sources cases

7/24/2019 Sources Cases

1/99

N BANC

STANDARD CHART R D BANK

(Philippine Branch), PAUL

SIMON MORRIS, SUNDARA

RAM SH, OW N B LMAN, SANA!

A""ARWAL, RAAMANI

CHANDRASH KAR, MARI# L

"ON$AL S, MA% LL N #ICTOR,

CHONA "% R ! S, $ NAIDA

I"L SIAS, RAMONA B RNAD,

MICHA LAN" LO A"UILAR, an&

' RNAND TANSIN"CO,

Peiiner*,

+ er*-* +

S NAT COMMITT ON BANKS,

'INANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND

CURR NCI S, a* repre*ene&

./ i* Chairper*n, HON%

D"ARDO % AN"ARA,

Re*pn&en%

"%R% N% 012023

Pre*en4

PUNO, C%%,

5UISUMBIN",

!NARES+SANTIA"O,

SANDO#AL+"UTIERRE$,

CARPIO,

AUSTRIA+MARTINE$,

CORONA,

CARPIO MORALES,

A$CUNA,

TIN"A,

CHICO+NA$ARIO,

#ELASCO, R%,

NACHURA,

RE!ES, an&

LEONARDO+DE CASTRO, %


2/99

Pr6-l7ae&4

Dece6.er 82, 8992

x-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x

DECISION

NACHURA, %4

Before us is a Petition for Prohibition (With Prayer for Issuance of Temporary

Restraining Order and/or Injunction) dated and filed on arch !!" #$$%by petitioners

against respondent &enate 'ommittee on Bans" inancial Institutions and 'urrencies" as

represented by its 'hairperson *dgardo +, -ngara (respondent),

Petitioner &tandard 'hartered Ban (&'B).Philippinesis an institution incorporated

in *nglandith limited liability and is licensed to engage in baning" trust" and other

related operations in the Philippines,Petitioners Paul &imon orris" &undara Ramesh"

Oen Belman" &anjay -ggaral" Rajamani 'handrashear" ari0el 1on2ales" a, *llen

3ictor" 'hona 1, Reyes" 4enaida Iglesias" Ramona Bernad" ichaelangelo -guilar" and

ernand Tansingco are the 'hief *5ecuti0e Officer" 'hief Operations Officer" 'ountry


3/99

6ead of 'onsumer Baning" 1eneral anager for 'redit 'ard and Personal 7oans" 'hief

inancial Officer" 7egal and 'ompliance Officer" former Trust and In0estment &er0ices

6ead" 'ountry Ta5 Officer" 6ead of 'orporate -ffairs" 6ead of Baning &er0ices" 6ead

of 'lient Relationships" and the 6ead of 1lobal arets of &'B.Philippines"

respecti0ely,Respondent" on the other hand" is one of the permanent committees of the

&enate of the Philippines,

The petition sees the issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO) to enjoin

respondent from (!) proceeding ith its in8uiry pursuant to Philippine &enate (P,&,)

Resolution 9o, !::; (#) compelling petitioners ho are officers of petitioner &'B.

Philippines to attend and testify before any further hearing to be conducted by

respondent" particularly that set on arch !%" #$$%; and (


4/99

RESOLUTION

DIRECTING THE COMMITTEE ON BANKS, FINANCIAL

INSTITUTIONS AND CURRENCIES, TO CONDUCT AN

INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, INTO THE ILLEGAL

SALEOF UNREGISTERED AND HIGH-RISK SECURITIES BY

STANDARD CHARTERED BANK, WHICH RESULTED IN

BILLIONS OF PESOS OF LOSSES TO THE INVESTING PUBLIC

W6*R*-&" Republic -ct 9o, #!" otherise non as the "LawLiberalizing the Entry and Scope of Operations of Foreign Bans in the

!hilippines as appro0ed on ay !A" !CCE to promote greater

participation of foreign bans in the Philippine Baning Industry that illstimulate economic groth and ser0e as a channel for the flo of fundsinto the economy;W6*R*-&" to promote greater competition in the Philippine Baning

Industry" foreign bans ere accorded the same pri0ileges" alloed toperform the same functions and subjected to the same limitations underrele0ant baning las imposed upon domestic bans;W6*R*-&" &tandard 'hartered Ban as among the foreign bans

granted the pri0ilege to do business in our country under Republic -ct 9o,

#!;W6*R*-&" there are complaints against &tandard 'hartered Ban

hose actions ha0e reportedly defrauded hundreds of ilipino in0estors ofbillions of pesos through the sale of unregistered securities in the form ofhigh.ris mutual funds falsely ad0ertised and mareted as safe in0estmentha0ens;W6*R*-&" there are reports that &tandard 'hartered Ban clearly ne

that its actions ere 0iolati0e of Philippine baning and securities las butcle0erly disguised its illegal acts through the use of pro.forma agreementscontaining ai0ers of liability in fa0or of the ban;W6*R*-&" there are reports that in the early stages of conducting these

8uestionable acti0ities" the Bango &entral ng Pilipinas arned ande0entually fined &tandard 'hartered Ban a measly P


5/99

constitute "conducting business in an unsafe and unsound mannerpunishable under &ection


6/99

W6*R*-&" there is a need for remedial legislation to address thesituation" ha0ing in mind the imposition of proportionate penalties tooffending entities and their directors" officers and representati0es amongother additional regulatory measures;

9o" therefore" BE IT RESOLVED, AS IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED"to direct the 'ommittee on Bans" 'urrencies" and inancial Institutions"to conduct an in8uiry" in aid of legislation" into the reported sale ofunregistered and high.ris securities by &tandard 'hartered Ban hichresulted in billions of losses to the in0esting public,

-cting on the referral" respondent" through its 'hairperson" &enator *dgardo +,

-ngara" set the initial hearing on ebruary #A" #$$%to in0estigate" in aid of legislation"

the subject matter of the speech and resolution filed by &enator *nrile,

Respondent in0ited petitioners" among others" to attend the hearing" re8uesting them

to submit their ritten position paper, Petitioners" through counsel" submitted to

respondent a letter?


7/99

Respondent then proceeded ith the in0estigation proper, Toards the end of the

hearing" petitioners" through counsel" made an Opening &tatement?E@that brought to the

attention of respondent the lac of proper authori2ation from affected clients for the ban

to mae disclosures of their accounts and the lac of copies of the accusing documents

mentioned in &enator *nrileFs pri0ilege speech" and reiterated that there ere pending

court cases regarding the alleged sale in the Philippines by &'B.Philippines of

unregistered foreign securities,

The ebruary #A" #$$%hearing as adjourned ithout the setting of the ne5t hearing

date, 6oe0er" petitioners ere later ser0ed by respondent ith subpoenae ad

testificandumand duces tecumto compel them to attend and testify at the hearing set on

arch !%" #$$%,6ence" this petition,

The grounds relied upon by petitioners are as follos>

I,

T6* 'OITT** -'T*= WIT6ODT +DRI&=I'TIO9 -9=/OR-'T*= WIT6 1R-3* -BD&* O =I&'R*TIO9 -OD9TI91 TO7-'G O +DRI&=I'TIO9 I9 'O9=D'TI91 -9 I93*&TI1-TIO9"PDRPORT*=7H I9 -I= O 7*1I&7-TIO9" BDT I9 R*-7ITHPROBI91 I9TO T6* I&&D* O W6*T6*R T6* &T-9=-R='6-RT*R*= B-9G 6-= &O7= D9R*1I&T*R*= OR*I19&*'DRITI*& I9 T6* P6I7IPPI9*&,&-I= I&&D* 6-& 7O91 B**9T6* &DB+*'T O 'RII9-7 -9= 'I3I7 -'TIO9& 9OW

P*9=I91 B*OR* T6* 'ODRT O -PP*-7&" R*1IO9-7TRI-7'ODRT O P-&I1 'ITH" *TROPO7IT-9 TRI-7 'ODRT O-G-TI 'ITH -9= T6* PRO&*'DTORF& OI'* O -G-TI'ITH,

II,

T6* 'OITT** -'T*= I9 1R-3* -BD&* O =I&'R*TIO9
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-OD9TI91 TO 7-'G O +DRI&=I'TIO9 BH 'O9=D'TI91 -9I93*&TI1-TIO9" PDRPORT*=7H I9 -I= O 7*1I&7-TIO9" BDTI9 R*-7ITH I9 -I= O 'O77*'TIO9 BH - 6-9=D7 O TWO (#)'7I*9T& O &T-9=-R= '6-RT*R*= B-9G O 7O&&*& W6I'6W*R* OR T6*IR -''OD9T -9= RI&G, -T -9H R-T*" &D'6

'O77*'TIO9 I& WIT6I9 T6* PRO3I9'* O T6* 'ODRTR-T6*R T6-9 O T6* 7*1I&7-TDR*,

III,

T6* 'OITT** -'T*= WIT6ODT +DRI&=I'TIO9 -9=/OR-'T*= WIT6 1R-3* -BD&* O =I&'R*TIO9 -OD9TI91 TO7-'G O +DRI&=I'TIO9 I9 'OP*77I91 P*TITIO9*R&" &O*O W6O -R* R*&PO9=*9T& I9 T6* P*9=I91 'RII9-7 -9='I3I7 -'TIO9& BROD16T BH &-I= '7I*9T&" I9 3IO7-TIO9 OP*TITIO9*R& RI16T -1-I9&T &*7.I9'RII9-TIO9 -9=

RI16T TO PDR&D* -9= =**9= T6*IR '-D&* I9 'ODRTR-T6*R T6-9 *91-1* I9 TRI-7 BH PDB7I'ITH - '7*-R3IO7-TIO9 O =D* PRO'*&&" RI16T TO PRI3-'H -9= TOTR-3*7,

I3,

T6* 'OITT** -'T*= I9 1R-3* -BD&* O =I&'R*TIO9-OD9TI91 TO 7-'G O +DRI&=I'TIO9 BH =I&R*1-R=I91IT& OW9 RD7*&,?%@

Petitioners argue that respondent has no jurisdiction to conduct the in8uiry because

its subject matter is the 0ery same subject matter of the folloing cases" to it>

(a) '-.1,R, &P 9o, A%$A" entitled 0anuel 1( Ba+iera +s( 2on(Esperanza !( ,osario et al(pending before the Cth=i0ision of the 'ourt of-ppeals, In the petition" r, Ba0iera sees to annul and set aside the

dismissal by the =epartment of +ustice of his complaint against &tandard'hartered Ban and its officers accusing them of SELLINGUNREGISTERED FOREIGN SECURITIES IN VIOLATION OF

P.D. NO. 1869 SYNDICATED ESTAFA! AND ARTICLE "1# OF

THE REVISED PENAL CODE.

(b) '-.1,R, &P 9o, A:#$$" entitled0anuel 1( Ba+iera +s( 2on( ,afaelBuena+entura et al(" pending before the !%th=i0ision of the 'ourt of
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9/99

-ppeals, In the petition" r, Ba0iera sees to annul and set aside thetermination for lac of probable cause by the -nti.oney 7aundering'ouncil (-7') of the in0estigation of &tandard 'hartered Ban formoney laundering acti0ities BY SELLING UNREGISTEREDFOREIGN SECURITIES.

(c) '-.1,R, &P 9o, A


10/99

'itingBengzon 6r( +( Senate Blue ,ibbon -ommittee?@ the petitioners claim

that since the issue of hether or not &'B.Philippines illegally sold unregistered foreign

securities is already preempted by the courts that too cogni2ance of the foregoing cases"

the respondent" by this in0estigation" ould encroach upon the judicial poers 0ested

solely in these courts,

The argument is misplaced,Bengzondoes not apply s8uarely to petitioners case,

It is true that inBengzon" the 'ourt declared that the issue to be in0estigated as oneo0er hich jurisdiction had already been ac8uired by the &andiganbayan" and to allo the

?&enate Blue Ribbon@ 'ommittee to in0estigate the matter ould create the possibility of

conflicting judgments; and that the in8uiry into the same justiciable contro0ersy ould be

an encroachment on the e5clusi0e domain of judicial jurisdiction that had set in much

earlier,

To the e5tent that" in the case at bench" there are a number of cases already pending

in 0arious courts and administrati0e bodies in0ol0ing the petitioners" relati0e to the

alleged sale of unregistered foreign securities" there is a resemblance beteen this case

andBengzon(6oe0er" the similarity ends there,

'entral to the 'ourts ruling inBengzon.. that the &enate Blue Ribbon 'ommitteeas ithout any constitutional mooring to conduct the legislati0e in0estigation .. as the

'ourts determination that the intended in8uiry as ()*+( + ) /0+2/*+)(. The 'ourt

found that the speech of &enator *nrile" hich sought such in0estigation contained no

suggestion of any contemplated legislation; it merely called upon the &enate to loo into

possible 0iolations of &ection %" Republic -ct 9o,


11/99

re8uested probe failed to comply ith a fundamental re8uirement of &ection #!" -rticle

3I of the 'onstitution" hich states>

The Senate or the House of Representatives or any of its

respective committees may conduct inquiries in aid of legislation in

accordance with its duly published rules of procedure. The rights of

persons appearing in or affected by such inquiries shall be respected.

