 'ere re#oni$e! in rt riva(!o #ae> 47 viz ., +&9n!er CA No. 3 a a*en!e! y CNo. 473 an! P.?. 'o. *(+, /"i(ippine #iti$en"ip *aye rea#)&y . . . repatriation+. -e a(o #onten! t"at y a((o'in riva(!oreiter an! to re*ain a a reitere! voter, t"e Co*e(e# an! e=e#t t"i Co&rt aette! a +*o#6ery+ o% o&r t'o previo& ?&!*ent !e#(arin "i* a non#iti$en. @e !o not ee &#"aettin or *o#6ery. T"e retroa#tivity o% "i repatriation, a!i#&e! ear(ier, (ea((y #&re! '"atever !e%e#t t"ere *ay "aeen in "i reitration a a voter %or t"e p&rpoe o% t"e 1e(e#tion. S&#" retroa#tivity !i! not #"ane "i !i)&a(i#ation188 an! 12, '"i#" 'ere t"e &?e#t o% &#" previo& r&(in

Mr. &ti#e avi!e a(o e(ieve t"at Qo !arranto i not t"e re*e!y to )&etion t"e ine(iii(ity o% a #an!i!ate, #itin t"eCo*e(e# a&t"ority &n!er Se#tion 78 o% t"e O*ni& E(e#tionCo!e a((o'in t"e !enia( o% a #erti#ate o% #an!i!a#y on t"ero&n! o% a %a(e *ateria( repreentation t"erein a re)&ire! Se#tion 74. Citin Foon, "e t"en tate "i !iaree*ent 'it"o&r "o(!in t"at Se#tion 78 i *ere(y !ire#tory. @e rea((y "ave)&arre(. O&r point i t"at riva(!o 'a in error in "i #(ai* in GNo. 1202 t"at t"e Co*e(e# Reo(&tion pro*&(ate! on May1 an! May 11, 1 'ere inva(i! e#a&e t"ey 'ere i&e!+not (ater t"an %teen !ay e%ore t"e e(e#tion+ a pre#rie! Se#tion 78. In !i*iin t"e petition in G.R. No. 1202, 'e "t"at t"e Co*e(e# !i! not #o**it rave a&e o% !i#retione#a&e +Se#tion o% R.A. 4 a&t"ori$e t"e Co*e(e# to tryan! !e#i!e !i)&a(i#ation even a%ter t"e e(e#tion.+ In pite

"i !iaree*ent 'it" & on t"i point, i.e., t"at Se#tion 78 +i*ere(y !ire#tory+, 'e note t"at ?&t (i6e &, Mr. &ti#e avi!enonet"e(e vote to +ISMISS G.R. No. 1202+. One ot"erpoint. oon$, a )&ote! in t"e !ient, tea#"e t"at a petition !eny !&e #o&re &n!er Se#tion 78 *&t e fled 'it"in t"e (+3day perio! pre#rie! t"erein. T"e preent #ae "o'ever !ea('it" t"e perio! !&rin '"i#" t"e Co*e(e# *ay decide &#"petition. An! 'e "o(! t"at it *ay e !e#i!e! even a%ter t"ef6tday perio! *entione! in Se#tion 78. -ere, 'e r&(e t"at a!e#iion proml$ated y t"e Co*e(e# even a%ter t"e e(e#tionva(i! &t oon$ "e(! t"at a petition fled eyon! t"e 2!ayperio! i o&t o% ti*e. T"ere i no in#oniten#y nor #onLi#t.

Mr. &ti#e avi!e a(o !iaree 'it" t"e Co&rt "o(!in t"at,iven t"e &ni)&e %a#t&a( #ir#&*tan#e o% riva(!o, repatriatio

*ay e iven retroa#tive e=e#t. -e ar&e t"at &#" retroa#tiv



+!i(&te+ o&r "o(!in in t"e rt riva(!o #ae. B&t t"e rt an!even t"e e#on! riva(!o9 !e#iion !i! not !ire#t(y invo(verepatriation a a *o!e o% a#)&irin #iti$en"ip. I% 'e *ay repeat,t"ere i no )&etion t"at riva(!o 'a not a i(ipino %or p&rpoeo% !eter*inin "i )&a(i#ation in t"e 188 an! 12 e(e#tion.T"at i ett(e!. B&t "i &pervenin repatriation "a #"ane! "ipo(iti#a( tat& not in 188 or 12, &t on(y in t"e 1e(e#tion.

O&r (earne! #o((ea&e a(o !ip&te o&r "o(!in t"at riva(!o 'atate(e prior to "i repatriation, ayin t"at +in%or*a(ren&n#iation or aan!on*ent i not a ro&n! to (oe A*eri#an#iti$en"ip+. Sin#e o&r #o&rt are #"are! on(y 'it" t"e !&ty o%

!eter*inin '"o are /"i(ippine nationa(, 'e #annot r&(e on t"eea( )&etion o% '"o are or '"o are not A*eri#an. It i ai# innternationa( (a' t"at a State !eter*ine ONFP t"oe '"o are ito'n #iti$en not '"o are t"e #iti$en o% ot"er #o&ntrie. 41 T"e&e "ere i: t"e Co*e(e# *a!e a n!in o% %a#t t"at riva(!o'a tate(e an! &#" n!in "a not een "o'n y Fee to earitrary or '"i*i#a(. T"&, %o((o'in ett(e! #ae (a', &#"n!in i in!in an! na(.

T"e !ientin opinion a(o &*it t"at Fee '"o (ot y #"a*i#*arin to riva(!o in a(( t"ree previo& e(e#tion, "o&(! e!e#(are! 'inner e#a&e +riva(!o ine(iii(ity %or ein anA*eri#an 'a p&(i#(y 6no'n+. irt, t"ere i ao(&te(y noe*piri#a( evi!en#e %or &#" +p&(i#+ 6no'(e!e. Se#on!, even i%t"ere i, &#" 6no'(e!e #an e tr&e post 6acto on(y o% t"e (at

t'o previo& e(e#tion. T"ir!, even t"e Co*e(e# an! no' t"iCo&rt 'ere;are ti(( !e(ieratin on "i nationa(ity e%ore, !&rinan! a%ter t"e 1 e(e#tion. -o' t"en #an t"ere e &#" +p&(i#+6no'(e!eJ

Mr. &ti#e avi!e &*it t"at Se#tion 3 o% t"e Fo#a(Govern*ent Co!e re%er to t"e )&a(i#ation o% elective(o#a(o#ia(, i.e., #an!i!ate, an! not elected o#ia(, an! t"at t"e#iti$en"ip )&a(i#ation &n!er par. a9 o% t"at e#tionH *&t epoee! y #an!i!ate, not *ere(y at t"e #o**en#e*ent o%t"e ter*, &t y e(e#tion !ay at t"e (atet. @e ee it !i=erent(y.Se#tion 3, par. a9 t"ereo% pea6 o% +e(e#tive (o#a( o#ia(+ '"i(epar. 9 to %9 re%er to +#an!i!ate+. I% t"e )&a(i#ation &n!er par.a9 'ere inten!e! to app(y to +#an!i!ate+ an! not e(e#te!o#ia(, t"e (ei(at&re 'o&(! "ave ai! o, intea! o%!i=erentiatin par. a9 %ro* t"e ret o% t"e pararap". Se#on!(y,% Conre "a! *eant t"at t"e #iti$en"ip )&a(i#ation "o&(! epoee! at e(e#tion !ay or prior t"ereto, it 'o&(! "avepe#i#a((y tate! &#" !etai(, t"e a*e 'ay it !i! in par. 9 to%9 %ar ot"er )&a(i#ation o% #an!i!ate %or overnor, *ayor, et#.

Mr. &ti#e avi!e a(o )&etion t"e ivin o% retroa#tive e=e#t toriva(!o repatriation on t"e ro&n!, a*on ot"er, t"at t"e (a'pe#i#a((y provi!e t"at it i on(y a%ter ta6in t"e oat" o%a((eian#e t"at app(i#ant "a(( e !ee*e! to "ave rea#)&ire!/"i(ippine #iti$en"ip. @e !o not )&etion '"at t"e proviiontate. @e "o(! "o'ever t"at t"e proviion "o&(! e &n!ertoo!t"&: that a6ter ta=in$ the oath o6 alle$iance the applicant is

deemed to have reac#ired Philippine citizenship, whichreac#isition Eor repatriationF is deemed 6or all prposes and

intents to have retroacted to the date o6 his application there6or .

n any event, o&r +o too+ ar&*ent rear!in t"e (itera( *eanino% t"e 'or! +e(e#tive+ in re%eren#e to Se#tion 3 o% t"e Fo#a(A&t"ority Co!e, a 'e(( a rear!in Mr. &ti#e avi!e t"eit"at t"e very 'or!in o% /.. 72 &et nonretroa#tivity, 'erea(rea!y ta6en &p rat"er e<tenive(y ear(ier in t"i e#iion.

Mr. &ti#e avi!e #ap "i paper 'it" a #(arion #a((: +T"i Co&rt*&t e t"e rt to &p"o(! t"e R&(e o% Fa'.+ @e aree 'e *&ta(( %o((o' t"e r&(e o% (a'. B&t t"at i NOT t"e i&e "ere. T"e i&e how "o&(! t"e law e interprete! an! app(ie! in t"i #ae o it#an e %o((o'e!, o it #an r&(eQ

At a(an#e, t"e )&etion rea((y oi( !o'n to a #"oi#e o%p"i(oop"y an! per#eption o% "o' to interpret an! app(y (a're(atin to e(e#tion: (itera( or (iera(> t"e (etter or t"e pirit, t"e

na6e! proviion or it &(ti*ate p&rpoe> (ea( y((oi* or

&tantia( ?&ti#e> in io(ation or in t"e #onte<t o% o#ia(#on!ition> "ar"(y aaint or ent(y in %avor o% t"e voterovio& #"oi#e. In app(yin e(e#tion (a', it 'o&(! e %ar etteerr in %avor o% pop&(ar overeinty t"an to e ri"t in #o*p(e< (itt(e &n!ertoo! (ea(i*. In!ee!, to inLi#t a t"ri#e re?e#te!#an!i!ate &pon t"e e(e#torate o% Soroon 'o&(! #ontit&te&n*itiate! ?&!i#ia( tyranny an! an &na##epta(e aa&(t &pont"i Co&rt #on#ien#e.

8 P B & G 8

In &*, 'e r&(e t"at t"e #iti$en"ip re)&ire*ent in t"e Fo#a(Govern*ent Co!e i to e poee! y an e(e#tive o#ia( at

(atet a o% t"e ti*e "e i pro#(ai*e! and at t"e tart o% t"e teo% o#e to '"i#" "e "a een e(e#te!. @e %&rt"er "o(! /.. No72 to e in %&(( %or#e an! e=e#t &p to t"e preent, not "avineen &pen!e! or repea(e! e<pre(y nor i*p(ie!(y at any ti*an! riva(!o repatriation y virt&e t"ereo% to "ave een proprante! an! t"& va(i! an! e=e#tive. Moreover, y reaon o% t"re*e!ia( or #&rative nat&re o% t"e (a' rantin "i* a ne' ri"re&*e "i po(iti#a( tat& an! t"e (ei(ative intent e"in! it, 'e(( a "i &ni)&e it&ation o% "avin een %or#e! to ive &p "#iti$en"ip an! po(iti#a( apiration a "i *ean o% e#apin arei*e "e a"orre!, "i repatriation i to e iven retroa#tivee=e#t a o% t"e !ate o% "i app(i#ation t"ere%or, !&rin t"epen!en#y o% '"i#" "e 'a tate(e, "e "avin iven &p "i 5.nationa(ity. T"&, in #onte*p(ation o% (a', "e poee! t"e vitre)&ire*ent o% i(ipino #iti$en"ip a o% t"e tart o% t"e ter* o%

o#e o% overnor, an! "o&(! "ave een pro#(ai*e! intea! oFee. &rt"er*ore, in#e "i rea#)&iition o% #iti$en"ip retroa#tto A&&t 17, 14, "i reitration a a voter o% Soroon i!ee*e! to "ave een va(i!ate! a o% ai! !ate a 'e((. T"e%oreoin, o% #o&re, are pre#ie(y #onitent 'it" o&r "o(!int"at (a#6 o% t"e #iti$en"ip re)&ire*ent i not a #ontin&in!iai(ity or !i)&a(i#ation to r&n %or an! "o(! p&(i# o#e. Anon#e aain, 'e e*p"ai$e "erein o&r previo& r&(in re#oni$t"e Co*e(e# a&t"ority an! ?&ri!i#tion to "ear an! !e#i!epetition %or ann&(*ent o% pro#(a*ation.

T"i Co&rt "a ti*e an! aain (iera((y an! e)&ita(y #ontr&et"e e(e#tora( (a' o% o&r #o&ntry to ive %&((et e=e#t to t"e*ani%et 'i(( o% o&r peop(e, 44 %or in #ae o% !o&t, po(iti#a( (a'*&t e interprete! to ive (i%e an! pirit to t"e pop&(ar *an!%ree(y e<pree! t"ro&" t"e a((ot. Ot"er'ie tate!, (ea(ni#etie an! te#"ni#a(itie #annot tan! in t"e 'ay o% t"eoverein 'i((. Conitent(y, 'e "ave "e(!:

. . . F9a' overnin e(e#tion #ontet *&t e (iera((y#ontr&e! to t"e en! t"at t"e 'i(( o% t"e peop(e in t"e #"oi#e op&(i# o#ia( *ay not e !e%eate! y *ere te#"ni#a( o?e#tio#itation o*itte!9. 46

T"e (a' an! t"e #o&rt *&t a##or! riva(!o every poi(eprote#tion, !e%ene an! re%&e, in !e%eren#e to t"e pop&(ar 'iIn!ee!, t"i Co&rt "a repeate!(y tree! t"e i*portan#e o%ivin e=e#t to t"e overein 'i(( in or!er to en&re t"e &rvivo% o&r !e*o#ra#y. In any a#tion invo(vin t"e poii(ity o% arevera( o% t"e pop&(ar e(e#tora( #"oi#e, t"i Co&rt *&t e<ert&t*ot e=ort to reo(ve t"e i&e in a *anner t"at 'o&(! ive

e=e#t to t"e 'i(( o% t"e *a?ority, %or it i *ere(y o&n! p&(i#po(i#y to #a&e e(e#tive o#e to e ((e! y t"oe '"o are t"#"oi#e o% t"e *a?ority. To &##e%&((y #"a((ene a 'innin#an!i!ate )&a(i#ation, t"e petitioner *&t #(ear(y!e*ontrate t"at t"e ine(iii(ity i o patent(y antaoniti# 43 #ontit&tiona( an! (ea( prin#ip(e t"at overri!in &#" ine(iian! t"erey ivin e=e#t to t"e apparent 'i(( o% t"e peop(e, 'o&(ti*ate(y #reate reater pre?&!i#e to t"e very !e*o#rati#intit&tion an! ?&riti# tra!ition t"at o&r Contit&tion an! (a'o $ea(o&(y prote#t an! pro*ote. In t"i &n!erta6in, Fee "a*iera(y %ai(e!.

In riva(!o #ae. it 'o&(! "ave een te#"ni#a((y eay to n! %'it" "i #a&e. T"e Co&rt #o&(! "ave re%&e! to rant retroa#tto t"e e=e#t o% "i repatriation an! "o(! "i* ti(( ine(ii(e !&"i %ai(&re to "o' "i #iti$en"ip at t"e ti*e "e reitere! a



voter e%ore t"e 1 e(e#tion. Or, it #o&(! "ave !ip&te! t"e%a#t&a( n!in o% t"e Co*e(e# t"at "e 'a tate(e at t"e ti*eo% repatriation an! t"& "o(! "i #one)&ent !&a( #iti$en"ip a a!i)&a(i#ation +%ro* r&nnin %or any e(e#tive (o#a( poition.+ B&tt"e rea( een#e o% ?&ti#e !oe not e*anate %ro* )&i(in overpat#"'or6 (ea( te#"ni#a(ity. It pro#ee! %ro* t"e pirit &t#on#io&ne o% t"e !yna*i# ro(e o% (a' a a ri#6 in t"e&(ti*ate !eve(op*ent o% t"e o#ia( e!i#e. T"&, t"e Co&rttr&(e! aaint an! e#"e'e! t"e eay, (ea(iti#, te#"ni#a(an! o*eti*e "ar" ana#"roni* o% t"e (a' in or!er to evo6e&tantia( ?&ti#e in t"e (arer o#ia( #onte<t #onitent 'it"riva(!o &ni)&e it&ation appro<i*atin venerai(ity in/"i(ippine po(iti#a( (i%e. Con#e!e!(y, "e o&"t A*eri#an#iti$en"ip on(y to e#ape t"e #(&t#"e o% t"e !i#tator"ip. At t"itae, 'e #annot erio&(y entertain any !o&t ao&t "i (oya(tyan! !e!i#ation to t"i #o&ntry. At t"e rt opport&nity, "eret&rne! to t"i (an!, an! o&"t to erve "i peop(e on#e *ore.T"e peop(e o% Soroon over'"e(*in(y vote! %or "i* t"reeti*e. -e too6 an oat" o% a((eian#e to t"i Rep&(i# every ti*e"e (e! "i #erti#ate o% #an!i!a#y an! !&rin "i %ai(e!nat&ra(i$ation i!. An! (et it not e over(oo6e!, "i !e*ontrate!tena#ity an! "eer !eter*ination to rea&*e "i nationa(ity o%irt" !epite evera( (ea( eta#6 pea6 *ore (o&!(y, in pirit,n %a#t an! in tr&t" t"an any (ea( te#"ni#a(ity, o% "i #on&*inntention an! &rnin !eire to ree*ra#e "i native /"i(ippineeven no' at t"e ripe o(! ae o% 81 year. S&#" (oya(ty to an! (oveo% #o&ntry a 'e(( a noi(ity o% p&rpoe #annot e (ot on t"iCo&rt o% ?&ti#e an! e)&ity. Morta( o% (eer *ett(e 'o&(! "ave

iven &p. A%ter a((, riva(!o 'a a&re! o% a (i%e o% eae an!p(enty a a #iti$en o% t"e *ot po'er%&( #o&ntry in t"e 'or(!. B&t"e opte!, nay, in(e*in!e!(y inite! on ret&rnin to an!ervin on#e *ore "i tr&(in &t e(ove! (an! o% irt". -et"ere%ore !eerve every (iera( interpretation o% t"e (a' '"i#"#an e app(ie! in "i %avor. An! in t"e na( ana(yi, over an!aove riva(!o "i*e(%, t"e in!o*ita(e peop(e o% Soroon *ot#ertain(y !eerve to e overne! y a (ea!er o% t"eirover'"e(*in #"oi#e.

@-EREORE, in #oni!eration o% t"e %oreoin:

19 T"e petition in G.R. No. 1237 i "erey ISMISSE. T"eaai(e! Reo(&tion o% t"e repon!ent Co**iion areAIRME.

29 T"e petition in G.R. No. 1202 i a(o ISMISSE %or ein*oot an! a#a!e*i#. In any event, it "a no *erit.

No #ot.

SO ORERE.

AAS2S 8ADVOCATES AND ADHERENTS OF SOCIAL 2USTICEFOR SCHOOL TEACHERS AND ALLIED *ORKERS9 +E+BER :HECTOR U+ANAN CALILUN,V#.THE HONORABLE SI+EON DATU+ANON, "n !"# o;c"a%ca(ac"t< a# t!e Secretar< o' 2#t"ce,DECISION

=UISU+BIN, J.:

T"i i an oriina( a#tion %or pro"iition &n!er R&(e o% t"e 17Revie! R&(e o% Civi( /ro#e!&re.

