statcon cases chapter xii.doc.docx

8/21/2019 STATCON Cases Chapter XII.doc.Docx

1/73

ROMMEL G. MUOZ, G.R. No. 170678Petitioner, Present:

Panganiban, C.J.,

Puno, Quisumbing, Ynares-Santiago,

Sandova-Gutierre!,- versus - "ar#io,

$ustria-%artine!, "orona, "ar#io-%oraes,"ae&o, Sr., $!'una, (inga, ")i'o-Na!ario, Gar'ia, and *eas'o, +r.,JJ.

COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS,CARLOS IRWIN G. BALDO, JR., Promugated: Res#ondents.

+u 17, 006DECISION

YNARES-SANTIAGO,J.:

()is is a #etition or certiorariand #ro)ibition /it) #raer or t)e issuan'e o a /rit o

#reiminar in&un'tion andor tem#orar restraining order ied b #etitioner Romme G.

%uo! assaiing t)e Resoution213dated 4e'ember 15, 005 o t)e "ommission on e'tions

"%9"En Bancin SP" No. 0;-1; /)i') airmed t)e Resoution 23dated 'tober 5,

00; o t)e "%9" oard o e'tion =ns#e'tors on t)e enveo#e 'ontaining

t)emB 5 one R a'A t)e name and signature o t)e #o 'erA on t)e se'ond #age t)ereoB 6

one R a'A t)e number o votes in /ords and iguresB and 7 our Rs /ere aeged

#re#ared under intimidation. 253

n %a 1@, 00;, t)e %>" denied t)e ob&e'tions and rued to in'ude t)e ob&e'ted

Rs in t)e 'anvass. Private res#ondent a##eaed t)e said ruing to t)e "%9" on %a

18, 00; and /as do'Aeted as SP" No. 0;-087 and raed to t)e "%9"


2/73

4es#ite t)e #enden' o t)e a##ea, #etitioner /as #ro'aimed on %a 1C, 00; b

t)e %>" as t)e /inning 'andidate or maor o "amaig, $ba. 273

n %a 1, 00;, #rivate res#ondent ied /it) t)e "%9" a #etition to annu

t)e #ro'amation o t)e #etitioner or being #remature and iega. ()e 'ase /as do'Aeted as

SP" No. 0;-1; and raed to t)e "%9"


3/73

n +anuar 17, 006, t)e "ourt issued a tem#orar restraining order ee'tive

immediate and ordered t)e "%9" to 'ease and desist rom im#ementing and

enor'ing t)e4e'ember 15, 005 Resoution in SP" No. 0;-1; .213

Petitioner reies on t)e oo/ing grounds in su##ort o )is #etition:

=

(E P>9=" 2RSPN4N(3 "%9" "%%=((4 GR$*$>S < 4=S"R(=N $%N(=NG ( 9$"J R K"SS aan S> o said muni'i#ait or t)e'osure or transer o t)e station to anot)er o'ation. ()e matter /as reerred to t)e %uni'i#angineer, ")ie o Poi'e, %uni'i#a Eeat) i'er and t)e >ureau o uiding and ran') ;; against res#ondents. ()e 'ase, do'Aeted as SP "ivi "ase No. CC-0@010-4, /as raed to t)e saa o +udge "ris#in 9aron.

Petitioner 'aimed t)at )er gasoine station /as not 'overed b Se'tion ;; o t)e i'iaIoning "ode sin'e it /as not a gasoine servi'e station but a gasoine iing stationgoverned b Se'tion 1 t)ereo. S)e added t)at t)e de'ision o t)e Eousing and 9and seReguator >oard E9R>,@ in a #revious 'ase ied b t)e same res#ondent +oveanos

against )er #rede'essor 4ennis Parano, barred t)e grounds invoAed b res#ondentmuni'i#ait in Resoution No. 50. =n t)e E9R> 'ase, res#ondent +oveanos o##osed t)eestabis)ment o t)e gas station on t)e grounds t)at: 1 it /as /it)in t)e 100-meter #ro)ibitedradius under Se'tion ;; and it #osed a #erni'ious ee't on t)e )eat) and saet o t)e#eo#e in "aasiao.

$ter t)e )earing on t)e #ro#riet o issuing a /rit o #reiminar #ro)ibitor and mandatorin&un'tion, t)e tria 'ourt rued:

()ere is no basis or t)e 'ourt to issue a /rit o #reiminar #ro)ibitor andmandator in&un'tion. $beit,Set%!n !) the O))%%&l Z!n%n; C!"e !) #es3!n"ent7un%%3&l%t( "!es n!t 7ent%!n & ;&s!l%ne )%ll%n; st&t%!n,


13/73

!3e#&t%n; %ts 4us%ness !n th&t 3t%ul 3l&e. +u#the#, the ;&s!l%ne )%ll%n;st&t%!n en"&n;e#s the l%'es &n" s&)et( !) 3e!3le 4e&use !ne the#e %s )%#e, theest&4l%sh7ent &n" h!uses ne( $%ll 4e #&>e" t! the ;#!un".;em#)asissu##ied

Petitioner moved or re'onsideration o t)e de'ision but it /as denied b t)e tria 'ourt.

Petitioner eevated t)e 'ase to t)e "$ viaa #etition or 'ertiorari, #ro)ibition andmandamus,5/it) a #raer or in&un'tive reie. S)e as'ribed grave abuse o dis'retion,amounting to a'A or eF'ess o &urisdi'tion, on t)e #art o +udge 9aron /)o dismissed )er'ase.

$ter t)e "$ dismissed t)e #etition, #etitioner ied a motion or re'onsideration but t)e same/as denied. Een'e, t)is a##ea.

>eore us, #etitioner insists t)at 1 t)e ega maFim o ejusdem generisdid not a## to )er'aseB t)e 'osuretranser o )er gasoine iing station b res#ondent muni'i#ait /as aninvaid eFer'ise o t)e atters #oi'e #o/ers and @ it /as t)e #rin'i#e o res judicatat)ata##ied in t)is 'ase.6

De ind merit in t)e #etition.

The #%n%3le !)E%usdem &eneris

De )od t)at t)e !oning ordinan'e o res#ondent muni'i#ait made a 'ear distin'tionbet/een gasoine servi'e station and gasoine iing station. ()e #ertinent #rovisionsread:

FFF FFF FFF

Se'tion 1. +%ll%n; St&t%!n. $ retai station servi'ing automobies and ot)er motorve)i'es /it) gasoine and oi on.7

FFF FFF FFF

Se'tion ;. Se#'%e St&t%!n. $ buiding and its #remises /)ere gasoine oi, grease,batteries, tires and 'ar a''essories ma be su##ied and dis#ensed at retai and /)ere,in addition, t)e oo/ing servi'es ma be rendered and saes and no ot)er.

a. Sae and servi'ing o s#arA #ugs, batteries, and distributor #artsB

b. (ire servi'ing and re#air, but not re'a##ing or regroovingB

'. Re#a'ement o muers and tai #i#es, /ater )ose, an bets, braAeuids, ig)t bubs, uses, oor mats, seat 'overs, /inds)ied /i#ers and/i#er bades, grease retainers, /)ee, bearing, mirrors and t)e iAeB

d. Radiator 'eaning and us)ingB

e. Das)ing and #ois)ing, and sae o automobie /as)ing and #ois)ingmateriasB

. Grease and ubri'atingB

g. mergen' /iring re#airsB

). %inor servi'ing o 'arburatorsB

i. $d&usting and re#airing braAesB

&. %inor motor ad&ustments not invoving remova o t)e )ead or 'ranA'ase,or raising t)e motor.8

FFF FFF FFF

=t is evident rom t)e oregoing t)at t)e ordinan'e intended t)ese t/o terms to be se#arate anddistin't rom ea') ot)er. ven res#ondent muni'i#aits 'ounse admitted t)is dissimiaritduring t)e )earing on t)e a##i'ation or t)e issuan'e o a /rit o #reiminar #ro)ibitor andmandator in&un'tion. "ounse in a't admitted:

1. ()at t)ere eFist2ed3 an oi'ia !oning 'ode o "aasiao, Pangasinan /)i') 2/as3not et amendedB

. Th&t un"e# A#t%le III !) s&%" !))%%&l >!n%n; !"e the#e


14/73

)%ll%n; st&t%!n &n" th&t !) the ;&s!l%ne se#'%e st&t%!n &s &33e%n; %n A#t%le III,N!s. 1 &n" 1, /)i') #etitionersubmitted as eviden'e during t)e #ro'eedings beore t)e tria 'ourt, i on to unders'ore#etitioners 'om#ian'e /it) t)e reui rements o a/ beore s)e #ut u# )er gasoine station.

$not)er a'tor t)at s)oud not be et unnoti'ed is t)e diigen'e eFer'ised b2#etitioner3 in 'om#ing /it) t)e reuirements o t)e severa a/s #rior to t)e a'tuaim#ementation o t)e #ro&e't as 'an be attested b t)e a't t)at 2#etitioner3 )asse'ured t)e ne'essar buiding #ermit and a##rova o 2)er3 a##i'ation or aut)oritto reo'ate as #er t)e etter o t)e nerg Reguator >oard FFF.1C

n t)e aeged )a!ardous ee'ts o t)e gasoine station to t)e ives and #ro#erties o t)e#eo#e o "aasiao, /e again note:

Reative to t)e aegations t)at t)e #ro&e't gasoine station is )a!ardous to ie and#ro#ert, t)e >oard taAes 'ogni!an'e o t)e res#ondents 'ontention t)a t t)e #ro&e'tis not a ire )a!ard sin'e #etroeum #rodu'ts s)a be sae stored in undergroundtanAs and t)at t)e instaation and 'onstru'tion o t)e underground tanAs s)a be ina''ordan'e /it) t)e "ateF ngineering Pro'edures /)i') is true to a gasoinestations in t)e 'ountr. FFF

Een'e, the B!" %s %nl%ne" t! 4el%e'e th&t the 3#!et 4e%n; h&>"!us t! l%)e&n" 3#!3e#t( %s 7!#e 3e#e%'e" th&n )&tu&l.


15/73

'onorm sic a t)e reuirements o PP 1185. It %s )u#the# &lle;e" 4( the!73l&%n&nts th&t the 3#!3!se" l!&t%!n %s %n the het !) the th%l( 3!3ul&te"#es%"ent%&l e& !) C&l&s%&!. A;&%n, )%n"%n;s !) the


16/73

RarrioPinuga, %uni'i#ait o >aras, Provin'e o Ri!a, =sand o 9u!on, /it)in aradius o t)ree Aiometers, more or ess, rom t)e main sateite eart) station,t)e metes and bounds o su') area to be determined b t)e %inister oNationa 4eense, is )ereb de'ared a se'urit !one.


17/73

Pursuant to t)e de'ree, t)e %inistr o Nationa 4eense #romugated t)e 'evised

'ules and 'egulations to 0mplement %$&$ 1o$ 2345 dated 67 +pril 2839, as amended,

&eclaring the %hilippine Earth )tation :%E); )ecurity *one. =n vie/ o t)is, t)e metes and

bounds o PE=9"%S$(?s sateite eart) station in >aras, Ri!a , /ere deineated.

