de Castro vs. JBC 615 Scra 666

6/19/2017 G.R.No.
78059
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G.R.No.78059August31,1987
ALFREDOM.DELEON,ANGELS.SALAMAT,MARIOC.STA.ANA,JOSEC.TOLENTINO,ROGELIOJ.DE
LAROSAandJOSEM.RESURRECCION,petitioners,
vs.
HON.BENJAMINB.ESGUERRA,inhiscapacityasOICGovernoroftheProvinceofRizal,HON.ROMEOC.
DELEON,inhiscapacityasOICMayoroftheMunicipalityofTaytay,Rizal,FLORENTINOG.MAGNO,
REMIGIOM.TIGAS,RICARDOZ.LACANIENTA,TEODOROV.MEDINA,ROSENDOS.PAZ,andTERESITAL.
TOLENTINO,respondents.
MELENCIOHERRERA,J.:
AnoriginalactionforProhibitioninstitutedbypetitionersseekingtoenjoinrespondentsfromreplacingthemfrom
their respective positions as Barangay Captain and Barangay Councilmen of Barangay Dolores, Municipality of
Taytay,ProvinceofRizal.
As required by the Court, respondents submitted their Comment on the Petition, and petitioner's their Reply to
respondents'Comment.
In the Barangay elections held on May 17, 1982, petitioner Alfredo M. De Leon was elected Barangay Captain
andtheotherpetitionersAngelS.Salamat,MarioC.Sta.Ana,JoseC.Tolentino,RogelioJ.delaRosaandJose
M.Resurreccion,asBarangayCouncilmenofBarangayDolores,Taytay,RizalunderBatasPambansaBlg.222,
otherwiseknownastheBarangayElectionActof1982.
OnFebruary9,1987,petitionerAlfredoM,deLeonreceivedaMemorandumantedatedDecember1,1986but
signedbyrespondentOICGovernorBenjaminEsguerraonFebruary8,1987designatingrespondentFlorentino
G.MagnoasBarangayCaptainofBarangayDolores,Taytay,Rizal.ThedesignationmadebytheOICGovernor
was"byauthorityoftheMinisterofLocalGovernment."
Also on February 8, 1987, respondent OIC Governor signed a Memorandum, antedated December 1, 1986
designating respondents Remigio M. Tigas, Ricardo Z. Lacanienta Teodoro V. Medina, Roberto S. Paz and
TeresitaL.TolentinoasmembersoftheBarangayCouncilofthesameBarangayandMunicipality.
ThattheMemorandahadbeenantedatedisevidencedbytheAffidavitofrespondentOICGovernor,thepertinent
portionsofwhichread:
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ThatIamtheOICGovernorofRizalhavingbeenappointedassuchonMarch20,1986
ThatasbeingOICGovernoroftheProvinceofRizalandintheperformanceofmydutiesthereof,I
amongothers,havesignedasIdidsigntheunnumberedmemorandumorderingthereplacementof
allthebarangayofficialsofallthebarangay(s)intheMunicipalityofTaytay,Rizal
That the above cited memorandum dated December 1, 1986 was signed by me personally on
February8,1987
Thatsaidmemorandumwasfurtherdeciminated(sic)toallconcernedthefollowingday,February9.
1987.
FURTHERAFFIANTSAYETHNONE.
http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1987/aug1987/gr_78059_1987.html 1/18
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Pasig,MetroManila,March23,1987.
Beforeusnow,petitionerspraythatthesubjectMemorandaofFebruary8,1987bedeclarednullandvoidand
thatrespondentsbeprohibitedfromtakingovertheirpositionsofBarangayCaptainandBarangayCouncilmen,
respectively.PetitionersmaintainthatpursuanttoSection3oftheBarangayElectionActof1982(BPBlg.222),
theirtermsofoffice"shallbesix(6)yearswhichshallcommenceonJune7,1982andshallcontinueuntiltheir
successorsshallhaveelectedandshallhavequalified,"oruptoJune7,1988.Itisalsotheirpositionthatwiththe
ratificationofthe1987Constitution,respondentOICGovernornolongerhastheauthoritytoreplacethemandto
designatetheirsuccessors.
Ontheotherhand,respondentsrelyonSection2,ArticleIIIoftheProvisionalConstitution,promulgatedonMarch
25,1986,whichprovided:
SECTION 2. All elective and appointive officials and employees under the 1973 Constitution shall
continueinofficeuntilotherwiseprovidedbyproclamationorexecutiveorderoruponthedesignation
orappointmentandqualificationoftheirsuccessors,ifsuchappointmentismadewithinaperiodof
oneyearfromFebruary25,1986.
By reason of the foregoing provision, respondents contend that the terms of office of elective and appointive
officials were abolished and that petitioners continued in office by virtue of the aforequoted provision and not
becausetheirtermofsixyearshadnotyetexpiredandthattheprovisionintheBarangayElectionActfixingthe
termofofficeofBarangayofficialstosix(6)yearsmustbedeemedtohavebeenrepealedforbeinginconsistent
withtheaforequotedprovisionoftheProvisionalConstitution.
Examining the said provision, there should be no question that petitioners, as elective officials under the 1973
Constitution, may continue in office but should vacate their positions upon the occurrence of any of the events
mentioned.1
Since the promulgation of the Provisional Constitution, there has been no proclamation or executive order
terminatingthetermofelectiveBarangayofficials.Thus,theissueforresolutioniswhetherornotthedesignation
ofrespondentstoreplacepetitionerswasvalidlymadeduringtheoneyearperiodwhichendedonFebruary25,
1987.
Considering the candid Affidavit of respondent OIC Governor, we hold that February 8, 1977, should be
consideredastheeffectivedateofreplacementandnotDecember1,1986towhichitwasantedated,inkeeping
withthedictatesofjustice.
But while February 8, 1987 is ostensibly still within the oneyear deadline, the aforequoted provision in the
Provisional Constitution must be deemed to have been overtaken by Section 27, Article XVIII of the 1987
Constitutionreading.
SECTION27.ThisConstitutionshalltakeeffectimmediatelyuponitsratificationbyamajorityofthe
votescastinaplebisciteheldforthepurposeandshallsupersedeallpreviousConstitutions.
The 1987 Constitution was ratified in a plebiscite on February 2, 1987. By that date, therefore, the Provisional
Constitutionmustbedeemedtohavebeensuperseded.Havingbecomeinoperative,respondentOICGovernor
couldnolongerrelyonSection2,ArticleIII,thereoftodesignaterespondentstotheelectivepositionsoccupied
bypetitioners.
PetitionersmustnowbeheldtohaveacquiredsecurityoftenurespeciallyconsideringthattheBarangayElection
Actof1982declaresit"apolicyoftheStatetoguaranteeandpromotetheautonomyofthebarangaystoensure
theirfullestdevelopmentasselfreliantcommunities.2 Similarly, the 1987 Constitution ensures the autonomy of local
governmentsandofpoliticalsubdivisionsofwhichthebarangaysformapart, 3andlimitsthePresident'spowerto"general
supervision" over local governments. 4 Relevantly, Section 8, Article X of the same 1987 Constitution further provides in
part:
Sec. 8. The term of office of elective local officials, except barangay officials, which shall be
determinedbylaw,shallbethreeyears...
Until the term of office of barangay officials has been determined by law, therefore, the term of office of six (6)
yearsprovidedforintheBarangayElectionActof19825shouldstillgovern.
Contrarytothestandofrespondents,wefindnothinginconsistentbetweenthetermofsix(6)yearsforelective
Barangay officials and the 1987 Constitution, and the same should, therefore, be considered as still operative,
pursuanttoSection3,ArticleXVIIIofthe1987Constitution,reading:
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Sec. 3. All existing laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations letters of instructions, and other
executive issuances not inconsistent, with this Constitution shall remain operative until amended,
repealedorrevoked.
WHEREFORE, (1) The Memoranda issued by respondent OIC Governor on February 8, 1987 designating
respondents as the Barangay Captain and Barangay Councilmen, respectively, of Barangay Dolores, Taytay,
Rizal, are both declared to be of no legal force and effect and (2) the Writ of Prohibition is granted enjoining
respondentsperpetuallyfromproceedingwiththeouster/takeoverofpetitioners'positionssubjectofthisPetition.
Withoutcosts.
SOORDERED.
Yap,Fernan,Narvasa,Gutierrez,Jr.,Paras,Feliciano,Gancayco,Padilla,BidinandCortes,JJ.,concur.
SeparateOpinions
TEEHANKEE,CJ.,concurring:
Themainissueresolvedinthejudgmentatbariswhetherthe1987ConstitutiontookeffectonFebruary2,1987,
thedatethattheplebisciteforitsratificationwasheldorwhetherittookeffectonFebruary11,1987,thedateits
ratificationwasproclaimedperProclamationNo.58ofthePresidentofthePhilippines,CorazonC.Aquino.