-ccordingly" e stopped the &enate Blue Ribbon 'ommittee from proceeding ith the

legislati0e in0estigation in that case,

Dnfortunately for the petitioners" this distinguishing factual milieu in Bengzondoes

not obtain in the instant case,P,&, Resolution 9o, !:: is e5plicit on the subject and nature

of the in8uiry to be (and already being) conducted by the respondent 'ommittee" as found

in the last three Whereasclauses thereof" +iz(>

W6*R*-&" 03+2*+( /42 +(5/+( *70 S05+*+02 R0/*+)( C)0200 *) :0 +(0;*0in pre0enting the sale of unregistered securitiesand in effecti0ely enforcing the registration rules intended to protect thein0esting public from fraudulent practices;W6*R*-&" *70 0/*)< +(*0=0(*+)( :< *70 SEC ( BSP /+>04+20

??02 +(0;*0in pre0enting the conduct of proscribed acti0ities in amanner that ould protect the in0esting public;

W6*R*-&" *700 +2 (00 ) 00+/ /0+2/*+)( *) 022 *702+**+)(,ha0ing in mind the imposition of proportionate penalties tooffending entities and their directors" officers and representati0es amongother additional regulatory measures; (emphasis supplied)

The unmistaable objecti0e of the in0estigation" as set forth in the said


12/99

resolution" e5poses the error in petitioners allegation that the in8uiry" as initiated in a

pri0ilege speech by the 0ery same &enator *nrile" as simply to denounce the illegal

practice committed by a foreign ban in selling unregistered foreign securities 5 5 5, This

fallacy is made more glaring hen e consider that" at the conclusion of his pri0ilege

speech" &enator *nrile urged the &enate *) +0+*0/< 5)(5* ( +(;+


13/99

(B&P), These officials ere subjected to the same critical scrutiny by the respondent

relati0e to their separate findings on the illegal sale of unregistered foreign securities by

&'B.Philippines, It is ob0ious that the objecti0e of the in0estigation as the 8uest for

remedies" in terms of legislation" to pre0ent the recurrence of the allegedly fraudulent

acti0ity,

&till" petitioners insist that the in8uiry conducted by respondent as" in fact" in aid

of collection, They claim that -tty, Bocobo and anuel Ba0iera" the latter a party to the

pending court cases cited by petitioners" ere only seeing a friendly forum so that they

could reco0er their in0estments from &'B.Philippines; and that the respondent has

alloed itself to be used as the con0eniently a0ailable 0ehicle to effect this purpose,

6oe0er" as correctly pointed out by respondent in its 'omment on the petition"

-tty, Bocobo did not file a complaint before the &enate for the purpose of reco0ering his

in0estment, On the contrary" and as confirmed during the initial hearing on ebruary #A"

#$$%" his letter.complaint humbly re8uested the &enate to conduct an in8uiry into the

purportedly illegal acti0ities of &'B.Philippines" ith the end 0ie of pre0enting the

future occurrence of any similar fraudulent acti0ity by the bans in general, ?C@Ba0iera"

on the other hand" as not a complainant but merely a itness in the in0estigation"

in0ited to testify on the alleged illegal sale of unregistered foreign securities by &'B.

Philippines" being one of the supposed 0ictims thereof,

The 'ourt further notes that hen it denied petitioners prayer for the issuance of a

TRO to restrain the hearing set on arch !%" #$$%"?!$@respondent proceeded ith the

in0estigation,On the said date" outraged by petitioners imputation that it as conducting

the in0estigation in aid of collection" respondent held petitioners" together ith their

counsel" -tty, Reynaldo 1eronimo" in contempt and ordered their detention for si5 hours,
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Petitioners filed a otion for Partial Reconsideration of this 'ourts Resolution

dated arch !E" #$$% only ith respect to the denial of the prayer for the issuance of a

TRO and/or rit of preliminary injunction" alleging that their being held in contempt as

ithout legal basis" as the phrase in aid of collection partaes of an absolutely pri0ileged

allegation in the petition,

We do not agree, The 'ourt has already e5pounded on the essence of the contempt

poer of 'ongress and its committees in this ise

The principle that 'ongress or any of its bodies has the poer topunish recalcitrant itnesses is founded upon reason and policy, &aidpoer must be considered implied or incidental to the e5ercise oflegislati0e poer, 6o could a legislati0e body obtain the noledge andinformation on hich to base intended legislation if it cannot re8uire andcompel the disclosure of such noledge and information" if it is impotentto punish a defiance of its poer and authorityJ When the framers of the

'onstitution adopted the principle of separation of poers" maing eachbranch supreme ithin the realm of its respecti0e authority" it must ha0eintended each departments authority to be full and complete"independently of each others authority or poer, -nd ho could theauthority and poer become complete if for e0ery act of refusal" e0ery actof defiance" e0ery act of contumacy against it" the legislati0e body mustresort to the judicial department for the appropriate remedy" because it isimpotent by itself to punish or deal thereith" ith affronts committedagainst its authority or dignity,?!!@

The e5ercise by 'ongress or by any of its committees of the poer to punish

contempt is based on the principle of self.preser0ation,-s the branch of the go0ernment

0ested ith the legislati0e poer" independently of the judicial branch" it can assert its

authority and punish contumacious acts against it, &uch poer is sui generisas it attaches

not to the discharge of legislati0e functionsper se" but to the so0ereign character of the


15/99

legislature as one of the three independent and coordinate branches of go0ernment,?!#@

In this case" petitioners imputation that the in0estigation as in aid of collection isa direct challenge against the authority of the &enate 'ommittee" as it ascribes ill moti0e

to the latter, In this light" e find the contempt citation against the petitioners reasonable

and justified,

urthermore" it is a5iomatic that the poer of legislati0e in0estigation includes the

poer to compel the attendance of itnesses, 'orollary to the poer to compel theattendance of itnesses is the poer to ensure that said itnesses ould be a0ailable to

testify in the legislati0e in0estigation, In the case at bench" considering that most of the

officers of &'B.Philippines are not ilipino nationals ho may easily e0ade the

compulsi0e character of respondents summons by lea0ing the country" it as reasonable

for the respondent to re8uest the assistance of the Bureau of Immigration and =eportation

to pre0ent said itnesses from e0ading the in8uiry and defeating its purpose, In any

e0ent" no 6=O as issued by a court, The BI= instead included them only in the Watch

7ist" hich had the effect of merely delaying petitioners intended tra0el abroad for fi0e

(%) days" pro0ided no 6=O is issued against them,?!


16/99

compelling state interest, *mploying the rational basis relationship test" as laid don in

0orfe +( 0utuc?!%@ there is no infringement of the indi0iduals right to pri0acy as the

re8uirement to disclosure information is for a 0alid purpose" in this case" to ensure that

the go0ernment agencies in0ol0ed in regulating baning transactions ade8uately protect

the public ho in0est in foreign securities, &uffice it to state that this purpose constitutes

a reason compelling enough to proceed ith the assailed legislati0e in0estigation,?!:@

-s regards the issue of self.incrimination" the petitioners" officers of &'B.

Philippines" are not being indicted as accused in a criminal proceeding, They ere

summoned by respondent merely as resource persons" or as itnesses" in a legislati0e

in8uiry, -s distinguished by this 'ourt

?-n@ accused occupies a different tier of protection from anordinary itness, Whereas an ordinary itness may be compelled to taethe itness stand and claim the pri0ilege as each 8uestion re8uiring anincriminating anser is shot at him" an accused may altogether refuse totae the itness stand and refuse to anser any and all 8uestions,?!@

'oncededly" this right of the accused against self.incrimination is e5tended to

respondents in administrati0e in0estigations that partae of the nature of or are analogous

to criminal proceedings, The pri0ilege has consistently been held to e5tend to all

proceedings sanctioned by la; and to all cases in hich punishment is sought to be

0isited upon a itness" hether a party or not,?!A@

6oe0er" in this case" petitioners neither stand as accused in a criminal case nor

ill they be subjected by the respondent to any penalty by reason of their testimonies,

6ence" they cannot altogether decline appearing before respondent" although they may

in0oe the pri0ilege hen a 8uestion calling for an incriminating anser is propounded,
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17/99

?!C@

Petitioners argument" that the in0estigation before respondent may result in arecommendation for their prosecution by the appropriate go0ernment agencies" such as

the =epartment of +ustice or the Office of the Ombudsman" does not persuade,

-s held in Sinclair +( 7nited States?#$@..

It may be conceded that 'ongress is ithout authority to compeldisclosures for the purpose of aiding the prosecution of pending suits; butthe authority of that body" directly or through its 'ommittees" to re8uirepertinent disclosures in aid of its on constitutional poer is not abridgedbecause the information sought to be elicited may also be of use in suchsuits, 5 5 5 It is plain that in0estigation of the matters in0ol0ed in suitsbrought or to be commenced under the &enate resolution directing theinstitution of suits for the cancellation of the leases might directly aid inrespect of legislati0e action,

The prosecution of offenders by the prosecutorial agencies and the trial before the courts

is for the punishment of persons ho transgress the la, The intent of legislati0e

in8uiries" on the other hand" is to arri0e at a policy determination" hich may or may not

be enacted into la,

*5cept only hen it e5ercises the poer to punish for contempt" the respondent" as

ith the other 'ommittees of the &enate or of the 6ouse of Representati0es" cannot

penali2e 0iolators e0en if there is o0erhelming e0idence of criminal culpability, Other

than proposing or initiating amendatory or remedial legislation" respondent can only

recommend measures to address or remedy hate0er irregularities may be unearthed
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18/99

during the in0estigation" although it may include in its Report a recommendation for the

criminal indictment of persons ho may appear liable,-t best" the recommendation"

along ith the e0idence" contained in such a Report ould be persuasi0e" but it is still up

to the prosecutorial agencies and the courts to determine the liabilities of the offender,

inally" petitioners sought ane" in their anifestation and otion?#!@ dated

+une #!" #$$:" the issuance by this 'ourt of a TRO and/or rit of preliminary injunction

to pre0ent respondent from submitting its 'ommittee Report 9o, % to the &enate in

plenary for appro0al, 6oe0er" !: days prior to the filing of the anifestation and

otion" or on +une %" #$$:" respondent had already submitted the report to the &enate in

plenary, While there is no shoing that the said report has been appro0ed by the &enate"

the subject of the anifestation and otion has inescapably become moot and academic,

WHEREFORE" the Petition for Prohibition is DENIEDfor lac of merit, The

anifestation and otion dated +une #!" #$$:is" lieise" DENIEDfor being moot and

academic,

SO ORD R D%

ANTONIO DUARDO B% NACHURA

A**ciae -*ice


19/99

WE CONCUR4

R !NATO S% PUNO

Chie: -*ice

O( /0=0

LEONARDO A. QUISUMBING

A**ciae -*ice

CONSU LO !NAR S+SANTIA"O

A**ciae -*ice

AN" LINA SANDO#AL+"UTI RR $

A**ciae -*ice

ANTONIO T% CARPIO

A**ciae -*ice

MA% ALICIA AUSTRIA+MARTIN $

A**ciae -*ice

R NATO C% CORONA

A**ciae -*ice


20/99

CONCHITA CARPIO MORAL S

A**ciae -*ice

ADOL'O S% A$CUNA

A**ciae -*ice


21/99

DANT O% TIN"A

A**ciae -*ice

MINITA #% CHICO+NA$ARIO

A**ciae -*ice

PR SBIT RO % # LASCO, R%

A**ciae -*ice

RUB N T% R ! S

A**ciae -*ice

T R SITA % L ONARDO+D CASTRO

A**ciae -*ice

C R T I ' I C A T I O N

P-r*-an Secin 03, Aricle #III : he Cn*i-in,


22/99

I ceri:/ ha he cncl-*in* in he a.e &eci*in ha& .eenreache& in cn*-lain .e:re he ca*e ;a* a**i7ne& he;rier : he pinin : he C-r%