=n 1CC, a Noti'e o "overage /as sent to PE=9"%S$( b #etitioner 4$R

inorming t)e ormer t)at t)e and in uestion s)a be #a'ed under "$RP?s 'om#usor

a'uisition s')eme.

n +anuar 8, 1CC;, PE=9"%S$( /rote to 4$R seeAing an eFem#tion o t)e

sub&e't #ro#ert rom "$RP 'overage, insisting t)at t)e and /i be utii!ed or t)e

eF#ansion o its o#erations, and or t)e oo/ing reasons: 2@3

1 ()e and is being used or nationa deense in a''ordan'e

/it) Se'tion 10 o Re#ubi' $'t R.$. No. 6657 /)i') #rovides:

LSe'tion 10. Fem#tions and F'usions. --

9ands a'tua, dire't and eF'usive used and oundne'essar or #arAs, /idie, orest reserves,reorestation, is) san'tuaries and breeding grounds,/aters)eds and mangroves, nationa deense F F F,s)abe eFem#t rom t)e 'overage o t)is $'t.M

()e 'om#an s)oud be ree rom )armu Radio

aan o (ana, Ri!a, in its Resoution No. 65-C; t)at

/as endorsed to 4$R, moved or t)e 'overage o t)e 700-)e'tare PE=9"%S$( #ro#ert

/it)in t)e se'urit !one under "$RP. ()e Provin'ia $grarian Reorm i'er o (eresa,

Ri!a urt)er o#ined t)at sub&e'ting t)e surrounding agri'utura area /it)in t)e se'urit !one

under "$RP /i not be detrimenta to t)e o#erations o PE=9"%S$(.263

n %a 5, 1CC8, an rder /as issued b t)en Se'retar Gariao re&e'ting

PE=9"%S$(?s a##i'ation or eFem#tion rom "$RP, 'iting t)ree main reasons:

1 ()e o''u#ants in t)e area 'an be 'onsidered as bona

fide tenants o t)e registered o/ner beore PE=9"%S$(a'uired t)e same or its #ro&e'ted eF#ansion o o#erations as t)e)ave been tiing said area or severa earsB

Said o''u#ants )ad been identiied b t)e %uni'i#a $grarianReorm i'er %$R as #otentia "$RP benei'iaries /)en t)eand /as #a'ed under t)e 'om#usor a'uisition s')emeB and,

@ ()e term Lse'urit !oneM is not embra'ed /it)in t)e deinition

o ands used or nationa deense under Se'tion 10 o R. $. No.6657.273
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18/73

=ts motion or re'onsideration o t)e aoresaid rder )aving been denied,

PE=9"%S$( ied a Petition or Revie/ /it) t)e "ourt o $##eas.

Granting said #etition, t)e "ourt o $##eas )ed:

DER9 "R( < $PP$9S RR4 DEN =(4"9$R4 (E$( R.$. N. 6657 "%PRENS=* $GR$R=$NR+"( 9$N4E94=NG $S $ S"R=(Y IN, "$NN(, =N9 "R( < $PP$9S RR4 DEN =(R94 (E$( (E S>+"( PRPR(Y =S K%P(


19/73

P.4. No. 18;8, amending P.4. No. 18;5, sub&e'ted t)e se'urit !one to t)e aut)orit o

t)e %inistr o Nationa 4eense, 'onseuent 'onerring on t)e %inister o Nationa

4eense t)e #o/er and aut)orit to determine /)o 'an o''u# t)e areas /it)in t)e se'urit

!one, and )o/ t)e ands s)a be utii!ed, to /it:

S". @. -- >ccupation by >wner. /ners o and /it)in t)ese'urit !one andor t)eir bona ide tenants, essees, or agents 'an o''u# or'ontinue to o''u# t)eir res#e'tive ands or areas t)erein sub&e't to #rior/ritten #ermission or aut)orit o t)e %inister o Nationa 4eense.

S" ;. -- =n 'ases /)ere an o/ner or a bona ide o''u#ant is, in

t)e determination o t)e %inister o Nationa 4eense, not entited to ano''u#an' #ermit, )e s)a )ave t)e o#tion o demanding #ament o &ust'om#ensation or )is #ro#ert rig)ts, or to se su') rig)ts to an #ersonuaiied to o/n or o''u# su') #ro#ert.

S". 5. -- ()e $rmed


20/73

P.4. 18;8 is aso s#e'ii' in t)at o''u#ation o t)e area, eit)er b t)eo/ners or t)eir bona ide tenants, reuire a #rior /ritten #ermission oraut)orit rom t)e %inistr o t)e Nationa 4eense, no/ 4e#artment oNationa 4eense. =t is t)ereore t)e 4e#artment o Nationa 4eense /)i')/i determine 2F F F3 /)o 'an o''u# t)e sub&e't #ro#ert, and not t)e4e#artment o $grarian Reorm. (o sub&e't t)e #ro#ert in uestion toagrarian reorm is indire't giving t)e 4e#artment o $grarian Reormaut)orit to determine 2F F F3 /)o 'an o''u# t)e #ro#ert, in vioation o

t)e mandate o P.4. 18;8.De ind it not ne'essar to determine /)et)er or not t)e sub&e't#ro#ert is a'tua, dire't , and eF'usive used or nationa deense, tobe eFem#ted rom t)e 'overage o R.$. 6657. ()e a/ /)i') de'reed t)eareas a se'urit !one is ver 'ear in its #ur#ose. =t is a #rin'i#e in statutor'onstru'tion t)at /)ere t)ere are t/o statutes t)at a## to a #arti'uar 'ase,t)at /)i') /as s#e'ii'a designed or t)e said 'ase must #revai over t)eot)er 9a#id v. "ourt o $##eas, @@; S"R$ 7@8 .21;3

Se'tion 10 o t)e "om#re)ensive $grarian Reorm 9a/ or R.$. No. 6657, 2153as

amended, #rovides t)at ands a'tua, dire't and eF'usive used and ound to be ne'essar

or nationa deense s)a be eFem#t rom t)e 'overage o t)e $'t. ()e determination as to

/)et)er or not t)e sub&e't #ro#ert is a'tua, dire't, and eF'usive used or nationa

deense usua entais a inding o a't /)i') t)is "ourt /i not norma deve into

'onsidering t)at, sub&e't to 'ertain eF'e#tions, in a #etition or 'ertiorari under Rue ;5 o t)e

Rues o "ourt, t)e "ourt is 'aed u#on to revie/ on errors o a/. 2163Sui'e it to state,

)o/ever, t)at as a matter o #rin'i#e, it 'annot serious be denied t)at t)e a't o se'uring a

vita 'ommuni'ation a'iities is an a't o nationa deense. Een'e, t)e a/, b segregating an

area or #ur#oses o a se'urit !one or su') a'iities, in ee't devoted t)at area to nationa

deense.

W*ERE+ORE, t)e #etition is DENIED. ()e 4e'ision and Resoution o t)e "ourt o

$##eas in "$-G.R. SP No. 57;@5, dated

November @, 001 and %ar') 7, 00, res#e'tive, are )ereb A++IRMED.

No 'osts.

SO ORDERED.
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21/73

G.R. N!. 01 June 10, 122/

GO9ERNMENT SER9ICE INSURANCE SYSTEM, Petitioner,vs.T*E CITY ASSESSOR O+ ILOILO CITY, T*E REGISTER O+ DEEDS O+ ILOILOCITY &n" ROSALINA +RANCISCO, #e3#esente" 4( he# &tt!#ne(-%n-)&t, SAL9ADORAJA I,Res#ondents.

4 " = S = N

CORONA,J.:

$ssaied in t)is #resent #etition or revie/ under Rue ;5 o t)e Rues o "ourt are t)ede'ision1and resoutiono t)e "ourt o $##eas "$ dismissing a #etition or annument o&udgment@ied b #etitioner, t)e Government Servi'e =nsuran'e Sstem GS=S, in "adastra"ase No. 8; and anot)er unnumbered 'adastra 'ase de'ided b t)e Regiona (ria "ourtR(", >ran')es @6 and @1, o =oio "it, res#e'tive.

=n t)e t/o 'adastra 'ases, #rivate res#ondent Rosaina , +aro "adastre, 9R" G9R Re'ord No. 8 situated in t)e4istri't o +aro, =oio "it, =sand o Pana, registered in t)e name o GS=S 'o >adomero4agdag, o ega age, o'A , o t)e Subdivision Re'ord No. 8 situated int)e 4istri't o +aro, =oio "it, =sand o Pana, registered in t)e name o GS=S 'o Rodoo"eres, o ega age,


22/73

#ro#ert taFes on t)e #ro#erties )ed b it t)at /ere due to t)e o'a governments /)ere su')#ro#erties /ere o'ated.


23/73

()e abrogation or re#ea o a a/ 'annot be assumedB t)e intention to revoAe must be 'earand maniest.1R$ 8C1 made no eF#ress re#ea or abrogation o t)e #rovisions o R$ 7160,#arti'uar Se'tion @; a t)ereo.

Re#ea b im#i'ation in t)is 'ase is not at a 'onvin'ing eit)er. (o bring about an im#iedre#ea, t)e t/o a/s must be absoute in'om#atibe. ()e must be 'ear re#ugnant in a/a t)at t)e ater a/ R$ 8C1 'annot eFist /it)out nuiing t)e #rior a/ R$ 7160. 1@

=ndeed, t)ere is not)ing in R$ 8C1 /)i') abrogates, eF#ress or im#ied, t)at #arti'uar#rovision o t)e 9G". ()e t/o statutes are not in'onsistent on t)at s#e'ii' #oint, et aone soirre'on'iabe as to 'om#e us to u#)od one and striAe do/n t)e ot)er.

()e rue is t)at ever statute must be inter#reted and broug)t into a''ord /it) ot)er a/s in a/a t)at /i orm a uniorm sstem o &uris#ruden'e. 1;()e egisature is #resumed to )aveAno/n eFisting a/s on t)e sub&e't and not to )ave ena'ted 'oni'ting a/s. 15()us, t)eegisature 'annot be #resumed to )ave intended Se'tion @; a to run 'ounter to Se'tion @Co R$ 8C1.

()is 'on'usion is buttressed b t)e "ourt?s 00@ de'ision in1ational %ower Corporation v$City of Cabanatuan16/)ere /e de'ared t)at t)e taF #rovisions o t)e 9G" /ere t)e mostsignii'ant #rovisions t)erein insoar as t)e removed t)e banAet eF'usion oinstrumentaities and agen'ies o t)e nationa government iAe #etitioner rom t)e 'overage

o o'a taFation. =n t)at 'ase, #etitioner Nationa Po/er "or#oration NP" 'aimed t)at it/as an instrumentait o t)e government eFem#t under its ')arter rom #aing ran')ise taF.()e "ourt overrued NP" and u#)ed t)e rig)t o res#ondent 'it government to im#ose t)eran')ise taF on its #riviege to transa't business in its area.

$gain, in t)e 00; 'ase o 'ubia v$


24/73

G.R. N!. /2 June 8, 122/

TWIN ACE *OLDINGS CORORATION, Petitioner,vs.RU+INA AND COMANY, Res#ondent.

4 " = S = N

C*ICO-NAZARIO,J.:

ran') 6, issued an rder dated 5 ran') 6, Regiona (ria "ourt, %ania, in "ivi "ase No. C-5C86 is %4=


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ega and a'tua basis. ()e a/ard o nomina damages is redu'ed toP50,000.00. =n a ot)erres#e'ts, t)e assaied de'ision is $


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$'e but detained and used b 9oren!ana


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Petitioner 'annot seeA reuge in Se'. 5 o R$ No. 6@ to su##ort its 'aim o 'ontinuingo/ners)i# over t)e sub&e't bottes. =n nited States v. %anue 27 P)i. 1 1C063 /e )edt)at sin'e t)e #ur')aser at )is dis'retion 'oud eit)er retain or return t)e bottes, t)etransa'tion must be regarded as a sae o t)e bottes /)en t)e #ur')aser a'tua eFer'ised t)atdis'retion and de'ided not to return t)em to t)e vendor. De aso taAe &udi'ia noti'e o t)estandard #ra'ti'e toda t)at t)e 'ost o t)e 'ontainer is in'uded in t)e seing #ri'e o t)e#rodu't su') t)at t)e buer o iuor or an su') #rodu't rom an sto re is not reuired toreturn t)e botte nor is t)e iuor #a'ed in a #asti' 'ontainer t)at #ossession o t)e botte is

retained b t)e store.

DER


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G.R. N!. 20/ +e4#u( 10, 122/

LUIS MARCOS . LAUREL,Petitioner,vs.*ON. ZEUS C. ABROGAR, #es%"%n; Ju";e !) the Re;%!n&l T#%&l C!u#t, M&&t% C%t(,B#&nh 2, EOLE O+ T*E *ILIINESH *ILIINE LONG DISTANCETELE*ONE COMANY,Res#ondents.

4 " = S = N

CALLEJO, SR.,J.:

>eore us is a Petition or Revie/ on "ertiorari o t)e 4e'ision 1o t)e "ourt o $##eas "$in "$-G.R. SP No. 688;1 airming t)e rder issued b +udge Ieus ". $brogar, Regiona(ria "ourt R(", %aAati "it, >ran') 150, /)i') denied t)e %otion to Quas) Dit)%otion to 4eer $rraignment in "rimina "ase No. CC-;5 or t)et.

