gr192935 biraogo v ptc

8/10/2019 Gr192935 Biraogo v Ptc

1/38

EN BANC

LOUIS BAROK C.BIRAOGO,

Petitioner,

- versus -

THE PHILIPPINE TRUTH COMMISSION

OF 2010,

Respondent.

x - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - x

REP. EDCEL C. LAGMAN,

REP. RODOLFO B. ALBANO, JR., REP.SIMEON A. DATUMANONG, and REP.ORLANDO B. FUA, SR., Petitioners,

- versus -

EXECUTIVE SECRETARY PAUITO N.

OCHOA, JR. !"# DEPARTMENT OF

BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT

SECRETARY FLORENCIO B. ABAD,

Respondents.

G.R. N$. 1%2%&'

G.R. N$. 1%&0&(

Present:

CORONA, C.J.,CARPIO,

CARPIO MORALES,

VELASCO, JR.,NAC!RA,

LEONAR"O-"E CAS#RO,

$RION,

PERAL#A,$ERSAMIN,

"EL CAS#ILLO,A$A",VILLARAMA, JR.,

PERE%

,

MEN"O%A, and

SERENO,JJ.

Pro&u'(ated:

"e)e&*er +,

x -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- x

D E C I S I O N

MENDOZA, J.:


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When the judiciary mediates to allocate constitutional boundaries,

it does not assert any superiority over the other departments; it does not inreality nullify or invalidate an act of the legislature, but only asserts the

solemn and sacred obligation assigned to it by the Constitution todetermine conflicting claims of authority under the Constitution and to

establish for the parties in an actual controversy the rights which thatinstrument secures and guarantees to them.

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

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

t1e 2unda&enta' po4ers o2 (overn&ent are esta*'is1ed, 'i&ited and de2ined, and *5

41i)1 t1ese po4ers are distri*uted a&on( t1e severa' depart&ents. /0#1e Constitution is

t1e *asi) and para&ount 'a4 to 41i)1 a'' ot1er 'a4s &ust )on2or& and to 41i)1 a''

persons, in)'udin( t1e 1i(1est o22i)ia's o2 t1e 'and, &ust de2er./60Constitutiona' do)trines&ust re&ain stead2ast no &atter 41at &a5 *e t1e tides o2 ti&e. It )annot *e si&p'5 &ade

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

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

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

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

6, , entit'ed Creating the Philippine ruth Commission of !"#".$

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

*5 petitioner Louis $irao(o %&iraogo'in 1is )apa)it5 as a )itiuino III de)'ared 1is staun)1

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

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

t1is no*'e o*?e)tive, )atapu'ted t1e (ood senator to t1e presiden)5.
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#o trans2or& 1is )a&pai(n s'o(an into rea'it5, President A>uino 2ound a need 2or

a spe)ia' *od5 to investi(ate reported )ases o2 (ra2t and )orruption a''e(ed'5 )o&&itted

durin( t1e previous ad&inistration.

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

Exe)utive Order No. esta*'is1in( t1ePhilippine ruth Commission of !"#" %ruthCommission'.Pertinent provisions o2 said exe)utive order read:

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 1

CREA#IN #E PILIPPINE #R!# COMMISSION O8

@EREAS, Arti)'e I, Se)tion o2 t1e ;B+ Constitution o2 t1eP1i'ippines so'e&n'5 ens1rines t1e prin)ip'e t1at a pu*'i) o22i)e is a pu*'i)

trust and &andates t1at pu*'i) o22i)ers and e&p'o5ees, 41o are servants o2

t1e peop'e, &ust at a'' ti&es *e a))ounta*'e to t1e 'atter, serve t1e& 4it1

ut&ost responsi*i'it5, inte(rit5, 'o5a't5 and e22i)ien)5, a)t 4it1 patriotis&

and ?usti)e, and 'ead &odest 'ives

@EREAS, )orruption is a&on( t1e &ost despi)a*'e a)ts o2de2ian)e o2 t1is prin)ip'e and notorious vio'ation o2 t1is &andate

@EREAS, )orruption is an evi' and s)our(e 41i)1 serious'5a22e)ts t1e po'iti)a', e)ono&i), and so)ia' 'i2e o2 a nation in a ver5 spe)ia'

4a5 it in2'i)ts unto'd &is2ortune and &iser5 on t1e poor, t1e &ar(ina'i


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@EREAS, $oo3 III, C1apter , Se)tion 6 o2 Exe)utive Order

No. ;, ot1er4ise 3no4n as t1e Revised Ad&inistrative Code o2 t1eP1i'ippines, (ives t1e President t1e )ontinuin( aut1orit5 to reor(aniuire an5 a(en)5, o22i)ia' or e&p'o5ee o2 t1e Exe)utive

$ran)1, in)'udin( (overn&ent-o4ned or )ontro''ed )orporations, toprodu)e do)u&ents, *oo3s, re)ords and ot1er papers

) !pon proper re>uest or representation, o*tain in2or&ation and

do)u&ents 2ro& t1e Senate and t1e ouse o2 Representatives re)ords o2


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investi(ations )ondu)ted *5 )o&&ittees t1ereo2 re'atin( to &atters or

su*?e)ts *ein( investi(ated *5 t1e Co&&ission

d !pon proper re>uest and representation, o*tain in2or&ation 2ro& t1e

)ourts, in)'udin( t1e Sandi(an*a5an and t1e O22i)e o2 t1e Court

Ad&inistrator, in2or&ation or do)u&ents in respe)t to )orruption )ases2i'ed 4it1 t1e Sandi(an*a5an or t1e re(u'ar )ourts, as t1e )ase &a5 *e

e Invite or su*poena 4itnesses and ta3e t1eir testi&onies and 2or t1atpurpose, ad&inister oat1s or a22ir&ations as t1e )ase &a5 *e

2 Re)o&&end, in )ases 41ere t1ere is a need to uti'iua'i2ies as a state 4itness under t1e Revised Ru'es o2 Court

o2 t1e P1i'ippines *e ad&itted 2or t1at purpose

( #urn over 2ro& ti&e to ti&e, 2or expeditious prose)ution, to t1eappropriate prose)utoria' aut1orities, *5 &eans o2 a spe)ia'

or interi& report and re)o&&endation, a'' eviden)e on )orruption o2 pu*'i)o22i)ers and e&p'o5ees and t1eir private se)tor )o-prin)ipa's, a))o&p'i)es

or a))essories, i2 an5, 41en in t1e )ourse o2 its investi(ation t1e

Co&&ission 2inds t1at t1ere is reasona*'e (round to *e'ieve t1at t1e5 are'ia*'e 2or (ra2t and )orruption under pertinent app'i)a*'e 'a4s

1 Ca'' upon an5 (overn&ent investi(ative or prose)utoria' a(en)5 su)1

as t1e "epart&ent o2 Justi)e or an5 o2 t1e a(en)ies under it, and t1ePresidentia' Anti-ra2t Co&&ission, 2or su)1 assistan)e and )ooperation

as it &a5 re>uire in t1e dis)1ar(e o2 its 2un)tions and duties

i En(a(e or )ontra)t t1e servi)es o2 resour)e persons, pro2essiona's

and ot1er personne' deter&ined *5 it as ne)essar5 to )arr5 out its &andate

? Pro&u'(ate its ru'es and re(u'ations or ru'es o2 pro)edure it dee&s

ne)essar5 to e22e)tive'5 and e22i)ient'5 )arr5 out t1e o*?e)tives o2 t1is

Exe)utive Order and to ensure t1e order'5 )ondu)t o2 its investi(ations,

pro)eedin(s and 1earin(s, in)'udin( t1e presentation o2 eviden)e

3 Exer)ise su)1 ot1er a)ts in)ident to or are appropriate and ne)essar5

in )onne)tion 4it1 t1e o*?e)tives and purposes o2 t1is Order.