R !NATO S% PUNO

Chie: -*ice

?!@

Rll, pp% 13+28%

?#@ I&% a 1+=9%

?%@ I&% a 0+0=%

?@ "%R% N% >==0?, Ne6.er 89, 0==0, 893 SCRA 212, 2>?%

?A@ >2 Phil% 8=, ?< (0=


23/99

?C@ Rll, p% 091?%

?!$@ Per he Re*l-in &ae& March 0?, 899, 02?022, Oc.er 01, 8991, 2, an-ar/ 30, 0=1>, 88 SCRA ?8?, ciin7 Whalen % Re,

?8= U%S% = (0=22)%

?!:@ S-pra ne 0? a 23>%

?!@ Chae % C-r : Appeal*,033 Phil% 110, 12= (0=1>)%

?!A@ Ben7n, r% % Senae Bl-e Ri..n C66iee, *-pra ne 2, a2>1, ciin7 "al6an % Pa6aran,03> SCRA 8=? (0=>


24/99


25/99

EN BANC

IN TH MATT R O' TH P TITION 'OR ISSUANC O'

WRIT O' HAB AS CORPUS O' CAMILO L% SABIO,

Peiiner,

% RMIN RN ST LOUI R% MI"U L,

Peiiner+Relar,

+ er*-* +

HONORABL S NATOR RICHARD "ORDON, in hi*

capaci/ a* Chair6an, an& he HONORABL

M MB RS O' TH COMMITT ON "O# RNM NT

CORPORATIONS AND PUBLIC NT RPRIS S an& TH

COMMITT ON PUBLIC S R#IC S : he Senae,

HONORABL S NATOR UAN PONC + NRIL , in hi*

::icial capaci/ a* Me6.er, HONORABL MANU L

#ILLAR, Senae Pre*i&en, S NAT S R" ANT+AT+

ARMS, an& he S NAT O' TH PHILIPPIN S,

"%R% N% 02?3?9


26/99

Re*pn&en*%

F++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

F

PR SID NTIAL COMMISSION ON "OOD "O# RNM NT

(PC"") an& CAMILO L% SABIO, Chair6an, NARCISO

S% NARIO, RICARDO M% ABC D , T R SO L% A#I R

an& NICASIO A% CONTI, C66i**iner*, MANU L

ANDAL an& ULIO ALANDONI, PC"" n6inee*

Philc6*a Hl&in7* Crprain,

Peiiner*,

+ er*-* +

RICHARD "ORDON, in hi* capaci/ a* Chair6an,

an& M MB RS O' TH COMMITT ON "O# RNM NT

CORPORATIONS AND PUBLIC NT RPRIS S, M MB RS

O' TH COMMITT ON PUBLIC S R#IC S, S NATOR

UAN PONC + NRIL , in hi* capaci/ a* 6e6.er

: .h *ai& C66iee*, MANU L #ILLAR,

Senae Pre*i&en, TH S NAT S R" ANT+AT+

ARMS, an& S NAT O' TH PHILIPPIN S,

Re*pn&en*%

F+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++F

PHILCOMSAT HOLDIN"S CORPORATIONS, PHILIP "%

BROD TT, LUIS K% LOKIN, R%, ROB RTO #% SAN OS ,

D L'IN P% AN"CAO, ROB RTO L% ABAD, ALMA KRISTINA

ALOBBA, an& OHNN! TAN,

Peiiner*,

"%R% N% 02?30>


27/99

+ er*-* +

S NAT COMMITT ON "O# RNM NT CORPORATIONS

an& PUBLIC NT RPRIS S, i* M MB RS an&

CHAIRMAN, he HONORABL S NATOR RICHARD

"ORDON an& S NAT COMMITT ON PUBLIC

S R#IC S, i* Me6.er* an& Chair6an, he

HONORABL S NATOR OK R P% ARRO!O,

Re*pn&en*%

"%R% N% 02?022

Pre*en4

PAN"ANIBAN, C%%

PUNO,


28/99

5UISUMBIN",

!NARES+SANTIA"O,

SANDO#AL+"UTIERRE$,

CARPIO,

AUSTRIA+MARTINE$,

CORONA,

CARPIO MORALES,

CALLEO, SR%,

A$CUNA,

TIN"A,

NA$ARIO,

"ARCIA, an&

#ELASCO,%

Pr6-l7ae&4

Oc.er 02, 8991

5.............................................................................................................5


29/99

DECISION

SANDOVAL-GUTIERREZ, J.:

T; &eca&e* a7, n 'e.r-ar/ 8>, 0=>1, :r6er Pre*i&en

Cran C%


30/99

A-in in*alle& her re7i6e ./ i**-in7 EFec-ie Or&er (E%O%)

N% 0,?!@ creain7 he Pre*i&enial C66i**in n "&

"ern6en (PC"")% She enr-*e& -pn hi* C66i**in he

herc-lean a*G : recerin7 he ill+7en ;ealh

acc-6-lae& ./ he &ep*e& Pre*i&en 'er&inan& E% Marc*, hi*

:a6il/, relaie*, *-.r&inae* an& cl*e a**ciae*%?#@

Secin ? (.) : E%O% N% 0 pri&e* ha4N 6e6.er r

*a:: : he C66i**in *hall .e re-ire& e*i:/ r

pr&-ce ei&ence in an/ -&icial, le7i*laie r

a&6ini*raie prcee&in7 cncernin7 6aer* ;ihin i*

::icial c7niEance%

Apparenl/, he p-rp*e i* en*-re

PC""* -nha6pere& per:r6ance : i* a*G%?2 Cn*i-in, ;hich rea&*4

The Senae r he H-*e : Repre*enaie* r an/ :i* re*pecie c66iee* 6a/ cn&-c in-irie* in ai& :le7i*lain in accr&ance ;ih i* &-l/ p-.li*he& r-le* :prce&-re% The ri7h* : per*n* appearin7 in r a::ece& ./*-ch in-irie* *hall .e re*pece&%

The :ac* are -n&i*p-e&%

On 'e.r-ar/ 89, 8991, Senar Miria6 De:en*r Sania7
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/october2006/174340.htm#_ftn1http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/october2006/174340.htm#_ftn2http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/october2006/174340.htm#_ftn3http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/october2006/174340.htm#_ftn1http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/october2006/174340.htm#_ftn2http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/october2006/174340.htm#_ftn3


31/99

inr&-ce& Philippine Senae Re*l-in N% ?


32/99

(PHILCOMSAT), an& Philc6*a Hl&in7* Crprain*

(PHC) &-e he alle7e& i6prprieie* in he

perain* ./ heir re*pecie .ar& : &irecr*%

A&pe&%

(S7&) MIRIAM DE'ENSOR SANTIA"O

On he *a6e &ae, 'e.r-ar/ 89, 8991, Senae Re*% N% ?, 8991,-pn 6in : Senar 'ranci* N% Pan7ilinan, i ;a*

ran*:erre& he C66iee n "ern6en Crprain* an&

P-.lic Enerpri*e*%?%@

On Ma/ >, 8991, Chie: : Sa:: Ri C% Incenci, -n&er

he a-hri/ : Senar Richar& % "r&n, ;re Chair6an

Ca6il L% Sa.i : he PC"", ne : he herein peiiner*,

iniin7 hi6 .e ne : he re*-rce per*n* in he p-.lic

6eein7 inl/ cn&-ce& ./ he C66iee n "ern6en

Crprain* an& P-.lic Enerpri*e* an& C66iee n P-.lic

Serice*% The p-rp*e : he p-.lic 6eein7 ;a* &eli.erae

n Senae Re*% N% ?


33/99

On A-7-* 09, 8991, Senar "r&n i**-e& a S-.pena A&

Te*i:ican&-6,?A@appre& ./ Senae Pre*i&en Man-el #illar,

re-irin7 Chair6an Sa.i an& PC"" C66i**iner*Ricar&

A.ce&e

,Nica*iCni

,Tere*

aier

an&Narci* Nari

appear in he p-.lic hearin7 *che&-le& n A-7-* 83, 8991an&

e*i:/ n ;ha he/ Gn; relaie he 6aer* *peci:ie&

in Senae Re*% N% ?


34/99

Once 6re, Chair6an Sa.i &i& n c6pl/ ;ih he

nice% He *en a leer?!!@ &ae& Sepe6.er ?, 8991

Senar "r&n reierain7 hi* rea*n :r &eclinin7 appear

in he p-.lic hearin7%

Thi* pr6pe& Senar "r&n i**-e an Or&er &ae&

Sepe6.er 2, 8991re-irin7 Chair6an Sa.i an& C66i**iner*

A.ce&e, Cni, aier an& Nari *h; ca-*e ;h/ he/ *h-l&

n .e cie& in cne6p : he Senae% On Sepe6.er 00,

8991, he/ *-.6ie& he Senae heir C6pliance an&

EFplanain,?!#@

;hich parl/ rea&*4

D-.le**, here are la-&a.le inenin* : he

*-.ec in-ir/ in ai& : le7i*lain% B- he r-le :la; re-ire* ha een he .e* inenin* 6-* .e carrie&- ;ihin he para6eer* : he Cn*i-in an& he la;%#eril/, la-&a.le p-rp*e* 6-* .e carrie& - ./ le7al6eh&*% (Brillane*, r%, e al% % C66i**in nElecin*, En Banc"%R% N% 0130=3, -ne 0


35/99

pri*in in cnrer*/% Unil hen, i *an&* .ere*pece& a* par : he le7al */*e6 in hi* -ri*&icin%(A* hel& in Peple % #eneracin, "%R% N*% 00==>2+>>,Oc.er 08, 0==


36/99

-&76en ;ere .e reache& .e:re ha : heSan&i7an.a/an, he p**i.ili/ : i* in:l-ence.ein7 6a&e .ear n he -li6ae -&76en :he San&i7an.a/an can n .e &i*c-ne&%

F F FF F F

IT IS IN #I W O' TH 'OR "OIN" CONSID RATIONSha

he C66i**in &eci&e& n aen& he Senae in-ir/ e*i:/ an& pr&-ce ei&ence herea%

Uncnince& ;ih he a.e C6pliance an& EFplanain, he

C66iee n "ern6en Crprain* an& P-.lic Enerpri*e*

an& he C66iee n P-.lic Serice* i**-e& an Or&er?!8 EDSA, Man&al-/n7Ci/an& .r-7h hi6

he Senae pre6i*e* ;here he ;a* &eaine&%

Hence, Chair6an Sa.i :ile& ;ih hi* C-r a peiin

:r ha.ea* crp-*a7ain* he Senae C66iee n "ern6en

Crprain* an& P-.lic Enerpri*e*an& C66iee n P-.lic

Serice*, heir Chair6en, Senar* Richar& "r&n an& Ger

P% Arr/ an& Me6.er*% The ca*e ;a* &cGee& a* "%R% N%
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/october2006/174340.htm#_ftn13http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/october2006/174340.htm#_ftn13


37/99

02?3?9%

Chair6an Sa.i, C66i**iner* A.ce&e, Cni,Nari,

an&aier, an& he PC""* n6inee* Philc6*a Hl&in7*

Crprain, Man-el An&al an& -li alan&ni, liGe;i*e :ile&

a peiin :r cerirari an& prhi.iin a7ain* he *a6e

re*pn&en*, an& al* a7ain* Senae Pre*i&en Man-el #illar,

Senar -an Pnce Enrile, he Ser7ean+a+Ar6*, an& he

enire Senae% The ca*e ;a* &cGee& a* "%R% N% 02?30>%

Mean;hile, Philc6*a Hl&in7* Crprain an& i*

::icer* an& &irecr*, na6el/4 Philip "% Br&e, L-i* K%

LGin, r%, R.er #% San *e, Del:in P% An7ca, R.er L%

A.a&, Al6a Kri*ina Al..a an& hnn/ Tan :ile& a peiin

:r cerirari an& prhi.iin a7ain* he Senae C66iee*

n "ern6en Crprain* an& P-.lic Enerpri*e*an& P-.lic

Serice*, heir Chair6en, Senar* "r&n an& Arr/, an&

Me6.er*% The ca*e ;a* &cGee& a* "%R% N% 02?022%

In "%R% N% 02?3?9 (:r ha.ea* crp-*) an& "%R% N%

02?30> (:r cerirari an& prhi.iin) Chair6an Sa.i,

C66i**iner* A.ce&e, Cni, Nari, an& aier@ an& he PC""*

n6inee* An&al an& alan&ni alle7e&4 :ir*,re*pn&en Senae

C66iee* &i*re7ar&e& Secin ?(.) : E%O% N% 0 ;ih- an/

-*i:ia.le rea*n@ *ecn&, he in-irie* cn&-ce& ./

re*pn&en Senae C66iee* are n in ai& : le7i*lain@

hir&,he in-irie* ;ere cn&-ce& in he a.*ence : &-l/

p-.li*he& Senae R-le* : Prce&-re "ernin7 In-irie* in


38/99

Ai& : Le7i*lain@ an& :-rh,re*pn&en Senae C66iee*

are n e*e& ;ih he p;er : cne6p%

In "%R% N% 02?022, peiiner* Philc6*a Hl&in7*

Crprain an& i* &irecr* an& ::icer* alle7e&4

:ir*,re*pn&en Senae C66iee* hae n -ri*&icin er

he *-.ec 6aer *ae& in Senae Re*% N% ?