/etitioner (e! t"e intant petition aaint repon!ent, t"enSe#retary o% &ti#e Si*eon at&*anon, t"e o#ia( ta6e! to*p(e*ent (a' overnin #iti$en"ip.>-? /etitioner pray t"at a'rit o% pro"iition e i&e! to top repon!ent %ro**p(e*entin Rep&(i# A#t No. 22, entit(e! An Act Ca=in$ the"itizenship o6 Philippine "itizens !ho Ac#ire -orei$n "itizenshipPermanent, Amendin$ 6or the Prpose "ommonwealth Act 'o.), As Amended, and 6or Bther Prposes. /etitioner aver t"atRep. A#t No. 22 i &n#ontit&tiona( a it vio(ate Se#tion ,Arti#(e ID o% t"e 187 Contit&tion t"at tate, &a( a((eian#e o%#iti$en i ini*i#a( to t"e nationa( interet an! "a(( e !ea(t 'it"y (a'.

Rep. A#t No. 22, ine! into (a' y /rei!ent G(oria M. Arroyon A&&t 2, 2003, rea!:

SECTION 1. 2hort itle.T"i A#t "a(( e 6no'n a t"eCiti$en"ip Retention an! Rea#)&iition A#t o% 2003.

SEC. 2. ?eclaration o6 Policy.It i "erey !e#(are! t"e po(i#y ot"e State t"at a(( /"i(ippine #iti$en '"o e#o*e #iti$en o%anot"er #o&ntry "a(( e !ee*e! not to "ave (ot t"eir /"i(ippi#iti$en"ip &n!er t"e #on!ition o% t"i A#t.

SEC. 3. %etention o6 Philippine "itizenship.Any proviion o% (at"e #ontrary not'it"tan!in, nat&ra(orn #iti$en o% t"e/"i(ippine '"o "ave (ot t"eir /"i(ippine #iti$en"ip y reaont"eir nat&ra(i$ation a #iti$en o% a %orein #o&ntry are "erey!ee*e! to "ave rea#)&ire! /"i(ippine #iti$en"ip &pon ta6in %o((o'in oat" o% a((eian#e to t"e Rep&(i#:

I UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU, o(e*n(y 'ear or ar*9 t"at 'i(( &pport an! !e%en! t"e Contit&tion o% t"e Rep&(i# o% t"e/"i(ippine an! oey t"e (a' an! (ea( or!er pro*&(ate! yt"e !&(y #ontit&te! a&t"oritie o% t"e /"i(ippine> an! I "erey!e#(are t"at I re#oni$e an! a##ept t"e &pre*e a&t"ority o% t/"i(ippine an! 'i(( *aintain tr&e %ait" an! a((eian#e t"ereto>an! t"at I i*poe t"i o(iation &pon *ye(% vo(&ntari(y 'it"o*enta( reervation or p&rpoe o% evaion.

Nat&ra(orn #iti$en o% t"e /"i(ippine '"o, a%tert"e e=e#tivity o% t"i A#t, e#o*e #iti$en o% a %orein #o&ntry"a(( retain t"eir /"i(ippine #iti$en"ip &pon ta6in t"e a%oreaoat".

SEC. 4. ?erivative "itizenship. T"e &n*arrie! #"i(!,'"et"er (eiti*ate, i((eiti*ate or a!opte!, e(o' ei"teen 1year o% ae, o% t"oe '"o rea#)&ire /"i(ippine #iti$en"ip&pone=e#tivity o% t"i A#t "a(( e !ee*e! #iti$en o% t"e/"i(ippine.

SEC. . "ivil and Political %i$hts and iabilities. T"oe '"o retain or rea#)&ire /"i(ippine #iti$en"ip &n!er t"i"a(( en?oy %&(( #ivi( an! po(iti#a( ri"t an! e &?e#t to a((atten!ant (iai(itie an! reponii(itie &n!er e<itin (a' o%t"e /"i(ippine an! t"e %o((o'in #on!ition:

19 T"oe inten!in to e<er#ie t"eir ri"t o% &=rae *&t *et"e re)&ire*ent &n!er Se#tion 1, Arti#(e D o% t"e Contit&tionRep&(i# A#t No. 18, ot"er'ie 6no'n a T"e OvereaAentee Dotin A#t o% 2003 an! ot"er e<itin (a'>

29 T"oe ee6in e(e#tive p&(i# o#e in t"e /"i(ippine "a((*eet t"e )&a(i#ation %or "o(!in &#" p&(i# o#e a re)&irey t"e Contit&tion an! e<itin (a' an!, at t"e ti*e o% t"e (o% t"e #erti#ate o% #an!i!a#y, *a6e a perona( an! 'ornren&n#iation o% any an! a(( %orein #iti$en"ip e%ore any p&(io#er a&t"ori$e! to a!*initer an oat">

39 T"oe appointe! to any p&(i# o#e "a(( &#rie an! 'to an oat" o% a((eian#e to t"e Rep&(i# o% t"e /"i(ippine an!

!&(y #ontit&te! a&t"oritie prior to t"eir a&*ption o%o#e: Provided, T"at t"ey reno&n#e t"eir oat" o% a((eian#e tot"e #o&ntry '"ere t"ey too6 t"at oat">

49 T"oe inten!in to pra#ti#e t"eir pro%eion int"e /"i(ippine "a(( app(y 'it" t"e proper a&t"ority %or a (i#enor per*it to enae in &#" pra#ti#e> an!

9 T"at ri"t to vote or e e(e#te! or appointe! to any p&(i#o#e in t"e /"i(ippine #annot e e<er#ie! y, or e<ten!e! tot"oe '"o:

a9 are #an!i!ate %or or are o##&pyin any p&(i# o#e in t"e#o&ntry o% '"i#" t"ey are nat&ra(i$e! #iti$en> an!;or

http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2007/may2007/160869.htm#_ftn2




9 are in t"e a#tive ervi#e a #o**iione! ornon#o**iione! o#er in t"e ar*e! %or#e o% t"e #o&ntry'"i#" t"ey are nat&ra(i$e! #iti$en.

SEC. . 2eparability "lase. I% any e#tion or proviion o% t"i A#t "e(! &n#ontit&tiona( or inva(i!, any ot"er e#tion or proviionnot a=e#te! t"erey "a(( re*ain va(i! an! e=e#tive.

SEC. 7. %epealin$ "lase. A(( (a', !e#ree, or!er, r&(e an!re&(ation in#onitent 'it" t"e proviion o% t"i A#t are "ereyrepea(e! or *o!ie! a##or!in(y.

SEC. 8. 8>ectivity "lase. T"i A#t "a(( ta6e e=e#t a%ter %teen

19 !ay %o((o'in it p&(i#ation in t"e B:cial &azette or t'o29 ne'paper o% enera( #ir#&(ation.

n t"i petition %or pro"iition, t"e %o((o'in i&e "ave eenraie!: 19 I Rep. A#t No. 22 &n#ontit&tiona(J 29 oe t"iCo&rt "ave ?&ri!i#tion to pa &pon t"e i&e o% !&a( a((eian#eJ

@e "a(( !i#& t"ee i&e ?oint(y.

/etitioner #onten! t"at Rep. A#t No. 22 #"eapen /"i(ippine#iti$en"ip. -e aver t"at Se#tion 2 an! 3 o% Rep. A#t No. 22,toet"er, a((o' !&a( a((eian#e an! not !&a( #iti$en"ip. /etitioner*aintain t"at Se#tion 2 a((o' a(( i(ipino, eit"er nat&ra(orn ornat&ra(i$e!, '"o e#o*e %orein #iti$en, to retain t"eir /"i(ippine#iti$en"ip 'it"o&t (oin t"eir %orein #iti$en"ip. Se#tion 3per*it !&a( a((eian#e e#a&e ai! (a' a((o' nat&ra(orn

#iti$en o% t"e /"i(ippine to reain t"eir /"i(ippine #iti$en"ip yi*p(y ta6in an oat" o% a((eian#e 'it"o&t %or%eitin t"eir %oreina((eian#e.>? T"e Contit&tion, "o'ever, i #ateori#a( t"at !&a(a((eian#e i ini*i#a( to t"e nationa( interet.

T"e O#e o% t"e So(i#itor Genera( OSG9 #(ai* t"atSe#tion 2 *ere(y !e#(are a a tate po(i#y t"at /"i(ippine#iti$en '"o e#o*e #iti$en o% anot"er #o&ntry "a(( e !ee*e!not to "ave (ot t"eir /"i(ippine #iti$en"ip. T"e OSG %&rt"er#(ai* t"at t"e oat" in Se#tion 3 !oe not a((o' !&a( a((eian#ein#e t"e oat" ta6en y t"e %or*er i(ipino #iti$en i an e=e#tiveren&n#iation an! rep&!iation o% "i %orein #iti$en"ip. T"e %a#tt"at t"e app(i#ant ta6in t"e oat" re#oni$e an! a##ept t"e&pre*e a&t"ority o% t"e/"i(ippine i an &n*ita6a(e an!#ateori#a( ar*ation o% "i &n!ivi!e! (oya(ty to t"e Rep&(i#.>5?

n reo(vin t"e a%ore#ite! i&e in t"i #ae, reort to t"e!e(ieration o% Conre i ne#eary to !eter*ine t"e intent o%t"e (ei(ative ran#" in !ra%tin t"e aai(e! (a'. &rin t"e!e(ieration, t"e i&e o% '"et"er Rep. A#t No. 22 'o&(! a((o'!&a( a((eian#e "a! in %a#t een t"e &?e#t o% !eate. T"ere#or! o% t"e (ei(ative !e(ieration revea( t"e %o((o'in:

< < < <

/&r&in "i point, Rep. i(ana(en note! t"at &n!er t"e *ea&re,t'o it&ation e<it t"e retention o% %orein #iti$en"ip, an! t"erea#)&iition o% /"i(ippine #iti$en"ip. In t"i #ae, "e oerve!t"at t"ere are t'o #iti$en"ip an! t"ere%ore, t'o a((eian#e. -epointe! o&t t"at &n!er t"e Contit&tion, !&a( a((eian#e i ini*i#a(to p&(i# interet. -e t"erea%ter a6e! '"et"er 'it" t"e #reation

o% !&a( a((eian#e y reaon o% retention o% %orein #iti$en"ip an!t"e rea#)&iition o% /"i(ippine #iti$en"ip, t"ere 'i(( no' e avio(ation o% t"e Contit&tionV

Rep. Fo#in &n!er#ore! t"at t"e *ea&re !oe not ee6 toa!!re t"e #ontit&tiona( in?&n#tion on !&a( a((eian#e ani*i#a( to p&(i# interet. He #a"d t!at t!e (ro(o#ed %a@

a"# to 'ac"%"tate t!e reac"#"t"on o' P!"%"(("ne

c"t")en#!"( &< #(eed< ean#. Ho@ever, !e #a"d t!at "n one

#en#e, "t addre##e# t!e (ro&%e o' da% c"t")en#!"( &<

re"r"n$ t!e ta"n$ o' an oat!. He e(%a"ned t!at t!e

(ro&%e o' da% c"t")en#!"( "# tran#'erred 'ro t!e

P!"%"(("ne# to t!e 'ore"$n contr< &eca#e t!e %ate#t oat!

t!at @"%% &e taen &< t!e 'orer F"%"("no "# one o'

a%%e$"ance to t!e P!"%"(("ne# and not to t!e Un"ted State#,

a# t!e ca#e a< &e. -e a!!e! t"at t"i i a *atter '"i#" t"e

/"i(ippine overn*ent 'i(( "ave no #on#ern an! #o*peten#eover.

Rep. i(ana(en a6e! '"y t"i 'i(( no (oner e t"e #o&ntryW#on#ern, '"en !&a( a((eian#e i invo(ve!.

Rep. Fo#in #(arie! t"at t"i 'a pre#ie(y "i o?e#tion to t"eoriina( verion o% t"e i((, '"i#" !i! not re)&ire an oat" o%a((eian#e. S"nce t!e ea#re no@ re"re# t!"# oat!, t!

(ro&%e o' da% a%%e$"ance "# tran#'erred 'ro

t!e P!"%"(("ne# to t!e 'ore"$n contr< concerned, "ee<p(aine!.

< < < <

Rep. i(ana(en a6e! '"et"er in t"e parti#&(ar #ae, t"e per!i! not !eno&n#e "i %orein #iti$en"ip an! t"ere%ore ti(( o'ea((eian#e to t"e %orein overn*ent, an! at t"e a*e ti*e, o"i a((eian#e to t"e /"i(ippine overn*ent, &#" t"at t"ere ino' a #ae o% !&a( #iti$en"ip an! !&a( a((eian#e.

Rep. Fo#in #(arie! t"at &< #@ear"n$ to t!e #(ree

at!or"t< o' t!e Re(&%"c, t!e (er#on "(%"c"t%< renonc

!"# 'ore"$n c"t")en#!"(. -o'ever, "e ai! t"at t"i i not a*atter t"at "e 'i"e to a!!re in Conre e#a&e "e i no*e*er o% a %orein par(ia*ent &t a Me*er o% t"e -o&e.

< < < <

Rep. Fo#in rep(ie! t"at it i i*perative t"at t"oe '"o "ave !a((eian#e #ontrary to nationa( interet "o&(! e !ea(t 'it" y(a'. -o'ever, "e ai! t"at t"e !&a( a((eian#e pro(e* i nota!!ree! in t"e i((. -e t"en #ite! t"e e#(aration o% /o(i#y ini(( '"i#" tate t"at It i "erey !e#(are! t"e po(i#y o% t"e Stt"at a(( #iti$en '"o e#o*e #iti$en o% anot"er #o&ntry "a(( !ee*e! not to "ave (ot t"eir /"i(ippine #iti$en"ip &n!er t"e#on!ition o% t"i A#t. -e tree! t"at @!at t!e &"%% doe# "#

reco$n")e P!"%"(("ne c"t")en#!"( &t #a<# not!"n$ a&ot

t!e ot!er c"t")en#!"(.

Rep. Fo#in %&rt"er pointe! o&t t"at t"e pro(e* o% !&a(a((eian#e i #reate! '"erein a nat&ra(orn #iti$en o%t"e /"i(ippine ta6e an oat" o% a((eian#e to anot"er #o&ntry in t"at oat" ay t"at "e a?&re an! ao(&te(y reno&n#e a((a((eian#e to "i #o&ntry o% oriin an! 'ear a((eian#e to t"a%orein #o&ntry. T"e oriina( Bi(( "a! (e%t it at t"i tae, "ee<p(aine!. In t!e (re#ent ea#re, !e c%ar"ed, a (er#on

re"red to tae an oat! and t!e %a#t !e tter# "# one o

a%%e$"ance to t!e contr<. He t!en #a"d t!at t!e (ro&%e

o' da% a%%e$"ance "# no %on$er t!e (ro&%e o'

t!e P!"%"(("ne# &t o' t!e ot!er 'ore"$n contr<.>7? E*p"ai &pp(ie!.9

ro* t"e aove e<#erpt o% t"e (ei(ative re#or!, it i #(ear t"t"e intent o% t"e (ei(at&re in !ra%tin Rep. A#t No. 22 i to a'ay 'it" t"e proviion in Co**on'ea(t" A#t No. 3>1? '"i#"ta6e a'ay /"i(ippine #iti$en"ip %ro* nat&ra(orn i(ipino 'e#o*e nat&ra(i$e! #iti$en o% ot"er #o&ntrie. @"at Rep. A#t 22 !oe i a((o' !&a( #iti$en"ip to nat&ra(orn i(ipino #iti$'"o "ave (ot /"i(ippine #iti$en"ip y reaon o% t"eir

nat&ra(i$ation a #iti$en o% a %orein #o&ntry. On it %a#e, it !not re#oni$e !&a( a((eian#e. By 'earin to t"e &pre*ea&t"ority o% t"e Rep&(i#, t"e peron i*p(i#it(y reno&n#e "i%orein #iti$en"ip. /(ain(y, %ro* Se#tion 3, Rep. A#t No. 22taye! #(ear o&t o% t"e pro(e* o% !&a( a((eian#e an! "i%te! &r!en o% #on%rontin t"e i&e o% '"et"er or not t"ere i !&a(a((eian#e to t"e #on#erne! %orein #o&ntry. @"at "appen toot"er #iti$en"ip 'a not *a!e a #on#ern o% Rep. A#t No. 22














/etitioner (i6e'ie a!van#e t"e propoition t"at a(t"o&"Conre "a not yet pae! any (a' on t"e *atter o%!&a( a((eian#e, &#" aen#e o% a (a' "o&(! not e ?&ti#ation'"y t"i Co&rt #o&(! not r&(e on t"e i&e. -e %&rt"er #onten!t"at '"i(e it i tr&e t"at t"ere i no ena(in (a' yet on !&a(a((eian#e, t"e S&pre*e Co&rt, t"ro&"Cercado v. Canzano,>4? a(rea!y "a! !ra'n &p t"e &i!e(ine on "o' to !itin&i" !&a(a((eian#e %ro* !&a( #iti$en"ip.>6?

or it part, t"e OSG #o&nter t"at p&r&ant to Se#tion ,Arti#(e ID o% t"e 187 Contit&tion, !&a( a((eian#e "a(( e !ea(t'it" y (a'. T"&, &nti( a (a' on !&a( a((eian#e i ena#te! yConre, t"e S&pre*e Co&rt i 'it"o&t any ?&ri!i#tion to

entertain i&e rear!in !&a( a((eian#e.>3?

To ein 'it", Se#tion , Arti#(e ID o% t"e Contit&tion i a!e#(aration o% a po(i#y an! it i not a e(%e<e#&tin proviion. T"eei(at&re ti(( "a to ena#t t"e (a' on !&a( a((eian#e. InSe#tion 2 an! 3 o% Rep. A#t No. 22, t"e %ra*er 'ere not#on#erne! 'it" !&a( #iti$en"ip per se, &t 'it" t"e tat& o%nat&ra(i$e! #iti$en '"o *aintain t"eir a((eian#e to t"eir#o&ntrie o% oriin even a%ter t"eir nat&ra(i$ation.>0? Conre 'aiven a *an!ate to !ra%t a (a' t"at 'o&(! et pe#i# para*etero% '"at rea((y #ontit&te !&a( a((eian#e.>-/? 5nti( t"i i !one, it'o&(! e pre*at&re %or t"e ?&!i#ia( !epart*ent, in#(&!in t"iCo&rt, to r&(e on i&e pertainin to !&a( a((eian#e.

Neit"er #an 'e &#rie to t"e propoition o% petitioner t"at a

a' i not nee!e! in#e t"e #ae o% Cercado "a! a(rea!y et t"e&i!e(ine %or !eter*inin !&a( a((eian#e. /etitioner*irea! Cercado. T"at #ae !i! not et t"e para*eter o% '"at#ontit&te !&a( a((eian#e &t *ere(y *a!e a !itin#tionet'een !&a( a((eian#e an! !&a( #iti$en"ip.

Moreover, in 8strada v. 2andi$anbayan,>--? 'e ai! t"at t"e #o&rt*&t a&*e t"at t"e (ei(at&re i ever #on#io& o% t"e or!eran! e!e o% it p(enary po'er, an! pae! (a' 'it" %&((6no'(e!e o% t"e %a#t an! %or t"e p&rpoe o% pro*otin '"at iri"t an! a!van#in t"e 'e(%are o% t"e *a?ority. -en#e, in!eter*inin '"et"er t"e a#t o% t"e (ei(at&re are in t&ne 'it"t"e %&n!a*enta( (a', 'e *&t pro#ee! 'it" ?&!i#ia( retraint an!a#t 'it" #a&tion an! %orearan#e.>-? T"e !o#trine o% eparationo% po'er !e*an! no (e. @e #annot arroate t"e !&ty o%ettin t"e para*eter o% '"at #ontit&te !&a( a((eian#e '"en

t"e Contit&tion ite(% "a #(ear(y !e(eate! t"e !&ty o%!eter*inin '"at a#t #ontit&te !&a( a((eian#e %or t&!y an!ei(ation y Conre.

