right to privacy_consti2

8/9/2019 Right to Privacy_Consti2

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Republic of the PhilippinesSUPREME COURTManila

EN BANC

G.R. No. 12!"# $ul% 2&' 1(("B)AS *. OP)E' petitione+',s.RUBEN -. TORRES' A)EAN-ER AGU/RRE' 0ECTOR /))ANUEA' C/E)/TO 0AB/TO' ROBERT BARBERS' CARMENC/TAREO-/CA' CESAR SAR/NO' RENATO A)ENC/A' TOMAS P. A*R/CA' 0EA- O* T0E NAT/ONA) COMPUTER CENTER anC0A/RMAN O* T0E COMM/SS/ON ON AU-/T' +esponents.

PUNO' $.3

The petition at ba+ is a co44enable e5o+t on the pa+t of Senato+ Blas *. Ople to p+e,ent the sh+in6in7 of the +i7ht top+i,ac%' 8hich the +e,e+e M+. $ustice B+aneis consie+e as 9the 4ost co4p+ehensi,e of +i7hts an the +i7ht 4ost,alue b% ci,ili:e 4en.9 1 Petitione+ Ople p+a%s that 8e in,aliate A4inist+ati,e O+e+ No. &;" entitle 9Aoption ofa National Co4pute+i:e /entie 7+ant the petition fo+ the +i7hts sou7ht to be ,inicate b% the petitione+ nee st+on7e+ ba++ie+s a7ainstfu+the+ e+osion.

A.O. No. &;" 8as issue b% P+esient *iel . Ra4os On -ece4be+ 12' 1((! an +eas as follo8s3

A-OPT/ON O* A NAT/ONA) COMPUTER/?E-

/-ENT/*/CAT/ON RE*ERENCE S@STEM

>0EREAS' the+e is a nee to p+o,ie *ilipino citi:ens an fo+ei7n +esients 8ith the facilit% to con,enientl% t+ansactbusiness 8ith basic se+,ice an social secu+it% p+o,ie+s an othe+ 7o,e+n4ent inst+u4entalities

>0EREAS' this 8ill +eui+e a co4pute+i:e s%ste4 to p+ope+l% an ecientl% ientif% pe+sons see6in7 basic se+,iceson social secu+it% an +euce' if not totall% e+aicate f+auulent t+ansactions an 4is+ep+esentations

>0EREAS' a conce+te an collabo+ati,e e5o+t a4on7 the ,a+ious basic se+,ices an social secu+it% p+o,iin7a7encies an othe+ 7o,e+n4ent int+u4entalities is +eui+e to achie,e such a s%ste4

NO>' T0ERE*ORE' /' */-E) . RAMOS' P+esient of the Republic of the Philippines' b% ,i+tue of the po8e+s ,este in 4e

b% la8' o he+eb% i+ect the follo8in73

Sec. 1. Establish4ent of a National Co4pote+i:e /enti


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Sec. . Sub4ission of Re7ula+ Repo+ts. The NSO' GS/S an SSS shall sub4it +e7ula+ +epo+ts to the Oce of theP+esient th+ou7h the /ACC' on the status of i4ple4entation of this une+ta6in7.

Sec. ". E5ecti,it%. This A4inist+ati,e O+e+ shall ta6e e5ect i44eiatel%.

-ONE in the Cit% of Manila' this 12th a% of -ece4be+ in the %ea+ of Ou+ )o+' Nineteen 0un+e an Ninet%DSi.

SG-.F */-E) . RAMOS

A.O. No. &;" 8as publishe in fou+ ne8spape+s of 7ene+al ci+culation on $anua+% 22' 1(( an $anua+% 2&' 1((. On$anua+% 2H' 1((' petitione+


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po8e+ to Con7+ess is b+oa' 7ene+al an co4p+ehensi,e. 1; The le7islati,e bo% possesses plena+% po8e+ fo+ allpu+poses of ci,il 7o,e+n4ent. 11 An% po8e+' ee4e to be le7islati,e b% usa7e an t+aition' is necessa+il% possesseb% Con7+ess' unless the Constitution has lo7e it else8he+e. 12 /n


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a7ainst un+easonable sea+ches an sei:u+es.9 The *ifth A4en4ent in its SelfD/nc+i4ination Clause enables the citi:ento c+eate a :one of p+i,ac% 8hich 7o,e+n4ent 4a% not fo+ce hi4 to su++ene+ to his et+i4ent. The Ninth A4en4entp+o,ies3 9The enu4e+ation in the Constitution' of ce+tain +i7hts' shall not be const+ue to en% o+ ispa+a7e othe+s+etaine b% the people.9

/n the 1(!" case of Mo+fe ,. Mutuc' &2 8e aopte the G+is8ol +ulin7 that the+e is a constitutional +i7ht to p+i,ac%.Spea6in7 th+u M+. $ustice' late+ Chief $ustice' En+iue *e+nano' 8e hel3

The G+is8ol case in,aliate a Connecticut statute 8hich 4ae the use of cont+acepti,es a c+i4inal o5ence on the7+oun of its a4ountin7 to an unconstitutional in,asion of the +i7ht of p+i,ac% of 4a++ie pe+sons +i7htfull% it st+esse9a +elationship l%in7 8ithin the :one of p+i,ac% c+eate b% se,e+al funa4ental constitutional 7ua+antees.9 /t has 8ie+i4plications thou7h. The constitutional +i7ht to p+i,ac% has co4e into its o8n.

So it is li6e8ise in ou+ Iu+isiction. The +i7ht to p+i,ac% as such is acco+e +eco7nition inepenentl% of itsienti


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p+ecise con


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!( The use of bio4et+ics an co4pute+ technolo7% in A.O. No. &;" oes not assu+e the ini,iual of a +easonableepectation of p+i,ac%. ; As technolo7% a,ances' the le,el of +easonabl% epecte p+i,ac% ec+eases. 1 The4easu+e of p+otection 7+ante b% the +easonable epectation i4inishes as +ele,ant technolo7% beco4es 4o+e 8iel%accepte. 2 The secu+it% of the co4pute+ ata e ecla+e that the la8' in co4pellin7 a publicoce+ to 4a6e an annual +epo+t isclosin7 his assets an liabilities' his sou+ces of inco4e an epenses' i notinf+in7e on the ini,iual=s +i7ht to p+i,ac%. The la8 8as enacte to p+o4ote 4o+alit% in public a4inist+ation b%cu+tailin7 an 4ini4i:in7 the oppo+tunities fo+ ocial co++uption an 4aintainin7 a stana+ of honest% in the publicse+,ice. "

The sa4e ci+cu4stances o not obtain in the case at ba+. *o+ one' R.A. &;1( is a statute' not an a4inist+ati,e o+e+.Seconl%' R.A. &;1( itself is sucientl% etaile. The la8 is clea+ on 8hat p+actices 8e+e p+ohibite an penali:e' anit 8as na++o8l% +a8n to a,oi abuses. /N the case at ba+' A.O. No. &;" 4a% ha,e been i4pelle b% a 8o+th% pu+pose'but' it cannot pass constitutional sc+utin% fo+ it is not na++o8l% +a8n. An 8e no8 ho that 8hen the inte7+it% of afuna4ental +i7ht is at sta6e' this cou+t 8ill 7i,e the challen7e la8' a4inist+ati,e o+e+' +ule o+ +e7ulation a st+icte+sc+utin%. /t 8ill not o fo+ the autho+ities to in,o6e the p+esu4ption of +e7ula+it% in the pe+fo+4ance of ocial uties.No+ is it enou7h fo+ the autho+ities to p+o,e that thei+ act is not i++ational fo+ a basic +i7ht can be i4inishe' if notefeate' e,en 8hen the 7o,e+n4ent oes not act i++ationall%. The% 4ust satisfacto+il% sho8 the p+esence ofco4pellin7 state inte+ests an that the la8' +ule o+ +e7ulation is na++o8l% +a8n to p+eclue abuses. This app+oach is

e4ane b% the 1(" Constitution 8hose enti+e 4at+i is esi7ne to p+otect hu4an +i7hts an to p+e,entautho+ita+ianis4. /n case of oubt' the least 8e can o is to lean to8a+s the stance that 8ill not put in an7e+ the+i7hts p+otecte b% the Constitutions.

