AMENDMENT BY INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM Article XVII, Section 2 Santiago v. Comelec (1997) Facts: Private respondent Atty.

. Jes s De!"in "i!ed #it$ t$e %o&e!ec a Petition to Amend the Con tit!tion, "o #i$t "erm #imit o$ %lective &$$icial , '( Peo)le* initiative+ 'De!"in Petition( as)in* t$e !atter "or an order to "i+ t$e ti&e and date "or si*nat re *at$erin*, p -!is$ t$e De!"in petition, and instr ct M nicipa! e!ection re*istrars to assist in esta-!is$in* t$e si*nin* stations. T$e petitioners, .en. Miria& De"ensor .antia*o, A!e+ander Padi!!a, and Maria Isa-e! /n*pin, "i!ed t$is specia! civi! action "or pro$i-ition #it$ t$e "o!!o#in* ar* &ents 'I on!y inc! ded t$ose #$ic$ are disc ssed in t$e case -oo)(: o T$e constit tiona! provision on peop!e0s initiative to a&end t$e %onstit tion can on!y -e i&p!e&ented -y !a# to -e passed -y %on*ress and no s c$ !a# $as -een passed1 o R.A. no. 2345 '6An Act Providin* "or a .yste& o" Initiative and Re"erend & and Appropriatin* F nds T$ere"ore7( "ai!ed to provide any s -tit!e initiative on t$e %onstit tion8 T$is de!i-erate o&ission indicates t$at t$e &atter o" peop!e0s initiative to a&end t$e %onstit tion #as !e"t to so&e " t re !a#. o %o&e!ec Reso! tion no. 94::, to 6*overn t$e cond ct o" initiative on t$e %onstit tion and initiative and re"erend & on nationa! !oca! !a#s78 is void since on!y t$e %on*ress can pass t$e i&p!e&entin* !a#. o T$e peop!e0s initiative is !i&ited to a&end&ents to t$e %onstit tion and not to revision t$ereo". E+tendin* or !i"tin* ter& !i&its constit tes a revision and is, t$ere"ore, o tside t$e po#er o" t$e peop!e0s initiative. Iss es: ;<N R.A. no. 2345 #as intended to inc! de initiative on a&end&ents to t$e %onstit tion1 and i" so, #$et$er t$e Act, as #orded, ade= ate!y covers s c$ initiative. ;<N t$e portion o" %o&e!ec Reso! tion no. 94:: re*ardin* t$e cond ct o" initiative on a&end&ents to t$e %onstit tion is va!id, considerin* t$e a-sence in t$e >a# o" .peci"ic Provisions on t$e %ond ct o" s c$ initiative ;<N t$e !i"tin* o" ter& !i&its o" e!ective o""icia!s as proposed in t$e De!"in petition #o !d constit te a revision o", or an a&end&ent to, t$e %onstit tion ?e!d: ,.A. no. -7./ intended to inc! de t$e syste& o" initiative on a&end&ents to t$e %onstit tion, - t i inade0!ate to cover that ( tem. It is #antin* in essentia! ter&s and conditions inso"ar as initiative on a&end&ent to t$e %onstit tion is concerned. o Section 2 o$ Art. XVII i not el$1 e2ec!tor(. In other 3ord , the )eo)le cannot e2erci e it i$ Congre doe not )rovide $or it im)lementation. o /t$er reasons invo!ve stat tory constr ctions: @( .ec. 9 o" t$e said R.A. inc! des t$e #ord 6%onstit tion7 - t it is not re!evant to said section #<c e+c! sive!y re!ates to initiative and re"erend & on nationa! !a#s and !oca! !a#s1 9( T$e R.A. does not provide "or t$e contents o" a petition "or initiative on t$e %onstit tion. It does not inc! de t$e provisions o" t$e %onstit tion so *$t to -e a&ended1 4(

;$i!e t$e R.A. provides s -tit!es "or Nationa! and >oca! Initiative and Re"erend &, no s c$ t$in* is provided "or initiative on t$e %onstit tion. T$is si!ence si&p!y &eans t$at t$e &ain t$r st o" t$e R.A. is initiative and re"erend & on Nationa! and >oca! !a#s. Comelec ,e ol!tion no. 2.44, in o$ar a it )re cri'e r!le and reg!lation on the cond!ct o$ initiative on amendment to the Con tit!tion i void. T$is is so -eca se *iven t$e circ &stances, e&po#erin* t$e %o&e!ec to pro& !*ate r !es and re* !ations is a "or& o" de!e*ation o" !e*is!ative a t$ority. Comelec acted 3ith grave a'! e o$ di cretion in entertaining the 5el$in )etition. 'T$is one is a proced ra! &atter( o T$e %o&e!ec ac= ires A risdiction over a petition "or initiative on!y a"ter its "i!in*. T$e petition t$en is t$e initiatory p!eadin*. .ince t$e De!"in petition is not t$e initiatory petition nder R.A. 2345 and %o&e!ec Reso! tion no. 94::, it cannot -e entertained or *iven co*niBance -y t$e %o&e!ec. ?ence, t$e said petition #as &ere!y entered as UND, &eanin* ndoc)eted. T$at petition #as not$in* &ore t$an a scrap o" paper and in so di*ni"yin* it, t$e %o&e!ec acted #it$ *rave a- se o" discretion. T$e "ore*oin* considered, " rt$er disc ssion on t$e iss e #$et$er t$e proposa! to !i"t t$e ter& !i&its o" e!ective nationa! and !oca! o""icia!s is an a&end&ent to, and not a revision o", t$e %onstit tion is rendered nnecessary, i" not acade&ic.

