Law Case Digests supreme court en banc decisions Philippine Constitutional Law

8/12/2019 Law Case Digests supreme court en banc decisions Philippine Constitutional Law

1/62

Aytona vs Castillo Case DigestFACTS:On December 29, 1961, Carlos P. arcia, !"o !as still Presi#ent t"at time, ma#e last min$tea%%ointments !"ile t"e Commission on A%%ointments !as not in session. Sai# last min$te a%%ointmincl$#e# Domina#or &. Aytona, !"o !as a%%ointe# as a# interim overnor o' Central (an). T"e lattertoo) oat" on t"e same #ay.

At noon on December *+, 1961, Presi#ent elect Dios#a#o -aca%agal ass$me# o''ice. e iss$e#

A#ministrative Or#er /o. 2 on December *1, 1961 recalling, !it"#ra!ing an# canceling all a# interima%%ointments ma#e by Presi#ent arcia a'ter December 1*, 1961, !"ic" !as t"e #ate !"en -aca%agal!as %roclaime# Presi#ent by t"e Congress. e t"en a%%ointe# An#res 0. Castillo as a# interim overnoo' t"e Central (an) an# t"e latter $ali'ie# imme#iately.

On an$ary 2, 1962, bot" e3ercise# t"e %o!ers o' t"eir o''ice. o!ever, Aytona !as %revente# 'rom"ol#ing o''ice t"e 'ollo!ing #ay an# t"$s instit$te# a $o !arranto %rocee#ing, c"allenging Castillo4srig"t to e3ercise t"e %o!ers o' t"e overnor o' t"e Central (an). Aytona claims t"at "e !as vali#lya%%ointe# an# "a# $ali'ie# 'or t"e %ost, t"ere'ore ma)ing Castillo4s a%%ointment voi#. Castillo t"enconten#e# t"at Aytona4s a%%ointment "a# alrea#y been revo)e# by A#ministrative Or#er /o. 2 iss$e# Presi#ent -aca%agal.

5SS 7:

8"et"er Presi#ent Dios#a#o -aca%agal "a# %o!er to iss$e t"e or#er o' cancellation o' t"e a# interima%%ointments ma#e by Presi#ent Carlos P. arcia even a'ter t"e a%%ointees "a# alrea#y $ali'ie#.

& 5/ :

%on t"e gro$n# o' se%aration o' %o!ers, t"e co$rt resolve# t"at it m$st #ecline an# re'$se $ris#ictionin #isregar#ing t"e Presi#ential A#ministrative Or#er /o. 2, canceling s$c" ;mi#nig"t< or ;last min$te26 is notanymore %resentB an# even i' it still e3ists, t"e $estione# la! still #enies t"ose entitle# to #$e %rocess o' la! 'or being$nreasonable an# o%%ressive. T"e intention o' t"e la! may be goo# !"en enacte#. T"e la! 'aile# to antici%ate t"e ini $ito$e''ects %ro#$cing o$trig"t in $stice an# ine $ality s$c" as t"e case be'ore $s.

T"e SC a#o%te# t"e comment o' t"e Solicitor eneral !"o arg$e# t"at t"e O''s"ore (an)ing System an# t"e ForeignC$rrency De%osit System !ere #esigne# to #ra! #e%osits 'rom 'oreign len#ers an# investors an#, s$bse $ently, to give t"elatter %rotection. o!ever, t"e 'oreign c$rrency #e%osit ma#e by a transient or a to$rist is not t"e )in# o' #e%osit enco$ragby PD /os. 1+*> an# 1+* an# given incentives an# %rotection by sai# la!s beca$se s$c" #e%ositor stays only 'or a 'e!#ays in t"e co$ntry an#, t"ere'ore, !ill maintain "is #e%osit in t"e ban) only 'or a s"ort time. Consi#ering t"at (artelli is $stto$rist or a transient, "e is not entitle# to t"e %rotection o' Section 11* o' Central (an) Circ$lar /o. 96+ an# PD /o. 12>6against attac"ment, garnis"ment or ot"er co$rt %rocesses.F$rt"er, t"e SC sai#: ;5n 'ine, t"e a%%lication o' t"e la! #e%en#s on t"e e3tent o' its $stice. 7vent$ally, i' !e r$le t"at t"e$estione# Section 11* o' Central (an) Circ$lar /o. 96+ !"ic" e3em%ts 'rom attac"ment, garnis"ment, or any ot"er or#er or%rocess o' any co$rt, legislative bo#y, government agency or any a#ministrative bo#y !"atsoever, is a%%licable to a 'oreitransient, in $stice !o$l# res$lt es%ecially to a citi en aggrieve# by a 'oreign g$est li)e acc$se# reg (artelli. T"is !o$l#negate Article 1+ o' t"e /e! Civil Co#e !"ic" %rovi#es t"at ;in case o' #o$bt in t"e inter%retation or a%%lication o' la!s, it %res$me# t"at t"e la!ma)ing bo#y inten#e# rig"t an# $stice to %revail., 19@9, reg (artelli y /ort"cott, an American to$rist, coa3e# an# l$re# %etitioner =aren Salvacion, t"en 12years ol# to go !it" "im to "is a%artment. T"erein, reg (artelli #etaine# =aren Salvacion 'or 'o$r #ays, or $% to Febr$ary ?19@9 an# !as able to ra%e t"e c"il# once on Febr$ary >, an# t"ree times eac" #ay on Febr$ary , 6, an# ?, 19@9. OnFebr$ary ?, 19@9, a'ter %olicemen an# %eo%le living nearby, resc$e# =aren, reg (artelli !as arreste# an# #etaine# at t"e-a)ati -$nici%al ail. T"e %olicemen recovere# 'rom (artelli t"e 'ollo!ing items: 1. Dollar C"ec) /o. *6@, Control /o.+21+++6?@ 1166111*+*, S *,9+*.2+B 2. COCO(A/= (an) (oo) /o. 1+> 1+@? @ @ GPeso Acct. B *. Dollar Acco$nt HC"ina (an)ing Cor%., SIJAK >1+ +2@ 2B >. 5D 122 *+ @@??B . P"ili%%ine -oney GP2*>.++ cas"B 6. Door =eys 6?. St$''e# Doll GTe##y (ear $se# in se#$cing t"e com%lainant.F&O- ATTL. (ALA/5MM


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Salvacion vs. Central (an) o' t"e P"ili%%ines, C"ina (an)ing Cor%orationan# reg (artelli y /ort"cottG.R. No. 94723 August 21, 1997Torres,r., ,:Facts:On Febr$ary > ?, 19@9, reg (artelli y /ort"cott, an American to$rist, #etaine# an# re%eate#ly ra%e#=arenSalvacion, a 12 year ol# t"e victim, in t"e a%artment o' t"e acc$se# in -a)ati City. T"at, on t"e >t"#ay o' #etention, =aren!as 'inally 'o$n# by t"e %olicemen a'ter a neig"bor "ear# "er crying an#screaming 'or "el%. T"e acc$se# !asimme#iately arreste# !it"in t"e %remises o' t"e b$il#ing, an#event$ally bro$g"t to -a)ati -$nici%al ail. A'ter t"oro$g" investigation an# me#ical e3amination, t"evictim, as re%resente# by "er %arents, toget"er !it" t"eFiscal 'ile# criminal cases against reg (artelli y/ort"cott 'or Serio$s 5llegal Detention an# 'or Fo$r G> co$nts o' &a%e.T"e %etitioners also 'ile# ase%arate civil action 'or #amages !it" %reliminary attac"ment against t"e acc$se# t"at "a#several #ollaacco$nts in COCO(A/= an# C"ina (an)ing Cor%oration. On Febr$ary 2>, 19@9, t"e #ay t"ere !asa"earing 'or (artelli4s %etition 'or bail t"e latter esca%e# 'rom ail.T"e #e%$ty s"eri'' serve# /otice o'arnis"ment on C"ina (an)ing Cor%oration b$t t"e latter #ecline# to '$rnis" aco%y as it invo)e# &.A./o. 1>+ . T"e s"eri'' again sent a letter stating t"at t"e garnis"ment #i# not violate t"e ban)secrecy la!as it !as legally ma#e by virt$e o' a co$rt or#er b$t C"ina (an)ing Cor%oration invo)e#Section 11* o' Central (an) Circ$lar /o. 96+, t"at #ollar acco$nts are e3em%t 'rom attac"ment,garnis"ment, or any ot"er or#er or %rocess o' any co$rt, legislative bo#y, government agency or anya#ministrative bo#y, !"atsoever. T"e Central (an) senta re%ly a'ter a #eman# 'rom t"e co$rt as)ing i' t"e Section 11* o' Central (an)Circ$lar /o.96+ is absol$te in nat$re o' !"ic" it re%lie# in a''irmative. A'ter t"e acc$se# !as #eclare# in#e'a$lt, t"e co$rt ren#ere# a $#gment in 'avor o' t"e %etitioners base# on t"e"eino$s acts o' t"eacc$se# an# t"e grave e''ects on social, moral an# %syc"ological as%ects on t"e %art o' t"e%etitionersC"ina (an)ing Cor%oration re'$se# t"e 8rit o' 73ec$tion o' t"e co$rt. T"$sBPetitioners 'ile a Petition 'or&elie' in t"e S$%reme Co$rt.Issues:8"et"er t"e #ollar acco$nts o' t"e Acc$se# is absol$tely e3em%t 'rom attac"ment, garnis"ment or anyot"er or#er or %rocess o' any co$rtHeld:8"ile it is tr$e t"at t"e %rotective cloa) o' con'i#entiality over 'oreign #e%osit acco$nts !o$l# better enco$rage t"in'lo!o' 'oreign c$rrency #e%osits, len#ing ca%acity o' t"e government an# !o$l# "el% 'inancial stability an#t"e national#evelo%ment, !"at !o$l# be t"e relie' o' someone claiming #amages against a %erson !it" 'oreign#e%osit acco$nts -ore so against a %erson !"o "eino$sly an# 'elonio$sly committe# an o''ense in t"e territory o't"e P"ili%%ines As in t"iscase, t"e acc$se# #eeme# liable 'or t"e #amages base# o' t"e "eino$s acts accor#ingto t"e testimonies o' t"e victiman# t"e !itnesses.5t is t"e #$ty o' t"e government to enco$rage 'oreign c$rrency#e%osits an# to com%ly by giving con'i#entiality b$t in t"ecorrect arg$ment o' t"e Solicitor eneral, 'oreignc$rrency #e%osits o' a to$rist or transient is not t"e one enco$rage# byPD /os. 1+*> an# 1*+ on t"e gro$n# t"atsai# acco$nts is tem%orary an# only 'or a s"ort %erio# o' time.T"e a%%lication o' t"e la! #e%en#s on t"e e3teno' its $stice. 5' !e r$le Section 11* o' Central (an) Circ$lar /o.96+!"ic" e3em%ts 'rom attac"ment, garnis"ment,or any ot"er or#er or %rocess o' any co$rt, legislative bo#y, governmentagency or any a#ministrative bo#y!"atsoever, is a%%licable to 'oreign transient , in $stice !o$l# res$lt es%ecially to aciti en aggrieve# by a 'oreigng$est li)e acc$se# reg (artelli. Article 1+ o' t"e /e! Civil Co#e %rovi#es t"at ;in case o' #o$bt in t"e inter%retation or a%%lication o' la!s, it is %res$me# t"at t"e la!ma)ing bo#y inten#e# rigan# $stice to %revail


4/62


5/62

ITF vs COMELECFacts: On June 7, 1995, Congress passed Republic Act 8046, w ic aut ori!ed Co"elec to conduct a nationwide de"onstration o# aco"puteri!ed election s$ste" and allowed t e poll bod$ to pilot%test t e s$ste" in t e &arc 1996 elections in t e Autono"ous Region in&usli" &indanao 'AR&&()

On October *9, *00*, Co"elec adopted in its Resolution 0*%0170 a "oderni!ation progra" #or t e *004 elections) +t resol ed toconduct biddings #or t e t ree '-( p ases o# its Auto"ated .lection /$ste" na"el$, ase + 2 3oter Registration and 3alidation /$ste"ase ++ 2 Auto"ated Counting and Can assing /$ste" and ase +++ 2 .lectronic rans"ission)

On Januar$ *4, *00-, resident loria &acapagal%Arro$o issued . ecuti e Order o) 17*, w ic allocated t e su" o# *)5 billion to#und t e A./ #or t e &a$ 10, *004 elections) pon t e re uest o# Co"elec, s e aut ori!ed t e release o# an additional 500 "illion)

On Januar$ *8, *00-, t e Co""ission issued an :+n itation to Appl$ #or .ligibilit$ and to ;id:)

On &a$ *9, *00-, #i e indi iduals and entities 'including t e erein etitioners +n#or"ation ec nolog$ a"in Abalos /r) e$

protested t e award o# t e Contract to Respondent & C :due to glaring irregularities in t e "anner in w ic t e bidding process ad beenconducted): Citing t erein t e nonco"pliance wit eligibilit$ as well as tec nical and procedural re uire"ents '"an$ o# w ic a e beendiscussed at lengt in t e etition(, t e$ soug t a re%bidding)

Issue: ? et er t e bidding process was unconstitutional? et er t e awarding o# t e contract was unconstitutional

? et er t e petitioner as standing and ? et er t e petition is pre"ature)

Held: [email protected].