The case of >halen ,. Roe ( cite b% the Solicito+ Gene+al is also o5Dline. /n >halen' the Unite States Sup+e4e Cou+t8as p+esente 8ith the uestion of 8hethe+ the State of Ne8 @o+6 coul 6eep a cent+ali:e co4pute+ +eco+ of thena4es an a+esses of all pe+sons 8ho obtaine ce+tain +u7s pu+suant to a octo+=s p+esc+iption. The Ne8 @o+6State Cont+olle Substance Act of 1(2 +eui+e ph%sicians to ientif% pa+ties obtainin7 p+esc+iption +u7s enu4e+atein the statute' i.e.' +u7s 8ith a +eco7ni:e 4eical use but 8ith a potential fo+ abuse' so that the na4es ana+esses of the patients can be +eco+e in a cent+ali:e co4pute+


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unconstitutional in,asions. >e +eite+ate that an% la8 o+ o+e+ that in,aes ini,iual p+i,ac% 8ill be subIecte b% thisCou+t to st+ict sc+utin%. The +eason fo+ this stance 8as lai o8n in Mo+fe ,. Mutuc' to 8it3

The concept of li4ite 7o,e+n4ent has al8a%s inclue the iea that 7o,e+n4ental po8e+s stop sho+t of ce+tainint+usions into the pe+sonal life of the citi:en. This is inee one of the basic isctinctions bet8een absolute anli4ite 7o,e+n4ent. Ulti4ate an pe+,asi,e cont+ol of the ini,iual' in all aspects of his life' is the hall4a+6 of theabsolute state. /n cont+ast' a s%ste4 of li4ite 7o,e+n4ent safe7ua+s a p+i,ate secto+' 8hich belon7s to theini,iual' e close 8ith the state4ent that the +i7ht to p+i,ac% 8as not

en7+a,e in ou+ Constitution fo+ atte+%.

/N /E> >0EREO*' the petition is 7+ante an A4inis+ati,e O+e+ No. &;" entitle 9Aoption of a NationalCo4pute+i:e /enti


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p+ouce e,ience in an% Iuicial' le7islati,e o+ a4inist+ati,e p+oceein7 conce+nin7 4atte+s 8ithin its ocial co7ni:ance.9Appa+entl%' the pu+pose is to ensu+e PCGG=s unha4pe+e pe+fo+4ance of its tas6.&

Toa%' the constitutionalit% of Section HbF is bein7 uestione on the 7+oun that it t+a4ples upon the Senate=s po8e+ to conuctle7islati,e inui+% une+ A+ticle /' Section 21 of the 1(" Constitution' 8hich +eas3

The Senate o+ the 0ouse of Rep+esentati,es o+ an% of its +especti,e co44ittees 4a% conuct inui+ies in ai of le7islation inacco+ance 8ith its ul% publishe +ules of p+oceu+e. The +i7hts of pe+sons appea+in7 in o+ a5ecte b% such inui+ies shall be+especte.

The facts a+e unispute.

On *eb+ua+% 2;' 2;;!' Senato+ Mi+ia4 -efenso+ Santia7o int+ouce Philippine Senate Resolution No. H## Senate Res. No. H##F'H9i+ectin7 an inui+% in ai of le7islation on the ano4alous losses incu++e b% the Philippines O,e+seas Teleco44unicationsCo+po+ation POTCF' Philippine Co44unications Satellite Co+po+ation P0/)COMSATF' an P0/)COMSAT 0olin7s Co+po+ation P0CFue to the alle7e i4p+op+ieties in thei+ ope+ations b% thei+ +especti,e Boa+ of -i+ecto+s.9

The pe+tinent po+tions of the Resolution +ea3

>0EREAS' in the last ua+te+ of 2;;#' the +ep+esentation an ente+tain4ent epense of the P0C s6%+oc6ete to PH.& 4illion' asco4pa+e to the p+e,ious %ea+=s 4e+e P1;! thousan

>0EREAS' so4e boa+ 4e4be+s establishe 8holl% o8ne P0C subsiia+% calle Teleco44unications Cente+' /nc. TC/F' 8he+e P0Cfuns a+e alle7el% siphone in 1" 4onths' o,e+ P& 4illion ha been alle7el% a,ance to TC/ 8ithout an% accountabilit% +epo+t7i,en to P0C an P0/)COMSAT

>0EREAS' the Philippine Sta+' in its 12 *eb+ua+% 2;;2 issue +epo+te that the eecuti,e co44ittee of Philco4sat has p+ecipitatel%+elease P2!# 4illion an 7+ante P12# 4illion loan to a +elati,e of an eecuti,e co44ittee 4e4be+ to ate the+e ha,e been no

pa%4ents 7i,en' subIectin7 the co4pan% to an esti4ate inte+est inco4e loss of P11.2# 4illion in 2;;H

>0EREAS' the+e is an u+7ent nee to p+otect the inte+est of the Republic of the Philippines in the P0C' P0/)COMSAT' an POTC f+o4an% ano4alous t+ansaction' an to conse+,e o+ sal,a7e an% +e4ainin7 ,alue of the 7o,e+n4ent=s euit% position in theseco+po+ations f+o4 an% abuses of po8e+ one b% thei+ +especti,e boa+ of i+ecto+s

>0ERE*ORE' be it +esol,e that the p+ope+ Senate Co44ittee shall conuct an inui+% in ai of le7islation' on the ano4alous lossesincu++e b% the Philippine O,e+seas Teleco44unications Co+po+ation POTCF' Philippine Co44unications Satellite Co+po+ationP0/)COMSATF' an Philco4sat 0olin7s Co+po+ations P0CF ue to the alle7e i4p+op+ieties in the ope+ations b% thei+ +especti,eboa+ of i+ecto+s.

Aopte.

S7F M/R/AM -E*ENSOR SANT/AGO

On the sa4e ate' *eb+ua+% 2;' 2;;!' Senate Res. No. H## 8as sub4itte to the Senate an +efe++e to the Co44ittee onAccountabilit% of Public Oce+s an /n,esti7ations an Co44ittee on Public Se+,ices. 0o8e,e+' on Ma+ch 2"' 2;;!' upon 4otion ofSenato+ *+ancis N. Pan7ilinan' it 8as t+ansfe++e to the Co44ittee on Go,e+n4ent Co+po+ations an Public Ente+p+ises.#

On Ma% "' 2;;!' Chief of Sta5 Rio C. /nocencio' une+ the autho+it% of Senato+ Richa+ $. Go+on' 8+ote Chai+4an Ca4ilo ). Sabio ofthe PCGG' one of the he+ein petitione+s' in,itin7 hi4 to be one of the +esou+ce pe+sons in the public 4eetin7 Iointl% conucte b% theCo44ittee on Go,e+n4ent Co+po+ations an Public Ente+p+ises an Co44ittee on Public Se+,ices. The pu+pose of the public 4eetin78as to elibe+ate on Senate Res. No. H##.!