39/99

in -*icia.le cnrer*ie*%

D-rin7 he ral ar7-6en* hel& n Sepe6.er 80, 8991,

he parie* ;ere &irece& *-.6i *i6-lane-*l/ heir

re*pecie 6e6ran&a ;ihin a nn+eFen&i.le peri& :

:i:een (02 Cn*i-in%

On hi* lne i**-e

hin7e* he 6eri : he cnenin : Chair6an Sa.i an& hi*

C66i**iner* ha heir re:-*al appear .e:re re*pn&en

Senae C66iee* i* -*i:ie&% Wih he re*l-in : hi*

i**-e, all he her i**-e* rai*e& ./ he parie* hae .ec6e

incn*e-enial%

Perche& n ne ar6 : he *cale : -*ice i* Aricle

#I, Secin 80 : he 0=>2 Cn*i-in 7ranin7 re*pn&en

Senae C66iee* he p;er : le7i*laie in-ir/% I rea&*4

The Senae r he H-*e : Repre*enaie* r an/

: i* re*pecie c66iee* 6a/ cn&-c in-irie* in


40/99

ai& : le7i*lain in accr&ance ;ih i* &-l/

p-.li*he& r-le* : prce&-re% The ri7h* : per*n*

appearin7 in r a::ece& ./ *-ch in-irie* *hall .e

re*pece&%

On he her ar6 : he *cale i* Secin ?(.) : E%O%

N%0 li6iin7 *-ch p;er : le7i*laie in-ir/ ./ eFe6pin7

all PC"" 6e6.er* r *a:: :r6 e*i:/in7 in an/ -&icial,

le7i*laie r a&6ini*raie prcee&in7, h-*4

N 6e6.er r *a:: : he C66i**in *hall .e

re-ire& e*i:/ r pr&-ce ei&ence in an/

-&icial, le7i*laie r a&6ini*raie prcee&in7

cncernin7 6aer* ;ihin i* ::icial c7niEance%

T &eer6ine ;heher here eFi** a clear an&

-ne-ical rep-7nanc/ .e;een he ; -e& pri*in* ha

;arran* a &eclarain ha Secin ?(.) ha* .een repeale& ./

he 0=>2 Cn*i-in, a .rie: cn*i&erain : he Cn7re**

p;er : in-ir/ i* i6peraie%

The Cn7re** p;er : in-ir/ ha* .een rec7nie& in

:rei7n -ri*&icin* ln7 .e:re i reache& -r *hre*

hr-7h Mc"rain % Da-7her/,?!%@ cie& in Arna-l %

Naaren%?!:@ In h*e earlier &a/*, A6erican c-r*

cn*i&ere& he p;er : in-ir/ a*inheren

in he p;er

le7i*lae% The 0>1? ca*e : Bri77* % MacKellar?!@ eFplain*


41/99

he .reah an& .a*i* : he p;er, h-*4

Where n cn*i-inal li6iain r re*ricin

eFi**, i i* c6peen :r eiher : he ; .&ie*

c6p*in7 he le7i*la-re &, in heir *eparaecapaci/, ;haeer 6a/ .e e**enial ena.le he6

le7i*lae%I i* ;ell+e*a.li*he& principle : hi*parlia6enar/ la;, ha eiher h-*e 6a/ in*i-e an/ine*i7ain hain7 re:erence i* ;n r7aniain,he cn&-c r -ali:icain : i* 6e6.er*, i*prcee&in7*, ri7h*, r priile7e* r an/ 6aer a::ecin7he p-.lic inere* -pn ;hich i 6a/ .e i6pran ha

i *h-l& hae eFac in:r6ain, an& in re*pec

;hich i ;-l& .e c6peen :r i le7i*lae% The

ri7h pa** la;*, nece**aril/ i6plie* he ri7h

.ain in:r6ain -pn an/ 6aer ;hich 6a/ .ec6e he

*-.ec : a la;% I i* e**enial he :-ll an&

inelli7en eFerci*e : he le7i*laie :-ncin%In

A6erican le7i*la-re* he ine*i7ain : p-.lic

6aer* .e:re c66iee*, preli6inar/ le7i*lain,

r ;ih he ie; : a&i*in7 he h-*e appinin7 he

c66iee i*, a* a parlia6enar/ -*a7e, ;ell

e*a.li*he& a* i i* in n7lan&,an& he ri7h : eiherh-*e c6pel ;ine**e* appear an& e*i:/ .e:re i*c66iee, an& p-ni*h :r &i*.e&ience ha* .een:re-enl/ en:rce&%The ri7h : in-ir/, I hinG,eFen&* her 6aer*, in re*pec ;hich i 6a/ .e

nece**ar/, r 6a/ .e &ee6e& a&i*a.le appl/ :r

le7i*laie ai&%

Re6arGa.l/, in Arna-l, hi* C-r a&here& a *i6ilar

her/% Ciin7 Mc"rain, i rec7nie& ha he p;er :

in-ir/ i*an e**enial an& apprpriae a-Filiar/ he

le7i*laie :-ncin,

h-*4

Alh-7h here i* n pri*in in he Cn*i-in

eFpre**l/ ine*in7 eiher H-*e : Cn7re** ;ih p;er 6aGe ine*i7ain* an& eFac e*i6n/ he en& ha i6a/ eFerci*e i* le7i*laie :-ncin* a&i*e&l/ an&e::eciel/, *-ch p;er i* * :ar inci&enal hele7i*laie :-ncin a* .e i6plie&% In her ;r&*, hep;er : in-ir/ ;ih prce** en:rce i i* an

e**enial an& apprpriae a-Filiar/ he le7i*laie

:-ncin% A le7i*laie .&/ cann le7i*lae ;i*el/ r

e::eciel/ in he a.*ence : in:r6ain re*pecin7


42/99

he cn&iin* ;hich he le7i*lain i* inen&e&

a::ec r chan7e@ an& ;here he le7i*lain .&/ &e*

n i*el: p**e** he re-i*ie in:r6ain ;hich i*

n in:re-enl/ r-e rec-r*e 6-* .e ha& her*

;h p**e** i%

Di*pellin7 an/ &-. a* he Philippine Cn7re**

p;er : in-ir/, pri*in* n *-ch p;er 6a&e heir

6ai&en appearance in Aricle #III, Secin 08 : he

0=23 Cn*i-in%?!A@ Then ca6e he 0=>2 Cn*i-in

incrprain7 he pre*en Aricle #I, Secin 08% Wha

;a* here:rei6plici -n&er he 0=3< Cn*i-in, a*

in:l-ence& ./ A6erican -ri*pr-&ence, .eca6eeFplici

-n&er he 0=23 an& 0=>2 Cn*i-in*%?!C@

Na.l/, he 0=>2 Cn*i-in rec7nie* he p;er :

ine*i7ain, n -* : Cn7re**, .- al* :an/ : i*

c66iee

% Thi* i* *i7ni:ican .eca-*e i cn*i-e* a

&irec cn:erral : ine*i7ar/ p;er -pn he

c66iee* an& i 6ean* ha he 6echani*6* ;hich he H-*e*

can aGe in r&er e::eciel/ per:r6 i* ine*i7aie

:-ncin are al* aaila.le he c66iee*%?#$@

I can .e *ai& ha he Cn7re** p;er : in-ir/ ha*

7aine& 6re *li& eFi*ence an& eFpan*ie cn*r-al% The

C-r* hi7h re7ar& *-ch p;er i* ren&ere& 6re ei&en in

Senae % Er6ia,?#!@ ;here i cae7ricall/ r-le& ha he

p;er : in-ir/ i* .ra& en-7h cer ::icial* :

he eFec-ie .ranch%

#eril/, he C-r rein:rce& he

&crine in Arna-l ha he perain : 7ern6en,
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/october2006/174340.htm#_ftn18http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/october2006/174340.htm#_ftn19http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/october2006/174340.htm#_ftn20http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/october2006/174340.htm#_ftn21http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/october2006/174340.htm#_ftn18http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/october2006/174340.htm#_ftn19http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/october2006/174340.htm#_ftn20http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/october2006/174340.htm#_ftn21


43/99

.ein7 a le7ii6ae *-.ec :r le7i*lain, i* a prper

*-.ec :r ine*i7ain

an& hahe p;er : in-ir/

i* c+eFen*ie ;ih he p;er le7i*lae%

Cn*i&erin7 he*e -ri*pr-&enial in*r-cin*, ;e :in&

Secin ?(.) &irecl/ rep-7nan ;ih Aricle #I, Secin 80%

Secin ?(.)eFe6p* he PC"" 6e6.er* an& *a:: :r6 he

Cn7re** p;er : in-ir/%

Thi* cann .e c-nenance&%

N;here in he Cn*i-in i* an/ pri*in 7ranin7 *-ch

eFe6pin% The Cn7re** p;er : in-ir/, .ein7 .ra&,

enc6pa**e* eer/hin7 ha cncern* he a&6ini*rain :

eFi*in7 la;* a* ;ell a* prp*e& r p**i.l/ nee&e&

*a-e*%?##@ I een eFen&* 7ern6en a7encie*

creae& ./ Cn7re** an& ::icer* ;h*e p*iin* are

;ihin he p;er : Cn7re** re7-lae r een a.li*h%

?#


44/99

The pri*in pre*-pp*e* ha *ince an inc-6.en : a

p-.lic ::ice i* ine*e& ;ih cerain p;er* an& char7e&

;ih cerain &-ie* perinen *erei7n/, he p;er* *

&ele7ae& he ::icer are hel&in r-* :r he

peple

an&are .e eFerci*e& in .ehal: : he 7ern6en

r: all ciiEen* ;h 6a/ nee& he inerenin : he

::icer*

%S-ch r-* eFen&* all 6aer* ;ihin he

ran7e : &-ie* perainin7 he ::ice% In her ;r&*,

p-.lic ::icer* are .- he *eran* : he peple, an&

n heir r-ler*%?#E@

Secin ?(.), .ein7 in he na-re : an i66-ni/,i*

incn*i*en ;ih he principle : p-.lic acc-na.ili/%

I place* he PC"" 6e6.er* an& *a:: .e/n& he reach :

c-r*, Cn7re** an& her a&6ini*raie .&ie*%In*ea& :

enc-ra7in7 p-.lic acc-na.ili/, he *a6e pri*in

nl/ in*i-inaliEe* irre*pn*i.ili/ an& nn+

acc-na.ili/%

In Pre*i&enial C66i**in n "&

"ern6en % Pea,?#%@ -*ice 'lrenin P% 'elician

characerie& a* .ier he prin : he 6ari/ pinin

.arrin7, n he .a*i* : Secin* ?(a) an& (.) : E%O% N% 0,

a ciil ca*e :r &a6a7e* :ile& a7ain* he PC"" an& i*

C66i**iner*% He el-enl/ pine&4

The a.e -n&er*cre& prin* are, i i* re*pec:-ll/*-.6ie&, clearl/ .ier%I i* i6pran 6aGe clearha he C-r i* n here inerprein7, 6-ch le**