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? at t en was t e point o# conducting t e bidding, w en t e so#tware t at was t e sub>ect o# t e Contract was still to be created andcould concei abl$ undergo innu"erable c anges be#ore being considered as being in #inal #or"F

+n iew o# awarding o# contract e public bidding s$ste" designed b$ Co"elec under its R< 'Re uest #or roposal #or t e Auto"ation o# t e *004 .lection("andated t e use o# a two%en elope, two%stage s$ste") A bidderDs #irst en elope '.ligibilit$ .n elope( was "eant to establis itseligibilit$ to bid and its uali#ications and capacit$ to per#or" t e contract i# its bid was accepted, w ile t e second en elope would be t e;id .n elope itsel#)

e .ligibilit$ .n elope was to contain legal docu"ents suc as articles o# incorporation, business registrations, licenses and per"its,"a$orDs per"it, 3A certi#ication, and so #ort tec nical docu"ents containing docu"entar$ e idence to establis t e trac= record o# t e bidder and its tec nical and production capabilities to per#or" t e contract and #inancial docu"ents, including audited #inancialstate"ents #or t e last t ree $ears, to establis t e bidderDs #inancial capacit$)

@owe er, t ere is no sign w atsoe er o# an$ >oint enture agree"ent, consortiu" agree"ent, "e"orandu" o# agree"ent, or business plan e ecuted a"ong t e "e"bers o# t e purported consortiu")/o, it necessaril$ #ollows t at, during t e bidding process, Co"elec ad no basis at all #or deter"ining t at t e alleged consortiu" reall$ e isted and was eligible and uali#ied and t at t e arrange"ents a"ong t e"e"bers were satis#actor$ and su##icient to ensure deli er$ on t e Contract and to protect t e go ern"entDs interest)

+n iew o# standing On t e ot er and, petitioners 2 suing in t eir capacities as ta pa$ers, registered oters and concerned citi!ens 2 respond t at t eissues central to t is case are :o# transcendental i"portance and o# national interest): Allegedl$, Co"elecDs #lawed bidding anduestionable award o# t e Contract to an un uali#ied entit$ would i"pact directl$ on t e success or t e #ailure o# t e electoral process)

us, an$ taint on t e sanctit$ o# t e ballot as t e e pression o# t e will o# t e people would ine itabl$ a##ect t eir #ait in t e de"ocratics$ste" o# go ern"ent) etitioners #urt er argue t at t e award o# an$ contract #or auto"ation in ol es disburse"ent o# public #unds ingargantuan a"ounts t ere#ore, public interest re uires t at t e laws go erning t e transaction "ust be #ollowed strictl$)

&oreo er, t is Court as eld t at ta pa$ers are allowed to sue w en t ere is a clai" o# :illegal disburse"ent o# public #unds,: ** or i# public "one$ is being :de#lected to an$ i"proper purpose: *- or w en petitioners see= to restrain respondent #ro" :wasting public #undst roug t e en#orce"ent o# an in alid or unconstitutional law):

+n iew o# pre"aturit$ e letter addressed to C air"an ;en>a"in Abalos /r) dated &a$ *9, *00- *8 ser es to eli"inate t e pre"aturit$ issue as it was anactual written protest against t e decision o# t e poll bod$ to award t e Contract) e letter was signed b$E#or, inter alia, two o# erein

petitioners t e +n#or"ation ec nolog$ udicial inter ention):


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3oting pattern o# /upre"e Court Justicesttp EEwww)abs%cbnnews)co"Eresearc E10E*-E08E oting%pattern%supre"e%court%>usticesResearc b$ urple Ro"ero, abs%cbn .?/)co"E ewsbrea= Poste# at 1+J2*J2++@ ?:> P- %#ate# as o' 1+J2>J2++@ 9:>1 A-

O$r s$rvey o' S$%reme Co$rt cases.

RO%A &+ A +%A &+ OARCA/./ R3.G. H ro H Anti

H oart

uno 10 7 4 *1 47)6* --)-- 19)05Iuisu"bing 14 7 0 *1 66)67 --)-- 0)00Gnares%/antiago 4 16 1 *1 19)05 76)19 4)76Carpio 9 1* 1 *1 4*)86 57)14 4)76Austria 10 10 0 *0 50)00 50)00 0)00Corona 15 - 1 19 78)95 15)79 5)*6Carpio%&orales 10 11 0 *1 47)6* 5*)-8 0)00A!cuna 7 9 5 *1 --)-- 4*)86 *-)81inga 15 7 0 ** 68)18 -1)8* 0)00

C ico% a!ario 1- - 1 17 76)47 17)65 5)883elasco 9 - 0 1* 75)00 *5)00 0)00

ac ura 4 - 0 7 57)14 4*)86 0)00Re$es * * 0 4 50)00 50)00 0)00e Castro 4 0 0 4 100)00 0)00 0)00;rion - 0 0 - 100)00 0)00 0)001. Case: 5n'ormation Tec"nology Fo$n#ation o' t"e P"ili%%ines vs. Commission on 7lectionsDate o' #ecision: an$ary 1*, 2++>S$mmary: T"e S$%reme Co$rt #eclare# n$ll an# voi# t"e contracts a!ar#e# by t"e Commission on 7lections 'or t"e a$tomation o' t"e

2++> elections.2. Case: A ( A (4 AA/ T&5(A ASSOC5AT5O/, 5/C.,vs. 05CTO& &A-OSDate o' #ecision: an$ary 2?, 2++>S$mmary: T"e S$%reme Co$rt str$c) #o!n as $nconstit$tional t"e %rovisions o' &A ?9>2 or t"e -ining Act an# D7/& Or#er 96 >+ t"atallo!e# 'inancial tec"nical assistance agreements. 5t also voi#e# t"e FTAA bet!een 8estern -ining Cor%. P"ili%%ines an# t"e governme

*. Case: SA/ A=AS 0S. 7 7C T507 S7C&7TA&LDate o' #ecision: Febr$ary *, 2++>S$mmary: T"e S$%reme Co$rt #ismisse# t"e %etitions assailing Proclamation /o. >2? an# eneral Or#er /o. >, !"ic" bot" #eclare# astate o' rebellion, as $nconstit$tional.

>. Case: T7CSO/ 0S. CO--5SS5O/ O/ 7 7CT5O/S

Date o' #ecision: -arc" *, 2++>S$mmary: T"e S$%reme Co$rt #ismisse# t"e %etitions see)ing to #is $ali'y Poe as a %resi#ential can#i#ate 'or allege#ly not being anat$ral born Fili%ino

. Case: A ( A (4 AA/ T&5(A ASSOC5AT5O/, 5/C., 0S. 05CTO& &A-OSDate o' #ecision: December 1, 2++>S$mmary: T"e S$%reme Co$rt reverse# its an$ary 2?, 2++> #ecision an# #eclare# as constit$tional t"e -ining Act o' 199 , D7/& 96 >+an# t"e FTAA bet!een 8-C P"ili%%ines an# t"e government

6. Case: 7ST&ADA 0S. D7S57&TODate o' #ecision: December 9, 2++>S$mmary: T"e S$%reme Co$rt r$le# t"at t"e Co$rt o' A%%eals #i# not err in #ismissing 7stra#a4s %etition 'or certiorari 'or lac) o' $ri7stra#a 'ile# a motion 'or reconsi#eration at t"e a%%ellate co$rt $estioning a resol$tion o' t"e Omb$#sman !"ic" #ismisse# criminal


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c"arges against t"e (5& an# Citiban) o''icials !"o %lace# "is 'oreign c$rrency #e%osit on "ol#.

?. Case: 7 A&DA 0S. D7 CAST&ODate o' #ecision: -arc" *1, 2++S$mmary: T"e S$%reme Co$rt #enie# De Castro4s motion 'or reconsi#eration an# a''irme# t"e $ris#iction o' t"e Presi#ential 7lectoralTrib$nal over egar#a4s %etition.

@. Case: A(A=ADA $ro Party ist O''icer Samson Alcantara vs. 73ec$tive SecretaryDate o' #ecision: October 1@, 2++S$mmary: T"e S$%reme Co$rt $n)e# t"e motions 'or reconsi#eration 'ile# by Alcantara !"ic" $estione# t"e Se%tember 1, 2++ #ecisioo' t"e ig" Co$rt. 5n sai# #ecision, t"e SC #eclare# &A 9**? or t"e 0AT &e'orm Act as constit$tional.

9. Case: P5-7/T7 0S. 7&-5TADate o' #ecision: October 1*, 2++S$mmary: T"e S$%reme Co$rt sa! no ab$se on t"e %art o' t"e %resi#ent !"en s"e ma#e a# interim a%%ointments as t"ese !ere ma#e#$ring recess o' Congress.

1+. Case: &7P ( 5C OF T 7 P 5 5PP5/7S 0S. O/. 7/&5C= F. 5/ OLO/Date o' #ecision: December 19, 2++S$mmary: T"e S$%reme Co$rt grante# in %art t"e %etition by mo#i'ying ingoyon4s assaile# an$ary > an# or#ers, !"ic" %ro"ibite#government 'rom a!ar#ing concessions or leasing any %art o' /A5A * to ot"er %arties %en#ing its %ayment o' P* billion to P5ATCO. Co$rt also a''irme# ingoyons4 an$ary ? or#er, !"ic" a%%ointe# t"ree commissioners !"o !o$l# ascertain t"e amo$nt to be %ai# to

P5ATCO 'or t"e /A5A * com%le3. 5t also li'te# its an$ary 1 T&O against ingoyon4s or#er 'or t"e com%ensation o' P5ATCO.

11. Case: =5 SA/ -ALO /O 0S. /7DADate: A%ril 19, 2++6S$mmary: T"e S$%reme Co$rt #eclare# 73ec$tive /o. >2+, !"ic" streamline# t"e 5D systems o' t"e government, as vali#.

12. Case: DA/5 0S. S7/ ADate o' #ecision: A$g. 1 , 2++6S$mmary: T"e S$%reme Co$rt #enie# t"e %etition, !"ic" so$g"t t"e invali#ation o' a %resi#ential #irective t"at %ro"ibite# %etitionersa%%earing in Congressional in $iries !it"o$t t"e %resi#ent4s consent.

1*. Case: A-(5/O vs. CO-7 7CDate o' #ecision: Oct. 2 , 2++6S$mmary: T"e S$%reme Co$rt #ismisse# t"e %etition, !"ic" $estione# CO-7 7C4s #ecision re'$ting t"e %etitioner4s a%%eal 'or a%lebiscite t"at !o$l# a$t"ori e a %eo%le4s initiative as instr$ment 'or c"arter c"ange.

1>. Case: (ALA/ 0S. 7&-5TADate o' #ecision: A%ril 2 , 2++6S$mmary: T"e S$%reme Co$rt #eclare# Calibrate# Preem%tive &es%onse as n$ll an# voi# as it goes against t"e %rinci%le o' ma3imtolerance an# en oine# t"e 73ec$tive, D5 an# P/P 'rom en'orcing it. ($t t"e ig" Co$rt r$le# t"at (atas Pambansa /o. @@+ remainsconstit$tional.

1 . Case: 7 ercito vs. San#iganbayanDate o' #ecision: /ovember *+, 2++6S$mmary: T"e S$%reme Co$rt $%"el# San#iganbayan resol$tions !"ic" #enie# 0 7 ercito4s motion to $as" s$b%oenas t"at or#er t"e

%ro#$ction o' #oc$ments abo$t ban) acco$nts in t"e 73%ort an# 5m%ort (an) an# PC5 7 $itable (an). 16. Case: S7/AT7 OF T 7 P 5 5PP5/7S 0S. 7&-5TADate: A%ril 2+, 2++6S$mmary: T"e S$%reme Co$rt #eclare# %rovisions o' 7O >6> !"ic" allo!e# e3ec$tive #e%artment "ea#s to invo)e e3ec$tive %rivilegvali#.

