estrada vs desierto, arroyo

8/17/2019 Estrada vs Desierto, Arroyo

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406 Phil. 1

EN BANC

G.R. Nos. 146710-15, March 02, 2001 JOSEPH E. ESTRAA, PET!T!ONER, "S. AN!ANO ES!ERTO,

!N H!S CAPAC!T# AS OMB$SMAN, RAMON GON%A&ES, "O&$NTEERS AGA!NST CR!ME AN CORR$PT!ON, GRA'T

'REE PH!&!PP!NES 'O$NAT!ON, !NC., &EONAR E "ERA, ENN!S '$NA, ROMEO CAP$&ONG AN ERNESTO B.

'RANC!SCO, JR., RESPONENT.

G.R. NO. 1467()

JOSEPH E. ESTRAA, PET!T!ONER, "S. G&OR!A MACAPAGA&-ARRO#O, RESPONENT.

E C ! S ! O N

P$NO, J.*

On the line in the cases at bar is the ofice o the President.

Petitioner Joseph Ejercito Estrada alleges that he is thePresident on leave while respondent Gloria acapagal! "rro#o clai$s she is the President. %he warring personalitiesare i$portant eno&gh b&t $ore transcendental are theconstit&tional iss&es e$bedded on the parties' disp&te.(hile the signi)cant iss&es are $an#* the j&g&lar iss&einvolves the relationship between the r&ler and the r&led ina de$ocrac#* Philippine st#le.

+irst* we ta,e a view o the panora$a o events thatprecipitated the crisis in the ofice o the President.

-n the a# 11* 1/ elections* petitioner Joseph EjercitoEstrada was elected President while respondent Gloriaacapagal!"rro#o was elected ice!President. o$e 2103


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$illion +ilipinos voted or the petitioner believing he wo&ldresc&e the$ ro$ lie's adversit#. oth petitioner and therespondent were to serve a si5!#ear ter$ co$$encing on J&ne 0* 1/.

+ro$ the beginning o his ter$* however* petitioner wasplag&ed b# a plethora o proble$s that slowl# b&t s&rel#eroded his pop&larit#. 7is sharp descent ro$ power startedon October 4* 8000. -locos &r Governos* 9&is :;havit:ingson* a longti$e riend o the petitioner* went on air andacc&sed the petitioner* his a$il# and riends o receiving$illions o pesos ro$ jueteng lords. i$$ediatel# ignited reactions o rage. %he ne5tda#* October ?* 8000* enator %eo)sto G&ingona Jr* then theenate inorit# 9eader* too, the @oor and delivered a )er#privilege speech entitled :- "cc&se.: 7e acc&sed thepetitioner o receiving so$e P880 $illion in jueteng $one#ro$ Governor ingson ro$ Aove$ber 1/ to "&g&st8000. 7e also charged that the petitioner too, ro$Governor ingson PB0 $illion on e5cise ta5 on cigarettesintended or -locos &r. %he privilege speech was reerred b#then enate President +ran,lin Crilon* to the l&e Dibbon;o$$ittee 2then headed b# enator "&ilino Pi$entel3 andthe ;o$$ittee on J&stice 2then headed b# enator Denato;a#etano3 or joint investigation. o Governor ingson. On the other hand*Depresentatives 7eherson "lvareF* Ernesto 7errera andichael Ceensor spearheaded the $ove to i$peach thepetitioner.

;alls or the resignation o the petitioner )lled the air. OnOctober 11* "rchbishop Jai$e ;ardinal in iss&ed a pastoral


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state$ent in behal o the Presb#teral ;o&ncil o the "rchdiocese o anila* as,ing petitioner to step down ro$the presidenc# as he had lost the $oral a&thorit# to govern.


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Cavide* Jr.* presiding.


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r&led against the opening o the second envelop whichallegedl# contained evidence showing that petitioner heldP. billion in a secret ban, acco&nt &nder the na$e :Jose elarde.: %he p&blic and private prosec&tors wal,ed o&t in

protest o the r&ling. -n disg&st* enator Pi$entel resignedas enate President.


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o a snap election or President where he wo&ld not be acandidate. -t did not dif&se the growing crisis. "t 00 p.$.*ecretar# o Aational Ceense Orlando ercado and GeneralDe#es* together with the chies o all the ar$ed services

went to the EC" hrine.


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"rro#o at high noon at the EC" hrine.

"t abo&t 1800 noon* ;hie J&stice Cavide ad$inistered theoath to respondent "rro#o as President o the Philippines.


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2gd.3 JOEP7 EJED;-%O E%D"C":

-t also appears that on the sa$e da#* Jan&ar# 80* 8001* hesigned the ollowing letter


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Jan&ar# 80* 8001.

%his resol&tion is witho&t prej&dice to the disposition o an# j&sticiable case that $a#be )led b# a proper part#.:

Despondent "rro#o appointed $e$bers o her ;abinet aswell as a$bassadors and special envo#s.


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+ebr&ar# B* the enate adopted Desol&tion Ao. /8con)r$ing the no$ination o enator G&ingona* Jr.