SEC#ION 6. Sta22in( Re>uire&ents. H x x x.

SEC#ION 7. "etai' o2 E&p'o5ees. H x x x.

SEC#ION 9. En(a(e&ent o2 Experts. H x x x


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SEC#ION =. Condu)t o2 Pro)eedin(s. H x x x.

SEC#ION +. Ri(1t to Counse' o2 @itnessesKResour)e Persons. H xx x.

SEC#ION B. Prote)tion o2 @itnessesKResour)e Persons. H x x x.

SEC#ION ;. Re2usa' to O*e5 Su*poena, #a3e Oat1 or ive

#esti&on5. H An5 (overn&ent o22i)ia' or personne' 41o, 4it1out 'a42u'ex)use, 2ai's to appear upon su*poena issued *5 t1e Co&&ission or 41o,

appearin( *e2ore t1e Co&&ission re2uses to ta3e oat1 or a22ir&ation, (ive

testi&on5 or produ)e do)u&ents 2or inspe)tion, 41en re>uired, s1a'' *e

su*?e)t to ad&inistrative dis)ip'inar5 a)tion. An5 private person 41o doest1e sa&e &a5 *e dea't 4it1 in a))ordan)e 4it1 'a4.

SEC#ION . "ut5 to Extend Assistan)e to t1e

Co&&ission. H x x x.

SEC#ION . $ud(et 2or t1e Co&&ission. H #1e O22i)e o2 t1ePresident s1a'' provide t1e ne)essar5 2unds 2or t1e Co&&ission to ensure

t1at it )an exer)ise its po4ers, exe)ute its 2un)tions, and per2or& its duties

and responsi*i'ities as e22e)tive'5, e22i)ient'5, and expeditious'5 aspossi*'e.

SEC#ION . O22i)e. H x x x.

SEC#ION 6. 8urnitureKE>uip&ent. H x x x.

SEC#ION 7. #er& o2 t1e Co&&ission. H #1e Co&&ission s1a''a))o&p'is1 its &ission on or *e2ore "e)e&*er 6, .

SEC#ION 9. Pu*'i)ation o2 8ina' Report. H x x x.

SEC#ION =. #rans2er o2 Re)ords and 8a)i'ities o2 t1e

Co&&ission. H x x x.

SEC#ION +. Spe)ia' Provision Con)ernin( Mandate. I2 and 41en

in t1e ?ud(&ent o2 t1e President t1ere is a need to expand t1e &andate o2

t1e Co&&ission as de2ined in Se)tion 1ereo2 to in)'ude t1e investi(ationo2 )ases and instan)es o2 (ra2t and )orruption durin( t1e prior

ad&inistrations, su)1 &andate &a5 *e so extended a))ordin('5 *5 4a5 o2

a supp'e&enta' Exe)utive Order.


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SEC#ION B. Separa*i'it5 C'ause. I2 an5 provision o2 t1is Order is

de)'ared un)onstitutiona', t1e sa&e s1a'' not a22e)t t1e va'idit5 and

e22e)tivit5 o2 t1e ot1er provisions 1ereo2.

SEC#ION ;. E22e)tivit5. H #1is Exe)utive Order s1a'' ta3e e22e)t

i&&ediate'5.

"ONE in t1e Cit5 o2 Mani'a, P1i'ippines, t1is 6 t1da5 o2 Ju'5

.

S". $ENINO S. AG!INO III

$5 t1e President:

S". PAG!I#O N. OCOA, JR.

Exe)utive Se)retar5

Nature of the Truth Commission

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

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

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

pu*'i) o22i)ers and e&p'o5ees, t1eir )o-prin)ipa's, a))o&p'i)es and a))essories durin( t1e

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

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

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

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

*od5 is one./B0

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

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

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

a4ards in disputes *et4een )ontendin( parties. A'' it )an do is (at1er, )o''e)t and assess

eviden)e o2 (ra2t and )orruption and &a3e re)o&&endations. It &a5 1ave su*poena

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

'a4 in a )ountr5Ds past.F/;0#1e5 are usua''5 esta*'is1ed *5 states e&er(in( 2ro& periods

o2 interna' unrest, )ivi' stri2e or aut1oritarianis& to serve as &e)1anis&s 2or transitiona'

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

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

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

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

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


9/38

de'e(ated aut1orit5 o2 t1e President to stru)tura''5 reor(aniua' prote)tion )'ause as it se'e)tive'5

tar(ets 2or investi(ation and prose)ution o22i)ia's and personne' o2 t1eprevious ad&inistration as i2 )orruption is t1eir pe)u'iar spe)ies even as it

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

indi)ta*'e.

e #1e )reation o2 t1e P1i'ippine #rut1 Co&&ission o2 F

vio'ates t1e )onsistent and (enera' internationa' pra)ti)e o2 2our de)ades41erein States )onstitute trut1 )o&&issions to ex)'usive'5 investi(ate

1u&an ri(1ts vio'ations, 41i)1 )usto&ar5 pra)ti)e 2or&s part o2 t1e

(enera''5 a))epted prin)ip'es o2 internationa' 'a4 41i)1 t1e P1i'ippines is&andated to ad1ere to pursuant to t1e "e)'aration o2 Prin)ip'es ens1rined

in t1e Constitution.

2 #1e )reation o2 t1e #rut1 Co&&issionF is an exer)ise in2uti'it5, an adventure in partisan 1osti'it5, a 'aun)1in( pad 2or

tria'K)onvi)tion *5 pu*'i)it5 and a &ere popu'ist propa(anda to &ista3en'5

i&press t1e peop'e t1at 4idespread povert5 4i'' a'to(et1er vanis1 i2)orruption is e'i&inated 4it1out even addressin( t1e ot1er &a?or )auses o2

povert5.

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

)onstitutiona''5 )1a''en(ed is o2 no &o&ent *e)ause neit1er 'a)1es nor

estoppe' )an *ar an eventua' >uestion on t1e )onstitutiona'it5 and va'idit5

o2 an exe)utive issuan)e or even a statute.F/60

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

So'i)itor enera' %+-',essentia''5 >uestioned t1e 'e(a' standin( o2 petitioners and

de2ended t1e assai'ed exe)utive order 4it1 t1e 2o''o4in( ar(u&ents:

0 E.O. No. does not arro(ate t1e po4ers o2 Con(ress to )reate apu*'i) o22i)e *e)ause t1e PresidentDs exe)utive po4er and po4er o2 )ontro'

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

t1at 'a4s are 2ait12u''5 exe)uted and t1at, in an5 event, t1e Constitution,
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10/38

Revised Ad&inistrative Code o2 ;B+ E.O. No. ;, /90Presidentia'

"e)ree P.". No. 7=/=0as a&ended *5 P.". No. ++, R.A. No. ;;+,/+0and sett'ed ?urispruden)e t1at aut1oriuasi-?udi)ia' *od5 and its 2un)tions do not dup'i)ate, supp'ant or erodet1e 'atterDs ?urisdi)tion.

