Republic of the Philippines SUPREME COURT Manila EN BANC

ROMULO L. NERI, Petitioner,

-versus. R. No. !"#$%& Ma'ch (), (##"

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ACCOUNTABILIT* O+ PUBLIC O++ICERS AN, IN-ESTI ATIONS, SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRA,E AN, COMMERCE, AN, SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL ,E+ENSE AN, SECURIT*, Respondents.

,ECISION
LEONAR,O.,E CASTRO, J./
,ISSENTIN OPINIONS/ PUNO, C.J., CARPIO MORALES, J. SEPARATE OPINION/ *NARES.SANTIA O, J. ,ISSENTIN AN, CONCURRIN OPINION/ CARPIO, J. CONCURRIN OPINIONS/ CORONA, J., C0ICO.NA1ARIO, J. SEPARATE CONCURIN OPINIONS/ TIN A, J., -ELASCO, 2R., J., NAC0URA, J., BRION, J.

At ba' is a petition fo' certiorari un3e' Rule $) of the Rules of Cou't assailin4 the sho5 cause Lette'6!7 3ate3 No8e9be' ((, (##: an3 conte9pt O'3e'6(7 3ate3 2anua'; &#, (##" concu''entl; issue3 b; 'espon3ent Senate Co99ittees on Accountabilit; of Public Office's an3 In8esti4ations, 6&7 T'a3e an3 Co99e'ce,6%7 an3 National ,efense an3 Secu'it; 6)7 a4ainst petitione' Ro9ulo L. Ne'i, fo'9e' ,i'ecto' ene'al of the National Econo9ic an3 ,e8elop9ent Autho'it; <NE,A=. The facts, as culle3 f'o9 the plea3in4s, a'e as follo5s/ On Ap'il (!, (##:, the ,epa't9ent of T'anspo'tation an3 Co99unication <,OTC= ente'e3 into a cont'act 5ith 1hin4 >in4 Teleco99unications E?uip9ent <1TE= fo' the suppl; of e?uip9ent an3 se'8ices fo' the National B'oa3ban3 Net5o'@ <NBN= P'oAect in the a9ount of U.S. B &(C,%"!,(C# <app'oDi9atel; P!$ Billion Pesos=. The P'oAect 5as to be finance3 b; the PeopleEs Republic of China. In connection 5ith this NBN P'oAect, 8a'ious Resolutions 5e'e int'o3uce3 in the Senate, as follo5s/ <!= P.S. Res. No. !(:, int'o3uce3 b; Senato' A?uilino F. Pi9entel, 2'., entitle3 RESOLUTION ,IRECTIN T0E BLUE RIBBON COMMITTEE AN, T0E COMMITTEE ON TRA,E AN,

IN,USTR* TO IN-ESTI ATE, IN AI, O+ LE ISLATION, T0E CIRCUMSTANCES LEA,IN TO T0E APPRO-AL O+ T0E BROA,BAN, CONTRACT GIT0 1TE AN, T0E ROLE PLA*E, B* T0E O++ICIALS CONCERNE, IN ETTIN IT CONSUMMATE, AN, TO MAHE RECOMMEN,ATIONS TO 0ALE TO T0E COURTS O+ LAG T0E PERSONS RESPONSIBLE +OR AN* ANOMAL* IN CONNECTION T0EREGIT0 AN, TO PLU T0E LOOP0OLES, I+ AN* IN T0E BOT LAG AN, OT0ER PERTINENT LE ISLATIONS. <(= P.S. Res. No. !%%, int'o3uce3 b; Senato' Ma' RoDas, entitle3 A RESOLUTION UR IN PRESI,ENT LORIA MACAPA AL ARRO*O TO ,IRECT T0E CANCELLATION O+ T0E 1TE CONTRACT <&= P.S. Res. No. !(C, int'o3uce3 b; Senato' Panfilo M. Lacson, entitle3 RESOLUTION ,IRECTIN T0E COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL ,E+ENSE AN, SECURIT* TO CON,UCT AN INFUIR* IN AI, O+ LE ISLATION INTO T0E NATIONAL SECURIT* IMPLICATIONS O+ AGAR,IN T0E NATIONAL BROA,BAN, NETGORH CONTRACT TO T0E C0INESE +IRM 10ON >IN TELECOMMUNICATIONS EFUIPMENT COMPAN* LIMITE, <1TE CORPORATION= GIT0 T0E EN, IN -IEG O+ PRO-I,IN REME,IAL LE ISLATION T0AT GILL PROTECT OUR NATIONAL SO-EREI NT*, SECURIT* AN, TERRITORIAL INTE RIT*. <%= P.S. Res. No. !&$, int'o3uce3 b; Senato' Mi'ia9 ,efenso' Santia4o, entitle3 RESOLUTION ,IRECTIN T0E PROPER SENATE COMMITTEE TO CON,UCT AN INFUIR*, IN AI, O+ LE ISLATION, ON T0E LE AL AN, ECONOMIC 2USTI+ICATION O+ T0E NATIONAL BROA,BAN, NETGORH <NBN= PRO2ECT O+ T0E NATIONAL O-ERNMENT. At the sa9e ti9e, the in8esti4ation 5as clai9e3 to be 'ele8ant to the consi3e'ation of th'ee <&= pen3in4 bills in the Senate, to 5it/ !. Senate Bill No. !:C&, int'o3uce3 b; Senato' Ma' RoDas, entitle3 AN ACT SUB2ECTIN TREATIES, INTERNATIONAL OR E>ECUTI-E A REEMENTS IN-OL-IN +UN,IN IN T0E PROCUREMENT O+ IN+RASTRUCTURE PRO2ECTS, OO,S, AN, CONSULTIN SER-ICES TO BE INCLU,E, IN T0E SCOPE AN, APPLICATION O+ P0ILIPPINE PROCUREMENT LAGS, AMEN,IN +OR T0E PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. C!"%, OT0ERGISE HNOGN AS T0E O-ERNMENT PROCUREMENT RE+ORM ACT, AN, +OR OT0ER PURPOSESI (. Senate Bill No. !:C%, int'o3uce3 b; Senato' Ma' RoDas, entitle3 AN ACT IMPOSIN SA+E UAR,S IN CONTRACTIN LOANS CLASSI+IE, AS O++ICIAL ,E-ELOPMENT ASSISTANCE, AMEN,IN +OR T0E PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. "!"(, AS AMEN,E, B* REPUBLIC ACT NO. "))), OT0ERGISE HNOGN AS T0E O++ICIAL ,E-ELOPMENT ASSISTANCE ACT O+ !CC$, AN, +OR OT0ER PURPOSESI an3 &. Senate Bill No. !&!:, int'o3uce3 b; Senato' Mi'ia9 ,efenso' Santia4o, entitle3 AN ACT MAN,ATIN CONCURRENCE TO INTERNATIONAL A REEMENTS AN, E>ECUTI-E A REEMENTS. Respon3ent Co99ittees initiate3 the in8esti4ation b; sen3in4 in8itations to ce'tain pe'sonalities an3 cabinet officials in8ol8e3 in the NBN P'oAect. Petitione' 5as a9on4 those in8ite3. 0e 5as su99one3 to appea' an3 testif; on Septe9be' !", (#, an3 ($ an3 Octobe' (), (##:. 0o5e8e', he atten3e3 onl; the Septe9be' ($ hea'in4, clai9in4 he 5as Jout of to5nK 3u'in4 the othe' 3ates. In the Septe9be' !", (##: hea'in4, business9an 2ose 3e -enecia III testifie3 that se8e'al hi4h eDecuti8e officials an3 po5e' b'o@e's 5e'e usin4 thei' influence to push the app'o8al of the NBN P'oAect b; the NE,A. It appea'e3 that the P'oAect 5as initiall; app'o8e3 as a Buil3.Ope'ate. T'ansfe' <BOT= p'oAect but, on Ma'ch (C, (##:, the NE,A ac?uiesce3 to con8e't it into a 4o8e'n9ent.to.4o8e'n9ent p'oAect, to be finance3 th'ou4h a loan f'o9 the Chinese o8e'n9ent.

On Septe9be' ($, (##:, petitione' testifie3 befo'e 'espon3ent Co99ittees fo' ele8en <!!= hou's. 0e 3isclose3 that then Co99ission on Elections <COMELEC= Chai'9an BenAa9in Abalos offe'e3 hi9 P(## Million in eDchan4e fo' his app'o8al of the NBN P'oAect. 0e fu'the' na''ate3 that he info'9e3 P'esi3ent A''o;o about the b'ibe'; atte9pt an3 that she inst'ucte3 hi9 not to accept the b'ibe. 0o5e8e', 5hen p'obe3 fu'the' on 5hat the; 3iscusse3 about the NBN P'oAect, petitione' 'efuse3 to ans5e', in8o@in4 JeDecuti8e p'i8ile4eK. In pa'ticula', he 'efuse3 to ans5e' the ?uestions on <a= 5hethe' o' not P'esi3ent A''o;o follo5e3 up the NBN P'oAect,6$7 <b= 5hethe' o' not she 3i'ecte3 hi9 to p'io'itiLe it,6:7 an3 <c= 5hethe' o' not she 3i'ecte3 hi9 to app'o8e.6"7 Un'elentin4, 'espon3ent Co99ittees issue3 a Subpoena A3 Testifican3u9 to petitione', 'e?ui'in4 hi9 to appea' an3 testif; on No8e9be' (#, (##:. 0o5e8e', in the Lette' 3ate3 No8e9be' !), (##:, EDecuti8e Sec'eta'; E3ua'3o R. E'9ita 'e?ueste3 'espon3ent Co99ittees to 3ispense 5ith petitione'Es testi9on; on the 4'oun3 of eDecuti8e p'i8ile4e. The pe'tinent po'tion of the lette' 'ea3s/ Gith 'efe'ence to the subpoena a3 testifican3u9 issue3 to Sec'eta'; Ro9ulo Ne'i to appea' an3 testif; a4ain on (# No8e9be' (##: befo'e the 2oint Co99ittees ;ou chai', it 5ill be 'ecalle3 that Sec. Ne'i ha3 al'ea3; testifie3 an3 eDhausti8el; 3iscusse3 the 1TE M NBN p'oAect, inclu3in4 his con8e'sation 5ith the P'esi3ent the'eon last ($ Septe9be' (##:. As@e3 to elabo'ate fu'the' on his con8e'sation 5ith the P'esi3ent, Sec. Ne'i as@e3 fo' ti9e to consult 5ith his supe'io's in line 5ith the 'ulin4 of the Sup'e9e Cou't in Senate 8. E'9ita, %"" SCRA ! <(##$=. Specificall;, Sec. Ne'i sou4ht 4ui3ance on the possible in8ocation of eDecuti8e p'i8ile4e on the follo5in4 ?uestions, to 5it/ a= Ghethe' the P'esi3ent follo5e3 up the <NBN= p'oAectN b= Ge'e ;ou 3ictate3 to p'io'itiLe the 1TEN c= Ghethe' the P'esi3ent sai3 to 4o ahea3 an3 app'o8e the p'oAect afte' bein4 tol3 about the alle4e3 b'ibeN +ollo5in4 the 'ulin4 in Senate 8. E'9ita, the fo'e4oin4 ?uestions fall un3e' con8e'sations an3 co''espon3ence bet5een the P'esi3ent an3 public officials 5hich a'e consi3e'e3 eDecuti8e p'i8ile4e <Al9onte 8. -as?ueL, .R. C)$&:, (& Ma; !CC)I Cha8eL 8. PEA, .R. !&&()#, 2ul; C, (##(=. Maintainin4 the confi3entialit; of con8e'sations of the P'esi3ent is necessa'; in the eDe'cise of he' eDecuti8e an3 polic; 3ecision 9a@in4 p'ocess. The eDpectation of a P'esi3ent to the confi3entialit; of he' con8e'sations an3 co''espon3ences, li@e the 8alue 5hich 5e acco'3 3efe'ence fo' the p'i8ac; of all citiLens, is the necessit; fo' p'otection of the public inte'est in can3i3, obAecti8e, an3 e8en blunt o' ha'sh opinions in P'esi3ential 3ecision.9a@in4. ,isclosu'e of con8e'sations of the P'esi3ent 5ill ha8e a chillin4 effect on the P'esi3ent, an3 5ill ha9pe' he' in the effecti8e 3ischa'4e of he' 3uties an3 'esponsibilities, if she is not p'otecte3 b; the confi3entialit; of he' con8e'sations. The conteDt in 5hich eDecuti8e p'i8ile4e is bein4 in8o@e3 is that the info'9ation sou4ht to be 3isclose3 9i4ht i9pai' ou' 3iplo9atic as 5ell as econo9ic 'elations 5ith the PeopleEs Republic of China. i8en the confi3ential natu'e in 5hich these info'9ation 5e'e con8e;e3 to the P'esi3ent, he cannot p'o8i3e the Co99ittee an; fu'the' 3etails of these con8e'sations, 5ithout 3isclosin4 the 8e'; thin4 the p'i8ile4e is 3esi4ne3 to p'otect. In li4ht of the abo8e consi3e'ations, this Office is const'aine3 to in8o@e the settle3 3oct'ine of eDecuti8e p'i8ile4e as 'efine3 in Senate 8. E'9ita, an3 has a38ise3 Sec'eta'; Ne'i acco'3in4l;. Consi3e'in4 that Sec. Ne'i has been len4thil; inte''o4ate3 on the subAect in an unp'ece3ente3 !!. hou' hea'in4, 5he'ein he has ans5e'e3 all ?uestions p'opoun3e3 to hi9 eDcept the fo'e4oin4