P)ii##ine 9ong 4istan'e (ee#)one "om#an P94( is t)e )oder o a egisative ran')iseto render o'a and internationa tee'ommuni'ation servi'es under Re#ubi' $'t No.708.nder said a/, P94( is aut)ori!ed to estabis), o#erate, manage, ease, maintain and#ur')ase tee'ommuni'ation sstems, in'uding transmitting, re'eiving and s/it')ingstations, or bot) domesti' and internationa 'as. anet "o., 9td. >anet /)i') ses>a Su#er rient "ard #)one 'ards to #eo#e /)o 'a t)eir riends and reatives in t)eP)ii##ines. Dit) said 'ard, one is entited to a 7-minute 'a to t)e P)ii##ines or [email protected]@ #er minute. $ter diaing t)e =SR a''ess number indi'ated in t)e #)one 'ard, t)e =SRo#erator reuests t)e subs'riber to give t)e P=N number aso indi'ated in t)e #)one 'ard.n'e t)e 'aer?s identit as #ur')aser o t)e #)one 'ard is 'onirmed, t)e =SR o#erator /it)en #rovide a P)ii##ine o'a ine to t)e reuesting 'aer via t)e =P9. $''ording to P94(,'as made t)roug) t)e =P9 never #ass t)e to 'enter o =G< o#erators in t)e P)ii##ines.

sing t)e o'a ine, t)e >anet 'ard user is abe to #a'e a 'a to an #oint in t)e P)ii##ines,#rovided t)e o'a ine is Nationa 4ire't 4ia N44 'a#abe. 5

P94( asserts t)at >anet 'ondu'ts its =SR a'tivities b utii!ing an =P9 to 'ourse its in'ominginternationa ong distan'e 'as rom +a#an. ()e =P9 is inAed to s/it')ing eui#ment, /)i')is t)en 'onne'ted to P94( tee#)one inesnumbers and eui#ment, /it) >anet assubs'riber. ()roug) t)e use o t)e tee#)one ines and ot)er auFiiar eui#ment, >anet isabe to 'onne't an internationa ong distan'e 'a rom +a#an to an #art o t)e P)ii##ines,and maAe it a##ear as a 'a originating rom %etro %ania. "onseuent, t)e o#erator o an=SR is abe to evade #ament o a''ess, termination or b#ass ')arges and a''ounting rates,as /e as 'om#ian'e /it) t)e reguator reuirements o t)e N(". ()us, t)e =SR o#eratoroers internationa tee'ommuni'ation servi'es at a o/er rate, to t)e damage and #re&udi'eo egitimate o#erators iAe P94(.6

P94( #ointed out t)at >anet utii!ed t)e oo/ing eui#ment or its =SR a'tivities: ines,'abes, and antennas or eui#ment or devi'e 'a#abe o transmitting air /aves or reuen',su') as an =P9 and tee#)one ines and eui#mentB 'om#uters or an eui#ment or devi'e'a#abe o a''e#ting inormation a##ing t)e #res'ribed #ro'ess o t)e inormation andsu##ing t)e resut o t)is #ro'essB modems or an eui#ment or devi'e t)at enabes a datatermina eui#ment su') as 'om#uters to 'ommuni'ate /it) ot)er data termina eui#mentvia a tee#)one ineB muti#eFers or an eui#ment or devi'e t)at enabes t/o or more signasrom dierent sour'es to #ass t)roug) a 'ommon 'abe or transmission ineB s/it')ingeui#ment, or eui#ment or devi'e 'a#abe o 'onne'ting tee#)one inesB and sot/are,disAettes, ta#es or eui#ment or devi'e used or re'ording and storing inormation. 7

P94( aso dis'overed t)at >anet subs'ribed to a tota o 1@ P94( tee#)oneinesnumbers.8>ased on t)e (rai' Stud 'ondu'ted on t)e voume o 'as #assing t)roug)>anet?s =SR net/orA /)i') b#ass t)e =G< to 'enter, P94( in'urred an estimated mont)

oss o P10,185,@5.C6.

C

Re'ords at t)e Se'urities and F')ange "ommission S" asoreveaed t)at >anet /as not aut)ori!ed to #rovide internationa or domesti' ong distan'etee#)one servi'e in t)e 'ountr. ()e oo/ing are its oi'ers: Yu&i Ei&ioAa, a +a#anesenationa ')airman o t)e board o dire'torsB Gina ". %uAaida, a


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#residentB 9uis %ar'os P. 9aure, a anet or net/orA raud, and on t)e strengt) o t/o sear')/arrants10issued b t)e R(" o %aAati, >ran') 1;7, Nationa >ureau o =nvestigation N>=agents sear')ed its oi'e at t)e 7t) uiding, Jaaaan $venue, %aAati "it onNovember 8, 1CCC. $tsus)i %atsuura, Nobuos)i %iaAe, dourd 4. 9a'son and Roando +.

*iegas /ere arrested b N>= agents /)ie in t)e a't o manning t)e o#erations o >anet.Sei!ed in t)e #remises during t)e sear') /ere numerous eui#ment and devi'es used in its=SR a'tivities, su') as muti#eFers, modems, 'om#uter monitors, "Ps, antenna, assorted'om#uter #eri#)era 'ords and mi'ro#ro'essors, 'abes/ires, assorted P94( statement oa''ounts, #araboi' antennae and votage reguators.

State Prose'utor eia 9. "ao 'ondu'ted an inuest investigation and issued aResoution11on +anuar 8, 000, inding #robabe 'ause or t)et under $rti'e @08 o t)eRevised Pena "ode and Presidentia 4e'ree No. ;011against t)e res#ondents t)erein,in'uding 9aure.

n


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()e #rose'ution urt)er aeged t)at internationa business 'as and revenues 'onstitute#ersona #ro#ert envisaged in $rti'e @08 o t)e Revised Pena "ode. %oreover, t)eintangibe tee#)one servi'esa'iities beong to P94( and not to t)e movant and t)e ot)era''used, be'ause t)e )ave no tee#)one servi'es and a'iities o t)eir o/n du aut)ori!edb t)e N("B t)us, t)e taAing b t)e movant and )is 'o-a''used o P94( servi'es /as /it)intent to gain and /it)out t)e atter?s 'onsent.

()e #rose'ution #ointed out t)at t)e a''used, as /e as t)e movant, /ere #aid in eF')ange

or t)eir iega a##ro#riation and use o P94(?s tee#)one servi'es and a'iitiesB on t)e ot)er)and, t)e a''used did not #a a singe 'entavo or t)eir iega =SR o#erations. ()us, t)e a'tso t)e a''used /ere aAin to t)e use o a &um#er b a 'onsumer to dee't t)e 'urrent romt)e )ouse ee'tri' meter, t)ereb enabing one to stea ee'tri'it. ()e #rose'ution em#)asi!edt)at its #osition is ortiied b t)e Resoutions o t)e 4e#artment o +usti'e in P94( v.(iongson, et a. =.S. No. C7-0C5 and in P$"(


31/73

9aure urt)er 'ited t)e Resoution o t)e Se'retar o +usti'e in Pite v. %endo!a, 5/)ere it/as rued t)at t)e Revised Pena "ode, egisated as it /as beore #resent te')noogi'aadvan'es /ere even 'on'eived, is not adeuate to address t)e nove means o steaingair/aves or airtime. =n said resoution, it /as noted t)at t)e inadeua' #rom#ted t)e iing oSenate >i @7C si' entited ()e $nti-(ee'ommuni'ations


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'onsideration is t)e business t)at it #rovides to its 'ustomers, /)i') enabes t)e atter to sendvarious messages to intended re'i#ients. Su') use over a #eriod o time is aAin to mer')andise/)i') )as vaue and, t)ereore, 'an be a##ro#riated b anot)er. $''ording to res#ondentP94(, t)is is /)at a'tua )a##ened /)en #etitioner 9aure and t)e ot)er a''used beo/'ondu'ted iega =SR o#erations.@;

()e #etition is meritorious.

()e issues or resoution are as oo/s: a /)et)er or not t)e #etition or 'ertiorari is t)e#ro#er remed o t)e #etitioner in t)e "ourt o $##easB b /)et)er or not internationatee#)one 'as using >a Su#er rient "ards t)roug) t)e tee'ommuni'ation servi'es#rovided b P94( or su') 'as, or, in s)ort, P94(?s business o #roviding saidtee'ommuni'ation servi'es, are #ro#er sub&e'ts o t)et under $rti'e @08 o t)e RevisedPena "odeB and ' /)et)er or not t)e tria 'ourt 'ommitted grave abuse o dis'retionamounting to eF'ess or a'A o &urisdi'tion in dening t)e motion o t)e #etitioner to uas)t)e amended inormation.

n t)e issue o /)et)er or not t)e #etition or 'ertiorari instituted b t)e #etitioner in t)e "$is #ro#er, t)e genera rue is t)at a #etition or 'ertiorari under Rue 65 o t)e Rues o "ourt,as amended, to nui an order dening a motion to uas) t)e =normation is ina##ro#riatebe'ause t)e aggrieved #art )as a remed o a##ea in t)e ordinar 'ourse o a/. $##ea and'ertiorari are mutua eF'usive o ea') ot)er. ()e remed o t)e aggrieved #art is to

'ontinue /it) t)e 'ase in due 'ourse and, /)en an unavorabe &udgment is rendered, assait)e order and t)e de'ision on a##ea. Eo/ever, i t)e tria 'ourt issues t)e order dening t)emotion to uas) t)e $mended =normation /it) grave abuse o dis'retion amounting to eF'essor a'A o &urisdi'tion, or i su') order is #atent erroneous, or nu and void or being'ontrar to t)e "onstitution, and t)e remed o a##ea /oud not aord adeuate andeF#editious reie, t)e a''used ma resort to t)e eFtraordinar remed o 'ertiorari. @5$ s#e'ia'ivi a'tion or 'ertiorari is aso avaiabe /)ere t)ere are s#e'ia 'ir'umstan'es 'eardemonstrating t)e inadeua' o an a##ea. $s t)is "ourt )ed in >risto %ers SuibbP)is., =n'. v. *ioria:@6

Nonet)eess, t)e sett ed rue is t)at a /rit o 'ertiorari ma be granted in 'ases /)ere, des#iteavaiabiit o a##ea ater tria, t)ere is at east a #rima a'ie s)o/ing on t)e a'e o t)e#etition and i ts anneFes t)at: a t)e tria 'ourt issued t)e order /it) grave abuse o dis'retionamounting to a'A o or in eF'ess o &urisdi'tionB b a##ea /oud not #rove to be a s#eed

and adeuate remedB ' /)ere t)e order is a #atent nuitB d t)e de'ision in t)e #resent'ase /i arrest uture itigationsB and e or 'ertain 'onsiderations su') as #ubi' /eare and#ubi' #oi'.@7

=n )is #etition or 'ertiorari in t)e "$, #etitioner averred t)at t)e tria 'ourt 'ommitted graveabuse o its dis'retion amounting to eF'ess or a'A o &urisdi'tion /)en it denied )is motion touas) t)e $mended =normation des#ite )is 'aim t)at t)e materia aegations in t)e $mended=normation do not ')arge t)et under $rti'e @08 o t)e Revised Pena "ode, or an oenseor t)at matter. > so doing, t)e tria 'ourt de#rived )im o )is 'onstitutiona rig)t to beinormed o t)e nature o t)e ')arge against )im. Ee urt)er averred t)at t)e order o t)e tria'ourt is 'ontrar to t)e 'onstitution and is, t)us, nu and void. Ee insists t)at )e s)oud not be'om#eed to undergo t)e rigors and tribuations o a #rotra'ted tria and in'ur eF#enses todeend )imse against a non-eFistent ')arge.

Petitioner is 'orre't.