*HEREFORE, t"e petition i "erey DIS+ISSED %or (a#6 o%*erit.

EN BANCLOIDA NICOLASLE*IS, REORIO B. +ACABENTA,ALE2ANDRO A. ESCLA+ADO, AR+ANDO B. HEREDIA,REUBEN S. SEURITAN, ERIC LACHICA FURBEGRE,TERESITA A. CRUZ, 2OSEFINA OPENA DISTERHOFT,+ERCEDES V. OPENA, CORNELIO R. NATIVIDAD, EVELGN D.NATIVIDAD,V#. CO++ISSION ON ELECTIONS,A$#t 7, //4

D E C I S I O NARCIA, J.

In t"i petition %or #ertiorari an! *an!a*&, petitioner,re%errin to t"e*e(ve a +da%#+ or !&a( #iti$en, pray t"at t"eyan! ot"er '"o retaine! or rea#)&ire! /"i(ippine #iti$en"ip&n!er Rep&(i# A#t R.A.9 No. 22, t"e "itizenship %etention and%e3Ac#isition Act o6 (44), e a((o'e! to avai( t"e*e(ve o% t"e*e#"ani* provi!e! &n!er t"eBverseas Absentee ;otin$ Act o6

(44)1H R.A. 189 an! t"at t"e Co**iion on E(e#tionCOMEFEC9 a##or!in(y e or!ere! to a((o' t"e* to vote an!reiter a aentee voter &n!er t"e aei o% R.A. 18.

T"e %a#t:

/etitioner are &##e%&( app(i#ant %or re#onition o%/"i(ippine #iti$en"ip &n!er R.A. 22 '"i#" a##or! to &#"

app(i#ant t"e ri"t o% &=rae, a*on ot"er. Fon e%ore t"eMay 2004 nationa( an! (o#a( e(e#tion, petitioner o&"treitration an! #erti#ation a +overea aentee voter+ on(ye a!vie! y t"e /"i(ippine E*ay in t"e 5nite! State t"aper a COMEFEC (etter to t"e epart*ent o% orein A=air !atSepte*er 23, 20032H, t"ey "ave yet no ri"t to vote in &#"e(e#tion o'in to t"eir (a#6 o% t"e oneyear rei!en#ere)&ire*ent pre#rie! y t"e Contit&tion. T"e a*e (etter,"o'ever, &re! t"e !i=erent /"i(ippine pot aroa! not to!i#ontin&e t"eir #a*pain %or voterW reitration, a t"erei!en#e retri#tion a!verte! to 'o&(! #onte<t&a((y a=e#t *e#ertain in!ivi!&a( '"o 'o&(! (i6e(y e e(ii(e to vote in %&t&ree(e#tion.

/ro!!e! %or #(ari#ation y petitioner Foi!a Ni#o(aFe'in t"e (i"t o% t"e r&(in in Cacalintal vs. "BC88" 3H on t"erei!en#y re)&ire*ent, t"e COMEFEC 'rote in repone:

A(t"o&" R.A. 22 en?oy t"e pre&*ption o%#ontit&tiona(ity V, it i t"e Co**iion poition t"at t"oe '"ave avai(e! o% t"e (a' #annot e<er#ie t"e ri"t o% &=rae &n!er t"e OADF %or t"e reaon t"at t"e OADF 'a not ena#te! t"e*. -en#e, a i(ipino '"o "ave *ere(y rea#)&ire! t"eir#iti$en"ip on 18 Septe*er 2003 at t"e ear(iet, an! a (a' a ?&ripr&!en#e no' tan!, t"ey are #oni!ere! re&(ar voter '"ave to *eet t"e re)&ire*ent o% rei!en#y, a*on ot"er &nSe#tion 1, Arti#(e o% t"e Contit&tion. 4H

a#e! 'it" t"e prope#t o% not ein a(e to vote in t"e M2004 e(e#tion o'in to t"e COMEFEC re%&a( to in#(&!e t"e*t"e Nationa( Reitry o% Aentee Doter, petitioner Ni#o(aFe'i et al., H (e! on Apri( 1, 2004 t"i petition %or #ertiorari a*an!a*&.

A (itt(e over a 'ee6 e%ore t"e May 10, 2004 e(e#tion, oon Apri( 30, 2004, t"e COMEFEC (e! a "omment ,H t"ereinprayin %or t"e !enia( o% t"e petition. A *ay e e<pe#te!,petitioner 'ere not a(e to reiter (et a(one vote in ai!e(e#tion.

On May 20, 2004, t"e O#e o% t"e So(i#itor Genera( O(e! a Cani6estation Ein ie o6 "ommentF, t"erein tatin t"ata(( )&a(ie! overea i(ipino, in#(&!in !&a( #iti$en '"o #arto e<er#ie t"e ri"t o% &=rae, *ay !o o , oervin, "o'e

t"at t"e #on#(&ion o% t"e 2004 e(e#tion "a! ren!ere! t"epetition *oot an! a#a!e*i#.7H

T"e "o(!in o% t"e 2004 e(e#tion "a!, a t"e OSG poino&t, in!ee! ren!ere! t"e petition *oot an! a#a!e*i#, &t inon(y a petitionerW parti#ipation in &#" po(iti#a( e<er#ie i#on#erne!. T"e roa!er an! tran#en!enta( i&e ten!ere! or&&*e! in t"e petition, i.e., t"e propriety o% a((o'in !&a(parti#ipate an! vote a aentee voter in %&t&re e(e#tion,"o'ever, re*ain &nreo(ve!.

Oervin t"e petitionerW an! t"e COMEFECW repe#tiv%or*&(ation o% t"e i&e, t"e a*e *ay e re!&#e! into t"e)&etion o% '"et"er or not petitioner an! ot"er '"o *i"t "*ean'"i(e retaine! an!;or rea#)&ire! /"i(ippine #iti$en"ipp&r&ant to R.A. 22 *ay vote a aentee voter &n!er R.A.18.

T"e Co&rt reo(ve t"e poer in t"e ar*ative,an! t"erey a##or! *erit to t"e petition.

In esse, t"i #ae i a(( ao&t &=rae. A )&i#6 (oo6 at t"overnin proviion on t"e ri"t o% &=rae i, t"ere%ore,in!i#ate!.

@e tart o= 'it" Se#tion 1 an! 2 o% Arti#(e D o% t"eContit&tion, repe#tive(y rea!in a %o((o':

SECTION 1. S&=rae *ay e e<er#ie! y a(( #iti$en ot"e /"i(ippine not ot"er'ie !i)&a(ie! y (a', '"o are at (eei"teen year o% ae, an! '"o "a(( "ave rei!e! int"e/"i(ippine %or at (eat one year an! in t"e p(a#e '"erein t"













http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/august2006/G.R.%20No.%20162759.htm#_ftn1




























propoe to vote %or at (eat i< *ont" i**e!iate(y pre#e!in t"ee(e#tion. <<<.

SEC 2. T"e Conre "a(( provi!e V a yte* %oraentee votin y )&a(ie! i(ipino aroa!.

In a n&t"e((, t"e a%ore)&ote! Se#tion 1 pre#rie rei!en#yre)&ire*ent a a enera( e(iii(ity %a#tor %or t"e ri"t to vote. Ont"e ot"er "an!, Se#tion 2 a&t"ori$e Conre to !evie a yte*'"erein an aentee *ay vote, i*p(yin t"at a nonrei!ent*ay, a an e<#eption to t"e rei!en#y pre#ription in t"epre#e!in e#tion, e a((o'e! to vote.

In repone to it aove *an!ate, Conre ena#te! R.A.18 t"e OADF8H i!enti%yin in it Se#tion 4 '"o #an vote &n!ert an! in t"e %o((o'in e#tion '"o #annot, a %o((o':

Se#tion 4. "overa$e. A(( #iti$en o%t"e /"i(ippine aroa!, '"o are not ot"er'ie !i)&a(ie! y (a',at (eat ei"teen 189 year o% ae on t"e !ay o% e(e#tion, *ayvote %or prei!ent, vi#eprei!ent, enator an! party(itrepreentative.

Se#tion . ?is#alifcations. T"e %o((o'in "a(( e!i)&a(ie! %ro* votin &n!er t"i A#t:

a9 T"oe '"o "ave (ot t"eir i(ipino #iti$en"ip ina##or!an#e 'it" /"i(ippine (a'>

9 T"oe '"o "ave e<pre(y reno&n#e! t"eir/"i(ippine #iti$en"ip an! '"o "ave p(e!e! a((eian#e to a%orein #o&ntry>

#9 T"oe '"o "ave V eenH #onvi#te! in a na(&!*ent y a #o&rt or tri&na( o% an o=ene p&ni"a(e y*prion*ent o% not (e t"an one 19 year, in#(&!in t"oe '"o"ave V een %o&n! &i(ty o% i(oya(ty a !ene! &n!er Arti#(e137 o% t"e Revie! /ena( Co!e, V.>

!9 An i**irant or a per*anent rei!ent '"o ire#oni$e! a &#" in t"e "ot #o&ntry, &n(e "e;"e e<e#&te,&pon reitration, an a!avit prepare! %or t"e p&rpoe y t"eCo**iion !e#(arin t"at "e;"e "a(( re&*e a#t&a( p"yi#a(

per*anent rei!en#e in t"e /"i(ippine not (ater t"an t"ree 39year %ro* approva( o% "i;"er reitration &n!er t"i A#t. S&#"a!avit "a(( a(o tate t"at "e;"e "a not app(ie! %or#iti$en"ip in anot"er #o&ntry. ai(&re to ret&rn "a(( e t"e #a&e%or t"e re*ova( o% t"e na*e o% t"e i**irant or per*anentrei!ent %ro* t"e Nationa( Reitry o% Aentee Doter an!"i;"er per*anent !i)&a(i#ation to vote in absentia

e9 Any #iti$en o% t"e /"i(ippine aroa! previo&(y!e#(are! inane or in#o*petent y #o*petent a&t"ority V.@or! in ra#6et a!!e!.9

Nota(y, Se#tion (it t"oe '"o #annot avai( t"e*e(ve o% t"e aentee votin *e#"ani*. -o'ever, Se#tion !9 o% t"een&*eration repe#tin i(ipino i**irant an! per*anentrei!ent in anot"er #o&ntry open an e<#eption an! )&a(ie t"e!i)&a(i#ation r&(e. Se#tion !9 'o&(!, "o'ever, %a#e a#ontit&tiona( #"a((ene on t"e ro&n! t"at, a narrate!n Cacalintal, it

V vio(ate Se#tion 1, Arti#(e D o% t"e 187 Contit&tion'"i#" re)&ire t"at t"e voter *&t e a rei!ent int"e /"i(ippine %or at (eat one year an! in t"e p(a#e '"ere "epropoe to vote %or at (eat i< *ont" i**e!iate(y pre#e!inan e(e#tion. T"e #"a((enerH #ite V "aasi vs. "ort o6Appeals H to &pport "i #(ai* '"ereH t"e Co&rt "e(! t"at areen #ar! "o(!er i**irant to t"e 5SH i !ee*e! to "aveaan!one! "i !o*i#i(e an! rei!en#e in t"e /"i(ippine.

T"e #"a((enerH %&rt"er ar&e t"at Se#tion 1, Arti#(e D o% t"e Contit&tion !oe not a((o' proviiona( reitration or a

pro*ie y a voter to per%or* a #on!ition to e )&a(ie! to vote

in a po(iti#a( e<er#ie> t"at t"e (ei(at&re "o&(! not e a((o'eto #ir#&*vent t"e re)&ire*ent o% t"e Contit&tion on t"e ri"t &=rae y provi!in a #on!ition t"ereon '"i#" in e=e#t a*enor a(ter t"e a%oreai! rei!en#e re)&ire*ent to )&a(i%y a i(ipiaroa! to vote. -e #(ai* t"at t"e ri"t o% &=rae "o&(! norante! to anyone '"o, on t"e !ate o% t"e e(e#tion, !oe notpoe t"e )&a(i#ation provi!e! %or y Se#tion 1, Arti#(e D ot"e Contit&tion.10H @or! in ra#6et a!!e!.9

A *ay e re#a((e!, t"e Co&rt &p"e(! t"e #ontit&tiona(itySe#tion !9 o% R.A. 18 *ain(y on t"e trent" o% t"e %o((o'inpre*ie:

A na((y approve! into (a', Se#tion !9 o% R.A. No. 1pe#i#a((y !i)&a(ie an immi$rant or permanent resident 'i re#oni$e! a &#" in t"e "ot #o&ntry e#a&e i**iratioor per*anent rei!en#e in anot"er #o&ntry i*p(ie ren&n#iatioo% one rei!en#e in "i #o&ntry o% oriin. -o'ever, a*eSe#tion a((o' an i**irant an! per*anent rei!ent aroa! treiter a voter %or a (on a "e;"e e<e#&te an a!avit to"o' t"at "e;"e "a not aan!one! "i !o*i#i(e in p&r&an#et"e #ontit&tiona( intent e<pree! in Se#tion 1 an! 2 o% Arti#t"at all #iti$en o% t"e /"i(ippine not ot"er'ie !i)&a(ie! (a' *&t e entit(e! to e<er#ie t"e ri"t o% &=rae an!, t"aConre *&t eta(i" a yte* %or aentee votin> %orot"er'ie, i% a#t&a(, p"yi#a( rei!en#e in t"e /"i(ippine ire)&ire!, t"ere i no ene %or t"e %ra*er o% t"e Contit&tion *an!ate Conre to eta(i" a yte* %or aentee votin.

Contrary to t"e #(ai* o% t"e #"a((enerH, t"e e<e#&tiont"e a!avit ite(% i not t"e ena(in or en%ran#"iin a#t. T"ea!avit re)&ire! in Se#tion !9 i not on(y proo% o% t"e intento% t"e i**irant or per*anent rei!ent to o a#6 an! re&*rei!en#y in t"e /"i(ippine, &t *ore ini#ant(y, it erve ae<p(i#it e<preion t"at "e "a! not in %a#t aan!one! "i !o*io% oriin. T"&, it i not #orre#t to ay t"at t"e e<e#&tion o% t"a!avit &n!er Se#tion !9 vio(ate t"e Contit&tion t"atpro#rie proviiona( reitration or a pro*ie y a voter toper%or* a #on!ition to e )&a(ie! to vote in a po(iti#a(e<er#ie. 11H

Soon a%ter Se#tion !9 o% R.A. 18 pae! t"e tet o%#ontit&tiona(ity, Conre ena#te! R.A. 01 t"e re(evantportion o% '"i#" rea!:

SEC. 2. ?eclaration o6 Policy . It i "erey !e#(are! t"epo(i#y o% t"e State t"at a(( /"i(ippine #iti$en '"o e#o*e #iti$o% anot"er #o&ntry "a(( e !ee*e! not to "ave (ot t"eir/"i(ippine #iti$en"ip &n!er t"e #on!ition o% t"i A#t.

SEC. 3. %etention o6 Philippine "itizenship. Any provio% (a' to t"e #ontrary not'it"tan!in, nat&ra(orn #iti$en o%t"e /"i(ippine '"o "ave (ot t"eir /"i(ippine #iti$en"ip yreaon o% t"eir nat&ra(i$ation a #iti$en o% a %orein #o&ntry a"erey !ee*e! to "ave rea#)&ire! /"i(ippine #iti$en"ip &pota6in t"e %o((o'in oat" o% a((eian#e to t"e Rep&(i#:

<<< <<< <<<

Nat&ra(orn #iti$en o% t"e /"i(ippine '"o, a%ter t"e

e=e#tivity o% t"i A#t, e#o*e #iti$en o% a %orein #o&ntry "aretain t"eir /"i(ippine #iti$en"ip &pon ta6in t"e a%oreai! oa

SEC. 4. ?erivative "itizenship. T"e &n*arrie! #"i(!,'"et"er (eiti*ate, i((eiti*ate or a!opte!, e(o' ei"teen 1year o% ae, o% t"oe '"o rea#)&ire /"i(ippine #iti$en"ip &poe=e#tivity o% t"i A#t "a(( e !ee*e! #iti$en o% t"e /"i(ippine

SEC. . "ivil and Political %i$hts and iabilities. T"oe'"o retain or rea#)&ire /"i(ippine #iti$en"ip &n!er t"i A#t "en?oy %&(( #ivi( an! po(iti#a( ri"t an! e &?e#t to a(( atten!a(iai(itie an! reponii(itie &n!er e<itin (a' o%t"e /"i(ippine an! t"e %o((o'in #on!ition:

19 T"oe inten!in to e<er#ie t"eir ri"t o% &=ra*&t *eet t"e re)&ire*ent &n!er Se#tion 1, Arti#(e D o% t"e















Contit&tion, Rep&(i# A#t No. 18, ot"er'ie 6no'n a T"eOverea Aentee Dotin A#t o% 2003 an! ot"er e<itin (a'>

29 T"oe ee6in e(e#tive p&(i# o#e in t"e/"i(ippine "a(( *eet t"e )&a(i#ation %or "o(!in &#" p&(i#o#e a re)&ire! y t"e Contit&tion an! e<itin (a' an!, att"e ti*e o% t"e (in o% t"e #erti#ate o% #an!i!a#y, *a6e aperona( an! 'orn ren&n#iation o% any an! a(( %orein #iti$en"ipV>

39 <<< <<< <<<.

49 <<< <<< <<<>

9 T"at ri"t to vote or e e(e#te! or appointe! to anyp&(i# o#e in t"e /"i(ippine #annot e e<er#ie! y, ore<ten!e! to, t"oe '"o:

a9 are #an!i!ate %or or are o##&pyin any p&(i#o#e in t"e #o&ntry o% '"i#" t"ey are nat&ra(i$e! #iti$en>an!;or

9 are in a#tive ervi#e a #o**iione! or non#o**iione! o#er in t"e ar*e! %or#e o% t"e #o&ntry '"i#"t"ey are nat&ra(i$e! #iti$en.

A%ter '"at appear to e a &##e%&( app(i#ation %or

re#onition o% /"i(ippine #iti$en"ip &n!er R.A. 18, petitionerno' invo6e t"eir ri"t to enDoy I political ri$hts,pe#i#a((y t"eri"t o% &=rae, p&r&ant to Se#tion t"ereo%.

Oppoin t"e petitionerW i!, "o'ever, repon!entCOMEFEC invite attention to t"e a*e Se#tion 19 provi!int"at !&a( #an en?oy t"eir ri"t to vote, a an a!?&n#t topo(iti#a( ri"t, on(y i% t"ey *eet t"e re)&ire*ent o% Se#tion 1,Arti#(e D o% t"e Contit&tion, R.A. 18 an! ot"er e<itina'. Capita(i$in on '"at at rt (&" i t"e #(a"in proviiono% t"e a%ore#ite! proviion o% t"e Contit&tion, '"i#", to repeat,re)&ire rei!en#y in t"e /"i(ippine %or a #ertain perio!, an! R.A.18 '"i#" rant a i(ipino nonrei!ent aentee votin ri"t,12H COMEFEC ar&e:

4. X?GA2J CG2 -%2 82A/2H H8% ?BC"8K

%82?8'"8 ' H8 PHPP'82

4.01. T"e in#(&ion o% &#" a!!itiona( an! pe#i# re)&ire*entn RA 22 i (oi#a(. T"e X!&a(,W &pon reno&n#e*ent o% t"eiri(ipino #iti$en"ip an! a#)&iition o% %orein #iti$en"ip, "avepra#ti#a((y an! (ea((y aan!one! t"eir !o*i#i(e an! evere! t"eirea( tie to t"e "o*e(an! a a #one)&en#e. -avin&e)&ent(y a#)&ire! a e#on! #iti$en"ip i.e., i(ipino9 t"en,X!&a(W *&t, %or p&rpoe o% votin, rt o% a((, !e#iive(y an!!enite(y eta(i" t"eir !o*i#i(e t"ro&" poitive a#t> 13H

T"e Co&rt !iaree.

