1

People vs PerfectoG.R. No. L-18463

FACTS:In the case of People vs. Perfecto ([1922], 4 Ph!l., ""#$ the acc%se& 'as char(e& '!th hav!n(
p%)l!she& anart!cle reflect!n( on the Ph!l!pp!ne Senate an& !ts *e*)ers !n v!olat!on of Art!cle 2+, of the
Penal Co&e. Inth!s Co%rt, -r. Perfecto 'as ac.%!tte& )/ %nan!*o%s vote, '!th three *e*)ers of the
co%rt hol&!n( thatArt!cle 2+, 'as a)ro(ate& co*pletel/ )/ the chan(e fro* Span!sh to
A*er!can sovere!(nt/ over thePh!l!pp!nes an& '!th s!0 *e*)ers hol&!n( that the 1!)el 1a' ha& the
effect of repeal!n( so *%ch of Art!cle2+, as relates to 'r!tten &efa*at!on, a)%se, or !ns%lt, an&
that %n&er the !nfor*at!on an& the facts, the&efen&ant 'as ne!ther (%!lt/ of a v!olat!on of Art!cle
2+, of the Penal Co&e nor of the 1!)el 1a'. In theco%rse of the *a!n op!n!on !n the Perfecto case
!s fo%n& th!s s!(n!f!cant sentence: 2Act 3o. 292 of thePh!l!pp!ne Co**!ss!on, the Treason an&
Se&!t!on 1a', *a/ also have affecte& Art!cle 2+,, )%t as to th!s po!nt, !t !s not necessar/ to *a4e a
prono%nce*ent.5
ISS67S:8hether or not -r. Perfecto v!olate& Art!cle 2+, of the Penal Co&e.9n the s%):ect of 'hether
or not Art!cle 2+, of the Penal Co&e, %n&er 'h!ch the !nfor*at!on 'as presente&,!s !n force.
;71<:
The v!e' of the Ch!ef =%st!ce !s that the acc%se& sho%l& )e ac.%!tte& for the reason that
the facts alle(e& !n the!nfor*at!on &o not const!t%te a v!olat!on of art!cle 2+, of the Penal
Co&e. Three *e*)ers of the co%rt )el!eve that art!cle 2+, 'as a)ro(ate& co*pletel/ )/ the
chan(e fro* Span!sh to A*er!can sovere!(nt/ over the Ph!l!pp!nes an& !s!ncons!stent '!th &e*ocrat!c
pr!nc!ples of (overn*ent.
G.R. No. 78059
153 SCRA 602
A%(%st 1, 19"#
Petto!er" Alfre&o -. <e 1eon, et al.
Respo!#e!ts" ;on. >en:a*!n >. 7s(%erra !n h!s capac!t/ as
9IC ?overnor !n the prov!nce of @!Aal, et al.
$AC%S" Pet!t!oner 'as electe& as >aran(a/ Capta!n to(ether '!th other pet!t!oners as >aran(a/
Co%nc!l*en of >aran(a/ <olores, -%n!c!pal!t/ of Ta/ta/, Pron!ce of @!Aal !n a >aran(a/ elect!on hel&
%n&er >aran(a/ 7lect!on Act of 19"2.
Pet!t!oner rece!ve& a -e*oran&%* fro* 9IC ?overnor >en:a*!n 7s(%erra 'h!ch prov!&e& the
&es!(nat!on of respon&ent Florent!no -a(no as >aran(a/ Capta!n of the sa*e )aran(a/ an& the other
respon&ents as *e*)ers of the )aran(a/ Co%nc!l of the sa*e )aran(a/ an& *%n!c!pal!t/. Pet!t!oners
*a!nta!n that Sec of the >aran(a/ 7lect!on Act of 19"2 prov!&es that the ter*s of off!ce shall )e s!0
(,$ /ears 'h!ch shall cont!n%e %nt!l the!r s%ccessors shall have electe& an& .%al!f!e&. Also, !n
accor&ance '!th the recent rat!f!cat!on of the 19"# Const!t%t!on, !t see*s that resp!n&ent 9IC ?overnor
no lon(er ha& the a%thor!t/ to replace the* as 'ell as &es!(nate s%ccessors.
2
Pet!t!oner pra/e& that the -e*oran&%* )e &eclare& n%ll an& vo!& an& that respon&ents )e proh!)!te&
fro* ta4!n( over the!r pos!t!ons.
&SS'(" 8hether or not &es!(nat!on of respon&ents to replace pet!t!oners 'as val!&.
)(L*" The Co%rt r%le& !n the ne(at!ve. SC &eclare& that the -e*oran&%* !ss%e& )/ respon&ent 9IC
?overnor &es!(nat!n( respon&ents as >aran(a/ Capta!n an& Co%nc!l*en of >aran(a/ <olores has no
le(al force an& effect.
The 19"# Const!t%t!on 'as rat!f!e& !n a ple)!sc!te on Fe)r%ar/ 2, 19"#. >/ that &ate therefore, the
prov!s!onal const!t%t!on *%st )e &ee*e& to have )een s%perse&e&. 7ffect!v!t/ of the Const!t%t!on !s also
!**e&!atel/ %pon !ts rat!f!cat!on.
(RN(S%+ ,. $RANC&SC+- .R. vs. %)( )+'S( +$ R(PR(S(N%A%&/(S
?.@. 3o. 1,B2,1. 3ove*)er 1B, 2BB.
$AC%S"
9n =%l/ 22, 2BB2, the ;o%se of @epresentat!ves a&opte& a @esol%t!on, sponsore& )/ @epresentat!ve
Fel!0 8!ll!a* <. F%ente)ella, 'h!ch &!recte& the Co**!ttee on =%st!ce Cto con&%ct an !nvest!(at!on, !n
a!& of le(!slat!on, on the *anner of &!s)%rse*ents an& e0pen&!t%res )/ the Ch!ef =%st!ce of the
S%pre*e Co%rt of the =%&!c!ar/ <evelop*ent F%n& (=<F$.C 9n =%ne 2, 2BB, for*er Pres!&ent =oseph
7. 7stra&a f!le& an !*peach*ent co*pla!nt a(a!nst Ch!ef =%st!ce ;!lar!o ?. <av!&e =r. an& seven
Assoc!ate =%st!ces of th!s Co%rt for Cc%lpa)le v!olat!on of the Const!t%t!on, )etra/al of the p%)l!c tr%st
an& other h!(h cr!*es.C The co*pla!nt 'as en&orse& )/ @epresentat!ves @ole0 T. S%pl!co, @onal&o >.
Da*ora an& <!&a(en P!an( <!lan(alen, an& 'as referre& to the ;o%se Co**!ttee. The ;o%se
Co**!ttee on =%st!ce r%le& on 9cto)er 1, 2BB that the f!rst !*peach*ent co*pla!nt 'as Cs%ff!c!ent !n
for*,C )%t vote& to &!s*!ss the sa*e on 9cto)er 22, 2BB for )e!n( !ns%ff!c!ent !n s%)stance. To &ate,
the Co**!ttee @eport to th!s effect has not /et )een sent to the ;o%se !n plenar/ !n accor&ance '!th
the sa!& Sect!on (2$ of Art!cle EI of the Const!t%t!on. Fo%r *onths an& three 'ee4s s!nce the f!l!n( on
=%ne 2, 2BB of the f!rst co*pla!nt or on 9cto)er 2, 2BB, a &a/ after the ;o%se Co**!ttee on =%st!ce
vote& to &!s*!ss !t, the secon& !*peach*ent co*pla!nt 'as f!le& '!th the Secretar/ ?eneral of the
;o%se )/ @epresentat!ves ?!l)erto C. Teo&oro, =r. an& Fel!0 8!ll!a* >. F%ente)ella a(a!nst Ch!ef
=%st!ce ;!lar!o ?. <av!&e, =r., fo%n&e& on the alle(e& res%lts of the le(!slat!ve !n.%!r/ !n!t!ate& )/ a)oveF
*ent!one& ;o%se @esol%t!on. Th!s secon& !*peach*ent co*pla!nt 'as acco*pan!e& )/ a C@esol%t!on
of 7n&orse*entGI*peach*entC s!(ne& )/ at least oneFth!r& (1G$ of all the -e*)ers of the ;o%se of
@epresentat!ves.
&SS'(S"
1. 8hether or not the f!l!n( of the secon& !*peach*ent co*pla!nt a(a!nst Ch!ef =%st!ce ;!lar!o ?.
<av!&e, =r. '!th the ;o%se of @epresentat!ves falls '!th!n the one /ear )ar prov!&e& !n the Const!t%t!on.
2. 8hether the resol%t!on thereof !s a pol!t!cal .%est!on H has res%lte& !n a pol!t!cal cr!s!s.
)(L*"