$n inormation or 'om#aint must state eF#i'it and dire't ever a't or omission'onstituting an oense@8and must aege a'ts estabis)ing 'ondu't t)at a #ena statute maAes'riminaB@Cand des'ribes t)e #ro#ert /)i') is t)e sub&e't o t)et to advise t)e a''used /it)reasonabe 'ertaint o t)e a''usation )e is 'aed u#on to meet at t)e tria and to enabe )imto re on t)e &udgment t)ereunder o a subseuent #rose'ution or t)e same oense. ;0=t musts)o/, on its a'e, t)at i t)e aeged a'ts are true, an oense )as been 'ommitted. ()e rue isrooted on t)e 'onstitutiona rig)t o t)e a''used to be inormed o t)e nature o t)e 'rime or'ause o t)e a''usation against )im. Ee 'annot be 'onvi'ted o an oense even i #rovenuness it is aeged or ne'essari in'uded in t)e =normation ied against )im.

$s a genera #rereuisite, a motion to uas) on t)e ground t)at t)e =normation does not'onstitute t)e oense ')arged, or an oense or t)at matter, s)oud be resoved on t)e basiso said aegations /)ose trut) and vera'it are )#ot)eti'a 'ommittedB ;1and on additionaa'ts admitted or not denied b t)e #rose'ution. ;= t)e a'ts aeged in t)e =normation do not'onstitute an oense, t)e 'om#aint or inormation s)oud be uas)ed b t)e 'ourt. ;@

De )ave revie/ed t)e $mended =normation and ind t)at, as mentioned b t)e #etitioner, itdoes not 'ontain materia aegations ')arging t)e #etitioner o t)et o #ersona #ro#ertunder $rti'e @08 o t)e Revised Pena "ode. =t, t)us, be)ooved t)e tria 'ourt to uas) t)e$mended =normation. ()e rder o t)e tria 'ourt dening t)e motion o t)e #etitioner touas) t)e $mended =normation is a #atent nuit.

n t)e se'ond issue, /e ind and so )od t)at t)e internationa tee#)one 'as #a'ed b >aSu#er rient "ard )oders, t)e tee'ommuni'ation servi'es #rovided b P94( and its

business o #roviding said servi'es are not #ersona #ro#erties under $rti'e @08 o t)eRevised Pena "ode. ()e 'onstru'tion b t)e res#ondents o $rti'e @08 o t)e said "ode to
http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnthttp://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnthttp://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt35http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt35http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt36http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt36http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt37http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt37http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt38http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt38http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt39http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt40http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt40http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt41http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt41http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt42http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt42http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnthttp://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnthttp://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt35http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt36http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt37http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt38http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt39http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt40http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt41http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt42http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt


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in'ude, /it)in its 'overage, t)e aoresaid internationa tee#)one 'as, tee'ommuni'ationservi'es and business is 'ontrar to t)e etter and intent o t)e a/.

()e rue is t)at, #ena a/s are to be 'onstrued stri't. Su') rue is ounded on t)e tendernesso t)e a/ or t)e rig)ts o individuas and on t)e #ain #rin'i#e t)at t)e #o/er o #unis)mentis vested in "ongress, not in t)e &udi'ia de#artment. =t is "ongress, not t)e "ourt, /)i') is todeine a 'rime, and ordain its #unis)ment.;;4ue res#e't or t)e #rerogative o "ongress indeining 'rimeseonies 'onstrains t)e "ourt to rerain rom a broad inter#retation o #ena

a/s /)ere a narro/ inter#retation is a##ro#riate. ()e "ourt must taAe )eed to anguage,egisative )istor and #ur#ose, in order to stri't determine t)e /rat) and breat) o t)e'ondu't t)e a/ orbids.;5Eo/ever, /)en t)e 'ongressiona #ur#ose is un'ear, t)e 'ourt musta## t)e rue o enit, t)at is, ambiguit 'on'erning t)e ambit o 'rimina statutes s)oud beresoved in avor o enit.;6

Pena statutes ma not be enarged b im#i'ation or intent beond t)e air meaning o t)eanguage usedB and ma not be )ed to in'ude oenses ot)er t)an t)ose /)i') are 'eardes'ribed, not/it)standing t)at t)e "ourt ma t)inA t)at "ongress s)oud )ave made t)emmore 'om#re)ensive.;7Dords and #)rases in a statute are to be 'onstrued a''ording to t)eir'ommon meaning and a''e#ted usage.

$s ")ie +usti'e +o)n %ars)a de'ared, it /oud be dangerous, indeed, to 'arr t)e#rin'i#e t)at a 'ase /)i') is /it)in t)e reason or

mis')ie o a statute is /it)in its #rovision, so ar as to #unis) a 'rime not enumerated in t)estatute be'ause it is o eua atro'it, or o Aindred ')ara'ter /it) t)ose /)i') areenumerated.;8D)en inter#reting a 'rimina statute t)at does not eF#i'it rea') t)e 'ondu'tin uestion, t)e "ourt s)oud not base an eF#ansive reading on ineren'es rom sub&e'tive andvariabe understanding.;C

$rti'e @08 o t)e Revised Pena "ode deines t)et as oo/s:

$rt. @08. D)o are iabe or t)et.O ()et is 'ommitted b an #erson /)o, /it) intent to gainbut /it)out vioen'e, against or intimidation o #ersons nor or'e u#on t)ings, s)a taAe#ersona #ro#ert o anot)er /it)out t)e atter?s 'onsent.

()e #rovision /as taAen rom $rti'e 5@0 o t)e S#anis) Pena "ode /)i') reads:

1. 9os ue 'on Unimo de u'rarse, sin vioen'ia o intimida'iVn en as #ersonas ni uer!a enas 'osas, toman as 'osas muebes a&enas sin a vountad de su dueo .50


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'annot be taAen b anot)er. ()us, rig)t to #rodu'e oi, good /i or an interest in business,or t)e rig)t to engage in business, 'redit or ran')ise are #ro#erties. So is t)e 'redit inere#resented b a 'redit 'ard. Eo/ever, t)e are not #ro#er sub&e'ts o t)et or ar'en be'auset)e are /it)out orm or substan'e, t)e mere breat) o t)e "ongress. n t)e ot)er )and,goods, /ares and mer')andise o businessmen and 'redit 'ards issued to t)em are movabe#ro#erties /it) #)si'a and materia eFist en'e and ma be taAen b anot)e rB )en'e , #ro#ersub&e'ts o t)et.

()ere is taAing o #ersona #ro#ert, and t)et is 'onsummated /)en t)e oenderuna/u a'uires #ossession o #ersona #ro#ert even i or a s)ort timeB or i su')#ro#ert is under t)e dominion and 'ontro o t)e t)ie. ()e taAer, at some #arti'uar amount,must )ave obtained 'om#ete and absoute #ossession and 'ontro o t)e #ro#ert adverse tot)e rig)ts o t)e o/ner or t)e a/u #ossessor t)ereo. 56=t is not ne'essar t)at t)e #ro#ertbe a'tua 'arried a/a out o t)e #)si'a #ossession o t)e a/u #ossessor or t)at )es)oud )ave made )is es'a#e /it) it.57Neit)er as#ortation nor a'tua manua #ossession o#ro#ert is reuired. "onstru'tive #ossession o t)e t)ie o t)e #ro#ert is enoug). 58

()e essen'e o t)e eement is t)e taAing o a t)ing out o t)e #ossession o t)e o/ner /it)out)is #rivit and 'onsent and /it)out animus revertendi.5C

(aAing ma be b t)e oender?s o/n )ands, b )is use o inno'ent #ersons /it)out aneonious intent, as /e as an me')ani'a devi'e, su') as an a''ess devi'e or 'ard, or an

agen', animate or inanimate, /it) intent to gain. =ntent to gain in'udes t)e una/u taAingo #ersona #ro#ert or t)e #ur#ose o deriving utiit, satisa'tion, en&oment and #easure .60

De agree /it) t)e 'ontention o t)e res#ondents t)at intangibe #ro#erties su') as ee'tri'aenerg and gas are #ro#er sub&e'ts o t)et. ()e reason or t)is is t)at, as eF#ained b t)is"ourt in nited States v. "aros61and nited States v. (ambunting,6based on de'isions o t)eSu#reme "ourt o S#ain and o t)e 'ourts in ngand and t)e nited States o $meri'a, gas oree'tri'it are 'a#abe o a##ro#riation b anot)er ot)er t)an t)e o/ner. Gas and ee'tri'aenerg ma be taAen, 'arried a/a and a##ro#riated. =n Peo#e v. %enagas,6@t)e =inois StateSu#reme "ourt de'ared t)at ee'tri'it, iAe gas, ma be seen and et. e'tri'it, t)e same asgas, is a vauabe arti'e o mer')andise, boug)t and sod iAe ot)er #ersona #ro#ert and is'a#abe o a##ro#riation b anot)er. =t is a vauabe arti'e o mer')andise, boug)t and sodiAe ot)er #ersona #ro#ert, sus'e#tibe o being severed rom a mass or arger uantit ando being trans#orted rom #a'e to #a'e. e'tri'a energ ma, iAe/ise, be taAen and 'arried

a/a. =t is a vauabe 'ommodit, boug)t and sod iAe ot)er #ersona #ro#ert. =t ma betrans#orted rom #a'e to #a'e. ()ere is not)ing in t)e nature o gas used or iuminating#ur#oses /)i') renders it in'a#abe o being eonious taAen and 'arried a/a.

=n Peo#e eF re >rus) e'tri' =uminating "o. v. Dem#e, 6;t)e "ourt o $##eas o Ne/YorA )ed t)at ee'tri' energ is manua'tured and sod in determinate uantities at a iFed#ri'e, #re'ise as are 'oa, Aerosene oi, and gas. =t ma be 'onveed to t)e #remises o t)e'onsumer, stored in 'es o dierent 'a#a'it Ano/n as an a''umuatorB or it ma be sentt)roug) a /ire, &ust as gas or oi ma be trans#orted eit)er in a 'ose tanA or or'ed t)roug) a#i#e. Eaving rea')ed t)e #remises o t)e 'onsumer, it ma be used in an /a )e ma desire,being, iAe iuminating gas, 'a#abe o being transormed eit)er into )eat, ig)t, or #o/er, att)e o#tion o t)e #ur')aser. =n Doods v. Peo#e ,65t)e Su#reme "ourt o =inois de'ared t)att)ere is not)ing in t)e nature o gas used or iuminating #ur#oses /)i') renders it in'a#abeo being eonious taAen and 'arried a/a. =t is a vauabe arti'e o mer')andise, boug)tand sod iAe ot)er #ersona #ro#ert, sus'e#tibe o being severed rom a mass or argeruantit and o being trans#orted rom #a'e to #a'e.

Gas and ee'tri'a energ s)oud not be euated /it) business or servi'es #rovided bbusiness entre#reneu rs to t)e #ubi '. >usiness does not )ave an eFa't de inition. >usiness isreerred as t)at /)i') o''u#ies t)e time, attention and abor o men or t)e #ur#ose oivei)ood or #roit. =t embra'es evert)ing t)at /)i') a #erson 'an be em#oed. 66>usinessma aso mean em#oment, o''u#ation or #roession. >usiness is aso deined as a'ommer'ia a'tivit or gain beneit or advantage.67>usiness, iAe servi'es in business,at)oug) are #ro#erties, are not #ro#er sub&e'ts o t)et under t)e Revised Pena "ode be'auset)e same 'annot be taAen or o''u#ied. = it /ere ot)er/ise, as 'aimed b t)e res#ondents,t)ere /oud be no &uridi'a dieren'e bet/een t)e taAing o t)e business o a #erson or t)eservi'es #rovided b )im or gain, vis-X-vis, t)e taAing o goods, /ares or mer')andise, or

eui#ment 'om#rising )is business.68= it /as its intention to in'ude business as #ersona#ro#ert under $rti'e @08 o t)e Revised Pena "ode, t)e P)ii##ine 9egisature s)oud )aves#oAen in anguage t)at is 'ear and deinite: t)at business is #ersona #ro#ert under $rti'e@08 o t)e Revised Pena "ode.6C

De agree /it) t)e 'ontention o t)e #etitioner t)at, as geaned rom t)e materia averments ot)e $mended =normation, )e is ')arged o steaing t)e internationa ong distan'e 'asbeonging to P94( and t)e use t)ereo, t)roug) t)e =SR. "ontrar to t)e 'aims o t)e SGand res#ondent P94(, t)e #etitioner is not ')arged o steaing P0,@70,651.C5 rom saidres#ondent. Said amount o P0,@70,651.C5 aeged in t)e $mended =normation is t)eaggregate amount o a''ess, transmission or termination ')arges /)i') t)e P94( eF#e'tedrom t)e internationa ong distan'e 'as o t)e 'aers /it) t)e use o >anet Su#er rient"ards sod b >anet "o. 9td.

