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Republic of the PhilippinesSUPREME COURT

Baguio City

THIRD DIVISION

G.R. No. 136921 April 17, 2001

LORNA GUILLEN PESCA, petitioner

vsZOSIMO A PESCA, respon!ent

VITUG, J .

Sub"itte! for revie# is the !ecision of the Court of $ppeals% pro"ulgate! on &' (ay )**+% in C$ ,RCV No -&.'/% reversing the !ecision of the Regional Trial Court 01RTC12 of Caloocan City% Branch ).3%#hich has !eclare! the "arriage bet#een petitioner an! respon!ent to be null an! voi! ab initio on thegroun! of psychological incapacity on the part of respon!ent

Petitioner 4orna , Pesca an! respon!ent 5osi"o $ Pesca first "et so"eti"e in )*'- #hile on boar! aninter6islan! vessel boun! for Bacolo! City $fter a #hirl#in! courtship% they got "arrie! on 3. (arch )*'-Initially% the young couple !i! not live together as petitioner #as still a stu!ent in college an! respon!ent% asea"an% ha! to leave the country on boar! an ocean6going vessel barely a "onth after the "arriage Si7

"onths later% the young couple establishe! their resi!ence in 8ue9on City until they #ere able to buil! their o#n house in Caloocan City #here they finally resi!e! It #as blissful "arriage for the couple !uring thet#o "onths of the year that they coul! stay together 6 #hen respon!ent #as on vacation The union begotfour chil!ren% )*6year ol! Ruhe"% )'6year ol! Re9% ))6year ol! Ryan% an! *6year ol! Richie

It starte! in )*++% petitioner sai!% #hen she notice! that respon!ent surprisingly sho#e! signs of 1psychological incapacity1 to perfor" his "arital covenant His 1true color1 of being an e"otionallyi""ature an! irresponsible husban! beca"e apparent He #as cruel an! violent He #as a habitual!rin:er% staying #ith frien!s !aily fro" /;33 o<cloc: in the afternoon until );33 o<cloc: in the "orning =hencautione! to stop or% to at least% "ini"i9e his !rin:ing% respon!ent #oul! beat% slap an! :ic: her $t oneti"e% he chase! petitioner #ith a loa!e! shotgun an! threatene! to :ill her in the presence of the chil!renThe chil!ren the"selves #ere not spare! fro" physical violence

>inally% on )* Nove"ber )**&% petitioner an! her chil!ren left the con?ugal abo!e to live in the house of her

sister in 8ue9on City as they coul! no longer bear his violent #ays T#o "onths later% petitioner !eci!e! toforgive respon!ent% an! she returne! ho"e to give hi" a chance to change But% to her !is"ay% things !i!not so turn out as e7pecte! In!ee!% "atters beca"e #orse

On the "orning of && (arch )**/% about eight o<cloc:% respon!ent assaulte! petitioner for about half anhour in the presence of the chil!ren She #as battere! blac: an! blue She sub"itte! herself to "e!icale7a"ination at the 8ue9on City ,eneral Hospital% #hich !iagnose! her in?uries as contusions an!abrasions Petitioner file! a co"plaint #ith the barangay authorities% an! a case #as file! againstrespon!ent for slight physical in?uries He #as convicte! by the (etropolitan Trial Court of Caloocan Cityan! sentence! to eleven !ays of i"prison"ent

This ti"e% petitioner an! her chil!ren left the con?ugal ho"e for goo! an! staye! #ith her sister @ventually%they !eci!e! to rent an apart"ent Petitioner sue! respon!ent before the Regional Trial Court for the

!eclaration of nullity of their "arriage invo:ing psychological incapacity Petitioner li:e#ise sought thecusto!y of her "inor chil!ren an! praye! for support pendente lite

Su""ons% together #ith a copy of the co"plaint% #as serve! on respon!ent on &- $pril )**/ by personalservice by the sheriff $s respon!ent faile! to file an ans#er or to enter his appearance #ithin theregle"entary perio!% the trial court or!ere! the city prosecutor to loo: into a possible collusion bet#een theparties Prosecutor Rosa C Reyes% on 3. $ugust )**/% sub"itte! her report to the effect that she foun! noevi!ence to establish that there #as collusion bet#een the parties )A#phi)nt

On )) anuary )**-% respon!ent belate!ly file!% #ithout leave of court% an ans#er% an! the sa"e% althoughfile! late% #as a!"itte! by the court In his ans#er% respon!ent a!"itte! the fact of his "arriage #ithpetitioner an! the birth of their chil!ren He also confir"e! the veracity of $nne7 1$1 of the co"plaint #hich



liste! the con?ugal property Respon!ent vehe"ently !enie!% ho#ever% the allegation that he #aspsychologically incapacitate!

On )- Nove"ber )**-% follo#ing hearings con!ucte! by it% the trial court ren!ere! its !ecision !eclaringthe "arriage bet#een petitioner an! respon!ent to be null an! voi! ab initio on the basis of psychologicalincapacity on the part of respon!ent an! or!ere! the liui!ation of the con?ugal partnership

Respon!ent appeale! the above !ecision to the Court of $ppeals% conten!ing that the trial court erre!%

particularly% in hol!ing that there #as legal basis to !eclare the "arriage null an! voi! an! in !enying his"otion to reopen the case

The Court of $ppeals reverse! the !ecision of the trial court an! !eclare! the "arriage bet#een petitioner an! respon!ent vali! an! subsisting The appellate court sai!;

1Definitely the appellee has not establishe! the follo#ing; That the appellant sho#e! signs of "ental incapacity as #oul! cause hi" to be truly incognitive of the basic "arital covenant% as soprovi!e! for in $rticle E+ of the >a"ily Co!eF that the incapacity is grave% has prece!e! the"arriage an! is incurableF that his incapacity to "eet his "arital responsibility is because of apsychological% not physical illnessF that the root cause of the incapacity has been i!entifie!"e!ically or clinically% an! has been proven by an e7pertF an! that the incapacity is per"anent an!incurable in nature

1The bur!en of proof to sho# the nullity of "arriage lies in the plaintiff an! any !oubt shoul! beresolve! in favor of the e7istence an! continuation of the "arriage an! against its !issolution an!nullity1)

Petitioner% in her plea to this Court% #oul! have the !ecision of the Court of $ppeals reverse! on the thesisthat the !octrine enunciate! in Santos vs Court of $ppeals% & pro"ulgate! on )/ anuary )**-% as #ell asthe gui!elines set out in Republic vs Court of $ppeals an! (olina% . pro"ulgate! on ). >ebruary )**'%shoul! have no retroactive application an!% on the assu"ption that the (olina ruling coul! be applie!retroactively% the gui!elines therein outline! shoul! be ta:en to be "erely a!visory an! not "an!atory innature In any case% petitioner argues% the application of the S!"#o$ an! Moli"! dicta shoul! #arrant only are"an! of the case to the trial court for further procee!ings an! not its !is"issal

Be that as it "ay% respon!ent sub"its% the appellate court !i! not err in its assaile! !ecision for there isabsolutely no evi!ence that has been sho#n to prove psychological incapacity on his part as the ter" has

been so !efine! inS!"#o$In!ee!% there is no "erit in the petition

The ter" 1psychological incapacity%1 as a groun! for the !eclaration of nullity of a "arriage un!er $rticle .Eof the >a"ily Co!e% has been e7plaine! by the Court% in S!"#o$ an! reiterate! in Moli"! The Court%in S!"#o$% conclu!e!;

1It shoul! be obvious% loo:ing at all the foregoing !isuisitions% inclu!ing% an! "ost i"portantly% the!eliberations of the >a"ily Co!e Revision Co""ittee itself% that the use of the phrase<psychological incapacity< un!er $rticle .E of the Co!e has not been "eant to co"prehen! all suchpossible cases of psychoses as% li:e#ise "entione! by so"e ecclesiastical authorities% e7tre"elylo# intelligence% i""aturity% an! li:e circu"stances 0cite! in >r $rte"io Balu"a!<s <Voi! an!Voi!able (arriages in the >a"ily Co!e an! their Parallels in Canon 4a#%< uoting for" the

Diagnostic Statistical (anuel of (ental Disor!er by the $"erican Psychiatric $ssociationF @!#ar!Hu!son<s <Han!boo: II for (arriage Nullity Cases<2 $rticle .E of the >a"ily Co!e cannot be ta:enan! construe! in!epen!ently of% but "ust stan! in con?unction #ith% e7isting precepts in our la# on"arriage Thus correlate!% <psychological incapacity< shoul! refer to no less than a "ental 0notphysical2 incapacity that causes a party to be truly incognitive of the basic "arital covenants thatconco"itantly "ust be assu"e! an! !ischarge! by the parties to the "arriage #hich% as soe7presse! by $rticle E+ of the >a"ily Co!e% inclu!e their "utual obligations to live together%observe love% respect an! fi!elity an! ren!er help an! support There is har!ly any !oubt that theinten!"ent of the la# has been to confine the "eaning of <psychological incapacity< to the "ostserious cases of personality !isor!ers clearly !e"onstrative of an utter insensitivity or inability togive "eaning an! significance to the "arriage This psychologic con!ition "ust e7ist at the ti"e the

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"arriage is celebrate!1

The6 1!octrine of stare !ecisis%1 or!aine! in $rticle + of the Civil Co!e% e7presses that ?u!icial !ecisionsapplying or interpreting the la# shall for" part of the legal syste" of the Philippines The rule follo#s thesettle! legal "a7i" 6 1legis interpreta!o legis vi" obtinet1 6 that the interpretation place! upon the #rittenla# by a co"petent court has the force of la#. The interpretation or construction place! by the courtsestablishes the conte"poraneous legislative intent of the la# The latter as so interprete! an! construe!#oul! thus constitute a part of that la# as of the !ate the statute is enacte! It is only #hen a prior ruling of

this Court fin!s itself later overrule!% an! a !ifferent vie# is a!opte!% that the ne# !octrine "ay have to beapplie! prospectively in favor of parties #ho have relie! on the ol! !octrine an! have acte! in goo! faith inaccor!ance there#ith- un!er the fa"iliar rule of 1le7 prospicit% non respicit1

The phrase 1psychological incapacity %1 borro#e! fro" Canon la#% is an entirely novel provision in our statute boo:s% an!% until the relatively recent enact"ent of the >a"ily Co!e% the concept has escape!

?urispru!ential attention It is in S!"#o$ #hen% for the first ti"e% the Court has given life to the ter" Moli"!%that follo#e!% has a!!itionally provi!e! proce!ural gui!elines to assist the courts an! the parties in tryingcases for annul"ent of "arriages groun!e! on psychological incapacity Moli"! has strengthene!% notoverturne!% S!"#o$

$t all events% petitioner has utterly faile!% both in her allegations in the co"plaint an! in her evi!ence% to"a:e out a case of psychological incapacity on the part of respon!ent% let alone at the ti"e of sole"ni9ation of the contract% so as to #arrant a !eclaration of nullity of the "arriage @"otional i""aturityan! irresponsibility% invo:e! by her% cannot be euate! #ith psychological incapacity

The Court reiterates its re"in!er that "arriage is an inviolable social institution an! the foun!ation of thefa"ilyE that the State cherishes an! protects =hile the Court co""isserates #ith petitioner in her unhappy"arital relationship #ith respon!ent% totally ter"inating that relationship% ho#ever% "ay not necessarily bethe fitting !enoue"ent to it In these cases% the la# has not uite given up% neither shoul! #e

%&ERE'ORE% the herein petition is (ENIE( No costs

SO ORD@R@D

Vitug, J.C.; Melo, J.A.R; Panganiban, A.V.; Gonzaga-Reyes, M.P.; Sandoval-Gutieez, A., Concu.

'oo#"o#)$

) Rollo pp /&6/.& &/3 SCR$ &3

. &E+ SCR$ )*+

/ People vs abinal% -- SCR$ E3'

- Gnciano Para"e!ical College% Inc vs Court of $ppeals% &&) SCR$ &+-F Tana!a vs ,uingona%&.- SCR$ -3'F Colu"bia Pictures% Inc% vs Court of $ppeals% &E) SCR$ )//

E See Section &% $rticle V% )*+' Constitution

Statutory Construction and the courtsA. Requisite before courts contrue or interpret the law


(anila

>IRST DIVISION

G.R. No. L*+0999 M!r- 23, 1990

OSE SONGCO, ROMEO CIPRES, !"/ AMANCIO MANUEL, petitioners%vsNATIONAL LAOR RELATIONS COMMISSION 'IRST (IVISION, LAOR ARITER 'LAVIO AGUAS,













!"/ '.E. ZUELLIG M, INC., respon!ents

Raul !. !spinosa "o petitiones.

#ucas !$$anuel %. Canilao "o petitione A. Manuel.

Atienza, &aboa, 'el Rosaio ( Castillo "o pivate espondent.

ME(IAL(EA, J.:

This is a petition for cetioai see:ing to "o!ify the !ecision of the National 4abor Relations Co""ission inN4RC Case No RB6IV6&3+/36'+6T entitle!% 1Jose Songco and Ro$eo Cipes, Co$plainants-Appellants, v.).!. *uellig +M, nc., Respondent-Appellee1 an! N4RC Case No RN6 IV6&3+--6'+6T entitle!% A$ancioManuel, Co$plainant-Appellant, v. ).!. *uellig +M, nc., Respondent-Appellee, #hich !is"isse! theappeal of petitioners herein an! in effect affir"e! the !ecision of the 4abor $rbiter or!ering privaterespon!ent to pay petitioners separation pay euivalent to their one "onth salary 0e7clusive of co""issions% allo#ances% etc2 for every year of service

The antece!ent facts are as follo#s;

Private respon!ent >@ 5uellig 0(2% Inc% 0hereinafter referre! to as 5uellig2 file! #ith the Depart"ent of 4abor 0Regional Office No /2 an application see:ing clearance to ter"inate the services of petitioners ose

Songco% Ro"eo Cipres% an! $"ancio (anuel 0hereinafter referre! to as petitioners2 allege!ly on thegroun! of retrench"ent !ue to financial losses This application #as seasonably oppose! by petitionersalleging that the co"pany is not suffering fro" any losses They allege! further that they are being!is"isse! because of their "e"bership in the union $t the last hearing of the case% ho#ever% petitioners"anifeste! that they are no longer contesting their !is"issal The parties then agree! that the sole issue tobe resolve! is the basis of the separation pay !ue to petitioners Petitioners% #ho #ere in the sales force of 5uellig receive! "onthly salaries of at least P/3%333 In a!!ition% they receive! co""issions for every salethey "a!e

The collective Bargaining $gree"ent entere! into bet#een 5uellig an! >@ 5uellig @"ployees $ssociation%of #hich petitioners are "e"bers% contains the follo#ing provision 0p ')% Rollo2;

$RTIC4@ IV Retire"ent ,ratuity

Section l0a26$ny e"ployee% #ho is separate! fro" e"ploy"ent !ue to ol! age% sic:ness%!eath or per"anent lay6off not !ue to the fault of sai! e"ployee shall receive fro" theco"pany a retire"ent gratuity in an a"ount euivalent to one 0)2 "onth<s salay per year of service One "onth of salay as use! in this paragraph shall be !ee"e! euivalent tothe salay at !ate of retire"entF years of service shall be !ee"e! euivalent to total servicecre!its% a fraction of at least si7 "onths being consi!ere! one year% inclu!ing probationarye"ploy"ent 0@"phasis supplie!2

On the other han!% $rticle &+/ of the 4abor Co!e then prevailing provi!es;

$rt &+/ Reduction o" pesonnel The ter"ination of e"ploy"ent of any e"ployee !ue tothe installation of labor saving6!evices% re!un!ancy% retrench"ent to prevent losses% an!other si"ilar causes% shall entitle the e"ployee affecte! thereby to separation pay In caseof ter"ination !ue to the installation of labor6saving !evices or re!un!ancy% the separation

pay shall be euivalent to one 0)2 "onth pay or to at least one 0)2 "onth pay for every year of service% #hichever is higher In case of retrench"ent to prevent losses an! other si"ilar causes% the separation pay shall be euivalent to one 0)2 "onth pay or at least one6half 0)J&2 "onth pay for every year of service% #hichever is higher $ fraction of at least si7 0E2"onths shall be consi!ere! one 0)2 #hole year 0@"phasis supplie!2

In a!!ition% Sections *0b2 an! )3% Rule )% Boo: VI of the Rules I"ple"enting the 4abor Co!e provi!e;

7 7 7

Sec *0b2 =here the ter"ination of e"ploy"ent is !ue to retrech"ent initiate! by thee"ployer to prevent losses or other si"ilar causes% or #here the e"ployee suffers fro" a



!isease an! his continue! e"ploy"ent is prohibite! by la# or is pre?u!icial to his health or to the health of his co6e"ployees% the e"ployee shall be entitle! to ter"ination payeuivalent at least to his one "onth salary% or to one6half "onth pay for every year of service% #hichever is higher% a fraction of at least si7 0E2 "onths being consi!ere! as one#hole year

7 7 7

Sec )3 %asis o" te$ination pay The co"putation of the ter"ination pay of ane"ployee as provi!e! herein shall be base! on his latest salary rate% unless the sa"e #asre!uce! by the e"ployer to !efeat the intention of the Co!e% in #hich case the basis of co"putation shall be the rate before its !e!uction 0@"phasis supplie!2

On une &E%)*'+% the 4abor $rbiter ren!ere! a !ecision% the !ispositive portion of #hich rea!s 0p'+% Rollo2;

R@SPONSIV@ TO TH@ >OR@,OIN,% respon!ent shoul! be as it is hereby% or!ere! to paythe co"plainants separation pay euivalent to their one "onth salary 0e7clusive of co""issions% allo#ances% etc2 for every year of service that they have #or:e! #ith theco"pany

SO ORD@R@D

The appeal by petitioners to the National 4abor Relations Co""ission #as !is"isse! for lac: of "erit

Hence% the present petition

On une &% )*+3% the Court% acting on the verifie! 1Notice of Voluntary $ban!on"ent an! =ith!ra#al of Petition !ate! $pril '% )*+3 file! by petitioner Ro"eo Cipres% base! on the groun! that he #ants 1to abi!eby the !ecision appeale! fro"1 since he ha! 1receive!% to his full an! co"plete satisfaction% his separationpay%1 resolve! to !is"iss the petition as to hi"

The issue is #hether or not earne! sales co""issions an! allo#ances shoul! be inclu!e! in the "onthlysalary of petitioners for the purpose of co"putation of their separation pay

The petition is i"presse! #ith "erit

Petitioners< position #as that in arriving at the correct an! legal a"ount of separation pay !ue the"%

#hether un!er the 4abor Co!e or the CB$% their basic salary% earne! sales co""issions an! allo#ancesshoul! be a!!e! together They cite! $rticle *'0f2 of the 4abor Co!e #hich inclu!es co""ission as part onone<s salary% to #itF

0f2 <=age< pai! to any e"ployee shall "ean the re"uneration or earnings% ho#ever !esignate!% capable of being e7presse! in ter"s of "oney% #hether fi7e! or ascertaine! ona ti"e% tas:% piece% or co""ission basis% or other "etho! of calculating the sa"e% #hich ispayable by an e"ployer to an e"ployee un!er a #ritten or un#ritten contract of e"ploy"ent for #or: !one or to be !one% or for services ren!ere! or to be ren!ere!% an!inclu!es the fair an! reasonable value% as !eter"ine! by the Secretary of 4abor% of boar!%lo!ging% or other facilities custo"arily furnishe! by the e"ployer to the e"ployee <>air reasonable value< shall not inclu!e any profit to the e"ployer or to any person affiliate! #iththe e"ployer

5uellig argues that if it #ere really the intention of the 4abor Co!e as #ell as its i"ple"enting rules toinclu!e co""ission in the co"putation of separation pay% it coul! have e7plicitly sai! so in clear an!uneuivocal ter"s >urther"ore% in the !efinition of the ter" 1#age1% 1co""ission1 is use! only as one of the features or !esignations attache! to the #or! re"uneration or earnings

Insofar as the issue of #hether or not allo#ances shoul! be inclu!e! in the "onthly salary of petitioners for the purpose of co"putation of their separation pay is concerne!% this has been settle! in the caseof Santos v. /#RC, et al., ,R No 'E'&)% Septe"ber &)% )*+'% )-/ SCR$ )EE% #here =e rule! that 1inthe co"putation of bac:#ages an! separation pay% account "ust be ta:en not only of the basic salary of petitioner but also of her transportation an! e"ergency living allo#ances1 This ruling #as reiterate!in Soiano v. /#RC, et al., ,R No '--)3% October &'% )*+'% )-- SCR$ )&/ an! recently% in Plantes



Poducts, nc. v. /#RC, et al., ,R No '+-&/% anuary &3% )*+*

=e shall concern ourselves no# #ith the issue of #hether or not earne! sales co""ission shoul! beinclu!e! in the "onthly salary of petitioner for the purpose of co"putation of their separation pay

$rticle *'0f2 by itself is e7plicit that co""ission is inclu!e! in the !efinition of the ter" 1#age1 It has beenrepeate!ly !eclare! by the courts that #here the la# spea:s in clear an! categorical language% there is noroo" for interpretation or constructionF there is only roo" for application 0Cebu Portlan! Ce"ent Co v

(unicipality of Naga% ,R Nos &/))E6)'% $ugust &&% )*E+% &/ SCR$ '3+F ,on9aga v Court of $ppeals%,RNo 46& '/--% une &+%)*'.% -) SCR$ .+)2 $ plain an! una"biguous statute spea:s for itself% an!any atte"pt to "a:e it clearer is vain labor an! ten!s only to obscurity Ho# ever% it "ay be argue! that if =e correlate $rticle *'0f2 #ith $rticle IV of the Collective Bargaining $gree"ent% $rticle &+/ of the 4abor Co!e an! Sections *0b2 an! )3 of the I"ple"enting Rules% there appears to be an a"biguity In thisregar!% the 4abor $rbiter rationali9e! his !ecision in this "anner 0pp '/6'E% Rollo2;

The !efinition of <#age< provi!e! in $rticle *E 0sic2 of the Co!e can be correctly be 0sic2state! as a general !efinition It is <#age < in its generic sense $ careful perusal of the sa"e!oes not sho# any in!ication that co""ission is part of salary =e can say that co""issionby itself "ay be consi!ere! a #age This is not so"ething novel for it cannot be gainsai!that certain types of e"ployees li:e agents% fiel! personnel an! sales"en !o not earn anyregular !aily% #ee:ly or "onthly salaries% but rely "ainly on co""ission earne!

Gpon the other han!% the provisions of Section )3% Rule )% Boo: VI of the i"ple"entingrules in con?unction #ith $rticles &'. an! &'/ 0sic2 of the Co!e specifically states that thebasis of the ter"ination pay !ue to one #ho is sought to be legally separate! fro" theservice is <his latest salary rates

7 7 7

@ven $rticles &'. an! &'/ 0sic2 invariably use <"onthly pay or "onthly salary<

The above ter"s foun! in those $rticles an! the particular Rules #ere intentionally use! toe7press the intent of the fra"ers of the la# that for purposes of separation pay they "ean tobe specifically referring to salary only

@ach particular benefit provi!e! in the Co!e an! other Decrees on 4abor has its o#npecularities an! nuances an! shoul! be interprete! in that light Thus% for a specific

provision% a specific "eaning is attache! to si"plify "atters that "ay arise there fro" Thegeneral gui!elines in 0sic2 the for"ation of specific rules for particular purpose Thus% that#hat shoul! be controlling in "atters concerning ter"ination pay shoul! be the specificprovisions of both Boo: VI of the Co!e an! the Rules $t any rate% settle! is the rule that in"atters of conflict bet#een the general provision of la# an! that of a particular6 or specificprovision% the latter shoul! prevail

On its part% the N4RC rule! 0p ))3% Rollo2;

>ro" the aforeuote! provisions of the la# an! the i"ple"enting rules% it coul! be !e!uce!that #age is use! in its generic sense an! obviously refers to the basic #age rate to beascertaine! on a ti"e% tas:% piece or co""ission basis or other "etho! of calculating thesa"e It !oes not% ho#ever% "ean that co""ission% allo#ances or analogous inco"e

necessarily for"s part of the e"ployee<s salary because to !o so #oul! lea! to ano"alies0sic2% if not absur!% construction of the #or! 1salary1 >or #hat #ill prevent the e"ployeefro" insisting that e"ergency living allo#ance% ).th "onth pay% overti"e% an! pre"iu" pay%an! other fringe benefits shoul! be a!!e! to the co"putation of their separation pay Thissituation% to our "in!% is not the real intent of the Co!e an! its rules

=e rule other#ise The a"biguity bet#een $rticle *'0f2% #hich !efines the ter" <#age< an! $rticle IV of theCollective Bargaining $gree"ent% $rticle &+/ of the 4abor Co!e an! Sections *0b2 an! )3 of theI"ple"enting Rules% #hich "ention the ter"s 1pay1 an! 1salary1% is "ore apparent than real Broa!ly% the#or! 1salary1 "eans a reco"pense or consi!eration "a!e to a person for his pains or in!ustry in another "an<s business =hether it be !erive! fro" 1salariu"%1 or "ore fancifully fro" 1sal%1 the pay of the Ro"an



sol!ier% it carries #ith it the fun!a"ental i!ea of co"pensation for services ren!ere! In!ee!% there ise"inent authority for hol!ing that the #or!s 1#ages1 an! 1salary1 are in essence synony"ous 0=or!s an!Phrases% Vol .+ Per"anent @!ition% p // citing Hop:ins vs Cro"#ell% +- NKS +.*%+/)%+* $pp Div/+)F .+ $" ur /*E2 1Salary%1 the ety"ology of #hich is the 4atin #or! 1salariu"%1 is often use!interchangeably #ith 1#age1% the ety"ology of #hich is the (i!!le @nglish #or! 1#agen1 Both #or!sgenerally refer to one an! the sa"e "eaning% that is% a re#ar! or reco"pense for services perfor"e!4i:e#ise% 1pay1 is the synony" of 1#ages1 an! 1salary1 0Blac:<s 4a# Dictionary% -th @!2 Inas"uch as the

#or!s 1#ages1% 1pay1 an! 1salary1 have the sa"e "eaning% an! co""ission is inclu!e! in the !efinition of 1#age1% the logical conclusion% therefore% is% in the co"putation of the separation pay of petitioners% their salary base shoul! inclu!e also their earne! sales co""issions

The aforeuote! provisions are not the only consi!eration for !eci!ing the petition in favor of thepetitioners

=e agree #ith the Solicitor ,eneral that granting% in gatia agu$enti % that the co""issions #ere in thefor" of incentives or encourage"ent% so that the petitioners #oul! be inspire! to put a little "ore in!ustryon the ?obs particularly assigne! to the"% still these co""issions are !irect re"uneration servicesren!ere! #hich contribute! to the increase of inco"e of 5uellig Co""ission is the reco"pense%co"pensation or re#ar! of an agent% sales"an% e7ecutor% trustees% receiver% factor% bro:er or bailee% #henthe sa"e is calculate! as a percentage on the a"ount of his transactions or on the profit to the principal0Blac:<s 4a# Dictionary% -th @!% citing =einer v S#ales% &)' (! )&.% )/) $&! '/*% '-32 The nature of

the #or: of a sales"an an! the reason for such type of re"uneration for services ren!ere! !e"onstrateclearly that co""ission are part of petitioners< #age or salary =e ta:e ?u!icial notice of the fact that so"esales"en !o not receive any basic salary but !epen! on co""issions an! allo#ances or co""issionsalone% are part of petitioners< #age or salary =e ta:e ?u!icial notice of the fact that so"e sales"an !o notreceive! any basic salary but !epen! on co""issions an! allo#ances or co""issions alone% although ane"ployer6e"ployee relationship e7ists Bearing in "in! the precee!ing !icussions% if #e a!opt the oppositevie# that co""issions% !o not for" part of #age or salary% then% in effect% =e #ill be saying that this :in! of sales"en !o not receive any salary an! therefore% not entitle! to separation pay in the event of !ischargefro" e"ploy"ent =ill this not be absur!L This narro# interpretation is not in accor! #ith the liberal spirit of our labor la#s an! consi!ering the purpose of separation pay #hich is% to alleviate the !ifficulties #hichconfront a !is"isse! e"ployee thro#n the the streets to face the harsh necessities of life

$!!itionally% in Soiano v. /#RC, et al., supa% in resolving the issue of the salary base that shoul! be use!

in co"puting the separation pay% =e hel! that;The co""issions also clai"e! by petitioner 0<overri!e co""ission< plus <net !epositincentive<2 are not properly inclu!ible in such base figure since such co""issions "ust beearne! by actual "ar:et transactions attributable to petitioner

$pplying this by analogy% since the co""issions in the present case #ere earne! by actual "ar:ettransactions attributable to petitioners% these shoul! be inclu!e! in their separation pay In the co"putationthereof% #hat shoul! be ta:en into account is the average co""issions earne! !uring their last year of e"ploy"ent

The final consi!eration is% in carrying out an! interpreting the 4abor Co!e<s provisions an! its i"ple"entingregulations% the #or:ing"an<s #elfare shoul! be the pri"or!ial an! para"ount consi!eration This :in! of interpretation gives "eaning an! substance to the liberal an! co"passionate spirit of the la# as provi!e!

for in $rticle / of the 4abor Co!e #hich states that 1all !oubts in the i"ple"entation an! interpretation of the provisions of the 4abor Co!e inclu!ing its i"ple"enting rules an! regulations shall be resolve! in favor of labor1 0$bella v N4RC% ,R No ')+)&% uly .3%)*+'%)-& SCR$ )/3F (anila @lectric Co"pany vN4RC% et al% ,R No '+'E.% uly )&%)*+*2% an! $rticle )'3& of the Civil Co!e #hich provi!es that 1incase of !oubt% all labor legislation an! all labor contracts shall be construe! in favor of the safety an!!ecent living for the laborer

$CCORDIN,4K% the petition is hereby ,R$NT@D The !ecision of the respon!ent National 4abor Relations Co""ission is (ODI>I@D by inclu!ing allo#ances an! co""issions in the separation pay of petitioners ose Songco an! $"ancio (anuel The case is re"an!e! to the 4abor $rbiter for the proper co"putation of sai! separation pay



SO ORD@R@D

/avasa +C0ai$an, Cuz, Gancayco and Gi1o-A2uino, JJ., concu.

Republic of the PhilippinesSUPREME COURT(anila

@N B$NC

G.R. No. 19600 4") 29, 2010

MILAGROS E. AMORES, Petitioner%vs&OUSE O' REPRESENTATIVES ELECTORAL TRIUNAL !"/ EMMANUEL OEL .VILLANUEVA,Respon!ents

D @ C I S I O N

CARPIO MORALES, J.:

Via this petition for certiorari% (ilagros @ $"ores 0petitioner2 challenges the Decision of (ay )/% &33* an!Resolution No 3*6).3 of $ugust E% &33* of the House of Representatives @lectoral Tribunal 0public

respon!ent2% #hich respectively !is"isse! petitionerMs Petition for 8uo =arranto uestioning the legality of the assu"ption of office of @""anuel oel Villanueva 0private respon!ent2 as representative of theparty6list organi9ation Citi9ensM Battle $gainst Corruption 0CIB$C2 in the House of Representatives% an!!enie! petitionerMs (otion for Reconsi!eration

In her Petition for 8uo =arranto) see:ing the ouster of private respon!ent% petitioner allege! that% a"ongother things% private respon!ent assu"e! office #ithout a for"al procla"ation issue! by the Co""issionon @lections 0CO(@4@C2F he #as !isualifie! to be a no"inee of the youth sector of CIB$C since% at theti"e of the filing of his certificates of no"ination an! acceptance% he #as alrea!y .) years ol! or beyon!the age li"it of .3 pursuant to Section * of Republic $ct 0R$2 No '*/)% other#ise :no#n as the Party64istSyste" $ctF an! his change of affiliation fro" CIB$CMs youth sector to its overseas >ilipino #or:ers an!their fa"ilies sector #as not effecte! at least si7 "onths prior to the (ay )/% &33' elections so as to beualifie! to represent the ne# sector un!er Section )- of R$ No '*/)

Not having file! his $ns#er !espite !ue notice% private respon!ent #as !ee"e! to have entere! a general!enial pursuant to public respon!entMs Rules&

$s earlier reflecte!% public respon!ent% by Decision of (ay )/% &33*%. !is"isse! petitionerMs Petition for 8uo =arranto% fin!ing that CIB$C #as a"ong the party6list organi9ations #hich the CO(@4@C ha!partially proclai"e! as entitle! to at least one seat in the House of Representatives through National Boar!of Canvassers 0NBC2 Resolution No 3'6E3 !ate! uly *% &33' It also foun! the petition #hich #as file! onOctober )'% &33' to be out of ti"e% the regle"entary perio! being )3 !ays fro" private respon!entMsprocla"ation

Respecting the age ualification for youth sectoral no"inees un!er Section * of R$ No '*/)% publicrespon!ent hel! that it applie! only to those no"inate! as such !uring the first three congressional ter"safter the ratification of the Constitution or until )**+% unless a sectoral party is thereafter registere!

e7clusively as representing the youth sector% #hich CIB$C% a "ulti6sectoral organi9ation% is notIn the "atter of private respon!entMs shift of affiliation fro" CIB$CMs youth sector to its overseas >ilipino#or:ers an! their fa"ilies sector% public respon!ent hel! that Section )- of R$ No '*/) !i! not apply asthere #as no resultant change in party6list affiliation

Her (otion for Reconsi!eration having been !enie! by Resolution No 3*6).3 !ate! $ugust E%&33*%/ petitioner file! the present Petition for Certiorari-

Petitioner conten!s that% a"ong other things% public respon!ent create! !istinctions in the application of Sections * an! )- of R$ No '*/) that are not foun! in the sub?ect provisions% fostering interpretations at#ar #ith eual protection of the la#sF an! NBC Resolution No 3'6E3% #hich #as a partial procla"ation of

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#inning party6list organi9ations% #as not enough basis for private respon!ent to assu"e office on uly )3%&33'% especially consi!ering that he a!"itte! receiving his o#n Certificate of Procla"ation only onDece"ber ).% &33'

In his Co""ent%E private respon!ent avers in the "ain that petitioner has not substantiate! her clai"s of grave abuse of !iscretion against public respon!entF an! that he beca"e a "e"ber of the overseas>ilipinos an! their fa"ilies sector years before the &33' elections

It bears noting that the ter" of office of party6list representatives electe! in the (ay% &33' elections #ille7pire on une .3% &3)3 =hile the petition has% thus% beco"e "oot an! aca!e"ic% ren!ering of a !ecisionon the "erits in this case #oul! still be of practical value'

The Court a!opts the issues fra"e! by public respon!ent% to #it; 0)2 #hether petitionerMs Petition for 8uo=arranto #as !is"issible for having been file! unseasonablyF an! 0&2 #hether Sections * an! )- of R$ No'*/) apply to private respon!ent

On the first issue% the Court fin!s that public respon!ent co""itte! grave abuse of !iscretion in consi!eringpetitionerMs Petition for 8uo =arranto file! out of ti"e Its counting of the )36!ay regle"entary perio!provi!e! in its Rules+ fro" the issuance of NBC Resolution No 3'6E3 on uly *% &33' is erroneous

To be sure% #hile NBC Resolution No 3'6E3 partially proclai"e! CIB$C as a #inner in the (ay% &33'elections% along #ith other party6list organi9ations%* it #as by no "easure a procla"ation of privaterespon!ent hi"self as reuire! by Section ). of R$ No '*/)

Section ). 3o4 Paty-#ist Repesentatives ae C0osen. Party6list representatives shall be proclai"e! bythe CO(@4@C base! on the list of na"es sub"itte! by the respective parties% organi9ations% or coalitionsto the CO(@4@C accor!ing to their ran:ing in sai! list

$T $44 @V@NTS% this Court set asi!e NBC Resolution No 3'6E3 in Barangay $ssociation for National $!vance"ent an! Transparency v CO(@4@C)3 after revisiting the for"ula for allocation of a!!itionalseats to party6list organi9ations

Consi!ering% ho#ever% that the recor!s !o not !isclose the e7act !ate of private respon!entMs procla"ation%the Court overloo:s the technicality of ti"eliness an! rules on the "erits $lternatively% since petitionerMschallenge goes into private respon!entMs ualifications% it "ay be file! at anyti"e !uring his ter"

8ualifications for public office are continuing reuire"ents an! "ust be possesse! not only at the ti"e of

appoint"ent or election or assu"ption of office but !uring the officer<s entire tenure Once any of thereuire! ualifications is lost% his title "ay be seasonably challenge!))

On the secon! an! "ore substantial issue% the Court shall first !iscuss the age reuire"ent for youthsector no"inees un!er Section * of R$ No '*/) rea!ing;

Section * 5uali"ications o" Paty-#ist /o$inees. No person shall be no"inate! as party6list representativeunless he is a natural6born citi9en of the Philippines% a registere! voter% a resi!ent of the Philippines for aperio! of not less than one 0)2year i""e!iately prece!ing the !ay of the election% able to rea! an! #rite% abona fi!e "e"ber of the party or organi9ation #hich he see:s to represent for at least ninety 0*32 !aysprece!ing the !ay of the election% an! is at least t#enty6five 0&-2 years of age on the !ay of the election

In case of a no"inee of the youth sector% he "ust at least be t#enty6five 0&-2 but not "ore than thirty 0.32years of age on the !ay of the election $ny youth sectoral representative #ho attains the age of thirty 0.32

!uring his ter" shall be allo#e! to continue in office until the e7piration of his ter" 0@"phasis an!un!erscoring supplie!2

The Court fin!s no te7tual support for public respon!entMs interpretation that Section * applie! only to thoseno"inate! !uring the first three congressional ter"s after the ratification of the Constitution or until )**+%unless a sectoral party is thereafter registere! e7clusively as representing the youth sector

$ car!inal rule in statutory construction is that #hen the la# is clear an! free fro" any !oubt or a"biguity%there is no roo" for construction or interpretation There is only roo" for application)&

$s the la# states in uneuivocal ter"s that a no"inee of the youth sector "ust at least be t#enty6five 0&-2but not "ore than thirty 0.32 years of age on the !ay of the election% so it "ust be that a can!i!ate #ho is


















"ore than .3 on election !ay is not ualifie! to be a youth sector no"inee Since this "an!ate is containe!in R$ No '*/)% the Party64ist Syste" $ct% it covers $44 youth sector no"inees vying for party6listrepresentative seats

$s petitioner points out% R$ No '*/) #as enacte! only in (arch% )**- There is thus no reason to applySection * thereof only to youth sector no"inees no"inate! !uring the first three congressional ter"s after the ratification of the Constitution in )*+' Gn!er this interpretation% the last elections #here Section *applie! #ere hel! in (ay% )**- or t#o "onths after the la# #as enacte! This is certainly not soun!

legislative intent% an! coul! not have been the ob?ective of R$ No '*/)

There is li:e#ise no rhy"e or reason in public respon!entMs ratiocination that after the thir! congressionalter" fro" the ratification of the Constitution% #hich e7pire! in )**+% Section * of R$ No '*/) #oul! applyonly to sectoral parties registere! e7clusively as representing the youth sector This !istinction is no#herefoun! in the la# Gbi le7 non !istinguit nec nos !istinguire !ebe"us =hen the la# !oes not !istinguish% #e"ust not !istinguish).

Respecting Section )- of R$ No '*/)% the Court fails to fin! even an iota of te7tual support for publicrespon!entMs ratiocination that the provision !i! not apply to private respon!entMs shift of affiliation fro"CIB$CMs youth sector to its overseas >ilipino #or:ers an! their fa"ilies sector as there #as no resultantchange in party6list affiliation Section )- rea!s;

Section )- C0ange o" A""iliation; !""ect. $ny electe! party6list representative #ho changes his political

party or sectoral affiliation !uring his ter" of office shall forfeit his seat; Provi!e!% That if he changeshis political party orsectoral affiliation #ithin si7 0E2 "onths before an election% he shall not be eligible for no"ination as party6list representative un!er his ne# party or organi9ation 0e"phasis an! un!erscoringsupplie!2

=hat is clear is that the #or!ing of Section )- covers changes in both political party an! sectoral affiliation $n! the latter "ay occur #ithin the sa"e party since "ulti6sectoral party6list organi9ations are ualifie! toparticipate in the Philippine party6list syste" Hence% a no"inee #ho changes his sectoral affiliation #ithinthe sa"e party #ill only be eligible for no"ination un!er the ne# sectoral affiliation if the change has beeneffecte! at least si7 "onths before the elections $gain% since the statute is clear an! free fro" a"biguity% it"ust be given its literal "eaning an! applie! #ithout atte"pte! interpretation This is the plain "eaningrule or verba legis% as e7presse! in the "a7i" in!e7 ani"i ser"o or speech is the in!e7 of intention)/

It is% therefore% beyon! cavil that Sections * an! )- of R$ No '*/) apply to private respon!ent

The Court fin!s that private respon!ent #as not ualifie! to be a no"inee of either the youth sector or theoverseas >ilipino #or:ers an! their fa"ilies sector in the (ay% &33' elections

The recor!s !isclose that private respon!ent #as alrea!y "ore than .3 years of age in (ay% &33'% it beingstipulate! that he #as born in $ugust% )*'-)- (oreover% he !i! not change his sectoral affiliation at leastsi7 "onths before (ay% &33'% public respon!ent itself having foun! that he shifte! to CIB$CMs overseas>ilipino #or:ers an! their fa"ilies sector only on (arch )'% &33')E)avvphi)

That private respon!ent is the first no"inee of CIB$C% #hose victory #as later uphel!% is of no "o"ent $party6list organi9ationMs ran:ing of its no"inees is a "ere in!ication of preference% their ualificationsaccor!ing to la# are a !ifferent "atter

It not being conteste!% ho#ever% that private respon!ent #as eventually proclai"e! as a party6list

representative of CIB$C an! ren!ere! services as such% he is entitle! to :eep the co"pensation an!e"olu"ents provi!e! by la# for the position until he is properly !eclare! ineligible to hol! the sa"e)'

=H@R@>OR@% the petition is ,R$NT@D The Decision !ate! (ay )/% &33* an! Resolution No 3*6).3!ate! $ugust E% &33* of the House of Representatives @lectoral Tribunal are S@T $SID@ @""anuel oel Villanueva is !eclare! ineligible to hol! office as a "e"ber of the House of Representatives representingthe party6list organi9ation CIB$C

SO ORD@R@D

CONC&ITA CARPIO MORALES $ssociate ustice














=@ CONCGR;

0No Part2RENATO C. CORONA

Chief ustice

ANTONIO T. CARPIO $ssociate ustice

PRESITERO . VELASCO, R. $ssociate ustice

0No Part2ANTONIO E(UAR(O . NAC&URA

$ssociate ustice

ARTURO (. RION $ssociate ustice

TERESITA . LEONAR(O*(E CASTRO $ssociate ustice

(IOS(A(O M. PERALTA $ssociate ustice

LUCAS P. ERSAMIN $ssociate ustice

ROERTO A. AA( $ssociate ustice

MARIANO C. (EL CASTILLO $ssociate ustice

MARTIN S. VILLARAMA, R. $ssociate ustice

OSE PORTUGAL PEREZ $ssociate ustice

OSE CATRAL MEN(OZA $ssociate ustice

C @ R T I > I C $ T I O N

Pursuant to Section ).% $rticle VIII of the Constitution% I hereby certify that the conclusions in the aboveDecision ha! been reache! in consultation before the case #as assigne! to the #riter of the opinion of theCourt

RENATO C. CORONAChief ustice

'oo#"o#)$

No part

) Rollo% pp )3/6)).

& I! at ..

. I! at .&6/-

/ I! at /E6/'

- I! at .6.)

E I! at )'E6)+'' Vi!e (alaluan v Co""ission on @lections% ,R No )&3)*.% (arch E% )**E% &-/ SCR$ .*'%/3.6/3/

+ Rule )' of the &33/ Rules of public respon!ent provi!es;

Rule )' 8uo =arranto $ verifie! petition for uo #arranto contesting the election of a(e"ber of the House of Representatives on the groun! of ineligibility or of !isloyalty to theRepublic of the Philippines shall be file! by any voter #ithin ten 0)32 !ays after theprocla"ation of the #inner 777

* Vi!e rollo% pp *.6*/

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)3 ,R Nos )'*&') )'*&*-% $pril &)% &33*% -+E SCR$ &)3

)) Vi!e >rival!o v CO(@4@C% ,R No +')*.% une &.% )*+*% )'/ SCR$ &/-% &--

)& T#in $ce Hol!ings Corporation v Rufina an! Co"pany% ,R No )E3)*)% une +% &33E% /*3SCR$ .E+% .'E

). Vi!e $!asa v $balos% ,R No )E+E)'% >ebruary )*% &33'% -)E SCR$ &E)% &+3F Philippine >reePress% Inc v Court of $ppeals% ,R No ).&+E/% October &/% &33-% /'. SCR$ E.*% EE&

)/ Vi!e Pa!ua v People% ,R No )E+-/E% uly &.% &33+% --* SCR$ -)*% -.)

)- Vi!e rollo% p ..

)E Vi!e rollo% p /.

