ladlad vs comelec full case

8/19/2019 Ladlad vs Comelec Full Case

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G.R. No. 190582. April 8, 2010.*

ANG LADLAD LGBT PARTY represented erein !" its #$ir, DANT%N R&'%T%, petitioner, vs.#%''())(%N %N &L&#T(%N), respondent.

Constitutional Law; Election Law; Party-List System; The enumeration of marginalized

and under-represented sectors is not exclusive.—As e e+pliitl" r-led in ng !agong

!ayani-"#$ La%or Party v& Commission on Elections, 59 )#RA /98 2001, “te

en-er$tion o3 $r4in$lied $nd -nder6represented setors is not e+l-si7e.” Te r-i$leleent is not eter $ setor is spei$ll" en-er$ted, !-t eter $ p$rti-l$ror4$ni$tion oplies it te re-ireents o3 te #onstit-tion $nd RA :9;1.

Same; Same; Same; side from Commission on Elections’'C"(ELEC’s) moral o%*ection

and the %elated allegation of non-existence+ nowhere in the records has the respondent ever found<ruled that ng Ladlad is not ,ualied to register as a party-list organization under any

of the re,uisites under .epu%lic ct /o& 0123 or the guidelines in ng !agong !ayani.—=end t$t ng Ladlad $s s->ientl" deonstr$ted its opli$ne it te le4$l

re-ireents 3or $redit$tion. (ndeed, $side 3ro #%'&L&#’s or$l o!?etion $nd te!el$ted $lle4$tion o3 non6e+istene, noere in te reords $s te respondent e7er3o-nd<r-led t$t ng Ladlad is not -$lied to re4ister $s $ p$rt"6list or4$ni$tion -nder $n"o3 te re-isites -nder RA :9;1 or te 4-idelines in ng !agong !ayani. Te di@erene,

#%'&L&# l$is, lies in ng Ladlad’s or$lit", or l$ tereo3.Same; Same; Same; 4t was grave violation of the non-esta%lishment clause for the

Commission on Elections 'C"(ELEC) to utilize the !i%le and the 5oran to *ustify the

exclusion of ng Ladlad.—%-r #onstit-tion pro7ides in Artile (((, )etion 5 t$t “nCo l$s$ll !e $de respetin4 $n est$!lisent o3 reli4ion, or proi!itin4 te 3ree e+erise

tereo3.”At !otto, $t o-r non6est$!lisent l$-se $lls 3or is “4o7ernent ne-tr$lit" in

reli4io-s $tters.”#le$rl", “4o7ernent$l reli$ne on reli4io-s ?-sti$tion is inonsis6

* &N BAN#.

33

E%L. /18, APR(L 8, 2010

ng Ladlad L6!T Party vs& Commission on Electionstent it tis poli" o3 ne-tr$lit".”=e t-s nd t$t it $s 4r$7e 7iol$tion o3 te non6est$!lisent l$-se 3or te #%'&L&# to -tilie te Bi!le $nd te For$n to ?-sti3" tee+l-sion o3 ng Ladlad.

Same; Same; Same; Through the years+ homosexual conduct+ and perhaps

homosexuals themselves+ have %orne the %runt of societal disapproval&—=e $re not !lind tote 3$t t$t, tro-4 te "e$rs, oose+-$l ond-t, $nd per$ps oose+-$lstesel7es, $7e !orne te !r-nt o3 soiet$l dis$ppro7$l. (t is not di>-lt to i$4ine te

re$sons !eind tis ens-re—reli4io-s !elie3s, on7itions $!o-t te preser7$tion o3 $rri$4e, 3$il", $nd prore$tion, e7en dislie or distr-st o3 oose+-$ls tesel7es $ndteir perei7ed li3est"le. Noneteless, e re$ll t$t te Pilippines $s not seen t to

riin$lie oose+-$l ond-t. &7identl", tere3ore, tese “4ener$ll" $epted p-!li

or$ls”$7e not !een on7inin4l" tr$nspl$nted into te re$l o3 l$.Election Law; Party-List System; Civil Law; “/uisance+”7ened.—Artile /9; o3 te #i7il

#ode denes $ n-is$ne $s “$n" $t, oission, est$!lisent, ondition o3 propert", or

$n"tin4 else i sos, dees, or disre4$rds deen" or or$lit",”te reedies 3ori $re $ prose-tion -nder te Re7ised Pen$l #ode or $n" lo$l ordin$ne, $ i7il $tion,or $!$teent ito-t ?-dii$l proeedin4s.

Same; Same; Evidence; mere %lan8et invocation of pu%lic morals cannot replace theinstitution of civil or criminal proceedings and a *udicial determination of lia%ility or

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culpa%ility .—A 7iol$tion o3 Artile 201 o3 te Re7ised Pen$l #ode, re-ires proo3 !e"ondre$son$!le do-!t to s-pport $ riin$l on7ition. (t $rdl" needs to !e ep$sied t$tere $lle4$tion o3 7iol$tion o3 l$s is not proo3, $nd $ ere !l$net in7o$tion o3 p-!lior$ls $nnot repl$e te instit-tion o3 i7il or riin$l proeedin4s $nd $ ?-dii$ldeterin$tion o3 li$!ilit" or -lp$!ilit".

Same; Same; (oral disapproval+ without more+ is not a su9cient governmental

interest to *ustify exclusion of homosexuals from participation in the party-list system.—=eold t$t or$l dis$ppro7$l, ito-t ore, is not $ s->ient 4o7ernent$l interest to ?-sti3"e+l-sion o3 oose+-$ls 3ro p$rtiip$tion in te p$rt"6list s"ste. Te deni$l o3 ng

Ladlad’s re4istr$tion on p-rel" or$l 4ro-nds $o-nts ore to $ st$teent o3 dislie $nddis$ppro7$l o3

34

;)PR&'& #%RT R&P%RT) ANN%TAT&D

ng Ladlad L6!T Party vs& Commission on Elections

oose+-$ls, r$ter t$n $ tool to 3-rter $n" s-!st$nti$l p-!li interest. Respondent’s!l$net ?-sti$tions 4i7e rise to te ine7it$!le onl-sion t$t te #%'&L&# t$r4etsoose+-$ls tesel7es $s $ l$ss, not !e$-se o3 $n" p$rti-l$r or$ll" repreensi!le $t.(t is tis seleti7e t$r4etin4 t$t ipli$tes o-r e-$l protetion l$-se.

Constitutional Law; Election Law; Party-List System; E,ual Protection Clause; .ecent *urisprudence has a9rmed that if a law neither %urdens a fundamental right nor targets asuspect class+ the Supreme Court will uphold the classication as long as it %ears a rational

relationship to some legitimate government end.—Reent ?-rispr-dene $s $>red t$t i3 $ l$ neiter !-rdens $ 3-nd$ent$l ri4t nor t$r4ets $ s-spet l$ss, e ill -pold tel$ssi$tion $s lon4 $s it !e$rs $ r$tion$l rel$tionsip to soe le4iti$te 4o7ernent end.(n Central !an8 Employees ssociation+ 4nc& v& !an8o Sentral ng Pilipinas, ;;/ )#RA 299

200;, e del$red t$t “iCn o-r ?-risdition, te st$nd$rd o3 $n$l"sis o3 e-$l protetion

$llen4es +H+H+ $7e 3olloed te ‘r$tion$l !$sis’test, o-pled it $ de3erenti$l $ttit-de tole4isl$ti7e l$ssi$tions $nd $ rel-t$ne to in7$lid$te $ l$ -nless tere is $ soin4 o3 $

le$r $nd -ne-i7o$l !re$ o3 te #onstit-tion.”Same; Same; Same; Same; Law of general application should apply with e,ual force to

Les%ian+ 6ay+ !isexual and Transgender 'L6!Ts)+ and they deserve to participate in the

party-list system on the same %asis as other marginalized and under-represented sectors.—Iro te st$ndpoint o3 te politi$l proess, te les!i$n, 4$", !ise+-$l, $nd tr$ns4ender$7e te s$e interest in p$rtiip$tin4 in te p$rt"6list s"ste on te s$e !$sis $s oterpoliti$l p$rties siil$rl" sit-$ted. )t$te intr-sion in tis $se is e-$ll" !-rdensoe. Jene,l$s o3 4ener$l $ppli$tion so-ld $ppl" it e-$l 3ore to LGBTs, $nd te" deser7e top$rtiip$te in te p$rt"6list s"ste on te s$e !$sis $s oter $r4in$lied $nd -nder6represented setors.

Same; Same; #reedom of Expression; #reedom of expression constitutes one of theessential foundations of a democratic society+ and this freedom applies not only to those

that are favora%ly received %ut also to those that o:end+ shoc8 or distur%.—Ireedo o3 e+pression onstit-tes one o3 te essenti$l 3o-nd$tions o3 $ deor$ti soiet", $nd tis

3reedo $pplies not onl" to tose t$t $re 3$7or$!l" reei7ed !-t $lso to tose t$t o@end,so, or dist-r!. An" restrition iposed in tis spere -st !e proportion$te to tele4iti$te35

E%L. /18, APR(L 8, 20105

ng Ladlad L6!T Party vs& Commission on Elections$i p-rs-ed. A!sent $n" opellin4 st$te interest, it is not 3or te #%'&L&# or tis #o-rt toipose its 7ies on te pop-l$e. %terise st$ted, te #%'&L&# is ert$inl" not 3ree to



inter3ere it spee 3or no !etter re$son t$n prootin4 $n $ppro7ed ess$4e ordiso-r$4in4 $ dis3$7ored one.

Same; Same; Same; #reedom of ssociation; "nly if a political party incites violence or puts forward policies that are incompati%le with democracy does it fall outside the

protection of the freedom of association guarantee.—A politi$l 4ro-p so-ld not !eindered solel" !e$-se it sees to p-!lil" de!$te ontro7ersi$l politi$l iss-es in order to

nd sol-tions $p$!le o3 s$tis3"in4 e7er"one onerned. %nl" i3 $ politi$l p$rt" inites7iolene or p-ts 3or$rd poliies t$t $re inop$ti!le it deor$" does it 3$ll o-tsidete protetion o3 te 3reedo o3 $ssoi$tion 4-$r$ntee.

Same; Party-List System; E,ual Protection Clause; The principle of non-discriminationre,uires that laws of general application relating to elections %e applied e,ually to all

persons+ regardless of sexual orientation.— Te priniple o3 non6disriin$tion re-ires t$tl$s o3 4ener$l $ppli$tion rel$tin4 to eletions !e $pplied e-$ll" to $ll persons, re4$rdlesso3 se+-$l orient$tion. Alto-4 se+-$l orient$tion is not spei$ll" en-er$ted $s $ st$t-sor r$tio 3or disriin$tion in Artile 2/ o3 te (##PR, te (##PR J-$n Ri4ts #oittee $s

opined t$t te re3erene to “se+”in Artile 2/ so-ld !e onstr-ed to inl-de “se+-$l

orient$tion.”Addition$ll", $ 7$riet" o3 nited N$tions !odies $7e del$red disriin$tion onte !$sis o3 se+-$l orient$tion to !e proi!ited -nder 7$rio-s intern$tion$l $4reeents.

Same; Same; Same; ogya8arta Principles; <sing even the most li%eral of lenses+ theseogya8arta Principles+ consisting of a declaration formulated %y various international law

professors+ are — at %est — de lege ferenda — and do not constitute %inding o%ligations on the

Philippines.—sin4 e7en te ost li!er$l o3 lenses, tese ogya8arta Principles, onsistin4 o3

$ del$r$tion 3or-l$ted !" 7$rio-s intern$tion$l l$ pro3essors, $re—$t !est—de lege

ferenda—$nd do not onstit-te !indin4 o!li4$tions on te Pilippines. (ndeed, so - o3

ontepor$r" intern$tion$l l$ is $r$teried !" te “so3t l$”noenl$t-re, i&e.,intern$tion$l l$ is 3-ll o3 priniples t$t proote intern$tion$l ooper$tion, $ron", $ndrespet 3or -$n

36

/)PR&'& #%RT R&P%RT) ANN%TAT&D

ng Ladlad L6!T Party vs& Commission on Electionsri4ts, ost o3 i $o-nt to no ore t$n ell6e$nin4 desires, ito-t te s-pport o3 eiter )t$te pr$tie or opinio *uris&

PN%, C&=&+ Separate Concurring "pinion>

Constitutional Law; Election Law; Party-List System; ?iew that the assailed .esolutionsof the Commission on Elections 'C"(ELEC) run afoul of the non-esta%lishment clause of the

Constitution.— Te $ss$iled Resol-tions o3 te #oission on &letions #%'&L&# r-n $3o-lo3 te non6est$!lisent l$-se o3 te #onstit-tion. Tere $s "per e@ort on te p$rt o3

te #%'&L&# to o- its re$sonin4 in le4$l—- less onstit-tion$l—ters, $s it denied

An4 L$dl$d’s petition 3or re4istr$tion $s $ setor$l p$rt" prinip$ll" on te 4ro-nd t$t it

“toler$tes ior$lit" i o@ends reli4io-s i&e&, #risti$n $nd '-sli !elie3s.” To !e s-re,

te #%'&L&#’s r-lin4 is opletel" $ntiteti$l to te 3-nd$ent$l r-le t$t “tCe p-!li

or$lit" e+pressed in te l$ is neess$ril" se-l$r,C 3or in o-r onstit-tion$l order, tereli4ion l$-ses proi!it te st$te 3ro est$!lisin4 $ reli4ion, inl-din4 te or$lit" it

s$ntions.”Same; Same; Same; ?iew that the assailed resolutions of the Commission on Elections

'C"(ELEC) are violative of the constitutional directive that no religious test shall %e

re,uired for the exercise of civil or political rights.— Te $ss$iled resol-tions o3 te #%'&L&#$re 7iol$ti7e o3 te onstit-tion$l direti7e t$t no reli4io-s test s$ll !e re-ired 3or te

e+erise o3 i7il or politi$l ri4ts. An4 L$dl$d’s ri4t o3 politi$l p$rtiip$tion $s -nd-l"in3rin4ed en te #%'&L&#, s$"ed !" te pri7$te !i$ses $nd person$l pre?-dies o3 its



onstit-ent e!ers, $rro4$ted -nto itsel3 te role o3 $ reli4io-s o-rt or orse, $ or$lit"polie.

Same; Same; Same; ?iew that the Commission on Elections 'C"(ELEC) capitalized on

ng Ladlad’s denition of the term “sexual orientation+”as well as its citation of the num%er of #ilipino men who have sex with men+ as %asis for the declaration that the party espousesand advocates sexual immorality; This position would deny homosexual and %ixesual

individuals a fundamental element of personal identity and a legitimate exercise of personalli%erty .— Te #%'&L&# $pit$lied on An4 L$dl$d’s denition o3 te ter “se+-$l orient$tion,”$s ell $s its it$tion o3 te n-!er o3 Iilipino en o $7e se+ it en, $s !$sis 3or tedel$r$tion t$t te p$rt" espo-ses $nd $d7o$tes se+-$l ior$lit". Tis position, o6

37

E%L. /18, APR(L 8, 2010:

ng Ladlad L6!T Party vs& Commission on Electionse7er, o-ld den" oose+-$l $nd !ise+-$l indi7id-$ls $ 3-nd$ent$l eleent o3 person$l

identit" $nd $ le4iti$te e+erise o3 person$l li!ert". Ior, te “$!ilit" to independentl"C

dene one’s identit" t$t is entr$l to $n" onept o3 li!ert"”$nnot tr-l" !e e+erised in $

7$--K e $ll depend on te “eotion$l enrient 3ro lose ties it oters.”

Same; Same; Same; ?iew that at the heart of li%erty is the right to dene one’s ownconcept of existence+ of meaning+ of the universe+ and of the mystery of human life .—(t $s!een s$id t$t 3reedo e+tends !e"ond sp$ti$l !o-nds. Li!ert" pres-es $n $-tono" o3 sel3 t$t inl-des 3reedo o3 to-4t, !elie3, e+pression, $nd ert$in inti$te ond-t.

Tese $tters, in7ol7in4 te ost inti$te $nd person$l oies $ person $" $e in $li3etie, oies entr$l to person$l di4nit" $nd $-tono", $re entr$l to te li!ert"

proteted !" te d-e proess l$-se. At te e$rt o3 li!ert" is te ri4t to dene one’s ononept o3 e+istene, o3 e$nin4, o3 te -ni7erse, $nd o3 te "ster" o3 -$n li3e. Belie3s$!o-t tese $tters o-ld not dene te $ttri!-tes o3 personood ere te" 3ored -nderop-lsion o3 te )t$te.

Same; Same; Same; ?iew that a classication %ased on gender or sexual orientation is

a ,uasi-suspect classication+ as to trigger a heightened level of review.— Te ponencia o3 'r. -stie Del #$stillo re3-sed to $r$terie oose+-$ls $nd !ise+-$ls $s $ l$ss intesel7es 3or p-rposes o3 te e-$l protetion l$-se. Aordin4l", it str- don te$ss$iled Resol-tions -sin4 te ost li!er$l !$sis o3 ?-dii$l sr-tin", te r$tion$l !$sis test,$ordin4 to i 4o7ernent need onl" so t$t te $llen4ed l$ssi$tion isr$tion$ll" rel$ted to ser7in4 $ le4iti$te st$te interest. ( -!l" s-!it, oe7er, t$t $l$ssi$tion !$sed on 4ender or se+-$l orient$tion is $ -$si6s-spet l$ssi$tion, $s totri44er $ ei4tened le7el o3 re7ie.

Same; Same; Same; ?iew that gay persons are entitled to heightened constitutional

protection despite some recent political progress.—(t o-ld not !e di>-lt to onl-de t$t4$" persons $re entitled to ei4tened onstit-tion$l protetion despite soe reentpoliti$l pro4ress. Te disriin$tion t$t te" $7e s-@ered $s !een so per7$si7e $nd

se7ere—e7en to-4 teir se+-$l orient$tion $s no !e$rin4 $t $ll on teir $!ilit" toontri!-te to or per3or in

388

)PR&'& #%RT R&P%RT) ANN%TAT&D ng Ladlad L6!T Party vs& Commission on Elections

soiet"—t$t it is i4l" -nliel" t$t le4isl$ti7e en$tents $lone ill s->e to eliin$tet$t disriin$tion.

Same; Same; Same; ?iew that any state action singling les%ians+ gays+ %isexuals andtrans-genders out for disparate treatment is su%*ect to heightened *udicial scrutiny to ensure

that it is not the product of historical pre*udice and stereotyping.—(t is tere3ore respet3-ll"



s-!itted t$t $n" st$te $tion sin4lin4 les!i$ns, 4$"s, !ise+-$ls $nd tr$ns64enders o-t 3ordisp$r$te tre$tent is s-!?et to ei4tened ?-dii$l sr-tin" to ens-re t$t it is not teprod-t o3 istori$l pre?-die $nd stereot"pin4.

Same; Same; Same; ?iew that the position that the Les%ian+ 6ay+ !isexual andTransgender 'L6!T) community cannot participate in the party-list system %ecause it is not

a “marginalized and underrepresented sector ”is %elied %y the Supreme Court ruling in ng

!agong !ayani-"#$ La%or Party vs& C"(ELEC+ where the Court held that the enumerationof marginalized and underrepresented sectors is not exclusive.—(t $s !een s-44ested t$tte LGBT o-nit" $nnot p$rtiip$te in te p$rt"6list s"ste !e$-se it is not $

“$r4in$lied $nd -nderrepresented setor”en-er$ted eiter in te #onstit-tion orRep-!li At No. RA :9;1. Joe7er, tis position is !elied !" o-r r-lin4 in ng !agong!ayani-"#$ La%or Party v& C"(ELEC, 59 )#RA /98 2001, ere e le$rl" eld t$t teen-er$tion o3 $r4in$lied $nd -nderrepresented setors in RA :9;1 is not e+l-si7e.

#%R%NA, =&+ 7issenting "pinion>

Constitutional Law; Election Law; Party-List System; ?iew that the party-list system isessentially a tool for the advancement of social *ustice with the fundamental purpose of a:ording opportunity to marginalized and underrepresented sectors to participate in the

shaping of pu%lic policy and the crafting of national laws.— Te p$rt"6list s"ste is $n

inno7$tion o3 te 198: #onstit-tion. (t is essenti$ll" $ tool 3or te $d7$neent o3 soi$l ?-stie it te 3-nd$ent$l p-rpose o3 $@ordin4 opport-nit" to $r4in$lied $nd-nderrepresented setors to p$rtiip$te in te s$pin4 o3 p-!li poli" $nd te r$3tin4 o3 n$tion$l l$s. (t is preised on te proposition t$t te $d7$neent o3 te interests o3 te$r4in$lied setors ontri!-tes to te $d7$neent o3 te oon 4ood $nd o3 o-r

n$tion’s deor$ti ide$ls.

39

E%L. /18, APR(L 8, 20109


Same; Same; Same; Congress; ?iew that the Constitution left the matter of

determining the groups or sectors that may ,ualify as “marginalized”to the hands of

Congress.— Te #onstit-tion le3t te $tter o3 deterinin4 te 4ro-ps or setors t$t $"-$li3" $s “$r4in$lied”to te $nds o3 #on4ress. P-rs-$nt to tis onstit-tion$l $nd$te,RA :9;1 or te P$rt"6List )"ste At $s en$ted in 1995.

Same; Same; Same; ?iew that the Supreme Court stressed that the party-list system is

reserved only for those sectors marginalized and underrepresented in the past .—(n ng!agong !ayani-"#$ La%or Party , 59 )#RA /98 2001, te #o-rt stressed t$t te p$rt"6lists"ste is reser7ed onl" 3or tose setors $r4in$lied $nd -nderrepresented in te p$ste&g&, l$!or, pe$s$nt, ser3ol, -r!$n poor, indi4eno-s -lt-r$l o-nities, elderl",$ndi$pped, oen, "o-t, 7eter$ns, o7erse$s orers, pro3ession$ls $nd e7en tose inte -nder4ro-nd o7eent o is to oe o-t $nd p$rtiip$te. Te" $re tose setorstr$dition$ll" $nd istori$ll" $r4in$lied $nd depri7ed o3 $n opport-nit" to p$rtiip$te inte 3or-l$tion o3 n$tion$l poli" $lto-4 teir setor$l interests $re $lso tr$dition$ll" $nd

istori$ll" re4$rded $s 7it$l to te n$tion$l interest.Same; Same; Same; ?iew that the concept of marginalized and underrepresentedsectors under the party-list scheme has %een carefully rened %y concrete examples

involving sectors deemed to %e signicant in our legal tradition.— Te onept o3 $r4in$lied $nd -nderrepresented setors -nder te p$rt"6list see $s !een $re3-ll"rened !" onrete e+$ples in7ol7in4 setors deeed to !e si4ni$nt in o-r le4$ltr$dition. Te" $re essenti$ll" setors it $ onstit-tion$l !ond, t$t is, spei setorss-!?et o3 spei pro7isions in te #onstit-tion, n$el", l$!or, pe$s$nt, -r!$n poor,indi4eno-s -lt-r$l o-nities, oen, "o-t, 7eter$ns, ser3ol, elderl", $ndi$pped,o7erse$s orers $nd pro3ession$ls.



Same; Same; Same; ?iew that marginalized sectors should %e given a say ingovernance through the party-list system+ not simply %ecause they desire to say somethingconstructive %ut %ecause they deserve to %e heard on account of their traditionally and

historically decisive role in Philippine society .— Te lon46-Med 7oies o3 $r4in$liedsetors -st !e e$rd !e$-se teir respeti7e interests $re inti$tel" $nd indispens$!l"o7en into te 3$!ri o3 te n$6

40;0


tion$l deor$ti $4end$. Te soi$l, eonoi $nd politi$l $spets o3 disriin$tion $nd$r4in$li$tion so-ld not !e di7ored 3ro te role o3 $ p$rti-l$r setor or 4ro-p in te$d7$neent o3 te olleti7e 4o$ls o3 Pilippine soiet" $s $ ole. (n oter ords,$r4in$lied setors so-ld !e 4i7en $ s$" in 4o7ern$ne tro-4 te p$rt"6list s"ste, notsipl" !e$-se te" desire to s$" soetin4 onstr-ti7e !-t !e$-se te" deser7e to !ee$rd on $o-nt o3 teir tr$dition$ll" $nd istori$ll" deisi7e role in Pilippine soiet".

Same; Same; Same; ?iew that the ma*ority ’s decision is cryptic and wanting when it ma8es short shrift of the issue of whether petitioner is a marginalized and underrepresented

sector .— Te en-er$tion o3 setors onsidered $s $r4in$lied $nd -nderrepresented in

te 3-nd$ent$l l$ $nd in te ipleentin4 l$ RA :9;1 $nnot !e ito-t si4ni$ne. To i4nore te is to disre4$rd te te+ts o3 te #onstit-tion $nd o3 RA :9;1. Ior, indeed, te

7er" rst o3 ng !agong !ayani-"#$ La%or Party ’s ei4t 4-idelines 3or sreenin4 p$rt"6list

p$rtiip$nts is tis te p$rties, setors or or4$ni$tions “-st represent te $r4in$lied

$nd -nderrepresented 4ro-ps identied in )etion 5 o3 RA :9;1.”Ior tis re$son, ( s-!it

te $?orit"’s deision is r"pti $nd $ntin4 en it $es sort sri3t o3 te iss-e o3 eter petitioner is $ $r4in$lied $nd -nderrepresented setor in te 3olloin4 $nner.

Same; Same; Same; ?iew that marginalized sectors ,ualied to participate in the

party-list system %ut not mentioned in Section @'A)+ rticle ?4 are“such other sectors as may

%e provided %y law”duly enacted %y Congress.—'$r4in$lied setors -$lied to p$rtiip$te

in te p$rt"6list s"ste !-t not entioned in )etion 52, Artile E( $re “s- oter setors

$s $" !e pro7ided !" l$”d-l" en$ted !" #on4ress. (t is $lso onsistent it te !$si$non o3 st$t-tor" onstr-tion, e*usdem generis, i re-ires t$t $ 4ener$l ord orpr$se t$t 3ollos $n en-er$tion o3 p$rti-l$r $nd spei ords o3 te s$e l$ss, te4ener$l ord or pr$se so-ld !e onstr-ed to inl-de, or to !e restrited to persons, tin4sor $ses, $in to, rese!lin4, or o3 te s$e ind or l$ss $s tose spei$ll" entioned.

Same; Same; Same; ?iew that even assuming that petitioner was a%le to show that the community of les%ians+ gays+ %isexuals and transsexuals 'L6!T) is underrepresented+ it cannot %e properly con-

41

E%L. /18, APR(L 8, 2010;1


sidered as marginalized under the party-list system.—&7en $ss-in4 t$t petitioner $s

$!le to so t$t te o-nit" o3 les!i$ns, 4$"s, !ise+-$ls $nd tr$nsse+-$ls LGBT is-nderrepresented, it $nnot !e properl" onsidered $s $r4in$lied -nder te p$rt"6lists"ste. #irst , petitioner is not inl-ded in te setors entioned in )etion 52, Artile E( o3 te #onstit-tion $nd )etion 5 o3 RA :9;1. nless $n o7erl" str$ined interpret$tion isresorted to, te LGBT setor $nnot est$!lis $ lose onnetion to $n" o3 te s$id setors.(ndeed, petitioner does not e7en tr" to so its lin to $n" o3 te s$id setors. R$ter, itrepresents itsel3 $s $n $lto4eter distint setor it its on pe-li$r interests $nd $4end$.

Same; Same; Same; ?iew that only sectors expressly or closely related to thosesectors mentioned in Section @ of .epu%lic ct '.) /o& 0123 are ,ualied to participate in



the party-list system.—(n tis inst$ne, #on4ress, in te e+erise o3 its $-torit" -nder)etion 52, Artile E( o3 te #onstit-tion, en$ted RA :9;1. )etions 2, d $nd 5 o3 tes$id l$ instit-ted $ poli" en it en-er$ted ert$in setors $s -$lied $r4in$lied $nd-nderrepresented setors -nder te p$rt"6list s"ste. Respet 3or t$t poli" $nd delit" to

te #o-rt’s d-t" in o-r see o3 4o7ernent re-ire -s to del$re t$t onl" setorse+pressl" entioned or losel" rel$ted to tose setors entioned in )etion 5 o3 RA :9;1

$re -$lied to p$rtiip$te in te p$rt"6list s"ste.Same; Same; Same; ?iew that until and unless Congress amends the law to include

the Les%ian+ 6ay+ !isexual and Transgender 'L6!Ts) and other sectors in the party-list

system+ deference to Congress’determination on the matter is proper .— Te #o-rt is $lled-pon to e+erise ?-dii$l restr$int in tis $se !" stritl" $derin4 to, r$ter t$n e+p$ndin4,le4isl$ti7e poli" on te $tter o3 $r4in$lied setors $s e+pressed in te en-er$tion in)etion 5 o3 RA :9;1. Te #o-rt $s no poer to $end $nd e+p$nd )etions 2, d $nd 5o3 RA :9;1 in te 4-ise o3 interpret$tion. Te #onstit-tion e+pressl" $nd e+l-si7el" 7ests

te $-torit" to deterine “s- oter $r4in$liedC setors”-$lied to p$rtiip$te in tep$rt"6list s"ste to #on4ress. T-s, -ntil $nd -nless #on4ress $ends te l$ to inl-de te

LGBT $nd oter setors in te p$rt"6list s"ste, de3erene to #on4ress’deterin$tion on te$tter is proper.

Same; Same; Same; ?iew that the party-list system was not designed as a tool toadvocate tolerance and acceptance of any and all

42

;2)PR&'& #%RT R&P%RT) ANN%TAT&D


socially misunderstood sectors.—=ile !i4otr", soi$l stereot"pin4 $nd oter 3ors o3 disriin$tion -st !e 4i7en no pl$e in $ tr-l" ?-st, deor$ti $nd li!ert$ri$n soiet", tep$rt"6list s"ste $s $ ell6dened p-rpose. Te p$rt"6list s"ste $s not desi4ned $s $tool to $d7o$te toler$ne $nd $ept$ne o3 $n" $nd $ll soi$ll" is-nderstood setors.R$ter, it is $ pl$t3or 3or te re$li$tion o3 te $spir$tions o3 $r4in$lied setors ose

interests $re, !" n$t-re $nd istor", $lso te n$tion’s !-t i interests $7e not !een

s->ientl" !ro-4t to p-!li $ttention !e$-se o3 tese setors’-nderrepresent$tion.

Same; Same; Same; ?iew that Congress was given %y the Constitution full discretion

to determine what sectors may ,ualify as marginalized and underrepresented+ the Court ’s

tas8 is to respect that legislative determination %y strictly adhering to it .—#on4ress $s4i7en !" te #onstit-tion 3-ll disretion to deterine $t setors $" -$li3" $s

$r4in$lied $nd -nderrepresented. Te #o-rt’s t$s is to respet t$t le4isl$ti7edeterin$tion !" stritl" $derin4 to it. (3 e e@eti7el" $nd -nd-l" e+p$nd s-on4ression$l deterin$tion, e ill !e d$!!lin4 in poli"6$in4, $n $t o3 politi$l ill $ndnot o3 ?-dii$l ?-d4ent.

ABAD, =&+ Separate "pinion>

Constitutional Law; Election Law; Party-List System; ?iew that the underlying policy of .epu%lic ct /o& 0123 or The Party-List System ct is to give the marginalized andunderrepresented sectors of society an opportunity to ta8e a direct part in enacting the laws

of the land.— Te -nderl"in4 poli" o3 R.A. :9;1 or Te P$rt"6List )"ste At is to 4i7e te$r4in$lied $nd -nderrepresented setors o3 soiet" $n opport-nit" to t$e $ diret p$rt inen$tin4 te l$s o3 te l$nd. (n ng !agong !ayani-"#$ La%or Party v& Commission onElections 'C"(ELEC), 59 )#RA /98 2001, te #o-rt l$id don 4-idelines 3or $redit$tion,!-t tese see to le$7e te #%'&L&# lie e7er"one else e7en ore perple+ed $ndd-!3o-nded $!o-t $t or4$ni$tions, l-!s, or $ssoi$tions $n p$ss 3or setor$l p$rtiesit $ ri4t to l$i $ se$t in te Jo-se o3 Represent$ti7es. Te #o-rt $n, in $d?-di$tin4tis $se, -nr$7el soe o3 te di>-lties.



Same; Same; Same; ?iew that the Commission on Elections 'C"(ELEC) erred when it

denied ng Ladlad’s petition for sectoral party accreditation on religious and moral grounds

— the C"(ELEC

43

E%L. /18, APR(L 8, 2010;

ng Ladlad L6!T Party vs& Commission on Electionshas never applied these tests on regular candidates for Congress.—Jere, ( 3-ll" $4ree t$t

te #%'&L&# erred en it denied ng Ladlad’s petition 3or setor$l p$rt" $redit$tion onreli4io-s $nd or$l 4ro-nds. Te #%'&L&# $s ne7er $pplied tese tests on re4-l$r$ndid$tes 3or #on4ress. Tere is no re$son 3or it to $ppl" te on ng Ladlad. B-t te ponencia $lre$d" $pl" $nd l-idl" dis-ssed tis point.

Same; Same; Same; ?iew that a reading of ng !agong !ayani will show that+ %ased

on the Court ’s reading+ neither the Constitution nor .epu%lic ct /o& 0123 intends the

excessively limited coverage that the Commission on Elections 'C"(ELEC) now suggests.—

Te #%'&L&#’s proposition iposes $n -n$rr$nted restrition i is inonsistent itte p-rpose $nd spirit o3 te #onstit-tion $nd te l$. A re$din4 o3 ng !agong !ayani ill

so t$t, !$sed on te #o-rt’s re$din4, neiter te #onstit-tion nor R.A. :9;1 intends te

e+essi7el" liited o7er$4e t$t te #%'&L&# no s-44ests. (n 3$t, te #o-rt s$id in t$t$se t$t te list in R.A. :9;1 is not e+l-si7e. T-s, ile te p$rt"6list s"ste is not e$nt3or $ll setors o3 soiet", it $s en7isioned $s $ soi$l ?-stie tool 3or te $r4in$lied $nd-nderrepresented in 4ener$l.