=n deining t)et, under $rti'e @08 o t)e Revised Pena "ode, as t)e taAing o #ersona#ro#ert /it)out t)e 'onsent o t)e o/ner t)ereo, t)e P)ii##ine egisature 'oud not )ave'ontem#ated t)e )uman voi'e /)i') is 'onverted into ee'troni' im#uses or ee'tri'a
http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt56http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt56http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt57http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt57http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt57http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt58http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt59http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt60http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt60http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt61http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt61http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt62http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt63http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt64http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt65http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt65http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt65http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt66http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt67http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt68http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt69http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt56http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt57http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt58http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt59http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt60http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt61http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt62http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt63http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt64http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt65http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt66http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt67http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt68http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/feb2006/gr_155076_2006.html#fnt69


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'urrent /)i') are transmitted to t)e #art 'aed t)roug) t)e PS(N o res#ondent P94( andt)e =SR o >anet "ard 9td. /it)in its 'overage. D)en t)e Revised Pena "ode /asa##roved, on 4e'ember 8, 1C@0, internationa tee#)one 'as and t)e transmission androuting o ee'troni' voi'e signas or im#uses emanating rom said 'as, t)roug) t)e PS(N,=P9 and =SR, /ere sti non-eFistent. "ase a/ is t)at, /)ere a egisative )istor ais toeviden'e 'ongressiona a/areness o t)e s'o#e o t)e statute 'aimed b t)e res#ondents, anarro/ inter#retation o t)e a/ is more 'onsistent /it) t)e usua a##roa') to t)e 'onstru'tiono t)e statute. Pena res#onsibiit 'annot be eFtended beond t)e air s'o#e o t)e statutormandate.70

Res#ondent P94( does not a'uire #ossession, mu') ess, o/ners)i# o t)e voi'es o t)etee#)one 'aers or o t)e ee'troni' voi'e signas or 'urrent emanating rom said 'as. ()e)uman voi'e and t)e ee'troni' voi'e signas or 'urrent 'aused t)ereb are intangibe and notsus'e#tibe o #ossession, o''u#ation or a##ro#riation b t)e res#ondent P94( or even t)e#etitioner, or t)at matter. P94( mere transmits t)e ee'troni' voi'e signas t)roug) itsa'iities and eui#ment. >anet "ard 9td., t)roug) its o#erator, mere inter'e#ts, reroutest)e 'as and #asses t)em to its to 'enter. =ndeed, t)e #arties 'aed re'eive t)e tee#)one'as rom +a#an.

=n t)is modern age o te')noog, tee'ommuni'ations sstems )ave be'ome so tig)tmerged /it) 'om#uter sstems t)at it is dii'ut to Ano/ /)ere one starts and t)e ot)erinis)es. ()e tee#)one set is )ig) 'om#uteri!ed and ao/s 'om#uters to 'ommuni'atea'ross ong distan'es.71()e instrumentait at issue in t)is 'ase is not mere a tee#)one buta tee#)one ineF#i'ab inAed to a 'om#uteri!ed 'ommuni'ations sstem /it) t)e use o>anet "ards sod b t)e >anet "ard 9td. ()e 'or#oration uses 'om#uters, modems andsot/are, among ot)ers, or its =SR.7

()e 'ondu't 'om#ained o b res#ondent P94( is reminis'ent o #)reaAing a sang termor t)e a'tion o maAing a tee#)one sstem to do somet)ing t)at it norma s)oud not ao/b maAing t)e #)one 'om#an bend over and grab its anAes. $ #)reaAer is one /)oengages in t)e a't o mani#uating #)ones and iega marAets tee#)one servi'es.7@nesst)e #)one 'om#an re#a'es a its )ard/are, #)reaAing /oud be im#ossibe to sto#. ()e#)one 'om#anies in Nort) $meri'a /ere im#eed to re#a'e a t)ei r )ard/are and ado# tedu digita s/it')ing sstem Ano/n as t)e "ommon ")anne =nter i'e Signaing.P)reaAing o''urred on during t)e 1C60?s and 1C70?s, de'ades ater t)e Revised Pena "odetooA ee't.

()e #etitioner is not ')arged, under t)e $mended =normation, or t)et o tee'ommuni'ationor tee#)one servi'es oered b P94(. ven i )e is, t)e term #ersona #ro#ert under

$rti'e @08 o t)e Revised Pena "ode 'annot be inter#reted beond its seams so as to in'udetee'ommuni'ation or tee#)one servi'es or 'om#uter servi'es or t)at matter. ()e /ordservi'e )as a variet o meanings de#endent u#on t)e 'onteFt, or t)e sense in /)i') it isusedB and, in some instan'es, it ma in'ude a sae.


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=n t)e State o =inois in t)e nited States o $meri'a, t)et o abor or servi'es or use o#ro#ert is #enai!ed:

a $ #erson 'ommits t)et /)en )e obtains t)e tem#orar use o #ro#ert, abor or servi'es oanot)er /)i') are avaiabe on or )ire, b means o t)reat or de'e#tion or Ano/ing t)atsu') use is /it)out t)e 'onsent o t)e #erson #roviding t)e #ro#ert, abor or servi'es.

=n 1C80, t)e draters o t)e %ode Pena "ode in t)e nited States o $meri'a arrived at t)e

'on'usion t)at abor and servi'es, in'uding #roessiona servi'es, )ave not been in'uded/it)in t)e traditiona s'o#e o t)e term #ro#ert in ordinar t)et statutes. Een'e, t)ede'ided to in'or#orate in t)e "ode Se'tion @.7, /)i') deines and #enai!es t)et oservi'es, t)us:

1 $ #erson is guit o t)et i )e #ur#ose obtains servi'es /)i') )e Ano/s are avaiabeon or 'om#ensation, b de'e#tion or t)reat, or b ase toAen or ot)er means to avoid#ament or t)e servi'e. Servi'es in'ude abor, #roessiona servi'e, trans#ortation,tee#)one or ot)er #ubi' servi'e, a''ommodation in )otes, restaurants or ese/)ere,admission to eF)ibitions, use o ve)i'es or ot)er movabe #ro#ert. D)ere 'om#ensation orservi'e is ordinari #aid immediate u#on t)e rendering o su') servi'e, as in t)e 'ase o)otes and restaurants, reusa to #a or abs'onding /it)out #ament or oer to #a gives riseto a #resum#tion t)at t)e servi'e /as obtained b de'e#tion as to intention to #aB $#erson 'ommits t)et i, )aving 'ont ro over t)e dis#osition o servi'es o ot)ers, to /)i') )e

is not entited, )e Ano/ing diverts su') servi'es to )is o/n beneit or to t)e beneit oanot)er not entited t)ereto.

=nteresting, ater t)e State Su#reme "ourt o *irginia #romugated its de'ision in 9und v."ommon/eat),80de'aring t)at neit)er time nor servi'es ma be taAen and 'arried a/a andare not #ro#er sub&e'ts o ar'en, t)e Genera $ssemb o *irginia ena'ted "ode No. 18--C8 /)i') reads:

"om#uter time or servi'es or data #ro'essing servi'es or inormation or data stored in'onne'tion t)ere/it) is )ereb deined to be #ro#ert /)i') ma be t)e sub&e't o ar'enunder 18.-C5 or 18.-C6, or embe!!ement under 18.-111, or ase #retenses under 18.-178.

=n t)e State o $abama, Se'tion 1@$-8-10a1 o t)e Pena "ode o $abama o 1C75

#enai!es t)et o servi'es:

$ #erson 'ommits t)e 'rime o t)et o servi'es i: a Ee intentiona obtains servi'esAno/n b )im to be avaiabe on or 'om#ensation b de'e#tion, t)reat, ase toAen or ot)ermeans to avoid #ament or t)e servi'es Z

=n t)e P)ii##ines, "ongress )as not amended t)e Revised Pena "ode to in'ude t)et oservi'es or t)et o business as eonies. =nstead, it a##roved a a/, Re#ubi' $'t No. 8;8;,ot)er/ise Ano/n as t)e $''ess 4evi'es Reguation $'t o 1CC8, on


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ee'troni' do'uments s)a be #unis)ed b a minimum ine o ne )undred t)ousand #esosP100,000.00 and a maFimum 'ommensurate to t)e damage in'urred and a mandatorim#risonment o siF 6 mont)s to t)ree @ ears.

=N 9=GE( < $99 (E


38/73

Present:

P$NG$N=>$N, C.J., :Chairperson; - versus - YN$RS-S$N(=$G, $S(R=$-%$R(=NI, "$99+, SR., and "E="-N$I$R=,JJ.

"R( < $PP$9S 17 t)4ivision, RYN$94 $.P$($"S=9, NR=" 4. 9PI,9I*=%=N4$ $. PR(GIand (E >R$ < +$=9%$N$G%N( $N4 PN9GY,N$(=N$9 "$P=($9 RG=N,%$J$(= "=(Y +$=9, (ERGE=(S


39/73

RG=N SY "$(==S and severa ot)er #ersons in t)eoo/ing manner, to /it: b ase or rauduent#retending or re#resenting, in a transa'tion or series otransa'tions, /)i') t)e made /it) t)e "om#ainant andt)e #ubi' in genera to t)e ee't t)at t)e /ere in aegitimate business o oreign eF')ange tradingsu''essive or simutaneous o#erating under t)eoo/ing name and ste o $sia Proits P)ii##ines,=n'or#oration, Dinggod %anagement P)ii##ines

=n'or#orated, >eAin %anagement "onsutan', =n'.andor>eAin Proits 9imited or ot)er unregistered oreignentities indu'ed and su''eeded in indu'ing'om#ainant and severa ot)er #ersons to give and deiverand in a't, t)e atter and said #ersons gave and deiveredto said a''used t)e amount o at east S[ 1@,;61.1; orits euivaent in P)ii##ine Pesos on t)e strengt) o saidmaniestations and re#resentations, t)e a''used Ano/ingu /e t)at t)e above-named 'or#orations registered/it) t)e S" andor t)ose unregistered oreign entitiesare not i'ensed nor aut)ori!ed to engage in oreigneF')ange trading 'or#orations and t)at su')maniestations and re#resentations to transa't in oreigneF')ange /ere ase and rauduent t)at resuted to t)e

damage and #re&udi'e o t)e 'om#ainant and ot)er#ersons and t)at t)e deraudation#ertains to undssoi'ited rom t)e #ubi' in genera b su')'or#orationsasso'iations.253

n November 7, 001, +udge 9u'as P. >ersamin issued an rder inding #robabe

'ause against a t)e a''used and a##roved t)e re'ommendation o t)e "it Prose'utor t)at

t)e ')arge be non-baiabe. ()e 'orres#onding /arrants o arrest /ere issued. 263

$ return273on t)e /arrant o arrest /as made b P@ +oseito %. "orone, PNP

"rimina =nvestigation and 4ete'tion Grou#, "am# "rame, Que!on "it, /it) t)e inormation

t)at eF'e#t or %argien (aaa, /)o remained at arge, a ot)er a''used /ere aread

detained at t)e %aAati "it +ai.

n November 1, 001, a noti'e o )earing /as issued b +udge >ersamin setting

t)e 'ase or arraignment on November 0, 001. Private res#ondents on t)e same da ied an

urgent motion to iF bai.

n November 0, 001, #rivate res#ondents, /)en arraigned, entered #eas o not

guit. ()e Prose'ution /as reuired to ie t)eir 'ommento##osition on #rivate res#ondents?

motion to iF bai /)i') t)e did t)roug) t)e Private Prose'utor /it) t)e 'onormit o

$ssistant "it Prose'utor $rt)ur . %aabaguio.283

n 4e'ember 18, 001, +udge >ersamin issued an rder re'onsidering )is earier

rder o November 7, 001 b de'aring t)at t)e oense ')arged is baiabe. =n inding t)at

t)e a''used are entited to bai, +udge >ersamin made t)e oo/ing disuisitions:F F F

=n order to im#ose t)e #enat o ie im#risonment to deat) underSe'. 1, P.4. No. 168C, t)e estaa or s/inding must be 'ommitted 4( &s(n"%&te. ()e a/ #ain states t)at a sndi'ate 'onsists o )%'e !#7!#e#ersons ormed /it) t)e intention o 'arring out t)e una/u oriega a't, transa'tion, enter#rise, or s')eme, and t)e deraudation resuts int)e misa##ro#r iation o mone or o unds so i'ited b'or#orationsasso'iations rom t)e genera #ubi'.

