G.R. No. 171396 May 3, 2006 PROF. RANDOLF S. DAVID, LORENZO TAADA III, RONALD LLAMAS, H. HARR L. RO!

"E, #R., #OEL R"IZ $"T" AN, ROGER R. RA EL, GAR S. MALLARI, ROMEL REGALADO $AGARES, %HRISTOPHER F.%. $OLASTIG, Petitioners, vs. GLORIA MA%APAGAL&ARRO O, AS PRESIDENT AND %OMMANDER&IN&%HIEF, E'E%"TIVE SE%RETAR ED"ARDO ERMITA, HON. AVELINO %R"Z II, SE%RETAR OF NATIONAL DEFENSE, GENERAL GENEROSO SENGA, %HIEF OF STAFF, ARMED FOR%ES OF THE PHILIPPINES, DIRE%TOR GENERAL ART"RO LOMI$AO, %HIEF, PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLI%E, Respondents. x-------------------------------------x G.R. No. 171(09 May 3, 2006 NIEZ %A%HO&OLIVARES AND TRI$"NE P"$LISHING %O., IN%., Petitioners, vs. HONORA$LE SE%RETAR ED"ARDO ERMITA AND HONORA$LE DIRE%TOR GENERAL ART"RO %. LOMI$AO, Respondents. x-------------------------------------x G.R. No. 171()* May 3, 2006 FRAN%IS #OSEPH G. ES%"DERO, #OSEPH A. SANTIAGO, TEODORO A. %ASINO, AGAPITO A. A!"INO, MARIO #. AG"#A, SAT"R %. O%AMPO, M"#IV S. HATAMAN, #"AN EDGARDO ANGARA, TEOFISTO DL. G"INGONA III, EMMAN"EL #OSEL #. VILLAN"EVA, LIZA L. MAZA, IMEE R. MAR%OS, RENATO $. MAGT"$O, #"STIN MAR% S$. %HIPE%O, ROILO GOLEZ, DARLENE ANTONINO&%"STODIO, LORETTA ANN P. ROSALES, #OSEL G. VIRADOR, RAFAEL V. MARIANO, GIL$ERT %. REM"LLA, FLOREN%IO G. NOEL, ANA THERESIA HONTIVEROS& $ARA!"EL, IMELDA %. NI%OLAS, MARVI% M.V.F. LEONEN, NERI #AVIER %OLMENARES, MOVEMENT OF %ON%ERNED %ITIZENS FOR %IVIL LI$ERTIES REPRESENTED $ AMADO GAT IN%IONG, Petitioners, vs. ED"ARDO R. ERMITA, E'E%"TIVE SE%RETAR , AVELINO #. %R"Z, #R., SE%RETAR , DND RONALDO V. P"NO, SE%RETAR , DILG, GENEROSO SENGA, AFP %HIEF OF STAFF, ART"RO LOMI$AO, %HIEF PNP, Respondents. x-------------------------------------x G.R. No. 171()3 May 3, 2006 +IL"SANG MA O "NO, REPRESENTED $ ITS %HAIRPERSON ELMER %. LA$OG AND SE%RETAR GENERAL #OEL MAGL"NSOD, NATIONAL FEDERATION OF LA$OR "NIONS , +IL"SANG MA O "NO -NAFL"&+M"., REPRESENTED $ ITS NATIONAL PRESIDENT, #OSELITO V. "STAREZ, ANTONIO %. PAS%"AL, SALVADOR T. %ARRANZA, EMILIA P. DAP"LANG, MARTIN %"STODIO, #R., AND RO!"E M. TAN,Petitioners, vs. HER E'%ELLEN% , PRESIDENT GLORIA MA%APAGAL&ARRO O, THE HONORA$LE E'E%"TIVE SE%RETAR , ED"ARDO ERMITA, THE %HIEF OF STAFF, ARMED FOR%ES OF THE PHILIPPINES, GENEROSO SENGA, AND THE PNP DIRE%TOR GENERAL, ART"RO LOMI$AO, Respondents. x-------------------------------------x G.R. No. 171(00 May 3, 2006 ALTERNATIVE LA/ GRO"PS, IN%. -ALG., Petitioner, vs. E'E%"TIVE SE%RETAR ED"ARDO R. ERMITA, LT. GEN. GENEROSO SENGA, AND DIRE%TOR GENERAL ART"RO LOMI$AO, Respondents. G.R. No. 171()9 May 3, 2006 #OSE ANSELMO I. %ADIZ, FELI%IANO M. $A"TISTA, ROM"LO R. RIVERA, #OSE AMOR M. AMORADO, ALI%IA A. RISOS&VIDAL, FELIMON %. A$ELITA III, MAN"EL P. LEGASPI, #.$. #OV %. $ERNA$E, $ERNARD L. DAG%"TA, ROGELIO V. GAR%IA AND INTEGRATED $AR OF THE PHILIPPINES -I$P., Petitioners, vs. HON. E'E%"TIVE SE%RETAR ED"ARDO ERMITA, GENERAL GENEROSO SENGA, IN HIS %APA%IT AS AFP %HIEF OF STAFF, AND DIRE%TOR GENERAL ART"RO LOMI$AO, IN HIS %APA%IT AS PNP %HIEF, Respondents. x-------------------------------------x G.R. No. 171(2( May 3, 2006 LOREN $. LEGARDA, Petitioner, vs. GLORIA MA%APAGAL&ARRO O, IN HER %APA%IT AS PRESIDENT AND %OMMANDER&IN&%HIEF0 ART"RO LOMI$AO, IN HIS %APA%IT AS DIRE%TOR&GENERAL OF THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLI%E -PNP.0 GENEROSO SENGA, IN HIS %APA%IT AS %HIEF OF STAFF OF THE ARMED FOR%ES OF THE PHILIPPINES -AFP.0 AND ED"ARDO ERMITA, IN HIS %APA%IT AS E'E%"TIVE SE%RETAR , Respondents. DECISION SANDOVAL&G"TIERREZ, J.1 All powers need some restraint; practical ad !stments rat"er t"an ri#id $orm!la are necessar%. & S!perior stren#t" ' t"e !se o$ $orce ' cannot ma(e wron#s into ri#"ts. In t"is re#ard, t"e co!rts s"o!ld )e vi#ilant in sa$e#!ardin# t"e constit!tional ri#"ts o$ t"e citi*ens, speci$icall% t"eir li)ert%. C"ie$ +!stice Artemio ,. Pan#ani)an-s p"ilosop"% o$ li)ert% is t"!s most relevant. .e said/ 0I2 3a454 627o87629 86:5;<y, <=5 43a854 o> ?@4<635 4=o@8A B569= =5a768y a9a624< 9o75;2C52< a2A 62 >a7o; o> <=5 Doo;, <=5 oDD;5445A, <=5 Ca;962a86E5A, <=5 A64Do445445A a2A <=5 B5aF .0 1aws and actions t"at restrict $!ndamental ri#"ts come to t"e co!rts 0wit" a "eav% pres!mption a#ainst t"eir constit!tional validit%.0 2 3"ese seven 456 consolidated petitions $or certiorari and pro"i)ition alle#e t"at in iss!in# Presidential Proclamation No. &7&5 4PP &7&56 and 8eneral Order No. 9 48.O. No. 96, President 8loria :acapa#al-Arro%o committed #rave a)!se o$ discretion. Petitioners contend t"at respondent o$$icials o$ t"e 8overnment, in t"eir pro$essed e$$orts to de$end and preserve democratic instit!tions, are act!all% tramplin# !pon t"e ver% $reedom #!aranteed and protected )% t"e Constit!tion. .ence, s!c" iss!ances are void $or )ein# !nconstit!tional. Once a#ain, t"e Co!rt is $aced wit" an a#e-old )!t persistentl% modern pro)lem. How does the Constitution of a free people combine the degree of liberty, without which, law becomes tyranny, with the degree of law, without which, liberty becomes license;< On =e)r!ar% 2>, 277?, as t"e nation cele)rated t"e 27t" Anniversar% o$ t"e Edsa People Power I, President Arro%o iss!ed PP &7&5 declarin# a state o$ national emer#enc%, t"!s/ NO/, THEREFORE, I, 8loria :acapa#al-Arro%o, President o$ t"e Rep!)lic o$ t"e P"ilippines and Commander-in-C"ie$ o$ t"e Armed =orces o$ t"e P"ilippines, )% virt!e o$ t"e powers vested !pon me )% Section &@, Article 5 o$ t"e P"ilippine Constit!tion w"ic" states t"at/ 03"e President. . . w"enever it )ecomes necessar%, . . . ma% call o!t 4t"e6 armed $orces to prevent or s!ppress. . .re)ellion. . .,0 and in m% capacit% as t"eir Commander-in-C"ie$, Ao =5;5:y 3oCCa2A <=5 A;C5A Fo;354 o> <=5 P=686DD6254, <o Ca62<a62 8aB a2A o;A5; <=;o@9=o@< <=5 P=686DD6254, D;5752< o; 4@DD;544 a88 >o;C4 o> 8aB8544 76o85235 a4 B588 a4 a2y a3< o> 624@;;53<6o2 o; ;5:5886o2 a2A <o 52>o;35 o:5A65235 <o a88 <=5 8aB4 a2A <o a88 A53;554, o;A5;4 a2A ;59@8a<6o24 D;oC@89a<5A :y C5 D5;4o2a88y o; @Do2 Cy A6;53<6o2; and a4 D;o76A5A 62 S53<6o2 17, A;<6385 12 o> <=5 %o24<6<@<6o2 Ao =5;5:y A538a;5 a S<a<5 o> Na<6o2a8 EC5;9523y. S"e cited t"e $ollowin# $acts as )ases/ /HEREAS , over t"ese past mont"s, elements in t"e Do86<63a8 oDDo46<6o2 =a75 3o24D6;5A B6<= a@<=o;6<a;6a24 o> <=5 5G<;5C5 L5>< ;5D;5452<5A :y <=5 NDF&%PP&NPA a2A <=5 5G<;5C5 R69=<, ;5D;5452<5A :y C686<a;y aA752<@;64<4 , <=5 =64<o;63a8 525C654 o> <=5 A5Co3;a<63 P=686DD625 S<a<5 '

w"o are now in a tactical alliance and en#a#ed in a concerted and s%stematic conspirac%, over a )road $ront, to )rin# down t"e d!l% constit!ted 8overnment elected in :a% 277>; /HEREAS , t"ese conspirators "ave repeatedl% tried to )rin# down t"e President; /HEREAS , <=5 38a6C4 o> <=545 585C52<4 =a75 :552 ;53F85448y Ca926>65A :y 35;<a62 459C52<4 o> <=5 2a<6o2a8 C5A6a0 /HEREAS , t"is series o$ actions is "!rtin# t"e P"ilippine State ' )% o)str!ctin# #overnance incl!din# =62A5;629 <=5 9;oB<= o> <=5 53o2oCy a2A 4a:o<a9629 <=5 D5oD85H4 3o2>6A5235 62 9o75;2C52< a2A <=56; >a6<= 62 <=5 >@<@;5 o> <=64 3o@2<;y ; /HEREAS , t"ese a3<6o24 a;5 aA75;458y a>>53<629 <=5 53o2oCy0 /HEREAS , <=545 a3<676<654 9675 <o<a86<a;6a2 >o;354 o> :o<= <=5 5G<;5C5 L5>< a2A 5G<;5C5 R69=< <=5 oD52629 <o 62<5246>y <=56; a7oB5A a6C4 <o :;629 AoB2 <=5 A5Co3;a<63 P=686DD625 S<a<5; /HEREAS , Article 2, Section > o$ t"e o!r Constit!tion ma(es t"e de$ense and preservation o$ t"e democratic instit!tions and t"e State t"e primar% d!t% o$ 8overnment; /HEREAS , t"e activities a)ove-descri)ed, t"eir conseA!ences, rami$ications and collateral e$$ects constit!te a 385a; a2A D;5452< Aa295; to t"e sa$et% and t"e inte#rit% o$ t"e P"ilippine State and o$ t"e =ilipino people; On t"e same da%, t"e President iss!ed 8. O. No. 9 implementin# PP &7&5, t"!s/ /HEREAS , over t"ese past mont"s, elements in t"e political opposition "ave conspired wit" a!t"oritarians o$ t"e extreme 1e$t, represented )% t"e ND=CPP-NPA and t"e extreme Ri#"t, represented )% militar% advent!rists - t"e "istorical enemies o$ t"e democratic P"ilippine State ' and w"o are now in a tactical alliance and en#a#ed in a concerted and s%stematic conspirac%, over a )road $ront, to )rin# down t"e d!l%-constit!ted 8overnment elected in :a% 277>; /HEREAS , t"ese conspirators "ave repeatedl% tried to )rin# down o!r rep!)lican #overnment; /HEREAS , t"e claims o$ t"ese elements "ave )een rec(lessl% ma#ni$ied )% certain se#ments o$ t"e national media; /HEREAS , t"ese series o$ actions is "!rtin# t"e P"ilippine State )% o)str!ctin# #overnance, incl!din# "inderin# t"e #rowt" o$ t"e econom% and sa)ota#in# t"e people-s con$idence in t"e #overnment and t"eir $ait" in t"e $!t!re o$ t"is co!ntr%; /HEREAS , t"ese actions are adversel% a$$ectin# t"e econom%; /HEREAS , t"ese activities #ive totalitarian $orces; o$ )ot" t"e extreme 1e$t and extreme Ri#"t t"e openin# to intensi$% t"eir avowed aims to )rin# down t"e democratic P"ilippine State; /HEREAS , Article 2, Section > o$ o!r Constit!tion ma(es t"e de$ense and preservation o$ t"e democratic instit!tions and t"e State t"e primar% d!t% o$ 8overnment; /HEREAS , t"e activities a)ove-descri)ed, t"eir conseA!ences, rami$ications and collateral e$$ects constit!te a clear and present dan#er to t"e sa$et% and t"e inte#rit% o$ t"e P"ilippine State and o$ t"e =ilipino people; /HEREAS , Proclamation &7&5 date =e)r!ar% 2>, 277? "as )een iss!ed declarin# a State o$ National Emer#enc%; NO/, THEREFORE, I GLORIA MA%APAGAL&ARRO O, )% virt!e o$ t"e powers vested in me !nder t"e Constit!tion as President o$ t"e Rep!)lic o$ t"e P"ilippines, and Commander-in-C"ie$ o$ t"e Rep!)lic o$ t"e P"ilippines, and p!rs!ant to Proclamation No. &7&5 dated =e)r!ar% 2>, 277?, do "ere)% call !pon t"e Armed =orces o$ t"e P"ilippines 4A=P6 and t"e P"ilippine National Police 4PNP6, to prevent and s!ppress acts o$ terrorism and lawless violence in t"e co!ntr%; I "ere)% direct t"e C"ie$ o$ Sta$$ o$ t"e A=P and t"e C"ie$ o$ t"e PNP, as well as t"e o$$icers and men o$ t"e A=P and PNP, <o 6CC5A6a<58y 3a;;y o@< <=5 253544a;y a2A aDD;oD;6a<5 a3<6o24 a2A C5a4@;54 <o 4@DD;544 a2A D;5752< a3<4 o> <5;;o;64C a2A 8aB8544 76o85235 . On :arc" <, 277?, exactl% one wee( a$ter t"e declaration o$ a state o$ national emer#enc% and a$ter all t"ese petitions "ad )een $iled, t"e President li$ted PP &7&5. S"e iss!ed Proclamation No. &72& w"ic" reads/ /HEREAS , p!rs!ant to Section &@, Article ,II and Section &5, Article BII o$ t"e Constit!tion, Proclamation No. &7&5 dated =e)r!ar% 2>, 277?, was iss!ed declarin# a state o$ national emer#enc%; /HEREAS , )% virt!e o$ 8eneral Order No.9 and No.? dated =e)r!ar% 2>, 277?, w"ic" were iss!ed on t"e )asis o$ Proclamation No. &7&5, t"e Armed =orces o$ t"e P"ilippines 4A=P6 and t"e P"ilippine National Police 4PNP6, were directed to maintain law and order t"ro!#"o!t t"e P"ilippines, prevent and s!ppress all $orm o$ lawless violence as well as an% act o$ re)ellion and to !nderta(e s!c" action as ma% )e necessar%; /HEREAS , t"e A=P and PNP "ave e$$ectivel% prevented, s!ppressed and A!elled t"e acts lawless violence and re)ellion; NO/, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MA%APAGAL&ARRO O, President o$ t"e Rep!)lic o$ t"e P"ilippines, )% virt!e o$ t"e powers vested in me )% law, "ere)% A538a;5 <=a< <=5 4<a<5 o> 2a<6o2a8 5C5;9523y =a4 35a45A <o 5G64<. In t"eir presentation o$ t"e $act!al )ases o$ PP &7&5 and 8.O. No. 9, respondents stated t"at t"e proximate ca!se )e"ind t"e exec!tive iss!ances was t"e conspirac% amon# some militar% o$$icers, le$tist ins!r#ents o$ t"e New People-s Arm% 4NPA6, and some mem)ers o$ t"e political opposition in a plot to !nseat or assassinate President Arro%o.> 3"e% considered t"e aim to o!st or assassinate t"e President and ta(e-over t"e rei#ns o$ #overnment as a clear and present dan#er. D!rin# t"e oral ar#!ments "eld on :arc" 5, 277?, t"e Solicitor 8eneral speci$ied t"e $acts leadin# to t"e iss!ance o$ PP &7&5 and 8.O. No. 9. S6926>63a2<8y, <=5;5 Ba4 2o ;5>@<a<6o2 >;oC D5<6<6o25;4H 3o@24584. 3"e Solicitor 8eneral ar#!ed t"at t"e intent o$ t"e Constit!tion is to #ive $!ll A643;5<6o2a;y DoB5;4 to t"e President in determinin# t"e necessit% o$ callin# o!t t"e armed $orces. .e emp"asi*ed t"at none o$ t"e petitioners "as s"own t"at PP &7&5 was wit"o!t $act!al )ases. C"ile "e explained t"at it is not respondents- tas( to state t"e $acts )e"ind t"e A!estioned Proclamation, "owever, t"e% are presentin# t"e same, narrated "ere!nder, $or t"e el!cidation o$ t"e iss!es. On +an!ar% &5, 277?, Captain Nat"aniel Ra)on*a and =irst 1ie!tenants Sonn% Sarmiento, 1awrence San +!an and Patricio D!midan#, mem)ers o$ t"e :a#dalo 8ro!p indicted in t"e Oa(wood m!tin%, escaped t"eir detention cell in =ort Doni$acio, 3a#!i# Cit%. In a p!)lic statement, t"e% vowed to remain de$iant and to el!de arrest at all costs. 3"e% called !pon t"e people to 0 show and proclaim our displeasure at the sham regime. Let us demonstrate our disgust, not only by going to the streets in protest, but also by wearing red bands on our left arms.0 9 On =e)r!ar% &5, 277?, t"e a!t"orities #ot "old o$ a doc!ment entitled 0Oplan Hackle I 0 w"ic" detailed plans $or )om)in#s and attac(s d!rin# t"e P"ilippine :ilitar% Academ% Al!mni .omecomin# in Da#!io Cit%. 3"e plot was to assassinate selected tar#ets incl!din# some ca)inet mem)ers and President Arro%o "ersel$.? Epon t"e advice o$ "er sec!rit%, President Arro%o decided not to attend t"e Al!mni .omecomin#. 3"e next da%, at t"e "ei#"t o$ t"e cele)ration, a )om) was $o!nd and detonated at t"e P:A parade #ro!nd. On =e)r!ar% 2&, 277?, 1t. San +!an was recapt!red in a comm!nist sa$e"o!se in Datan#as province. =o!nd in "is possession were two 426 $las" dis(s containin# min!tes o$ t"e meetin#s )etween mem)ers o$ t"e :a#dalo 8ro!p and t"e National People-s Arm% 4NPA6, a tape recorder, a!dio cassette cartrid#es, dis(ettes, and copies o$ s!)versive doc!ments.5 Prior to "is arrest, 1t. San +!an anno!nced t"ro!#" DFR. t"at t"e 0 agdalo!s "#"ay would be on $ebruary %&, %''(, the %'th )nni*ersary of Edsa I.+ On =e)r!ar% 2<, 277?, PNP C"ie$ Art!ro 1omi)ao intercepted in$ormation t"at mem)ers o$ t"e PNP- Special Action =orce were plannin# to de$ect. 3"!s, "e immediatel% ordered SA= Commandin# 8eneral :arcelino =ranco, +r. to +disa*ow+ an% de$ection. 3"e latter promptl% o)e%ed and iss!ed a p!)lic statement/ 0)ll ,)$ units are under the effecti*e control of responsible and trustworthy officers with pro*en integrity and un-uestionable loyalty. 0 On t"e same da%, at t"e "o!se o$ $ormer Con#ressman Pepin# Co !an#co, President Cor% AA!ino-s )rot"er, )!sinessmen and mid-level #overnment o$$icials plotted moves to )rin# down t"e Arro%o administration. Nell% Sinda%en o$ 3I:E :a#a*ine reported t"at Pastor Sa%con, lon#time Arro%o critic, called a E.S. #overnment o$$icial a)o!t "is #ro!p-s plans i$ President Arro%o is o!sted. Sa%con also p"oned a man code-named Delta. Sa%con identi$ied "im as DG8en. Danilo 1im, Commander o$ t"e Arm%-s elite Sco!t Ran#er. 1im said 0it was all systems go for the planned mo*ement against )rroyo.0@ DG8en. Danilo 1im and Dri#ade Commander Col. Ariel H!er!)in con$ided to 8en. 8eneroso Sen#a, C"ie$ o$ Sta$$ o$ t"e Armed =orces o$ t"e P"ilippines 4A=P6, t"at a "!#e n!m)er o$ soldiers wo!ld oin t"e rallies to provide a critical mass and armed component to t"e Anti-Arro%o protests to )e "eld on =e)r!ar% 2>, 2779. Accordin# to t"ese two 426 o$$icers, t"ere was no wa% t"e% co!ld possi)l% stop t"e soldiers )eca!se t"e% too, were )rea(in# t"e