1. ;av!n( concl%&e& that the !n!t!at!on ta4es place )/ the act of f!l!n( of the !*peach*ent co*pla!nt an&
referral to the ;o%se Co**!ttee on =%st!ce, the !n!t!al act!on ta4en thereon, the *ean!n( of Sect!on
(+$ of Art!cle EI )eco*es clear. 9nce an !*peach*ent co*pla!nt has )een !n!t!ate& !n the fore(o!n(
*anner, another *a/ not )e f!le& a(a!nst the sa*e off!c!al '!th!n a one /ear per!o& follo'!n( Art!cle EI,
Sect!on (+$ of the Const!t%t!on. In f!ne, cons!&er!n( that the f!rst !*peach*ent co*pla!nt, 'as f!le& )/
for*er Pres!&ent 7stra&a a(a!nst Ch!ef =%st!ce ;!lar!o ?. <av!&e, =r., alon( '!th seven assoc!ate
:%st!ces of th!s Co%rt, on =%ne 2, 2BB an& referre& to the ;o%se Co**!ttee on =%st!ce on A%(%st +,
2BB, the secon& !*peach*ent co*pla!nt f!le& )/ @epresentat!ves ?!l)erto C. Teo&oro, =r. an& Fel!0
8!ll!a* F%ente)ella a(a!nst the Ch!ef =%st!ce on 9cto)er 2, 2BB v!olates the const!t%t!onal proh!)!t!on
a(a!nst the !n!t!at!on of !*peach*ent procee&!n(s a(a!nst the sa*e !*peacha)le off!cer '!th!n a oneF
/ear per!o&.
2.Fro* the fore(o!n( recor& of the procee&!n(s of the 19", Const!t%t!onal Co**!ss!on, !t !s clear that
:%&!c!al po'er !s not onl/ a po'erI !t !s also a &%t/, a &%t/ 'h!ch cannot )e a)&!cate& )/ the *ere
specter of th!s creat%re calle& the pol!t!cal .%est!on &octr!ne. Ch!ef =%st!ce Concepc!on hastene& to
clar!f/, ho'ever, that Sect!on 1, Art!cle JIII 'as not !nten&e& to &o a'a/ '!th Ctr%l/ pol!t!cal .%est!ons.C
Fro* th!s clar!f!cat!on !t !s (athere& that there are t'o spec!es of pol!t!cal .%est!ons: (1$ Ctr%l/ pol!t!cal
.%est!onsC an& (2$ those 'h!ch Care not tr%l/ pol!t!cal .%est!ons.C Tr%l/ pol!t!cal .%est!ons are th%s
)e/on& :%&!c!al rev!e', the reason for respect of the &octr!ne of separat!on of po'ers to )e *a!nta!ne&.
9n the other han&, )/ v!rt%e of Sect!on 1, Art!cle JIII of the Const!t%t!on, co%rts can rev!e' .%est!ons
'h!ch are not tr%l/ pol!t!cal !n nat%re.
0AN&LA PR&NC( )+%(L /S GS&S- G.R. No. 122156
<!(est:
?.@. 3o. 1221+, Fe)r%ar/ , 199#
-A3I1A P@I3C7 ;9T71 pet!t!oner,
vs.
?9J7@3-73T S7@JIC7 I3S6@A3C7 SKST7-, -A3I1A ;9T71 C9@P9@ATI93, C9--ITT77
93 P@IJATIDATI93 an& 9FFIC7 9F T;7 ?9J7@3-73T C9@P9@AT7 C963S71,
respon&ents.
Th!s !s a Pet!t!on for Proh!)!t!on an& -an&a*%s on the (ro%n&s of CThe
F!l!p!no F!rst Pol!c/ enshr!ne& !n the 19"# Const!t%t!on !.e., C!n the
(rant of r!(hts, pr!v!le(es, an& concess!ons cover!n( the nat!onal
econo*/ an& patr!*on/, the State shall (!ve preference to .%al!f!e&
F!l!p!nos.C
Facts: The controvers/ arose 'hen respon&ent ?overn*ent Serv!ce
Ins%rance S/ste* (?SIS$, p%rs%ant to the pr!vat!Aat!on pro(ra* of the
Ph!l!pp!ne ?overn*ent %n&er Procla*at!on 3o. +B &ate& " <ece*)er 19",,
&ec!&e& to sell thro%(h p%)l!c )!&&!n( BL to +1L of the !ss%e& an&
o%tstan&!n( shares of respon&ent -;C. The '!nn!n( )!&&er, or the
event%al Cstrate(!c partner,C !s to prov!&e *ana(e*ent e0pert!se an&Gor
an !nternat!onal *ar4et!n(Greservat!on s/ste*, an& f!nanc!al s%pport to
stren(then the prof!ta)!l!t/ an& perfor*ance of the -an!la ;otel.
In a close )!&&!n(, @enon( >erha&, a -ala/s!an f!r* e&(e& -an!la Pr!nce
;otel, a F!l!p!on f!r* )/ a *ar(!n of P2.42 per share for 1+,BB,BBB
shares. Pr!or to the &eclarat!on of the '!nn!n( )!&&er, the pet!t!oner
4
*atche& the offer of @enon( >erha& an& sent a *ana(erMs chec4 as )!&
sec%r!t/ 'h!ch the respon&ent ?SIS ref%se& to accept.
Pet!t!oners here!n !nvo4e& Sec 1B, par 2, Art!cle EII of the 19"#
Const!t%t!on an& ar(%e& that the respon&ent hotel !s part of the
nat!onal patr!*on/ as part of the to%r!s* !n&%str/ an& !s th%s part of
the nat!onal econo*/.
@espon&ents on the otherhan& ar(%e& that Sec. 1B, secon& par., Art. EII,
of the 19"# Const!t%t!on !s *erel/ a state*ent of pr!nc!ple an& pol!c/
s!nce !t !s not a selfFe0ec%t!n( prov!s!on an& re.%!res !*ple*ent!n(
le(!slat!on(s$ . . . Th%s, for the sa!& prov!s!on to 9perate, there *%st
)e e0!st!n( la's Cto la/ &o'n con&!t!ons %n&er 'h!ch )%s!ness *a/ )e
&one.C
A*on( other th!n(s, that even !f s%ch !s the case, -an!la ;otel &oes not
fall %n&er the ter* nat!onal patr!*on/. That, (rant!n( that the -an!la
;otel for*s part of the nat!onal patr!*on/, the const!t%t!onal prov!s!on
!nvo4e& !s st!ll !nappl!ca)le s!nce 'hat !s )e!n( sol& !s onl/ +1L of
the o%tstan&!n( shares of the corporat!on, not the hotel )%!l&!n( nor
the lan& %pon 'h!ch the )%!l&!n( stan&s. That, s%)*!ss!on )/ pet!t!oner
of a *atch!n( )!& !s pre*at%re s!nce @enon( >erha& co%l& st!ll ver/ 'ell
)e a'ar&e& the )loc4 of shares an& the con&!t!on (!v!n( r!se to the
e0erc!se of the pr!v!le(e to s%)*!t a *atch!n( )!& ha& not /et ta4en
place. An& f!nall/, the pra/er for proh!)!t!on (ro%n&e& on (rave a)%se
of &!scret!on sho%l& fa!l s!nce respon&ent ?SIS &!& not e0erc!se !ts
&!scret!on !n a capr!c!o%s, 'h!*s!cal *anner, an& !f ever !t &!& a)%se
!ts &!scret!on !t 'as not so patent an& (ross as to a*o%nt to an evas!on
of a pos!t!ve &%t/ or a v!rt%al ref%sal to perfor* a &%t/ en:o!ne& )/
la'. S!*!larl/, the pet!t!on for *an&a*%s sho%l& fa!l as pet!t!oner has
no clear le(al r!(ht to 'hat !t &e*an&s an& respon&ents &o not have an
!*perat!ve &%t/ to perfor* the act re.%!re& of the* )/ pet!t!oner.
Iss%e:
1. 8hether or not Sec. 1B, secon& par., Art. EII, of the 19"#
Const!t%t!on !s a selfFe0ec%t!n( prov!s!on re.%!r!n( !*ple*ent!n(
le(!slat!ons.
2. 8hether or not the -an!la ;otel !s part of the nat!onal patr!*on/.
. 8hether or not the *atch!n( )!& !s pre*at%re
4. 8hether or not there 'as (rave a)%se of &!scret!on on the part of the
respon&ents !n ref%s!n( the *atch!n( )!& of the pet!t!oner.
;el&: In the!r resol%t!on of the case, the S%pre*e Co%rt hel& that,
CS!nce the Const!t%t!on !s the f%n&a*ental, para*o%nt an& s%pre*e la' of
the nat!on, !t !s &ee*e& 'r!tten !n ever/ stat%te an& contract.C