Eerein, on our #ersons are a'tua ')arged. "onseuent,

t)e estaa ')arged )as no reation to t)e 'rime #unis)ed /it) ieim#risonment to deat) under Se'. 1, Presidentia 4e'ree No. 168C.

()e aegation o t)e inormation t)at t)e a''used 'ons#ired /it)

ea') ot)er Lin a sndi'ated manner 'onsisting o ive 5 or more #ersons
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/feb2006/G.R.%20NO.%20153979.htm#_ftn5http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/feb2006/G.R.%20NO.%20153979.htm#_ftn5http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/feb2006/G.R.%20NO.%20153979.htm#_ftn5http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/feb2006/G.R.%20NO.%20153979.htm#_ftn6http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/feb2006/G.R.%20NO.%20153979.htm#_ftn7http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/feb2006/G.R.%20NO.%20153979.htm#_ftn7http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/feb2006/G.R.%20NO.%20153979.htm#_ftn8http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/feb2006/G.R.%20NO.%20153979.htm#_ftn8http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/feb2006/G.R.%20NO.%20153979.htm#_ftn5http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/feb2006/G.R.%20NO.%20153979.htm#_ftn6http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/feb2006/G.R.%20NO.%20153979.htm#_ftn7http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/feb2006/G.R.%20NO.%20153979.htm#_ftn8


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t)roug) 'or#orations registered /it) t)e Se'urities and F')ange"ommission S" andor unregistered oreign entities /it) intention o'arring out t)e una/u or iega a't, transa'tion, enter#rise or s')emeM'annot ')ange t)e &uridi'a nature o t)e oense ')arged. I) theG!'e#n7ent h&s h!sen t! %n"%t !nl( )!u# 3e#s!ns, $%th!ut 7!#e, the!4'%!us #e&s!n %s th&t !nl( the 3e#s!ns &tu&ll( he" $e#e %n'!l'e"%n the !77%ss%!n !) the !))ense. $s su'), t)ere /as no sndi'ate.

=n a iAei)ood, t)e aegation o L%n & s(n"%&te" 7&nne#

!ns%st%n; !) )%'e 56 !# 7!#e 3e#s!nsM is made )erein soe or )avingbai denied. D)et)er t)at is true or not is beside t)e #oint, but t)e "ourt'annot no/ end itse to su') a iAei)ood /)i'), a''ording to t)eoregoing disuisition, a'As ega basis.


41/73

or t)e issuan'e o a tem#orar restraining order, t)us, #rivate res#ondents and a t)ose a'ting

or and in t)eir be)a /ere tem#orari restrained rom enor'ing and im#ementing t)e

rder o +udge >ersamin and rom urt)er #ro'eeding in "rimina "ase No. 01-105;@0.

Eo/ever, unAno/n to #etitioner, #rivate res#ondents )ad aread ied or #osted

t)eir suret bonds on 4e'ember 1, 001 /it) t)e i'e o Fe'utive

+udge %onina $.Ienarosa21@3/)o a##roved t)e same on t)e same da and ordered t)e

immediate reease o #rivate res#ondents uness )ed or ot)er a/u 'ause.21;3 Petitioner ied

a su##ementa #etition /it) t)e "$ on +anuar 1;, 00 assaiing t)e &urisdi'tion o

+udge Ienarosa in issuing t)e rder dated 4e'ember 1, 001.

n +une 1;, 00, t)e "$ issued its assaied de'ision dening due 'ourse to t)e #etition

and dismissed t)e same ater it ound no grave abuse o dis'retion 'ommitted b

+udge>ersamin and +udge Ienarosa in issuing t)e assaied orders.

Een'e, t)e instant #etition ied b #etitioner raising t)e oo/ing issues, to /it:

$D)et)e r or no t t)e i ssuan'e o t)e uest ioned

4e'ision #romugated +une 1;, 00 b t)e 17 t)4ivision o t)e "ourt o$##eas sustaining t)e vaidit o t)e 1stassaied rder dated 4e'ember 18,001 o Eon. Presiding +udge 9u'as P. >ersamin o >ran') C6 o t)eRegiona (ria "ourt o Que!on "it ruing t)at t)ere s)oud be at east ive5 #ersons t)at must be ')arged under Se'tion 1, Presidentia 4e'ree No.168C is not in a''ordan'e /it) a/ or /it) a##i'abe de'isions o t)isEonorabe Su#reme "ourt.>

D)et)er or not t)e uestioned 4e'ision san'tioning t)e grant obai in t)e 1stassaied rder dated 4e'ember 18, 001 o Eon. Presiding+udge 9u'as P. >ersamin o >ran') C6 o t)e Regiona (ria "ourt

oQue!on "it vioated Se'tion 7, Rue 11; o t)e Revised Rues o"rimina Pro'edure and a'tua de#arted rom t)e a''e#ted and usua'ourse in t)e determination o baiabiit o 'rimina oenses."

D)et)er or not t)e uestioned 4e'ision sustaining t)e order oreease in t)e ndassaied rder dated 4e'ember 1 o Eon. Fe'utive+udge %onina $. Ienarosa o t)e Regiona (ria "ourt o Que!on "it

vioated Se'tion 17, Rue 11; o t)e Revised Rues o "riminaPro'edure2153

$nent t)e irst issue, #etitioner 'ontends t)at under Se'tion 1 o P.4. No. 168C, t)e

term Lan #ersonM must be understood and read in its singuar meaning so t)at even on one

#erson 'an be indi'ted or 'ommitting Lestaa or ot)er orms o s/indingM in reation to P.4.

No. 168C 'iting t)e 'ase o %eople v$ 'omeroB t)at +udge >ersamin erred /)en )e aread

'om#uted t)e #ossibe #enat in 'ase o #rivate res#ondents? 'onvi'tionB t)at t)e 'a#ita

nature o an oense or t)e #ur#ose o baiabiit is determined b t)e #enat #res'ribed b

a/, not b #enat /)i') ma a'tua be im#osed sin'e t)e atter reuires a 'onsideration o

t)e eviden'e on triaB t)at sin'e no eviden'e )ad et been #resented b bot) #rose'ution and

deense, +udge >ersamin )as again s)o/n bias b aread 'om#uting t)e im#osabe #enat

&ust to stret') t)e a##i'ation o t)e a/ and uestionab grant bai in avor o #rivate

res#ondents.

De are not #ersuaded.

()e "$ ound t)at t)e assaied order o +udge >ersamin 'annot be ')ara'teri!ed asone issued /it) grave abuse o dis'retion or )e 'orre't determined t)at t)e =normation did
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not ')arge a sndi'ated staaB t)at /it) on our ')arged in t)e inormation, it 'oud not be

'onsidered as 'ommitted b a sndi'ate /)i') must 'onsist o ive or more #ersons and )e

'annot be auted or t)at.

Se'tion 1 o P.4. No. 168C, in'reasing t)e #enat or 'ertain orms o s/inding

or estaa, #rovides:

S"(=N 1. $n #erson or #ersons /)o s)a 'ommit estaa orot)er orms o s/inding as deined in $rti'es @15 and @16 o t)e RevisedPena "ode, as amended, s)a be #unis)ed b ie im#risonment to deat) it)e s/inding estaa is 'ommitted b a sndi'ate 'onsisting o ive ormore #ersons ormed /it) t)e intention o 'arring out t)e una/u oriega a't, transa'tion, enter#rise or s')eme, and t)e deraudationresuts int)e misa##ro#riation o mones 'ontributed b sto'A)oders, or members orura banAs 'oo#eratives, sama)ang naons, or armers? asso'iations, oro unds soi'ited b 'or#orationsasso'iations rom t)e genera #ubi'.

D)en not 'ommitted b a sndi'ate as above deined, t)e #enat

im#osabe s)a be reclusion temporalto reclusion perpetua i t)e amounto t)e raud eF'eeds 100,000 #esos.

"ear, P.4. No. 168C #enai!es oenders /it) ie im#risonment to deat) regardess

o t)e amount invoved, #rovided t)at a sndi'ate 'ommitted t)e 'rime. $ sndi'ate is

deined in t)e same a/ as L'onsisting o ive or more #ersons ormed /it) t)e intention o

'arring out t)e una/u or iega a't, transa'tion, enter#rise or s')eme.M nder t)e se'ond

#aragra#), it is #rovided t)at i t)e oenders are not members o a sndi'ate, t)e s)a

nevert)eess be )ed iabe or t)e a'ts #ro)ibited b t)e a/ but t)e s)a be #enai!ed

b reclusion temporaltoreclusion perpetuai t)e amount o t)e raud i s more

t)an P100,000.00.

Petitioner?s inter#retation t)at t)e term Lan #ersonM in t)e irst #aragra#) o se'tion

1 'oud mean t)at even one #erson 'an be indi'ted or sndi'ated estaa is 'ontrar to t)e

#rovision o t)e a/. =t bears stressing t)at t)e a/ must be 'onsidered as a /)oe , &ust as it is

ne'essar to 'onsider a senten'e in its entiret in order to gras# its true meaning. 2163 =t is a

dangerous #ra'ti'e to base 'onstru'tion u#on on a #art o a se'tion sin'e one #ortion ma be

uaiied b t)e ot)er #ortion.2173 =n a't, t)ere is no need or an 'onstru'tion or

inter#retation o P. 4. No. 168C sin'e t)e a/ is 'ear and ree rom an doubt or

ambiguit. Se'tion 1 o P.4. No. 168C )as deined /)at 'onstitutes a sndi'ate and su')

deinition is 'ontroing. D)ere a reuirement is made in eF#i'it and unambiguous terms, no

dis'retion is et to t)e &udi'iar. =t must see to it t)at its mandate is obeed.2183

=n t)is 'ase, t)e =normation s#e'ii'a ')arged on our #ersons /it)outs#e'iing an ot)er #erson /)o )ad #arti'i#ated in t)e 'ommission o t)e 'rime ')arged,

t)us, based on t)e deinition o sndi'ate under t)e a/, t)e 'rime ')arged /as not 'ommitted

b a sndi'ate. De ind no reversibe error 'ommitted b t)e "$ /)en it u#)ed t)e ruing o

+udge>ersamin t)at /it) on our #ersons a'tua ')arged, t)e estaa ')arged )as no

reation to t)e 'rime #unis)ed /it) ie im#risonment to deat) under se'tion 1 o P. 4. No.

168C.

()e /ordings in t)e inormation t)at t)e a''used 'ons#ired /it) ea') ot)er Lin a

sndi'ated manner 'onsisting o ive 5 or more #ersons t)roug) 'or#orations registered /it)t)e Se'urities and F')ange "ommission S" andor unregistered oreign entities /it)
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intention o 'arring out t)e una/u or iega a't, transa'tion, enter#rise or s')emeM is not

sui'ient 'om#ian'e /it) t)e reuirements o t)e a/ on /)at 'onstitute a sndi'ate. =t

bears stressing t)at t)e irst #aragra#) o t)e a''usator #ortion o t)e =normation ')arges

on our #ersons. (o re#eat, P.4. No. 168C )as #rovided or t)e deinition o a sndi'ate and

it is 'ontroing. $s 'orre't ound b t)e tria 'ourt, i t)e government )as ')osen to indi't

on our #ersons, /it)out more, t)e obvious reason is t)at on t)e #ersons a'tua ')arged

/ere invoved in t)e 'ommission o t)e oense, t)us, t)ere /as no sndi'ate.

Petitioner?s reian'e in%eople v$ 'omeroto su##ort )is argument is

miseading.


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#unis)abe b deat), reclusion perpetuaor ie im#risonment, be admitted to bai as a matter

o rig)t. Sin'e t)e im#osabe #enat on #rivate res#ondents, in 'ase o 'onvi'tion,

is reclusion temporal, t)e are entited to bai as a matter o rig)t. Notab,

+udge >ersamin issued )is rder inding t)e 'rime ')arge baiabe and iFed t)e amount

o P150,000.00 ea') or t)e #rovisiona ibert o #rivate res#ondents on ater #etitioner )ad

submitted t)eir 'ommento##osition to #etitioner?s motion to iF bai.

