MMDA vs.

Bel Air Village Association

GR No. 135962
March 27, 2
Puno, J.
Facts:
On December 30, 1995, petitioner MMDA sent respondent Bel Air Village Association a notice
reqesting t!e respondent to open a pri"ate road o#ned b$ t!e latter to pblic "e!icles
spposedl$ b$ "irte o% t!e state&s police po#er' On (anar$ ), 199*, t!e respondent institted
a petition %or in+nction be%ore t!e ,egional -rial .ort Ma/ati Branc! #!ic! #as later on denied
b$ t!e same cort' -!e respondent qestioned t!e lo#er cort&s decision and raised t!e isse
be%ore t!e .ort o% Appeals on (anar$ )3, 199*, and on (anar$ )0, 1990, t!e appellate cort
granted t!e respondent&s petition' A%ter #!ic!, t!e petitioner %iled a motion %or reconsideration
#!ic! #as also denied' 1ence, t!is recorse'
2sse:
3!et!er or not MMDA !as t!e at!orit$ to order t!e opening o% a pri"ate road
,ling:
-!e 4preme .ort denied t!e petition and a%%irmed t!e appellate cort&s decision' -!e cort
!eld t!at t!e MMDA is not a local go"ernment nit or a pblic corporation endo#ed #it!
legislati"e po#er' 2t does not !a"e t!e po#er to enact ordinances %or t!e #el%are o% t!e
commnit$' -!ere%ore, it does not !a"e t!e at!orit$ to order t!e opening o% a pri"ate road to
pblic "e!icles'
Bina! vs. Do"ingo
1
GR No. 923#9
$e%te"&er 11, 1991
Paras, J.
Facts:
On 4eptember )0, 1955, petitioner Mnicipalit$, t!rog! its concil, appro"ed ,esoltion 6o' *0
also /no#n as t!e 7Brial Assistance 8rogram'9 -!e Metro Manila .ommission appro"ed t!e
said resoltion and re%erred it to respondent .ommission on Adit %or its e:pected allo#ance on
adit' 1o#e"er, respondent disappro"ed t!e resoltion' -!e petitioner, t!en, %iled t#o letters %or
reconsideration #!ic! #ere also denied b$ t!e respondent' -!e respondent belie"es t!at t!e
mnicipalit$ %ailed to pro"ide a perceptible connection bet#een t!e ob+ecti"e sog!t to be
attained b$ t!e resoltion and t!e alleged pblic sa%et$ or general #el%are o% t!e in!abitants o%
Ma/ati' Frt!ermore, t!e respondent belie"es t!at t!e %nd allocated %or t!e said program
s!old bene%it t!e #!ole or t!e ma+orit$ o% t!e in!abitants o% t!e mnicipalit$ and not onl$ a
limited %e# as prsant to t!e police po#er o% t!e state delegated to local go"ernment nits b$
legislatre' Bent on prsing t!e program, petitioner passed ,esoltion );3, re<a%%irming
,esoltion *0' 6e"ert!eless, t!e resoltion #as stopped b$ respondent&s Decision 6o' 1159'
-!is %orced t!e petitioner to %ile a special ci"il action %or certiorari pra$ing t!at t!e respondent&s
decision be set aside as nll and "oid'
2sse:
3!et!er or not ,esoltion 6o' *0, re<enacted nder ,esoltion 6o' );3, o% t!e Mnicipalit$ o%
Ma/ati is a "alid e:ercise o% police po#er nder t!e general #el%are clase'
,ling:
-!e 4preme .ort !eld t!at 7pblic prpose is not nconstittional merel$ becase it
incidentall$ bene%its a limited nmber o% persons=-!e care %or t!e poor is generall$ recogni>ed
as a pblic dt$' -!e spport %or t!e poor !as long been an accepted e:ercise o% police po#er
in t!e promotion o% t!e common good'9

Beltran vs. $ecretar! o' (ealth
GR No. 1336)
2
Nove"&er 25, 25
Azcuna, J:
Facts
On April ), 199;, ,epblic Act 0019 or t!e National Blood Services Act o% 1990 #as enacted' 2t
#as appro"ed b$ 8resident ,amos on Ma$ 15, 199;, pblis!ed in t!e O%%icial ?a>ette on
Agst 15, 199;, and too/ e%%ect on Agst )3, 199;'
On April )5, 1995, respondent 4ecretar$ o% 1ealt! promlgated its 2mplementing ,les and
,eglation Administrati"e Order 6o' 9 4eries o% 1995' Bot! Act and its implementing rles and
reglation contain a pro"ision #!ic! p!ases ot commercial blood ban/s in t!e contr$ %rom t!e
time t!e act too/ e%%ect'
On Ma$ )0, 1995, petitioner ,odol%o 4' Beltran doing bsiness nder t!e name and st$le o% Or
@ad$ o% Fatima Blood Ban/ %iled a petition %or certiorari #it! application %or issance o% #rit o%
preliminar$ in+nction or temporar$ restraining order nder ,le *5 o% t!e ,les o% .ort
assailing t!e "alidit$ o% ,A 0019 and its 2,,' -#o da$s a%ter, petitioner Doctors Blood .enter
%iled a petition %or mandams #it! t!e pra$er o% issance o% temporar$ restraining order,
preliminar$ pro!ibitor$ and mandator$ in+nction' -!e .ort, t!en, issed a resoltion directing
t!e Department o% 1ealt! to %ile a consolidated comment, and a -emporar$ ,estraining Order
%or t!e respondent to cease and desist in implementing t!e act'
On Agst )*, 1995, t!e 4ecretar$ o% 1ealt! %iled a consolidated comment e:plaining t!e
reason and prpose be!ind t!e act'
On Ma$ 5, 1999, petitioners %iled a Motion %or t!e 2ssance o% A:tended -emporar$ ,estraining
Order to pre"ent t!e respondent %rom annoncing t!e closre o% commercial blood ban/s,
compelling t!e pblic to sorce blood %rom "olntar$ blood donation and committing similar acts
detrimental to petitioners' 2n response, respondent %iled a consolidated commentBopposition to
t!e motion on (l$ 5, 1999' A %e# da$s a%ter, petitioner %iled a 8etition to 4!o# 3!$ 8blic
,espondent 4!old 6ot Be 1eld in .ontempt #!ic! t!e respondent ans#ered again in a
consolidated comment'
On (l$ )9, 1999, concerned citi>en and ta:pa$ers %iled a 8etition<2n<2nter"ention inter+ecting t!e
same argments and isses laid do#n b$ t!e petitioners #!ic! t!e cort granted in a resoltion
dated 4eptember )0, 1999' -!e respondent reiterated in !is comment to t!e petition<in<
inter"ention t!e prpose o% and t!e reason be!ind t!e act'
2sses
3!et!er or not ,epblic Act 0019 is a "alid e:ercise o% t!e 4tate&s police po#er'
,ling
3
2n sm, t!e .ort !as been nable to %ind an$ constittional in%irmit$ in t!e qestioned
pro"isions o% t!e 6ational Blood 4er"ices Act o% 199; and its 2mplementing ,les and
,eglations'

-!e %ndamental criterion is t!at all reasonable dobts s!old be resol"ed in %a"or o% t!e
constittionalit$ o% a statte' A"er$ la# !as in its %a"or t!e presmption o% constittionalit$' For a
la# to be nlli%ied, it mst be s!o#n t!at t!ere is a clear and neqi"ocal breac! o% t!e
.onstittion' -!e grond %or nllit$ mst be clear and be$ond reasonable dobt'C5*D -!ose #!o
petition t!is .ort to declare a la#, or parts t!ereo%, nconstittional mst clearl$ establis! t!e
basis t!ere%ore' Ot!er#ise, t!e petition mst %ail'

Based on t!e gronds raised b$ petitioners to c!allenge t!e constittionalit$ o% t!e 6ational
Blood 4er"ices Act o% 199; and its 2mplementing ,les and ,eglations, t!e .ort %inds t!at
petitioners !a"e %ailed to o"ercome t!e presmption o% constittionalit$ o% t!e la#' As to #!et!er
t!e Act constittes a #ise legislation, considering t!e isses being raised b$ petitioners, is %or
.ongress to determine
AB$*+BN vs. ,M$-
GR No. 175769*7
4
.an/ar! 19, 29
Ynares-Santiago, J:
Facts
On April )5, )001, petitioner demanded %or respondent to cease and desist %rom rebroadcasting
.!annels ) and )3' -#o da$s a%ter, respondent replied t!at t!e rebroadcasting #as in
accordance #it! t!e 7mst carr$9 rle stated in 6-. Memorandm .irclar ;<5<55' 6egotiations
ensed bet#een t!e parties in an e%%ort to settle t!e matterE !o#e"er, it #as terminated de to
respondent&s inabilit$ to ensre t!e pre"ention o% t!e illegal transmission'
8etitioner %iled a complaint #it! t!e Brea o% @egal A%%airs FB@AG o% t!e 28O against t!e
respondent %or allegedl$ "iolating t!e 8ropert$ ,ig!ts @a#, and applied %or a temporar$
restraining order' 28O granted t!e application and ordered respondent to sspend t!e
transmission o% said c!annels'
,espondent %iled a petition %or certiorari #it! t!e .ort o% Appeals, and a Mani%estation,
reiterating its dt$ to compl$ #it! t!e 7mst<carr$ rle9, #it! t!e B@A' ,espondent also
sbmitted a letter dated December )0, )00) to t!en 6-. .ommissioner Bor+e reqesting t!e
latter to pro"ide reglating gidelines %or application and co"erage o% Memorandm .irclar 0;<
5<55' On Agst )*, )003, respondent %iled anot!er Mani%estation #it! t!e B@A in%orming t!e
latter t!at it !as recei"ed a letter %rom t!e 6-. en+oining it to strictl$ and immediatel$ compl$
#it! t!e Memorandm'
On December )), )003, B@A rendered a decision in %a"or o% petitioner AB4<.B6'
,espondent %iled an appeal #it! t!e O%%ice o% t!e Director<?eneral o% t!e 28O on Febrar$ *,
)00;' On December )0, )00;, t!e Director<?eneral o% 28O rendered its decision in %a"or o%
8M42' -!en, respondent %iled #it! t!e .A a 7Motion to 3it!dra# 8etitionE Alternati"el$,
Memorandm o% t!e 8etition %or .ertiorari9 #!ic! #as later granted in a resoltion dated
Febrar$ 10, )005'
8etitioner %iled a petition %or re"ie# #it! certiorari #it! pra$er %or t!e issance o% a temporar$
restraining order and #rit o% preliminar$ in+nction #it! t!e .ort o% Appeals' On (l$, 15, )005,
t!e .ort o% Appeals issed a temporar$ restraining order' A%ter#ards, petitioner %iled a 8etition
%or .ontempt against 8M42 %or its contined transmission o% t!e c!annels mentioned abo"e' On
(l$ 1), )00*, t!e .ort o% Appeals dismissed t!e petitions o% AB4<.B6' -!erea%ter, petitioner
%iled a Motion %or ,econsideration #!ic! #as still denied b$ t!e same cortE !ence, t!is petition'
2sse
5
3!et!er or not 84M2&s transmission o% AB4<.B6&s c!annels is a "iolation o% 4ection 9, Article 3
o% t!e .onstittion'
,ling
A%ter a care%l re"ie# o% t!e %acts and records o% t!is case, t!e 4preme .ort a%%irmed t!e
%indings o% t!e Director<?eneral o% t!e 28O and t!e .ort o% Appeals' -!e 4. sees no merit in
AB4<.B6&s contention t!at 8M42 "iolated its broadcaster&s rig!ts nder 4ection )11 o% t!e 28
.ode'
AB4<.B6 and 84M2 #ere granted a legislati"e %ranc!ise nder ,epblic Act 09** and ,epblic
Act 5*30 respecti"el$, #!ic! reqires bot! to 7pro"ide pblic ser"ice time to enable t!e
go"ernment, t!rog! t!e said broadcasting stations, to reac! t!e poplation on important pblic
issesE pro"ide at all times sond and balanced programmingE promote pblic participation sc!
as in commnit$ programmingE assist in t!e %nctions o% pblic in%ormation and edcation=A
%ranc!ise is t!s a pri"ilege sb+ect, among ot!er t!ings, to amendment b$ .ongress in
accordance #it! t!e constittional pro"ision t!at 7an$ sc! %ranc!ise or rig!t granted ' ' ' s!all
be sb+ect to amendment, alteration or repeal b$ t!e .ongress #!en t!e common good so
reqires'9
+have0 vs. Gon0ale0
GR No. 16#3##
1e&r/ar! 15, 2#
6
Puno, C.J:
Facts
On (ne 5, )005, 8ress 4ecretar$ 2gnacio Bn$e re"ealed t!e opposition&s plan o% destabili>ing
t!e go"ernment b$ releasing a recording bet#een t!en 8resident Arro$o and a commissioner o%
t!e .OMA@A.' -#o da$s a%ter, !e prodced t#o "ersions o% t!e taped con"ersation' 1o#e"er,
!e later on retracted !is statements'
On (ne 5, )005, DO( 4ecretar$ ,al ?on>ales #arned t!e media o% a possible "iolation o% t!e
Anti 3ire<tapping @a# i% t!e$ #ere in %ond possession o% copies o% said recording and i% t!e$
contine to pblis! sc!' 1e e"en ordered t!e 6B2 to go a%ter media organi>ation t!at #old
ignore !is #arning'
On (ne 11, )005, 6-. issed a press release gi"ing t!e media %air #arning to obser"e t!e Anti
3ire<tapping @a#' 2n t!eir press release, 6-. clearl$ stated t!at t!ose #!o disregard sc!
#arning #ill be sb+ect to sspension, or re"ocationBcancellation o% t!eir license'
On (ne 1;, )005, 6-. !eld a dialoge #it! HB8, and, a%ter#ards, issed a (oint 8ress
4tatement emp!asi>ing to media organi>ations t!e #arning pre"iosl$ gi"en'
2sse
3!et!er or not respondent&s action #as a "iolation o% t!e %reedom o% speec!, o% e:pression and
o% t!e press'
,ling
-!e 4preme .ort granted t!e petition'
3e rle t!at not ever! violation o' a la2 2ill 3/sti'! strait3ac4eting the e5ercise o' 'ree6o"
o' s%eech an6 o' the %ress' Or la2s are o' 6i''erent 4in6s and dobtless, some o% t!em
pro"ide norms o% condct #!ic! e"en i% "iolated !a"e onl$ an ad"erse e%%ect on a person&s
pri"ate com%ort bt does not endanger national secrit$' -!ere are la#s o% great signi%icance bt
t!eir "iolation, &! itsel' an6 2itho/t "ore, cannot spport sppression o% %ree speec! and %ree
press' 2n %ine, violation o' la2 is 3/st a 'actor, a "ital one to be sre, #!ic! s!old be #eig!ed
in ad+dging #!et!er to restrain %reedom o% speec! and o% t!e press' -!e totalit! o' the
in3/rio/s e''ects o% t!e "iolation to pri"ate and pblic interest mst be calibrated in lig!t o% t!e
pre%erred stats accorded b$ t!e .onstittion and b$ related international co"enants protecting
%reedom o% speec! and o% t!e press' 2n calling %or a care%l and calibrated measrement o% t!e
circm%erence o% all t!ese %actors to determine compliance #it! t!e clear and present danger
test, the +o/rt sho/l6 not &e "isinter%rete6 as 6eval/ing violations o' la2' B$ all means,
7
"iolations o% la# s!old be "igorosl$ prosected b$ t!e 4tate %or t!e$ breed t!eir o#n
e"il conseqence' Bt to repeat, the nee6 to %revent their violation cannot %er se tr/"%
the e5ercise o' 'ree s%eech an6 'ree %ress, a %re'erre6 right 2hose &reach can lea6 to
greater evils' For t!is %ailre o% t!e respondents alone to o%%er proo% to satis%$ t!e clear and
present danger test, t!e .ort !as no option bt to p!old t!e e:ercise o% %ree speec! and %ree
press' -!ere is no s!o#ing t!at t!e %eared "iolation o% t!e anti<#iretapping la# clearl$
endangers t!e national sec/rit! o' the $tate'
$ecretar! o' ./stice vs. ./6ge 7antion
G.R.139)65
8cto&er 17, 2
Melo, J:
8
FA.-4
4ecretar$ o% (stice Fran/lin Drilon, representing t!e ?o"ernment o% t!e ,epblic o% t!e
8!ilippines, signed in Manila t!e 7A:tradition -reat$ bet#een t!e ?o"ernment o% t!e 8!ilippines
and t!e ?o"ernment o% t!e I'4'A9 -!e 8!ilippine 4enate rati%ied t!e said treat$'
On (ne 15, 1999, t!e Department o% (stice recei"ed t!e Department o% Foreign A%%airs I'4'
6ote Verbale 6o'05)) containing a reqest %or t!e e:tradition o% pri"ate respondent Mar/
(imene> to t!e Inited 4tates'
On t!e same da$, petitioner designates and at!ori>ed a panel o% attorne$s to ta/e c!arge and
to !andle t!e case' 8ending e"alation o% t!e a%oresaid e:tradition docments, Mar/ (imene>
t!rog! consel, #rote a letter to (stice 4ecretar$ reqesting copies o% t!e o%%icial e:tradition
reqest %rom t!e I'4 ?o"ernment and t!at !e be gi"en ample time to comment on t!e reqest
a%ter !e s!all !a"e recei"ed copies o% t!e reqested papers' 1o#e"er, t!e petitioner denied t!e
reqest %or t!e consistenc$ o% Article 0 o% t!e ,8<I4 A:tradition -reat$ stated in Article 0 t!at
t!e 8!ilippine ?o"ernment mst present t!e interests o% t!e Inited 4tates in an$ proceedings
arising ot o% a reqest %or e:tradition'
2sse:
3!et!er or not to p!old a citi>en&s basic de process rig!ts or t!e go"ernment&s ironclad
dties nder a treat$'
,ling:
-!e !man rig!ts o% a person, #!et!er citi>en or alien, and t!e rig!ts o% t!e accsed
garanteed in or .onstittion s!old ta/e precedence o"er treat$ rig!ts claimed b$ a
contracting state' -!e dties o% t!e go"ernment to t!e indi"idal deser"e pre%erential
consideration #!en t!e$ collide #it! its treat$ obligations to t!e go"ernment or anot!er state'
-!is is so alt!og! #e recogni>e treaties as sorce o% binding obligations nder generall$
accepted principles o% international la# incorporated in or .onstittion as part o% t!e la# o% t!e
land'
8etition D24M244AD'
9$ vs. ,/rganan
G.R. 1)#571
$e%te"&er 2), 22
Panganiban, J.:
9
Facts:
8rsant to t!e e:isting ,8<I4 A:tradition -reat$, t!e Inited 4tates ?o"ernment, t!rog!
diplomatic c!annels, sent to t!e 8!ilippine ?o"ernment 6ote Verbale 6o' 05)) dated (ne 1*,
1999, spplemented b$ 6ote 6os' 0590, 00)0 and 0509 and accompanied b$ dl$
at!enticated docments reqesting t!e e:tradition o% Mar/ B' (imene>, also /no#n as Mario
Batacan .respo' Ipon receipt o% t!e 6otes and docments, t!e secretar$ o% %oreign a%%airs
F4FAG transmitted t!em to t!e secretar$ o% +stice F4O(G %or appropriate action, prsant to
4ection 5 o% 8residential Decree F8DG 6o' 10*9, also /no#n as t!e A:tradition @a#'
Ipon learning o% t!e reqest %or !is e:tradition, (imene> sog!t and #as granted a -emporar$
,estraining Order F-,OG b$ t!e ,-. o% Manila, Branc! )5'-!e -,O pro!ibited t!e Department
o% (stice FDO(G %rom %iling #it! t!e ,-. a petition %or !is e:tradition' -!e "alidit$ o% t!e -,O
#as, !o#e"er, assailed b$ t!e 4O( in a 8etition be%ore t!is .ort in t!e said ?, 6o' 139;*5'
2nitiall$, t!e .ort << b$ a "ote o% 9<* << dismissed t!e 8etition' -!e 4O( #as ordered to %rnis!
pri"ate respondent copies o% t!e e:tradition reqest and its spporting papers and to grant t!e
latter a reasonable period #it!in #!ic! to %ile a comment and spporting e"idence'
Acting on t!e Motion %or ,econsideration %iled b$ t!e 4O(, t!is .ort issed its October 10,
)000 ,esoltion' B$ an identical "ote o% 9<* << a%ter t!ree +stices c!anged t!eir "otes << it
reconsidered and re"ersed its earlier Decision' 2t !eld t!at pri"ate respondent #as bere%t o% t!e
rig!t to notice and !earing dring t!e e"alation stage o% t!e e:tradition process' -!is
,esoltion !as become %inal and e:ector$'
Finding no more legal obstacle, t!e ?o"ernment o% t!e Inited 4tates o% America, represented
b$ t!e 8!ilippine DO(, %iled #it! t!e ,-. on Ma$ 15, )001, t!e appropriate 8etition %or
A:tradition #!ic! #as doc/eted as A:tradition .ase 6o' 0119)0*1' -!e 8etition alleged, inter
alia, t!at (imene> #as t!e sb+ect o% an arrest #arrant issed b$ t!e Inited 4tates District .ort
%or t!e 4ot!ern District o% Florida on April 15, 1999' -!e #arrant !ad been issed in
connection #it! t!e %ollo#ing c!arges in 2ndictment 6o' 99<00)51 .,<4A2-J: F1G conspirac$ to
de%rad t!e Inited 4tates and to commit certain o%%enses in "iolation o% -itle 15 I4 .ode
4ection 301E F)G ta: e"asion, in "iolation o% -itle )* I4 .ode 4ection 0)01E F3G #ire %rad, in
"iolation o% -itle 15 I4 .ode 4ections 13;3 and )E F;G %alse statements, in "iolation o% -itle 15
I4 .ode 4ections 1001 and )E and F5G illegal campaign contribtions, in "iolation o% -itle ) I4
.ode 4ections ;;1b, ;;1% and ;30gFdG and -itle 15 I4 .ode 4ection )' 2n order to pre"ent t!e
%lig!t o% (imene>, t!e 8etition pra$ed %or t!e issance o% an order %or !is 7immediate arrest9
prsant to 4ection * o% 8D 6o' 10*9'
Be%ore t!e ,-. cold act on t!e 8etition, ,espondent (imene> %iled be%ore it an 7Irgent
Mani%estationBA:<8arte Motion9 #!ic! pra$ed t!at petitioner&s application %or an arrest #arrant
be set %or !earing'
2n its assailed Ma$ )3, )001 Order, t!e ,-. granted t!e Motion o% (imene> and set t!e case %or
!earing on (ne 5, )001' 2n t!at !earing, petitioner mani%ested its reser"ations on t!e
procedre adopted b$ t!e trial cort allo#ing t!e accsed in an e:tradition case to be !eard
prior to t!e issance o% a #arrant o% arrest'
A%ter t!e !earing, t!e cort a quo reqired t!e parties to sbmit t!eir respecti"e memoranda' 2n
!is Memorandm, (imene> sog!t an alternati"e pra$er: t!at in case a #arrant s!old isse, !e
be allo#ed to post bail in t!e amont o% 8100, 000'
10
-!e alternati"e pra$er o% (imene> #as also set %or !earing on (ne 15, )001' -!erea%ter, t!e
cort belo# issed its qestioned (l$ 3, )001 Order, directing t!e issance o% a #arrant %or !is
arrest and %i:ing bail %or !is temporar$ libert$ at one million pesos in cas!' A%ter !e !ad
srrendered !is passport and posted t!e reqired cas! bond, (imene> #as granted pro"isional
libert$ "ia t!e c!allenged Order dated (l$ ;, )001
1ence, t!is 8etition
2sses:
3!et!er or not pblic respondent acted #it!ot or in e:cess o% +risdiction or #it! gra"e abse
o% discretion amonting to lac/ or e:cess o% +risdiction in adopting a procedre o% %irst !earing a
potential e:tradite be%ore issing an arrest #arrant nder 4ection * o% 8D 6o' 10*9'
3!et!er or not pblic respondent acted #it!ot or in e:cess o% +risdiction or #it! gra"e abse
o% discretion amonting to lac/ or e:cess o% +risdiction in granting t!e pra$er %or bail and in
allo#ing (imene> to go on pro"isional libert$
,ling:
2t is signi%icant to note t!at 4ec'* o% 8D10*9 o% or A:tradition @a# ses t!e #ord 7immediate9
to qali%$ t!e arrest o% t!e accsed' -!is qali%ication #old be rendered ngator$ b$ setting %or
!earing t!e issance o% t!e #arrant o% arrest' Arrest sbseqent to a !earing cannot be longer
considered immediate' 3!at is needed onl$ is to get %irst impression Ka prima %acie %inding<
s%%icient to ma/e a speed$ initial determination as regards t!e arrest o% t!e accsed'
Bail is not a matter o% rig!t in e:tradition cases' A:tradition proceedings are separate and
distinct %rom t!e trial %or t!e o%%enses o% #!ic! !e is c!arged' 1e s!old appl$ %or bail be%ore t!e
corts tr$ing t!e criminal cases against !im, not be%ore t!e e:tradition cort'
:(;R;18R;, t!e 8etition is !AN"#$' -!e assailed ,-. Order dated Ma$ )3, )001 is
!ereb$ declared N%&& and '()$, #!ile t!e c!allenged Order dated (l$ 3, )001 is S#" AS)$#
inso%ar as it granted bail to ,espondent Mar/ (imene>' -!e bail bond posted b$ pri"ate
respondent is CANC#&&#$' -!e ,egional -rial .ort o% Manila is directed to condct t!e
e:tradition proceedings be%ore it, #it! all deliberate speed prsant to t!e spirit and t!e letter o%
or A:tradition -reat$ #it! t!e Inited 4tates as #ell as or A:tradition @a#'
:hite 7ight +or%oration vs. +it! o' Manila
GR No. 122#)6
.an/ar! 2, 29
"inga, J:
Facts:
11
-!is is a petition %or t!e re"ersal o% t!e decision o% t!e .ort o% Appeals regarding t!is case'
On December 3, 199), .it$ Ma$or Al%redo @im signed into la# an ordinance entitled 7An
Ordinance 8ro!ibiting 4!ort<time Admission, 4!ort<time Admission ,ates, and 3as!<p
4c!emes in 1otels, Motels, 2nns, @odging 1oses, and 4imilar Astablis!ments in t!e .it$ o%
Manila'9
On December 15, 199), t!e Malate -orist and De"elopment .orporation FM-D.G %iled a
complaint %or declarator$ relie% #it! pra$er %or a #rit o% preliminar$ in+nction andBor temporar$
restraining order F-,OG #it! t!e ,egional -rial .ort o% Manila, Branc! 9 and pra$ed t!at t!e
Ordinance be declared in"alid and nconstittional'
On December )1, 199), petitioners 3!ite @ig!t .orporation, -itanim .orporation and 4ta'
Mesa -orist De"elopment .orporation %iled a motion to inter"ene, #!ic! #as granted b$ t!e
,-.' M-D. mo"ed to #it!dra#n as plainti%% #!ic! #as also granted b$ t!e ,-.'
On (anar$ 1;, 1993, t!e ,-. issed a -,O directing t!e .it$ to cease and desist %rom
en%orcing t!e Ordinance'
On October )0, 1993, t!e ,-. rendered a decision declaring t!e Ordinance nll and "oid'
-!e .it$ t!en %iled a petition %or re"ie# on certiorari #it! t!e 4preme .ort' 1o#e"er, t!e
4preme .ort re%erred t!e same to t!e .ort o% Appeals'
-!e cit$ asserted t!at t!e Ordinance is a "alid e:ercise o% police po#er prsant to @ocal
?o"ernment .ode and t!e ,e"ised Manila .!arter'
-!e .ort o% Appeals re"ersed t!e decision o% t!e ,-. and a%%irmed t!e constittionalit$ o% t!e
Ordinance'
1ence,t!is petition'
2sse:
3!et!er t!e Ordinance is constittional
,ling:
-!e apparent goal o% t!e Ordinance is to minimi>e i% not to eliminate t!e se o% t!e co"ered
establis!ments %or illicit se:, prostittion, drg se and t!e li/e' -!ese goals, b$ t!emsel"es, are
nimpeac!able and certainl$ %all #it!in t!e ambit o% police po#er' Let t!e desirabilit$ o% t!ese
ends does not sancti%$ an$ and all means %or t!eir ac!ie"ement'
1o#e"er #ell<intentioned t!e Ordinance ma$be, it is in e%%ect an arbitrar$ and #!imsical
intrsion into t!e rig!ts o% t!e establis!ments as #ell as t!eir patrons' -!e Ordinance needlessl$
12
restrains t!e operation o% t!e bsinesses o% t!e petitioners as #ell as restricts t!e rig!ts o% t!eir
patrons #it!ot s%%icient +sti%ication'
:(;R;18R;, t!e 8etition is GRAN<;D' -!e Decision o% t!e .ort o% Appeals is R;V;R$;D,
and t!e Decision o% t!e ,egional -rial .ort o% Manila, Branc! 9, is R;-N$<A<;D' Ordinance
6o' 000; is !ereb$ declared I6.O64-2-I-2O6A@'
+it! o' Manila Ma!or Al're6o 7i" v. ./6ge 7ag/io an6 M<D+
G.R. 11#127
A%ril 12, 25
Facts
-!e petitioners see/ to re"erse t!e rling o% t!e ,-. regarding t!e nconstittionalit$ o%
Ordinance 6o'0053 #!ic! is entitled< A6 O,D26A6.A 8,O12B2-26? -1A A4-AB@241MA6-
O, O8A,A-2O6 OF BI426A44A4 8,OV2D26?-A26 FO,M4 OF AMI4AMA6-,
13
A6-A,-A26MA6-, 4A,V2.A4 A6D FA.2@2-2A4 26 -1A A,M2-A<MA@A-A A,AA,
8,A4.,2B26? 8A6A@-2A4 FO, V2O@A-2O6 -1A,AOF, A6D FO, O-1A, 8I,8O4A4'
8ri"ate respondent, Malate -orist De"elopment .orporation FM-D.G, contends t!at t!e .it$
.oncil !as no po#er to pro!ibit t!e operation o% motels and t!at t!e Ordinance does not
constitte a proper e:ercise o% police po#er as t!e complsor$ closre o% t!e motel bsiness
!as no reasonable relation to t!e legitimate mnicipal interests sog!t to be protected'
-!e petitioners on t!e ot!er !and, arges t!at t!e .it$ .oncil !ad t!e po#er to 7pro!ibit certain
%orms o% entertainment in order to protect t!e social and moral #el%are o% t!e commnit$9 and
t!at t!e Ordinance #as enacted b$ t!e .it$ .oncil o% Manila to protect t!e social and moral
#el%are o% t!e commnit$ in con+nction #it! its police po#er'
(dge @agio issed an e:<parte temporar$ restraining order against t!e en%orcement o% t!e
Ordinance' 1e also granted t!e preliminar$ in+nction pra$ed b$ t!e MD-.' 1ence, t!e appeal
b$ t!e petitioners'
2sse
3!et!er or not t!e Ordinance 6o'0035 is constittional and "alid'
,ling
-!ere is a clear in"asion o% personal or propert$ rig!ts, personal in t!e case o% t!ose indi"idals
desiros o% o#ning, operating and patroni>ing t!ose motels and propert$ in terms o% t!e
in"estments made and t!e salaries to be paid to t!ose t!erein emplo$ed' 2% t!e .it$ o% Manila so
desires to pt an end to t!e prostittion, it can instead impose reasonable reglations' @ocal
legislati"e bodies ,in t!is case, cannot pro!ibit t!e operation o% t!e a%oresaid establis!ments
#it!ot in%ringing t!e constittional garantees not e"en nder t!e gise o% de process and
eqal protection o% t!e la#s o% police po#er'
-!e petition is DA62AD and t!e decision o% t!e ,egional -rial .ort declaring t!e Ordinance
"oid is AFF2,MAD'
,ili%inas $hell v Re%/&lic
G.R. 17391#
A%ril #, 2#
Facts
8resent contro"ers$ sprang %rom t!e cancellation o% ta: debit memos F-DMsG and t!e
corresponding ta: credit certi%icates F-..sG assigned to petitioner 8ilipinas 4!ell 8etrolem
.orporation b$ "arios entities' -!e assignment to 4!ell !ad t!e appro"al o% t!e Board i%
2n"estments and t!e One 4top 4!op 2nter<Agenc$ -a: .redit and Dt$ Dra#bac/ .enter
14
F.enterG' 4ome o% t!ese -..s #ere sbseqentl$ accepted as pa$ment b$ t!e Brea o%
.stoms F Bo.G %or petitioners ta:es and import dties in 1990 and 1995'
On 6o"' 3' 1999, t!en 4ecretar$ Adgardo B' Aspirit o% t!e Department o% FinanceF DOFG
in%ormed petitioner t!at its -DMs and -..s #ere %radlentl$ issed and trans%erred, and !ad
to be cancelled' 1e as/ed petitioner to immediatel$ pa$ t!e Bo. and t!e Brea o% 2nternal
,e"ene t!e "ale o% t!e cancelled -..s as #ell as t!e related penalties, src!arges and
interests' 8etitioner immediatel$ mo"ed to dismiss t!e collection case' 2t contended t!at t!e
,-. !ad no +risdiction o"er t!e sb+ect matter and t!at t!e complaint %or collection #as
prematrel$ %iled in "ie# o% its pending petition %or re"ie# in t!e .-A' On (ne 0, )00), t!e
,-. denied petitioner&s motion and instead ordered to %ile an ans#er'
2sse
3!et!er or not %iling o% a collection case is a proper remed$'
,ling
Les, t!e %iling o% collection case #as a proper remed$' Assessments in%orms ta:pa$ers o% t!eir
ta: liabilities' Inder t!e -..8, t!e assessment is t!e %orm o% a liqidation made on t!e %ace o%
t!e entr$ retrn and appro"ed b$ t!e collector o% .stoms' A liqidation is considered to !a"e
been made #!en t!e entr$ is o%%iciall$ stamped and liqidated' An assessment or liqidation b$
t!e Bo. contains %inalit$ and conclsi"eness one $ear %rom t!e date o% t!e %inal pa$ment o%
dties e:cept #!en t!ere #as %rad, t!ere is a pending protest or t!e liqidation o% import entr$
#as merel$ tentati"e' 6one o% t!e %oregoing e:ceptions is present in t!is case'
8etition denied' -!e ,-. o% Manila is ordered to proceed e:peditiosl$ #it! t!e pre<trial
con%erence and trial o% t!e case'
Ar"an6o G. =ras/eg/i vs. ,A7
GR No. 16##1
8cto&er 17, 2#
!e*es, J:
Facts:
8etitioner Armando ?' Lrasegi %iled %or a petition %or re"ie# on certiorari claiming t!at !e #as
illegall$ dismissed %or #eig!ing be$ond t!e ideal #eig!t mandated b$ t!e .abin and .re#
Administration Manal o% 8A@' 8etitioner #as gi"en almost %i"e $ears to address !is #eig!t
15
concerns t!rog! "acation lea"es and #eig!t consltations #it! t!e corporate p!$sician'
1o#e"er, petitioner %ailed to lose t!e necessar$ #eig!t and repeatedl$ re%sed to report %or
#eig!t c!ec/' On (ne 15, 1993, petitioner #as in%ormed b$ 8A@ t!at !is ser"ices #ere
considered terminated de to !is inabilit$ to attain t!e ideal #eig!t' -!e @abor Arbiter rled t!at
petitioner #as illegall$ dismissed' -!e 6@,. a%%irmed t!e Decision o% t!e Arbiter' ,espondent
%iled at t!e .A #!ic! re"ersed t!e 6@,. in its decision dated Agst 31, )00;'
2sseBs:
1' 3!et!er not t!e .A gra"el$ erred in !olding t!e petitioner&s obesit$ can be a grond %or
dismissal nder paragrap! FeG o% Artilce )5) o% t!e @abor .ode o% t!e 8!ilippinesE
)' 3!et!er or not t!e .A gra"el$ erred in !olding t!at petitioner&s dismissal %or obesit$ can be
predicated on t!e 7bona %ide occpational qali%ication FBFOMG de%enseE
3' 3!et!er or not t!e .A gra"el$ erred in !olding t!at petitioner #as not ndl$ discriminated
against #!en !e #as dismissed #!ile ot!er o"er#eig!t cabin attendants #ere eit!er gi"en
%l$ing dties or promotedE
;' 3!et!er or not t!e .A gra"el$ erred #!en it brs!ed aside petitioner&s claims %or
reinstatement and #ages allegedl$ %or being moot and academic'
,lings:
1' -!e obesit$ o% petitioner is a grond %or dismissal nder Article )5)FeG o% t!e @abor
.ode'
-!e standards "iolated in t!is case #ere not mere 7orders9 o% t!e emplo$erE t!e$
#ere t!e 7prescribed #eig!ts9 t!at a cabin cre# mst maintain in order to qali%$ %or and
/eep !is or !er position in t!e compan$' -!e %ailre to meet t!e emplo$er&s qali%$ing
standards %all nder Article )5)FeG, #!ic! states 7ot!er cases analogos to t!e
%oregoing'9
)' -!e dismissal o% t!e petitioner can be predicated on t!e bona %ide occpational
qali%ication de%ense'
-!e .ort stated t!at BFOM is "alid 7pro"ided it re%lects an in!erent qalit$
reasonabl$ necessar$ %or satis%actor$ +ob per%ormance'9 Being in t!e bsiness o% air
transportation, t!e primar$ ob+ecti"e o% 8A@ in t!e imposition o% t!e #eig!t standards %or
cabin cre# is %lig!t sa%et$' Being o"er#eig!t impedes mobilit$, a qalit$ demanded in
emergenc$ sitations'
3' 8etitioner %ailed to sbstantiate !is claim t!at !e #as discriminated against b$ 8A@'
-!e petitioner %ailed to present sbstantial e"idence to establis! t!e alleged
discriminator$ treatment b$ 8A@' 1e merel$ pro"ided t!e names o% ot!er spposedl$
o"er#eig!t cabin attendants #!ose obesit$ #ere tolerated b$ 8A@'
;' -!e claims o% petitioner %or reinstatement and #ages are moot'
Inder Article ))3 o% t!e @abor .ode, t!e option to e:ercise actal or pa$roll
reinstatement belongs to t!e emplo$er' Despite a retrn to #or/ notice recei"ed on
Febrar$ )3, )001, petitioner did not report %or #or/ nor did !e #as able to pro"e t!at !e
rendered ser"ice %rom t!e moment !e #as dismissed to +sti%$ pa$ment o% bac/ #ages'
8etitioner&s reqest to be reinstated to !is actal position despite being o"er#eig!t is
as/ing 8A@ to compl$ #it! t!e impossible'
16
-!e appealed Decision o% t!e .A is a%%irmed bt modi%ied in t!at t!e petitioner is entitled
to separation pa$ in an amont eqi"alent to one<!al% F1B)G mont!&s pa$ %or e"er$ $ear o%
ser"ice, #!ic! s!old inclde !is reglar allo#ances'
Biraogo vs. <r/th +o""ission
GR No. 129935
Dece"&er 7, 21
Mendoza, J:
Facts:
-!e genesis o% t!e %oregoing cases can be traced to t!e e"ents prior to t!e !istoric Ma$ )010
elections, #!en t!en 4enator Benigno 4imeon Aqino 222 declared !is stanc! condemnation o%
gra%t and corrption #it! !is slogan, NHng #alang corrpt, #alang ma!irap'N -!e Filipino
people, con"inced o% !is sincerit$ and o% !is abilit$ to carr$ ot t!is noble ob+ecti"e, cataplted
t!e good senator to t!e presidenc$'
17
-!s, at t!e da#n o% !is administration, t!e 8resident on (l$ 30, )010, signed A:ecti"e Order
6o' 1 establis!ing t!e 8!ilippine -rt! .ommission o% )010 F-rt! .ommissionG'
-!e %irst case is ?',' 6o' 19)935, a special ci"il action %or pro!ibition institted b$ petitioner
@ois Biraogo FBiraogoG in !is capacit$ as a citi>en and ta:pa$er' Biraogo assails A:ecti"e
Order 6o' 1 %or being "iolati"e o% t!e legislati"e po#er o% .ongress nder 4ection 1, Article V2 o%
t!e .onstittion as it srps t!e constittional at!orit$ o% t!e legislatre to create a pblic o%%ice
and to appropriate %nds t!ere%or'
-!e second case, ?',' 6o' 19303*, is a special ci"il action %or certiorari and pro!ibition %iled b$
petitioners Adcel .' @agman, ,odol%o B' Albano (r', 4imeon A' Datmanong, and Orlando B'
Fa, 4r' Fpetitioners<legislatorsG as incmbent members o% t!e 1ose o% ,epresentati"es'
2sseBs:
1' 3!et!er or not t!e petitioners !a"e t!e legal standing to %ile t!eir respecti"e petitions and
qestion A:ecti"e Order 6o' 1E
)' 3!et!er or not A:ecti"e Order 6o' 1 "iolates t!e principle o% separation o% po#ers b$
srping t!e po#ers o% .ongress to create and to appropriate %nds %or pblic o%%ices, agencies
and commissionsE
3' 3!et!er or not A:ecti"e Order 6o' 1 spplants t!e po#ers o% t!e Ombdsman and t!e DO(E
;' 3!et!er or not A:ecti"e Order 6o' 1 "iolates t!e eqal protection claseE and
5' 3!et!er or not petitioners are entitled to in+ncti"e relie%'
,ling:
@egal 4tanding o% t!e 8etitioners
-!e .ort %inds reason in Biraogo&s assertion t!at t!e petition co"ers matters o% transcendental
importance to +sti%$ t!e e:ercise o% +risdiction b$ t!e .ort' -!ere are constittional isses in
t!e petition #!ic! deser"e t!e attention o% t!is .ort in "ie# o% t!eir seriosness, no"elt$ and
#eig!t as precedents' 3!ere t!e isses are o% transcendental and paramont importance not
onl$ to t!e pblic bt also to t!e Benc! and t!e Bar, t!e$ s!old be resol"ed %or t!e gidance o%
all' -!e .ort ta/es cogni>ance o% t!e petition not de to o"er#!elming political ndertones t!at
clot!e t!e isse in t!e e$es o% t!e pblic, bt becase t!e .ort stands %irm in its oat! to
per%orm its constittional dt$ to settle legal contro"ersies #it! o"erreac!ing signi%icance to
societ$'
8o#er o% t!e 8resident to .reate t!e -rt! .ommission
-!e .!ie% A:ecti"e&s po#er to create t!e Ad !oc 2n"estigating .ommittee cannot be dobted'
1a"ing been constittionall$ granted %ll control o% t!e A:ecti"e Department, to #!ic!
respondents belong, t!e 8resident !as t!e obligation to ensre t!at all e:ecti"e o%%icials and
emplo$ees %ait!%ll$ compl$ #it! t!e la#' 3it! AO )95 as mandate, t!e legalit$ o% t!e
in"estigation is sstained' 4c! "alidit$ is not a%%ected b$ t!e %act t!at t!e in"estigating team
18
and t!e 8.A?. !ad t!e same composition, or t!at t!e %ormer sed t!e o%%ices and %acilities o%
t!e latter in condcting t!e inqir$'
8o#er o% t!e -rt! .ommission to 2n"estigate
-!e distinction bet#een t!e po#er to in"estigate and t!e po#er to ad+dicate #as delineated b$
t!e .ort in .ariOo "' .ommission on 1man ,ig!ts'59 -!s:
-!e legal meaning o% Nin"estigateN is essentiall$ t!e same: NFtGo %ollo# p step b$ step b$ patient
inqir$ or obser"ation' -o trace or trac/E to searc! intoE to e:amine and inqire into #it! care
and accrac$E to %ind ot b$ care%l inqisitionE e:aminationE t!e ta/ing o% e"idenceE a legal
inqir$EN Nto inqireE to ma/e an in"estigation,N Nin"estigationN being in trn described as NFaGn
administrati"e %nction, t!e e:ercise o% #!ic! ordinaril$ does not reqire a !earing' ) Am ()d
Adm @ 4ec' )50E : : an inqir$, +dicial or ot!er#ise, %or t!e disco"er$ and collection o% %acts
concerning a certain matter or matters'N
2n t!e legal sense, Nad+dicateN means: N-o settle in t!e e:ercise o% +dicial at!orit$' -o
determine %inall$' 4$non$mos #it! ad+dge in its strictest senseEN and Nad+dgeN means: N-o
pass on +diciall$, to decide, settle or decree, or to sentence or condemn' : :' 2mplies a +dicial
determination o% a %act, and t!e entr$ o% a +dgment'N
Finall$, no#!ere in A:ecti"e Order 6o' 1 can it be in%erred t!at t!e %indings o% t!e 8-. are to
be accorded conclsi"eness' Mc! li/e its predecessors, t!e Da"ide .ommission, t!e Feliciano
.ommission and t!e Jenarosa .ommission, its %indings #old, at best, be recommendator$ in
natre' And being so, t!e Ombdsman and t!e DO( !a"e a #ider degree o% latitde to decide
#!et!er or not to re+ect t!e recommendation' -!ese o%%ices, t!ere%ore, are not depri"ed o% t!eir
mandated dties bt #ill instead be aided b$ t!e reports o% t!e 8-. %or possible indictments %or
"iolations o% gra%t la#s'
Violation o% t!e Aqal 8rotection .lase
-!e petitioners assail A:ecti"e Order 6o' 1 becase it is "iolati"e o% t!is constittional
sa%egard' -!e$ contend t!at it does not appl$ eqall$ to all members o% t!e same class sc!
t!at t!e intent o% singling ot t!e Npre"ios administrationN as its sole ob+ect ma/es t!e 8-. an
Nad"entre in partisan !ostilit$'N -!s, in order to be accorded #it! "alidit$, t!e commission
mst also co"er reports o% gra%t and corrption in "irtall$ all administrations pre"ios to t!at o%
%ormer 8resident Arro$o'
-!e eqal protection clase is aimed at all o%%icial state actions, not +st t!ose o% t!e legislatre'
2ts in!ibitions co"er all t!e departments o% t!e go"ernment inclding t!e political and e:ecti"e
departments, and e:tend to all actions o% a state den$ing eqal protection o% t!e la#s, t!rog!
#!ate"er agenc$ or #!ate"er gise is ta/en'
Appl$ing t!ese precepts to t!is case, A:ecti"e Order 6o' 1 s!old be strc/ do#n as "iolati"e
o% t!e eqal protection clase' -!e clear mandate o% t!e en"isioned trt! commission is to
in"estigate and %ind ot t!e trt! Nconcerning t!e reported cases o% gra%t and corrption dring
t!e pre"ios administrationN onl$' -!e intent to single ot t!e pre"ios administration is plain,
patent and mani%est' Mention o% it !as been made in at least t!ree portions o% t!e qestioned
e:ecti"e order'
19
-!e isse t!at seems to ta/e center stage at present is < #!et!er or not t!e 4preme .ort, in
t!e e:ercise o% its constittionall$ mandated po#er o% (dicial ,e"ie# #it! respect to recent
initiati"es o% t!e legislatre and t!e e:ecti"e department, is e:ercising nde inter%erence' 2s
t!e 1ig!est -ribnal, #!ic! is e:pected to be t!e protector o% t!e .onstittion, itsel% gilt$ o%
"iolating %ndamental tenets li/e t!e doctrine o% separation o% po#ersP -ime and again, t!is
isse !as been addressed b$ t!e .ort, bt it seems t!at t!e present political sitation calls %or
it to once again e:plain t!e legal basis o% its action lest it continall$ be accsed o% being a
!indrance to t!e nation&s t!rst to progress'
31A,AFO,A, t!e petitions are ?,A6-AD' A:ecti"e Order 6o' 1 is !ereb$ declared
I6.O64-2-I-2O6A@ inso%ar as it is "iolati"e o% t!e eqal protection clase o% t!e .onstittion'
As also pra$ed %or, t!e respondents are !ereb$ ordered to cease and desist %rom carr$ing ot
t!e pro"isions o% A:ecti"e Order 6o' 1'
Sony Music vs. Judge Espaol
GR No. 156804
Marc 14! "005
Garcia, J:
Facts:
Sony Music Entertainment filed a etition for certiorari !it" alication for in#uncti$e relief nullifyin%
t"e orders issued &y resondent 'ud%e (olores Esa)ol on 'une 25* 2002 and 'anuary 2003+
,"e -ideo%ram .e%ulatory /oard filed a criminal comlaint a%ainst ri$ate resondents and anot"er
officer of Solid 0a%una 1ororation 2S013 for $iolation of 4( 5o+ 1987 and .6 5o+ 8293 27ntellectual
4roerty 1ode3+ ,"e ri$ate resondents !ere c"ar%ed of relication* reroduction and distri&ution
of $ideo%rams !it"out license and aut"ority from -./ and of infrin%in% t"e etitioners8 coyri%"ts+
9on s!orn statements &y 5/7 6%ent 0a$in* !itnesses* a ri$ate in$esti%ator* and unnamed
20
ersons* resondent #ud%e issued Searc" :arrant 5o+ 220;00 for $iolation of 4( 5o+ 1987 and
Searc" :arrant 5o+ 219;00 for $iolation of .6 5o+ 8293+
<n 6ril 11* 2002* ri$ate resondents filed a =Motion to >uas" Searc" :arrant 26nd ,o .elease
Sei?ed 4roerties3 %rounded on t"e follo!in%: lac@ of ro&a&le cause* t"at t"e !arrant did not
sufficiently descri&e t"e items to &e sei?ed* and t"at t"e !arrant !as imroerly enforced+
,"e resondent #ud%e issued assailed orders Auas"in% Searc" :arrant 5o+ 219;00 &ecause t"e
alle%ed sei?ed items as e$idence "as &een comromised* "a$in% &een commin%led !it" ot"er
articles+ ,"e etitioner8s motion for reconsideration !ere denied on t"e %rounds t"at t"e S01 is still a
"older of a $alid and eBistin% -./ license* and t"at t"e searc" !arrant !as of no force and effect as
t"ere !as no ro&a&le cause to #ustify its issuance+
7ssueCs:
:"et"er or not resondent #ud%e %ra$ely a&used "er discretion in orderin% t"e Auas"al of Searc"
:arrant 5o+ 219;00
.ulin%s:
,"e issuance of t"e searc" !arrant in Auestion did not meet t"e reAuirements of ro&a&le cause+
,"e resondent #ud%e did not accordin%ly err in Auas"in% t"e same* let alone %ra$ely a&use "er
discretion+ ,"e alicants for t"e searc" !arrants relied on most of t"e information on !"at alle%ed
unnamed sources told t"em+ ,"ey testified under oat" as to t"e trut" of facts t"ey "ad no ersonal
@no!led%e of+ ,"e more decisi$e consideration of !"et"er or not a ro&a&le cause o&tains to #ustify
t"e issuance of a searc" !arrant is t"at t"e alicant and "is !itnesses "ad ersonal @no!led%e
t"at t"e discs !ere actually infrin%in%* irated or unaut"ori?ed coies+ ,"e "eresay information !ere
not follo!ed u ersonally nor $alidated &y t"e alicants+ ,"us* t"e issuance of Searc" :arrant 5o+
219;00 !as in$alid+ ,"e instant etition is (7SM7SSE(+
,eo%le vs. Marti
GR No. #1561
.an/ar! 1#, 1991
Bidin, J:
Facts:
On Agst1;, 1950, appellant brog!t %or gi%t #rapped pac/ages to a corier compan$ to be
sent to a %riend in Jric!, 4#it>erland' -!e pac/ages #ere not inspected at t!e recei"ing
conter to t!e re%sal o% t!e appellant' 1o#e"er, be%ore deli"er$ to t!e Brea o% .stoms, t!e
o#ner o% t!e corier compan$, Mr' (ob ,e$es, opened t!e pac/ages %or %inal inspection as
standard procedre' Mr' ,e$es brog!t samples o% t!e sspicios contents to t!e 6ational
Brea o% 2n"estigation F6B2G, #!ic! con%irmed t!at t!e items #ere pro!ibited mari+ana lea"es'
Mr' ,e$es accompanied t!e 6B2 agents to !is o%%ice to srrender contents o% t!e pac/ages' On
Agst )0, 1950, t!e appellant #as appre!ended b$ at!orities and #as %ond gilt$ b$ t!e trial
cort o% "iolations against t!e Dangeros Drgs Act'
21
2sseBs:
3!et!er or not t!e appellant&s constittional rig!ts against illegal searc!es and sei>res #ere
"iolated
,lingBs:
Appellant&s pac/ages #ere inspected and searc!ed b$ a pri"ate indi"idal as a standard
procedre %or corier companies' -!e protection against nreasonable searc! and sei>re ma$
onl$ be in"o/ed against t!e 4tate, t!s it cannot be e:tended to acts committed b$ pri"ate
indi"idals' Mr' ,e$es, t!e o#ner o% t!e corier compan$, "olnteered t!e sspicios contents
o% t!e pac/ages to t!e 6B2' -!e pro!ibited mari+ana lea"es came into t!e possession o%
at!orities #it!ot transgressing t!e appellant&s rig!ts against nreasonable searc! and
sei>re' -!s, t!e e"idence procred t!rog! t!e pri"ate sei>re ma$ be sed against t!e
appellant'
-!e 4. AFF2,MAD t!e decision o% t!e trial cort'
Re%/&lic vs. ;/genio
GR No. 17)629
1e&r/ar! 1), 2#
"inga, J:
Facts:
-!e present petition %or certiorari and pro!ibition nder ,le *5 assails t!e orders and
resoltions issed b$ t!e Ma/ati and Manila ,-.s'
On (ne )0, )005, t!e AM@. issed a resoltion %onded on t!e %indings o% .24 t!at amonts
#ere trans%erred %rom a 1ong Hong ban/ accont o#ned b$ (etstream 8aci%ic @td' Accont to
ban/ acconts in t!e 8!ilippines maintained b$ @iongson and .!eng Long' -!e resoltion also
noted t!at 8antaleon Al"are> "iolated ,A 6o' 3019 b$ a#arding t!e contract to 82A-.O despite
its lac/ o% %inancial capacit$'
22
On (l$ ; )005, t!e Ma/ati ,-. granted t!e AM@. t!e at!orit$ to inqire and e:amine t!e
sb+ect ban/ acconts o% Al"are>, -rinidad, @iongson and .!eng Long, spported b$ a probable
case related to t!e "iolation o% t!e Anti<?ra%t and .orrpt 8ractices Act' Anot!er order #as
granted to AM@. on (anar$ 1), )00*, granting it at!orit$ to inqire into 13 acconts and )
related #eb o% acconts t!e ,epblic alleged to !a"e been sed to %acilitate corrption in t!e
6A2A 3 8ro+ect'
On (anar$ )5, )00*, Al"are> %iled an Irgent Motion to 4ta$ An%orcement o% Order o% (anar$
1), )00*, arging t!at not!ing in ,A 6o' 91*0 at!ori>ed t!e AM@. to see/ t!e at!orit$ to
inqire into ban/ acconts e: parte' -!e Manila ,-. granted t!e motion'
On (l$ )00*, @ilia .!eng, t!e #i%e o% .!eng Long and partl$ o#ned t!e ban/ acconts as part
o% con+gal properties, %iled #it! t!e .A a 8etition %or .ertiorari, 8ro!ibition and Mandams #it!
Application %or -,O andBor 3rit o% 8reliminar$ 2n+nction' 4!e impted gra"e abse o% discretion
on t!e part o% t!e Ma/ati and Manila ,-.s in granting AM@.Qs e: parte applications %or a ban/
inqir$ order #!ic! "iolated !er constittional rig!t to de process' 4!e %rt!er arged t!at t!e
AM@A cannot appl$ to ban/ acconts opened and transactions entered into prior to t!e
e%%ecti"it$ o% t!e AM@A or to ban/ acconts located otside t!e 8!ilippines'
On Agst 1, )00*, t!e .A acted on @ilia .!engQs petition b$ issing a -,O on t!e said trial
corts and AM@. %rom implementing, en%orcing or e:ecting t!e respecti"e ban/ inqit$ orders
pre"iosl$ issed' On 4eptember )), )00*, t!e .A granted a #rit o% preliminar$ in+nction in
%a"or o% @ilia .!eng'
2sseBs:
3!et!er or not t!e sb+ect ban/ inqir$ orders are "alid
,ling:
A"en %rom t!e crsor$ e:amination o% t!e applications %or inqir$ order and t!e orders
t!emsel"es, it is e"ident t!at t!e orders #ere not in accordance #it! la#' A"en i% t!e ban/
inqir$ order ma$ be a"ailed o% #it!ot need o% a pre<e:isting case nder t!e AM@A, it does not
%ollo# t!at sc! order ma$ be a"ailed o% e: parte' 2t is e"ident t!at 4ection 11 does not
speci%icall$ at!ori>e, as a general rle, t!e issance e: parte o% t!e ban/ inqir$ order' -!e
necessar$ implication o% t!is %inding t!at 4ection 11 o% t!e AM@A does not generall$ at!ori>e
t!e issance e: parte o% t!e ban/ inqir$ order #old be t!at sc! orders cannot be issed
nless notice is gi"en to t!e o#ners o% t!e accont, allo#ing t!em t!e opportnit$ to contest t!e
issance o% t!e order' -!e cort recei"ing t!e application %or inqir$ order cannot simpl$ ta/e
t!e AM@.Qs #ord t!at probabl$ case e:ists t!at t!e deposits or in"estments are related to an
nla#%l acti"it$' 2t #ill !a"e to e:ercise its o#n determinati"e %nction in order to be con"inced
o% sc! %act'
-!e .ort&s constrction o% 4ection 11 o% t!e AM@A is ndobtedl$ in%lenced b$ rig!t to pri"ac$
considerations' A ban/ accont inspected b$ t!e go"ernment %ollo#ing an e: parte proceeding
#!erein t!e depositor #old /no# not!ing #old !a"e signi%icant implications on t!e rig!t to
pri"ac$' -!ere is a rig!t to pri"ac$ go"erning ban/ acconts in t!e 8!ilippines, and t!at sc!
rig!t %inds application to t!e case at bar' -!e petition is D24M244AD'
23
>/l/eta vs. +o/rt o' A%%eals
GR No. 173#3
1e&r/ar! 2, 1996
Mendoza, J:
Facts
8etitioner .ecilia Jleta is t!e #i%e o% pri"ate respondent Al%redo Martin' On Marc! )*, 19*),
petitioner entered t!e clinic o% !er !sband, a doctor o% medicine, and in t!e presence o% !er
mot!er, a dri"er and pri"ate respondentQs secretar$, %orcibl$ opened t!e dra#ers and cabinet o%
!er !sbandQs clinic and too/ 150 docments consisting o% pri"ate respondents bet#een Dr'
Martin and !is alleged paramors, greeting cards, cancelled c!ec/, diaries, Dr' MartinQs
passport, and p!otograp!s' -!e docments and papers #ere sei>ed %or se in e"idence in a
case %or legal separation and %or disqali%ication %rom t!e practice o% medicine #!ic! petitioner
24
!ad %iled against !er !sband'
2sse
3!et!er or not t!e papers and ot!er materials obtained t!rog! %orcible intrsion and nla#%l
means are admissible as e"idence in cort regarding marital separation and disqali%ication
%rom medical practice'
1eld
2ndeed, t!e docments and papers in qestion are inadmissible in e"idence' -!e constittional
in+nction declaring Nt!e pri"ac$ o% commnication and correspondence to be in"iolableN is no
less applicable simpl$ becase it is t!e #i%e F#!o t!in/s !ersel% aggrie"ed b$ !er !sbandQs
in%idelit$G #!o is t!e part$ against #!om t!e constittional pro"ision is to be en%orced' -!e onl$
e:ception to t!e pro!ibition in t!e constittion is i% t!ere is a Nla#%l order %rom t!e cort or #!ic!
pblic sa%et$ or order reqire ot!er#ise, as prescribed b$ la#'N An$ "iolation o% t!is pro"ision
renders t!e e"idence obtained inadmissible N%or an$ prpose in an$ proceeding'N
-!e intimacies bet#een !sband and #i%e do not +sti%$ an$one o% t!em in brea/ing t!e dra#ers
and cabinets o% t!e ot!er and in ransac/ing t!em %or an$ telltale e"idence o% marital in%idelit$' A
person, b$ contracting marriage, does not s!ed !erB!is integrit$ or !erB!is rig!t to pri"ac$ as an
indi"idal and t!e constittional protection is e"er a"ailable to !im or to !er'
-!e la# insres absolte %reedom o% commnication bet#een t!e sposes b$ ma/ing it
pri"ileged' 6eit!er !sband nor #i%e ma$ testi%$ %or or against t!e ot!er #it!ot t!e consent o%
t!e a%%ected spose #!ile t!e marriage sbsists' 6eit!er ma$ be e:amined #it!ot t!e consent
o% t!e ot!er as to an$ commnication recei"ed in con%idence b$ one %rom t!e ot!er dring t!e
marriage, sa"e %or speci%ied e:ceptions' Bt one t!ing is %reedom o% commnicationE qite
anot!er is a complsion %or eac! one to s!are #!at one /no#s #it! t!e ot!er' And t!is !as
not!ing to do #it! t!e dt$ o% %idelit$ t!at eac! o#es to t!e ot!er'
Gon0ales v +8M;7;+
27 $+RA #35
G.R. 7*27#33
A%ril 1#, 1969
Facts
,A ;550 #!ic! too/ e%%ect on (ne 10, 19*0, pro!ibiting t!e too earl$ nomination o% candidates
and limiting t!e period o% election campaign or partisan political acti"it$, #as c!allenged on
constittional gronds' More precisel$, t!e basic liberties o% %ree speec! and %ree press,
%reedom o% assembl$ and %reedom o% association are in"o/ed to nlli%$ t!e act' 8etitioner
.abigao #as, at t!e time o% t!e %iling t!e petition, an incmbent concilor in t!e ;t! District o%
Manila and t!e 6acionalista 8art$ o%%icial candidate %or Vice<Ma$or o% Manila to #!ic! !e #as
sbseqentl$ elected on 6o"ember 11, 19*0E petitioner ?on>ales, on t!e ot!er !and, is a
pri"ate indi"idal, a registered "oter in t!e .it$ o% Manila and a political leader o% !is co<
petitioner' -!ere #as t!e %rt!er allegation t!at t!e nomination o% a candidate and t!e %i:ing o%
period o% election campaign are matters o% political e:pedienc$ and con"enience #!ic! onl$
25
political parties can reglate or crtail b$ and among t!emsel"es t!rog! sel%<restraint or mtal
nderstanding or agreement and t!at t!e reglation and limitation o% t!ese political matters
in"o/ing t!e police po#er, in t!e absence o% clear and present danger to t!e state, #old render
t!e constittional rig!ts o% petitioners meaningless and #it!ot e%%ect' 4enator @oren>o M'
-aOada #as as/ed to appear as amics criae, and elcidated t!at Act 6o' ;550 cold indeed
be loo/ed pon as a limitation on t!e pre%erred rig!ts o% speec! and press, o% assembl$ and o%
association' 1e did +sti%$ its enactment !o#e"er nder t!e clear and present danger doctrine,
t!ere being t!e sbstanti"e e"il o% elections, #!et!er %or national or local o%%icials, being
debased and degraded b$ nrestricted campaigning, e:cess o% partisans!ip and nde
concentration in politics #it! t!e loss not onl$ o% e%%icienc$ in go"ernment bt o% li"es as #ell'
-!e 8!ilippine Bar Association, t!e .i"il @iberties Inion, t!e I'8' @a# .enter and t!e I'8'
3omen @a#$ersQ .ircle #ere reqested to gi"e t!eir opinions' ,espondents contend t!at t!e
act #as based on t!e police po#er o% t!e state'
2sse
3!et!er or not ,A ;550 is nconstittional'
1eld
Les' As !eld in .abansag "' Fernande> t!ere are t#o tests t!at ma$ sppl$ an acceptable
criterion %or permissible restriction on %reedom o% speec!' -!ese are t!e 7clear and present
danger9 rle and t!e Qdangeros tendenc$Q rle' -!e %irst means t!at t!e e"il conseqence o% t!e
comment or tterance mst be e:tremel$ serios and t!e degree o% imminence e:tremel$ !ig!
be%ore t!e tterance can be pnis!ed' -!e danger to be garded against is t!e Qsbstanti"e e"ilQ
sog!t to be pre"ented' 2t !as t!e ad"antage o% establis!ing according to t!e abo"e decision a
de%inite rle in constittional la#' 2t pro"ides t!e criterion as to #!at #ords ma$ be pblicl$
establis!ed' -!e Ndangeros tendenc$ rleN is sc! t!at 72% t!e #ords ttered create a
dangeros tendenc$ #!ic! t!e state !as a rig!t to pre"ent, t!en sc! #ords are pnis!able'9 2t
is not necessar$ t!at some de%inite or immediate acts o% %orce, "iolence, or nla#%lness be
ad"ocated' 2t is s%%icient t!at sc! acts be ad"ocated in general terms' 6or is it necessar$ t!at
t!e langage sed be reasonabl$ calclated to incite persons to acts o% %orce, "iolence, or
nla#%lness' 2t is s%%icient i% t!e natral tendenc$ and probable e%%ect o% t!e tterance be to
bring abot t!e sbstanti"e e"il #!ic! t!e legislati"e bod$ see/s to pre"ent'
-!e c!allenged statte cold !a"e been more narro#l$ dra#n and t!e practices pro!ibited more
precisel$ delineated to satis%$ t!e constittional reqirements as to a "alid limitation nder t!e
clear and present danger doctrine' As t!e at!or -aOada clearl$ e:plained, sc! pro"isions
#ere deemed b$ t!e legislati"e bod$ to be part and parcel o% t!e necessar$ and appropriate
response not merel$ to a clear and present danger bt to t!e actal e:istence o% a gra"e and
sbstanti"e e"il o% e:cessi"e partisans!ip, dis!onest$ and corrption as #ell as "iolence t!at o%
late !as in"ariabl$ marred election campaigns and partisan political acti"ities in t!is contr$'
-!e "er$ idea o% a go"ernment, repblican in %orm, implies a rig!t on t!e part o% its citi>ens to
meet peaceabl$ %or consltation in respect to pblic a%%airs and to petition %or redress o%
grie"ances' As in t!e case o% %reedom o% e:pression, t!is rig!t is not to be limited, mc! less
denied, e:cept on a s!o#ing o% a clear and present danger o% a sbstanti"e e"il t!at .ongress
!as a rig!t to pre"ent'
26
-!e pro!ibition o% an$ speec!es, annoncements or commentaries, or t!e !olding o% inter"ie#s
%or or against t!e election o% an$ part$ or candidate %or pblic o%%ice and t!e pro!ibition o% t!e
pblication or distribtion o% campaign literatre or materials, against t!e solicitation o% "otes
#!et!er directl$ or indirectl$, or t!e nderta/ing o% an$ campaign literatre or propaganda %or or
against an$ candidate or part$ is repgnant to a constittional command'
;A$<;RN BR8AD+A$<-NG +8R, ?D=R;@ V. DAN$ .R.
137 $+RA 62#
G.R. No. 7*59329
./l! 9, 19#5
Facts:
A petition #as %iled to reopen t!e ,adio 4tation DL,A' DL,A #as 7smmaril$ closed9 on
gronds o% national secrit$' -!e radio station #as allegedl$ sed to incite people to sedition'
8etitioner, DL,A contends t!at t!e$ #ere denied de process' -!ere #as no !earing to
establis! %actal e"idence %or t!e closre' Frt!ermore, t!e closre o% t!e radio station "iolates
%reedom o% e:pression' Be%ore t!e cort cold e"en promlgate a decision pon t!e 2sse
raised, 8etitioner, t!rog! its president Mr' ,ene Aspina, %iled a motion to #it!dra# t!e petition'
-!e rig!ts o% t!e station #ere sold to a ne# o#ner, Manel 8astranaE #!o is no longer
interested in prsing t!e case' Despite t!e case becoming moot and academic, Fbecase t!ere
are no longer interested parties, t!s t!e dismissal o% t!e caseG t!e 4preme .ort still %inds
t!at t!ere is need to pass a 7,A4O@I-2O69 %or t!e gidance o% in%erior corts and
administrati"e tribnals in matters as t!is case'
27
2sseBs
F1G 3!et!er or not de process #as e:ercised in t!e case o% DL,A'
F)G 3!et!er or not t!e closre o% DL,A is a "iolation o% t!e .onstittional ,ig!t o% Freedom o%
A:pression'
1eld
-!e cort %inds t!at t!e closre o% t!e ,adio 4tation in 1950 as nll and "oid' -!e absence o% a
!earing is a "iolation o% .onstittional ,ig!ts' -!e primar$ reqirements in administrati"e
proceedings are laid do#n in t!e case o% Ang -iba$ "' .ort o% 2ndstrial ,elation F*9 8!il'*35G'
-!e Ang -iba$ Doctrine s!old be %ollo#ed be%ore an$ broadcast station ma$ be closed' -!e
Ang -iba$ Doctrine pro"ides t!e %ollo#ing reqirements:
F1G -!e rig!t to !earing incldes t!e rig!t to present one&s case and sbmit e"idence presented'
F)G -!e tribnal mst consider t!e e"idence presented'
F3G -!e decision mst !a"e somet!ing to spport itsel%'
F;G A"idence mst be sbstantial Freasonable e"idence t!at is adeqate to spport conclsionG
F5G Decision mst be based on t!e e"idence presented at !earing
F*G -!e tribnal bod$ mst act on its o#n independent consideration o% la# and %acts and not
simpl$ accept sbordinate&s "ie#s
F0G .ort mst render decision in sc! a manner t!at t!e proceeding can /no# t!e "arios
issed in"ol"ed and reasons %or decisions rendered'
-!e cort stresses t!at #!ile t!ere is no controlling and precise de%inition o% De 8rocess, it
gi"es an na"oidable standard t!at go"ernment actions mst con%orm in order t!at depri"ation
o% li%e, libert$ and propert$ is "alid'
-!e closre o% t!e radio station is li/e #ise a "iolation o% t!e constittional rig!t o% %reedom o%
speec! and e:pression' -!e cort stresses t!at all %orms o% media, #!et!er print or broadcast
are entitled to t!is constittional rig!t' Alt!og! t!e go"ernment still !as t!e rig!t to be protected
against broadcasts #!ic! incite t!e listeners to "iolentl$ o"ert!ro# it' -!e test %or t!e limitation
o% %reedom o% e:pression is t!e 7clear and present danger9 rle' 2% in t!e circmstances t!at t!e
media is sed in sc! natre as to create t!is danger t!at #ill bring in sc! e"ils, t!en t!e la#
!as t!e rig!t to pre"ent it' 1o#e"er, ,adio and tele"ision ma$ not be sed to organi>e a
rebellion or signal a start o% #idespread prising' -!e %reedom to comment on pblic a%%airs is
essential to t!e "italit$ o% a representati"e democrac$' -!e people contines to !a"e t!e rig!t to
be in%ormed on pblic a%%airs and broadcast media contines to !a"e t!e per"asi"e in%lence to
t!e people being t!e most accessible %orm o% media' -!ere%ore, broadcast stations deser"e t!e
special protection gi"en to all %orms o% media b$ t!e de process and %reedom o% e:pression
clases o% t!e .onstittion'
28
Ang <i&a! v +-R
G.R. 7*)6)96
69 ,hil 635
1e&r/ar! 27, 19)
&aurel, J:
Facts
-oribio claimed to !a"e lain o%% #or/ers de to t!e s!ortage o% leat!er soles in t!e Ang -iba$
%actor$'
-!e .ort o% indstrial relations %or#arded a motion %or reconsideration #it! t!e 4preme .ort'
2n prsit o% a retrial in t!e .ort o% 2ndstrial ,elations, t!e national labor nion, t!e
respondent, a"erred:
1' -!e s!ortage o% soles !as no %actal basis
)' -!e sc!eme #as to pre"ent t!e %or%eitre o% !is bond to co"er t!e breac! o% obligation
#it! t!e Arm$
3' -!e letter !e sent to t!e arm$ #as part o% t!is sc!eme
;' -!e compan$ nion #as an emplo$er dominated one'
29
5' laborers rig!ts to .BA is indispensable'
*' .i"il code s!oldn&t be sed to interpret a legislation o% American indstrial origins'
0' -oribio #as gilt$ o% n%air labor practice %or %a"oring !is nion'
5' A:!ibits are inaccessible to respondents'
9' -!e e:!ibits can re"erse t!e +dgment'
2sse
2s t!e .ort o% 2ndstrial ,elations t!e proper "ene %or t!e trialP
1eld
Les' .ase remanded to t!e .2,
,ationale
-!ere #as no sbstantial e"idence t!at t!e e:clsion o% t!e 59 laborers !ere #as de to t!eir
nion a%%iliation or acti"it$'
-!e natre o% t!e .2, is t!at o% an administrati"e cort #it! +dicial and qasi<+dicial %nctions
%or t!e prpose o% settling disptes and relations bet#een emplo$ers and emplo$ees' 2t can
appeal to "olntar$ arbitration %or dispte' 2t can also e:amine t!e indstries in a localit$ b$
order o% t!e president'
-!ere is a mingling o% e:ecti"e and +dicial %nctions, #!ic! constittes a departre %rom t!e
separation o% po#ers'
-!e .ort o% 2ndstrial ,elations is not narro#l$ constrained b$ tec!nical rles o% procedre,
and is not bond b$ tec!nical rles o% legal procedre' 2t ma$ also inclde an$ matter necessar$
%or sol"ing t!e dispte'
-!e %act, !o#e"er, t!at t!e .ort o% 2ndstrial ,elations ma$ be said to be %ree %rom t!e rigidit$
o% certain procedral reqirements does not mean t!at it can, in +sti%iable cases be%ore it,
entirel$ ignore or disregard t!e %ndamental and essential reqirements o% de process in trials
and in"estigations o% an administrati"e c!aracter'
4ome e:amples t!at it mst %ollo# are:
1' rig!t to a !earingE
)' consideration o% e"idence b$ t!e cortE
3' dt$ to deliberate implies a necessit$ #!ic! cannot be disregarded, namel$, t!at o%
!a"ing somet!ing to spport it is a nllit$, a place #!en directl$ attac!edE
;' sbstance o% e"idence and t!e non<binding aspect o% +dicial decisions in an admin
cort so as to %ree t!em %rom tec!nical rlesE
5' t!e decision mst be rendered at t!e e"idence presented at t!e !earing' -!e cort
ma$ also delegate some po#ers to ot!er +dicial bodiesE
*' -!e cort mst act on its o#n decision at reac!ing a contro"ers$' 2t mstn&t merel$
accept t!e "ie#s o% a sbordinateE and
0' -!e cort mst clearl$ state t!e isses and t!e rationale %or t!e decision'
30
-!e record is barren and doesn&t satis%$ a %actal basis as to predicate a conclsion o% la#'
A"idence #as still inaccessible'
-!e motion %or a ne# trial s!old be granted and sent to t!e .2,'
,r/6ente v Da!rit
G.R. #2#7
1# $+RA 69
Dece"&er 1), 19#9
Padilla, J:
Facts
-!e .!ie% o% t!e 2ntelligence 4pecial Action Di"ision F24ADG %iled #it! t!e ,egional -rial .ort
F,-.G Manila, (dge Abelardo Da$rit, %or t!e issance o% 4earc! 3arrant %or "iolation o% 8D 6o'
15** F2llegal 8ossession o% Firearm, etcG' 2n t!e deposition o% #itness F8B@t' Florencio .'
AngelesG, it #as made mentioned o% 7reslt o% or continos sr"eillance condcted %or se"eral
da$s' 3e gat!ered in%ormation %rom "eri%ied sorces t!at t!e !olders o% said %irearms and
e:plosi"es as #ell as ammnitions aren&t licensed to possess said %irearms and ammnition'
Frt!er, t!e premise is a sc!ool and t!e !olders o% t!ese %irearms are not stdent #!o #ere not
spposed to possess %irearms, e:plosi"es and ammnitions'
8erson to be searc!ed in 6emesio 8rdente at t!e 8ol$tec!nic Ini"ersit$ o% t!e 8!ilippines,
4ta' Mesa, 4ampaloc, Manila, !as in !is control or possession %irearms, e:plosi"es !and
grenades and ammnitions #!ic! are illegall$ possesses at t!e o%%ice o% Department o% Militar$
4cience and -actics and at t!e o%%ice o% t!e 8resident'
8etitioner mo"ed to qas! t!e 4earc! 3arrant claiming t!at
31
1' 8etitioners !ad no personal /no#ledge o% t!e %acts
)' -!e e:amination o% t!e said #itness #as not in %orm o% searc!ing qestions and
ans#ers
3' 4earc! #arrant #as a general #arrant
;' Violation o% .irclar 6o' 19 o% t!e 4preme .ort in t!at t!e complainant %ailed to
allege nder oat! t!at t!e issance o% t!e searc! #arrant on a 4atrda$, rgent'
2sse
3!et!er or not t!e searc! and sei>re #as "alid'
,ling
4earc! 3arrant annlled and set aside'
,ationale
Valid searc! #arrant to isse, t!ere mst be probable case, #!ic! is to be determined
personall$ b$ t!e (dge, a%ter e:amination nder oat! and a%%irmation o% t!e complainant, and
t!at #itnesses !e ma$ prodce and particlarl$ describing t!e place to be searc!ed and t!e
persons and t!ings to be sei>ed' -!e probable case mst be in connection #it! one speci%ic
o%%ense and t!e (dge mst, be%ore issing 4earc! 3arrant, personall$ e:amine in t!e %orm o%
searc!ing qestions and ans#ers, 2n #riting and nder oat!, t!e complainant and an$ #itnesses
!e ma$ prodce, on %acts personall$ /no#n to t!em and attac! to t!e record t!eir s#orn
statements toget!er #it! an$ a%%ida"its sbmitted'
78robable .ase9 %or a "alid searc! #arrant, !as been de%ined as sc! %acts and circmstances
#!ic! #old lead a reasonabl$ discreet and prdent man to belie"e t!at an o%%ense !as been
committed, and t!at ob+ects sog!t in connection #!ic! t!e o%%ense are in t!e place sog!t to
be searc!ed'
-!is probable case mst be s!o#n to be personal /no#ledge and o% t!e complainant and
#itnesses !e ma$ prodce and not based on mere !earsa$'
8A,-2.I@A,2-L
For "iolation o% 8D 15** F2llegal 8ossession o% Firearms, etc'G #!ile t!e said decree pnis!es
se"eral o%%enses, t!e alleged "iolation in t!is case #as, qali%ied b$ t!e p!rase illegal
possession o% %irearms etc' < < ,e%ormed to ammnitions and e:plosi"es' 2n ot!er #ords, t!e
searc! #arrant #as issed %or t!e speci%ic o%%ense o% illegal possession o% %irearms and
e:plosi"es' 1ence, t!e %ailre o% t!e 4earc! 3arrant to mention t!e particlar pro"ision o% 8D1<
5** t!at #as "iolated is not o% sc! gra"it$ as to call %or t!e in"alidation o% t!is case'
32
2
th
+ent/r! 1o5 v +A
G.R. 766)9*51
A/g/st 19, 19##
utierrez, J:
Facts
-!is is a petition %or certiorari to annl t!e October 5, 1955 and (anar$ ), 195* orders o% t!e
lo#er cort, li%ting its issed searc! #arrants'
2n a letter<complaint dated Agst )*, 1955, petitioner )0
t!
.entr$ Fo: Film .orporation
t!rog! consel sog!t t!e 6B2&s assistance in t!e condct o% searc!es and sei>res in
connection #it! t!e latter&s anti<%ilm pirac$ campaign' 2t alleged t!at certain "ideotape otlets all
o"er Metro Manila are engaged in t!e nat!ori>ed sale and renting ot o% cop$rig!ted %ilms in
"ideotape %orm'
33
3it! 6B2&s assistance, t!e petitioner #as able to secre t!ree F3G searc! #arrants against 3
"ideo otletsE
Acting on a motion to li%t searc! #arrants and release sei>ed properties %iled b$ pri"ate
respondents, t!e lo#er cort issed an order dated October 5, 1955, li%ting t!e t!ree F3G searc!
#arrants issed earlier against pri"ate respondents on t!e grond o% misrepresentation
committed b$ t!e 6B2 and its #itnesses, inclding its %ailre to present t!e master tapes %rom
#!ic! t!e alleged pirated taped #ere reprodced'
2sse
3!et!er or not t!e +dge properl$ li%ted t!e searc! #arrants !e issed earlier pon t!e
application o% t!e 6B2
,ling
-!e presentation o% t!e master tapes o% t!e cop$rig!ted %ilms %rom #!ic! t!e pirated %ilms #ere
allegedl$ copied, #as necessar$ %or t!e "alidit$ o% searc! #arrants against t!ose #!o !a"e in
t!eir possession t!e pirated %ilms' -!e cort cannot presme t!at dplicate or copied tapes
#ere necessaril$ reprodced %rom master tapes t!at it o#ns'
-!e application and searc! proceeding is a prelde to t!e %iling o% criminal cases nder 8D ;9,
in t!is case' Alt!og! #!at is reqired %or t!e issance t!ereo% is merel$ t!e presence o%
probable case, t!at probable case mst be satis%actor$ to t!e cort, %or it is time<!onored
precept t!at proceedings to pt a man to tas/ as an o%%ender nder or la#s s!old be
interpreted in strictissimi +ris against t!e go"ernment and liberall$ in %a"or o% t!e alleged
o%%ender'
,eo%le v +la/6io
G.R. 13369)
1e&r/ar! 29, 2
Bellosillo, J:
34
Facts
-!is is an appeal %rom t!e decision o% t!e ,egional -rial .ort o% Olongapo .it$, Branc! 03
%inding t!e accsed Anita .ladio L Bagtang gilt$ be$ond reasonable dobt o% "iolating 4ec' ;,
,ep' Act 6o' *;)5 FDangeros Drgs Act o% 190) as amendedG'
On or abot t!e )1
st
da$ o% (l$ 1951, in t!e .it$ o% Olongapo, t!e abo"e<named accsed
#it!ot being la#%ll$ at!ori>ed, #il%ll$ and /no#ingl$ transport 1'1 /ilos o% Mari+ana dried
lea"es %or t!e prpose o% selling t!e same %rom Bagio .it$ to Olongapo .it$'
.ladio #as cag!t in %lagrante delicto b$ 8at' Daniel Obinia, #!o #as on board t!e same bs
coming %rom Bagio' Ipon 8at' Obinia&s clear sspicion o% t!e baggage t!at t!e accsed #as
carr$ing #it! !er in t!e bs and %inding t!at t!e same actall$ contained mari+ana, !e FObaniaG
initiated a #arrantless arrest against .ladio #!en t!e$ arri"ed in Olongapo .it$'
2sse
3!et!er or not t!e #arrantless arrest, searc!, and sei>re condcted b$ 8at' Obania #as
+sti%ied'
,ling
Inder ,le 113, 4ec' 5FaG pro"ides:
''A peace o%%icer or pri"ate person ma$, #it!ot a #arrant, arrest a person:
FaG 3!en in !is presence, t!e person to be arrested !as committed, is actall$
committing, or is attempting to commit an o%%ense
,le 1)*, 4ec' 1) pro"ides:
4ection 1)' 4earc! incident to la#%l arrest K a person la#%ll$ arrested ma$ be
searc!ed %or dangeros #eapons or an$t!ing, #!ic! ma$ be sed as proo% o% t!e
commission o% an o%%ense, #it!ot a searc! #arrant
4ince .ladio #as cag!t in %lagrante delicto, a #arrant #as no longer needed
,eo%le v A"in/6in
G.R. 7)#69
./l! 6, 19##
35
Cruz, J:
Facts
On (ne )5, 195;, 2del Aminndin #as arrested and searc!ed #it!ot #arrant b$ 8. o%%icers
s!ortl$ a%ter disembar/ing %rom MBV 3ilcon 9E 3 /ilos o% mari+ana #as con%iscated %rom !im,
#!ere !e #as c!arged #it! a "iolation o% t!e Dangeros Drgs Act' According to t!e
prosection, t!e arrest and captre o% Aminndin #as e:ected based on an earlier tip recei"ed
#!ere Aminndin #as identi%ied b$ name and t!at !e #as on board a "essel bond %or 2loilo .it$
and #as carr$ing mari+ana'
2n !is de%ense, Aminndin disclaimed t!e mari+ana, a"erring t!at all !e !ad in !is bag #as !is
clot!ingsE t!at !e #as %orced to admit t!at !e #as carr$ing t!e mari+ana, #!en !e did not e"en
/no# #!at mari+ana loo/ li/e'
Aminndin claimed t!at t!e #arrantless arrest and searc!ed made b$ t!e 8. o%%icers ma/es t!e
mari+ana allegedl$ %ond in !is possession inadmissible in e"idence against !im nder t!e Bill
o% ,ig!ts' -!e decision did not e"en discss t!is point' For !is part, t!e 4olicitor ?eneral
dismissed t!is a%ter an all<too<s!ort argment t!at t!e arrest o% Aminndin #as "alid becase it
came nder ,le 113, 4ection *FbG o% t!e ,les o% .ort on #arrantless arrests, ma/ing t!e
searc! also "alid as incidental to a la#%l arrest'
Dring t!e trial, it #as admitted b$ t!e arresting o%%icer concerned t!at t!e$ !ad in%ormation o%
Aminddin&s arri"al ) da$s a!ead bt did not secre a #arrant an$more becase t!e$ #ere sre
t!at t!eir operation #ill $ield positi"e reslt'
2sse
3!et!er or not t!e arrest and searc! made against Amindin #as "alid or t!at mari+ana %ond
in !is possession #as admissible in e"idence'
36
,ling
2n t!e case at bar, t!e accsed<appellant #as not, at t!e moment o% !is arrest, committing a
crime, nor #as it s!o#n t!at !e #as abot to do so or t!at !e !ad +st done so' -!e e"idence,
t!ere%ore, cannot be admitted, and s!old ne"er !a"e been considered b$ t!e trial cort %or t!e
simple %act is t!at t!e mari+ana #as sei>ed illegall$, o#ing to t!e %act t!at t!e #arrantless arrest
and searc! #as not +sti%ied or in"alid'
,eo%le v <angli&en
1#) $+RA 22
G.R. No.7*6363
A%ril 6, 199
utierrez, J:
Facts
8atrolmen 4il"erio and ,omeo 8n>alan #ere condcting sr"eillance at t!e 4an Fernando
Victor$ @iner -erminal' At arond 9:30pm t!e$ noticed a person, Medel -angliben, carr$ing a
tra"eling bag #!o acted sspiciosl$' -!e$ con%ronted !im, inspected !is bag, and t!ere t!e$
%ond mari+ana lea"es' -!e accsed #as t!en ta/en to t!e 8olice 1eadqarters %or %rt!er
in"estigations' -!e -. %ond -angliben gilt$ o% "iolating sec'; art' ) o% t!e ,A *;)5 or t!e
Dangeros Drgs Act o% 190)'
2sse
3!et!er or 6ot t!ere #as an nla#%l searc! de to lac/ o% searc! #arrant'
1eld
6o' ,le 113 sec' 5 pro"ides t!at a peace o%%icer or a pri"ate person ma$ #Bo a #arrant arrest a
person #!en in !is presence t!e person to be arrested !as committed, is committing, or is
attempting to commit an o%%ense'
2n t!e present case, t!e accsed #as %ond to !a"e been committing possession o% mari+ana
and can be t!ere%ore searc!ed la#%ll$ e"en #it!ot a searc! #arrant' Anot!er reason is t!at
37
t!is case poses rgenc$ on t!e part o% t!e arresting police o%%icers' 2t #as %ond ot t!at an
in%ormer pointed to t!e accsed telling t!e policemen t!at t!e accsed #as carr$ing mari+ana'
-!e police o%%icers !ad to act qic/l$ and t!ere #as not enog! time to secre a searc! #arrant'
,eo%le v Mal"ste6t
G.R. 9117
19# $+RA )1
./ne 19, 1991
Padilla, J:
Facts
Accsed is a 4#edis! national arrested %or carr$ing 1as!is!, a %orm o% mari+ana dring a
6A,.OM inspection' 1e #as tried and %ond gilt$ in "iolation o% Dangeros Drgs Act' 1e
contends t!at t!e arrest #as illegal #it!ot t!e searc! #arrant'
2sse
3!et!er or not t!e arrest made #as illegal in t!e absence o% a searc! #arrant'
1eld
6A,.OM operation #as condcted #it! a probable case %or a #arrantless searc! pon
in%ormation t!at pro!ibited drgs are in t!e possession o% t!e accsed and t!e 4#edis! national
%ailed to immediatel$ present !is passport'
A #arrantless arrest ma$ be la#%ll$ made:
aG 3!en, in !is presence, t!e person to be arrested !as committed is actall$ committing,
or is attempting to commit an o%%enseE
bG 3!en an o%%ense !as in %act +st been committed, and !e !as personal /no#ledge o%
%acts indicating t!at t!e person to be arrested !as committed itE and
38
cG 3!en t!e person to be arrested is a prisoner #!o !as escaped %rom a penal
establis!ment or place #!ere !e is ser"ing %inal +dgment or temporaril$ con%ined #!ile
!is case is pending, or !as escaped #!ile being trans%erred %rom one con%inement to
anot!er'
D/ncan Assoc. o' ;"%lo!ees v Gla5o :ellco"e ,hils, -nc.
GR No. 16299)
A%ril 12, 26
"inga, J:
Facts
-ecson #as !ired b$ ?la:o as a medical representati"e on Oct' );, 1995' .ontract o%
emplo$ment signed b$ -ecson stiplates, among ot!ers, t!at !e agrees to std$ and abide b$
t!e e:isting compan$ rlesE to disclose to management an$ e:isting %tre relations!ip b$
consanginit$ or a%%init$ #it! co<emplo$ees or emplo$ees #it! competing drg companies and
s!old management %ind t!at sc! relations!ip poses a possible con%lict o% interest, to resign
%rom t!e compan$' .ompan$Qs .ode o% Amplo$ee .ondct pro"ides t!e same #it! stiplation
t!at management ma$ trans%er t!e emplo$ee to anot!er department in a non<conterc!ec/ing
position or preparation %or emplo$ment otside o% t!e compan$ a%ter * mont!s'
-ecson #as initiall$ assigned to mar/et ?la:oQs prodcts in t!e .amarines 4r<.amarines
6orte area and entered into a romantic relations!ip #it! Bets$, an emplo$ee o% Astra, ?la:oQs
competition' Be%ore getting married, -ecsonQs District Manager reminded !im se"eral times o%
t!e con%lict o% interest bt marriage too/ place in 4ept' 1995' 2n (an' 1999, -ecsonQs speriors
in%ormed !im o% con%lict o% interest' -ecson as/ed %or time to compl$ #it! t!e condition Ft!at
eit!er !e or Bets$ resign %rom t!eir respecti"e positionsG' Inable to compl$ #it! condition, ?la:o
trans%erred -ecson to t!e Btan<4rigao .it$<Agsan del 4r sales area' A%ter !is reqest
against trans%er #as denied, -ecson brog!t t!e matter to ?la:oQs ?rie"ance .ommittee and
#!ile pending, !e contined to act as medical representati"e in t!e .amarines 4r<.amarines
6orte sales area' On 6o"' 15, )000, t!e 6ational .onciliation and Mediation Board rled t!at
?la:oQs polic$ #as "alid'''
2sse
3!et!er or not t!e polic$ o% a p!armacetical compan$ pro!ibiting its emplo$ees %rom marr$ing
emplo$ees o% an$ competitor compan$ is "alid'
1eld
39
On Aqal 8rotection
?la:o !as a rig!t to gard its trade secrets, man%actring %ormlas, mar/eting strategies, and
ot!er con%idential programs and in%ormation %rom competitors' -!e pro!ibition against personal
or marital relations!ips #it! emplo$ees o% competitor companies pon ?la:oQs emplo$ees is
reasonable nder t!e circmstances becase relations!ips o% t!at natre mig!t compromise t!e
interests o% t!e compan$' -!at ?la:o possesses t!e rig!t to protect its economic interest cannot
be denied'
2t is t!e settled principle t!at t!e commands o% t!e eqal protection clase are addressed onl$ to
t!e state or t!ose acting nder color o% its at!orit$' 2t !as been !eld in a long arra$ o% I4
4preme .ort decisions t!at t!e eqal protection clase erects to s!ield against merel$
pri"atel$ condct, !o#e"er, discriminator$ or #rong%l'
-!e compan$ actall$ en%orced t!e polic$ a%ter repeated reqests to t!e emplo$ee to compl$
#it! t!e polic$' 2ndeed t!e application o% t!e polic$ #as made in an impartial and e"en<!anded
manner, #it! de regard %or t!e lot o% t!e emplo$ee'
40
,areno vs. +A
GR No. 16222)
./ne 7, 27
Car+io, J:
Facts
-!is case is a petition %or certiorari assailing t!e 9 (anar$ )003 Decision and 13 (anar$ )00;
,esoltion o% t!e .ommission on Adit F.OAG'
4al"ador 8arreOo FpetitionerG ser"ed in t!e Armed Forces o% t!e 8!ilippines FAF8G %or 3) $ears'
On 5 (anar$ 195), petitioner retired %rom t!e 8!ilippine .onstablar$' 8etitioner a"ailed, and
recei"ed pension'
8etitioner migrated to 1a#aii and became a natrali>ed American citi>en' 4bseqentl$ t!e
AF8 stopped petitioner&s mont!l$ pension in accordance #it! 4ection )0 o% 8D 1*35, as
amended b$ 8D 1*50' 4ection )0 o% 8D 1*35, as amended, pro"ides t!at a retiree #!o loses
!is Filipino citi>ens!ip s!all be remo"ed %rom t!e retired list and !is retirement bene%its
terminated pon loss o% Filipino citi>ens!ip' 8etitioner reqested %or reconsideration bt t!e
(dge Ad"ocate ?eneral o% t!e AF8 denied t!e reqest'
8etitioner %iled a claim be%ore t!e .OA %or t!e continance o% !is mont!l$ pension' -!e .OA
denied t!e motion and rled t!at petitioner&s entitlement to t!e retirement bene%its !e #as
pre"iosl$ recei"ing mst necessaril$ cease pon t!e loss o% !is Filipino citi>ens!ip in
accordance #it! 4ection )0 o% 8D 1*35, as amended' 1ence t!is petition'
2sse
3!et!er or not 4ection )0 o% 8D 1*35, as amended, crtails eqal protection nder t!e
.onstittion'
,ling
-!e constittional rig!t to eqal protection o% t!e la#s is not absolte bt is sb+ect to
reasonable classi%ication' -o be reasonable, t!e classi%ication FaG mst be based on sbstantial
distinctions #!ic! ma/e real di%%erencesE FbG mst be germane to t!e prpose o% t!e la#E FcG
mst not be limited to e:isting conditions onl$E and FdG mst appl$ eqall$ to eac! member o%
t!e class'
41
-!ere is compliance #it! all t!ese conditions' 8etitioner&s loss o% Filipino citi>ens!ip constittes
a sbstantial distinction t!at distingis!es !im %rom ot!er retirees #!o retain t!eir Filipino
citi>ens!ip' A retiree #!o !ad lost !is Filipino citi>ens!ip alread$ renonced !is allegiance to t!e
state' -!s, !e ma$ no longer be compelled b$ t!e state to render complsor$ militar$ ser"ice
#!en t!e need arises' 2% t!e gropings are c!aracteri>ed b$ sbstantial distinctions t!at ma/e
real di%%erences, one class ma$ be treated and reglated di%%erentl$ %rom anot!er'
8etition Denied'
R8M9A7D;> V$. +8M;7;+
G.R. 16711
A%ril 3 2#
C,ico-Nazario, J.
Facts
On 9 Ma$ )000 and 11 Ma$ )000, petitioners .arlos 4' ,omalde> and Arlinda ,' ,omalde>,
applied %or registration as ne# "oters #it! t!e O%%ice o% t!e Alection O%%icer o% Braen,
@e$te,respecti"el$E in t!eir s#orn applications, petitioners made %alse and ntrt!%l
representations in "iolation o% 4ection 10 11 o% ,epblic Act 6os' 5159, b$ indicating t!erein
t!at t!e$ are residents o% 935 4an (ose 4treet, Braen, @e$te, #!en in trt! and in %act, t!e$
#ere and still are residents o% 113 Mariposa @oop, Mariposa 4treet, Bagong @ipnan ng .rame,
Me>on .it$, and registered "oters o% Baranga$ Bagong @ipnan ng .rame, District 2V, Me>on
.it$, 8recinct 6o' ;;19<A,E and t!at petitioners, /no#ing %ll$ #ell said trt!, intentionall$ and
#ill%ll$, did not %ill t!e blan/ spaces in said applications corresponding to t!e lengt! o% time
#!ic! t!e$ !a"e resided in Braen, @e$te'
-!e case #as %iled b$ pri"ate respondents and .OMA@A. #it! t!e ,-.' -!s, t!is 8etition %or
,e"ie# on .ertiorari #it! a pra$er %or t!e issance o% a -emporar$ ,estraining Order andBor
3rit o% 8reliminar$ 2n+nction %iled b$ petitioners'
2sse