#am'ino, et al. v . C&6%#%C (7.,. 8o. 1791/., 2/ &cto'er 244-) 1 5ige t P -!is$ed /cto-er 95t$, 9::2 in E!ections and %onstit tiona! >a# and Di*ests. /n @5 Fe-r ary 9::2, t$e *ro p o" Ra ! >a&-ino and Erico A &entado '6>a&-ino Cro p7( co&&enced *at$erin* si*nat res "or an initiative petition to c$an*e t$e @DE3 %onstit tion. /n 95 A * st 9::2, t$e >a&-ino Cro p "i!ed a petition #it$ t$e %o&&ission on E!ections '%/ME>E%( to $o!d a p!e-iscite t$at #i!! rati"y t$eir initiative petition nder .ection 5'-( and 'c( and .ection 3 o" Rep -!ic Act No. 2345 or t$e Initiative and Referendum Act. T$e proposed c$an*es nder t$e petition #i!! s$i"t t$e present Bica&era!FPresidentia! syste& to a Unica&era!FPar!ia&entary "or& o" *overn&ent. T$e >a&-ino Cro p c!ai&s t$at: 'a( t$eir petition $ad t$e s pport o" 2,493,D59 individ a!s constit tin* at !east @9G o" a!! re*istered voters, #it$ eac$ !e*is!ative district represented -y at !east 4G o" its re*istered voters1 and '-( %/ME>E% e!ection re*istrars $ad veri"ied t$e si*nat res o" t$e 2.4 &i!!ion individ a!s. T$e %/ME>E%, $o#ever, denied d e co rse to t$e petition "or !ac) o" an ena-!in* !a# *overnin* initiative petitions to a&end t$e %onstit tion, p rs ant to t$e . pre&e %o rt0s r !in* in Santiago vs. Commission on Elections . T$e >a&-ino Cro p e!evated t$e &atter to t$e . pre&e %o rt, #$ic$ a!so t$re# o t t$e petition. 1. "he initiative )etition doe not com)l( 3ith Section 2, Article XVII o$ the Con tit!tion on direct )ro)o al '( the )eo)le .ection 9, Artic!e HVII o" t$e %onstit tion is t$e *overnin* provision t$at a!!o#s a peop!e0s initiative to propose a&end&ents to t$e %onstit tion. ;$i!e t$is provision does not e+press!y state t$at t$e petition & st set "ort$ t$e " !! te+t o" t$e proposed a&end&ents, t$e de!i-erations o" t$e "ra&ers o" o r %onstit tion c!ear!y s$o# t$at: 'a( t$e "ra&ers intended to adopt t$e re!evant A&erican A rispr dence on peop!e0s initiative1 and '-( in partic !ar, t$e peop!e & st "irst see t$e " !! te+t o" t$e proposed a&end&ents -e"ore t$ey si*n, and t$at t$e peop!e & st si*n on a petition containin* s c$ " !! te+t.

T$e essence o" a&end&ents 6direct!y proposed -y t$e peop!e t$ro *$ initiative pon a petition7 is t$at t$e entire proposa! on its "ace is a petition -y t$e peop!e. T$is &eans t#o essentia! e!e&ents & st -e present. First, t$e peop!e & st a t$or and t$ s si*n t$e entire proposa!. No a*ent or representative can si*n on t$eir -e$a!". .econd, as an initiative pon a petition, t$e proposa! & st -e e&-odied in a petition. T$ese essentia! e!e&ents are present on!y i" t$e " !! te+t o" t$e proposed a&end&ents is "irst s$o#n to t$e peop!e #$o e+press t$eir assent -y si*nin* s c$ co&p!ete proposa! in a petition. T$e " !! te+t o" t$e proposed a&end&ents &ay -e eit$er #ritten on t$e "ace o" t$e petition, or attac$ed to it. I" so attac$ed, t$e petition & st state t$e "act o" s c$ attac$&ent. T$is is an ass rance t$at every one o" t$e severa! &i!!ions o" si*natories to t$e petition $ad seen t$e " !! te+t o" t$e proposed a&end&ents -e"ore F not a"ter F si*nin*. Moreover, 6an initiative si*ner & st -e in"or&ed at t$e ti&e o" si*nin* o" t$e nat re and e""ect o" t$at #$ic$ is proposed7 and "ai! re to do so is 6deceptive and &is!eadin*7 #$ic$ renders t$e initiative void. In t$e case o" t$e >a&-ino Cro p0s petition, t$ere0s not a sin*!e #ord, p$rase, or sentence o" te+t o" t$e proposed c$an*es in t$e si*nat re s$eet. Neit$er does t$e si*nat re s$eet state t$at t$e te+t o" t$e proposed c$an*es is attac$ed to it. T$e si*nat re s$eet &ere!y as)s a = estion #$et$er t$e peop!e approve a s$i"t "ro& t$e Bica&era!FPresidentia! to t$e Unica&era!F Par!ia&entary syste& o" *overn&ent. T$e si*nat re s$eet does not s$o# to t$e peop!e t$e dra"t o" t$e proposed c$an*es -e"ore t$ey are as)ed to si*n t$e si*nat re s$eet. T$is o&ission is "ata!. An initiative t$at *at$ers si*nat res "ro& t$e peop!e #it$o t "irst s$o#in* to t$e peop!e t$e " !! te+t o" t$e proposed a&end&ents is &ost !i)e!y a deception, and can operate as a *i*antic "ra d on t$e peop!e. T$at0s #$y t$e %onstit tion re= ires t$at an initiative & st -e 6direct!y proposed -y t$e peop!e + + + in a petition7 F &eanin* t$at t$e peop!e & st si*n on a petition t$at contains t$e " !! te+t o" t$e proposed a&end&ents. /n so vita! an iss e as a&endin* t$e nation0s " nda&enta! !a#, t$e #ritin* o" t$e te+t o" t$e proposed a&end&ents cannot -e $idden "ro& t$e peop!e nder a *enera! or specia! po#er o" attorney to nna&ed, "ace!ess, and ne!ected individ a!s. 2. "he initiative violate Section 2, Article XVII o$ the Con tit!tion di allo3ing revi ion thro!gh initiative Artic!e HVII o" t$e %onstit tion spea)s o" t$ree &odes o" a&endin* t$e %onstit tion. T$e "irst &ode is t$ro *$ %on*ress pon t$reeF"o rt$s vote o" a!! its Me&-ers. T$e second &ode is t$ro *$ a constit tiona! convention. T$e t$ird &ode is t$ro *$ a peop!e0s initiative. .ection @ o" Artic!e HVII, re"errin* to t$e "irst and second &odes, app!ies to 6any a&end&ent to, or revision o", t$is %onstit tion.7 In contrast, .ection 9 o" Artic!e HVII, re"errin* to t$e t$ird &ode, app!ies on!y to 6a&end&ents to t$is %onstit tion.7 T$is distinction #as intentiona! as s$o#n -y t$e de!i-erations o" t$e %onstit tiona! %o&&ission. A peop!e0s initiative to c$an*e t$e %onstit tion app!ies on!y to an a&end&ent o" t$e %onstit tion and not to its revision. In contrast, %on*ress or a constit tiona! convention can propose -ot$ a&end&ents and revisions to t$e %onstit tion. Does t$e >a&-ino Cro p0s initiative constit te an a&end&ent or revision o" t$e %onstit tionI Yes. By any !e*a! test and nder any A risdiction, a s$i"t "ro& a Bica&era!FPresidentia! to a Unica&era!FPar!ia&entary syste&, invo!vin* t$e a-o!ition o" t$e /""ice o" t$e President and t$e a-o!ition o" one c$a&-er o" %on*ress, is -eyond do -t a revision, not a &ere a&end&ent. %o rts $ave !on* reco*niBed t$e distinction -et#een an a&end&ent and a revision o" a constit tion. Revision -road!y i&p!ies a c$an*e t$at a!ters a -asic princip!e in t$e constit tion, !i)e a!terin* t$e princip!e o" separation o" po#ers or t$e syste& o" c$ec)sFandF-a!ances. T$ere is a!so revision i" t$e c$an*e a!ters t$e s -stantia! entirety o" t$e constit tion, as #$en t$e c$an*e a""ects s -stantia! provisions o" t$e constit tion. /n t$e ot$er $and, a&end&ent -road!y re"ers to a c$an*e t$at adds, red ces, or de!etes #it$o t a!terin* t$e -asic princip!e invo!ved. Revision *enera!!y a""ects severa!

