1st week consti 2 cases

8/12/2019 1st Week Consti 2 Cases

1/188

Proper party (Locus Standi)

Taxpayers suit requisites

Macalintal vs PET, GR 11!1"

#acts$ Par %, Sec &, 'rt o* t+e 1"% onstitution provides$ -T+e Supre.e ourt, sittin/ en 0anc,

s+all 0e t+e sole ud/e o* all contests relatin/ to t+e election, returns, and quali*ications o* t+e

President or ice2President, and .ay pro.ul/ate its rules *or t+e purpose34

Sec 15, 'rt 3 o* t+e onsti tution provides$ T+e Me.0ers o* t+e Supre.e ourt and o* ot+er

courts esta0lis+ed 0y la6 s+all not 0e desi/nated to any a/ency per*or.in/ quasi2udicial or

ad.inistrative *unctions3

T+e case at 0ar is a .otion *or reconsideration *iled 0y petitioner o* t+e S7s decision dis.issin/

t+e *or.er7s petition and declarin/ t+e esta0lis+.ent o* t+e respondent PET as constitutional3

Petitioner ar/ues t+at PET is unconstitutional on t+e /round t+at Sec &, 'rt o* t+e onstitution

does not provide *or t+e creation o* t+e PET, and it violates Sec 15, 'rt o* t+e onstitution3

T+e Solicitor General .aintains t+at t+e constitution o* t+e PET is on *ir. *ootin/ on t+e 0asis o*

t+e /rant o* aut+ority to t+e Supre.e ourt to 0e t+e sole ud/e o* all election contests *or t+e

President or ice2President under par %, Sec &, 'rt o* t+e onstitution3

ssue$

8+et+er or not PET is constitutional3

8+et+er or not PET exercise s quasi2udicial po6er3

9eld$

:es3 T+e explicit re*erence o* t+e Me.0ers o* t+e onsti tutional o..ission to a Presidential

Electoral Tri0unal , 6it+ #r3 ;oaquin


2/188

doctrine o* necessary i.plication, t+e additional urisdiction 0esto6ed 0y t+e last para/rap+ o*

Section &, 'rticle o* t+e onsti tution to decide presidential and vice2presidential elections

contests includes t+e .eans necessary to carry it into e**ect3

>o3 T+e traditional /rant o* udicial po6er is *ound in Section 1, 'rticle o* t+e onstitution

6+ic+ provides t+at t+e po6er -s+all 0e vested in one Supre.e ourt and in suc+ lo6er courts as.ay 0e esta0lis+ed 0y la634 T+e set up e.0odied in t+e onstitution and statutes c+aracteri=e t+e

resolution o* electoral contests as essentially an exercise o* udicial po6er3 8+en t+e Supre.e

ourt , as PET, resolves a presidential or vice2presidential election contest , i t per*or.s 6+at is

essentially a udicial po6er3

T+e ?MELE, 9RET and SET are not, strictly and literally spea@in/, courts o* la63 'lt+ou/+ not

courts o* la6, t+ey are, nonet+eless, e.po6ered to resolve election contests 6+ic+ involve, in

essence, an exercise o* udicial po6er, 0ecause o* t+e explicit constitutional e.po6er.ent *ound in

Section 5(5), 'rticle A2 (*or t+e ?MELE) and Section 1%, 'rticle (*or t+e Senate and 9ouseElectoral Tri0unals) o* t+e onstitution3

1. Taxpayers, voters, concerned citizens, and legislators may be accorded standing to sue, provided

that the following requirements are met:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

(1 cases involve constitutional issues!

(" for taxpayers, there must be a claim of i l legal disbursement of public funds or that the taxmeasure is unconstitutional!

(# for voters, there must be a showing of obvious interest in the validity of the election law in

question!

($ for concerned citizens, there must be a showing that the issues raised are of transcendental

importance which must be settled early! and

(%for legislators, there must be a claim that the official action complained of infringes upon their

prerogati ves as legi sl at or s.

&ontrary to the wel l'set tled actual and direct inury tes t, pet it ioner has s imply alleged ageneral ized interest in the outcome of this case, and succeeds only in muddl ing the issues.

)a ra gr ap h " of th e pe ti tion read s:cha nroblesv ir tu al la wl ibr ary

". x x x *ince the creation and continued operation of the )+T involves the use of public funds and

the issue raised herein is of transcendental importance, it is petitioner s humble submission that, as

a citizen, a taxpayer and a member of the -/, he has the legal standing to file this petition.


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-ut even if his submission is valid, petitioners standing is still imperiled by the white elephant in

the peti t ion, i .e., his appearance as counsel for former )resident 0loria acapagal'rroyo

(acapagal'rroyo in the election protest filed by "22$ presidential candidate 3ernando )oe, 4r.

before the )residential +lectoral Tribunal,51#6 because udicial inquiry, as mentioned above,

requires that the constitutional question be raised at the earliest possible opportunity.51$6 *uch

appearance as counsel before the Tribunal, to our mind, would have been the first opportunity to

challenge the constitutionality of the Tribunals constitution.

l th ou gh th ere are recog ni ze d except io ns to th is requ isi te , we find no ne in th is inst ance. )e ti ti oner

is unmista7ably estopped from assailing the urisdiction of the )+T before which tribunal he had

ubiquitously appeared and had ac7nowledged i ts urisdiction in "22$. 8is failure to raise a

seasonable constitutional challenge at that time, coupled with his unconditional acceptance of the

Tribunals authority over the case he was defending, t ranslates to the clear absence of an

indispensable requisite for the proper invocation of this &ourts power of udicial review. +ven on

this score alone, the petition ought to be dismissed outright.

?posa v3 #actoran

#'TS$

' class suit 0rou/+t 0y && c+ildren, as represented 0y t+eir parents, clai.in/ t+at t+ey 0rin/ t+e

case in t+e na.e o* Bt+eir /eneration as 6ell as t+ose /enerations yet un0orn3B 'i.in/ to stop

de*orestation, it 6as *iled a/ainst t+e Secretary #actoran o* t+e Cepart.ent o* Environ.ent and

>atural Resources, see@in/ to +ave +i. cancel all t+e t i.0er l icense a/ree.ents (TL's) in t+e

country and to cease and desist *ro. acceptin/ and approvin/ .ore ti.0er license a/ree.ents3 T+e

c+ildren invo@ed t+eir ri/+t to a 0alanced and +ealt+*ul ecolo/y and to protection 0y t+e State in its

capacity as parens patriae3 T+e petitioners clai.ed t+at t+e CE>R SecretaryDs re*usal to cancel t+e

TL's and to stop issuin/ t+e. 6as Bcontrary to t+e +i/+est la6 o* +u.an@ind 22t+e natural la622

and violative o* plainti**sD ri/+t to sel*2preservation and perpetuation3B T+e case 6as dis.issed in

t+e lo6er court, invo@in/ t+e la6 on non2i.pair.ent o* contracts, so it 6as 0rou/+t to t+e Supre.e

ourt on certiorari3

SSE$

8+et+er or not petitioners +ave t+e le/al standin/ to *ile t+e caseF


4/188

RL>G$

:ES3 T+e Supre.e ourt in /rantin/ t+e petition ruled t+at t+e c+ildren +ad t+e le/al standin/ to

*i le t+e case on 0e+al* o* *uture /enerations 0ased on t+e concept o* Binter2/enerat ional

responsi0ilityB3 T+eir ri/+t to a +ealt+y environ.ent carried 6it+ it an o0li/ation to preserve t+e

environ.ent *or t+e succeedin/ /enerations3 Section 1! o* 'rticle 5 6+ic+ reco/ni=es a0ove allBT+e state s+all protect and advance t+e ri/+t o* t+e people to a 0alanced and +ealt+*ul ecolo/y in

accord 6it+ t+e r+yt+. and +ar.ony o* nature3B 'lso, t+e Supre.e ourt said t+at t+e la6 on non2

i.pair.ent o* contracts .ust /ive 6ay to t+e exercise o* t+e police po6er o* t+e state in t+e interest

o* pu0lic 6el*are3

'/an v P'T? G3R3 >o3 1HHII13 May H, 5IIJ

#acts$ So.e ti.e in 1J, six 0usiness leaders, explored t+e possi0ility o* investin/ in t+e ne6

>'' airport ter.inal, so t+ey *or.ed 'sians E.er/in/ Cra/on orp3 T+ey su0.itted proposals to

t+e /overn.ent *or t+e develop.ent o* >'' ntl 3 Passen/er Ter.inal (>'' PT )3 T+e

>EC' approved t+e >'' PT proect3


5/188

onsti tution3 Moreover, su0sist in/ concession a/ree.ents 0et6een M'' and pet it ioners2

intervenors and service contracts 0et6een international airlines and petitioners2intervenors stand to

0e nulli*ied or ter.inated 0y t+e operation o* t+e >'' PT under t+e P'T? ontracts3 T+e

*inancial preudice 0rou/+t a0out 0y t+e P'T? ontracts on pet it ioners and peti tioners2

intervenors in t+ese cases are le/iti.ate interests su**icient to con*er on t+e. t+e requisite standin/

to *ile t+e instant petitions3

n G3R3 >o3 1HHH&%, peti t ioners *i led t+e peti t ion *or pro+i0it ion as .e.0ers o* t+e 9ouse o*

Representat ives , c it i=ens and t axpayers 3 T+ey a ll e/e t+a t as .e.0ers o * t+e 9ouse o *

Representatives, t+ey are especially interested in t+e P'T? ontracts, 0ecause t+e contracts

co.pel t+e Govern.ent andKor t+e 9ouse o* Representatives to appropriate *unds necessary to

co.ply 6it+ t+e provisions t+erein3 T+ey cite provisions o* t+e P'T? ontracts 6+ic+ require

dis0urse.ent o* unappropriated a.ounts in co.pliance 6it+ t+e contractual o0li/ations o* t+e

Govern.ent3 T+ey alle/e t+at t+e Govern.ent o0li/ations in t+e P'T? ontracts 6+ic+ co.pel

/overn.ent expenditure 6it+out appropriation is a curtail.ent o* t+eir prero/atives as le/islators,

contrary to t+e .andate o* t+e onstitution t+at -no .oney s+all 0e paid out o* t+e treasury exceptin pursuance o* an appropriation .ade 0y la6

?ple v Torres

#acts$ T+e petition at 0ar is a co..enda0le e**ort on t+e part o* Senator at ional o.puteri=ed

denti*ication Re*erence Syste.B on t6o i.portant constitutional /rounds, vi=$

(1)it is a usurpation o* t+e po6er o* on/ress to le/islate, and(5)it i.per.issi0ly intrudes on our

citi=enryDs protected =one o* privacy3 8e /rant t+e petition *or t+e ri/+ts sou/+t to 0e vindicated 0y

t+e petitioner need stron/er 0arriers a/ainst *urt+er erosion3 '3?3 >o3 JI" 6as pu0lis+ed in *our

ne6spapers o* /eneral circulation on ;anuary 55, 1% and ;anuary 5J, 1%3 ?n ;anuary 5&, 1%,

petitioner *iled t+e instant petition a/ainst respondents, t+en Executive Secretary Ru0en Torres and

t+e +eads o* t+e /overn.ent a/encies , 6+o as .e.0ers o* t+e nter2'/ency oordinat in/

o..ittee, are c+ar/ed 6it+ t+e i.ple.entation o* '3?3 >o3 JI"3 ?n 'pril ", 1%, 6e issued a

te.porary restrainin/ order enoinin/ its i.ple.entation3

ssue$ 8?> t+e petitioner +as t+e stand to assail t+e validit y o* '3?3 >o3 JI"


6/188

Rulin/$ :ES

Rationale$

's is usual in constitutional l i ti/ation, respondents raise t+e t+res+old issues relatin/ to t+e

standin/ to sue o* t+e pet it ioner and t+e us ticia0il ity o* t+e case at 0ar3 More speci* ically,

respondents aver t+at petitioner +as no le/al interest to up+old and t+at t+e i.ple.entin/ rules o*

'3?3 >o3 JI" +ave yet to 0e pro.ul/ated3 T+ese su0.issions do not deserve our sy.pat+etic ear3Petitioner ?ple is a distin/uis+ed .e.0er o* our Senate3 's a Senator, petitioner is possessed o* t+e

requisite standin/ to 0rin/ suit raisin/ t+e issue t+at t+e issuance o* '3?3 >o3 JI" is a usurpation o*

le/islative po6er3

&

's taxpayer and .e.0er o* t+e Govern.ent Service nsurance Syste. (GSS), petitioner can also

i.pu/n t+e le/ality o* t+e .isali/n.ent o* pu0lic *unds and t+e .isuse o* GSS *unds to i.ple.ent