3ere 8etitioners depri"ed o% de process and t!at o% Art' 222, 4ec' 1; o% t!e 1950.onstittionP
1eld
6o, t!e c!arges against t!em %iled b$ 8ri"ate respondents and t!e .OMA@A. #it! t!e ,-. are
t!e same !ence t!e$ cannot assail t!at t!e$ !a"e been depri"ed o% de process becase t!e$
#ere not gi"en c!ance to sbmit contere"idence and re%te t!e c!arges against t!em b$
.OMA@A.''
4econdl$, 4ection ;5 ;1 o% ,epblic Act 6o' 5159 ma/es a recital o% election o%%enses nder t!e
same Act' 4ection ;5F+G is, #it!ot dobt, cr$stal in its speci%ication t!at a "iolation o% an$ o% t!e
pro"isions o% ,epblic Act 6o' 5159 is an election o%%ense' -!e langage o% 4ection ;5F+G is
precise'
8A-2-2O6 DA62AD'
42
Re%/&lic v. ,ili%inas $hell
GR no 17391#
A%ril #, 2#
'illara-a, Jr., J:
Facts
-!is case is a petition %or re"ie# on certiorari assailing t!e decision o% .A'
On October 10, 195;, t!e Oil 8rice 4tabila>ation Fnd FO84FG #as created nder 8D 195* %or
t!e prpose o% minimi>ing %reqent price c!anges o% crde oil and imported petrolem prodcts'
A'O' 130 amended 8D 195* in order to maintain stabilit$ in t!e domestic price o% oils' -!e DOA
demanded t!e respondent to pa$ src!arges %or late pa$ment o% 815'5M prsant to t!e
Ministr$ o% Finance Order no' 1<55' ,espondent appealed to t!e O%%ice o% t!e 8resident, t!e
latter a%%irmed t!e conclsion o% DOA' ,spondentsQ Motion %or ,econsideration #as denied t!en
appealed be%ore t!e .A' .A re"ersed t!e decision o% t!e O8 and rled t!at MOF .ir 1<55, as
amended, is ine%%ecti"e %or %ailre to compl$ #it! t!e reqirement to %ile #it! t!e O6A,' 1ence,
petition'
2sse
3!et!er or not MOF .ir 1<55 is ine%%ecti"e %or %ailre to compl$ t!e reqirements o% %iling and
pblication'
,ling
4. !eld t!at MOF .ir 1<55 is one o% t!ose issances #!ic! s!old be pblis!ed be%ore it
becomes e%%ecti"e since it is intended to en%orce 8D 195*' -!e said circlar s!old also compl$
#it! t!e reqirement o% %iling nder t!e Administrati"e .ode' 8etition denied, .A decision
a%%irmed'
43
A/into v +8M;7;+
G.R. 1#969#
Dece"&er 1, 29
Nac,ura, J:
Facts
-!is is a motion %or reconsideration %iled b$ t!e .ommission on Alections' -!e latter mo"ed
to qestion an earlier decision o% t!e 4preme .ort declaring4ection ; FaG o% .OMA@A.
,esoltion 6o' 5*05 nconstittional' 4ection ; FaG o% .OMA@A. ,esoltion 6o' 5*05 pro"ides
t!at, NAny person holding a public appointive office orposition including active members
of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and other officers and employees in government-
owned or controlled corporations, shall be considered ipso facto resigned from his
office upon the filing of his certificate of candidacy.N Be it noted t!at petitioners o% t!e
abo"e<entitled case are appointi"e o%%icials #!o intend to be elected in t!e pre"iosl$ !eld )010
elections and #!o %elt aggrie"ed b$ t!e issance o% t!e qestioned resoltion'
2sse
3!et!er or not 4ection ; FaG o% .OMA@A. ,esoltion 6o' 5*05 is constittional'
,ling
-!e 4preme .ort o"errled its pre"ios decision declaring t!e assailed resoltion
nconstittional' 1ere, it strongl$ p!olds t!e constittionalit$ o% t!e resoltion sa$ing t!at it
does not "iolate t!e eqal protection clase' 2t is settled t!at t!e eqal protection clase does
not demand absolte eqalit$E it merel$ reqires t!at all persons s!all be treated ali/e, nder
li/e circmstances and conditions bot! as to pri"ileges con%erred and liabilities en%orced'
-!e test sed is reasonableness #!ic! reqires t!at:
1' -!e classi%ication rests on sbstantial distinctionsE
)' 2t is germane to t!e prposes o% t!e la#E
3' 2t is not limited to e:isting conditions onl$E and
;' 2t applies eqall$ to all members o% t!e same class'
2n t!e case nder consideration, t!ere is a sbstantial distinction bet#een pblic and electi"e
o%%icials #!ic! !as been rendered moot and academic b$ t!e rling made in t!e case o% Farinas,
et al' "s A:ecti"e 4ecretar$, et' Al'
44
4ection ; FaG o% .OMA@A. ,esoltion 6o' 5*05 is constittional'
1arinas v ;5ec/tive $ecretar!
G.R. No. 1)73#7
Dece"&er 1, 23
,oste6 &! ,i/s Mora6os on Nove"&er 1, 211
(Public Officer, Difference between appointive officials and elective officials
Calle.o, Sr., J:
Facts
4ection 1; o% ,epblic Act 6o' 900* F-!e Fair Alection ActG, inso%ar as it e:pressl$ repeals
4ection *0 o% Batas Pa-bansa Blg' 551 F-!e Omnibs Alection .odeG #!ic! pro"ides:
4A.' *0' Candidates ,olding elective o//ice' K An$ electi"e o%%icial, #!et!er national or
local, rnning %or an$ o%%ice ot!er t!an t!e one #!ic! !e is !olding in a permanent
capacit$, e:cept %or 8resident and Vice<8resident, s!all be considered i+so
/acto resigned %rom !is o%%ice pon t!e %iling o% !is certi%icate o% candidac$'
-!e petitioners assert t!at 4ection 1; o% ,ep' Act 6o' 900* "iolates t!e eqal protection clase
o% t!e .onstittion becase it repeals 4ection *0 onl$ o% t!e Omnibs Alection .ode, lea"ing
intact 4ection ** t!ereo% #!ic! imposes a similar limitation to appointi"e o%%icials, t!s:
4A.' **'Candidates ,olding a++ointive o//ice or +osition' K An$ person !olding a pblic
appointi"e o%%ice or position, inclding acti"e members o% t!e Armed Forces o% t!e
8!ilippines, and o%%icers and emplo$ees in go"ernment<o#ned or controlled
corporations, s!all be considered i+so /acto resigned %rom !is o%%ice pon t!e %iling o% !is
certi%icate o% candidac$'
,espondents contend t!at t!ere is no "iolation o% t!e eqal protection clase o% t!e .onstittion'
4ection *0 pertains to electi"e o%%icials #!ile 4ection ** pertains to appointi"e o%%icials' A
sbstantial distinction e:ists bet#een t!ese t#o sets o% o%%icialsE electi"e o%%icials occp$ t!eir
o%%ice b$ "irte o% t!eir mandate based pon t!e poplar #ill, #!ile t!e appointi"e o%%icials are
not elected b$ poplar #ill' Aqal protection simpl$ reqires t!at all persons or t!ings similarl$
sitated are treated ali/e, bot! as to rig!ts con%erred and responsibilities imposed'
2sse
3!et!er or not t!e repeal o% 4ection *0 o% t!e Omnibs Alection .ode pertaining to electi"e
o%%icials gi"es nde bene%it to sc! o%%icials as against t!e appointi"e ones'
1eld
45
6o' 4bstantial distinctions clearl$ e:ist bet#een electi"e o%%icials and appointi"e o%%icials' -!e
%ormer occp$ t!eir o%%ice b$ "irte o% t!e mandate o% t!e electorate' -!e$ are elected to an
o%%ice %or a de%inite term and ma$ be remo"ed t!ere%rom onl$ pon stringent conditions' On t!e
ot!er !and, appointi"e o%%icials !old t!eir o%%ice b$ "irte o% t!eir designation t!ereto b$ an
appointing at!orit$' 4ome appointi"e o%%icials !old t!eir o%%ice in a permanent capacit$ and are
entitled to secrit$ o% tenre #!ile ot!ers ser"e at t!e pleasre o% t!e appointing at!orit$'
Anot!er sbstantial distinction bet#een t!e t#o sets o% o%%icials is t!at nder 4ection 55,
.!apter 5, -itle 2, 4bsection A' .i"il 4er"ice .ommission, Boo/ V o% t!e Administrati"e .ode
o% 1950 FA:ecti"e Order 6o' )9)G, appointi"e o%%icials, as o%%icers and emplo$ees in t!e ci"il
ser"ice, are strictl$ pro!ibited %rom engaging in an$ partisan political acti"it$ or ta/e part in an$
election e:cept to "ote' Inder t!e same pro"ision, electi"e o%%icials, or o%%icers or emplo$ees
!olding political o%%ices, are ob"iosl$ e:pressl$ allo#ed to ta/e part in political and electoral
acti"ities'
Moreo"er, it is not #it!in t!e po#er o% t!e .ort to pass pon or loo/ into t!e #isdom o% t!is
classi%ication' 1ence, eqal protection is not in%ringed'
46
,eo%le vs ;scano
G.R. 129756*5#
.an/ar! 2#, 2
$avide, Jr., C.J.:
Facts
Dring a c!ec/point, a police sa# a %irearm on t!e lap o% t!e accsed' As a reslt, ot!er
passengers #ere searc!ed and all %irearms #ere sei>ed'
2sse
3!et!er t!e searc! condcted on Ascano&s car is illegal, and #!et!er t!e e"idence acqired
t!erein #old be s%%icient to con"ict @ope> and Isana %or possession o% illegal drgs'
1eld
As long as t!e "e!icle is neit!er searc!ed nor its occpants sb+ected to a bod$ searc!, and
t!e inspection is limited to a "isal searc!, sc! rotine c!ec/s cannot be regarded as "iolati"e
o% t!e rig!t against nreasonable searc!'
47
Malacat v +A
GR 123595
Dece"&er 12, 1997
$avide, Jr, J:
Facts
On Agst 30, 1990, a criminal case #as %iled against petitioner 4amm$ Malacat in t!e
,egional -rial .ort o% Manila Branc! 5 %or allegedl$ carr$ing a !and<grenade as it is a clear
"iolation o% 4ection 3 o% 8residential Decree 15**' 8etitioner #as searc!ed and appre!ended
#it!ot a "alid searc! #arrant and #arrant o% arrest, and, alt!og! petitioner pleaded not gilt$
dring t!e arraignment, !e !ad con%essed to a police o%%icer #it!ot t!e presence o% a consel
at t!e pre<trial'
A%ter t!e trial, petitioner #as %ond gilt$ and sentenced to se"enteen $ears, %or mont!s and
one da$ o% ,eclsion -emporal, as minimm penalt$, and not more t!an t!irt$ $ears o%
,eclsion 8erpeta, as ma:imm penalt$' -!e .ort rled t!at t!e #arrantless arrest and
sei>re o% t!e petitioner is a/in to a 7stop and %ris/9, and t!at sei>re o% t!e grenade #as
incidental to a "alid arrest' -!e cort also states t!at petitioner&s admission to t!e crime is
s%%icient to establis! t!e latter&s gilt'
On Febrar$ 15, 199;, petitioner %iled a notice o% appeal in t!e 4preme .ort, bt t!e record o%
t!e case #as %or#arded to t!e .ort o% Appeals' -!e .ort o% Appeals, e"en #it!ot +risdiction
as an appeal on cases #it! penalt$ o% reclusion +er+etua is appealed in t!e 4preme .ort,
a%%irmed t!e decision o% t!e lo#er cort' 1ence, petitioner %iled an instant petition be%ore t!e
4preme .ort'
2sse
1' 3!et!er or not t!e #arrantless arrest o% petitioner and sei>re o% t!e !and grenade are
"alid'
)' 3!et!er or not t!e petitioner&s con%ession is admissible as e"idence in cort'
,ling
-!e 4. set aside t!e .ort o% Appeals& decision %or lac/ o% +risdiction, and re"ersed t!e
decision o% t!e lo#er cort'
,ationale
1. At t!e otset, #e note t!at t!e trial cort con%sed t!e concepts o% a Nstop<and<%ris/N and
o% a searc! incidental to a la#%l arrest' -!ese t#o t$pes o% #arrantless searc!es di%%er
in terms o% t!e reqisite qantm o% proo% be%ore t!e$ ma$ be "alidl$ e%%ected and in t!eir
allo#able scope'
48
2n a searc! incidental to a la#%l arrest, as t!e precedent arrest determines t!e "alidit$ o%
t!e incidental searc!, t!e legalit$ o% t!e arrest is qestioned in a large ma+orit$ o% t!ese
cases, e'g', #!et!er an arrest #as merel$ sed as a prete:t %or condcting a searc!'
C3*D
2n t!is instance, t!e la# reqires t!at t!ere %irst be a la#%l arrest be%ore a searc! can
be made << t!e process cannot be re"ersed'
C30D
At bottom, assming a "alid arrest, t!e
arresting o%%icer ma$ searc! t!e person o% t!e arrestee and t!e area #it!in #!ic! t!e
latter ma$ reac! %or a #eapon or %or e"idence to destro$, and sei>e an$ mone$ or
propert$ %ond #!ic! #as sed in t!e commission o% t!e crime, or t!e %rit o% t!e crime,
or t!at #!ic! ma$ be sed as e"idence, or #!ic! mig!t %rnis! t!e arrestee #it! t!e
means o% escaping or committing "iolence'
C35D
1ere, t!ere cold !a"e been no "alid in /lagrante delicto or !ot prsit arrest preceding
t!e searc! in lig!t o% t!e lac/ o% personal /no#ledge on t!e part o% L, t!e arresting
o%%icer, or an o"ert p!$sical act, on t!e part o% petitioner, indicating t!at a crime !ad +st
been committed, #as being committed or #as going to be committed'
1a"ing t!s s!o#n t!e in"alidit$ o% t!e #arrantless arrest in t!is case, plainl$, t!e searc!
condcted on petitioner cold not !a"e been one incidental to a la#%l arrest'
B
3e no# proceed to t!e +sti%ication %or and allo#able scope o% a Nstop<and<%ris/N
as a Nlimited protecti"e searc! o% oter clot!ing %or #eapons,N as laid do#n in "err*,
t!s:
3e merel$ !old toda$ t!at #!ere a police o%%icer obser"es nsal
condct #!ic! leads !im reasonabl$ to conclde in lig!t o% !is e:perience t!at
criminal acti"it$ ma$ be a%oot and t!at t!e persons #it! #!om !e is dealing ma$
be armed and presentl$ dangeros, #!ere in t!e corse o% in"estigating t!is
be!a"ior !e identi%ies !imsel% as a policeman and ma/es reasonable inqiries,
and #!ere not!ing in t!e initial stages o% t!e enconter ser"es to dispel !is
reasonable %ear %or !is o#n or ot!ersQ sa%et$, !e is entitled %or t!e protection o%
!imsel% and ot!ers in t!e area to condct a care%ll$ limited searc! o% t!e oter
clot!ing o% sc! persons in an attempt to disco"er #eapons #!ic! mig!t be sed
to assalt !im' 4c! a searc! is a reasonable searc! nder t!e Fort!
Amendment RRR
C39D
Ot!er notable points o% -err$ are t!at #!ile probable case is not reqired to condct a
Nstop and %ris/,N
C;0D
it ne"ert!eless !olds t!at mere sspicion or a !nc! #ill not "alidate a
Nstop and %ris/'N A genine reason mst e:ist, in lig!t o% t!e police o%%icerQs e:perience and
srronding conditions, to #arrant t!e belie% t!at t!e person detained !as #eapons
concealed abot !im'
C;1D
Finall$, a Nstop<and<%ris/N ser"es a t#o<%old interest: F1G t!e general
interest o% e%%ecti"e crime pre"ention and detection, #!ic! nderlies t!e recognition t!at a
police o%%icer ma$, nder appropriate circmstances and in an appropriate manner,
approac! a person %or prposes o% in"estigating possible criminal be!a"ior e"en #it!ot
probable caseE and F)G t!e more pressing interest o% sa%et$ and sel%<preser"ation #!ic!
permit t!e police o%%icer to ta/e steps to assre !imsel% t!at t!e person #it! #!om !e deals
is not armed #it! a deadl$ #eapon t!at cold ne:pectedl$ and %atall$ be sed against t!e
police o%%icer'
)' Finall$, e"en assming t!at petitioner admitted possession o% t!e grenade dring !is
cstodial in"estigation b$ police o%%icer 4erapio, sc! admission #as inadmissible in
49
e"idence %or it #as ta/en in palpable "iolation o% 4ection 1)F1G and F3G o% Article 222 o% t!e
.onstittion'
,eo%le v De Gracia
G.R. No. 129*1
./l! 6, 199)
50
!egalado, J:
Facts
-!e case stemmed %rom t!e arrest o% accsed ,olando De ?racia #it! se"eral ot!ers on
December 5, 1959 %or "iolation o% 8D 15**, %or nla#%ll$ in possession, cstod$ and control o%
se"eral cac!e o% ammnitions and e:plosi"es on t!e occasion o% a cop d& etat staged b$ ltra<
rig!tist elements o% t!e ,e%orm t!e Armed Forces Mo"ement<4oldiers o% t!e Filipino 8eople
F,AM<4F8G against t!e go"ernment'
On December 1, 1959, on t!e strengt! o% an intelligence report t!at t!e Arocar 4ales O%%ice
located at Api%anio Delos 4antos A"ene FAD4AG in Me>on .it$ are belie"ed to be !olding a
grop o% rebel soldiers, elements o% t!e 1*
t!
2n%antr$ Battalion o% t!e 8A, led b$ .ol' Delos
4antos, s#oop do#n and e"entall$ raided t!e said establis!ment' On t!e occasion o% t!e raid,
accsed ,olando De ?racia #it! t#o ot!ers #ere arrested and c!arged %or "iolation o% 8D
15**' A%ter de !earing, t!e trial cort %ond t!e accsed gilt$ o% illegal possession o% %irearms
in %rt!erance o% rebellion prsant to para ) o% Article 135 o% t!e ,8. and #as sentenced to
s%%er t!e penalt$ o% reclsion perpeta #it! recommendation %or e:ecti"e clemenc$ in %a"or o%
t!e accsed a%ter !e s!all ser"ed a +ail term o% %i"e F5G $ears in good be!a"ior'
On appeal t!e appellant strongl$ c!allenge in !is brie%, t!at t!e cort erred in con"icting !im o%
t!e c!arged' 1e logicall$ pressed !is contention t!at !e cannot be !eld gilt$ o% t!e c!arge
becase !e did not !a"e eit!er p!$sical or constrcti"e possession o% t!e ammnitions and
e:plosi"es %ond in !is possessionE neit!er #as !e t!e o#ner t!ereo% nor t!e tenant o% t!e
bilding #!en t!e same #as %ond' 1e %rt!er claims t!at intent to possess, necessar$ be%ore
one can be con"icted nder 8D 15**, #as not present in t!e case'
2sses
3O6 t!e intent to possess is an essential element o% t!e o%%ense pnis!able nder 8D 15**
and i% so, #!et!er appellant De ?racia did intend to illegall$ possess said e:plosi"es and
ammnitionsE and
3O6 t!ere #as a "alid searc! and sei>re, #!en t!e go"ernment operati"es raided t!e
establis!ment, pt restraint and e"entall$ arrested !erein appellant'
,ling
8n the 'irst iss/eC -!e cort rled t!at #!en t!e crime is pnis!ed b$ a special la#, as a rle,
intent to commit a crime is not necessar$' 2t is s%%icient t!at t!e o%%ender !as t!e intent to
perpetrate t!e crime and t!at intent to perpetrate t!e crime mst be distingis!ed' A person
ma$ not !a"e consciosl$ intended to commit a crimeE bt !e did intend to commit an act, and
t!at act is, b$ t!e "er$ natre o% t!ings, t!e crime itsel%' 2n t!e %irst Fintent to commit t!e crimeG,
t!ere mst be criminal intentE in t!e second Fintent to perpetrate t!e actG it is enog! t!at t!e
pro!ibited act is done %reel$ and consciosl$'
51
2n t!e present case, it #as ndispted t!at t!ere #as anims possidendi or t!e intent to possess
an nlicensed %irearm, on t!e part o% t!e accsed' 2t is in sc! presmption t!at possession
copled #it! t!e %act s%%icient to pro"ed t!at t!e accsed !as no at!orit$ or license to possess
t!e %irearm, e"en i% sc! is in good %ait! and #it!ot criminal intent, ma$ sqarel$ !eld t!e cort
to prononce a con"iction and sentence t!e accsed gilt$ as c!arge'
8n the secon6 iss/eC -!ere is no arging t!at e"en i% t!e elements o% t!e go"ernment !as no
searc! #arrant to spea/ o%, nder t!e present case, t!eir searc! and sei>re o% t!e pro!ibited
items, #!ic! #as cag!t in possession, control and cstod$ o% t!e accsed is "alid' 2n t!e
considered opinion o% t!e cort, t!e instant case %alls nder one o% t!e e:ceptions to t!e
pro!ibition against a #arrantless searc!' -!e %acts obtaining in t!is case, bears ndeniable
proo% t!at t!e elements o% t!e go"ernment, !ad in %act reasonable grond to belie"e, based on
t!e "eri%ied and con%irmed reports, t!at a crime #as being committed, in t!e premises #!ere t!e
appellant #as arrested'
-!ere #as conseqentl$ more t!an s%%icient probable case to #arrant t!eir action' 2n %act,
nder t!e sitation pre"ailing, t!e raiding team !ad no opportnit$ to appl$ %or or secre a
searc! #arrant, mc! t!at t!e cort #as closed at t!at time as mani%ested b$ t!e trial cort
+dge !imsel%, lea"ing no recorse a%ter all nder t!e premises, %or t!e operati"es to secre t!e
same' 1ence, nder sc! rgenc$ and e:igenc$ o% t!e moment, a searc! #arrant cold
la#%ll$ be dispensed #it!'
(dgment #as a%%irmed and t!e portion o% t!e trial cort order recommending an e:ecti"e
clemenc$ #as deleted'
,eo%le v Mengote
G.R. No. #759
./ne 22, 1992
52
Cruz, J:
Facts
-!e accsed<appellant ,ogelio Mengote #as con"icted b$ t!e trial cort o% reclusion +er+etua
%or illegal possession o% %irearms on t!e strengt! o% t!e pistol '35 caliber 4mit! and 3esson
re"ol"er #it! si: li"e bllets in t!e c!amber %ond on !is person at t!e moment o% !is
#arrantless arrest b$ elements o% 3estern 8olice District'
-!e incident transpired on Agst 5, 1950 s!ortl$ be%ore noon, #!en elements o% t!e 3estern
8olice District, #as in%ormed b$ a telep!one caller, t!at sspicios<loo/ing persons #ere seen
at t!e corner o% (an @na and 6ort! Ba$ Bole"ard in -ondo, Manila' On t!e strengt! o% t!e
report, police operati"es dispatc!ed at t!e scene e%%ected t!e arrest o% t!e accsed on
sspicion, t!at !e toget!er #it! t#o F)G ot!ers #ere abot to commit an o%%ense as predicated
on t!eir apparent be!a"ior t!at o% 7loo/ing %rom side to side,N #it! one e"en !olding !is
abdomen'
On appeal, t!e accsed pleads t!at !is arrest is illegal and t!e #eapon allegedl$ ta/en in !is
possession at t!e moment o% !is arrest cannot be sed, mc! less admissible in e"idence
against !im' -!e %irearm #!ic! #as cag!t in !is possession !ad been illegall$ sei>ed and #as
t!ere%ore t!e %rit o% t!e poisonos tree' Appellant %rt!er pleads t!at t!e e"idence Fre"ol"erG
s!old not !a"e been admitted, since its sei>re is illegal t!ere being no #arrant t!ere%ore
!a"ing been pre"iosl$ obtained' 6eit!er cold it !a"e been sei>ed as an incident o% a la#%l
arrest becase t!e arrest o% accsed #as itsel% nla#%l, !a"ing been also e%%ected #it!ot a
#arrant'
1o#e"er, t!e go"ernment disagrees and insists t!at t!e sei>re #as dobtlessl$ la#%l e"en i%
admittedl$ #it!ot #arrant, !a"ing been e%%ected on t!e basis o% a ti%%<o%%, #!ic! resltantl$
made t!e basis b$ t!e police operati"es to arrest t!e accsed'
2sse
3O6 t!e arrest o% t!e accsed b$ t!e police operati"es on t!e basis o% #arrantless searc! and
arrest is "alid'
,ling
Article 222 4ection 3 para ) o% t!e .onstittion e:plicitl$ pro"ides t!at e"idence obtained as a
reslt o% an illegal searc! and sei>re is inadmissible %or an$ prpose in an$ proceeding' On t!e
ot!er !and, ,le 113 4ection 5 o% t!e ,les o% .ort, pro"ides t!at t!e arrest #it!ot #arrant
ma$ be la#%l onl$ #!en: FaG t!e person to be arrested !as committed, is actall$ committing, or
is attempting to commit an o%%ense, FbG #!en t!e o%%ense in %act !as +st been committed, and
!e !as personal /no#ledge o% t!e %acts indicating t!e person arrested !as committed it and FcG
t!e person to be arrested !as escaped %rom a penal establis!ment or a place #!ere !e is
ser"ing %inal +dgment or temporaril$ con%ined #!ile !is case is pending, or !as escaped #!ile
being trans%erred %rom one con%inement to anot!er'
A"identl$, t!ese reqirements #ere not s%%icientl$ pro"en and ndobtedl$ establis!ed b$ t!e
arresting o%%icer, #!en t!e$ pt restraint, arrest and e"entall$ bring accsed Mengote to t!e
53
police station and sbseqentl$ c!arged !im %or "iolation o% 8D 15**' 2t is ndispted t!at at t!e
time o% t!e arrest, t!e accsed appellant #as merel$ loo/ing %rom side to side and !olding !is
abdomen as testi%ied blntl$ b$ t!e arresting o%%icers t!emsel"es dring t!e trial' 6eit!er t!ere
#as a "iolation t!at ma$ be attribted t!at presmed a %act to #arrant a sspicion %rom t!e
arresting o%%icer t!at Mengote is abot or attempting to commit an o%%enseE nor "alidl$ assming
a %act t!at t!e crime !as +st been committed or #as actall$ being committed e"en at "er$ least
attempted b$ accsed in t!eir presence' B$ no stretc! o% imagination cold it be in%erred or
ot!er#ise, t!at sc! an act constittes an o%%ense t!at is pnis!able b$ la#' Moreo"er, nobod$
cannot simpl$ pt restraint pon an$ person and stopped and %ris/ed t!em on mere sspicion'
-!e act o% t!e accsed e:!ibited at t!e time, ma$ not "alidl$ dispensed t!e police operati"es to
simpl$ circmscribe t!e sacrosanct rig!ts o% e"er$one to be %ree %rom an$ restraint t!at
endangers t!eir libert$'
(dgment is re"ersed and set aside' Accsed<appellant is acqitted'
;&ralinag Vs. Division $/%erinten6ent 8' +e&/
G.R. No. 9577
March 1, 1993
rino-Aquino, J:
54
Facts
-!is instant case in"ol"es t#o special ci"il actions %or certiorari, Mandams and 8ro!ibition
concerning petitions in ?',' 6o' 95000 and ?',' 6o' 95550, #!ic! #ere consolidated b$ t!e
cort %or essentiall$ raising similar isse' 8etitioners contends t!at t!e decision o% pblic
respondents e:pelling *5 1ig! 4c!ool and ?rade 4c!ool stdents and members o% religios
sect (e!o"a!&s 3itnesses %rom "arios sc!ools in Banta$an, 8inamnga+an, .aracar, -abran
and Astrias in .eb is illegal' -!eir acts are apparentl$ #it!ot legal basis and t!e$ !a"e acted
#it!ot or in e:cess o% t!eir +risdiction and #it! gra"e abse o% discretion' -!e e:plsion order
nderta/en b$ t!e sc!ool at!orities #as based on t!e pro"ision o% ,'A' 1)*5 as sbstantiated
b$ Department Order 6o' 5 dated (l$ )1, 1955 issed b$ t!e Department o% Adcation' -!e
stdents #ere e:pelled %or re%sing to salte t!e %lag, sing t!e national ant!em and recite t!e
patriotic pledge reqired b$ ,A1)*5' Inder (e!o"a!&s 3itnesses belie%, salting t!e %lag, sing
t!e national ant!em and recite a patriotic pledge are against t!eir teac!ings becase sc!
apparent acts are allegedl$ a/in to idolatr$' -!e$ are bond no less, b$ rles #!ic! contro"ert
t!eir %ait! becase gi"ing sc! gestres to an$one or an$t!ing=e:cept to ?od are sanctioned
b$ t!eir teac!ings' -!e$ arged t!at imposing pon a dt$ t!at transcend constittional limits
and in"ades t!e sp!ere o% religios %reedom is nconstittional'
On t!e ot!er !and, respondents relied t!eir de%ense on t!e decisions alread$ ennciated b$ t!e
cort in ?erona et al "' 4ecretar$ o% Adcation' 2n ?erona case, t!e cort rled t!at e"er$one
mst strictl$ abide b$ t!eir bonden dt$ to t!e state' -!e gestre o% respect #e demonstrated
to or %lag, being an emblem o% national so"ereignt$, #!ene"er it #as !oisted and place in
!ig!est esteem, e:empli%ies s!ared prpose, national nit$ and co!esion o% t!e Filipino people'
2t ta/es great pride t!at b$ doing so, it instill in s a deep sense o% nationalism and patriotism'
-!e decision in t!is case distinctl$ mar/ed a s$stem o% separation bet#een t!e c!rc! and
state' Inder t!e s$stem o% complete separation o% c!rc! and state, t!e %lag is de"oid o% an$
religios signi%icance' 2t does not in"ol"e an$ religios ceremon$' -!e en%orcement o% non<
discriminator$ la#s li/e t!e salting o% %lag, singing national ant!em and reciting t!e patriotic
pledge, are b$ no less legal and does not discriminate nor restricts t!e e:ercise o% religios
%reedom'
2sse
3O6 e:plsion o% t!e stdents based on t!eir religios belie%s and in t!e e:ercise o% t!eir
religios %reedom "iolates t!e constittion'
,ling
-!e cort rled t!at religios %reedom is a %ndamental rig!t #!ic! t!e state place #it! great
respect and !ig!est priorit$' -!is rig!ts to religios %reedom e:panding t!rog! indi"idal
e:ercise o% t!eir %ait! and #ors!ips consists o% t#o essential aspects, %irstl$E %reedom to belie"e
#!ic! is an absolte act #it!in t!e realm o% t!og!t and lastl$E %reedom to act on one&s belie%
reglated and translated to e:ternal acts' -!e onl$ limitation to religios %reedom is t!e
e:istence o% gra"e and present danger to pblic sa%et$, morals, !ealt! and interests #!ere 4tate
!as rig!t to pre"ent'
-!e long standing rling o% t!e 4preme .ort in ?erona case, #!ic! rled to e:pel and dismiss
stdents and teac!ers b$ re%sing to abide b$ t!e rles, as mandated b$ ,A1)*5, #as
55
o"ertrned' -!e cort prononced t!at t!e same "iolates t!e .onstittion and transgress pon
t!e rig!ts o% e"er$ citi>en to e:ercise t!eir religios pro%ession and #ors!ip inclding t!e
%reedom o% speec!' -!e cort rled t!at (e!o"a!&s 3itnesses ma$ be e:empted %rom t!e
obser"ance o% %lag ceremon$' 1o#e"er, t!is does not gi"e t!em t!e rig!t to distrb sc!
ceremonies' 2n t!e present case, it #as %ond t!at t!e stdents, #!o #ere e:pelled t!ereon,
#ere merel$ standing qietl$, #!ile t!eir peers are per%orming t!e ceremonies' 4c! acts alone,
don&t constittes disrespect or !arm mc! less present an$ danger #!atsoe"er, so e"il and
imminent t!at #old +sti%$ t!eir e:plsion' 3!at t!e petitioner&s reqest is simpl$ to be e:empt
%rom t!e %lag ceremon$ and not to e:clde t!em to en+o$ t!e same rig!t and pri"ilege e:tended
to t!eir contemporar$ to pblic edcation' -!eir e:plsion b$ reason o% t!eir religios belie%s
also "iolates t!eir rig!ts to %ree edcation' 2n t!is lig!t, t!e cort rled t!at non<obser"ance o%
t!e %lag ceremon$ does, in no #a$ constitte ignorance, lac/ o% patriotic sense and ci"ic
consciosness' @o"e o% contr$, re"erence to national !eroes, nationalism, patriotic dt$ and
ci"ic responsibilit$ a#areness are no# integrated as part o% t!e sc!ool&s crricla' -!s, t!e
e:plsion de to one&s religios belie%s is n+sti%ied'
8etition is granted and e:plsion orders #ere annlled and set aside'
Ne2so/n6s Broa6casting vs D!
GR 1727 D 79)11,
A%ril 2, 29
"inga, J:
Facts
56
Bombo ,ad$o 8!ilippines FBombo ,ad$oG operates se"eral radio stations nder t!e AM and
FM band t!rog!ot t!e 8!ilippines and are operated b$ corporations organi>ed and
incorporated b$ Bombo ,ad$o, particlarl$ petitioners 6e#sonds Broadcasting 6et#or/, 2nc
F6e#sondsG and .onsolidated Broadcasting 4$stems F.B4G' 2n 199*, 6e#sonds
commenced relocation o% its broadcasting stations, management o%%ice and transmitters on
propert$ o#ned b$ .B4 De"elopment .orporation F.D.G'2n t!e same $earE .D. #as issed a
bilding permit at!ori>ing t!e constrction o% a commercial establis!ment on t!e propert$' -!e
1osing and @and Ise ,eglator$ Board F1@I,BG issed a Joning Decision certi%$ing t!e
propert$ as commercial' -!e O%%ice o% t!e Mnicipal 8lanning and De"elopment .oordinator
FOM8D.G a%%irmed t!at t!e commercial strctre con%ormed to local >oning reglations and 7is
classi%ied as a .ommercial area9' 4imilar certi%ications #old be issed b$ OM8D. %rom 1990
to )001'
All t!e c!anged begging in )00) #!en petitioners applied %or t!e rene#al o% t!e ma$or&s permit
#!ere t!e$ are reqired to sbmit eit!er an appro"ed land con"ersion papers %rom t!e
Department o% Agrarian ,e%orm FDA,G or an appro"ed resoltion %rom t!e 4anggniang Ba$an
or 4anggniang 8anglngsod at!ori>ing t!e re<classi%ication o% t!e propert$ %rom agricltral to
commercial land' 8etitioners !ad ne"er been reqired to sbmit sc! papers be%ore, and %rom
199* to )001, t!e O8MD. !ad consistentl$ certi%ied t!at t!e propert$ !ad been classi%ied as
commercial' 8etitioners #ere nable to secre a ma$or&s permit so t!e$ %iled a petition %or
mandams #it! t!e ,egional -rial .ort F,-.G o% .aa$an .it$' 3!en t!e ,-. o% .aa$an
denied petitioners, t!e$ %iled a special ci"il action %or certiorari #it! t!e .ort o% Appeals, bt t!is
#old be dismissed b$ appellate cort de to t!e a"ailabilit$ o% ot!er speed$ remedies #it! t!e
trial cort' -!e ,-. dismissed t!e mandams o% action %or being moot and academic'
8etitioners %iled t!eir application %or rene#al o% ma$or&s permit %or t!e $ear o% )003 and t!eir
application #as appro"ed' 1o#e"er, respondent Felicismo Meer, Acting .it$ Administrator o%
.aa$an .it$, #rote to petitioners claiming t!at t!e DA, order #as sprios and "oid and
spposedl$ reported t!at it did not !a"e an$ order o% t!e DA, order' Meer demanded
independent proo% s!o#ing t!e at!enticit$ o% t!e A$dinan Order' -!e contro"ers$ contined in
)00; #!en petitioners %iled t!eir respecti"e applications %or t!eir )00; ma$or&s permit' A >onal
clearance #as issed in to %a"or petitioners !o#e"er respondent Meer claimed t!at no record
e:isted o% DA, Adm' .ase 6o A<0)00A<00B<00)' As a reslt, petitioners #ere in%ormed t!at
t!ere #as no basis %or t!e issance in t!eir %a"or o% t!e reqisite >oning clearance needed %or
t!e issance o% t!e ma$or&s permit'
-!e deadline o% t!e ma$or&s permit lapsed on Febrar$ 15, )00; and respondents Meer and
,acma Fernande><?arcia arri"ed at t!e propert$ and closed t!e radio stations' 8etitioners
proceeded to %ile a petition #it! .OMA@A. see/ing en%orcement o% t!e Omnibs Alection .ode,
#!ic! pro!ibited t!e closre o% radio stations dring t!e t!en<pendenc$ o% t!e election period'
.OMA@A. issed and order directing t!e parties to maintain t!e stats and allo#ing t!e
operation o% t!e radio stations, and petitioners proceeded to operate t!e stations t!e %ollo#ing
da$' -!rog! t!e inter"ention o% t!e .OMA@A., petitioners #ere able to resme operations o%
t!e radio stations'
8etitioners #ere t!s able to contine operations ntil (ne 10, )00;, t!e da$ #!en
respondents $et again closed t!e radio stations' -!is closre pro"ed to be more permanent'
De to t!e a%orementioned closre o% t!e radio stations, petitioners %iled #it! t!e ,-. a Motion
%or t!e 2ssance o% a 3rit 8reliminar$ Mandator$ 2n+nction, pra$ing t!at t!e said #rit be issed
to allo# petitioners to resme operations o% t!e radio stations bt t!e ,-. rendered a decision
den$ing t!e petition %or Mandams' 8etitioners %iled a motion %or reconsideration, citing t!e trial
cort&s %ailre to !ear and act on t!e motion %or preliminar$ mandator$ in+nction as a "iolation
57
o% t!e rig!t to de process, and dispting t!e ,-.&s conclsions #it! respect to t!eir rig!t to
secre t!e ma$or&s permit' -!e motion #as denied in an Order dated December 1, )00;'
8etitioners initiated t#o separate actions #it! t!e .ort o% Appeals %ollo#ing t!e rlings o% t!e
,-.' -!is petition impted gra"e abse o% discretion on t!e part o% t!e ,-. %or den$ing t!eir
application %or preliminar$ mandator$ in+nction' 8etitioners also %iled a 6otice o% Appeal #it!
t!e ,-., t!is time in connection #it! t!e denial o% t!eir petition %or mandams' 8etitioners lost
bot! o% t!eir cases #it! t!e .ort o% Appeals and dismissed t!e 8etition %or .ertiorari, rling t!at
t!e ,-. did not commit an$ gra"e abse o% discretion in impliedl$ den$ing t!e application %or
preliminar$ mandator$ in+nction' -!e .ort o% Appeals also denied t!e appeal b$ certiorari
a%%irming t!e rig!t o% t!e respondents to den$ petitioners t!eir ma$or&s permit' On bot!
occasions, petitioners %iled #it! t!ese .ort respecti"e petitions %or re"ie#'
2sse
2s t!e bare act o% closing t!e radio stations or pre"enting t!eir operations as an act o% prior
restraint against t!e speec!, e:pression o% t!e pressP
1eld
3e noted in @im "' 8once de @eon t!at 78blic o%%icials in t!e past !a"e absed t!eir po#ers on
t!e prete:t o% +sti%iable moti"es or good %ait! in t!e per%ormance o% t!eir dties= t!e ob+ect o% is
to pt an end to o%%icial abse b$ plea o% t!e good %ait!' 2t ser"e as a measre o% pecniar$
reco"er$ to mitigate t!e in+r$ to constittional rig!ts, it li/e#ise ser"es notice to pblic o%%icers
and emplo$ees t!at an$ "iolation on t!eir part o% an$ person&s garantees nder t!e Bill o%
,ig!ts #ill meet #it! %inal rec/oning'
-!e present pra$er %or temperate damages is premised on t!e e:istence o% pecniar$ in+r$ to
petitioner de to t!e actions o% respondents, t!e amont o% #!ic! ne"ert!eless being di%%iclt to
pro"e' -emperate damages a"ail #!en t!e cort %inds t!at some pecniar$ loss !as been
s%%ered bt its amont cannot, %rom t!e natre o% t!e case, be pro"ed #it! certaint$' -!e
e:istence o% pecniar$ in+r$ at bar cannot be denied' 8etitioners !ad no #a$ o% /no#ing it
#!en t!e$ %iled t!eir petition, bt t!e actions o% respondents led to t!e closre o% t!eir radio
stations %rom (ne )00; ntil t!is .ort issed a #rit o% preliminar$ in+nction in (anar$
)00*' -!e lost potential income dring t!at one and a !al% $ear o% closre can onl$ be presmed
as sbstantial enog!'
8blic o%%icers #!o "iolate t!e .onstittion t!e$ are s#orn to p!old embod$ 7a poison o%
#ic/edness t!at ma$ not rn t!rog! t!e bod$ politic'9 ,espondents, b$ prposel$ den$ing t!e
commercial c!aracter o% t!e propert$ in order to den$ petitioners& t!e e:ercise o% t!eir
constittional rig!ts and t!eir bsiness, mani%ested bad %ait! in a #anton, %radlent, oppressi"e
and male"olent manner'
31A,AFO,A, t!e petitions are ?,A6-AD' -!e assailed decisions o% t!e .ort o% Appeals and
t!e ,egional -rial .ort o% .aa$an .it$, Branc! );, are !ereb$ ,AVA,4AD and 4A- A42DA'
-!e instant petition %or mandams is !ereb$ ?,A6-AD and respondents are directed to
immediatel$ isse petitioners& >oning clearances and ma$or&s permits %or )00; to petitioners
4O O,DA,AD'
58
,har"ace/tical vs. $ecretar! o' (ealth
GR No. 1733)
8cto&er 9, 27
Austria-Martinez, J:
2n "ie# o% t!e enactment o% t!e Mil/ .ode does not contain a total ban on t!e ad"ertising and
promotion o% t!e breast mil/ sbstittes, bt instead, speci%icall$ creates and @A. #!ic! #ill
reglate said ad"ertising and promotion, it %ollo#s t!at a total ban polic$ cold be implemented
onl$ prsant to a la# amending t!e Mil/ .ode passed b$ t!e constittionall$ at!ori>ed branc!
go"ernment, t!e legislatre'
59
1acts
A:ecti"e Order FA'OG 6o' 51 FMil/ .odeG #as issed b$ %ormer 8resident .ora>on Aqino to
gi"e e%%ect to Article 11 o% t!e 2nternational .ode o% Mar/eting o% Breastmil/ 4bstittes
F2.MB4G' 2n line #it! t!e implementation or en%orcements o% t!is la#, t!e DO1 issed t!e
,e"ised 2mplementing ,les and reglations F,2,,G o% A'O' 51' 8art o% t!e pro!ibitions
contained in t!e ,2,, is t!e total ban on ad"ertising and promotion o% breast mil/ sbstittes'
8etitioner 8!armacetical and 1ealt! .are Associations o% t!e 8!ilippines c!allenged t!at said
order and contends t!at t!e pro"isions o% t!e ,2,, are nconstittional and go be$ond t!e la#
it is spposed to implement' 2t %rt!er contends t!at respondent o%%icial o% t!e DO acted in gra"e
abse o% discretion in sing t!e said ,2,,'
,espondents, on t!e ot!er !and, a"er t!at t!e ,2,, see/s not onl$ to implement t!e Mil/ .ode
bt also "arios international instrments are t!e 2.MB4 and ,esoltions issed b$ t!e 3orld
1ealt! agencies'
-ss/e
3!et!er or not t!e ,2,, issed b$ t!e DO1 is constittional'
(el6
8etition 8A,-2A@@L ?,A6-AD'
Inder t!e 1950 .onstittion, international la# can become part o% t!e sp!ere o% domestic la#
eit!er b$ trans%ormation or incorporation' -!e trans%ormation met!od reqires t!at an
international la# be trans%ormed into a domestic la# t!rog! a constittional mec!anism sc!
as local legislation' -!e incorporation met!od applies #!en, b$ mere constittional declaration,
international la# is deemed to !a"e t!e %orce o% domestic la#'
-reaties become part o% t!e la# o% t!e land t!rog! trans%ormation prsant to Article V22,
4ection )1 o% t!e .onstittion #!ic! pro"ides t!at 7no treat$ or international agreement s!all be
"alid and e%%ecti"e nless concrred in b$ at least t#o<t!irds o% all t!e members o% t!e 4enate9'
-!s, treaties or con"entional international la# mst go t!rog! a process prescribed b$ t!e
.onstittion %or it to be trans%orms into mnicipal la# t!at can be applied to domestic con%licts'
-!e 2.MB4 and 31A ,esoltions are not treaties as t!e$ !a"e not been concrred in b$ at
least t#o<t!irds o% all members o% t!e 4enate as reqired nder 4ection )1, Article V22 o% t!e
1950 .onstittion'
1o#e"er, t!e 2.MB4 #!ic! #as adopted b$ t!e 31A in 1951 !ad been trans%ormed into
domestic la# t!rog! local legislation, t!e Mil/ .ode' .onseqentl$, it is t!e Mil/ .ode t!at !as
t!e %orce and e%%ect la# in t!is +risdiction and not t!e 2.MB4 per se'
-!e Mil/ .ode is almost a "erbatim reprodction o% t!e 2.MB4, bt it is #ell to emp!asi>e at
t!is point t!at t!e .ode did not adopt t!e pro"ision in t!e 2.MB4 absoltel$ pro!ibiting
ad"ertising or ot!er %orms o% promotion to t!e general pblic o% prodcts #it!in t!e scope o% t!e
2.MB4' 2nstead, t!e Mil/ .ode e:pressl$ pro"ides t!at ad"ertising, promotion, or ot!er
mar/eting materials ma$ be allo#ed i% sc! materials are dl$ at!ori>ed and appro"ed b$ t!e
2nter<Agenc$ .ommittee F2A.G'
60
Apparentl$, t!e 31A ,esoltion adopting t!e 2.MB4 and sbseqent 31A ,esoltions rging
member states to implement t!e 2.MB4 are merel$ recommendator$ and legall$ non<binding'
-!s, nli/e #!at !as been done #it! t!e 2.MB4 #!ereb$ t!e legislatre enacted most o% t!e
pro"isions o% into la# #!ic! is t!e Mil/ .ode, t!e sbseqent 31A ,esoltions, speci%icall$
pro"iding %or e:clsi"e breast%eeding %rom 0<* mont!s, contined breast%eeding p to );
mont!s, and absoltel$ pro!ibiting ad"ertisements and promotions o% breastmil/ sbstittes,
!a"e not been adopted as a domestic la#'
As pre"iosl$ discssed %or an international rle to be considered as cstomar$ la#, it mst be
establis!ed t!at sc! rle is being %ollo#er b$ states becase t!e$ consider it obligator$ to
compl$ #it! sc! rles' ,espondents !a"e not presented an$ e"idence to pro"e t!at t!e 31A
,esoltions, alt!og! signed b$ most o% t!e member states, #ere in %act en%orced or practiced
b$ at least a ma+orit$ o% t!e member statesE neit!er !a"e respondents pro"en t!at an$
compliance b$ member states #it! said 31A ,esoltions #as obligator$ in natre'
,espondents %ailed to establis! t!at t!e pro"isions o% pertinent 31A ,esoltions are cstomar$
international la# t!at ma$ be deemed part o% t!e la# o% t!e land'
.onseqentl$, legislation is necessar$ to trans%orm t!e pro"isions o% t!e 31A ,esoltions into
domestic la#' -!e pro"isions o% t!e 31A ,esoltions cannot be considered as part o% t!e la#
o% t!e land t!at can be implemented b$ e:ecti"e agencies #it!ot t!e need o% a la# enacted b$
t!e legislatre'
2n "ie# o% t!e enactment o% t!e Mil/ .ode #!ic! does not contain a total ban on t!e ad"ertising
and promotion o% breast mil/ sbstittes, bt instead, speci%icall$ creates and 2A. #!ic! #ill
reglate said ad"ertising and promotion, it %ollo#s t!at a total ban polic$ cold be implemented
onl$ prsant to a a la# amending t!e Mil/ .ode passed b$ t!e constittionall$ at!ori>ed
branc! o% t!e go"ernment, t!e legislatre' Onl$ t!e pro"isions o% t!e Mil/ .ode, bt not t!ose o%
sbseqent 31A ,esoltions, can be "alidl$ implemented b$ t!e DO1 t!rog! t!e sb+ect
,2,,'
A:cept 4ections SF%G, 11 and ;*, t!e rest o% t!e pro"isions o% t!e ,2,,, are in consonance #it!
t!e ob+ecti"e, prpose and intent o% t!e Mil/ .ode, constitting reasonable reglation o% an
indstr$ #!ic! a%%ects pblic !ealt! and #el%are and, as sc!, t!e rest o% t!e ,2,, do not
constitte illegal restraint o% trade nor are t!e$ "iolati"e o% t!e de process clase o% t!e
.onstittion'
Ba!an M/na v ;r"ita
G.R. 169659
March 21, 26
#n Banc
4irsBMesdames:
Moted !erender, %or $or in%ormation, is a resoltion o% t!is .ort dated MAR. 21, 26
G.R. No. 169659 ?!ayan "una, et al. v. #duardo $. #rmita, et al.@E
G.R. No. 16966 ?Francisco %. &have' v. #duardo #rmita, et al.@E
G.R. No. 169667 ?Alternative (aw )roups, %nc. *A()+ v. #duardo $. #rmita, et al.@E
G.R. No. 169777 ?,enate of the Philippines, et al. v. #duardo #rmita, et al.@E
G.R. No. 169#3) ?PDP-(aban v. #-ecutive ,ecretary #duardo $. #rmita@E
61
G.R. No. 1712)6 ?.ose Anselmo %. strongTCadiz, et al. v. /on. #-ecutive ,ecretary #duardo
#rmita@
: <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< :
At t!e close o% t!e Oral Argments on t!ese consolidated petitions !eld last Febrar$ )1, )00*, t!is
.ort ordered all parties to sbmit t!eir memoranda #it!in %i%teen F15G da$s'
On Marc! 5, )00*, t!e last da$ %or %iling t!e reqired memoranda, petitioners Ba$an Mna, .orage,
and .ODA@ FpetitionersG, represented b$ t!e same consel, %iled an ndated Motion %or A:tension o%
-ime to File Memorandm in #!ic! t!e$ as/ed %or an e:tension o% %i"e F5G da$s #it!in #!ic! to %ile
t!eir memorandm' 4aid Motion #as gronded on t!e alleged !ea"$ #or/load #it! #!ic! consel
#as sddenl$ con%ronted #!en, a%ter t!e issance o% 8roclamation 6o' 1010, one o% t!e part$<list
representati"es belonging to petitioner Ba$an Mna #as arrested and %i"e ot!ers, belonging to t!e
same organi>ation, #ere granted protecti"e cstod$ %rom #arrantless arrest b$ t!e 1ose o%
,epresentati"es'
-!is .ort, in "ie# o% t!e reasons pro%%ered b$ consel and t!e assrance !e ga"e to t!is .ort t!at
t!e Motion #as not intended %or dela$, granted t!e reqested e:tension b$ ,esoltion dated Marc!
1;, )00*'
1o#e"er, t!rog! a Mani%estation dated 1; Marc! )00* %iled on e"en date, t!e same petitioners, b$
t!e same consel, in%ormed t!is .ort t!at it #ill no longer %ile a memorandm Nin t!e interest o%
!a"ing t!e isses resol"ed soonestN'
2mplied in e"er$ motion %or e:tension o% time to %ile a pleading is a commitment b$ t!e mo"ing part$
and its consel t!at it can and #ill indeed %ile t!e pleading #it!in t!e time reqested' -o as/ %or
additional time %rom t!e .ort, onl$ to mani%est later t!at t!e act %or #!ic! t!e additional time #as
reqested #ill no longer be done, is to tri%le #it! t!e .ort and to ma/e lig!t o% t!e proceedings
being condcted b$ it' -!e %alt o% petitioners and consel is rendered all t!e more serios in "ie# o%
t!e gra"it$ o% t!e isses in"ol"ed in t!e present cases'
:(;R;18R;, petitioners Ba$an Mna, .orage and .ODA@ and t!eir consel, Att$' 6eri (a"ier
.olmenares, are R;,R-MAND;D' -!eir Mani%estation dated 1; Marc! )00* is N8<;D'
Ver$ trl$ $ors,
F4gd'G MA' @I24A D' V2@@A,AMA
Cler0 o/ Court
-sla"ic DaF2ah +o/ncil 8' <he ,hili%%ines Vs. ;5ec/tive $ecretar!
)5 $+RA )97
GR 153###
./l! 9, 23
Corona, J:
Facts
8etitioner 2slamic DaQ#a! .oncil o% t!e 8!ilippines, 2nc' F2D.8G is a corporation t!at operates
nder Department o% 4ocial 3el%are and De"elopment, a non<go"ernmental organi>ation t!at
e:tends "olntar$ ser"ices to t!e Filipino people, especiall$ to Mslim commnities' 2t claims to
be a %ederation o% national 2slamic organi>ations and an acti"e member o% international
organi>ations sc! as t!e ,egional 2slamic DaQ#a! .oncil o% 4ot!east Asia and t!e 8aci%ic
62
F,24AA8G and -!e 3orld Assembl$ o% Mslim Lot!' -!e ,24AA8 accredited petitioner to isse
!alal certi%ications in t!e 8!ilippines' -!s, among t!e %nctions petitioner carries ot is to
condct seminars, orient man%actrers on !alal %ood and isse !alal certi%ications to qali%ied
prodcts and man%actrers'
8etitioner alleges t!at, t!e actal need to certi%$ %ood prodcts as !alal and also de to !alal
%ood prodcersQ reqest, petitioner %ormlated in 1995 internal rles and procedres based on
t!e MrQan and t!e 4nna! %or t!e anal$sis o% %ood, inspection t!ereo% and issance o% !alal
certi%ications' 2n t!at same $ear, petitioner began to isse, %or a %ee, certi%ications to qali%ied
prodcts and %ood man%actrers' 8etitioner e"en adopted %or se on its !alal certi%icates a
distinct sign or logo registered in t!e 8!ilippine 8atent O%%ice'