TheCourt'sdecision,withthelonedissentofMr.JusticeSarmiento,holdsthatbyvirtueoftheprovisionofArticle
XVIII,Section27ofthe1987Constitutionthatit"shalltakeeffectimmediatelyuponitsratificationbyamajorityof
the votes cast in a plebiscite held for the purpose," the 1987 Constitution took effect on February 2, 1987, the
dateofitsratificationintheplebisciteheldonthatsamedate.
ThethrustofthedissentisthattheConstitutionshouldbedeemedto"takeeffectonthedateitsratificationshall
have been ascertained and not at the time the people cast their votes to approve or reject it." This view was
actuallyproposedattheConstitutionalCommissiondeliberations,butwaswithdrawnbyitsproponentintheface
ofthe"overwhelming"contraryviewthattheConstitution"willbeeffectiveontheverydayoftheplebiscite."
TherecordoftheproceedingsanddebatesoftheConstitutionalCommissionfullysupportstheCourt'sjudgment.
It shows that the clear, unequivocal and express intent of the Constitutional Conunission in unanimously
approving(bythirtyfivevotesinfavorandnoneagainst)theaforequotedSection27ofTransitoryArticleXVIIIof
the1987Constitutionwasthat"theactofratificationistheactofvotingbythepeople.Sothatisthedateofthe
ratification" and that "the canvass thereafter [of the votes] is merely the mathematical confirmation of what was
done during the date of the plebiscite and the proclamation of the President is merely the official confirmatory
declarationofanactwhichwasactuallydonebytheFilipinopeopleinadoptingtheConstitutionwhentheycast
theirvotesonthedateoftheplebiscite."
Therecordofthedeliberationsandthevotingisreproducedhereinbelow:1
MR. MAAMBONG. Madam President, may we now put to a vote the original formulation of the
committee as indicated in Section 12, unless there are other commissioners who would like to
presentamendments.
MR.DAVIDE.MadamPresident.
THEPRESIDENT.CommissionerDavideisrecognized.
MR.DAVIDE.MayIproposethefollowingamendments.
On line 2, delete the words "its ratification" and in lieu thereof insert the following. "THE
PROCLAMATION BY THE PRESIDENT THAT IT HAS BEEN RATIFIED." And on the last line, after
"constitutions,"addthefollowing:"ANDTHEIRAMENDMENTS."
MR.MAAMBONG.Justamoment,MadamPresident.IfCommissionerDavideisgoingtoproposean
additional sentence, the committee would suggest that we take up first his amendment to the first
sentenceasoriginallyformulated.Wearenowreadytocommentonthatproposedamendment.
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Theproposedamendmentwouldbetodeletethewords"itsratificationandinlieuthereofinsertthe
words"THEPROCLAMATIONBYTHEPRESIDENTTHATITHASBEENRATIFIED."Andthesecond
amendmentwouldbe:Aftertheword"constitutions,"addthewords"ANDTHEIRAMENDMENTS,"
The committee accepts the first proposed amendment. However, we regret that we cannot accept
the second proposed amendment after the word "constitutions" because the committee feels that
whenwetalkofallpreviousConstitutions,necessarilyitincludes"ANDTHEIRAMENDMENTS."
MR. DAVIDE. With that explanation, l will not insist on the second. But, Madam President, may I
request that I be allowed to read the second amendment so the Commission would be able to
appreciatethechangeinthefirst.
MR.MAAMBONG.Yes,MadamPresident,wecannowdothat.
MR.DAVIDE.Thesecondsentencewillread:"THEPROCLAMATIONSHALLBEMADEWITHINFIVE
DAYSFOLLOWINGTHECOMPLETIONOFTHECANVASSBYTHECOMMISSIONONELECTIONS
OFTHERESULTSOFSUCHPLEBISCITE."
MR.MAAMBONG.MadamPresident,afterconferringwithourchairman,thecommitteefeelsthatthe
secondproposedamendmentintheformofanewsentencewouldnotbeexactlynecessaryandthe
committeefeelsthatitwouldbetoomuchforustoimposeatimeframeonthePresidenttomakethe
proclamation.Aswewouldrecall,MadamPresident,intheapprovedArticleontheExecutive,there
is a provision which says that the President shall make certain that all laws shall be faithfully
complied.Whenweapprovethisfirstsentence,anditsaysthattherewillbeaproclamationbythe
President that the Constitution has been ratified, the President will naturally comply with the law in
accordance with the provisions in the Article on the Executive which we have cited. It would be too
muchtoimposeonthePresidentatimeframewithinwhichshewillmakethatdeclaration.Itwould
be assumed that the President would immediately do that after the results shall have been
canvassedbytheCOMELEC.
Therefore,thecommitteeregretsthatitcannotacceptthesecondsentencewhichtheGentlemanis
proposing,MadamPresident.
MR.DAVIDE.Iampreparedtowithdrawthesameontheassumptionthattherewillbeanimmediate
proclamationoftheresultsbythePresident.
MR.MAAMBONG.Withthatunderstanding,MadamPresident.
MR.DAVIDE.Iwillnotinsistonthesecondsentence.
FR.BERNAS.MadamPresident.
THEPRESIDENT.CommissionerBernasisrecognized.
FR. BERNAS. I would ask the committee to reconsider its acceptance of the amendment which
makestheeffectivityofthenewConstitutiondependentupontheproclamationofthePresident.The
effectivityoftheConstitutionshouldcommenceonthedateoftheratification,notonthedateofthe
proclamation of the President. What is confusing, I think, is what happened in 1976 when the
amendmentsof1976wereratified.Inthatparticularcase,thereasontheamendmentsof1976were
effectiveupontheproclamationofthePresidentwasthatthedraftpresentedtothepeoplesaidthat
the amendment will be effective upon the proclamation made by the President. I have a suspicion
thatwasputintherepreciselytogivethePresidentsomekindofleewayonwhethertoannouncethe
ratificationornot.Therefore,weshouldnotmakethisdependentontheactionofthePresidentsince
this will be a manifestation of the act of the people to be done under the supervision of the
COMELEC and it should be the COMELEC who should make the announcement that, in fact, the
votes show that the Constitution was ratified and there should be no need to wait for any
proclamationonthepartofthePresident.
MR.MAAMBONG.WouldtheGentlemananswerafewclarificatoryquestions?
FR.BERNAS.Willingly,MadamPresident.
MR. MAAMBONG. The Gentleman will agree that a date has to be fixed as to exactly when the
Constitutionissupposedtoberatified.
FR. BERNAS. I would say that the ratification of the Constitution is on the date the votes were
supposedtohavebeencast.
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MR.MAAMBONG.Letusgotothemechanicsofthewholething,MadamPresident.Wepresentthe
Constitutiontoaplebiscite,thepeopleexercisetheirrighttovote,thenthevotesarecanvassedby
the Commission on Elections. If we delete the suggested amendment which says: "THE
PROCLAMATION BY THE PRESIDENT THAT IT HAS BEEN RATIFIED," what would be, in clear
terms,thedatewhentheConstitutionissupposedtoberatifiedornotratified,asthecasemaybe?
FR. BERNAS. The date would be the casting of the ballots. if the President were to say that the
plebiscite would be held, for instance, on January 19, 1987, then the date for the effectivity of the
newConstitutionwouldbeJanuary19,1987.
MR.MAAMBONG.Inotherwords,itwouldnotdependontheactualissuanceoftheresultsbythe
CommissiononElectionswhichwillbedoingthecanvass?ThatisimmaterialMadamPresident
FR.BERNAS.Itwouldnot,MadamPresident,because"ratification"istheactofsaying"yes"isdone
whenonecastshisballot.
MR.MAAMBONG.Soitisthedateoftheplebisciteitself,MadamPresident?
FR.BERNAS.Yes,MadamPresident.
MR. MAAMBONG. With that statement of Commissioner Bernas, we would like to know from the
proponent,CommissionerDavide,ifheisinsistingonhisamendment.
MR.DAVIDE.MadamPresident,IaminsistingontheamendmentbecauseIcannotsubscribetothe
viewofCommissionerBernas,thatthedateoftheratificationisreckonedfromthedateofthecasting
oftheballots.Thatcannotbethedateofreckoningbecauseitisaplebiscitealloverthecountry.We
donotsplitthemomentofcastingbyeachofthevoters.Actuallyandtechnicallyspeaking,itwould
be all right if it would be upon the announcement of the results of the canvass conducted by the
COMELECortheresultsoftheplebisciteheldalloverthecountry.Butitisnecessarythattherebea
body which will make the formal announcement of the results of the plebiscite. So it is either the
PresidentortheCOMELECitselfuponthecompletionofthecanvassoftheresultsoftheplebiscite,
andIoptedforthePresident.