A *ay e note!, t"ere i no proviion in t"e !&a(#iti$en"ip (a' R.A. 22 re)&irin +!&a(+ to a#t&a((y eta(i"rei!en#e an! p"yi#a((y tay in t"e /"i(ippine rt e%ore t"ey

#an e<er#ie t"eir ri"t to vote. On t"e #ontrary, R.A. 22, in*p(i#it a#6no'(e!*ent t"at !&a( are *ot (i6e(y nonrei!ent, rant &n!er it Se#tion 19 t"e a*e ri"t o% &=raea t"at rante! an aentee voter &n!er R.A. 18. It #annot eovere*p"ai$e! t"at R.A. 18 ai*, in een#e, to en%ran#"iea *&#" a poi(e a(( overea i(ipino '"o, ave %or t"erei!en#y re)&ire*ent e<a#te! o% an or!inary voter &n!eror!inary #on!ition, are )&a(ie! to vote. T"&, 'rote t"e Co&rtn CacalintalL

It i #(ear %ro* t"ee !i#&ion o% t"e V Contit&tiona(Co**iion t"at itH inten!e! to en%ran#"ie a *&#" apoi(e all i(ipino #iti$en aroa! '"o "ave not aan!one! t"eir!o*i#i(e o% oriin. T"e Co**iion even inten!e! to e<ten! toyo&n i(ipino '"o rea#" votin ae aroa! '"oe parentW

!o*i#i(e o% oriin i in t"e /"i(ippine, an! #oni!er t"e*)&a(ie! a voter %or t"e rt ti*e.

It i in p&r&an#e o% t"at intention t"at t"e Co**iionprovi!e! %or Se#tion 2 Arti#(e DH i**e!iate(y a%ter t"e rei!enre)&ire*ent o% Se#tion 1. By t"e !o#trine o% ne#earyi*p(i#ation in tat&tory #ontr&#tion, V, t"e tratei# (o#ation Se#tion 2 in!i#ate t"at the "onstittional "ommission provide6or an e9ception to the actal residency re#irement o6 2ectio1 'it" repe#t to )&a(ie! i(ipino aroa!. T"e a*eCo**iion "a in e=e#t !e#(are! t"at )&a(ie! i(ipino '"o not in t"e /"i(ippine *ay e a((o'e! to vote even t"o&" t"ey!o not ati%y t"e rei!en#y re)&ire*ent in Se#tion 1, Arti#(e D

t"e Contit&tion.

T"at Se#tion 2 o% Arti#(e D o% t"e Contit&tion i ane<#eption to t"e rei!en#y re)&ire*ent %o&n! in Se#tion 1 o% ta*e Arti#(e 'a in %a#t t"e &?e#t o% !eate '"en Senate Bi(No. 2104, '"i#" e#a*e R.A. No. 18, 'a !e(ierate! &pon t"e Senate Loor, t"&:

2enator Arroyo. Mr. /rei!ent, t"i i(( "o&(! e (oo6einto in re(ation to t"e #ontit&tiona( proviion. I t"in6 t"eponor an! I 'o&(! aree t"at t"e Contit&tion i &pre*e in tat&te t"at 'e *ay ena#t.

Fet *e rea! Se#tion 1, Arti#(e D, o% t"e Contit&tion V.

No', Mr. /rei!ent, t"e Contit&tion ay, '"o "a(( "

rei!e! in t"e /"i(ippine. T"ey are per*anenti**irant. T"ey "ave #"ane! rei!en#e o t"ey are arre!&n!er t"e Contit&tion. T"i i '"y I a6e! '"et"er t"i#o**ittee a*en!*ent '"i#" in %a#t !oe not a(ter t"e oriinate<t o% t"e i(( 'i(( "ave any e=e#t on t"iJ

2enator An$ara. Goo! )&etion, Mr. /rei!ent. An! t""a een a6e! in vario& %ora. T"i i in #o*p(ian#e 'it" t"eContit&tion. One, t"e interpretation "ere o% rei!en#e iynony*o& 'it" !o*i#i(e.

A t"e ent(e*an an! I 6no', Mr. /rei!ent, !o*i#i(et"e intent to ret&rn to one "o*e. And the fact that a Filip

may have been physically absent from the Philippines a

may be physically a resident of the United States, for

example, but has a clear intent to return to thePhilippines, will mae him !uali"ed as a resident of the

Philippines under this law.

T"i i #onitent, Mr. /rei!ent, 'it" t"e #ontit&tiona*an!ate t"at 'e t"at Conre *&t provi!e a %ran#"ie tooverea i(ipino.

#f we read the $onstitution and the su%ra&e

principle literally as demandin& physical presence, then

there is no way we can provide for o%shore votin& to ou

o%shore ababayan, Mr. /rei!ent.

2enator Arroyo. Mr. /rei!ent, '"en t"e Contit&tionay, in Se#tion 2 o% Arti#(e D, it rea!: T"e Conre "a((provi!e a yte* %or e#&rin t"e e#re#y an! an#tity o% t"e

a((ot a 'e(( a a yte* %or aentee votin y )&a(ie!i(ipino aroa!.

'he ey to this whole exercise, (r. President, is

)!uali"ed.* #n other words, anythin& that we may do o

say in &rantin& our compatriots abroad must be anchor

on the proposition that they are !uali"ed. Absent the

!uali"cation, they cannot vote. And )residents* i#9 is!uali"cation.

Foo6 at '"at t"e Contit&tion ay In t"e p(a#e '"et"ey propoe to vote %or at (eat i< *ont" i**e!iate(ypre#e!in t"e e(e#tion.

Mr. /rei!ent, a(( o% & "ere "ave r&n i#9 %or o#e.









I (ive in Ma6ati. My nei"or i /atero V. @e areeparate! on(y y a #ree6. B&t one '"o vote in Ma6ati #annotvote in /atero &n(e "e rei!e in /atero %or i< *ont". T"at "o' retri#tive o&r Contit&tion i. V.

A I "ave ai!, i% a voter in Ma6ati 'o&(! 'ant to vote in/atero, ye, "e *ay !o o. B&t "e *&t !o o, *a6e t"e tran%eri< *ont" e%ore t"e e(e#tion, ot"er'ie, "e i not )&a(ie! tovote.

<<< <<< <<<

2enator An$ara. It i a oo! point to raie, Mr.

/rei!ent. B&t it i a point a(rea!y 'e((!eate! even in t"e#ontit&tiona( #o**iion o% 18. And the reason Section +

of Article was placed immediately after the six-

monthone-year residency re!uirement is to demonstrate

unmistaably that Section + which authori/es absentee

votin& is an exception to the six-monthone-year

residency re!uirement . T"at i t"e rt prin#ip(e, Mr./rei!ent, t"at one *&t re*e*er.

T"e e#on! reaon, Mr. /rei!ent, i t"at &n!er o&r&ripr&!en#e V rei!en#y "a een interprete! aynony*o& 'it" !o*i#i(e.

Bt t!e t!"rd ore (ract"ca% rea#on, "#, "'

@e 'o%%o@ t!e "nter(retat"on o' t!e $ent%ean, t!en "t

"# %e$a%%< and con#t"tt"ona%%< "(o##"&%e to $"ve a

'ranc!"#e to vote to over#ea# F"%"("no# @!o do not(!<#"ca%%< %"ve "n t!e contr<, @!"c! "# "te r"d"c%o#

&eca#e t!at "# eact%< t!e @!o%e (o"nt o' t!"# eerc"#e

: to en'ranc!"#e t!e and e(o@er t!e to

vote. 14H E*p"ai an! 'or! in ra#6et a!!e!> #itationo*itte!9

Fet it e over(oo6e!, no (e t"an t"e COMEFEC ite(%a!*it t"at t"e "itizenship %etention and %e3Ac#isitionAct e<pan!e! t"e #overae o% overea aenteevotin. A##or!in to t"e po(( o!y:

1.0 @it" t"e paae o% RA 22 t"e #ope o% overeaaentee votin "a een #one)&ent(y e<pan!e! o a ton#(&!e i(ipino '"o are a(o #iti$en o% ot"er #o&ntrie, &?e#t,

"o'ever, to t"e tri#t prere)&iite in!i#ate! in t"e pertinentproviion o% RA 22> 1H

Coni!erin t"e &nion intent o% t"e Contit&tion an! R.A.18 an! t"e e<panion o% t"e #ope o% t"at (a' 'it" t"e paaeo% R.A. 22, t"e irreiti(e #on#(&ion i t"at+!&a(+ *ay no'e<er#ie t"e ri"t o% &=rae t"r& t"e absentee votin$ #"e*ean! a overseas absentee voters. R.A. 18 !ene t"e ter*a!verte! to in t"e %o((o'in 'ie:

Absentee ;otin$M re%er to t"e pro#e y '"i#" )&a(ie!#iti$en o% t"e /"i(ippine aroa! e<er#ie t"eir ri"t tovote>

NBverseas Absentee ;oterM re%er to a #iti$en o%t"e /"i(ippine '"o i )&a(ie! to reiter an! vote &n!er t"i

A#t, not ot"er'ie !i)&a(ie! y (a', '"o i aroa! on t"e !ayo% e(e#tion>

@"i(e per"ap not !eter*inative o% t"e i&e ten!ere!"erein, 'e note t"at t"e e<pan!e! t"r&t o% R.A. 18e<ten! a(o to '"at *i"t e ta a t"e ne<t eneration o%+!&a(+. T"i *ay e !e!&#e! %ro* t"e in#(&ion o% t"e proviionon !erivative #iti$en"ip in R.A. 22 '"i#" rea!:

SEC. 4. ?erivative "itizenship. T"e &n*arrie! #"i(!,'"et"er (eiti*ate, i((eiti*ate or a!opte!, e(o' ei"teen 189year o% ae, o% t"oe '"o rea#)&ire /"i(ippine #iti$en"ip &pone=e#tivity o% t"i A#t "a(( e !ee*e! #iti$en o% t"e /"i(ippine.

It i very (i6e(y t"at a #oni!era(e n&*er o% t"onmarried children below ei$hteen 189 years o6 a$e "a!ver et %oot in t"e /"i(ippine. No' t"en, i% t"e ne<t enerato% +!&a(+ *ay nonet"e(e avai( t"e*e(ve t"e ri"t to enDoy6ll civil and political ri$hts &n!er Se#tion o% t"e A#t, t"en t"i neit"er no r"y*e nor reaon '"y t"e petitioner an! ot"erpreent !ay +!&a(,+ provi!e! t"ey *eet t"e re)&ire*ent &nSe#tion 1, Arti#(e D o% t"e Contit&tion in re(ation to R.A. 18,!enie! t"e ri"t o% &=rae a an overea aentee voter.Conre #o&(! not "ave p(a&i(y inten!e! &#" a&r!it&ation.

*HEREFORE, t"e intant petition

i RANTED. A##or!in(y, t"e Co&rt r&(e an! o "o(! t"att"oe '"o retain or rea#)&ire /"i(ippine #iti$en"ip&n!er Re(&%"c Act No. 01, t"e "itizenship %etention and%e3Ac#isition Act o6 (44), *ay e<er#ie t"e ri"t to vote &n!t"e yte* o% aentee votin in Re(&%"c Act No. 0-30,t"eBverseas Absentee ;otin$ Act o6 (44).

SO ORDERED.

EN BANC

>.R. No. -4-757. +arc! 5, //7?

+ARIA 2EANETTE C. TECSON and FELIJ B. DESIDERIO,

2R., petitioners, vs. T!e CO++ISSION ON ELECTIONS,

RONALD ALLAN KELLG POE 8a..a. FERNANDO POE, 2R.9

and VICTORINO J. FORNIER, respondents.

>.R. No. -4-457. +arc! 5, //7?

ZOILO ANTONIO VELEZ, petitioner , vs. RONALD ALLAN

KELLEG POE, a..a. FERNANDO POE, 2R., respondent .

>. R. No. -4-37. +arc! 5, //7?

VICTORINO J. FORNIER, petitioner , vs. HON. CO++ISSI

ON ELECTIONS and RONALD ALLAN KELLEG POE, ALSO

KNO*N AS FERNANDO POE 2R., respondents.

D E C I S I O N

VITU, J.

C"t")en#!"( "# a trea#red r"$!t con'erred on t!o#e @!o

t!e #tate &e%"eve# are de#erv"n$ o' t!e (r"v"%e$e. It "# a

(rec"o# !er"ta$e, a# @e%% a# an "ne#t"a&%e

ac"#"t"on,1H t!at cannot &e taen %"$!t%< &< an<one

e"t!er &< t!o#e @!o enMo< "t or &< t!o#e @!o d"#(te "t.

Be%ore t"e Co&rt are t"ree #ono(i!ate! #ae, a(( o% '"i#" raiin(e )&etion o% pro%o&n! i*portan#e to t"e nation. T"e i&o% #iti$en"ip i ro&"t &p to #"a((ene t"e )&a(i#ation o% aprei!entia( #an!i!ate to "o(! t"e "i"et o#e o% t"e (an!. Opeop(e are 'aitin %or t"e ?&!*ent o% t"e Co&rt 'it" ate!reat". I ernan!o /oe, r., t"e "ero o% i(ver #reen, an! no'one o% t"e *ain #onten!er %or t"e prei!en#y, a nat&ra(orni(ipino or i "e notJ

T"e *o*ent o% intrope#tion ta6e & %a#e to %a#e 'it" Spanian! A*eri#an #o(onia( root an! re*in! & o% t"e ri#" "erita#ivi( (a' an! #o**on (a' tra!ition, t"e %&ion re&(tin in a"yri! o% (a' an! ?&ripr&!en#e t"at #o&(! e no (e t"an!itin#t(y i(ipino.

Antecedent Ca#e Sett"n$#

On 31 e#e*er 2003, repon!ent Rona(! A((an Ye((y /oe, a(o6no'n a ernan!o /oe, r. "ereina%ter +/+9, (e! "i #erti#ao% #an!i!a#y %or t"e poition o% /rei!ent o% t"e Rep&(i# o%t"e /"i(ippine &n!er t"e Yoa(iyon n Na6a6aian /i(ipinoYN/9 /arty, in t"e %ort"#o*in nationa( e(e#tion. In "i#erti#ate o% #an!i!a#y, /, repreentin "i*e(% to e a nat&orn #iti$en o% t"e /"i(ippine, tate! "i na*e to e +ernan!





http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2004/mar2004/161434.HTM#_ftn1







r.,+ or +Rona(! A((an+ /oe, "i !ate o% irt" to e 20 A&&t13 an! "i p(a#e o% irt" to e Mani(a.

Di#torino Z. ornier, petitioner in G.R. No. 11824, entit(e!+Di#torino Z. ornier, /etitioner, ver& -on. Co**iion onE(e#tion an! Rona(! A((an Ye((ey /oe, a(o 6no'n a ernan!o/oe, r., Repon!ent,+ initiate!, on 0 an&ary 2004, a petition!o#6ete! S/A No. 04003 e%ore t"e Co**iion on E(e#tion+COMEFEC+9 to !i)&a(i%y / an! to !eny !&e #o&re or to #an#e("i #erti#ate o% #an!i!a#y &pon t"e t"ei t"at / *a!e a*ateria( *irepreentation in "i #erti#ate o% #an!i!a#y y#(ai*in to e a nat&ra(orn i(ipino #iti$en '"en in tr&t",a##or!in to ornier, "i parent 'ere %oreiner> "i *ot"er,

Beie Ye((ey /oe, 'a an A*eri#an, an! "i %at"er, A((an /oe, 'aa Spani" nationa(, ein t"e on o% Foren$o /o&, a Spani"&?e#t. Grantin, petitioner aeverate!, t"at A((an . /oe 'a ai(ipino #iti$en, "e #o&(! not "ave tran*itte! "i i(ipino#iti$en"ip to /, t"e (atter ein an i((eiti*ate #"i(! o% an a(ien*ot"er. /etitioner ae! t"e a((eation o% t"e i((eiti*ate irt" o%repon!ent on t'o aertion frst , A((an . /oe #ontra#te! aprior *arriae to a #ertain /a&(ita Go*e$ e%ore "i *arriae toBeie Ye((ey an!, second, even i% no &#" prior *arriae "a!e<ite!, A((an . /oe, *arrie! Beie Ye((y on(y a year a%ter t"eirt" o% repon!ent.

n t"e "earin e%ore t"e T"ir! iviion o% t"e COMEFEC on 1an&ary 2004, petitioner, in &pport o% "i #(ai*, preente!evera( !o#&*entary e<"iit 19 a #opy o% t"e #erti#ate o% irt"

o% /, 29 a #ertie! p"oto#opy o% an a!avit e<e#&te! in Spani"y /a&(ita /oe y Go*e$ attetin to "er "avin (e! a #ae %oria*y an! #on#&inae aaint t"e %at"er o% repon!ent, A((an. /oe, a%ter !i#overin "i ia*o& re(ation"ip 'it" BeieYe((ey, 39 an En(i" tran(ation o% t"e a!avit a%oreai!, 49 a#ertie! p"oto#opy o% t"e #erti#ate o% irt" o% A((an . /oe, 9 a#erti#ation i&e! y t"e ire#tor o% t"e Re#or! Manae*entan! Ar#"ive O#e, attetin to t"e %a#t t"at t"ere 'a no re#or!n t"e Nationa( Ar#"ive t"at a Foren$o /oe or Foren$o /o& rei!e!or entere! t"e /"i(ippine e%ore 107, an! 9 a #erti#ation %ro*t"e O#erInC"are o% t"e Ar#"ive iviion o% t"e Nationa(Ar#"ive to t"e e=e#t t"at no avai(a(e in%or*ation #o&(! e%o&n! in t"e (e o% t"e Nationa( Ar#"ive rear!in t"e irt" o%A((an . /oe.

On "i part, repon!ent, preente! t'entyt'o !o#&*entarypie#e o% evi!en#e, t"e *ore ini#ant one ein a9 a#erti#ation i&e! y Etre((a M. o*ino o% t"e Ar#"iveiviion o% t"e Nationa( Ar#"ive t"at t"ere appeare! to e noavai(a(e in%or*ation rear!in t"e irt" o% A((an . /oe in t"ereitry o% irt" %or San Car(o, /anainan, 9 a #erti#ation&e! y t"e O#erInC"are o% t"e Ar#"ive iviion o% t"eNationa( Ar#"ive t"at no avai(a(e in%or*ation ao&t t"e*arriae o% A((an . /oe an! /a&(ita Go*e$ #o&(! e %o&n!, #9 a#erti#ate o% irt" o% Rona(! A((an /oe, !9 Oriina( Certi#ate o%Tit(e No. /2247 o% t"e Reitry o% ee! %or t"e /rovin#e o%/anainan, in t"e na*e o% Foren$o /o&, e9 #opie o% Ta<e#(aration No. 20844, No. 2043, No. 23477 an! No. 23478 int"e na*e o% Foren$o /o&, %9 a #opy o% t"e #erti#ate o% !eat" o%Foren$o /o&, 9 a #opy o% t"e p&rporte! *arriae #ontra#tet'een ernan!o /o& an! Beie Ye((ey, an! "9 a #erti#ation

&e! y t"e City Civi( Reitrar o% San Car(o City, /anainan,tatin t"at t"e re#or! o% irt" in t"e ai! o#e !&rin t"eperio! o% %ro* 100 &nti( May 14 'ere tota((y !etroye! !&rin@or(! @ar II.