On )001, respondent O%%ice o% t!e A:ecti"e 4ecretar$ issed AO ;*5 creating t!e 8!ilippine
1alal .erti%ication 4c!eme and designating respondent OMA to o"ersee its implementation'
Inder t!e AO, respondent OMA !as t!e e:clsi"e at!orit$ to isse !alal certi%icates and
per%orm ot!er related reglator$ acti"ities'
2sse
3!et!er or 6ot AO "iolates t!e constittional pro"ision on t!e separation o% .!rc! and 4tate'
1eld
2t is nconstittional %or t!e go"ernment to %ormlate policies and gidelines on t!e !alal
certi%ication sc!eme becase said sc!eme is a %nction onl$ religios organi>ations, entit$ or
sc!olars can la#%ll$ and "alidl$ per%orm %or t!e Mslims' According to petitioner, a %ood prodct
becomes !alal onl$ a%ter t!e per%ormance o% 2slamic religios rital and pra$er' -!s, onl$
practicing Mslims are qali%ied to slag!ter animals %or %ood' A go"ernment agenc$ li/e !erein
respondent OMA cannot t!ere%ore per%orm a religios %nction li/e certi%$ing qali%ied %ood
prodcts as !alal' 3it!ot dobt, classi%$ing a %ood prodct as !alal is a religios %nction
becase t!e standards sed are dra#n %rom t!e MrQan and 2slamic belie%s' B$ gi"ing OMA t!e
e:clsi"e po#er to classi%$ %ood prodcts as !alal, AO ;* encroac!ed on t!e religios %reedom
o% Mslim organi>ations li/e !erein petitioner to interpret %or Filipino Mslims #!at %ood prodcts
are %it %or Mslim consmption' Also, b$ arrogating to itsel% t!e tas/ o% issing !alal certi%ications,
t!e 4tate !as in e%%ect %orced Mslims to accept its o#n interpretation o% t!e MrQan and 4nna!
on !alal %ood'
2n t!e case at bar, #e %ind no compelling +sti%ication %or t!e go"ernment to depri"e Mslim
organi>ations, li/e !erein petitioner, o% t!eir religios rig!t to classi%$ a prodct as !alal, e"en on
t!e premise t!at t!e !ealt! o% Mslim Filipinos can be e%%ecti"el$ protected b$ assigning to OMA
t!e e:clsi"e po#er to isse !alal certi%ications' -!e protection and promotion o% t!e mslim
FilipinosQ rig!t to !ealt! are alread$ pro"ided %or in e:isting la#s and ministered to b$
go"ernment agencies c!arged #it! ensring t!at %ood prodcts released in t!e mar/et are %it %or
!man consmption, properl$ labeled and sa%e' Inli/e AO ;*, t!ese la#s do not encroac! on
t!e religios %reedom o% Mslims'

63
<olentino vs. $ecretar! o' 1inance
23) $+RA 63
Mendoza, J.:
Facts

-!e "ale<added ta: FVA-G is le"ied on t!e sale, barter or e:c!ange o% goods and
properties as #ell as on t!e sale or e:c!ange o% ser"ices' 2t is eqi"alent to 10U o% t!e
gross selling price or gross "ale in mone$ o% goods or properties sold, bartered or
e:c!anged or o% t!e gross receipts %rom t!e sale or e:c!ange o% ser"ices' ,epblic Act
6o' 001* see/s to #iden t!e ta: base o% t!e e:isting VA- s$stem and en!ance its
administration b$ amending t!e 6ational 2nternal ,e"ene .ode
-!e 8!ilippine 8ress 2nstitte F882G is a nonpro%it organi>ation o% ne#spaper pblis!ers
establis!ed %or t!e impro"ement o% +ornalism in t!e 8!ilippines' On t!e ot!er !and, t!e
8!ilippine Bible 4ociet$ F8B4G is a nonpro%it organi>ation engaged in t!e printing and
64
distribtion o% bibles and ot!er religios articles' Bot! petitioners claim "iolations o% t!eir
rig!ts nder 4ec' ; and 5 o% t!e Bill o% ,ig!ts as a reslt o% t!e enactment o% t!e VA-
@a#
2sse
3!et!er or not ,A 001* crtails t!e %reedom o% speec! and of press, and free exercise of
religion.
,ling
On t!e contention t!at t!e la# "iolates %reedom o% speec! and o% press, 4. !eld t!at t!e
argument that, by imposing the VAT only on print media, the law discriminates is without merit
since it has not been shown that as a result the class subject to tax has been unreasonably
narrowed. The limitation does not apply to the press alone but to all sales. On the other hand,
neither the imposition of the RA iolates the freedom of religion. The free exercise.of religion
clause does not prohibit imposing a generally applicable sales and use tax on the sales of religious
materials by a religious organi!ation. Additionally, the fee of "1, ### is only to defray the cost of
registration to the VAT system. "etition is without merit.
Ang 7a6la6 vs. +8M;7;+
G.R. No. 195#2
$el Castillo, J.:
Facts
Ang @adlad, incorporated in )003, is an organi>ation composed o% men and #omen #!o identi%$
t!emsel"es as lesbians, ga$s, bise:als, or transgendered indi"idals'
2n )00*, Ang @adlad applied %or accreditation as a part$<list organi>ation nder ,epblic Act
09;1, ot!er#ise /no#n as t!e 8art$ @ist 4$stem Act' .OMA@A. denied t!e application on t!e
grond t!at it !ad no sbstantial members!ip base' -!en again, on Agst 10, )009, Ang
@adlad %iled %or a petition %or registration' .OMA@A., in its resoltion dated 6o"ember 11,
)009, dismissed t!e petition on moral gronds as it ad"ocates se:al immoralit$ #!ic! o%%ends
religios belie%s' .OMA@A. sed passages in t!e Bible and in Horan as basis' .OMA@A.
%rt!er stated t!at Ang @adlad collides #it! t!e %ollo#ing pro"isions o% t!e la#:
Art' *95 o% t!e .i"il .ode #!ic! de%ines nisance as VAn$ act, omission, establis!ment,
bsiness, condition o% propert$, or an$t!ing else #!ic! ::: F3G s!oc/s, de%iesE or
disregards decenc$ or moralit$ :::'
65
Art' 130* o% t!e .i"il .ode #!ic! states t!at V-!e contracting parties ma$ establis!
sc! stiplations, clases, terms and conditions as t!e$ ma$ deem con"enient,
pro"ided t!e$ are not contrar$ to la#, morals, good cstoms, pblic order or pblic
polic$
Art' 1;09 o% t!e .i"il .ode #!ic! pro"ides t!at V.ontracts #!ose case, ob+ect or
prpose is contrar$ to la#, morals, good cstoms, pblic order or pblic polic$ are
ine:istent and "oid %rom t!e beginning
Art' )01 o% t!e ,e"ised 8enal .ode #!ic! penali>es immoral doctrines, obscene
pblications and e:!ibitions and indecent s!o#s
Ang @adlad sog!t %or reconsideration bt .OMA@A. p!eld its resoltion in anot!er resoltion
dated December 1*, )009, stating t!at @adlad %ailed to +sti%$ t!at !a"ing mi:ed se:al
orientations and transgender identities are is bene%icial to t!e nation' Moreo"er, @?B-s are also
protected b$ t!e same Bill o% ,ig!ts li/e ot!er males and %emales and p!eld its earlier
resoltion t!at Ang @adlad %alls nder t!e legal pro"isions o% Art' *95 o% t!e .i"il .ode and Art'
)01 o% t!e ,e"ised 8enal .ode'
1ence, Ang @adlad %iled a petition %or certiorari nder ,le *5 o% t!e ,les o% .ort against t!e
resoltions o% .OMA@A.' -!e 4preme .ort ordered t!e O%%ice o% t!e 4olicitor ?eneral to %ile
its comment'
Ang @adlad arged t!at t!e denial o% its accreditation, in so %ar as it +sti%ied t!e same b$ sing
religios dogma, "iolated t!e non<establis!ment clase' Ang @adlad also contends t!at t!e
.OMA@A. resoltions "iolated its constittional rig!t to pri"ac$, %reedom o% speec! and
assembl$, and eqal protection o% la#s' .OMA@A. also "iolated t!e 8!ilippines& international
obligations against discrimination based on se:al orientation'
On t!e ot!er !and, .OMA@A. arged t!at Ang @adlad !as no concrete and genine national
political agenda t!at #old bene%it t!e nation and t!at @?B- is not among t!e sectors
enmerated in ,A 09;1'
O4?, in its comment, concrred #it! Ang @adlad&s petition and said t!at t!e .OMA@A. erred in
den$ing Ang @adlad&s application becase t!ere #as no basis %or allegations o% immoralit$'
1o#e"er, O4? also said t!at .OMA@A. did not "iolate Ang @adlad&s %reedom o% speec!,
e:pression, and assembl$'
2sse
3!et!er or not .OMA@A. "iolated t!e non<establis!ment clase b$ +sti%$ing its denial to
accredit Ang @adlad b$ sing religios dogma
3!et!er or not .OMA@A. "iolated t!e %ndamental rig!ts o% Ang @adlad
,ling
On t!e %irst isse, t!e 4preme .ort !eld t!at .OMA@A. committed gra"e "iolation o% t!e non<
establis!ment clase b$ tili>ing t!e Bible and t!e Horan to +sti%$ t!e e:clsion o% Ang &adlad'
-!e 4preme .ort said t!at Art' 222 4ection 5 #!ic! pro"ided t!at NCnDo la# s!all be made
66
respecting an establis!ment o% religion, or pro!ibiting t!e %ree e:ercise t!ereo%N called %or
go"ernment to be netral in religios matters' -!s, go"ernmental reliance on religios
+sti%ication is inconsistent #it! t!is polic$ o% netralit$'