provisions o" t$e constit tion, #$i!e a&end&ent *enera!!y a""ects on!y t$e speci"ic provision -ein* a&ended. ;$ere t$e proposed c$an*e app!ies on!y to a speci"ic provision o" t$e %onstit tion #it$o t a""ectin* any ot$er section or artic!e, t$e c$an*e &ay *enera!!y -e considered an a&end&ent and not a revision. For e+a&p!e, a c$an*e red cin* t$e votin* a*e "ro& @E years to @5 years is an a&end&ent and not a revision. .i&i!ar!y, a c$an*e red cin* Fi!ipino o#ners$ip o" &ass &edia co&panies "ro& @::G to 2:G is an a&end&ent and not a revision. A!so, a c$an*e re= irin* a co!!e*e de*ree as an additiona! = a!i"ication "or e!ection to t$e Presidency is an a&end&ent and not a revision. T$e c$an*es in t$ese e+a&p!es do not entai! any &odi"ication o" sections or artic!es o" t$e %onstit tion ot$er t$an t$e speci"ic provision -ein* a&ended. T$ese c$an*es do not a!so a""ect t$e str ct re o" *overn&ent or t$e syste& o" c$ec)sF andF-a!ances a&on* or #it$in t$e t$ree -ranc$es. ?o#ever, t$ere can -e no "i+ed r !e on #$et$er a c$an*e is an a&end&ent or a revision. A c$an*e in a sin*!e #ord o" one sentence o" t$e %onstit tion &ay -e a revision and not an a&end&ent. For e+a&p!e, t$e s -stit tion o" t$e #ord 6rep -!ican7 #it$ 6&onarc$ic7 or 6t$eocratic7 in .ection @, Artic!e II o" t$e %onstit tion radica!!y over$a !s t$e entire str ct re o" *overn&ent and t$e " nda&enta! ideo!o*ica! -asis o" t$e %onstit tion. T$ s, eac$ speci"ic c$an*e #i!! $ave to -e e+a&ined caseF-yFcase, dependin* on $o# it a""ects ot$er provisions, as #e!! as $o# it a""ects t$e str ct re o" *overn&ent, t$e care" !!y cra"ted syste& o" c$ec)sFandF -a!ances, and t$e nder!yin* ideo!o*ica! -asis o" t$e e+istin* %onstit tion. .ince a revision o" a constit tion a""ects -asic princip!es, or severa! provisions o" a constit tion, a de!i-erative -ody #it$ recorded proceedin*s is -est s ited to nderta)e a revision. A revision re= ires $ar&oniBin* not on!y severa! provisions, - t a!so t$e a!tered princip!es #it$ t$ose t$at re&ain na!tered. T$ s, constit tions nor&a!!y a t$oriBe de!i-erative -odies !i)e constit ent asse&-!ies or constit tiona! conventions to nderta)e revisions. /n t$e ot$er $and, constit tions a!!o# peop!e0s initiatives, #$ic$ do not $ave "i+ed and identi"ia-!e de!i-erative -odies or recorded proceedin*s, to nderta)e on!y a&end&ents and not revisions. In %a!i"ornia #$ere t$e initiative c!a se a!!o#s a&end&ents - t not revisions to t$e constit tion A st !i)e in o r %onstit tion, co rts $ave deve!oped a t#oFpart test: t$e = antitative test and t$e = a!itative test. T$e = antitative test as)s #$et$er t$e proposed c$an*e is 6so e+tensive in its provisions as to c$an*e direct!y t$e Js -stantia! entirety0 o" t$e constit tion -y t$e de!etion or a!teration o" n &ero s e+istin* provisions.7 T$e co rt e+a&ines on!y t$e n &-er o" provisions a""ected and does not consider t$e de*ree o" t$e c$an*e. T$e = a!itative test in= ires into t$e = a!itative e""ects o" t$e proposed c$an*e in t$e constit tion. T$e &ain in= iry is #$et$er t$e c$an*e #i!! 6acco&p!is$ s c$ "ar reac$in* c$an*es in t$e nat re o" o r -asic *overn&enta! p!an as to a&o nt to a revision.7 ;$et$er t$ere is an a!teration in t$e str ct re o" *overn&ent is a proper s -Aect o" in= iry. T$ s, 6a c$an*e in t$e nat re o" Kt$eL -asic *overn&enta! p!an7 inc! des 6c$an*e in its " nda&enta! "ra&e#or) or t$e " nda&enta! po#ers o" its Branc$es.7 A c$an*e in t$e nat re o" t$e -asic *overn&enta! p!an a!so inc! des c$an*es t$at 6AeopardiBe t$e traditiona! "or& o" *overn&ent and t$e syste& o" c$ec) and -a!ances.7 Under -ot$ t$e = antitative and = a!itative tests, t$e >a&-ino Cro p0s initiative is a revision and not &ere!y an a&end&ent. M antitative!y, t$e >a&-ino Cro p0s proposed c$an*es over$a ! t#o artic!es F Artic!e VI on t$e >e*is!at re and Artic!e VII on t$e E+ec tive F a""ectin* a tota! o" @:5 provisions in t$e entire %onstit tion. M a!itative!y, t$e proposed c$an*es a!ter s -stantia!!y t$e -asic p!an o" *overn&ent, "ro& presidentia! to par!ia&entary, and "ro& a -ica&era! to a nica&era! !e*is!at re. A c$an*e in t$e str ct re o" *overn&ent is a revision o" t$e %onstit tion, as #$en t$e t$ree *reat coFe= a! -ranc$es o" *overn&ent in t$e present %onstit tion are red ced into t#o. T$is a!ters t$e separation o" po#ers in t$e %onstit tion. A s$i"t