On 23 an&ary 2004, t"e COMEFEC !i*ie! S/A No. 04003 %ora#6 o% *erit. T"ree !ay (ater, or on 2 an&ary 2004, ornier(e! "i *otion %or re#oni!eration. T"e *otion 'a !enie!on 0 er&ary 2004 y t"e COMEFEC en banc. On 10 er&ary2004, petitioner aai(e! t"e !e#iion o% t"e COMEFEC e%ore t"iCo&rt #on%or*a(y 'it" R&(e 4, in re(ation to R&(e , o% t"eRevie! R&(e o% Civi( /ro#e!&re. T"e petition, !o#6ete! G. R. No.11824, (i6e'ie praye! %or a te*porary retrainin or!er, a 'rito% pre(i*inary in?&n#tion or any ot"er reo(&tion t"at 'o&(! tayt"e na(ity an!;or e<e#&tion o% t"e COMEFEC reo(&tion.

T"e ot"er petition, (ater #ono(i!ate! 'it" G. R. No. 11824,'o&(! in#(&!e G. R. No. 11434, entit(e! +Maria eanette C. Te#on, an! e(i< B. ei!erio, r., v. T"e Co**iion onE(e#tion, Rona(! A((an Ye((ey /oe a.=.a. Xernan!o /oe, r.W9, aDi#torino Z. ornier,+ an! t"e ot"er, !o#6ete! G. R. No. 1134entit(e! +oi(o Antonio G. De(e$, v. Rona(! A((an Ye((ey/oe, a.=.a. ernan!o /oe, r.,+ ot" #"a((enin t"e ?&ri!i#tion t"e COMEFEC an! aertin t"at, &n!er Arti#(e DII, Se#tion 4,pararap" 7, o% t"e 187 Contit&tion, on(y t"e S&pre*e Co&rt"a! oriina( an! e<#(&ive ?&ri!i#tion to reo(ve t"e ai# i&on t"e #ae.

2r"#d"ct"on o' t!e Cort

In . R. No. -4-37

In ee6in t"e !i)&a(i#ation o% t"e #an!i!a#y o% / an! to "t"e COMEFEC !eny !&e #o&re to or #an#e( /W #erti#ate o%#an!i!a#y %or a((ee! *irepreentation o% a *ateria( %a#t i.e.

t"at / 'a a nat&ra(orn #iti$en9 e%ore t"e COMEFEC,petitioner ornier invo6e! Se#tion 78 o% t"e O*ni& E(e#tionCo!e

Se#tion 78. Petition to deny de corse to or cancel a certifc

o6 candidacy. A verie! petition ee6in to !eny !&e #o&reto #an#e( a #erti#ate o% #an!i!a#y *ay e (e! y any perone<#(&ive(y on t"e ro&n! t"at any *ateria( repreentation#ontaine! t"erein a re)&ire! &n!er Se#tion 74 "ereo% i %a(e

in #ononan#e 'it" t"e enera( po'er o% COMEFEC e<pree!Se#tion 2 o% t"e O*ni& E(e#tion Co!e

Se#tion 2. /o'er an! %&n#tion o% t"e Co**iion onE(e#tion. In a!!ition to t"e po'er an! %&n#tion #on%erre! &it y t"e Contit&tion, t"e Co**iion "a(( "ave e<#(&ive#"are o% t"e en%or#e*ent an! a!*initration o% a(( (a' re(atito t"e #on!&#t o% e(e#tion %or t"e p&rpoe o% en&rin %ree,or!er(y an! "onet e(e#tion

an! in re(ation to Arti#(e o% t"e O*ni& E(e#tion Co!e '"i#'o&(! a&t"ori$e +any interete! party+ to (e a verie! petitio!eny or #an#e( t"e #erti#ate o% #an!i!a#y o% any n&ian#e#an!i!ate.

e#iion o% t"e COMEFEC on !i)&a(i#ation #ae *ay erevie'e! y t"e S&pre*e Co&rt per R&(e 4 2H in an a#tion%or certiorari &n!er R&(e 3H o% t"e Revie! R&(e o% Civi(/ro#e!&re. Se#tion 7, Arti#(e IZ, o% t"e 187 Contit&tion a(orea!

+Ea#" Co**iion "a(( !e#i!e y a *a?ority vote o% a(( itMe*er any #ae or *atter ro&"t e%ore it 'it"in i<ty !ay%ro* t"e !ate o% it &*iion %or !e#iion or reo(&tion. A #aor *atter i !ee*e! &*itte! %or !e#iion or reo(&tion &pon(in o% t"e (at p(ea!in, rie%, or *e*oran!&*, re)&ire! y tr&(e o% t"e Co**iion or y t"e Co**iion ite(%. 5n(eot"er'ie provi!e! y t"i Contit&tion or y (a', any !e#iionor!er, or r&(in o% ea#" Co**iion *ay e ro&"t to t"eS&pre*e Co&rt on #ertiorari y t"e arieve! party 'it"in t"ir!ay %ro* re#eipt o% a #opy t"ereo%.+

A!!itiona((y, Se#tion 1, Arti#(e DIII, o% t"e a*e Contit&tionprovi!e t"at ?&!i#ia( po'er i vete! in one S&pre*e Co&rt anin &#" (o'er #o&rt a *ay e eta(i"e! y (a' '"i#" po'ein#(&!e t"e !&ty o% t"e #o&rt o% ?&ti#e to ett(e a#t&a(#ontroverie invo(vin ri"t '"i#" are (ea((y !e*an!a(e anen%or#ea(e, an! to !eter*ine '"et"er or not t"ere "a een rave a&e o% !i#retion a*o&ntin to (a#6 or e<#e o% ?&ri!i#tion on t"e part o% any ran#" or intr&*enta(ity o% t"eGovern*ent.









t i &#ient(y #(ear t"at t"e petition ro&"t &p in G. R. No.11824 'a apt(y e(evate! to, an! #o&(! 'e(( e ta6en#oni$an#e o% y, t"i Co&rt. A #ontrary vie' #o&(! e a ro!enia( to o&r peop(e o% t"eir %&n!a*enta( ri"t to e %&((yn%or*e!, an! to *a6e a proper #"oi#e, on '"o #o&(! or "o&(!e e(e#te! to o##&py t"e "i"et overn*ent pot in t"e (an!.

In . R. No. -4-757 and . R. No. -4-457

/etitioner Te#on, et a(., in G. R. No. 11434, an! De(e$, in G. R.No. 1134, invo6e t"e proviion o% Arti#(e DII, Se#tion 4,pararap" 7, o% t"e 187 Contit&tion in aai(in t"e ?&ri!i#tiono% t"e COMEFEC '"en it too6 #oni$an#e o% S/A No. 04003 an!

n &rin t"e S&pre*e Co&rt to intea! ta6e on t"e petition t"ey!ire#t(y intit&te! e%ore it. T"e Contit&tiona( proviion #ite!rea!:

+T"e S&pre*e Co&rt, ittin en banc, "a(( e t"e o(e ?&!e o% a((#ontet re(atin to t"e e(e#tion, ret&rn, an! )&a(i#ation o% t"e/rei!ent or Di#e/rei!ent, an! *ay pro*&(ate it r&(e %or t"ep&rpoe.+

T"e proviion i an innovation o% t"e 187 Contit&tion. T"eo*iion in t"e 13 an! t"e 173 Contit&tion to !einate anytri&na( to e t"e o(e ?&!e o% prei!entia( an! vi#eprei!entia(#ontet, "a #ontraine! t"i Co&rt to !e#(are, in Fopez vs.%o9as,4H a not ein9 ?&ti#ia(e #ontroverie or !ip&tenvo(vin #ontet on t"e e(e#tion, ret&rn an! )&a(i#ation o%t"e /rei!ent or Di#e/rei!ent. T"e #ontit&tiona( (apepro*pte! Conre, on 21 &ne 17, to ena#t Rep&(i# A#t No.173, OAn Act "onstittin$ an ndependent Presidential 8lectoralribnal to ry, Hear and ?ecide Protests "ontestin$ the 8lectiono6 the President38lect and the ;ice3President38lect o6 thePhilippines and Providin$ 6or the Canner o6 Hearin$ the2ame.O Rep&(i# A#t 173 !einate! t"e C"ie% &ti#e an! t"eAo#iate &ti#e o% t"e S&pre*e Co&rt to e t"e *e*er o% t"etri&na(. A(t"o&" t"e &e)&ent a!option o% t"e par(ia*entary%or* o% overn*ent &n!er t"e 173 Contit&tion *i"t "ave*p(i#it(y a=e#te! Rep&(i# A#t No. 173, t"e tat&tory et&p,nonet"e(e, 'o&(! no' e !ee*e! revive! &n!er t"e preentSe#tion 4, pararap" 7, o% t"e 187 Contit&tion.

Or!inary &ae 'o&(! #"ara#teri$e a +#ontet+ in re%eren#e to apote(e#tion scenario. E(e#tion #ontet #onit o% eit"er an

e(e#tion protet or a #o warranto '"i#", a(t"o&" t'o !itin#tre*e!ie, 'o&(! "ave one o?e#tive in vie', i.e., to !i(o!e t"e'innin #an!i!ate %ro* o#e. A per&a( o% t"e p"raeo(oy inR&(e 12, R&(e 13, an! R&(e 14 o% t"e O%les o6 the Presidential8lectoral ribnal,+ pro*&(ate! y t"e S&pre*e Co&rt enbanc on 18 Apri( 12, 'o&(! &pport t"i pre*ie

R&(e 12. risdiction. T"e Tri&na( "a(( e t"e o(e ?&!e o% a((#ontet re(atin to t"e e(e#tion, ret&rn, an! )&a(i#ation o% t"e/rei!ent or Di#e/rei!ent o% t"e /"i(ippine.

R&(e 13. How nitiated. An e(e#tion #ontet i initiate! y t"e(in o% an e(e#tion protet or a petition %or )&o 'arranto aaintt"e /rei!ent or Di#e/rei!ent. An e(e#tion protet "a(( notn#(&!e a petition %or #o warranto. A petition %or #o

warranto "a(( not in#(&!e an e(e#tion protet.

R&(e 14. 8lection Protest. On(y t"e reitere! candidate %or/rei!ent or %or Di#e/rei!ent o% t"e /"i(ippine '"o re#eive! t"ee#on! or t"ir! "i"et n&*er o% vote *ay #ontet t"e e(e#tiono% t"e /rei!ent or t"e Di#e/rei!ent, a t"e #ae *ay e, y(in a verie! petition 'it" t"e C(er6 o% t"e /rei!entia( E(e#tora(Tri&na( 'it"in t"irty 309 !ay a%ter t"e pro#(a*ation o% t"e'inner.

T"e r&(e #ateori#a((y pea6 o% t"e ?&ri!i#tion o% t"e tri&na(over #ontet re(atin to t"e e(e#tion, ret&rn an! )&a(i#ation o% t"e +/rei!ent+ or +Di#e/rei!ent+, o% t"e /"i(ippine, an! not o%+#an!i!ate+ %or /rei!ent or Di#e/rei!ent. A #owarranto pro#ee!in i enera((y !ene! a ein an a#tionaaint a peron '"o &&rp, intr&!e into, or &n(a'%&((y "o(! or

e<er#ie a p&(i# o#e.H

In &#" #onte<t, t"e e(e#tion #ontet

#an on(y #onte*p(ate a pote(e#tion scenario. In R&(e 14, on(reitere! #an!i!ate '"o 'o&(! "ave re#eive! eit"er t"e e#oor t"ir! "i"et n&*er o% vote #o&(! (e an e(e#tionprotet. T"i r&(e aain pre&ppoe a pote(e#tion scenario.

It i %air to #on#(&!e t"at t"e ?&ri!i#tion o% t"e S&pre*e Co&rt,!ene! y Se#tion 4, pararap" 7, o% t"e 187 Contit&tion,'o&(! not in#(&!e #ae !ire#t(y ro&"t e%ore it, )&etionin)&a(i#ation o% a #an!i!ate %or t"e prei!en#y or vi#eprei!ee%ore t"e e(e#tion are "e(!.

A##or!in(y, G. R. No. 11434, entit(e! +Maria eanette C. Te#et a(., v. Co**iion on E(e#tion et a(.,+ an! G. R. No. 113

entit(e! +oi(o Antonio De(e$ v. Rona(! A((an Ye((ey/oe a.=.a. ernan!o /oe, r.+ 'o&(! "ave to e !i*ie! %or 'ao% ?&ri!i#tion.

T!e C"t")en#!"( I##e

No', to t"e ai# i&e> it "o&(! e "e(p%&( to rt ive a rie%"itori#a( a#6ro&n! on t"e #on#ept o% #iti$en"ip.

/er"ap, t"e ear(iet &n!ertan!in o% #iti$en"ip 'a t"at ivy Aritot(e, '"o, o*eti*e in 384 to 322 B.C., !e#rie! t"e+#iti$en+ to re%er to a *an '"o "are! in t"e a!*initration o% ?&ti#e an! in t"e "o(!in o% an o#e.H Aritot(e a' itini#an#e i% on(y to !eter*ine t"e #ontit&en#y o% t"e +State'"i#" "e !e#rie! a ein #o*poe! o% &#" peron '"o'o&(! e a!e)&ate in n&*er to a#"ieve a e(%&#ient

e<iten#e.7H T"e #on#ept re' to in#(&!e one '"o 'o&(! ot"overn an! e overne!, %or '"i#" )&a(i#ation (i6e a&tono* ?&!*ent an! (oya(ty #o&(! e e<pe#te!. Citi$en"ip 'a ee!ea( 'it" ri"t an! entit(e*ent, on t"e one "an!, an! 'it"#on#o*itant o(iation, on t"e ot"er.8H In it i!ea( ettin, a#iti$en 'a a#tive in p&(i# (i%e an! %&n!a*enta((y 'i((in to&*it "i private interet to t"e enera( interet o% o#iety.

T"e #on#ept o% #iti$en"ip "a! &n!erone #"ane over t"e#ent&rie. In t"e 18t" #ent&ry, t"e #on#ept 'a (i*ite!, y an(are, to civil citizenship, '"i#" eta(i"e! t"e ri"t ne#ea%or in!ivi!&a( %ree!o*, &#" a ri"t to property, perona( (ian! ?&ti#e.H It *eanin e<pan!e! !&rin t"e 1t" #ent&ry toin#(&!e political citizenship, '"i#" en#o*pae! t"e ri"t toparti#ipate in t"e e<er#ie o% po(iti#a( po'er.10H T"e 20t" #ent&

a' t"e ne<t tae o% t"e !eve(op*ent o% social citizenship,'"i#" (ai! e*p"ai on t"e ri"t o% t"e #iti$en to e#ono*i# 'eein an! o#ia( e#&rity.11H T"e i!ea o% #iti$en"ip "a aine!e<preion in t"e *o!ern 'e(%are tate a it o !eve(ope!in @etern E&rope. An onoin an! na( tae o% !eve(op*en6eepin 'it" t"e rapi!(y "rin6in (oa( vi((ae, *i"t 'e(( et"e internationalization o6 citizenship.12H

T!e Loca% Sett"n$ 'ro S(an"#!

T"e# to t!e Pre#ent

T"ere 'a no &#" ter* a +/"i(ippine #iti$en+ !&rin t"eSpani" rei*e &t +&?e#t o% Spain+ or +Spani" &?e#t.+

#"&r#" re#or!, t"e native 'ere #a((e! 7indios7, !enotin a (o'rear! %or t"e in"aitant o% t"e ar#"ipe(ao. Spani" (a' on

#iti$en"ip e#a*e "i"(y #o!ie! !&rin t"e 1t" #ent&ry &tt"eir "eer n&*er *a!e it !i#&(t to point to one#o*pre"enive (a'. Not a(( o% t"ee #iti$en"ip (a' o% Spain"o'ever, 'ere *a!e to app(y to t"e /"i(ippine I(an! e<#ept t"oe e<p(i#it(y e<ten!e! y Roya( e#ree. 14H
































Spani" (a' on #iti$en"ip 'ere tra#e! a#6 to t"e 'ovisima%ecopilacion, pro*&(ate! in Spain on 1 &(y 180 &t a to'"et"er t"e (a' 'a e<ten!e! to t"e /"i(ippine re*aine! to et"e &?e#t o% !i=erin vie' a*on e<pert>1H "o'ever, t"reeroya( !e#ree 'ere &n!ip&ta(y *a!e app(i#a(e to Spaniar! int"e /"i(ippine t"e Brder de la %e$encia o% 14 A&&t 1841,1H t"e %oyal ?ecree o% 23 A&&t 188 pe#i#a((y !enin t"epo(iti#a( tat& o% #"i(!ren orn in t"e /"i(ippine I(an!,17H an!na((y, t"e ey 89tranDera de Gltramar o% 04 &(y 1870, '"i#" 'ae<pre(y *a!e app(i#a(e to t"e /"i(ippine y t"e Roya( e#reeo% 13 &(y 1870.18H

T"e Spani" Contit&tion o% 187 'a never e<ten!e! to t"e

/"i(ippine I(an! e#a&e o% t"e e<pre *an!ate o% it Arti#(e8, a##or!in to '"i#" t"e proviion o% t"e Gltramar a*on'"i#" t"i #o&ntry 'a in#(&!e!, 'o&(! e overne! y pe#ia(a'.1H

t 'a on(y t"e Civi( Co!e o% Spain, *a!e e=e#tive in t"i&ri!i#tion on 18 e#e*er 188, '"i#" #a*e o&t 'it" t"e rt#ateori#a( en&*eration o% '"o 'ere Spani" #iti$en.

a9 /eron orn in Spani" territory,

9 C"i(!ren o% a Spani" %at"er or *ot"er, even i% t"ey 'ereorn o&ti!e o% Spain,

#9 oreiner '"o "ave otaine! nat&ra(i$ation paper,

!9 T"oe '"o, 'it"o&t &#" paper, *ay "ave e#o*e!o*i#i(e! in"aitant o% any to'n o% t"e Monar#"y. 20H

T"e year 188 'a anot"er t&rnin point in /"i(ippine"itory. A(rea!y in t"e tate o% !e#(ine a a &perpo'er, Spain'a %or#e! to o #e!e "er o(e #o(ony in t"e Eat to an &p#o*in'or(! po'er, t"e 5nite! State. An a##epte! prin#ip(e o%nternationa( (a' !i#tate! t"at a #"ane in overeinty, '"i(ere&(tin in an aroation o% a(( po(iti#a( (a' t"en in %or#e, 'o&(!"ave no e=e#t on #ivi( (a', '"i#" 'o&(! re*ain virt&a((y inta#t.