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MR.NOLLEDO.MadamPresident.
THEPRESIDENT.CommissionerNolledoisrecognized.
MR. NOLLEDO. Thank you, Madam President. I beg to disagree with Commissioner Davide. I
support the stand of Commissioner Bernas because it is really the date of the casting of the "yes"
votes that is the date of the ratification of the Constitution The announcement merely confirms the
ratificationeveniftheresultsarereleasedtwoorthreedaysafter.Ithinkitisafundamentalprinciple
in political law, even in civil law, because an announcement is a mere confirmation The act of
ratificationistheactofvotingbythepeople.Sothatisthedateoftheratification.Ifthereshouldbe
anyneedforpresidentialproclamation,thatproclamationwillmerelyconfirmtheactofratification.
Thankyou,MadamPresident.
THEPRESIDENT.DoesCommissionerRegaladowanttocontribute?
MR. REGALADO. Madam President, I was precisely going to state the same support for
Commissioner Bernas, because the canvass thereafter is merely the mathematical confirmation of
whatwasdoneduringthedateoftheplebisciteandtheproclamationofthePresidentismerelythe
officialconfirmatorydeclarationofanactwhichwasactuallydonebytheFilipinopeopleinadopting
theConstitutionwhentheycasttheirvotesonthedateoftheplebiscite.
MR.LERUM.MadamPresident,mayIberecognized.
THEPRESIDENT.CommissionerLerumisrecognized.
MR.LERUM.IaminfavoroftheDavideamendmentbecausewehavetofixadatefortheeffectivity
of the Constitution. Suppose the announcement is delayed by, say, 10 days or a month, what
happenstotheobligationsandrightsthataccrueupontheapprovaloftheConstitution?SoIthinkwe
musthaveadefinitedate.Iam,therefore,infavoroftheDavideamendment.
MR.MAAMBONG.MadamPresident.
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THEPRESIDENT.CommissionerMaambongisrecognized.
MR. MAAMBONG. With the theory of the Commissioner, would there be a necessity for the
CommissiononElectionstodeclaretheresultsofthecanvass?
FR. BERNAS. There would be because it is the Commission on Elections which makes the official
announcementoftheresults.
MR.MAAMBONG.Mynextquestionwhichisthefinaloneis:AftertheCommisiononElectionshas
declared the results of the canvass, will there be a necessity for the President to make a
proclamationoftheresultsofthecanvassassubmittedbytheCommissiononElections?
FR.BERNAS.Iwouldsaytherewouldbenonecessity,MadamPresident.
MR.MAAMBONG.Inotherwords,thePresidentmayormaynotmaketheproclamationwhetherthe
Constitutionhasbeenratifiedornot.
FR.BERNAS.IwouldsaythattheproclamationmadebythePresidentwouldbeimmaterialbecause
under the law, the administration of all election laws is under an independent Commission on
Elections.ItistheCommissiononElectionswhichannouncestheresults.
MR.MAAMBONG.Butnevertheless,thePresidentmaymaketheproclamation.
FR. BERNAS. Yes, the President may. And if what he says contradicts what the Commission on
Electionssays,itwouldhavenoeffect.Iwouldonlyaddthatwhenwesaythatthedateofeffectivity
isonthedayofthecastingofthevotes,whatwemeanisthattheConstitutiontakeseffectonevery
single minute and every single second of that day, because the Civil Code says a day has 24
hours.So that even if the votes are cast in the morning, the Constitution is really effective from the
previousmidnight.
So that when we adopted the new rule on citizenship, the children of Filipino mothers or anybody
bornonthedateofeffectivityofthe1973Constitution,whichisJanuary17,1973,arenaturalborn
citizens,nomatterwhattimeofdayornight.
MR.MAAMBONG.Couldwe,therefore,safelysaythatwhateverdateisthepublicationoftheresults
ofthecanvassbytheCOMELECretroactstothedateoftheplebiscite?
MR.MAAMBONG.IthanktheCommissioner.
MR.GUINGONA.MadamPresident.
THEPRESIDENT.CommissionerGuingonaisrecognized.
MR.GUINGONA.Mentionwasmadeabouttheneedforhavingadefinitedate.Ithinkitisprecisely
the proposal of Commissioner Bernas which speaks of the date (of ratification that would have a
definite date, because there would be no definite date if we depend upon the canvassing by the
COMELEC.
Thankyou,
THEPRESIDENT.CommissionerConcepcionisrecognized.
MR.CONCEPCION.Thankyou,MadamPresident.
Whoever makes the announcement as to the result of the plebiscite, be it the COMELEC or the
President, would announce that a majority of the votes cast on a given date was in favor of the
Constitution. And that is the date when the Constitution takes effect, apart from the fact that the
provision on the drafting or amendment of the Constitution provides that a constitution becomes
effective upon ratification by a majority of the votes cast, although I would not say from the very
beginningofthedateofelectionbecauseasofthattimeitisimpossibletodeterminewhetherthere
isamajority.Attheendofthedayofelectionorplebiscite,thedeterminationismadeasofthattime
themajorityofthevotescastinaplebisciteheldonsuchandsuchadate.Sothatisthetimewhen
thenewConstitutionwillbeconsideredratifiedand,therefore,effective.
THEPRESIDENT.MaywenowhearVicePresidentPadilla.
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MR. PADILLA. Madam President, I am against the proposed amendment of Commissioner Davide
and I support the view of Commissioner Bernas and the others because the ratification of the
Constitution is on the date the people, by a majority vote, have cast their votes in favor of the
Constitution. Even in civil law, if there is a contract, say, between an agent and a third person and
that contract is confirmed or ratified by the principal, the validity does not begin on the date of
ratificationbutitretroactsfromthedatethecontractwasexecuted.
Therefore,the date of the Constitution as ratified should retroact to the date that the people have
casttheiraffirmativevotesinfavoroftheConstitution.
THEPRESIDENT.CommissionerMaambongisrecognized
MR. MAAMBONG. We will now ask once more Commissioner Davide if he is insisting on his
amendment
MR. DAVIDE. In view of the explanation and overwhelming tyranny of the opinion that it will be
effectiveontheverydayoftheplebiscite,Iamwithdrawingmyamendmentontheassumptionthat
any of the following bodies the Office of the President or the COMELEC will make the formal
MR.RAMA.Madam President, we are now ready to vote on the original provision as stated by the
committee.
MR.MAAMBONG.Thecommitteewillreadagaintheformulationindicatedintheoriginalcommittee
reportasSection12.
ThisConstitutionshalltakeeffectimmediatelyuponitsratificationbyamajorityofthevotescastina
plebiscitecalledforthepurposeandshallsupersedeallpreviousConstitutions.
Weaskforavote,MadamPresident.
VOTING
THEPRESIDENT.As many as are in favor, please raise their hand. (Several Members raised their
hands.)
Asmanyasareagainst,pleaseraisetheirhand.(NoMemberraisedhishand.)
Theresultsshow35votesinfavorandnoneagainstSection12isapproved.2
TheCourtnextholdsasaconsequenceofitsdeclarationatbarthattheConstitutiontookeffectonthedateofits
ratificationintheplebisciteheldonFebruary2,1987,that:(1)theProvisionalConstitutionpromulgatedonMarch
25,1986mustbedeemedtohavebeensupersededbythe1987ConstitutiononthesamedateFebruary2,1987
and(2)byandaftersaiddate,February2,1987,absentanysayingclausetothecontraryintheTransitoryArticle
of the Constitution, respondent OIC Governor could no longer exercise the power to replace petitioners in their
positionsasBarangayCaptainandCouncilmen.Hence,theattemptedreplacementofpetitionersbyrespondent
OICGovernor'sdesignationonFebruary8,1987oftheirsuccessorscouldnolongerproduceanylegalforceand
effect.WhiletheProvisionalConstitutionprovidedforaoneyearperiodexpiringonMarch25,1987withinwhich
the power of replacement could be exercised, this period was shortened by the ratification and effectivity on
February 2, 1987 of the Constitution. Had the intention of the framers of the Constitution been otherwise, they
wouldhavesoprovidedforintheTransitoryArticle,asindeedtheyprovidedformultifarioustransitoryprovisions
in twenty six sections of Article XVIII, e.g. extension of the sixyear term of the incumbent President and Vice
President to noon of June 30, 1992 for purposes of synchronization of elections, the continued exercise of
legislativepowersbytheincumbentPresidentuntiltheconveningofthefirstCongress,etc.
