Republic of the Philippines

SUPREME COURT
Manila
EN BANC
G.R. No. L-42050-66 November 20, 1978
THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, petitioner,
vs.
HONOR!LE "#$GE %NTE P. P#RISI%, &O#RT OF FIRST
INSTN&E OF %NIL, !RN&H 'II, ()* PORFIRIO &N$ELOSS,
NESTOR !ES, ELIS L. GR&I, SI%EON !#N$LIN, "R., "OSEPH
&. %ISO, E$#R$O . LI!OR$O, RO%EO L. S#G+, FE$ERI&O T.
$I,ON, GEORGE %. L!INO, %RINO &OTI, "R., R%N$O L.
$I,ON, ROGELIO !. PRENO, RO$RIGO '. ESTR$, LFRE$O .
RE+ES, "OSE . !&RR, RE+NL$O !OGTONG, ()* E$GR$O %.
%EN$O,, respondents.
G.R. No. L-46229--2 November 20, 1978
THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, petitioner,
vs.
"#$GE %.I%O . %&EREN, &O#RT OF FIRST INSTN&E OF
%NIL, !RN&H .'III, ()* RE+NL$O L/#I + /#INO, ELPI$IO
RPON, 'I&TOR E#GENIO + RO/#E ()* LFRE$O
'ERSO,, respondents.
G.R. No. L-46-1--16 November 20, 1978
THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, petitioner,
vs.
"#$GE %.I%O . %&EREN, &O#RT OF FIRST INSTN&E OF
%NIL, !RN&H .'III, ()* "#NITO $E L &R#, + N#NE,, S!INO
!#ENO + &&L, TIRSO ISGN + FRN&IS&O ()* !EN &STILLO +
#!L$O, respondents.
G.R. No. L-46997 November 20, 1978
THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, petitioner,
vs.
THE HONOR!LE 0EN&ESLO %. POLO, "1*2e o3 45e &o1r4 o3 F6r74
I)74()8e o3 S(m(r, ()* PN&HITO REF#N&ION, respondents.
Jose L. Gamboa, Fermin Martin, Jr. & Jose D. Cajucom, Office of the City of
Fiscal of Manila and the Office of Proincial Fiscal of !amar for "etitioners.
#orberto Parto for res"ondents Candelosas, $aes and Garcia.
%mado C. de la Marced for res"ondents !imeon $undalian Jr., et al.
Manuel F. de Jesus for all the res"ondents in L&'())*&+) and L&'(+,+&,(.
#orberto L. %"ostol for res"ondent Panchito -efuncion.
.on. %mante P. Purisima for and in his o/n behalf.

%#9O, PL%, J.:
These twenty-six (26) Petitions for Review filed by the People of the
Philippines represented, respectively, by the Office of the City isc!l of "!nil!,
the Office of the Provinci!l isc!l of #!$!r, !nd %oined by the #olicitor
&ener!l, !re consolid!ted in this one 'ecision !s they involve one b!sic
()estion of l!w.
These Petitions or !ppe!ls involve three Co)rts of irst *nst!nce, n!$ely+ the
Co)rt of irst *nst!nce of "!nil!, ,r!nch -**, presided by .on. /$!nte P.
P)risi$! (01 Petitions), the Co)rt of irst *nst!nce of "!nil!, ,r!nch 2-***,
presided by .on. "!xi$o /. "!ceren (3 Petitions) !nd, the Co)rt of irst
*nst!nce of #!$!r, with .on. 4encesl!o ". Polo, presidin5, (0 Petition).
,efore those co)rts, *nfor$!tions were filed ch!r5in5 the respective !cc)sed
with 6ille5!l possession of de!dly we!pon6 in viol!tion of Presidenti!l 'ecree
7o. 8. On ! $otion to ()!sh filed by the !cc)sed, the three 9)d5es $entioned
!bove iss)ed in the respective c!ses filed before the$ : the det!ils of which
will be reco)nted below : !n Order ()!shin5 or dis$issin5 the *nfor$!tions,
on ! common 0round, i1, th!t the *nfor$!tion did not !lle5e f!cts which
constit)te the offense pen!li;ed by Presidenti!l 'ecree 7o. 8 bec!)se it f!iled
to st!te one essenti!l ele$ent of the cri$e.
Th)s, !re the *nfor$!tions filed by the People s)fficient in for$ !nd s)bst!nce
to constit)te the offense of 6ille5!l possession of de!dly we!pon6 pen!li;ed
)nder Presidenti!l 'ecree (P' for short) 7o. 8< This is the centr!l iss)e which
we sh!ll resolve !nd dispose of, !ll other coroll!ry $!tters not bein5
indispens!ble for the $o$ent.
/ : 2he 3nformation filed by the Peo"le :
0. *n =->2?@?-66, one typic!l *nfor$!tion filed with the Co)rt presided by
9)d5e P)risi$! follows+
2.4 P4OPL4 OF 2.4 P.3L3PP3#4!, "laintiff, ersus PO-F3-3O C%#D4LO!%! 5
D6-%#, accused.
Cri$. C!se 7o. 086A8
-*O=/T*O7 O P/R. A, PRB#. 'BCRBB 7o. 8 O PROC=/"/T*O7 0?30
*7OR"/T*O7
The )ndersi5ned !cc)ses POR*R*O C/7'B=O#/# C 'DR/7 of ! viol!tion of
p!r!5r!ph A, Presidenti!l 'ecree 7o. 8 of Procl!$!tion 0?30, co$$itted !s follows+
Th!t on or !bo)t the 0> th d!y of 'ece$ber, 081>, in the City of "!nil!, Philippines, the
s!id !cc)sed did then !nd there wilf)lly, )nl!wf)lly, felonio)sly !nd Enowin5ly h!ve in his
possession !nd )nder his c)stody !nd control one (0) c!rvin5 Enife with ! bl!de of 6-F
inches !nd ! wooden h!ndle of @-0G> inches, or !n over!ll len5th of 00-H inches, which
the s!id !cc)sed c!rried o)tside of his residence, the s!id we!pon not bein5 )sed !s !
tool or i$ple$ent necess!ry to e!rn his livelihood nor bein5 )sed in connection therewith.
Contr!ry to l!w. (p. A2, rollo of =->2?@?-66)
The other *nfor$!tions !re si$il!rly worded except for the n!$e of the
!cc)sed, the d!te !nd pl!ce of the co$$ission of the cri$e, !nd the Eind of
we!pon involved.
2. *n =->6228-A2 !nd =->6A0A-06, the *nfor$!tion filed with the Co)rt presided
by 9)d5e "!ceren follows+
T.B PBOP=B O T.B P.*=*PP*7B#, pl!intiff, vers)s RBC7/='O =/ID* C /ID*7O,
!cc)sed.
CR*".
C/#B
7O.
28611
-*O=.
O
P/R. A,
P' 8 *7
RB=.
TO =O*
7o. 266
of the
Chief
Bxec)ti
ve
d!ted
/pril 0,
081@
*7OR"/T*O7
The )ndersi5ned !cc)ses RBC7/='O =/ID* C /ID*7O of ! -*O=/T*O7 O
P/R/&R/P. A, PRB#*'B7T*/= 'BCRBB 7O. 8 in rel!tion to =etter of *nstr)ction 7o.
266 of the Chief Bxec)tive d!ted /pril 0, 081@, co$$itted !s follows+
Th!t on or !bo)t the 23 th d!y of 9!n)!ry, 0811, in the City of "!nil!, Philippines, the
s!id !cc)sed did then !nd there wilf)lly, )nl!wf)lly !nd Enowin5ly c!rry o)tside of his
residence ! bl!ded !nd pointed we!pon, to wit+ !n ice picE with !n over!ll len5th of !bo)t
3F inches, the s!$e not bein5 )sed !s ! necess!ry tool or i$ple$ent to e!rn his
livelihood nor bein5 )sed in connection therewith.
Contr!ry to l!w. (p. 0>, rollo of =->6228-A2)
The other *nfor$!tions !re liEewise si$il!rly worded except for the n!$e of
the !cc)sed, the d!te !nd pl!ce of the co$$ission of the cri$e, !nd the Eind
of we!pon involved.
A. *n =->6881, the *nfor$!tion before the Co)rt of irst *nst!nce of #!$!r is
()oted here)nder+
P4OPL4 OF 2.4 P.3L3PP3#4!, com"lainant, ersus P%#C.32O -4F6#C3O#,
accused.
C-3M.
C%!4
#O.
*++
For7
3LL4G%
L
PO!!4
!!3O#
OF
D4%DL
5
84%P
O#
9:3OL%
23O#
OF PD
#O. *;
3#FO-M%23O#
2he undersi0ned First %ssistant Proincial Fiscal of !amar, accuses P%#C.32O
-4F6#C3O# of the crime of 3LL4G%L PO!!4!!3O# OF D4%DL5 84%PO# or
:3OL%23O# OF PD #O. * issued by the President of the Phili""ines on Oct. ), ,*<),
"ursuant to Proclamation #o. ,=>, dated !e"t. ), and )+, ,*<), committed as follo/s7
2hat on or about the (th day of October, ,*<(, in the eenin0 at $aran0ay $arru1,
Munici"ality of Matu0inao, Proince of !amar Phili""ines, and /ithin the jurisdiction of
this .onorabe Court, the aboenamed accused, ?no/in0ly, /ilfully, unla/fully and
feloniously carried /ith him outside of his residence a deadly /ea"on called socyatan, an
instrument /hich from its ery nature is no such as could be used as a necessary tool or
instrument to earn a lielihood, /hich act committed by the accused is a :iolation of
Presidential Decree #o. *.
CO#2-%-5 2O L%8. 9". >, rollo of L&'(**<;
$. @ 2he Orders of dismissal @
3n dismissin0 or Auashin0 the 3nformations the trial courts concurred /ith the
submittal of the defense that one essential element of the offense char0ed is
missin0 from the 3nformation, i17 that the carryin0 outside of the accusedBs
residence of a bladed, "ointed or blunt /ea"on is in furtherance or on the
occasion of, connected /ith or related to subersion, insurrection, or rebellion,
or0ani1ed la/lessness or "ublic disorder.
,. Jud0e Purisima reasoned out, inter alia, in this manner7
... the Court is of the o"inion that in order that "ossession of bladed /ea"on or the li?e
outside residence may be "rosecuted and tried under P.D. #o. *, the information must
s"ecifically alle0e that the "ossession of bladed /ea"on char0ed /as for the "ur"ose of
abettin0, or in furtherance of the conditions of ram"ant criminality, or0ani1ed
la/lessness, "ublic disorder, etc. as are contem"lated and recited in Proclamation #o.
,=>,, as justification therefor. Deoid of this s"ecific alle0ation, not necessarily in the
same /ords, the information is not com"lete, as it does not alle0e sufficient facts to
constitute the offense contem"lated in P.D. #o. *. 2he information in these cases under
consideration suffer from this defect.
CCC CCC CCC
%nd /hile there is no "roof of it before the Court, it is not difficult to beliee the
murmurin0s of detained "ersons brou0ht to Court u"on a char0e of "ossession of bladed
/ea"ons under P.D. #o. *, that more than eer before, "olicemen & of course not all can
be so heartless @ no/ hae in their hands P.D. #o. * as a most conenient tool for
eCtortion, /hat /ith the terrifyin0 ris? of bein0 sentenced to im"risonment of fie to ten
years for a rusted ?itchen ?nife or a "air of scissors, /hich only God ?no/s /here it
came from. 8hereas before martial la/ an eCtortion&minded "eace officer had to hae a
stoc? of the chea"est "alti?, and een that could only coney the coercie messa0e of
one year in jail, no/ anythin0 that has the semblance of a shar" ed0e or "ointed object,
aailable een in trash cans, may already sere the same "ur"ose, and yet fie to ten
times more incriminatin0 than the infamous "alti?.
For sure, P.D. #o. * /as conceied /ith the best of intentions and /isely a""lied, its
necessity can neer be assailed. $ut it seems it is bac?&firin0, because it is too hot in the
hands of "olicemen /ho are inclined to bac?slidin0.
2he chec?ales a0ainst abuse of P.D. #o. * are to be found in the heart of the Fiscal
and the conscience of the Court, and hence this resolution, let alone technical le0al
basis, is "rom"ted by the desire of this Court to a""ly said chec?ales. 9"". DD&D<, rollo
of L&')=D=&((;
). Jud0e Maceren in turn 0ae his 0rounds for dismissin0 the char0es as
follo/s7
CCC CCC CCC
%s earlier noted the Edesired resultE sou0ht to be attained by Proclamation #o. ,=>, is
the maintenance of la/ and order throu0hout the Phili""ines and the "reention and
su""ression of all forms of la/less iolence as /ell as any act of insurrection or rebellion.
3t is therefore reasonable to conclude from the fore0oin0 "remises that the carryin0 of
bladed, "ointed or blunt /ea"ons outside of oneBs residence /hich is made unla/ful and
"unishable by said "ar. + of P.D. #o. * is one that abets subersion, insurrection or
rebellion, la/less iolence, criminality, chaos and "ublic disorder or is intended to brin0
about these conditions. 2his conclusion is further stren0thened by the fact that all
"reiously eCistin0 la/s that also made the carryin0 of similar /ea"ons "unishable hae
not been re"ealed, /hether eC"ressly or im"liedly. 3t is note/orthy that Presidential
Decree #o. * does not contain any re"ealin0 clause or "roisions.
CCC CCC CCC
2he mere carryin0 outside of oneBs residence of these deadly /ea"ons if not concealed
in oneBs "erson and if not carried in any of the aforesaid s"ecified "laces, /ould a""ear
to be not unla/ful and "unishable by la/.
8ith the "romul0ation of Presidential Decree #o. *, ho/eer, the "rosecution, throu0h
%ssistant Fiscal .ilario .. LaAui, contends in his o""osition to the motion to Auash, that
this act is no/ made unla/ful and "unishable, "articularly by "ara0ra"h + thereof,
re0ardless of the intention of the "erson carryin0 such /ea"on because the la/ ma?es it
Emala "rohibitaE. 3f the contention of the "rosecution is correct, then if a "erson ha""ens
to be cau0ht /hile on his /ay home by la/ enforcement officers carryin0 a ?itchen ?nife
that said "erson had just bou0ht from a store in order that the same may be used by
oneBs coo? for "re"arin0 the meals in oneBs home, such "erson /ill be liable for
"unishment /ith such a seere "enalty as im"risonment from fie to ten years under the
decree. !uch "erson cannot claim that said ?nife is 0oin0 to be used by him to earn a
lielihood because he intended it merely for use by his coo? in "re"arin0 his meals.
2his "ossibility cannot be discounted if Presidential Decree #o. * /ere to be inter"reted
and a""lied in the manner that that the "rosecution /ants it to be done. 2he 0ood
intentions of the President in "romul0atin0 this decree may thus be "ererted by some
unscru"ulous la/ enforcement officers. 3t may be used as a tool of o""ression and
tyranny or of eCtortion.
CCC CCC CCC
3t is therefore the considered and humble ie/ of this Court that the act /hich the
President intended to ma?e unla/ful and "unishable by Presidential Decree #o. *,
"articularly by "ara0ra"h + thereof, is one that abets oris intended to abet subersion,
rebellion, insurrection, la/less iolence, criminality, chaos and "ublic disorder. 9"". )>&
+=, rollo of L&'())*&+);
+. Jud0e Polo of the Court of First 3nstance of !amar eC"ounded his order
dismissin0 the 3nformation filed before him, thus7
... 8e beliee that to constitute an offense under the aforcited Presidential decree, the
same should be or there should be an alle0ation that a felony /as committed in
connection or in furtherance of subersion, rebellion, insurrection, la/less iolence and
"ublic disorder. Precisely Proclamation #o. ,=>, declarin0 a state of martial la/
throu0hout the country /as issued because of /anton destruction to lies and "ro"erties
/ides"read la/lessness and anarchy. %nd in order to restore the tranAuility and stability
of the country and to secure the "eo"le from iolence anti loss of lies in the Auic?est
"ossible manner and time, carryin0 firearms, eC"losies and deadly /ea"ons /ithout a
"ermit unless the same /ould fall under the eCce"tion is "rohibited. 2his conclusion
becomes more com"ellin0 /hen /e consider the "enalty im"osable, /hich is from fie
years to ten years. % strict enforcement of the "roision of the said la/ /ould mean the
im"osition of the Draconian "enalty u"on the accused.
CCC CCC CCC
3t is "ublic ?no/led0e that in rural areas, een before and durin0 martial la/, as a matter
of status symbol, carryin0 deadly /ea"ons is ery common, not necessarily for
committin0 a crime nor as their farm im"lement but for self&"reseration or self&defense if
necessity /ould arise s"ecially in 0oin0 to and from their farm. 9"". ,>&,*, rollo of L&
'(**<;
3n most if not all of the cases, the orders of dismissal /ere 0ien before
arrai0nment of the accused. 3n the criminal case before the Court of 9First
3nstance of !amar the accused /as arrai0ned but at the same time moed to
Auash the 3nformation. 3n all the cases /here the accused /ere under arrest,
the three Jud0es ordered their immediate release unless held on other
char0es.
C. @ 2he la/ under /hich the 3nformations in Auestion /ere filed by the
Peo"le.
%s seen from the 3nformations Auoted aboe, the accused are char0ed /ith
ille0al "ossession of deadly /ea"on in iolation of Presidential Decree #o. *,
Para0ra"h +.
8e Auote in full Presidential Decree #o. *, to /it7
P-4!3D4#23%L D4C-44 #O. *
D4CL%-3#G :3OL%23O#! OF G4#4-%L O-D4-! #O. ( and #O. < D%24D
!4P24M$4- )), ,*<), %#D !4P24M$4- )+, ,*<), -4!P4C23:4L5, 2O $4
6#L%8F6L %#D P-O:3D3#G P4#%L234! 2.4-4FO-4.
8.4-4%!, "ursuant to Proclamation #o. ,=>, dated !e"tember ),, ,*<), the
Phili""ines has been "laced under a state of martial la/F
8.4-4%!, by irtue of said Proclamation #o. ,=>,, General Order #o. ( dated
!e"tember )), ,*<) and General Order #o. < dated !e"tember )+, ,*<), hae been
"romul0ated by meF
8.4-4%!, subersion, rebellion, insurrection, la/less iolence, criminality, chaos and
"ublic disorder mentioned in the aforesaid Proclamation #o. ,=>, are committed and
abetted by the use of firearms, eC"losies and other deadly /ea"onsF
#O8, 2.4-4FO-4, 3, F4-D3#%#D 4. M%-CO!, Commander&in&Chief of all the %rmed
Forces of the Phili""ines, in older to attain the desired result of the aforesaid
Proclamation #o. ,=>, and General Orders #os. ( and <, do hereby order and decree
that7
,. %ny iolation of the aforesaid General Orders #os. ( and < is unla/ful and the iolator
shall, u"on coniction suffer7
9a; 2he mandatory "enalty of death by a firin0 sAuad or electrocution as a Military,
CourtG2ribunalGCommission may direct, it the firearm inoled in the iolation is
unlicensed and is attended by assault u"on, or resistance to "ersons in authority or their
a0ents in the "erformance of their official functions resultin0 in death to said "ersons in
authority or their a0entF or if such unlicensed firearm is used in the commission of crimes
a0ainst "ersons, "ro"erty or chastity causin0 the death of the ictim used in iolation of
any other General Orders andGor Letters of 3nstructions "romul0ated under said
Proclamation #o. ,=>,7
9b; 2he "enalty of im"risonment ran0in0 from t/enty years to life im"risonment as a
Military CourtG2ribunalGcommission may direct, /hen the iolation is not attended by any
of the circumstances enumerated under the "recedin0 "ara0ra"hF
9c; 2he "enalty "roided for in the "recedin0 "ara0ra"hs shall be im"osed u"on the
o/ner, "resident, mana0er, members of the board of directors or other res"onsible
officers of any "ublic or "riate firms, com"anies, cor"orations or entities /ho shall
/illfully or ?no/in0ly allo/ any of the firearms o/ned by such firm, com"any, cor"oration
or entity concerned to be used in iolation of said General Orders #os. ( and <.
). 3t is unla/ful to "osses deadly /ea"ons, includin0 hand 0renades, rifle 0renades and
other eC"losies, includin0, but not limited to, E"ill boC bombs,E Emoloto coc?tail bombs,E
Efire bombs,E or other incendiary deice consistin0 of any chemical, chemical com"ound,
or detonatin0 a0ents containin0 combustible units or other in0redients in such "ro"ortion,
Auantity, "ac?in0, or bottlin0 that i0nites by fire, by friction, by concussion, by "ercussion,
or by detonation of all or "art of the com"ound or miCture /hich may cause such a
sudden 0eneration of hi0hly heated 0ases that the resultant 0aseous "ressures are
ca"able of "roducin0 destructie effects on contin0uous objects or of causin0 injury or
death of a "ersonF and any "erson conicted thereof shall be "unished by im"risonment
ran0in0 from ten to fifteen years as a Military CourtG2ribunalGCommission may direct.
+. 3t is unla/ful to carry outside of residence any bladed, "ointed or blunt /ea"on such
as Efan ?nife,E Es"ear,E Eda00er,E Ebolo,E Ebalison0,E Ebaron0,E E?ris,E or club, eCce"t /here
such articles are bein0 used as necessary tools or im"lements to earn a lielihood and
/hile bein0 used in connection there/ithF and any "erson found 0uilty thereof shall suffer
the "enalty of im"risonment ran0in0 from fie to ten years as a Military
CourtG2ribunalGCommission may direct.
'. 8hen the iolation "enali1ed in the "recedin0 "ara0ra"hs ) and + is committed durin0
the commission of or for the "ur"ose of committin0, any other crime, the "enalty shall be
im"osed u"on the offender in its maCimum eCtent, in addition to the "enalty "roided for
the "articular offenses committed or intended to be committed.
Done in the City of Manila, this )nd day of October in the year of Our Lord, nineteen
hundred and seenty&t/o.
9!GD; F4-D3#%#D 4.
M%-CO!
Preside
nt
-e"ublic of the
Phili""ines
D. @ 2he ar0uments of the Peo"le @
3n the Comment filed in these cases by the !olicitor General /ho as stated
earlier joins the City Fiscal of Manila and the Proincial Fiscal of !amar in
see?in0 the settin0 aside of the Auestioned orders of dismissal, the main
ar0ument adanced on the issue no/ under consideration is that a "erusal of
"ara0ra"h + of P.D. * Bsho/s that the "rohibited acts need not be related to
subersie actiitiesF that the act "roscribed is essentially a malum
"rohibitum "enali1ed for reasons of "ublic "olicy.
1
2he City Fiscal of Manila in his brief adds further that in statutory offenses the
intention of the accused /ho commits the act is immaterialF that it is enou0h if
the "rohibited act is oluntarily "er"etuatedF that P.D. * "roides and
condemns not only the carryin0 of said /ea"on in connection /ith the
commission of the crime of subersion or the li?e, but also that of criminality in
0eneral, that is, to eradicate la/less iolence /hich characteri1ed "re&martial
la/ days. 3t is also ar0ued that the real nature of the criminal char0e is
determined not from the ca"tion or "reamble of the information nor from the
s"ecification of the "roision of la/ alle0ed to hae been iolated but by the
actual recital of facts in the com"laint or information.
2
4. @ Our -ulin0 on the matter @
,. 3t is a constitutional ri0ht of any "erson /ho stands char0ed in a criminal
"rosecution to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation a0ainst
him.
3
Pursuant to the aboe, !ection D, -ule ,,= of the -ules of Court, eC"ressly
reAuires that for a com"laint or information to be sufficient it must, inter alia
state the desi0nation of the offense by the statute, and the acts or omissions
com"lained of as constitutin0 the offense. 2his is essential to aoid sur"rise
on the accused and to afford him the o""ortunity to "re"are his defense
accordin0ly.
4
2o com"ly /ith these fundamental reAuirements of the Constitution and the
-ules on Criminal Procedure, it is im"eratie for the s"ecific statute iolated to
be desi0nated or mentioned ' in the char0e. 3n fact, another com"ellin0
reason eCists /hy a s"ecification of the statute iolated is essential in these
cases. %s stated in the order of res"ondent Jud0e Maceren the carryin0 of so&
called Edeadly /ea"onsE is the subject of another "enal statute and a Manila
city ordinance. 2hus, !ection )( of %ct #o. ,<>= "roides7
!ection )(. 3t should be unla/ful for any "erson to carry concealed about his "erson any
bo/ie ?nife, dir? da00er, ?ris, or other deadly /ea"on7 ... %ny "erson iolatin0 the
"roisions of this section shall, u"on coniction in a court of com"etent jurisdiction, be
"unished by a fine not eCceedin0 fie hundred "esos, or by im"risonment for a "eriod not
eCceedin0 siC months, or both such fine and im"risonment, in the discretion of the court.
Ordinance #o. +>)= of the City of Manila as amended by Ordinance #o. +*)>
/hich too? effect on December ', ,*D<, in turn "enali1es /ith a fine of not
more than P)==.== or im"risonment for not more than one months, or both, at
the discretion of the court, anyone /ho shall carry concealed in his "erson in
any manner that /ould dis0uise its deadly character any ?ind of firearm,
bo/ie ?nife, or other deadly /ea"on ... in any "ublic "lace. ConseAuently, it is
necessary that the "articular la/ iolated be s"ecified as there eCists a
substantial difference bet/een the statute and city ordinance on the one hand
and P.D. * 9+; on the other re0ardin0 the circumstances of the commission of
the crime and the "enalty im"osed for the offense.
8e do not a0ree /ith "etitioner that the aboe&mentioned statute and the city
ordinance are deemed re"ealed by P.D. * 9+;.
5
P. D. *9+; does not contain
any re"ealin0 clause or "roision, and re"eal by im"lication is not
faored.
6
2his "rinci"le holds true /ith 0reater force /ith re0ards to "enal
statutes /hich as a rule are to be construed strictly a0ainst the state and
liberally in faor of the accused.
7
3n fact, %rticle < of the #e/ Ciil Code
"roides that la/s are re"ealed only by subseAuent ones and their iolation or
non& obserance shall not be eCcused by disuse, or custom or "ractice to the
contrary.
2hus /e are faced /ith the situation /here a "articular act may be made to
fall, at the discretion of a "olice officer or a "rosecutin0 fiscal, under the
statute, or the city ordinance, or the "residential decree. 2hat bein0 the case,
the ri0ht becomes more com"ellin0 for an accused to be confronted /ith the
facts constitutin0 the essential elements of the offense char0ed a0ainst him, if
he is not to become an easy "a/n of o""ression and harassment, or of
ne0li0ent or mis0uided official action @ a fear understandably shared by
res"ondent Jud0es /ho by the nature of their judicial functions are daily
eC"osed to such dan0ers.
). 3n all the 3nformations filed by "etitioner the accused are char0ed in the
ca"tion as /ell as in the body of the 3nformation /ith a iolation of "ara0ra"h
+, P.D. *. 8hat then are the elements of the offense treated in the "residential
decree in AuestionH
8e hold that the offense carries t/o elements7 first, the carryin0 outside oneBs
residence of any bladed, blunt, or "ointed /ea"on, etc. not used as a
necessary tool or im"lement for a lielihoodF and second, that the act of
carryin0 the /ea"on /as either in furtherance of, or to abet, or in connection
/ith subersion, rebellion, insurrection, la/less iolence, criminality, chaos, or
"ublic disorder.
3t is the second element /hich remoes the act of carryin0 a deadly /ea"on,
if concealed, outside of the sco"e of the statute or the city ordinance
mentioned aboe. 3n other /ords, a sim"le act of carryin0 any of the /ea"ons
described in the "residential decree is not a criminal offense in itself. 8hat
ma?es the act criminal or "unishable under the decree is the motiation
behind it. 8ithout that motiation, the act falls /ithin the "urie/ of the city
ordinance or some statute /hen the circumstances so /arrant.
-es"ondent Jud0es correctly ruled that this can be the only reasonably,
lo0ical, and alid construction 0ien to P.D. *9+;.
+. 2he "osition ta?en by "etitioner that P.D. *9+; coers one and all situations
/here a "erson carries outside his residence any of the /ea"ons mentioned
or described in the decree irres"ectie of motiation, intent, or "ur"ose,
conerts these cases into one of Estatutory construction.E 2hat there is
ambi0uity in the "residential decree is manifest from the conflictin0 ie/s
/hich arise from its im"lementation. 8hen ambi0uity eCists, it becomes a
judicial tas? to construe and inter"ret the true meanin0 and sco"e of the
measure, 0uided by the basic "rinci"le that "enal statutes are to be construed
and a""lied liberally in faor of the accused and strictly a0ainst the state.
'. 3n the construction or inter"retation of a le0islatie measure @ a
"residential decree in these cases @ the "rimary rule is to search for and
determine the intent and s"irit of the la/. Le0islatie intent is the controllin0
factor, for in the /ords of this Court in .idal0o . .idal0o, "er Mr. Justice
Claudio 2eehan?ee, /hateer is /ithin the s"irit of a statute is /ithin the
statute, and this has to be so if strict adherence to the letter /ould result in
absurdity, injustice and contradictions.
8
2here are certain aids aailable to 6s to ascertain the intent or reason for P.D.
*9+;.
First, the "resence of eents /hich led to or "reci"itated the enactment of
P.D. *. 2hese eents are clearly s"elled out in the E8hereasE clauses of the
"residential decree, thus7 9,; the state of martial la/ in the country "ursuant to
Proclamation ,=>, dated !e"tember ),, ,*<)F 9); the desired result of
Proclamation ,=>, as /ell as General Orders #os. ( and < /hich are
"articularly mentioned in P.D. *F and 9+; the alle0ed fact that subersion,
rebellion, insurrection, la/less iolence, criminality, chaos, aid "ublic disorder
mentioned in Proclamation ,=>, are committed and abetted by the use of
firearms and eC"losies and other deadly /ea"ons.
2he !olicitor General ho/eer contends that a "reamble of a statute usually
introduced by the /ord E/hereasE, is not an essential "art of an act and
cannot enlar0e or confer "o/ers, or cure inherent defects in the statute 9".
,)=, rollo of L&')=D=&((;F that the eC"lanatory note or enactin0 clause of the
decree, if it indeed limits the iolation of the decree, cannot "reail oer the
teCt itself inasmuch as such eC"lanatory note merely states or eC"lains the
reason /hich "rom"ted the issuance of the decree. 9"". ,,'&,,D, rollo of
'(**<;
8e disa0ree /ith these contentions. $ecause of the "roblem of determinin0
/hat acts fall /ithin the "urie/ of P.D. *, it becomes necessary to inAuire into
the intent and s"irit of the decree and this can be found amon0 others in the
"reamble or, /hereasE clauses /hich enumerate the facts or eents /hich
justify the "romul0ation of the decree and the stiff sanctions stated therein.
% E"reambleE is the ?ey of the statute, to o"en the minds of the ma?ers as to
the mischiefs /hich are to be remedied, and objects /hich are to be accom"lished, by
the "roisions of the statute.E 98est #orman 2imber . !tate, ))' P. )d (+D, (+*, cited in
8ords and Phrases, EPreambleEF em"hasis su""lied;
8hile the "reamble of a statute is not strictly a "art thereof, it may, /hen the statute is in
itself ambi0uous and difficult of inter"retation, be resorted to, but not to create a doubt or
uncertainty /hich other/ise does not eCist.E 9James . Du $ois, ,( #.J.L. 9, .ar.; )>D,
)*', cited in 8ords and Phrases, EPreambleE;
3n %boiti1 !hi""in0 Cor"oration, et al. . 2he City of Cebu, et al. this Court had
occasion to state that B9L;e0islatie intent must be ascertained from a
consideration of the statute as a /hole, and not of an isolated "art or a
"articular "roision alone. 2his is a cardinal rule of statutory construction. For
ta?en in the abstract, a /ord or "hrase mi0ht easily coney a meanin0 Auite
different from the one actually intended and eident /hen the /ord or "hrase
is considered /ith those /ith /hich it is associated. 2hus, an a""arently
0eneral "roision may hae a limited a""lication if read to0ether /ith other
"roisions.
9
!econd, the result or effects of the "residential decree must be /ithin its
reason or intent.
3n the "ara0ra"h immediately follo/in0 the last E8hereasE clause, the
"residential decree states7
#O8, 2.4-4FO-4, 3 , F4-D3#%#D 4. M%-CO!, Commander&in&Chief of an the
%rmed Forces of the Phili""ines, in order to attain the desired result of the aforesaid
Proclamation #o. ,=>, and General Orders #os. ( and <, do hereby order and decree
that7
CCC CCC CCC
From the aboe it is clear that the acts "enali1ed in P.D. * are those related to
the desired result of Proclamation ,=>, and General Orders #os. ( and <. General
Orders #os. ( and < refer to firearms and therefore hae no releance to P.D. *9+; /hich
refers to blunt or bladed /ea"ons. 8ith res"ect to Proclamation ,=>, some of the
underlyin0 reasons for its issuance are Auoted hereunder7
8.4-4%!, these la/less elements hain0 ta?en u" arms a0ainst our duly constituted
0oernment and a0ainst our "eo"le, and hain0 committed and are still committin0 acts
of armed insurrection and rebellion consistin0 of armed raids, forays, sorties, ambushes,
/anton acts of murders, s"oila0e, "lunder, lootin0, arsons, destruction of "ublic and
"riate buildin0s, and attac?s a0ainst innocent and defenseless ciilian lies and
"ro"erty, all of /hich actiities hae seriously endan0ered and continue to endan0er
"ublic order and safety and the security of the nation, ...
CCC CCC CCC
8.4-4%!, it is eident that there is throu0hout the land a state of anarchy and
la/lessness, chaos and disorder, turmoil and destruction of a ma0nitude eAuialent to an
actual /ar bet/een the forces of our duly constituted 0oernment and the #e/ Peo"leBs
%rmy and their satellite or0ani1ations because of the unmiti0ated forays, raids,
ambuscades, assaults, iolence, murders, assassinations, acts of terror, deceits,
coercions, threats, intimidations, treachery, machinations, arsons, "lunders and
de"redations committed and bein0 committed by the aforesaid la/less elements /ho
hae "led0ed to the /hole nation that they /ill not sto" their dastardly effort and scheme
until and unless they hae fully attained their "rimary and ultimate "ur"ose of forcibly
sei1in0 "olitical and state "o/er in this country by oerthro/in0 our "resent duly
constituted 0oernment, ... 9!ee $oo? 3, :ital Documents on the Declaration of Martial
La/ in the Phili""ines by the !u"reme Court of the Phili""ines, "". ,+&+*;
3t follo/s that it is only that act of carryin0 a blunt or bladed /ea"on /ith a
motiation connected /ith or related to the afore&Auoted desired result of
Proclamation ,=>, that is /ithin the intent of P.D. *9+;, and nothin0 else.
!tatutes are to be construed in the li0ht of "ur"oses to be achieed and the eils sou0ht
to be remedied. 96.!. . %merican 2rac?in0 %ssociation, +,= 6.!. D+', cited in L:#
Pictures . Phili""ine Musicians Guild, ,,= Phil. <)D, <+,F em"hasis su""lied;
8hen construin0 a statute, the reason for its enactment should be ?e"t in mind, and the
statute should be construed /ith reference to its intended sco"e and "ur"ose. 9!tatutory
Construction by 4.2. Cra/ford, "". (='&(=D, cited in Commissioner of 3nternal -eenue
. Fili"inas Com"ania de !e0uros, ,=< Phil. ,=DD, ,=(=F em"hasis su""lied;
D. 3n the construction of P.D. *9+; it becomes releant to inAuire into the
conseAuences of the measure if a strict adherence to the letter of the
"ara0ra"h is follo/ed.
3t is a salutary "rinci"le in statutory construction that there eCists a alid
"resum"tion that undesirable conseAuences /ere neer intended by a
le0islatie measure, and that a construction of /hich the statute is fairly
susce"tible is faored, /hich /ill aoid all objectionable, mischieous,
indefensible, /ron0ful, eil, and injurious conseAuences.
9
-a
3t is to be "resumed that /hen P.D. * /as "romul0ated by the President of the
-e"ublic there /as no intent to /or? a hardshi" or an o""ressie result, a
"ossible abuse of authority or act of o""ression, armin0 one "erson /ith a
/ea"on to im"ose hardshi" on another, and so on.
10
%t this instance 8e Auote from the order of Jud0e Purisima the follo/in07
%nd /hile there is no "roof of it before the Court, it is not difficult to beliee the
murmurin0s of detained "ersons brou0ht to Court u"on a char0e of "ossession of bladed
/ea"ons under P.D. #o. *, that more than eer before, "olicemen & of course not all can
be so heartless @ no/ hae in their hands P.D. #o. * as a most conenient tool for
eCtortion, /hat /ith the terrifyin0 ris? of bein0 sentenced to im"risonment of fie to ten
years for a rusted ?itchen ?nife or a "air of scissors, /hich only God ?no/s /here it
came from. 8hereas before martial la/ an eCtortion&minded "eace officer had to hae a
stoc? of the chea"est "alti?, and een that could only coney the coercie messa0e of
one year in jail, no/ anythin0 that has the semblance of a shar" ed0e or "ointed object,
aailable een in trash cans, may already sere the same "ur"ose, and yet fie to ten
times more incriminatin0 than the infamous "alti?. 9"". <)&<+, rollo L&')=D=&((;
%nd as res"ondent Jud0e Maceren "oints out, the "eo"leBs inter"retation of
P.D. *9+; results in absurdity at times. 2o his eCam"le 8e may add a situation
/here a la/&abidin0 citi1en, a la/yer by "rofession, after 0ardenin0 in his
house remembers to return the bolo used by him to his nei0hbor /ho lies
about += meters or so a/ay and /hile crossin0 the street meets a "oliceman.
2he latter u"on seein0 the bolo bein0 carried by that citi1en "laces him under
arrest and boo?s him for a iolation of P.D. *9+;. Could the "residential decree
hae been conceied to "roduce such absurd, unreasonable, and insensible
resultsH
(. Penal statutes are to be construed strictly a0ainst the state and liberally in
faor of an accused.
%merican juris"rudence sets do/n the reason for this rule to be Ethe
tenderness of the la/ of the ri0hts of indiidualsF the object is to establish a
certain rule by conformity to /hich man?ind /ould be safe, and the discretion
of the court limited.E
11
2he "ur"ose is not to enable a 0uilty "erson to esca"e
"unishment throu0h a technicality but to "roide a "recise definition of
forbidden acts.
12
Our o/n decisions hae set do/n the same 0uidelines in this manner, i17
Criminal statutes are to be construed strictly. #o "erson should be brou0ht /ithin their
terms /ho is not clearly /ithin them, nor should any act be "ronounced criminal /hich is
not made clearly so by the statute. 96.!. . %bad !antos, +( Phil. )'+, )'(;
2he rule that "enal statutes are 0ien a strict construction is not the only factor controllin0
the inter"retation of such la/s, instead, the rule merely seres as an additional, sin0le
factor to be considered as an aid in determinin0 the meanin0 of "enal la/s. 9Peo"le .
Manantan, D !C-% (>', (*);
F. 2he 3nformations filed by "etitioner are fatally defectie.
2he t/o elements of the offense coered by P.D. *9+; must be alle0ed in the
3nformation in order that the latter may constitute a sufficiently alid char0ed.
2he sufficiency of an 3nformation is determined solely by the facts alle0ed
therein.
13
8here the facts are incom"lete and do not coney the elements of
the crime, the Auashin0 of the accusation is in order.
!ection )9a;, -ule ,,< of the -ules of Court "roides that the defendant may
moe to Auash the com"laint or information /hen the facts char0ed do not
constitute an offense.
3n 6.!.6. Gacutan, ,*,', it /as held that /here an accused is char0ed /ith
?no/in0ly renderin0 an unjust jud0ment under %rticle )=' of the -eised
Penal Code, failure to alle0e in the 3nformation that the jud0ment /as
rendered ?no/in0 it to be unjust, is fatal.
14
3n Peo"le . 5adao, ,*D', this Court throu0h then Justice Cesar $en01on /ho
later became Chief Justice of the Court affirmed an order of the trial court
/hich Auashed an 3nformation /herein the facts recited did not constitute a
"ublic offense as defined in !ection ,, -e"ublic %ct ,'D.
15
G. 2he filin0 of these Petitions /as unnecessary because the Peo"le could
hae aailed itself of other aailable remedies belo/.
Pertinent "roisions of the -ules of Court follo/7
-ule ,,<, !ection <. 4ffect of sustainin0 the motion to Auash. @ 3f the motion to Auash is
sustained the court may order that another information be filed. 3f such order is made the
defendant, if in custody, shall remain so unless he shall be admitted to bail. 3f such order
is not made or if hain0 been made another information is not filed /ithuntime to be
s"ecified in the order, or /ithin such further time as the court may allo/ for 0ood cause
sho/n, the defendant, if in custody, shall be dischar0ed therefrom, unless he is in
custody on some other char0e.
-ule ,,=, !ection ,+. %mendment. @ 2he information or com"laint may be amended, in
substance or form, /ithout leae of court, at any time before the defendant "leadsF and
thereafter and durin0 the trial as to all matters of form, by leae and at the discretion of
the court, /hen the same can be done /ithout "rejudice to the ri0hts of the defendant.
CCC CCC CCC
2/o courses of action /ere o"en to Petitioner u"on the Auashin0 of the
3nformations in these cases,i17
First, if the eidence on hand so /arranted, the Peo"le could hae filed an
amended 3nformation to include the second element of the offense as defined
in the dis"uted orders of res"ondent Jud0es. 8e hae ruled that if the facts
alle0ed in the 3nformation do not constitute a "unishable offense, the case
should not be dismissed but the "rosecution should be 0ien an o""ortunity to
amend the 3nformation.
16
!econd, if the facts so justified, the Peo"le could hae filed a com"laint either
under !ection )( of %ct #o. ,<>=, Auoted earlier, or Manila City Ordinance
#o. +>)=, as amended by Ordinance #o. +*)>, es"ecially since in most if not
all of the cases, the dismissal /as made "rior to arrai0nment of the accused
and on a motion to Auash.
!ection >. -ule ,,< states that7
%n order sustainin0 the motion to Auash is not a bar to another "rosecution for the same
offense unless the motion /as based on the 0rounds s"ecified in section ), subsections
9f; and 9h; of this rule.
6nder the fore0oin0, the filin0 of another com"laint or 3nformation is
barred only /hen the criminal action or liability had been eCtin0uished
9!ection )IfJ; or /hen the motion to Auash /as 0ranted for reasons of double
jeo"ardy. 9ibid., IhJ;
%s to /hether or not a "lea of double jeo"ardy may be successfully ino?ed
by the accused in all these cases should ne/ com"laints be filed a0ainst
them, is a matter 8e need not resole for the "resent.
.. @ 8e conclude /ith hi0h eC"ectations that "olice authorities and the
"rosecutin0 arm of the 0oernment true to the oath of office they hae ta?en
/ill eCercise utmost circums"ection and 0ood faith in ealuatin0 the "articular
circumstances of a case so as to reach a fair and just conclusion if a situation
falls /ithin the "urie/ of P.D. *9+; and the "rosecution under said decree is
/arranted and justified. 2his obli0ation becomes a sacred duty in the face of
the seere "enalty im"osed for the offense.
On this "oint, 8e commend the Chief !tate Prosecutor -odolfo %. #ocon on
his letter to the City Fiscal of Manila on October ,D, ,*<D, /ritten for the
!ecretary, no/ Minister of Justice, /here he stated the follo/in07
3n any case, "lease study /ell each and eery case of this nature so that "ersons
accused of carryin0 bladed /ea"ons, s"ecially those /hose "ur"ose is not to subert the
duly constituted authorities, may not be unduly indicted for the serious offenses fallin0
under P.D. #o. *.
17
5es, /hile it is not /ithin the "o/er of courts of justice to inAuire into the
/isdom of a la/, it is ho/eer a judicial tas? and "rero0atie to determine if
official action is /ithin the s"irit and letter of the la/ and if basic fundamental
ri0hts of an indiidual 0uaranteed by the Constitution are not iolated in the
"rocess of its im"lementation. 8e hae to face the fact that it is an un/ise
and unjust a""lication of a la/, necessary and justified under "reailin0
circumstances, /hich renders the measure an instrument of o""ression and
eil and leads the citi1enry to lose their faith in their 0oernment.
8.4-4FO-4, 8e D4#5 these )( Petitions for -eie/ and 8e %FF3-M the
Orders of res"ondent Jud0es dismissin0 or Auashin0 the 3nformation
concerned, subject ho/eer to Our obserations made in the "recedin0
"a0es )+ to )D of this Decision re0ardin0 the ri0ht of the !tate or Petitioner
herein to file either an amended 3nformation under Presidential Decree #o. *,
"ara0ra"h +, or a ne/ one under other eCistin0 statute or city ordinance as
the facts may /arrant.
8ithout costs.
!O O-D4-4D.
Fernando, 2eehan?ee, !antos, Fernande1 and Guerrero, JJ., concur.
Castro, C.J. and %ntonio, J, concur in the result.
%Auino, J, too? no "art.


Separate Opinions

BARREDO J. concurrin0.
3 concur /ith the Aualification that under eCistin0 juris"rudence coniction is
"ossible, /ithout the need of amendin0 the information, for iolation of other
la/s or ordinances on concealment of deadly /ea"ons.
Ma?asiar, J, concurs.
!O"!E#!$O" JR. J concurrin07
3 concur /ith the additional obseration that accused could "ro"erly be
conicted of a iolation of %ct ,<>= of the Phili""ine Commission or of the
ordinance.


Separate Opinions
BARREDO J. concurrin0.
3 concur /ith the Aualification that under eCistin0 juris"rudence coniction is
"ossible, /ithout the need of amendin0 the information, for iolation of other
la/s or ordinances on concealment of deadly /ea"ons.
Ma?asiar, J, concurs.
!O"!E#!$O" JR. J concurrin07
3 concur /ith the additional obseration that accused could "ro"erly be
conicted of a iolation of %ct ,<>= of the Phili""ine Commission or of the
ordinance.
%ootnotes
, ". ,,>, rollo of L&')=D=&((.
) "". ,=&,,, brief of Petitioner at ". ),>, 3bid.
+ %rt. 3:, !ec. ,*, ,*<+ Constitution.
' Francisco on the -eised -ules of Court, ,*(* 4d., :ol. on Criminal Procedure, ". >(.
D "". ++&+' brief of Petitioner filed by the City Fiscal of Manila.
( :alera . 2uason, Jr., et al., >= Phil. >)+, citin0 6.!. . Palacio, ++ Phil. )=>F Kuisumbin0 . Lachica, ) !C-% ,>)F
%lmeda . Florentino, ,D !C-% D,'F Lechoco . Ciil %eronautics $oard, '+ !C-% (<=.
< Peo"le . 4l?anish, ,*D,, *= Phil. D+, D< Peo"le . 5adao, ,*D', *' Phil. <)(, <)>.
> ++ !C-% ,=D. !ee also <+ %m Jur )d +D, citin0 6nited !tates . #.4. -osenblum 2ruc? Lines, 3nc., +,D 6! D=,>( L
4d (<,F 6nited !tates . !tone & Do/ner Co., )<' 6! ))D, <, L 4d ,=,+F 4bert . Poston, )(( 6! D'>, (* L 4d '+DF
8isconsin C.-. Co. . Forsythe, ,D* 6! '(,'= L 4d <,.
* ,+ !C-% ''*, 'D+F 4m"hasis su""lied.
*&a <+ %m Jur )d ')>.
,= !ee <+ %m Jur )d '+)&'++ for cases on the fore0oin0 undesirable conseAuences.
,, 6nited !tates . .arris, ,<< 6! +=D, '' L 4d <>=, )= ! Ct (=*F $raffith . :ir0in 3slands 9C%+; )( F)d ('(F Caudill .
!tate, ))' 3nd D+,, (* #4)d D'*F Jennin0s . Common/ealth, ,=* :a >),, (+ !4 ,=>=, all cited in <+ %m Jur )d 'D).
,) !tate . La11aro, )= % )d <+<, Auoted in MartinBs .andboo? on !tatutory Construction, -e. 4d. "". ,>+&,>'.
,+ Peo"le . !u"nad, < !C-% (=+, (=(.
,' )> Phil. !ee Moran, Comments on the -ules of Court, ,*<= 4d., :ol. ', ". ))).
,D *' Phil. <)(.
,( Peo"le . Pla1a, < !C-% (,<.
,< 2his letter /hich /as addressed to the City Fiscal of Manila referred to a decision of the Court of First 3nstance of
Manila, $ranch 333, in Criminal Case #o. ),,<>, EPeo"le s. Conrado C. Petate, Efor iolation of Presidential Decree #o.
*.
2he La/"hil Project & %rellano La/ Foundation
Republic of the Philippines
SUPREME COURT
Manila
EN BANC
G.R. No. 191618 November 23, 2010
ATTY. ROMULO B. MACALNTAL, Petitioner,
vs.
PRES!ENTAL ELECTORAL TRBUNAL, Respondent.
D E C I S I N
NAC"URA, J.:
Confrontin! us is an undesi!nated petition
"
filed b# Att#. Ro$ulo B. Macalintal %Att#.
Macalintal&, that 'uestions the constitution of the Presidential Electoral (ribunal
%PE(& as an ille!al and unauthori)ed pro!en# of Section *,
+
Article ,II of the
Constitution-
(he Supre$e Court, sittin! en banc, shall be the sole .ud!e of all contests relatin! to
the election, returns, and 'ualifications of the President or ,ice/President, and $a#
pro$ul!ate its rules for the purpose.
0hile petitioner concedes that the Supre$e Court is 1authori)ed to pro$ul!ate its
rules for the purpose,1 he chafes at the creation of a purportedl# 1separate tribunal1
co$ple$ented b# a bud!et allocation, a seal, a set of personnel and confidential
e$plo#ees, to effect the constitutional $andate. Petitioner2s aver$ent is supposedl#
supported b# the provisions of the +334 Rules of the Presidential Electoral (ribunal
%+334 PE( Rules&,
5
specificall#-
%"& Rule 5 6hich provides for $e$bership of the PE( 6herein the Chief 7ustice
and the Associate 7ustices are desi!nated as 1Chair$an and Me$bers,1
respectivel#8
%+& Rule 9%e& 6hich authori)es the Chair$an of the PE( to appoint e$plo#ees
and confidential e$plo#ees of ever# $e$ber thereof8
%5& Rule : 6hich provides for a separate 1Ad$inistrative Staff of the (ribunal1
6ith the appoint$ent of a Cler; and a Deput# Cler; of the (ribunal 6ho, at the
discretion of the PE(, $a# desi!nate the Cler; of Court %en banc& as the Cler;
of the (ribunal8 and
%*& Rule "" 6hich provides for a 1seal1 separate and distinct fro$ the Supre$e
Court seal.
<rud!in!l#, petitioner thro6s us a bone b# ac;no6led!in! that the invo;ed
constitutional provision does allo6 the 1appoint$ent of additional personnel.1
=urther, petitioner hi!hli!hts our decision in Buac v. CME>EC
*
6hich peripherall#
declared that 1contests involvin! the President and the ,ice/President fall 6ithin the
e?clusive ori!inal .urisdiction of the PE(, ? ? ? in the e?ercise of 'uasi/.udicial
po6er.1 n this point, petitioner reiterates that the constitution of the PE(, 6ith the
desi!nation of the Me$bers of the Court as Chair$an and Me$bers thereof,
contravenes Section "+, Article ,III of the Constitution, 6hich prohibits the
desi!nation of Me$bers of the Supre$e Court and of other courts established b# la6
to an# a!enc# perfor$in! 'uasi/.udicial or ad$inistrative functions.