A prov!s!on 'h!ch la/s &o'n a (eneral pr!nc!ple, s%ch as those fo%n& !n
Art. II of the 19"# Const!t%t!on, !s %s%all/ not selfFe0ec%t!n(. >%t a
prov!s!on 'h!ch !s co*plete !n !tself an& )eco*es operat!ve '!tho%t the
a!& of s%pple*entar/ or ena)l!n( le(!slat!on, or that 'h!ch s%ppl!es
s%ff!c!ent r%le )/ *eans of 'h!ch the r!(ht !t (rants *a/ )e en:o/e& or
+
protecte&, !s selfFe0ec%t!n(. Th%s a const!t%t!onal prov!s!on !s
selfFe0ec%t!n( !f the nat%re an& e0tent of the r!(ht conferre& an& the
l!a)!l!t/ !*pose& are f!0e& )/ the const!t%t!on !tself, so that the/ can
)e &eter*!ne& )/ an e0a*!nat!on an& constr%ct!on of !ts ter*s, an& there
!s no lan(%a(e !n&!cat!n( that the s%):ect !s referre& to the
le(!slat%re for act!on.
6nless !t !s e0pressl/ prov!&e& that a le(!slat!ve act !s necessar/ to
enforce a const!t%t!onal *an&ate, the pres%*pt!on no' !s that all
prov!s!ons of the const!t%t!on are selfFe0ec%t!n( If the const!t%t!onal
prov!s!ons are treate& as re.%!r!n( le(!slat!on !nstea& of
selfFe0ec%t!n(, the le(!slat%re 'o%l& have the po'er to !(nore an&
pract!call/ n%ll!f/ the *an&ate of the f%n&a*ental la'.
The SC f%rther ac4no'le&(e& that s%ch prov!s!on !s *an&ator/. An& th%s
the pet!t!on !s (rante&.
Rev. (l1 /ele2 P343to!5 /s. Co44sso! o! (lecto!s
?.@. 3o. 1,1"#2, Apr!l 1, 2BB4
$AC%S"
Pet!t!oner Pa*aton( f!le& h!s Cert!f!cate of Can&!&ac/ (C9C$ for Pres!&ent. @espon&ent C9-717C
&eclare& pet!t!oner an& + others as n%!sance can&!&ates 'ho co%l& not 'a(e a nat!on'!&e ca*pa!(n
an&Gor are not no*!nate& )/ a pol!t!cal part/ or are not s%pporte& )/ a re(!stere& pol!t!cal part/ '!th a
nat!onal const!t%enc/.
Pa*aton( f!le& a Pet!t!on For 8r!t of Cert!orar! '!th the S%pre*e Co%rt cla!*!n( that the C9-717C
v!olate& h!s r!(ht to 2e.%al access to opport%n!t!es for p%)l!c serv!ce5 %n&er Sect!on 2,, Art!cle II of the
19"# Const!t%t!on, )/ l!*!t!n( the n%*)er of .%al!f!e& can&!&ates onl/ to those 'ho can affor& to 'a(e a
nat!on'!&e ca*pa!(n an&Gor are no*!nate& )/ pol!t!cal part!es. The C9-717C s%ppose&l/ erre& !n
&!s.%al!f/!n( h!* s!nce he !s the *ost .%al!f!e& a*on( all the pres!&ent!al can&!&ates, !.e., he
possesses all the const!t%t!onal an& le(al .%al!f!cat!ons for the off!ce of the pres!&ent, he !s capa)le of
'a(!n( a nat!onal ca*pa!(n s!nce he has n%*ero%s nat!onal or(an!Aat!ons %n&er h!s lea&ersh!p, he
also has the capac!t/ to 'a(e an !nternat!onal ca*pa!(n s!nce he has pract!ce& la' !n other co%ntr!es,
an& he has a platfor* of (overn*ent.
&SS'("
Is there a const!t%t!onal r!(ht to r%n for or hol& p%)l!c off!ceN
R'L&NG"
3o. 8hat !s reco(n!Ae& !n Sect!on 2,, Art!cle II of the Const!t%t!on !s *erel/ a pr!v!le(e s%):ect to
l!*!tat!ons !*pose& )/ la'. It ne!ther )esto's s%ch a r!(ht nor elevates the pr!v!le(e to the level of an
enforcea)le r!(ht. There !s noth!n( !n the pla!n lan(%a(e of the prov!s!on 'h!ch s%((ests s%ch a thr%st
or :%st!f!es an !nterpretat!on of the sort.
,
The 2e.%al access5 prov!s!on !s a s%)s%*e& part of Art!cle II of the Const!t%t!on, ent!tle& 2<eclarat!on of
Pr!nc!ples an& State Pol!c!es.5 The prov!s!ons %n&er the Art!cle are (enerall/ cons!&ere& not selfF
e0ec%t!n(, an& there !s no pla%s!)le reason for accor&!n( a &!fferent treat*ent to the 2e.%al access5
prov!s!on. 1!4e the rest of the pol!c!es en%*erate& !n Art!cle II, the prov!s!on &oes not conta!n an/
:%&!c!all/ enforcea)le const!t%t!onal r!(ht )%t *erel/ spec!f!es a (%!&el!ne for le(!slat!ve or e0ec%t!ve
act!on. The &!sre(ar& of the prov!s!on &oes not (!ve r!se to an/ ca%se of act!on )efore the co%rts.
9)v!o%sl/, the prov!s!on !s not !nten&e& to co*pel the State to enact pos!t!ve *eas%res that 'o%l&
acco**o&ate as *an/ people as poss!)le !nto p%)l!c off!ce. -oreover, the prov!s!on as 'r!tten leaves
*%ch to )e &es!re& !f !t !s to )e re(ar&e& as the so%rce of pos!t!ve r!(hts. It !s &!ff!c%lt to !nterpret the
cla%se as operat!ve !n the a)sence of le(!slat!on s!nce !ts effect!ve *eans an& reach are not properl/
&ef!ne&. >roa&l/ 'r!tten, the */r!a& of cla!*s that can )e s%)s%*e& %n&er th!s r%)r!c appear to )e
ent!rel/ openFen&e&. 8or&s an& phrases s%ch as 2e.%al access,5 2opport%n!t!es,5 an& 2p%)l!c serv!ce5
are s%scept!)le to co%ntless !nterpretat!ons o'!n( to the!r !nherent !*prec!seness. Certa!nl/, !t 'as not
the !ntent!on of the fra*ers to !nfl!ct on the people an operat!ve )%t a*orpho%s fo%n&at!on fro* 'h!ch
!nnatel/ %nenforcea)le r!(hts *a/ )e so%rce&.
The pr!v!le(e of e.%al access to opport%n!t!es to p%)l!c off!ce *a/ )e s%):ecte& to l!*!tat!ons. So*e
val!& l!*!tat!ons spec!f!call/ on the pr!v!le(e to see4 elect!ve off!ce are fo%n& !n the prov!s!ons of the
9*n!)%s 7lect!on Co&e on 23%!sance Can&!&ates.5 As lon( as the l!*!tat!ons appl/ to ever/)o&/
e.%all/ '!tho%t &!scr!*!nat!on, ho'ever, the e.%al access cla%se !s not v!olate&. 7.%al!t/ !s not
sacr!f!ce& as lon( as the )%r&ens en(en&ere& )/ the l!*!tat!ons are *eant to )e )orne )/ an/ one 'ho
!s *!n&e& to f!le a cert!f!cate of can&!&ac/. In the case at )ar, there !s no sho'!n( that an/ person !s
e0e*pt fro* the l!*!tat!ons or the )%r&ens 'h!ch the/ create.
The rat!onale )eh!n& the proh!)!t!on a(a!nst n%!sance can&!&ates an& the &!s.%al!f!cat!on of can&!&ates
'ho have not ev!nce& a )ona f!&e !ntent!on to r%n for off!ce !s eas/ to &!v!ne. The State has a
co*pell!n( !nterest to ens%re that !ts electoral e0erc!ses are rat!onal, o):ect!ve, an& or&erl/. To'ar&s
th!s en&, the State ta4es !nto acco%nt the pract!cal cons!&erat!ons !n con&%ct!n( elect!ons. Inev!ta)l/,
the (reater the n%*)er of can&!&ates, the (reater the opport%n!t!es for lo(!st!cal conf%s!on, not to
*ent!on the !ncrease& allocat!on of t!*e an& reso%rces !n preparat!on for the elect!on. The or(an!Aat!on
of an elect!on '!th )ona f!&e can&!&ates stan&!n( !s onero%s eno%(h. To a&& !nto the *!0 can&!&ates