On Ma% (' 2;;!' Chai+4an Sabio ecline the in,itation because of p+io+ co44it4ent. At the sa4e ti4e' he in,o6e Section HbF ofE.O. No. 1 ea+lie+ uote.

On Au7ust 1;' 2;;!' Senato+ Go+on issue a Subpoena A Testiith all ue +espect' Section HbF of E.O. No. 1 constitutes a li4itation on the po8e+ of le7islati,e inui+%' an a +eco7nition b% theState of the nee to p+o,ie p+otection to the PCGG in o+e+ to ensu+e the unha4pe+e pe+fo+4ance of its uties une+ its cha+te+.E.O. No. 1 is a la8' Section HbF of 8hich ha not been a4ene' +epeale o+ +e,ise in an% 8a%.

To sa% the least' it 8oul +eui+e both 0ouses of Con7+ess an P+esiential


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Octobe+ 12' 1((#3 Obeience to the +ule of la8 fo+4s the be+oc6 of ou+ s%ste4 of Iustice. /f Iu7es' une+ the 7uise of +eli7ious o+political beliefs 8e+e allo8e to +oa4 un+est+icte be%on bouna+ies 8ithin 8hich the% a+e +eui+e b% la8 to ee+cise the uties ofthei+ oce' then la8 beco4es 4eanin7less. A 7o,e+n4ent of la8s' not of 4en eclues the ee+cise of b+oa isc+etiona+% po8e+s b%those actin7 une+ its autho+it%. Une+ this s%ste4' Iu7es a+e 7uie b% the Rule of )a8' an ou7ht to =p+otect an enfo+ce it 8ithoutfea+ o+ fa,o+'= H LAct of Athens 1(##F +esist enc+oach4ents b% 7o,e+n4ents' political pa+ties' o+ e,en the inte+fe+ence of thei+ o8npe+sonal beliefs.F

Rele,antl%' Chai+4an Sabio=s lette+ to Sen. Go+on ate Au7ust 1(' 2;;! pointe out that the ano4alous t+ansactions +efe++e to inthe P.S. Resolution No. H## a+e subIect of penin7 cases befo+e the +e7ula+ cou+ts' the Sani7anba%an an the Sup+e4e Cou+tPenin7 cases inclue3 a. Sa4uel -i,ina ,. Manuel Nieto' $+.' et al.' CADG.R. No. "(1;2 b. Philippine Co44unications Satellite

Co+po+ation ,. Manuel Nieto' et al. c. Philippine Co44unications Satellite Co+po+ation ,. Manuel -. Anal' Ci,il Case No. ;!D;(#' RTC'B+anch !1' Ma6ati Cit% . Philippine Co44unications Satellite Co+po+ation ,. P0/)COMSAT 0olin7s Co+po+ation' et al.' Ci,il Case No.;HD1;H(F fo+ 8hich +eason the% 4a% not be able to testif% the+eon une+ the p+inciple of sub Iuice. The lauable obIecti,es of thePCGG=s functions' +eco7ni:e in se,e+al cases ecie b% the Sup+e4e Cou+t' of the PCGG 8ill be put to nau7ht if its +eco,e+% e5o+ts8ill be unul% i4pee b% a le7islati,e in,esti7ation of cases that a+e al+ea% penin7 befo+e the Sani7anba%an an t+ial cou+ts.

/n Ben7:on ,. Senate Blue Ribbon Co44ittee' 2;& SCRA !' "H L1((1F the 0ono+able Sup+e4e Cou+t hel3

9LThe issues sou7ht to be in,esti7ate b% the +esponent Co44ittee is one o,e+ 8hich Iu+isiction ha been acui+e b% theSani7anba%an. /n sho+t' the issue has been p+eDe4pte b% that cou+t. To allo8 the +esponent Co44ittee to conuct its o8nin,esti7ation of an issue al+ea% befo+e the Sani7aba%an 8oul not onl% pose the possibilit% of conictin7 Iu74ents bet8een ale7islati,e co44ittee an a Iuicial t+ibunal' but if the Co44ittee=s Iu74ent 8e+e to be +eache befo+e that of the Sani7anba%an'the possibilit% of its inuence bein7 4ae to bea+ on the ulti4ate Iu74ent of the Sani7anba%an can not be iscounte.

/T /S /N /E> O* T0E *OREGO/NG CONS/-ERAT/ONS that the Co44ission ecie not to atten the Senate inui+% to testif% anp+ouce e,ience the+eat.

Uncon,ince 8ith the abo,e Co4pliance an Eplanation' the Co44ittee on Go,e+n4ent Co+po+ations an Public Ente+p+ises an theCo44ittee on Public Se+,ices issue an O+e+1& i+ectin7 MaIo+ Gene+al $ose BalaIaia Ret.F' Senate Se+7eantDAtDA+4s' to placeChai+4an Sabio an his Co44issione+s une+ a++est fo+ conte4pt of the Senate. The O+e+ bea+s the app+o,al of Senate P+esientilla+ an the 4aIo+it% of the Co44ittees= 4e4be+s.

On Septe4be+ 12' 2;;!' at a+oun 1;3H# a.4.' MaIo+ Gene+al BalaIaia a++este Chai+4an Sabio in his oce at /RC Builin7' No. "2E-SA' Manalu%on7 Cit% an b+ou7ht hi4 to the Senate p+e4ises 8he+e he 8as etaine.

0ence' Chai+4an Sabio


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On the othe+ a+4 of the scale is Section HbF of E.O. No.1 li4itin7 such po8e+ of le7islati,e inui+% b% ee4ptin7 all PCGG 4e4be+s o+sta5 f+o4 testif%in7 in an% Iuicial' le7islati,e o+ a4inist+ati,e p+oceein7' thus3

No 4e4be+ o+ sta5 of the Co44ission shall be +eui+e to testif% o+ p+ouce e,ience in an% Iuicial' le7islati,e o+ a4inist+ati,ep+oceein7 conce+nin7 4atte+s 8ithin its ocial co7ni:ance.

To ete+4ine 8hethe+ the+e eists a clea+ an uneui,ocal +epu7nanc% bet8een the t8o uote p+o,isions that 8a++ants aecla+ation that Section HbF has been +epeale b% the 1(" Constitution' a b+ief consie+ation of the Con7+ess= po8e+ of inui+% isi4pe+ati,e.