-!e 4preme .ort also %ond t!at .OMA@A. "iolated @adlad&s %ndamental rig!ts, i'e',
%reedom o% e:pression and %reedom o% association'
-!e .ort !eld t!at %reedom o% e:pression not onl$ applies to t!ose t!at are %a"orabl$ recei"ed
bt also to t!ose t!at o%%end, s!oc/, or distrb' An$ restriction imposed in t!is sp!ere mst be
proportionate to t!e legitimate aim prsed' Absent an$ compelling state interest, it is not %or t!e
.OMA@A. or t!is .ort to impose its "ie#s on t!e poplace' Ot!er#ise stated, t!e .OMA@A.
is certainl$ not %ree to inter%ere #it! speec! %or no better reason t!an promoting an appro"ed
message or discoraging a dis%a"ored one'
-!e 4preme .ort also rled t!at a political grop s!old not be !indered solel$ becase it
see/s to pblicl$ debate contro"ersial political isses in order to %ind soltions capable o%
satis%$ing e"er$one concerned' Onl$ i% a political part$ incites "iolence or pts %or#ard policies
t!at are incompatible #it! democrac$ does it %all otside t!e protection o% t!e %reedom o%
association garantee'
8etition granted'
+have0 vs. ,;A an6 AMAR-
G.R. No. 13325
Car+io, J.:
Facts
2n 1903, t!e go"ernment signed a contract #it! t!e .onstrction and De"elopment .orporation
o% t!e 8!ilippines F.D.8G to reclaim certain %ores!ore and o%%s!ore areas o% Manila Ba$ and
constrct 8!ases 2 and 22 o% t!e Manila<.a"ite .oastal ,oad' 2n retrn, .D.8 #old acqire
50U o% t!e total reclaimed land'
2n 1900, t!e 8blic Astates At!orit$ F8AAG #as created' 8AA #as tas/ed to reclaim land,
inclding %ores!ore and sbmerged areas, and to de"elop, impro"e, acqire, : : : lease and sell
an$ and all /inds o% lands' @ands reclaimed in t!e %ores!ore and o%%s!ore o% t!e Manila Ba$
nder t!e Manila<.a"ite .oastal ,oad and ,eclamation 8ro+ect FM..,,8G #ere trans%erred to
8AA' 4bseqentl$, all %tre #or/s in M..,,8 #ere ordered to be %nded and o#ned b$
8AA'
2n 1955, t!e reclaimed parcels o% land nder t!e M..,,8 #ere granted and trans%erred to 8AA
#!ic! inclded t!e NFreedom 2slands'N -!ese are reclaimed islands located at t!e sot!ern
portion o% t!e Manila<.a"ite .oastal ,oad, 8araOaqe .it$'
67
2n 1995, 8AA entered into a (oint Ventre Agreement F(VAG #it! AMA,2, a pri"ate corporation,
to de"elop t!e Freedom 2slands' -!e (VA #as entered into t!rog! negotiation #it!ot pblic
bidding' -!e Board o% Directors o% 8AA con%irmed t!e (VA #!ic! #as t!en appro"ed b$
8resident Fidel V' ,amos'
2n 199*, t!en 4enate 8resident Arnesto Maceda denonced t!e (VA t!e Ngrandmot!er o% all
scams9 in a pri"ilege speec!, #!erepon, t!e 4enate committees on ?o"ernment .orporations
and 8blic Anterprises and Accontabilit$ o% 8blic O%%icers and 2n"estigations condcted a +oint
in"estigation' -!e .ommittees reported t!at: F1G t!e reclaimed lands 8AA see/s to trans%er to
AMA,2 nder t!e (VA are lands o% t!e pblic domain #!ic! t!e go"ernment !as not classi%ied
as alienable lands and t!ere%ore 8AA cannot alienate t!ese landsE F)G t!e certi%icates o% title
co"ering t!e Freedom 2slands are t!s "oid, and F3G t!e (VA itsel% is illegal'
2n 1990, 8resident ,amos created a @egal -as/ Force to std$ t!e legalit$ o% t!e (VA' -!e
@egal -as/ Force p!eld t!e legalit$ o% t!e (VA' 2n 1995, t!e P,ili++ine $ail* )nquirer and
"oda* pblis!ed reports t!at t!ere #ere on<going renegotiations bet#een 8AA and AMA,2
nder an order issed b$ t!e 8resident'
4bseqentl$, Antonio M' Jleta %iled a petition %or pro!ibition see/ing to nlli%$ t!e (VA' -!e
.ort dismissed t!e petition %or n#arranted disregard o% +dicial !ierarc!$, #it!ot pre+dice to
t!e re%iling o% t!e case be%ore t!e proper cort' On April )0, 1995, Fran/ 2' .!a"e>, as a
ta:pa$er, %iled t!e instant petition %or mandams'
.!a"e> pra$ed t!at 8AA disclose t!e terms o% an$ renegotiation o% t!e (VA prsant to t!e rig!t
o% t!e people to in%ormation' 8AA, on t!e ot!er !and asserted t!at in cases o% on<going
negotiations, t!e rig!t to in%ormation is limited to de%inite propositions o% t!e go"ernment' Also,
t!e rig!t does not inclde access to intra<agenc$ or inter<agenc$ recommendations or
commnications dring t!e e:plorator$ stage' AMA,2 also contended t!at t!e rig!t cannot be
in"o/ed at t!e pre<decisional stage or be%ore t!e closing o% t!e transaction' 2t maintained t!at
reqiring go"ernment o%%icials to re"eal t!eir deliberations at t!e pre<decisional stage #ill
degrade t!e qalit$ o% decision<ma/ing in go"ernment agencies as it #ill pt its o%%icials nder all
/inds o% pressre be%ore deciding'
2sse
3!et!er t!e constittional rig!t to in%ormation incldes o%%icial in%ormation on on<going
negotiations be%ore a %inal agreement
,ling
-!e 4preme .ort rled t!at t!e t#in pro"isions o% t!e .onstittion K rig!t to in%ormation on
matters o% pblic concern and polic$ o% %ll transparenc$ < see/ to promote transparenc$ in
polic$<ma/ing and in t!e operations o% t!e go"ernment, as #ell as pro"ide t!e people s%%icient
in%ormation to e:ercise e%%ecti"el$ ot!er constittional rig!ts' -!ese t#in pro"isions are
essential to t!e e:ercise o% %reedom o% e:pression' 2% t!e go"ernment does not disclose its
o%%icial acts, transactions and decisions to citi>ens, #!ate"er citi>ens sa$, e"en i% e:pressed
#it!ot an$ restraint, #ill be speclati"e and amont to not!ing' -!ese t#in pro"isions are also
essential to !old pblic o%%icials Nat all times : : : accontable to t!e people, %or nless citi>ens
!a"e t!e proper in%ormation, t!e$ cannot !old pblic o%%icials accontable %or an$t!ing' Armed
68
#it! t!e rig!t in%ormation, citi>ens can participate in pblic discssions leading to t!e %ormlation
o% go"ernment policies and t!eir e%%ecti"e implementation' An in%ormed citi>enr$ is essential to
t!e e:istence and proper %nctioning o% an$ democrac$'
2t also !eld t!at contrar$ to AMA,2Qs contention, a consmmated contract is not a reqirement
%or t!e e:ercise o% t!e rig!t to in%ormation' -!e commissioners o% t!e 195* .onstittional
.ommission nderstood t!at t!e rig!t to in%ormation 1conte-+lates inclusion o/ negotiations
leading to t,e consu--ation o/ t,e transaction.1 Ot!er#ise, t!e people can ne"er e:ercise t!e
rig!t i% no contract is consmmated, and i% one is consmmated, it ma$ be too late %or t!e pblic
to e:pose its de%ects'
-!e .ort also named t!e t!ree categories o% in%ormation #!ic! are Nmatters o% pblic concern'9
-!ese are F1G o%%icial recordsE F)G docments and papers pertaining to o%%icial acts, transactions
and decisionsE and F3G go"ernment researc! data sed in %ormlating policies' -!e %irst categor$
re%ers to an$ docment t!at is part o% t!e pblic records in t!e cstod$ o% go"ernment agencies
or o%%icials' -!e second categor$ re%ers to docments and papers recording, e"idencing,
establis!ing, con%irming, spporting, +sti%$ing or e:plaining o%%icial acts, transactions or
decisions o% go"ernment agencies or o%%icials' -!e t!ird categor$ re%ers to researc! data,
#!et!er ra#, collated or processed, o#ned b$ t!e go"ernment and sed in %ormlating
go"ernment policies'
1ence, t!e in%ormation t!at petitioner ma$ access on t!e renegotiation o% t!e (VA incldes
e"alation reports, recommendations, legal and e:pert opinions, mintes o% meetings, terms o%
re%erence and ot!er docments attac!ed to sc! reports or mintes, all relating to t!e (VA'
1o#e"er, t!e rig!t to in%ormation does not compel 8AA to prepare lists, abstracts, smmaries
and t!e li/e relating to t!e renegotiation o% t!e (VA' -!e rig!t onl$ a%%ords access to records,
docments and papers, #!ic! means t!e opportnit$ to inspect and cop$ t!em' One #!o
e:ercises t!e rig!t mst cop$ t!e records, docments and papers at !is e:pense' -!e e:ercise
o% t!e rig!t is also sb+ect to reasonable reglations to protect t!e integrit$ o% t!e pblic records
and to minimi>e disrption to go"ernment operations, li/e rles speci%$ing #!en and !o# to
condct t!e inspection and cop$ing'
8etition granted'
69
(ila6o, et.al. v ./6ge
G.R. No. 163155
Car+io-Morales, J.:
Facts
On Ma$ )5, )000, (lita .ampos Bendicto Fpri"ate respondentG, t!e sr"i"ing spose o% t!e
deceased ,oberto Benedicto, %iled %or a petition %or issance o% letters o% administration o"er t!e
estate o% !er deceased !sband' -!e case #as ra%%led to t!e sala o% (dge Amor ,e$es,
Branc! )1, Manila ,-.' -!e petition #as granted on Agst ), )000, and .ampos Benedicto
#as appointed as Administratri: o% t!e estate o% Benedicto'
8etitioners Al%redo 1ilado, Manel @acson, (ose M' -"illa, (oaqin @im+ap, @ope> 4gar
.orporation, !ad %iled dring t!e li%etime o% Benedicto, t#o complaints %or damages against
Benedicto' -!ese claims #ere listed in t!e initial in"entor$ o% t!e estate as liabilities o% t!e
estate'
From (anar$ )00) ntil 6o"ember )003, petitioners #ere allo#ed b$ t!e .ler/ o% .ort o%
Branc! )1, Manila ,-. access to t!e records o% t!e case' B$ December )003, !o#e"er, t!e$
#ere denied access to t!e last %older<record o% t!e case #!ic!, allegedl$, cold not be located
and #as probabl$ inside t!e c!ambers o% t!e (dge %or sa%e/eeping' A%ter#ards, petitioner&s
consel #rote (dge ,e$es reqesting t!at t!e$ be allo#ed to personall$ c!ec/ t!e records to
#!ic! t!e (dge responded t!at onl$ t!e parties or t!ose #it! at!orit$ %rom t!e parties ma$ be
allo#ed access'
70
8etitioners tried se"eral times to secre copies o% t!e records o% t!e case, i'e', pdated
in"entor$ o% t!e estate, copies o% t!e order issed b$ t!e cort in t!e Febrar$ 13, )00; !earing
and t!e stenograp!ic noted ta/en t!ereon, bt t!eir e%%orts #as met #it! %tilit$, !ence, t!is
petition %or mandams to compel (dge ,e$es to allo# t!em to access, e:amine, and obtain
copies o% an$ and all docments related to t!e case'
2sse
3!et!er or not records o% a case are pblic records #!ic! t!e pblic !as t!e rig!t o% access
,ling
4ec' 0 o% t!e Bill o% ,ig!ts garantees a general rig!t K t!e rig!t to in%ormation on matters o%
Npblic concernN and, as an accessor$ t!ereto, t!e rig!t o% access to No%%icial recordsN and t!e
li/e' -!e rig!t to in%ormation on Nmatters o% pblic concern or o% pblic interestN is bot! t!e
prpose and t!e limit o% t!e constittional rig!t o% access to pblic docments'
Decisions and opinions o% a cort are o% corse matters o% pblic concern or interest %or t!ese
are t!e at!ori>ed e:positions and interpretations o% t!e la#s, binding pon all citi>ens, o% #!ic!
e"er$ citi>en is c!arged #it! /no#ledge' (stice t!s reqires t!at all s!old !a"e %ree access
to t!e opinions o% +dges and +stices, and it #old be against sond pblic polic$ to pre"ent,
sppress or /eep t!e earliest /no#ledge o% t!ese %rom t!e pblic' -!s, in &antaco Sr. et al. v.
Judge &la-as, t!is .ort %ond a +dge to !a"e committed gra"e abse o% discretion in re%sing
to %rnis! &antaco et al. a cop$ o% !is decision in a criminal case o% #!ic! t!e$ #ere e"en t!e
t!erein pri"ate complainants, t!e decision being Nalread$ part o% t!e pblic record #!ic! t!e
citi>en !as a rig!t to scrtini>e'N
2n %ine, access to cort records ma$ be permitted at t!e discretion and sb+ect to t!e sper"isor$
and protecti"e po#ers o% t!e cort, a%ter considering t!e act/al /se or prpose %or #!ic! t!e
reqest %or access is based and t!e o&vio/s %re3/6ice to an$ o% t!e parties ' 2n t!e e:ercise o%
sc! discretion, t!e %ollo#ing isses ma$ be rele"ant: N#!et!er parties !a"e interest in pri"ac$,
#!et!er in%ormation is being sog!t %or legiti"ate %/r%ose or %or improper prpose, #!et!er
t!ere is t!reat o% particlarl$ serios embarrassment to part$, #!et!er in%ormation is important
to pblic !ealt! and sa%et$, #!et!er s!aring o% in%ormation among litigants #old promote
%airness and e%%icienc$, #!et!er part$ bene%iting %rom con%identialit$ order is pblic entit$ or
o%%icial, and #!et!er case in"ol"es isses important to t!e pblic'N 8etitionersQ stated main
prpose %or accessing t!e records W to monitor prompt compliance #it! t!e ,les go"erning
t!e preser"ation and proper disposition o% t!e assets o% t!e estate, e.g', t!e completion and
appraisal o% t!e 2n"entor$ and t!e sbmission b$ t!e Administratri: o% an annal acconting W
appears legitimate, %or, as t!e plainti%%s in t!e complaints %or sm o% mone$ against ,oberto
Benedicto et al', t!e$ !a"e an interest o"er t!e otcome o% t!e settlement o% !is estate'
8etition granted'
71
Attorne! Ding $o o' the B/rea/ o' +/sto"s, %etitioner vs. ;r2in </l'o, res%on6ent
GR No. 16132
'elasco, J.:
Facts
1' 2n t!e colmn entitled 7Direct 1it9 pblis!ed in t!e dail$ tabloid ,emate, t!e said colmn
#as accsing Att$' Ding 4o o% t!e Brea o% .stoms o% corrption' On t!e pblis!ed
article Att$' 4o #as portra$ed as an e:tortionist and a smggler'
)' Att$' Ding 4o o% t!e Brea o% .stoms %iled a libel sit in %or F;G separate in%ormation
against Ar#in -l%o, 4san .ambri, ,e$ 4alao, (ocel$n Barli>o, and 8!ilip 8ic!a$ o%
,emate'
3' A%ter trial, t!e ,egional -rial .ort %ond -l%o gilt$ o% libel' -!e .A a%%irmed t!e
decision'
2sses
1' 3!et!er or not -l%o is gilt$ o% %alse and malicios imptations in !is colmn in ,emate'
)' 3!et!er or not t!e assailed articles are pri"ileged'
3' 3!et!er or not t!e assailed articles are %air commentaries'
,ling
1. LA4, For t!e rling in Bor+al case #as not applied to t!is libel case:
a' -!e case #as based on a criminal case'
72
b' -!ere #as s%%icient identi%ication o% t!e complainant'
c' -!e sb+ect #as not a pri"ate citi>enE in t!is case, t!e sb+ect is a pblic o%%icial'
d' 2n t!is case it is not in t!e scope o% 7%air commentaries on matters o% pblic interest'9
2. 6O' -!e colmns #ere mere tri"iali>ed and editoriali>edE t!ecolmns don&t !a"e
e"idences to sbstantiate t!e claims and attac/s to Att$' 4o' -!e articles cannot be
pri"ileged simpl$becase t!e target #as a pblic o%%icial'
a' -l%o made no e%%ort to "eri%$ t!e in%ormation gi"en b$!is sorce or e"en to ascertain
t!e identit$ o% t!e person !e #as accsing'
b' -l%o abandoned t!e 7consistent #it! good %ait! and reasonable care 7#!en !e #rote
t!e sb+ect articles' -!is is no case o% mere error or !onest mista/e, bt a case o% a
+ornalist abdicating !is responsibilit$ to "eri%$ !is stor$and instead misin%orming t!e
pblic'
c' -l%o !ad #ritten and pblis!ed t!e articles #it! rec/less disregard o% #!et!er t!e
same #ere %alse or not'
d' A"idence o% malice: -!e %act t!at -l%o continosl$ pblis!ed articles lambasting
Att$' 4o a%ter t!ecommencement o% an action' -!is is a clear indication o% !is intent to
malign Att$' 4o, no matter t!e cost, and is proo% o% malice'
3. 6O' -l%o %ailed to sbstantiate or e"en attempt to "eri%$ !is stor$be%ore pblication'
Moreo"er !e added %acts based on !isstandards o% "eracit$'
a' -!e absence o% details o% t!e acts committed b$ t!esb+ect' -!ese are plain and simple
and mere 7gossip9accsations, bac/ed p b$ t!e #ord o% one nnamedsorce'
b' (ornalists do not rel$ on %ictions instead on trt!' -!eremst be some %ondation to
t!eir reportsE t!ese reports mst be #arranted b$ %acts'
c' -!e colmns o% -l%o are not %air and tre' -l%o %ailed to do researc! be%ore ma/ing !is
allegations, and it !as beens!o#n t!at t!ese allegations #ere baseless'
;le"ents o' 'air co""entar! ?to &e consi6ere6 %rivilege6@C
a' -!at it is a %air and tre report o% a +dicial, legislati"e, or ot!er o%%icial proceedings #!ic!
are not o% con%idential natre, or o% a statement, report, or speec! deli"ered insaid
proceedings, or o% an$ ot!er act per%ormed b$ apblic o%%icer in t!e e:ercise o% !is %nctionsE
b' -!at it is made in good %ait!E
c' -!at it is #it!ot an$ comments or remar/s'
73
GM9 vs. ;r"ita
GR No. 16779#
8cto&er 5, 21
Car+io, J.:
Facts
2n April 13, )005, 8resident ?loria Macapagal K Arro$o issed A:ecti"e Order ;)0 reqiring all
go"ernment agencies and go"ernment<o#ned corporations to streamline and !armoni>e t!eir
2denti%ication 4$stems' -!e prposes o% t!e ni%orm 2D data collection and 2D %ormat are to
redce costs, ac!ie"e e%%icienc$ and reliabilit$ and ensre compatibilit$ and pro"ide
con"enience to t!e people ser"ed b$ go"ernment entities'
8etitioners allege t!at AO;)0 is nconstittional becase it constittes srpation o% legislati"e
%nctions b$ t!e e:ecti"e branc! o% t!e go"ernment' Frt!ermore, t!e$ allege t!at AO;)0
in%ringes on t!e citi>en&s rig!ts to pri"ac$'
2sse
2n issing AO ;)0, did t!e president ma/e, alter or repeal an$ la#sP
,ling
@egislati"e po#er is t!e at!orit$ to ma/e la#s and to alter or repeal t!em' 2n issing AO ;)0,
t!e 8resident did not ma/e, alter or repeal an$ la# bt merel$ implemented and e:ected
e:isting la#s' AO ;)0 redces costs, as #ell as insres e%%icienc$, reliabilit$, compatibilit$ and
74
ser<%riendliness in t!e implementation o% crrent 2D s$stems o% go"ernment entities nder
e:isting la#s' -!s, AO ;)0 is simpl$ an e:ecti"e issance and not an act o% legislation'
+r/0 vs. $ecretar! o' D;NR
3)7 $+RA 12#
Per Curia-
Facts
.r>, a noted constittionalist, assailed t!e "alidit$ o% t!e ,A 5301 or t!e 2ndigenos 8eople&s
,ig!ts Act on t!e grond t!at t!e la# amont to an nla#%l depri"ation o% t!e 4tate&s
o#ners!ip o"er lands o% t!e pblic domain as #ell as minerals and ot!er natral resorces
t!erein, in "iolation o% t!e ,egalian doctrine embodied in 4ection ), Article X22 o% t!e
.onstittion' -!e 28,A la# basicall$ enmerates t!e rig!ts o% t!e indigenos peoples o"er
ancestral domains #!ic! ma$ inclde natral resorces' .r> et al contend t!at, b$ pro"iding
%or an all<encompassing de%inition o% 7ancestral domains9 and 7ancestral lands9 #!ic! mig!t
e"en inclde pri"ate lands %ond #it!in said areas, 4ections 3FaG and 3FbG o% said la# "iolate t!e
rig!ts o% pri"ate lando#ners'
2sse
3!et!er or not t!e 28,A la# is nconstittional'
,ling
-!e 4. deliberated pon t!e matter' A%ter deliberation t!e$ "oted and reac!ed a 0<0 "ote' -!e$
deliberated again and t!e same reslt transpired' 4ince t!ere #as no ma+orit$ "ote, .r>&s
petition #as dismissed and t!e 28,A la# #as sstained' 1ence, ancestral domains ma$ inclde
pblic domain K some!o# against t!e ,egalian doctrine'
75
$e%arate o%inion o' ./stice Men6o0aC
For (stice Mendo>a, t!e 28,A s!old not be declared "oid on its %ace %or 7",e onl* instance
2,ere a /acial c,allenge to a statute is allo2ed is 2,en it o+erates in t,e area o/ /reedo- o/
e3+ression.4
$:$ vs. +o"elec
GR No. 1)7571
,onenteC Men6o0a, ..E
1actsC
8etitioner 434 and H8. states t!at it #is!es to condct an election sr"e$ t!rog!ot t!e
period o% t!e elections and release to t!e media t!e reslts o% sc! sr"e$ as #ell as pblis!
t!em directl$' 8etitioners arge t!at t!e restriction on t!e pblication o% election sr"e$ reslts
constittes a prior restraint on t!e e:ercise o% %reedom o% speec! #it!ot an$ clear and present
danger to +sti%$ sc! restraint'
-ss/eC
Are t!e .omelec resoltions pro!ibiting t!e !olding o% pre<polls and e:it polls and t!e
dissemination o% t!eir reslts t!rog! mass media, "alid and constittionalP
R/lingC
6o' -!e .ort !eld t!at 4ection F5G; is in"alid becase F1G it imposes a prior restraint on t!e
%reedom o% e:pression, F)G it is a direct and total sppression o% a categor$ o% e:pression e"en
t!og! sc! sppression is onl$ %or a limited period, and F3G t!e go"ernmental interest sog!t to
be promoted can be ac!ie"ed b$ means ot!er t!an sppression o% %reedom o% e:pression'

2t !as been !eld t!at NCmereD legislati"e pre%erences or belie%s respecting matters o% pblic
con"enience ma$ #ell spport reglation directed at ot!er personal acti"ities, bt be ins%%icient
to +sti%$ sc! as diminis!es t!e e:ercise o% rig!ts so "ital to t!e maintenance o% democratic
instittions'9
76
G/2ait Air2a!s +or%oration v ,hili%%ines Airlines, -nc.
G.R. No. 156#7
Ma! #, 29
"inga, J.:
Facts
On )1 October 1951 H#ait Airlines and 8!ilippine Airline entered into a .ommercial
Agreement, anne:ed to #!ic! #as a (oint 4er"ice Agreement bet#een t#o airlines' Inder t!is
agreement, H#ait Air#a$s obligated itsel% to Ns!are #it! 8!ilippine Airlines re"ene earned
%rom t!e pli%t o% passenger bet#een H#ait and Mania and "ice "ersa'
2n 1) April o% 1995 bot! H#ait panel and 8!ilippine 8anel entered an agreement called
.on%idential Memorandm o% Inderstanding F.MIG ' 8resent in t!e meeting %rom 8!ilippine
panel #ere o%%icials o% t!e .i"il Aeronatics Board F.ABG, t!e Department o% Foreign A%%airs
FDFAG and %or o%%icial o% t!e 8!ilippine ,elations, @egal .onsel and a 4enior 2nternational
,elation 4pecialist ' Dr' Victor 4' @inlingan, t!e 1ead o% t!e Delegation an A:ecti"e Director o%
t!e .AB, signed t!e .MI in be!al% o% t!e ?o"ernment o% t!e ,epblic o% t!e 8!ilippines'
On 15 Ma$ 1995, Ms' 4ocorro ?on>aga, Director %or 2nternational ,elation o% 8!ilippines
Airlines recei"ed a letter %rom Da#old M' Al<Da#od, t!e dept$ Mar/eting and 4ales
Director %or t!e 2nternational A%%airs o% H#ait Air#a$s stating t!at e%%ecti"e 1) o% April 1995 t!e
agreement concerning ro$alt$ %or 3rd and ;t! %reedom tra%%ic #ill be terminated'
Ms' ?on>aga replied to H#ait Air#a$s in be!al% o% 8!ilippines Airlines stating t!at t!e
agreement ma$ be terminated b$ eit!er part$ b$ gi"ing 90 da$s notice in #riting to t!e ot!er
part$ and mst be on t!e last da$ o% tra%%ic period' -!s, t!e 8!ilippines Airlines insisted t!at t!e
pro"ision o% t!e .ommercial Agreement Ns!all contine to be en%orced ntil sc! dateN and
demanded H#ait Air#a$s to pa$ t!e principal sm o% I4S1, 09), *90'00 as re"ene %or t!e
pli%t o% passenger and cargo %or t!e period o% 13 April 1995 ntil )5 October 1995'
77
3!en H#ait Airlines re%sed to pa$, 8!ilippine Airlines %iled a complaint against t!e %oreign
airlines #it! t!e ,egional -rial .ort F,-.G o% Ma/ati .it$'
On )5 October )00), t!e ,-. rendered a Decision in %a"or o% t!e 8!ilippine Airlines'
H#ait Air#a$s %iled to t!e 4preme .ort 8etition %or ,e"ie#'
2sse
3!et!er t!e e:ection o% t!e .MI bet#een t!e 8!ilippines and H#ait go"ernment cold !a"e
atomaticall$ terminated t!e .ommercial Agreement, as #ell as t!e (oint 4er"ice Agreement
bet#een 8!ilippine Airlines and H#ait Air#a$s'
1eld
3e, as magistrates in a %nctioning democratic 4tate #it! a %ll$ %les!ed Bill o% ,ig!ts and a
.onstittion t!at emp!aticall$ re+ects Nl&etat cest moiN as t!e go"erning p!ilosop!$, t!in/ not'
-!ere is not!ing to pre"ent t!e 8!ilippine go"ernment %rom tili>ing all t!e proper c!annels
nder la# to en%orce sc! closre, bt nless and ntil de process is obser"ed, it does not
!a"e legal e%%ect in t!is +risdiction' A"en granting t!at t!e NagreementN bet#een t!e t#o
go"ernments or t!eir representati"es creates a binding obligation nder international la#, it
remains incmbent %or eac! contracting part$ to ad!ere to its o#n internal la# in t!e process o%
compl$ing #it! its obligations'
-!e promises made b$ a 8!ilippine president or !is alter egos to a %oreign monarc! are not
transbstantiated b$ di"ine rig!t so as to ipso %acto render legal rig!ts o% pri"ate persons
ob"iated' 1ad 8!ilippine Airlines remained a go"ernment<o#ned or controlled corporation, it
#old !a"e been bond, as part o% t!e e:ecti"e branc!, to compl$ #it! t!e dictates o% t!e
8resident or !is alter egos since t!e 8resident !as e:ecti"e control and sper"ision o"er t!e
components o% t!e e:ecti"e branc!' Let 8!ilippine Airlines !as become, b$ t!is time, a pri"ate
corporation K one t!at ma$ !a"e labored nder t!e conditions o% its legislati"e %ranc!ise t!at
allo#ed it to condct air ser"ices, bt pri"ate in c!aracter nonet!eless' -!e 8resident or !is alter
egos do not !a"e t!e legal capacit$ to dictate insperable commands to pri"ate persons' And
t!at ndesirable trait #old be re%ted on t!e 8resident !ad petitioner&s position pre"ailed, since
it is imbed #it! t!e presmption t!at t!e commitment made to a %oreign go"ernment becomes
operati"e #it!ot compl$ing #it! t!e internal processes %or t!e di"estitre o% pri"ate rig!ts'
78
R;=;$ vs. NA<-8NA7 (89$-NG A9<(8R-<=
G.R. No. 1)6511
.an/ar! 2, 23
Puno, J.:
Facts
,espondent 6ational 1osing At!orit$ F61AG %iled complaints %or t!e e:propriation o% sgarcane
lands belonging to t!e petitioners' -!e stated pblic prpose o% t!e e:propriation #as t!e e:pansion
o% t!e DasmariOas ,esettlement 8ro+ect to accommodate t!e sqatters #!o #ere relocated %rom t!e
Metropolitan Manila area' -!e trial cort rendered +dgment ordering t!e e:propriation o% t!ese lots
and t!e pa$ment o% +st compensation' -!e 4preme .ort a%%irmed t!e +dgment o% t!e lo#er cort'
A %e# $ears later, petitioners contended t!at respondent 61A "iolated t!e stated pblic prpose %or
t!e e:pansion o% t!e DasmariOas ,esettlement 8ro+ect #!en it %ailed to relocate t!e sqatters %rom
t!e Metro Manila area, as borne ot b$ t!e oclar inspection condcted b$ t!e trial cort #!ic!
s!o#ed t!at most o% t!e e:propriated properties remain noccpied' 8etitioners li/e#ise qestion
t!e pblic natre o% t!e se b$ respondent 61A #!en it entered into a contract %or t!e constrction
o% lo# cost !osing nits, #!ic! is allegedl$ di%%erent %rom t!e stated pblic prpose in t!e
e:propriation proceedings' 1ence, it is claimed t!at respondent 61A !as %or%eited its rig!ts and
interests b$ "irte o% t!e e:propriation +dgment and t!e e:propriated properties s!old no# be
retrned to !erein petitioners'
2sse
3!et!er or not t!e +dgment o% e:propriation #as %or%eited in t!e lig!t o% t!e %ailre o% respondent
61A to se t!e e:propriated propert$ %or t!e intended prpose bt %or a totall$ di%%erent prpose'
,ling
-!e 4preme .ort !eld in %a"or o% t!e respondent 61A' Accordingl$, petitioners cannot insist on a
restricti"e "ie# o% t!e eminent domain pro"ision o% t!e .onstittion b$ contending t!at t!e contract
%or lo# cost !osing is a de"iation %rom t!e stated pblic se' 2t is no# settled doctrine t!at t!e
concept o% pblic se is no longer limited to traditional prposes' -!e term Npblic seN !as no#
been !eld to be s$non$mos #it! Npblic interest,N Npblic bene%it,N Npblic #el%are,N and Npblic
con"enience'N -!s, #!ate"er ma$ be bene%iciall$ emplo$ed %or t!e general #el%are satis%ies t!e
reqirement o% pblic se'N
2n addition, t!e e:propriation o% pri"ate land %or slm clearance and rban de"elopment is %or a
pblic prpose e"en i% t!e de"eloped area is later sold to pri"ate !omeo#ners, commercials %irms,
entertainment and ser"ice companies, and ot!er pri"ate concerns' Moreo"er, t!e .onstittion itsel%
allo#s t!e 4tate to nderta/e, %or t!e common good and in cooperation #it! t!e pri"ate sector, a
contining program o% rban land re%orm and !osing #!ic! #ill ma/e at a%%ordable cost decent
!osing and basic ser"ices to nderpri"ileged and !omeless citi>ens in rban centers and
79
resettlement areas' -!e e:propriation o% pri"ate propert$ %or t!e prpose o% sociali>ed !osing %or
t!e marginali>ed sector is in %rt!erance o% social +stice'
,eo%le vs. >/ela
GR No. 112177
.an/ar! 2#, 2
Pardo, J.:
Facts
-!e case is an appeal o% accsed Ma:imo Velarde $ de los ,e$es, 6elson ?arcia $ -emporas
and -ito Jela $ Morandarte %rom t!e decision o% t!e ,-., .amarines 4r, @ibmanan, Br' );,
%inding t!em gilt$ be$ond reasonable dobt o% robber$ #it! !omicide'
-!e accsed<appellants interposed common de%enses: denial and t!at t!e$ #ere tortred and
%orced to ma/e a con%ession' Moreo"er, -ito and 6elson claimed t!e$ #ere not assisted b$
consel #!en t!eir con%essions #ere ta/en'
2sseBs
3!et!er or not t!e trial cort "iolated t!e constittional rig!ts o% t!e accsed<appellants in
rel$ing on t!eir e:tra<+dicial con%ession'
,ling
-!e rig!t to consel attac!es t!e moment an in"estigating o%%icer starts to as/ qestions to elicit
in%ormation on t!e crime %rom t!e sspected o%%ender'
-!ere #as no e"idence t!at Ma:imo e:ected a #ai"er o% !is rig!t to consel' 2n lig!t o% t!ese
%acts, t!e cort #as constrained to rle t!at Ma:imo&s e:tra<+dicial statement is inadmissible in
e"idence' An nconselled e:tra<+dicial con%ession #it!ot a "alid #ai"er o% t!e rig!t to consel
K t!at is, in #riting and in t!e presence o% consel K is inadmissible in e"idence' .ontrar$ to t!e
rling o% t!e trial cort, t!e de%ect in t!e con%essions o% -ito and 6elson #as not cred b$ t!eir
signing t!e e:tra<+dicial statements be%ore (dge Bagalacsa' 6e"ert!eless, t!e in%irmit$ o%
accsed<appellants& s#orn statements did not lea"e a "oid in t!e prosection&s case' Accsed<
appellant Ma:imo repeated t!e contents o% !is s#orn statement to ,omalda Algarin #!o, in
trn, related t!ese in cort' 4c! declaration to a pri"ate person is admissible in e"idence
against accsed<appellant Ma:imo prsant to ,le 130, 4ection )* o% t!e ,les o% .ort
stating t!at t!e 7act, declaration or omission o% a part$ as to a rele"ant %act ma$ be gi"en in
e"idence against !im'9 -!e trial cort, t!ere%ore, correctl$ ga"e e"identiar$ "ale to ,omalda&s
testimon$'
.onstittional procedres on cstodial in"estigation do not appl$ to a spontaneos statement,
not elicited t!rog! qestioning b$ t!e at!orities, bt gi"en in an ordinar$ manner #!ereb$
appellant orall$ admitted !a"ing committed t!e crime'
80
-!e .ort a%%irmed #it! modi%ication t!e decision o% t!e trial cort'
,eo%le V R/'ino Miran6illa Ber"as
G.R. No. 12)2
A%ril 21, 1999
'itug, J.:
Facts
.omplainant Manela Bermas, 15 $ears old, #as raped b$ !er o#n %at!er, appellant ,%ino
Bermas, #!ile s!e #as l$ing do#n on a #ooden bed inside t!eir !ose in 8araOaqe, Metro
Manila' Armed #it! a /ni%e and b$ means o% %orce, did t!en and t!ere #ill%ll$, nla#%ll$ and
%eloniosl$ !a"e carnal /no#ledge o% t!e complainant against !er #ill' A%ter satis%$ing !is lst%l
desire, !e t!reatened t!e "ictim #it! deat! i% s!e reports t!e incident to an$one' -!erea%ter, t!e
complainant assisted b$ !er mot!er, %iled a complaint against ,%ino Mirandilla Bermas o% t!e
crime o% ,ape be%ore t!e ,-. o% 8araOaqe' Accsed, ,%ino Mirandilla Bermas pleaded not
gilt$' -!e accsed "e!ementl$ denied t!e allegation and told t!e .ort t!at !e cold not do
sc! a t!ing becase !e lo"es !is dag!ter and !is ot!er c!ildren so mc!' 2n %act, !e said t!at
!e e"en per%ormed bot! t!e role o% a %at!er and a mot!er to !is c!ildren since !is separation
%rom !is #i%e' -!e accsed %rt!er told t!e .ort t!at in c!arging !im o% t!e crime o% rape, t!e
complainant mig!t !a"e been moti"ated b$ ill<#ill or re"enge in "ie# o% t!e nmeros scolding
t!at s!e !as recei"ed %rom !im on accont o% !er %reqent coming !ome late at nig!t and t!at
!e /ne# o% no ot!er reason as to #!$ !is dag!ter #old e"er c!arge !im o% sc! crime e:cept
%or retaliation' Despite t!e antecedent contentions o% t!e accsed, t!e trial cort con"icted t!e
accsed gilt$ be$ond reasonable dobt o% t!e o%%ense c!arged and sentencing !im to s%%er
t!e e:treme penalt$ o% deat!' 1ence, t!e instant appeal'
2sse
3!et!er or not t!e accsed #as denied !is constittional rig!t to eqal protection o% t!e la# and
to e%%ecti"e and "igilant consel'

,ling
Les, t!e accsed #as denied !is constittional rig!t to eqal protection o% t!e la# and to
e%%ecti"e and "igilant consel' 2t is #ort!$ o% note t!at in con"icting an accsed, it is not enog!
t!at proo% be$ond reasonable dobt !as been addcedE it is also essential t!at t!e accsed !as
been dl$ a%%orded !is %ndamental rig!ts' At t!e inception, t!e ,-. did not obser"e t!e correct
selection process in appointing t!e accsed consel de o%%icio and did not scrtini>e #it!
e:treme cation t!e 8rosection&s A"idence, Misappreciated t!e Facts and t!ere%ore erred in
%inding t!e accsed gilt$ o% rape be$ond reasonable dobt' -!e de%ense la#$ers did not
protect, mc! less p!old, t!e %ndamental rig!ts o% t!e accsed' 2nstead, t!e$ !ap!a>ardl$
per%ormed t!eir %nction as consel de o%icio to t!e detriment and pre+dice o% t!e accsed
4e"illeno, !o#e"er gilt$, !e mig!t !a"e been %ond to be a%ter trial' 2ne"itabl$, t!is .ort mst
ad"ise said la#$ers to ad!ere closel$ and %ait!%ll$ to t!e tenets esposed in t!e .ode o%
8ro%essional ,esponsibilit$, ot!er#ise, commission o% an$ similar act in t!e %tre #ill be
81
se"erel$ sanctioned' @i/e#ise, t!e 4econd Assistant 8rosector issed a certi%ication to t!e
e%%ect t!at t!e accsed !ad #ai"ed !is rig!t to a preliminar$ in"estigation' On t!e da$ o% !is
arraignment, t!e accsed #as brog!t be%ore t!e trial cort #it!ot consel' -!e cort
t!erepon assigned a la#$er %rom t!e 8blic Attorne$&s O%%ice to be t!e consel de o%icio' -!e
prosection placed complainant Manela Bermas at t!e #itness stand' -!e consel de o%icio
testi%ied on direct e:amination #it! !ardl$ an$ participation b$ de%ense consel #!o,
ine:plicabl$, later #ai"ed t!e cross<e:amination and t!en as/ed t!e cort to be relie"ed o% !er
dt$ as consel de o%%icio' Frt!ermore, anot!er la#$er #as appointed t!e ne# consel de
o%%icio and as/ed %or a ten<minte recess be%ore !e began !is cross<e:amination #!ic! is %ar too
inadeqate' On t!e da$ t!e de%ense #ill present t!eir e"idence, anot!er la#$er, #as appointed
as consel de o%%icio' -!ere%ore, t!e accsed !as not properl$ and e%%ecti"el$ been accorded
t!e rig!t to consel' .on+ncti"el$, la#$ers o% t!e 8AO are ADMO6241AD %or !a"ing %allen
mc! too s!ort o% t!eir responsibilit$ as o%%icers o% t!e .ort and as members o% t!e Bar and are
3A,6AD t!at an$ similar in%raction s!all be dealt #it! most se"erel$' All told, t!e 4preme
.ort, a%ter a painsta/ing re"ie# o% t!e records, %inds merit in t!e appeal enog! to #arrant a
remand o% t!e case %or ne# trial'
82
,eo%le vs. </lin
G.R.No.11179
A/g/st 3, 21
Melo, J.:
Facts
On or abot and dring t!e period %rom Marc! ) to April 10, 1991, bot! dates inclsi"e, and %or
sometime prior and sbseqent t!ereto, t!e said accsed, t!en manning a motor lanc! and
armed #it! !ig! po#ered gns, conspiring and con%ederating toget!er and mtall$ !elping one
anot!er, did t!en and t!ere, #ill%ll$, nla#%ll$ and %eloniosl$ %ire pon, board and sei>e #!ile
in t!e 8!ilippine #aters MB- 86O. -ABA6?.O loaded #it! petrolem prodcts, toget!er #it!
t!e complement and cre# members, emplo$ing "iolence against or intimidation o% persons or
%orce pon t!ings, t!en direct t!e "essel to proceed to 4ingapore #!ere t!e cargoes #ere
nloaded and t!erea%ter retrned to t!e 8!ilippines on April 10, 1991, in "iolation o% t!e
a%oresaid la#'
On April 1), 1991, t!e .!ie% Angineer, accompanied b$ t!e members o% t!e cre#, called t!e
86O. 4!ipping and -ransport .orporation o%%ice to report t!e incident' -!e cre# members
#ere brog!t to t!e .oast ?ard O%%ice %or in"estigation and sbseqentl$ to t!e 6ational
Brea o% 2n"estigation' Accordingl$, a series o% arrests #as t!erea%ter e%%ected'
-!e trial cort %inds t!e accsed ,oger -lin, Virgilio @o$ola, Andres 2n%ante, (r' and .ecilio
.!angco gilt$ be$ond reasonable dobt, as principals, o% t!e crime o% pirac$ in 8!ilippine
3aters and t!e accsed .!eong 4an 1iong, as accomplice to said crime' Inder 4ection 3FaG o%
t!e said la#, t!e penalt$ %or t!e principals o% said crime is mandator$ deat!' 1o#e"er,
considering t!at, nder t!e 1950 .onstittion, t!e .ort cannot impose t!e deat! penalt$, t!e
accsed ,oger -lin, Virgilio @o$ola, Andres 2n%ante, Dr', and .ecilio .!angco are eac! meted
t!e penalt$ o% ,A.@I42O6 8A,8A-IA, #it! all t!e accessor$ penalties o% t!e la#' -!e
accsed .!eong 4an 1iong is meted t!e penalt$ o% ,A.@I42O6 8A,8A-IA, prsant to
Article 5) o% t!e ,e"ised 8enal .ode in relation to 4ection 5 o% 8D 53)' A%ter t!e accsed
.!eong 4an 1iong !as ser"ed !is sentence, !e s!all be deported to 4ingapore'
2n t!is regard, t!e matter #as t!en ele"ated to t!e 4preme .ort'
2sses
1' 3!et!er or not t!e accsed<appellants committed t!e crime o% qali%ied pirac$P
)' 3!et!er or not accsed<appellant .!eong be con"icted as accomplice #!en !e #as not
c!arged as sc!P
3' 3!at are t!e legal e%%ects and implications o% t!e %act t!at a non<la#$er represented
accsed<appellants dring t!e trialP
,ling
-!e 4preme .ort p!old t!e trial cortQs %inding o% conspirac$' A conspirac$ e:ists #!en t#o
or more persons come to an agreement concerning t!e commission o% a %elon$ and decide to
commit it FArticle 5, ,e"ised 8enal .odeG' -o be a conspirator, one need not participate in
83
e"er$ detail o% e:ectionE !e need not e"en ta/e part in e"er$ act or need not e"en /no# t!e
e:act part to be per%ormed b$ t!e ot!ers in t!e e:ection o% t!e conspirac$' As noted b$ t!e
trial cort, t!ere are times #!en conspirators are assigned separate and di%%erent tas/s #!ic!
ma$ appear nrelated to one anot!er, bt in %act, constitte a #!ole and collecti"e e%%ort to
ac!ie"e a common criminal design'
Ipon t!e ot!er !and, as regards t!e second isse, 4ection ; o% 8residential Decree 6o' 53)
e:plicitl$ pro"ides t!at:
4A.' ;' Aiding pirates or !ig!#a$ robbersBbrigands or abetting pirac$ or !ig!#a$
robber$ brigandage' <An$ person #!o /no#ingl$ and in an$ manner aids or
protects pirates or !ig!#a$ robbersBbrigands, sc! as gi"ing t!em in%ormation
abot t!e mo"ement o% police or ot!er peace o%%icers o% t!e go"ernment, or
acqires or recei"es propert$ ta/en b$ sc! pirates or brigands or in an$ manner
deri"es an$ bene%it t!ere %romE or an$ person #!o directl$ or indirectl$ abets t!e
commission o% pirac$ or !ig!#a$ robber$ or brigandage, s!all be considered as
an accomplice o% t!e principal o%%icers and be pnis!ed in accordance #it! ,les
prescribed b$ t!e ,e"ised 8enal .ode'
2t s!all be presmed t!at an$ person #!o does an$ o% t!e acts pro"ided in t!is 4ection !as
per%ormed t!em /no#ingl$, nless t!e contrar$ is pro"en'
-!e rling o% t!e trial cort is #it!in #ell<settle +risprdence t!at i% t!ere is lac/ o% complete
e"idence o% conspirac$, t!e liabilit$ is t!at o% an accomplice and not as principal' An$ dobt as
to t!e participation o% an indi"idal in t!e commission o% t!e crime is al#a$s resol"ed in %a"or o%
lesser responsibilit$'
2t is ampl$ s!o#n t!at t!e rig!ts o% accsed<appellants #ere s%%icientl$ and properl$ protected
b$ t!e appearance o% Mr' -omas 8osadas' An e:amination o% t!e record #ill s!o# t!at !e /ne#
t!e tec!nical rles o% procedre' 1ence, #e rle t!at t!ere #as a "alid #ai"er o% t!e rig!t to
s%%icient representation dring t!e trial, considering t!at it #as neqi"ocall$, /no#ingl$, and
intelligentl$ made and #it! t!e %ll assistance o% a bona %ide la#$er, Att$' Abdl Basar'
Accordingl$, denial o% de process cannot be sccess%ll$ in"o/ed #!ere a "alid #ai"er o% rig!ts
!as been made' 4alientl$, Article 222 o% t!e .onstittion reads:
4A.' 1)' F1G An$ person nder in"estigation %or t!e commission o% an o%%ense
s!all !a"e t!e rig!t to be in%ormed o% !is rig!t to remain silent and to !a"e
competent and independent consel pre%erabl$ o% !is o#n c!oice' 2% t!e person
cannot a%%ord t!e ser"ices o% consel, !e mst be pro"ided #it! one' -!ese rig!ts
cannot be #ai"ed e:cept in #riting and in t!e presence o% consel'
<eves v $an6igan&a!an
GR.No.15)1#2
84
Dece"&er 17, 2)
$avide, Jr., CJ:
Facts
Adgar L' -e"es, %ormer ma$or o% Valencia 6egros Oriental, and !is #i%e -eresita J' -e"es #as
con"icted in "iolation o% 4ec'3 F!G o% Anti<?ra%t @a# %or possessing direct pecniar$ interest in
t!e Valencia .oc/pit and ,ecreation .enter' 8etitioner %iled a petition see/ing to annl and set
aside t!is decision' -!e$ contend t!at t!eir rig!t to be in%ormed o% t!e natre and case o% t!e
accsation against t!em #ere transgressed becase Ma$or -e"es #as initiall$ c!arged %or
alleged nla#%l inter"ention in t!e issance o% a coc/pit license in "iolation o% Anti<?ra%t @a#
bt t!e$ #ere con"icted o% !a"ing direct %inancial or pecniar$ interest in t!e coc/pit pro!ibited
nder t!e @ocal ?o"ernment .ode o% 1991 #!ic! is essentiall$ di%%erent %rom #!ic! t!e$ are
c!arged'
2sse
3!et!er or not petitioners #as denied o% t!eir rig!t to be in%ormed o% t!e natre and case o%
t!e accsation against t!em
,ling
2t is clear t!at t!e essential ingredients o% t!e o%%ense pro"ed constitte or %orms part o% t!ose
constitting t!e o%%ense c!arged' -!e %irst and second elements o% t!e o%%ense c!arged, as
alleged in t!e in%ormation, constitte t!e o%%ense pro"ed' 1ence, t!e o%%ense pro"ed is
necessaril$ inclded in t!e o%%ense c!arged, or t!e o%%ense c!arged is necessaril$ incldes t!e
o%%ense pro"ed' -!e "ariance doctrine t!s %inds application to t!is case, t!ereb$ #arranting t!e
con"iction o% petitioner Adgar -e"es %or t!e o%%ense pro"ed'
;stra6a vs. ,eo%le
G.R. No. 162371
A/g/st 25, 25
85
Austria-Martinez, J.:
Facts
-!e petitioner, Mar$ 1elen Astrada as/ a petition %or re"ie# on certiorari see/ing t!e re"ersal o% t!e
Decision o% t!e .ort o% Appeals F.AG promlgated on October )5, )003 and t!e .A ,esoltion
dated Febrar$ )3, )00; and den$ing t!e petitioner&s motion %or reconsideration #it! t!e letter o%
t!e petitioner dated (anar$ 15, )005 #!ic! #as ta/ing care b$ t!e .ort as a petition %or !abeas
corps alleging t!at t!e Decision dated (l$ ), 1990 o% t!e ,egional -rial .ort o% @as 8iOas, Branc!
)05, implemented pon t!e petitioner an erroneos and e:cessi"e penalt$'
2n a petition %or certiorari andBor -anda-us %iled #it! t!e .A, petitioner assailed t!e decision o% t!e
,-., alleging t!e same to be nll and "oid %or !a"ing been rendered in "iolation o% petitioner&s
constittional rig!ts'
8etitioner&s appeal #as denied de corse b$ t!e trial cort in its Order dated April 5, )000 %or
!a"ing been %iled be$ond t!e reglementar$ period' 4!e t!en %iled t!e a%orementioned petition
%or certiorari andBor -anda-us #it! t!e .A, alleging t!at: t!e ,-. +dge "iolated petitioner&s
constittional rig!t to de process b$ depri"ing petitioner o% t!e rig!t to be assisted b$ consel dring
t!e proceedings and %ailing to noti%$ petitioner o% t!e sc!edled presentation o% de%ense e"idenceE
t!e ,-. +dge imposed pon petitioner a penalt$ #!ic! #as not at!ori>ed nder t!e la# %or #!ic!
petitioner !ad been c!argedE t!e ,-. +dge acted #it! gra"e abse o% discretion amonting to lac/
or e:cess o% +risdiction #!en !e denied petitioner&s motion %or reconsideration o% t!e decision andBor
motion %or ne# trialE neit!er petitioner nor !er consel !as o%%iciall$ recei"ed a cop$ o% t!e ,-.
decision, !ence, t!e same !as not $et become %inal and e:ector$ at t!e time petitioner %iled !er
motion %or reconsideration andBor ne# trialE t!e ,-. +dge acted #it! gra"e abse o% discretion
amonting to lac/ or e:cess o% +risdiction #!en !e denied de corse to petitioner&s appeal
becase petitioner %iled !er notice o% appeal #ell #it!in t!e %i%teen<da$ period #it!in #!ic! to appeal,
t!s, it #as t!e mandator$ dt$ o% t!e ,-. +dge to appro"e t!e notice o% appeal'
On October )5, )003, t!e .A promlgated its decision den$ing t!e petition %or certiorari' -!e .A
!eld t!at t!ere #as no gra"e abse o% discretion committed b$ t!e ,-. +dge as !is actions #ere
anc!ored on 4ection 1; F)G, Article 222 o% t!e 1950 .onstittion #!ic! states t!at 7a%ter arraignment,
trial ma$ proceed not#it!standing t!e absence o% t!e accsed pro"ided t!at !e !as been dl$
noti%ied and !is %ailre to appear is n+sti%iable,9 and on 4ection 1FcG, ,le 115 o% t!e ,les o% .ort
#!ic! pro"ides t!at 7CtD!e absence o% t!e accsed #it!ot +sti%iable case at t!e trial o% #!ic! !e
!ad notice s!all be considered a #ai"er o% !is rig!t to be present t!ereat'9 -!e .A %rt!er !eld t!at
7CtD!e depri"ation o% !er rig!t to present e"idence in !er de%ense s!all be deemed to inclde t!e non<
admission o% t!e testimonies o% t!e ot!er #itnesses ot!er t!an t!e petitioner !ersel%' -!is mst be
so becase t!e depri"ation o% !er opportnit$ to present e"idence de to nreasonable absences on
t!e sc!edled !earings is primaril$ intended to sa%egard t!e orderl$ administration o% +stice'9 -!s,
t!e .A conclded t!at t!e trial cort&s action #as #ell #it!in its +risdiction'
2n !er motion %or reconsideration o% t!e .A Decision, petitioner called t!e .A&s attention to t!is %act,
and also pointed ot t!at alt!og! petitioner, b$ %ailing to appear at se"eral trial dates, ma$ be
deemed to !a"e #ai"ed !er rig!t to be present dring t!e proceedingsE sc! #ai"er does not inclde
a #ai"er o% !er rig!t to present e"idence' On Febrar$ )3, )00;, t!e .A issed a resoltion den$ing
t!e motion %or reconsideration %or lac/ o% merit'
1ence, petitioner %iled t!e present petition %or re"ie# on certiorari'
86
8etitioner alleges t!at t!e .A erred in deciding t!e case in a #a$ not in accord #it! la# or
+risprdence and departed %rom t!e sal corse o% +dicial proceedings' 2n spport o% said
allegations, petitioner reiterated !er argments t!at t!e trial cort denied !er t!e constittional rig!t
to be !eard and to be assisted b$ consel b$ %ailing to %rnis! !er consel copies o% t!e order setting
t!e date %or reception o% de%ense e"idence on Ma$ 1;, 1990, and t!e order considering petitioner to
!a"e #ai"ed !er rig!t to present e"idence in !er de%enseE t!at t!e decision o% t!e trial cort #as nll
and "oid %or imposing a penalt$ not at!ori>ed b$ la#E t!at inasmc! as t!e decision #as nll and
"oid, t!e trial cort acted #it! gra"e abse o% discretion in den$ing petitioner&s motion %or
reconsideration andBor ne# trial on t!e grond t!at t!e assailed decision !ad become %inalE and t!at
t!e .A tterl$ %ailed to resol"e petitioner&s sbmission t!at t!e trial cort&s decision #as nll and "oid
b$ "irte o% t!e e:cessi"e penalt$ imposed'
2sse
3!et!er or not t!e De process is satis%ied #!en t!e parties are a%%orded a %air and reasonable
opportnit$ to e:plain t!eir respecti"e sides o% t!e contro"ers$'
3!et!er or not t!e petition %or !abeas corps is "alid'
1eld
-!e prsant to t!e last sentence o% paragrap! F)G, 4ection 1;, Article 222 o% t!e .onstittion, trial
against t!em s!old contine and pon its termination, +dgment s!old be rendered against t!em
not#it!standing t!eir absence nless, o% corse, bot! accsed !a"e died and t!e %act o% sc! deat!
is s%%icientl$ establis!ed' 2n t!e present case, petitioner #as a%%orded sc! opportnit$' -!e trial
cort set a !earing on Ma$ 1;, 1990 %or reception o% de%ense e"idence, notice o% #!ic! #as dl$
sent to t!e addresses on record o% petitioner and !er consel, respecti"el$' 3!en t!e$ %ailed to
appear at t!e Ma$ 1;, 1990 !earing, t!e$ later alleged t!at t!e$ #ere not noti%ied o% said setting'
8etitioner&s consel ne"er noti%ied t!e cort o% an$ c!ange in !er address, #!ile petitioner ga"e a
#rong address %rom t!e "er$ beginning, e"entall$ +mped bail and e"aded cort processes' .learl$,
t!ere%ore, petitioner and !er consel #ere gi"en all t!e opportnities to be !eard' -!e$ cannot no#
complain o% alleged "iolation o% petitioner&s rig!t to de process #!en it #as b$ t!eir o#n %alt t!at
t!e$ lost t!e opportnit$ to present e"idence'
-!e .ort li/e#ise p!olds t!e "alidit$ o% t!e promlgation in absentia o% t!e ,-. +dgment and t!e
,-.&s Order dated April 5, )000, den$ing de corse to petitioner&s notice o% appeal %or being %iled
be$ond t!e reglementar$ period' 4ection *, ,le 1)0 o% t!e 1955 ,les on .riminal 8rocedre, t!e
,le applicable in t!is case since promlgation #as !eld be%ore t!e e%%ecti"it$ o% -!e ,e"ised ,les
o% .riminal 8rocedre'
-!e letterBpetition %or ,abeas cor+us is DA62AD' -!e petition %or re"ie# on certiorari is 8A,-@L
?,A6-AD'
MAR<- N;> V. M;ND8>A
G.R. No. 153795
Panganiban, CJ.:
87
4mmar$
A participant in t!e 6ida Blanca mrder case #as allegedl$ abdcted and #as l ast seen b$
8!i l ip Medel at t!e .2D? in .amp .rame' As t!e al leged mastermind Martine> !as
been missing, !is %amil$ %iled a petition %or #rit o% !abeas corps against .2D? and 868
o%%icers' .ort !eld t!at %or t!e petition to be granted, t!e petitioner mst establi s!
b$ competent and con"inci ng e"i dence t!at t!e missing person, on #!ose be!al% t!e
8etition #as %iled, is nder t!e cstod$ o% t!e respondents' As t!e petitioners !ere merel$ relied
on t!e statements o% 8!ilip Medel, #!o t!e cort %ond dobt%l, t!e .ort denied t!e
petition '3!en respondents den$ cstod$ o% an allegedl$ detained person, petitioners !a"e t!e
dt$ o% establis!ing t!e %act o% detention b$ competent and con"incing e"idenceE ot!er#ise, t!e
#rit o% !abeas corps cannot be issed' 6onet!eless, #!en t!e disappearance o% a person is
indbitable, t!e la# en%orcement at!orities are dt$<bond to in"estigate it #it! de diligence
and to locate t!e missing person '3!en t!e #rongdoing is attribtable to t!e police agencies
andBor t!eir agents, t!e aggrie"ed ma$ secre t!e assistance o% t!e 8eople&s @a# An%orcement
Board or t!e .ommission on 1man ,ig!ts'