?uestions in8ol8in4 eDecuti8e p'i8ile4e, 5e the'efo'e 'e?uest that his testi9on; on (# No8e9be' (##: on the 1TEMNBN p'oAect be 3ispense3 5ith. On No8e9be' (#, (##:, petitione' 3i3 not appea' befo'e 'espon3ent Co99ittees. Thus, on No8e9be' ((, (##:, the latte' issue3 the sho5 cause Lette' 'e?ui'in4 hi9 to eDplain 5h; he shoul3 not be cite3 in conte9pt. The Lette' 'ea3s/ Since ;ou ha8e faile3 to appea' in the sai3 hea'in4, the Co99ittees on Accountabilit; of Public Office's an3 In8esti4ations <Blue Ribbon=, T'a3e an3 Co99e'ce an3 National ,efense an3 Secu'it; 'e?ui'e ;ou to sho5 cause 5h; ;ou shoul3 not be cite3 in conte9pt un3e' Section $, A'ticle $ of the Rules of the Co99ittee on Accountabilit; of Public Office's an3 In8esti4ations <Blue Ribbon=. The Senate eDpects ;ou' eDplanation on o' befo'e ( ,ece9be' (##:. On No8e9be' (C, (##:, petitione' 'eplie3 to 'espon3ent Co99ittees, 9anifestin4 that it 5as not his intention to i4no'e the Senate hea'in4 an3 that he thou4ht the onl; 'e9ainin4 ?uestions 5e'e those he clai9e3 to be co8e'e3 b; eDecuti8e p'i8ile4e, thus/ It 5as not 9; intention to snub the last Senate hea'in4. In fact, I ha8e coope'ate3 5ith the tas@ of the Senate in its in?ui'; in ai3 of le4islation as sho5n b; 9; al9ost !! hou's sta; 3u'in4 the hea'in4 on ($ Septe9be' (##:. ,u'in4 sai3 hea'in4, I ans5e'e3 all the ?uestions that 5e'e as@e3 of 9e, sa8e fo' those 5hich I thou4ht 5as co8e'e3 b; eDecuti8e p'i8ile4e, an3 5hich 5as confi'9e3 b; the EDecuti8e Sec'eta'; in his Lette' !) No8e9be' (##:. In 4oo3 faith, afte' that eDhausti8e testi9on;, I thou4ht that 5hat 'e9aine3 5e'e onl; the th'ee ?uestions, 5he'e the EDecuti8e Sec'eta'; clai9e3 eDecuti8e p'i8ile4e. 0ence, his 'e?uest that 9; p'esence be 3ispense3 5ith. Be that as it 9a;, shoul3 the'e be ne5 9atte's that 5e'e not ;et ta@en up 3u'in4 the ($ Septe9be' (##: hea'in4, 9a; I be fu'nishe3 in a38ance as to 5hat else I nee3 to cla'if;, so that as a 'esou'ce pe'son, I 9a; a3e?uatel; p'epa'e 9;self. In a33ition, petitione' sub9itte3 a lette' p'epa'e3 b; his counsel, Att;. Antonio R. Bautista, statin4, a9on4 othe's that/ <!= his <petitione'= non.appea'ance 5as upon the o'3e' of the P'esi3entI an3 <(= his con8e'sation 5ith P'esi3ent A''o;o 3ealt 5ith 3elicate an3 sensiti8e national secu'it; an3 3iplo9atic 9atte's 'elatin4 to the i9pact of the b'ibe'; scan3al in8ol8in4 hi4h 4o8e'n9ent officials an3 the possible loss of confi3ence of fo'ei4n in8esto's an3 len3e's in the Philippines. The lette' en3e3 5ith a 'eite'ation of petitione'Es 'e?uest that he Jbe fu'nishe3 in a38anceK as to 5hat else he nee3s to cla'if; so that he 9a; a3e?uatel; p'epa'e fo' the hea'in4. In the inte'i9, on ,ece9be' :, (##:, petitione' file3 5ith this Cou't the p'esent petition fo' ce'tio'a'i assailin4 the sho5 cause Lette' 3ate3 No8e9be' ((, (##:. Respon3ent Co99ittees foun3 petitione'Es eDplanations unsatisfacto';. Githout 'espon3in4 to his 'e?uest fo' a38ance notice of the 9atte's that he shoul3 still cla'if;, the; issue3 the O'3e' 3ate3 2anua'; &#, (##", citin4 hi9 in conte9pt of 'espon3ent Co99ittees an3 o'3e'in4 his a''est an3 3etention at the Office of the Senate Se'4eant.At.A'9s until such ti9e that he 5oul3 appea' an3 4i8e his testi9on;. The sai3 O'3e' states/ OR,ER +o' failu'e to appea' an3 testif; in the Co99itteeEs hea'in4 on Tues3a;, Septe9be' !", (##:I Thu's3a;, Septe9be' (#, (##:I Thu's3a;, Octobe' (), (##:I an3 Tues3a;, No8e9be' (#, (##:, 3espite pe'sonal notice an3 Subpoenas A3 Testifican3u9 sent to an3 'ecei8e3 b; hi9, 5hich the'eb; 3ela;s, i9pe3es an3 obst'ucts, as it has in fact 3ela;e3, i9pe3e3 an3 obst'ucte3 the in?ui'; into the subAect 'epo'te3 i''e4ula'ities, AN, fo' failu'e to eDplain satisfacto'il; 5h; he shoul3 not be cite3 fo' conte9pt <Ne'i lette' of (C No8e9be' (##:=, he'ein attache3= ROMULO L. NERI is he'eb; cite3 in conte9pt of this Co99ittees an3 o'3e'e3 a''este3 an3 3etaine3 in the Office of the Senate

Se'4eant.At.A'9s until such ti9e that he 5ill appea' an3 4i8e his testi9on;. The Se'4eant.At.A'9s is he'eb; 3i'ecte3 to ca''; out an3 i9ple9ent this O'3e' an3 9a@e a 'etu'n he'eof 5ithin t5ent; fou' <(%= hou's f'o9 its enfo'ce9ent. SO OR,ERE,. On the sa9e 3ate, petitione' 9o8e3 fo' the 'econsi3e'ation of the abo8e O'3e'. 6C7 0e insiste3 that he has not sho5n Jan; conte9ptible con3uct 5o'th; of conte9pt an3 a''est.K 0e e9phasiLe3 his 5illin4ness to testif; on ne5 9atte's, ho5e8e', 'espon3ent Co99ittees 3i3 not 'espon3 to his 'e?uest fo' a38ance notice of ?uestions. 0e also 9entione3 the petition fo' ce'tio'a'i he file3 on ,ece9be' :, (##: . Acco'3in4 to hi9, this shoul3 'est'ain 'espon3ent Co99ittees f'o9 enfo'cin4 the sho5 cause Lette' Jth'ou4h the issuance of 3ecla'ation of conte9ptK an3 a''est. In 8ie5 of 'espon3ent Co99itteesE issuance of the conte9pt O'3e', petitione' file3 on +eb'ua'; !, (##" a Supple9ental Petition fo' Ce'tio'a'i <Gith U'4ent Application fo' TROMP'eli9ina'; InAunction=, see@in4 to 'est'ain the i9ple9entation of the sai3 conte9pt O'3e'. On +eb'ua'; ), (##", the Cou't issue3 a Status Fuo Ante O'3e' <a= enAoinin4 'espon3ent Co99ittees f'o9 i9ple9entin4 thei' conte9pt O'3e', <b= 'e?ui'in4 the pa'ties to obse'8e the status ?uo p'e8ailin4 p'io' to the issuance of the assaile3 o'3e', an3 <c= 'e?ui'in4 'espon3ent Co99ittees to file thei' co99ent. Petitione' conten3s that 'espon3ent Co99itteesE sho5 cause Lette' an3 conte9pt O'3e' 5e'e issue3 5ith 4'a8e abuse of 3isc'etion a9ountin4 to lac@ o' eDcess of Au'is3iction. 0e st'esses that his con8e'sations 5ith P'esi3ent A''o;o a'e Jcan3i3 3iscussions 9eant to eDplo'e options in 9a@in4 polic; 3ecisions.K Acco'3in4 to hi9, these 3iscussions J35elt on the i9pact of the b'ibe'; scan3al in8ol8in4 hi4h 4o8e'n9ent officials on the count';Es 3iplo9atic 'elations an3 econo9ic an3 9ilita'; affai's an3 the possible loss of confi3ence of fo'ei4n in8esto's an3 len3e's in the Philippines.K 0e also e9phasiLes that his clai9 of eDecuti8e p'i8ile4e is upon the o'3e' of the P'esi3ent an3 5ithin the pa'a9ete's lai3 3o5n in Senate 8. E'9ita6!#7 an3 Unite3 States 8. Re;nol3s.6!!7 Lastl;, he a'4ues that he is p'eclu3e3 f'o9 3isclosin4 co99unications 9a3e to hi9 in official confi3ence un3e' Section :6!(7 of Republic Act No. $:!&, othe'5ise @no5n as Co3e of Con3uct an3 Ethical Stan3a'3s fo' Public Officials an3 E9plo;ees, an3 Section (%6!&7 <e= of Rule !&# of the Rules of Cou't. Respon3ent Co99ittees asse't the cont'a';. The; a'4ue that <!= petitione'Es testi9on; is 9ate'ial an3 pe'tinent in the in8esti4ation con3ucte3 in ai3 of le4islationI <(= the'e is no 8ali3 Austification fo' petitione' to clai9 eDecuti8e p'i8ile4eI <&= the'e is no abuse of thei' autho'it; to o'3e' petitione'Es a''estI an3 <%= petitione' has not co9e to cou't 5ith clean han3s. In the o'al a'4u9ent hel3 last Ma'ch %, (##", the follo5in4 issues 5e'e 8entilate3/ !. Ghat co99unications bet5een the P'esi3ent an3 petitione' Ne'i a'e co8e'e3 b; the p'inciple of OeDecuti8e p'i8ile4eEN !.a ,i3 EDecuti8e Sec'eta'; E'9ita co''ectl; in8o@e the p'inciple of eDecuti8e p'i8ile4e, b; o'3e' of the P'esi3ent, to co8e' <i= con8e'sations of the P'esi3ent in the eDe'cise of he' eDecuti8e an3 polic; 3ecision.9a@in4 an3 <ii= info'9ation, 5hich 9i4ht i9pai' ou' 3iplo9atic as 5ell as econo9ic 'elations 5ith the PeopleEs Republic of ChinaN !.b. ,i3 petitione' Ne'i co''ectl; in8o@e eDecuti8e p'i8ile4e to a8oi3 testif;in4 on his con8e'sations 5ith the P'esi3ent on the NBN cont'act on his asse'tions that the sai3 con8e'sations J3ealt 5ith 3elicate an3 sensiti8e national secu'it; an3 3iplo9atic 9atte's 'elatin4 to the i9pact of b'ibe'; scan3al in8ol8in4 hi4h 4o8e'n9ent officials an3 the possible loss of confi3ence of fo'ei4n in8esto's an3 len3e's in the PhilippinesK D D D 5ithin the p'inciples lai3 3o5n in Senate 8. E'9ita <%"" SCRA

! 6(##$7=N !.c Gill the clai9 of eDecuti8e p'i8ile4e in this case 8iolate the follo5in4 p'o8isions of the Constitution/ Sec. (", A't. II <+ull public 3isclosu'e of all t'ansactions in8ol8in4 public inte'est= Sec. :, A't. III <The 'i4ht of the people to info'9ation on 9atte's of public conce'n= Sec. !, A't. >I <Public office is a public t'ust= Sec. !:, A't. -II <The P'esi3ent shall ensu'e that the la5s be faithfull; eDecute3= an3 the 3ue p'ocess clause an3 the p'inciple of sepa'ation of po5e'sN (. Ghat is the p'ope' p'oce3u'e to be follo5e3 in in8o@in4 eDecuti8e p'i8ile4eN