T"e Treaty o% /ari 'a entere! into on 10 e#e*er 188et'een Spain an! t"e 5nite! State.21H 5n!er Arti#(e IZ o% t"etreaty, t"e #ivi( ri"t an! po(iti#a( tat& o% t"e native in"aitanto% t"e territorie #e!e! to t"e 5nite! State 'o&(! e !eter*ine!y it Conre

+Spani" &?e#t, native o% t"e /enin&(a, rei!in in t"eterritory over '"i#" Spain y t"e preent treaty re(in)&i"e or#e!e "er overeinty *ay re*ain in &#" territory or *ayre*ove t"ere%ro*, retainin in eit"er event a(( t"eir ri"t o%property, in#(&!in t"e ri"t to e(( or !ipoe o% &#" property oro% it pro#ee!> an! t"ey "a(( a(o "ave t"e ri"t to #arry on t"eirn!&try, #o**er#e, an! pro%eion, ein &?e#t in repe#tt"ereo% to &#" (a' a are app(i#a(e to %oreiner. In #ae t"eyre*ain in t"e territory t"ey *ay preerve t"eir a((eian#e to t"eCro'n o% Spain y *a6in, e%ore a #o&rt o% re#or!, 'it"in a year%ro* t"e !ate o% t"e e<#"ane o% rati#ation o% t"i treaty, a!e#(aration o% t"eir !e#iion to preerve &#" a((eian#e> in!e%a&(t o% '"i#" !e#(aration t"ey "a(( e "e(! to "ave reno&n#e!t an! to "ave a!opte! t"e nationa(ity o% t"e territory in '"i#"

t"ey rei!e.

T"&

+T"e #ivi( ri"t an! po(iti#a( tat& o% t"e native in"aitant o%t"e territorie "erey #e!e! to t"e 5nite! State "a(( e!eter*ine! y t"e Conre.+22H

5pon t"e rati#ation o% t"e treaty, an! pen!in (ei(ation y t"e5nite! State Conre on t"e &?e#t, t"e native in"aitant o%t"e /"i(ippine #eae! to e Spani" &?e#t. A(t"o&" t"ey !i!not e#o*e A*eri#an #iti$en, t"ey, "o'ever, a(o #eae! to e+a(ien+ &n!er A*eri#an (a' an! 'ere t"& i&e! paport!e#riin t"e* to e #iti$en o% t"e /"i(ippine entit(e! to t"eprote#tion o% t"e 5nite! State.

T"e ter* +#iti$en o% t"e /"i(ippine I(an!+ appeare! %or t"e ti*e in t"e /"i(ippine Bi(( o% 102, a(o #o**on(y re%erre! to at"e /"i(ippine Orani# A#t o% 102, t"e rt #o*pre"enive(ei(ation o% t"e Conre o% t"e 5nite! State on t"e /"i(ippi

+.... that all inhabitants o6 the Philippine slands continin$ toreside therein, who were 2panish sbDects on the 11th day o6

April, 1051, and then resided in said slands, and their childrenborn sbse#ent thereto, shall be deemed and held to be

citi/ens of the Philippine #slands an! a &#" entit(e! to t"prote#tion o% t"e 5nite! State, e<#ept &#" a "a(( "ave e(e#to preerve t"eir a((eian#e to t"e Cro'n o% Spain in a##or!an#

'it" t"e proviion o% t"e treaty o% pea#e et'een t"e 5nite!State an! Spain, ine! at /ari, e#e*er tent" ei"teen"&n!re! an! ninety ei"t.+23H

5n!er t"e orani# a#t, a #iti$en o% t"e /"i(ippine 'a one ''a an in"aitant o% t"e /"i(ippine, an! a Spani" &?e#t on 11t" !ay o% Apri( 18. T"e ter* in"aitant 'a ta6en toin#(&!e 19 a nativeorn in"aitant, 29 an in"aitant '"o 'anative o% /enin&(ar Spain, an! 39 an in"aitant '"o otaine!Spani" paper on or e%ore 11 Apri( 18.24H

Controvery aroe on to t"e tat& o% #"i(!ren orn in t"e/"i(ippine %ro* 11 Apri( 18 to 01 &(y 102, !&rin '"i#"perio! no #iti$en"ip (a' 'a e<tant in t"e /"i(ippine. @ei"'a iven to t"e vie', arti#&(ate! in ?&ripr&!entia( 'ritin at

ti*e, t"at t"e #o**on (a' prin#ip(e o% Ds soli, ot"er'ie a(o6no'n a t"e prin#ip(e o% territoria(ity, operative in t"e 5nite!State an! En(an!, overne! t"oe orn in t"e /"i(ippineAr#"ipe(ao 'it"in t"at perio!.2H More ao&t t"i (ater.

In 23 Mar#" 112, t"e Conre o% t"e 5nite! State *a!e t"e%o((o'in a*en!*ent to t"e /"i(ippine Bi(( o% 102

+/rovi!e!, T"at t"e /"i(ippine Fei(at&re i "erey a&t"ori$e!provi!e y (a' %or t"e a#)&iition o% /"i(ippine #iti$en"ip yt"oe native o% t"e /"i(ippine I(an! '"o !o not #o*e 'it"in%oreoin proviion, t"e native o% ot"er in&(ar poeion o%t"e 5nite! State, an! &#" ot"er peron rei!in in t"e/"i(ippine I(an! '"o 'o&(! e#o*e #iti$en o% t"e 5nite!State, &n!er t"e (a' o% t"e 5nite! State, i% rei!in t"erein.

@it" t"e a!option o% t"e /"i(ippine Bi(( o% 102, t"e #on#ept o%+/"i(ippine #iti$en+ "a! %or t"e rt ti*e #ryta((i$e!. T"e 'o+i(ipino+ 'a &e! y @i((ia* -. Ta%t, t"e rt Civi( GovernorGenera( in t"e /"i(ippine '"en "e initia((y *a!e *ention o% it "i (oan, +T"e /"i(ippine %or t"e i(ipino.+ In 11, t"e/"i(ippine A&tono*y A#t, a(o 6no'n a t"e one Fa' retate!virt&a((y t"e proviion o% t"e /"i(ippine Bi(( o% 102, a oa*en!e! y t"e A#t o% Conre in 112

T"at all inhabitants of the Philippine #slands who were

Spanish sub0ects on the eleventh day of April, ei&hteen

hundred and ninety-nine, and then resided in said #slan

and their children born subse!uently thereto, shall be

deemed and held to be citi/ens of the Philippine #slands

e<#ept &#" a "a(( "ave e(e#te! to preerve t"eir a((eian#e t"e Cro'n o% Spain in a##or!an#e 'it" t"e proviion o% t"e treo% pea#e et'een t"e 5nite! State an! Spain, ine! at /arie#e*er tent", ei"teen "&n!re! an! ninetyei"t an! e<#e&#" ot"er a "ave in#e e#o*e #iti$en o% o*e ot"er #o&n/rovi!e!, T"at t"e /"i(ippine Fei(at&re, "erein provi!e! %or, i"erey a&t"ori$e! to provi!e %or t"e a#)&iition o% /"i(ippine#iti$en"ip y t"oe native o% t"e /"i(ippine I(an! '"o !o n#o*e 'it"in t"e %oreoin proviion, t"e native o% t"e in&(apoeion o% t"e 5nite! State, an! &#" ot"er peron rei!in t"e /"i(ippine I(an! '"o are #iti$en o% t"e 5nite! State, '"o #o&(! e#o*e #iti$en o% t"e 5nite! State &n!er t"e (a't"e 5nite! State, i% rei!in t"erein.+




























5n!er t"e one Fa', a nativeorn in"aitant o% t"e /"i(ippine'a !ee*e! to e a #iti$en o% t"e /"i(ippine a o% 11 Apri( 18% "e 'a 19 a &?e#t o% Spain on 11 Apri( 18, 29 rei!in in t"e/"i(ippine on ai! !ate, an!, 39 in#e t"at !ate, not a #iti$en o%o*e ot"er #o&ntry.

@"i(e t"ere 'a, at one rie% ti*e, !iverent vie' on '"et"er ornot Ds soli 'a a *o!e o% a#)&irin #iti$en"ip, t"e 13Contit&tion ro&"t to an en! to any &#" (in6 'it" #o**on (a',y a!optin, on#e an! %or a((, Ds san$inis or (oo! re(ation"ipa ein t"e ai o% i(ipino #iti$en"ip

Se#tion 1, Arti#(e III, 13 Contit&tion. T"e %o((o'in are

#iti$en o% t"e /"i(ippine

19 T"oe '"o are #iti$en o% t"e /"i(ippine I(an! at t"e ti*eo% t"e a!option o% t"i Contit&tion

29 T"oe orn in t"e /"i(ippine I(an! o% %orein parent'"o, e%ore t"e a!option o% t"i Contit&tion, "a! een e(e#te! top&(i# o#e in t"e /"i(ippine I(an!.

859 T!o#e @!o#e 'at!er# are c"t")en# o' t!e P!"%"(("ne#.

49 T"oe '"oe *ot"er are #iti$en o% t"e /"i(ippine an!&pon rea#"in t"e ae o% *a?ority, e(e#t /"i(ippine #iti$en"ip.

9 T"oe '"o are nat&ra(i$e! in a##or!an#e 'it" (a'.

S&e#tion 49, Arti#(e III, o% t"e 13 Contit&tion, ta6en toet"er'it" e<itin #ivi( (a' proviion at t"e ti*e, '"i#" provi!e! t"at'o*en 'o&(! a&to*ati#a((y (oe t"eir i(ipino #iti$en"ip an!a#)&ire t"at o% t"eir %orein "&an!, re&(te! in !i#ri*inatoryit&ation t"at e=e#tive(y in#apa#itate! t"e 'o*en %ro*tran*ittin t"eir i(ipino #iti$en"ip to t"eir (eiti*ate #"i(!renan! re)&ire! i((eiti*ate #"i(!ren o% i(ipino *ot"er to ti(( e(e#ti(ipino #iti$en"ip &pon rea#"in t"e ae o% *a?ority. See6in to#orre#t t"i ano*a(y, a 'e(( a %&((y #oni$ant o% t"e ne'(y %o&n!tat& o% i(ipino 'o*en a e)&a( to *en, t"e %ra*er o% t"e173 Contit&tion #ra%te! t"e proviion o% t"e ne' Contit&tionon #iti$en"ip to reLe#t &#" #on#ern

Se#tion 1, Arti#(e III, 173 Contit&tion T"e %o((o'in are#iti$en o% t"e /"i(ippine:

19 T"oe '"o are #iti$en o% t"e /"i(ippine at t"e ti*e o% t"ea!option o% t"i Contit&tion.

89 T!o#e @!o#e 'at!er# or ot!er# are c"t")en# o' t!e

P!"%"(("ne#.

39 T"oe '"o e(e#t /"i(ippine #iti$en"ip p&r&ant to t"eproviion o% t"e Contit&tion o% nineteen "&n!re! an! t"irtyve.


or oo! *ea&re, Se#tion 2 o% t"e a*e arti#(e a(o %&rt"erprovi!e! t"at

+A %e*a(e #iti$en o% t"e /"i(ippine '"o *arrie an a(ien retain"er /"i(ippine #iti$en"ip, &n(e y "er a#t or o*iion "e i

!ee*e!, &n!er t"e (a' to "ave reno&n#e! "er #iti$en"ip.+

T"e 187 Contit&tion enera((y a!opte! t"e proviion o% t"e173 Contit&tion, e<#ept %or &e#tion 39 t"ereo% t"at ai*e! to#orre#t t"e irre&(ar it&ation enerate! y t"e)&etiona(e proviso in t"e 13 Contit&tion.

Se#tion I, Arti#(e ID, 187 Contit&tion no' provi!e:

T"e %o((o'in are #iti$en o% t"e /"i(ippine:

19 T"oe '"o are #iti$en o% t"e /"i(ippine at t"e ti*e o% t"ea!option o% t"i Contit&tion.

29 T!o#e @!o#e 'at!er# or ot!er# are c"t")en# o' t!e

P!"%"(("ne#.

39 T!o#e &orn &e'ore 2anar< -6, -065 o' F"%"("no

ot!er#, @!o e%ect P!"%"(("ne c"t")en#!"( (on reac!"n$

t!e a$e o' aMor"t< and


T!e Ca#e O' FP2

Se#tion 2, Arti#(e DII, o% t"e 187 Contit&tion e<pree:

+No peron *ay e e(e#te! /rei!ent &n(e "e i a natural-

born citi/en of the Philippines, a reitere! voter, a(e to ran! 'rite, at (eat %orty year o% ae on t"e !ay o% t"e e(e#tion

an! a rei!ent o% t"e /"i(ippine %or at (eat ten yeari**e!iate(y pre#e!in &#" e(e#tion.+

T"e ter* +nat&ra(orn #iti$en,+ i !ene! to in#(&!e +t"oe 'are #iti$en o% t"e /"i(ippine %ro* irt" 'it"o&t "avin toper%or* any a#t to a#)&ire or per%e#t t"eir /"i(ippine#iti$en"ip.+27H

T"e !ate, *ont" an! year o% irt" o% / appeare! to e 20A&&t 13 !&rin t"e rei*e o% t"e 13 Contit&tion. T"roit "itory, %o&r *o!e o% a#)&irin #iti$en"ip nat&ra(i$ationsoli, res Ddicata an! Ds san$inis28H "a! een in vo&e. Ont'o, i.e., Ds soli an! Ds san$inis, #o&(! )&a(i%y a peron to a nat&ra(orn #iti$en o% t"e /"i(ippine. s soli, per %oa vs."ollector o6 "stoms2H 1129, !i! not (at (on. @it" t"ea!option o% t"e 13 Contit&tion an! t"e revera( o% %oa in

"hon$ vs. 2ecretary o6 abor 30H 1479, Ds san$inis or (oo!re(ation"ip 'o&(! no' e#o*e t"e pri*ary ai o% #iti$en"iy irt".

o#&*entary evi!en#e a!!&#e! y petitioner 'o&(! ten! toin!i#ate t"at t"e ear(iet eta(i"e! !ire#t a#en!ant o% / '"i paterna( ran!%at"er Foren$o /o&, *arrie! to Marta Reye,%at"er o% A((an . /oe. @"i(e t"e re#or! o% irt" o% Foren$o /o&not een preente! in evi!en#e, "i !eat" #erti#ate, "o'evei!entie! "i* to e a i(ipino, a rei!ent o% San Car(o,/anainan, an! 84 year o(! at t"e ti*e o% "i !eat" on 11Septe*er 14. T"e #erti#ate o% irt" o% t"e %at"er o% /, A. /oe, "o'e! t"at "e 'a orn on 17 May 11 to an Epao%at"er, Foren$o /o&, an! a *eti$a Epao( *ot"er, MartaReye. Intro!&#e! y petitioner 'a an &n#ertie! #opy o% a

&ppoe! #erti#ate o% t"e a((ee! *arriae o% A((an . /oe an!/a&(ita Go*e$ on 0 &(y 13. T"e *arriae #erti#ate o% A((. /oe an! Beie Ye((ey reLe#te! t"e !ate o% t"eir *arriae toon 1 Septe*er 140. In t"e a*e #erti#ate, A((an . /oe 'tate! to e t'entyve year o(!, &n*arrie!, an! a i(ipino#iti$en, an! Beie Ye((ey to e t'entyt'o year o(!, &n*arriean! an A*eri#an #iti$en. T"e irt" #erti#ate o% /, 'o&(!!i#(oe t"at "e 'a orn on 20 A&&t 13 to A((an . /oe, ai(ipino, t'enty%o&r year o(!, *arrie! to Beie Ye((y, anA*eri#an #iti$en, t'entyone year o(! an! *arrie!.

Coni!erin t"e reervation *a!e y t"e partie on t"e vera#o% o*e o% t"e entrie on t"e irt" #erti#ate o% repon!ent ant"e *arriae #erti#ate o% "i parent, t"e on(y #on#(&ion t"#o&(! e !ra'n 'it" o*e !eree o% #ertainty %ro* t"e!o#&*ent 'o&(! e t"at

1. T"e parent o% / 'ere A((an . /oe an! Beie Ye((ey>

2. / 'a orn to t"e* on 20 A&&t 13>

3. A((an . /oe an! Beie Ye((ey 'ere *arrie! to ea#" ot"eon 1 Septe*er, 140>

4. T"e %at"er o% A((an . /oe 'a Foren$o /oe> an!

. At t"e ti*e o% "i !eat" on 11 Septe*er 14, Foren$o/oe 'a 84 year o(!.

@o&(! t"e aove %a#t e &#ient or in&#ient to eta(i" %a#t t"at / i a nat&ra(orn i(ipino #iti$enJ T"e *arriae#erti#ate o% A((an . /oe an! Beie Ye((ey, t"e irt" #erti#ate

/, an! t"e !eat" #erti#ate o% Foren$o /o& are !o#&*ent o%












p&(i# re#or! in t"e #&to!y o% a p&(i# o#er. T"e !o#&*ent"ave een &*itte! in evi!en#e y ot" #onten!in partie!&rin t"e pro#ee!in e%ore t"e COMEFEC.

T"e irt" #erti#ate o% / 'a *ar6e! E<"iit +A+ %or petitioneran! E<"iit +3+ %or repon!ent. T"e *arriae #erti#ate o% A((an. /oe to Beie Ye((ey 'a &*itte! a E<"iit +21+ %orrepon!ent. T"e !eat" #erti#ate o% Foren$o /o& 'a &*itte!y repon!ent a "i E<"iit +.+ @"i(e t"e (at t'o !o#&*ent'ere &*itte! in evi!en#e %or repon!ent, t"e a!*iii(ityt"ereo%, parti#&(ar(y in re%eren#e to t"e %a#t '"i#" t"eyp&rporte! to "o', i.e., t"e *arriae #erti#ate in re(ation to t"e!ate o% *arriae o% A((an . /oe to Beie Ye((ey an! t"e !eat"

#erti#ate re(ative to t"e !eat" o% Foren$o /o& on 11 Septe*er14 in San Car(o, /anainan, 'ere a(( a!*itte! y petitioner,'"o "a! &ti(i$e! t"oe *ateria( tate*ent in "i ar&*ent. A((t"ree !o#&*ent 'ere #ertie! tr&e #opie o% t"e oriina(.

Se#tion 3, R&(e 130, R&(e o% Co&rt tate t"at

Oriina( !o#&*ent *&t e pro!&#e!> e<#eption. @"en t"e&?e#t o% in)&iry i t"e #ontent o% a !o#&*ent, no evi!en#e"a(( e a!*ii(e ot"er t"an t"e oriina( !o#&*ent ite(%, e<#eptn t"e %o((o'in #ae:

< < < < < < < < <

!9 @"en t"e oriina( i a p&(i# re#or! in t"e #&to!y o% ap&(i# o#e or i re#or!e! in a p&(i# o#e.

Bein p&(i# !o#&*ent, t"e !eat" #erti#ate o% Foren$o /o&, t"e*arriae #erti#ate o% A((an . /oe an! Beie Ye((y, an! t"e irt"#erti#ate o% /, #ontit&te prima 6acie proo% o% t"eir#ontent. Se#tion 44, R&(e 130, o% t"e R&(e o% Co&rt provi!e:

N8ntries in o:cial records. Entrie in o#ia( re#or! *a!e in t"eper%or*an#e o% "i !&ty y a p&(i# o#er o% t"e /"i(ippine, ory a peron in t"e per%or*an#e o% a !&ty pe#ia((y en?oine! ya', are prima 6acie evi!en#e o% t"e %a#t t"erein tate!.