Same; Same; Same; ?iew that Congress did not provide a denition of the term

“marginalized and underrepresented&”—#on4ress did not pro7ide $ denition o3 te ter

“$r4in$lied $nd -nderrepresented.”Nor did te #o-rt d$re pro7ide one in its deision in ng !agong !ayani. (t is possi!le, oe7er, to 4et $ sense o3 $t #on4ress intended in

$doptin4 s- ter. No do-!t, #on4ress r$3ted t$t ter—$r4in$lied $nd

-nderrepresented—3ro its re$din4 o3 te onrete e+$ples t$t te #onstit-tion itsel3 4i7es o3 4ro-pin4s t$t $re entitled to $redit$tion. Tese e+$ples $re te l$!or, tepe$s$nt, te -r!$n poor, te indi4eno-s -lt-r$l inorities, te oen, $nd te "o-t

setors. Iort-n$tel", -ite o3ten ide$s $re !est desri!ed !" e+$ples o3 $t te" $re,i $s $t tose o dr$3ted te 198: #onstit-tion did, r$ter t$n !" $n $!str$tdesription o3 te.

Same; Same; Same; ?iew that an interpretation that will allow concretely or specically dened groups to see8 election as a separate party-list sector %y itself will result in riot and redundancy in the mix of sectoral parties gra%%ing seats in the Bouse of

.epresentatives.—An interpret$tion t$t ill $llo onretel" or spei$ll" dened

44

;;)PR&'& #%RT R&P%RT) ANN%TAT&D

ng Ladlad L6!T Party vs& Commission on Elections4ro-ps to see eletion $s $ sep$r$te p$rt"6list setor !" itsel3 ill res-lt in riot $ndred-nd$n" in te i+ o3 setor$l p$rties 4r$!!in4 se$ts in te Jo-se o3 Represent$ti7es. (t

ill de3e$t $lto4eter te o!?eti7es o3 te p$rt"6list s"ste. (3 te" $n -ster eno-47otes, te o-ntr" $" $7e $ p$rt"6list o3 pedi$! dri7ers $nd $noter o3 tri"le dri7ers.

Tere ill !e $n irr$tion$l $pportionent o3 p$rt"6list se$ts in te le4isl$t-re.Same; Same; Same; ?iew that applying the universally accepted estimate that one out

of every 3 persons is a Les%ian+ 6ay+ !isexual and Transgender 'L6!Ts) of a certain 8ind+

the #ilipino L6!Ts should now stand at a%out D&0 million.—(n tis $se, ng Ladladrepresents en $nd oen o identi3" tesel7es $s les!i$ns, 4$"s, !ise+-$ls, or tr$ns64endered persons LGBTs. Appl"in4 te -ni7ers$ll" $epted esti$te t$t one o-t o3 e7er"10 persons is $n LGBT o3 $ ert$in ind, te Iilipino LGBTs so-ld no st$nd $t $!o-t 8.:



illion. Despite tis, oe7er, te" $re !" $nd l$r4e, s-!tl" i3 not !r-t$ll", e+l-ded 3ro te

$instre$, disriin$ted $4$inst, $nd perse-ted. T$t te #%'&L&# denied ng Ladlad’spetition on reli4io-s $nd or$l 4ro-nds is proo3 o3 tis disriin$tion.

Same; Same; Same; ?iew that ng Ladlad has amply proved that it meets the

re,uirements for sectoral party accreditation — their mem%ers are in the vulnera%le class li8e

the women and the youth.— ng Ladlad $s $pl" pro7ed t$t it eets te re-ireents 3or

setor$l p$rt" $redit$tion. Teir e!ers $re in te 7-lner$!le l$ss lie te oen $ndte "o-t. ng Ladlad represents $ n$rro denition o3 its l$ss LGBTs r$ter t$n $onrete $nd spei denition o3 $ s-!64ro-p itin te l$ss 4ro-p o3 4$" !e$-tii$ns, 3ore+$ple. Te people t$t ng Ladlad sees to represent $7e $ n$tion$l presene.)P&#(AL #(E(L A#T(%N in te )-pree #o-rt. #ertior$ri.

Te 3$ts $re st$ted in te opinion o3 te #o-rt.

#&7& /icholas !& Pichay+ Clara .ita & Padilla $nd 4%arra (& 6utierrez 3or petitioner.

.&&?& Saguisag 3or inter7enor &pi3$nio D. )$lon4$, r.

45

E%L. /18, APR(L 8, 2010;5


D&L #A)T(LL%, =&... ICreedo to di@er is not liited to tin4s t$t do not $tter -. T$t o-ld !e $ eres$do o3 3reedo. Te test o3 its s-!st$ne is te ri4t to di@er $s to tin4s t$t to- tee$rt o3 te e+istin4 order.

=ustice .o%ert & =ac8son

$est ?irginia State !oard of

Education v& !arnette1

%ne -n$7oid$!le onse-ene o3 e7er"one $7in4 te 3reedo to oose is t$t oters $"

$e di@erent oies—oies e o-ld not $e 3or o-rsel7es, oies e $"dis$ppro7e o3, e7en oies t$t $" so or o@end or $n4er -s. Joe7er, oies $re notto !e le4$ll" proi!ited erel" !e$-se te" $re di@erent, $nd te ri4t to dis$4ree $ndde!$te $!o-t iport$nt -estions o3 p-!li poli" is $ ore 7$l-e proteted !" o-r Bill o3

Ri4ts. (ndeed, o-r deor$" is !-ilt on 4en-ine reo4nition o3, $nd respet 3or, di7ersit"$nd di@erene in opinion.)ine $nient ties, soiet" $s 4r$ppled it deep dis$4reeents $!o-t te denitions$nd de$nds o3 or$lit". (n $n" $ses, ere or$l on7itions $re onerned, $ron"

$on4 tose teoreti$ll" opposed is $n ins-ro-nt$!le 4o$l. Yet erein lies te p$r$do+—pilosopi$l ?-sti$tions $!o-t $t is or$l $re indispens$!le $nd "et $t te s$e tiepoerless to re$te $4reeent. Tis #o-rt reo4nies, oe7er, t$t pr$ti$l sol-tions $repre3er$!le to ideolo4i$l st$le$tesK $ood$tion is !etter t$n intr$nsi4eneK re$sonore ort" t$n retori. Tis ill $llo persons o3 di7erse 7iepoints to li7e to4eter, i3 not $ronio-sl", ten, $t le$st, i7ill".

1 19 .). /2;, /;06;2 19;.

46

;/)PR&'& #%RT R&P%RT) ANN%TAT&D


#actual !ac8ground Tis is $ Petition 3or Certiorari -nder R-le /5 o3 te R-les o3 #o-rt, it $n $ppli$tion 3or $

rit o3 preliin$r" $nd$tor" in?-ntion, led !" ng Ladlad LGBT P$rt" ng Ladlad$4$inst te Resol-tions o3 te #oission on &letions #%'&L&# d$ted No7e!er 11,20092 te Iirst Ass$iled Resol-tion $nd Dee!er 1/, 2009 te )eond Ass$iled






Resol-tion in )PP No. 096228 PL olleti7el", te Ass$iled Resol-tions. Te $se $s its

roots in te #%'&L&#’s re3-s$l to $redit ng Ladlad $s $ p$rt"6list or4$ni$tion -nderRep-!li At RA No. :9;1, oterise non $s te P$rt"6List )"ste At.;

ng Ladlad is $n or4$ni$tion oposed o3 en $nd oen o identi3" tesel7es $sles!i$ns, 4$"s, !ise+-$ls, or tr$ns64endered indi7id-$ls LGBTs. (norpor$ted in 200, ngLadlad rst $pplied 3or re4istr$tion it te #%'&L&# in 200/. Te $ppli$tion 3or

$redit$tion $s denied on te 4ro-nd t$t te or4$ni$tion $d no s-!st$nti$le!ersip !$se. %n A-4-st 1:, 2009, ng Ladlad $4$in led $ Petition5 3or re4istr$tionit te #%'&L&#.

Be3ore te #%'&L&#, petitioner $r4-ed t$t te LGBT o-nit" is $ $r4in$lied $nd-nder6represented setor t$t is p$rti-l$rl" dis$d7$nt$4ed !e$-se o3 teir se+-$lorient$tion $nd 4ender identit"K t$t LGBTs $re 7itis o3 e+l-sion, disriin$tion, $nd7ioleneK t$t !e$-se o3 ne4$ti7e soiet$l $ttit-des, LGBTs $re onstr$ined to ide teirse+-$l orient$tionK $nd t$t ng Ladlad oplied it te 86point 4-idelines en-ni$ted !"tis #o-rt in ng !agong

2 .ollo, pp. 6;0.

4d., $t pp. ;16:;.

;HAn At Pro7idin4 Ior Te &letion %3 P$rt"6List Represent$ti7es Tro-4 Te P$rt"6List)"ste, And Appropri$tin4 I-nds Tere3or 1995.

5 .ollo, pp. 896101.

47

E%L. /18, APR(L 8, 2010;:

ng Ladlad L6!T Party vs& Commission on Elections!ayani-"#$ La%or Party v& Commission on Elections./ ng Ladlad l$id o-t its n$tion$le!ersip !$se onsistin4 o3 indi7id-$l e!ers $nd or4$ni$tion$l s-pporters, $ndo-tlined its pl$t3or o3 4o7ern$ne.:

%n No7e!er 11, 2009, $3ter $dittin4 te petitioner’s e7idene, te #%'&L&# )eondDi7ision disissed te Petition on or$l 4ro-nds, st$tin4 t$t+ + + Tis Petition is disissi!le on or$l 4ro-nds. Petitioner denes te Iilipino Les!i$n,

G$", Bise+-$l $nd Tr$ns4ender LGBT #o-nit", t-s+ + + $ $r4in$lied $nd -nder6represented setor t$t is p$rti-l$rl" dis$d7$nt$4ed!e$-se o3 teir se+-$l orient$tion $nd 4ender identit".$nd proeeded to dene se+-$l orient$tion $s t$t i

+ + + re3ers to $ person’s $p$it" 3or pro3o-nd eotion$l, $@etion$l $nd se+-$l $ttr$tionto, $nd inti$te $nd se+-$l rel$6

/ ;12 Pil. 08K 59 )#RA /98 2001.

: ng Ladlad o-tlined its pl$t3or,viz .As $ p$rt"6list or4$ni$tion+ ng Ladlad is illin4 to rese$r, introd-e, $nd or 3or tep$ss$4e into l$ o3 le4isl$ti7e e$s-res -nder te 3olloin4 pl$t3or o3 4o7ernent

$ introd-tion $nd s-pport 3or $n $nti6disriin$tion !ill t$t ill ens-re e-$l ri4ts 3or

LGBTs in eplo"ent $nd i7il li3eK! s-pport 3or LGBT6rel$ted $nd LGBT63riendl" !-sinesses t$t ill ontri!-te to te n$tion$leono"K

settin4 -p o3 iro6n$ne $nd li7eliood pro?ets 3or poor $nd p"si$ll" $llen4edLGBT IilipinosK

d settin4 -p o3 $re enters t$t ill t$e $re o3 te edi$l, le4$l, pension, $nd oterneeds o3 old $nd $!$ndoned LGBTs. Tese enters ill !e set -p initi$ll" in te e" ities o3 te o-ntr"K $nd





















e introd-tion $nd s-pport 3or !ills seein4 te repe$l o3 l$s -sed to $r$ss $ndle4itiie e+tortion $4$inst te LGBT o-nit". .ollo, p. 100.48

;8)PR&'& #%RT R&P%RT) ANN%TAT&D


tions it, indi7id-$ls o3 $ di@erent 4ender, o3 te s$e 4ender, or ore t$n one 4ender. Tis denition o3 te LGBT setor $es it r"st$l le$r t$t petitioner toler$tes ior$lit"i o@ends reli4io-s !elie3s. (n Ro$ns 12/, 2:, P$-l roteIor tis $-se God 4$7e te -p into 7ile $@etions, 3or e7en teir oen did $n4e ten$t-r$l -se into t$t i is $4$inst n$t-re And lieise $lso te en, le$7in4 te n$t-r$l-se o3 te o$n, !-rned in teir l-st one to$rd $noterK en it en orin4 t$ti is -nseel", $nd reei7in4 in tesel7es t$t reopense o3 teir error i $seet.(n te For$n, te ere-nder 7erses $re pertinent

Ior "e pr$tie "o-r l-sts on en in pre3erene to oen “"e $re indeed $ people

tr$ns4ressin4 !e"ond !o-nds.”:.81“And e r$ined don on te $ soer o3 !ristone

Ten see $t $s te end o3 tose o ind-l4ed in sin $nd rieO”:8;“Je s$id “% "

LordO Jelp To- e $4$inst people o do isie3 ”290.As orretl" pointed o-t !" te L$ Dep$rtent in its #oent d$ted %to!er 2, 2008

Te ANG LADLAD $pp$rentl" $d7o$tes se+-$l ior$lit" $s indi$ted in te Petition’s p$r.

/I‘#onsens-$l p$rtnersips or rel$tionsips !" 4$"s $nd les!i$ns o $re $lre$d" o3 $4e’. (t

is 3-rter indi$ted in p$r. 2; o3 te Petition i $7es 3or te reord ‘(n 200:, 'enJ$7in4 )e+ it 'en or ')'s in te Pilippines ere esti$ted $s /:0,000 Genesis 19 iste istor" o3 )odo $nd Goorr$.L$s $re deeed inorpor$ted in e7er" ontr$t, perit, liense, rel$tionsip, or$redit$tion. Jene, pertinent pro7isions o3 te #i7il #ode $nd te Re7ised Pen$l #ode $redeeed p$rt o3 te re-ireent to !e oplied it 3or $redit$tion.

ANG LADLAD ollides it Artile /95 o3 te #i7il #ode i denes n-is$ne $s ‘An" $t,oission, est$!lisent, !-siness, ondition o3 propert", or $n"tin4 else i + + +

sos, deesK or disre4$rds deen" or or$lit" + + +(t $lso ollides it Artile 10/ o3 te #i7il #ode ‘ Te ontr$tin4 p$rties $" est$!liss- stip-l$tions, l$-ses, ters $nd onditions $s te" $" dee on7enient, pro7ided

49

E%L. /18, APR(L 8, 2010;9

ng Ladlad L6!T Party vs& Commission on Electionste" $re not ontr$r" to l$, or$ls, 4ood -stos, p-!li order or p-!li poli". Art 1;09 o3

te #i7il #ode pro7ides t$t ‘#ontr$ts ose $-se, o!?et or p-rpose is ontr$r" to l$,

or$ls, 4ood -stos, p-!li order or p-!li poli"’$re ine+istent $nd 7oid 3ro te!e4innin4.Iin$ll" to s$3e4-$rd te or$lit" o3 te Iilipino o-nit", te Re7ised Pen$l #ode, $s

$ended, pen$lies‘(or$l dotrines, o!sene p-!li$tions $nd e+i!itions $nd indeentsos’$s 3ollos

Art. 201. 4mmoral doctrines+ o%scene pu%lications and exhi%itions+ and indecent shows.— Te pen$lt" o3 prision $"or or $ ne r$n4in4 3ro si+ to-s$nd to tel7e to-s$nd pesos,

or !ot s- iprisonent $nd ne, s$ll !e iposed -pon

1. Tose o s$ll p-!lil" e+po-nd or prol$i dotrines openl" ontr$r" to p-!li or$lsK

2. $ Te $-tors o3 o!sene liter$t-re, p-!lised it teir noled4e in $n" 3orK teeditors p-!lisin4 s- liter$t-reK $nd te oners<oper$tors o3 te est$!lisent sellin4 tes$eK



! Tose o, in te$ters, 3$irs, ine$to4r$ps or $n" oter pl$e, e+i!it indeent orior$l pl$"s, senes, $ts or sos, it !ein4 -nderstood t$t te o!sene liter$t-re orindeent or ior$l pl$"s, senes, $ts or sos, eter li7e or in l, i $represri!ed !" 7irt-e ereo3, s$ll inl-de tose i 1 4lori3" riin$ls or ondoneriesK 2 ser7e no oter p-rpose !-t to s$tis3" te $ret 3or 7iolene, l-st orporno4r$p"K o@end $n" r$e or reli4ionK ; tend to $!et tr$> in $nd -se o3 proi!ited

dr-4sK $nd 5 $re ontr$r" to l$, p-!li order, or$ls, 4ood -stos, est$!lised poliies,l$3-l orders, derees $nd edits.

. Tose o s$ll sell, 4i7e $$" or e+i!it ls, prints, en4r$7in4s, s-lpt-re or liter$t-rei $re o@ensi7e to or$ls.Petitioner so-ld lieise !e denied $redit$tion not onl" 3or $d7o$tin4 ior$l dotrines

!-t lieise 3or not !ein4 tr-t3-l en it s$id t$t it “or any of its nominees< party-list

representatives have not violated or failed to comply with laws+ rules+ or regulations relating

to the elections.”

50

50)PR&'& #%RT R&P%RT) ANN%TAT&D


I-rterore, so-ld tis #oission 4r$nt te petition, e ill !e e+posin4 o-r "o-t to $nen7ironent t$t does not on3or to te te$in4s o3 o-r 3$it. Le$n )tr$-ss, $ 3$o-s

!i!le te$er $nd riter in te .).A. s$id in one $rtile t$t “older practicing homosexuals

are a threat to the youth&”As $n $4en" o3 te 4o7ernent, o-rs too is te )t$te’s $7oedd-t" -nder )etion 1, Artile (( o3 te #onstit-tion to protet o-r "o-t 3ro or$l $nd

spirit-$l de4r$d$tion.”8

=en ng Ladlad so-4t reonsider$tion,9 tree oissioners 7oted to o7ert-rn te IirstAss$iled Resol-tion #oissioners Gre4orio Y. L$rr$$!$l, Rene E. )$riento, $nd Ar$ndo

Eel$so, ile tree oissioners 7oted to den" ng Ladlad’s 'otion 3or Reonsider$tion#oissioners Niodeo T. Ierrer, L-enito N. T$4le, $nd &li$s R. Y-sop. Te #%'&L&##$ir$n, !re$in4 te tie $nd spe$in4 3or te $?orit" in is )ep$r$te %pinion, -peld teIirst Ass$iled Resol-tion, st$tin4 t$t

(. Te )pirit o3 Rep-!li At No. :9;1Ladlad is $ppl"in4 3or $redit$tion $s $ setor$l p$rt" in te p$rt"6list s"ste. &7en

$ss-in4 t$t it $s properl" pro7en its -nder6represent$tion $nd $r4in$li$tion, it $nnot

!e s$id t$t Ladlad’s e+pressed se+-$l orient$tions per se o-ld !enet te n$tion $s $ole.

)etion 2 o3 te p$rt"6list l$ -ne-i7o$ll" st$tes t$t te p-rpose o3 te p$rt"6lists"ste o3 eletin4 on4ression$l represent$ti7es is to en$!le Iilipino itiens !elon4in4 to$r4in$lied $nd -nder6represented setors, or4$ni$tions $nd p$rties, $nd o l$ ell6dened politi$l onstit-enies !-t o o-ld ontri!-te to te 3or-l$tion $nd en$tento3 $ppropri$te le4isl$tion t$t ill !enet te n$tion $s $ ole, to !eoe e!ers o3 teJo-se o3 Represent$ti7es.

8H4d., $t pp. /69. #it$tions oitted. (t$lis $nd -ndersorin4 in ori4in$l te+t.9 4d., $t pp. ::688.

51

E%L. /18, APR(L 8, 201051


(3 entr" into te p$rt"6list s"ste o-ld depend onl" on te $!ilit" o3 $n or4$ni$tion torepresent its onstit-enies, ten $ll represent$ti7e or4$ni$tions o-ld $7e 3o-nd









%n $n-$r" /, 2010, e ordered te %>e o3 te )oliitor Gener$l %)G to le its #oenton !e$l3 o3 #%'&L&# not l$ter t$n 1200 noon o3 $n-$r" 11, 2010. 11 (nste$d o3 lin4 $#oent, oe7er, te %)G led $ 'otion 3or &+tension, re-estin4 t$t it !e 4i7en -ntil

$n-$r" 1/, 2010 to #oent.12 )oe$t s-rprisin4l", te %)G l$ter led $

10 4d., $t pp. 5065;. &p$sis $nd -ndersorin4 s-pplied.

11 4d., $t p. 121.12 4d., $t pp. 129612.

53

E%L. /18, APR(L 8, 20105


#oent in s-pport o3 petitioner’s $ppli$tion.1 T-s, in order to 4i7e #%'&L&# teopport-nit" to 3-ll" 7entil$te its position, e re-ired it to le its on oent.1; Te#%'&L&#, tro-4 its L$ Dep$rtent, led its #oent on Ie!r-$r" 2, 2010.15

(n te e$ntie, d-e to te -r4en" o3 te petition, e iss-ed $ tepor$r" restr$inin4 orderon $n-$r" 12, 2010, e@eti7e iedi$tel" $nd ontin-in4 -ntil 3-rter orders 3ro tis#o-rt, diretin4 te #%'&L&# to e$se $nd desist 3ro ipleentin4 te Ass$iledResol-tions.1/

Also, on $n-$r" 1, 2010, te #oission on J-$n Ri4ts #JR led $ 'otion to(nter7ene or to Appe$r $s micus Curiae, $tt$in4 tereto its #oent6in6(nter7ention.1:

Te #JR opined t$t te deni$l o3 ng Ladlad’s petition on or$l 4ro-nds 7iol$ted test$nd$rds $nd priniples o3 te #onstit-tion, te ni7ers$l Del$r$tion o3 J-$n Ri4tsDJR, $nd te (ntern$tion$l #o7en$nt on #i7il $nd Politi$l Ri4ts (##PR. %n $n-$r" 19,

2010, e 4r$nted te #JR’s otion to inter7ene.%n $n-$r" 2/, 2010, &pi3$nio D. )$lon4$, r. led is 'otion to (nter7ene18 i otion $s4r$nted on Ie!r-$r" 2, 2010.19

The Parties’ rguments ng Ladlad $r4-ed t$t te deni$l o3 $redit$tion, inso3$r $s it ?-stied te e+l-sion !"

-sin4 reli4io-s do4$, 7iol$ted te onstit-tion$l 4-$r$ntees $4$inst te est$!lisent o3 reli4ion. Petitioner $lso l$ied t$t te Ass$iled Resol-tions

1 4d., $t pp. 151628.

1; 4d., $t p. 28;.

15 4d., $t pp. 01659/.

1/ 4d., $t p. 12/.

1: 4d., $t pp. 161/0.

18 4d., $t pp. 2886291.

19 4d&, $t p. 29/.

54

5;)PR&'& #%RT R&P%RT) ANN%TAT&D


ontr$7ened its onstit-tion$l ri4ts to pri7$", 3reedo o3 spee $nd $sse!l", $nd e-$l

protetion o3 l$s, $s ell $s onstit-ted 7iol$tions o3 te Pilippines’intern$tion$lo!li4$tions $4$inst disriin$tion !$sed on se+-$l orient$tion.

Te %)G on-rred it ng Ladlad’s petition $nd $r4-ed t$t te #%'&L&# erred in

den"in4 petitioner’s $ppli$tion 3or re4istr$tion sine tere $s no !$sis 3or #%'&L&#’s$lle4$tions o3 ior$lit". (t $lso opined t$t LGBTs $7e teir on spei$l interests $ndonerns i so-ld $7e !een reo4nied !" te #%'&L&# $s $ sep$r$te l$ssi$tion.

Joe7er, inso3$r $s te p-rported 7iol$tions o3 petitioner’s 3reedo o3 spee, e+pression,























$nd $sse!l" ere onerned, te %)G $int$ined t$t tere $d !een no restritions ontese ri4ts.(n its #oent, te #%'&L&# reiter$ted t$t petitioner does not $7e $ onrete $nd4en-ine n$tion$l politi$l $4end$ to !enet te n$tion $nd t$t te petition $s 7$lidl"disissed on or$l 4ro-nds. (t $lso $r4-ed for the rst time t$t te LGBT setor is not$on4 te setors en-er$ted !" te #onstit-tion $nd RA :9;1, $nd t$t petitioner $de

-ntr-t3-l st$teents in its petition en it $lle4ed its n$tion$l e+istene ontr$r" to $t-$l7eri$tion reports !" #%'&L&#’s eld personnel."ur .uling=e 4r$nt te petition.Compliance with the .e,uirementsof the Constitution and .epu%lic ct /o& 0123

Te #%'&L&# denied ng Ladlad’s $ppli$tion 3or re4istr$tion on te 4ro-nd t$t te LGBTsetor is neiter en-er$ted in te #onstit-tion $nd RA :9;1, nor is it $ssoi$ted it orrel$ted to $n" o3 te setors in te en-er$tion.

55

E%L. /18, APR(L 8, 201055


Respondent ist$enl" opines t$t o-r r-lin4 in ng !agong !ayani st$nds 3or teproposition t$t onl" tose setors spei$ll" en-er$ted in te l$ or rel$ted to s$idsetors l$!or, pe$s$nt, ser3ol, -r!$n poor, indi4eno-s -lt-r$l o-nities, elderl",$ndi$pped, oen, "o-t, 7eter$ns, o7erse$s orers, $nd pro3ession$ls $" !ere4istered -nder te p$rt"6list s"ste. As e e+pliitl" r-led in ng !agong !ayani-"#$

La%or Party v& Commission on Elections,20 “te en-er$tion o3 $r4in$lied $nd -nder6

represented setors is not e+l-si7e.” Te r-i$l eleent is not eter $ setor isspei$ll" en-er$ted, !-t eter $ p$rti-l$r or4$ni$tion oplies it tere-ireents o3 te #onstit-tion $nd RA :9;1.Respondent $lso $r4-es t$t ng Ladlad $de -ntr-t3-l st$teents in its petition en it$lle4ed t$t it $d n$tionide e+istene tro-4 its e!ers $nd $>li$te or4$ni$tions. Te

#%'&L&# l$is t$t -pon 7eri$tion !" its eld personnel, it $s son t$t “s$7e 3or $3e isol$ted pl$es in te o-ntr", petitioner does not e+ist in $lost $ll pro7ines in te

o-ntr".”21

20 Supra note /.

21 (t $ppe$rs t$t on )epte!er ;, 2009, te )eond Di7ision direted te 7$rio-s#%'&L&# Re4ion$l %>es to 7eri3" te e+istene, st$t-s, $nd $p$it" o3 petitioner. (n its#oent, respondent s-!itted opies o3 7$rio-s reports st$tin4 t$t ANG LADLAD LGBT orLADLAD LGBT did not e+ist in te 3olloin4 $re$s B$t$n4$s %to!er /, 2009K Ro!lon%to!er /, 2009K P$l$$n %to!er 1/, 2009K )orso4on )epte!er 29, 2009K #$7ite,'$rind--e, Ri$l %to!er 12, 2009K B$sil$n, '$4-ind$n$o, L$n$o del )-r, )-l-, T$i T$i%to!er 19, 2009K Bilir$n, Le"te, )o-tern Le"te, )$$r, &$stern )$$r, Nortern )$$r

%to!er 19, 2009K Al!$", #$$rines )-r, #$$rines Norte, #$t$nd-$nes, '$s!$te,)orso4on %to!er 25, 2009K (loos )-r, (loos Norte, L$ nion, P$n4$sin$n %to!er 2,2009K Nort #ot$!$to, )$r$n4$ni, )o-t #ot$!$to, )-lt$n F-d$r$t %to!er 2, 2009KAl$n, Anti-e, (loilo $nd Ne4ros %ident$l %to!er 25, 2009K Bool, #e!-, )i-i?or%to!er 2;, 2009K Ne4ros %rient$l %to!er 2/, 2009K #ordiller$ Adinis6

56

5/)PR&'& #%RT R&P%RT) ANN%TAT&D








Tis $r4-ent t$t “petitioner $de -ntr-t3-l st$teents in its petition en it $lle4ed its

n$tion$l e+istene”is $ ne oneK pre7io-sl", te #%'&L&# l$ied t$t petitioner $s “not!ein4 tr-t3-l en it s$id t$t it or $n" o3 its noinees<p$rt"6list represent$ti7es $7e not

7iol$ted or 3$iled to opl" it l$s, r-les, or re4-l$tions rel$tin4 to te eletions.”

Noere $s tis 4ro-nd 3or deni$l o3 petitioner’s $redit$tion entioned or e7en $ll-dedto in te Ass$iled Resol-tions. Tis, in itsel3, is -ite -rio-s, onsiderin4 t$t te reports o3

petitioner’s $lle4ed non6e+istene ere $lre$d" $7$il$!le to te #%'&L&# prior to teiss-$ne o3 te Iirst Ass$iled Resol-tion. At !est, tis is irre4-l$r proed-reK $t orst, $

!el$ted $3terto-4t, $ $n4e in respondent’s teor", $nd $ serio-s 7iol$tion o3 petitioner’sri4t to proed-r$l d-e proess.Noneteless, e nd t$t tere $s !een no isrepresent$tion. A -rsor" per-s$l o3 ng

Ladlad’s initi$l petition sos t$t it ne7er l$ied to e+ist in e$ pro7ine o3 tePilippines. R$ter, petitioner $lle4ed t$t te LGBT o-nit" in te Pilippines $sesti$ted to onstit-te $t le$st /:0,000 personsK t$t it $d 1/,100 $>li$tes $nd e!ers$ro-nd te o-ntr", $nd ;,0;; e!ers in its eletroni dis-ssion 4ro-p.22 ng Ladlad $lso

represented itsel3 to !e “$ n$tion$l LGBT -!rell$ or4$ni$tion it $>li$tes $ro-nd te

Pilippines oposed o3 te 3olloin4 LGBT netors”

tr$ti7e Re4ion %to!er 0, 2009K A4-s$n del Norte, A4-s$n del )-r, Din$4$t (sl$nds,)-ri4$o del Norte, )-ri4$o del )-r %to!er 2/, 2009K #$4$"$n de %ro, B-idnon, #$i4-in,'is$is %rient$l, L$n$o del Norte %to!er 1, 2009K L$4-n$ No7e!er 2, 2009K%ident$l 'indoro, %rient$l 'indoro No7e!er 1, 2009K -eon No7e!er 2;, 2009KD$7$o #it", D$7$o del )-r, D$7$o del Norte, #opostel$ E$lle", D$7$o %rient$l No7e!er19, 2009K #$loo$n, L$s Pin$s, '$$ti, '$nd$l-"on4, '$nil$, '$riin$, '-ntinl-p$, N$7ot$s,

P$r$ñ$-e, P$s$", P$si4, P$teros, -eon #it", )$n -$n, T$4-i4, E$len-el$ Dee!er 1/,2009. .ollo, pp. 2659/.

22 4d., $t p. 9/.

57

E%L. /18, APR(L 8, 20105:


€ A!r$ G$" Assoi$tion

€ Al$n B-tterQ" Bri4$de ABB–Al$n

€ Al!$" G$" Assoi$tion

€ Arts #enter o3 #$!$n$t-$n #it"–N-e7$ &i?$

€ Bo"s Le4ion–'etro '$nil$

€ #$4$"$n de %ro People Lie s #D% PL)

€ #$n’t Li7e in te #loset, (n. #L(#–'etro '$nil$

€ #e!- Pride–#e!- #it"

€ #irle o3 Iriends

€ Dipolo4 G$" Assoi$tion–$!o$n4$ del Norte

€ G$", Bise+-$l, S Tr$ns4ender Yo-t Assoi$tion GABAY

€ G$" $nd Les!i$n Ati7ists Netor 3or Gender &-$lit" GALANG–'etro '$nil$

€ G$" 'en’s )-pport Gro-p G')G –'etro '$nil$

€ G$" nited 3or Pe$e $nd )olid$rit" GP)–L$n$o del Norte

€ (loilo #it" G$" Assoi$tion–(loilo #it"

€ F$!-li4 =riter’s Gro-p–#$$rines )-r





€ Les!i$n Ad7o$tes Pilippines, (n. L&AP

€ L'(NA–B$4-io #it"

€ '$riin$ G$" Assoi$tion–'etro '$nil$

€ 'etropolit$n #o-nit" #-r '##–'etro '$nil$

€ N$4$ #it" G$" Assoi$tion–N$4$ #it"

€ %N& BA#ARD(€ %rder o3 )t. Aelred %)Ae–'etro '$nil$

€ PP LAFAN

€ RADAR PR(D&=&AR

€ R$in!o Ri4ts Pro?et R6Ri4ts, (n.–'etro '$nil$

€ )$n ose del 'onte G$" Assoi$tion–B-l$$n

€ )inin4 F$"-$n44i Ro"$l I$il"–Ri$l

€ )oiet" o3 Tr$nse+-$l =oen o3 te Pilippines )TRAP–'etro '$nil$

€ )o-l i7e–Antipolo, Ri$l

€ Te Lin–D$7$o #it"

€ T$"$!$s G$" Assoi$tion–-eon

€ =oen’s Bise+-$l Netor–'etro '$nil$

€ $!o$n4$ G$" Assoi$tion–$!o$n4$ #it"2

2 4d., $t pp. 9/69:.

58


ng Ladlad L6!T Party vs& Commission on Elections)ine te #%'&L&# onl" se$red 3or te n$es /6 L7L7 LGBT orL7L7 LGBT, it isno s-rprise t$t te" 3o-nd t$t petitioner $d no presene in $n" o3 tese re4ions. (n 3$t, i3

#%'&L&#’s ndin4s $re to !e !elie7ed, petitioner does not e7en e+ist in -eon #it", i

is re4istered $s ng Ladlad’s prinip$l pl$e o3 !-siness.

A4$inst tis !$drop, e nd t$t ng Ladlad $s s->ientl" deonstr$ted its opli$neit te le4$l re-ireents 3or $redit$tion. (ndeed, $side 3ro #%'&L&#’s or$l o!?etion$nd te !el$ted $lle4$tion o3 non6e+istene, noere in te reords $s te respondent e7er3o-nd<r-led t$t ng Ladlad is not -$lied to re4ister $s $ p$rt"6list or4$ni$tion -nder $n"o3 te re-isites -nder RA :9;1 or te 4-idelines in ng !agong !ayani. Te di@erene,

#%'&L&# l$is, lies in ng Ladlad’s or$lit", or l$ tereo3..eligion as the !asis for .efusal

to ccept ng Ladlad’s Petition

for .egistration

%-r #onstit-tion pro7ides in Artile (((, )etion 5 t$t “nCo l$ s$ll !e $de respetin4 $n

est$!lisent o3 reli4ion, or proi!itin4 te 3ree e+erise tereo3.”At !otto, $t o-r non6

est$!lisent l$-se $lls 3or is “4o7ernent ne-tr$lit" in reli4io-s $tters.”2; #le$rl",

“4o7ernent$l reli$ne on reli4io-s ?-sti$tion is inonsistent it tis poli" o3

ne-tr$lit".”25 =e t-s nd t$t it $s 4r$7e 7iol$tion o3 te non6est$!lisent l$-se 3or te#%'&L&# to -tilie te Bi!le $nd te For$n to ?-sti3" te e+l-sion o3 ng Ladlad.