)' Vi!e (alaluan v CO(@4@C% supra note ' at /3'


(anila

>IRST DIVISION

G.R. No. 120721 ')5r4!r 23, 200+

MANUEL G. AELLO, OSE C. CONCEPCION, TEO(ORO (. REGALA, AVELINO V.CRUZ, petitioners%vsCOMMISSIONER O' INTERNAL REVENUE !"/ COURT O' APPEALS, respon!ents

D @ C I S I O N

AZCUNA, J.:

This is a petition for revie# on cetioai un!er Rule /- of the Rules of Civil Proce!ure% assailing the!ecision of the Court of $ppeals in C$ ,R SP No &')./% entitle! 1Co"issioner of Internal Revenue v(anuel , $bello% ose C Concepcion% Teo!oro D Regala% $velino V Cru9 an! Court of Ta7 $ppeals%1#hich reverse! an! set asi!e the !ecision of the Court of Ta7 $ppeals 0CT$2% or!ering the Co""issioner of Internal Revenue 0Co""issioner2 to #ith!ra# his letters !ate! $pril &)% )*++ an! $ugust /% )*++

assessing !onorMs ta7es an! to !esist fro" collecting !onorMs ta7es fro" petitioners

During the )*+' national elections% petitioners% #ho are partners in the $ngara% $bello% Concepcion% Regalaan! Cru9 0$CCR$2 la# fir"% contribute! P++&%EE).) each to the ca"paign fun!s of Senator @!gar!o

$ngara% then running for the Senate In letters !ate! $pril &)% )*++% the Bureau of Internal Revenue 0BIR2assesse! each of the petitioners P&E.%3.&EE for their contributions On $ugust &% )*++% petitionersuestione! the assess"ent through a letter to the BIR They clai"e! that political or electoral contributionsare not consi!ere! gifts un!er the National Internal Revenue Co!e 0NIRC2% an! that% therefore% they are notliable for !onorMs ta7 The clai" for e7e"ption #as !enie! by the Co""issioner))Qvvphi)nt

On Septe"ber )&% )*++% petitioners file! a petition for revie# #ith the CT$% #hich #as !eci!e! on October '% )**) in favor of the petitioners $s aforestate!% the CT$ or!ere! the Co""issioner to !esist fro"collecting !onorMs ta7es fro" the petitioners&

On appeal% the Court of $ppeals reverse! an! set asi!e the CT$ !ecision on $pril &3% )**/ . The appellateCourt or!ere! the petitioners to pay !onorMs ta7 a"ounting to P&E.%3.&EE each% reasoning as follo#s;

The National Internal Revenue Co!e% as a"en!e!% provi!es;

Sec *) I"position of Ta7 0a2 There shall be levie!% assesse!% collecte!% an! pai! upon the transfer by anyperson% resi!ent% or non6resi!ent% of the property by gift% a ta7% co"pute! as provi!e! in Section *& 0b2 Theta7 shall apply #hether the transfer is in trust or other#ise% #hether the gift is !irect or in!irect% an! #hether the property is real or personal% tangible or intangible

Pursuant to the above6uote! provisions of la#% the transfer of property by gift% #hether the transfer is intrust or other#ise% #hether the gift is !irect or in!irect% an! #hether the property is real or personal% tangible










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or intangible% is sub?ect to !onorMs or gift ta7

$ gift is generally !efine! as a voluntary transfer of property by one to another #ithout any consi!eration or co"pensation therefor 0&+ C E&3F Santos vs Roble!o% &+ Phil &-32

In the instant case% the contributions are voluntary transfers of property in the for" of "oney fro" privaterespon!ents to Sen $ngara% #ithout consi!erations therefor Hence% they suarely fall un!er the !efinitionof !onation or gift

$s correctly pointe! out by the Solicitor ,eneral;

The fact that the contributions #ere given to be use! as ca"paign fun!s of Sen $ngara !oes not affect thecharacter of the fun! transfers as !onation or gift There #as thereby no retention of control over the!isposition of the contributions There #as si"ply an in!ication of the purpose for #hich they #ere to beuse! >or as long as the contributions #ere use! for the purpose for #hich they #ere inten!e!% Sen

$ngara ha! co"plete an! absolute po#er to !ispose of the contributions He #as fully entitle! to theecono"ic benefits of the contributions

Section *) of the Ta7 Co!e is very clear $ !onorMs or gift ta7 is i"pose! on the transfer of property by gift )a#phi)nt

The Bureau of Internal Revenue issue! Ruling No .// on uly &3% )*++% #hich rea!s;

Political Contributions >or internal revenue purposes% political contributions in the Philippines areconsi!ere! ta7able gift rather than ta7able inco"e This is so% because a political contribution is in!ubitablynot inten!e! by the giver or contributor as a return of value or "a!e because of any intent to repay another #hat is his !ue% but besto#e! only because of "otives of philanthropy or charity His purpose is to give an!to bolster the "orals% the #inning chance of the can!i!ate an!Jor his party% an! not to e"ploy or buy Onthe other han!% the recipient6!onee !oes not regar! hi"self as e7changing his services or his pro!uct for the "oney contribute! But "ore i"portantly he receives financial a!vantages gratuitously

=hen the GS gift ta7 la# #as a!opte! in the Philippines 0before (ay '% )*'/2% the ta7ability of politicalcontributions #as% a!"itte!ly% an unsettle! issueF hence% it cannot be presu"e! that the PhilippineCongress then ha! inten!e! to consi!er or treat political contributions as non6ta7able gifts #hen it a!opte!the sai! gift ta7 la# (oreover% #ell6settle! is the rule that the Philippines nee! not necessarily a!opt thepresent rule or construction in the Gnite! States on the "atter ,enerally% statutes of !ifferent statesrelating to the sa"e class of persons or things or having the sa"e purposes are not consi!ere! to bein pai $ateia because it cannot be ?ustifiably presu"e! that the legislature ha! the" in "in! #hen

enacting the provision being construe! 0-&3E% Sutherlan!% Statutory Construction% p -/E2 $ccor!ingly% inthe absence of an e7press e7e"pting provision of la#% political contributions in the Philippines are sub?ectto the !onorMs gift ta7 0cite! in National Internal Revenue Co!e $nnotate! by Hector S !e 4eon% )**) e!%p &*32

In the light of the above BIR Ruling% it is clear that the political contributions of the private respon!ents toSen @!gar!o $ngara are ta7able gifts The vagueness of the la# as to #hat co"prise the gift sub?ect to ta7#as "a!e concrete by the above6uote! BIR ruling Hence% there is no !oubt that political contributions areta7able gifts/

Petitioners file! a "otion for reconsi!eration% #hich the Court of $ppeals !enie! in its resolution of une )E%)**--

Petitioners thereupon file! the instant petition on uly &E% )**- Raise! are the follo#ing issues;

) DID TH@ HONOR$B4@ COGRT O> $PP@$4S @RR =H@N IT >$I4@D TO CONSID@R IN ITSD@CISION TH@ PGRPOS@ B@HIND TH@ @N$CT(@NT O> OGR ,I>T T$ 4$=L

& DID TH@ HONOR$B4@ COGRT O> $PP@$4S @RR IN NOT CONSID@RIN, TH@ INT@NTIONO> TH@ ,IV@RS IN D@T@R(ININ, =H@TH@R OR NOT TH@ P@TITION@RSM PO4ITIC$4CONTRIBGTIONS =@R@ ,I>TS SGB@CT TO DONORS T$L

. DID TH@ HONOR$B4@ COGRT O> $PP@$4S @RR =H@N IT >$I4@D TO CONSID@R TH@D@>INITION O> $N 1@4@CTOR$4 CONTRIBGTION1 GND@R TH@ O(NIBGS @4@CTION COD@IN D@T@R(ININ, =H@TH@R OR NOT PO4ITIC$4 CONTRIBGTIONS $R@ T$$B4@L







/ DID TH@ HONOR$B4@ COGRT O> $PP@$4S @RR IN NOT CONSID@RIN, TH@ $D(INISTR$TIV@ PR$CTIC@ O> C4OS@ TO H$4> $ C@NTGRK O> NOT SGB@CTIN,PO4ITIC$4 CONTRIBGTIONS TO DONORS T$L

- DID TH@ HONOR$B4@ COGRT O> $PP@$4S @RR IN NOT CONSID@RIN, TH@ $(@RIC$NGRISPRGD@NC@ R@4I@D GPON BK TH@ COGRT O> T$ $PP@$4S $ND BK TH@P@TITION@RS TO TH@ @>>@CT TH$T PO4ITIC$4 CONTRIBGTIONS $R@ NOT T$$B4@,I>TSL

E DID TH@ HONOR$B4@ COGRT O> $PP@$4S @RR IN NOT $PP4KIN, $(@RIC$NGRISPRGD@NC@ ON TH@ ,ROGND TH$T THIS =$S NOT NO=N $T TH@ TI(@ TH@PHI4IPPIN@S ,I>T T$ 4$= =$S $DOPT@D IN )*.*L

' DID TH@ HONOR$B4@ COGRT O> $PP@$4S @RR IN R@SO4VIN, TH@ C$S@ ($IN4K ONTH@ B$SIS O> $ RG4IN, ISSG@D BK TH@ R@SPOND@NT ON4K $>T@R TH@ $SS@SS(@NTSH$D $4R@$DK B@@N ($D@L

+ DID TH@ HONOR$B4@ COGRT O> $PP@$4S @RR =H@N IT DID NOT CONSTRG@ TH@ ,I>TT$ 4$= 4IB@R$44K IN >$VOR O> TH@ T$P$K@R $ND STRIC4TK $,$INST TH@,OV@RN(@NT IN $CCORD$NC@ =ITH $PP4IC$B4@ PRINCIP4@S O> ST$TGTORKCONSTRGCTIONLE

>irst% >ifth an! Si7th Issues

Section *) of the National Internal Revenue Co!e 0NIRC2 rea!s;

0$2 There shall be levie!% assesse!% collecte! an! pai! upon the transfer by any person% resi!ent or nonresi!ent% of the property by gift% a ta7% co"pute! as provi!e! in Section *&

0B2 The ta7 shall apply #hether the transfer is in trust or other#ise% #hether the gift is !irect or in!irect% an! #hether the property is real or personal% tangible or intangible

The NIRC !oes not !efine transfer of property by gift Ho#ever% $rticle )+ of the Civil Co!e% states;

In "atters #hich are governe! by the Co!e of Co""erce an! special la#s% their !eficiency shall besupplie! by the provisions of this Co!e

Thus% reference "ay be "a!e to the !efinition of a !onation in the Civil Co!e $rticle '&- of sai! Co!e

!efines !onation as; an act of liberality #hereby a person !isposes gratuitously of a thing or right in favor of another% #hoaccepts it

Donation has the follo#ing ele"ents; 0a2 the re!uction of the patri"ony of the !onorF 0b2 the increase in thepatri"ony of the !oneeF an!% 0c2 the intent to !o an act of liberality or ani$us donandi '

The present case falls suarely #ithin the !efinition of a !onation Petitioners% the late (anuel , $bello + %ose C Concepcion% Teo!oro D Regala an! $velino V Cru9% each gave P++&%EE).) to the ca"paignfun!s of Senator @!gar!o $ngara% #ithout any "aterial consi!eration $ll three ele"ents of a !onation arepresent The patri"ony of the four petitioners #ere re!uce! by P++&%EE).) each Senator @!gar!o

$ngaraMs patri"ony correspon!ingly increase! by P.%-.3%E/-&/* There #as intent to !o an act of liberality or ani$us donandi #as present since each of the petitioners gave their contributions #ithout any

consi!erationTa:en together #ith the Civil Co!e !efinition of !onation% Section *) of the NIRC is clear an! una"biguous%thereby leaving no roo" for construction In Rizal Co$$ecial %an6ing Copoation v. nte$ediate

Appellate Cout )3 the Court enunciate!;

It bears stressing that the first an! fun!a"ental !uty of the Court is to apply the la# =hen the la# is clear an! free fro" any !oubt or a"biguity% there is no roo" for construction or interpretation $s has been our consistent ruling% #here the la# spea:s in clear an! categorical language% there is no occasion for interpretationF there is only roo" for application 0Cebu Potland Ce$ent Co. v. Municipality o" /aga, &/SCR$ '3+ )*E+U2





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=here the la# is clear an! una"biguous% it "ust be ta:en to "ean e7actly #hat it says an! the court hasno choice but to see to it that its "an!ate is obeye! 0C0ateed %an6 !$ployees Association v. 7ple, ).+SCR$ &'. )*+-UF#uzon Suety Co., nc. v. 'e Gacia, .3 SCR$ ))) )*E*UF 5ui8ano v. 'evelop$ent %an6 o" t0e P0ilippines, .- SCR$ &'3 )*'3U2

Only #hen the la# is a"biguous or of !oubtful "eaning "ay the court interpret or construe its trueintentlvvphi)net $"biguity is a con!ition of a!"itting t#o or "ore "eanings% of being un!erstoo! in "ore than one#ay% or of referring to t#o or "ore things at the sa"e ti"e $ statute is a"biguous if it is a!"issible of t#o

or "ore possible "eanings% in #hich case% the Court is calle! upon to e7ercise one of its ?u!icial functions%#hich is to interpret the la# accor!ing to its true intent

Secon! Issue

Since ani$us donandi or the intention to !o an act of liberality is an essential ele"ent of a !onation%petitioners argue that it is i"portant to loo: into the intention of the giver to !eter"ine if a politicalcontribution is a gift PetitionersM argu"ent is not tenable >irst of all% !onative intent is a creature of the"in! It cannot be perceive! e7cept by the "aterial an! tangible acts #hich "anifest its presence Thisbeing the case% !onative intent is presu"e! present #hen one gives a part of ones patri"ony to another #ithout consi!eration Secon!% !onative intent is not negate! #hen the person !onating has other intentions% "otives or purposes #hich !o not contra!ict !onative intent This Court is not convince! thatsince the purpose of the contribution #as to help elect a can!i!ate% there #as no !onative intentPetitionersM contribution of "oney #ithout any "aterial consi!eration evinces ani$us donandi The fact thattheir purpose for !onating #as to ai! in the election of the !onee !oes not negate the presence of !onativeintent

Thir! Issue

Petitioners "aintain that the !efinition of an 1electoral contribution1 un!er the O"nibus @lection Co!e isessential to appreciate ho# a political contribution !iffers fro" a ta7able gift)) Section */0a2 of the sai!Co!e !efines electoral contribution as follo#s;

The ter" 1contribution1 inclu!es a gift% !onation% subscription% loan% a!vance or !eposit of "oney or anything of value% or a contract% pro"ise or agree"ent to contribute% #hether or not legally enforceable%"a!e for the purpose of influencing the results of the elections but shall not inclu!e services ren!ere!#ithout co"pensation by in!ivi!uals volunteering a portion or all of their ti"e in behalf of a can!i!ate or political party It shall also inclu!e the use of facilities voluntarily !onate! by other persons% the "oney

value of #hich can be assesse! base! on the rates prevailing in the area

Since the purpose of an electoral contribution is to influence the results of the election% petitioners againclai" that !onative intent is not present Petitioners atte"pt to place the barrier of "utual e7clusivitybet#een !onative intent an! the purpose of political contributions This Court reiterates that !onative intentis not negate! by the presence of other intentions% "otives or purposes #hich !o not contra!ict !onativeintent

Petitioners #oul! !istinguish a gift fro" a political !onation by saying that the consi!eration for a gift is theliberality of the !onor% #hile the consi!eration for a political contribution is the !esire of the giver toinfluence the result of an election by supporting can!i!ates #ho% in the perception of the giver% #oul!influence the shaping of govern"ent policies that #oul! pro"ote the general #elfare an! econo"ic #ell6being of the electorate% inclu!ing the giver hi"self

PetitionersM atte"pt is straine! The fact that petitioners #ill so"eho# in the future benefit fro" the electionof the can!i!ate to #ho" they contribute% in no #ay a"ounts to a valuable "aterial consi!eration so as tore"ove political contributions fro" the purvie# of a !onation Senator $ngara #as un!er no obligation tobenefit the petitioners The proper perfor"ance of his !uties as a legislator is his obligation as an electe!public servant of the >ilipino people an! not a consi!eration for the political contributions he receive! Infact% as a public servant% he "ay even be calle! to enact la#s that are contrary to the interests of hisbenefactors% for the benefit of the greater goo!

In fine% the purpose for #hich the su"s of "oney #ere given% #hich #as to fun! the ca"paign of Senator $ngara in his bi! for a senatorial seat% cannot be consi!ere! as a "aterial consi!eration so as to negate a!onation





>ourth Issue

Petitioners raise the fact that since )*.* #hen the first Ta7 Co!e #as enacte!% up to )*++ the BIR never atte"pte! to sub?ect political contributions to !onorMs ta7 They argue that;

It is a fa"iliar principle of la# that prolonge! practice by the govern"ent agency charge! #ith thee7ecution of a statute% acuiesce! in an! relie! upon by all concerne! over an appreciable perio! of ti"e%is an authoritative interpretation thereof% entitle! to great #eight an! the highest respect )&

This Court hol!s that the BIR is not preclu!e! fro" "a:ing a ne# interpretation of the la#% especially #henthe ol! interpretation #as fla#e! It is a #ell6entrenche! rule that

erroneous application an! enforce"ent of the la# by public officers !o not bloc: subseuent correctapplication of the statute 0P4DT v Collector of Internal Revenue% *3 Phil E'E2% an! that the ,overn"ent isnever estoppe! by "ista:e or error on the part of its agents 0Pine!a v Court of >irst Instance of Tayabas%-& Phil +3.% +3'F Benguet Consoli!ate! (ining Co v Pine!a% *+ Phil '))% '&/2).

Seventh Issue

Petitioners uestion the fact that the Court of $ppeals !ecision is base! on a BIR ruling% na"ely BIR RulingNo ++6.//% #hich #as issue! after the petitioners #ere assesse! for !onorMs ta7 This Court !oes not nee!to !elve into this issue It is i""aterial #hether or not the Court of $ppeals base! its !ecision on the BIRruling because it is not pivotal in !eci!ing this case $s !iscusse! above% Section *) 0no# Section *+2 of

the NIRC as supple"ente! by the !efinition of a !onation foun! in $rticle '&- of the Civil Co!e% is clear an!una"biguous% an! nee!s no further eluci!ation

@ighth Issue

Petitioners ne7t conten! that ta7 la#s are construe! liberally in favor of the ta7payer an! strictly against thegovern"ent This rule of construction% ho#ever% !oes not benefit petitioners because% as state!% there ishere no roo" for construction since the la# is clear an! una"biguous

>inally% this Court ta:es note of the fact that subseuent to the !onations involve! in this case% Congressapprove! Republic $ct No ')EE on Nove"ber &-% )**)% provi!ing in Section ). thereof thatpoliticalJelectoral contributions% !uly reporte! to the Co""ission on @lections% are not sub?ect to thepay"ent of any gift ta7 This all the "ore sho#s that the political contributions herein "a!e are sub?ect tothe pay"ent of gift ta7es% since the sa"e #ere "a!e prior to the e7e"pting legislation% an! Republic $ct

No ')EE provi!es no retroactive effect on this point%&ERE'ORE% the petition is D@NI@D an! the assaile! Decision an! Resolution of the Court of $ppealsare $>>IR(@D

No costs

SO ORD@R@D

Davi!e% r% C% 0Chair"an2% 8uisu"bing% an! Carpio% % concur

Knares6Santiago% % no part

'oo#"o#)$

) Rollo% p .+

& bid

. Penne! by ustice Consuelo Knares6Santiago% no# $ssociate ustice of this Court% an! concurre!in by $ssociate ustices Oscar ( Herrera an! Delilah Vi!allon6(agtolis% of the @leventh Division of the Court of $ppeals

/ Rollo% pp .*6/) 0@"phasis in the original2

- Rollo% p //

E Rollo% pp )E'6)E+



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' Republic of the Philippines v. ,u9"an, .&E SCR$ *3 0&3332F Tayoto v. Heirs of Cabalo usop%)+/ SCR$ .-- 0)**32

+ See (anifestation% !ate! &- Nove"ber &33.% by counsel for petitioners infor"ing the Court of the!eath of petitioner $belloF Rollo% p )*&6$

* P++&%EE).) 7 / W P.%-.3%E/-&/

)3 .&3 SCR$ &'*% &+* 0)***2

)) Rollo% p )'/

)& Rollo% p )'+

). Republic v. Phil 4ong Distance Co% &E SCR$ E&3% E.) 0)*E*2

b. when can courts contrue or interpret the law


@N B$NC

G.R. No. 7+1 ())85)r 9, 1999

RIZAL COMMERCIAL ANING CORPORATION, petitioner%vsINTERME(IATE APPELLATE COURT AN( ' &OMES, INC., respon!ents

R @ S O 4 G T I O N

MELO, J.:

On Septe"ber )/% )**&% the Court passe! upon the case at bar an! ren!ere! its !ecision% !is"issing the

petition of Ri9al Co""ercial Ban:ing Corporation 0RCBC2% thereby affir"ing the !ecision of the Court of $ppeals #hich cancele! the transfer certificate of title issue! in favor of RCBC% an! reinstating that of respon!ent B> Ho"es

This #ill no# resolve petitioner<s "otion for reconsi!eration #hich% although file! in )**& #as not !ee"e!sub"itte! for resolution until in late )**+ The !elay #as occasione! by e7change of plea!ings% thesub"ission of supple"ental papers% #ith!ra#al an! change of la#yers% not to spea: of the case havingbeen passe! fro" one !eparting to another retiring ?ustice It #as not until (ay .% )***% #hen the case #asre6raffle! to herein ponente% but the recor! #as given to hi" only so"eti"e in the late October )***

By #ay of revie#% the pertinent facts as state! in our !ecision are repro!uce! herein% to #it;

On Septe"ber &+% )*+/% B> Ho"es file! a 1Petition for Rehabilitation an! for Declaration of Suspension of Pay"ents1 0S@C Case No 33&E*.2 #ith the Securities an! @7change

Co""ission 0S@C2One of the cre!itors liste! in its inventory of cre!itors an! liabilities #as RCBC

On October &E% )*+/% RCBC reueste! the Provincial Sheriff of Ri9al to e7tra6?u!iciallyforeclose its real estate "ortgage on so"e properties of B> Ho"es $ notice of e7tra6

?u!icial foreclosure sale #as issue! by the Sheriff on October &*% )*+/% sche!ule! onNove"ber &*% )*+/% copies furnishe! both B> Ho"es 0"ortgagor2 an! RCBC 0"ortgagee2

On "otion of B> Ho"es% the S@C issue! on Nove"ber &+% )*+/ in S@C Case No 33&E*.a te"porary restraining or!er 0TRO2% effective for &3 !ays% en?oining RCBC an! the sheriff fro" procee!ing #ith the public auction sale The sale #as resche!ule! to anuary &*%


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)*+-

On anuary &-% )*+-% the S@C or!ere! the issuance of a #rit of preli"inary in?unction uponpetitioner<s filing of a bon! Ho#ever% petitioner !i! not file a bon! until anuary &*% )*+-%the very !ay of the auction sale% so no #rit of preli"inary in?unction #as issue! by the S@CPresu"ably% una#are of the filing of the bon!% the sheriffs procee!e! #ith the public auctionsale on anuary &*% )*+-% in #hich RCBC #as the highest bi!!er for the propertiesauctione!

On >ebruary -% )*+-% B> Ho"es file! in the S@C a consoli!ate! "otion to annul the auctionsale an! to cite RCBC an! the sheriff for conte"pt RCBC oppose! the "otion

Because of the procee!ings in the S@C% the sheriff #ithhel! the !elivery to RCBC of acertificate of sale covering the auctione! properties

On >ebruary ).% )*+-% the S@C in Case No 33&E*. belate!ly issue! a #rit of preli"inaryin?unction stopping the auction sale #hich ha! been con!ucte! by the sheriff t#o #ee:searlier

On (arch ).% )*+-% !espite S@C Case No 33&E*.% RCBC file! #ith the Regional TrialCourt% Br )/3% Ri9al 0CC )33/&2 an action for $anda$us against the provincial sheriff of Ri9al an! his !eputy to co"pel the" to e7ecute in its favor a certificate of sale of theauctione! properties

In ans#er% the sheriffs allege! that they procee!e! #ith the auction sale on anuary &*%)*+- because no #rit of preli"inary in?unction ha! been issue! by S@C as of that !ate% butthey infor"e! the S@C that they #oul! suspen! the issuance of a certificate of sale toRCBC

On (arch )+% )*+-% the S@C appointe! a (anage"ent Co""ittee for B> Ho"es

On RCBC<s "otion in the $anda$us case% the trial court issue! on (ay +% )*+- a ?u!g"enton the plea!ings% the !ispositive portion of #hich states;

=H@R@>OR@% petitioner<s (otion for u!g"ent on the plea!ings is grante!an! ?u!g"ent is hereby ren!ere! or!ering respon!ents to e7ecute an!!eliver to petitioner the Certificate of the $uction Sale of anuary &*% )*+-%

involving the properties sol! therein% "ore particularly those !escribe! in $nne7 1C1 of their $ns#er1 0p +'% Rollo2

On une /% )*+-% B> Ho"es file! an original co"plaint #ith the I$C pursuant to Section *of BP )&* praying for the annul"ent of the ?u!g"ent% pre"ise! on the follo#ing;

; 0)2 even before RCBC as:e! the sheriff to e7tra6?u!icially foreclose its"ortgage on petitioner<s properties% the S@C ha! alrea!y assu"e! e7clusive

?uris!iction over those assets% an! 0&2 that there #as e7trinsic frau! inprocuring the ?u!g"ent because the petitioner #as not i"plea!e! as a partyin the $anda$us case% respon!ent court !i! not acuire ?uris!iction over it%an! it #as !eprive! of its right to be hear! 0C$ Decision% p ++%Rollo2

On $pril +% )*+E% the I$C ren!ere! a !ecision% setting asi!e the !ecision of the trial court%

!is"issing the $anda$us case an! suspen!ing issuance to RCBC of ne# lan! titles% 1untilthe resolution of case by S@C in Case No 33&E*.%1 !isposing as follo#s;

=H@R@>OR@% the ?u!g"ent !ate! (ay +% )*+- in Civil Case No )33/& ishereby annulle! an! set asi!e an! the case is hereby !is"isse! In vie# of the a!"ission of respon!ent Ri9al Co""ercial Ban:ing Corporation that thesheriff<s certificate of sale has been registere! on B> Ho"es< TCT<s 0here the TCTs #ere enu"erate!2 the Register of Dee!s for Pasay City ishereby or!ere! to suspen! the issuance to the "ortgagee6purchaser% Ri9alCo""ercial Ban:ing Corporation% of the o#ner<s copies of the ne# lan!titles replacing the" until the "atter shall have been resolve! by the



Securities an! @7change Co""ission in S@C Case No 33&E*.

0p &-'6&E3% RolloF also pp+.&6+./% &). SCR$ +.3)**&UF @"phasis in theoriginal2

On une )+% )*+E% RCBC appeale! the !ecision of the then Inter"e!iate $ppellate Court 0no#% bac: to its

ol! revere! na"e% the Court of $ppeals2 to this Court% arguing that;) Petitioner !i! not co""it e7trinsic frau! in e7clu!ing private respon!entas party !efen!ant in Special Civil Case No )33/& as private respon!ent#as not in!ispensable party thereto% its participation not being necessary for the full resolution of the issues raise! in sai! case

& S@C Case No &E*. cannot be invo:e! to suspen! Special Civil Case No)33/&% an! for that "atter% the e7tra6?u!icial foreclosure of the real estate"ortgage in petitioner<s favor% as these !o not constitute actions againstprivate respon!ent conte"plate! un!er Section E0c2 of Presi!ential DecreeNo *3&6$

. @ven assu"ing aguendo that the e7tra6?u!icial sale constitute an actionthat "ay be suspen!e! un!er Section E0c2 of Presi!ential Decree No *3&6

$% the basis for the suspension thereof !i! not e7ist so as to a!versely affectthe vali!ity an! regularity thereof

/ The Regional Trial court ha! ?uris!iction to ta:e cogni9able of Special CivilCase No )33/&

- The Regional Trial court ha! ?uris!iction over Special Civil Case No)33/&

0p -% Rollo2

On Nove"ber )&% )*+E% the Court gave !ue course to the petition During the pen!ency of the case% RCBCbrought to the attention of the Court an or!er issue! by the S@C on October )E% )*+E in Case No 33&E*.%!enying the consoli!ate! (otion to $nnul the $uction Sale an! to cite RCBC an! the Sheriff for Conte"pt%

an! ruling as follo#s;=H@R@>OR@% the petitioner<s 1Consoli!ate! (otion to Cite Sheriff an!Ri9al Co""ercial Ban:ing Corporation for Conte"pt an! to $nnulProcee!ings an! Sale%1 !ate! >ebruary -% )*+-% shoul! be as is% herebyD@NI@D

=hile #e cannot !irect the Register of Dee!s to allo# the consoli!ation of the titles sub?ect of the O"nibus (otion !ate! Septe"ber )+% )*+E file! bythe Ri9al Co""ercial Ban:ing Corporation% an! therefore% !enies sai!(otion% neither can this Co""ission restrain the sai! ban: an! the Register of Dee!s fro" effecting the sai! consoli!ation

SO ORD@R@D

0p )/.% Rollo2

By virtue of the aforesai! or!er% the Register of Dee!s of Pasay City effecte! the transfer of title over sub?ect pieces of property to petitioner RCBC% an! the issuance of ne# titles in its na"e Thereafter% RCBCpresente! a "otion for the !is"issal of the petition% theori9ing that the issuance of sai! ne# transfer certificates of title in its na"e ren!ere! the petition "oot an! aca!e"ic

In the !ecision sought to be reconsi!ere!% a greatly !ivi!e! Court 0ustices ,utierre9% Nocon% an! (eloconcurre! #ith the ponente% ustice (e!ial!eaF Chief ustice Narvasa% ustices Bi!in% Regala!o% an!Bellosillo concurre! only in the resultF #hile ustice >eliciano !issente! an! #as ?oine! by ustice Pa!illa%then ustice% no# Chief ustice Davi!e% an! ustice Ro"eroF ustices ,riXo6$uino an! Ca"pos too: no



part2 !enie! petitioner<s "otion to !is"iss% fin!ing basis for nullifying an! setting asi!e the TCTs in thena"e of RCBC Ruling on the "erits% the Court uphel! the !ecision of the Inter"e!iate $ppellate Court#hich !is"isse! the $anda$us case file! by RCBC an! suspen!e! the issuance of ne# titles to RCBCSetting asi!e RCBC<s acuisition of title an! nullifying the TCTs issue! to it% the Court hel! that;

#henever a !istresse! corporation as:s the S@C for rehabilitation an!suspension of pay"ents% preferre! cre!itors "ay no longer assert suchpreference% but stan! on eual footing #ith other cre!itors >oreclosure

shall be !isallo#e! so as not to pre?u!ice other cre!itors% or cause!iscri"ination a"ong the" If foreclosure is un!erta:en !espite the fact thata petition% for rehabilitation has been file!% the certificate of sale shall not be!elivere! pen!ing rehabilitation 4i:e#ise% if this has also been !one% notransfer of title shall be effecte! also% #ithin the perio! of rehabilitation Therationale behin! PD *3&6$% as a"en!e! to effect a feasible an! viablerehabilitation This cannot be achieve! if one cre!itor is preferre! over theothers

In this connection% the prohibition against foreclosure attaches as soon as apetition for rehabilitation is file! =ere it other#ise% #hat is to prevent thepetitioner fro" !elaying the creation of a (anage"ent Co""ittee an! in the"eanti"e !issipate all its assets The sooner the S@C ta:es over an!

i"poses a free9e on all the assets% the better for all concerne!

0pp &E-6&EE% RolloF also p+.+% &). SCR$ +.3 )**&U2

Then ustice >eliciano 0?oine! by three other ustices2% !issente! an! vote! to grant the petition He opine!that the S@C acte! pre"aturely an! #ithout ?uris!iction or legal authority in en?oining RCBC an! the sheriff fro" procee!ing #ith the public auction sale The !issent "aintain that Section E 0c2 of Presi!ential Decree*3&6$ is clear an! uneuivocal that% clai"s against the corporations% partnerships% or associations shall besuspen!e! only upon the appoint"ent of a "anage"ent co""ittee% rehabilitation receiver% boar! or bo!yThus% in the case un!er consi!eration% only upon the appoint"ent of the (anage"ent Co""ittee for B>Ho"es on (arch )+% )*+-% shoul! the suspension of actions for clai"s against B> Ho"es have ta:eneffect an! not earlier

In support of its "otion for reconsi!eration% RCBC conten!s;The restraining or!er an! the #rit of preli"inary in?unction issue! by the Securities an!@7change Co""ission en?oining the foreclosure sale of the properties of respon!ent B>Ho"es #ere issue! #ithout or in e7cess of its ?uris!iction because it #as violative of theclear provision of Presi!ential Decree No *3&6$% an! are therefore null an! voi!F an!

Petitioner% being a "ortgage cre!itor% is entitle! to rely solely on its security an! to refrainfro" ?oining the unsecure! cre!itors in S@C Case No 33&E*.% the petition for rehabilitationfile! by private respon!ent

=e fin! the "otion for reconsi!eration "eritorious

The issue of #hether or not preferre! cre!itors of !istresse! corporations stan! on eual footing #ith allother cre!itors gains relevance an! "ateriality only upon the appoint"ent of a "anage"ent co""ittee%

rehabilitation receiver% boar!% or bo!y Insofar as petitioner RCBC is concerne!% the provisions of Presi!ential Decree No *3&6$ are not yet applicable an! it "ay still be allo#e! to assert its preferre!status because it foreclose! on the "ortgage prior to the appoint"ent of the "anage"ent co""ittee on(arch )+% )*+- The Court% therefore% grants the "otion for reconsi!eration on this score

The la# on the "atter% Paragraph 0c2% Section E of Presi!ential Decree *3&6$% provi!es;

Sec E In or!er to effectively e7ercise such ?uris!iction% the Co""ission shall posses thefollo#ing po#ers;

c2 To appoint one or "ore receivers of the property% real an! personal% #hich is the sub?ectof the action pen!ing before the Co""ission in accor!ance #ith the pertinent provisions of



the Rules of Court in such other cases #henever necessary to preserve the rights of theparties litigants to an!Jor protect the interest of the investing public an! cre!itorsF Povided,0o4eve % that the Co""ission "ay% in appropriate cases% appoint a rehabilitation receiver of corporations% partnerships or other associations not supervise! or regulate! by other govern"ent agencies #ho shall have% in a!!ition to the po#ers of a regular receiver un!er the provisions of the Rules of Court% such functions an! po#ers as are provi!e! for in thesuccee!ing paragraph 0!2 hereof; Povided, "inally % &0at upon appoint$ent o" a

$anage$ent co$$ittee e0abilitation eceive, boad o body, pusuant to t0is 'ecee, allactions for clai"s against corporations% partnerships or associations un!er "anage"ent or receivership% pen!ing before any court% tribunal% boar! or bo!y shall be suspen!e!accor!ingly 0$s a"en!e! by PDs No )E'.% )'-+ an! by PD No )'** @"phasissupplie!2

It is thus a!euately clear that suspension of clai"s against a corporation un!er rehabilitation is counte! or figure! up only upon the appoint"ent of a "anage"ent co""ittee or a rehabilitation receiver The hol!ingthat suspension of actions for clai"s against a corporation un!er rehabilitation ta:es effect as soon as theapplication or a petition for rehabilitation is file! #ith the S@C "ay% to so"e% be "ore logical an! #isebut unfortunately% such is incongruent #ith the clear language of the la# To insist on such ruling% no "atter ho# practical an! noble% #oul! be to encroach upon legislative prerogative to !efine the #is!o" of the la# plainly ?u!icial legislation

It bears stressing that the first an! fun!a"ental !uty of the Court is to apply the la# =hen the la# is clear an! free fro" any !oubt or a"biguity% there is no roo" for construction or interpretation $s has been our consistent ruling% #here the la# spea:s in clear an! categorical language% there is no occasion for interpretationF there is only roo" for application 0Cebu Portlan! Ce"ent Co vs (unicipality of Naga% &/SCR$6'3+ )*E+U2

=here the la# is clear an! una"biguous% it "ust be ta:en to "ean e7actly #hat it says an!the court has no choice but to see to it that its "an!ate is obeye! 0Chartere! Ban:@"ployees $ssociation vs Ople% ).+ SCR$ &'. )*+-UF 4u9on Surety Co% Inc vs De,arcia% .3 SCR$ ))) )*E*UF 8ui?ano vs Develop"ent Ban: of the Philippines% .- SCR$&'3 )*'3U2

Only #hen the la# is a"biguous or of !oubtful "eaning "ay the court interpret or construe its true intent $"biguity is a con!ition of a!"itting t#o or "ore "eanings% of being un!erstoo! in "ore than one #ay% or

of referring to t#o or "ore things at the sa"e ti"e $ statute is a"biguous if it is a!"issible of t#o or "orepossible "eanings% in #hich case% the Court is calle! upon to e7ercise one of its ?u!icial functions% #hich isto interpret the la# accor!ing to its true intent

>urther"ore% as relevantly pointe! out in the !issenting opinion% a petition for rehabilitation !oes nor al#aysresult in the appoint"ent of a receiver or the creation of a "anage"ent co""ittee The S@C has to initially!eter"ine #hether such appoint"ent is appropriate an! necessary un!er the circu"stances Gn!er Paragraph 0!2% Section E of Presi!ential Decree No *3&6$% certain situations "ust be sho#n to e7ist beforea "anage"ent co""ittee "ay be create! or appointe!% such asF

) #hen there is i""inent !anger of !issipation% loss% #astage or !estructionof assets or other propertiesF or

& #hen there is parali9ation of business operations of such corporations or

entities #hich "ay be pre?u!icial to the interest of "inority stoc:hol!ers%parties6litigants or to the general public

On the other han!% receivers "ay be appointe! #henever;

) necessary in or!er to preserve the rights of the parties6litigantsF an!Jor

& protect the interest of the investing public an! cre!itors 0Section E 0c2%PD *3&6$2

These situations are rather serious in nature% reuiring the appoint"ent of a "anage"ent co""ittee or areceiver to preserve the e7isting assets an! property of the corporation in or!er to protect the interests of



its investors an! cre!itors Thus% in such situations% suspension of actions for clai"s against a corporationas provi!e! in Paragraph 0c2 of Section E% of Presi!ential Decree No *3&6$ is necessary% an! here #eborro# the #or!s of the late ustice (e!ial!ea% 1so as not to ren!er the S@C "anage"ent Co""itteeirrelevant an! inutile an! to give it unha"pere! 1rescue efforts1 over the !istresse! fir"1 0Rollo% p &E-2

Other#ise% #hen such circu"stances are not obtaining or #hen the S@C fin!s no such i""inent !anger of losing the corporate assets% a "anage"ent co""ittee or rehabilitation receiver nee! not be appointe! an!suspension of actions for clai"s "ay not be or!ere! by the S@C =hen the S@C !oes not !ee" it

necessary to appoint a receiver or to create a "anage"ent co""ittee% it "ay be assu"e!% that there aresufficient assets to sustain the rehabilitation plan an!% that the cre!itors an! investors are a"ply protecte!

Petitioner a!!itionally argues in its "otion for reconsi!eration that% being a "ortgage cre!itor% it is entitle!to rely on its security an! that it nee! not ?oin the unsecure! cre!itors in filing their clai"s before the S@Cappointe! receiver To support its position% petitioner cites the Court<s ruling in the case of P0ilippineCo$$ecial ntenational %an6 vs. Cout o" Appeals% 0)'& SCR$ /.E )*+*U2 that an or!er of suspension of pay"ents as #ell as actions for clai"s applies only to clai"s of unsecure! cre!itors an! cannot e7ten! tocre!itors hol!ing a "ortgage% ple!ge% or any lien on the property

Or!inarily% the Court #oul! refrain fro" !iscussing a!!itional "atters such as that presente! in RCBC<ssecon! groun!% an! #oul! rather li"it itself only to the relevant issues by #hich the controversy "ay besettle! #ith finality

In vie#% ho#ever% of the significance of such issue% an! the conflicting !ecisions of this Court on the "atter%couple! #ith the fact that our !ecision of Septe"ber )/% )**&% if not clarifie!% "ight "islea! the Bench an!the Bar% the Court resolve! to !iscuss further

It "ay be recalle! that in the herein en banc "a?ority opinion 0pp &-E6&'-% Rollo% also publishe! as RC%C vs. AC % &). SCR$ +.3 )**&U2% #e hel! that;

#henever a !istresse! corporation as:s the S@C for rehabilitation an! suspension of pay"ents% preferre! cre!itors "ay no longer assert such preference% but stand on e2ual "ooting 4it0 ot0e ceditos >oreclosure shall be !isallo#e! so as not to pre?u!ice other cre!itors% or cause !iscri"ination a"ong the" If foreclosure is un!erta:en !espite the factthat a petition for rehabilitation has been file!% the certificate of sale shall not be !elivere!pen!ing rehabilitation 4i:e#ise% if this has also% been !one% no transfer of title shall beeffecte! also% #ithin the perio! of rehabilitation &0e ationale be0ind P' 9:-A, as

a$ended, is to e""ect a "easible and viable e0abilitation. &0is cannot be ac0ieved i" onecedito is pe"eed ove t0e ot0es

In this connection% the prohibition against foreclosure attaches as soon as a petition for rehabilitation is file! =ere it other#ise% #hat is to prevent the petitioner fro" !elaying thecreation of a (anage"ent Co""ittee an! in the "eanti"e !issipate all its assets Thesooner the S@C ta:es over an! i"poses a free9e on all the assets% the better for allconcerne!

0pp &E-6&EE% RolloF also p+.+% &). SCR$ +.3 )**&U@"phasis supplie!2

The foregoing "a?ority opinion relie! upon %) 3o$es, nc. vs. Cout o" Appeals 0)*3 SCR$ &E& )**3U

per Cru9% ; >irst Division2 #here it hel! that 1#hen a corporation threatene! by ban:ruptcy is ta:en over by a receiver% all the cre!itors shoul! stan! on an eual footing Not anyone of the" shoul! be givenpreference by paying one or so"e of the" ahea! of the others This is precisely the reason for thesuspension of all pen!ing clai"s against the corporation un!er receivership nstead o" ceditos ve<ing t0ecouts 4it0 suits against t0e distessed "i$, t0ey ae diected to "ile t0ei clai$s 4it0 t0e eceive 40o is aduly appointed o""ice o" t0e S!C 0pp &E*6&'3F e"phasis in the original2 This ruling is a reiterationof Ale$a=s Sibal ( Sons, nc. vs. 3on. Jesus M. !lbinias 0pp **6)33F )+E SCR$ */ )**)U per >ernan%C; Thir! Division2

Ta:ing the lea! fro" $le"ar<s Sibal Sons% the Court also applie! this sa"e ruling in Aaneta vs. Cout o" Appeals0&)) SCR$ .*3 )**&U per Nocon% ; Secon! Division2



$ll the foregoing cases !eparte! fro" the ruling of the Court in the "uch earlier case of PC% vs. Cout o" Appeals0)'& SCR$ /.E )*+*U per (e!ial!ea% ; >irst Division2 #here the Court categorically rule! that;

S@C<s or!er for suspension of pay"ents of Philfinance as #ell as for all actions of clai"sagainst Philfinance could only be applied to clai$s o" unsecued ceditos Such or!er cannot e<tend to ceditos 0olding a $otgage, pledge o any lien on t0e popety unless theygive up the property% security or lien in favor of all the cre!itors of Philfinance

0p //3 @"phasis supplie!2Thus% in %P vs. Cout o" Appeals 0&&* SCR$ &&. )**/U per Bellosilio% ; >irst Division2 the Courte7plicitly stare! that 1 the !octrine in the PCIB Case has since been abrogate! In Ale$a=s Sibal (Sons v. !lbinias% %) 3o$es, nc. v. Cout o" Appeals, Aaneta v. Cout o" Appeals an! RC%C v. Cout o"

Appeals% #e alrea!y rule! that #henever a !istresse! corporation as:s S@C for rehabilitation an!suspension of pay"ents% preferre! cre!itors $ay no longe asset suc0 pe"eence, but s0all stand one2ual "ooting 4it0 ot0e ceditos 1 0pp &&'6&&+2

It "ay be stresse!% ho#ever% that of all the cases cite! by ustice Bellosillo in BPI% #hich aban!one! theCourt<s ruling in PCIB% only the present case satisfies the constitutional reuire"ent that 1no !octrine or principle of la# lai! !o#n by the court in a !ecision ren!ere! en banc or in !ivision "ay be "o!ifie! or reverse! e7cept by the court sitting en banc 1 0Sec /% $rticle VIII% )*+' Constitution2 The rest #ere !ivision!ecisions

It behooves the Court% therefore% to settle the issue in this present resolution once an! for all% an! for thegui!ance of the Bench an! the Bar% the follo#ing rules of thu"b shall are lai! !o#n;

) $ll clai"s against corporations% partnerships% or associations that are pen!ing before any court% tribunal%or boar!% #ithout !istinction as to #hether or not a cre!itor is secure! or unsecure!% shall be suspen!e!effective upon the appoint"ent of a "anage"ent co""ittee% rehabilitation receiver% boar!% or bo!y inaccor!ance #hich the provisions of Presi!ential Decree No *3&6$

& Secure! cre!itors retain their preference over unsecure! cre!itors% but enforce"ent of such preferenceis eually suspen!e! upon the appoint"ent of a "anage"ent co""ittee% rehabilitation receiver% boar!% or bo!y In the event that the assets of the corporation% partnership% or association are finally liui!ate!%ho#ever% secure! an! preferre! cre!its un!er the applicable provisions of the Civil Co!e #ill !efinitely havepreference over unsecure! ones

In other #or!s% once a "anage"ent co""ittee% rehabilitation receiver% boar! or bo!y is appointe! pursuantto PD *3&6$% all actions for clai"s against a !istresse! corporation pen!ing before any court% tribunal%boar! or bo!y shall be suspen!e! accor!ingly

This suspension shall not pre?u!ice or ren!er ineffective the status of a secure! cre!itor as co"pare!totally unsecure! cre!itor PD *3&6$ !oes not state anything to this effect =hat it "erely provi!es is thatall actions for clai"s against the corporation% partnership or association shall be suspen!e! This shoul!give the receiver a chance to rehabilitate the corporation if there shoul! still be a possibility of !oing so0This #ill be in consonance #ith $le"ar<s B> Ho"es% $raneta% an! RCBC insofar as enforcing liens bypreferre! cre!itors are concerne!2

Ho#ever% in the event that rehabilitation is no longer feasible an! clai"s against the !istresse! corporation#oul! eventually have to be settle!% the secure! cre!itors shall en?oy preference over the unsecure!

cre!itors 0still "aintaining PCIB ruling2% sub?ect only to the provisions of the Civil Co!e on Concurrence an!Preferences of Cre!it 0our ruling in State Invest"ent House% Inc vs Court of $ppeals% &'' SCR$ &3*)**'U2

The (a?ority ruling in our )**& !ecision that preferre! cre!itors of !istresse! corporations shall% in a #ay%stan! an eual footing #ith all other cre!itors% "ust be rea! an! un!erstoo! in the light of the foregoingrulings $ll clai"s of both a secure! or unsecure! cre!itors% #ithout !istinction on this score% are suspen!e!once a "anage"ent co""ittee is appointe! Secure! cre!itors% in the "eanti"e% shall not be allo#e! toassert such preference before the Securities an! @7change Co""ission It "ay be stresse!% ho#ever% thatthis shall only ta:e effect upon the appoint"ent of a "anage"ent co""ittee% rehabilitation receiver% boar!%or bo!y% as opine! in the !issent



In fine% the Court grants the "otion for reconsi!eration for the cogent reason that suspension of actions for clai"s co""ences only fro" the ti"e a "anage"ent co""ittee or receiver is appointe! by the S@CPetitioner RCBC% therefore% coul! have rightfully% as it !i!% "ove for the e7tra?u!icial foreclosure of its"ortgage on October &E% )*+/ because a "anage"ent co""ittee #as not appointe! by the S@C until(arch )+% )*+-

=H@R@>OR@% petitioner<s "otion for reconsi!eration is hereby ,R$NT@D The !ecision% !ate!Septe"ber )/% )**& is vacate!% the !ecision of Inter"e!iate $ppellate Court in $C6,R No SP63E.).

R@V@RS@D an! S@T $SID@% an! the ?u!g"ent of the Regional Trial Court National Capital u!icialRegion% Branch )/3% in Civil Case No )33/& R@INST$T@D

SO ORD@R@D

'avide, J., C.J., %ellosillo, Puno, Vitug, >apunan, Mendoza, 5uisu$bing, Puisi$a, Pado, %uena,Gonzaga-Reyes, ?naes-Santiago and 'e #eon, J., JJ., concu.

Panganiban, J., please see sepaate +concuing opinion.

S)p!r!#) Opi"io"$

PANGANIAN, J., separate opinionF

The issue as to #hen suspension of pay"ents ta:es effect upon a petition of a !istresse! corporation is acontentious one The ponencia in the case un!er consi!eration% Rizal Co$$ecial %an6ing Copoation

+RC%C v. $$ediate Appellate Cout % 1 has rule! that 1the prohibition against foreclosure attaches as soon asa petition for rehabilitation is file! =ere it other#ise% #hat is to prevent the cre!itorsU fro" !elaying the creationof the (anage"ent Co""ittee an! in the "eanti"e sei9ingU all the !ebtor<sU assets The sooner the S@C ta:esover an! i"poses a free9e on all the assets% the better for all concerne!1 2

Suspension &a6es !""ect 7nly @pon

Constitution o" Manage$ent Co$$ittee

$ Dissent !ebun:ing the uote! ruling #as #ritten by the estee"e! ustice >lorentino P >eliciano asfollo#s;

I un!erstan! the above uote! portion of the ponencia to be saying that suspension of actions for clai"s against the corporation #hich applies for rehabilitation ta:es effect assoon as the application or a petition for rehabilitation is file! #ith the S@C

I #oul! point out #ith respect% that the actual language use! in Section E 0c2 an! 0!2 of PDNo *3&6$% as a"en!e!% !oes not support the position ta:en in the ponencia The pertinentprovision of Section E 0c2 is as follo#s;

Sec E In or!er to effectively e7ercise such ?uris!iction% the co""ission shallpossess the follo#ing po#ers;

777 777 777

c2 To appoint one or "ore receivers of the property% real an! personal% #hichis the sub?ect of the action pen!ing before the Co""ission in accor!ance#ith the pertinent provisions of the Rules of Court in such cases #henever necessary to preserve the rights of the parties6litigants to an!Jor protect the

interest of the investing public an! cre!itorsFPovided, 0o4eve % That theCo""ission "ay% in appropriate cases% appoint a rehabilitation receiver of corporations% partnerships or other associations not supervise! or regulate!by other govern"ent agencies #ho shall have% in a!!ition to the po#ers of aregular receiver un!er the provisions of the Rules of Court% such functionsan! po#ers as are provi!e! for in the succee!ing paragraph 0!2hereofF Povided, "ut0e % that the Co""ission "ay appoint a rehabilitationreceiver of corporations% partnerships or other associations supervise! or regulate! by other govern"ent agencies% such as ban:s an! insuranceco"panies% upon reuest of the govern"ent agency concerne!F Povided,"inally % that upon appoint"ent of a "anage"ent co""ittee% rehabilitation



receiver% boar! or bo!y pursuant to this Decree% all actions for clai"s againstcorporations% partnerships or associations un!er "anage"ent or receivership pen!ing before any court% tribunal% boar! or bo!y shall besuspen!e! accor!ingly

It shoul! be pointe! out that the appoint"ent of a "anage"ent co""ittee or a rehabilitationreceiver is not or!inarily effecte! i""e!iately upon the filing of an application for suspension of pay"ents an! for rehabilitation The reason is that the S@C "ust first

!eter"ine #hether the ?uris!ictional reuire"ents for the appoint"ent of a "anage"entco""ittee are present There are at least t#o 0&2 sets of reuire"ents; 0a2 the reuire"entsin respect of the petition for !eclaration of suspension of pay"entsF an! 0b2 thereuire"ents concerning the petition for creation an! appoint"ent of a "anage"entco""ittee

777 777 777

$s alrea!y note!% S@C too: ?ust about si7 0E2 "onths after the filing of the petition of B>Ho"es to !eci!e to create an! appoint a "anage"ent co""ittee Only upon suchappoint"ent of the "anage"ent co""ittee !i! the poviso in Section E 0c2 #hich !ecreessuspension of actions for clai"s against the petitioning corporation ta:e effect

It is only then that the S@C !eter"ines that the circu"stances #arranting% un!er the statute%

the appoint"ent of a "anage"ent co""ittee !o e7ist% i e% that there is 1i""inent !anger of !issipation% loss% #astage or !estruction of assets or parali9ation of business operations #hich #oul!U be pre?u!icial to the interest of "inority stoc:hol!ers% parties litigant or thegeneral public1 Only #hen such circu"stances have been !eter"ine! to e7ist is there

?ustification for suspen!ing actions for clai"s against the corporation so place! un!er S@C"anage"ent The authority of the S@C to suspen! or free9e the ?u!icial enforce"ent of clai"s against a corporation is an e7traor!inary authority% "ost especially #here cre!itssecure! by specific liens on property% li:e real estate "ortgages% are involve!F suchauthority cannot lightly be assu"e! to have arisen si"ply because the corporation on itso#n initiative goes to the S@C an! there see:s shelter fro" its la#ful cre!itors 3

The foregoing Dissent foun! ?ural e7pression in a later case% %aotac Suga Mills, nc. v. Cout o" Appeals% penne! by then $ssociate% no# Chief ustice Hilario , Davi!e r;

The appoint"ent of a "anage"ent co""ittee or rehabilitation receiver "ay only ta:e placeafter the filing #ith the S@C of an appropriate petition for suspension of pay"ents This isclear fro" a rea!ing of sub6paragraph 0!2 of Section - an! sub6paragraph 0!2 of Section EPD No *3&6$% as a"en!e! by PD Nos )E-. an! )'-+

777 777 777

The conclusion then is inevitable that pursuant to the un!erscore! poviso in sub6paragraph0c2 of the afore"entione! Section E% ta:en together #ith sub6paragraph 0!2 of Section E% acourt action is ipso 8ue suspen!e! only upon the appoint"ent of a "anage"ent co""itteeor a rehabilitation receiver

$s a "e"ber of the then >irst Division #hich pro"ulgate! Barotac% I concurre! in the aforeuote! rulingTo repeat% Barotac an! ustice >eliciano<s Dissent are clearly supporte! by Section E% paragraph 0c2 of

presi!ential Decree *3&6$ It is basic in statutory construction that in the absence of !oubt or a"biguity%there is no necessity for construction or interpretation of the la#% as in this case =here the la# spea:s inclear an! categorical language% there is no roo" for interpretation There is only roo" for application +

S!C Retains Po4e to

ssue n8unctive Relie"

4eft unsai! in RCBC% Barotac an! even in the present Resolution% ho#ever% is the e7istence of t#oco"peting econo"ic interests in the !eter"ination of the issue On the one han!% there is the cre!itorF onthe other% the corporation an! its stoc:hol!ers Gn!er the RCBC ponencia of ustice (e!ial!ea% anunscrupulous co"pany can see: shelter in a petition for suspension of pay"ents in or!er to eva!e or at



least unfairly !elay the pay"ent of ?ust obligations This course of action #oul! clearly pre?u!ice itscre!itors% #ho #oul! be barre! fro" ?u!icially enforcing their rightful clai"s% si"ply because a petition for suspension has been file! In!ee!% to paraphrase ustice (e!ial!ea% #hat is to prevent the !ebtor fro"!elaying the creation of the "anage"ent co""ittee% in the "eanti"e !issipating all its assetsL

On the other han!% if the bare ruling of Barotac #ere to be applie! strictly% a !istresse! co"pany #oul! bee7pose! to grave !anger that "ay precipitate its unti"ely !e"ise% the very evil sought to be avoi!e! by asuspension of pay"ents Notably% the appoint"ent of a "anage"ent co""ittee ta:es place only after

several "onths% even years% fro" sub"ission of the petition The appoint"ent entails hearings an! thesub"ission of !ocu"entary evi!ence to !eter"ine #hether the reuisites for suspension of pay"ents havebeen "et By the ti"e a "anage"ent co""ittee or receiver is appointe!% cre!itors% upon :no#le!ge of theapplication for suspension of pay"ents% #ill have feaste! on the !istresse! corporation

(oney len!ers #ill !e"an! satisfaction of their cre!its by precipitately foreclosing on their "ortgagesParticularly vulnerable are liui! assets #hich can be attache! an! ren!ere! useless Payrolls #ill befro9en an! suppliers #ill lose faith in the co"pany Verily% the !istresse! co"pany<s cre!it stan!ing #oul!be 9ero6rate! In!ee!% after the vultures< feast% the re"aining corporate carcass can no longer beresurrecte! into a viable enterprise =hen this happens% there #ill be no "ore co"pany left to rehabilitate%thus ren!ering ineffectual the very la# #hich #as enacte! precisely to effect such rehabilitation In thebusiness #orl!% bri!ge liui!ity an! cre!it are so"eti"es even "ore i"portant than profits

The pru!ent #ay to avoi! the !isastrous conseuence of a strict application of sai! la# is to call attention tothe po#er of the S@C to issue in?unctive reliefs Herein "ovant 0RCBC2 raises the issue of the vali!ity of the restraining or!er an! the #rit of preli"inary in?unction later issue! by the Securities an! @7changeCo""ission 0S@C2 prior to the appoint"ent of the "anage"ent co""ittee It conten!s that the issuanceof the in?unctive reliefs effectively results% the suspension of actions against the petitioning !istresse!corporation

(ovant is thus saying that the S@C has no ?uris!iction to issue in?unctive reliefs in favor of the !istresse!corporation petitioning for suspension of pay"ents prior to the appoint"ent of a "anage"ent co""ittee I!isagree

Sec -0!2 of PD *3&6$ clearly enu"erates the cases over #hich the S@C has original an! e7clusive ?uris!iction to hear an! !eci!e;

Sec - In a!!ition to the regulatory an! a!?u!icative functions of the Securities an!