T"e tr&t'ort"ine o% p&(i# !o#&*ent an! t"e va(&e iven tot"e entrie *a!e t"erein #o&(! e ro&n!e! on 19 t"e ene o%o#ia( !&ty in t"e preparation o% t"e tate*ent *a!e, 29 t"epena(ty '"i#" i &&a((y a<e! to a rea#" o% t"at !&ty, 39 t"ero&tine an! !iinterete! oriin o% *ot &#" tate*ent, an! 49t"e p&(i#ity o% re#or! '"i#" *a6e *ore (i6e(y t"e prior e<po&reo% &#" error a *i"t "ave o##&rre!. 31H

T"e !eat" #erti#ate o% Foren$o /o& 'o&(! in!i#ate t"at "e !ie!on 11 Septe*er 14, at t"e ae o% 84 year, in San Car(o,/anainan. It #o&(! t"& e a&*e! t"at Foren$o /o& 'a orno*eti*e in t"e year 1870 '"en t"e /"i(ippine 'a ti(( a #o(onyo% Spain. /etitioner 'o&(! ar&e t"at Foren$o /o& 'a not in t"e/"i(ippine !&rin t"e #r&#ia( perio! o% %ro* 188 to 102#oni!erin t"at t"ere 'a no e<itin re#or! ao&t &#" %a#t int"e Re#or! Manae*ent an! Ar#"ive O#e. /etitioner,"o'ever, (i6e'ie %ai(e! to "o' t"at Foren$o /o& 'a at anyot"er p(a#e !&rin t"e a*e perio!. In "i !eat" #erti#ate, t"erei!en#e o% Foren$o /o& 'a tate! to e San Car(o,/anainan. In t"e aen#e o% any evi!en#e to t"e #ontrary, it

"o&(! e o&n! to #on#(&!e, or at (eat to pre&*e, t"at t"ep(a#e o% rei!en#e o% a peron at t"e ti*e o% "i !eat" 'a a(o"i rei!en#e e%ore !eat". It 'o&(! e e<tre*e(y !o&t%&( i% t"eRe#or! Manae*ent an! Ar#"ive O#e 'o&(! "ave "a!#o*p(ete re#or! o% a(( rei!ent o% t"e /"i(ippine %ro* 188 to102.

Proo' o' Patern"t< and F"%"at"on

Under C"v"% La@.

/etitioner &*it, in any #ae, t"at in eta(i"in (iationre(ation"ip or #ivi( tat& o% t"e #"i(! to t"e %at"er or *ot"erH9or paternity re(ation"ip or #ivi( tat& o% t"e %at"er to t"e #"i(!9o% an i((eiti*ate #"i(!, / evi!ent(y ein an i((eiti*ate ona##or!in to petitioner, t"e *an!atory r&(e &n!er #ivi( (a' *&t

e &e!.

5n!er t"e Civi( Co!e o% Spain, '"i#" 'a in %or#e in t"e/"i(ippine %ro* 08 e#e*er 188 &p &nti( t"e !ay prior to 3A&&t 10 '"en t"e Civi( Co!e o% t"e /"i(ippine too6 e=e#ta#6no'(e!*ent 'a re)&ire! to eta(i" (iation orpaternity. A#6no'(e!*ent 'a eit"er ?&!i#ia( #o*p&(ory9 ovo(&ntary. &!i#ia( or #o*p&(ory a#6no'(e!*ent 'a poion(y i% !one !&rin t"e (i%eti*e o% t"e p&tative parent> vo(&ntaa#6no'(e!*ent #o&(! on(y e "a! in a re#or! o% irt", a 'i((, p&(i# !o#&*ent.32H Co*p(e*entary to t"e ne' #o!e 'a A#t 373 or t"e Civi( Reitry Fa' e<prein in Se#tion t"ereo%,t"at

In #ae o% an i((eiti*ate #"i(!, t"e irt" #erti#ate "a((

e si&ned and sworn to 0ointly y t"e parent o% t"e in%ant on(y y t"e *ot"er i% t"e %at"er re%&e. In t"e (atter #ae, it not e per*ii(e to tate or revea( in t"e !o#&*ent t"e na*t"e %at"er '"o re%&e to a#6no'(e!e t"e #"i(!, or to ivet"erein any in%or*ation y '"i#" &#" %at"er #o&(! e i!entie

In or!er t"at t"e irt" #erti#ate #o&(! t"en e &ti(i$e! to provvo(&ntary a#6no'(e!*ent o% (iation or paternity, t"e #erti#'a re)&ire! to e ine! or 'orn to y t"e %at"er. T"e %ai(&r&#" re)&ire*ent ren!ere! t"e a*e &e(e a ein ana&t"oritative !o#&*ent o% re#onition.33H In Cendoza vs. Cella34H t"e Co&rt r&(e!

+Sin#e Ro!o(%o 'a orn in 13, a%ter t"e reitry (a' 'aena#te!, t"e )&etion "ere rea((y i '"et"er or not "i irt"

#erti#ate E<"iit 19, '"i#" i *ere(y a #ertie! #opy o% t"ereitry re#or!, *ay e re(ie! &pon a &#ient proo% o% "i"avin een vo(&ntari(y re#oni$e!. No &#" re(ian#e, in o&r ?&!*ent, *ay e p(a#e! &pon it. @"i(e it #ontain t"e na*eot" parent, t"ere i no "o'in t"at t"ey ine! t"e oriina(a(one 'ore to it #ontent a re)&ire! in Se#tion o% A#t No.373. or a(( t"at *i"t "ave "appene!, it 'a not even t"ey eit"er o% t"e* '"o %&rni"e! t"e !ata to e entere! in t"e #ivreiter. /etitioner ay t"at in any event t"e irt" #erti#ate in t"e nat&re o% a p&(i# !o#&*ent '"erein vo(&ntary re#onito% a nat&ra( #"i(! *ay a(o e *a!e, a##or!in to t"e a*eArti#(e 131. Tr&e eno&", &t in &#" a #ae, t"ere *&t e a#(ear tate*ent in t"e !o#&*ent t"at t"e parent re#oni$e t"#"i(! a "i or "er o'n.+

In t"e irt" #erti#ate o% repon!ent /, preente! y ot"

partie, no'"ere in t"e !o#&*ent 'a t"e inat&re o% A((an ./oe %o&n!. T"ere ein no 'i(( apparent(y e<e#&te!, or at (ea"o'n to "ave een e<e#&te!, y !e#e!ent A((an . /oe, t"e oot"er proo% o% vo(&ntary re#onition re*aine! to e +o*e ot"p&(i# !o#&*ent.+ In PareDa vs. PareDa,3H t"i Co&rt !ene! '#o&(! #ontit&te &#" a !o#&*ent a proo% o% vo(&ntarya#6no'(e!*ent:

+5n!er t"e Spani" Civi( Co!e t"ere are t'o #(ae o% p&(i#!o#&*ent, t"oe executed by private individuals which

must be authenticated by notaries, an! t"oe i&e! y#o*petent p&(i# o#ia( y reaon o% t"eir o#e. T"e p&(i#!o#&*ent pointe! o&t in Arti#(e 131 a one o% t"e *ean y'"i#" re#onition *ay e *a!e e(on to t"e rt #(a.+

Fet & (eave it at t"at %or t"e *o*ent. T"e 10 Civi( Co!e #ateori$e! t"e a#6no'(e!*ent orre#onition o% i((eiti*ate #"i(!ren into vo(&ntary, (ea( or#o*p&(ory. Do(&ntary re#onition 'a re)&ire! to ee<pree!(y *a!e in a re#or! o% irt", a 'i((, a tate*ent e%o#o&rt o% re#or! or in any a&t"enti# 'ritin. Fea(a#6no'(e!*ent too6 p(a#e in %avor o% %&(( (oo! rot"er an!iter o% an i((eiti*ate #"i(! '"o 'a re#oni$e! or ?&!i#ia((y!e#(are! a nat&ra(. Co*p&(ory a#6no'(e!*ent #o&(! e!e*an!e! enera((y in #ae '"en t"e #"i(! "a! in "i %avor aevi!en#e to prove (iation. 5n(i6e an a#tion to #(ai* (eiti*a#'"i#" 'o&(! (at !&rin t"e (i%eti*e o% t"e #"i(!, an! *i"t pae<#eptiona((y to t"e "eir o% t"e #"i(!, an a#tion to #(ai*a#6no'(e!*ent, "o'ever, #o&(! on(y e ro&"t !&rin t"e(i%eti*e o% t"e pre&*e! parent.

















Amics "riae R&en . Ba(ane !ene!, !&rin t"e ora( ar&*ent,+a&t"enti# 'ritin,+ o a to e an a&t"enti# 'ritin %or p&rpoeo% vo(&ntary re#onition, i*p(y a ein a en&ine or in!&ita(e'ritin o% t"e %at"er. T"e ter* 'o&(! in#(&!e a p&(i# intr&*entone !&(y a#6no'(e!e! e%ore a notary p&(i# or ot"er#o*petent o#ia(9 or a private 'ritin a!*itte! y t"e %at"er toe "i.

T"e a*i(y Co!e "a %&rt"er (iera(i$e! t"e r&(e> Arti#(e 172,Arti#(e 173, an! Arti#(e 17 provi!e:

Art. 172. T"e (iation o% (eiti*ate #"i(!ren i eta(i"e! yany o% t"e %o((o'in:

19 T"e re#or! o% irt" appearin in t"e #ivi( reiter or a na(&!*ent> or

29 An a!*iion o% (eiti*ate (iation in a p&(i# !o#&*ent ora private "an!'ritten intr&*ent an! ine! y t"e parent#on#erne!.

In t"e aen#e o% t"e %oreoin evi!en#e, t"e (eiti*ate (iation"a(( e prove! y:

19 T"e open an! #ontin&o& poeion o% t"e tat& o% aeiti*ate #"i(!> or

29 Any ot"er *ean a((o'e! y t"e R&(e o% Co&rt an! pe#ia(a'.

Art. 173. T"e a#tion to #(ai* (eiti*a#y *ay e ro&"t yt"e #"i(! !&rin "i or "er (i%eti*e an! "a(( e tran*itte! to t"e"eir "o&(! t"e #"i(! !ie !&rin *inority or in a tate o%nanity. In t"ee #ae, t"e "eir "a(( "ave a perio! o% veyear 'it"in '"i#" to intit&te t"e a#tion.

T"e a#tion a(rea!y #o**en#e! y t"e #"i(! "a(( &rvivenot'it"tan!in t"e !eat" o% eit"er or ot" o% t"e partie.

< < < < < < < < <.

Art. 17. I((eiti*ate #"i(!ren *ay eta(i" t"eir i((eiti*ate(iation in t"e a*e 'ay an! on t"e a*e, evi!en#e a (eiti*ate#"i(!ren.

T"e a#tion *&t e ro&"t 'it"in t"e a*e perio! pe#ie! inArti#(e 173, e<#ept '"en t"e a#tion i ae! on t"e e#on!pararap" o% Arti#(e 172, in '"i#" #ae t"e a#tion *ay e ro&"t!&rin t"e (i%eti*e o% t"e a((ee! parent.

T"e proviion o% t"e a*i(y Co!e are retroa#tive(y app(ie!>Arti#(e 2 o% t"e #o!e rea!:

+Art. 2. T"i Co!e "a(( "ave retroa#tive e=e#t ino%ar a it!oe not pre?&!i#e or i*pair vete! or a#)&ire! ri"t ina##or!an#e 'it" t"e Civi( Co!e or ot"er (a'.

T"&, in D!a. !e SyK&ia v. Co&rt o% Appea(,3H t"e Co&rt "ar&(e!:

+@e "o(! t"at '"et"er oe 'a a vo(&ntari(y re#oni$e! nat&ra(#"i(! "o&(! e !e#i!e! &n!er Arti#(e 278 o% t"e Civi( Co!e o% t"e/"i(ippine. Arti#(e 220 o% t"at Co!e provi!e t"at t"e vo(&ntaryre#onition o% a nat&ra( #"i(! "a(( ta6e p(a#e a##or!in to t"iCo!e, even i% t"e #"i(! 'a orn e%ore t"e e=e#tivity o% t"i o!yo% (a' or e%ore A&&t 30, 10. -en#e, Arti#(e 278 *ay eiven retroa#tive e=e#t.+

t "o&(! e apparent t"at t"e ro'in tren! to (iera(i$e t"ea#6no'(e!*ent or re#onition o% i((eiti*ate #"i(!ren i anatte*pt to rea6 a'ay %ro* t"e tra!itiona( i!ea o% 6eepin 'e((apart (eiti*ate an! non(eiti*ate re(ation"ip 'it"in t"e%a*i(y in %avor o% t"e reater interet an! 'e(%are o% t"e#"i(!. T"e proviion are inten!e! to *ere(y overn t"e privatean! perona( a=air o% t"e %a*i(y. T"ere i (itt(e, i% any, ton!i#ate t"at t"e (eiti*ate or i((eiti*ate #ivi( tat& o% t"en!ivi!&a( 'o&(! a(o a=e#t "i po(iti#a( ri"t or, in enera(, "i

re(ation"ip to t"e State. @"i(e, in!ee!, proviion on

+#iti$en"ip+ #o&(! e %o&n! in t"e Civi( Co!e, &#" proviion*&t e ta6en in t"e #onte<t o% private re(ation, t"e !o*ain o#ivi( (a'> parti#&(ar(y

+Civi( Fa' i t"at ran#" o% (a' '"i#" "a %or it !o&(e p&rpot"e orani$ation o% t"e %a*i(y an! t"e re&(ation o% property. "a t"& eenH !ene! a t"e *a o% pre#ept '"i#" !eter*an! re&(ate t"e re(ation o% aitan#e, a&t"ority an! oe!iena*on *e*er o% a %a*i(y, an! t"oe '"i#" e<it a*on*e*er o% a o#iety %or t"e prote#tion o% private interet.+3

In aez de /arnevo vs. -ster ,38H t"e Co&rt "a "e(!:

+In a##or!an#e 'it" Arti#(e o% t"e Civi( Co!e o% Spain, < < < t(a' re(atin to %a*i(y ri"t an! !&tie, or to t"e tat&,#on!ition an! (ea( #apa#ity o% peron, overn Spaniar!a(t"o&" t"ey rei!e in a %orein #o&ntry> t"at, in #one)&en#ea(( )&etion o% a #ivi( nat&re, &#" a t"oe !ea(in 'it" t"eva(i!ity or n&((ity o% t"e *atri*onia( on!, t"e !o*i#i(e o% t"e"&an! an! 'i%e, t"eir &pport, a et'een t"e*, t"e eparao% t"eir propertie, t"e r&(e overnin property, *arita(a&t"ority, !iviion o% #on?&a( property, t"e #(ai#ation o% t"eproperty, (ea( #a&e %or !ivor#e, t"e e<tent o% t"e (atter, t"ea&t"ority to !e#ree it, an!, in enera(, t"e #ivi( e=e#t o% *arrian! !ivor#e &pon t"e peron an! propertie o% t"e po&e, a)&etion t"at are overne! e<#(&ive(y y t"e nationa( (a' o% "&an! an! 'i%e.+

T"e re(evan#e o% +#iti$en"ip+ or +nationa(ity+ to Civi( Fa' i ee<e*p(ie! in Arti#(e 1 o% t"e Civi( Co!e, tatin t"at

+Fa' re(atin to %a*i(y ri"t an! !&tie, or to t"e tat&,#on!ition an! (ea( #apa#ity o% peron are in!in &pon citi/

of the Philippines, even t"o&" (ivin aroa!+

t"at e<p(ain t"e nee! to in#orporate in t"e #o!e a reiteration t"e Contit&tiona( proviion on #iti$en"ip. Si*i(ar(y, #iti$eni ini#ant in #ivi( re(ation"ip %o&n! in !i=erent part o% t"eCivi( Co!e,3H &#" a on &##eiona( ri"t an! %a*i(y re(ation40H In a!option, %or intan#e, an a!opte! #"i(! 'o&(! e#oni!ere! t"e #"i(! o% "i a!optive parent an! a##or!e! t"ea*e ri"t a t"eir (eiti*ate #"i(! &t &#" (ea( #tione<ten!e! on(y to !ene "i ri"t &n!er #ivi( (a' 41H an! not "ipo(iti#a( tat&.

Civi( (a' proviion point to an ovio& ia aainti((eiti*a#y. T"i !i#ri*inatory attit&!e *ay e tra#e! to t"eSpani" %a*i(y an! property (a', '"i#", '"i(e !eninproprietary an! &##eiona( ri"t o% *e*er o% t"e %a*i(y,provi!e! !itin#tion in t"e ri"t o% (eiti*ate an! i((eiti*ate#"i(!ren. In t"e *onar#"ia( et&p o% o(! Spain, t"e !itri&tioan! in"eritan#e o% tit(e an! 'ea(t" 'ere tri#t(y a##or!in to(oo!(ine an! t"e #on#ern to 6eep t"ee (oo!(ine&n#onta*inate! y %orein (oo! 'a para*o&nt.

T"ee !itin#tion et'een (eiti*a#y an! i((eiti*a#y 'ere#o!ie! in t"e Spani" Civi( Co!e, an! t"e invi!io&!i#ri*ination &rvive! '"en t"e Spani" Civi( Co!e e#a*e tpri*ary o&r#e o% o&r o'n Civi( Co!e. S&#" !itin#tion, "o'evre*ain an! "o&(! re*ain on(y in t"e p"ere o% #ivi( (a' an! n

&n!&(y i*pe!e or i*pine on t"e !o*ain o% po(iti#a( (a'.

T"e proo% o% (iation or paternity %or p&rpoe o% !eter*inin "#iti$en"ip tat& "o&(! t"& e !ee*e! in!epen!ent %ro* annot ine<tri#a(y tie! &p 'it" t"at pre#rie! %or #ivi( (a'p&rpoe. T"e Civi( Co!e or a*i(y Co!e proviion on proo% o(iation or paternity, a(t"o&" oo! (a', !o not "ave pre#(&ive=e#t on *atter a(ien to perona( an! %a*i(y re(ation. T"eor!inary r&(e on evi!en#e #o&(! 'e(( an! "o&(! overn. orintan#e, t"e *atter ao&t pe!iree i not ne#eari(y pre#(&!%ro* ein app(i#a(e y t"e Civi( Co!e or a*i(y Co!e proviio

Se#tion 3, R&(e 130, o% t"e R&(e o% Co&rt provi!e

NAct or ?eclaration abot pedi$ree. T"e a#t or !e#(aration o% aperon !e#eae!, or &na(e to teti%y, in repe#t to t"e pe!ire



















o% anot"er peron re(ate! to "i* y irt" or *arriae, *ay ere#eive! in evi!en#e '"ere it o##&rre! e%ore t"e #ontrovery,an! t"e re(ation"ip et'een t"e t'o peron i "o'n yevi!en#e ot"er t"an &#" a#t or !e#(aration. T"e 'or! [pe!ireeWn#(&!e re(ation"ip, %a*i(y enea(oy, irt", *arriae, !eat",t"e !ate '"en an! t"e p(a#e '"ere t"ee %a#t o##&rre!, an!t"e na*e o% t"e re(ative. It e*ra#e a(o %a#t o% %a*i(y"itory inti*ate(y #onne#te! 'it" pe!iree.

or t"e aove r&(e to app(y, it 'o&(! e ne#eary t"at a9 t"e!e#(arant i a(rea!y !ea! or &na(e to teti%y, 9 t"e pe!iree o%a peron *&t e at i&e, #9 t"e !e#(arant *&t e a re(ative o%t"e peron '"oe pe!iree i in )&etion, !9 !e#(aration *&t e

*a!e e%ore t"e #ontrovery "a o##&rre!, an! e9 t"ere(ation"ip et'een t"e !e#(arant an! t"e peron '"oepe!iree i in )&etion *&t e "o'n y evi!en#e ot"er t"an&#" a#t or !e#(aration.