1?. Case: DA05D 0S. A&&OLODate o' #ecision: -ay *, 2++6S$mmary: T"e S$%reme Co$rt #eclare# PP1+1? constit$tional an# .O. /o. as vali#, b$t str$c) #o!n t"e arrest o' Davi# et al as$nconstit$tional.

1@. Case: C A07N 0S. O/NA 7N


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Date o' #ecision: Febr$ary 1 , 2++@S$mmary: T"e S$%reme Co$rt n$lli'ie# statements 'rom De%artment o' $stice an# /ational Telecomm$nications Commission !"ic"%ro"ibite# t"e airing o' allege# !ireta%%e# conversations bet!een Pres. Arroyo an# 'ormer CO-7 7C Commissioner 0irgilio arcillano#$ring t"e -ay 2++> elections.

19. Case: /7&5 0S. S7/AT7Date o' #ecision: -arc" 2 , 2++@S$mmary: T"e S$%reme Co$rt $%"el# t"e claim o' /eri to e3ec$tive %rivilege an# n$lli'ie# t"e Senate or#er !"ic" "el# "im in contem%also calle# 'or "is arrest 'or sn$bbing a Senate in $iry on t"e aborte# /(/ NT7 #eal.

2+. Case: A=(ALA/ 0S. A 5/ODate o' #ecision: $ly 16, 2++@S$mmary: T"e S$%reme Co$rt r$le# t"at t"at t"e comm$nications covere# in t"e a%an P"ili%%ines 7conomic Partners"i% Agreemennot 'or %$blic #isclos$re as t"ey are covere# by e3ec$tive %rivilege

21. Case: T"e Province o' Cotobato 0s. T"e ovUt o' t"e &e%$blic o' t"e P"ili%%inesDate o' #ecision: October 1>, 2++@S$mmary: T"e S$%reme Co$rt grante# t"e %etition an# #eclare# t"e -emoran#$m o' Agreement on Ancestral Domain $nconstit$tional

SO &C7S:

"tt%:JJ!!!.mylegis%inoy.comJ2++9J+6Jaytona vs castillo case #igest."tml

"tt%:JJvb#ia .!or#%ress.comJ2+1*J+*J2@Jsalvacion vs central ban)J

"tt%:JJ!!!.scrib#.comJ#ocJ1>>9 2>69JSalvacion vs Central (an)

"tt%:JJengr "e .!or#%ress.comJ2+1*J+*J+6Jin'ormation tec"nology 'o$n#ation o' t"e %"ili%%ines vs commission on elecg r no 1 91*9 an$ary 1* 2++>J

"tt%:JJnonamal$m.!eebly.comJ1J%ostJ2+1+J+?Jit' vs comelec gr no 1 91*9 an$ary 1* 2++>."tml

"tt%:JJresearc"case#igest.blogs%ot.comJ2++?J+1J2++6 %olitical la! case #igests."tml
http://www.mylegispinoy.com/2009/06/aytona-vs-castillo-case-digest.htmlhttp://vbdiaz.wordpress.com/2013/03/28/salvacion-vs-central-bank/http://www.scribd.com/doc/144952469/Salvacion-vs-Central-Bankhttp://engrjhez.wordpress.com/2013/03/06/information-technology-foundation-of-the-philippines-vs-commission-on-elections-g-r-no-159139-january-13-2004/http://engrjhez.wordpress.com/2013/03/06/information-technology-foundation-of-the-philippines-vs-commission-on-elections-g-r-no-159139-january-13-2004/http://nonamalum.weebly.com/1/post/2010/07/itf-vs-comelec-gr-no-159139-january-13-2004.htmlhttp://researchcasedigest.blogspot.com/2007/01/2006-political-law-case-digests.htmlhttp://www.mylegispinoy.com/2009/06/aytona-vs-castillo-case-digest.htmlhttp://vbdiaz.wordpress.com/2013/03/28/salvacion-vs-central-bank/http://www.scribd.com/doc/144952469/Salvacion-vs-Central-Bankhttp://engrjhez.wordpress.com/2013/03/06/information-technology-foundation-of-the-philippines-vs-commission-on-elections-g-r-no-159139-january-13-2004/http://engrjhez.wordpress.com/2013/03/06/information-technology-foundation-of-the-philippines-vs-commission-on-elections-g-r-no-159139-january-13-2004/http://nonamalum.weebly.com/1/post/2010/07/itf-vs-comelec-gr-no-159139-january-13-2004.htmlhttp://researchcasedigest.blogspot.com/2007/01/2006-political-law-case-digests.html


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G.R. No. L-19313 Ja ua!" 19# 19$%

&OMIN'&OR R. '(TON'# petitioner, s) 'N&RE) *. C')TILLO# ET 'L.# respondents)

R . / O B + O )

+ENG,ON# C.J.:

?it out pre>udice to t e subse uent pro"ulgation o# "ore e tended opinion, t e Court adopted toda$, t e #ollowing resolutions )

On ece"ber *9, 1961, t en resident Carlos ) arcia appointed o"inador R) A$tona as ad interim o ernor o# t e Central ;an=) Ont e sa"e da$, t e latter too= t e corresponding oat )

On ece"ber -0, 1961, at noon, resident%elect iosdado &acapagal assu"ed o##ice and on ece"ber -1, 1961, e issuedAd"inistrati e Order o) * recalling, wit drawing, and cancelling all ad interim appoint"ent "ade b$ resident arcia a#ter ece"ber1-, 1961, 'date w en e, &acapagal, ad been proclai"ed elected b$ t e Congress() On Januar$ 1, 196*, resident &acapagal appointedAndres 3) Castillo as ad interim o ernor o# t e Central ;an=, and t e latter uali#ied i""ediatel$)

On Januar$ *, 196*, bot appointed e ercised t e powers o# t eir o##ice, alt oug Castillo in#or"ed A$tona o# is title t ereto and so"eunpleasantness de eloped in t e pre"ises o# t e Central ;an=) @owe er, t e ne t da$ and t erea#ter, A$tona was de#initel$ pre ented#ro" olding o##ice in t e Central ;an=)

/o, e instituted t is proceeding w ic is practicall$, a quo warranto , c allenging CastilloDs rig t to e ercise t e powers o# o ernor o#t e Central ;an=) A$tona clai"s e was alidl$ appointed, ad uali#ied #or t e post, and t ere#ore, t e subse uent appoint"ent anduali#ication o# Castillo was oid, because t e position was t en occupied b$ i") Castillo replies t at t e appoint"ent o# A$tona ad

been re o=ed b$ Ad"inistrati e Order o) * o# &acapagal and so, t e real issue is w et er t e new resident ad power to issue t e

order o# cancellation o# t e ad interim appoint"ents "ade b$ t e past resident, e en a#ter t e appointees ad alread$uali#ied) 1wph1.t

e record s ows t at resident arcia sent to t e Co""ission on Appoint"ents 2 w ic was not t en in session 2 a co""unicationdated ece"ber *9, 1961, sub"itting :#or con#ir"ation: ad interim appoint"ents o# assistant director o# lands, councilors, "a$ors,"e"bers o# t e pro incial boards, #iscals, >ustices o# t e peace, o##icers o# t e ar"$, etc) and t e na"e o# o"inador R) A$tona aso ernor o# t e Central ;an= occupies nu"ber 45, between a >ustice o# t e peace and a colonel o# t e Ar"ed udges o# #irst instance, "e"bers o# pro incial boards, and boards o# go ern"ent corporations, #iscals,

>ustice o# t e peace, e en one associate >ustice o# t is Court occup$ing position o) 8 and two associate >ustices o# t e Court o# Appeals '9

and 10( between an assistant o# t e /olicitor% eneralDs O##ice, and t e c air"an o# t e board o# ta appeals o# asa$ Cit$, w o in turn are#ollowed b$ >udges o# #irst instance, and inserted between t e latter is t e na"e o# anot er associate >ustice o# t e Court o# Appeals)

ere were ot er appoint"ents t us sub"itted b$ resident arcia on t at date, ece"ber *9, 1961) All in all, about t ree undred #i#t$'-50( :"idnig t: or :last "inute: appoint"ents)

+n re o=ing t e appoint"ents, resident &acapagal is said to a e acted #or t ese and ot er reasons '1( t e outgoing resident s oulda e re#rained #ro" #illing acancies to gi e t e new resident opportunit$ to consider na"es in t e lig t o# is new policies, w ic wereappro ed b$ t e electorate in t e last elections '*( t ese scandalousl$ urried appoint"ents in "ass do not #all wit in t e intent and spirito# t e constitutional pro ision aut ori!ing t e issuance o# ad interim appoint"ents '-( t e appoint"ents were irregular, i""oral andun>ust, because t e$ were issued onl$ upon t e condition t at t e appointee would i""ediatel$ uali#$ ob iousl$ to pre ent a recall orre ocation b$ t e inco"ing resident, wit t e result t at t ose deser ing o# pro"otion or appoint"ent w o pre#erred to be na"ed b$ t enew resident declined and were b$%passed and '4( t e abnor"al conditions surrounding t e appoint"ent and uali#ications e inced adesire on t e part o# t e outgoing resident "erel$ sub ert t e policies o# t e inco"ing ad"inistration)

+t is ad"itted t at "an$ o# t e persons "entioned in t e co""unication to t e Co""ission on Appoint"ents dated ece"ber *9, 1961,did not uali#$) ere is e idence t at in t e nig t o# ece"ber *9, t ere was a scra"ble in &alaca an o# candidates #or positions tr$ingto get t eir written appoint"ents or a ing suc appoint"ents c anged to "ore con enient places, a#ter so"e last "inute bargaining)ere was unusual urr$ in t e issuance o# t e appoint"ents 2 w ic were not coursed t roug t e epart"ent @eads 2 and in t e

con#usion, a wo"an appointed >udge was designated :&r): and a "an was designated :&ada"): One appointee w o got is appoint"entand was re uired to uali#$, resorted to t e rus o# as=ing per"ission to swear be#ore a relati e o##icial, and t en ne er uali#ied)

?e are in#or"ed, it is &alaca anDs practice 2 w ic we #ind to be logical 2 to sub"it ad interim appoint"ents onl$ w en t eCo""ission on Appoint"ents is in session) One good reason #or t e practice is t at onl$ t ose w o a e accepted t e appoint"ent anduali#ied are sub"itted #or con#ir"ation) e ert eless, t is ti"e, &alaca an sub"itted its appoint"ents on the same day t e$ were issuedand t e Co""ission was not t en in session ob iousl$ because it #oresaw t e possibilit$ t at t e inco"ing resident would re#use tosub"it later t e appointees o# is predecessor) As a result, as alread$ ad erted to, so"e persons w ose na"es were sub"itted #orcon#ir"ation ad not uali#ied nor accepted t eir appoint"ents)


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;ecause o# t e aste and irregularities, so"e >udges o# #irst instance uali#ied #or districts w erein no acancies e isted, because t eincu"bents ad not uali#ied #or ot er districts to w ic t e$ ad been supposedl$ trans#erred or pro"oted)

Re#erring speci#icall$ to >udges w o ad not uali#ied, t e course o# conduct adopted b$ ustice, &oran was tendered an ad interim appoint"ent t ereto

b$ resident Iuirino, a#ter t e latter ad lost t e election to resident &agsa$sa$, and be#ore lea ing t e residenc$) /aid A"bassadordeclined to uali#$ being o# t e opinion t at t e "atter s ould be le#t to t e inco"ing newl$%elected resident)