"ro& t$e present Bica&era!FPresidentia! syste& to a Unica&era!FPar!ia&entary syste& is a revision o" t$e %onstit tion. Mer*in* t$e !e*is!ative and e+ec tive -ranc$es is a radica! c$an*e in t$e str ct re o" *overn&ent. T$e a-o!ition a!one o" t$e /""ice o" t$e President as t$e !oc s o" E+ec tive Po#er a!ters t$e separation o" po#ers and t$ s constit tes a revision o" t$e %onstit tion. >i)e#ise, t$e a-o!ition a!one o" one c$a&-er o" %on*ress a!ters t$e syste& o" c$ec)sFandF-a!ances #it$in t$e !e*is!at re and constit tes a revision o" t$e %onstit tion. T$e >a&-ino Cro p t$eoriBes t$at t$e di""erence -et#een 6a&end&ent7 and 6revision7 is on!y one o" proced re, not o" s -stance. T$e >a&-ino Cro p posits t$at #$en a de!i-erative -ody dra"ts and proposes c$an*es to t$e %onstit tion, s -stantive c$an*es are ca!!ed 6revisions7 -eca se &e&-ers o" t$e de!i-erative -ody #or) " !!Fti&e on t$e c$an*es. T$e sa&e s -stantive c$an*es, #$en proposed t$ro *$ an initiative, are ca!!ed 6a&end&ents7 -eca se t$e c$an*es are &ade -y ordinary peop!e #$o do not &a)e an 6occ pation, pro"ession, or vocation7 o t o" s c$ endeavor. T$e .%, $o#ever, r !ed t$at t$e e+press intent o" t$e "ra&ers and t$e p!ain !an* a*e o" t$e %onstit tion contradict t$e >a&-ino Cro p0s t$eory. ;$ere t$e intent o" t$e "ra&ers and t$e !an* a*e o" t$e %onstit tion are c!ear and p!ain!y stated, co rts do not deviate "ro& s c$ cate*orica! intent and !an* a*e. .. A revi it o$ Santiago vs. COMELEC i not nece ar( T$e petition "ai!ed to co&p!y #it$ t$e -asic re= ire&ents o" .ection 9, Artic!e HVII o" t$e %onstit tion on t$e cond ct and scope o" a peop!e0s initiative to a&end t$e %onstit tion. T$ere is, t$ere"ore, no need to revisit t$is %o rt0s r !in* in Santiago dec!arin* RA 2345 6inco&p!ete, inade= ate or #antin* in essentia! ter&s and conditions7 to cover t$e syste& o" initiative to a&end t$e %onstit tion. An a""ir&ation or reversa! o" Santiago #i!! not c$an*e t$e o tco&e o" t$e present petition. It0s sett!ed t$at co rts #i!! not pass pon t$e constit tiona!ity o" a stat te i" t$e case can -e reso!ved on so&e ot$er *ro nds. Even ass &in* t$at RA 2345 is va!id, t$is #i!! not c$an*e t$e res !t $ere -eca se t$e present petition vio!ates .ection 9, Artic!e HVII o" t$e %onstit tion, #$ic$ provision & st "irst -e co&p!ied #it$ even -e"ore co&p!yin* #it$ RA 2345. ;orse, t$e petition vio!ates t$e "o!!o#in* provisions o" RA 2345: a. .ection 5'-(, re= irin* t$at t$e peop!e & st si*n t$e petition as si*natories. T$e 2.4 &i!!ion si*natories did not si*n t$e petition or t$e a&ended petition "i!ed #it$ t$e %/ME>E%. /n!y Attys. >a&-ino, Donato and A*ra si*ned t$e petition and a&ended petition. -. .ection @:'a(, providin* t$at no petition e&-racin* &ore t$an one s -Aect s$a!! -e s -&itted to t$e e!ectorate. T$e proposed .ection N'N( o" t$e Transitory Provisions, &andatin* t$e interi& Par!ia&ent to propose " rt$er a&end&ents or revisions to t$e %onstit tion, is a s -Aect &atter tota!!y nre!ated to t$e s$i"t in t$e "or& o" *overn&ent.

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4(

N(

"avor o" t$e %onF%on is re" ted -y Art. @5 o" t$e %onstit tion, #$ic$ a t$oriBes %on*ress 'sittin* eit$er as a %onstit ent Asse&-!y( eit$er to propose a&end&ents or to ca!! a convention "or t$e p rpose. T$e c$oice o" eit$er a!ternative is so!e!y co&&itted to %on*ress, #$ic$ cannot -e in= ired into nor inter"ered #it$ -y t$is Tri- na!, t$e sa&e -ein* p re!y a po!itica! = estion. ;$et$er t$ere is necessity "or a&endin* t$e %onstit tion is a!so addressed in t$e #ise A d*&ent o" %on*ress actin* as a %onstit ent Asse&-!y, a*ainst #$ic$ t$e %o rt cannot pit its o#n A d*&ent. And #$et$er t$e %onF%on #i!! on!y propose a&end&ents to t$e %onstit tion or entire!y over$a ! t$e present %onstit tion and propose an entire!y ne# %onstit tion8is o" no &o&ent1 -eca se t$e sa&e #i!! -e s -&itted to t$e peop!e "or rati"ication. /nce rati"ied -y t$e soverei*n peop!e, t$ere can -e no de-ate a-o t t$e va!idity o" t$e ne# %onstit tion. T$e "act t$at t$e present %onstit tion &ay -e revised and rep!aced #it$ a ne# one -y t$e %onF%on8is no ar* &ent a*ainst t$e va!idity o" t$e !a# -eca se 6a&end&ent7 inc! des t$e 6revision7 or tota! over$a ! o" t$e entire %onstit tion. At any rate, #$et$er t$e %onstit tion is &ere!y a&ended in part or revised or tota!!y c$an*ed #o !d -eco&e i&&ateria! t$e &o&ent t$e sa&e is rati"ied -y t$e soverei*n peop!e.

6an!el Im'ong and ,a!l 7on=ale v . Comelec :act %on*ress enacted RA 2@49 or t$e %onstit tiona! %onvention Act o" @D3:, to i&p!e&ent Reso! tions No. 9 O N. T$ese reso! tions #ere passed -y %on*ress, actin* as a %onstit ent Asse&-!y, #$ic$ provided "or t$e co&position o" t$e %on%on, #$ic$ stated t$at t$e %onvention #i!! -e co&posed o" 49: de!e*ates apportioned a&on* t$e e+istin* !e*is!ative districts, 9 de!e*ates eac$ district and & st $ave t$e sa&e = a!i"ications as a &e&-er o" t$e ?o se o" Representatives. I&-on* and ConBa!es, as &e&-ers o" t$e Bar, ta+payers, and interested candidates "or de!e*ates to t$e %on%on, assai!s t$e constit tiona!ity o" RA 2@49 -eca se it preA dices t$eir ri*$ts as de!e*ates. I !e Basica!!y, t$e re!evant iss e in t$is case "or s is #$et$er or not RA 2@49 #as constit tiona!ity enacted -y %on*ress as a !a#F&a)in* -ody, #it$o t considerin* yet t$e va!idity o" its act a! provisions. <eld Yes, RA 2@49 #as constit tiona!!y enacted -y %on*ress as a !a#F&a)in* -ody #it$ -road !e*is!ative po#ers. '@( First, %on*ress as a %onstit ent Asse&-!y, &ay propose a&end&ents to t$e %onstit tion or ca!! a constit tiona! convention "or t$at p rpose, #it$ P vote o" its &e&-ers votin* separate!y in Aoint session. '9( .econd, t$e ca!! "or a constit tiona! convention necessari!y inc! des t$e po#er to "i+ t$e = a!i"ications, n &-er, appoint&ent, etc o" t$e constit tiona! convention. '4( T$ird, t$ s Reso! tion No. 9 O N #$ic$ provided "or a constit tiona! convention AND t$e = a!i"ications, #ere proper!y passed -y %on*ress as a %onstit ent Asse&-!y. 'N( Fo rt$, %on*ress as a !a#F&a)in* -ody, and not as a %onstit tent Asse&-!y &ay enact an i&p!e&entin* !a# to i&p!e&ent t$e reso! tions, #$ic$ it did #$en it enacted RA 2@49. And so !on* as stat tory enact&ents do not c!as$ #it$ constit tiona! provisions, t$ey are va!id.