c"ain o$ command to oin t"e $orces $oist to !nseat t"e President. .owever, 8en. Sen#a "as remained $ait"$!l to "is Commander-in-C"ie$ and to t"e c"ain o$ command. .e immediatel% too( c!stod% o$ DG8en. 1im and directed Col. H!er!)in to ret!rn to t"e P"ilippine :arines .eadA!arters in =ort Doni$acio. Earlier, t"e CPP-NPA called $or intensi$ication o$ political and revol!tionar% wor( wit"in t"e militar% and t"e police esta)lis"ments in order to $or#e alliances wit" its mem)ers and (e% o$$icials. NPA spo(esman 8re#orio 0Ia Ro#er0 Rosal declared/ 0 .he Communist Party and re*olutionary mo*ement and the entire people look forward to the possibility in the coming year of accomplishing its immediate task of bringing down the )rroyo regime/ of rendering it to weaken and unable to rule that it will not take much longer to end it.0J On t"e ot"er "and, Cesar Renerio, spo(esman $or t"e National Democratic =ront 4ND=6 at Nort" Central :indanao, p!)licl% anno!nced/ 0 )nti#)rroyo groups within the military and police are growing rapidly, hastened by the economic difficulties suffered by the families of )$P officers and enlisted personnel who undertake counter#insurgency operations in the field.0 .e claimed t"at wit" t"e $orces o$ t"e national democratic movement, t"e antiArro%o conservative political parties, coalitions, pl!s t"e #ro!ps t"at "ave )een rein$orcin# since +!ne 2779, it is pro)a)le t"at t"e President-s o!ster is nearin# its concl!din# sta#e in t"e $irst "al$ o$ 277?. Respondents $!rt"er claimed t"at t"e )om)in# o$ telecomm!nication towers and cell sites in D!lacan and Dataan was also considered as additional $act!al )asis $or t"e iss!ance o$ PP &7&5 and 8.O. No. 9. So is t"e raid o$ an arm% o!tpost in Den#!et res!ltin# in t"e deat" o$ t"ree 4<6 soldiers. And also t"e directive o$ t"e Comm!nist Part% o$ t"e P"ilippines orderin# its $ront or#ani*ations to oin 9,777 :etro :anila radicals and 29,777 more $rom t"e provinces in mass protests.&7 D% midni#"t o$ =e)r!ar% 2<, 277?, t"e President convened "er sec!rit% advisers and several ca)inet mem)ers to assess t"e #ravit% o$ t"e $ermentin# peace and order sit!ation. S"e directed )ot" t"e A=P and t"e PNP to acco!nt $or all t"eir men and ens!re t"at t"e c"ain o$ command remains solid and !ndivided. 3o protect t"e %o!n# st!dents $rom an% possi)le tro!)le t"at mi#"t )rea( loose on t"e streets, t"e President s!spended classes in all levels in t"e entire National Capital Re#ion. Fo; <=56; Da;<, D5<6<6o25;4 36<5A <=5 5752<4 <=a< >o88oB5A a><5; <=5 644@a235 o> PP 1017 a2A G.O. No. *. Immediatel%, t"e O$$ice o$ t"e President anno!nced t"e cancellation o$ all pro#rams and activities related to t"e 27t" anniversar% cele)ration o$ Edsa People Power I; and revo(ed t"e permits to "old rallies iss!ed earlier )% t"e local #overnments. +!stice Secretar% Ra!l 8on*ales stated t"at political rallies, w"ic" to t"e President-s mind were or#ani*ed $or p!rposes o$ desta)ili*ation, are cancelled.Presidential C"ie$ o$ Sta$$ :ic"ael De$ensor anno!nced t"at 0warrantless arrests and take#o*er of facilities, including media, can already be implemented .0&& Endeterred )% t"e anno!ncements t"at rallies and p!)lic assem)lies wo!ld not )e allowed, #ro!ps o$ protesters 4mem)ers o$ 0ilusang ayo 1no KI:EL and National =ederation o$ 1a)or Enions-0ilusang ayo 1no KNA=1E-I:EL6, marc"ed $rom vario!s parts o$ :etro :anila wit" t"e intention o$ conver#in# at t"e EDSA s"rine. 3"ose w"o were alread% near t"e EDSA site were violentl% dispersed )% "!#e cl!sters o$ anti-riot police. 3"e welltrained policemen !sed tr!nc"eons, )i# $i)er #lass s"ields, water cannons, and tear #as to stop and )rea( !p t"e marc"in# #ro!ps, and scatter t"e massed participants. 3"e same police action was !sed a#ainst t"e protesters marc"in# $orward to C!)ao, H!e*on Cit% and to t"e corner o$ Santolan Street and EDSA. 3"at same evenin#, "!ndreds o$ riot policemen )ro(e !p an EDSA cele)ration rall% "eld alon# A%ala Aven!e and Paseo de Roxas Street in :a(ati Cit%.&2 Accordin# to petitioner 0ilusang ayo 1no, t"e police cited PP &7&5 as t"e #ro!nd $or t"e dispersal o$ t"eir assem)lies. D!rin# t"e dispersal o$ t"e rall%ists alon# EDSA, police arrested 4wit"o!t warrant6 petitioner Randol$ S. David, a pro$essor at t"e Eniversit% o$ t"e P"ilippines and newspaper col!mnist. Also arrested was "is companion, Ronald 1lamas, president o$ part%-list )kbayan. At aro!nd &2/27 in t"e earl% mornin# o$ =e)r!ar% 29, 277?, operatives o$ t"e Criminal Investi#ation and Detection 8ro!p 4CID86 o$ t"e PNP, on t"e )asis o$ PP &7&5 and 8.O. No. 9, raided t"e "aily .ribune o$$ices in :anila. 3"e raidin# team con$iscated news stories )% reporters, doc!ments, pict!res, and moc(-!ps o$ t"e Sat!rda% iss!e. Policemen $rom Camp Crame in H!e*on Cit% were stationed inside t"e editorial and )!siness o$$ices o$ t"e newspaper; w"ile policemen $rom t"e :anila Police District were stationed o!tside t"e )!ildin#. &< A $ew min!tes a$ter t"e searc" and sei*!re at t"e "aily .ribune o$$ices, t"e police s!rro!nded t"e premises o$ anot"er pro-opposition paper, :ala%a, and its sister p!)lication, t"e ta)loid A)ante. 3"e raid, accordin# to Presidential C"ie$ o$ Sta$$ :ic"ael De$ensor, is +meant to show a 2strong presence,! to tell media outlets not to conni*e or do anything that would help the rebels in bringing down this go*ernment.+ 3"e PNP warned t"at it wo!ld ta(e over an% media or#ani*ation t"at wo!ld not $ollow +standards set by the go*ernment during the state of national emergency.+ Director 8eneral 1omi)ao stated t"at +if they do not follow the standards 3 and the standards are # if they would contribute to instability in the go*ernment, or if they do not subscribe to what is in 4eneral Order 5o. 6 and Proc. 5o. 7'78 3 we will recommend a 2takeo*er.!+ National 3elecomm!nications- Commissioner Ronald Solis !r#ed television and radio networ(s to +cooperate+ wit" t"e #overnment $or t"e d!ration o$ t"e state o$ national emer#enc%. .e as(ed $or +balanced reporting+ $rom )roadcasters w"en coverin# t"e events s!rro!ndin# t"e co!p attempt $oiled )% t"e #overnment. .e warned t"at "is a#enc% will not "esitate to recommend t"e clos!re o$ an% )roadcast o!t$it t"at violates r!les set o!t $or media covera#e w"en t"e national sec!rit% is t"reatened.&> Also, on =e)r!ar% 29, 277?, t"e police arrested Con#ressman Crispin Deltran, representin# t"e )nakpawis Part% and C"airman o$ 0ilusang ayo 1no 4I:E6, w"ile leavin# "is $arm"o!se in D!lacan. 3"e police s"owed a warrant $or "is arrest dated &J@9. Deltran-s law%er explained t"at t"e warrant, w"ic" stemmed $rom a case o$ incitin# to re)ellion $iled d!rin# t"e :arcos re#ime, "ad lon# )een A!as"ed. Deltran, "owever, is not a part% in an% o$ t"ese petitions. C"en mem)ers o$ petitioner I:E went to Camp Crame to visit Deltran, t"e% were told t"e% co!ld not )e admitted )eca!se o$ PP &7&5 and 8.O. No. 9. 3wo mem)ers were arrested and detained, w"ile t"e rest were dispersed )% t"e police. 9ayan una Representative Sat!r Ocampo el!ded arrest w"en t"e police went a$ter "im d!rin# a p!)lic $or!m at t"e S!lo .otel in H!e*on Cit%. D!t "is two drivers, identi$ied as Roel and Art, were ta(en into c!stod%. Retired :a or 8eneral Ramon :ontaMo, $ormer "ead o$ t"e P"ilippine Consta)!lar%, was arrested w"ile wit" "is wi$e and #ol$mates at t"e Orc"ard 8ol$ and Co!ntr% Cl!) in DasmariMas, Cavite. Attempts were made to arrest )nakpawis Representative Sat!r Ocampo, Representative Ra$ael :ariano, 9ayan una Representative 3eodoro CasiMo and 8a)riela Representative 1i*a :a*a. 9ayan una Representative +osel ,irador was arrested at t"e PA1 3ic(et O$$ice in Davao Cit%. 1ater, "e was t!rned over to t"e c!stod% o$ t"e .o!se o$ Representatives w"ere t"e 0Datasan 90 decided to sta% inde$initel%. 1et it )e stressed at t"is point t"at t"e alle#ed violations o$ t"e ri#"ts o$ Representatives Deltran, Sat!r Ocampo, et al., are not )ein# raised in t"ese petitions. On :arc" <, 277?, President Arro%o iss!ed PP &72& declarin# t"at t"e state o$ national emer#enc% "as ceased to exist. In t"e interim, t"ese seven 456 petitions c"allen#in# t"e constit!tionalit% o$ PP &7&5 and 8.O. No. 9 were $iled wit" t"is Co!rt a#ainst t"e a)ove-named respondents. 3"ree 4<6 o$ t"ese petitions impleaded President Arro%o as respondent. In G.R. No. 171396, petitioners Randol$ S. David, et al. assailed PP &7&5 on t"e #ro!nds t"at -1. it encroac"es on t"e emer#enc% powers o$ Con#ress; -2. itis a s!)ter$!#e to avoid t"e constit!tional reA!irements $or t"e imposition o$ martial law; and -3. it violates t"e constit!tional #!arantees o$ $reedom o$ t"e press, o$ speec" and o$ assem)l%. In G.R. No. 171(09, petitioners Nine* Cac"o-Olivares and .ribune P!)lis"in# Co., Inc. c"allen#ed t"e CID8-s act o$ raidin# t"e "aily .ribune o$$ices as a clear case o$ 0censors"ip0 or 0prior restraint.0 3"e% also claimed t"at t"e term 0emer#enc%0 re$ers onl% to ts!nami, t%p"oon, "!rricane and similar occ!rrences, "ence, t"ere is 0absolutely no emergency0 t"at warrants t"e iss!ance o$ PP &7&5. In G.R. No. 171()*, petitioners "erein are Representative =rancis +osep" 8. Esc!dero, and twent% one 42&6 ot"er mem)ers o$ t"e .o!se o$ Representatives, incl!din# Representatives Sat!r Ocampo, Ra$ael :ariano, 3eodoro CasiMo, 1i*a :a*a, and +osel ,irador . 3"e% asserted t"at PP &7&5 and 8.O. No. 9 constit!te 0usurpation of legislati*e powers0; 0*iolation of freedom of e:pression0 and 0a declaration of martial law.0 3"e% alle#ed t"at President Arro%o 0#ra*ely abused her discretion in calling out the armed forces without clear and *erifiable factual basis of the possibility of lawless *iolence and a showing that there is necessity to do so.0

In G.R. No. 171()3,petitioners I:E, NA=1E-I:E, and t"eir mem)ers averred t"at PP &7&5 and 8.O. No. 9 are !nconstit!tional )eca!se -1. t"e% arro#ate !nto President Arro%o t"e power to enact laws and decrees; -2. t"eir iss!ance was wit"o!t $act!al )asis; and -3. t"e% violate $reedom o$ expression and t"e ri#"t o$ t"e people to peacea)l% assem)le to redress t"eir #rievances. In G.R. No. 171(00, petitioner Alternative 1aw 8ro!ps, Inc. 4A18I6 alle#ed t"at PP &7&5 and 8.O. No. 9 are !nconstit!tional )eca!se t"e% violate -a. Section >&9 o$ Article II, -:. Sections &,&? 2,&5 and >&@ o$ Article III, -3.Section 2<&J o$ Article ,I, and -A. Section &527 o$ Article BII o$ t"e Constit!tion. In G.R. No. 171()9, petitioners +ose Anselmo I. Cadi* et al., alle#ed t"at PP &7&5 is an 0arbitrary and unlawful e:ercise by the President of her artial Law powers.0 And ass!min# t"at PP &7&5 is not reall% a declaration o$ :artial 1aw, petitioners ar#!ed t"at 0it amounts to an e:ercise by the President of emergency powers without congressional appro*al.0 In addition, petitioners asserted t"at PP &7&5 0goes beyond the nature and function of a proclamation as defined under the ;e*ised )dministrati*e Code.+ And lastl%, in G.R. No. 171(2(,petitioner1oren D. 1e#arda maintained t"at PP &7&5 and 8.O. No. 9 are 0unconstitutional for being *iolati*e of the freedom of e:pression, including its cognate rights such as freedom of the press and the right to access to information on matters of public concern, all guaranteed under )rticle III, ,ection & of the 7<=8 Constitution.0 In t"is re#ard, s"e stated t"at t"ese iss!ances prevented "er $rom $!ll% prosec!tin# "er election protest pendin# )e$ore t"e Presidential Electoral 3ri)!nal. In respondents- Consolidated Comment, t"e Solicitor 8eneral co!ntered t"at/ first, t"e petitions s"o!ld )e dismissed $or )ein# moot; second,petitioners in 8.R. Nos. &5&>77 4A18I6, &5&>2> 41e#arda6, &5&>@< 4I:E et al.6, &5&>@9 4Esc!dero et al.6 and &5&>@J 4Cadi* et al.6 "ave no le#al standin#; third, it is not necessar% $or petitioners to implead President Arro%o as respondent; fourth, PP &7&5 "as constit!tional and le#al )asis; and fifth, PP &7&5 does not violate t"e people-s ri#"t to $ree expression and redress o$ #rievances. On :arc" 5, 277?, t"e Co!rt cond!cted oral ar#!ments and "eard t"e parties on t"e a)ove interloc(in# iss!es w"ic" ma% )e s!mmari*ed as $ollows/ A. PRO%ED"RAL1 1. C"et"er t"e iss!ance o$ PP &72& renders t"e petitions moot and academic. 2. C"et"er petitioners in 171()* 4Esc!dero et al.6, G.R. No4. 171(00 4A18I6, 171()3 4I:E et al.6, 171()94Cadi* et al.6, and 171(2( 41e#arda6 "ave le#al standin#. $. S"$STANTIVE1 1. C"et"ert"e S!preme Co!rt can review t"e $act!al )ases o$ PP &7&5. 2. C"et"er PP &7&5 and 8.O. No. 9 are !nconstit!tional. a. =acial C"allen#e :. Constit!tional Dasis 3. As Applied C"allen#e A. PRO%ED"RAL =irst, we m!st resolve t"e proced!ral road)loc(s. I- Moot and Academic Principle One o$ t"e #reatest contri)!tions o$ t"e American s%stem to t"is co!ntr% is t"e concept o$ !dicial review en!nciated in arbury *. adison.2& 3"is concept rests on t"e extraordinar% simple $o!ndation -3"e Constit!tion is t"e s!preme law. It was ordained )% t"e people, t"e !ltimate so!rce o$ all political a!t"orit%. It con$ers limited powers on t"e national #overnment. x x x I> <=5 9o75;2C52< 3o2436o@48y o; @23o2436o@48y o75;4<5D4 <=545 86C6<a<6o24 <=5;5 C@4< :5 4oC5 a@<=o;6<y 3oCD5<52< <o =o8A 6< 62 3o2<;o8, <o <=Ba;< 6<4 @23o24<6<@<6o2a8 a<<5CD<, a2A <=@4 <o 762A63a<5 a2A D;545;75 6276o8a<5 <=5 B688 o> <=5 D5oD85 a4 5GD;5445A 62 <=5 %o24<6<@<6o2. T=64 DoB5; <=5 3o@;<4 5G5;3645. T=64 64 <=5 :59622629 a2A <=5 52A o> <=5 <=5o;y o> ?@A636a8 ;5765B .22 D!t t"e power o$ !dicial review does not repose !pon t"e co!rts a 0sel$-startin# capacit%.0 2< Co!rts ma% exercise s!c" power onl% w"en t"e $ollowin# reA!isites are present/ first, t"ere m!st )e an act!al case or controvers%;second, petitioners "ave to raise a A!estion o$ constit!tionalit%; third, t"e constit!tional A!estion m!st )e raised at t"e earliest opport!nit%; and fourth, t"e decision o$ t"e constit!tional A!estion m!st )e necessar% to t"e determination o$ t"e case itsel$.2> Respondents maintain t"at t"e $irst and second reA!isites are a)sent, "ence, we s"all limit o!r disc!ssion t"ereon. An act!al case or controvers% involves a con$lict o$ le#al ri#"t, an opposite le#al claims s!scepti)le o$ !dicial resol!tion. It is 0de$inite and concrete, to!c"in# t"e le#al relations o$ parties "avin# adverse le#al interest;0 a real and s!)stantial controvers% admittin# o$ speci$ic relie$. 29 3"e Solicitor 8eneral re$!tes t"e existence o$ s!c" act!al case or controvers%, contendin# t"at t"e present petitions were rendered 0moot and academic0 )% President Arro%o-s iss!ance o$ PP &72&. S!c" contention lac(s merit. A moot and academic case is one t"at ceases to present a !sticia)le controvers% )% virt!e o$ s!pervenin# events,2? so t"at a declaration t"ereon wo!ld )e o$ no practical !se or val!e.25 8enerall%, co!rts decline !risdiction over s!c" case2@ or dismiss it on #ro!nd o$ mootness.2J 3"e Co!rt "olds t"at President Arro%o-s iss!ance o$ PP &72& did not render t"e present petitions moot and academic. D!rin# t"e ei#"t 4@6 da%s t"at PP &7&5 was operative, t"e police o$$icers, accordin# to petitioners, committed ille#al acts in implementin# it. A;5 PP 1017 a2A G.O. No. * 3o24<6<@<6o2a8 o; 7a86AI Do <=5y ?@4<6>y <=545 a88595A 68859a8 a3<4I 3"ese are t"e vital iss!es t"at m!st )e resolved in t"e present petitions. It m!st )e stressed t"at 0a2 @23o24<6<@<6o2a8 a3< 64 2o< a 8aB, 6< 3o2>5;4 2o ;69=<4, 6< 6CDo454 2o A@<654, 6< a>>o;A4 2o D;o<53<6o20 6< 64 62 859a8 3o2<5CD8a<6o2, 62oD5;a<675.0<7 3"e 0moot and academic0 principle is not a ma#ical $orm!la t"at can a!tomaticall% diss!ade t"e co!rts in resolvin# a case. Co!rts will decide cases, ot"erwise moot and academic, i$/ first, t"ere is a #rave violation o$ t"e Constit!tion;<& second, t"e exceptional c"aracter o$ t"e sit!ation and t"e paramo!nt p!)lic interest is involved;<2third, w"en constit!tional iss!e raised reA!ires $orm!lation o$ controllin# principles to #!ide t"e )enc", t"e )ar, and t"e p!)lic;<< and fourth, t"e case is capa)le o$ repetition %et evadin# review.<> All t"e $ore#oin# exceptions are present "ere and !sti$% t"is Co!rt-s ass!mption o$ !risdiction over t"e instant petitions. Petitioners alle#ed t"at t"e iss!ance o$ PP &7&5 and 8.O. No. 9 violates t"e Constit!tion. 3"ere is no A!estion t"at t"e iss!es )ein# raised a$$ect t"e p!)lic-s interest, involvin# as t"e% do t"e people-s )asic ri#"ts to $reedom o$ expression, o$ assem)l% and o$ t"e press. :oreover, t"e Co!rt "as t"e d!t% to $orm!late #!idin# and controllin# constit!tional precepts, doctrines or r!les. It "as t"e s%m)olic $!nction o$ ed!catin# t"e )enc" and t"e )ar, and in t"e present petitions, <=5 C686<a;y a2A <=5 Do8635, on t"e extent o$ t"e protection #iven )% constit!tional #!arantees.<9 And lastl%, respondents- contested actions are capa)le o$ repetition. Certainl%, t"e petitions are s!) ect to !dicial review. In t"eir attempt to prove t"e alle#ed mootness o$ t"is case, respondents cited C"ie$ +!stice Artemio ,. Pan#ani)an-s Separate Opinion in ,anlakas *. E:ecuti*e ,ecretary.<? .owever, t"e% $ailed to ta(e into acco!nt t"e C"ie$ +!stice-s ver% statement t"at an ot"erwise 0moot0 case ma% still )e decided 0pro*ided the party raising it in a proper case has been and>or continues to be pre?udiced or damaged as a direct result of its issuance. 0 3"e present case $alls ri#"t wit"in t"is exception to t"e mootness r!le pointed o!t )% t"e C"ie$ +!stice. II- Legal Standing In view o$ t"e n!m)er o$ petitioners s!in# in vario!s personalities, t"e Co!rt deems it imperative to "ave a more t"an passin# disc!ssion on le#al standin# or locus standi. Locus standi is de$ined as 0a ri#"t o$ appearance in a co!rt o$ !stice on a #iven A!estion.0<5 In private s!its, standin# is #overned )% t"e 0real-parties-in interest0 r!le as contained in Section 2, R!le < o$ t"e &JJ5 R!les o$ Civil Proced!re, as amended. It provides t"at 0 575;y a3<6o2 C@4< :5 D;o453@<5A o; A5>52A5A 62 <=5 2aC5 o> <=5 ;5a8 Da;<y 62 62<5;54<.0 Accordin#l%, t"e 0real-part%-in interest0 is 0<=5 Da;<y B=o 4<a2A4 <o :5 :525>6<5A o; 62?@;5A :y <=5 ?@A9C52< 62 <=5 4@6< o; <=5 Da;<y 52<6<85A <o <=5 a7a684 o> <=5 4@6<.0<@ S!ccinctl% p!t, t"e plainti$$-s standin# is )ased on "is own ri#"t to t"e relie$ so!#"t.