The Con7+ess= po8e+ of inui+% has been +eco7ni:e in fo+ei7n Iu+isictions lon7 befo+e it +eache ou+ sho+es th+ou7h McG+ain ,.-au7he+t%'1# cite in A+nault ,. Na:a+eno.1! /n those ea+lie+ a%s' A4e+ican cou+ts consie+e the po8e+ of inui+% as inhe+ent in the

po8e+ to le7islate. The 1"!H case of B+i77s ,. MacKella+1 eplains the b+eath an basis of the po8e+' thus3

>he+e no constitutional li4itation o+ +est+iction eists' it is co4petent fo+ eithe+ of the t8o boies co4posin7 the le7islatu+e to o' inthei+ sepa+ate capacit%' 8hate,e+ 4a% be essential to enable the4 to le7islate./t is 8ellDestablishe p+inciple of this pa+lia4enta+%la8' that eithe+ house 4a% institute an% in,esti7ation ha,in7 +efe+ence to its o8n o+7ani:ation' the conuct o+ ualihat 8as the+efo+e i4plicit une+ the 1( Constitution' as inuence b% A4e+ican Iu+isp+uence' beca4e eplicit une+ the 1(&an 1(" Constitutions.1(

Notabl%' the 1(" Constitution +eco7ni:es the po8e+ of in,esti7ation' not Iust of Con7+ess' but also of 9an% of its co44ittee.9 This issi7ni


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A+ticle //' Section 2"

SubIect to +easonable conitions p+esc+ibe b% la8' the State aopts an i4ple4ents a polic% of full public isclosu+e of all itst+ansactions in,ol,in7 public inte+est.

A+ticle ///' Section

The +i7ht of the people to info+4ation on 4atte+s of public conce+n shall be +eco7ni:e. Access to ocial +eco+s' an to ocu4ents'an pape+s pe+tainin7 to ocial acts' t+ansactions' o+ ecisions' as 8ell as to 7o,e+n4ent +esea+ch ata use as basis fo+ polic%e,elop4ent' shall be a5o+e the citi:en' subIect to such li4itations as 4a% be p+o,ie b% la8.

These t8in p+o,isions of the Constitution see6 to p+o4ote t+anspa+enc% in polic%D4a6in7 an in the ope+ations of the 7o,e+n4ent' as

8ell as p+o,ie the people sucient info+4ation to enable the4 to ee+cise e5ecti,el% thei+ constitutional +i7hts. A+4e 8ith the +i7htinfo+4ation' citi:ens can pa+ticipate in public iscussions leain7 to the fo+4ulation of 7o,e+n4ent policies an thei+ e5ecti,ei4ple4entation. /n al4onte ,. Bel4onte' $+.2 the Cou+t eplaine that an info+4e citi:en+% is essential to the eistence an p+ope+functionin7 of an% e4oc+ac%' thus3

An essential ele4ent of these f+eeo4s is to 6eep open a continuin7 ialo7ue o+ p+ocess of co44unication bet8een the 7o,e+n4entan the people. /t is in the inte+est of the State that the channels fo+ f+ee political iscussion be 4aintaine to the en that the7o,e+n4ent 4a% pe+cei,e an be +esponsi,e to the people=s 8ill. @et' this open ialo7ue can be e5ecti,e onl% to the etent that theciti:en+% is info+4e an thus able to fo+4ulate its 8ill intelli7entl%. Onl% 8hen the pa+ticipants in the iscussion a+e a8a+e of theissues an ha,e access to info+4ation +elatin7 the+eto can such bea+ f+uit.

Conseuentl%' the conuct of inui+ies in ai of le7islation is not onl% intene to bene


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>ith his a4ission' Chai+4an Sabio is not full% con,ince that he an his Co44issione+s a+e shiele f+o4 testif%in7 befo+e+esponent Senate Co44ittees b% Section HbF of E.O. No. 1. /n e5ect' his a+7u4ent that the sai p+o,ision ee4pts hi4 an his coD+esponent Co44issione+s f+o4 testif%in7 befo+e +esponent Senate Co44ittees conce+nin7 Senate Res. No. H## utte+l% lac6s 4e+it.

/ncientall%' an a+7u4ent +epeate b% Chai+4an Sabio is that +esponent Senate Co44ittees ha,e no po8e+ to punish hi4 an hisCo44issione+s fo+ conte4pt of the Senate.

The a+7u4ent is 4isleain7.

A+ticle /' Section 21 p+o,ies3

The Senate o+ the 0ouse of Rep+esentati,es o+ an% of its +especti,e co44ittees 4a% conuct inui+ies in ai of le7islation in

acco+ance 8ith its ul% publishe +ules of p+oceu+e. The +i7hts of pe+sons appea+in7 in o+ a5ecte b% such inui+ies shall be+especte.

/t 4ust be st+esse that the O+e+ of A++est fo+ 9conte4pt of Senate Co44ittees an the Philippine Senate9 8as app+o,e b% SenateP+esient illa+ an si7ne b%


13/27

ete+4ination to these cases' the i4po+tant inui+ies a+e3


14/27


15/27

the 4en fo+ce Ro+i7ue: to confess to bein7 a 4e4be+ of the Ne8 PeopleWs A+4% NPAF' but he +e4aine silent. The ca+ thenente+e a place that appea+e to be a 4ilita+% ca4p. The+e 8e+e solie+s all o,e+ the a+ea' an the+e 8as a banne+ 8ith the8o+ B+a,oV 8+itten on it. Ro+i7ue: late+ on lea+ne that the ca4p belon7e to the 1th /nfant+% Battalion of the PhilippineA+4%.LHRo+i7ue: 8as b+ou7ht to a canteen' 8he+e si 4en conf+onte hi4' o+e+in7 hi4 to confess to his 4e4be+ship in the NPA.-ue to his ehaustion' he unintentionall% fell asleep. As a +esult' the 4en hit hi4 on the hea to 8a6e hi4 up. Afte+ theinte++o7ation' t8o of the 4en 7ua+e hi4' but i not allo8 hi4 to sleep.L#

/n the 4o+nin7 of Septe4be+ 2;;(' the 4en tie the hans of Ro+i7ue:' blinfole hi4 an 4ae hi4 boa+ a,ehicle. >hile the% 8e+e in t+ansit' the solie+s +epeatel% hit hi4 in the hea an th+eatene to 6ill hi4. >hen the ca+stoppe afte+ about ten 4inutes' the solie+s b+ou7ht hi4 to a +oo4' +e4o,e his blinfol' an fo+ce hi4 to confess tobein7 a 4e4be+ of the NPA. -u+in7 the inte++o7ation' the solie+s +epeatel% hit hi4 on the hea. The+eafte+' he 8as

etaine insie the +oo4 fo+ the enti+e a%. The solie+s tie his sto4ach to a papa7' an 7a,e hi4 +ice an ,ian. *ea+in7that the foo 4i7ht be poisone' he +efuse to eat an%thin7. 0e slept on the papa7 8hile bein7 tie to it at the 8aist.L!On " Septe4be+ 2;;(' the 4en fo+ce Ro+i7ue: into a ,ehicle' 8hich b+ou7ht the4 to Bu7e% an Mission. >hile

passin7 houses alon7 the 8a%' the 4en as6e hi4 if his contacts li,e in those houses. >hen he faile to ans8e+' a solie+pointe a 7un to his hea an th+eatene to 6ill hi4 an his fa4il%. Because he +e4aine silent' the solie+s beat hi4 antie hi4 up. The ,ehicle +etu+ne to the 4ilita+% ca4p at past 13;; p.4.' 8he+e he 8as a7ain subIecte to tacticalinte++o7ation about the location of an NPA ca4p an his alle7e NPA co4+aes. 0e su5e+e incessant 4aulin7 e,e+% ti4e hefaile to ans8e+.L