@7change Co""ission over corporations% partnerships an! other for"s of associationsregistere! #ith it as e7pressly grante! un!er e7isting la#s an! !ecrees% it shall have originalan! e7clusive ?uris!iction to hear an! !eci!e cases involving;

777 777 777

!2 Petitions of corporations% partnerships or associations to be !eclare! in the state of suspension of pay"ents in cases #here the corporation% partnership or associationpossesses sufficient property to cover all its !ebts but foresees the i"possibility of "eetingthe" #hen they respectively fall !ue or in cases #here the corporation% partnership or association has no sufficient assets to cover its liabilities% but is un!er the "anage"ent of aRehabilitation Receiver or (anage"ent Co""ittee create! pursuant to this Decree

Sec E 0a2 of sai! Decree goes on further to say;

Sec E In or!er to effectively e7ercise such ?uris!iction% the Co""ission shall possess thefollo#ing po#ers;

a2 To issue preli"inary or per"anent in?unctions% #hether prohibitory or "an!atory% in allcases in #hich it has ?uris!iction% an! in #hich cases the pertinent provisions of the Rules of Court shall applyF

777 777 777

Thus% it is obvious fro" the above6uote! provisions that the S@C acuires ?uris!iction over the !istresse!co"panies upon the sub"ission of a petition for suspension of pay"ents $n! #hen the legal reuire"ents



are co"plie! #ith% it has the authority to issue in?unctive reliefs for the effective e7ercise of its ?uris!iction I#oul! li:e to e"phasi9e that this po#er to issue restraining or!ers or preli"inary in?unctions% upon theprayer of the petitioning corporation% "ay be the only buffer that coul! save a co"pany fro" being feaste!on by any vulture6cre!itor prior to the appoint"ent of a "anage"ent co""ittee or a rehabilitation receiver

=H@R@>OR@% I vote to ,R$NT the (otion for Reconsi!eration% sub?ect to the caveat that the Securitiesan! @7change Co""ission% in "eritorious cases% "ay issue in?unctive reliefs

'oo#"o#)$

) &). SCR$ +.3% Septe"ber )/% )**& 0Concurring unualifie!ly #ith ustice(e!ial!ea<s ponencia #ere ,utierre9 r% Nocon% an! (elo% F concurring in the result #ereNarvasa% C% Bi!in% Regala!o an! Bellosillo% F !issenting #ere >eliciano% Pa!illa% Davi!e r an!Ro"ero% F Cru9% ,riXo6$uino an! Ca"pos% % !i! not ta:e part in the voting2

& bid % p +.+

. bid % pp +.*6+//

/ &'- SCR$ /*'% uly )-% )**' 0=ith the concurrence of Narvasa% CF (elo% >rancisco an!Panganiban% % of the Court<s >irst Division2

- Cebu Portlan! Ce"ent Co v (unicipality of Naga% &/ SCR$ '3+% $ugust &&% )*E+% per >ernan!o%

c. c =hen courts nee! not resort to interpretation or construction


@N B$NC

G.R. No. L*23607 M! 23, 1967

GO A TOC SONS !"/ CO., ETC., plaintiff6appellee%vs

RICE AN( CORN OAR(, !efen!ant6appellant7""ice o" t0e Solicito Geneal Atuo A. Ala"iz, Assistant Solicito Geneal A. A. &oes, Solicito C. S.Gaddi and Atty. A. J. Gustilo "o de"endant-appellant.

Antonio C. Sanc0ez and Vicente Caba0ug "o plainti"" appellee.

ENGZON, .P., J.:

Plaintiff6appellee ,o a Toc Sons Co is a !uly registere! partnership% not #holly o#ne! by >ilipinos%engage! since )*-+ in the "anufacture% processing an! "ar:eting of vegetable oil e7tracte! fro" corn%rice% copra% soybean% peanuts% fish% an! other vegetable pro!ucts )Y#phZ)X[t

On $ugust &% )*E3% Republic $ct .3)+ #as approve!% Section ) of #hich prohibite!% a"ong others%partnerships #hose capital #as not #holly o#ne! by citi9ens of the Philippines fro" engaging% !irectly or in!irectly% in the rice an!Jor corn in!ustry The la# #as to ta:e effect on anuary )% )*-) Ho#ever% Section

. 0a2 allo#e! such partnerships% upon registration #ith the "unicipal treasurer% to continue business untilt#o years fro" an! after anuary )% )*E)

S@C . $ll such persons% associations% partnerships or corporations that have co"plie! #ith thereuire"ents provi!e! in Section t#o hereof% if they so apply% shall be allo#e! to continue toengage in their respective lines of activity in the rice an! to an!Jor corn in!ustry only for thepurpose of liui!ation% as follo#s;

0a2 Those engage! in the retail% #holesale% culture% transporting% han!ling% !istribution or acuisitionfor the purpose of tra!e of rice an!Jor corn an! the by6pro!ucts thereof shall be allo#e! to continueto engage therein for a perio! of t#o years fro" the !ate of effectivity of this $ctF



7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

On Nove"ber &)% )*E3% the ne#ly create! Rice an! Corn Boar!) issue! Resolution No )3% pursuant toSection E of the la#% !efining the ter" 1by pro!uct1 use! in the la#% as follo#s;

By6pro!uct shall "ean the secon!ary pro!ucts resulting fro" the process of hus:ing% grin!ing%"illing% an! cleaning of palay an! corn% such as% but not li"ite! to 1 binlid %1 1daa6 %1 1tanop%1 1ti6ti6 %11corn hus:%1 1corn !rips%1 an! 1corn "eals1

$n! on uly )3% )*E)% the RICOB issue! ,en Circular No )% as a"en!e!% #hich !efine! the ter" 1capitalinvest"ent1 use! in Section . of Republic $ct .3)+ #hich li"its the "a7i"u" a"ount of capitalinvest"ents of alien persons an! entities engage! in the rice an!Jor corn in!ustry to the a"ount state! intheir state"ent "a!e pursuant to Section & of the la#

These t#o circulars have been !uly publishe! an! translate! into the local !ialect pursuant to Section E of Republic $ct .3)+

Plaintiff6appellee% having been reuire! by agents of RICOB to register in accor!ance #ith Section & of thela# an! the latter<s resolution% !ate! anuary .% )*E)% ruling that "anufacturers an!Jor !ealers of bi8on%noo!le% corn starch%ga4ga4 % rice #ine% poultry fee!s an! other by pro!ucts of rice an! corn are covere! bythe la#% file! action in the Court of >irst Instance to !eclare the sai! la# an! RICOB Resolution No )3%Nov &)% )*E3 an! ,en Circular No )% uly )3% )*E)% as inapplicable to it Pen!ing trial on the "erits% thelo#er court issue! the #rit of preli"inary in?unction praye! for

To abbreviate the procee!ings% the parties entere! into a stipulation of facts Thereupon% the lo#er courtren!ere! ?u!g"ent 0a2 !eclaring Republic $ct .3)+ not applicable to plaintiff<s businessF 0b2 !eclaring nullan! voi! RICOB<s Resolution No )3% !ate! Nove"ber &)% )*E3 an! ,eneral Circular No )3% as a"en!e!%!ate! uly )3% )*E) in so far as they #ere an! are being "a!e applicable to plaintiff<s business an! 0c2"a:ing an! !eclaring per"anent an! perpetual the preli"inary #rit of in?unction issue! in the case

Not satisfie! #ith the foregoing ruling% !efen!ant RICOB% through the Solicitor ,eneral has ta:en theinstant appeal to raise uestions purely of la#

$!"itte!ly% plaintiff6appellee has stoppe! fro" engaging in the purchase an! sale of rice an!Jor corn sincethe lapse of the t#o6year perio! fro" the effectivity of the la# It has li"ite! its activities tothe tade% pocessing an!$anu"actue of corn an! rice oil fro" ra# "aterials consisting of corn ger"proper or e"bryo 01sungo12 an! 1tahup%1 as #ell as fro" rice hus: it secures fro" others #ho "ill rice an!

corn In the processing an! "anufacture of coin oil% plaintiff also pro!uces a resi!ue calle! 1corn "eal1 or 1corn "eal ger"1 #hich it sells an! tra!es $re these activities covere! by Republic $ct .3)+L

Section ) of the la# !efines 1rice an!Jor corn in!ustry1 as inclu!ing t0e 0andling o" distibution% either in#holesale or retail% an! t0e ac2uisition "o pupose o" tade% o" t0e by-poducts of rice an! corn

S@CTION ) No person #ho is not a citi9en of the Philippines% or association% partnership or Corporation% the capital or capital stoc: of #hich is no# #holly o#ne! by citi9ens of the Philippines%shall !irectly or in!irectly engage in the rice an!Jor corn in!ustry e7cept as provi!e! in Sectionthree of this $ct

$s use! in this Act % t0e te$ ice ando con industy 1 shall "ean an! inclu!e the culture% "illing%#arehousing% tanspoting % e7portation% i"portation% 0andling t0e distibution% either in #holesale or retail% the provisions of Republic $ct Nu"bere! @leven hun!re! an! eighty to the contrary

not#ithstan!ing% o t0e ac2uisition "o t0e pupose o" tade o" ice 0hus:e! or unhus:e!2 or cornan! t0e by-poducts t0eeo" ;Povided % That public utilities !uly license! an! registere! inaccor!ance #ith la# "ay transport corn or rice 0@"phasis supplie!2

No#% 1tahup%1 1sungo1 an! 1rice hus:%1 #hich plaintiffs acuires fro" rice an! corn "illers an! fro" #hich it"anufactures the vegetable oil an! pro!uces the 1corn "eal1 or 1corn ger" "eal1 that it subseuently!istributes an! sells are clearly by6pro!ucts of rice an!Jor corn&

$lthough the ter" 1by6pro!uct1 is not particularly an! by specifically state! in the title of Republic $ct .3)+%its inclusion in the bo!y of the la# is not invali!% as the lo#er court hel!% since it is ge$ane to the sub?ect"atter e7presse! in the title of the la#.



Neither is the statutory inclusion of sai! ter" in the !efinition of the phrases 1rice an!Jor corn in!ustry1 aninvali! legislative usurpation of the court<s function to interpret the la#s% as the lo#er court also rule! This!efinition is part of the la# itself

>inally% the lo#er court !eter"ine! the purpose an! intention behin! the la#% thus;

7 7 7 In the opinion of the Court% it #as never the intention of the 4egislature in enacting Republic $ct No .3)+ to inclu!e in its purpose or scope the processing of the by6pro!ucts of rice an! corn

because >ilipinos !o not !epen! for their survival by eating the by6pro!ucts of rice an! corn $ssu"ing% #ithout a!"itting% that the la# in uestion really inten!e! to inclu!e in its ob?ect thenationali9ation not only of the rice an! corn in!ustry but also the tra!e of the by6pro!ucts ?ust"entione! above% the business in #hich the plaintiff has been engage! an! since Dece"ber .)%)*E&% as is at present% engage!% the Court is of the opinion that in the tra!e% processing%"anufacture of corn an! rice oil fro" the ra# "aterials of corn ger" proper or e"bryo 0 sungo2an! ta0up an! fro" rice hus: converting the re"aining parts into 1corn "eal1 or 1corn ger" "eal1#hich is tra!e! an! sol! an! that it acuire! its ra# "aterials fro" those engage! "illing ricean!Jor corn the sai! Republic $ct No .3)+ !oes not cover the plaintiff<s business activities ?ust"entione!

This is a fair an! reasonable interpretation an! application of sai! Republic $ct No .3)+% becauseto inclu!e in its control% li"itation an! prohibition the business of the plaintiff "entione! above%

#oul! be not only to ren!er the sai! la# unconstitutional for not inclu!ing in its title 1an! the by6pro!ucts thereof%1 but also to unreasonably stretch out an! e7pan! the scope an! intention of thela# to inclu!e in its conte7t the processing an! e7tracting of oil fro" rice an! corn an! the"anufacture of corn "eal or corn ger" "eal an! the selling an! tra!ing of the sa"e

$s a logical result of this interpretation of the la# spelle! out by this Court% it "ust necessarily follo#that the Resolution No )3% $nne7 ) an! the general circular !ate! uly )3% )*E)% uote! un!er paragraph . of the parties< Stipulation of >acts are hereby !eclare! null an! voi! in so far as theyatte"pte! to inclu!e in the scope of sai! la# the !efen!ant<s business activities !escribe! above in#hich it engage! since Dece"ber .)% )*E&% an! in #hich it has been engage! partly engage!since its for"ation in )*-*

=hat the court a 2uo !i! #as to resort to statutory construction But this #as i"proper as #ell as incorrectThe la# is clear in enunciating the policy that only >ilipinos an! associations% partnerships or corporations

)33\ >ilipino can engage even in the tra!e an! acuisition of the by6pro!ucts of rice an!Jor corn So thecourt<s only !uty #as to apply the la# as it #as / The purpose of the $ct% as e7presse! in the intro!uctorynote of the bill% can control the language of the la# only in case of a"biguity - There is none here>urther"ore% the court belo#<s interpretation #oul! ren!er the statute nugatory an! !efeat its ai"s% rather than apply an! effectuate its provisions%E since it struc: off the phrase 1by6pro!ucts thereof1 fro" the te7t of the la#

Since plaintiff6appellee is covere! by the statute% there is no necessity for an e7tensive !iscussionregar!ing the vali!ity of Resolution No )3 of Nove"ber &)% )*E3 The po#er an! authority of appellantRICOB to issue such rules an! regulations i"ple"enting the la#% procee!s fro" the la# itself ' Sai!resolution% by enu"erating so"e specific e7a"ples of by6pro!ucts of rice an!J%or corn% "erely carrie! outthe provisions of la# $n! the sole reason #hy the lo#er court invali!ate! it% #as its "ista:en stan! that theter" 1by6pro!uct1 oug0t not to have been "a!e a part of the statute

The foregoing consi!erations ren!er "oot an! aca!e"ic the uestion regar!ing the vali!ity of ,eneralCircular No ) on uly )3% )*E)

=herefore% the ?u!g"ent appeale! fro" is reverse! an! the #rit of in?unction issue! therein is annulle! an!set asi!e No costs So or!ere!

Concepcion, C.J., Reyes, J.%.#., 'izon, Regala, *aldiva and Casto JJ., concu.Ma6alintal, J., too6 no pat.

'oo#"o#)$

)Hereinafter referre! to as 1RICOB1



&See RICOB Res No )3% Nov &)% )*E3

.Su"ulong v CO(@4@C% '. Phil &++F Cor!ero v Cabatuan!o% 46)/-/&% Oct .)% )*E&

/People v ,arcia% +- Phil E-) Resolution on (otion to Reconsi!erUF Tecson v SSS% 46)-'*+%Dee &*% )*E)

-+& CS E&)F -3 $" ur &*)% &*E

E-3 $" ur .-+6.E/'Sec E% Republic $ct .3)+


@N B$NC

G.R. No. L*22301 A4:4$# 30, 1967

T&E PEOPLE O' T&E P&ILIPPINES, plaintiff6appellee%vsMARIO MAPA ; MAPULONG, !efen!ant6appellant

)ancisco P. Cabigao "o de"endant-appellant.7""ice o" t0e Solicito Geneal Atuo A. Ala"iz, Assistant Solicito Geneal ). R. Rosete and Solicito 7. C.3enandez "o plainti""-appellee.

'ERNAN(O, J.:

The sole uestion in this appeal fro" a ?u!g"ent of conviction by the lo#er court is #hether or not theappoint"ent to an! hol!ing of the position of a secret agent to the provincial governor #oul! constitute asufficient !efense to a prosecution for the cri"e of illegal possession of firear" an! a""unition =e hol!that it !oes not

The accuse! in this case #as in!icte! for the above offense in an infor"ation !ate! $ugust )/% )*E&rea!ing as follo#s; 1The un!ersi9e! accuses ($RIO ($P$ K ($PG4ON, of a violation of Section +'+ inconnection #ith Section &E*& of the Revise! $!"inistrative Co!e% as a"en!e! by Co""on#ealth $ct No

-E an! as further a"en!e! by Republic $ct No /% co""itte! as follo#s; That on or about the ).th !ay of $ugust% )*E&% in the City of (anila% Philippines% the sai! accuse! !i! then an! there #ilfully an! unla#fullyhave in his possession an! un!er his custo!y an! control one ho"e6"a!e revolver 0Palti:2% Cal &&%#ithout serial nu"ber% #ith si7 0E2 roun!s of a""unition% #ithout first having secure! the necessary licenseor per"it therefor fro" the correspon!ing authorities Contrary to la#1

=hen the case #as calle! for hearing on Septe"ber .% )*E.% the lo#er court at the outset as:e! thecounsel for the accuse!; 1(ay counsel stipulate that the accuse! #as foun! in possession of the guninvolve! in this case% that he has neither a per"it or license to possess the sa"e an! that #e can sub"itthe sa"e on a uestion of la# #hether or not an agent of the governor can hol! a firear" #ithout a per"itissue! by the Philippine Constabulary1 $fter counsel sought fro" the fiscal an assurance that he #oul! notuestion the authenticity of his e7hibits% the un!erstan!ing being that only a uestion of la# #oul! besub"itte! for !ecision% he e7plicitly specifie! such uestion to be 1#hether or not a secret agent is notreuire! to get a license for his firear"1

Gpon the lo#er court stating that the fiscal shoul! e7a"ine the !ocu"ent so that he coul! pass on their authenticity% the fiscal as:e! the follo#ing uestion; 1Does the accuse! a!"it that this pistol cal && revolver #ith si7 roun!s of a""unition "entione! in the infor"ation #as foun! in his possession on $ugust ).%)*E&% in the City of (anila #ithout first having secure! the necessary license or per"it thereof fro" thecorrespon!ing authorityL1 The accuse!% no# the appellant% ans#ere! categorically; 1Kes% Kour Honor1Gpon #hich% the lo#er court "a!e a state"ent; 1The accuse! a!"its% Kes% an! his counsel $tty Cabigaoalso affir"s that the accuse! a!"its1

>orth#ith% the fiscal announce! that he #as 1#illing to sub"it the sa"e for !ecision1 Counsel for theaccuse! on his part presente! four 0/2 e7hibits consisting of his appoint"ent 1as secret agent of the Hon



>eliciano 4eviste%1 then ,overnor of Batangas% !ate! une &% )*E&F) another !ocu"ent li:e#ise issue! by,ov 4eviste also a!!resse! to the accuse! !irecting hi" to procee! to (anila% Pasay an! 8ue9on City ona confi!ential "issionF&the oath of office of the accuse! as such secret agent% . a certificate !ate! (arch))% )*E.% to the effect that the accuse! 1is a secret agent1 of ,ov 4eviste/ Counsel for the accuse! thenstate! that #ith the presentation of the above e7hibits he #as 1#illing to sub"it the case on the uestion of #hether or not a secret agent !uly appointe! an! ualifie! as such of the provincial governor is e7e"ptfro" the reuire"ent of having a license of firear"1 The e7hibits #ere a!"itte! an! the parties #ere given

ti"e to file their respective "e"oran!a)Y#phZ)X[t

Thereafter on Nove"ber &'% )*E.% the lo#er court ren!ere! a !ecision convicting the accuse! 1of thecri"e of illegal possession of firear"s an! sentence! to an in!eter"inate penalty of fro" one year an! one!ay to t#o years an! to pay the costs The firear" an! a""unition confiscate! fro" hi" are forfeite! infavor of the ,overn"ent1

The only uestion being one of la#% the appeal #as ta:en to this Court The !ecision "ust be affir"e!

The la# is e7plicit that e7cept as thereafter specifically allo#e!% 1it shall be unla#ful for any person to possess any firear"% !etache! parts of firear"s or a""unition therefor% or any instru"ent or i"ple"entuse! or inten!e! to be use! in the "anufacture of firear"s% parts of firear"s% or a""unition1- The ne7tsection provi!es that 1firear"s an! a""unition regularly an! la#fully issue! to officers% sol!iers% sailors% or "arines of the $r"e! >orces of the PhilippinesU% the Philippine Constabulary% guar!s in the e"ploy"ent of the Bureau of Prisons% "unicipal police% provincial governors% lieutenant governors% provincial treasurers%"unicipal treasurers% "unicipal "ayors% an! guar!s of provincial prisoners an! ?ails%1 are not covere!1#hen such firear"s are in possession of such officials an! public servants for use in the perfor"ance of their official !uties1E

The la# cannot be any clearer No provision is "a!e for a secret agent $s such he is not e7e"pt Our tas:is eually clear The first an! fun!a"ental !uty of courts is to apply the la# 1Construction an! interpretationco"e only after it has been !e"onstrate! that application is i"possible or ina!euate #ithout the"1 ' Theconviction of the accuse! "ust stan! It cannot be set asi!e

$ccuse! ho#ever #oul! rely on People v. Macaandang %+ #here a secret agent #as acuitte! on appealon the assu"ption that the appoint"ent 1of the accuse! as a secret agent to assist in the "aintenance of peace an! or!er ca"paigns an! !etection of cri"es% sufficiently put hi" #ithin the category of a 1peaceofficer1 euivalent even to a "e"ber of the "unicipal police e7pressly covere! by section +'*1 Such

reliance is "isplace! It is not #ithin the po#er of this Court to set asi!e the clear an! e7plicit "an!ate of astatutory provision To the e7tent therefore that this !ecision conflicts #ith #hat #as hel! in People v.Macaandang % it no longer spea:s #ith authority

=herefore% the ?u!g"ent appeale! fro" is affir"e!

Concepcion, C.J., Reyes, J.%.#., 'izon, Ma6alintal, %engzon, J.P., *aldiva, Sanc0ez, Casto and Angeles,JJ., concu.

'oo#"o#)$

)@7hibit )

&@7hibit &

.@7hibit .

/@7hibit /

-Sec +'+ as a"en!e! by Republic $ct No /% Revise! $!"inistrative Co!e

ESec +'*% Revise! $!"inistrative Co!e

'4i9arraga Her"anos v Kap Tico% 0)*).2 &/ Phil -3/% -).

+46)&3++% Dece"ber &.% )*-*

Republic of the Philippines



SUPREME COURT(anila

@N B$NC

G.R. No. L*2+6+9 O#o5)r 31, 1969

LUZON SURET; CO., INC., petitioner%vs

OSE'A AGUIRRE (E GARCIA, VICENTE GARCIA !"/ #-) 'OURT& (IVISION O' T&E COURT O'APPEALS, respon!ents

&olentino and Gacia and '. R. Cuz "o petitione.Rodol"o J. 3e$an "o espondents.

'ERNAN(O, J.:

The crucial uestion in this petition for the revie# of a !ecision of the Court of $ppeals% to be passe! uponfor the first ti"e% is #hether or not a con?ugal partnership% in the absence of any sho#ing of benefitsreceive!% coul! be hel! liable on an in!e"nity agree"ent e7ecute! by the husban! to acco""o!ate athir! party in favor of a surety co"pany The Court of $ppeals hel! that it coul! not Petitioner 4u9on SuretyCo% Inc% !issatisfie! #ith such a ?u!g"ent% #hich #as an affir"ance of a lo#er court !ecision% #oul! haveus reverse =e !o not see it that #ay The Court of $ppeals a!?u!icate! the "atter in accor!ance #ith la#

=e affir" #hat it !i! $s note! in the brief of petitioner 4u9on Surety Co% Inc% on October )+% )*E3% a suit for in?unction #as file!in the Court of >irst Instance of Negros Occi!ental against its Provincial Sheriff by respon!ents6spouses%osefa $guirre !e ,arcia an! Vicente ,arcia 1to en?oin such SheriffU fro" selling the sugar allege!lyo#ne! by their con?ugal partnership% pursuant to a #rit of garnish"ent issue! by virtue of a #rit of e7ecution issue! in Civil Case No .+*. of the sa"e Court of >irst Instance against the respon!entVicente ,arcia 1)

There #as a stipulation of facts sub"itte! There is no uestion as to one 4a!islao Chave9% as principal%an! petitioner 4u9on Surety Co% Inc% e7ecuting a surety bon! in favor of the Philippine National Ban:%Victorias Branch% to guaranty a crop loan grante! by the latter to 4a!islao Chave9 in the su" of P*%33333On or about the sa"e !ate% Vicente ,arcia% together #ith the sai! 4a!islao Chave9 an! one Ra"on B4acson% as guarantors% signe! an in!e"nity agree"ent #herein they boun! the"selves% ?ointly an!

severally% to in!e"nify no# petitioner 4u9on Surety Co% Inc against any an! all !a"ages% losses% costs%sta"ps% ta7es% penalties% charges an! e7penses of #hatsoever :in! an! nature #hich the petitioner "ay atany ti"e sustain or incur in conseuence of having beco"e guarantor upon sai! bon!% to pay interest atthe rate of )&\ per annu"% co"pute! an! co"poun!e! uarterly until fully pai!F an! to pay )-\ of thea"ount involve! in any litigation or other "atters gro#ing out of or connecte! there#ith for attorney<s fees

It #as li:e#ise stipulate! that on or about $pril &'% )*-E% the Philippine National Ban: file! a co"plaintbefore the Court of >irst Instance of Negros Occi!ental% !oc:ete! as its Civil Case No .+*.% against4a!islao Chave9 an! 4u9on Surety Co% Inc to recover the a"ount of P/%-''*-% in interest% attorney<sfees% an! costs of the suit On or about $ugust +% )*-'% in turn% a thir!6party co"plaint against 4a!islaoChave9% Ra"on B 4acson an! Vicente ,arcia% base! on the in!e"nity agree"ent% #as institute! by4u9on Surety Co% Inc

Then% as set forth by the parties% on Septe"ber )'% )*-+% the lo#er court ren!ere! a !ecision con!e"ning4a!islao Chave9 an! 4u9on Surety Co% Inc% to pay the plaintiff ?ointly an! severally the a"ount of P/%-''*- representing the principal an! accrue! interest of the obligation at the rate of E\ per annu" asof anuary E% )*-E% #ith a !aily interest of P3'))* on P/%..3*) fro" anuary E% )*-E% until fully pai!% plusthe su" of P)3333 as attorney<s fees% an! to pay the costs The sa"e !ecision li:e#ise or!ere! the thir!party !efen!ants% 4a!islao Chave9% Vicente ,arcia% an! Ra"on B 4acson% to pay 4u9on Surety Co% Inc%the total a"ount to be pai! by it to the plaintiff Philippine National Ban:

On uly .3% )*E3% pursuant to the aforesai! !ecision% the Court of >irst Instance of Negros Occi!entalissue! a #rit of e7ecution against Vicente ,arcia for the satisfaction of the clai" of petitioner in the su" of P+%+.**' Thereafter% a #rit of garnish"ent #as issue! by the Provincial Sheriff of Negros Occi!ental



!ate! $ugust *% )*E3% levying an! garnishing the sugar ue!ans of the no# respon!ent6spouses% the,arcias% fro" their sugar plantation% registere! in the na"es of both of the" & The suit for in?unction file!by the ,arcia spouses #as the result

$s note!% the lo#er court foun! in their favor In its !ecision of $pril .3% )*E&% it !eclare! that thegarnish"ent in uestion #as contrary to $rticle )E) of the Civil Co!e an! grante! their petition% "a:ing the#rit of preli"inary in?unction per"anent 4u9on Surety% Inc elevate! the "atter to the Court of $ppeals%#hich% as "entione! at the outset% li:e#ise reache! the sa"e result Hence this petition for revie#

=e reiterate #hat #as set forth at the opening of this opinion There is no reason for a reversal of the ?u!g"ent The !ecision sought to be revie#e! is in accor!ance #ith la#

$s e7plaine! in the !ecision no# un!er revie#; 1It is true that the husban! is the a!"inistrator of thecon?ugal property pursuant to the provisions of $rt )E. of the Ne# Civil Co!e Ho#ever% as sucha!"inistrator the only obligations incurre! by the husban! that are chargeable against the con?ugalproperty are those incurre! in the legiti"ate pursuit of his career% profession or business #ith the honestbelief that he is !oing right for the benefit of the fa"ily This is not true in the case at bar for #e believe thatthe husban! in acting as guarantor or surety for another in an in!e"nity agree"ent as that involve! in thiscase !i! not act for the benefit of the con?ugal partnership Such inference is "ore e"phatic in this case%#hen no proof is presente! that Vicente ,arcia in acting as surety or guarantor receive! consi!erationtherefor% #hich "ay re!oun! to the benefit of the con?ugal partnership1.

In the !ecision before us% the principal error assigne! is the above hol!ing of the Court of $ppeals thatun!er $rticle )E) of the Civil Co!e no liability #as incurre! by the con?ugal partnership =hile fullyconscious of the e7press language of $rticle )E) of the Civil Co!e% petitioner% in its #ell6#ritten brief sub"itte! by its counsel% #oul! i"press on us that in this case it coul! not be sai! that no benefit #asreceive! by the con?ugal partnership It sought to len! so"e se"blance of plausibility to this vie# thus;1The present case involves a contract of suretyship entere! into by the husban!% the respon!ent Vicente,arcia% in behalf of a thir! person $ transaction base! on cre!it through #hich% by our given !efinitions%respon!ent Vicente ,arcia% by acting as guarantor an! "a:ing goo! his guaranty% acuires the capacity of being truste!% a!!s to his reputation or estee"% enhances his stan!ing as a citi9en in the co""unity in#hich he lives% an! earns the confi!ence of the business co""unity He can thus secure "oney #ith #hichto carry on the purposes of their con?ugal partnership1/

=hile not entirely% #ithout basis% such an argu"ent !oes not carry conviction Its acceptance #oul! negate

the plain "eaning of #hat is e7pressly provi!e! for in $rticle )E) In the "ost categorical language% acon?ugal partnership un!er that provision is liable only for such 1!ebts an! obligations contracte! by thehusban! for the benefit of the con?ugal partnership1 There "ust be the reuisite sho#ing then of so"ea!vantage #hich clearly accrue! to the #elfare of the spouses There is none in this case Nor coul! therebe% consi!ering that the benefit #as clearly inten!e! for a thir! party% one 4a!islao Chave9 =hile thehusban! by thus signing the in!e"nity agree"ent "ay be sai! to have a!!e! to his reputation or estee"an! to have earne! the confi!ence of the business co""unity% such benefit% even if hypotheticallyaccepte!% is too re"ote an! fanciful to co"e #ithin the e7press ter"s of the provision

Its language is clearF it !oes not a!"it of !oubt No process of interpretation or construction nee! beresorte! to It pere"ptorily calls for application =here a reuire"ent is "a!e in e7plicit an! una"biguouster"s% no !iscretion is left to the ?u!iciary It "ust see to it that its "an!ate is obeye! So it is in this caseThat is ho# the Court of $ppeals acte!% an! #hat it !i! cannot be i"pugne! for being contrary to la#-

(oreover% it #oul! negate the plain ob?ect of the a!!itional reuire"ent in the present Civil Co!e that a!ebt contracte! by the husban! to bin! a con?ugal partnership "ust re!oun! to its benefit That is stillanother provision in!icative of the solicitu!e an! ten!er regar! that the la# "anifests for the fa"ily as aunit Its interest is para"ountF its #elfare upper"ost in the "in!s of the co!ifiers an! legislators

This particular co!al provision in uestion rightfully e"phasi9es the responsibility of the husban! asa!"inistratorEHe is suppose! to conserve an!% if possible% aug"ent the fun!s of the con?ugal partnership%not !issipate the" If out of frien!ship or "isplace! generosity on his part the con?ugal partnership #oul!be sa!!le! #ith financial bur!en% then the fa"ily stan!s to suffer No ob?ection nee! arise if the obligationthus contracte! by hi" coul! be sho#n to be for the benefit of the #ife an! the progeny if any there beThat is but fair an! ?ust Certainly% ho#ever% to "a:e a con?ugal partnership respon! for a liability that



shoul! appertain to the husban! alone is to !efeat an! frustrate the avo#e! ob?ective of the ne# Civil Co!eto sho# the ut"ost concern for the soli!arity an! #ell6being of the fa"ily as a unit ' The husban!%therefore% as is #isely thus "a!e certain% is !enie! the po#er to assu"e unnecessary an! un#arrante!ris:s to the financial stability of the con?ugal partnership

No useful purpose #oul! be serve! by petitioner assigning as one of the errors the observation "a!e bythe Court of $ppeals as to the husban!<s interest in the con?ugal property being "erely inchoate or a "eree7pectancy in vie# of the conclusion thus reache! as to the absence of any liability on the part of the

con?ugal partnership Nor #as it error for the Court of $ppeals to refuse to consi!er a uestion raise! for the first ti"e on appeal No# as to the uestion of ?uris!iction of the lo#er court to entertain this petition for in?unction against the Provincial Sheriff% to #hich our attention is invite!% neither the Court of $ppeals nor the lo#er court having been as:e! to pass upon it Of course% if raise! earlier% it ought to have beenseriously inuire! into =e feel% ho#ever% that un!er all the circu"stances of the case% substantial ?ustice#oul! be serve! if petitioner be hel! as preclu!e! fro" no# atte"pting to interpose such a barrier Theconclusion that thereby laches ha! intervene! is not unreasonable Such a response on our part can bepre!icate! on the authoritative hol!ing in &i8a$ v. Sibong0anoy +

=H@R@>OR@% the !ecision of the Court of $ppeals of Dece"ber )'% )*E-% no# un!er revie#% is affir"e!#ith costs against petitioner 4u9on Surety Co% Inc

Concepcion, C.J., 'izon, Ma6alintal, *aldiva Sanc0ez, Casto, &ee0an6ee and %aedo, JJ., concur

S)p!r!#) Opi"io"$

RE;ES, J., concurring;

I concur in the result% but #oul! li:e to "a:e of recor! that% in "y opinion% the #or!s 1all !ebts an!obligations contracte! by the husban! for the benefit of the con?ugal partnership1 use! in $rticle )E) of theCivil Co!e of the Philippines in !escribing the charges an! obligations for #hich the con?ugal partnership isliable% !o not reuire that actual profit or benefit "ust accrue to the con?ugal partnership fro" the husban!<stransactionsF but that it suffices that the transaction shoul! be one that nor"ally #oul! pro!uce suchbenefit for the partnership This is the ratio behin! our ruling in avier vs Os"eXa% ./ Phil ..E% thatobligations incurre! by the husban! in the practice of his profession are collectible fro" the con?ugalpartnership

'oo#"o#)$

) Brief for Petitioner% p .

& bid % $ppen!i7% pp .*6/&

. bid % pp /E6/'

/ bid % pp &/6&-

- Cf People v (apa% &3 SCR$ ))E/ 0)*E'2F Pacific O7ygen $cetylene Co v Central Ban:% &&SCR$ *)' 0)*E+2F Deuito v 4ope9% && SCR$ ).-& 0)*E+2F Pa!illa v City of Pasay% &. SCR$ )./*0)*E+2F ,arcia v Vasue9% &' SCR$ -3- 0)*E*2F 4a Perla Cigar Cigarette >actory v Capapas% 46

&'*/+ &+33)6))% uly .)% )*E*F (obil Oil Philippines v Diocares% 46&E.')% Sept .3% )*E*

E $rticle )E-% Ne# Civil Co!e

' Cf Report of the Co!e Co""ission% p )' 0)*/+2

+ &. SCR$ &* 0)*E+2 Cf Carillo vs $llie! =or:ers< $ssociation% &/ SCR$ -EE 0)*E+2

5. S#!#4#or Co"$#r4#io" <i$*!*<i$ 4/ii!l L):i$l!#io"




@N B$NC

G.R. No. 10763 ')5r4!r 13, 1997

REPULIC O' T&E P&ILIPPINES,<$.COURT O' APPEALS !"/ RORI(EL OLAVIANO MOLINA, r)$po"/)"#$.

PANGANIAN, J.:

T-) '!8il Co/) o= #-) P-ilippi")$ pro<i/)$ !" )"#ir)l ")> :ro4"/ i" !//i#io" #o #-o$))"48)r!#)/ i" #-) Ci<il Co/) #o !$$!il #-) <!li/i# o= ! 8!rri!:), "!8)l, ?p$-olo:i!li"!p!i#.? Si") #-) Co/)@$ )==)#i<i#, o4r o4r#$ -!<) 5))" $>!8p)/ >i#- <!rio4$ p)#i#io"$ #o/)l!r) 8!rri!:)$ <oi/ 5!$)/ o" #-i$ :ro4"/. Al#-o4:- #-i$ Co4r# -!/ i"#)rpr)#)/ #-) 8)!"i": o= p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i# i" #-) r))"# !$) o= Santos vs. Court of Appeals, $#ill 8!" 4/:)$ !"/l!>)r$ =i"/ /i==i4l# i" !ppli": $!i/ "o<)l pro<i$io" i" $p)i=i !$)$. I" #-) pr)$)"# !$) !"/ i"#-) o"#)B# o= #-) -)r)i" !$$!il)/ ()i$io" o= #-) Co4r# o= App)!l$, #-) Solii#or G)")r!l -!$l!5)ll)/ )B!::)r!#)/ #o 5) $4r) 54# "o")#-)l)$$ )Bpr)$$i<) o= -i$ =r4$#r!#io" Ar#il) 36 !$ #-)?8o$# li5)r!l /i<or) pro)/4r) i" #-) >orl/.? &)"), #-i$ Co4r# i" !//i#io" #o r)$ol<i": #-) pr)$)"#

!$), =i"/$ #-) "))/ #o l! /o>" $p)i=i :4i/)li")$ i" #-) i"#)rpr)#!#io" !"/ !ppli!#io" o= Ar#il)36 o= #-) '!8il Co/).

)=or) 4$ i$ ! p)#i#io" =or r)<i)> o" certiorari 4"/)r R4l) + -!ll)":i": #-) !"4!r 2+, 1993()i$io" 1 o= #-) Co4r# o= App)!l$ 2 i" CA*G.R. CV No. 3+ !==ir8i": in toto #-) M! 1, 1991 /)i$io"o= #-) R):io"!l Tri!l Co4r# o= L! Tri"i/!/, 3 )":4)#, >-i- /)l!r)/ #-) 8!rri!:) o= r)$po"/)"# Rori/)lOl!<i!"o Moli"! #o R)"!l/o Moli"! <oi/ ab initio, o" #-) :ro4"/ o= ?p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i#? 4"/)r Ar#il) 36 o= #-) '!8il Co/).

The Facts

T-i$ !$) >!$ o88)")/ o" A4:4$# 16, 1990 >i#- #-) =ili": 5 r)$po"/)"# Rori/)l O. Moli"! o= !<)ri=i)/ p)#i#io" =or /)l!r!#io" o= "4lli# o= -)r 8!rri!:) #o R)"!l/o Moli"!. E$$)"#i!ll, #-)p)#i#io" !ll):)/ #-!# Rori/)l !"/ R)"!l/o >)r) 8!rri)/ o" April 1, 19+ !# #-) S!" A:4$#i"

C-4r- i" M!"il!D #-!# ! $o", A"/r) O. Moli"! >!$ 5or"D #-!# !=#)r ! )!r o= 8!rri!:), R)"!l/o$-o>)/ $i:"$ o= ?i88!#4ri# !"/ irr)$po"$i5ili#? !$ ! -4$5!"/ !"/ ! =!#-)r $i") -) pr)=)rr)/ #o $p)"/8or) #i8) >i#- -i$ p))r$ !"/ =ri)"/$ o" >-o8 -) $4!"/)r)/ -i$ 8o")D #-!# -) /)p)"/)/ o" -i$p!r)"#$ =or !i/ !"/ !$$i$#!"), !"/ >!$ ")<)r -o")$# >i#- -i$ >i=) i" r):!r/ #o #-)ir =i"!")$, r)$4l#i":i" =r)4)"# 4!rr)l$ 5)#>))" #-)8D #-!# $o8)#i8) i" ')5r4!r 196, R)"!l/o >!$ r)li)<)/ o= -i$ o5 i"M!"il!, !"/ $i") #-)" Rori/)l -!/ 5))" #-) $ol) 5r)!/>i"")r o= #-) =!8ilD #-!# i" O#o5)r 196 #-)o4pl) -!/ ! <)r i"#)"$) 4!rr)l, !$ ! r)$4l# o= >-i- #-)ir r)l!#io"$-ip >!$ )$#r!":)/D #-!# i" M!r-197, Rori/)l r)$i:")/ =ro8 -)r o5 i" M!"il! !"/ >)"# #o li<) >i#- -)r p!r)"#$ i" !:4io Ci#D #-!# ! =)>>))F$ l!#)r, R)"!l/o l)=# Rori/)l !"/ #-)ir -il/, !"/ -!/ $i") #-)" !5!"/o")/ #-)8D #-!# R)"!l/o-!/ #-4$ $-o>" #-!# -) >!$ p$-olo:i!ll i"!p!5l) o= o8pli": >i#- )$$)"#i!l 8!ri#!l o5li:!#io"$!"/ >!$ ! -i:-l i88!#4r) !"/ -!5i#4!ll 4!rr)l $o8) i"/i<i/4!l >-o #-o4:-# o= -i8$)l= !$ ! Fi": #o 5)$)r<)/D !"/ #-!# i# >o4l/ 5) #o #-) o4pl)@$ 5)$# i"#)r)$# #o -!<) #-)ir 8!rri!:) /)l!r)/ "4ll !"/ <oi/ i"or/)r #o =r)) #-)8 =ro8 >-!# !pp)!r)/ #o 5) !" i"o8p!#i5l) 8!rri!:) =ro8 #-) $#!r#.

I" -i$ A"$>)r =il)/ o" A4:4$# 2, 199, R)"!l/o !/8i##)/ #-!# -) !"/ Rori/)l o4l/ "o lo":)r li<)#o:)#-)r !$ -4$5!"/ !"/ >i=), 54# o"#)"/)/ #-!# #-)ir 8i$4"/)r$#!"/i":$ !"/ =r)4)"# 4!rr)l$>)r) /4) #o 1 Rori/)l@$ $#r!":) 5)-!<ior o= i"$i$#i": o" 8!i"#!i"i": -)r :ro4p o= =ri)"/$ )<)"!=#)r #-)ir 8!rri!:)D 2 Rori/)l@$ r)=4$!l #o p)r=or8 $o8) o= -)r 8!ri#!l /4#i)$ $4- !$ ooFi":8)!l$D !"/ 3 Rori/)l@$ =!il4r) #o r4" #-) -o4$)-ol/ !"/ -!"/l) #-)ir =i"!")$.

(4ri": #-) pr)*#ri!l o" O#o5)r 17, 1990, #-) =ollo>i": >)r) $#ip4l!#)/

1. T-!# #-) p!r#i)$ -)r)i" >)r) l):!ll 8!rri)/ o" April 1, 19+ !# #-) C-4r- o= S#.A4:4$#i"), M!"il!D

2. T-!# o4# o= #-)ir 8!rri!:), ! -il/ "!8)/ Al5)r# A"/r) Ol!<i!"o Moli"! >!$ 5or"



o" 4l 29, 196D

3. T-!# #-) p!r#i)$ !r) $)p!r!#)/*i"*=!# =or 8or) #-!" #-r)) )!r$D

. T-!# p)#i#io")r i$ "o# !$Fi": $4ppor# =or -)r !"/ -)r -il/D

+. T-!# #-) r)$po"/)"# i$ "o# !$Fi": =or /!8!:)$D

6. T-!# #-) o88o" -il/ o= #-) p!r#i)$ i$ i" #-) 4$#o/ o= #-) p)#i#io")r >i=).

E<i/)") =or -)r)i" r)$po"/)"# >i=) o"$i$#)/ o= -)r o>" #)$#i8o" !"/ #-!# o= -)r =ri)"/$Ro$)8!ri) V)"#4r! !"/ M!ri! L)o"or! P!/ill! !$ >)ll !$ o= R4#- G. L!l!$, ! $oi!l >orF)r, !"/ o= (r. T)r)$i#! &i/!l:o*Si$o", ! p$-i!#ri$# o= #-) !:4io G)")r!l &o$pi#!l !"/ M)/i!l C)"#)r. S-)!l$o $458i##)/ /o48)"#$ 8!rF)/ !$ EB-i5i#$ ?A? #o ?E*1.? R)"!l/o /i/ "o# pr)$)"# !" )<i/)")!$ -) !pp)!r)/ o"l /4ri": #-) pr)*#ri!l o"=)r)").

O" M! 1, 1991, #-) #ri!l o4r# r)"/)r)/ 4/:8)"# /)l!ri": #-) 8!rri!:) <oi/. T-) !pp)!l o= p)#i#io")r >!$ /)"i)/ 5 #-) Co4r# o= App)!l$ >-i- !==ir8)/ in toto #-) RTC@$ /)i$io". &)"), #-)pr)$)"# r)o4r$).

The Issue

I" -i$ p)#i#io", #-) Solii#or G)")r!l i"$i$#$ #-!# ?#-) Co4r# o= App)!l$ 8!/) !" )rro")o4$ !"/i"orr)# i"#)rpr)#!#io" o= #-) p-r!$) @p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i#@ !$ pro<i/)/ 4"/)r Ar#. 36 o= #-)

'!8il Co/) !"/ 8!/) !" i"orr)# !ppli!#io" #-)r)o= #o #-) =!#$ o= #-) !$),? !//i": #-!# #-)!pp)!l)/ ()i$io" #)"/)/ ?#o )$#!5li$- i" )==)# #-) 8o$# li5)r!l /i<or) pro)/4r) i" #-) >orl/>-i- i$ !"!#-)8! #o o4r 4l#4r).?

I" /)"i": #-) Solii#or G)")r!l@$ !pp)!l, #-) r)$po"/)"# Co4r# r)li)/ + -)!<il o" #-) #ri!l o4r#@$=i"/i":$ ?#-!# #-) 8!rri!:) 5)#>))" #-) p!r#i)$ 5roF) 4p 5)!4$) o= #-)ir oppo$i": !"/ o"=li#i":p)r$o"!li#i)$.? T-)", i# !//)/ i# $o>" opi"io" #-!# ?#-) Ci<il Co/) R)<i$io" Co88i##)) -)r)i"!=#)r r)=)rr)/ #o !$ Co88i##)) i"#)"/)/ #o li5)r!li) #-) !ppli!#io" o= o4r i<il l!>$ o" p)r$o"!l !"/ =!8ilri:-#$. . . .? I# o"l4/)/ #-!#

A$ :ro4"/ =or !""4l8)"# o= 8!rri!:), %) <i)> p$-olo:i!ll i"!p!i# !$ ! 5ro!/r!":) o= 8)"#!l !"/ 5)-!<ior!l o"/4# o" #-) p!r# o= o") $po4$) i"/i!#i<) o= -o>-) or $-) r):!r/$ #-) 8!ri#!l 4"io", -i$ or -)r p)r$o"!l r)l!#io"$-ip >i#- #-) o#-)r $po4$), !$ >)ll !$ -i$ or -)r o"/4# i" #-) lo": -!4l =or #-) !##!i"8)"# o= #-)

pri"ip!l o5)#i<)$ o= 8!rri!:). I= $!i/ o"/4#, o5$)r<)/ !"/ o"$i/)r)/ !$ !>-ol), #)"/$ #o !4$) #-) 4"io" #o $)l=*/)$#r4# 5)!4$) i# /)=)!#$ #-) <)ro5)#i<)$ o= 8!rri!:), #-)" #-)r) i$ )"o4:- r)!$o" #o l)!<) #-) $po4$)$ #o #-)ir i"/i<i/4!l =!#)$.

I" #-) !$) !# 5!r, %) =i"/ #-!# #-) #ri!l 4/:) o88i##)/ "o i"/i$r)#io" i" !"!li":!"/ /)i/i": #-) i"$#!"# !$), !$ i# /i/, -)"), %) =i"/ "o o:)"# r)!$o" #o /i$#4r5#-) =i"/i":$ !"/ o"l4$io"$ #-4$ 8!/).

R)$po"/)"#, i" -)r M)8or!"/48, !/op#$ #-)$) /i$4$$io"$ o= #-) Co4r# o= App)!l$.

T-) p)#i#io")r, o" #-) o#-)r -!"/, !r:4)$ #-!# ?oppo$i": !"/ o"=li#i": p)r$o"!li#i)$? i$ "o#)4i<!l)"# #o p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i#, )Bpl!i"i": #-!# $4- :ro4"/ ?i$ "o# $i8pl #-) neglect 5#-) p!r#i)$ #o #-) 8!rri!:) o= #-)ir r)$po"$i5ili#i)$ !"/ /4#i)$, 54# ! defect i" #-)ir p$-olo:i!l

"!#4r) >-i- r)"/)r$ #-)8 i"!p!5l) o= p)r=or8i": $4- 8!ri#!l r)$po"$i5ili#i)$ !"/ /4#i)$.?

The Court's Ruling

T-) p)#i#io" i$ 8)ri#orio4$.

I" eouel Santos vs. Court of Appeals 6 #-i$ Co4r#, $p)!Fi": #-r4 Mr. 4$#i) o$) C. Vi#4:, r4l)/ #-!#?p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i# $-o4l/ r)=)r #o "o l)$$ #-!" ! 8)"#!l "or p-$i!l i"!p!i# . . . !"/ #-!##-)r) i$ -!r/l !" /o45# #-!# #-) i"#)"/8)"# o= #-) l!> -!$ 5))" #o o"=i") #-) 8)!"i": o= @p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i#@ #o #-) 8o$# $)rio4$ !$)$ o= p)r$o"!li# /i$or/)r$ l)!rl /)8o"$#r!#i<) o= !"4##)r i"$)"$i#i<i# or i"!5ili# #o :i<) 8)!"i": !"/ $i:"i=i!") #o #-) 8!rri!:). T-i$ p$-olo:io"/i#io" 84$# )Bi$# !# #-) #i8) #-) 8!rri!:) i$ )l)5r!#)/.? Ci#i": (r. G)r!r/o V)lo$o, ! =or8)r



pr)$i/i": 4/:) o= #-) M)#ropoli#!" M!rri!:) Tri54"!l o= #-) C!#-oli Ar-/io)$) o= M!"il!, 7 4$#i)Vi#4: >ro#) #-!# ?#-) p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i# 84$# 5) -!r!#)ri)/ 5 ! :r!<i#, 5 4ri/i!l!"#))/)"), !"/ i"4r!5ili#.?

O" #-) o#-)r -!"/, i" #-) pr)$)"# !$), #-)r) i$ "o l)!r $-o>i": #o 4$ #-!# #-) p$-olo:i!l/)=)# $poF)" o= i$ !" i"!p!i#. I# !pp)!r$ #o 4$ #o 5) 8or) o= ! ?/i==i4l#,? i= "o# o4#ri:-#?r)=4$!l? or ?"):l)#? i" #-) p)r=or8!") o= $o8) 8!ri#!l o5li:!#io"$. M)r) $-o>i": o= ?irr)o"ili!5l) /i==)r)")$? !"/ ?o"=li#i": p)r$o"!li#i)$? i" "o >i$) o"$#i#4#)$ p$-olo:i!l

i"!p!i#. I# i$ "o# )"o4:- #o pro<) #-!# #-) p!r#i)$ =!il)/ #o 8))# #-)ir r)$po"$i5ili#i)$ !"/ /4#i)$!$ 8!rri)/ p)r$o"$D i# i$ )$$)"#i!l #-!# #-) 84$# 5) $-o>" #o 5) incapable o= /oi": $o, /4) #o$o8) p$-olo:i!l "or p-$i!l ill")$$.