Facts
<M2.1AA@ MA,-26AJ, a resi dent o% 4n Val le$, 8aranaqe, #as reported to be
abdcted #!i l e on !is #a$ to !i s mot!er& s !ose nearb$' -!e said abdcti ng #as
reported to t!e at!orities<in t!e e"ening #!en MA,-26AJ #as abdcted, t!e .2D?
presented be%ore t!e media 812@28 MADA@, (,' #!o all egedl $ named MA,-26AJ
as t!e person #!o introdced !im to ,OD @AI,A6 4-,I6H, t!e !sband o% 6ida Blanca
#!o #as also t!e alleged mastermind in !er /illing' 812@28 MADA@ narrated t!at !e sa$
MA,-26AJ at t!e .2D? at .amp .rame'<812@28 MADA@ reiterated t!at !e sa# MA,-26AJ to
t!e brot!er o% MA,-26AJ, e"en describing t!e clot!es MA,-26AJ #as #earing #!en !e #as
abdcted'<t!e Martine> %amil$ pra$ed %or t!e release o% MA,-26AJ, or t!at t!e$ be allo#ed to
see !im, bt .2D? did not grant t!eir reqest<so Martine> %amil$ %iled a petition %or !abeas
corps "s' 868 and .2D? o%%icials to prodce MA,-26AJ or to +sti%$ t!e contined detention o%
!is libert$'<,-. set petition %or !earing, directed respondents to s!o# case #!$ #rit s!old not
isse<
,A-I,6:R deni ed an$ par t i ci pat i on or i n"ol "ement i n t !e al l eged abdct i on
or disappearance o% Martine>R Martine> #as ne"er con%ined or detained b$ t!em or in t!eir
cstod$<1AA,26?: same stand o% respondents' 8etitioners presented 8!ilip Medel: said t!at
t!e e"en sa# A4826A Fone o% t!e de%endantsG bo:ed Martine> in t!e stomac! ,-.: granted t!e
petition .A: re"ersed ,-.
1' Medel&s credibilit$ #as !ig!l$ sspect: contradicted !imsel% as to material %acts
)' Aspina&s positi"e testimon$ t!at !e #as at !ome at t!e time #!en !e allegedl$ bo:ed
Martine> #as ne"er negated'
3' 8resmption o% reglarit$ in t!e per%ormance o% t!eir o%%icial dties'
;' .2D? #as eqall$ concerned #it! t!e sa%et$ o% MA,-26AJ #!o is a "ital #itness to t!e case'

2sse
88
3as t!e denial o% t!e 8etition properP
,ling
Les, t!e petitioner mst present and establis!ed a competent and con"incing e"idence t!at t!e
missing person, on #!ose be!al% i% t!e petition is %iled is nder o% t!e respondent' -!e e"idence
is ins%%icient to con"ince t!e .ort t!at Mic!ael Martine> is in t!e respondents& cstod$'
-!ere%ore t!e 8etition is D#0%#D, and t!e assailed Decision and ,esoltion o% t!e .ort o%
Appeals are AFF%$"#D' 6o costs in t!is instance'
-n re -lagan v ;nrile
G.R. No.77)#
8cto&er 21, 19#5
Melencio-5errera. J.:
89
Facts
A petition %or 1abeas .orps #as %iled b$ t!e 2ntegrated Bar o% t!e 8!ilippines and Free @egal
Assistance ?rop on be!al% o% Attorne$s @arente 2lagan, Antonio Arellano, and Marcos
,isonar'
-!e t!ree la#$ers #ere arrested and detained in .amp .atitipan solel$ on t!e basis o% a
Mission Order signed b$ ?en' Ac!a"arria, ,egional Ini%ied .ommander o% t!e Ministr$ o%
6ational De%ense' -!e petition #as t!en %iled on t!e grond t!at t!e arrests #ere illegal and
"iolati"e o% t!e .onstittion, becase arrest cannot be made on t!e basis o% Mission Orders and
t!ere appears to be a militar$ campaign to !arass la#$ers #!o are in"ol"ed in national secrit$
cases'
-!e respondents contended t!at t!e attorne$s #ere arrested on t!e basis o% a Decree issed b$
t!e 8resident' ,espondents %rt!er allege t!at t!e detained attorne$s pla$ed acti"e roles in
organi>ing mass actions o% t!e .ommnist 8art$ o% t!e 8!ilippines and t!e 6ational Democratic
Front'
-!e cort resol"ed to order t!e temporar$ release o% t!e detained attorne$s on t!e
recogni>ance o% t!e principal consel o% petitioners, namel$ retired .!ie% (stice .oncepcion
and retired Associate (stice ('B'@ ,e$es' 1o#e"er, despite t!e Order o% t!e .ort, t!e
detained attorne$s #ere not released' ,espondents %iled an Irgent Motion %or ,econsideration
stating t!at t!e sspension o% t!e 3rit o% 1abeas .orps !as t!e e%%ect o% osting t!e .ort o%
its +risdiction to !ear t!e case'
Frt!ermore, t!e respondents allege t!at in%ormation %or ,ebellion #as %iled against t!e
detained attorne$s #ere not gi"en t!e bene%it o% preliminar$ in"estigation, and t!at t!e$ #ere
denied t!e constittional rig!t to de process'

2sse
3!et!er or not t!e sbseqent %iling o% in%ormation is a bar to a petition %or 1abeas .orps'

,ling
.ase #as dismissed %or !a"ing become moot and academic' 8etitioners #ere detained b$
"irte o% a 3arrant o% Arrest issed b$ t!e ,egional -rial .ort o% Da"ao .it$ in relation to t!e
criminal case %or ,ebellion %iled against t!em be%ore said .ort'
Ra0on v. <agitis
G.R. No. 1#2)9#
Dece"&er 3, 29
Brion, J.:
90
8arties
8A-2-2O6A,4: ?A6' AVA@26O 2' ,AJO6, (,', .!ie%, 8!ilippine 6ational 8olice F868GE
8olice .!ie% 4perintendent ,AI@ .A4-A6YADA, .!ie%, .riminal 2n"estigation and
Detection ?rop F.2D?GE 8olice 4enior 4perintendent @AO6A,DO A' A4826A, .!ie%,
8olice Anti<.rime and Amergenc$ ,esponse F8A.A,GE and ?A6' (OA@ ,' ?O@-2AO,
,egional Director o% A,MM, 868
,A48O6DA6-: MA,L (AA6 B' -A?2-24, !erein represented b$ A--L' FA@28A 8'
A,.2@@A, (,', Attorne$<in<Fact
NA<9R;C 8etition %or ,e"ie# on .ertiorari
,R8+;D9RA7 BA+GGR89NDC
+o/rt o' A%%ealsC 8etition %or t!e 3rit o% Amparo
Facts
Angineer Morced 6' -agitis F-agitisG, a consltant %or t!e 3orld Ban/ and t!e 4enior 1onorar$
.onselor %or t!e 2slamic De"elopment Ban/ F2DBG 4c!olars!ip 8rogramme, toget!er #it!
Arsimin Hnnong FHnnongG, an 2DB sc!olar, arri"ed in (olo b$ boat in t!e earl$ morning o%
October 31, )000 %rom a seminar in Jamboanga .it$' -!e$ immediatel$ c!ec/ed<in at A4L
8ension 1ose' -agitis as/ed Hnnong to b$ !im a boat tic/et %or !is retrn trip t!e %ollo#ing
da$ to Jamboanga' 3!en Hnnong retrned %rom t!is errand, -agitis #as no longer arond'
Hnnong loo/ed %or -agitis and e"en sent a te:t message to t!e latter&s Manila<based secretar$,
#!o ad"ised Hnnong to simpl$ #ait %or -agitis& retrn'
On 6o"ember ;, )000, Hnnong and M!ammad Abdlna>eir 6' Matli, a I8 pro%essor o%
Mslim stdies and -agitis& %ello# stdent conselor at t!e 2DB, reported -agitis& disappearance
to t!e (olo 8olice 4tation' More t!an a mont! later, or on December )5, )000, t!e respondent,
Ma$ (ean -agitis, t!rog! !er attorne$<in<%act, %iled a 8etition %or t!e 3rit o% Amparo FpetitionG
directed against @t' ?en' Ale:ander Lano, .ommanding ?eneral, 8!ilippine Arm$E ?en' A"elino
2' ,a>on, .!ie%, 8!ilippine 6ational 8olice F868GE ?en' Adgardo M' Doromal, .!ie%, .riminal
2n"estigation and Detention ?rop F.2D?GE 4r' 4pt' @eonardo A' Aspina, .!ie%, 8olice Anti<
.rime and Amergenc$ ,esponseE ?en' (oel ?oltiao, ,egional Director, A,MM<868E and ?en'
,ben ,a%ael, .!ie%, Anti<-error -as/ Force .omet Fcollecti"el$ re%erred to as 7petitioners9G,
#it! t!e .ort o% Appeals F.AG' On t!e same da$, t!e .A immediatel$ issed t!e 3rit o%
Amparo and set t!e case %or !earing on (anar$ 0, )005'
On Marc! 0, )005, t!e .A issed its decision con%irming t!at t!e disappearance o% -agitis #as
an 7en%orced disappearance9 nder t!e Inited 6ations FI6G Declaration on t!e 8rotection o% All
8ersons %rom An%orced Disappearances' -!e .A rled t!at #!en militar$ intelligence pinpointed
t!e in"estigati"e arm o% t!e 868 F.2D?G to be in"ol"ed in t!e abdction, t!e missing<person
case qali%ied as an en%orced disappearance' 1ence, t!e .A e:tended t!e pri"ilege o% t!e #rit
to -agitis and !is %amil$, and directed t!e petitioners to e:ert e:traordinar$ diligence and e%%orts
to protect t!e li%e, libert$ and secrit$ o% -agitis, #it! t!e obligation to pro"ide mont!l$ reports o%
t!eir actions to t!e .A' At t!e same time, t!e .A dismissed t!e petition against t!e t!en
respondents %rom t!e militar$, @t' ?en Ale:ander Lano and ?en' ,ben ,a%ael, based on t!e
%inding t!at it #as 868<.2D?, not t!e militar$, t!at #as in"ol"ed'
91
On Marc! 31, )005, t!e petitioners mo"ed to reconsider t!e .A decision, bt t!e .A denied t!e
motion in its ,esoltion dated April 9, )005' Aggrie"ed, t!e petitioners %iled a petition %or re"ie#
#it! t!e 4preme .ort'
,;R<-N;N< -$$9;$C
3!et!er or not t!e reqirement t!at t!e pleader mst state t!e ltimate %acts, i'e'
complete in e"er$ detail in stating t!e t!reatened or actal "iolation o% a "ictim&s rig!ts, is
indispensable in an amparo petition'
3!et!er or not t!e presentation o% sbstantial e"idence b$ t!e petitioner to pro"e !er
allegations is s%%icient %or t!e cort to grant t!e pri"ilege o% t!e #rit'
3!et!er or not t!e #rit o% amparo determines gilt nor pinpoint criminal clpabilit$ %or t!e
alleged en%orced disappearance o% t!e sb+ect o% t!e petition %or t!e #rit'
AN$:;R$C
6o' 1o#e"er, it mst contain details a"ailable to t!e petitioner nder t!e circmstances,
#!ile presenting a case o% action s!o#ing a "iolation o% t!e "ictim&s rig!ts to li%e, libert$
and secrit$ t!rog! 4tate or pri"ate part$ action'
Les'
6o'
Re!es v +A
G.R. No. 96)92
Dece"&er 3, 29
Nocon, J.:

92
Facts
8etitioners ,omeo ,e$es, Angel 8ara$ao and Amilio Manang!a$a qestion t!e respondent
.ort&s decision, #!ic! a%%irmed #it! modi%ication t!e agrarian cort&s decision, #!ic! ordered
t!em and t!e ot!er de%endants t!erein to, among ot!ers, restore possession o% t!e dispted
land!olding to pri"ate respondent, A%rocina Vda' dela .r>'
(an Mendo>a, %at!er o% de%endant Ol$mpio, is t!e o#ner o% %arm lots in Ba!a$ 8are, .andaba,
8ampanga' De"oted to t!e prodction o% pala$, t!e lots #ere tenanted and clti"ated b$ no#
deceased (lian dela .r>, !sband o% plainti%% A%rocina dela .r>'
A%rocina alleged t!at !er !sband&s deat!, s!e scceeded !im as bona /ide tenant o% t!e
sb+ect lotsE t!at Ol$mpio, in conspirac$ #it! t!e ot!er de%endants, pre"ented !er dag!ter
Violeta and !er #or/ers t!rog! %orce, intimidation, strateg$ and stealt!, %rom entering and
#or/ing on t!e sb+ect premisesE and t!at ntil t!e %iling o% t!e instant case, de%endants !ad
re%sed to "acate and srrender t!e lots, t!s "iolating !er tenanc$ rig!ts' 8lainti%% t!ere%ore
pra$ed %or +dgment %or t!e reco"er$ o% possession and damages #it! a #rit o% preliminar$
mandator$ in+nction in t!e meantime'
De%endant baranga$ o%%icials denied inter%erence in t!e tenanc$ relations!ip e:isting bet#een
plainti%% and de%endant Mendo>a, particlarl$ in t!e clti"ation o% t!e latter&s %arm lots and as/ed
%or t!e dismissal o% t!e case, moral damages and attorne$&s %ees'
Mendo>a raised abandonment, sblease and mortgage o% t!e %arm lots #it!ot !is consent and
appro"al, and non<pa$ment o% rentals, irrigation %ees and ot!er ta:es de t!e go"ernment, as
!is de%enses'
8etitioners no# bring t!e present 8etition %or ,e"ie# on .ertiorari'

2sse
3B6 t!e cort erred in !olding petitioners
,ling
No. -!e e"idence presented be%ore t!e trial cort and .A ser"ed as basis in arri"ing at t!eir
%indings o% %act' -!e 4preme .ort #ill not anal$>e sc! e"idence all o"er again becase
settled is t!e rle t!at onl$ qestions o% la# ma$ be raised in a petition %or re"ie#
on certiorari nder ,le ;5 o% t!e ,les o% .ort absent t!e e:ceptions #!ic! do not obtain in
t!e instant case'
2n agrarian cases, t!e qantm o% e"idence is no more t!an sbstantial e"idence' 4bstantial
e"idence does not necessaril$ import preponderant e"idence, as is reqired in an ordinaril$ ci"il
case' 2t !as been de%ined to be sc! rele"ant e"idence as a reasonable mind mig!t accept as
adeqate to spport a conclsion and its absence is not s!o#n b$ stressing t!at t!ere is
contrar$ e"idence on record, direct or circmstantial, %or t!e appellate cort cannot sbstitte its
o#n +dgment or criteria %or t!at o% t!e trial cort in determining #!erein lies t!e #eig!t o%
e"idence or #!at e"idence is entitled to belie%'
93
$ecretar! o' National De'ense v. Manalo
G.R. No. 1#96
8cto&er 7, 2#
Puno, C.J.
Facts
94
On 1; Febrar$ )00*, at past noon, ,a$mond Manalo F!erea%ter re%erred to as 7,a$mond9G and
,e$naldo Manalo F!erea%ter re%erred to as 7,e$naldo9G #ere abdcted b$ militar$ men
belonging to t!e .iti>en Armed Forces ?eograp!ical Init F.AF?IG on t!e sspicion t!at t!e$
#ere members and spporters o% t!e 6e# 8eople&s Arm$ F68AG' A%ter eig!teen F15G mont!s o%
detention and tortre, t!e brot!ers escaped on 13 Agst )000'
On )3 Agst )000, ,a$mond and ,e$naldo %iled a 8etition %or 8ro!ibition, 2n+nction, and
-emporar$ ,estraining Order be%ore t!e 4preme .ort to stop t!e militar$ o%%icers and agents
%rom depri"ing t!em o% t!eir rig!t to libert$ and ot!er basic rig!ts' 2n a ,esoltion dated );
Agst )000, t!e 4preme .ort ordered t!e 4ecretar$ o% t!e Department o% 6ational De%ense
and t!e .!ie% o% 4ta%% o% t!e Armed Forces o% t!e 8!ilippines FAF8G, t!eir agents,
representati"es, or persons acting in t!eir stead, and %rt!er en+oined t!em %rom casing t!e
arrest o% ,a$mond and ,e$naldo' Fort!#it!, t!e$ %iled a Mani%estation and Omnibs Motion to
-reat A:isting 8etition as Amparo 8etition, to Admit 4pporting A%%ida"its, and to ?rant 2nterim
and Final Amparo ,elie%s'
3!ile t!e a%orementioned case #as pending, t!e ,le on t!e 3rit o% Amparo too/ e%%ect on );
October )000' ,a$mond and ,e$naldo sbseqentl$ %iled a mani%estation and omnibs motion
to treat t!eir e:isting petition nder t!e Amparo ,le'
On )5 October )000, t!e 4preme .ort resol"ed to treat t!e )3 Agst )000 8etition as a
petition nder t!e Amparo ,le' -!e 4preme .ort li/e#ise granted t!e 3rit o% Amparo and
remanded t!e petition to t!e .ort o% Appeals to condct t!e smmar$ !earing and decide t!e
petition'
On )* December )000, t!e .ort o% Appeals granted t!e pri"ilege o% t!e 3rit o% Amparo' -!e
.ort o% Appeals ordered t!e 4ecretar$ o% 6ational De%ense and t!e .!ie% o% 4ta%% o% t!e AF8 to
%rnis! t!e Manalos and t!e cort #it! all o%%icial and no%%icial in"estigation reports as to t!e
cstod$ o% ,a$mond and ,e$naldo, con%irm t!e present places o% o%%icial assignment o% t#o
militar$ o%%icials in"ol"ed, and prodce all medical reports and records o% ,a$mond and
,e$naldo #!ile nder militar$ cstod$'
Aggrie"ed, t!e 4ecretar$ o% 6ational De%ense and t!e .!ie% o% 4ta%% o% t!e AF8 %iled an appeal
#it! t!e 4preme .ort'
2sseBs
1' 3!et!er or not statements %rom t!e "ictims t!emsel"es is s%%icient %or Amparo petitionE
)' 3!et!er or not actal depri"ation o% libert$ is necessar$ %or t!e rig!t to secrit$ o% a person
ma$ be in"o/ed'
,ling
95
3it! t!e secret natre o% an en%orced disappearance and t!e tortre perpetrated on t!e "ictim
dring detention, it logicall$ !olds t!at mc! o% t!e in%ormation and e"idence o% t!e ordeal #ill
come %rom t!e "ictims t!emsel"es, and t!e "eracit$ o% t!eir accont #ill depend on t!eir
credibilit$ and candidness in t!eir #ritten andBor oral statements' -!eir statements can be
corroborated b$ ot!er e"idence sc! as p!$sical e"idence le%t b$ t!e tortre t!e$ s%%ered or
landmar/s t!e$ can identi%$ in t!e places #!ere t!e$ #ere detained' 3!ere po#er%l militar$
o%%icers are implicated, t!e !esitation o% #itnesses to sr%ace and testi%$ against t!em comes as
no srprise'
-!e rig!t to secrit$ o% person is a garantee o% bodil$ and ps$c!ological integrit$ or secrit$'
Article 222, 4ection 22 o% t!e 1950 .onstittion garantees t!at, as a general rle, one&s bod$
cannot be searc!ed or in"aded #it!ot a searc! #arrant' 8!$sical in+ries in%licted in t!e conte:t
o% e:tralegal /illings and en%orced disappearances constitte more t!an a searc! or in"asion o%
t!e bod$' 2t ma$ constitte dismemberment, p!$sical disabilities, and pain%l p!$sical intrsion'
As t!e degree o% p!$sical in+r$ increases, t!e danger to li%e itsel% escalates' 6otabl$, in criminal
la#, p!$sical in+ries constitte a crime against persons becase t!e$ are an a%%ront to t!e
bodil$ integrit$ or secrit$ o% a person'
-!e rig!t to secrit$ o% person is a garantee o% protection o% one&s rig!ts b$ t!e go"ernment' 2n
t!e conte:t o% t!e 3rit o% Amparo, t!is rig!t is bilt into t!e garantees o% t!e rig!t to li%e and
libert$ nder Article 222, 4ection 1 o% t!e 1950 .onstittion and t!e rig!t to secrit$ o% person Fas
%reedom %rom t!reat and garantee o% bodil$ and ps$c!ological integrit$G nder Article 222, 4ec' )'
-!e rig!t to secrit$ o% person in t!is t!ird sense is a corollar$ o% t!e polic$ t!at t!e 4tate
7garantees %ll respect %or !man rig!ts9 nder Article 22, 4ection 11 o% t!e 1950 .onstittion'
As t!e go"ernment is t!e c!ie% garantor o% order and secrit$, t!e .onstittional garantee o%
t!e rig!ts to li%e, libert$ and secrit$ o% person is rendered ine%%ecti"e i% go"ernment does not
a%%ord protection to t!ese rig!ts especiall$ #!en t!e$ are nder t!reat' 8rotection incldes
condcting e%%ecti"e in"estigations, organi>ation o% t!e go"ernment apparats to e:tend
protection to "ictims o% e:tralegal /illings or en%orced disappearances For t!reats t!ereo%G andBor
t!eir %amilies, and bringing o%%enders to t!e bar o% +stice'
2n t!e Amparo conte:t, t!e 7rig!t to secrit$9 is actall$ t!e 7%reedom %rom t!reat'9 Vie#ed in t!is
lig!t, t!e 7t!reatened #it! "iolation9 clase in t!e latter part o% 4ection 1 o% t!e Amparo ,le is a
%orm o% "iolation o% t!e rig!t to secrit$ mentioned in t!e earlier part o% t!e pro"ision'
3!ile t!e rig!t to secrit$ o% person appears in con+nction #it! t!e rig!t to libert$ nder Article
9, t!e .ommittee !as rled t!at t!e rig!t to secrit$ o% person can e:ist independentl$ o% t!e
rig!t to libert$' 2n ot!er #ords, t!ere need not necessaril$ be a depri"ation o% libert$ %or t!e rig!t
to secrit$ o% person to be in"o/ed'
-!e 4preme .ort dismissed t!e petition and a%%irmed t!e Decision o% t!e .ort o% Appeals
dated )* December )000'
96
B,- vs. +A$A
GR No. 1)9)5)
Ma! 2#, 2)
Panganiban, J.:
Facts
-!e plainti%% ban/, #!ic! !as a crrent accont #it! B82, disco"ered t!at nine F9G o% its c!ec/s !ad
been encas!ed b$ @eonardo -' Labt nder a %ictitios name since 1990 in t!e total amont o%
8!p05),000'00' Labt, #!o #or/ed as an e:ternal aditor o% .A4A, "olntaril$ admitted t!at !e
%orged t!e signatres o% .A4AQs 8resident Ms' Ma' .arina .' @ebron' -!e ,-. decided in %a"or o%
97
.A4A #!ic! %iled a .omplain %or .ollection #it! Damages against t!e de%endant ban/' -!e .A
modi%ied t!e decision o% t!e ,-. !olding B82 liable onl$ %or one<!al% o% t!e "ale o% t!e %orged
c!ec/s in t!e amont o% 8!p5;0,115'00 sb+ect to reimbrsements b$ Labt #!o #as ordered to
pa$ t!e ot!er !al% to .A4A' B82 %iled t#o 8etitions %or ,e"ie# nder ,le ;5 o% t!e ,les o% .ort
assailing t!e decision o% t!e .A'
2sseBs:
1' 3as t!ere %orger$ nder t!e 6egotiable 2nstrments @a# F62@GP
)' 3ere an$ o% t!e parties negligent and t!ere%ore preclded %rom setting p %orger$ as de%enseP
3' 4!old moral and e:emplar$ damages, attorne$Qs %ees, and interest be a#ardedP
,ling:
Forged 4ignatre 3!oll$ 2noperati"e
-!e .ort !eld t!at t!ere #as %orger$ o% t!e dra#erQs signatre on t!e c!ec/' -!e lo#er corts %ond
t!at Labt !imsel% "olntaril$ admitted, t!rog! an a%%ida"it t!at !e %orger$ t!e draerQs signatre and
encas!ed t!e c!ec/s' Moreo"er, t!e lo#er corts rled t!at t!e 868 .rime @aborator$Qs
e:amination o% t!e c!ec/s conclded %orger$'
Volntar$ Admission 6ot Violati"e o% .onstittional ,ig!ts
-!e mantle o% protection nder Article 222 4ection 1) o% t!e 1950 .onstittion co"ers onl$ t!e period
7%rom t!e time a person is ta/en into cstod$ %or in"estigation o% !is possible participation in t!e
commission o% a crime o% %rom t!e time !e is singled ot as a sspect in t!e commission o% a crime
alt!og! not $et in cstod$'9
-!ere mst be an arrest or a depri"ation o% %reedom' -!e said constittional pro"ision does 7not
appl$ to spontaneos statements made in a "olntar$ manner9' -!e .onstittion pro!ibits
complsor$ or coerci"e disclosre o% incriminating %acts' 2n t!e case at bar, ,espondent Labt #as
not nder cstodial in"estigation' 1e made a "olntar$ admission, pri"atel$ e:ected an a%%ida"it
be%ore pri"ate indi"idals' Moreo"er, t!e rig!t to sel%<incrimination nder Article 222 4ection 10 o% t!e
.onstittion is not applicable to pri"ate in"estigations b$ pri"ate indi"idals'
Inder t!ese t#o .onstittional pro"isions, t!e Bill o% ,ig!ts does not concern itsel% #it! t!e relations
bet#een pri"ate indi"idals rat!er t!e relations!ip bet#een t!e indi"idal and t!e 4tate' 2t is o%
important note, !o#e"er, t!at Labt is not an accsed in t!ese 8etitions'
.lear, 8ositi"e and .on"incing A:amination and A"idence
-!e e:amination b$ t!e 868, t!og! inconclsi"e, #as ne"ert!eless clear, positi"e and con"incing'
Alt!og! t!e original c!ec/s !a"e alread$ been destro$ed or cannot be sed in cort, a secondar$
e"idence ma$ be prodced' -!rog! independent e:amination condcted b$ t!e lo#er corts, as
a%%irmed b$ 868, %ond t!at t!e dra#erQs signatres on t!e micro%ilm copies and t!eir t!e standard
signatre #ere e"identl$ di%%erent' Moreo"er, t!e dra#erQs testimon$ t!at s!e ne"er signed t!e
c!ec/s #ere admitted as testimonial e"idence' -!e preponderance o% e"idence reqired in t!is case
!as been satis%ied'
98
6egligence Attribtable to B82 Alone
B82, t!e dra#ee, erred in ma/ing pa$ments b$ "irte o% %orger$ o% t!e dra#erQs signatre' .A4A
cannot be !eld liable since its dra#erQs signatre did not appear on t!e c!ec/s' B82 %ailed to detect
t!e eig!t F5G instances o% %orger$ despite its signatre "eri%ication procedre' 2t cannot %eign
ignorance since t!e .ort !as alread$ rled t!at a ban/ is 7bond to /no# t!e signatres o% its
cstomers9'
6eit!er 3ai"er nor Astoppel ,eslts %rom Failre to ,eport Arror in a Ban/ 4tatement
.A4A ne"er made an$ deed or representation t!at misled B82' -!e %ormerQs omission, i% an$, ma$
onl$ be deemed an innocent mista/e obli"ios to t!e procedres and conseqences o% periodic
adits' 4ince its condct #as de to sc! ignorance %onded pon an innocent mista/e, estoppel #ill
not arise'
@oss Borne b$ 8ro:imate 4orce o% 6egligence
For allo#ing pa$ment on t!e c!ec/s to a #rong%l and %ictitios pa$ee, B82 becomes liable to its
depositor<dra#er' De to t!e negligence o% its o%%icers or agents #!ic! #ere t!e pro:imate case to
t!e %rad, B82 s!old be !elp primaril$ liable and mst bear t!e loss'
.A4A 6ot 6egligent 2n 2ts Financial A%%airs B A#ard o% Monetar$ .laims
4ince a %orged signatre is #!oll$ inoperati"e, .A4A is neit!er negligent in !andling its %inancial
a%%airs nor it is preclded %rom setting p %orger$ as a real de%ense'
.A4AQs claim %or moral damages is denied' 2n t!e absence o% a #rong%l act o% omission, or o% %rad
or bad %ait!, moral damages cannot be a#arded' .A4A #as nable to identi%$ t!e particlar instance
pon #!ic! its claim %or moral damages is predicated' 1a"ing no rig!t to moral damages, its claim
%or e:emplar$ damages is also denied' 1o#e"er, .A4A is entitled to reasonable attorne$Qs %ees'
3!en t!e act or omission o% t!e de%endant !as compelled t!e plainti%% to incr e:penses to protect
t!e latterQs interest, or #!ere t!e cort deems it +st and eqitable, attorne$Qs %ees ma$ be reco"ered'
Moreo"er, t!e pa$ment o% interest %or t!e legal interest o% *U per annm is allo#ed %or t!e %ailre o%
B82 to pa$ .A4A pon demand and %or compelling t!e latter to resort to to t!e corts to obtain
pa$ment'
-!e assailed Decision o% t!e .A is AFF2,MAD #it! modi%ications'
,eo%le vs. 8lvis
GR No. 7192
$e%te"&er 3, 19#7
Sar-iento, J.:
Facts
99
On Ma$ )5, 1950, t!e t!ree accsed<appellants %iled a statement stating t!eir desire to contine
#it! t!e case as an appealed case'
On Ma$ 1;, 1950, t!e .ort issed a deat! penalt$ abolition resoltion reqiring t!e t!ree F3G
accsed<appellants to %ile a statement, personall$ signed b$ t!em #it! t!e assistance o%
consel, stating #!et!er or not t!e$ #is!ed to contine #it! t!e case as an appealed case'
On 4eptember 0, 1905, accsed<appellants Villaro+o, .ademas and 4orela e:ected t!e
conspirac$ indced b$ %ormer mnicipal ma$or Ol"is to /ill b$ means o% treac!er$ and e"ident
premeditation Deosdedit Bagon' Bagon instantaneosl$ died de to t#el"e F1)G %atal stab and
!ac/ #onds'
-!e trial cort acqitted as principal b$ indcement de to lac/ o% direct or indirect e"idence'
1o#e"er, t!e 3 ot!er accsed #ere %ond gilt$ be$ond reasonable and to s%%er t!e ma:imm
penalt$ o% DAA-1'
Dring t!e trial in open cort, t!e 3 accsed<appellants retracted t!eir earlier statements
admitting to t!e mrder de to alleged t!reats b$ t!e in"estigators -!e$ also alleged t!at t!e$
#ere instrcted b$ t!e police in"estigators to implicate Ol"is in t!e case' -!e$ insisted t!eir
innocence'
2sseBs
3!et!er or not t!e accsed<appellantsQ statement, as e:tra+dicial con%essions, can stand p in
cort'
,ling
100
Based on t!e recorded e"idence, t!e accsed<appellantsQ e:tra+dicial con%essions are
inadmissible in e"idence' -!e accsed<appellants #ere denied t!eir rig!t to consel t#ice
inclding t!e %orced re<enactment o% t!e crime t!e$ #ere made to per%orm s!ortl$ a%ter
appre!ension' Forced re<enactments li/e nconselled and coerced con%essions come #it!in
t!e ban against sel%<incrimination' An act, #!et!er testimonial or passi"e, t!at #old amont to
disclosre o% incriminator$ %acts is co"ered b$ t!e in!ibition o% t!e .onstittion' All e"idence
based on sc! re<enactment are in "iolation o% t!e .onstittion t!s, incompetent e"idence'
Villaro+oQs admission o% in%licting t!e %atal #onds pon t!e deceased is binding on !im' 1e
completel$ absol"ed !is co<accsed 4orela and .ademas %rom an$ liabilit$' -!s, t!e Decision
is modi%ied acqitting 4orela and .ademas on t!e grond o% reasonable dobt and c!arging
Villaro+o o% !omicide'
Disini vs. $an6igan&a!an
GR No. 1#56)
./ne 22, 21
Abad, J.:
Facts
-!is case is abot t!e elementar$ rle o% %air pla$ and t!e dire e%%ect on t!e ,epblic&s credibilit$
#!en it reneges on its nderta/ing to protect #itnesses to #!om it !ad gi"en immnit$ %rom
prosection'
2n 1959 respondent ,epblic o% t!e 8!ilippines, represented in t!is case b$ t!e 8residential
.ommission on ?ood ?o"ernment F8.??G, #anted petitioner (ess 8' Disini to testi%$ %or !is
101
go"ernment in its case against 3esting!ose Alectric .orporation

F3esting!oseG be%ore t!e
Inited 4tates District .ort o% 6e# (erse$ and in t!e arbitration case t!at 3esting!ose
2nternational 8ro+ects .ompan$ and ot!ers %iled against t!e ,epblic be%ore t!e 2nternational
.!amber o% .ommerce .ort o% Arbitration' Disini #or/ed %or !is second cosin, 1erminio -'
Disini F1erminioG, as an e:ecti"e in t!e latter&s companies %rom 1901 to 195;' -!e ,epblic
belie"ed t!at t!e 3esting!ose contract %or t!e constrction o% t!e Bataan 6clear 8o#er 8lant,
bro/ered b$ one o% 1erminio&s companies, !ad been attended b$ anomalies'
On Febrar$ 1*, 1959 respondent ,epblic and petitioner Disini entered into an 2mmnit$
Agreement nder #!ic! Disini ndertoo/ to testi%$ %or !is go"ernment and pro"ide its la#$ers
#it! t!e in%ormation, a%%ida"its, and docments t!e$ needed %or prosecting t!e t#o cases'
Ac/no#ledging Disini&s concern t!at t!e ,epblic cold become a part$ to $et ot!er
proceedings relating to t!e matters sb+ect o% !is testimon$, t!e ,epblic garanteed t!at, apart
%rom t!e t#o cases, it s!all not compel Disini to testi%$ in an$ ot!er domestic or %oreign
proceeding brog!t b$ t!e ,epblic against 1erminio'
2sseBs
1' 3!et!er or not t!e 8.?? acted #it!in its at!orit$ #!en it re"o/ed and nlli%ied t!e 2mmnit$
Agreement bet#een respondent ,epblic and petitioner DisiniE
)' 3!et!er or not respondent 4andiganba$an gra"el$ absed its discretion #!en it denied
petitioner Disini&s motion to qas! t!e sbpoena addressed to !im'
,ling
.onstring t!e abo"e, t!e .ort !as rled in a pre"ios case t!at t!e scope o% immnit$ o%%ered
b$ t!e 8.?? ma$ "ar$' 2t !as discretion to grant appropriate le"els o% criminal immnit$
depending on t!e sitation o% t!e #itness and !is relati"e importance to t!e prosection o% ill<
gotten #ealt! cases' 2t can e"en agree, as in t!is case, to conditions e:pressed b$ t!e #itness
as s%%icient to indce cooperation'
-!e langage o% 4ection 5, A'O' 1;, said t!e .ort, a%%ords latitde to t!e 8.?? in determining
t!e e:tent o% t!at criminal immnit$' 2n petitioner Disini&s case, respondent ,epblic, acting
t!rog! t!e 8.??, o%%ered !im not onl$ criminal and ci"il immnit$ bt also immnit$ against
being compelled to testi%$ in an$ domestic or %oreign proceeding, ot!er t!an t!e ci"il and
arbitration cases identi%ied in t!e 2mmnit$ Agreement, +st so !e #old agree to testi%$'
-rsting in t!e ?o"ernment&s !onest$ and %idelit$, Disini agreed and %l%illed !is part o% t!e
bargain' 4rel$, t!e principle o% %air pla$, #!ic! is t!e essence o% de process, s!old !old t!e
,epblic on to its promise'
102
-!e ,epblic o% corse points ot t!at t!e immnit$ %rom criminal or ci"il prosection t!at
4ection 5 o% A'O' 1; at!ori>es does not co"er immnit$ %rom gi"ing e"idence in a case be%ore
a cort o% la#'
Bt in realit$ t!e garantee gi"en to petitioner Disini against being compelled to testi%$ in ot!er
cases against 1erminio constittes a grant o% immnit$ %rom ci"il or criminal prosection' 2%
Disini re%ses to testi%$ in t!ose ot!er cases !e #old %ace indirect contempt, #!ic! is
essentiall$ a prosection %or #ill%l disobedience o% a "alid cort order, a sbpoena' 1is re%sal
to testi%$ #ill #arrant t!e imposition against !im o% t!e penalt$ o% %ine not e:ceeding 830,000'00
or imprisonment not e:ceeding * mont!s or bot! %ine and imprisonment'
1ere, petitioner Disini&s re%sal to testi%$ as ordered b$ t!e 4andiganba$an is certain to reslt in
prosection %or criminal contempt' 2t constittes criminal contempt since gilt #old dra# a
penalt$ o% %ine or imprisonment or bot!' 4aid t!e .ort in Montenegro "' Montenegro:
.ontempt, #!et!er direct or indirect, ma$ be ci"il or criminal depending on t!e natre and e%%ect
o% t!e contemptos act' .riminal contempt is Ncondct directed against t!e at!orit$ and
dignit$ o% t!e cort or a +dge acting +diciall$E it is an act obstrcting t!e administration o% +stice
#!ic! tends to bring t!e cort into disrepte or disrespect' On t!e ot!er !and, ci"il contempt is
t!e %ailre to do somet!ing ordered to be done b$ a cort or a +dge %or t!e bene%it o% t!e
opposing part$ t!erein and is t!ere%ore an o%%ense against t!e part$ in #!ose be!al% t!e "iolated
order #as made' 2% t!e prpose is to pnis!, t!en it is criminal in natre, bt i% to compensate,
t!en it is ci"il'
2n criminal contempt, t!e proceedings are regarded as criminal and t!e rles o% criminal
procedre appl$' 3!at is more, it is generall$ !eld t!at t!e 4tate or respondent ,epblic is t!e
real prosector in sc! a case' -!e grant, t!ere%ore, o% immnit$ to petitioner Disini against
being compelled to testi%$ is ltimatel$ a grant o% immnit$ %rom being criminall$ prosected b$
t!e 4tate %or re%sal to testi%$, somet!ing t!at %alls #it!in t!e e:press co"erage o% t!e immnit$
gi"en !im'
,espondent ,epblic claims t!at t!e grant o% immnit$ to petitioner Disini against being
compelled to testi%$ against 1erminio contra"enes t!e state&s pblic polic$ respecting t!e
reco"er$ o% illegall$ acqired #ealt! nder t!e regime o% %ormer 8resident Marcos'
Bt t!e same at!orit$ t!at adopted sc! polic$, %ormer 8resident .ora>on .' Aqino, is t!e
same at!orit$ t!at ga"e t!e 8.?? t!e po#er to grant immnit$ to #itnesses #!om it mig!t
se to reco"er illegall$ acqired #ealt! dring t!at regime' 2n t!e case o% -anc!anco "'
4andiganba$an, t!e .ort regarded as "alid and binding on t!e go"ernment t!e immnit$ it
ga"e %ormer 6ational Food At!orit$ Administrator, (ess -anc!anco %or all Nclpable acts o% !is
dring !is ser"ice in t!e Marcos go"ernment,N #!ic! #old inclde possible prosection %or an$
illegal #ealt! t!at !e ma$ !imsel% !a"e acqired dring t!at ser"ice' -!e .ort did not regard
sc! immnit$ in contra"ention o% t!e state polic$ on reco"er$ o% ill<gotten #ealt! nder t!e
aspices o% t!e Marcos regime'
-re, respondent ,epblic ma$ !a"e ot!er cases in #!ic! it also needed petitioner Disini&s
testimon$' Bt sc! circmstance does not necessaril$ in"alidate t!e concession it ga"e !imW
103
t!e %reedom %rom being compelled to gi"e e"idence in speci%ic cases' 2t ma$ be assmed t!at
t!e ,epblic regarded Disini&s testimon$ in t!e t#o cases co"ered b$ t!e agreement more
important and critical t!an t!ose ot!er cases' 2t is #ell /no#n t!at t!e cases #it! 3esting!ose
be%ore t!e 6e# (erse$ District .ort and t!e 2nternational Arbitration -ribnal concerning t!e
constrction o% t!e Bataan 6clear 8o#er 8lant !ad so !ge a %inancial impact on t!e ,epblic
t!at it #as #illing to #ai"e its po#er and rig!t to compel petitioner Disini&s testimon$ in ot!er
cases'
-#o' 8etitioner Disini arges t!at respondent ,epblic, t!rog! t!e 8.??, s!old not be
allo#ed to re"o/e t!e garantee it ga"e !im against being compelled to testi%$ in ot!er cases,
t!e ,epblic being in estoppel %or ma/ing !im belie"e t!at it !ad t!e at!orit$ to pro"ide sc!
garantee' -!e ,epblic re+ects t!is argment, !o#e"er, in"o/ing 4ection 15, Article X2 o% t!e
1950 .onstittion #!ic! pro"ides: N-!e rig!t o% t!e 4tate to reco"er properties nla#%ll$
acqired b$ pblic o%%icials or emplo$ees %rom t!em or %rom t!eir nominees, or trans%erees, s!all
not be barred b$ prescription, lac!es or estoppel'N
Bt, %irst, t!e estoppel t!at petitioner Disini in"o/es does not !a"e t!e e%%ect, i% recogni>ed, o%
den$ing t!e state its rig!t to reco"er #!ate"er ill<gotten #ealt! 1erminio ma$ !a"e acqired
nder t!e Marcos regime' -!e action against 1erminio can contine, !ampered onl$ b$ t!e
e:clsion o% Disini&s testimon$' And t!ere are ot!er #a$s o% pro"ing t!e e:istence o% ill<gotten
#ealt!' 4econd, alt!og! t!e go"ernment cannot be barred b$ estoppel based on nat!ori>ed
acts o% pblic o%%icers,

sc! principle cannot appl$ to t!is case since, as alread$ pointed ot,
respondent 8.?? acted #it!in its at!orit$ #!en it pro"ided Disini #it! a garantee against
!a"ing to testi%$ in ot!er cases'
A contract is t!e la# bet#een t!e parties' 2t cannot be #it!dra#n e:cept b$ t!eir mtal
consent'

-!is applies #it! more reason in t!is case #!ere petitioner Disini !ad alread$ complied
#it! t!e terms and conditions o% t!e 2mmnit$ Agreement' -o allo# t!e ,epblic to re"o/e t!e
Agreement at t!is late stage #ill rn a%ol o% t!e rle t!at a part$ to a compromise cannot as/ %or
a rescission a%ter it !ad en+o$ed its bene%its'
-!e ,epblic also cites t!e last sentence o% paragrap! 3 o% t!e 2mmnit$ Agreement #!ic!
reads:
6ot!ing !erein s!all a%%ect (ess 8' Disini&s obligation to pro"ide trt!%l in%ormation or
testimon$'
-!e ,epblic interprets t!is as en+oining Disini, despite t!e immnit$ gi"en !im against being
compelled to testi%$ in ot!er cases, to Npro"ide trt!%l in%ormation or testimon$N in sc! ot!er
cases'
Bt t!is reasoning does not sond rig!t' -!e grant o% immnit$ in paragrap! 3 o% t!e agreement
qoted abo"e to petitioner Disini against being compelled to testi%$ in Not!er casesN against
1erminio is qite clear and does not need an$ interpretation' 3!ere a stiplation in an
agreement is clear, its literal meaning controls'
Besides, Disini ndertoo/ to testi%$ %or t!e ,epblic in its t#o %oreign cases and pro"ide its
la#$ers all t!e in%ormation and testimon$ t!e$ needed to prosecte t!e same' -!e last sentence
104
in t!e paragrap! t!at en+oins Disini to Npro"ide trt!%l in%ormation or testimon$,N despite t!e
garantee not to be compelled to testi%$ against 1erminio, merel$ emp!asi>es t!e %act t!at sc!
concessions does not a%%ect !is obligation to Npro"ide trt!%l in%ormation or testimon$N in t!e
t#o cases mentioned in t!e preceding paragrap!s'
$ocial ./stice $ociet! vs. ,D;A
GR No. 157#7
Nove"&er 3, 2#
'elasco, Jr., J.:
Facts
2n t!ese /indred petitions, t!e constittionalit$ o% 4ection 3* o% ,epblic Act 6o' F,AG 91*5,
ot!er#ise /no#n as t!e Co-+re,ensive $angerous $rugs Act o/ 6776, inso%ar as it reqires
mandator$ drg testing o% candidates %or pblic o%%ice, stdents o% secondar$ and tertiar$
sc!ools, o%%icers and emplo$ees o% pblic and pri"ate o%%ices, and persons c!arged be%ore t!e
prosectorQs o%%ice #it! certain o%%enses, among ot!er personalities, is pt in isse'
On December )3, )003, t!e .ommission on Alections F.OMA@A.G issed ,esoltion 6o' *;5*,
prescribing t!e rles and reglations on t!e mandator$ drg testing o% candidates %or pblic
o%%ice in connection #it! t!e Ma$ 10, )00; s$nc!roni>ed national and local elections'
105
8etitioner Aqilino M' 8imentel, (r', a senator o% t!e ,epblic and a candidate %or re < election in
t!e Ma$ 10, )00; elections,
1
%iled a 8etition %or .ertiorari and 8ro!ibition nder ,le *5' 2n it, !e
see/s F1G to nlli%$ 4ec' 3*FgG o% ,A 91*5 and .OMA@A. ,esoltion 6o' *;5* dated December
)3, )003 %or being nconstittional in t!at t!e$ impose a qali%ication %or candidates %or senators
in addition to t!ose alread$ pro"ided %or in t!e 1950 .onstittionE and F)G to en+oin t!e
.OMA@A. %rom implementing ,esoltion 6o' *;5*'
According to 8imentel, t!e .onstittion onl$ prescribes a ma:imm o% %i"e F5G qali%ications %or
one to be a candidate %or, elected to, and be a member o% t!e 4enate' 1e sa$s t!at bot! t!e
.ongress and .OMA@A., b$ reqiring, "ia ,A 91*5 and ,esoltion 6o' *;5*, a senatorial
aspirant, among ot!er candidates, to ndergo a mandator$ drg test, create an additional
qali%ication t!at all candidates %or senator mst %irst be certi%ied as drg %ree' 1e adds t!at
t!ere is no pro"ision in t!e .onstittion at!ori>ing t!e .ongress or .OMA@A. to e:pand t!e
qali%ication reqirements o% candidates %or senator'
2sseBs
F1G Do 4ec' 3*FgG o% ,A 91*5 and .OMA@A. ,esoltion 6o' *;5* impose an additional
qali%ication %or candidates %or senatorP .orollaril$, can .ongress enact a la#
prescribing qali%ications %or candidates %or senator in addition to t!ose laid do#n b$ t!e
.onstittionP
F)G Are paragrap!s FcG, FdG, F%G, and FgG o% 4ec' 3*, ,A 91*5 nconstittionalP 4peci%icall$,
do t!ese paragrap!s "iolate t!e rig!t to pri"ac$, t!e rig!t against nreasonable searc!es
and sei>re, and t!e eqal protection claseP Or do t!e$ constitte nde delegation o%
legislati"e po#erP
,ling
Inli/e t!e sitation co"ered b$ 4ec' 3*FcG and FdG o% ,A 91*5, t!e .ort %inds no "alid
+sti%ication %or mandator$ drg testing %or persons accsed o% crimes' 2n t!e case o% stdents,
t!e constittional "iabilit$ o% t!e mandator$, random, and sspicionless drg testing %or stdents
emanates primaril$ %rom t!e #ai"er b$ t!e stdents o% t!eir rig!t to pri"ac$ #!en t!e$ see/ entr$
to t!e sc!ool, and %rom t!eir "olantaril$ sbmitting t!eir persons to t!e parental at!orit$ o%
sc!ool at!orities' 2n t!e case o% pri"ate and pblic emplo$ees, t!e constittional sondness o%
t!e mandator$, random, and sspicionless drg testing proceeds %rom t!e reasonableness o%
t!e drg test polic$ and reqirement'
3e %ind t!e sitation entirel$ di%%erent in t!e case o% persons c!arged be%ore t!e pblic
prosectorQs o%%ice #it! criminal o%%enses pnis!able #it! si: F*G $ears and one F1G da$
imprisonment' -!e operati"e concepts in t!e mandator$ drg testing are NrandomnessN and
Nsspicionless'N 2n t!e case o% persons c!arged #it! a crime be%ore t!e prosectorQs o%%ice, a
mandator$ drg testing can ne"er be random or sspicionless' -!e ideas o% randomness and
being sspicionless are antit!etical to t!eir being made de%endants in a criminal complaint' -!e$
are not randoml$ pic/edE neit!er are t!e$ be$ond sspicion'
106
3!en persons sspected o% committing a crime are c!arged, t!e$ are singled ot and are
impleaded against t!eir #ill' -!e persons t!s c!arged, b$ t!e bare %act o% being !aled be%ore
t!e prosectorQs o%%ice and peaceabl$ sbmitting t!emsel"es to drg testing, i% t!at be t!e case,
do not necessaril$ consent to t!e procedre, let alone #ai"e t!eir rig!t to pri"ac$'