'!th no ser!o%s !ntent!ons or capa)!l!t!es to r%n a v!a)le ca*pa!(n 'o%l& act%all/ !*pa!r the electoral
process. Th!s !s not to *ent!on the can&!&ac!es 'h!ch are palpa)l/ r!&!c%lo%s so as to const!t%te a oneF
note :o4e. The poll )o&/ 'o%l& )e )o((e& )/ !rrelevant *!n%t!ae cover!n( ever/ step of the electoral
process, *ost pro)a)l/ pose& at the !nstance of these n%!sance can&!&ates. It 'o%l& )e a senseless
sacr!f!ce on the part of the State.
The .%est!on of 'hether a can&!&ate !s a n%!sance can&!&ate or not !s )oth le(al an& fact%al. The )as!s
of the fact%al &eter*!nat!on !s not )efore th!s Co%rt. Th%s, the re*an& of th!s case for the recept!on of
f%rther ev!&ence !s !n or&er. The SC re*an&e& to the C9-717C for the recept!on of f%rther ev!&ence,
to &eter*!ne the .%est!on on 'hether pet!t!oner 7ll/ JeleA 1ao Pa*aton( !s a n%!sance can&!&ate as
conte*plate& !n Sect!on ,9 of the 9*n!)%s 7lect!on Co&e.
#
Obiter Dictum: One of Pamatongs contentions was that he was an international lawyer and is thus
more qualified compared to the likes of Erap, who was only a high school dropout. Under the
Constitution (rticle !"", #ection $%, the only requirements are the following& ('% natural()orn citi*en of
the Philippines+ ($% registered ,oter+ (-% a)le to read and write+ (.% at least forty years of age on the day
of the election+ and (/% resident of the Philippines for at least ten years immediately preceding such
election.
t any rate, Pamatong was e,entually declared a nuisance candidate and was disqualified.
C&R /S CA0P+S R'(*A
Political 0aw 1 2efinition of #tate
-ar!a Cer&e!ra &!e& !n Tan(!er, (an !nternat!onal Aone [fore!(n co%ntr/] !n 3orth Afr!ca$, on =an%ar/ 2,
19++. At the t!*e of her &e*!se, she 'as *arr!e& to a Span!sh C!t!Aen an& a per*anent res!&ent of
Tan(!er fro* 191 %p to her &eath, on =an%ar/ 2, 19++. She left propert!es !n Tan(!er as 'ell as !n the
Ph!l!pp!nes. A*on( the propert!es !n the Ph!l!pp!nes are several parcels of lan& an& *an/ shares of
stoc4, acco%nts rece!va)le an& other !ntan(!)le personal propert!es. 9n the real estate the respon&ent
Anton!o Ca*pos @%e&a, as a&*!n!strator of her estate, pa!& the s%* of P111,+"2.BB as estate ta0 an&
the s%* of P1+1,#91.4" as !nher!tance ta0, on the transfer of her real propert!es !n the Ph!l!pp!nes, )%t
ref%se& to pa/ the correspon&!n( &ef!c!enc/ estate an& !nher!tance ta0es &%e on the transfer of her
!ntan(!)le personal propert!es, cla!*!n( that the estate !s e0e*pt fro* the pa/*ent of sa!& ta0es
p%rs%ant to sect!on 122 of the Ta0 Co&e an& that he co%l& ava!l of the rec!procal prov!s!ons of o%r Ta0
Co&e. The Collector of Internal @even%e !n a &ec!s!on assesse& the estate of the &ecease&, as
&ef!c!enc/ estate an& !nher!tance ta0es, the s%* of P1,1,"#4.9+ !ncl%&!n( !nterest an& penalt!es, on the
transfer of !ntan(!)le personal propert!es of -ar!a Cer&e!ra..
&SS'(" 8hether or not @%e&a !s r!(htf%ll/ assesse& those ta0es.
)(L*" 2Fore!(n Co%ntr/5 %se& !n Sec 122 of the 3at!onal Internal @even%e Co&e, refers to a
(overn*ent of that fore!(n po'er 'h!ch altho%(h not an !nternat!onal person !n the sense of
!nternat!onal la', <97S 39T !*pose transfer of &eath ta0es %pon !ntan(!)le personal propert!es of
c!t!Aens not res!&!n( there!n. 9r 'hose la' allo's a s!*!lar e0e*pt!on fro* s%ch ta0es. It !s not
necessar/ that Tan(!er sho%l& have )een reco(n!Ae& )/ o%r (overn*ent !n or&er to ent!tle the
pet!t!oner to the e0e*pt!on )enef!ts prov!&e& )/ o%r Ta0 1a'. >%t s!nce s%ch la' has not )een alle(e&,
th!s case !s to re*an&e& to the lo'er co%rt for f%rther tr!al.
R(AGAN /S C&R GR N+ 26379
@ea(an !s a 6S c!t!Aen ass!(ne& at Clar4 A!r >ase to help prov!&e techn!cal ass!stance to the 6S A!r
Force. In Apr!l 19,B @ea(an !*porte& a 19,B Ca&!llac car val%e& at O,44.". T'o *onths later, he
(ot per*!ss!on to sell the sa*e car prov!&e& that he 'o%l& sell the car to a 6S c!t!Aen or a *e*)er of
the 6SAF. ;e sol& !t to 8!ll!e =ohnson =r for O,,BB.BB as sho'n )/ a >!ll of Sale. The sale too4 place
"
'!th!n Clar4 A!r >ase. As a res%lt of th!s transact!on, the Co**!ss!oner of Internal @even%e calc%late&
the net ta0a)le !nco*e of @ea(an to )e at P1#912.4 an& that h!s !nco*e ta0 'o%l& )e P2#9#.BB.
@ea(an pa!& the assesse& ta0 )%t at the sa*e t!*e he so%(ht for a ref%n& )eca%se he cla!*s that he !s
e0e*pt. @ea(an cla!*s that the sale too4 place !n 2fore!(n so!l5 s!nce Clar4 A!r >ase, !n le(al
conte*plat!on !s a )ase o%ts!&e the Ph!l!pp!nes. @ea(an also c!te& that %n&er the -!l!tar/ >ases
A(ree*ent, he, )/ nat%re of h!s e*plo/*ent, !s e0e*pt fro* Ph!l!pp!ne ta0at!on.
&SS'(" Is the sale cons!&ere& &one !n a fore!(n so!l not s%):ect to Ph!l!pp!ne !nco*e ta0N
)(L*" The Ph!l!pp!nes !s !n&epen&ent an& sovere!(n, !ts a%thor!t/ *a/ )e e0erc!se& over !ts ent!re
&o*a!n. There !s no port!on thereof that !s )e/on& !ts po'er. 8!th!n !ts l!*!ts, !ts &ecrees are s%pre*e,
!ts co**an&s para*o%nt. Its la's (overn there!n, an& ever/one to 'ho* !t appl!es *%st s%)*!t to !ts
ter*s. That !s the e0tent of !ts :%r!s&!ct!on, )oth terr!tor!al an& personal. 9n the other han&, there !s
noth!n( !n the -!l!tar/ >ases A(ree*ent that len&s s%pport to @ea(anPs assert!on. The >ase has not
)eco*e fore!(n so!l or terr!tor/. Th!s co%ntr/Ps :%r!s&!ct!onal r!(hts there!n, certa!nl/ not e0cl%&!n( the
po'er to ta0, have )een preserve&, the Ph!l!pp!nes *erel/ consents that the 6S e0erc!se :%r!s&!ct!on !n
certa!n cases H th!s !s :%st a *atter of co*!t/, co%rtes/ an& e0pe&!enc/. It !s l!4e'!se note& that he
!n&ee& !s e*plo/e& )/ the 6SAF an& h!s !nco*e !s &er!ve& fro* 6S so%rce )%t the !nco*e &er!ve&
fro* the sale !s not of 6S so%rce hence ta0a)le.
G.R. No. 146738 (str3#3 vs. Arro1o
G.R. No 146710-15 (str3#3 vs. *eserto
03rc6 2- 2001
$AC%S"