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

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

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

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

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

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

E22i)ien)5%PC/P0'*5 President Car'os P. ar)ia and Presidentia' A(en)5 on Re2or& and

overn&ent Operations %P/1-+'*5 President 8erdinand E. Mar)os./B0

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

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

. @1et1er or not t1e petitioners 1ave t1e 'e(a'

standin( to 2i'e t1eir respe)tive petitions and >uestion Exe)utive Order No.

. @1et1er or not Exe)utive Order No. vio'ates

t1e prin)ip'e o2 separation o2 po4ers *5 usurpin( t1e po4ers o2 Con(ress

to )reate and to appropriate 2unds 2or pu*'i) o22i)es, a(en)ies and

)o&&issions

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

t1e O&*uds&an and t1e "OJ

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

prote)tion )'ause and

9. @1et1er or not petitioners are entit'ed to in?un)tive re'ie2.
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11/38

Essential requisites for judiial re!ie"

$e2ore pro)eedin( to reso've t1e issue o2 t1e )onstitutiona'it5 o2 Exe)utive

Order No. , t1e Court needs to as)ertain 41et1er t1e re>uisites 2or a va'id exer)ise o2 its

po4er o2 ?udi)ia' revie4 are present.

Li3e a'&ost a'' po4ers )on2erred *5 t1e Constitution, t1e po4er o2 ?udi)ia' revie4

is su*?e)t to 'i&itations, to 4it: t1ere &ust *e an a)tua' )ase or )ontrovers5 )a''in( 2or

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

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

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

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

raised at t1e ear'iest opportunit5 and 7 t1e issue o2 )onstitutiona'it5 &ust *e t1e ver5 lis

motao2 t1e )ase./;0

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

at issue.

#e$al %tandin$ of the Petitioners

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

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

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

sustainin( an5 persona' in?ur5 attri*uta*'e to t1e )reation o2 t1e P#C. Not )'ai&in( to *e

t1e su*?e)t o2 t1e )o&&issionDs investi(ations, petitioners 4i'' not sustain in?ur5 in its

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

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

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

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

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

institution and present t1e )o&p'aints on t1e usurpation o2 t1eir po4er and ri(1ts as

&e&*ers o2 t1e 'e(is'ature *e2ore t1e Court. As 1e'd inPhilippine Constitution

/ssociation v. 0nri2ue3,/0

#o t1e extent t1e po4ers o2 Con(ress are i&paired, so is t1e po4ero2 ea)1 &e&*er t1ereo2, sin)e 1is o22i)e )on2ers a ri(1t to parti)ipate in t1e

exer)ise o2 t1e po4ers o2 t1at institution.

An a)t o2 t1e Exe)utive 41i)1 in?ures t1e institution o2 Con(ress)auses a derivative *ut nonet1e'ess su*stantia' in?ur5, 41i)1 )an *e

>uestioned *5 a &e&*er o2 Con(ress. In su)1 a )ase, an5 &e&*er o2

Con(ress )an 1ave a resort to t1e )ourts.
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Indeed, 'e(is'ators 1ave a 'e(a' standin( to see to it t1at t1e prero(ative, po4ers

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

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

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

@it1 re(ard to $irao(o, t1e OS ar(ues t1at, as a taxpa5er, 1e 1as no standin( to>uestion t1e )reation o2 t1e P#C and t1e *ud(et 2or its operations. /60 It e&p1asi


13/38

o2 &ere pu*'i) ri(1t, 1o4evert1e peop'e are t1e rea' partiesIt is at

'east t1e ri(1t, i2 not t1e dut5, o2 ever5 )itiuires, su)1 as 41en t1e

&atter is o2 transendental im&ortane, o2 overrea)1in( si(ni2i)an)e to so)iet5, or o2

para&ount pu*'i) interest.F/90

#1us, in Coconut +il 1efiners /ssociation, uestions are invo'ved, t1e

standin( re>uire&ents &a5 *e re'axed and a suit &a5 *e a''o4ed to prosper even 41eret1ere is no dire)t in?ur5 to t1e part5 )'ai&in( t1e ri(1t o2 ?udi)ia' revie4. In t1e

2irst0mergency Powers Cases,/+0ordinar5 )itiuestion t1e )onstitutiona'it5 o2 severa' exe)utive orders a't1ou(1 t1e5 1ad on'5 an

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

#1e OS )'ai&s t1at t1e deter&inants o2 trans)endenta' i&portan)e/B0'aid do4n

in C10&/ v. 01C and 8eralco/;0are non-existent in t1is )ase. #1e Court, 1o4ever,
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15/38

/6+0A))ordin( to t1e OS, t1e Exe)utive, ?ust 'i3e t1e ot1er t4o *ran)1es o2 (overn&ent,

possesses t1e in1erent aut1orit5 to )reate 2a)t-2indin( )o&&ittees to assist it in t1e

per2or&an)e o2 its )onstitutiona''5 &andated 2un)tions and in t1e exer)ise o2 its

ad&inistrative 2un)tions./6B0#1is po4er, as t1e OS exp'ains it, is *ut an ad?un)t o2 t1e

p'enar5 po4ers 4ie'ded *5 t1e President under Se)tion and 1is po4er o2 )ontro' under

Se)tion +, *ot1 o2 Arti)'e VII o2 t1e Constitution./6;0

It )ontends t1at t1e President is ne)essari'5 vested 4it1 t1e po4er to )ondu)t 2a)t-

2indin( investi(ations, pursuant to 1is dut5 to ensure t1at a'' 'a4s are en2or)ed *5 pu*'i)

o22i)ia's and e&p'o5ees o2 1is depart&ent and in t1e exer)ise o2 1is aut1orit5 to assu&e

dire)t'5 t1e 2un)tions o2 t1e exe)utive depart&ent, *ureau and o22i)e, or inter2ere 4it1 t1e

dis)retion o2 1is o22i)ia's./70#1e po4er o2 t1e President to investi(ate is not 'i&ited to t1e

exer)ise o2 1is po4er o2 )ontro' over 1is su*ordinates in t1e exe)utive *ran)1, *ut extends

2urt1er in t1e exer)ise o2 1is ot1er po4ers, su)1 as 1is po4er to dis)ip'ine su*ordinates,/701is po4er 2or ru'e &a3in(, ad?udi)ation and 'i)ensin( purposes /70and in order to *e

in2or&ed on &atters 41i)1 1e is entit'ed to 3no4./760

#1e OS a'so )ites t1e re)ent )ase o2&anda v. 0rmita,/77041ere it 4as 1e'd t1at

t1e President 1as t1e po4er to reor(aniuestion is in t1e ne(ative.

#o sa5 t1at t1e P#C is *orne out o2 a restru)turin( o2 t1e O22i)e o2 t1e President

under Se)tion 6 is a &isp'a)ed supposition, even in t1e p'ainest &eanin( attri*uta*'e to

t1e ter& restru)tureFH an a'teration o2 an existin( stru)ture.F Evident'5, t1e P#C 4as
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not part o2 t1e stru)ture o2 t1e O22i)e o2 t1e President prior to t1e ena)t&ent o2 Exe)utive

Order No. . As 1e'd in&u*lod ng )awaning 0


17/38

#1e Court, 1o4ever, de)'ines to re)o(ni


18/38

'east, upon t1e adoption o2 t1e

;B+ Constitution, )orre)t.