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ro$ :cond&cting an# &rther proceedings in ;ase Aos. O0!00!168* 1B?4* 1B??* 1B?6* 1B?B and 1B?/ or in an# othercri$inal co$plaint that $a# be )led in his ofice* &ntil aterthe ter$ o petitioner as President is over and onl# i legall#

warranted.: %hr& another co&nsel* petitioner* on +ebr&ar# 6*)led GD Ao. 146B/ or &o (arranto. 7e pra#ed or j&dg$ent :con)r$ing petitioner to be the law&l andinc&$bent President o the Dep&blic o the Philippineste$poraril# &nable to discharge the d&ties o his ofice* anddeclaring respondent to have ta,en her oath as and to beholding the Ofice o the President* onl# in an acting capacit#p&rs&ant to the provisions o the ;onstit&tion.: "cting on GD Aos. 146B10!1?* the ;o&rt* on the sa$e da#* +ebr&ar# 6*

re&ired the respondents :to co$$ent thereon within a non!e5tendible period e5piring on 18 +ebr&ar# 8001.: On+ebr&ar# 1* the ;o&rt ordered the consolidation o GD Aos.146B10!1? and GD Ao. 146B/ and the )ling o therespondents' co$$ents :on or beore /00 a.$. o +ebr&ar#1?.:

On +ebr&ar# 1?* the consolidated cases were orall# arg&edin a o&r!ho&r hearing. eore the hearing* ;hie J&sticeCavide* Jr.*


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:213 to inor$ the parties that the ;o&rt did not iss&e aresol&tion on Jan&ar# 80* 8001 declaring the ofice o thePresident vacant and that neither did the ;hie J&stice iss&ea press state$ent j&sti#ing the alleged resol&tion

283 to order the parties and especiall# their co&nsel who areoficers o the ;o&rt &nder pain o being cited or conte$ptto rerain ro$ $a,ing an# co$$ent or disc&ssing in p&blicthe $erits o the cases at bar while the# are still pendingdecision b# the ;o&rt* and

23 to iss&e a 0!da# stat&s &o order efective i$$ediatel#enjoining the respondent O$b&ds$an ro$ resolving or

deciding the cri$inal cases pending investigation in hisofice against petitioner Joseph E. Estrada and s&bject o thecases at bar* it appearing ro$ news reports that therespondent O$b&ds$an $a# i$$ediatel# resolve the casesagainst petitioner Joseph E. Estrada seven 2B3 da#s ater thehearing held on +ebr&ar# 1?* 8001* which action will $a,ethe cases at bar $oot and acade$ic.:


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condition precedent or the cri$inal prosec&tion opetitioner Estrada. -n the negative and on the ass&$ptionthat petitioner is still President* whether he is i$$&ne ro$cri$inal prosec&tion.

-

(hether the prosec&tion o petitioner Estrada sho&ld beenjoined on the gro&nd o prej&dicial p&blicit#.

(e shall disc&ss the iss&es in seriatim.

!

+hhr or o h cassa /ar o a 3oca so

Private respondents


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deter$ine whether a &estion is political were spelled o&t b#r. J&stice rennan in the 168 case o Bar . Carr *


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legall# de$andable and enorceable / also o r; :hhr or o hr has been a grave ab&se o discretiona$o&nting to lac, or e5cess o j&risdiction on the part o an#branch or instr&$entalit# o govern$ent.


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govern$ent a&to$aticall# orbits o&t o the constit&tionalloop. -n chec,ered contrast* h


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provided in its ill o Dights that +ilipinos shall not bedeprived 213 o the right to reel# e5press his ideas oropinions* orall# or in writing* thro&gh the &se o the press orother si$ilar $eans 283 o the right o association or

p&rposes o h&$an lie and which are not contrar# to p&blic$eans and 23 o the right to send petitions to thea&thorities* individ&all# or collectivel#.: Ths 9a;a r


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hs ss, 9ro; o9 s3ch a o9 ass;/8 3rosa 9ra;:or :hch h coFc cssar8 o h3ro


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(e now slide to the second iss&e. Aone o the partiesconsidered this iss&e as posing a political &estion. -ndeed*it involves a legal &estion whose act&al ingredient is

deter$inable ro$ the records o the case and b# resort to j&dicial notice. Petitioner denies he resigned as President orthat he s&fers ro$ a per$anent disabilit#. 7ence* hes&b$its that the ofice o the President was not vacant whenrespondent "rro#o too, her oath as president.

%he iss&e brings &nder the $icroscope o the $eaning osection /* "rticle -- o the ;onstit&tion which provides:ec. /. -n case o death* per$anent disabilit#* re$oval ro$

ofice or resignation o the President* the ice Presidentshall beco$e the President to serve the &ne5pired ter$. -ncase o death* per$anent disabilit#* re$oval ro$ ofice* orresignation o both the President and ice President* thePresident o the enate or* in case o his inabilit#* thepea,er o the 7o&se o Depresentatives* shall then acts asPresident &ntil President or ice President shall have beenelected and &ali)ed.

5 5 5.:

%he iss&e then is whether the petitioner resigned asPresident or sho&ld be considered resigned as o Jan&ar# 80*8001 when respondent too, her oath as the 14th President othe Dep&blic. Designation is not a high level legalabstraction. -t is a act&al &estion and its ;s arebe#ond &ibble hr ;s / a o rs


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write an# or$al letter o resignation beore he evac&atedalacaIang Palace in the "ternoon o Jan&ar# 80* 8001ater the oath!ta,ing o respondent "rro#o. ;onse&entl#*whether or not petitioner resigned has to be deter$ined

ro$ his acts and o$issions beore* d&ring and ater Jan&ar#80* 8001 or b# the oa8 o9 3ror, co;3oraosa 3osror 9acs a crc;saa c/ar< a ;ara rac o h ss.

Ksing this totalit# test* : ho ha 3or rs o Governor ingson. %he enatel&e Dibbon ;o$$ittee investigated. %he $ore detailedrevelations o petitioner's alleged $isgovernance in the l&eDibbon investigation spi,ed the hate against hi$. %he "rticles o -$peach$ent )led in the 7o&se oDepresentatives which initiall# was given a near cipherchance o s&cceeding snowballed. -n e5press speed* itgained the signat&res o 11? representatives or $ore than1H o the 7o&se o Depresentatives. oon* petitioner'spower&l political allies began deserting hi$. Despondent "rro#o &it as ecretar# o ocial (elare. enate PresidentCrilon and +or$er pea,er illar deected with 4Brepresentatives in tow. %hen* his respected senior econo$icadvisers resigned together with his ecretar# o %rade and-nd&str#.