&. ,i3 the Senate Co99ittees 4'a8el; abuse thei' 3isc'etion in o'3e'in4 the a''est of petitione' fo' non.co9pliance 5ith the subpoenaN Afte' the o'al a'4u9ent, the pa'ties 5e'e 3i'ecte3 to 9anifest to the Cou't 5ithin t5ent;.fou' <(%= hou's if the; a'e a9enable to the Cou'tEs p'oposal of allo5in4 petitione' to i99e3iatel; 'esu9e his testi9on; befo'e the Senate Co99ittees to ans5e' the othe' ?uestions of the Senato's 5ithout p'eAu3ice to the 3ecision on the 9e'its of this pen3in4 petition. It 5as un3e'stoo3 that petitione' 9a; in8o@e eDecuti8e p'i8ile4e in the cou'se of the Senate Co99ittees p'ocee3in4s, an3 if the 'espon3ent Co99ittees 3isa4'ee the'eto, the unans5e'e3 ?uestions 5ill be the subAect of a supple9ental plea3in4 to be 'esol8e3 alon4 5ith the th'ee <&= ?uestions subAect of the p'esent petition.6!%7 At the sa9e ti9e, 'espon3ent Co99ittees 5e'e 3i'ecte3 to sub9it se8e'al pe'tinent 3ocu9ents.6!)7 The Senate 3i3 not a4'ee 5ith the p'oposal fo' the 'easons state3 in the Manifestation 3ate3 Ma'ch ), (##". As to the 'e?ui'e3 3ocu9ents, the Senate an3 'espon3ent Co99ittees 9anifeste3 that the; 5oul3 not be able to sub9it the latte'Es JMinutes of all 9eetin4sK an3 the JMinute Boo@K because it has ne8e' been the Jhisto'ical an3 t'a3itional le4islati8e p'actice to @eep the9.K6!$7 The; instea3 sub9itte3 the T'ansc'ipt of Steno4'aphic Notes of 'espon3ent Co99itteesE Aoint public hea'in4s. On Ma'ch !:, (##", the Office of the Solicito' ene'al <OS = file3 a Motion fo' Lea8e to Inte'8ene an3 to A39it Attache3 Me9o'an3u9, foun3e3 on the follo5in4 a'4u9ents/ <!= The co99unications bet5een petitione' an3 the P'esi3ent a'e co8e'e3 b; the p'inciple of JeDecuti8e p'i8ile4e.K <(= Petitione' 5as not su99one3 b; 'espon3ent Senate Co99ittees in acco'3ance 5ith the la5. 9a@in4 bo3;Es po5e' to con3uct in?ui'ies in ai3 of le4islation as lai3 3o5n in Section (!, A'ticle -I of the Constitution an3 Senate 8. E'9ita. <&= Respon3ent Senate Co99ittees 4'a8el; abuse3 its 3isc'etion fo' alle4e3 non.co9pliance 5ith the Subpoena 3ate3 No8e9be' !&, (##:. The Cou't 4'ante3 the OS Es 9otion the neDt 3a;, Ma'ch !", (##:. As the fo'e4oin4 facts unfol3, 'elate3 e8ents t'anspi'e3. On Ma'ch $, (##", P'esi3ent A''o;o issue3 Me9o'an3u9 Ci'cula' No. !)!, 'e8o@in4 EDecuti8e O'3e' No. %$% an3 Me9o'an3u9 Ci'cula' No. !#". She a38ise3 eDecuti8e officials an3 e9plo;ees to follo5 an3 abi3e b; the Constitution, eDistin4 la5s an3 Au'isp'u3ence, inclu3in4, a9on4 othe's,

the case of Senate 8. E'9ita6!:7 5hen the; a'e in8ite3 to le4islati8e in?ui'ies in ai3 of le4islation. At the co'e of this cont'o8e's; a'e the t5o <(= c'ucial ?ue'ies, to 5it/ +i'st, a'e the co99unications elicite3 b; the subAect th'ee <&= ?uestions co8e'e3 b; eDecuti8e p'i8ile4eN An3 secon3, 3i3 'espon3ent Co99ittees co99it 4'a8e abuse of 3isc'etion in issuin4 the conte9pt O'3e'N Ge 4'ant the petition. At the outset, a 4li9pse at the lan39a'@ case of Senate 8. E'9ita6!"7 beco9es i9pe'ati8e. Senate 3'a5s in bol3 st'o@es the 3istinction bet5een the le4islati8e an3 o8e'si4ht po5e's of the Con4'ess, as e9bo3ie3 un3e' Sections (! an3 ((, 'especti8el;, of A'ticle -I of the Constitution, to 5it/ SECTION (!. The Senate o' the 0ouse of Rep'esentati8es o' an; of its 'especti8e co99ittees 9a; con3uct in?ui'ies in ai3 of le4islation in acco'3ance 5ith its 3ul; publishe3 'ules of p'oce3u'e. The 'i4hts of pe'sons appea'in4 in o' affecte3 b; such in?ui'ies shall be 'especte3. SECTION ((. The hea3s of 3epa't9ent 9a; upon thei' o5n initiati8e, 5ith the consent of the P'esi3ent, o' upon the 'e?uest of eithe' 0ouse, o' as the 'ules of each 0ouse shall p'o8i3e, appea' befo'e an3 be hea'3 b; such 0ouse on an; 9atte' pe'tainin4 to thei' 3epa't9ents. G'itten ?uestions shall be sub9itte3 to the P'esi3ent of the Senate o' the Spea@e' of the 0ouse of Rep'esentati8es at least th'ee 3a;s befo'e thei' sche3ule3 appea'ance. Inte'pellations shall not be li9ite3 to 5'itten ?uestions, but 9a; co8e' 9atte's 'elate3 the'eto. Ghen the secu'it; of the state o' the public inte'est so 'e?ui'es an3 the P'esi3ent so states in 5'itin4, the appea'ance shall be con3ucte3 in eDecuti8e session. Senate cautions that 5hile the abo8e p'o8isions a'e closel; 'elate3 an3 co9ple9enta'; to each othe', the; shoul3 not be consi3e'e3 as pe'tainin4 to the sa9e po5e' of Con4'ess. Section (! 'elates to the po5e' to con3uct in?ui'ies in ai3 of le4islation, its ai9 is to elicit info'9ation that 9a; be use3 fo' le4islation, 5hile Section (( pe'tains to the po5e' to con3uct a ?uestion hou', the obAecti8e of 5hich is to obtain info'9ation in pu'suit of Con4'essE o8e'si4ht function.6!C7 Si9pl; state3, 5hile both po5e's allo5 Con4'ess o' an; of its co99ittees to con3uct in?ui';, thei' obAecti8es a'e 3iffe'ent. This 3istinction 4i8es bi'th to anothe' 3istinction 5ith 'e4a'3 to the use of co9pulso'; p'ocess. Unli@e in Section (!, Con4'ess cannot co9pel the appea'ance of eDecuti8e officials un3e' Section ((. The Cou'tEs p'onounce9ent in Senate 8. E'9ita6(#7 is clea'/ Ghen Con4'ess 9e'el; see@s to be info'9e3 on ho5 3epa't9ent hea3s a'e i9ple9entin4 the statutes 5hich it has issue3, its 'i4ht to such info'9ation is not as i9pe'ati8e as that of the P'esi3ent to 5ho9, as Chief EDecuti8e, such 3epa't9ent hea3s 9ust 4i8e a 'epo't of thei' pe'fo'9ance as a 9atte' of 3ut;. In such instances, Section ((, in @eepin4 5ith the sepa'ation of po5e's, states that Con4'ess 9a; onl; 'e?uest thei' appea'ance. Nonetheless, 5hen the in?ui'; in 5hich Con4'ess 'e?ui'es thei' appea'ance is Oin ai3 of le4islationE un3e' Section (!, the appea'ance is 9an3ato'; fo' the sa9e 'easons state3 in A'nault. In fine, the o8e'si4ht function of Con4'ess 9a; be facilitate3 b; co9pulso'; p'ocess onl; to the eDtent that it is pe'fo'9e3 in pu'suit of le4islation. This is consistent 5ith the intent 3isce'ne3 f'o9 the 3elibe'ations of the Constitutional Co99ission. Ulti9atel;, the po5e' of Con4'ess to co9pel the appea'ance of eDecuti8e officials un3e' section (! an3 the lac@ of it un3e' Section (( fin3 thei' basis in the p'inciple of sepa'ation of po5e's. Ghile the

eDecuti8e b'anch is a co.e?ual b'anch of the le4islatu'e, it cannot f'ust'ate the po5e' of Con4'ess to le4islate b; 'efusin4 to co9pl; 5ith its 3e9an3s fo' info'9ation. <E9phasis supplie3.= The a8ailabilit; of the po5e' of Au3icial 'e8ie5 to 'esol8e the issues 'aise3 in this case has also been settle3 in Senate 8. E'9ita, 5hen it hel3/ As e8i3ence3 b; the A9e'ican eDpe'ience 3u'in4 the so.calle3 JMcCa'th; e'a,K ho5e8e', the 'i4ht of Con4'ess to con3uct in?ui'ies in ai3 of le4islation is, in theo';, no less susceptible to abuse than eDecuti8e o' Au3icial po5e'. It 9a; thus be subAecte3 to Au3icial 'e8ie5 pu'suant to the Cou'tEs certiorari po5e's un3e' Section !, A'ticle -III of the Constitution. 0ence, this 3ecision. I The Co99unications Elicite3 b; the Th'ee <&= Fuestions a'e Co8e'e3 b; EDecuti8e P'i8ile4e Ge sta't 5ith the basic p'e9ises 5he'e the pa'ties ha8e conce3e3. The po5e' of Con4'ess to con3uct in?ui'ies in ai3 of le4islation is b'oa3. This is base3 on the p'oposition that a le4islati8e bo3; cannot le4islate 5isel; o' effecti8el; in the absence of info'9ation 'espectin4 the con3itions 5hich the le4islation is inten3e3 to affect o' chan4e.6(!7 Ine8itabl;, a3Aunct the'eto is the co9pulso'; p'ocess to enfo'ce it. But, the po5e', b'oa3 as it is, has li9itations. To be 8ali3, it is i9pe'ati8e that it is 3one in acco'3ance 5ith the Senate o' 0ouse 3ul; publishe3 'ules of p'oce3u'e an3 that the 'i4hts of the pe'sons appea'in4 in o' affecte3 b; such in?ui'ies be 'especte3. The po5e' eDten3s e8en to eDecuti8e officials an3 the onl; 5a; fo' the9 to be eDe9pte3 is th'ou4h a 8ali3 clai9 of eDecuti8e p'i8ile4e.6((7 This 3i'ects us to the consi3e'ation of the ?uestion .. is the'e a 'eco4niLe3 clai9 of eDecuti8e p'i8ile4e 3espite the 'e8ocation of E.O. %$%N A. The'e is a Reco4niLe3 Clai9 of EDecuti8e P'i8ile4e ,espite the Re8ocation of E.O. %$% At this Aunctu'e, it 9ust be st'esse3 that the 'e8ocation of E.O. %$% 3oes not in an; 5a; 3i9inish ou' concept of eDecuti8e p'i8ile4e. This is because this concept has Constitutional un3e'pinnin4s. Unli@e the Unite3 States 5hich has fu'the' acco'3e3 the concept 5ith statuto'; status b; enactin4 the +'ee3o9 of Info'9ation Act6(&7 an3 the +e3e'al A38iso'; Co99ittee Act,6(%7 the Philippines has 'etaine3 its constitutional o'i4ination, occasionall; inte'p'ete3 onl; b; this Cou't in 8a'ious cases. The 9ost 'ecent of these is the case of Senate 8. E'9ita 5he'e this Cou't 3ecla'e3 unconstitutional substantial po'tions of E.O. %$%. In this 'e4a'3, it is 5o'th; to note that EDecuti8e E'9itaEs Lette' 3ate3 No8e9be' !), (##: li9it its bases fo' the clai9 of eDecuti8e p'i8ile4e to Senate 8. E'9ita, Al9onte 8. -as?ueL,6()7 an3 Cha8eL 8. PEA.6($7 The'e 5as ne8e' a 9ention of E.O. %$%. Ghile these cases, especiall; Senate 8. E'9ita,6(:7 ha8e co9p'ehensi8el; 3iscusse3 the concept of eDecuti8e p'i8ile4e, 5e 3ee9 it i9pe'ati8e to eDplo'e it once 9o'e in 8ie5 of the cla9o' fo' this Cou't to clea'l; 3efine the co99unications co8e'e3 b; eDecuti8e p'i8ile4e. The NiDon an3 post.Gate'4ate cases establishe3 the b'oa3 contou's of the p'esi3ential co99unications p'i8ile4e.6("7 In Unite3 States 8. NiDon,6(C7 the U.S. Cou't 'eco4niLe3 a 4'eat public inte'est in p'ese'8in4 Jthe confi3entialit; of con8e'sations that ta@e place in the P'esi3entEs pe'fo'9ance of his official 3uties.K It thus consi3e'e3 p'esi3ential co99unications as Jp'esu9pti8el; p'i8ile4e3.K Appa'entl;, the p'esu9ption is foun3e3 on the JP'esi3entEs 4ene'aliLe3 inte'est in confi3entialit;.K The p'i8ile4e is sai3 to be necessa'; to 4ua'antee the can3o' of p'esi3ential a38iso's an3 to p'o8i3e Jthe P'esi3ent an3 those 5ho assist hi9P 5ith f'ee3o9 to eDplo'e alte'nati8es in the p'ocess of shapin4 policies an3 9a@in4 3ecisions an3 to 3o so in a 5a; 9an; 5oul3 be un5illin4 to eDp'ess eDcept p'i8atel;.K In In 'e/ Seale3 Case,6&#7 the U.S. Cou't of Appeals 3el8e3 3eepe'. It 'ule3 that the'e a'e t5o <(=