(he ffice of the Solicitor <eneral %S<&, as directed in our Resolution dated April @,
+3"3, filed a Co$$ent
4
thereon. At the outset, the S< points out that the petition
filed b# Att#. Macalintal is unspecified and 6ithout statutor# basis8 1the liberal
approach in its preparation ? ? ? is a violation of the 6ell ;no6n rules of practice and
pleadin! in this .urisdiction.1
In all, the S< cr#stalli)es the follo6in! issues for resolution of the Court-
I
0AE(AER ? ? ? PE(I(INER AAS >CBS S(ANDI ( =I>E (AE INS(AN(
PE(I(IN.
II
0AE(AER ? ? ? (AE CREA(IN = (AE PRESIDEN(IA> E>EC(RA>
(RIBBNA> IS BNCNS(I(B(INA> =R BEIN< A ,I>A(IN =
PARA<RAPA C, SEC(IN * = AR(IC>E ,II = (AE ":9C CNS(I(B(IN.
III
0AE(AER ? ? ? (AE DESI<NA(IN = MEMBERS = (AE SBPREME
CBR( AS MEMBERS = (AE PRESIDEN(IA> E>EC(RA> (RIBBNA> IS
BNCNS(I(B(INA> =R BEIN< A ,I>A(IN = SEC(IN "+, AR(IC>E
,III = (AE ":9C CNS(I(B(IN.
@
In his Repl#,
C
petitioner $aintains that-
". Ae has le!al standin! to file the petition !iven his aver$ent of transcendental
i$portance of the issues raised therein8
+. (he creation of the PE(, a separate tribunal fro$ the Supre$e Court, violates
Section *, Article ,II of the Constitution8 and
5. (he PE(, bein! a separate tribunal, e?ercises 'uasi/.udicial functions
contrar# to Section "+, Article ,III of the Constitution.
0e 6inno6 the $eanderin!s of petitioner into the sin!ular issue of 6hether the
constitution of the PE(, co$posed of the Me$bers of this Court, is unconstitutional,
and violates Section *, Article ,II and Section "+, Article ,III of the Constitution.
But first, 6e dispose of the procedural issue of 6hether petitioner has standin! to file
the present petition.
(he issue of locus standi is derived fro$ the follo6in! re'uisites of a .udicial in'uir#-
". (here $ust be an actual case or controvers#8
+. (he 'uestion of constitutionalit# $ust be raised b# the proper part#8
5. (he constitutional 'uestion $ust be raised at the earliest possible
opportunit#8 and
*. (he decision of the constitutional 'uestion $ust be necessar# to the
deter$ination of the case itself.
9
n $ore than one occasion 6e have characteri)ed a proper part# as one 6ho has
sustained or is in i$$ediate dan!er of sustainin! an in.ur# as a result of the act
co$plained of.
:
(he dust has lon! settled on the test laid do6n in Ba;er v.
Carr-
"3
16hether the part# has alle!ed such a personal sta;e in the outco$e of the
controvers# as to assure that concrete adverseness 6hich sharpens the presentation of
issues upon 6hich the court so lar!el# depends for illu$ination of difficult
'uestions.1
""
Bntil and unless such actual or threatened in.ur# is established, the
co$plainant is not clothed 6ith le!al personalit# to raise the constitutional 'uestion.
ur pronounce$ents in David v. Macapa!al/Arro#o
"+
illu$inate-
(he difficult# of deter$inin! locus standi arises in public suits. Aere, the plaintiff 6ho
asserts a 1public ri!ht1 in assailin! an alle!edl# ille!al official action, does so as a
representative of the !eneral public. Ae $a# be a person 6ho is affected no differentl#
fro$ an# other person. Ae could be suin! as a 1stran!er,1 or in the cate!or# of a
1citi)en,1 or 1ta?pa#er.1 In either case, he has to ade'uatel# sho6 that he is entitled to
see; .udicial protection. In other 6ords, he has to $a;e out a sufficient interest in the
vindication of the public order and the securin! of relief as a1 citi)en1 or 1ta?pa#er.1
? ? ? ?
Ao6ever, to prevent .ust about an# person fro$ see;in! .udicial interference in an#
official polic# or act 6ith 6hich he disa!reed 6ith, and thus hinders the activities of
!overn$ental a!encies en!a!ed in public service, the Bnited States Supre$e Court
laid do6n the $ore strin!ent 1direct in.ur#1 test in E? Parte >evitt, later reaffir$ed in
(ileston v. Bll$an. (he sa$e Court ruled that for a private individual to invo;e the
.udicial po6er to deter$ine the validit# of an e?ecutive or le!islative action, he $ust
sho6 that he has sustained a direct in.ur# as a result of that action, and it is not
sufficient that he has a !eneral interest co$$on to all $e$bers of the public.
(his Court adopted the 1direct in.ur#1 test in our .urisdiction. In People v. ,era, it held
that the person 6ho i$pu!ns the validit# of a statute $ust have 1a personal and
substantial interest in the case such that he has sustained, or 6ill sustain direct in.ur#
as a result.1 (he ,era doctrine 6as upheld in a litan# of cases, such as, Custodio v.
President of the Senate, Manila Race Aorse (rainers2 Association v. De la =uente,
Pascual v. Secretar# of Public 0or;s and Anti/Chinese >ea!ue of the Philippines v.
=eli?.
Ao6ever, bein! a $ere procedural technicalit#, the re'uire$ent of locus standi $a#
be 6aived b# the Court in the e?ercise of its discretion. (his 6as done in the ":*:
E$er!enc# Po6ers Cases, Araneta v. Din!lasan, 6here the 1transcendental
i$portance1 of the cases pro$pted the Court to act liberall#. Such liberalit# 6as
neither a rarit# nor accidental. In A'uino v. Co$elec, this Court resolved to pass upon
the issues raised due to the 1far/reachin! i$plications1 of the petition not6ithstandin!
its cate!orical state$ent that petitioner therein had no personalit# to file the suit.
Indeed, there is a chain of cases 6here this liberal polic# has been observed, allo6in!
ordinar# citi)ens, $e$bers of Con!ress, and civic or!ani)ations to prosecute actions
involvin! the constitutionalit# or validit# of la6s, re!ulations and rulin!s.
? ? ? ?
B# 6a# of su$$ar#, the follo6in! rules $a# be culled fro$ the cases decided b# this
Court. (a?pa#ers, voters, concerned citi)ens, and le!islators $a# be accorded
standin! to sue, provided that the follo6in! re'uire$ents are $et-
%"& cases involve constitutional issues8
%+& for ta?pa#ers, there $ust be a clai$ of ille!al disburse$ent of public funds
or that the ta? $easure is unconstitutional8
%5& for voters, there $ust be a sho6in! of obvious interest in the validit# of the
election la6 in 'uestion8
%*& for concerned citi)ens, there $ust be a sho6in! that the issues raised are of
transcendental i$portance 6hich $ust be settled earl#8 and
%4& for le!islators, there $ust be a clai$ that the official action co$plained of
infrin!es upon their prero!atives as le!islators.
Contrar# to the 6ell/settled actual and direct in.ur# test, petitioner has si$pl# alle!ed
a !enerali)ed interest in the outco$e of this case, and succeeds onl# in $uddlin! the
issues. Para!raph + of the petition reads-
+. ? ? ? Since the creation and continued operation of the PE( involves the use of
public funds and the issue raised herein is of transcendental i$portance, it is
petitioner2s hu$ble sub$ission that, as a citi)en, a ta?pa#er and a $e$ber of the
BAR, he has the le!al standin! to file this petition.
But even if his sub$ission is valid, petitioner2s standin! is still i$periled b# the 6hite
elephant in the petition, i.e., his appearance as counsel for for$er President <loria
Macapa!al/Arro#o %Macapa!al/Arro#o& in the election protest filed b# +33*
presidential candidate =ernando Poe, 7r. before the Presidential Electoral
(ribunal,
"5
because .udicial in'uir#, as $entioned above, re'uires that the
constitutional 'uestion be raised at the earliest possible opportunit#.
"*
Such
appearance as counsel before the (ribunal, to our $ind, 6ould have been the first
opportunit# to challen!e the constitutionalit# of the (ribunal2s constitution.
Althou!h there are reco!ni)ed e?ceptions to this re'uisite, 6e find none in this
instance. Petitioner is un$ista;abl# estopped fro$ assailin! the .urisdiction of the
PE( before 6hich tribunal he had ubi'uitousl# appeared and had ac;no6led!ed its
.urisdiction in +33*. Ais failure to raise a seasonable constitutional challen!e at that
ti$e, coupled 6ith his unconditional acceptance of the (ribunal2s authorit# over the
case he 6as defendin!, translates to the clear absence of an indispensable re'uisite for
the proper invocation of this Court2s po6er of .udicial revie6. Even on this score
alone, the petition ou!ht to be dis$issed outri!ht.
Prior to petitioner2s appearance as counsel for then protestee Macapa!al/Arro#o, 6e
had occasion to affir$ the !rant of ori!inal .urisdiction to this Court as a Presidential
Electoral (ribunal in the auspicious case of (ecson v. Co$$ission on
Elections.
"4
(hus /
Petitioners (ecson, et al., in <.R. No. "@"*5*, and ,ele), in <.R. No. "@"@5*, invo;e
the provisions of Article ,II, Section *, para!raph C, of the ":9C Constitution in
assailin! the .urisdiction of the CME>EC 6hen it too; co!ni)ance of SPA No. 3*/
335 and in ur!in! the Supre$e Court to instead ta;e on the petitions the# directl#
instituted before it. (he Constitutional provision cited reads-
1(he Supre$e Court, sittin! en banc, shall be the sole .ud!e of all contests relatin! to
the election, returns, and 'ualifications of the President or ,ice/President, and $a#
pro$ul!ate its rules for the purpose.1
(he provision is an innovation of the ":9C Constitution. (he o$ission in the ":54 and
the ":C5 Constitution to desi!nate an# tribunal to be the sole .ud!e of presidential and
vice/presidential contests, has constrained this Court to declare, in >ope) vs. Ro?as,
as 1not %bein!& .usticiable1 controversies or disputes involvin! contests on the
elections, returns and 'ualifications of the President or ,ice/President. (he
constitutional lapse pro$pted Con!ress, on +" 7une ":4C, to enact Republic Act No.
"C:5, "An Act Constituting an Independent Presidential Electoral Tribunal to Try,
Hear and Decide Protests Contesting the Election of the President-Elect and the Vice-
President-Elect of the Philippines and Proiding for the !anner of Hearing the
"a#e$" Republic Act "C:5 desi!nated the Chief 7ustice and the Associate 7ustices of
the Supre$e Court to be the $e$bers of the tribunal. Althou!h the subse'uent
adoption of the parlia$entar# for$ of !overn$ent under the ":C5 Constitution $i!ht
have i$plicitl# affected Republic Act No. "C:5, the statutor# set/up, nonetheless,
6ould no6 be dee$ed revived under the present Section *, para!raph C, of the ":9C
Constitution.
=or$er Chief 7ustice Re#nato S. Puno, in his separate opinion, 6as even $ore
cate!orical-
(he Court is unani$ous on the issue of .urisdiction. It has no .urisdiction on the
(ecson and ,alde) petitions. Petitioners cannot invo;e Article ,II, Section *, par. C of
the Constitution 6hich provides-
1(he Supre$e Court, sittin! en banc shall be the sole .ud!e of all contests relatin! to
the election, returns and 'ualifications of the President or ,ice President and $a#
pro$ul!ate its rules for the purpose.1
(he 6ord 1contest1 in the provision $eans that the .urisdiction of this Court can onl#
be invo;ed after the election and procla$ation of a President or ,ice President. (here
can be no 1contest1 before a 6inner is proclai$ed.
"@
Si$ilarl#, in her separate opinion, 7ustice Alicia Austria/Martine) declared-
<.R. Nos. "@"*5* and "@"@5* invo;e the Court2s e?clusive .urisdiction under the last
para!raph of Section *, Article ,II of the ":9C Constitution. I a!ree 6ith the $a.orit#
opinion that these petitions should be dis$issed outri!ht for pre$aturit#. (he Court
has no .urisdiction at this point of ti$e to entertain said petitions.
(he Supre$e Court, as a Presidential Electoral (ribunal %PE(&, the Senate Electoral
(ribunal %SE(& and Aouse of Representatives Electoral (ribunal %ARE(& are electoral
tribunals, each specificall# and e?clusivel# clothed 6ith .urisdiction b# the
Constitution to act respectivel# as 1sole .ud!e of all contests relatin! to the election,
returns, and 'ualifications1 of the President and ,ice/President, Senators, and
Representatives. In a litan# of cases, this Court has lon! reco!ni)ed that these
electoral tribunals e?ercise .urisdiction over election contests onl# after a candidate
has alread# been proclai$ed 6inner in an election. Rules "* and "4 of the Rules of
the Presidential Electoral (ribunal provide that, for President or ,ice/President,
election protest or %uo &arranto $a# be filed after the procla#ation of the &inner.
"C
Petitioner, a pro$inent election la6#er 6ho has filed several cases before this Court
involvin! constitutional and election la6 issues, includin!, a$on! others, the
constitutionalit# of certain provisions of Republic Act %R.A.& No. :"9: %(he verseas
Absentee ,otin! Act of +335&,
"9
cannot clai$ i!norance of- %"& the invocation of our
.urisdiction under Section *, Article ,II of the Constitution8 and %+& the unani$ous
holdin! thereon. Bn'uestionabl#, the overarchin! fra$e6or; affir$ed in (ecson v.
Co$$ission on Elections
":
is that the Supre$e Court has ori!inal .urisdiction to
decide presidential and vice/presidential election protests 6hile concurrentl# actin! as
an independent Electoral (ribunal.
Despite the fore!oin!, petitioner is ada$ant on his contention that the provision, as
6orded, does not authori)e the constitution of the PE(. And althou!h he concedes that
the Supre$e Court $a# pro$ul!ate its rules for this purpose, petitioner is insistent
that the constitution of the PE( is unconstitutional. Ao6ever, petitioner avers that it
allo6s the Court to appoint additional personnel for the purpose, not6ithstandin! the
silence of the constitutional provision.
Petitioner2s pastiche ar!u$ents are all hurled at the Court, hopeful that at least one
$i!ht possibl# stic;. But these ar!u$ents fail to elucidate on the scope of the rules the
Supre$e Court is allo6ed to pro$ul!ate. Apparentl#, petitioner2s concept of this
ad.unct of .udicial po6er is ver# restrictive. =ortunatel#, than;s in no part to
petitioner2s opinion, 6e are !uided b# 6ell/settled principles of constitutional
construction.
,erba le!is dictates that 6herever possible, the 6ords used in the Constitution $ust be
!iven their ordinar# $eanin! e?cept 6here technical ter$s are e$plo#ed, in 6hich
case the si!nificance thus attached to the$ prevails. (his Court, spea;in! throu!h
for$er Chief 7ustice Enri'ue =ernando, in 7.M. (uason D Co., Inc. v. >and (enure
Ad$inistration
+3
instructs-
As the Constitution is not pri$aril# a la6#er2s docu$ent, it bein! essential for the rule
of la6 to obtain that it should ever be present in the people2s consciousness, its
lan!ua!e as $uch as possible should be understood in the sense the# have in co$$on
use. 0hat it sa#s accordin! to the te?t of the provision to be construed co$pels
acceptance and ne!ates the po6er of the courts to alter it, based on the postulate that
the fra$ers and the people $ean 6hat the# sa#. (hus these are cases 6here the need
for construction is reduced to a $ini$u$.
Ao6ever, 6here there is a$bi!uit# or doubt, the 6ords of the Constitution should be
interpreted in accordance 6ith the intent of its fra$ers or ratio le!is et ani$a. A
doubtful provision $ust be e?a$ined in li!ht of the histor# of the ti$es, and the
condition and circu$stances surroundin! the fra$in! of the Constitution.
+"
In
follo6in! this !uideline, courts should bear in $ind the ob.ect sou!ht to be
acco$plished in adoptin! a doubtful constitutional provision, and the evils sou!ht to
be prevented or re$edied.
++
Conse'uentl#, the intent of the fra$ers and the people
ratif#in! the constitution, and not the panderin!s of self/indul!ent $en, should be
!iven effect.
>ast, ut $a!is valeat 'ua$ pereat E the Constitution is to be interpreted as a 6hole.
0e intoned thus in the land$ar; case of Civil >iberties Bnion v. E?ecutive
Secretar#-
+5
It is a 6ell/established rule in constitutional construction that no one provision of the
Constitution is to be separated fro$ all the others, to be considered alone, but that all
the provisions bearin! upon a particular sub.ect are to be brou!ht into vie6 and to be
so interpreted as to effectuate the !reat purposes of the instru$ent. Sections bearin!
on a particular sub.ect should be considered and interpreted to!ether as to effectuate
the 6hole purpose of the Constitution and one section is not to be allo6ed to defeat
another, if b# an# reasonable construction, the t6o can be $ade to stand to!ether.
In other 6ords, the court $ust har$oni)e the$, if practicable, and $ust lean in favor
of a construction 6hich 6ill render ever# 6ord operative, rather than one 6hich $a#
$a;e the 6ords idle and nu!ator#.
0e had earlier e?pounded on this rule of construction in Chion!bian v. De >eon, et
al.,
+*
to 6it-
F(Ghe $e$bers of the Constitutional Convention could not have dedicated a provision
of our Constitution $erel# for the benefit of one person 6ithout considerin! that it
could also affect others. 0hen the# adopted subsection +, the# per$itted, if not
6illed, that said provision should function to the full e?tent of its substance and its
ter$s, not b# itself alone, but in con.unction 6ith all other provisions of that !reat
docu$ent.
n its face, the contentious constitutional provision does not specif# the establish$ent
of the PE(. But neither does it preclude, $uch less prohibit, other6ise. It entertains
diver!ent interpretations 6hich, thou!h unacceptable to petitioner, do not include his
restrictive vie6 E one 6hich reall# does not offer a solution.
Section *, Article ,II of the Constitution, the provision under scrutin#, should be read
6ith other related provisions of the Constitution such as the parallel provisions on the
Electoral (ribunals of the Senate and the Aouse of Representatives.
Before 6e resort to the records of the Constitutional Co$$ission, 6e discuss the
fra$e6or; of .udicial po6er $apped out in the Constitution. Contrar# to petitioner2s
assertion, the Supre$e Court2s constitutional $andate to act as sole .ud!e of election
contests involvin! our countr#2s hi!hest public officials, and its rule/$a;in! authorit#
in connection there6ith, is not restricted8 it includes all necessar# po6ers i$plicit in
the e?ercise thereof.
0e recall the unprecedented and trailbla)in! case of Marcos v. Man!lapus-
+4
(he ":9C Constitution has full# restored the separation of po6ers of the three !reat
branches of !overn$ent. (o recall the 6ords of 7ustice >aurel in An!ara v. Electoral
Co$$ission, 1the Constitution has bloc;ed but 6ith deft stro;es and in bold lines,
allot$ent of po6er to the e?ecutive, the le!islative and the .udicial depart$ents of the
!overn$ent.1 (hus, the ":9C Constitution e?plicitl# provides that 1FtGhe le!islative
po6er shall be vested in the Con!ress of the Philippines1 FArt. ,I, Sec. "G, 1FtGhe
e?ecutive po6er shall be vested in the President of the Philippines1 FArt. ,II, Sec. "G,
and 1FtGhe .udicial po6er shall be vested in one Supre$e Court and in such lo6er
courts as $a# be established b# la61 FArt. ,III, Sec. "G. (hese provisions not onl#
establish a separation of po6ers b# actual division but also confer plenar# le!islative,
e?ecutive and .udicial po6ers sub.ect onl# to li$itations provided in the Constitution.
=or as the Supre$e Court in ca$po v. Caban!is pointed out 1a !rant of the
le!islative po6er $eans a !rant of all le!islative po6er8 and a !rant of the .udicial
po6er $eans a !rant of all the .udicial po6er 6hich $a# be e?ercised under the
!overn$ent.1
(he Court could not have been $ore e?plicit then on the plenar# !rant and e?ercise of
.udicial po6er. Plainl#, the abstraction of the Supre$e Court actin! as a Presidential
Electoral (ribunal fro$ the une'uivocal !rant of .urisdiction in the last para!raph of
Section *, Article ,II of the Constitution is sound and tenable.
(he $irabile dictu of the !rant of .urisdiction to this Court, albeit found in the Article
on the e?ecutive branch of !overn$ent, and the constitution of the PE(, is evident in
the discussions of the Constitutional Co$$ission. n the e?ercise of this Court2s
.udicial po6er as sole .ud!e of presidential and vice/presidential election contests, and
to pro$ul!ate its rules for this purpose, 6e find the proceedin!s in the Constitutional
Co$$ission $ost instructive-
MR. DA,IDE. n line +4, after the 6ords 1,ice/President,1 I propose to add AND
MAH PRMB><A(E I(S RB>ES =R (AE PBRPSE. (his refers to the Supre$e
Court sittin! en banc. (his is also to confer on the Supre$e Court e?clusive authorit#
to enact the necessar# rules 6hile actin! as sole .ud!e of all contests relatin! to the
election, returns and 'ualifications of the President or ,ice/President.
MR. RE<A>AD. M# personal position is that the rule/$a;in! po6er of the
Supre$e Court 6ith respect to its internal procedure is alread# i$plicit under the
Article on the 7udiciar#8 considerin!, ho6ever, that accordin! to the Co$$issioner,
the purpose of this is to indicate the sole po6er of the Supre$e Court 6ithout
intervention b# the le!islature in the pro$ul!ation of its rules on this particular point,
I thin; I 6ill personall# reco$$end its acceptance to the Co$$ittee.
+@
? ? ? ?
MR. N>>ED. ? ? ?.
0ith respect to Sections "3 and "" on pa!e 9, I understand that the Co$$ittee has
also created an Electoral (ribunal in the Senate and a Co$$ission on Appoint$ents
6hich $a# cover $e$bership fro$ both Aouses. But $# 'uestion is- It see$s to $e
that the co$$ittee report does not indicate 6hich bod# should pro$ul!ate the rules
that shall !overn the Electoral (ribunal and the Co$$ission on Appoint$ents. 0ho
shall then pro$ul!ate the rules of these bodiesI
MR. DA,IDE. (he Electoral (ribunal itself 6ill establish and pro$ul!ate its rules
because it is a bod# distinct and independent alread# fro$ the Aouse, and so 6ith the
Co$$ission on Appoint$ents also. It 6ill have the authorit# to pro$ul!ate its o6n
rules.
+C
n another point of discussion relative to the !rant of .udicial po6er, but e'uall#
co!ent, 6e listen to for$er Chief 7ustice Roberto Concepcion-
MR. SBAREJ. (han; #ou.
0ould the Co$$issioner not consider that violative of the doctrine of separation of
po6ersI
MR. CNCEPCIN. I thin; Co$$issioner Bernas e?plained that this is a contest
bet6een t6o parties. (his is a .udicial po6er.
MR. SBAREJ. 0e ;no6, but practicall# the Co$$ittee is !ivin! to the .udiciar# the
ri!ht to declare 6ho 6ill be the President of our countr#, 6hich to $e is a political
action.
MR. CNCEPCIN. (here are le!al ri!hts 6hich are enforceable under the la6, and
these are essentiall# .usticiable 'uestions.
MR. SBAREJ. If the election contest proved to be lon!, burdenso$e and tedious,
practicall# all the ti$e of the Supre$e Court sittin! en banc 6ould be occupied 6ith it
considerin! that the# 6ill be !oin! over $illions and $illions of ballots or election
returns, Mada$ President.
+9
Echoin! the sa$e senti$ent and affir$in! the !rant of .udicial po6er to the Supre$e
Court, 7ustice =loren) D. Re!alado
+:
and =r. 7oa'uin Bernas
53
both opined-
MR. ,I>>ACR(A. (han; #ou ver# $uch, Mada$ President.
I a$ not sure 6hether Co$$issioner Suare) has e?pressed his point. n pa!e +, the
fourth para!raph of Section * provides-
(he Supre$e Court, sittin! en banc, shall be the sole .ud!e of all contests relatin! to
the election, returns and 'ualifications of the President or ,ice/President.
Ma# I see; clarification as to 6hether or not the $atter of deter$inin! the outco$e of
the contests relatin! to the election returns and 'ualifications of the President or ,ice/
President is purel# a political $atter and, therefore, should not be left entirel# to the
.udiciar#. 0ill the above/'uoted provision not i$pin!e on the doctrine of separation
of po6ers bet6een the e?ecutive and the .udicial depart$ents of the !overn$entI
MR. RE<A>AD. No, I reall# do not feel that 6ould be a proble$. (his is a ne6
provision incidentall#. It 6as not in the ":54 Constitution nor in the ":C5
Constitution.
MR. ,I>>ACR(A. (hat is ri!ht.
MR. RE<A>AD. 0e feel that it 6ill not be an intrusion into the separation of
po6ers !uaranteed to the .udiciar# because this is strictl# an adversarial and .udicial
proceedin!.
MR. ,I>>ACR(A. Ma# I ;no6 the rationale of the Co$$ittee because this
supersedes Republic Act C:43 6hich provides for the Presidential Electoral (ribunalI
=R. BERNAS. Precisel#, this is necessar#. Election contests are, b# their nature,
.udicial. (herefore, the# are co!ni)able onl# b# courts. If, for instance, 6e did not
have a constitutional provision on an electoral tribunal for the Senate or an electoral
tribunal for the Aouse, nor$all#, as co$posed, that cannot be !iven .urisdiction over
contests.
So, the bac;!round of this is reall# the case of Ro?as v. >ope). (he <entle$an 6ill
re$e$ber that in that election, >ope) 6as declared 6inner. Ae filed a protest before
the Supre$e Court because there 6as a republic act 6hich created the Supre$e Court
as the Presidential Electoral (ribunal. (he 'uestion in this case 6as 6hether ne6
po6ers could be !iven the Supre$e Court b# la6. In effect, the conflict 6as actuall#
6hether there 6as an atte$pt to create t6o Supre$e Courts and the ans6er of the
Supre$e Court 6as- 1No, this did not involve the creation of t6o Supre$e Courts, but
precisel# 6e are !ivin! ne6 .urisdiction to the Supre$e Court, as it is allo6ed b# the
Constitution. Con!ress $a# allocate various .urisdictions.1
Before the passa!e of that republic act, in case there 6as an# contest bet6een t6o
presidential candidates or t6o vice/presidential candidates, no one had .urisdiction
over it. So, it beca$e necessar# to create a Presidential Electoral (ribunal. 0hat 6e
have done is to constitutionali)e 6hat 6as statutor# but it is not an infrin!e$ent on
the separation of po6ers because the po6er bein! !iven to the Supre$e Court is a
.udicial po6er.
5"
Bn$ista;able fro$ the fore!oin! is that the e?ercise of our po6er to .ud!e
presidential and vice/presidential election contests, as 6ell as the rule/$a;in! po6er
ad.unct thereto, is plenar#8 it is not as restrictive as petitioner 6ould interpret it. In
fact, for$er Chief 7ustice Ailario <. Davide, 7r., 6ho proposed the insertion of the
phrase, intended the Supre$e Court to e?ercise e?clusive authorit# to pro$ul!ate its
rules of procedure for that purpose. (o this, 7ustice Re!alado forth6ith assented and
then e$phasi)ed that the sole po6er ou!ht to be 6ithout intervention b# the
le!islative depart$ent. Evidentl#, even the le!islature cannot li$it the .udicial po6er
to resolve presidential and vice/presidential election contests and our rule/$a;in!
po6er connected thereto.
(o foreclose all ar!u$ents of petitioner, 6e reiterate that the establish$ent of the PE(
si$pl# constitutionali)ed 6hat 6as statutor# before the ":9C Constitution. (he
e?periential conte?t of the PE( in our countr# cannot be denied.
5+
Conse'uentl#, 6e find it i$perative to trace the historical antecedents of the PE(.
Article ,II, Section *, para!raph C of the ":9C Constitution is an innovation. (he
precursors of the present Constitution did not contain si$ilar provisions and instead
vested upon the le!islature all phases of presidential and vice/presidential elections E
fro$ the canvassin! of election returns, to the procla$ation of the president/elect and
the vice/president elect, and even the deter$ination, b# ordinar# le!islation, of
6hether such procla$ations $a# be contested. Bnless the le!islature enacted a la6
creatin! an institution that 6ould hear election contests in the Presidential and ,ice/
Presidential race, a defeated candidate had no le!al ri!ht to de$and a recount of the
votes cast for the office involved or to challen!e the ineli!ibilit# of the proclai$ed
candidate. Effectivel#, presidential and vice/presidential contests 6ere non/.usticiable
in the then prevailin! $ilieu.
(he o$ission in the ":54 Constitution 6as intentional. It 6as $ainl# influenced b#
the absence of a si$ilar provision in its pattern, the =ederal Constitution of the Bnited
States. Rather, the creation of such tribunal 6as left to the deter$ination of the
National Asse$bl#. (he .ournal of the ":54 Constitutional Convention is cr#stal clear
on this point-
Dele!ate Sa!uin. E =or an infor$ation. It see$s that this Constitution does not contain
an# provision 6ith respect to the entit# or bod# 6hich 6ill loo; into the protests for
the positions of the President and ,ice/President.
President Recto. E Neither does the A$erican constitution contain a provision over the
sub.ect.
Dele!ate Sa!uin. E But then, 6ho 6ill decide these protestsI
President Recto. E I suppose that the National Asse$bl# 6ill decide on that.
55
(o fill the void in the ":54 Constitution, the National Asse$bl# enacted R.A. No.
"C:5, establishin! an independent PE( to tr#, hear, and decide protests contestin! the
election of President and ,ice/President. (he Chief 7ustice and the Associate 7ustices
of the Supre$e Court 6ere tas;ed to sit as its Chair$an and Me$bers, respectivel#.
Its co$position 6as e?tended to retired Supre$e Court 7ustices and incu$bent Court
of Appeals 7ustices 6ho $a# be appointed as substitutes for ill, absent, or te$poraril#
incapacitated re!ular $e$bers.
(he eleven/$e$ber tribunal 6as e$po6ered to pro$ul!ate rules for the conduct of
its proceedin!s. It 6as $andated to sit en banc in decidin! presidential and vice/
presidential contests and authori)ed to e?ercise po6ers si$ilar to those conferred
upon courts of .ustice, includin! the issuance of subpoena, ta;in! of depositions,
arrest of 6itnesses to co$pel their appearance, production of docu$ents and other
evidence, and the po6er to punish conte$ptuous acts and bearin!s. (he tribunal 6as
assi!ned a Cler;, subordinate officers, and e$plo#ees necessar# for the efficient
perfor$ance of its functions.
R.A. No. "C:5 6as i$plicitl# repealed and superseded b# the ":C5 Constitution
6hich replaced the bica$eral le!islature under the ":54 Constitution 6ith the
unica$eral bod# of a parlia$entar# !overn$ent.
0ith the ":C5 Constitution, a PE( 6as rendered irrelevant, considerin! that the
President 6as not directl# chosen b# the people but elected fro$ a$on! the $e$bers
of the National Asse$bl#, 6hile the position of ,ice/President 6as constitutionall#
non/e?istent.
In ":9", several $odifications 6ere introduced to the parlia$entar# s#ste$.
E?ecutive po6er 6as restored to the President 6ho 6as elected directl# b# the people.
An E?ecutive Co$$ittee 6as for$ed to assist the President in the perfor$ance of his
functions and duties. Eventuall#, the E?ecutive Co$$ittee 6as abolished and the
ffice of ,ice/President 6as installed ane6.
(hese chan!es pro$pted the National Asse$bl# to revive the PE( b# enactin!, on
Dece$ber 5, ":94, Batas Pa$bansa Bilan! %B.P. Bl!.& 99*, entitled 1An Act
Constitutin! an Independent Presidential Electoral (ribunal to (r#, Aear and Decide
Election Contests in the ffice of the President and ,ice/President of the Philippines,
Appropriatin! =unds (herefor and =or ther Purposes.1 (his tribunal 6as co$posed
of nine $e$bers, three of 6ho$ 6ere the Chief 7ustice of the Supre$e Court and t6o
Associate 7ustices desi!nated b# hi$, 6hile the si? 6ere divided e'uall# bet6een
representatives of the $a.orit# and $inorit# parties in the Batasan! Pa$bansa.
Aside fro$ the license to 6ield po6ers a;in to those of a court of .ustice, the PE( 6as
per$itted to reco$$end the prosecution of persons, 6hether public officers or private
individuals, 6ho in its opinion had participated in an# irre!ularit# connected 6ith the
canvassin! andKor acco$plishin! of election returns.
(he independence of the tribunal 6as hi!hli!hted b# a provision allocatin! a specific
bud!et fro$ the national treasur# or Special Activities =und for its operational
e?penses. It 6as e$po6ered to appoint its o6n cler; in accordance 6ith its rules.
Ao6ever, the subordinate officers 6ere strictl# e$plo#ees of the .udiciar# or other
officers of the !overn$ent 6ho 6ere $erel# desi!nated to the tribunal.
After the historic People Po6er Revolution that ended the $artial la6 era and
installed Cora)on A'uino as President, civil liberties 6ere restored and a ne6
constitution 6as for$ed.
0ith R.A. No. "C:5 as fra$e6or;, the ":9@ Constitutional Co$$ission transfor$ed
the then statutor# PE( into a constitutional institution, albeit 6ithout its traditional
no$enclature-
=R. BERNAS. ? ? ?.
? ? ?. So it beca$e necessar# to create a Presidential Electoral (ribunal. 0hat 6e
have done is to constitutionali)e 6hat 6as statutor# but it is not an infrin!e$ent on
the separation of po6ers because the po6er bein! !iven to the Supre$e Court is a
.udicial po6er.
5*
Clearl#, petitioner2s bete noire of the PE( and the e?ercise of its po6er are
un6arranted. Ais ar!u$ents that- %"& the Chief 7ustice and Associate 7ustices are
referred to as 1Chair$an1 and 1Me$bers,1 respectivel#8 %+& the PE( uses a different
seal8 %5& the Chair$an is authori)ed to appoint personnel8 and %*& additional
co$pensation is allocated to the 1Me$bers,1 in order to bolster his clai$ of infir$it#
in the establish$ent of the PE(, are too superficial to $erit further attention b# the
Court.
Be that as it $a#, 6e hasten to clarif# the structure of the PE( as a le!iti$ate pro!en#
of Section *, Article ,II of the Constitution, co$posed of $e$bers of the Supre$e
Court, sittin! en banc. (he follo6in! e?chan!e in the ":9@ Constitutional
Co$$ission should provide enli!hten$ent-
MR. SBAREJ. (han; #ou. >et $e proceed to line +5, pa!e +, 6herein it is provided,
and I 'uote-
(he Supre$e Court, sittin! en bancF,G shall be the sole .ud!e of all contests relatin! to
the election, returns and 'ualifications of the President or ,ice/President.
Are 6e not !ivin! enor$ous 6or; to the Supre$e Court especiall# 6hen it is directed
to sit en banc as the sole .ud!e of all presidential and vice/presidential election
contestsI
MR. SBMB>N<. (hat 'uestion 6ill be referred to Co$$issioner Concepcion.
MR. CNCEPCIN. (his function 6as dischar!ed b# the Supre$e Court t6ice and
the Supre$e Court 6as able to dispose of each case in a period of one #ear as
provided b# la6. f course, that 6as probabl# durin! the late ":@3s and earl# ":C3s. I
do not ;no6 ho6 the present Supre$e Court 6ould react to such circu$stances, but
there is also the 'uestion of 6ho else 6ould hear the election protests.
MR. SBAREJ. 0e are as;in! this 'uestion because bet6een lines +5 to +4, there are
no rules provided for the hearin!s and there is not ti$e li$it or duration for the
election contest to be decided b# the Supre$e Court. Also, 6e 6ill have to consider
the historical bac;!round that 6hen R.A. "C:5, 6hich or!ani)ed the Presidential
Electoral (ribunal, 6as pro$ul!ated on 7une +", ":4C, at least three fa$ous election
contests 6ere presented and t6o of the$ ended up in 6ithdra6al b# the protestants
out of sheer frustration because of the dela# in the resolution of the cases. I a$
referrin! to the electoral protest that 6as lod!ed b# for$er President Carlos P. <arcia
a!ainst our 1;abalen1 for$er President Diosdado Macapa!al in ":@" and the vice/
presidential election contest filed b# the late Senator <erardo Ro?as a!ainst ,ice/
President =ernando >ope) in ":@4.
MR. CNCEPCIN. I cannot ans6er for 6hat the protestants had in $ind. But 6hen
that protest of Senator Ro?as 6as 6ithdra6n, the results 6ere alread# available.
Senator Ro?as did not 6ant to have a decision adverse to hi$. (he votes 6ere bein!
counted alread#, and he did not !et 6hat he e?pected so rather than have a decision
adverse to his protest, he 6ithdre6 the case.
? ? ? ?
MR. SBAREJ. I see. So the Co$$ission 6ould not have an# ob.ection to vestin! in
the Supre$e Court this $atter of resolvin! presidential and vice/presidential contestsI
MR. CNCEPCIN. Personall#, I 6ould not have an# ob.ection.
MR. SBAREJ. (han; #ou.
0ould the Co$$issioner not consider that violative of the doctrine of separation of
po6ersI
MR. CNCEPCIN. I thin; Co$$issioner Bernas e?plained that this is a contest
bet6een t6o parties. (his is a .udicial po6er.
MR. SBAREJ. 0e ;no6, but practicall# the Co$$ittee is !ivin! to the .udiciar# the
ri!ht to declare 6ho 6ill be the President of our countr#, 6hich to $e is a political
action.
MR. CNCEPCIN. (here are le!al ri!hts 6hich are enforceable under the la6, and
these are essentiall# .usticiable 'uestions.
MR. SBAREJ. If the election contest proved to be lon!, burdenso$e and tedious,
practicall# all the ti$e of the Supre$e Court sittin! en banc 6ould be occupied 6ith it
considerin! that the# 6ill be !oin! over $illions and $illions of ballots or election
returns, Mada$ President.
MR. CNCEPCIN. (he ti$e consu$ed or to be consu$ed in this contest for
President is dependent upon the# ;e# nu$ber of tea$s of revisors. I have no
e?perience insofar as contests in other offices are concerned.
MR. SBAREJ. Althou!h there is a re'uire$ent here that the Supre$e Court is
$andated to sit en bancI
MR. CNCEPCIN. Hes.
MR. SBAREJ. I see.
MR. CNCEPCIN. (he steps involved in this contest are- =irst, the ballot bo?es are
opened before tea$s of three, !enerall#, a representative each of the court, of the
protestant and of the 1protestee.1 It is all a 'uestions of ho6 $an# tea$s are
or!ani)ed. f course, that can be e?pensive, but it 6ould be e?pensive 6hatever court
one 6ould choose. (here 6ere ti$es that the Supre$e Court, 6ith so$eti$es 43
tea$s at the sa$e ti$e 6or;in!, 6ould classif# the ob.ections, the ;ind of proble$s,
and the court 6ould onl# !o over the ob.ected votes on 6hich the parties could not
a!ree. So it is not as a6eso$e as it 6ould appear insofar as the Court is concerned.
0hat is a6eso$e is the cost of the revision of the ballots because each part# 6ould
have to appoint one representative for ever# tea$, and that $a# ta;e 'uite a bi!
a$ount.
MR. SBAREJ. If 6e dra6 fro$ the Co$$issioner2s e?perience 6hich he is sharin!
6ith us, 6hat 6ould be the reasonable period for the election contest to be decidedI
MR. CNCEPCIN. Insofar as the Supre$e Court is concerned, the Supre$e Court
al6a#s $ana!es to dispose of the case in one #ear.
MR. SBAREJ. In one #ear. (han; #ou for the clarification.
54
bvious fro$ the fore!oin! is the intent to besto6 independence to the Supre$e
Court as the PE(, to underta;e the Aerculean tas; of decidin! election protests
involvin! presidential and vice/presidential candidates in accordance 6ith the process
outlined b# for$er Chief 7ustice Roberto Concepcion. It 6as $ade in response to the
concern aired b# dele!ate 7ose E. Suare) that the additional dut# $a# prove too
burdenso$e for the Supre$e Court. (his e?plicit !rant of independence and of the
plenar# po6ers needed to dischar!e this burden .ustifies the bud!et allocation of the
PE(.
(he confer$ent of additional .urisdiction to the Supre$e Court, 6ith the dut#
characteri)ed as an 1a6eso$e1 tas;, includes the $eans necessar# to carr# it into
effect under the doctrine of necessar# i$plication.
5@
0e cannot overe$phasi)e that the
abstraction of the PE( fro$ the e?plicit !rant of po6er to the Supre$e Court, !iven
our abundant e?perience, is not un6arranted.
A plain readin! of Article ,II, Section *, para!raph C, readil# reveals a !rant of
authorit# to the Supre$e Court sittin! en banc. In the sa$e vein, althou!h the $ethod
b# 6hich the Supre$e Court e?ercises this authorit# is not specified in the provision,
the !rant of po6er does not contain an# li$itation on the Supre$e Court2s e?ercise
thereof. (he Supre$e Court2s $ethod of decidin! presidential and vice/presidential
election contests, throu!h the PE(, is actuall# a derivative of the e?ercise of the
prero!ative conferred b# the afore'uoted constitutional provision. (hus, the
subse'uent directive in the provision for the Supre$e Court to 1pro$ul!ate its rules
for the purpose.1
(he confer$ent of full authorit# to the Supre$e Court, as a PE(, is e'uivalent to the
full authorit# conferred upon the electoral tribunals of the Senate and the Aouse of
Representatives, i.e., the Senate Electoral (ribunal %SE(& and the Aouse of
Representatives Electoral (ribunal %ARE(&,
5C
6hich 6e have affir$ed on nu$erous
occasions.
59
Particularl# co!ent are the discussions of the Constitutional Co$$ission on the
parallel provisions of the SE( and the ARE(. (he discussions point to the inevitable
conclusion that the different electoral tribunals, 6ith the Supre$e Court functionin!
as the PE(, are constitutional bodies, independent of the three depart$ents of
!overn$ent E E?ecutive, >e!islative, and 7udiciar# E but not separate therefro$.
MR. MAAMBN<. ? ? ?.
M# 'uestions 6ill be ver# basic so 6e can !o as fast as 6e can. In the case of the
electoral tribunal, either of the Aouse or of the Senate, is it correct to sa# that these
tribunals are constitutional creationsI I 6ill distin!uish these 6ith the case of the
(anodba#an and the Sandi!anba#an 6hich are created b# $andate of the Constitution
but the# are not constitutional creations. Is that a !ood distinctionI
? ? ? ?
MR. MAAMBN<. Could 6e, therefore, sa# that either the Senate Electoral (ribunal
or the Aouse Electoral (ribunal is a constitutional bod#I
MR. AJCBNA. It is, Mada$ President.
MR. MAAMBN<. If it is a constitutional bod#, is it then sub.ect to constitutional
restrictionsI
MR. AJCBNA. It 6ould be sub.ect to constitutional restrictions intended for that
bod#.
MR. MAAMBN<. I see. But I 6ant to find out if the rulin! in the case of ,era v.
Avelino, CC Phil. ":+, 6ill still be applicable to the present bodies 6e are creatin!
since it ruled that the electoral tribunals are not separate depart$ents of the
!overn$ent. 0ould that rulin! still be validI
MR. AJCBNA. Hes, the# are not separate depart$ents because the separate
depart$ents are the le!islative, the e?ecutive and the .udiciar#8 but the# are
constitutional bodies.
5:
(he vie6 ta;en b# 7ustices Adolfo S. A)cuna
*3
and Re!alado E. Maa$bon!
*"
is
schooled b# our holdin! in >ope) v. Ro?as, et al.-
*+
Section " of Republic Act No. "C:5, 6hich provides that-
1(here shall be an independent Presidential Electoral (ribunal ? ? ? 6hich shall be the
sole .ud!e of all contests relatin! to the election, returns, and 'ualifications of the
president/elect and the vice/president/elect of the Philippines.1
has the effect of !ivin! said defeated candidate the le!al ri!ht to contest .udiciall# the
election of the President/elect of ,ice/President/elect and to de$and a recount of the
votes case for the office involved in the liti!ation, as 6ell as to secure a .ud!$ent
declarin! that he is the one elected president or vice/president, as the case $a# be, and
that, as such, he is entitled to assu$e the duties attached to said office. And b#
providin!, further, that the Presidential Electoral (ribunal 1shall be co$posed of the
Chief 7ustice and the other ten Me$bers of the Supre$e Court,1 said le!islation has
conferred upon such Court an additional ori!inal .urisdiction of an e?clusive
character.
Republic Act No. "C:5 has not created a ne6 or separate court. It has $erel#
conferred upon the Supre$e Court the functions of a Presidential Electoral (ribunal.
(he result of the enact$ent $a# be li;ened to the fact that courts of first instance
perfor$ the functions of such ordinar# courts of first instance, those of court of land
re!istration, those of probate courts, and those of courts of .uvenile and do$estic
relations. It is, also, co$parable to the situation obtainin! 6hen the $unicipal court of
a provincial capital e?ercises its authorit#, pursuant to la6, over a li$ited nu$ber of
cases 6hich 6ere previousl# 6ithin the e?clusive .urisdiction of courts of first
instance.
In all of these instances, the court %court of first instance or $unicipal court& is onl#
one, althou!h the functions $a# be distinct and, even, separate. (hus the po6ers of a
court of first instance, in the e?ercise of its .urisdiction over ordinar# civil cases, are
broader than, as 6ell as distinct and separate fro$, those of the sa$e court actin! as a
court of land re!istration or a probate court, or as a court of .uvenile and do$estic
relations. So too, the authorit# of the $unicipal court of a provincial capital, 6hen
actin! as such $unicipal court, is, territoriall# $ore li$ited than that of the sa$e court
6hen hearin! the afore$entioned cases 6hich are pri$ar# 6ithin the .urisdiction of
courts of first instance. In other 6ords, there is onl# one court, althou!h it $a#
perfor$ the functions pertainin! to several t#pes of courts, each havin! so$e
characteristics different fro$ those of the others.
Indeed, the Supre$e Court, the Court of Appeals and courts of first instance, are
vested 6ith ori!inal .urisdiction, as 6ell as 6ith appellate .urisdiction, in conse'uence
of 6hich the# are both trial courts and, appellate courts, 6ithout detractin! fro$ the
fact that there is onl# one Supre$e Court, one Court of Appeals, and one court of first
instance, clothed 6ith authorit# to dischar!e said dual functions. A court of first
instance, 6hen perfor$in! the functions of a probate court or a court of land
re!istration, or a court of .uvenile and do$estic relations, althou!h 6ith po6ers less
broad than those of a court of first instance, hearin! ordinar# actions, is not inferior to
the latter, for one cannot be inferior to itself. So too, the Presidential Electoral
(ribunal is not inferior to the Supre$e Court, since it is the sa$e Court althou!h the
functions peculiar to said (ribunal are $ore li$ited in scope than those of the
Supre$e Court in the e?ercise of its ordinar# functions. Aence, the enact$ent of
Republic Act No. "C:5, does not entail an assu$ption b# Con!ress of the po6er of
appoint$ent vested b# the Constitution in the President. It $erel# connotes the
i$position of additional duties upon the Me$bers of the Supre$e Court.
B# the sa$e to;en, the PE( is not a separate and distinct entit# fro$ the Supre$e
Court, albeit it has functions peculiar onl# to the (ribunal. It is obvious that the PE(
6as constituted in i$ple$entation of Section *, Article ,II of the Constitution, and it
faithfull# co$plies E not unla6full# defies E the constitutional directive. (he adoption
of a separate seal, as 6ell as the chan!e in the no$enclature of the Chief 7ustice and
the Associate 7ustices into Chair$an and Me$bers of the (ribunal, respectivel#, 6as
desi!ned si$pl# to hi!hli!ht the sin!ularit# and e?clusivit# of the (ribunal2s functions
as a special electoral court.
As re!ards petitioner2s clai$ that the PE( e?ercises 'uasi/.udicial functions in
contravention of Section "+, Article ,III of the Constitution, 6e point out that the
issue in Buac v. CME>EC
*5
involved the characteri)ation of the enforce$ent and
ad$inistration of a la6 relative to the conduct of a plebiscite 6hich falls under the
.urisdiction of the Co$$ission on Elections. Ao6ever, petitioner latches on to the
enu$eration in Buac 6hich declared, in an obiter, that 1contests involvin! the
President and the ,ice/President fall 6ithin the e?clusive ori!inal .urisdiction of the
PE(, also in the e?ercise of 'uasi/.udicial po6er.1
(he issue raised b# petitioner is $ore i$a!ined than real. Section "+, Article ,III of
the Constitution reads-
SEC. "+. (he Me$bers of the Supre$e Court and of other courts established b# la6
shall not be desi!nated to an# a!enc# perfor$in! 'uasi/.udicial or ad$inistrative
functions.
(he traditional !rant of .udicial po6er is found in Section ", Article ,III of the
Constitution 6hich provides that the po6er 1shall be vested in one Supre$e Court and
in such lo6er courts as $a# be established b# la6.1 Consistent 6ith our presidential
s#ste$ of !overn$ent, the function of 1dealin! 6ith the settle$ent of disputes,
controversies or conflicts involvin! ri!hts, duties or prero!atives that are le!all#
de$andable and enforceable1
**
is apportioned to courts of .ustice. 0ith the advent of
the ":9C Constitution, .udicial po6er 6as e?panded to include 1the dut# of the courts
of .ustice to settle actual controversies involvin! ri!hts 6hich are le!all# de$andable
and enforceable, and to deter$ine 6hether or not there has been a !rave abuse of
discretion a$ountin! to lac; or e?cess of .urisdiction on the part of an# branch or
instru$entalit# of the <overn$ent.1
*4
(he po6er 6as e?panded, but it re$ained
absolute.
(he set up e$bodied in the Constitution and statutes characteri)es the resolution of
electoral contests as essentiall# an e?ercise of .udicial po6er.'aphi'
At the baran!a# and $unicipal levels, ori!inal and e?clusive .urisdiction over election
contests is vested in the $unicipal or $etropolitan trial courts and the re!ional trial
courts, respectivel#.
At the hi!her levels E cit#, provincial, and re!ional, as 6ell as con!ressional and
senatorial E e?clusive and ori!inal .urisdiction is lod!ed in the CME>EC and in the
Aouse of Representatives and Senate Electoral (ribunals, 6hich are not, strictl# and
literall# spea;in!, courts of la6. Althou!h not courts of la6, the# are, nonetheless,
e$po6ered to resolve election contests 6hich involve, in essence, an e?ercise of
.udicial po6er, because of the e?plicit constitutional e$po6er$ent found in Section
+%+&, Article IL/C %for the CME>EC& and Section "C, Article ,I %for the Senate and
Aouse Electoral (ribunals& of the Constitution. Besides, 6hen the CME>EC, the
ARE(, and the SE( decide election contests, their decisions are still sub.ect to .udicial
revie6 E via a petition for certiorari filed b# the proper part# E if there is a sho6in!
that the decision 6as rendered 6ith !rave abuse of discretion tanta$ount to lac; or
e?cess of .urisdiction.
*@
It is also be#ond cavil that 6hen the Supre$e Court, as PE(, resolves a presidential or
vice/presidential election contest, it perfor$s 6hat is essentiall# a .udicial po6er. In
the land$ar; case of An!ara v. Electoral Co$$ission,
*C
7ustice 7ose P. >aurel
enucleated that 1it 6ould be inconceivable if the Constitution had not provided for a
$echanis$ b# 6hich to direct the course of !overn$ent alon! constitutional
channels.1 In fact, An!ara pointed out that 1FtGhe Constitution is a definition of the
po6ers of !overn$ent.1 And #et, at that ti$e, the ":54 Constitution did not contain
the e?panded definition of .udicial po6er found in Article ,III, Section ", para!raph +
of the present Constitution.