T"&, t"e !&(y notari$e! !e#(aration *a!e y R&y Ye((eyMana"a, iter o% Beie Ye((ey /oe &*itte! a E<"iit 20e%ore t"e COMEFEC, *i"t e a##epte! to prove t"e a#t o%A((an . /oe, re#oni$in "i o'n paterna( re(ation"ip 'it" /,i.e, (ivin toet"er 'it" Beie Ye((ey an! "i #"i(!ren in#(&!inrepon!ent /9 in one "o&e, an! a one %a*i(y

+I, R&y Ye((ey Mana"a, o% (ea( ae an! o&n! *in!, preent(yrei!in in Sto#6ton, Ca(i%ornia, 5.S.A., a%ter ein 'orn ina##or!an#e 'it" (a' !o "erey !e#(are t"at:

1. I a* t"e iter o% t"e (ate Beie Ye((ey /oe.

2. Beie Ye((ey /oe 'a t"e 'i%e o% ernan!o /oe, Sr.

3. ernan!o an! Beie /oe "a! a on y t"e na*e o% Rona(!A((an /oe, *ore pop&(ar(y 6no'n in t"e /"i(ippine a [ernan!o/oe, r.,W or [/W.

4. Rona(! A((an /oe [/W 'a orn on A&&t 20, 13 at St.F&6e -opita(, Ma!a(ena Street, Mani(a.

< < < < < < < < <

7. ernan!o /oe Sr., an! *y iter Beie, *et an! e#a*eenae! '"i(e t"ey 'ere t&!ent at t"e 5niverity o% t"e/"i(ippine in 13. I 'a a(o intro!&#e! to ernan!o /oe, Sr., y

*y iter t"at a*e year.

8. ernan!o /oe, Sr., an! *y iter Beie "a! t"eir rt #"i(!n 138.

. ernan!o /oe, Sr., *y iter Beie an! t"eir rt t"ree#"i(!ren, E(i$aet", Rona(!, A((an an! ernan!o II, an! *ye(%ive! toet"er 'it" o&r *ot"er at o&r %a*i(y "o&e on a6ota St.no' ore Bo#oo St.9, Ma(ate &nti( t"e (ieration o% Mani(a in14, e<#ept %or o*e *ont" et'een 143144.

10. ernan!o /oe, Sr., an! *y iter, Beie, 'ere (ee! 'it"%o&r 49 *ore #"i(!ren a%ter Rona(! A((an /oe.

< < < < < < < < <

18. I a* e<e#&tin t"i e#(aration to attet to t"e %a#t t"at *ynep"e', Rona(! A((an /oe i a nat&ra( orn i(ipino, an! t"at "e it"e (eiti*ate #"i(! o% ernan!o /oe, Sr.

one in City o% Sto#6ton, Ca(i%ornia, 5.S.A., t"i 12t" !ay o%an&ary 2004.

R&y Ye((ey Mana"a

e#(arant

DNA Te#t"n$

n #ae proo% o% (iation or paternity 'o&(! e &n(i6e(y toati%a#tori(y eta(i" or 'o&(! e !i#&(t to otain, NA tetin,'"i#" e<a*ine eneti# #o!e otaine! %ro* o!y #e(( o% t"e

((eiti*ate #"i(! an! any p"yi#a( rei!&e o% t"e (on !ea! parent

#o&(! e reorte! to. A poitive *at#" 'o&(! #(ear &p (iationpaternity. In iDin$ vs. "ort o6 Appeals,42H t"i Co&rt "aa#6no'(e!e! t"e tron 'ei"t o% NA tetin

+/arentae 'i(( ti(( e reo(ve! &in #onventiona( *et"o!&n(e 'e a!opt t"e *o!ern an! #ienti# 'ayavai(a(e. ort&nate(y, 'e "ave no' t"e %a#i(ity an! e<pertie&in NA tet %or i!enti#ation an! parentae tetin. T"e5niverity o% t"e /"i(ippine Nat&ra( S#ien#e Reear#" Intit&te5/NSRI9 NA Ana(yi Faoratory "a no' t"e #apai(ity to#on!&#t NA typin &in "ort tan!e* repeat STR9ana(yi. T"e ana(yi i ae! on t"e %a#t t"at t"e NA o% a#"i(!;peron "a t'o 29 #opie, one #opy %ro* t"e *ot"er an!

t"e ot"er %ro* t"e %at"er. T"e NA %ro* t"e *ot"er, t"e a((e%at"er an! t"e #"i(! are ana(y$e! to eta(i" parentae. O%#o&re, ein a nove( #ienti# te#"ni)&e, t"e &e o% NA tet evi!en#e i ti(( open to #"a((ene. Event&a((y, a t"e appropr#ae #o*e, #o&rt "o&(! not "eitate to r&(e on t"e a!*iio% NA evi!en#e. or it 'a ai!, t"at #o&rt "o&(! app(y t"ere&(t o% #ien#e '"en #o*petent(y otaine! in ai! o% it&atiopreente!, in#e to re?e#t ai! re&(t i to !eny prore.+

Pet"t"oner# Ar$ent For

2r"#(rdent"a% Conc%#"vene##

/etitioner 'o&(! "ave it t"at even i% A((an . /oe 'ere a i(ipino#iti$en, "e #o&(! not "ave tran*itte! "i #iti$en"ip torepon!ent /, t"e (atter ein an i((eiti*ate #"i(!. A##or!into petitioner, prior to "i *arriae to Beie Ye((ey, A((an . /oeon &(y , 13, #ontra#te! *arriae 'it" a #ertain /a&(itaGo*e$, *a6in "i &e)&ent *arriae to Beie Ye((eyia*o& an! repon!ent / an i((eiti*ate #"i(!. T"e vera#o% t"e &ppoe! #erti#ate o% *arriae et'een A((an . /oe an/a&(ita Go*e$ #o&(! e *ot !o&t%&( at et. B&t t"e!o#&*entary evi!en#e intro!&#e! y no (e t"an repon!ent"i*e(%, #onitin o% a irt" #erti#ate o% repon!ent an! a*arriae #erti#ate o% "i parent "o'e! t"at / 'a orn o20 A&&t 13 to a i(ipino %at"er an! an A*eri#an *ot"er ''ere *arrie! to ea#" ot"er a year (ater, or on 1 Septe*er140. Birt" to &n*arrie! parent 'o&(! *a6e / an i((eiti*a#"i(!. /etitioner #onten!e! t"at a an i((eiti*ate #"i(!, / o%o((o'e! t"e #iti$en"ip o% "i *ot"er, Beie Ye((ey, an A*eri#iti$en, ain "i tan! on t"e r&(in o% t"i Co&rt in Corano v

;ivo,43H #itin "hion$bian vs. de eon44H an! 2erra vs. %epbli

On t"e aove #ore, t"e !i)&iition *a!e y amicscriae oa)&in G. Berna, S, i *ot #onvin#in> "e tate

+@e *&t ana(y$e t"ee #ae an! a6 '"at t"e lis mota 'a ea#" o% t"e*. I% t"e prono&n#e*ent o% t"e Co&rt on Dssan$inis 'a on t"e lis mota, t"e prono&n#e*ent 'o&(! e a!e#iion #ontit&tin !o#trine &n!er t"e r&(e o% stare decisis. i% t"e prono&n#e*ent 'a irre(evant to t"e lis mota, t"eprono&n#e*ent 'o&(! not e a !e#iion &t a *ere obiterdictm '"i#" !i! not eta(i" !o#trine. I t"ere%ore invite t"eCo&rt to (oo6 #(oe(y into t"ee #ae.

irt, Corano vs. ;ivo. T"e #ae 'a not ao&t an i((eiti*ate#"i(! o% a i(ipino %at"er. It 'a ao&t a tepon o% a i(ipino, atepon '"o 'a t"e #"i(! o% a C"inee *ot"er an! a C"inee%at"er. T"e i&e 'a '"et"er t"e tepon %o((o'e! t"enat&ra(i$ation o% t"e tep%at"er. Not"in ao&t Ds

san$inis t"ere. T"e tepon !i! not "ave t"e (oo! o% t"enat&ra(i$e! tep%at"er.

Se#on!, "hion$bian vs. de eon. T"i #ae 'a not ao&t t"ei((eiti*ate on o% a i(ipino %at"er. It 'a ao&t a (eiti*ate oo% a %at"er '"o "a! e#o*e i(ipino y e(e#tion to p&(i# o#ee%ore t"e 13 Contit&tion p&r&ant to Arti#(e ID, Se#tion 12o% t"e 13 Contit&tion. No one 'a i((eiti*ate "ere.

T"ir!, 2erra vs. %epblic. T"e #ae 'a not ao&t t"ei((eiti*ate on o% a i(ipino %at"er. Serra 'a an i((eiti*ate #o% a C"inee %at"er an! a i(ipino *ot"er. T"e i&e 'a '"et

one '"o 'a a(rea!y a i(ipino e#a&e o% "i *ot"er '"o ti((

http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2001/mar2001/125901.htm






http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2001/mar2001/125901.htm






nee!e! to e nat&ra(i$e!. T"ere i not"in t"ere ao&tnvi!io& Ds san$inis.

ina((y, Paa vs. "han.4H T"i i a *ore #o*p(i#ate! #ae. T"e#ae 'a ao&t t"e #iti$en"ip o% K&intin C"an '"o 'a t"e ono% Feon#io C"an. K&intin C"an #(ai*e! t"at "i %at"er, Feon#io,'a t"e i((eiti*ate on o% a C"inee %at"er an! a i(ipino*ot"er. K&intin t"ere%ore ar&e! t"at "e ot "i #iti$en"ip %ro*Feon#io, "i %at"er. B&t t"e S&pre*e Co&rt ai! t"at t"ere 'a nova(i! proo% t"at Feon#io 'a in %a#t t"e on o% a i(ipina*ot"er. T"e Co&rt t"ere%ore #on#(&!e! t"at Feon#io 'a noti(ipino. I% Feon#io 'a not i(ipino, neit"er 'a "i onK&intin. K&intin t"ere%ore 'a not on(y not a nat&ra(orn i(ipino

&t 'a not even a i(ipino.

T"e Co&rt "o&(! "ave toppe! t"ere. B&t intea! it %o((o'e!'it" an obiter dictm. T"e Co&rt ai! obiter t"at even i% Feon#io,K&intin %at"er, 'ere i(ipino, K&intin 'o&(! not e i(ipinoe#a&e K&intin 'a i((eiti*ate. T"i tate*ent ao&t K&intin,ae! on a #ontrary to %a#t a&*ption, 'a ao(&te(y&nne#eary %or t"e #ae. < < < It 'a obiter dictm, p&re an!i*p(e, i*p(y repeatin t"e oiter !i#t&* in Corano vs. ;ivo.

< < < < < < < < <

+Ai!e %ro* t"e %a#t t"at &#" a prono&n#e*ent 'o&(! "ave note<t&a( %o&n!ation in t"e Contit&tion, it 'o&(! a(o vio(ate t"ee)&a( prote#tion #(a&e o% t"e Contit&tion not on#e &tt'i#e. irt, it 'o&(! *a6e an i((eiti*ate !itin#tion et'een aeiti*ate #"i(! an! an i((eiti*ate #"i(!, an! e#on!, it 'o&(!*a6e an i((eiti*ate !itin#tion et'een t"e i((eiti*ate #"i(! o% ai(ipino %at"er an! t"e i((eiti*ate #"i(! o% a i(ipino *ot"er.

T"e !o#trine on #ontit&tiona((y a((o'a(e !itin#tion 'aeta(i"e! (on ao y /eop(e v. Cayat.47H I 'o&(! rant t"att"e !itin#tion et'een (eiti*ate #"i(!ren an! i((eiti*ate#"i(!ren ret on rea( !i=eren#e. < < < B&t rea( !i=eren#e a(one!o not ?&ti%y invi!io& !itin#tion. Rea( !i=eren#e *ay ?&ti%y!itin#tion %or one p&rpoe &t not %or anot"er p&rpoe.

< < < @"at i t"e re(evan#e o% (eiti*a#y or i((eiti*a#y toe(e#tive p&(i# ervi#eJ @"at poi(e tate interet #an t"ere e%or !i)&a(i%yin an i((eiti*ate #"i(! %ro* e#o*in a p&(i#o#er. It 'a not t"e %a&(t o% t"e #"i(! t"at "i parent "a! i((i#it

iaion. @"y !eprive t"e #"i(! o% t"e %&((ne o% po(iti#a( ri"t %orno %a&(t o% "i o'nJ To !i)&a(i%y an i((eiti*ate #"i(! %ro*"o(!in an i*portant p&(i# o#e i to p&ni" "i* %or t"en!i#retion o% "i parent. T"ere i neit"er ?&ti#e nor rationa(ityn t"at. An! i% t"ere i neit"er ?&ti#e nor rationa(ity in t"e!itin#tion, t"en t"e !itin#tion tranree t"e e)&a( prote#tion#(a&e an! *&t e reproate!.

T"e ot"er amici criae, Mr. &ti#e Di#ente Men!o$a a %or*er*e*er o% t"i Co&rt9, /ro%eor R&en Ba(ane an! ean MartinMaa((ona, at otto*, "ave e<pree! i*i(ar vie'. T"e t"ei o% petitioner, &n%ort&nate(y "inin o(e(y on p&re obiterdicta, "o&(! in!ee! %ai(.

@"ere ?&ripr&!en#e rear!e! an i((eiti*ate #"i(! a ta6in a%tert"e #iti$en"ip o% it *ot"er, it !i! o %or t"e enet t"e #"i(!. It

'a to en&re a i(ipino nationa(ity %or t"e i((eiti*ate #"i(! o% ana(ien %at"er in (ine 'it" t"e a&*ption t"at t"e *ot"er "a!#&to!y, 'o&(! e<er#ie parenta( a&t"ority an! "a! t"e !&ty to&pport "er i((eiti*ate #"i(!. It 'a to "e(p t"e #"i(!, not topre?&!i#e or !i#ri*inate aaint "i*.

T"e %a#t o% t"e *atter per"ap t"e *ot ini#ant#oni!eration i t"at t"e 13 Contit&tion, t"e %&n!a*enta( (a'prevai(in on t"e !ay, *ont" an! year o% irt" o% repon!ent /,#an never e *ore e<p(i#it t"an it i. /rovi!in neit"er #on!itionnor !itin#tion, t"e Contit&tion tate t"at a*on t"e #iti$en o% t"e /"i(ippine are t"oe '"oe %at"er are #iti$en o% t"e/"i(ippine. T"ere &tter(y i no #oent ?&ti#ation to pre#rie#on!ition or !itin#tion '"ere t"ere #(ear(y are none provi!e!.

In S :

19 T"e Co&rt, in t"e e<er#ie o% it po'er o% ?&!i#ia(revie', poee ?&ri!i#tion over t"e petition in G. R. No.11824, (e! &n!er R&(e 4, in re(ation to R&(e , o% t"e ReviR&(e o% Civi( /ro#e!&re. G.R. No. 11824 aai( t"e reo(&tiot"e COMEFEC %or a((ee! rave a&e o% !i#retion in !i*iin%or (a#6 o% *erit, t"e petition in S/A No. 04003 '"i#" "a pray%or t"e !i)&a(i#ation o% repon!ent / %ro* r&nnin %or t"epoition o% /rei!ent in t"e 10t" May 2004 nationa( e(e#tion ont"e #ontention t"at / "a #o**itte! *ateria( repreentation"i #erti#ate o% #an!i!a#y y repreentin "i*e(% to e anat&ra(orn #iti$en o% t"e /"i(ippine.

29 T"e Co&rt *&t !i*i, %or (a#6 o% ?&ri!i#tion an!

pre*at&rity, t"e petition in G. R. No. 11434 an! No. 1134ot" "avin een !ire#t(y e(evate! to t"i Co&rt in t"e (atterW#apa#ity a t"e on(y tri&na( to reo(ve a prei!entia( an! vi#eprei!entia( e(e#tion #ontet &n!er t"e Contit&tion. Evi!ent(yt"e pri*ary ?&ri!i#tion o% t"e Co&rt #an !ire#t(y e invo6e! ona%ter, not e%ore, t"e e(e#tion are "e(!.

39 In a#ertainin, in G.R. No. 11824, '"et"er ravea&e o% !i#retion "a een #o**itte! y t"e COMEFEC, it ine#eary to ta6e on t"e *atter o% '"et"er or not repon!ent i a nat&ra(orn #iti$en, '"i#", in t&rn, !epen!e! on '"et"er not t"e %at"er o% repon!ent, A((an . /oe, 'o&(! "ave "i*e(%een a i(ipino #iti$en an!, in t"e ar*ative, '"et"er or not t"a((ee! i((eiti*a#y o% repon!ent prevent "i* %ro* ta6in a%t"e i(ipino #iti$en"ip o% "i p&tative %at"er. Any #on#(&ion o

t"e i(ipino #iti$en"ip o% Foren$o /o& #o&(! on(y e !ra'n %ro*t"e pre&*ption t"at "avin !ie! in 14 at 84 year o(!, Fore'o&(! "ave een orn o*eti*e in t"e year 1870, '"en t"e/"i(ippine 'a &n!er Spani" r&(e, an! t"at San Car(o,/anainan, "i p(a#e o% rei!en#e &pon "i !eat" in 14, in taen#e o% any ot"er evi!en#e, #o&(! "ave 'e(( een "i p(a#erei!en#e e%ore !eat", &#" t"at Foren$o /o& 'o&(! "aveenete! %ro* t"e en masse i(ipini$ation t"at t"e /"i(ippinBi(( "a! e=e#te! in 102. T"at #iti$en"ip o% Foren$o /o&9, i%a#)&ire!, 'o&(! t"erey e<ten! to "i on, A((an . /oe, %at"er repon!ent /. T"e 13 Contit&tion, !&rin '"i#" rei*erepon!ent / "a een rt (i"t, #on%er #iti$en"ip to a((peron '"oe %at"er are i(ipino #iti$en rear!(e o% '"et"&#" #"i(!ren are (eiti*ate or i((eiti*ate.

49 B&t '"i(e t"e tota(ity o% t"e evi!en#e *ay not eta#on#(&ive(y t"at repon!ent / i a nat&ra(orn #iti$en o% t"e/"i(ippine, t"e evi!en#e on "an! ti(( 'o&(! prepon!erate in "%avor eno&" to "o(! t"at "e #annot e "e(! &i(ty o% "avin*a!e a *ateria( *irepreentation in "i #erti#ate o% #an!i!ain vio(ation o% Se#tion 78, in re(ation to Se#tion 74, o% t"eO*ni& E(e#tion Co!e. /etitioner "a &tter(y %ai(e! to&tantiate "i #ae e%ore t"e Co&rt, not'it"tan!in t"e a*opport&nity iven to t"e partie to preent t"eir poition an!evi!en#e, an! to prove '"et"er or not t"ere "a een *ateria*irepreentation, '"i#", a o r&(e! in %omaldez3Carcos vs"BC88",48H *&t not on(y e *ateria(, &t a(o !e(ierate an'i((%&(.

*HEREFORE, t"e Co&rt RESOFDES to ISMISS

1. G. R. No. 11434, entit(e! +Maria eanette C. Te#on an! eB. ei!erio, r., /etitioner, verss Co**iion on E(e#tion,Rona(! A((an Ye((ey /oe a.=.a. +ernan!o /oe, r.,9 an! Di#torinornier, Repon!ent,+ an! G. R. No. 1134, entit(e! +oi(oAntonio De(e$, /etitioner, verss Rona(! A((an Ye((ey/oe, a.=.a. ernan!o /oe, r., Repon!ent,+ %or 'ant o% ?&ri!i#t

2. G. R. No. 11824, entit(e! Di#torino Z. ornier,/etitioner, verss -on. Co**iion on E(e#tion an! Rona(! AYe((ey /oe, a(o 6no'n a ernan!o /oe, r., %or %ai(&re to "o'rave a&e o% !i#retion on t"e part o% repon!ent Co**iioon E(e#tion in !i*iin t"e petition in S/A No. 04003.

No Cot.

SO ORDERED.










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