(str3#3 73s !3858r3te# 3s pres#e!t of t6e Rep89lc of t6e P6lpp!es o! .8!e 30-
1998 7t6 Glor3 03c3p353l-Arro1o 3s 6s /ce Pres#e!t.
&! +cto9er 2000- &locos S8r 5over!or L8s :C63vt; S!5so!- 3 close fre!# t6e
Pres#e!t- 3lle5e# t63t 6e 63# perso!3ll1 5ve! (str3#3 4o!e1 3s p31off fro4 <8ete!5 6##e!
! 3 93!= 3cco8!t =!o7! 3s :.ose /el3r#e; > 3 5r3ssroots-93se# !849ers 534e. S!5so!?s
3lle53to! 3lso c38se# co!trovers1 3cross t6e !3to!- 76c6 c8l4!3te# ! t6e )o8se of
Represe!t3tves? fl!5 of 3! 4pe3c64e!t c3se 353!st (str3#3 o! Nove49er 13- 2000. )o8se
Spe3=er 03!!1 /ll3r f3st-tr3c=e# t6e 4pe3c64e!t co4pl3!t. %6e 4pe3c64e!t s8t 73s
9ro856t to t6e Se!3te 3!# 3! 4pe3c64e!t co8rt 73s for4e#- 7t6 C6ef .8stce )l3ro
*3v#e- .r. 3s pres#!5 offcer. (str3#3- ple3#e# :!ot 58lt1;.
9
%6e e@posA 44e#3tel1 5!te# re3cto!s of r35e. +! .3!83r1 18- 3 cro7# co!t!8e# to
5ro7 3t (*SA- 9olstere# 91 st8#e!ts fro4 prv3te sc6ools 3!# left-7!5 or53!23to!s.
Actvsts fro4 t6e 5ro8p ,313! 3!# A=9313! 3s 7ell 3s l371ers of t6e &!te5r3te# ,3r of t6e
P6lpp!es 3!# ot6er 93r 3ssoc3to!s <o!e# ! t6e t6o8s3!#s of protesters.
+! .3!83r1 19- %6e P6lpp!e N3to!3l Polce 3!# t6e Ar4e# $orces of t6e
P6lpp!es 3lso 7t6#re7 t6er s8pport for (str3#3 3!# <o!e# t6e cro7# 3t (*SA S6r!e.
At 2"00p4- (str3#3 3ppe3re# o! televso! for t6e frst t4e s!ce t6e 9e5!!!5 of t6e
protests 3!# 43!t3!s t63t 6e 7ll !ot res5!. )e s3# t63t 6e 73!te# t6e 4pe3c64e!t tr3l to
co!t!8e- stress!5 t63t o!l1 3 58lt1 ver#ct 7ll re4ove 64 fro4 offce.
At 6"15p4- (str3#3 353! 3ppe3re# o! televso!- c3ll!5 for 3 s!3p pres#e!t3l electo!
to 9e 6el# co!c8rre!tl1 7t6 co!5resso!3l 3!# loc3l electo!s o! 031 14- 2001. )e 3##e# t63t
6e 7ll !ot r8! ! t6s electo!.
+!.3!83r1 20- t6e S8pre4e Co8rt #ecl3re# t63t t6e se3t of pres#e!c1 73s v3c3!t-
s31!5 t63t (str3#3 :co!str8ctvel1 res5!e# 6s post;. Noo! of t6e s34e #31- Glor3
03c3p353l-Arro1o too= 6er o3t6 of offce ! t6e prese!ce of t6e cro7# 3t (*SA- 9eco4!5 t6e
14t6 pres#e!t of t6e P6lpp!es.
At 2"00 p4- (str3#3 rele3se# 3 letter s31!5 6e 63# :stro!5 3!# sero8s #o89ts 39o8t
t6e le53lt1 3!# co!stt8to!3lt1 of 6er procl343to! 3s pres#e!t;- 98t s31!5 6e 7o8l# 5ve
8p 6s offce to 3vo# 9e!5 3! o9st3cle to 6e3l!5 t6e !3to!. (str3#3 3!# 6s f34l1 l3ter left
03l3c3B3!5 P3l3ce.
A 6e3p of c3ses t6e! s8ccee#e# (str3#3?s le3v!5 t6e p3l3ce- 76c6 6e co8!tere# 91
fl!5 3 peto! for pro69to! 7t6 3 pr31er for 3 7rt of prel4!3r1 !<8!cto!. &t so856t to
e!<o! t6e respo!#e!t +498#s43! fro4 :co!#8ct!5 3!1 f8rt6er procee#!5s ! c3ses fle#
353!st 64 !ot 8!tl 6s ter4 3s pres#e!t e!#s. )e 3lso pr31e# for <8#54e!t :co!fr4!5
petto!er to 9e t6e l37f8l 3!# !c849e!t Pres#e!t of t6e Rep89lc of t6e P6lpp!es
te4por3rl1 8!39le to #sc63r5e t6e #8tes of 6s offce- 3!# #ecl3r!5 respo!#e!t to 63ve
t3=e! 6er o3t6 3s 3!# to 9e 6ol#!5 t6e +ffce of t6e Pres#e!t- o!l1 ! 3! 3ct!5 c3p3ct1
p8rs83!t to t6e provso!s of t6e Co!stt8to!.;
&SS'("
1B
1.C D6et6er or !ot t6e c3se 3t 93r 3 poltc3l or <8stc39le ss8e. &f <8stc39le- 76et6er or !ot
petto!er (str3#3 73s 3 pres#e!t-o!-le3ve or ## 6e tr8l1 res5!.
2.C D6et6er or !ot petto!er 431 !vo=e448!t1 fro4 s8ts.
)(L*"
%6e Co8rt #ef!es 3 poltc3l ss8e 3s :t6ose E8esto!s 76c6- 8!#er t6e Co!stt8to!-
3re to 9e #ec#e# 91 t6e people ! t6er sovere5! c3p3ct1- or ! re53r# to 76c6 f8ll
#screto!3r1 38t6ort1 63s 9ee! #ele53te# to t6e le5sl3tve or e@ec8tve 9r3!c6 of t6e
5over!4e!t. &t s co!cer!e# 7t6 ss8es #epe!#e!t 8po! t6e 7s#o4- !ot le53lt1 of 3
p3rtc8l3r 4e3s8re.;
%6e Co8rt 43#e 3 #st!cto! 9et7ee! t6e AE8!o pres#e!c1 3!# t6e Arro1o
pres#e!c1. %6e Co8rt s3# t63t 76le t6e AE8!o 5over!4e!t 73s 3 5over!4e!t sp37!e# 91
t6e #rect #e43!# of t6e people ! #ef3!ce to t6e 1973 Co!stt8to!- overt6ro7!5 t6e ol#
5over!4e!t e!trel1- t6e Arro1o 5over!4e!t o! t6e ot6er 63!# 73s 3 5over!4e!t e@ercs!5
8!#er t6e 1987 co!stt8to!- 76ere! o!l1 t6e offce of t6e pres#e!t 73s 3ffecte#. &! t6e
for4er- t %6e E8esto! of 76et6er t6e prevo8s pres#e!t Fpres#e!t (str3#3C tr8l1 res5!e#
s89<ects t to <8#c3l reve7. %6e Co8rt 6el# t63t t6e ss8e s le53l 3!# !ot poltc3l.
$or t6e pres#e!t to 9e #ee4e# 3s 63v!5 res5!e#- t6ere 48st 9e 3! !te!t to res5!
3!# t6e !te!t 48st 9e co8ple# 91 3cts of rel!E8s64e!t. &t s 4port3!t to follo7 t6e
s8ccesso! of eve!ts t63t str8c= petto!er pror 6s le3v!5 t6e p3l3ce. $8rt6er4ore- t6e
E8ote# st3te4e!ts e@tr3cte# fro4 t6e A!53r3 #3res- #et3le# (str3#3?s 4ple# res5!3to!
+! top of 3ll t6ese- t6e press rele3se 6e ss8e# re53r#!5 s 3c=!o7le#5e4e!t of t6e o3t6-
t3=!5 of Arro1o 3s pres#e!t #espte 6s E8esto!!5 of ts le53lt1 3!# 6s e4p63ss o!
le3v!5 t6e pres#e!t3l se3t for t6e s3=e of pe3ce. %6e Co8rt 6el# t63t petto!er (str3#3 63#
res5!e# 91 t6e 8se of t6etot3lt1 test" pror- co!te4por3!eo8s 3!# posteror f3cts 3!#
crc84st3!t3l ev#e!ce 9e3r!5 3 43ter3l relev3!ce o! t6e ss8e.
As to t6e ss8e of t6e peto!er?s co!te!to! t63t 6e s 448!e# fro4 s8ts- t6e Co8rt
6el# t63t petto!er s !o lo!5er e!ttle# to 39sol8te 448!t1 fro4 s8t. %6e Co8rt 3##e# t63t-
5ve! t6e !te!t of t6e 1987 Co!stt8to! to 9re3t6e lfe to t6e polc1 t63t 3 p89lc offce s 3
p89lc tr8st- t6e petto!er- 3s 3 !o!-stt!5 Pres#e!t- c3!!ot cl34 e@ec8tve 448!t1 for 6s
3lle5e# cr4!3l 3cts co44tte# 76le 3 stt!5 Pres#e!t. $ro4 t6e #el9er3to!s- t6e !te!t of
t6e fr34ers s cle3r t63t t6e 448!t1 of t6e pres#e!t fro4 s8t s co!c8rre!t o!l1 7t6 6s
11
te!8reFt6e ter4 #8r!5 76c6 t6e !c849e!t 3ct83ll1 6ol#s offceC 3!# !ot 6s ter4 Ft4e
#8r!5 76c6 t6e offcer 431 cl34 to 6ol# t6e offce 3s of r56t- 3!# f@es t6e !terv3l 3fter
76c6 t6e sever3l !c849e!ts s63ll s8ccee# o!e 3!ot6erC.
00*A /S /&R+N %RANSP+R%A%&+N
$3cts" P?-A !ss%e& 79 1#9, 'h!ch prov!&e& for the esta)l!sh*ent of a
-ass Transport S/ste* for ?reater -an!la. P%rs%ant to th!s 79, the -etro *an!la Co%nc!l of the
--<A c!te& the nee& to re*ove the)%s ter*!nals locate& alon( *a:or thoro%(hfares of -etro -an!la.
@espon&ents, prov!nc!al )%s operators 'ho ha& )%s ter*!nals that 'ere threatene& to )e re*ove&,
alle(es that 79 sho%l& )e &eclare& %nconst!t%t!onal an& !lle(al for trans(ress!n( the possessor/ r!(hts
of o'ners an& operators of p%)l!c lan& transportat!on %n!ts over the!r respect!ve ter*!nals
&ss8e" 8hether or not 79 1#9 !s a val!& e0erc!se of pol!ce po'er
)el#" Pet!t!on &en!e&. 79 1#9 !s n%ll an& vo!&. --<A has no pol!ce po'er, let alone le(!slat!ve
po'er. In l!(ht of the a&*!n!strat!ve nat%re of !ts po'ers an& f%nct!ons, the --<A !s &evo!& of
a%thor!t/ to !*ple*ent the Pro:ect as env!s!one& )/ the 79I hence !t co%l& not have )een val!&l/
&es!(nate& )/ the Pres!&ent to %n&erta4e the Pro:ect. It follo's that the --<A cannot val!&l/ or&er
the el!*!nat!on of the respon&entsP ter*!nals.
Pol!ce po'er rests pr!*ar!l/ '!th the le(!slat%re, s%ch po'er *a/ )e &ele(ate&, as !t !s !n fact
!ncreas!n(l/ )e!n( &ele(ate&. >/ v!rt%e of a val!& &ele(at!on, the po'er *a/ )e e0erc!se& )/ the
Pres!&ent an& a&*!n!strat!ve )oar&s as 'ell as )/ the la'*a4!n( )o&!es of *%n!c!pal corporat!ons or
local (overn*ent %n&er an e0press &ele(at!on )/ the 1?C of 1991.
-eas%res calc%late& to pro*ote the safet/ an& conven!ence of the people %s!n( the thoro%(hfares )/
the re(%lat!on of veh!c%lar traff!c present a proper s%):ect for the e0erc!se of pol!ce po'er.
9n Const!t%t!onal 1a', 2The tr%e role of Const!t%t!onal 1a' !s to effect an e.%!l!)r!%* )et'een
a%thor!t/ an& l!)ert/ so that r!(hts are e0erc!se& '!th!n the fra*e'or4 of the la' an& the la's are
enacte& '!th &%e &eference to r!(hts.5
G.R. No. 177807 G G.R. No. 177933 +cto9er 11- 2011
12