0ith the e?plicit provision, the present Constitution has allocated to the Supre$e
Court, in con.unction 6ith latter2s e?ercise of .udicial po6er inherent in all
courts,
*9
the tas; of decidin! presidential and vice/presidential election contests, 6ith
full authorit# in the e?ercise thereof. (he po6er 6ielded b# PE( is a derivative of the
plenar# .udicial po6er allocated to courts of la6, e?pressl# provided in the
Constitution. n the 6hole, the Constitution dra6s a thin, but, nevertheless, distinct
line bet6een the PE( and the Supre$e Court.
If the lo!ic of petitioner is to be follo6ed, all Me$bers of the Court, sittin! in the
Senate and Aouse Electoral (ribunals 6ould violate the constitutional proscription
found in Section "+, Article ,III. Surel#, the petitioner 6ill be a$on! the first to
ac;no6led!e that this is not so. (he Constitution 6hich, in Section "C, Article ,I,
e?plicitl# provides that three Supre$e Court 7ustices shall sit in the Senate and Aouse
Electoral (ribunals, respectivel#, effectivel# e?e$pts the 7ustices/Me$bers thereof
fro$ the prohibition in Section "+, Article ,III. In the sa$e vein, it is the Constitution
itself, in Section *, Article ,II, 6hich e?e$pts the Me$bers of the Court, constitutin!
the PE(, fro$ the sa$e prohibition.
0e have previousl# declared that the PE( is not si$pl# an a!enc# to 6hich Me$bers
of the Court 6ere desi!nated. nce a!ain, the PE(, as intended b# the fra$ers of the
Constitution, is to be an institution independent, but not separate, fro$ the .udicial
depart$ent, i.e., the Supre$e Court. McCulloch v. State of Mar#land
*:
proclai$ed
that 1FaG po6er 6ithout the $eans to use it, is a nullit#.1 (he vehicle for the e?ercise
of this po6er, as intended b# the Constitution and specificall# $entioned b# the
Constitutional Co$$issioners durin! the discussions on the !rant of po6er to this
Court, is the PE(. (hus, a $icroscopic vie6, li;e the petitioner2s, should not constrict
an absolute and constitutional !rant of .udicial po6er.
ne final note. Althou!h this Court has no control over contrar# people and
na#sa#ers, 6e reiterate a 6ord of caution a!ainst the filin! of baseless petitions 6hich
onl# clo! the Court2s doc;et. (he petition in the instant case belon!s to that
classification.
0AERE=RE, the petition is DISMISSED. Costs a!ainst petitioner.
S RDERED.
ANTONO E!UAR!O B. NAC"URA
Associate 7ustice
0E CNCBR-
RENATO C. CORONA
Chief 7ustice
ANTONO T. CARPO
Associate 7ustice
CONC"TA CARPO MORALES
Associate 7ustice
PRESBTERO #. $ELASCO, #R.
Associate 7ustice
TERESTA #. LEONAR!O%!E
CASTRO
Associate 7ustice
ARTURO !. BRON
Associate 7ustice
!OS!A!O M. PERALTA
Associate 7ustice
LUCAS P. BERSAMN
Associate 7ustice
%n fficial >eave&
MARANO C. !EL CASTLLO
M
Associate 7ustice
ROBERTO A. ABA!
Associate 7ustice
MARTN S. $LLARAMA, #R.
Associate 7ustice
#OSE PORTUGAL PERE&
Associate 7ustice
#OSE CATRAL MEN!O&A
Associate 7ustice
Associate 7ustice Associate 7ustice
MARA LOUR!ES P.A. SERENO
Associate 7ustice
C E R ( I = I C A ( I N
Pursuant to Section "5, Article ,III of the Constitution, I certif# that the conclusions
in the above decision had been reached in consultation before the case 6as assi!ned to
the 6riter of the opinion of the Court.
RENATO C. CORONA
Chief 7ustice
'oo()o(e*
M
n official leave.
"
Rollo, pp. 5/:.
+
Para!raph C.
5
n Ma# *, +3"3, the +3"3 Rules of the Presidential Electoral (ribunal %+3"3
PE( Rules& too; effect.
*
*@4 Phil. 933, 9"3 %+33*&.
4
Rollo, pp. "+/59.
@
Id. at "4/"@.
C
Id. at *+/49.
9
Cru), Philippine Political >a6, "::9 ed., p. +4C.
:
Province of North Cotabato v. <overn$ent of the Republic of the Philippines
Peace Panel on Ancestral Do$ain, <.R. Nos. "954:", "95C4+, "959:5,
"95:4", and "95:@+, ctober "*, +339, 4@9 SCRA *3+, *4@.
"3
5@: B.S. "9@ %":@+&.
""
<ov. Mandanas v. Aon. Ro$ulo, *C5 Phil. 93@ %+33*&.
"+
<.R. Nos. "C"5:@, "C"*3:, "C"*94, "C"*95, "C"*33, "C"*9:, and "C"*+*,
Ma# 5, +33@, *9: SCRA "@3, +"@/++". %Citations o$itted.&
"5
Poe v. Macapa!al/Arro#o, P.E.(. Case No. 33+, March +:, +334, *4* SCRA
"*+.
"*
Cru), Philippine Politcal >a6, "::9 ed., p. +@5.
"4
<.R. Nos. "@"*5*, "@"@5*, and "@"9+*, March 5, +33*, *+* SCRA +CC,
5+*/5+4. %E$phasis supplied.&
"@
Id. at 5@5.
"C
Id. at *5"/*5+.
"9
Att#. Macalintal v. CME>EC, *45 Phil. 49@ %+335&.
":
Supra at note "4.
+3
No. >/+"3@*, =ebruar# "9, ":C3, 5" SCRA *"5, *+5.
+"
McCulloch v. State of Mar#land, "C B.S. 5"@ %0heat.&, "9":.
++
In the Philippine conte?t, see Civil >iberties Bnion v. E?ecutive Secretar#,
<.R. Nos. 959:@ and 959"4, =ebruar# ++, "::", ":* SCRA 5"C.
+5
Id. at 553/55".
+*
9+ Phil. CC", CC4 %":*:&.
+4
<.R. No. 99+"", Septe$ber "4, ":9:, "CC SCRA @@9, @99/@9:. %E$phasis
supplied, citations o$itted.&
+@
Records of the Constitutional Co$$ission, ,ol. +, p. *55. %E$phasis
supplied.&
+C
Id. at 9C/99. %E$phasis supplied.&
+9
Id. at *+3/*+". %E$phasis supplied.&
+:
Supre$e Court.
53
A Ro$an Catholic Priest of the 7esuit rder.
5"
Records of the Constitutional Co$$ission, ,ol. +, pp. *3C/*39. %E$phasis
supplied.&
5+
See Defensor/Santia!o v. Ra$os, P.E.(. Case No. 33", =ebruar# "5, "::@,
+45 SCRA 44:8 (ecson v. CME>EC, supra at note "4.
55
Constitutional Convention Record, ,ol. L, pp. *C"/*C+.
5*
Records of the Constitutional Co$$ission, ,ol. +, p. *39.
54
Id. at *+3/*+". %E$phasis supplied.&
5@
McCulloch v. State of Mar#land, supra note +".
5C
CNS(I(B(IN, Art. ,I, Sec. "C.
59
Sen. Defensor/Santia!o v. Sen. <uin!ona, 7r., 54: Phil. +C@, +:* %"::9&,
citin! >a)atin v. Aouse Electoral (ribunal, +43 Phil. 5:3 %":99&8 Robles v.
Aouse of Representatives Electoral (ribunal, <.R. No. 9@@*C, =ebruar# 4,
"::3, "9" SCRA C93.
5:
Records of the Constitutional Co$$ission, ,ol. +, pp. """/""+. %E$phasis
supplied.&
*3
Supre$e Court.
*"
Court of Appeals.
*+
No. >/+4C"@, 7ul# +9, ":@@, "C SCRA C4@, C@+/C@4. %E$phasis supplied.&
*5
Supra note *.
**
7avellana v. E?ecutive Secretar#, et al., "4"/A Phil. 5@, "5" %":C5&.
*4
CNS(I(B(IN, Art. ,III, Sec. ", second para!raph.
*@
See Robles v. Aouse of Representatives Electoral (ribunal, supra note 598
>a)atin v. Aouse Electoral (ribunal, supra note 59.
*C
@5 Phil. "5: %":5@&.
*9
See Hnot v. Inter$ediate Appellate Court, <.R. No. >/C**4C, March +3,
":9C, "*9 SCRA @4:, @@48 (aNada and Macapa!al v. Cuenco, et al., "35 Phil.
"34" %":4C&8 Ale.andrino v. Oue)on, *@ Phil. 95 %":+*&.
*:
Supra note +".
T.*R' '*-*#*O7
:G.R. No7. 1-6149-51. Se;4ember 19, 2000<
PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, appe&&ee 's. 0LPN
L$"L% ( %IH"IL (=6(7 >0RPN,? appe&&ant.
$ E & I S I O N
PNGNI!N, J.@
Rep)blic /ct 7o. 328> pen!li;es si$ple ille5!l possession of fire!r$s, provided th!t
the person !rrested co$$itted Jno other cri$e.K )rther$ore, if the person is held li!ble
for $)rder or ho$icide, ille5!l possession of fire!r$s is !n !55r!v!tin5 circ)$st!nce,
b)t not ! sep!r!te offense. .ence, where !n !cc)sed w!s convicted of direct !ss!)lt
with $)ltiple !tte$pted ho$icide for firin5 !n )nlicensed "-0> rifle !t sever!l police$en
who were !bo)t to serve ! se!rch w!rr!nt, he c!nnot be held 5)ilty of the sep!r!te
offense of ille5!l possession of fire!r$s. 7either c!n s)ch )nl!wf)l !ct be considered to
h!ve !55r!v!ted the direct !ss!)lt.
T5e &(7e
4!lp!n =!d%!!l!$ y "ih!%il, !lso Enown !s J4!rp!n,K !ppe!ls before )s the
#epte$ber 01, 0883 'ecision
L0M
of the Re5ion!l Tri!l Co)rt (RTC) of N!$bo!n5! City
(,r!nch 06), which fo)nd hi$ 5)ilty of three o)t of the fo)r ch!r5es lod5ed !5!inst hi$.
iled !5!inst !ppell!nt were fo)r *nfor$!tions,
L2M
!ll si5ned by /ssist!nt Re5ion!l
#t!te Prosec)tor Ric!rdo &. C!b!ron !nd d!ted #epte$ber 2@, 0881. The first
*nfor$!tion
LAM
w!s for $!int!inin5 ! den for the )se of re5)l!ted dr)5s. *t re!ds !s
follows+
P(hat on or about Septe$ber +*, "::C, in the Cit# of Ja$boan!a, Philippines, and
6ithin the .urisdiction of this Aonorable Court, the above/na$ed accused, 0alpan
>ad.aala$ bein! then the o6ner of a residential house located at Rio Aondo,
F*G
this
City, conspirin5 !nd confeder!tin5 to5ether, $)t)!lly !idin5 !nd !ssistin5 x x x
his co-!cc)sed wife 7)r-in =!d%!!l!$ !nd /h$!d #!il!bbi y .!%!r!ini, did
then !nd there wilf)lly, )nl!wf)lly !nd felonio)sly, $!int!in s!id ho)se !s !
den, where re5)l!ted dr)5 Lw!sM )sed in !ny for$.K
F4G
The second *nfor$!tion
L6M
ch!r5ed !ppell!nt with ille5!l possession of fire!r$s !nd
!$$)nition. 4e ()ote it below+
P(hat on or about Septe$ber +*, "::C, in the Cit# of Ja$boan!a, Philippines, and
6ithin the .urisdiction of this Aonorable Court, the above/na$ed accused, conspirin!
and confederatin! to!ether, $utuall# aidin! and assistin! 6ith one another, 6ithout
an# .ustifiable reason or purpose other than to use it in the co$$ission of cri$e, did
then and there, 6ilfull#, unla6full#, and feloniousl# have in their possession and
under their custod# and control, the follo6in! 6eapons, to 6it- one %"& M"* rifle 6ith
SN "444++4 6ith $a!a)ines and seven %C& rounds of live a$$unition8 t6o %+&
$a!a)ines 6ith t6ent# %+3& and t6ent#F/oneG %+"& rounds of live Fa$$unitionG8 one
%"& ho$e$ade caliber .59 revolver 6ith five %4& live a$$unition8 one %"& M/C:
%sin!le& rifle 6ith pouch and 6ith five %4& e$pt# shellFsG8 one %"& ho$e $ade caliber .
59 6ith SN/5""3:+ 6ith five live a$$unition and one e$pt# shell of FaG cal. 59 ? ? ?
S$ith and 0esson8 t6o %+& .59 Caliber palti; revolver 6ith Serial Nu$ber 5""3:+
and one defaced MC: !renade launcher palti;, 6ithout first havin! obtained the
necessar# license and or per$it therefor fro$ authorities concerned, in fla!rant
violation of the afore$entioned la6.Q
FCG
The third *nfor$!tion,
L3M
for $)ltiple !tte$pted $)rder with direct !ss!)lt, w!s
worded th)s+
P(hat on or about Septe$ber +*, "::C, in the Cit# of Ja$boan!a, Philippines, and
6ithin the .urisdiction of this Aonorable Court, the above/na$ed accused bein! then
ar$ed 6ith M/"* Ar$alite Rifles, M/"@ Ar$alite Rifles and other assorted firear$s
and e?plosives, conspirin! and confederatin! to!ether, $utuall# aidin! and assistin! ?
? ? one another and 6ith intent to ;ill, did then and there 6ilfull#, unla6full# and
feloniousl# tr# and atte$pt to ;ill SP" 0I>>IAM B. 7NES, 7R., P5 ENRIOBE
C. RI,ERAF,G SP" AMAD A. MIRAS>, 7R., and SP" RICARD 7.
>ACAS(ESAN(S, in the follo6in! $anner, to 6it- b# then and there firin! their
M/"* ? ? ? Ar$alite Rifles, M/"@ Ar$alite Rifles and other assorted firear$s and
e?plosives, ai$ed and directed at the fatal parts of the bodies of the above/na$ed
police officers, 6ell ;no6n to the accused as $e$bers of the Philippine National
Police, Ja$boan!a Cit# Police ffice, and as such, a!ents of a person in authorit#,
6ho at the ti$e of the attac; 6ere en!a!ed in the perfor$ance of their duties, that is,
on the occasion 6hen said officers 6ere about to serve the Search 0arrant le!all#
issued b# the Re!ional (rial Court, this Cit#, to the person of the accused thus
co$$encin! the co$$ission of cri$e of $ultiple $urder directl# b# overt acts, and if
the accused did not acco$plish their unla6ful purpose, that is, to ;ill the above/
na$ed Police fficers, it 6as not b# reason of their o6n voluntar# desistance but
rather because of the fact that all the above/na$ed police officers 6ere able to see;
cover durin! the firin! and 6ere not hit b# the bullets and e?plosives fired b# the
accused and also b# the fact said police officers 6ere able to 6restle 6ith t6o %+& of
the accused na$el#- 0alpan >ad.aala$ # Miha.il a.;.a. R0arpan2 and Ah$ad Sailabbi
# Aa.airani, 6ho 6ere subdued and subse'uentl# placed under arrest8 6hereas
accused P+ Nurha;i$ (. Aad.ula 6as able to $a;e !ood his escape and has
re$ained at/lar!e.Q
F:G
*n the fo)rth *nfor$!tion, !ppell!nt w!s ch!r5ed with ille5!l possession of dr)5s.
L0?M
On 'ece$ber 20, 0881, the c!ses !5!inst 7)r-in =!d%!!l!$ !nd /h$!d
#!il!bbi y .!%!r!ini were dis$issed )pon $otion of the Office of the City Prosec)tor,
which h!d cond)cted ! reinvesti5!tion of the c!ses !s ordered by the lower co)rt. The
!cc)sed were conse()ently rele!sed fro$ %!il.
The !rr!i5n$ent of !ppell!nt on !ll fo)r (>) ch!r5es tooE pl!ce on 9!n)!ry 6, 0883,
d)rin5 which he entered ! ple! of not 5)ilty.
L00M
/fter pretri!l, the !ss!iled 'ecision w!s
rendered, the dispositive p!rt of which re!ds+
P+"ERE'ORE, the Court finds accused +ALPAN LA!#AALAM ,
M"A#L a.;.a. RWARPAN2 /
P". in Cri$inal Case No. "*@5@, GULTY BEYON! REASONABLE !OUBT of
,iolation of Section "4/A, Article III, of Republic Act No. @*+4, other6ise ;no6n as
the Dan!erous Dru!s Act of ":C+, as a$ended, and SEN(ENCES said accused to the
penalt# of RECLUSON PERPETUA and to pa# a fine of'$E "UN!RE!
T"OUSAN! %P433,333.33& and to pa# the costs8
P+. In Cri$inal Case No. "*@5C, NOT GULTY of ,iolation of Section "@, Article
III, in relation to Section +", Article I,, of Republic Act No. @*+4, other6ise ;no6n
as the Dan!erous Dru!s Act of ":C+, as a$ended, and AC-UTS hi$ of said cri$e
6ith costs de oficio8
P5. in Cri$inal Case No. "*@59, GULTY BEYON! REASONABLE !OUBT of
the cri$e of Ille!al Possession of =irear$ and A$$unition penali)ed under
Presidential Decree No. "9@@, as a$ended b# Republic Act. No. 9+:*,
and SENTENCES said accused to suffer an indeter$inate penalt# of S. /60
YEARS of prision correccional as $ini$u$ to EG"T /80 YEARS of prision $a#or
as $a?i$u$ and to pa# a fine FofG T"RTY T"OUSAN! /P30,000.000 and pa# the
costs8
P*. in Cri$inal Case No. "*@5:, GULTY BEYON! REASONABLE !OUBT of
the cri$e of Direct Assault 6ith Multiple Atte$pted Ao$icide andSENTENCES said
accused to an indeter$inate penalt# of T+O /20 YEARS 1)2 'OUR /30
MONT"S of prision correccional as $ini$u$ to S. /60 YEARSof prision
correccional as $a?i$u$ and to pa# a fine of ONE T"OUSAN! /P1,000.000 and to
pa# the costs.Q %e$phasis in the ori!inal&
.ence, this !ppe!l.
L02M
T5e F(847
#rose)*tion+s ,ersion
*n its ,rief,
L0AM
the Office of the #olicitor &ener!l presents the f!cts in this wise+
PAt "-*4 p.$. of Septe$ber +*, "::C, P5 Allan Marcos but filed an application for
the issuance of a search 6arrant a!ainst appellant, his 6ife and so$e 7ohn Does %E?h.
C&. After the search 6arrant 6as issued about +-53 p.$. of the sa$e da#, a briefin!
6as conducted inside the office of the Anti/,iceKNarcotics Bnit of the Ja$boan!a
Cit# Police ffice in connection 6ith the service of the search 6arrant. (he briefin!
6as conducted b# SP+ =elipe <a!antin!, Chief of the Anti/,iceKNarcotics
Bnit. Durin! the briefin!, P5 Renato Dela PeNa 6as assi!ned as presentor of the
6arrant. SP" Ricardo >acastesantos and P5 Enri'ue Rivera 6ere desi!nated to
conduct the search. ther police$en 6ere assi!ned as peri$eter !uards %(SN, March
5, "::9, pp. 55/5@&.
PAfter the briefin!, $ore than thirt# %53& police$en headed b# Police Superintendent
Ed6in Soledad proceeded to the house of appellant and his 6ife at Rio Aondo on
board several police vehicles %(SN, March *, "::9, p. 5+8 April ++, "::9, p.
4*&. Before the# could reach appellant2s house, three %5& persons sittin! at a nearb#
store ran to6ards the house shoutin!, RFPGolice, raid, raid2 %Ibid., March 5, "::9, pp.
*", *5/**8 April +5, "::9, p. *&. 0hen the police$en 6ere about ten %"3& $eters fro$
the $ain !ate of the house, the# 6ere $et b# a rapid burst of !unfire co$in! fro$ the
second floor of the house. (here 6as also !unfire at the bac; of the house %Ibid.,
March 4, "::9, pp. "*/"@&.
PSP" Mirasol, SP+ >acastesantos, P5 Rivera, and P5 Dela PeNa 6ho 6ere 6ith
the first !roup of police$en sa6 appellant fire an M"* rifle to6ards the$.(he# all
;ne6 appellant. 0hen the# 6ere fired upon, the !roup, to!ether 6ith SP+
<a!antin!, P5 but and Superintendent Soledad, sou!ht cover at the concrete fence
to observe the $ove$ents at the second floor of the house 6hile other police$en
surrounded the house %Ibid., March *, "::9, pp. 43/4"&.
PIn front of the house 6as an e?tension buildin! connected to the concrete fence
%Ibid., pp. *4/*@, 4C/4:, C5/C@&. <a!antin!, Mirasol, >acastesantos, <re!orio, and
but entered the door of the e?tension buildin!. <a!antin! opened the $ain %steel&
!ate of the house. (he other $e$bers of the tea$ then entered. >acastesantos and
Mirasol entered the house throu!h the $ain door and 6ent inside the sala of the
!round floor 6hile other police$en surrounded the house. (6o %+& old 6o$en 6ere in
the sala to!ether 6ith a #oun! !irl and three %5& children. ne of the old 6o$en too;
the children to the second floor 6hile the #oun! !irl re$ained seated at the corner
%Ibid., pp. ":/+"&.
P>acastesantos and Mirasol proceeded to the second floor 6here the# earlier sa6
appellant firin! an M"* rifle at the$ throu!h the 6indo6. 0hile the# 6ere !oin!
upstairs, appellant noticed their presence. Ae 6ent inside the bedroo$ and, after
brea;in! and re$ovin! the .alousies, .u$ped fro$ the 6indo6 to the roof of a
nei!hborin! house. Seein! this, Mirasol rushed do6nstairs and as;ed help fro$ the
other $e$bers of the raidin! tea$ to arrest appellant. >acastesantos 6ent to the
second floor and shouted to the police$en outside not to fire in the direction of the
second floor because there 6ere children. Mirasol and SP" Cesar Rabu#a arrested
appellant at the bac; of his house after a brief chase %Ibid., pp. +"/+5&.
PAt the second floor, >acastesantos sa6 an M"* rifle %E?h. B/5& 6ith $a!a)ine on top
of the sofa at the sala on the second floor %Ibid., P. +C&. (he rifle bore Serial No.
"444++4. Ae re$oved the $a!a)ine fro$ the rifle and the bullet inside the cha$ber of
the rifle. Ae counted seventeen %"C& live a$$unition inside the $a!a)ine.Ae sa6 t6o
%+& $ore M"* rifle $a!a)ines on the sofa, one 6ith t6ent# %+3& live a$$unition
%E?h. </5& and another 6ith t6ent#/one %+"& live a$$unition %E?h. </*&. Ae li;e6ise
sa6 three %5& M"@ rifle $a!a)ines %E?h. </+& in a corner at the second floor %(SN,
March 4, "::9, pp. +5/5+, 45/4C&.
PAfter >acastesantos and Mirasol entered appellant2s house, Rivera, Dela PeNa,
<re!orio and but follo6ed and entered the house. After identif#in! the$selves as
$e$bers of the PNP Anti/,iceKNarcotics Bnit, but presented to the old 6o$en a
cop# of the search 6arrant. Dela PeNa and Rivera then searched appellant2s roo$ on
the !round floor in the presence of Punon! Baran!a# Elhano %(SN, March 5, "::9,
pp. *"/*5&. n top of a table 6as a pencil case %E?h. 7& 6ith fift# %43& folded
alu$inu$ foils inside %E?hs. 7/" to 7/43&, each containin! $etha$pheta$ine
h#drochloride or Rshabu2.
Pther ite$s 6ere found durin! the search, na$el#, assorted coins in different
deno$inations %E?h. 08 (SN, April +9, "::9, pp. +5/+4&, one %"& ho$e$ade .59
caliber revolver %E?h. B/+& 6ith five %4& live Fa$$unitionG, one %"& MC: sin!le rifle
6ith FaG pouch containin! five %4& e$pt# shells of an MC: rifle %E?h. B/*&, and one
%"& e$pt# shell of an M"* rifle %(SN, April +5, "::9, pp. 53/5+&.
PRino Bartolo$e >ocson 6as an infor$er of the Anti/,iceKNarcotics Bnit of the
Ja$boan!a Police. FGn the $ornin! of Septe$ber +*, "::C, he 6as instructed b#
SP+ <a!antin! to !o to appellant2s house to bu# Rshabu.2 >ocson ;ne6 appellant as
a seller of Rshabu2 %(SN, April ++, "::9, p. 4& and had been to appellant2s house about
fifteen %"4& ti$es before. Ae 6ent to Rio Aondo and arrived at appellant2s house at
5-+3 p.$. Ae bou!ht P533.33 6orth of Rshabu2 fro$ appellant. (he latter !ot three %5&
dec;s of shabu fro$ his 6aist ba!. Appellant instructed >ocson to !o behind the
curtain 6here there 6as a table. (here 6ere si? %@& persons alread# s$o;in!. (here
6as a li!hted ;erosene la$p $ade of a $edicine bottle placed on the table. (he#
as;ed >ocson to s$o;e Rshabu2 and >ocson obli!ed. Ae placed the three %5& dec;s of
Rshabu2 he bou!ht on the table %Ibid., pp. 9/"4&.
P0hile the# 6ere s$o;in! Rshabu,2 >ocson heard !unfire co$in! fro$ appellant2s
house. (he# all stood and entered appellant2s co$pound but 6ere instructed to pass
Fthrou!hG the other side. (he# $et appellant at the bac; of his house. Appellant told
the$ to escape Rbecause the police are alread# here.2 (he# sca$pered and Rran a6a#
because there 6ere alread# shots.2 >ocson .u$ped over the fence and ran to6ards the
seashore. Bpon reachin! a place near the =isheries School, he too; a tric#cle and 6ent
ho$e %Ibid., pp. "C/":&.
P(he follo6in! da#, Septe$ber +4, "::C, he 6ent to the police station and e?ecuted
an affidavit %E?h. M& narratin! 6hat transpired at appellant2s house FoGn the afternoon
of Septe$ber +*, "::C.
PAfter the search and before returnin! to the police station, P35 Dela PeNa prepared a
RReceipt for Propert# Sei)ed2 %E?h. P D 5& listin! the properties sei)ed durin! the
search. (he receipt 6as si!ned b# Dela PeNa as the sei)ure officer, and b# Punon!
Baran!a# Aad.i Aussin Elhano and radio reporter 7un Ca#ona as 6itnesses. A cop# of
the receipt 6as !iven to appellant but he refused to ac;no6led!e the properties sei)ed
%(SN, April +5, "::9, pp. ""/"+&.
PAn e?a$ination conducted b# Police Inspector Mercedes D. Diestro, =orensic
Che$ist of the PNP Cri$e >aborator# Service ffice :, on the paraffin casts ta;en
fro$ both hands of appellant #ielded positive for !unpo6der nitrates %E?h. A/5&,
!ivin! rise to the possibilit# that appellant had fired a !un before the e?a$ination
%(SN, March 5, "::9, p. ""&. <unpo6der residue e?a$inations conducted on
Septe$ber +@, "::C sho6ed that the follo6in! firear$s R6ere fired2 %E?h. B/4&- a .59
caliber revolver %ho$e$ade& 6ith Serial No. 5""3:+ %E?h. B/"&, another .59 caliber
revolver %ho$e$ade& 6ithout a serial nu$ber %E?h. B/+&, a Cal. C.@+ $$ M"* B.S.
rifle 6ith Serial No. "444++4 %E?h. B/5&, and an MC: rifle 6ithout a serial nu$ber
%E?h. B/*&. (he# 6ere fired 6ithin five %4& da#s prior to the e?a$ination %(SN,
March 5, "::9, pp. "@/+"&.
P0ith respect to the cr#stalline substances, an e?a$ination conducted b# Police
Inspector Susan M. Ca#ab#ab, li;e6ise a =orensic Che$ist of the PNP Cri$e
>aborator# Service ffice :, on the fift# %43& pieces of folded alu$inu$ foils each
containin! 6hite cr#stalline !ranules 6ith a total 6ei!ht of ".C*+@ !ra$s %E?h. 7/" to
7/43& #ielded positive results for the presence of $etha$pheta$ine h#drochloride
%shabu& %E?h. >&. Ao6ever, the e?a$ination of one %"& cr#stalline stone 6ei!hin!
95.+@C* !ra$s %E?h. S& #ielded ne!ative results for the presence of
$etha$pheta$ine h#drochloride %E?h. >&.
P(he records of the Re!ional peration and Plans Division of the PNP =irear$ and
E?plosive Section sho6 that appellant Rhad not appliedKfiled an# application for
license to possess firear$ and a$$unition or ? ? ? been !iven authorit# to carr# FaG
firear$ outside of his residence2 %E?h. L&Q
F"*G
De-ense+s ,ersion
/ppell!nt =!d%!!l!$ !5rees with the n!rr!tion of f!cts 5iven by the lower co)rt.
L0@M
.ence, we ()ote the pertinent p!rts of the !ss!iled 'ecision+
PAccused 0alpan >ad.aala$ # Miha.il a.;.a. R0arpan2, 53 #ears old, $arried, !ave
his occupation as Rs$u!!lin!2 %tsn, p. +, Ma# *, "::9&. Ae used to !o to >abuan in
Mala#sia and brin! ci!arettes to the Philippines 6ithout pa#in! ta?es %tsn, pp. *3/*",
id&. Ae said that his true na$e F6asG Abdul Nasser Abdura;$an and that 0arpan or
0alpan >ad.aala$ F6asG onl# his Ralias2. Ao6ever, he ad$itted that $ore people
;nFeG6 hi$ as 0alpan >ad.aala$ rather than Abdul Nasser Abdura;$an %tsn. pp. 5:/
*38 *@/*C, id&. Ae testified that FoGn the afternoon of Septe$ber +*, "::C, 6hen he
6as arrested b# the police, he 6as sleepin! in the house of Dandao, a relative of his
6ife. Ae 6as alone. Ae slept in Dandao2s house and not in his house because the#
haFdG Ra sort of a conference2 as Dandao2s dau!hter 6as leavin! for Saudi Arabia. Ae
noticed the presence of police$en in his nei!hborhood at Apla#a, Rio Aondo 6hen he
heard shots. Ae 6o;e up and 6ent out of the house and that 6as the ti$e that he 6as
arrested. Ae said he 6as arrested R((( )at* the other side of #y house+ at the other
side of the fence &here I &as sleeping$ ((($ At the bac, of #y house2 %tsn, p. C, id.&. Ae
does not ;no6 6ho arrested hi$ Rconsidering that the one &ho arrested #e does not
hae na#eplate.2 Ae 6as arrested b# four %*& persons. Not one of those 6ho arrested
hi$ testified in Court. Ae 6as handcuffed and placed inside a .eep par;ed at Rio
Aondo Ele$entar# School. Accordin! to hi$, he did not fire a !un at the police$en
fro$ FtGhe second floor of his house. Ae said the Rpolice#en2 F6ereG Rthe one)s* &ho
fire)d* at us2 %tsn, p. 4, id.&. If he fired a !un at the police$en for sure the# F6ouldG
die R)b*ecause the door is ery near ( ( ( the icinity of #y house2. Ae does not o6n
the M"* rifle %E?h. RB/52& 6hich accordin! to police$en, he used in firin! at
the$. (he !un does not belon! to hi$. Ae does not have a !un li;e that %tsn, p. "4,
id.&. A police$an also o6ns an M"* rifle but he does not ;no6 the police$an %tsn, pp.
"@/"C, id&. Ae said that the MC: rifle %E?h. RB/*2&, the three %5& e$pt# M"@ rifle
$a!a)ines %E?h. R<28 R</"2 to R</+2&, the t6o %+& M"* $a!a)ines 6ith live
a$$unition %E?h. R</528 R</*2&8 the t6o %+& caliber .59 revolvers %E?hs. RB/"28 RB/
+2&, the fift# %43& alu$inu$ foils each containin! shabu %E?hs. R7/"2 to R7/432& placed
inside a pencil case %E?h. R72, the assorted coins placed inside a blue ba! %E?h. R02&
and the 6hite cr#stalline stone %E?h. RS2& all do not belon! to hi$. Ae said that the
police$en .ust produced those thin!s as their evidence. (he firear$s do not belon! to
hi$. (he# 6ere brou!ht b# the police$en %tsn, p. *5, Ma# *, "::9&. Re!ardin! the
blue ba! containin! assorted coins, he said- Rthat is not ours, I thin, this -is. theirs,
((( they /ust brought that as their eidence2 %tsn, pp. "4/+*, id.&
P0alpan >ad.aala$ declared there 6ere occupants 6ho 6ere rentin! his e?tension
house. Ae affir$ed that he o6ns that house. =our %*& persons 6ere sta#in! in the
e?tension house. Ae could onl# reco!ni)e the husband 6hose na$e is Mo$o#. (he#
are fro$ 7olo. (he# left the place alread# because the# 6ere afraid 6hen the police
raided the place. %tsn, pp. 9/"3, Ma# *, "::9&. Ae does not ;no6 prosecution 6itness
Rino >ocson # Bartolo$e. Althou!h >ocson reco!ni)ed hi$, in his case he does not
;no6 >ocson and he does not reco!ni)e hi$ %tsn, p."", id&. Ae did not sell an#thin! to
>ocson and did not entertain hi$. Ae is not sellin! shabu but he ;no6s Rfor a fact that
there are plenty of person &ho are engaged in selling shabu in that place2, in that area
;no6n as Apla#a, Rio Aondo. ne of the$ is Aad.i A!bi %tsn, pp.""/"*, id&.
PAfter his arrest 0alpan >ad.aala$ 6as brou!ht to the police station 6here he sta#ed
for one da# and one ni!ht before he 6as transferred to the Cit# .ail. 0hile at the
police station, he 6as not able to ta;e a bath. Ae s$o;es t6o pac;s of ci!arette a
da#. 0hile he 6as at the police station, he s$o;ed FaG ci!arette !iven to hi$ b# his
#oun!er sister. Ae li!hted the ci!arettes 6ith FaG $atch. =ro$ the police station, he
6as brou!ht to the PNP Re!ional ffice at R.(. >i$ Boulevard 6here he 6as sub.ect
to paraffin e?a$ination %tsn, pp. +*/+@, Ma# *, "::9&.
PDurin! the raid conducted on his house, his cousin Bo# >ad.aala$, Atin! Sapadi,
and 7ecar %"i,,al& Bs$an, the #oun!er brother of his 6ife 6ere ;illed. 0alpan
>ad.aala$ said that he sa6 that Rit &as the police#an &ho shot the#),* only I do not
,no& his na#e.Q They &ere ,illed at the bac, of his house. Ae said that no char!es
6ere filed a!ainst the one responsible for their death %tsn, pp. 53/55/ Ma# *, "::9&.
PAnilha6a Aha$ad, $ore or less 93 #ears old, a 6ido6 6as in the house of 0alpan
>ad.aala$ 6ho$ he calls RHad/i Id2 at the ti$e the police raided the house.She is the
$other of Ah$a Sailabbi. She 6as to!ether 6ith Babo Dandan, t6o s$all children
and a helper 6hen Rsoldiers2 entered the house. R-0.hen they arried, they ,ept on
firing -their guns. een inside the house2 %tsn, p.4, Ma# 4, "::9&. (he# 6ere ar$ed
6ith short and lon! firear$s. (he# searched the house and scattered thin!s and !ot
6hat the# 6anted. (he# entered the roo$ of 0alpan >ad.aala$. (he# tried to open a
ba! containin! .e6elr#. 0hen Anilha6a tried to brin! the ba! outside the roo$, the#
!rabbed the ba! fro$ her and po;ed a !un at her. At that ti$e 0alpan >ad.aala$ 6as
not in the house. Aha$ad Sailabbi 6as also not in the house. A Search 0arrant 6as
sho6n to Anilha6a after the search 6as conducted and .ust before the police$en left
the place. Anilha6a Aha$ad said that Rit &as already late in the afternoon)+* before
they left that &as the ti#e the "earch 0arrant -&as. gien to us by ((( 1arangay
Captain Hussin Elhano2 %tsn, pp.@/9, Ma# 4, "::9&. Baran!a# Chair$an Elhano
arrived Ralready late in the afternoon, al#ost sundo&n2 %tsn, p. :, id&. Anilha6
declared that aside fro$ a ba! containin! .e6elr# and a ba! full of $one#, she had not
seen an#thin! else that 6as ta;en fro$ 0alpan >ad.aala$2s house %tsn, pp. :/"+, id&.
PA;$ad %Ah$ad& Sailabbi, 5C #ears old, $arried testified that about *-33 o2cloc; FoGn
the afternoon of Septe$ber +*, "::C, ha 6as standin! in front of his house 6hen
police$en arrived and i$$ediatel# arrested hi$. Ae 6as about to !o to the Cit#
Proper to bu# articles he 6as intendin! to brin! to Sabah. Ae had Raround
P23,333$332 placed inside a 6aist ba! tied around his 6aist. (he police$en told hi$
to lie do6n in prone position and a police$an searched his bac;. (he# pulled his
6aist ba! and too; his DiaStar 6rist 6atch. Ae 6as shot three ti$es and 6as hit on
the forehead leavin! a scar. Ais in.ur# 6as not treated. Ae 6as ta;en to the police
station 6here he 6as detained for one da# and one ni!ht. Ae 6as detained at the Cit#
7ail for three $onths and five da#s after 6hich he 6as released %tsn, pp. +4/+:, Ma# 4,
"::9&.
PMelba Bs$a, +3 #ears old, a 6ido6, testified that FoGn the afternoon of Septe$ber
+*, "::C, she 6as in the house of her parents l#in! to!ether 6ith her husband Si;;al
Bs$a. (here is onl# one house bet6een her parents2 house and the house of 0alpan
>ad.aala$. Aer husband Si;;al Bs$an is the brother of Nur/in >ad.aala$, 0alpan2s
6ife. 0hen Melba heard shots, she 6ent do6nstairs. A police$an 6as loo;in! for her
husband. (he police$an called her husband. 0hen her husband 6ent do6n, he 6as
instructed b# the police$an to lie do6n in prone position. (hen the police$an shot
her husband. (he police$an had t6o other co$panions 6ho also shot her husband
6hile he 6as l#in! do6n in prone position %tsn, pp.+/C, Ma# 4, "::9&.
PMur;isa Bs$an, 53 #ears old, $arried, declared that FoGn the afternoon of Septe$ber
+*, "::C, she 6as sittin! at the door of her house 6atchin! her children pla#in! 6hen
a $otorc#le, driven b# a person, stopped near her house. (he driver 6as <a!antin!
6ho$ she called a soldier. Ae 6ent do6n fro$ his $otorc#cle, pulled a !un and
po;ed it at Mur;isa. Mur;isa stood up and raised her hands. She !ot her children and
6hen she 6as about to enter the roo$ of her house, <a!antin! a!ain po;ed a !un at
her and Rthere &as a shot.2 As a result of firin!, three persons died, na$el#, Si;;al
Bs$an, Bo# >ad.aala$ and Atip Sapali Sali %tsn, pp. 9/"3, Ma# 4, "::9&.
PBaran!a# Captain Aad.i Aussin Elhano, 4" #ears old, testified that about *-33 o
Rcloc; FoGn the afternoon of Septe$ber +*, "::C, he 6as fetched b# t6o police$en at
Cataban!an 6here he 6as attendin! a se$inar. Because of traffic alon! the 6a#, the#
arrived at the Rio Aondo alread# late in the afternoon. Ae sa6 police$en 6ere
alread# inside the house. Bpon enterin! the !ate, he sa6 0alpan at the !ate alread#
handcuffed. 0alpan called hi$ but the police advised hi$ not to approach
0alpan. (he search 6as alread# over and thin!s 6ere alread# ta;en inside the house.
0hen he 6ent inside the house, he sa6 Rthe things that they -police#en. searched, the
firear#s and the shabuR %tsn, p. "C. Ma# 9, "::9&. Ae did not see the Search
0arrant. 0hat 6as sho6n to hi$ 6ere the thin!s recovered durin! the search 6hich
6ere bein! listed. (he# 6ere bein! counted and placed on a table. R4pon seeing the
things that &ere recoered during the search, I /ust signed the receipt -E(h$ 5P6+ 5P-
'6. of the things ( ( ( ta,en during the search6 -tsn, pp$ '7-'8$ !ay 8, '998.. Ae sa6
three dead bodies at the side of the fence 6hen he 6ent to the other side of the
house. (he three persons 6ere ;illed outside the fence of 0alpan >ad.aala$ %tsn, p.
"9, id&.Q
F"@G
T5e Tr6(= &o1r4A7 R1=6)2
The tri!l co)rt observed th!t the ho)se of !ppell!nt w!s r!ided on #epte$ber 2>,
0881 by virt)e of #e!rch 4!rr!nt 7o. 2? iss)ed on the s!$e d!y. .owever, the lower
co)rt n)llified the s!id 4!rr!nt bec!)se it h!d been iss)ed for $ore th!n one specific
offense,
L01M
in viol!tion of #ection A, R)le 026 of the R)les of Co)rt.
L03M
The co)rt a
Auo r)led+
PIt should be stated at the outset that Search 0arrant No. +3 is totall# Rnull and oid2
because it 6as issued for $ore than one specific offense ? ? ? contrar# to Section 5,
Rule "F+G@ of the Rules of Court 6hich provides that RA search &arrant shall not
issue but upon probable cause in connection &ith one specific offense ((( 2. In
(a$basan vs. People, +*@ SCRA "9* %"::4&, the Supre$e Court ruled that a search
6arrant for $ore than one offense / a Rscatter shot 6arrant2 / violates Section 5, Rule
"+@ of the FRGevised Rules of Court and is Rtotall# null and void.2Q
F":G
%e$phasis in the
ori!inal&
7evertheless, the tri!l co)rt dee$ed !ppell!ntOs !rrest !s v!lid. *t e$ph!si;ed th!t
he h!d shot !t the officers who were tryin5 to serve the void se!rch w!rr!nt. This f!ct
w!s est!blished by the testi$onies of sever!l police officers,
L2?M
who were p!rticip!nts in
the r!id, !nd confir$ed by the l!bor!tory report on the p!r!ffin tests cond)cted on the
fire!r$s !nd !ppell!nt.
L20M
/ddition!lly, the %)d5e noted th!t /ppell!nt =!d%!!l!$, b!sed
on his st!te$ents in his Co)nter /ffid!vit, i$pliedly contr!dicted his !ssertions in open
co)rt th!t there h!d been no exch!n5e of 5)nfire d)rin5 the r!id.
L22M
The tri!l co)rt
concl)ded th!t the testi$onies of these officers $)st prev!il over !ppell!ntOs n!rr!tion
th!t he w!s not in his ho)se when the r!id w!s cond)cted.
Prescindin5 fro$ this point, the co)rt a Auo v!lid!ted the !rrest of !ppell!nt,
re!sonin5 th)s+
PBnder the circu$stances, the police$en Rhad authority to pursue and arrest 0alpan
:ad/aala# and confiscate the firear# he used in shooting at the police#en and to
enter his house to effect said arrest and confiscation of the firear#$2 Bnder Rule ""5,
Section 4 %a&, of the Rules of Court, RA peace officer or a priate person #ay, &ithout
a &arrant, arrest a person ((( -&.hen in his presence, the person to be arrested has
co##itted, is actually co##itting, or is atte#pting to co##it an offense$2 An offense
is co$$itted in the presence or 6ithin the vie6 of an officer, 6ithin the $eanin! of
the rule authori)in! an arrest 6ithout a 6arrant, 6hen the officer sees the offense,
althou!h at a distance, or hears the disturbances created thereb# and proceeds at once
to the scene thereof. At the ti$e the police$en entered the house of accused 0alpan
>ad.aala$ after he had fired shots at the police$en 6ho intended to serve the Search
0arrant to hi$, the accused 6as en!a!ed in the co$$ission of a cri$e, and 6as
pursued and arrested after he co$$itted the cri$e of shootin! at the police$en 6ho
6ere about to serve the Search 0arrant.Q
F+5G
/s ! conse()ence of the le5!l !rrest, the sei;)re of the followin5 w!s !lso dee$ed
v!lid+ the "0> rifle (with ! $!5!;ine cont!inin5 seventeen live !$$)nition)
L2>M
)sed by
!ppell!nt !5!inst the police ele$ents, two "0> $!5!;ines, !nd three other "06 rifle
$!5!;ines.
L2@M
The tri!l co)rt observed th!t these ite$s were in Jpl!in viewK of the
p)rs)in5 police officers. "oreover, it !dded th!t these s!$e ite$s were Jevidence LofM
the co$$ission of ! cri$e !ndGor contr!b!nd !nd therefore, s)b%ect to sei;)reK
L26M
since
!ppell!nt Jh!d not !pplied for ! license to possess fire!r$ !nd h!d not been 5iven
!)thority to c!rry fire!r$ o)tside his residence.K
L21M
or bein5 incredible !nd )ns)pported by evidence, !ppell!ntOs cl!i$ th!t the ite$s
th!t were sei;ed by the police officers h!d been pl!nted w!s disbelieved by the tri!l
co)rt. *t r)led th!t if the police officers w!nted to pl!nt evidence to incri$in!te hi$, they
co)ld h!ve done so d)rin5 the previo)s r!ids or those cond)cted !fter his !rrest. To its
$ind, it w!s )nbeliev!ble th!t they wo)ld choose to pl!nt evidence, when they were
!cco$p!nied by the b!r!n5!y ch!ir$!n !nd ! r!dio reporter who $i5ht testify !5!inst
the$. *t then dis$issed these !lle5!tions, s!yin5 th!t fr!$e-)p, liEe !libi, w!s !n
inherently we!E defense.
L23M
The tri!l co)rt !lso convicted the !cc)sed of the cri$e of $!int!inin5 ! dr)5 den. *t
re!soned !s follows+
P(he testi$on# of Rino Bartolo$e >ocson, corroborated b# SP" Ricardo
>acastesantos and SP" A$ado Mirasol, 7r. clearl# established that 0alpan
>ad.aala$ operated and $aintained a dru! den in his e?tension house 6here shabu or
$etha$pheta$ine h#drochloride, a re!ulated dru!, 6as sold, and 6here persons or
custo$ers bou!ht and used shabu or $etha$pheta$ine h#drochloride b# burnin! the
said re!ulated dru! and sniffin! its s$o;e 6ith the use of an alu$inu$ foil tooter. A
dru! den is a lair or hidea6a# 6here prohibited or re!ulated dru!s are used in an#
for$ or are found. Its e?istence F$a# beG proved not onl# b# direct evidence but $a#
also be established b# proof of facts and circu$stances, includin! evidence of the
!eneral reputation of the house, or its !eneral reputation a$on! police officers. (he
uncorroborated testi$on# of accused 0alpan >ad.aala$ a.;.a. 0arpan; that he did not
$aintain an e?tension house or a roo$ 6here dru! users 6ho alle!edl# bu# shabu
fro$ hi$ inhales or s$o;es shabu cannot prevail over the testi$onies of >ocson,
SP" >acastesantos, and SP" Mirasol. Ae ad$itted that he is the o6ner of the
e?tension house but he alle!ed that there 6ere four %*& occupants 6ho rented that
e?tension house. Ae ;ne6 the na$e of onl# one of the four occupants 6ho are
alle!edl# fro$ 7olo, a certain Mo$o#, the husband. Aside fro$ bein! uncorroborated,
0alpan2s testi$on# 6as not elaborated b# evidence as to 6hen or for ho6 lon! 6as
the e?tension house rented, the a$ount of rental paid, or b# an# other docu$ent
sho6in! that the e?tension house 6as in fact rented.(he defense of denial put up b#
accused 0alpan >ad.aala$ a.;.a. <0arpan; is a 6ea; defense. Denial is the 6ea;est
defense and cannot prevail over the positive and cate!orical testi$onies of the
prosecution 6itnesses. Denials, if unsubstantiated b# clear and convincin! evidence,
are ne!ative and self/servin! evidence 6hich deserve no 6ei!ht in la6 and cannot be
!iven evidentiar# 6ei!ht over the testi$on# of credible 6itnesses 6ho testif# on
affir$ative $atters. As bet6een the positive declaration of the prosecution 6itnesses
and the ne!ative state$ents of the accused, the for$er deserve $ore credence.Q
F+:G
*n concl)sion, the tri!l co)rt expl!ined !ppell!ntOs li!bility in this $!nner+
P? ? ?. (he act of the accused in firin! an M"* rifle to the police$en 6ho 6ere about
to enter his house to serve a search 6arrant constitutes the cri$e of direct assault 6ith
$ultiple atte$pted ho$icideF,G not $ultiple atte$pted $urder 6ith direct assaultF,G
considerin! that no police$an 6as hit and in.ured b# the accused and no circu$stance
6as proved to 'ualif# the atte$pted ;illin! to atte$pted $urder.
P(he accused 0alpan >ad.aala$ a.;.a. =0arpan; cannot be held liable FforG the cri$e
of ,iolation of Section "@, Article III, in relation to Section +", Article I,, of Republic
Act @*+4 other6ise ;no6n as the Dan!erous Dru!s Act of "::+, as a$ended, because
the fift# %43& pieces of folded alu$inu$ foils havin! a total 6ei!ht of ".C*+@ !ra$s
all containin! $etha$pheta$ine h#drochloride or shabu alle!edl# found in his house
are inad$issible as evidence a!ainst hi$ considerin! that the# 6ere sei)ed after FaG
search conducted b# virtue of Search 0arrant No. +3 6hich is totall# null and void as
it 6as issued for $ore than one offense, and 6ere not found in =plain ie&; of the
police officers 6ho sei)ed the$. Neither could the accused be held liable for ille!al
possession of firear$s and a$$unition e?cept for the %"& M"* rifle 6ith Serial
Nu$ber "444++4 and 6ith $a!a)ine containin! fifteen %"4& live a$$unition and t6o
$ore M"* rifle $a!a)ines 6ith t6ent# %+3& and t6ent#/one %+"& live a$$unition
respectivel# considerin! that the police$en 6ho recovered or sei)ed the other
firear$s and a$$unition did not testif# in court. (he blue ba! containin! assorted
coins cannot be returned to the accused 0alpan >ad.aala$ a.;.a. =0arpan; because
accordin! to the accused the blue ba! and assorted coins do not belon! to hi$F8G
instead the said assorted coins should be turned over to the National (reasur#.Q
F53G
T5e I771e7
*n his ,rief, !ppell!nt s)b$its the followin5 /ssi5n$ent of Brrors+
I
P(he trial court erred 6hen it concluded that appellant 0alpan >ad.aala$ # Miha.il
FhadG fired first at the police officers 6ho 6ent to his house to serve a search 6arrant
upon hi$ 6hich led to an e?chan!e of fire bet6een >ad.aala$ and the police officer.
II
P(he trial court erred 6hen it denied the appellant the ri!ht and opportunit# for an
ocular inspection of the scene of the firefi!ht and 6here the house of the appellant
F6asG located.
III
P(he trial court erred 6hen it ruled that the presu$ption of re!ularit# in the
perfor$ance of their duties Fe?cludedG the clai$ of the appellant that the firear$s and
$etha$pheta$ine h#drochloride %i.e. shabu& 6ere planted b# the police.Q
F5"G
*n the interest of si$plicity, we sh!ll t!Ee )p these iss)es seriatim+ (!) deni!l of the
re()est for oc)l!r inspection, (b) credibility of the prosec)tion witnesses, !nd (c) the
defense of fr!$e-)p. *n !ddition, we sh!ll !lso disc)ss the proper cri$es !nd pen!lties
to be i$posed on !ppell!nt.
T5e &o1r4A7 R1=6)2
The !ppe!l h!s no $erit.
F6r74 I771e@ Denia& o- Re.*est -or O)*&ar $nspe)tion
/ppell!nt insists th!t the tri!l co)rt erred in denyin5 his re()est for !n oc)l!r
inspection of the =!d%!!l!$ residence. .e !r5)es th!t !n oc)l!r inspection wo)ld h!ve
!fforded the lower co)rt J! better perspective !nd !n ide! with respect to the scene of
the cri$e.K
LA2M
4e do not !5ree.