2; Bern$s, Te 198: #onstit-tion o3 te Pilippines A #oent$r" ;/ 2009.

25HEstrada v& Escritor , ;55 Pil. ;11K ;08 )#RA 1 200, itin4 )it, )., “The .ise and #all

of .eligious #reedom in Constitutional 7iscourse,”1;0 ni7ersit" o3 Penns"l7$ni$ L$Re7ie, 1;9, 1/0 1991.









59

E%L. /18, APR(L 8, 201059


R$ter t$n rel"in4 on reli4io-s !elie3, te le4iti$" o3 te Ass$iled Resol-tions so-lddepend, inste$d, on eter te #%'&L&# is $!le to $d7$ne soe ?-sti$tion 3or its

r-lin4s !e"ond ere on3orit" to reli4io-s dotrine. %terise st$ted, 4o7ernent -st$t 3or se-l$r p-rposes $nd in $"s t$t $7e pri$ril" se-l$r e@ets. As e eld inEstrada v& Escritor 2/

“+ + + Te or$lit" re3erred to in te l$ is p-!li $nd neess$ril" se-l$r, not reli4io-s $s

te dissent o3 'r. -stie #$rpio olds. “Reli4io-s te$in4s $s e+pressed in p-!li de!$te$" inQ-ene te i7il p-!li order !-t p-!li or$l disp-tes $" !e resol7ed onl" on

4ro-nds $rti-l$!le in se-l$r ters.”%terise, i3 4o7ernent relies -pon reli4io-s !elie3sin 3or-l$tin4 p-!li poliies $nd or$ls, te res-ltin4 poliies $nd or$ls o-ld re-ireon3orit" to $t soe i4t re4$rd $s reli4io-s pro4r$s or $4end$. Te non6!elie7erso-ld tere3ore !e opelled to on3or to $ st$nd$rd o3 ond-t !-ttressed !" $ reli4io-s

!elie3, i&e., to $ “opelled reli4ion,”$n$te$ to reli4io-s 3reedo. Lieise, i3 4o7ernent!$sed its $tions -pon reli4io-s !elie3s, it o-ld t$itl" $ppro7e or endorse t$t !elie3 $nd

tere!" $lso t$itl" dis$ppro7e ontr$r" reli4io-s or non6reli4io-s 7ies t$t o-ld nots-pport te poli". As $ res-lt, 4o7ernent ill not pro7ide 3-ll reli4io-s 3reedo 3or $ll itsitiens, or e7en $e it $ppe$r t$t tose ose !elie3s $re dis$ppro7ed $re seond6l$ssitiens.(n oter ords, 4o7ernent $tion, inl-din4 its prosription o3 ior$lit" $s e+pressed inriin$l l$ lie on-!in$4e, -st $7e $ se-l$r p-rpose. T$t is, te 4o7ernent

prosri!es tis ond-t !e$-se it is “detrient$l or d$n4ero-s to tose onditions -pon

i depend te e+istene $nd pro4ress o3 -$n soiet"”$nd not !e$-se te ond-t isprosri!ed !" te !elie3s o3 one reli4ion or te oter. Alto-4 $dittedl", or$l ?-d4ents!$sed on reli4ion i4t $7e $ opellin4 inQ-ene on tose en4$4ed in p-!lideli!er$tions o7er $t $tions o-ld !e onsidered $ or$l dis$ppro!$tion p-nis$!le !"l$. A3ter $ll, te" i4t $lso !e $derents o3 $ reli4ion $nd t-s $7e reli4io-s opinions $ndor$l odes it $ opellin4 inQ-ene on teK te -$n ind ende$7ors to re4-l$te

te tepor$l $nd spirit-$l instit-tions o3 soiet" in $ -ni3or

2/ ;55 Pil. ;11K ;08 )#RA 1 200.

60

/0)PR&'& #%RT R&P%RT) ANN%TAT&D

ng Ladlad L6!T Party vs& Commission on Elections$nner, $roniin4 e$rt it e$7en. )-intl" p-t, $ l$ o-ld !e reli4io-s or F$nti$nor A-ini$n or -tilit$ri$n in its deepest roots, !-t it -st $7e $n $rti-l$!le $nd diserni!lese-l$r p-rpose $nd ?-sti$tion to p$ss sr-tin" o3 te reli4ion l$-ses. + + + Reo4niin4te reli4io-s n$t-re o3 te Iilipinos $nd te ele7$tin4 inQ-ene o3 reli4ion in soiet",

oe7er, te Pilippine onstit-tion’s reli4ion l$-ses presri!e not $ strit !-t $ !ene7olentne-tr$lit". Bene7olent ne-tr$lit" reo4nies t$t 4o7ernent -st p-rs-e its se-l$r 4o$ls$nd interests !-t $t te s$e tie stri7e to -pold reli4io-s li!ert" to te 4re$test e+tentpossi!le itin Qe+i!le onstit-tion$l liits. T-s, $lto-4 te or$lit" ontepl$ted !"l$s is se-l$r, !ene7olent ne-tr$lit" o-ld $llo 3or $ood$tion o3 or$lit" !$sed on

reli4ion, pro7ided it does not o@end opellin4 st$te interests.”2:

Pu%lic (orals as a 6round to 7eny ng

Ladlad’s Petition for .egistration

Respondent s-44ests t$t $lto-4 te or$l onden$tion o3 oose+-$lit" $ndoose+-$l ond-t $" !e reli4ion6!$sed, it $s lon4 !een tr$nspl$nted into 4ener$ll"$epted p-!li or$ls. Te #%'&L&# $r4-es





“Petitioner’s $redit$tion $s denied not neess$ril" !e$-se teir 4ro-p onsists o3 LGBTs!-t !e$-se o3 te d$n4er it poses to te people espei$ll" te "o-t. %ne it is reo4nied!" te 4o7ernent, $ setor i !elie7es t$t tere is notin4 ron4 in $7in4 se+-$lrel$tions it indi7id-$ls o3 te s$e 4ender is $ !$d e+$ple. (t ill !rin4 don test$nd$rd o3 or$ls e eris in o-r i7ilied soiet". An" soiet" ito-t $ set o3 or$l

preepts is in d$n4er o3 losin4 its on e+istene.”28

=e $re not !lind to te 3$t t$t, tro-4 te "e$rs, oose+-$l ond-t, $nd per$psoose+-$ls tesel7es, $7e !orne te !r-nt o3 soiet$l dis$ppro7$l. (t is not di>-lt to

i$4ine te re$sons !eind tis ens-re—reli4io-s !elie3s, on7itions $!o-t tepreser7$tion o3 $rri$4e, 3$il", $nd

2: 4d&, $t pp. 5886589K pp. 1806182.

28 .ollo, p. 15.

61

E%L. /18, APR(L 8, 2010/1

ng Ladlad L6!T Party vs& Commission on Electionsprore$tion, e7en dislie or distr-st o3 oose+-$ls tesel7es $nd teir perei7ed li3est"le.

Noneteless, e re$ll t$t te Pilippines $s not seen t to riin$lie oose+-$lond-t. &7identl", tere3ore, tese “4ener$ll" $epted p-!li or$ls”$7e not !eenon7inin4l" tr$nspl$nted into te re$l o3 l$.29

Te Ass$iled Resol-tions $7e not identied $n" spei o7ert ior$l $t per3ored !"

ng Ladlad. &7en te %)G $4rees t$t “tere so-ld $7e !een $ ndin4 !" te #%'&L&#

t$t te 4ro-p’s e!ers $7e oitted or $re oittin4 ior$l $ts.”0 Te %)G$r4-es

“+H+H+ A person $" !e se+-$ll" $ttr$ted to $ person o3 te s$e 4ender, o3 $ di@erent4ender, or ore t$n one 4ender, !-t ere $ttr$tion does not tr$nsl$te to ior$l $ts.

Tere is $ 4re$t di7ide !eteen to-4t $nd $tion. .eduction ad a%surdum. (3 ior$lto-4ts o-ld !e pen$lied, #%'&L&# o-ld $7e its $nds 3-ll o3 dis-$li$tion $ses

$4$inst !ot te “str$i4ts”$nd te 4$"s.”#ert$inl" tis is not te intendent o3 te l$.”1

Respondent $s 3$iled to e+pl$in $t soiet$l ills $re so-4t to !e pre7ented, or "spei$l protetion is re-ired 3or te "o-t. Neiter $s te #%'&L&# ondesended to

?-sti3" its position t$t petitioner’s $dission into te p$rt"6list s"ste o-ld !e so $r3-l$s to irrep$r$!l" d$$4e te or$l 3$!ri o3 soiet". =e, o3 o-rse, do not s-44est t$t te

29H4n nonymous v& .adam, A.'. No. P60:62, Dee!er 19, 200:, 5;1 )#RA 12, itin4Concerned Employee v& (ayor , A.'. No. P602615/;, 2 No7e!er 200;, ;; )#RA ;;8, er-led t$t ior$lit" $nnot !e ?-d4ed !$sed on person$l !i$s, spei$ll" tose olored !"

p$rti-l$r ores. Nor so-ld it !e 4ro-nded on “-lt-r$l” 7$l-es not on7inin4l"deonstr$ted to $7e !een reo4nied in te re$l o3 p-!li poli" e+pressed in te#onstit-tion $nd te l$s. At te s$e tie, te onstit-tion$ll" 4-$r$nteed ri4ts s- $ste ri4t to pri7$" so-ld !e o!ser7ed to te e+tent t$t te" protet !e$7ior t$t $"!e 3roned -pon !" te $?orit".

0 .ollo, pp. 1:8.

1 4d&, $t pp. 1:96180.

62


ng Ladlad L6!T Party vs& Commission on Electionsst$te is oll" ito-t $-torit" to re4-l$te $tters onernin4 or$lit", se+-$lit", $ndse+-$l rel$tions, $nd e reo4nie t$t te 4o7ernent ill $nd so-ld ontin-e to restrit!e$7ior onsidered detrient$l to soiet". Noneteless, e $nnot o-nten$ne $d7o$tes













o, -ndo-!tedl" it te lo3tiest o3 intentions, sit-$te or$lit" on one end o3 $n $r4-entor $noter, ito-t !oterin4 to 4o tro-4 te ri4ors o3 le4$l re$sonin4 $nd e+pl$n$tion. (ntis, te notion o3 or$lit" is ro!!ed o3 $ll 7$l-e. #le$rl" ten, te !$re in7o$tion o3 or$lit" ill not reo7e $n iss-e 3ro o-r sr-tin".

=e $lso nd te #%'&L&#’s re3erene to p-rported 7iol$tions o3 o-r pen$l $nd i7il l$sQis", $t !estK disin4en-o-s, $t orst. Artile /9; o3 te #i7il #ode denes $ n-is$ne $s

“$n" $t, oission, est$!lisent, ondition o3 propert", or $n"tin4 else i sos,dees, or disre4$rds deen" or or$lit",”te reedies 3or i $re $ prose-tion -nderte Re7ised Pen$l #ode or $n" lo$l ordin$ne, $ i7il $tion, or $!$teent ito-t ?-dii$lproeedin4s.2 A 7iol$tion o3 Artile 201 o3 te Re7ised Pen$l #ode, on te oter $nd,re-ires proo3 !e"ond re$son$!le do-!t to s-pport $ riin$l on7ition. (t $rdl" needs to!e ep$sied t$t ere $lle4$tion o3 7iol$tion o3 l$s is not proo3, $nd $ ere !l$netin7o$tion o3 p-!li or$ls $nnot repl$e te instit-tion o3 i7il or riin$l proeedin4s $nd$ ?-dii$l deterin$tion o3 li$!ilit" or -lp$!ilit".As s-, e old t$t or$l dis$ppro7$l, ito-t ore, is not $ s->ient 4o7ernent$linterest to ?-sti3" e+l-sion o3 oose+-$ls 3ro p$rtiip$tion in te p$rt"6list s"ste. Te

deni$l o3 ng Ladlad’s re4istr$tion on p-rel" or$l 4ro-nds $o-nts ore to $ st$teent o3 dislie $nd dis$ppro7$l o3 oose+-$ls, r$ter t$n $ tool to 3-rter $n" s-!st$nti$l p-!li

interest. Respondent’s !l$net ?-sti$tions 4i7e rise to te ine7it$!le onl-sion t$t te#%'&L&# t$r4ets oose+-$ls tesel7es $s $ l$ss, not !e$-se o3 $n" p$rti-l$r

2 #i7il #ode o3 te Pilippines, Art. /99.

63

E%L. /18, APR(L 8, 2010/

ng Ladlad L6!T Party vs& Commission on Electionsor$ll" repreensi!le $t. (t is tis seleti7e t$r4etin4 t$t ipli$tes o-r e-$l protetionl$-se.E,ual Protection

Despite te $!sol-tis o3 Artile (((, )etion 1 o3 o-r #onstit-tion, i pro7ides “nor shall

any person %e denied e,ual protection of the laws,”o-rts $7e ne7er interpreted te

pro7ision $s $n $!sol-te proi!ition on l$ssi$tion. “&-$lit",”s$id Aristotle, “onsists in

te s$e tre$tent o3 siil$r persons.” Te e-$l protetion l$-se 4-$r$ntees t$t noperson or l$ss o3 persons s$ll !e depri7ed o3 te s$e protetion o3 l$s i is en?o"ed!" oter persons or oter l$sses in te s$e pl$e $nd in lie ir-st$nes. ;

Reent ?-rispr-dene $s $>red t$t i3 $ l$ neiter !-rdens $ 3-nd$ent$l ri4t nort$r4ets $ s-spet l$ss, e ill -pold te l$ssi$tion $s lon4 $s it !e$rs $ r$tion$lrel$tionsip to soe le4iti$te 4o7ernent end.5 (nCentral

Politis E((. 1;.

;H %a8ada 6uro Party v& Executive Secretary , G.R. No. 1/805/, )epte!er 1, 2005, 2005,;/9 )#RA 1, 19.

5H(n Bern$s, Te 198: #onstit-tion o3 te Pilippines A #oent$r" 1961;0 2009, Ir.

o$-in Bern$s, ).. ritesIor deterinin4 te re$son$!leness o3 l$ssi$tion, l$ter ?-rispr-dene $s de7elopedtree inds o3 testsC dependin4 on te s-!?et $tter in7ol7ed. Te ost de$ndin4 is testrit sr-tin" test i re-ires te 4o7ernent to so t$t te $llen4ed l$ssi$tionser7es $ opellin4 st$te interest $nd t$t te l$ssi$tion is neess$r" to ser7e t$tinterest. Tis $seC is -sed in $ses in7ol7in4 l$ssi$tions !$sed on r$e, n$tion$l ori4in,reli4ion, $lien$4e, deni$l o3 te ri4t to 7ote, interst$te i4r$tion, $ess to o-rts, $ndoter ri4ts reo4nied $s 3-nd$ent$l.











Ne+t is te interedi$te or iddle6tier sr-tin" test i re-ires 4o7ernent to so t$tte $llen4ed l$ssi$tion ser7es $n iport$nt st$te interest $nd t$t te l$ssi$tion is$t le$st s-!st$nti$ll" rel$ted to ser7in4 t$t interest. Tis is $pplied to s-spet l$ssi$tionslie 4ender or ille4iti$".64

/;


!an8 Employees ssociation+ 4nc& v& !an8o Sentral ng Pilipinas,/ e del$red t$t“iCn o-r ?-risdition, te st$nd$rd o3 $n$l"sis o3 e-$l protetion $llen4es + + + $7e 3olloed te

‘r$tion$l !$sis’test, o-pled it $ de3erenti$l $ttit-de to le4isl$ti7e l$ssi$tions $nd $rel-t$ne to in7$lid$te $ l$ -nless tere is $ soin4 o3 $ le$r $nd -ne-i7o$l !re$ o3

te #onstit-tion.”:

Te #%'&L&# posits t$t te $?orit" o3 te Pilippine pop-l$tion onsiders oose+-$lond-t $s ior$l $nd -n$ept$!le, $nd tis onstit-tes s->ient re$son to dis-$li3" tepetitioner. n3ort-n$tel" 3or te respondent, te Pilippine eletor$te $s e+pressed no s-!elie3. No l$ e+ists to riin$lie oose+-$l !e$7ior or e+pressions or p$rties $!o-toose+-$l !e$7ior. (ndeed, e7en i3 e ere to $ss-e t$t p-!li opinion is $s te

#%'&L&# desri!es it, te $sserted st$te interest ere—t$t is, or$l dis$ppro7$l o3 $n

-npop-l$r inorit"—is not $ le4iti$te st$te interest t$t is s->ient to s$tis3" r$tion$l

!$sis re7ie -nder te e-$l protetion l$-se. Te #%'&L&#’s di@erenti$tion, $nd its-ns-!st$nti$ted l$i t$t ng Ladlad $nnot ontri!-te to te 3or-l$tion o3 le4isl$tiont$t o-ld !enet te n$tion, 3-rters no le4iti$te st$te interest oter t$n dis$ppro7$l o3 or dislie 3or $ dis3$7ored 4ro-p.Iro te st$ndpoint o3 te politi$l proess, te les!i$n, 4$", !ise+-$l, $nd tr$ns4ender$7e te s$e interest in p$rtiip$tin4 in te p$rt"6list s"ste on te s$e !$sis $s oterpoliti$l p$rties siil$rl" sit-$ted. )t$te intr-sion in tis $se is e-$ll" !-rdensoe. Jene,l$s o3 4ener$l $ppli6

Te ost li!er$l is te ini- or r$tion$l !$sis sr-tin" $ordin4 to i 4o7ernent

need onl" so t$t te $llen4ed l$ssi$tion is r$tion$ll" rel$ted to ser7in4 $ le4iti$te

st$te interest. Tis is te tr$dition$l r$tion$lit" test $nd it $pplies to $ll s-!?ets oter t$ntose listed $!o7e.

/ ;8: Pil. 51, 58K ;;/ )#RA 299, :0 200;.

: 4d., $t p. 58;K p. :0. )ee $lso (id-States #reight Lines v& !ates, 111 N.Y.). 2d 5/8.

65

E%L. /18, APR(L 8, 2010/5

ng Ladlad L6!T Party vs& Commission on Elections$tion so-ld $ppl" it e-$l 3ore to LGBTs, $nd te" deser7e to p$rtiip$te in te p$rt"6list s"ste on te s$e !$sis $s oter $r4in$lied $nd -nder6represented setors.

(t !e$rs stressin4 t$t o-r ndin4 t$t #%'&L&#’s $t o3 di@erenti$tin4 LGBTs 3roeterose+-$ls inso3$r $s te p$rt"6list s"ste is onerned does not ipl" t$t $n" oter l$distin4-isin4 !eteen eterose+-$ls $nd oose+-$ls -nder di@erent ir-st$nes o-ld

siil$rl" 3$il. =e dis$4ree it te %)G’s position t$t oose+-$ls $re $ l$ss intesel7es 3or te p-rposes o3 te e-$l protetion l$-se.8 =e $re not prep$red to sin4leo-t oose+-$ls $s $ sep$r$te l$ss eritin4 spei$l or di@erenti$ted tre$tent. =e $7enot reei7ed s->ient e7idene to tis e@et, $nd it is sipl" -nneess$r" to $e s- $r-lin4 tod$". Petitioner itsel3 $s erel" de$nded t$t it !e reo4nied -nder te s$e

!$sis $s $ll oter 4ro-ps siil$rl" sit-$ted, $nd t$t te #%'&L&# $de “$n -n$rr$nted

$nd iperissi!le l$ssi$tion not ?-stied !" te ir-st$nes o3 te $se.”#reedom of Expression and ssociation







nder o-r s"ste o3 l$s, e7er" 4ro-p $s te ri4t to proote its $4end$ $nd $ttept topers-$de soiet" o3 te 7$lidit" o3 its position tro-4 nor$l deor$ti e$ns.9 (t is inte p-!li s-$re t$t deepl" eld on7itions $nd di@erin4 opinions so-ld !e distilled $nddeli!er$ted -pon. As e eld in Estrada v& Escritor>;0

8 Te %)G $r4-es t$t “Cile it is tr-e t$t LGBTs $re i-t$!l" $les $nd 3e$les, $nd

te" $re proteted !" te s$e Bill o3 Ri4ts t$t $pplies to $ll itiens $lie, it $nnot !edenied t$t $s $ setor, LGBTs $7e teir on spei$l interests $nd onerns.”.ollo, p. 18.

9 Artile (((, )etion ; o3 te #onstit-tion pro7ides t$t “nCo l$ s$ll !e p$ssed $!rid4in4te 3reedo o3 spee, o3 e+pression, or o3 te press, or te ri4t o3 te people pe$e$!l" to

$sse!le $nd petition te 4o7ernent 3or redress o3 4rie7$nes.”

;0 Supra note 2/.

66

//)PR&'& #%RT R&P%RT) ANN%TAT&D


“(n $ deor$", tis oon $4reeent on politi$l $nd or$l ide$s is distilled in te

p-!li s-$re. =ere itiens $re 3ree, e7er" opinion, e7er" pre?-die, e7er" $spir$tion, $nde7er" or$l disernent $s $ess to te p-!li s-$re ere people deli!er$te te ordero3 teir li3e to4eter. #itiens $re te !e$rers o3 opinion, inl-din4 opinion s$ped !", orespo-sin4 reli4io-s !elie3, $nd tese itiens $7e e-$l $ess to te p-!li s-$re. (n tisrepresent$ti7e deor$", te st$te is proi!ited 3ro deterinin4 i on7itions $ndor$l ?-d4ents $" !e proposed 3or p-!li deli!er$tion. Tro-4 $ onstit-tion$ll"desi4ned proess, te people deli!er$te $nd deide. '$?orit" r-le is $ neess$r" priniple intis deor$ti 4o7ern$ne. T-s, en p-!li deli!er$tion on or$l ?-d4ents is n$ll"r"st$llied into l$, te l$s ill l$r4el" reQet te !elie3s $nd pre3erenes o3 te $?orit",i&e., te $instre$ or edi$n 4ro-ps. Ne7erteless, in te 7er" $t o3 $doptin4 $nd

$eptin4 $ onstit-tion $nd te liits it speies—inl-din4 protetion o3 reli4io-s 3reedo

“not onl" 3or $ inorit", oe7er s$ll—not onl" 3or $ $?orit", oe7er l$r4e—!-t 3or e$

o3 -s”—te $?orit" iposes -pon itsel3 $ sel36den"in4 ordin$ne. (t proises not to do $t

it oterise o-ld do to ride ro-4sod o7er te dissentin4 inorities.”Ireedo o3 e+pression onstit-tes one o3 te essenti$l 3o-nd$tions o3 $ deor$ti soiet",$nd tis 3reedo $pplies not onl" to tose t$t $re 3$7or$!l" reei7ed !-t $lso to tose t$to@end, so, or dist-r!. An" restrition iposed in tis spere -st !e proportion$te to tele4iti$te $i p-rs-ed. A!sent $n" opellin4 st$te interest, it is not 3or te #%'&L&# ortis #o-rt to ipose its 7ies on te pop-l$e. %terise st$ted, te #%'&L&# is ert$inl"not 3ree to inter3ere it spee 3or no !etter re$son t$n prootin4 $n $ppro7ed ess$4eor diso-r$4in4 $ dis3$7ored one.

Tis position 4$ins e7en ore 3ore i3 one onsiders t$t oose+-$l ond-t is not ille4$l in

tis o-ntr". (t 3ollos t$t !ot e+pressions onernin4 one’s oose+-$lit" $nd te $ti7it"o3 3orin4 $ politi$l $ssoi$tion t$t s-pports LGBT indi7id-$ls $re proteted $s ell.%ter ?-risditions $7e 4one so 3$r $s to $te4ori$ll" r-le t$t e7en o7erelin4 p-!li

pereption t$t oose+-$l67

E%L. /18, APR(L 8, 2010/:

ng Ladlad L6!T Party vs& Commission on Electionsond-t 7iol$tes p-!li or$lit" does not ?-sti3" riin$liin4 s$e6se+ ond-t.;1 &-rope$n$nd nited N$tions ?-dii$l









;1 (n !owers v& Bardwic8 , ;:8 .). 18/ 198/, te ) )-pree #o-rt rst -peld teonstit-tion$lit" o3 $ Geor4i$ sodo" l$ t$t riin$lied or$l $nd $n$l se+ in pri7$te!eteen onsentin4 $d-lts en $pplied to oose+-$ls. )e7enteen "e$rs l$ter te)-pree #o-rt diretl" o7err-led !owers inLawrence v& Texas, 59 .). 558 200, oldin4

t$t“!owers $s not orret en it $s deided, $nd it is not orret tod$".”(n Lawrence, te ) )-pree #o-rt $s eld t$t te li!ert" proteted !" te #onstit-tion

$llos oose+-$l persons te ri4t to oose to enter into inti$te rel$tionsips, eteror not s$id rel$tionsips ere entitled to 3or$l or le4$l reo4nition.%-r prior $ses $e to propositions $!-nd$ntl" le$r. #irst , te 3$t t$t te 4o7ernin4$?orit" in $ )t$te $s tr$dition$ll" 7ieed $ p$rti-l$r pr$tie $s ior$l is not $ s->ientre$son 3or -poldin4 $ l$ proi!itin4 te pr$tieK neiter istor" nor tr$dition o-ld s$7e $l$ proi!itin4 ise4en$tion 3ro onstit-tion$l $tt$. Second, indi7id-$l deisions !"$rried persons, onernin4 te inti$ies o3 teir p"si$l rel$tionsip, e7en en not

intended to prod-e o@sprin4, $re $ 3or o3 “li!ert"”proteted !" te D-e Proess #l$-se o3 te Io-rteent Aendent. 'oreo7er, tis protetion e+tends to inti$te oies !"-n$rried $s ell $s $rried persons.

Te present $se does not in7ol7e inors. (t does not in7ol7e persons o i4t !e in?-redor oered or o $re sit-$ted in rel$tionsips ere onsent i4t not e$sil" !e re3-sed. (tdoes not in7ol7e p-!li ond-t or prostit-tion. (t does not in7ol7e eter te 4o7ernent

-st 4i7e 3or$l reo4nition to $n" rel$tionsip t$t oose+-$l persons see to enter. Te$se does in7ol7e to $d-lts o, it 3-ll $nd -t-$l onsent 3ro e$ oter, en4$4ed inse+-$l pr$ties oon to $ oose+-$l li3est"le. Te petitioners $re entitled to respet3or teir pri7$te li7es. Te )t$te $nnot dee$n teir e+istene or ontrol teir destin" !"$in4 teir pri7$te se+-$l ond-t $ rie. Teir ri4t to li!ert" -nder te D-e Proess#l$-se 4i7es te te 3-ll ri4t to en4$4e in teir ond-t ito-t inter7ention o3 te

4o7ernent. “(t is $ proise o3 te #onstit-tion t$t tere is $ re$l o3 person$l li!ert"

i te 4o7ernent $" not enter.” Te Te+$s st$t-te 3-rters no le4iti$te st$te

68



deisions $7e r-led in 3$7or o3 4$" ri4ts l$i$nts on !ot interest i $n ?-sti3" its intr-sion into te person$l $nd pri7$te li3e o3 te indi7id-$l.(n siil$r 3$sion, te &-rope$n #o-rt o3 J-$n Ri4ts $s r-led t$t te $7oed st$teinterest in protetin4 p-!li or$ls did not ?-sti3" inter3erene into pri7$te $ts !eteenoose+-$ls. (n /orris v& 4reland, te &-rope$n #o-rt eld t$t l$s riin$liin4 s$e6se+se+-$l ond-t 7iol$ted te ri4t to pri7$" ensrined in te &-rope$n #on7ention.

Te Go7ernent $re in e@et s$"in4 t$t te #o-rt is prel-ded 3ro re7iein4 (rel$nd’so!ser7$ne o3 its o!li4$tion not to e+eed $t is neess$r" in $ deor$ti soiet" en

te ontested inter3erene it $n Artile 8 Art. 8 ri4t is in te interests o3 te “protetion

o3 or$ls.” Te #o-rt $nnot $ept s- $n interpret$tion. + + +.+ + + Te present $se onerns $ ost inti$te $spet o3 pri7$te li3e. Aordin4l", tere-st e+ist p$rti-l$rl" serio-s re$sons !e3ore inter3erenes on te p$rt o3 p-!li $-torities

$n !e le4iti$te + + +.+ + + Alto-4 e!ers o3 te p-!li o re4$rd oose+-$lit" $s ior$l $" !esoed, o@ended or dist-r!ed !" te oission !" oters o3 pri7$te oose+-$l $ts, tis$nnot on its on $rr$nt te $ppli$tion o3 pen$l s$ntions en it is onsentin4 $d-lts$lone o $re in7ol7ed. /orris v& 4reland ?-d4ent o3 %to!er 2/, 1988, )eries A no. 1;2,

pp. 20621, §;/K (arangos v& Cyprus $ppli$tion no. 110/<9/, #oission’s report o3 Dee!er 199:, -np-!lised.





Te nited N$tions J-$n Ri4ts #oittee $e to $ siil$r onl-sion in Toonen v&

ustralia #o. No. ;88<1992 .N. GA%R J-. Rts. #o., 50t )ess., .N. Do.##PR<<50<D<;88<1992 199;C, in7ol7in4 $ opl$int t$t T$s$ni$n l$s riin$liin4 onsens-$l se+!eteen $d-lt $les 7iol$ted te ri4t to pri7$" -nder Artile 1: o3 te (ntern$tion$l#o7en$nt on #i7il $nd Politi$l Ri4ts. Te #oittee eld

+ + + it is -ndisp-ted t$t $d-lt onsens-$l se+-$l $ti7it" in pri7$te is o7ered !" teonept o3 ‘pri7$"’+ + + $n" inter3erene it pri7$" -st !e proportion$l to te endso-4t $nd !e neess$r" in te ir-st$nes o3 $n" 4i7en $se.

69

E%L. /18, APR(L 8, 2010/9

ng Ladlad L6!T Party vs& Commission on Electionspri7$" $nd e-$lit" 4ro-nds, itin4 4ener$l pri7$" $nd e-$l protetion pro7isions in3orei4n $nd intern$tion$l te+ts.;2 To te e+tent t$t tere is - to le$rn 3ro oter

?-risditions t$t $7e reQeted on te iss-es e 3$e ere, s- ?-rispr-dene is ert$inl"ill-in$tin4. Tese 3orei4n $-torities, ile not 3or$ll" !indin4 on Pilippine o-rts, $"

ne7erteless $7e pers-$si7e inQ-ene on te #o-rt’s $n$l"sis.(n te $re$ o3 3reedo o3 e+pression, 3or inst$ne, nited )t$tes o-rts $7e r-led t$te+istin4 3ree spee dotrines protet 4$" $nd les!i$n ri4ts to e+pressi7e ond-t. (n orderto ?-sti3" te proi!ition o3 $ p$rti-l$r e+pression o3 opinion, p-!li instit-tions -st so

t$t teir $tions ere $-sed !" “soetin4 ore t$n $ ere desire to $7oid te

diso3ort $nd -nple$s$ntness t$t $l$"s $op$n" $n -npop-l$r 7iepoint.”;

=it respet to 3reedo o3 $ssoi$tion 3or te $d7$neent o3 ide$s $nd !elie3s, in &-rope,it its 7i!r$nt -$n ri4ts tr$dition, te &-rope$n #o-rt o3 J-$n Ri4ts &#JR $srepe$tedl" st$ted t$t $ politi$l p$rt" $" $p$i4n 3or $

;2H)ee Toonen v& ustralia, #o. No. ;88<1992 .N. GA%R J-. Rts. #o., 50t )ess.,.N. Do. ##PR<<50<D<;88<1992 199;K 7udgeon v& <nited 5ingdom, ;5 &-r. J.R. Rep. 521981 deision !" te &-rope$n #o-rt o3 J-$n Ri4ts, onstr-in4 te &-rope$n#on7ention on J-$n Ri4ts $nd I-nd$ent$l IreedosK /orris v& 4reland, 1 &-r. #t. J.R.

18/ 1991K (odinos v& Cyprus, 1/ &-r. J.R. Rep. ;85 199. )ee $lso, L& and ?& v ustria2006( 29K 200 / &JRR 55 $nd S&L& v ustria 2006( :1K 200 : &JRR 9, ere te

&-rope$n #o-rt onsidered t$t A-stri$’s di@erin4 $4e o3 onsent 3or eterose+-$l $nd

oose+-$l rel$tions $s disriin$tor"K it ‘e!odied $ predisposed !i$s on te p$rt o3 $

eterose+-$l $?orit" $4$inst $ oose+-$l inorit"’, i o-ld not ‘$o-nt to s->ient ?-sti$tion 3or te di@erenti$l tre$tent $n" ore t$n siil$r ne4$ti7e $ttit-des to$rds

tose o3 $ di@erent r$e, ori4in or olo-r’.

; )ee #ric8e v& Lynch, ;91 I. )-pp. 81 1980 $nd 6ay Student Services v& Texas (

<niversity , :: I. 2d 11: 198;.70

:0)PR&'& #%RT R&P%RT) ANN%TAT&D

ng Ladlad L6!T Party vs& Commission on Elections$n4e in te l$ or te onstit-tion$l str-t-res o3 $ st$te i3 it -ses le4$l $nd deor$tie$ns $nd te $n4es it proposes $re onsistent it deor$ti priniples. Te &#JR $sep$sied t$t politi$l ide$s t$t $llen4e te e+istin4 order $nd ose re$li$tion is$d7o$ted !" pe$e3-l e$ns -st !e $@orded $ proper opport-nit" o3 e+pression tro-4te e+erise o3 te ri4t o3 $ssoi$tion, e7en i3 s- ide$s $" see soin4 or-n$ept$!le to te $-torities or te $?orit" o3 te pop-l$tion.;; A politi$l 4ro-p so-ldnot !e indered solel" !e$-se it sees to p-!lil" de!$te ontro7ersi$l politi$l iss-es in







order to nd sol-tions $p$!le o3 s$tis3"in4 e7er"one onerned.;5 %nl" i3 $ politi$l p$rt"inites 7iolene or p-ts 3or$rd poliies t$t $re inop$ti!le

;;HCase of the <nited (acedonian "rganisation 4linden and "thers v& !ulgaria Appli$tionNo. 59;1<00K -d4ent o3 $n-$r" 20, 200/. Note t$t in !acz8ows8i and "thers v& Poland,Appli$tion No. 15;<0/K -d4ent o3 '$" , 200:, te &#JR -n$nio-sl" r-led t$t te

!$nnin4 o3 $n LGBT 4$" p$r$de in =$rs$ $s $ disriin$tor" 7iol$tion o3 Artile 1; o3 te&#JR, i pro7ides

Te en?o"ent o3 te ri4ts $nd 3reedos set 3ort in teC #on7ention s$ll !e se-redito-t disriin$tion on $n" 4ro-nd s- $s se+, r$e, olo-r, l$n4-$4e, reli4ion, politi$lor oter opinion, n$tion$l or soi$l ori4in, $ssoi$tion it $ n$tion$l inorit", propert", !irtor oter st$t-s.