S89<ect 03tter"
Const!t%t!onal 1a'
G3!c31co vs. Ct1 Gover!4e!t of H8e2o! Ct1
?.@. 3o. 1##"B#Pet!t!oners: =%st!ce 7*!l!o A. ?anca/co (@et!re&$@espon&ents: C!t/ ?overn*ent of
Q%eAon C!t/ an& -etro-an!la <evelop*ent A%thor!t/?.@. 3o. 1##9Pet!t!oners: -etro -an!la
<evelop*ent A%thor!t/@espon&ents: =%st!ce 7*!l!o A. ?anca/co (@et!re&$
$3cts"
@et!re& =%st!ce 7*!l!o A. ?anca/co )o%(ht a parcelof lan& locate& 7<SA,

Q%eAon C!t/. A fe' /ears later, theQ%eAon C!t/ Co%nc!l !ss%e& 9r&!nance 3o. 29B4, ent!tle&CAn
9r&!nance @e.%!r!n( the Constr%ct!on of Arca&es, for Co**erc!al >%!l&!n(s to )e Constr%cte& !n
Dones<es!(nate& as >%s!ness Dones !n the Don!n( Plan of Q%eAon C!t/, an& Prov!&!n( Penalt!es !n
J!olat!on Thereof. Itre.%!re& the relevant propert/ o'ner to constr%ct an arca&ealon( 7<SA. An arca&e
!s &ef!ne& as an/ port!on of a)%!l&!n( a)ove the f!rst floor pro:ect!n( over the s!&e'al4)e/on& the f!rst
store/ 'all %se& as protect!on for pe&estr!ans a(a!nst ra!n or s%n. It )ears e*phas!s that at thet!*e
9r&!nance 3o. 29B4 'as passe& )/ the c!t/ co%nc!l,there 'as /et no )%!l&!n( co&e passe& )/ the
nat!onalle(!slat%re. Th%s, the re(%lat!on of the constr%ct!on of )%!l&!n(s 'as left to the &!scret!on of local
(overn*ent %n!ts.6n&er th!s part!c%lar or&!nance, the c!t/ co%nc!l re.%!re& thatthe arca&e !s to )e
create& )/ constr%ct!n( the 'all of the(ro%n& floor fac!n( the s!&e'al4 a fe' *eters a'a/ fro*
thepropert/ l!ne. Th%s, the )%!l&!n( o'ner !s not allo'e& toconstr%ct h!s 'all %p to the e&(e of the
propert/ l!ne, there)/creat!n( a space or shelter %n&er the f!rst floor. In effect,propert/ o'ners
rel!n.%!sh the %se of the space for %se asan arca&e for pe&estr!ans, !nstea& of %s!n( !t for the!r
o'np%rposes.The or&!nance covere& the propert/ of =%st!ce ?anca/co.S%)se.%entl/, =%st!ce
?anca/co so%(ht the e0e*pt!on of at'oFstore/ )%!l&!n( )e!n( constr%cte& on h!s propert/ fro*the
appl!cat!on of 9r&!nance 3o. 29B4 that he )e e0e*pte&fro* constr%ct!n( an arca&e on h!s propert/.
The C!t/Co%nc!l acte& favora)l/ on =%st!ce ?anca/coRs re.%estCs%):ect to the con&!t!on that %pon
not!ce )/ the C!t/7n(!neer, the o'ner shall, '!th!n reasona)le t!*e, &e*ol!shthe enclos%re of sa!&
arca&e at h!s o'n e0pense 'hen p%)l!c!nterest so &e*an&s.CThe --<A then sent a not!ce of
&e*ol!t!on to =%st!ce?anca/co alle(!n( that a port!on of h!s )%!l&!n( v!olate& the3at!onal >%!l&!n( Co&e
of the Ph!l!pp!nes !n relat!on to9r&!nance 3o. 29B4. ;e &!& not co*pl/ '!th the not!ce. The--<A then
procee&e& to &e*ol!sh the part/ 'all of the(ro%n& floor str%ct%re. The C!t/ ?overn*ent of Q%eAon
C!t/cla!*e& that the or&!nance 'as a val!& e0erc!se of pol!cepo'er, re(%lat!n( the %se of propert/ !n a
)%s!ness Aone.=%st!ce ?anca/co f!le& a Pet!t!on '!th pra/er for a te*porar/restra!n!n( or&er an&Gor 'r!t
of prel!*!nar/ !n:%nct!on. The@TC r%le& that the or&!nance 'as %nconst!t%t!onal. TheCo%rt of Appeals
reverse& the @TCRs &ec!s!on an& r%le& thatthe or&!nance 'as a val!& e0erc!se of the r!(ht of the
local(overn*ent %n!t to pro*ote the (eneral 'elfare of !tsconst!t%ents p%rs%ant to !ts pol!ce po'ers.
&ss8e
: 8hether 9r&!nance 3o. 2B94 !s a val!& e0erc!se of pol!ce po'er.
)el#
: Kes, !t !s a val!& &ele(at!on of Pol!ce Po'er
R3to"
Pol!ce po'er !s an !nherent attr!)%te of sovere!(nt/. Ithas )een &ef!ne& as the po'er veste& )/ the
Const!t%t!on !nthe le(!slat%re to *a4e, or&a!n, an& esta)l!sh all *anner of 'holeso*e an& reasona)le
la's, stat%tes an& or&!nances,e!ther '!th penalt!es or '!tho%t, not rep%(nant to theConst!t%t!on, as the/
shall :%&(e to )e for the (oo& an&'elfare of the co**on'ealth, an& for the s%):ects of thesa*e. The
po'er !s plenar/ an& !ts scope !s vast an&pervas!ve, reach!n( an& :%st!f/!n( *eas%res for p%)l!chealth,
p%)l!c safet/, p%)l!c *orals, an& the (eneral 'elfare.In the e0erc!se of pol!ce po'er, propert/ r!(hts of
!n&!v!&%als*a/ )e s%):ecte& to restra!nts an& )%r&ens !n or&er to f%lf!lthe o):ect!ves of the
(overn*ent.For th!s reason, 'hen the con&!t!ons so &e*an& as&eter*!ne& )/ the le(!slat%re, propert/
r!(hts *%st )o' tothe pr!*ac/ of pol!ce po'er )eca%se propert/ r!(hts, tho%(hsheltere& )/ &%e
1
process, *%st /!el& to (eneral 'elfare.Pol!ce po'er as an attr!)%te to pro*ote the co**on (oo&'o%l&
)e &!l%te& cons!&era)l/ !f on the *ere plea of pet!t!oners that the/ '!ll s%ffer loss of earn!n(s an&
cap!tal,the .%est!one& prov!s!on !s !nval!&ate&. -oreover, !n thea)sence of ev!&ence &e*onstrat!n( the
alle(e& conf!scator/effect of the prov!s!on !n .%est!on, there !s no )as!s for !tsn%ll!f!cat!on !n v!e' of the
pres%*pt!on of val!&!t/ 'h!ch ever/la' has !n !ts favor.It !s clear that the pr!*ar/ o):ect!ves of the c!t/
co%nc!l of Q%eAon C!t/ 'hen !t !ss%e& the .%est!one& or&!nanceor&er!n( the constr%ct!on of arca&es
'ere the health an&safet/ of the c!t/ an& !ts !nha)!tantsI the pro*ot!on of the!r prosper!t/I an& the
!*prove*ent of the!r *orals, peace,(oo& or&er, co*fort, an& the conven!ence. At the t!*e thatthe
or&!nance 'as passe&, there 'as no nat!onal )%!l&!n(co&e enforce& to (%!&e the c!t/ co%nc!lI th%s,
there 'as nola' of nat!onal appl!cat!on that proh!)!te& the c!t/ co%nc!lfro* re(%lat!n( the constr%ct!on of
)%!l&!n(s, arca&es an&s!&e'al4s !n the!r :%r!s&!ct!on.
R(P',L&C +$ %)( P)&L&PP&N(S- et 3l v. /&C(N%( G. L&0
G.R. No. 161656- 29 .8!e 2005- (! ,3!c FS3!#ov3l-G8terre2- .C