3"e di$$ic!lt% o$ determinin# locus standi arises in D@:863 4@6<4. .ere, t"e plainti$$ w"o asserts a 0p!)lic ri#"t0 in assailin# an alle#edl% ille#al o$$icial action, does so as a representative o$ t"e #eneral p!)lic. .e ma% )e a person w"o is a$$ected no di$$erentl% $rom an% ot"er person. .e co!ld )e s!in# as a 0stran#er,0 or in t"e cate#or% o$ a 0citi*en,0 or Ntaxpa%er.0 In eit"er case, "e "as to adeA!atel% s"ow t"at "e is entitled to see( !dicial protection. In ot"er words, "e "as to ma(e o!t a s!$$icient interest in t"e vindication o$ t"e p!)lic order and t"e sec!rin# o$ relie$ as a 0citi*en0 or 0taxpa%er. Case law in most !risdictions now allows )ot" 0citi*en0 and 0taxpa%er0 standin# in p!)lic actions. 3"e distinction was $irst laid down in 9eauchamp *. ,ilk,<J w"ere it was "eld t"at t"e plainti$$ in a taxpa%er-s s!it is in a di$$erent cate#or% $rom t"e plainti$$ in a citi*en-s s!it. I2 <=5 >o;C5;, <=5 D8a62<6>> 64 a>>53<5A :y <=5 5GD52A6<@;5 o> D@:863 >@2A4, B=685 62 <=5 8a<<5;, =5 64 :@< <=5 C5;5 624<;@C52< o> <=5 D@:863 3o235;2. As "eld )% t"e New Oor( S!preme Co!rt in People e: rel Case *. Collins/>7 0I2 Ca<<5; o> C5;5 D@:863 ;69=<, =oB575;J<=5 D5oD85 a;5 <=5 ;5a8 Da;<654JI< 64 a< 85a4< <=5 ;69=<, 6> 2o< <=5 A@<y, o> 575;y 36<6E52 <o 62<5;>5;5 a2A 455 <=a< a D@:863 o>>5235 :5 D;oD5;8y D@;4@5A a2A D@264=5A, a2A <=a< a D@:863 9;657a235 :5 ;5C5A65A.0 Cit" respect to taxpa%er-s s!its, .err *. @ordan>& "eld t"at 0<=5 ;69=< o> a 36<6E52 a2A a <aGDay5; <o Ca62<a62 a2 a3<6o2 62 3o@;<4 <o ;54<;a62 <=5 @28aB>@8 @45 o> D@:863 >@2A4 <o =64 62?@;y 3a22o< :5 A5265A.0 .owever, to prevent !st a)o!t an% person $rom see(in# !dicial inter$erence in an% o$$icial polic% or act wit" w"ic" "e disa#reed wit", and t"!s "inders t"e activities o$ #overnmental a#encies en#a#ed in p!)lic service, t"e Enited State S!preme Co!rt laid down t"e more strin#ent 0 A6;53< 62?@;y0 <54< in E: Parte Le*itt,>2 later rea$$irmed in.ileston *. 1llman.>< 3"e same Co!rt r!led t"at $or a private individ!al to invo(e t"e !dicial power to determine t"e validit% o$ an exec!tive or le#islative action, =5 C@4< 4=oB <=a< =5 =a4 4@4<a625A a A6;53< 62?@;y a4 a ;54@8< o> <=a< a3<6o2, a2A 6< 64 2o< 4@>>63652< <=a< =5 =a4 a 9525;a8 62<5;54< 3oCCo2 <o a88 C5C:5;4 o> <=5 D@:863. 3"is Co!rt adopted t"e KA6;53< 62?@;yK <54< in o!r !risdiction. In People *. Aera,>> it "eld t"at t"e person w"o imp!#ns t"e validit% o$ a stat!te m!st "ave 0a D5;4o2a8 a2A 4@:4<a2<6a8 62<5;54< 62 <=5 3a45 4@3= <=a< =5 =a4 4@4<a625A, o; B688 4@4<a62 A6;53< 62?@;y a4 a ;54@8< .0 3"e Aera doctrine was !p"eld in a litan% o$ cases, s!c" as, Custodio *. President of the ,enate,>9 anila ;ace Horse .rainers! )ssociation *. "e la $uente,>?Pascual *. ,ecretary of Public Borks>5 and )nti#Chinese League of the Philippines *. $eli:.>@ .owever, )ein# a mere proced!ral tec"nicalit%, t"e reA!irement o$ locus standi ma% )e waived )% t"e Co!rt in t"e exercise o$ its discretion. 3"is was done in t"e 19(9 EC5;9523y PoB5;4 %a454, )raneta *. "inglasan,>J w"ere t"e 0<;a24352A52<a8 6CDo;<a2350 o$ t"e cases prompted t"e Co!rt to act li)erall%. S!c" li)eralit% was neit"er a rarit% nor accidental. In )-uino *. Comelec,97 t"is Co!rt resolved to pass !pon t"e iss!es raised d!e to t"e 0>a;& ;5a3=629 6CD863a<6o240 o$ t"e petition notwit"standin# its cate#orical statement t"at petitioner t"erein "ad no personalit% to $ile t"e s!it. Indeed, t"ere is a c"ain o$ cases w"ere t"is li)eral polic% "as )een o)served, allowin# ordinar% citi*ens, mem)ers o$ Con#ress, and civic or#ani*ations to prosec!te actions involvin# t"e constit!tionalit% or validit% o$ laws, re#!lations and r!lin#s.9& 3"!s, t"e Co!rt "as adopted a r!le t"at even w"ere t"e petitioners "ave $ailed to s"ow direct in !r%, t"e% "ave )een allowed to s!e !nder t"e principle o$ 0<;a24352A52<a8 6CDo;<a235.0 Pertinent are t"e $ollowin# cases/ -1. Cha*eC *. Public Estates )uthority,92 w"ere t"e Co!rt r!led t"at <=5 52>o;35C52< o> <=5 3o24<6<@<6o2a8 ;69=< <o 62>o;Ca<6o2 a2A <=5 5L@6<a:85 A6>>@46o2 o> 2a<@;a8 ;54o@;354 a;5 Ca<<5;4 o> <;a24352A52<a8 6CDo;<a235 B=63= 38o<=5 <=5 D5<6<6o25; B6<= locus standi0 (2. 9agong )lyansang akabayan *. Damora,9< w"erein t"e Co!rt "eld t"at K96752 <=5 <;a24352A52<a8 6CDo;<a235 o> <=5 644@54 627o875A, <=5 %o@;< Cay ;58aG <=5 4<a2A629 ;5L@6;5C52<4 a2A a88oB <=5 4@6< <o D;o4D5; A54D6<5 <=5 8a3F o> A6;53< 62?@;y <o <=5 Da;<654 455F629 ?@A636a8 ;5765BK o$ t"e ,isitin# =orces A#reement; -3. Lim *. E:ecuti*e ,ecretary,9> w"ile t"e Co!rt noted t"at t"e petitioners ma% not $ile s!it in t"eir capacit% as taxpa%ers a)sent a s"owin# t"at 0Dali(atan 72-7&0 involves t"e exercise o$ Con#ress- taxin# or spendin# powers, it reiterated its r!lin# in 9agong )lyansang akabayan *. Damora,99<=a< 62 3a454 o> <;a24352A52<a8 6CDo;<a235, <=5 3a454 C@4< :5 45<<85A D;oCD<8y a2A A5>626<58y a2A 4<a2A629 ;5L@6;5C52<4 Cay :5 ;58aG5A. D% wa% o$ s!mmar%, t"e $ollowin# r!les ma% )e c!lled $rom t"e cases decided )% t"is Co!rt. 3axpa%ers, voters, concerned citi*ens, and le#islators ma% )e accorded standin# to s!e, provided t"at t"e $ollowin# reA!irements are met/ -1. t"e cases involve constit!tional iss!es; -2. $or <aGDay5;4, t"ere m!st )e a claim o$ ille#al dis)!rsement o$ p!)lic $!nds or t"at t"e tax meas!re is !nconstit!tional; -3. $or 7o<5;4, t"ere m!st )e a s"owin# o$ o)vio!s interest in t"e validit% o$ t"e election law in A!estion; -(. $or 3o235;25A 36<6E524, t"ere m!st )e a s"owin# t"at t"e iss!es raised are o$ transcendental importance w"ic" m!st )e settled earl%; and -*. $or 859648a<o;4, t"ere m!st )e a claim t"at t"e o$$icial action complained o$ in$rin#es !pon t"eir prero#atives as le#islators. Si#ni$icantl%, recent decisions s"ow a certain to!#"enin# in t"e Co!rt-s attit!de toward le#al standin#. In 0ilosbayan, Inc. *. orato,9? t"e Co!rt r!led t"at t"e stat!s o$ 0ilosbayan as a people-s or#ani*ation does not #ive it t"e reA!isite personalit% to A!estion t"e validit% o$ t"e on-line lotter% contract, more so w"ere it does not raise an% iss!e o$ constit!tionalit%. :oreover, it cannot s!e as a taxpa%er a)sent an% alle#ation t"at p!)lic $!nds are )ein# mis!sed. Nor can it s!e as a concerned citi*en as it does not alle#e an% speci$ic in !r% it "as s!$$ered. In .elecommunications and 9roadcast )ttorneys of the Philippines, Inc. *. Comelec,95 t"e Co!rt reiterated t"e 0direct in !r%0 test wit" respect to concerned citi*ens- cases involvin# constit!tional iss!es. It "eld t"at 0t"ere m!st )e a s"owin# t"at t"e citi*en personall% s!$$ered some act!al or t"reatened in !r% arisin# $rom t"e alle#ed ille#al o$$icial act.0 In Lacson *. PereC,9@ t"e Co!rt r!led t"at one o$ t"e petitioners, Laban ng "emokratikong Pilipino 41DP6, is not a real part%-in-interest as it "ad not demonstrated an% in !r% to itsel$ or to its leaders, mem)ers or s!pporters. In ,anlakas *. E:ecuti*e ,ecretary,9J t"e Co!rt r!led t"at onl% t"e petitioners w"o are mem)ers o$ Con#ress "ave standin# to s!e, as t"e% claim t"at t"e President-s declaration o$ a state o$ re)ellion 64 a @4@;Da<6o2 o> <=5 5C5;9523y DoB5;4 o> %o29;544, <=@4 6CDa6;629 <=56; 859648a<675 DoB5;4 . As to petitioners ,anlakas, Partido anggagawa, and ,ocial @ustice ,ociety, t"e Co!rt declared t"em to )e devoid o$ standin#, eA!atin# t"em wit" t"e 1DP in Lacson. Now, t"e application o$ t"e a)ove principles to t"e present petitions. 3"e locus standi o$ petitioners in G.R. No. 171396, partic!larl% David and 1lamas, is )e%ond do!)t. 3"e same "olds tr!e wit" petitioners in G.R. No. 171(09, Cac"o-Olivares and .ribune P!)lis"in# Co. Inc. 3"e% alle#ed 0direct in !r%0 res!ltin# $rom 0ille#al arrest0 and 0!nlaw$!l searc"0 committed )% police operatives p!rs!ant to PP &7&5. Ri#"tl% so, t"e Solicitor 8eneral does not A!estion t"eir le#al standin#. In G.R. No. 171()*, t"e opposition Con#ressmen alle#ed t"ere was !s!rpation o$ le#islative powers. 3"e% also raised t"e iss!e o$ w"et"er or not t"e conc!rrence o$ Con#ress is necessar% w"enever t"e alarmin# powers incident to :artial 1aw are !sed. :oreover, it is in t"e interest o$ !stice t"at t"ose a$$ected )% PP &7&5 can )e represented )% t"eir Con#ressmen in )rin#in# to t"e attention o$ t"e Co!rt t"e alle#ed violations o$ t"eir )asic ri#"ts. In G.R. No. 171(00, 4A18I6, t"is Co!rt applied t"e li)eralit% r!le in Philconsa *. Enri-ueC,?7 0apatiran 5g ga 5aglilingkod sa Pamahalaan ng Pilipinas, Inc. *. .an,?& )ssociation of ,mall Landowners in the Philippines, Inc. *. ,ecretary of )grarian ;eform ,?2 9asco *. Philippine )musement and 4aming Corporation,?< and .aEada *. .u*era,?> t"at w"en t"e iss!e concerns a p!)lic ri#"t, it is s!$$icient t"at t"e petitioner is a citi*en and "as an interest in t"e exec!tion o$ t"e laws. In G.R. No. 171()3, I:E-s assertion t"at PP &7&5 and 8.O. No. 9 violated its ri#"t to peace$!l assem)l% ma% )e deemed s!$$icient to #ive it le#al standin#. O;9a26Ea<6o24 Cay :5 9;a2<5A 4<a2A629 <o a445;< <=5 ;69=<4 o> <=56; C5C:5;4.?9 Ce ta(e !dicial notice o$ t"e anno!ncement )% t"e O$$ice o$ t"e President )annin# all rallies and cancelin# all permits $or p!)lic assem)lies $ollowin# t"e iss!ance o$ PP &7&5 and 8.O. No. 9. In G.R. No. 171()9, petitioners, CadiC et al., w"o are national o$$icers o$ t"e Inte#rated Dar o$ t"e P"ilippines 4IDP6 "ave no le#al standin#, "avin# $ailed to alle#e an% direct or potential in !r% w"ic" t"e IDP as an instit!tion or its mem)ers ma% s!$$er as a conseA!ence o$ t"e iss!ance o$ PP No. &7&5 and 8.O. No. 9. In Integrated 9ar of the Philippines *. Damora,?? t"e Co!rt "eld t"at t"e mere invocation )% t"e IDP o$ its d!t% to preserve t"e r!le o$ law and not"in# more, w"ile !ndo!)tedl% tr!e, is not s!$$icient to clot"e it wit" standin# in t"is case. 3"is is too #eneral an interest w"ic" is s"ared )% ot"er #ro!ps and t"e w"ole citi*enr%. .owever, in view o$ t"e transcendental importance o$ t"e iss!e, t"is Co!rt declares t"at petitioner "ave locus standi. In G.R. No. 171(2(, 1oren 1e#arda "as no personalit% as a taxpa%er to $ile t"e instant petition as t"ere are no alle#ations o$ ille#al dis)!rsement o$ p!)lic $!nds. 3"e $act t"at s"e is a $ormer Senator is o$ no conseA!ence. S"e can no lon#er s!e as a le#islator on t"e alle#ation t"at "er prero#atives as

a lawma(er "ave )een impaired )% PP &7&5 and 8.O. No. 9. .er claim t"at s"e is a media personalit% will not li(ewise aid "er )eca!se t"ere was no s"owin# t"at t"e en$orcement o$ t"ese iss!ances prevented "er $rom p!rs!in# "er occ!pation. .er s!)mission t"at s"e "as pendin# electoral protest )e$ore t"e Presidential Electoral 3ri)!nal is li(ewise o$ no relevance. S"e "as not s!$$icientl% s"own t"at PP &7&5 will a$$ect t"e proceedin#s or res!lt o$ "er case. D!t considerin# once more t"e transcendental importance o$ t"e iss!e involved, t"is Co!rt ma% relax t"e standin# r!les. It m!st alwa%s )e )orne in mind t"at t"e A!estion o$ locus standi is )!t corollar% to t"e )i##er A!estion o$ proper exercise o$ !dicial power. 3"is is t"e !nderl%in# le#al tenet o$ t"e 0li)eralit% doctrine0 on le#al standin#. It cannot )e do!)ted t"at t"e validit% o$ PP No. &7&5 and 8.O. No. 9 is a !dicial A!estion w"ic" is o$ paramo!nt importance to t"e =ilipino people. 3o parap"rase +!stice 1a!rel, t"e w"ole o$ P"ilippine societ% now waits wit" )ated )reat" t"e r!lin# o$ t"is Co!rt on t"is ver% critical matter. 3"e petitions t"!s call $or t"e application o$ t"e 0 <;a24352A52<a8 6CDo;<a2350 doctrine, a relaxation o$ t"e standin# reA!irements $or t"e petitioners in t"e 0PP &7&5 cases.0 7a**phil.net 3"is Co!rt "olds t"at all t"e petitioners "erein "ave locus standi. Incidentall%, it is not proper to implead President Arro%o as respondent. Settled is t"e doctrine t"at t"e President, d!rin# "is ten!re o$ o$$ice or act!al inc!m)enc%,?5 ma% not )e s!ed in any civil or criminal case, and t"ere is no need to provide $or it in t"e Constit!tion or law. It will de#rade t"e di#nit% o$ t"e "i#" o$$ice o$ t"e President, t"e .ead o$ State, i$ "e can )e dra##ed into co!rt liti#ations w"ile servin# as s!c". =!rt"ermore, it is important t"at "e )e $reed $rom an% $orm o$ "arassment, "indrance or distraction to ena)le "im to $!ll% attend to t"e per$ormance o$ "is o$$icial d!ties and $!nctions. Enli(e t"e le#islative and !dicial )ranc", onl% one constit!tes t"e exec!tive )ranc" and an%t"in# w"ic" impairs "is !se$!lness in t"e disc"ar#e o$ t"e man% #reat and important d!ties imposed !pon "im )% t"e Constit!tion necessaril% impairs t"e operation o$ t"e 8overnment. .owever, t"is does not mean t"at t"e President is not acco!nta)le to an%one. 1i(e an% ot"er o$$icial, "e remains acco!nta)le to t"e people ?@ )!t "e ma% )e removed $rom o$$ice onl% in t"e mode provided )% law and t"at is )% impeac"ment.?J $. S"$STANTIVE I. Re iew o! "actual #ases Petitioners maintain t"at PP &7&5 "as no $act!al )asis. .ence, it was not 0necessar%0 $or President Arro%o to iss!e s!c" Proclamation. 3"e iss!e o$ w"et"er t"e Co!rt ma% review t"e $act!al )ases o$ t"e President-s exercise o$ "is Commander-in-C"ie$ power "as reac"ed its distilled point - $rom t"e ind!l#ent da%s o$ 9arcelon *. 9aker57 and ontenegro *. Castaneda5& to t"e volatile era o$ Lansang *. 4arcia,52 )-uino, @r. *. Enrile,5< and 8arcia-Padilla v. Enrile.5> 3"e t!#-o$-war alwa%s c!ts across t"e line de$inin# 0political A!estions,0 partic!larl% t"ose A!estions 0in re#ard to w"ic" $!ll discretionar% a!t"orit% "as )een dele#ated to t"e le#islative or exec!tive )ranc" o$ t"e #overnment.0 599arcelon and ontenegro were in !nison in declarin# t"at t"e a@<=o;6<y <o A536A5 B=5<=5; a2 5G69523y =a4 a;6452 :58o294 <o <=5 P;546A52< and =64 A53646o2 64 >62a8 a2A 3o238@4675 o2 <=5 3o@;<4. Lansang too( t"e opposite view. 3"ere, t"e mem)ers o$ t"e Co!rt were !nanimo!s in t"e conviction t"at t"e Co!rt "as t"e a!t"orit% to inA!ire into t"e existence o$ $act!al )ases in order to determine t"eir constit!tional s!$$icienc%. F;oC <=5 D;6236D85 o> 45Da;a<6o2 o> DoB5;4, 6< 4=6><5A <=5 >o3@4 <o <=5 4y4<5C o> 3=53F4 a2A :a8a2354, K@2A5; B=63= <=5 P;546A52< 64 4@D;5C5, G G G o28y i! a2A w$en =5 a3<4 B6<=62 <=5 4D=5;5 a88o<<5A <o =6C :y <=5 $a463 LaB, a2A <=5 a@<=o;6<y <o A5<5;C625 B=5<=5; o; 2o< =5 =a4 4o a3<5A 64 754<5A 62 <=5 #@A636a8 D5Da;<C52<, w$ic$ in t$is respect, 64, 62 <@;2, 3o24<6<@<6o2a88y supreme.05? In &J5<, t"e !nanimo!s Co!rt o$Lansang was divided in )-uino *. Enrile.55 3"ere, t"e Co!rt was almost evenl% divided on t"e iss!e o$ w"et"er t"e validit% o$ t"e imposition o$ :artial 1aw is a political or !sticia)le A!estion. 5@ 3"en came 4arcia#Padilla *. Enrilew"ic" #reatl% dil!ted Lansang. It declared t"at t"ere is a need to re-examine t"e latter case, ratiocinatin# t"at 062 <6C54 o> Ba; o; 2a<6o2a8 5C5;9523y, <=5 P;546A52< C@4< :5 96752 a:4o8@<5 3o2<;o8 >o; <=5 75;y 86>5 o> <=5 2a<6o2 a2A <=5 9o75;2C52< 64 62 9;5a< D5;68. T=5 P;546A52<, 6< 62<o25A, 64 a24B5;a:85 o28y <o =64 3o24365235, <=5 P5oD85, a2A GoA.05J 3"e Integrated 9ar of the Philippines *. Damora@7 -- a recent case most pertinent to t"ese cases at )ar && ec"oed a principle similar to Lansang. C"ile t"e Co!rt considered t"e President-s 0callin#-o!t0 power as a discretionar% power solel% vested in "is wisdom, it stressed t"at 0 <=64 Ao54 2o< D;5752< a2 5GaC62a<6o2 o> B=5<=5; 4@3= DoB5; Ba4 5G5;3645A B6<=62 D5;C6446:85 3o24<6<@<6o2a8 86C6<4 o; B=5<=5; 6< Ba4 5G5;3645A 62 a Ca225; 3o24<6<@<629 9;a75 a:@45 o> A643;5<6o2.03"is r!lin# is mainl% a res!lt o$ t"e Co!rt-s reliance on Section &, Article ,III o$ &J@5 Constit!tion w"ic" $orti$ies t"e a!t"orit% o$ t"e co!rts to determine in an appropriate action t"e validit% o$ t"e acts o$ t"e political departments. Ender t"e new de$inition o$ !dicial power, t"e co!rts are a!t"ori*ed not onl% 0to settle act!al controversies involvin# ri#"ts w"ic" are le#all% demanda)le and en$orcea)le,0 )!t also 0<o A5<5;C625 B=5<=5; o; 2o< <=5;5 =a4 :552 a 9;a75 a:@45 o> A643;5<6o2 aCo@2<629 <o 8a3F o; 5G3544 o> ?@;64A63<6o2 o2 <=5 Da;< o> a2y :;a23= o; 624<;@C52<a86<y o> <=5 9o75;2C52<.0 3"e latter part o$ t"e a!t"orit% represents a )roadenin# o$ !dicial power to ena)le t"e co!rts o$ !stice to review w"at was )e$ore a $or)idden territor%, to wit, t"e discretion o$ t"e political departments o$ t"e #overnment. @& It spea(s o$ !dicial prero#ative not onl% in terms o$ DoB5; )!t also o$ A@<y.@2 As to "ow t"e Co!rt ma% inA!ire into t"e President-s exercise o$ power, Lansang adopted t"e test t"at 0 !dicial inA!ir% can go no further t"an to satis$% t"e Co!rt not t"at t"e President-s decision is correct,0 )!t t"at 0t"e President did not act arbitrarily.0 3"!s, t"e standard laid down is not correctness, )!t ar)itrariness.@< In Integrated 9ar of the Philippines, t"is Co!rt $!rt"er r!led t"at 06< 64 623@C:52< @Do2 <=5 D5<6<6o25; <o 4=oB <=a< <=5 P;546A52<H4 A53646o2 64 <o<a88y :5;5>< o> >a3<@a8 :a4640 and t"at i$ "e $ails, )% wa% o$ proo$, to s!pport "is assertion, t"en 0<=64 %o@;< 3a22o< @2A5;<aF5 a2 62A5D52A52< 62754<69a<6o2 :5yo2A <=5 D85aA6294.0 Petitioners $ailed to s"ow t"at President Arro%o-s exercise o$ t"e callin#-o!t power, )% iss!in# PP &7&5, is totall% )ere$t o$ $act!al )asis. A readin# o$ t"e Solicitor 8eneral-s Consolidated Comment and :emorand!m s"ows a detailed narration o$ t"e events leadin# to t"e iss!ance o$ PP &7&5, wit" s!pportin# reports $ormin# part o$ t"e records. :entioned are t"e escape o$ t"e :a#dalo 8ro!p, t"eir a!dacio!s t"reat o$ t"e agdalo "#"ay, t"e de$ections in t"e militar%, partic!larl% in t"e P"ilippine :arines, and t"e reprovin# statements $rom t"e comm!nist leaders. 3"ere was also t"e :in!tes o$ t"e Intelli#ence Report and Sec!rit% 8ro!p o$ t"e P"ilippine Arm% s"owin# t"e #rowin# alliance )etween t"e NPA and t"e militar%. Petitioners presented not"in# to re$!te s!c" events. 3"!s, a)sent an% contrar% alle#ations, t"e Co!rt is convinced t"at t"e President was !sti$ied in iss!in# PP &7&5 callin# $or militar% aid. Indeed, !d#in# t"e serio!sness o$ t"e incidents, President Arro%o was not expected to simpl% $old "er arms and do not"in# to prevent or s!ppress w"at s"e )elieved was lawless violence, invasion or re)ellion. .owever, t"e exercise o$ s!c" power or d!t% m!st not sti$le li)ert%. II. %onstitutionality o! PP &'&( and ).*. +o. , Do3<;6254 o> S575;a8 Po86<63a8 T=5o;64<4 o2 <=5 PoB5; o> <=5 P;546A52< 62 T6C54 o> EC5;9523y 3"is case )rin#s to $ore a contentio!s s!) ect -- t"e power o$ t"e President in times o$ emer#enc%. A #limpse at t"e vario!s political t"eories relatin# to t"is s!) ect provides an adeA!ate )ac(drop $or o!r ens!in# disc!ssion. +o"n 1oc(e, descri)in# t"e arc"itect!re o$ civil #overnment, called !pon t"e En#lis" doctrine o$ prero#ative to cope wit" t"e pro)lem o$ emer#enc%. In times o$ dan#er to t"e nation, positive law enacted )% t"e le#islat!re mi#"t )e inadeA!ate or even a $atal o)stacle to t"e promptness o$ action necessar% to avert catastrop"e. In t"ese sit!ations, t"e Crown retained a prero#ative 0DoB5; <o a3< a33o;A629 <o A643;5<6o2 >o; <=5 D@:863 9ooA, B6<=o@< <=5 D;o43;6D<6o2 o> <=5 8aB a2A 4oC5<6C54 5752 a9a624< 6<.0@> D!t 1oc(e reco#ni*ed t"at t"is moral restraint mi#"t not s!$$ice to avoid a)!se o$ prero#ative powers. /=o 4=a88 ?@A95 <=5 255A >o; ;54o;<629 <o <=5 D;5;o9a<675 a2A =oB Cay 6<4 a:@45 :5 a7o6A5AI .ere, 1oc(e readil% admitted de$eat, s!##estin# t"atK<=5 D5oD85 =a75 2o o<=5; ;5C5Ay 62 <=64, a4 62 a88 o<=5; 3a454 B=5;5 <=5y =a75 2o ?@A95 o2 5a;<=, :@< <o aDD5a8 <o H5a752.0@9 +ean-+acA!es Ro!ssea! also ass!med t"e need $or temporar% s!spension o$ democratic processes o$ #overnment in time o$ emer#enc%. Accordin# to "im/ 3"e in$lexi)ilit% o$ t"e laws, w"ic" prevents t"em $rom adoptin# t"emselves to circ!mstances, ma%, in certain cases, render t"em disastro!s and ma(e t"em )rin# a)o!t, at a time o$ crisis, t"e r!in o$ t"e StateP It is wron# t"ere$ore to wis" to ma(e political instit!tions as stron# as to render it impossi)le to s!spend t"eir operation. Even Sparta allowed its law to lapse...