4e f!il to see the need for !n oc)l!r inspection in this c!se, especi!lly in the li5ht of
the cle!r testi$onies of the prosec)tion witnesses.
LAAM
4e note in p!rtic)l!r th!t the
defense h!d even re()ested #PO0 /$!do "ir!sol 9r. to sEetch the s)b%ect pre$ises to
5ive the lower co)rt ! f!irly 5ood ide! of !ppell!ntOs ho)se.
LA>M
-iewin5 the site of the r!id
wo)ld h!ve only del!yed the proceedin5s.
LA@M
"oreover, the ()estion whether to view the
settin5 of ! relev!nt event h!s lon5 been reco5ni;ed to be within the discretion of the
tri!l %)d5e.
LA6M
.ere, there is no re!son to dist)rb the exercise of th!t discretion.
LA1M
Se8o)* I771e@ !re/i0i&it( o- #rose)*tion 1itnesses
/ppell!nt, in essence, ()estions the credibility of the prosec)tion witnesses.
LA3M
#)ffice it to st!te th!t the tri!l co)rtOs !ssess$ent of their credibility is 5ener!lly
!ccorded respect, even fin!lity.
LA8M
/fter c!ref)lly ex!$inin5 the records !nd findin5 no
$!teri!l inconsistencies to s)pport !ppell!ntOs cl!i$, we c!nnot exe$pt this c!se fro$
the 5ener!l r)le.
L>?M
I)ite the contr!ry, the testi$onies of these witnesses positively
showed th!t !ppell!nt h!d fired )pon the !ppro!chin5 police ele$ents, !nd th!t he h!d
s)bse()ently !tte$pted to esc!pe. #PO0 /$!do "ir!sol 9r.
L>0M
testified th)s+
JPRO#BCDTOR 7D-/=+
I+ /nd, this tr!il is tow!rds the front of the ho)se of the !cc)sed<
/+ Ces.
I+ /nd itOs there where yo) were $et by ! volley of fire<
/+ Ces, Co)r .onor.
CODRT+
I+ .ow f!r were yo) fro$ the concrete fenLcMe when yo) were $et by ! volley of fire< ... Co)
s!id yo) were fired )pon<
/+ "ore or less, five (@) $eters.
x x x x x x x x x
PRO#BCDTOR 7D-/=+
I+ 7ow, yo) s!id yo) were !ble to enter the ho)se !fter the 5!te w!s opened by yo)r
colle!5)e elipe &!5!ntin5 ... * will refor$ th!t ()estion.
I+ 4ho opened the 5!te "r. 4itness<
/+ #PO2 elipe &!5!ntin5, Bfren &re5orio !nd /ll!n "!rcos Ob)t.
I+ /nd, !t th!t ti$e yo) were hidin5 !t the concrete fence<
/+ Ces.
I+ 7ow, when this 5!te w!s opened, yo) s!id yo) went inside the ho)se, ri5ht<
/+ Ces.
I+ 4h!t did yo) see inside the ho)se<
/+ *, to5ether with #PO0 Ric!rdo =!c!stes!ntos, entered the $!in door of the ho)se of
4!lfr!n LsicM =!d%!!l!$ !t the 5ro)nd floor. 4e went inside the s!l! on the 5ro)nd floor
of his ho)seLPM * s!w two old wo$!n.
x x x x x x x x x
PRO#BCDTOR 7D-/=+
I+ 7ow, wh!t did yo) do with these two old wo$en<
/+ * did not $ind those two old wo$en bec!)se those two wo$en were sittin5 on the 5ro)nd
floor. * w!s concentr!tin5 on the second floor bec!)se =!d%!!l!$ w!s firin5 tow!rds o)r
5ro)p so, *, to5ether with Ric!rdo =!c!stes!ntos, went )pst!irs to the second floor of the
ho)se.
I+ 4ere yo) !ble to 5o to the second floor of the ho)se<
/+ Ces.
I+ 4h!t h!ppened when yo) were !lre!dy on the second floor<
/+ 4hile we were proceedin5 to the second floor, 4!lf!n LsicM =!d%!!l!$, noticed o)r
presence !nd i$$edi!tely went inside the bedroo$ LoMn the second floor !nd he went
i$$edi!tely !nd %)$ped fro$ the window of his ho)se x x x le!din5 to the roof of the
nei5hborOs ho)se.
x x x x x x x x x
CODRT+
Refor$. Th!t is le!din5
I+ 4h!t h!ppened when yo) entered !nd he %)$ped to the roofin5 of the nei5hborOs ho)se<
/+ *$$edi!tely, * $yself, we i$$edi!tely went downst!irs !nd !sEed the !ssist!nce of the
$e$bers of the r!idin5 te!$ to !rrest 4!lf!n =!d%!!l!$.
x x x x x x x x x
PRO#BCDTOR 7D-/=+
I+ 4ere yo) !ble to 5o down<
/+ Ces.
I+ 4h!t h!ppened when yo) were there<
/+ 4e i$$edi!tely went o)t !nd * !sEed the !ssist!nce of the $e$bers of the r!idin5
te!$ !nd the investi5!tor of the )nit especi!lly #PO0 Ces!r R!b)y!. * w!s !ble
to $!n!5e to !rrest 4!lf!n =!d%!!l!$.K
L>2M
4h!t h!ppened there!fter w!s n!rr!ted by #enior Police Officer Ric!rdo
=!c!stes!ntos,
L>AM
!s follows+
JI+ 4h!t did yo) notice LoMn the second floor<
/+ * went where the firin5 c!$e fro$, so, * s!w L!nM "0> rifle !nd * sho)ted fro$ the o)tside,
Qdo not fire !t the second floor bec!)se there L!reM ! lot of children here.O
I+ 7ow, th!t rifle yo) s!id Lw!s !nM "0>, where did yo) find this<
/+ /t the s!l! set.
I+ This s!l! set where is this loc!ted<
/+ =oc!ted LonM the second floor of the ho)se.
I+ *s there ! s!l! LoMn the second floor<
/+ Ces.
I+ C!n yo) still identify th!t "0> rifle which yo) s!id yo) recovered fro$ the s!le set<
/+ Ces.
I+ 4hy c!n yo) identify th!t<
/+ The #eri!l 7o. of "0> is 0@@@22@ !nd * $!rEed it with $y initi!l.
I+ 7ow, * h!ve here "0> rifleLPM will yo) ple!se tell )s where is the #eri!l 7o. of this<
/+ 0@@@22@ !nd * p)t $y initi!l, R9=.
*#C/= 7D-/=+
This is !lre!dy $!rEed !s o)r Bxhibit Q,-AO with $!5!;ine, one $!5!;ine !nd seven ro)nd
L!$$)nitionM.
I+ /fter recoverin5 this, wh!t did yo) do with this fire!r$<
/+ 4hen * recovered it * re$oved the b)llets inside the ch!$berL.M * re$oved the $!5!;ine
!nd * t)rned it over to the investi5!tor.
I+ 4here did yo) t)rn it over<
/+ /t the cri$e scene.
I+ 7ow, th!t $!5!;ine, c!n yo) still identify this<
/+ Ces.
I+ 4hy<
/+ * p)t x x x $!rEin5s.
x x x x x x x x x
CODRT+
#o, !LsiMde fro$ the $!5!;ine !tt!ched to the "0> rifle yo) fo)nd six $ore $!5!;ines<
/+ Ces, so, !ll in !ll six $!5!;ines, three e$pty "06 rifle $!5!;ines !nd three "0>.
I+ The "06 $!5!;ines LwereM e$pty<
/+ B$pty.
I+ .ow !bo)t the "0><
/+ o)nd with L!$$)nitionM.
x x x x x x x x x
I+ #o, where !re the three "06 $!5!;ines<
/+ *n the corner.
I+ 4h!t did yo) do with LtheseM three $!5!;ines of "06<
/+ * t)rned Lthe$M over to the investi5!tor.
I+ C!n yo) identify the$<
/+ Ces, bec!)se of $y initi!lsL.M
I+ 4here !re yo)r initi!ls<
/+ On the $!5!;ines.
I+ R9=<
/+ R9=.K
L>>M
These were confir$ed by the res)lts of the p!r!ffin tests cond)cted on !ppell!nt
!nd on the we!pons sei;ed d)rin5 the r!id. ,oth of his h!nds !s well !s the we!pons,
p!rtic)l!rly the "-0> which he h!d )sed, were positive for 5)npowder nitr!te. Police
*nspector "ercedes 'elfin-'iestro expl!ined in open co)rt+
JI+ OE!y. 7ow, wh!t w!s the res)lt of yo)r ex!$in!tion, "!d!$ 4itness<
/+ The res)lt of the ex!$in!tion Lw!sM th!t both h!nds of the s)b%ect person, h!LdM presence
of 5)n powder nitr!tes.
I+ 4h!t do yo) $e!n "!d!$ 4itness, wh!t does th!t indic!te<
/+ *t indic!tes there is presence of powder nitr!tes.
K7 Can /e conclude that he fired a 0unH
%7 3 cannot conclude that he fired a 0un because there are so many circumstances I/hyJ a
"erson I/ould beJ "ositie on his hands for 0un "o/der nitrates.
I+ ,)t, $ost liEely, he fired ! 5)n<
/+ Ces.
x x x x x x x x x
PRO#BCDTOR 7D-/=+
I+ 4h!t !bo)t, "!d!$ 4itness this Bxhibit Q,-AO, which is the "0> rifle. 4h!t did yo) do
with this<
/+ #POA /b) did the sw!bbin5 both in the ch!$ber !nd the b!rrel wherein * observed there
LwereM bl!cE !nd tr!ces of brown resid)e on the bolt, ch!$ber !nd in the b!rrel.
I+ /nd, th!t indic!tes "!d!$ 4itness...<
/+ *t indic!tes th!t the 5)n w!s fired.
I+ Recently<
/+ ,ec!)se of the tr!ces of brown resid)e, it co)ld be possible th!t the 5)n w!s fired before
the incident x x x.
CODRT+
I+ There is !lso bl!cE resid)e<
/+ Ces.
I+ 4h!t does it indic!te<
/+ *t indic!tes th!t the fire!r$ w!s recently fired.
I+ /nd, where is this sw!b )sed !t the ti$e of the sw!bbin5 of this Bxhibit<
/+ This one.
PRO#BCDTOR 7D-/=+
"!y we !sE th!t this be $!rEed !s Bxhibit Q,-A-/O.
CODRT+
I+ The firin5 there indic!tes th!t the 5)n w!s recently fired, d)rin5 the incident<
/+ Ces.
I+ /nd !lso before the incident it w!s fired bec!)se of the brown resid)e<
/+ Ces, Co)r .onor.K
L>@M
(e$ph!sis s)pplied)
')ly proven fro$ the fore5oin5 were the two ele$ents
L>6M
of the cri$e of ille5!l
possession of fire!r$s. Dndo)btedly, the est!blished f!ct th!t !ppell!nt h!d fired !n "-
0> rifle )pon the !ppro!chin5 police officers cle!rly showed the existence of the fire!r$
or we!pon !nd his possession thereof. #)fficin5 to s!tisfy the second ele$ent w!s the
prosec)tionOs Certific!tion
L>1M
st!tin5 th!t he h!d not filed !ny !pplic!tion for license to
possess ! fire!r$, !nd th!t he h!d not been 5iven !)thority to c!rry !ny o)tside his
residence.
L>3M
)rther, it sho)ld be pointed o)t th!t his possession !nd )se of !n "-0>
rifle were obvio)sly )n!)thori;ed bec!)se this we!pon co)ld not be licensed in f!vor of,
or c!rried by, ! priv!te individ)!l.
L>8M
T56r* I771e@ De-ense o- %ra2e-*p
ro$ the convol)ted !r5)$ents strewn before )s by !ppell!nt, we 5!ther th!t the
$!in defense he r!ises is fr!$e-)p. .e cl!i$s th!t the ite$s sei;ed fro$ his ho)se
were Jpl!nted,K !nd th!t the entire N!$bo!n5! police force w!s o)t to 5et hi$ !t !ll
cost.
This Co)rt h!s inv!ri!bly held th!t the defense of fr!$e-)p is inherently we!E, since
it is e!sy to f!bric!te, b)t terribly diffic)lt to disprove.
L@?M
/bsent !ny showin5 of !n
i$proper $otive on the p!rt of the police officers,
L@0M
co)pled with the pres)$ption of
re5)l!rity in the perfor$!nce of their d)ty, s)ch defense c!nnot be 5iven $)ch
credence.
L@2M
*ndeed, !fter ex!$inin5 the records of this c!se, we concl)de th!t !ppell!nt
h!s f!iled to s)bst!nti!te his cl!i$. On the contr!ry, his st!te$ents in his Co)nter
/ffid!vit !re inconsistent with his testi$ony d)rin5 the tri!l.
L@AM
.e testified th)s+
JI 7ow, "r. 4itness, do yo) re$e$ber h!vin5 exec)ted !n /ffid!vitG ! Co)nter-/ffid!vit<
/ * co)ld not re$e$ber.
I * h!ve here ! Co)nter-/ffid!vit !nd it w!s si5ned before this represent!tion on the 3th d!y
of 'ece$ber 0881LPM tell )s whose si5n!t)re is this !ppe!rin5 !bove the typewritten
n!$e
*#C/= 7D-/=+
I . . . . 4!lp!n =!d%!!l!$, whose si5n!t)re is this<
(#howin5)
/ Ces, #ir. This is $ine.
I 7ow, in p!r!5r!phLsM 0,2,A,>,@,6,1 !nd 3P yo) st!ted in this Co)nter-/ffid!vit which * ()ote+
Qth!t * w!s restin5 !nd sleepin5 when * he!rd the 5)nshots !nd * noticed th!t the shots
were directed tow!rds o)r ho)se.. !nd * inspected !nd x x x we were !tt!cEed by !r$ed
persons.. !nd * w!s !pprehended by the persons who !tt!cEed x x x o)r ho)seOP LtheM
ho)se yo) !re referrin5 to LinM this p!r!5r!ph, whose ho)se L!re yo)M referrin5 to, is this
Lwh!tM yo) !re referrin5 to L!sM yo)r ho)se or the ho)se of yo)r nei5hbors Lfro$M which
yo) s!id yo) he!rd 5)nshots<
/ O)r ho)se.
I 7ow, in p!r!5r!ph 6 of yo)r Co)nter-/ffid!vit yo) st!ted !nd * ()ote+ Qth!t LoMn th!t
!fternoon of #epte$ber 2>, 0881, * w!s !t ho$e in $y ho)se /pl!y!, Riohondo, ,o.
C!$po ")sli$, $y co$p!nions in $y ho)se LwereM the two old wo$en !nd $y children,
is this correct<
/ They were not there.
I 7ow, in th!t st!te$ent "r. 4itness, yo) s!id th!t yo) were !t ho$e in Lyo)rM ho)se !t
/pl!y!, Riohondo, ,o. C!$po ")sli$LPM which is which now, yo) were in yo)r ho)se or
yo) were in yo)r nei5hborsLQM ho)se !t th!t ti$e when yo) he!rd 5)nshots<
/ * w!s in the ho)se ne!r $y ho)se.
I #o, yo)r st!te$ent p!rtic)l!rly p!r!5r!ph 6 of yo)r Co)nter-/ffid!vit th!t yo) were !t
ho$e in Lyo)rM ho)se !t /pl!y! Riohondo ,o. C!$po ")sli$, is x x x not correct<
/ Ces, #ir. This is not correct.K
L@>M
&r6me ()* P1)675me)4
The tri!l co)rt convicted !ppell!nt of three cri$es+ (0) $!inten!nce of ! dr)5 den,
(2) direct !ss!)lt with !tte$pted ho$icide, !nd (A) ille5!l possession of fire!r$s. 4e
will disc)ss e!ch of these.
3aintenan)e o- a Dr*4 Den
4e !5ree with the tri!l co)rt th!t !ppell!nt w!s 5)ilty of $!inten!nce of ! dr)5 den,
!n offense for which he w!s correctly sentenced toreclusion "er"etua. .is 5)ilt w!s
cle!rly est!blished by the testi$ony of Prosec)tion 4itness Rino ,!rtolo$e =ocson,
who hi$self h!d )sed the extension ho)se of !ppell!nt !s ! dr)5 den on sever!l
occ!sions, incl)din5 the ti$e of the r!id. The for$erOs testi$ony w!s corrobor!ted by !ll
the r!idin5 police officers who testified before the co)rt. Th!t !ppell!nt did not deny
ownership of the ho)se !nd its extension lent credence to the prosec)tionOs story.
Dire)t Assa*&t 5it6 3*&tip&e Atte2pte/ 7o2i)i/e
The tri!l co)rt w!s !lso correct in convictin5 !ppell!nt of direct !ss!)lt
L@@M
with
$)ltiple co)nts of !tte$pted ho$icide. *t fo)nd th!t JLtMhe !ct of the !cc)sed LofM firin5
!n "0> rifle L!tM the police$enL,M who were !bo)t to enter his ho)se to serve ! se!rch
w!rr!nt x x xK constit)ted s)ch co$plex cri$e.
L@6M
4e note th!t direct !ss!)lt with the )se of ! we!pon c!rries the pen!lty of "rision
correccional in its $edi)$ !nd $!xi$)$ periods, while !tte$pted ho$icide c!rries the
pen!lty of "rision correccional.
L@1M
.ence, for the present co$plex cri$e, the pen!lty for
direct !ss!)lt, which constit)tes the J$ost serio)s cri$e,K sho)ld be i$posed !nd
!pplied in its $!xi$)$ period.
L@3M
$&&e4a& #ossession o- %irear2s
/side fro$ findin5 !ppell!nt 5)ilty of direct !ss!)lt with $)ltiple !tte$pted
ho$icide, the tri!l co)rt convicted hi$ !lso of the sep!r!te offense of ille5!l possession
of fire!r$s )nder P' 0366, !s !$ended by R/ 328>, !nd sentenced hi$ to 6 ye!rs
of "rision correccional to 3 ye!rs of "rision mayor.
The Office of the #olicitor &ener!l (O#&) dis!5rees, on the 5ro)nd th!t the tri!l
co)rt sho)ld not h!ve !pplied the new l!w. *t contends th!t )nder the f!cts of the c!se,
the !pplic!ble l!w sho)ld h!ve been P' 0366, !s worded prior to its !$end$ent by R/
328>.
The tri!l co)rtOs r)lin5 !nd the O#&Os s)b$ission exe$plify the le5!l co$$)nityOs
diffic)lty in 5r!pplin5 with the ch!n5es bro)5ht !bo)t by R/ 328>. .ence, before )s
now !re opposin5 views on how to interpret #ection 0 of the new l!w, which provides !s
follows+
PSEC(IN ". Section " of Presidential Decree No. "9@@, as a$ended, is hereb#
further a$ended to read as follo6s-
PSection ". 4nla&ful !anufacture, "ale, Ac%uisition, Disposition or Possession of
>irear#s or A##unition Instru#ents 4sed or Intended to be 4sed in the !anufacture
of >irear#s or A##unition$ // (he penalt# of prision correccional in its $a?i$u$
period and a fine of not less than =ifteen thousand pesos %P"4,333& shall be i$posed
upon an# person 6ho shall unla6full# $anufacture, deal in, ac'uire, dispose, or
possess an# lo6 po6ered firear$, such as ri$fire hand!un, .593 or .5+ and other
firear$ of si$ilar firepo6er, part of firear$, a$$unition, or $achiner#, tool or
instru$ent used or intended to be used in the $anufacture of an# firear$ or
a$$unition- Proided, (hat no other cri$e 6as co$$itted.
P(he penalt# of prision #ayor in its $ini$u$ period and a fine of (hirt# thousand
pesos %P53,333& shall be i$posed if the firear$ is classified as hi!h po6ered firear$
6hich includes those 6ith bores bi!!er in dia$eter than .53 caliber and : $illi$eter
such as caliber .*3, .*", .**, .*4 and also lesser calibered firear$s but considered
po6erful such as caliber .54C and caliber .++ centerfire $a!nu$ and other firear$s
6ith firin! capabilit# of full auto$atic and b# burst of t6o or three-Proided,
ho&eer, (hat no other cri$e 6as co$$itted b# the person arrested.
PIf ho$icide or $urder is co$$itted 6ith the use of an unlicensed firear$, such use
of an unlicensed firear$ shall be considered as an a!!ravatin! circu$stance.
PIf the violation of this Section is in furtherance of or incident to, or in connection
6ith the cri$e of rebellion or insurrection, sedition, or atte$pted coup d;etat, such
violation shall be absorbed as an ele$ent of the cri$e of rebellion or insurrection,
sedition, or atte$pted coup d;etat$
P(he sa$e penalt# shall be i$posed upon the o6ner, president, $ana!er, director or
other responsible officer of an# public or private fir$, co$pan#, corporation or entit#,
6ho shall 6illfull# or ;no6in!l# allo6 an# of the firear$s o6ned b# such fir$,
co$pan#, corporation or entit# to be used b# an# person or persons found !uilt# of
violatin! the provisions of the precedin! para!raphs or 6illfull# or ;no6in!l# allo6
an# of the$ to use unlicensed firear$s or firear$s 6ithout an# le!al authorit# to be
carried outside of their residence in the course of their e$plo#$ent.
P(he penalt# of arresto #ayor shall be i$posed upon an# person 6ho shall carr# an#
licensed firear$ outside his residence 6ithout le!al authorit# therefor.Q
Citin5 Peo"le . Jayson,
L@8M
the O#& !r5)es th!t the fore5oin5 provision does not
cover the specific f!cts of this c!se. #ince !nother cri$e -- direct !ss!)lt with $)ltiple
)nl!wf)l ho$icide -- w!s co$$itted, !ppell!nt c!nnot be convicted of si$ple ille5!l
possession of fire!r$s )nder the second p!r!5r!ph of the !forecited
provision. )rther$ore, since there w!s no Eillin5 in this c!se, ille5!l possession c!nnot
be dee$ed !s !n !55r!v!tin5 circ)$st!nce )nder the third p!r!5r!ph of the
provision. ,!sed on these pre$ises, the O#& concl)des th!t the !pplic!ble l!w is not
R/ 328>, b)t P' 0366 which, !s worded prior the new l!w, pen!li;es si$ple ille5!l
possession of fire!r$s even if !nother cri$e is co$$itted !t the s!$e ti$e.
L6?M
/pplyin5 ! different interpret!tion, the tri!l co)rt posits th!t !ppell!nt sho)ld be
convicted of ille5!l possession of fire!r$s, in !ddition to direct !ss!)lt with $)ltiple
!tte$pted ho$icide. *t did not expl!in its r)lin5, however. Considerin5 th!t it co)ld not
h!ve been i5nor!nt of the"roiso
L60M
in the second p!r!5r!ph, it see$ed to h!ve
constr)ed Jno other cri$eK !s referrin5 only to ho$icide !nd $)rder, in both of which
ille5!l possession of fire!r$s is !n !55r!v!tin5 circ)$st!nce. *n other words, if ! cri$e
other th!n $)rder or ho$icide is co$$itted, ! person $!y still be convicted of ille5!l
possession of fire!r$s. *n this c!se, the other cri$e co$$itted w!s direct !ss!)lt with
$)ltiple !tte$pted ho$icideP hence, the tri!l co)rt fo)nd !ppell!nt 5)ilty of ille5!l
possession of fire!r$s.
4e c!nnot !ccept either of these interpret!tions bec!)se they i5nore the pl!in
l!n5)!5e of the st!t)te. / si$ple re!din5 thereof shows th!t if !n )nlicensed fire!r$ is
)sed in the co$$ission of !ny cri$e, there c!n be no sep!r!te offense of si$ple ille5!l
possession of fire!r$s..ence, if the Jother cri$eK is $)rder or ho$icide, ille5!l
possession of fire!r$s beco$es $erely !n !55r!v!tin5 circ)$st!nce, not ! sep!r!te
offense. #ince direct !ss!)lt with $)ltiple !tte$pted ho$icide w!s co$$itted in this
c!se, !ppell!nt c!n no lon5er be held li!ble for ille5!l possession of fire!r$s.
"oreover, pen!l l!ws !re constr)ed liber!lly in f!vor of the !cc)sed.
L62M
*n this c!se,
the pl!in $e!nin5 of R/ 328>Os si$ple l!n5)!5e is $ost f!vor!ble to herein
!ppell!nt. -erily, no other interpret!tion is %)stified, for the l!n5)!5e of the new l!w
de$onstr!tes the le5isl!tive intent to f!vor the !cc)sed.
L6AM
/ccordin5ly, !ppell!nt c!nnot
be convicted of two sep!r!te offenses of ille5!l possession of fire!r$s !nd direct
!ss!)lt with !tte$pted ho$icide. "oreover, since the cri$e co$$itted w!s direct
!ss!)lt !nd not ho$icide or $)rder, ille5!l possession of fire!r$s c!nnot be dee$ed !n
!55r!v!tin5 circ)$st!nce.
4e re%ect the O#&Os contention th!t P' 0366, !s worded prior to its !$end$ent by
R/ 328>, sho)ld be !pplied in this c!se. 4hen the cri$e w!s co$$itted on #epte$ber
2>, 0881, the ori5in!l l!n5)!5e of P' 0366 h!d !lre!dy been expressly s)perseded by
R/ 328> which tooE effect on 9)ly 6, 0881.
L6>M
*n other words, no lon5er in existence w!s
the e!rlier provision of P' 0366, which %)stified ! conviction for ille5!l possession of
fire!r$s sep!r!te fro$ !ny other cri$e. *t w!s repl!ced by R/ 328> which, !$on5 other
!$end$ents to P' 0366, cont!ined the specific "roiso th!t Jno other cri$e w!s
co$$itted.K
)rther$ore, the O#&Os reli!nce on Peo"le . Jayson
L6@M
is $ispl!ced. Tr)e, this
Co)rt s)st!ined the conviction of !ppell!nt for ille5!l possession of fire!r$s, !ltho)5h
he h!d !lso co$$itted ho$icide. 4e expl!ined, however, th!t Jthe cri$in!l c!se for
ho$icide Lw!sM not before )s for consider!tion.K
9)st !s )n!ccept!ble is the interpret!tion of the tri!l co)rt. 4e find no %)stific!tion
for li$itin5 the "roiso in the second p!r!5r!ph to $)rder !nd ho$icide. The l!w is
cle!r+ the !cc)sed c!n be convicted of si$ple ille5!l possession of fire!r$s, provided
th!t Jno other cri$e w!s co$$itted by the person !rrested.K *f the intention of the l!w in
the second p!r!5r!ph were to refer only to ho$icide !nd $)rder, it sho)ld h!ve
expressly s!id so, !s it did in the third p!r!5r!ph. -erily, where the l!w does not
distin5)ish, neither sho)ld we.
The Co)rt is !w!re th!t this r)lin5 effectively exoner!tes !ppell!nt of ille5!l
possession of !n "-0> rifle, !n offense which nor$!lly c!rries ! pen!lty he!vier th!n
th!t for direct !ss!)lt. 4hile the pen!lty for the first is "rision mayor, for the second it is
only "rision correccional. *ndeed, the !cc)sed $!y ev!de conviction for ille5!l
possession of fire!r$s by )sin5 s)ch we!pons in co$$ittin5 !n even li5hter offense,
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liEe !l!r$ !nd sc!nd!l
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or sli5ht physic!l in%)ries,
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both of which !re p)nish!ble
by arresto menor.
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This conse()ence, however, necess!rily !rises fro$ the l!n5)!5e
of R/ 328>, whose wisdo$ is not s)b%ect to the Co)rtOs review. /ny perception th!t the
res)lt re!ched here !ppe!rs )nwise sho)ld be !ddressed to Con5ress. *ndeed, the
Co)rt h!s no discretion to 5ive st!t)tes ! new $e!nin5 det!ched fro$ the $!nifest
intend$ent !nd l!n5)!5e of the le5isl!t)re. O)r t!sE is constit)tion!lly confined only to
!pplyin5 the l!w !nd %)rispr)dence
L1?M
to the proven f!cts, !nd we h!ve done so in this
c!se.
0HEREFORE, the !ppe!led 'ecision is hereby %FF3-M4D with
the MOD3F3C%23O# th!t !ppell!nt is fo)nd 5)ilty only of two offenses+ (0) direct !ss!)lt
!nd $)ltiple !tte$pted ho$icide with the )se of ! we!pon, for which he is sentenced to
2 ye!rs !nd > $onths to 6 ye!rs of "rision correccionalP !nd (2) $!int!inin5 ! dr)5 den,
for which he w!s correctly sentenced by the tri!l co)rt to reclusion "er"etua. Costs
!5!inst !ppell!nt.
=et ! copy of this 'ecision be f)rnished the Con5ress of the Philippines for !
possible review, !t its so)nd discretion, of R/ 328>.
SO OR$ERE$.
Melo, 9Chairman;, :itu0, Purisima, !nd Gon1a0a&-eyes, JJ., conc)r.
L0M
4ritten by 9)d5e 9es)s C. C!rbon 9r.
L2M
-ollo, pp. 0?-0@.
LAM
The !ppell!nt w!s ch!r5ed to5ether with his wife 7)r-*n =!d%!!l!$ !nd one /h$!d #!il!bbi. Ch!r5es
!5!inst the l!tter were l!ter dropped.
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/lso spelled JRiohondo.K
L@M
-ollo, p. 0?.
L6M
/ppell!nt w!s ch!r5ed here to5ether with 7)r-*n =!d%!!l!$ !nd /h$!d #!il!bbi y .!%!r!ini. The
ch!r5e !5!inst the l!tter two w!s s)bse()ently dis$issed.
L1M
-ollo, p. 02.
L3M
*n this *nfor$!tion, ch!r5ed were !ppell!nt to5ether with one PO2 7)rh!Ei$ T. .!d%)l! !nd /h$!d
#!il!bbi y .!%!r!ini. Ch!r5es !5!inst #!il!bbi were l!ter droppedP .!d%)l! still re$!ins !t l!r5e.
L8M
-ollo, pp. 0>-0@.
L0?M
7o copy of the fo)rth *nfor$!tion w!s !tt!ched to the records. *n !ny event, the tri!l co)rt !c()itted
hi$ of this ch!r5e.
L00M
/ssisted by co)nsel de "arte, /tty. 9ose B. ern!nde;.
L02M
7otice of /ppe!l w!s filed on #epte$ber 2@, 0883. This c!se w!s dee$ed s)b$itted for resol)tion
!fter the Co)rtOs receipt of the ,rief for the /ppellee on "!y 08, 2???. The filin5 of ! reply brief w!s
dee$ed w!ived, !s none w!s s)b$itted within the re5le$ent!ry period.
L0AM
#i5ned by #olicitor &ener!l Ric!rdo P. &!lve;, /ssist!nt #olicitor &ener!l C!rlos 7. Orte5! !nd
/ssoci!te #olicitor Rico #eb!sti!n '. =iw!n!5.
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/ppelleeOs ,rief, pp. 8-06P rollo, pp. 2>1-2@>.
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/ppell!ntOs ,rief, p. @P rollo, p. 0>8. This ,rief w!s si5ned by /tty. 9ose B. ern!nde;.
L06M
'ecision, pp. 2A-A2P rollo, pp. @0-6?.
L01M
These !re+ 0) viol!tion of R 06, /rticle *** of R/ 6>8@, otherwise Enown !s the '!n5ero)s 'r)5s /ct of
0812P 2) viol!tion of P' 0366 pen!li;in5 ille5!l possession of fire!r$ !nd !$$)nition.
L03M
*t provides+
J#BC. A. Re()isite for iss)in5 se!rch w!rr!nt. -- / se!rch w!rr!nt sh!ll not iss)e b)t )pon prob!ble
c!)se in connection with one specific offense to be deter$ined person!lly by the %)d5e !fter ex!$in!tion
)nder o!th or !ffir$!tion of the co$pl!in!nt !nd the witnesses he $!y prod)ce, !nd p!rtic)l!rly
describin5 the pl!ce to be se!rched !nd the thin5s to be sei;ed.K
L08M
'ecision, pp. A2-AAP rollo, pp. 6?-60.
L2?M
These !re, inter alia, #PO0 /$!do "ir!sol 9r., #PO0 Ric!rdo =!c!stes!ntos, POA Bnri()e River! !nd
POA Ren!to 'el! PeS!.
L20M
'ecision, pp. >2->AP rollo, pp. 1?-10. ,oth !ppell!nt !nd the fire!r$s sei;ed tested positive for
5)npowder nitr!tes.
L22M
The tri!l co)rt ()oted the s!$e th)s+
JLOMn the !fternoon of #epte$ber 2>, 0883, * w!s !t ho$e in $y ho)se !t /pl!y!, Rio .ondo, ,!r!n5!y
C!$po ")sli$ xxx (!nd) * w!s restin5 !nd sleepin5 when * he!rd the so)nd of 5)n reports, which
!w!Eened $e. Then * noticed th!t the shots were directed tow!rds o)r ho)se, hence * s)spected th!t we
were )nder !tt!cE by !r$ed persons. * tried to esc!pe !nd %)$ped o)tside, b)t * w!s !pprehended by the
persons who !tt!cEed o)r ho)se, before * le!rned they were police officers.K ('ecision p. A@Prollo, p. 6A.)
L2AM
'ecision, pp. A1-A3P rollo, pp. 6A-6>.
L2>M
#een by #PO0 =!c!stes!ntos lyin5 on top of ! sof! on the second story of !ppell!ntOs ho)se when he
p)rs)ed !ppell!nt.
L2@M
#een !t ! corner on the s!$e floor.
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'ecision, p. A3P rollo, p. 66.
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3bid.
L23M
3bid. p. @0P rollo, p. 18.
L28M
3bid., pp. >3-@?P pp. 16-13.
LA?M
3bid., pp. @A-@>P pp. 30-32.
LA0M
/ppell!ntOs ,rief, p. 0P rollo, p. 0>@.
LA2M
/ppell!ntOs ,rief, p. 08P rollo, 06A.
LAAM
/s shown by the pertinent portions ()oted below. #ee People . ,!niel, 21@ #CR/ >12, 9)ly 0@, 0881.
LA>M
T#7, "!rch >, 0883, pp. A1-A3.
LA@M
#ee People . ,!niel, su"ra.
LA6M
P!r!s, R)les of Co)rt /nnot!ted, 2nd ed., p. 13, citin5 &r!h!$ on Bvidence. #ee !lso /ppelleeOs ,rief,
pp. 20-22.
LA1M
#ee People . "oreno, 3A Phil. 236, /pril 1, 08>8.
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/ppell!ntOs first !ssi5n$ent of error is herein t!Een )p !s the second iss)e.
LA8M
#ee People . Bl!$p!ro, &R 7o. 020@12, "!rch A0, 2???P People . C)pino, et al., &R 7o. 02@633,
"!rch A0, 2???P People . Bstorco, &R 7o. 0008>0, /pril 21, 2???P People . #)lt!n, &R 7o. 0A2>1?,
/pril 21, 2???P People . "endo;!, &R 7o. 02338?, "!y A0, 2???P People . &er!l, &R 7o. 02223A,
9)ne 0@, 2???P People .Rios, &R 7o. 0A26A2, 9)ne 08, 2???P People . "olin!, infra.
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People . 7!rv!s!, 283 #CR/ 6A1, 7ove$ber 06, 0883.
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The witness is ! $e$ber of the te!$ th!t went to =!d%!!l!$Os ho)se on #epte$ber 2>, 0881. .e w!s
t!sEed to brin5 the b!r!n5!y c!pt!in to !ppell!ntOs ho)se to serve !s ! witness to the se!rch.
L>2M
T#7, "!rch >, 0883, pp. 03-2A.
L>AM
/lso ! $e$ber or the r!idin5 te!$. =!c!stes!ntos, to5ether with #PO0 "ir!sol, went inside the
ho)se. 4hen !ppell!nt tried to esc!pe, "ir!sol p)rs)ed hi$P =!c!stes!ntos proceeded to the second
floor.
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T#7, "!rch @, 0883, pp. 2A-2>, 23-28.
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T#7, "!rch A, 0883, pp. 0?-00, 08-2?.
L>6M
*n the en banc c!se of Peo"le . Molina (282 #CR/ 1>2, 111, 9)ly 22, 0883), we s!id+
J*n cri$es involvin5 ille5!l possession of fire!r$s, the prosec)tion h!s the b)rden of provin5 the
ele$ents thereof+ (0) the existence of the s)b%ect fire!r$P !nd (2) the f!ct th!t the !cc)sed, who owned or
possessed the fire!r$, did not h!ve the correspondin5 license or per$it to possess or c!rry the s!$e
o)tside his residence.K (footnote o$itted)
#ee !lso People . C!stillo, &R 7o. 0A0@82-8A, ebr)!ry 0@, 2???P People . =!;!ro, &R 7o. 002?8?,
October 26, 0888P People . 7!rv!s!, 283 #CR/ 6A1, 7ove$ber 06, 0883.
L>1M
#i5ned by Police #enior *nspector R)perto R)5!y Re5is 9r.
L>3M
People . =!;!ro, su"ra., citin5 sever!l c!ses. #ee !lso People . 7!rv!s!, su"ra.P
People . "olin!, su"ra.P People . -ill!n)ev!, 21@ #CR/ >38, 9)ly 0@, 0881.
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People . "olin!, su"ra.
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#ee People . ,!rit! et al., &R 7o. 02A@>0, ebr)!ry 3, 2???P 'i;on . C/, A00 #CR/ 0, 9)ly 22,
0888.
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*n f!ct, !ppell!nt !d$its th!t he did not h!ve !ny $is)nderst!ndin5 with the !rrestin5 officers. 7either
co)ld he thinE of !ny re!son why they wo)ld file f!lse ch!r5es !5!inst hi$. (T#7, "!y >, 0883, p. >2)
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#ee People . 'i;on, su"ra.
L@AM
T#7, "!y >, 0883, pp. A1-A8.
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3bid.
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/rticle 0>3 of the RPC re!ds+
J/RT. 0>3. Direct assaults. -- /ny person or persons who, witho)t p)blic )prisin5, sh!ll e$ploy force or
inti$id!tion for the !tt!in$ent of !ny of the p)rposes en)$er!ted in definin5 the cri$es of rebellion !nd
sedition, or sh!ll !tt!cE, e$ploy force, or serio)sly inti$id!te or resist !ny person in !)thority or !ny of his
!5ents, while en5!5ed in the perfor$!nce of offici!l d)ties, or on occ!sion of s)ch perfor$!nce, sh!ll
s)ffer the pen!lty of "rision correccional in its $edi)$ !nd $!xi$)$ periods !nd ! fine not exceedin5
0,??? pesos, /hen the assault is committed /ith a /ea"on or when the offender is ! p)blic officer or
e$ployee, or when the offender l!ys h!nds )pon ! person in !)thority. xxx.K
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/rticle >3 of the Revised Pen!l Code (RPC) re!ds+
J/RT. >3. Penalty for com"leC crimes. -- 8hen a sin0le act constitutes t/o or more 0rae or less 0rae
felonies, or when !n offense is ! necess!ry $e!ns for co$$ittin5 the other, the pen!lty for the $ost
serio)s cri$e sh!ll be i$posed, the s!$e to be !pplied in its $!xi$)$ period.K (e$ph!sis o)rs)
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/rticle 2>8P cf. @0, RPC.
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#ection 0 of the *ndeter$in!te #entence =!w provides th!t Jthe co)rt sh!ll sentence the !cc)sed to !n
indeter$in!te sentence the $!xi$)$ ter$ of which sh!ll be th!t which, in view of the !ttendin5
circ)$st!nces, co)ld be properly i$posed )nder the r)les of the s!id Code, !nd the $ini$)$ of which
sh!ll be within the r!n5e of the pen!lty next lower to th!t prescribed by the Code for the offense.K /n
!)thority on cri$in!l l!w writes th!t Jwhen the !cc)sed is 5)ilty of ! co$plex cri$e, the pen!lty
i$$edi!tely lower is the next below the pen!lty provided for the 5r!vest cri$e.K (Reyes, 2he -eised
Penal Code, $oo? One, 0830 ed., p. 168.) #ince direct !ss!)lt is p)nish!ble with "rision correccional in
its $edi)$ !nd $!xi$)$ period, the pen!lty next lower in de5ree is arresto mayor ($!xi$)$) to "rision
correccional ($ini$)$)./ccordin5ly, the indeter$in!te pen!lty for direct !ss!)lt with $)ltiple !tte$pted
ho$icide is 2 ye!rs !nd > $onths to 6 ye!rs of "rision correccional.
L@8M
232 #CR/ 066, 016-011, 7ove$ber 03, 0881.
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People . I)i%!d!, 2@8 #CR/ 080, 9)ly 2>, 0886P People . T!c-!n, 032 #CR/ 6?0, ebr)!ry 26,
088?.
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JTh!t no other cri$e w!s co$$itted by the person !rrested.K
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#ee People . /top, 236 #CR/ 0@1, ebr)!ry 0?, 0883P People . 'eleverio, 238 #C/ @>1, /pril 2>,
0883.
L6AM
#ee T!n!d! . C)lo, 60 Phil. @0@, "!y A0, 08A@P Re5!l!do . C)lo, 60 Phil. 01A, ebr)!ry 0@, 08A@.
L6>M
People . 9!yson, su"ra.
L6@M
!u"ra !t p. 011, per "endo;!, J.
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Offenses )nder the Revised Pen!l Code which c!rry ! pen!lty li5hter th!n th!t for ille5!l possession of
! hi5h-powered fire!r$ incl)de (0) indirect !ss!)lt (/rticle 0>8), (2) t)$)lts !nd other dist)rb!nces
(/rticle 0@A), (A) disch!r5e of fire!r$s (/rticle 2@>), (>) li5ht thre!ts (/rticle 23@), !nd (@) li5ht coercion
(/rticle 231).
L61M
/rticle 0@@ (0) of the Revised Pen!l code provides the pen!lty of arresto menor or fine not exceedin5
2?? pesos )pon 6L!Mny person who within !ny town or p)blic pl!ce, sh!ll disch!r5e !ny fire!r$, rocEet,
firecr!cEer or other explosive c!lc)l!ted to c!)se !l!r$ or d!n5er.6
L63M
/rticle 266 (0) i$poses the pen!lty of arresto menor 6when !n offender h!s inflicted physic!l in%)ries
which sh!ll inc!p!cit!te the offended p!rty for l!bor fro$ one to nine d!ys, or sh!ll re()ire $edic!l
!ttention d)rin5 the s!$e period.6 or ex!$ple, when ! person hits the he!d of !nother with the b)tt of
!n )nlicensed "-0> rifle, thereby inc!p!cit!tin5 the l!tter for one to nine d!ys, the !cc)sed $!y be
ch!r5ed only with sli5ht physic!l in%)ries, not ille5!l possession of fire!r$s.
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Dnder /rticle 21 of the Revised Pen!l Code, the d)r!tion of arresto menor is one to thirty d!ys.
L1?M
Th!t pen!l l!ws sho)ld be liber!lly interpreted in f!vor of the !cc)sed.
Republic of the Philippines
SUPREME COURT
Manila
EN BANC
G.R. No. 180040 'ebr51r, 10, 2010
RO!OL'O G. NA$ARRO, $CTOR '. BERNAL, 1)2 RENE O.
ME!NA, Petitioners,
vs.
E.ECUT$E SECRETARY E!UAR!O ERMTA, re6re*e)(7)8 (9e Pre*72e)( o:
(9e P97;7667)e*< Se)1(e o: (9e P97;7667)e*, re6re*e)(e2 b, (9e SENATE
PRES!ENT< "o5*e o: Re6re*e)(1(7ve*, re6re*e)(e2 b, (9e "OUSE SPEA=ER<
GO$ERNOR ROBERT ACE S. BARBERS, re6re*e)(7)8 (9e mo(9er 6rov7)>e o:
S5r781o 2e; Nor(e< GO$ERNOR GERAL!NE ECLEO $LLAROMAN,
re6re*e)(7)8 (9e )e? Prov7)>e o: !7)181( *;1)2*, Respondents.
D E C I S I N
PERALTA, J.:
(his is a petition for certiorari under Rule @4 of the Rules of Court see;in! to nullif#
Republic Act %R.A.& No. :544, other6ise ;no6n as An Act Creatin! the Province of
Dina!at Islands, for bein! unconstitutional.
Petitioners Rodolfo <. Navarro, ,ictor =. Bernal, and Rene . Medina aver that the#
are ta?pa#ers and residents of the Province of Suri!ao del Norte. (he# have served the
Province of Suri!ao del Norte once as ,ice/ <overnor and $e$bers of the Provincial
Board, respectivel#. (he# clai$ to have previousl# filed a si$ilar petition, 6hich 6as
dis$issed on technical !rounds.
"
(he# alle!e that the creation of the Dina!at Islands
as a ne6 province, if uncorrected, perpetuates an ille!al act of Con!ress, and un.ustl#
deprives the people of Suri!ao del Norte of a lar!e chun; of its territor#, Internal
Revenue Allocation and rich resources fro$ the area.
(he facts are as follo6s-
(he $other province of Suri!ao del Norte 6as created and established under R.A. No.
+C9@ on 7une ":, ":@3. (he province is co$posed of three $ain !roups of islands- %"&
the Mainland and Suri!ao Cit#8 %+& Siar!ao Island and Bucas <rande8 and %5& Dina!at
Island, 6hich is co$posed of seven $unicipalities, na$el#, Basilisa, Ca!dianao,
Dina!at, >ib.o, >oreto, San 7ose, and (uba.on.
Based on the official +333 Census of Population and Aousin! conducted b# the
National Statistics ffice %NS&,
+
the population of the Province of Suri!ao del Norte
as of Ma# ", +333 6as *9",*"@, bro;en do6n as follo6s-
Mainland +9","""
Suri!ao Cit# ""9,45*
Siar!ao Island D Bucas <rande :5,54*
Dina!at Island "3@,:4"
Bnder Section *@" of R.A. No. C@"3, other6ise ;no6n as (he >ocal <overn$ent
Code, a province $a# be created if it has an avera!e annual inco$e of not less
than P+3 $illion based on "::" constant prices as certified b# the Depart$ent of
=inance, and a population of not less than +43,333 inhabitants as certified b# the
NS, or a conti!uous territor# of at least +,333 s'uare ;ilo$eters as certified b# the
>ands Mana!e$ent Bureau. (he territor# need not be conti!uous if it co$prises t6o
or $ore islands or is separated b# a chartered cit# or cities, 6hich do not contribute to
the inco$e of the province.
n April 5, +33+, the ffice of the President, throu!h its Deput# E?ecutive Secretar#
for >e!al Affairs, advised the San!!unian! Panlala6i!an of the Province of Suri!ao
del Norte of the deficient population in the proposed Province of Dina!at Islands.
5
In 7ul# +335, the Provincial <overn$ent of Suri!ao del Norte conducted a special
census, 6ith the assistance of an NS District Census Coordinator, in the Dina!at
Islands to deter$ine its actual population in support of the house bill creatin! the
Province of Dina!at Islands. (he special census #ielded a population count of 5C",4C@
inhabitants in the proposed province. (he NS, ho6ever, did not certif# the result of
the special census. n 7ul# 53, +335, Suri!ao del Norte Provincial <overnor Robert
>#ndon S. Barbers issued Procla$ation No. 3", 6hich declared as official, for all
purposes, the +335 Special Census in Dina!at Islands sho6in! a population of
5C",4C@.
*
(he Bureau of >ocal <overn$ent =inance certified that the avera!e annual inco$e of
the proposed Province of Dina!at Islands for calendar #ear +33+ to +335 based on the
"::" constant prices 6as P9+,@:@,*55.+5. (he land area of the proposed province is
93+."+ s'uare ;ilo$eters.
n Au!ust "*, +33@ and Au!ust +9, +33@, the Senate and the Aouse of
Representatives, respectivel#, passed the bill creatin! the Province of Dina!at Islands.
It 6as approved and enacted into la6 as R.A. No. :544 on ctober +, +33@ b#
President <loria Macapa!al/Arro#o.
n Dece$ber +, +33@, a plebiscite 6as held in the $other Province of Suri!ao del
Norte to deter$ine 6hether the local !overn$ent units directl# affected approved of
the creation of the Province of Dina!at Islands into a distinct and independent
province co$prisin! the $unicipalities of Basilisa, Ca!dianao, Dina!at, >ib.o
%Albor&, >oreto, San 7ose, and (uba.on. (he result of the plebiscite #ielded @:,:*5
affir$ative votes and @5,43+ ne!ative votes.
4
n Dece$ber 5, +33@, the Plebiscite Provincial Board of Canvassers proclai$ed that
the creation of Dina!at Islands into a separate and distinct province 6as ratified and
approved b# the $a.orit# of the votes cast in the plebiscite.
@
n 7anuar# +@, +33C, a ne6 set of provincial officials too; their oath of office
follo6in! their appoint$ent b# President <loria Macapa!al/Arro#o. Another set of
provincial officials 6as elected durin! the s#nchroni)ed national and local elections
held on Ma# "*, +33C. n 7ul# ", +33C, the elected provincial officials too; their oath
of office8 hence, the Province of Dina!at Islands be!an its corporate e?istence.
C
Petitioners contended that the creation of the Province of Dina!at Islands under R.A.
No. :544 is not valid because it failed to co$pl# 6ith either the population or land
area re'uire$ent prescribed b# the >ocal <overn$ent Code.
Petitioners pra#ed that R.A. No. :544 be declared unconstitutional, and that all
subse'uent appoint$ents and elections to the ne6 vacant positions in the ne6l#
created Province of Dina!at Islands be declared null and void. (he# also pra#ed for
the return of the $unicipalities of the Province of Dina!at Islands and the return of the
for$er districts to the $other Province of Suri!ao del Norte.
Petitioners raised the follo6in! issues-
I
0AE(AER R N( REPBB>IC AC( N. :544, CREA(IN< (AE NE0
PR,INCE = DINA<A( IS>ANDS, CMP>IED 0I(A (AE CNS(I(B(IN
AND S(A(B(RH REOBIREMEN(S BNDER SEC(IN *@" = REPBB>IC
AC( N. C"@3, (AER0ISE SN0N AS (AE >CA> <,ERNMEN( CDE
= "::".
II
0AE(AER R N( (AE CREA(IN = DINA<A( AS A NE0 PR,INCE BH
(AE RESPNDEN(S IS AN AC( = <ERRHMANDERIN<.
III
0AE(AER R N( (AE RESB>( = (AE P>EBISCI(E IS CREDIB>E AND
(RB>H RE=>EC(S (AE MANDA(E = (AE PEP>E.
9
In her Me$orandu$, respondent <overnor <eraldine B. Ecleo/,illaro$an of the
Province of Dina!at Islands raises procedural issues. She contends that petitioners do
not have the le!al standin! to 'uestion the constitutionalit# of the creation of the
Province of Dina!at, since the# have not been directl# in.ured b# its creation and are
6ithout substantial interest over the $atter in controvers#. Moreover, she alle!es that
the petition is $oot and acade$ic because the e?istence of the Province of Dina!at
Islands has alread# co$$enced8 hence, the petition should be dis$issed.
(he contention is 6ithout $erit.
In Coconut il Refiners Association, Inc. v. (orres,
:
the Court held that in cases of
para$ount i$portance 6here serious constitutional 'uestions are involved, the
standin! re'uire$ents $a# be rela?ed and a suit $a# be allo6ed to prosper even
6here there is no direct in.ur# to the part# clai$in! the ri!ht of .udicial revie6. In the
sa$e vein, 6ith respect to other alle!ed procedural fla6s, even assu$in! the e?istence
of such defects, the Court, in the e?ercise of its discretion, brushes aside these
technicalities and ta;es co!ni)ance of the petition considerin! its i$portance and in
;eepin! 6ith the dut# to deter$ine 6hether the other branches of the !overn$ent
have ;ept the$selves 6ithin the li$its of the Constitution.
"3
=urther, supervenin! events, 6hether intended or accidental, cannot prevent the Court
fro$ renderin! a decision if there is a !rave violation of the Constitution.