'3?3 >o3 JI"3 T+e ripeness *or adudication o* t+e Petition at 0ar is not a**ected 0y t+e *act t+at t+e

i.ple.entin/ rules o* '3?3 >o3 JI" +ave yet to 0e pro.ul/ated3 Petitioner ?ple assails '3?3 >o3

JI" as invalid per se and as in*ir.ed on its *ace3 9is action is not pre.ature *or t+e rules yet to 0epro.ul/ated cannot cure its *atal de*ects3 Moreover, t+e respondents t+e.selves +ave started t+e

i.ple.entation o* '3?3 >o3 JI" 6it+out 6aitin/ *or t+e rules3 's early as ;anuary 1, 1%,

respondent Social Securi ty Syste. (SSS) caused t+e pu0licat ion o* a not ice to 0id *or t+e

.anu*acture o* t+e >ational denti*ication (C) card3 Respondent Executive Secretary Torres +as

pu0licly announced t+at representatives *ro. t+e GSS and t+e SSS +ave co.pleted t+e /uidelines

*or t+e national identi*ication syste.3 'll si/nals *ro. t+e respondents s+o6 t+eir uns6ervin/ 6ill

to i.ple.ent '3?3 >o3 JI" and 6e need not 6ait *or t+e *or.ality o* t+e rules to pass ud/.ent on

its constitutionality3 n t+is li/+t, t+e dissenters insistence t+at 6e ti/+ten t+e rule on standin/ is not

a co..enda0le stance as its result 6ould 0e to t+rottle an i.portant constitutional principle and a

*unda.ental ri/+t3

tatad vs secretary o* depart.ent o* ener/y

#acts$ T+e peti t ions assail t+e consti tutionali ty o* various provisions o* R' "1"I enti t iled t+e

-Co6nstrea. ?il ndustry Cere/ulation 'ct o* 1!34 nder t+e dere/ulated environ.ent, any

person or entity .ay i.port or purc+ase any quantity o* crude oil and petroleu. products *ro. a

*orei/n or do.estic source, lease or o6n and operate re*ineries and ot+er do6nstrea. oil *acilities

and .ar@et suc+ crude oil or use t+e sa.e *or +is o6n require.ent, su0ect only to .onitorin/ 0y

t+e Cepart.ent o* Ener/y3

ssues$

(1) 8+et+er or not t+e petitions raise a usticia0le controversy

(5) 8+et+er or not t+e petitioners +ave t+e standin/ to assail t+e validity o* t+e la6


7/188

9eld$ 's to t+e *irst issue, udicial po6er includes not only t+e duty o* t+e courts to settle actual

controversies involvin/ ri/+ts 6+ic+ are le/ally de.anda0le and en*orcea0le, 0ut also t+e duty to

deter.ine 6+et+er or not t+ere +as 0een /rave a0use o* discretion a.ountin/ to lac@ or excess o*

u ri sdict io n on t+e part o* an y 0ran c+ or in st ru.ent al it y o* t+e /o ve rn.ent 3 T+e courts , as /u ard ians

o* t+e onsti tution, +ave t+e in+erent aut+ority to deter.ine 6+et+er a statute enacted 0y t+e

le/islature transcends t+e l i.it i.posed 0y t+e *unda.ental la63 8+ere a statute violates t+e

onst itut ion, i t i s not only t+e r i/+t 0ut t+e duty o * t+e ud ic iary to dec lare suc+ act as

unconstitutional and void3

T+e e**ort o* respondents to question t+e le/al standin/ o* petitioners also *ailed3 T+e ourt +as

0ri/+tlined its li0eral stance on a petitioner7s locus standi 6+ere t+e petitioner is a0le to cra*t an

issue o* transcendental si/ni*icance to t+e people3 n t+e case, petitioners pose issues 6+ic+ are

si/ni*icant to t+e people and 6+ic+ deserve t+e ourt7s *ort+ri/+t resolution3

To /ive t+eir ar/u.ent a ne6 spin, pu0lic respondents try to usti*y t+e &N tari** di**erential on t+e

/round t+at t+ere is a su0stantial di**erence 0et6een a re*iner and an i.porter ust as t+ere is a

di**erence 0et6een ra6 .aterial and *inis+ed product3 ?0viously, t+e e**ort is .ade to de.onstrate

t+at t+e unequal tari** does not violate t+e unequal protection clause o* t+e onstitution3 T+e e**ort

only proves t+at t+e pu0lic respondents are still loo@in/ at t+e issue o* tari** di**erential *ro. t+e

6ron/ end o* t+e telescope3 ?ur Cecision did not +old t+at t+e &N tari** di**erential in*rin/ed t+e

equal protection clause o* t+e onstitution even as t+is 6as contended 0y petitioner Tatad3 " Rat+er,

6e +eld t+at said tari** di**erential su0stantially occluded t+e entry point o* prospective players in

t+e do6nstrea. oil industry3 8e *urt+er +eld t+at its inevita0le result is to exclude *air and e**ective

co.petition and to en+ance t+e .onopolistsD a0ility to ta.per 6it+ t+e .ec+anis. o* a *ree .ar@et3

T+is consideration is 0asic in anti2trust suits and cannot 0e eroded 0y 0ela0orin/ t+e inapplica0le

principle in taxation t+at di**er ent t+in/s can 0e taxed di**er ently3

T+e pu0lic respondents tenaciously de*end t+e validity o* t+e .ini.u. inventory require.ent3 T+ey

aver t+at t+e require.ent 6ill not preudice ne6 players B3 3 3 durin/ t+eir *irst year o* operation

0ecause t+ey do not +ave yet annual sales *ro. 6+ic+ t+e required .ini.u. inventory .ay 0e

deter.ined3 o.pliance 6it+ suc+ require.ent on t+eir second and succeedin/ years o* operation

6ill not 0e di**icult 0ecause t+e puttin/ up o* stora/e *acilities in proportion to t+e volu.e o* t+eir

0usiness 0eco.es an ordinary and necessary 0usiness underta@in/ ust as t+e case o* i.porters o**inis+ed products in ot+er industries3B T+e contention is an old one alt+ou/+ it is purveyed 6it+ a

ne6 lipstic@3 T+e contention cannot convince *or as 6ell articulated 0y petit ioner Garcia, Bt+e

pro+i0itive cost o* t+e required .ini.u. inventory 6ill not 0e any less 0urdenso.e on t+e second,

t+ird, *ourt+, etc3 years o* operations3 nli@e .ost products 6+ic+ can 0e i.ported and stored 6it+

*acil i ty, oil i.ports require ocean receivin/, stora/e *acil i ties3 ?cean receivin/ ter.inals are

already very expensive, and to require ne6 players to put up .ore t+an t+ey need is to co.pound

and a//ravate t+eir costs, and consequently t+eir /reat dis2advanta/e vis2a2vis t+e


8/188

t+e ar/u.ent on 6+et+er t+e .ini.u. inventory require.ent seriously +urts t+e ne6 players is 0est

sett led 0y +earin/ t+e ne6 players t+e.selves3 n t+eir .otion *or intervention, t+ey i.plicit ly

con*ir.ed t+at t+e +i/+ cost o* .eetin/ t+e inventory require.ent +as an in+i0itin/ e**ect in t+eir

operation and +ence, t+ey support t+e rulin/ o* t+is ourt stri@in/ it do6n as unconstitutional3

+ave= vs Pu0lic Estates 'ut+ority and 'M'R orporation

#acts$ T+e Pu0lic Estates 'ut+ority is t+e central i.ple.entin/ a/ency tas@ed to underta@e

recla.ation proects nation6ide3 t too@ over t+e leasin/ and sellin/ *unctions o* t+e CE>R inso*ar

as reclai.ed or a0out to 0e reclai.ed *ores+ore lands are concerned3

PE' sou/+t t+e trans*er to 'M'R, a private corporation, o* t+e o6ners+ip o* %%3J& +ectares o* t+e

#reedo. slands3 PE' also sou/+t to +ave 5I31H! +ectares o* su0.er/ed areas o* Manila t+e petitioner +as le/al standin/


9/188

9eld$ T+e petitioner +as standin/ to 0rin/ t+is taxpayerDs suit 0ecause t+e petition see@s to co.pel

PE' to co.ply 6it+ its constitutional duties3 T+ere are t6o constitutional issues involved +ere3 #irst

is t+e ri/+t o* citi=ens to in*or.ation on .atters o* pu0lic concern3 Second is t+e application o* a

constitutional provision intended to insure t+e equita0le distri0ution o* aliena0le lands o* t+e pu0lic

do.ain a.on/ #ilipino cit i=ens, t+e peti t ion raises .atters o* transcendental i.portance to t+e

pu0lic3


10/188

(c) E3?3 >o3 1 i lle/al ly a.ended t+e onst itu tion and s tatutes 6+en i t vested t+e -Trut+

o..ission4 6it+ quasi2udicial po6ers duplicatin/, i* not supersedin/, t+ose o* t+e ?**ice o* t+e

?.0uds.an created under t+e 1"% onsti tution and t+e C?; created under t+e 'd.inistrative

ode o* 1"%3

(d) E3?3 >o3 1 violates t+e equal protection clause as it selectively tar/ets *or investi/ation andprosecution o**icials and personnel o* t+e previous ad.inistration as i* corruption is t+eir peculiar

species even as i t excludes t+ose o* t+e ot+er ad.inistrations, past and present, 6+o .ay 0e

indicta0le3

Respondents, t+rou/+ ?SG, questioned t+e le/al standin/ o* petitioners and ar/ued t+at$

1 E3?3 >o3 1 does not arro/ate t+e po6ers o* on/ress 0ecause t+e President7s executive po6er and

po6er o* control necessarily include t+e in+erent po6er to conduct investi/ations to ensure t+atla6s are *ait+*ully executed and t+at, in any event, t+e onstitution, Revised 'd.inistrative ode

o* 1"%, PC >o3 1&1!1! (as a.ended), R3'3 >o3 %I and sett led urisprudence, aut+ori=e t+e

President to create or *or. suc+ 0odies3

5 E3?3 >o3 1 does not usurp t+e po6er o* on/ress to appropriate *unds 0ecause t+ere is no

appropriation 0ut a .ere allocation o* *unds already appropriated 0y on/ress3

J T+e Trut+ o..ission does not duplicate or supersede t+e *unctions o* t+e ?.0uds.an and t+e

C?;, 0ecause i t is a *act2*indin/ 0ody and not a quasi2udicial 0ody and i ts *unctions do not

duplicate, supplant or erode t+e latter7s urisdiction3

& T+e Trut+ o..ission does not violate t+e equal protection clause 0ecause it 6as validly created

*or lauda0le purposes3

SSES$

13 8?> t+e petitioners +ave le/al standin/ to *ile t+e petitions and question E3 ?3 >o3 1

53 8?> E3 ?3 >o3 1 violates t+e principle o* separation o* po6ers 0y usurpin/ t+e po6ers o*

on/ress to create and to appropriate *unds *or pu0lic o**ices, a/encies and co..issions


11/188

9eld$

+e po6er o* udicial revie6 is su0ect to l i.itations, to 6it$ (1) t+ere .ust 0e an actual case or

controversy callin/ *or t+e exercise o* udicial po6er (5) t+e person c+allen/in/ t+e act .ust +ave

t+e standin/ to question t+e validity o* t+e su0ect act or issuance ot+er6ise stated, +e .ust +ave a

personal and su0stantial interest in t+e case suc+ t+at +e +as sustained, or 6ill sustain, direct inury

as a result o* its en*orce.ent (J) t+e question o* constitutionality .ust 0e raised at t+e earliest

opportunity and (&) t+e issue o* constitutionality .ust 0e t+e very lis .ota o* t+e case3

13 T+e petition pri.arily invo@es usurpation o* t+e po6er o* t+e on/ress as a 0ody to 6+ic+ t+ey

0elon/ as .e.0ers3 To t+e extent t+e po6ers o* on/ress are i.paired, so is t+e po6er o* eac+

.e.0er t+ereo*, since +is o**ice con*ers a ri/+t to participate in t+e exercise o* t+e po6ers o* t+at

institution3

Le/islators +ave a le/al standin/ to see to it t+at t+e prero/ative, po6ers and privile/es vested 0y

t+e onstitution in t+eir o**ice re.ain inviolate3 T+us, t+ey are allo6ed to question t+e validity o*

any o**icial action 6+ic+, to t+eir .ind, in*rin/es on t+eir prero/atives as le/islators3

8it+ re/ard to o3 13

Locus standi is -a ri/+t o* appearance in a court o* ustice on a /iven question34 n private suits,

standin/ is /overned 0y t+e -real2parties2in interest4 rule3 t provides t+at -every action .ust 0eprosecuted or de*ended in t+e na.e o* t+e real party in interest34 Real2party2in interest is -t+e party