O# course, nobod$ will assert t at resident arcia ceased to be suc earlier t an at noon o# ece"ber -0, 1961) ;ut it is co""on senseto belie e t at a#ter t e procla"ation o# t e election o# resident &acapagal, is was no "ore t an a :care%ta=er: ad"inistration) @e wasdut$ bound to prepare #or t e orderl$ trans#er o# aut orit$ t e inco"ing resident, and e s ould not do acts w ic e oug t to =now,

would e"barrass or obstruct t e policies o# is successor) e ti"e #or debate ad passed t e electorate ad spo=en) +t was not #or i" touse powers as incu"bent resident to continue t e political war#are t at ad ended or to a ail i"sel# o# presidential prerogati es to ser e partisan purposes) e #illing up acancies in i"portant positions, i# #ew, and so spaced to a##ord so"e assurance o# deliberate action andcare#ul consideration o# t e need #or t e appoint"ent and t e appointeeDs uali#ications "a$ undoubtedl$ be per"itted) ;ut t e issuance o#-50 appoint"ents in one nig t and planned induction o# al"ost all o# t e" a #ew ours be#ore t e inauguration o# t e new resident "a$,wit so"e reason, be regarded b$ t e latter as an abuse residential prerogati es, t e steps ta=en being apparentl$ a "ere partisan e##ort to#ill all acant positions1 irrespecti e o# #itness and ot er conditions, and t ereb$ depri e t e new ad"inistration o# an opportunit$ to "a=et e corresponding appoint"ents)

or"all$, w en t e resident "a=es appoint"ents t e consent o# t e Co""ission on Appoint"ents, e as bene#it o# t eir ad ice) ? ene "a=es ad interim appoint"ents, e e ercises a special prerogati e and is bound to be prudent to insure appro al o# is selection eit er

pre ious consultation wit t e "e"bers o# t e Co""ission or b$ t erea#ter e plaining to t e" t e reason suc selection) ? ere,owe er, as in t is case, t e Co""ission on Appoint"ents t at will consider t e appointees is di##erent #ro" t at e isting at t e ti"e o#t e appoint"ent*and w ere t e na"es are to be sub"itted b$ successor, w o "a$ not w oll$ appro e o# t e selections, t e residents ould be doubly careful in e tending suc appoint"ents) ow, it is ard to belie e t at in signing -50 appoint"ents in one nig t,resident arcia e ercised suc :double care: w ic was re uired and e pected o# i" and t ere#ore, t ere see"s to be #orce to t econtention t at t ese appoint"ents #all be$ond t e intent and spirit o# t e constitutional pro ision granting to t e . ecuti e aut orit$ toissue ad interim appoint"ents)

nder t e circu"stances abo e described, w at wit t e separation o# powers, t is Court resol es t at it "ust decline to disregard t eresidential Ad"inistrati e Order o) *, cancelling suc :"idnig t: or :last%"inute: appoint"ents)

O# course, t e Court is aware o# "an$ precedents to t e e##ect t at once an appoint"ent as been issued, it cannot be reconsidered,speciall$ w ere t e appointee as uali#ied) ;ut none o# t e" re#er to "ass ad interim appoint"ents 't ree% undred and #i#t$(, issued int e last ours o# an outgoing C ie# . ecuti e, in a setting si"ilar to t at outlined erein) On t e ot er and, t e aut orities ad"it o#e ceptional circu"stances >usti#$ing re ocation- and i# an$ circu"stances >usti#$ re ocation, t ose described erein s ould #it t ee ception)

+ncidentall$, it s ould be stated t at t e underl$ing reason #or den$ing t e power to re o=e a#ter t e appointee as uali#ied is t e latterDse uitable rig ts) Get it is doubt#ul i# suc e uit$ "ig t be success#ull$ set up in t e present situation, considering t e rus conditionalappoint"ents, urried "aneu ers and ot er appenings detracting #ro" t at degree o# good #ait , "oralit$ and propriet$ w ic #or" t e

basic #oundation o# clai"s to e uitable relie#) e appointees, it "ig t be argued, wittingl$ or unwittingl$ cooperated wit t e stratage"to beat t e deadline, w ate er t e resultant conse uences to t e dignit$ and e##icienc$ o# t e public ser ice) eedless to sa$, t ere areinstances w erein not onl$ strict legalit$, but also #airness, >ustice and rig teousness s ould be ta=en into account)

[email protected]"ent and discretion in t e "atter, ereb$ dis"iss t e action, wit out costs)

Labrador, Reyes, J. .L., !aredes and "e Leon, J.J., concur.

)e a!ate O i io s

'&ILL'# J., concurring

Once "ore t is Court as to pass upon and deter"ine a contro ers$ t at calls #or an interpretation o# t e pro isions o# t e Constitution)e #acts t at ga e rise to t e petition need not be restated as t e$ are set #ort in opinion rendered #or t e Court) e uestion is w et er

t e appoint"ent o# a person to a public o##ice b$ a resident w ose ter" o# o##ice was about to e pire or cease is law#ul or does notcontra ene t e Constitution or, i# law#ul a#ter t e appointee as ta=en is oat , until w en would suc appoint"ent be alid and e##ecti e)e constitutional point in ol ed see"s to a e been o erloo=ed t e #ra"ers o# t e Constitution) +t would see" t at t e #ra"ers, well%

"eaning persons t at t e$ were, ne er #oresaw an e entualit$ suc as t e one con#ronting t e Republic) e #ra"ers ne er t oug t andanticipated t at citi!en ele ated b$ t e people to suc an e alted o##ice t e resident o# t e Republic, would per#or" an act w ic t ougnot e pressl$ pro ibited b$ t e Constitution and t e law, oug t not to be done, since a sense o# propriet$ would be enoug to stop i"#ro" per#or"ing it)

e petitioner in o=es section 10, paragrap 4, article 3++, o# t e Constitution w ic pro ides t at 2

e resident s all a e t e power to "a=e appoint"ents during t e recess o# t e Congress, but suc appoint"ents s all bee##ecti e onl$ until disappro al b$ t e Co""ission on Appoint"ents or until t e ne t ad>ourn"ent o# t e Congress)


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nder t ese constitutional pro isions t ere see"s to be no doubt t at t e resident "a$ "a=e t e appoint"ent, and i# appro ed b$ t eCo""ission on Appoint"ents, it would un uestionabl$ be law#ul, alid and e##ecti e, but i# disappro ed or not acted upon b$ t eCo""ission on Appoint"ents t en t e appoint"ent beco"es ine##ectual and t e appointee ceases and can no longer per#or" t e duties o#t e o##ice to w ic e ad been appointed)

+t is urged t at t e petitionerDs appoint"ent a ing been "ade b$ t e resident during t e recess o# t e Congress and e a ing ta=en isoat , t e appoint"ent is law#ul, alid and e##ecti e until disappro al b$ t e Co""ission on Appoint"ents or until t e ne t ad>ourn"ent o#t e Congress s ould t e Co""ission on Appoint"ents #ail to act on it)

#d interim appoint"ents t at t e resident "a$ "a=e during t e recess o# t e Congress are t ose "ade during a period o# ti"e #ro" t ead>ourn"ent o# t e Congress to t e opening session, regular or special, o# t e sa"e Congress) +n ot er words, i# t e resident ad

con ened in a special session t e #ourt Congress w ose ter" was to e pire on t e -0t o# ece"ber 1961 and during suc session t einterim appoint"ents ad been con#ir"ed b$ t e Co""ission on Appoint"ents t ere would be little doubt t at t e appoint"ents would belaw#ul and alid)

e go ern"ent establis ed b$ t e Constitution is one o# c ec=s and balances to preclude and pre ent arrogation o# powers b$ o##icerselected or appointed under it)

nder t e pro isions o# t e Constitution : e ter" o# o##ice o# /enators s all be si $ears and s all begin on t e t irtiet da$ o#ece"ber ne t #ollowing t eir election):1 And : e ter" o# o##ice o# t e &e"bers o# t e @ouse o# Representati es s all be #our $earsand s all begin on t e t irtiet da$ o# ece"ber ne t #ollowing t eir election):* nder section 10, paragrap 4, article 3++, o# t eConstitution, abo e uoted, t e resident "a$ "a=e appoint"ents during t e recess o# t e Congress, :but suc appoint"ents s all bee##ecti e onl$ until disappro al b$ t e Co""ission on Appoint"ents or until t e ne t ad>ourn"ent o# t e Congress): )

e ter" :recess:, in its broadest sense, "eans and re#ers to t e inter ening period between ad>ourn"ent o# a regular session o# oneundred da$s e clusi e o# /unda$s, or o# a /pecial session w ic cannot continue longer t an t irt$ da$s, and t e con ening t ereo# inregular session once e er$ $ear on t e #ourt &onda$ o# Januar$ or in special session to consider general legislation or onl$ suc sub>ectsas e 't e resident( "a$ designate)-And suc inter ening period re#ers to t e sa"e Congress t at ad ad>ourned and was to be con ened)/uc inter ening period cannot re#er to two di##erent Congresses, one t at as ad>ourned and one newl$ c osen or elected to "eet inregular session as pro ided #or b$ t e Constitution, or in special session b$ t e call o# t e resident)

e ter" o# t e resident ))) s all end at noon t e t irtiet da$ o# ece"ber #ollowing t e e piration #our $ears a#ter ' is(election and t e ter" o# ' is( successor s all begin #ro" suc ti"e)4

+# t e ad interim appoint"ents "ade b$ t e resident during t e recess o# t e Congress are e##ecti e onl$ until disappro al b$ t eCo""ission on Appoint"ents or until t e ne t ad>ourn"ent o# t e Congress 2 a li"itation on t e power o# t e resident 2 t ere is acogent and strong reason #or olding to be t e intent o# t e #ra"ers o# t e Constitution t at suc appoint"ents "ade b$ i" ceased to bealid and e##ecti e a#ter t e ter" o# t e Congress e isting at t e ti"e o# t e "a=ing o# suc appoint"ents ad ended or e pired) e endor e piration o# t e o# t e Congress e isting at t e ti"e o# t e "a=ing o# t e ad interim appoint"ents b$ t e resident is a stronger causeor reason #or t e lapse or ine##ectualit$ o# suc appoint"ents t an :t e ne t ad>ourn"ent o# t e Congress): /ince t at Congress no longer

e ists and ence can no longer con ene and t en :ad>ourn): e e##ecti it$ and alidit$ o# t e appoint"ent o# t e petitioner as o ernoro# t e Central ;an= ceased, lapsed and e pired on t irtiet o# ece"ber 1961) @e is no longer entitled old t e o##ice to w ic e ad

been appointed) &$ ote, t ere#ore, is #or t e denial o# t e petition)

"i$on, J., concurs.

+ concur wit t e #oregoing concurring opinion o# Justice adilla, t e sa"e being based on an additional ground >usti#$ing denial o# t e petition under consideration)

+'/TI)T' 'NGELO# J., concurring )

+n addition to t e reasons stated in t e resolution adopted b$ t is Court on Januar$ 19, 196*, + wis to e press t e #ollowing iews )

1) e :"idnig t appoint"ents: "ade b$ resident arcia were e tended b$ i" under /ection 10, aragrap 4, Article 3++ o# t eConstitution w ic pro ides : e resident s all a e t e power to "a=e appoint"ents during t e recess o# t e Congress, but sucappoint"ents s all be e##ecti e onl$ until disappro al b$ t e Co""ission on Appoint"ents or until t e ne t ad>ourn"ent o# t eCongress): +t is clear t at t ese appoint"ents can onl$ be "ade during t e recess o# Congress because t e$ are ad interim appoint"ents)

e ter" :recess: as a de#inite legal "eaning) +t "eans t e inter al between a session o# Congress t at as ad>ourned and anot er o# t esa"e Congress) +t does not re#er to t e inter al between t e session o# one Congress and t at o# anot er) +n t at case t e inter al is notre#erred to as a :recess: but an ad>ourn"ent sine die ) us, in t e case o# ipton ) ar=er, 71 Ar=) 194, t e court said : e DrecessD erere#erred to b$ Judge Coole$ "eans t e inter"ission between sittings o# t e sa"e bod$ at its regular or ad>ourned session, and not to t einter al between t e #inal ad>ourn"ent o# one bod$ and t e con ening o# anot er at t e ne t regular session) ? en applied to a legislati e

bod$, it "eans a te"porar$ dis"issal, and not an ad>ourn"ent sine die ): /ince t e appoint"ents in uestion were "ade a#ter t e ourned sine die and ceased to #unction on ece"ber -0, 1961, t e$ cannot parta=e o# t e nature o#interim appoint"ents wit in t e "eaning o# t e Constitution)

*) e Co""ission on Appoint"ents under our constitutional set%up is not continuing bod$ but one t at co%e ists wit t e Congress t atas created it) is is so because said Co""ission is a creation o# t e /enate and o# t e @ouse o# Representati es) ? ile t e /enate is acontinuing bod$, t e @ouse ceases at t e end o# its #ourt $ear) +t cannot t ere#ore be continuing it being a creation o# a bod$ al# o# w ic