I$ t"e peril is o$ s!c" a (ind t"at t"e parap"ernalia o$ t"e laws are an o)stacle to t"eir preservation, t"e met"od is to nominate a s!preme law%er, w"o s"all silence all t"e laws and s!spend $or a moment t"e soverei#n a!t"orit%. In s!c" a case, t"ere is no do!)t a)o!t t"e #eneral will, and it clear t"at t"e people-s $irst intention is t"at t"e State s"all not peris".@? Rossea! did not $ear t"e a)!se o$ t"e emer#enc% dictators"ip or 04@D;5C5 Ca964<;a3y0 as "e termed it. =or "im, it wo!ld more li(el% )e c"eapened )% 0indiscreet !se.0 .e was !nwillin# to rel% !pon an 0aDD5a8 <o =5a752.0 Instead, "e relied !pon a ten!re o$ o$$ice o$ prescri)ed d!ration to avoid perpet!ation o$ t"e dictators"ip.@5 +o"n St!art :ill concl!ded "is ardent de$ense o$ representative #overnment/ 0I aC >a; >;oC 3o2A5C2629, 62 3a454 o> 5G<;5C5 2535446<y, <=5 a44@CD<6o2 o> a:4o8@<5 DoB5; 62 <=5 >o;C o> a <5CDo;a;y A63<a<o;4=6D.0@@ Nicollo :ac"iavelli-s view o$ emer#enc% powers, as one element in t"e w"ole sc"eme o$ limited #overnment, $!rnis"ed an ironic contrast to t"e 1oc(ean t"eor% o$ prero#ative. .e reco#ni*ed and attempted to )rid#e t"is c"asm in democratic political t"eor%, t"!s/ Now, in a well-ordered societ%, it s"o!ld never )e necessar% to resort to extra 'constit!tional meas!res; $or alt"o!#" t"e% ma% $or a time )e )ene$icial, %et t"e precedent is pernicio!s, $or i$ t"e practice is once esta)lis"ed $or #ood o) ects, t"e% will in a little w"ile )e disre#arded !nder t"at pretext )!t $or evil p!rposes. 3"!s, no rep!)lic will ever )e per$ect i$ s"e "as not )% law provided $or ever%t"in#, "avin# a remed% $or ever% emer#enc% and $ixed r!les $or appl%in# it.@J :ac"iavelli ' in contrast to 1oc(e, Rossea! and :ill ' so!#"t to incorporate into t"e constit!tion a re#!lari*ed s%stem o$ stand)% emer#enc% powers to )e invo(ed wit" s!ita)le c"ec(s and controls in time o$ national dan#er. .e attempted $ort"ri#"tl% to meet t"e pro)lem o$ com)inin# a capacio!s reserve o$ power and speed and vi#or in its application in time o$ emer#enc%, wit" e$$ective constit!tional restraints. J7 Contemporar% political t"eorists, addressin# t"emselves to t"e pro)lem o$ response to emer#enc% )% constit!tional democracies, "ave emplo%ed t"e doctrine o$ constit!tional dictators"ip.J& =rederic( :. Cat(ins saw 02o ;5a4o2 B=y a:4o8@<64C 4=o@8A 2o< :5 @45A a4 a C5a24 >o; <=5 A5>5245 o> 86:5;a8 624<6<@<6o24,0 provided it 045;754 <o D;o<53< 54<a:864=5A 624<6<@<6o24 >;oC <=5 Aa295; o> D5;Ca252< 62?@;y 62 a D5;6oA o> <5CDo;a;y 5C5;9523y a2A 64 >o88oB5A :y a D;oCD< ;5<@;2 <o <=5 D;576o@4 >o;C4 o> Do86<63a8 86>5 .0J2 .e reco#ni*ed t"e two 426 (e% elements o$ t"e pro)lem o$ emer#enc% #overnance, as well as all constit!tional #overnance/ 623;5a4629 aAC6264<;a<675 DoB5;4 o> <=5 5G53@<675, B=685 a< <=5 4aC5 <6C5 K6CDo4629 86C6<a<6o2 @Do2 <=a< DoB5;.0J< Cat(ins placed "is real $ait" in a sc"eme o$ constit!tional dictators"ip. 3"ese are t"e conditions o$ s!ccess o$ s!c" a dictators"ip/ KT=5 D5;6oA o> A63<a<o;4=6D C@4< :5 ;58a<6758y 4=o;<JD63<a<o;4=6D 4=o@8A a8Bay4 :5 4<;63<8y 8596<6Ca<5 62 3=a;a3<5;JF62a8 a@<=o;6<y <o A5<5;C625 <=5 255A >o; A63<a<o;4=6D 62 a2y 96752 3a45 C@4< 2575; ;54< B6<= <=5 A63<a<o; =6C458> P0J> and t"e o) ective o$ s!c" an emer#enc% dictators"ip s"o!ld )e 04<;63< Do86<63a8 3o245;7a<64C.0 Carl +. =riedric" cast "is anal%sis in terms similar to t"ose o$ Cat(ins.J9 0It is a pro)lem o$ concentratin# power ' in a #overnment w"ere power "as conscio!sl% )een divided ' to cope wit"P sit!ations o$ !nprecedented ma#nit!de and #ravit%. 3"ere m!st )e a )road #rant o$ powers, s!) ect to eA!all% stron# limitations as to w"o s"all exercise s!c" powers, w"en, $or "ow lon#, and to w"at end.0 J? =riedric", too, o$$ered criteria $or !d#in# t"e adeA!ac% o$ an% o$ sc"eme o$ emer#enc% powers, to wit/ KT=5 5C5;9523y 5G53@<675 C@4< :5 aDDo62<5A :y 3o24<6<@<6o2a8 C5a24 , 6.5., =5 C@4< :5 8596<6Ca<50 =5 4=o@8A 2o< 52?oy DoB5; <o A5<5;C625 <=5 5G64<5235 o> a2 5C5;9523y0 5C5;9523y DoB5;4 4=o@8A :5 5G5;3645A @2A5; a 4<;63< <6C5 86C6<a<6o20 a2A 8a4<, <=5 o:?53<675 o> 5C5;9523y a3<6o2 C@4< :5 <=5 A5>5245 o> <=5 3o24<6<@<6o2a8 o;A5;.0J5 Clinton 1. Rossiter, a$ter s!rve%in# t"e "istor% o$ t"e emplo%ment o$ emer#enc% powers in 8reat Dritain, =rance, Ceimar, 8erman% and t"e Enited States, reverted to a description o$ a sc"eme o$ 0constit!tional dictators"ip0 as sol!tion to t"e vexin# pro)lems presented )% emer#enc%. J@ 1i(e Cat(ins and =riedric", "e stated a priori t"e conditions o$ s!ccess o$ t"e 0constit!tional dictators"ip,0 t"!s/ 1. No #eneral re#ime or partic!lar instit!tion o$ constit!tional dictators"ip s"o!ld )e initiated !nless it is necessar% or even indispensa)le to t"e preservation o$ t"e State and its constit!tional orderP 2. Pt"e decision to instit!te a constit!tional dictators"ip s"o!ld never )e in t"e "ands o$ t"e man or men w"o will constit!te t"e dictatorP 3. No #overnment s"o!ld initiate a constit!tional dictators"ip wit"o!t ma(in# speci$ic provisions $or its terminationP (. Pall !ses o$ emer#enc% powers and all read !stments in t"e or#ani*ation o$ t"e #overnment s"o!ld )e e$$ected in p!rs!it o$ constit!tional or le#al reA!irementsP *. P no dictatorial instit!tion s"o!ld )e adopted, no ri#"t invaded, no re#!lar proced!re altered an% more t"an is a)sol!tel% necessar% $or t"e conA!est o$ t"e partic!lar crisis . . . 6. 3"e meas!res adopted in t"e prosec!tion o$ t"e a constit!tional dictators"ip s"o!ld never )e permanent in c"aracter or e$$ectP 7. 3"e dictators"ip s"o!ld )e carried on )% persons representative o$ ever% part o$ t"e citi*enr% interested in t"e de$ense o$ t"e existin# constit!tional order. . . ). Eltimate responsi)ilit% s"o!ld )e maintained $or ever% action ta(en !nder a constit!tional dictators"ip. . . 9. 3"e decision to terminate a constit!tional dictators"ip, li(e t"e decision to instit!te one s"o!ld never )e in t"e "ands o$ t"e man or men w"o constit!te t"e dictator. . . 10. No constit!tional dictators"ip s"o!ld extend )e%ond t"e termination o$ t"e crisis $or w"ic" it was instit!tedP 11. Pt"e termination o$ t"e crisis m!st )e $ollowed )% a complete ret!rn as possi)le to t"e political and #overnmental conditions existin# prior to t"e initiation o$ t"e constit!tional dictators"ipPJJ Rossiter accorded to le#islat!re a $ar #reater role in t"e oversi#"t exercise o$ emer#enc% powers t"an did Cat(ins. .e wo!ld sec!re to Con#ress $inal responsi)ilit% $or declarin# t"e existence or termination o$ an emer#enc%, and "e places #reat $ait" in t"e e$$ectiveness o$ con#ressional investi#atin# committees.&77 ,cott and Cotter, in anal%*in# t"e a)ove contemporar% t"eories in li#"t o$ recent experience, were one in sa%in# t"at, 0 <=5 4@9954<6o2 <=a< A5Co3;a3654 4@;;52A5; <=5 3o2<;o8 o> 9o75;2C52< <o a2 a@<=o;6<a;6a2 ;@85; 62 <6C5 o> 9;a75 Aa295; <o <=5 2a<6o2 64 not :a45A @Do2 4o@2A 3o24<6<@<6o2a8 <=5o;y.0 3o appraise emer#enc% power in terms o$ constit!tional dictators"ip serves merel% to distort t"e pro)lem and "inder realistic anal%sis. It matters not w"et"er t"e term 0dictator0 is !sed in its normal sense 4as applied to a!t"oritarian r!lers6 or is emplo%ed to em)race all c"ie$ exec!tives administerin# emer#enc% powers. .owever !sed, 0constit!tional dictators"ip0 cannot )e divorced $rom t"e implication o$ s!spension o$ t"e processes o$ constit!tionalism. 3"!s, t"e% $avored instead t"e 0concept o$ constit!tionalism0 artic!lated )% C"arles .. :cIlwain/ A concept o$ constit!tionalism w"ic" is less misleadin# in t"e anal%sis o$ pro)lems o$ emer#enc% powers, and w"ic" is consistent wit" t"e $indin#s o$ t"is st!d%, is t"at $orm!lated )% C"arles .. :cIlwain. C"ile it does not )% an% means necessaril% excl!de some indeterminate limitations !pon t"e s!)stantive powers o$ #overnment, $!ll emp"asis is placed !pon D;o35A@;a8 86C6<a<6o24, and Do86<63a8 ;54Do246:686<y. :cIlwain clearl% reco#ni*ed t"e need to repose adeA!ate power in #overnment. And in disc!ssin# t"e meanin# o$ constit!tionalism, "e insisted t"at t"e =64<o;63a8 a2A D;oD5; <54< o> 3o24<6<@<6o2a864C Ba4 <=5 5G64<5235 o> aA5L@a<5 D;o354454 >o; F55D629 9o75;2C52< ;54Do246:85 . .e re$!sed to eA!ate constit!tionalism wit" t"e en$ee)lin# o$ #overnment )% an exa##erated emp"asis !pon separation o$ powers and s!)stantive limitations on #overnmental power. .e $o!nd t"at t"e reall% e$$ective c"ec(s on despotism "ave consisted not in t"e wea(enin# o$ #overnment )!t, )!t rat"er in t"e 86C6<629 o> 6<; )etween w"ic" t"ere is a #reat and ver% si#ni$icant di$$erence. I2 a44o36a<629 3o24<6<@<6o2a864C B6<= K86C6<5AK a4 A64<629@64=5A >;oC KB5aFK 9o75;2C52<, M3I8Ba62 C5a2< 9o75;2C52< 86C6<5A <o <=5 o;A5;8y D;o35A@;5 o> 8aB a4 oDDo45A <o <=5 D;o354454 o> >o;35. T=5 <Bo >@2AaC52<a8 3o;;58a<675 585C52<4 o> 3o24<6<@<6o2a864C >o; B=63= a88 8o75;4 o> 86:5;<y C@4< y5< >69=< a;5 <=5 859a8 86C6<4 <o a;:6<;a;y DoB5; a2A a 3oCD85<5 Do86<63a8 ;54Do246:686<y o> 9o75;2C52< <o <=5 9o75;25A.&7& In t"e $inal anal%sis, t"e vario!s approac"es to emer#enc% o$ t"e a)ove political t"eorists '- $rom 1oc(-s 0t"eor% o$ prero#ative,0 to Cat(ins- doctrine o$ 0constit!tional dictators"ip0 and, event!all%, to :cIlwain-s 0principle o$ constit!tionalism0 --- !ltimatel% aim to solve one real pro)lem in emer#enc% #overnance, i.e., <=a< o> a88o<<629 623;5a4629 a;5a4 o> A643;5<6o2a;y DoB5; <o <=5 %=65> EG53@<675, B=685 624@;629 <=a< 4@3= DoB5;4 B688 :5 5G5;3645A B6<= a 45245 o> Do86<63a8 ;54Do246:686<y a2A @2A5; 5>>53<675 86C6<a<6o24 a2A 3=53F4. O!r Constit!tion "as $airl% coped wit" t"is pro)lem. =res" $rom t"e $etters o$ a repressive re#ime, t"e &J@? Constit!tional Commission, in dra$tin# t"e &J@5 Constit!tion, endeavored to create a #overnment in t"e concept o$ +!stice +ac(son-s 0)alanced power str!ct!re.0 &72 Exec!tive, le#islative, and