6+o stands to 0e 0ene*ited or inured 0y t+e ud/.ent in t+e suit or t+e party entitled to t+e avails

o* t+e suit34

Ci**iculty o* deter.inin/ locus standi arises in pu0lic suits3 9ere, t+e plainti** 6+o asserts a -pu0lic

ri/+t4 in assailin/ an alle/edly ille/al o**icial action, does so as a representative o* t+e /eneral

pu0lic3 9e +as to s+o6 t+at +e is entitled to see@ udicial protection3 9e +as to .a@e out a su**icient

interest in t+e vindication o* t+e pu0lic order and t+e securin/ o* relie* as a -citi=en4 or -taxpayer3

T+e person 6+o i.pu/ns t+e validity o* a statute .ust +ave -a personal and su0stantial interest in

t+e case suc+ t+at +e +as sustained, or 6ill sustain direct inury as a result34 T+e ourt, +o6ever,

*inds reason in


12/188

T+e Executive is /iven .uc+ lee6ay in ensurin/ t+at our la6s are *ait+*ully executed3 T+e po6ers

o* t+e President are not l i.i ted to t+ose speci* ic po6ers under t+e onst itut ion3 ?ne o* t+e

reco/ni=ed po6ers o* t+e President /ranted pursuant to t+is constitutionally2.andated duty is t+e

po6er to create ad +oc co..ittees 3 T+is * lo6s *ro. t+e o0vious need to ascertain *acts and

deter.ine i* la6s +ave 0een *ait+*ully executed3 T+e purpose o* allo6in/ ad +oc investi/atin/

0odies to exist is to allo6 an inquiry into .atters 6+ic+ t+e President is entitled to @no6 so t+at +e

can 0e properly advised and /uided in t+e per*or.ance o* +is duties relative to t+e execution and

en*orce.ent o* t+e la6s o* t+e land3

Peti t ioners 6+o are not even t+e inured parties are invo@in/ t+e equal protection clause3 T+eir

standin/ to raise t+is issue is seriously contested in t+e Cissent o* ;ustice arpio Morales3 T+ey do

not clai. in any .anner t+at t+ey are t+e su0ect o* E? 13 ourts +ave 6arned t+at t+e ri/+t o*

equal protection o* t+e la6 -.ay not 0e perversely invo@ed4 to usti*y desistance 0y t+e aut+orities

*ro. t+e prosecution o* a cri.inal case, ust 0ecause not all o* t+ose 6+o are pro0a0ly /uil ty

t+ereo* 6ere c+ar/ed3 T+is c+aracteri=ation 6ould apply especially i* t+e ones 6+o invo@e t+e equal

protection clause are t+ose 6+o are not inured 0y t+e contested executive action3

>? L?S ST'>C

G'>O?> S3 CE LL'

#acts$ T+e &1 peti t ioners alle/ed t+at t+e Bsaturation driveB or Baerial tar/et =onin/B t+at 6ere

conducted in t+eir place (Tondo Manila) 6ere unconsti tutional3 T+ey alle/ed t+at t+ere is no

speci*ic tar/et +ouse to 0e searc+ and t+at t+ere is no searc+ 6arrant or 6arrant o* arrest served3

Most o* t+e police.en are in t+eir civilian clot+es and 6it+out na.eplates or identi*ication cards3

T+e residents 6ere rudely rouse *ro. t+eir sleep 0y 0an/in/ on t+e 6alls and 6indo6s o* t+eir

+ouses3 T+e residents 6ere at t+e point o* +i/+2po6ered /uns and +erded l i@e co6s3 Men 6ere

ordered to strip do6n to t+eir 0rie*s *or t+e police to exa.ine t+eir tat too .ar@s3 T+e residents

co.plained t+at t+eyDre +o.es 6ere ransac@ed, tossin/ t+eir 0elon/in/s and destroyin/ t+eir

valua0les3 So.e o* t+eir .oney and valua0les +ad disappeared a*ter t+e operation3 T+e residents

also reported incidents o* .aulin/s, spot20eatin/s and .altreat.ent3 T+ose 6+o 6ere detained alsosu**ered .ental and p+ysical tor ture to extract con*ess ions and tactical in*or.at ions 3 T+e

respondents said t+at suc+ accusations 6ere all lies3 Respondents contends t+at t+e onstitution

/rants to /overn.ent t+e po6er to see@ and cripple su0versive .ove.ents *or t+e .aintenance o*

peace in t+e state3 T+e aerial tar/et =onin/ 6ere intended to *lus+ out su0versives and cri.inal

ele.ents coddled 0y t+e co..unities 6ere t+e said drives 6ere conducted3 T+ey said t+at t+ey +ave

intelli/ently and care*ully planned .ont+s a+ead *or t+e actual operation and t+at local and *orei/n

.edia oined t+e operation to 6itness and record suc+ event3


13/188

ssue$ 8?>

T:

.ali v3 Guin/ona

#acts$ ?s.undo .ali t+e petitioner 6as appointed Re/ional Cirector o* t+e ove.0er 5, 1J to Marc+ 1H, 1&

and Ma@ati , Marc+ 1!, 1& to 'u/ust &, 1&3 ?n 'u/ust 1, 1&, President Ra.os received a

con*idential .e.orandu. a/ainst t+e petitioner *or alle/ed violations o* internal revenue la6s,rules and re/ulations durin/ +is incu.0ency as Re/ional Cirector, .ore particularly t+e *ollo6in/

.al*easance, .is*easance and non*easance3 upon receipt o* t+e said con*idential .e.orandu.,

*or.er President aut+ori=ed t+e issuance o* an ?rder *or t+e preventive suspension o* t+e petitioner

and i..ediately re*erred t+e o.plaint a/ainst t+e latter to t+e Presidential o..ission on 'nti2

Gra*t and orruption (P'G), *or investi/ation3 Peti t ioner 6as duly in*or.ed o* t+e c+ar/es

a/ainst +i.3 'nd 6as directed +i. to send in +is ans6er, copies o* +is State.ent o* 'ssets, and

Lia0ilities *or t+e past t+ree years (J), and Personal Cata S+eet3 nitial +earin/ 6as set on 'u/ust

5H, 1&, at 5$II p3.3, at t+e P'G ?**ice3 ?n 'u/ust 5J, t+e petitioner *iled +is required ans6er3

'*ter evaluatin/ t+e evidence on record, t+e P'G issued its Resolution o* Septe.0er 5J, 1&,

*indin/ a pri.a *acie evidence to support six (!) o* t+e t6elve (15) c+ar/es a/ainst petitioner3 ?n?cto0er !, 1&, actin/ upon t+e reco..endation o* t+e P'G, t+en President Ra.os issued

'd.inistrative ?rder >o3 1H5 dis.issin/ petitioner *ro. t+e service, 6it+ *or*eiture o* retire.ent

and all 0ene*its under t+e la63


14/188

ssues$

(1) 8+et+er or >ot '? >o3 1H5 violated petitionerDs R i/+t to Security o* Tenure3

(5) 8+et+er or >ot Petitioner 6as denied due process o* la6

(J) 8+et+er or >ot t+e P'G is a validly onsti tuted /overn.ent a/ency and 6+et+er t+e

petitioner can raise t+e issue o* constitutionality 0elatedly in its .otion *or reconsideration o* t+e

trial courts decision3

(&) 8+et+er or >ot t+e o.0uds.anDs resolution dis.issin/ t+e c+ar/es a/ainst t+e petitioner is still

0asis *or t+e petitionerDs dis.issal 6it+ *or*eiture o* 0ene*its as ruled in '? >o3 1H5

9eld$ Petitioner .aintains t+at as a career executive service o**icer, +e can only 0e re.oved *or

cause and under t+e 'd.inistrative ode o* 1"%, ! loss o* con*idence is not one o* t+e le/al causes

or /rounds *or re.oval3 onsequently, +is dis.issal *ro. o**ice on t+e /round o* loss con*idence

violated +is ri/+t to security o* tenure, petitioner t+eori=ed3 '*ter a care*ul study, 6e are o* t+e

irresisti0le conclusion t+at t+e ourt o* 'ppeals ruled correctly on t+e *irst t+ree ssue3 To 0e sure,

peti t ioner 6as not denied t+e ri/+t to due process 0e*ore t+e P'G3 Records s+o6 t+at t+e

peti t ioner *i led +is ans6er and ot+er pleadin/s 6it+ respect to +is alle/ed violation o* internalrevenue la6s and re/ulations, and +e attended t+e +earin/s 0e*ore t+e investi/atory 0ody3 t is t+us

decisively clear t+at +is protestation o* non2o0servance o* due process is devoid o* any *actual or

le/al 0asis3 >eit+er can it 0e said t+at t+ere 6as a violation o* 6+at petitioner asserts as +is security

o* tenure3 'ccordin/ to peti t ioner, as a Re/ional Cirector o* o3 1H5 6ere 0ased

on t+e results o* investi/ation conducted 0y t+e P'G and not on t+e cri.inal c+ar/es 0e*ore t+e

?.0uds.an3 n su., t+e pet i tion is dis.issa0le on t+e /round t+at t+e ssue posited 0y t+e

petitioner do not constitute a valid le/al 0asis *or overturnin/ t+e *indin/ and conclusion arrived at

0y t+e ourt o* 'ppeals3 9o6ever, ta@in/ into account t+e antecedent *acts and circu.stances

a*ore.entioned, t+e ourt, in t+e exercise o* i ts equity po6ers , +as decided to consider t+e


15/188

dis.issal o* t+e c+ar/es a/ainst petitioner 0e*ore t+e ?.0uds.an, t+e succinct and un.ista@a0le

.ani*estation 0y t+e o..issioner o* t+e o3 1&H, petitioner, t+e 9onora0le #rancisco

Oandueta 6as disc+ar/in/ t+e o**ice o* ud/e o* *irst instance, >int+ ;udicial Cistrict, co.prisin/

solely o* t+e ity o* Manila and 6as presidin/ over t+e #i*t+


16/188

Sixto de la osta to t+e sa.e o**ice, 6+o too@ t+e necessary oat+ and disc+ar/ed t+e duties o* t+e

said o**ice, and 6as su0sequently con*ir.ed 0y t+e o..ission on 'ppoint.ents3

ssues

13 an t+e petitioner i.pu/n t+e constitutionality o* o..on6ealt+ 'ct >o3 1&HF

53 s t+e petitioner entitled to continue to disc+ar/e t+e duties o* t+e o**ice +e occupied prior to +is

appoint.ent 0y virtue o* t+e o..on6ealt+ 'ct >o3 1&HF

9eld

T+e petitioner cannot i.pu/n t+e constitutionality o* t+e la6 0y virtue o* 6+ic+ +e 6as appointed3

T+e pet it ioner is es topped 0y +is o6n act proceedin/ to quest ion t+e const itut ionali ty o*

o..on6ealt+ 'ct >o3 1&H, 0y virtue o* 6+ic+ +e 6as appointed, 0y acceptin/ said appoint.ent

and enterin/ into t+e per*or.ance o* t+e duties appertainin/ to t+e o**ice con*erred t+erein3

n acceptin/ t+e ne6 appoint.ent on >ove.0er %, 1J! and quali*yin/ *or t+e exercise o* t+e

*unctions o* t+e o**ice con*erred 0y it, 0y ta@in/ t+e necessary oat+ on >ove.0er 55, 1J%, and in

disc+ar/in/ t+e sa.e, disposin/ o* 0ot+ udicial and ad.inistrative cases correspondin/ to t+e #

o* Manila and Pala6an, t+e petitioner a0andoned +is appoint.ent o* ;une 5, 1J!, and ceased to

exercise o* t+e *unctions o* t+e o**ice occupied 0y +i. 0y virtue t+ereo*3 T+e petitioner a0andons

+is old o**ice and cannot clai. to 0e entitled to repossess it or question t+e constitutionality o* t+e

la6 0y virtue o* 6+ic+ +is ne6 appoint.ent +as 0een issued and said ne6 appoint.ent disapproved

0y t+e o..ission on 'ppoint.ents o* t+e >ational 'sse.0ly, neit+er can +e clai. to continue

occupyin/ t+e o**ice con*erred upon +i. 0y said ne6 appoint.ent, +avin/ ipso ure ceased in t+e

disc+ar/e o* t+e *unctions t+ereo*3

Petition denied and dis.issed3

>ecessity o* decidin/ t+e constitutional question

'r.ando Tarrosa vs Ga0riel Sin/son Q Enrique=

#acts$

Ga0riel 3 Sin/son 6as appointed Governor o* t+e


17/188

appoint.ent o* Sin/son *or not +avin/ 0een con*ir.ed 0y t+e o..ission on 'ppoint.ents as

required 0y t+e provisions o* Section ! o* R3'3 >o3 %!HJ, 6+ic+ esta0lis+ed t+e


18/188

>?>STTT?>'LT:

M'>L' M?T?RS ?3 >3 S3 #L?RES

#'TS$

May 1H&, Manila Motors o3 nc3 *iled a co.plaint 0e*ore t+e .un3 court o* .anila to recover t+e

a.ount o* P 1,I&%3" *ro. M'>EL T3 #L?RES as c+attel .ort/a/e install.ents 6Kc is due in

Septe.0er 1&13

#lores pleaded *or prescription$ 1&121H& and t+e co.plaint 6as dis.issed3

?n appeal 0e*ore t+e #, t+e court sa6 t+e plainti**7s sustainin/ contention t+at t+e .oratoriu.

la6s +ad interrupted t+e runnin/ o* t+e prescriptive period Q t+at deductin/ t+e ti.e durin/ 6+ic+

said la6s 6ere in operation2 J yrs3 'nd " .ont+s2 t+e 1I yr3 ter. +ad not yet elapsed 6+en t+e

co.plainant sued *or collection in 1H&3

# ordered t+e return o* t+e case to t+e .unicipal ud/e *or trial on t+e .erits3

SSEKS$

8+et+er or not t+e .oratoriu. la6s did not +ave t+e e**ect o* suspendin/ t+e period due to

unconstitutionality as declared in t+e Rutter vs3 Este0an case3

Rulin/$

n Montil la vs3 Paci*ic o..ercialJ 6e +eld t+at t+e .oratoriu. la6s suspended t+e period o*prescription3 T+at 6as rendered a*ter t+e Rutter2Este0an decision3 t s+ould 0e stated +o6ever, in

*airness to appellant, t+at t+e Montilla decision ca.e do6n a*ter +e +ad su0.itted +is 0rie*3 'nd in

ans6er to +is .ain contention, t+e *ollo6in/ portion is quoted *ro. a resolution o* t+is ourt&

Rutter vs3 Este0an (J P+il3 !") .ay 0e construed to .ean t+at at t+eo* t+e decision t+e Moratoriu.

la6 could no lon/er 0e validly applied 0ecause o* t+e prevail in/ circu.stances3 't any rate,

alt+ou/+ t+e /eneral rule is t+at an unconstitutional statute

Bcon*ers no ri/+t, create no o**ice, a**ords no protection and usti*ies no acts per*or.ed under it3B

(11 '.3 ;ur3, pp3 "5", "53)

n Re unanan

> RE >'>'> & P+il HJ& Resolution 1" Mar 1H&

n t+e Matter o* t+e Petitions *or 'd.ission to t+e '>, ET 'L3, petitioners3


19/188

Resoluti, 1H&on

Marc+ 1"

#acts$

on/ress passed Repu0lic 'ct >u.0er %5, co..only @no6n as t+e -o3 %5 is constitutional an d valid3

9eld$

R' >o3 %5 +as *or its o0ect, accordin/ to its aut+or, to ad.it to t+e o3 1H%I1J, ;uly 1I 5IIJ

#'TS$


20/188

1" (T+e ?verseas '0sentee otin/ 'ct o* 5IIJ) su**er *ro. constitutional in*ir.ity3 lai.in/

t+at +e +as actual and .aterial le/al interest in t+e su0ect .atter o* t+is case in seein/ to it t+at

pu0lic *unds are properly and la6*ully used and appropriated, petitioner *iled t+e instant petition as

a taxpayer and as a la6yer3

SSES$

(1) 8+et+er or not Section H(d) o* Repu0lic 'ct >o3 1" violates t+e residency require.ent in

Section 1 o* 'rticle o* t+e onstitution3

(5) 8+et+er or not Section 1"3H o* t+e sa.e la6 violates t+e constitutional .andate under Section &,

'rticle o* t+e onstitution t+at t+e 6innin/ candidates *or President and t+e ice2President

s+all 0e proclai.ed as 6inners 0y on/ress3

(J) 8+et+er or not on/ress .ay, t+rou/+ t+e ;oint on/ressional ?versi/+t o..ittee created in

Section 5H o* Rep3 'ct >o3 1", exercise t+e po6er to revie6, revise, a.end, and approve t+e.ple.entin/ Rules and Re/ulations t+at t+e o..ission on Elections, pro.ul/ate 6it+out

violatin/ t+e independence o* t+e ?MELE under Sec tion 1, 'rticle A2' o* t+e onstitution3

9ELC$

(1) >o3 Section H o* R' >o3 1" enu.erates t+ose 6+o are disquali*ied votin/ under t+is 'ct3 t

disquali*ies an i..i/rant or a per.anent resident 6+o is reco/ni=ed as suc+ in t+e +ost country3

9o6ever, an exception is provided i 3e3 unless +eKs+e executes, upon re/istration, an a**idavit

prepared *or t+e purpose 0y t+e o..ission declarin/ t+at +eKs+e s+all resu.e actual p+ysical

per.anent residence in t+e P+ilippines not later t+an J years *ro. approval o* re/istration3 Suc+

a**idavit s+all also state t+at +eKs+e +as not applied *or citi=ens+ip in anot+er country3 #ailure to

return s+all 0e cause *or t+e re.oval o* t+e na.e o* t+e i..i/rant or per.anent resident *ro. t+e

>ational Re/istry o* '0sentee oters and +isK+er per .anent disquali*ication to vote in a0sentia3

Petitioner clai.s t+at t+is is violative o* t+e residency require.ent in Section 1 'rticle o* t+e

onstitution 6+ic+ requires t+e voter .ust 0e a resident in t+e P+ilippines *or at least one yr, and a

resident in t+e place 6+ere +e proposes to vote *or at least ! .ont+s i..ediately precedin/ an

election3

9o6ever, ?SG +eld t+at rulin/ in said case does not +old 6ater at present, and t+at t+e ourt .ay

+ave to discard t+at particular rulin/3 Panacea o* t+e controversy$ '**idavit *or 6it+out i t , t+e

presu.ption o* a0andon.ent o* P+il do.icile s+all re.ain3 T+e quali*ied #ilipino a0road 6+o

executed an a**idavit is dee.ed to +ave retained +is do.icile in t+e P+ilippines and presu.ed not to

+ave lost +is do.icile 0y +is p+ysical a0sence *ro. t+is country3 Section H o* R' >o3 1" does not

only require t+e pro.ise to resu.e actual p+ysical per.anent residence in t+e P+ilippines not later


21/188

t+an J years a*ter approval o* re/istration 0ut i t also requires t+e #il ipino a0road, 8?> +e is a

/reen card +older, a te.porary visitor or even on 0usiness trip, .ust declare t+at +eKs+e +as not

applied *or citi=ens+ip in anot+er country3 T+us, +eKs+e .ust return to t+e P+ilippines ot+er6ise

consequences 6ill 0e .et accordin/ to R' >o3 1"3

'lt+ou/+ t+ere is a possi0ility t+at t+e #ilipino 6ill not return a*ter +e +as exercised +is ri/+t tovote, t+e ourt is not in a position to rule on t+e 6isdo. o* t+e la6 or to repeal or .odi*y it i* suc+

la6 is *ound to 0e i.practical3 9o6ever, it can 0e said t+at t+e on/ress itsel* 6as conscious o* t+is

pro0a0ility and provided *or deterrence 6+ic+ is t+at t+e #ilipino 6+o *ails to return as pro.ised

stands to lose +is ri/+t o* su**ra/e3 'ccordin/ly, t+e votes +e cast s+all not 0e invalidated 0ecause

+e 6as quali*ied to vote on t+e date o* t+e elections3

Expressu. *acit cessare tacitu.$ 6+ere a la6 sets do6n plainly its 6+ole .eanin/, t+e ourt is

prevented *ro. .a@in/ it .ean 6+at t+e ourt pleases3 n *ine, considerin/ t+at underlyin/ intent o*

t+e onstitution, as is evident in its statutory construction and intent o* t+e *ra.ers, 6+ic+ is to/rant #ilipino i..i/rants and per.anent residents a0road t+e unquestiona0le ri/+t to exercise t+e

ri/+t o* su**ra/e (Sect ion 1 'rt icle ) t+e ourt * inds t+at Sect ion H o* R' >o3 1" is not

constitutionally de*ective3

(5) :es3 on/ress s+ould not +ave allo6ed ?MELE to usurp a po6er t+at constitutionally

0elon/s to i t 3 T+e canvassin/ o* t+e votes and t+e procla.ation o* t+e 6innin/ candidates *or

President and ice President *or t+e entire nation .ust re.ain in t+e +ands o* on/ress as its duty

and po6er under Section & o* 'rticle o* t+e onsti tution3 ?MELE +as t+e aut+ority to

proclai. t+e 6innin/ candidates only *or Senators and Party2list Reps3

(J) >o3


22/188

Municipality o* Cianaton in t+e Province o* Lanao del Sur,4 6as passed3 Lidasan ca.e to @no6 later

on t+at 0arrios To/ai/ and Madalu. ust .entioned are 6it+in t+e .unicipality o* e6 entral


23/188

o* t+e


24/188

ei/+t ot+er la6s 2 0et6een t+e ran@2and2*ile o* t+e o3 111) oncernin/ Ciscri.ination in Respect o* E.ploy.ent and ?ccupation 2 all

e.0ody t+e /eneral principle a/ainst discri.ination, t+e very antit+esis o* *airness and ustice3 T+e

P+ilippines, t+rou/+ its onstitution, +as incorporated t+is principle as part o* its national la6s3 T+e

ot only


25/188

are t+ey i.potent as a la0or unit, 0ut t+eir e**icacy to lo00y in on/ress is al.ost nil as R' %!HJ

e**ectively isolated t+e. *ro. t+e ot+er G# ran@2and2*ile in co.pensation3 T+ese o3 11"I violates equal protect ion clause3

9ELC$

>o3 T+e .ere *act o* aliena/e is t+e root and cause o* t+e dist inction 0et6een t+e alien and t+enational as a trader3

T+e alien resident o6es alle/iance to t+e country o* +is 0irt+ or +is adopted country +is stay +ere is

*or personal convenience +e is attracted 0y t+e lure o* /ain and pro*it3 9e is naturally lac@in/ in

t+at spiri t o* loyalty and ent+usias. *or t+is country 6+ere +e te.porarily stays and .a@es +is

livin/, or o* t+at spirit o* re/ard, sy.pat+y and consideration *or +is #ilipino custo.ers as 6ould

prevent +i. *ro. ta@in/ advanta/e o* t+eir 6ea@ness and exploitin/ t+e.3


26/188

'not+er o0ection to t+e alien retailer in t+is country is t+at +e never really .a@es a /enuine

contri0ution to national inco.e and 6ealt+3 T+e alienDs interest in t+is country 0ein/ .erely

transient and te.porary, it 6ould indeed 0e ill2advised to continue entrustin/ t+e very i.portant

*unction o* retail distri0ution to +is +ands3

T+e practices resorted to 0y aliens in t+e control o* distri0ution s+o6 t+e existence o* real and

actual, positive and *unda.ental di**erences 0et6een an alien and a national 6+ic+ *ully usti*y t+e

le/islative classi*ication adopted in t+e retail trade .easure

Ci**erence in alien ai.s and purposes su**icient 0asis *or distinction3

T+e a0ove o0ectiona0le c+aracteristics o* t+e exercise o* t+e retail trade 0y t+e aliens, 6+ic+ are

actual and real , *urnis+ su**icient /rounds *or le/islative classi*ication o* retail traders into

nationals and aliens3 So.e .ay disa/ree 6it+ t+e 6isdo. o* t+e le/islatureDs classi*ication3 To t+is6e ans6er, t+at t+is is t+e prero/ative o* t+e la62.a@in/ po6er3 Since t+e ourt *inds t+at t+e

classi*ication is actual, real and reasona0le, and all persons o* one class are treated ali@e, and as it

cannot 0e said t+at t+e classi*ication is patently unreasona0le and un*ounded, it is in duty 0ound to

declare t+at t+e le/islature acted 6it+in its le/iti.ate prero/ative and it can not declare t+at t+e act

transcends t+e li.it o* equal protection esta0lis+ed 0y t+e onstitution3

o3 L25&!%I Cece.0er 1&, 1%

?RTG'S Q ?3, LMTEC P'RT>ERS9P vs3 #E'T C TRST ?3

#'TS$

Plainti** is en/a/ed in real estate 0usiness, developin/ and sellin/ lots to t+e pu0lic, particularly t+e

9i/+6ay 9ills Su0division alon/ ECS'3 ?n Marc+ &, 1H5, plainti**, as vendor, and 'u/usto