"s the political isolation o the petitioner worsened* thepeople's call or his resignation intensi)ed. %he call reacheda new crescendo when the eleven 2113 $e$bers o thei$peach$ent trib&nal re&sed to open the second envelope.-t sent the people to paro5#s$s o o&trage. eore the nighto Jan&ar# 16 was over* the EC" hrine was swar$ing withpeople cr#ing or redress o their grievance. %heir n&$ber


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grew e5ponentiall#. Dallies and de$onstration &ic,l#spread to the co&ntr#side li,e a br&sh )re.

"s events approached Jan&ar# 80* we can have an

a&thoritative window on the sa o9 ; o the petitioner.%he window is provided in the :+inal Ca#s o Joseph EjercitoEstrada*: the diar# o E5ec&tive ecretar# "ngara serialiFedin the Ph33 a8 !rr .


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a


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=s :as the )ve!da# period pro$ised b# De#es* as well asto open the second envelope to clear his na$e.

!9 h o3 s o3, o Moa8, h sa8s, h :

a /8 Moa8.

%he President sa#s. Pa


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shall co$$ence* and persons designated b# the icepresident to vario&s positions and ofices o thegovern$ent shall start their orientation activities incoordination with the inc&$bent oficials concerned.

. %he "r$ed +orces o the Philippines and the PhilippineAational Police shall &nction &nder the ice Presidentas national $ilitar# and police efective i$$ediatel#.

4. %he "r$ed +orces o the Philippines* thro&gh its ;hieo taf* shall g&arantee the sec&rit# o the presidentand his a$il# as approved b# the national $ilitar# andpolice a&thorit# 2ice President3.

?. -t is to be noted that the enate will open the secondenvelope in connection with the alleged savingsacco&nt o the President in the E&itable P;- an, inaccordance with the r&les o the enate* p&rs&ant tothe re&est to the enate President.'

O&r deal

(e bring o&t* too* o&r disc&ssion drat which reads

%he &ndersigned parties* or and in behal o their respectiveprincipals* agree and &nderta,e as ollows

Q1. " transition will occ&r and ta,e place on (ednesda#*84 Jan&ar# 8001* at which ti$e President JosephEjercito Estrada will t&rn over the presidenc# to ice

President Gloria acapagal!"rro#o.

8. -n ret&rn* President Estrada and his a$ilies areg&aranteed sec&rit# and saet# o their person andpropert# thro&gho&t their nat&ral lieti$es. 9i,ewise*President Estrada and his a$ilies are g&aranteed


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reedo$ ro$ persec&tion or retaliation ro$govern$ent and the private sector thro&gho&t theirnat&ral lieti$es.

%his co$$it$ent shall be g&aranteed b# the "r$ed +orceso the Philippines 2Q"+P'3 thro&gh the ;hie o taf* asapproved b# the national $ilitar# and police a&thorities ! ice President 2acapagal3.

. oth parties shall endeavor to ens&re that the enatesiting as an i$peach$ent co&rt will a&thoriFe theopening o the second envelope in the i$peach$enttrial as proo that the s&bject savings acco&nt does not

belong to President Estrada.

4. C&ring the )ve!da# transition period between 80 Jan&ar# 8001 and 84 Jan&ar# 8001 2the :%ransitionPeriod:3* the inco$ing ;abinet $e$bers shall receivean appropriate brie)ng ro$ the o&tgoing ;abinetoficials as part o the orientation progra$.

C&ring the %ransition Period* the "+P and the Philippine

Aational Police 2QPAP'3 shall &nction &nder ice President2acapagal3 as national $ilitar# and police a&thorities.

oth parties hereto agree that the "+P chie o staf and PAPdirector general shall obtain all the necessar# signat&res asafi5ed to this agree$ent and ins&re aith&l i$ple$entationand observance thereo.

ice President Gloria acapagal!"rro#o shall iss&e a p&blic

state$ent in the or$ and tenor provided or in Q"nne5 "'heretoore attached to this agree$ent.':


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President and his a$ilies thro&gho&t their nat&rallieti$es as approved b# the national $ilitar# andpolice a&thorit# ! ice President.

4. %he "+P and the Philippine Aational Police 2QPAP'3shall &nction &nder the ice President as national$ilitar# and police a&thorities.

?. oth parties re&est the i$peach$ent co&rt to openthe second envelope in the i$peach$ent trial* thecontents o which shall be ofered as proo that thes&bject savings acco&nt does not belong to thePresident.

%he ice President shall iss&e a p&blic state$ent in the or$and tenor provided or in "nne5 Q' heretoore attached tothis agree$ent.

5 5 5

1180 a.$. ! - a$ all set to a5 General De#es and AenePi$entel o&r agree$ent* signed b# o&r side and awaiting thesignat&re o the Knited Opposition.

"nd then it happens. General De#es calls $e to sa# that the&pre$e ;o&rt has decided that Gloria acapagal!"rro#o isPresident and will be sworn in at 18 noon.

`Bakit hindi naman kayo nakahintay !aano na angagreement "#hy couldn't you $ait #hat about the

agreement%' - as,ed.

De#es answered Q#ala na* sir 2-t's over* sir3.'

- as,ed hi$ Q &i yung transition period* $oot and acade$icnaS'


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"nd General De#es answer Qo nga, i!delete na natin* sir2Les* we're deleting that part3.'

;ontrar# to s&bse&ent reports* - do not react and sa# that

there was a do&ble cross.