!dicial powers are dispersed to t"e President, t"e Con#ress, and t"e S!preme Co!rt, respectivel%. Eac" is s!preme wit"in its own sp"ere. $@< 2o25 =a4 <=5 Co2oDo8y o> DoB5; 62 <6C54 o> 5C5;9523y. Ea3= :;a23= 64 96752 a ;o85 <o 45;75 a4 86C6<a<6o2 o; 3=53F @Do2 <=5 o<=5;. 3"is s%stem does not B5aF52 t"e President, it !st 86C6<4 "is power, !sin# t"e lan#!a#e o$ :cIlwain. In ot"er words, in times o$ emer#enc%, o!r Constit!tion reasona)l% demands t"at we repose a certain amo!nt o$ $ait" in t"e )asic inte#rit% and wisdom o$ t"e C"ie$ Exec!tive )!t, at t"e same time, 6< o:86954 =6C <o oD5;a<5 B6<=62 3a;5>@88y D;543;6:5A D;o35A@;a8 86C6<a<6o24. a. KFa36a8 %=a885295K Petitioners contend t"at PP &7&5 is void on its $ace )eca!se o$ its 0over)readt".0 3"e% claim t"at its en$orcement encroac"ed on )ot" !nprotected and protected ri#"ts !nder Section >, Article III o$ t"e Constit!tion and sent a 0c"illin# e$$ect0 to t"e citi*ens. A $acial review o$ PP &7&5, !sin# t"e over)readt" doctrine, is !ncalled $or. $irst and foremost, t"e over)readt" doctrine is an anal%tical tool developed $or testin# 0on t"eir $aces0 stat!tes in >;55 4D553= 3a454, also (nown !nder t"e American 1aw as =irst Amendment cases.&7< A plain readin# o$ PP &7&5 s"ows t"at it is not primaril% directed to speec" or even speec"-related cond!ct. It is act!all% a call !pon t"e A=P to prevent or s!ppress all $orms o$ 8aB8544 76o85235. In 1nited ,tates *. ,alerno,&7>t"e ES S!preme Co!rt "eld t"at 0B5 =a75 2o< ;53o926E5A a2 Mo75;:;5aA<=H Ao3<;625 o@<46A5 <=5 86C6<5A 3o2<5G< o> <=5 F6;4< AC52AC52<K ->;55AoC o> 4D553=. . :oreover, t"e over)readt" doctrine is not intended $or testin# t"e validit% o$ a law t"at 0re$lects le#itimate state interest in maintainin# compre"ensive control over "arm$!l, constit!tionall% !nprotected cond!ct.0 Endo!)tedl%, lawless violence, ins!rrection and re)ellion are considered 0"arm$!l0 and 0constit!tionall% !nprotected cond!ct.0 In9roadrick *. Oklahoma,&79 it was "eld/ It remains a Nmatter o$ no little di$$ic!lt%- to determine w"en a law ma% properl% )e "eld void on its $ace and w"en Ns!c" s!mmar% action- is inappropriate. $@< <=5 D8a62 6CDo;< o> o@; 3a454 64, a< <=5 75;y 85a4<, <=a< >a36a8 o75;:;5aA<= aA?@A63a<6o2 64 a2 5G35D<6o2 <o o@; <;aA6<6o2a8 ;@854 o> D;a3<635 a2A <=a< 6<4 >@23<6o2, a 86C6<5A o25 a< <=5 o@<45<, a<<52@a<54 a4 <=5 o<=5;B645 @2D;o<53<5A :5=a76o; <=a< 6< >o;:6A4 <=5 S<a<5 <o 4a23<6o2 Co754 >;oC MD@;5 4D553=H <oBa;A 3o2A@3< and <=a< 3o2A@3< ,5752 6> 5GD;544675 , >a884 B6<=62 <=5 43oD5 o> o<=5;B645 7a86A 3;6C62a8 8aB4 <=a< ;5>853< 8596<6Ca<5 4<a<5 62<5;54<4 62 Ca62<a62629 3oCD;5=524675 3o2<;o84 o75; =a;C>@8, 3o24<6<@<6o2a88y @2D;o<53<5A 3o2A@3< . 3"!s, claims o$ $acial over)readt" are entertained in cases involvin# stat!tes w"ic", :y <=56; <5;C4, see( to re#!late onl% 04DoF52 Bo;A40 and a#ain, t"at 0o75;:;5aA<= 38a6C4, 6> 52<5;<a625A a< a88, =a75 :552 3@;<a685A B=52 627oF5A a9a624< o;A62a;y 3;6C62a8 8aB4 <=a< a;5 4o@9=< <o :5 aDD865A <o D;o<53<5A 3o2A@3<.0&7? .ere, t"e incontroverti)le $act remains t"at PP &7&5 pertains to a spectr!m o$ 3o2A@3<, not $ree speec", w"ic" is mani$estl% s!) ect to state re#!lation. ,econd, $acial invalidation o$ laws is considered as 0Ca26>54<8y 4<;o29 C5A63625,0 to )e !sed 04Da;6298y a2A o28y a4 a 8a4< ;54o;<,0 and is 09525;a88y A64>a7o;5A;0&75 3"e reason $or t"is is o)vio!s. Em)edded in t"e traditional r!les #overnin# constit!tional ad !dication is t"e principle t"at a person to w"om a law ma% )e applied will not )e "eard to c"allen#e a law on t"e #ro!nd t"at it ma% conceiva)l% )e applied !nconstit!tionall% to ot"ers, i.e., 62 o<=5; 46<@a<6o24 2o< :5>o;5 <=5 %o@;<.&7@ A writer and sc"olar in Constit!tional 1aw explains $!rt"er/ T=5 Co4< A64<623<675 >5a<@;5 o> <=5 o75;:;5aA<= <53=26L@5 64 <=a< 6< Ca;F4 a2 5G35D<6o2 <o 4oC5 o> <=5 @4@a8 ;@854 o> 3o24<6<@<6o2a8 86<69a<6o2. O;A62a;68y, a Da;<63@8a; 86<69a2< 38a6C4 <=a< a 4<a<@<5 64 @23o24<6<@<6o2a8 a4 aDD865A <o =6C o; =5;0 6> <=5 86<69a2< D;57a684, <=5 3o@;<4 3a;75 aBay <=5 @23o24<6<@<6o2a8 a4D53<4 o> <=5 8aB :y 627a86Aa<629 6<4 6CD;oD5; aDD863a<6o24 o2 a 3a45 <o 3a45 :a464. Mo;5o75;, 3=a885295;4 <o a 8aB a;5 2o< D5;C6<<5A <o ;a645 <=5 ;69=<4 o> <=6;A Da;<654 a2A 3a2 o28y a445;< <=56; oB2 62<5;54<4. I2 o75;:;5aA<= a2a8y464, <=o45 ;@854 9675 Bay0 3=a8852954 a;5 D5;C6<<5A <o ;a645 <=5 ;69=<4 o> <=6;A Da;<654; and t"e co!rt invalidates t"e entire stat!te 0on its $ace,0 not merel% 0as applied $or0 so t"at t"e over)road law )ecomes !nen$orcea)le !ntil a properl% a!t"ori*ed co!rt constr!es it more narrowl%. 3"e $actor t"at motivates co!rts to depart $rom t"e normal ad !dicator% r!les is t"e concern wit" t"e 0c"illin#;0 deterrent e$$ect o$ t"e over)road stat!te on t"ird parties not co!ra#eo!s eno!#" to )rin# s!it. 3"e Co!rt ass!mes t"at an over)road law-s 0ver% existence ma% ca!se ot"ers not )e$ore t"e co!rt to re$rain $rom constit!tionall% protected speec" or expression.0 An over)readt" r!lin# is desi#ned to remove t"at deterrent e$$ect on t"e speec" o$ t"ose t"ird parties. In ot"er words, a $acial c"allen#e !sin# t"e over)readt" doctrine will reA!ire t"e Co!rt to examine PP &7&5 and pinpoint its $laws and de$ects, not on t"e )asis o$ its act!al operation to petitioners, )!t on t"e ass!mption or prediction t"at its ver% existence ma% ca!se o<=5;4 2o< :5>o;5 <=5 %o@;< to re$rain $rom constit!tionall% protected speec" or expression. In Founger *. Harris,&7J it was "eld t"at/ K3L"e tas( o$ anal%*in# a proposed stat!te, pinpointin# its de$iciencies, and reA!irin# correction o$ t"ese de$iciencies )e$ore t"e stat!te is p!t into e$$ect, is rarel% i$ ever an appropriate tas( $or t"e !diciar%. 3"e com)ination o$ t"e ;58a<675 ;5Co<52544 o> <=5 3o2<;o75;4y, t"e 6CDa3< o2 <=5 859648a<675 D;o3544 o> <=5 ;5865> 4o@9=<, and a)ove all <=5 4D53@8a<675 a2A aCo;D=o@4 2a<@;5 o> <=5 ;5L@6;5A 8625&:y&8625 a2a8y464 o> A5<a685A 4<a<@<54,...ordinaril% res!lts in a (ind o$ case t"at is B=o88y @24a<64>a3<o;y $or decidin# constit!tional A!estions, w"ic"ever wa% t"e% mi#"t )e decided. And third, a $acial c"allen#e on t"e #ro!nd o$ over)readt" is t"e most di$$ic!lt c"allen#e to mo!nt s!ccess$!ll%, since t"e c"allen#er m!st esta)lis" t"at <=5;5 3a2 :5 2o 624<a235 B=52 <=5 a44a685A 8aB Cay :5 7a86A. .ere, petitioners did not even attempt to s"ow w"et"er t"is sit!ation exists. Petitioners li(ewise see( a $acial review o$ PP &7&5 on t"e #ro!nd o$ va#!eness. 3"is, too, is !nwarranted. Related to t"e 0over)readt"0 doctrine is t"e 0void $or va#!eness doctrine0 w"ic" "olds t"at 0a 8aB 64 >a36a88y 627a86A 6> C52 o> 3oCCo2 62<588695235 C@4< 253544a;68y 9@544 a< 6<4 C5a2629 a2A A6>>5; a4 <o 6<4 aDD863a<6o2.0&&7 It is s!) ect to t"e same principles #overnin# over)readt" doctrine. =or one, it is also an anal%tical tool $or testin# 0on t"eir $aces0 4<a<@<54 62 >;55 4D553= 3a454. And li(e over)readt", it is said t"at a liti#ant ma% c"allen#e a stat!te on its $ace onl% i$ it is 7a9@5 62 a88 6<4 Do446:85 aDD863a<6o24. A9a62, D5<6<6o25;4 A6A 2o< 5752 a<<5CD< <o 4=oB <=a< PP 1017 64 7a9@5 62 a88 6<4 aDD863a<6o2. 3"e% also $ailed to esta)lis" t"at men o$ common intelli#ence cannot !nderstand t"e meanin# and application o$ PP &7&5. :. %o24<6<@<6o2a8 $a464 o> PP 1017 Now on t"e constit!tional $o!ndation o$ PP &7&5. 3"e operative portion o$ PP &7&5 ma% )e divided into t"ree important provisions, t"!s/ "irst pro ision0)% virt!e o$ t"e power vested !pon me )% Section &@, Artilce ,II P do "ere)% command t"e Armed =orces o$ t"e P"ilippines, to maintain law and order t"ro!#"o!t t"e P"ilippines, prevent or s!ppress all $orms o$ lawless violence as well an% act o$ ins!rrection or re)ellion0 Second pro ision0and to en$orce o)edience to all t"e laws and to all decrees, orders and re#!lations prom!l#ated )% me personall% or !pon m% direction;0 .$ird pro ision0as provided in Section &5, Article BII o$ t"e Constit!tion do "ere)% declare a State o$ National Emer#enc%.0 "irst Pro ision- %alling-out Power 3"e $irst provision pertains to t"e President-s callin#-o!t power. In ,anlakas *. E:ecuti*e ,ecretary,&&& t"is Co!rt, t"ro!#" :r. +!stice Dante O. 3in#a, "eld t"at Section &@, Article ,II o$ t"e Constit!tion reprod!ced as $ollows/ S53. 1). 3"e President s"all )e t"e Commander-in-C"ie$ o$ all armed $orces o$ t"e P"ilippines and B=52575; 6< :53oC54 253544a;y, =5 Cay 3a88 o@< 4@3= a;C5A >o;354 <o D;5752< o; 4@DD;544 8aB8544 76o85235, 627a46o2 o; ;5:5886o2. In case o$ invasion or re)ellion, w"en t"e p!)lic sa$et% reA!ires it, "e ma%, $or a period not exceedin# sixt% da%s, s!spend t"e privile#e o$ t"e writ o$ habeas corpus or place t"e P"ilippines or an% part t"ereo$ !nder martial law. Cit"in $ort%-ei#"t "o!rs $rom t"e proclamation o$ martial law or t"e s!spension o$ t"e privile#e o$ t"e writ o$ habeas corpus, t"e President s"all s!)mit a report in person or in writin# to t"e Con#ress. 3"e Con#ress, votin# ointl%, )% a vote o$ at least a ma orit% o$ all its :em)ers in re#!lar or special session, ma% revo(e s!c" proclamation or s!spension, w"ic" revocation s"all not )e set aside )% t"e President. Epon t"e initiative o$ t"e President, t"e Con#ress ma%, in t"e same manner, extend s!c" proclamation or s!spension $or a period to )e determined )% t"e Con#ress, i$ t"e invasion or re)ellion s"all persist and p!)lic sa$et% reA!ires it. 3"e Con#ress, i$ not in session, s"all wit"in twent%-$o!r "o!rs $ollowin# s!c" proclamation or s!spension, convene in accordance wit" its r!les wit"o!t need o$ a call.

3"e S!preme Co!rt ma% review, in an appropriate proceedin# $iled )% an% citi*en, t"e s!$$icienc% o$ t"e $act!al )ases o$ t"e proclamation o$ martial law or t"e s!spension o$ t"e privile#e o$ t"e writ or t"e extension t"ereo$, and m!st prom!l#ate its decision t"ereon wit"in t"irt% da%s $rom its $ilin#. A state o$ martial law does not s!spend t"e operation o$ t"e Constit!tion, nor s!pplant t"e $!nctionin# o$ t"e civil co!rts or le#islative assem)lies, nor a!t"ori*e t"e con$erment o$ !risdiction on militar% co!rts and a#encies over civilians w"ere civil co!rts are a)le to $!nction, nor a!tomaticall% s!spend t"e privile#e o$ t"e writ. 3"e s!spension o$ t"e privile#e o$ t"e writ s"all appl% onl% to persons !diciall% c"ar#ed $or re)ellion or o$$enses in"erent in or directl% connected wit" invasion. D!rin# t"e s!spension o$ t"e privile#e o$ t"e writ, an% person t"!s arrested or detained s"all )e !diciall% c"ar#ed wit"in t"ree da%s, ot"erwise "e s"all )e released. #rants t"e President, as Commander-in-C"ie$, a 0seA!ence0 o$ #rad!ated powers. =rom t"e most to t"e least )eni#n, t"ese are/ t"e callin#-o!t power, t"e power to s!spend t"e privile#e o$ t"e writ o$ habeas corpus, and t"e power to declare :artial 1aw. Citin# Integrated 9ar of the Philippines *. Damora,&&2 t"e Co!rt r!led t"at t"e onl% criterion $or t"e exercise o$ t"e callin#-o!t power is t"at 0 B=52575; 6< :53oC54 253544a;y,0 t"e President ma% call t"e armed $orces 0<o D;5752< o; 4@DD;544 8aB8544 76o85235, 627a46o2 o; ;5:5886o2.0 )re these conditions present in the instant cases; As stated earlier, considerin# t"e circ!mstances t"en prevailin#, President Arro%o $o!nd it necessar% to iss!e PP &7&5. Owin# to "er O$$ice-s vast intelli#ence networ(, s"e is in t"e )est position to determine t"e act!al condition o$ t"e co!ntr%. Ender t"e callin#-o!t power, t"e President ma% s!mmon t"e armed $orces to aid "im in s!ppressin# 8aB8544 76o85235, 627a46o2 a2A ;5:5886o2. 3"is involves ordinar% police action. D!t ever% act t"at #oes )e%ond t"e President-s callin#-o!t power is considered ille#al or ultra *ires. =or t"is reason, a President m!st )e care$!l in t"e exercise o$ "is powers. .e cannot invo(e a #reater power w"en "e wis"es to act !nder a lesser power. 3"ere lies t"e wisdom o$ o!r Constit!tion, t"e #reater t"e power, t"e #reater are t"e limitations. It is pertinent to state, "owever, t"at t"ere is a distinction )etween t"e President-s a!t"orit% to declare a 0state o$ re)ellion0 4in ,anlakas6 and t"e a!t"orit% to proclaim a state o$ national emer#enc%. C"ile President Arro%o-s a!t"orit% to declare a 0state o$ re)ellion0 emanates $rom "er powers as C"ie$ Exec!tive, t"e stat!tor% a!t"orit% cited in ,anlakas was Section >, C"apter 2, Doo( II o$ t"e Revised Administrative Code o$ &J@5, w"ic" provides/ SEC. >. ' Proclamations. ' Acts o$ t"e President $ixin# a date or declarin# a stat!s or condition o$ p!)lic moment or interest, !pon t"e existence o$ w"ic" t"e operation o$ a speci$ic law or re#!lation is made to depend, s"all )e prom!l#ated in proclamations w"ic" s"all "ave t"e $orce o$ an exec!tive order. President Arro%o-s declaration o$ a 0state o$ re)ellion0 was merel% an act declarin# a stat!s or condition o$ p!)lic moment or interest, a declaration allowed !nder Section > cited a)ove. S!c" declaration, in t"e words o$,anlakas, is "armless, wit"o!t le#al si#ni$icance, and deemed not written. In t"ese cases, PP &7&5 is more t"an t"at. In declarin# a state o$ national emer#enc%, President Arro%o did not onl% rel% on Section &@, Article ,II o$ t"e Constit!tion, a provision callin# on t"e A=P to prevent or s!ppress lawless violence, invasion or re)ellion. S"e also relied on Section &5, Article BII, a provision on t"e State-s extraordinar% power to ta(e over privatel%-owned p!)lic !tilit% and )!siness a$$ected wit" p!)lic interest. Indeed, PP &7&5 calls $or t"e exercise o$ an aB54oC5 DoB5;. O)vio!sl%, s!c" Proclamation cannot )e deemed "armless, wit"o!t le#al si#ni$icance, or not written, as in t"e case o$ ,anlakas. Some o$ t"e petitioners ve"ementl% maintain t"at PP &7&5 is act!all% a declaration o$ :artial 1aw. It is no so. C"at de$ines t"e c"aracter o$ PP &7&5 are its wordin#s. It is plain t"erein t"at w"at t"e President invo(ed was "er callin#-o!t power. 3"e declaration o$ :artial 1aw is a 0warnKin#L to citi*ens t"at t"e militar% power "as )een called !pon )% t"e exec!tive to assist in t"e maintenance o$ law and order, and t"at, w"ile t"e emer#enc% lasts, t"e% m!st, !pon pain o$ arrest and p!nis"ment, not commit an% acts w"ic" will in an% wa% render more di$$ic!lt t"e restoration o$ order and t"e en$orcement o$ law.0&&< In "is 0,tatement before the ,enate Committee on @ustice0 on :arc" &<, 277?, :r. +!stice ,icente ,. :endo*a,&&>an a!t"orit% in constit!tional law, said t"at o$ t"e t"ree powers o$ t"e President as Commander-in-C"ie$, t"e power to declare :artial 1aw poses t"e most severe t"reat to civil li)erties. It is a stron# medicine w"ic" s"o!ld not )e resorted to li#"tl%. It cannot )e !sed to sti$le or persec!te critics o$ t"e #overnment. It is placed in t"e (eepin# o$ t"e President $or t"e p!rpose o$ ena)lin# "im to sec!re t"e people $rom "arm and to restore order so t"at t"e% can en o% t"eir individ!al $reedoms. In $act, Section &@, Art. ,II, provides/ A state o$ martial law does not s!spend t"e operation o$ t"e Constit!tion, nor s!pplant t"e $!nctionin# o$ t"e civil co!rts or le#islative assem)lies, nor a!t"ori*e t"e con$erment o$ !risdiction on militar% co!rts and a#encies over civilians w"ere civil co!rts are a)le to $!nction, nor a!tomaticall% s!spend t"e privile#e o$ t"e writ. +!stice :endo*a also stated t"at PP &7&5 is not a declaration o$ :artial 1aw. It is no more t"an a call )% t"e President to t"e armed $orces to prevent or s!ppress lawless violence. As s!c", it cannot )e !sed to !sti$% acts t"at onl% !nder a valid declaration o$ :artial 1aw can )e done. Its !se $or an% ot"er p!rpose is a perversion o$ its nat!re and scope, and an% act done contrar% to its command is ultra *ires. +!stice :endo*a $!rt"er stated t"at speci$icall%, 4a6 arrests and sei*!res wit"o!t !dicial warrants; 4)6 )an on p!)lic assem)lies; 4c6 ta(e-over o$ news media and a#encies and press censors"ip; and 4d6 iss!ance o$ Presidential Decrees, are powers w"ic" can )e exercised )% t"e President as Commander-in-C"ie$ o28y w"ere t"ere is a valid declaration o$ :artial 1aw or s!spension o$ t"e writ o$ habeas corpus. Dased on t"e a)ove disA!isition, it is clear t"at PP &7&5 is not a declaration o$ :artial 1aw. I< 64 C5;58y a2 5G5;3645 o> P;546A52< A;;oyoH4 3a88629&o@< DoB5; $or t"e armed $orces to assist "er in preventin# or s!ppressin# lawless violence. Second Pro ision- /.a0e %are/ Power 3"e second provision pertains to t"e power o$ t"e President to ens!re t"at t"e laws )e $ait"$!ll% exec!ted. 3"is is )ased on Section &5, Article ,II w"ic" reads/ SE%. 17. 3"e President s"all "ave control o$ all t"e exec!tive departments, )!rea!s, and o$$ices. H5 4=a88 524@;5 <=a< <=5 8aB4 :5 >a6<=>@88y 5G53@<5A. As t"e Exec!tive in w"om t"e exec!tive power is vested,&&9 t"e primar% $!nction o$ t"e President is to en$orce t"e laws as well as to $orm!late policies to )e em)odied in existin# laws. .e sees to it t"at all laws are en$orced )% t"e o$$icials and emplo%ees o$ "is department. De$ore ass!min# o$$ice, "e is reA!ired to ta(e an oat" or a$$irmation to t"e e$$ect t"at as President o$ t"e P"ilippines, "e will, amon# ot"ers, 0exec!te its laws.0 &&? In t"e exercise o$ s!c" $!nction, t"e President, i$ needed, ma% emplo% t"e powers attac"ed to "is o$$ice as t"e Commander-in-C"ie$ o$ all t"e armed $orces o$ t"e co!ntr%,&&5 incl!din# t"e P"ilippine National Police&&@ !nder t"e Department o$ Interior and 1ocal 8overnment.&&J Petitioners, especiall% Representatives =rancis +osep" 8. Esc!dero, Sat!r Ocampo, Ra$ael :ariano, 3eodoro CasiMo, 1i*a :a*a, and +osel ,irador ar#!e t"at PP &7&5 is !nconstit!tional as it arro#ated !pon President Arro%o t"e power to enact laws and decrees in violation o$ Section &, Article ,I o$ t"e Constit!tion, w"ic" vests t"e power to enact laws in Con#ress. 3"e% assail t"e cla!se 0<o 52>o;35 o:5A65235 <o a88 <=5 8aB4 a2A <o a88 A53;554, o;A5;4 a2A ;59@8a<6o24 D;oC@89a<5A :y C5 D5;4o2a88y o; @Do2 Cy A6;53<6o2.0 Q Petitioners- contention is !nderstanda)le. A readin# o$ PP &7&5 operative cla!se s"ows t"at it was li$ted &27 $rom =ormer President :arcos- Proclamation No. &7@&, w"ic" partl% reads/ NO/, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MAR%OS, President o$ t"e P"ilippines )% virt!e o$ t"e powers vested !pon me )% Article ,II, Section &7, Para#rap" 426 o$ t"e Constit!tion, do "ere)% place t"e entire P"ilippines as de$ined in Article &, Section & o$ t"e Constit!tion !nder martial law and, in m% capacit% as t"eir Commander-in-C"ie$, Ao =5;5:y 3oCCa2A <=5 A;C5A Fo;354 o> <=5 P=686DD6254, <o Ca62<a62 8aB a2A o;A5; <=;o@9=o@< <=5 P=686DD6254, D;5752< o; 4@DD;544 a88 >o;C4 o> 8aB8544 76o85235 a4 B588 a4 a2y a3< o> 624@;;53<6o2 o; ;5:5886o2 a2A <o 52>o;35 o:5A65235 <o a88 <=5 8aB4 a2A A53;554, o;A5;4 a2A ;59@8a<6o24 D;oC@89a<5A :y C5 D5;4o2a88y o; @Do2 Cy A6;53<6o2. Ce all (now t"at it was PP &7@& w"ic" #ranted President :arcos le#islative power. Its ena)lin# cla!se states/ K<o 52>o;35 o:5A65235 <o a88 <=5 8aB4 a2A A53;554, o;A5;4 a2A ;59@8a<6o24 D;oC@89a<5A :y C5 D5;4o2a88y o; @Do2 Cy A6;53<6o2.K Epon t"e ot"er "and, t"e ena)lin# cla!se o$ PP &7&5 iss!ed )% President Arro%o is/ <o 52>o;35 o:5A65235 <o a88 <=5 8aB4 a2A to all A53;554, o;A5;4 a2A ;59@8a<6o24 D;oC@89a<5A :y C5 D5;4o2a88y o; @Do2 Cy A6;53<6o2.0