A final note of clarification, as to the statement in the dissent that "the appointments of some seven Court of
Appeals Justices, 71 provincial fiscals and 55 city fiscals reported extended (by) the President on February 2,
1987...couldbeopentoseriousquestions,"inviewoftheprovisionsofSections8(1)and9,ArticleVIIIofthe
Constitution which require prior endorsement thereof by the Judicial and Bar Council created under the
Constitution.Itshouldbestatedfortherecordthatthereporteddateoftheappointments,February2,1987,is
incorrect. The official records of the Court show that the appointments of the seven Court of Appeals Justices
weretransmittedtothisCourtonFebruary1,1987andtheywereallappointedonorbeforeJanuary31,1987.3
(Similarly,therecordsoftheDepartmentofJusticelikewiseshowthattheappointmentpapersofthelastbatchofprovincial
and city fiscals signed by the President in completion of the reorganization of the prosecution service were made on
January31,1987andtransmittedtotheDepartmentonFebruary1,1987.)ItisalsoamatterofrecordthatsinceFebruary
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2,1987,noappointmentstotheJudiciaryhavebeenextendedbythePresident,pendingtheconstitutionoftheJudicialand
Bar Council, indicating that the Chief Executive has likewise considered February 2, 1987 as the effective date of the
Constitution,asnowexpresslydeclaredbytheCourt.
CRUZ,J.,concurring.
In her quiet and restrained manner, Justice Herrera is able to prove her point with more telling effect than the
tonesofthunder.Shehaswrittenanotherpersuasiveopinion,andIamdelightedtoconcur.Inotethatitineffect
affirmsmydissentsintheDelaSerna,Zamora,DuquingandBayascases,whereIsubmittedthatthelocalOICs
may no longer be summarily replaced, having acquired security of tenure under the new Constitution. Our
differenceisthatwhereasIwouldmakethatrightcommenceonFebruary25,1987,afterthedeadlinesetbythe
FreedomConstitution,JusticeHerrerawouldoptforFebruary2,1987,whenthenewConstitutionwasratified.I
yieldtothatbetterviewandagreewithherponenciacompletely.
SARMIENTO,J.,Dissenting.
WithduerespecttothemajorityIregisterthisdissent.
While I agree that the oneyear deadline prescribed by Section 2, Article III of the Provisional Constitution with
respecttothetenureofgovernmentfunctionaries,asfollows:
SECTION 2. All elective and appointive officials and employees under the 1973 Constitution shall
was cut short by the ratification of the 1987 Constitution, I entertain serious doubts whether or not that cutoff
periodbeganonFebruary2,1987,thedateoftheplebisciteheldtoapprovethenewCharter.Tomymindthe
1987 constitution took effect on February 11, 1987, the date the same was proclaimed ratified pursuant to
ProclamationNo.58ofthePresidentofthePhilippines,andnotFebruary2,1987,plebisciteday.
Irely,firstandforemost,onthelanguageofthe1987Charteritself,thus:
Sec.27.ThisConstitutionshagtakeeffectimmediatelyuponitsratificationbyamajorityofthevotes
castinaplebisciteheldforthepurposeandshallsupersedeallpreviousConstitutions.
It is my reading of this provision that the Constitution takes effect on the date its ratification shall have been
ascertained,andnotatthetimethepeoplecasttheirvotestoapproveorrejectit.Foritcannotbelogicallysaid
that Constitution was ratified during such a plebiscite, when the will of the people as of that time, had not, and
couldnothavebeen,vetdetermined.
Otherthanthat,pragmaticconsiderationscompelmetotaketheview.
IhavenodoubtthatbetweenFebruary2,andFebruary11,1987thegovernmentperformedactsthatwouldhave
beenvalidundertheProvisionalConstitutionbutwouldotherwisehavebeenvoidunderthe1987Charter.Irecall,
inparticular,theappointmentsofsomesevenCourtofAppealsJustices,71provincialfiscals,and55cityfiscals
thePresidentreportedlyextendedonFebruary2,1987.1UnderSections8(1)and9,ArticleVIII,ofthel987Constitution,asfollows:
xxxxxxxxx
Sec.8.(I)AJudicialandBarCouncilisherebycreatedunderthesupervisionoftheSupremeCourt
composedoftheChiefJusticeasexofficioChairman,theSecretaryofJustice,andarepresentative
oftheCongressasexoficioMembers,arepresentativeoftheIntegratedBar,aprofessoroflaw,a
retiredMemberoftheSupremeCourt,andarepresentativeoftheprivatesector.
xxxxxxxxx
Sec. 9. The Members of the Supreme Court and judges of lower courts shall be appointed by the
President from a list of at least three nominees prepared by the Judicial and Bar Council for every
vacancy,Suchappointmentsneednoconfirmation.
xxxxxxxxx
suchappointmentscouldbeopentoseriousquestions.
Since1973,moreover,wehaveinvariablyreckonedtheeffectivityoftheConstitutionaswellastheamendments
theretofromthedateitisproclaimedratified.
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InMagtotov.Manguera,2 we held that the 1973 Constitution became in force and effect on January 17, 1973, the date
Proclamation No. 1102, "Announcing the Ratification by the Filipino People of the Constitution Proposed by the 1971
ConstitutionalConvention,"wasissued,althoughMr.Justice,nowChiefJustice,Teehankeewouldpushitseffectivitydate
further to April 17, 1973, the date our decision in Javellana v. Executive Secretary, 3 became final. And this was so
notwithstandingSection16,ArticleXVII,ofthe1973Constitution,thus:
SEC.16.ThisConstitutionshalltakeeffectimmediatelyuponitsratificationbyamajorityofthevotes
cast in a plebiscite called for the purpose and, except as herein provided, shall supersede the
Constitutionofnineteenhundredandthirtyfiveandallamendmentsthereto.
OnOctober27,1976,thenPresidentMarcospromulgatedProclamationno.1595,proclaimingtheratificationof
the 1976 amendments submitted in the plebiscite of October 16 17, 1976. The Proclamation states, inter alia,
that.
Byvirtueofthepowersvestedinmebylaw,Iherebyproclaimalltheamendmentsembodiedinthiscertificateas
dulyratifiedbytheFilipinopeopleinthereferendumplebisciteheldOct.1617,1976andarethereforeeffective
andinfullforceandeffectasofthisdate.
ItshallbenotedthatunderAmendmentNo.9ofthesaid1976amendments.
These amendments shall take effect after the incumbent President shall have proclaimed that they
havebeenratifiedbyamajorityofthevotescastinthereferendumplebiscite.
On April 1, 1980, the then Chief Executive issued Proclamation no. 1959, "Proclaiming the Ratification by the
FilipinoPeopleoftheAmendmentsofSection7,ArticleXoftheConstitution"(lengtheningthetermsofofficeof
judgesandjustices).TheProclamationprovides:
[t]heabovequotedamendmenthasbeendulyratifiedbyamajorityofthevotescastintheplebiscite
held,togetherwiththeelectionforlocalofficials,onJanuary30,1980,andthatsaidamendmentis
herebydeclaredtotakeeffectimmediately.
It shall be noted that under Resolution No. 21, dated December 18, 1979, the proposed amendment shall take
effectonthedatetheincumbentPresident/PrimeMinistershallproclaimitsratification.
OnApril7,1981,ProclamationNo.2077wasissued"ProclaimingtheRatificationinthePlebisciteofApril7,1981
of the Amendments to the Constitution Embodied in Batas Pambansa Blg. 122 and Declaring Them Therefore
Effective and in Full Force and Effect." The Proclamation, in declaring the said amendments duly approved,
further declared them "[e]ffective and in full force and in effect as of the date of this Proclamation," It shall be
noted,inthisconnection,thatunderResolutionsNos.Iand2oftheBatasangPambansa,ThirdRegularSession,
SittingasaConstituentAssembly,whichparentedtheseamendments,thesame:
...shallbecomevalidaspartoftheConstitutionwhenapprovedbyamajorityofthevotescastina
plebiscitetobeheldpursuanttoSection2,ArticleXVIoftheConstitution.
On the other hand, Batas Pambansa Blg. 122, "An Act to Submit to the Filipino People, for Ratification or
Rejection,theAmendmenttotheConstitutionofthePhilippines,ProposedbytheBatasangPambansa,Sittingas
aConstituentAssembly,initsResolutionsNumberedThree,Two,andOne,andtoAppropriateFundsTherefore,"
provides,asfollows:
SEC.7.TheCommissiononElections,sittingenbanc,shadcanvassandproclaimtheresultofthe
plebiscite using the certificates submitted to it, duly authenticated and certified by the Board of
Canvassersofeachprovinceorcity.
Wehave,finally,ProclamationNo.2332,"ProclaimingtheRatificationinthePlebisciteofJanuary27,1984,ofthe
AmendmentstotheConstitutionEmbodiedinBatasangPambansaResolutionsNos.104,105,110,111,112and
113."Itstatesthattheamendments:
....arethereforeeffectiveandinfullforceandeffectasofthedateofthisProclamation.