-o impose
mandator$ drg testing on t!e accsed is a blatant attempt to !arness a medical test as a tool
%or criminal prosection, contrar$ to t!e stated ob+ecti"es o% ,A 91*5' Drg testing in t!is case
#old "iolate a personsQ rig!t to pri"ac$ garanteed nder 4ec' ), Art' 222 o% t!e .onstittion'
3orse still, t!e accsed persons are "eritabl$ %orced to incriminate t!emsel"es'
(errera vs. $an6igan&a!an
GR No. 11966 H 61
1e&r/ar! 13, 29
Azcuna, J.:
Facts
8etitioners 8at' Adgardo 1errera $ Baltoribio and 8at' ,edentor Mariano $ Antonio, toget!er
#it! t!e ot!er accsed, 8at' ,oberto Barrera and 8at' ,odol%o Alcalde, all members o% t!e
8araOaqe 8olice 4tation, #ere c!arged #it! t#o F)G conts o% mrder, FO, -1A, H2@@26? OF
4!i 4! Lang and ?eorge ?o $ -an, be%ore pblic respondent 4andiganba$an in .riminal .ase
6os' 1**0; and 1**05'
-!e original in%ormations, bot! dated December ;, 1990, against t!e petitioners and t#o ot!er
accsed alleged:
-!at on or abot t!e )5t! da$ o% December, 1959 in t!e Mnicipalit$ o% C8araOaqeD, Metro
Manila, 8!ilippines, and #it!in t!e +risdiction o% t!is 1onorable .ort, t!e abo"enamed
accsed #!o #ere t!en pblic o%%icers, being t!en members o% t!e 8araOaqe 8olice Force,
107
and armed #it! gns, and conspiring and con%ederating and mtall$ !elping and aiding one
anot!er, #it! intent to /ill and #it! treac!er$ and b$ ta/ing ad"antage o% t!eir pblic positions as
members o% t!e 8araOaqe 8olice Force, t!en and t!ere #ill%ll$, nla#%ll$ and %eloniosl$
s!oot one 412 41I LA6? on t!e di%%erent parts o% !is bod$, t!ereb$ in%licting serios and
mortal #onds pon said "ictim, #!ic! #ere t!e direct and immediate case o% !is deat!, to t!e
damage and pre+dice o% t!e !eirs o% said "ictim, in sc! amont as ma$ be a#arded to t!em
nder t!e pro"ision o% t!e .i"il .ode o% t!e 8!ilippines'
-!at on or abot t!e )5t! da$ o% December, 1959 in t!e Mnicipalit$ o% 8araOaqe, Metro
Manila, 8!ilippines, and #it!in t!e +risdiction o% t!is 1onorable .ort, t!e abo"e<named
accsed #!o #ere t!en pblic o%%icers, being t!en members o% t!e 8araOaqe 8olice Force,
armed #it! gns, conspiring and con%ederating and mtall$ !elping and aiding one anot!er,
#it! intent to /ill and #it! treac!er$ and b$ ta/ing ad"antage o% t!eir pblic positions as
members o% t!e 8araOaqe 8olice Force, did t!en and t!ere #ill%ll$, nla#%ll$ and %eloniosl$
s!oot one ?AO,?A ?O L -A6 on t!e di%%erent parts o% !is bod$, t!ereb$ in%licting serios and
mortal #onds pon said "ictim, #!ic! #ere t!e direct and immediate case o% !is deat!, to t!e
damage and pre+dice o% t!e !eirs o% said "ictim, in sc! amont as ma$ be a#arded to t!em
nder t!e pro"ision o% t!e .i"il .ode o% t!e 8!ilippines'
2sseBs
1' -1A ,A48O6DA6- 4A6D2?A6BALA6 A,,AD 26 .O6V2.-26? -1A 8A-2-2O6A,4 FO,
MI,DA, I6DA, -1A AMA6DAD 26FO,MA-2O64E
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8A-2-2O6A,4 -O .O6DI.- FI,-1A, .,O44 AXAM26A-2O6 O6 8,O4A.I-2O6
32-6A44 326-A,1A@-A,E
3' -1A ,A48O6DA6- 4A6D2?A6BALA6 A,,AD 26 6O- F26D26? A6D .O6.@ID26?
-1A- -1A -A4-2MO6L OF A@@A?AD ALA32-6A44 326-A,1A@-A, 3A4 3A6-26? 26
.,AD2B2@2-LE
;' -1A ,A48O6DA6- 4A6D2?A6BALA6 A,,AD 26 6O- F26D26? A6D .O6.@ID26?
-1A- 8,O4A.I-2O6 32-6A44 6B2 MAD2.O<@A?A@ OFF2.A, A6D 124 ,AA@ AV2DA6.A
4I88O,- -1A -1AO,L OF -1A DAFA64AE
5' -1A ,A48O6DA6- 4A6D2?A6BALA6 A,,AD 26 6O- F26D26? A6D .O6.@ID26?
-1A- -1A,A 3A4 -O-A@ AB4A6.A OF AV2DA6.A -O 4I88O,- .O6482,A.LE
*' -1A ,A48O6DA6- 4A6D2?A6BALA6 A,,AD 26 6O- F26D26? A6D .O6.@ID26?
-1A- -1A 8A-2-2O6A,4 A,A A6-2-@AD -O -1A 8,A4IM8-2O6 OF ,A?I@A,2-L 26
-1A 8A,FO,MA6.A OF OFF2.2A@ A.-4E A6D
0' -1A ,A48O6DA6- 4A6D2?A6BALA6 A,,AD 26 6O- F26D26? A6D .O6.@ID26?
-1A- -1A AV2DA6.A OF -1A 8,O4A.I-2O6 FA2@AD -O A4-AB@241 -1A ?I2@- OF -1A
8A-2-2O6A,4 BALO6D ,AA4O6AB@A DOIB-'
,ling
First' 8etitioners insist t!at respondent 4andiganba$an erred in con"icting t!em %or t!e crime o%
mrder nder t!e amended in%ormations as t!e$ !ad earlier been arraigned nder t!e original
in%ormations %or mrder and t!eir rearraignment nder t!e amended in%ormations placed t!em in
doble +eopard$'
-!e rle on doble +eopard$ does not appl$' 8blic respondent 4andiganba$an ordered t!e
amendment o% t!e in%ormations and made it o% record t!at t!e e"idence addced dring t!e pre<
trial o% t!e case and t!e !earing on t!e petition %or bail s!all be deemed atomaticall$
108
reprodced as e"idence dring t!e trial o% t!e case on t!e merits' Doble +eopard$ did not
attac! b$ "irte o% petitioner&s plea o% not gilt$ nder t!e amended in%ormation' For a claim o%
doble +eopard$ to prosper, t!e %ollo#ing reqisites mst concr: F1G t!ere is a complaint or
in%ormation or ot!er %ormal c!arge s%%icient in %orm and sbstance to sstain a con"ictionE F)G
t!e same is %iled be%ore a cort o% competent +risdictionE F3G t!ere is a "alid arraignment or plea
to t!e c!argesE and F;G t!e accsed is con"icted or acqitted or t!e case is ot!er#ise dismissed
or terminated #it!ot !is e:press consent'
2n t!e present case, petitioners and t!e ot!er accsed pleaded not gilt$ to t!e original
in%ormations' -!erea%ter, at t!e instance o% t!e petitioners, t!rog! a +oint petition %or bail, t!e$
raised t!e isse o% lac/ o% +risdiction on t!e grond t!at t!e prosection %ailed to allege in t!e
in%ormations t!at t!e crimes #ere committed Nin relation to t!eir o%%ice'N On t!e same da$,
respondent cort ordered t!e amendment o% t!e in%ormations accordingl$' -!s, t!e %irst
reqirement %or doble +eopard$ to attac!, t!at is, t!at t!e in%ormations against t!e petitioners
#ere "alid, !as not been complied #it!'
@i/e#ise, t!e %ort! element #as lac/ing' 8etitioners cannot be "alidl$ con"icted on t!e basis o%
t!e original in%ormation as t!e prosection %ailed to allege in t!e in%ormations t!at t!e crimes
#ere committed Nin relation to t!eir o%%ice'N 8etitioners #ere t!s not placed in danger o% being
con"icted #!en t!e$ entered t!eir plea o% not gilt$ to t!e ins%%icient in%ormation' Moreo"er,
t!ere #as no dismissal or termination o% t!e case against petitioners'
Frt!ermore, it #as #ell<#it!in t!e po#er o% pblic respondent 4andiganba$an to order t!e
amendment o% t!e in%ormation nder 4ection ;, ,le 110 o% t!e ,les on .riminal 8rocedre
#!ic! states t!at i% t!e motion to qas! is based on an alleged de%ect o% t!e complaint or
in%ormation #!ic! can be cred b$ amendment, t!e cort s!all order t!at an amendment be
made' 2% it is based on t!e grond t!at t!e %acts c!arged do not constitte an o%%ense, t!e
prosection s!all be gi"en b$ t!e cort an opportnit$ to correct t!e de%ect b$ amendment' -!e
motion s!all be granted i% t!e prosection %ails to ma/e t!e amendment, or t!e complaint or
in%ormation still s%%ers %rom t!e same de%ect despite t!e amendment'
4econd' 8etitioners ma/e mc! o% t!e %act t!e pblic respondent 4andiganba$an s!old !a"e
allo#ed t!eir consel to condct %rt!er cross<e:amination on prosection #itness 3inter!alter'
,le 13), 4ection * o% t!e ,e"ised ,les on A"idence pro"ides t!at pon t!e termination o% t!e
direct e:amination, t!e #itness ma$ be cross<e:amined b$ t!e ad"erse part$ as to an$ matter
stated in t!e direct e:amination, or connected t!ere#it!, #it! s%%icient %llness and %reedom to
test !is accrac$ and trt!%lness and %reedom %rom interest or bias or t!e re"erse, and to elicit
all important %acts bearing pon t!e isse' -!e cross<e:amination o% a #itness is a rig!t o% a
part$ against #!om !e is called' Article 222, 4ection 1;F)G o% t!e .onstittion states t!at t!e
accsed s!all !a"e t!e rig!t to meet t!e #itnesses %ace to %ace' ,le 115, 4ection 1F%G o% t!e
,e"ised ,les o% .riminal 8rocedre also states t!at, in all criminal prosections, t!e accsed
s!all !a"e t!e rig!t to con%ront and cross<e:amine t!e #itnesses against !im' 2ndeed,
petitioners& consel !as condcted an e:tensi"e cross<e:amination o% #itness 3inter!alter on
t!e sc!edled dates o% !earing' 8etitioners, t!ere%ore, cannot claim t!ere !as been an$
procedral in%irmit$ in t!e proceedings'
Moreo"er, t!e trial cort !as t!e po#er to direct t!e corse o% t!e trial eit!er to s!orten or to
e:tend t!e direct or cross e:amination o% a consel' Inder ,le 133, 4ection * o% t!e ,e"ised
,les on A"idence, t!e cort ma$ stop t!e introdction o% %rt!er testimon$ pon an$ particlar
point #!en t!e e"idence pon it is alread$ so %ll t!at more #itnesses to t!e same point cannot
be reasonabl$ e:pected to be additionall$ persasi"e' Bt t!is po#er s!old be e:ercised #it!
109
cation' -!s, it is #it!in t!e prerogati"e o% t!e trial cort to determine #!en to terminate t!e
presentation o% t!e e"idence o% t!e prosection or t!e de%ense'
-!ird' 8etitioners& attempt to destro$ t!e credibilit$ o% prosection #itness 3inter!alter %ails' -!e
trial cort !ad t!e opportnit$ to obser"e %irst<!and t!e demeanor and deportment o% t!e
#itnesses, and, t!ere%ore, its %indings t!at t!e #itnesses %or t!e prosection are to be belie"ed
o"er t!ose o% t!e de%ense are entitled to great #eig!t' 3inter!alter recogni>ed t!e petitioners as
t!e ones #!o cooperated #it! 8at' Barrera in /illing t!e "ictims' 4!e sa# t!e e"ents n%olding
#it! t!e se o% !er binoclars 50<90 meters a#a$' 4!e establis!ed t!e identit$ o% t!e petitioners
as t!e companions o% 8at' Barrera #!en !e e%%ected t!e /illing' 2t !as been rled t!at %indings o%
%act o% t!e trial cort on credibilit$ o% #itnesses s!old be accorded t!e !ig!est respect' -!e
.ort !as re%rained %rom inter%ering #it! t!e +dgment o% t!e trial cort in passing on t!e
credibilit$ o% #itnesses nless t!ere appears on record some %act or circmstance o% #eig!t and
in%lence #!ic! !as been o"erloo/ed or t!e signi%icance o% #!ic! as been misappre!ended or
misinterpreted' 6one e:ists in t!is case'
A%ter t!e incident, 3inter!alter&s neig!bor, #!o #as also a %oreigner, !as been recei"ing deat!
t!reats' 4!e !ersel% !as been getting deat! t!reats too, $et s!e "olntaril$ testi%ied in order to
s!ed lig!t on t!e commission o% t!e crime' 2n %act, s!e did not e"en /no# t!e t#o "ictims'
2ndeed, #!ere t!ere is not!ing to indicate t!at a #itness #as mo"ed b$ improper moti"es, !is
positi"e and categorical declarations on t!e #itness stand, made nder solemn oat!, s!old be
gi"en %ll %ait! and credence' 2t !as not been s!o#n t!at 3inter!alter !as an$ reason to %alsel$
implicate petitioners'
3inter!alter narrated t!at 8at' Barrera and 8at' Alcalde, toget!er #it! petitioners, #ere
responsible %or t!e deat! o% t!e "ictims' -!is #as con%irmed b$ t!e post mortem report prepared
b$ Dr' ,oberto ?arcia, medico legal o%%icer o% t!e 6B2, s!o#ing t!e gns!ot #onds on t!e
di%%erent parts o% t!e "ictims& bod$'
Fort!' 8etitioners #old persade t!e .ort t!at t!e testimon$ o% t!e 6B2<Medico @egal
O%%icer, a prosection #itness, spports t!e t!eor$ o% t!e de%ense t!at t!e$ acted in sel%<
de%ense'
-!is argment cannot stand' B$ in"o/ing t!e +sti%$ing circmstance o% sel%<de%ense, petitioners
assme t!e ons o% pro"ing: F1G nla#%l aggressionE F)G reasonable necessit$ o% t!e means
emplo$ed to pre"ent or repel t!e nla#%l aggressionE and F3G lac/ o% s%%icient pro"ocation on
t!e part o% t!e person de%ending !imsel%' 8etitioners %ailed to disc!arge t!is brden'
-o proceed #it! t!e argment t!at t!ere #as nla#%l aggression b$ t!e t#o deceased #!o
tried to get t!e pistol tc/ed in t!e #aist o% one o% t!e police o%%icers, petitioners s!old pro"e
t!at t!e$ sed reasonable means in repelling t!e aggression' .onsidering t!at bot! deceased
#!ere !andc%%ed and narmed and !ad restricted mo"ements, it cold onl$ mean t!at t!e
percei"ed t!reat to petitioners& li"es #ere not s%%icientl$ serios, in #!ic! case t!e$ #ere not
+sti%ied in s!ooting t!e !apless "ictims #!o #ere narmed' 8etitioners cold !a"e simpl$
sbded t!e t#o "ictims in a manner as to engage t!em in a %ig!t #it!ot necessaril$ /illing
t!em' Moreo"er, t!e atops$ reports s!o#ing t!e e:tent o% t!e #onds sstained b$ ?eorge ?o
and 4!i 4! Lang tend to discredit t!e "ersion o% t!e de%ense'
Fi%t!' 8etitioners assert t!at t!ere #as total absence o% e"idence to spport t!e t!eor$ t!at
conspirac$ attended t!e commission o% t!e crime'
110
.onspirac$ can be in%erred %rom t!e acts o% t!e accsed #!ic! clearl$ mani%est a concrrence
o% #ills, a common intent or design to commit a crime' -!e %amiliar rle in conspirac$ is t!at
#!en t#o or more persons agree or conspire to commit a crime, eac! is responsible, #!en t!e
conspirac$ is pro"en, %or all t!e acts o% t!e ot!ers, done in %rt!erance o% t!e conspirac$'

2n t!is
case, petitioner 1errera dro"e t!e "e!icle along -imot!$ 4treet to a place #!ic! #as less
conspicos to passersb$' -!ere, 8at' Alcalde, 8at' Barrera, and petitioner Mariano brog!t ot
t!e t#o "ictims %rom t!e bac/ portion o% t!e "an in order to perpetate t!e /illing' 8etitioner
Mariano alig!ted %rom t!e rig!t %ront seat o% t!e "an and stood beside 8at' Alcalde and 8at'
Barrera #!o began s!ooting t!e "ictims' According to 3inter!alter, petitioner Mariano e"en
appeared to be #riting somet!ing on a s!eet o% paper immediatel$ be%ore t!e s!ooting, alt!og!
it cannot be determined #it! certaint$ as to #!et!er !e #as ma/ing an inqir$ or merel$ noting
t!e names o% t!e "ictims' 3!ile it #as 8at' Barrera #!o actall$ s!ot t!e t#o "ictims, t!e
e"idence s!o#ed a common design on t!e part o% bot! petitioners as t!e$ did not do an$t!ing to
pre"ent !im %rom /illing t!e "ictims, t!s, indicati"e o% t!e %act t!at t!e$ are in nison #it! t!e
criminal design o% t!e 8at' Barrera' 8etitioner 1errera alig!ted %orm t!e "an #it!ot doing
an$t!ing to pre"ent t!e /illing, and #orse, a%ter t!e /illing too/ place along t!e street, petitioner
1errera e"en !elped carr$ t!e t#o "ictims into t!e "an #!ile petitioner Mariano, t!e dri"er,
remained in t!e "e!icle dring t!e incident' .onseqentl$, appl$ing t!e rle t!at t!e act o% one
is t!e act o% all, petitioners are t!s as gilt$ as 8at' Barrera and 8at' Alcalde' 2n %act,
conspirac$ need not be establis!ed b$ direct e"idence bt ma$ be in%erred %rom t!e srronding
circmstances'
4i:t!' 2ntert#ined #it! t!eir argment t!at t!e$ #ere acting in sel%<de%ense, petitioners #ant t!is
.ort to appreciate t!e presmption o% reglarit$ in t!e per%ormance o% t!eir o%%icial acts'
-!is contention !as no merit' 2n order to consider t!e de%ense o% %l%illment o% a dt$, it mst be
s!o#n t!at: F1G t!e accsed acted in t!e per%ormance o% a dt$ or in t!e la#%l e:ercise o% a
rig!t or o%%iceE and F)G t!e in+r$ cased or t!e o%%ense committed is t!e necessar$ conseqence
o% t!e de per%ormance o% dt$ or t!e la#%l e:ercise o% a rig!t or o%%ice'

-!ere #as no s!o#ing
t!at petitioners s!old resort to in%licting in+ries and e"en to t!e e:tent o% /illing t!e "ictims as
t!ere #as no resistance at all %rom t!em #!en t!e$ #ere appre!ended' -!e t#o "ictims #ere
!andc%%ed and narmed #!ile t!e petitioners and t!e ot!er police o%%icers #ere armed #it!
pistols and a ri%le' Aida Veloria Magsipoc, 4per"ising Forensic .!emist o% t!e 6B2, per
.!emistr$ ,eport 6o' .<59<1*0*, condcted t!e para%%in test on ?eorge ?o and 4!i 4! Lang
#!ic! $ielded negati"e reslts, t!s s!o#ing t!at t!e "ictims ne"er %ired a gn and #ere totall$
de%enseless in t!e %ace o% t!e %ll$ armed police o%%icers'
8etitioners anc!or t!eir argment t!at t!e$ merel$ acted in sel%<de%ense' -!is contention !as no
merit' -!e accsed #!o in"o/es sel%<de%ense t!ereb$ admits !a"ing /illed t!e "ictim, and t!e
brden o% e"idence is s!i%ted on !im to pro"e, #it! clear and con"incing e"idence, t!e
con%lence o% t!e %ollo#ing essential elements: F1G nla#%l aggressionE F)G reasonable
necessit$ o% t!e means emplo$ed to pre"ent or repel itE and F3G lac/ o% s%%icient pro"ocation on
t!e part o% t!e person de%ending !imsel%'
Moreo"er, t!e natre and nmber o% #onds in%licted b$ t!e accsed are constantl$ and
nremittingl$ considered as important indicia #!ic! dispro"e a plea o% sel%<de%ense or de%ense
o% stranger becase t!e$ demonstrate a determined e%%ort to /ill t!e "ictim and not +st de%end
onesel%'

-!e "ictims #ere repeatedl$ s!ot at close range and on "ital parts o% t!eir bodies, t!s
indicia t!at t!e police o%%icers reall$ intended to /ill t!em' .learl$, t!e presmption o% reglarit$
in t!e per%ormance o% o%%icial dties on t!e part o% t!e petitioners and t!e ot!er police o%%icers
does not appl$'
111
4e"ent!' 8etitioners maintain t!at t!e prosection %ailed to establis! t!eir gilt be$ond
reasonable dobt'
On t!e contrar$, t!e /illing o% t!e t#o "ictims #as pro"ed to !a"e been committed #it! t!e
qali%$ing circmstance o% treac!er$' -!e essence o% treac!er$ is a deliberate and sdden
attac/, a%%ording t!e !apless, narmed and nsspecting "ictim no c!ance to resist or to
escape' Frontal attac/ can be treac!eros #!en it is sdden and ne:pected and t!e "ictim is
narmed' 3!at is decisi"e is t!at t!e e:ection o% t!e attac/ made it impossible %or t!e "ictim to
de%end !imsel%B!ersel% or to retaliate'
-!e records are e:tant on t!e %indings o% respondent 4andiganba$an t!at #!en petitioner
1errera dro"e t!e patrol car along -imot!$ 4treet to an practicall$ deserted area and isolated
%rom tra%%ic and pedestrians, 8at' Alcalde, 8at' Barrera, and petitioner Mariano brog!t ot t!e
t#o "ictims %rom t!e bac/ portion o% t!e patrol car in order to e"entall$ sal"age t!em #!ic!
s!o#ed t!at all t!e police o%%icers !ad a commnit$ o% criminal design' 8etitioner Mariano mad
t!e pretense o% #riting do#n somet!ing prior to t!e s!ooting incident' 2t #old appear t!at !e
#as %a/ing an alleged interrogation or tr$ing to get t!e name o% 4!i 4! Lang, #!ose identit$
#as not immediatel$ /no#n, $et t!e %act remains t!at !e did not do an$t!ing to pre"ent t!e
/illing and e"en !elped in loading t!e bod$ o% ?eorge ?o inside t!e patrol car'
.learl$, t!e elements o% mrder !a"e been pro"en: 1G' t!at t!e t#o "ictims #ere /illedE )G' t!at
petitioners and t!e t#o ot!er accsed /illed t!e "ictimsE 3G' t!at t!e /illing #as attended b$ t!e
qali%$ing circmstance o% treac!er$ committed b$ t!e petitioners and t!e t#o ot!er accsed
#!o conspired toget!er in /illing t!e "ictimsE and ;G' t!at t!e /illing #as not parricide or
in%anticide'
Aig!t!' 8blic respondent 4andiganba$an did not grant an$ a#ard o% damages in %a"or o% t!e
!eirs o% 4!i 4! Lang and ?eorge ?o $ -an' 3!en deat! occrs de to a crime, t!e %ollo#ing
damages ma$ be a#arded: F1G ci"il indemnit$ e: delicto %or t!e deat! o% t!e "ictimE F)G actal or
compensator$ damagesE F3G moral damagesE F;G e:emplar$ damagesE and F5G temperate
damages'
.i"il indemnit$ is mandator$ and granted to t!e !eirs o% t!e "ictim #it!ot need o% proo% ot!er
t!an t!e commission o% t!e crime' Inder pre"ailing +risprdence, t!e a#ard o% 850,000 to t!e
!eirs o% t!e "ictims as ci"il indemnit$ is in order'