Is it within the domain of President )rroyo to promulgate +decrees+G PP &7&5 states in part/ 0to en$orce o)edience to all t"e laws and A53;554 x x x D;oC@89a<5A :y C5 D5;4o2a88y o; @Do2 Cy A6;53<6o2.0 3"e President is #ranted an Ordinance Power !nder C"apter 2, Doo( III o$ Exec!tive Order No. 2J2 4Administrative Code o$ &J@56. S"e ma% iss!e an% o$ t"e $ollowin#/ Sec. 2. E:ecuti*e Orders. R Acts o$ t"e President providin# $or r!les o$ a #eneral or permanent c"aracter in implementation or exec!tion o$ constit!tional or stat!tor% powers s"all )e prom!l#ated in exec!tive orders. Sec. <. )dministrati*e Orders. R Acts o$ t"e President w"ic" relate to partic!lar aspect o$ #overnmental operations in p!rs!ance o$ "is d!ties as administrative "ead s"all )e prom!l#ated in administrative orders. Sec. >. Proclamations. R Acts o$ t"e President $ixin# a date or declarin# a stat!s or condition o$ p!)lic moment or interest, !pon t"e existence o$ w"ic" t"e operation o$ a speci$ic law or re#!lation is made to depend, s"all )e prom!l#ated in proclamations w"ic" s"all "ave t"e $orce o$ an exec!tive order. Sec. 9. emorandum Orders. R Acts o$ t"e President on matters o$ administrative detail or o$ s!)ordinate or temporar% interest w"ic" onl% concern a partic!lar o$$icer or o$$ice o$ t"e 8overnment s"all )e em)odied in memorand!m orders. Sec. ?. emorandum Circulars. R Acts o$ t"e President on matters relatin# to internal administration, w"ic" t"e President desires to )rin# to t"e attention o$ all or some o$ t"e departments, a#encies, )!rea!s or o$$ices o$ t"e 8overnment, $or in$ormation or compliance, s"all )e em)odied in memorand!m circ!lars. Sec. 5. 4eneral or ,pecial Orders. R Acts and commands o$ t"e President in "is capacit% as Commander-in-C"ie$ o$ t"e Armed =orces o$ t"e P"ilippines s"all )e iss!ed as #eneral or special orders. President Arro%o-s ordinance power is limited to t"e $ore#oin# iss!ances. S"e cannot iss!e A53;554 similar to t"ose iss!ed )% =ormer President :arcos !nder PP &7@&. Presidential Decrees are laws w"ic" are o$ t"e same cate#or% and )indin# $orce as stat!tes )eca!se t"e% were iss!ed )% t"e President in t"e exercise o$ "is le#islative power d!rin# t"e period o$ :artial 1aw !nder t"e &J5< Constit!tion. &2& T=64 %o@;< ;@854 <=a< <=5 a44a685A PP 1017 64 @23o24<6<@<6o2a8 624o>a; a4 6< 9;a2<4 P;546A52< A;;oyo <=5 a@<=o;6<y <o D;oC@89a<5 KA53;554.K 1e#islative power is pec!liarl% wit"in t"e province o$ t"e 1e#islat!re. Section &, Article ,I cate#oricall% states t"at 0 N<O=5 859648a<675 DoB5; 4=a88 :5 754<5A 62 <=5 %o29;544 o> <=5 P=686DD6254 B=63= 4=a88 3o2464< o> a S52a<5 a2A a Ho@45 o> R5D;5452<a<6754 .0 3o )e s!re, neit"er :artial 1aw nor a state o$ re)ellion nor a state o$ emer#enc% can !sti$% President Arro%o-s exercise o$ le#islative power )% iss!in# decrees. Can President )rroyo enforce obedience to all decrees and laws through the military; As t"is Co!rt stated earlier, President Arro%o "as no a!t"orit% to enact decrees. It $ollows t"at t"ese decrees are void and, t"ere$ore, cannot )e en$orced. Cit" respect to 0laws,0 s"e cannot call t"e militar% to en$orce or implement certain laws, s!c" as c!stoms laws, laws #overnin# $amil% and propert% relations, laws on o)li#ations and contracts and t"e li(e. S"e can onl% order t"e militar%, !nder PP &7&5, to en$orce laws pertinent to its d!t% <o 4@DD;544 8aB8544 76o85235. .$ird Pro ision- Power to .a0e * er 3"e pertinent provision o$ PP &7&5 states/ x x x and to en$orce o)edience to all t"e laws and to all decrees, orders, and re#!lations prom!l#ated )% me personall% or !pon m% direction; a2A a4 D;o76A5A 62 S53<6o2 17, A;<6385 'II o> <=5 %o24<6<@<6o2 Ao =5;5:y A538a;5 a 4<a<5 o> 2a<6o2a8 5C5;9523y. 3"e import o$ t"is provision is t"at President Arro%o, d!rin# t"e state o$ national emer#enc% !nder PP &7&5, can call t"e militar% not onl% to en$orce o)edience 0to all t"e laws and to all decrees x x x0 )!t also to act p!rs!ant to t"e provision o$ Section &5, Article BII w"ic" reads/ S53. 17. In times o$ national emer#enc%, w"en t"e p!)lic interest so reA!ires, t"e State ma%, d!rin# t"e emer#enc% and !nder reasona)le terms prescri)ed )% it, temporaril% ta(e over or direct t"e operation o$ an% privatel%-owned p!)lic !tilit% or )!siness a$$ected wit" p!)lic interest. Bhat could be the reason of President )rroyo in in*oking the abo*e pro*ision when she issued PP 7'78G 3"e answer is simple. D!rin# t"e existence o$ t"e state o$ national emer#enc%, PP &7&5 p!rports to #rant t"e President, wit"o!t an% a!t"orit% or dele#ation $rom Con#ress, to ta(e over or direct t"e operation o$ an% privatel%-owned p!)lic !tilit% or )!siness a$$ected wit" p!)lic interest. 3"is provision was $irst introd!ced in t"e &J5< Constit!tion, as a prod!ct o$ t"e 0martial law0 t"in(in# o$ t"e &J5& Constit!tional Convention. &22 In e$$ect at t"e time o$ its approval was President :arcos- 1etter o$ Instr!ction No. 2 dated Septem)er 22, &J52 instr!ctin# t"e Secretar% o$ National De$ense to ta(e over 0the management, control and operation of the anila Electric Company, the Philippine Long "istance .elephone Company, the 5ational Baterworks and ,ewerage )uthority, the Philippine 5ational ;ailways, the Philippine )ir Lines, )ir anila HandI $ilipinas Orient )irways . . . for the successful prosecution by the 4o*ernment of its effort to contain, sol*e and end the present national emergency. 0 Petitioners, partic!larl% t"e mem)ers o$ t"e .o!se o$ Representatives, claim t"at President Arro%o-s incl!sion o$ Section &5, Article BII in PP &7&5 is an encroac"ment on t"e le#islat!re-s emer#enc% powers. 3"is is an area t"at needs delineation. A distinction m!st )e drawn )etween t"e President-s a!t"orit% to A538a;5 0a state o$ national emer#enc%0 and to5G5;3645 emer#enc% powers. 3o t"e $irst, as el!cidated )% t"e Co!rt, Section &@, Article ,II #rants t"e President s!c" power, "ence, no le#itimate constit!tional o) ection can )e raised. D!t to t"e second, mani$old constit!tional iss!es arise. Section 2<, Article ,I o$ t"e Constit!tion reads/ SE%. 23. -1. 3"e Con#ress, )% a vote o$ two-t"irds o$ )ot" .o!ses in oint session assem)led, votin# separatel%, s"all "ave t"e 4o85 DoB5; <o A538a;5 <=5 5G64<5235 o> a 4<a<5 o> Ba;. -2. In times o$ war or o<=5; 2a<6o2a8 5C5;9523y, t"e Con#ress ma%, )% law, a!t"ori*e t"e President, $or a limited period and s!) ect to s!c" restrictions as it ma% prescri)e, to exercise powers necessar% and proper to carr% o!t a declared national polic%. Enless sooner wit"drawn )% resol!tion o$ t"e Con#ress, s!c" powers s"all cease !pon t"e next ad o!rnment t"ereo$. It ma% )e pointed o!t t"at t"e second para#rap" o$ t"e a)ove provision re$ers not onl% to war )!t also to 0o<=5; 2a<6o2a8 5C5;9523y.0 I$ t"e intention o$ t"e =ramers o$ o!r Constit!tion was to wit""old $rom t"e President t"e a!t"orit% to declare a 0state o$ national emer#enc%0 p!rs!ant to Section &@, Article ,II 4callin#-o!t power6 and #rant it to Con#ress 4li(e t"e declaration o$ t"e existence o$ a state o$ war6, t"en t"e =ramers co!ld "ave provided so. Clearl%, t"e% did not intend t"at Con#ress s"o!ld $irst a!t"ori*e t"e President )e$ore "e can declare a 0state o$ national emer#enc%.0 3"e lo#ical concl!sion t"en is t"at President Arro%o co!ld validl% declare t"e existence o$ a state o$ national emer#enc% even in t"e a)sence o$ a Con#ressional enactment. D!t t"e 5G5;3645 o$ emer#enc% powers, s!c" as t"e ta(in# over o$ privatel% owned p!)lic !tilit% or )!siness a$$ected wit" p!)lic interest, is a di$$erent matter. 3"is reA!ires a dele#ation $rom Con#ress. Co!rts "ave o$ten said t"at constit!tional provisions in pari materia are to )e constr!ed to#et"er. Ot"erwise stated, di$$erent cla!ses, sections, and provisions o$ a constit!tion w"ic" relate to t"e same s!) ect matter will )e constr!ed to#et"er and considered in t"e li#"t o$ eac" ot"er. &2< Considerin# t"at Section &5 o$ Article BII and Section 2< o$ Article ,I, previo!sl% A!oted, relate to national emer#encies, t"e% m!st )e read to#et"er to determine t"e limitation o$ t"e exercise o$ emer#enc% powers. G525;a88y, %o29;544 64 <=5 ;5Do46<o;y o> 5C5;9523y DoB5;4. 3"is is evident in t"e tenor o$ Section 2< 426, Article ,I a!t"ori*in# it to dele#ate s!c" powers to t"e President. %5;<a628y, a :oAy 3a22o< A5859a<5 a DoB5; 2o< ;5Do45A @Do2 6<. .owever, (nowin# t"at d!rin# #rave emer#encies, it ma% not )e possi)le or practica)le $or Con#ress to meet and exercise its powers, t"e =ramers o$ o!r Constit!tion deemed it wise to allow Con#ress to #rant emer#enc% powers to t"e President, s!) ect to certain conditions, t"!s/ -1. 3"ere m!st )e a Ba; or o<=5; 5C5;9523y. -2. 3"e dele#ation m!st )e $or a 86C6<5A D5;6oA o28y. -3. 3"e dele#ation m!st )e 4@:?53< <o 4@3= ;54<;63<6o24 a4 <=5 %o29;544 Cay D;543;6:5. -(. 3"e emer#enc% powers m!st )e exercised to 3a;;y o@< a 2a<6o2a8 Do863y declared )% Con#ress.&2>

Section &5, Article BII m!st )e !nderstood as an aspect o$ t"e emer#enc% powers cla!se. 3"e ta(in# over o$ private )!siness a$$ected wit" p!)lic interest is !st anot"er $acet o$ t"e emer#enc% powers #enerall% reposed !pon Con#ress. 3"!s, w"en Section &5 states t"at t"e 0 <=5 S<a<5 Cay, A@;629 <=5 5C5;9523y a2A @2A5; ;5a4o2a:85 <5;C4 D;543;6:5A :y 6<, <5CDo;a;68y <aF5 o75; o; A6;53< <=5 oD5;a<6o2 o> a2y D;67a<58y oB25A D@:863 @<686<y o; :@462544 a>>53<5A B6<= D@:863 62<5;54<,0 it re$ers to Con#ress, not t"e President. Now, w"et"er or not t"e President ma% exercise s!c" power is dependent on w"et"er Con#ress ma% dele#ate it to "im p!rs!ant to a law prescri)in# t"e reasona)le terms t"ereo$. Foungstown ,heet J .ube Co. et al. *. ,awyer,&29"eld/ It is clear t"at i$ t"e President "ad a!t"orit% to iss!e t"e order "e did, it m!st )e $o!nd in some provision o$ t"e Constit!tion. And it is not claimed t"at express constit!tional lan#!a#e #rants t"is power to t"e President. 3"e contention is t"at presidential power s"o!ld )e implied $rom t"e a##re#ate o$ "is powers !nder t"e Constit!tion. Partic!lar reliance is placed on provisions in Article II w"ic" sa% t"at 03"e exec!tive Power s"all )e vested in a President . . . .;0 t"at 0"e s"all ta(e Care t"at t"e 1aws )e $ait"$!ll% exec!ted;0 and t"at "e 0s"all )e Commander-in-C"ie$ o$ t"e Arm% and Nav% o$ t"e Enited States. 3"e order cannot properl% )e s!stained as an exercise o$ t"e President-s militar% power as Commander-in-C"ie$ o$ t"e Armed =orces. 3"e 8overnment attempts to do so )% citin# a n!m)er o$ cases !p"oldin# )road powers in militar% commanders en#a#ed in da%-to-da% $i#"tin# in a t"eater o$ war. S!c" cases need not concern !s "ere.E752 <=o@9= K<=5a<5; o> Ba;K :5 a2 5GDa2A629 3o235D<, B5 3a22o< B6<= >a6<=>@82544 <o o@; 3o24<6<@<6o2a8 4y4<5C =o8A <=a< <=5 %oCCa2A5;&62&%=65> o> <=5 A;C5A Fo;354 =a4 <=5 @8<6Ca<5 DoB5; a4 4@3= <o <aF5 Do445446o2 o> D;67a<5 D;oD5;<y 62 o;A5; <o F55D 8a:o; A64D@<54 >;oC 4<oDD629 D;oA@3<6o2. T=64 64 a ?o: >o; <=5 2a<6o2H4 8aBCaF5;4, 2o< >o; 6<4 C686<a;y a@<=o;6<654. No; 3a2 <=5 456E@;5 o;A5; :5 4@4<a625A :53a@45 o> <=5 4575;a8 3o24<6<@<6o2a8 D;o7646o24 <=a< 9;a2< 5G53@<675 DoB5; <o <=5 P;546A52<. I2 <=5 >;aC5Bo;F o> o@; %o24<6<@<6o2, <=5 P;546A52<H4 DoB5; <o 455 <=a< <=5 8aB4 a;5 >a6<=>@88y 5G53@<5A ;5>@<54 <=5 6A5a <=a< =5 64 <o :5 a 8aBCaF5;. T=5 %o24<6<@<6o2 86C6<4 =64 >@23<6o24 62 <=5 8aBCaF629 D;o3544 <o <=5 ;53oCC52A629 o> 8aB4 =5 <=62F4 B645 a2A <=5 75<o629 o> 8aB4 =5 <=62F4 :aA. A2A <=5 %o24<6<@<6o2 64 256<=5; 46852< 2o; 5L@67o3a8 a:o@< B=o 4=a88 CaF5 8aB4 B=63= <=5 P;546A52< 64 <o 5G53@<5. T=5 >6;4< 453<6o2 o> <=5 >6;4< a;<6385 4ay4 <=a< KA88 859648a<675 PoB5;4 =5;562 9;a2<5A 4=a88 :5 754<5A 62 a %o29;544 o> <=5 "26<5A S<a<54 . . .0&2? Petitioner Cacho#Oli*ares, et al. contends t"at t"e term 0emer#enc%0 !nder Section &5, Article BII re$ers to 0<4@2aC6,0 0<yD=oo2,0 0=@;;63a250and046C68a; o33@;;52354.0 3"is is a limited view o$ 0emer#enc%.0 Emer#enc%, as a #eneric term, connotes t"e existence o$ conditions s!ddenl% intensi$%in# t"e de#ree o$ existin# dan#er to li$e or well-)ein# )e%ond t"at w"ic" is accepted as normal. Implicit in t"is de$initions are t"e elements o$ intensit%, variet%, and perception. &25 Emer#encies, as perceived )% le#islat!re or exec!tive in t"e Enited Sates since &J<<, "ave )een occasioned )% a wide ran#e o$ sit!ations, classi$ia)le !nder t"ree 4<6 principal "eads/ a.53o2oC63,&2@ :. 2a<@;a8 A64a4<5;,&2J and 3. 2a<6o2a8 453@;6<y.&<7 0Emer#enc%,0 as contemplated in o!r Constit!tion, is o$ t"e same )readt". It ma% incl!de re)ellion, economic crisis, pestilence or epidemic, t%p"oon, $lood, or ot"er similar catastrop"e o$ nationwide proportions or e$$ect.&<&3"is is evident in t"e Records o$ t"e Constit!tional Commission, t"!s/ :R. 8ASCON. Oes. C"at is t"e Committee-s de$inition o$ 0national emer#enc%0 w"ic" appears in Section &<, pa#e 9; It reads/ C"en t"e common #ood so reA!ires, t"e State ma% temporaril% ta(e over or direct t"e operation o$ an% privatel% owned p!)lic !tilit% or )!siness a$$ected wit" p!)lic interest. :R. ,I11E8AS. C"at I mean is t"reat $rom 5G<5;2a8 a99;5446o2, $or example, 3a8aC6<654 or 2a<@;a8 A64a4<5;4. :R. 8ASCON. 3"ere is a A!estion )% Commissioner de los Re%es. C"at a)o!t stri(es and riots; :R. ,I11E8AS. Stri(es, no; t"ose wo!ld not )e covered )% t"e term 0national emer#enc%.0 :R. DEN8FON. Enless t"e% are o$ s!c" proportions s!c" t"at t"e% wo!ld paral%*e #overnment service.&<2 xxxxxx :R. 3IN8SON. :a% I as( t"e committee i$ 0national emer#enc%0 re$ers to C686<a;y 2a<6o2a8 5C5;9523y or co!ld t"is )e 53o2oC63 5C5;9523y;0 :R. ,I11E8AS. Oes, it co!ld re$er to :o<= C686<a;y o; 53o2oC63 A648o3a<6o24. :R. 3IN8SON. 3"an( %o! ver% m!c".&<< It ma% )e ar#!ed t"at w"en t"ere is national emer#enc%, Con#ress ma% not )e a)le to convene and, t"ere$ore, !na)le to dele#ate to t"e President t"e power to ta(e over privatel%-owned p!)lic !tilit% or )!siness a$$ected wit" p!)lic interest. In )raneta *. "inglasan,&<> t"is Co!rt emp"asi*ed t"at le#islative power, t"ro!#" w"ic" extraordinar% meas!res are exercised, remains in Con#ress even in times o$ crisis. 0x x x A$ter all t"e criticisms t"at "ave )een made a#ainst t"e e$$icienc% o$ t"e s%stem o$ t"e separation o$ powers, t"e $act remains t"at t"e Constit!tion "as set !p t"is $orm o$ #overnment, wit" all its de$ects and s"ortcomin#s, in pre$erence to t"e commin#lin# o$ powers in one man or #ro!p o$ men. 3"e =ilipino people )% adoptin# parliamentar% #overnment "ave #iven notice t"at t"e% s"are t"e $ait" o$ ot"er democrac%-lovin# peoples in t"is s%stem, wit" all its $a!lts, as t"e ideal. 3"e point is, !nder t"is $ramewor( o$ #overnment, le#islation is preserved $or Con#ress all t"e time, not exceptin# periods o$ crisis no matter "ow serio!s. Never in t"e "istor% o$ t"e Enited States, t"e )asic $eat!res o$ w"ose Constit!tion "ave )een copied in o!rs, "ave speci$ic $!nctions o$ t"e le#islative )ranc" o$ enactin# laws )een s!rrendered to anot"er department ' !nless we re#ard as le#islatin# t"e carr%in# o!t o$ a le#islative polic% accordin# to prescri)ed standards; no, not even w"en t"at Rep!)lic was $i#"tin# a total war, or w"en it was en#a#ed in a li$e-and-deat" str!##le to preserve t"e Enion. 3"e tr!t" is t"at !nder o!r concept o$ constit!tional #overnment, in times o$ extreme perils more t"an in normal circ!mstances Nt"e vario!s )ranc"es, exec!tive, le#islative, and !dicial,- #iven t"e a)ilit% to act, are called !pon Nto per$orm t"e d!ties and disc"ar#e t"e responsi)ilities committed to t"em respectivel%.0 =ollowin# o!r interpretation o$ Section &5, Article BII, invo(ed )% President Arro%o in iss!in# PP &7&5, t"is Co!rt r!les t"at s!c" Proclamation does not a!t"ori*e "er d!rin# t"e emer#enc% to temporaril% ta(e over or direct t"e operation o$ an% privatel% owned p!)lic !tilit% or )!siness a$$ected wit" p!)lic interest wit"o!t a!t"orit% $rom Con#ress. 1et it )e emp"asi*ed t"at w"ile t"e President alone can declare a state o$ national emer#enc%, "owever, wit"o!t le#islation, "e "as no power to ta(e over privatel%-owned p!)lic !tilit% or )!siness a$$ected wit" p!)lic interest. 3"e President cannot decide w"et"er exceptional circ!mstances exist warrantin# t"e ta(e over o$ privatel%-owned p!)lic !tilit% or )!siness a$$ected wit" p!)lic interest. Nor can "e determine w"en s!c" exceptional circ!mstances "ave ceased. 1i(ewise, B6<=o@< 859648a<6o2, t"e President "as no power to point o!t t"e t%pes o$ )!sinesses a$$ected wit" p!)lic interest t"at s"o!ld )e ta(en over. In s"ort, t"e President "as no a)sol!te a!t"orit% to exercise all t"e powers o$ t"e State !nder Section &5, Article ,II in t"e a)sence o$ an emer#enc% powers act passed )% Con#ress. 3. KAS APPLIED %HALLENGEK One o$ t"e mis$ort!nes o$ an emer#enc%, partic!larl%, t"at w"ic" pertains to sec!rit%, is t"at militar% necessit% and t"e #!aranteed ri#"ts o$ t"e individ!al are o$ten not compati)le. O!r "istor% reveals t"at in t"e cr!ci)le o$ con$lict, man% ri#"ts are c!rtailed and trampled !pon. .ere, t"e ;69=< a9a624< @2;5a4o2a:85 45a;3= a2A 456E@;50 <=5 ;69=< a9a624< Ba;;a2<8544 a;;54<0 and <=5 >;55AoC o> 4D553=, o> 5GD;5446o2, o> <=5 D;544, a2A o> a445C:8y !nder t"e Dill o$ Ri#"ts s!$$ered t"e #reatest )low. O$ t"e seven 456 petitions, t"ree 4<6 indicate 0direct in !r%.0 In G.R. No. 171396, petitioners David and 1lamas alle#ed t"at, on =e)r!ar% 2>, 277?, t"e% were arrested wit"o!t warrants on t"eir wa% to EDSA to cele)rate t"e 27t" Anniversar% o$ People Power I. 3"e arrestin# o$$icers cited PP &7&5 as )asis o$ t"e arrest. In G.R. No. 171(09, petitioners Cac"o-Olivares and .ribune P!)lis"in# Co., Inc. claimed t"at on =e)r!ar% 29, 277?, t"e CID8 operatives 0raided and ransac(ed wit"o!t warrant0 t"eir o$$ice. 3"ree policemen were assi#ned to #!ard t"eir o$$ice as a possi)le 0so!rce o$ desta)ili*ation.0 A#ain, t"e )asis was PP &7&5. And in G.R. No. 171()3, petitioners I:E and NA=1E-I:E et al. alle#ed t"at t"eir mem)ers were 0t!rned awa% and dispersed0 w"en t"e% went to EDSA and later, to A%ala Aven!e, to cele)rate t"e 27t" Anniversar% o$ People Power I.