ItcarriesoutResolutionno.104itself(aswellasResolutionsNos.110and112andSection9,BatasBlg.643),
whichstates,that:
The proposed amendments shall take effect on the date the President of the Philippines shall
proclaim that they have been ratified by a majority of the votes cast in the plebiscite held for the
purpose,butnotlaterthanthreemonthsfromtheapprovaloftheamendments.
albeitResolutionsNos.105,111,and113provide,that:
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TheseamendmentsshallbevalidasapartoftheConstitutionwhenapprovedbyamajorityofthe
votescastinanelection/plebisciteatwhichitissubmittedtothepeoplefortheirratificationpursuant
toSection2ofArticleXVIoftheConstitution,asamended.
ThataConstitutionoramendmentstheretotakeeffectuponproclamationoftheirratificationandnotatthetime
oftheplebisciteisaviewthatisnotpeculiartotheMarcosera.
TheResolutionofBothHouses(ofCongress)inJointSessionontheMarch11,1947plebiscitecalledpursuantto
Republic Act No. 73 and the Resolution of Both Houses (of Congress) adopted on September 18, 1946, was
adoptedonApril9,1947.TheApril9,1947Resolutionmakesnomentionofaretroactiveapplication.
Accordingly, when the incumbent President (Mrs. Corazon C. Aquino) proclaimed on February 11, 1987, at
MalacanangPalace:
...thattheConstitutionoftheRepublicofthePhilippinesadoptedbytheConstitutionalCommission
of1986,includingtheOrdinanceappendedthereto,hasbeendulyratifiedbytheFilipinopeopleand
isthereforeeffectiveandinfullforceandeffect.4
the1987Constitution,inpointoffact,cameintoforceandeffect,Iholdthatittookeffectatnoothertime.
IsubmitthatourrulinginPonsicav.Ignalaga 5 in which we declared, in passing, that the new Charter was ratified on
February2,1987,doesnotinanywayweakenthisdissent.AsIstated,theremarkwassaidinpassingwedidnotresolve
thecaseonaccountofacategoricalholdingthatthe1987ConstitutioncametolifeonFebruary2,1987.Inanyevent,ifwe
did,Inowcallforitsreexamination.
Iamthereforeoftheopinion,consistentwiththeviewsexpressedabove,thatthechallengeddismissalsdoneon
February8,1987werevalid,the1987Constitutionnotbeingthenasyetinforce.
SeparateOpinions
TEEHANKEE,CJ.,concurring:
Themainissueresolvedinthejudgmentatbariswhetherthe1987ConstitutiontookeffectonFebruary2,1987,
thedatethattheplebisciteforitsratificationwasheldorwhetherittookeffectonFebruary11,1987,thedateits
ratificationwasproclaimedperProclamationNo.58ofthePresidentofthePhilippines,CorazonC.Aquino.
TheCourt'sdecision,withthelonedissentofMr.JusticeSarmiento,holdsthatbyvirtueoftheprovisionofArticle
XVIII,Section27ofthe1987Constitutionthatit"shalltakeeffectimmediatelyuponitsratificationbyamajorityof
thevotescastinaplebisciteheldforthepurpose,"the1987ConstitutiontookeffectonFebruary2,1987,the
dateofitsratificationintheplebisciteheldonthatsamedate.
ThethrustofthedissentisthattheConstitutionshouldbedeemedto"takeeffectonthedateitsratificationshall
havebeenascertainedandnotatthetimethepeoplecasttheirvotestoapproveorrejectit."Thisviewwas
actuallyproposedattheConstitutionalCommissiondeliberations,butwaswithdrawnbyitsproponentintheface
ofthe"overwhelming"contraryviewthattheConstitution"willbeeffectiveontheverydayoftheplebiscite."
TherecordoftheproceedingsanddebatesoftheConstitutionalCommissionfullysupportstheCourt'sjudgment.
Itshowsthattheclear,unequivocalandexpressintentoftheConstitutionalConunissioninunanimously
approving(bythirtyfivevotesinfavorandnoneagainst)theaforequotedSection27ofTransitoryArticleXVIIIof
the1987Constitutionwasthat"theactofratificationistheactofvotingbythepeople.Sothatisthedateofthe
ratification"andthat"thecanvassthereafter[ofthevotes]ismerelythemathematicalconfirmationofwhatwas
doneduringthedateoftheplebisciteandtheproclamationofthePresidentismerelytheofficialconfirmatory
declarationofanactwhichwasactuallydonebytheFilipinopeopleinadoptingtheConstitutionwhentheycast
theirvotesonthedateoftheplebiscite."
Therecordofthedeliberationsandthevotingisreproducedhereinbelow:1
MR.MAAMBONG.MadamPresident,maywenowputtoavotetheoriginalformulationofthe
committeeasindicatedinSection12,unlessthereareothercommissionerswhowouldliketo
presentamendments.
MR.DAVIDE.MadamPresident.
THEPRESIDENT.CommissionerDavideisrecognized.
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MR.DAVIDE.MayIproposethefollowingamendments.
Online2,deletethewords"itsratification"andinlieuthereofinsertthefollowing."THE
PROCLAMATIONBYTHEPRESIDENTTHATITHASBEENRATIFIED."Andonthelastline,after
"constitutions,"addthefollowing:"ANDTHEIRAMENDMENTS."
MR.MAAMBONG.Justamoment,MadamPresident.IfCommissionerDavideisgoingtoproposean
additionalsentence,thecommitteewouldsuggestthatwetakeupfirsthisamendmenttothefirst
sentenceasoriginallyformulated.Wearenowreadytocommentonthatproposedamendment.
Theproposedamendmentwouldbetodeletethewords"itsratificationandinlieuthereofinsertthe
words"THEPROCLAMATIONBYTHEPRESIDENTTHATITHASBEENRATIFIED."Andthesecond
amendmentwouldbe:Aftertheword"constitutions,"addthewords"ANDTHEIRAMENDMENTS,"
Thecommitteeacceptsthefirstproposedamendment.However,weregretthatwecannotaccept
thesecondproposedamendmentaftertheword"constitutions"becausethecommitteefeelsthat
whenwetalkofallpreviousConstitutions,necessarilyitincludes"ANDTHEIRAMENDMENTS."
MR.DAVIDE.Withthatexplanation,lwillnotinsistonthesecond.But,MadamPresident,mayI
requestthatIbeallowedtoreadthesecondamendmentsotheCommissionwouldbeableto
appreciatethechangeinthefirst.
MR.MAAMBONG.Yes,MadamPresident,wecannowdothat.
MR.DAVIDE.Thesecondsentencewillread:"THEPROCLAMATIONSHALLBEMADEWITHINFIVE
DAYSFOLLOWINGTHECOMPLETIONOFTHECANVASSBYTHECOMMISSIONONELECTIONS
OFTHERESULTSOFSUCHPLEBISCITE."
MR.MAAMBONG.MadamPresident,afterconferringwithourchairman,thecommitteefeelsthatthe
secondproposedamendmentintheformofanewsentencewouldnotbeexactlynecessaryandthe
committeefeelsthatitwouldbetoomuchforustoimposeatimeframeonthePresidenttomakethe
proclamation.Aswewouldrecall,MadamPresident,intheapprovedArticleontheExecutive,there
isaprovisionwhichsaysthatthePresidentshallmakecertainthatalllawsshallbefaithfully
complied.Whenweapprovethisfirstsentence,anditsaysthattherewillbeaproclamationbythe
PresidentthattheConstitutionhasbeenratified,thePresidentwillnaturallycomplywiththelawin
accordancewiththeprovisionsintheArticleontheExecutivewhichwehavecited.Itwouldbetoo
muchtoimposeonthePresidentatimeframewithinwhichshewillmakethatdeclaration.Itwould
beassumedthatthePresidentwouldimmediatelydothataftertheresultsshallhavebeen
canvassedbytheCOMELEC.
Therefore,thecommitteeregretsthatitcannotacceptthesecondsentencewhichtheGentlemanis
proposing,MadamPresident.
MR.DAVIDE.Iampreparedtowithdrawthesameontheassumptionthattherewillbeanimmediate
proclamationoftheresultsbythePresident.
MR.MAAMBONG.Withthatunderstanding,MadamPresident.
MR.DAVIDE.Iwillnotinsistonthesecondsentence.
FR.BERNAS.MadamPresident.
THEPRESIDENT.CommissionerBernasisrecognized.