SOLICI#OR ENERAL CA"I%: es, our onor./90

@1i'e t1e po4er to )reate a trut1 )o&&ission )annot pass &uster on t1e *asis o2

P.". No. 7= as a&ended *5 P.". No. ++, t1e )reation o2 t1e P#C 2inds ?usti2i)ation

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

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

Se)tion +. #1e President s1a'' 1ave )ontro' o2 a'' t1e exe)utivedepart&ents, *ureaus, and o22i)es. H) 6!77 )"+) 6! 6) 7!9 3)

5!/6577 )


19/38

Constitution. In ot1er 4ords, exe)utive po4er is &ore t1an t1e su& o2

spe)i2i) po4ers so enu&erated.

It 1as *een advan)ed t1at 41atever po4er in1erent in t1e

(overn&ent t1at is neit1er 'e(is'ative nor ?udi)ia' 1as to *e exe)utive. x x

x.

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

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

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


20/38

*e t1e ver5 sour)e o2 t1e 2unds 2or t1e )o&&ission.F /990 Moreover, sin)e t1e a&ount t1at

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

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

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

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

exe)uted is 4e'' re)o(niuestions o2 2a)t to 41i)1 t1e 'e(is'ative po'i)5 is to

app'5 and to de)ide in a))ordan)e 4it1 t1e standards 'aid do4n *5 'a4 itse'2 in en2or)in(

and ad&inisterin( t1e sa&e 'a4.F/9B0In si&p'er ter&s, ?udi)ia' dis)retion is invo'ved in t1e

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

and &ust *e )'ear'5 aut1oriuire into s5ste&ati)a''5:

to sear)1 or in>uire into: x x to su*?e)t to an o22i)ia' pro*e x x: to )ondu)t

an o22i)ia' in>uir5. #1e purpose o2 investi(ation, o2 )ourse, is to dis)over,to 2ind out, to 'earn, o*tain in2or&ation. No41ere in)'uded or inti&ated is

t1e notion o2 sett'in(, de)idin( or reso'vin( a )ontrovers5 invo'ved in t1e

2a)ts in>uired into *5 app'i)ation o2 t1e 'a4 to t1e 2a)ts esta*'is1ed *5 t1e

in>uir5.

#1e 'e(a' &eanin( o2 investi(ate is essentia''5 t1e sa&e: to

2o''o4 up step *5 step *5 patient in>uir5 or o*servation. #o tra)e or tra)3to sear)1 into to exa&ine and in>uire into 4it1 )are and a))ura)5 to 2ind

out *5 )are2u' in>uisition exa&ination t1e ta3in( o2 eviden)e a 'e(a'

in>uir5 to in>uire to &a3e an investi(ation, investi(ation *ein( inturn des)ri*ed as an ad&inistrative 2un)tion, t1e exer)ise o2 41i)1

ordinari'5 does not re>uire a 1earin(. A& Jd Ad& L Se). 9+ x x an

in>uir5, ?udi)ia' or ot1er4ise, 2or t1e dis)over5 and )o''e)tion o2 2a)ts

)on)ernin( a )ertain &atter or &atters.
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21/38


22/38

)ourts. #1e po4er to )ondu)t pre'i&inar5 investi(ation on )1ar(es a(ainst

pu*'i) e&p'o5ees and o22i)ia's is 'i3e4ise )on)urrent'5 s1ared 4it1 t1e

"epart&ent o2 Justi)e. "espite t1e passa(e o2 t1e Lo)a' overn&ent Codein ;;, t1e O&*uds&an retains )on)urrent ?urisdi)tion 4it1 t1e O22i)e o2

t1e President and t1e 'o)a' angguniansto investi(ate )o&p'aints a(ainst

'o)a' e'e)tive o22i)ia's. /E&p1asis supp'ied0.

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

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

Investi(ate and prose)ute on its o4n or on )o&p'aint *5 an5person, an5 a)t or o&ission o2 an5 pu*'i) o22i)er or e&p'o5ee, o22i)e or

a(en)5, 41en su)1 a)t or o&ission appears to *e i''e(a', un?ust, i&proper

or ine22i)ient. It 1as 4+/!+ 8+/#/-/$"over )ases )o(ni


23/38

Exe)utive Order No. in vie4 o2 its apparent trans(ression o2 t1e e>ua' prote)tion )'ause

ens1rined in Se)tion , Arti)'e III $i'' o2 Ri(1ts o2 t1e ;B+ Constitution. Se)tion

reads:

Se)tion .No person s1a'' *e deprived o2 'i2e, 'i*ert5, or propert5

4it1out due pro)ess o2 'a4, "$+ 6!77 !" 4)+$" 3) #)"/)# 6) )?!74+$)-/$" $5 6) 7!9.

#1e petitioners assai' Exe)utive Order No. *e)ause it is vio'ative o2 t1is

)onstitutiona' sa2e(uard. #1e5 )ontend t1at it does not app'5 e>ua''5 to a'' &e&*ers o2

t1e sa&e )'ass su)1 t1at t1e intent o2 sin('in( out t1e previous ad&inistrationF as its so'e

o*?e)t &a3es t1e P#C an adventure in partisan 1osti'it5.F/==0#1us, in order to *e

a))orded 4it1 va'idit5, t1e )o&&ission &ust a'so )over reports o2 (ra2t and )orruption in

virtua''5 a'' ad&inistrations previous to t1at o2 2or&er President Arro5o./=+0

#1e petitioners ar(ue t1at t1e sear)1 2or trut1 *e1ind t1e reported )ases o2 (ra2tand )orruption &ust en)o&pass a)ts )o&&itted not on'5 durin( t1e ad&inistration o2

2or&er President Arro5o *ut a'so durin( prior ad&inistrations 41ere t1e sa&e &a(nitude

o2 )ontroversies and ano&a'iesF/=B04ere reported to 1ave *een )o&&itted a(ainst t1e

8i'ipino peop'e. #1e5 assai' t1e )'assi2i)ation 2or&u'ated *5 t1e respondents as it does

not 2a'' under t1e re)o(niua' 2or)e.F/+0

P$//$" $5 +)4$"#)"

A))ordin( to respondents, 41i'e Exe)utive Order No. identi2ies t1e previous

ad&inistrationF as t1e initia' su*?e)t o2 t1e investi(ation, 2o''o4in( Se)tion + t1ereo2,

t1e P#C 4i'' not )on2ine itse'2 to )ases o2 'ar(e s)a'e (ra2t and )orruption so'e'5 durin(

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

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

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

transa)tions o2 pu*'i) o22i)ers durin( t1e previous ad&inistration as possi*'e su*?e)ts o2investi(ation is a va'id )'assi2i)ation *ased on su*stantia' distin)tions and is (er&ane to

t1e evi's 41i)1 t1e Exe)utive Order see3s to )orre)t.F/+0#o distin(uis1 t1e Arro5o

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

irst. E.O. No. 4as issued in vie4 o2 widespread reports of largescale graft and corruptionin t1e previous ad&inistration 41i)1 1ave

eroded pu*'i) )on2iden)e in pu*'i) institutions. #1ere is, t1ere2ore, an
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ur(ent )a'' 2or t1e deter&ination o2 t1e trut1 re(ardin( )ertain reports o2

'ar(e s)a'e (ra2t and )orruption in t1e (overn&ent and to put a )'osure to

t1e& *5 t1e 2i'in( o2 t1e appropriate )ases a(ainst t1ose invo'ved, i24arranted, and to deter ot1ers 2ro& )o&&ittin( t1e evi', restore t1e

peop'eDs 2ait1 and )on2iden)e in t1e overn&ent and in t1eir pu*'i)

servants.