""
(he courts
6ill decide a 'uestion other6ise $oot and acade$ic if it is capable of repetition, #et
evadin! revie6.
"+
(he $ain issue is 6hether or not R.A. No. :544 violates Section "3, Article L of the
Constitution.
Petitioners contend that the proposed Province of Dina!at Islands is not 'ualified to
beco$e a province because it failed to co$pl# 6ith the land area or the population
re'uire$ent, despite its co$pliance 6ith the inco$e re'uire$ent. It has a total land
area of onl# 93+."+ s'uare ;ilo$eters, 6hich falls short of the statutor# re'uire$ent
of at least +,333 s'uare ;ilo$eters. Moreover, based on the NS +333 Census of
Population, the total population of the proposed Province of Dina!at Islands is onl#
"3@,:4", 6hile the statutor# re'uire$ent is a population of at least +43,333
inhabitants.
Petitioners alle!e that in enactin! R.A. No. :544 into la6, the Aouse of
Representatives and the Senate erroneousl# relied on para!raph + of Article : of the
Rules and Re!ulations I$ple$entin! the >ocal <overn$ent Code of "::", 6hich
states that 1FtGhe land area re'uire$ent shall not appl# 6here the proposed province is
co$posed of one %"& or $ore islands.1
"5
(he precedin! italici)ed provision contained
in the I$ple$entin! Rules and Re!ulations is not e?pressl# or i$pliedl# stated as an
e?e$ption to the land area re'uire$ent in Section *@" of the >ocal <overn$ent Code.
Petitioners assert that 6hen the I$ple$entin! Rules and Re!ulations conflict 6ith the
la6 that the# see; to i$ple$ent, the la6 prevails.
n the other hand, respondents contend in their respective Me$oranda that the
Province of Dina!at Islands $et the le!al standard for its creation.'aphi'
=irst, the Bureau of >ocal <overn$ent =inance certified that the avera!e annual
inco$e of the proposed Province of Dina!at Islands for the #ears +33+ to +335 based
on the "::" constant prices 6as P9+,@:@,*55.+4.
Second, the >ands Mana!e$ent Bureau certified that thou!h the land area of the
Province of Dina!at Islands is 93+."+ s'uare ;ilo$eters, it is co$posed of one or
$ore islands8 thus, it is e?e$pt fro$ the re'uired land area of +,333 s'uare ;ilo$eters
under para!raph + of Article : of the Rules and Re!ulations I$ple$entin! the >ocal
<overn$ent Code.
(hird, in the special census conducted b# the Provincial <overn$ent of Suri!ao del
Norte, 6ith the assistance of a District Census Coordinator of the NS, the nu$ber of
inhabitants in the Province of Dina!at Islands as of +335, or al$ost three #ears before
the enact$ent of R.A. No. :544 in +33@, 6as 5C",4C@, 6hich is $ore than the
$ini$u$ re'uire$ent of +43,333 inhabitants.
In his Me$orandu$, respondent <overnor Ace S. Barbers contends that althou!h the
result of the special census conducted b# the Provincial <overn$ent of Suri!ao del
Norte on Dece$ber +, +335 6as never certified b# the NS, it is credible since it 6as
conducted 6ith the aid of a representative of the NS. Ae alle!ed that the lac; of
certification b# the NS 6as cured b# the presence of NS officials, 6ho testified
durin! the deliberations on Aouse Bill No. 99* creatin! the Province of Dina!at
Islands, and 6ho 'uestioned neither the conduct of the special census nor the validit#
of the result.
T9e R5;7)8 o: (9e Co5r(
(he petition is !ranted.
(he constitutional provision on the creation of a province in Section "3, Article L of
the Constitution states-
SEC. "3. No province, cit#, $unicipalit#, or baran!a# $a# be created, divided,
$er!ed, abolished, or its boundar# substantiall# altered, e?cept in accordance 6ith the
criteria established in the local !overn$ent code and sub.ect to approval b# a $a.orit#
of the votes cast in a plebiscite in the political units directl# affected.1
"*
Pursuant to the Constitution, the >ocal <overn$ent Code of "::" prescribed the
criteria for the creation of a province, thus-
SEC. *@". ?e%uisites for Creation. // %a& A province $a# be created if it has an
avera!e annual inco$e, as certified b# the Depart$ent of =inance, of not less than
(6ent# $illion pesos %P+3,333,333.33& based on "::" constant prices and either of
the follo6in! re'uisites-
%i& a conti!uous territor# of at least t6o thousand %+,333& s'uare
;ilo$eters, as certified b# the >ands Mana!e$ent Bureau8 or
%ii& a population of not less than t6o hundred fift# thousand %+43,333&
inhabitants as certified b# the National Statistics ffice-
Proided, (hat, the creation thereof shall not reduce the land area, population,
and inco$e of the ori!inal unit or units at the ti$e of said creation to less than
the $ini$u$ re'uire$ents prescribed herein.
%b& (he territor# need not be conti!uous if it co$prises t6o %+& or $ore islands
or is separated b# a chartered cit# or cities 6hich do not contribute to the
inco$e of the province.
%c& (he avera!e annual inco$e shall include the inco$e accruin! to the !eneral
fund, e?clusive of special funds, trust funds, transfers, and non/recurrin!
inco$e.
"4
As a clarification of the territorial re'uire$ent, the >ocal <overn$ent Code re'uires
a conti!uous territor# of at least +,333 s'uare ;ilo$eters, as certified b# the >ands
Mana!e$ent Bureau. Ao6ever, the territor# need not be conti!uousif it co$prises
t6o %+& or $ore islands or is separated b# a chartered cit# or cities that do not
contribute to the inco$e of the province.
If a proposed province is co$posed of t6o or $ore islands, does 1territor#,1 under
Sec. *@" of the >ocal <overn$ent Code, include not onl# the land $ass above the
6ater, but also that 6hich is beneath itI
(o ans6er the 'uestion above, the discussion in (an v. Co$$ission on Elections
%CME>EC&
"@
is enli!htenin!.
In Tan $ C@!E:EC, petitioners therein contended that Batas Pa$bansa Bl!. 994,
creatin! the ne6 Province of Ne!ros del Norte, 6as unconstitutional for it 6as not in
accord 6ith Art. LI, Sec. 5 of the Constitution, and Batas Pa$bansa Bl!. 55C, the
for$er >ocal <overn$ent Code. Althou!h 6hat 6as applicable then 6as the ":C5
Constitution and the for$er >ocal <overn$ent Code, the provisions pertinent to the
case are substantiall# si$ilar to the provisions in this case.
Art. LI, Sec. 5 of the ":C5 Constitution provides-
Sec. 5. No province, cit#, $unicipalit# or barrio %baran!a# in the ":9C Constitution&
$a# be created, divided, $er!ed, abolished, or its boundar# substantiall# altered
e?cept in accordance 6ith the criteria established in the local !overn$ent code, and
sub.ect to the approval b# a $a.orit# of the votes in a plebiscite in the unit or units
affected.
(he re'uisites for the creation of a province in Sec. ":C of Batas Pa$bansa Bl!. 55C
are si$ilar to the re'uisites in Sec. *@" of the >ocal <overn$ent Code of "::", but
the re'uire$ents for population and territor#Kland area are lo6er no6, 6hile the
inco$e re'uire$ent is hi!her. Sec. ":C of Batas Pa$bansa Bl!. 55C, the for$er >ocal
<overn$ent Code, provides-
SEC. ":C.TRe'uisites for Creation.TA province $a# be created if it has a territor#
of at least three thousand five hundred s'uare ;ilo$eters, a population of at least five
hundred thousand persons, an avera!e esti$ated annual inco$e, as certified b# the
Ministr# of =inance, of not less than ten $illion pesos for the last three consecutive
#ears, and its creation shall not reduce the population and inco$e of the $other
province or provinces at the ti$e of said creation to less than the $ini$u$
re'uire$ents under this section. (he territor# need not be conti!uous if it co$prises
t6o or $ore islands.
(he avera!e esti$ated annual inco$e shall include the inco$e allotted for both the
!eneral and infrastructure funds, e?clusive of trust funds, transfers and nonrecurrin!
inco$e.
"C
In Tan $ C@!E:EC, petitioners therein filed a case for Prohibition for the purpose of
stoppin! the CME>EC fro$ conductin! the plebiscite scheduled on 7anuar# 5,
":9@. Since the Court 6as in recess, it 6as unable to consider the petition on ti$e.
Petitioners filed a supple$ental pleadin!, averrin! that the plebiscite sou!ht to be
restrained b# the$ 6as held as scheduled, but there 6ere still serious issues raised in
the case affectin! the le!alit#, constitutionalit# and validit# of such e?ercise 6hich
should properl# be passed upon and resolved b# the Court.
At issue in Tan 6as the land area of the ne6 Province of Ne!ros del Norte, and the
validit# of the plebiscite, 6hich did not include voters of the parent Province of
Ne!ros ccidental, but onl# those livin! 6ithin the territor# of the ne6 Province of
Ne!ros del Norte.
(he Court held that the plebiscite should have included the people livin! in the area of
the proposed ne6 province and those livin! in the parent province. Ao6ever, the
Court did not direct the conduct of a ne6 plebiscite, because the factual and le!al
basis for the creation of the ne6 province did not e?ist as it failed to satisf# the land
area re'uire$ent8 hence, Batas Pa$bansa Bl!. 994, creatin! the ne6 Province of
Ne!ros del Norte, 6as declared unconstitutional. (he Court found that the land area of
the ne6 province 6as onl# about +,94@ s'uare ;ilo$eters, 6hich 6as belo6 the
statutor# re'uire$ent then of 5,433 s'uare ;ilo$eters.
Respondents in Tan insisted that 6hen the >ocal <overn$ent Code spea;s of the
re'uired territor# of the province to be created, 6hat is conte$plated is not onl# the
land area, but also the land and 6ater over 6hich the said province has .urisdiction
and control. (he respondents sub$itted that in this re!ard, the $ar!inal sea 6ithin the
three $ile li$it should be considered in deter$inin! the e?tent of the territor# of the
ne6 province.
(he Court stated that 1FsGuch an interpretation is strained, incorrect and
fallacious.1
"9
It held-
(he last sentence of the first para!raph of Section ":C is $ost revealin!. As so stated
therein the 1territor# need not be conti!uous if it co$prises t6o or $ore islands.1 (he
use of the 6ord territor# in this particular provision of the >ocal <overn$ent Code
and in the ver# last sentence thereof, clearl#, reflects that 1territor#1 as therein used,
has reference onl# to the $ass of land area and e?cludes the 6aters over 6hich the
political unit e?ercises control.
Said sentence states that the 1territor# need not be conti!uous.1 Conti!uous $eans %a&
in ph#sical contact8 %b& touchin! alon! all or $ost of one side8 %c& near, FnGe?t, or
ad.acent %0ebsterUs Ne6 0orld Dictionar#, ":C+ Ed., p. 53C&. 1Conti!uous,1 6hen
e$plo#ed as an ad.ective, as in the above sentence, is onl# used 6hen it describes
ph#sical contact, or a touchin! of sides of t6o solid $asses of $atter. (he $eanin! of
particular ter$s in a statute $a# be ascertained b# reference to 6ords associated 6ith
or related to the$ in the statute %Ani$al Rescue >ea!ue vs. Assessors, "59 A.>.R., p.
""3&. (herefore, in the conte?t of the sentence above, 6hat need not be 1conti!uous1
is the 1territor#1 T the ph#sical $ass of land area. (here 6ould arise no need for the
le!islators to use the 6ord conti!uous if the# had intended that the ter$ 1territor#1
e$brace not onl# land area but also territorial 6aters. It can be safel# concluded that
the 6ord territor# in the first para!raph of Section ":C is $eant to be s#non#$ous
6ith 1land area1 onl#. (he 6ords and phrases used in a statute should be !iven the
$eanin! intended b# the le!islature %9+ C.7.S., p. @5@&. (he sense in 6hich the 6ords
are used furnished the rule of construction %In re 0inton >u$ber Co., @5 p. +d., p.
@@*&.
":
(he discussion of the Court in Tan on the definition and usa!e of the ter$s 1territor#,1
and 1conti!uous,1 and the $eanin! of the provision, 1(he territor# need not be
conti!uous if it co$prises t6o or $ore islands,1 contained in Sec. ":C of the for$er
>ocal <overn$ent Code, 6hich provides for the re'uisites in the creation of a ne6
province, is applicable in this case since there is no reason for a chan!e in their
respective definitions, usa!e, or $eanin! in its counterpart provision in the present
>ocal <overn$ent Code contained in Sec. *@" thereof.
(he territorial re'uire$ent in the >ocal <overn$ent Code is adopted in the Rules and
Re!ulations I$ple$entin! the >ocal <overn$ent Code of "::" %IRR&,
+3
thus-
AR(. :. Proinces.T%a& Re'uisites for creationTA province shall not be created
unless the follo6in! re'uisites on inco$e and either population or land area are
present-
%"& Inco$e T An avera!e annual inco$e of not less than (6ent# Million Pesos
%P+3,333,333.33& for the i$$ediatel# precedin! t6o %+& consecutive #ears
based on "::" constant prices, as certified b# D=. (he avera!e annual inco$e
shall include the inco$e accruin! to the !eneral fund, e?clusive of special
funds, special accounts, transfers, and nonrecurrin! inco$e8 and
%+& Population or land area / Population 6hich shall not be less than t6o
hundred fift# thousand %+43,333& inhabitants, as certified b# National Statistics
ffice8 or land area 6hich $ust be conti!uous 6ith an area of at least t6o
thousand %+,333& s'uare ;ilo$eters, as certified b# >MB. (he territor# need not
be conti!uous if it co$prises t6o %+& or $ore islands or is separated b# a
chartered cit# or cities 6hich do not contribute to the inco$e of the province.
(he land area re'uire$ent shall not appl# 6here the proposed province is
co$posed of one %"& or $ore islands. (he territorial .urisdiction of a province
sou!ht to be created shall be properl# identified b# $etes and bounds.
Ao6ever, the IRR 6ent be#ond the criteria prescribed b# Section *@" of the >ocal
<overn$ent Code 6hen it added the italici)ed portion above statin! that 1FtGhe land
area re'uire$ent shall not appl# 6here the proposed province is co$posed of one %"&
or $ore islands.1 No6here in the >ocal <overn$ent Code is the said provision stated
or i$plied. Bnder Section *@" of the >ocal <overn$ent Code, the onl# instance 6hen
the territorial or land area re'uire$ent need not be co$plied 6ith is 6hen there is
alread# co$pliance 6ith the population re'uire$ent. (he Constitution re'uires that
the criteria for the creation of a province, includin! an# e?e$ption fro$ such criteria,
$ust all be 6ritten in the >ocal <overn$ent Code.
+"
(here is no dispute that in case of
discrepanc# bet6een the basic la6 and the rules and re!ulations i$ple$entin! the
said la6, the basic la6 prevails, because the rules and re!ulations cannot !o be#ond
the ter$s and provisions of the basic la6.
++
Aence, the Court holds that the provision in Sec. +, Art. : of the IRR statin! that 1FtGhe
land area re'uire$ent shall not appl# 6here the proposed province is co$posed of
one %"& or $ore islands1 is null and void.
Respondents, represented b# the ffice of the Solicitor <eneral, ar!ue that rules and
re!ulations have the force and effect of la6 as lon! as the# are !er$ane to the ob.ects
and purposes of the la6. (he# contend that the e?e$ption fro$ the land area
re'uire$ent of +,333 s'uare ;ilo$eters is !er$ane to the purpose of the >ocal
<overn$ent Code to develop political and territorial subdivisions into self/reliant
co$$unities and $a;e the$ $ore effective partners in the attain$ent of national
!oals.
+5
(he# assert that in Aol# Spirit Ao$eo6ners Association, Inc. v.
Defensor,
+*
the Court declared as valid the i$ple$entin! rules and re!ulations of a
statute, even thou!h the ad$inistrative a!enc# added certain provisions in the
i$ple$entin! rules that 6ere not found in the la6.
In Aol# Spirit Ao$eo6ners Association, Inc. v. Defensor, the provisions in the
i$ple$entin! rules and re!ulations, 6hich 6ere 'uestioned b# petitioner therein,
$erel# filled in the details in accordance 6ith a ;no6n standard. (he la6 that 6as
'uestioned 6as R.A. No. :+3C, other6ise ;no6n as 1National <overn$ent Center
%N<C& Aousin! and >and Btili)ation Act of +335.1 It 6as therein declared that the
1polic# of the State F6asG to secure the land tenure of the urban poor. (o6ard this end,
lands located in the N<C, Oue)on Cit# shall be utili)ed for housin!, socioecono$ic,
civic, educational, reli!ious and other purposes.1 Section 4 of R.A. No. :+3C created
the National <overn$ent Center Ad$inistration Co$$ittee, 6hich 6as tas;ed to
ad$inister, for$ulate the !uidelines and policies and i$ple$ent the land disposition
of the areas covered b# the la6.
Petitioners therein contended that 6hile Sec. 5.+ %a."& of the IRR fi?ed the sellin! rate
of a lot at PC33.33 per s'. $., R.A. No. :+3C did not provide for the price. In addition,
Sec. 5.+ %c."& of the IRR penali)es a beneficiar# 6ho fails to e?ecute a contract to sell
6ithin si? %@& $onths fro$ the approval of the subdivision plan b# i$posin! a price
escalation, 6hile there is no such penalt# i$posed b# R.A. No. :+3C. (hus, the#
conclude that the assailed provisions conflict 6ith R.A. No. :+3C and should be
nullified.
In Aol# Spirit Ao$eo6ners Association, Inc., the Court held-
0here a rule or re!ulation has a provision not e?pressl# stated or contained in the
statute bein! i$ple$ented, that provision does not necessaril# contradict the statute. A
le!islative rule is in the nature of subordinate le!islation, desi!ned to i$ple$ent a
pri$ar# le!islation b# providin! the details thereof. All that is re'uired is that the
re!ulation should be !er$ane to the ob.ects and purposes of the la68 that the
re!ulation be not in contradiction to but in confor$it# 6ith the standards prescribed
b# the la6.
In Section 4 of R.A. No. :+3C, the Co$$ittee is !ranted the po6er to
ad$inister, for#ulate guidelines and policies, and i$ple$ent the disposition of the
areas covered b# the la6. I$plicit in this authorit# and the statute2s ob.ective of urban
poor housin! is the po6er of the Co$$ittee to for$ulate the $anner b# 6hich the
reserved propert# $a# be allocated to the beneficiaries. Bnder this broad po6er,
the Co$$ittee is $andated to fill in the details such as the 'ualifications of
beneficiaries, the sellin! price of the lots, the ter$s and conditions !overnin! the sale
and other ;e# particulars necessar# to i$ple$ent the ob.ective of the la6. (hese
details are purposel# o$itted fro$ the statute and their deter$ination is left to the
discretion of the Co$$ittee because the latter possesses special ;no6led!e and
technical e?pertise over these $atters.
(he Co$$ittee2s authorit# to fi? the sellin! price of the lots $a# be li;ened to the
rate/fi?in! po6er of ad$inistrative a!encies. In case of a dele!ation of rate/fi?in!
po6er, the onl# standard 6hich the le!islature is re'uired to prescribe for the !uidance
of the ad$inistrative authorit# is that the rate be reasonable and .ust. Ao6ever, it has
been held that even in the absence of an e?press re'uire$ent as to reasonableness, this
standard $a# be i$plied. In this re!ard, petitioners do not even clai$ that the sellin!
price of the lots is unreasonable.
(he provision on the price escalation clause as a penalt# i$posed to a beneficiar# 6ho
fails to e?ecute a contract to sell 6ithin the prescribed period is also 6ithin the
Co$$ittee2s authorit# to for$ulate !uidelines and policies to i$ple$ent R.A. No.
:+3C. (he Co$$ittee has the po6er to la# do6n the ter$s and conditions !overnin!
the disposition of said lots, provided that these are reasonable and .ust. (here is
nothin! ob.ectionable about prescribin! a period 6ithin 6hich the parties $ust
e?ecute the contract to sell. (his condition can ordinaril# be found in a contract to sell
and is not contrar# to la6, $orals, !ood custo$s, public order, or public polic#.
+4
Aence, the provisions in the i$ple$entin! rules and re!ulations that 6ere 'uestioned
in Aol# Spirit Ao$eo6ners Association, Inc. $erel# filled in the necessar# details to
i$ple$ent the ob.ective of the la6 in accordance 6ith a ;no6n standard, and 6ere
thus !er$ane to the purpose of the la6.
In this case, the pertinent provision in the IRR did not fill in an# detail in accordance
6ith a ;no6n standard provided for b# the la6. Instead, the IRR added an e?e$ption
to the standard or criteria prescribed b# the >ocal <overn$ent Code in the creation of
a province as re!ards the land area re'uire$ent, 6hich e?e$ption is not found in the
Code. As such, the provision in the IRR that the land area re'uire$ent shall not appl#
6here the proposed province is co$posed of one or $ore islands is not in confor$it#
6ith the standard or criteria prescribed b# the >ocal <overn$ent Code8 hence, it is
null and void.
Contrar# to the contention of respondents, the e?traneous provision cannot be
considered as !er$ane to the purpose of the la6 to develop territorial and political
subdivisions into self/reliant co$$unities because, in the first place, it alread#
conflicts 6ith the criteria prescribed b# the la6 in creatin! a territorial subdivision.
=urther, citin! <alarosa v. ,alencia,
+@
the ffice of the Solicitor <eneral contends that
the IRRs issued b# the versi!ht Co$$ittee co$posed of $e$bers of the le!islative
and e?ecutive branches of the !overn$ent are entitled to !reat 6ei!ht and respect, as
the# are in the nature of e?ecutive construction.
(he case is not in point. In <alarosa, the issue 6as 6hether or not <alarosa could
continue to serve as a $e$ber of the"angguniang 1ayan be#ond 7une 53, "::+, the
date 6hen the ter$ of office of the elective $e$bers of the"angguniang 1ayan of
Sorso!on e?pired. <alarosa 6as the incu$bent president of the Aatipunang 1ayan or
Association of 1arangay Councils %ABC& of the Municipalit# of Sorso!on, Province
of Sorso!on8 and 6as appointed as a $e$ber of the "angguniang 1ayan %SB& of
Sorso!on pursuant to E?ecutive rder No. 5*+ in relation to Sec. "*@ of Batas
Pa$bansa Bl!. 55C, the for$er >ocal <overn$ent Code.
Sec. *:* of the >ocal <overn$ent Code of "::"
+C
states that the dul# elected
presidents of the liga Fng #ga barangayG at the $unicipal, cit# and provincial levels,
includin! the co$ponent cities and $unicipalities of Metropolitan Manila, shall serve
as e( officio $e$bers of the sangguniang bayan, sangguniang panglungsod, and
sangguniang panlala&igan, respectivel#. (he# shall serve as such onl# durin! their
ter$ of office as presidents of the liga chapters 6hich, in no case, shall be be#ond the
ter$ of office of the sanggunian concerned. (he section, ho6ever, does not fi? the
specific duration of their ter$ as liga president. (he Court held that this 6as left to the
b#/la6s of the liga pursuant to Art. +""%!& of the Rules and Re!ulations I$ple$entin!
the >ocal <overn$ent Code of "::". Moreover, there 6as no indication that Secs.
*:"
+9
and *:* should be !iven retroactive effect to adversel# affect the presidents of
the ABC8 hence, the said provisions 6ere to be applied prospectivel#.
(he Court stated that there is no la6 that prohibits ABC presidents fro$ holdin! over
as $e$bers of the "angguniang 1ayan. n the contrar#, the IRR, prepared and issued
b# the versi!ht Co$$ittee upon specific $andate of Sec. 455 of the >ocal
<overn$ent Code, e?pressl# reco!ni)es and !rants the hold/over authorit# to the
ABC presidents under Art. +"3, Rule LLIL.
+:
(he Court upheld the application of the
hold/over doctrine in the provisions of the IRR and the issuances of the DI><, 6hose
purpose 6as to prevent a hiatus in the !overn$ent pendin! the ti$e 6hen the
successor $a# be chosen and inducted into office.
(he Court held that Sec. *:* of the >ocal <overn$ent Code could not have been
intended to allo6 a !ap in the representation of the barangays, throu!h the presidents
of the ABC, in the sanggunian. Since the ter$ of office of thepunong
barangays elected in the March +9, ":9: election and the ter$ of office of the
presidents of the ABC had not #et e?pired, and ta;in! into account the special role
conferred upon, and the broader po6ers and functions vested in thebarangays b# the
Code, it 6as inferred that the Code never intended to deprive the barangays of their
representation in the sangguniang bayan durin! the interre!nu$ 6hen the liga had #et
to be for$all# or!ani)ed 6ith the election of its officers.
Bnder the circu$stances prevailin! in <alarosa, the Court considered the relevant
provisions in the IRR for$ulated b# the versi!ht Co$$ittee and the pertinent
issuances of the DI>< in the nature of e?ecutive construction, 6hich 6ere entitled to
!reat 6ei!ht and respect.
Courts deter$ine the intent of the la6 fro$ the literal lan!ua!e of the la6 6ithin the
la62s four corners.
53
If the lan!ua!e of the la6 is plain, clear and una$bi!uous, courts
si$pl# appl# the la6 accordin! to its e?press ter$s.
5"
If a literal application of the la6
results in absurdit#, i$possibilit# or in.ustice, then courts $a# resort to e?trinsic aids
of statutor# construction li;e the le!islative histor# of the la6,
5+
or $a# consider the
i$ple$entin! rules and re!ulations and pertinent e?ecutive issuances in the nature of
e?ecutive construction.
In this case, the re'uire$ents for the creation of a province contained in Sec. *@" of
the >ocal <overn$ent Code are clear, plain and una$bi!uous, and its literal
application does not result in absurdit# or in.ustice. Aence, the provision in Art. :%+&
of the IRR e?e$ptin! a proposed province co$posed of one or $ore islands fro$ the
land/area re'uire$ent cannot be considered an e?ecutive construction of the criteria
prescribed b# the >ocal <overn$ent Code. It is an e?traneous provision not intended
b# the >ocal <overn$ent Code and, therefore, is null and void.
+9e(9er R.A. No. 9344 >om6;7e2 ?7(9 (9e re@57reme)(* o: Se>(7o) 361 o: (9e
Lo>1; Gover)me)( Co2e 7) >re1(7)8 (9e Prov7)>e o: !7)181( *;1)2*
It is undisputed that R.A. No. :544 co$plied 6ith the inco$e re'uire$ent specified
b# the >ocal <overn$ent Code. 0hat is disputed is its co$pliance 6ith the land area
or population re'uire$ent.
R.A. No. :544 e?pressl# states that the Province of Dina!at Islands 1contains an
appro?i$ate land area of ei!ht# thousand t6o hundred t6elve hectares %93,+"+ has.&
or 93+."+ s'. ;$., $ore or less, includin! Aibuson Island and appro?i$atel# fort#/
seven %*C& islets ? ? ?.1
55
R.A. No. :544, therefore, failed to co$pl# 6ith the land area
re'uire$ent of +,333 s'uare ;ilo$eters.
(he Province of Dina!at Islands also failed to co$pl# 6ith the population
re'uire$ent of not less than +43,333 inhabitants as certified b# the NS. Based on the
+333 Census of Population conducted b# the NS, the population of the Province of
Dina!at Islands as of Ma# ", +333 6as onl# "3@,:4".
Althou!h the Provincial <overn$ent of Suri!ao del Norte conducted a special census
of population in Dina!at Islands in +335, 6hich #ielded a population count of
5C",333, the result 6as not certified b# the NS as re'uired b# the >ocal <overn$ent
Code.
5*
Moreover, respondents failed to prove that 6ith the population count of
5C",333, the population of the ori!inal unit %$other Province of Suri!ao del Norte&
6ould not be reduced to less than the $ini$u$ re'uire$ent prescribed b# la6 at the
ti$e of the creation of the ne6 province.
54
Respondents contended that the lac; of certification b# the NS 6as cured b# the
presence of the officials of the NS durin! the deliberations on the house bill creatin!
the Province of Dina!at Islands, since the# did not ob.ect to the result of the special
census conducted b# the Provincial <overn$ent of Suri!ao del Norte.
(he contention of respondents does not persuade.
Althou!h the NS representative to the Co$$ittee on >ocal <overn$ent
deliberations dated Nove$ber +*, +334 did not ob.ect to the
result of the provincial !overn$ent2s special census, 6hich 6as conducted 6ith the
assistance of an NS district census coordinator, it 6as a!reed b# the participants that
the said result 6as not certified b# the NS, 6hich is the re'uire$ent of the >ocal
<overn$ent Code. Moreover, the NS representative, Statistician II Ma. Solita C.
,er!ara, stated that based on their co$putation, the population re'uire$ent of
+43,333 inhabitants 6ould be attained b# the Province of Dina!at Islands b# the #ear
+3@4. (he co$putation 6as based on the !ro6th rate of the population, e?cludin!
$i!ration.
(he pertinent portion of the deliberation on Aouse Bill No. 99* creatin! the Province
of Dina!at reads-
(AE CAAIRMAN %Aon. Alfredo S. >i$&- . . . (here is no proble$ 6ith the
land area re'uire$ent and to the inco$e re'uire$ent. (he proble$ is 6ith the
population re'uire$ent.
? ? ? ?
No6 because of this 'uestion, 6e 6ould li;e to $a;e it of record the stand and
repl# of National Statistics ffice. Can 6e hear no6 fro$ Ms. Solita ,er!araI
MS. ,ER<ARA. 0e onl# certif# population based on the counts proclai$ed
b# the President. And in this case, 6e onl# certif# the population based on the
results of the +333 census of population and housin!.
(AE CAAIRMAN. Is thatV
MS. ,ER<ARA. Sir, as per Batas Pa$bansa, BP C+, 6e onl# follo6 ;un! ano
po R#on! $andated b# the la6. So, as $andated b# the la6, 6e onl# certif#
those counts proclai$ed official b# the President.
(AE CAAIRMAN. But the !overn$ent of Suri!ao del Norte is headed b#
<overnor Robert >#ndon Ace Barbers and the# conducted this census in #ear
+335 and #ours 6as conducted in #ear +333. So, 6ithin that ti$e fra$e, three
#ears, there could be an increase in population or transfer of residents, is that
possibleI
MS. ,ER<ARA. Hes, sir, but then 6e onl# conduct census of population ever#
"3 #ears and 6e conduct special census ever# five #ears. So, in this case,
$a#be b# ne?t #ear, 6e 6ill be conductin! the +33@.
(AE CAAIRMAN. But ne?t #ear 6ill be 'uite a lon! ti$e, the $atter is no6
bein! discussed on the table. So, is that the onl# thin! #ou could sa# that it2s
not authori)ed b# National Statistics fficeI
MS. ,ER<ARA. Hes, sir. 0e have passed a resolutionTorders to the
provincial officesTto our provincial offices statin! that 6e can provide
assistance in the conduct, but then 6e cannot certif# the result of the conduct as
official.
(AE CAAIRMAN. Ma# 6e hear fro$ the Aonorable <overnor Robert >#ndon
Ace Barbers, #our repl# on the state$ent of the representative fro$ National
Statistics ffice.
MR. BARBERS. (han; #ou, Mr. Chair$an, !ood $ornin!.
Hes, #our Aonor, 6e have conducted a special census in the #ear +335. 0e
6ere acco$panied b# one of the e$plo#ees fro$ the Provincial National
Statistics ffice. Ao6ever, 6e also ad$it the fact that our special census or the
special census 6e conducted in +335 6as not validated or certified b# the
National Statistics ffice, as provided b# la6. So, 6e ad$it on our part that the
certification that I have issued based on the sub$ission of records of each
localit# or each $unicipalit# fro$ Dina!at IslandFsG 6ere true and correct
based on our level, not on National Statistics ffice level.
But 6ith that particular ob.ection of E?ecutive Director Ericta on 6hat 6e have
conducted, I believe, #our Aonor, it 6ill be, ho6ever, $oot and acade$ic in
ter$s of the provision under the >ocal <overn$ent Code on the re'uire$ents
in $a;in! one area a province because 6hat 6e need is a $ini$u$ of +3
$illion, as stated b# the Aonorable Chair$an and, of course, the land area.
No6, in ter$s of the land area, Dina!at IslandFsG is e?e$pted because ??? the
area is co$posed of $ore than one island. In fact, there are about *C lo6 tide
and hi!h tide, less than *3I ????
(AE CAAIRMAN. (han; #ou, <overnor. ????
? ? ? ?
(AE CAAIRMAN. Althou!h the clai$ of the !overnor is, even if 6e hold in
abe#ance this 'uestioned re'uire$ent, the other t6o re'uire$ents, as $andated
b# la6, is alread# achieved E the inco$e and the land area.
MS. ,ER<ARA. 0e do not 'uestion po the results of an# locall# conducted
census, ;asi po tala!an! 6e provide assistance 6hile the#2re conductin! their
o6n census. But then, an! re'uire$ent po ;asi is, basta 6e 6ill not certif#T6e
6ill not certif# an# population count as a result noon! ;anilan! locall#
conducted census. Eh, sa >ocal <overn$ent Code po, 6e all ;no6 na an! ???
nire/re'uire nila is a certification provided b# National Statistics ffice. RHon
po R#on! re'uire$ent, di ba poI
(AE CAAIRMAN. o. But a certification, even thou!h not issued, cannot !o
a!ainst actual realit# because that2s .ust a bureaucratic re'uire$ent. An! ibi!
;on! sabihin, ipa!pala!a#, a couple E isan! lala;i, isan! babae Ena!$a$ahalan
sila. As an offshoot of this und#in! love, na!;aroon n! $!a ana;, hindi ba,
pero hindi ;asal, it2s a live/in situation. An! tanon! ;o lan!, 6hether
eventuall#, the# !ot $arried or not, that love re$ains. And 6e cannot den# also
the e?istence of the offsprin! out of that love, di baI Sa#aV2#on lan!. ;a#.
So, 6e .ust s;ip on thisV.
MS. ,ER<ARA. Hour Aonor.
REP. EC>E %<>ENDA&. Mr. Chair$an.
(AE CAAIRMAN. Please, Ms. ,er!ara.
MS. ,ER<ARA. RHon! sinasabi n2#o po, sir, bale 6e co$puted the esti$ated
population po n! Dina!at Province for the ne?t #ears. So, based on our
co$putation, $ari/reach po n! Dina!at Province2#on! re'uire$ent na +43,333
population b# the #ear +3@4 pa po based on the !ro6th rates durin! the period
of V.
(AE CAAIRMAN. +3@4I
MS. ,ER<ARA. +3@4 po.
? ? ? ?
(AE CAAIRMAN. . . . F(Ghis is not the center of our ar!u$ent since, as stated
b# the !overnor, ;ahit ha hu6a! na $unan! i/consider iton! population
re'uire$ent, eh, na;ala!pas na$an sila doon sa inco$e and land area, hindi
baI
;a#. >et2s !ive the floor to Con!ress6o$an Ecleo.
REP. EC>E %<>ENDA&. (han; #ou, Mr. Chair$an.
(his is in connection 6ith the special census. Before this 6as done, I 6ent to
the NS. I tal;ed to Ad$inistrator Ericta on the population. (hen, I 6as told
that the population, official population of Dina!at is "3@,333. So, I told the$
that I 6ant a special census to be conducted because there are so $an# houses
that 6ere not reached b# the !overn$ent enu$erators, and I 6ant to have $#
o6n or our o6n special census 6ith the help of the provincial !overn$ent. So,
that is ho6 it 6as conducted. (hen, the# told $e that the official population of
the proposed province 6ill be on +3"3. But at this $o$ent, that is the official
population of "3@,333, even if our special census, 6e ca$e up 6ith 5C",333
plus.
So, that is it.
(AE CAAIRMAN. (han; #ou, Con!ress6o$an.
Hour insi!hts 6ill be reflected in $# repl# to Senate President Drilon, so that
he can also ans6er the letter of Bishop Cabahu!.
MS. ,ER<ARA. Mr. Chair$an, $a# clarifications lan! din po a;o.
(AE CAAIRMAN. Please.
MS. ,ER<ARA. RHon po sa sinasabi na$in! esti$ated population, 6e onl#
based the co$putation doon sa !ro6th rate lan! po tala!a, e?cludin! the
$i!ration. ????
MR. CAAIRMAN. No2n! $!a residents.
MS. ,ER<ARA. Hes, sir, natural !ro6th lan! po tala!a si#a.
5@
(o reiterate, 6hen the Dina!at Islands 6as proclai$ed a ne6 province on Dece$ber
5, +33@, it had an official population of onl# "3@,:4" based on the NS +333 Census
of Population. >ess than a #ear after the procla$ation of the ne6 province, the NS
conducted the +33C Census of Population. (he NS certified that as of Au!ust ",
+33C, Dina!at Islands had a total population of onl# "+3,9"5,
5C
6hich 6as still belo6
the $ini$u$ re'uire$ent of +43,333 inhabitants.
59
In fine, R.A. No. :544 failed to co$pl# 6ith either the territorial or the population
re'uire$ent for the creation of the Province of Dina!at Islands.
(he Constitution clearl# $andates that the creation of local !overn$ent units $ust
follo6 the criteria established in the >ocal <overn$ent Code.
5:
An# dero!ation of or
deviation fro$ the criteria prescribed in the >ocal <overn$ent Code violates Sec. "3,
Art. L of the Constitution.
*3
Aence, R.A. No. :544 is unconstitutional for its failure to co$pl# 6ith the criteria for
the creation of a province prescribed in Sec. *@" of the >ocal <overn$ent Code.
0hether the creation of the Province of Dina!at Islands is an act of !err#$anderin!
Petitioners contend that the creation of the Province of Dina!at Islands is an act of
!err#$anderin! on the !round that Aouse Bill No. 99* e?cluded Siar!ao Island, 6ith
a population of ""9,45* inhabitants, fro$ the ne6 province for co$plete political
do$inance b# Con!ress6o$an <lenda Ecleo/,illaro$an. Accordin! to petitioners, if
Siar!ao 6ere included in the creation of the ne6 province, the territorial re'uire$ent
of +,333 s'uare ;ilo$eters 6ould have been easil# satisfied and the enlar!ed area
6ould have a bi!!er population of +33,534 inhabitants based on the +333 Census of
Population b# the NS. But Aouse Bill No. 99* e?cluded Siar!ao Island, because its
inclusion 6ould result in uncertain political control. Petitioners aver that, in the past,
Con!ress6o$an <lenda Ecleo/,illaro$an lost her con!ressional seat t6ice to a
$e$ber of an influential fa$il# based in Siar!ao. (herefore, the onl# 6a# to co$plete
political do$inance is b# !err#$anderin!, to carve a ne6 province in Dina!at Islands
6here the Philippine Benevolent Me$bers Association %PMBA&, represented b# the
Ecleos, has the nu$bers.
(he ar!u$ent of petitioners is unsubstantiated.
1<err#$anderin!1 is a ter$ e$plo#ed to describe an apportion$ent of representative
districts so contrived as to !ive an unfair advanta!e to the part# in po6er.
*"
=r. 7oa'uin
<. Bernas, a $e$ber of the ":9@ Constitutional Co$$ission, defined
1!err#$anderin!1 as the for$ation of one le!islative district out of separate territories
for the purpose of favorin! a candidate or a part#.
*+
(he Constitution proscribes
!err#$anderin!, as it $andates each le!islative district to co$prise, as far as
practicable, a conti!uous, co$pact and ad.acent territor#.
*5
As stated b# the ffice of the Solicitor <eneral, the Province of Dina!at Islands
consists of one island and about *C islets closel# situated to!ether, 6ithout the
inclusion of separate territories. It is an unsubstantiated alle!ation that the province
6as created to favor Con!ress6o$an <lenda Ecleo/,illaro$an.
Alle!ations of fraud and irre!ularities durin! the plebiscite cannot be resolved in a
special civil action for certiorari
>astl#, petitioners alle!ed that R.A. No. :544 6as ratified b# a doubtful $andate in a
plebiscite held on Dece$ber +, +334, 6here the 1#es votes1 6ere @:,:5*5, 6hile the
1no votes1 6ere @5,43+. (he# contend that the "33W turnout of voters in the precincts
of San 7ose, Basilisa, Dina!at, Ca!dianao and >ib.o 6as contrar# to hu$an
e?perience, and that the results 6ere statisticall# i$probable. Petitioners ad$it that
the# did not file an# electoral protest 'uestionin! the results of the plebiscite, because
the# lac;ed the $eans to finance an e?pensive and protracted election case.
Alle!ations of fraud and irre!ularities in the conduct of a plebiscite are factual in
nature8 hence, the# cannot be the sub.ect of this special civil action for certiorari under
Rule @4 of the Rules of Court, 6hich is a re$ed# desi!ned onl# for the correction of
errors of .urisdiction, includin! !rave abuse of discretion a$ountin! to lac; or e?cess
of .urisdiction.
**
Petitioners should have filed the proper action 6ith the Co$$ission
on Elections. Ao6ever, petitioners ad$ittedl# chose not to avail the$selves of the
correct re$ed#.
0AERE=RE, the petition is <RAN(ED. Republic Act No. :544, other6ise ;no6n
as FAn Act Creatin! the Province of Dina!at IslandsG, is hereb# declared
unconstitutional. (he procla$ation of the Province of Dina!at Islands and the election
of the officials thereof are declared NB>> and ,ID. (he provision in Article : %+& of
the Rules and Re!ulations I$ple$entin! the >ocal <overn$ent Code of "::" statin!,
1(he land area re'uire$ent shall not appl# 6here the proposed province is co$posed
of one %"& or $ore islands,1 is declared NB>> and ,ID.
No costs.
S RDERED.
!OS!A!O M. PERALTA
Associate 7ustice
0E CNCBR-
Republic of the Philippines
SUPREME COURT
Manila
EN BANC
G.R. No. L--4854 November 20, 1978
FORT#NTO R. P%IL, petitioner-!ppell!nt,
vs.
HONOR!LE 'I&TORINO &. TELERON, (7 "1*2e o3 45e &o1r4 o3 F6r74
I)74()8e o3 !o5o=, !r()85 III, ()* RE'. FR. %RGRITO R.
GON,G, respondents-!ppellees.
6rbano .. La0unay for "etitioner.
Cristeto O. Cima0ala for res"ondents.

FERNN$O, J.:
The novel ()estion r!ised in this certiorari proceedin5 concerns the eli5ibility
of !n ecclesi!stic to !n elective $)nicip!l position. Priv!te respondent, !ther
"!r5!rito R. &on;!5!, w!s, in 0810, elected to the position of $)nicip!l
$!yor of /lb)r()er()e, ,ohol.
1
Therefore, he w!s d)ly procl!i$ed. / s)it
forAuo /arranto w!s then filed by petitioner, hi$self !n !spir!nt for the office,
for his dis()!lific!tion
2
b!sed on this /d$inistr!tive Code provision+ 6*n no
c!se sh!ll there be elected or !ppointed to ! $)nicip!l office ecclesi!stics,
soldiers in !ctive service, persons receivin5 s!l!ries or co$pens!tion fro$
provinci!l or n!tion!l f)nds, or contr!ctors for p)blic worEs of the
$)nicip!lity.6
-
The s)it did not prosper, respondent 9)d5e s)st!inin5 the ri5ht
of !ther &on;!5! to the office of $)nicip!l $!yor. .e r)led th!t s)ch
st!t)tory ineli5ibility w!s i$pliedly repe!led by the Blection Code of 0810. The
$!tter w!s then elev!ted to this Trib)n!l by petitioner. *t is his contention th!t
there w!s no s)ch i$plied repe!l, th!t it is still in f)ll force !nd effect. Th)s
w!s the specific ()estion r!ised.
There is no cle!r-c)t !nswer fro$ this Trib)n!l. /fter ! len5thy !nd protr!cted
deliber!tion, the Co)rt is divided on the iss)e. #even $e$bers of the Co)rt
!re of the view th!t the %)d5$ent sho)ld be !ffir$ed !s the ch!llen5ed
provision is no lon5er oper!tive either bec!)se it w!s s)perseded by the 08A@
Constit)tion or repe!led. O)tside of the writer of this opinion, six other
9)stices !re of this $ind They !re 9)stices Teeh!nEee, ")So; P!l$!
Concepcion 9r., #!ntos, ern!nde;, !nd &)errero. or the$, the overridin5
principle of the s)pre$!cy of the Constit)tion or, !t the very le!st, the repe!l
of s)ch provision b!rs ! revers!l.
4
The re$!inin5 five $e$bers of this Co)rt,
Chief 9)stice C!stro, 9)stices ,!rredo, "!E!si!r, /ntonio, !nd /()ino, on the
other h!nd, hold the position th!t s)ch ! prohibition !5!inst !n ecclesi!stic
r)nnin5 for elective office is not t!inted with !ny constit)tion!l infir$ity.
The vote is th)s indecisive. 4hile five $e$bers of the Co)rt constit)te !
$inority, the vote of the re$!inin5 seven does not s)ffice to render the
ch!llen5ed provision ineffective. #ection 201@ of the Revised /d$inistr!tive
Code, !s f!r !s ecclesi!stics !re concerned, $)st be !ccorded respect. The
pres)$ption of v!lidity c!lls for its !pplic!tion. Dnder the circ)$st!nces,
certior!ri lies. Th!t is the concl)sion !rrived !t by the writer of this opinion,
%oined by 9)stice Concepcion 9r., #!ntos, ern!nde;, !nd &)errero. They
h!ve no choice then b)t to vote for the revers!l of the lower co)rt decision
!nd decl!re ineli5ible respondent !ther "!r5!rito R. &on;!5! for the office
of $)nicip!l $!yor. 4ith the !fores!id five other $e$bers, led by the Chief
9)stice, entert!inin5 no do)bt !s to his l!cE of eli5ibility, this petition for
certior!ri $)st be 5r!nted.
Bxcept for the dispositive p!rt !nno)ncin5 the %)d5$ent of the Co)rt, the
re$!inder of this opinion sets forth the re!sons why there !re constit)tion!l
ob%ections to the contin)in5 force !nd effectivity of #ection 201@ !s f!r !s
ecclesi!stics !re concerned.
0. The Revised /d$inistr!tive Code w!s en!cted in 0801. *n the 08A@
Constit)tion, !s it is now )nder the present Ch!rter, it is explicitly decl!red+
67o reli5io)s test sh!ll be re()ired for the exercise of civil or politic!l
ri5hts.6
5
The principle of the p!r!$o)nt ch!r!cter of the f)nd!$ent!l l!w 6
th)s co$es into pl!y. There !re previo)s r)lin5s to th!t effect.
6
The b!n
i$posed by the /d$inistr!tive Code c!nnot s)rvive. #o the writer of this
opinion wo)ld hold.
2. This is to confor$ to this provision of the 08A@ Ch!rter+ 6/ll l!ws of the
Philippine *sl!nds sh!ll contin)e in force )ntil the in!)5)r!tion of the
Co$$onwe!lth of the PhilippinesP there!fter, s)ch l!ws sh!ll re$!in
oper!tive, )nless inconsistent with this Constit)tion, )ntil !$ended, !ltered,
$odified, or repe!led by the Con5ress of the Philippines, !nd !ll references in
s)ch l!ws to the 5overn$ent or offici!ls of the Philippines sh!ll be constr)ed,
in so f!r !s !pplic!ble, to refer to the &overn$ent !nd correspondin5 offici!ls
)nder this Constit)tion.6
7
*t w!s first !pplied in Peo"le . Linsan0an,
8
decided
in 'ece$ber, 08A@, b!rely ! $onth !fter th!t Constit)tion tooE effect. This
Co)rt held th!t #ection 2103 of the Revised /d$inistr!tive Code th!t wo)ld
!llow the prosec)tion of ! person who re$!ins delin()ent in the p!y$ent of
ced)l! t!x,
9
w!s no lon5er in force. /s st!ted by the then 9)stice, l!ter Chief
9)stice, /b!d #!ntos, !fter settin5 forth th!t the Constit)tion prohibits the
i$prison$ent for debt or non-p!y$ent of poll t!x+
10
6*t see$s too cle!r to
re()ire de$onstr!tion th!t section 2103 of the Revised /d$inistr!tive Code is
inconsistent with section 0, cl!)se 02, of /rticle *ll of the Constit)tion in th!t,
while the for$er !)thori;es i$prison$ent for non-p!y$ent of the poll or
ced)l! t!x, the l!tter forbids it. *t follows th!t )pon the in!)5)r!tion of the
&overn$ent of the Co$$onwe!lth, s!id section 2103 of the Revised
/d$inistr!tive Code bec!$e inoper!tive, !nd no %)d5$ent of conviction c!n
be b!sed thereon.6
11
De los !antos . Mallare
12
c!$e next. The President, )nder the Revised
/d$inistr!tive Code, co)ld re$ove !t ple!s)re !ny of the !ppointive offici!ls
)nder the Ch!rter of the City of ,!5)io.
1-
Relyin5 on s)ch ! provision, the
then President I)irino re$oved petitioner 'e los #!ntos, who w!s !ppointed
City Bn5ineer of ,!5)io on 9)ly 06, 08>6, !nd chose in his pl!ce respondent
&il R. "!ll!re. 4hy s)ch ! power co)ld not p!ss the test of v!lidity )nder the
08A@ Constit)tion w!s pointed o)t by 9)stice T)!son th)s+ 6#o, )nliEe
le5isl!tion th!t is p!ssed in defi!nce of the Constit)tion, !ssertive !nd
$en!cin5, the ()estioned p!rt of section 2@>@ of the Revised /d$inistr!tive
Code does not need ! positive decl!r!tion of n)llity by the co)rt to p)t it o)t of
the w!y. To !ll intents !nd p)rposes, it is non-existent, o)tl!wed !nd
eli$in!ted fro$ the st!t)te booE by the Constit)tion itself by express $!nd!te
before the petitioner w!s !ppointed.6
14
Martine1 . Morfe,
15
! 0812 decision, is liEewise in point. *n the li5ht of the
cited provision of the 08A@ Constit)tion, !s !)thorit!tively constr)ed, /rticle
0>@ of the Revised Pen!l Code w!s fo)nd to be inoper!tive. /s therein
provided, the pen!lty of "rision correccional is i$posed on !ny p)blic officer or
e$ployee who, while the Con5ress w!s in re5)l!r or speci!l session, wo)ld
!rrest or se!rch ! $e$ber thereof, except in c!se he h!d co$$itted ! cri$e
p)nish!ble by ! pen!lty hi5her th!n "rision mayor. This Co)rt r)led th!t the
Revised Pen!l Code extended )nd)ly the le5isl!tive privile5e of freedo$ fro$
!rrest !s ord!ined in the Constit)tion.
16
#)ch ! provision then w!s contr!ry to
!nd in defi!nce of the cle!r expression of the will of the Constit)tion!l
Convention of 08A> th!t s)ch i$$)nity w!s never intended to exe$pt
$e$bers of ! le5isl!tive body fro$ !n !rrest for ! cri$in!l offense, the phr!se
tre!son, felony !nd bre!ch of the pe!ce bein5 !ll-incl)sive. Reference w!s
liEewise $!de to the prev!ilin5 /$eric!n doctrine to th!t effect !s en)nci!ted
by 8illiamson . 6nited !tates.