Padilla and >atividad 'n/eles, as vendees, entered into separate a/ree.ents o* sale on install.ents

over t6o parcels o* land o* t+e Su0division3 ?n ;uly 1, 1!5, t+e said vendees trans*erred t+eir

ri/+ts and interests over t+e a*oresaid lots in *avor o* one E..a +ave=3 pon co.pletion o*

pay.ent o* t+e purc+ase price, t+e plainti** executed t+e correspondin/ deeds o* sale in *avor o*

E..a +ave=3


27/188

stipulations or restrictions t+at$

1 3 T+e parcel o* land s+al l 0e used exclusively *or resident ial purposes, and s+e s+all not 0e

entitled to ta@e or re.ove soil, stones or /ravel *ro. it or any ot+er lots 0elon/in/ to t+e Seller3

53 'll 0uildin/s and ot+er i.prove.ents (except t+e *ence) 6+ic+ .ay 0e constructed at any t i.e

in said lot .ust 0e, (a) o* stron/ .aterials and properly painted, (0) provided 6it+ .odern sanitary

installations connected eit+er to t+e pu0lic se6er or to an approved septic tan@, and (c) s+all not 0e

at a distance o* less t+an t6o (5) .eters *ro. its 0oundary lines3

Eventually said lots 6ere 0ou/+t 0y de*endant3 Lot H directly *ro. +ave= and Lot ! *ro. Repu0lic

#lour Mills 0y deed o* exc+an/e, 6it+ sa.e restrictions3 Plainti** clai.s t+at restriction is *or t+e

0eauti*ication o* t+e su0division3 Ce*endant clai.ed o* t+e co..erciali=ation o* 6estern part o*

ECS'3 Ce*endant 0e/an constructin/ a co..ercial 0an@ 0uildin/3 Plainti** de.and to stop it, 6+ic+

*orced +i. to *ile a case, 6+ic+ 6as later dis.issed, up+oldin/ police po6er3 Motion *or recon 6as

denied, +ence t+e appeal3

SSE$ 8?> Resolution >o3 5% is a valid exercise o* police po6er

9ELC$ :es3 Resolution is a valid exercise o* police po6er3

ECS', a .ain tra**ic artery 6+ic+ runs t+rou/+ several ci t ies and .unicipali t ies in t+e Metro

Manila area, supports an endless strea. o* tra**ic and t+e resultin/ activity, noise and pollution are

+ardly conducive to t+e +ealt+, sa*ety or 6el*are o* t+e residents in its route3 9ealt+, sa*ety, peace,

/ood order and /eneral 6el*are o* t+e people in t+e locality are usti*ications *or t+is3 t s+ould 0e

stressed, t+at 6+ile non2i.pair.ent o* contracts is constitutionally /uaranteed, t+e rule is not

a0solute, since it +as to 0e reconciled 6it+ t+e le/iti.ate exercise o* police po6er3

PR vs3 Ce Gu=.an

#acts$ T+e respondents are all /raduates o* t+e #ati.a olle/e o* Medicine, alen=uela ity, Metro

Manila3 T+ey passed t+e P+ysician Licensure Exa.ination conducted in #e0ruary 1J 0y t+e


28/188

t6enty2one scored N in ?

#'TS$

Respondent Garin 6as issued a t ra**ic violat ion receipt (TR) and +is driver7s l icense 6as

con*iscated *or par@in/ ille/ally3 Garin 6rote to t+en MMC' +air.an Prospero ?reta requestin/

t+e return o* +is license and expressed +is pre*erence *or +is case to 0e *ile in ourt3 8it+out an

i..ediate reply *ro. t+e c+air.an, Garin *iled *or a preli.inary inunction assailin/ a.on/ ot+ers

t+at Sec H (*) o* R' %5& violates t+e constitutional pro+i0it ion a/ainst undue dele/ation o*

le/islative aut+ority, al lo6in/ MMC' to *ix and i.pose unspeci*ied and unli.ited *ines and

penalties3 RT rule in +is *avor, directin/ MMC' to return +is license and *or t+e aut+ority to desist

*ro. con*iscatin/ driver7s license 6it+out *irst /ivin/ t+e driver t+e opportunity to 0e +eard in an

appropriate proceedin/3 T+us t+is petition3

SSE$ 8?> Sec H(*) o* R' %5& 6+ic+ aut+ori=es MMC' to con*iscate and suspend or revo@e

driver7s license in t+e en*orce.ent o* tra**ic rules and re/ulations constitutionalF

9ELC$

T+e MMC' is not vested 6it+ police po6er3 t 6as concluded t+at MMC' is not a local /overn.ent

unit o* a pu0lic corporation endo6ed 6it+ le/islative po6er and it +as no po6er to enact ordinances

*or t+e 6el*are o* t+e co..unity3


29/188

Police po6er, as an in+erent attri0ute o* soverei/nty is t+e po6er vested in t+e le/islature to .a@e,

ordain, esta0lis+ all .anner o* 6+oleso.e and reasona0le la6s, statutes and ordinances eit+er 6it+

penalt ies o* 6it+out, not repu/nant to t+e consti tution, as t+ey s+all ud/e to 0e *or /ood and

6el*are o* t+e co..on6ealt+ and *or su0ects o* t+e sa.e3

T+ere is no provision in R' %5& t+at e.po6ers MMC' or its council to -enact ordinance, approve

resolutions and appropriate *unds *or t+e /eneral 6el*are o* t+e in+a0itants o* Metro Manila34 t is

an a/ency created *or t+e purpose o* layin/ do6n policies and coordinatin/ 6it+ t+e various

national /overn.ent a/encies, People7s ?r/ani=ations, >G?s and private sector *or t+e e**icient and

expeditious delivery o* services3 'll its *unctions are ad.inistrative in nature3

11 SR' H%, 1"5

T'A'< ?PER'T?RS ?# METR? M'>L' S3


30/188

SSE$ 8?> t+e i.ple.entation and en*orce.ent o* Me.orandu. ircular %%2&5 violates t+e

petioner7s constitutional ri/+ts to (1) Equal protection o* t+e la6 (5) Su0stantive due process and

(J) Protection a/ainst ar0itrary and unreasona0le classi*ication and standard3

9ELC$

Re/ardin/ t+e and Su0stant ive Cue Process , Pres ident ial Cecree 1I1 /rants to t+e o3 %%2&53 n *act, t+e sa.e is also i.ple.ented in e0u

ity3 T+e


31/188

pu0lic 6el*are .ay usti*y t+e exercise o* /overn.ental aut+ority to re/ulate even i* t+ere0y certain

/roups .ay plausi0ly assert t+at t+eir interests are disre/ardedB3

?>R'C? T '

G3R3 15%&1I V ;anuary 5I, 1 V ;3 Pan/ani0an

Coctrine$

T+e constitutional ri/+ts to equal protection o* t+e la6 is not violated 0y an executive order, issued

pursuant to la6, /rantin/ tax and duty incentives only to t+e 0usiness and residents 6it+in t+e

-secured area4 o* t+e Su0ic Special Econo.ic Oone and denyin/ t+e. to t+ose 6+o live 6it+in t+e

Oone 0ut outside suc+ -*enced2in4 territory3 T+e onstitution does not require a0solute equality

a.on/ residents3 t is enou/+ t+at all persons under li@e circu.stances or conditions are /iven t+e

sa.e privile/es and required to *ollo6 t+e sa.e o0li/ations3 n s+ort, a classi*ication 0ased on valid

and reasona0le standards does not violate t+e equal protection clause3

#acts$

Petitioners assail t+e ' decision and resolution t+at up+eld t+e constitutionality and validity o* E?

%2', accordin/ to 6+ic+ t+e /rant and enoy.ent o* t+e tax and duty incentives aut+ori=ed under

R' %55% (-'n 'ct 'cceleratin/ t+e onversion o* Mili tary Reservations nto ?t+er Productiveses, reatin/ t+e


32/188

E? %, 6+ic+ clari*ied t+e application o* t+e incentives provided t+us$

Sec3 13 ?n .port Taxes and Cuties3 Tax and duty2*ree i.portations s+all apply only to ra6

.aterials, capital /oods and equip.ent 0rou/+t in 0y 0usiness enterprises into t+e SSEO3 Except *or

t+ese ite.s, i.portations o* ot+er /oods into t+e SSEO, 6+et+er 0y 0usiness enterprises or resident

individuals, are su0ect to taxes and duties under relevant P+ilippine la6s3

T+e exportation or re.oval o* tax and duty2*ree /oods *ro. t+e territory o* t+e SSEO to ot+er parts

o* t+e P+ilippine territory s+all 0e su0ect to duties and taxes under relevant P+ilippine la6s3

Sec3 53 ?n 'll ?t+er Taxes3 n l ieu o* all local and national taxes (except i.port taxes and

duties), all 0usiness enterprises in t+e SSEO s+all 0e required to pay t+e tax speci*ied in Section

15(c) o* R3'3 >o3 %55%3

Respondent ourt +eld t+at -t+ere is no su0stantial di**erence 0et6een t+e provisions o* E? %2'

and Section 15 o* R' %55%3 n 0ot+, t+e Secured 'rea7 is precise and 6ell2de*ined as 3 3 3 t+e lands

occupied 0y t+e Su0ic >aval


33/188

8K> E? J%2' is constitutional

9eld$

:ES3 Said ?rder is not violative o* t+e equal protection clause neit+er is it discri.inatory3 T+ere

are real and su0stantive distinctions 0et6een t+e circu.stances o0tainin/ inside and t+ose outside

t+e Su0ic >aval EC


34/188

CES v San Cie/o 1"I SR' HJJ (Cece.0er 51, 1")

#acts$ T+e respondent *ailed to pass t+e >ational Medical 'd.ission Test (>M'T) J ti.es and +e

6as denied ad.ission to ta@e t+e test *or anot+er ti.e 0y t+e petitioner under its rule t+at a student

is allo6ed only to ta@e t+e >M'T J ti.es and a*ter J consecutive *ailures a student s+all not 0e

allo6ed to ta@e >M'T t+e &t+ t i.e3 Respondent invo@e +is consti tutional ri/+ts on acade.ic

*reedo. and quality education in +is petition *or .anda.us 0e*ore t+e court3 Respondent ud/e

rendered decision cit in/ t+e ad.ission rule o* t+e peti t ioner as an ar0itrary exercise o* police

po6er, deprivin/ respondent o* +is ri/+t to pursue .edical education t+us t+is petition *or revie6

0e*ore t+e +i/+er court3

ssue$ 8+et+er or not t+e ad.ission rule i.ple.ented 0y petitioner an ar0itrary exercise o* police

po6er3

9eld$ T+e court +eld t+at police po6er is validly exercised i* (a) t+e interests o* t+e pu0lic

/enerally, as distin/uis+ed *ro. t+ose o* a particular class, require t+e inter*erence o* t+e State, and

(0) t+e .eans e.ployed are reasona0ly necessary to t+e attain.ent o* t+e o0ect sou/+t to 0e

acco.plis+ed and not unduly oppressive upon individuals3 T+e proper exercise o* t+e police po6er

requires t+e concurrence o* a la6*ul su0ect and a la6*ul .et+od3 T+e su0ect o* t+e c+allen/ed

re/ulation is certainly 6it+in t+e a.0it o* t+e pol ice po6er3 t i s t+e r i/+t and indeed t+e

responsi0ility o* t+e State to insure t+at t+e .edical pro*ession is not in*iltrated 0y inco.petents to

6+o. patients .ay un6arily entrust t+eir lives and +ealt+3 T+e .et+od e.ployed 0y t+e c+allen/edre/ulation is not irrelevant to t+e purpose o* t+e la6 nor is it ar0itrary or oppressive3 T+e t+ree2

*lun@ rule is intended to insulate t+e .edical sc+ools and ulti.ately t+e .edical pro*ession *ro. t+e

intrusion o* t+ose not quali*ied to 0e doctors3 T+e State needs to i.ple.ent decisive steps to

re/ulate syste. o* education 0y directin/ students to t+e course 6+ere +e is 0est suited t+rou/+

initial tests and evaluation3 T+e decision o* t+e respondent ud/e 6as reversed

G3R3 >o3 %11! Cece.0er 55, 1""

S'>G'L'>G S '

#'TS$


35/188

Cevelop.ent orporation (+ereina*ter re*erred to as MC), 6+ic+ in 1!" 6as .er/ed 6it+

appellant 'yala

T+e lots 6+ic+ 6ere acquired 0y appellees San/alan/ and spouse Gaston and spouse and