FR.BERNAS.Iwouldaskthecommitteetoreconsideritsacceptanceoftheamendmentwhich
makestheeffectivityofthenewConstitutiondependentupontheproclamationofthePresident.The
effectivityoftheConstitutionshouldcommenceonthedateoftheratification,notonthedateofthe
proclamationofthePresident.Whatisconfusing,Ithink,iswhathappenedin1976whenthe
amendmentsof1976wereratified.Inthatparticularcase,thereasontheamendmentsof1976were
effectiveupontheproclamationofthePresidentwasthatthedraftpresentedtothepeoplesaidthat
theamendmentwillbeeffectiveupontheproclamationmadebythePresident.Ihaveasuspicion
thatwasputintherepreciselytogivethePresidentsomekindofleewayonwhethertoannouncethe
ratificationornot.Therefore,weshouldnotmakethisdependentontheactionofthePresidentsince
thiswillbeamanifestationoftheactofthepeopletobedoneunderthesupervisionofthe
COMELECanditshouldbetheCOMELECwhoshouldmaketheannouncementthat,infact,the
votesshowthattheConstitutionwasratifiedandthereshouldbenoneedtowaitforany
proclamationonthepartofthePresident.
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MR.MAAMBONG.WouldtheGentlemananswerafewclarificatoryquestions?
FR.BERNAS.Willingly,MadamPresident.
MR.MAAMBONG.TheGentlemanwillagreethatadatehastobefixedastoexactlywhenthe
Constitutionissupposedtoberatified.
FR.BERNAS.IwouldsaythattheratificationoftheConstitutionisonthedatethevoteswere
supposedtohavebeencast.
MR.MAAMBONG.Letusgotothemechanicsofthewholething,MadamPresident.Wepresentthe
Constitutiontoaplebiscite,thepeopleexercisetheirrighttovote,thenthevotesarecanvassedby
theCommissiononElections.Ifwedeletethesuggestedamendmentwhichsays:"THE
PROCLAMATIONBYTHEPRESIDENTTHATITHASBEENRATIFIED,"whatwouldbe,inclear
terms,thedatewhentheConstitutionissupposedtoberatifiedornotratified,asthecasemaybe?
FR.BERNAS.Thedatewouldbethecastingoftheballots.ifthePresidentweretosaythatthe
plebiscitewouldbeheld,forinstance,onJanuary19,1987,thenthedatefortheeffectivityofthe
newConstitutionwouldbeJanuary19,1987.
MR.MAAMBONG.Inotherwords,itwouldnotdependontheactualissuanceoftheresultsbythe
CommissiononElectionswhichwillbedoingthecanvass?ThatisimmaterialMadamPresident
FR.BERNAS.Itwouldnot,MadamPresident,because"ratification"istheactofsaying"yes"isdone
whenonecastshisballot.
MR.MAAMBONG.Soitisthedateoftheplebisciteitself,MadamPresident?
MR.MAAMBONG.WiththatstatementofCommissionerBernas,wewouldliketoknowfromthe
proponent,CommissionerDavide,ifheisinsistingonhisamendment.
MR.DAVIDE.MadamPresident,IaminsistingontheamendmentbecauseIcannotsubscribetothe
viewofCommissionerBernas,thatthedateoftheratificationisreckonedfromthedateofthecasting
oftheballots.Thatcannotbethedateofreckoningbecauseitisaplebiscitealloverthecountry.We
donotsplitthemomentofcastingbyeachofthevoters.Actuallyandtechnicallyspeaking,itwould
beallrightifitwouldbeupontheannouncementoftheresultsofthecanvassconductedbythe
COMELECortheresultsoftheplebisciteheldalloverthecountry.Butitisnecessarythattherebea
bodywhichwillmaketheformalannouncementoftheresultsoftheplebiscite.Soitiseitherthe
PresidentortheCOMELECitselfuponthecompletionofthecanvassoftheresultsoftheplebiscite,
andIoptedforthePresident.
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MR.NOLLEDO.MadamPresident.
THEPRESIDENT.CommissionerNolledoisrecognized.
MR.NOLLEDO.Thankyou,MadamPresident.IbegtodisagreewithCommissionerDavide.I
supportthestandofCommissionerBernasbecauseitisreallythedateofthecastingofthe"yes"
votesthatisthedateoftheratificationoftheConstitutionTheannouncementmerelyconfirmsthe
ratificationeveniftheresultsarereleasedtwoorthreedaysafter.Ithinkitisafundamentalprinciple
inpoliticallaw,evenincivillaw,becauseanannouncementisamereconfirmationTheactof
ratificationistheactofvotingbythepeople.Sothatisthedateoftheratification.Ifthereshouldbe
anyneedforpresidentialproclamation,thatproclamationwillmerelyconfirmtheactofratification.
Thankyou,MadamPresident.
THEPRESIDENT.DoesCommissionerRegaladowanttocontribute?
MR.REGALADO.MadamPresident,Iwaspreciselygoingtostatethesamesupportfor
CommissionerBernas,becausethecanvassthereafterismerelythemathematicalconfirmationof
whatwasdoneduringthedateoftheplebisciteandtheproclamationofthePresidentismerelythe
officialconfirmatorydeclarationofanactwhichwasactuallydonebytheFilipinopeopleinadopting
theConstitutionwhentheycasttheirvotesonthedateoftheplebiscite.
MR.LERUM.MadamPresident,mayIberecognized.
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THEPRESIDENT.CommissionerLerumisrecognized.
MR.LERUM.IaminfavoroftheDavideamendmentbecausewehavetofixadatefortheeffectivity
oftheConstitution.Supposetheannouncementisdelayedby,say,10daysoramonth,what
happenstotheobligationsandrightsthataccrueupontheapprovaloftheConstitution?SoIthinkwe
musthaveadefinitedate.Iam,therefore,infavoroftheDavideamendment.
THEPRESIDENT.CommissionerMaambongisrecognized.
MR.MAAMBONG.WiththetheoryoftheCommissioner,wouldtherebeanecessityforthe
CommissiononElectionstodeclaretheresultsofthecanvass?
FR.BERNAS.TherewouldbebecauseitistheCommissiononElectionswhichmakestheofficial
MR.MAAMBONG.Mynextquestionwhichisthefinaloneis:AftertheCommisiononElectionshas
declaredtheresultsofthecanvass,willtherebeanecessityforthePresidenttomakea
proclamationoftheresultsofthecanvassassubmittedbytheCommissiononElections?
FR.BERNAS.Iwouldsaytherewouldbenonecessity,MadamPresident.
MR.MAAMBONG.Inotherwords,thePresidentmayormaynotmaketheproclamationwhetherthe
Constitutionhasbeenratifiedornot.
FR.BERNAS.IwouldsaythattheproclamationmadebythePresidentwouldbeimmaterialbecause
underthelaw,theadministrationofallelectionlawsisunderanindependentCommissionon
Elections.ItistheCommissiononElectionswhichannouncestheresults.
MR.MAAMBONG.Butnevertheless,thePresidentmaymaketheproclamation.
FR.BERNAS.Yes,thePresidentmay.AndifwhathesayscontradictswhattheCommissionon
Electionssays,itwouldhavenoeffect.Iwouldonlyaddthatwhenwesaythatthedateofeffectivity
isonthedayofthecastingofthevotes,whatwemeanisthattheConstitutiontakeseffectonevery
singleminuteandeverysinglesecondofthatday,becausetheCivilCodesaysadayhas24hours.
Sothatevenifthevotesarecastinthemorning,theConstitutionisreallyeffectivefromtheprevious
midnight.Sothatwhenweadoptedthenewruleoncitizenship,thechildrenofFilipinomothersor
anybodybornonthedateofeffectivityofthe1973Constitution,whichisJanuary17,1973,are
naturalborncitizens,nomatterwhattimeofdayornight.
MR.MAAMBONG.Couldwe,therefore,safelysaythatwhateverdateisthepublicationoftheresults
ofthecanvassbytheCOMELECretroactstothedateoftheplebiscite?
MR.MAAMBONG.IthanktheCommissioner.
MR.GUINGONA.MadamPresident.
THEPRESIDENT.CommissionerGuingonaisrecognized.
MR.GUINGONA.Mentionwasmadeabouttheneedforhavingadefinitedate.Ithinkitisprecisely
theproposalofCommissionerBernaswhichspeaksofthedate(ofratificationthatwouldhavea
definitedate,becausetherewouldbenodefinitedateifwedependuponthecanvassingbythe
COMELEC.
Thankyou,
THEPRESIDENT.CommissionerConcepcionisrecognized.
MR.CONCEPCION.Thankyou,MadamPresident.
Whoevermakestheannouncementastotheresultoftheplebiscite,beittheCOMELECorthe
President,wouldannouncethatamajorityofthevotescastonagivendatewasinfavorofthe
Constitution.AndthatisthedatewhentheConstitutiontakeseffect,apartfromthefactthatthe
provisiononthedraftingoramendmentoftheConstitutionprovidesthataconstitutionbecomes
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effectiveuponratificationbyamajorityofthevotescast,althoughIwouldnotsayfromthevery
beginningofthedateofelectionbecauseasofthattimeitisimpossibletodeterminewhetherthere
isamajority.Attheendofthedayofelectionorplebiscite,thedeterminationismadeasofthattime
themajorityofthevotescastinaplebisciteheldonsuchandsuchadate.Sothatisthetimewhen
thenewConstitutionwillbeconsideredratifiedand,therefore,effective.