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is ali e and t e ot er al# as ceased to e ist) is t eor$ can also be gleaned #ro" t e proceedings o# t e constitutional con ention)

us, t e preli"inar$ dra#t o# t e ilippine Constitution pro ides #or a per"anent Co""ission and #or t e olding o# sessions o# t eCo""ission e en during t e recess o# Congress) A#ter "ature deliberation t e proposal was de#eated and a substitute was adopted w icis now e"bodied in Article 3+, /ection 1*, o# our Constitution) As a "atter o# #act, as #inall$ adopted, t e Co""ission on Appoint"entsas to be organi!ed upon t e con ening o# a new Congress a#ter t e election o# t e /pea=er o# t e @ouse o# Representati es or o# t eresident o# t e /enate, as t e case "a$ be, as pro ided #or in /ection 1-, Article 3+ o# t e Constitution 'Article 3++, reli"inar$ ra#t o#t e Constitution, 3ol) *, Aruego e ourn"ent o# t e Congress: '/ection 10, aragrap 4, Article 3++() is "ean t at it "ust be sub"ittedto t e Co""ission on Appoint"ents o# t e Congress t at as created it) +t cannot be sub"itted to t e Co""ission on Appoint"ents o# adi##erent Congress) /ince t e appoint"ents in uestion were sub"itted to t e Co""ission on Appoint"ents w ic ceased to #unction onece"ber -0, 1961, t e$ lapsed upon t e cessation o# said Co""ission) Conse uentl$, t e$ can be recalled b$ t e new C ie# . ecuti e)

-) An ad interim appoint"ent is not co"plete until t e appointee ta=es t e oat o# o##ice and actuall$ ta=es possession o# t e position orenters upon t e disc arge o# its duties) e "ere ta=ing o# t e oat o# o##ice wit out actual assu"ption o# o##ice is not su##icient toconstitute t e appointee t e actual occupant t ereo# w o "a$ not be re"o ed t ere#ro" e cept #or cause '&cC esne$ ) /a"pson, *-/)?) *d) 584() e case o# %ummers &. '$aeta , 81 il), 754, cannot be cited as a precedent as to w en an ad interim appoint"en

beco"es per"anent and binding) at case in ol es a cadastral >udge w o was gi en an ad interim appoint"ent as >udge at large) A#terassu"ing t e o##ice and disc arging is duties, is appoint"ent was not con#ir"ed) @e clai"ed t at e could still re ert to is #or"er

position as cadastral >udge) rue, t is Court "ade a state"ent t erein t at an ad interim appoint"ent beco"es per"anent a#ter ta=ing t eoat o# o##ice, but suc state"ent is "erel$ an obiter dictum because t e case could a e been decided on t e doctrine t at, a ingaccepted an inco"patible o##ice, petitioner was dee"ed to a e abandoned t e position o# cadastral >udge)

+n rel$ing on certain cases #or t e proposition t at once an appointee as ta=en t e oat o# o##ice is appoint"ent beco"es irre ocable petitioner #ails to consider t at in said cases t ere ad eit er been an actual disc arge o# dut$ and actual p $sical possession or assu"ptiono# o##ice #ollowing t e oat %ta=ing as to constitute t e appointee t e occupant o# t e position #ro" w ic e cannot be re"o ed wit outcause) . en t e case o# (arbury &. (adison , 1 Cranc , )/) 1-7, * B) .d), 61, 69, cannot be in o=ed as a precedent, #or t ere t eappointees were "erel$ no"inated and t eir no"inations con#ir"ed b$ t e Co""ission on Appoint"ents e en i# t e$ a e later ta=ent eir oat o# o##ice) Certainl$, t e$ can no longer be depri ed o# t eir appoint"ents #or t en t e e ecuti e would be acting in disregard o#t e con#ir"ing bod$ w ic is a coordinate and independent bod$ not sub>ect to is control)

/ince t e appoint"ents in uestion were "ade not in t e lig t o# t e iews erein e pressed, + a" o# t e opinion t at t e$ did not ripeninto alid and per"anent appoint"ents and as suc were properl$ recalled b$ t e new C ie# . ecuti e)

CONCE CION# J., concurring in part and dissenting in part )

+t is well settled t at t e granting o# writs o# pro ibition and mandamus is ordinaril$ wit in t e sound discretion o# t e courts, to be

e ercised on e uitable principles, and t at said writs s ould be issued w en t e rig t to t e relie# is clear '55 C)J)/) *5, *9, 7- C)J)/) 18()+nso#ar as t e "a>orit$ resolution relied upon discretion and t e e uities o# t e case in den$ing said writs, + concur, t ere#ore, in t ea#ore"entioned resolution)

@owe er, + cannot see "$ wa$ clear to subscribing t e obser ations t erein "ade representing t e "oti es allegedl$ underl$ing petitionerDs appoint"ent and t at o# "an$ ot ers w o are not parties in t is case, and >usti#$ing t e re ocation o# suc appoint"ents) &$reasons, a"ong ot ers, are )

1) /a e w ere t e incu"bent as a te"porar$ appoint"ent or is re"o able at t e will o# t e appointing power, an appoint"ent onceco"plete, b$ t e per#or"ance o# all acts re uired b$ law o# t e appointing power, is irre ocable)

An appoint"ent to o##ice "a$ be re o=ed at an$ ti"e be#ore t e appoint"ent beco"es #inal and co"plete, but t erea#ter unlesst e appointee is re"o able at t e will o# appointing power)


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&a$ an appoint"ent be re o=ed b$ reason o# error or #raudF is uestion was ta=en up in . rel )oo*an &s. arbour '** A 686( and .rel %cofield &s. %tarr '6- A 51*() e #irst in ol ed a Cit$ C arter pro iding t at its co""on council s all, in >oint con ention, appoint a

prosecuting attorne$) +n suc con ention, Coogan obtained a "a>orit$ o# t e otes cast and o# t e con ention) pon announce"ent o# t isresult, a "e"ber o# t e con ention o##ered a resolution declaring Coogan elected, but t e resolution was de#eated) en, two resolutionswere o##ered and appro ed one declaring t at t e ballots ta=en were null and o# no e##ect b$ reason o# errors in t e sa"e and anot erdeclaring ;arbour elected prosecuting attorne$) e issue was w o ad been appointed t ereto) e court eld t at it was Coogan, ea ing obtained a clear "a>orit$ and t ere a ing been no error or #raud in t e oting, alt oug it did not den$ t e power o# t econ ention to correct errors and to nulli#$ t e e##ects o# #raud in t e oting b$ in alidating t e sa"e and calling anot er election, ad t e

proceedings been tainted wit suc error or #raud)

e second case re#erred to a si"ilar pro ision in a cit$ c arter, to t e e##ect t at appoint"ents b$ t e co""on council s all be b$ ballotand t at t e person recei ing a pluralit$ o# ballots s all be elected) e #irst balloting ta=en #or t e election o# t e cit$ sur e$or o#;rigeport resulted in *5 ballots being cast) +t was announced t at t ere was one ballot "ore t an "e"bers oting, and t at t ere were 1-

ballots #or /co#ield, 11 #or /tarr and one blan= ballot) /co#ield "aintained t at t is result a"ounted to is appoint"ent precluding t ecouncil #ro" ta=ing a new ballot but suc pretense was re>ected) +nas"uc as t e nu"ber o# ballots cast e ceeded t e nu"ber o# personsoting, t e council was >usti#ied in belie ing t at t e proceeding was not #ree #ro" suspicion o# #raud or "ista=e in t e oting and,accordingl$ in ta=ing anot er ote)

+n bot cases, t e #raud or "ista=e alluded to re#erred to t e "anner o# oting or o# counting t e ballots cast, not to t e intent o# t e otersin c oosing a particular appointee)

*) An ad interim appoint"ent, "ade during a recess o# Congress, is co"plete and irre ocable upon t e per#or"ance o# t e last act re uired b$ law #ro" t e appointing power, e en wit out pre ious notice to t e appointee, or acceptance b$ i", or wit out subse uent action o#t e legislati e organ t at "a$ ter"inate its e##ecti it$)

+n t e case o# appoint"ent "ade b$ a single e ecuti e suc as a go ernor, "a$or, etc), it is undisputed t at t e appoint"ent once"ade is irre ocable)

? ere an appoint"ent sub>ect to con#ir"ation b$ t e senate is "ade b$ a go ernor during a recess o# t e senate, ))) t e uestionarises as to w et er suc an appoint"ent "a$ be reconsidered and wit drawn b$ t e go ernor be#ore it is acted upon b$ t e/enate)

+n arrett &. "uff '19*-( 114 Kan) **0, *17 ac) 918, w ere appoint"ents "ade b$ t e go ernor during a recess o# t elegislature, w ic appoint"ents could not be con#ir"ed b$ t e senate as re uired b$ law until t e ne t session o# t at bod$, werere o=ed b$ t e go ernorDs successor, and ot er persons were appointed to t e o##ices, suc action b$ i" being ta=en a#ter t esenate ad con ened and ad ta=en under ad ise"ent t e con#ir"ation o# t e persons #irst appointed to t e o##ices, but be#ore t esenate ad ta=en an$ de#inite action wit regard to suc con#ir"ation, and t e senate, con#ir"ed t e #irst appointee, but, despitet is act o# t e senate, co""issions were issued b$ t e go ernor to t e second appointee, it was eld, in reliance upon t e ter"s o#t e statutes w ic pro ided t at t e go ernor s ould DappointD persons to suc o##ices wit t e ad ice and consent o# t e senate, asdistinguis ed #ro" t e pro ision o# t e Constitution o# t e nited /tates go erning appoint"ents b$ t e resident, w ic

pro ides t at t e resident s all Dno"inateD and, b$ and wit t e ad ice and consent o# t e senate, s all DappointD persons to o##ice,t at t e act o# t e go ernor in "a=ing t e first appoint"ents was final and e+hausted t e power o# t e go ernorDs o##ice in t atregard unless and until the appointments were re ected by the senate , and t at, t ere#ore, t e persons appointed by the first

*o&ernor were entitled to t e o##ice) +n t e words o# t e court, D e power o# t e go ernor a ing been e ercised, e ad no#urt er power o# t e go ernor a ing been e ercised, e ad no #urt er control o er t e respecti e o##ices unless and until t eappointees ad been re>ected b$ t e senate)D +n reac ing t is result, t e court e"p asi!ed t e di##erence between a no"ination andan appoint"ent, olding t at, w ere t e statute relating to appoint"ents b$ t e go ernor wit t e consent o# t e senate pro idest at t e go ernor s all appoint persons to t e o##ice wit t e consent o# t e senate, rat er t an "erel$ no"inate persons #orconsideration b$ t e senate, the appointment is final and conclusi&e without confirmation. ))) )

Bi=ewise in (c)hesney &. %ampson '19-0( *-* K$ -95, *- /)?) '*d)( 584, t e act o# go ernor in "a=ing a recess appoint"entwas eld to be not merely a nomination sub>ect to re ocation b$ t e go ernor at an$ ti"e prior to action t ereon b$ t e senate, but a final and irre&ocable appoint"ent sub ect only to re ection by the senate. +n support o# t is result, it was said D+t is urgedt at appoint"ent to t e o##ice consists o# two separate acts, one b$ t e go ernor and one b$ t e senate, and until bot a e actedt ere is no appoint"ent suc as to bring t e incu"bent wit in t e protection o# t e law) . en so, t e two powers do not actconcurrentl$, but consecuti el$, and action once ta=en and co"pleted b$ t e e ecuti e is not sub>ect to reconsideration orrecall) ))) e #act t at t e title to t e o##ice, and t e tenure o# t e o##icer, are sub>ect to t e action o# t e senate, does not renderinco"plete t e act o# t e c ie# e ecuti e in "a=ing t e appoint"ent) -he appointment alone confers upon the appointee for thetime bein* the ri*ht to ta e and hold the office, and constitutes the last act respectin* the matter to be performed by the e+ecuti&e

power./ .