36/188

t+ose on t+e private practice3 t is 0ecause t+e *or.er are required to use only /eneric ter.inolo/y

in t+e prescription 6+ile t+e latter .ay 6rite t+e 0rand na.e o* t+e dru/ 0elo6 t+e /eneric na.e3 t

is alle/edly a specie o* invalid class le/islation3

n addition, t+e petitioners /ave a distorted interpretation on R' !!%H and 'd.in ?rder >o3 !5

sayin/ t+at t+e sales/irl and or dru//ist +ave t+e discretion to su0stitute t+e doctor7s prescription3T+e court says t+at t+e sales/irl at t+e dru/store counter .erely in*or.s t+e custo.er, 0ut does not

deter.ine all t+e ot+er dru/ products or 0rands t+at +ave t+e sa.e /eneric na.e and t+eir prices3

ssue$ 8+et+er or not t+e Generics 'ct is constitutional as to t+e exercise o* police po6er 0y t+e

/overn.ent3

9eld$ Petition Cis.issed3

T+e court +as 0een una0le to *ind any constitutional in*ir.ity in t+e Generics 'ct3 t i.ple.ents t+e

constitutional .andate *or t+e State -to protect and pro.ote t+e ri/+t to +ealt+ o* t+e people4 and

-to .a@e essential /oods, +ealt+ and ot+er social services availa0le to all t+e people at a**orda0le

cost43

T+e alle/ed unequal treat.ent o* /overn.ent p+ysicians, dentists and veterinarians on one +and and

t+ose in t+e private pr actice in t+e ot+er, is a .isinter pretation o* t+e la63

T+e sales/irl at t+e dru/store counter .erely in*or.s t+e custo.er o* all availa0le products, 0ut

does not deter.ine all t+e ot+er dru/ products or 0rands t+at +ave t+e sa.e /eneric na.e and t+eir

correspondin/ process3

T+e penal sanction in violation o* t+e la6 is indispensa0le 0ecause t+ey are t+e teet+ o* t+e la63

8it+out t+e., t+e la6 6ould 0e toot+less3

T+e Generics 'ct and t+e i.ple.entin/ ad.inistrative orders o* t+e Secretary o* 9ealt+ are

constitutional3

T+e purpose o* t+e Generics 'ct is to -pro.ote and require t+e use o* /eneric dru/ products t+at are

t+erapeutically equivalent to t+eir 0rand na.e counterparts43 T+e e**ect o* t+e dru/ does not depend


37/188

on its 0rand 0ut on t+e active in/redients 6+ic+ it contains

TELE?MM>'T?>S '>C ?3 1J555 51 'PR 1"

#acts$ Petitioner Teleco..unications and


38/188

ssues$

(1) 8+et+er o* not Section 5 o* o3 ""1 denies radio and television 0roadcast co.panies t+e

equal protection o* t+e la6s3

(5) 8+et+er or not Section 5 o* o3 ""1 constitutes ta@in/ o* property 6it+out due process o*

la6 and 6it+out ust co.pensation3

9eld$ Peti t ioner7s ar/u.ent is 6it+out .erit 3 'll 0roadcastin/, 6+et+er radio or 0y television

stations, is licensed 0y t+e /overn.ent3 'ir6ave *requencies +ave to 0e allocated as t+ere are .ore

individuals 6+o 6ant to 0roadcast t+at t+ere are *requencies to assi/n3 Radio and television

0roadcastin/ co.panies, 6+ic+ are /iven *ranc+ises, do not o6n t+e air6aves and *requencies

t+rou/+ 6+ic+ t+ey trans.it 0roadcast si/nals and i.a/es3 T+ey are .erely /iven t+e te.porary

privile/e to use t+e.3 T+us, suc+ exercise o* t+e privile/e .ay reasona0ly 0e 0urdened 6it+ t+e

per*or.ance 0y t+e /rantee o* so.e *or. o* pu0lic service3 n /rantin/ t+e privile/e to operate

0roadcast stations and supervisin/ radio and television stations, t+e state spends considera0le pu0lic

*unds in licensin/ and supervisin/ t+e.3

T+e ar/u.ent t+at t+e su0ect la6 sin/les out radio and television stations to provide *ree air ti.e

as a/ainst ne6spapers and .a/a=ines 6+ic+ require pay.ent o* ust co.pensation *or t+e print

space t+ey .ay provide is li@e6ise 6it+out .erit3 Re/ulation o* t+e 0roadcast industry requiresspendin/ o* pu0lic *unds 6+ic+ it does not do in t+e case o* print .edia3 To require t+e 0roadcast

industry to provide *ree air ti.e *or ?MELE is a *air exc+an/e *or 6+at t+e industry /ets3

's radio and television 0roadcast stations do not o6n t+e air6aves, no private property is ta@en 0y

t+e require.ent t+at t+ey provide air ti.e to t+e ?MELE3

3 ?PLE S3 T?RRES, ;uly 5J, 1"

Puno, ;3

#acts$


39/188

?n Cece.0er 15, 1!, t+en President #CEL 3 R'M?S issued 'd.inistrative ?rder >o3

JI" entitled -'C?PT?> ?# ' >'T?>'L ?MPTEROEC CE>T#'T?> RE#ERE>E

S:STEM43

T+e '? see@s to +ave all #ilipino citi=ens and *orei/n residents to +ave a Population Re*erence

>u.0er (PR>) /enerated 0y t+e >ational Statistics ?**ice (>S?) t+rou/+ t+e use o* ?L?G: 3

T+e '? 6as questioned 0y Senator ?ple on t+e *ollo6in/ /rounds$

13 T+e esta0lis+.ent o* t+e PR> 6it+out any la6 is an unconstitutional usurpation o* t+e

le/islative po6ers o* t+e on/ress o* t+e P+ilippines

5 3 T+e appropriat ion o* pu0lic *unds *or t+e i.ple.entat ion o* t+e said '? is

unconsti tut ional s ince on/ress +as t+e exclusive aut+ority to appropriate *unds *or suc+

expenditure and

J3 T+e '? violates t+e citi=en7s ri/+t to privacy protected 0y t+e


40/188

53 T+e '? li@e6ise violates t+e ri/+t to privacy since its .ain purpose is to provide a

-co..on re*erence nu.0er to esta0lis+ a l in@a/e a.on/ concerned a/encies t+rou/+ t+e use o*

?L?G:3 , t+e /overn.ent o**ices +as t+e c+ance o* 0uildin/ a +u/e and *or.ida0le in*or.ation 0ase

t+rou/+ t+e electronic lin@a/e o* t+e *iles o* every citi=en3 T+e data, +o6ever, .ay 0e /at+ered *or/ain*ul and use*ul /overn.ent purposes 0ut t+e existence o* t+is vast reservoir o* personal

in*or.ation constitutes a covert invitation to .isuse, a te.ptation t+at .ay 0e too /reat *or so.e o*

our aut+orities to resist3

#urt+er, t+e '? does not even tells us in clear and unequivocal ter.s +o6 t+ese in*or.ations

/at+ered s+all 0e +andled3 t does not provide 6+o s+all control and access t+e data and under 6+at

circu.stances and *or 6+at purpose3 T+ese *actors are essential to sa*e/uard t+e privacy and

/uaranty t+e inte/rity o* t+e in*or.ation3 T+e co.puter lin@a/e /ives ot+er /overn.ent a/encies

access to t+e in*or.ation3 :ET, T9ERE 'RE >? ?>TR?LS T? G'RC 'G'>ST LE''GE?# >#?RM'T?>S3 89E> T9E 'ESS ?CE ?# T9E ?>TR?L PR?GR'MS ?# T9E

P'RTL'R ?MPTER S:STEM S , '> >TRCER, 8T9?T #E'R ?#

S'>T?> ?R PE>'LT:, '> M'E SE ?# T9E C'T' #?R 89'TEER PRP?SE, ?R

8?RSE, M'>PL'TE T9E C'T' ST?REC 8T9> T9E S:STEM3

'? >o3 JI" is unconstitutional since it *alls s+ort o* assurin/ t+at personal in*or.ation /at+ered

a0out our people 6ill 0e used only *or speci*ied purposes t+ere0y violatin/ t+e citi=en7s ri/+t to

privacy3

:not v nter.ediate 'ppellate ourt 1&" SR' !H (1"%)

#$ PetitionersD ! cara0aos 6ere con*iscated 0y t+e police *or +avin/ 0een transported *ro.

Mas0ate to loilo in violation o* E? !5!2'3 9e 0rou/+t an action *or replevin, c+allen/in/ t+e

consitutionality o* t+e E?3 T+e trial court sustained t+e con*iscation o* t+e ani.als and declined to

rule on t+e validity o* t+e la6 on t+e /round t+at i t lac@ed aut+ority to do so3 ts decision 6as

a**ir.ed 0y t+e '3 9ence t+is petition *or revie63

9ELC$ (1) nder t+e provision /rantin/ t+e S urisdiction to Brevie6, revise, reverse, .odi*y or

a**ir. on appeal or certiorari, as t+e la6 or rules o* court .ay provide *inal ud/.ents o* lo6er

courtsB in all cases involvin/ t+e constitutionality o* certain .easures, lo6er courts can pass upon

t+e validity o* a statute in t+e *irst instance3

(5) T+ere is no dou0t t+at 0y 0annin/ t+e slau/+ter o* t+ese ani.als (except 6+ere t+ere at


41/188

least % yrs3 old i* .ale and 11 yrs old i* *e.ale upon t+e issuance o* t+e necessary per.it) t+e E?

6ill 0e conservin/ t+ose st i l l *i t *or *ar. 6or@ or 0reedin/ and preventin/ t+eir i.provident

depletion3 8e do not see, +o6ever, +o6 t+e pro+i0ition o* t+e interprovincial transport o* cara0aos

can prevent t+eir indiscri.inate slau/+ter, considerin/ t+at t+ey can 0e @illed any 6+ere, 6K no less

di**iculty in on province t+an in anot+er3 ?0viously, retainin/ t+e cara0ao in one province 6ill not

prevent t+eir slau/+ter t+ere, any .ore t+an .ovin/ t+e. to anot+er province 6ill .a@e it easier to

@ill t+e. t+ere3 's *or t+e cara0ee*, t+e pro+i0ition is .ade to apply to it as ot+er6ise, so says t+eE?, it could 0e easily circu.s0cri0ed 0y si.ply @illin/ t+e ani.al3 Per+aps so3 9o6ever, i* t+e

.ove.ent o* t+e live ani.als *or t+e purpose o* preventin/ t+eir slau/+ter cannot 0e pro+i0ited, it

s+ould *ollo6 t+at t+ere is no reason eit+er to pro+i0it t+eir trans*er as, not to 0e *lippant, dead

.eat3

(J) n t+e instant case, t+e cara0aos 6ere ar0itrarily con*iscated 0y t+e police station

co..ander, 6ere returned to t+e petitioner only a*ter +e +ad *iled a co.plaint *or recovery and

/iven a supersedeas 0ond 6Kc 6as ordered con*iscated upon +is *ailure to produce t+e cara0aos

6+en ordered 0y t+e trial court 3 T+e E? de*ined t+e pro+i0ition, convicted t+e peti tioner and

i..ediately i.posed punis+.ent, 6Kc 6as carried out *ort+ri/+t3 T+e .easures struc@ +i. at once

and pounced upon t+e petitioner 6Ko /ivin/ +i. a c+ance to 0e +eard, t+us denyin/ +i. ele.entary

*air pla y3

(&) t is t+ere aut+ori=ed t+at t+e sei=ed prop3 s+all B0e distri0uted to c+arita0le institutions

and ot+er si.ilar institutions as t+e +air.an o* t+e >ational Meat nspection o..ission .ay see

*it, in t+e case o* cara0ee*, and to deservin/ *ar.ers t+rou/+ dispersal as t+e Cirector o* 'ni.al

ndustry .ay see *it in t+e case o* cara0aos3B T+e p+rase .ay see *it is an extre.ely /enerous and

dan/erous condition, i* condition it is3 t is laden 6K perilous opportunities *or partiality and a0use,

and even corruption3 ?ne searc+es in vain *or t+e usual standard and t+e reasona0le /uidelines, or

0etter still, t+e li.itations t+at t+e said o**icers .ust o0serve 6+en t+ey .a@e t+eir distri0ution3

P9LPP>E PRESS >STTTE S3 ?MELE 5&& SR' 5%5 G3R3 >o3 11!& 55 May 1H

#acts$ Respondent o.elec pro.ul/ated Resolution >o3 5%%5 directin/ ne6spapers to provide *ree

o.elec space o* not less t+an one2+al* pa/e *or t+e co..on use o* political parties and candidates3

T+e o.elec space s+all 0e allocated 0y t+e o..ission, *ree o* c+ar/e, a.on/ all candidates to

ena0le t+e. to .a@e @no6n t+eir quali*ications, t+eir stand on pu0lic ssue and t+eir plat*or.s o*

/overn.ent3 T+e o.elec space s+all also 0e used 0y t+e o..ission *or disse.ination o* vital

election in*or.ation3

Peti t ioner P+ilippine Press nsti tute, nc3 (PP), a non2pro*it or/ani=ation o* ne6spaper and