&t - i$$ediatel# instr&ct acel to h @rs3roso o rs


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)rst line o deense at endiola. Onl# the PG is there toprotect the Palace* since the police and $ilitar# have alread#withdrawn their s&pport or the President.

1 p.$. ! %he President's personal staf is r&shing to pac, as$an# o the Estrada a$il#'s personal possessions as the#can.

C&ring l&nch* Donie P&no $entions that the President needsto release a @a sa; /9or a< Maacaa


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-t was c&rtain ti$e or the petitioner.

-n s&$* we hold that the resignation o the petitioner cannotbe do&bted. -t was con)r$ed b# his leaving alacaIang. -n

the press release containing his )nal state$ent* 213 heaco:


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# virt&e o the provisions o ection --* "rticle -- o the;onstit&tion* - a$ hereb# trans$itting this declaration that -a$ &nable to e5ercise the powers and d&ties o $# ofice. #operation o law and the ;onstit&tion* the ice President

shall be the "cting President.

2gd.3 Joseph Ejercito Estrada:

%o sa# the least* the above r s :ra33 ;8sr8 .


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as a ;ar o9 a: . 7e relies on section 18 o D" Ao. 01*otherwise ,nown as the "nti!Grat and ;orr&pt Practices "ct* which allegedl# prohibits his resignation* viz::ec. 18. Ao p&blic oficer shall be allowed to resign or

retire pending an investigation* cri$inal or ad$inistrative*or pending a prosec&tion against hi$* or an# ofense &nderthis "ct or &nder the provisions o the Devised Penal ;ode onbriber#.:

" reading o the


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enate ill Ao. 8* was thereater passed. ection 1? abovebeca$e section 1 &nder the new bill* b&t the deliberationson this partic&lar provision $ainl# oc&sed on the i$$&nit#o the President which was one o the reasons or the veto o

the original bill. %here was hardl# an# debate on theprohibition against the resignation or retire$ent o a p&blicoficial with pending cri$inal and ad$inistrative casesagainst hi$. B ha as ;a8, h o9 h a:o


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the petitioner or it conte$plates o cases whoseinvestigation or prosec&tion do not s&fer ro$ an#ins&perable legal obstacle li,e the i$$&nit# ro$ s&it o asitting President.

Petitioner contends that the i$peach$ent proceeding is anad$inistrative investigation that* &nder section 18 o D"01* bars hi$ ro$ resigning. (e hold otherwise. %he e5actnat&re o an i$peach$ent proceeding is debatable. &t evenass&$ing arguendo that it is an ad$inistrative proceeding* itcan not be considered pending at the ti$e petitionerresigned beca&se the process alread# bro,e down when a$ajorit# o the senator!j&dges voted against the opening o

the second envelope* the p&blic and private prosec&torswal,ed o&t* the p&blic prosec&tors )led their aniestationo (ithdrawal o "ppearance* and the proceedings werepostponed inde)nitel#. %here was* in efect* no i$peach$entcase pending against petitioner when he resigned.

!!!

+hhr or o h 3or

s o8 ;3orar8 a/ oac as Prs.

(e shall now tac,le the contention o the petitioner that heis $erel# te$poraril# &nable to peror$ the powers andd&ties o the presidenc#* and hence is a President on leave. "s aorestated* the inabilit# clai$ is contained in the Jan&ar#80* 8001 letter o petitioner sent on the sa$e da# to enatePresident Pi$entel and pea,er +&entebella.

Petitioner post&lates that respondent "rro#o as icePresident has no power to adj&dge the inabilit# o thepetitioner to discharge the powers and d&ties o thepresidenc#. 7is signi)cant s&b$ittal is that :Co


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whether the President is incapable o peror$ing his&nctions in the $anner provided or in section 11 o "rticle --.:


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written declaration* or* i not in session within twelve da#sater it is re&ired to asse$ble* deter$ines b# a two!thirds vote o both 7o&ses* voting separatel#* that the President is&nable to discharge the powers and d&ties o his ofice* the

ice!President shall act as President otherwise* thePresident shall contin&e e5ercising the powers and d&ties ohis ofice.:

%hat is the law. Aow the operative acts213 Petitioner* on Jan&ar# 80* 8001* sent the above letterclai$ing inabilit# to the enate President and pea,er o the7o&se

283 Knaware o the letter* respondent "rro#o too, her oath o ofice as President on Jan&ar# 80* 8001 at abo&t 180 p.$.

23 s3 rc3 o9 h r * the 7o&se oDepresentative passed on Jan&ar# 84* 8001 HosRsoo No. 175D


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&pre$e ;o&rt* ice President Gloria acapagal!"rro#o wassworn in as President o the Philippines on 80 Jan&ar# 8001beore ;hie J&stice 7ilario G. Cavide* Jr.

(7EDE"* i$$ediatel# thereater* $e$bers o theinternational co$$&nit# had e5tended their recognition to7er E5cellenc#* Gloria acapagal!"rro#o as President o theDep&blic o the Philippines

(7EDE"* 7er E5cellenc#* President Gloria acapagal! "rro#o has espo&sed a polic# o national healing andreconciliation with j&stice or the p&rpose o national &nit#and develop$ent

(7EDE"* it is a5io$atic that the obligations o thegovern$ent cannot be achieved i it is divided* th&s b#reason o the constit&tional d&t# o the 7o&se oDepresentatives as an instit&tion and that o the individ&al$e$bers thereo o ealt# to the s&pre$e will o the people*the 7o&se o Depresentatives $&st ens&re to the people astable* contin&ing govern$ent and thereore $&st re$oveall obstacles to the attain$ent thereo

(7EDE"* it is a conco$itant d&t# o the 7o&se oDepresentatives to e5ert all eforts to &ni# the nation* toeli$inate ractio&s tension* to heal social and politicalwo&nds* and to be an instr&$ent o national reconciliationand solidarit# as it is a direct representative o the vario&sseg$ents o the whole nation

(7EDE"* witho&t s&rrendering its independence* it is vitalor the attain$ent o all the oregoing* or the 7o&se oDepresentatives to e5tend its s&pport and collaboration tothe ad$inistration o 7er E5cellenc#* President Gloriaacapagal!"rro#o* and to be a constr&ctive partner innation!b&ilding* the national interest de$anding no lessAow* thereore* be it


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(esolved by the )ouse of (e*resentatives, %o e5press itss&pport to the ass&$ption into ofice b# ice PresidentGloria acapagal!"rro#o as President o the Dep&blic o the

Philippines* to e5tend its congrat&lations and to e5press itss&pport or her ad$inistration as a partner in the attain$ento the Aation's goals &nder the ;onstit&tion.