T-) )<i/)") !//4)/ 5 r)$po"/)"# 8)r)l $-o>)/ #-!# $-) !"/ -)r -4$5!"/ o4l/ "or :)# !lo":>i#- )!- o#-)r. T-)r) -!/ 5))" "o $-o>i": o= #-) :r!<i# o= #-) pro5l)8D ")i#-)r i#$ 4ri/i!l!"#))/)") "or i#$ i"4r!5ili#. T-) )Bp)r# #)$#i8o" o= (r. Si$o" $-o>)/ "o i"4r!5l) p$-i!#ri/i$or/)r 54# o"l i"o8p!#i5ili#, "o# p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i#. (r. Si$o" #)$#i=i)/

COURT

H I# i$ #-)r)=or) #-) r)o88)"/!#io" o= #-) p$-i!#ri$# 5!$)/ o" o4r =i"/i":$ #-!# i# i$ 5)##)r =or #-) Co4r# #o !""4l sic #-) 8!rri!:)

A ;)$, ;o4r &o"or.

H T-)r) i$ "o -op) =or #-) 8!rri!:)

A T-)r) i$ "o -op), #-) 8!" i$ !l$o li<i": >i#- !"o#-)r >o8!".

H I$ i# !l$o #-) $#!"/ o= #-) p$-i!#ri$# #-!# #-) p!r#i)$ !r)p$-olo:i!ll 4"=i# =or )!- o#-)r 54# #-) !r) p$-olo:i!ll =i#>i#- o#-)r p!r#i)$

A ;)$, ;o4r &o"or.

H N)i#-)r !r) #-) p$-olo:i!ll 4"=i# =or #-)ir pro=)$$io"$

A ;)$, ;o4r &o"or.

T-) Co4r# -!$ "o 8or) 4)$#io"$.

I" #-) !$) o= R)"!l/o, #-)r) i$ "o $-o>i": #-!# -i$ !ll):)/ p)r$o"!li# #r!i#$ >)r) o"$#i#4#i<) o= p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i# )Bi$#i": !# #-) #i8) o= 8!rri!:) )l)5r!#io". %-il) $o8) )==or# >!$ 8!/)#o pro<) #-!# #-)r) >!$ ! =!il4r) #o =4l=ill pr)*"4p#i!l i8pr)$$io"$ o= ?#-o4:-#=4l")$$ !"/:)"#l)")$$? o" R)"!l/o@$ p!r# o= 5)i": ?o"$)r<!#i<), -o8)l !"/ i"#)lli:)"#? o" #-) p!r# o= Rori/)l, $4- =!il4r) o= )Bp)#!#io" i$ "or i"/i!#i<) o= !"#))/)"# p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i#. I= !# !ll,i# 8)r)l $-o>$ lo<)@$ #)8por!r 5li"/")$$ #o #-) =!4l#$ !"/ 5l)8i$-)$ o= #-) 5)lo<)/.

(4ri": i#$ /)li5)r!#io"$, #-) Co4r# /)i/)/ #o :o 5)o"/ 8)r)l r4li": o" #-) =!#$ o= #-i$ !$) vis! a!vis)Bi$#i": l!> !"/ 4ri$pr4/)"). I" <i)> o= #-) "o<)l# o= Ar#. 36 o= #-) '!8il Co/) !"/ #-)/i==i4l# )Bp)ri)")/ 5 8!" #ri!l o4r#$ i"#)rpr)#i": !"/ !ppli": i#, #-) Co4r# /)i/)/ #o i"<i#)#>o a"ici curia), "!8)l, #-) Mo$# R)<)r)"/ O$!r V. Cr4, 9 #icar Judicial $residing Judge o= #-)N!#io"!l App)ll!#) M!#ri8o"i!l Tri54"!l o= #-) C!#-oli C-4r- i" #-) P-ilippi")$, !"/ 4$#i) Ri!r/o C.P4"o, 10 ! 8)85)r o= #-) '!8il Co/) R)<i$io" Co88i##)). T-) Co4r# #!F)$ #-i$ o!$io" #o #-!"F#-)$) =ri)"/$ o= #-) Co4r# =or #-)ir i"=or8!#i<) !"/ i"#)r)$#i": /i$4$$io"$ /4ri": #-) or!l !r:48)"# o"())85)r 3, 1996, >-i- #-) =ollo>)/ 4p >i#- >ri##)" 8)8or!"/!.

'ro8 #-)ir $458i$$io"$ !"/ #-) Co4r#@$ o>" /)li5)r!#io"$, #-) =ollo>i": :4i/)li")$ i" #-)i"#)rpr)#!#io" !"/ !ppli!#io" o= Ar#. 36 o= #-) '!8il Co/) !r) -)r)5 -!"/)/ /o>" =or #-):4i/!") o= #-) 5)"- !"/ #-) 5!r

1 T-) 54r/)" o= proo= #o $-o> #-) "4lli# o= #-) 8!rri!:) 5)lo":$ #o #-) pl!i"#i==. A" /o45#$-o4l/ 5) r)$ol<)/ i" =!<or o= #-) )Bi$#)") !"/ o"#i"4!#io" o= #-) 8!rri!:) !"/ !:!i"$# i#$/i$$ol4#io" !"/ "4lli#. T-i$ i$ roo#)/ i" #-) =!# #-!# 5o#- o4r Co"$#i#4#io" !"/ o4r l!>$ -)ri$- #-)<!li/i# o= 8!rri!:) !"/ 4"i# o= #-) =!8il. T-4$, o4r Co"$#i#4#io" /)<o#)$ !" )"#ir) Ar#il) o" #-)



'!8il, 11 r)o:"ii": i# ?!$ #-) =o4"/!#io" o= #-) "!#io".? I# /)r))$ 8!rri!:) !$ l):!ll ?i"<iol!5l),?#-)r)5 pro#)#i": i# =ro8 /i$$ol4#io" !# #-) >-i8 o= #-) p!r#i)$. o#- #-) =!8il !"/ 8!rri!:) !r) #o 5)?pro#)#)/? 5 #-) $#!#).

T-) '!8il Co/) 12 )-o)$ #-i$ o"$#i#4#io"!l )/i# o" 8!rri!:) !"/ #-) =!8il !"/ )8p-!$i)$#-) per"anence, inviolabilit% !"/ solidarit%

2 T-) roo# !4$) o= #-) p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i# 84$# 5) ! 8)/i!ll or li"i!ll i/)"#i=i)/, 5!ll):)/ i" #-) o8pl!i"#, $4==ii)"#l pro<)" 5 )Bp)r#$ !"/ / l)!rl )Bpl!i")/ i" #-) /)i$io".Ar#il) 36 o= #-) '!8il Co/) r)4ir)$ #-!# #-) i"!p!i# 84$# 5) p$-olo:i!l "o# p-$i!l.!l#-o4:- i#$ 8!"i=)$#!#io"$ !"/Jor $8p#o8$ 8! 5) p-$i!l. T-) )<i/)") 84$# o"<i") #-)o4r# #-!# #-) p!r#i)$, or o") o= #-)8, >!$ 8)"#!ll or p-$i!ll ill #o $4- !" )B#)"# #-!# #-)p)r$o" o4l/ "o# -!<) F"o>" #-) o5li:!#io"$ -) >!$ !$$48i":, or F"o>i": #-)8, o4l/ "o# -!<):i<)" <!li/ !$$48p#io" #-)r)o=. Al#-o4:- "o )B!8pl) o= $4- i"!p!i# "))/ 5) :i<)" -)r) $o !$"o# #o li8i# #-) !ppli!#io" o= #-) pro<i$io" 4"/)r #-) pri"ipl) o= e&usde" generis, 13 ")<)r#-)l)$$$4- roo# !4$) 84$# 5) i/)"#i=i)/ !$ ! p$-olo:i!l ill")$$ !"/ i#$ i"!p!i#!#i": "!#4r) )Bpl!i")/.EBp)r# )<i/)") 8! 5) :i<)" 4!li=i)/ p$-i!#ri$# !"/ li"i!l p$-olo:i$#$.

3 T-) i"!p!i# 84$# 5) pro<)" #o 5) )Bi$#i": !# ?#-) #i8) o= #-) )l)5r!#io"? o= #-) 8!rri!:).T-) )<i/)") 84$# $-o> #-!# #-) ill")$$ >!$ )Bi$#i": >-)" #-) p!r#i)$ )B-!":)/ #-)ir ?I /o@$.?T-) 8!"i=)$#!#io" o= #-) ill")$$ "))/ "o# 5) p)r)i<!5l) !# $4- #i8), 54# #-) ill")$$ i#$)l= 84$#-!<) !##!-)/ !# $4- 8o8)"#, or prior #-)r)#o.

S4- i"!p!i# 84$# !l$o 5) $-o>" #o 5) 8)/i!ll or li"i!ll p)r8!")"# or incurable. S4-i"4r!5ili# 8! 5) !5$ol4#) or )<)" r)l!#i<) o"l i" r):!r/ #o #-) o#-)r $po4$), "o# "))$$!ril!5$ol4#)l !:!i"$# )<)ro") o= #-) $!8) $)B. '4r#-)r8or), $4- i"!p!i# 84$# 5) r)l)<!"# #o #-)!$$48p#io" o= 8!rri!:) o5li:!#io"$, "o# "))$$!ril #o #-o$) "o# r)l!#)/ #o 8!rri!:), liF) #-))B)ri$) o= ! pro=)$$io" or )8plo8)"# i" ! o5. &)"), ! p)/i!#rii!" 8! 5) )==)#i<) i"/i!:"o$i": ill")$$)$ o= -il/r)" !"/ pr)$ri5i": 8)/ii") #o 4r) #-)8 54# 8! "o# 5)p$-olo:i!ll !p!i#!#)/ #o pror)!#), 5)!r !"/ r!i$) -i$J-)r o>" -il/r)" !$ !" )$$)"#i!lo5li:!#io" o= 8!rri!:).

+ S4- ill")$$ 84$# 5) grave )"o4:- #o 5ri": !5o4# #-) /i$!5ili# o= #-) p!r# #o !$$48) #-))$$)"#i!l o5li:!#io"$ o= 8!rri!:). T-4$, ?8il/ -!r!#)riolo:i!l p)4li!ri#i)$, 8oo/ -!":)$,o!$io"!l )8o#io"!l o4#54r$#$? !""o# 5) !)p#)/ !$ root !4$)$. T-) ill")$$ 84$# 5) $-o>" !$

/o>"ri:-# i"!p!i# or i"!5ili#, "or ! r)=4$!l, "):l)# or /i==i4l#, 84- l)$$ ill >ill. I" o#-)r >or/$, #-)r) i$ ! "!#!l or $4p)r<)"i": /i$!5li": =!#or i" #-) p)r$o", !" !/<)r$) i"#):r!l )l)8)"# i"#-) p)r$o"!li# $#r4#4r) #-!# )==)#i<)l i"!p!i#!#)$ #-) p)r$o" =ro8 r)!ll !)p#i": !"/ #-)r)5o8pli": >i#- #-) o5li:!#io"$ )$$)"#i!l #o 8!rri!:).

6 T-) )$$)"#i!l 8!ri#!l o5li:!#io"$ 84$# 5) #-o$) )85r!)/ 5 Ar#il)$ 6 4p #o 71 o= #-) '!8ilCo/) !$ r):!r/$ #-) -4$5!"/ !"/ >i=) !$ >)ll !$ Ar#il)$ 220, 221 !"/ 22+ o= #-) $!8) Co/) i"r):!r/ #o p!r)"#$ !"/ #-)ir -il/r)". S4- "o"*o8pli)/ 8!ri#!l o5li:!#io"$ 84$# !l$o 5) $#!#)/ i"#-) p)#i#io", pro<)" 5 )<i/)") !"/ i"l4/)/ i" #-) #)B# o= #-) /)i$io".

7 I"#)rpr)#!#io"$ :i<)" 5 #-) N!#io"!l App)ll!#) M!#ri8o"i!l Tri54"!l o= #-) C!#-oli C-4r- i"#-) P-ilippi")$, >-il) "o# o"#rolli": or /)i$i<), $-o4l/ 5) :i<)" :r)!# r)$p)# 5 o4r o4r#$. I# i$l)!r #-!# Ar#il) 36 >!$ #!F)" 5 #-) '!8il Co/) R)<i$io" Co88i##)) =ro8 C!"o" 109+ o= #-) N)>Co/) o= C!"o" L!>, >-i- 5)!8) )==)#i<) i" 193 !"/ >-i- pro<i/)$

T-) =ollo>i": !r) i"!p!5l) o= o"#r!#i": 8!rri!:) T-o$) >-o !r) 4"!5l) #o!$$48) #-) )$$)"#i!l o5li:!#io"$ o= 8!rri!:) /4) #o !4$)$ o= p$-olo:i!l"!#4r). 1

Si") #-) p4rpo$) o= i"l4/i": $4- pro<i$io" i" o4r '!8il Co/) i$ #o -!r8o"i) o4r i<il l!>$>i#- #-) r)li:io4$ =!i#- o= o4r p)opl), i# $#!"/$ #o r)!$o" #-!# #o !-i)<) $4- -!r8o"i!#io", :r)!#p)r$4!$i<) >)i:-# $-o4l/ 5) :i<)" #o /)i$io" o= $4- !pp)ll!#) #ri54"!l. I/)!ll $45)# #o o4r l!> o" )<i/)") >-!# i$ /)r))/ !$ !"o"i!ll i"<!li/ $-o4l/ !l$o 5) /)r))/ i<ill <oi/.

T-i$ i$ o") i"$#!") >-)r), i" <i)> o= #-) )<i/)"# $o4r) !"/ p4rpo$) o= #-) '!8il Co/)pro<i$io", o"#)8por!")o4$ r)li:io4$ i"#)rpr)#!#io" i$ #o 5) :i<)" p)r$4!$i<) )==)#. &)r), #-)



S#!#) !"/ #-) C-4r- >-il) r)8!i"i": i"/)p)"/)"#, $)p!r!#) !"/ !p!r# =ro8 )!- o#-)r $-!ll>!lF #o:)#-)r i" $"o/!l !/)") #o>!r/$ #-) $!8) :o!l o= pro#)#i": !"/ -)ri$-i": 8!rri!:) !"/#-) =!8il !$ #-) i"<iol!5l) 5!$) o= #-) "!#io".

T-) #ri!l o4r# 84$# or/)r #-) pro$)4#i": !##or") or =i$!l !"/ #-) Solii#or G)")r!l #o !pp)!r !$ o4"$)l =or #-) $#!#). No /)i$io" $-!ll -) -!"/)/ /o>" 4"l)$$ #-) Solii#or G)")r!l i$$4)$ !)r#i=i!#io", >-i- >ill 5) 4o#)/ i" #-) /)i$io", 5ri)=l $#!ri": #-)r)i" -i$ r)!$o"$ =or -i$!:r))8)"# or oppo$i#io", !$ #-) !$) 8! 5), #o #-) p)#i#io". T-) Solii#or G)")r!l, !lo": >i#- #-)

pro$)4#i": !##or"), $-!ll $458i# #o #-) o4r# $4- )r#i=i!#io" >i#-i" =i=#))" 1+ /!$ =ro8 #-)/!#) #-) !$) i$ /))8)/ $458i##)/ =or r)$ol4#io" o= #-) o4r#. T-) Solii#or G)")r!l $-!ll /i$-!r:)#-) )4i<!l)"# =4"#io" o= #-) defensor vinculi o"#)8pl!#)/ 4"/)r C!"o" 109+.

I" #-) i"$#!"# !$) !"/ !ppli": eouel Santos, >) -!<) !lr)!/ r4l)/ #o :r!"# #-) p)#i#io". S4-r4li": 5)o8)$ )<)" 8or) o:)"# >i#- #-) 4$) o= #-) =or):oi": :4i/)li")$.

%&ERE'ORE, #-) p)#i#io" i$ GRANTE(. T-) !$$!il)/ ()i$io" i$ REVERSE( !"/ SET ASI(E. T-)8!rri!:) o= Rori/)l Ol!<i!"o #o R)"!l/o Moli"! $45$i$#$ !"/ r)8!i"$ <!li/.

SO OR(ERE(.

arvasa, C.J., (avide, Jr., )ellosillo, *elo, $uno Francisco, +er"osisi"a, Jr., and Torres, Jr., JJ.,concur.

Regalado, apunan and *endo-a, JJ., concurs in the result.

S)p!r!#) Opi"io"$

PA(ILLA, J., o"4ri": opi"io"

I o"4r i" #-) r)$4l# o= #-) /)i$io" p)"")/ 5 Mr. 4$#i) P!":!"i5!" 54# o"l 5)!4$) o= #-)p)4li!r =!#$ o= #-) !$). A$ #o >-)#-)r or "o# #-) p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i# )Bi$#$ i" ! :i<)" !$)!lli": =or !""4l8)"# o= ! 8!rri!:), /)p)"/$ r4i!ll, 8or) #-!" i" !" =i)l/ o= #-) l!>, o" #-)=!#$ o= #-) !$). I" eouel Santos v .Court of Appeals !"/ Julia Rosario!)edia Santos, G.R. No.112019, !"4!r 199+, 20 SCRA 20*36, I 8!i"#!i")/, !"/ I $#ill 8!i"#!i", #-!# #-)r) >!$p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i# o" #-) p!r# o= #-) >i=) #o /i$-!r:) #-) /4#i)$ o= ! >i=) i" ! <!li/ 8!rri!:).T-) =!#$ o= #-) pr)$)"# !$), !=#)r !" i"/)p#- $#4/, /o "o# $4ppor# ! $i8il!r o"l4$io".O5<io4$l, )!- !$) 84$# 5) 4/:)/, "o# o" #-) 5!$i$ o= a priori !$$48p#io"$, pr)/il)#io"$ or :)")r!li!#io"$ 54# !or/i": #o i#$ o>" =!#$. I" #-) =i)l/ o= p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i# !$ ! :ro4"/=or !""4l8)"# o= 8!rri!:), i# i$ #ri#) #o $! #-!# "o !$) i$ o" ?!ll =o4r$? >i#- !"o#-)r !$). T-) #ri!l

4/:) 84$# #!F) p!i"$ i" )B!8i"i": #-) !#4!l 8illi)4 !"/ #-) !pp)ll!#) o4r# 84$#, !$ 84- !$po$$i5l), !<oi/ $45$#i#4#i": i#$ o>" 4/:8)"# =or #-!# o= #-) #ri!l o4r#.

ROMERO, J., $)p!r!#) opi"io"

T-) 8!ori# opi"io", o<)r#4r"i": #-!# o= #-) Co4r# o= App)!l$ >-i- !==ir8)/ #-) R):io"!l Tri!lCo4r# r4li":. 4p-)l/ p)#i#io")r Solii#or G)")r!l@$ po$i#io" #-!# ?oppo$i": !"/ o"=li#i":p)r$o"!li#i)$? i$ "o# )4i<!l)"# #o p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i#, =or #-) l!##)r ?i$ "o# $i8pl#-) neglect 5 #-) p!r#i)$ #o #-) 8!rri!:) o= #-)ir r)$po"$i5ili#i)$ !"/ /4#i)$, 54# ! defect i" #-)ir P$-olo:i!l "!#4r) >-i- r)"/)r$ #-)8 i"!p!5l) o= p)r=or8i": $4- 8!ri#!l r)$po"$i5ili#i)$ !"//4#i)$.

I" #-) pr)$)"# !$), #-) !ll):)/ p)r$o"!li# #r!i#$ o= R)"!l/o, #-) -4$5!"/, /i/ "o# o"$#i#4#) $o84- ?p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i#? !$ ! ?/i==i4l#,? i= "o# o4#ri:-# ?r)=4$!l? or ?"):l)#? i" #-)p)r=or8!") o= $o8) 8!ri#!l o5li:!#io"$. ?I# i$ "o# )"o4:- #o pro<) #-!# #-) p!r#i)$ =!il)/ #o 8))##-)ir r)$po"$i5ili#i)$ !"/ /4#i)$ !$ 8!rri)/ p)r$o"$D i# i$ )$$)"#i!l #-!# #-) 84$# 5) $-o>" #o



5) incapable o= /oi": $o, /4) #o $o8) p$-olo:i!l "o# p-$i!l ill")$$.?

I >o4l/ !// #-!# ")i#-)r $-o4l/ #-) i"!p!i# 5) #-) r)$4l# o= 8)"#!l ill")$$. 'or i= i# >)r) /4) #oi"$!"i# or /)=)#$ i" #-) 8)"#!l =!4l#i)$ $-or# o= i"$!"i#, #-)r) i$ ! r)$4l#!"# /)=)# o= <i) o= o"$)"#, #-4$ r)"/)ri": #-) 8!rri!:) !""4l!5l) 4"/)r Ar#. + o= #-) '!8il Co/).

T-!# #-) i"#)"# o= #-) 8)85)r$ o= #-) U.P. L!> C)"#)r@$ Ci<il Co/) R)<i$io" Co88i##)) >!$ #o)Bl4/) "ental inabilit% #o 4"/)r$#!"/ #-) )$$)"#i!l "!#4r) o= 8!rri!:) !"/ =o4$ $#ri#l o"

p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i# i$ /)8o"$#r!#)/ i" #-) >! #-) pro<i$io" i" 4)$#io" 4"/)r>)"# r)<i$io"$.A# #-) Co88i##)) 8))#i": o= 4l 26, 196, #-) /r!=# pro<i$io" r)!/

7 T-o$) 8!rri!:)$ o"#r!#)/ 5 !" p!r# >-o, !# #-) #i8) o= #-) )l)5r!#io", >!$>!"#i": i" #-) $4==ii)"# 4$) o= r)!$o" or 4/:8)"# #o 4"/)r$#!"/ #-) )$$)"#i!l"!#4r) o= 8!rri!:) or >!$ p$-olo:i!ll or 8)"#!ll i"!p!i#!#)/ #o /i$-!r:) #-))$$)"#i!l 8!ri#!l o5li:!#io"$, )<)" i= $4- l!F o= i"!p!i# i$ 8!/) 8!"i=)$# !=#)r #-) )l)5r!#io".

T-) #>i$#$ !"/ #4r"$ >-i- #-) )"$4i": /i$4$$io" #ooF =i"!ll pro/4)/ #-) =ollo>i": r)<i$)/pro<i$io" )<)" 5)=or) #-) $)$$io" >!$ o<)r

7 T-!# o"#r!#)/ 5 !" p!r# >-o, !# #-) #i8) o= #-) )l)5r!#io", >!$p$-olo:i!ll i"!p!i#!#)/ #o /i$-!r:) #-) )$$)"#i!l 8!ri#!l o5li:!#io"$, )<)" i=

$4- l!F or i"!p!i# 5)o8)$ 8!"i=)$# !=#)r #-) )l)5r!#io".

No#i)!5l, #-) i88)/i!#)l pr))/i": =or84l!#io" !5o<) -!$ /ropp)/ !" r)=)r)") #o ?>!"#i": i"#-) $4==ii)"# 4$) o= r)!$o" or 4/:8)"# #o 4"/)r$#!"/ #-) )$$)"#i!l "!#4r) or 8!rri!:)? !"/ #o?8)"#!ll i"!p!i#!#)/.? I# >!$ )Bpl!i")/ #-!# #-)$) p-r!$)$ r)=)r #o ?/)=)#$ i" #-) 8)"#!l=!4l#i)$ <i#i!#i": o"$)"#, >-i- i$ "o# #-) i/)! . . . 54# l!F o= !ppr)i!#io" o= o")@$ 8!ri#!lo5li:!#io".? T-)r) 5)i": ! /)=)# i" o"$)"#, ?i# i$ l)!r #-!# i# $-o4l/ 5) ! :ro4"/ =or <oi/!5l)8!rri!:) 5)!4$) #-)r) i$ #-) !pp)!r!") o= o"$)"# !"/ i# i$ !p!5l) o= o"<!li/!#io" =or #-)$i8pl) r)!$o" #-!# #-)r) !r) l4i/ i"#)r<!l$ !"/ #-)r) !r) $!"i# i$ 4r!5l). . . . P$-olo:i!li"!p!i# /o)$ "o# r)=)r #o 8)"#!l =!4l#i)$ !"/ -!$ "o#-i": #o /o >i#- o"$)"#D i# r)=)r$ #oo5li:!#io"$ !##)"/!"# #o8!rri!:).? 1

M o>" po$i#io" !$ ! 8)85)r o= #-) Co88i##)) #-)" >!$ #-!# p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i# i$, i" !

$)"$), i"$!"i# o= ! l)$$)r /):r)).

A$ #o #-) propo$!l o= 4$#i) C!:4io! #o 4$) #-) #)r8 ?p$-olo:i!l or 8)"#!l i8po#)"),?Ar-5i$-op O$!r Cr4 opi")/ i" -) )!rli)r ')5r4!r 9, 19 $)$$io" #-!# #-i$ #)r8 ?i$ !" i"<)"#io"o= $o8) -4r-8)" >-o !r) 8or!li$#$ 54# "o# !"o"i$#$, #-!# i$ >- i# i$ o"$i/)r)/ ! >)!Fp-r!$).? &) $!i/ #-!# #-) Co/) o= C!"o" L!> >o4l/ r!#-)r )Bpr)$$ i# !$ ?p$-olo:i!l or 8)"#!li"!p!i# #o /i$-!r:). . . .? 4$#i) Ri!r/o C. P4"o opi")/ #-!# $o8)#i8)$ ! p)r$o" 8! 5)p$-olo:i!ll i8po#)"# >i#- o") 54# "o# >i#- !"o#-)r.

O") o= #-) :4i/)li")$ )"48)r!#)/ i" #-) 8!ori# opi"io" =or #-) i"#)rpr)#!#io" !"/ !ppli!#io" o= Ar#. 36 i$ ?S4- i"!p!i# 84$# !l$o 5) $-o>" #o 5) 8)/i!ll or li"i!ll p)r8!")"# or i"4r!5l). S4- i"4r!5ili# 8! 5) !5$ol4#) or )<)" r)l!#i<) o"l i" r):!r/ #o #-) o#-)r $po4$), "o#"))$$!ril !5$ol4#)l !:!i"$# )<)ro") o= #-) $!8) $)B.?

T-) Co88i##)), #-ro4:- Pro=. Ar!)li T. !rr)r!, o"$i/)r)/ #-) i"l4$io" o= #-) p-r!$)? !"/ i$i"4r!5l)? 54# Pro=. E$#)5!" . !4#i$#! o88)"#)/ #-!# #-i$ >o4l/ :i<) ri$) #o #-) 4)$#io" o= -o> #-) >ill /)#)r8i") 4r!5ili# !"/ 4$#i) C!:4io! !:r))/ #-!# i# >o4l/ 5) 8or) pro5l)8!#i.

;)# #-) po$$i5ili# #-!# o") 8! 5) 4r)/ !=#)r #-) p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i# 5)o8)$ 8!"i=)$# !=#)r #-) 8!rri!:) >!$ "o# r4l)/ o4# 5 4$#i) P4"o !"/ 4$#i) Ali) S)8pio*(i. 4$#i) C!:4io!$4::)$#)/ #-!# #-) r)8)/ >!$ #o !llo> #-) !==li#)/ $po4$) #o r)8!rr.

'or l!ri#, #-) Co88i##)) l!$$i=i)/ #-) 5!$)$ =or /)#)r8i"i": <oi/ 8!rri!:)$, vi-

1. l!F o= o") or 8or) o= #-) )$$)"#i!l r)4i$i#)$ o= 8!rri!:) !$o"#r!#D



2. r)!$o"$ o= p45li poliD

3. $p)i!l !$)$ !"/ $p)i!l $i#4!#io"$.

T-) :ro4"/ o= p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i# >!$ $45$48)/ 4"/)r ?$p)i!l !$)$ !"/ $p)i!l$i#4!#io"$,? -)") i#$ $p)i!l #r)!#8)"# i" Ar#. 36 i" #-) '!8il Co/) !$ =i"!ll )"!#)/.

No>-)r) i" #-) Ci<il Co/) pro<i$io"$ o" M!rri!:) i$ #-)r) ! :ro4"/ =or !<oi/i": or !""4lli":8!rri!:)$ #-!# )<)" o8)$ lo$) #o 5)i": p$-olo:i!l i" "!#4r).

%-)r) o"$)"# i$ <i#i!#)/ /4) #o ir48$#!")$ )Bi$#i": !# #-) #i8) o= #-) 8!rri!:), $4- 8!rri!:)>-i- $#!"/$ <!li/ 4"#il !""4ll)/ i$ !p!5l) o= r!#i=i!#io" or o"<!li/!#io".

O" #-) o#-)r -!"/, =or r)!$o"$ o= p45li poli or l!F o= )$$)"#i!l r)4i$i#)$, $o8) 8!rri!:)$ !r)<oi/ =ro8 #-) 5):i""i":.

%i#- #-) r)<i$io" o= ooF I o= #-) Ci<il Co/), p!r#i4l!rl #-) pro<i$io"$ o" M!rri!:), #-) /r!=#)r$,"o> op)" #o =r)$- >i"/$ o= -!":) i" F))pi": >i#- #-) 8or) p)r8i$$i<) 8or)$ !"/ pr!#i)$ o= #-)#i8), #ooF ! l)!= =ro8 #-) r)l!#i<)l li5)r!l pro<i$io"$ o= C!"o" L!>.

C!"o" 109+ >-i- $#!#)$, inter alia, #-!# #-) =ollo>i": p)r$o"$ !r) i"!p!5l) o= o"#r!#i":8!rri!:) ?3. #-o$) >-o, 5)!4$) o= !4$)$ o= ! p$-olo:i!l "!#4r), !r) 4"!5l) #o !$$48) #-))$$)"#i!l o5li:!#io"$ o= 8!rri!:)? pro<i/)/ #-) 8o/)l =or >-!# i$ "o> Ar#. 36 o= #-) '!8il Co/)?A 8!rri!:) o"#r!#)/ 5 !" p!r# >-o, !# #-) #i8) o= #-) )l)5r!#io", >!$ p$-olo:i!lli"!p!i#!#)/ #o o8pl >i#- #-) )$$)"#i!l 8!ri#!l o5li:!#io"$ o= 8!rri!:), $-!ll liF)>i$) 5) <oi/)<)" i= $4- i"!p!i# 5)o8)$ 8!"i=)$# o"l !=#)r i#$ $ol)8"i!#io".

I# 5)!r$ $#r)$$i": #-!# 4"liF) i" Ci<il L!>, C!"o" L!> r)o:"i)$ o"l #>o #p)$ o= 8!rri!:)$ >i#-r)$p)# #o #-)ir <!li/i# <!li/ !"/ <oi/. Ci<il L!>, -o>)<)r, r)o:"i)$ !" i"#)r8)/i!#) $#!#), #-)<oi/!5l) or !""4ll!5l) 8!rri!:)$. %-)" #-) El)$i!$#i!l Tri54"!l ?!""4l$? ! 8!rri!:), i# !#4!ll/)l!r)$ #-) 8!rri!:) "4ll !"/ <oi/, i .e., i# ")<)r r)!ll )Bi$#)/ i" #-) =ir$# pl!), =or ! <!li/$!r!8)"#!l 8!rri!:) !" ")<)r 5) /i$$ol<)/. &)"), ! prop)rl p)r=or8)/ !"/ o"$488!#)/8!rri!:) 5)#>))" #>o li<i": Ro8!" C!#-oli$ !" o"l 5) "4lli=i)/ 5 #-) =or8!l !""4l8)"#pro)$$ >-i- )"#!il$ ! =4ll #ri54"!l pro)/4r) >i#- ! Co4r# $)l)#io" !"/ ! =or8!l -)!ri":.

S4- $o*!ll)/ -4r- ?!""4l8)"#$? !r) "o# r)o:"i)/ 5 Ci<il L!> !$ $)<)ri": #-) 8!rri!:) #i)$!$ #o !p!i#!#) #-) p!r#i)$ #o )"#)r l!>=4ll i"#o !"o#-)r 8!rri!:). T-) :ro4"/$ =or "4lli=i": i<il

8!rri!:), "o# 5)i": o":r4)"# >i#- #-o$) l!i/ /o>" 5 C!"o" L!>, #-) =or8)r 5)i": 8or) $#ri#,4i#) ! "485)r o= 8!rri)/ o4pl)$ -!<) =o4"/ #-)8$)l<)$ i" li85o =r))/ =ro8 #-) 8!rri!:)5o"/$ i" #-) ))$ o= #-) C!#-oli C-4r- 54# )# 4"!5l) #o o"#r!# ! <!li/ i<il 8!rri!:) 4"/)r $#!#) l!>$. &))/l)$$ o= i<il l!> $!"#io"$, $o8) p)r$o"$ o"#r!# ")> 8!rri!:)$ or )"#)r i"#o li<)*i" r)l!#io"$-ip$.

I# >!$ pr)i$)l #o pro<i/) ! $!#i$=!#or $ol4#io" #o $4- !"o8!lo4$ $i#4!#io"$ #-!# #-) Ci<il L!>R)<i$io" Co88i##)) /)i/)/ #o )":r!=# #-) C!"o" L!> o")p# o= p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i# i"#o #-)'!8il Co/) !"/ l!$$i=i)/ #-) $!8) !$ ! :ro4"/ =or /)l!ri": 8!rri!:)$ <oi/ ab initio or #o#!lli" )Bi$#)"# =ro8 #-) 5):i""i":.

A 5ri)= -i$#ori!l "o#) o" #-) Ol/ C!"o" L!> 1917. T-i$ Ol/ Co/), >-il) i# /i/ "o# pro<i/) /ir)#l=or p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i#, i" )==)# r)o:"i)/ #-) $!8) i"/ir)#l =ro8 ! o85i"!#io" o= #-r))ol/ !"o"$ ?C!"o" K101 r)4ir)/ p)r$o"$ #o @5) !p!5l) !or/i": #o l!>@ i" or/)r #o :i<) <!li/

o"$)"#D C!"o" K102 r)4ir)/ #-!# p)r$o"$ @5) !# l)!$# "o# i:"or!"#@ o= #-) 8!or )l)8)"#$r)4ir)/ i" 8!rri!:)D !"/ C!"o" K107 #-) =or) !"/ =)!r !#):or r)4ir)/ #-!# i"#)r"!l !"/)B#)r"!l =r))/o8 5) pr)$)"# i" or/)r =or o"$)"# #o 5) <!li/. T-i$ li") o= i"#)rpr)#!#io" pro/4)/#>o /i$#i"# 54# r)l!#)/ :ro4"/$ =or !""4l8)"#, !ll)/ @ lac of due discretion@ !"/ @lac of dueco"petence.@ L!F o= /4) /i$r)#io" 8)!"$ #-!# the person did not have the abilit% to give valid consent at the ti"e of the /edding !"/ #-)r)=or) #-) 4"io" i$ i"<!li/. L!F o= /4) o8p)#)")8)!"$ #-!# #-) p)r$o" >!$ incapable of carr%ing out the obligations of the pro"ise he or she "adeduring the /edding cere"on% .

?'!<or!5l) !""4l8)"# /)i$io"$ 5 #-) Ro8!" Ro#! i" #-) 19+0$ !"/ 1960$ i"<ol<i": se0ual disorders such as ho"ose0ualit% and n%"pho"ania laid the foundation for a broader approach to



the ind of proof necessar% for ps%chological grounds for annul"ent . T-) Ro#! -!/ r)!$o")/ =or #-) =ir$# #i8) i" $)<)r!l !$)$ #-!# #-) !p!i# #o :i<) <!li/ o"$)"# !# #-) #i8) o= 8!rri!:) >!$pro5!5l "o# pr)$)"# i" p)r$o"$ >-o -!/ /i$pl!)/ $4- pro5l)8$ $-or#l !=#)r #-) 8!rri!:). T-)"!#4r) o= #-i$ -!":) >!$ "o#-i": $-or# o= r)<ol4#io"!r. O") #-) Ro#! i#$)l= -!/ /)8o"$#r!#)/ !!4#io4$ >illi":")$$ #o 4$) #-i$ Fi"/ o= -i"/$i:-#, #-) >! >!$ p!<)/ =or >-!# !8) !=#)r 1970. (iocesan Tribunals began to accept proof of serious ps%chological proble"s that "anifested the"selves shortl% after the cere"on% as proof of an inabilit% to give valid consent at the ti"e of

the cere"on% .'4r#-)r8or), !"/ )4!ll $i:"i=i!"#, the professional opinion of a ps%chological e0pert beca"eincreasingl% i"portant in such cases. (ata about the person's entire life, both before and after thecere"on%, /ere presented to these e0perts and the% /ere ased to give professional opinionsabout a part%'s "ental at the ti"e of the /edding . T-)$) opi"io"$ >)r) r!r)l -!ll)":)/ !"/#)"/)/ #o 5) !)p#)/ !$ /)i$i<) )<i/)") o= l!F o= <!li/ o"$)"#.

T-) C-4r- #ooF p!i"$ #o poi"# o4# #-!# i#$ ")> op)"")$$ i" #-i$ !r)! /i/ "o# !8o4"# #o #-)!//i#io" o= ")> :ro4"/$ =or !""4l8)"#, 54# r!#-)r >!$ !" !o88o/!#io" 5 #-) C-4r- #o#-) advances "ade in ps%cholog% during the past decades. There /as no/ the e0pertise to providethe all!i"portant connecting lin bet/een a "arriage breado/n and pre"arital causes .

(4ri": #-) 1970$, #-) C-4r- 5ro!/)")/ i#$ >-ol) i/)! o= 8!rri!:) =ro8 #-!# o= ! l):!l o"#r!# #o#-!# o= ! o<)"!"#. T-) r)$4l# o= #-i$ >!$ #-!# it could no longer be assu"ed i" !""4l8)"#!$)$ that a person /ho could intellectuall% understand the concept of "arriage could necessaril% give valid consent to "arr% . The abilit% to both grasp and assu"e the real obligations of a "ature,lifelong co""it"ent !r) "o> o"$i/)r)/ ! "))$$!r pr)r)4i$i#) #o <!li/ 8!#ri8o"i!l o"$)"#. 2

Ro#!l /)i$io"$ o"#i"4)/ !ppli": #-) o")p# o= i"ipi)"# p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i#, ?"o# o"l #o$)B4!l !"o8!li)$ 54# #o !ll Fi"/$ o= p)r$o"!li# /i$or/)r$ #-!# i"!p!i#!#) ! $po4$) or 5o#-$po4$)$ =ro8 !$$48i": or !rri": o4# #-) )$$)"#i!l o5li:!#io"$ o= 8!rri!:). 'or 8!rri!:) . . . i$"o# 8)r)l o-!5i#!#io" or #-) ri:-# o= #-) $po4$)$ #o )!- o#-)r$@ 5o/ =or -)#)ro$)B4!l !#$, 54#i$, in its totalit%, the right to the co""unit% of the /hole of life, i .e., the right to a developing.lifelong relationship. Rotal decisions since 1234 have refined the "eaning of ps%chological or

ps%chic capacit% for "arriage !$ pr)$4ppo$i": #-) /)<)lop8)"# o= !" !/4l# p)r$o"!li#D!$ "eaning the capacit% of the spouses to give the"selves to each other and to accept the other asa distinct person5 that the spouses "ust be 'other oriented' since the obligations of "arriage are

rooted in a self!giving loveD !"/ #-!# #-) $po4$)$ "ust have the capacit% for interpersonal relationship 5)!4$) 8!rri!:) i$ 8or) #-!" 4$# ! p-$i!l r)!li# 54# i"<ol<)$ ! #r4) i"#)r#>i"i": o= p)r$o"!li#i)$. The fulfill"ent of the obligations of "arriage depends. according to Churchdecisions, on the strength of this interpersonal relationship. A $)rio4$ i"!p!i# =or i"#)rp)r$o"!l$-!ri": !"/ $4ppor# i$ -)l/ #o i8p!ir #-) r)l!#io"$-ip !"/ o"$)4)"#l, #-) !5ili# #o =4l=ill #-))$$)"#i!l 8!ri#!l o5li:!#io"$. The "arital capacit% of one spouse is not considered in isolation but in reference to the funda"ental relationship to the other spouse . 3

'r. Gr))", i" !" !r#il) i" Catholic *ind , li$#$ $iB )l)8)"#$ "))$$!r #o #-) 8!#4r) 8!ri#!lr)l!#io"$-ip

T-) o4r#$ o"$i/)r #-) =ollo>i": )l)8)"#$ r4i!l #o #-) 8!ri#!l o88i#8)"# 1 !p)r8!")"# !"/ =!i#-=4l o88i#8)"# #o #-) 8!rri!:) p!r#")rD 2 op)"")$$ #o -il/r)"

!"/ p!r#")rD 3 $#!5ili#D )8o#io"!l 8!#4ri#D + =i"!"i!l r)$po"$i5ili#D 6 !"!5ili# #o op) >i#- #-) or/i"!r $#r)$$)$ !"/ $#r!i"$ o= 8!rri!:), )#.

'r. Gr))" :o)$ o" #o $p)!F !5o4# $o8) o= #-) p$-olo:i!l o"/i#io"$ #-!# 8i:-#l)!/ #o #-) =!il4r) o= ! 8!rri!:)

A# $#!F) i$ ! #p) o= o"$#i#4#io"!l i8p!ir8)"# pr)l4/i": o"4:!l o884"io" )<)">i#- #-) 5)$# i"#)"#io"$ o= #-) p!r#i)$. A8o": #-) p$-i =!#or$ po$$i5l :i<i": ri$)#o -i$ or -)r i"!5ili# #o =4l=ill 8!ri#!l o5li:!#io"$ !r) #-) =ollo>i": 1 !"#i$oi!lp)r$o"!li# >i#- i#$ =4"/!8)"#!l l!F o= lo!l# #o p)r$o"$ or $)"$) o= 8or!l <!l4)$D2 -p)r)$#-)$i!, >-)r) #-) i"/i<i/4!l -!$ "o r)!l =r))/o8 o= $)B4!l -oi)D 3 #-)i"!/)4!#) p)r$o"!li# >-)r) p)r$o"!l r)$po"$)$ o"$i$#)"#l =!ll$-or# o=



r)!$o"!5l) )Bp)#!#io"$.

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T-) p$-olo:i!l :ro4"/$ !r) #-) 5)$# !ppro!- =or !"o") >-o /o45#$ >-)#-)r -)or $-) -!$ ! !$) =or !" !""4l8)"# o" !" o#-)r #)r8$. A $i#4!#io" #-!# /o)$ "o# =i#i"#o !" o= #-) 8or) #r!/i#io"!l !#):ori)$ o=#)" =i#$ <)r )!$il i"#o #-) p$-olo:i!l!#):or.

A$ ")> !$ #-) p$-olo:i!l :ro4"/$ !r), )Bp)r#$ !r) !lr)!/ /)#)#i": ! $-i=# i"#-)ir 4$). %-)r)!$ ori:i"!ll #-) )8p-!$i$ >!$ o" #-) p!r#i)$@ i"!5ili# #o )B)ri$)prop)r 4/:8)"# !# #-) #i8) o= #-) 8!rri!:) l!F o= /4) /i$r)#io", r))"# !$)$$))8 #o 5) o")"#r!#i": on the parties' to assu"e or carr% out their responsibilitiesan obligations as pro"ised l!F o= /4) o8p)#)"). A" !/<!"#!:) #o 4$i": #-):ro4"/ o= l!F o= /4) o8p)#)") i$ #-!# #-) !# #-) #i8) #-) 8!rri!:) >!$ )"#)r)/i"#o civil divorce and breaup of the fa"il% al"ost is of so"eone's failure out "arital responsibilities as pro"ised !# #-) #i8) #-) 8!rri!:) >!$ )"#)r)/ i"#o.

I" #-) i"$#!"# !$), ?oppo$i": !"/ o"=li#i": p)r$o"!li#i)$? o= #-) $po4$)$ >)r) "o# o"$i/)r)/)4i<!l)"# #o p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i#. A$ >)ll i" Santos v . Court of Appeals i#)/ i" #-) ponencia,#-) Co4r# -)l/ #-!# #-) =!il4r) o= #-) >i=) #o r)#4r" -o8) =ro8 #-) U.S. or #o o884"i!#) >i#- -)r -4$5!"/ =or 8or) #-)" =i<) )!r$ i$ "o# proo= o= -)r p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i# !$ #o r)"/)r #-)

8!rri!:) ! "4lli#. + T-)r)=or), Ar#. 36 i$ i"!ppli!5l) !"/ #-) 8!rri!:)$ r)8!i" <!li/ !"/ $45$i$#i":.

&o>)<)r i" #-) r))"# !$) o= Chi *ing Tsoi v . Court of Appeals, 6 #-i$ Co4r# 4p-)l/ 5o#- #-)R):io"!l Tri!l Co4r# !"/ #-) Co4r# o= App)!l$ i" /)l!ri": #-) pr)$)") o= p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i# o"#-) p!r# o= #-) -4$5!"/. S!i/ p)#i#io")r -4$5!"/, !=#)r #)" 10 8o"#-$@ $l))pi": >i#- -i$ >i=) ")<)r -!/oi#4$ >i#- -)r, ! =!# -) /i/ "o# /)" 54# -) !ll):)/ #-!# i# >!$ /4) #o #-) p-$i!l /i$or/)r o= -i$ >i=)>-i-, -o>)<)r, -) =!il)/ #o pro<). Go!/)/ 5 #-) i"/i==)r)") !"/ $#455or" r)=4$!l o= -)r -4$5!"/ #o=4l=ill ! 5!$i 8!ri#!l o5li:!#io" /)$ri5)/ !$ ?#o pror)!#) -il/r)" 5!$)/ o" #-) 4"i<)r$!l pri"ipl) #-!#pror)!#io" o= -il/r)" #-ro4:- $)B4!l oop)r!#io" i$ #-) 5!$i )"/ o= 8!rri!:),? #-) >i=) 5ro4:-# #-)!#io" i" #-) lo>)r o4r# #o /)l!r) #-) 8!rri!:) "4ll.

T-) Co4r#, 4o#i": (r. G)r!r/o V)lo$o, ! =or8)r Pr)$i/i": 4/:) o= #-) M)#ropoli#!" M!rri!:)Tri54"!l o= #-) C!#-oli Ar-/io)$) o= M!"il! r!"- I o" P$-olo:i!l i"!p!i# o"l4/)/

I= ! $po4$), !l#-o4:- p-$i!ll !p!5l) 54# $i8pl r)=4$)$ #o p)r=or8 -i$ or -)r )$$)"#i!l 8!rri!:) o5li:!#io"$, !"/ #-) r)=4$!l i$ $)"$)l)$$ !"/ o"$#!"#, C!#-oli8!rri!:) #ri54"!l$ !##ri54#) #-) !4$)$ #o p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i# #-!" #o $#455or"r)=4$!l. Senseless and protracted refusal is e6uivalent to ps%chological incapacit% .T-4$, #-) prolo":)/ r)=4$!l o= ! $po4$) #o -!<) $)B4!l i"#)ro4r$) >i#- -i$ or -)r $po4$) i$ o"$i/)r)/ ! $i:" o= p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i#.

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T-i$ Co4r#, =i"/i": #-) :r!<i# o= #-) =!il)/ r)l!#io"$-ip i" >-i- #-) p!r#i)$ =o4"/ #-)8$)l<)$#r!pp)/ i" i#$ 8ir) o= 4"=4l=ill)/ <o>$ !"/ 4"o"$488!#)/ 8!ri#!l o5li:!#io"$, !" /o "o l)$$ 54#$4$#!i" #-) $#4/i)/ 4/:8)"# o= r)$po"/)"# !pp)ll!#) o4r#.

1 o"4r >i#- #-) 8!ori# opi"io" #-!# #-) -)r)i" 8!rri!:) r)8!i"$ <!li/ !"/ $45$i$#i": !5$)"#p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i# 4"/)r Ar#. 36 o= #-) '!8il Co/) o" #-) p!r# o= )i#-)r or 5o#- o= #-)

$po4$)$.

VITUG, J., o"4rri":

I =4ll o"4r >i#- 8 )$#))8)/ @oll)!:4) Mr. 4$#i) Ar#)8io V. P!":!"i5!" i" -i$ ponencia, !"/ I=i"/ #o 5) 8o$# -)lp=4l #-) :4i/)li")$ #-!# -) pr)p!r)/ =or #-) 5)"- !"/ #-) 5!r i" #-) prop)r !ppr)i!#io" o= Ar#il) 36 o= EB)4#i<) Or/)r No. 209 ?T-) '!8il Co/) o= #-) P-ilippi")$?. T-)#)r8 ?p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i#? >!$ ")i#-)r /)=i")/ "or )B)8pli=i)/ 5 #-) '!8il Co/). T-4$

Ar#. 36. A 8!rri!:) o"#r!#)/ 5 !" p!r# >-o, !# #-) #i8) o= #-) )l)5r!#io", >!$



p$-olo:i!ll i"!p!i#!#)/ #o o8pl >i#- #-) )$$)"#i!l 8!ri#!l o5li:!#io"$ o= 8!rri!:), $-!ll liF)>i$) 5) <oi/ )<)" i= $4- i"!p!i# 5)o8)$ 8!"i=)$# o"l !=#)r i#$ $ol)8"i!#io".

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T-) Co88i##)) >o4l/ liF) #-) 4/:) #o i"#)rpr)# #-) pro<i$io" o" ! !$)*#o*!$)

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Ar#il) 36 o= #-) '!8il Co/) >!$ o")/)/l #!F)" =ro8 C!"o" 109+ o= #-) N)> Co/) o= C!"o"L!>

C!"o" 109+. T-) =ollo>i": p)r$o"$ !r) i"!p!5l) o= o"#r!#i": 8!rri!:)D #-o$)

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#-!# $-o4l/ :i<) #-!# 84- <!l4) #o C!"o" L!> 4ri$pr4/)") !$ !" !i/ #o #-) i"#)rpr)#!#io"!"/ o"$#r4#io" o= #-) $#!#4#or )"!#8)"#. 2

T-) pri"ipl)$ i" #-) prop)r !ppli!#io" o= #-) l!> #)!- 4$ #-!# #-) $)<)r!l pro<i$io"$ o= ! Co/)84$# 5) r)!/ liF) ! o":r4)"# >-ol). T-4$, i" /)#)r8i"i": #-) i8por# o= ?p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i#?4"/)r Ar#il) 36, o") 84$# !l$o r)!/ i# !lo": >i#-, albeit #o 5) #!F)" !$ /i$#i"# =ro8, #-) o#-)r :ro4"/$ )"48)r!#)/ i" #-) Co/), liF) Ar#il)$ 3+, 37, 3 !"/ 1 #-!# >o4l/ liF)>i$), 54# =or /i$#i"#r)!$o"$, r)"/)r #-) 8!rri!:) 8)r)l <oi/!5l), or Ar#il) ++ #-!# o4l/ 4$#i= ! p)#i#io" =or l):!l$)p!r!#io". C!r) 84$# 5) o5$)r<)/ $o #-!# #-)$) <!rio4$ ir48$#!")$ !r) "o# !ppli)/ $oi"/i$ri8i"!#)l !$ i= #-) l!> >)r) i"/i==)r)"# o" #-) 8!##)r.