At a8n on ( Septe4be+ 2;;(' solie+s a+4e 8ith +ies too6 Ro+i7ue: an 4ae hi4 thei+ 7uie on thei+ 8a% to anNPA ca4p in Bi+ao. Acco4pan%in7 the4 8as a 4an na4e 0a++%' 8ho' acco+in7 to the solie+s' 8as an NPA 4e4be+ 8hoha su++ene+e to the 4ilita+%. 0a++% pointe to Ro+i7ue: an calle hi4 a 4e4be+ of the NPA. 0e also hea+ 0a++% tell thesolie+s that the latte+ 6ne8 the a+ea 8ell an 8as acuainte 8ith a 4an na4e El,is. The solie+s loae Ro+i7ue: into a4ilita+% t+uc6 an +o,e to Tabba6' Bu7e%. >hile he 8as 8al6in7 8ith the solie+s' he notice a solie+ 8ith the na4e ta7Matutina'V 8ho appea+e to be an ocial because the othe+ solie+s a+esse hi4 as si+.VL"

Upon +eachin7 Bi+ao on foot' the solie+s loo6e fo+ an 8as able to locate a ce+tain El,is an tol hi4 that Ro+i7ue:ha ientihen he tol the4 that he i not +eco7ni:e the ini,iuals on the photos' the solie+s inst+ucte hi4 to 8+ite o8n thena4e of his school an o+7ani:ation' but he ecline. The solie+s then 8+ote so4ethin7 on the pape+' 4a6in7 it appea+ thathe 8as the one 8ho ha 8+itten it' an fo+ce hi4 to si7n the ocu4ent. The solie+s too6 photo7+aphs of hi4 8hile he 8assi7nin7. Afte+8a+s' the solie+s fo+ce hi4 o8n' hel his hans' an sat on his feet. 0e i not onl% +ecei,e anothe+ beatin7'but 8as also elect+ocute. The to+tu+e laste fo+ about an hou+.L12

At 113;; p.4. on 1# Septe4be+ 2;;(' the solie+s b+ou7ht Ro+i7ue: to a 4ilita+% ope+ation in the 4ountains' 8he+e hesa8 Matutina a7ain. The% all spent the ni7ht the+e.L1&

/n the 4o+nin7 of 1! Septe4be+ 2;;(' the solie+s an Ro+i7ue: sta+te thei+ escent. >hen the% stoppe' thesolie+s too6 his photo7+aph an as6e hi4 to na4e the location of the NPA ca4p. The+eafte+' the% all +etu+ne to the 4ilita+%ca4p. The solie+s as6e hi4 to ta6e a bath an 8ea+ a 8hite polo shi+t hane to hi4. 0e 8as then b+ou7ht to the En+ileMeical Cente+' 8he+e -+. $uliet Ra4il -+. Ra4ilF ea4ine hi4.L1H >hen the octo+ as6e hi4 8h% he ha b+uises ancontusions' he lie an tol he+ that he sustaine the4 8hen he slippe' as he notice a solie+ obse+,in7 hi4. -+. Ra4ilWs4eical ce+tihile he 8as ha,in7 b+ea6fast' the t8o solie+s 7ua+in7 hi4 +epeatel% +e4ine hi4 not to isclose tothe 4eia his epe+ience in the ca4p an to sa% instea that he ha su++ene+e to the 4ilita+%.L1"

At (3;; a.4. on the sa4e a%' the 4othe+ an the b+othe+ of Ro+i7ue: a++i,e su++oune b% se,e+al 4en. 0is 4othe+'>il4a Ro+i7ue: >il4aF' tal6e to )t. Col. Mina. Ro+i7ue: hea+ one of the solie+s tell >il4a that he ha su++ene+e tothe 4ilita+% an ha lon7 been its asset. 0is b+othe+' Roel Ro+i7ue: RoelF' info+4e hi4 that the 4en acco4pan%in7 the48e+e f+o4 the C0R' na4el%' Pasicolan' C+u: an Calla7an. Upon seein7 Ro+i7ue:' C+u: inst+ucte hi4 to lift up his shi+t' anone of the C0R e4plo%ees too6 photo7+aphs of his b+uises.L1(

A solie+ t+ie to con,ince >il4a to let Ro+i7ue: sta% in the ca4p fo+ anothe+ t8o 8ee6s to supposel% p+e,ent theNPA f+o4 ta6in7 +e,en7e on hi4. Responent Calo7 also app+oache Ro+i7ue: an Roel an as6e the4 to beco4e 4ilita+%assets. Roel +efuse an insiste that the% ta6e Ro+i7ue: ho4e to Manila. A7ain' the solie+s +e4ine the4 to +ef+ain f+o4

facin7 the 4eia. The solie+s also tol the4 that the latte+ 8ill be ta6en to the Tu7ue7a+ao Ai+po+t an 7ua+e until the%+eache ho4e.L2;

Ro+i7ue: an his fa4il% 4isse thei+ i7ht. Subseuentl%' the solie+s acco4panie the4 to the C0R oce' 8he+eRo+i7ue: 8as 4ae to si7n an aa,it statin7 that he 8as neithe+ abucte no+ to+tu+e. Af+ai an espe+ate to +etu+nho4e' he 8as fo+ce to si7n the ocu4ent. C+u: a,ise hi4 not to TG #(. Upon +eachin7 the bouna+% of Nue,a EciIa an Nue,a isca%a' 1st )t. Matutina ali7hte an calleRo+i7ue: to a ine+. A ce+tain Alan app+oache Ro+i7ue: an hane hi4 a cellphone 8ith a S/M ca+. The latte+ an hisfa4il% then left an +esu4e thei+ Iou+ne% bac6 ho4e.L22

Ro+i7ue: +eache his house in Sta. Ana' Manila at &3;; a.4. on 1" Septe4be+ 2;1;. Calla7an an t8o solie+s 8entinsie the house' an too6 photo7+aphs an a ,ieo foota7e the+eof. The solie+s eplaine that the photos an ,ieos 8oul


16/27

se+,e as e,ience of the fact that Ro+i7ue: an his fa4il% 8e+e able to a++i,e ho4e safel%. -espite Ro+i7ue:Ws e5o+ts toconf+ont the solie+s about thei+ acts' the% still continue an onl% left thi+t% 4inutes late+.L2&On 1( Septe4be+ 2;;(' -+. Re7inalo Pa4u7as' a ph%sician t+aine b% the /nte+national Co44ittee on To+tu+e anRehabilitation' ea4ine Ro+i7ue: an issue a Meical Ce+tiil4a to the 1th /nfant+% -i,ision.LHH>hen the C0R oce+s' alon7 8ith >il4a an Roel' a++i,e at the 1th /nfant+% Battalion at Masin' Alcala' Ca7a%an' B+i7aeCo44ane+ Col. e e+a an Battalion Co44ane+ )t. Col. Mina alle7e that Ro+i7ue: ha beco4e one of thei+ assets' ase,ience b% the Su44a+% on the Su++ene+ of No+iel Ro+i7ue: an the latte+Ws Cont+act as A7ent.LH# The C0R oce+sobse+,e his casual an co+ial e4eano+ 8ith the solie+s.LH! /n an% case' C+u: as6e hi4 to +aise his shi+t to see if he habeen subIecte to an% 4alt+eat4ent. C+u: an Pasicolan i not see an% t+aces of to+tu+e. The+eafte+' Ro+i7ue: 8as+elease to his fa4il%' an the% 8e+e 4ae to si7n a ce+ti