.a/a=ine pu0 li s+ers, as@s t+e Supre.e ourt to dec lare o.elec Resolut ion >o3 5%%5

unconstitutional and void on t+e /round t+at it violates t+e pro+i0ition i.posed 0y t+e onstitution

upon t+e /overn.ent a/a inst t+e t a@ in/ o* p riva te p roperty *or pu0 lic use 6it+out us t


42/188

co.pensation3 ?n 0e+al* o* t+e respondent o.elec, t+e Sol icitor General clai.ed t+at t+e

Resolution is a per.issi0le exercise o* t+e po6er o* supervision (police po6er) o* t+e o.elec over

t+e in*or.ation operations o* print .edia enterprises durin/ t+e election period to sa*e/uard and

ensure a *air, i.partial and credi0le election3

ssue$

8+et+er or not o.elec Resolution >o3 5%%5 is unconstitutional3

9eld$ T+e Supre.e ourt declared t+e Resolution as unconstitutional3 t +eld t+at to co.pel print

.edia co.panies to donate -o.elec space4 a.ounts to -ta@in/4 o* private personal property6it+out pay.ent o* t+e ust co.pensation required in expropriation cases3 Moreover, t+e ele.ent o*

necessity *or t+e ta@in/ +as not 0een esta0lis+ed 0y respondent o.elec, considerin/ t+at t+e

ne6spapers 6ere not un6illin/ to sell advertisin/ space3 T+e ta@in/ o* private property *or pu0lic

use is aut+ori=ed 0y t+e constitution, 0ut not 6it+out pay.ent o* ust co.pensation3 'lso Resolution

>o3 5%%5 does not constitute a valid exercise o* t+e police po6er o* t+e state3 n t+e case at 0enc+,

t+ere is no s+o6in/ o* existence o* a national e.er/ency to ta@e private property o* ne6spaper or

.a/a=ine pu0lis+ers

G3R3 >o3 L21&JHH, ?cto0er J1, 11

T9E T: ?# M'>L' vs3 9>ESE ?MM>T: ?# M'>L', ET 'L3

#'TS$

?n t+e 11t+ day o* Cece.0er, 11!, t+e city o* Manila presented a petition in t+e ourt o* #irst

nstance o* said city, prayin/ t+at certain lands 0e expropriated *or t+e purpose o* constructin/ a

pu0lic i.prove.ent na.ely, t+e extension o* Ri=al 'venue, Manila3 T+e de*endant, t+e o.unidad

de +inos de Manila +inese o..unity o* Manila opposed t+e expropriation alle/in/ t+at t+e

+inese ce.etery +as *or its purpose t+e 0ene*it and /eneral 6el*are o* t+e +inese o..unity o*

t+e ity o* Manila and t+at t+e expropriation, in *act, 6as not necessary as a pu0lic i.prove.ent

*or ot+er routes 6ere availa0le 6+ic+ 6ould *ully satis*y t+e plainti** Ds purposes, at .uc+ less

expense and 6it+out distur0in/ t+e restin/ places o* t+e dead3

T+e trial court decided t+at t+ere 6as no necessity *or t+e expropriation o* t+e particular strip o*

land in question, and a0solved eac+ and all o* t+e de*endants *ro. all lia0ility under t+e co.plaint,

6it+out any *indin/ as to costs3 T+e ity o* Manila t+en appealed t+e trial court 7s decision3


43/188

SSE$ 8?> t+e +inese e.etery .ay 0e validly expropriated 0y t+e ity o* Manila3

9ELC$

T+e exercise o* t+e ri/+t o* e.inent do.ain, 6+et+er directly 0y t+e State, or 0y i ts aut+ori=eda/ents, is necessarily in dero/ation o* private ri/+ts, and t+e rule in t+at case is t+at t+e aut+ority

.ust 0e strictly construed3 >o species o* property is +eld 0y individuals 6it+ /reater tenacity, and

none is /uarded 0y t+e consti tution and la6s .ore sedulously, t+an t+e ri/+t to t+e *ree+old o*

in+a0itants3 8+en t+e le/islature inter*eres 6it+ t+at ri/+t, and, *or /reater pu0lic purposes,

appropriates t+e land o* an individual 6it+out +is consent, t+e plain .eanin/ o* t+e la6 s+ould not

0e enlar/ed 0y dou0tly interpretation3

T+e ri/+t o* expropriation is not an in+erent po6er in a .unicipal corporation, and 0e*ore it can

exercise t+e ri/+t so.e la6 .ust exist con*errin/ t+e po6er upon i t 3 8+en t+e courts co.e to

deter.ine t+e question, t+ey .ust only *ind (a) t+at a la6 or aut+ority exists *or t+e exercise o* t+e

ri/+t o* e.inent do.ain, 0ut (0) also t+at t+e ri/+t or aut+ority is 0ein/ exercised in accordance

6it+ t+e la63 n t+e present case t+ere are t6o conditions i.posed upon t+e aut+ority conceded to

t+e ity o* Manila$ #irst, t+e land .ust 0e private and, second, t+e purpose .ust 0e pu0lic3

t is a 6ell @no6n *act t+at ce.eteries .ay 0e pu0lic or private3 T+e *or.er is a ce.etery used 0y

t+e /eneral co..unity, or nei/+0or+ood, or c+urc+, 6+ile t+e latter is used only 0y a *a.ily, or a

s.all portion o* t+e co..unity or nei/+0our+ood3 8+ere a ce.etery is open to pu0lic, it is a pu0lic

use and no part o* t+e /round can 0e ta@en *or ot+er pu0lic uses under a /eneral aut+ority3 'nd t+is

i..unity extends to t+e uni.proved and unoccupied parts 6+ic+ are +eld in /ood *ait+ *or *uture

use3 T+e ce.etery in question is used 0y t+e /eneral co..unity o* +inese, 6+ic+ *act , in t+e

/eneral acceptation o* t+e de*inition o* a pu0lic ce.etery, 6ould .a@e t+e ce.etery in question

pu0lic property3 T+e petition o* t+e plainti** .ust 0e denied, *or t+e reason t+at t+e city o* Manila

+as no aut+ority or ri/+t under t+e la6 to expropriate pu0lic property3 n t+e present case, even

/rantin/ t+at a necessity exists *or t+e openin/ o* t+e street in question, t+e record contains no

proo* o* t+e necessity o* openin/ t+e sa.e t+rou/+ t+e ce.etery3 T+e record s+o6s t+at adoinin/

and adacent lands +ave 0een o**ered to t+e city *ree o* c+ar/e, 6+ic+ 6ill ans6er every purpose o*

t+e plainti**3

#or all o* t+e *ore/oin/, t+e ud/.ent o* t+e lo6er court s+ould 0e and is +ere0y a**ir.ed, 6it+

costs a/ainst t+e appellant3

G3R3 >o3 L21""&1, ;anuary 5%, 1!

RP vs3 P9L PP>E L?>G CST'>E TELEP9?>E ?MP'>:


44/188

#'TS$

So.eti.e in 1JJ, t+e de*endant, PLCT, and t+e R' o..unications, nc3, entered into an

a/ree.ent 6+ere0y telep+one .essa/es, co.in/ *ro. t+e nited States and received 0y R'Ds

do.estic station, could auto.atically 0e trans*erred to t+e lines o* PLCT and vice2versa, *or calls

collected 0y t+e PLCT *or trans.ission *ro. t+e P+ilippines to t+e nited States3

T+e arran/e.ent 6as later extended to radio2telep+one .essa/es to and *ro. European and 'siaticcountries3 T+eir contract contained a stipulation t+at eit+er party could ter.inate it on a 5&2.ont+

notice to t+e ot+er3 ?n 5 #e0ruary 1H!, PLCT /ave notice to R' to ter.inate t+eir contract on 5

#e0ruary 1H"3

Soon a*ter i ts creation in 1&%, t+e


45/188

co.pany to restrain t+e severance o* t+e existin/ telep+one connections andKor restore t+ose

severed3

PLCT, on t+e ot+er +and denied any o0li/ation on its part to execute a contrary o* services 6it+ t+e


46/188

pu0lic service o6ned 0y t+e Repu0l ic and operated 0y an ins tru.entali ty o* t+e >at ional

Govern.ent, +ence exe.pt, under Section 1& o* t+e Pu0lic Service 'ct, *ro. suc+ urisdiction,

supervision and control3

89ERE#?RE, t+e decision o* t+e ourt o* #irst nstance, no6 under appeal, is a**ir.ed, except in

so *ar as it dis.isses t+e petition o* t+e Repu0lic o* t+e P+ilippines to co.pel t+e P+ilippine Lon/

Cistance Telep+one o.pany to continue servicin/ t+e Govern.ent telep+one syste. upon suc+

ter.s, and *or a co.pensation, t+at t+e trial court .ay deter.ine to 0e ust, includin/ t+e period

elapsed *ro. t+e *ilin/ o* t+e ori/inal co.plaint or petition3 'nd *or t+is purpose, t+e records are

ordered returned to t+e court o* ori/in *or *urt+er +earin/s and ot+er proceedin/s not inconsistent

6it+ t+is opinion3 >o costs3

PLCT S >T

n 1H", #elix 'l0erto Q o3, nc (#') 6as /ranted 0y on/ress a *ranc+ise to 0uild radio

stations ( later construed as to include telep+ony)3 #' later c+an/ed i ts na.e to Express

Telec o. .unic ations o3 , nc3 ( ET ) 3 n 1 " %, ET 6a s /r ant ed 0 y t+e >a tional

Teleco..unications o..ission a provisional aut+ority to 0uild a telep+one syste. in so.e parts

o* Manila3 P+il ippine Lon/ Cistance Telep+one o3 (PLCT) opposed t+e said /rant as i t avers,

a.on/ ot+ers, t+at ET is not quali*ied 0ecause its *ranc+ise +as already 0een invalidated 6+en it

*ailed to exercise it 6it+in 1I years *ro. 1H" t+at in 1"%, t+e 'l0ertos, o6ners o* .ore t+an &IN

o* ET7s s+ares o* stoc@s, trans*erred said stoc@s to t+e ne6 stoc@+olders (ellco., nc3F not

speci*ied in t+e case) t+at suc+ trans*er involvin/ .ore t+an &IN s+ares o* stoc@s a.ounted to a

trans*er o* *ranc+ise 6+ic+ is void 0ecause t+e aut+ori=ation o* on/ress 6as not o0tained3 T+e

>T denied PLCT3 PLCT t+en *iled a petition *or cert iorari and pro+i0ition a/ainst t+e >T3

SSE$ 8+et+er or not PLCT7s petition s+ould prosper3

9ELC$ >o3

PLCT cannot attac@ ET7s *ranc+ise in a petition *or certiorari3 t cannot 0e collaterally attac@ed3

t s+ould 0e directly attac@ed t+rou/+ a petition *or quo 6arranto 6+ic+ is t+e correct procedure3 '*ranc+ise is a property ri/+t and cannot 0e revo@ed or *or*eited 6it+out due process o* la63 T+e

deter.ination o* t+e ri/+t to t+e exercise o* a *ranc+ise, or 6+et+er t+e ri/+t to enoy suc+ privile/e

+as 0een *or*eited 0y non2user, is .ore properly t+e su0ect o* t+e prero/ative 6rit o* quo 6arranto3

#urt+er, *or any violation o* t+e *ranc+ise, it s+ould 0e t+e /overn.ent 6+o s+ould 0e *ilin/ a quo

6arranto proceedin/ 0ecause it 6as t+e /overn.ent 6+o /ranted it in t+e *irst place3

T+e trans*er o* .ore t+an &IN o* t+e s+ares o* stoc@s is not tanta.ount to a trans*er o* *ranc+ise3


47/188

T+ere is a dist inction +ere3 T+ere is no need to o0tain aut+ori=ation o* on/ress *or t+e .ere

trans*er o* s+ares o* stoc@s3 S+are+olders can trans*er t+eir s+ares to anyone3 T+e only li.itation is

t+at i* t+e trans*er involves .ore t+an &IN o* t+e corporation7s stoc@s, it s+ould 0e approved 0y t+e

>T3 T+e trans*er in t+is case 6as s+o6n to +ave 0een approved 0y t+e >T3 8+at requires

aut+ori=ation *ro. on/ress is t+e trans*er o* *ranc+ise and t+e person 6+o s+all o0tain t+e

aut+ori=ation is t+e /rantee (ET)3 ' distinction s+ould 0e .ade 0et6een s+ares o* stoc@, 6+ic+

are o6ned 0y stoc@+olders, t+e sale o* 6+ic+ requires only >T approval, and t+e *ranc+ise itsel*6+ic+ is o6ned 0y t+e corporation as t+e /rantee t+ereo*, t+e sale or trans*er o* 6+ic+ requires

on/ressional sanction3 Since stoc@+olders o6n t+e s+ares o* stoc@, t+ey .ay dispose o* t+e sa.e

as t+ey see *it3 T+ey .ay not, +o6ever, trans*er or assi/n t+e property o* a corporation, li@e its