I >o4l/ >i$- #o r)i#)r!#) #-) Co4r#@$@ $#!#)8)"# i" Santos vs. Court of AppealsD 3 vi-

T-) 4$) o= #-) p-r!$) ?p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i#? 4"/)r Ar#il) 36 o= #-) Co/) -!$"o# 5))" 8)!"# #o o8pr)-)"/ !ll $4- po$$i5l) !$)$ o= p$-o$)$ !$, liF)>i$)8)"#io")/ 5 $o8) )l)$i!$#i!l !4#-ori#i)$, )B#r)8)l lo> i"#)lli:)"), i88!#4ri#,!"/ liF) ir48$#!")$. . . Ar#il) 36 o= #-) '!8il Co/) !""o# 5) #!F)" !"/o"$#r4)/ i"/)p)"/)"#l o=, 54# 84$# $#!"/ i" o"4"#io" >i#-, )Bi$#i": pr))p#$ i"o4r l!> o" 8!rri!:). T-4$ orr)l!#)/, ?p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i#? $-o4l/ r)=)r #o "ol)$$ #-!" ! 8)"#!l "o# p-$i!l i"!p!i# #-!# !4$)$ ! p!r# #o 5) #r4l i"o:"i#i<)o= #-) 5!$i 8!ri#!l o<)"!"#$ #-!# o"o8i#!"#l 84$# 5) !$$48)/ !"/ /i$-!r:)/5 #-) p!r#i)$ #o #-) 8!rri!:) >-i-, !$ $o )Bpr)$$)/ 5 Ar#il) 6 o= #-) '!8ilCo/), i"l4/) #-)ir 84#4!l o5li:!#io"$ #o li<) #o:)#-)r, o5$)r<) lo<), r)$p)# !"/=i/)li# !"/ r)"/)r -)lp !"/ $4ppor#. T-)r) i$ -!r/l !" /o45# #-!# #-) i"#)"/8)"# o=

#-) l!> -!$ 5))" #o o"=i") #-) 8)!"i": o= ?p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i#? #o #-) 8o$#$)rio4$ !$)$ o= p)r$o"!li# /i$or/)r$ l)!rl /)8o"$#r!#i<) o= !" 4##)r i"$)"$i#i<i#or i"!5ili# o= #-) $po4$) #o -!<) $)B4!l r)l!#io"$ >i#- #-) o#-)r. T-i$ o"l4$io" i$i8plii# 4"/)r Ar#il) + o= #-) '!8il Co/) >-i- o"$i/)r$ -il/r)" o")i<)/ prior #o #-) 4/ii!l /)l!r!#io" o= "4lli# o= #-) <oi/ 8!rri!:) #o 5) ?l):i#i8!#).?

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8)r) :ro4"/$ =or l):!l $)p!r!#io" 4"/)r Ar#il) ++ o= #-) '!8il Co/). T-)$)pro<i$io"$ o= #-) Co/), -o>)<)r, /o "o# "))$$!ril pr)l4/) #-) po$$i5ili# o= #-)$)<!rio4$ ir48$#!")$ 5)i": #-)8$)l<)$, /)p)"/i": o" #-) /):r)) !"/ $)<)ri# o= #-) /i$or/)r,indicia o= p$-olo:i!li"!p!i#.

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First , #-) i"!p!i# 84$# 5) p$-olo:i!l or 8)"#!l, "o# p-$i!l, i" "!#4r)D

Second , #-) p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i# 84$# r)l!#) #o #-) i"!5ili#, "o# 8)r) r)=4$!l, #o 4"/)r$#!"/,!$$48) )"/ /i$-!r:) #-) 5!$i 8!ri#!l o5li:!#io"$ o= li<i": #o:)#-)r, o5$)r<i": lo<), r)$p)# !"/=i/)li# !"/ r)"/)ri": 84#4!l -)lp !"/ $4ppor#D

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Fourth, #-) 8)"#!l /i$or/)r 84$# 5) :r!<) or $)rio4$ !"/ i"4r!5l).

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!rr o4#, )<)" i= #r4), !" $4- i"#)"/8)"#. I# 8i:-# -!<) i"/))/ #4r")/ o4# =or #-) 5)##)r, i= i# >)r)o#-)r>i$), #-)r) o4l/ 5) :oo/ r)!$o"$ #o /o45# #-) o"$#i#4#io"!li# o= #-) 8)!$4r). T-)=4"/!8)"#!l l!> i#$)l=, "o l)$$, -!$ l!i/ /o>" i" #)r$) l!":4!:) i#$ 4")4i<o!l o88!"/ o" -o>#-) S#!#) $-o4l/ r):!r/ 8!rri!:) !"/ #-) =!8il, #-4$

S)#io" 2, Ar#il) V

S). 2. M!rri!:), !$ !" i"<iol!5l) $oi!l i"$#i#4#io", i$ #-) =o4"/!#io" o= #-) =!8il !"/$-!ll 5) pro#)#)/ 5 #-) S#!#).

S)#io" 12, Ar#il) II

S). 12. T-) S#!#) r)o:"i)$ #-) $!"#i# o= =!8il li=) !"/ $-!ll pro#)# !"/$#r)":#-)" #-) =!8il !$ ! 5!$i !4#o"o8o4$ $oi!l i"$#i#4#io" . . . .

S)#io" 1, Ar#il) VS). 1. T-) S#!#) r)o:"i)$ #-) 'ilipi"o =!8il !$ #-) =o4"/!#io" o= #-) "!#io".Aor/i":l, i# $-!ll $#r)":#-)" i#$ $oli/!ri# !"/ !#i<)l pro8o#) i#$ #o#!l/)<)lop8)"#. T-) 197 Co"$#i#4#io"

T-) !$) o= *arcelino vs. Cru- , 121 SCRA +1, 8i:-# -)r) 5) $i:"i=i!"# "o# $o 84- =or #-) $p)i=ii$$4) #-)r) r)$ol<)/ 54# =or #-) #o") i# -!$ $)#. T-) Co4r# #-)r) -!$ -)l/ #-!# o"$#i#4#io"!lpro<i$io"$ !r) #o 5) o"$i/)r)/ 8!"/!#or 4"l)$$ 5 "))$$!r i8pli!#io", ! /i==)r)"# i"#)"#io" i$8!"i=)$# $4- #-!# #o -!<) #-)8 )"=or)/ $#ri#l >o4l/ !4$) 8or) -!r8 #-!" 5 /i$r):!r/i":#-)8. I# i$ 4i#) l)!r #o 8) #-!# #-) o"$#i#4#io"!l 8!"/!#) o" 8!rri!:) !"/ #-) =!8il -!$ "o# 5))"8)!"# #o 5) $i8pl /ir)#or i" -!r!#)r, "or =or 8)r) )Bp)/i)" or o"<)"i)"), 54# o") #-!#/)8!"/$ ! 8)!"i":=4l, "o# -!l=*-)!r#)/, r)$p)#.

S)p!r!#) Opi"io"$

PA(ILLA, J., o"4ri": opi"io"

I o"4r i" #-) r)$4l# o= #-) /)i$io" p)"")/ 5 Mr. 4$#i) P!":!"i5!" 54# o"l 5)!4$) o= #-)p)4li!r =!#$ o= #-) !$). A$ #o >-)#-)r or "o# #-) p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i# )Bi$#$ i" ! :i<)" !$)!lli": =or !""4l8)"# o= ! 8!rri!:), /)p)"/$ r4i!ll, 8or) #-!" i" !" =i)l/ o= #-) l!>, o" #-)=!#$ o= #-) !$). I" eouel Santos v .Court of Appeals !"/ Julia Rosario!)edia Santos, G.R. No.112019, !"4!r 199+, 20 SCRA 20*36, I 8!i"#!i")/, !"/ I $#ill 8!i"#!i", #-!# #-)r) >!$p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i# o" #-) p!r# o= #-) >i=) #o /i$-!r:) #-) /4#i)$ o= ! >i=) i" ! <!li/ 8!rri!:).



T-) =!#$ o= #-) pr)$)"# !$), !=#)r !" i"/)p#- $#4/, /o "o# $4ppor# ! $i8il!r o"l4$io".O5<io4$l, )!- !$) 84$# 5) 4/:)/, "o# o" #-) 5!$i$ o= a priori !$$48p#io"$, pr)/il)#io"$ or :)")r!li!#io"$ 54# !or/i": #o i#$ o>" =!#$. I" #-) =i)l/ o= p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i# !$ ! :ro4"/=or !""4l8)"# o= 8!rri!:), i# i$ #ri#) #o $! #-!# "o !$) i$ o" ?!ll =o4r$? >i#- !"o#-)r !$). T-) #ri!l

4/:) 84$# #!F) p!i"$ i" )B!8i"i": #-) !#4!l 8illi)4 !"/ #-) !pp)ll!#) o4r# 84$#, !$ 84- !$po$$i5l), !<oi/ $45$#i#4#i": i#$ o>" 4/:8)"# =or #-!# o= #-) #ri!l o4r#.

ROMERO, J., $)p!r!#) opi"io"

T-) 8!ori# opi"io", o<)r#4r"i": #-!# o= #-) Co4r# o= App)!l$ >-i- !==ir8)/ #-) R):io"!l Tri!lCo4r# r4li":. 4p-)l/ p)#i#io")r Solii#or G)")r!l@$ po$i#io" #-!# ?oppo$i": !"/ o"=li#i":p)r$o"!li#i)$? i$ "o# )4i<!l)"# #o p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i#, =or #-) l!##)r ?i$ "o# $i8pl#-) neglect 5 #-) p!r#i)$ #o #-) 8!rri!:) o= #-)ir r)$po"$i5ili#i)$ !"/ /4#i)$, 54# ! defect i" #-)ir P$-olo:i!l "!#4r) >-i- r)"/)r$ #-)8 i"!p!5l) o= p)r=or8i": $4- 8!ri#!l r)$po"$i5ili#i)$ !"//4#i)$.

I" #-) pr)$)"# !$), #-) !ll):)/ p)r$o"!li# #r!i#$ o= R)"!l/o, #-) -4$5!"/, /i/ "o# o"$#i#4#) $o84- ?p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i#? !$ ! ?/i==i4l#,? i= "o# o4#ri:-# ?r)=4$!l? or ?"):l)#? i" #-)p)r=or8!") o= $o8) 8!ri#!l o5li:!#io"$. ?I# i$ "o# )"o4:- #o pro<) #-!# #-) p!r#i)$ =!il)/ #o 8))##-)ir r)$po"$i5ili#i)$ !"/ /4#i)$ !$ 8!rri)/ p)r$o"$D i# i$ )$$)"#i!l #-!# #-) 84$# 5) $-o>" #o5) incapable o= /oi": $o, /4) #o $o8) p$-olo:i!l "o# p-$i!l ill")$$.?

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T-!# #-) i"#)"# o= #-) 8)85)r$ o= #-) U.P. L!> C)"#)r@$ Ci<il Co/) R)<i$io" Co88i##)) >!$ #o)Bl4/) "ental inabilit% #o 4"/)r$#!"/ #-) )$$)"#i!l "!#4r) o= 8!rri!:) !"/ =o4$ $#ri#l o"p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i# i$ /)8o"$#r!#)/ i" #-) >! #-) pro<i$io" i" 4)$#io" 4"/)r>)"# r)<i$io"$.

A# #-) Co88i##)) 8))#i": o= 4l 26, 196, #-) /r!=# pro<i$io" r)!/

7 T-o$) 8!rri!:)$ o"#r!#)/ 5 !" p!r# >-o, !# #-) #i8) o= #-) )l)5r!#io", >!$>!"#i": i" #-) $4==ii)"# 4$) o= r)!$o" or 4/:8)"# #o 4"/)r$#!"/ #-) )$$)"#i!l"!#4r) o= 8!rri!:) or >!$ p$-olo:i!ll or 8)"#!ll i"!p!i#!#)/ #o /i$-!r:) #-))$$)"#i!l 8!ri#!l o5li:!#io"$, )<)" i= $4- l!F o= i"!p!i# i$ 8!/) 8!"i=)$# !=#)r

#-) )l)5r!#io".T-) #>i$#$ !"/ #4r"$ >-i- #-) )"$4i": /i$4$$io" #ooF =i"!ll pro/4)/ #-) =ollo>i": r)<i$)/pro<i$io" )<)" 5)=or) #-) $)$$io" >!$ o<)r

7 T-!# o"#r!#)/ 5 !" p!r# >-o, !# #-) #i8) o= #-) )l)5r!#io", >!$p$-olo:i!ll i"!p!i#!#)/ #o /i$-!r:) #-) )$$)"#i!l 8!ri#!l o5li:!#io"$, )<)" i= $4- l!F or i"!p!i# 5)o8)$ 8!"i=)$# !=#)r #-) )l)5r!#io".

No#i)!5l, #-) i88)/i!#)l pr))/i": =or84l!#io" !5o<) -!$ /ropp)/ !" r)=)r)") #o ?>!"#i": i"#-) $4==ii)"# 4$) o= r)!$o" or 4/:8)"# #o 4"/)r$#!"/ #-) )$$)"#i!l "!#4r) or 8!rri!:)? !"/ #o?8)"#!ll i"!p!i#!#)/.? I# >!$ )Bpl!i")/ #-!# #-)$) p-r!$)$ r)=)r #o ?/)=)#$ i" #-) 8)"#!l=!4l#i)$ <i#i!#i": o"$)"#, >-i- i$ "o# #-) i/)! . . . 54# l!F o= !ppr)i!#io" o= o")@$ 8!ri#!lo5li:!#io".? T-)r) 5)i": ! /)=)# i" o"$)"#, ?i# i$ l)!r #-!# i# $-o4l/ 5) ! :ro4"/ =or <oi/!5l)

8!rri!:) 5)!4$) #-)r) i$ #-) !pp)!r!") o= o"$)"# !"/ i# i$ !p!5l) o= o"<!li/!#io" =or #-)$i8pl) r)!$o" #-!# #-)r) !r) l4i/ i"#)r<!l$ !"/ #-)r) !r) $!"i# i$ 4r!5l). . . . P$-olo:i!li"!p!i# /o)$ "o# r)=)r #o 8)"#!l =!4l#i)$ !"/ -!$ "o#-i": #o /o >i#- o"$)"#D i# r)=)r$ #oo5li:!#io"$ !##)"/!"# #o8!rri!:).? 1

M o>" po$i#io" !$ ! 8)85)r o= #-) Co88i##)) #-)" >!$ #-!# p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i# i$, i" !$)"$), i"$!"i# o= ! l)$$)r /):r)).

A$ #o #-) propo$!l o= 4$#i) C!:4io! #o 4$) #-) #)r8 ?p$-olo:i!l or 8)"#!l i8po#)"),?Ar-5i$-op O$!r Cr4 opi")/ i" -) )!rli)r ')5r4!r 9, 19 $)$$io" #-!# #-i$ #)r8 ?i$ !" i"<)"#io"o= $o8) -4r-8)" >-o !r) 8or!li$#$ 54# "o# !"o"i$#$, #-!# i$ >- i# i$ o"$i/)r)/ ! >)!F



p-r!$).? &) $!i/ #-!# #-) Co/) o= C!"o" L!> >o4l/ r!#-)r )Bpr)$$ i# !$ ?p$-olo:i!l or 8)"#!li"!p!i# #o /i$-!r:). . . .? 4$#i) Ri!r/o C. P4"o opi")/ #-!# $o8)#i8)$ ! p)r$o" 8! 5)p$-olo:i!ll i8po#)"# >i#- o") 54# "o# >i#- !"o#-)r.

O") o= #-) :4i/)li")$ )"48)r!#)/ i" #-) 8!ori# opi"io" =or #-) i"#)rpr)#!#io" !"/ !ppli!#io" o= Ar#. 36 i$ ?S4- i"!p!i# 84$# !l$o 5) $-o>" #o 5) 8)/i!ll or li"i!ll p)r8!")"# or i"4r!5l). S4- i"4r!5ili# 8! 5) !5$ol4#) or )<)" r)l!#i<) o"l i" r):!r/ #o #-) o#-)r $po4$), "o#"))$$!ril !5$ol4#)l !:!i"$# )<)ro") o= #-) $!8) $)B.?

T-) Co88i##)), #-ro4:- Pro=. Ar!)li T. !rr)r!, o"$i/)r)/ #-) i"l4$io" o= #-) p-r!$)? !"/ i$i"4r!5l)? 54# Pro=. E$#)5!" . !4#i$#! o88)"#)/ #-!# #-i$ >o4l/ :i<) ri$) #o #-) 4)$#io" o= -o> #-) >ill /)#)r8i") 4r!5ili# !"/ 4$#i) C!:4io! !:r))/ #-!# i# >o4l/ 5) 8or) pro5l)8!#i.

;)# #-) po$$i5ili# #-!# o") 8! 5) 4r)/ !=#)r #-) p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i# 5)o8)$ 8!"i=)$# !=#)r #-) 8!rri!:) >!$ "o# r4l)/ o4# 5 4$#i) P4"o !"/ 4$#i) Ali) S)8pio*(i. 4$#i) C!:4io!$4::)$#)/ #-!# #-) r)8)/ >!$ #o !llo> #-) !==li#)/ $po4$) #o r)8!rr.

'or l!ri#, #-) Co88i##)) l!$$i=i)/ #-) 5!$)$ =or /)#)r8i"i": <oi/ 8!rri!:)$, vi-

1. l!F o= o") or 8or) o= #-) )$$)"#i!l r)4i$i#)$ o= 8!rri!:) !$o"#r!#D

2. r)!$o"$ o= p45li poliD

3. $p)i!l !$)$ !"/ $p)i!l $i#4!#io"$.

T-) :ro4"/ o= p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i# >!$ $45$48)/ 4"/)r ?$p)i!l !$)$ !"/ $p)i!l$i#4!#io"$,? -)") i#$ $p)i!l #r)!#8)"# i" Ar#. 36 i" #-) '!8il Co/) !$ =i"!ll )"!#)/.

No>-)r) i" #-) Ci<il Co/) pro<i$io"$ o" M!rri!:) i$ #-)r) ! :ro4"/ =or !<oi/i": or !""4lli":8!rri!:)$ #-!# )<)" o8)$ lo$) #o 5)i": p$-olo:i!l i" "!#4r).

%-)r) o"$)"# i$ <i#i!#)/ /4) #o ir48$#!")$ )Bi$#i": !# #-) #i8) o= #-) 8!rri!:), $4- 8!rri!:)>-i- $#!"/$ <!li/ 4"#il !""4ll)/ i$ !p!5l) o= r!#i=i!#io" or o"<!li/!#io".

O" #-) o#-)r -!"/, =or r)!$o"$ o= p45li poli or l!F o= )$$)"#i!l r)4i$i#)$, $o8) 8!rri!:)$ !r)<oi/ =ro8 #-) 5):i""i":.

%i#- #-) r)<i$io" o= ooF I o= #-) Ci<il Co/), p!r#i4l!rl #-) pro<i$io"$ o" M!rri!:), #-) /r!=#)r$,

"o> op)" #o =r)$- >i"/$ o= -!":) i" F))pi": >i#- #-) 8or) p)r8i$$i<) 8or)$ !"/ pr!#i)$ o= #-)#i8), #ooF ! l)!= =ro8 #-) r)l!#i<)l li5)r!l pro<i$io"$ o= C!"o" L!>.

C!"o" 109+ >-i- $#!#)$, inter alia, #-!# #-) =ollo>i": p)r$o"$ !r) i"!p!5l) o= o"#r!#i":8!rri!:) ?3. #-o$) >-o, 5)!4$) o= !4$)$ o= ! p$-olo:i!l "!#4r), !r) 4"!5l) #o !$$48) #-))$$)"#i!l o5li:!#io"$ o= 8!rri!:)? pro<i/)/ #-) 8o/)l =or >-!# i$ "o> Ar#. 36 o= #-) '!8il Co/)?A 8!rri!:) o"#r!#)/ 5 !" p!r# >-o, !# #-) #i8) o= #-) )l)5r!#io", >!$ p$-olo:i!lli"!p!i#!#)/ #o o8pl >i#- #-) )$$)"#i!l 8!ri#!l o5li:!#io"$ o= 8!rri!:), $-!ll liF)>i$) 5) <oi/)<)" i= $4- i"!p!i# 5)o8)$ 8!"i=)$# o"l !=#)r i#$ $ol)8"i!#io".

I# 5)!r$ $#r)$$i": #-!# 4"liF) i" Ci<il L!>, C!"o" L!> r)o:"i)$ o"l #>o #p)$ o= 8!rri!:)$ >i#-r)$p)# #o #-)ir <!li/i# <!li/ !"/ <oi/. Ci<il L!>, -o>)<)r, r)o:"i)$ !" i"#)r8)/i!#) $#!#), #-)<oi/!5l) or !""4ll!5l) 8!rri!:)$. %-)" #-) El)$i!$#i!l Tri54"!l ?!""4l$? ! 8!rri!:), i# !#4!ll/)l!r)$ #-) 8!rri!:) "4ll !"/ <oi/, i .e., i# ")<)r r)!ll )Bi$#)/ i" #-) =ir$# pl!), =or ! <!li/

$!r!8)"#!l 8!rri!:) !" ")<)r 5) /i$$ol<)/. &)"), ! prop)rl p)r=or8)/ !"/ o"$488!#)/8!rri!:) 5)#>))" #>o li<i": Ro8!" C!#-oli$ !" o"l 5) "4lli=i)/ 5 #-) =or8!l !""4l8)"#pro)$$ >-i- )"#!il$ ! =4ll #ri54"!l pro)/4r) >i#- ! Co4r# $)l)#io" !"/ ! =or8!l -)!ri":.

S4- $o*!ll)/ -4r- ?!""4l8)"#$? !r) "o# r)o:"i)/ 5 Ci<il L!> !$ $)<)ri": #-) 8!rri!:) #i)$!$ #o !p!i#!#) #-) p!r#i)$ #o )"#)r l!>=4ll i"#o !"o#-)r 8!rri!:). T-) :ro4"/$ =or "4lli=i": i<il8!rri!:), "o# 5)i": o":r4)"# >i#- #-o$) l!i/ /o>" 5 C!"o" L!>, #-) =or8)r 5)i": 8or) $#ri#,4i#) ! "485)r o= 8!rri)/ o4pl)$ -!<) =o4"/ #-)8$)l<)$ i" li85o =r))/ =ro8 #-) 8!rri!:)5o"/$ i" #-) ))$ o= #-) C!#-oli C-4r- 54# )# 4"!5l) #o o"#r!# ! <!li/ i<il 8!rri!:) 4"/)r $#!#) l!>$. &))/l)$$ o= i<il l!> $!"#io"$, $o8) p)r$o"$ o"#r!# ")> 8!rri!:)$ or )"#)r i"#o li<)*i" r)l!#io"$-ip$.



I# >!$ pr)i$)l #o pro<i/) ! $!#i$=!#or $ol4#io" #o $4- !"o8!lo4$ $i#4!#io"$ #-!# #-) Ci<il L!>R)<i$io" Co88i##)) /)i/)/ #o )":r!=# #-) C!"o" L!> o")p# o= p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i# i"#o #-)'!8il Co/) !"/ l!$$i=i)/ #-) $!8) !$ ! :ro4"/ =or /)l!ri": 8!rri!:)$ <oi/ ab initio or #o#!lli" )Bi$#)"# =ro8 #-) 5):i""i":.

A 5ri)= -i$#ori!l "o#) o" #-) Ol/ C!"o" L!> 1917. T-i$ Ol/ Co/), >-il) i# /i/ "o# pro<i/) /ir)#l=or p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i#, i" )==)# r)o:"i)/ #-) $!8) i"/ir)#l =ro8 ! o85i"!#io" o= #-r))ol/ !"o"$ ?C!"o" K101 r)4ir)/ p)r$o"$ #o @5) !p!5l) !or/i": #o l!>@ i" or/)r #o :i<) <!li/

o"$)"#D C!"o" K102 r)4ir)/ #-!# p)r$o"$ @5) !# l)!$# "o# i:"or!"#@ o= #-) 8!or )l)8)"#$r)4ir)/ i" 8!rri!:)D !"/ C!"o" K107 #-) =or) !"/ =)!r !#):or r)4ir)/ #-!# i"#)r"!l !"/)B#)r"!l =r))/o8 5) pr)$)"# i" or/)r =or o"$)"# #o 5) <!li/. T-i$ li") o= i"#)rpr)#!#io" pro/4)/#>o /i$#i"# 54# r)l!#)/ :ro4"/$ =or !""4l8)"#, !ll)/ @ lac of due discretion@ !"/ @lac of dueco"petence.@ L!F o= /4) /i$r)#io" 8)!"$ #-!# the person did not have the abilit% to give valid consent at the ti"e of the /edding !"/ #-)r)=or) #-) 4"io" i$ i"<!li/. L!F o= /4) o8p)#)")8)!"$ #-!# #-) p)r$o" >!$ incapable of carr%ing out the obligations of the pro"ise he or she "adeduring the /edding cere"on% .

?'!<or!5l) !""4l8)"# /)i$io"$ 5 #-) Ro8!" Ro#! i" #-) 19+0$ !"/ 1960$ i"<ol<i": se0ual disorders such as ho"ose0ualit% and n%"pho"ania laid the foundation for a broader approach tothe ind of proof necessar% for ps%chological grounds for annul"ent . T-) Ro#! -!/ r)!$o")/ =or #-) =ir$# #i8) i" $)<)r!l !$)$ #-!# #-) !p!i# #o :i<) <!li/ o"$)"# !# #-) #i8) o= 8!rri!:) >!$

pro5!5l "o# pr)$)"# i" p)r$o"$ >-o -!/ /i$pl!)/ $4- pro5l)8$ $-or#l !=#)r #-) 8!rri!:). T-)"!#4r) o= #-i$ -!":) >!$ "o#-i": $-or# o= r)<ol4#io"!r. O") #-) Ro#! i#$)l= -!/ /)8o"$#r!#)/ !!4#io4$ >illi":")$$ #o 4$) #-i$ Fi"/ o= -i"/$i:-#, #-) >! >!$ p!<)/ =or >-!# !8) !=#)r 1970. (iocesan Tribunals began to accept proof of serious ps%chological proble"s that "anifested the"selves shortl% after the cere"on% as proof of an inabilit% to give valid consent at the ti"e of the cere"on% .

'4r#-)r8or), !"/ )4!ll $i:"i=i!"#, the professional opinion of a ps%chological e0pert beca"eincreasingl% i"portant in such cases. (ata about the person's entire life, both before and after thecere"on%, /ere presented to these e0perts and the% /ere ased to give professional opinionsabout a part%'s "ental at the ti"e of the /edding . T-)$) opi"io"$ >)r) r!r)l -!ll)":)/ !"/#)"/)/ #o 5) !)p#)/ !$ /)i$i<) )<i/)") o= l!F o= <!li/ o"$)"#.

T-) C-4r- #ooF p!i"$ #o poi"# o4# #-!# i#$ ")> op)"")$$ i" #-i$ !r)! /i/ "o# !8o4"# #o #-)

!//i#io" o= ")> :ro4"/$ =or !""4l8)"#, 54# r!#-)r >!$ !" !o88o/!#io" 5 #-) C-4r- #o#-) advances "ade in ps%cholog% during the past decades. There /as no/ the e0pertise to providethe all!i"portant connecting lin bet/een a "arriage breado/n and pre"arital causes .

(4ri": #-) 1970$, #-) C-4r- 5ro!/)")/ i#$ >-ol) i/)! o= 8!rri!:) =ro8 #-!# o= ! l):!l o"#r!# #o#-!# o= ! o<)"!"#. T-) r)$4l# o= #-i$ >!$ #-!# it could no longer be assu"ed i" !""4l8)"#!$)$ that a person /ho could intellectuall% understand the concept of "arriage could necessaril% give valid consent to "arr% . The abilit% to both grasp and assu"e the real obligations of a "ature,lifelong co""it"ent !r) "o> o"$i/)r)/ ! "))$$!r pr)r)4i$i#) #o <!li/ 8!#ri8o"i!l o"$)"#. 2

Ro#!l /)i$io"$ o"#i"4)/ !ppli": #-) o")p# o= i"ipi)"# p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i#, ?"o# o"l #o$)B4!l !"o8!li)$ 54# #o !ll Fi"/$ o= p)r$o"!li# /i$or/)r$ #-!# i"!p!i#!#) ! $po4$) or 5o#-$po4$)$ =ro8 !$$48i": or !rri": o4# #-) )$$)"#i!l o5li:!#io"$ o= 8!rri!:). 'or 8!rri!:) . . . i$

"o# 8)r)l o-!5i#!#io" or #-) ri:-# o= #-) $po4$)$ #o )!- o#-)r$@ 5o/ =or -)#)ro$)B4!l !#$, 54#i$, in its totalit%, the right to the co""unit% of the /hole of life, i .e., the right to a developing.lifelong relationship. Rotal decisions since 1234 have refined the "eaning of ps%chological or

ps%chic capacit% for "arriage !$ pr)$4ppo$i": #-) /)<)lop8)"# o= !" !/4l# p)r$o"!li#D!$ "eaning the capacit% of the spouses to give the"selves to each other and to accept the other asa distinct person5 that the spouses "ust be 'other oriented' since the obligations of "arriage arerooted in a self!giving loveD !"/ #-!# #-) $po4$)$ "ust have the capacit% for interpersonal relationship 5)!4$) 8!rri!:) i$ 8or) #-!" 4$# ! p-$i!l r)!li# 54# i"<ol<)$ ! #r4) i"#)r#>i"i": o= p)r$o"!li#i)$. The fulfill"ent of the obligations of "arriage depends. according to Churchdecisions, on the strength of this interpersonal relationship. A $)rio4$ i"!p!i# =or i"#)rp)r$o"!l$-!ri": !"/ $4ppor# i$ -)l/ #o i8p!ir #-) r)l!#io"$-ip !"/ o"$)4)"#l, #-) !5ili# #o =4l=ill #-)



)$$)"#i!l 8!ri#!l o5li:!#io"$. The "arital capacit% of one spouse is not considered in isolation but in reference to the funda"ental relationship to the other spouse . 3

'r. Gr))", i" !" !r#il) i" Catholic *ind , li$#$ $iB )l)8)"#$ "))$$!r #o #-) 8!#4r) 8!ri#!lr)l!#io"$-ip

T-) o4r#$ o"$i/)r #-) =ollo>i": )l)8)"#$ r4i!l #o #-) 8!ri#!l o88i#8)"# 1 !p)r8!")"# !"/ =!i#-=4l o88i#8)"# #o #-) 8!rri!:) p!r#")rD 2 op)"")$$ #o -il/r)"

!"/ p!r#")rD 3 $#!5ili#D )8o#io"!l 8!#4ri#D + =i"!"i!l r)$po"$i5ili#D 6 !"!5ili# #o op) >i#- #-) or/i"!r $#r)$$)$ !"/ $#r!i"$ o= 8!rri!:), )#.

'r. Gr))" :o)$ o" #o $p)!F !5o4# $o8) o= #-) p$-olo:i!l o"/i#io"$ #-!# 8i:-#l)!/ #o #-) =!il4r) o= ! 8!rri!:)

A# $#!F) i$ ! #p) o= o"$#i#4#io"!l i8p!ir8)"# pr)l4/i": o"4:!l o884"io" )<)">i#- #-) 5)$# i"#)"#io"$ o= #-) p!r#i)$. A8o": #-) p$-i =!#or$ po$$i5l :i<i": ri$)#o -i$ or -)r i"!5ili# #o =4l=ill 8!ri#!l o5li:!#io"$ !r) #-) =ollo>i": 1 !"#i$oi!lp)r$o"!li# >i#- i#$ =4"/!8)"#!l l!F o= lo!l# #o p)r$o"$ or $)"$) o= 8or!l <!l4)$D2 -p)r)$#-)$i!, >-)r) #-) i"/i<i/4!l -!$ "o r)!l =r))/o8 o= $)B4!l -oi)D 3 #-)i"!/)4!#) p)r$o"!li# >-)r) p)r$o"!l r)$po"$)$ o"$i$#)"#l =!ll$-or# o= r)!$o"!5l) )Bp)#!#io"$.

BBB BBB BBB

T-) p$-olo:i!l :ro4"/$ !r) #-) 5)$# !ppro!- =or !"o") >-o /o45#$ >-)#-)r -)or $-) -!$ ! !$) =or !" !""4l8)"# o" !" o#-)r #)r8$. A $i#4!#io" #-!# /o)$ "o# =i#i"#o !" o= #-) 8or) #r!/i#io"!l !#):ori)$ o=#)" =i#$ <)r )!$il i"#o #-) p$-olo:i!l!#):or.

A$ ")> !$ #-) p$-olo:i!l :ro4"/$ !r), )Bp)r#$ !r) !lr)!/ /)#)#i": ! $-i=# i"#-)ir 4$). %-)r)!$ ori:i"!ll #-) )8p-!$i$ >!$ o" #-) p!r#i)$@ i"!5ili# #o )B)ri$)prop)r 4/:8)"# !# #-) #i8) o= #-) 8!rri!:) l!F o= /4) /i$r)#io", r))"# !$)$$))8 #o 5) o")"#r!#i": on the parties' to assu"e or carr% out their responsibilitiesan obligations as pro"ised l!F o= /4) o8p)#)"). A" !/<!"#!:) #o 4$i": #-):ro4"/ o= l!F o= /4) o8p)#)") i$ #-!# #-) !# #-) #i8) #-) 8!rri!:) >!$ )"#)r)/i"#o civil divorce and breaup of the fa"il% al"ost is of so"eone's failure out "arital

responsibilities as pro"ised !# #-) #i8) #-) 8!rri!:) >!$ )"#)r)/ i"#o.

I" #-) i"$#!"# !$), ?oppo$i": !"/ o"=li#i": p)r$o"!li#i)$? o= #-) $po4$)$ >)r) "o# o"$i/)r)/)4i<!l)"# #o p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i#. A$ >)ll i" Santos v . Court of Appeals i#)/ i" #-) ponencia,#-) Co4r# -)l/ #-!# #-) =!il4r) o= #-) >i=) #o r)#4r" -o8) =ro8 #-) U.S. or #o o884"i!#) >i#- -)r -4$5!"/ =or 8or) #-)" =i<) )!r$ i$ "o# proo= o= -)r p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i# !$ #o r)"/)r #-)8!rri!:) ! "4lli#. + T-)r)=or), Ar#. 36 i$ i"!ppli!5l) !"/ #-) 8!rri!:)$ r)8!i" <!li/ !"/ $45$i$#i":.

&o>)<)r i" #-) r))"# !$) o= Chi *ing Tsoi v . Court of Appeals, 6 #-i$ Co4r# 4p-)l/ 5o#- #-)R):io"!l Tri!l Co4r# !"/ #-) Co4r# o= App)!l$ i" /)l!ri": #-) pr)$)") o= p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i# o"#-) p!r# o= #-) -4$5!"/. S!i/ p)#i#io")r -4$5!"/, !=#)r #)" 10 8o"#-$@ $l))pi": >i#- -i$ >i=) ")<)r -!/oi#4$ >i#- -)r, ! =!# -) /i/ "o# /)" 54# -) !ll):)/ #-!# i# >!$ /4) #o #-) p-$i!l /i$or/)r o= -i$ >i=)>-i-, -o>)<)r, -) =!il)/ #o pro<). Go!/)/ 5 #-) i"/i==)r)") !"/ $#455or" r)=4$!l o= -)r -4$5!"/ #o=4l=ill ! 5!$i 8!ri#!l o5li:!#io" /)$ri5)/ !$ ?#o pror)!#) -il/r)" 5!$)/ o" #-) 4"i<)r$!l pri"ipl) #-!#

pror)!#io" o= -il/r)" #-ro4:- $)B4!l oop)r!#io" i$ #-) 5!$i )"/ o= 8!rri!:),? #-) >i=) 5ro4:-# #-)!#io" i" #-) lo>)r o4r# #o /)l!r) #-) 8!rri!:) "4ll.

T-) Co4r#, 4o#i": (r. G)r!r/o V)lo$o, ! =or8)r Pr)$i/i": 4/:) o= #-) M)#ropoli#!" M!rri!:)Tri54"!l o= #-) C!#-oli Ar-/io)$) o= M!"il! r!"- I o" P$-olo:i!l i"!p!i# o"l4/)/

I= ! $po4$), !l#-o4:- p-$i!ll !p!5l) 54# $i8pl r)=4$)$ #o p)r=or8 -i$ or -)r )$$)"#i!l 8!rri!:) o5li:!#io"$, !"/ #-) r)=4$!l i$ $)"$)l)$$ !"/ o"$#!"#, C!#-oli8!rri!:) #ri54"!l$ !##ri54#) #-) !4$)$ #o p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i# #-!" #o $#455or"r)=4$!l. Senseless and protracted refusal is e6uivalent to ps%chological incapacit% .T-4$, #-) prolo":)/ r)=4$!l o= ! $po4$) #o -!<) $)B4!l i"#)ro4r$) >i#- -i$ or -)r



$po4$) i$ o"$i/)r)/ ! $i:" o= p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i#.

%) /)l!r)/

T-i$ Co4r#, =i"/i": #-) :r!<i# o= #-) =!il)/ r)l!#io"$-ip i" >-i- #-) p!r#i)$ =o4"/ #-)8$)l<)$#r!pp)/ i" i#$ 8ir) o= 4"=4l=ill)/ <o>$ !"/ 4"o"$488!#)/ 8!ri#!l o5li:!#io"$, !" /o "o l)$$ 54#$4$#!i" #-) $#4/i)/ 4/:8)"# o= r)$po"/)"# !pp)ll!#) o4r#.

1 o"4r >i#- #-) 8!ori# opi"io" #-!# #-) -)r)i" 8!rri!:) r)8!i"$ <!li/ !"/ $45$i$#i": !5$)"#

p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i# 4"/)r Ar#. 36 o= #-) '!8il Co/) o" #-) p!r# o= )i#-)r or 5o#- o= #-)$po4$)$.

VITUG, J., o"4rri":

I =4ll o"4r >i#- 8 )$#))8)/ @oll)!:4) Mr. 4$#i) Ar#)8io V. P!":!"i5!" i" -i$ ponencia, !"/ I=i"/ #o 5) 8o$# -)lp=4l #-) :4i/)li")$ #-!# -) pr)p!r)/ =or #-) 5)"- !"/ #-) 5!r i" #-) prop)r !ppr)i!#io" o= Ar#il) 36 o= EB)4#i<) Or/)r No. 209 ?T-) '!8il Co/) o= #-) P-ilippi")$?. T-)#)r8 ?p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i#? >!$ ")i#-)r /)=i")/ "or )B)8pli=i)/ 5 #-) '!8il Co/). T-4$

Ar#. 36. A 8!rri!:) o"#r!#)/ 5 !" p!r# >-o, !# #-) #i8) o= #-) )l)5r!#io", >!$p$-olo:i!ll i"!p!i#!#)/ #o o8pl >i#- #-) )$$)"#i!l 8!ri#!l o5li:!#io"$ o=

8!rri!:), $-!ll liF)>i$) 5) <oi/ )<)" i= $4- i"!p!i# 5)o8)$ 8!"i=)$# o"l !=#)r i#$ $ol)8"i!#io".

T-) R)<i$io" Co88i##)), o"$#i#4#)/ 4"/)r #-) !4$pi)$ o= #-) U.P. L!> C)"#)r, >-i-/r!=#)/ #-) Co/) )Bpl!i")/

T-) Co88i##)) >o4l/ liF) #-) 4/:) #o i"#)rpr)# #-) pro<i$io" o" ! !$)*#o*!$)5!$i$, :4i/)/ 5 )Bp)ri)"), #-) =i"/i":$ o= )Bp)r#$ !"/ r)$)!r-)r$ i" p$-olo:i!l/i$ipli")$, !"/ 5 /)i$io"$ o= -4r- #ri54"!l$ >-i-, !l#-o4:- "o# 5i"/i": o" #-)i<il o4r#$, 8! 5) :i<)" p)r$4!$i<) )==)# $i") #-) pro<i$io" >!$ #!F)" =ro8C!"o" L!>. 1

Ar#il) 36 o= #-) '!8il Co/) >!$ o")/)/l #!F)" =ro8 C!"o" 109+ o= #-) N)> Co/) o= C!"o"L!>

C!"o" 109+. T-) =ollo>i": p)r$o"$ !r) i"!p!5l) o= o"#r!#i": 8!rri!:)D #-o$)

1. >-o l!F $4==ii)"# 4$) o= r)!$o"D

2. >-o $4==)r =ro8 ! :r!<) /)=)# o= /i$r)#io" o= 4/:8)"# o")r"i": )$$)"#i!l8!#ri8o"i!l ri:-#$ !"/ /4#i)$, #o 5) :i<)" !"/ !)p#)/ 84#4!llD

3. >-o =or !4$)$ o= p$-olo:i!l "!#4r) !r) 4"!5l) #o !$$48) #-) )$$)"#i!lo5li:!#io"$ o= 8!rri!:)

#-!# $-o4l/ :i<) #-!# 84- <!l4) #o C!"o" L!> 4ri$pr4/)") !$ !" !i/ #o #-) i"#)rpr)#!#io"!"/ o"$#r4#io" o= #-) $#!#4#or )"!#8)"#. 2

T-) pri"ipl)$ i" #-) prop)r !ppli!#io" o= #-) l!> #)!- 4$ #-!# #-) $)<)r!l pro<i$io"$ o= ! Co/)

84$# 5) r)!/ liF) ! o":r4)"# >-ol). T-4$, i" /)#)r8i"i": #-) i8por# o= ?p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i#?4"/)r Ar#il) 36, o") 84$# !l$o r)!/ i# !lo": >i#-, albeit #o 5) #!F)" !$ /i$#i"# =ro8, #-) o#-)r :ro4"/$ )"48)r!#)/ i" #-) Co/), liF) Ar#il)$ 3+, 37, 3 !"/ 1 #-!# >o4l/ liF)>i$), 54# =or /i$#i"#r)!$o"$, r)"/)r #-) 8!rri!:) 8)r)l <oi/!5l), or Ar#il) ++ #-!# o4l/ 4$#i= ! p)#i#io" =or l):!l$)p!r!#io". C!r) 84$# 5) o5$)r<)/ $o #-!# #-)$) <!rio4$ ir48$#!")$ !r) "o# !ppli)/ $oi"/i$ri8i"!#)l !$ i= #-) l!> >)r) i"/i==)r)"# o" #-) 8!##)r.

I >o4l/ >i$- #o r)i#)r!#) #-) Co4r#@$@ $#!#)8)"# i" Santos vs. Court of AppealsD 3 vi-

T-) 4$) o= #-) p-r!$) ?p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i#? 4"/)r Ar#il) 36 o= #-) Co/) -!$"o# 5))" 8)!"# #o o8pr)-)"/ !ll $4- po$$i5l) !$)$ o= p$-o$)$ !$, liF)>i$)8)"#io")/ 5 $o8) )l)$i!$#i!l !4#-ori#i)$, )B#r)8)l lo> i"#)lli:)"), i88!#4ri#,



!"/ liF) ir48$#!")$. . . Ar#il) 36 o= #-) '!8il Co/) !""o# 5) #!F)" !"/o"$#r4)/ i"/)p)"/)"#l o=, 54# 84$# $#!"/ i" o"4"#io" >i#-, )Bi$#i": pr))p#$ i"o4r l!> o" 8!rri!:). T-4$ orr)l!#)/, ?p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i#? $-o4l/ r)=)r #o "ol)$$ #-!" ! 8)"#!l "o# p-$i!l i"!p!i# #-!# !4$)$ ! p!r# #o 5) #r4l i"o:"i#i<)o= #-) 5!$i 8!ri#!l o<)"!"#$ #-!# o"o8i#!"#l 84$# 5) !$$48)/ !"/ /i$-!r:)/5 #-) p!r#i)$ #o #-) 8!rri!:) >-i-, !$ $o )Bpr)$$)/ 5 Ar#il) 6 o= #-) '!8ilCo/), i"l4/) #-)ir 84#4!l o5li:!#io"$ #o li<) #o:)#-)r, o5$)r<) lo<), r)$p)# !"/

=i/)li# !"/ r)"/)r -)lp !"/ $4ppor#. T-)r) i$ -!r/l !" /o45# #-!# #-) i"#)"/8)"# o= #-) l!> -!$ 5))" #o o"=i") #-) 8)!"i": o= ?p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i#? #o #-) 8o$#$)rio4$ !$)$ o= p)r$o"!li# /i$or/)r$ l)!rl /)8o"$#r!#i<) o= !" 4##)r i"$)"$i#i<i#or i"!5ili# o= #-) $po4$) #o -!<) $)B4!l r)l!#io"$ >i#- #-) o#-)r. T-i$ o"l4$io" i$i8plii# 4"/)r Ar#il) + o= #-) '!8il Co/) >-i- o"$i/)r$ -il/r)" o")i<)/ prior #o #-) 4/ii!l /)l!r!#io" o= "4lli# o= #-) <oi/ 8!rri!:) #o 5) ?l):i#i8!#).?

T-) o#-)r =or8$ o= p$-o$)$, i= )Bi$#i": !# #-) i")p#io" o= 8!rri!:), liF) #-) $#!#) o= ! p!r# 5)i": o= 4"$o4"/ 8i"/ or o")!l8)"# o= /r4: !//i#io", -!5i#4!l!lo-oli$8, -o8o$)B4!li# or l)$5i!"i$8, 8)r)l r)"/)r$ #-) 8!rri!:) o"#r!#<oi/!5l) p4r$4!"# #o Ar#il) 6, '!8il Co/). I= /r4: !//i#io", -!5i#4!l !lo-oli$8,l)$5i!"i$8 or -o8o$)B4!li# $-o4l/ o4r o"l /4ri": #-) 8!rri!:), #-) 5)o8)8)r) :ro4"/$ =or l):!l $)p!r!#io" 4"/)r Ar#il) ++ o= #-) '!8il Co/). T-)$)pro<i$io"$ o= #-) Co/), -o>)<)r, /o "o# "))$$!ril pr)l4/) #-) po$$i5ili# o= #-)$)<!rio4$ ir48$#!")$ 5)i": #-)8$)l<)$, /)p)"/i": o" #-) /):r)) !"/ $)<)ri# o= #-) /i$or/)r,indicia o= p$-olo:i!li"!p!i#.

I" =i"), #-) #)r8 ?p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i#,? #o 5) ! :ro4"/ =or #-)" "4lli# o= 8!rri!:) 4"/)r Ar#il)36 o= #-) '!8il Co/), 84$# 5) !5l) #o p!$$ #-) =ollo>i": #)$#$D vi-

First , #-) i"!p!i# 84$# 5) p$-olo:i!l or 8)"#!l, "o# p-$i!l, i" "!#4r)D

Second , #-) p$-olo:i!l i"!p!i# 84$# r)l!#) #o #-) i"!5ili#, "o# 8)r) r)=4$!l, #o 4"/)r$#!"/,!$$48) )"/ /i$-!r:) #-) 5!$i 8!ri#!l o5li:!#io"$ o= li<i": #o:)#-)r, o5$)r<i": lo<), r)$p)# !"/=i/)li# !"/ r)"/)ri": 84#4!l -)lp !"/ $4ppor#D

Third , #-) p$-olo:i o"/i#io" 84$# )Bi$# !# #-) #i8) #-) 8!rri!:) i$ o"#r!#)/ !l#-o4:- i#$ o<)r#

8!"i=)$#!#io"$ !"/ #-) 8!rri!:) 8! o4r o"l #-)r)!=#)rD and Fourth, #-) 8)"#!l /i$or/)r 84$# 5) :r!<) or $)rio4$ !"/ i"4r!5l).

I# 8! >)ll 5) #-!# #-) '!8il Co/) R)<i$io" Co88i##)) -!$ )"<i$io")/ Ar#il) 36, !$ "o# ! =)>o5$)r<)r$ >o4l/ $4$p)#, !$ !"o#-)r =or8 o= !5$ol4#) /i<or) or, !$ $#ill o#-)r$ >o4l/ !l$o p4# i#, #o5) ! !l#)r"!#i<) #o /i<or)D -o>)<)r, #-) =!# $#ill r)8!i"$ #-!# #-) l!":4!:) o= #-) l!> -!$ =!il)/ #o!rr o4#, )<)" i= #r4), !" $4- i"#)"/8)"#. I# 8i:-# -!<) i"/))/ #4r")/ o4# =or #-) 5)##)r, i= i# >)r)o#-)r>i$), #-)r) o4l/ 5) :oo/ r)!$o"$ #o /o45# #-) o"$#i#4#io"!li# o= #-) 8)!$4r). T-)=4"/!8)"#!l l!> i#$)l=, "o l)$$, -!$ l!i/ /o>" i" #)r$) l!":4!:) i#$ 4")4i<o!l o88!"/ o" -o>#-) S#!#) $-o4l/ r):!r/ 8!rri!:) !"/ #-) =!8il, #-4$

S)#io" 2, Ar#il) V

S). 2. M!rri!:), !$ !" i"<iol!5l) $oi!l i"$#i#4#io", i$ #-) =o4"/!#io" o= #-) =!8il !"/

$-!ll 5) pro#)#)/ 5 #-) S#!#).

S)#io" 12, Ar#il) II

S). 12. T-) S#!#) r)o:"i)$ #-) $!"#i# o= =!8il li=) !"/ $-!ll pro#)# !"/$#r)":#-)" #-) =!8il !$ ! 5!$i !4#o"o8o4$ $oi!l i"$#i#4#io" . . . .

S)#io" 1, Ar#il) V

S). 1. T-) S#!#) r)o:"i)$ #-) 'ilipi"o =!8il !$ #-) =o4"/!#io" o= #-) "!#io".Aor/i":l, i# $-!ll $#r)":#-)" i#$ $oli/!ri# !"/ !#i<)l pro8o#) i#$ #o#!l/)<)lop8)"#. T-) 197 Co"$#i#4#io"



T-) !$) o= *arcelino vs. Cru- , 121 SCRA +1, 8i:-# -)r) 5) $i:"i=i!"# "o# $o 84- =or #-) $p)i=ii$$4) #-)r) r)$ol<)/ 54# =or #-) #o") i# -!$ $)#. T-) Co4r# #-)r) -!$ -)l/ #-!# o"$#i#4#io"!lpro<i$io"$ !r) #o 5) o"$i/)r)/ 8!"/!#or 4"l)$$ 5 "))$$!r i8pli!#io", ! /i==)r)"# i"#)"#io" i$8!"i=)$# $4- #-!# #o -!<) #-)8 )"=or)/ $#ri#l >o4l/ !4$) 8or) -!r8 #-!" 5 /i$r):!r/i":#-)8. I# i$ 4i#) l)!r #o 8) #-!# #-) o"$#i#4#io"!l 8!"/!#) o" 8!rri!:) !"/ #-) =!8il -!$ "o# 5))"8)!"# #o 5) $i8pl /ir)#or i" -!r!#)r, "or =or 8)r) )Bp)/i)" or o"<)"i)"), 54# o") #-!#/)8!"/$ ! 8)!"i":=4l, "o# -!l=*-)!r#)/, r)$p)#.

'oo#"o#)$

1 Rollo pp. 2+*33.

2 SiB#))"#- (i<i$io" o8po$)/ o= J ., S):4"/i"o G. C-4!, ponente !"/ -!ir8!" JJ .,S)r!=i" V.C. G4i":o"! !"/ Ri!r/o P. G!l<), o"4rri":.

3 Pr)$i/)/ 5 4/:) &)ili! S. M!ll!r)*P-illipp$.

Sol)8"i)/ 5 'r. )$4$ C. E"i"!$.