8h!le the preva!l!n( &octr!ne !s that 2the nonFpa/*ent of :%st co*pensat!on &oes not ent!tle the pr!vate
lan&o'ner to recover possess!on of the e0propr!ate& lots ho'ever, !n cases 'here the (overn*ent
fa!le& to pa/ :%st
co*pensat!on '!th!n f!ve /ears fro* the f!nal!t/ of the :%&(*ent !n the e0propr!at!on procee&!n(s, the
o'ners
concerne& shall have the r!(ht to recover possess!on of the!r propert/. Th!s !s !n consonance '!th the
pr!nc!ple that
2the (overn*ent cannot 4eep the propert/ an& &!shonor the :%&(*ent.5 To )e s%re, the f!veF/ear per!o&
l!*!tat!on
'!ll enco%ra(e the (overn*ent to pa/ :%st co*pensat!on p%nct%all/. Th!s !s !n 4eep!n( '!th :%st!ce an&
e.%!t/.

9n Septe*)er +, 19", @ep%)l!c of the Ph!l!pp!nes !nst!t%te& an e0propr!at!on case for
the p%rpose of esta)l!sh!n( a *!l!tar/ reservat!on for the Ph!l!pp!ne Ar*/. 1ot 92 'as re(!stere&
!n the na*e of ?ervas!a <enAon, 'h!le 1ot 99 'as !n the na*e of 7%lal!a <enAon. After
&epos!t!n( P9,+BB.BB '!th the Ph!l!pp!ne 3at!onal >an4, the @ep%)l!c too4 possess!on of the
lots. Thereafter, or on -a/ 14, 194B, the CFI ren&ere& !ts <ec!s!on or&er!n( the @ep%)l!c to
pa/ the <enAons the s%* of P4,B,2.1B as :%st co*pensat!on. An entr/ of :%&(*ent 'as *a&e on
Apr!l +, 194". For fa!l%re of the @ep%)l!c to pa/ for the lots, on Septe*)er 2B, 19,1, the
<enAonsP s%ccessorsF!nF!nterest, Franc!sca ?aleosFJal&eh%eAa an& =osef!na ?aleosFPaner!o
f!le& '!th the sa*e CFI an act!on for recover/ of possess!on '!th &a*a(es a(a!nst the @ep%)l!c
an& off!cers of the Ar*e& Forces of the Ph!l!pp!nes !n possess!on of the propert/. In the !nter!*
or on 3ove*)er 9, 19,1, TCT 3os. 294 an& 29+, '!th annotat!on 2s%):ect to the pr!or!t/
of the 3at!onal A!rports Corporat!on to ac.%!re sa!& parcels of lan&, 1ots 92 an& 99 %pon
prev!o%s pa/*ent of a reasona)le *ar4et val%e5 'ere !ss%e& !n the na*es of Franc!sca
Jal&eh%eAa an& =osef!na Paner!o, respect!vel/.

9n =%l/ 1, 19,2, the CFI pro*%l(ate& !ts <ec!s!on !n favor of Jal&eh%eAa an& Paner!o,
hol&!n( that the/ are the o'ners an& have reta!ne& the!r r!(ht as s%ch over 1ots 92 an& 99
)eca%se of the @ep%)l!cPs fa!l%re to pa/ the a*o%nt a&:%&(e& !n the e0propr!at!on procee&!n(s.
;o'ever, the/ 'ere or&ere& to e0ec%te a &ee& of sale !n favor of the @ep%)l!c. In v!e' of 2the
&!fferences !n *one/ val%e fro* 194B %p to the present,5 the co%rt a&:%ste& the *ar4et val%e at
14
P1,,24".4B, to )e pa!& '!th ,L !nterest per ann%* fro* Apr!l +, 194", &ate of entr/ !n the
e0propr!at!on procee&!n(s, %nt!l f%ll pa/*ent. After the &en!al of he!r *ot!on for
recons!&erat!on, Jal&eh%eAa an& Paner!o appeale& )efore CFI, 'h!ch for'ar&e& the case )efore
the S%pre*e Co%rt, 'h!ch hel& that Jal&eh%eAa an& Paner!o are st!ll the re(!stere& o'ners lots
there hav!n( )een no pa/*ent of :%st co*pensat!on )/ the @ep%)l!c. The/ conten& that
altho%(h the/ are not ent!tle& to recover possess!on )ase& s!nce the sa*e are con&e*ne& for
p%)l!c %se the/ *%st )e allo'e& to &e*an& the fa!r *ar4et val%e of the sa*e.