"dopted*

2gd.3 +E9-;-"AO E9OA%E JD.pea,er

%his Desol&tion was adopted b# the 7o&se o Depresentatives on Jan&ar# 84* 8001.

2gd.3 DOED%O P. A""DEAOecretar# General:

O '/rar8 7, 2001* the 7o&se o the Depresentativespassed Hos Rsoo No. 17)


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"rro#o has no$inated enate inorit# 9eader %eo)sto %.G&ingona Jr.* to the position o ice President o theDep&blic o the Philippines

(7EDE"* enator %eo)sto %. G&ingona Jr.* is a p&blicservant endowed with integrit#* co$petence and co&ragewho has served the +ilipino people with dedicatedresponsibilit# and patriotis$

(7EDE"* enator %eo)sto %. G&ingona* Jr. possessessterling &alities o tr&e states$anship* having served thegovern$ent in vario&s capacities* a$ong others* as Celegateto the ;onstit&tional ;onvention* ;hair$an o the

;o$$ission on "&dit* E5ec&tive ecretar#* ecretar# o J&stice* enator o the Philippines ! &alities which $erit hisno$ination to the position o ice President o the Dep&blicAow* thereore* be it

(esolved as it is hereby resolved by the )ouse of (e*resentatives, %hat the 7o&se o Depresentatives con)r$sthe no$ination o enator %eo)sto %. G&ingona* Jr. as the ice President o the Dep&blic o the Philippines.

"dopted*

2gd3 +E9-;-"AO E9OA%E JD.pea,er

%his Desol&tion was adopted b# the 7o&se oDepresentatives on +ebr&ar# B* 8001.

2gd.3 DOED%O P. A""DEAOecretar# General:

243 "lso* s3 rc3 o9 3ors r clai$inginabilit#* so$e : 12I ;;/rs o9 h Sa signedthe ollowing


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:DEO9K%-OA(7EDE"* the recent transition in govern$ent ofers thenation an opport&nit# or $eaning&l change and challenge

(7EDE"* to attain desired changes and overco$eaweso$e challenges the nation needs &nit# o p&rpose andresol&te cohesive resol&te 2sic3 will

(7EDE"* the enate o the Philippines has been the or&$or vital legislative $eas&res in &nit# despite diversities inperspectives

(7EDE+ODE* we recogniFe and e5press s&pport to the new

govern$ent o President Gloria acapagal!"rro#o andresolve to discharge o&r d&ties to attain desired changes andoverco$e the nation's challenges.:


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G&ingona* Jr. to the position o ice President o theDep&blic o the Phillippines

(7EDE"* en. %eo)sto %. G&ingona* Jr. is a p&blic servant

endowed with integrit#* co$petence* and co&rage who hasserved the +ilipino people with dedicated responsibilit# andpatriotis$

(7EDE"* en. %eo)sto %. G&ingona* Jr. possesses sterling&alities o tr&e states$anship* having served thegovern$ent in vario&s capacities* a$ong others* as Celegateto the ;onstit&tional ;onvention* ;hair$an o the;o$$ission on "&dit* E5ec&tive ecretar#* ecretar# o

J&stice. enator o the land ! which &alities $erit hisno$ination to the position o ice President o the Dep&blicAow* thereore* be it

(esolved, as it is hereby resolved, %hat the enate con)r$the no$ination o en. %eo)sto %. G&ingona* Jr. as icePresident o the Dep&blic o the Philippines.

"dopted*

2gd.3 "K-9-AO . P-EA%E9 JD.President o the enate

%his Desol&tion was adopted b# the enate on +ebr&ar# B*8001.

2gd.3 9K%G"DCO . "DOecretar# o the enate:

On the sa$e date* +ebr&ar# B* the Sa li,ewise passedSa Rsoo No. )(


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that the -$peach$ent ;o&rt is functus oicio and has beenter$inated.

(esolved, further, %hat the Jo&rnals o the -$peach$ent

;o&rt o onda#* Jan&ar# 1?* %&esda#* Jan&ar# 16 and(ednesda#* Jan&ar# 1B* 8001 be considered approved.

(esolved, further, %hat the records o the -$peach$ent;o&rt incl&ding the Qsecond envelope' be transerred to the "rchives o the enate or proper sae,eeping andpreservation in accordance with the D&les o the enate.Cisposition and retrieval thereo shall be $ade onl# &ponwritten approval o the enate President.

(esolved, 2nally . %hat all parties concerned be &rnishedcopies o this Desol&tion.

"dopted*

2gd.3 "K-9-AO . P-EA%E9* JD.President o the enate

%his Desol&tion was adopted b# the enate on +ebr&ar# B*8001.