+ T-) Co4r# o= App)!l$ r)pro/4)/ i" i#$ ()i$io" ! $45$#!"#i!l por#io" o= #-) RTC()i$io" i$ =ollo>$

?To $4$#!i" -)r l!i8 #-!# r)$po"/)"# i$ p$-olo:i!ll i"!p!i#!#)/ #o o8pl>i#- -i$ 8!ri#!l o5li:!#io"$, p)#i#io")r #)$#i=i)/ #-!# -) i$ i88!#4r), irr)$po"$i5l),/)p)"/)"#, /i$r)$p)#=4l, !rro:!"#, ! -ro"i li!r, !"/ !" i"=i/)l. T-)$)-!r!#)ri$#i$ o= r)$po"/)"# !r) 5!$)/ o" p)#i#io")r@$ #)$#i8o" #-!# #-) =or8)r=!il)/ #o 5) :!i"=4ll )8plo)/ !=#)r -) >!$ r)li)<)/ =ro8 #-) o==i) o= #-)Go<)r"8)"# Corpor!#) Co4"$)l $o8)#i8) i" ')5r4!r, 196. l)!<i": p)#i#io")r !$ #-)$ol) 5r)!/>i"")r o= #-) =!8il. Al$o >-)" #-) >)r) $)p!r!#)/ i" =!#, r)$po"/)"#pr!#i!ll !5!"/o")/ 5o#- p)#i#io")r*8o#-)r !"/ $o" )B)p# /4ri": #-) =ir$# =)>8o"#-$ o= $)p!r!#io" >-)" r)$po"/)"# r):4l!rl <i$i#)/ -i$ $o" !"/ :!<) -i8 !8o"#-l !llo>!") o= P1,000.00 =or !5o4# #>o #o =o4r 8o"#-$. R)$po"/)"# i$ liF)>i$)/)p)"/)"# o" -i$ p!r)"#$ =or =i"!"i!l !i/ !"/ $4ppor# !$ -) -!$ "o $!<i":$,pr)=)rri": #o $p)"/ -i$ 8o") >i#- -i$ =ri)"/$ !"/ p))r$. A )!r !=#)r #-)ir 8!rri!:),r)$po"/)"# i"=or8)/ p)#i#io")r #-!# -) 5o4:-# ! -o4$) !"/ lo# !# ' &o8)$,P!r!!4) =or !5o4# ! 8illio" p)$o$. T-) #-)" #r!"$=)rr)/ #-)r) o"l =or #-)

p)#i#io")r #o /i$o<)r ! =)> 8o"#-$ l!#)r #-!# #-) >)r) !#4!ll r)"#i": #-) -o4$)>i#- #-) r)$po"/)"#@$ p!r)"#$ r)$po"$i5l) =or #-) p!8)"# o= #-) r)"#!l$. A$i/) =ro8#-i$. r)$po"/)"# >o4l/ !l$o li) !5o4# -i$ $!l!r !"/ !5ili#. A"/ #-!# !# pr)$)"#,r)$po"/)"# i$ li<i": >i#- -i$ 8i$#r)$$ !"/ #-)ir -il/. >-i- =!# -) /o)$ "o# /)".

I# i$ 4"=or#4"!#) #-!# #-) 8!rri!:) 5)#>))" p)#i#io")r !"/ r)$po"/)"# #4r")/ $o4r i=>) looF !# #-) 5!F:ro4"/ o= #-)ir r)l!#io"$-ip. (4ri": #-)ir oll):) /!$, >-)" #-)>)r) $#ill :oi": $#)!/, r)$po"/)"# o5$)r<)/ p)#i#io")r #o 5) o"$)r<!#i<), -o8)l,!"/ i"#)lli:)"# !4$i": -i8 #o 5)li)<) #-)" #-!# $-) >o4l/ 8!F) !" i/)!l >i=) !"/8o#-)r. LiF)>i$), p)#i#io")r =)ll i" lo<) >i#- r)$po"/)"# 5)!4$) o= -i$#-o4:-#=4l")$$ !"/ :)"#l)")$$. A=#)r ! )!r, -o>)<)r, #-) /)i/)/ #o 5r)!F #-)irr)l!#io"$-ip 5)!4$) o= $o8) /i==)r)")$ i" #-)ir p)r$o"!li#i)$. Al8o$# =i<) + )!r$l!#)r, >-il) #-) >)r) >orFi": i" M!"il!, p)#i#io")r !"/ r)$po"/)"# r)Fi"/l)/ #-)ir

lo<) !==!ir. T-) 5)!8) <)r lo$) !"/ p)#i#io")r >!$ :l!/ #o o5$)r<) ! 8or) 8!#4r)r)$po"/)"#. )li)<i": #-!# #-) F"o> )!- o#-)r 84- 5)##)r !=#)r #>o )!r$ o= :oi":$#)!/, #-) /)i/)/ #o $)##l) /o>" !"/ :)# 8!rri)/. I# >o4l/ $))8. #-)r)=or), #-!#p)#i#io")r !"/ r)$po"/)"# F")> )!- o#-)r >)ll !"/ >)r) #-)" pr)p!r)/ =or 8!rri)/li=).

(4ri": #-)ir 8!rri!:), -o>)<)r, #-) #r4) p)r$o"!li#i)$ o= #-) p!r#i)$ ropp)/*4p !"//o8i"!#)/ #-)ir li=) #o:)#-)r. U")Bp)#)/l o" 5o#- #-)ir p!r#$, p)#i#io")r !"/r)$po"/)"# =!il)/ #o r)$po"/ prop)rl #o #-) $i#4!#io". T-i$ =!il4r) r)$4l#)/ i" #-)ir=r)4)"# !r:48)"#$ !"/ =i:-#i":@$. I" =!#, )<)" >i#- #-) i"#)r<)"#io" !"/ -)lp o= #-)ir p!r)"#$ >-o !rr!":)/ =or #-)ir po$$i5l) r)o"ili!#io", #-) p!r#i)$ o4l/ "o# o8) #o



#)r8$.

I# $))8$ l)!r !# #-i$ $#!:) #-!# #-) 8!rri!:) 5)#>))" #-) p!r#i)$ 5roF)*4p 5)!4$)o= #-)ir oppo$i": !"/ o"=li#i": p)r$o"!li#i)$ sic . N)i#-)r o= #-)8 !" !)p# !"/4"/)r$#!"/ #-) >)!F")$$ o= #-) o#-)r. No o") :i<)$ i" !"/ i"$#)!/, 5l!8) )!- o#-)r =or >-!#)<)r pro5l)8 or 8i$4"/)r$#!"/i":J$ #-) )"o4"#)r. I" =i"), r)$po"/)"#!""o# 5) $ol)l r)$po"$i5l) =or #-) =!il4r) o= o#-)r sic 8!rri!:). R!#-)r, #-i$r)$4l#)/ 5)!4$) 5o#- p!r#i)$ !""o# r)l!#) #o )!- o#-)r !$ -4$5!"/ !"/ >i=) >-i-

i$ 4"i4) !"/ r)4i$i#) i" 8!rri!:).

M!rri!:) i$ ! $p)i!l o"#r!# o= p)r8!")"# 4"io" 5)#>))" ! 8!" !"/ ! >o8!" >i#-#-) 5!$i o5)#i<) o= )$#!5li$-i": ! o"4:!l !"/ =!8il li=). Ar#il) 1, '!8il Co/).T-) 4"i4) )l)8)"# o= p)r8!")" o= 4"io" $i:"i=i)$ ! o"#i"4i":, /)<)lopi":, !"/li=)lo": r)l!#io"$-ip 5)#>))" #-) p!r#i)$. To>!r/$ #-i$ )"/, #-) p!r#i)$ 84$# =4ll4"/)r$#!"/ !"/ !)p# #-) i8pli!#io"$ !"/ o"$)4)")$ o= 5)i": p)r8!")"#l4"i#)/ i" 8!rri!:). A"/ #-) 8!i"#)"!") o= #-i$ r)l!#io"$-ip /)8!"/$ =ro8 #-)p!r#i)$, !8o": o#-)r$, /)#)r8i"!#io" #o $4))/ i" #-)ir 8!rri!:) !$ >)ll !$ -)!r#=)l#4"/)r$#!"/i":, !)p#!"), oop)r!#io", !"/ $4ppor# =or )!- o#-)r. T-4$, #-)'!8il Co/) r)4ir)$ #-)8 #o li<) #o:)#-)r, #o o5$)r<) 84#4!l lo<), r)$p)# !"/=i/)li#, !"/ r)"/)r 84#4!l -)lp !"/ $4ppor#. '!il4r) #o o5$)r<) !"/ p)r=or8 #-)$)=4"/!8)"#!l rol)$ o= ! -4$5!"/ !"/ ! >i=) >ill 8o$# liF)l l)!/ #o #-) 5r)!F*4p o= #-)

8!rri!:). S4- i$ #-) 4"=or#4"!#) $i#4!#io" i" #-i$ !$). ()i$io", pp. +*D Ori:i"!lR)or/$, pp. 70*73.

6 20 SCRA 20, 3, !"4!r , 199+.

7 H4o#)/ =ro8 4$#i) Alii! S)8pio*(i, &!"/5ooF o" #-) '!8il Co/), 'ir$#E/i#io", 19.

TSN, April 6, 1991, p. +.

9 T-) N!#io"!l App)ll!#) M!#ri8o"i!l Tri54"!l r)<i)>$ !ll /)i$io"$ o= #-) 8!rri!:)#ri54"!l$ o= )!- !r-/io)$) i" #-) o4"#r. A$i/) =ro8 -)!/i": #-) App)ll!#)Tri54"!l, Mo$#. R)<. Cr4 i$ !l$o i"485)"# pr)$i/)"# o= #-) C!#-oli i$-op$@Co"=)r)") o= #-) P-ilippi")$, Ar-5i$-op o= (!:4p!"*Li":!)", !"/ -ol/$ #-)/):r))$ o= (o#or o= C!"o" L!> !"/ (o#or o= (i<i"i#. Ar-5i$-op Cr4 >!$ !l$o

S)r)#!r*G)")r!l o= #-) S)o"/ Pl)"!r Co4"il o= #-) P-ilippi")$ PCP II -)l/=ro8 !"4!r 20, 1991 #o ')5r4!r 17, 1991, >-i- i$ #-) ro4:- )4i<!l)"# o= !p!rli!8)"# or ! o"$#i#4#io"!l o"<)"#io" i" #-) P-ilippi") C-4r-, !"/ >-)r)#-) ponente, >-o >!$ ! Co4"il 8)85)r, -!/ #-) pri<il):) o= 5)i": o<)r>-)l8)/ 5-i$ F))" 8i"/ !"/ pr!)r=4l /i$)r"8)"#$.

10 4$#i) P4"o >!$ ! =or8)r 8)85)r o= #-) Co4r# o= App)!l$, r)#ir)/ Mi"i$#)r o=4$#i), !4#-or, "o#)/ i<il l!> pro=)$$or !"/ #-) l!> pr!#i#io")r.

Ar#il) V

T&E 'AMIL;

S). 1. T-) S#!#) r)o:"i)$ #-) 'ilipi"o '!8il !$ #-) =o4"/!#io" o= #-) "!#io".

Aor/i":l, i# $-!ll $#r)":#-)" i#$ $oli/!ri# !"/ !#i<)l pro8o#) i#$ #o#!l/)<)lop8)"#.

S). 2. M!rri!:), !$ !" i"<iol!5l) $oi!l i"$#i#4#io", i$ #-) =o4"/!#io" o= #-) =!8il !"/$-!ll 5) pro#)#)/ 5 #-) $#!#).

S). 3. T-) S#!#) $-!ll /)=)"/

1 T-) ri:-# o= $po4$)$ #o =o4"/ ! =!8il i" !or/!") >i#- #-)ir r)li:io4$o"")#io"$ !"/ #-) /)8!"/$ o= r)$po"$i5l) p!r)"#-oo/D

2 T-) ri:-# o= -il/r)" #o !$$i$#!"), i"l4/i": prop)r !r) !"/ "4#ri#io", !"/$p)i!l pro#)#io" =ro8 !ll =or8$ o= "):l)#, !54$), r4)l#. )Bploi#!#io", !"/ o#-)r



o"/i#io"$ pr)4/ii!l #o #-)ir /)<)lop8)"#D

3 T-) ri:-# o= #-) =!8il #o ! =!8il li<i": >!:) !"/ i"o8)D

T-) ri:-# o= =!8ili)$ or =!8il !$$oi!#io"$ #o p!r#iip!#) i" #-) pl!""i": !"/i8pl)8)"#!#io" o= polii)$ !"/ pro:r!8$ #-!# !==)# #-)8.

S). . T-) =!8il -!$ #-) /4# #o !r) =or i#$ )l/)rl 8)85)r$ 54# #-) $#!#) 8! !l$o/o $o #-ro4:- 4$# pro:r!8$ o= $oi!l $)4ri#.

Ar#. 1 M!rri!:) i$ ! $p)i!l o"#r!# o= p)r8!")"# 4"io" 5)#>))" ! 8!" !"/ ! >o8!")"#)r)/ i"#o i" !or/!") >i#- l!> =or #-) )$#!5li$-8)"# o= o"4:!l !"/ =!8il li=).I# i$ #-) =o4"/!#io" o= #-) =!8il !"/ !" i"<iol!5l) $oi!l i"$#i#4#io" >-o$) "!#4r),o"$)4)")$, !"/ i"i/)"#$ !r) :o<)r")/ 5 l!> !"/ "o# $45)# #o $#ip4l!#io",)B)p# #-!# 8!rri!:) $)##l)8)"#$ 8! =iB #-) prop)r# r)l!#io"$ /4ri": #-) 8!rri!:)>i#-i" #-) li8i#$ pro<i/)/ 5 #-i$ Co/).

13 S!li#! <$. M!:#oli$, 233 SCRA 100, 4") 13, 199.

1 T-i$ #)B# i$ #!F)" =ro8 #-) M)8or!"/48 o= Ar-5i$-op Cr4. O" #-) o#-)r -!"/,#-) #)B# 4$)/ i" S!"#o$ <. CA r)!/$

?C!"o" 109+. T-) !r) i"!p!5l) o= o"#r!#i": 8!rri!:)

BBB BBB BBB

3. %-o =or !4$)$ o= p$-olo:i!l "!#4r) !r) 4"!5l) #o !$$48) #-) )$$)"#i!lo5li:!#io"$ o= 8!rri!:).

T-) /i==)r)") i" >or/i": 5)#>))" #-i$ !"/ #-!# i" Ar-. Cr4@$ M)8or!"/48 i$ /4)#o #-) =!# #-!# #-) ori:i"!l C!"o" i$ >ri##)" i" L!#i" !"/ 5o#- <)r$io"$ !r) /i==)r)"#l*>or/)/ E":li$- #r!"$l!#io"$.

ROMERO, ., $)p!r!#) opi"io"

1 4$#i) C!:4io!@$ )Bpl!"!#io" i" #-) Mi"4#)$ o= 4l 26, 196 o= #-) Ci<il Co/)R)<i$io" Co88i##)) o= #-) U.P. L!> C)"#)r.

2 Z>!F , o$)p- P. A""4l8)"#, A S#)p*5*S#)p G4i/).

3 T-) Co/) o= C!"o" L!>, A T)B# !"/ Co88)"#!r, T-) C!"o" L!> Soi)# o=A8)ri!, P!4li$# Pr)$$, N)> ;orF, 19+.

Z>!F, ibid., p. 7.

+ G.R. No. 112019, 20 SCRA 20 199+.

6 G.R. No. 119190 1997.

VITUG, ., o"4rri":

1 Mr. 4$#i) o$4) N. )llo$illo, 4o#i": M8). 4$#i) Alii! V. S)8pio*(i, I" S!li#!<$. &o". M!:#oli$, 233 SCRA 100.

2 I" S!"#o$ <$. Co4r# App)!l$, 20 SCRA 20.

3 Supra.

A# p!:)$ 3*3+.


@N B$NC



G.R. No. 13+77 No<)85)r 1, 199

SEN. MIRIAM (E'ENSOR SANTIAGO !"/ SEN. 'RANCISCO S. TATA(, petitioners%vsSEN. TEO'ISTO T. GUINGONA, R. !"/ SEN. MARCELO . 'ERNAN, respon!ents

PANGANIAN, J.:

The principle of separation of po#ers or!ains that each of the three great branches of govern"ent hase7clusive cogni9ance of an! is supre"e in "atters falling #ithin its o#n constitutionally allocate! sphereConstitutional respect an! a beco"ing regar! for she sovereign acts% of a coeual branch prevents thisCourt fro" prying into the internal #or:ings of the Senate =here no provision of the Constitution or thela#s or even the Rules of the Senate is clearly sho#n to have been violate!% !isregar!e! or overloo:e!%grave abuse of !iscretion cannot be i"pute! to Senate officials for acts !one #ithin their co"petence an!authority This Court #ill be neither a tyrant nor a #i"pF rather% it #ill re"ain stea!fast an! ?u!icious inuphol!ing the rule an! "a?esty of the la#

&0e Case

On uly .)% )**+% Senators (iria" Defensor Santiago an! >rancisco S Tata! institute! an original petitionfor 2uo 4aanto un!er Rule EE% Section -% Rules of Court% see:ing the ouster of Senator Teofisto T

,uingona% r as "inority lea!er of the Senate an! the !eclaration of Senator Tata! as the rightful "inoritylea!er

On $ugust /% )**+% the Court% upon receipt of the Petition% reuire! the respon!ents an! the solicitor general 1to file CO((@NT thereon #ithin a non6e7ten!ible perio! of fifteen 0)-2 !ays fro" notice1 On

$ugust &-% )**+% both respon!ents an! the solicitor general sub"itte! their respective Co""ents Inco"pliance #ith a Resolution of the Court !ate! Septe"ber )% )**+% petitioners file! their Consoli!ate!Reply on Septe"ber &.% )**+ Noting sai! plea!ing% this Court gave !ue course to the petition an!!ee"e! the controversy sub"itte! for !ecision% #ithout nee! of "e"oran!a% on Septe"ber &*% )**+

In the regular course% the regional trial courts an! this Court have concurrent ?uris!iction 1 to hear an!!eci!e petitions for 2uo 4aanto 0as #ell as cetioai % prohibition an! $anda$us2% an! a basic !eference to thehierarchy of courts i"pels a filing of such petitions in the lo#er tribunals 2 Ho#ever% for special an! i"portantreasons or for e7ceptional an! co"pelling circu"stances% as in the present case% this Court has allo#e!

e7ceptions to this !octrine 3 In fact% original petitions for cetioai % prohibition% $anda$us an! 2uo4aanto assailing acts of legislative officers li:e the Senate Presi!ent an! the Spea:er of the House + havebeen recogni9e! as e7ceptions to this rule

&0e )acts

The Senate of the Philippines% #ith Sen ohn Henry R Os"eXa as presi!ing officer% convene! on uly &'%)**+ for the first regular session of the eleventh Congress $t the ti"e% in ter"s of party affiliation% theco"position of the Senate #as as follo#s; 6

)3 "e"bers 4aban ng (asang Pilipino 04$(P2

' "e"bers 4a:as6National Gnion of Christian De"ocrats6Gnite!

(usli" De"ocrats of the Philippines 04a:as6NGCD6

G(DP2

) "e"ber 4iberal Party 04P2

) "e"ber $:syon De"o:rasya

) "e"ber People<s Refor" Party 0PRP2

) "e"ber ,abay Bayan

& "e"bers In!epen!ent

——



&. total nu"ber of senators 7 0The last si7 "e"bers are all classifie! by petitioners as1in!epen!ent12

On the agen!a for the !ay #as the election of officers No"inate! by Sen Blas > Ople to the position of Senate Presi!ent #as Sen (arcelo B >ernan Sen >rancisco S Tata! #as also no"inate! to the sa"eposition by Sen (iria" Defenser Santiago By a vote of &3 to &% Senator >ernan #as !eclare! the !ulyelecte! Presi!ent of the Senate

The follo#ing #ere li:e#ise electe!; Senator Ople as presi!ent pro te"pore% an! Sen >ran:lin ( Drilon as"a?ority lea!er

Senator Tata! thereafter "anifeste! that% #ith the agree"ent of Senator Santiago% allege!ly the only other "e"ber of the "inority% he #as assu"ing the position of "inority lea!er He e7plaine! that those #ho ha!vote! for Senator >ernan co"prise! the 1"a?ority%1 #hile only those #ho ha! vote! for hi"% the losingno"inee% belonge! to the 1"inority1

During the !iscussion on #ho shoul! constitute the Senate 1"inority%1 Sen uan ( >lavier "anifeste! thatthe senators belonging to the 4a:as6NGCD6G(DP Party nu"bering seven 0'2 an!% thus% also a "inority ha! chosen Senator ,uingona as the "inority lea!er No consensus on the "atter #as arrive! at Thefollo#ing session !ay% the !ebate on the uestion continue!% #ith Senators Santiago an! Tata! !eliveringprivilege speeches On the thir! session !ay% the Senate "et in caucus% but still faile! to resolve the issue

On uly .3% )**+% the "a?ority lea!er infor"e! the bo!y chat he #as in receipt of a letter signe! by theseven 4a:as6NGCD6G(DP senators% 9 stating that they ha! electe! Senator ,uingona as the "inority lea!erBy virtue thereof% the Senate Presi!ent for"ally recogni9e! Senator ,uingona as the "inority lea!er of theSenate

The follo#ing !ay% Senators Santiago an! Tata! file! before this Court the sub?ect petition for 2uo 4aanto%alleging in the "ain that Senator ,uingona ha! been usurping% unla#fully hol!ing an! e7ercising theposition of Senate "inority lea!er% a position that% accor!ing to the"% rightfully belonge! to Senator Tata!

ssues

>ro" the parties< plea!ings% the Court for"ulate! the follo#ing issues for resolution;

) Does the Court have ?uris!iction over the petitionL

& =as there an actual violation of the ConstitutionL

. =as Respon!ent ,uingona usurping% unla#fully hol!ing an! e7ercising the position of Senate "inority lea!erL

/ Di! Respon!ent >ernan act #ith grave abuse of !iscretion in recogni9ing Respon!ent,uingona as the "inority lea!erL

&0e Cout=s Ruling

$fter a close perusal of the plea!ings 10 an! a careful !eliberation on the argu"ents% po an! con% the Courtfin!s that no constitutional or legal infir"ity or grave abuse of !iscretion atten!e! the recognition of an! theassu"ption into office by Respon!ent ,uingona as the Senate "inority lea!er

)ist ssue;

&0e Cout=s Juisdiction

Petitioners principally invo:e Avelino v. Cuenco 11 in arguing that this Court has ?uris!iction to settle the issue of #ho is the la#ful Senate

"inority lea!er They sub"it that the !efinitions of 1"a?ority1 an! 1"inority1 involve an interpretation of the Constitution% specifically Section )E 0)2% $rticle VIthereof% stating that 1tUhe Senate shall elect its Presi!ent an! the House of Representatives its Spea:er% by a "a?ority vote of all its respective (e"bers1

Respon!ents an! the solicitor general% in their separate Co""ents% conten! in co""on that the issue of #ho is the la#ful Senate "inority lea!er is an internal "atter pertaining e7clusively to the !o"ain of thelegislature% over #hich the Court cannot e7ercise ?uris!iction #ithout transgressing the principle of separation of po#ers $llege!ly% no constitutional issue is involve!% as the fun!a"ental la# !oes notprovi!e for the office of a "inority lea!er in the Senate The legislature alone has the full !iscretion toprovi!e for such office an!% in that event% to !eter"ine the proce!ure of selecting its occupant



Respon!ents also "aintain that Avelino cannot apply% because there e7ists no uestion involving aninterpretation or application of the Constitution% the la#s or even the Rules of the SenateF neither are there1peculiar circu"stances1 i"pelling the Court to assu"e ?uris!iction over the petition The solicitor generala!!s that there is not even any legislative practice to support the petitioners< theory that a senator #hovotes for the #inning Senate Presi!ent is preclu!e! fro" beco"ing the "inority lea!er

To resolve the issue of ?uris!iction% this Court carefully revie#e! an! !eliberate! on the various i"portantcases involving this very i"portant an! basic uestion% #hich it has rule! upon in the past

The early case Avelino v. Cuenco cautiously tac:le! the scope of the Court<s po#er of ?u!icial revie#F thatis% uestions involving an interpretation or application of a provision of the Constitution or the la#% inclu!ingthe rules of either house of Congress =ithin this scope falls the ?uris!iction of the Court over uestions onthe vali!ity of legislative or e7ecutive acts that are political in nature% #henever the tribunal 1fin!sconstitutionally i"pose! li"its on po#ers or functions conferre! upon political bo!ies1 12

In the afore"entione! case% the Court initially !ecline! to resolve the uestion of #ho #as the rightfulSenate Presi!ent% since it #as !ee"e! a political controversy falling e7clusively #ithin the !o"ain of theSenate Gpon a "otion for reconsi!eration% ho#ever% the Court ulti"ately assu"e! ?uris!iction 0)2 1in thelight of subseuent events #hich ?ustify its interventionF1 an! 0&2 because the resolution of the issue hinge!on the interpretation of the constitutional provision on the presence of a uoru" to hol! a session 13 an!therein elect a Senate Presi!ent

ustice >eria eluci!ate! in his Concurring Opinion; 1IU concur #ith the "a?ority that this Court has ?uris!iction over cases li:e the present so as to establish in this country the ?u!icial supre"acy% #ith theSupre"e Court as the final arbiter% to see that no one branch or agency of the govern"ent transcen!s theConstitution% not only in ?usticeable but political uestions as #ell1 1

ustice Perfecto% also concurring% sai! in part;

In!ee! there is no !enying that the situation% as obtaining in the upper cha"ber of Congress% is highly e7plosive It ha! echoe! in the House of Representatives It has alrea!yinvolve! the Presi!ent of the Philippines The situation has create! a veritable nationalcrisis% an! it is apparent that solution cannot be e7pecte! fro" any uarter other than thisSupre"e Court% upon #hich the hopes of the people for an effective settle"ent arepinne! 1+

This case raises vital constitutional uestions #hich no one can settle or !eci!e if this Courtshoul! refuse to !eci!e the" 16

The constitutional uestion of uoru" shoul! not be left unans#ere! 17

In &a1ada v. Cueno% 1 this Court en!eavore! to !efine political 2uestion $n! #e sai! that 1it refers to <thoseuestions #hich% un!er the Constitution% are to be decided by t0e people in their sovereign capacity% or in regar!to #hich "ull discetionay aut0oity has been !elegate! to the legislative or e7ecutive branch of the govern"ent<It is concerne! #ith issues !epen!ent upon the 4isdo$% not theU legality% of a particular "easure1 19

The Court rule! that the vali!ity of the selection of "e"bers of the Senate @lectoral Tribunal by thesenators #as not a political uestion The choice of these "e"bers !i! not !epen! on the Senate<s 1full!iscretionary authority%1 but #as sub?ect to "an!atory constitutional li"itations 20 Thus% the Court hel! thatnot only #as it clearly #ithin its ?uris!iction to pass upon the vali!ity of the selection procee!ings% but it #as alsoits !uty to consi!er an! !eter"ine the issue

In another lan!"ar: case% #ansang v. Gacia% 21 Chief ustice Roberto Concepcion #rote that the Court 1ha!authority to an! shoul! inuire into the e7istence of the factual bases reuire! by the Constitution for thesuspension of the privilege of the #rit of 0abeas copusU1 This ruling #as "a!e in spite of the previouspronounce"ents in %acelon v. %a6e 22 an! Montenego v. Casta1eda 23 that 1the authority to !eci!e #hether the e7igency has arisen reuiring suspension 0of the privilege 2 belongs to the Presi!ent an! his <!ecision isfinal an! conclusive< upon the courts an! upon all other persons1 But the Chief ustice cautione!; 1the functionof the Court is "erely to c0ec6 not to supplant the @7ecutive% o to ascetain $eely 40et0e 0e 0as gonebeyond the constitutional li"its of his ?uris!iction% not to e<ecise t0e po4e vested in 0i$ or to !eter"ine the#is!o" of his act1



The e"inent Chief ustice aptly e7plaine! later in Javellana v. !<ecutive Secetay ; 2

The reason #hy the issue un!er consi!eration an! other issues of si"ilar character are ?usticiable% not political% is plain an! si"ple One of the principal bases of the non6 ?usticiability of so6calle! political uestions is the principle of separation of po#ers characteristic of the presi!ential syste" of govern"ent the functions of #hich areclassifie! or !ivi!e!% by reason of their nature% into three 0.2 categories% na"ely% )2 thoseinvolving the "a:ing of la#s% #hich are allocate! to the legislative !epart"entF &2 those

concerning "ainly #ith the enforce"ent of such la#s an! of ?u!icial !ecisions applyingan!Jor interpreting the sa"e% #hich belong to the e7ecutive !epart"entF an! .2 those!ealing #ith the settle"ent of !isputes% controversies or conflicts involving rights% !uties or prerogatives that are legally !e"an!able an! enforceable% #hich are apportione! to courtsof ?ustice =ithin its o#n sphere but only 4it0in such sphere each !epart"ent issupre"e an! in!epen!ent of the others% an! each is !evoi! of authority not only toencroach upon the po#ers or fiel! of action assigne! to any of the other !epart"ents% butalso to inuire into or pass upon the a!visability or 4isdo$ of the acts perfor"e!% "easuresta:en or !ecisions "a!e by the other !epart"ents provi!e! that such acts% "easures or !ecisions are 4it0in the area allocate! thereto by the Constitution

$ccor!ingly% #hen the grant of po#er is ualifie!% con!itional or sub?ect to li"itations% theissue of #hether or not the prescribe! ualifications or con!itions have been "et% or the

li"itations respecte! is ?usticiable or non6political% the cru7 of the proble" being oneof legality o validity of the conteste! act%not its #is!o" Other#ise% sai! ualifications%con!itions or li"itations particularly those prescribe! by the Constitution #oul! be setat naught =hat is "ore% the ?u!icial inuiry into such issue an! the settle"ent thereof arethe $ain functions of the courts of ?ustice un!er the presi!ential for" of govern"enta!opte! in our )*.- Constitution% an! the syste" of chec:s an! balances% one of its basicpre!icates $s a conseuence% #e have neither the authority nor the !iscretion to !eclinepassing upon sai! issue% but are unde t0e ineluctable obligation "a!e particularly "oree7acting an! pere"ptory by our oath% as "e"bers of the highest Court of the lan!% tosupport an! !efen! the Constitution to settle it This e7plains #hy% in Mille v. Jo0nson *&y -+*% )+ S= -&&% -&.U% it #as hel! that courts have a 1 duty % rather than a po4e %1 to!eter"ine #hether another branch of the govern"ent has 1:ept4it0in constitutional li$its1

Gnli:e our previous constitutions% the )*+' Constitution is e7plicit in !efining the scope of ?u!icial po#erThe present Constitution no# fortifies the authority of the courts to !eter"ine in an appropriate action thevali!ity of the acts of the political !epart"ents It spea:s of ?u!icial prerogative in ter"s of duty % viz ;

u!icial po#er inclu!es the !uty of the courts of ?ustice to settle actual controversiesinvolving rights #hich are legally !e"an!able an! enforceable% an! to !eter"ine #hether or not there has been a grave abuse of !iscretion a"ounting to lac: or e7cess of ?uris!ictionon the part of any branch or instru"entality of the ,overn"ent 2+

This e7press !efinition has resulte! in clearer an! "ore resolute pronounce"ents of the Court 'aza v.Singson% 26Coseteng v. Mita, J. 27 an! Guingona J. v. Gonzales 2 si"ilarly resolve! issues assailing the actsof the lea!ers of both houses of Congress in apportioning a"ong political parties the seats to #hich eachcha"ber #as entitle! in the Co""ission on $ppoint"ents The Court hel! that the issue #as ?usticiable% 1even if the uestion #ere political in nature%1 since it involve! 1the legality% not the #is!o"% of the "anner of filling the

Co""ission on $ppoint"ents as prescribe! by Section )+% $rticle VI ofU the Constitution1

The sa"e uestion of ?uris!iction #as raise! in &a1ada v. Angaa% 29 #herein the petitioners sought to nullifythe Senate<s concurrence in the ratification of the =orl! Tra!e Organi9ation 0=TO2 $gree"ent The Court rule!;1=here an action of the legislative branch is seriously allege! to have infringe! the Constitution% it beco"es notonly the right but in fact the !uty of the ?u!iciary to settle the !ispute1 The Court en banc unani"ously stresse!that in ta:ing ?uris!iction over petitions uestioning% an act of the political !epart"ents of govern"ent% it #ill notrevie# the #is!o"% "erits or propriety of such action% an! #ill stri:e it !o#n only on either of t#o groun!s; 0)2unconstitutionality or illegality an! 0&2 grave abuse of !iscretion

@arlier in Co v. !lectoal &ibunal o" t0e 3ouse o" Repesentatives 30 0HR@T2% the Court refuse! to reverse a!ecision of the HR@T% in the absence of a sho#ing that sai! tribunal ha! co""itte! grave abuse of !iscretion



a"ounting to lac: of ?uris!iction The Court rule! that full authority ha! been conferre! upon the electoraltribunals of the House of Representatives an! of the Senate as sole 8udges of all contests relating to theelection% the returns% an! the ualifications of their respective "e"bers Such ?uris!iction is original an!e7clusive 31 The Court "ay inuire into a !ecision or resolution of sai! tribunals only if such 1!ecision or resolution #as ren!ere! #ithout or in e7cess of ?uris!iction% or #ith grave abuse of !iscretion1 32

Recently% the Court% in Aoyo v. 'e Venecia% 33 #as as:e! to ree7a"ine the enrolle! bill !octrine an! to loo:beyon! the certification of the Spea:er of the House of Representatives that the bill% #hich #as later enacte! as

Republic $ct +&/3% #as properly approve! by the legislative bo!y Petitioners clai"e! that certain proce!uralrules of the House ha! been breache! in the passage of the bill They averre! further that a violation of theconstitutionally "an!ate! House rules #as a violation of the Constitution itself

The Court% ho#ever% !is"isse! the petition% because the "atter co"plaine! of concerne! the internalproce!ures of the House% #ith #hich the Court ha! no concern It enucleate!; 3

It #oul!6be an un#arrante! invasion of the prerogative of a coeual !epart"ent for thisCourt either to set asi!e a legislative action as voi! because the Court thin:s the House has!isregar!e! its o#n rules of proce!ure% or to allo# those !efeate! in the political arena tosee: a re"atch in the ?u!icial foru" #hen petitioners can fin! their re"e!y in that!epart"ent itself The Court has not been investe! #ith a roving co""ission to inuire intoco"plaints% real or i"agine!% of legislative s:ull!uggery It #oul! be acting in e7cess of itspo#er an! #oul! itself be guilty of grave abuse of !iscretion #ere it to !o so In the

absence of anything to the contrary% the Court "ust assu"e that Congress or any Housethereof acte! in the goo! faith belief that its con!uct #as per"itte! by its rules% an!!eference rather than !isrespect is !ue the ?u!g"ent of that bo!y

In the instant controversy% the petitioners one of #ho" is Senator Santiago% a #ell6:no#nconstitutionalist try to he# closely to these ?urispru!ential para"eters They clai" that Section )E 0)2%

$rticle VI of the constitution% has not been observe! in the selection of the Senate "inority lea!er Theyalso invo:e the Court<s 1e7pan!e!1 ?u!icial po#er 1to !eter"ine #hether or not there has been a graveabuse of !iscretion a"ounting to lac: or e7cess of ?uris!iction1 on the part of respon!ents

Dissenting in part% (r ustice Vicente V (en!o9a sub"its that the Court has no ?uris!iction over thepetition =ell6settle! is the !octrine% ho#ever% that ?uris!iction over the sub?ect "atter of a case is!eter"ine! by the allegations of the co"plaint or petition% regar!less of #hether the plaintiff or petitioner isentitle! to the relief asserte! 3+ In light of the aforesai! allegations of petitioners% it is clear that this Court has

?uris!iction over the petition It is #ell #ithin the po#er an! ?uris!iction of the Court to inuire #hether in!ee! theSenate or its officials co""itte! a violation of the Constitution or gravely abuse! their !iscretion in the e7erciseof their functions an! prerogatives

Second ssue;

Violation o" t0e Constitution

Having assu"e! ?uris!iction over the petition% #e no# go to the ne7t crucial uestion; In recogni9ingRespon!ent ,uingona as the Senate "inority lea!er% !i! the Senate or its officials% particularly SenatePresi!ent >ernan% violate the Constitution or the la#sL

Petitioners ans#er the above uestion in the affir"ative They conten! that the constitutional provisionreuiring the election of the Senate Presi!ent 1by "a?ority vote of all "e"bers1 carries #ith it a ?u!icial !uty

to !eter"ine the concepts of 1"a?ority1 an! 1"inority%1 as #ell as #ho "ay elect a "inority lea!er Theyargue that 1"a?ority1 in the aforeuote! constitutional provision refers to that group of senators #ho 0)2vote! for the #inning Senate Presi!ent an! 0&2 accepte! co""ittee chair"anships $ccor!ingly% those #hovote! for the losing no"inee an! accepte! no such chair"anships co"prise the "inority% to #ho" the rightto !eter"ine the "inority lea!er belongs $s a result% petitioners assert% Respon!ent ,uingona cannot bethe legiti"ate "inority lea!er% since he vote! for Respon!ent >ernan as Senate Presi!ent >urther"ore%the "e"bers of the 4a:as6NGCD6G(DP cannot choose the "inority lea!er% because they !i! not belong tothe "inority% having vote! for >ernan an! accepte! co""ittee chair"anships

=e believe% ho#ever% that the interpretation propose! by petitioners fin!s no clear support fro" theConstitution% the la#s% the Rules of the Senate or even fro" practices of the Gpper House



The ter" 1"a?ority1 has been ?u!icially !efine! a nu"ber of ti"es =hen referring to a certain nu"ber outof a total or aggregate% it si"ply 1"eans the nu"ber greater than half or "ore than half of any total1 36 Theplain an! una"biguous #or!s of the sub?ect constitutional clause si"ply "ean that the Senate Presi!ent "ustobtain the votes of "ore than one half of all the senators Not by any construal !oes it thereby!elineate 40o co"prise the 1"a?ority%1 "uch less the 1"inority%1 in the sai! bo!y $n! there is no sho#ing thatthe fra"ers of our Constitution ha! in "in! other than the usual "eanings of these ter"s

In effect% #hile the Constitution "an!ates that the Presi!ent of the Senate "ust be electe! by a nu"ber

constituting "ore than one half of all the "e"bers thereof% it !oes not provi!e that the "e"bers #ho #illnot vote for hi" shall ipso "acto constitute the 1"inority%1 #ho coul! thereby elect the "inority lea!er Verily%no la# or regulation states that the !efeate! can!i!ate shall auto"atically beco"e the "inority lea!er

The Co""ent 37 of Respon!ent ,uingona furnishes so"e relevant prece!ents% #hich #ere not conteste! inpetitioners< Reply During the eighth Congress% #hich #as the first to convene after the ratification of the )*+'Constitution% the no"ination of Sen ovito R Salonga as Senate Presi!ent #as secon!e! by a "e"ber of the"inority% then Sen oseph @ @stra!a 3During the ninth regular session% #hen Sen @!gar!o $ngaraassu"e! the Senate presi!ency in )**.% a consensus #as reache! to assign co""ittee chair"anships to allsenators% inclu!ing those belonging to the "inority 39 This practice continue! !uring the tenth Congress% #hereeven the "inority lea!er #as allo#e! to chair a co""ittee 0 History #oul! also sho# that the 1"a?ority1 ineither house of Congress has referre! to the political party to #hich the "ost nu"ber of la#"a:ers belonge!%#hile the 1"inority1 nor"ally referre! to a party #ith a lesser nu"ber of "e"bers

4et us go bac: to the !efinitions of the ter"s 1"a?ority1 an! 1"inority1 (a?ority "ay also refer to 1the group%party% or faction #ith the larger nu"ber of votes%1 1 not necessarily "ore than one half This is so"eti"esreferre! to as plurality In contrast% $inoity is 1a group% party% or faction #ith a s"aller nu"ber of votes or a!herents than the "a?ority1 2 Bet#een t4ouneual parts or nu"bers co"prising a #hole or totality% the greater nu"ber #oul! obviously be the "a?ority #hile the lesser #oul! be the "inority But #here there are "ore thant#o uneual groupings% it is not as easy to say #hich is t0e "inority entitle! to select the lea!er representing allthe "inorities In a govern"ent #ith a "ulti6party syste" such as in the Philippines 0as pointe! out by petitionersthe"selves2% there coul! be several "inority parties% one of #hich has to be in!entifie! by the Co"elec as the1!o"inant "inority party1 for purposes of the general elections In the prevailing co"position of the presentSenate% "e"bers either belong to !ifferent political parties or are in!epen!ent No constitutional or statutoryprovision prescribe #hich of the "any "inority groups or the in!epen!ents or a co"bination thereof has the rightto select the "inority lea!er

=hile the Constitution is e7plicit on the "anner of electing a Senate Presi!ent an! a House Spea:er% it is%

ho#ever% !ea! silent on the "anner of selecting the other officers in both cha"bers of Congress $ll thatthe Charter says is that 1eUach House shall choose such other officers as it "ay !ee" necessary1 3 Toour "in!% the $et0od of choosing #ho #ill be such other officers is "erely a !erivative of the e7ercise of theprerogative conferre! by the aforeuote! constitutional provision Therefore% such "etho! "ust be prescribe! bythe Senate itself% not by this Court

In this regar!% the Constitution vests in each house of Congress the po#er 1to !eter"ine the rules of itsprocee!ings1 Pursuant thereto% the Senate for"ulate! an! a!opte! a set of rules to govern its internalaffairs + Pertinent to the instant case are Rules I an! II thereof% #hich provi!e;

Rule I

@4@CTIV@ O>>IC@RS

Sec ) The Senate shall elect% in the "anner hereinafter provi!e!% a Presi!ent% a Presi!entPro Te"pore% a Secretary% an! a Sergeant6at6$r"s

These officers shall ta:e their oath of office before entering into the !ischarge of their !uties

Rule II

@4@CTION O> O>>IC@R

Sec & The officers of the Senate shall be electe! by the "a?ority vote of all its (e"bersShoul! there be "ore than one can!i!ate for the sa"e office% a no"inal vote shall be ta:enFother#ise% the elections shall be by viva voce or by resolution



Notably% the Rules of the Senate !o not provi!e for the positions of "a?ority an! "inority lea!ers Neither isthere an open clause provi!ing specifically for such offices an! prescribing the "anner of creating the" or of choosing the hol!ers thereof% $t any rate% such offices% by tra!ition an! long practice% are actually e7tantBut% in the absence of constitutional or statutory gui!elines or specific rules% this Court is !evoi! of anybasis upon #hich to !eter"ine the legality of the acts of the Senate relative thereto On groun!s of respectfor the basic concept of separation of po#ers% courts "ay not intervene in the internal affairs of thelegislatureF it is not #ithin the province of courts to !irect Congress ho# to !o its #or: 6 Paraphrasing the

#or!s of ustice >lorentino P >eliciano% this Court is of the opinion that #here no specific% operable nor"s an!stan!ar!s are sho#n to e7ist% then the legislature "ust be given a real an! effective opportunity to fashion an!pro"ulgate as #ell as to i"ple"ent the"% before the courts "ay intervene 7

Nee!less to state% legislative rules% unli:e statutory la#s% !o not have the i"prints of per"anence an!obligatoriness !uring their effectivity In fact% they 1are sub?ect to revocation% "o!ification or #aiver at thepleasure of the bo!y a!opting the"1 Being "erely "atters of proce!ure% their observance are of noconcern to the courts% for sai! rules "ay be #aive! or !isregar!e! by the legislative bo!y 9 at #ill% upon theconcurrence of a "a?ority

In vie# of the foregoing% Congress verily has the po#er an! prerogative to provi!e for such officers as it"ay !ee" $n! it is certainly #ithin its o#n ?uris!iction an! !iscretion to prescribe the para"eters for thee7ercise of this prerogative This Court has no authority to interfere an! unilaterally intru!e into thate7clusive real"% #ithout running afoul of constitutional principles that it is boun! to protect an! uphol!

the very !uty that ?ustifies the Court<s being Constitutional respect an! a beco"ing regar! for thesovereign acts of a coeual branch prevents this Court fro" prying into the internal #or:ings of the SenateTo repeat% this Court #ill be neither a tyrant nor a #i"pF rather% it #ill re"ain stea!fast an! ?u!icious inuphol!ing the rule an! "a?esty of the la#

To acce!e% then% to the interpretation of petitioners #oul! practically a"ount to ?u!icial legislation% a clear breach of the constitutional !octrine of separation of po#ers If for this argu"ent alone% the petition #oul!easily fail

=hile no provision of the Constitution or the la#s or the rules an! even the practice of the Senate #asviolate!% an! #hile the ?u!iciary is #ithout po#er to !eci!e "atters over #hich full !iscretionary authorityhas been lo!ge! in the legislative !epart"ent% this Court "ay still inuire #hether an act of Congress or itsofficials has been "a!e #ith grave abuse of !iscretion +0 This is the plain i"plication of Section )% $rticle VIIIof the Constitution% #hich e7pressly confers upon the ?u!iciary the po#er an! the !uty not only 1to settle actual

controversies involving rights #hich are legally !e"an!able an! enforceable%1 but li:e#ise 1to !eter"ine #hether or not there has been a grave abuse of !iscretion a"ounting to lac: or e7cess of ?uris!iction on the part of anybranch or instru"entality of the ,overn"ent1

@7plaining the above6uote! clause% for"er Chief ustice Concepcion% #ho #as a "e"ber of the )*+EConstitutional Co""ission% sai! in part; +1

the po#ers of govern"ent are generally consi!ere! !ivi!e! into three branches; the4egislative% the @7ecutive an! the u!iciary @ach one is supre"e #ithin its o#n sphere an!in!epen!ent of the others Because of that supre"acy% theU po#er to !eter"ine #hether agiven la# is vali! or not is veste! in courts of ?ustice

Briefly state!% courts of ?ustice !eter"ine the li"its of po#er of the agencies an! offices of the govern"ent as #ell as those of its officers In other #or!s% the ?u!iciary is the final

arbiter on the uestion #hether or not a branch of govern"ent or any of its officials hasacte! #ithout ?uris!iction or in e7cess of ?uris!iction% or so capriciously as to constitute anabuse of !iscretion a"ounting to e7cess of ?uris!iction or lac: of ?uris!iction This is not onlya ?u!icial po#er but a !uty to pass ?u!g"ent on "atters of this nature

This is the bac:groun! of paragraph & of Section )% #hich "eans that the courts cannothereafter eva!e the !uty to settle "atters of this nature% by clai"ing that such "attersconstitute a political uestion

=ith this para!ig"% #e no# e7a"ine the t#o other issues challenging the actions% first% of Respon!ent,uingona an!% secon!% of Respon!ent >ernan



&0id ssue;

@supation o" 7""ice

@supation generally refers to unauthori9e! arbitrary assu"ption an! e7ercise of po#er +2 by one #ithoutcolor of title or #ho is not entitle! by la# thereto +3 $ 2uo 4aanto procee!ing is the proper legal re"e!y to!eter"ine the right or title to the conteste! public office an! to oust the hol!er fro" its en?oy"ent + The action"ay be brought by the solicitor general or a public prosecutor ++ or any person clai"ing to be entitle! to thepublic office or position usurpe! or unla#fully hel! or e7ercise! by another +6 The action shall be broughtagainst the person #ho allege!ly usurpe!% intru!e! into or is unla#fully hol!ing of e7ercising such office +7

In or!er for a 2uo 4aanto procee!ing to be successful% the person suing "ust sho# that he or she hasa clea right to the conteste! office or to use or e7ercise the functions of the office allege!ly usurpe! or unla#fully hel! by the respon!ent + In this case% petitioners present no sufficient proof of a clear an!in!ubitable franchise to the office of the Senate "inority lea!er

$s !iscusse! earlier% the specific nor"s or stan!ar!s that "ay be use! in !eter"ining #ho "ay la#fullyoccupy the !ispute! position has not been lai! !o#n by the Constitution% the statutes% or the Senate itself in#hich the po#er has been veste! $bsent any clear6cut gui!eline% in no #ay can it be sai! that illegality or irregularity tainte! Respon!ent ,uingona<s assu"ption an! e7ercise of the po#ers of the office of Senate"inority lea!er >urther"ore% no grave abuse of !iscretion has been sho#n to characteri9e any of hisspecific acts as "inority lea!er

)out0 ssue;

)enan=s Recognition o" Guingona

The all6e"bracing an! plenary po#er an! !uty of the Court 1to !eter"ine #hether or not there has been agrave abuse of !iscretion a"ounting to lac: or e7cess of ?uris!iction on the part of any branch or instru"entality of the ,overn"ent1 is restricte! only by the !efinition an! confines of the ter" 1grave abuseof !iscretion1

By grave abuse of !iscretion is "eant such capricious or #hi"sical e7ercise of ?u!g"ent asis euivalent to lac: of ?uris!iction The abuse of !iscretion "ust be patent an! gross as toa"ount to an evasion of positive !uty or a virtual refusal to perfor" a !uty en?oine! by la#%or to act at all in conte"plation of la# as #here the po#er is e7ercise! in an arbitrary an!!espotic "anner by reason of passion an! hostility +9

By the above stan!ar!% #e hol! that Respon!ent >ernan !i! not gravely abuse his !iscretion as SenatePresi!ent in recogni9ing Respon!ent ,uingona as the "inority lea!er 4et us recall that the latter belongsto one of the "inority parties in the Senate% the 4a:as6NGCD6G(DP By unani"ous resolution of the"e"bers of this party that he be the "inority lea!er% he #as recogni9e! as such by the Senate Presi!entSuch for"al recognition by Respon!ent >ernan ca"e only after at least t#o Senate sessions an! acaucus% #herein both si!es #ere liberally allo#e! to articulate their stan!points

Gn!er these circu"stances% #e believe that the Senate Presi!ent cannot be accuse! of 1capricious or #hi"sical e7ercise of ?u!g"ent1 or of 1an arbitrary an! !espotic "anner by reason of passion or hostility1=here no provision of the Constitution% the la#s or even the rules of the Senate has been clearly sho#n tohave been violate!% !isregar!e! or overloo:e!% grave abuse of !iscretion cannot be i"pute! to Senateofficials for acts !one #ithin their co"petence an! authority

=H@R@>OR@% for the above reasons% the petition is hereby DIS(ISS@DSO ORD@R@D

/avasa, C.J., 'avide, J., Melo, Puno, Matinez, 5uisu$bing and Pado, JJ., concu.

Ro$eo, J., Please see sepaate opinion.

%ellosillo, J., /o pat. 'id not ta6e pat in delibeation.

Vitug, J., Pls. see sepaate opinion.

>apunan, J., concu 4it0 Justice Mendoza=s concuing and dissenting opinion.



Mendoza, J., Please see concuing and dissenting opinion.

Puisi$a, J., Join concuing and dissenting opinion o" Justice Mendoza.

S)p!r!#) Opi"io"$

MEN(OZA, J., concurring in the ?u!g"ent an! !issenting in partF

I concur in the ?u!g"ent of the Court% but I !isagree that 1itU has ?uris!iction over the petition in this caseUto !eter"ine #hether the Senate or its officials co""itte! a violation of the Constitution or gravely abuse!their !iscretion in the e7ercise of their functions an! prerogatives1 1

The Court has no ?uris!iction over this case The uestion #ho constitute the "inority in the Senate entitle!to elect the "inority lea!er of that cha"ber is political It respects the internal affairs of a coeual!epart"ent of the govern"ent an! is thus a!!resse! solely to that august bo!y

Courts have no po#er to inuire into the internal organi9ation an! business of a house of Congress e7ceptas the uestion affects the rights of thir! parties or a specific constitutional li"itation is involve!

>or this reason this Court has !ecline! to ta:e cogni9ance of cases involving the !iscipline of "e"bers 2 of the legislature an! the application an! interpretation of the rules of proce!ure of a house 3 >or in!ee!% these"atters pertain to the internal govern"ent of Congress an! are #ithin its e7clusive ?uris!iction

Dean Sinco has pointe! out that the Spea:er of the House of Representatives an! the Presi!ent of theSenate are not state officers They !o not attain these positions by popular vote but only by the vote of their respective cha"bers They receive their "an!ate as such not fro" the voters but fro" their peers in thehouse =hile their offices are a constitutional creation% nevertheless they are only legislative officers It istheir position as "e"bers of Congress #hich gives the" the status of state officers $s presi!ing officers of their respective cha"bers% their election as #ell as re"oval is !eter"ine! by the vote of the "a?ority of the"e"bers of the house to #hich they belong Thus% $rt VI% ])E0)2 of the Constitution provi!es;

The Senate shall elect its Presi!ent an! the of Representatives its Spea:er% by a "a?orityvote of all its respective (e"bers

@ach House shall choose such other officers as it "ay !ee" necessary

This is li:e#ise true of the 1other officers1 of each house #hose election an! re"oval rest solely#ithin the prerogative of the "e"bers an! is no concern of the courts

In!ee!% in those cases in #hich this Court too: cogni9ance of "atters pertaining to the internal govern"entof each house% infringe"ents of specific constitutional li"itations #ere allege!