+n eople e rel) yder &. (i$ner '1857( 7 Cal) 519, in olding t at an appoint"ent "ade b$ a go ernor to #ill an o##ice w ic


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ad e pired during a recess o# t e legislature was not "erel$ an appoint"ent to #ill a acanc$ w ic would e pire at t e end o#t e ne t session o# t e legislature, but was an appointment for a full term , and t at t e act o# t e go ernor during a subse uentsession o# t e legislature, in appointing anot er to t e o##ice and as=ing is con#ir"ation b$ t e legislature, was unauthori$ed and&oid, it was said t at, the power of the e+ecuti&e ha&in* been once e+ercised, he had no further control o&er the office until theappointee has been re ected by the senate. : '89 ABR, pp) 1-8, 1-9, 140)( )

-) e irre ocabilit$ o# t e ad interim appoint"ent ad erted to abo e beco"es "ore apparent w en we consider t at t e @ouse,Co""ission on Appoint"ents or ot er agenc$ o# Congress c arged wit t e #unction o# ter"inating t e e##ecti it$ o# suc appoint"ent,"a$ act t ereon, b$ appro ing or disappro ing t e sa"e, e en t oug t e . ecuti e ad not sub"itted or #orwarded it to said @ouse,Co""ission or agenc$ o# Congress, and e en t oug eit er t e outgoing or t e inco"ing . ecuti e s all a e sub"itted #or con#ir"ationt e na"e o# a subse uent appointee in lieu o# t e #irst one))

is was t e situation "et in eople e rel, 0merson &s. %haw&er '-0 ?$o -66, *** ac) 11() e #acts t erein were On Jul$ 1, 1919,o ernor Care$ o# ?$o"ing appointed ."erson as state engineer, to #ill t e acanc$ caused b$ t e resignation o# its incu"bent) pont e e piration o# t e latterDs ter", o ernor Care$ reappointed ."erson #or a #ull ter" o# si '6( $ears, #ro" and a#ter April 1, 19*1) islast appoint"ent was con#ir"ed b$ t e state legislature at its ne t session in 19*-) !rior t ereto, owe er, o ernor Care$Ds ter" ade pired and is successor ad appointed / aw er as state engineer) ereupon / aw er ousted ."erson #ro" suc o##ice) +t was eld t at."erson ad a better rig t t ereto t at is appoint"ent in 19*1 was a co"pleted appoint"ent, requirin* no action by the %enate to entiti" to old said o##ice t at a recess appoint"ent once "ade b$ :t e e ecuti e is not sub>ect to reconsideration or recall, :e en t oug notas $et con#ir"ed b$ t e /enate, inas"uc as,: t e appoint"ent alone con#ers upon t e appointee #or t e ti"e being t e rig t to ta=e andold t e o##ice, and constitutes t e last act respecting t e "atter to be per#or"ed b$ t e e ecuti e power: and t at, alt oug t e ter" o#o ernor Care$ ad e pired and neit er e nor is successor ad #orwarded ."ersonDs appoint"ent to t e /enate #or con#ir"ation orre uested t e /enate to act upon said appoint"ent, t e sa"e ad been alidl$ con#ir"ed b$ said bod$, #or )

e pro ision as to t e o##ice ere in uestion #ound in t e Constitution does not sa$ t at t e appoint"ent "ade b$ t e o ernors all be con#ir"ed b$ t e /enate w en re uested b$ t e #or"er, or upon a co""unication b$ i" sub"itting t e "atter to t e/enate) And we percei e no substantial reason #or adding b$ construction an$ suc restriction upon t e /enateDs rig t to act)' eople ) / aw er, *** ) 11 see, also, Co""onwealt ) ?aller, 145 a) *-5, *- Atl) -8* /tate ) ?illia"s, *0 /)C) 1-Ric ardson ) @enderson, 4 ?$o) 5-5, -5 ac) 517, and ot er cases cited in t e / aw er case)( )

4) e #oregoing goes to s ow, also, t at t e uestion w et er t e Co""ission on Appoint"ents is or is not a continuing bod$ can nota##ect t e deter"ination o# t e case) ;esides, t e constitutional pro ision "a=ing an ad interim appoint"ent, i# not disappro ed b$ t eCo""ission on Appoint"ents, e##ecti e onl$ until t e ne t ad>ourn"ent o# Congress, clearl$ indicates t at such )ommission must ha&ean opportunity to appro&e or disappro&e the appointment and t at its inaction, despite suc opportunit$, at t e session o# Congress ne t#ollowing t e "a=ing o# t e appoint"ent 2 during w ic it could a e "et, and, probabl$, did "eet 2 "ust be understood as ane pression o# unwillingness to sta"p its appro al upon t e act o# t e e ecuti e) o suc opportunit$ e ists w en t e outgoing Congressas not eld an$ session, regular or special a#ter t e "a=ing o# t e appoint"ent and be#ore t e e piration o# t e ter" o# said Congress, andt e new Congress as not, as $et, organi!ed itsel# or e en "et)

5) e A"erican rule concerning irre ocabilit$ o# appoint"ents is bolstered up in t e ilippines b$ /ection 4 o# Article L++ o# t eConstitution, w ic pro ides t at 2 :no o##icer o# e"plo$ee in t e Ci il /er ice s all be re"o ed e cept #or cause as pro ided b$ law):'Article 3++, /ection 4)( )

+n #act, in is concurring opinion in 0raa &s. er*el de "ios '85 il), 17(, our distinguis ed C ie# Justice pointed out t at t e re ocationo# an appoint"ent, i# #easible, :s ould be co""unicated to t e appointee before t e "o"ent e uali#ied,: and t at : any re&ocatiothereafter, is tantamount to remo&al and "ust be >udged according to t e rules applicable to t e re"o al: 'e"p asis ours() +n t e presentcase, t e re ocation o# petitionerDs appoint"ent was not co""unicated to i" be#ore e uali#ied b$ ta=ing is oat o# o##ice) +t is note en clai"ed t at an$ o# t e statutor$ causes #or re"o al o# petitioner erein e ists, or t at t e procedure prescribed #or suc re"o al as

been co"plied wit )

6) Once an appointee as uali#ied, e ac uires a legal, not "erel$ e uitable rig t, w ic is protected not onl$ b$ statute, but, also b$ t eConstitution, #or it cannot be ta=en awa$ #ro" i", eit er b$ re ocation o# t e appoint"ent or b$ re"o al, e cept #or cause, and wit

pre ious notice and earing, consistentl$ wit said /ection 4 o# Article L++ o# our #unda"ental law, and wit t e constitutional

re uire"ent o# due process '/ego ia s) oel, 47 il), 547 /ec) 67 C)J)/) 117, 4* A") Jur) 887() '/ee also, eople e rel R$an ) reen,58 ) ) *95 eople s) ardner, 59 ;arb 198 ++ Bewis /ut erland /tatutor$ Construction, pp) 1161 and 116* &ec e" on ublicO##icers, /ec) -89 ** R) C) B) -77% -78 *5 A") ec) 690%691, 70-()

7) e case o# -ipton &s. !ar er '74 /) ?), *98( as been cited in support o# t e t eor$ t at Congress o# t e ilippines was not in :recess:on ece"ber *9, 1961, and t at, accordingl$, ad interim appoint"ents could not alidl$ be "ade in suc date) e uestion in ol ed insaid case was w et er a committee o# t e /enate o# Ar=ansas could be aut ori!ed b$ t e sa"e to #unction a#ter t e ad>ourn"ent sine diet e regular session o# t e state eneral Asse"bl$) e /tate /upre"e Court considered as decisi e aut orit$ t e iew e pressed b$ JudgeCoole$, to t e e##ect t at a legislati e co""ittee : as no aut orit$ to sit during a recess o# a @ouse w ic appointed i", wit out its

per"ission to t at e##ect:) e issue t us inged on t e "eaning o# t e ter" :recess: as used by Jud*e )ooley ) Resol ing t is uestion,said court eld t at t e recess re#erred to b$ Jud*e )ooley was :onl$ t e inter"ission between t e sittings o# t e sa"e bod$ at its regular orad>ourned session and not to t e inter al between t e #inal ad>ourn"ent o# one bod$ and t e con ening o# anot er at t e ne t regularsession:))


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+n t is connection, it s ould be noted t at, as an agenc$ o# t e /enate, t e co""ittee in ol ed in said case could not operate #or its principal be$ond t e latterDs ter") &oreo er, under t e Constitution o# Ar=ansas, t e regular biennial session o# t e eneral Asse"bl$could not e ceed 60 da$s, unless b$ a ote o# *E- o# t e "e"bers o# eac o# t e two @ouses o# t e legislature) +nas"uc as t e /enatecould not, wit out t e concurrence o# t e @ouse, directl$ e tend t e period o# its regular session, neit er could it, wit out succoncurrence, indirectl$ e tend said period, b$ granting its a#ore"entioned co""ittee t e aut orit$ to #unction be$ond said period) Asstated b$ t e Court :t e co""ittee, being t e "ere agenc$ o# t e bod$ w ic appointed it, dies w en t e bod$ itsel# dies, unless it iscontinued b$ law:, w ic t e /enate "a$ not enact, wit out t e concurrence o# t e @ouse))

e decision in said case did not see= to de#ine t e "eaning o# t e ter" :recess: as used in an$ constitution or statute) +t did not e en re#erto t e aut orit$ to "a=e appoint"ents during :recess:) +t as absolutel$ no bearing, t ere#ore, on t e issue be#ore us)

pon t e ot er and, r) Jose &) Aruego, a pro"inent "e"ber o# t e constitutional con ention, sa$s, in is wor= on : e ustice '3era s) A elino, 77 il), 19*, *05 16 C)J)/ 689%690 ?illoug b$ on t e Constitution, 3ol) +++ 1-*6%1-*7(, but to t e politicalorgan establis ed precisel$ to c ec= possible abuses in t e e ercise o# t e appointing power 2 t e Co""ission on Appoint"ents)

+ndeed, + can ardl$ concei e o# an$ uestion "ore patentl$ and c aracteristicall$ political t an t is one, or "ore appropriate #ordeter"ination o# said bod$) eit er t e possible or probable control t ereo# b$ "e"bers o# t e acionalista art$ nor t e nu"ber o#o##ices or appoint"ents in ol ed can a##ect t e nature o# t e issue) /urel$, its political c aracter is t e sa"e w ic e er political part$ "a$a e t e largest nu"ber o# otes in t e Co""ission on Appoint"ents) e big nu"ber o# said appoint"ents "erel$ tend to "a=e "ore"ani#est t e political co"ple ion t ereo# and its non%>usti#iable nature)

10) +n 'smea &s. !endatum 'B%17144, October *8, 1960(, we re#used to disturb t e action o# t e @ouse o# Representati es in suspendinga "e"ber t ereo# 2 w o ad "ade derogator$ i"putations against t e resident o# t e ilippines 2 upon t e ground t at suci"putations constituted a breac o# t e courtes$ due to a coordinate branc o# t e o ern"ent) Get, in t e present case, i"putationssi"ilarl$ derogator$ to t e sa"e branc o# t e o ern"ent are, in e##ect, "ade in t e "a>orit$ resolution)

+ cannot see ow suc i"putations can be reconciled wit t e position ta=en b$ t is Court in t e 'smea case and in ot er cases';arcelona s) ;a=er, 5 il), 87 /e erino s) o ernor% eneral, 16 il), -66 Abue a s) ?ood, 45 il), 61* Ale>andrino s) Iue!on,46 il), 85 &abanag s) Bope! 3ito, 78 il), 1 Cabili s)


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Court): +n (abana* &s. Lope$ ito '78 il), 1(, we re#used to decide, upon t e sa"e ground, w et er speci#ied nu"bers o# otesconstituted t ree%#ourt s o# all "e"bers o# eac @ouse o# Congress) +n era &s. #&elino '77 il), 19*(, we not onl$ declared t at :t e

>udiciar$ is not t e repositor$ o# re"edies #or all political or social e ils,: but, also, uoted wit appro al t e state"ent, "adein #le andrino &s. 3ue$on '46 il), 81(, to t e e##ect t at :t e >udicial depart"ent as no power to re ise e en t e "ost arbitrar$ andun#air action o# t e legislati e depart"ent, or o# eit er @ouse t ereo#, ta=en in pursuance o# t e power co""itted e clusi el$ to t atdepart"ent b$ t e Constitution): '."p asis ours)( )

11) +n t e present case, we a e co"pletel$ re ersed our stand on t e principle o# separation o# powers) ?e a e in uired into t e "oti eso# t e . ecuti e depart"ent in "a=ing t e appoint"ents in uestion, alt oug it is well settled, under t e a#ore"entioned principle, t at )

enerall$ courts cannot in uire into t e "oti e, polic$, wisdo", or e pedienc$ o# legislation)

e >ustice, wisdo", polic$, necessit$, or e pedienc$, o# a law w ic is wit in its powers are #or t e legislature, and are not open toin uir$ b$ t e courts, e cept as an aid to proper interpretation): '16 C)J)/) 471%478( )