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

o*?e)t o2 2a)t-2indin( is 4arranted *5 t1e rea'it5 t1at un'i3e 4it1ad&inistrations 'on( (one, t1e )urrent ad&inistration 4i'' &ost 'i3e'5 *ear

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

hird. #1e )'assi2i)ation o2 t1e previous ad&inistration as aseparate )'ass 2or investi(ation 'ies in t1e rea'it5 t1at t1e evidence o2

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

pu*'i) &onies i''e(a''5 dissipated, t1e po'i)5 'essons to *e 'earned to

ensure t1at anti-)orruption 'a4s are 2ait12u''5 exe)uted, are more easilyestablishedin t1e re(i&e t1at i&&ediate'5 pre)ede t1e )urrent

ad&inistration.

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

prede)essors to investi(ations to provide )'osure to issues t1at are pivota'to nationa' 'i2e or even as a routine &easure o2 due di'i(en)e and (ood

1ouse3eepin( *5 a nas)ent ad&inistration 'i3e t1e Presidentia'

Co&&ission on ood overn&ent PC, )reated *5 t1e 'ate President

Corauino under Exe)utive Order No. to pursue t1e re)over5 o2i''-(otten 4ea't1 o2 1er prede)essor 2or&er President 8erdinand Mar)os

and 1is )ronies, and t1e aguisag Co&&ission )reated *5 2or&er President

Josep1 Estrada under Ad&inistrative Order No, 96, to 2or& an ad-1o) andindependent )iti


25/38

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

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

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

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

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

dis)ri&ination, 41et1er o))asioned *5 t1e express ter&s o2 a statue or *5 its i&properexe)ution t1rou(1 t1e stateDs du'5 )onstituted aut1orities.F/++0In ot1er 4ords, t1e )on)ept

o2 e>ua' ?usti)e under t1e 'a4 re>uires t1e state to (overn i&partia''5, and it &a5 not dra4

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

(overn&enta' o*?e)tive.F/+B0

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

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

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

prote)tion o2 t1e 'a4s, t1rou(1 41atever a(en)5 or 41atever (uise is ta3en./B0

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

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

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

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

o2reasona*leness. #1e test 1as 2our re>uisites: #1e )'assi2i)ation rests on su*stantia'

distin)tions It is (er&ane to t1e purpose o2 t1e 'a4 6 It is not 'i&ited to existin(

)onditions on'5 and


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7 It app'ies e>ua''5 to a'' &e&*ers o2 t1e sa&e )'ass. /B0Super2i)ia' di22eren)es

do not &a3e 2or a va'id )'assi2i)ation.F/B0

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

e&*ra)e a'' persons 41o natura''5 *e'on( to t1e )'ass. /B60 #1e )'assi2i)ation 4i'' *e

re(arded as inva'id i2 a'' t1e &e&*ers o2 t1e )'ass are not si&i'ar'5 treated, *ot1 as tori(1ts )on2erred and o*'i(ations i&posed. It is not ne)essar5 t1at t1e )'assi2i)ation *e

&ade 4it1 a*so'ute s5&&etr5, in t1e sense t1at t1e &e&*ers o2 t1e )'ass s1ou'd possess

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

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

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

as t1at )'ass is su*stantia''5 distin(uis1a*'e 2ro& a'' ot1ers, does not ?usti25 t1e non-

app'i)ation o2 t1e 'a4 to 1i&.F/B70

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

)onstituted as to pre)'ude addition to t1e nu&*er in)'uded in t1e )'ass. It &ust *e o2 su)1

a nature as to e&*ra)e a'' t1ose 41o &a5 t1erea2ter *e in si&i'ar )ir)u&stan)es and

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

)ertain )'assi2i)ation. As e'u)idated in 7ictoriano v. 0li3alde 1ope Wor*ers@ 6nion/B90and

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

#1e (uarant5 o2 e>ua' prote)tion o2 t1e 'a4s is not a (uarant5 o2e>ua'it5 in t1e app'i)ation o2 t1e 'a4s upon a'' )itiuire&ent, in order to avoid t1e )onstitutiona'

pro1i*ition a(ainst ine>ua'it5, t1at ever5 &an, 4o&an and )1i'd s1ou'd *ea22e)ted a'i3e *5 a statute. E>ua'it5 o2 operation o2 statutes does not &ean

indis)ri&inate operation on persons &ere'5 as su)1, *ut on persons

a))ordin( to t1e )ir)u&stan)es surroundin( t1e&. It (uarantees e>ua'it5,not identit5 o2 ri(1ts. #1e Constitution does not re>uire t1at t1in(s 41i)1

are di22erent in 2a)t *e treated in 'a4 as t1ou(1 t1e5 4ere t1e sa&e. #1e

e>ua' prote)tion )'ause does not 2or*id dis)ri&ination as to t1in(s t1at aredi22erent. It does not pro1i*it 'e(is'ation 41i)1 is 'i&ited eit1er in t1e

o*?e)t to 41i)1 it is dire)ted or *5 t1e territor5 4it1in 41i)1 it is to

operate.

#1e e>ua' prote)tion o2 t1e 'a4s )'ause o2 t1e Constitution a''o4s

)'assi2i)ation. C'assi2i)ation in 'a4, as in t1e ot1er depart&ents o2

3no4'ed(e or pra)ti)e, is t1e (roupin( o2 t1in(s in spe)u'ation or pra)ti)e*e)ause t1e5 a(ree 4it1 one anot1er in )ertain parti)u'ars. A 'a4 is not

inva'id *e)ause o2 si&p'e ine>ua'it5. #1e ver5 idea o2 )'assi2i)ation is t1at

o2 ine>ua'it5, so t1at it (oes 4it1out sa5in( t1at t1e &ere 2a)t o2 ine>ua'it5in no &anner deter&ines t1e &atter o2 )onstitutiona'it5. A'' t1at is re>uired

o2 a va'id )'assi2i)ation is t1at it *e reasona*'e, 41i)1 &eans t1at t1e

)'assi2i)ation s1ou'd *e *ased on su*stantia' distin)tions 41i)1 &a3e 2or

rea' di22eren)es, t1at it &ust *e (er&ane to t1e purpose o2 t1e 'a4 t1at it&ust not *e 'i&ited to existin( )onditions on'5 and t1at it &ust app'5

e>ua''5 to ea)1 &e&*er o2 t1e )'ass. #1is Court 1as 1e'd t1at t1e standard


27/38

is satis2ied i2 t1e )'assi2i)ation or distin)tion is *ased on a reasona*'e

2oundation or rationa' *asis and is not pa'pa*'5 ar*itrar5. /Citations

o&itted0

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

do4n as vio'ative o2 t1e e>ua' prote)tion )'ause. #1e )'ear &andate o2 t1e envisionedtrut1 )o&&ission is to investi(ate and 2ind out t1e trut1 )on)ernin( t1e reported )ases o2