17/27

to the co++esponin7 inte+i4 +eliefs i.e. inspection o+e+' p+ouction o+e+ an te4po+a+% p+otection o+e+F p+o,ie une+the +ule on the 8+it of a4pa+o an the +ule on the 8+it of habeas ata.L#HOn 1( Au7ust 2;1;' P-G. e+:osa' PSSupt. Santos' BGen. -e e+a' 1st )t. Matutina' )t. Col. Mina' C+u:' Pasicolan anCalla7an hethe+ the inte+i4 +eliefs p+a%e fo+ b% Ro+i7ue: 4a% be 7+ante afte+ the 8+its of a4pa+o an habeas ataha,e al+ea% been issue in his fa,o+.//. >hethe+ fo+4e+ P+esient A++o%o shoul be +oppe as a +esponent on the basis of the p+esiential i44unit%f+o4 suit.///. >hethe+ the oct+ine of co44an +esponsibilit% can be use in a4pa+o an habeas ata cases./. >hethe+ the +i7hts to life' libe+t% an p+ope+t% of Ro+i7ue: 8e+e ,iolate o+ th+eatene b% +esponents in G.R. No.1(1";#.At the outset' it 4ust be e4phasi:e that the 8+its of a4pa+o an habeas ata 8e+e p+o4ul7ate to ensu+e the p+otection ofthe peopleWs +i7hts to life' libe+t% an secu+it%.L# The +ules on these 8+its 8e+e issue in li7ht of the ala+4in7 p+e,alence ofet+aIuicial 6illin7s an enfo+ce isappea+ances.L#" The Rule on the >+it of A4pa+o too6 e5ect on 2H Octobe+ 2;;'L#(an the Rule on the >+it of 0abeas -ata on 2 *eb+ua+% 2;;".L!;

The 8+it of a4pa+o is an et+ao+ina+% an inepenent +e4e% that p+o,ies +api Iuicial +elief' as it pa+ta6es of a su44a+%

p+oceein7 that +eui+es onl% substantial e,ience to 4a6e the app+op+iate inte+i4 an pe+4anent +eliefs a,ailable to thepetitione+.L!1 /t is not an action to ete+4ine c+i4inal 7uilt +eui+in7 p+oof be%on +easonable oubt' o+ liabilit% fo+ a4a7es+eui+in7 p+epone+ance of e,ience' o+ a4inist+ati,e +esponsibilit% +eui+in7 substantial e,ience that 8ill +eui+e full anehausti,e p+oceein7s.L!2 Rathe+' it se+,es both p+e,enti,e an cu+ati,e +oles in a+essin7 the p+oble4 of et+aIuicial6illin7s an enfo+ce isappea+ances.L!& /t is p+e,enti,e in that it b+ea6s the epectation of i4punit% in the co44ission ofthese o5enses' an it is cu+ati,e in that it facilitates the subseuent punish4ent of pe+pet+ato+s b% ine,itabl% leain7 tosubseuent in,esti7ation an action.L!HMean8hile' the 8+it of habeas ata p+o,ies a Iuicial +e4e% to p+otect a pe+sonWs +i7ht to cont+ol info+4ation +e7a+in7oneself' pa+ticula+l% in instances 8he+e such info+4ation is bein7 collecte th+ou7h unla8ful 4eans in o+e+ to achie,eunla8ful ens.L!# As an inepenent an su44a+% +e4e% to p+otect the +i7ht to p+i,ac% Q especiall% the +i7ht toinfo+4ational p+i,ac%L!! Q the p+oceein7s fo+ the issuance of the 8+it of habeas ata oes not entail an%


18/27

The cou+t' Iustice o+ Iu7e shall p+esc+ibe othe+ conitions to p+otect the constitutional +i7hts of all the pa+ties.cF >itness P+otection O+e+. Q The cou+t' Iustice o+ Iu7e' upon 4otion o+ 4otu p+op+io' 4a% +efe+ the 8itnesses tothe -epa+t4ent of $ustice fo+ a4ission to the >itness P+otection' Secu+it% an Bene+it of A4pa+o is Iusti


19/27

cone hel that 7i,en the intentof the 1(" Constitution to b+eathe life to the polic% that a public oce is a public t+ust' the petitione+' as a nonDsittin7P+esient' cannot clai4 eecuti,e i44unit% fo+ his alle7e c+i4inal acts co44itte 8hile a sittin7 P+esient. Petitione+=s+ehashe a+7u4ents incluin7 thei+ thinl% is7uise ne8 spins a+e base on the +eIecte contention that he is still P+esient'albeit' a P+esient on lea,e. 0is stance that his i44unit% co,e+s his enti+e te+4 of oce o+ until $une &;' 2;;H is+e7a+s the+ealit% that he has +elinuishe the p+esienc% an the+e is no8 a ne8 e Iu+e P+esient.

Petitione+ 7oes a step fu+the+ an a,e+s that e,en a nonDsittin7 P+esient enIo%s i44unit% f+o4 suit u+in7 his te+4 of oce.0e butt+esses his position 8ith the elibe+ations of the Constitutional Co44ission' ,i:3M+. Sua+e:. Than6 %ou.

The last uestion is 8ith +efe+ence to the Co44ittee=s o4ittin7 in the +aft p+oposal the i44unit% p+o,ision fo+ theP+esient. / a7+ee 8ith Co44issione+ Nolleo that the Co44ittee i ,e+% 8ell in st+i6in7 out this secon sentence' at the,e+% least' of the o+i7inal p+o,ision on i44unit% f+o4 suit une+ the 1(& Constitution. But 8oul the Co44ittee 4e4be+snot a7+ee to a +esto+ation of at least the


20/27

a4pa+o p+oceein7s to asce+tain +esponsibilit% an accountabilit% in et+aIuicial 6illin7s an enfo+ce isappea+ances. /n this+e7a+' the Sepa+ate Opinion of $ustice Conchita Ca+pioDMo+ales in Rub+ico is 8o+th notin7' thus3

That p+oceein7s une+ the Rule on the >+it of A4pa+o o not ete+4ine c+i4inal' ci,il o+ a4inist+ati,e liabilit% shoul notabate the applicabilit% of the oct+ine of co44an +esponsibilit%. Ta6in7 Sec+eta+% of National -efense ,. Manalo an Ra:on ,.

Ta7itis in p+ope+ contet' the% o not p+eclue the application of the oct+ine of co44an +esponsibilit% to A4pa+o cases.Manalo 8as actuall% e4phatic on the i4po+tance of the +i7ht to secu+it% of pe+son an its conte4po+a+% si7ni+itof A4pa+o an e5ecti,e +e4e% fo+ ,icti4s of et+ale7al 6illin7s an enfo+ce isappea+ances o+ th+eats the+eof. >hile the+e isa 7enuine ea+th of e,ience to hol +esponents Gen. 0e+4o7enes Espe+on an P-i+. Gen. A,elino Ra:on accountableune+ the co44an +esponsibilit% oct+ine' the ponenciaWs hesitant application of the oct+ine itself is +eplete 8ithi4plications abho++ent to the +ationale behin the Rule on the >+it of A4pa+o.L"2 E4phasis supplie.F

This Sepa+ate Opinion 8as +eite+ate in the +ecentl% ecie case of Boac ,. Caapan'L"& li6e8ise penne b% $ustice Ca+pioDMo+ales' 8he+ein this Cou+t +ule3Rub+ico cate7o+icall% enies the application of co44an +esponsibilit% in a4pa+o cases to ete+4ine c+i4inal liabilit%. TheCou+t 4aintains its ahe+ence to this p+onounce4ent as fa+ as a4pa+o cases a+e conce+ne.