-phl&in7 a* ali& an& cn*i-inal, he lieral

er6* : Secin ? (a), (.) : Fec-ie Or&er N%0%I:Secin ? (a) ;ere 7ien i* lieral i6pr a* i66-niin7he PC"" r an/ 6e6.er here: :r6 ciil lia.ili/ :r
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/october2006/174340.htm#_ftn24http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/october2006/174340.htm#_ftn25http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/october2006/174340.htm#_ftn24http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/october2006/174340.htm#_ftn25


45/99

an/hin7 &ne r 6ie& in he &i*char7e : he a*Gcne6plae& ./ hi* Or&er, he cn*i-inali/ : Secin? (a) ;-l&, in 6/ *-.6i**in, .e pen 6* *eri-*&-.% 'r * ie;e&, Secin ? (a) ;-l& in*i-inaliehe irre*pn*i.ili/ an& nn+acc-na.ili/ : 6e6.er* an&*a:: : he PC"", a nin ha i* clearl/ rep-7nan

.h he 0=23 an& 0=>2 Cn*i-in an& a priile7e& *a-*n clai6e& ./ an/ her ::icial : he Rep-.lic -n&er he0=>2 Cn*i-in% F FF%

F FF F FF

I ;-l& *ee6 cn*i-inall/ ::en*ie *-pp*e

ha a 6e6.er r *a:: 6e6.er : he PC"" c-l& n .e

re-ire& e*i:/ .e:re he San&i7an.a/an r ha

*-ch 6e6.er* ;ere eFe6pe& :r6 c6pl/in7 ;ih r&er*

: hi* C-r%

Chae % San&i7an.a/an?#:@ reierae* he *a6e ie;%

In&ee&, Secin ?(.) ha* .een :r;ne& -pn ./ hi* C-r een

.e:re he :ilin7 : he pre*en peiin*%

Crllaril/, Secin ?(.) al* r-n* c-ner he

:ll;in7 cn*i-inal pri*in* en*-rin7 he peple*

acce** in:r6ain4

Aricle II, Secin 8>

S-.ec rea*na.le cn&iin* pre*cri.e& ./ la;,he Sae a&p* an& i6ple6en* a plic/ : :-ll p-.lic&i*cl*-re : all i* ran*acin* inlin7 p-.licinere*%

Aricle III, Secin 2

The ri7h : he peple in:r6ain n 6aer* :p-.lic cncern *hall .e rec7nie&% Acce** ::icialrecr&*, an& &c-6en*, an& paper* perainin7 ::icial


46/99

ac*, ran*acin*, r &eci*in*, a* ;ell a* 7ern6enre*earch &aa -*e& a* .a*i* :r plic/ &eelp6en, *hall .ea::r&e& he ciien, *-.ec *-ch li6iain* a* 6a/ .epri&e& ./ la;%

These tin pro0isions of the 'onstitution see to promote transparency in policy.

maing and in the operations of the go0ernment" as ell as pro0ide the people sufficient

information to enable them to e5ercise effecti0ely their constitutional rights, -rmed ith

the right information" citi2ens can participate in public discussions leading to the

formulation of go0ernment policies and their effecti0e implementation, In 3almonte0,

Belmonte" +r,?#@ the 'ourt e5plained that an informed citi2enry is essential to the

e5istence and proper functioning of any democracy" thus>

-n essential element of these freedoms is to eep open acontinuing dialogue or process of communication beteen the go0ernmentand the people, It is in the interest of the &tate that the channels for freepolitical discussion be maintained to the end that the go0ernment maypercei0e and be responsi0e to the peoples ill, Het" this open dialogue canbe effecti0e only to the e5tent that the citi2enry is informed and thus ableto formulate its ill intelligently, Only hen the participants in thediscussion are aare of the issues and ha0e access to information relating

thereto can such bear fruit,

'onse8uently" the conduct of in8uiries in aid of legislation is not only intended to

benefit 'ongress but also the citi2enry, The people are e8ually concerned ith this

proceeding and ha0e the right to participate therein in order to protect their interests, The

e5tent of their participation ill largely depend on the information gathered and made

non to them, In other ords" the right to information really goes hand.in.hand ith the

constitutional policies of full public disclosure and honesty in the public ser0ice, It is

meant to enhance the idening role of the citi2enry in go0ernmental decision.maing as

ell as in checing abuse in the go0ernment,?#A@ The ca*e* : Taa&a %

T-era?#C@ an& Le7a*pi % Ciil Serice C66i**in?


47/99

p-.lic &-/ an& .rin7 an acin c6pel p-.lic ::icial*

an& e6pl/ee* per:r6 ha &-/%

Secin ?(.) li6i* r .*r-c* he p;er : Cn7re**

*ec-re :r6 PC"" 6e6.er* an& *a:: in:r6ain an& her

&aa in ai& : i* p;er le7i*lae% A7ain, hi* 6-* n

.e c-nenance&% In Senae % Er6ia,?

T he eFen ha ine*i7ain* in ai& :

le7i*lain are 7enerall/ cn&-ce& in p-.lic, h;eer, an/eFec-ie i**-ance en&in7 -n&-l/ li6i &i*cl*-re*

: in:r6ain in *-ch ine*i7ain* nece**aril/

&eprie* he peple : in:r6ain ;hich, .ein7

pre*-6e& .e in ai& : le7i*lain, i* pre*-6e& .e

a 6aer : p-.lic cncern% The ciien* are here./&enie& acce** in:r6ain ;hich he/ can -*e in:r6-lain7 heir ;n pinin* n he 6aer .e:re Cn7re**pinin* ;hich he/ can hen c66-nicae heirrepre*enaie* an& her 7ern6en ::icial* hr-7h heari-* le7al 6ean* all;e& ./ heir :ree&6 : eFpre**in%

A *a-e 6a/ .e &eclare& -ncn*i-inal .eca-*ei i*

n ;ihin he le7i*laie p;er enac

@ r i creae*

r e*a.li*he* 6eh&* r :r6* ha in:rin7e cn*i-inal

principle*@ r i* p-rp*e re::ec ilae* he

Cn*i-in r i* .a*ic principle*%

?

(plic/ : :-ll &i*cl*-re) an&Aricle III,

Secin 2

(ri7h p-.lic in:r6ain)%

Si7ni:icanl/, Aricle #III, Secin 3 : he


48/99

Cn*i-in pri&e*4

All eFi*in7 la;*, &ecree*, eFec-ie r&er*,prcla6ain*, leer* : in*r-cin*, an& her eFec-ie

i**-ance* n incn*i*en ;ih hi* Cn*i-in *hallre6ain peraie -nil a6en&e&, repeale&, r reGe&%

The clear i6pr : hi* pri*in i* ha all eFi*in7

la;*, eFec-ie r&er*, prcla6ain*, leer* :

in*r-cin* an& her eFec-ie i**-ance* incn*i*en r

rep-7nan he Cn*i-in are repeale&%

-ri*pr-&ence i* replee ;ih &eci*in* inali&ain7

la;*, &ecree*, eFec-ie r&er*, prcla6ain*, leer* :

in*r-cin* an& her eFec-ie i**-ance* incn*i*en ;ih

he Cn*i-in% In Pelae % A-&ir"eneral,? ;a*

a&-&7e& inc6pai.le an& incn*i*en ;ih he

Cn*i-inal 7ran : li6ie& eFec-ie *-peri*in er

lcal 7ern6en*% In I*la6ic Da;ah C-ncil : he

Philippine*, Inc%, % O::ice : he EFec-ie Secrear/,?


49/99

:r ilain7 he Cn*i-inal precep n lcal a-n6/%

An& in Ople% Trre*,?, enile&

A&pin : a Nainal C6p-erie& I&eni:icain Re:erenceS/*e6, :r .ein7 ilaie : he ri7h priac/ prece&

./ he Cn*i-in%

The*e Deci*in*, an& 6an/ her*, hi7hli7h ha he

Cn*i-in i* he hi7he* la; : he lan&% I i*he .a*ic

an& para6-n la; ;hich all her la;* 6-* cn:r6

an& ;hich all per*n*, incl-&in7 he hi7he* ::icial*

: he lan&, 6-* &e:er% N ac *hall .e ali&, h;eer

n.le i* inenin*, i: i cn:lic* ;ih he

Cn*i-in%?2 Cn*i-in%

Si7ni:icanl/, &-rin7 he ral ar7-6en* n Sepe6.er 80,

8991, Chair6an Sa.i a&6ie& ha *h-l& hi* C-r r-le

ha Secin ?(.) i* -ncn*i-inal r ha i &e* n

appl/ he Senae, he ;ill an*;er he -e*in* : he

Senar*, h-*4

CHIE' USTICE PAN"ANIBAN4

OGa/% N;, i: he S-pre6e C-r r-le* ha Sec% ?(.)i* -ncn*i-inal r ha i &e* n appl/ heSenae, ;ill /- an*;er he -e*in* : he Senar*J


50/99

CHAIRMAN SABIO4

!-r Hnr, 6/ :aher ;a* a -&7e, &ie& .ein7 a-&7e% I ;a* here in he S-pre6e C-r a* Chie: :Sa:: : -*ice 'eria% I ;-l& &e:iniel/ hnr heS-pre6e C-r an& he r-le : la;%

CHIE' USTICE PAN"ANIBAN4

!- ;ill an*;er he -e*in* : he Senar* i: ;e*a/ haJ

CHAIRMAN SABIO4

!e*, !-r Hnr% Tha i* he la; alrea&/ a* :ar a* Ia6 cncerne&%

Wih hi* a&6i**in, Chair6an Sa.i i* n :-ll/ cnince&

ha he an& hi* C66i**iner* are *hiel&e& :r6 e*i:/in7

.e:re re*pn&en Senae C66iee* ./ Secin ?(.) : E%O%

N% 0% In e::ec, hi* ar7-6en ha he *ai& pri*in

eFe6p* hi6 an& hi* c+re*pn&en C66i**iner* :r6

e*i:/in7 .e:re re*pn&en Senae C66iee* cncernin7

Senae Re*% N% ?


51/99

Aricle #I, Secin 80 pri&e*4

The Senae r he H-*e : Repre*enaie* r an/

: i* re*pecie c66iee* 6a/ cn&-c in-irie* in

ai& : le7i*lain in accr&ance ;ih i* &-l/

p-.li*he& r-le* : prce&-re% The ri7h* : per*n*

appearin7 in r a::ece& ./ *-ch in-irie* *hall .e

re*pece&%

I 6-* .e *re**e& ha he Or&er : Arre* :r

cne6p : Senae C66iee* an& he Philippine Senae ;a*

appre& ./ Senae Pre*i&en #illar

an&*i7ne& ./ :i:een

(02 Cn*i-in, crrecl/ pine& - i* *i7ni:icance4

I *h-l& al* .e ne& ha he Cn*i-ineFplicil/ rec7nie* he p;er : ine*i7ain n -* :Cn7re** .- al* : an/ : i* c66iee*% Thi* i**i7ni:ican .eca-*e i cn*i-e* a &irec cn:erral

: ine*i7ar/ p;er -pn he c66iee* an& i 6ean*

ha he 6ean* ;hich he H-*e* can aGe in r&er

e::eciel/ per:r6 i* ine*i7aie :-ncin are al*

aaila.le he C66iee*%?


52/99

Thi* i* a rea*na.le cncl-*in% The cn:erral : he

le7i*laie p;er : in-ir/ -pn an/ c66iee : Cn7re**

6-* carr/ ;ih i all p;er* nece**ar/ an& prper :r i*

e::ecie &i*char7e% Oher;i*e, Aricle #I, Secin 80 ;ill

.e 6eanin7le**% The in&i*pen*a.ili/ an& -*e:-lne** : he

p;er : cne6p in a le7i*laie in-ir/ i* -n&er*cre& in

a caena : ca*e*, :rei7n an& lcal%

In he 0>80 ca*e : An&er*n % D-nn,?