(ra2t and )orruption durin( t1eprevious administration$+-on'5. #1e intent to sin('e out

t1e previous ad&inistration is p'ain, patent and &ani2est. Mention o2 it 1as *een &ade in

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

@EREAS, t1ere is a need 2or a separate *od5 dedi)ated so'e'5 to

investi(atin( and 2indin( out t1e trut1 )on)ernin( t1e reported )ases o2

(ra2t and )orruption durin( t1e4+)*/$ !#/"/+!/$", and 41i)1 4i''re)o&&end t1e prose)ution o2 t1e o22enders and se)ure ?usti)e 2or a''

SEC#ION . Creation o2 a Co&&ission. H #1ere is 1ere*5 )reatedt1e PILIPPINE #R!# COMMISSION, 1ereina2ter re2erred to ast1e COMMISSION,F 41i)1 s1a'' pri&ari'5 see3 and 2ind t1e trut1 on,

and to4ard t1is end, investi(ate reports o2 (ra2t and )orruption o2 su)1

s)a'e and &a(nitude t1at s1o)3 and o22end t1e &ora' and et1i)a'sensi*i'ities o2 t1e peop'e, )o&&itted *5 pu*'i) o22i)ers and e&p'o5ees,

t1eir )o-prin)ipa's, a))o&p'i)es and a))essories 2ro& t1e private se)tor, i2

an5, durin( t1e 4+)*/$ !#/"/+!/$" and t1erea2ter re)o&&end t1eappropriate a)tion or &easure to *e ta3en t1ereon to ensure t1at t1e 2u''

&easure o2 ?usti)e s1a'' *e served 4it1out 2ear or 2avor.

SEC#ION . Po4ers and 8un)tions. H #1e Co&&ission, 41i)1 s1a'' 1avea'' t1e po4ers o2 an investi(ative *od5 under Se)tion 6+, C1apter ;, $oo3

I o2 t1e Ad&inistrative Code o2 ;B+, is pri&ari'5 tas3ed to )ondu)t a

t1orou(1 2a)t-2indin( investi(ation o2 reported )ases o2 (ra2t and)orruption re2erred to in Se)tion , invo'vin( t1ird 'eve' pu*'i) o22i)ers and

1i(1er, t1eir )o-prin)ipa's, a))o&p'i)es and a))essories 2ro& t1e private

se)tor, i2 an5, durin( t1e 4+)*/$ !#/"/+!/$"and t1erea2ter su*&it its2indin( and re)o&&endations to t1e President, Con(ress and t1e

O&*uds&an. /E&p1ases supp'ied0

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

&e&*er o2 a )'ass, t1at is, a )'ass o2 past ad&inistrations. It is not a )'ass o2 its o4n. Notto in)'ude past ad&inistrations si&i'ar'5 situated )onstitutes ar*itrariness 41i)1 t1e e>ua'

prote)tion )'ause )annot san)tion. Su)1 dis)ri&inatin( di22erentiation )'ear'5

rever*erates to 'a*e' t1e )o&&ission as a ve1i)'e 2or vindi)tiveness and se'e)tive

retri*ution.

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

ad&inistration and ot1er past ad&inistrations, t1ese distin)tions are not su*stantia'
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enou(1 to &erit t1e restri)tion o2 t1e investi(ation to t1e previous ad&inistrationF

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

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

a'so *'e&is1ed *5 si&i'ar 4idespread reports o2 i&propriet5. #1e5 are not in1erent in,

and do not inure so'e'5 to, t1e Arro5o ad&inistration. As Justi)e Isa(ani Cru< put it,

Super2i)ia' di22eren)es do not &a3e 2or a va'id )'assi2i)ation.F/BB0

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

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

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

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

reason (iven is spe)ious. It is 4it1out dou*t irre'evant to t1e 'e(iti&ate and no*'e

o*?e)tive o2 t1e P#C to sta&p out or end )orruption and t1e evi' it *reeds.F/;0

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

ear'ier reports invo'vin( t1e ear'ier ad&inistrations 4ere a'read5 in>uired into is *esidet1e point. O*vious'5, de)eased presidents and )ases 41i)1 1ave a'read5 pres)ri*ed )an no

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

si&u'taneous investi(ations o2 previous ad&inistrations, (iven t1e *od5Ds 'i&ited ti&e

and resour)es. #1e 'a4 does not re>uire t1e i&possi*'eF %4e5 non cogit ad

impossibilia'.+/0

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

re)o(ni


29/38

nation to 41i)1 a'' ot1er 'a4s &ust )on2or& and in a))ordan)e 4it1 41i)1 a'' private

ri(1ts deter&ined and a'' pu*'i) aut1orit5 ad&inistered. /;60La4s t1at do not )on2or& to

t1e Constitution s1ou'd *e stri)3en do4n 2or *ein( un)onstitutiona'. /;70@1i'e t1e t1rust o2

t1e P#C is spe)i2i), t1at is, 2or investi(ation o2 a)ts o2 (ra2t and )orruption, Exe)utive

Order No. , to survive, &ust *e read to(et1er 4it1 t1e provisions o2 t1e Constitution. #o

ex)'ude t1e ear'ier ad&inistrations in t1e (uise o2 su*stantia' distin)tionsF 4ou'd on'5)on2ir& t1e petitionersD 'a&ent t1at t1e su*?e)t exe)utive order is on'5 an adventure in

partisan 1osti'it5.F In t1e )ase o2 6 v. Cyprian,/;90it 4as 4ritten: A rat1er 'i&ited

nu&*er o2 su)1 )'assi2i)ations 1ave routine'5 *een 1e'd or assu&ed to *e ar*itrar5 t1ose

in)'ude: ra)e, nationa' ori(in, (ender,political activity or membership in a political

party,union a)tivit5 or &e&*ers1ip in a 'a*or union, or &ore (enera''5 t1e exer)ise o2

2irst a&end&ent ri(1ts.F

#o reiterate, in order 2or a )'assi2i)ation to &eet t1e re>uire&ents o2

)onstitutiona'it5, it &ust in)'ude or e&*ra)e a'' persons 41o natura''5 *e'on( to t1e )'ass./;=0Su)1 a )'assi2i)ation &ust not *e *ased on existin( )ir)u&stan)es on'5, or so

)onstituted as to pre)'ude additions to t1e nu&*er in)'uded 4it1in a )'ass, *ut &ust *e o2

su)1 a nature as to e&*ra)e a'' t1ose 41o &a5 t1erea2ter *e in si&i'ar )ir)u&stan)es and

)onditions. 8urt1er&ore, a'' 41o are in situations and )ir)u&stan)es 41i)1 are re'ative to

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

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

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

#1e Court is not una4are t1at &ere underin)'usiveness is not 2ata' to t1e va'idit5

o2 a 'a4 under t1e e>ua' prote)tion )'ause.F/;B0Le(is'ation is not un)onstitutiona' &ere'5