@in3s of eDecuti8e p'i8ile4eI one is the p'esi3ential co99unications p'i8ile4e an3, the othe' is the 3elibe'ati8e p'ocess p'i8ile4e. The fo'9e' pe'tains to Jco99unications, 3ocu9ents o' othe' 9ate'ials that 'eflect p'esi3ential 3ecision.9a@in4 an3 3elibe'ations an3 that the P'esi3ent belie8es shoul3 'e9ain confi3ential.K The latte' inclu3es Oa38iso'; opinions, 'eco99en3ations an3 3elibe'ations co9p'isin4 pa't of a p'ocess b; 5hich 4o8e'n9ental 3ecisions an3 policies a'e fo'9ulate3.K Acco'3in4l;, the; a'e cha'acte'iLe3 b; 9a'@e3 3istinctions. P'esi3ential co99unications p'i8ile4e applies to 3ecision.9a@in4 of the P'esi3ent 5hile, the 3elibe'ati8e p'ocess p'i8ile4e, to 3ecision. 9a@in4 of eDecuti8e officials. The fi'st is 'oote3 in the constitutional p'inciple of sepa'ation of po5e' an3 the P'esi3entEs uni?ue constitutional 'oleI the secon3 on co99on la5 p'i8ile4e. Unli@e the 3elibe'ati8e p'ocess p'i8ile4e, the p'esi3ential co99unications p'i8ile4e applies to 3ocu9ents in thei' enti'et;, an3 co8e's final an3 post.3ecisional 9ate'ials as 5ell as p'e.3elibe'ati8e ones6&!7 As a conse?uence, con4'essional o' Au3icial ne4ation of the p'esi3ential co99unications p'i8ile4e is al5a;s subAect to 4'eate' sc'utin; than 3enial of the 3elibe'ati8e p'ocess p'i8ile4e. Tu'nin4 on 5ho a'e the officials co8e'e3 b; the p'esi3ential co99unications p'i8ile4e, In Re Seale3 Case confines the p'i8ile4e onl; to Ghite 0ouse Staff that has Jope'ational p'oDi9it;K to 3i'ect p'esi3ential 3ecision.9a@in4. Thus, the p'i8ile4e is 9eant to enco9pass onl; those functions that fo'9 the co'e of p'esi3ential autho'it;, in8ol8in4 5hat the cou't cha'acte'iLe3 as J?uintessential an3 non.3ele4able P'esi3ential po5e',K such as co99an3e'.in.chief po5e', appoint9ent an3 'e9o8al po5e', the po5e' to 4'ant pa'3ons an3 'ep'ie8es, the sole.autho'it; to 'ecei8e a9bassa3o's an3 othe' public office's, the po5e' to ne4otiate t'eaties etc.6&(7 The situation in 2u3icial Gatch, Inc. 8. ,epa't9ent of 2ustice6&&7 teste3 the In Re Seale3 Case p'inciples. The'e, 5hile the p'esi3ential 3ecision in8ol8e3 is the eDe'cise of the P'esi3entEs pa'3on po5e', a non.3ele4able, co'e.p'esi3ential function, the ,eput; Atto'ne; ene'al an3 the Pa'3on Atto'ne; 5e'e 3ee9e3 to be too 'e9ote f'o9 the P'esi3ent an3 his senio' Ghite 0ouse a38iso's to be p'otecte3. The Cou't conce3e3 that functionall; those officials 5e'e pe'fo'9in4 a tas@ 3i'ectl; 'elate3 to the P'esi3entEs pa'3on po5e', but conclu3e3 that an o'4aniLational test 5as 9o'e app'op'iate fo' confinin4 the potentiall; b'oa3 s5eep that 5oul3 'esult f'o9 the In Re Seale3 CaseEs functional test. The 9aAo'it; conclu3e3 that, the lesse' p'otections of the 3elibe'ati8e p'ocess p'i8ile4e 5oul3 suffice. That p'i8ile4e 5as, ho5e8e', foun3 insufficient to Austif; the confi3entialit; of the %,&%! 5ithhel3 3ocu9ents. But 9o'e specific classifications of co99unications co8e'e3 b; eDecuti8e p'i8ile4e a'e 9a3e in ol3e' cases. Cou'ts 'ule3 ea'l; that the EDecuti8e has a 'i4ht to 5ithhol3 3ocu9ents that 9i4ht 'e8eal 9ilita'; o' state sec'ets6&%7 i3entit; of 4o8e'n9ent info'9e's in so9e ci'cu9stances,6&)7 an3 info'9ation 'elate3 to pen3in4 in8esti4ations.6&$7 An a'ea 5he'e the p'i8ile4e is hi4hl; 'e8e'e3 is in fo'ei4n 'elations. In Unite3 States 8. Cu'tiss.G'i4ht EDpo't Co'p.6&:7 the U.S. Cou't, citin4 P'esi3ent Gashin4ton, p'onounce3/ eo'4e

The natu'e of fo'ei4n ne4otiations 'e?ui'es caution, an3 thei' success 9ust often 3epen3 on sec'ec;, an3 e8en 5hen b'ou4ht to a conclusion, a full 3isclosu'e of all the 9easu'es, 3e9an3s, o' e8entual concessions 5hich 9a; ha8e been p'opose3 o' conte9plate3 5oul3 be eDt'e9el; i9politic, fo' this 9i4ht ha8e a pe'nicious influence on futu'e ne4otiations o' p'o3uce i99e3iate incon8eniences, pe'haps 3an4e' an3 9ischief, in 'elation to othe' po5e's. The necessit; of such caution an3 sec'ec; 5as one co4ent 'eason fo' 8estin4 the po5e' of 9a@in4 t'eaties in the P'esi3ent, 5ith the a38ice an3 consent of the Senate, the p'inciple on 5hich the bo3; 5as fo'9e3 confinin4 it to a s9all nu9be' of 9e9be's. To a39it, then, a 'i4ht in the 0ouse of Rep'esentati8es to 3e9an3 an3 to ha8e as a 9atte' of cou'se all the pape's 'espectin4 a ne4otiation 5ith a fo'ei4n po5e' 5oul3 be to establish a 3an4e'ous p'ece3ent. MaAo'it; of the abo8e Au'isp'u3ence ha8e foun3 thei' 5a; in ou' Au'is3iction. In Cha8eL 8.

PC 6&"7, this Cou't hel3 that the'e is a J4o8e'n9ental p'i8ile4e a4ainst public 3isclosu'e 5ith 'espect to state sec'ets 'e4a'3in4 9ilita';, 3iplo9atic an3 othe' secu'it; 9atte's.K In Cha8eL 8. PEA,6&C7 the'e is also a 'eco4nition of the confi3entialit; of P'esi3ential con8e'sations, co''espon3ences, an3 3iscussions in close3.3oo' Cabinet 9eetin4s. In Senate 8. E'9ita, the concept of p'esi3ential co99unications p'i8ile4e is full; 3iscusse3. As 9a; be 4leane3 f'o9 the abo8e 3iscussion, the clai9 of eDecuti8e p'i8ile4e is hi4hl; 'eco4niLe3 in cases 5he'e the subAect of in?ui'; 'elates to a po5e' teDtuall; co99itte3 b; the Constitution to the P'esi3ent, such as the a'ea of 9ilita'; an3 fo'ei4n 'elations. Un3e' ou' Constitution, the P'esi3ent is the 'eposito'; of the co99an3e'.in.chief,6%#7 appointin4,6%!7 pa'3onin4,6%(7 an3 3iplo9atic6%&7 po5e's. Consistent 5ith the 3oct'ine of sepa'ation of po5e's, the info'9ation 'elatin4 to these po5e's 9a; enAo; 4'eate' confi3entialit; than othe's. The abo8e cases, especiall;, NiDon, In Re Seale3 Case an3 2u3icial Gatch, so9eho5 p'o8i3e the ele9ents of p'esi3ential co99unications p'i8ile4e, to 5it/ != The p'otecte3 co99unication 9ust 'elate to a J?uintessential an3 non.3ele4able p'esi3ential po5e'.K (= The co99unication 9ust be autho'e3 o' Jsolicite3 an3 'ecei8e3K b; a close a38iso' of the P'esi3ent o' the P'esi3ent hi9self. The Au3icial test is that an a38iso' 9ust be in Jope'ational p'oDi9it;K 5ith the P'esi3ent. &= The p'esi3ential co99unications p'i8ile4e 'e9ains a ?ualifie3 p'i8ile4e that 9a; be o8e'co9e b; a sho5in4 of a3e?uate nee3, such that the info'9ation sou4ht Jli@el; contains i9po'tant e8i3enceK an3 b; the una8ailabilit; of the info'9ation else5he'e b; an app'op'iate in8esti4atin4 autho'it;.6%%7 In the case at ba', EDecuti8e Sec'eta'; E'9ita p'e9ise3 his clai9 of eDecuti8e p'i8ile4e on the 4'oun3 that the co99unications elicite3 b; the th'ee <&= ?uestions Jfall un3e' con8e'sation an3 co''espon3ence bet5een the P'esi3ent an3 public officialsK necessa'; in Jhe' eDecuti8e an3 polic; 3ecision.9a@in4 p'ocessK an3, that Jthe info'9ation sou4ht to be 3isclose3 9i4ht i9pai' ou' 3iplo9atic as 5ell as econo9ic 'elations 5ith the PeopleEs Republic of China.K Si9pl; put, the bases a'e p'esi3ential co99unications p'i8ile4e an3 eDecuti8e p'i8ile4e on 9atte's 'elatin4 to 3iplo9ac; o' fo'ei4n 'elations. Usin4 the abo8e ele9ents, 5e a'e con8ince3 that, in3ee3, the co99unications elicite3 b; the th'ee <&= ?uestions a'e co8e'e3 b; the p'esi3ential co99unications p'i8ile4e. +i'st, the co99unications 'elate to a J?uintessential an3 non.3ele4able po5e'K of the P'esi3ent, i.e. the po5e' to ente' into an eDecuti8e a4'ee9ent 5ith othe' count'ies. This autho'it; of the P'esi3ent to ente' into eDecuti8e a4'ee9ents 5ithout the concu''ence of the Le4islatu'e has t'a3itionall; been 'eco4niLe3 in Philippine Au'isp'u3ence.6%)7 Secon3, the co99unications a'e J'ecei8e3K b; a close a38iso' of the P'esi3ent. Un3e' the Jope'ational p'oDi9it;K test, petitione' can be consi3e'e3 a close a38iso', bein4 a 9e9be' of P'esi3ent A''o;oEs cabinet. An3 thi'3, the'e is no a3e?uate sho5in4 of a co9pellin4 nee3 that 5oul3 Austif; the li9itation of the p'i8ile4e an3 of the una8ailabilit; of the info'9ation else5he'e b; an app'op'iate in8esti4atin4 autho'it;. The thi'3 ele9ent 3ese'8es a len4th; 3iscussion. Unite3 States. 8. NiDon hel3 that a clai9 of eDecuti8e p'i8ile4e is subAect to balancin4 a4ainst othe' inte'est. In othe' 5o'3s, confi3entialit; in eDecuti8e p'i8ile4e is not absolutel; p'otecte3 b; the Constitution. The U.S. Cou't hel3/ 6N7eithe' the 3oct'ine of sepa'ation of po5e's, no' the nee3 fo' confi3entialit; of hi4h.le8el co99unications, 5ithout 9o'e, can sustain an absolute, un?ualifie3 P'esi3ential p'i8ile4e of i99unit; f'o9 Au3icial p'ocess un3e' all ci'cu9stances.