(t $lso 3o-nd t$t !$nnin4 LGBT p$r$des 7iol$ted te 4ro-p’s 3reedo o3 $sse!l" $nd

$ssoi$tion. Re3errin4 to te $ll$rs o3 $ “deor$ti soiet",”te #o-rt $s $tt$edp$rti-l$r iport$ne to pl-r$lis, toler$ne $nd !ro$dindedness. (n t$t onte+t, it $seld t$t $lto-4 indi7id-$l interests -st on o$sion !e s-!ordin$ted to tose o3 $4ro-p, deor$" does not sipl" e$n t$t te 7ies o3 te $?orit" -st $l$"s pre7$il$ !$l$ne -st !e $ie7ed i ens-res te 3$ir $nd proper tre$tent o3 inorities $nd$7oids $n" $!-se o3 $ doin$nt position.

;5 Case of #reedom 7emocracy Party '"F7EP) v& Tur8ey , Appli$tion No. 2885<9;K -d4ent o3 Dee!er 8, 1999.

71

E%L. /18, APR(L 8, 2010:1

ng Ladlad L6!T Party vs& Commission on Electionsit deor$" does it 3$ll o-tside te protetion o3 te 3reedo o3 $ssoi$tion 4-$r$ntee.;/

;/ Artile 11 o3 te &-rope$n #on7ention 3or te Protetion o3 J-$n Ri4ts $ndI-nd$ent$l Ireedos &-rope$n #on7ention pro7ides

1. &7er"one $s te ri4t to 3reedo o3 pe$e3-l $sse!l" $nd to 3reedo o3 $ssoi$tion

it oters, inl-din4 te ri4t to 3or $nd to ?oin tr$de -nions 3or te protetion o3 isinterests.

2. No restritions s$ll !e pl$ed on te e+erise o3 tese ri4ts oter t$n s- $s $represri!ed !" l$ $nd $re neess$r" in $ deor$ti soiet" in te interests o3 n$tion$lse-rit" or p-!li s$3et", 3or te pre7ention o3 disorder or rie, 3or te protetion o3 e$ltor or$ls or 3or te protetion o3 te ri4ts $nd 3reedos o3 oters. Tis $rtile s$ll notpre7ent te iposition o3 l$3-l restritions on te e+erise o3 tese ri4ts !" e!ers o3 te $red 3ores, o3 te polie or o3 te $dinistr$tion o3 te )t$te. #on7ention 3or teProtetion o3 J-$n Ri4ts $nd I-nd$ent$l Ireedos, 21 .N.T.). 222, entered into 3ore)epte!er , 195, $s $ended !" Protools Nos. , 5, 8, $nd 11 i entered into 3oreon )epte!er 21, 19:0, Dee!er 20, 19:1, $n-$r" 1, 1990, $nd No7e!er 1, 1998,respeti7el".* Note t$t ile te st$te is not peritted to disriin$te $4$inst oose+-$ls, pri7$te

indi7id-$ls $nnot !e opelled to $ept or ondone oose+-$l ond-t $s $ le4iti$te3or o3 !e$7ior. (n Burley v& 4rish-merican 6ay+ Les%ian and !isexual 6roup of !oston+ 4nc&515 .). 55: 1995C+ te ) )-pree #o-rt dis-ssed eter $nti6disriin$tion

le4isl$tion oper$ted to re-ire te or4$niers o3 $ pri7$te )t. P$tri’s D$" p$r$de to inl-de$on4 te $rers $n (ris6Aeri$n 4$", les!i$n, $nd !ise+-$l 4ro-p. Te o-rt eld t$tpri7$te itiens or4$niin4 $ p-!li deonstr$tion $" not !e opelled !" te st$te toinl-de 4ro-ps t$t ip$rt $ ess$4e te or4$niers do not $nt to !e inl-ded in teirdeonstr$tion. Te o-rt o!ser7ed









“AC ontin4ent $rin4 !eind te or4$ni$tion’s !$nner o-ld $t le$st !e$r itness to te3$t t$t soe (ris $re 4$", les!i$n, or !ise+-$l, $nd te presene o3 te or4$nied$rers o-ld s-44est teir 7ie t$t people o3 teir se+-$l orient$tions $7e $s -

l$i to -n-$lied soi$l $ept$ne $s eterose+-$ls + + +. Te p$r$de’s or4$niers $"not

72


ng Ladlad L6!T Party vs& Commission on Elections=e do not do-!t t$t $ n-!er o3 o-r itiens $" !elie7e t$t oose+-$l ond-t isdist$ste3-l, o@ensi7e, or e7en de$nt. Te" $re entitled to old $nd e+press t$t 7ie. %nte oter $nd, LGBTs $nd teir s-pporters, in $ll lieliood, !elie7e it e-$l 3er7or t$trel$tionsips !eteen indi7id-$ls o3 te s$e se+ $re or$ll" e-i7$lent to eterose+-$lrel$tionsips. Te", too, $re entitled to old $nd e+press t$t 7ie. Joe7er, $s 3$r $s tis#o-rt is onerned, o-r deor$" prel-des -sin4 te reli4io-s or or$l 7ies o3 one p$rto3 te o-nit" to e+l-de 3ro onsider$tion te 7$l-es o3 oter e!ers o3 teo-nit".%3 o-rse, none o3 tis s-44ests te ipendin4 $rri7$l o3 $ 4olden $4e 3or 4$" ri4tsliti4$nts. (t ell $" !e t$t tis Deision ill onl" ser7e to i4li4t te disrep$n"

!eteen te ri4id onstit-tion$l $n$l"sis o3 tis #o-rt $nd te ore ople+ or$lsentients o3 Iilipinos. =e do not s-44est t$t

!elie7e tese 3$ts $!o-t (ris se+-$lit" to !e so, or te" $" o!?et to -n-$lied soi$l

$ept$ne o3 4$"s $nd les!i$ns or $7e soe oter re$son 3or isin4 to eep GL(B’sess$4e o-t o3 te p$r$de. B-t $te7er te re$son, it !oils don to te oie o3 $spe$er not to propo-nd $ p$rti-l$r point o3 7ie, $nd t$t oie is pres-ed to lie

!e"ond te 4o7ernent’s poer to ontrol.”)o, too, in !oy Scouts of merica v& 7ale 50 .). /;0 2000C, te ) )-pree #o-rt eldt$t te Bo" )o-ts o3 Aeri$ o-ld not !e opelled to $ept $ oose+-$l $s $

so-t$ster, !e$-se “te Bo" )o-ts !elie7e t$t oose+-$l ond-t is inonsistent it

te 7$l-es it sees to instill in its "o-t e!ersK it ill not “proote oose+-$l ond-t

$s $ le4iti$te 3or o3 !e$7ior.”=en $n e+pressi7e or4$ni$tion is opelled to $ssoi$te it $ person ose 7ies te

4ro-p does not $ept, te or4$ni$tion’s ess$4e is -nderinedK te or4$ni$tion is-nderstood to e!r$e, or $t te 7er" le$st toler$te, te 7ies o3 te persons lined it

te. Te so-t$ster’s presene “o-ld, $t te 7er" le$st, 3ore te or4$ni$tion to send $ess$4e, !ot to te "o-t e!ers $nd te orld, t$t te Bo" )o-ts $epts

oose+-$l ond-t $s $ le4iti$te 3or o3 !e$7ior.”

73

E%L. /18, APR(L 8, 2010:

ng Ladlad L6!T Party vs& Commission on Electionsp-!li opinion, e7en $t its ost li!er$l, reQet $ le$r6-t stron4 onsens-s 3$7or$!le to 4$"

ri4ts l$is $nd e neiter $ttept nor e+pet to $@et indi7id-$l pereptions o3 oose+-$lit" tro-4 tis Deision. Te %)G $r4-es t$t sine tere $s !een neiter prior restr$int nor s-!se-ent p-nisent

iposed on ng Ladlad, $nd its e!ers $7e not !een depri7ed o3 teir ri4t to 7ol-nt$ril"$ssoi$te, ten tere $s !een no restrition on teir 3reedo o3 e+pression or $ssoi$tion.

Te %)G $r4-es t$t

“ Tere $s no -tter$ne restrited, no p-!li$tion ensored, or $n" $sse!l" denied.#%'&L&#C sipl" e+erised its $-torit" to re7ie $nd 7eri3" te -$li$tions o3 petitioner



$s $ setor$l p$rt" $ppl"in4 to p$rtiip$te in te p$rt"6list s"ste. Tis l$3-l e+erise o3 d-t" $nnot !e s$id to !e $ tr$ns4ression o3 )etion ;, Artile ((( o3 te #onstit-tion.+ + + +A deni$l o3 te petition 3or re4istr$tion + + + does not depri7e te e!ers o3 te petitionerto 3reel" t$e p$rt in te ond-t o3 eletions. Teir ri4t to 7ote ill not !e $pered !"s$id deni$l. (n 3$t, te ri4t to 7ote is $ onstit-tion$ll"64-$r$nteed ri4t i $nnot !e

liited.As to its ri4t to !e eleted in $ 4en-ine periodi eletion, petitioner ontends t$t te

deni$l o3 ng Ladlad’s petition $s te le$r $nd iedi$te e@et o3 liitin4, i3 not o-tri4tl"n-lli3"in4 te $p$it" o3 its e!ers to 3-ll" $nd e-$ll" p$rtiip$te in p-!li li3e tro-4en4$4eent in te p$rt" list eletions.

Tis $r4-ent is p-erile. Te oldin4 o3 $ p-!li o>e is not $ ri4t !-t $ pri7ile4e s-!?et to

liit$tions iposed !" l$. + + +”;:

Te %)G 3$ils to re$ll t$t petitioner $s, in 3$t, est$!lised its -$li$tions to p$rtiip$te

in te p$rt"6list s"ste, $nd—$s $d7$ned !" te %)G itsel3 —te or$l o!?etion o@ered !"te #%'&L&# $s not $ liit$tion iposed !" l$. To te e+tent, tere3ore, t$t tepetitioner $s !een

;: .ollo, pp. 19:6199.

74

:;)PR&'& #%RT R&P%RT) ANN%TAT&D


prel-ded, !e$-se o3 #%'&L&#’s $tion, 3ro p-!lil" e+pressin4 its 7ies $s $ politi$lp$rt" $nd p$rtiip$tin4 on $n e-$l !$sis in te politi$l proess it oter e-$ll"6-$lied

p$rt"6list $ndid$tes, e nd t$t tere $s, indeed, !een $ tr$ns4ression o3 petitioner’s3-nd$ent$l ri4ts./on-7iscrimination and 4nternational Law(n $n $4e t$t $s seen intern$tion$l l$ e7ol7e 4eoetri$ll" in sope $nd proise,intern$tion$l -$n ri4ts l$, in p$rti-l$r, $s 4ron d"n$i$ll" in its $ttept to !rin4$!o-t $ ore ?-st $nd -$ne orld order. Ior indi7id-$ls $nd 4ro-ps str-44lin4 it

in$de-$te str-t-r$l $nd 4o7ernent$l s-pport, intern$tion$l -$n ri4ts nors $rep$rti-l$rl" si4ni$nt, $nd so-ld !e e@eti7el" en3ored in doesti le4$l s"stes so t$ts- nors $" !eoe $t-$l, r$ter t$n ide$l, st$nd$rds o3 ond-t.%-r Deision tod$" is 3-ll" in $ord it o-r intern$tion$l o!li4$tions to protet $ndproote -$n ri4ts. (n p$rti-l$r, e e+pliitl" reo4nie te priniple o3 non6disriin$tion $s it rel$tes to te ri4t to eletor$l p$rtiip$tion, en-ni$ted in te DJR $ndte (##PR.

Te priniple o3 non6disriin$tion is l$id o-t in Artile 2/ o3 te (##PR, $s 3ollosArtile 2/All persons $re e-$l !e3ore te l$ $nd $re entitled ito-t $n" disriin$tion to te e-$lprotetion o3 te l$. (n tis respet, te l$ s$ll proi!it $n" disriin$tion $nd 4-$r$nteeto $ll persons e-$l $nd e@eti7e protetion $4$inst disriin$tion on $n" 4ro-nd s- $sr$e, olo-r, se+, l$n4-$4e, reli4ion, politi$l or oter opinion, n$tion$l or soi$l ori4in,

propert", !irt or oter st$t-s.(n tis onte+t, te priniple o3 non6disriin$tion re-ires t$t l$s o3 4ener$l $ppli$tionrel$tin4 to eletions !e $pplied e-$ll" to $ll persons, re4$rdless o3 se+-$l orient$tion.Alto-4 se+-$l orient$tion is not spei$ll" en-er$ted $s $ st$t-s or r$tio 3ordisriin$tion in Artile 2/ o3 te (##PR,

75

E%L. /18, APR(L 8, 2010:5






te (##PR J-$n Ri4ts #oittee $s opined t$t te re3erene to “se+”in Artile 2/

so-ld !e onstr-ed to inl-de “se+-$l orient$tion.”;8 Addition$ll", $ 7$riet" o3 nited N$tions!odies $7e del$red disriin$tion on te !$sis o3 se+-$l orient$tion to !e proi!ited -nder

7$rio-s intern$tion$l $4reeents.;9

;8H(n Toonen v& ustralia+ supra note ;2, te J-$n Ri4ts #oittee noted t$t“in its 7ie

te re3erene to ‘se+’in Artiles 2, p$r$4r$p 2, $nd 2/ is to !e t$en $s inl-din4 se+-$l

orient$tion.”

;9 Te #oittee on &onoi, )oi$l $nd #-lt-r$l Ri4ts #&)#R $s de$lt it te$tter in its Gener$l #oents, te interpret$ti7e te+ts it iss-es to e+pli$te te 3-lle$nin4 o3 te pro7isions o3 te #o7en$nt on &onoi, )oi$l $nd #-lt-r$l Ri4ts. (nGener$l #oents Nos. 18 o3 2005 on te ri4t to or #oittee on &onoi, )oi$l$nd #-lt-r$l Ri4ts, Gener$l #oent No. 18 Te ri4t to or, &<#.12<G#<18, No7e!er2;, 2005, 15 o3 2002 on te ri4t to $ter #oittee on &onoi, )oi$l $nd #-lt-r$lRi4ts, Gener$l #oent No. 15 Te ri4t to $ter, &<#.12<2002<11, No7e!er 2/, 2002$nd 1; o3 2000 on te ri4t to te i4est $tt$in$!le st$nd$rd o3 e$lt #oittee on&onoi, )oi$l $nd #-lt-r$l Ri4ts, Gener$l #oent No. 1; Te ri4t to te i4est$tt$in$!le st$nd$rd o3 e$lt, &<#.12<2000<;, A-4-st 1;, 2000, it $s indi$ted t$t te

#o7en$nt prosri!es $n" disriin$tion on te !$sis o3, inter6$li$, se+ $nd se+-$l orient$tion. Te #oittee on te Ri4ts o3 te #ild #R# $s $lso de$lt it te iss-e in $ Gener$l

#oent. (n its Gener$l #oent No. ; o3 200, it st$ted t$t, “)t$te p$rties $7e teo!li4$tion to ens-re t$t $ll -$n !ein4s !elo 18 en?o" $ll te ri4ts set 3ort in te#on7ention on te Ri4ts o3 te #ildC ito-t disriin$tion Artile 2, inl-din4 it

re4$rd to ‘‘r$e, olo-r, se+, l$n4-$4e, reli4ion, politi$l or oter opinion, n$tion$l, etni or

soi$l ori4in, propert", dis$!ilit", !irt or oter st$t-s.” Tese 4ro-nds $lso o7er inter aliaC

se+-$l orient$tion.”#oittee on te Ri4ts o3 te #ild, Gener$l #oent No. ;Adolesent e$lt $nd de7elopent in te onte+t o3 te #on7ention on te Ri4ts o3 te#ild, -l" 1, 200, #R#<G#<200<;.

Te #oittee on te &liin$tion o3 Disriin$tion A4$inst =oen #&DA=, $s, on $n-!er o3 o$sions, ritiied )t$tes 3or disriin$tion on te !$sis o3 se+-$l orient$tion.

Ior e+$ple, it76

:/)PR&'& #%RT R&P%RT) ANN%TAT&D

ng Ladlad L6!T Party vs& Commission on Elections Te DJR pro7ides

Artile21.

1 &7er"one $s te ri4t to t$e p$rt in te 4o7ernent o3 is o-ntr", diretl" or tro-43reel" osen represent$ti7es.

Lieise, te (##PR st$tesArtile 25&7er" itien s$ll $7e te ri4t $nd te opport-nit", ito-t $n" o3 te distintions

entioned in $rtile 2 $nd ito-t -nre$son$!le restritions$ To t$e p$rt in te ond-t o3 p-!li $@$irs, diretl" or tro-4 3reel" osenrepresent$ti7esK

! To 7ote $nd to !e eleted $t 4en-ine periodi eletions i s$ll !e !" -ni7ers$l$nd e-$l s-@r$4e $nd s$ll !e eld !" seret !$llot, 4-$r$nteein4 te 3ree e+pression o3 te ill o3 te eletorsK

To $7e $ess, on 4ener$l ters o3 e-$lit", to p-!li ser7ie in is o-ntr".







As st$ted !" te #JR in its #oent6in6(nter7ention+ te sope o3 te ri4t to eletor$lp$rtiip$tion is el$!or$ted !" te J-$n Ri4ts #oittee in its Gener$l #oent No. 25P$rtiip$tion in P-!li A@$irs $nd te Ri4t to Eote $s 3ollos

“1. Artile 25 o3 te #o7en$nt reo4nies $nd protets te ri4t o3 e7er" itien to t$e p$rtin te ond-t o3 p-!li $@$irs, te ri4t to 7ote $nd to !e eleted $nd te ri4t to $7e$ess to p-!li ser7ie. =$te7er 3or o3 onstit-tion or 4o7ernent is in 3ore, te

#o7en$nt re-ires )t$tes to $dopt s- le4isl$ti7e $nd oter e$s-res $s $" !e neess$r"to ens-re t$t itiens $7e $n e@eti7e

$lso $ddressed te sit-$tion in F"r4"st$n $nd reoended t$t, “les!i$nis !e

reonept-$lied $s $ se+-$l orient$tion $nd t$t pen$lties 3or its pr$tie !e $!olised”#onl-din4 %!ser7$tions o3 te #oittee on te &liin$tion o3 Disriin$tion A4$inst=oen re4$rdin4 F"r4"st$n, Ie!r-$r" 5, 1999, A<5;<8 $t p$r. 128.77

E%L. /18, APR(L 8, 2010::

ng Ladlad L6!T Party vs& Commission on Electionsopport-nit" to en?o" te ri4ts it protets. Artile 25 lies $t te ore o3 deor$ti4o7ernent !$sed on te onsent o3 te people $nd in on3orit" it te priniples o3 te

#o7en$nt.+ + + +

15. Te e@eti7e ipleent$tion o3 te ri4t $nd te opport-nit" to st$nd 3or eleti7eo>e ens-res t$t persons entitled to 7ote $7e $ 3ree oie o3 $ndid$tes. An" restritionson te ri4t to st$nd 3or eletion, s- $s ini- $4e, -st !e ?-sti$!le on o!?eti7e $ndre$son$!le riteri$. Persons o $re oterise eli4i!le to st$nd 3or eletion so-ld not !ee+l-ded !" -nre$son$!le or disriin$tor" re-ireents s- $s ed-$tion, residene ordesent, or !" re$son o3 politi$l $>li$tion. No person so-ld s-@er disriin$tion or

dis$d7$nt$4e o3 $n" ind !e$-se o3 t$t person’s $ndid$". )t$tes p$rties so-ld indi$te$nd e+pl$in te le4isl$ti7e pro7isions i e+l-de $n" 4ro-p or $te4or" o3 persons 3ro

eleti7e o>e.”50

=e stress, oe7er, t$t $lto-4 tis #o-rt st$nds illin4 to $ss-e te responsi!ilit" o3

4i7in4 e@et to te Pilippines’intern$tion$l l$ o!li4$tions, te !l$net in7o$tion o3 intern$tion$l l$ is not te p$n$e$ 3or $ll soi$l ills. =e re3er no to te petitioner’sin7o$tion o3 te ogya8arta Principles te Appli$tion o3 (ntern$tion$l J-$n Ri4ts L$ (nRel$tion to )e+-$l %rient$tion $nd Gender (dentit",51 i petitioner del$res to reQet!indin4 priniples o3 intern$tion$l l$.

50 Gener$l #oent No. 25 Te ri4t to p$rtiip$te in p-!li $@$irs, 7otin4 ri4ts $nd teri4t o3 e-$l $ess to p-!li ser7ie Art. 25 Dee!er 1/, 199/. ##PR<#<21<Re7.1<Add.:.

51HTe ogya8arta Principles on te Appli$tion o3 (ntern$tion$l J-$n Ri4ts L$ inrel$tion to )e+-$l %rient$tion $nd Gender (dentit" is $ set o3 intern$tion$l priniples rel$tin4to se+-$l orient$tion $nd 4ender identit", intended to $ddress do-ented e7idene o3 $!-se o3 ri4ts o3 les%ian+ gay+ %isexual, $nd transgender 'L6!T) indi7id-$ls. (t ont$ins 29

Priniples $dopted !" -$n ri4ts pr$titioners $nd e+perts, to4eter itreoend$tions to 4o7ernents, re4ion$l inter4o7ernent$l instit-tions, i7il soiet", $ndte nited N$tions.

78


ng Ladlad L6!T Party vs& Commission on ElectionsAt tis tie, e $re not prep$red to del$re t$t tese ogya8arta Principles ont$in norst$t $re o!li4$tor" on te Pilippines. Tere $re del$r$tions $nd o!li4$tions o-tlined in s$idPriniples i $re not reQeti7e o3 te -rrent st$te o3 intern$tion$l l$, $nd do not nd







!$sis in $n" o3 te so-res o3 intern$tion$l l$ en-er$ted -nder Artile 81 o3 te)t$t-te o3 te (ntern$tion$l #o-rt o3 -stie.52 Peti6

52 %ne e+$ple is Priniple Te Ri4t to Reo4nition Be3ore te L$, i pro7ides&7er"one $s te ri4t to reo4nition e7er"ere $s $ person !e3ore te l$. Persons o3 di7erse se+-$l orient$tions $nd 4ender identities s$ll en?o" le4$l $p$it" in $ll $spets o3

li3e. &$ person’s sel36dened se+-$l orient$tion $nd 4ender identit" is inte4r$l to teirperson$lit" $nd is one o3 te ost !$si $spets o3 sel36deterin$tion, di4nit" $nd 3reedo.No one s$ll !e 3ored to -nder4o edi$l proed-res, inl-din4 se+ re$ssi4nent s-r4er",sterili$tion or oron$l ter$p", $s $ re-ireent 3or le4$l reo4nition o3 teir 4enderidentit". No st$t-s, s- $s $rri$4e or p$rentood, $" !e in7oed $s s- to pre7ent te

le4$l reo4nition o3 $ person’s 4ender identit". No one s$ll !e s-!?eted to press-re toone$l, s-ppress or den" teir se+-$l orient$tion or 4ender identit".)t$tes s$ll

$ &ns-re t$t $ll persons $re $orded le4$l $p$it" in i7il $tters, ito-tdisriin$tion on te !$sis o3 se+-$l orient$tion or 4ender identit", $nd te opport-nit" toe+erise t$t $p$it", inl-din4 e-$l ri4ts to onl-de ontr$ts, $nd to $dinister, on,$-ire inl-din4 tro-4 inerit$ne, $n$4e, en?o" $nd dispose o3 propert"K

! T$e $ll neess$r" le4isl$ti7e, $dinistr$ti7e $nd oter e$s-res to 3-ll" respet $ndle4$ll" reo4nise e$ person’s sel36dened 4ender identit" K

T$e $ll neess$r" le4isl$ti7e, $dinistr$ti7e $nd oter e$s-res to ens-re t$t

proed-res e+ist ere!" $ll )t$te6iss-ed identit" p$pers i indi$te $ person’s

4ender<se+ — inl-din4 !irt erti$tes, p$ssports, eletor$l reords $nd oter do-ents

— reQet te person ’s pro3o-nd sel36dened 4ender identit" K

79

E%L. /18, APR(L 8, 2010:9

ng Ladlad L6!T Party vs& Commission on Electionstioner $s not -ndert$en $n" o!?eti7e $nd ri4oro-s $n$l"sis o3 tese $lle4ed priniples o3 intern$tion$l l$ to $sert$in teir tr-e st$t-s.

=e $lso $sten to $dd t$t not e7er"tin4 t$t soiet"—or $ ert$in se4ent o3 soiet"—$nts or de$nds is $-to$ti$ll" $ -$n ri4t. Tis is not $n $r!itr$r" -$ninter7ention t$t $" !e $dded to or s-!tr$ted 3ro $t ill. (t is -n3ort-n$te t$t - o3 $t p$sses 3or -$n ri4ts tod$" is $ - !ro$der onte+t o3 needs t$t identies $n"soi$l desires $s ri4ts in order to 3-rter l$is t$t intern$tion$l l$ o!li4es st$tes tos$ntion tese inno7$tions. Tis $s te e@et o3 dil-tin4 re$l -$n ri4ts, $nd is $ res-lt

o3 te notion t$t i3 “$nts”$re o-ed in “ri4ts”l$n4-$4e, ten te" $re no lon4erontro7ersi$l.sin4 e7en te ost li!er$l o3 lenses, tese ogya8arta Principles, onsistin4 o3 $

del$r$tion 3or-l$ted !" 7$rio-s intern$tion$l l$ pro3essors, $re—$t !est—de lege

ferenda—$nd do not onstit-te !indin4 o!li4$tions on te Pilippines. (ndeed, so - o3

ontepor$r" intern$tion$l l$ is $r$teried !" te “so3t l$”noenl$t-re, i&e.,

intern$tion$l l$ is 3-ll o3 priniples t$t proote intern$tion$l ooper$tion, $ron", $ndrespet 3or -$n ri4ts, ost o3 i $o-nt to no ore t$n ell6e$nin4 desires,ito-t te s-pport o3 eiter )t$te pr$tie or opinio *uris&5

d &ns-re t$t s- proed-res $re e>ient, 3$ir $nd non6disriin$tor", $nd respet tedi4nit" $nd pri7$" o3 te person onernedK

e &ns-re t$t $n4es to identit" do-ents ill !e reo4nied in $ll onte+ts ere teidenti$tion or dis$44re4$tion o3 persons !" 4ender is re-ired !" l$ or poli"K





3 ndert$e t$r4eted pro4r$es to pro7ide soi$l s-pport 3or $ll persons e+perienin44ender tr$nsitionin4 or re$ssi4nent. &p$sis o-rs

5 )ee Pharmaceutical and Bealth Care ssociation of the Philippines v& Secretary of Bealth ,

G.R. No. 1:0;, %to!er 9, 200:, 55 )#RA 2/5, ere e e+pl$ined t$t “so3t l$”doesnot 3$ll into $n"

80



As $ n$l note, e $nnot elp !-t o!ser7e t$t te soi$l iss-es presented !" tis $se$re eotion$ll" $r4ed, soiet$l $ttit-des $re in Q-+, e7en te ps"i$tri $nd reli4io-s

o-nities $re di7ided in opinion. Tis #o-rt’s role is not to ipose its on 7ie o3 $ept$!le !e$7ior. R$ter, it is to $ppl" te #onstit-tion $nd l$s $s !est $s it $n,-ninQ-ened !" p-!li opinion, $nd ondent in te noled4e t$t o-r deor$" isresilient eno-4 to itst$nd 7i4oro-s de!$te.=J&R&I%R&, te Petition is ere!" GRANT&D. Te Resol-tions o3 te #oission on&letions d$ted No7e!er 11, 2009 $nd Dee!er 1/, 2009 in )PP No. 096228 PL $re

ere!" )&T A)(D&. Te #oission on &letions is direted to GRANT petitioner’s $ppli$tion

3or p$rt"6list $redit$tion.)% %RD&R&D.

Carpio+ ?elasco+ =r&+ Leonardo-7e Castro+ !ersamin+ ?illarama+ =r&+ Perez $nd (endoza+ ==., on-r.

Puno 'C&=&), )ee )ep$r$te %pinion.Corona+ =&+ Ple$se see Dissentin4 %pinion.Carpio-(orales+ =., ( ?oin =. A!$d., on-rrin4 opinion./achura+ =., ( ?oin on-rrin4 opinion o3 =& A!$d.!rion+ =., ( ?oin dissent o3 =. #oron$.Peralta+ =&, ( ?oin te on-rrin4 opoinion o3 =.

A!$d.

%ad+ =., ( erti3" t$t =. A!$d rite $ sep$r$te on-rrin4 opinion—P-no, C&=&

o3 te $te4ories o3 intern$tion$l l$ set 3ort in Artile 8, #$pter ((( o3 te 19;/ )t$t-te o3 te (ntern$tion$l #o-rt o3 -stie. (t is, oe7er, $n e+pression o3 non6!indin4 nors,priniples, $nd pr$ties t$t inQ-ene st$te !e$7ior. #ert$in del$r$tions $nd resol-tionso3 te N Gener$l Asse!l" 3$ll -nder tis $te4or".

81

E%L. /18, APR(L 8, 201081

ng Ladlad L6!T Party vs& Commission on Elections)&PARAT& #%N#RR(NG %P(N(%N

PN%, C&=&( on-r it te 4ro-nd!re$in4 ponencia o3 " esteeed olle$4-e, 'r. -stie '$ri$no #.Del #$stillo. Noneteless, ( respet3-ll" s-!it tis sep$r$te opinion to -ndersore soepoints t$t ( dee si4ni$nt.

#4.ST . Te $ss$iled Resol-tions o3 te #oission on &letions #%'&L&# r-n $3o-l o3 te non6est$!lisent

l$-se1 o3 te #onstit-tion. Tere $s "per e@ort on te p$rt o3 te #%'&L&# to o-

its re$sonin4 in le4$l—- less onstit-tion$l—ters, $s it denied An4 L$dl$d’s petition 3or

re4istr$tion $s $ setor$l p$rt" prinip$ll" on te 4ro-nd t$t it “toler$tes ior$lit" i

o@ends reli4io-s i&e&, #risti$n2 $nd '-sli !elie3s.” To !e s-re, te #%'&L&#’s





1 )etion 5, Artile ((( o3 te 198: #onstit-tion st$tes“No l$ s$ll !e $de respetin4 $nest$!lisent o3 reli4ion, or proi!itin4 te 3ree e+erise tereo3. Te 3ree e+erise $nden?o"ent o3 reli4io-s pro3ession $nd orsip, ito-t disriin$tion or pre3erene, s$ll3ore7er !e $lloed. No reli4io-s test s$ll !e re-ired 3or te e+erise o3 i7il or politi$l

ri4ts.”2 Te No7e!er 11, 2009 Resol-tion o3 te #%'&L&# ited te 3olloin4 p$ss$4e 3ro te

Bi!le to s-pport its oldin4 “Ior tis $-se God 4$7e te -p into 7ile $@etions 3or e7enteir oen did $n4e te n$t-r$l -se into t$t i is $4$inst n$t-re And lieise $lsote en, le$7in4 te n$t-r$l -se o3 te o$n, !-rned in teir l-st one to$rd $noterKen it en orin4 t$t i is -nseel", $nd reei7in4 in tesel7es t$t

reopense o3 teir error i $s eet.”Ro$ns 12/62:

H Te No7e!er 11, 2009 Resol-tion o3 te #%'&L&# ited te 3olloin4 p$ss$4es 3ro teFor$n to s-pport its oldin4

“Ior "e pr$tie "o-r l-sts on en in pre3erene to oen "e $re indeed $ people

tr$ns4ressin4 !e"ond !o-nds.”:81

“And e r$ined don on te $ soer o3 !ristone Ten see $t $s te end o3

tose o ind-l4ed in sin $nd rieO”:.8;

82



r-lin4 is opletel" $ntiteti$l to te 3-nd$ent$l r-le t$t “tCe p-!li or$lit" e+pressedin te l$ is neess$ril" se-l$r,C 3or in o-r onstit-tion$l order, te reli4ion l$-ses proi!it

te st$te 3ro est$!lisin4 $ reli4ion, inl-din4 te or$lit" it s$ntions.”; As e e+pl$inedin Estrada v& Escritor ,5 te re-ireent o3 $n $rti-l$!le $nd diserni!le se-l$r p-rpose ise$nt to 4i7e Qes to te onstit-tion$l poli" o3 3-ll reli4io-s 3reedo 3or $ll, viz&

“Reli4ion $lso dit$tes “o e o-4t to li7e”3or te n$t-re o3 reli4ion is not ?-st to no, !-t

o3ten, to $t in $ord$ne it $n’s “7ies o3 is rel$tions to Jis #re$tor.”B-t te&st$!lisent #l$-se p-ts $ ne4$ti7e !$r $4$inst est$!lisent o3 tis or$lit" $risin4 3ro

one reli4ion or te oter, $nd iplies te $>r$ti7e “est$!lisent”o3 $ i7il order 3or teresol-tion o3 p-!li or$l disp-tes. This agreement on a secular mechanism is the price of

ending the “war of all sects against all”; the esta%lishment of a secular pu%lic moral order is

the social contract produced %y religious truce&

T-s, en te l$ spe$s o3 “ior$lit"”in te #i7il )er7ie L$ or “ior$l”in te #ode

o3 Pro3ession$l Responsi!ilit" 3or l$"ers, or “p-!li or$ls”in te Re7ised Pen$l #ode, or

“or$ls”in te Ne #i7il #ode, or “or$l $r$ter”in te #onstit-tion, te distintion!eteen p-!li $nd se-l$r or$lit" on te one $nd, $nd reli4io-s or$lit", on te oter,so-ld !e ept in ind. Te or$lit" re3erred to in te l$ is p-!li $nd neess$ril" se-l$r,

not reli4io-s $s te dissent o3 'r. -stie #$rpio olds. “Reli4io-s te$in4s $s e+pressed inp-!li de!$te $" inQ-ene te i7il p-!li order !-t p-!li or$l disp-tes $" !e resol7ed

onl" on 4ro-nds $rti-l$!le in se-l$r ters.”"therwise+ if government relies upon religious

%eliefs in formulating pu%lic policies and morals+ the resulting policies and morals wouldre,uire conformity to what some might regard as religious programs or agenda& The non-%elievers would therefore %e compelled to conform to a standard of conduct %uttressed %y a

religious %elief+ i&e&+ to a“compelled religion;”anathema to religious

“Je s$id “% " LordO Jelp To- e $4$inst people o do isie3O”290; Estrada v& Escritor , ;55 Pil. ;11K ;08 )#RA 1 200.5 4d.