2n cases o% mrder and !omicide, moral
damages ma$ be a#arded #it!ot need o% allegation and proo% o% t!e emotional s%%ering o% t!e
!eirs, ot!er t!an t!e deat! o% t!e "ictim, since t!e emotional #onds %rom t!e "icios /illing o%
t!e "ictims cannot be denied' -!s, t!e a#ard o% 850,000 is proper'
As to t!e a#ard o% actal damages, Adna ?o testi%ied t!at s!e incrred %neral e:penses o%
811,500' Moreo"er, t!e a#ard o% e:emplar$ damages o% 8)5,000 is proper since t!e qali%$ing
circmstance o% treac!er$ attended t!e /illing o% t!e "ictims' Article ))30 o% t!e .i"il .ode
allo#s t!e a#ard o% e:emplar$ damages as part o% t!e ci"il liabilit$ #!en t!e crime #as
committed #it! one or more aggra"ating circmstances' -!e term aggra"ating circmstance as
sed t!erein s!old be constred in its generic sense since it did not speci%$ ot!er#ise'
-!e .ort a%%irms t!e con"iction
112
,eo%le vs. D/"lao
GR No. 16#91#
March 2, 29
C,ico-Nazario, J.:
Facts
O%%ice o% t!e Ombdsman %iled a case to 4andiganba$an against 1ermenegildo Dmlao and
For ot!ers as Members o% t!e Board o% -rstees o% ?o"ernment 4er"ice 2nsrance 4$stem
F?424G and Amilio @a&o %or ?ra%t and .orrption' Allegedl$, t!e Board o% -rstees entered into a
contract #it! @a&o appro"ing t!e lease<prc!ase o% a ?424 acqired propert$ consisting o% t!ree
parcels o% land #it! an area o% 5)1 sqare meters toget!er #it! a 5<store$ bilding'
-!e prosection and Accsed Dmlao sbmitted on December )1, )00; t!eir (oint 4tiplation
o% Facts and Admission o% A:!ibits, terminating t!e pre<trial'
On Febrar$ )1 )005, Dmlao %iled a Motion to DismissBMas! on t!e gronds t!at t!e %acts
c!arged do not constitte an o%%ense, o% #!ic! t!e 4andiganba$an %ond to be meritorios as
told in t!eir ,esoltion dated (l$ 1;, )005'
-!e 8eople o% t!e 8!ilippines, represented b$ t!e O%%ice o% t!e Ombdsman t!r t!e O%%ice o%
t!e 4pecial 8rosector %iled a petition %or certiorari see/ing t!e re"ersal o% t!e said resoltion'
2sseBs
113
2s t!e prosection denied o% t!e de process o% la#, #!en 4andiganba$an dismissed t!e case
against DmlaoP
,ling
-!e 4andiganba$an dismissed t!e case against respondent %or ins%%icienc$ o% e"idence, e"en
#it!ot gi"ing t!e prosection t!e opportnit$ to present its e"idence' 2n so doing, it "iolated t!e
prosection&s rig!t to de process' 2t depri"ed t!e prosection o% its opportnit$ to prosecte its
case and to pro"e t!e accsed&s clpabilit$'
-!e petition #as granted'
Valeroso vs. ,eo%le
GR No. 16)#15
$e%te"&er 3, 29
Nac,ura, J.:
Facts
A #arrant o% arrest #as issed against 4r' 2nsp' (err$ .' Valeroso %or /idnap %or ransom' -!e
des/ o%%icer directed 48O) Disanco and t!ree F3G ot!er policemen to ser"e said #arrant'
Dring t!e appre!ension o% Valeroso, a calibre 35 #as %ond and sei>ed %rom !im, and t!s
e%%ecting anot!er case, i'e', illegal possession o% %ire arm'
3!en arraigned, Valeroso pleaded 76ot ?ilt$'9 -rial proceeded'
Dring t!e corse o% t!e trial, bot! prosection and de%ense !a"e t!eir o#n narration o% !o# t!e
actal arrest !appened'
-!e prosection stated, on smmar$, t!at Valeroso #as appre!ended on (l$ 10, 199* near
268 .entral 8olice 4tation in .liat, Me>on .it$' -!e$ sa# t!e accsed abot to board a
tric$cle' Disanco and !is team approac!ed Valeroso' -!e$ pt !im nder arrest, in%ormed o%
!is rig!ts, and bodil$ searc!ed !im' -!e$ %ond t!e sb+ect %irearm, tc/ed in !is #aist' 1e #as
t!en brog!t to t!e police station %or interrogation' Deriqito presented a certi%ication t!at t!e
sb+ect %irearm #as not issed to Valeroso, bt #as licensed in t!e name o% a certain ,al
8alencia 4al"atierra o% 4ampaloc Manila'
114
On t!e de%ense&s !and, on smmar$, on (l$ 10, 199*, Valeroso #as sleeping inside a room in
t!e boarding !ose o% !is c!ildren at 4agana 1omes, Baranga$ 6e# Ara, Me>on .it$' 1e #as
a#a/ened b$ %or F;G !ea"il$ armed men in ci"ilian attire #!o pointed t!eir gns at !im and
plled !im ot o% t!e room' -!e$ tied !is !ands and pt !im otside t!e room t!en #ent bac/ to
inside, searc!ed and ransac/ed t!e room' On a loc/ed dra#er, t!e$ %ond t!e sb+ect %irearm'
Frt!ermore, a certain -imbol testi%ied t!at !e issed to Valeroso a Memorandm ,eceipt dated
(l$ 1, 1993 co"ering t!e sb+ect %irearm and its ammnition, pon t!e "erbal instrction o% .ol'
Angelito Moreno'
On Febrar$ )), )005, t!e trial cort noted t!e "ersion o% t!e prosection and rendered a
+dgment con"icting Valeroso o% committing illegal possession o% %irearms #!ic! #as a%%irmed b$
t!e .ort o% Appeals on t!eir ,esoltion dated (ne 30, )005
'
Valeroso petitioned t#ice %or a reconsideration'
2sseBs
2s t!e obtained %irearm reslted %rom a qestionabl$ nreasonable searc! and sei>re
admissible in e"idence against t!e de%ense part$P
,ling
-!e 4preme .ort ordered t!e O%%ice o% t!e 4olicitor ?eneral to %ile a .omment and t!e
Motions %or ,econsideration' 2nstead o% a comment, on t!e )
nd
M',' t!e O4? %iled a
mani%estation c!anging its pre"ios stand o% con"icting Valeroso, #!erein t!e testimonies o% t!e
de%ense #ere considered to be more credible'
3!en an arrest is made, it is reasonable %or t!e arresting o%%icer to searc! t!e person arrested
in order to remo"e an$ #eapon t!at t!e latter mig!t se in order to resist arrest or e%%ect !is
escape' 2t is t!e rig!t and t!e dt$ o% t!e appre!ending o%%icer to condct a #arrantless arrest
not onl$ on t!e person o% t!e sspect bt also in t!e permissible area #it!in t!e latter&s reac!'
Ot!er#ise, t!e o%%icer&s sa%et$ mig!t #ell be endangered'
Dring t!e appre!ension as based on t!e de%ense testimon$, t!e #arrantless searc! and
sei>re on Valeroso presented t!e %act t!at t!e arresting o%%icers gra"el$ erred' -!e %irearm t!e$
searc!ed and sei>ed #as neit!er on t!e petitioner&s bod$ nor #it!in t!e area o% !is immediate
control K a clear pictre o% nreasonable searc! and sei>re, an ob"ios "iolation o% Article 222
4ection )' More so, to %orego t!e case is to strip Valeroso na/ed o% !is !man rig!ts %or #it!ot
t!e illegall$ sei>ed %irearm, !is con"iction cannot stand'
2n t!e lig!t o% t!e Mani%estation %iled b$ t!e O%%ice o% t!e 4olicitor ?eneral and pon persal o%
t!e t#o Motions %or ,econsideration %iled b$ Valeroso, t!e sb+ect %irearm #as %ond to be
obtained b$ t!e police o%%icers in "iolation o% Valeroso&s constittional rig!t against illegal searc!
and sei>re, and t!s e:clded as e"idence against !im' Valeroso #as A.MI2--AD'
115
,eo%le vs. Mo3ello
GR No. 1)5566
March 9, 2)
Ynares-Santiago, J.:
Facts
On Ma$ )), 1990, an 2n%ormation %or ,ape #it! 1omicide against accsed, Dindo 7Bebot9
Mo+ello #as %iled to ,egional -rial .ort Branc! *1 o% Bogo, .eb'
Accsed #as arraigned on (l$ );, 1990 and pleaded 76ot ?ilt$'9
Dring t!e corse o% trial, ,ogelio ,a$co, a prosection #itness, stated t!at on December 15,
199* at or arond 9:00pm, t!e nig!t t!e crime too/ place, !e !imsel%, and !is %riends #ere
!a"ing some drin/s' An !or later, !e le%t to go !ome and on !is #a$, !e sa# Mo+ello #al/ing
toget!er #it! t!e "ictim, @enlen ,a$co, !is niece, to#ards t!e direction o% t!e seas!ore'
On December 1*, 199*, t!e ,a$co %amil$ #as in%ormed t!at t!e bod$ o% @enlen ,a$co #as
%ond at t!e seas!ore, li%eless, brised and na/ed'
On December )1, 199*, Dr' 6estor 4ator o% t!e Medico<@egal Branc! o% t!e 868 .rime
@aborator$, ,egion V22 testi%ied t!at t!e "ictim #as positi"el$ raped and indicated t!at t!e case
o% deat! as cardio<respirator$ arrest de to asp!$:ia b$ stranglation and p!$sical in+ries to t!e
!ead and t!e trn/'
-!e sspect #as arrested at Banta$an on December )3, 199*' -!erea%ter, an in"estigation #as
condcted b$ 48O) 3il%redo ?idcos, #!erein Mo+ello admitted t!at !e is t!e perpetrator o% t!e
dastardl$ deed' Dring t!e said cstodial in"estigation, t!e accsed #as assisted b$ Att$' 2saias
116
?idoqio'
-!e said trial cort rendered +dgment on (anar$ )1, 1999 %inding Mo+ello gilt$ be$ond
reasonable dobt o% t!e crime o% rape #it! !omicide de%ined and penali>ed nder Article 335 o%
t!e ,e"ised 8enal .ode, as amended b$ ,epblic Act 0*59, and sentencing !im to t!e
spreme penalt$ o% deat!'
Mo+ello %iled a 6otice o% Appeal' Appellant a"ers t!at t!e con%ession !e made dring t!e
cstodial in"estigation #as not %reel$, intelligentl$ and "olntaril$ entered into' More so, !e #as
not /no#ingl$ and intelligentl$ apprised o% !is constittional rig!ts prior to t!e ta/ing o% !is
con%ession' 1ence, appellant alleges t!at !is con%ession s!old be deemed inadmissible in
e"idence, nder t!e doctrine o% t!e %rit o% t!e poisonos tree'
2sseBs
3!et!er t!e e:tra+dicial con%ession e:ected b$ Mo+ello is admissible in e"idence against !im
%or t#o gronds, i'e', !e did not e:ercise !is rig!t to !a"e a competent and independent consel
pre%erabl$ o% !is o#n c!oice and Miranda doctrine #as not e:plained to !im prior to !is
con%ession'
,ling
Att$' 2saias ?idoqio, t!e la#$er #!o assisted Mo+ello dring t!e said cstodial in"estigation
#as a competent and independent consel #it!in t!e contemplation o% t!e .onstittion' 6o
e"idence #as presented to negate !is competence and independence' -!e p!rase 7pre%erabl$
o% !is o#n c!oice9 does not con"e$ t!e message t!at t!e c!oice o% a la#$er b$ person nder
in"estigation is e:clsi"e as to preclde ot!er eqall$ competent and independent attorne$s
%rom !andling t!e de%enseE ot!er#ise t!e tempo o% cstodial in"estigation #ill solel$ in t!e !ands
o% t!e accsed #!o can impede, na$, obstrct t!e progress o% t!e interrogation b$ simpl$
selecting a la#$er, #!o, %or one reason or anot!er, is not a"ailable in order to protect !is
interest' -!e e:tra+dicial con%ession o% t!e appellant complies #it! t!e strict constittional
reqirement on t!e rig!t to consel'
Moreo"er, t!e records o% t!is case clearl$ re%lect t!at appellant %reel$, "olntaril$ and intelligentl$
entered into t!e e:tra+dicial con%ession in %ll compliance #it! t!e Miranda Doctrine' 48O)
3il%redo Abello ?idcos testi%ied t!at prior to condcting !is in"estigation !e e:plained t!e
appellant&s constittional rig!ts in t!e Visa$an dialect, notabl$ .ebano, a langage /no#n to
t!e appellant' ,-. Br' *1 obser"ed t!at as to t!e con%ession o% appellant, !e #as %ll$ apprised
o% !is constittional rig!ts to remain silent and !is rig!t to consel'
-!s, t!e e:tra+dicial con%ession o% t!e appellant is "alid and t!ere%ore admissible in e"idence'
117
,eo%le vs. <ali"an
GR No. 191)3
8cto&er 11, 2
Pardo, J.:
Facts
-!e accsed<appellants, 8edro -aliman and t!e ot!er ) co<accsed, #ere all %ond gilt$
be$ond reasonable dobt o% t!e crime o% mrder, and eac! o% t!em #as sentenced to s%%er t!e
penalt$ o% reclsion perpeta' -!e accsed #ere also +ointl$ and se"erall$ ordered to pa$ t!e
!eirs o% t!e "ictim %or moral damages, %neral e:penses and %or t!e "ictim&s nreali>ed income'
-!e accsed<appellants arged t!at t!e e:tra<+dicial con%essions on #!ic! t!e trial cort relied
#ere inadmissible in e"idence becase t!e$ #ere obtained in "iolation o% t!eir constittional
rig!ts'
2sseBs
2s t!e e:tra+dicial con%ession o% t!e accsed admissible in e"idence e"en #it!ot t!e
assistance o% conselP
,ling
6o' -!e e:tra+dicial statements alone cannot be bases %or con"iction' As Article 222, 4ection 1)
F1G o% t!e .onstittion pro"ides, an$ person nder t!e cstodial in"estigation %or t!e commission
o% an o%%ense s!all !a"e t!e rig!t to be in%ormed o% !is rig!t to be silent and !a"e competent and
independent consel pre%erabl$ o% !is o#n c!oice' 2% t!e person cannot a%%ord t!e ser"ice o%
consel, !e mst be pro"ided #it! one' -!ese rig!ts nder t!e .onstittion cannot be #ai"ed
e5ce%t in 2riting an6 in the %resence o' co/nsel. -!e ma$or, a pblic o%%icial #!o assisted
118
t!e accsed Kappellants, cannot be considered as an independent consel %or t!e accsed
dring t!eir cstodial in"estigation' Moreo"er, e"en assming t!at t!e rig!t to consel #as orall$
#ai"ed dring cstodial in"estigation, still t!e de%ect #as not cred' -!e .onstittion clearl$
pro"ides t!at t!e #ai"er mst be in #riting and in t!e presence o% consel'
1o#e"er, despite t!at t!e e:tra+dicial statements o% t!e accsed #ere inadmissible in
e"idence, t!e .ort %ond t!at t!ere #ere still s%%icient e"idence to con"ict'
-!e decision o% t!e ,egional -rial .ort #as a%%irmed #it! modi%ication' -!e accsed<appellants
#ere %ond gilt$ be$ond reasonable dobt o% 1omicide and #ere +ointl$ and se"erall$ ordered
to pa$ t!e !eirs o% t!e "ictim moral damages and ci"il indemnit$' -!e a#ard o% actal damages
%or %neral e:penses and nreali>ed income #as deleted'
,eo%le vs. <o"aI/in
GR No. 1331##
./l! 23, 2)
Austria-Martinez, J.:
Facts
-!e petitioner, Ali>ar -omaqin, #as %ond gilt$ be$ond reasonable dobt o% t!e crime o%
mrder and #as imposed #it! t!e penalt$ o% ,eclsion 8erpeta and accessor$ penalties o% t!e
la#' 1e #as also ordered to indemni%$ t!e !eirs o% (acqel$n -ato$' 8etitioner a"ers t!at t!e trial
.ort erred #!en it con"icted !im on t!e basis o% !is nconselled con%ession' -!e .ort is
con%ronted #it! t!e isse o% t!e admissibilit$ o% an e:tra+dicial con%ession' -!is appeal
particlarl$ in"ol"es t!e qestion o% #!et!er a baranga$ captain #!o is a la#$er can be
considered as an independent consel #it!in t!e pr"ie# o% 4ection 1), Article 222 o% t!e 1950
.onstittion'
2sseBs
2s it legall$ possible to consider a baranga$ captain #!o is also a la#$er as competent and
independent consel o% t!e appellantP
,ling
6o' 2n t!is case, considering t!at Att$' 8ara#an&s role as a baranga$ captain, #as a
peace/eeping o%%icer o% !is baranga$ and t!ere%ore in direct con%lict #it! t!e role o% pro"iding
competent legal assistance to appellant #!o #as accsed o% committing a crime in !is
+risdiction, Att$' 8ara#an cold not be considered as an independent consel o% appellant,
#!en t!e appellant e:ected !is e:tra+dicial con%ession' 3!at t!e .onstittion reqires is t!e
presence o% an independent and competent consel, one #!o #ill e%%ecti"el$ nderta/e !is
client&s de%ense #it!ot an$ inter"ening con%lict o% interest' 6eit!er does Att$' 8ara#an qali%$ as
119
a competent consel, i'e', an e%%ecti"e and "igilant consel' An Ne%%ecti"e and "igilant conselN
necessaril$ and logicall$ reqires t!at t!e la#$er be present and able to ad"ise and assist !is
client %rom t!e time t!e con%essant ans#ers t!e %irst qestion as/ed b$ t!e in"estigating o%%icer
ntil t!e signing o% t!e e:tra+dicial con%ession'
-!e la#$er s!old ma/e sre t!at t!e con%ession is made "olntaril$ and t!at t!e person nder
in"estigation %ll$ nderstands t!e natre and conseqence o% !is e:tra+dicial con%ession in
relation to !is constittional rig!ts' A contrar$ rle #old ndobtedl$ be antagonistic to t!e
constittional rig!ts to remain silent, to consel and to be presmed innocent'
-!e .ort cannot concei"e !o# Att$' 8ara#an cold !a"e e%%ecti"el$ sa%egarded appellant&s
rig!ts as an accsed dring t!e in"estigation #!en !e !imsel% entertained t!e sspicion t!at
appellant is gilt$ o% t!e crime c!arged, and natrall$, !e #old #ant appellant to admit !a"ing
committed it' Att$' 8ara#an %ailed to meet t!e e:acting standards o% an independent and
competent consel as reqired b$ t!e .onstittion' -!s, t!e e:tra+dicial con%ession e:ected
b$ t!e appellant, e"en i% it is tre, is deemed nconselled con%ession and t!ere%ore,
inadmissible in e"idence'
,eo%le vs. $antocil6es, .r.
GR No. 191)9
Dece"&er 21, 1999
8uisu-bing, J.:
Facts
4b+ect o% t!e appeal is t!e decision o% t!e ,egional -rial .ort, con"icting accsed<appellant,
@eoncio 4antocildes, (r' o% t!e crime o% rape ' -!e .ort %ond 4antocildes, (r' gilt$ be$ond
reasonable dobt and sentenced !im to s%%er t!e penalt$ o% reclsion perpeta and its
accessor$ penalt$' One o% t!e ma+or points raised b$ t!e accsed<appellant in !is appeal is t!at
!e #as depri"ed, alt!og! not !is %alt, to be de%ended b$ a person at!ori>ed to practice la#'
-!is depri"ation #as arged to be tantamont as denial o% de process' Appellant t!ere%ore
arges t!at !is depri"ation o% t!e rig!t to consel s!old necessaril$ reslt in !is acqittal o% t!e
crime c!arged'
2sseBs
2s t!e con"iction decided b$ t!e .ort against t!e accsed "alid and acceptable e"en i% t!e
accsed #as represented b$ a consel #!o is not a member o% t!e 8!ilippine BarP
,ling
6o' -!e rig!t to consel o% an accsed is ens!rined in Article 222, 4ection 1) and 1; F)G o% t!e
1950 .onstittion' -!is mandate is re%lected in 4ection 1 o% ,le 115 o% t!e 1955 ,les o%
.riminal 8rocedre #!ic! declares t!e rig!t o% t!e accsed at t!e trial to be present in person
and b$ consel at e"er$ stage o% t!e proceedings %rom t!e arraignment to t!e promlgation o%
+dgment' An accsed person is entitled to be represented b$ a member o% t!e Bar in criminal
cases %iled against !im be%ore t!e ,egional -rial .ort' Inless !e is represented b$ a bona%ide
la#$er, t!ere is great danger t!at an$ de%ense presented in !is be!al% #ill be de%ecti"e or
120
inadeqate in relation to t!e legal prereqisites and s/ills needed in t!e cort proceedings' -!e
depri"ation o% a representation o% a competent and a Bar<member la#$er #old be a denial o%
de process'
(risprdence !as also !eld t!at 7t!e rig!t to practice la# is not a natral or constittional rig!t
bt is in t!e natre o% a pri"ilege or %ranc!ise' 2t is limited to persons o% good moral c!aracter
#it! special qali%ications dl$ determined and certi%ied' Inder 4ection 3 o% ,le 01 o% t!e ,les
o% .ort, a person #!o nderta/es t!e nat!ori>ed practice o% la# is liable %or indirect
contempt o% cort %or assming and acting to be a la#$er #it!ot at!orit$'
-!ere%ore, t!e +dgment decided b$ t!e ,egional -rial .ort, #it! respect to t!e case o%
4antocildes (r', #as set aside and remanded to t!e trial cort %or ne# trial'
Ro"/al6e0 v. $an6igan&a!an
GR. No. 152259
./l! 29, 2)
Panganiban, J.
Facts
On (l$ 1), 1959, -!e 8eople o% t!e 8!ilippines t!rog! 8.?? %iled in%ormation be%ore t!e Anti<
?ra%t .ort c!arging Al%redo -' ,omalde>, #it! "iolation o% 4ection 5, ,A 6o' 3019 or Anti<
?ra%t @a#' C2t penali>es certain presidential relati"es #!o 7inter"ene, directl$ or indirectl$, in an$
bsiness, transaction, contract or application #it! t!e ?o"ernment'D -!e in%ormation read as:
94",at on or about and during t,e +eriod /ro- Jul* :;, :<=> to Jul* 6<, :<=>, in Metro Manila,
P,ili++ines, and 2it,in t,e .urisdiction o/ ?t,e Sandiganba*an@, said ?+etitioner@, brot,er-in-la2 o/
Aerdinand #. Marcos, /or-er President o/ t,e P,ili++ines, and t,ere/ore, related to t,e latter b*
a//init* 2it,in t,e t,ird civil degree, did t,en and t,ere 2il?l@/ull* and unla2/ull*, and 2it, evident
bad /ait,, /or t,e +ur+ose o/ +ro-oting ,is sel/-interested ?sic@ andBor t,at o/ ot,ers, intervene
directl* or indirectl*, in a contract bet2een t,e National S,i+*ard and Steel Cor+oration
CNASSC(D, a govern-ent-o2ned and controlled cor+oration and t,e Bataan S,i+*ard and
#ngineering Co-+an* CBAS#C(D, a +rivate cor+oration, t,e -a.orit* stoc0s o/ 2,ic, is o2ned
b* /or-er President Aerdinand #. Marcos.4
Al%redo ,omalde> claimed t!at t!e p!rase 7to inter"ene directl$ or indirectl$, in an$ bsiness,
transaction, contract or application #it! t!e ?o"ernment9 is "age and "iolates !is rig!t to be
in%ormed o% t!e case and natre o% t!e accsation against !im'
On Febrar$ 9, )000, t!e 4andiganba$an denied t!e motion %or lac/ o% merit'
2sse
3!et!er or not t!at t!e 4ection 5 o% ,A 6o' 3019 is constittional de to its "ageness'
121
1eld
-!e 4ection 5 o% ,A 6o' 3019 is constittional' -!e o"erbreadt! and t!e "ageness doctrines
!a"e special application onl$ to %ree<speec! cases' -!e$ are not appropriate %or testing t!e
"alidit$ o% penal stattes' CA statte or act ma$ be said to be "age #!en it lac/s
compre!ensible standards t!at men o% common intelligence mst necessaril$ gess at its
meaning and di%%er in its application'D 2t #as stressed t!at V"ageness& doctrine merel$ reqires a
reasonable degree o% certaint$ %or t!e statte to be p!eld < not absolte precision or
mat!ematical e:actitde' Fle:ibilit$, rat!er t!an meticlos speci%icit$, is permissible as long as
t!e metes and bonds o% t!e statte are clearl$ delineated'
Also, term intervene s!old t!ere%ore be nderstood in its ordinar$ acceptation, #!ic! is to 7to
come bet#een'9 .riminall$ liable co"ered in 4ection 5 o% ,A 3019, is impossible %or t!e la# to
pro"ide in ad"ance details o% !o# sc! acts o% inter"ention cold be per%ormed' Bt t!e corts
ma$ pass pon t!ose details once trial is conclded'
2n sm, t!e .ort !olds t!at t!e c!allenged pro"ision is not "age'
122
Davi6, et al v. Maca%agal*Arro!o, et al.
GR. Nos. 171396, 171)9, 171)#3, 171), 171)#9, 171)2)
Ma! 3, 26
Sandoval E utierrez, J. C#n BancD
Facts
On Febrar$ );, )00*, 8resident ?loria Macapagal<Arro$o, in a mo"e to sppress alleged plans
to o"ert!ro# t!e go"ernment, issed 8residential 8roclamation 6o' 1010 F88 1010G, declaring a
state o% national emergenc$' -!e issance #as %actall$ based on t!e %ollo#ing: F1G t!e escape
o% t!e Magdalo ?rop and t!eir adacios t!reat o% t!e Magdalo D<Da$E F)G t!e de%ections in t!e
8!ilippine MarinesE and F3G t!e repro"ing statements %rom t!e commnist leaders' On t!e same
da$, s!e issed ?eneral Order 6o' 5 F?'O' 6o' 5G setting t!e standards #!ic! t!e Armed
Forces o% t!e 8!ilippines FAF8G and t!e 8!ilippine 6ational 8olice F868G s!old %ollo# in t!e
sppression and pre"ention o% acts o% la#less "iolence'
2n ?,' 6o' 10139*, petitioners ,andol% Da"id and ,onald @lamas, On Febrar$ );, )00*, #ere
arrested #it!ot #arrants on t!eir #a$ to AD4A to celebrate t!e )0
t!
Anni"ersar$ o% 8eople
8o#er 2' -!e arresting o%%icers cited 88 1010 as basis o% t!e arrest' Also, Members o% HMI and
6AF@I K HMI, et al' #ere trned a#a$ and dispersed F?, 6o' 101;53G'
2n ?, 6o' 101;09, petitioners .ac!o<Oli"ares and -ribne 8blis!ing .o', 2nc claimed t!at on
Febrar$ )5, )00*, t!e .2D? operati"es 7raided and ransac/ed #it!ot #arrant t!eir o%%ice'9
2sse
3!et!er or not, 88 1010 and ?'O' 6o' 5 are constittional %or t!eir inso%ar as it allegedl$
"iolates t!e rig!t o% t!e people against nreasonable searc! and sei>res, t!e rig!t against
#arrantless arrest, t!e %reedom o% speec!, o% e:pression, o% t!e press, and to peaceabl$
assemble'
,ling
123
88 1010 is limited to t!e calling ot b$ t!e 8resident o% t!e militar$ to pre"ent or sppress
la#less "iolence, in"asion or rebellion' -!e implementing pro"isions in prsant to ?'O' 6o' 5,
t!e militar$ and t!e police committed acts #!ic! "iolate t!e citi>ens& rig!ts nder t!e
.onstittion ma/ing sc! acts as nconstittional and illegal'
On t!e arrest #it!ot #arrant o% Da"id, et al' pon t!e e:ercised o% t!eir rig!t to peaceabl$
assemble, dispersal and arrest o% members o% HMI, et al n#arranted as #ell as t!e
cancellation o% all permits to rall$ disregard t!e principle o% %reedom o% assembl$ #!en neit!er
s!o#ing o% a clear and present danger' Also, t!e illegal searc! and sei>re on t!e o%%ices o%
Dail$ -ribne "iolated t!e %reedom o% t!e press' -!e 7acts o% terrorism9 portion o% ?'O' 6o' 5 is
nconstittional' ?'O' 6o' 5 mandates t!e AF8 and t!e 868 to immediatel$ carr$ ot t!e
7necessar$ and appropriate actions and measres to sppress and pre"ent acts o% terrorism
and la#less "iolence'9 4ince t!ere is no la# de%ining 7acts o% terrorism,9 it is 8resident Arro$o
alone, nder ?'O' 6o' 5 #!o !as t!e discretion to determine #!at acts constitte terrorism,
#it!ot restrictions'
.ertainl$, t!e e%%ects #!ic! ma$ be implicated b$ sc! "iolate t!e de process clase o% t!e
.onstittion'
124
(eirs o' Moreno vs. Mactan*+e&/ -nternational Air%ort A/thorit!
GR No. 156273
8cto&er 15, 23
Bellosillo, J.:
Facts
2n 19;9, t!e 6ational Airport .orporation F6A.G, as t!e predecessor o% !erein respondent
sog!t to acqire @ot 6o' 91* and @ot 6o' 9)0 %or t!e proposed e:pansion o% t!e @a!g Airport'
-!e t#o parcels o% land located in @a!g, .eb .it$ #ere o#ned b$ t!e sposes -imoteo
Moreno and Maria ,otea'
-!e sposes re%sed to sell t!eir properties becase t!e proposed price #as nacceptabl$ #a$
belo# t!e mar/et "ale o% t!e lands at t!at time' As an incenti"e %or t!e ot!er o#ners to cede
t!eir lots ad+oining t!e t!en e:isting @a!g Airport, 6A. garanteed t!em or t!eir sccessors<in<
interest t!e rig!t to reprc!ase t!eir properties %or t!e same price paid b$ t!e go"ernment in t!e
e"ent t!at t!ese properties #ere no longer sed %or prposes o% t!e airport' 4ome lando#ners
e:ected deeds o% con"e$ance #!ile ot!ers #!o re%sed to cede t!eir properties became
de%endants in an action %or e:propriation %iled b$ t!e ,epblic o% t!e 8!ilippines be%ore t!e .F2
o% .eb' @ot 6os' 91* and 9)0 #ere among t!ose inclded in t!e e:propriation case'
-!e trial cort declared @ot 6os' 91* and 9)0, along #it! t!e ot!er ad+oining lands, condemned
%or pblic se a%ter pa$ment o% +st compensation' -!e sb+ect lands #ere trans%erred in t!e
name o% t!e ,epblic o% t!e 8!ilippines and sbseqentl$ trned o"er to M.2AA nder ,epblic
Act *955 in 1990' 4bseqentl$, #!en t!e @a!g Airport #as abandoned and all its %nctions
and operations #ere trans%erred to t!e Mactan Airport, t!e !eirs o% Moreno #rote t!en 8resident
,amos and t!e M.2AA ?eneral Manager, reqesting %or t!e e:ercise o% t!eir rig!t to reprc!ase
t!e lot' 3ritten and "erbal demands #ere ignored b$ t!e respondent' 8etitioners %iled a
complaint %or recon"e$ance and damages #it! t!e ,-. o% .eb .it$ against t!e respondent
asserting t!eir rig!t to reacqire t!e sb+ect properties' Dring t!e pendenc$ o% t!e case, one
,ic!ard A' Inc!an %iled a Motion %or -rans%er o% 2nterest, alleging t!at some o% t!e petitioners
!ad alread$ assigned to !im t!eir respecti"e rig!ts, interests, participation, and o#ners!ip o"er
t!e sb+ect properties'
On April 1), 1999, t!e trial cort rendered +dgment in %a"or o% t!e petitioners, granting t!em t!e
rig!t to reprc!ase t!e properties at t!e amont originall$ paid b$ t!e respondent in .i"il .ase
6o' ,<1551 inclding conseqential damages'
125
-!e .A re"ersed t!e trial cort&s decision on t!e premise t!at t!e +dgment a%%irming t!e state&s
rig!t to e:ercise its po#er o% eminent domain #as nconditional' -!e 4. re"ersed t!e decision
o% t!e .A' ,espondent %iled a Motion %or ,econsideration' Additionall$, it also %iled a Motion to
,esol"e t!e Motion %or ,econsideration b$ t!e 1onorable .ort An Banc dated 6o"ember 11,
)003, alleging t!at t!e present case in"ol"es no"el qestions o% la#' -!e petitioners %iled an
Opposition to t!e respondent&s Motion %or ,econsideration stating t!at no ne# argments !a"e
been pro%%ered b$ t!e respondent to #arrant t!e re"ersal o% t!e .ort&s decision'
2sseBs
3!et!er or not petitioners are entitled to recon"e$ance or reprc!ase o% t!e lots in qestion
#!en t!e pblic prpose %or #!ic! t!e eminent domain #as e:ercised no longer sbsists'
,ling:
2n t!e instant case o% Fer$ Vs' Mnicipalit$ o% .abanatan #!ic! #as cited in t!e recent case o%
,e$es "' .ort o% Appeals, t!e spreme cort declared t!at t!e go"ernment acqires onl$ sc!
rig!ts in e:propriated parcels o% land as ma$ be allo#ed b$ t!e c!aracter o% its title o"er t!e
properties <
Frt!er, 2% land is e:propriated %or a particlar prpose, #it! t!e condition t!at #!en t!at
prpose is ended or abandoned t!e propert$ s!all retrn to its %ormer o#ner, t!en, o% corse,
#!en t!e prpose is terminated or abandoned t!e %ormer o#ner reacqires t!e propert$ so
e:propriated' 2% land is e:propriated %or a pblic street and t!e e:propriation is granted pon
condition t!at t!e cit$ can onl$ se it %or a pblic street, t!en, o% corse, #!en t!e cit$ abandons
its se as a pblic street, it retrns to t!e %ormer o#ner, nless t!ere is some stattor$ pro"ision
to t!e contrar$' 2%, pon t!e contrar$, !o#e"er, t!e decree o% e:propriation gi"es to t!e entit$ a
%ee simple title, t!en, o% corse, t!e land becomes t!e absolte propert$ o% t!e e:propriator,
#!et!er it be t!e 4tate, a pro"ince, or mnicipalit$, and in t!at case t!e non<ser does not !a"e
t!e e%%ect o% de%eating t!e title acqired b$ t!e e:propriation proceedings'
3!en land !as been acqired %or pblic se in %ee simple, nconditionall$, eit!er b$ t!e
e:ercise o% eminent domain or b$ prc!ase, t!e %ormer o#ner retains no rig!ts in t!e land, and
t!e pblic se ma$ be abandoned, or t!e land ma$ be de"oted to a di%%erent se, #it!ot an$
impairment o% t!e estate or title acqired, or an$ re"ersion to t!e %ormer o#ner'
1ence in t!is particlar isse t!e 4preme .ort denied t!e motion %or reconsideration %iled b$
t!e petitioner and rle in %a"or o% respondent !erein' -!e 4preme .ort reiterated #!at #as
said in t!e %ormer decision: 2t !as been declared t!at t!e go"ernment acqires onl$ sc! rig!ts
in e:propriated parcels o% land as ma$ be allo#ed b$ t!e c!aracter o% its title o"er t!e properties'
2% land is e:propriated %or a particlar prpose, #it! t!e condition t!at #!en t!at prpose is
ended or abandoned t!e propert$ s!all retrn to its %ormer o#ner, t!en, o% corse, #!en t!e
prpose is terminated or abandoned t!e %ormer o#ner reacqires t!e propert$ so e:propriated'
126
Also, i% land is e:propriated %or a pblic street and t!e e:propriation is granted pon condition
t!at t!e cit$ can onl$ se it %or a pblic street, it retrns to t!e %ormer o#ner, nless t!ere is
some stattor$ pro"ision to t!e contrar$' And i%, pon t!e contrar$, !o#e"er, t!e decree o%
e:propriation gi"es to t!e entit$ a %ee simple title, t!en, o% corse, t!e land becomes t!e
absolte propert$ o% t!e e:propriator, #!et!er it be t!e 4tate, a pro"ince, or mnicipalit$, and in
t!at case t!e non<ser does not !a"e t!e e%%ect o% de%eating t!e title acqired b$ t!e
e:propriation proceedings'
3!en land !as been acqired %or pblic se in %ee simple, nconditionall$, eit!er b$ t!e
e:ercise o% eminent domain or b$ prc!ase, t!e %ormer o#ner retains no rig!ts in t!e land, and
t!e pblic se ma$ be abandoned, or t!e land ma$ be de"oted to a di%%erent se, #it!ot an$
impairment o% t!e estate or title acqired, or an$ re"ersion to t!e %ormer o#ner'
2t mst be pointed ot t!at not!ing in t!is +risprdence t!at bespea/s t!at t!ere s!old
%oremost be an e:press condition in t!e dispositi"e portion o% t!e decision be%ore t!e
condemned propert$ can be retrned to its %ormer o#ner a%ter t!e prpose %or its ta/ing !as
been abandoned or ended'
-!e indisptable certaint$ in t!e present case is t!at t!ere #as a prior promise b$ t!e
predecessor o% t!e respondent t!at t!e e:propriated properties ma$ be reco"ered b$ t!e %ormer
o#ners once t!e airport is trans%erred to Mactan, .eb'
2n %act, t!e #itness %or t!e respondent testi%ied t!at 15 lots #ere alread$ recon"e$ed to t!eir
pre"ios o#ners' -!is belated ne#s %rt!er bolsters t!e %act t!at t!e prpose %or #!ic! t!e
properties #ere condemned !as been abandoned' A more pressing disco"er$ neart!ed b$
t!is .ort is t!at a signi%icant portion o% t!e sb+ect properties !ad been prc!ased b$ t!e .eb
8ropert$ Ventres, 2nc' %or t!e de"elopment o% a commercial comple:' -!e respondent, in its
ans#er, did not den$ t!is allegation in t!e petitioners& complaint'
-!e predominant precept is t!at pon abandonment o% real propert$ condemned %or pblic
prpose, t!e part$ #!o originall$ condemned t!e propert$ reco"ers control o% t!e land i% t!e
condemning part$ contines to se t!e propert$ %or pblic prposeE !o#e"er, i% t!e condemning
at!orit$ ceases to se t!e propert$ %or a pblic prpose, propert$ re"erts to t!e o#ner in %ee
simple' -!e go"ernment&s ta/ing o% pri"ate propert$, and t!en trans%erring it to pri"ate persons
nder t!e gise o% pblic se or prpose is t!e despotism %ond in t!e immense po#er o%
eminent domain' Moreo"er, t!e direct and nconstittional state&s po#er to oblige a lando#ner
to renonce !is prodcti"e and in"alable possession to anot!er citi>en, #!o #ill se it
predominantl$ %or !is o#n pri"ate gain, is o%%ensi"e to or la#s'
127
Mactan*+e&/ -nternational Air%ort A/thorit! vs. 7o0a6a
GR No. 176625
1e&r/ar! 25, 21
Nac,ura, J.:
Facts
4b+ect o% t!is case is a lot F@ot 6o' 55G located in @a!g, .eb .it$' 2ts original o#ner #as
Anastacio Deiparine #!en t!e same #as sb+ect to e:propriation proceedings, initiated b$
,epblic, represented b$ t!e t!en .i"il Aeronatics Administration F.AAG, %or t!e e:pansion and
impro"ement o% t!e @a!g Airport' Dring t!e pendenc$ o% t!e e:propriation proceedings,
respondent Bernardo @' @o>ada, 4r' acqired @ot 6o' 55 %rom Deiparine' -!e trial cort rled %or
t!e ,epblic and ordered t!e latter to pa$ @o>ada t!e %air mar/et "ale o% t!e lot' 1o#e"er, t!e
pro+ected impro"ement and e:pansion plan o% t!e old @a!g Airport, !o#e"er, #as not prsed'
-!e plainti%%<respondents initiated a complaint %or t!e reco"er$ o% possession and recon"e$ance
o% o#ners!ip o% t!e sb+ect lot' On t!e ot!er !and, t!e petitioners as/ed %or t!e immediate
dismissal o% t!e complaint' -!e$ speci%icall$ denied t!at t!e ?o"ernment !ad made assrances
to recon"e$ @ot 6o' 55 to respondents in t!e e"ent t!at t!e propert$ #old no longer be needed
%or airport operations' 8etitioners instead asserted t!at t!e +dgment o% condemnation #as
nconditional, and respondents #ere, t!ere%ore, not entitled to reco"er t!e e:propriated propert$
not#it!standing non<se or abandonment t!ereo%' -!e lo#er cort rled %or !erein plainti%%<
respondents, #!ic! decision #as a%%irmed b$ t!e .ort o% Appeals' 2n t!is petition, t!e
petitioners arged t!at t!e +dgment in .i"il .ase 6o' ,<1551 #as absolte and nconditional,
gi"ing title in %ee simple to t!e ,epblic'
2sseBs
3!et!er or not a constrcti"e trst #as constitted in t!is case, and as sc!, t!e respondents
!erein are entitled to t!e restittion o% t!e e:propriated propert$ #!ic! #as not sed %or a pblic
prpose'
,ling
2t is #ell settled t!at t!e ta/ing o% pri"ate propert$ b$ t!e ?o"ernment&s po#er o% eminent
domain is sb+ect to t#o mandator$ reqirements: F1G t!at it is %or a particlar pblic prposeE
and F)G t!at +st compensation be paid to t!e propert$ o#ner' -!ese reqirements parta/e o% t!e
128
natre o% implied conditions t!at s!old be complied #it! to enable t!e condemnor to /eep t!e
propert$ e:propriated'
More particlarl$, #it! respect to t!e element o% pblic se, t!e e:propriator s!old commit to
se t!e propert$ prsant to t!e prpose stated in t!e petition %or e:propriation %iled, %ailing
#!ic!, it s!old %ile anot!er petition %or t!e ne# prpose' 2% not, it is t!en incmbent pon t!e
e:propriator to retrn t!e said propert$ to its pri"ate o#ner, i% t!e latter desires to reacqire t!e
same' Ot!er#ise, t!e +dgment o% e:propriation s%%ers an intrinsic %la#, as it #old lac/ one
indispensable element %or t!e proper e:ercise o% t!e po#er o% eminent domain, namel$, t!e
particlar pblic prpose %or #!ic! t!e propert$ #ill be de"oted' Accordingl$, t!e pri"ate propert$
o#ner #old be denied de process o% la#, and t!e +dgment #old "iolate t!e propert$ o#ner&s
rig!t to +stice, %airness, and eqit$'
2n lig!t o% t!ese premises, #e no# e:pressl$ !old t!at t!e ta/ing o% pri"ate propert$, conseqent
to t!e ?o"ernment&s e:ercise o% its po#er o% eminent domain, is al#a$s sb+ect to t!e condition
t!at t!e propert$ be de"oted to t!e speci%ic pblic prpose %or #!ic! it #as ta/en' .orollaril$, i%
t!is particlar prpose or intent is not initiated or not at all prsed, and is peremptoril$
abandoned, t!en t!e %ormer o#ners, i% t!e$ so desire, ma$ see/ t!e re"ersion o% t!e propert$,
sb+ect to t!e retrn o% t!e amont o% +st compensation recei"ed' 2n sc! a case, t!e e:ercise
o% t!e po#er o% eminent domain !as become improper %or lac/ o% t!e reqired %actal
+sti%ication'
A"en #it!ot t!e %oregoing declaration, in t!e instant case, on t!e qestion o% #!et!er
respondents #ere able to establis! t!e e:istence o% an oral compromise agreement t!at entitled
t!em to reprc!ase @ot 6o' 55 s!old t!e operations o% t!e @a!g Airport be abandoned, #e
rle in t!e a%%irmati"e'
As pro"ided %or nder Art' 1;5; o% t!e .i"il .ode pro"ides: 72% an absolte con"e$ance o%
propert$ is made in order to secre t!e per%ormance o% an obligation o% t!e grantor to#ard t!e
grantee, a trst b$ "irte o% la# is establis!ed' 2% t!e %l%illment o% t!e .onstrcti"e trsts are
%ictions o% eqit$ #!ic! are bond b$ no n$ielding %ormla #!en t!e$ are sed b$ corts as
de"ices to remed$ an$ sitation in #!ic! t!e !older o% legal title ma$ not in good conscience
retain t!e bene%icial interest'
2n constrcti"e trsts, t!e arrangement is temporar$ and passi"e in #!ic! t!e trstee&s sole dt$
is to trans%er t!e title and possession o"er t!e propert$ to t!e plainti%%<bene%iciar$' O% corse, t!e
7#ronged part$ see/ing t!e aid o% a cort o% eqit$ in establis!ing a constrcti"e trst mst
!imsel% do eqit$'9 Accordingl$, t!e cort #ill e:ercise its discretion in deciding #!at acts are
reqired o% t!e plainti%%<bene%iciar$ as conditions precedent to obtaining sc! decree and !as
t!e obligation to reimbrse t!e trstee t!e consideration recei"ed %rom t!e latter +st as t!e
plainti%%<bene%iciar$ #old i% !e proceeded on t!e t!eor$ o% rescission' 2n t!e good +dgment o%
t!e cort, t!e trstee ma$ also be paid t!e necessar$ e:penses !e ma$ !a"e incrred in
sstaining t!e propert$, !is %i:ed costs %or impro"ements t!ereon, and t!e monetar$ "ale o% !is
ser"ices in managing t!e propert$ to t!e e:tent t!at plainti%%<bene%iciar$ #ill secre a bene%it
%rom !is acts'
-!e rig!ts and obligations bet#een t!e constrcti"e trstee and !e bene%iciar$, in t!is case,
respondent M.2AA and petitioners o"er @ots 6os' 91* and 9)0, are ec!oed in Art' 1190 o% t!e
.i"il .ode, 73!en t!e conditions !a"e %or t!eir prpose t!e e:tingis!ment o% an obligation to
gi"e, t!e parties, pon t!e %l%illment o% said conditions, s!all retrn to eac! ot!er #!at t!e$
!a"e recei"ed' 2n case o% t!e loss, deterioration or impro"ement o% t!e t!ing, t!e pro"isions
129
#!ic!, #it! respect to t!e debtor, are laid do#n in t!e preceding article s!all be applied to t!e
part$ #!o is bond to retrn'
Mana%at vs. +o/rt o' A%%eals
GR No. 11)7#
8cto&er 15, 27
Nac,ura, J.:
Facts
-!is is a petition %or re"ie# on certiorari nder ,le ;5 o% t!e ,les o% .ort' ?',' 6o' 110;05
assails t!e Ma$ )0, 1993 Decision o% t!e .ort o% Appeals F.AG in .A<?',' .V 6os' 10)00<
10)1)'
-!e parties !erein !as %or its sb+ect parcels o% land %orming part o% #!at #as originall$ /no#n
as t!e ?race 8ar/ 4bdi"ision in .aloocan .it$ and %ormerl$ o#ned b$ t!e ,oman .at!olic
Arc!bis!op o% Manila F,.AMG andBor t!e 8!ilippine ,ealt$ .orporation F8,.G'
4ometime in t!e 19*0&s, ,.AM allo#ed a nmber o% indi"idals to occp$ t!e ?race 8ar/
propert$ on condition t!at t!e$ #old "acate t!e premises i% ,.M to constrct a sc!ool in t!e
area' -!e plan did not materiali>e bt t!e occpants o%%ered to prc!ase t!e portions t!e$
occpied' ,.AM&s proposed price #as too !ig! to a%%ord b$ occpants, organi>ing t!emsel"es
as e:clsi"e members o% t!e Alogio ,odrige>, (r' -enants Association, 2nc', petitioned t!e
?o"ernment t!rog! @and -enre Administration F@-AG later scceeded b$ 8eople&s 1omesite
and 1osing .orporation F811.G, %or t!e acqisition o% t!e said propert$, its sbdi"ision into
!ome lots, and t!e resale o% t!e sbdi"ided lots to t!em at a lo# price' Bt becase o% t!e !ig!
as/ing price o% ,.AM and t!e bdgetar$ constraints o% t!e ?o"ernment, t!e latter&s e%%ort to
prc!ase andBor to e:propriate t!e propert$ #as discontined' ,.AM t!en decided to e%%ect, on
its o#n, t!e sbdi"ision o% t!e propert$ and t!e sale o% t!e indi"idal sbdi"ided lots to t!e
pblic'
8etitioner Manapat, t!e de%endant<lando#ner in .<*))9, prc!ased t!e said indi"idal
sbdi"ided lots o% ?race 8ar/ directl$ %rom ,.AM andBor 8,.'
-!e 6ational 1osing At!orit$ F61AG, 811.&s sccessor, t!en %iled e:propriation proceedings
#it! t!e ,egional -rial .ort o"er t!e alread$ sbdi"ided lots %or t!e prpose o% de"eloping
?race 8ar/ nder t!e Jonal 2mpro"ement 8rogram FJ28G and sbdi"iding it into small lots %or
distribtion and resale at a lo# cost to t!e residents o% t!e area'
-!e ,egional -rial .ort dismissed t!e e:propriation case and also denied t!e 61A&s motion %or
reconsideration'
130
61A appealed to t!e .A t!e decisions on t!e isse o% t!e necessit$ o% t!e ta/ing and t!e
amended rling in some cases on t!e isse o% +st compensation'
On Ma$ )0, 1993, t!e appellate cort rendered its Decision in .A<?',' .V 6o' 10)00<10)1)
re"ersing and setting aside t!e decisions o% dismissal and in lie t!ereo% an order o%
condemnation is entered declaring t!at plainti%%<appellant 61A !as a la#%l rig!t to ta/e t!e lots
in"ol"ed %or t!e pblic se bt annlling and setting aside t!e +st compensation %i:ed b$ t!e
trial cort at 8150'00 per sqare meter in some ot!er cases'
8etitioner Manapat ele"ated t!e case be%ore t!e 4. "ia a petition %or re"ie# on certiorari
doc/eted as ?',' 6o' 110;05' 4. dismissed t!e petition %or !a"ing been %iled ot o% time, bt
reinstated it on motion %or reconsideration'
2sseBs
-1A .OI,- OF A88AA@4 A,,AD 26 1O@D26? -1A- -1A 244IA6.A MADA 26 -1A
AXA,.24A OF @A?24@A-2VA 8O3A,, 48A.2FL26? -1A @O-4 -O BA AX8,O8,2A-AD
A6D -1A 8I,8O4A FO, 312.1 -1AL A,A 26-A6DAD, ,AMOVA4 F,OM -1A
(ID2.2A,L -1A DA-A,M26A-2O6 OF -1A 6A.A442-L OF -1A -AH26?, -1A,A BA26?
6O 41O326? OF ABI4A OF D24.,A-2O6'
4I8A,VA626? AVA6- ,A6DA,4 2M8,O8A, -1A D248O42-2O6 BL -1A .OI,- OF
A88AA@4 FO, A6 O,DA, OF .O6DAM6A-2O6 DA.@A,26? -1A- 61A 1A4 A @A3FI@
,2?1- -O -AHA -1A @O- OF FA,M26 MA6A8A- FO, 4I88O4AD 8IB@2. I4A A6D FO,
,AMA6D OF 124 .A4A -O -1A -,2A@ .OI,- FO, DA-A,M26A-2O6 OF (I4-
.OM8A64A-2O6'
-1A .OI,- OF A88AA@4 41OI@D 1AVA .O642DA,AD -1A- FA,M26 MA6A8A- 24 6O-
O6@L A BO6A F2DA O..I8A6- 26 -1A ?,A.A 8A,H 4IBD2V242O6 FO, 8I,8O4A4 OF
8'D' 100) BI- @2HA324A 1A4 A -,A64FA, .A,-2F2.A-A OF -2-@A 6O' ;)300 OF -1A
,A?24-,L OF DAAD4 FO, -1A .2-L OF .A@OO.A6 OVA, -1A 4AMA @O- 4OI?1- -O
BA AX8,O8,2A-AD 312.1 41OI@D 6O- BA 4IB(A.- -O .O@@A-A,A@ A--A.H A4
D248O4AD BL -1A .OI,- OF A88AA@4'
-1A .OI,- OF A88AA@4 41OI@D 1AVA .O642DA,AD -1A- -1A AVA6-IA@
BA6AF2.2A,2A4 OF 2-4 BA6AVO@A6- AX8,O8,2A-2O6 A,A 4MIA--A,4'
,ling
-!e po#er o% eminent domain or po#er o% e:propriation is an in!erent and indispensable po#er
o% t!e 4tate, it is described as Nt!e !ig!est and most e:act idea o% propert$ remaining in t!e
go"ernmentN t!at ma$ be acqired %or some pblic prpose t!rog! a met!od Nin t!e natre o% a
complsor$ sale to t!e 4tate'N B$ "irte o% its so"ereign c!aracter, t!e e:ercise o% t!e po#er
pre"ails o"er t!e non<impairment clase, and is clearl$ sperior to t!e %inal and e:ector$
+dgment rendered b$ a cort in an e+ectment case'
Being in!erent, t!e po#er need not be speci%icall$ con%erred on t!e go"ernment b$ t!e
.onstittion' 4ection 9, Article 222 o% t!e .onstittion, #!ic! mandates t!at Npri"ate propert$ s!all
not be ta/en %or a pblic se #it!ot +st compensation,N merel$ imposes a limit on t!e
131
go"ernment&s e:ercise o% t!e po#er and pro"ides a measre o% protection to t!e indi"idal&s
rig!t to propert$' 2t ma$ be delegated b$ .ongress to t!e 8resident, administrati"e bodies, local
go"ernment nits, and e"en to pri"ate enterprises per%orming pblic ser"ices'
-!e %ollo#ing reqisites %or t!e "alid e:ercise o% t!e po#er o% eminent domain: F1G t!e propert$
ta/en mst be pri"ate propert$E F)G t!ere mst be genine necessit$ to ta/e t!e pri"ate propert$E
F3G t!e ta/ing mst be %or pblic seE F;G t!ere mst be pa$ment o% +st compensationE and F5G
t!e ta/ing mst compl$ #it! de process o% la#'
2t is incontro"ertible t!at t!e parcels o% land sb+ect o% t!ese consolidated petitions are pri"ate
propert$' -!s, t!e %irst reqisite is satis%ied'
3it! respect to t!e second, t!e %ondation o% t!e rig!t to e:ercise eminent domain is genine
necessit$, and t!at necessit$ mst be o% a pblic c!aracter' As a rle, t!e determination o%
#!et!er t!ere is genine necessit$ %or t!e e:ercise is a +sticiable qestion' 1o#e"er, #!en t!e
po#er is e:ercised b$ t!e @egislatre, t!e qestion o% necessit$ is essentiall$ a political
qestion' 2n t!e instant case, t!e at!orit$ to e:propriate came %rom 8residential Decree 6o'
100), issed b$ t!en 8resident Ferdinand A' Marcos in 1900' At t!at time, and as e:plicitl$
recogni>ed nder t!e 1903 .onstittion, 8resident Marcos !ad legislati"e po#ers' 8er%orce, t!e
e:propriation o% t!e sb+ect properties K identi%ied #it! speci%icit$ in t!e 8'D' <<< #as directed b$
legislation' -!e isse o% necessit$ t!en assmed t!e natre o% a political qestion'
As to t!e t!ird reqisite o% Npblic se,N #e e:amine t!e prpose %or #!ic! t!e e:propriation #as
nderta/en b$ 61A' As set %ort! in its petition, 61A +sti%ies t!e ta/ing o% t!e sb+ect propert$
%or t!e prpose o% impro"ing and pgrading t!e area b$ constrcting roads and installing
%acilities t!ereon nder t!e ?o"ernment&s >onal impro"ement program and sbdi"iding t!em
into mc! smaller lots %or distribtion and sale at a lo# cost to qali%ied bene%iciaries, mostl$
nderpri"ileged long<time occpants o% ?race 8ar/' Arond 510 %amilies #it! appro:imatel$ 5
members eac! #ill be bene%ited b$ t!e pro+ect'
-!e Jonal 2mpro"ement 8rogram FJ28G, being implemented %or go"ernment b$ 61A, dra#s
breat! %rom polic$ mandates %ond in t!e 1950 .onstittion' 2t is an integral part o% t!e
go"ernment&s Nsociali>ed !osingN program as compliant #it! t!e Npblic seN reqirement, it
being a program clearl$ de"oted to a Npblic prpose'N
N4ociali>ed !osingN is de%ined as, Nt!e constrction o% d#elling nits %or t!e middle and lo#er
class members o% or societ$, inclding t!e constrction o% t!e spporting in%rastrctre and
ot!er %acilitiesN F8res' Decree 6o' 1));, par' 1G and #as later e:panded to inclde among
ot!ers: FaG -!e constrction andBor impro"ement o% d#elling nits %or t!e middle and lo#er
income grops o% t!e societ$, inclding t!e constrction o% t!e spporting in%rastrctre and
ot!er %acilitiesE FbG 4lm clearance, relocation and resettlement o% sqatters and slm d#ellers
as #ell as t!e pro"ision o% related %acilities and ser"icesE FcG 4lm impro"ement #!ic! consists
basicall$ o% allocating !omelots to t!e d#ellers in t!e area or propert$ in"ol"ed, rearrangement
and re<alignment o% e:isting !oses and ot!er d#elling strctres and t!e constrction and
pro"ision o% basic commnit$ %acilities and ser"ices, #!ere t!ere are none, sc! as roads,
%ootpat!s, drainage, se#erage, #ater and po#er s$stem, sc!ools, baranga$ centers, commnit$
centers, clinics, open spaces, par/s, pla$gronds and ot!er recreational %acilitiesE FdG -!e
pro"ision o% economic opportnities, inclding t!e de"elopment o% commercial and indstrial
estates and sc! ot!er %acilities to en!ance t!e total commnit$ gro#t!E and FeG 4c! ot!er
acti"ities nderta/en in prsance o% t!e ob+ecti"e to pro"ide and maintain !osing %or t!e
greatest nmber o% people nder 8residential Decree 6o' 050' F8res' Decree 6o' 1)59, sec' 1G
132
4preme .ort is satis%ied t!at Nsociali>ed !osingN %alls #it!in t!e con%ines o% Npblic seN' 2n
paragrap! FdG o% 8res' Dec' 6o' 1));, pro"isions on economic opportnities ine:tricabl$ lin/ed
#it! lo#<cost !osing, or slm clearance, relocation and resettlement, or slm impro"ement
emp!asi>e t!e pblic prpose o% t!e pro+ect'
8etitioner Manapat insists t!at, being !imsel% a bene%iciar$ o% t!e e:propriation since !e !as
been a long<time resident o% ?race 8ar/, it #old be incongros %or go"ernment to ta/e !is
land a#a$ %rom !im onl$ to gi"e it bac/ to !im' -!is contention sadl$ %ails to compre!end t!e
pblic prpose %or t!e ta/ing nder t!e Nsociali>ed !osingN program, and cannot assert an$
rig!t to be a#arded t!e "er$ same lots t!e$ crrentl$ occp$, nor be entitled to t!e same area o%
t!e land t!e$ no# !a"e'
-o satis%$ t!e %ort! reqisite, 4. a%%irms t!e appellate cort&s disposition t!at t!e sb+ect cases
be remanded to t!e trial cort %or t!e determination o% t!e amont o% +st compensation' Inder
case la#, t!e said determination is a +dicial prerogati"e'
As to t!e obser"ance o% t!e %i%t! reqisite, t!e de process clase, in t!e e:propriation
proceedings, all t!e parties !a"e been gi"en t!eir da$ in cort' -!at t!e$ are no# be%ore t!is
.ort is attestation enog! t!at t!e$ #ere not denied de process o% la#'
2t is nmista/able t!at all t!e reqirements %or t!e "alid e:ercise o% t!e po#er o% eminent domain
!a"e been complied #it!' -!s, 61A ma$ "alidl$ e:propriate t!e sb+ect parcels o% land' -!e
Ma$ )0, 1993 Decision o% t!e .ort o% Appeals in .A<?',' .V 6o' 10)00<10)1) is AFF2,MAD'
133
Re%/&lic vs. ./6ge Gingo!on
G.R. No. 166)29
Dece"&er 19, 25
"inga, J:
Facts
-!e present contro"ers$ !as its roots #it! t!e promlgation o% t!e cort&s decision in Agan "'
82A-.O, promlgated in )003 F)003 decisionG' -!is decision nlli%ied t!e 7.oncession
Agreement %or t!e Bild<Operate<and<-rans%er Arrangement o% t!e 6ino$ Aqino 2nternational
8assenger -erminal 2229 entered into bet#een t!e 8!ilippine ?o"ernment F?o"ernmentG and t!e
8!ilippine 2nternational Air -erminals .o', 2nc' F82A-.OG, as #ell as t!e amendments and
spplements t!ereto'
-!e agreement !ad at!ori>ed 82A-.O to bild a ne# international airport terminal F6A2A 3G, as
#ell as a %ranc!ise to operate and maintain t!e said terminal dring t!e concession period o% )5
$ears' -!e contracts #ere nlli%ied and t!at t!e agreement #as contrar$ to pblic polic$' At t!e
time o% t!e promlgation o% t!e )003 Decision, t!e 6A2A 3 %acilities !ad alread$ been bilt b$
82A-.O and #ere near completion' 1O3AVA,, t!e ponencia #as silent as to t!e legal stats
o% t!e 6A2A 3 %ollo#ing t!e nlli%ication o% t!e contracts, as #ell as #!ate"er rig!ts o% 82A-.O
%or reimbrsement %or its e:penses in t!e constrction o% t!e %acilities'
A%ter t!e promlgation o% t!e rlings in Agan, t!e 6A2A 3 %acilities !a"e remained in t!e
possession o% 82A-.O, despite t!e a"o#ed intent o% t!e ?o"ernment to pt t!e airport terminal
into immediate operation' -!e ?o"ernment and 82A-.O condcted se"eral ronds o%
negotiation regarding t!e 6A2A 3 %acilities'
2n )00;, t!e ?o"ernment %iled a complaint %or e:propriation #it! t!e 8asa$ ,-.' -!e
?o"ernment sog!t pon t!e %iling o% t!e complaint t!e issance o% a #rit o% possession
at!ori>ing it to ta/e immediate possession and control o"er t!e 6A2A 3 %acilities' -!e
?o"ernment also declared t!at it !ad deposited t!e amont o% 83,00),1)5,000'00 F3 BillionG in
.as! #it! t!e @and Ban/ o% t!e 8!ilippines, representing t!e 6A2A 3 terminal&s assessed "ale
%or ta:ation prposes' -!e ?o"ernment insists t!at ,le *0 o% t!e ,les o% .ort go"erns t!e
e:propriation proceedings in t!is case to t!e e:clsion o% all ot!er la#s' On t!e ot!er !and,
82A-.O claims t!at it is ,ep' Act 6o' 590; #!ic! does appl$'
2sse
3!et!er or not ,le *0 o% t!e ,les o% .ort or ,ep' Act 6o' 590; go"erns t!e e:propriation
proceedings in t!is caseP
1eld
134
-!e )00; !esolution in Agan sets t!e base reqirement t!at !as to be obser"ed be%ore t!e
?o"ernment ma$ ta/e o"er t!e 6A2A 3, t!at t!ere mst be pa$ment to 82A-.O o% +st
compensation in accordance #it! t!e la# and eqit$ rling in t!e present e:propriation case
mst be com%ortable to t!e dictates o% t!e cort as prononced in t!e Agan cases'
,le *0 otlines t!e procedre nder #!ic! eminent domain ma$ be e:ercised b$ t!e
?o"ernment'
,ep' Act 6o' 590;, #!ic! co"ers e:propriation proceedings intended %or national go"ernment
in%rastrctre pro+ects' ,ep' Act 6o' 590;, #!ic! pro"ides %or a procedre eminentl$ more
%a"orable to t!e propert$ o#ner t!an ,le *0, inescapabl$ applies in instances #!en t!e
national go"ernment e:propriates propert$ 7%or national go"ernment in%rastrctre pro+ects, t!e
assessed "ale standard and t!e deposit mode prescribed in ,le *0 contines to appl$'
,ep' Act 6o' 590; applies in t!is case, particlarl$ inso%ar as it reqires t!e immediate pa$ment
b$ t!e ?o"ernment o% at least t!e pro%%ered "ale o% t!e 6A2A 3 %acilities to 82A-.O and
pro"ides certain "alation standards o% met!ods %or t!e determination o% +st compensation'
Appl$ing ,ep' Act 6o' 590;, t!e implementation o% 3rit o% 8ossession in %a"or o% t!e
?o"ernment o"er 6A2A 3 is !eld in abe$ance ntil 82A-.O is directl$ paid t!e amont o% 83
billion, representing t!e pro%%ered "ale o% 6A2A 3 nder 4ection ;Z o% t!e la#'
135
National ,o2er +or%oration vs. 7/c"an G. -&rahi", et.al.
GR No. 16#732
./ne 29, 27
Azcuna, J.:
Facts
4ometime in 1905, 6A8O.O,, #it!ot respondents& /no#ledge and prior consent, too/
possession o% t!e sb<terrain area o% se"eral parcels o% de%endants& lands and constrcted
t!erein ndergrond tnnels #!ic! #ere being sed to sip!on #ater %rom @a/e @anao and in t!e
operation o% t!e Ags 22, 222, 2V, V, V2, V22 pro+ects' -!e e:istence o% t!e tnnels #as disco"ered
b$ respondents in (l$ 199) and con%irmed #!en Mara#i .it$ 3ater District denied t!e
application o% one o% t!e respondents %or a permit to constrct a motori>ed deep #ell on one o%
t!e lots' ,espondents demanded t!at 6A8O.O, pa$ damages and "acate t!e sb<terrain
portion o% t!eir lands bt t!e latter re%sed'
-!s, in 6o"ember 199), 2bra!im and co<!eirs institted an action %or reco"er$ o% possession o%
land and damages be%ore t!e ,egional -rial .ort F,-.G o% @anao del 4r arging t!at t!e
constrction o% t!e ndergrond tnnels !as endangered t!eir li"es and properties as Mara#i
.it$ lies in an area o% local "olcanic and tectonic acti"it$ and cased t!em sleepless nig!ts,
serios an:iet$ and s!oc/' 2n its ans#er, 6A8O.O, denied t!e allegations o% respondents and
arged mainl$ t!at respondents !a"e no case o% action since respondents do not possess t!e
sb<terrain portion and t!e tnnels are a go"ernment pro+ect %or t!e bene%it o% all and all pri"ate
lands are sb+ect to sc! easement'
-!e ,-. rendered its decision in Agst 199*: F1G den$ing 2bra!im, et'als' pra$er %or 68. to
dismantle said tnnels, F)G ordering 68. to pa$ 2bra!im, et'al' t!e %air mar/et "ale o% t!e said
lands at 81,000'00 per sqare meter, #it! *U interest per annm %rom t!e %iling o% t!is case
ntil paid, F3G ordering 68. to pa$ reasonable mont!l$ rental o% 80'*5 per sqare meter
e%%ecti"e %rom its occpanc$ o% t!e %oregoing area in 1905, and F;G a#arding 8!p )00,000'00
moral damages and 8!p )00,000'00 in attorne$&s %ees to 2bra!im, et'al'
2bra!im %iled an rgent motion %or e:ection pending appeal #!ile 68. %iled %or a motion %or
reconsideration' ,-. denied t!e motion %or reconsideration and granted t!e motion %or
e:ection' 68. %iled a 6otice o% Appeal #!ic! t!e ,-. denied %or !a"ing been %iled ot o% time'
Meantime, t!e co<!eirs o% 2bra!im %iled %or motion %or relie% on +dgement as t!e$ !ad belatedl$
reali>ed t!at t!e ,-. +dgement meant t!at 68. #old be t!e o#ner o% t!e sb+ect parcels o%
land #!ic! #as ne"er t!eir intention' ,-. granted t!eir motion and modi%ied its earlier
decision'
Bot! 2bra!im and 68. appealed t!e case to t!e .ort o% Appeals F.AG' -!e .A set aside t!e
modi%ied +dgement o% t!e ,-. and restored #it! modi%ication t!e original decision, ordering t!e
redction o% attorne$&s %ees and t!e remo"al o% moral damages'
2sseBs
136
1' 3!et!er or not sb<terrain areas o% a land belong to t!e o#ner o% t!at particlar land and
t!s, its e:propriation entitles t!em to +st compensation'
)' 3!et!er 7ta/ing9 commences, %or prposes o% determining +st compensation, at t!e time t!e
complaint %or e:propriation is %iled or at t!e time t!e propert$ #as occpied b$ t!e go"ernment
,ling
-!e 4preme .ort !eld t!at t!e o#ner o% a piece o% land !as rig!ts not onl$ to its sr%ace bt
also to e"er$t!ing nderneat! and t!e airspace abo"e it p to a reasonable !eig!t' Art' ;30 o%
t!e .i"il .ode pro"ides t!at, F",e o2ner o/ a +arcel o/ land is t,e o2ner o/ its sur/ace and o/
ever*t,ing under it, and ,e can construct t,ereon an* 2or0s or -a0e an* +lantations and
e3cavations 2,ic, ,e -a* dee- +ro+er, 2it,out detri-ent to servitudes and sub.ect to s+ecial
la2s and ordinances. 3334 -!s, 2bra!im, et' al' is entitled to +st compensation'
On 68.&s contention t!at t!e ndergrond tnnels constitte an easement pon t!e propert$ o%
respondents, t!e 4preme .ort rled t!at t!e manner in #!ic! t!e easement #as created
"iolates t!e de process rig!ts o% respondents as it #as #it!ot notice and indemnit$ to t!em
and did not go t!rog! proper e:propriation proceedings' 2t %rt!er rled t!at 68. cold !a"e at
an$ time "alidl$ e:ercised t!e po#er o% eminent domain to acqire easement o"er t!e
respondent&s propert$' And in disregarding t!is procedre, petitioner too/ a ris/ and e:posed
itsel% to greater liabilit$ #it! t!e passage o% time'
As to !o# +st compensation is compted, t!e .ort !eld t!at t!at t!e time o% ta/ing is t!e
critical date in determining la#%l or +st compensation' 6ormall$, t!e time o% t!e ta/ing
coincides #it! t!e %iling o% t!e complaint %or e:propriation, e:cept #!ere t!e o#ner #old be
gi"en nde incremental ad"antages arising %rom t!e se to #!ic! t!e go"ernment de"otes t!e
propert$ e:propriated' 2n t!is case, t!e .ort determined t!at t!e parcels o% land #ere ta/en
not in 1905 #!en t!e tnnels #ere constrcted bt in 199) #!en respondents disco"ered t!e
constrction o% t!e !ge ndergrond tnnels beneat! t!eir lands and petitioner con%irmed t!e
same and started negotiations %or t!eir prc!ase bt no agreement cold be reac!ed, as its
entr$ in 1905 #as made #it!ot color o% legal at!orit$'
-!e 4preme .ort p!eld t!e decision o% t!e .A'
137
Re%/&lic vs. 7eo6igario $ara&ia, et.al.
GR No. 157#)7
A/g/st 25, 25
?arcia, J':
Facts
4ometime in 195*, t!e Air -ransportation O%%ice FA-OG too/ possession and control o% some
portions o% @ot *0*5, co"ering ;,901 sqare meters, belonging to 4arabia, et'al' -!e lot #as
initiall$ sed as an airport par/ing area' 2n time, se"eral strctres #ere erected t!ereon,
inclding t!e control to#er, t!e Halibo cras! %ire resce station, t!e Halibo airport terminal and
t!e !eadqarters o% t!e 868 A"iation 4ecrit$ ?rop'
2n 1995, stores and restarants made o% lig!t materials #ere constrcted on t!e area otside o%
t!e A-O<occpied land' 4arabia, et'al' %iled a complaint %or !ecover* o/ Possession 2it,
$a-ages be%ore t!e Mnicipal -rial .ort o% Halibo in 1990' A-O inter"ened in t!at case and
alleged t!at t!e occpants o% t!e stores and restarants are its lessees and assred pri"ate
respondents t!at t!e$ #old be paid t!e %air mar/et "ale o% t!e sb+ect land' 1o#e"er, t!e
parties did not agree on t!e amont o% compensation' -!s, on (ne 5, 1995, t!e A-O %iled %or
e:propriation o% t!e entire @ot *0*5' -!e trial cort decided t!at onl$ t!e portion o% land
crrentl$ occpied b$ A-O F;,901 sqare metersG s!old be e:propriated as t!e additional area
is not needed b$ A-O %or pblic se or prpose' 2t also %i:ed +st compensation based on t!e
crrent mar/et "ale not at t!e time o% t!e ta/ing #!ic! #as in 195*, bt at t!e time o% t!e
issance o% t!e #rit o% possession on 6o"ember 11, 1999'
A-O appealed t!e decision to t!e .ort o% Appeals F.AG bt t!e .A a%%irmed t!e decision o% t!e
trial cort'
2sseBs
3!et!er 7ta/ing9 commences, %or prposes o% determining +st compensation, at t!e time o% t!e
issance o% t!e #rit o% possession prsant to t!e e:propriation proceedings or t!e time o%