>a&-ino 'Reconsideration( PR/P/.A> /F AMENDMENT. To!entino vs. %/ME>E%

5el ,o ario v. Comelec :act ; Petitioner .i&eon de! Rosario "i!ed a petition "or prayin* t$at t$e entire R.A. 2@49 -e dec!ared nconstit tiona!. As a ta+payer, petitioner assai!s t$e appropriation o" P9DM o" t$e !a# as si&p!y a #aste o" p -!ic " nds -eca se t$ere is no ti&e !i&it "or t$e d ration o" t$e %onF%on '%onsti %onvention(8d --in* it a 6De-atin* %! -.7 I !e; ;<N R.A. 2@49 is nconstit tiona! <eld; @( Petitioner0s c$ar*e t$at %on*ress a-dicated its po#er as a constit ent -ody to propose a&end&ent in

A"ter de!i-eratin* on t$e va!idity o" t$e speci"ic provisions o" RA 2@49, %o rt "o nd t$at t$ey are not nconstit tiona!. T$ s, t$at '@( enact&ent o" RA 2@49 #as constit tiona! and '9( assai!ed provisions o" RA 2@49 itse!" are constit tiona!, t$e petitions & st "ai!.

con"or&a-!y to Art. @5 o" t$e %onstiI ?e #as o" t$e opinion t$at it #as not. To ans#er t$is = estion, $e " rt$er as)s '9nd = estion( #$o &ay vote in a p!e-iscite nder Art. 5 o" t$e %onsti. Reca!! t$at t$e res !ts contained in Proc!a&ation @@:9 #ere ta)en "ro& t$e votes t$at #ere &ade -y t$e %itiBens Asse&-!ies '%A(. T$e %A #ere co&posed o" Fi!ipino citiBens @5 years and 2 &ont$s o!d a-ove. T$is is c!ear!y in vio!ation o" t$e @D45 %onsti -eca se it prescri-ed t$at on!y Fi!ipino citiBens 9@ years o" a*e or o!der can vote 'inc! din* p!e-iscites(. T$e !ast = estion $e ans#ered #as: ?o# s$o !d t$e p!e-iscite -e $e!dI '%/ME>E% s pervision indispensa-!e, essentia! re= isites( ;$at $appened in t$e 6p!e-iscite7 in t$e %itiBens Asse&-!ies #as t$ey #ere &anned not -y %/ME>E% - t nder t$e s pervision o" certain o""icers o" t$e E+ec tive Depart&ent. Reca!! t$at %/ME>E% $as so!e a t$ority over p!e-iscites. &)inion o$ >! tice 6a?a iar T$e opinion o" J stice Ma)asiar s pports t$e vie# t$at an entire!y ne# %onsti does not $ave to -e rati"ied in accordance #it$ t$e e+istin* constit tiona! and stat tory !a#. ?e -asica!!y anc$ored $is ar* &ent on t$e -irt$ o" t$e A&erican %onstit tion. ;$en t$e P$i!ade!p$ia %onvention &et to revise t$e artic!es o" con"ederation t$ey vio!ated t$e re= ire&ents prescri-ed in t$e Artic!es o" %on"ederation and Perpet a! Union "or t$e a!teration and "or t$e rati"ication o" t$e %onstit tion. .o #$at t$ey did, t$ey as)ed %on*ress to pass a reso! tion providin* t$at t$e Federa! %onstit tion s$o !d -e s -&itted to e!ected state conventions and i" rati"ied -y t$e convention in D states, t$e said %onstit tion s$a!! ta)e e""ect.

To!entino vs. %/ME>E% RATIFI%ATI/N P!anas vs. %/ME>E%

>avellana v. %2ec. Sec. (). 12.1) QT$is is &ore or !ess a contin ation o" P!anas v. %/ME>E%. .erio s!y, t$is case is so con" sin* t$at even t$e A d*es $ad di""erent opinions. :act ; .a&e "acts nder t$e P!anas case. In t$is case no#, t$ey are = estionin* #$et$er Proc!a&ation No. @@:9 iss ed -y t$en President Marcos, is va!id. I !e ; @( Is t$e iss e o" t$e va!idity o" Proc!a&ation No. @@:9 a A sticia-!e or po!itica! and t$ere "ore nonFA sticia-!e, = estionI 9( ?as t$e %onstit tion proposed -y t$e @D3@ %onsti %onvention -een rati"ied va!id!yI 4( ?as t$e a"ore&entioned proposed %onsti -een ac= iesced in '#it$ or #it$o t va!id rati"ication( -y t$e peop!eI N( Are petitioners entit!ed to re!ie"I 5( Is t$e a"ore&entioned proposed %onsti in "orceI

<eld; First iss e: 2 A d*es said yes it is A sticia-!e 'no e+p!anation *iven in t$e -oo)( .econd iss e: 2 A d*es said t$at it #as not va!id!y rati"ied 'no e+p!anation *iven in t$e -oo)( T$ird Iss e: N &e&-ers o" t$e .% said it #as a!ready accepted -y t$e peop!e, 9 said t$at it #as not accepted, 4 did not vote Fo rt$ Iss e: 2 A stices voted to dis&iss t$e petition Fi"t$ Iss e: N said it is in "orce, N casted no vote, 9 said it is not in "orce. .o #$at #as rea!!y $e!d #as: Petition #as dis&issed. Bein* t$e vote o" t$e &aAority, t$ere is no " rt$er A dicia! o-stac!e to t$e ne# %onsti -ein* considered in "orce and e""ect 'er*o, t$e -irt$ o" @D34 %onsti( &)inion o$ C> Conce)cion As to t$e t$ird iss e: Accordin* to %J %oncepcion, t$ere are t$ree essentia! steps in to revise < a&end t$e %onsti. First step is proposa! eit$er -y t$e %on*ress or -y a convention ca!!ed "or t$at p rpose. .econd is t$at s c$ a&end&ents s$o !d -e s -&itted to t$e peop!e "or t$eir rati"ication at an e!ection and !ast step is s c$ a&end&ents -e approved -y a &aAority o" t$e votes cast in said e!ection. In $is opinion, $e raises 4 = estions. @( ?as t$e contested dra"t o" t$e ne# or revised %onsti -een s -&itted to t$e peop!e "or t$eir rati"ication