A per!sal o$ t"e 0direct in !ries0 alle#edl% s!$$ered )% t"e said petitioners s"ows t"at t"e% res!lted $rom t"e 6CD85C52<a<6o2, p!rs!ant to 8.O. No. 9, o$ PP &7&5. Can this Court ad?udge as unconstitutional PP 7'78 and 4.O. 5o 6 on the basis of these illegal actsG In #eneral,does the illegal implementation of a law render it unconstitutionalG Settled is t"e r!le t"at co!rts are not at li)ert% to declare stat!tes invalid a8<=o@9= <=5y Cay :5 a:@45A a2A C64a:@45A&<9 and Cay a>>o;A a2 oDDo;<@26<y >o; a:@45 62 <=5 Ca225; o> aDD863a<6o2.&<? 3"e validit% o$ a stat!te or ordinance is to )e determined $rom its #eneral p!rpose and its e$$icienc% to accomplis" t"e end desired,2o< >;oC 6<4 5>>53<4 62 a Da;<63@8a; 3a45.&<5 PP &7&5 is merel% an invocation o$ t"e President-s callin#-o!t power. Its #eneral p!rpose is to command t"e A=P to s!ppress all $orms o$ lawless violence, invasion or re)ellion. It "ad accomplis"ed t"e end desired w"ic" prompted President Arro%o to iss!e PP &72&. D!t t"ere is not"in# in PP &7&5 allowin# t"e police, expressl% or impliedl%, to cond!ct ille#al arrest, searc" or violate t"e citi*ens- constit!tional ri#"ts. Now, ma% t"is Co!rt ad !d#e a law or ordinance !nconstit!tional on t"e #ro!nd t"at its implementor committed ille#al acts; 3"e answer is no. 3"e criterion )% w"ic" t"e validit% o$ t"e stat!te or ordinance is to )e meas!red is t"e essential )asis $or t"e exercise o$ power, a2A 2o< a C5;5 6236A52<a8 ;54@8< a;64629 >;oC 6<4 5G5;<6o2.&<@3"is is lo#ical. +!st ima#ine t"e a)s!rdit% o$ sit!ations w"en laws ma%)e declared !nconstit!tional !st )eca!se t"e o$$icers implementin# t"em "ave acted ar)itraril%. I$ t"is were so, !d#in# $rom t"e )l!nders committed )% policemen in t"e cases passed !pon )% t"e Co!rt, ma orit% o$ t"e provisions o$ t"e Revised Penal Code wo!ld "ave )een declared !nconstit!tional a lon# time a#o. President Arro%o iss!ed 8.O. No. 9 to carr% into e$$ect t"e provisions o$ PP &7&5. 8eneral orders are 0acts and commands o$ t"e President in "is capacit% as Commander-in-C"ie$ o$ t"e Armed =orces o$ t"e P"ilippines.0 3"e% are internal r!les iss!ed )% t"e exec!tive o$$icer to "is s!)ordinates precisel% $or t"e D;oD5; and 5>>63652<aAC6264<;a<6o2 o> 8aB. S!c" r!les and re#!lations create no relation except )etween t"e o$$icial w"o iss!es t"em and t"e o$$icial w"o receives t"em.&<J 3"e% are )ased on and are t"e prod!ct o$, a relations"ip in w"ic" power is t"eir so!rce, and o)edience, t"eir o) ect.&>7 =or t"ese reasons, one reA!irement $or t"ese r!les to )e valid is t"at t"e% m!st )e ;5a4o2a:85, 2o< a;:6<;a;y o; 3aD;636o@4. 8.O. No. 9 mandates t"e A=P and t"e PNP to immediatel% carr% o!t t"e 0253544a;y a2A aDD;oD;6a<5 a3<6o24 a2A C5a4@;54 <o 4@DD;544 a2A D;5752< a3<4 o> <5;;o;64C a2A 8aB8544 violence.0 Enli(e t"e term 0lawless violence0 w"ic" is !nar#!a)l% extant in o!r stat!tes and t"e Constit!tion, and w"ic" is invaria)l% associated wit" 0invasion, ins!rrection or re)ellion,0 t"e p"rase 0acts o$ terrorism0 is still an amorp"o!s and va#!e concept. Con#ress "as %et to enact a law de$inin# and p!nis"in# acts o$ terrorism. In $act, t"is 0de$initional predicament0 or t"e 0a)sence o$ an a#reed de$inition o$ terrorism0 con$ronts not onl% o!r co!ntr%, )!t t"e international comm!nit% as well. 3"e $ollowin# o)servations are A!ite apropos/ In t"e act!al !nipolar context o$ international relations, t"e 0$i#"t a#ainst terrorism0 "as )ecome one o$ t"e )asic slo#ans w"en it comes to t"e !sti$ication o$ t"e !se o$ $orce a#ainst certain states and a#ainst #ro!ps operatin# internationall%. 1ists o$ states 0sponsorin# terrorism0 and o$ terrorist or#ani*ations are set !p and constantl% )ein# !pdated accordin# to criteria t"at are not alwa%s (nown to t"e p!)lic, )!t are clearl% determined )% strate#ic interests. 3"e )asic pro)lem !nderl%in# all t"ese militar% actions ' or t"reats o$ t"e !se o$ $orce as t"e most recent )% t"e Enited States a#ainst IraA ' consists in t"e a)sence o$ an a#reed de$inition o$ terrorism. Remar(a)le con$!sion persists in re#ard to t"e le#al cate#ori*ation o$ acts o$ violence eit"er )% states, )% armed #ro!ps s!c" as li)eration movements, or )% individ!als. 3"e dilemma can )% s!mmari*ed in t"e sa%in# 0One co!ntr%-s terrorist is anot"er co!ntr%-s $reedom $i#"ter.0 3"e apparent contradiction or lac( o$ consistenc% in t"e !se o$ t"e term 0terrorism0 ma% $!rt"er )e demonstrated )% t"e "istorical $act t"at leaders o$ national li)eration movements s!c" as Nelson :andela in So!t" A$rica, .a)i) Do!r#o!i)a in 3!nisia, or A"med Den Della in Al#eria, to mention onl% a $ew, were ori#inall% la)eled as terrorists )% t"ose w"o controlled t"e territor% at t"e time, )!t later )ecame internationall% respected statesmen. C"at, t"en, is t"e de$inin# criterion $or terrorist acts ' t"e differentia specifica distin#!is"in# t"ose acts $rom event!all% le#itimate acts o$ national resistance or sel$-de$ense; Since t"e times o$ t"e Cold Car t"e Enited Nations Or#ani*ation "as )een tr%in# in vain to reac" a consens!s on t"e )asic iss!e o$ de$inition. 3"e or#ani*ation "as intensi$ied its e$$orts recentl%, )!t "as )een !na)le to )rid#e t"e #ap )etween t"ose w"o associate 0terrorism0 wit" an% violent act )% non-state #ro!ps a#ainst civilians, state $!nctionaries or in$rastr!ct!re or militar% installations, and t"ose w"o )elieve in t"e concept o$ t"e le#itimate !se o$ $orce w"en resistance a#ainst $orei#n occ!pation or a#ainst s%stematic oppression o$ et"nic andGor reli#io!s #ro!ps wit"in a state is concerned. 3"e dilemma $acin# t"e international comm!nit% can )est )e ill!strated )% re$erence to t"e contradictin# cate#ori*ation o$ or#ani*ations and movements s!c" as Palestine 1i)eration Or#ani*ation 4P1O6 ' w"ic" is a terrorist #ro!p $or Israel and a li)eration movement $or Ara)s and :!slims ' t"e Ias"miri resistance #ro!ps ' w"o are terrorists in t"e perception o$ India, li)eration $i#"ters in t"at o$ Pa(istan ' t"e earlier Contras in Nicara#!a ' $reedom $i#"ters $or t"e Enited States, terrorists $or t"e Socialist camp ' or, most drasticall%, t"e A$#"ani :! a"edeen 4later to )ecome t"e 3ali)an movement6/ d!rin# t"e Cold Car period t"e% were a #ro!p o$ $reedom $i#"ters $or t"e Cest, n!rt!red )% t"e Enited States, and a terrorist #an# $or t"e Soviet Enion. One co!ld #o on and on in en!meratin# examples o$ con$lictin# cate#ori*ations t"at cannot )e reconciled in an% wa% ' )eca!se o$ opposin# political interests t"at are at t"e roots o$ t"ose perceptions. .ow, t"en, can t"ose contradictin# de$initions and con$lictin# perceptions and eval!ations o$ one and t"e same #ro!p and its actions )e explained; In o!r anal%sis, t"e )asic reason $or t"ese stri(in# inconsistencies lies in t"e diver#ent interest o$ states. Dependin# on w"et"er a state is in t"e position o$ an occ!p%in# power or in t"at o$ a rival, or adversar%, o$ an occ!p%in# power in a #iven territor%, t"e de$inition o$ terrorism will 0$l!ct!ate0 accordin#l%. A state ma% event!all% see itsel$ as protector o$ t"e ri#"ts o$ a certain et"nic #ro!p o!tside its territor% and will t"ere$ore spea( o$ a 0li)eration str!##le,0 not o$ 0terrorism0 w"en acts o$ violence )% t"is #ro!p are concerned, and vice-versa. 3"e Enited Nations Or#ani*ation "as )een !na)le to reac" a decision on t"e de$inition o$ terrorism exactl% )eca!se o$ t"ese con$lictin# interests o$ soverei#n states t"at determine in eac" and ever% instance "ow a partic!lar armed movement 4i.e. a non-state actor6 is la)eled in re#ard to t"e terrorists-$reedom $i#"ter dic"otom%. A 0polic% o$ do!)le standards0 on t"is vital iss!e o$ international a$$airs "as )een t"e !navoida)le conseA!ence. 3"is 0de$initional predicament0 o$ an or#ani*ation consistin# o$ soverei#n states ' and not o$ peoples, in spite o$ t"e emp"asis in t"e Pream)le to t"e Enited Nations C"arterS ' "as )ecome even more serio!s in t"e present #lo)al power constellation/ one s!perpower exercises t"e decisive role in t"e Sec!rit% Co!ncil, $ormer #reat powers o$ t"e Cold Car era as well as medi!m powers are increasin#l% )ein# mar#inali*ed; and t"e pro)lem "as )ecome even more ac!te since t"e terrorist attac(s o$ && Septem)er 277& I t"e Enited States.&>& 3"e a)sence o$ a law de$inin# 0acts o$ terrorism0 ma% res!lt in a)!se and oppression on t"e part o$ t"e police or militar%. An ill!stration is w"en a #ro!p o$ persons are merel% en#a#ed in a drin(in# spree. Oet t"e militar% or t"e police ma% consider t"e act as an act o$ terrorism and immediatel% arrest t"em p!rs!ant to 8.O. No. 9. O)vio!sl%, t"is is a)!se and oppression on t"eir part. It m!st )e remem)ered t"at an act can onl% )e considered a crime i$ t"ere is a law de$inin# t"e same as s!c" and imposin# t"e correspondin# penalt% t"ereon. So $ar, t"e word 0terrorism0 appears onl% once in o!r criminal laws, i.e., in P.D. No. &@<9 dated +an!ar% &?, &J@& enacted )% President :arcos d!rin# t"e :artial 1aw re#ime. 3"is decree is entitled 0Codi$%in# 3"e ,ario!s 1aws on Anti-S!)version and Increasin# 3"e Penalties $or :em)ers"ip in S!)versive Or#ani*ations.0 3"e word 0terrorism0 is mentioned in t"e $ollowin# provision/ 03"at one w"o conspires wit" an% ot"er person $or t"e p!rpose o$ overt"rowin# t"e 8overnment o$ t"e P"ilippines x x x )% $orce, violence, <5;;o;64C, x x x s"all )e p!nis"ed )%reclusion temporal x x x.0 P.D. No. &@<9 was repealed )% E.O. No. &?5 4w"ic" o!tlaws t"e Comm!nist Part% o$ t"e P"ilippines6 enacted )% President Cora*on AA!ino on :a% 9, &J@9. 3"ese two 426 laws, "owever, do not de$ine 0acts o$ terrorism.0 Since t"ere is no law de$inin# 0acts o$ terrorism,0 it is President Arro%o alone, !nder 8.O. No. 9, w"o "as t"e discretion to determine w"at acts constit!te terrorism. .er !d#ment on t"is aspect is a)sol!te, wit"o!t restrictions. ConseA!entl%, t"ere can )e indiscriminate arrest wit"o!t warrants, )rea(in# into o$$ices and residences, ta(in# over t"e media enterprises, pro"i)ition and dispersal o$ all assem)lies and #at"erin#s !n$riendl% to t"e administration. All t"ese can )e e$$ected in t"e name o$ 8.O. No. 9. 3"ese acts #o $ar

)e%ond t"e callin#-o!t power o$ t"e President. Certainl%, t"e% violate t"e d!e process cla!se o$ t"e Constit!tion. 3"!s, t"is Co!rt declares t"at t"e 0acts o$ terrorism0 portion o$ 8.O. No. 9 is !nconstit!tional. Si#ni$icantl%, t"ere is not"in# in 8.O. No. 9 a!t"ori*in# t"e militar% or police to commit acts )e%ond w"at are 253544a;y a2A aDD;oD;6a<5 <o 4@DD;544 a2A D;5752< 8aB8544 76o85235, t"e limitation o$ t"eir a!t"orit% in p!rs!in# t"e Order. Ot"erwise, s!c" acts are considered ille#al. Ce $irst examine G.R. No. 171396 4"a*id et al.6 3"e Constit!tion provides t"at 0t"e ri#"t o$ t"e people to )e sec!red in t"eir persons, "o!ses, papers and e$$ects a#ainst !nreasona)le searc" and sei*!re o$ w"atever nat!re and $or an% p!rpose s"all )e in iolable1 and no searc" warrant or Ba;;a2< o> a;;54< s"all iss!e except !pon pro)a)le ca!se to )e determined personall% )% t"e !d#e a$ter examination !nder oat" or a$$irmation o$ t"e complainant and t"e witnesses "e ma% prod!ce, and partic!larl% descri)in# t"e place to )e searc"ed and t"e persons or t"in#s to )e sei*ed.0&>2 3"e plain import o$ t"e lan#!a#e o$ t"e Constit!tion is t"at searc"es, sei*!res and arrests are 2o;Ca88y !nreasona)le !nless a!t"ori*ed )% a validl% iss!ed searc" warrant or warrant o$ arrest. 3"!s, t"e $!ndamental protection #iven )% t"is provision is t"at )etween person and police m!st stand t"e protective a!t"orit% o$ a ma#istrate clot"ed wit" power to iss!e or re$!se to iss!e searc" warrants or warrants o$ arrest.&>< In t"e Drie$ Acco!nt&>> s!)mitted )% petitioner David, certain $acts are esta)lis"ed/ first, "e was arrested wit"o!t warrant; second, t"e PNP operatives arrested "im on t"e )asis o$ PP &7&5; third, "e was )ro!#"t at Camp Iarin#al, H!e*on Cit% w"ere "e was $in#erprinted, p"oto#rap"ed and )oo(ed li(e a criminal s!spect; fourth,"e was treated )r!sA!el% )% policemen w"o 0"eld "is "ead and tried to p!s" "im0 inside an !nmar(ed car; fifth, "e was c"ar#ed wit" ,iolation o$ $a<a4 PaC:a24a $68a29 No. ))0&>9 and I236<629 <o S5A6<6o2; si:th, "e was detained $or seven 456 "o!rs; and se*enth,"e was event!all% released $or ins!$$icienc% o$ evidence. Section 9, R!le &&< o$ t"e Revised R!les on Criminal Proced!re provides/ Sec. 9. Arrest wit$out warrant2 w$en law!ul. - A peace o$$icer or a private person ma%, wit"o!t a warrant, arrest a person/ -a. C"en, in "is presence, t"e person to )e arrested "as committed, is act!all% committin#, or is attemptin# to commit an o$$ense. -:. C"en an o$$ense "as !st )een committed and "e "as pro)a)le ca!se to )elieve )ased on personal (nowled#e o$ $acts or circ!mstances t"at t"e person to )e arrested "as committed it; and x x x. Neit"er o$ t"e two 426 exceptions mentioned a)ove !sti$ies petitioner David-s warrantless arrest. D!rin# t"e inA!est $or t"e c"ar#es o$ i 236<629 <o 45A6<6o2 and 76o8a<6o2 o> $P ))0, all t"at t"e arrestin# o$$icers co!ld invo(e was t"eir o)servation t"at some rall%ists were wearin# t-s"irts wit" t"e invective +Oust 4loria 5ow+ and t"eir erroneo!s ass!mption t"at petitioner David was t"e leader o$ t"e rall%. &>? ConseA!entl%, t"e InA!est Prosec!tor ordered "is immediate release on t"e #ro!nd o$ ins!$$icienc% o$ evidence. .e noted t"at petitioner David was not wearin# t"e s!) ect t-s"irt and even i$ "e was wearin# it, s!c" $act is ins!$$icient to c"ar#e "im wit" i236<629 <o 45A6<6o2. =!rt"er, "e also stated t"at t"ere is ins!$$icient evidence $or t"e c"ar#e o$ 76o8a<6o2 o> $P ))0 as it was not even (nown w"et"er petitioner David was t"e leader o$ t"e rall%. &>5 D!t w"at made it do!)l% worse $or petitioners David et al. is t"at not onl% was t"eir ri#"t a#ainst warrantless arrest violated, )!t also t"eir ri#"t to peacea)l% assem)le. Section > o$ Article III #!arantees/ No law s"all )e passed a)rid#in# t"e $reedom o$ speec", o$ expression, or o$ t"e press, or t"e ri#"t o$ t"e people peacea)l% to assem)le and petition t"e #overnment $or redress o$ #rievances. 0Assem)l%0 means a ri#"t on t"e part o$ t"e citi*ens to meet peacea)l% $or cons!ltation in respect to p!)lic a$$airs. It is a necessar% conseA!ence o$ o!r rep!)lican instit!tion and complements t"e ri#"t o$ speec". As in t"e case o$ $reedom o$ expression, t"is ri#"t is not to )e limited, m!c" less denied, except on a s"owin# o$ a 385a; a2A D;5452< Aa295; o$ a s!)stantive evil t"at Con#ress "as a ri#"t to prevent. In ot"er words, li(e ot"er ri#"ts em)raced in t"e $reedom o$ expression, t"e ri#"t to assem)le is not s!) ect to previo!s restraint or censors"ip. It ma% not )e conditioned !pon t"e prior iss!ance o$ a permit or a!t"ori*ation $rom t"e #overnment a!t"orities except, o$ co!rse, i$ t"e assem)l% is intended to )e "eld in a p!)lic place, a permit $or t"e !se o$ s!c" place, and not $or t"e assem)l% itsel$, ma% )e validl% reA!ired. 3"e rin#in# tr!t" "ere is t"at petitioner David, et al. were arrested w"ile t"e% were exercisin# t"eir ri#"t to peace$!l assem)l%. 3"e% were not committin# an% crime, neit"er was t"ere a s"owin# o$ a clear and present dan#er t"at warranted t"e limitation o$ t"at ri#"t. As can )e #leaned $rom circ!mstances, t"e c"ar#es o$ 6236<629 <o 45A6<6o2and 76o8a<6o2 o> $P ))0 were mere a$tert"o!#"t. Even t"e Solicitor 8eneral, d!rin# t"e oral ar#!ment, $ailed to !sti$% t"e arrestin# o$$icers- cond!ct. In "e @onge *. Oregon,&>@ it was "eld t"at peacea)le assem)l% cannot )e made a crime, t"!s/ Peacea)le assem)l% $or law$!l disc!ssion cannot )e made a crime. 3"e "oldin# o$ meetin#s $or peacea)le political action cannot )e proscri)ed. 3"ose w"o assist in t"e cond!ct o$ s!c" meetin#s cannot )e )randed as criminals on t"at score. 3"e A!estion, i$ t"e ri#"ts o$ $ree speec" and peace$!l assem)l% are not to )e preserved, is not as to t"e a!spices !nder w"ic" t"e meetin# was "eld )!t as to its p!rpose; not as to t"e relations o$ t"e spea(ers, )!t w"et"er t"eir !tterances transcend t"e )o!nds o$ t"e $reedom o$ speec" w"ic" t"e Constit!tion protects. I$ t"e persons assem)lin# "ave committed crimes elsew"ere, i$ t"e% "ave $ormed or are en#a#ed in a conspirac% a#ainst t"e p!)lic peace and order, t"e% ma% )e prosec!ted $or t"eir conspirac% or ot"er violations o$ valid laws.$@< 6< 64 a A6>>5;52< Ca<<5; B=52 <=5 S<a<5, 624<5aA o> D;o453@<629 <=5C >o; 4@3= o>>52454, 456E54 @Do2 C5;5 Da;<636Da<6o2 62 a D5a35a:85 a445C:8y a2A a 8aB>@8 D@:863 A643@446o2 a4 <=5 :a464 >o; a 3;6C62a8 3=a;95. On t"e )asis o$ t"e a)ove principles, t"e Co!rt li(ewise considers t"e dispersal and arrest o$ t"e mem)ers o$ I:E et al. 48.R. No. &5&>@<6 !nwarranted. Apparentl%, t"eir dispersal was done merel% on t"e )asis o$ :alacaMan#-s directive cancelin# all permits previo!sl% iss!ed )% local #overnment !nits. 3"is is ar)itrar%. 3"e w"olesale cancellation o$ all permits to rall% is a )latant disre#ard o$ t"e principle t"at 0 >;55AoC o> a445C:8y 64 2o< <o :5 86C6<5A, C@3= 8544 A5265A, 5G35D< o2 a 4=oB629 o> a clear and present danger o> a 4@:4<a2<675 5768 <=a< <=5 S<a<5 =a4 a ;69=< <o D;5752<.0&>J 3olerance is t"e r!le and limitation is t"e exception. Onl% !pon a s"owin# t"at an assem)l% presents a clear and present dan#er t"at t"e State ma% den% t"e citi*ensri#"t to exercise it. Indeed, respondents $ailed to s"ow or convince t"e Co!rt t"at t"e rall%ists committed acts amo!ntin# to lawless violence, invasion or re)ellion. Cit" t"e )lan(et revocation o$ permits, t"e distinction )etween protected and !nprotected assem)lies was eliminated. :oreover, !nder DP @@7, t"e a!t"orit% to re#!late assem)lies and rallies is lod#ed wit" t"e local #overnment !nits. 3"e% "ave t"e power to iss!e permits and to revo(e s!c" permits a><5; A@5 2o<635 a2A =5a;629 on t"e determination o$ t"e presence o$ clear and present dan#er. .ere, petitioners were not even noti$ied and "eard on t"e revocation o$ t"eir permits.&97 3"e $irst time t"e% learned o$ it was at t"e time o$ t"e dispersal. S!c" a)sence o$ notice is a $atal de$ect. C"en a person-s ri#"t is restricted )% #overnment action, it )e"ooves a democratic #overnment to see to it t"at t"e restriction is $air, reasona)le, and accordin# to proced!re. G.R. No. 171(09, 4Cac"o-Olivares, et al.6 presents anot"er $acet o$ $reedom o$ speec" i.e., t"e $reedom o$ t"e press. Petitioners- narration o$ $acts, w"ic" t"e Solicitor 8eneral $ailed to re$!te, esta)lis"ed t"e $ollowin#/ first, t"e"aily .ribune!s o$$ices were searc"ed wit"o!t warrant;second, t"e police operatives sei*ed several materials $or p!)lication; third, t"e searc" was cond!cted at a)o!t &/77 o- cloc( in t"e mornin# o$ =e)r!ar% 29, 277?; fourth,t"e searc" was cond!cted in t"e a)sence o$ an% o$$icial o$ t"e "aily .ribune except t"e sec!rit% #!ard o$ t"e )!ildin#; and fifth, policemen stationed t"emselves at t"e vicinit% o$ t"e "aily .ribune o$$ices. 3"erea$ter, a wave o$ warnin# came $rom #overnment o$$icials. Presidential C"ie$ o$ Sta$$ :ic"ael De$ensor was A!oted as sa%in# t"at s!c" raid was KC5a2< <o 4=oB a M4<;o29 D;545235,H <o <588 C5A6a o@<85<4 2o< <o 3o22675 o; Ao a2y<=629 <=a< Bo@8A =58D <=5 ;5:584 62 :;629629 AoB2 <=64 9o75;2C52<.K Director 8eneral 1omi)ao $!rt"er stated t"at K6> <=5y Ao 2o< >o88oB <=5 4<a2Aa;A4 ,a2A <=5 4<a2Aa;A4 a;5 6> <=5y Bo@8A 3o2<;6:@<5 <o 624<a:686<y 62 <=5 9o75;2C52<, o; 6> <=5y Ao 2o< 4@:43;6:5 <o B=a< 64 62 G525;a8 O;A5; No. * a2A P;o3. No. 1017 , B5 B688 ;53oCC52A a N<aF5o75;.-0 National 3elecomm!nications Commissioner Ronald Solis !r#ed television and radio networ(s to +cooperate+ wit" t"e #overnment $or t"e d!ration o$ t"e state o$ national emer#enc%. H5 Ba;25A <=a< =64 a9523y B688 2o< =546<a<5 <o ;53oCC52A <=5 38o4@;5 o> a2y :;oaA3a4< o@<>6< <=a< 76o8a<54 ;@854 45< o@< >o; C5A6a 3o75;a95 A@;629 <6C54 B=52 <=5 2a<6o2a8 453@;6<y 64 <=;5a<525A .&9& 3"e searc" is ille#al. R!le &2? o$ 3"e Revised R!les on Criminal Proced!re la%s down t"e steps in t"e cond!ct o$ searc" and sei*!re. S53<6o2 ( reA!ires t"at a 45a;3= Ba;;a2< )e iss!ed !pon pro)a)le ca!se in connection wit" one speci$ic o$$ence to )e determined personall% )% t"e !d#e a$ter examination !nder oat" or a$$irmation o$ t"e complainant and t"e witnesses "e ma% prod!ce. S53<6o2 ) mandates t"at t"e searc" o$ a "o!se, room, or