Rub+ico' ho8e,e+' +eco7ni:es a p+eli4ina+% %et li4ite application of co44an +esponsibilit% in a4pa+o cases to instances ofete+4inin7 the +esponsible o+ accountable ini,iuals o+ entities that a+e ut%Dboun to abate an% t+ans7+ession on the life'libe+t% o+ secu+it% of the a77+ie,e pa+t%.

/f co44an +esponsibilit% 8e+e to be in,o6e an applie to these p+oceein7s' it shoul' at 4ost' be onl% to ete+4ine theautho+ 8ho' at the


21/27


22/27

/n assessin7 the 8ei7ht of the Ce+ti+it' +esponent A*P 4e4be+s alle7e that petitione+ con+it of A4pa+o eplicitl% states that the ,iolation of o+ th+eat to the +i7ht to life' libe+t% an secu+it% 4a% because b% eithe+ an act o+ an o4ission of a public ocial.L111 Mo+eo,e+' in the contet of a4pa+o


23/27

p+oceein7s' +esponsibilit% 4a% +efe+ to the pa+ticipation of the +esponents' b% action o+ o4ission' in enfo+ceisappea+ance.L112 Accountabilit%' on the othe+ han' 4a% attach to +esponents 8ho a+e i4pute 8ith 6no8le7e +elatin7to the enfo+ce isappea+ance an 8ho ca++% the bu+en of isclosu+e o+ those 8ho ca++%' but ha,e faile to ischa+7e' thebu+en of et+ao+ina+% ili7ence in the in,esti7ation of the enfo+ce isappea+ance.L11&/n this +e7a+' 8e e4phasi:e ou+ +ulin7 in Sec+eta+% of National -efense ,. ManaloL11H that the +i7ht to secu+it% of a pe+soninclues the positi,e obli7ation of the 7o,e+n4ent to ensu+e the obse+,ance of the ut% to in,esti7ate' ,i:3

Thi+' the +i7ht to secu+it% of pe+son is a 7ua+antee of p+otection of one=s +i7hts b% the 7o,e+n4ent. /n the contet of the 8+itof A4pa+o' this +i7ht is built into the 7ua+antees of the +i7ht to life an libe+t% une+ A+ticle ///' Section 1 of the 1("Constitution an the +i7ht to secu+it% of pe+son as f+eeo4 f+o4 th+eat an 7ua+antee of boil% an ps%cholo7ical inte7+it%Fune+ A+ticle ///' Section 2. The +i7ht to secu+it% of pe+son in this thi+ sense is a co+olla+% of the polic% that the State

7ua+antees full +espect fo+ hu4an +i7htsV une+ A+ticle //' Section 11 of the 1(" Constitution. As the 7o,e+n4ent is the chief7ua+anto+ of o+e+ an secu+it%' the Constitutional 7ua+antee of the +i7hts to life' libe+t% an secu+it% of pe+son is +ene+eine5ecti,e if 7o,e+n4ent oes not a5o+ p+otection to these +i7hts especiall% 8hen the% a+e une+ th+eat. P+otection incluesconuctin7 e5ecti,e in,esti7ations' o+7ani:ation of the 7o,e+n4ent appa+atus to eten p+otection to ,icti4s of et+ale7al6illin7s o+ enfo+ce isappea+ances o+ th+eats the+eofF ano+ thei+ fa4ilies' an b+in7in7 o5ene+s to the ba+ of Iustice. The/nte+DA4e+ican Cou+t of 0u4an Ri7hts st+esse the i4po+tance of in,esti7ation in the elasue: Ro+i7ue: Case' ,i:3The ut% to in,esti7ateF 4ust be une+ta6en in a se+ious 4anne+ an not as a 4e+e fo+4alit% p+eo+aine to be ine5ecti,e.An in,esti7ation 4ust ha,e an obIecti,e an be assu4e b% the State as its o8n le7al ut%' not as a step ta6en b% p+i,ateinte+ests that epens upon the initiati,e of the ,icti4 o+ his fa4il% o+ upon thei+ o5e+ of p+oof' 8ithout an e5ecti,e sea+ch fo+the t+uth b% the 7o,e+n4ent. Si4ila+l%' the Eu+opean Cou+t of 0u4an Ri7hts EC0RF has inte+p+ete the +i7ht to secu+it%V not onl% as p+ohibitin7 the Statef+o4 a+bit+a+il% ep+i,in7 libe+t%' but i4posin7 a positi,e ut% on the State to a5o+ p+otection of the +i7ht to libe+t%. TheEC0R inte+p+ete the +i7ht to secu+it% of pe+sonV une+ A+ticle #1F of the Eu+opean Con,ention of 0u4an Ri7hts in the

leain7 case on isappea+ance of pe+sons' Ku+t ,. Tu+6e%. /n this case' the clai4ant=s son ha been a++este b% stateautho+ities an ha not been seen since. The fa4il%=s +euests fo+ info+4ation an in,esti7ation +e7a+in7 his 8he+eaboutsp+o,e futile. The clai4ant su77este that this 8as a ,iolation of he+ son=s +i7ht to secu+it% of pe+son. The EC0R +ule' ,i:3... an% ep+i,ation of libe+t% 4ust not onl% ha,e been e5ecte in confo+4it% 8ith the substanti,e an p+oceu+al +ules ofnational la8 but 4ust euall% be in 6eepin7 8ith the ,e+% pu+pose of A+ticle #' na4el% to p+otect the ini,iual f+o4a+bit+a+iness... 0a,in7 assu4e cont+ol o,e+ that ini,iual it is incu4bent on the autho+ities to account fo+ his o+ he+8he+eabouts. *o+ this +eason' A+ticle # 4ust be seen as +eui+in7 the autho+ities to ta6e e5ecti,e 4easu+es to safe7ua+a7ainst the +is6 of isappea+ance an to conuct a p+o4pt e5ecti,e in,esti7ation into an a+7uable clai4 that a pe+son hasbeen ta6en into custo% an has not been seen since.L11# E4phasis supplieF/n the instant case' this Cou+t +ules that +esponents in G.R. No. 1(1";# a+e +esponsible o+ accountable fo+ the ,iolation ofRo+i7ue:Ws +i7ht to life' libe+t% an secu+it% on account of thei+ abIect failu+e to conuct a fai+ an e5ecti,e ocialin,esti7ation of his o+eal in the hans of the 4ilita+%. Responents Gen. /b+ao' P-G. e+:osa' )t. Gen. Ban7it' MaI. Gen.Ochoa' Col. -e e+a an )t. Col. Mina onl% conucte a pe+functo+% in,esti7ation' ee+tin7 no e5o+ts to ta6e Ra4i+e:Ws

account of the e,ents into consie+ation. Rathe+' these +esponents solel% +elie on the +epo+ts an na++ation of the 4ilita+%.The +ulin7 of the appellate cou+t 4ust be e4phasi:e3/n this case' +esponents /b+ao' e+:osa' Ban7it' Tolentino' Santos' -e e+a' an Mina a+e accountable' fo+ 8hile the% 8e+echa+7e 8ith the in,esti7ation of the subIect incient' the in,esti7ation the% conucte ano+ +elie on is supe+. Santos' Calo7' Geo+7e Palacpac' Antonio C+u:' Al8in Pasicolan an icent Calla7an fo+ lac6 of 4e+it.