2gd.3 9K%G"DCO . "DOecretar# o the enate:

2?3 On +ebr&ar# /* the enate also passed Rsoo No.)4 :certi#ing to the e5istence o a vacanc# in the enateand calling on the ;OE9E; to )ll &p s&ch vacanc# thro&gh

election to be held si$&ltaneo&sl# with the reg&lar electionon a# 14* 8001 and the senatorial candidate garnering thethirteenth 21th3 highest n&$ber o votes shall serve onl# orthe &ne5pired ter$ o enator %eo)sto %. G&ingona* Jr.:

263 Boh hoss o9 Co


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2B3 s3 h a3s o9 ; and still witho&t an#&nctioning ;abinet* witho&t an# recognition ro$ an# sectoro govern$ent* and witho&t an# s&pport ro$ the "r$ed

+orces o the Philippines and the Philippine Aational Police*the petitioner contin&es to clai$ that his inabilit# to governis onl# $o$entar#.

+ha a3s o h 8 9ro; hs rr9a/ 9acs sha /oh hoss o9 Co


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resign* still* he cannot s&ccess&ll# clai$ that he is aPresident on leave on the gro&nd that he is $erel# &nable togovern te$poraril#. %hat clai$ has been laid to rest b#;ongress and the decision that respondent "rro#o is the de

jure President $ade b# a co!e&al branch o govern$entcannot be reviewed b# this ;o&rt.

!"

+hhr or o h 3or =o8s ;;89ro; s. Ass;< h =o8s ;;8, h

o9 h ;;8

Petitioner Estrada $a,es two s&b$issions @rs* the cases)led against hi$ beore the respondent O$b&ds$an sho&ldbe prohibited beca&se he has not been convicted in thei$peach$ent proceedings against hi$ and sco* heenjo#s ;;8 ro$ a ,inds o s&it* whether cri$inal orcivil.

eore resolving petitioner's contentions* a revisit o o&rlegal histor# on e5ec&tive i$$&nit# will be $ostenlightening. %he doctrine o e5ec&tive i$$&nit# in this j&risdiction e$erged as a cas a: . -n the 110 case o'or/s, c. s. Choco aco a Cross@*


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e5ec&tion o the law* co&ld wal, de)antl# abroad* destro#ingrights o person and o propert#* wholl# ree ro$intererence o co&rts or legislat&res. %his does not $ean*either* that a person inj&red b# the e5ec&tive a&thorit# b# an

act &nj&sti)able &nder the law has no re$ed#* b&t $&sts&b$it in silence. On the contrar#* it $eans* si$pl#* that theGovernor!General* li,e the j&dges o the co&rts and the$e$bers o the 9egislat&re* $a# not be personall# $&lctedin civil da$ages or the conse&ences o an act e5ec&ted inthe peror$ance o his oficial d&ties. %he j&diciar# has &llpower to* and will* when the $atter is properl# presented toit and the occasion j&stl# warrants it* declare an act o theGovernor!General illegal and void and place as nearl# as

possible in status quo an# person who has been deprived hislibert# or his propert# b# s&ch act. %his re$ed# is ass&red toever# person* however h&$ble or o whatever co&ntr#* whenhis personal or propert# rights have been invaded* even b#the highest a&thorit# o the state. %he thing which the j&diciar# can not do is $&lct the Governor!Generalpersonall# in da$ages which res&lt ro$ the peror$ance ohis oficial d&t#* an# $ore that it can a $e$ber o thePhilippine ;o$$ission or the Philippine "sse$bl#. P&blicpolic# orbids it.

Aeither does this principle o nonliabilit# $ean that the chie e5ec&tive $a# not be personall# s&ed at all in relation to actswhich he clai$s to peror$ as s&ch oficial. On the contrar#*it clearl# appears ro$ the disc&ssion heretoore had*partic&larl# that portion which to&ched the liabilit# o j&dgesand drew an analog# between s&ch liabilit# and that o the

Governor!General* that the latter is liable when he acts in acase so plainl# o&tside o his power and a&thorit# that hecan not be said to have e5ercise discretion in deter$iningwhether or not he had the right to act. (hat is held here isthat he will be protected ro$ personal liabilit# or da$agesnot onl# when he acts within his a&thorit#* b&t also when heis witho&t a&thorit#* provided he act&all# &sed discretion and


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j&dg$ent* that is* the j&dicial ac&lt#* in deter$iningwhether he had a&thorit# to act or not. -n other words* he isentitled to protection in determining the question of hisauthority . - he decide wrongl#* he is still protected provided

the &estion o his a&thorit# was one over which two $en*reasonabl# &ali)ed or that position* $ight honestl# diferb&t he is not protected i the lac, o a&thorit# to act is soplain that two s&ch $en co&ld not honestl# difer over itsdeter$ination. -n s&ch case* he acts* not as Governor!General b&t as a private individ&al* and* as s&ch* $&stanswer or the conse&ences o his act.:

r. J&stice Johnson &nderscored the conse&ences i the;hie E5ec&tive was not granted i$$&nit# ro$ s&it* viz :5 55. "ction &pon i$portant $atters o state dela#ed the ti$eand s&bstance o the chie e5ec&tive spent in wranglinglitigation disrespect engendered or the person o one o thehighest oficials o the tate and or the ofice he occ&pies atendenc# to &nrest and disorder res&lting in a wa#* in adistr&st as to the integrit# o govern$ent itsel.:


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%he 9aw O Privilege "s " Ceense %o "ctions +orCa$ages*:


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%he last &estion is with reerence to the co$$ittee'so$itting in the drat proposal the i$$&nit# provision or thePresident. - agree with ;o$$issioner Aolledo that the;o$$ittee did ver# well in stri,ing o&t this second sentence*

at the ver# least* o the original provision on i$$&nit# ro$s&it &nder the 1B ;onstit&tion. &t wo&ld the ;o$$ittee$e$bers not agree to a restoration o at least the )rstsentence that the President shall be i$$&ne ro$ s&itd&ring his ten&re* considering that i we do not provide hi$that ,ind o an i$$&nit#* he $ight be spending all his ti$eacing litigations* as the President!in!e5ile in 7awaii is nowacing litigations al$ost dail#S

+r. ernas. %he reason or the o$ission is that we consider it&nderstood in present j&rispr&dence that d&ring his ten&rehe is i$$&ne ro$ s&it.

r. &areF. o there is no need to e5press it here.