an% ot"er premise )e made 62 <=5 D;545235 o> <=5 8aB>@8 o33@Da2< t"ereo$ or an% mem)er o$ "is $amil% or in t"e a)sence o$ t"e latter, in t"e presence o$ two 426 witnesses o$ s!$$icient a#e and discretion residin# in t"e same localit%. And S53<6o2 9 states t"at t"e warrant m!st direct t"at it )e served in t"e Aay<6C5, !nless t"e propert% is on t"e person or in t"e place ordered to )e searc"ed, in w"ic" case a direction ma% )e inserted t"at it )e served at an% time o$ t"e da% or ni#"t. All t"ese r!les were violated )% t"e CID8 operatives. Not onl% t"at, t"e searc" violated petitioners- $reedom o$ t"e press. 3"e )est #a!#e o$ a $ree and democratic societ% rests in t"e de#ree o$ $reedom en o%ed )% its media. In t"e 9urgos *. Chief of ,taff&92 t"is Co!rt "eld t"at -As "ereto$ore stated, t"e premises searc"ed were t"e )!siness and printin# o$$ices o$ t"e 0 etropolitan ail0 and t"e 0Be $orum0 newspapers. As a conseA!ence o$ t"e searc" and sei*!re, <=545 D;5C6454 B5;5 DaA8o3F5A a2A 45a85A, B6<= <=5 >@;<=5; ;54@8< <=a< <=5 D;62<629 a2A D@:863a<6o2 o> 4a6A 25B4DaD5;4 B5;5 A643o2<62@5A. S@3= 38o4@;5 64 62 <=5 2a<@;5 o> D;576o@4 ;54<;a62< o; 3524o;4=6D a:=o;;52< <o <=5 >;55AoC o> <=5 D;544 9@a;a2<55A @2A5; <=5 >@2AaC52<a8 8aB, a2A 3o24<6<@<54 a 76;<@a8 A526a8 o> D5<6<6o25;4P >;55AoC <o 5GD;544 <=5C458754 62 D;62<. T=64 4<a<5 o> :5629 64 Da<52<8y a2a<=5Ca<63 <o a A5Co3;a<63 >;aC5Bo;F B=5;5 a >;55, a85;< a2A 5752 C686<a2< D;544 64 54452<6a8 >o; <=5 Do86<63a8 52869=<52C52< a2A 9;oB<= o> <=5 36<6E52;y . C"ile admittedl%, t"e "aily .ribune was not padloc(ed and sealed li(e t"e 0 etropolitan ail0 and 0Be $orum0 newspapers in t"e a)ove case, %et it cannot )e denied t"at t"e CID8 operatives exceeded t"eir en$orcement d!ties. 3"e searc" and sei*!re o$ materials $or p!)lication, t"e stationin# o$ policemen in t"e vicinit% o$ t"e .he "aily .ribune o$$ices, and t"e arro#ant warnin# o$ #overnment o$$icials to media, are plain censors"ip. It is t"at o$$icio!s $!nctionar% o$ t"e repressive #overnment w"o tells t"e citi*en t"at "e ma% spea( onl% i$ allowed to do so, and no more and no less t"an w"at "e is permitted to sa% on pain o$ p!nis"ment s"o!ld "e )e so ras" as to diso)e%. &9< Endo!)tedl%, t"e .he "aily .ribune was s!) ected to t"ese ar)itrar% intr!sions )eca!se o$ its anti-#overnment sentiments. 3"is Co!rt cannot tolerate t"e )latant disre#ard o$ a constit!tional ri#"t even i$ it involves t"e most de$iant o$ o!r citi*ens. =reedom to comment on p!)lic a$$airs is essential to t"e vitalit% o$ a representative democrac%. It is t"e d!t% o$ t"e co!rts to )e watc"$!l $or t"e constit!tional ri#"ts o$ t"e citi*en, and a#ainst an% stealt"% encroac"ments t"ereon. 3"e motto s"o!ld alwa%s )e obsta principiis.&9> Incidentall%, d!rin# t"e oral ar#!ments, t"e Solicitor 8eneral admitted t"at t"e searc" o$ t"e .ribune!s o$$ices and t"e sei*!re o$ its materials $or p!)lication and ot"er papers are ille#al; and t"at t"e same are inadmissi)le 0$or an% p!rpose,0 t"!s/ +ES3ICE CA11E+O/ Oo! made A!ite a mo!t"$!l o$ admission w"en %o! said t"at t"e policemen, w"en inspected t"e 3ri)!ne $or t"e p!rpose o$ #at"erin# evidence and %o! admitted t"at t"e policemen were a)le to #et t"e clippin#s. Is t"at not in admission o$ t"e admissi)ilit% o$ t"ese clippin#s t"at were ta(en $rom t"e 3ri)!ne; SO1ICI3OR 8ENERA1 DENIPAOO/ Ender t"e law t"e% wo!ld seem to )e, i$ t"e% were ille#all% sei*ed, I t"in( and I (now, Oo!r .onor, and t"ese are inadmissi)le $or an% p!rpose. &99 xxxxxxxxx SR. ASSO. +ES3ICE PENO/ 3"ese "ave )een p!)lis"ed in t"e past iss!es o$ t"e Dail% 3ri)!ne; all %o! "ave to do is to #et t"ose past iss!es. So w"% do %o! "ave to #o t"ere at & o-cloc( in t"e mornin# and wit"o!t an% searc" warrant; Did t"e% )ecome s!ddenl% part o$ t"e evidence o$ re)ellion or incitin# to sedition or w"at; SO18EN DENIPAOO/ Cell, it was t"e police t"at did t"at, Oo!r .onor. Not !pon m% instr!ctions. SR. ASSO. +ES3ICE PENO/ Are %o! sa%in# t"at t"e act o$ t"e policeman is ille#al, it is not )ased on an% law, and it is not )ased on Proclamation &7&5. SO18EN DENIPAOO/ It is not )ased on Proclamation &7&5, Oo!r .onor, )eca!se t"ere is not"in# in &7&5 w"ic" sa%s t"at t"e police co!ld #o and inspect and #at"er clippin#s $rom Dail% 3ri)!ne or an% ot"er newspaper. SR. ASSO. +ES3ICE PENO/ Is it )ased on an% law; SO18EN DENIPAOO/ As $ar as I (now, 2o, Oo!r .onor, $rom t"e $acts, 2o. SR. ASSO. +ES3ICE PENO/ So, it "as no )asis, no le#al )asis w"atsoever; SO18EN DENIPAOO/ :a%)e so, Oo!r .onor. :a%)e so, t"at is w"% I said, I don-t (now i$ it is premat!re to sa% t"is, B5 Ao 2o< 3o2Ao25 <=64. I> <=5 D5oD85 B=o =a75 :552 62?@;5A :y <=64 Bo@8A Ba2< <o 4@5 <=5C, <=5y 3a2 4@5 a2A <=5;5 a;5 ;5C5A654 >o; <=64 .&9? 1i(ewise, t"e warrantless arrests and sei*!res exec!ted )% t"e police were, accordin# to t"e Solicitor 8eneral, ille#al and cannot )e condoned, t"!s/ C.IE= +ES3ICE PAN8ANIDAN/ 3"ere seems to )e some con$!sions i$ not contradiction in %o!r t"eor%. SO1ICI3OR 8ENERA1 DENIPAOO/ I don-t (now w"et"er t"is will clari$%. 3"e acts, t"e s!pposed ille#al or !nlaw$!l acts committed on t"e occasion o$ &7&5, as I said, 6< 3a22o< :5 3o2Ao25A. Oo! cannot )lame t"e President $or, as %o! said, a misapplication o$ t"e law. 3"ese are acts o$ t"e police o$$icers, t"at is t"eir responsi)ilit%.&95 3"e Dissentin# Opinion states t"at PP &7&5 and 8.O. No. 9 are constit!tional in ever% aspect and 0s"o!ld res!lt in no constit!tional or stat!tor% )reac"es i$ applied accordin# to t"eir letter.0 3"e Co!rt "as passed !pon t"e constit!tionalit% o$ t"ese iss!ances. Its ratiocination "as )een ex"a!stivel% presented. At t"is point, s!$$ice it to reiterate t"at PP &7&5 is limited to t"e callin# o!t )% t"e President o$ t"e militar% to prevent or s!ppress lawless violence, invasion or re)ellion. C"en in implementin# its provisions, p!rs!ant to 8.O. No. 9, t"e militar% and t"e police committed acts w"ic" violate t"e citi*ens- ri#"ts !nder t"e Constit!tion, t"is Co!rt "as to declare s!c" acts !nconstit!tional and ille#al. In t"is connection, C"ie$ +!stice Artemio ,. Pan#ani)an-s conc!rrin# opinion, attac"ed "ereto, is considered an inte#ral part o$ t"is ponencia. S"MMATION In s!m, t"e li$tin# o$ PP &7&5 t"ro!#" t"e iss!ance o$ PP &72& ' a s!pervenin# event ' wo!ld "ave normall% rendered t"is case moot and academic. .owever, w"ile PP &7&5 was still operative, ille#al acts were committed alle#edl% in p!rs!ance t"ereo$. Desides, t"ere is no #!arantee t"at PP &7&5, or one similar to it, ma% not a#ain )e iss!ed. Alread%, t"ere "ave )een media reports on April <7, 277? t"at alle#edl% PP &7&5 wo!ld )e reimposed 0i$ t"e :a% & rallies0 )ecome 0!nr!l% and violent.0 ConseA!entl%, t"e transcendental iss!es raised )% t"e parties s"o!ld not )e 0evaded;0 t"e% m!st now )e resolved to prevent $!t!re constit!tional a)erration. 3"e Co!rt $inds and so "olds t"at PP &7&5 is constit!tional inso$ar as it constit!tes a call )% t"e President $or t"e A=P to prevent or s!ppress 8aB8544 76o85235. 3"e proclamation is s!stained )% Section &@, Article ,II o$ t"e Constit!tion and t"e relevant !rispr!dence disc!ssed earlier. .owever, PP &7&5-s extraneo!s provisions #ivin# t"e President express or implied power 4&6 to iss!e decrees; 426 to direct t"e A=P to en$orce o)edience to a88 8aB4even t"ose not related to lawless violence as well as decrees prom!l#ated )% t"e President; and 4<6 to impose standards on media or an% $orm o$ prior restraint on t"e press, are ultra *ires and @23o24<6<@<6o2a8. 3"e Co!rt also r!les t"at !nder Section &5, Article BII o$ t"e Constit!tion, t"e President, in t"e a)sence o$ a le#islation, cannot ta(e over privatel%-owned p!)lic !tilit% and private )!siness a$$ected wit" p!)lic interest. In t"e same vein, t"e Co!rt $inds 8.O. No. 9 valid. It is an Order iss!ed )% t"e President ' actin# as Commander-in-C"ie$ ' addressed to s!)alterns in t"e A=P to carr% o!t t"e provisions o$ PP &7&5. Si#ni$icantl%, it also provides a valid standard ' t"at t"e militar% and t"e police s"o!ld ta(e onl% t"e 0253544a;y a2A aDD;oD;6a<5 a3<6o24 a2A C5a4@;54 <o 4@DD;544 a2A D;5752< a3<4 o> 8aB8544 76o85235 .0D!t t"e words 0a3<4 o> <5;;o;64C0 $o!nd in 8.O. No. 9 "ave not )een le#all% de$ined and made p!nis"a)le )% Con#ress and s"o!ld t"!s )e deemed deleted $rom t"e said 8.O. C"ile 0terrorism0

"as )een deno!nced #enerall% in media, no law "as )een enacted to #!ide t"e militar%, and event!all% t"e co!rts, to determine t"e limits o$ t"e A=P-s a!t"orit% in carr%in# o!t t"is portion o$ 8.O. No. 9. On t"e )asis o$ t"e relevant and !ncontested $acts narrated earlier, it is also pristine clear t"at 4&6 t"e warrantless arrest o$ petitioners Randol$ S. David and Ronald 1lamas; 426 t"e dispersal o$ t"e rallies and warrantless arrest o$ t"e I:E and NA=1E-I:E mem)ers; 4<6 t"e imposition o$ standards on media or an% prior restraint on t"e press; and 4>6 t"e warrantless searc" o$ t"e .ribune o$$ices and t"e w"imsical sei*!res o$ some articles $or p!)lication and ot"er materials, are not a!t"ori*ed )% t"e Constit!tion, t"e law and !rispr!dence. Not even )% t"e valid provisions o$ PP &7&5 and 8.O. No. 9. Ot"er t"an t"is declaration o$ invalidit%, t"is Co!rt cannot impose an% civil, criminal or administrative sanctions on t"e individ!al police o$$icers concerned. 3"e% "ave not )een individ!all% identi$ied and #iven t"eir da% in co!rt. 3"e civil complaints or ca!ses o$ action andGor relevant criminal In$ormations "ave not )een presented )e$ore t"is Co!rt. Elementar% d!e process )ars t"is Co!rt $rom ma(in# an% speci$ic prono!ncement o$ civil, criminal or administrative lia)ilities. It is B588 <o ;5C5C:5; <=a< C686<a;y DoB5; 64 a C5a24 <o a2 52A a2A 4@:4<a2<675 36768 ;69=<4 a;5 52A4 62 <=5C458754. HoB <o 9675 <=5 C686<a;y <=5 DoB5; 6< 255A4 <o D;o<53< <=5 R5D@:863 B6<=o@< @2253544a;68y <;aCD8629 62A676A@a8 ;69=<4 64 o25 o> <=5 5<5;2a8 :a8a23629 <a4F4 o> a A5Co3;a<63 4<a<5.D!rin# emer#enc%, #overnmental action ma% var% in )readt" and intensit% $rom normal times, %et t"e% s"o!ld not )e ar)itrar% as to !nd!l% restrain o!r people-s li)ert%. Per"aps, t"e vital lesson t"at we m!st learn $rom t"e t"eorists w"o st!died t"e vario!s competin# political p"ilosop"ies is t"at, it is possi)le to #rant #overnment t"e a!t"orit% to cope wit" crises wit"o!t s!rrenderin# t"e two vital principles o$ constit!tionalism/ <=5 Ca62<52a235 o> 859a8 86C6<4 <o a;:6<;a;y DoB5;, and Do86<63a8 ;54Do246:686<y o> <=5 9o75;2C52< <o <=5 9o75;25A.&9@ /HEREFORE, t"e Petitions are partl% #ranted. 3"e Co!rt r!les t"at PP &7&5 is %ONSTIT"TIONAL inso$ar as it constit!tes a call )% President 8loria :acapa#al-Arro%o on t"e A=P <o D;5752< o; 4@DD;544 8aB8544 76o85235. .owever, t"e provisions o$ PP &7&5 commandin# t"e A=P to en$orce laws not related to lawless violence, as well as decrees prom!l#ated )% t"e President, are declared "N%ONSTIT"TIONAL . In addition, t"e provision in PP &7&5 declarin# national emer#enc% !nder Section &5, Article ,II o$ t"e Constit!tion is %ONSTIT"TIONAL, )!t s!c" declaration does not a!t"ori*e t"e President to ta(e over privatel%-owned p!)lic !tilit% or )!siness a$$ected wit" p!)lic interest wit"o!t prior le#islation. 8.O. No. 9 is %ONSTIT"TIONAL since it provides a standard )% w"ic" t"e A=P and t"e PNP s"o!ld implement PP &7&5, i.e. w"atever is 0253544a;y a2A aDD;oD;6a<5 a3<6o24 a2A C5a4@;54 <o 4@DD;544 a2A D;5752< a3<4 o> 8aB8544 76o85235. 0 %onsiderin# t"at 0acts o$ terrorism0 "ave not %et )een de$ined and made p!nis"a)le )% t"e 1e#islat!re, s!c" portion o$ 8.O. No. 9 is declared "N%ONSTIT"TIONAL. 3"e warrantless arrest o$ Randol$ S. David and Ronald 1lamas; t"e dispersal and warrantless arrest o$ t"e I:E and NA=1E-I:E mem)ers d!rin# t"eir rallies, in t"e a)sence o$ proo$ t"at t"ese petitioners were committin# acts constit!tin# lawless violence, invasion or re)ellion and violatin# DP @@7; t"e imposition o$ standards on media or an% $orm o$ prior restraint on t"e press, as well as t"e warrantless searc" o$ t"e .ribune o$$ices and w"imsical sei*!re o$ its articles $or p!)lication and ot"er materials, are declared "N%ONSTIT"TIONAL . No costs. SO ORDERED.