Petitioner 'aims t)at t)e rder o +udge >ersamin ao/ing #rivate res#ondents to

#ost bai aread #re&udged t)e 'aseB t)at )e summari de' ided t)e eventua and imminent

dismissa o t)e 'rimina 'ase /it)out even t)e re'e#tion o eviden'eB t)at su') #re&udgment

'ame rom a ruing on a mere issue o bai.

Su') argument is baseess. ()e rder /as issued on t)e basis t)at t)e aegations in

t)e =normation do not estabis) t)at t)e 'rime ')arged /as 'ommitted b a sndi'ate as

deined under t)e a/ /)ere t)e #enat o ie im#risonment to deat) 'oud beim#osed. No/)ere in t)e rder did +udge >ersamin state t)at t)e a't 'om#ained o is not

#unis)abe at a.

Petitioner neFt 'ontends t)at #rivate res#ondents? iing o bai /it) Fe'utive

+udge %onina Ienarosa, ot)er t)an >ran') C6 /)ere t)e 'ase is #ending, is uestionabe and

not in a''ordan'e /it) Se'tion 17, Rue 11; 203o t)e Revised Rues on "rimina Pro'edureB

t)at t)e re'ords s)o/ t)at /)en #rivate res#ondents ied t)eir bai /it) +udge Ienarosa,

>ran') C6 /as o#en and avaiabe as #rivate res#ondents t)roug) t)eir re#resentative /ere

abe to #a or t)e issuan'e o t)e 'ertii'ations on t)e =normation and t)e rder dated

4e'ember 18, 001B t)at #etitioner?s 'ounse and t)e $ssistant "it Prose'utor

$rt)ur %aabaguio )ad #ersona re'eived t)eir res#e'tive 'o#ies o t)e rder dated

4e'ember 18, 001 inside t)e sta room o >ran') C6 and t)e even attested t)at

+udge >ersamin /as #)si'a #resent on 4e'ember 1, 00, t)e da #rivate res#ondents

ied t)eir bai bond /it) +udge IenarosaB t)at des#ite t)ese 'ir'umstan'es,

+udge Ienarosa sti eFer'ised &urisdi'tion over t)e bai ied b #rivate res#ondents and

issued t)e rder dated 4e'ember 1, 001 a##roving t)e suret bonds and ordering t)e

reease o #rivate res#ondentsB t)at t)e "$?s &ustii'ation t)at +udge Ienarosa a''e#ted t)e

bai bond due to t)e a't t)at +udge >ersamin /as momentari out o )is oi'e or #remises

at t)e time o #osting o t)e bond /as not borne b t)e re'ords.

De are not #ersuaded.

Se'tion 17, Rue 11; o t)e Revised Rues on "rimina Pro'edure #rovides t)at bai

in t)e amount iFed ma be ied /it) t)e 'ourt /)ere t)e 'ase is #ending, or, in t)e absen'e

or unavaiabiit o t)e &udge t)ereo, /it) anot)er bran') o t)e same 'ourt /it)in t)e#rovin'e or 'it. D)ie >ran') C6 is o#en and avaiabe on t)e da #rivate res#ondents

#osted t)eir ba i /it) +udge Ienarosa, it does not ne'essari oo/ t)at +udge >ersamin /as

avaiabe at t)at #re'ise moment. $t)oug) it is aeged in t)e su##ementa #etition #re#ared

b #etitioner?s 'ounse, $tt. Rodeo Nue!, /it) t)e 'onormit o

Prose'utor %aabaguio ied beore t)e "$ t)at bot) o t)em sa/ +udge >ersamin dis')arging

)is un'tion on t)at da, it is not under oat). %oreover, it is not s#e'ii'a stated in t)e

su##ementa #etition t)at at t)e eFa't time +udge Ienarosa a##roved t)e bai,

+udge >ersamin /as avaiabe. ()us, #etitioner aied to rebut t)e #resum#tion t)at oi'ia

dut )ad been reguar #erormed213

b +udge Ienarosa under t)e rues.
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DER


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MACATANGAY, Petitioners,

- 'e#sus -

#esent:Q=S%>=NGJ$, Chairperson,"$RP=,"$RP= %R$9S, and(=NG$,JJ$

ENCARNACION DE GUZMAN 9DA. DEMACATANGAY,

Res#ondent.

#!7ul;&te":

J&nu( F, 122/

D E C I S I O N

CARIO MORALES,J.:

Petitioner Sonia %a'eda Sonia and >onia'io %a'atanga %a'atanga

'ontra'ted marriage on +u 6, 1C6;.213 ()e union bo re one ')i d,

#etitioner Gemma %a'atangaGemma, on %ar') 7, 1C65.23

()e 'ou#e se#arated not ong ater t)e marriage.

=n 1C67, t)e 'ou#e eFe'uted aasunduan2@3/)ereb t)e agreed to ive se#arate.

%a'atanga soon ived /it) "armen +ara!a "armen.

$ter t)e deat) on 4e'ember 7, 1CC8 o %a'atanga /)o /as a member o t)e

So'ia Se'urit Sstem SSS or on 4e'ember 1;, 1CC8, )is 'ommon-a/ /ie "armen ied a

deat) beneit a##i'ation beore t)e SSS 9u'ena >ran'). ()e SSS denied 2;3)er a##i'ation, it

ruing t)at it is %a'atanga?s /ie /)o is )is #rimar benei'iar.

n +anuar C, 1CCC, #etitioner Sonia ied beore t)e SSS a deat) beneit

a##i'ation.

%a'atanga?s ')idren /it) )is 'ommon-a/ /ie "armen, name +a, ena, and

+oe, aged 7, @1, and C ears od, res#e'tive, aso ied in 1CCC 253se#arate a##i'ations or

deat) beneits oo/ing t)e SSS? denia o t)eir mot)er?s a##i'ation.

n Se#tember 10, 1CCC, t)e SSS denied %a'atanga?s iegitimate ')idren?s 'aim

on t)e ground t)at under Re#ubi' $'t 88, L(E S"=$9 S"R=(Y $"( < 1CC7,M it is

t)e de#endent s#ouse, unti )e or s)e remarries, /)o is t)e #rimar benei'iar o t)e

de'eased member.263

Petitioner Sonia?s a##i'ation or deat) beneit /as a##roved on 4e'ember 0,

1CCC. S)e re'eived a um# sum amount o P@@,000 re#resenting L#ensionsM273rom t)e SSS.

n


47/73

in %aAati "it283against )erein #etitioners Sonia and Gemma, or t)e grant to )er o so'ia

se'urit beneits, s)e 'aiming t)at )er son designated )er and )is t)ree iegitimate ')idren

as )is benei'iaries under t)e SSSB2C3 s)e /as made to sign a do'ument regarding t)e

distribution o beneits o %a'atanga b SSS 9u'ena >ran') ")ie $tt. "ora!on

%. *iamaor /)o, )o/ever, did not urnis) )er a 'o# t)ereo nor inorm )er o its natureB

2103and ater s)e signed t)e do'ument, t)e t)ree iegitimate ')idren re'eived noti'es dening

t)eir a##i'ation or deat) beneits. 2113

()e SSS oi'e in Que!on "it ied a #etition-in-intervention in t)e #etition ied b

res#ondent beore t)e SS" in %aAati "it. 213

=n )er #osition #a#er, res#ondent 'ontended as oo/s:

2=3n t)e #resent 'ase, t)e agreement o t)e s#ouses to ive

se#arate our ; mont)s ater t)eir marriage and /)i') agreement /asina made in /riting beore t)e >aranga /i unuestionab s)o/t)at Sonia or Soniaita %a'eda /as n!t "e3en"ent u3!n the l&te 7e74e#)!# su33!#t and t)ereore 'annot be 'onsidered as )is #rimar benei'iarunder t)e aoresaid a/. Said agreement, t)oug) #ros'ribed b a/ breasons o #ubi' #oi', /as a mutua agreement s)ort o a 'ourt de'ree orega se#aration and /i not in an /a ')ange t)e a't t)at t)e t/o ivedse#arate. ()is under an 'ir'umstan'es /i dis#ute t)e #resum#tion ot)e de#enden' or su##ort arising rom t)e egitima' o t)e marita unionas reasoned out b t)e SSS in t)eir Petition or =ntervention.21@3 m#)asisand unders'oring su##ied

Petitioners, on t)e ot)er )and, )inged t)eir 'aim on Se'tion 8e and A o ()e

So'ia Se'urit $'t o 1CC7. ()us t)e argued:

Se'tion 8 e and A o Re#ubi' $'t 88 is 'rsta 'ear on /)o

s)oud be >onia'io 4e Gu!man %a'atanga?s benei'iar, t)us:

e De3en"entsO ()e de#endents s)a be t)eoo/ing:

1 ()e ega s#ouse entited b a/ to re'eive

su##ort rom t)e memberB ()e egitimate, egitimated or ega

ado#ted, and iegitimate ')id /)o is unmarried, notgainu em#oed and )as not rea')ed t/ent-one ears1 o age, or i over t/ent-one 1 ears o age, )e is'ongenita or /)ie sti a minor )as been #ermanentin'a#a'itated and in'a#abe o se-su##ort, #)si'a ormenta, and

@ ()e #arent /)o is re'eiving reguar su##ort

rom t)e member.A Bene)%%%esO ()e de#endent s#ouse unti

)e or s)e remarries, t)e de#endent egitimate, egitimatedor ega ado#ted, and iegitimate ')idren, /)o s)a bet)e #rimar benei'iarie s o t)e memberB Provided, ()att)e de#endent iegitimate ')idren s)a be entited toit #er'ent 50] o t)e s)are o t)e egitimate,egitimated or ega ado#ted ')idren: Provided, urt)er,()at in t)e absen'e o t)e de#endent egitimate,egitimated or ega ado#ted ')idren o t)e member,)is)er de#endent iegitimate ')idren s)a be entited toone )undred #er'ent 100] o t)e beneits. =n t)eirabsen'e, t)e de#endent #arents /)o s)a be t)e se'ond

benei'iaries o t)e member. =n t)e absen'e o a t)eoregoing, an ot)er #erson designated b t)e member as
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)is)er se'ondar benei'iar. nders'oring andem#)asis in t)e origina21;3

$s or t)e SSS, it argued t)at:

2(3o be 'onsidered de#endent or su##ort, a surviving s#ouse o a membermust on s)o/ t)at s)e is entite2d3 or su##ort rom t)e member b virtueo a '&l%" 7#%&;e. ()e surviving s#ouse isn!t #eu%#e" t! sh!$ th&theshe &tu&ll( #ee%'e" su33!#t rom t)e member during )is)erietime. Eer de#enden' or su##ort is a'tua #resumed rom t)eegitima' o t)e marita union.2153 m#)asis and unders'oring su##ied

()e SS", taAing t)easunduan2163as #roo t)at Sonia /as no onger de#endent or

su##ort on >onia'io,2173and de'aring t)at t)e SSS 9u'ena >ran') a'ted in good ait) in

granting t)e beneits to Sonia, granted res#ondent?s #etition b Resoution o November 1;,

001.2183 =t a''ording dis#osed as oo/s:

=N *=D < $99 (E


49/73

t)e #etitioners? %otion to 4ismiss ied /it) t)e SS", 263t)e "ertii'ate o 9ie %embers)i# o

t)eir 'ounse $tt. Ronado $ntonio "aaan,273and t)e i'ia Re'ei#t s)o/ing said

'ounse?s #ament o ietime members)i# ee to t)e =ntegrated >ar o t)e P)ii##ines. 283

()e "ourt o $##eas, inding no substantia 'om#ian'e b #etitioners /it) t)ereuirement in Se'tion 11, Rue 1@ o t)e 1CC7 Rues o "ivi Pro'edure reading:

Se'tion 11. %riorities in @odes of )ervice and ilingO D)enever#ra'ti'abe, t)e servi'e and iing o #eadings and ot)er #a#ers s)a bedone #ersona. F'e#t /it) res#e't to #a#ers emanating rom t)e 'ourt, aresort to ot)er modes must be a''om#anied b a /ritten eF#anation /)t)e servi'e or iing /as not done #ersona. $ vioation o t)is rue ma'ause to 'onsider t)e #a#er as not ied.,

denied t)e mnibus %otion b Resoution o $ugust ;, 00;.2C3

Een'e, t)e #resent Petition or Revie/2@03auting t)e a##eate 'ourt as oo/s:

=. (E ENR$>9 "R( < $PP$9S RR4 =NS(R="(9Y $4ER=NG ( ("EN="$9=(=S, R$(ER (E$N =NS>S($N(=$9 "%P9=$N", =N (E $PP9="$(=N < (EPR*=S=NS < (E 1CC7 R9S N "=*=9 PR"4R.