In the *eant!*e, Jal&eh%eAa an& Paner!o *ort(a(e& the propert/ to J!cente 1!*.
;av!n( fa!le& to pa/, the propert/ 'as foreclose&. 1!* later f!le& an act!on to .%!et t!tle a(a!nst
the @ep%)l!c. @TC r%le& !n h!s favor, &eclar!n( pla!nt!ff J!cente 1!* the a)sol%te an&
e0cl%s!ve o'ner of 1ot 3o. 92 '!th all the r!(hts of an a)sol%te o'ner !ncl%&!n( the
r!(ht to possess!on. Co%rt of Appeals s%sta!ne& the &ec!s!on of the @TC. The S%pre*e Co%rt
!n!t!all/ &en!e& the pet!t!on for rev!e', hav!n( seen no revers!)le error on the part of the CA. The
pet!t!oner @ep%)l!c ho'ever f!le& a -ot!on for @econs!&erat!on.

&SS'(: @7C73T =6@ISP@6<73C7 H P91ITICA1 1A8

8hether or not the @ep%)l!c has reta!ne& o'nersh!p of 1ot 92 &esp!te !ts fa!l%re to pa/
respon&entsP pre&ecessorsF!nF!nterest the :%st co*pensat!on therefor p%rs%ant to the :%&(*ent
of the CFI ren&ere& as earl/ as -a/ 14, 194B

)(L*" Pet!t!on !s &en!e& '!th f!nal!t/. Co%rt of Appeals &ec!s!on aff!r*e& !n toto.

The reco(n!Ae& r%le !s that t!tle to the propert/ e0propr!ate& shall pass fro* the o'ner
to the e0propr!ator onl/ %pon f%ll pa/*ent of the :%st co*pensat!on. =%r!spr%&ence on th!s
settle& pr!nc!ple !s cons!stent )oth here an& !n other &e*ocrat!c :%r!s&!ct!ons. Clearl/, '!tho%t
f%ll pa/*ent of :%st co*pensat!on, there can )e no transfer of t!tle fro* the lan&o'ner to the
e0propr!ator. 9ther'!se state&, the @ep%)l!cPs ac.%!s!t!on of o'nersh!p !s con&!t!one& %pon the
f%ll pa/*ent of :%st co*pensat!on '!th!n a reasona)le t!*e.

The @ep%)l!c no' ar(%es that %n&er Jal&eh%eAa, respon&ent !s not ent!tle& to recover
possess!on of 1ot 92 )%t onl/ to &e*an& pa/*ent of !ts fa!r *ar4et val%e. 9f co%rse, the
Co%rt !s a'are of the &octr!ne that 2nonFpa/*ent of :%st co*pensat!on (!n an e0propr!at!on
procee&!n($ &oes not ent!tle the pr!vate lan&o'ners to recover possess!on of the e0propr!ate&
lots.5 It )ears stress!n( that the @ep%)l!c 'as or&ere& to pa/ :%st co*pensat!on t'!ce, the f!rst
'as !n the e0propr!at!on procee&!n(s an& the secon&, !n Jal&eh%eAa. F!ft/Fseven /ears have
passe& s!nce then. The Co%rt cannot )%t constr%e the @ep%)l!cPs fa!l%re to pa/ :%st
co*pensat!on as a &el!)erate ref%sal on !ts part. 6n&er s%ch c!rc%*stance, recover/ of
possess!on !s !n or&er. In several :%r!s&!ct!ons, the co%rts hel& that recover/ of possess!on *a/
)e ha& 'hen propert/ has )een 'ron(f%ll/ ta4en or !s 'ron(f%ll/ reta!ne& )/ one cla!*!n( to act
%n&er the po'er of e*!nent &o*a!n or 'here a r!(htf%l entr/ !s *a&e an& the part/
con&e*n!n( ref%ses to pa/ the co*pensat!on 'h!ch has )een assesse& or a(ree& %pon
or fa!ls or ref%ses to have the co*pensat!on assesse& an& pa!&.

The !ss%e of 'hether or not respon&ent acte& !n )a& fa!th for *ort(a(!n( the propert/.
The @ep%)l!c fa!le& to perfect !ts t!tle over 1ot 92 )/ nonpa/*ent :%st co*pensat!on. The !ss%e
of )a& fa!th 'o%l& have ass%*e& relevance !f the @ep%)l!c act%all/ ac.%!re& t!tle over 1ot 92.
>%t ass%*!n( that the respon&ents &!& act !n )a& fa!th, @ep%)l!c cannot )e veste& of )etter t!tle
over the lan& s!nce !t has not t!tle to spea4 of.

1+
Ass%*!n( that respon&ent ha& !n&ee& 4no'le&(e of the annotat!on, st!ll noth!n( 'o%l&
have prevente& h!* fro* enter!n( !nto a *ort(a(e contract !nvolv!n( 1ot 92 'h!le the
e0propr!at!on procee&!n( 'as pen&!n(. An/ person 'ho &eals '!th a propert/ s%):ect of an
e0propr!at!on &oes so at h!s o'n r!s4, ta4!n( !nto acco%nt the %lt!*ate poss!)!l!t/ of los!n( the
propert/ !n favor of the (overn*ent. ;ere, the annotat!on *erel/ serve& as a caveat that the
@ep%)l!c ha& a preferent!al r!(ht to ac.%!re 1ot 92 %pon !ts pa/*ent of a 2reasona)le
*ar4et val%e.5 It &!& not proscr!)e Jal&eh%eAa an& Paner!o fro* e0erc!s!n( the!r r!(hts of
o'nersh!p !ncl%&!n( the!r r!(ht to *ort(a(e or even to &!spose of the!r propert/. It )ears
e*phas!s that 'hen Jal&eh%eAa an& Paner!o *ort(a(e& 1ot 92 to respon&ent !n 19,4, the/
'ere st!ll the o'ners thereof an& the!r t!tle ha& not /et passe& to the pet!t!oner @ep%)l!c. In fact,
!t never &!&. S%ch t!tle or o'nersh!p 'as ren&ere& concl%s!ve 'hen 'e cate(or!call/ r%le& !n
Jal&eh%eAa that: 2It !s tr%e that pla!nt!ffs are st!ll the re(!stere& o'ners of the lan&, there
not hav!n( )een a transfer of sa!& lots !n favor of the ?overn*ent.5

In s%**at!on, 'h!le the preva!l!n( &octr!ne !s that 2the nonFpa/*ent of :%st
co*pensat!on &oes not ent!tle the pr!vate lan&o'ner to recover possess!on of the e0propr!ate&
lots ho'ever, !n cases 'here the (overn*ent fa!le& to pa/ :%st co*pensat!on '!th!n f!ve /ears
@7C73T =6@ISP@6<73C7 H P91ITICA1 1A8

fro* the f!nal!t/ of the :%&(*ent !n the e0propr!at!on procee&!n(s, the o'ners concerne&
shall have the r!(ht to recover possess!on of the!r propert/. Th!s !s !n consonance '!th the
pr!nc!ple that 2the (overn*ent cannot 4eep the propert/ an& &!shonor the :%&(*ent.5 To )e
s%re, the f!veF/ear per!o& l!*!tat!on '!ll enco%ra(e the (overn*ent to pa/ :%st co*pensat!on
p%nct%all/. Th!s !s !n 4eep!n( '!th :%st!ce an& e.%!t/. After all, !t !s the &%t/ of the (overn*ent,
'henever !t ta4es propert/ fro* pr!vate persons a(a!nst the!r '!ll, to fac!l!tate the pa/*ent of
:%st co*pensat!on. In Cosc%ll%ela v. Co%rt of Appeals, the Co%rt &ef!ne& :%st co*pensat!on as not
onl/ the correct &eter*!nat!on of the a*o%nt to )e pa!& to the propert/ o'ner )%t also the
pa/*ent of the propert/ '!th!n a reasona)le t!*e. 8!tho%t pro*pt pa/*ent, co*pensat!on
cannot )e cons!&ere& 2:%st.5