*ranc+ise3 n ot+er 6ords, even i* t+e ori/inal stoc@+olders +ad trans*erred t+eir s+ares to anot+er

/roup o* s+are+olders, t+e *ranc+ise /ranted to t+e corporation su0sists as lon/ as t+e corporation,

as an entity, continues to exist3 T+e *ranc+ise is not t+ere0y invalidated 0y t+e trans*er o* t+e s+ares3

' corporation +as a personality separate and distinct *ro. t+at o* eac+ stoc@+older3 t +as t+e ri/+t

o* continuity or perpetual succession3

G3R3 >o3 L25I!5I 'u/ust 1H, 1%&

RP vs3 'STEL

#'TS$

T+e astellvi property +ad 0een occupied 0y t+e P+ilippine 'ir #orce since 1&% under a contract o*

lease3 t 6as stipulated 0y t+e parties, t+at Bt+e *ore/oin/ contract o* lease is Dsi.ilar in ter.s andconditions, includin/ t+e dateD, 6it+ t+e annual contracts entered into *ro. year to year 0et6een

de*endant astellvi and t+e Repu0lic o* t+e P+ilippines3 t is undisputed, t+ere*ore, t+at t+e

Repu0lic occupied astellviDs land *ro. ;uly 1, 1&%, 0y virtue o* t+e a0ove2.entioned contract, on

a year to year 0asis (*ro. ;uly 1 o* eac+ year to ;une JI o* t+e succeedin/ year) 3


48/188

instituted t+ese expropriation proceedin/s3

T+e Repu0lic ar/ues t+at t+e Bta@in/B s+ould 0e rec@oned *ro. t+e year 1&% 6+en 0y virtue o* a

special lease a/ree.ent 0et6een t+e Repu0lic and appellee astellvi, t+e *or.er 6as /ranted t+e

Bri/+t and privile/eB to 0uy t+e property s+ould t+e lessor 6is+ to ter.inate t+e lease3

astellvi, on t+e ot+er +and, .aintains t+at t+e Bta@in/B o* property under t+e po6er o* e.inent

do.ain requires t6o essential ele.ents, to 6it$ (1) entrance and occupation 0y conde.n or upon t+eprivate property *or .ore t+an a .o.entary or li.ited period, and (5) devotin/ it to a pu0lic use in

suc+ a 6ay as to oust t+e o6ner and deprive +i. o* all 0ene*icial enoy.ent o* t+e property3 T+is

appellee ar/ues t+at in t+e instant case t+e *irst ele.ent is 6antin/, *or t+e contract o* lease relied

upon provides *or a lease *ro. year to year t+at t+e second ele.ent is also 6antin/, t+at t+e

contract o* lease does not /rant t+e Repu0lic t+e Bri/+t and privile/eB to 0uy t+e pre.ises Bat t+e

value at t+e ti.e o* occupancy3B

SSE$ 8?> t+e -Ta@in/4 o* properties under expropriation co..enced 6it+ t+e *i l in/ o* t+e

action3 (8+at are t+e requisites o* -Ta@in/4 o* property o* e.inent do.ainF)

9ELC$

t is clear t+at t+e Bta@in/B o* atellvi Ds property *or purposes o* e.inent do.ain cannot 0e

considered to +ave ta@en place in 1&% 6+en t+e Repu0lic co..enced to occupy t+e property as

lessee t+ereo*3 8e *ind .erit in t+e contention o* astellvi t+at t6o essential ele.ents in t+e

Bta@in/B o* property under t+e po6er o* e.inent do.ain, na.ely$ (1) t+at t+e entrance and

occupation 0y t+e conde.nor .ust 0e *or a per.anent, or inde*inite period, and (5) t+at in devotin/

t+e property to pu0lic use t+e o6ner 6as ousted *ro. t+e property and deprived o* its 0ene*icial use,6ere not present 6+en t+e Repu0lic entered and occupied t+e astellvi property in 1&%3

ntena0le also is t+e Repu0licDs contention t+at alt+ou/+ t+e contract 0et6een t+e parties 6as one

o* lease on a year to year 0asis, i t 6as Bin reali ty a .ore or less per.anent ri/+t to occupy t+e

pre.ises under t+e /uise o* lease 6it+ t+e Dri/+t and privile/eD to 0uy t+e property s+ould t+e lessor

6is+ to ter.inate t+e lease,B and Bt+e ri/+t to 0uy t+e property is .er/ed as an inte/ral part o* t+e

lease relations+ip 333 so .uc+ so t+at t+e *air .ar@et value +as 0een a/reed upon, not, as o* t+e ti.e

o* purc+ase, 0ut as o* t+e ti.e o* occupancyB3 8e cannot accept t+e Repu0licDs contention t+at a

lease on a year to year 0asis can /ive rise to a per.anent ri/+t to occupy, since 0y express le/al

provision a lease .ade *or a deter.inate ti.e, as 6as t+e lease o* astellvi Ds land in t+e instant

case, ceases upon t+e day *ixed, 6it+out need o* a de.and ('rticle 1!!, ivil ode)3 >eit+er can it

0e said t+at t+e ri/+t o* e.inent do.ain .ay 0e exercised 0y si.ply leasin/ t+e pre.ises to 0e

expropriated (Rule !%, Section 1, Rules o* ourt)3

To sustain t+e contention o* t+e Repu0lic is to sanction a practice 6+ere0y in order to secure a lo6

price *or a land 6+ic+ t+e /overn.ent intends to expropriate (or 6ould eventually expropriate) it

6ould *irst ne/otiate 6it+ t+e o6ner o* t+e land to lease t+e land (*or say ten or t6enty years) t+en

expropriate t+e sa.e 6+en t+e lease is a0out to ter.inate, t+en clai. t+at t+e Bta@in/B o* t+e


49/188

property *or t+e purposes o* t+e expropriation 0e rec@oned as o* t+e date 6+en t+e Govern.ent

started to occupy t+e property under t+e lease, and t+en assert t+at t+e value o* t+e property 0ein/

expropriated 0e rec@oned as o* t+e start o* t+e lease, in spite o* t+e *act t+at t+e value o* t+e

property, *or .any /ood reasons, +ad in t+e .eanti.e increased durin/ t+e period o* t+e lease3

T+e lo6er court did not co..it an error 6+en i t +eld t+at t+e Bta@in/B o* t+e property under

expropriation co..enced 6it+ t+e *ilin/ o* t+e co.plaint in t+is case3

n t+e instant case, i t is undisputed t+at t+e Repu0lic 6as placed in possession o* t+e astellvi

property, 0y aut+ority o* t+e court, on 'u/ust 1I, 1H3 T+e Bta@in/B o* t+e astellvi property *or

t+e purposes o* deter.inin/ t+e ust co.pensation to 0e paid .ust, t+ere*ore, 0e rec@oned as o*

;une 5!, 1H 6+en t+e co.plaint *or e.inent do.ain 6as *iled3

'lunan vs Mirasol

GR >o3 1I"J ;uly J1, 1%

#acts$

LG o* 11 provided *or an S in every 0aran/ay to 0e co.posed o* a c+air.an, % .e.0ers, a

secretary and a treasurer, and provided t+at t+e *irst S elections 6ere to 0e +eld JI days a*ter t+e

next local elections3 T+e Local Govern.ent ode 6as enacted ;anuary 1, 153

T+e *irst elections under t+e code 6ere +eld May o* 153 'u/ust 15, ?MELE provided

/uidelines *or t+e +oldin/ o* t+e /eneral elections *or t+e S on Sept3 JI, 15, 6+ic+ also placed

t+e S elections under t+e direct control and supervision o* CLG, 6it+ t+e tec+nical assistance o*

?MELE3 '*ter postpone.ents, t+ey 6ere +eld Cece.0er &, 153

Re/istration in ! districts o* Manila 6as conducted3 1H5,J!J people a/ed 1H251 re/istered, 1H,%&

o* t+e. *ilin/ certi*icated o* candidacy3 T+e ity ouncil passed t+e necessary appropriations *or

t+e elections3

Septe.0er 1", 15 T+e CLG, t+rou/+ 'lunan, issued a letter2resolution exe.ptin/ Manila *ro.

+oldin/ S elections 0ecause t+e elections previously +eld on May 5!, 1I 6ere to 0e considered

t+e *irst S elections under t+e ne6 LG3 CLG acted on a letter 0y Santia/o, actin/ President o*

t+e < (a0ataan/


50/188

o* t+e ?MELE callin/ *or /eneral elections *or Ss, and t+at CLG denied t+e. equal protection

o* la6s3

RT issued an inunction and ordered petitioners to desist *ro. i.ple.entin/ t+e order o* t+e

CLG Secretary, and ordered t+e. to per*or. t+e speci*ied pre2election activit ies in order to

i.ple.ent t+e /eneral elections3 T+e case 6as rera**led to a di**erent 0ranc+ o* t+e sa.e court, and

t+e ne6 ud/e +eld t+at CLG +ad no po6er to exe.pt Manila *ro. +oldin/ S elections, 0ecause

t+at po6er rests solely in ?MELE, and t+at ?MELE already deter.ined t+at Manila +as not

previously +eld elections *or < 0y callin/ *or a /eneral election, and t+at t+e exe.ption o* Manila

violated t+e equal protection clause 0ecause o* t+e H,III 0aran/ays t+at previously +eld elections,

only in Manila, "% 0aran/ay, 6ere t+ere no elections3

ssue$

8+et+er ?MELE can validly vest t+e CLG 6it+ t+e po6er o* direct control and supervision

over t+e S elections 6it+ t+e tec+nical assistance o* ?MELE

8+et+er CLG can exe.pt an LG *ro. +oldin/ S elections

9eld$

Cespite t+e +oldin/ o* S elections in 1!, t+e case is not .oot it is capa0le o* repetition, yet

evadin/ revie63

CLG +ad t+e aut+ority to deter.ine 6+et+er Manila 6ould 0e required to +old S elections3

?MELE vestin/ CLG 6it+ suc+ po6ers is not unconstitutional3 Election *or S o**icers are not

su0ect to t+e supervision o* ?MELE in t+e sa.e 6ay t+at contests involvin/ elections o* S

o**icials do not *all 6it+in t+e urisdiction o* ?MELE3

;ustice Cavide, in Mercado vs


51/188

'n article in .anila o suc+ la6 +as 0een passed (5) T+e people7s initiative is li.ited to

a.end.ents to t+e onstitution, not to revision t+ereo*3 Li*tin/ o* t+e ter. li.its constitutes a

revision, t+ere*ore it is outside t+e po6er o* people7s initiative3 T+e Supre.e ourt /ranted t+e

Motions *or ntervention3

Iss$%s#

(1) 8+et+er or not Sec3 5, 'rt3 A o* t+e 1"% onstitution is a sel*2executin/ provision3

(5) 8+et+er or not ?MELE Resolution >o3 5JII re/ardin/ t+e conduct o* ini tiative on

a.end.ents to t+e onstitution is valid, considerin/ t+e a0sence in t+e la6 o* speci*ic provisions

on t+e conduct o* suc+ initiative3


52/188

(J) 8+et+er t+e l i* tin/ o* ter. l i.its o* elective o** icials 6ould consti tu te a revision or an

a.end.ent o* t+e onstitution3

&%'#

Sec3 5, 'rt A o* t+e onstitution is not sel* executory, t+us, 6it+out i.ple.entin/ le/islation t+e

sa.e cannot operate3 'lt+ou/+ t+e onsti tution +as reco/ni=ed or /ranted t+e ri/+t, t+e people

cannot exercise it i* on/ress does not provide *or its i.ple.entation3

T+e portion o* ?MELE Resolution >o3 5JII 6+ic+ prescri0es rules and re/ulations on t+e

conduct o* initiative on a.end.ents to t+e onstitution, is void3 t +as 0een an esta0lis+ed rule t+at

6+at +as 0een dele/ated, cannot 0e dele/ated (potestas dele/ata non dele/ari potest)3 T+e dele/ation

o* t+e po6er to t+e ?MELE 0ein/ invalid, t+e latter cannot validly pro.ul/ate rules and

re/ulations to i.ple.ent t+e exercise o* t+e ri/+t to people7s initiative3

T+e li*tin/ o* t+e ter. li.its 6as +eld to 0e t+at o* a revision, as it 6ould a**ect ot+er provisions o*

t+e onstitution suc+ as t+e sync+roni=ation o* election

1st week consti 2 cases

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