The fo'e4oin4 is consistent 5ith the ea'lie' case of NiDon 8s. Si'ica,6%$7 5he'e it 5as hel3 that p'esi3ential co99unications p'i8ile4e a'e p'esu9pti8el; p'i8ile4e3 an3 that the p'esu9ption can be o8e'co9e onl; b; 9e'e sho5in4 of public nee3 b; the b'anch see@in4 access to con8e'sations. The cou'ts a'e enAoine3 to 'esol8e the co9petin4 inte'ests of the political b'anches of the 4o8e'n9ent Jin the 9anne' that p'ese'8es the essential functions of each B'anch.K6%:7 0e'e, the 'eco'3 is be'eft of an; cate4o'ical eDplanation f'o9 'espon3ent Co99ittees to sho5 a co9pellin4 o' citical nee3 fo' the ans5e's to the th'ee <&= ?uestions in the enact9ent of a la5. Instea3, the ?uestions 8ee' 9o'e to5a'3s the eDe'cise of the le4islati8e o8e'si4ht function un3e' Section (( of A'ticle -I 'athe' than Section (! of the sa9e A'ticle. Senate 8. E'9ita 'ule3 that the Jthe o8e'si4ht function of Con4'ess 9a; be facilitate3 b; co9pulso'; p'ocess onl; to the eDtent that it is pe'fo'9e3 in pu'suit of le4islation.K It is conce3e3 that it is 3ifficult to 3'a5 the line bet5een an in?ui'; in ai3 of le4islation an3 an in?ui'; in the eDe'cise of o8e'si4ht function of Con4'ess. In this 'e4a'3, 9uch 5ill 3epen3 on the content of the ?uestions an3 the 9anne' the in?ui'; is con3ucte3. Respon3ent Co99ittees a'4ue that a clai9 of eDecuti8e p'i8ile4e 3oes not 4ua'3 a4ainst a possible 3isclosu'e of a c'i9e o' 5'on43oin4. Ge see no 3ispute on this. It is settle3 in Unite3 States 8. NiDon6%"7 that J3e9onst'ate3, specific nee3 fo' e8i3ence in pen3in4 c'i9inal t'ialK out5ei4hs the P'esi3entEs J4ene'aliLe3 inte'est in confi3entialit;.K 0o5e8e', the p'esent caseEs 3istinction 5ith the NiDon case is 8e'; e8i3ent. In NiDon, the'e is a pen3in4 c'i9inal p'ocee3in4 5he'e the info'9ation is 'e?ueste3 an3 it is the 3e9an3s of 3ue p'ocess of la5 an3 the fai' a39inist'ation of c'i9inal Austice that the info'9ation be 3isclose3. This is the 'eason 5h; the U.S. Cou't 5as ?uic@ to Jli9it the scope of its 3ecision.K It st'esse3 that it is Jnot conce'ne3 he'e 5ith the balance bet5een the P'esi3entEs 4ene'aliLe3 inte'est in confi3entialit; D D D an3 con4'essional 3e9an3s fo' info'9ation.K Unli@e in NiDon, the info'9ation he'e is elicite3, not in a c'i9inal p'ocee3in4, but in a le4islati8e in?ui';. In this 'e4a'3, Senate 8. E'9ita st'esse3 that the 8ali3it; of the clai9 of eDecuti8e p'i8ile4e 3epen3s not onl; on the 4'oun3 in8o@e3 but, also, the p'oce3u'al settin4 o' the conteDt in 5hich the clai9 is 9a3e. +u'the'9o'e, in NiDon, the P'esi3ent 3i3 not inte'pose an; clai9 of nee3 to p'otect 9ilita';, 3iplo9atic o' sensiti8e national secu'it; sec'ets. In the p'esent case, EDecuti8e Sec'eta'; E'9ita cate4o'icall; clai9s eDecuti8e p'i8ile4e on the 4'oun3s of p'esi3ential co99unications p'i8ile4e in 'elation to he' eDecuti8e an3 polic; 3ecision.9a@in4 p'ocess an3 3iplo9atic sec'ets. The 'espon3ent Co99ittees shoul3 cautiousl; t'ea3 into the in8esti4ation of 9atte's 5hich 9a; p'esent a conflict of inte'est that 9a; p'o8i3e a 4'oun3 to inhibit the Senato's pa'ticipatin4 in the in?ui'; if late' on an i9peach9ent p'ocee3in4 is initiate3 on the sa9e subAect 9atte' of the p'esent Senate in?ui';. Pe'tinentl;, in Senate Select Co99ittee on P'esi3ential Ca9pai4n Acti8ities 8. NiDon,6%C7 it 5as hel3 that since an i9peach9ent p'ocee3in4 ha3 been initiate3 b; a 0ouse Co99ittee, the Senate Select Co99itteeEs i99e3iate o8e'si4ht nee3 fo' fi8e p'esi3ential tapes, shoul3 4i8e 5a; to the 0ouse 2u3icia'; Co99ittee 5hich has the constitutional autho'it; to in?ui'e into p'esi3ential i9peach9ent. The Cou't eDpoun3e3 on this issue in this 5ise/ It is t'ue, of cou'se, that the EDecuti8e cannot, an; 9o'e than the othe' b'anches of 4o8e'n9ent, in8o@e a 4ene'al confi3entialit; p'i8ile4e to shiel3 its officials an3 e9plo;ees f'o9 in8esti4ations b; the p'ope' 4o8e'n9ental institutions into possible c'i9inal 5'on43oin4. The Con4'ess lea'ne3 this as to its o5n p'i8ile4es in 'a8el 8. Unite3 States, as 3i3 the Au3icial b'anch, in a sense, in Cla'@ 8. Unite3 States, an3 the eDecuti8e b'anch itself in NiDon 8. Si'ica. But un3e' NiDon 8. Si'ica, the sho5in4 'e?ui'e3 to o8e'co9e the p'esu9ption fa8o'in4 confi3entialit; tu'ne3, not on the natu'e of the p'esi3ential con3uct that the subpoenae3 9ate'ial 9i4ht 'e8eal, but, instea3, on the natu'e an3 app'op'iateness of the function in the pe'fo'9ance of 5hich the 9ate'ial 5as sou4ht, an3 the 3e4'ee to 5hich the 9ate'ial 5as necessa'; to its fulfill9ent. 0e'e also ou' tas@ 'e?ui'es an3 ou' 3ecision i9plies no Au349ent 5hate8e' conce'nin4 possible p'esi3ential in8ol8e9ent in culpable acti8it;. On the cont'a';, 5e thin@ the sufficienc; of the Co99itteeQs sho5in4 9ust 3epen3 solel; on 5hethe' the subpoenae3 e8i3ence is 3e9onst'abl; c'itical to the 'esponsible fulfill9ent of the Co99itteeQs functions.

In its initial b'iefs he'e, the Co99ittee a'4ue3 that it has sho5n eDactl; this. It conten3e3 that 'esolution, on the basis of the subpoenae3 tapes, of the conflicts in the testi9on; befo'e it O5oul3 ai3 in a 3ete'9ination 5hethe' le4islati8e in8ol8e9ent in political ca9pai4ns is necessa';E an3 Ocoul3 help en4en3e' the public suppo't nee3e3 fo' basic 'efo'9s in ou' electo'al s;ste9.E Mo'eo8e', Con4'ess has, acco'3in4 to the Co99ittee, po5e' to o8e'see the ope'ations of the eDecuti8e b'anch, to in8esti4ate instances of possible co''uption an3 9alfeasance in office, an3 to eDpose the 'esults of its in8esti4ations to public 8ie5. The Co99ittee sa;s that 5ith 'espect to Gate'4ate.'elate3 9atte's, this po5e' has been 3ele4ate3 to it b; the Senate, an3 that to eDe'cise its po5e' 'esponsibl;, it 9ust ha8e access to the subpoenae3 tapes. Ge tu'n fi'st to the latte' contention. In the ci'cu9stances of this case, 5e nee3 neithe' 3en; that the Con4'ess 9a; ha8e, ?uite apa't f'o9 its le4islati8e 'esponsibilities, a 4ene'al o8e'si4ht po5e', no' eDplo'e 5hat the la5ful 'each of that po5e' 9i4ht be un3e' the Co99itteeQs constituent 'esolution. Since passa4e of that 'esolution, the 0ouse Co99ittee on the 2u3icia'; has be4un an in?ui'; into p'esi3ential i9peach9ent. The in8esti4ati8e autho'it; of the 2u3icia'; Co99ittee 5ith 'espect to p'esi3ential con3uct has an eDp'ess constitutional sou'ce. D D D Ge ha8e been sho5n no e8i3ence in3icatin4 that Con4'ess itself attaches an; pa'ticula' 8alue to this inte'est. In these ci'cu9stances, 5e thin@ the nee3 fo' the tapes p'e9ise3 solel; on an asse'te3 po5e' to in8esti4ate an3 info'9 cannot Austif; enfo'ce9ent of the Co99itteeQs subpoena. The sufficienc; of the Co99itteeQs sho5in4 of nee3 has co9e to 3epen3, the'efo'e, enti'el; on 5hethe' the subpoenae3 9ate'ials a'e c'itical to the pe'fo'9ance of its le4islati8e functions. The'e is a clea' 3iffe'ence bet5een Con4'essQs le4islati8e tas@s an3 the 'esponsibilit; of a 4'an3 Au';, o' an; institution en4a4e3 in li@e functions. Ghile fact.fin3in4 b; a le4islati8e co99ittee is un3eniabl; a pa't of its tas@, le4islati8e Au349ents no'9all; 3epen3 9o'e on the p'e3icte3 conse?uences of p'opose3 le4islati8e actions an3 thei' political acceptabilit;, than on p'ecise 'econst'uction of past e8entsI Con4'ess f'e?uentl; le4islates on the basis of conflictin4 info'9ation p'o8i3e3 in its hea'in4s. In cont'ast, the 'esponsibilit; of the 4'an3 Au'; tu'ns enti'el; on its abilit; to 3ete'9ine 5hethe' the'e is p'obable cause to belie8e that ce'tain na9e3 in3i8i3uals 3i3 o' 3i3 not co99it specific c'i9es. If, fo' eDa9ple, as in NiDon 8. Si'ica, one of those c'i9es is pe'Au'; conce'nin4 the content of ce'tain con8e'sations, the 4'an3 Au';Qs nee3 fo' the 9ost p'ecise e8i3ence, the eDact teDt of o'al state9ents 'eco'3e3 in thei' o'i4inal fo'9, is un3eniable. Ge see no co9pa'able nee3 in the le4islati8e p'ocess, at least not in the ci'cu9stances of this case. In3ee3, 5hate8e' fo'ce the'e 9i4ht once ha8e been in the Co99itteeQs a'4u9ent that the subpoenae3 9ate'ials a'e necessa'; to its le4islati8e Au349ents has been substantiall; un3e'9ine3 b; subse?uent e8ents. <E9phasis supplie3= Respon3ent Co99ittees fu'the' conten3 that the 4'ant of petitione'Es clai9 of eDecuti8e p'i8ile4e 8iolates the constitutional p'o8isions on 'i4ht of the people to info'9ation on 9atte's of public conce'n.6)#7 Ge 9i4ht ha8e a4'ee3 5ith such contention if petitione' 3i3 not appea' befo'e the9 at all. But petitione' 9a3e hi9self a8ailable to the9 3u'in4 the Septe9be' ($ hea'in4, 5he'e he 5as ?uestione3 fo' ele8en <!!= hou's. Not onl; that, he eDp'essl; 9anifeste3 his 5illin4ness to ans5e' 9o'e ?uestions f'o9 the Senato's, 5ith the eDception onl; of those co8e'e3 b; his clai9 of eDecuti8e p'i8ile4e. The 'i4ht to public info'9ation, li@e an; othe' 'i4ht, is subAect to li9itation. Section : of A'ticle III p'o8i3es/ The 'i4ht of the people to info'9ation on 9atte's of public conce'n shall be 'eco4niLe3. Access to official 'eco'3s, an3 to 3ocu9ents, an3 pape's pe'tainin4 to official acts, t'ansactions, o' 3ecisions, as 5ell as to 4o8e'n9ent 'esea'ch 3ata use3 as basis fo' polic; 3e8elop9ent, shall be affo'3e3 the citiLen, subAect to such li9itations as 9a; be p'o8i3e3 b; la5. The p'o8ision itself eDp'essl; p'o8i3es the li9itation, i.e. as 9a; be p'o8i3e3 b; la5. So9e of these la5s a'e Section : of Republic Act <R.A.= No. $:!&,6)!7 A'ticle ((C6)(7 of the Re8ise3 Penal Co3e, Section & <@=6)&7 of R.A. No. &#!C, an3 Section (%<e=6)%7 of Rule !&# of the Rules of Cou't. These a'e in a33ition to 5hat ou' bo3; of Au'isp'u3ence classifies as confi3ential6))7 an3 5hat ou'