17
A. *t wo)ld be !n )n%)stified dep!rt)re fro$ ! settled principle of the !pplic!ble
constr)ction of the provision on wh!t l!ws re$!in oper!tive !fter 08A@ if the
ple! of petitioner in this c!se were to be heeded. The ch!llen5ed
/d$inistr!tive Code provision, cert!inly insof!r !s it decl!res ineli5ible
ecclesi!stics to !ny elective or !ppointive office, is, on its f!ce, inconsistent
with the reli5io)s freedo$ 5)!r!nteed by the Constit)tion. To so excl)de the$
is to i$pose ! reli5io)s test. 2orcaso . 8at?ins
18
!n /$eric!n #)pre$e Co)rt
decision, h!s pers)!sive wei5ht. 4h!t w!s there involved w!s the v!lidity of !
provision in the "!ryl!nd Constit)tion prescribin5 th!t 6no reli5io)s test o)5ht
ever to be re()ired !s ! dis()!lific!tion for !ny office or profit or tr)st in this
#t!te, other th!n ! decl!r!tion of belief in the existence of &od ...6 #)ch !
constit)tion!l re()ire$ent w!s !ss!iled !s contr!ry to the irst /$end$ent of
the Dnited #t!tes Constit)tion by !n !ppointee to the office of not!ry p)blic in
"!ryl!nd, who w!s ref)sed ! co$$ission !s he wo)ld not decl!re ! belief in
&od. .e f!iled in the "!ryl!nd Co)rt of /ppe!ls b)t prev!iled in the Dnited
#t!tes #)pre$e Co)rt, which reversed the st!te co)rt decision. *t co)ld not
h!ve been otherwise. /s e$ph!tic!lly decl!red by 9)stice ,l!cE+ 6this
"!ryl!nd reli5io)s test for p)blic office )nconstit)tion!lly inv!des the
!ppell!ntTs freedo$ of belief !nd reli5ion !nd therefore c!nnot be enforced
!5!inst hi$.6
19
The !n!lo5y !ppe!rs to be obvio)s. *n th!t c!se, it w!s l!cE of belief in &od
th!t w!s ! dis()!lific!tion. .ere bein5 !n ecclesi!stic !nd therefore
professin5 ! reli5io)s f!ith s)ffices to dis()!lify for ! p)blic office. There is
th)s !n inco$p!tibility between the /d$inistr!tive Code provision relied )pon
by petitioner !nd !n express constit)tion!l $!nd!te. *t is not ! v!lid !r5)$ent
!5!inst this concl)sion to !ssert th!t )nder the Philippine /)tono$y /ct of
0806, there w!s s)ch ! prohibition !5!inst ! reli5io)s test, !nd yet s)ch ! b!n
on holdin5 ! $)nicip!l position h!d not been n)llified. *t s)ffices to !nswer
th!t no ()estion w!s r!ised !s to its v!lidity. *n :ilar . Paraiso,
20
decided
)nder the 08A@ Constit)tion, it w!s !ss)$ed th!t there w!s no conflict with
the f)nd!$ent!l l!w.
>. This is the first c!se then where this Co)rt h!s to f!ce s()!rely s)ch !n
iss)e. This excerpt fro$ the opinion of 9)stice "orel!nd in the le!din5 c!se
of McGirr . .amilton,
21
! 080@ decision, h!s ! force )ni$p!ired by the
p!ss!5e of ti$e+ 6Rel!tive to the theory th!t /ct 7o. 0621 h!s stood so lon5
!nd been silently !c()iesced in for so 5re!t ! len5th of ti$e th!t it sho)ld not
be dist)rbed, it $!y be s!id th!t the f!ct th!t cert!in individ)!ls h!ve, by
i5nor!nce or ne5lect, f!iled to cl!i$ their f)nd!$ent!l ri5hts, f)rnishes no
re!son why !nother individ)!l, !lert to his ri5hts !nd their proper enforce$ent,
sho)ld be prevented fro$ !ssertin5 !nd s)st!inin5 those ri5hts. The f!ct th!t
#$ith !nd 9ones h!ve f!iled to de$!nd their constit)tion!l ri5hts f)rnishes no
b!sis for the ref)s!l to consider !nd )phold the constit)tion!l ri5hts of Rich!rd
Roe *n the c!se of !adler . Lan0ham (A> /l!. A00), this s!$e ()estion w!s
)nder consider!tion !nd the co)rt in resolvin5 it s!id+ T*t $!y be )r5ed, th!t
these st!t)tes h!ve stood, !nd been silently !c()iesced in for so 5re!t !
len5th of ti$e, they sho)ld not now be dist)rbed. 4e !re sensible of the force
of this !r5)$ent. *t will be observed, however, th!t in Tennessee, the decision
which decl!red the priv!te ro!d l!w )nconstit)tion!l w!s prono)nced forty
ye!rs !fter the en!ct. %)d5$ent of the st!t)teP !nd in 7ew CorE, !fter seventy
ye!rs h!d el!psed. *t is, perh!ps, never too l!te to re- est!blish constit)tion!l
ri5hts, the observ!nce of which h!d been silently ne5lected.6
22
To s)pport
s)ch ! concl)sion, no less th!n the 5re!t Chief 9)stice "!rsh!ll, spe!Ein5 for
this Co)rt in 6nited !tates . More, in disposin5 of ! contention by one of the
p!rties !s to !ppell!te %)risdiction h!vin5 been previo)sly exercised !nd
therefore beyond disp)te w!s liEewise relied )pon. Th)s+ 67o ()estion w!s
$!de in th!t c!se !s to the %)risdiction petition. *t p!ssed sub silentio, !nd the
co)rt does not consider itself bo)nd by th!t c!se.
2-
#o it sho)ld be in this
liti5!tion. /s set forth !t the o)tset, it is not even necess!ry to !nn)l the
ch!llen5ed /d$inistr!tive Code provision. *t is $erely decl!red inoper!tive by
virt)e of the $!nd!te of the 08A@ Constit)tion, si$il!rly fo)nd in the present
Ch!rter.
@. 7onetheless, tie !bove view f!iled to obt!in the necess!ry ei5ht votes
needed to 5ive it bindin5 force. The !tt!cE on the contin)in5 effectivity of
#ection 201@ h!vin5 f!iled, it $)st be, !s noted !t the o)tset, 5iven f)ll force
!nd !pplic!tion.
4.BRBORB, the petition for certior!ri is 5r!nted. The %)d5$ent a Auo is
reversed !nd set !side. Respondent &on;!5! is hereby ordered i$$edi!tely
to v!c!te the $!yor!lty of the $)nicip!lity of /lb)()er()e, ,ohol, there bein5
! f!il)re to elect. 7o prono)nce$ent !s to costs.
Conce"cion, Jr., !antos, Fernande1 and Guerrero, JJ., concur.



Se;(r(4e O;6)6o)7

&STRO, !.J. conc)rrin5+
4hile * conc)r in the res)lt, cert!in overridin5 consider!tions, set forth below,
constr!in $e to dissent fro$ the opinion penned by 9)stice ern!ndo !s well
!s the written conc)rrence of 9)stice Teeh!nEee !nd ")So; P!l$!.
,.
* re%ect 9)stice Teeh!nEeeTs !r5)$ent th!t section 201@ of the /d$inistr!tive
Code
1
h!s been repe!led by section 2A of the Blection Code of 0810.
2
7or
c!n * !ccept the concl)sion re!ched by 9)stice ern!ndo th!t the s!id
provision of the /d$inistr!tive Code h!s been s)perseded or rendered
inoper!tive by the specific provisions of the 08A@ !nd 081A Constit)tions th!t
forbid the re()ire$ent of ! reli5io)s test for the exercise of civil or politic!l
ri5hts.
The thr)st of section 2A of the Blection Code of 0810 is si$ple+ wh!t is the
effect of the filin5 of certific!tes of c!ndid!cy by !ppointive, elective !nd other
offici!ls of the 5overn$ent< The s!id section is therefore of no relev!nce
(except to the extent th!t it !llows $e$bers of the /r$ed orces to r)n for
elective positions). Dpon the other h!nd, section 201@ of the /d$inistr!tive
Code tre!ts of ! disp!r!te $!tter, which is the !bsol)te dis()!lific!tion of the
cl!sses of persons en)$er!ted therein.
7or does the proscription cont!ined in the s!id section 201@ prescribe !
reli5io)s test for tile exercise of civil or politic!l ri5hts. * h!ve se!rchin5ly
!n!ly;ed this provision, !nd * !$ )n!ble to infer fro$ it !ny re()ire$ent of !
reli5io)s test.
On the co$ple$ent!ry ()estion of i$plied repe!l, it is ! ti$e-honored c!rdin!l
r)le of le5!l her$ene)tics th!t for ! l!ter provision of l!w to be considered !s
h!vin5 repe!led ! prior provision, there $)st be s)ch !bsol)te rep)5n!nce
between the two th!t the prior provision must 5ive w!y. * do not discern !ny
s)ch rep)5n!nce.
).
#ince section 201@ of the /d$inistr!tive Code h!s not been s)perseded, !nd
h!s been neither expressly nor i$pliedly repe!led in so f!r !s the !bsol)te
dis()!lific!tion of ecclesi!stics is concerned, it is perforce the controllin5 l!w
in the c!se !t b!r. C!ref)l note $)st be t!Een th!t the !bsol)te
dis()!lific!tion is co)ched in the $ost co$pellin5 of ne5!tive ter$s. The l!w
re!ds+ 63n no case sh!ll there be elected or a""ointed to ! $)nicip!l office
ecclesi!stics (e$ph!sis s)pplied)
#ho)ld !n ecclesi!stic be erroneo)sly !llowed by this Co)rt to hold !
$)nicip!l office, thro)5h the h!ppenst!nce of ! proced)r!l technic!lity or by
the $ischief of circ)$loc)tion or otherwise, then the Co)rt wo)ld be "artice"s
criminis in the ne5!tion of the )ne()ivoc!l !nd i$perio)s $!nd!te of the l!w.
The l!w !d$its of no exceptionP there c!n therefore be none. /nd the Co)rt
h!s no constit)tion!l w!rr!nt to le5isl!te thr) !ny $!nner of exercise in
se$!ntics.
+.
* wish to $!Ee of record so$e 5r!ve $is5ivin5 !bo)t !llowin5 ecclesi!stics to
be elected to 5overn$ent!l offices.
O)r =ord 9es)s Christ pre!ched love, ch!rity, co$p!ssion !nd $ercy
thro)5ho)t .is e!rthly existence : !nd these fo)r virt)es, to $y $ind, $!Ee
)p .is ti$eless 5ospel. Dnh!ppily, however, history h!s not infre()ently been
!n !n5)ished witness to reli5io)s intoler!nce !nd persec)tion by
ecclesi!stics, whether they were C!tholics or Protest!nts.
/dvertin5 to $y own person!l experience !s ! pr!cticin5 C!tholic, * still he!r,
once in ! 5re!t while, ser$ons or ho$ilies by C!tholic priests, delivered fro$
the p)lpit or fro$ the !lt!r, decl!rin5 th!t the C!tholic w!y of life is 6the w!y to
s!lv!tion,6 thereby inesc!p!bly i$plyin5 (witho)t explicitly st!tin5) th!t the
!dherents of other Christi!n sects !nd other reli5io)s f!iths $!y be d!$ned
fro$ birth.
*t is th)s entirely possible th!t the election of ecclesi!stics to $)nicip!l offices
$!y sp!wn s$!ll reli5io)s w!rs inste!d of pro$ote the 5ener!l co$$)nity
welf!re !nd pe!ce - !nd these reli5io)s w!rs co)ld conceiv!bly b)r5eon into
internecine di$ensions. 4here then wo)ld we consi5n Pope 9ohn 22***Ts
ec)$enis$<
#ho)ld the $!%ority of the $!yor!lties of the Philippines be so$ed!y occ)pied
by $ilit!nt C!tholic ecclesi!stics, is it i$prob!ble th!t the next develop$ent
will be ! deter$ined n!tionwide c!$p!i5n by the C!tholic Ch)rch for the
election of ecclesi!stics to o)r n!tion!l le5isl!tive body< /nd if this event)!lity
sho)ld co$e, wh!t then of o)r cherished tr!dition of sep!r!tion of Ch)rch !nd
#t!te< or $y p!rt, with history in perspective, the obvio)s lo5ic!l !nd
inevit!ble conse()ence is too fri5htf)l to conte$pl!te.
*n $y view, !ll ecclesi!stics : whoever they !re, wh!tever their f!iths,
wherever they $!y be : sho)ld essenti!lly be p!stors, i$$ersin5
the$selves !ro)nd the clocE in the proble$s of the dis!dv!nt!5ed !nd the
poor. ,)t they c!nnot be effective p!stors if they do not dissoci!te the$selves
co$pletely fro$ every !nd !ll b!ne of politics.

TEEHNBEE, J. dissentin5+
* dissent fro$ the %)d5$ent reversin5 !nd settin5 !side respondent %)d5eTs
!ppe!led resol)tion of "!rch >, 0812 which dis$issed herein petitionerTs
petition below of Auo /arranto for dis()!lific!tion of respondent !s the d)ly
elected !nd ()!lified $!yor of /lb)r()er()e, ,ohol in the 0810 elections d)e
to his bein5 !lle5edly ineli5ible therefor !s !n ecclesi!stic !nd inste!d
enterin5 ! new %)d5$ent orderin5 hi$ to v!c!te the s!id office on the 5ro)nd
of 6there bein5 ! f!il)re to elect.6
*. * hold on the sole iss)e %oined by the p!rties in the co)rt below !nd in this
Co)rt on !ppe!l th!t the !rch!ic Revised /d$inistr!tive Code provision
b!rrin5 ecclesi!stic inter !li! fro$ election or re!ppoint$ent to ! $)nicip!l
office h!s n repe!led by the provisions of the Blection Code of 0810, !s
correctly r)led e!rlier by the Co$$ission on Blections (in denyin5 ! sep!r!te
petition filed by the s!$e petitioner for !nn)l$ent of respondentTs certific!te of
c!ndid!cy) !nd by respondent %)d5e in the c!se !t b!r.
The sole iss)e %oined in the c!se !t b!r by the p!rties is on the p)rely le5!l
()estion of whether section 201@ of the Revised /d$inistr!tive Code which
b!rs fro$ election or !ppoint$ent to ! $)nicip!l office 6ecclesi!stics, soldiers
i$ !ctive service, persons receivin5 s!l!ries or co$pens!tion fro$ provinci!l
or n!tion!l f)nds or contr!ctors for p)blic worE of the $)nicip!lity6 is still i$
force or h!s be!$ repe!led by the provisions of the Blection Code of 0810,
P!rtic)l!rly section 2A
1
thereof which allo/s 6every person holdi$5 ! p)blic
!ppointive office or position, incl)din5 !ctive $e$bers of the /r$ed orces6
to r)n for !ny p)blic elective office b)t provides for their cess!tion in
office i"so facto eCcludes eccessi!stics !nd $)nicip!l p)blic worEs
contr!ctors fro$ those decl!red ineli5ible or dis()!lified for$ f)nnin5 for !n
elective office.
This is incontrovertible fro$ the record.
Respondent %)d5eTs pre-tri!l order of 9!n)!ry 2@, 0812 definin5 the sole iss)e
of l!w !s %oined !nd s)b$itted by the p!rties expressly records th!t
The p!rties !5reed d)rin5 this pre-tri!l conference th!t the ()estion of whether or not
respondent resi5ned fro$ the C!tholic hier!rchy !s ! priest is i$$!teri!l to the iss)es
r!ise in the inst!nt resol)tion by the Co)rt p)rely on ()estion of l!w, th!t is whether or
not the provisions of the Revised /d$inistr!tive Code which prohibits ecclesi!tics for $
r)nnin5 for $)nicip!l elective position.
2
!nd 5!ve the p!rties ten d!ys to file their respective $e$or!nd!, !nd
decl!red the c!se s)b$itted for resol)tion )pon expir!tion of the period.
Petitioner sole !ssin5$ent of error in his !pplel!nts brief !t b!t is 6(T)h!t the
co)rt a Auo erred in r)lin5 th!t section s)perseded by the provisions of
Rep)blic /ct 7o. 6A33, otherwise Enown !s the Blection Code of 0810.6
-
/nd
his only !r5)$ent in s)pport thereof-insof!r !s is relev!nt to this Co)rtTs
%)d5e$ent-w!s !s follows+

The repe!lin5 cl!)se of the Blection Code of 0810 does not $ention the Revised
/d$inistr!tive Code or #ection 201@ thereof !s !$on5 those expressly repe!led. *n the
!bsence of inconsistency with !ny of the provisions of the Blection Code, #ec. 201@ is
neither repe!l. ed, expressly or i$pliedly, nor revoEed or s)perseded by !ny existin5 l!w,
!nd therefore $)st contin)e to st!nd in f)ll force !nd effect.
*t is the intent of Con5ress to ret!in prohibitions of ecclesi!stics fro$ holdin5 $)nicip!l
office in order to $!int!in in. viol!te the 5re!t principle )nderlyin5 the Philippine
Constit)tion, th!t is : T.B CO"P=BTB #BP/R/T*O7 O T.B C.DRC. /7' #T/TB.
The preserv!tion of this principle is precisely the $ovin5 spirit of the le5isl!t)re in
p!ssin5 #ec. 201@ of the Revised /d$inistr!tive Code !nd in B2C=D'*7& ecclesi!stics
fro$ the en)$er!tion of persons in #ec. 2A Of the Blection Code of 0810. To !llow
ecclesi!stics to r)n for ! $)nicip!l office $e!ns !n !bsol)te !b!ndon$ent of this
principle.
or ! n)$ber of c!ses, the #)pre$e Co)rt h!s dis()!lified ecclesi!stics fro$ !ss)$in5
! $)nicip!l office. *n !n *dentic!l c!se of Pedro -ill!r vs. &!)dencio P!r!iso, 7o. =-3?0>,
"!rch 0>, 08@@P 86 Phil. 6@8, the #)pre$e Co)rt dis()!lified respondent &!)dencio
P!r!iso, then ! $inister of the Dnited Ch)rch of Christ, fro$ the office of "!yor of Ri;!l,
7)ev! Bci%! for bein5 !n ecclesi!stic !nd therefore ineli5ible to hold ! $)nicip!l office.
4
7ow, prior to the filin5 of the c!se below, petitioner (who w!s the inc)$bent
$!yor of /lb)r()er()e, ,ohol) h!d before the 0810 : elections filed !
petition with the Co$$ission on Blections
5
for the !nn)l$ent of the certific!te
of c!ndid!cy !s !n independent c!ndid!te (=iber!l P!rty 5)est c!ndid!te) for
the elective position of $!yor of the $)nicip!lity of /lb)r()er()e, ,ohol of his
lone opponent, herein respondent Reverend "!r5!rito R. &on;!5!, C!tholic
p!rish priest of the $)nicip!lity of 9!5n! ,ohol on the 5ro)nd of the l!tterTs
bein5 b!rred fro$ election to s!id office !s !n ecclesi!stic.
The Co$elec )n!ni$o)sly denied the petition, r)lin5 th!t respondent w!s
eli5ible for the office since section 201@ of the Revised /d$inistr!tive Code
h!d been repe!led by force of the ". "endo;!, $e$bers.
Blection Code of 0810 which in 6#ection 2>8 (thereof) expressly repe!ls R./.
7o. 03?, R./. 7o. A@33 !nd !ll other l!ws, exec)tive orders, r)les !nd
re5)l!tions, or p!rts thereof, inconsistent with the Code.6
6
The Co$elec r)led th!t soldiers in !ctive service !nd persons receivin5
s!l!ries or co$pens!tion fro$ provinci!l or n!tion!l f)nds 6!re obvio)sly now
!llowed to r)n for ! p)blic elective office bec!)se )nder #ec. 2A of the
Blection Code of 0810 6 every person holdin5 ! p)blic !ppointive office or
position, incl)din5 !ctive $e$bers of the /r$ed orcesT sh!ll i"so facto ce!se
in their office or position on the d!te they file their Tcertific!tes of c!ndid!cy.
TThis i$plies th!t they !re no lon5er dis()!lified fro$ r)nnin5 for !n elective
office.6
The Co$elec f)rther r)led th!t !s to the two re$!inin5 c!te5ories for$erly
b!nned )nder the Revised /d$inistr!tive Code, 6ecclesi!stics !nd contr!ctors
for p)blic worEs of the $)nicip!lity !re !llowed to r)n for $)nicip!l elective
offices )nder the $!xi$, B3nclusio unius est eCclusio alteriusB, they bein5 not
incl)ded in the en)$er!tion of persons ineli5ible )nder the 7ew Blection
Code. The r)le is th!t !ll persons possessin5 the necess!ry
()!lific!tions,6eCce"t those eC"ressly disAualified by the election code, !re
eli5ible to r)n for p)blic office.6
Respondent %)d5e, expressin5 !5ree$ent with the Co$elec r)lin5 in th!t
c!se, held th!t respondent is not dis()!lified nor ineli5ible to hold the position
of $!yor of /lb)r()er()e to which he h!d been d)ly elected !nd procl!i$ed.
Respondent %)d5e prescinded fro$ the f!ct th!t respondent h!d resi5ned his
position !s p!rish priest of !nother town, 9!5n! !nd his resi5n!tion !ccepted
on #epte$ber 1, 0810 by the ,ishop of T!5bil!r!n !nd th!t his !)thority to
sole$ni;e $!rri!5es h!d !t his re()est of #epte$ber 1, 0810 been c!ncelled
on October 22, 0810 by 'irector of the 7!tion!l =ibr!ry #er!fin '.
I)i!son
7
!ll before the 7ove$ber, 0810 elections ()nliEe in :ilar s.
Paraiso
8
wherein this Co)rt )pheld the tri!l co)rtTs ref)s!l to 5ive credence to
the 6s)pposed resi5n!tion6 of therein respondent !s ! $inister of his ch)rch).
.e byp!ssed !lso the well-t!Een proced)r!l ()estion th!t petitioner not
h!vin5 !ppe!led the !dverse Co$elec r)lin5 in the e!rlier c!se to this Co)rt
w!s bo)nd thereby !s the la/ of the case !nd co)ld no lon5er brin5 this
second !ction on the s!$e ()estion !fter his defe!t in the elections.
*n $y view, the Co$elec r)lin5 !nd respondent co)rtTs resol)tion !5reein5
therewith st!nd on solid 5ro)nd. /s the Co$elec stressed in its r)lin5, the
Blection Code of 0810 !s the !pplic!ble l!w in this c!se eC"ressly
enumerates all those decl!red ineli0ible or disAualified fro$ c!ndid!cy or if
elected, fro$ holdin5 office, i1, n)is!nce c!ndid!tes )nder section A0, those
dis()!lified on !cco)nt of h!vin5 been decl!red by fin!l decision of !
co$ponent co)rt or trib)n!l 5)ilty of terroris$, election overspendin5,
solicit!tion or receipt of prohibited contrib)tions or viol!tion of cert!in specified
provisions of the Code )nder section 2@, or h!vin5 been liEewise decl!red
disloy!l to the constit)ted 5overn$ent )nder section 21 or those presidenti!l
!ppointees who pre$!t)rely seeE to r)n for elective office witho)t co$plyin5
with the co$p)lsory w!itin5 periods of 0@? d!ys (for n!tion!l office) !nd 02?
d!ys (for !ny other elective office) !fter the ter$in!tion of their ten)re of office
)nder section 13. /ll other persons possessin5 the necess!ry ()!lific!tions
!nd not si$il!rly expressly decl!red ineli5ible or dis()!lified by the s!id
Blection Code, s)ch !s ecclesi!stics the respondent or contr!ctors for
$)nicip!l p)blic worEs c!nnot b)t be dee$ed eli0ible for p)blic office. Th)s,
ecclesi!sticsT eli5ibility for national office h!s )nivers!lly been conceded !nd
h!s never been ()estioned.
/s !lre!dy st!ted !bove, !ppointive p)blic office holders !nd !ctive $e$bers
of the /r$ed orces !re no lon5er dis()!lified fro$ r)nnin5 for !n elective
office, bec!)se section 2A of the 0810 Blection Code $!nifestly !llows the$
to do so !nd provides th!t they6 sh!ll i"so facto ce!se in (their) office or
position on the d!te (they) file (their) certific!te of c!ndid!cy.6 Bcclesi!stics
!nd $)nicip!l p)blic worEs contr!ctors !re no lon5er incl)ded in the extensive
en)$er!tion of persons ineli5ible )nder the s!id Blection Code. Dnder the
$!xi$ of 63nclusio unius eCclusio alterius6 !nd the 5ener!l r)le th!t !ll
persons possessed of the necess!ry ()!lific!tions except those eC"ressly
disAualified by the Blection Code !re eli5ible to r)n for p)blic office, the b!n
!5!inst the$ in section 201@ of the Revised /d$inistr!tive Code $)st be
dee$ed set !side )nder the 0810 Blection CodeTs repe!lin5 cl!)se.
The wisdo$ or desir!bility of the eli$in!tion of s)ch prohibitions !re of co)rse
beyond the province !nd %)risdiction of the co)rts. /side fro$ s)ch prohibition
bein5 !t w!r with the Constit)tion!l in%)nction th!t 6no reli5io)s test sh!ll be
re()ired for the exercise-of civil or politic!l ri5hts,6 the =e5isl!tors $)st h!ve
considered th!t there w!s no lon5er !ny rhy$e or re!son for the !rch!ic b!n
!5!inst ecclesi!sticsT election to ! munici"al office when there is no s)ch b!n
!5!inst their r)nnin5 for national office !nd !fter !ll, oC "o"uli est oC Dei. /s
to the liftin5 of the b!n !5!inst munici"al p)blic worEs contr!ctors, s)ffice it to
st!te th!t there !re other l!ws, e.5. the /nti-&r!ft !nd Corr)pt Pr!ctices /ct
which if properly enforced sho)ld provide $ore th!n !de()!te s!fe5)!rds for
the p)blic interests.
There is no 5!ins!yin5 th!t the Blection Code of 0810 is ! s)bse()ent
co$prehensive le5isl!tion 5overnin5 elections !nd c!ndid!tes for p)blic office
!nd its en!ct$ent, )nder the est!blished r)les of st!t)tory constr)ction, 6(!s)
! code )pon ! 5iven s)b%ect $!tter conte$pl!tes ! syste$!tic !nd co$plete
body of l!w desi5ned to f)nction within the bo)nds of its expressed li$it!tions
!s the sole re5)l!tory l!w )pon the s)b%ect to which it rel!tes, ... The
en!ct$ent of ! code oper!tes to repe!l !ll prior l!ws )pon the s!$e s)b%ect
$!tter where, bec!)se of its co$prehensiveness, it inferenti!lly p)rports to be
! co$plete tre!t$ent of the s)b%ect $!tter. ...6
9
The repe!l of the b!n is f)rther $!de $!nifest in the li5ht of the 2@? sections
of the 0810 Blection Code since 6(T)he intent to repe!l !ll for$er l!ws )pon
the s)b%ect is $!de !pp!rent by the en!ct$ent of s)bse()ent co$prehensive
le5isl!tion est!blishin5 el!bor!te incl)sions !nd excl)sions of the persons,
thin5s !nd rel!tionships ordin!rily !ssoci!ted with the s)b%ect. =e5isl!tion of
this sort which oper!tes to revise the entire s)b%ect to which it rel!tes, by its
very co$prehensiveness 5ives stron5 i$plic!tion of ! le5isl!tive intent not
only to repe!l for$er st!t)tory l!w )pon the s)b%ect, b)t !lso to s)persede the
co$$on l!w rel!tin5 to the s!$e s)b%ect.6
10
/s ! p)re Auestion of la/, on the sole iss)e %oined by the p!rties, therefore, *
hold th!t the b!n in section 201 of the /d$inistr!tive Code !5!inst the
election of ecclesi!stics (!nd the three other c!te5ories therein $entioned) to
! $)nicip!l office h!s been repe!led by the provisions of the Blection Code of
0810, which nowhere in its !ll-e$br!cin5 !nd co$prehensive text $entions-
ecclesi!stics (!s well !s the three other c!te5ories in the !fores!id
/d$inistr!tive Code provision) !s !$on5 those ineli5ible or dis()!lified to r)n
for p)blic office (n!tion!l or loc!l).
**. On the constit)tion!l di$ension 5iven motu "ro"rio to the c!se in the $!in
opinion of "r. 9)stice ern!ndo, by w!y of 6Constit)tion!l ob%ections to the
contin)in5 force !nd effectivity of #ection 201@ !s f!r !s ecclesi!stics !re
concerned6
11
, * conc)r with the $!in opinion, conc)rred in by five other
$e$bers of the Co)rt, i1, 9)stices ")no; P!l$!, Concepcion 9r., #!ntos,
ern!nde; !nd &)errero th!t the !rch!ic /d$inistr!tive Code provision
decl!rin5 ecclesi!stics ineli5ible for election or !ppoint$ent to ! $)nicip!l
office is inconsistent with !nd viol!tive of the reli5io)s freedo$ 5)!r!nteed b
the 08A@ Constit)tion
12
!nd th!t to so b!r the$ fro$ office is to i$pose !
reli5io)s test in viol!tion of the Constit)tion!l $!nd!te th!t 67o reli5io)s test
sh!ll be re()ired for the exercise of civil or politic!l ri5hts.6
,oth the 08A@ Constit)tion (which is !pplic!ble to the c!se !t b!r) !nd the
081A Constit)tion 5)!r!ntee in pr!ctic!lly *dentic!l ter$s the f)llest reli5io)s
freedo$. To !ss)re th!t there is no i$pedi$ent to the f)llest exercise of oneTs
reli5io)s freedo$, the Constit)tion prohibits th!t there be ! st!te est!blished
)nion !nd thereby decrees th!t there $)st be sep!r!tion of ch)rch !nd st!te.
(The 081A Constit)tion red)nd!ntly stresses in its &ener!l Provisions, /rticle
2-, section 0@ th!t 6(T)he sep!r!tion of ch)rch !nd st!te sh!ll be inviol!ble.6).
The free exercise of oneTs reli5ion !nd freedo$ of expression of reli5io)s
doctrines !nd beliefs (positive !s well !s ne0atie) !nd the freedo$ to perfor$
reli5io)s rites !nd pr!ctices !re 5)!r!nteed by the Constit)tionTs $!nd!te th!t
6no l!w sh!ll be $!de ... prohibitin5 the free exercise (of reli5ion)6 !nd th!t
6the free exercise !nd en%oy$ent of reli5io)s profession !nd worship, witho)t
discri$in!tion or preference, sh!ll foreer be !llowed.6 *n order to !ss)re the
f)llest freedo$ of the individ)!l in this re5!rd !nd to prevent th!t the #t!te
ne5!te or dil)te reli5io)s freedo$ by !ccordin5 preference to one reli5io)s
or5!ni;!tion !s !5!inst others, the Constit)tion fin!lly co$$!nds th!t 6no
reli5io)s test sh!ll be re()ired for the exercise of civil or politic!l ri5hts.6
*t is conceded th!t the non-reli5io)s test cl!)se constit)tion!lly b!rs the st!te
fro$ dis()!lifyin5 ! non-believer, !n !theist or !n !5nostic fro$ votin5 or
bein5 voted for ! p)blic office for it is t!nt!$o)nt to ! reli5io)s test !nd
co$pellin5 the$ to profess ! belief in &od !nd ! reli5ion. ,y the s!$e toEen,
the s!$e cl!)se is e()!lly !pplic!ble to those !t the opposite end, let )s c!ll
the$ the f)ll believers who in their love of &od and their fellow$en h!ve t!Een
)p the $inistry of their ch)rch or the robe of the priest+ to dis()!lify the$ fro$
bein5 voted for !nd elected to ! $)nicip!l office ()nder the ()estioned
/d$inistr!tive Code provision) is to ex!ct ! reli5io)s test for the exercise of
their politic!l ri5hts for it !$o)nts to co$pellin5 the$ to shed off their reli5io)s
$inistry or robe for the exercise of their politic!l ri5ht to r)n for p)blic office.
#t!ted in $odern context, the #!t!nist is concededly not dis()!lified )nder
the ()estioned /d$inistr!tive Code provision fro$ election to $)nicip!l office.
To enforce the s!$e st!t)teTs dis()!lific!tion !5!inst ecclesi!stics is to
wron5f)lly inv!de the ecclesi!sticTs freedo$ of belief !nd reli5ion !nd to
i$pose )pon hi$ ! reli5io)s test in fl!5r!nt viol!tion of the Constit)tion. *n
contr!st to the #!t!nist who is not s)b%ected to ! reli5io)s test !nd dis()!lified
for his picEin5 )p #!t!nTs robe !5!inst &od, the ecclesi!stic is dis()!lified for
professin5 the profo)ndent reli5io)s belief in &od !nd we!rin5 .is cross on
his l!pel : he is to be b!rred si$ply bec!)se he is !n ecclesi!stic.
* hold, therefore, th!t !side fro$ the strictly le5!l ()estion presented by the
p!rties !nd correctly resolved by the Co$elec in the e!rlier c!se !nd by the
lower co)rt in the c!se !t b!r, to wit, th!t the b!n in section 201@ of the
Revised /d$inistr!tive Code !5!inst the election of ecclesi!stics (!$on5
others) to ! $)nicip!l office h!s been repe!led by the 0810 Blection Code, it
is !lso correct to decl!re by w!y ofobiter dictum (since it h!s not been r!ised
or pl!ced in iss)e in the c!se !t b!r) !s the $!in opinion princip!lly holds, th!t
this !rch!ic provision of the /d$inistr!tive Code of 0801 $)st !lso be
dee$ed !s no lon5er oper!tive by force of the constit)tion!l $!nd!te th!t !ll
l!ws inconsistent with !nd viol!tive of the Constit)tion sh!ll ce!se to be in
force.
1-
The $!in thr)st of the five sep!r!te conc)rrences for )pholdin5 the
()estioned b!n of ecclesi!stics fro$ p)blic ($)nicip!l office) is the fe!r of
6reli5io)s intoler!nce !nd persec)tion by ecclesi!stics6 !nd the 6oppression,
!b)ses, $isery, i$$or!lity !nd st!5n!tion6 wre!Eed by the fri!rs d)rin5 the
#p!nish re5i$e. ,)t it is not !ppreci!ted therein th!t this w!s d)e to the )nion
of the #t!te !nd the Ch)rch then : ! sit)!tion th!t h!s lon5 ce!sed since
before the t)rn of the cent)ry !nd is now c!te5oric!lly proscribed by the
Constit)tion. /s .is B$inence, 9!i$e =. C!rdin!l #in, recently observed+
Dnion of the Ch)rch !nd the #t!te inv!ri!bly ends in the Ch)rch bein5 !bsorbed,
$!nip)l!ted or do$in!ted by the #t!te, or in the #t!te bein5 do$in!ted by the Ch)rch.
Ds)!lly, it is the for$er event)!lity th!t t!Ees pl!ce, for the Ch)rch possess no !r$ed or
coercive power co$p!r!ble to wh!t the #t!te h!s.
/t the be5innin5 of her history, the Ch)rch invested the Ein5s of recently converted
co)ntries with the office !nd title of Protectors of the Ch)rch. This w!s !ll-ri5ht so lon5 !s
the Ein5s were 5ood !nd holy $en, liEe #t. #tephen of .)n5!ry, or !t le!st re!son!ble
decent $en, liEe Ch!rle$!5ne of r!nce. b)t s!intly !nd decent $en !re often
s)cceeded by sco)ndrels !nd the protectors - in the wry observ!tion of the Uin5 of #l!$
wo)nd )p Tprotectin5 the Ch)rch o)t of everythin5 th!t she possessed.
4hen, in so$e r!re inst!nces, it is the Ch)rch th!t do$in!tes the #t!te, the res)lt is
wh!t we Enow !s cleric!lis$.
,oth !ltern!tives, it is obvio)s, !re )ndesir!ble. 4hen the Ch)rch is do$in!ted by the
#t!te, she beco$es ! tool for the f)rther!nce of wordly !i$s. /nd when the #t!te is
do$in!ted by the Ch)rch, then the Ch)rch tends to 5et conf)sed !s to her n!t)re,
*dentity, role !nd sion The Ch)rch, !fter !n, is ! s)pern!t)r!l society. Conse()ently, she
is we!Eened when she pl!ces her reli!nce on te$por!l power !nd reso)rces r!ther th!n
on the 5r!ce of /l$i5hty &od. Cleric!lis$ provoEes the n!t)r!l re!ction of sep!r!tion, by
which is $e!nt the isol!tion !nd strict confine$ent of the Ch)rch to the s!cristy. *t is the
pl!cin5 the Ch)rch )nder ho)se !rrest.
14
.istori!ns h!ve noted th!t with the i$position of the sep!r!tion of st!te !nd
ch)rch by the /$eric!n re5i$e, 6(T)he C!tholic Ch)rch, however, derived
)nder the principle of sep!r!tion of Ch)rch !nd #t!te positive benefits !nd
!dv!nt!5es. .er freedo$ w!s 5re!tly enh!nced. #he w!s no lon5er s)b%ect
to the v!rio)s for$s of s)pervision !nd control i$posed )pon her d)rin5 the
#p!nish re5i$e. #he w!s freed fro$ 5overn$ent intervention in the $!Ein5 of
!ppoint$ents to positions in the ecclesi!stic!l syste$, in the cre!tion of
p!rishes !nd in the est!blish$ent of instit)tions of reli5io)s ch!r!cter.6
15
The #p!nish er! of 6reli5io)s intoler!nce !nd oppression6 !nd the new er! of
sep!r!tion of st!te !nd ch)rch e!sily led to the p!ss!5e of the b!n !5!inst
ecclesi!stics. There w!s deep pre%)dice !nd resent$ent !5!inst the #p!nish
fri!rs which r)bbed off on the ilipino C!tholic p!rish priests. C!tholics !nd
the new reli5io)s 5ro)ps of /5lip!y!ns !nd Protest!nts were reported to h!ve
h!rbored 5re!t $istr)st of e!ch other !nd fe!r th!t one 5ro)p wo)ld very
liEely )se politic!l power !s !n instr)$ent for reli5io)s do$in!tion over the
others.
,)t it c!nnot be denied th!t the sit)!tion h!s r!dic!lly ch!n5ed since then.
#peci!lly !fter -!tic!n 00 in 086@, the spirit of ec)$enis$, $)t)!l respect,
!nd cooper!tion h!ve $!rEed the rel!tions between C!tholics, Protest!nts,
/5lip!y!ns, 30lesia ni Mristo !nd other reli5io)s deno$in!tions.
or C!tholics, the -!tic!n synod decl!red+ 6th!t the h)$!n person h!s ! ri5ht
to reli5io)s freedo$. This freedo$ $e!ns th!t !ll $en !re to be i$$)ne fro$
coercion on the p!rt of the individ)!ls or of soci!l 5ro)ps !nd of !ny h)$!n
power, in s)ch wise th!t in $!tters reli5io)s no one is to be forced to !ct in !
$!nner contr!ry to his own beliefs. 7or is !nyone to be restr!ined fro$ !ctin5
in !ccord!nce with his own beliefs, whether priv!tely or p)blicly, whether
!lone or in !ssoci!tion with others, within li$its.
16
-!tic!n ** !lso decl!red th!t 6Cooper!tion !$on5 !ll Christi!ns vividly
expresses th!t bond which !lre!dy )nites the$ ... *t sho)ld contrib)te to ! %)st
!ppreci!tion of the di5nity of the h)$!n person, the pro$otion of the
blessin5s of pe!ce, the !pplic!tion of &ospel principles to soci!l life, the
!dv!nce$ent of the !rts !nd sciences in ! Christi!n spirit. Christi!ns sho)ld
!lso worE to5ether in the )se of every possible $e!ns to relieve the !fflictions
of o)r ti$es, s)ch !s f!$ine !nd n!t)r!l dis!sters, illiter!cy !nd poverty, l!cE
of ho)sin5 !nd the )ne()!l distrib)tion of we!lth. Thro)5h s)ch cooper!tion,
!ll believers in Christ !re !ble to le!rn e!sily how they c!n )nderst!nd e!ch
other better !nd estee$ e!ch other $ore, !nd how the ro!d to the )nity of
Christi!ns $!y be $!de s$ooth.
17
*f the fri!rs then 5r!bbed the so-c!lled fri!r l!nds thro)5h oppressive
exploit!tion of the $!sses, the priests of today h!ve t!Een )p the c)d5els for
the $!sses !nd !re !t the forefront of their str)55le for soci!l %)stice !nd !
%)st society.
The d!ys !re lon5 5one when the Priest is s)pposed to confine hi$self to the
s!cristy !nd devote hi$self solely to spirit)!l, not te$por!l, $!tters. 4here
the #t!te f!ils of f!lters, the priest $)st needs help $inister to this te$por!l
power h!s res)lted fro$ their !d%)stin5 the$selves to tile re!lities !nd
i$per!tives of the present d!y world.
/s !lre!dy indic!ted !bove, it is to be noted th!t the only st!t)tory prohibition
w!s to b!n ecclesi!stics fro$ !ppoint$ent or election to munici"al office.
There is no b!n wh!tsoever !5!inst their election to or holdin5 of n!tion!l
office, which by its n!t)re !nd scope is politic!lly $ore si5nific!nt !nd
powerf)l co$p!red to ! loc!l office.
The n!tion!l experience with ecclesi!stics who h!ve been elected
to national offices h!s shown th!t contr!ry to the )nfo)nded fe!rs of reli5io)s
pre%)dice !nd n!rrow-$indedness expressed in so$e of the conc)rrin5
opinions, they h!ve disch!r5ed their t!sE with 5re!t co$petence !nd honor,
since there is b!sic!lly no inco$p!tibility between their reli5io)s !nd l!y
offices, !s witness the elections !nd p!rticip!tion of "s5r. &re5orio /5lip!y !s
dele5!te to the "!lolos Con5ress of 0383, "inister Bnri()e #obrepen! !nd
Philippine *ndependent Ch)rch ,ishop #erv!ndo C!stro !s dele5!tes to the
08A>-08A@ Constit)tion!l Convention, rs. P!cifico Orti; !nd 9or5e Uint!n!r
!nd three other priests !s dele5!tes to the 0810 Constit)tion!l Convention.
!nd !5!in r. 9or5e Uint!n!r !s $e$ber of the c)rrent *nteri$ ,!t!s!n5
P!$b!ns!.
/s f!r !s local offices !re concerned, the best proof of the ilipino
ecclesi!sticTs c!p!city to disch!r5e his politic!l office co$petently !nd with
det!ch$ent fro$ his reli5io)s $inistry or priesthood is the very c!se of
respondent r. &on;!5!, who !s f!r !s the record shows h!s efficiently
disch!r5ed the role of $!yor of /lb)r()er()e since his !ss)$ption of office
on 9!n)!ry 0, 0812 )p to the present to the s!tisf!ction of his constit)ents !nd
witho)t !ny co$pl!ints. The ()estion of whether ! priest or cleric sho)ld
exercise his politic!l ri5ht of seeEin5 p)blic office, n!tion!l or loc!l, is !fter !ll
best left to the decision of his ch)rch !nd his own %)d5$ent. /fter !ll, it is to be
pres)$ed th!t no responsible person wo)ld seeE p)blic office Enowin5 th!t
his ecclesi!stic!l d)ties wo)ld be ! hindr!nce to his renderin5 %)st !nd
efficient p)blic service. .ere, respondent !fter his decision to r)n for election
in his ho$etown of /lb)r()er()e, d)ly resi5ned his position of p!rish priest in
!nother town, th!t of 9!5n! ,ohol lon5 before the holdin5 of the election. The
$!in thin5 is th!t the Constit)tion!l $!nd!te of no reli5io)s test for the
exercise of oneTs civil or politic!l ri5hts $)st be respected. The ecclesi!stic is
free to seeE p)blic office !nd pl!ce his person!l $erits !nd ()!lific!tions for
p)blic service before the elector!te who in the )lti$!te !n!lysis will p!ss
%)d5$ent )pon hi$.
!ther 9ose ,)r5os of the f!$ed Gombur1a $!rtyrs tooE )p in his $!nifesto
of 036> the b!ttle of the n!tive cler5y !5!inst the #p!nish fri!rs who h!d
fo)nd their p!rishes to be l)cr!tive positions !nd ref)sed to 5ive the$ )p to
the ilipino sec)l!rs who were incre!sin5 in n)$ber !nd i$provin5 in c!liber.
.e boldly !cc)sed the fri!rs of 6enrich$ent, 5reed !nd i$$or!lity6 !nd they
$!rEed hi$ !s their 5re!test ene$y.
/s the histori!ns now !ssess it, 6*ndeed, whether or not !ther ,)r5os $e!nt
it, his $!nifesto of 036> 5!lv!ni;ed !nd f)sed the sc!ttered !nd isol!ted
!re!s of discontent in the l!nd, so th!t ilipino n!tion!lis$ which h!d its birth
p!n5s in "!ct!n fin!lly e$er5ed f)ll-5rown. The tr!v!il of the ilipino cler5y
served to 5!lv!ni;e ilipino n!tion!lis$, existin5 since =!p)l!p) in
)ninte5r!ted !nd )ndeveloped for$ fro$ T)5)e5!r!o to T!5libi fro$ #)l) to
#!rr!t !nd #!5!d!. /s in #p!in itself, n!tion!lis$ in the Philippines needed
!n inf)sion of liber!lis$ before it co)ld !c()ire content !nd direction. /nd,
perh!ps witho)t $e!nin5 to do so, it w!s the pec)li!r contrib)tion of
the Fili"ino cler0y, $)ch respected !nd $ost influential !$on5 the people, to
5ive s)bst!nce !nd $e!nin5 to their fellow ilipinosT love of freedo$ !nd
co)ntry.
18
Th)s, 6the disp)te between sec)l!r !nd re5)l!r cler5y over the p!rishes.........
bec!$e ! n!tion!list $ove$ent, which %oined forces with the l!y refor$ists
who h!d co$e into the open ...6 !nd 6(T)he new $ove$ent blew liEe ! wind of
ch!n5e thro)5h every level !nd l!yer of society except the i$pre5n!ble r!nEs
of the fri!rs. Then, s)ddenly, it bec!$e ! whirlwind th!t s)cEed three pio)s
sec)l!r priests into its vortex or the C!vite ")tiny of 0312 exploded !nd they
were !cc)sed of co$plicity, co)rt-$!rti!led !nd 5!rroted.
19
*t w!s o)r n!tion!l hero, 'r. 9ose Ri;!l, who 6c!pt)red the historic 5!lv!ni;in5
$ission which the $!rtyr priests !cco$plished for their people !nd co)ntry, !s
well !s the cr)elty !nd inh)$!nity of the reven5e in the 5)ise of %)stice
inflicted )pon the$, when in 0380 he dedic!ted his second novel 4l
FilibusterismoL#)bversionM
20
to the three $!rtyr priests in the followin5 words+
LTThe Ch)rch, by ref)sin5 to )nfrocE yo), h!s p)t in do)bt the cri$e ch!r5ed
!5!inst yo)P the &overn$ent by enshro)din5 yo)r tri!l in $ystery !nd
p!rdonin5 yo)r co!cc)sed h!s i$plied th!t so$e $ist!Ee w!s co$$itted
when yo)r f!te w!s decidedP !nd the whole of the Philippines in p!yin5
ho$!5e to yo)r $e$ory !nd c!llin5 yo) $!rtyrs tot!lly re%ects yo)r 5)ilt.TM6
21
*t wo)ld indeed be !n ironic twist of history if the $!rtyrdo$ of rs. ,)r5os,
&o$e; !nd N!$or! in the defense of freedo$ !nd the di5nity !nd ri5hts of
the ilipino cler5y which 5!lv!ni;ed ilipino n!tion!lis$ !nd event)!lly
overthrew the #p!nish re5i$e were to be set !t n!)5ht !nd the ilipino
ecclesi!stics were to re$!in b!nned fro$ seeEin5 p)blic office to serve their
fellow$en, bec!)se the spectre of the fri!rs who !b)sed !nd $!ltre!ted the
people contin)es to h!)nt )s !nd we wo)ld now visit their sins )pon o)r own
cler5y.
***. The disposition of the c!se !nd %)d5$ent 5r!ntin5 Auo /arranto -
notwithst!ndin5 th!t there st!ndseen votes for !ffir$in5 respondent %)d5eTs
dis$iss!l of the Auo /arranto, n!$ely, 9)stices ern!ndo, Teeh!nEee, ")So;
P!l$!, Concepcion 9r., #!ntos, ern!nde; !nd &)errero, on the 5ro)nd th!t
the ()estioned provision b!rrin5 ecclesi!stics fro$ $)nicip!l office h!s been
s)perseded !nd rendered inoper!tive by the no-reli5io)s test cl!)se of the
Constit)tion !nd by the Blection Code of 0810 !nd onlyfie votes for
)pholdin5 !s in f)ll force !nd effect the ()estioned b!n on ecclesi!stics,
n!$ely, the Chief 9)stice !nd 9)stices ,!rredo, "!E!si!r, /ntonio !nd /()ino
is contr!ry to the R)le of Co)rt providin5 th!t where the Co)rt in b!nc is
e()!lly divided in opinion !nd no decision by ei5ht 9)stices is re!ched (!s
re()ired by /rticle 2, section 2 L2M of the 081A Constit)tion for the
prono)nce$ent of ! %)d5$ent) the !ppe!led %)d5$ent or order sh!ll st!nd
!ffir$ed. #ince the lower co)rt dis$issed the Auo /arrantopetition !nd
!llowed respondent to re$!in in office, s)ch dis$iss!l sho)ld stand affirmed,
r!ther th!n the %)d5$ent now rendered 5r!ntin5 the Auo /arranto petition !nd
orderin5 respondent to v!c!te the office.
/s st!ted in the $!in opinion, seven 9)stices !re for !ffir$!nce of the
!ppe!led %)d5$ent 6!s the ch!llen5ed provision is no lon5er oper!tive either
bec!)se it w!s s)perseded by the 08A@ Constit)tion or repe!led6 while five
9)stices hold th!t 6s)ch ! prohibition !5!inst !n ecclesi!stic r)nnin5 for
elective office is not t!inted with !ny constit)tion!l infir$ity.6
22
The writer of the
$!in opinion, however, %oined by fo)r others Ln!$ely, 9)stices Concepcion 9r.,
#!ntos, ern!nde; !nd &)erreroM invoEe the le5!l principle th!t 6the
pres)$ption of v!lidity Lof ! l!wM c!lls for its !pplic!tion6 !nd therefore h!ve
voted with the $inority of five Ln!$ely, the Chief 9)stice !nd 9)stices ,!rredo,
"!E!si!r, /ntonio !nd /()inoM to reverse !nd set !side the %)d5$ent a
Auo !nd to order th!t 6respondent &on;!5! ... i$$edi!tely ... v!c!te the
$!yor!lty of the $)nicip!lity of /lb)r()er()e, ,ohol, there bein5 ! f!il)re to
elect.
2-
/s ! preli$in!ry observ!tion, it sho)ld be noted th!t the %)d5$ent or
dispositive portion of the $!in opinion orderin5 respondent &on;!5! to v!c!te
his office 6there bein5 ! f!il)re to elect6, is not correct, since s!id respondent
w!s d)ly elected !nd procl!i$ed after his c!ndid!cy !nd ()!lific!tion for the
office h!d been precisely )pheld before the holdin5 of the 0810 elections by
the Co$$ission on Blections which dis$issed the s!$e herein petitionerTs
petition with it to !nn)l respondentTs certific!te of c!ndid!cy, on ex!ctly the
s!$e 5ro)nd !s here, b!sed on section 201@ of the /d$inistr!tive Code,
which dismissal w!s not !ppe!led by petitioner !nd is therefore the l!w of the
c!se.
,e th!t !s it $!y, the ()estion confrontin5 the Co)rt is wh!t is the !pplic!ble
l!w in ! c!se liEe this where there is !n inconcl)sive or indecisive vote of
seven to five for !ffir$in5 the !ppe!led %)d5$ent<
To be5in with, the !pplic!ble l!w is not the Constit)tion!l provision which
re()ires ! ()!lified vote of !t le!st ten members of this Co)rt to decl!re
)nconstit)tion!l ! l!w, tre!ty or exec)tive !5ree$ent.
24
*n #)ch constit)tion!l
c!ses, f!il)re to re!ch the ()!lified vote of ten $e$bers res)lts in !
decl!r!tion th!t the constit)tion!lity of the ()estioned l!w is dee$ed )pheld.