In Avelino v. Cuenco% + the uestion #as #hether #ith only )& senators present there #as a uoru" for theelection of the Senate Presi!ent% consi!ering that% of the &/ "e"bers% one #as in the hospital #hile another one#as abroa! The case calle! for an interpretation of $rt VI% ])30&2 of the )*.- Constitution #hich provi!e! that1$ "a?ority of each House shall constitute a uoru" to !o business 1 =hile initially !eclining to assu"e

?uris!iction% this Court finally too: cogni9ance of the "atter $s ustice Perfecto% #hose separate opinion insupport of the assu"ption of ?uris!iction #as one of the reasons #hich persua!e! the Court to intervene in theSenate i"broglio% state!% 1=hether there #as a uoru" or not in the "eeting of t#elve Senators is auestion that calls for the interpretation% application an! enforce"ent of an e7press an! specific provision of theConstitution1 6 In his vie#% 1The #or! uoru" is a "athe"atical #or! It has% as such% a precise an! e7act"athe"atical "eaning $ "a?ority "eans "ore than one6half 0)J&21 7

In &a1ada v. Cuenco% the uestion #as #hether the "a?ority coul! fill the seats inten!e! for the "inority partyin the Senate @lectoral Tribunal #hen there are not enough "inority "e"bers in the Senate $gain% the uestion#as governe! by a specific provision 0$rt VI% ]))2 of the )*.- charter #hich provi!e! that the @lectoralTribunals of each house shoul! be co"pose! of 1nine (e"bers% three of #ho" shall be ustices of the Supre"e



Court I an! the re"aining si7 shall be (e"bers of the Senate or of the House of Representatives% as thecase "ay be% #ho shall be chosen by each House% three upon the no"ination of the party having the largestnu"ber of votes an! three of the party having the secon! largest nu"ber of votes therein1 There #as% therefore%a specific constitutional provision to be applie!

The cases 9 concerning the co"position of the Co""ission on $ppoint"ents li:e#ise involve! the "ereapplication of a constitutional provision% specifically $rt VI% ])+ of the present Constitution #hich provi!es thatthe Co""ission shall be co"pose! of 1t#elve Senators an! t#elve (e"bers of the House of Representatives%

electe! by each House on the basis of proportional representation fro" the political parties an! parties or organi9ations registere! un!er the party6list syste" represente! therein1 Gn!oubte!ly% the Court ha! ?uris!ictionover the cases

On the other han!% as long as the proportional representation of political parties an! organi9ations isobserve! the Court has hel! itself to be #ithout ?uris!iction over the choice of no"inees In Cabili v.)ancisco% 10 it !ecline! to ta:e cogni9ance of a 2uo 4aanto suit see:ing to annul the reco"position of theSenate representation in the Co""ission an! to reinstate a particular senator after satisfying itself that suchreco"position of the Senate representation #as not a 1!eparture fro" the constitution "an!ate reuiringproportional representation of the political organi9ations in the Co""ission on $ppoint"ents1

It is true that in Cunanan v. &an 11 this Court too: cogni9ance of the case #hich involve! the reorgani9ation of the Co""ission as a result of the realign"ent of political forces in the House of Representatives an! thefor"ation of a te"porary alliance But the Court<s !ecision #as ?ustifie! because the case actually involve! the

right of a thir! party #hose no"ination by the Presi!ent ha! been re?ecte! by the reorgani9e! Co""ission $shel! in Pacete v. &0e Secetay o" t0e Co$$ission on Appoint$ents 12 #here the construction to be given to arule affects persons other than "e"bers of the legislative bo!y% the uestion presente! is ?u!icial in character

In contrast to the specific constitutional li"itations involve! in the foregoing cases% beyon! provi!ing thatthe Senate an! the House of Representatives shall elect a Presi!ent an! Spea:er% respectively% an! suchother officers as each house shall !eter"ine 1by a "a?ority vote of all theirU respective (e"bers%1 theConstitution leaves everything else to each house of Congress Such "atters are political an! are leftsolely to the ?u!g"ent of the legislative !epart"ent of the govern"ent

This case involves neither an infringe"ent of specific constitutional li"itations nor a violation of the rights of a party not a "e"ber of Congress This Court has ?uris!iction over this case only in the sense that!eter"ining #hether the uestion involve! is reserve! to Congress is itself an e7ercise of ?uris!iction in thesa"e #ay that a court #hich !is"isses a case for lac: of ?uris!iction "ust in a narro# sense have

?uris!iction since it cannot !is"iss the case if it #ere other#ise The !eter"ination of #hether the uestioninvolve! is ?usticiable or not is in itself a process of constitutional interpretation This is the great lessonof Mabuy v. Madison 13 in #hich the GS Supre"e Court% #hile affir"ing its po#er of revie#% in the en! hel!itself to be #ithout ?uris!iction because the u!iciary $ct of )'+* granting it ?uris!iction over that case #asunconstitutional In other #or!s% a court !oing a Mabuy v. Madison has no ?uris!iction e7cept to !eclare itself #ithout ?uris!iction over the case

I vote to !is"iss the petition in this case for lac: of ?uris!iction

ROMERO, J., separate opinionF

14oyalty to petrifie! opinion never yet bro:e a chain or free! a hu"an soul1

These #or!s vivi!ly inscribe! ?ust beneath (ar: T#ain<s bust at the Hall of >a"e veritably spea:s aboutthe creativity an! !yna"is" #hich ought to characteri9e our perspective of things It instructs us tobroa!en our hori9on that #e "ay not be hel! captive by ignorance >ree an! robust thin:ing is thei"perative

But there are ti"es #hen one has to ren!er fealty to certain fun!a"ental precepts an! I believe that thisoccasion presents an opportunity to !o so Thus% as I ?oin the "a?ority an! cast "y vote to!ay for the !enialof the instant petition% "ay I ?ust be allo#e! to reiterate ?urispru!ential postulates #hich I have longe"brace!% not for the sa:e of 1loyalty to petrifie! opinion1 but to stress consistency in !octrine in the hopethat all future !isputes of this nature "ay be si"ilarly resolve! in this "anner



This is not actually the first ti"e that the Court has been invite! to resolve a "atter originating fro" theinternal processes un!erta:en by a co6eual branch of govern"ent% "ore particularly the Senate in thiscase @arlier% in the lan!"ar: case of &olentino v. Secetay o" )inance, et al % 1 #e #ere confronte!% a"ongother things% by the issue of #hether a significant ta7 "easure na"ely% Republic $ct No '')E 0@7pan!e! Value6

$!!e! Ta7 4a#2% #ent through the legislative "ill in :eeping #ith the constitutionally6"an!ate! proce!ure for thepassage of bills Spea:ing through ustice Vicente V (en!o9a% the "a?ority uphel! the ta7 "easure<s vali!ity%relying on the enrolle! bill theory an! the vie# that the Court is not the appropriate foru" to enforce internallegislative rules suppose!ly violate! #hen the bill #as being passe! by Congress I too: a !ifferent vie#%ho#ever% fro" the "a?ority because of #hat I felt #as a s#eeping reliance on sai! !octrines #ithout giving !ueregar! to the peculiar facts of the case I un!erscore! that these principles "ay not be applie! #here the internallegislative rules #oul! breach the Constitution #hich this Court has a sole"n !uty to uphol! It #as "y positionthen that the intro!uction of several provisions in the Bica"eral Co""ittee Report violate! the constitutionalproscription against any a"en!"ent to a bill upon the last rea!ing thereof an! #hich this Court% in the e7erciseof its ?u!icial po#er% can properly inuire into #ithout running afoul of the principle of separation of po#ers

4ast year% 2 Aoyo, et al. v. de Venecia, et al. 3 presente! an opportunity for "e to clarify "y position further Inthat case% Congress"an o:er $rroyo file! a petition before the Court co"plaining that !uring a session by theHouse of Representatives% he #as effectively prevente! fro" raising the uestion of uoru" #hich to hi" tainte!the vali!ity of Republic $ct No +&/3% or the so6calle! 1sin ta7es1 la# The Court% spea:ing again through ustice(en!o9a% !is"isse! (r $rroyo<s petition% arguing in the "ain that courts are !enie! the po#er to inuire intoallegations that% in enacting a la#% a House of Congress faile! to co"ply #ith its o#n rules% in the absence of

sho#ing that there #as a violation of a constitutional provision or the rights of private in!ivi!uals Concurring #iththe "a?ority opinion% I !iscerne! a nee! to e7plain "y position then because of possible "isinterpretation I #asvery e"phatic that I !i! not aban!on "y position in &olentino% the facts as presente! in Aoyo being ra!ically!ifferent fro" the for"er In :eeping #ith "y vie# that ?u!icial revie# is per"issible only to uphol! theConstitution% I pointe! out that the legislative rules allege!ly violate! #ere purely internal an! ha! no !irect or reasonable ne7us to the reuire"ents an! proscriptions of the Constitution in the passage of a bill #hich #oul!other#ise #arrant the Court<s intervention

In the instant case% at the ris: of being repetitious% I again ta:e a si"ilar stan! as the ones I "a!e in thet#o cite! cases

$lthough this case involves the uestion of #ho is the rightful occupant of a Senate 1office1 an! !oes not!eal #ith the passage of a bill or the observance of internal rules for the Senate<s con!uct of its business%the sa"e groun! as I previously invo:e! "ay ?ustify the Court<s refusal to pry into the proce!ures of the

Senate There is to "e no constitutional breach #hich has been "a!e an!% ego% there is nothing for thisCourt to uphol! The interpretation place! by petitioners on Section )E 0)2% $rticle VI of the )*+'Constitution clearly !oes not fin! support in the te7t thereof !<pessiu$ "acit cessae tacitu$ =hat ise7presse! puts an en! to that #hich is i"plie! The "a?ority vote reuire! for the election of a SenatePresi!ent an! a Spea:er of the House of Representatives spea6s only o" suc0 nu$be o 2uantity o" votes for an aspirant to be la#fully electe! as such There is here no !eclaration that by so electing% eachof the t#o Houses of Congress is thereby !ivi!e! into ca"ps calle! the 1"a?ority1 an! the 1"inority1 Infact% the 1offices1 of (a?ority >loor 4ea!er an! (inority >loor 4ea!er are not e7plicitly provi!e! for asconstitutional offices $s pointe! out by "y estee"e! colleague% ustice $rte"io V Panganiban% #hopenne! the herein "a?ority opinion% even on the theory that un!er paragraph &% Section )E 0)2 of $rticle VIof the Constitution% each House shall choose such other officers as it "ay !ee" necessary% still 1the"etho! of choosing #ho #ill be such officers is "erely a !erivative of the e7ercise of the prerogativeconferre! by the aforeuote! constitutional provision1 =ith the prerogative being% therefore% besto#e!

upon the Senate% #hatever !ifferences the parties "ay have against each other "ust be settle! in their o#n turf an! the Court% conscious as it is of its constitutionally6!elineate! po#ers% #ill not ta:e a perilous"ove to overstep the sa"e

VITUG, J., separate opinionF

The )*+' Constitution% li:e the counterpart )*.- an! )*'. Constitutions% has continue! to be i"plicit in itsrecognition of the ti"e6honore! precept of separation of po#ers #hich en?oins upon each of the three co6eual an! in!epen!ent% albeit coor!inate% branches of the govern"ent the 4egislative% the @7ecutivean! the u!iciary proper ac:no#le!g"ent an! respect for each other The Supre"e Court% sai! to be



hol!ing neither the 1purse1 0hel! by Congress2 nor the 1s#or!1 0hel! by the @7ecutive2 but serving as thebalance #heel in the State governance% functions both as the tribunal of last resort an! as theConstitutional Court of the nation 1 Peculiar% ho#ever% to the present Constitution% specifically un!er $rticle VII%Section )% thereof% is the e7ten!e! ?uris!iction of ?u!icial po#er that no# e7plicitly allo#s the !eter"ination of 1#hether or not there has been grave abuse of !iscretion a"ounting to lac: or e7cess of ?uris!iction on the partof any branch or instru"entality of the govern"ent1 2 This e7pan!e! concept of ?u!icial po#er see"s to havebeen !ictate! by the "artial la# e7perience an! to be an i""e!iate reaction to the abuse in the freuentrecourse to the political uestion !octrine that in no s"all "easure has e"asculate! the Court The ter"1political uestion%1 in this conte7t% refers to "atters #hich% un!er the Constitution% are to be !eci!e! by thepeople in their sovereign capacity or in regar! to #hich !iscretionary authority has been !elegate! to thelegislative or e7ecutive branch of the govern"ent

The Supre"e Court% nevertheless% shoul! not be thought of as having been tas:e! #ith the a#eso"eresponsibility of overseeing the entire bureaucracy I fin! it here opportune to reiterate #hat I have state!in &olentino vs. Secetay o" )inance% 3 viz ;

I cannot yet conce!e to the novel theory% so challengingly provocative as it "ight be% thatun!er the )*+' Constitution the Court "ay no# at goo! liberty intru!e% in the guise of thepeople<s i"pri"atur% into every affair of govern"ent =hat significance can still then re"ain%I as:% of the ti"e honore! an! #i!ely acclai"e! principle of separation of po#ers if% at everyturn% the Court allo#s itself to pass upon at #ill the !isposition of a co6eual% in!epen!ent

an! coor!inate branch in our syste" of govern"ent I !rea! to thin: of the so varie!uncertainties that such an un!ue interference can lea! to The respect for long stan!ing!octrines in our ?urispru!ence% nourishe! through ti"e% is one of "aturity% not ti"i!ity% of stability rather than uiescence

Pervasive an! li"itless% such as it% "ay see" to be% ?u!icial po#er still succu"bs to the para"ount!octrine of separation of po#ers Congress is the branch of govern"ent% co"pose! of therepresentatives of the people% that lays !o#n the policies of govern"ent an! provi!es the !irectionthat the nation "ust ta:e The @7ecutive carries out that "an!ate Certainly% the Court #ill notnegate that #hich is !one by these% co6eual an! co6or!inate branches "erely because of aperceive! case of grave abuse of !iscretion on their part% clearly too relative a phrase to be its o#nsentinel against "isuse% even as it #ill not hesitate to #iel! the po#er if that abuse beco"es all tooclear The e7ercise of ?u!icial states"anship% not ?u!icial tyranny% is #hat has been envisione! byan! institutionali9e! in the )*+' Constitution

There is no harnboo: rule by #hich grave abuse of !iscretion "ay be !eter"ine! The provision #asevi!ently couche! in general ter"s to "a:e it "alleable to ?u!icial interpretation in the light of anyconte"porary or e"erging "illieu In its nor"al concept% the ter" has been sai! to i"ply capricious an!#hi"sical e7ercise of ?u!g"ent% a"ounting% to lac: or e7cess of ?uris!iction% or at the po#er is e7ercise! inan arbitrary or !espotic "anner such as by reason of passion or personal hostility =hen the uestion%ho#ever% pertains to an affair internal to either of Congress or the @7ecutive% I #oul! subscribe tothe dictu$% so"e#hat "a!e i"plicit in "y un!erstan!ing of Aoyo vs. 'e Venecia% that unless aninfringe"ent of any specific Constitutional proscription thereby inheres the Court #ill not !eign substitute its o#n

?u!g"ent over that of any of the other t#o branches of govern"ent Verily% in this situation% it is an i"pair"ent or a clear !isregar! of a specific constitutional precept or provision that can unbolt the steel !oor for ?u!icialintervention

In the instant settings% I fin! insufficient in!ication to have the case he# to the above rule $ccor!ingly% I vote for the !is"issal of the petition

S)p!r!#) Opi"io"$

MEN(OZA, J., concurring in the ?u!g"ent an! !issenting in partF

I concur in the ?u!g"ent of the Court% but I !isagree that 1itU has ?uris!iction over the petition in this caseUto !eter"ine #hether the Senate or its officials co""itte! a violation of the Constitution or gravely abuse!their !iscretion in the e7ercise of their functions an! prerogatives1 1

The Court has no ?uris!iction over this case The uestion #ho constitute the "inority in the Senate entitle!



to elect the "inority lea!er of that cha"ber is political It respects the internal affairs of a coeual!epart"ent of the govern"ent an! is thus a!!resse! solely to that august bo!y

Courts have no po#er to inuire into the internal organi9ation an! business of a house of Congress e7ceptas the uestion affects the rights of thir! parties or a specific constitutional li"itation is involve!

>or this reason this Court has !ecline! to ta:e cogni9ance of cases involving the !iscipline of "e"bers 2 of the legislature an! the application an! interpretation of the rules of proce!ure of a house 3 >or in!ee!% these"atters pertain to the internal govern"ent of Congress an! are #ithin its e7clusive ?uris!iction

Dean Sinco has pointe! out that the Spea:er of the House of Representatives an! the Presi!ent of theSenate are not state officers They !o not attain these positions by popular vote but only by the vote of their respective cha"bers They receive their "an!ate as such not fro" the voters but fro" their peers in thehouse =hile their offices are a constitutional creation% nevertheless they are only legislative officers It istheir position as "e"bers of Congress #hich gives the" the status of state officers $s presi!ing officers of their respective cha"bers% their election as #ell as re"oval is !eter"ine! by the vote of the "a?ority of the"e"bers of the house to #hich they belong Thus% $rt VI% ])E0)2 of the Constitution provi!es;

The Senate shall elect its Presi!ent an! the of Representatives its Spea:er% by a "a?orityvote of all its respective (e"bers

@ach House shall choose such other officers as it "ay !ee" necessary

This is li:e#ise true of the 1other officers1 of each house #hose election an! re"oval rest solely#ithin the prerogative of the "e"bers an! is no concern of the courts

In!ee!% in those cases in #hich this Court too: cogni9ance of "atters pertaining to the internal govern"entof each house% infringe"ents of specific constitutional li"itations #ere allege!

In Avelino v. Cuenco% + the uestion #as #hether #ith only )& senators present there #as a uoru" for theelection of the Senate Presi!ent% consi!ering that% of the &/ "e"bers% one #as in the hospital #hile another one#as abroa! The case calle! for an interpretation of $rt VI% ])30&2 of the )*.- Constitution #hich provi!e! that1$ "a?ority of each House shall constitute a uoru" to !o business 1 =hile initially !eclining to assu"e

?uris!iction% this Court finally too: cogni9ance of the "atter $s ustice Perfecto% #hose separate opinion insupport of the assu"ption of ?uris!iction #as one of the reasons #hich persua!e! the Court to intervene in theSenate i"broglio% state!% 1=hether there #as a uoru" or not in the "eeting of t#elve Senators is auestion that calls for the interpretation% application an! enforce"ent of an e7press an! specific provision of the

Constitution1 6 In his vie#% 1The #or! uoru" is a "athe"atical #or! It has% as such% a precise an! e7act"athe"atical "eaning $ "a?ority "eans "ore than one6half 0)J&21 7

In &a1ada v. Cuenco% the uestion #as #hether the "a?ority coul! fill the seats inten!e! for the "inority partyin the Senate @lectoral Tribunal #hen there are not enough "inority "e"bers in the Senate $gain% the uestion#as governe! by a specific provision 0$rt VI% ]))2 of the )*.- charter #hich provi!e! that the @lectoralTribunals of each house shoul! be co"pose! of 1nine (e"bers% three of #ho" shall be ustices of the Supre"eCourt I an! the re"aining si7 shall be (e"bers of the Senate or of the House of Representatives% as thecase "ay be% #ho shall be chosen by each House% three upon the no"ination of the party having the largestnu"ber of votes an! three of the party having the secon! largest nu"ber of votes therein1 There #as% therefore%a specific constitutional provision to be applie!

The cases 9 concerning the co"position of the Co""ission on $ppoint"ents li:e#ise involve! the "ereapplication of a constitutional provision% specifically $rt VI% ])+ of the present Constitution #hich provi!es that

the Co""ission shall be co"pose! of 1t#elve Senators an! t#elve (e"bers of the House of Representatives%electe! by each House on the basis of proportional representation fro" the political parties an! parties or organi9ations registere! un!er the party6list syste" represente! therein1 Gn!oubte!ly% the Court ha! ?uris!ictionover the cases

On the other han!% as long as the proportional representation of political parties an! organi9ations isobserve! the Court has hel! itself to be #ithout ?uris!iction over the choice of no"inees In Cabili v.)ancisco% 10 it !ecline! to ta:e cogni9ance of a 2uo 4aanto suit see:ing to annul the reco"position of theSenate representation in the Co""ission an! to reinstate a particular senator after satisfying itself that suchreco"position of the Senate representation #as not a 1!eparture fro" the constitution "an!ate reuiringproportional representation of the political organi9ations in the Co""ission on $ppoint"ents1



It is true that in Cunanan v. &an 11 this Court too: cogni9ance of the case #hich involve! the reorgani9ation of the Co""ission as a result of the realign"ent of political forces in the House of Representatives an! thefor"ation of a te"porary alliance But the Court<s !ecision #as ?ustifie! because the case actually involve! theright of a thir! party #hose no"ination by the Presi!ent ha! been re?ecte! by the reorgani9e! Co""ission $shel! in Pacete v. &0e Secetay o" t0e Co$$ission on Appoint$ents 12 #here the construction to be given to arule affects persons other than "e"bers of the legislative bo!y% the uestion presente! is ?u!icial in character

In contrast to the specific constitutional li"itations involve! in the foregoing cases% beyon! provi!ing that

the Senate an! the House of Representatives shall elect a Presi!ent an! Spea:er% respectively% an! suchother officers as each house shall !eter"ine 1by a "a?ority vote of all theirU respective (e"bers%1 theConstitution leaves everything else to each house of Congress Such "atters are political an! are leftsolely to the ?u!g"ent of the legislative !epart"ent of the govern"ent

This case involves neither an infringe"ent of specific constitutional li"itations nor a violation of the rights of a party not a "e"ber of Congress This Court has ?uris!iction over this case only in the sense that!eter"ining #hether the uestion involve! is reserve! to Congress is itself an e7ercise of ?uris!iction in thesa"e #ay that a court #hich !is"isses a case for lac: of ?uris!iction "ust in a narro# sense have

?uris!iction since it cannot !is"iss the case if it #ere other#ise The !eter"ination of #hether the uestioninvolve! is ?usticiable or not is in itself a process of constitutional interpretation This is the great lessonof Mabuy v. Madison 13 in #hich the GS Supre"e Court% #hile affir"ing its po#er of revie#% in the en! hel!itself to be #ithout ?uris!iction because the u!iciary $ct of )'+* granting it ?uris!iction over that case #as

unconstitutional In other #or!s% a court !oing a Mabuy v. Madison has no ?uris!iction e7cept to !eclare itself #ithout ?uris!iction over the case

I vote to !is"iss the petition in this case for lac: of ?uris!iction

ROMERO, J., separate opinionF

14oyalty to petrifie! opinion never yet bro:e a chain or free! a hu"an soul1

These #or!s vivi!ly inscribe! ?ust beneath (ar: T#ain<s bust at the Hall of >a"e veritably spea:s aboutthe creativity an! !yna"is" #hich ought to characteri9e our perspective of things It instructs us tobroa!en our hori9on that #e "ay not be hel! captive by ignorance >ree an! robust thin:ing is thei"perative

But there are ti"es #hen one has to ren!er fealty to certain fun!a"ental precepts an! I believe that thisoccasion presents an opportunity to !o so Thus% as I ?oin the "a?ority an! cast "y vote to!ay for the !enialof the instant petition% "ay I ?ust be allo#e! to reiterate ?urispru!ential postulates #hich I have longe"brace!% not for the sa:e of 1loyalty to petrifie! opinion1 but to stress consistency in !octrine in the hopethat all future !isputes of this nature "ay be si"ilarly resolve! in this "anner

This is not actually the first ti"e that the Court has been invite! to resolve a "atter originating fro" theinternal processes un!erta:en by a co6eual branch of govern"ent% "ore particularly the Senate in thiscase @arlier% in the lan!"ar: case of &olentino v. Secetay o" )inance, et al % 1 #e #ere confronte!% a"ongother things% by the issue of #hether a significant ta7 "easure na"ely% Republic $ct No '')E 0@7pan!e! Value6

$!!e! Ta7 4a#2% #ent through the legislative "ill in :eeping #ith the constitutionally6"an!ate! proce!ure for thepassage of bills Spea:ing through ustice Vicente V (en!o9a% the "a?ority uphel! the ta7 "easure<s vali!ity%relying on the enrolle! bill theory an! the vie# that the Court is not the appropriate foru" to enforce internal

legislative rules suppose!ly violate! #hen the bill #as being passe! by Congress I too: a !ifferent vie#%ho#ever% fro" the "a?ority because of #hat I felt #as a s#eeping reliance on sai! !octrines #ithout giving !ueregar! to the peculiar facts of the case I un!erscore! that these principles "ay not be applie! #here the internallegislative rules #oul! breach the Constitution #hich this Court has a sole"n !uty to uphol! It #as "y positionthen that the intro!uction of several provisions in the Bica"eral Co""ittee Report violate! the constitutionalproscription against any a"en!"ent to a bill upon the last rea!ing thereof an! #hich this Court% in the e7erciseof its ?u!icial po#er% can properly inuire into #ithout running afoul of the principle of separation of po#ers

4ast year% 2 Aoyo, et al. v. de Venecia, et al. 3 presente! an opportunity for "e to clarify "y position further Inthat case% Congress"an o:er $rroyo file! a petition before the Court co"plaining that !uring a session by theHouse of Representatives% he #as effectively prevente! fro" raising the uestion of uoru" #hich to hi" tainte!the vali!ity of Republic $ct No +&/3% or the so6calle! 1sin ta7es1 la# The Court% spea:ing again through ustice



(en!o9a% !is"isse! (r $rroyo<s petition% arguing in the "ain that courts are !enie! the po#er to inuire intoallegations that% in enacting a la#% a House of Congress faile! to co"ply #ith its o#n rules% in the absence of sho#ing that there #as a violation of a constitutional provision or the rights of private in!ivi!uals Concurring #iththe "a?ority opinion% I !iscerne! a nee! to e7plain "y position then because of possible "isinterpretation I #asvery e"phatic that I !i! not aban!on "y position in &olentino% the facts as presente! in Aoyo being ra!ically!ifferent fro" the for"er In :eeping #ith "y vie# that ?u!icial revie# is per"issible only to uphol! theConstitution% I pointe! out that the legislative rules allege!ly violate! #ere purely internal an! ha! no !irect or reasonable ne7us to the reuire"ents an! proscriptions of the Constitution in the passage of a bill #hich #oul!

other#ise #arrant the Court<s intervention

In the instant case% at the ris: of being repetitious% I again ta:e a si"ilar stan! as the ones I "a!e in thet#o cite! cases

$lthough this case involves the uestion of #ho is the rightful occupant of a Senate 1office1 an! !oes not!eal #ith the passage of a bill or the observance of internal rules for the Senate<s con!uct of its business%the sa"e groun! as I previously invo:e! "ay ?ustify the Court<s refusal to pry into the proce!ures of theSenate There is to "e no constitutional breach #hich has been "a!e an!% ego% there is nothing for thisCourt to uphol! The interpretation place! by petitioners on Section )E 0)2% $rticle VI of the )*+'Constitution clearly !oes not fin! support in the te7t thereof !<pessiu$ "acit cessae tacitu$ =hat ise7presse! puts an en! to that #hich is i"plie! The "a?ority vote reuire! for the election of a SenatePresi!ent an! a Spea:er of the House of Representatives spea6s only o" suc0 nu$be o 2uantity o" votes for an aspirant to be la#fully electe! as such There is here no !eclaration that by so electing% eachof the t#o Houses of Congress is thereby !ivi!e! into ca"ps calle! the 1"a?ority1 an! the 1"inority1 Infact% the 1offices1 of (a?ority >loor 4ea!er an! (inority >loor 4ea!er are not e7plicitly provi!e! for asconstitutional offices $s pointe! out by "y estee"e! colleague% ustice $rte"io V Panganiban% #hopenne! the herein "a?ority opinion% even on the theory that un!er paragraph &% Section )E 0)2 of $rticle VIof the Constitution% each House shall choose such other officers as it "ay !ee" necessary% still 1the"etho! of choosing #ho #ill be such officers is "erely a !erivative of the e7ercise of the prerogativeconferre! by the aforeuote! constitutional provision1 =ith the prerogative being% therefore% besto#e!upon the Senate% #hatever !ifferences the parties "ay have against each other "ust be settle! in their o#n turf an! the Court% conscious as it is of its constitutionally6!elineate! po#ers% #ill not ta:e a perilous"ove to overstep the sa"e

VITUG, J., separate opinionF

The )*+' Constitution% li:e the counterpart )*.- an! )*'. Constitutions% has continue! to be i"plicit in itsrecognition of the ti"e6honore! precept of separation of po#ers #hich en?oins upon each of the three co6eual an! in!epen!ent% albeit coor!inate% branches of the govern"ent the 4egislative% the @7ecutivean! the u!iciary proper ac:no#le!g"ent an! respect for each other The Supre"e Court% sai! to behol!ing neither the 1purse1 0hel! by Congress2 nor the 1s#or!1 0hel! by the @7ecutive2 but serving as thebalance #heel in the State governance% functions both as the tribunal of last resort an! as theConstitutional Court of the nation 1 Peculiar% ho#ever% to the present Constitution% specifically un!er $rticle VII%Section )% thereof% is the e7ten!e! ?uris!iction of ?u!icial po#er that no# e7plicitly allo#s the !eter"ination of 1#hether or not there has been grave abuse of !iscretion a"ounting to lac: or e7cess of ?uris!iction on the partof any branch or instru"entality of the govern"ent1 2 This e7pan!e! concept of ?u!icial po#er see"s to havebeen !ictate! by the "artial la# e7perience an! to be an i""e!iate reaction to the abuse in the freuent

recourse to the political uestion !octrine that in no s"all "easure has e"asculate! the Court The ter"1political uestion%1 in this conte7t% refers to "atters #hich% un!er the Constitution% are to be !eci!e! by thepeople in their sovereign capacity or in regar! to #hich !iscretionary authority has been !elegate! to thelegislative or e7ecutive branch of the govern"ent

The Supre"e Court% nevertheless% shoul! not be thought of as having been tas:e! #ith the a#eso"eresponsibility of overseeing the entire bureaucracy I fin! it here opportune to reiterate #hat I have state!in &olentino vs. Secetay o" )inance% 3 viz ;

I cannot yet conce!e to the novel theory% so challengingly provocative as it "ight be% thatun!er the )*+' Constitution the Court "ay no# at goo! liberty intru!e% in the guise of thepeople<s i"pri"atur% into every affair of govern"ent =hat significance can still then re"ain%



I as:% of the ti"e honore! an! #i!ely acclai"e! principle of separation of po#ers if% at everyturn% the Court allo#s itself to pass upon at #ill the !isposition of a co6eual% in!epen!entan! coor!inate branch in our syste" of govern"ent I !rea! to thin: of the so varie!uncertainties that such an un!ue interference can lea! to The respect for long stan!ing!octrines in our ?urispru!ence% nourishe! through ti"e% is one of "aturity% not ti"i!ity% of stability rather than uiescence

Pervasive an! li"itless% such as it% "ay see" to be% ?u!icial po#er still succu"bs to the para"ount

!octrine of separation of po#ers Congress is the branch of govern"ent% co"pose! of therepresentatives of the people% that lays !o#n the policies of govern"ent an! provi!es the !irectionthat the nation "ust ta:e The @7ecutive carries out that "an!ate Certainly% the Court #ill notnegate that #hich is !one by these% co6eual an! co6or!inate branches "erely because of aperceive! case of grave abuse of !iscretion on their part% clearly too relative a phrase to be its o#nsentinel against "isuse% even as it #ill not hesitate to #iel! the po#er if that abuse beco"es all tooclear The e7ercise of ?u!icial states"anship% not ?u!icial tyranny% is #hat has been envisione! byan! institutionali9e! in the )*+' Constitution

There is no harnboo: rule by #hich grave abuse of !iscretion "ay be !eter"ine! The provision #asevi!ently couche! in general ter"s to "a:e it "alleable to ?u!icial interpretation in the light of anyconte"porary or e"erging "illieu In its nor"al concept% the ter" has been sai! to i"ply capricious an!#hi"sical e7ercise of ?u!g"ent% a"ounting% to lac: or e7cess of ?uris!iction% or at the po#er is e7ercise! in

an arbitrary or !espotic "anner such as by reason of passion or personal hostility =hen the uestion%ho#ever% pertains to an affair internal to either of Congress or the @7ecutive% I #oul! subscribe tothe dictu$% so"e#hat "a!e i"plicit in "y un!erstan!ing of Aoyo vs. 'e Venecia% that unless aninfringe"ent of any specific Constitutional proscription thereby inheres the Court #ill not !eign substitute its o#n

?u!g"ent over that of any of the other t#o branches of govern"ent Verily% in this situation% it is an i"pair"ent or a clear !isregar! of a specific constitutional precept or provision that can unbolt the steel !oor for ?u!icialintervention

In the instant settings% I fin! insufficient in!ication to have the case he# to the above rule

$ccor!ingly% I vote for the !is"issal of the petition

'oo#"o#)$

) ] &) 0)2% BP )&*F ] - 0)2% $rt VIII% Constitution

& See (analo v ,loria% &.E SCR$ ).3% ).+6).*% Septe"ber )% )**/F citing People vCuares"a% )'& SCR$ /)-% /&.6&/% $pril )+% )*+*% an! Defensor6Santiago v Vasue9% &)'SCR$ E..% E-)6E-&% anuary &'% )**.

. Gy v Contreras% &.' SCR$ )E'% Septe"ber &E% )**/F Vergara Sr v Suelto% )-E SCR$'-.% Dece"ber &)% )*+'

/ $velino v Cueno% +. Phil )' 0)*/*2F ,uingona% r v ,on9ales% &)/ SCR$ '+*% October&3% )**&

- $rroyo vs De Venecia% &'' SCR$ &E+% $ugust )/% )**'

E The solicitor general% in his Co""ent !ate! $ugust &)% )**+% attribute! to the &."e"bers of the Senate the follo#ing party affiliations;

1Senate Presi!ent (arcelo B >ernan 4aban ng (asang Pilipino04$(P2

Sen Raul S Roco $:syon De"o:rati:o

Sen Ra"on B (agsaysay% r 4a:as6National Gnion of

— Christian De"ocrats6

Gnite! (usli" De"ocrats

of the Philippines% 04a:as6

NGCD6G(DP2



Sen >ran:lin ( Drilon 4$(P

Sen uan ( >lavier 4a:as6NGCD6G(DP

Sen (iria" Defensor6Santiago People<s Refor" Party 0PRP2

Sen Sergio R Os"eXa 4iberal Party 04P2

Sen >rancisco S Tata! PRP

Sen ,regorio B Honasan 4P 0In!epen!ent2

Sen uan Ponce @nrile 4P 0In!epen!ent2

Sen $nna Do"iniue (4 Coseteng 4$(P

Sen 4oren 4egar!a64eviste 4a:as6NGCD6G(DP

Sen Renato 4 Cayetano 4a:as6NGCD6G(DP

Sen Vicente C Sotto III 4$(P

Sen $uilino 8 Pi"e"tel% r 4$(P

Sen Robert 5 Barbers 4a:as6NGCD6G(DP

Sen Ro!olfo , Bia9on 4$(P

Sen Blas > Ople 4$(P

Sen ohn Henry R Os"eXa 4$(P

Sen Robert S a#ors:i 4$(P

Sen Ra"on B Revilla 4a:as6NGCD6G(DP

Sen Teofisto T ,uingona% r 4a:as6NGCD6G(DP

Sen Tessie $uino6Oreta 4$(P1

0Rollo% pp E.6E/ See also Co""ent of Respon!ent ,uingona% r% ollo% p /)2

' One position #as vacant% because of the election of the incu"bent% ,loria (acapagal

$rroyo% as the Vice Presi!ent of the Philippines+ Senator >ernan abstaine! fro" voting 0Petition% p /F ollo% p E Co""ent of the solicitorgeneral% p &F ollo% p E.2

* Senators Robert 5 Barbers% Renato 4 Cayetano% uan ( >lavier% Teofisto T ,uingonar% 4oren 4egar!a64eviste% Ra"on B (agsaysay r% an! Ra"on B Revilla

)3 The Petition #as signe! by both petitionersF the Co""ent of Senate Presi!ent >ernan%by Senator >ernan hi"self an! $ttys (ary ane 4 5antua an! 4ani ,race R SongcoF theCo""ent of Senator ,uingona% by $tty Ricar!o , Nepo"uceno rF the Co""ent of theOS,% by Sol ,en Ricar!o P ,alve9% $sst Sol ,en Carlos N Ortega an! $ssociateSolicitor Rico Sebastian D 4i#anagF #hile the Consoli!ate! Reply% by Sen (iria"Defenser Santiago

)) +. Phil )' 0)*/*2

)& Bernas% &0e Constitution o" t0e Republic o" t0e P0ilippines; A Co$$entay % Vol II% )*++e!% p &+&

). ] )3 0&2% $rt VI of the )*.- Constitution% rea!s;

10&2 $ "a?ority of each House shall constitute a uoru" to !o business% but a s"allernu"ber "ay a!?ourn fro" !ay to !ay an! "ay co"pel the atten!ance of absent (e"bersin such "anner an! un!er such penalties as such House "ay provi!e1

)/ Supa% p '&



)- $t p 'E

)E $t p '+

)' $t p '*

)+ )3. Phil )3-)% )3E+ 0)*-'2% per Concepcion%

)* bid % p )3E'% citing )E CS /).

&3 ] ))% $rt VI of the )*.- Constitution

&) /& SCR$ //+% Dece"ber ))% )*')

&& - Phil +' 0)*3-2

&. *) Phil ++& 0)*-&2

&/ -3 SCR$ .3% +/% +'% (arch .)% )*'.

&- $rt VIII% ] )% par &

&E )+3 SCR$ /*E% Dece"ber &)% )*+*% per Cru9%

&' )+' SCR$ .''% uly )&% )**3% per ,riXo6$uino%

&+ &)/ SCR$ '+*% October &3% )**&% per Ca"pos r%

&* &'& SCR$ )+% /'% (ay &% )**'% per Panganiban%

.3 )** SCR$ E*&% uly .3% )**)% per ,utierre9 r%

.) Citing 4a9atin v HR@T% )E+ SCR$ .*)% )*++

.& Citing Robles v HR@T% )+) SCR$ '+3% )**3

.. &'' SCR$ &E+% $ugust )/% )**'% per (en!o9a%

./ $t p &**

.- $lle?e v Court of $ppeals% &/3 SCR$ /*-% anuary &-% )**-F Sar"iento v Court of $ppeals% &-3 SCR$ )3+% Nove"ber )E% )**-F Ti"es Broa!casting Net#or: v Court of $ppeals% &'/ SCR$ .EE% une )*% )**'F Chico v Court of $ppeals% ,R No )&&'3/%

anuary -% )**+

.E Pere9 v De la Cru9% &' SCR$ -+'% E3. 0)*E*2% citing =ebster<s International Dictionary%Gnabri!ge!F Concurring Opinion of Perfecto in $velino v Cueno% supa% p +3 Seealso Petition%ollo% p )&% citing Blac:<s 4a# Dictionary% Eth e!% )**3

.' P )-F ollo% p --

.+ Citing Recor! of the Senate% +th Congress% Vol I% No )/% p *

.* Citing Recor! of the Senate% *th Congress% Vol III% No /'6$% pp ++6*/

/3 Then (inority 4ea!er @rnesto C (ace!a chaire! the Co""ittees on Constitutional $"en!"ents% Revision of Co!es an! 4a#sF an! on >oreign Relations Senator Honasanchaire! the Co""ittees on $grarian Refor"F on Peace% Gnification an! ReconciliationF an!

on Grban Planning% Housing an! Resettle"ent Senator Coseteng #as the chair of theCo""ittees on Civil Service an! ,overn"ent Reorgani9ationF an! on 4abor% @"ploy"entan! Hu"an Resources 0See footnote /3 of Respon!ent ,uingona<s Co""ent% supa2

/) =ebster<s Ne# =orl! Dictionary% &n! college e!% )*'&

/& bid

/. ] )E 0)2% secon! par% $rt VI of the Constitution

// ] )E 0.2% $rt VI of the Constitution

/- Rules of the Senate 0see $ppen!i7 1$%1 ,ui!e to the Senate by Reginal! ( Pastrana



an! De"aree B Raval2

/E Ne# Kor: Public Interest Research ,roup% Inc v Steingut% .-. N@&! --+

/' Concurring Opinion in Oposa v >actoran r% &&/ SCR$ '*&% +)+% uly .3% )**.

/+ Os"eXa r v Pen!atun% )3* Phil +E.% +'36+') 0)*E32% citing 'E CS +'3 Seealso $rroyo v De Venecia% supa

/* bid See also @nriue ( >ernan!o% Constitution of the Philippines $nnotate!% )*''% pp)++6)+*

-3 4e!es"a v Court of $ppeals% &'+ SCR$ E-E% E+)% Septe"ber -% )**'

-) I R@CORD O> TH@ CONSTITGTION$4 CO((ISSION /.E

-& *) CS --)% citing State e7 rel Daniel v Village of (oun!% /+ N=&! +--% +E.

-. E' CS .)'% citing =heat v S"ith% ' S= )E)

-/ 4ota v Court of $ppeals% & SCR$ ')-% ')+% une .3% )*E)

-- ] &% Rule EE% Rules of Court

-E ] -% ibid See also (unicipality of San Narciso% 8ue9on v (en!e9 Sr% &.* SCR$ ))% )+%Dece"ber E% )**/F Tarrosa v Singson% &.& SCR$ --.% --'% (ay &-% )**/

In this regar!% the Court notes that Petitioner Santiago has no stan!ing to bring the instantpetition for 2uo 4aanto% for she !oes not clai" to be rightfully entitle! to the position ofSenate "inority lea!er =e have rule! in the past;

1Nothing is better settle! than that a petitioner% in a 2uo 4aanto procee!ingto try title to a public office% "ust be able to sho# that he is entitle! to sai!office $bsent such an ele"ent% the petition "ust be !is"isse! This is aprinciple that goes bac: to $costa v >lor - Phil )+% &&U% a )*3- !ecisionThere% the !octrine has been lai! !o#n that; <No in!ivi!ual can bring a civilaction relating to usurpation of a public office #ithout averring that he has aright to the sa"eF an! at any stage of the procee!ings% if it be sho#n thatsuch in!ivi!ual has no right% the action "ay be !is"isse! because there is

no legal groun! upon #hich it "ay procee! #hen the fun!a"ental basis ofsuch action is !estroye!< This has been the e7acting rule% since then%follo#e! #ith stricter fir"ness in Cuyeg:eng v Cru9 )3+ Phil ))/'U% #herethis Court hel! that one #ho !oes not clai" to be entitle! to the officeallege!ly usurpe! or unla#fully hel! or e7ercise! by% another% but #ho<"erely asserts a right to be appointe!< thereto% cannot uestion the latter<stitle to the sa"e by 2uo 4aanto In other #or!s% one #hose% clai" ispre!icate! solely upon a "ore or less re"ote possibility% that he "ay be therecipient of the appoint"ent% has no cause of action against the officehol!er1 0,arcia v Pere9% ** SCR$ E&+% E..6./% Septe"ber ))% )*+3% perDe Castro% 2

Ho#ever% any uestion on stan!ing has been ren!ere! "oot by the inclusion of Petitioner

Tata!% #ho clai"s to have the right to the conteste! office-' ] )% Rule EE% Rules of Court In relation to this rule% Respon!ent >ernan clai"s that he isnot a proper party to the case% because he !i! not usurp nor is he unla#fully hol!ing ore7ercising the office of "inority lea!er =hile the action co""ence! by petitioners #as!eno"inate! a 2uo 4aantopetition un!er Rule EE% the Court notes that a"ong theprincipal aver"ents "a!e #as that Respon!ent >ernan co""itte! grave abuse of!iscretion in recogni9ing Respon!ent ,uingona as the Senate "inority lea!er Suchaver"ent brings the petition #ithin the purvie# of a cetioai procee!ing un!er Rule E- $basic principle in re"e!ial la# states that it is not the title given by the parties to the action#hich !eter"ines its nature% but the aver"ents "a!e in the plea!ings The case "ay% thus%



be treate! as a ?oint cetioai an! 2uo 4aanto action an!% as such% Respon!ent >ernan isa proper% if not necessary% party thereto

-+ Batario r v Parentela r% * SCR$ E3)% Nove"ber &*% )*E.F Caraon6(e!ina v 8ui9on%)+ SCR$ -E&% October &*% )*EE

-* Co""issioner of Internal Revenue v Court of $ppeals% &-' SCR$ &33% &3*% une /%)**E% per apunan% F citing Philippine $irlines% Inc v Confesor% &.) SCR$ /)% (arch )3%

)**/% an! other cases See also I"utan v Court of $ppeals% )3& SCR$ &+E% &*& anuary&'% )*+)

(@NDO5$% % concurring an! !issenting opinionF

) (a?ority Opinion p )+

& $le?an!rino v 8ue9on% /E Phil +. 0)*&/2 0suspension of senator for !isor!erly con!uct for assaulting a fello# senator2; Os"eXa v Pen!atun% )3* Phil +E. 0)*E32 0suspension ofsenator for !isor!erly behavior for i"puting bribery to Presi!ent ,arcia2

. $rroyo v De Venecia% &'' SCR$ &E+ 0)**'2 0po#er of each house to !eter"ine its rulesof procee!ings2

/ VIC@NT@ , SINCO% PHI4IPPIN@ PO4ITIC$4 4$= )')6)'& 0))th e! )*E&2

- +. Phil )' 0)*/*2

E d % at -3

' d % at '*

+ )3. Phil )3-) 0)*-'2

* Da9a v Singson% )+3 SCR$ /*E 0)*+*2F Coseteng v (itra% r% )+' SCR$ .'' 0)**32F,uingona% r v ,on9ales% &)/ SCR$ '+* 0)**&2

)3 ++ Phil E-/ 0)*-)2

)) ))- Phil vii 0)*E&2

)& /3 SCR$ -+ 0)*')2

). Cranch ).'% &4@! E3 0)+3.2

RO(@RO% % separate opinionF

) &.- SCR$ E.3

& $ugust )/% )**'

. ,R No )&'&--F &'' SCR$ &E+ 0)**'2

VITG,% % separate opinionF

) ustice ose C Vitug% The court an! its =ays% The Court Syste" ournal% une )**+%Volu"e . No &

& Sec )% $rticle VIII

. &.- SCR$ E.3% '&3

/ &'' SCR$ &E+% &+*


THIRD DIVISION

G.R. No. 139033 ())85)r 1, 2002



OVEN(O (EL CASTILLO, petitioner%vs&ON. ROSARIO TORRECAMPO, Pr)$i/i": 4/:), RTC o= C!8!ri")$ S4r, r!"- 33 !"/PEOPLE O' T&E P&ILIPPINES, respon!ents

D @ C I S I O N

CORONA, J.:

The instant petition is one for the revie#% by #ay of appeal by certiorari% of the Decision) of the Court of $ppeals !ate! Nove"ber &3% )**+% an! of the Resolution !ate! une )/% )*** !enying the "otion for reconsi!eration thereof

Petitioner #as charge! on (arch +% )*+. #ith violation of Section )'+ 0nn2 & of the )*'+ @lection Co!e inCri"inal Case No >6)//' before Branch ..% Regional Trial Court% Ca"arines Sur The Infor"ation allege!;

That on (ay )'% )*+&% 0Barangay @lection Day2% at aroun! +;)- P( in Barangay O"bao% (unicipality of Bula% Province of Ca"arines Sur% Philippines% an! #ithin the ?uris!iction of this Honorable Court% the above6na"e! accuse! !i!% then an! there unla#fully con!ucte! hi"self in a !isor!erly "anner% by stri:ing theelectric bulb an! t#o 0&2 :erosene petro"a7 la"ps lighting the roo" #here voting center no &/ is locate!%!uring the counting of the votes in sai! voting center plunging the roo" in co"plete !ar:ness% therebyinterrupting an! !isrupting the procee!ings of the Boar! of @lection Tellers.

On arraign"ent% petitioner plea!e! not guilty Thereafter% trial on the "erits ensue!

On anuary )/% )*+-% the trial court ren!ere! ?u!g"ent an! !eclare! petitioner guilty beyon! reasonable!oubt of violating Section )'+ 0nn2 of PD )&*E% other#ise :no#n as the )*'+ @lection Co!e% as a"en!e!%an! sentence! petitioner to suffer the in!eter"inate penalty of i"prison"ent of ) year as "ini"u" to .years as "a7i"u"

$ggrieve!% petitioner appeale! his conviction to the Court of $ppeals #hich eventually affir"e! the !ecisionof the trial court in toto Sai! !ecision beca"e final an! e7ecutory Thus% the e7ecution of ?u!g"ent #assche!ule! on October )/% )*+'

On October )&% )*+'% an urgent "otion to reset the e7ecution of ?u!g"ent #as sub"itte! by petitioner through his counsel But it #as !enie! for lac: of "erit

During the e7ecution of ?u!g"ent% petitioner faile! to appear #hich pro"pte! the presi!ing ?u!ge to issue

an or!er of arrest of petitioner an! the confiscation of his bon! Ho#ever% petitioner #as never apprehen!e! He re"aine! at large

Ten years later% on October &/% )**'% petitioner file! before the trial court a "otion to uash the #arrantissue! for his arrest on the groun! of prescription of the penalty i"pose! upon hi" Ho#ever% it #as!enie! His "otion for reconsi!eration thereof #as li:e#ise !enie!

Dissatisfie!% petitioner file! #ith the Court of $ppeals a Petition for Certiorari assailing the or!ers of the trialcourt !enying both his "otion to uash the #arrant of arrest an! "otion for reconsi!eration

On Nove"ber &3% )**+% the Court of $ppeals ren!ere! its no# assaile! !ecision !is"issing the petition forlac: of "erit

>ollo#ing the !enial of his "otion for reconsi!eration% the instant petition #as file! before us

Petitioner asserts that the Court of $ppeals gravely erre! in hol!ing that the penalty i"pose! uponpetitioner has not prescribe! Petitioner "aintains that $rticle *. of the Revise! Penal Co!e provi!es thatthe perio! of prescription shall co""ence to run fro" the !ate #hen the culprit shoul! eva!e the service of his sentence The Court of $ppeals% in its interpretation of the sai! provision% engage! in ?u!icial legislation#hen it a!!e! the phrase 1by escaping !uring the ter" of the sentence1 thereto% so petitioner clai"s

,oing over the "erits of the petition% the Court fin!s that the Court of $ppeals !i! not err in !is"issing thepetition for certiorari

The threshol! issue in the instant case is the interpretation of $rticle *. of the Revise! Penal Co!e inrelation to $rticle )-' of the sa"e Co!e



In !is"issing the petition% the Court of $ppeals rule!;

1$rticle *& of the Revise! Penal Co!e provi!es as follo#s;

‘=hen an! ho# penalties prescribe The penalties i"pose! by the final sentence prescribe! as follo#s;

) Death an! eclusion pepetua% in t#enty yearsF

& Other afflictive penalties% in fifteen yearsF

. Correctional penalties% in ten yearsF #ith the e7ception of the penalty of aesto $ayo % #hichprescribes in five yearsF

/ 4ight penalties% in one yearM

1$n! $rticle *. of the Revise! Penal Co!e% provi!es as follo#s;

‘Co"putation of the prescription of penalties The perio! of prescription of penalties shall co""ence to

run fro" the !ate #hen the culprit shoul! eva!e the service of his sentence% an! it shall be interrupte! if the!efen!ant shoul! give hi"self up% be capture!% shoul! go to so"e foreign country #ith #hich his,overn"ent has no e7tra!ition treaty% or shoul! co""it another cri"e before the e7piration of the perio! of prescriptionM

1The penalty i"pose! upon the petitioner is one 0)2 year of i"prison"ent as "ini"u" to three 0.2

years of i"prison"ent as "a7i"u"1The la# un!er #hich the petitioner #as convicte! is a special la#% the )*'+ @lection Co!e Thisla# !oes not provi!e for the prescription of penalties This being the case% =e have to apply theprovision of the Revise! Penal Co!e #hich allo#s the application of sai! co!e in suppletorycharacter #hen it provi!es that;

‘Offenses #hich are or in the future "ay be punishable un!er special la#s are not sub?ect to the

provision of this co!e This co!e shall be supple"entary to such la#s% unless the latter shoul!specially provi!e the contraryM

1The penalty i"pose! upon the petitioner is a correctional penalty un!er $rticle &- in relation to $rticle &' of the Revise! Penal Co!e Being a correctional penalty it prescribe! in ten 0)32 years

1The petitioner #as convicte! by a final ?u!g"ent on une )/% )*+E Such ?u!g"ent #oul! have

been e7ecute! on October )/% )*+E but the accuse! !i! not appear for such procee!ing $n! hehas never been apprehen!e!