83














E%L. /18, APR(L 8, 20108

ng Ladlad L6!T Party vs& Commission on Electionsfreedom& Li8ewise+ if government %ased its actions upon religious %eliefs+ it would tacitly approve or endorse that %elief and there%y also tacitly disapprove contrary religious or non-religious views that would not support the policy& s a result+ government will not provide

full religious freedom for all its citizens+ or even ma8e it appear that those whose %eliefs aredisapproved are second-class citizens& &+p$nsi7e reli4io-s 3reedo tere3ore re-ires t$t4o7ernent !e ne-tr$l in $tters o3 reli4ionK 4o7ernent$l reli$ne -pon reli4io-s

?-sti$tion is inonsistent it tis poli" o3 ne-tr$lit".”/ it$tions oitted $nd it$liss-pplied#onse-entl", te $ss$iled resol-tions o3 te #%'&L&# $re 7iol$ti7e o3 te onstit-tion$ldireti7e t$t no reli4io-s test s$ll !e re-ired 3or te e+erise o3 i7il or politi$l ri4ts. :

An4 L$dl$d’s ri4t o3 politi$l p$rtiip$tion $s -nd-l" in3rin4ed en te #%'&L&#, s$"ed!" te pri7$te !i$ses $nd person$l pre?-dies o3 its onstit-ent e!ers, $rro4$ted -ntoitsel3 te role o3 $ reli4io-s o-rt or orse, $ or$lit" polie.

Te #%'&L&# $ttepts to disen4$4e itsel3 3ro tis “e+essi7e ent$n4leent”8 it reli4ion

!" $r4-in4 t$te “$nnot i4nore o-r strit reli4io-s -p!rin4in4, eter #risti$n or

'-sli”

9

sine te“or$l preepts espo-sed !" teseC reli4ions $7e slipped into soiet"$nd … $re no p-!lil" $epted or$l nors.”10 Joe7er, $s orretl" o!ser7ed !" 'r.

-stie Del #$stillo, te Pilippines $s not seen t to disp$r$4e oose+-$l ond-t $s to$t-$ll" riin$lie it. (ndeed, e7en i3 te )t$te $s le4isl$ted to tis e@et, te l$ is

7-lner$!le to onstit-tion$l $tt$ on pri7$" 4ro-nds.11 Tese $lle4ed“4ener$ll" $epted

p-!li or$ls”$7e not, in re$lit", rossed o7er 3ro te reli4io-s to te se-l$r spere.

/ 4d&

: )etion 5, Artile ((( o3 te 198: #onstit-tion.

8 Lemon v& 5urtzman, ;0 .). /02 19:1.

9 #%'&L&#’s #oent, p. 1.10 4d.

11 )eeLawrence v& Texas, 59 .). 558, 12 ).#t. 2;:2&84



)oe people $" nd oose+-$lit" $nd !ise+-$lit" de7i$nt, odio-s, $nd [email protected], pri7$te disriin$tion, oe7er -n3o-nded, $nnot !e $ttri!-ted or $sri!edto te )t$te. 'r. -stie Fenned", spe$in4 3or te nited )t$tes .). )-pree #o-rt in tel$nd$r $se o3 Lawrence v& Texas,12 opined

“(t -st !e $noled4ed, o3 o-rse, t$t te #o-rt in !owers $s $in4 te !ro$der pointt$t 3or ent-ries tere $7e !een poer3-l 7oies to onden oose+-$l ond-t $sior$l. Te onden$tion $s !een s$ped !" reli4io-s !elie3s, oneptions o3 ri4t $nd$ept$!le !e$7ior, $nd respet 3or te tr$dition$l 3$il". Ior $n" persons tese $re nottri7i$l onerns !-t pro3o-nd $nd deep on7itions $epted $s eti$l $nd or$l priniplesto i te" $spire $nd i t-s deterine te o-rse o3 teir li7es. Teseonsider$tions do not $nser te -estion !e3ore -s, oe7er. The issue is whether thema*ority may use the power of the State to enforce these views on the whole society

through operation of the… law&“"ur o%ligation is to dene the li%erty of all+ not to mandate

our own moral code&”1

SEC"/7& Te #%'&L&# $pit$lied on An4 L$dl$d’s denition o3 te ter “se+-$l

orient$tion,”1; $s ell $s its it$tion o3 te n-!er o3 Iilipino en o $7e se+ it en,15















$s !$sis 3or te del$r$tion t$t te p$rt" espo-ses $nd $d7o$tes se+-$l ior$lit". Tisposition, oe7er, o-ld den" oose+-$l $nd !ise+-$l indi7id-$ls $ 3-nd$ent$l eleent

o3 person$l identit" $nd $ le4iti$te e+erise o3 person$l li!ert". Ior, te “$!ilit" to in6

12 4d.

1HPlanned Parenthood of Southeastern Pa& v& Casey , 505 .). 8, 850, 112 ).#t. 2:91, 120

L.&d.2d /:; 1992.1;H ng Ladlad dened“se+-$l orient$tion”$s $ person’s $p$it" 3or pro3o-nd eotion$l,$@etion$l $nd se+-$l $ttr$tion to, $nd intimate and sexual relations with, indi7id-$ls o3 $

di:erent gender+ of the same gender+ or more than one gender .”it$lis s-pplied

15HP$r$4r$p 2; o3 ng Ladlad’s Petition 3or Re4istr$tion st$ted, in rele7$nt p$rt“(n 200:,

'en J$7in4 )e+ it 'en or ')'s in te Pilippines ere esti$ted $t /:0,000.”

85

E%L. /18, APR(L 8, 201085


dependentl"C dene one’s identit" t$t is entr$l to $n" onept o3 li!ert"”$nnot tr-l" !e

e+erised in $ 7$--K e $ll depend on te “eotion$l enrient 3ro lose ties it

oters.”1/ As 'r. -stie Bl$-n so elo-entl" s$id in is stin4in4 dissent in!owers v&

Bardwic8 1: o7ert-rned !" te nited )t$tes )-pree #o-rt se7enteen "e$rs l$ter inLawrence v& Texas18

“"nly the most willful %lindness could o%scure the fact that sexual intimacy is “a sensitive+8ey relationship of human existence+ central to family life+ community welfare+ and the

development of human personality .C”19 Te 3$t t$t indi7id-$ls dene tesel7es in $si4ni$nt $" tro-4 teir inti$te se+-$l rel$tionsips it oters s-44ests, in $ N$tion

$s di7erse $s o-rs, t$t tere $" !e $n" “ri4t”$"s o3 ond-tin4 tose rel$tionsips,$nd t$t - o3 te riness o3 $ rel$tionsip ill come from the freedom an individual hasto choose the form and nature of these intensely personal %onds.20

(n $ 7$riet" o3 ir-st$nes e $7e reo4nied t$t a necessary corollary of givingindividuals freedom to choose how to conduct their lives is acceptance of the fact that

di:erent individuals will ma8e di:erent choices. Ior e+$ple, in oldin4 t$t te le$rl"iport$nt st$te interest in p-!li ed-$tion so-ld 4i7e $" to $ opetin4 l$i !" teAis to te e@et t$t e+tended 3or$l soolin4 tre$tened teir $" o3 li3e, te #o-rt

del$red “ Tere $n !e no $ss-ption t$t tod$"’s $?orit" is ‘ri4t’$nd te Ais $nd

1/H.o%erts v& <nited States =aycees, ;/8 .). /09, 10; ).#t. 2;;, $s ited in te Dissentin4%pinion o3 'r. -stie Bl$-n in !owers v& Bardwic8+ infra&1: ;:8 .). 18/, 10/ ).#t. 28;1.18 Supra note 11.

19HParis dult Theatre 4 v& Slaton, ;1 .). ;9, /, 9 ).#t. 2/28, 2/8, : L.&d.2d ;;/19:K See $lsoCarey v& Population Services 4nternational, ;1 .). /:8, /85, 9: ).#t.2010, 201/, 52 L.&d.2d /:5 19::.

20HSee F$rst,The #reedom of 4ntimate ssociation, 89 Y$le L.. /2;, /: 1980K 3.Eisenstadt v& !aird, ;05 .). ;8, ;5, 92 ).#t. 1029, 108, 1 L.&d.2d ;9 19:2K .oe v&$ade, ;10 .)., $t 15, 9 ).#t., $t :2/.

86



oters lie te $re ‘ron4.’A $" o3 li3e t$t is odd or e7en err$ti !-t inter3eres it no

ri4ts or interests o3 oters is not to !e ondened !e$-se it is di@erent.”21 Te #o-rt





















l$is t$t its deision tod$" erel" re3-ses to reo4nie $ 3-nd$ent$l ri4t to en4$4e inoose+-$l sodo"K $t te #o-rt re$ll" $s re3-sed to reo4nie is the fundamentalinterest all individuals have in controlling the nature of their intimate associations with

others.”it$lis s-pplied(t $s !een s$id t$t 3reedo e+tends !e"ond sp$ti$l !o-nds.22 Li!ert" pres-es $n$-tono" o3 sel3 t$t inl-des 3reedo o3 to-4t, !elie3, e+pression, $nd ert$in inti$te

ond-t.2

Tese $tters, in7ol7in4 te ost inti$te $nd person$l oies $ person $"$e in $ li3etie, oies entr$l to person$l di4nit" $nd $-tono", $re entr$l to teli!ert" proteted !" te d-e proess l$-se.2; At te e$rt o3 li!ert" is te ri4t to dene

one’s on onept o3 e+istene, o3 e$nin4, o3 te -ni7erse, $nd o3 te "ster" o3 -$nli3e.25 Belie3s $!o-t tese $tters o-ld not dene te $ttri!-tes o3 personood ere te"3ored -nder op-lsion o3 te )t$te.2/ Lawrence v& Texas2: is $4$in instr-ti7e

“ To s$" t$t te iss-e in !owers $s sipl" te ri4t to en4$4e in ert$in se+-$l ond-tdee$ns te l$i te indi7id-$l p-t 3or$rd, ?-st $s it o-ld dee$n $ $rried o-pleere it to !e s$id $rri$4e is sipl" $!o-t te ri4t to $7e se+-$l intero-rse. Te l$sin7ol7ed in !owers $nd ere $re, to !e s-re, st$t-tes t$t p-rport to do no ore t$nproi!it $ p$rti-l$r se+-$l $t. Teir pen$lties $nd p-rposes, to-4, $7e ore 3$r6re$in4 onse-enes, to-in4 -pon te ost pri7$te -$n ond-t, se+-$l !e$7ior,$nd in te ost pri7$te o3 pl$es, te oe. Te st$t-tes do see to

21 $isconsin v& oder , ;0/ .). 205, 22622;, 92 ).#t. 152/, 15:, 2 L.&d.2d 15 19:2.22 Lawrence v& Texas+ supra note 11.2 4d.

2;HPlanned Parenthood of Southeastern Pa& v& Casey+ supra note 1.25 4d.2/ 4d.2: Supra note 11.

87

E%L. /18, APR(L 8, 20108:

ng Ladlad L6!T Party vs& Commission on Electionsontrol $ person$l rel$tionsip t$t, eter or not entitled to 3or$l reo4nition in te l$,is itin te li!ert" o3 persons to oose ito-t !ein4 p-nised $s riin$ls.

Tis, $s $ 4ener$l r-le, so-ld o-nsel $4$inst $ttepts !" te )t$te, or $ o-rt, to denete e$nin4 o3 te rel$tionsip or to set its !o-nd$ries $!sent in?-r" to $ person or $!-se o3 $n instit-tion te l$ protets. 4t su9ces for us to ac8nowledge that adults may choose toenter upon this relationship in the connes of their homes and their own private lives andstill retain their dignity as free persons& $hen sexuality nds overt expression in intimateconduct with another person+ the conduct can %e %ut one element in a personal %ond that ismore enduring& The li%erty protected %y the Constitution allows homosexual persons the

right to ma8e this choice&”it$lis s-ppliedTB4.7& Te ponencia o3 'r. -stie Del #$stillo re3-sed to $r$terie oose+-$ls $nd

!ise+-$ls $s $ l$ss in tesel7es 3or p-rposes o3 te e-$l protetion l$-se. Aordin4l", itstr- don te $ss$iled Resol-tions -sin4 te ost li!er$l !$sis o3 ?-dii$l sr-tin", ter$tion$l !$sis test, $ordin4 to i 4o7ernent need onl" so t$t te $llen4edl$ssi$tion is r$tion$ll" rel$ted to ser7in4 $ le4iti$te st$te interest.

( -!l" s-!it, oe7er, t$t $ l$ssi$tion !$sed on 4ender or se+-$l orient$tion is$ -$si6s-spet l$ssi$tion, $s to tri44er $ ei4tened le7el o3 re7ie.

Preliin$ril", in o-r ?-risdition, te st$nd$rd $nd $n$l"sis o3 e-$l protetion $llen4esin te $in $7e 3olloed te r$tion$l !$sis test, o-pled it $ de3erenti$l $ttit-de tole4isl$ti7e l$ssi$tions $nd $ rel-t$ne to in7$lid$te $ l$ -nless tere is $ soin4 o3 $le$r $nd -ne-i7o$l !re$ o3 te #onstit-tion.28 Joe7er,Central !an8 Employees ssociation+ 4nc& v& !ang8o Sentral ng Pilipinas,29 $r7ed o-t $n e+eption to tis 4ener$lr-le, s- t$t pre?-die to

















28 Central !an8 Employees ssociation+ 4nc& v& !ang8o Sentral ng Pilipinas , ;8: Pil. 51,58K ;;/ )#RA 299, :0 200; )&29 4d.88

88

)PR&'& #%RT R&P%RT) ANN%TAT&D ng Ladlad L6!T Party vs& Commission on Electionspersons $orded spei$l protetion !" te #onstit-tion re-ires striter ?-dii$l sr-tin"t$n ere r$tion$lit", viz&

“#on4ress ret$ins its ide disretion in pro7idin4 3or $ 7$lid l$ssi$tion, $nd its poliiesso-ld !e $orded reo4nition $nd respet !" te o-rts o3 ?-stie e+ept en te" r-n$3o-l o3 te #onstit-tion. The deference stops where the classication violates afundamental right+ or pre*udices persons accorded special protection %y the Constitution&$hen these violations arise+ this Court must discharge its primary role as the vanguard of constitutional guaranties+ and re,uire a stricter and more exacting adherence to

constitutional limitations. R$tion$l !$sis so-ld not s->e.”it$tions oitted $nd it$liss-pplied#onsiderin4 t-s t$t l$!or en?o"s s- spei$l $nd proteted st$t-s -nder o-r 3-nd$ent$l

l$, te #o-rt r-led in 3$7or o3 te #entr$l B$n &plo"ees Assoi$tion, (n. in tis ise“=ile R.A. No. :/5 st$rted $s $ 7$lid e$s-re ell itin te le4isl$t-re’s poer, e oldt$t te en$tent o3 s-!se-ent l$s e+eptin4 $ll r$n6$nd6le eplo"ees o3 oter GI(sleeed $ll 7$lidit" o-t o3 te $llen4ed pro7iso.+ + + +Aordin4 to petitioner, te l$st pro7iso o3 )etion 15, Artile (( o3 R.A. No. :/5 is $lso7iol$ti7e o3 te e-$l protetion l$-se !e$-se $3ter it $s en$ted, te $rters o3 teG)(), LBP, DBP $nd ))) ere $lso $ended, !-t te personnel o3 te l$tter GI(s ere $lle+epted 3ro te o7er$4e o3 te ))L. T-s, itin te l$ss o3 r$n6$nd6le personnel o3 GI(s, te B)P r$n6$nd6le $re $lso disriin$ted -pon.(ndeed, e t$e ?-dii$l notie t$t $3ter te ne B)P $rter $s en$ted in 199, #on4ress$lso -ndertoo te $endent o3 te $rters o3 te G)(), LBP, DBP $nd ))), $nd treeoter GI(s, 3ro 1995 to 200;, viz&

+ + + +(t is noteort", $s petitioner points o-t, t$t te s-!se-ent $rters o3 te se7en oterGI(s s$re tis oon pro7iso $ !l$net e+eption o3 $ll teir eplo"ees 3ro teo7er$4e o3 te ))L, e+pressl" or ipliedl"...

89

E%L. /18, APR(L 8, 201089


+ + + + Te $!o7eentioned s-!se-ent en$tents, oe7er, onstit-te si4ni$nt $n4es in

ir-st$ne t$t onsider$!l" $lter te re$son$!ilit" o3 te ontin-ed oper$tion o3 te l$stpro7iso o3 )etion 15, Artile (( o3 Rep-!li At No. :/5, tere!" e+posin4 te pro7iso to

ore serio-s sr-tin". Tis tie, te sr-tin" rel$tes to te onstit-tion$lit" o3 tel$ssi$tion—$l!eit $de indiretl" $s $ onse-ene o3 te p$ss$4e o3 ei4t oter l$s—!eteen te r$n6$nd6le o3 te B)P $nd te se7en oter GI(s. Te l$ssi$tion -st notonl" !e re$son$!le, !-t -st $lso $ppl" e-$ll" to $ll e!ers o3 te l$ss. Te pro7iso$" !e 3$ir on its 3$e $nd ip$rti$l in $ppe$r$ne !-t it $nnot !e 4rossl" disriin$tor" inits oper$tion, so $s pr$ti$ll" to $e -n?-st distintions !eteen persons o $re ito-tdi@erenes.)t$ted di@erentl", te seond le7el o3 in-ir" de$ls it te 3olloin4 -estions Gi7en t$t#on4ress ose to e+ept oter GI(s $side te B)P 3ro te o7er$4e o3 te ))L, $n te







e+l-sion o3 te r$n6$nd6le eplo"ees o3 te B)P st$nd onstit-tion$l sr-tin" in te li4to3 te 3$t t$t #on4ress did not e+l-de te r$n6$nd6le eplo"ees o3 te oter GI(sU (s

#on4ress’poer to l$ssi3" so -n!ridled $s to s$ntion -ne-$l $nd disriin$tor"tre$tent, sipl" !e$-se te ine-it" $ni3ested itsel3, not inst$ntl" tro-4 $ sin4le o7ert$t, !-t 4r$d-$ll" $nd pro4ressi7el", tro-4 se7en sep$r$te $ts o3 #on4ressU (s te ri4tto e-$l protetion o3 te l$ !o-nded in tie $nd sp$e t$t $ te ri4t $n onl" !e

in7oed $4$inst $ l$ssi$tion $de diretl" $nd deli!er$tel", $s opposed to $disriin$tion t$t $rises indiretl", or $s $ onse-ene o3 se7er$l oter $tsK $nd ! is tele4$l $n$l"sis onned to deterinin4 te 7$lidit" itin te p$r$eters o3 te st$t-te orordin$ne ere te inl-sion or e+l-sion is $rti-l$ted, tere!" prosri!in4 $n"

e7$l-$tion vis-à-vis te 4ro-pin4, or te l$ tereo3, $on4 se7er$l siil$r en$tents$de o7er $ period o3 tieU(n tis seond le7el o3 sr-tin", te ine-$lit" o3 tre$tent $nnot !e ?-stied on te ere

$ssertion t$t e$ e+eption 4r$nted to te se7en oter GI(s rests “on $ poli"

deterin$tion !" te le4isl$t-re.”All le4isl$ti7e en$tents neess$ril" rest on $ poli"

deterin$tion—e7en tose t$t $7e !een del$red to ontr$7ene te #onstit-tion. Eeril", i3 tis o-ld ser7e $s $ $4i $nd to s-st$in te 7$lidit" o3 $ st$t-te, ten no d-e proess$nd e-$l protetion $llen4es o-ld e7er prosper. Tere is notin4 inerentl"90


ng Ladlad L6!T Party vs& Commission on Electionss$ros$nt in $ poli" deterin$tion $de !" #on4ress or !" te &+e-ti7eK it $nnot r-nriot $nd o7err-n te r$p$rts o3 protetion o3 te #onstit-tion.+ + + +(n te $se $t !$r, it is preisel" te 3$t t$t $s re4$rds te e+eption 3ro te ))L, tere$re no $r$teristis pe-li$r onl" to te se7en GI(s or teir r$n6$nd6le so $s to ?-sti3"te e+eption i B)P r$n6$nd6le eplo"ees ere denied not to ention te $no$l"o3 te )&# 4ettin4 one. Te distintion $de !" te l$ is not onl" s-peri$l, !-t $lso$r!itr$r". (t is not !$sed on s-!st$nti$l distintions t$t $e re$l di@erenes !eteen teB)P r$n6$nd6le $nd te se7en oter GI(s.

+ + + + Te disp$rit" o3 tre$tent !eteen B)P r$n6$nd6le $nd te r$n6$nd6le o3 te oter

se7en GI(s denitel" !e$rs te -nist$$!le !$d4e o3 in7idio-s disriin$tion—no one $n,it $ndor $nd 3$irness, den" te disriin$tor" $r$ter o3 te s-!se-ent !l$net $ndtot$l e+eption o3 te se7en oter GI(s 3ro te ))L en s- $s iteld 3ro te B)P.Alies $re !ein4 tre$ted $s -n$lies ito-t $n" r$tion$l !$sis.+ + + +

T-s, te to6tier $n$l"sis $de in te $se $t !$r o3 te $llen4ed pro7ision, $nd itsonl-sion o3 -nonstit-tion$lit" !" s-!se-ent oper$tion, $re in $dene $nd in onson$neit te pro4ressi7e trend o3 oter ?-risditions $nd in intern$tion$l l$. There should %e nohesitation in using the e,ual protection clause as a ma*or cutting edge to eliminate every conceiva%le irrational discrimination in our society& 4ndeed+ the social *ustice imperatives inthe Constitution+ coupled with the special status and protection a:orded to la%or+ compel

this approach& propos te spei$l protetion $@orded to l$!or -nder o-r #onstit-tion $nd intern$tion$ll$, e eld in 4nternational School lliance of Educators v& Huisum%ing

T$t p-!li poli" $!ors ine-$lit" $nd disriin$tion is !e"ond ontention. %-r#onstit-tion $nd l$s reQet te poli" $4$inst tese e7ils. Te #onstit-tion in te Artile on

)oi$l -stie $nd J-$n Ri4ts e+orts #on4ress to “4i7e i4est priorit" to te en$tento3 e$s-res t$t protet $nd en$ne te ri4t o3 $ll people to -$n di4nit", red-e soi$l,91

E%L. /18, APR(L 8, 2010



91 ng Ladlad L6!T Party vs& Commission on Elections

eonoi, $nd politi$l ine-$lities.” Te 7er" !ro$d Artile 19 o3 te #i7il #ode re-ires

e7er" person, “in te e+erise o3 is ri4ts $nd in te per3or$ne o3 is d-ties, toC $t it

?-stie, 4i7e e7er"one is d-e, $nd o!ser7e onest" $nd 4ood 3$it.”(ntern$tion$l l$, i sprin4s 3ro 4ener$l priniples o3 l$, lieise prosri!es

disriin$tion. Gener$l priniples o3 l$ inl-de priniples o3 e-it", i&e., te 4ener$lpriniples o3 3$irness $nd ?-stie, !$sed on te test o3 $t is re$son$!le. Te ni7ers$lDel$r$tion o3 J-$n Ri4ts, te (ntern$tion$l #o7en$nt on &onoi, )oi$l, $nd #-lt-r$lRi4ts, te (ntern$tion$l #on7ention on te &liin$tion o3 All Iors o3 R$i$l Disriin$tion,te #on7ention $4$inst Disriin$tion in &d-$tion, te #on7ention No. 111 #onernin4

Disriin$tion in Respet o3 &plo"ent $nd %-p$tion—$ll e!od" te 4ener$l priniple$4$inst disriin$tion, te 7er" $ntitesis o3 3$irness $nd ?-stie. Te Pilippines, tro-4 its#onstit-tion, $s inorpor$ted tis priniple $s p$rt o3 its n$tion$l l$s.(n te orpl$e, ere te rel$tions !eteen $pit$l $nd l$!or $re o3ten seed in 3$7or o3 $pit$l, ine-$lit" $nd disriin$tion !" te eplo"er $re $ll te ore repreensi!le.

The Constitution specically provides that la%or is entitled to “humane conditions

of wor8&”These conditions are not restricted to the physical wor8place — the factory+

the o9ce or the eld — %ut include as well the manner %y which employers treat their employees&

The Constitution also directs the State to promote “e,uality of employment

opportunities for all&”Similarly+ the La%or Code provides that the State shall “ensure

e,ual wor8 opportunities regardless of sex+ race or creed&”4t would %e an a:ront to

%oth the spirit and letter of these provisions if the State+ in spite of its primordialo%ligation to promote and ensure e,ual employment opportunities+ closes its eyesto une,ual and discriminatory terms and conditions of employment&

+++ +++ +++Not$!l", te (ntern$tion$l #o7en$nt on &onoi, )oi$l, $nd #-lt-r$l Ri4ts, in

Artile : tereo3, pro7ides Te )t$tes P$rties to te present #o7en$nt reo4nie te ri4t o3 e7er"one to te

en?o"ent o3 ?-st $nd 3$7or$!leC onditions o3 or, i ens-re, in p$rti-l$r92



$. Re-ner$tion i pro7ides $ll orers, $s $ ini-, it

i. I$ir $4es $nd e-$l re-ner$tion 3or or o3 e-$l 7$l-e ito-t distintion o3 $n"ind, in p$rti-l$r oen !ein4 4-$r$nteed onditions o3 or not in3erior to tose en?o"ed!" en, it e-$l p$" 3or e-$l orK

+++ +++ +++ Te 3ore4oin4 pro7isions ipre4n$!l" instit-tion$lie in tis ?-risdition te lon4 onored

le4$l tr-is o3 “e-$l p$" 3or e-$l or.”Persons o or it s-!st$nti$ll" e-$l-$li$tions, sill, e@ort $nd responsi!ilit", -nder siil$r onditions, so-ld !e p$id siil$rs$l$ries.

+ + + +

nder ost ir-st$nes, te #o-rt ill e+erise ?-dii$l restr$int in deidin4 -estions o3 onstit-tion$lit", reo4niin4 te !ro$d disretion 4i7en to #on4ress in e+erisin4 its

le4isl$ti7e poer. -dii$l sr-tin" o-ld !e !$sed on te “r$tion$l !$sis”test, $nd tele4isl$ti7e disretion o-ld !e 4i7en de3erenti$l tre$tent.



!ut if the challenge to the statute is premised on the denial of a fundamental right+ or the perpetuation of pre*udice against persons favored %y the Constitution with special protection+ *udicial scrutiny ought to %e more strict& wea8 and watered down view would

call for the a%dication of this Court ’s solemn duty to stri8e down any law repugnant to theConstitution and the rights it enshrines& Tis is tr-e eter te $tor oittin4 te-nonstit-tion$l $t is $ pri7$te person or te 4o7ernent itsel3 or one o3 its

instr-ent$lities. %ppressi7e $ts ill !e str- don re4$rdless o3 te $r$ter or n$t-reo3 te $tor.4n the case at %ar+ the challenged proviso operates on the %asis of the salary grade or

o9cer-employee status& 4t is a8in to a distinction %ased on economic class and status+ withthe higher grades as recipients of a %enet specically withheld from the lower grades .%>ers o3 te B)P no reei7e i4er opens$tion p$$4es t$t $re opetiti7e it teind-str", ile te poorer, lo6s$l$ried eplo"ees $re liited to te r$tes presri!ed !" te))L. Te ipli$tions $re -ite dist-r!in4 B)P r$n6$nd6le eplo"ees $re p$id te stritl"

re4iented r$tes o3 te ))L ile eplo"ees i4er in r$n—possessin4 i4er $nd !etter

ed-$tion $nd opport-nities 3or $reer $d7$neent—$re 4i7en i4er opens$tionp$$4es to

93

E%L. /18, APR(L 8, 2010


entie te to st$". Considering that ma*ority+ if not all+ the ran8-and-le employees consist of people whose status and ran8 in life are less and limited+ especially in terms of *o%

mar8eta%ility+ it is they — and not the o9cers — who have the real economic and nancial

need for the ad*ustment& This is in accord with the policy of the Constitution “to free the

people from poverty+ provide ade,uate social services+ extend to them a decent standard of

living+ and improve the ,uality of life for all&” ny act of Congress that runs counter to this

constitutional desideratum deserves strict scrutiny %y this Court %efore it can pass muster .”it$tions oitted $nd it$lis s-pplied#oroll$ril", Aeri$n $se l$ pro7ides t$t $ st$te $tion -estioned on e-$l protetion4ro-nds is s-!?et to one o3 tree le7els o3 ?-dii$l sr-tin". Te le7el o3 re7ie, on $ slidin4

s$le !$sis, 7$ries it te t"pe o3 l$ssi$tion -tilied $nd te n$t-re o3 te [email protected]

(3 $ le4isl$ti7e l$ssi$tion dis$d7$nt$4es $ “s-spet l$ss”or ipin4es -pon te e+erise o3

$ “3-nd$ent$l ri4t,”ten te o-rts ill eplo" strit sr-tin" $nd te st$t-te -st 3$ll-nless te 4o7ernent $n deonstr$te t$t te l$ssi$tion $s !een preisel" t$ilored toser7e $ opellin4 4o7ernent$l interest.1 %7er te "e$rs, te nited )t$tes )-pree#o-rt $s deterined t$t s-spet l$sses 3or e-$l protetion p-rposes inl-del$ssi$tions !$sed on r$e, reli4ion, $lien$4e, n$tion$l ori4in, $nd $nestr".2 Te -nder6

0HPace (em%ership $arehouse+ 7iv& of 5-(art Corp& v& xelson, 98 P.2d 50;.

1H1/B A. -r. 2d #onstit-tion$l L$ §85:, itin4 Clar8 v& =eter , ;8/ .). ;5/, 108 ). #t.

1910, 100 L. &d. 2d ;/5 1988K Perry Educ& ss’n v& Perry Local Educators’ ss’n, ;/0 .).

:, 10 ). #t. 9;8, :; L. &d. 2d :9;, 9 &d. L$ Rep. 2 198K Christie v& Coors Transp& Co&,9 P.2d 10 #olo. 199:K !a8er v& City of "ttumwa, 5/0 N.=.2d 5:8 (o$ 199:K Fempel

v& <ninsured Employers’#und, 282 'ont. ;2;, 98 P.2d /58 199:K Bovland v& City of 6rand#or8s, 199: ND 95, 5/ N.=.2d 8; N.D. 199:.2 (urray v& State of Louisiana, 2010 =L ;5:. )ee !urlington /& .&.& Co& v& #ord, 112).#t. 218;, 218/ 1992 oldin4 l$ssi$tion !$sed on reli4ion is $ s-spet l$ssi$tionK6raham v&

94

9;










l"in4 r$tion$le o3 tis teor" is t$t ere le4isl$tion $@ets disrete $nd ins-l$r inorities,te pres-ption o3 onstit-tion$lit" 3$des !e$-se tr$dition$l politi$l proesses $" $7e!roen don. (n s- $ $se, te )t$te !e$rs $ e$7" !-rden o3 ?-sti$tion, $nd te4o7ernent $tion ill !e losel" sr-tinied in li4t o3 its $sserted p-rpose.;

%n te oter $nd, i3 te l$ssi$tion, ile not 3$i$ll" in7idio-s, noneteless 4i7es rise tore-rrin4 onstit-tion$l di>-lties, or i3 $ l$ssi$tion dis$d7$nt$4es $ “-$si6s-spet

l$ss,”it ill !e tre$ted -nder interedi$te or ei4tened re7ie.5 To s-r7i7e interedi$tesr-tin", te l$ -st not onl" 3-rter $n iport$nt 4o7ernent$l interest $nd !es-!st$nti$ll" rel$ted to t$t interest, !-t te ?-sti$tion 3or te l$ssi$tion -st !e4en-ine $nd -st not depend on !ro$d 4ener$li$tions./ Noteort", $nd o3 spei$linterest to -s in tis $se, -$si6s-spet l$sses inl-de l$ssi$tions !$sed on 4ender orille4iti$".:

.ichardson, 91 ).#t. 18;8, 1852 19:1 oldin4 l$ssi$tion !$sed on $lien$4e is $ s-spetl$ssi$tionK Loving v& ?irginia, 8: ).#t. 181:, 182 19/: oldin4 l$ssi$tion !$sed onr$e is $ s-spet l$ssi$tionK "yama v& California, /8 ).#t. 2/9, 2:;6:; 19;8 oldin4l$ssi$tion !$sed on n$tion$l ori4in is $ s-spet l$ssi$tionK Bira%ayashi v& <&S., /

).#t. 1:5 19; oldin4 l$ssi$tion !$sed on $nestr" is $ s-spet l$ssi$tion.H =ohnson v& .o%ison, ;15 .). /1, 9; ). #t. 11/0, 9 L. &d. 2d 89 19:;.

;H7unn v& !lumstein, ;05 .). 0, 92 ). #t. 995, 1 L. &d. 2d 2:; 19:2K Bunter v&Eric8son, 9 .). 85, 89 ). #t. 55:, 21 L. &d. 2d /1/ 19/9K (cLaughlin v& State of #la.,:9 .). 18;, 85 ). #t. 28, 1 L. &d. 2d 222 19/;.5 Supra note 1.