Concededly, the present !ction is not one to decl!re )nconstit)tion!l the
()estioned provision b!nnin5 ecclesi!stics fro$ $)nicip!l office. The !ction
w!s filed by petitioner precisely invoEin5 the l!wTs b!n in order to dis()!lify
respondent. The lower co)rt $erely sided with the Co$elecTs r)lin5 in !n
e!rlier c!se filed by petitioner for the s!$e p)rpose of dis()!lifyin5
respondent, !nd dis$issed the c!se below )pholdin5 respondentTs defense
th!t the l!w h!d been repe!led by the 0810 Blection Code. This w!s
the sole iss)e both before the lower co)rt !nd this Co)rt.
/s shown herein!bove, the sole iss)e %oined by the p!rties in the co)rt below
!nd in this Co)rt on !ppe!l w!s whether or not the ()estioned provision
b!nnin5 ecclesi!stics fro$ $)nicip!l office h!s been repe!led or not by the
0810 Blection Code. Concededly, ! $ini$)$ of ei0ht otes !s re()ired by the
Constit)tion for the prono)nce$ent of ! %)d5$ent is needed to decl!re th!t
the s!$e h!s been repe!led )nder this sole iss)e, or s)perseded or rendered
inoper!tive by virt)e of the 08A@ Constit)tion!l provisions 5)!r!nteein5
freedo$ of reli5ion !nd prohibitin5 reli5io)s tests for the exercise of civil !nd
politic!l ri5hts )nder the su""lementary iss)e of repe!l by force of the
Constit)tion r!ised motu "ro"rioin the $!in opinion.
25
The !pplic!ble l!w, then, in non-constit)tion!l c!ses s)ch !s th!t !t b!r is
fo)nd in R)le @6, section 00 of the R)les of Co)rt, which w!s desi5ned
specific!lly to cover s)ch c!ses where the necess!ry $!%ority of ! minimum
ei0ht otes 6for the prono)nce$ent of ! %)d5$ent,
26
c!nnot be h!d !nd
provides th!t the !ppe!led %)d5$ent sh!ll st!nd !ffir$ed.
The !ppe!led %)d5$ent in the c!se !t b!r dis$issin5 the Auo /arranto !ction
$)st stand affirmed )nder the cited R)le which provides th!t+
#BC. 00. Procedure if o"inion is eAually diided. @ 4here the co)rt in banc is eAually
diided in o"inion, or the necessary majority cannot be had, the case shall be reheard,
and if on re& hearin0 no decision is reached, the action shall be dismissed if ori0inally
commenced in the courtF in a""ealed cases, the jud0ment or order a""ealed from shall
stand affirmed and on all incidental matters, the "etition or motion shall be denied. (R)le
@6)
/s rest!ted in "or!nTs Co$$ents, 6(*)n a""ealed c!ses, the !bove provision
st!tes th!t the %)d5$ent or order !ppe!led fro$ sh!ll stand affirmed. This
refers to civil c!ses, the r)le in cri$in!l c!ses bein5 th!t provided by section A
of R)le 02@, which st!tes th!t in s)ch c!ses the %)d5$ent of conviction of the
lower co)rt sh!ll be reversed !nd the defend!nt !c()itted. *f the %)d5$ent
!ppe!led fro$ decl!res ! l!w or ! tre!ty )nconstit)tion!l, or i$poses de!th
pen!lty !nd the conc)rrence of !t le!st ei5ht Lnow ten 9)stices c!nnot be h!d,
the #)pre$e Co)rt sh!ll so decl!re, !nd in s)ch c!se the v!lidity or
constit)tion!lity of the !ct or tre!ty involved sh!ll be dee$ed )pheld, or the
pen!lty next lower to de!th sh!ll be i$posed.6
27
/pp!rently, the five $e$bers of the Co)rt he!ded by the writer of the $!in
opinion fo)nd the$selves in ! conflict between the principle of pres)$ption of
v!lidity of ! l!w which nor$!lly c!lls for its i$ple$ent!tion by the exec)tive
dep!rt$ent - )ntil decl!red inv!lid by the co)rts !nd their view th!t the
ch!llen5ed le5!l provision b!rrin5 ecclesi!stics fro$ $)nicip!l office is no
lon5er oper!tive either bec!)se it h!s been s)perseded by the Constit)tion or
repe!led by the 0810 Blection Code. *n s)ch c!se, it is s)b$itted with !ll d)e
respect th!t they erred in %oinin5 votes with the $inority of five opinin5 to the
contr!ry, for the cited R)le expressly provides th!t in s)ch ! c!se of ! s"lit
Court with neither side obt!inin5 the necess!ry n)$ber of votes for the
prono)nce$ent of ! %)d5$ent )pholdin5 their conflictin0views,
the a""ealed %)d5$ent sh!ll stand affirmed.
or the !ppe!led %)d5$ent to st!nd !ffir$ed does not $e!n th!t 6the Co)rt
wo)ld be "artice"s criminisin the ne5!tion of the )ne()ivoc!l !nd i$perio)s
$!nd!te of the l!w.6
28
*t wo)ld si$ply be the l!w of the case, bec!)se of the
inconcl)sive vote. *t is %)st the s!$e !s if petitioner h!d not !ppe!led or if his
!ppe!l h!d been dis$issed for f!il)re to prosec)te the s!$e.
*f the lower co)rt h!d r)led in f!vor of petitioner !nd respondent were the
!ppell!nt, the !ppe!led %)d5$ent (!5!inst respondent in this ex!$ple) wo)ld
st!nd !ffir$ed, despite the seven votes in his f!vor. ,)t the vote wo)ld be
inconcl)sive %)st the s!$e. The iss)e of whether or not the ch!llen5ed l!w is
dee$ed s)perseded by the Constit)tion or repe!led by the 0810 Blection
Code wo)ld h!ve to be left for !nother c!se !nd !nother ti$e.
P)t in !nother w!y, even !ss)$in5 th!t the lower co)rt erred in !d%)d5in5 th!t
the ()estioned l!w h!s been repe!led, )nder the cited !nd !pplic!ble R)le,
this Co)rt wo)ld need 3 votes to overt)rn s)ch %)d5$ent, %)st !s it wo)ld need
the same n)$ber of votes for this Co)rt to overt)rn the %)d5$ent if it h!d
been the other w!y !ro)nd. This is the necess!ry conse()ence in c!ses
where this Co)rt c!nnot !rrive !t ! $!%ority one w!y or the other.
The s!$e sit)!tion h!s h!ppened $ore fre()ently in !ppe!ls fro$ cri$in!l
convictions by the lower co)rts wherein the !pplic!ble r)le is the reerse, with
R)le 02@, section A providin5 th!t where the necess!ry $!%ority of ei5ht votes
for !ffir$in5 the %)d5$ent of conviction or !c()ittin5 the !cc)sed c!nnot be
h!d, 6the %)d5$ent of coniction of the lower co)rt sh!ll be reersed !nd the
defend!nt !c()itted.
29
The provisions of the Pen!l Code !nd #t!t)tes !re 5ener!lly !bsol)te
provisions !5!inst the co$$ission of the cri$in!l !cts therein defined. ,)t the
f!il)re of the Co)rt to obt!in the necess!ry $!%ority of ei0ht otes (in non&
ca"ital c!ses) for the "ronouncement of ! jud0ment !ffir$in5
the coniction (!nd res)ltin5 in the !c()itt!l of the !cc)sed) does not connote
in !ny $!nner th!t this Co)rt h!s thereby beco$e !"artice"s criminis in the
viol!tion of the cri$in!l l!w. 7either does it $e!n th!t the Co)rt h!s thereby
rendered the pen!l st!t)te void or ineffect)!l with the !cc)sedTs !c()itt!l in
the specific cri$in!l c!se. To cite !n ex!$ple, in the c!se of -amire1 s.
Court of %""eals, 10 #CR/ 2A0 (9)ne 0?, 0816), the !cc)sed w!s therein
!c()itted of the cri$e of falsification on ! > to @ vote (o)t of 00 9)stices with 2
!bstentions), b)t it c!nnot be s!id th!t the prev!ilin5 opinion thereby
obliter!ted the cri$e of f!lsific!tion )nder /rt. 012 of the Revised Pen!l Code
si$ply bec!)se of the !lle5ed repe!l of C, Circ)l!r 2? by C, Circ)l!r 0AA
which served !s the $!in re!son for dividin5 the Co)rt in the c!se.
*f the $!%ority were to follow the s!$e !ppro!ch in these cri$in!l c!ses where
there is ! si$il!r division of the Co)rt !s to whether ! p!rtic)l!r pen!l st!t)te
or provision h!s been repe!led or rendered inoper!tive !nd the necess!ry
$!%ority c!nnot be h!d, !s in the cited c!se of -amire1, su"ra - then even
those who vote for !c()itt!l (!s those who voted for decl!rin5 the ()estioned
l!w inoper!tive) $)st cross over !nd %oin those votin5 contrarily for !ffir$!nce
of conviction in order to )phold the principle !pplied herein by the $!%ority th!t
6the pres)$ption of v!lidity Lof ! l!wM c!lls for its !pplic!tion6 : in viol!tion of
the cited R)les 5overnin5 ! divided Co)rtTs f!il)re to re!ch the necess!ry
$!%ority.
*n closin5, it sho)ld be borne in $ind th!t petitionerTs !ction to dis()!lify
respondent !nd to be procl!i$ed !s /lb)r()er()e ,ohol $!yor in his ste!d is
!n exercise in f)tility bec!)se (!) the officeTs ter$ h!s lon5 expired !nd (b)
$ore i$port!ntly, even if the ter$ $!y be dee$ed !s not h!vin5 expired, this
Co)rt h!s consistently held th!t ! petitioner in s)ch dis()!lific!tion
proceedin5s c!nnot be procl!i$ed !s elected to the office (in lie) of !
dis()!lified respondent) which is the only thin5 th!t petitioner h!s v!inly
so)5ht herein : to be procl!i$ed !nd se!ted !s $!yor vice the respondent
who defe!ted hi$ in the election. /s held in :ilar s. Paraiso, su"ra+
-0
6(/)s to
the ()estion whether, respondent bein5 ineli5ible, petitioner c!n be decl!red
elected, h!vin5 obt!ined second pl!ce in the elections, o)r !nswer is si$ple+
this Co)rt h!s !lre!dy decl!red th!t this c!nnot be done in the !bsence of !n
express provision !)thori;in5 s)ch decl!r!tion. O)r l!w not only does not
cont!in !ny s)ch provision b)t !pp!rently see$s to prohibit it,6

!RRE$O, J. conc)rrin5+
"y vote is to 5r!nt the petition !nd to decl!re respondent Rev. r. "!r5!rito
R. &on;!5! dis()!lified )nder #ection 201@ of the Revised /d$inistr!tive
Code fro$ bein5 $!yor of /lb)r()er()e ,ohol, which position he h!s
!ss)$ed by virt)e of his winnin5 in the loc!l elections held in 0810, for which
re!son he sho)ld be ordered to v!c!te the s!$e. * wo)ld, however, li$it the
5ro)nds for $y vote to the consider!tions herein)nder st!ted, for it is not the
d!n5er of !ny for$ or de5ree of ch)rch control of st!te !ff!irs th!t * perceive
in !llowin5 !n ecclesi!stic to be elected !s $!yor, the occ)rrence of s)ch !
contin5ency bein5 prob!bly ()ite re$ote now with the ch!r!cter of the ilipino
cler5y who !re ! f!r cry fro$ the fri!rs d)rin5 the #p!nish ti$es. * %)st c!nnot
i$!5ine how ! d)ly ord!ined $inister of &od whose s!cred life $ission is
s)pposed to be to serve &od !nd to !dv!nce !nd defend the interests of .is
ch)rch !bove !ll other interests c!n properly !ct !s ! 5overn$ent offici!l
co$$itted to enforce st!te policies which $!y conflict with the f)nd!$ent!l
tenets of th!t ch)rch.
* !5ree with the Chief 9)stice !nd 9)stice "!E!si!r th!t the tri!l co)rtTs r)lin5,
followin5 th!t of the Co$$ission on Blections, to the effect th!t #ection 201@
of the Revised /d$inistr!tive Code h!s been repe!led by #ection 2A of the
Blection Code of 0810 is not le5!lly correct. "ore th!n $erely decl!rin5
ecclesi!stics ineli5ible to ! $)nicip!l office, the /d$inistr!tive Code
provisions en%oins in the $ost )ne()ivoc!l ter$s their inc!p!city to hold s)ch
office whether by election or !ppoint$ent. *ndeed, the word 6ineli5ible6 in the
title of the section is in!ppropri!te. *f s!id Blection Code provision h!s !ny
inco$p!tibility with the !bove-$entioned /d$inistr!tive Code provision, it is
only by i$plic!tion !nd only insof!r !s $e$bers of the /r$ed orces of the
Philippines !re concerned, in the sense th!t s!id !r$y $en !re now !llowed
to r)n for election to $)nicip!l offices provided th!t they sh!ll be dee$ed to
!)to$!tic!lly ce!se in their !r$y positions )pon the filin5 of their respective
certific!tes of c!ndid!cy. #ection 2A does not define who !re ()!lified to be
c!ndid!tes for p)blic elective positions, nor who !re dis()!lified. *t $erely
st!tes wh!t is the effect of the filin5 of certific!tes of c!ndid!cy by those
referred to therein, which do not incl)de ecclesi!stics Th)s, the inconsistency
conte$pl!ted in #ection 2>8 of the Code !s prod)ctive of repe!lin5 effect
does not exist in the c!se of #ection 2A thereof vis-!-vis #ection 201@ of the
Revised /d$inistr!tive Code.
/ccordin5ly, the only w!y respondent r. &on;!5! c!n le5!lly hold to the
$!yorship he is occ)pyin5, is for #ection 201@ to be decl!red !s viol!tive of
the constit)tion!l in%)nction in #ection 0 (1) of the 08A@ Constit)tion of the
Philippines which w!s in force in 0810 th!t 67o reli5io)s test sh!ll be re()ired
for the exercise of civil or politic!l ri5hts6 !s contended by hi$. On this score,
it is $y considered view th!t there is no rep)5n!ncy !t !ll between #ection
201@, on the one h!nd, !nd the freedo$ of reli5ion provision of the Old
Constit)tion, which, incident!lly, is reprod)ced text)!lly in the 7ew Ch!rter,
!nd the principle of sep!r!tion of ch)rch !nd st!te, on the other.
The 6no reli5io)s test6 provision is fo)nded on the lon5 cherished principle of
sep!r!tion of ch)rch !nd st!te which the fr!$ers of o)r 081A Constit)tion
opted to incl)de !s !n express provision in the f)nd!$ent!l l!w by ord!inin5
th!t s)ch sep!r!tion 6sh!ll be inviol!ble6 (/rt. 2-, #ec. 0@), not !s !
red)nd!ncy b)t in order to co$prehend sit)!tions which $!y not be covered
by the provisions on reli5io)s freedo$ in the ,ill of Ri5hts. (/rt. *-, #ec. 3.) *t
si$ply $e!ns th!t no p)blic office $!y be denied to !ny person, by re!son of
his reli5io)s belief, incl)din5 his non-belief. 4hether he believes in &od or
not, or, believin5 in &od, he expresses !nd $!nifests his belief in one w!y or
!nother, does not dis()!lify hi$. ,)t when he beco$es ! reli5io)s or !n
ecclesi!stic he beco$es one who does not $erely belon5 to his ch)rch,
con5re5!tion or deno$in!tion or one who entert!ins his own reli5io)s beliefP
he beco$es the offici!l $inister of his ch)rch with distinct d)ties !nd
responsibilities which $!y not !lw!ys be co$p!tible with the post)re of
!bsol)te indifference !nd i$p!rti!lity to !ll reli5io)s beliefs which the
5overn$ent !nd !ll its offici!ls $)st $!int!in !t !ll ti$es, on !ll occ!sions !nd
in every !spect of h)$!n life !nd individ)!l ende!vor precisely bec!)se of the
sep!r!tion of ch)rch !nd st!te !nd the f)ll en%oy$ent of reli5io)s freedo$ by
everyone. There is no Enown s!fe5)!rd !5!inst wittin5 or )nwittin5, p!tent or
l!tent discri$in!tion th!t ! reli5io)s $!y l!pse into when confronted with !
sit)!tion where opposin5 reli5io)s interests $!ybe involved. /nd yet, it is in
s)ch ! predic!$ent th!t p!r!$o)nt p)blic interest wo)ld de$!nd th!t he
sho)ld neither hesit!te nor e()ivoc!te. .!vin5 in $ind the i$perfection of !ll
h)$!n bein5s, * c!nnot believe th!t !ny reli5io)s, fo)nd in s)ch )nenvi!ble
sit)!tion wo)ld be !ble to s)ccessf)lly !c()it hi$self fro$ !ll s)spicion of
conce!led interest in f!vor of his own ch)rch. 4h!t is worse, !ny !tte$pt on
his p!rt to looE the other w!y %)st to !void s)ch s)spicion of p!rti!lity $i5ht
only res)lt in $ore i$propriety or in%)stice. *ndeed, !s * see it, even the d!y of
perfect !nd sincere ec)$enis$ is not yet here.
*t is !lre!dy ! $!tter of deep !nxiety for everyone in !ny politic!l )nit
concerned th!t ! devo)t C!tholic or Protest!nt or ")sli$ l!y$!n holdin5 !
p)blic office therein $!y find it extre$ely diffic)lt, if not i$possible, to
dissoci!te his reli5io)s thinEin5 fro$ his %)d5$ent or $otiv!tions !s he !cts in
the perfor$!nce of his d)ties. Cert!inly, it wo)ld be ! 5r!ver proble$ if the
offici!l sho)ld h!ppen to be ! reli5io)s $inister, since his 5r!ver responsibility
to his ch)rch in the pre$ises co)ld i$!5in!bly o)twei5h in his decision
process the de$!nds of the 5ener!l p)blic interest. /s ! si$ple $!tter of
5ood 5overn$ent principle, the possibility of s)ch !n )ndesir!ble contin5ency
$)st be !voided. To $y $ind, it is %)st !s ob%ection!ble for !n offici!l of the
civil 5overn$ent to try to t!Ee p!rt in r)nnin5 !ny reli5io)s deno$in!tion or
order, !s it is for ! reli5io)s to involve hi$self in the r)nnin5 of the !ff!irs of
5overn$ent !s !n offici!l thereof. The observ!tions of 9)stice Teeh!nEee
!nent so$e reli5io)s le!ders n!$ed by hi$ who h!ve occ)pied positions in
the n!tion!l 5overn$ent either !s dele5!tes to the Constit)tion!l Conventions
of 08A> !nd 0810 or !s $e$bers of the n!tion!l le5isl!t)re !re, * re5ret to
s!y, $ispl!ced. /p!rt fro$ the f!ct th!t they were too few to decisively
i$press the in!lien!ble reli5io)s principles of their respective ch)rches on the
)lti$!te decisions of the conventions or the le5isl!tive bodies where they s!t
re5!rdin5 $!tters in which s!id ch)rches were interested, one h!s to be
)tterly n!ive to expect th!t !ther Uint!n!r for inst!nce, will not be 5)ided
excl)sively by the doctrines !nd decl!red offici!l position of the Ro$!n
C!tholic Ch)rch rel!ted to s)ch controversi!l s)b%ects !s divorce, !nn)l$ent
of $!rri!5es !nd birth control, to cite only ! few. 4ith!l, #ection 201@ covers
only $)nicip!l offices, for the si$ple re!son th!t it is in the lowest levels of the
5overn$ent str)ct)re where the offici!ls const!ntly de!l directly !nd
person!lly with the people th!t the risEs of reli5io)s infl)ences in the d!ily
!ff!irs of p)blic !d$inistr!tion c!n e!sily be exerted to the detri$ent of the
principle of sep!r!tion of ch)rch !nd st!te. "y i$pression is th!t if !ny
reli5io)s is now bein5 !llowed to hold !ny p!rtic)l!r office th!t re()ires
reli5io)s b!cE5ro)nd !nd !ppro!ch, it is $ostly in con%)nction with other
offici!ls with who$ he c!n only !ct in co$$on, s)ch !s, in the ,o!rd of
P!rdons !nd P!role, where he c!n exert !t $ost only ! de5ree of
reco$$end!tory infl)ence !nd he decides nothin5 concl)sively for the st!te.
*n !ny event, the spect!cle of ! priest !nd ! politici!n bein5 one !nd the s!$e
person $!y vet be !n !tte$pt to $ix oil with w!ter, if it wo)ld not be doin5
wh!t the #cript)res do not per$it+ honor both &od !nd "!$$on
Of co)rse, ! ilipino priest or ! n)n does not ce!se to be ! citi;en endowed
with !ll politic!l ri5hts !s s)ch. * $!int!in, however, th!t the choice by !ny
reli5io)s of the hi5h !nd noble voc!tion of dedic!tin5 his or her life to &od !nd
.is Ch)rch sho)ld, in the very n!t)re of thin5s !nd for the best interests of tile
co$$)nity !s ! whole, be dee$ed !s ! virt)!l w!iver or ren)nci!tion of the
prero5!tive to hold ! p)blic office, for the re!sons of inevit!ble inco$p!tibility *
h!ve disc)ssed e!rlier, !nd it is b)t lo5ic!l th!t the l!w 5ive effect to s)ch
ren)nci!tion, for the s!Ee of both, the ch)rch !nd the st!te. /s "r. 9)stice
R!$on C. /()ino !ptly p)ts it, it is not his or her reli5io)s belief b)t the
excl)sivistic ch!r!cter of the voc!tion he or she h!s e$br!ced th!t constit)tes
the b!r to !ny politic!l !$bition he or she $!y entert!in. 9)st !s the very *de!l
itself. of reli5io)s freedo$ h!s been held to yield to the de$!nds of the p)blic
interest, it is not illo5ic!l, $)ch less le5!lly )nten!ble, to constr)e the 6no
reli5io)s test6 provision in th e Constit)tion !s not constit)tin5 ! prohibition
!5!inst b!nnin5 !n ecclesi!stic fro$ holdin5 ! $)nicip!l office d)e to the
inco$p!tibility between his co$$it$ent to his voc!tions, on one h!nd, !nd
his loy!lty !nd dedic!tion to his p)blic office both of which re()ire his f)ll !nd
entire devotion.
%BSIR, J. conc)rrin5+
*t 5rieves $e to dissent on constit)tion!l !nd le5!l 5ro)nds fro$ $y brilli!nt
!nd le!rned colle!5)es, 9)stice Bnri()e ". ern!ndo, 9)stice Cl!)dio
Teeh!nEee !nd 9)stice Cecili! ")no; P!l$!, whose schol!rly dissert!tions
!lw!ys co$$!nd respectP bec!)se $y disc)sssion will be ! c!t!lo5)e of the
d!n5ers po by the Ch)rch in which * w!s born !nd n)rt)red liEe $y two sons
!nd two d!)5hters - the Ro$!n C!tholic Ch)rch, in whose service $y l!te
l!$ented f!ther w!nted to be, st)dyin5 !s he did for the priesthood in !
C!tholic se$in!ry
* f)lly conc)r with the no less incisive opinions of Chief 9)stice red R)i;
C!stro, !nd 9)stices /ntonio P. ,!rredo, elix I. /ntonio !nd R!$on C.
/()ino. * only wish to !dd so$e tho)5hts !voidin5 !s f!r !s possible rest!tin5
the cit!tions in their opinions.
*
,)t first, we sh!ll !pply the le5!l sc!lpel to dissect #ection 2A of the Blection
Code of 0810, which, in the opinion of the tri!l %)d5e, i$pliedly repe!led
#ection 201@ of the Revised /d$inistr!tive Code. This iss)e which w!s not
disc)ssed extensively by "r. 9)stice ern!ndo in his opinion, is the
centerpiece of the opinion of "r. 9)stice Teeh!nEee who conc)rs with hi$.
The two !lle5ed conflictin5 le5!l provisions !re here)nder ()oted+
#ec. 2A. C!ndid!te holdin5 !ppointive office or position. Bvery person holdin5 ! p)blic
!ppointive office or position, incl)din5 !ctive $e$bers of the /r$ed orces of the
Philippines !nd every officer or e$ployee in 5overn$ent-owned or controlled
corpor!tions, sh!ll i"so facto cease in his office or "osition on the date he files his
certificate of candidacy7 Proided, Th!t the filin5 of ! certific!te of c!ndid!cy sh!ll not
!ffect wh!tever civil, cri$in!l or !d$inistr!tive li!bilities which he $!y h!ve inc)rred
(Blection Code of 0810, e$ph!sis s)pplied).
#ection. 201@. Persons ineli5ible to $)nicip!l office. : 3n no case shall there be elected
or a""ointed to a munici"al office ecclesiastics, soldiers in !ctive service, persons
receivin5 s!l!ries or co$pens!tion fro$ provinci!l or n!tion!l f)nds, or contr!ctors for
p)blic worEs of the $)nicip!lity (Revised /d$inistr!tive Code, e$ph!sis s)pplied).
,!sic is the r)le th!t i$plied repe!ls !re not f!vored )nless there is s)ch !n
irreconcil!ble rep)5n!ncy between the two l!ws th!t both st!t)tes c!nnot
st!nd to5ether.
*t is p!tent th!t the two le5!l provisions !re co$p!tible with e!ch other.
#ection 2A of the Blection Codedoes not enumerate the "ersons dis()!lified
for ! p)blic elective or !ppointive officeP b)t merely "rescribes the effect of
filin0 a certificate of candidacy by !n !ppointive p)blic officer or e$ployee or
by !ctive $e$bers of the /r$ed orces of the Philippines or by !n officer or
e$ployee in ! 5overn$ent-owned or controlled corpor!tion.T #ection 2A st!tes
th!t )pon the filin5 of his certific!te of c!ndid!cy, s)ch !ppointive officer or
e$ployee or $e$ber of the /r$ed orces sh!ll Ei"so facto ce!se in his office
or position ...6 The obvio)s p)rpose is to prevent s)ch c!ndid!te fro$ t!Ein5
!dv!nt!5e of his position to the pre%)dice of the opposin5 c!ndid!tes not
si$il!rly sit)!ted.
On the other h!nd, #ection 201@ of the Revised /d$inistr!tive Code provides
for !n !bsol)te dis()!lific!tion !nd en)$er!tes the persons who !re so
!bsol)tely dis()!lified to r)n for or be !ppointed to ! $)nicip!l office which
en)$er!tion incl)des not only p)blic officers b)t !lso priv!te individ)!ls liEe
contr!ctors !nd ecclesi!stics #ection 2A of the Blection Code of 0810 !pplies
only to p)blic officers !nd e$ployees, incl)din5 those in 5overn$ent-owned
or controlled corpor!tions !nd $e$bers of the /r$ed orces, b)t not to
priv!te citi;ens, liEe contr!ctors or ecclesi!stics .ence, ! contr!ctor who is
not e$ployed in !ny 5overn$ent office or 5overn$ent-owned or controlled
corpor!tion or in the /r$ed orces, need not v!c!te his priv!te e$ploy$ent.,
if !ny, )pon his filin5 ! certific!te of c!ndid!cy. liEewise, if he were ()!lified in
the !bsence of the !bsol)te e dis()!lific!tions in #ection 201@ of the Revised
/d$inistr!tive Code, ! priest or $inister is not i"so facto divested of his
position in his ch)rch tile $o$ent he files his certific!te of c!ndid!cy.
The f!ct th!t the Co$$ission on Blections prior to the elections in 0810
denied petitionerTs petition for th !nn)l$ent of the certific!te of c!ndid!cy of
priv!te respondent, is not concl)sive on the #)pre$e Co)rt, the fin!l !rbiter
on le5!l ()estions !nd does not constit)te res judicata. The CO"B=BCTs
opinion $!y be pers)!sive, b)t never bindin5 on the #)pre$e Co)rt.
"oreover, the petition sho)ld h!ve been dis$issed !s pre$!t)re then,
bec!)se the iss)e $i5ht h!ve been rendered $oot !nd !c!de$ic sho)ld the
c!ndid!te so)5ht to be dis()!lified before the election loses the election. /t
!ny r!te, #ection 208 of the Blection Code of 0810 !)thori;es !ny voter to
file Auo /arranto proceedin5s !5!inst !ny loc!l officer-elect on the 5ro)nd of
ineli5ibility within fifteen (0@) d!ys !fter the procl!$!tion of his election. The
!dverse opinion on the p!rt of the CO"B=BC prior to the election, did not b!r
the petition for Auo /arranto )nder #ection 208 of the Blection Code of 0810.
"oreover, )nliEe the 081A Constit)tion, the 081A Constit)tion did not est n the
CO"B=BC !ny power to decide contests rel!tin5 to the election, ret)rns !nd
()!lific!tions of elective offici!ls, whether n!tion!l or loc!l. Dnder the 081A
Constit)tion the CO"B=BC is not conferred the power to decide contests
rel!tin5 to the election, ret)rns !nd ()!lific!tions of $)nicip!l elective offici!ls.
.owever, the 081A Constit)tion constit)tes the CO"B=BC the sole %)d5e of
!ll contests rel!tin5 to the elections, ret)rns !nd ()!lific!tions of the $e$bers
of the 7!tion!l /sse$bly !nd the elective provinci!l !nd city offici!ls (#ection
2L20, /rt. 2**, 081A Constit)tion)P b)t s) h deter$in!tion by the CO"B=BC is
still s)b%ect to review by the #)pre$e Co)rt (#ection * L0M, /rt. 2* 0, 081A
Constit)tion), which therefore is the )lti$!te !rbiter of s)ch election iss)es.
*f the i$plied repe!l theory were s)st!ined, then #ection 2A of t tie Blection
Code of 0810, if constr)ed to !llow ecclesi!stics !nd other $inisters of
reli5ion to r)n for or be !ppointed to ! $)nicip!l office collides with tile
Constit)tion !s the s!$e viol!tes the sep!r!tion of ch)rch !nd st!te expressly
en%oined b #ection 0@ of /rticle 2-, #ection 03(2) of /rticle -***, !nd #ection 3
of /rticle *- of the 081A Constit)tion for the re!sons herein!fter st!ted.
**
4B sh!ll proceed to $!rsh!l the forces with which to l!y sie5e on the cit!del
erected by "r. 9)st ice ern!ndo to s)st!in his theory th!t #ection 201@ of the
Revised /d$inistr!tive Code w!s !bro5!td by the no-reli5io)s test cl!)se of
#ection 0(1) of the ,ill of Ri5hts L/rt. *** of the 08A@ Constit)tion, which is re-
st!ted !s #ection 3 of the ,ill of Ri5hts (/rticle *-) of the 081A Constit)tion.
/s !bove st!ted, repe!ls by i$plic!tion !re !bhorred )nless there is ! cle!r
showin5 of co$plete !nd tot!l inco$p!tibility between the two l!ws. /nd 4B
believe th!t there is no s)ch irreconcil!ble rep)5n!ncy between #ection 201@
of the Revised /d$inistr!tive Code !nd the no-reli5io)s test cl!)se of the ,ill
of Ri5hts.
On the other h!nd, the proposition !dv!nced by $y brethren, 9)stices
ern!ndo !nd Teeh!nEee, cl!shes inevit!bly with the doctrine of sep!r!tion of
Ch)rch !nd #t!te expressly prohibited by #ection 0@ of /rticle 2- of the 081A
Constit)tion, conde$ned by #ection 3 of the ,ill of Ri5hts (/rticle *-), !nd
proscribed by #ection 3 of /rticle 2** !nd #ection i 3(2) of /rticle -* * * of the
081 A Constit)tion.
#ection 0@ of /rticle 2- c!te5oric!lly decl!res th!t+
The sep!r!tion of Ch)rch !nd #t!te sh!ll be inviol!ble.
#ection 3 of the ,ill of Ri5hts (/rticle *-) re!ds+
7o l!w sh!ll be $!de respectin5 !n est!blish$ent of reli5ion, or prohibitin5 the free
exercise thereof. The free exercise !nd en%oy$ent of reli5io)s profession !nd worship,
witho)t discri$in!tion or preference sh!ll forever be !llowed. 7o reli5io)s test sh!ll be
re()ired for the exercise of civil or politic!l ri5hts.
#ection 03(2) of /rticle -* * * st!tes+
7o p)blic $oney or property sh!ll ever be !ppropri!ted, !pplied, p!id, or )sed, directly or
indirectly, for the )se, benefit, or s)pport of !ny sect ch)rch deno$in!tion, sect!ri!n
instit)tion, or syste$ of reli5ion, or for the )se, benefit, or s)pport of !ny priest, pre!cher,
$inister, or other reli5io)s te!cher or di5nit!ry !s s)ch, except when s)ch priest,
pre!cher, $inister, or di5nit!ry, is !ssi5ned to the !r$ed forces, or to !ny pen!l instit)tion
on 5overn$ent orph!n!5e or lepros!ri)$.
#ection 3 of /rticle 2** co$$!nds th!t+
7o reli5io)s sect sh!ll be re5istered !s ! politic!l p!rty, ...
To stress, #ection 201@ of the Revised /d$inistr!tive Code, does not provide
for ! reli5io)s test for the exercise of civil !nd politic!l ri5hts. The s!id section
$erely defines ! dis()!lific!tion for ! p)blic office. *t prohibits priests or
$inisters of !ny reli5ion, !nd the other persons specified in s!id #ection 201@,
fro$ r)nnin5 for or bein5 !p silted to ! $)nicip!l p)blic office. *t does not
deprive s)ch specified individ)!ls of their politic!l ri5ht of s)ffr!5e : to elect !
p)blic offici!l.
/ citi;en, who *s ! C!tholic, Protest!nt, ")sli$, /5lip!y!n or ! $e$ber of the
*5lesi! ni Uristo, b)t who is not ! priest or ! $inister of !ny reli5ion, sect or
deno$in!tion, c!n r)n for ! $)nicip!l elective office. #ection 201@ does not
in()ire into the reli5ion or l!cE of it on the p!rt of !n ordin!ry citi;en. *f it does,
!ll citi;ens wo)ld be dis()!lified for election or !ppoint$ent to ! loc!l p)blic
officeP !nd there wo)ld be no need to sin5le o)t soldiers in !ctive service,
persons receivin5 s!l!ries or co$pens!tion fro$ provinci!l or n!tion!l f)nds,
or contr!ctors for p)blic worEs of the $)nicip!lity, !lon5 with ecclesi!stics /ll
these persons. whether priests or $inisters or soldiers or contr!ctors or
e$ployees of the n!tion!l or provinci!l 5overn$ent, profess so$e reli5ion or
reli5io)s belief. To repe!t, one is dis()!lified )nder #ection 201@, not by
re!son of his reli5ion or l!cE of it, b)t bec!)se of his reli5io)s profession or
voc!tion.
The sep!r!tion of Ch)rch !nd #t!te i$plicit in the ,ill of Ri5hts (#ec. 0, p!r. Ti
of /rt. *** of the 08A@ Constit)tions !nd #ec. 3, /rticle *-, 081A Constit)tion),
h!s been expressly st!ted !nd therefore stressed in #ection 0@ of /rticle 2-
of the 081A Constit)tion, which c!te5oric!lly en%oins th!t 6the sep!r!tion of
Ch)rch !nd #t!te sh!ll be inviol!ble.6 This b!sic principle which )nderlies the
str)ct)re of o)r 5overn$ent w!s the sh!rp re!ction to the historic!l lesson
le!rned by $!nEind in 5ener!l th!t the f)sion of 5overn$ent !nd reli5ion
tends to destroy 5overn$ent !nd de5r!de reli5ion 4n0el s.:itale A1? D# >20
bec!)se it inv!ri!bly de5ener!tes into tyr!nny. The terror th!t w!s the
*n()isition cl!i$ed for its victi$s physicist !nd !strono$er &!lileo &!lilei !nd
philosopher &iord!no ,r)no !$on5 tho)s!nds of other victi$s.
The view herein en)nci!ted by 9)stice ern!ndo !nd Teeh!nEee will !5!in
)sher in the er! of reli5io)s intoler!nce !nd oppression which ch!r!cteri;ed
the #p!nish re5i$e of !bo)t >?? ye!rs in the Philippines. *t will res)rrect in
o)r politic!l life th!t di!bolic !rr!n5e$ent which per$its tile 6encro!ch$ent of
Ch)rch )pon the %)risdiction of the 5overn$ent, !nd the exercise of politic!l
power by tile reli5io)s, in short, the )nion of the #t!te !nd the Ch)rch :
which historic!lly sp!wned !b)ses on the p!rt of the fri!rs th!t contrib)ted to
the re5ressiveness, the soci!l !nd politic!l b!cEw!rdness of the ilipinos
d)rin5 tile #p!nish Br! !nd brin5 !bo)t ! tr)ly theocr!tic st!te : the $ost
d!n5ero)s for$ of !bsol)tis$, !ccordin5 to =ord /cton th!t 5re!t liber!l
C!tholic !nd ill)strio)s schol!r (#en!tor Cl!ro ". Recto 6The Bvil of Reli5io)s
Test in o)r 'e$ocr!cy , speech delivered before the Centr!l Philippine
Dniversity on ebr)!ry 08, 086?).
4hen ! priest is !llowed to r)n for !n elective position, in the stirrin5 l!n5)!5e
of the er)dite Cl!ro ". Recto, he s!$e will re-est!blish 6! tyr!nnic!l re5i$e
th!t en5!5ed in the $ost vicio)s politic!l !nd reli5io)s persec)tion !5!inst
dissenters. The Ch)rch in the Philippines w!s responsible for the exec)tion of
!thers &o$e;, ,)r5os !nd N!$or!, of Ri;!l !nd other ilipino p!triots6
(speech delivered on ebr)!ry 0@, 08@3 before the #)pre$e Co)ncil of the
/ncient !nd /ccepted #cottish Rite of ree "!sonry).
7o do)bt #ection 201@ w!s desi5ned to preserve the indestr)ctible w!ll of
sep!r!tion between Ch)rch !nd #t!te the b!sic pill!r of o)r de$ocr!tic
re5i$e. The no-reli5io)s test cl!)se of the Constit)tion only i$ple$ents !nd
s)pple$ents oneTs freedo$ to entert!in views of his rel!tions to his Cre!tor
!nd to pre!ch, prop!5!te !nd ev!n5eli;e his reli5io)s belief. ,)t s)ch no-
reli5io)s test does not 5)!r!ntee hi$ the ri5ht to r)n for or be !ppointed to !
p)blic office !nd there!fter to )se s)ch p)blic office to co$pel the citi;enry to
confor$ to his reli5io)s belief, thereby to 5!in for his Ch)rch do$in!nce over
the #t!te.
/ priest or $inister, once elected or !ppointed to ! $)nicip!l office,
necess!rily en%oys the s!l!ry pert!inin5 to the office. This wo)ld be ! direct
viol!tion of the prohibition )nder #ection 03(2) of /rticle -*** of the 081A
Constit)tion which w!s cont!ined in p!r!5r!ph A of #ection 2A of /rticle -* of
the 08A@ Constit)tion. 7ot only p)blic f)nds will be !ppropri!ted for his s!l!ry
b)t the priest or $inister th)s elected or !ppointed !s ! $)nicip!l officer
e$ployee will !lso directly or indirectly en%oy the )se or benefit of !ny property
of the $)nicip!lity. The only exception where s)ch !ppropri!tion of p)blic
$oney or property c!n be v!lidly $!de in f!vor of s)ch priest or $inister is
when he is !ssi5ned to the /r$ed orces or to !ny pen!l instit)tion or
5overn$ent orph!n!5e or lepros!ri)$.
4h!t will necess!rily follow wo)ld be the Ch)rch fieldin5 its own c!ndid!tes
for $)nicip!l offices !ll over the co)ntry even witho)t re5isterin5 !s ! politic!l
p!rty. #)ch s)pport by the Ch)rch, !ltho)5h not re5istered !s ! politic!l p!rty,
re$!ins ! circ)$vention of the !bsol)te prohibition specified in #ection 3 of
/rticle 2** of the 081A Constit)tion. /nd when the $!%ority of the winnin5
c!ndid!tes for elective offices in tile towns !ll over the co)ntry !re s)pported
by the Ch)rch, these offici!ls will n!t)r!lly be beholden to the Ch)rch !nd will
)tili;e : covertly or overtly : their office to f)rther the interests of the Ch)rch.
4hen the Ch)rch !chieves s)ch politic!l do$in!nce, then the Ch)rch will
h!ve the power to pers)!de the elector!te or citi;enry to !$end the
Constit)tion to eli$in!te !ll the provisions on sep!r!tion of Ch)rch !nd #t!te,
the est!blish$ent of st!te reli5ion !nd the )tili;!tion of p)blic f)nds or
property by the Ch)rch or by !ny of its priests or $inisters !nd the prohibition
!5!inst the re5istr!tion of ! reli5io)s sect !s ! politic!l p!rty.
The history of $!nEind, incl)din5 o)r own history, to which "r. 9)stice 9ose P.
=!)rel !ppe!led in%0li"ay s. -ui1 (6> Phil. 2?0, 2?@), !nd o)r %)rispr)dence
f)rnish the for$id!ble evidence of the d!n5ers th!t reli5io)s s)pre$!cy poses
to o)r co)ntry !nd people.
Once ! p!rtic)l!r ch)rch or reli5ion controls or is $er5ed with the #t!te, we
sh!ll bid 5oodbye to !ll o)r libertiesP bec!)se !ll other ch)rches, reli5ions,
sects or deno$in!tions !nd !ll other dissenters of wh!tever h)e or
pers)!sion, will not be toler!ted.
9)st recently, col)$nist Teodoro . -!lenci! reco)nted in his col)$n of /)5)st
@, 0813 th!t ! cert!in 69ose ,. "!r!be of '!v!o City reports th!t in the town
fiest! of T!l!lor! 4est #!$!r, b!rrio offici!ls were co$pelled to beco$e
/5lip!y!ns bec!)se the $!yor t)rned /5lip!y!n. Those who did not obey
were denied b!r!n5!y !id6 (Over ! C)p of Coffee, '!ily Bxpress, /)5)st
@00813, p. @).
or$er #en!tor Cl!ro ". Recto, the f!ther of the 08A@ Constit)tion, p!inf)lly
n!rr!tes+
/nd yet we h!ve been witnesses to the f!ct in the l!st two elections th!t reli5io)s
or5!ni;!tions, priests !nd n)ns, bishops !nd !rchbishops descended )pon the politic!l
!ren!, not only to )r5e the f!ithf)l to s)pport their own f!vorite c!ndid!tes for n!tion!l
positions, b)t to en%oin the$ fro$ votin5 for cert!in c!ndid!tes who$ the hier!rchy
considered ene$ies of the ch)rch, )nder thre!t of ex-co$$)nic!tion !nd etern!l
d!$n!tion The confession!l !nd the p)lpit h!ve been )tili;ed for these p)rposes.
xxx xxx xxx
*n the elections of 08@@ the hier!rchy $!de the first try. The hier!rchy 5!ve sever!l
c!ndid!tes for the #en!te their i$pri$!t)r !nd their blessin5 !nd not only en%oined the
f!ithf)l to worE !nd vote for the$ b)t !lso en%oined the$ not to vote for c!ndid!tes who$
they h!d decl!red !n!the$!. Their !5ents cond)cted the c!$p!i5n first in whispers !nd
thro)5h h!ndbills !nd newsp!per !rticles !nd c!ric!t)res in the hier!rchyTs own press
or5!n, b)t l!ter the confession!l !nd, in cert!in !re!s, the p)lpits bec!$e c!$p!i5n
pl!tfor$s. Reli5io)s l!y or5!ni;!tions, priests !nd n)ns, schools of both sexes, tooE
!ctive p!rt in the c!$p!i5n. This w!s the ch)rch $ilit!nt !nd the hier!rchy were
s)ccessf)l to ! cert!in extent. They were !ble to elect !t le!st two sen!tors, !ltho)5h
they f!iled to prevent the election of one they $ost h!ted, !b)sed !nd $!li5ned. Ple!sed
!nd enco)r!5ed by their initi!l victory the hier!rchy $!de ! second try in the 5ener!l
elections. They p)t )p c!ndid!tes for !ll n!tion!l offices, President, -ice-President,
#en!tors !nd Represent!tives. They f!iled to elect the President, however, bec!)se the
hier!rchy were hopelessly divided on the Presidency, !s seen in the !dvertise$ents
which !ppe!red in ! section of the loc!l press. ,ishops in le!5)e with ! ilipino
/rchbishop, were b!cEin5 one c!ndid!te. Those owin5 fe!lty to ! forei5n diplo$!tic
represent!tive of the Ch)rch went !ll-o)t for !nother c!ndid!te. They were !ll one,
however, in en%oinin5 the f!ithf)l fro$ votin5 for ! third c!ndid!te, the s!$e one they h!d
fo)5ht bitterly b)t )ns)ccessf)lly in the precedin5 sen!tori!l elections.
.!ppily for the winnin5 c!ndid!te for -ice-President, they were !ll )nited for hi$. 7ot th!t
the other three c!ndid!tes for the office were rep)ted ene$ies of the ch)rch. ,)t one of
the$, orthodox in his f!ith !nd ! re5)l!r observ!nt, they disliEed for h!vin5 sponsored
!nd voted for the Ri;!l ,ill. They disc!rded !nother s)pposedly bec!)se of his !lle5edly
non-too-exe$pl!ry priv!te life. /nd !s to ! third one, !n !cEnowled5ed C!tholic le!der, it
w!s their belief th!t it wo)ld be w!stin5 votes on hi$ !s he w!s never 5iven ! ch!nce to
win. The victor, bein5 the sole c!ndid!te of the ch)rch for -ice- President, co)ld not b)t
win, th)s %)stifyin5 the n!$e with which he w!s christened, the #p!nish word for &od-
5iven+ 'iosd!do. The ch)rch w!s !lso s)ccessf)l in electin5 two sen!tors. 7ot th!t the
re$!inin5 six were not C!tholics, b)t th!t they were not p!rtic)l!rly f!vorites.
*t is th)s )ndeni!ble th!t while the Constit)tion en%oins the st!te fro$ re()irin5 !ny
reli5io)s test for the exercise of politic!l ri5hts, it is the ch)rch th!t in pr!ctice h!s of l!te
re()ired s)ch ! test !ccordin5 to its own st!nd!rds.
4h!t w!s the c!)se of this s)dden politic!l belli5erence on the p!rt of the hier!rchy<
4hy this recent )n!b!shed !tte$pt to do$in!te the st!te thro)5h the b!llot box< 7o
better !nswer c!n be 5iven except th!t the hier!rchy $)st h!ve re!ched ! decision to
i$ple$ent the policy !nno)nced in Ro$e in 08>3, not ex!ctly by the -!tic!n, b)t by the
offici!l or5!n of ! powerf)l reli5io)s or5!ni;!tion rep)ted to be !dviser to Popes, in !
le!din5 !rticle which procl!i$ed the followin5+
The Ro$!n C!tholic Ch)rch, convinced thro)5h its devisee prero5!tives, of bein5 the
only tr)e ch)rch, $)st de$!nd the ri5ht of freedo$ for herself !lone, bec!)se s)ch !
ri5ht c!n only be possessed by tr)th, never by error. /s to other reli5ions, the Ch)rch will
cert!inly never dr!w the sword, b)t she will re()ire th!t by le5iti$!te $e!ns they sh!ll
not be !llowed to prop!5!te f!lse doctrine. Conse()ently, in ! st!te where the $!%ority of
the people !re C!tholic, the Ch)rch will re()ire th!t le5!l existence be denied to error,
!nd th!t if reli5io)s $inorities !ct)!lly exist, they sh!ll h!ve only ! de f!cto existence
witho)t opport)nity to spre!d their beliefs ... *n so$e co)ntries, C!tholics will be obli5ed
to !sE f)ll reli5io)s freedo$ for !ll, resi5ned !t bein5 forced to co-h!bit!te where they
!lone sho)ld ri5htf)lly be !llowed to live. ,)t in doin5 this the Ch)rch does not reno)nce
her thesis, which re$!ins the $ost i$per!tive of her l!ws, b)t $erely !d!pts herself
to de factoconditions, which $)st be t!Een into !cco)nt in pr!ctic!l !ff!irs ...
This is the essence, not of reli5io)s freedo$, b)t of sect!ri!n intoler!nce+ the ch)rch,
when ! $inority in ! 5iven co)ntry, )r5es freedo$ of worship !nd co-existence !lon5 with
othersP b)t when in the $!%ority, it denies th!t freedo$ to other f!ith deno$in!tions, !nd
cl!i$s ! $onopoly on tr)th. T> Cert!inly this w!s not the view of the fo)nders of the
/$eric!n Rep)blic when they instit)ted the principle of reli5io)s freedo$.
xxx xxx xxx
The policy !nno)nced in Ro$e in 08>3, to which * !lre!dy referred, c!n find no $ore
!de()!te !nd concl)sive ref)t!tion th!n in the followin5 st!te$ent by 'r. 9ohn ,. ,)ry,
Re5i)s Professor of "odern .istory, Dniversity of C!$brid5e, in his / .istory of reedo$
of Tho)5ht+
/ st!te with !n offici!l reli5io)s b)t perfectly toler!nt of !ll creeds !nd c)lts, finds th!t !
society h!d !risen in its $idst which is )nco$pro$isin5ly hostile to !ll creeds b)t is own
!nd which, if it h!d the power, wo)ld s)ppress !ll b)t its own. The 5overn$ent in self-
defense decides to checE the disse$in!tion of these s)bversive *de!s !nd $!Ees the
profession of th!t creed ! cri$e, not on !cco)nt of its p!rtic)l!r tenets b)t on !cco)nt of
the soci!l conse()ences of those tenets The $e$bers of the society c!nnot witho)t
viol!tin5 their consciences !nd inc)rrin5 d!$n!tion !b!ndon their excl)sive doctrine. The
principle of freedo$ of conscience is !sserted !s s)perior to !ll obli5!tions to the #t!te,
!nd the #t!te, confronted by this new cl!i$, is )n!ble to !d$it it. Persec)tion is the
res)lt. (pp. >1>3).
4h!t is to h!ppen when obedience to the l!w is inconsistent with obedience to !n
invisible $!ster< *s it inc)$bent on the #t!te to respect the conscience of the individ)!l
!t !ll costs, or within wh!t li$its< The christi!ns did not !tte$pt ! sol)tion, the 5ener!l
proble$ did not interest the$. They cl!i$ed the ri5ht of freedo$ excl)sively for
the$selves fro$ ! non-Christi!n 5overn$entP !nd it is h!rdly 5oin5 too f!r to s)spect th!t
they wo)ld h!ve !ppl!)ded the 5overn$ent if it h!d s)ppressed the &nostic sects who$
they h!ted !nd c!l)$ni!ted
*n !ny c!se, when ! Christi!n #t!te w!s est!blished, they wo)ld co$pletely for5et the
principles which they h!d invoEed. The $!rtyrs died for conscience, b)t not for liberty.
Tod!y the 5re!test of the Ch)rches de$!nds freedo$ of conscience in the $odern
#t!tes which she does not control, b)t ref)ses to !d$it th!t, where she h!d the power, it
wo)ld be inc)$bent on her to concede it. (pp. >8-@?)
')rin5 the two cent)ries in which they h!d been ! forbid. den t the Christi!ns h!d
cl!i$ed toler!tion on the 5ro)nd th!t reli5io)s belief is vol)nt!ry !nd not ! thin5 which
c!n be enforced. 4hen their f!ith bec!$e the predo$in!nt creed !nd h!d the power of
The #t!te behind it, they !b!ndoned this view. They e$b!rEed or The hopef)l enterprise of
brin5in5 !bo)t ! co$plete )nifor$ity in $enTs opinions on the $ysteries of the )niverse,
!nd be5!n ! $ore or less definite policy of coercin5 tho)5ht. This policy w!s !dopted by
B$perors !nd &overn$ents p!rtly on politic!l 5ro)ndsP reli5io)s divisions, bitter !s they
were, see$ed d!n5ero)s to the )nity of the #t!te. ,)t the f)nd!$ent!l principle l!y in
the doctrine th!t s!lv!tion is to be fo)nd excl)sively in the Christi!n Ch)rch. The
profo)nd conviction th!t those who did not believe in its doctrines wo)ld be d!$ned
etern!lly, !nd th!t &od p)nishes theolo5ic!l error !s if it were the $ost heino)s of cri$es,
h!s n!t)r!lly led to persec)tion. *t w!s ! d)ty to i$pose on $en the only tr)e doctrine,
seein5 th!t their own etern!l interests were !t st!Ee, !nd to hinder errors fro$ spre!din5,
heretics were $ore th!n ordin!ry cri$in!ls !nd the p!in th!t $!n co)ld inflict on the$
were nothin5 to the tort)res !w!itin5 the$ in hell. To rid the e!rth of $en who, however
virt)o)s, were thro)5h their reli5io)s errors, ene$ies of the /l$i5hty, w!s ! pl!in d)ty.