53/99

Cn7re** p;er : cne6p n he .a*i* : hi* .*erain%

In Arna-l% Bala7a*,?E#@ he C-r :-rher eFplaine&

ha he cne6p p;er : Cn7re** i* :-n&e& -pn rea*n

an& plic/ an& ha he p;er : in-ir/ ;ill n .e c6plee

i: :r eer/ cn-6aci-* ac, Cn7re** ha* re*r

-&icial iner:erence, h-*4

The principle ha Cn7re** r an/ : i* .&ie*ha* he p;er p-ni*h recalciran ;ine**e* i* :-n&e&-pn rea*n an& plic/%Sai& p;er 6-* .e cn*i&ere& i6plie&

r inci&enal he eFerci*e : le7i*laie p;er% H;c-l& a le7i*laie .&/ .ain he Gn;le&7e an&

in:r6ain n ;hich .a*e inen&e& le7i*lain i: i

cann re-ire an& c6pel he &i*cl*-re : *-ch

Gn;le&7e an& in:r6ain i: i i* i6pen p-ni*h a

&e:iance : i* p;er an& a-hri/J When he :ra6er*

: he Cn*i-in a&pe& he principle : *eparain

: p;er*, 6aGin7 each .ranch *-pre6e ;ihin he real6

: i* re*pecie a-hri/, i 6-* hae inen&e& each

&epar6en* a-hri/ .e :-ll an& c6plee,

in&epen&enl/ : he her* a-hri/ r p;er% An& h;

c-l& he a-hri/ an& p;er .ec6e c6plee i: :r

eer/ ac : re:-*al, eer/ ac : &e:iance, eer/ ac

: cn-6ac/ a7ain* i, he le7i*laie .&/ 6-*

re*r he -&icial &epar6en :r he apprpriae

re6e&/, .eca-*e i i* i6pen ./ i*el: p-ni*h r

&eal here;ih, ;ih he a::rn* c66ie& a7ain* i*

a-hri/ r &i7ni/%?E


54/99

: he -&icial .ranch, a**er* i* a-hri/ an& p-ni*he*cne6p* here:% The cne6p p;er : he le7i*la-re i*,here:re, *-i 7eneri* F F F%

Mean;hile, ;ih re*pec "%R% N% 02?022, he peiin

: Philc6*a Hl&in7* Crprain an& i* &irecr* an&

::icer*, hi* C-r hl&* ha he re*pn&en Senae

C66iee* in-ir/ &e* n ilae heir ri7h priac/

an& ri7h a7ain* *el:+incri6inain%

One i6pran li6iain n he Cn7re** p;er :

in-ir/ i* hahe ri7h* : per*n* appearin7 in r

a::ece& ./ *-ch in-irie* *hall .e re*pece&%

Thi* i*

-* anher ;a/ : *a/in7 ha he p;er : in-ir/ 6-* .e

*-.ec he li6iain* place& ./ he Cn*i-in n

7ern6en acin% A* hel& in Baren.la% Unie& Sae*,?E%@ he Cn7re**, in c66n ;ih all he her .ranche* :

he "ern6en, 6-* eFerci*e i* p;er* *-.ec he

li6iain* place& ./ he Cn*i-in n 7ern6enal

acin, 6re paric-larl/ in he cneF : hi* ca*e,

he relean li6iain* : he Bill : Ri7h*%

'ir* i* he ri7h priac/%

$ne* : priac/ are rec7nie& an& prece& in -r

la;*%?E:@ Wihin he*e ne*, an/ :r6 : inr-*in i*


55/99

i6per6i**i.le -nle** eFc-*e& ./ la; an& in accr&ance ;ih

c-*6ar/ le7al prce**% The 6eic-l-* re7ar& ;e accr&

he*e ne* ari*e* n nl/ :r6 -r cnicin ha he

ri7h priac/ i* a cn*i-inal ri7han& he ri7h 6*

al-e& ./ ciilie& 6en,?E@ .- al* :r6 -r a&herence

he Unier*al Declarain : H-6an Ri7h* ;hich 6an&ae*

ha, n ne *hall .e *-.ece& ar.irar/ iner:erence

;ih hi* priac/an& eer/neha* he ri7h he precin

: he la; a7ain* *-ch iner:erence r aacG*%?EA@

O-r Bill : Ri7h*, en*hrine& in Aricle III : he

Cn*i-in, pri&e* a lea* ; 7-aranee* ha

eFplicil/ creae ne* : priac/% I hi7hli7h* a per*n*

ri7h .e le alner he ri7h &eer6ine ;ha, h;

6-ch, ;h6 an& ;hen in:r6ain a.- hi6*el: *hall .e

&i*cl*e&%?EC@ Secin 87-aranee* he ri7h: he peple

.e *ec-re in heir per*n*,h-*e*, paper* an& e::ec*

a7ain* -nrea*na.le *earche* an& *eiE-re* : ;haeer

na-re an& :r an/ p-rp*e

%Secin 3

ren&er*inila.le

hepriac/ :c66-nicain an& crre*pn&ence

an&

:-rherca-in* haan/ ei&ence .aine& in ilain :

hi* r he prece&in7 *ecin *hall .e ina&6i**i.le :r

an/ p-rp*e in an/ prcee&in7

%

In eal-ain7 a clai6 :r ilain : he ri7h

priac/, a c-r 6-* &eer6ine ;heher a per*n ha*

eFhi.ie& a rea*na.le eFpecain : priac/ an&, i: *,

;heher ha eFpecain ha* .een ilae& ./ -nrea*na.le


56/99

7ern6en inr-*in%?%$@

Appl/in7 hi* &eer6inain he*e

ca*e*, he i6pran in-irie* are4:ir*

, &i& he &irecr*

an& ::icer* : Philc6*a Hl&in7* Crprain eFhi.i a

rea*na.le eFpecain : priac/J@ an& *ecn&, &i& he

7ern6en ilae*-ch eFpecainJ

The an*;er* are in he ne7aie% Peiiner* ;ere

inie& in he Senae* p-.lic hearin7 &eli.erae n Senae

Re*% N% ?


57/99

in&ii&-al* ri7h priac/ a* he re-ire6en &i*cl*-re

in:r6ain i* :r a ali& p-rp*e, i%e%, c-rail an&

6ini6ie he ppr-niie* :r ::icial crr-pin, 6ainain

a *an&ar& : hne*/ in p-.lic *erice, an& pr6e 6rali/

in p-.lic a&6ini*rain%?%


58/99

Anen he ri7h a7ain* *el:+incri6inain, i 6-* .e

e6pha*ie& ha hi* ri7h 6a/.e inGe& ./ he *ai&

&irecr* an& ::icer* : Philc6*a Hl&in7* Crprain

nl/ ;hen he incri6inain7 -e*in i* .ein7 a*Ge&,

*ince he/ hae n ;a/ : Gn;in7 in a&ance he na-re

r e::ec : he -e*in* .e a*Ge& : he6

%?%%@

Tha

hi* ri7h 6a/p**i.l/

.e ilae& r a.-*e& i* n 7r-n&

:r &en/in7 re*pn&en Senae C66iee* heir p;er :

in-ir/% The cn*lain i* ha ;hen hi* p;er i* a.-*e&,

*-ch i**-e 6a/ .e pre*ene& .e:re he c-r*% A hi*

-nc-re, ;ha i* i6pran i* ha re*pn&en SenaeC66iee* hae *-::icien R-le* 7-i&e he6 ;hen he ri7h

a7ain* *el:+incri6inain i* inGe&% Sec% 0= rea&*4

Sec% 0=% Priile7e A7ain* Sel:+Incri6inain

A ;ine** can inGe hi* ri7h a7ain* *el:+incri6inain nl/ ;hen a -e*in en&* elici an an*;erha ;ill incri6inae hi6 i* prp-n&e& hi6% H;eer, he6a/ ::er an*;er an/ -e*in in an eFec-ie *e**in%

N per*n can re:-*e e*i:/ r .e place& -n&erah r a::ir6ain r an*;er -e*in* .e:re anincri6inar/ -e*in i* a*Ge&% Hi* incain : *-chri7h &e* n ./ i*el: eFc-*e hi6 :r6 hi* &-/ 7iee*i6n/%

In *-ch a ca*e, he C66iee, ./ a 6ari/ e :he 6e6.er* pre*en here .ein7 a -r-6, *hall &eer6ine;heher he ri7h ha* .een prperl/ inGe&% I: heC66iee &eci&e* her;i*e, i *hall re*-6e i*ine*i7ain an& he -e*in r -e*in* prei-*l/re:-*e& .e an*;ere& *hall .e repeae& he ;ine**% I:

he laer cnin-e* re:-*e an*;er he -e*in, heC66iee 6a/ p-ni*h hi6 :r cne6p :r cn-6aci-*cn&-c%

The *a6e &irecr* an& ::icer* cnen& ha he Senae


59/99

i* .arre& :r6 in-irin7 in he *a6e i**-e* .ein7 lii7ae&

.e:re he C-r : Appeal* an& he San&i7an.a/an%S-::ice i

*ae ha he Senae R-le* : Prce&-re "ernin7

In-irie* in Ai& : Le7i*lain pri&e ha he :ilin7 r

pen&enc/ : an/ pr*ec-in : cri6inal r a&6ini*raie

acin *h-l& n *p r a.ae an/ in-ir/ carr/ - a

le7i*laie p-rp*e%

Le i .e *re**e& a hi* pin ha * ln7 a* he

cn*i-inal ri7h* : ;ine**e*, liGe Chair6an Sa.i an&

hi* C66i**iner*, ;ill .e re*pece& ./ re*pn&en Senae

C66iee*, i heir &-/ cperae ;ih he6 in heir

e::r* .ain he :ac* nee&e& :r inelli7en

le7i*laie acin% The -nre6iin7 .li7ain :eer/

ciiEen

i* re*pn& *-.penae, re*pec he &i7ni/ :

he Cn7re** an& i* C66iee*, an& e*i:/ :-ll/ ;ih

re*pec 6aer* ;ihin he real6 : prper ine*i7ain%

In :ine, PC"" Chair6an Ca6il Sa.i an& C66i**iner*

Ricar& A.ce&e, Narci* Nari, Nica*i Cni, an& Tere*

aier@ an& Man-el An&al an& -li alan&ni, PC""* n6inee*

Philc6*a Hl&in7* Crprain, a* ;ell a* i* &irecr*

an& ::icer*, 6-* c6pl/ ;ih he S-.penae A&

Te*i:ican&-6i**-e& ./ re*pn&en Senae C66iee* &irecin7

he6 appear an& e*i:/ in p-.lic hearin7* relaie

Senae Re*l-in N% ?


60/99

WH R 'OR

, he peiin in "%R% N% 02?3?9 :r ha.ea*

crp-*i* DISMISS D, :r .ein7 6%The peiin* in "%R N*%

02?30> an& 02?022 are liGe;i*eDISMISS D

%

Secin ?(.) : E%O% N% 0 i* &eclare&R P AL D./ he

0=>2 Cn*i-in% Re*pn&en Senae C66iee* p;er :

in-ir/ relaie Senae Re*l-in ?


61/99

ARTEMIO #% PAN"ANIBAN

'hief +ustice

RE!NATO S% PUNO

A**ciae -*ice

CONSUELO !NARES+SANTIA"O

A**ciae -*ice

MA% ALICIA AUSTRIA+MARTINE$

A**ciae -*ice

CONCHITA CARPIO MORALES

A**ciae -*ice

LEONARDO A% 5UISUMBIN"

A**ciae -*ice

ANTONIO T% CARPIO

A**ciae -*ice

RENATO C% CORONA

A**ciae -*ice

ROMEO % CALLEO, SR%

A**ciae -*ice


62/99

ADOL'O S% A$CUNA

A**ciae -*ice

DANTE O% TIN"A

A**ciae -*ice

MINITA CHICO+NA$ARIO

A**ciae -*ice

CANCIO C% "ARCIA

A**ciae -*ice

PRESBITERO % #ELASCO

A**ciae -*ice

CERTI'ICATION

Pursuant to &ection !


63/99

Chie: -*ice

?!@

E%O% N% 0 ;a* i**-e& ./ 'r6er Pre*i&en A-in in he eFerci*e : her le7i*laie

p;er -n&er he Pri*inal ('ree&6) Cn*i-in% Th-*, i i* : he *a6e cae7r/ an&ha* he *a6e .in&in7 :rce a* a *a-e% (A7pal, Sa-r/ Cn*r-cin,0==> ciin7Le7a*pi % Mini*r/ : 'inance, 00< SCRA ?0> 0=>8@ "arcia+Pa&illa % Pnce Enrile,"%R% N% 103>>, April 89, 0=>3@ A-in % C66i**in n Elecin*, 18 SCRA 82< 0=2, 0%

?@ AnneF " : he Peiin in "%R% N% 02?30>%

?A@ AnneF A : he Peiin in "%R% N% 02?30>%

?C@ Peiin in "%R% N% 02?022 a p% 0%

?!#@ AnneF : he Peiin in "%R% N% 02?30>%

?!


