Lawyers League vs.

Aquino GR 73748 May 22, 1986

(Minute Resolutions En Banc)

FACTS:

On February 25, 1986, after a successful staging of the EDSA Revolution, Pres. Corazon Aquino
issued Presidential Proclamation No. 1, announcing that she and Vice President Laurel are taking
power having been duly elected as President and Vice President in the February 7, 1986 snap
elections.

On March 25, 1986, Proclamation No. 3 was also issued, announcing that the basis of the Aquino
government in its assumption of power is the EDSA Revolution being a direct exercise of the
power of the Filipino people assisted by the Units of the New Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Petitioners Lawyers League, Peoples Crusade and Councilor Ganay questions the legitimacy of
the Aquino government being illegal and not established pursuant to the 1973 Constitution.

ISSUE:

WON petitioners have personality to sue; and

WON the Aquino government is illegal.

HELD:

No. The petitioners have no personality to sue since they have not stated a cause of action.

o To gain personality, petitioners must show that:

(1) they have suffered actual or threatened injury as a result of the allegedly
illegal conduct of the government;

(2) the injury is traceable to the challenged action; and

(3) the injury is likely to be redressed by a favorable action on the part of the
Court.

Though the resolution was promulgated only on May 22, 1986, the SC had already voted on April 10,
1986 to dismiss the petitions.
 The withdrawal of the first 2 petitioners on April 17, 1986 citing their reason that they will pursue
the questions extra-judicially, have become functus officio, meaning that the withdrawal has no
further virtue or effect on the Courts decision.

No. The Aquino government is not illegal.

o Even if the court had expressed that the legitimacy of the Aquino government is not a
justiciable matter since it is political in nature and rightfully belonging to the real where
only the people are the judge, the SC still decreed that the Aquino government was
legitimate on the following reasons:

That the people has accepted the Aquino government which is now in effective
control of the entire country;

It is not merely a de facto government but is in fact a lawful and a de jure

government; and

The international community of nations has also recognized the legitimacy of

the Aquino government.