/H<nited States v& ?irginia, 518 .). 515, 5, 11/ ).#t. 22/;, 22:5, 15 L.&d.2d :5, :51199/.

:H(urray v& State of Louisiana+ supra note 2. )ee (ississippi <niversity for $omen v&Bogan, 102 ).#t. 1, / 1982 oldin4 l$ssi$tions !$sed on 4ender $lls 3orei4tened st$nd$rd o3 re7ieK Trim%le v& 6ordon, 9: ).#t. 1;59, 1;/ 19:: oldin4ille4iti$" is $ -$si6s-spet l$ssi$tion.

95 E%L. /18, APR(L 8, 201095

ng Ladlad L6!T Party vs& Commission on Elections(3 neiter strit nor interedi$te sr-tin" is $ppropri$te, ten te st$t-te ill !e tested 3or

ere r$tion$lit".8 Tis is $ rel$ti7el" rel$+ed st$nd$rd reQetin4 te #o-rt’s $$reness t$tte dr$in4 o3 lines i re$tes distintions is pe-li$rl" $ le4isl$ti7e t$s $nd $n-n$7oid$!le one.9 Te pres-ption is in 3$7or o3 te l$ssi$tion, o3 te re$son$!leness$nd 3$irness o3 st$te $tion, $nd o3 le4iti$te 4ro-nds o3 distintion, i3 $n" s- 4ro-ndse+ist, on i te )t$te $ted.;0

(nste$d o3 $doptin4 $ ri4id 3or-l$ to deterine eter ert$in le4isl$ti7e l$ssi$tions$rr$nt ore de$ndin4 onstit-tion$l $n$l"sis, te nited )t$tes )-pree #o-rt $slooed to 3o-r 3$tors,;1 t-s

8HSupra note 1.

9H"hio !ureau of Employment Services v& Bodory , ;1 .). ;:1, 9: ). #t. 1898, 52 L. &d. 2d51 19::K (assachusetts !d& of .etirement v& (urgia, ;2: .). 0:, 9/ ). #t. 25/2, ;9 L.&d. 2d 520 19:/K Costner v& <&S&, :20 I.2d 59 8t #ir. 198.

;0HPlyler v& (oore, 100 I.d /5 ;t #ir. 199/K Cornerstone Christian Schools v& <niversity 4nterscholastic League, 5/ I.d 12:, 2; &d. L$ Rep. /09 5t #ir. 2009K 4ndependent Charities of merica+ 4nc& v& State of (inn& , 82 I.d :91 8t #ir. 199/K !ah v& City of tlanta,10 I.d 9/; 11t #ir. 199:.



















;1 ?arnum v& !rien, :/ N.=.2d 8/2 2009 itin4 te 3olloin4 p$ss$4e 3ro Plyler v& 7oe,;5: .). 202, 21/, 102 ).#t. 282, 29;, :2 L.&d.2d :8/, :99 1982

)e7er$l 3or-l$tions i4t e+pl$in o-r tre$tent o3 ert$in l$ssi$tions $s “s-spet.”)oe l$ssi$tions $re ore liel" t$n oters to reQet deep6se$ted pre?-die r$ter t$nle4isl$ti7e r$tion$lit" in p-rs-it o3 soe le4iti$te o!?eti7e. Le4isl$tion predi$ted on s-pre?-die is e$sil" reo4nied $s inop$ti!le it te onstit-tion$l -nderst$ndin4 t$t

e$ person is to !e ?-d4ed indi7id-$ll" $nd is entitled to e-$l ?-stie -nder te l$.#l$ssi$tions tre$ted $s s-spet tend to !e irrele7$nt to $n" proper le4isl$ti7e 4o$l. Iin$ll",

ert$in 4ro-ps, indeed l$r4el" te s$e 4ro-ps, $7e istori$ll" !een “rele4$ted to s- $position o3 politi$l poerlessness $s to o$nd e+tr$ordin$r" protetion 3ro te$?orit$ri$n po6

96



1 Te istor" o3 in7idio-s disriin$tion $4$inst te l$ss !-rdened !" te le4isl$tionK;2

2 =eter te $r$teristis t$t distin4-is te l$ss indi$te $ t"pi$l l$ss e!er’s$!ilit" to ontri!-te to soiet"K;

liti$l proess.” Te e+periene o3 o-r N$tion $s son t$t pre?-die $" $ni3est itsel3 inte tre$tent o3 soe 4ro-ps. %-r response to t$t e+periene is reQeted in te &-$lProtetion #l$-se o3 te Io-rteent Aendent. Le4isl$tion iposin4 spei$l dis$!ilities-pon 4ro-ps dis3$7ored !" 7irt-e o3 ir-st$nes !e"ond teir ontrol s-44ests te ind o3

“l$ss or $ste”tre$tent t$t te Io-rteent Aendent $s desi4ned to $!olis.;2 )ee<nited States v& ?irginia, 518 .). $t 5162, 11/ ).#t. $t 22:;6:5, 15 L.&d.2d $t

:50 o!ser7in4 ‘lon4 $nd -n3ort-n$te istor" o3 se+ disriin$tion”-otin4 #rontiero v&.ichardson, ;11 .). /::, /8;, 9 ).#t. 1:/;, 1:/9, / L.&d.2d 58, 590 19: Brenn$n, =.,pl-r$lit" opinionK Lyng v& Castillo, ;:: .). /5, /8, 10/ ).#t. 2:2:, 2:29, 91 L.&d.2d

52:, 5 198/ notin4 s-!?et l$ss $d “not !een s-!?eted to disriin$tion”K City of

Cle%urne v& Cle%urne Living Ctr&, ;: .). ;2 $t ;;, 105 ).#t. $t 25/, 8: L.&d.2d $t 2

ent$ll" ret$rded not 7itis o3 “ontin-in4 $ntip$t" or pre?-die”K (ass& !d& of .et& v&

(urgia, ;2: .). 0:, 1, 9/ ).#t. 25/2, 25/:, ;9 L.&d.2d 520, 525 19:/ onsiderin4

“istor" o3 p-rpose3-l -ne-$l tre$tent”-otin4 San ntonio 4ndep& Sch& 7ist& v&

.odriguez , ;11 .). 1, 28, 9 ).#t. 12:8, 129;, / L.&d.2d 1/, ;0 19:C.

;H)ee Cle%urne Living Ctr&, ;: .). $t ;;0, 105 ).#t. $t 25;, 8: L.&d.2d $t 20 ert$in

l$ssi$tions erel"“reQet pre?-die $nd $ntip$t"”K (iss& <niv& for $omen v& Bogan, ;58

.). :18, :25, 102 ).#t. 1, /, : L.&d.2d 1090, 1098 1982 “#$re -st !e t$en in

$sert$inin4 eter te st$t-tor" o!?eti7e itsel3 reQets $r$i $nd stereot"pi notions.”K(urgia, ;2: .). $t 1, 9/ ).#t. $t 25//, ;9 L.&d.2d $t 525 onsiderin4 eter $4ed $7e

“!een s-!?eted to -ni-e dis$!ilities on te !$sis o3 stereot"ped $r$teristis not tr-l"

indi$ti7e o3 teir $!ilities”K #rontiero, ;11 .). $t /8/, 9 ).#t. $t 1::0, / L.&d.2d $t 591

Brenn$n, =., pl-r$lit" opinion “TCe se+ $r$teristi 3re-entl" !e$rs no rel$tion to $!ilit"

to per3or or ontri!-te to soiet".”.

97

E%L. /18, APR(L 8, 20109:


=eter te distin4-isin4 $r$teristi is “i-t$!le”or !e"ond te l$ss

e!ers’ontrolK;; $nd

; Te politi$l poer o3 te s-!?et l$ss.;5









Tese 3$tors, it -st !e ep$sied, $re not onstit-ti7e essenti$l eleents o3 $ s-spet or-$si6s-spet l$ss, $s to indi7id-$ll" de$nd $ ert$in ei4t.;/ Te .). )-pree #o-rt$s $pplied te 3o-r 3$tors in $ Qe+i!le $nnerK it $s neiter re-ired, nor e7en dis-ssed,e7er" 3$tor in e7er" $se.;: (ndeed, no sin4le t$lis$n $n dene tose

;; Lyng, ;:: .). $t /8, 10/ ).#t. $t 2:29, 91 L.&d.2d $t 5 lose rel$ti7es “do not e+i!it

o!7io-s, i-t$!le, or distin4-isin4 $r$teristis t$t dene te $s $ disrete 4ro-p”KCle%urne Living Ctr&, ;: .). $t ;;2, 105 ).#t. $t 25565/, 8: L.&d.2d $t 22 ent$ll"

ret$rded people $re di@erent 3ro oter l$sses o3 people, “i-t$!l" so, in rele7$nt

respets”K Plyler , ;5: .). $t 220, 102 ).#t. $t 29/, :2 L.&d.2d $t 801 ildren o3 ille4$l

$liens, -nlie teir p$rents, $7e “le4$l $r$teristisC o7er i ildren $n $7e little

ontrol”K (athews v& Lucas, ;2: .). ;95, 505, 9/ ).#t. 2:55, 2:/2, ;9 L.&d.2d /51, //0

19:/ st$t-s o3 ille4iti$" “is, lie r$e or n$tion$l ori4in, $ $r$teristi deterined !"

$-ses not itin te ontrol o3 te ille4iti$te indi7id-$l”K #rontiero, ;11 .). $t /8/, 9

).#t. $t 1::0, / L.&d.2d $t 591 Brenn$n, =., pl-r$lit" opinion “)Ce+, lie r$e $nd n$tion$l

ori4in, is $n i-t$!le $r$teristi deterined solel" !" te $ident o3 !irt....”.;5 Lyng, ;:: .). $t /8, 10/ ).#t. $t 2:29, 91 L.&d.2d $t 5 lose rel$ti7es o3 pri$r"

o-seold $re “not $ inorit" or politi$ll" poerless”K Cle%urne Living Ctr&, ;: .). $t ;;5,105 ).#t. $t 25:, 8: L.&d.2d $t 2; re3-sin4 to nd “t$t te ent$ll" ret$rded $re

politi$ll" poerless”K San ntonio 4ndep& Sch& 7ist&, ;11 .). $t 28, 9 ).#t. $t 129;, /

L.&d.2d $t ;0 onsiderin4 eter inorit" $nd poor sool ildren ere “rele4$ted tos- $ position o3 politi$l poerlessness $s to o$nd e+tr$ordin$r" protetion 3ro te

$?orit$ri$n politi$l proess”.;/ ?arnum v& !rien+ supra note ;1K 5errigan v& Commissioner of Pu%lic Bealth, 289 #onn.15, 95: A.2d ;0: 2008.;: ?arnum v& !rien+ id., itin4, $on4 oters, Palmore v& Sidoti, ;// .). ;29, ;6;, 10;).#t. 18:9, 188268, 80 L.&d.2d ;21, ;2/ 198; 3ore4oin4 $n$l"sis o3 politi$l poerK/y,uist v& (auclet , ;2

98


ng Ladlad L6!T Party vs& Commission on Elections4ro-ps liel" to !e te t$r4et o3 l$ssi$tions o@ensi7e to te e-$l protetion l$-se $ndtere3ore $rr$ntin4 ei4tened or strit sr-tin"K e+periene, not $!str$t lo4i, -st !ete pri$r" 4-ide.;8

(n $n" e7ent, te rst to 3$tors—istor" o3 intention$l disriin$tion $nd rel$tionsip o3

l$ssi3"in4 $r$teristi to $ person’s $!ilit" to ontri!-te—$7e $l$"s !een present enei4tened sr-tin" $s !een $pplied.;9 Te" $7e !een riti$l to te $n$l"sis $nd o-ld !eonsidered $s prere-isites to onl-din4 $ 4ro-p is $ s-spet or -$si6s-spet l$ss.50

Joe7er, te l$st to 3$tors—i-t$!ilit" o3 te $r$teristi $nd politi$l poerlessness

o3 te 4ro-p—$re onsidered sipl" to s-ppleent te $n$l"sis $s $ e$ns to disern

eter $ need 3or ei4tened sr-tin" e+ists.51

.). 1, 9 n. 11, 9: ).#t. 2120, 2125 n. 11, 5 L.&d.2d /, :1 n. 11 19:: ?ettisonin4i-t$!ilit" re-ireent $nd sr-tiniin4 l$ssi$tion o3 resident $liens losel" despite

$liens’7ol-nt$r" st$t-s $s residentsK (athews, ;2: .). $t 50560/, 9/ ).#t. $t 2:/26/, ;9L.&d.2d $t //06/1 $ordin4 ei4tened sr-tin" to l$ssi$tions !$sed on ille4iti$"despite -t$!ilit" $nd politi$l poer o3 ille4iti$tesK (urgia, ;2: .). $t 161;, 9/ ).#t.$t 25/:, ;9 L.&d.2d $t 525 oittin4 $n" re3erene to i-t$!ilit"K San ntonio 4ndep& Sch&











7ist&, ;11 .). $t 25, 9 ).#t. $t 1292, / L.&d.2d $t 8 oittin4 $n" re3erene toi-t$!ilit"K #rontiero, ;11 .). $t /85688, 9 ).#t. $t 1::06:1, / L.&d.2d $t 591692Brenn$n, =., pl-r$lit" opinion sr-tiniin4 l$ssi$tion !$sed on 4ender losel" despitepoliti$l poer o3 oenK 6raham v& .ichardson, ;0 .). /5, :16:2, 91 ).#t. 18;8,1852, 29 L.&d.2d 5;, 5;16;2 19:1 3ore4oin4 $n$l"sis o3 i-t$!ilit"K see $lsoLyng, ;::.). $t /8, 10/ ).#t. $t 2:29, 91 L.&d.2d $t 5 re3errin4 to eter e!ers o3 te l$ss

“e+i!it o!7io-s, i-t$!le, or distin4-isin4 $r$teristis t$t dene te $s $ disrete4ro-p”.;8 #on-rrin4 $nd Dissentin4 %pinion o3 'r. -stie T-r4ood '$rs$ll inCle%urne v&Cle%urne Living Center+ 4nc&+ infra.;9 ?arnum v& !rien+ supra note ;1.50 4d.51 4d.

99

E%L. /18, APR(L 8, 201099

ng Ladlad L6!T Party vs& Commission on ElectionsG-ided !" tis 3r$eor, $nd onsiderin4 3-rter t$t l$ssi$tions !$sed on se+ or

4ender—$l!eit on $ $le<

3e$le, $n<o$n !$sis—$7e !een pre7io-sl" eld to tri44er ei4tened sr-tin", (respet3-ll" s-!it t$t l$ssi$tion on te !$sis o3 se+-$l orient$tion i&e&+ oose+-$lit"$nd<or !ise+-$lit" is $ -$si6s-spet l$ssi$tion t$t propts interedi$te re7ie.

Te rst onsider$tion is eter oose+-$ls $7e s-@ered $ istor" o3 p-rpose3-l-ne-$l tre$tent !e$-se o3 teir se+-$l orient$tion.52 %ne $nnot, in 4ood 3$it, disp-tet$t 4$" $nd les!i$n persons istori$ll" $7e !een, $nd ontin-e to !e, te t$r4et o3 p-rpose3-l $nd perniio-s disriin$tion d-e solel" to teir se+-$l orient$tion.5 P$r$4r$ps

/ $nd : o3 ng Ladlad’s Petition 3or Re4istr$tion 3or p$rt"6list $redit$tion in 3$t st$te

“/. Tere $7e !een do-ented $ses o3 disriin$tion $nd 7iolene perpet-$ted$4$inst te LGBT #o-nit", $on4 i $re

$ &@ein$te or 4$" "o-ts !ein4 !e$ten -p !" teir p$rents $nd<or 4-$rdi$ns to $ete on3or to st$nd$rd 4ender nors o3 !e$7iorK

! I$ters $nd<or 4-$rdi$ns o $llo teir d$-4ters o $re !-t les!i$ns to !er$ped, so $sC to “-re”te into !eoin4 str$i4t oenK

&@ein$te 4$"s $nd !-t les!i$ns $re ied o-t o3 sool, NG%s, $nd oirs !e$-seo3 teir identit"K

d &@ein$te "o-ts $nd $s-line "o-n4 oen $re re3-sed $dission 3ro 'sic)

ert$in sools, $re s-spended or $re $-to$ti$ll" p-t on pro!$tionK

e Deni$l o3 ?o!s, prootions, tr$inin4s $nd oter or !enets one one’s se+-$lorient$tion $nd 4ender identit" is 'sic) re7e$ledK

52H4d.K 5errigan v& Commissioner of Pu%lic Bealth+ supra note ;/.

5H5errigan v& Commissioner of Pu%lic Bealth+ id.

100



3 #onsens-$l p$rtnersips or rel$tionsips !" 4$"s $nd les!i$ns o $re $lre$d" o3 $4e,$re !roen -p !" teir p$rents or 4-$rdi$ns -sin4 te ACnti6idn$ppin4 LC$K

4 Pr$"6o7ers, e+oriss, $nd oter reli4io-s -res $re per3ored on 4$"s $nd les!i$ns to

“re3or”teK















Yo-n4 4$"s $nd les!i$ns $re 3ori!l" s-!?eted to ps"i$tri o-nselin4 $nd ter$p" to-re te,C despite te de6listin4 'sic) o3 oose+-$lit" $nd les!i$nis $s $ ent$ldisorder !" te Aeri$n Ps"i$tri Assoi$tionK

i Tr$ns4enders, or indi7id-$ls o ere !orn $il sic !-t o sel36identit" $s oen$nd dress $s s-, $re denied entr" or ser7ies in ert$in rest$-r$nts $ndest$!lisentsK $nd

? )e7er$l -rders 3ro te "e$rs 200600/ ere oitted $4$inst 4$" en, !-t erenot $noled4ed !" polie $s $te ries or 7iolent $ts o3 !i4otr".

:. (n te reent '$" 2009 ) $s"l- $se o3 Pilip Bel$rino, e testied t$t $s $"o-n4 4$" person in te Pilippines, e $s s-!?eted to $ 7$riet" o3 se+-$l $!-se $nd7iolene, inl-din4 repe$ted r$pes,C i e o-ld not report to teC polie or spe$ o3C

to is on p$rents.”Aordin4l", tis istor" o3 disriin$tion s-44ests t$t $n" le4isl$ti7e !-rden pl$ed on

les!i$n $nd 4$" people $s $ l$ss is “ore liel" t$n oters to reQet deep6se$ted pre?-die

r$ter t$n le4isl$ti7e r$tion$lit" in p-rs-it o3 soe le4iti$te o!?eti7e.”5;

A seond rele7$nt onsider$tion is eter te $r$ter6in6iss-e is rel$ted to te

person’s $!ilit" to ontri!-te to soiet".55 Jei4tened sr-tin" is $pplied en tel$ssi$tion !e$rs no rel$tionsip to tis $!ilit"K te e+istene o3 tis 3$tor indi$tes tel$ssi$tion is liel" !$sed on irrele7$nt stereot"pes $nd pre?-die.5/ (nso3$r $s se+-$lorient$tion is

5; ?arnum v& !rien+ supra note ;1.55 4d.5/ 4d.101

E%L. /18, APR(L 8, 2010101

ng Ladlad L6!T Party vs& Commission on Electionsonerned, it is 4$in3-l to rep$ir to F errigan v& Commissioner of Pu%lic Bealth,5: viz .

“ Te de3end$nts $lso onede t$t se+-$l orient$tion !e$rs no rel$tion to $ person’s $!ilit"to p$rtiip$te in or ontri!-te to soiet", $ 3$t t$t $n" o-rts $7e $noled4ed, $s

ell. +H+H+ (3 oose+-$ls ere $Mited it soe sort o3 ipedient to teir $!ilit" to

per3or $nd to ontri!-te to soiet", te entire penoenon o3 ‘st$"in4 in te Closet’$nd

o3 ‘oin4 o-t’o-ld not e+istK teir ipedient o-ld !etr$" teir st$t-s. +H+H+ (n tisriti$l respet, 4$" persons st$nd in st$r ontr$st to oter 4ro-ps t$t $7e !een denieds-spet or -$si6s-spet l$ss reo4nition, despite $ istor" o3 disriin$tion, !e$-se tedistin4-isin4 $r$teristis o3 tose 4ro-ps $d7ersel" $@et teir $!ilit" or $p$it" toper3or ert$in 3-ntions or to dis$r4e ert$in responsi!ilities in soiet".58

nlie te $r$teristis -ni-e to tose 4ro-ps, oe7er, “oose+-$lit" !e$rs no rel$tion

$t $ll to $nC indi7id-$l’s $!ilit" to ontri!-te 3-ll" to soiet".”59 4ndeed+ %ecause an

individual’s homosexual orientation“implies no impairment in *udgment+ sta%ility+ relia%ility

or general social or vocational capa%ilities”K/0 the o%servation of the <nited States Supreme

Court that race+ alienage and

5: Supra note ;/.58 )ee,e&g&, Cle%urne v& Cle%urne Living Center+ 4nc&, ;: .). $t ;;2, 105 ).#t. 2;9 3orp-rposes o3 3eder$l onstit-tion, ent$l ret$rd$tion is not -$si6s-spet l$ssi$tion

!e$-se, inter alia, “it is -ndeni$!le ... t$t tose o $re ent$ll" ret$rded $7e $ red-ed

$!ilit" to ope it $nd 3-ntion in te e7er"d$" orld”K (assachusetts !oard of .etirement v& (urgia, ;2: .). $t 15, 9/ ).#t. 25/2 $4e is not s-spet l$ssi$tion !e$-se, inter

alia, “p"si$l $!ilit" 4ener$ll" delines it $4e”K see $lso 6regory v& shcroft , 501 .).













;52, ;:2, 111 ).#t. 295, 115 L.&d.2d ;10 1991 “iCt is $n -n3ort-n$te 3$t o3 li3e t$t

p"si$l $p$it"C $nd ent$l $p$it" soeties diinis it $4e”.

59 L. Tri!e, merican Constitutional Law 2d &d. 1988§1/6, p. 1/1/./0 =antz v& (uci, :59 I.)-pp. 15;, 15;8 D.F$n.1991 -otin4 1985 Resol-tion o3 teAeri$n Ps"olo4i$l Assoi$tion, 9:/ I.2d /2 10t #ir.1992, ert. denied, 508 .).952, 11 ).#t. 2;;5, 12; L.&d.2d //2 199.

102



national origin — all suspect classes entitled to the highest level of constitutional protection

—“are so seldom relevant to the achievement of any legitimate state interest that laws

grounded in such considerations are deemed to reIect pre*udice and antipathy ”/1 is no less

applica%le to gay persons.”it$lis s-pplied

#le$rl", oose+-$l orient$tion is no ore rele7$nt to $ person’s $!ilit" to per3or $ndontri!-te to soiet" t$n is eterose+-$l orient$tion./2

A tird 3$tor t$t o-rts $7e onsidered in deterinin4 eter te e!ers o3 $ l$ss$re entitled to ei4tened protetion 3or e-$l protetion p-rposes is eter te $ttri!-teor $r$teristi t$t distin4-ises te is i-t$!le or oterise !e"ond teir ontrol./ %3 o-rse, te $r$teristi t$t distin4-ises 4$" persons 3ro oters $nd -$lies te 3orreo4nition $s $ distint $nd disrete 4ro-p is te $r$teristi t$t istori$ll" $s res-ltedin teir soi$l $nd le4$l ostr$is, n$el", teir $ttr$tion to persons o3 te s$e se+./;

(-t$!ilit" is $ 3$tor in deterinin4 te $ppropri$te le7el o3 sr-tin" !e$-se te in$!ilit"o3 $ person to $n4e $ $r$teristi t$t is -sed to ?-sti3" di@erent tre$tent $es te

disriin$tion 7iol$ti7e o3 te r$ter “‘!$si onept o3 o-r s"ste t$t le4$l !-rdens so-ld

!e$r soe rel$tionsip to indi7id-$l responsi!ilit".’”/5 Joe7er, te onstit-tion$l rele7$neo3 te i-t$!ilit" 3$tor is not reser7ed to tose inst$nes in i te tr$it denin4 te!-rdened l$ss is $!sol-tel" ipossi!le to $n4e.// T$t is, te i-t$!ilit" pron4 o3 tes-spetness in-ir" s-rel" is s$tised en te

/1 Cle%urne v& Cle%urne Living Center+ 4nc& , ;: .). $t ;;0, 105 ).#t. 2;9./2 5errigan v& Commissioner of Pu%lic Bealth+ supra note ;/./ 4d./; 4d./5 ?arnum v& !rien+ supra note ;1.// 4d.103

E%L. /18, APR(L 8, 201010


identi3"in4 tr$it is “so entr$l to $ person’s identit" t$t it o-ld !e $!orrent 3or

4o7ernent to pen$lie $ person 3or re3-sin4 to $n4e itC.”/:

Presindin4 3ro tese preises, it is not $ppropri$te to re-ire $ person to rep-di$te or

$n4e is or er se+-$l orient$tion in order to $7oid disriin$tor" tre$tent, !e$-se $person’s se+-$l orient$tion is so inte4r$l $n $spet o3 one’s identit"./8 #onse-entl", !e$-se

se+-$l orient$tion “$" !e $ltered i3 $t $llC onl" $t te e+pense o3 si4ni$nt d$$4e to te

indi7id-$l’s sense o3 sel3,”l$ssi$tions !$sed tereon “$re no less entitled to onsider$tion$s $ s-spet or -$si6s-spet l$ss t$n $n" oter 4ro-p t$t $s !een deeed to e+i!it

$n i-t$!le $r$teristi.”/9 )t$ted di@erentl", se+-$l orient$tion is not te t"pe o3 -$n tr$it t$t $llos o-rts to rel$+ teir st$nd$rd o3 re7ie !e$-se te !$rrier istepor$r" or s-septi!le to sel36elp.:0



















Te n$l 3$tor t$t !e$rs onsider$tion is eter te 4ro-p is “$ inorit" or politi$ll"

poerless.”:1 Joe7er, te politi$l poerlessness 3$tor o3 te le7el6o36sr-tin" in-ir" doesnot re-ire $ soin4 o3 $!sol-te politi$l poerlessness.:2 R$ter, te to-stone o3 te

$n$l"sis so-ld !e “eter te 4ro-p l$s s->ient politi$l stren4t to !rin4 $ propt

end to te pre?-die $nd disriin$tion tro-4 tr$dition$l politi$l e$ns.”:

Appl"in4 tis st$nd$rd, it o-ld not !e di>-lt to onl-de t$t 4$" persons $re entitled toei4tened onstit-tion$l

/:H4d., itin4 5errigan v& Commissioner of Pu%lic Bealth+ supra note ;/./8 4d., itin4 4n re (arriage Cases, 18 P.d $t ;;2./9 4d., itin4 5errigan v& Commissioner of Pu%lic Bealth+ supra note ;/.:0 4d.:1 5errigan v& Commissioner of Pu%lic Bealth+ supra note ;/.:2 ?arnum v& !rien+ supra note ;1, itin4 5errigan v& Commissioner of Pu%lic Bealth+ supranote ;/.: 4d.

104

10;

)PR&'& #%RT R&P%RT) ANN%TAT&D ng Ladlad L6!T Party vs& Commission on Electionsprotetion despite soe reent politi$l pro4ress.:; Te disriin$tion t$t te" $7e

s-@ered $s !een so per7$si7e $nd se7ere—e7en to-4 teir se+-$l orient$tion $s no

!e$rin4 $t $ll on teir $!ilit" to ontri!-te to or per3or in soiet"—t$t it is i4l" -nliel"t$t le4isl$ti7e en$tents $lone ill s->e to eliin$te t$t disriin$tion.:5 I-rterore,inso3$r $s te LGBT o-nit" pl$"s $ role in te politi$l proess, it is $pp$rent t$t teirn-!ers reQet teir st$t-s $s $ s$ll $nd ins-l$r inorit".:/

(t is tere3ore respet3-ll" s-!itted t$t $n" st$te $tion sin4lin4 les!i$ns, 4$"s, !ise+-$ls$nd tr$ns64enders o-t 3or disp$r$te tre$tent is s-!?et to ei4tened ?-dii$l sr-tin" toens-re t$t it is not te prod-t o3 istori$l pre?-die $nd stereot"pin4.::

(n tis $se, te $ss$iled Resol-tions o3 te #%'&L&# -nist$$!l" 3$il te interedi$tele7el o3 re7ie. Re4rett$!l", te" !etr$" no ore t$n !i4otr" $nd intoler$neK te" r$ise te

ine7it$!le in3erene t$t te dis$d7$nt$4e iposed is !orn o3 $niosit" to$rd te l$ss o3 persons $@eted:8 t$t is, les!i$n, 4$", !ise+-$l $nd tr$ns64endered indi7id-$ls. (n o-ronstit-tion$l s"ste, st$t-s6!$sed l$ssi$tion -ndert$en 3or its on s$e $nnots-r7i7e.:9

#"<.TB& (t $s !een s-44ested t$t te LGBT o-nit" $nnot p$rtiip$te in te

p$rt"6list s"ste !e$-se it is not $ “$r4in$lied $nd -nderrepresented setor”en-er$tedeiter in te #onstit-tion80 or Rep-!li At No. RA

:; 5errigan v& Commissioner of Pu%lic Bealth+ supra note ;/.:5 4d.:/ 4d.:: 4d.:8 .omer v& Evans, 51: .). /20, 11/ ).#t. 1/20&

:9 4d.80H)etion 52, Artile E( o3 te 198: #onstit-tion st$tes, in rele7$nt p$rt

)&#T(%N5. + + + +

105

E%L. /18, APR(L 8, 2010105
































:9;1.81 Joe7er, tis position is !elied !" o-r r-lin4 in ng !agong !ayani-"#$ La%or Party v& C"(ELEC,82 ere e le$rl" eld t$t te en-er$tion o3 $r4in$lied $nd-nderrepresented setors in RA :9;1 is not e+l-si7e.( lieise see no lo4i$l or 3$t-$l o!st$le to l$ssi3"in4 te e!ers o3 te LGBTo-nit" $s $r4in$lied $nd -nderrepresented, onsiderin4 teir lon4 istor" $ndindeed, on4oin4 n$rr$ti7e o3 perse-tion, disriin$tion, $nd p$tos. (n " -!le 7ie,

$r4in$li$tion 3or p-rposes o3 p$rt"6list represent$tion enop$sses soi$l $r4in$li$tion$s ell. To old oterise is t$nt$o-nt to tri7i$liin4 soi$ll" $r4in$lied 4ro-ps $s “erep$ssi7e reipients

2 Te p$rt"6list represent$ti7es s$ll onstit-te tent" per ent- o3 te tot$l n-!er o3 represent$ti7es inl-din4 tose -nder te p$rt" list. Ior tree onse-ti7e ters $3ter ter$ti$tion o3 tis #onstit-tion, one6$l3 o3 te se$ts $llo$ted to p$rt"6list represent$ti7ess$ll !e lled, $s pro7ided !" l$, !" seletion or eletion 3ro te la%or+ peasant+ ur%an poor+ indigenous cultural communities+ women+ youth+ and such other sectors as may %e provided %y law+ except the religious sector . it$lis s-pplied81 %n te oter $nd, )etion 5 o3 RA :9;1 pro7ides

)&#T(%N5. .egistration.—An" or4$nied 4ro-p o3 persons $" re4ister $s $ p$rt",or4$ni$tion or o$lition 3or p-rposes o3 te p$rt"6list s"ste !" lin4 it te #%'&L&# not

l$ter t$n ninet" 90 d$"s !e3ore te eletion $ petition 7eried !" its president orseret$r" st$tin4 its desire to p$rtiip$te in te p$rt"6list s"ste $s $ n$tion$l, re4ion$l orsetor$l p$rt" or or4$ni$tion or $ o$lition o3 s- p$rties or or4$ni$tions, $tt$in4tereto its onstit-tion, !"6l$s, pl$t3or or pro4r$ o3 4o7ernent, list o3 o>ers, o$lition$4reeent $nd oter rele7$nt in3or$tion $s te #%'&L&# $" re-ire Provided+ That thesectors shall include la%or+ peasant+ sherfol8+ ur%an poor+ indigenous cultural communities+elderly+ handicapped+ women+ youth+ veterans+ overseas wor8ers+ and professionals& it$liss-pplied82 G.R. No. 1;:589, -ne 2/, 2001, 59 )#RA /98.106



o3 te )t$te’s !ene7olene”$nd den"in4 te te ri4t to “p$rtiip$te diretl" in te$instre$ o3 represent$ti7e deor$"C in te en$tent o3 l$s desi4ned to !enet

te.”8 Te p$rt"6list s"ste o-ld not $7e !een onept-$lied to perpet-$te tisin?-stie.Aordin4l", ( 7ote to 4r$nt te petition.D())&NT(NG %P(N(%N

#%R%NA, =&)tripped o3 te opli$ted $nd ontentio-s iss-es o3 or$lit" $nd reli4ion, ( !elie7e te!$si iss-e ere is siple does petitioner ng Ladlad LGBT P$rt" -$li3", -nder te ters o3 te #onstit-tion $nd RA :9;1, $s $ $r4in$lied $nd -nderrepresented setor in te p$rt"6list s"steU

Te rele7$nt 3$ts $re lieise rel$ti7el" -nopli$ted. Petitioner sees $redit$tion !"

te respondent #oission on &letions $s $ politi$l or4$ni$tion o3 $ $r4in$lied $nd-nderrepresented setor -nder te p$rt"6list s"ste. Iindin4 t$t petitioner is not $$r4in$lied setor -nder RA :9;1, te #oission on &letions denied its petition. System #or (arginalized nd <nderrepresented Sectors

Te p$rt"6list s"ste is $n inno7$tion o3 te 198: #onstit-tion. (t is essenti$ll" $ tool 3or te$d7$neent o3 soi$l ?-stie it te 3-nd$ent$l p-rpose o3 $@ordin4 opport-nit" to$r4in$lied $nd -nderrepresented setors to p$rtiip$te in te s$pin4 o3 p-!li poli" $ndte r$3tin4 o3 n$tion$l l$s. (t is preised on te proposition t$t te $d7$neent o3 te







interests o3 te $r4in$lied setors ontri!-tes to te $d7$neent o3 te oon 4ood

$nd o3 o-r n$tion’s deor$ti ide$ls.

1 4d.