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

1as *een 4ritten t1at a re(u'ation )1a''en(ed under t1e e>ua' prote)tion )'ause is notdevoid o2 a rationa' predi)ate si&p'5 *e)ause it 1appens to *e in)o&p'ete. /0In severa'

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

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

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

prote)tion )'ai&s, a 'e(is'ature does not run t1e ris3 o2 'osin( t1e entire re&edia' s)1e&e

si&p'5 *e)ause it 2ai's, t1rou(1 inadverten)e or ot1er4ise, to )over ever5 evi' t1at &i(1t

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

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

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

2a)t t1at it 4as unders)ored at 'east t1ree ti&es in t1e assai'ed exe)utive order. It &ust *enoted t1at Exe)utive Order No. does not even &ention an5 parti)u'ar a)t, event or

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

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

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

OS )'ari2ies t1at t1e )o&&ission does not on'5 )on2ine itse'2 to )ases o2 'ar(e s)a'e (ra2t
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/192935.htm#_ftn93http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/192935.htm#_ftn93http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/192935.htm#_ftn94http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/192935.htm#_ftn95http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/192935.htm#_ftn95http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/192935.htm#_ftn96http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/192935.htm#_ftn97http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/192935.htm#_ftn98http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/192935.htm#_ftn99http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/192935.htm#_ftn100http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/192935.htm#_ftn101http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/192935.htm#_ftn102http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/192935.htm#_ftn103http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/192935.htm#_ftn93http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/192935.htm#_ftn94http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/192935.htm#_ftn95http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/192935.htm#_ftn96http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/192935.htm#_ftn97http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/192935.htm#_ftn98http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/192935.htm#_ftn99http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/192935.htm#_ftn100http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/192935.htm#_ftn101http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/192935.htm#_ftn102http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/192935.htm#_ftn103


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

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

SEC#ION +. pecial Provision Concerning 8andate. I2 and 41en in t1e

?ud(&ent o2 t1e President t1ere is a need to expand t1e &andate o2 t1eCo&&ission as de2ined in Se)tion 1ereo2 to in)'ude t1e investi(ation o2

)ases and instan)es o2 (ra2t and )orruption durin( t1e priorad&inistrations, su)1 &andate &a5 *e so extended a))ordin('5 *5 4a5 o2

a supp'e&enta' Exe)utive Order.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

#1e Court tried to see3 (uidan)e 2ro& t1e pronoun)e&ent in t1e )ase o2 7irata v.

andiganbayan,/=0 t1at t1e PC C1arter )o&posed o2 Exe)utive Orders Nos. ,

and 7 does not vio'ate t1e e>ua' prote)tion )'ause.F #1e de)ision, 1o4ever, 4as devoid

o2 an5 dis)ussion on 1o4 su)1 )on)'usor5 state&ent 4as arrived at, t1e prin)ipa' issue in

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

A 5/"!7 9$+#

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

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

4it1 respe)t to re)ent initiatives o2 t1e 'e(is'ature and t1e exe)utive depart&ent, is

exer)isin( undue inter2eren)e. Is t1e i(1est #ri*una', 41i)1 is expe)ted to *e t1e

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

o2 separation o2 po4ers #i&e and a(ain, t1is issue 1as *een addressed *5 t1e Court, *ut

it see&s t1at t1e present po'iti)a' situation )a''s 2or it to on)e a(ain exp'ain t1e 'e(a' *asiso2 its a)tion 'est it )ontinua''5 *e a))used o2 *ein( a 1indran)e to t1e nationDs t1rust to

pro(ress.

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

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

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

en2or)ea*'e, and to deter&ine 41et1er or not t1ere 1as *een a (rave o2 a*use o2 dis)retion
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/192935.htm#_ftn104http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/192935.htm#_ftn105http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/192935.htm#_ftn106http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/192935.htm#_ftn106http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/192935.htm#_ftn104http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/192935.htm#_ftn105http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/192935.htm#_ftn106


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

t1e (overn&ent.F

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

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

presidentia' de)ree, pro)'a&ation, order, instru)tion, ordinan)e, or re(u'ationun)onstitutiona'. #1is po4er a'so in)'udes t1e dut5 to ru'e on t1e )onstitutiona'it5 o2 t1e

app'i)ation, or operation o2 presidentia' de)rees, pro)'a&ations, orders, instru)tions,

ordinan)es, and ot1er re(u'ations. #1ese provisions, 1o4ever, 1ave *een 2erti'e (rounds

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

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

superiorit5 over t1e ot1er depart&ents.

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

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

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

rea'it5 nu''i25 or inva'idate an a)t o2 t1e 'e(is'ature, *ut on'5 asserts t1e so'e&n andsa)red o*'i(ation assi(ned to it *5 t1e Constitution to deter&ine )on2'i)tin( )'ai&s o2

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

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

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

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

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

And, i2 a2ter said revie4, t1e Court 2inds no )onstitutiona' vio'ations o2 an5 sort, t1en, it

1as no &ore aut1orit5 o2 pros)ri*in( t1e a)tions under revie4. Ot1er4ise, t1e Court 4i''

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

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

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

it is i&portant to re&e&*er t1is et1i)a' prin)ip'e: #1e end does not ?usti25 t1e &eans.F

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

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

t1en it )annot sti'' *e a''o4ed./B0#1e Court )annot ?ust turn a *'ind e5e and si&p'5 'et it

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

he Constitution must ever remain supreme. /ll must bow to the

mandate of this law. 05pediency must not be allowed to sap its strengthnor greed for power debase its rectitude.$+01/

Lest it *e &isunderstood, t1is is not t1e deat1 3ne'' 2or a trut1 )o&&ission as

no*'5 envisioned *5 t1e present ad&inistration. Per1aps ! +)*//$" $5 6) )


32/38

) $5 +)!$"!37)") !"# "$ 3) !" !55+$" $ 6) C$"//$". O2 a'' t1e *ran)1es o2

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

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

*e e&p1asiua' prote)tion

)'ause o2 t1e Constitution.

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

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

SO ORDERED.

JOSE CATRAL MENDOA Asso)iate Justi)e

@E CONCUR

S)) )4!+!) $4/"/$" -$"-++/":

RENATO C. CORONA

C1ie2 Justi)e

See dissentin( opinion P'ease see dissentin( opinion

ANTONIO T. CARPIO CONCHITA CARPIO MORALES A

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

I )erti25 t1at Justi)e Ve'as)o 'e2t 1is

)on)urrin( vote See )on)urrin( dissentin( opinion

PRESBITERO J. VELASCO, JR. ANTONIO EDUARDO B. NACHURA
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/192935.htm#_ftn110http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/192935.htm#_ftn110


33/38

Asso)i

ate Justi)e Asso)iate Justi)e

S)) )4!+!)

-$"-++/": $4/"/$" S)) )4!+!) $4/"/$" -$"-++/":

TERESITA J. LEONARDODE CASTRO ARTURO D. BRION

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

S)) )4!+!)