1The contention of the petitioner is that sai! ?u!g"ent prescribe! on October &/% )**E

1The issue here is #hether or not the penalty i"pose! upon the petitioner has prescribe!

1The ele"ents in or!er that the penalty i"pose! has prescribe! are as follo#s;

‘) That the penalty is i"pose! by final sentence

& That the convict eva!e! the service of the sentence by escaping !uring the ter" of hissentence

. That the convict #ho escape! fro" prison has not given hi"self up% or been capture!% or

gone to a foreign country #ith #hich #e have no e7tra!ition treaty or co""itte! anothercri"e

/ That the penalty has prescribe!% because of the lapse of ti"e for" the !ate of theevasion of the service of the sentence by the convictM

0p *.% Revise! Penal Co!e by 4 Reyes *. e!2

1>ro" the foregoing ele"ents% it is clear that the penalty i"pose! has not prescribe! because thecircu"stances of the case at bench faile! to satisfy the secon! ele"ent% to #it ^That the convicteva!e! the service of the sentence by escaping !uring the service of his sentenceM $s a "atter offact% the petitioner never serve! a single "inute of his sentence



The foregoing conclusion of the Court of $ppeals is consistent #ith the ruling of this Court in &anega vs.Masa6ayan% et. al %/ #here #e !eclare! that% for prescription of penalty i"pose! by final sentence toco""ence to run% the culprit shoul! escape !uring the ter" of such i"prison"ent

The Court is unable to fin! an!% in fact% !oes not perceive any co"pelling reason to !eviate fro" our earlier pronounce"ent clearly e7e"plifie! in the &anega case

$rticle *. of the Revise! Penal Co!e provi!es #hen the prescription of penalties shall co""ence to run

Gn!er sai! provision% it shall co""ence to run fro" the !ate the felon eva!es the service of his sentencePursuant to $rticle )-' of the sa"e Co!e% evasion of service of sentence can be co""itte! only by those#ho have been convicte! by final ?u!g"ent by escaping !uring the ter" of his sentence

$s correctly pointe! out by the Solicitor ,eneral% 1escape1 in legal parlance an! for purposes of $rticles *.an! )-' of the RPC "eans unla#ful !eparture of prisoner fro" the li"its of his custo!y Clearly% one #hohas not been co""itte! to prison cannot be sai! to have escape! therefro"

In the instant case% petitioner #as never brought to prison In fact% even before the e7ecution of the ?u!g"ent for his conviction% he #as alrea!y in hi!ing No# petitioner begs for the co"passion of the Courtbecause he has cease! to live a life of peace an! tranuility after he faile! to appear in court for thee7ecution of his sentence But it #as petitioner #ho chose to beco"e a fugitive The Court accor!sco"passion only to those #ho are !eserving PetitionerMs guilt #as proven beyon! reasonable !oubt but herefuse! to ans#er for the #rong he co""itte! He is therefore not to be re#ar!e! therefor

The assaile! !ecision of the Court of $ppeals is base! on settle! ?urispru!ence an! applicable la#s It !i!not engage in ?u!icial legislation but correctly interprete! the pertinent la#s Because petitioner #as never place! in confine"ent% prescription never starte! to run in his favor

%&ERE'ORE% for lac: of "erit% the petition is hereby D@NI@D

SO ORD@R@D

Puno, +C0ai$an, Panganiban, Sandoval-Gutieez, and Moales, JJ., concu.

'oo#"o#)$

) Penne! by $ssociate ustice @loy R Bello% r an! concurre! in by $ssociate ustices Salo"e $(ontoya an! Ruben T Reyes% of the Seventh Division

& 1$ny person #ho% in the presence or #ithin the hearing of the election co""ittee or the boar! ofcanvassers !uring any of its "eetings% con!ucts hi"self in such a !isor!erly "anner as to interruptor !isrupt the #or: or procee!ings to the en! of preventing either bo!y fro" perfor"ing itsfunctions% either partly or totally1

. Rollo% p ).

/ )* SCR$ -E/ )*E'U

6. L):i$l!#i<) I"#)"# /i$#i":4i$-)/ =ro l):i$l!#i<) P4rpo$)


>IRST DIVISION

G.R. No. L*3919 April 12, 192

MAPALA( AISPORNA, petitioner%vsT&E COURT O' APPEALS !"/ T&E PEOPLE O' T&E P&ILIPPINES, respon!ents



(E CASTRO, J.:

In this petition for certiorari% petitioner6accuse! $isporna see:s the reversal of the !ecision !ate! $ugust)/% )*'/ 1in C$6,R No ).&/.6CR entitle! 1People of the Philippines% plaintiff6appellee% vs (apala! $isporna%!efen!ant6appellant1 of respon!ent Court of $ppeals affir"ing the ?u!g"ent of the City Court of Cabanatuan 2 ren!ere! on $ugust &% )*') #hich foun! the petitioner guilty for having violate! Section )+* of the

Insurance $ct 0$ct No &/&'% as a"en!e!2 an! sentence! her to pay a fine of P-3333 #ith subsi!iaryi"prison"ent in case of insolvency% an! to pay the costs

Petitioner $isporna #as charge! in the City Court of Cabanatuan for violation of Section )+* of theInsurance $ct on Nove"ber &)% )*'3 in an infor"ation 3 #hich rea!s as follo#s;

That on or before the &)st !ay of une% )*E*% in the City of Cabanatuan% Republic of thePhilippines% an! #ithin the ?uris!iction of this Honorable Court% the above6na"e! accuse!%!i! then an! there% #ilfully% unla#fully an! feloniously act as agent in the solicitation or procure"ent of an application for insurance by soliciting therefor the application of one@ugenio S Isi!ro% for an! in behalf of Perla Co"pania !e Seguros% Inc% a !uly organi9e!insurance co"pany% registere! un!er the la#s of the Republic of the Philippines% resulting inthe issuance of a Broa! Personal $cci!ent Policy No &+PI6RS$ 333) in the a"ount note7cee!ing >IV@ THOGS$ND P@SOS 0P-%333332 !ate! une &)% )*E*% #ithout sai!

accuse! having first secure! a certificate of authority to act as such agent fro" the office of the Insurance Co""issioner% Republic of the Philippines

CONTR$RK TO 4$=

The facts% as foun! by the respon!ent Court of $ppeals are uote! hereun!er;

IT R@SG4TIN,; That there is no !ebate that since ' (arch% )*E* an! as of &) une% )*E*%appellant<s husban!% Ro!olfo S $isporna #as !uly license! by Insurance Co""ission asagent to Perla Co"pania !e Seguros% #ith license to e7pire on .3 une% )*'3% @7h CF onthat !ate% at Cabanatuan City% Personal $cci!ent Policy% @7h D #as issue! by Perla thru itsauthor representative% Ro!olfo S $isporna% for a perio! of t#elve 0)&2 "onths #ithbeneficiary as $na ( Isi!ro% an! for P-%33333F apparently% insure! !ie! by violence !uringlifeti"e of policy% an! for reasons not e7plaine! in recor!% present infor"ation #as file! by

>iscal% #ith assistance of private prosecutor% charging #ife of Ro!olfo #ith violation of Sec)+* of Insurance 4a# for having% #ilfully% unla#fully% an! feloniously acte!% 1as agent in thesolicitation for insurance by soliciting therefore the application of one @ugenio S Isi!ro for an! in behalf of Perla Co"paXa !e Seguros% #ithout sai! accuse! having first secure! acertificate of authority to act as such agent fro" the office of the Insurance Co""ission%Republic of the Philippines1

an! in the trial% People presente! evi!ence that #as har!ly !ispute!% that afore"entione!policy #as issue! #ith active participation of appellant #ife of Ro!olfo% against #hichappellant in her !efense sought to sho# that being the #ife of true agent% Ro!olfo% shenaturally helpe! hi" in his #or:% as cler:% an! that policy #as "erely a rene#al an! #asissue! because Isi!ro ha! calle! by telephone to rene#% an! at that ti"e% her husban!%Ro!olfo% #as absent an! so she left a note on top of her husban!<s !es: to rene#

Conseuently% the trial court foun! herein petitioner guilty as charge! On appeal% the trial court<s !ecision#as affir"e! by the respon!ent appellate court fin!ing the petitioner guilty of a violation of the firstparagraph of Section )+* of the Insurance $ct Hence% this present recourse #as file! on October &&%)*'/ +

In its resolution of October &+% )*'/% 6 this Court resolve!% #ithout giving !ue course to this instant petition% toreuire the respon!ent to co""ent on the aforesai! petition In the co""ent 7 file! on Dece"ber &3% )*'/% therespon!ent% represente! by the Office of the Solicitor ,eneral% sub"itte! that petitioner "ay not be consi!ere!as having violate! Section )+* of the Insurance $ct On $pril .% )*'-% petitioner sub"itte! his Brief 9 #hile theSolicitor ,eneral% on behalf of the respon!ent% file! a "anifestation 10 in lieu of a Brief on (ay .% )*'-reiterating his stan! that the petitioner has not violate! Section )+* of the Insurance $ct



In see:ing reversal of the ?u!g"ent of conviction% petitioner assigns the follo#ing errors 11 allege!lyco""itte! by the appellate court;

) TH@ R@SPOND@NT COGRT O> $PP@$4S @RR@D IN >INDIN, TH$T R@C@IPT O>CO(P@NS$TION IS NOT $N @SS@NTI$4 @4@(@NT O> TH@ CRI(@ D@>IN@D BK TH@>IRST P$R$,R$PH O> S@CTION )+* O> TH@ INSGR$NC@ $CT

& TH@ R@SPOND@NT COGRT O> $PP@$4S @RR@D IN ,IVIN, DG@ =@I,HT TO@HIBITS >% >6)% TO >6)'% INC4GSIV@ SG>>ICI@NT TO @ST$B4ISH P@TITION@R<S,GI4T B@KOND R@$SON$B4@ DOGBT

. TH@ R@SPOND@NT COGRT O> $PP@$4S @RR@D IN NOT $C8GITTIN, H@R@INP@TITION@R

=e fin! the petition "eritorious

The "ain issue raise! is #hether or not a person can be convicte! of having violate! the first paragraph of Section )+* of the Insurance $ct #ithout reference to the secon! paragraph of the sa"e section In other #or!s% it is necessary to !eter"ine #hether or not the agent "entione! in the first paragraph of theaforesai! section is governe! by the !efinition of an insurance agent foun! on its secon! paragraph

The pertinent provision of Section )+* of the Insurance $ct rea!s as follo#s;

No insurance co"pany !oing business #ithin the Philippine Islan!s% nor any agent thereof%shall pay any co""ission or other co"pensation to any person for services in obtainingne# insurance% unless such person shall have first procure! fro" the InsuranceCo""issioner a certificate of authority to act as an agent of such co"pany as hereinafter provi!e! No person shall act as agent% sub6agent% or bro:er in the solicitation of procure"ent of applications for insurance% or receive for services in obtaining ne#insurance% any co""ission or other co"pensation fro" any insurance co"pany !oingbusiness in the Philippine Islan!s% or agent thereof% #ithout first procuring a certificate of authority so to act fro" the Insurance Co""issioner% #hich "ust be rene#e! annually onthe first !ay of anuary% or #ithin si7 "onths thereafter Such certificate shall be issue! bythe Insurance Co""issioner only upon the #ritten application of persons !esiring suchauthority% such application being approve! an! countersigne! by the co"pany such person!esires to represent% an! shall be upon a for" approve! by the Insurance Co""issioner%

giving such infor"ation as he "ay reuire The Insurance Co""issioner shall have theright to refuse to issue or rene# an! to revo:e any such certificate in his !iscretion No suchcertificate shall be vali!% ho#ever% in any event after the first !ay of uly of the year follo#ingthe issuing of such certificate Rene#al certificates "ay be issue! upon the application of the co"pany

$ny person #ho "o co$pensation solicits or obtains insurance on behalf of any insuranceco"pany% or trans"its for a person other than hi"self an application for a policy of insurance to or fro" such co"pany or offers or assu"es to act in the negotiating of suchinsurance% shall be an insuance agent 4it0in t0e intent o" t0is section, an! shall therebybeco"e liable to all the !uties% reuire"ents% liabilities% an! penalties to #hich an agent of such co"pany is sub?ect

$ny person or co"pany violating the provisions of this section shall be fine! in the su" of

five hun!re! pesos On the conviction of any person acting as agent% sub6agent% or bro:er%of the co""ission of any offense connecte! #ith the business of insurance% the InsuranceCo""issioner shall i""e!iately revo:e the certificate of authority issue! to hi" an! nosuch certificate shall thereafter be issue! to such convicte! person

$ careful perusal of the above6uote! provision sho#s that the first paragraph thereof prohibits a personfro" acting as agent% sub6agent or bro:er in the solicitation or procure"ent of applications for insurance#ithout first procuring a certificate of authority so to act fro" the Insurance Co""issioner% #hile its secon!paragraph !efines #ho is an insurance agent #ithin the intent of this section an!% finally% the thir!paragraph thereof prescribes the penalty to be i"pose! for its violation



The respon!ent appellate court rule! that the petitioner is prosecute! not un!er the secon! paragraph of Section )+* of the aforesai! $ct but un!er its first paragraph Thus

it can no longer be !enie! that it #as appellant<s "ost active en!eavors that resulte! inissuance of policy to Isi!ro% she #as there an! then acting as agent% an! receive! the paythereof her !efense that she #as only acting as helper of her husban! can no longer besustaine!% neither her point that she receive! no co"pensation for issuance of the policybecause

any person #ho for co"pensation solicits or obtains insurance on behalf of any insurance co"pany or trans"its for a person other than hi"self anapplication for a policy of insurance to or fro" such co"pany or offers or assu"es to act in the negotiating of such insurance% shall be an insuranceagent #ithin the intent of this section% an! shall thereby beco"e liable to allthe !uties% reuire"ents% liabilities% an! penalties% to #hich an agent of suchco"pany is sub?ect paragraph &% Sec )+*% Insurance 4a#%

no# it is true that infor"ation !oes not even allege that she ha! obtaine! the insurance%

for co"pensation

#hich is the gist of the offense in Section )+* of the Insurance 4a# in its &n! paragraph% but#hat appellant apparently overloo:s is that she is prosecute! not un!er the &n! but un!er the )st paragraph of Sec )+* #herein it is provi!e! that%

No person shall act as agent% sub6agent% or bro:er% in the solicitation or procure"ent of applications for insurance% or receive for services inobtaining ne# insurance any co""ission or other co"pensation fro" anyinsurance co"pany !oing business in the Philippine Islan!% or agent thereof%#ithout first procuring a certificate of authority to act fro" the insuranceco""issioner% #hich "ust be rene#e! annually on the first !ay of anuary%or #ithin si7 "onths thereafter

therefore% there #as no technical !efect in the #or!ing of the charge% so that @rrors & an! /"ust be overrule! 12

>ro" the above6"entione! ruling% the respon!ent appellate court see"s to i"ply that the !efinition of an

insurance agent un!er the secon! paragraph of Section )+* is not applicable to the insurance agent"entione! in the first paragraph Parenthetically% the respon!ent court conclu!es that un!er the secon!paragraph of Section )+*% a person is an insurance agent if he solicits an! obtains an insurance for co"pensation% but% in its first paragraph% there is no necessity that a person solicits an insurance for co"pensation in or!er to be calle! an insurance agent

=e fin! this to be a reversible error $s correctly pointe! out by the Solicitor ,eneral% the !efinition of aninsurance agent as foun! in the secon! paragraph of Section )+* is inten!e! to !efine the #or! 1agent1"entione! in the first an! secon! paragraphs of the aforesai! section (ore significantly% in its secon!paragraph% it is e7plicitly provi!e! that the !efinition of an insurance agent is #ithin the intent of Section)+* Hence

$ny person #ho for co"pensation shall be an insuance agent 4it0in t0e intent o" this

section% Patently% the !efinition of an insurance agent un!er the secon! paragraph hol!s true #ith respect to theagent "entione! in the other t#o paragraphs of the sai! section The secon! paragraph of Section )+* is a!efinition an! interpretative clause inten!e! to ualify the ter" 1agent1 "entione! in both the first an! thir!paragraphs of the aforesai! section

$pplying the !efinition of an insurance agent in the secon! paragraph to the agent "entione! in the firstan! secon! paragraphs #oul! give har"ony to the aforesai! three paragraphs of Section )+* 4egislativeintent "ust be ascertaine! fro" a consi!eration of the statute as a #hole The particular #or!s% clausesan! phrases shoul! not be stu!ie! as !etache! an! isolate! e7pressions% but the #hole an! every part of the statute "ust be consi!ere! in fi7ing the "eaning of any of its parts an! in or!er to pro!uce har"onious



#hole 13 $ statute "ust be so construe! as to har"oni9e an! give effect to all its provisions #henever possible 1 The "eaning of the la#% it "ust be borne in "in!% is not to be e7tracte! fro" any single part% portionor section or fro" isolate! #or!s an! phrases% clauses or sentences but fro" a general consi!eration or vie# of the act as a #hole 1+ @very part of the statute "ust be interprete! #ith reference to the conte7t This "eansthat every part of the statute "ust be consi!ere! together #ith the other parts% an! :ept subservient to thegeneral intent of the #hole enact"ent% not separately an! in!epen!ently 16 (ore i"portantly% the !octrine of associate! #or!s 0Noscitur a Sociis2 provi!es that #here a particular #or! or phrase in a state"ent isa"biguous in itself or is eually susceptible of various "eanings% its true "eaning "ay be "a!e clear an!

specific by consi!ering the co"pany in #hich it is foun! or #ith #hich it is associate! 17

Consi!ering that the !efinition of an insurance agent as foun! in the secon! paragraph is also applicable tothe agent "entione! in the first paragraph% to receive a co"pensation by the agent is an essential ele"entfor a violation of the first paragraph of the aforesai! section The appellate court has establishe! ulti"atelythat the petitioner6accuse! !i! not receive any co"pensation for the issuance of the insurance policy of @ugenio Isi!ro Nevertheless% the accuse! #as convicte! by the appellate court for% accor!ing to the latter%the receipt of co"pensation for issuing an insurance policy is not an essential ele"ent for a violation of thefirst paragraph of Section )+* of the Insurance $ct

=e rule other#ise Gn!er the Te7as Penal Co!e )*))% $rticle E+*% "a:ing it a "is!e"eanor for any personfor !irect or in!irect co"pensation to solicit insurance #ithout a certificate of authority to act as aninsurance agent% an infor"ation% failing to allege that the solicitor #as to receive co"pensation either

!irectly or in!irectly% charges no offense1

In the case of Bolen vs Sta:e%19

the provision of Section .'-3%Sny!er<s Co"pile! 4a#s of O:laho"a )*3* is inten!e! to penali9e persons only #ho acte! as insurancesolicitors #ithout license% an! #hile acting in such capacity negotiate! an! conclu!e! insurance contracts for co"pensation It "ust be note! that the infor"ation% in the case at bar% !oes not allege that the negotiation of aninsurance contracts by the accuse! #ith @ugenio Isi!ro #as one for co"pensation This allegation is essential%an! having been o"itte!% a conviction of the accuse! coul! not be sustaine! It is #ell6settle! in Our

?urispru!ence that to #arrant conviction% every ele"ent of the cri"e "ust be allege! an! prove! 20

$fter going over the recor!s of this case% =e are fully convince!% as the Solicitor ,eneral "aintains% thataccuse! !i! not violate Section )+* of the Insurance $ct

=H@R@>OR@% the ?u!g"ent appeale! fro" is reverse! an! the accuse! is acuitte! of the cri"e charge!%#ith costs de o"icio

SO ORD@R@D

&ee0an6ee +Acting C.J., Ma6asia, 'e Casto, )enandez, Gueeo and Melencio-3eea, JJ., concu.

Plana, J., too6 no pat.

'oo#"o#)$

) p &)% Rollo

& p ))% C$ Rollo

. p )3% C$ Rollo

/ pp &)6&&% Rollo

- p '% Rollo

E p .E% Rollo

' p -)% Rollo

+ p -+% Rollo

* p E*% Rollo

)3 p ')% Rollo

)) p E*% RolloF p E% Brief for the Petitioner



)& pp &- an! &E% Rollo

). $raneta vs Concepcion% ** Phil '3*F Ta"ayo vs ,sell% .- Phil *-.F 4ope9 vs @lHogar >ilipino% /' Phil &/*F Chartere! Ban: vs I"perial% /+ Phil *.)

)/ People vs Pol"on +E Phil .-3

)- +& CS% Section ./-% pp E**6'33

)E Ta"ayo vs ,sell% .- Phil *-.)' Co i" Cha" vs Val!e9 Tan eh Di9on% '- Phil .')

)+ asper vs State% '. Te7 Cr R )*'F )E/ S= +-)

)* )/* p )3'/% )) O:la Cri" -*/

&3 People vs Sy ,esiong% E3 Phil E)/


THIRD DIVISION

G.R. No. 16+71 A4:4$# 11, 2010

GERERT R. CORPUZ, Petitioner%vs(AIS;L;N TIROL STO. TOMAS !"/ T-) SOLICITOR GENERAL, Respon!ents

D @ C I S I O N

RION, J.:

Before the Court is a !irect appeal fro" the !ecision) of the Regional Trial Court 0RTC2 of 4aoag City%Branch ))% elevate! via a petition for revie# on certiorari& un!er Rule /- of the Rules of Court 0presentpetition2

Petitioner ,erbert R Corpu9 #as a for"er >ilipino citi9en #ho acuire! Cana!ian citi9enship throughnaturali9ation on Nove"ber &*% &333. On anuary )+% &33-% ,erbert "arrie! respon!ent Daisylyn T Sto

To"as% a >ilipina% in Pasig City/ Due to #or: an! other professional co""it"ents% ,erbert left for Cana!asoon after the #e!!ing He returne! to the Philippines so"eti"e in $pril &33- to surprise Daisylyn% but #asshoc:e! to !iscover that his #ife #as having an affair #ith another "an Hurt an! !isappointe!% ,erbertreturne! to Cana!a an! file! a petition for !ivorce The Superior Court of ustice% =in!sor% Ontario%Cana!a grante! ,erbertMs petition for !ivorce on Dece"ber +% &33- The !ivorce !ecree too: effect a"onth later% on anuary +% &33E-

T#o years after the !ivorce% ,erbert has "ove! on an! has foun! another >ilipina to love Desirous of "arrying his ne# >ilipina fiance in the Philippines% ,erbert #ent to the Pasig City Civil Registry Office an!registere! the Cana!ian !ivorce !ecree on his an! DaisylynMs "arriage certificate Despite the registrationof the !ivorce !ecree% an official of the National Statistics Office 0NSO2 infor"e! ,erbert that the "arriagebet#een hi" an! Daisylyn still subsists un!er Philippine la#F to be enforceable% the foreign !ivorce !ecree"ust first be ?u!icially recogni9e! by a co"petent Philippine court% pursuant to NSO Circular No /% series

of )*+&E

$ccor!ingly% ,erbert file! a petition for ?u!icial recognition of foreign !ivorce an!Jor !eclaration of "arriageas !issolve! 0 petition2 #ith the RTC $lthough su""one!% Daisylyn !i! not file any responsive plea!ing butsub"itte! instea! a notari9e! letterJ"anifestation to the trial court She offere! no opposition to ,erbertMspetition an!% in fact% allege! her !esire to file a si"ilar case herself but #as prevente! by financial an!personal circu"stances She% thus% reueste! that she be consi!ere! as a party6in6interest #ith a si"ilar prayer to ,erbertMs

In its October .3% &33+ !ecision%' the RTC !enie! ,erbertMs petition The RTC conclu!e! that ,erbert #asnot the proper party to institute the action for ?u!icial recognition of the foreign !ivorce !ecree as he is a

http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2010/aug2010/gr_186571_2010.html#fnt1

















naturali9e! Cana!ian citi9en It rule! that only the >ilipino spouse can avail of the re"e!y% un!er thesecon! paragraph of $rticle &E of the >a"ily Co!e%+ in or!er for hi" or her to be able to re"arry un!er Philippine la#* $rticle &E of the >a"ily Co!e rea!s;

$rt &E $ll "arriages sole"ni9e! outsi!e the Philippines% in accor!ance #ith the la#s in force in thecountry #here they #ere sole"ni9e!% an! vali! there as such% shall also be vali! in this country% e7ceptthose prohibite! un!er $rticles .-0)2% 0/2% 0-2 an! 0E2% .E% .' an! .+

=here a "arriage bet#een a >ilipino citi9en an! a foreigner is vali!ly celebrate! an! a !ivorce is thereafter vali!ly obtaine! abroa! by the alien spouse capacitating hi" or her to re"arry% the >ilipino spouse shallli:e#ise have capacity to re"arry un!er Philippine la#

This conclusion% the RTC state!% is consistent #ith the legislative intent behin! the enact"ent of thesecon! paragraph of $rticle &E of the >a"ily Co!e% as !eter"ine! by the Court in Republic v Orbeci!oIIIF)3 the provision #as enacte! to 1avoi! the absur! situation #here the >ilipino spouse re"ains "arrie! tothe alien spouse #ho% after obtaining a !ivorce% is no longer "arrie! to the >ilipino spouse1))

TH@ P@TITION

>ro" the RTCMs ruling%)& ,erbert file! the present petition).

,erbert asserts that his petition before the RTC is essentially for !eclaratory relief% si"ilar to that file! inOrbeci!oF he% thus% si"ilarly as:s for a !eter"ination of his rights un!er the secon! paragraph of $rticle &E

of the >a"ily Co!e Ta:ing into account the rationale behin! the secon! paragraph of $rticle &E of the>a"ily Co!e% he conten!s that the provision applies as #ell to the benefit of the alien spouse He clai"sthat the RTC ruling un!uly stretche! the !octrine in Orbeci!o by li"iting the stan!ing to file the petition onlyto the >ilipino spouse an interpretation he clai"s to be contrary to the essence of the secon! paragraphof $rticle &E of the >a"ily Co!e He consi!ers hi"self as a proper party% veste! #ith sufficient legalinterest% to institute the case% as there is a possibility that he "ight be prosecute! for biga"y if he "arrieshis >ilipina fiance in the Philippines since t#o "arriage certificates% involving hi"% #oul! be on file #ith theCivil Registry Office The Office of the Solicitor ,eneral an! Daisylyn% in their respective Co""ents%)/ bothsupport ,erbertMs position

@ssentially% the petition raises the issue of #hether the secon! paragraph of $rticle &E of the >a"ily Co!ee7ten!s to aliens the right to petition a court of this ?uris!iction for the recognition of a foreign !ivorce!ecree

TH@ COGRTMS RG4IN,

The alien spouse can clai" no right un!er the secon! paragraph of $rticle &E of the >a"ily Co!e as thesubstantive right it establishes is in favor of the >ilipino spouse

The resolution of the issue reuires a revie# of the legislative history an! intent behin! the secon!paragraph of $rticle &E of the >a"ily Co!e

The >a"ily Co!e recogni9es only t#o types of !efective "arriages voi!)- an! voi!able)E "arriages Inboth cases% the basis for the ?u!icial !eclaration of absolute nullity or annul"ent of the "arriage e7istsbefore or at the ti"e of the "arriage Divorce% on the other han!% conte"plates the !issolution of the la#fulunion for cause arising after the "arriage)' Our fa"ily la#s !o not recogni9e absolute !ivorce bet#een>ilipino citi9ens)+

Recogni9ing the reality that !ivorce is a possibility in "arriages bet#een a >ilipino an! an alien% Presi!entCora9on C $uino% in the e7ercise of her legislative po#ers un!er the >ree!o" Constitution%)* enacte!@7ecutive Or!er No 0@O2 &&'% a"en!ing $rticle &E of the >a"ily Co!e to its present #or!ing% as follo#s;

$rt &E $ll "arriages sole"ni9e! outsi!e the Philippines% in accor!ance #ith the la#s in force in thecountry #here they #ere sole"ni9e!% an! vali! there as such% shall also be vali! in this country% e7ceptthose prohibite! un!er $rticles .-0)2% 0/2% 0-2 an! 0E2% .E% .' an! .+

=here a "arriage bet#een a >ilipino citi9en an! a foreigner is vali!ly celebrate! an! a !ivorce is thereafter vali!ly obtaine! abroa! by the alien spouse capacitating hi" or her to re"arry% the >ilipino spouse shallli:e#ise have capacity to re"arry un!er Philippine la#































Through the secon! paragraph of $rticle &E of the >a"ily Co!e% @O &&' effectively incorporate! into thela# this CourtMs hol!ing in Van Dorn v Ro"illo% r&3 an! Pilapil v Ibay6So"era&) In both cases% the Courtrefuse! to ac:no#le!ge the alien spouseMs assertion of "arital rights after a foreign courtMs !ivorce !ecreebet#een the alien an! the >ilipino The Court% thus% recogni9e! that the foreign !ivorce ha! alrea!ysevere! the "arital bon! bet#een the spouses The Court reasone! in Van Dorn v Ro"illo that;

To "aintain 7 7 7 that% un!er our la#s% the >ilipino spouseU has to be consi!ere! still "arrie! to the alienspouseU an! still sub?ect to a #ife<s obligations 7 7 7 cannot be ?ust The >ilipino spouseU shoul! not be

oblige! to live together #ith% observe respect an! fi!elity% an! ren!er support to the alien spouseU Thelatter shoul! not continue to be one of her heirs #ith possible rights to con?ugal property She shoul! not be!iscri"inate! against in her o#n country if the en!s of ?ustice are to be serve!&&

$s the RTC correctly state!% the provision #as inclu!e! in the la# 1to avoi! the absur! situation #here the>ilipino spouse re"ains "arrie! to the alien spouse #ho% after obtaining a !ivorce% is no longer "arrie! tothe >ilipino spouse1&. The legislative intent is for the benefit of the >ilipino spouse% by clarifying his or her "arital status% settling the !oubts create! by the !ivorce !ecree @ssentially% the secon! paragraph of

$rticle &E of the >a"ily Co!e provi!e! the >ilipino spouse a substantive right to have his or her "arriage tothe alien spouse consi!ere! as !issolve!% capacitating hi" or her to re"arry&/ =ithout the secon!paragraph of $rticle &E of the >a"ily Co!e% the ?u!icial recognition of the foreign !ecree of !ivorce% #hether in a procee!ing institute! precisely for that purpose or as a relate! issue in another procee!ing% #oul! beof no significance to the >ilipino spouse since our la#s !o not recogni9e !ivorce as a "o!e of severing the

"arital bon!F&- $rticle )' of the Civil Co!e provi!es that the policy against absolute !ivorces cannot besubverte! by ?u!g"ents pro"ulgate! in a foreign country The inclusion of the secon! paragraph in $rticle&E of the >a"ily Co!e provi!es the !irect e7ception to this rule an! serves as basis for recogni9ing the!issolution of the "arriage bet#een the >ilipino spouse an! his or her alien spouse

$!!itionally% an action base! on the secon! paragraph of $rticle &E of the >a"ily Co!e is not li"ite! to therecognition of the foreign !ivorce !ecree If the court fin!s that the !ecree capacitate! the alien spouse tore"arry% the courts can !eclare that the >ilipino spouse is li:e#ise capacitate! to contract another "arriage No court in this ?uris!iction% ho#ever% can "a:e a si"ilar !eclaration for the alien spouse 0other than that alrea!y establishe! by the !ecree2% #hose status an! legal capacity are generally governe! byhis national la#&E

,iven the rationale an! intent behin! the enact"ent% an! the purpose of the secon! paragraph of $rticle &Eof the >a"ily Co!e% the RTC #as correct in li"iting the applicability of the provision for the benefit of the

>ilipino spouse In other #or!s% only the >ilipino spouse can invo:e the secon! paragraph of $rticle &E of the >a"ily Co!eF the alien spouse can clai" no right un!er this provision

The foreign !ivorce !ecree is presu"ptive evi!ence of a right that clothes the party #ith legal interest topetition for its recognition in this ?uris!iction

=e ualify our above conclusion ie% that the secon! paragraph of $rticle &E of the >a"ily Co!e besto#sno rights in favor of aliens #ith the co"ple"entary state"ent that this conclusion is not sufficient basis to!is"iss ,erbertMs petition before the RTC In other #or!s% the unavailability of the secon! paragraph of

$rticle &E of the >a"ily Co!e to aliens !oes not necessarily strip ,erbert of legal interest to petition theRTC for the recognition of his foreign !ivorce !ecree The foreign !ivorce !ecree itself% after its authenticityan! confor"ity #ith the alienMs national la# have been !uly proven accor!ing to our rules of evi!ence%serves as a presu"ptive evi!ence of right in favor of ,erbert% pursuant to Section /+% Rule .* of the Rules

of Court #hich provi!es for the effect of foreign ?u!g"ents This Section states;S@C /+ @ffect of foreign ?u!g"ents or final or!ersThe effect of a ?u!g"ent or final or!er of a tribunal of a foreign country% having ?uris!iction to ren!er the ?u!g"ent or final or!er is as follo#s;

0a2 In case of a ?u!g"ent or final or!er upon a specific thing% the ?u!g"ent or final or!er isconclusive upon the title of the thingF an!

0b2 In case of a ?u!g"ent or final or!er against a person% the ?u!g"ent or final or!er is presu"ptiveevi!ence of a right as bet#een the parties an! their successors in interest by a subseuent title

In either case% the ?u!g"ent or final or!er "ay be repelle! by evi!ence of a #ant of ?uris!iction% #ant of notice to the party% collusion% frau!% or clear "ista:e of la# or fact


















To our "in!% !irect involve"ent or being the sub?ect of the foreign ?u!g"ent is sufficient to clothe a party#ith the reuisite interest to institute an action before our courts for the recognition of the foreign ?u!g"entIn a !ivorce situation% #e have !eclare!% no less% that the !ivorce obtaine! by an alien abroa! "ay berecogni9e! in the Philippines% provi!e! the !ivorce is vali! accor!ing to his or her national la#&'

The starting point in any recognition of a foreign !ivorce ?u!g"ent is the ac:no#le!g"ent that our courts!o not ta:e ?u!icial notice of foreign ?u!g"ents an! la#s ustice Herrera e7plaine! that% as a rule% 1nosovereign is boun! to give effect #ithin its !o"inion to a ?u!g"ent ren!ere! by a tribunal of another

country1&+ This "eans that the foreign ?u!g"ent an! its authenticity "ust be proven as facts un!er our rules on evi!ence% together #ith the alienMs applicable national la# to sho# the effect of the ?u!g"ent onthe alien hi"self or herself&* The recognition "ay be "a!e in an action institute! specifically for thepurpose or in another action #here a party invo:es the foreign !ecree as an integral aspect of his clai" or !efense

In ,erbertMs case% since both the foreign !ivorce !ecree an! the national la# of the alien% recogni9ing his or her capacity to obtain a !ivorce% purport to be official acts of a sovereign authority% Section &/% Rule ).& of the Rules of Court co"es into play This Section reuires proof% either by 0)2 official publications or 0&2copies atteste! by the officer having legal custo!y of the !ocu"ents If the copies of official recor!s are not:ept in the Philippines% these "ust be 0a2 acco"panie! by a certificate issue! by the proper !iplo"atic or consular officer in the Philippine foreign service statione! in the foreign country in #hich the recor! is :eptan! 0b2 authenticate! by the seal of his office

The recor!s sho# that ,erbert attache! to his petition a copy of the !ivorce !ecree% as #ell as the reuire!certificates proving its authenticity%.3 but faile! to inclu!e a copy of the Cana!ian la# on !ivorce.) Gn!er this situation% #e can% at this point% si"ply !is"iss the petition for insufficiency of supporting evi!ence%unless #e !ee" it "ore appropriate to re"an! the case to the RTC to !eter"ine #hether the !ivorce!ecree is consistent #ith the Cana!ian !ivorce la#

=e !ee" it "ore appropriate to ta:e this latter course of action% given the $rticle &E interests that #ill beserve! an! the >ilipina #ifeMs 0DaisylynMs2 obvious confor"ity #ith the petition $ re"an!% at the sa"e ti"e%#ill allo# other intereste! parties to oppose the foreign ?u!g"ent an! overco"e a petitionerMs presu"ptiveevi!ence of a right by proving #ant of ?uris!iction% #ant of notice to a party% collusion% frau!% or clear "ista:e of la# or fact Nee!less to state% every precaution "ust be ta:en to ensure confor"ity #ith our la#s before a recognition is "a!e% as the foreign ?u!g"ent% once recogni9e!% shall have the effect of res

?u!icata.& bet#een the parties% as provi!e! in Section /+% Rule .* of the Rules of Court..

In fact% "ore than the principle of co"ity that is serve! by the practice of reciprocal recognition of foreign ?u!g"ents bet#een nations% the res ?u!icata effect of the foreign ?u!g"ents of !ivorce serves as the !eeper basis for e7ten!ing ?u!icial recognition an! for consi!ering the alien spouse boun! by its ter"s This sa"eeffect% as !iscusse! above% #ill not obtain for the >ilipino spouse #ere it not for the substantive rule that thesecon! paragraph of $rticle &E of the >a"ily Co!e provi!es

Consi!erations beyon! the recognition of the foreign !ivorce !ecree

$s a "atter of 1house:eeping1 concern% #e note that the Pasig City Civil Registry Office has alrea!yrecor!e! the !ivorce !ecree on ,erbert an! DaisylynMs "arriage certificate base! on the "ere presentationof the !ecree./ =e consi!er the recor!ing to be legally i"properF hence% the nee! to !ra# attention of thebench an! the bar to #hat ha! been !one

$rticle /3' of the Civil Co!e states that 1aUcts% events an! ?u!icial !ecrees concerning the civil status of persons shall be recor!e! in the civil register1 The la# reuires the entry in the civil registry of ?u!icial!ecrees that pro!uce legal conseuences touching upon a personMs legal capacity an! status% ie% thoseaffecting 1all his personal ualities an! relations% "ore or less per"anent in nature% not or!inarilyter"inable at his o#n #ill% such as his being legiti"ate or illegiti"ate% or his being "arrie! or not1.-

$ ?u!g"ent of !ivorce is a ?u!icial !ecree% although a foreign one% affecting a personMs legal capacity an!status that "ust be recor!e! In fact% $ct No .'-. or the 4a# on Registry of Civil Status specificallyreuires the registration of !ivorce !ecrees in the civil registry;

Sec ) Civil Register $ civil register is establishe! for recor!ing the civil status of persons% in #hich shallbe entere!;





















0a2 birthsF

0b2 !eathsF

0c2 "arriagesF

0!2 annul"ents of "arriagesF

0e2 !ivorcesF

0f2 legiti"ationsF

0g2 a!optionsF

0h2 ac:no#le!g"ent of natural chil!renF

0i2 naturali9ationF an!

0?2 changes of na"e

7 7 7 7

Sec / Civil Register Boo:s The local registrars shall :eep an! preserve in their offices the follo#ingboo:s% in #hich they shall% respectively "a:e the proper entries concerning the civil status of persons;

0)2 Birth an! !eath registerF

0&2 (arriage register% in #hich shall be entere! not only the "arriages sole"ni9e! but also !ivorcesan! !issolve! "arriages

0.2 4egiti"ation% ac:no#le!g"ent% a!option% change of na"e an! naturali9ation register

But #hile the la# reuires the entry of the !ivorce !ecree in the civil registry% the la# an! the sub"ission of the !ecree by the"selves !o not ipso facto authori9e the !ecreeMs registration The la# shoul! be rea! inrelation #ith the reuire"ent of a ?u!icial recognition of the foreign ?u!g"ent before it can be given res

?u!icata effect In the conte7t of the present case% no ?u!icial or!er as yet e7ists recogni9ing the foreign!ivorce !ecree Thus% the Pasig City Civil Registry Office acte! totally out of turn an! #ithout authority of la# #hen it annotate! the Cana!ian !ivorce !ecree on ,erbert an! DaisylynMs "arriage certificate% on thestrength alone of the foreign !ecree presente! by ,erbert

@vi!ently% the Pasig City Civil Registry Office #as a#are of the reuire"ent of a court recognition% as it

cite! NSO Circular No /% series of )*+&%.E an! Depart"ent of ustice Opinion No )+)% series of )*+&.' both of #hich reuire! a final or!er fro" a co"petent Philippine court before a foreign ?u!g"ent% !issolvinga "arriage% can be registere! in the civil registry% but it% nonetheless% allo#e! the registration of the !ecree>or being contrary to la#% the registration of the foreign !ivorce !ecree #ithout the reuisite ?u!icialrecognition is patently voi! an! cannot pro!uce any legal effect )avvphi)

$nother point #e #ish to !ra# attention to is that the recognition that the RTC "ay e7ten! to the Cana!ian!ivorce !ecree !oes not% by itself% authori9e the cancellation of the entry in the civil registry $ petition for recognition of a foreign ?u!g"ent is not the proper procee!ing% conte"plate! un!er the Rules of Court% for the cancellation of entries in the civil registry

$rticle /)& of the Civil Co!e !eclares that 1no entry in a civil register shall be change! or correcte!% #ithout ?u!icial or!er1 The Rules of Court supple"ents $rticle /)& of the Civil Co!e by specifically provi!ing for a

special re"e!ial procee!ing by #hich entries in the civil registry "ay be ?u!icially cancelle! or correcte!Rule )3+ of the Rules of Court sets in !etail the ?uris!ictional an! proce!ural reuire"ents that "ust beco"plie! #ith before a ?u!g"ent% authori9ing the cancellation or correction% "ay be annotate! in the civilregistry It also reuires% a"ong others% that the verifie! petition "ust be file! #ith the RTC of the province#here the correspon!ing civil registry is locate!F.+that the civil registrar an! all persons #ho have or clai"any interest "ust be "a!e parties to the procee!ingsF.*an! that the ti"e an! place for hearing "ust bepublishe! in a ne#spaper of general circulation/3 $s these basic ?uris!ictional reuire"ents have not been"et in the present case% #e cannot consi!er the petition ,erbert file! #ith the RTC as one file! un!er Rule)3+ of the Rules of Court

=e hasten to point out% ho#ever% that this ruling shoul! not be construe! as reuiring t#o separate














procee!ings for the registration of a foreign !ivorce !ecree in the civil registry one for recognition of theforeign !ecree an! another specifically for cancellation of the entry un!er Rule )3+ of the Rules of CourtThe recognition of the foreign !ivorce !ecree "ay be "a!e in a Rule )3+ procee!ing itself% as the ob?ect of special procee!ings 0such as that in Rule )3+ of the Rules of Court2 is precisely to establish the status or right of a party or a particular fact (oreover% Rule )3+ of the Rules of Court can serve as the appropriatea!versarial procee!ing/) by #hich the applicability of the foreign ?u!g"ent can be "easure! an! teste! inter"s of ?uris!ictional infir"ities% #ant of notice to the party% collusion% frau!% or clear "ista:e of la# or fact

%&ERE'ORE% #e ,R$NT the petition for revie# on certiorari% an! R@V@RS@ the October .3% &33+!ecision of the Regional Trial Court of 4aoag City% Branch ))% as #ell as its >ebruary )'% &33* or!er =eor!er the R@($ND of the case to the trial court for further procee!ings in accor!ance #ith our rulingabove 4et a copy of this Decision be furnishe! the Civil Registrar ,eneral No costs

SO ORD@R@D

ARTURO (. RION $ssociate ustice

=@ CONCGR;

CONC&ITA CARPIO MORALES $ssociate ustice

LUCAS P. ERSAMIN $ssociate ustice

ROERTO A. AA( $ssociate ustice

MARTIN S. VILLARAMA, R. $ssociate ustice

$ T T @ S T $ T I O N

I attest that the conclusions in the above Decision ha! been reache! in consultation before the case #asassigne! to the #riter of the opinion of the CourtMs Division

CONC&ITA CARPIO MORALES $ssociate usticeChairperson

C @ R T I > I C $ T I O N

Pursuant to Section ).% $rticle VIII of the Constitution% an! the Division ChairpersonMs $ttestation% it ishereby certifie! that the conclusions in the above Decision ha! been reache! in consultation before thecase #as assigne! to the #riter of the opinion of the CourtMs Division

RENATO C. CORONAChief ustice

'oo#"o#)$

Designate! a!!itional (e"ber of the Thir! Division% in vie# of the retire"ent of Chief usticeReynato S Puno% per Special Or!er No +/. !ate! (ay )'% &3)3

) Date! October .3% &33+% penne! by u!ge Perla B 8uerubinF rollo% pp &/6.)

& I! at .6&3

. I! at &'

/ (arriage Certificate% i! at .'

- Certificate of Divorce% i! at .+

E I! at /'6-3F the pertinent portion of NSO Circular No /% series of )*+&% states;

It #oul! therefore be pre"ature to register the !ecree of annul"ent in the Register of



http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2010/aug2010/gr_186571_2010.html#rnt1















$nnul"ent of (arriages in (anila% unless an! until final or!er of e7ecution of such foreign ?u!g"ent is issue! by co"petent Philippine court

' Supra note )

+ @7ecutive Or!er No &3*% enacte! on uly E% )*+'

* Rollo% p .)

)3 ,R No )-/.+3% October -% &33-% /'& SCR$ ))/)) I! at )&)

)& ,erbertMs "otion for reconsi!eration of the RTCMs October .3% &33+ !ecision #as !enie! in anor!er !ate! >ebruary )'% &33*F ollo, p .&

). Supra note &

)/ Rollo% pp '*6+' an! )&-6)/&% respectively

)- The voi! "arriages are those enu"erate! un!er $rticles .-% .E% .'% .+% /3% /)% //% an! -. inrelation to $rticle -& of the >a"ily Co!e

)E The voi!able "arriages are those enu"erate! un!er $rticle /- of the >a"ily Co!e

)' ,arcia v Recio% ,R No ).+.&&% October &% &33)% .EE SCR$ /.'% /-&

)+ Ibi! See $ Tolentino% Co""entaries an! urispru!ence on the Civil Co!e of the Philippines%Volu"e One% #ith the >a"ily Co!e of the Philippines 0&33/ e!2% p &E&

)* Procla"ation No .% issue! on (arch &-% )**E

&3 ,R No 46E+/'3% October +% )*+-% ).* SCR$ ).*

&) ,R No +3))E% une .3% )*+*% )'/ SCR$ E-.

&& Van Dorn v Ro"illo% supra note &3 at )//

&. Republic v Orbeci!o% supra note )3 at )&)

&/ The capacity of the >ilipino spouse to re"arry% ho#ever% !epen!s on #hether the foreign !ivorce!ecree capacitate! the alien spouse to !o so

&- See $rticle )' in relation to $rticle )- of the Civil Co!e;

$rt )- 4a#s relating to fa"ily rights an! !uties% or to the status% con!ition an! legalcapacity of persons are bin!ing upon citi9ens of the Philippines% even though living abroa!

7 7 7 7

$rt )' 7 7 7 Prohibitive la#s concerning persons% their acts or property% an! those #hichhave for their ob?ect public or!er% public policy an! goo! custo"s shall not be ren!ere!ineffective by la#s or ?u!g"ents pro"ulgate!% or by !eter"inations or conventions agree!upon in a foreign country

&E Parenthetically% #e a!! that an alienMs legal capacity to contract is evi!ence! by a certificateissue! by his or her respective !iplo"atic an! consular officials% #hich he or she "ust present to

secure a "arriage license 0$rticle &)% >a"ily Co!e2 The >ilipino spouse #ho see:s to re"arry%ho#ever% "ust still resort to a ?u!icial action for a !eclaration of authority to re"arry

&' ,arcia v Recio% supra note )' at //'F citing Van Dorn v Ro"illo% supra note &3

&+ Re"e!ial 4a#% Volu"e II% Rules &.6-E 0&33' e!2% p -&*

&* Republic v Orbeci!o III% supra note )3 at )&. an! ,arcia v Recio% supra note )' at //+F seealso Bayot v Court of $ppeals% ,R No )--E.-% Nove"ber '% &33+% -'3 SCR$ /'&

.3 Rollo% pp .+6/)

.) The foreign !ivorce !ecree only state! that the "arriage bet#een ,erbert an! Daisylyn #as






















































!issolve! by the Cana!ian court The full te7t of the courtMs ?u!g"ent #as not inclu!e!

.& 4iterally "eans 1a thing a!?u!ge!%1 Blac:Ms 4a# Dictionary 0-th e!2% p ))'+F it establishes a rulethat a final ?u!g"ent or !ecree on the "erits by a court of co"petent ?uris!iction is conclusive of therights of the parties or their privies in all later suits% on points an! "atters !eter"ine! in thefor"er Supra note &+ at /E&

.. See Philsec Invest"ent Corporation v Court of $ppeals% ,R No )3./*.% une )*% )**'% &'/

SCR$ )3&% ))3% #here the Court sai!;=hile this Court has given the effect of res ?u!icata to foreign ?u!g"ents in several cases% it#as after the parties oppose! to the ?u!g"ent ha! been given a"ple opportunity to repelthe" on groun!s allo#e! un!er the la# It is not necessary for this purpose to initiate aseparate action or procee!ing for enforce"ent of the foreign ?u!g"ent =hat is essential isthat there is opportunity to challenge the foreign ?u!g"ent% in or!er for the court to properly!eter"ine its efficacy This is because in this ?uris!iction% #ith respect to actions inpersona"% as !istinguishe! fro" actions in re"% a foreign ?u!g"ent "erely constitutespri"a facie evi!ence of the ?ustness of the clai" of a party an!% as such% is sub?ect to proof to the contrary

./ On the face of the "arriage certificate% the #or! 1DIVORC@D1 #as #ritten in big% bol! lettersFrollo% p .'

.- Silverio v Republic% ,R No )'/E+*% October &&% &33'% -.' SCR$ .'.% .*3% citing Be!uya vRepublic% )&3 Phil ))/ 0)*E/2

.E Rollo% pp /'6-3

.' I! at -)

.+ Section )% Rule )3+% Rules of Court

.* Section .% Rule )3+% Rules of Court

/3 Section /% Rule )3+% Rules of Court

/) =hen the entry sought to be correcte! is substantial 0ie% the civil status of a person2% a Rule )3+procee!ing is !ee"e! a!versarial in nature See Co v Civil Register of (anila% ,R No ).+/*E%

>ebruary &.% &33/% /&. SCR$ /&3% /.3





















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