107

E%L. /18, APR(L 8, 2010

10: ng Ladlad L6!T Party vs& Commission on Elections

B-t o $re te $r4in$lied $nd -nderrepresented setors 3or o te p$rt"6list s"ste$s desi4nedUThe Texts of the Constitution nd of .1 0123

Te resol-tion o3 $ onstit-tion$l iss-e pri$ril" re-ires t$t te te+t o3 te 3-nd$ent$ll$ !e ons-lted. )etion 52, Artile E( o3 te #onstit-tion direts te o-rse o3 o-r presentin-ir". (t pro7ides

“)&#.5. + + +

2 Te p$rt"6list represent$ti7es s$ll onstit-te tent" per centum o3 te tot$l n-!er o3 Represent$ti7es inl-din4 tose -nder te p$rt"6list. Ior tree onse-ti7e ters $3ter te

r$ti$tion o3 tis #onstit-tion, one6$l3 o3 te se$ts $llo$ted to p$rt"6list represent$ti7ess$ll !e lled, $s pro7ided !" l$, !" seletion or eletion 3ro te l$!or, pe$s$nt, -r!$npoor, indi4eno-s -lt-r$l o-nities, oen, "o-t, $nd s- oter setors $s $" !e

pro7ided !" l$, e+ept te reli4io-s setor.”ep$sis s-pplied Te #onstit-tion le3t te $tter o3 deterinin4 te 4ro-ps or setors t$t $" -$li3" $s

“$r4in$lied”to te $nds o3 #on4ress. P-rs-$nt to tis onstit-tion$l $nd$te, RA :9;1 orte P$rt"6List )"ste At $s en$ted in 1995. Te l$ pro7ides

“)etion2. 7eclaration of policy& — Te )t$te s$ll proote proportion$l represent$tionin te eletion o3 represent$ti7es to te Jo-se o3 Represent$ti7es tro-4 $ p$rt"6lists"ste o3 re4istered n$tion$l, re4ion$l $nd setor$l p$rties or or4$ni$tions or o$litionstereo3, i ill en$!le Iilipino itiens !elon4in4 to $r4in$lied $nd -nder6representedsetors, or4$ni$tions $nd p$rties, $nd o l$ ell6dened politi$l onstit-enies !-t o

o-ld ontri!-te to te 3or-l$tion $nd en$tent o3 $ppropri$te le4isl$tion t$t ill !enette n$tion $s

1 Rep-!li At.108


ng Ladlad L6!T Party vs& Commission on Elections$ ole, to !eoe e!ers o3 te Jo-se o3 Represent$ti7es. To$rds tis end, te )t$tes$ll de7elop $nd 4-$r$ntee $ 3-ll, 3ree $nd open p$rt" s"ste in order to $tt$in te!ro$dest possi!le represent$tion o3 p$rt", setor$l or 4ro-p interests in te Jo-se o3 Represent$ti7es !" en$nin4 teir $nes to opete 3or $nd in se$ts in te le4isl$t-re,$nd s$ll pro7ide te siplest see possi!le.

+ + + + + + + + +

)etion5. .egistration& — An" or4$nied 4ro-p o3 persons $" re4ister $s $ p$rt",or4$ni$tion or o$lition 3or p-rposes o3 te p$rt"6list s"ste !" lin4 it te #%'&L&# notl$ter t$n ninet" 90 d$"s !e3ore te eletion $ petition 7eried !" its president orseret$r" st$tin4 its desire to p$rtiip$te in te p$rt"6list s"ste $s $ n$tion$l, re4ion$l orsetor$l p$rt" or or4$ni$tion or $ o$lition o3 s- p$rties or or4$ni$tions, $tt$in4tereto its onstit-tion, !"6l$s, pl$t3or or pro4r$ o3 4o7ernent, list o3 o>ers, o$lition$4reeent $nd oter rele7$nt in3or$tion $s te #%'&L&# $" re-ire Provided, T$t te







setors s$ll inl-de l$!or, pe$s$nt, ser3ol, -r!$n poor, indi4eno-s -lt-r$l o-nities,elderl", $ndi$pped, oen, "o-t, 7eter$ns, o7erse$s orers, $nd pro3ession$ls.

Te #%'&L&# s$ll p-!lis te petition in $t le$st to 2 n$tion$l nesp$pers o3 4ener$l ir-l$tion.

Te #%'&L&# s$ll, $3ter d-e notie $nd e$rin4, resol7e te petition itin 3teen 15d$"s 3ro te d$te it $s s-!itted 3or deision !-t in no $se not l$ter t$n si+t" /0 d$"s

!e3ore eletion.)etion/. .efusal and<or Cancellation of .egistration& — Te #%'&L&# $", motu propio or -pon 7eried opl$int o3 $n" interested p$rt", re3-se or $nel, $3ter d-e notie$nd e$rin4, te re4istr$tion o3 $n" n$tion$l, re4ion$l or setor$l p$rt", or4$ni$tion oro$lition on $n" o3 te 3olloin4 4ro-nds

1 (t is $ reli4io-s set or denoin$tion, or4$ni$tion or $ssoi$tion, or4$nied 3or reli4io-sp-rposesK

2 (t $d7o$tes 7iolene or -nl$3-l e$ns to see its 4o$lK

(t is $ 3orei4n p$rt" or or4$ni$tionK

; (t is reei7in4 s-pport 3ro $n" 3orei4n 4o7ernent, 3orei4n politi$l p$rt", 3o-nd$tion,or4$ni$tion, eter diretl" or tro-4 $n" o3 its o>ers or e!ers or indi6

109

E%L. /18, APR(L 8, 2010 109 ng Ladlad L6!T Party vs& Commission on Elections

retl" tro-4 tird p$rties 3or p$rtis$n eletion p-rposesK

5 (t 7iol$tes or 3$ils to opl" it l$s, r-les or re4-l$tions rel$tin4 to eletionsK

/ (t del$res -ntr-t3-l st$teents in its petitionK

: (t $s e$sed to e+ist 3or $t le$st one 1 "e$rK or

8 (t 3$ils to p$rtiip$te in te l$st to 2 preedin4 eletions or 3$ils to o!t$in $t le$st to per centum 2V o3 te 7otes $st -nder te p$rt"6list s"ste in te to 2preedin4 eletions 3or te onstit-en" in i it $s re4istered. ep$siss-pplied

The Court ’s Previous PronouncementsAs te or$le o3 te #onstit-tion, tis #o-rt di7ined te intent o3 te p$rt"6list s"ste $nd

dened its e$nin4 in ng !agong !ayani-"#$ La%or Party v& Commission on Elections2

“ T$t politi$l p$rties $" p$rtiip$te in te p$rt"6list eletions does not e$n, oe7er,

t$t $n" politi$l p$rt"—or $n" or4$ni$tion or 4ro-p 3or t$t $tter—$" do so. Tere-isite $r$ter o3 tese p$rties or or4$ni$tions -st !e onsistent it te p-rpose o3 te p$rt"6list s"ste, $s l$id don in te #onstit-tion $nd RA :9;1. + + +The (arginalized and <nderrepresented to !ecome Lawma8ers Themselves

)etion 2 o3 RA :9;1C $nd$tes $ st$te poli" o3 prootin4 proportion$l represent$tion

!" e$ns o3 te Iilipino6st"le p$rt"6list s"ste, i ill “en$!le”te eletion to te Jo-seo3 Represent$ti7es o3 Iilipino itiens,

1. o !elon4 to $r4in$lied $nd -nderrepresented setors, or4$ni$tions $nd p$rtiesK$nd

2. o l$ ell6dened onstit-eniesK !-t

2 ;12 Pil. 08K 59 )#RA /98 2001.

110







. o o-ld ontri!-te to te 3or-l$tion $nd en$tent o3 $ppropri$te le4isl$tion t$till !enet te n$tion $s $ ole.

Te e" ords in tis poli" $re “proportion$l represent$tion,” “$r4in$lied $nd

-nderrepresented,”$nd “l$ o3C ell6dened onstit-enies.”

“Proportion$l represent$tion”ere does not re3er to te n-!er o3 people in $ p$rti-l$rdistrit, !e$-se te p$rt"6list eletion is n$tion$l in sope. Neiter does it $ll-de ton-eri$l stren4t in $ distressed or oppressed 4ro-p. R$ter, it re3ers to te represent$tion

o3 te “$r4in$lied $nd -nderrepresented”$s e+eplied !" te en-er$tion in )etion 5

o3 te l$K n$el", “l$!or, pe$s$nt, ser3ol, -r!$n poor, indi4eno-s -lt-r$l o-nities,

elderl", $ndi$pped, oen, "o-t, 7eter$ns, o7erse$s orers, $nd pro3ession$ls.”Joe7er, it is not eno-4 3or te $ndid$te to l$i represent$tion o3 te $r4in$lied

$nd -nderrepresented, !e$-se represent$tion is e$s" to l$i $nd to 3ei4n. Te p$rt"6listor4$ni$tion or p$rt" -st 3$t-$ll" $nd tr-l" represent te $r4in$lied $nd-nderrepresented onstit-enies entioned in )etion 5. #on-rrentl", te persons

noin$ted !" te p$rt"6list $ndid$te6or4$ni$tion -st !e “Iilipino itiens !elon4in4 to

$r4in$lied $nd -nderrepresented setors, or4$ni$tions $nd p$rties.”

Iin$ll", “l$ o3 ell6dened onstit-en"C”re3ers to te $!sene o3 $ tr$dition$ll"

identi$!le eletor$l 4ro-p, lie 7oters o3 $ on4ression$l distrit or territori$l -nit o3 4o7ernent. R$ter, it points $4$in to tose it disp$r$te interests identied it te

“$r4in$lied or -nderrepresented.”(n te end, te role o3 te #oele is to see to it t$t onl" tose Iilipinos o $re

“$r4in$lied $nd -nderrepresented”!eoe e!ers o3 #on4ress -nder te p$rt"6lists"ste, Iilipino6st"le.

Te intent o3 te #onstit-tion is le$r to 4i7e 4en-ine poer to te people, not onl" !"4i7in4 ore l$ to tose o $7e less in li3e, !-t ore so !" en$!lin4 te to !eoe7erit$!le l$$ers tesel7es. #onsistent it tis intent, te poli" o3 te ipleentin4

l$, e repe$t, is lieise le$r “to en$!le Iilipino itiens !elon4in4 to $r4in$lied $nd-nderrepresented setors, or4$ni$tions $nd p$rties, + + +, to !eoe e!ers o3 te

Jo-se o3 Represent$ti7es.”

111

E%L. /18, APR(L 8, 2010111

ng Ladlad L6!T Party vs& Commission on Elections=ere te l$n4-$4e o3 te l$ is le$r, it -st !e $pplied $ordin4 to its e+press ters.

Te $r4in$lied $nd -nderrepresented setors to !e represented -nder te p$rt"6lists"ste $re en-er$ted in )etion 5 o3 RA :9;1, i st$tes

“)&#.5. .egistration.—An" or4$nied 4ro-p o3 persons $" re4ister $s $p$rt", or4$ni$tion or o$lition 3or p-rposes o3 te p$rt"6list s"ste !" lin4 it te#%'&L&# not l$ter t$n ninet" 90 d$"s !e3ore te eletion $ petition 7eried !" itspresident or seret$r" st$tin4 its desire to p$rtiip$te in te p$rt"6list s"ste $s $n$tion$l, re4ion$l or setor$l p$rt" or or4$ni$tion or $ o$lition o3 s- p$rties or

or4$ni$tions, $tt$in4 tereto its onstit-tion, !"6l$s, pl$t3or or pro4r$ o3 4o7ernent, list o3 o>ers, o$lition $4reeent $nd oter rele7$nt in3or$tion $ste #%'&L&# $" re-ire Provided, t$t te setor s$ll inl-de l$!or, pe$s$nt,ser3ol, -r!$n poor, indi4eno-s -lt-r$l o-nities, elderl", $ndi$pped,

oen, "o-t, 7eter$ns, o7erse$s orers, $nd pro3ession$ls.”=ile te en-er$tion o3 $r4in$lied $nd -nderrepresented setors is not e+l-si7e, itdeonstr$tes te le$r intent o3 te l$ t$t not $ll setors $n !e represented -nder tep$rt"6list s"ste. (t is $ 3-nd$ent$l priniple o3 st$t-tor" onstr-tion t$t ords eplo"edin $ st$t-te $re interpreted in onnetion it, $nd teir e$nin4 is $sert$ined !"



re3erene to, te ords $nd te pr$ses it i te" $re $ssoi$ted or rel$ted. T-s, tee$nin4 o3 $ ter in $ st$t-te $" !e liited, -$lied or spei$lied !" tose iniedi$te $ssoi$tion.

+ + + + + + + + +(ndeed, te l$ r$3ted to $ddress te pe-li$r dis$d7$nt$4es o3 P$"$t$s o7el dellers

$nnot !e $ppropri$ted !" te $nsion oners o3 Ior!es P$r. Te interests o3 tese to

setors $re $ni3estl" disp$r$teK ene, te %)G’s position to tre$t te siil$rl" deesre$son $nd oon sense. (n ontr$st, $nd it $dir$!le $ndor, Att". Lorn$ P$t$?o6F$p-n$n $ditted d-rin4 te %r$l Ar4-ent t$t $ 4ro-p o3 !$ners, ind-stri$lists $nds-4$r pl$nters o-ld not ?oin te p$rt"6list s"ste $s represent$ti7es o3 teir respeti7esetors.

=ile te !-siness o4-ls $nd te e4$6ri $re, n-eri$ll" spe$in4, $ tin" inorit",te" $re neiter $r4in$lied nor -nder6

112


ng Ladlad L6!T Party vs& Commission on Electionsrepresented, 3or te st$r re$lit" is t$t teir eonoi lo-t en4enders politi$l poer ore$esoe t$n teir n-eri$l liit$tion. Tr$dition$ll", politi$l poer does not neess$ril"

e$n$te 3ro te sie o3 one’s onstit-en"K indeed, it is liel" to $rise ore diretl" 3rote n-!er $nd $o-nt o3 one’s !$n $o-nts.

(t is ironi, tere3ore, t$t te $r4in$lied $nd -nderrepresented in o-r idst $re te$?orit" o $llo in po7ert", destit-tion $nd inrit". (t $s 3or te t$t te p$rt"6list

s"ste $s en$ted—to 4i7e te not onl" 4en-ine ope, !-t 4en-ine poerK to 4i7e tete opport-nit" to !e eleted $nd to represent te spei onerns o3 teir onstit-eniesK$nd sipl" to 4i7e te $ diret 7oie in #on4ress $nd in te l$r4er $@$irs o3 te )t$te. (n itsno!lest sense, te p$rt"6list s"ste tr-l" epoers te $sses $nd -sers $ ne ope 3or

4en-ine $n4e. Eeril", it in7ites tose $r4in$lied $nd -nderrepresented in te p$st—te

3$r $nds, te ser3ol, te -r!$n poor, e7en tose in te -nder4ro-nd o7eent—tooe o-t $nd p$rtiip$te, $s indeed $n" o3 te $e o-t $nd p$rtiip$ted d-rin4 te l$st

eletions. Te )t$te $nnot no dis$ppoint $nd 3r-str$te te !" dis$!lin4 $nd deser$tin4tis soi$l ?-stie 7eile.

+ + + + + + + + +Eeril", $lloin4 te non6$r4in$lied $nd o7errepresented to 7ie 3or te re$inin4 se$ts

-nder te p$rt"6list s"ste o-ld not onl" dilute, !-t $lso pre*udice te $ne o3 te$r4in$lied $nd -nderrepresented, ontr$r" to te intention o3 te l$ to enhance it. Tep$rt"6list s"ste is $ tool 3or te !enet o3 te -nderpri7ile4edK te l$ o-ld not $7e 4i7ente s$e tool to oters, to te pre?-die o3 te intended !enei$ries.

Tis #o-rt, tere3ore, $nnot $llo te p$rt"6list s"ste to !e s-llied $nd prostit-ted !"tose o $re neiter $r4in$lied nor -nderrepresented. (t $nnot let t$t Qier o3 ope!e sn-@ed o-t. Te le$r st$te poli" -st pere$te e7er" dis-ssion o3 te -$li$tion o3

politi$l p$rties $nd oter or4$ni$tions -nder te p$rt"6list s"ste.”ep$sis $nd-ndersorin4 s-ppliedJene, in ng !agong !ayani-"#$ La%or Party , te #o-rt stressed t$t te p$rt"6list s"steis reser7ed onl" 3or tose setors $r4in$lied $nd -nderrepresented in te p$st e&g&, l$!or,pe$s$nt, ser3ol, -r!$n poor, indi4eno-s -lt-r$l113

E%L. /18, APR(L 8, 201011

ng Ladlad L6!T Party vs& Commission on Electionso-nities, elderl", $ndi$pped, oen, "o-t, 7eter$ns, o7erse$s orers,pro3ession$ls $nd e7en tose in te -nder4ro-nd o7eent o is to oe o-t $nd



p$rtiip$te. Te" $re tose setors tr$dition$ll" $nd istori$ll" $r4in$lied $nd depri7edo3 $n opport-nit" to p$rtiip$te in te 3or-l$tion o3 n$tion$l poli" $lto-4 teir setor$linterests $re $lso tr$dition$ll" $nd istori$ll" re4$rded $s 7it$l to te n$tion$l interest. T$t

is " )etion 2 o3 RA :9;1 spe$s o3 “$r4in$lied $nd -nder6represented setors,or4$ni$tions $nd p$rties, $nd o l$ ell6dened politi$l onstit-enies !-t o o-ldontri!-te to te 3or-l$tion $nd en$tent o3 $ppropri$te le4isl$tion t$t ill !enet te

n$tion $s $ ole.”Jo so-ld te $tter o3 eter $ p$rti-l$r setor$l interest is 7it$l to n$tion$l interest$nd tere3ore !enei$l to te n$tion $s $ ole !e deterinedU #ie3 -stie Re"n$to ).

P-no’s opinion in!arangay ssociation for /ational dvancement and Transparency '!/T) v& Commission on Elections; o@ers 7$l-$!le insi4t

“… )iil$rl", liitin4 te p$rt"6list s"ste to te $r4in$lied $nd e+l-din4 te $?orpoliti$l p$rties 3ro p$rtiip$tin4 in te eletion o3 teir represent$ti7es is $li4ned it te

onstit-tion$l $nd$te to “red-e soi$l, eonoi, $nd politi$l ine-$lities, $nd reo7e

-lt-r$l ine-$lities !" e-it$!l" di@-sin4 e$lt $nd politi$l poer 3or te oon 4ood”Kte ri4t o3 te people $nd teir or4$ni$tions to e@eti7e $nd re$son$!le p$rtiip$tion $t $llle7els o3 soi$l, politi$l, $nd eonoi deision6$in4K te ri4t o3 oen to opport-nitiest$t ill en$ne teir el3$re $nd en$!le te to re$lie teir 3-ll potenti$l in te ser7ie o3

te n$tionK te ri4t o3 l$!or to p$rtiip$te in poli" $nd deision6$in4 proesses $@etin4teir ri4ts $nd !enets in eepin4 it its role $s $ pri$r" soi$l

Te #ie3 -stie’s st$ne is te o>i$l st$ne o3 te #o-rt on te $tter !e$-se $?orit"o3 te e!ers o3 te #o-rt sided it i on te iss-e o3 dis$lloin4 $?or politi$l p$rties3ro p$rtiip$tin4 in te p$rt"6list eletions, diretl" or indiretl".; G.R. No. 1:92:1, 21 April 2009, 58/ )#RA 210, 2586259.

114


ng Ladlad L6!T Party vs& Commission on Electionseonoi 3oreK te ri4t o3 te$ers to pro3ession$l $d7$neentK te ri4ts o3 indi4eno-s-lt-r$l o-nities to te onsider$tion o3 teir -lt-res, tr$ditions $nd instit-tions in te

3or-l$tion o3 n$tion$l pl$ns $nd poliies, $nd te indispens$!le role o3 te pri7$te setor inte n$tion$l eono".”As s-, te interests o3 $r4in$lied setors $re !" tr$dition $nd istor" 7it$l to n$tion$linterest $nd tere3ore !enei$l to te n$tion $s $ ole !e$-se te #onstit-tion del$res

$ n$tion$l poli" reo4niin4 te role o3 tese setors in te n$tion’s li3e. (n oter ords, teonept o3 $r4in$lied $nd -nderrepresented setors -nder te p$rt"6list see $s !een$re3-ll" rened !" onrete e+$ples in7ol7in4 setors deeed to !e si4ni$nt in o-rle4$l tr$dition. Te" $re essenti$ll" setors it $ onstit-tion$l !ond, t$t is, speisetors s-!?et o3 spei pro7isions in te #onstit-tion, n$el", l$!or,5 pe$s$nt,/ -r!$npoor,: indi4eno-s -lt-r$l o-nities,8 oen,9 "o-t,10 7eter$ns,11 ser3ol,12 elderl",1

$ndi$pped,1; o7erse$s orers15 $nd pro3ession$ls.1/

Te preise is t$t te $d7$neent o3 te interests o3 tese iport$nt "et tr$dition$ll" $ndistori$ll" $r4in$lied setors prootes te n$tion$l interest. Te Iilipino people $s $ole $re !eneted !" te epoerent o3 tese setors.

5 )etion 18, Artile ((K )etion , Artile W(((./ )etion 21, Artile ((K )etion ;, Artile W(((.

: )etion 9, Artile ((K )etion 10, Artile W(((.

8 )etion 22, Artile ((K )etion 5, Artile W((.

9 )etion 1;, Artile ((K )etion 1;, Artile W(((.10 )etion 1, Artile ((K )etion 2, Artile WE.

















11 )etion :, Artile WE(.12P$r$4r$p tree o3 )etion 2, Artile W((, )etion :, Artile W(((.1 )etion 11, Artile W(((.1; )etions 11 $nd 1 W(((.515/)etion 18, Artile ((K )etion , Artile W(((.1/ )etion 1;, Artile W((.

115

E%L. /18, APR(L 8, 2010115


Te lon46-Med 7oies o3 $r4in$lied setors -st !e e$rd !e$-se teir respeti7einterests $re inti$tel" $nd indispens$!l" o7en into te 3$!ri o3 te n$tion$l deor$ti$4end$. Te soi$l, eonoi $nd politi$l $spets o3 disriin$tion $nd $r4in$li$tionso-ld not !e di7ored 3ro te role o3 $ p$rti-l$r setor or 4ro-p in te $d7$neent o3 te olleti7e 4o$ls o3 Pilippine soiet" $s $ ole. (n oter ords, $r4in$lied setorsso-ld !e 4i7en $ s$" in 4o7ern$ne tro-4 te p$rt"6list s"ste, not sipl" !e$-se te"desire to s$" soetin4 onstr-ti7e !-t !e$-se te" deser7e to !e e$rd on $o-nt o3 teir tr$dition$ll" $nd istori$ll" deisi7e role in Pilippine soiet". <nifying ThreadIidelit" to te #onstit-tion re-ires oitent to its te+t. T-s, in te e+erise o3 its3-ntion $s o>i$l interpreter o3 te #onstit-tion, te #o-rt so-ld $l$"s !e$r in ind t$t

?-dii$l pr-dene e$ns t$t it is s$3er to onstr-e te #onstit-tion 3ro $t $ppe$rs -ponits 3$e.1:

=it re4$rd to te $tter o3 $t -$lies $s $r4in$lied $nd -nderrepresented setors

-nder te p$rt"6list s"ste, )etion 52, Artile E( o3 te #onstit-tion entions “te l$!or,pe$s$nt, -r!$n poor, indi4eno-s -lt-r$l o-nities, oen, "o-t, $nd s- oter

setors $s $" !e pro7ided !" l$, e+ept te reli4io-s setor.”%n te oter $nd, te l$

spe$s o3 “l$!or, pe$s$nt, ser3ol, -r!$n poor, indi4eno-s -lt-r$l o-nities, elderl",

$ndi$pped, oen, "o-t, 7eter$ns, o7erse$s orers, $nd pro3ession$ls.”18

)-rel", te en-er$tion o3 setors onsidered $s $r4in$lied $nd -nderrepresented in te3-nd$ent$l l$ $nd in te ipleentin4 l$ RA :9;1 $nnot !e ito-t si4ni$ne. Toi4nore te is to disre4$rd te te+ts o3 te #onstit-tion

1: Civil Li%erties <nion v& Executive Secretary , G.R. No. 889/, 22 Ie!r-$r" 1991, 19; )#RA1:, :.18 See pro7iso o3 te rst p$r$4r$p o3 )etion 5, RA :9;1.

116



$nd o3 RA :9;1. Ior, indeed, te 7er" rst o3 ng !agong !ayani-"#$ La%or Party ’s ei4t4-idelines 3or sreenin4 p$rt"6list p$rtiip$nts is tis te p$rties, setors or or4$ni$tions

“-st represent te $r4in$lied $nd -nderrepresented 4ro-ps identied in )etion 5 o3 RA

:9;1.”19

Ior tis re$son, ( s-!it te $?orit"’s deision is r"pti $nd $ntin4 en it $es sortsri3t o3 te iss-e o3 eter petitioner is $ $r4in$lied $nd -nderrepresented setor in te3olloin4 $nner

“ Te r-i$l eleent is not eter $ setor is spei$ll" en-er$ted, !-t eter $

p$rti-l$r or4$ni$tion oplies it te re-ireents o3 te #onstit-tion $nd RA :9;1.” Te resol-tion o3 petitions 3or $redit$tion in te p$rt"6list s"ste on $ $se6to6$se !$sis

not tetered to te en-er$tion o3 te #onstit-tion $nd o3 RA :9;1 in7ites te e+erise o3 -n!ridled disretion. nless rl" $nored on te 3-nd$ent$l l$ $nd te ipleentin4



















st$t-te, te p$rt"6list s"ste ill !e $ sip Qo$tin4 $ilessl" in te oe$n o3 -nert$int",e$sil" tossed !" s-dden $7es o3 Q-+ $nd tipped !" si3tin4 inds o3 $n4e in soiet$l$ttit-des to$rds ert$in 4ro-ps. )-rel", te #onstit-tion $nd RA :9;1 did not en7ision s-ind o3 $ s"ste.(ndeed, te si4ni$ne o3 te en-er$tion in )etion 52, Artile E( o3 te #onstit-tion $nd)etion 5 o3 RA :9;1 is le$rl" e+pl$ined in ng !agong !ayani-"#$ La%or Party

“Proportion$l represent$tion”ere does not re3er to te n-!er o3 people in $ p$rti-l$rdistrit, !e$-se te p$rt"6list eletion is n$tion$l in sope. Neiter does it $ll-de ton-eri$l stren4t in $ distressed or oppressed 4ro-p. R$ter, it re3ers to te represent$tion

o3 te “$r4in$lied $nd -nderrepresented”$s e+eplied !" te en-er$tion in )etion 5

o3 te l$K n$el", “l$!or, pe$s$nt, ser3ol, -r!$n poor, indi4eno-s -lt-r$l

19 Supra note 2 $t ;2.117

E%L. /18, APR(L 8, 201011:

ng Ladlad L6!T Party vs& Commission on Electionso-nities, elderl", $ndi$pped, oen, "o-t, 7eter$ns, o7erse$s orers, $nd

pro3ession$ls.”Joe7er, it is not eno-4 3or te $ndid$te to l$i represent$tion o3 te $r4in$lied $nd-nderrepresented, !e$-se represent$tion is e$s" to l$i $nd to 3ei4n. Te p$rt"6listor4$ni$tion or p$rt" -st 3$t-$ll" $nd tr-l" represent te $r4in$lied $nd-nderrepresented onstit-enies entioned in )etion 5. #on-rrentl", te persons

noin$ted !" te p$rt"6list $ndid$te6or4$ni$tion -st !e “Iilipino itiens !elon4in4 to

$r4in$lied $nd -nderrepresented setors, or4$ni$tions $nd p$rties.”

+ + + + + + + + + Te $r4in$lied $nd -nderrepresented setors to !e represented -nder te p$rt"6list

s"ste $re en-er$ted in )etion 5 o3 RA :9;1, i st$tes

“)&#.5. .egistration.—An" or4$nied 4ro-p o3 persons $" re4ister $s $ p$rt",or4$ni$tion or o$lition 3or p-rposes o3 te p$rt"6list s"ste !" lin4 it te #%'&L&# notl$ter t$n ninet" 90 d$"s !e3ore te eletion $ petition 7eried !" its president or

seret$r" st$tin4 its desire to p$rtiip$te in te p$rt"6list s"ste $s $ n$tion$l, re4ion$l orsetor$l p$rt" or or4$ni$tion or $ o$lition o3 s- p$rties or or4$ni$tions, $tt$in4tereto its onstit-tion, !"6l$s, pl$t3or or pro4r$ o3 4o7ernent, list o3 o>ers, o$lition$4reeent $nd oter rele7$nt in3or$tion $s te #%'&L&# $" re-ire Provided, t$t tesetor s$ll inl-de l$!or, pe$s$nt, ser3ol, -r!$n poor, indi4eno-s -lt-r$l o-nities,

elderl", $ndi$pped, oen, "o-t, 7eter$ns, o7erse$s orers, $nd pro3ession$ls.”=ile te en-er$tion o3 $r4in$lied $nd -nderrepresented setors is not e+l-si7e, it

deonstr$tes te le$r intent o3 te l$ t$t not $ll setors $n !e represented -nder tep$rt"6list s"ste. (t is $ 3-nd$ent$l priniple o3 st$t-tor" onstr-tion t$t ords eplo"edin $ st$t-te $re interpreted in onnetion it, $nd teir e$nin4 is $sert$ined !"re3erene to, te ords $nd te pr$ses it i te" $re $ssoi$ted or rel$ted. T-s, tee$nin4 o3 $ ter in $ st$t-te $" !e liited, -$lied or spei$lied !" tose in

iedi$te $ssoi$tion.”

20

ep$sis $nd -ndersorin4 s-pplied 20 Supra note 2.

118









'ore iport$ntl", in denin4 te onept o3 $ “setor$l p$rt",”)etion d o3 RA :9;1 liits

“$r4in$lied $nd -nderrepresented setors”$nd e+pressl" re3ers to te list in )etion 5tereo3

“)etion. 7enition of Terms.—+ + +

d A setor$l p$rt" re3ers to $n or4$nied 4ro-p o3 itiens !elon4in4 to $n" o3 te setorsen-er$ted in )etion 5 ereo3 ose prinip$l $d7o$" pert$ins to te spei$l interest

$nd onerns o3 teir setor, + + +.”ep$sis s-ppliedPetitioner does not -estion te onstit-tion$lit" o3 )etions 2, d $nd 5 o3 RA :9;1. (ts$r4es o3 7iol$tion o3 non6est$!lisent o3 reli4ion, e-$l protetion, 3ree spee $nd 3ree$ssoi$tion $re $ll le7eled $t te $ss$iled resol-tions o3 te #oission on &letions. T-s,petitioner $dits $nd $epts t$t its $se -st rise or 3$ll !$sed on te $3oreentionedpro7isions o3 RA :9;1.Iolloin4 te te+ts o3 te #onstit-tion $nd o3 RA :9;1, $nd in $ord$ne it est$!lised

r-les o3 st$t-tor" onstr-tion $nd te #o-rt’s prono-neent in ng !agong !ayani-"#$

La%or Party , te e$nin4 o3 “$r4in$lied setors”-nder te p$rt" list s"ste is liited $nd-$lied. Jene, oter setors t$t $" -$li3" $s $r4in$lied $nd -nderrepresentedso-ld $7e $ lose onnetion to te setors entioned in te #onstit-tion $nd in te l$.(n oter ords, te $r4in$lied $nd -nderrepresented setors -$lied to p$rtiip$te in te

p$rt"6list s"ste re3er onl" to te l$!or, pe$s$nt, ser3ol, -r!$n poor, indi4eno-s -lt-r$lo-nities, elderl", $ndi$pped, oen, "o-t, 7eter$ns, o7erse$s orers,pro3ession$ls $nd oter rel$ted or siil$r setors.

Tis interpret$tion is 3$it3-l to $nd deepl" rooted in te l$n4-$4e o3 te 3-nd$ent$l l$$nd o3 its ipleentin4 st$t-te. (t is oerent it te $nd$te o3 te #onstit-tion t$t$r4in$lied setors -$lied to p$rtiip$te in te p$rt"6list s"ste !-t not entioned in)etion 52, Artile E( $re

119

E%L. /18, APR(L 8, 2010119


“s- oter setors $s $" !e pro7ided !" l$”d-l" en$ted !" #on4ress. (t is $lsoonsistent it te !$si $non o3 st$t-tor" onstr-tion, e*usdem generis, i re-ires

t$t $ 4ener$l ord or pr$se t$t 3ollos $n en-er$tion o3 p$rti-l$r $nd spei ords o3 te s$e l$ss, te 4ener$l ord or pr$se so-ld !e onstr-ed to inl-de, or to !erestrited to persons, tin4s or $ses, $in to, rese!lin4, or o3 te s$e ind or l$ss $stose spei$ll" entioned.21 'oreo7er, it reins in te s-!?eti7e eleents o3 p$ssion $ndpre?-die t$t $op$n" dis-ssions o3 iss-es it or$l or reli4io-s ipli$tions $s it$7oids te need 3or ople+ !$l$nin4 $nd -nd-e poli"6$in4.=$t is te -ni3"in4 tre$d t$t r-ns tro-4 te $r4in$lied $nd -nderrepresentedsetors -nder te p$rt"6list s"steU =$t $re te 3$il" rese!l$nes t$t o-ld$r$terie teU22

B$sed on te l$n4-$4e o3 te #onstit-tion $nd o3 RA :9;1 $nd onsiderin4 teprono-neents o3 tis #o-rt in ng !agong !ayani-"#$ La%or Party $nd !/T , te3olloin4 3$tors $re si4ni$nt

$ te" -st !e $on4, or losel" onneted it or siil$r to, te setors entioned in)etion 5 o3 RA :9;1K

! te" -st !e setors ose interests $re tr$dition$ll" $nd istori$ll" re4$rded $s 7it$lto te n$tion$l interest !-t te" $7e lon4 !een rele4$ted to te 3rin4es

21 (iranda v& %aya, :0 Pil. /;2, /58K 11 )#RA /1:, /2/ 1999.