+# t is is true as regards t e legislati e branc o# t e go ern"ent, + can see no alid reason, and none as been pointed out, w $ t e sa"enor" s ould not go ern our relations, wit t e e ecuti e depart"ent) @owe er, we a e not "erel$ disregarded suc nor") ?e are, also,in e##ect, restraining t e Co""ission on Appoint"ents 2 an organ o# a coordinate, co%e ual branc o# t e o ern"ent 2 #ro" acting ont e uestioned appoint"ents) ? at is "ore, we are irtuall$ assu"ing in ad ance t at said bod$ 2 w ic as not been organi!ed as $etand w ose "e"bers ip is still undeter"ined 2 will not act in ar"on$ wit t e spirit o# our Constitution)

1*) +t is trite to sa$ t at certain "oral and political aspects o# t e issue be#ore us cannot but produce a strong a ersion towards t e case o# petitioner erein and t e undreds o# ot ers appointed under t e sa"e conditions as e was) Alt oug "e"bers o# t e benc "ust alwa$sendea or to "ini"i!e t e in#luence o# e"otional #actors tending to a##ect t e ob>ecti it$ essential to a #air and i"partial appraisal o# t eissues sub"itted #or t eir deter"ination, it is onl$ natural 2 and, + enture to add, #ortunate '#or, ot erwise, ow could t e$ ope to do

>ustice to t eir #ellow"enF( 2 t at t e$ s ould basicall$ react as ot er "e"bers o# t e u"an #a"il$) is is probabl$ t e reason w $Justice ouglas o# t e udges so"eti"es rela and let t e police ta=e s ortcuts not sanctioned b$ constitutional procedures) )))) e ar" in t egi en case "a$ see" e cusable) ;ut t e practices generated b$ t e precedent a e #ar%reac ing conse uences t at are ar"#uland in>urious be$ond "easure"ent):)

Bet us ope t at no suc conse uences will #low #ro" t e precedent establis ed in t is case)

+'RRER'# J., dissenting

e instant case started wit a si"ple petition #or pro ibition and "anda"us wit preli"inar$ in>unction instituted b$ petitioner A$tonaw o clai"s to a e been dul$ appointed ad interim o ernor o# t e Central ;an=, against respondent Castillo w o, allegedl$acco"panied b$ is correspondent Colonel utierre! and a ost o# ea il$ ar"ed ilippine Constabular$ Rangers, inter#ered wit and

pre ented t e petitioner in t e disc arge o# is duties and prerogati es as suc o ernor o# t e Central ;an=) uring t e earing,

owe er, and i""ediatel$ t erea#ter, a great a"ount o# e traneous "atter a##ecting persons not parties to t e proceedings as beenintroduced into t e case and a eritable a alanc e o# "e"oranda a#ter "e"oranda and "ani#estations a#ter "ani#estations swelled t erecords and elped in ol e t e issues) One a"ong t e do!ens w o as=ed to be ad"itted as amici curiae , e en presented an answer in

be al# o# t e people to support t e side o# t e respondents) n#ortunatel$, in t e con#usion, t e case o# t e i""ediate parties beca"eobscured b$ considerations o# circu"stances and "atters #or and wit w ic petitioner and respondents are not directl$ connected))

+n "$ opinion, t e #unda"ental uestions w ic t is Court is called upon to resol e in t e present case a speci#icall$ )

'1( +s t e ad interim, appoint"ent o# petitioner A$tona alid w en e tendedF )

'*( +# so, did it auto"aticall$ lapse wit t e ending t e ter" o# o##ice o# t e twel e Congress"en co"posing one% al# o# t e"e"bers ip o# t e Co""ission Appoint"entsF )

'-( &a$ t is appoint"ent be legall$ recalled or wit drawal a#ter A$tona as uali#iedF )

;e#ore entering into t e discussion o# t e :propriet$, "oralit$ and wisdo": o# t e appoint"ent, it is necessar$, + belie e, t at t e#oregoing legal propositions "ust #irst be cleared out)

+) e 3alidit$ o# A$tonaDs Appoint"ent )

A$tonaDsad interim appoint"ent is assailed on t e t eor$ t at it was not "ade during a :recess: o# Congress as pro ided in paragrap 4,section 10 o# Article 3++ o# t e Constitution) +t is clai"ed #or t e respondents dents t at t e word :recess: "eans :t e inter"ission

between sittings o# t e sa"e bod$ at its regular or ad>ourned session, and not to t e inter al between t e #inal ad>ourn"ent o# one bod$and t e con ening o# anot er at t e ne t regular session) ? en applied to a legislati e bod$, it "eans a te"porar$ dis"issal, and notad>ourn"ent sine die ): +n support o# t is iew, counsel cites t e case o# -ipton &. !ar er, 71 Ar=) 19-, #ro" w ic t e #oregoing uotationwas ta=en)

An e a"ination o# t is case, owe er, discloses t at it did not re#er to t e power o# t e resident to "a=e ad interim appoint"ents) e pronounce"ent was "ade in connection wit t e interpretation o# /ection 17, Article 5 o# t e Constitution o# t e /tate o# Ar=ansas) ecase in ol ed t e alidit$ o# t e certi#icate o# t e auditor wit re#erence to t e legalit$ o# t e e penses o# a co""ittee o# t e /tate /enate


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aut ori!ed b$ t e latter to "a=e certain in estigations be$ond t e duration o# t e session o# t e eneral Asse"bl$) e court, in declaringt e certi#icate wit out sanction o# law, stated )

: e /enate as no power b$ resolution o# its own to e tend its session, and neit er did it a e power to suc separate resolutionto continue its co""ittee, a "ere agenc$ o# t e bod$, be$ond t e ter" o# t e bod$ itsel# w ic created it): )

in iew o# t e pro isions o# t e a#ore"entioned /ection 17, Article 5 o# t e state Constitution prescribing :t at t e regular biennial sessiono# t e Begislature s all not e ceed 60 da$s, unless b$ *E- ote o# t e "e"bers elected to eac ouse, and section *- re uiring a ote o# t e"a>orit$ o# eac ouse to enact a law or pass a resolution a ing t e #orce and e##ect o# a law:) Apparentl$ an opinion o# Judge Coole$see"ingl$ to t e contrar$ was cited to re#ute t is iew o# t e court, and so t e decision went on to sa$

.ac ouse, sa$s Judge Coole$, "ust also be allowed to proceed in its own wa$ in t e collection o# suc in#or"ation "a$ see"i"portant to a proper disc arge o# its #unctions and w ene er it is dee"ed desirable t at witnesses s ould be e a"ined, t e

power and t e aut orit$ to do so is er$ properl$ re#erred to a co""ittee, wit an$ suc powers s ort o# #inal legislati e or >udicial action as "a$ see" necessar$ or e pedient in t e particular case) /uc a co""ittee as no aut orit$ to sit durin* recess of the house w ic as appointed it, wit out its per"ission to t at e##ect) ut the house is at liberty to confer such authorityif it sees fit.

+t is in t is connection and e identl$ in a desire to e plain t e opinion o# Judge Coole$ t at t e court "ade t e pronounce"ent relied upon b$ respondents, t us )

)))) e recess ere re#erred to b$ Judge Coole$ we t in= s ould be construed to "ean onl$ t e inter"ission between sittings o#t e sa"e bod$ at its regular or ad>ourned session, and not to t e inter al between t e #inal ad>ourn"ent o# one bod$ and t econ ening o# anot er at t e ne t regular session) ? en applied to a legislati e bod$, it "eans a te"porar$ dis"issal and not anad>ourn"ent sine die )

e conclusion reac ed b$ t e court can not be ot erwise) e case re#ers to t e powers o# one ouse o# t e state Begislature, wit t econcurrence o# t e ot er, to con#er aut orit$ upon its own co""ittee to act be$ond t e duration o# t e session o# t e eneral Asse"bl$)Certainl$, Judge Coole$Ds iew t at eac ouse as power to con#er aut orit$ to its co""ittee to act during a recess "ust be understood toe ist onl$ during t e li#e o# t e ouse creating t e co""ittee) +t can not go be$ond its own e istence, t at is, be$ond its ad>ourn"ent sindie.

;ut t is ruling is no argu"ent t at t e . ecuti eDs power to "a=e appoint"ents during suc ad>ourn"ent sine die does not e ist >us because a ouse o# t e legislature lac=s power to aut ori!e its co""ittee to act during t e sa"e ad>ourn"ent) One re#ers to t e power o# ade#unct bod$ to act be$ond its li#e t e ot er re#ers to t e power o# anot er aut orit$, t e e ecuti e, to per#or" its #unctions a#ter t ee piration o# t at ot er bod$) on%e istence o# t e #irst does not "ean non%e istence o# t e ot er)

+t is to be noted t at t e di##erent counsel ad ocating t e cause o# t e respondents are not e en agreed in t e application o# t eirinterpretation o# t e word :recess:) /o"e o# t e" argue t at t e interregnu" w ic t e$ contend is not recess, co"pro"ises t e entire

period between t e ad>ourn"ent o# t e 4t Congress in &a$, 1961 and t e opening o# t e 1st session o# t e #irst session o# t e 5tCongress on Januar$ **, 196*, so t at all ad interim appoint"ents e tended during t is period are null and oid) Ot ers clai" t at sucinterregnu" is t at period between ece"ber 1-, 1961, date o# ad>ourn"ent o# t e last session o# t e 4t Congress, and Januar$ **, 196*)+t see"s t at resident &acapagal is o# t is sa"e iew because is ad"inistrati e Order o) * speci#icall$ re#ers to all appoint"ents "adea#ter ece"ber 1-, 1961) /till ot ers, at least one, ad anced t e t eor$ during t e oral argu"ent t at t e banned period is t at between t ead>ourn"ent o# t e 4t Congress in &a$, and ece"ber -0, 1961, e cluding t ere#ro" t e period between t is last date and Januar$ **,196*) Ob iousl$, t is t eor$ was ad anced in an e##ort to lend alidit$ to t e appoint"ents recentl$ "ade b$ resident &acapagal, #or i#t e entire period between &a$ or ece"ber, 1961 to Januar$ **, 196* is eld not a recess, but an ad>ourn"ent sine die , t en alappoint"ents ereto#ore "ade b$ t e present C ie# . ecuti e would su##er t e sa"e de#ect as t ose e tended b$ #or"er resident arcia)

is last argu"ent is una ailing because it, li=ewise, is untenable, tested upon t e sa"e aut orit$ cited b$ counsel, i)e), t at t e ter":recess: "eans :t e inter"ission between sittings o# t e same body. : /ince t e 5t Congress as not as $et e en con ened, t e period

between ece"ber -0 and Januar$ ** can not be a recess o# t e 5t Congress because it, de#initel$, is not an inter"ission between sittin*s o# t e sa"e bod$)

+n t e circu"stances, it see"s it is an o er%state"ent to sa$ t at t e ter" :recess as a de#inite legal "eaning in t e sense attributed to it in

t e -ipton &s. !ar er case) e con#usion in t e "inds o# t e se eral counsels #or t e respondents as to t e application o# t e alleged"eaning o# t e ter", indicates a belabored e##ort on t eir part to i"pute a "eaning to satis#$ t eir case) pon t e ot er and, we #ind in:@inds recedents o# t e @ouse o# Representati es: '3ol) 5, pp) 85*%85-(, a legislati e interpretation b$ t e nited /tates /enate "adeduring t e discussion o# t e ter" :recess o# t e /enate: in connection wit t e residentDs1 power to "a=e appoint"ents, as #ollows )

e word DrecessD is one o# ordinar$, not tec nical, signi#ication, and it is e identl$ used in t e constitutional pro ision in itsco""on and popular sense) +t "eans in Article ++, abo e re#erred to, precisel$ w at it "eans in Article +++, in w ic it is againused) Con#erring power upon t e e ecuti e o# a /tate to "a=e te"porar$ appoint"ent o# a /enator, it sa$s )

And i# acancies appen, b$ resignation or ot erwise, during t e recess o# t e legislature o# an$ /tate, t e e ecuti e t ereo# "a$"a=e te"porar$ appoint"ents until t e ne t "eeting o# t e legislature, w ic s all t en #ill suc acancies)D )

+t "eans >ust w at was "eant b$ it in t e Article o# Con#ederation, in w ic it is #ound in t e #ollowing pro ision: )

e nited /tates in Congress asse"bled s all a e aut orit$ to appoint a co""ittee to sit in t e recess o# Congress, it be


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deno"inated a co""ittee o# t e /tates, and to consist o# one delegate #ro" eac /tate)D )