This Cou+t i+ects the Oce of the O4bus4an O4bus4anF an the -epa+t4ent of $ustice -O$F to ta6e the app+op+iateaction 8ith +espect to an% possible liabilit% o+ liabilities' 8ithin thei+ +especti,e le7al co4petence' that 4a% ha,e been


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incu++e b% +esponents Gen. icto+ /b+ao' P-G. $esus e+:osa' )t. Gen. -el


25/27

On Au7ust 2&' 2;;#' petitione+Dspouses Bill an icto+ia 0in7 +it of P+eli4ina+% Manato+% /nIunctionTe4po+a+% Rest+ainin7 O+e+ TROF'oc6ete as Ci,il Case MAND#22& an +aZe to B+anch 2"' a7ainst +esponents Aleane+ Choachu%' S+. an Allan Choachu%.

Petitione+s alle7e that the% a+e the +e7iste+e o8ne+s of a pa+cel of lan )ot 1(;;DBF co,e+e b% T+ansfe+ Ce+ti0ERE*ORE' the application fo+ a LTe4po+a+% LRest+ainin7 LO+e+ o+ a L>+it of LP+eli4ina+% L/nIunction is 7+ante. Upon the0ERE*ORE' the Motion fo+ Reconsie+ation is he+eb% -EN/E- fo+ lac6 of 4e+it. /ssue a L>+it of LP+eli4ina+% L/nIunction inconsonance 8ith the O+e+ ate 1" Octobe+ 2;;#.

/T /S SO OR-ERE-.2Hnac+ala,,onlinela8lib+a+%

A77+ie,e' +esponents +it of P+eli4ina+% /nIunction.

Rulin7 of the Cou+t of Appeals

On $ul% 1;' 2;;' the CA issue its -ecision2! 7+antin7 the Petition fo+ Ce+tio+a+i. The CA +ule that the >+it of P+eli4ina+% /nIunction8as issue 8ith 7+a,e abuse of isc+etion because petitione+s faile to sho8 a clea+ an un4ista6able +i7ht to an inIuncti,e 8+it.2The CA eplaine that the +i7ht to p+i,ac% of +esience une+ A+ticle 2!1F of the Ci,il Coe 8as not ,iolate since the p+ope+t%subIect of the cont+o,e+s% is not use as a +esience.2" The CA also sai that since +esponents a+e not the o8ne+s of the builin7'the% coul not ha,e installe ,ieo su+,eillance ca4e+as.2( The% a+e 4e+e stoc6hole+s of Alo' 8hich has a sepa+ate Iu+iicalpe+sonalit%.&; Thus' the% a+e not the p+ope+ pa+ties.&1 The fallo +eas3c+ala,,onlinela8lib+a+%

>0ERE*ORE' in ,ie8 of the fo+e7oin7 p+e4ises' Iu74ent is he+eb% +ene+e b% us GRANT/NG the petition ERE /SSUE- >/T0 GRAE ABUSE O* -/SCRET/ON.

//.

T0E LCA COMM/TTE- A REERS/B)E ERROR >0EN /T RU)E- T0AT PET/T/ONER SPOUSES 0/NG ARE NOT ENT/T)E- TO T0E >R/TO* PRE)/M/NAR@ /N$UNCT/ON ON T0E GROUN- T0AT T0ERE /S NO /O)AT/ON O* T0E/R CONST/TUT/ONA) AN- C//) R/G0T TOPR/AC@ -ESP/TE T0E *ACTUA) */N-/NGS LO* T0E RTC' >0/C0 RESPON-ENTS C0OAC0U@ *A/)E- TO RE*UTE' T0AT T0E /))EGA))@/NSTA))E- SURE/))ANCE CAMERAS O* RESPON-ENTS C0OAC0LU@ >OU)- CAPTURE T0E PR/ATE ACT//T/ES O* PET/T/ONERSPOUSES 0/NG' T0E/R C0/)-REN AN- EMP)O@EES.

///.

T0E LCA COMM/TTE- A REERS/B)E ERROR >0EN /T RU)E- T0AT S/NCE T0E O>NER O* T0E BU/)-/NG /S A)-O-EE)OPMENT AN- RESOURCES' /NC. T0EN TO SUE RESPON-ENTS C0OAC0U@ CONST/TUTELS A PURPORTE-)@ UN>ARRANTE-P/ERC/NG O* T0E CORPORATE E/).

/.

T0E LCA COMM/TTE- A REERS/B)E ERROR >0EN /T /GNORE- T0E SER/OUS *ORMA) -E*/C/ENC/ES O* BOT0 T0E PET/T/ONAN- T0E MOT/ON *OR RECONS/-ERAT/ON -ATE- 1# MARC0 2;;! O* RESPON-ENTLS C0OAC0LU@ AN- GAE T0EM -UECOURSE AN- CONS/-ERAT/ON.&&

Essentiall%' the issues boil o8n to 1F 8hethe+ the+e is a ,iolation of petitione+sW +i7ht to p+i,ac%' an 2F 8hethe+ +esponents a+ethe p+ope+ pa+ties to this suit.


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Petitione+sW A+7u4ents

Petitione+s insist that the% a+e entitle to the issuance of a >+it of P+eli4ina+% /nIunction because +esponentsW installation of astationa+% ca4e+a i+ectl% facin7 petitione+sW p+ope+t% an a +e,ol,in7 ca4e+a co,e+in7 a si7ni


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aIacent lot. The ca4e+a oes not onl% focus on L+esponentsW p+ope+t% o+ the +oof of the facto+% at the bac6 Alo -e,elop4ent anResou+ces' /nc.F but it actuall% spans th+ou7h a 7oo po+tion of Lthe lan of Lpetitione+s.

Base on the ocula+ inspection' the Cou+t une+stans 8h% Lpetitione+ 0in7 8as so un%ielin7 in asse+tin7 that the +e,ol,in7 ca4e+a8as set up elibe+atel% to 4onito+ the onLD7oin7 const+uction in his p+ope+t%. The 4onito+ sho8e onl% a po+tion of the +oof of thefacto+% of LAlo. /f the pu+pose of L+esponents in settin7 up a ca4e+a at the bac6 is to secu+e the builin7 an facto+% p+e4ises'then the ca4e+a shoul +e,ol,e onl% to8a+s thei+ p+ope+ties at the bac6. LResponentsW ca4e+a cannot be 4ae to eten the ,ie8to Lpetitione+sW lot. To allo8 the L+esponents to o that o,e+ the obIection of the Lpetitione+s 8oul ,iolate the +i7ht of Lpetitione+sas p+ope+t% o8ne+s. The o8ne+ of a thin7 cannot 4a6e use the+eof in such a 4anne+ as to inIu+e the +i7hts of a thi+ pe+son.V##

The RTC' thus' consie+e that petitione+s ha,e a +easonable epectation of p+i,ac%V in thei+ p+ope+t%' 8hethe+ the% use it as abusiness oce o+ as a +esience an that the installation of ,ieo su+,eillance ca4e+as i+ectl% facin7 petitione+sW p+ope+t% o+

co,e+in7 a si7ni

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