==. (E "=R"%S($N"S PR*$=9=NG =N (E=S P(=(=N


50/73

/it) t)e #ra'ti'e o some a/ers /)o, /anting to a##ear 'ever, resort tot)e oo/ing ess t)an et)i'a #ra'ti'es: 1 serving or iing #eadings bmai to 'at') o##osing 'ounse o-guard, t)us eaving t)e atter /it) itteor no time to #re#are, or instan'e, res#onsive #eadings or an o##ositionB or u#on re'eiving noti'e rom t)e #ost oi'e t)at t)e registered 'ontainingt)e #eading o or ot)er #a#er rom t)e adverse #art ma be 'aimed,undu #ro'rastinating beore 'aiming t)e #ar'e, or, /orse, not 'aiming itat a, t)ereb 'ausing undue dea in t)e dis#osition o su') #eading orot)er #a#ers.

= on to unders'ore t)e mandator nature o t)is innovation toour set o ad&e'tive rues reuiring #ersona servi'e /)enever #ra'ti'abe,Se'tion 11 o Rue 1@ t)en ;%'es the !u#t the "%s#et%!n t! !ns%"e# &3le&"%n; !# 3&3e# &s n!t )%le" %) the !the# 7!"es !) se#'%e !# )%l%n;$e#e n!t #es!#te" t! &n" n! $#%tten e@3l&n&t%!n $&s 7&"e &s t! $h(3e#s!n&l se#'%e $&s n!t "!ne %n the )%#st 3l&e. The e@e#%se !)"%s#et%!n 7ust, neess%l( !ns%"e# the 3#&t%&4%l%t( !) 3e#s!n&lse#'%e, )!# Set%!n %tsel) 4e;%ns $%th the l&use $hene'e#3#&t%&4leK.

De t)us taAe t)is o##ortunit to 'ari t)at under Se'tion 11, Rue1@ o t)e 1CC7 Rues o "ivi Pro'edure, #ersonaserviceandfilingis t)egenera rue, and resort to ot)er modes o servi'e and iing, t)eeF'e#tion. Een'eort), /)enever #ersona servi'e or iing is #ra'ti'abe, int)e ig)t o t)e 'ir'umstan'es o time, #a'e and #erson, #ersona servi'e oriing is mandator. n /)en #ersona servi'e or iing is not #ra'ti'abema resort to ot)er modes be )ad, /)i') must t)en be a''om#anied b a/ritten eF#anation as to /) #ersona servi'e or iing /as not #ra'ti'abeto begin /it). =n ad&udging t)e #ausibiit o an eF#anation, a 'ourt s)aiAe/ise 'onsider t)e im#ortan'e o t)e sub&e't matter o t)e 'ase or t)eissues invoved t)erein, and t)eprima facie merit o t)e #eading soug)t tobe eF#unged or vioation o Se'tion 11.2@63m#)asis and unders'oringsu##ied

=n@usa v$ +mor, t)is "ourt, on noting t)e im#ra'ti'ait o #ersona servi'e,

eFer'ised its dis'retion and ibera a##ied Se'tion 11 o Rue 1@:2@73

$s 2Se'tion 11, Rue 1@ o t)e Rues o "ourt3 reuires, servi'e and iing o#eadings must be done #ersona /)enever #ra'ti'abe. The !u#t n!testh&t %n the 3#esent &se, 3e#s!n&l se#'%e $!ul" n!t 4e3#&t%&4le. C!ns%"e#%n; the "%st&ne 4et$een the C!u#t !) A33e&ls&n" D!ns!l, S!#s!;!n $he#e the 3et%t%!n $&s 3!ste", lel(, se#'%e 4(#e;%ste#e" 7&%l


51/73

&n" e@3ense. A $#%tten e@3l&n&t%!n $h( se#'%e $&s n!t "!ne3e#s!n&ll( 7%;ht h&'e 4een su3e#)lu!us. =n an 'ase, as t)e rue is so/orded /it) t)e use o LmaM, signiing #ermissiveness, a vioationt)ereo gives t)e 'ourt dis'retion /)et)er or not to 'onsider t)e #a#er as notied. D)ie it is true t)at #ro'edura rues are ne'essar to se'ure anorder and s#eed administration o &usti'e, #%;%" &33l%&t%!n !) Set%!n, Rule F 7&( 4e #el&@e" %n th%s &se %n the %nte#est !) su4st&nt%&l

ust%e.2@83

m#)asis and unders'oring su##ied

=n t)e 'ase at bar, t)e address o res#ondent?s 'ounse is 9o#e!, Que!on, /)ie

#etitioner Sonia?s 'ounse?s is 9u'ena "it.2@C3 9o#e!, Que!on is 8@ Aiometers a/a

rom 9u'ena"it.2;03 Su') distan'e maAes #ersona servi'e im#ra'ti'abe. $s

in@usa v$ +mor,2;13a /ritten eF#anation /) servi'e /as not done #ersona Lmig)t )ave

been su#eruous.M

$s t)is "ourt )ed in ?an v$ Court of +ppeals,2;3ibera 'onstru'tion o a rue o

#ro'edure )as been ao/ed /)ere, among ot)er 'ases, Lt)e in&usti'e to t)e adverse #art is

not 'ommensurate /it) t)e degree o )is t)oug)tessness in not 'om#ing /it) t)e #ro'edure

#res'ribed.M

Dit)out #reem#ting t)e indings o t)e "ourt o $##eas on t)e merits o #etitioners?

#etition in "$ G.R. No. 7@0@8, i #etitioners? aegations o a't and o a/ t)erein are t rue

and t)e outrig)t dismissa o t)eir #etition is u#)ed /it)out giving t)em t)e o##ortunit to

#rove t)eir aegations, #etitioner Sonia /oud be de#rived o )er rig)tu deat) beneits &ust

be'ause
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/jan2006/G.R.%20No.%20164947.htm#_ftn38http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/jan2006/G.R.%20No.%20164947.htm#_ftn38http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/jan2006/G.R.%20No.%20164947.htm#_ftn39http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/jan2006/G.R.%20No.%20164947.htm#_ftn39http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/jan2006/G.R.%20No.%20164947.htm#_ftn40http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/jan2006/G.R.%20No.%20164947.htm#_ftn40http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/jan2006/G.R.%20No.%20164947.htm#_ftn41http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/jan2006/G.R.%20No.%20164947.htm#_ftn41http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/jan2006/G.R.%20No.%20164947.htm#_ftn42http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/jan2006/G.R.%20No.%20164947.htm#_ftn42http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/jan2006/G.R.%20No.%20164947.htm#_ftn38http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/jan2006/G.R.%20No.%20164947.htm#_ftn39http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/jan2006/G.R.%20No.%20164947.htm#_ftn40http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/jan2006/G.R.%20No.%20164947.htm#_ftn41http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/jan2006/G.R.%20No.%20164947.htm#_ftn42


52/73

o t)easunduans)e orged /it) )er )usband %a'atanga /)i') 'ontra't is, in t)e irst

#a'e, una/u.2;@3()e resuting in&usti'e /oud not be 'ommensurate to #etitioners?

'ounse?s Lt)oug)tessnessM in not eF#aining /) res#ondents /ere not #ersona served

'o#ies o t)e #etition.

W*ERE+ORE, t)e #etition is GRANTED. ()e Resoutions o t)e "ourt o

$##eas dated 'tober 1, 00 and $ugust ;, 00; in "$ G.R. No. 7@0@8

areRE9ERSED and SET ASIDE.

9et t)e re'ords o t)e 'ase be REMANDED to t)e "ourt o $##eas /)i')

is DIRECTEDto taAe a##ro#riate a'tion on #etitioner?s #etition or revie/ in ig)t o t)e

oregoing dis'ussions.

SO ORDERED.

G R N! F1 Jul( 1F 122 ()ereater on +u 1 1CC@ t)en President


53/73

G.R. N!. F1 Jul( 1F, 122

EASTERN TELECOMMUNICATIONS *ILIINES, INC. &n"TELECOMMUNICATIONS TEC*NOLOGIES, INC.,#etitioners,vs.INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATION CORORATION,res#ondent.

4 " = S = N

AUSTRIA-MARTINEZ,J.:

()e roe o t)e tee'ommuni'ations industr in P)ii##ine #rogress and deveo#ment 'annotbe understated. (ime /as /)en t)e industr /as dominated b a e/ -- an oigar') o sorts/)ere t)e eite made t)e de'isions and serdom )ad no ')oi'e but a'uies'e. Sensing t)eneed to abrogate t)eir dominion, t)e government ormuated #oi'ies in order to 'reate anenvironment 'ondu'ive to t)e entr o ne/ #aers. ()us, in 'tober 1CC0, t)e Nationa

(ee'ommuni'ations 4eveo#ment Pan 1CC1-010 N(4P /as ormuated and 'ame intobeing. 4esigned b t)e 4e#artment o (rans#ortation and "ommuni'ations 4(", t)eN(4P #rovides or t)e rame/orA o government #oi'ies, ob&e't ives and strategies t)at /iguide t)e industrs deveo#ment or t)e neFt 0 ears. $s eF#e'ted, /it) it 'ame t)e in'reasein t)e demand or tee'ommuni'ations servi'es, es#e'ia in t)e area o o'a eF')ange'arrier servi'e 9"S.1

"on'omitant, t)e 4(" issued guideines or t)e rationai!ation o o'a eF')angetee'ommuni'ations servi'e. =n #arti'uar, t)e 4(" issued on Se#tember @0, 1CC1,4e#artment "ir'uar No. C1-60, /it) t)e #ur#ose o minimi!ing or eiminating situations/)erein muti#e o#erators #rovide o'a eF')ange servi'e in a given area. Pursuant t)ereto,t)e Nationa (ee'ommuni'ations "ommission N(" /as tasAed to deine t)e boundaries oo'a eF')ange areas and aut)ori!e on one ran')ised o'a eF')ange 'arrier to #rovide o'aeF')ange servi'e /it)in su') areas.

()ereater, on +u 1, 1CC@, t)en President aante,;a##ied or and /as given b t)e N(" aProvisiona $ut)orit P$5on %ar') @, 1CC5, to insta, o#erate and #rovide o'a eF')angeservi'e in Que!on "it, %aabon and *aen!uea, %etro %ania, and t)e entire >i'o region.%ean/)ie, #etitioner (ee'ommuni'ations (e')noogies P)ii##ines, =n'. ((P=, as anaiiate o #etitioner astern (ee'ommuni'ations P)ii##ines, =n'. (P=, /as granted bt)e N(" a P$ on Se#tember 5, 1CC6, to insta, o#erate and maintain a o'a eF')angeservi'e in t)e Provin'es o >atanes, "agaan *ae, =sabea, Jainga-$#aao, Nueva*i!'aa, =ugao, Quirino, t)e 'ities o %ania and "aoo'an, and t)e %uni'i#ait o Navotas,%etro %ania.

=t a##ears, )o/ever, t)at beore ((P= /as abe to u a''om#is) its roout obigation, =""a##ied or and /as given a P$ b t)e N(" on November 10, 1CC7, to insta, o#erate and

maintain a o'a eF')ange servi'e in %ania and Navotas,6

t/o areas /)i') /ere aread'overed b ((P= under its P$ dated Se#tember 5, 1CC6.

$ggrieved, #etitioners ied a #etition or revie/ /it) t)e "ourt o $##eas /it) a##i'ation @ ()e a'ts and igures 'ited b t)e N(", i$e$, =""s aeged remarAabe
http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2004/jul2004/gr_135992_2004.html#fnt1http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2004/jul2004/gr_135992_2004

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