+r. ernas. %here is no need. -t was that wa# beore. %heonl# innovation $ade b# the 1B ;onstit&tion was to $a,ethat e5plicit and to add other things.

r. &areF. On that &nderstanding* - will not press or an#$ore &er#* ada$ President.

- than, the ;o$$issioner or the clari)cation.:

(e shall now r&le on the contentions o petitioner in thelight o this histor#. (e reject his arg&$ent that he cannotbe prosec&ted or the reason that he $&st )rst be convicted

in the i$peach$ent proceedings. %he i$peach$ent trial opetitioner Estrada was aborted b# the wal,o&t o theprosec&tors and b# the events that led to his loss o thepresidenc#. -ndeed* on +ebr&ar# B* 8001* the enate passedenate Desol&tion Ao. / :DecogniFing that the-$peach$ent ;o&rt is +unctus icio.:


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-$peach$ent ;o&rt is now functus oicio* it is &ntenable orpetitioner to de$and that he sho&ld )rst be i$peached andthen convicted beore he can be prosec&ted. %he plea igranted* wo&ld p&t a perpet&al bar against his prosec&tion.

&ch a s&b$ission has nothing to co$$end itsel or it willplace hi$ in a better sit&ation than a non!sitting Presidentwho has not been s&bjected to i$peach$ent proceedingsand #et can be the object o a cri$inal prosec&tion. %o bes&re* the debates in the ;onstit&tional ;o$$ission $a,e itclear that when i$peach$ent proceedings have beco$e$oot d&e to the resignation o the President* the propercri$inal and civil cases $a# alread# be )led against hi$* viz


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proceedings. 7is reliance in the case o &caro? s.Sa


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a$enable to j&dicial proceedings. %he clai$ was rejected b#the K &pre$e ;o&rt. -t concl&ded that :when the gro&ndor asserting privilege as to s&bpoenaed $aterials so&ght or&se in a cri$inal trial is based onl# on the generaliFed

interest in con)dentialit#* it cannot prevail over the&nda$ental de$ands o d&e process o law in the airad$inistration o cri$inal j&stice.: -n the 1)2 cas o9No . '?


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)scal a&tono$#.


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:(e cannot s&stain appellant's clai$ that he was denied theright to i$partial trial d&e to prej&dicial p&blicit#. -t is tr&ethat the print and broadcast $edia gave the case at barpervasive p&blicit#* j&st li,e all high pro)le and high sta,e

cri$inal trials. /hen and no$, $e no$ rule that the right ofan accused to a fair trial is not incom*atible to a free *ress. %o be s&re* responsible reporting enhances an acc&sed'sright to a air trial or* as well pointed o&t* a responsiblepress has alwa#s been regarded as the hand$aiden oefective j&dicial ad$inistration* especiall# in the cri$inal)eld 5 5 5. %he press does not si$pl# p&blish inor$ationabo&t trials b&t g&ards against the $iscarriage o j&stice b#s&bjecting the police* prosec&tors* and j&dicial processes to

e5tensive p&blic scr&tin# and criticis$.

Pervasive p&blicit# is not *er se prej&dicial to the right o anacc&sed to air trial. %he $ere act that the trial o appellantwas given a da#!to!da#* gavel!to!gavel coverage does not byitself prove that the p&blicit# so per$eated the $ind o thetrial j&dge and i$paired his i$partialit#. +or one* it isi$possible to seal the $inds o $e$bers o the bench ro$pre!trial and other of!co&rt p&blicit# o sensational cri$inalcases. %he state o the art o o&r co$$&nication s#ste$brings news as the# happen straight to o&r brea,ast tablesand right to o&r bedroo$s. %hese news or$ part o o&rever#da# $en& o the acts and )ctions o lie. +or another*o&r idea o a air and i$partial j&dge is not that o a her$itwho is o&t o to&ch with the world. (e have not installed the j&r# s#ste$ whose $e$bers are overl# protected ro$p&blicit# lest the# lose their i$partialit#. 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5. O&r

j&dges are learned in the law and trained to disregard of!co&rt evidence and on!ca$era peror$ances o parties to alitigation. %heir $ere e5pos&re to p&blications and p&blicit#st&nts does not *er se atall# inect their i$partialit#.

"t best* appellant can onl# conj&re *ossibility of *rejudice onthe part o the trial j&dge d&e to the barrage o p&blicit# that


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characteriFed the investigation and trial o the case. -n 3artelino, et al. v. 4lejandro, et al., we rejected thisstandard o possibilit# o prej&dice and adopted the test oactual *rejudice as we r&led that to warrant a )nding o

prej&dicial p&blicit#* there $&st be allegation and proo thatthe j&dges have been &nd&l# in@&enced* not si$pl# that the#$ight be* b# the barrage o p&blicit#. -n the case at bar* therecords do not show that the trial j&dge developed actualbias against appellant as a conse&ence o the e5tensive$edia coverage o the pre!trial and trial o his case. %hetotality of circumstances of the case does not prove that thetrial j&dge ac&ired a 25ed opinion as a res&lt o prej&dicialp&blicit# which is incapable i change even b# evidence

presented d&ring the trial. "ppellant has the b&rden to provethis act&al bias and he has not discharged the b&rden.:

(e e5po&nded &rther on this doctrine in the s&bse&entcase o +// s. Ho. Ra &o, c.