64/99

?!E@ En BancRe*l-in &ae& Sepe6.er 80, 8991%

?!%@ 823 U%S% 032 Phil% 8= (0=1?)%

?!A@ P-n, Lec-re n Le7i*laie Ine*i7ain* an& he Ri7h

Priac/, a p% 88%

?!C@ Berna* S%%, The 0=>2 Cn*i-in : he Rep-.lic : he

Philippine*,8993 E&% a p%232%

?#$@ Berna* S%%, The 0=>2 Cn*i-in : he Rep-.lic : he

Philippine*,8993 E&% a p%23=%

?#!@ "%R% N% 01=222, April 89, 8991%

?##@ WaGin* %Unie& Sae*, 3


65/99

?? ciin7 In re C-nanan, =?

Phil%


66/99

?E:@ Mar-e % De*ier, "%R% N% 03>8, -ne 82, 8990, 32, an-ar/ 30, 0=1>, 88 SCRA ?8?%

?EA@ Aricle 08 : he Unier*al Declarain : H-6an Ri7h*% See al*Aricle 02 (0) an& (8) : he Inernainal Cenan n Ciil an&Pliical Ri7h*%

?EC@ Cn*i-inal an& Le7al S/*e6* : ASEAN C-nrie*, Si*n,Aca&e6/ : ASEAN La; an& -ri*pr-&ence, 0==9, a 880, ciin7 I%R%Cre*, The Cn*i-inal '-n&ain* : Priac/, 2 (0=29)%

?%$@ B-rr;* %S-perirC-r:San Bernar&in C-n/, 03 Cal% 3& 83>,


67/99

1,R, 9o, ACC!E 9o0ember #$" !CC!

+O&* ,&, B*914O9 +R," -B*7-R=O T*RD7O" +O&* -9T*'O9" 3I'*9T*I77& +R," 7*O9-R=O 1-BO-" GDRT B-'6-99 +R," +O&* 3,*, +I*9*4"*R9*&TO '-7DH-" -1*RI'O D91&O9" &D&-9 ROK-&" *73I* '-&TI77O" and

'H9T6I- &-BI=O 7I+-P"petitioners"0s,T6* &*9-T* B7D* RIBBO9 'OITT** -9= IT& *B*R&" represented byand through the '6-IR-9" 6O9, WI1B*RTO T-L-=-" respondents" +O&* &,&-9=*+-&"inter0enor,

Ben7n, $arra7a, Narci*, C-&ala, Pec*n Ben7*n :r peiiner*%

Bal7* Pere :r inerenin7 peiiner%

E&&ie Ta6n&n7 an& Anni T% Ta7ar :r re*pn&en*%

PADILLA, %4p

This is a petition for prohibition ith prayer for the issuance of a temporary restrainingorder and/or injuecti0e relief" to enjoin the respondent &enate Blue Ribbon committeefrom re8uiring the petitioners to testify and produce e0idence at its in8uiry into thealleged sale of the e8uity of Benjamin MGooyM Romualde2 to the 7opa 1roup in thirty.si5 (


68/99

an& *rae7e6* -n-e*l/ enri7h he6*ele* a he eFpen*e :Plaini:: an& he 'ilipin peple, a6n7 her*4

(a) O.aaine&, ;ih he acie clla.rain : De:en&an*Sene % "a.al&n, Mari D% Ca6ach, Ma6er Nep6-cen,Carl* % #al&e, Ce*ar C% $ala6ea an& 'ranci*c Tan-ic,

A/% *e Ben7n, r% an& hi* la; parner*, na6el/4E&il.er S% Narci*, r%, *e #icene E% i6ene, A6an% 'a-*in, r%, an& Lenar& C% Cr-@ *e S% San&ea*an& hi* :ell; *enir 6ana7er* : 'MMCPNI Hl&in7* 7r-p*: c6panie* *-ch a* Lenar& "a6.a, #icene T% Mill*,r%, *e M% Manecn, A.elar& S% Ter6-l, ReF C% DrilnII an& K-r Bach6ann, r%, cnrl : *6e : he .i77e*.-*ine** enerpri*e* in he Philippine*, *-ch a* heManila Crprain (MERALCO), Ben7-e Cn*li&ae& an& hePhilippine C66ercial Inernainal BanG (PCI BanG) ./e6pl/in7 &ei-* :inancial *che6e* an& echni-e*calc-lae& re-ire he 6a**ie in:-*in an& he6rrha7e

: 7ern6en :-n&* ;ih 6ini6-6 r ne7li7i.le ca*h-:r6 De:en&an Bena6in R6-al&e%%%

FFF FFF FFF

(6) 6anip-lae&, ;ih he *-ppr, a**i*ance an&clla.rain : Phil7-ranee ::icial* le& ./ chair6anCe*ar E%A% #iraa an& he Senir 6ana7er* : 'MMCPNIHl&in7*, Inc% le& ./ *e S% San&ea*, r%, *e M%Manec6 an& K-r S% Bach6ann, r%, a6n7 her*, he:r6ain : Erecr* Hl&in7*, Inc% ;ihin:-*in7a&&iinal capial *lel/ :r he p-rp*e : Erecr*

Incrprae& ;ih Phil7-aranee in he a6-n :P2,??9%20 ;ih in*-::icien *ec-riie*cllaeral*-* ena.le Erecr* Inc, appear ia.le an& .rr; 6re capial*, * 6-ch * ha i* .li7ain ;ihPhil7-ranee ha* reache& a al : 6re han P8 Billina* : -ne 39, 0=>2%

(n) a he n*e : he pre*en A&6ini*rain an&r;ihin he ;eeG :ll;in7 he 'e.r-ar/ 0=>1 Peple*Rel-in, in cn*pirac/ ;ih, *-pr, a**i*ance an&clla.rain : he a.ena6e& la;/er* : he Ben7n La;O::ice*, r *peci:icall/ De:en&an* *e '%S% Ben7n,

r%, #%E% i6ene, A6an& #% 'a-*in, r%, an& E&il.erS% Narci*, r%, 6anip-lae&, *hce6e&, an&r eFec-e& a*erie* : &eice* inen&e& cnceal an& place, an&r:r he p-rp*e : cncealin7 an& placin7, .e/n& hein-ir/ an& -ri*&icin : he Pre*i&enial C66i**in n"& "ern6en (PC"") herein De:en&an* in&ii&-al an&cllecie :-n&*, prperie*, an& a**e* *-.ec : an&r*-ie& in he in*an C6plain%


69/99

() 6an-eere&, ;ih he echnical Gn;+h; an& le7aliicalen* : he 'MMC *enir 6ana7er an& *6e : he Ben7nla; parner*, *-ch a* A/*% *e '%S% Ben7n, r%,E&il.er S% Narci*, r%, A6an& #% 'a-*in, *e#icene E% i6ene an& Lenar& C% Cr-, he p-rpre&*ale : &e:en&an Bena6in R6-al&e* inere** in he

(i) Pr:e**inal Mana7er*, (ii) A E InernainalCrprain (A E), (iii) 'ir* Manila Mana7er6enCrprain ('MMC), (i) Philippine Wrl& Trael Inc%(PWTI) an& i* *-.*i&iarie* cn*i*in7 : 31 crprain*in all, PNI Hl&in7*, Inc% (;*e p-rpre&incrprain* are all 6e6.er* : A/% *e '%S%Ben7n* la; :ir6) :r nl/ P< 6illin n March 3, 0=>1r hree &a/* a:er he creain : he Pre*i&enialC66i**in n "& "ern6en n 'e.r-ar/ 8>, 0=>1, :rhe *le p-rp*e : &eceiin7 an& pree6pin7 he"ern6en, paric-larl/ he PC"", an& 6aGin7 i appearha &e:en&an Bena6in R6-al&e ha& alrea&/ &ie*e&

hi6*el: : hi* ;ner*hip : he *a6e ;hen in r-h an& in:ac, hi* inere** are ;ell inac an& .ein7 prece& ./A/% *e '%S% Ben7n, r% an& *6e : hi* la; parner*,7eher ;ih he 'MMC *enir 6ana7er* ;h *ill cnrlan& r-n he a::iar* : *ai& crprain*, an& in r&er enice he PC"" appre he *ai& :icii-* *ale, hea.e+na6e& &e:en&an* ::ere& P89 6illin a* &nain he "ern6en@

(p) 6i*-*e&, ;ih he cnniance, *-ppr an& echnicala**iance : he Ben7n la; :ir6 repre*ene& ./ A/%*e '%S% Ben7n, r% a* le7al c-n*el, 7eher ;ih

&e:en&an* Ce*ar $ala6ea, Anni Oaea, Mari D% Ca6acha6& Senen % "a.al&n a* 6e6.er* : he Bar& : Direcr*: he Philippine C66ercial Inernainal .anG (PCIB),he Meralc Pen*in '-n& ('-n&, :r *hr) in he a6-n: P8< 6illin ./ c-a*in7 i .e ine*e& in he PCIBan& hr-7h he BanG* TS", a**i7ne& PCI Deelp6enan& PCI E-i/ a


70/99

BanGin7 Ac, alh-7h he/ Gn; :r a :ac ha ;ha hela; &eclare* a* -nla;:-l an& i& a. inii are he*-.*cripin* in eFce** : he 39 ceilin7 he eFen: he eFce** er an/ : he ceilin7* pre*cri.e& %%% an&n he ;hle r enire *cGhl&in7 ;hich he/ all;e& *a/ :r *iF /ear* (:r6 -ne 39, 0=>9 March 8?, 0=>1)@

() cleerl/ hi& .ehin& he eil : crprae eni/,hr-7h he -*e : he na6e* an& 6ana7erial eFperi*e :he 'MMC *enir 6ana7er an& la;/er* i&eni:ie& a* *e B%San&ea*, Lenar& "a6.a, #icene T% Mill*, A.elar& S,Ter6-l, E&il.er S% Narci*, r%, *e M% Manecn, ReFC% Driln II, K-r Bach6ann, r% 7eher ;ih he le7alalen* : crprae la;/er*, *-ch a* A/*% *e '%S%Ben7n, r%, *e #%E% i6ene, A6an& #% 'a-*in, r%,an& Lenar& C% Cr-, he ill+7en ;ealh : Bena6in T%R6-al&e incl-&in7, a6n7 her*, he 1,88=,022 *hare* inPCIB re7i*ere& in he na6e* : Tran* Mi&&le Ea* Phil*%

E-iie*, Inc% an& E&il.er S% Narci*, r% ;hich he/re:-*e& *-rren&er PC"" &e*pie heir &i*cl*-re a*he/ rie& an& cnin-e eFer e::r* in 7ein7 hl&: he *a6e a* ;ell a* he *hare* in Ben7-e re7i*ere& inhe na6e* : Pal6 Aen-e Hl&in7* an& Pal6 Aen-e Real/Deelp6en Crp% p-rpre&l/ .e applie& a* pa/6en :rhe clai6 : P29 6illin : a 6er7er c6pan/ : he 'ir*Manila Mana7er6en Crp% 7r-p *-pp*e&l/ ;ne& ./ he6alh-7h he r-h i* ha all he *ai& :ir6* are *ill.ene:iciall/ ;ne& ./ &e:en&an* Bena6in R6-al&e%

555 555 555

On #A &eptember !CAA" petitioner (as defendants) filed their respecti0e ansers, #eanhile" from # to : -ugust !CAA" conflicting reports on the disposition by the P'11of the MRomualde2 corporationsM ere carried in 0arious metropolitan nespapers, Thus"one nespaper reported that the Romulade2 firms had not been se8uestered because ofthe opposition of certain P'11 officials ho Mhad ored pr0iously as layers of thearcos crony firms,M -nother daily reported otherise" hile others declared that on > acc-*in7 Mr% Ricar& Ba./ Lpa : hain7 aGen erhe 'MMC "r-p : C6panie*% A* a cn*e-ence here:, Mr% Lpa ;re aleer Senar Enrile n ? Sepe6.er 0=>> cae7ricall/ &en/in7 hahe ha& aGen er he 'MMC "r-p : C6panie*@ ha :r6er PC""Chair6an Ra6n Dia hi6*el: cae7ricall/ *ae& in a eleca* inerie;./ Mr% L-i* Belran n Channel 2 n 30 A-7-* 0=>> ha here ha* .eenn aGeer ./ hi6 (Lpa)@ an& ha he*e* repeae& alle7ain* : a

aGeer n hi* (Lpa*) par : 'MMC are .a*ele** a* he/ are6alici-*%

The Lpa repl/ pr6pe& Senar Enrile, &-rin7 he *e**in : he Senaen 03 Sepe6.er 0=>>, aail : he priile7e h-r, ! so that he couldrepond to the said 7opa letter" and also to 0indicate his reputation as a ember of the&enate of the Philippines" considering the claim of r, 7opa that his (*nrileFs) chargesthat he (7opa) had taen o0er the ' 1roup of 'ompanies are MbaselessM and