THEPRESIDENT.MaywenowhearVicePresidentPadilla.
MR.PADILLA.MadamPresident,IamagainsttheproposedamendmentofCommissionerDavide
andIsupporttheviewofCommissionerBernasandtheothersbecausetheratificationofthe
Constitutionisonthedatethepeople,byamajorityvote,havecasttheirvotesinfavorofthe
Constitution.Evenincivillaw,ifthereisacontract,say,betweenanagentandathirdpersonand
thatcontractisconfirmedorratifiedbytheprincipal,thevaliditydoesnotbeginonthedateof
ratificationbutitretroactsfromthedatethecontractwasexecuted.
Therefore,thedateoftheConstitutionasratifiedshouldretroacttothedatethatthepeoplehave
casttheiraffirmativevotesinfavoroftheConstitution.
THEPRESIDENT.CommissionerMaambongisrecognized
MR.MAAMBONG.WewillnowaskoncemoreCommissionerDavideifheisinsistingonhis
amendment
MR.DAVIDE.Inviewoftheexplanationandoverwhelmingtyrannyoftheopinionthatitwillbe
effectiveontheverydayoftheplebiscite,Iamwithdrawingmyamendmentontheassumptionthat
anyofthefollowingbodiestheOfficeofthePresidentortheCOMELECwillmaketheformal
MR.RAMA.MadamPresident,wearenowreadytovoteontheoriginalprovisionasstatedbythe
committee.
MR.MAAMBONG.Thecommitteewillreadagaintheformulationindicatedintheoriginalcommittee
reportasSection12.
ThisConstitutionshalltakeeffectimmediatelyuponitsratificationbyamajorityofthevotescastina
plebiscitecalledforthepurposeandshallsupersedeallpreviousConstitutions.
Weaskforavote,MadamPresident.
VOTING
THEPRESIDENT.Asmanyasareinfavor,pleaseraisetheirhand.(SeveralMembersraisedtheir
hands.)
Asmanyasareagainst,pleaseraisetheirhand.(NoMemberraisedhishand.)
Theresultsshow35votesinfavorandnoneagainstSection12isapproved.2
TheCourtnextholdsasaconsequenceofitsdeclarationatbarthattheConstitutiontookeffectonthedateofits
ratificationintheplebisciteheldonFebruary2,1987,that:(1)theProvisionalConstitutionpromulgatedonMarch
25,1986mustbedeemedtohavebeensupersededbythe1987ConstitutiononthesamedateFebruary2,1987
and(2)byandaftersaiddate,February2,1987,absentanysayingclausetothecontraryintheTransitoryArticle
oftheConstitution,respondentOICGovernorcouldnolongerexercisethepowertoreplacepetitionersintheir
positionsasBarangayCaptainandCouncilmen.Hence,theattemptedreplacementofpetitionersbyrespondent
OICGovernor'sdesignationonFebruary8,1987oftheirsuccessorscouldnolongerproduceanylegalforceand
effect.WhiletheProvisionalConstitutionprovidedforaoneyearperiodexpiringonMarch25,1987withinwhich
thepowerofreplacementcouldbeexercised,thisperiodwasshortenedbytheratificationandeffectivityon
February2,1987oftheConstitution.HadtheintentionoftheframersoftheConstitutionbeenotherwise,they
wouldhavesoprovidedforintheTransitoryArticle,asindeedtheyprovidedformultifarioustransitoryprovisions
intwentysixsectionsofArticleXVIII,e.g.extensionofthesixyeartermoftheincumbentPresidentandVice
PresidenttonoonofJune30,1992forpurposesofsynchronizationofelections,thecontinuedexerciseof
legislativepowersbytheincumbentPresidentuntiltheconveningofthefirstCongress,etc.
Afinalnoteofclarification,astothestatementinthedissentthat"theappointmentsofsomesevenCourtof
AppealsJustices,71provincialfiscalsand55cityfiscalsreportedextended(by)thePresidentonFebruary2,
1987...couldbeopentoseriousquestions,"inviewoftheprovisionsofSections8(1)and9,ArticleVIIIofthe
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ConstitutionwhichrequirepriorendorsementthereofbytheJudicialandBarCouncilcreatedunderthe
Constitution.Itshouldbestatedfortherecordthatthereporteddateoftheappointments,February2,1987,is
incorrect.TheofficialrecordsoftheCourtshowthattheappointmentsofthesevenCourtofAppealsJustices
weretransmittedtothisCourtonFebruary1,1987andtheywereallappointedonorbeforeJanuary31,1987.3
(Similarly,therecordsoftheDepartmentofJusticelikewiseshowthattheappointmentpapersofthelastbatchofprovincial
andcityfiscalssignedbythePresidentincompletionofthereorganizationoftheprosecutionserviceweremadeon
January31,1987andtransmittedtotheDepartmentonFebruary1,1987.)ItisalsoamatterofrecordthatsinceFebruary
2,1987,noappointmentstotheJudiciaryhavebeenextendedbythePresident,pendingtheconstitutionoftheJudicialand
BarCouncil,indicatingthattheChiefExecutivehaslikewiseconsideredFebruary2,1987astheeffectivedateofthe
Constitution,asnowexpresslydeclaredbytheCourt.
CRUZ,J.,concurring.
Inherquietandrestrainedmanner,JusticeHerreraisabletoproveherpointwithmoretellingeffectthanthe
tonesofthunder.Shehaswrittenanotherpersuasiveopinion,andIamdelightedtoconcur.Inotethatitineffect
affirmsmydissentsintheDelaSerna,Zamora,DuquingandBayascases,whereIsubmittedthatthelocalOICs
maynolongerbesummarilyreplaced,havingacquiredsecurityoftenureunderthenewConstitution.Our
differenceisthatwhereasIwouldmakethatrightcommenceonFebruary25,1987,afterthedeadlinesetbythe
FreedomConstitution,JusticeHerrerawouldoptforFebruary2,1987,whenthenewConstitutionwasratified.I
yieldtothatbetterviewandagreewithherponenciacompletely.
SARMIENTO,J.,Dissenting.
WithduerespecttothemajorityIregisterthisdissent.
WhileIagreethattheoneyeardeadlineprescribedbySection2,ArticleIIIoftheProvisionalConstitutionwith
respecttothetenureofgovernmentfunctionaries,asfollows:
SECTION2.Allelectiveandappointiveofficialsandemployeesunderthe1973Constitutionshall
wascutshortbytheratificationofthe1987Constitution,Ientertainseriousdoubtswhetherornotthatcutoff
periodbeganonFebruary2,1987,thedateoftheplebisciteheldtoapprovethenewCharter.Tomymindthe
1987constitutiontookeffectonFebruary11,1987,thedatethesamewasproclaimedratifiedpursuantto
ProclamationNo.58ofthePresidentofthePhilippines,andnotFebruary2,1987,plebisciteday.
Irely,firstandforemost,onthelanguageofthe1987Charteritself,thus:
Sec.27.ThisConstitutionshagtakeeffectimmediatelyuponitsratificationbyamajorityofthevotes
castinaplebisciteheldforthepurposeandshallsupersedeallpreviousConstitutions.
ItismyreadingofthisprovisionthattheConstitutiontakeseffectonthedateitsratificationshallhavebeen
ascertained,andnotatthetimethepeoplecasttheirvotestoapproveorrejectit.Foritcannotbelogicallysaid
thatConstitutionwasratifiedduringsuchaplebiscite,whenthewillofthepeopleasofthattime,hadnot,and
couldnothavebeen,vetdetermined.
Otherthanthat,pragmaticconsiderationscompelmetotaketheview.
IhavenodoubtthatbetweenFebruary2,andFebruary11,1987thegovernmentperformedactsthatwouldhave
beenvalidundertheProvisionalConstitutionbutwouldotherwisehavebeenvoidunderthe1987Charter.Irecall,
inparticular,theappointmentsofsomesevenCourtofAppealsJustices,71provincialfiscals,and55cityfiscals
thePresidentreportedlyextendedonFebruary2,1987.1UnderSections8(1)and9,ArticleVIII,ofthel987Constitution,asfollows:
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Sec.8.(I)AJudicialandBarCouncilisherebycreatedunderthesupervisionoftheSupremeCourt
composedoftheChiefJusticeasexofficioChairman,theSecretaryofJustice,andarepresentative
oftheCongressasexoficioMembers,arepresentativeoftheIntegratedBar,aprofessoroflaw,a
retiredMemberoftheSupremeCourt,andarepresentativeoftheprivatesector.