Art @3 .ec N'@%( ,amon 6itra, >r., 8a)oleon ,ama, %mman!el ". Santo , %rnie ,ondon, Antonio 6artine=, >e@omar Aina(, ,odrigo <. 6elchor, >oa0!in ("itong) ,oce , ,a$ael Ba), and 6el #o)e= v Commi ion on %lection (C&6%#%C) C D hort title; 6itra, >r. v C&6%#%CE CR No >F525:4 Apri! N, @DE@ Facts: Petitioners $ere are contendin* t$at t$e @D34 %onstit tion is not in "orce and is t$ s prayin* "or pro$i-ition and &anda& s. T$e case is si&i!ar to t$e dis&issed pro$i-ition proceedin*s e+cept t$at t$e petitioners $erein are a!so prayin* to $o!d a p!e-iscite so t$at t$e peop!e &ay vote on t$e rati"ication o" t$e %onstit tion, #$ic$ is a!ready in "orce. For t$e petitioners, t$e @D34 %onstit tion is sti!! A st in t$e sta*e o" proposa!. T$e petitioners are a!so t$in)in* t$at t$e @D45 %onstit tion #as te&porari!y !i"ted pon t$e esta-!is$&ent o" &artia! !a# and co !d once &ore -e operative #it$ t$e !i"tin* o" &artia! !a# on Jan ary @3, @DE@. Iss e: ;<N t$e @D34 %onstit tion is in "orce. ;<N t$ere s$o !d -e a p!e-iscite so t$at t$e peop!e &ay vote on t$e rati"ication o" t$e %onstit tion. ?e!d: Yes, @D34 %onstit tion is in "orce. No, a p!e-iscite is not necessary. Rationa!e: Accordin* to %$ie" J stice Ro-erto %oncepcion, a ne3 Con tit!tion co!ld come into $orce and e$$ect '( the ac0!ie cence o$ the )eo)le . &nce the $act o$ acce)tance '( the )eo)le o$ a ne3 $!ndamental la3 i made evident, the @!diciar( i le$t 3ith no choice '!t to accord it recognition. T$e "act t$at t$e peop!e #ent to t$e

po!!s #o !d -e indicative o" t$eir ac= iescence in t$e present %onstit tion. Accordin*!y, one o" t$e separate opinions in t$e Jave!!ana case reads: RIndependent!y o" t$e !ac) o" va!idity o" t$e rati"ication o" t$e ne# %onstit tion, i$ it 'e acce)ted '( the )eo)le, in 3hom overeignt( re ide according to the Con tit!tion, then thi Co!rt cannot re$! e to (ield a ent to !ch a )olitical deci ion o$ the !tmo t gravit(, concl! ive in it e$$ect. . c$ a " nda&enta! princip!e is &eanin*!ess i" it does not i&p!y, to "o!!o# >as)i, t$at t$e nation as a #$o!e constit tes t$e Rsin*!e center o" !ti&ate re"erence, necessari!y t$e possessor o" t$at Spo#er t$at is a-!e to reso!ve disp tes -y sayin* t$e !ast #ord.R .eparate /pinion -y J stice Tee$an)ee: 68Petitioners pray "or t$e $o!din* o" a p!e-iscite "or t$e peop!e to vote ane# on t$e rati"ication o" t$e @D34 %onstit tion since si+ &e&-ers o t o" t$e ten &e&-ers o" t$e . pre&e %o rt . $e!d in t$e rati"ication cases, Javellana vs. Executive Secretary, et al. 9 Rt$at t$e '@D34( %onstit tion proposed -y t$e @D3@ %onstit tiona! %onvention #as not va!id!y rati"ied in accordance #it$ Artic!e HV, section @ o" t$e @D45 %onstit tion, #$ic$ provides on!y one #ay "or rati"ication, i.e., Sin an e!ection or p!e-iscite $e!d in accordance #it$ !a# and participated in on!y -y = a!i"ied and d !y re*istered voters.R 6Un!ess t$e Jave!!ana r !in* is overt rned -y t$is %o rt itse!" and t$e passa*e and attrition o" ti&e s$o# t$e " ti!ity o" e+pectin* s c$ a contin*ency, t$e @D34 %onstit tion stands as t$e s pre&e !a# o" t$e !and, -y #$ic$ t$e va!idity and constit tiona!ity o" o""icia!s acts are tested.7

T$e conversion o" t$e petitioners "ro& per&anent to Rcoter&ino sR e&p!oyees is a #$o!esa!e demotion o" personne! #$ic$ is tanta&o nt to re&ova! #it$o t ca se and #it$o t d e process. It is t$ere"ore n !! and void. T$e re&ova! o" t$e petitioners and intervenors "ro& o""ice is dec!ared n !! and void. T$e respondent .ecretary o" t$e DENR is ordered to reinstate t$e petitioners to t$eir "or&er or e= iva!ent positions and to iss e re* !ar and per&anent appoint&ents to t$e& "or t$e positions in t$e ne# or*aniBation and sta""in* pattern correspondin* to t$eir positions in t$e @DE2 p!anti!!a. EHTENT /F P%CC0s P/;ER Article XVIII C Sec 2- C 2A C Co@!angco, >r. v. ,o2a , et al "<% %X"%8" &: PC77*S P&G%, I. PC77 6a( 8ot %2erci e Act o$ &3ner hi) P%CC cannot e+ercise acts o" do&inion over property se= estered, "roBen, or provisiona!!y ta)en over "or it does not -rin* a-o t a divest&ent o" tit!e over said property, it does not &a)e t$e P%CC o#ner t$ereo". II. PC77 <a &nl( Po3er o$ Admini tration Its essentia! ro!e is t$at o" conservator, careta)er or overseer1 not &ana*er, innovator nor o#ner. III. Po3er over A! ine %nter)ri e "a?en &ver '( 6arco or %ntitie or Per on Clo e to himI limitation thereon P%CC is *iven po#er and a t$ority to 6provisiona!!y ta)e it over in t$e p -!ic interest or to prevent its disposa! or dissipation7. It &ay in t$is case e+ercise so&e &eas re o" contro! in t$e operation, r nnin*, or &ana*e&ent o" t$e - siness. B t even in t$is specia! sit ation, t$e intr sion into &ana*e&ent s$o !d -e restricted to t$e &ini& & de*ree necessary to e+ec te !e*is!ative #i!!. T$ere s$o !d -e no $asty or nreasoned rep!ace&ent o" &ana*e&ent or c$an*e in po!icies. IV. Voting o$ Se0!e tered Stoc?I Condition "here$or P%CC &ay proper!y e+ercise t$e prero*ative to vote se= estered stoc) o" corporations, *ranted to it -y t$e President o" t$e P$i!ippines t$ro *$ a &e&orand & #$ic$ a t$oriBes it to 6pendin* t$e o tco&e o" proceedin*s to deter&ine t$e o#ners$ip o" se= estered s$ares o" stoc), to vote s c$ s$ares as it &ay $ave se= estered at a!! stoc)$o!ders0 &eetin*s.7 Directors are to -e voted o t on!y #$en it is essentia! to prevent disappearance or #asta*e o" corporate property. In t$is case, t$ere #as ade= ate A sti"ication to vote t$e inc &-ent directors o t -eca se t$e evidence s$o#ed pri&a "acie t$at t$e "or&er #ere A st too!s o" t$e President Marcos and #ere no !on*er o#ners o" any stoc) in t$e "ir&. Basica!!y, t$e r !e is t$e P%CC cannot per"or& acts o" strict o#ners$ip. It &ay not vote t$e s$ares in a corporation and e!ect t$e &e&-ers o" t$e -oard o" directors. EH%EPT in t$e case o" a ta)eover o" a - siness -e!on*in* to t$e *overn&ent or #$ose capita!iBation co&es "ro& p -!ic " nds - t #$ic$ !anded in private $ands, as in BA.E%/. /n!y a"ter appropriate A dicia! proceedin*s, #$en a c!ear deter&ination is &ade t$at s$ares are tr !y i!!F*otten, &ay s c$ ta)eover and e+ercise o" acts o" strict o#ners$ip are A sti"ied. FFFF It is t$ro *$ t$e ri*$t to vote t$at t$e stoc)$o!der participates in t$e &ana*e&ent o" t$e corporation. Note t$at it &ay &a)e it di""ic !t "or t$e P%CC to carry o t its d ties i" t$e Board or o""icers are ncooperative or $osti!e. ?ence, it is necessary to -a!ance t$e stoc)$o!der0s ri*$t to vote and t$e conservator0s d ty to recover and to conserve t$e assets. T#o sit ations arise. @. .e= estered s$ares o" stoc) constit te a distinct minorit( o" t$e votin* s$ares o" t$e corporation invo!ved P%CC & st