75/99

Mmalicious,M Thus" in his speech" !A &enator *nrile said" among others" as follos>

r, President" I rise this afternnon on a matter of personal pri0ilege; the pri0ilegebeing that I recei0ed" r, President" a letter dated &eptember E" !CAA" signed byr, ricardo -, 7opa" a,,a, or Baby 7opa" herein he denied categorically that

he has taen o0er the irst anila anagement 1roup of 'ompanies hichincludes &O7OI7 Incorporated,

FFF FFFF FFF

In an*;er Mr% Lpa, I ;ill -e perinen prin* :r6 anO::icial Me6ran&-6 he Pre*i&enial C66i**in : "&"ern6en ;rien an& *i7ne& ./ :r6er "ernr, n; Cn7re**6an*e Ra6ire, in hi* capaci/ a* hea& : he PC"" Ta*G 'rce :rRe7in #III% In hi* 6e6ran&-6 &ae& -l/ 3, 0=>1, hen "ernrRa6ire *ae& ha ;hen he an& he 6e6.er* : hi* a*G :rce*-7h *ere a *e-e*rain r&er n he 6ana7e6en : SOLOIL

in Tana-an, Le/e, 6ana7e6en ::icial* a**-re& hi6 harelaie* : he Pre*i&en : he Philippine* ;ere per*nall/&i*c-**in7 an& repre*enin7 SOLOIL * ha he r&er :*e-e*rain ;-l& .e li:e& an& ha he ne; ;ner ;a* Mr%Ricar& A% Lpa%

I ;ill -e he perinen prin* in he Ra6ire* 6e6ran&-6%

The :ir* para7raph : he 6e6ran&-6 rea&* a* :ll;* an& I-e, Mr% Pre*i&en4

O-r *e-e*rain ;rG : SOLOIL in Tana-an, Le/e ;a*

n hee&e& ./ 6ana7e6en .eca-*e he/ *ai& anherrepre*enain ;a* .ein7 6a&e hi* C66i**in :r heen-al li:in7 : -r *e-e*rainr&er% The/ eena**-re& -* ha Mr% Ricar& Lpa an& Pepin7 C-nan7c;ere per*nall/ &i*c-**in7 an& repre*enin7 SOLOIL, * her&er : *e-e*rain ;ill :inall/ .e li:e&% While ;eae6pe& carr/ n -r r&er, 6ana7e6en re:-*e& cperae an& ehe6enl/ -rne& &;n -r re-e* 6aGeaaila.le -* he recr&* : he c6pan/% In :ac i ;a*.i-*l/ clear ha he/ ;ill 6ee -* ;ih :rcehe66en ;e in*i* n &in7 nr6all/ -r a**i7ne& a*G% Inie; : he i6pen&in7 hrea, an& ai& an/ -n;ar&

inci&en ;e &eci&e& e6praril/ *-*pen& -r ;rG -nilhere i* a 6re cae7rical *an& : hi* C66i**in inie; : he *ee6in7l/ in:l-enial repre*eain .ein7 6a&e./ SOLOIL :r -* n cnin-e -r ;rG%

Anher perinen prin : he *a6e 6e6ran&-6 i* para7raph:ie, ;hich rea&* a* :ll;*, an& I -e Mr% Pre*i&en4


76/99

The Pre*i&en, Mr% "a6.a, hi* i*, I -n&er*an&, hePre*i&en : SOLOIL, an& he Plan S-perinen&en, Mr%i6ene incl-&in7 heir chie: c-n*el, A/% Man&n7Men&ila are n; *a/in7 ha here hae .een &ie*6en,an& ha he ne; ;ner i* n; Mr% Ricar& Lpa ;haccr&in7 he6, i* he .rher+in+la; : he Pre*i&en%

The/ een ;en :-rher ./ ellin7 -* ha een Pepin7C-an7c ;h ;e Gn; i* he .rher : her eFcellenc/ i*al* inere*e& in he ;ner*hip an& 6ana7e6en : SOLOIL%When he &e6an&e& :r *-pprin7 paper* ;hich ;ill in&icaea:re*ai& &ie*6en, Me**r*% "a6.a, i6ene an& Men&ilare:-*e& ehe6enl/ *-.6i he*e paper* -*, in*ea&he/ *ai& i ;ill .e *-.6ie& &irecl/ hi*C66i**in% T -r 6in& heir cnin--* &rppin7 : na6e*i* n 7& :r hi* C66i**in an& een he Pre*i&eni: -r &er*ire i* achiee re*peca.ili/ an& *a.ili/: he 7ern6en%

The cnen* : he 6e6ran&-6 : hen "ernr an& n;Cn7re**6an *e Ra6ire ;ere per*nall/ cn:ir6e& ./ hi6 in ane;* inerie; la* Sepe6.er 2, 0=>>%

FFF FFFF FFF

Al* relean hi* ca*e, Mr% Pre*i&en, i* a leer : Mr%Ricar& Lpa hi6*el: in A-7-* 00, 0=>> i**-e : he ne;*paperMala/ahea&line& On Alle7e& TaGeer : R6-al&e 'ir6*%

Mr% Lpa *ae* in he la* para7raph : he p-.li*he& leer an&I -e hi64

08% A* : hi* ;riin7, he *ale* a7ree6en i* -n&erreie; ./ he PC"" *lel/ &eer6ine he apprpriaeprice% The *ale : he*e c6panie* an& -r prir ri7h re-ire* he6 hae neer .een a i**-e%

Perhap* I c-l& n 6aGe i an/ clearer Mr% Lpa ha I ;a*n reall/ 6aGin7 .a*ele** an& 6alici-* *ae6en*%

&enator *nrile concluded his pri0ilege speech in the folloing tenor>

Mr% Pre*i&en, i 6a/ .e ;rh;hile :r he Senae lG inhe p**i.le ilain : he la; in he ca*e paric-larl/ ;ihre7ar& Rep-.lic Ac N% 390=, he Ani+"ra: an& Crr-pPracice* Ac, Secin < : ;hich rea&* a* :ll;* an& I -e4

Sec%


77/99

cn*an7-ini/ r a::ini/, ;ihin he hir& ciil &e7ree,: he Pre*i&en : he Philippine*, he #ice+Pre*i&en :he Philippine*, he Pre*i&en : he Senae, r heSpeaGer : he H-*e : Repre*enaie*, inerene&irecl/ r in&irecl/, in an/ .-*ine**, ran*acin,cnrac r applicain ;ih he "ern6en4 Pri&e&,

ha hi* *ecin *hall n appl/ an/ per*n ;h prir he a**-6pin : ::ice : an/ : he a.e ::icial* ;h6 he i* relae&, ha* .een alrea&/ &ealin7 ;ih he"ern6en aln7 he *a6e line : .-*ine**, nr an/ran*acin, cnrac r applicain :ile& ./ hi6 :rappral : ;hich i* n &i*creinar/ n he par : he::icial* cncerne& .- &epen&* -pn c6pliance ;ihre-i*ie* pri&e& ./ la;, nr an/ ac la;:-ll/per:r6e& in an ::icial capaci/ r in he eFerci*e : apr:e**in%

Mr% Pre*i&en, I hae &ne &-/ hi* Senae an& 6/*el:% I

leae i hi* a-7-* B&/ 6aGe i* ;n cncl-*in%

3erily" the speech of &enator *nrile contained no suggestion of contemplated legislation;he merely called upon the &enate to loo into a possible 0iolation of &ec, % of R- 9o,


78/99

WHEREAS, lea&er* : *chl /-h, c66-ni/ 7r-p* an& /-h :nn+7ern6enal r7aniain ha& 6a&e repre*enain* heSenae C66iee n !-h an& Spr* Deelp6en lG in hechar7e* a7ain* he PC"" *ince *ai& a7enc/ i* a */6.l : hechan7e* eFpece& ./ he peple ;hen he EDSA rel-in Gplace an& ha he ill+7en ;ealh .e recere& ;ill :-n&

priri/ prec* ;hich ;ill .ene:i -r peple *-ch a* CARP,:ree e&-cain in he ele6enar/ an& *ecn&ar/ leel*re:re*rain, an& e6pl/6en 7enerain :r r-ral an& -r.an;rGer*@

WHEREAS, he 7ern6en an& he pre*en lea&e*hip 6-*&e6n*rae in heir p-.lic an& priae lie* ine7ri/, hnran& e::icien 6ana7e6en : 7ern6en *erice* le* -r /-h.ec6e &i*ill-*ine& an& l*e hpe an& re-rn an I&el7/ an&:r6 : 7ern6en ;hich i* rep-7nan r-e :ree&6, &e6craicparicipain an& h-6an ri7h*4 N;, here:re, .e i%

Re*le& ./ he Senae, Tha he aciiie* : he Pre*i&enialC66i**in n "& "ern6en .e ine*i7ae& ./ he apprpriaeC66iee in cnnecin ;ih he i6ple6enain : Secin 81,Aricle #III : he Cn*i-in% !C

Thus" the in8uiry under &enate Resolution 9o, #!# is to loo into the charges against theP'11 filed by the three (


79/99

,,, The poer of congress to conduct in0estigations in inherent in the legislati0eprocess, That poer is broad, it encompasses in8uiries concerning theadministration of e5isting las as ell as proposed" or possibly needed statutes,It includes sur0eys of defects in our social"economic" or political system for thepurpose of enabling 'ongress to remedy them, It comprehends probes into

departments of the ederal 1o0ernment to e5pose corruption" inefficiency oraste, But broad asis this poer ofin8uiry" it is not unlimited, There is nogeneral authority to e5pose the pri0ate affairs ofindi0iduals ithout justificationin terms of the functions of congress, This as freely conceded by &olicitor1eneral in his argument in this case, 9or is the 'ongress a la enforcement ortrial agency, These are functions of the e5ecuti0e and judicial departments ofgo0ernment, 9o in8uiry is an end in itself; it must be related to and infurtherance of a legitimate tas of 'ongress, In0estigations conducted soly forthe personal aggrandi2ement of the in0estigators or to MpunishM thosein0estigated are indefensible, (emphasis supplied)

It can not be o0erlooed that hen respondent 'ommittee decide to conduct itsin0estigation of the petitioners" the complaint in 'i0il 9o, $$


80/99

9o to another matter, It has been held that Ma congressional committeeFs right to in8uireis Fsubject to all rele0ant limitations placed by the 'onstitution on go0ernmental action"Fincluding MFthe rele0ant limitations of the Bill of RightsF,M ##

In another case N

%%% he 6ere *e6.lance : le7i*laie p-rp*e ;-l& n -*i:/an in-ir/ in he :ace : he Bill : Ri7h*% The criicalele6en i* he eFei*ence :, an& he ;ei7h .e a*cri.e& ,he inere* : he Cn7re** in &e6an&in7 &i*cl*-re* :r6 an-n;illin7 ;ine**% We cann *i6pl/ a**-6e, h;eer, ha eer/cn7re**inal ine*i7ain i* -*i:ie& ./ a p-.lic nee& haer+.alance* an/ priae ri7h* a::ece&% T & * ;-l& .e a.&icae he re*pn*i.ili/ place& ./ he Cn*i-in -pn he-&iciar/ in*-re ha he Cn7re** &e* n -n-*i:ia.l/

encrah -pn an in&ii&-al* ri7h priac/ nr a.ri&7e hi*li.er/ : *peech, pre**, reli7in r a**e6.l/% #)

On he .a*i* : hi* inerpreain : ;ha in ai& :le7i*lain 6ean*, i can rea&il/ .e *een ha he

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