Constitution consi3e's as belon4in4 to the la'4e' concept of eDecuti8e p'i8ile4e. Clea'l;, the'e is a 'eco4niLe3 public inte'est in the confi3entialit; of ce'tain info'9ation. Ge fin3 the info'9ation subAect of this case belon4in4 to such @in3. Mo'e than an;thin4 else, thou4h, the 'i4ht of Con4'ess o' an; of its Co99ittees to obtain info'9ation in ai3 of le4islation cannot be e?uate3 5ith the peopleEs 'i4ht to public info'9ation. The fo'9e' cannot clai9 that e8e'; le4islati8e in?ui'; is an eDe'cise of the peopleE 'i4ht to info'9ation. The 3istinction bet5een such 'i4hts is lai3 3o5n in Senate 8. E'9ita/ The'e a'e, it bea's notin4, clea' 3istinctions bet5een the 'i4ht of Con4'ess to info'9ation 5hich un3e'lies the po5e' of in?ui'; an3 the 'i4ht of people to info'9ation on 9atte's of public conce'n. +o' one, the 3e9an3 of a citiLen fo' the p'o3uction of 3ocu9ents pu'suant to his 'i4ht to info'9ation 3oes not ha8e the sa9e obli4ato'; fo'ce as a subpoena 3uces tecu9 issue3 b; Con4'ess. Neithe' 3oes the 'i4ht to info'9ation 4'ant a citiLen the po5e' to eDact testi9on; f'o9 4o8e'n9ent officials. These po5e's belon4 onl; to Con4'ess, not to in3i8i3ual citiLen. Thus, 5hile Con4'ess is co9pose3 of 'ep'esentati8es electe3 b; the people, it 3oes not follo5, eDcept in a hi4hl; ?ualifie3 sense, that in e8e'; eDe'cise of its po5e' of in?ui';, the people a'e eDe'cisin4 thei' 'i4ht to info'9ation. The 9e9be's of 'espon3ent Co99ittees shoul3 not in8o@e as Austification in thei' eDe'cise of po5e' a 'i4ht p'ope'l; belon4in4 to the people in 4ene'al. This is because 5hen the; 3ischa'4e thei' po5e', the; 3o so as public officials an3 9e9be's of Con4'ess. Be that as it 9a;, the 'i4ht to info'9ation 9ust be balance3 5ith an3 shoul3 4i8e 5a; in app'op'iate cases to constitutional p'ecepts pa'ticula'l; those pe'tainin4 to 3elicate inte'pla; of eDecuti8e.le4islati8e po5e's an3 p'i8ile4es 5hich is the subAect of ca'eful 'e8ie5 b; nu9e'ous 3eci3e3 cases. B. The Clai9 of EDecuti8e P'i8ile4e is P'ope'l; In8o@e3 Ge no5 p'ocee3 to the issue .. 5hethe' the clai9 is p'ope'l; in8o@e3 b; the P'esi3ent. 2u'isp'u3ence teaches that fo' the clai9 to be p'ope'l; in8o@e3, the'e 9ust be a fo'9al clai9 of p'i8ile4e, lo34e3 b; the hea3 of the 3epa't9ent 5hich has cont'ol o8e' the 9atte'.K6)$7 A fo'9al an3 p'ope' clai9 of eDecuti8e p'i8ile4e 'e?ui'es a Jp'ecise an3 ce'tain 'easonK fo' p'ese'8in4 thei' confi3entialit;.6):7 The Lette' 3ate3 No8e9be' !:, (##: of EDecuti8e Sec'eta'; E'9ita satisfies the 'e?ui'e9ent. It se'8es as the fo'9al clai9 of p'i8ile4e. The'e he eDp'essl; states that Jthis Office is const'aine3 to in8o@e the settle3 3oct'ine of eDecuti8e p'i8ile4e as 'efine3 in Senate 8. E'9ita, an3 has a38ise3 Sec'eta'; Ne'i acco'3in4l;.K Ob8iousl;, he is 'efe''in4 to the Office of the P'esi3ent. That is 9o'e than enou4h co9pliance. In Senate 8. E'9ita, a less cate4o'ical lette' 5as e8en a3Au34e3 to be sufficient. Gith 'e4a'3 to the eDistence of Jp'ecise an3 ce'tain 'eason,K 5e fin3 the 4'oun3s 'elie3 upon b; EDecuti8e Sec'eta'; E'9ita specific enou4h so as not Jto lea8e 'espon3ent Co99ittees in the 3a'@ on ho5 the 'e?ueste3 info'9ation coul3 be classifie3 as p'i8ile4e3.K The case of Senate 8. E'9ita onl; 'e?ui'es that an alle4ation be 9a3e J5hethe' the info'9ation 3e9an3e3 in8ol8es 9ilita'; o' 3iplo9atic sec'ets, close3.3oo' Cabinet 9eetin4s, etc.K The pa'ticula' 4'oun3 9ust onl; be specifie3. The enu9e'ation is not e8en inten3e3 to be co9p'ehensi8e.K6)"7 The follo5in4 state9ent of 4'oun3s satisfies the 'e?ui'e9ent/ The conteDt in 5hich eDecuti8e p'i8ile4e is bein4 in8o@e3 is that the info'9ation sou4ht to be 3isclose3 9i4ht i9pai' ou' 3iplo9atic as 5ell as econo9ic 'elations 5ith the PeopleEs Republic of China. i8en the confi3ential natu'e in 5hich these info'9ation 5e'e con8e;e3 to the P'esi3ent, he cannot p'o8i3e the Co99ittee an; fu'the' 3etails of these con8e'sations, 5ithout 3isclosin4 the 8e'; thin4 the p'i8ile4e is 3esi4ne3 to p'otect.

At an; 'ate, as hel3 fu'the' in Senate 8. E'9ita, 6)C7 the Con4'ess 9ust not 'e?ui'e the eDecuti8e to state the 'easons fo' the clai9 5ith such pa'ticula'it; as to co9pel 3isclosu'e of the info'9ation 5hich the p'i8ile4e is 9eant to p'otect. This is a 9atte' of 'espect to a coo'3inate an3 co.e?ual 3epa't9ent. Respon3ent Co99ittees Co99itte3 II 'a8e Abuse of ,isc'etion in Issuin4 the Conte9pt O'3e'

'a8e abuse of 3isc'etion 9eans Jsuch cap'icious an3 5hi9sical eDe'cise of Au349ent as is e?ui8alent to lac@ of Au'is3iction, o', in othe' 5o'3s 5he'e the po5e' is eDe'cise3 in an a'bit'a'; o' 3espotic 9anne' b; 'eason of passion o' pe'sonal hostilit; an3 it 9ust be so patent an3 4'oss as to a9ount to an e8asion of positi8e 3ut; o' to a 8i'tual 'efusal to pe'fo'9 the 3ut; enAoine3 o' to act at all in conte9plation of la5.K6$#7 It 9ust be 'eite'ate3 that 5hen 'espon3ent Co99ittees issue3 the sho5 cause Lette' 3ate3 No8e9be' ((, (##:, petitione' 'eplie3 i99e3iatel;, 9anifestin4 that it 5as not his intention to i4no'e the Senate hea'in4 an3 that he thou4ht the onl; 'e9ainin4 ?uestions 5e'e the th'ee <&= ?uestions he clai9e3 to be co8e'e3 b; eDecuti8e p'i8ile4e. In a33ition the'eto, he sub9itte3 Att;. BautistaEs lette', statin4 that his non.appea'ance 5as upon the o'3e' of the P'esi3ent an3 specif;in4 the 'easons 5h; his con8e'sations 5ith P'esi3ent A''o;o a'e co8e'e3 b; eDecuti8e p'i8ile4e. Both co''espon3ences inclu3e an eDp'ession of his 5illin4ness to testif; a4ain, p'o8i3e3 he Jbe fu'nishe3 in a38anceK copies of the ?uestions. Githout 'espon3in4 to his 'e?uest fo' a38ance list of ?uestions, 'espon3ent Co99ittees issue3 the O'3e' 3ate3 2anua'; &#, (##", citin4 hi9 in conte9pt of 'espon3ent Co99ittees an3 o'3e'in4 his a''est an3 3etention at the Office of the Senate Se'4eant. At.A'9s until such ti9e that he 5oul3 appea' an3 4i8e his testi9on;. The'eupon, petitione' file3 a 9otion fo' 'econsi3e'ation, info'9in4 'espon3ent Co99ittees that he ha3 file3 the p'esent petition fo' certiorari. Respon3ent Co99ittees co99itte3 4'a8e abuse of 3isc'etion in issuin4 the conte9pt O'3e' in 8ie5 of fi8e <)= 'easons. First, the'e bein4 a le4iti9ate clai9 of eDecuti8e p'i8ile4e, the issuance of the conte9pt O'3e' suffe's f'o9 constitutional infi'9it;. Second, 'espon3ent Co99ittees 3i3 not co9pl; 5ith the 'e?ui'e9ent lai3 3o5n in Senate 8s. E'9ita that the in8itations shoul3 contain the Jpossible nee3e3 statute 5hich p'o9pte3 the nee3 fo' the in?ui';,K alon4 5ith Jthe usual in3ication of the subAect of in?ui'; an3 the ?uestions 'elati8e to an3 in fu'the'ance the'eof.K Co9pliance 5ith this 'e?ui'e9ent is i9pe'ati8e, both un3e' Sections (! an3 (( of A'ticle -I of the Constitution. This 9ust be so to ensu'e that the 'i4hts of both pe'sons appea'in4 in o' affecte3 b; such in?ui'; a'e 'especte3 as 9an3ate3 b; sai3 Section (! an3 b; 8i'tue of the eDp'ess lan4ua4e of Section ((. Unfo'tunatel;, 3espite petitione'Es 'epeate3 3e9an3s, 'espon3ent Co99ittees 3i3 not sen3 hi9 a38ance list of ?uestions. Third, a 'ea3in4 of the t'ansc'ipt of 'espon3ent Co99itteesE 2anua'; &#, (##" p'ocee3in4 'e8eals that onl; a 9ino'it; of the 9e9be's of the Senate Blue Ribbon Co99ittee 5e'e p'esent 3u'in4 the 3elibe'ation. 6$!7 Section !" of the Rules of P'oce3u'e o8e'nin4 In?ui'ies in Ai3 of Le4islation p'o8i3es that/ JThe Co99ittee, b; a 8ote of 9aAo'it; of all its 9e9be's, 9a; punish fo' conte9pt an; 5itness befo'e it 5ho 3isobe; an; o'3e' of the Co99ittee o' 'efuses to be s5o'n o' to testif; o' to ans5e' p'ope' ?uestions b; the Co99ittee o' an; of its 9e9be's.K Clea'l;, the nee3e3 8ote is a 9aAo'it; of all the 9e9be's of the Co99ittee. Appa'entl;, 9e9be's 5ho 3i3 not actuall; pa'ticipate in the 3elibe'ation 5e'e 9a3e to si4n the conte9pt O'3e'. Thus, the'e is a clou3 of 3oubt as to the 8ali3it; of the conte9pt O'3e' 3ate3 2anua'; &#, (##". Ge ?uote