-$"-++/": $4/"/$" )) )4!+!) -$"-++/": $4/"/$"DIOSDADO M. PERALTA LUCAS P. BERSAMIN

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

S)) )4!+!) #/)"/": $4/"/$"

MARIANO C. DEL CASTILLO ROBERTO A. ABAD

A


See separate opinion )on)urrin(

MARTIN S. VILLARAMA, JR. JOSE PORTUGAL PERE

A



34/38

S)) #/)"/": $4/"/$"MARIA LOURDES P.A. SERENO

Asso)iate Justi)e

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

Pursuant to Se)tion 6, Arti)'e VIII o2 t1e Constitution, I )erti25 t1at t1e

)on)'usions in t1e a*ove "e)ision 1ad *een rea)1ed in )onsu'tation *e2ore t1e )ase 4as

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

RENATO C. CORONA

C1ie2 Justi)e

/0/ngara v. he 0lectoral Commission, =6 P1i'. 6;, 9B ;6=./0

$ernas, #1e ;B+ Constitution o2 t1e Repu*'i) o2 t1e P1i'ippines A Co&&entar5, ;;=ed., p. xxxiv, )itin(8iller, Le)tures on t1e Constitution o2 t1e !nited States =7 B;6 S)14art


35/38

/=0Se)tion . #1e 'e(is'ative po4er s1a'' *e vested in t1e Con(ress o2 t1e P1i'ippines

41i)1 s1a'' )onsist o2 a Senate and a ouse o2 Representatives, ex)ept to t1e extent

reserved to t1e peop'e *5 t1e provision on initiative and re2erendu&./+0$irao(o Petition, p. 9, rollo, p. +./B0alvador 4aurel v. 9on. esierto,.R. No. 796=B, Apri' , , )itin(.1.

8echem, / reatise +n he 4aw of Public +ffices and +fficers./;0Internationa' Center 2or #ransitiona' Justi)e, 1ttp:KK444.i)t?.or(KenKt?K6B.1t&'T

visited Nove&*er , ./0reeman, he ruth Commission and Procedural airness,= Ed., p. ,)itin(9ayner, 6nspea*ableruths= acing the Challenge of ruth Commissions.

/0Internationa' Center 2or #ransitiona' Justi)e, supra note ;./0/rmando oronila, Philippine aily uirer.netKin>uirer1ead'inesKnationKvie4KB-B7777K#rut1-*od5-to'd-#a3e-no

prisonersT visited Nove&*er ;, ./60La(&an Petition, pp. 9-9, rollo,pp. 9B-=./70

1ollo,pp. -=./90 Ot1er4ise 3no4n as t1e Ad&inistrative Code o2 ;B+./=0rantin( Continuin( Aut1orit5 #o #1e President O2 #1e P1i'ippines #o Reor(aniuestions *ein( raised.F/;0.R. No. +7=;+, Ju'5 B, ./60)ilosbayan,


36/38

/60$irao(o Me&orandu&, p. +, rollo, p. =;./60Id. at =, rollo, p. =B./660Id. at ;, rollo, p. +./670Id. at , rollo, p. +./690Id. at -, rollopp. +-+6./6=0

La(&an Me&orandu&, .R. No ;66=, pp. -, rollo,pp. +-+./6+0OS Me&orandu&, p. 6, rollo,p. 69./6B0Id. at 66, rollo,p. 69./6;0OS Conso'idated Co&&ent, p. 7, rollo, p. 77./70OS Me&orandu&, pp. 6B-6;, rollo,pp. 69+-69B./70Citin(epartment of 9ealth v. Camposano, .R. No. 9+=B7, Apri' +, 9, 79+

SCRA 76B, 79./70Citin(0vangelista v. Jarencio, No. L-++7, Nove&*er +, ;+9, =B SCRA ;;, 7./760Citin(1odrigue3 v. antos ia3, No. L-;996, 8e*ruar5 ;, ;=7, SCRA 77, 779./770.R. No. ===, Apri' , ./790Conso'idated Co&&ent, p. 79, rollo, p. =9./7=0

.R. Nos. 7B-B, Ju'5 , , 6= SCRA +B, a'so )ited in &anda, supra./7+0he 7eterans ederation of the Philippines v. 1eyes,. R. No. 99+, 8e*ruar5 B,

=, 7B6 SCRA 9=, 9=7+C v. 8abalot, 7B P1i'. 97, =7-=98ondano v. ilvosa,;+ P1i'. 76 ;99.

/7B0OS Me&orandu&, p. 9=, rollo, p. 6+9./7;0.R. No. +79, O)to*er =, ;;+, B SCRA +6, +6./90#SN, Septe&*er B, , pp. 9-+./90OS Me&orandu&, p. 6+, rollo, p.69=./90.R. BB, Septe&*er 9, ;B;, ++ SCRA =BB./960Id. at =;./9707;= P1i'. BB=, B;=-B;+ 9./990Conso'idated Co&&ent, p. 7B rollo, p. =B./9=0Se)tion +. #1e President s1a'' 1ave )ontro' o2 a'' t1e exe)utive depart&ents, *ureaus,

and o22i)es. e s1a'' ensure t1at t1e 'a4s *e 2ait12u''5 exe)uted./9+0+ple v. orres, 697 P1i'. ;7B, ;=+ ;;B./9B0mart Communications,


37/38

/+0OS Conso'idated Co&&ent. p. =B,rollo, p. BB./+60OS Me&orandu&, pp. ;-;6, rollo,pp. 7;-7./+70he Philippine Judges /ssociation v. 9on. Pardo, .R. No. 96+, Nove&*er ,

;;6, + SCRA +6, +./+90Id. at +, )itin(


38/38

/;90+9= 8. Supp. 6BB, N.. ". Ind., ;;, Jan 6, ;;, Cri& No. CR ;-7

a'so 1ttp:KKin.2inda)ase.)o&Kresear)1K42r&"o)Vie4er.aspxKx>K2a).;;6.

NIN.1t&K>x a))essed "e)e&*er 9, T/;=08c0rlain v. aylor, + Ind. 7 )ited in A&. Jur. d, Vo'. = *, p. 6=+./;+08artin v. ollefson, 7 @as1. d )ited in A&. Jur. d, Vo'. = *, pp. 6=+-6=B ./;B0

Bi5on v. /dministrator of -eneral ervices, 766 !S 79 )ited in A&. Jur. d, Vo'. =*, p. 6+./;;09unter v. lowers, 76 So d 769 )ited in A&. Jur. d, Vo'. = *, p. 6+./0Clements v. ashing, 79+ !S ;9+./0See A&. Jur. d, Vo'. = *, pp. 6+-6+, as 2ootnote A state 'e(is'ature &a5,

)onsistent'5 4it1 t1e E>ua' Prote)tion C'ause, address a pro*'e& one step at a ti&e, or

even se'e)t one p1ase o2 one 2ie'd and app'5 a re&ed5 t1ere, ne('e)tin( t1e ot1ers.

/Je22eson v. a)3ne5, 7= !S 9690./08conald v. &oard of 0lection Com:rs of Chicago, 6;7 !S B )ited in A& Jur d,

8ootnote No. ;./601ic*etts v. City of 9ardford, +7 8. 6d 6;+ )ited in A&. Jur. d, Vo'. = *, p. 66./70

OS Conso'idated Co&&ent, p. ==, rollo, p.B=./90La(&an Me&orandu&, p. 6 rollo, p. B./=0.R. No. B=;=, O)to*er 9, ;; SCRA =B./+0/ngara v. 0lectoral Commission, =6 P1i'. 6;, 9B ;6=./B0Cru

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