.E%URITY /F TENURE Dario vs. Mison

6endo=a v . F!i !m'ing :act ; T$e petitioners and intervenors #$o are per&anent e&p!oyees in t$e Depart&ent o" Environ&ent and Nat ra! Reso rces 'DENR( to stop t$e respondents "ro& re&ovin* t$e& "ro& t$eir positions in t$e DENR p rs ant to t$e @DE3 reor*aniBation o" t$at depart&ent. t$e DENR re= ested t$e DBM to restore E4D positions #$ic$ DBM $ad disapproved ear!ier. T$e re= est #as approved on s -Aect to t$e condition t$at t$ese positions s$a!! -e coter&ino s #it$ t$e appointees - t not to e+ceed t$ree '4( years. T$e *ro nds re!ied pon -y t$e petitioners are: @. T$at t$e i&pendin* &ass dis&issa! o" petitioners "ro& e&p!oy&ent on #o !d vio!ate t$eir ri*$t to sec rity o" ten re 9. T$at t$e appoint&ent o" t$e petitioners to t$e soFca!!ed coter&ino s positions deprived t$e& o" t$e ri*$t to d e process1 I !e; GH8 the reorgani=ation 3a valid <eld; Reorganizations in this jurisdiction have een regarded as valid !rovided they are !ursued in good faith . As a general rule, a reorganization is carried out in Rgood faithR if it is for the !ur!ose of economy or to ma"e ureaucracy more efficient. In t$at event, no dis&issa! 'in case o" dis&issa!( or separation act a!!y occ rs -eca se t$e position itse!" ceases to e+ist. T$at t$e reor*aniBation o" t$e DENR #as not intended to ac$ieve econo&y and e""iciency, is revea!ed -y t$e ad&ission in pa*e @2 o" t$e p -!ic respondentsS %o&&ent t$at t$e ne# sta""in* pattern o" t$e depart&ent contains R##$ !ositions more t$an t$e tota! n &-er o" per&anent positions in t$e DENR -e"ore t$e reor*aniBation.R .ince t$e a-o!ition o" t$eir positions #i!! not cond ce to eit$er Re""iciencyR or Recono&yR in t$e .ervice, #$ic$ are t$e principa! A sti"ications "or any *overn&ent over$a !, t$en, o-vio s!y, t$e reor*aniBation o" t$e DENR is not A sti"ied.

-e represented in t$e B/D o" t$e corporation, its s -sidiaries, its E+ec tive and A dit %o&&ittees 9..e= estered s$ares o" stoc) constit te a ma@orit( o" t$e votin* s$ares o" t$e corporation invo!ved &ini& & sa"e* ards & st -e p t into p!ace 'a !otT P. @93@ o" case-oo)(. More additiona! sa"e* ards "or -ot$ cases @. .e= estered s$ares &ay not -e so!d, a!ienated or disposed o" 9. Dividends and !i= idatin* distri- tions are not to -e de!ivered T$is decision & st -e i&p!e&ented nder t$e s pervision and contro! o" t$e .andi*an-ayan. DATE /F EFFE%TIVITY /F T?E %/N.TITUTI/N A#:,%5& 6. 5% #%&8 VS. <&8. A%8>A6I8 A. %S7J%,,A, in hi ca)acit( a &IC 7overnor o$ the Province o$ ,i=al A * st 4@, @DE3 :act ; In t$e Baran*ay e!ections $e!d on May @3, @DE9, petitioner A!"redo M. De >eon #as e!ected Baran*ay %aptain and 5 ot$er petitioners #ere e!ected as Baran*ay %o nci!&en o" Baran*ay Do!ores, Taytay, RiBa! nder Batas Pa&-ansa B!*. 999, ot$er#ise )no#n as t$e Baran*ay E!ection Act o" @DE9. /n Fe-r ary D, @DE3, petitioner A!"redo M, de >eon received a Me&orand & antedated Dece&-er @, @DE2 - t si*ned -y respondent /I% Covernor BenAa&in Es* erra on Fe-r ary E, @DE3 desi*natin* respondent F!orentino C. Ma*no as Baran*ay %aptain in $is p!ace, as #e!! as 5 ot$er individ a!s as co nci!&en. Petitioners pray t$at t$e s -Aect Me&oranda o" Fe-r ary E, @DE3 -e dec!ared n !! and void and t$at respondents -e pro$i-ited "ro& ta)in* over t$eir positions o" Baran*ay %aptain and Baran*ay %o nci!&en, respective!y. Petitioners &aintain t$at p rs ant to .ection 4 o" t$e Baran*ay E!ection Act o" @DE9 'BP B!*. 999(, t$eir ter&s o" o""ice Rs$a!! -e si+ '2( years #$ic$ s$a!! co&&ence on J ne 3, @DE9 and s$a!! contin e nti! t$eir s ccessors s$a!! $ave e!ected and s$a!! $ave = a!i"ied,R or p to J ne 3, @DEE. It is a!so t$eir position t$at #it$ t$e rati"ication o" t$e @DE3 %onstit tion, respondent /I% Covernor no !on*er $as t$e a t$ority to rep!ace t$e& and to desi*nate t$eir s ccessors. /n t$e ot$er $and, respondents re!y on .ection 9, Artic!e III o" t$e Provisiona! %onstit tion, pro& !*ated on Marc$ 95, @DE2, #$ic$ provided: SEC%I&' (. All elective and a!!ointive officials and em!loyees under the $#)* Constitution shall continue in office until other+ise !rovided y !roclamation or executive order or u!on the designation or a!!ointment and ,ualification of their successors, if such a!!ointment is made +ithin a !eriod of one year from -e ruary (.,$#/0. E+a&inin* t$e said provision, t$ere s$o !d -e no = estion t$at petitioners, as e!ective o""icia!s nder t$e @D34 %onstit tion, &ay contin e in o""ice - t s$o !d vacate t$eir positions pon t$e occ rrence o" any o" t$e a-ove&entioned events. I !e; a) ;<N t$e desi*nation o" respondents to rep!ace petitioners #as va!id!y &ade d rin* t$e oneFyear period #$ic$ ended on Fe-r ary 95, @DE3. ') ;<N t$e @DE3 %onstit tion too) e""ect on -e ruary (, $#/), t$e date t$at t$e p!e-iscite "or its rati"ication #as $e!d. <eld; A) 8&. %onsiderin* t$e candid A""idavit o" respondent /I% Covernor, #e $o!d t$at Fe-r ary E, @D33, s$o !d -e considered as t$e e""ective date o" rep!ace&ent and not Dece&-er @,@DE2 to #$ic$ it #as ante dated, in )eepin* #it$ t$e dictates o" A stice.