the pe'tinent po'tion of the t'ansc'ipt, thus/ T0E C0AIRMAN <SEN. CA*ETANO, A=. +o' cla'ification. D D D The Chai' 5ill call eithe' a caucus o' 5ill as@ the Co99ittee on Rules if the'e is a p'oble9. Meanin4, if 5e 3o not ha8e the sufficient nu9be's. But if 5e ha8e a sufficient nu9be', 5e 5ill Aust hol3 a caucus to be able to i9ple9ent that 'i4ht a5a; becausePA4ain, ou' Rules p'o8i3e that an; one hel3 in conte9pt an3 o'3e'e3 a''este3, nee3 the concu''ence of a 9aAo'it; of all 9e9be's of the sai3 co99ittee an3 5e ha8e th'ee co99ittees con3uctin4 this. So than@ ;ou 8e'; 9uch to the 9e9be'sP SEN. PIMENTEL. M'. Chai'9an. T0E C0AIRMAN <SEN. CA*ETANO,A=. Ma; I 'eco4niLe the Mino'it; Lea3e' an3 4i8e hi9 the floo', Senato' Pi9entel. SEN. PIMENTEL. M'. Chai'9an, the'e is no p'oble9, I thin@, 5ith consultin4 the othe' co99ittees. But I a9 of the opinion that the Blue Ribbon Co99ittee is the lea3 co99ittee, an3 the'efo'e, it shoul3 ha8e p'efe'ence in enfo'cin4 its o5n 3ecisions. Meanin4 to sa;, it is not so9ethin4 that is subAect to consultation 5ith othe' co99ittees. I a9 not su'e that is the 'i4ht inte'p'etation. I thin@ that once 5e 3eci3e he'e, 5e enfo'ce 5hat 5e 3eci3e, because othe'5ise, befo'e 5e @no5 it, ou' 3ete'9ination is 5ate'e3 3o5n b; 3ela; an3, ;ou @no5, the so.calle3 JconsultationK that ine8itabl; 5ill ha8e to ta@e place if 5e follo5 the p'e9ise that has been eDplaine3. So 9; su44estion, M'. Chai'9an, is the Blue Ribbon Co99ittee shoul3 not fo'4et itEs the lea3 co99ittee he'e, an3 the'efo'e, the 5ill of the lea3 co99ittee p'e8ails o8e' all the othe', ;ou, @no5 'ese'8ations that othe' co99ittees 9i4ht ha8e 5ho a'e onl; secon3a'; o' e8en te'tia'; co99ittees, M'. Chai'9an. T0E C0AIRMAN <SEN. CA*ETANO, A.= Than@ ;ou 8e'; 9uch to the Mino'it; Lea3e'. An3 I a4'ee 5ith the 5is3o9 of his state9ents. I 5as 9e'el; 9entionin4 that un3e' Section $ of the Rules of the Co99ittee an3 un3e' Section $, JThe Co99ittee b; a 8ote of a 9aAo'it; of all its 9e9be's 9a; punish fo' conte9pt an; 5itness befo'e it 5ho 3isobe;s an; o'3e' of the Co99ittee.K So the Blue Ribbon Co99ittee is 9o'e than 5illin4 to ta@e that 'esponsibilit;. But 5e onl; ha8e siD 9e9be's he'e to3a;, I a9 the se8enth as chai' an3 so 5e ha8e not 9et that nu9be'. So I a9 9e'el; statin4 that, si', that 5hen 5e 5ill p'epa'e the 3ocu9entation, if a 9aAo'it; of all 9e9be's si4n an3 I a9 follo5in4 the Sabio 8. o'3on 'ule 5he'ein I 3o belie8e, if I a9 not 9ista@en, Chai'9an o'3on p'epa'e3 the 3ocu9entation an3 then eithe' in caucus o' in session as@e3 the othe' 9e9be's to si4n. An3 once the si4natu'es a'e obtaine3, solel; fo' the pu'pose that Sec'eta'; Ne'i o' M'. LoLa3a 5ill not be able to le4all; ?uestion ou' subpoena as bein4 insufficient in acco'3ance 5ith la5. SEN. PIMENTEL. M'. Chai'9an, the caution that the chai' is su44estin4 is 8e'; 5ell.ta@en. But IE3 li@e to a38e't to the fact that the ?uo'u9 of the co99ittee is onl; t5o as fa' as I 'e9e9be'. An; t5o.9e9be' senato's atten3in4 a Senate co99ittee hea'in4 p'o8i3e that ?uo'u9, an3 the'efo'e the'e is 9o'e than a ?uo'u9 3e9an3e3 b; ou' Rules as fa' as 5e a'e conce'ne3 no5, an3 actin4 as Blue Ribbon Co99ittee, as Senato' En'ile pointe3 out. In an; e8ent, the si4natu'es that 5ill follo5 b; the a33itional 9e9be's 5ill onl; ten3 to st'en4then the 3ete'9ination of this Co99ittee to put its foot fo'5a'3 R put 3o5n on 5hat is happenin4 in this count';, M'. Chai'9an, because it 'eall; loo@s te''ible if the p'i9a'; Co99ittee of the Senate, 5hich is the Blue 'ibbon Co99ittee, cannot e8en sanction people 5ho openl; 3ef;, ;ou @no5, the su99ons of this Co99ittee. I @no5 that the Chai' is 4oin4 th'ou4h an a4oniLin4 9o9ent he'e. I @no5 that. But nonetheless, I thin@ 5e ha8e to uphol3, ;ou @no5, the institution that 5e a'e 'ep'esentin4 because the alte'nati8e 5ill be a 3isaste' fo' all of us, M'. Chai'9an. So ha8in4 sai3 that, IE3 li@e to 'eite'ate 9; point.

T0E C0AIRMAN <SEN. CA*ETANO, A.= +i'st of all, I a4'ee !## pe'cent 5ith the intentions of the Mino'it; Lea3e'. But let 9e 8e'; 'espectfull; 3isa4'ee 5ith the le4al 'e?ui'e9ents. Because, ;es, 5e can ha8e a hea'in4 if 5e a'e onl; t5o but both un3e' section !" of the Rules of the Senate an3 un3e' Section $ of the Rules of the Blue Ribbon Co99ittee, the'e is a nee3 fo' a 9aAo'it; of all 9e9be's if it is a case of conte9pt an3 a''est. So, I a9 si9pl; t';in4 to a8oi3 the cou't 'ebu@in4 the Co99ittee, 5hich 5ill instea3 of st'en4thenin4 5ill 5ea@en us. But I 3o a4'ee, M'. Mino'it; Lea3e', that 5e shoul3 push fo' this an3 sho5 the eDecuti8e b'anch that the 5ell.3eci3e3 R the issue has been 3eci3e3 upon the Sabio 8e'sus o'3on case. An3 itEs 8e'; clea' that 5e a'e all allo5e3 to call 5itnesses. An3 if the; 'efu'e o' the; 3isobe; not onl; can 5e cite the9 in conte9pt an3 ha8e the9 a''este3. D D D 6$(7 Fourth, 5e fin3 9e'it in the a'4u9ent of the OS that 'espon3ent Co99ittees li@e5ise 8iolate3 Section (! of A'ticle -I of the Constitution, 'e?ui'in4 that the in?ui'; be in acco'3ance 5ith the J3ul; publishe3 'ules of p'oce3u'e.K Ge ?uote the OS Es eDplanation/ The ph'ase J3ul; publishe3 'ules of p'oce3u'eK 'e?ui'es the Senate of e8e'; Con4'ess to publish its 'ules of p'oce3u'e 4o8e'nin4 in?ui'ies in ai3 of le4islation because e8e'; Senate is 3istinct f'o9 the one befo'e it o' afte' it. Since Senato'ial elections a'e hel3 e8e'; th'ee <&= ;ea's fo' one.half of the SenateEs 9e9be'ship, the co9position of the Senate also chan4es b; the en3 of each te'9. Each Senate 9a; thus enact a 3iffe'ent set of 'ules as it 9a; 3ee9, fit. Not ha8in4 publishe3 its Rules of P'oce3u'e, the subAect hea'in4s in ai3 of le4islation con3ucte3 b; the !%th Senate, a'e the'efo'e, p'oce3u'all; infi'9. An3 Fifth, 'espon3ent Co99itteesE issuance of the conte9pt O'3e' is a'bit'a'; an3 p'ecipitate. It 9ust be pointe3 out that 'espon3ent Co99ittees 3i3 not fi'st pass upon the clai9 of eDecuti8e p'i8ile4e an3 info'9 petitione' of thei' 'ulin4. Instea3, the; cu'tl; 3is9isse3 his eDplanation as Junsatisfacto';K an3 si9ultaneousl; issue3 the O'3e' citin4 hi9 in conte9pt an3 o'3e'in4 his i99e3iate a''est an3 3etention. A fact 5o'th hi4hli4htin4 is that petitione' is not an un5illin4 5itness. 0e 9anifeste3 se8e'al ti9es his 'ea3iness to testif; befo'e 'espon3ent Co99ittees. 0e 'efuse3 to ans5e' the th'ee <&= ?uestions because he 5as o'3e'e3 b; the P'esi3ent to clai9 eDecuti8e p'i8ile4e. It behoo8es 'espon3ent Co99ittees to fi'st 'ule on the clai9 of eDecuti8e p'i8ile4e an3 info'9 petitione' of thei' fin3in4 the'eon, instea3 of pe'e9pto'il; 3is9issin4 his eDplanation as Junsatisfacto';.K Un3oubte3l;, 'espon3ent Co99itteesE actions constitute 4'a8e abuse of 3isc'etion fo' bein4 a'bit'a'; an3 fo' 3en;in4 petitione' 3ue p'ocess of la5. The sa9e?ualit; afflicte3 thei' con3uct 5hen the; <a= 3is'e4a'3e3 petitione'Es 9otion fo' 'econsi3e'ation alle4in4 that he ha3 file3 the p'esent petition befo'e this Cou't an3 <b= i4no'e3 petitione'Es 'epeate3 'e?uest fo' a38ance list of ?uestions, if the'e be an; asi3e f'o9 the th'ee <&= ?uestions as to 5hich he clai9e3 to be co8e'e3 b; eDecuti8e p'i8ile4e. E8en the cou'ts a'e 'epeate3l; a38ise3 to eDe'cise the po5e' of conte9pt Au3iciousl; an3 spa'in4l; 5ith ut9ost self.'est'aint 5ith the en3 in 8ie5 of utiliLin4 the sa9e fo' co''ection an3 p'ese'8ation of the 3i4nit; of the cou't, not fo' 'etaliation o' 8in3ication.6$&7 Respon3ent Co99ittees shoul3 ha8e eDe'cise3 the sa9e 'est'aint, afte' all petitione' is not e8en an o'3ina'; 5itness. 0e hol3s a hi4h position in a co.e?ual b'anch of 4o8e'n9ent. In this 'e4a'3, it is i9po'tant to 9ention that 9an; inci3ents of Au3icial 'e8ie5 coul3 ha8e been a8oi3e3 if po5e's a'e 3ischa'4e3 5ith ci'cu9spection an3 3efe'ence. Conco9itant 5ith the 3oct'ine of sepa'ation of po5e's is the 9an3ate to obse'8e 'espect to a co.e?ual b'anch of the 4o8e'n9ent. One last 5o'3. The Cou't 5as accuse3 of atte9ptin4 to aban3on its constitutional 3ut; 5hen it 'e?ui'e3 the pa'ties to consi3e' a p'oposal that 5oul3 lea3 to a possible co9p'o9ise. The accusation is fa' f'o9 t'uth. The Cou't 3i3 so, onl;, to test a tool that othe' Au'is3ictions fin3 to be effecti8e in settlin4 si9ila' cases, to a8oi3 a piece9eal consi3e'ation of the ?uestions fo' 'e8ie5, an3 to a8e't a constitutional

c'isis bet5een the eDecuti8e an3 le4islati8e b'anches of 4o8e'n9ent. In Unite3 States 8. A9e'ican Tel. S Tel Co.,6$%7 the cou't 'ef'aine3 f'o9 3eci3in4 the case because of its 3esi'e to a8oi3 a 'esolution that 9i4ht 3istu'b the balance of po5e' bet5een the t5o b'anches an3 inaccu'atel; 'eflect thei' t'ue nee3s. Instea3, it 'e9an3e3 the 'eco'3 to the ,ist'ict Cou't fo' fu'the' p'ocee3in4s 3u'in4 5hich the pa'ties a'e 'e?ui'e3 to ne4otiate a settle9ent. In the subse?uent case Unite3 States 8. A9e'ican Tel. STel Co.,6$)7 it 5as hel3 that J9uch of this spi'it of co9p'o9ise is 'eflecte3 in the 4ene'alit; of lan4ua4e foun3 in the Constitution.K It p'ocee3e3 to state/ Un3e' this 8ie5, the coo'3inate b'anches 3o not eDist in an eDclusi8el; a38e'sa'; 'elationship to one anothe' 5hen a conflict in autho'it; a'ises. Rathe' each b'anch shoul3 ta@e co4niLance of an i9plicit constitutional 9an3ate to see@ opti9al acco99o3ation th'ou4h a 'ealistic e8aluation of the nee3s of the conflictin4 b'anches in the pa'ticula' fact situation. It the'eafte' conclu3e3 that/ JThe Sepa'ation of Po5e's often i9pai's efficienc;, in te'9s of 3ispatch an3 the i99e3iate functionin4 of 4o8e'n9ent. It is the lon4.te'9 sta;in4 po5e' of 4o8e'n9ent that is enhance3 b; the 9utual acco99o3ation 'e?ui'e3 b; the sepa'ation of po5e's.K In 'en3e'in4 this 3ecision, the Cou't e9phasiLes once 9o'e that the basic p'inciples of constitutional la5 cannot be subo'3inate3 to the nee3s of a pa'ticula' situation. As 9a4ist'ates, ou' 9an3ate is to 'ule obAecti8el; an3 3ispassionatel;, al5a;s 9in3ful of M'. 2ustice 0ol9esE 5a'nin4 on the 3an4e's inhe'ent in cases of this natu'e, thus/ Jso9e acci3ent of i99e3iate an3 o8e'5hel9in4 inte'estPappeals to the feelin4s an3 3isto'ts the Au349ent. These i99e3iate inte'ests eDe'cise a @in3 of h;3'aulic p'essu'e 5hich 9a@es 5hat p'e8iousl; 5as clea' see9 3oubtful, an3 befo'e 5hich e8en 5ell settle3 p'inciples of la5 5ill ben3.K6$$7 In this p'esent c'usa3e to Jsea'ch fo' t'uth,K 5e shoul3 tu'n to the fun3a9ental constitutional p'inciples 5hich un3e'lie ou' t'ipa'tite s;ste9 of 4o8e'n9ent, 5he'e the Le4islatu'e enacts the la5, the 2u3icia'; inte'p'ets it an3 the EDecuti8e i9ple9ents it. The; a'e consi3e'e3 sepa'ate, co.e?ual, coo'3inate an3 sup'e9e 5ithin thei' 'especti8e sphe'es but, i9bue3 5ith a s;ste9 of chec@s an3 balances to p'e8ent un5a''ante3 eDe'cise of po5e'. The Cou'tEs 9an3ate is to p'ese'8e these constitutional p'inciples at all ti9es to @eep the political b'anches of 4o8e'n9ent 5ithin constitutional boun3s in the eDe'cise of thei' 'especti8e po5e's an3 p'e'o4ati8es, e8en if it be in the sea'ch fo' t'uth. This is the onl; 5a; 5e can p'ese'8e the stabilit; of ou' 3e9oc'atic institutions an3 uphol3 the Rule of La5. G0ERE+ORE, the petition is he'eb; RANTE,. The subAect O'3e' 3ate3 2anua'; &#, (##", citin4 petitione' Ro9ulo L. Ne'i in conte9pt of the Senate Co99ittees an3 3i'ectin4 his a''est an3 3etention, is he'eb; nullifie3. SO OR,ERE,. TERESITA 2. LEONAR,O ,E CASTRO Associate Justice GE CONCUR/ RE*NATO S. PUNO Chief Justice LEONAR,O A. FUISUMBIN

Associate Justice CONSUELO *NARES.SANTIA O Associate Justice ANTONIO T. CARPIO Associate Justice MA. ALICIA AUSTRIA.MARTINE1 Associate Justice RENATO C. CORONA Associate Justice CONC0ITA CARPIO MORALES Associate Justice A,OL+O S. A1CUNA Associate Justice ,ANTE O. TIN A Associate Justice MINITA -. C0ICO.NA1ARIO Associate Justice PRESBITERO 2. -ELASCO, 2R. Associate Justice ANTONIO E,UAR,O B. NAC0URA Associate Justice RUBEN T. RE*ES Associate Justice ARTURO ,. BRION Associate Justice

CERTI+ICATION
Pu'suant to Section !&, A'ticle -III of the Constitution, I ce'tif; that the conclusions in the abo8e 3ecision ha3 been 'eache3 in consultation befo'e the case 5as assi4ne3 to the 5'ite' of the opinion of the Cou't. RE*NATO S. PUNO Chief Justice

+ootnotes/ 6!7 Rollo, pp. !(.!%.