22 Te notion o3 3$il" rese!l$nes familienähnlich8eit $s introd-ed !" te le$din4$n$l"ti pilosoper, L-di4 =itt4enstein, in is !oo Pilosopi$l (n7esti4$tions. As -sedin tis opinion, oe7er, 3$il" rese!l$nes spei$ll" re3er to te DNA, te !$sioponent -nit, t$t identies $ setor $s $ e!er o3 te 3$il" o3 $r4in$lied $nd







-nderrepresented setors en-er$ted in )etion 52, Artile E( o3 te #onstit-tion $nd)etion 5 o3 RA :9;1.120



o3 soiet" $nd depri7ed o3 $n opport-nit" to p$rtiip$te in te 3or-l$tion o3 n$tion$l poli"K te 7in-l- t$t ill est$!lis te lose onnetion it or siil$rit" o3 setors totose e+pressl" entioned in )etion 5 o3 RA :9;1 is $ onstit-tion$l pro7ision spei$ll"

reo4niin4 te spei$l si4ni$ne o3 te s$id setors oter t$n people’s or4$ni$tions,

-nless s- people’s or4$ni$tions represent setors entioned in )etion 5 o3 RA :9;12 tote $d7$neent o3 te n$tion$l interest $nd

d ile l$in4 in ell6dened politi$l onstit-enies, te" -st $7e re4ion$l orn$tion$l presene to ens-re t$t teir interests $nd $4end$ ill !e !enei$l not onl" toteir respeti7e setors !-t, ore iport$ntl", to te n$tion $s $ ole.#or Purposes of the Party-List System+Petitioner is /ot a (arginalized Sector (n tis $se, petitioner $sserts t$t it is entitled to $redit$tion $s $ $r4in$lied $nd-nderrepresented setor -nder te p$rt"6list s"ste. Joe7er, te #oission on &letionsdis$4rees.

Te $?orit" re7erses te #oission on &letions. =ile it 3o-ses on te ontentio-siss-es o3 or$lit", reli4ion, e-$l protetion, $nd 3reedo o3 e+pression $nd $ssoi$tion, !"4r$ntin4 te petition, te $?orit" e@eti7el" r-les t$t peti6

2 Te re$son !eind tis e+eption is o!7io-s. (3 $ll people’s or4$ni$tions $re$-to$ti$ll" onsidered $s $r4in$lied $nd -nderrepresented, ten no setor oror4$ni$tion $" !e dis-$lied on te 4ro-nds o3 non6$r4in$li$tion $nd l$ o3

-nderrepresent$tion. Te #o-rt’s 4-idelines in ng !agong !ayani-"#$ La%or Party o-ld$7e !een -nneess$r" $3ter $ll $nd, orse, te onstit-tion$l re-ireent t$t te setors-$lied to p$rtiip$te in te p$rt"6list s"ste !e deterined !" l$ o-ld $7e !eenerel" s-perQ-o-s $nd pointless.

121E%L. /18, APR(L 8, 2010


tioner is $ -$lied $r4in$lied $nd -nderrepresented setor, tere!" $lloin4 its$redit$tion $nd p$rtiip$tion in te p$rt"6list s"ste.( dis$4ree.&7en $ss-in4 t$t petitioner $s $!le to so t$t te o-nit" o3 les!i$ns, 4$"s,!ise+-$ls $nd tr$nsse+-$ls LGBT is -nderrepresented, it $nnot !e properl" onsidered $s$r4in$lied -nder te p$rt"6list s"ste. #irst , petitioner is not inl-ded in te setorsentioned in )etion 52, Artile E( o3 te #onstit-tion $nd )etion 5 o3 RA :9;1. nless $no7erl" str$ined interpret$tion is resorted to, te LGBT setor $nnot est$!lis $ loseonnetion to $n" o3 te s$id setors. (ndeed, petitioner does not e7en tr" to so its lin to

$n" o3 te s$id setors. R$ter, it represents itsel3 $s $n $lto4eter distint setor it itson pe-li$r interests $nd $4end$.

Second, petitioner’s interest $s $ setor, i is !$si$ll" te le4$l reo4nition o3 its

e!ers’se+-$l orient$tion $s $ ri4t, $nnot !e re$son$!l" onsidered $s $n interest t$tis tr$dition$ll" $nd istori$ll" onsidered $s 7it$l to n$tion$l interest. At !est, petitioner$" ite $n eer4ent $$reness o3 te ipli$tions o3 se+-$l orient$tion on te n$tion$l-$n ri4ts $4end$. Joe7er, $n eer4ent $$reness is !-t $ onr$tion o3 l$ o3 tr$dition$l $nd istori$l reo4nition.2; 'oreo7er, e7en te $?orit" $dits t$t tere is no

“le$r -t onsens-s 3$7or$!le to 4$" ri4ts l$is.”25





Third, petitioner is -t o@ 3ro te oon onstit-tion$l tre$d t$t r-ns tro-4 te$r4in$lied $nd -nderrepresented setors -nder te p$rt"6list s"ste. (t l$s te7in-l-, $ onstit-tion$l !ond, $ pro7ision in te 3-nd$ent$l l$ t$t spei$ll"reo4nies te LGBT setor $s spei$ll" si4ni$nt to te n$tion$l interest. Tis st$nd$rd,iplied in !/T , is re-ired to re$te te neess$r" lin o3 $ p$rti-6

2; Lawrence v& Texas, 59 .). 558 200, )$li$, =., dissentin4.25 Deision, p. 2.

122


ng Ladlad L6!T Party vs& Commission on Electionsl$r setor to tose setors e+pressl" entioned in )etion 52, Artile E( o3 te #onstit-tion$nd )etion 5 o3 RA :9;1.

#inally , onsiderin4 o-r istor" $nd tr$dition $s $ people, to onsider te prootion o3

te LGBT $4end$ $nd “4$" ri4ts”$s $ n$tion$l poli" $s !enei$l to te n$tion $s $ oleis de!$t$!le $t !est. &7en te $?orit" $side 3ro e+tensi7el" in7oin4 3orei4n pr$tie $ndintern$tion$l on7entions r$ter t$n Pilippine l$s st$tes

“=e do not s-44est t$t p-!li opinion, e7en $t its ost li!er$l, reQet $ le$r -t stron4

onsens-s 3$7or$!le to 4$" ri4ts l$is….”2/

Tis is so -nlie te si4ni$ne o3 te interests o3 te setors in )etion 5 o3 RA :9;1 i$re, ito-t do-!t, indisp-t$!le.Re4$rdless o3 te person$l !elie3s $nd !i$ses o3 its indi7id-$l e!ers, tis #o-rt $n onl"$ppl" $nd interpret te #onstit-tion $nd te l$s. (ts poer is not to re$te poli" !-t toreo4nie, re7ie or re7erse te poli" r$3ted !" te politi$l dep$rtents i3 $nd en $proper $se is !ro-4t !e3ore it. %terise, it ill tre$d on te d$n4ero-s 4ro-nds o3 ?-dii$lle4isl$tion.(n tis inst$ne, #on4ress, in te e+erise o3 its $-torit" -nder )etion 52, Artile E( o3 te#onstit-tion, en$ted RA :9;1. )etions 2, d $nd 5 o3 te s$id l$ instit-ted $ poli"en it en-er$ted ert$in setors $s -$lied $r4in$lied $nd -nderrepresented setors

-nder te p$rt"6list s"ste. Respet 3or t$t poli" $nd delit" to te #o-rt’s d-t" in o-rsee o3 4o7ernent re-ire -s to del$re t$t onl" setors e+pressl" entioned orlosel" rel$ted to tose setors entioned in )etion 5 o3 RA :9;1 $re -$lied to

p$rtiip$te in te p$rt"6list s"ste. T$t is te tenor o3 te #o-rt’s r-lin4s in ng !agong!ayani-"#$ La%or Party $nd !/T .

2/4d.

123

E%L. /18, APR(L 8, 201012

ng Ladlad L6!T Party vs& Commission on ElectionsAs tere is no stron4 re$son 3or te #o-rt to r-le oterise, stare decisis opels $ siil$ronl-sion in tis $se.

Te #o-rt is $lled -pon to e+erise ?-dii$l restr$int in tis $se !" stritl" $derin4 to,r$ter t$n e+p$ndin4, le4isl$ti7e poli" on te $tter o3 $r4in$lied setors $s e+pressedin te en-er$tion in )etion 5 o3 RA :9;1. Te #o-rt $s no poer to $end $nd e+p$nd)etions 2, d $nd 5 o3 RA :9;1 in te 4-ise o3 interpret$tion. Te #onstit-tion e+pressl"

$nd e+l-si7el" 7ests te $-torit" to deterine“s- oter $r4in$liedC setors”-$liedto p$rtiip$te in te p$rt"6list s"ste to #on4ress. T-s, -ntil $nd -nless #on4ress $endste l$ to inl-de te LGBT $nd oter setors in te p$rt"6list s"ste, de3erene to

#on4ress’deterin$tion on te $tter is proper. #inal $ord









To !e s-intl" le$r $!o-t it, ( do not s$" t$t tere is no tr-t to petitioner’s l$i o3 disriin$tor" $nd oppressi7e $ts $4$inst its e!ers. ( $ in no position to $e t$tl$i. Nor do ( l$i t$t petitioner $s no ri4t to spe$, to $sse!le or to $ess o-rpoliti$l dep$rtents, p$rti-l$rl" te le4isl$t-re, to proote te interests o3 itsonstit-en". )oi$l pereptions o3 se+-$l $nd oter or$l iss-es $" $n4e o7er tie,$nd e7er" 4ro-p $s te ri4t to pers-$de its 3ello itiens t$t its 7ie o3 s- $tters is

te !est.2: B-t pers-$din4 one’s 3ello itiens is one tin4 $nd insistin4 on $ ri4t top$rtiip$te in te p$rt"6list s"ste is soetin4 else. #onsiderin4 te 3$ts, te l$ $nd

?-rispr-dene, petitioner $nnot properl" insist on its entitleent to -se te p$rt"6lists"ste $s $ 7eile 3or $d7$nin4 its soi$l $nd politi$l $4end$.=ile !i4otr", soi$l stereot"pin4 $nd oter 3ors o3 disriin$tion -st !e 4i7en no pl$ein $ tr-l" ?-st, deor$ti

2:Lawrence v& Texas+ supra note 29 =. )$li$, dissentin4.124


ng Ladlad L6!T Party vs& Commission on Elections$nd li!ert$ri$n soiet", te p$rt"6list s"ste $s $ ell6dened p-rpose. Te p$rt"6list

s"ste $s not desi4ned $s $ tool to $d7o$te toler$ne $nd $ept$ne o3 $n" $nd $llsoi$ll" is-nderstood setors. R$ter, it is $ pl$t3or 3or te re$li$tion o3 te $spir$tions

o3 $r4in$lied setors ose interests $re, !" n$t-re $nd istor", $lso te n$tion’s !-ti interests $7e not !een s->ientl" !ro-4t to p-!li $ttention !e$-se o3 tese

setors’-nderrepresent$tion.#on4ress $s 4i7en !" te #onstit-tion 3-ll disretion to deterine $t setors $" -$li3"

$s $r4in$lied $nd -nderrepresented. Te #o-rt’s t$s is to respet t$t le4isl$ti7edeterin$tion !" stritl" $derin4 to it. (3 e e@eti7el" $nd -nd-l" e+p$nd s-on4ression$l deterin$tion, e ill !e d$!!lin4 in poli"6$in4, $n $t o3 politi$l ill $ndnot o3 ?-dii$l ?-d4ent.Aordin4l", ( respet3-ll" 7ote to disiss te petition.)&PARAT& %P(N(%N

ABAD, =&( $7e to on-r onl" in te res-lt set 3ort in te ell6ritten ponencia o3 -stie '$ri$no #.Del #$stillo !e$-se ( $rri7ed $t te s$e onl-sion 3olloin4 $ di@erent p$t.( $lso 3elt t$t te #o-rt needs, in resol7in4 te iss-es in tis $se, to s$" ore $!o-t $tte #onstit-tion $nd Rep-!li At R.A. :9;1 intends in te $se o3 te p$rt"6list s"ste to$!$te te $44r$7$tions $nd on3-sion $-sed !" te $l$rin4 o7erni4t proli3er$tion o3 setor$l p$rties.

Te -nderl"in4 poli" o3 R.A. :9;1 or Te P$rt"6List )"ste At is to 4i7e te $r4in$lied$nd -nderrepresented setors o3 soiet" $n opport-nit" to t$e $ diret p$rt in en$tin4 tel$s o3 te l$nd. (n ng !agong !ayani-"#$ La%or Party v& Commission on Elections'C"(ELEC),1 te #o-rt

1 ;12 Pil. 08K 59 )#RA /98 2001.

125 E%L. /18, APR(L 8, 2010125

ng Ladlad L6!T Party vs& Commission on Electionsl$id don 4-idelines 3or $redit$tion, !-t tese see to le$7e te #%'&L&# lie e7er"oneelse e7en ore perple+ed $nd d-!3o-nded $!o-t $t or4$ni$tions, l-!s, or$ssoi$tions $n p$ss 3or setor$l p$rties it $ ri4t to l$i $ se$t in te Jo-se o3 Represent$ti7es. Te #o-rt $n, in $d?-di$tin4 tis $se, -nr$7el soe o3 te di>-lties.







Jere, ( 3-ll" $4ree t$t te #%'&L&# erred en it denied ng Ladlad’s petition 3or setor$lp$rt" $redit$tion on reli4io-s $nd or$l 4ro-nds. Te #%'&L&# $s ne7er $pplied tesetests on re4-l$r $ndid$tes 3or #on4ress. Tere is no re$son 3or it to $ppl" te on ngLadlad. B-t te ponencia $lre$d" $pl" $nd l-idl" dis-ssed tis point.

=$t ( $ ore onerned $!o-t is #%'&L&#’s l$i in its oent on te petition t$t te ng Ladlad setor$l p$rt" $s not $r4in$lied $nd -nderrepresented sine it is not $on4,

or e7en $ssoi$ted it, te setors speied in te #onstit-tion $nd in R.A. :9;1. 2 ngLadlad, it l$is, did not -$li3" $s $ $r4in$lied $nd -nderrepresented 4ro-p o3 peoplelie tose representin4 l$!or, pe$s$nt, ser3ol, -r!$n poor, indi4eno-s -lt-r$lo-nities, elderl", $ndi$pped, oen, "o-t, 7eter$ns, o7erse$s orers, $nd

pro3ession$ls. Tis is e@eti7el" te #%'&L&#’s 3r$e o3 ind in $d?-di$tin4 $ppli$tions3or $redit$tion.

B-t, te #%'&L&#’s proposition iposes $n -n$rr$nted restrition i is inonsistentit te p-rpose $nd spirit o3 te #onstit-tion $nd te l$. A re$din4 o3 ng !agong !ayani

ill so t$t, !$sed on te #o-rt’s re$din4, neiter te #onstit-tion nor R.A. :9;1 intendste e+essi7el" liited o7er$4e t$t te #%'&L&# no s-44ests. (n 3$t, te #o-rt s$id int$t $se t$t te list in R.A. :9;1 is not e+l-si7e. T-s, ile te p$rt"6list s"ste is note$nt 3or $ll setors o3 soiet", it $s en7isioned $s $ soi$l ?-stie tool 3or te $r4in$lied

$nd -nderrepresented in 4ener$l. 2 #oent, pp. 26/.

126



As it $ppened, te onl" l-e t$t te #onstit-tion pro7ides respetin4 te identit" o3 tesetors t$t ill $e -p te p$rt"6list s"ste is 3o-nd in te e+$ples it 4i7es, n$el", tel$!or, te pe$s$nt, te -r!$n poor, te indi4eno-s -lt-r$l inorities, te oen, $nd te"o-t se4ents o3 soiet". )etion 52, Artile E( o3 te 198: #onstit-tion pro7ides

“2 Te p$rt"6list represent$ti7e s$ll onstit-te tent" per ent- o3 te tot$l n-!er

o3 represent$ti7es inl-din4 tose -nder te p$rt" list. Ior tree onse-ti7e ters $3ter ter$ti$tion o3 tis #onstit-tion, one6$l3 o3 te se$ts $llo$ted to p$rt"6list represent$ti7ess$ll !e lled, $s pro7ided !" l$, !" seletion or eletion 3ro te l$!or, pe$s$nt, -r!$npoor, indi4eno-s -lt-r$l o-nities, oen, "o-t, $nd s- oter setors $s $" !e

pro7ided !" l$, e+ept te reli4io-s setor.”ndersorin4 s-pplied.Gettin4 its !e$rin4 3ro te e+$ples 4i7en $!o7e, te #on4ress pro7ided in )etion 2 o3 R.A. :9;1 $ !ro$d st$nd$rd 3or sreenin4 $nd identi3"in4 tose o $" -$li3" 3or tep$rt"6list s"ste. T-s

“)e.2. 7eclaration of policy .— Te )t$te s$ll proote proportion$l represent$tion in teeletion o3 represent$ti7es to te Jo-se o3 Represent$ti7es tro-4 $ p$rt"6list s"ste o3 re4istered re4ion$l $nd setor$l p$rties or or4$ni$tions or o$litions tereo3, i illen$!le Iilipino itiens !elon4in4 to $r4in$lied $nd -nderrepresented setors,or4$ni$tions $nd p$rties, $nd o l$ ell dened politi$l onstit-enies !-t o o-ld

ontri!-te to te 3or-l$tion $nd en$tent o3 $ppropri$te le4isl$tion t$t ill !enet ten$tion $s $ ole, to !eoe e!ers o3 te Jo-se o3 Represent$ti7es. To$rds tis end,te )t$te s$ll de7elop $nd 4-$r$ntee $ 3-ll, 3ree $nd open p$rt" s"ste or 4ro-p interestsin te Jo-se o3 Represent$ti7es !" en$nin4 teir $nes to opete 3or $nd in se$ts in

te le4isl$t-re, $nd s$ll pro7ide te siplest see possi!le.”ndersorin4 s-pplied.

127

E%L. /18, APR(L 8, 201012:






Te $!o7e spe$s o3 “$r4in$lied $nd -nderrepresented setor$l p$rties or or4$ni$tions ++ + l$ ell dened politi$l onstit-enies + + + o o-ld ontri!-te to te 3or-l$tion

$nd en$tent o3 $ppropri$te le4isl$tion.”B-t, $s te #o-rt s$id in ng !agong !ayani, teole tin4 !oils don to $sert$inin4 eter te p$rt" seein4 $redit$tion !elon4s to

te“$r4in$lied $nd -nderrepresented.”

n3ort-n$tel", #on4ress did not pro7ide $ denition o3 te ter “$r4in$lied $nd

-nderrepresented.”Nor did te #o-rt d$re pro7ide one in its deision in ng !agong !ayani.(t is possi!le, oe7er, to 4et $ sense o3 $t #on4ress intended in $doptin4 s- ter. No

do-!t, #on4ress r$3ted t$t ter—$r4in$lied $nd -nderrepresented—3ro its re$din4 o3 te onrete e+$ples t$t te #onstit-tion itsel3 4i7es o3 4ro-pin4s t$t $re entitled to$redit$tion. Tese e+$ples $re te l$!or, te pe$s$nt, te -r!$n poor, te indi4eno-s-lt-r$l inorities, te oen, $nd te "o-t setors. Iort-n$tel", -ite o3ten ide$s $re !estdesri!ed !" e+$ples o3 $t te" $re, i $s $t tose o dr$3ted te 198:#onstit-tion did, r$ter t$n !" $n $!str$t desription o3 te.

Ior #on4ress it $s - lie looin4 $t $ 4$terin4 o3 “$ do4, $ $t, $ orse, $n elep$nt,

$nd $ ti4er”$nd onl-din4 t$t it is $ 4$terin4 o3 “$ni$ls.”Jere, it looed $t te s$pleso3 -$lied 4ro-ps l$!or, pe$s$nt, -r!$n poor, indi4eno-s -lt-r$l inorities, oen, $nd"o-t $nd 3o-nd $ oon tre$d t$t p$sses tro-4 te $ll. #on4ress onl-ded t$t

tese 4ro-ps !elon4ed to te “$r4in$lied $nd -nderrepresented.”

)o $t is te e$nin4 o3 te ter “$r4in$lied $nd -nderrepresentedU” Te e+$ples4i7en l$!or, pe$s$nt, -r!$n

“(n te end, te role o3 te #oele is to see to it t$t onl" tose Iilipinos o $re

“$r4in$lied $nd -nderrepresented”!eoe e!ers o3 #on4ress -nder te p$rt"6list

s"ste, Iilipino st"le.” ng !agong !ayani-"#$ La%or Party v& Commission on Elections+

supra note 1, $t ;K p. :19.

128


ng Ladlad L6!T Party vs& Commission on Electionspoor, indi4eno-s -lt-r$l inorities, oen, $nd "o-t so-ld !e te st$rtin4 point in $n"se$r 3or denition. #on4ress $s $dded si+ oters to tis list te ser3ol, te elderl",te $ndi$pped, te 7eter$ns, te o7erse$s orers, $nd te pro3ession$ls.; T-s, tepertinent portion o3 )etion 5 o3 R.A. :9;1 pro7ides

“)e.5. .egistration&—+ + + Pro7ided, t$t te setor s$ll inl-de l$!or, pe$s$nt,ser3ol, -r!$n poor, indi4eno-s -lt-r$l o-nities, elderl", $ndi$pped, oen,

"o-t, 7eter$ns, o7erse$s orers, $nd pro3ession$ls.”(3 one ere to $n$l"e tese #onstit-tion$l $nd st$t-tor" e+$ples o3 -$lied p$rties, itso-ld !e e7ident t$t te" represent te orin4 l$ss l$!or, pe$s$nt, ser3ol, o7erse$sorers, te ser7ie l$ss pro3ession$ls, te eonoi$ll" depri7ed -r!$n poor, tesoi$l o-t$sts indi4eno-s -lt-r$l inorities, te 7-lner$!le oen, "o-t $nd te orip$ired elderl", $ndi$pped, 7eter$ns. Tis $n$l"sis pro7ides soe -nderst$ndin4 o3

o, in te e"es o3 #on4ress, $re $r4in$lied $nd -nderrepresented. Te p$rties o3 te $r4in$lied $nd -nderrepresented so-ld !e ore t$n ?-st lo!!" orinterest 4ro-ps. Te" -st $7e $n $-tenti identit" t$t 4oes !e"ond ere siil$rities in!$4ro-nd or ir-st$nes. (t is not eno-4 t$t teir e!ers !elon4 to te s$eind-str", spe$ te s$e di$let, $7e $ oon o!!" or sport, or is to proote p-!lis-pport 3or teir -t-$l interests. Te 4ro-p so-ld !e $r$teried !" $ s$red $d7o$"3or 4en-ine iss-es $@etin4 !$si -$n ri4ts $s tese $ppl" to teir 4ro-ps. Tis is ineepin4 it te st$t-tor" o!?eti7e o3 s$rin4 it te






;H)etion5. .egistration.—+H+H+ Provided, t$t te setor s$ll inl-de l$!or, pe$s$nt,ser3ol, -r!$n poor, indi4eno-s -lt-r$l o-nities, elderl", $ndi$pped, oen,"o-t, 7eter$ns, o7erse$s orers, $nd pro3ession$ls.

129

E%L. /18, APR(L 8, 2010129

ng Ladlad L6!T Party vs& Commission on Electionsse$ts in te Jo-se o3 Represent$ti7es so te" $n t$e p$rt in en$tin4 !enei$l le4isl$tion.(t so-ld !e !orne in ind, oe7er, t$t !ot te #onstit-tion $nd R.A. :9;1 erel"pro7ide !" e+$ples $ sense o3 $t te -$lied or4$ni$tions so-ld loo lie. As te#o-rt $noled4ed in ng !agong !ayani, tese e+$ples $re not e+l-si7e. Ior inst$ne,tere $re 4ro-ps i $re p-sed to te $r4in !e$-se te" $d7o$te $n e+treistpoliti$l ideolo4", s- $s te e+tree ri4t $nd te e+tree le3t o3 te politi$l di7ide. Te"$" !e re4$rded, i3 te e7idene $rr$nts, $s -$lied setors.I-rter, to -$li3", $ p$rt" $ppl"in4 3or $redit$tion -st represent $ n$rro r$ter t$n $spei denition o3 te l$ss o3 people te" see to represent. Ior e+$ple, te

#onstit-tion -ses te ter “l$!or,”$ n$rroer denition t$n te !ro$d $nd ore $!str$t

ter, “orin4 l$ss,”ito-t slippin4 don to te ore spei $nd onrete denition lie

“$rpenters,” “se-rit" 4-$rds,” “iroips 3$tor" orers,” “!$r!ers,” “tri"le dri7ers,”$nd

siil$r s-!64ro-pin4s in te “l$!or”4ro-p. )ee te oter ill-str$tions !elo.Bro$dDenition*N$rroDenition)pei$ll" Dened Gro-ps=orin4 #l$ssL$!or#$rpenters, se-rit" 4-$rds, iroip 3$tor" orers, !$r!ers, tri"le dri7ers&onoi$ll"Depri7edr!$n

Poor(n3or$l settlers, te ?o!less, persons displ$ed !" doesti$rs

Te E-lner$!le=oen=orin4 oen, !$ttered oen, 7itis o3 sl$7er"=or(p$iredJ$ndi6#$ppedDe$3 $nd d-!, te !lind, people on eel$irs*Te denition t$t te #onstit-tion $nd R.A. :9;1 -se !" teir e+$ples.230



%!7io-sl", te le7el o3 represent$tion desired !" !ot te #onstit-tion $nd R.A. :9;1 3or tep$rt"6list s"ste is te seond, te n$rro denition o3 te setor t$t te l$ re4$rds $s

“$r4in$lied $nd -nderrepresented.” Te ipli$tion o3 tis is t$t, i3 $n" o3 te s-!64ro-pin4s te $rpenters, te se-rit" 4-$rds, te iroips 3$tor" orers, te !$r!ers,te tri"le dri7ers in te e+$ple itin te setor desires to $ppl" 3or $redit$tion $s $






p$rt"6list 4ro-p, it -st opete it oter s-!64ro-ps 3or te se$t $llotted to te “l$!or

setor”in te Jo-se o3 Represent$ti7es. Tis is te $pp$rent intent o3 te #onstit-tion $ndte l$.An interpret$tion t$t ill $llo onretel" or spei$ll" dened 4ro-ps to see eletion $s$ sep$r$te p$rt"6list setor !" itsel3 ill res-lt in riot $nd red-nd$n" in te i+ o3 setor$lp$rties 4r$!!in4 se$ts in te Jo-se o3 Represent$ti7es. (t ill de3e$t $lto4eter te

o!?eti7es o3 te p$rt"6list s"ste. (3 te" $n -ster eno-4 7otes, te o-ntr" $" $7e $p$rt"6list o3 pedi$! dri7ers $nd $noter o3 tri"le dri7ers. Tere ill !e $n irr$tion$l$pportionent o3 p$rt"6list se$ts in te le4isl$t-re.(n $ddition, )etion 5 o3 R.A. :9;1 pro7ides t$t p$rties interested in t$in4 p$rt in te p$rt"6list s"ste -st st$te i3 te" $re to !e onsidered $s n$tion$l, re4ion$l, or setor$l p$rties.

T-s

“)e.5. .egistration&—An" or4$nied 4ro-p o3 persons $" re4ister $s $ p$rt",or4$ni$tion or o$lition 3or p-rposes o3 te p$rt"6list s"ste !" lin4 it te #%'&L&# notl$ter t$n ninet" 90 d$"s !e3ore te eletion $ petition 7eried !" its president orseret$r" st$tin4 its desire to p$rtiip$te in te p$rt"6list s"ste $s $ national, regional or

sectoral p$rt" or or4$ni$tion or $ o$lition o3 s- p$rties or or4$ni$tions, + + +.” Tis pro7ision, t$en $lon4side it te territori$l $r$ter o3 te s$ple setors pro7ided

!" te #onstit-tion $nd R.A. :9;1, indi$tes t$t e7er" setor$l p$rt"6list $ppli$nt131

E%L. /18, APR(L 8, 201011

ng Ladlad L6!T Party vs& Commission on Elections-st $7e $n inerentl" re4ion$l presene indi4eno-s -lt-r$l inorities or $ n$tion$lpresene $ll te rest.

Te people te" represent $re not !o-nd -p !" te territori$l !orders o3 pro7ines, ities, or-niip$lities. A setor$l 4ro-p representin4 te s-4$r pl$nt$tion orers o3 Ne4ros%ident$l, 3or e+$ple, ill not -$li3" !e$-se it does not represent te inerentl"n$tion$l $r$ter o3 te l$!or setor.Iin$ll", $s te #o-rt eld in ng !agong !ayani, it is not eno-4 3or $ p$rt" to l$i t$t itrepresents te $r4in$lied $nd -nderrepresented. T$t is e$s" to do. Te p$rt" -st3$t-$ll" $nd tr-l" represent te $r4in$lied $nd -nderrepresented. (t -st present to te#%'&L&# le$r $nd on7inin4 e7idene o3 its istor", $-tentiit", $d7o$", $nd$4nit-de o3 presene. Te #%'&L&# -st re?et tose o p-t -p !-ildin4 propso7erni4t $s in te o7ies to re$te $n ill-sion o3 setor$l presene so te" $n 4et tro-4te door o3 #on4ress ito-t r-nnin4 3or $ se$t in $ re4-l$r le4isl$ti7e distrit.(n s-, to -$li3" 3or $redit$tion

"ne, te $ppl"in4 p$rt" -st so t$t it represents te “$r4in$lied $nd

-nderrepresented,”e+eplied !" te orin4 l$ss, te ser7ie l$ss, te eonoi$ll"depri7ed, te soi$l o-t$sts, te 7-lner$!le, te or ip$ired, or soe s- siil$r l$sso3 persons.

Two, te $ppl"in4 p$rt" so-ld !e $r$teried !" $ s$red $d7o$" 3or 4en-ineiss-es $@etin4 !$si -$n ri4ts $s tese $ppl" to te setor it represents.

Three, te $ppl"in4 p$rt" -st s$re te $-se o3 teir setor, n$rrol" dened $s

son $!o7e. (3 s- p$rt" is $ s-!64ro-p itin t$t setor, it -st opete it oter s-!64ro-ps 3or te se$t $llo$ted to teir setor.#our , te e!ers o3 te p$rt" seein4 $redit$tion -st $7e $n inerent re4ion$l or

n$tion$l presene.

132





And ve, e+ept 3or $tters te #%'&L&# $n t$e ?-dii$l notie o3, te p$rt" $ppl"in4 3or$redit$tion -st pro7e its l$is !" le$r $nd on7inin4 e7idene.(n tis $se, ng Ladlad represents en $nd oen o identi3" tesel7es $s les!i$ns,4$"s, !ise+-$ls, or tr$ns64endered persons LGBTs. Appl"in4 te -ni7ers$ll" $eptedesti$te t$t one o-t o3 e7er" 10 persons is $n LGBT o3 $ ert$in ind, 5 te Iilipino LGBTsso-ld no st$nd $t $!o-t 8.: illion. Despite tis, oe7er, te" $re !" $nd l$r4e, s-!tl" i3

not !r-t$ll", e+l-ded 3ro te $instre$, disriin$ted $4$inst, $nd perse-ted. T$t te#%'&L&# denied ng Ladlad’s petition on reli4io-s $nd or$l 4ro-nds is proo3 o3 tisdisriin$tion.

ng Ladlad l$is t$t $n" $ses o3 intoler$ne $nd 7iolene $4$inst LGBTs $7e !eendo-ented. At oe, e@ein$te or 4$" "o-ts $re s-!?eted to p"si$l $!-se !" p$rentsor 4-$rdi$ns to $e te on3or to st$nd$rd 4ender nors o3 !e$7ior, ile les!i$n"o-ts $re r$ped to -re te o3 teir perei7ed $Mition. LGBTs $re re3-sed $dission 3roert$in sools, or $re s-spended $nd p-t on pro!$tion. 'e$nile, in te orpl$e, te"$re denied prootions or !enets i $re oterise $7$il$!le to eterose+-$ls oldin4te s$e positions. Tere is !i4otr" 3or teir 4ro-p.

ng Ladlad $s $pl" pro7ed t$t it eets te re-ireents 3or setor$l p$rt"$redit$tion. Teir e!ers $re in te 7-lner$!le l$ss lie te oen $nd te "o-t. ngLadlad represents $ n$rro denition o3 its l$ss LGBTs r$ter t$n $ onrete $nd spei

denition o3 $ s-!64ro-p itin te l$ss 4ro-p o3 4$" !e$-tii$ns, 3or e+$ple. Te peoplet$t ng Ladlad sees to represent $7e $ n$tion$l presene. Te les!i$ns, 4$"s, !ise+-$ls, $nd tr$ns64endered persons in o-r o-nities $re o-r

!roters, sisters, 3riends, or ol6

5 ttp<<.$4l!i$l.or4<2)TAT).t.

133

E%L. /18, APR(L 8, 20101

ng Ladlad L6!T Party vs& Commission on Electionsle$4-es o $7e s-@ered in silene $ll tese "e$rs. Tr-e, te p$rt"6list s"ste is notneess$ril" $ tool 3or $d7o$tin4 toler$ne or $ept$ne o3 teir pr$ties or !elie3s. B-t itdoes proise te, $s $ $r4in$lied $nd -nderrepresented 4ro-p, te $ne to $7e $

diret in7ol7eent in r$3tin4 le4isl$tions t$t ip$t on teir li7es $nd e+istene. (t is $nopport-nit" 3or tr-e $nd e@eti7e represent$tion i is te 7er" essene o3 o-r p$rt"6lists"ste.Ior te $!o7e re$sons, ( 7ote to GRANT te petition.

Petition granted+ resolutions set aside&

Notes.—A l$ssi$tion $n onl" !e $ss$iled i3 it is deeed in7idio-s, t$t is, it is not!$sed on re$l or s-!st$nti$l di@erenes. (irasol vs& 7epartment of Pu%lic $or8s andBighways, ;90 )#RA 18 200/C

=ile PDP6L$!$n $nd B$"$n '-n$ !ot $7e e!ers in #on4ress, te 3orer, -nliete l$tter, is not represented terein $s $ p$rt"6list or4$ni$tion, t-s entitlin4 B$"$n '-n$to p$rtiip$te in te le4isl$ti7e proess in $ $" t$t $nnot !e s$id o3 PDP6L$!$n. Senate

of the Philippines vs& Ermita, ;95 )#RA 1:0 200/CNeiter te #onstit-tion nor R.A. No. :9;1 proi!its $?or politi$l p$rties 3rop$rtiip$tin4 in te p$rt"6list s"ste. !arangay ssociation for /ational dvancement andT '!/T) C i i El i 58/ )#RA 210 2009C



ladlad vs comelec full case

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