B t #$i!e Fe-r ary E, @DE3 is ostensi-!y sti!! #it$in t$e oneF year dead!ine, t$e a"ore= oted provision in t$e Provisiona! %onstit tion & st -e dee&ed to $ave -een overta)en -y .ection 93, Artic!e HVIII o" t$e @DE3 %onstit tion readin*: SEC%I&' (). %his Constitution shall ta"e effect immediately u!on its ratification y a majority of the votes cast in a !le iscite held for the !ur!ose and shall su!ersede all !revious Constitutions. "he 19K7 Con tit!tion 3a rati$ied in a )le'i cite on :e'r!ar( 2, 19K7. A( that date, there$ore, the Provi ional Con tit!tion m! t 'e deemed to have 'een !)er eded. ?avin* -eco&e inoperative, respondent /I% Covernor co !d no !on*er re!y on .ection 9, Artic!e III, t$ereo" to desi*nate respondents to t$e e!ective positions occ pied -y petitioners. Petitioners & st no# -e $e!d to $ave ac= ired sec rity o" ten re specia!!y considerin* t$at t$e Baran*ay E!ection Act o" @DE9 dec!ares it Ra po!icy o" t$e .tate to * arantee and pro&ote t$e a tono&y o" t$e -aran*ays to ens re t$eir " !!est deve!op&ent as se!"Fre!iant co&& nities. T$e Me&oranda iss ed -y respondent /I% Covernor on Fe-r ary E, @DE3 desi*natin* respondents as t$e Baran*ay %aptain and Baran*ay %o nci!&en, respective!y are -ot$ dec!ared to -e o" no !e*a! "orce and e""ect. A) B%S. T$e record o" t$e proceedin*s and de-ates o" t$e %on%o& c!ear!y s$o# t$at t$e c!ear, ne= ivoca! and e+press intent o" t$e %o&&ission in nani&o s!y approvin* t$e a"ore= oted .ection 93 #as t$at Lthe act o$ rati$ication i the act o$ voting '( the )eo)le. So that i the date o$ the rati$icationL and t$at Rt$e canvass t$erea"ter Ko" t$e votesL is &ere!y t$e &at$e&atica! con"ir&ation o" #$at #as done d rin* t$e date o" t$e p!e-iscite and t$e proc!a&ation o" t$e President is &ere!y t$e o""icia! con"ir&atory dec!aration o" an act #$ic$ #as act a!!y done -y t$e Fi!ipino peop!e in adoptin* t$e %onstit tion #$en t$ey cast t$eir votes on t$e date o" t$e p!e-iscite.R -R. 1ER'AS. I +ould say that the ratification of the Constitution is on the date the votes were supposed to have been cast. 2R. 2AA21&'3. 4et us go to the mechanics of the +hole thing, 2adam 5resident. 6e !resent the Constitution to a !le iscite, the !eo!le exercise their right to vote, then the votes are canvassed y the Commission on Elections. If +e delete the suggested amendment +hich says7 8%9E 5R&C4A2A%I&' 1: %9E 5RESI;E'% %9A% I% 9AS 1EE' RA%I-IE;,8 +hat +ould e, in clear terms, the date +hen the Constitution is su!!osed to e ratified or not ratified, as the case may e< -R. 1ER'AS. %he date would be the casting of the ballots. if the 5resident +ere to say that the !le iscite +ould e held, for instance, on January $#, $#/), then the date for the effectivity of the ne+ Constitution +ould e January $#, $#/). 2R. 2AA21&'3. In other +ords, it +ould not de!end on the actual issuance of the results y the Commission on Elections +hich +ill e doing the canvass< -R. 1ER'AS. It +ould not, 2adam 5resident, ecause "ratification" is the act of saying "yes" is done when one casts his ballot. 2R. 2AA21&'3. So it is the date of the plebiscite itself, 2adam 5resident< -R. 1ER'AS. :es, 2adam 5resident. By and a"ter said date, Fe-r ary 9, @DE3, a-sent any sayin* c!a se to t$e contrary in t$e Transitory Artic!e o" t$e %onstit tion, respondent /I% Covernor co !d no !on*er e+ercise t$e po#er to rep!ace petitioners in t$eir positions as Baran*ay %aptain and %o nci!&en. ?ence, t$e atte&pted rep!ace&ent o" petitioners -y respondent /I% CovernorSs desi*nation on Fe-r ary E, @DE3 o" t$eir s ccessors co !d no !on*er prod ce any !e*a! "orce and e""ect. Ghile the Provi ional Con tit!tion )rovided $or a one1(ear )eriod e2)iring on 6arch 2/, 19K7 3ithin 3hich the )o3er o$ re)lacement co!ld 'e e2erci ed, thi )eriod 3a hortened '( the rati$ication and e$$ectivit( on :e'r!ar( 2, 19K7 o$ the Con tit!tion.