6(7 Rollo, pp. ")."$. Th'ou4h the Supple9ental Petition fo' Ce'tio'a'i <Gith U'4ent Application fo' Te9po'a'; Rest'ainin4 O'3e'MP'eli9ina'; InAunction=. 6&7 Chai'e3 b; 0on. Senato' Alan Pete' S. Ca;etano. 6%7 Chai'e3 b; 0on. Senato' Manuel A. RoDas II. 6)7 Chai'e3 b; 0on. Senato' Ro3olfo . BiaLon.

6$7 T'ansc'ipt of the Septe9be' ($, (##: 0ea'in4 of the 'espon3ent Co99ittees, pp.C!.C(. 6:7 I3., pp. !!%.!!). 6"7 I3., pp. (:$.(::. 6C7 See Lette' 3ate3 2anua'; &#, (##". 6!#7 %"" SCRA ! <(##$=. 6!!7 &%) U.S. ! <!C)&=. 6!(7 Section :. P'ohibite3 Acts an3 T'ansactions. R In a33ition to acts an3 o9issions of public officials an3 e9plo;ees no5 p'esc'ibe3 in the Constitution an3 eDistin4 la5s, the follo5in4 shall constitute p'ohibite3 acts an3 t'ansactions of an; public official an3 e9plo;ee an3 a'e he'eb; 3ecla'e3 to be unla5ful/ D D D <c= ,isclosu'e an3Mo' 9isuse of confi3ential info'9ation. . Public officials an3 e9plo;ees shall not use o' 3i8ul4e, confi3ential o' classifie3 info'9ation officiall; @no5n to the9 b; 'eason of thei' office an3 not 9a3e a8ailable to the public, eithe'/ <!= To fu'the' thei' p'i8ate inte'ests, o' 4i8e un3ue a38anta4e to an;oneI o' <(= To p'eAu3ice the public inte'est. 6!&7 SEC. (%. ,is?ualification b; 'eason of p'i8ile4e3 co99unication. R The follo5in4 pe'sons cannot testif; as to 9atte's lea'ne3 in confi3ence in the follo5in4 cases. <e= A public office' cannot be eDa9ine3 3u'in4 his te'9 of office o' afte'5a'3s, as to co99unications 9a3e to hi9 in official confi3ence, 5hen the cou't fin3s that the public inte'est 5oul3 suffe' b; 3isclosu'e. 6!%7 TSN of the O'al A'4u9ent, Ma'ch %, (##", p. %)). 6!)7 <!= Minutes of all 9eetin4s of the th'ee <&= co99ittees hel3 in 2anua'; an3 +eb'ua';, (##"I <(= Notice fo' Aoint 9eetin4 of th'ee <&= co99ittees hel3 on &# 2anua'; (##" 3ul; 'ecei8e3 b; the 9e9be's of the co99itteesI <&= Minute Boo@s of the th'ee <&= co99itteesI <%= Co9position of the th'ee <&= co99itteesI an3 <)= Othe' 3ocu9ents 'e?ui'e3 of the9 in the cou'se of the o'al a'4u9ent. 6!$7 See Manifestation, 'ollo, pp.!:#.!:%. 6!:7 6!"7 .R. No. !$C:::, Ap'il (#, (##$ <%"" SCRA !=. .R. No. !$C:::, Ap'il (#, (##$ <%"" SCRA !=.

6!C7 Ibi3. 6(#7 Ibi3.

6(!7 A'nault 8. NaLa'eno, ": Phil &( <!C)#= 6((7 Senate 8. E'9ita, p. )". 6(&7 ) U.S. C. T ))( 6(%7 )! U.S. C. app. 6()7 %&& Phil. )#$ <(##(=. 6($7 .R. No. !&#:!$, ,ece9be' C, !CC". <&$# SCRA !&( =.

6(:7 Sup'a. 6("7 CRS Repo't fo' Con4'ess, P'esi3ential Clai9s of EDecuti8e P'i8ile4e/ 0isto';, La5, P'actice an3 Recent ,e8elop9ents at p. (. 6(C7 %!" U.S. $"&. 6&#7 In 'e/ Seale3 Case No. C$.&!(%, 2une !:, !CC:. 6&!7 I3. 6&(7 CRS Repo't fo' Con4'ess, P'esi3ential Clai9s of EDecuti8e P'i8ile4e/ 0isto';, La5, P'actice an3 Recent ,e8elop9ents at pp. !".!C. 6&&7 &$) +.&3 !!#", &$! U.S.App.,.C. !"&, $% +e3. R. E8i3. Se'8. !%! 6&%7 See Unite3 States 8. Re;nol3s, &%) U.S. !, $." <!C)&=I Chica4o 8. Ai'lines, Inc. 8. Gate'9an Stea9ship Co'p., &&& U.S. !#&, !!!I Totten 8. Unite3 States, C( U.S. !#), !#$.!#: <!":)=. 6&)7 Ro8ia'o 8. Unite3 States, &)& U.S. )&, )C.$!. 6&$7 See +'ie39an 8. Bache 0alse; Stua't Shiel3s, Inc. :&" +. (3 !&&$,!&%!.%& <,.C. Ci'. !C"%=. 6&:7 !% +. Supp. (&#, (CC U.S. &#% <!C&$=. 6&"7 &$# Phil. !&& <!CC"=. 6&C7 &!% Phil. !)# <!CC)=. 6%#7 Section !", A'ticle -II. 6%!7 Section !$, A'ticle -II. 6%(7 Section !C, A'ticle -II. 6%&7 Section (# an3 (!, A'ticle -II. 6%%7 CRS Repo't fo' Con4'ess, P'esi3ential Clai9s of EDecuti8e P'i8ile4e/ 0isto';, La5 P'actice an3 Recent ,e8elop9ents, sup'a.. 6%)7 Be'nas, S.2., The !C": Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines, A Co99enta';, (##& E3. p. C#&.

6%$7 !)C U.S. App. ,C. )", %": +. (3 :## <,.C. Ci'. !C:&=. 6%:7 U.S. 8. NiDon, %!" U.S. $"& <!C:%= 6%"7 Sup'a. 6%C7 %C" +. (3 :() <,.C. Ci'.!C:%=. 6)#7 Citin4 Section :, A'ticle & of the Constitution. 6)!7 Section :. P'ohibite3 Acts an3 T'ansactions. R In a33ition to acts an3 o9issions of public officials an3 e9plo;ees no5 p'esc'ibe3 in the Constitution an3 eDistin4 la5s, the follo5in4 shall constitute p'ohibite3 acts an3 t'ansactions of an; public official an3 e9plo;ee an3 a'e he'eb; 3ecla'e3 to be unla5ful/ D D D U<c= ,isclosu'e an3Mo' 9isuse of confi3ential info'9ation. . Public officials an3 e9plo;ees shall not use o' 3i8ul4e, confi3ential o' classifie3 info'9ation officiall; @no5n to the9 b; 'eason of thei' office an3 not 9a3e a8ailable to the public, eithe'/ <!= <(= To fu'the' thei' p'i8ate inte'ests, o' 4i8e un3ue a38anta4e to an;oneI o' To p'eAu3ice the public inte'est.K

6)(7 A'ticle ((C. Re8elation of sec'ets b; an office'. R An; public office' 5ho shall 'e8eal an; sec'et @no5n to hi9 b; 'eason of his official capacit;, o' shall 5'on4full; 3eli8e' pape's o' copies of pape's of 5hich he 9a; ha8e cha'4e an3 5hich shoul3 not be publishe3, shall suffe' the penalties of p'ision co''eccional in its 9e3iu9 an3 9aDi9u9 pe'io3s, pe'petual special 3is?ualification an3 a fine not eDcee3in4 (,### pesos if the 'e8elation of such sec'ets o' the 3eli8e'; of such pape's shall ha8e cause3 se'ious 3a9a4e to the public inte'estI othe'5ise, the penalties of p'ision co''eccional in its 9ini9u9 pe'io3, te9po'a'; special 3is?ualification an3 a fine not eDcee3in4 )## pesos shall be i9pose3. 6)&7 Section &. Co''upt p'actices of public office's. R In a33ition to acts o' o9issions of public office's al'ea3; penaliLe3 b; eDistin4 la5, the follo5in4 shall constitute co''upt p'actices of an; public office' an3 a'e he'eb; 3ecla'e3 to be unla5ful/ <@= ,i8ul4in4 8aluable info'9ation of a confi3ential cha'acte', ac?ui'e3 b; his office o' b; hi9 on account of his official position to unautho'iLe3 pe'sons, o' 'eleasin4 such info'9ation in a38ance of its autho'iLe3 'elease 3ate. 6)%7 Sec. (%. ,is?ualification b; 'eason of p'i8ile4e3 co99unications. R The follo5in4 pe'sons cannot testif; as to 9atte's lea'ne3 in confi3ence in the follo5in4 case/ D D D <a= A public office' cannot be eDa9ine3 3u'in4 his te'9 of office o' afte'5a'3s, as to co99unications 9a3e to hi9 in official confi3ence, 5hen the cou't fin3s that the public inte'est 5oul3 suffe' b; the 3isclosu'e. 6))7 In Cha8eL 8. Public Estates Autho'it;, sup'a., the Sup'e9e Cou't 'eco4niLe3 9atte's 5hich the Cou't has lon4 consi3e'e3 as confi3ential such as Jinfo'9ation on 9ilita'; an3 3iplo9atic sec'ets, info'9ation affectin4 national secu'it;, an3 info'9ation on in8esti4ations of c'i9es b; la5 enfo'ce9ent a4encies befo'e the p'osecution of the accuse3.K It also state3 that Jp'esi3ential con8e'sations, co''espon3ences, o' 3iscussions 3u'in4 close.3oo' cabinet 9eetin4s 5hich, li@e inte'nal 3elibe'ations of the Sup'e9e cou't o' othe' colle4iate cou'ts, o' eDecuti8e sessions of eithe' 0ouse of Con4'ess, a'e 'eco4niLe3 as confi3ential. Such info'9ation cannot be p'ie3.open b; a co. e?ual b'anch of 4o8e'n9ent.

6)$7 Unite3 States 8. Re;nol3s, sup'a. 6):7 Unites States 8. A'ticle of ,'u4, %& +.R.,. at !C#. 6)"7 Senate 8. E'9ita, sup'a., p. $&. 6)C7 I3., citin4 U.S. 8. Re;nol3s, &%) U.S. !, :& S. Ct. )(", C: L. E3. :(:, &( A.L. R. (3 &"( <!C)&=. 6$#7 +'ee3o9 f'o9 ,ebt Coalition 8. Ene'4; Re4ulato'; Co99ission, (##%. 6$!7 T'anc'ipt of the 2anua'; &#, (##" p'ocee3in4s, p. (C. 6$(7 T'anc'ipt of the 2anua'; &#, (##" P'ocee3in4 of the 'espon3ent Senate Co99ittees, pp. ($.&!. 6$&7 Ro3'i4ueL 8s. 2u34e Bonifacio, A.M. No. RT2.CC.!)!#. No8e9be' $, (###, &%% SCRA )!C. 6$%7 !:C U.S. App. Supp. ,.C. !C", ))! + (3. &"% <!C:$= 6$)7 )$: + (3 !(! <!C::=. 6$$7 No'the'n Secu'ities Co. 8. Unite3 States, !C& U.S. !C:, %" L. E3. $:C, (% S Ct. %&$ <!C#%=. .R. No. !$!!!&. 2une !),