actal ta/ing o% possession b$ t!e e:propriating entit$
,ling
-!e 4preme .ort rled t!at s%%icient e"idence e:ists to pro"e t!at t!e ta/ing occrred
sometime in 195*, i'e', t!e time o% actal ta/ing o% possession b$ t!e e:propriating entit$ b$
"irte o% respondents& admission'
-!e 4preme .ort e:plained t!at t!e "ale o% t!e propert$ s!old be %i:ed as o% t!e date #!en
it #as ta/en and not t!e date o% t!e %iling o% t!e proceedings' For #!ere propert$ is ta/en a!ead
o% t!e %iling o% t!e condemnation proceedings, t!e "ale t!ereo% ma$ be en!anced b$ t!e pblic
prpose %or #!ic! it is ta/enE t!e entr$ b$ t!e plainti%% pon t!e propert$ ma$ !a"e depreciated
its "ale t!ereb$E or, t!ere ma$ !a"e been a natral increase in t!e "ale o% t!e propert$ %rom
t!e time it is ta/en to t!e time t!e complaint is %iled, de to general economic conditions' -!e
o#ner o% pri"ate propert$ s!old be compensated onl$ %or #!at !e actall$ losesE it is not
138
intended t!at !is compensation s!all e:tend be$ond !is loss or in+r$' And #!at !e loses is onl$
t!e actal "ale o% !is propert$ at t!e time it is ta/en'
1o#e"er, #!ere t!e instittion o% an e:propriation action precedes t!e ta/ing o% t!e propert$
sb+ect t!ereo%, t!e +st compensation is %i:ed as o% t!e time o% t!e %iling o% t!e complaint'
M-AA vs. Ro6rig/e0
G.R. No. 161#36
139
1e&r/ar! 2#, 26
"inga, J.:
Facts:
8etitioner Manila 2nternational Airport At!orit$ FM2AAG, a ?O.. operating t!e 6ino$ Aqino
2nternational Airport .omple:, implemented e:pansion programs %or its rn#a$ in t!e 00&s' 4o it
bog!t and occpied some o% t!e properties srronding t!e area t!rog! e:propriation' 2n
199*, respondent lot o#ner proposed to sell to M2AA at 8),350'00 per sqare meter one o% t!e
lots alread$ occpied b$ t!e e:panded rn#a$' 6o deal #as made' 4o respondent ,odrige>
bog!t t!e bigger lot, a portion o% #!ic! #as occpied b$ t!e rn#a$, as #ell as all t!e rig!ts to
claim reasonable rents and damages %or t!e occpation, %rom its o#ner t!en, Bc/ Astate, 2nc',
%or 8; million'
,odrige> demanded %rom t!e M2AA %ll pa$ment %or t!e propert$ and bac/ rentals %or )0 $ears,
amonting to 8;*5'5 million' Failing to reac! an agreement #it! M2AA, ,odrige> %iled a case
%or accion rein"indicatoria #it! damages' Finding t!at t!e M2AA !ad illegall$ ta/en possession o%
t!e propert$, t!e trial cort rled respondent&s %a"or' -!e .ort o% Appeals modi%ied t!e trial
cort&s decision, !olding t!at ,odrige> is entitled to bac/ rentals onl$ %rom t!e time !e became
t!e registered o#ner o% t!e propert$ in 199*'
2sseBs
1'G 3as ,odrige> a b$er in bad %ait! %or !a"ing bog!t t!e sb+ect lot in a !ig!l$ speclati"e
and sc!eming manner, and in anticipation o% a grossl$ disproportionate amont o% pro%it at t!e
e:pense o% t!e ?o"ernmentP
)'G 2s ,odrige> entitled to e:emplar$ damages and attorne$&s %eesP
,ling
-!e petition is partl$ meritorios'
-!ere is 7ta/ing9 #!en t!e e:propriator enters pri"ate propert$ not onl$ %or a momentar$ period
bt %or a more permanent dration, or %or t!e prpose o% de"oting t!e propert$ to a pblic se in
sc! a manner as to ost t!e o#ner and depri"e !im o% all bene%icial en+o$ment t!ereo%' 2n t!is
conte:t, t!ere #as ta/ing #!en t!e M2AA occpied a portion t!ereo% %or its e:panded rn#a$'
3!ere actal ta/ing #as made #it!ot t!e bene%it o% e:propriation proceedings, and t!e o#ner
sog!t reco"er$ o% t!e possession o% t!e propert$ prior to t!e %iling o% e:propriation proceedings,
t!e .ort !as in"ariabl$ rled t!at it is t!e "ale o% t!e propert$ at t!e time o% ta/ing t!at is
controlling %or prposes o% compensation'
-!s, in .ommissioner o% 8blic 1ig!#a$s "' Brgos, #!erein it too/ t!e o#ner o% a parcel o%
land t!irt$<%i"e F35G $ears be%ore s!e %iled a case %or reco"er$ o% possession ta/en b$ t!e local
go"ernment nit %or a road<rig!t<o%<#a$ prpose, t!is .ort !eld:
140
=t!ere being no ot!er legal pro"ision cited #!ic! #old +sti%$ a departre %rom t!e rle t!at
+st compensation is determined on t!e basis o% t!e "ale o% t!e propert$ at t!e time o% t!e
ta/ing t!ereo% in e:propriation b$ t!e ?o"ernment, not t!e increased "ale reslting %rom t!e
passage o% time #!ic! in"ariabl$ brings nearned increment to landed properties, represents
t!e tre "ale to be paid as +st compensation %or t!e propert$ ta/en'
-!e reason %or t!e rle, as pointed ot in ,epblic "' @ara, is t!at W
N' ' ' F3G!ere propert$ is ta/en a!ead o% t!e %iling o% t!e condemnation proceedings, t!e "ale
t!ereo% ma$ be en!anced b$ t!e pblic prpose %or #!ic! it is ta/enE t!e entr$ b$ t!e plainti%%
pon t!e propert$ ma$ !a"e depreciated its "ale t!ereb$E or, t!ere ma$ !a"e been a natral
increase in t!e "ale o% t!e propert$ %rom t!e time t!e complaint is %iled, de to general
economic conditions' -!e o#ner o% pri"ate propert$ s!old be compensated onl$ %or #!at !e
actall$ loses'
-!e sb+ect lot #as occpied as a rn#a$ o% t!e M2AA starting in 190)' -!s, t!e "ale o% t!e
lot in 190) s!old ser"e as t!e basis %or t!e a#ard o% compensation to t!e o#ner'
On actal damages %or t!e occpation o% t!e sb+ect lot, ndeniabl$, t!e M2AA&s illegal
occpation %or more t!an )0 $ears !as reslted in pecniar$ loss to ,odrige> and !is
predecessors<in<interest' 4c! pecniar$ loss entitles !im to adeqate compensation in t!e
%orm o% actal or compensator$ damages, #!ic! in t!is case s!old be t!e legal interest F*UG
on t!e "ale o% t!e land at t!e time o% ta/ing, %rom said point p to %ll pa$ment b$ t!e M2AA'
-!is is based on t!e principle t!at interest rns as a matter o% la# and %ollo#s %rom t!e rig!t o%
t!e lando#ner to be placed in as good position as mone$ can accomplis!, as o% t!e date o% t!e
ta/ing' .ase la#s rled t!at t!e indemnit$ %or rentals is inconsistent #it! a propert$ o#ner&s
rig!t to be paid legal interest on t!e "ale o% t!e propert$, %or i% t!e condemnor is to pa$ t!e
compensation de to t!e o#ners %rom t!e time o% t!e actal ta/ing o% t!eir propert$, t!e pa$ment
o% sc! compensation is deemed to retroact to t!e actal ta/ing o% t!e propert$, and !ence,
t!ere is no basis %or claiming rentals %rom t!e time o% actal ta/ing'
On b$er in bad %ait!, t!e point is irrele"ant' ,egardless o% #!et!er or not ,odrige> acted in
bad %ait!, all t!at !e #ill be entitled to is t!e "ale o% t!e propert$ at t!e time o% t!e ta/ing, #it!
legal interest t!ereon %rom t!at point ntil %ll pa$ment o% t!e compensation b$ t!e M2AA' -!ere
is not!ing #rong%l or dis!onest in e:pecting to pro%it %rom one&s in"estment' 1o#e"er,
,odrige> can %alt bt onl$ !imsel% %or ta/ing an ob"ios ris/ in prc!asing propert$ alread$
being sed %or a pblic prpose' -o or mind, t!ese are #anton and irresponsible acts #!ic!
s!old be sppressed and corrected'
1ence, t!e a#ard o% e:emplar$ damages and attorne$s %ees is in order'
Manila ;lectric +o"%an! vs. ,ine6a
GR No. 7*59791
1e&r/ar! 13, 1992
141
Medialdea, J.:
Facts
,espondent , t!e !onorable ?regorio ?' 8ineda ad+dge in %a"or o% -eo%ilo Ara$on, 4r' @cito
4antiago, -eresita Batista and Att$' ?il de ?>man t!e %air mar/et "ale o% t!eir propert$ ta/en
b$ MA,A@.O pls conseqential damages in terms o% attorne$&s %ee'
8etitioner Manila Alectric .ompan$ FMA,A@.OG strongl$ maintain t!at t!e respondent cort&s
act o% determining and ordering t!e pa$ment o% +st compensation to pri"ate respondent #it!ot
%ormal presentation o% e"idence b$ t!e parties on t!e reasonable "ale o% propert$ constitting a
%lagrant "iolation o% petitioner&s constittional rig!t'
2sseBs
3!et!er or not t!e respondent cort can dispense in an e:propriation proceeding and
determine %or itsel% t!e +st compensation'
,ling
,espondent +dge arri"ed at t!e amont o% +st compensation on its o#n, #it!ot t!e proper
reception o% e"idence be%ore t!e Board o% .ommissioners' 2n an e:propriation case sc! as t!is
one #!ere t!e principal isse is t!e determination o% +st compensation, a trial be%ore t!e
.ommissioners is indispensable to allo# t!e parties to present e"idence on t!e isse o% +st
compensation' .ontrar$ to t!e sbmission o% pri"ate respondents, t!e appointment o% at least
t!ree F3G competent persons as commissioners to ascertain +st compensation %or t!e propert$
sog!t to be ta/en is a mandator$ reqirement in e:propriation cases' 3!ile it is tre t!at t!e
%indings o% commissioners ma$ be disregarded and t!e cort ma$ sbstitte its o#n estimate o%
t!e "ale, t!e latter ma$ onl$ do so %or "alid reasons, t!s, trial #it! t!e aid o% t!e
commissioners is a sbstantial rig!t t!at ma$ not be done a#a$ #it! capriciosl$ or %or no
reason at all' Moreo"er, in sc! instances, #!ere t!e report o% t!e commissioners ma$ be
disregarded, t!e trial cort ma$ ma/e its o#n estimate o% "ale %rom competent e"idence t!at
ma$ be gat!ered %rom t!e record' -!e a%oresaid +oint "entre agreement relied pon b$ t!e
respondent +dge, in t!e absence o% an$ ot!er proo% o% "alation o% said properties, is
incompetent to determine +st compensation'
2n "ie# o% t!e abo"e, 4preme .ort is con"inced respondent +dgeQs act o% determining and
ordering t!e pa$ment o% +st compensation #it!ot t!e proper assistance o% a Board o%
.ommissioners is a %lagrant "iolation o% petitionerQs constittional rig!t to de process and is a
gross "iolation o% t!e mandated rle establis!ed b$ t!e ,e"ised ,les o% .ort'
;state o' .B7 Re!es vs. +it! o' Manila
GR No. 132)31
1e&r/ar! 13, 2)
Corona, J.:
142
Facts
-!e case is a petition %or re"ie# and certiorari %iled b$ t!e !eirs o% ('B'@' ,e$es against
respondent .ort o% Appeals and .it$ o% Manila et'al' -!e case esteemed %rom t!e decision o%
t!e .'A' %or t!e issance o% protecti"e cstod$ in %a"or o% respondent on t!e contested 11
parcels o% land o#ned b$ t!e petitioner sitated at 4ta' .r> District, Manila #it! a total land
area o% 13, 9;0 sqare meters and co"ered b$ -.- no' );359 issed b$ t!e ,egister o% Deeds,
Manila'
-!e land in qestion #as initiall$ occpied and leased b$ di%%erent tenants, among t!em are
respondents Abiog, Maglonso and members o% 4ampagita Bisig ng Mag/a/abitba!a$,
2ncorporated F4BM2G' On Ma$ 9, 199;, petitioners obtained a %a"orable +dgments against Abiog
prsant to t!e decision rendered b$ t!e M-. Manila, Branc! 3 in .i"il .ase 6o 1;)551<.V
and against Maglonso in .i"il .ase 6o' 1;;)05<.V on Ma$ ;, 1995' 3!ile t!e case is nder
ad+dication, t!e respondents .it$ o% Manila inter"enes and %ile a complaint %or imminent domain
Fe:propriationG on April )5, 1995 based on its appro"ed Ordinance 6o 0515 enacted on
6o"ember )9, 1993 at!ori>ing t!e .it$ Ma$or o% Manila to e:propriate certain parcels o% land
#it! an aggregate area o% 9,930 sqare meters, more or less' 2t arged t!at t!e prpose o%
e:propriation is %or a sociali>e !osing pro+ect o% t!e cit$ #!ic! #old ot!er#ise bene%it its
nderpri"ileged and !omeless citi>ens' 1o#e"er, petitioner trned do#n t!e o%%er on "arios
reasons among t!em, t!e %ailre o% bot! to arri"e at an amicable o%%er %or t!e settlement o% t!e
case'
2sseBs
1' 3!et!er t!e .A !as +risdiction to isse t!e protecti"e order despite t!e %inalit$ o% order
rendered b$ t!e trial cortP
)' 3!et!er respondent .it$ depri"ed petitioners o% t!eir propert$ #it!ot de process o% la#P
3' 3!et!er t!e respondent .it$ o% Manila complied #it! t!e legal reqirements %or e:propriation
pro"ided nder 4ection 9 and 10 o% ,'A' 0)09P
,ling
,A 0)09 4ections 9 states t!e order o% priorit$ in t!e acqisition o% propert$ sb+ect o% an$
e:propriation intended %or pblic prpose' 4ection 10 t!ereo%, made a signi%icant
prononcement t!at 7t!e e:propriation ma$ be resorted to onl$ #!en ot!er modes o% acqisition
!a"e been e:!asted: ::: nderscoring spplied9' Be%ore respondent .it$ can e:ercise its
po#er o% eminent domain, t!e same mst be sanctioned and mst not "iolate an$ la#'
,eiterating t!e pro"ision o% ,'A' 0)09, it #old bear stressing t!at pri"ate lands ran/ last in t!e
order o% priorit$ %or prposes o% sociali>ed !osing' 2n t!e same "ein, e:propriation proceedings
are to be resorted to onl$ a%ter t!e ot!er modes o% acqisition !a"e been e:!asted'
.ompliance #it! t!ese conditions is mandator$ becase t!ese are t!e onl$ sa%egards o%
o%tentimes !elpless o#ners o% pri"ate propert$ against "iolation o% de process #!en t!eir
propert$ is %orcibl$ ta/en %rom t!em %or pblic se' -!e state in its paramont interest o%
promoting pblic good and general #el%are cannot simpl$ ignore t!e rig!ts o% its citi>ens and
143
sc! mst ta/e precedence o"er t!e interest o% pri"ate propert$ o#ners' 2ndi"idal rig!ts
a%%ected b$ t!e e:ercise o% sc! rig!t are also entitled to protection, bearing in mind t!at t!e
e:ercise o% t!is sperior rig!t cannot o"erride t!e garantee o% de process e:tended b$ t!e la#
to o#ners o% t!e propert$ to be e:propriated' De to t!e %atal in%irmit$ in t!e .it$&s e:ercise o%
t!e po#er o% eminent domain, its complaint %or e:propriation #as trned do#n b$ t!e cort'
8etitions granted and decision o% .'A' #as re"ersed and set aside'
7agcao vs. ./6ge 7a&ra
GR No. 1557)6
8cto&er 13, 2)
Corona, J.:
Facts
144
2n 19*;, t!e 8ro"ince o% .eb donated )10 lots to t!e .it$ o% .eb' One o% t!ese lots #as @ot
10)9'
2n 19*5, petitioners prc!ased said @ot on installment basis' On t!e same $ear, all t!e )10 lots
#as re"erted to 8ro"ince o% .eb' .onseqentl$, t!e pro"ince tried to annl t!e sale o% @ot
10)9 b$ t!e .it$ o% .eb to t!e petitioners, !ence t!is case'
On (l$ 9, 195*, t!e .ort o% First 2nstance rled in %a"or o% t!e petitioners ordering t!e
8ro"ince o% .eb to e:ecte t!e %inal deed o% sale in %a"or o% t!e petitioners' 4aid decision #as
a%%irmed b$ .A on (ne 11, 199)' As petitioners acqired t!e title %or @ot 10)9, t!e$ disco"ered
t!at t!ere #ere sqatters occp$ing t!e sb+ect propert$' As a conseqence, t!e$ %iled %or
A+ectment proceedings against t!e sqatters' On April 1, 1995, -!e Mnicipal -rial .ort in
.ities FM-..G, Branc! 1, .eb .it$, rendered a decision ordering t!e sqatters to "acate t!e
lot' On appeal, t!e ,-. a%%irmed t!e M-..&s decision and issed a #rit o% e:ection and order
o% demolition'
3!en 3rit o% Demolition abot to be implemented, t!e .eb .it$ Ma$or Al"in ?arcia #rote t#o
letters, !a"ing de%erment o% said e+ection as its contention on t!e grond t!at no relocation site
!as $et been read$ %or t!e sqatters' Acting on t!e ma$or&s reqest, t!e M-.. issed t#o
orders sspending t!e demolition %or a period o% 1)0 da$s' 1o#e"er, dring t!e pendenc$, t!e
4anggniang 8anglngsod o% .eb .it$ enacted Ordinance 6o' 15;3 at!ori>ing t!e ma$or o%
.eb .it$ to initiate e:propriation proceedings %or t!e acqisition o% @ot 10)9'
Accordingl$, t!e petitioners negated said Ordinance and %iled a 6otice o% Appeal'
2sseBs
Did t!e .it$ o% .eb "iolate t!e .onstittion #!en t!e$ enacted Ordinance 6o' 15;3 as it
sanctions t!e e:propriation o% petitioners& propert$P
,ling
.ort nlli%ied t!e sb+ect ordinance %or %or grondsE t!ese are:
1' -!e enactment o% t!e said ordinance #as in a manner !ast$ so as to e"ade t!e pending
e+ection o% sqatters' -!e A:ection o% said e+ection as it nder#ent de process is t!e rig!t%l
proceeding to be en%orced'
)' -!e %act t!at petitioners& small propert$ #as singled ot %or e:propriation %or t!e prpose o%
a#arding it to no more t!an a %e# sqatters K a clear pictre o% #!at is not 7intended %or pblic
se9 bt %or onl$ a %e#'
3' -!ere #as no reasonable relation bet#een t!e end sog!t and t!e means adopted' 3!ile t!e
ob+ecti"e o% t!e .it$ o% .eb #as to pro"ide adeqate !osing to slm d#ellers, t!e means it
emplo$ed in prsit o% sc! ob+ecti"e %ell s!ort o% #!at #as legal, sensible and called %or b$ t!e
circmstances'
;' -!e qestioned ordinance is against pertinent pro"isions o% t!e .onstittion, ,A 0)09 and ,A
01*0'
145
More so, local go"ernment nits !a"e no in!erent po#er o% eminent domain and can e:ercise it
onl$ #!en e:pressl$ at!ori>ed b$ t!e legislatre'
-!s, t!e petition is granted'
Metro%olitan +e&/ :ater District vs. .. Ging an6 $ons +o"%an!, -nc.,
GR No. 1759#3
A%ril 16, 29
"inga, J.:
Facts:
8etitioner Metropolitan .eb 3ater District is a go"ernment<o#ned and controlled corporation
and among its prposes are to acqire, install, impro"e, maintain and operate #ater sppl$ and
146
distribtion s$stems #it!in t!e bondaries o% t!e District' 8etitioner #anted to acqire a %i"e F5G<
sqare meter lot occpied b$ its prodction #ell' -!e lot is part o% respondent&s propert$
co"ered b$ -.- 6o' 1*5*05 and located in Banilad, .eb .it$' 8etitioner initiated negotiations
#it! respondent (' Hing and 4ons .ompan$, 2nc' %or t!e "olntar$ sale o% t!e latter&s propert$'
,espondent did not acqiesce to petitioner&s proposal' A%ter t!e negotiations !ad %ailed,
petitioner prsant to its c!arter initiated e:propriation proceedings #!ic! #as dl$ appro"ed
b$ t!e @ocal 3ater Itilities Administration F@3IAG' On 10 6o"ember )00;, petitioner %iled a
complaint to e:propriate t!e %i"e F5G<sqare meter portion o% respondent&s propert$'
On 0 Febrar$ )005, petitioner %iled a motion %or t!e issance o% a #rit o% possession' 8etitioner
#anted to tender t!e amont to respondent dring a resc!edled !earing #!ic! petitioner&s
consel !ad %ailed to attend' 8etitioner deposited #it! t!e .ler/ o% .ort t!e amont o%
810,500'00 eqi"alent to one !ndred percent F100UG o% t!e crrent >onal "ale o% t!e propert$
#!ic! t!e Brea o% 2nternal ,e"ene !ad pegged at 83,500'00 per sqare meter'
4bseqentl$, t!e trial cort granted t!e motion and issed t!e #rit o% possession' ,espondent
mo"ed %or reconsideration bt t!e motion #as denied'
,espondent %iled a petition %or certiorari nder ,le *5 #it! t!e .ort o% Appeals' 2t sog!t t!e
issance o% a temporar$ restraining order F-,OG #!ic! t!e .ort o% Appeals granted' -!s,
petitioner #as not able to gain entr$ to t!e lot'
On )* (l$ )00*, t!e .ort o% Appeals rendered t!e assailed decision granting respondent&s
petition' 2t rled t!at t!e board resoltion #!ic! at!ori>ed t!e %iling o% t!e e:propriation
complaint lac/ed e:actitde and particlarit$ #!ic! made it in"alidE t!at t!ere #as no genine
necessit$ %or t!e e:propriation o% t!e %i"e F5G<sqare meter lot andE t!at t!e reliance on ,epblic
Act F,'A'G 6o' 590; in %i:ing t!e "ale o% t!e propert$ contra"enes t!e +dicial determination o%
+st compensation' 8etitioner mo"ed %or reconsideration bt t!e motion #as re+ected'
2sse:
3!et!er t!e procedre in obtaining a #rit o% possession #as properl$ obser"ed'
,ling:
-!e general rle is t!at pon %iling o% t!e e:propriation complaint, t!e plainti%% !as t!e rig!t to
ta/e or enter into possession o% t!e real propert$ in"ol"ed i% !e deposits #it! t!e at!ori>ed
go"ernment depositar$ an amont eqi"alent to t!e assessed "ale o% t!e propert$ %or prposes
o% ta:ation' An e:ception to t!is procedre is pro"ided b$ ,'A' 6o' 590;' 2t reqires t!e pa$ment
o% one !ndred percent F100UG o% t!e >onal "ale o% t!e propert$ to be e:propriated to entitle
t!e plainti%% to a #rit o% possession' 2n an e:propriation proceeding t!ere are t#o stages, %irst, is
t!e determination o% t!e "alidit$ o% t!e e:propriation, and second is t!e determination o% +st
compensation'
-!s, t!e determination o% t!e necessit$ o% t!e e:propriation is a +sti%iable qestion #!ic! can
onl$ be resol"ed dring t!e %irst stage o% an e:propriation proceeding' ,espondent&s claim t!at
t!e e:propriated propert$ is too small to be considered %or pblic se can onl$ be resol"ed
dring t!at stage' Frt!er, t!e .ort o% Appeals rled t!at 4ection ; o% ,'A' 6o' 590; rns
conter to t!e e:press mandate o% 4ection ) o% ,le *0' 2t !eld t!at t!e la# ndermined t!e
principle t!at t!e determination o% +st compensation is a +dicial %nction' ,'A' 6o' 590; does
not ta/e a#a$ %rom t!e corts t!e po#er to +diciall$ determine t!e amont o% +st
147
compensation' -!e la# merel$ sets t!e minimm price o% t!e propert$ as t!e pro"isional "ale'
-!s, t!e amont o% +st compensation mst still be determined b$ t!e corts according to t!e
standards set %ort! in 4ection 55 o% ,'A' 6o' 590;'
,'A' 6o' 590; pro"ides a di%%erent sc!eme %or t!e obtention o% a #rit o% possession' -!e la#
does not reqire a deposit #it! a go"ernment ban/E instead it reqires t!e go"ernment to
immediatel$ pa$ t!e propert$ o#ner' -!e pro"isional c!aracter o% t!is pa$ment means t!at it is
not $et %inal, $et, s%%icient nder t!e la# to entitle t!e ?o"ernment to t!e #rit o% possession o"er
t!e e:propriated propert$' -!e pro"isional pa$ment is a prereqisite and a trigger %or t!e
issance o% t!e #rit o% possession' 8etitioner #as spposed to tender t!e pro"isional pa$ment
directl$ to respondent dring a !earing #!ic! it !ad %ailed to attend' 8etitioner, t!en, deposited
t!e pro"isional pa$ment #it! t!e cort' -!e trial cort did not commit an error in accepting t!e
deposit and in issing t!e #rit o% possession'
-!e deposit o% t!e pro"isional amont #it! t!e cort is eqi"alent to pa$ment' 2ndeed, 4ection ;
o% ,'A' 6o' 590; is emp!atic to t!e e%%ect t!at 7pon compliance #it! t!e gidelines=t!e cort
s!all immediatel$ isse to t!e implementing agenc$ an order to ta/e possession o% t!e propert$
and start t!e implementation o% t!e pro+ect'9Inder t!is stattor$ pro"ision, #!en t!e
go"ernment, its agencies or go"ernment<o#ned and controlled corporations, ma/e t!e reqired
pro"isional pa$ment, t!e trial cort !as a ministerial dt$ to isse a #rit o% possession' 2t is
mandator$ on t!e trial cort&s part to isse t!e #rit o% possession and on t!e s!eri%%&s part to
deli"er possession o% respondent&s propert$ to petitioner prsant to t!e #rit'
31A,AFO,A, t!e .ort o% Appeals& Decision dated )* (l$ )00* and ,esoltion dated )5
4eptember )00* are ,AVA,4AD' -!e O,DA,4 o% t!e ,egional -rial .ort dated 01 April
)005 and 9 Ma$ )005 are !ereb$ ,A264-A-AD' -!e ,egional -rial .ort is %rt!er D2,A.-AD
to immediatel$ ,AM2- t!e amont o% 810,500'00 to respondent and to ,AMI2,A t!e s!eri%%
to implement t!e #rit o% possession' -!e case is ,AMA6DAD to t!e trial cort %or %rt!er
proceedings'
Re%/&lic v 7i"
G.R. 161656
./ne 29, 25
Sandoval- utierrez, J.:
Facts
2n 1935, t!e ,epblic institted a special ci"il action %or certiorari o% a land in @a!g, .eb .it$
%or t!e prpose o% establis!ing a militar$ reser"ation %or t!e 8!ilippine Arm$' -!e said lots #ere
registered in t!e name o% ?er"asia and Alalia Den>on' -!e ,epblic deposited 89,500 in t!e
148
86B t!en too/ position o% t!e lots' -!erea%ter, on Ma$ 19;0, t!e .F2 rendered its Decision
ordering t!e ,epblic to pa$ t!e Den>ons t!e sm o% 8;, 0*)'10 as +st compensation'
2n 1950, one o% t!e !eirs o% t!e Den>ons, %iled #it! t!e 6ational Airports .orporation a claim %or
rentals %or t!e t#o lots, bit it 7denied /no#ledge o% t!e matter9' On 4ept' *, 19*1 @t' .abal
re+ected t!e claim bt e:pressed #illingness to pa$ t!e appraised "ale o% t!e lots #it!in a
reasonable time'
For %ailre o% t!e ,epblic to pa$ %or t!e lots, t!e Den>on&s sccessors<in<interest, Valde!e>a
and 8anerio, %iled #it! t!e same .F2 an action %or reco"er$ o% possession #it! damages against
t!e ,epblic and AF8 o%%icers in possession o% t!e propert$'
On (l$, 19*), t!e .F2 promlgated its decision in %a"or o% Valde!e>a and 8anerio bt in "ie#
o% t!e annotation on t!eir land titles, t!e$ #ere ordered to e:ecte a deed o% sale in %a"or o% t!e
,epblic' Mean#!ile, in 19*;, Valde!e>a and 8anerio mortgaged @ot 93) to Vicente @im as
secrit$ %or t!eir loans #!ic! sbseqentl$ been %oreclosed and t!e title #as issed to !is
name'
8etitioner, t!rog! t!e O4?, %iled #it! t!e 4. a petition %or re"ie# alleging t!at t!e$ remain as
t!e o#ner o% @ot 93)'
2sse
3!et!er or not t!e ,epblic !as retained o#ners!ip o% @ot 93) despite its %ailre to pa$ t!e
respondent&s predecessor<in<interest t!e +st compensation'
,ling
3!ile t!e pre"ailing doctrine is t!at 7t!e non<pa$ment o% +st compensation does not entitle t!e
pri"ate land<o#ner to reco"er possession o% t!e e:propriated lots9 !o#e"er, in cases #!ere t!e
go"ernment %ailed to pa$ +st compensation #it!in 5 $ears %rom t!e %inalit$ o% t!e +dgment in
t!e e:propriation proceedings, t!e o#ners concerned s!all !a"e t!e rig!t to reco"er possession
o% t!e propert$'
-!ere%ore, t!e ,epblic cannot acqire o#ners!ip o"er @ot 93) becase it !as not paid its
o#ner t!e +st compensation reqired b$ la# %or more t!an 50 $ears' 3it!ot prompt pa$ment,
compensation cannot be considered +st'
@B8 " 3$coco
?',' 1;01*0
(anar$ 13, )00;
Ynares-Santiago, J.:
Facts
149
Feliciano 3$coco is t!e registered o#ner o% a 9;'1*90 !ectare rice land' 2n t!e #it! t!e
.ompre!ensi"e Agrarian ,e%orm 8rogram o% t!e go"ernment, 3$coco "olntaril$ o%%ered to sell
t!e land to t!e Department o% Agrarian ,e%orm ,e%orm FDA,G %or 81;'9 million' A%ter#ards, a
notice to acqire 5;'5*90 !ectares o% t!e propert$ to t!e amont o% 8), )50,159'5) #as sent to
3$coco' 3$coco re+ected t!e o%%er, prompting t!e DA, to indorse t!e case to t!e Department
o% Agrarian ,e%orm Ad+dication Board,FDA,ABG %or t!e prpose o% %i:ing t!e +st compensation
in a smmar$ administration proceeding' -!erea%ter, t!e DA,AB ,eqested t!e @B8 to open a
trst accont in t!e name o% 3$coco and deposited t!e compensation o%%ered b$ DA, and said
propert$ #as distribted to t!e %armers<bene%iciaries' 3$coco, !o#e"er, %orego in %iling an
instant case %or determination o% +st compensation #it! t!e ,egional -rial .ort o% .abanatan
.it$'
2sse
3!et!er or not t!e %air mar/et "ale alone cold be t!e basis %or e"alation o% +st
compensation'
,ling
3!ile mar/et "ale ma$ be one o% t!e basis o% determining +st compensation, t!e same cannot
be arbitraril$ arri"ed at #it!ot considering t!e %actors to be appreciated in arri"ing at t!e %air
mar/et "ale o% t!e propert$ e'g', t!e cost o% acqisition, t!e crrent "ale o% li/e properties, its
si>e, s!ape, location as #ell as t!e ta: declaration t!ereon' 4ince t!ese %actors #ere not
considered, a remand o% t!e case %or determination o% +st compensation is necessar$,
,eo%le vs. <o"aI/in
GR No. 1331##
(l$ )3, )00;
Austria-"artine', ..1
Facts
-!e accsed<appelant #as c!arged #it! mrder' On arraignment, accsed<appellant pleaded
7not gilt$9 to t!e c!arge, and trial t!erea%ter ensed' A%ter trial, accsed #as %ond gilt$' -!ere
150
#ere no e$e#itnesses to t!e incident, and t!e prosection&s e"idence, aside %rom appellant&s
e:tra+dicial con%ession, #as mainl$ circmstantial' 4aid e:tra+dicial con%ession #as gi"en in
t!e presence o% a baranga$ captain #!o is also a la#$er' Appellant qestions t!e admissibilit$ o%
t!e e:tra+dicial con%ession becase it #as an nconselled con%ession' Accsed<appellant
contends t!at t!e baranga$ captain, alt!og! a la#$er, ma$ not be considered an independent
consel #it!in t!e pr"ie# o% 4ection 1), Article 222 o% t!e 1950 .onstittion'
2sseBs
3!et!er or not t!e e:tra+dicial con%ession e:ected b$ appellant, #it! t!e assistance o% a
baranga$ captain, is admissible in e"idence against !im'
,ling
6o' 4ection 1), Article 222 o% t!e 1950 .onstittion pro"ides: C:D An* +erson under investigation
/or t,e co--ission o/ an o//ense s,all ,ave t,e rig,t to be in/or-ed o/ ,is rig,t to re-ain silent
and to ,ave co-+etent and inde+endent counsel +re/erabl* o/ ,is o2n c,oice. )/ t,e +erson
cannot a//ord t,e services o/ counsel, ,e -ust be +rovided 2it, one. ",ese rig,ts cannot be
2aived e3ce+t in 2riting and in t,e +resence o/ counsel.
A baranga$ captain is called pon to en%orce t!e la# and ordinances in !is baranga$ and
ensre peace and order at all times'
2n %act, a baranga$ captain is deemed a person in at!orit$ nder Article 15) o% t!e ,e"ised
8enal .ode, to #it:
A!". :>6. Persons in aut,orit* and agents o/ +ersons in aut,orit*. E G,o s,all be dee-ed as
suc,. E )n a++l*ing t,e +rovisions o/ t,e +receding and ot,er articles o/ t,is Code, an* +erson
directl* vested 2it, .urisdiction, 2,et,er as an individual or as a -e-ber o/ so-e court or
govern-ent cor+oration, board, or co--ission, s,all be dee-ed a +erson in aut,orit*. A barrio
ca+tain and a baranga* c,air-an s,all also be dee-ed a +erson in aut,orit*.
On t!ese bases, it is not legall$ possible to consider t!e baranga$ captain as an independent
consel o% appellant'
2n t!is case t!e role o% t!e baranga$ captain, #as a peace/eeping o%%icer o% !is baranga$ and
t!ere%ore in direct con%lict #it! t!e role o% pro"iding competent legal assistance to appellant #!o
#as accsed o% committing a crime in !is +risdiction, t!e baranga$ captain cold not be
considered as an independent consel o% appellant, #!en t!e latter e:ected !is e:tra+dicial
con%ession' 3!at t!e .onstittion reqires is t!e presence o% an independent and competent
consel, one #!o #ill e%%ecti"el$ nderta/e !is client&s de%ense #it!ot an$ inter"ening con%lict
o% interest'
151
,eo%le vs. <ali"an
G.R. N8. 191)3
8cto&er 11, 2
Pardo, J.:
Facts
-!e accsed<appellants 4gt' 8edro -aliman, .1. Basilio Ba$ba$an #ere members o% t!e
.onstablar$B 2ntegrated 6ational 8olice .ommand, and Amando Belano' -!e "ictim #as
,enato .ano' 8rosection #itness Arnesto @acson #as t!e ncle and emplo$er o% ,enato,
#!o #as t!e careta/er o% !is gra"el and sand trc/' @acson instrcted ,enato to ta/e !is
passenger +eep and to proceed in 6alisbitan to get !is collectibles' -!at #as t!e last time
@acson sa# t!e "ictim' Ali>er, emplo$ee o% @ason and a prosection #itness, #as instrcted b$
152
@acson to go to 6alisbitan #ere !e sa# t!e accsed ta/e ,enato' A cstodial in"estigation
#as condcted on (l$ )3, 1990' Att$' 6icolas V' 8ardo, Ma$or o% @abo, .amarines 6orte, #ent
to t!e 8olice station pon in"itation o% 8olice corporal .ereno to 7assist9 accsed dring t!eir
in"estigation' -!e accsed, e:ected e:tra<+dicial statements, con%essing to t!e commission o%
t!e crime' 2t #as dring t!is cstodial in"estigation t!at accsed Basilio Ba$ba$in con%essed to
prosection #itness 4gt' Boni%acio Argarin t!at !e participated in t!e /illing o% ,enato becase
t!e latter did not gi"e t!em t!e mone$ t!e$ #ere demanding' -!is con%ession #as gi"en #it!ot
t!e assistance o% consel and #as not redced to #riting' On Febrar$ )*, 1991, t!e accsed
#ere arraigned and pleaded 7not gilt$9'
-!e accsed<appellants #as %ond b$ t!e cort gilt$ be$ond reasonable dobt %or t!e mrder
as c!arged, and are !ereb$ eac! sentence to s%%er t!e penalt$ o% reclusion +er+etua'
2sseBs
3!et!er or not A:tra<(dicial con%essions e:ected b$ t!e accsed is a basis %or con"iction'
,ling
On appeal, t!e accsed<appellants sbmit t!at t!e e:tra<+dicial con%essions on #!ic! t!e trial
cort relied #ere inadmissible in e"idence becase t!e$ #ere obtained in "iolation o% t!eir
constittional rig!ts' -!e cort agrees #it! accsed Kappellants on t!is point' -!e e:tra<+dicial
statements alone cannot be a basis %or con"iction, as pro"ided b$ Article 222, 4ection 1) o% t!e
.onstittion'
Ma$or 8ardo cannot be considered as an independent consel %or accsed dring t!eir
in"estigation' 2t is t!ere%ore seriosl$ dobted #!et!er !e can e%%ecti"el$ nderta/e t!e de%ense
o% t!e accsed #it!ot rnning into con%lict o% interest' A"en assming t!at t!e rig!t to consel
#as orall$ #ai"ed dring in"estigation, still t!e de%ect #as not cred' -!e .onstittion e:pressl$
pro"ides t!at t!e #ai"er mst be in #riting and in t!e presence o% consel' -!is, accsed<
appellants did not do'
1o#e"er, #!ile t!e cort agree t!at t!e e:tra<+dicial statements o% t!e accsed are
inadmissible in e"idence, t!ere is still s%%icient e"idence to con"ict' -!e .ort a%%irmed t!e
decision #it! Modi%ication' 2n t!e absence o% proo% as to !o# t!e /illing #as perpetrated, t!e
crime committed #as !omicide and are sentenced t!e accsed to +rision -a*or, as minimm
and reclusion te-+oral, as ma:imm'
153
,eo%le vs. ,/ra0o
GR No. 1331#9
Ma! 5, 23
Bellosillo, J.:
Facts
On 6o"ember );, 1990, 4olomon 8ra>o #as %ond gilt$ be$ond reasonable dobt b$ t!e trial
cort o% rape perpetrated against !is o#n t#el"e F1)G < $ear old dag!ter ,O3A6A' 1e #as
sentenced to deat!, #it! t!e accessor$ penalt$ pro"ided b$ la# and ordered !im to indemni%$
!is "ictim 8100, 000'00 %or moral damages' 1ence, t!is atomatic appeal in "ie# o% t!e deat!
penalt$ imposed b$ t!e cort a qo'
2sseBs
154
2mposition o% t!e deat! penalt$ as pnis!ment %or t!e crime o% rape to t!e accsed& minor
dag!ter'
,ling
-!e rape committed b$ t!e accsed on !is o#n 11<$ear old dag!ter is indisptabl$ qali%ied b$
minorit$ and relations!ip' Accordingl$, t!e penalt$ o% deat! cold t!s be decreed in t!e instant
case' 1o#e"er, 4ec' ), ,ep' Act 6o' 0*59, amending article ;0 o% t!e ,e"ised 8enal .ode,
recogni>es t!at in deat! penalt$ cases, t!e !ig! tribnal pts to a "ote not onl$ t!e isse o% t!e
gilt o% t!e accsed, bt also on t!e imposition o% t!e deat! sentence itsel%' -!e la# pro"ides K
F2,en u+on a++eal or auto-atic revie2 o/ t,e case b* t,e Su+re-e court, t,e required -a.orit*
vote is not obtained /or t,e i-+osition o/ t,e deat, +enalt* s,all be reduced to reclusion
+er+etua.4
1ence, t!ere ma$ be circmstances to #arrant sc! %orbearance' -!s in ,eo%le vs RoI/e,
#!ere t!is cort p!eld t!e con"iction o% t!e accsed %or t#o conts o% rape, t!e deat! penalt$
imposed b$ t!e trial cort #as redced to reclsion perpeta'
-!e cort is con"inced o% t!e gilt be$ond reasonable dobt o% t!e appellant %or t!e crime #it!
#!ic! !e !as been c!arged bt, considering t!at t!e case is on all %ors #it! ,eo%le vs RoI/e,
#!ere t!e complaining sisters #ere raped se"eral times o"er a period o% t#o F)G $ears b$ t!eir
%at!er #!o #as c!arged onl$ #it! t#o F)G conts, t!e cort !a"e no c!oice bt to %ollo# case
la#' @i/e#ise, t!e cort t!ere%ore "ote to redce t!e deat! penalt$ imposed b$ t!e trial cort to
reclsion perpeta'
2n .on%ormit$ #it! t!e pre"ailing (risprdence, t!e +dgment o% t!e ,egional trial cort o% .eb
.it$ %inding accsed 4O@OMO6 8I,AJO gilt$ be$ond reasonable dobt o% incestos rape is
AFF2,MAD #it! t!e modi%ication t!at accsed is sentenced instead to s%%er t!e penalt$ o%
reclsion perpeta and to pa$ ,o#ena 8ra>o t!e amont o% 850,000'00 as ci"il indemnit$,
850,000'00 as moral damages and 8)5,000'00 as e:emplar$ damages'
-vler v $an ,e6ro
GR 172716
Nove"&er 17, 21
Car+io, J:
Facts:
8etitioner (ason 2"ler #as c!arged be%ore t!e Metropolitan -rail .ort FMe-.G o% 8asig .it$ #it!
t#o separate o%%enses: ,ec/less 2mprdence ,eslting in 4lig!t 8!$sical 2n+r$ %or in+ries
sstained b$ respondent A"angeline 8once, and ,ec/less 2mprdence ,eslting to 1omicide
and Damage to 8ropert$ %or t!e deat! o% Mrs' 8once&s spose and t!e damage to t!eir "e!icle,
a%ter a "e!iclar accident #!ic! occrred in Agst )00;'
8etitioner posted bail'
155
Dring arraignment, petitioner pleaded gilt$ and #as meted ot %or pblic censre' 8etitioner,
t!en, %iled a motion to qas! t!e in%ormation %or t!e second o%%ense stating t!at proceeding #it!
t!e second criminal case #as a "iolation o% !is constittional rig!t against Doble (eopard$'
-!e Metropolitan -rial cort re%sed t!e qas!al, %inding t!e o%%enses %iled against petitioner
distinct' 1ence, petitioner %iled a petition %or certiorari in t!e 8asig ,egional -rial .ort, and
contined to see/ %rom t!e Metropolitan -rial .ort sspension o% t!e second criminal case
proceeding and t!e postponement o% !is arraignment ntil a%ter !is arrest' 1o#e"er, Me-.
proceeded #it! t!e arraignment and cancelled petitioner&s bail and ordered !is arrest' 4e"en
Da$s later, t!e Me-. issed a resoltion den$ing petitioner&s motion %or reconsideration' ,-.
a%%irmed Me-.&s decision' 8etitioner, t!en, %iled a petition %or re"ie# o% t!e Orders o% t!e
,egional -rial .ort'
2sseBs:
3!et!er or not t!e protection a%%orded b$ t!e .onstittion s!ielding petitioner %rom prosections
placing !im in +eopard$ o% second pnis!ment %or t!e same o%%ense bars %rt!er proceedings in
t!e second criminal case against !im'
,ling:
-!e 4preme .ort re"ersed t!e Orders o% t!e ,egional -rial .ort and dismissed t!e
in%ormation on t!e second case %iled against t!e petitioner on t!e grond o% Doble (eopard$'
,ationale
1ence, #e %ind merit in petitioner&s sbmission t!at t!e lo#er corts erred in re%sing to e:tend
in !is %a"or t!e mantle o% protection a%%orded b$ t!e Doble (eopard$ .lase' A more %itting
+risprdence cold not be tailored to petitioner&s case t!an 8eople "' 4il"a, ;1 a Dia> progen$'
-!ere, t!e accsed, #!o #as also in"ol"ed in a "e!iclar collision, #as c!arged in t#o separate
2n%ormationsFsicG #it! N4lig!t 8!$sical 2n+ries t!r ,ec/less 2mprdenceN and N1omicide #it!
4erios 8!$sical 2n+ries t!r ,ec/less 2mprdence'N Follo#ing !is acqittal o% t!e %ormer, t!e
accsed sog!t t!e qas!al o% t!e latter, in"o/ing t!e Doble (eopard$ .lase' -!e trial cort
initiall$ denied relie%, bt, on reconsideration, %ond merit in t!e accsed&s claim and dismissed
t!e second case'
-!e con%sion bede"iling t!e qestion posed in t!is petition, to #!ic! t!e Me-. sccmbed,
stems %rom persistent bt a#/#ard attempts to !armoni>e conceptall$ incompatible
sbstanti"e and procedral rles in criminal la#, namel$, Article 3*5 de%ining and penali>ing
qasi<o%%enses and Article ;5 on comple:ing o% crimes, bot! nder t!e ,e"ised 8enal .ode'
Article ;5 is a procedral de"ice allo#ing single prosection o% mltiple %elonies %alling nder
eit!er o% t#o categories: F1G #!en a single act constittes t#o or more gra"e or less gra"e
%elonies Ft!s e:clding %rom its operation lig!t %eloniesGE and F)G #!en an o%%ense is a
necessar$ means %or committing t!e ot!er' -!e legislatre cra%ted t!is procedral tool to bene%it
t!e accsed #!o, in lie o% ser"ing mltiple penalties, #ill onl$ ser"e t!e ma:imm o% t!e
penalt$ %or t!e most serios crime'
B
1ence, #e !old t!at prosections nder Article 3*5 s!old proceed %rom a single c!arge
regardless o% t!e nmber or se"erit$ o% t!e conseqences' 2n imposing penalties, t!e +dge #ill
156
do no more t!an appl$ t!e penalties nder Article 3*5 %or eac! conseqence alleged and
pro"en' 2n s!ort, t!ere s!all be no splitting o% c!arges nder Article 3*5, and onl$ one
in%ormation s!all be %iled in t!e same %irst le"el cort'
Or rling toda$ secres %or t!e accsed %acing an Article 3*5 c!arge a stronger and simpler
protection o% t!eir constittional rig!t nder t!e Doble (eopard$ .lase' -re, t!e$ are t!ereb$
denied t!e bene%icent e%%ect o% t!e %a"orable sentencing %ormla nder Article ;5, bt an$
disad"antage t!s cased is more t!an compensated b$ t!e certaint$ o% non<prosection %or
qasi<crime e%%ects qali%$ing as Nlig!t o%%ensesN For, as !ere, %or t!e more serios conseqence
prosected belatedl$G' 2% it is so minded, .ongress can re<cra%t Article 3*5 b$ e:tending to
qasi<crimes t!e sentencing %ormla o% Article ;5 so t!at onl$ t!e most se"ere penalt$ s!all be
imposed nder a single prosection o% all reslting acts, #!et!er penali>ed as gra"e, less gra"e
or lig!t o%%enses' -!is #ill still /eep intact t!e distinct concept o% qasi<o%%enses' Mean#!ile, t!e
lenient sc!edle o% penalties nder Article 3*5, be%itting crimes occp$ing a lo#er rng o%
clpabilit$, s!old cs!ion t!e e%%ect o% t!is rling'
G.R. No. 157399 Nove"&er 17, 25
,;8,7; 81 <(; ,(-7-,,-N;$, Appellee,
"s'
.8$; <-NG 7AN 9=, .R. ?AcI/itte6@, ;RN;$<8 GAM9$ ! $8<;78, .A-M; 8+(8A, all o'
the National ,o2er +or%oration, an6 RA97 G9<-;RR;> alias Ra/l Nicolas, Alias George
AJon/evo, alias Mara AJon/evo ?At large@, Acc/se6. .A-M; 8+(8A, Appellant'
1actsC
-!is is an appeal be%ore t!e 4preme .ort b$ t!e accsed<appellant (aime Oc!oa
#!o %ond ?I2@-L be$ond reasonable dobt b$ t!e 4andiganba$an o% t!e crime o%
Mal"ersation t!r %alsi%ication o% .ommercial Docment and is sentenced to s%%er t!e
penalt$ o% reclsion perpeta and to pa$ a %ine eqal to t!e amont mal"ersed #!ic! is
8153,505,)91')5 solidaril$ #it! co<accsed (ose -ing @an I$, (r', #!o is acqitted o%
t!e same crime bt is ci"ill$ liable %or t!e damages s%%ered b$ t!e 6ational 8o#er
157
.orporation' An alias #arrant o% arrest be issed against ,al ?tierre>, alias ,al
6icolas, alias ?eorge AOone"o, alias Mara AOone"o #!o is at large'
-ss/eC
3!et!er or not t!e accsed<appellant (aime Oc!oa !as depri"ed o% !is constittional
rig!tP
(el6C
6o' -!e accsed<appellant !as accorded !is constittional rig!t'
-!e 4preme .ort AFF2,MAD in all respects t!e Ma$ )5, )00) Decision o% t!e
4andiganba$an'
-!e contention o% t!e accsed<appellant as regards to t!e cstodial in"estigation
pro"ided in t!e 4ection 1), Article 222 o% t!e 1950 .onstittion is not applicable in t!is
case' .stodial 2n"estigation in"ol"es an$ qestioning initiated b$ la# en%orcement
at!orities a%ter a person is ta/en into cstod$ or ot!er#ise depri"ed o% !is %reedom o%
action in an$ signi%icant manner' 2n t!e case at bar, t!e appellant&s statement #as
ta/en dring t!e administrati"e in"estigation o% 68.&s adit team and not t!e la#
en%orcement at!orities'
3it! t!e argment o% disclaiming t!e at!enticit$ o% t!e s#orn statement, appellant
insists t!at at t!e time !e signed t!e docments !e #as con%ined in t!e !ospital and
t!ere%ore not p!$sicall$ and mentall$ %it to assess t!e signi%icance o% !is signatre' -!is
prete:t !o#e"er collides #it! t!e testimon$ o% !is o#n #itness, Dr' -eresita 4ada"a,
#!o stated t!at appellant #as con%ined %or t!ree da$s and, #!o, #!en qeried #!et!er
7isc!emic !eart disease9 !ad an$ emotional or ps$c!ological e%%ect, ga"e t!e
inconclsi"e repl$ t!at it Nma$ or ma$ not'N Moreo"er, as aptl$ obser"ed b$ t!e
4andiganba$an, alt!og! spposedl$ "iolated and replsed as !e #as b$ t!e alleged
%alsit$ o% t!e a%%ida"it, it is strange t!at appellant, #!o is spposedl$ astte in bsiness
matters as !e t!en occpied t!e position o% Foreign -rader Anal$st o% t!e 68.,
ne"ert!eless %elt it nnecessar$ to e:ecte anot!er a%%ida"it retracting t!e same a%ter !is
reco"er$ %rom illness' Veril$, e"idence to be belie"ed mst not onl$ proceed %rom t!e
mot! o% a credible #itness, bt mst be credible in itsel% K sc! as t!e common
e:perience and obser"ation o% man/ind can appro"e as probable nder t!e
circmstances'
Appellant %inall$ contends t!at bot! t!e 6B2 2n"estigation ,eport and t!e transcript o%
stenograp!ic notes are !earsa$ %or !a"ing been made e:tra<+diciall$' -!e record,
!o#e"er, s!o#s t!at t!e prosection presented t!e team leader o% t!e 6B2 in"estigators
#!o condcted t!e in"estigation, alt!og! !is testimon$ #as dispensed #it! as t!e
parties stiplated on t!e e:istence and de e:ection o% t!e 6B2 2n"estigation report
albeit #it!ot admitting t!e trt! o% its contents' 2% at all, t!e admission o% t!e report&s
e:istence is an ac/no#ledgment t!at it is neit!er sprios nor conter%eit'
158
,hili%%ine R/ral ;lectric +oo%eratives Association, -nc. ?,(-7R;+A@E Ag/san Del Norte
;lectric +oo%erative, -nc. ?AN;+8@E -loilo - ;lectric +oo%erative, -nc. ?-7;+8 -@E an6
-sa&ela - ;lectric +oo%erative, -nc. ?-$;7+8 -@, %etitioners,
Vs.
<he $ecretar!, De%art"ent o' -nterior an6 7ocal Govern"ent, an6 the $ecretar!,
De%art"ent o' 1inance, res%on6ents.
1actsC
-!is is a petition %or 8ro!ibition nder ,le *5 o% t!e ,les o% .ort #it! pra$er %or t!e issance
o% temporar$ restraining order see/ing to annl as nconstittional sections 193 and )3; o% ,'A'
01*0 ot!er#ise /no#n as t!e @ocal ?o"ernment .ode'
On Ma$ )3, )000, a class sit #as %iled b$ petitioners in t!eir o#n be!al% and in be!al% o% ot!er
electric cooperati"es organi>ed and e:isting nder 8'D' 6o' )*9 #!o are members o% petitioner
812@,A.A' Accordingl$, 4ection o% 8'D' 6o' )*9 pro"ides assistance to .ooperati"es #!ic!
s!all be e:empt %rom t!e pa$ment o% all 6ational ?o"ernment, local go"ernment and mnicipal
ta:es and %ees and o% all dties or imposts on %oreign goods acqired %or its operations' 2n
addition, 8!ilippine ?o"ernment entered into si: F*G loan agreements #it! t!e Inited 4tates
Agenc$ %or 2nternational De"elopment FI4A2DG #it! electric cooperati"es as bene%iciaries to
%inance t!e electri%ication pro+ect' -!e said loan agreements contain similarl$ #orded pro"isions
on t!e ta: application o% t!e loan and an$ propert$ or commodit$ acqired t!rog! t!e proceeds
o% t!e loan' As per *'5 o% A'2'D' @oan, t!e loan pro"ided %or !erein s!all be %ree %rom and t!e
8rincipal and interest s!all be paid to A'D' #it!ot dedction %or and %ree %rom, an$ ta:ation or
%ees imposed nder an$ la#s or decrees in e%%ect #it!in t!e 8!ilippine ?o"ernment'
8etitioners contend t!at prsant to t!e pro"isions o% 8'D' 6o' )*9, as amended, and #it! t!e
pro"ision in t!e loan agreements t!e$ are e:empt %rom pa$ment o% local ta:es, inclding
159
pa$ment o% real propert$ ta:' 3it! t!e passage o% t!e @ocal ?o"ernment .ode, !o#e"er, t!e$
allege t!at t!eir ta: e:emptions !a"e been in"alidl$ #it!dra#n' 2n particlar, petitioners assail
4ections 193 and )3; o% t!e @ocal ?o"ernment .ode on t!e grond t!at t!e said pro"isions
discriminate against t!em, in "iolation o% t!e eqal protection clase' Frt!er, t!e$ sbmit t!at
t!e said pro"isions are nconstittional becase t!e$ impair t!e obligation o% contracts bet#een
t!e 8!ilippine ?o"ernment and t!e I'4' ?o"ernment'
On (l$ )5, )000, a -emporar$ ,estraining Order #as issed'
-ss/eKsC
1' 3!et!er or not 4ections 193 and )3; o% t!e @ocal ?o"ernment .ode are
nconstittional %or "iolating t!e eqal protection claseP
)' 3!et!er or not t!e #it!dra#al b$ t!e @ocal ?o"ernment .ode nder 4ections 193 and
)3; o% t!e ta: e:emptions pre"iosl$ en+o$ed b$ petitioners are nconstittional %or
"iolating t!e non<impairment claseP
(el6C
:. No, t,ere is no violation o/ t,e equal +rotection clause' -!e eqal protection clase
nder t!e .onstittion means t!at 7no person or class or persons s!all be depri"ed o%
t!e same protection o% la#s #!ic! is en+o$ed b$ ot!er persons or ot!er classes in t!e
same place and in li/e circmstances'9 -!s, t!e garant$ o% t!e eqal protection o% t!e
la#s is not "iolated b$ a la# based on reasonable classi%ication' .lassi%ication, to be
reasonable, mst rest on sbstantial distinctionsE be germane to t!e prposes o% t!e la#E
not be limited to e:isting conditions onl$E and appl$ eqall$ to all members o% t!e same
class' 2n t!e instant case, t!ere is reasonable classi%ication nder t!e @ocal ?o"ernment
.ode to +sti%$ t!e di%%erent ta: treatment bet#een electric cooperati"es co"ered b$ 8'D'
6o' )*9, as amended, and electric cooperati"es nder ,'A' 6o' *935'
First, sbstantial distinctions e:ist bet#een cooperati"es nder 8'D' 6o' )*9, as
amended, and cooperati"es nder ,'A' 6o' *935' -!ese distinctions are mani%est in at
least t#o material respects #!ic! go into t!e natre o% cooperati"es en"isioned b$ ,'A'
6o' *935 and #!ic! c!aracteristics are not present in t!e t$pe or cooperati"e
associations created nder 8'D' 6o' )*9, as amended'
4econd, t!e classi%ication o% ta:<e:empt entities in t!e @ocal ?o"ernment .ode is
germane to t!e prpose o% t!e la#' -!e .onstittional mandate t!at e"er$ local
go"ernment nit s!all en+o$ local atonom$, does not mean t!at t!e e:ercise o% po#er
b$ local go"ernment is be$ond reglation b$ .ongress' -!s, #!ile eac! go"ernment
nit is granted t!e po#er to create its o#n sorces o% re"ene, .ongress, in lig!t o% its
broad po#er to ta:, !as t!e discretion to determine t!e e:tent o% t!e ta:ing po#ers o%
local go"ernment nits consistent #it! t!e polic$ o% local atonom$' 4ection 193 o% t!e
@ocal ?o"ernment .ode is indicati"e o% t!e legislati"e intent to "est broad ta:ing po#ers
pon local go"ernment nits and to limit e:emptions %rom local ta:ation to entities
speci%icall$ pro"ided t!erein' As pro"ided in 4ection )3;, t!e @ocal ?o"ernment .ode
enmerates entities #!ic! are e:empt t!ere%rom and #it!dra#s e:emptions en+o$ed b$
all ot!er entities #it! respect to real propert$ ta:es'
2n Mactan Cebu )nternational Air+ort Aut,orit* v. Marcos, t!e .ort !eld t!at t!e limited
and restricti"e natre o% t!e ta: e:emption pri"ileges nder t!e @ocal ?o"ernment .ode
160
is consistent #it! t!e 4tate polic$ to ensre atonom$ to enable local go"ernment nits
to attain t!eir %llest de"elopment as sel%<reliant commnities and ma/e t!em e%%ecti"e
partners in t!e attainment o% national goals' -!e ob"ios intention o% t!e la# is to
broaden t!e ta: base o% local go"ernment nits to assre t!em o% sbstantial sorces o%
re"ene'
Finall$, 4ections 193 and )3; o% t!e @ocal ?o"ernment .ode permit reasonable
classi%ication as t!ese e:emptions are not limited to e:isting conditions and appl$
eqall$ to all members o% t!e same class' A:emptions %rom local ta:ation, inclding real
propert$ ta:, are granted all cooperati"es co"ered b$ ,a' 6o' *935 and sc! e:emptions
e:ist %or as long as t!e @ocal ?o"ernment .ode and t!e pro"isions t!ere in on local
ta:ation remain good la#'
6. No, t,ere is no violation o/ t,e non-i-+air-ent clause. -!e constittional pro!ibition on
t!e impairment o% t!e obligation o% contracts does not pro!ibit e"er$ c!ange in e:isting
la#s' -o %all #it!in t!e pro!ibition, t!e impairment mst be sbstantial' 2n .lemons "'
6ot!ing, 7 a la# #!ic! c!anges t!e terms o% a legal contract bet#een parties, eit!er in
t!e time or mode o% per%ormance, or imposes ne# conditions, or dispenses #it! t!ose
e:pressed, or at!ori>es %or its satis%action somet!ing di%%erent %rom t!at pro"ided in its
terms, is la# #!ic! impairs t!e obligation o% a contract and is t!ere%ore nll and "oid'
Moreo"er, to constitte impairment, t!e la# mst a%%ect a c!ange in t!e rig!ts o% t!e
parties #it! re%erence to eac! ot!er and not #it! respect to non<parties'9
4ection *'5 pro"ision s!o#s t!at it does not grant an$ ta: e:emption in %a"or o% t!e
borro#er or t!e bene%iciar$ eit!er on t!e proceeds o% t!e loan itsel% or t!e properties
acqired t!rog! t!e said loan' 2t simpl$ states t!at t!e loan proceeds and t!e principal
and interest o% t!e loan, pon repa$ment b$ t!e borro#er, s!all be #it!ot dedction o%
an$ ta: or %ee t!at ma$ be pa$able nder 8!ilippine la# as sc! ta: or %ee #ill be
absorbed b$ t!e borro#er #it! %nds ot!er t!an t!e loan proceeds' -!e import o% t!e ta:
pro"ision does not prport to grant an$ ta: e:emption in %a"or o% an$ part$ to t!e
contract, inclding t!e bene%iciaries t!ereo%' -!e pro"isions simpl$ s!i%t t!at ta: brden,
i% an$, on t!e transactions nder t!e loan agreements to t!e borro#er andBor bene%iciar$
o% t!e loan' -!s t!e #it!dra#al b$ t!e @ocal ?o"ernment code nder 4ections 193 and
)3; o% t!e ta: e:emptions pre"iosl$ en+o$ed b$ petitioners does not impair t!e
obligation o% t!e borro#er, t!e lender or t!e bene%iciar$ nder t!e loan agreements as in
%act, no ta: is granted t!erein'
31A,AFO,A, t!e petition is DA62AD and t!e temporar$ restraining order issed is @2F-AD'
161
,eo%le v Ra%e0o
G.R. No. 169)31
A%ril 3, 27
L1or"erl! G.R. Nos. 1)9#91*92M
Facts
-!is is a case %iled b$ t!e appellant (err$ ,ape>a be%ore t!e 4preme .ort %rom t!e decision
dated 1 (l$ )005 o% t!e .ort o% Appeals a%%irming t!e consolidated +dgment dated ); (l$
)001 o% t!e ,egional -rial .ort F,-.G 8ala#an, 8erto 8rincesa cit$ in .riminal .ase 6os'
130*; and 13)0)' -!e appellant ,ape>a %ond gilt$ o% t#o F)G conts o% mrder and
sentenced to t!e penalt$ o% reclsion perpeta %or eac! cont, pls a sm o% mone$ as
indemnit$ %or t!e !eirs o% t!e t#o F)G "ictims'
2n t!e a%ternoon o% )1 October 1995, an nidenti%ied #oman #ent to t!e .lion Mnicipal
4tation and reported a /illing t!at !ad ta/en place in 4itio .a#a<.a#a, Baranga$ OsmeOa,
.lion, 8ala#an' -!e o%%icer<in<c!arge, 48O) .iriaco ?apas, sent to t!e "ictims& !ose #!ic!
#as t!e scene o% t!e crime an in"estigating team led b$ 48O) .risanto .i>on, (r' and 8O)
2sidro Macatanga$' -!ere t!e$ sa# t#o bloodied bodies, t!at o% a #oman l$ing on t!e %loor o%
t!e sala and t!at o% a man inside t!e bedroom' -!e in"estigating team #rapped t!e bodies in
blan/ets and loaded t!em in a banca to be brog!t to t!e morge' -!e "ictims #ere later
identi%ied as 8riscilla @ibas and .esar ?an>on' Ipon in%ormation spplied b$ a certain Mr' Dela
.r> t!at appellant !ad #anted to con%ess to t!e crimes, 48O) ?apas set ot to loo/ %or
appellant' 1e %ond appellant %is!ing in Asinan 2sland and in"ited t!e latter %or qestioning'
2sse
3!et!er or not t!e appellant Ft!e accsedG !as accorded t!e de process o% la# dring t!e
cstodial in"estigationP
162
1eld
6o, t!e accsed !as denied t!e de process o% la# dring t!e cstodial in"estigation'
-!e Decisions o% t!e ,egional -rial .ort, Branc! 5), 8ala#an, 8erto 8rincesa .it$ in .riminal
.ase 6os' 130*; and 13)0) and t!e .ort o% Appeals in .A<?','' 6o' 00*;) are ,AVA,4AD
and 4A- A42DA' Appellant (err$ ,ape>a is !ereb$ A.MI2--AD %or ins%%icienc$ o% e"idence
leading to reasonable dobt' -!e 4. !as %ond t!e %ollo#ing ins%%iciencies committed b$ t!e
8olice O%%icers dring t!e cstodial in"estigation:
:. A++ellant 2as not in/or-ed o/ ,is constitutional rig,ts in custodial investigation. A
person nder cstodial in"estigation essentiall$ !as t!e rig!t to remain silent and to !a"e
competent and independent consel pre%erabl$ o% !is o#n c!oice and t!e .onstittion
reqires t!at !e be in%ormed o% sc! rig!ts'
2n t!e case at bar, t!e appellant did not "olntaril$ srrender to t!e police bt #as
Nin"itedN b$ 48O) ?apas to t!e police station' -!ere !e #as detained %rom 11 o&cloc/ in
t!e morning o% )) October 1995 p to t!e morning o% )3 October 1995 be%ore !is
e:tra+dicial statement #as allegedl$ ta/en' At t!is +nctre, appellant s!old !a"e been
in%ormed o% !is constittional rig!ts as !e #as alread$ considered a sspect, contrar$ to
t!e %inding o% t!e trial cort t!at t!e mandator$ constittional gidelines onl$ attac!ed
#!en t!e in"estigators started to propond qestions to appellant on )3 October 1995 in
t!e !ose o% Att$' ,e$es'
6. Con/ession 2as not -ade 2it, t,e assistance o/ co-+etent and inde+endent counsel o/
a++ellantHs c,oice'
Appellant denies t!at !e #as e"er assisted b$ a la#$er %rom t!e moment !e #as
arrested ntil be%ore !e #as arraigned' On t!e ot!er !and, t!e prosection admits t!at
appellant #as pro"ided #it! consel onl$ #!en !e #as qestioned at t!e !ose o% Att$'
,e$es to #!ic! appellant #as allegedl$ ta/en %rom t!e police station'
48O) ?apas testi%ied t!at !e Ntal/edN to appellant #!en t!e$ got to t!e police station at
11 o&cloc/ in t!e morning o% )) October 1995 and t!e reslt o% t!eir Ntal/N #as t!at
appellant #old gi"e !is con%ession in t!e presence o% a la#$er' Appellant #as t!en !eld
in t!e police station o"ernig!t be%ore !e #as allegedl$ ta/en to t!e !ose o% Att$' ,e$es'
-!e constittional reqirement ob"iosl$ !ad not been obser"ed' 4ettled is t!e rle t!at
t!e moment a police o%%icer tries to elicit admissions or con%essions or e"en plain
in%ormation %rom a sspect, t!e latter s!old, at t!at +nctre, be assisted b$ consel,
nless !e #ai"es t!is rig!t in #riting and in t!e presence o% consel' Appellant did not
ma/e an$ sc! #ai"er'
Assming t!at Att$' ,e$es did assist appellant, still t!ere #old be gra"e dobts as to
!is competence and independence as appellant&s consel %or prposes o% t!e cstodial
in"estigation' -!e meaning o% Ncompetent conselN and t!e standards t!ere%ore #ere
e:plained in Peo+le v. $eniega as %ollo#s:
-!e la#$er called to be present dring sc! in"estigations s!old be as %ar as
reasonabl$ possible, t!e c!oice o% t!e indi"idal ndergoing qestioning' 2% t!e la#$er
#ere one %rnis!ed in t!e accsed&s be!al%, it is important t!at !e s!old be competent
and independent, i'e', t!at !e is #illing to %ll$ sa%egard t!e constittional rig!ts o% t!e
accsed, as distingis!ed %rom one #!o #old be merel$ be gi"ing a rotine,
163
peremptor$ and meaningless recital o% t!e indi"idal&s constittional rig!ts' 2n 8eople "'
Basa$, t!is .ort stressed t!at an accsed&s rig!t to be in%ormed o% t!e rig!t to remain
silent and to consel Ncontemplates t!e transmission o% meaning%l in%ormation rat!er
t!an +st t!e ceremonial and per%nctor$ recitation o% an abstract constittional principle'N
I. Con/ession is not voluntar*. -!e con%ession contains %acts and details #!ic! appear to
!a"e been spplied b$ t!e in"estigators t!emsel"es'
-!e "olntariness o% a con%ession ma$ be in%erred %rom its langage sc! t!at i%, pon its
%ace, t!e con%ession e:!ibits no sspicios circmstances tending to cast dobt pon its
integrit$, it being replete #it! detailsW#!ic! cold onl$ be spplied b$ t!e accsedK
re%lecting spontaneit$ and co!erence, it ma$ be considered "olntar$' -!e trial cort
applied t!is rle bt #it!ot basis'
On closer e:amination o% t!e e"idence, t!e /e$ details in t!e alleged con%ession #ere
pro"ided not b$ appellant bt b$ t!e police o%%icers t!emsel"es' -!e prosection %ailed to
establis! t!e actal date o% t!e /illings' 48O) ?apas testi%ied t!at !e recei"ed a report o%
t!e /illing on )1 October 1995 and sent a team to in"estigate t!e incident' On direct
e:amination, !e declared t!at t#o da$s a%ter t!e commission o% t!e crime, !e recei"ed
in%ormation t!at appellant #old gi"e !is con%ession in %ront o% a la#$er' 1o#e"er, on
cross<e:amination, !e stated t!at it #as on t!e %ollo#ing da$ or on )) October 1995
#!en !e %ond appellant and in"ited !im to t!e police station and t!at appellant&s
cstodial in"estigation !ad ta/en place on )3 October 1995'
J. Con/ession 2as not su//icientl* corroborated. As appellant is nsc!ooled and #as not
%amiliar #it! t!e -agalog dialect, !is con%ession #!ic! #as in -agalog necessaril$ !ad to
be read and translated to 3ara$ allegedl$ b$ Abad' -!e 4. !as !eld t!at Nsc! a
mltiple process o% reading and translating t!e qestions and translating and t$ping t!e
ans#ers and reading and translating again t!e said ans#ers is natrall$ pregnant #it!
possibilities o% !man, i% nintentional, inadeqacies and incompleteness #!ic! render
t!e said con%ession nsa%e as basis o% con"iction %or a capital o%%ense, nless s%%icientl$
corroborated'N A con%ession ma$ be admissible i% it is s!o#n to !a"e been read and
translated to t!e accsed b$ t!e person ta/ing do#n t!e statement and t!at t!e accsed
%ll$ nderstood e"er$ part o% it' 48O) ?apas& testimon$ cannot be accepted as regards
t!e contents o% appellant&s alleged con%ession %or being !earsa$ e"idence t!ereon' 4ince
appellant allegedl$ made t!e con%ession to 48O) ?apas t!rog! Abad, Abad&s
testimon$ is t!s indispensable in order to ma/e t!e con%ession admissible'
>. No -otive could be ascribed to a++ellant. 2n 8eople "' Agilar, 7t!e absence o% apparent
moti"e to commit t!e o%%ense c!arged #old, pon principles o% logic, create a
presmption o% t!e innocence o% t!e accsed, since, in terms o% logic, an action #it!ot a
moti"e #old be an e%%ect #it!ot a case'9 2n t!e case at bar, t!e appellant&s condct
a%ter t!e /illings #as not t!at o% a gilt$ person' 1e ne"er attempted to %lee e"en i% !e
/ne# t!at t!e police at!orities #ere alread$ in"estigating t!e incident as !e #as
smmoned to !elp load t!e bodies in a banca' Being a transient in t!e place, !e cold
!a"e easil$ disappeared and le%t t!e island bt !e remained t!ere to contine loo/ing %or
#or/' -!ese circmstances generate serios dobts t!at mst be resol"ed in
appellant&s %a"or, congrentl$ #it! t!e constittional presmption o% innocence'
164
165