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2Sec.9.TheMembersoftheSupremeCourtandjudgesoflowercourtsshallbeappointedbythe
PresidentfromalistofatleastthreenomineespreparedbytheJudicialandBarCouncilforevery
vacancy,Suchappointmentsneednoconfirmation.
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suchappointmentscouldbeopentoseriousquestions.
Since1973,moreover,wehaveinvariablyreckonedtheeffectivityoftheConstitutionaswellastheamendments
theretofromthedateitisproclaimedratified.
InMagtotov.Manguera,2weheldthatthe1973ConstitutionbecameinforceandeffectonJanuary17,1973,thedate
ProclamationNo.1102,"AnnouncingtheRatificationbytheFilipinoPeopleoftheConstitutionProposedbythe1971
ConstitutionalConvention,"wasissued,althoughMr.Justice,nowChiefJustice,Teehankeewouldpushitseffectivitydate
furthertoApril17,1973,thedateourdecisioninJavellanav.ExecutiveSecretary,3becamefinal.Andthiswasso
notwithstandingSection16,ArticleXVII,ofthe1973Constitution,thus:
SEC.16.ThisConstitutionshalltakeeffectimmediatelyuponitsratificationbyamajorityofthevotes
castinaplebiscitecalledforthepurposeand,exceptashereinprovided,shallsupersedethe
Constitutionofnineteenhundredandthirtyfiveandallamendmentsthereto.
OnOctober27,1976,thenPresidentMarcospromulgatedProclamationno.1595,proclaimingtheratificationof
the1976amendmentssubmittedintheplebisciteofOctober1617,1976.TheProclamationstates,interalia,
that.
Byvirtueofthepowersvestedinmebylaw,Iherebyproclaimalltheamendmentsembodiedinthiscertificateas
dulyratifiedbytheFilipinopeopleinthereferendumplebisciteheldOct.1617,1976andaretherefore
effectiveandinfullforceandeffectasofthisdate.
ItshallbenotedthatunderAmendmentNo.9ofthesaid1976amendments.
TheseamendmentsshalltakeeffectaftertheincumbentPresidentshallhaveproclaimedthatthey
havebeenratifiedbyamajorityofthevotescastinthereferendumplebiscite.
OnApril1,1980,thethenChiefExecutiveissuedProclamationno.1959,"ProclaimingtheRatificationbythe
FilipinoPeopleoftheAmendmentsofSection7,ArticleXoftheConstitution"(lengtheningthetermsofofficeof
judgesandjustices).TheProclamationprovides:
[t]heabovequotedamendmenthasbeendulyratifiedbyamajorityofthevotescastintheplebiscite
held,togetherwiththeelectionforlocalofficials,onJanuary30,1980,andthatsaidamendmentis
herebydeclaredtotakeeffectimmediately.
ItshallbenotedthatunderResolutionNo.21,datedDecember18,1979,theproposedamendmentshalltake
effectonthedatetheincumbentPresident/PrimeMinistershallproclaimitsratification.
OnApril7,1981,ProclamationNo.2077wasissued"ProclaimingtheRatificationinthePlebisciteofApril7,1981
oftheAmendmentstotheConstitutionEmbodiedinBatasPambansaBlg.122andDeclaringThemTherefore
EffectiveandinFullForceandEffect."TheProclamation,indeclaringthesaidamendmentsdulyapproved,
furtherdeclaredthem"[e]ffectiveandinfullforceandineffectasofthedateofthisProclamation,"Itshallbe
noted,inthisconnection,thatunderResolutionsNos.Iand2oftheBatasangPambansa,ThirdRegularSession,
SittingasaConstituentAssembly,whichparentedtheseamendments,thesame:
...shallbecomevalidaspartoftheConstitutionwhenapprovedbyamajorityofthevotescastina
plebiscitetobeheldpursuanttoSection2,ArticleXVIoftheConstitution.
Ontheotherhand,BatasPambansaBlg.122,"AnActtoSubmittotheFilipinoPeople,forRatificationor
Rejection,theAmendmenttotheConstitutionofthePhilippines,ProposedbytheBatasangPambansa,Sittingas
aConstituentAssembly,initsResolutionsNumberedThree,Two,andOne,andtoAppropriateFundsTherefore,"
provides,asfollows:
SEC.7.TheCommissiononElections,sittingenbanc,shadcanvassandproclaimtheresultofthe
plebisciteusingthecertificatessubmittedtoit,dulyauthenticatedandcertifiedbytheBoardof
Canvassersofeachprovinceorcity.
Wehave,finally,ProclamationNo.2332,"ProclaimingtheRatificationinthePlebisciteofJanuary27,1984,ofthe
AmendmentstotheConstitutionEmbodiedinBatasangPambansaResolutionsNos.104,105,110,111,112and
113."Itstatesthattheamendments:
....arethereforeeffectiveandinfullforceandeffectasofthedateofthisProclamation.
ItcarriesoutResolutionno.104itself(aswellasResolutionsNos.110and112andSection9,BatasBlg.643),
whichstates,that:
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TheproposedamendmentsshalltakeeffectonthedatethePresidentofthePhilippinesshall
proclaimthattheyhavebeenratifiedbyamajorityofthevotescastintheplebisciteheldforthe
purpose,butnotlaterthanthreemonthsfromtheapprovaloftheamendments.
albeitResolutionsNos.105,111,and113provide,that:
TheseamendmentsshallbevalidasapartoftheConstitutionwhenapprovedbyamajorityofthevotescastin
anelection/plebisciteatwhichitissubmittedtothepeoplefortheirratificationpursuanttoSection2ofArticleXVI
oftheConstitution,asamended.
ThataConstitutionoramendmentstheretotakeeffectuponproclamationoftheirratificationandnotatthetime
oftheplebisciteisaviewthatisnotpeculiartotheMarcosera.
TheResolutionofBothHouses(ofCongress)inJointSessionontheMarch11,1947plebiscitecalledpursuantto
RepublicActNo.73andtheResolutionofBothHouses(ofCongress)adoptedonSeptember18,1946,was
adoptedonApril9,1947.TheApril9,1947Resolutionmakesnomentionofaretroactiveapplication.Accordingly,
whentheincumbentPresident(Mrs.CorazonC.Aquino)proclaimedonFebruary11,1987,atMalacanang
Palace:
...thattheConstitutionoftheRepublicofthePhilippinesadoptedbytheConstitutionalCommission
of1986,includingtheOrdinanceappendedthereto,hasbeendulyratifiedbytheFilipinopeopleand
isthereforeeffectiveandinfullforceandeffect.4
the1987Constitution,inpointoffact,cameintoforceandeffect,Iholdthatittookeffectatnoothertime.
IsubmitthatourrulinginPonsicav.Ignalaga5inwhichwedeclared,inpassing,thatthenewCharterwasratifiedon
February2,1987,doesnotinanywayweakenthisdissent.AsIstated,theremarkwassaidinpassingwedidnotresolve
thecaseonaccountofacategoricalholdingthatthe1987ConstitutioncametolifeonFebruary2,1987.Inanyevent,ifwe
did,Inowcallforitsreexamination.
Iamthereforeoftheopinion,consistentwiththeviewsexpressedabove,thatthechallengeddismissalsdoneon
February8,1987werevalid,the1987Constitutionnotbeingthenasyetinforce.
Footnotes
1Topacio,Jr.vs.PimentelG.R.No.73770,April10,1986.
2Section2,BPBlg.222.
3Article11,Section25andArticleX,Sections1,2,14,amongothers.
4ArticleX,Section4.
5Section3,BPBlg.222.
Teehankee,C.J.,concurring:
1VolumeFive,RecordoftheConstitutionalCommissionProceedingsandDebates,pages620623
emphasissupplied.
2TheentiredraftConstitutionwasapprovedonOctober12,1986fortyfortyfivevotesinfavorand
twoagainst.
3ThesevenCourtofAppealsJusticesreferredtoareJusticesAlfredoL.Benipayo,MinervaG.
Reyes,MagdangalB.Elma,CecilioPE,JesusElbinias,NicolasLapenaJr.andJustoP.Torres,Jr.,
andtheirappointmentsbearvariousdatesfromJanuary9,1987toJanuary31,1987.
Sarmiento,J.,dissenting:
1ManilaBulletin,Feb.3,1987,p.1,cols.67PhilippineDailyInquirer,Feb.3,1987,p.1,cot1
Malaya,Feb.3,1987,p.1,col.1.
2Nos.3720102March3,1975,63SCRA4(1975).
3Nos.L36142,March31,1973,50SCRA30(1973).
4ProclamationNo.58(1987).
5G.R.No.72301.
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