+t was e identl$ intended b$ t e #ra"ers o# t e Constitution t at it s ould "ean so"et ing real, not so"et ing i"aginar$so"et ing actual, not so"et ing #ictitious) e$ used t e word as t e "ass o# "an=ind t en understood it and now understand it)+t "eans, in our >udg"ent, in t is connection t e period o# ti"e w en t e /enate is not sitting in regular or e traordinar$ sessionas a branc o# t e Congress, or in e traordinar$ session #or t e disc arge o# e ecuti e #unctions w en its "e"bers owe no dut$o# attendance w en its C a"ber is e"pt$ w en, because o# its absence, it cannot recei e co""unications #ro" t e resident or

participate as bod$ in "a=ing appoint"ents): )

e Attorne$ eneral o# t e nited /tates was also o# t is iew w en e stated )

e recess o# t e /enate during w ic t e resident s all a e power to #ill a acanc$ t at "a$ appen, "eans t e period a#tert e #inal ad>ourn"ent o# Congress #or t e session and be#ore t e ne t session begins w ile an ad>ourn"ent during a session o#Congress "eans a "erel$ te"porar$ suspension o# business #ro" da$ to da$, or #or suc brie# periods o# ti"e as are agreed upon

b$ t e >oint action o# t e two ouses) e resident is not aut ori!ed to appoint an o##icer during t e current olida$ ad>ourn"ento# t e /enate, w ic will a e t e e##ect o# an appoint"ent "ade in t e recess occurring between two sessions o# t e /enate):' resident % Appoint"ent O##icers % @olida$ Recess, 1901, *- Op) Att$) en) 599, ' )/)C)A) Const) Art) *, /ec) *M*N))

+t is wort w ile to note t at our Constitution in paragrap 4, /ection 10 o# Article 3++ spea=s o# :recess: wit out "a=ing an$ distribution between t e sessions one congress and t e sessions o# anot er) And it is trite to sa$ t at w en t e law "a=es no distinction, no distinctions ould be "ade, especiall$ i# to do so would result in a strained interpretation t ereo# and de#eat t e e ident purpose o# t e #ra"ers o# t eConstitution % in t is instance, to render it certain t at at ti"es t ere s ould be, w et er t e Congress is in session or not, an o##icer #ore er$ o##ice, entitled to disc arge t e duties t ereo#) '5 @inds, op) cit), p) 85-)( )

++) Lapsin* of #ytona/s #ppointment5 .

+t is contended #or t e respondents t at since 1* "e"bers o# t e Co""ission on Appoint"ents ceased to be suc upon t e e piration o#t eir ter" o# o##ice at "idnig t o# ece"ber *9, 1961, t e Co""ission on Appoint"ents li=ewise ceased to e ist on t e t eor$ t atcreation can not e ist be$ond t e li#e o# its creator at least wit respect to one% al# o# its "e"bers) is see"s to ste" #ro" t e wrongnotion t at t e Co""ission on Appoint"ents is a creature o# t e Congress) is con#uses t e Co""ission on Appoint"ents as aconstitutional bod$ wit its "e"bers) e bod$ continued to e ist, but onl$ its "e"bers ip c anges periodicall$) ? en t e Constitution

pro ides in /ection 1- o# Article 6 t ereo# t at :t e .lectoral ribunals and t e Co""ission on Appoint"ents s all be constituted wit in-0 da$s a#ter t e /enate and t e @ouse o# Representati es s all a e been organi!ed wit t e election o# t eir resident and /pea=er,respecti el$:, it did not "ean t at t e /enate and t e @ouse o# Representati es t ereb$ create said bodies, no "ore t an t e resident can

be said to create t e /upre"e Court b$ appointing t e Justices t erein) +t si"pl$ ordained t at t e Co""ission be constituted or organi!ed b$ electing t e "e"bers t ereo#, w ose positions a e alread$ been created in irtue o# /ection 1* o# t e sa"e Constitution) o old t e.lectoral ribunals and t e Co""ission on Appoint"ents are non%e isting during t e period #ro" ece"ber -0, 1961 to Januar$ **, 196*'and during t e corresponding period e er$ #our $ears t erea#ter( will result in an absurdit$ and a situation destructi e o# t e nor"al

processes pro ided in t e Constitution) One o# suc absurd results would be t at no electoral protest against an$ elected and proclai"edcongress"an or senator can be legall$ #iled wit t e .lectoral ribunals wit in t e period prescribe b$ t eir rules, t at is, wit in #i#teenda$s #ollowing t e procla"ation o# t e results o# t e election, w ic period #alls wit in t e ti"e w en t e .lectoral ribunals 'as is t ecase o# Co""ission on Appoint"ents( are allegedl$ non%e istent)

e proceedings in t e Constitutional Con ention are cited to support t e t eor$ t at t e Co""ission on Appoint"ents is not a per"anentco""ission) A re iew o# t e records, owe er, o# t at con ention re eals t at w at was intended in t e proposed dra#t was to aut ori!et e Co""ission on Appoint"ents to old sessions e en w en t e Congress is not in session) e "ere #act t at suc a proposal wasde#eated and, conse uentl$, t e word :per"anent: was not adopted in t e #inal te t, does not i"port t at t e Constitution "eant to gi e ano## and on e istence to t e Co""ission on Appoint"ents lapsing e er$ #our $ears w en t e twel e o# its "e"bers cease to be suc ) Ont e contrar$, it see"s "ore logical to old t at t e legal e istence o# t e Co""ission as well as t e .lectoral ribunals continueirrespecti e o# t e acancies t at "a$ e ist in t e "e"bers ip t ereo#) +t is #or t is reason t at t e personnel o# t ese bodies do not cease

periodicall$, but continue to per#or" t eir duties in t eir respecti e o##ices #or w ic t e$ are legall$ paid t eir salaries b$ t ego ern"ent) +t see"s clear, t ere#ore, t at t e Co""ission on Appoint"ents did not lapse on ece"ber *9, 1961) eit er did t eappoint"ent o# A$tona lapse on t at date because t e sa"e could not be acted upon b$ t e Co""ission on Appoint"ents during t e recess

o# t e Congress)+++) (ay the appointment of #ytona be le*ally recalled or withdrawn after he has qualified for the position to which he was appointed6 .

recedents are to t e e##ect t at w en once an appoint"ent as been e tended b$ t e C ie# . ecuti e w o, as is pro ided in ourConstitution, as t e sole power o# appoint"ent sub>ect onl$ to t e consent o# t e Co""ission on Appoint"ents, and t e appointee asaccepted t e appoint"ent, t e sa"e beco"es co"plete and t e appointing power can not wit draw it e cept in cases w ere t e tenure o#t e appointee is at t e C ie# . ecuti eDs pleasure or upon grounds >usti#$ing re"o al and a#ter due process) is is not because t eappoint"ent constitutes a contract '#or trul$ a public o##ice can not be sub>ect o# an$ contract(, but because o# t e pro isions o# t eConstitution itsel# to t e e##ect t at :no o##icer or e"plo$ee in t e Ci il /er ice s all be re"o ed or suspended e cept #or cause as

pro ided b$ law): +#, t ere#ore, t e recall or t e wit drawal o# t e appoint"ent o# A$tona was not aut ori!ed b$ law, t en is assu"ptiono# t e #unctions o# is o##ice on Januar$ *, 196* was clearl$ wit in is legal rig t and t e inter#erence o# Castillo, aggra ated b$ t eassistance or at least t e presence o# "e"bers o# t e Ar"ed


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"andates o# t e Constitution and t e legal and >udicial precedents, respondents a e appealed to t is Court #or it to e ercise :>udicialstates"ans ip: in o=ing t e spirit o# t e Constitution) +t is clai"ed t at t ere was a "ani#est abuse o# power b$ t e outgoing resident ine tending, on t e e e o# t e e piration o# is ter", so"e t ree undred and #i#t$ ad interim appoint"ents to #ill an e ual nu"ber o#acancies in t e di##erent branc es o# t e go ern"ent t at no proper consideration was gi en o# t e "erits o# t e appointees, it appearingt at in t e case o# at least so"e o# t e appointees to t e >udiciar$, t eir assurance o# an i""ediate assu"ption o# o##ice or t e ta=ing o#oat was "ade a condition precedent to t e appoint"ents, and t at t ere was a wild scra"ble in &alaca an a"ong t e appointees on t enig t o# ece"ber *9) ?e are scandali!ed b$ t is and e pect t e Court to appl$ t e re"ed$) ? at o# t e proceedings in Congress duringt e last da$ o# session w en bills a#ter bills are passed in a "anner not too dissi"ilar to t e described scene in &alaca anF Can t e/upre"e Court be e pected to correct t is too b$ declaring all suc laws as in alid >ust as we are as=ed to in alidate t ese appoint"entsF )

;e t is as it "a$, w ate er "a$ be our personal iews on t is "atter, + agree wit &r) Justice Concepcion t at not all wrongs or e enabuse o# power can be corrected b$ t e e ercise o# t e ig prerogati es o# t e /upre"e Court ested in it b$ t e Constitution) As + ta=e it,t e ig er and "ore delicate is t e prerogati e, t e greater s ould be t e degree o# sel#%restraint in t e e ercise t ereo#, lest t e #ine andtested scale o# c ec=s and balances set up b$ t e Constitution be >arred) +n t e sa"e "anner t at we e pect circu"spection and care, e endouble care, on t e part o# t e ot er two co%e ual coordinate depart"ents o# t e go ern"ent, so "ust we be "ost cautious and slow in

>udging t e "oralit$, propriet$ and good #ait in ol ed in t e actuations o# t e ot er depart"ents in "atters co"ing wit in t eirco"petence) e re"ed$, + belie e, under t e circu"stances is wit t e Co""ission on Appoint"ents to w ic t e appoint"ents a e

been sub"itted) e "ore #act t at it is e pected t at t e Co""ission on Appoint"ents would be controlled b$ t e part$ o# t e outgoingresident is i""aterial, because legal processes can not be "ade to depend upon t e #ortunes o# political parties, #or t ere is still t eulti"ate re"ed$ b$ t e people in all aut orit$) At an$ rate, as as alread$ been aptl$ said t e >udiciar$ is not t e repositor$ o# re"edies#or all political or social e ils, and t at t e >udicial depart"ent as no power to re ise e en arbitrar$ or un#air action o# t e ot erdepart"ents ta=en in pursuance o# t e power co""itted e clusi el$ to t ose depart"ents b$ t e Constitution))

&a$ + add all t e scandalous circu"stances broug t to t e attention o# t is Court did not lin= t e petitioner erein, sa e #or t e #act t at

t is appoint"ent was e tended on t e sa"e da$ as t ose issued under t e unusual and irregular circu"stances attending t e ot erappoint"ents) +# at all, t ere is e idence in #a or o# A$tona to t e e##ect t at inso#ar as e is concerned, is appoint"ent to t e position o#o ernor o# t e Central ;an= as been under consideration #or a long ti"e and t at e is uali#ied #or t e position) +t can not, t ere#ore besaid t at wit respect to i" t ere was no "ature deliberation and due consideration o# is uali#ications and o# t e need o# t e ser ice) ec arge was "ade t at t e position o# o ernor o# t e Central ;an= as been acant #or se eral "ont s and t at t e resident s ould a e#illed it earlier) Get, w en t e resident actuall$ #illed it as e did, e is critici!ed clai"ing t at t ere was no i""ediate need #or sucaction in iew o# t e #act t at t ere was an Acting o ernor) at it was reall$ necessar$ to #ill t e position is e idenced b$ t e act o#resident &acapagal i"sel# in "a=ing is own appoint"ent ardl$ twent$%#our ours a#ter e recalled t e appoint"ent o# A$tona)

/u""ari!ing, + would sa$ t at all t e circu"stances cited b$ t e respondents t at a e surrounded t e issuance o# t e appoint"ents inuestion, a e to do wit t e "ode or "anner o# t e e ercise o# t e aut orit$ to "a=e t e appoint"ent, uite apart #ro" t e e istence o#t e aut orit$ itsel#) e obser ance o# good #ait , "oralit$ and propriet$ b$ t e ot er two co%e ual coordinate depart"ents in t e

per#or"ance o# t eir #unctions "ust be secured b$ t eir sense o# dut$ and o##icial oat and not b$ an$ super isor$ power o# t e courts))

e role o# courts in our sc e"e o# go ern"ent is to interpret t e law and render >ustice under it) is si"pl$ "eans t at w ate er "a$ beour own personal #eelings as to t e propriet$, "oralit$, or wisdo" o# an$ o##icia

Law Case Digests supreme court en banc decisions Philippine Constitutional Law

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