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respondents* their law#ers and their s#$pathiFers ! haveparticipated in this $edia blitF. %he possibilit# o $ediaab&ses and their threat to a air trial notwithstanding*cri$inal trials cannot be co$pletel# closed to the press and

p&blic. -nn the se$inal case o (ichmond -e$s*a*ers, 1nc.v. 6irginia, it was wisel# heldQ5 5 5

2a3 %he historical evidence o the evol&tion o the cri$inaltrial in "nglo!"$erican j&stice de$onstrates concl&sivel#that the ti$e this Aation's organic laws were adopted*cri$inal trials both here and in England had long beenpres&$ptivel# open* th&s giving ass&rance that the

proceedings were cond&cted airl# to all concerned anddisco&raging perj&r#* the $iscond&ct o participants* ordecisions based on secret bias or partialit#. -n addition* thesigni)cant co$$&nit# therape&tic val&e o p&blic trials wasrecogniFed when a shoc,ing cri$e occ&rs* a co$$&nit#reaction o o&trage and p&blic protest oten ollows* andthereater the open processes o j&stice serve an i$portantproph#lactic p&rpose* providing an o&tlet or co$$&nit#concern* hostilit#* and e$otion. %o wor, efectivel#* it isi$portant that societ#'s cri$inal process Qsatis# theappearance o j&stice*' Of&tt v. Knited tates* 4/ K 11*14* 9 Ed 11* B? ;t 11* which can best be provided b#allowing people to observe s&ch process. +ro$ this&nbro,en* &ncontradicted histor#* s&pported b# reasons as valid toda# as in cent&ries past* it $&st be concl&ded that apres&$ption o openness inheres in the ver# nat&re o acri$inal trial &nder this Aation's s#ste$ o j&stice* ;.* e.g.*

9evine v. Knited tates* 68 K 610* 4 9 Ed 8d /* /0 ;t10/.

2b3 %he reedo$s o speech* press* and asse$bl#* e5pressl#g&aranteed b# the +irst "$end$ent* share a co$$on corep&rpose o ass&ring reedo$ o co$$&nication on $attersrelating to the &nctioning o govern$ent. -n g&aranteeing


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reedo$s s&ch as those o speech and press* the +irst "$end$ent can be read as protecting the right o ever#oneto attend trials so as give $eaning to those e5plicitg&arantees the +irst "$end$ent right to receive

inor$ation and ideas $eans* in the conte5t o trials* thatthe g&arantees o speech and press* standing alone* prohibitgovern$ent ro$ s&$$aril# closing co&rtroo$ doors whichhad long been open to the p&blic at the ti$e the +irst "$end$ent was adopted. oreover* the right o asse$bl# isalso relevant* having been regarded not onl# as anindependent right b&t also as a catal#st to a&g$ent the reee5ercise o the other +irst "$end$ent rights with which itwas deliberatel# lin,ed b# the drats$en. " trial co&rtroo$

is a p&blic place where the people generall# ! andrepresentatives o the $edia ! have a right to be present*and where their presence historicall# has been tho&ght toenhance the integrit# and &alit# o what ta,es place.

2c3 Even tho&gh the ;onstit&tion contains no provision whichb# its ter$s g&arantees to the p&blic the right to attendcri$inal trials* vario&s &nda$ental rights* not e5pressl#g&aranteed* have been recogniFed as indispensable to theenjo#$ent o en&$erated rights. %he right to attend cri$inaltrial is i$plicit in the g&arantees o the +irst "$end$entwitho&t the reedo$ to attend s&ch trials* which people havee5ercised or cent&ries* i$portant aspects o reedo$ ospeech and o the press co&ld be eviscerated.'

e that as it $a#* we recogniFe that pervasive andprej&dicial p&blicit# &nder certain circ&$stances candeprive an acc&sed o his d&e process right to air trial.

%h&s* in 3artelino, et al. vs. 4lejandro , et al., we held that towarrant a )nding o prej&dicial p&blicit# there $&st beallegation and proof that the j&dges have been &nd&l#in@&enced* not si$pl# that the# $ight be* b# the barrage op&blicit#. -n the case at bar* we )nd nothing in the recordsthat will prove that the tone and content o the p&blicit# that


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attended the investigation o petitioners atall# inected theairness and i$partialit# o the COJ Panel. Petitioners cannot j&st rel# on the s&bli$inal efects o p&blicit# on the sense o airness o the COJ Panel* or these are basicall# &nbe,nown

and be#ond ,nowing. %o be s&re* the COJ Panel is co$posedo an "ssistant ;hie tate Prosec&tor and enior tateProsec&tors. %heir long e5perience in cri$inal investigationis a actor to consider in deter$ining whether the# caneasil# be blinded b# the ,lieg lights o p&blicit#. -ndeed* their86!page Desol&tion carries no ind&bitable indicia o bias orit does not appear that the# considered an# e5tra!recordevidence e5cept evidence properl# add&ced b# the parties.%he length o ti$e the investigation was cond&cted despite

its s&$$ar# nat&re and the generosit# with which the#acco$$odated the discover# $otions o petitioners spea,well o their airness. "t no instance* we note* did petitionerssee, the dis&ali)cation o an# $e$ber o the COJ Panel onthe gro&nd o bias res&lting ro$ their bo$bard$ent oprej&dicial p&blicit#.: 2e$phasis s&pplied3

"ppl#ing the above r&ling* we hold that hr s o o


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%he records show that petitioner has instead chargedrespondent O$b&ds$an hi$sel with bias. %o &otepetitioner's s&b$ission* the respondent O$b&ds$an :has

been in@&enced b# the barrage o slanted news reports* andhe has b&c,led to the threats and press&res directed at hi$b# the $obs.:


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E3o

estrada vs desierto, arroyo

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