Their virt)es were no exc)se. 4e $)st re$e$ber th!t !ccordin5 to the h)$!ne doctrine
of the Christi!ns, p!5!n th!t is, $erely h)$!n virt)es were vices, !nd inf!nts who died
)nb!pti;ed p!ssed the rest of ti$e in creepin5 on the floor of hell. The intoler!nce !risin5
fro$ s)ch views co)ld not b)t differ in Eind !nd intensity fro$ !nythin5 th!t the world h!d
yet witnessed.T (pp. @2-@A)6 LThe Ch)rch !nd #t!te Dnder the Constit)tion, =!wyers
9o)rn!l "!rch A0, 08@3, pp. 3A-3>M
#ection 201@ of the Revised /d$inistr!tive Code does not therefore cl!sh
with the no-reli5io)s test 5)!r!nteeP bec!)se the s!$e is indispens!ble to the
very s)rviv!l of this rep)blic !5!inst reli5io)s intoler!nce !nd he5e$ony *f the
0810 Coninstit)tion!l Convention w!s not profo)ndly !pprehensive of the evil
effects of the f)sion of the Ch)rch !nd #t!te, it wo)ld not h!ve expressly
re!ffir$ed the inviol!bility of s)ch sep!r!tion, !s heretofore st!ted, in #ection
0@ of /rticle 2- of the 081A Constit)tion. #)ch deep conviction of the ilipino
people w!s first 5iven expression in 0388, even before the be5innin5 of the
/$eric!n re5i$e, by o)r !ncestors who, by re!son of their h!vin5 been
s)b%ect to the indi5nities 5ener!ted by the )nion of Ch)rch !nd #t!te, to
ins)re th!t s)ch oppression will no lon5er !bide, incorpor!ted expressly in the
"!lolos Constit)tion of the irst Philippine Rep)blic th!t the st!te reco5ni;es
the e()!lity of !ll reli5o)s worships !nd the se"aration of the Church and
!tate6 (/rt. -, Title 000, "!lolos Constit)tion).
/s ! livin5 witness to the reli5io)s tyr!nny d)rin5 the #p!nish re5i$e, 9)stice
lorentino TTorres of this #)pre$e Trib)n!l !ffir$ed before the Philippine
Co$$ission in 08?? the !b)ses of the fri!rs (see /5oncillo !nd /lfonso, /
.istory of the ilipino People. 086? ed. p. 00P @ ()oted in the dissentin5
opinion of 9)stice /ntonio).
Professor Ren!to Const!ntino reco)nts+
,)t the f)nd!$ent!l c!)se for the w!rnin5 ;e!l !nd ens)in5 corr)ption of the fri!rs w!s
their !cc()isition of property.
/ letter to &overnor '!s$!rin!s fro$ ,ishop 'o$in5o #!l!;!r d!ted "!rch 20, 0@80.
reco)nts in p!ssin5 how the reli5io)s in "exico obt!ined the revoc!tion of ! loy!l
prohibition !5!inst their ownin5 property. the reli5io)s contended th!t there were too
$!ny dis!dv!nt!5es in h!vin5 the fri!rs live !lone. They proposed the est!blish$ent of
ho)ses to be $!nned by !t le!st fo)r ecclesi!stics ,)t this r!ised the proble$ of their
s)pport. 'ecl!rin5 th!t they did not w!nt their $ission!ries to be ! b)rden to their flocE,
the 'o$inic!ns !nd the /)5)stini!ns s)55ested th!t the best sol)tion ,one est!tes in the
n!tive wo)ld be for the Ein5 5r!nt the$ so$e est!tes in the n!tive propos!l r!n co)nter
to ! roy!l order th!t the cler5y sho)ld not own l!nds in the *ndi!n vill!5es+ b)t the
reli5io)s, thro)5h ,ishop #!l!;!r hi$self. s)cceeded in pers)!din5 the Ein5 to revoEe his
decree.
xxx xxx xxx
The fri!rs !lso bo)5ht l!nd fro$ tile n!tives with the $oney they obt!ined fro$ ch)rch
fees, fro$ tr!de, or fro$ the profits 5!ined fro$ the prod)ce of l!nds which )tili;ed forced
l!bor. 4ith their presti5e !nd power, it w!s e!sy for the$ to press)re vill!5ers into sellin5
the$ their l!nds !t very low prices.
Other l!ndholdin5s were !c()ired thro)5h the foreclos)re of $ort5!5es. The story of how
fri!rs bec!$e $ort5!5ees often be5!n innoc)o)sly eno)5h. =ivin5 !s they did !$on5
the people, the reli5io)s were in the best position to !ppreci!te the possibilities of
!5ric)lt)r!l develop$ent. #eein5 th!t the obst!cle to $ore extensive c)ltiv!tion w!s l!cE
of c!pit!l, $!ny priests entered into p!rtnership with f!r$ers, !dv!ncin5 the$ $oney for
seeds, worE !ni$!ls !nd tools. The priests received h!lf of the h!rvest.
/ltho)5h this !rr!n5e$ent f!vored the $oney lender who received ! f!t sh!re witho)t
worEin5, !t le!st he r!n the s!$e risE !s the f!r$er of 5ettin5 little if the h!rvest w!s
poor. ,)t when the dependence on priestly c!pit!l h!d beco$e $ore or less est!blished,
the fri!rs be5!n to de$!nd th!t their !dv!nces be re5!rded !s lo!ns p!y!ble !t ! fixed
r!te of interest whether the h!rvests were 5ood or b!d. The risEs were now borne by the
tillers !lone, !nd in b!d se!sons they r!n into debt.
4hen s)ch debts !cc)$)l!ted, the fri!rs forced the f!r$ers to $ort5!5e their l!nd to
the$ !nd event)!lly foreclosed the $ort5!5e. The fri!rs then obt!ined title to s)ch l!nds
!nd the f!r$er-owners were either driven !w!y or bec!$e ten!nts.
xxx xxx xxx
#o$e fri!r l!nds were obt!ined thro)5h o)tri5ht )s)rp!tion. 4ith the help of corr)pt
s)rveyors !nd other 5overn$ent offici!l, reli5io)s corpor!tions were !ble to exp!nd their
l!ndholdin5s. /ddition!l hect!res of l!nd o)tside ori5in!l bo)nd!ries of fri!r property
were si$ply 5obbled )p e!ch ti$e ! new s)rvey w!s )ndert!Een. "!ny ti$es, the priests
%)st cl!i$ed pieces of l!nd, drew $!ps of the$, h!d the$ titled, !nd set the$selves )p
!s owners.
The ori5in!l n!tive settlers who h!d tired the l!nd for ye!rs were s)$$!rily decl!red to
be s()!tters. 4hen the n!tives protested, they were !sEed for le5!l proofs of ownership
of the l!nd in ()estion. "ore often th!n not, they co)ld not show !ny le5!l doc)$ent
!ttestin5 to their ownership of the l!nd. The n!tives did not h!ve Ttit)los re!les since their
cl!i$ to the l!nd w!s b!sed on de f!cto possession.
xxx xxx xxx
T!xes, trib)tes, exorbit!nt rents !nd !rbitr!ry incre!ses of the s!$e, forced l!bor !nd
person!l services : !ll these intensified the h!rdships of n!tives who now h!d to 5ive )p
! 5ood p!rt of their prod)ce to their l!ndlords. *n !ddition, so$e !d$inistr!tors pr!cticed
other petty cr)elties which c!)sed $)ch s)fferin5 !$on5 the people.
*n 01>@, in the 9es)it r!nches of =i!n !nd 7!s)5b), ,!t!n5!s, for ex!$ple, the people
!cc)sed the reli5io)s not only of )s)rpin5 the c)ltiv!ted l!nds !nd the hills th!t belon5ed
to the$ b)t !lso of ref)sin5 to !llow the ten!nts to 5et wood, r!tt!n !nd b!$boo for their
person!l )se )nless they p!id the s)$s ch!r5e by the fri!rs.
*n ,)l!c!n, vill!5ers co$pl!ined th!t the reli5io)s che!ted the$ o)t of their l!nds !nd
then cr)elly proceeded to deny the$ the ri5ht to fish in the rivers, to c)t firewood, !nd to
5!ther wild fr)its fro$ the forests. The fri!rs wo)ld not even !llow their c!r!b!os to 5r!;e
on the hills since the reli5io)s now cl!i$ed !ll these !re!s !s their own. 6*n C!vite,
"!nil! !nd ,)l!c!n, s$!ll l!ndholders co$pl!ined th!t since the fri!rs, owned the l!nd
thro)5h which the rivers p!ssed, they h!d to !5ree to the fri!rsT ter$s if they w!nted
w!ter for irri5!tion p)rposes.
=essees of fri!r l!nds protested bitterly th!t their l!ndlords r!ised their rents !l$ost every
ye!r !nd p!rtic)l!rly whenever they s!w th!t thro)5h the f!r$ersT l!bor the l!nd h!d
beco$e $ore prod)ctive. *n so$e c!ses, they even i$posed ! s)rt!x on trees pl!nted by
the ten!nts. 4hen they !ccepted rent!l p!y$ents in Eind, the !d$inistr!tors of the fri!r
est!tes !rbitr!rily fixed the prices of these prod)cts, n!t)r!lly !t lower th!n prev!ilin5
prices.
/side fro$ instit)tion!l exploit!tion, ex!ctions of ! person!l n!t)re were r!$p!nt.
C)r!tes ch!r5ed ! bewilderin5 n)$ber of fees for !ll sorts of rites, fro$ b!ptis$ to b)ri!l.
The n!tives p!id even if it $e!nt sellin5 their l!st possessions bec!)se they h!d been
t!)5ht th!t s)ch rites were indispens!ble to the s!lv!tion of their so)ls.
ri!rs $!de $oney sellin5 ros!ries, sc!p)l!rs !nd other reli5io)s ob%ects. They re()ired
fro$ their flocE !ll Einds of person!l services !nd 5ifts of food for the convent t!ble.
Priests often !d$inistered corpor!l p)nish$ent, )s)!lly whippin5s on n!tives who d!red
disobey their orders or disre5!rd their c!prices. Dn$!rried 5irls were co$pelled to report
to the convent to po)nd rice !nd sweep the ch)rch floors. The l!r5e n)$ber of ilipinos
tod!y who h!ve ! priest so$ewhere in their f!$ily trees !ttests to the fre()ency with
which the vows of celib!cy were tr!ns5ressed.
Of co)rse, the cr)elty c!pricio)sness !nd fre()ency of !b)ses depended on the
ch!r!cter of the individ)!l priest - !nd there were 5ood !nd b!d. .owever, it c!nnot be
denied th!t the virt)!lly )nch!llen5ed power of the fri!r in $ost co$$)nities h!d !
corr)ptin5 infl)ence on $ost.
The peopleTs $o)ntin5 resent$ent led the$ to co$$it v!rio)s !cts of defi!nce, to ref)se
to p!y the )n%)st t!xes i$posed by fri!r est!te !d$inistr!tors, !nd fin!lly to resort to
!r$ed rebellion. #o serio)s were the clerics !b)ses th!t by 01@0, the Ein5 w!s $oved to
iss)e ! roy!l decree orderin5 loc!l 5overn$ent !)thorities
to exercise here!fter the )t$ost vi5il!nce in order th!t the *ndi!ns of the
s!id vill!5es $!y not be $olested by the reli5io)s, !nd th!t the l!tter
sho)ld be Eept in checE in the )n%)st !cts which they $!y in f)t)re
!tte$pt ...
,)t by th!t ti$e s)ch ! directive co)ld h!rdly be enforced. The fri!rs h!d beco$e too
powerf)l not only bec!)se of their spirit)!l hold over both the #p!nish offici!ls !nd the
n!tives, b)t !lso by virt)e of their est!blished econo$ic power. *n !ddition, they h!d
beco$e ! )bi()ito)s presence in the loc!l $!chinery of !d$inistr!tion.
/5!inst the power of his fri!r l!ndlord, ! ten!nt fo)nd it i$possible to prosec)te his
interests or h!ve his co$pl!ints he!rd. / poor ten!nt co)ld not !fford the costs of !
l!ws)it, 5r!ntin5 th!t he Enew the first thin5 !bo)t liti5!tion proced)res. ,esides, wh!t
ch!nce h!d he !5!inst s)ch ! powerf)l fi5)re !s ! fri!r< *f ! fri!r w!nted ! ten!nt
evicted, the cleric co)ld e!sily prev!il )pon ! %)d5e to iss)e the order. !nd he co)ld !s
e!sily !v!il hi$self of 5overn$ent forces to exec)te the decision. Rec!lcitr!nt ten!nts
were often evicted en $!sse there were so $!ny l!ndless pe!s!nts to t!Ee their pl!ces,
!nyw!y.
Bxploit!tion, with its conco$it!nt person!l cr)elties !nd !b)ses, w!s p!rt !nd p!rcel of
the i$per!tive of property exp!nsion once the fri!rsT ri5ht to property h!d been
reco5ni;ed. Bcono$ic power enh!nced politic!l power, !nd politic!l power w!s )sed ti$e
!nd !5!in to exp!nd econo$ic power !nd to oppose !ny !tte$pts by 5overn$ent to
fr)str!te econo$ic exp!nsion.
,y the end of the #p!nish occ)p!tion, the fri!r were in possession of $ore th!n 03@,???
hect!res or !bo)t one-fifteenth of the l!nd )nder c)ltiv!tion. Of this tot!l, !ro)nd 00?,???
hect!res were in the vicinity of "!nil!.
xxx xxx xxx
The e!rly !scend!ncy of the Ch)rch over the #t!te w!s $!de possible by the s)ccess
with which the fri!rs )ndertooE, !l$ost sin5le-h!ndedly, the p!cific!tion of t lie co)ntry.
#ince this s)ccess w!s d)e in l!r5e $e!s)re to the n!tiveTs !ccept!nce of the new
reli5ion, #p!nish power in $ost co$$)nities rested on the infl)ence of the reli5io)s. The
prev!lent opinion !t th!t ti$e th!t Tin e!ch fri!r ill the Philippines the Ein5 h!d ! c!pt!in
5ener!l !nd ! whole !r$y is ! reco5nition of this f!ct.
"oreover, in $ore th!n h!lf of the vill!5es in tile isl!nds there w!s no other #p!ni!rd,
!nd therefore no other coloni!l !)thority the fri!r. This st!te of !ff!irs obt!ined !l$ost to
tile end of #p!nish r)le.
Other f!ctors contrib)ted to fri!r !scend!ncy. The fri!rs Enowled5e of the l!nd !nd of the
people w!s inv!ri!bly s)perior to th!t of the 5overn$ent f)nction!ry. The #p!nish
!lc!ldes $!yores were dependent on the reli5io)s not only bec!)se t he l!tter spoEe * lie
n!tive di!lects b)t !lso bec!)se the ten)re of these 5overn$ent offici!ls w!s te$por!ry
while th!t of the p!rish priest w!s $ore or less per$!nent.
/ $ore f)nd!$ent!l b!sis of the 5re!t politic!l power of the reli5io)s w!s the #p!nish
concept of the )nion of Ch)rch !nd #t!te. The fri!r w!s entr)sted with !n ever-5rowin5
n)$ber of civil d)ties within the co$$)nity )ntil there w!s no !spect of co$$)nity life in
which he did not h!ve ! h!nd.
.e w!s inspector of pri$!ry schools, !nd of t!x!tionP president of the
bo!rd of he!lth, ch!rities, of )rb!n t!x!tion, of st!tistics, of prisonsP
for$erly, president of the bo!rd of p)blic worEs. .e w!s ! $e$ber of the
provinci!l bo!rd !nd the bo!rd for p!rtitionin5 crown l!nds. .e w!s
censor of the $)nicip!l b)d5et, of pl!ys co$edies !nd dr!$!s in the
n!tive l!n5)!5e 5iven !t the co)nselor of $!tters in re5!rd to the
correctness of ced)l!s, $)nicip!l co)ncil, the police force, the schools,
!nd the dr!win5 of lots for !r$y service.
Bcono$ic power thro)5h l!ndholdin5 !nd thro)5h invest$ents in forei5n !nd intern!l
tr!de, politic!l power thro)5h extensive p!rticip!tion in 5overn$ent, !nd spirit)!l control
over both the n!tive pop)l!tion !nd fellow #p!ni!rds : !ll these co$bined to $!Ee the
fri!r the princip!l fi5)re in e!ch co$$)nity, !nd the Ch)rch the do$in!nt power in the
co)ntry.
xxx xxx xxx
Ti$e !nd !5!in, 5overnors co$pl!ined of the !b)ses of the cler5y !nd !ppe!led to the
#p!nish $on!rch to c)rt!il their powers. /s e!rly !s 0@82, &overnor '!s$!rin!s w!s
!lre!dy r!ilin5 !5!inst fri!r power. .e wrote+
/nd the fri!rs s!y the s!$e thin5 : n!$ely, th!t they will !b!ndon their
doctrin!s (i.e., Christi!n vill!5es) if their power over the *ndi!ns is t!Een
!w!y. This power is s)ch th!t the *ndi!ns reco5ni;e no other Ein5 or
s)perior th!n tile f!ther of the doctrine !nd !re $ore !ttentive to his
co$$!nds th!n to those of the 5overnor, Therefore the fri!rs $!Ee )se
of the$ by the h)ndreds, !s sl!ves, in their rowin5, worEs, services, !nd
in other w!ys, witho)t p!yin5 the$, !nd whippin5 the$ !s if they were
hi5hw!y $en. *n wh!tever pert!ins to the f!thers there is no 5rief or pity
felt for the *ndi!nsP b)t !s for so$e service of yo)r "!%esty, or ! p)blic
worE, in which !n *ndi!n $!y be needed, or !s for !nythin5 ordered fro$
the$, the reli5io)s !re bo)nd to 5!ins!y it, pl!ce it on oneTs conscience,
hinder it, or dist)rb everythin5.
*n 06A6, &overnor #eb!sti!n .)rt!do de Corc)er! wrote the Ein5 ob%ectin5 to the
incre!se in the n)$ber of reli5io)s in the isl!nds. /ccordin5 to hi$, the fri!rs h!d
red)ced the n!tives to virt)!l sl!very by forcin5 the$ to sell to the reli5io)s !t their rice
!nd cloth !t prices set by the l!tter who then $onopoli;ed the b)siness in these ite$s.
/nd yet, the 5overnor co$pl!ined, when !ssess$ents of rice, cloth d wine were levied on
the people by the 5overn$ent, these s!$e fri!rs ob%ected on the 5ro)nd th!t the n!tives
were too poor to p!y wh!t w!s de$!nded.
xxx xxx xxx
/b)ses s)ch !s the fri!rTs excessive interference in the n!tivesT d!ily life, person!l ins)lt,
corpor!l p)nish$ent s)ch !s whippin5 !nd l!shin5 of both $en !nd wo$en for the
sli5htest offense, onero)s fees for confessions !nd other reli5io)s rites, sex)!l offenses
!5!inst n!tive wo$en, !nd the n!tive virt)!l red)ction to ! sl!ve !nd serv!nt of the fri!r
: !ll these were bein5 co$$itted !s e!rly !s the second or third dec!de of occ)p!tion.
,)t these wron5s were still inflicted !nd !lso !ccepted on !n individ)!l b!sis !nd they
v!ried in intensity !nd fre()ency dependin5 on the person!lity of e!ch priest.
)rther$ore, since p)nish$ents were $eted o)t on ! v!riety of individ)!l offenses, there
w!s no co$$on 5riev!nce stron5 eno)5h to c!ll forth )nited !ction, !ltho)5h there is no
do)bt th!t resent$ent were b)ildin5 )p.
,)t when the reli5io)s orders be5!n to !c()ire property, their !b)ses tooE on ! different
co$plexion. /s l!ndlords, they bec!$e econo$ic exploiters whose !b)ses thre!tened
the econo$ic s)rviv!l of the n!tives. #)ch !b)ses were no lon5er inflicted by !n
individ)!l on sep!r!te individ)!ls. 7either were they occ!sion!l or dependent on !
p!rtic)l!r fri!r.
Bxploit!tion w!s b!sic !nd per$!nent, !nd enforced by !n instit)tion on 5ro)ps of $en
constit)tin5 pr!ctic!lly the entire co$$)nity. "oreover, this Eind of exploit!tion co)ld not
be %)stified in !ny w!y !s p!rt of the fri!rTs reli5io)s $ission. /ll these f!ctors tr!nsfor$ed
isol!ted resent$ents into co$$on !nd bitter 5riev!nces th!t er)pted in revolts !5!inst
the fri!rs.
Th!t n!tive dis!ffection with the reli5io)s orders h!d ! profo)ndly $!teri!l b!sis is proved
by the f!ct th!t discontent exploded in revolts precisely in !re!s where fri!rs were Enown
to hold l!r5e tr!cts of !5ric)lt)r!l l!nd. *n the provinces of C!vite, =!5)n!, "!nil!,
,)l!c!n !nd "oron5 (now Ri;!l), the reli5io)s owned $ore th!n one-h!lf of the tot!l
!5ric)lt)r!l l!nd. *t is not $ere coincidence th!t these provinces experienced $!ny
!5r!ri!n )prisin5s !nd bec!$e the stron5holds of the Philippine Revol)tion.
To s)$$!ri;e+ the !ttit)de of the n!tives to the Ch)rch in the co)rse of its econo$ic !nd
politic!l !scend!ncy ch!n5ed fro$ initi!l obedience d)e to !we !nd fe!rP to loy!lty !nd
s)bservience !risin5 fro$ !ccept!nce of the C!tholic reli5ion !nd experience with the
power of priests within the coloni!l hier!rchy, b)t !cco$p!nied by person!l resent$entsP
to 5ener!li;ed or 5ro)p hostility bec!)se of co$$on experience with econo$ic
exploit!tion by the fri!rsP !nd fin!lly, to the violently !nti-fri!r senti$ents of the $!sses
d)rin5 the Revol)tion (see Ch!pters 8 !nd 0?) which res)lted in de$!nds for their
exp)lsion !nd in the rise of !n indi5eno)s Ch)rch.
*t is very cle!r th!t this tr!nsfor$!tion in the re!l$ of conscio)sness w!s ! response to !
$!teri!l sti$)l)s : the tr!nsfor$!tion of the Ch)rch fro$ ! coloni!l !ccessory to the
princip!l !pp!r!t)s of coloni!l !ppropri!tion !nd exploit!tion6 (The Philippines : / P!st
Revisited, 081@, pp. 66 to 3?).
/5!in, we h!ve to s)$$on the prodi5io)s intellect of th!t 5re!t n!tion!list,
Cl!ro ". Recto, hi$self ! victi$ of the $ost vicio)s c!$p!i5n !5!inst his
c!ndid!cy in 08@1 w!5ed by the do$in!nt C!tholic ch)rch, which ref)sed to
heed the in%)nction of Christ, explicit fro$ .is !nswer to the Ph!risees when
they !tte$pted to entr!p .i$ into opposin5 the power of Ro$e, to 6render
)nto C!es!r the thin5s th!t !re C!es!rTs !nd )nto &od the thin5s th!t !re
&odTs6. Recto, with his Eeen !nd prophetic $ind, e!sily discerned the d!n5ers
posed by ch)rch interference in o)r de$ocr!tic syste$. *n his speedch
delivered on ebr)!ry 08, 086? on the occ!sion of the confer$ent )pon hi$
of the de5ree of 'octor of .)$!nities,honoris causa by the Centr!l Philippine
Dniversity *loilo City, Recto concl)ded his !r5)$ent !5!inst the )nholy
!lli!nce of Ch)rch !nd #t!te, th)s+
*t is to be deplored th!t in recent ye!rs the $ost n)$erio)s Ch)rch in this co)ntry, not
s!tisfied with the hold it h!s on the fe!lty of fo)r-fifths of the n!tion !s no 5overn$ent h!s
ever en%oyed or will en%oy here, h!s $!de )se of its privile5ed position by de$!ndin5
fro$ c!ndid!tes to p)blic office, p!rtic)l!rly the elective ones, cert!in reli5io)s tests !nd
pled5es of !lle5i!nce. The i$$edi!te p)rpose, of co)rse, is to !c()ire thro)5h policy-
$!Ein5 5overn$ent offici!ls, control of the p)blic !ff!irs !nd )lti$!tely to est!blish here !
tr)ly theocr!tic st!te, which, !ccordin5 to =ord /cton, ! liber!l C!tholic !nd 5re!t Bn5lish
schol!r, is Tthe $ost d!n5ero)s for$ of !bsol)tis$.
4e h!ve been witnessin5 fro$ ti$e to ti$e the or5!ni;!tion of sect!ri!n profession!l
5ro)ps. 4e !lre!dy h!ve ! l!wyers sect!ri!n !ssoci!tion, !nd only recently cert!in loc!l
physici!ns who, cl!i$in5 to believe th!t they sho)ld consider reli5ion in the pr!ctice of
their profession, h!ve 5ro)ped the$selves into ! sect!ri!n !ssoci!tion , !nd only recently
cert!in loc!l physici!ns who, cl!i$in5 to believe th!t they sho)ld consider reli5ion in the
pr!ctice of their profession, h!ve 5ro)ped the$selves into ! sect!ri!n !ssoci!tion of
!pothec!ries or5!ni;ed one of these d!ys, !nd other si$il!r ones, )ntil there sh!ll not be
! sin5le profession or occ)p!tion witho)t its own sect!ri!n !ssoci!tion.
xxx xxx xxx
/t the ti$e the $ost n)$erio)s Ch)rch in this co)ntry $oved onto the politic!l st!5e, !
yo)n5 ilipino priest, rep)tedly !n intellect)!l in his own reli5io)s order, $!de in the
co)rse of ! p)blic !ddress !t the =)net!, with the evident "lacet of the correspondin5
hier!rchy : Aui tacet consentire idetur : the $ost d!rin5 propos!l th!t there sho)ld be
)nion of Ch)rch !nd #t!te, with the Ch)rch !ss)$in5 n!t)r!lly the le!dership inthe
)nholy p!rtnership. s)ch ! propos!l is $ost liEely to h!ppen sho)ld the $ost n)$erio)s
Ch)rch obt!in the necess!ry control of the le5isl!t)re.
*n the l!st three elections the $ost n)$ero)s Ch)rch $!de its infl)ence felt. There w!s !
s$!ll chosen 5ro)p of !$bitio)s politic!l )pst!rts : the yo)th elite, so to spe!E : who
tooE to the field with the )n$ist!E!ble blessin5s !nd p!tron!5e of their Ch)rchTs
hier!rchy. /ltho)5h this 5ro)p did not c!rry offici!lly its sects b!nner, it w!s to !ll intents
!nd p)rposes %)st th!t with no pretense !t bein5 !nythin5 except it w!s *dentified with the
Ch)rch in ()estion !nd it received the l!tterTs )n()!lified !nd )nstinted s)pport thro)5h
p)lpit !nd confession!l !nd thro)5h reli5io)s schools !nd !ssoci!tions !ll over the
co)ntry, Priests !nd n)ns in ch!r5e of priv!te schools were p!rtic)l!rly in their newly
fo)nd $ilit!ncy. The h!loed c!ndid!tes of this 5ro)p were presented to the elector!te !s
the honest !$on5 the holy !nd they c!rried the st!nd!rd, !lbeit )noffici!l of their Ch)rch,
the i$plic!tion w!s th!t !t le!st for the voter th!t belon5s to it, they were the only ones fit,
)nder b)lls !nd encylclic!ls, for p)blic office.
The irony of !ll this is th!t while the 5overn$ent is en%oined by the Constit)tion fro$
i$posin5 or re()irin5 reli5io)s test to !ny office, it is ! reli5io)s est!blish$ent, the th!t
incr)sions in the co)ntry, th!t is doin5 so. /ltho)5h this reli5io)s est!blish$ent did not
f!re !s it h!d expected iii the l!st three elections. t here is no do)bt th!t its inc)rsions into
the politic!l field sho)ld not be t!Een li5htly. *f these inro!ds !re not c)rbed now, th d!y is
not f!r off when we sh!ll see the h!lls of con5ress bein5 )sed to proselyti;e the n!tion
!nd the people le5isl!ted into one reli5ionP f!ith, /n est!blished ch)rch. which is !nother
n!$e for )nion of Ch)rch !nd #t!te, consecr!ted by !pprori!te constit)tion!l
!$$ende$ent, wo)ld be the tr!5ic res)lt
xxx xxx xxx
Ori5in, one of the e!rly !thers - he lived in the Ard cent)ry - !d$onished th!t TChristi!ns
sho)ld not t!Ee p!rt ill the 5overn$ent of the #t!te, b)t only of the divine n!tionT. Tth!t is,
the Ch)rchP !nd ri5htly so, bec!)se $ost people re5!rd politics !s TworldlyT !nd )nworthy
of !ny re!lly holy $!n.T This s!$e doctrine, !ccordin5 to ,ertr!nd R)ssell Tis i$plicit in
#!int /)5)stines City of &od o $)ch so th!t it led ch)rch$en, !t the ti$e of the f!ll of
4estern B$pire, to looE on p!ssively !t sec)l!r dis!sters while they exercised their very
5re!t t!lents, in Ch)rch discipline, theolo5ic!l controversy, !nd the spre!d of
$on!sticis$.
4ritin5 to ! correspondent in Const!ntinople, &re5ory the &re!t s!id. T4h!t ple!ses the
$ost pio)s e$peror, wh!tever, he co$$!nds to be done, is in his power ... /s he
deter$ines, so let hi$ provides. 4h!t he does, if it is c!nonic!l we will followP b)t if it is
not c!nonic!l we will be!r it, !s f!r !s we c!n witho)t sin of o)r own ... R)lers sho)ld not
be critici;ed, b)t sho)ld only be Eept !live to the d!n5er of hell fire if they f!il to follow the
!dvise of the ch)rch.T Pope 7ichol!s * of the 3th cent)ry replied to !n !n5ry letter of
B$peror "ich!le ***+ Tthe d!y of Uin5-Priests !nd B$peror-Pontiffs is p!stP Christi!nity
h!s sep!r!ted the two f)nctions.T
&el!si)s, ! pope in the fifth cent)ry, l!id down the principle of sep!r!tion of Ch)rch !nd
#t!te in the followin5 words+
... *t $!y be tr)e th!t before the co$in5 of Christ, cert!in persons ... existed who were !t
the s!$e ti$e priests !nd Ein5s, !s the holy script)re tens )s "elchi;edech w!s.
... ,)t, !fter the co$in5 of Christ (who w!s .i$self both the tr)e Ein5 !nd the tr)e priest),
no e$peror there!fter h!s !ss)$ed the title of priest, !nd no priest h!s sei;ed ! re5!l
throne ... .e sep!r!ted the Ein5ly d)ties !nd powers fro$ the priestly, !ccordin5 to the
different f)nctions !nd di5nity proper to e!ch ... The soldier of the =ord sho)ld be !s little
!s possible ent!n5led in sec)l!r b)siness, !nd th!t one involved in sec)l!r !ff!irs sho)ld
not be seen occ)pyin5 the le!dership of the ch)rch.T "!sters of Politic!l Tho)5hts by
"ich!el ,. oster, vol. 0, pp. 2A0-2A2.)
Pope =eo 2***, in his Bncyclic!l T*$$ort!l 'ei (7ove$ber 033@) s!id+
*t is 5ener!lly !5reed th!t the o)nder of the Ch)rch, 9es)s Christ, wished th!t the
spirit)!l power to be distinct fro$ the civil, !nd e!ch to be free !nd )nh!$pered in doin5
its own worE, not for5ettin5, however, th!t it is expedient for both, !nd in the interest of
everybody, th!t there be ! h!r$onio)s rel!tionship.
xxx xxx xxx
Reichersber5 !nother f!$o)s ch)rch$!n of the twelfth cent)ry, who s)pported the Pope
in the *nvestit)re controversy, s!id+
9)st !s the e$perors so$eti$es !rro5!ted to the$selves f)nctions belon5in5 to the
priesthood !nd the ch)rchP so they (the priests) on the other h!nd i$!5ine th!t their
priesthood confers on the$ !lso !n i$peri!l, or $ore th!n i$peri!l power
... 4h!t then will h!ve beco$e of those two swords of the &ospel, if the !postle of Christ
sh!ll be !ll, or if the B$peror sh!ll be !ll< *f either the B$pire or the priesthood sh!ll be
robbed of its stren5th !nd di5nity, it will be !s tho)5h yo) were to t!Ee one of the two
5re!t l)$in!ries fro$ the sEy. (3d, p. 2A@.)
'on =)i5i #t)r;o ! distin5)ished C!tholic *t!li!n schol!r, spe!Ein5 of the sep!r!te
f)nctions of Ch)rch !nd #t!te, s!ys+ TBvery !tte$pt to overstep s)ch li$its, fro$ either
side, h!s viol!ted the l!ws of n!t)re !nd those of revel!tion. (Church and !tate, vol. *, p.
23).
=ord /cton in his TPolitic!l Philosophy,T pp. >A->>, re$!rEed+
*f ! Ch)rch is )nited with the #t!te the essenti!l condition of freedo$ v!nishes. *t
beco$es offici!ted. /nd those who 5overn the Ch)rch !re te$pted to divert its infl)ence
to their own p)rposes. #i$il!rly, the s)pport of the Ch)rch d!n5ero)sly incre!ses the
!)thority of the #t!te, by 5ivin5 ! reli5io)s s!nction to the behests of the #t!te. This
incre!ses the d!n5er of depositis$.
Dnder the ter$s of the =!ter!n Tre!ty with *t!ly, which w!s concl)ded in 0828, the .oly
#ee not only !5reed th!t C!tholic or5!ni;!tions wo)ld !bst!in fro$ politics, b)t it
decl!red th!t Tit wishes to re$!in, !nd it will re$!in extr!neo)s to !ll te$por!l disp)tes
between n!tions !nd to !ll intern!tion!l con5resses convoEed for the settle$ent of s)ch
disp)tes )nless the contendin5 p!rties $!Ee ! concord!nt !ppe!l to its $ission of pe!ceP
nevertheless it reserves the ri5ht in every c!se to exercise its $or!l !nd spirit)!l power.T
*n the TReport on Ch)rch !nti #t!teT ("ess!5e !nd 'ecisions of Oxford L08@10 on
Ch)rch, Co$$)nity, !nd #t!te, pp. 21-A?), it w!s decl!red th!t TThe Ch)rch !s the
tr)stee of &odTs redee$in5 &ospel !nd the #t!tes !s the 5)!r!ntor of order, %)stice, !nd
civil liberty, h!ve distinct f)nctions in re5!rd to society. The Ch)rchTs concern is to witness
to $en of the re!lities which o)tl!st ch!n5e bec!)se they !re fo)nded on the etern!l 4ill
of &od. The concern of the #t!te is to provide $en with %)stice, order, !nd sec)rity in !
world of sin !nd ch!n5e, /s it is the !i$ of the Ch)rch to cre!te ! co$$)nity fo)nded on
divine love, it c!nnot do its worE by coercion, nor $)st it co$pro$ise the st!nd!rds
e$bodied in &odTs co$$!nd$ents by s)rrender to the necessities of the d!y. The #t!te,
on the other h!nd, h!s the d)ty of $!int!inin5 p)blic order, !nd therefore, $)st )se
coercion !nd !ccept the li$its of the pr!ctic!ble.
xxx xxx xxx
To !llow !n ecclesi!stic to he!d the exec)tive dep!rt$ent of ! $)nicip!lity is
to per$it the erosion of the principle of sep!r!tion of Ch)rch !nd #t!te !nd
th)s open the flood5!tes for the viol!tion of the cherished liberty of reli5ion
which the constit)tion!l provision seeEs to enforce !nd protect. or it re()ires
no in-depth !n!lysis to re!li;e the dis!stro)s conse()ence of the contr!ry
sit)!tion : !llowin5 ecclesi!stics to r)n for ! loc!l position. C!n there be !n
!ss)r!nce th!t the decisions of s)ch ecclesi!stic in the exercise of his power
!nd !)thority vested in hi$ by re!son of his loc!l position will be clothed with
i$p!rti!lity< Or is not the prob!bility th!t his decision !s well !s discretion be
t!inted with his reli5io)s pre%)dice, very stron5< or considerin5 the ob%ectives
of his priestly voc!tion, is it not inc)$bent )pon hi$ to color !ll his !ct)!tions
with the te!chin5s !nd doctrines of his sect or deno$in!tion< *s there !n
!ss)r!nce th!t in the !ppoint$ent to !ppointive $)nicip!l positions the
reli5io)s !ffili!tion of the co$petin5 !pplic!nts will not pl!y the decisive
f!ctor< *f the ecclesi!stic elec to ! $)nicip!l office of $!yor is ! C!tholic,
wo)ld the ch!nces of !n heretic !n /5lip!y!n, ! Protest!nt or !n *5lesi! ni
Uristo !dherent be !s e()!l !s those of ! C!tholic<
P)rs)ed f)rther, in the sole$ni;!tion of $!rri!5e, how wo)ld he resolve the
conflict between civil l!ws !nd his reli5ion< 4ill he cond)ct the s!$e )nder
the tenets of his reli5ion or )nder the co$$!nds of civil l!ws< 4ill he be
willin5 to sole$ni;e the $!rri!5e of !pplic!nts who both do not belon5 to his
sect 4ill he be i$posin5 the re()ire$ent, !ss)$in5 th!t he is ! C!tholic, th!t
the non-C!tholic p!rty sho)ld !5ree th!t the children of the )nion sh!5 be
bro)5ht )p !ccordin5 to the C!tholic do5$! 4here the !pplic!nts !re first
co)sins, will he be willin5 to sole$ni;e the $!rri!5e, considerin5 th!t )nder
civil l!w, the s!$e is prohibited, b)t )nder C!tholic r)les, the s!$e is
!llowed< 4here obedience to the l!w of the #t!te is inconsistent with
obedience to the l!w of his Ch)rch, how will he !ct< #)ch ()estions co)ld be
!sEed !lso of the $)nicip!l offici!ls who !re $inisters of other reli5ions or
sects
/5!in, in the exercise of his preli$in!ry investi5!tion !)thority, how wo)ld he
decide c!ses )nder investi5!tion where the cri$es involved !re viol!tions of
/rticle 0A2 (*nterr)ption of reli5io)s worship) !nd /rticle 0AA (Offendin5 the
reli5io)s feelin5s)< 4ill not his reli5io)s convictions !nd pre%)dices color his
!ct)!tions<
/lso, in the $!tter of per$its for the )se of p)blic pl!ces for reli5io)s
p)rposes, how wo)ld he tre!t !pplic!tions filed by !theists or by reli5io)s
sects other th!n his< Co)ld there be !n !ss)r!nce of strict i$p!rti!lity<
4h!t !l!r$s $e $ore, however, is the effect of the $!%ority opinion :
!llowin5 ecclesi!stics to r)n for ! p)blic office in the loc!l 5overn$ent : on
the present post)re of the Ch)rches in the present politic!l sit)!tion. or *
entert!in very stron5ly the fe!r th!t with s)ch b!n lifted, it will not be too lon5
fro$ tod!y th!t every $)nicip!lity in the co)ntry will be he!ded by ! priest or
$inister. /nd the res)lt of s)ch ! sit)!tion need not be e$ph!si;ed !ny
f)rther.
Recto h!d expressed it in no )ncert!in ter$s. Recto vent)red to foretell in the
s!$e speech e!rlier ()oted+
... in the li5ht of the events of the recent p!st, )nless the hier!rchy of the $ost n)$ero)s
Ch)rch withdr!ws definitely !nd co$pletely fro$ the field of its newly fo)nd !ctivities, the
n!tion will event)!lly find itself s)cEed into the $!elstro$ of ! reli5ion politic!l w!r with
the s!id Ch)rch on one side !nd on the other ! powerf)l !lli!nce not only !$on5 those
who belon5 to other reli5io)s deno$in!tions, b)t !lso ! si;!ble portion of its f!ithf)l who,
bec!)se of n!tion!lis$ or civil libert!ri!nis$ wo)ld ref)se to follow their spirit)!l le!ders
in s)ch ! p)rely $)nd!ne cr)s!de. *t is irrelev!nt whether the n)$ero)s ch)rch or its
!llied opponents e$er5e victorio)s in s)ch ! b!ttle, for the o)tco$e will be the s!$e !s
in the ones between .ildebr!nd !nd .enry *- !nd their respective s)ccessors, !nd
between the thirteenth-cent)ry popes !nd the .olienst!)fen Tthe )s)!l o)tco$e.T in the
words of Toynbee Tof !ll w!rs th!t !re fo)5ht to the bitter end the no$in!l victor
s)cceeded in de!lin5 the de!th-blow to his victi$ !t the cost of s)st!inin5 f!t!l in%)ries
hi$selfP !nd the re!l victors over both belli5erents were the ne)tr!l tertii 0audentes. *n
o)r c!se, the tertii 5!)dentes, the h!ppy onlooEers, if * $!y be !llowed to tr!nsl!te these
=!tin word freely T wo)ld be the ene$ies of o)r n!tion !nd people, the re!l benefici!ries
of s)ch ! tre$endo)s n!tion!l $isfort)ne.
in!lly, the $!%ority opinion will precipit!te s$!ll reli5io)s w!rs in every town.
4e h!ve seen in c!ses decided by this Co)rt how the reli5io)s f!n!tics h!ve
persec)ted reli5io)s sects in so$e towns 5ivin5 rise to bloody episodes or
p)blic dist)rb!nces.
*t wo)ld see$ th!t !ny h)$!n !ctivity to)chin5 on the reli5io)s beliefs !nd
senti$ents of the people e!sily !5it!te their e$otions, pre%)dices !nd
p!ssions, c!)sin5 even the ordin!rily re!son!ble !nd ed)c!ted !$on5 the$
to !ct intoler!ntly.
*ndeed, in one c!se th!t re!ched this Co)rt, "r. 9)stice 9ose P. =!)rel,
!l!r$ed by the bi5otry of ! Ro$!n C!tholic priest so obvio)s fro$ his
!ct)!tions, !rtic)l!ted in his dissentin5 opinion the followin5 tho)5hts+
4hy, $!y * !sE, sho)ld the $ere !ct of p!ssin5 of the corpse or f)ner!l corte5e in or
thro)5h ! priv!te property be ch!r!cteri;ed !snotorio)sly offensive to the feelin5s of !ny
reli5ion or its !dherents or followers<
The =ord 5!ve, !nd the =ord h!th t!Een !w!yP blessed be the n!$e of the =ord (9ob,
0.20).
*n this c!se, the =ord h!s rec!lled the life of one of .is cre!t)resP !nd it $)st be .is wish
th!t the re$!ins sh!ll h!ve the ri5ht of w!y th!t they $!y be b)ried Tso$ewhere, in
desol!te wind swept sp!ce, in twili5ht l!nd, in no $!nTs l!nd b)t in everybodyTs l!nd.T
R!ther th!n too $!ny reli5ions th!t will $!Ee )s h!te one !nother bec!)se of reli5io)s
pre%)dices !nd intoler!nce, $!y * express the hope th!t we $!y 5r!sp !nd i$bibe the
one f)nd!$ent!l of !ll reli5ions th!t sho)ld $!Ee )s love one !nother. (People vs. ,!es,
63 Phil. 2?A Ll8A8M).
*n the !fores!id c!se of ,!es, ! Ro$!n C!tholic priest !tte$pted to prevent !
f)ner!l held in !ccord!nce with rites of the sect 6Ch)rch of Christ6 fro$
p!ssin5 thro)5h the C!tholic ch)rchy!rd frontin5 the Ro$!n C!tholic Ch)rch
of =)$b!n, =!5)n!. .!vin5 f!iled !lle5edly bec!)se the !cc)sed )sed force
!nd violence, the priest filed ! co$pl!int !5!inst the for$er for viol!tion of
/rticle 0AA of the Revised Pen!l Code, which, however, w!s dis$issed by the
lower co)rt )pon $otion of the fisc!l on the 5ro)nd th!t the !cts !lle5ed in the
co$pl!int did not constit)te the offense !5!inst reli5io)s feelin5s. The
intoler!nt priest however h!d his d!y before this Co)rt which, on !ppe!l, r)led
otherwise, decl!rin5 th!t the offense to reli5io)s feelin5s, )nder the f!ct)!l
circ)$st!nces of the c!se, $)st be %)d5ed !ccordin5 to the feelin5s of the
C!tholics !nd not those of other f!iths. 9)stice 9ose P. =!)rel, %oined by
9)stice *$peri!l, stron5ly dissented fro$ the !fores!id concl)sion of the
$!%ority of the Co)rt, st!tin5 th!t+
... /s * see it, the only !ct which is !lle5ed to h!ve offended the reli5io)s Tfeelin5s of the
f!ithf)lT here is th!t of p!ssin5 by the defend!nts thro)5h the !trio of the ch)rch )nder the
circ)$st!nces $entioned. * $!Ee no reference to the !lle5ed tresp!ss co$$itted by the
defend!nts or the thre!ts i$p)ted to the$ bec!)se these !cts constit)te different
offenses (/rts. 23?, 230 !nd 232-23@) !nd do not f!ll within the p)rview of /rticle 0AA of
the Revised Pen!l Code. * believe th!t !n !ct, in order to be considered !s notorio)sly
offensive to the reli5io)s feelin5s, $)st be one directed !5!inst reli5io)s pr!ctice or
do5$! or rit)!l for the p)rpose of ridic)leP the offender, for inst!nce, $ocEs, scoffs !t or
!tte$pts to d!$!5e !n ob%ect of reli5io)s vener!tion it $)st be !b)sive, ins)ltin5 !nd
obnoxio)s -i!d! Co$$ent!ries !l Codi5o Pen!l, 1?1, 1?3, vide !lso P!checo, Codi5o
Pen!l, P. 2@8).
4hy, $!y * !sE, sho)ld the $ere !ct of p!ssin5 of the corpse or f)ner!l corte5e in or
thro)5h ! priv!te property be ch!r!cteri;ed !s notorio)sly offensive to the feelin5s of !ny
reli5ion or of its !dherents or followers<
The =ord 5!ve, !nd the =ord h!th t!Een !w!yP blessed be the n!$e of the =ord (9ob.
020). 6*n this c!se, the =ord h!s rec!lled the life of one of .is cre!t)resP !nd it $)st be
.is wish th!t the re$!ins sh!ll h!ve the ri5ht of w!y th!t they $!y be b)ried
Tso$ewhere, in desol!te, wind swept sp!ce, in twili5ht l!nd, in no $!nTs l!nd b)t in
everybodyTs l!nd.6 R!ther th!n too $!ny reli5ions th!t will $!Ee )s h!te one !nother
bec!)se of reli5io)s pre%)dices !nd intoler!nce, $!y * ex press the hope th!t we $!y
5r!sp !nd i$bibe the one f)nd!$ent!l of !ll reli5ions th!t sho)ld $!Ee )s love one
!nother.
*t $)st decline to !ccept the st!te$ent $!de in the $!%ority opinion th!t B/hether or not
the act com"lained of is offensie to the reli0ious feelin0s of the Catholics, is a Auestion
of fact /hich must be jud0ed on t accordin0 to the feelin0s of the Catholics and not
those of other faithful ones, for it is "ossible that certain acts may offend the feelin0s of
those /ho "rofess a certain reli0ion, /hile not other/ise offensie to the feelin0s of those
"rofessin0 another faith.T (e$ph!sis is $ine). * express the opinion th!t the offense to
reli5io)s feelin5s sho)ld not be $!de to depend )pon the $ore or less bro!d or n!rrow
conception of !ny 5iven p!rtic)l!r reli5ion, b)t sho)ld be 5!)5ed h!vin5 in view the
n!t)re of the !cts co$$itted !nd !fter scr)tiny of !ll the f!cts !nd circ)$st!nces which
sho)ld be viewed thro)5h the $irror of !n )nbi!sed %)dici!l criterion. Otherwise, the
5r!vity or leniency of the offense wo)ld hin5e on the s)b%ective ch!r!cteri;!tion of the !ct
fro$ the point of view of ! 5iven reli5io)s deno$in!tion or sect !nd in s)ch ! c!se, the
!pplic!tion of the l!w wo)ld be p!rti!l !nd !rbitr!ry, with!l, d!n5ero)s, especi!lly in !
co)ntry s!id to be Tonce the scene of reli5io)s intoler!nce !nd persec)tionT (/5lip!y vs.
R)i;, A@ Off. &!;. 206>) Lpp 2?3-20?M.
*n 6nited !tates s. DacAuel (A6 Phil. 130 008010), !cc)sed b!rrio lie)ten!nt
h!lted !nd !tt!cEed, with the help of three $en, so$e of the Ro$!n C!tholic
inh!bit!nts of the b!rrio of #ococ in the Province of *locos #)r who were then
h!vin5 ! reli5io)s procession witho)t the b!rrio lie)ten!ntTs consent or
!)thori;!tion which see$ed to h!ve !n5ered hi$. .e w!s convicted of 5r!ve
physic!l in%)ries inflicted by hi$ d)rin5 th!t incident )pon ! p!rticip!nt, ! nine-
ye!r old 5irl.
The c!se of ,!lcort! (2@ Phil. 21A L080A0) reve!ls th!t !n /5lip!y!n, who,
)ninvited, entered ! priv!te ho)se, where services of the "ethodist Bpiscop!l
Ch)rch were 5 cond)cted by 0? to 2? persons !nd who then thre!tened the
!sse$bl!5e with ! cl)b, thereby interr)ptin5 the divine service, w!s fo)nd
5)ilty )nder /rticle @10 of the old Pen!l Code (si$il!r to /rt. 0AA, Revised
Pen!l Code).
/5!in, in (@6 O.&. 2A10 L08@3M), its f!ct)!l circ)$st!nces reve!l th!t the
co$pl!int filed by the chief of police !lle5ed th!t while devotees of the *5lesi!
ni Uristo were holdin5 ! reli5io)s cere$ony in ! cert!in ho)se in 'in!l)pih!n,
the !cc)sed stopped in front thereof, $!de )nnecess!ry noise, !nd sho)ted
dero5!tory words !5!inst the *5lesi! ni Uristo !nd its $e$bers, !nd even
stoned the ho)se.
30nacio s. 4la (88 Phil. A>1 L08@6M) !rose bec!)se of the !ct of the $!yor of
#t!. Cr);, N!$b!les, in per$ittin5 the $e$bers of the 9ehov!hTs 4itnesses
to hold their $eetin5 !t the northwestern p!rt of the pl!;! only, inste!d of !t
the EiosE in the p)blic pl!;!. The !ct)!tion of the $!yor w!s p)rs)!nt to !
policy he !dopted even before the re()est $!de by the $e$bers of the
9ehov!hTs 4itnesses, it !ppe!rin5 th!t the p)blic pl!;!, p!rtic)l!rly the EiosE,
is loc!ted !t ! short dist!nce fro$ the Ro$!n C!tholic Ch)rch, c!)sin5 so$e
concern, bec!)se of the proxi$ity, on the p!rt of the !)thoritiesP hence, to
!void dist)rb!nce of pe!ce !nd order, or the h!ppenin5 of )ntow!rd incidents,
they dee$ed necess!ry to prohibit of $eetin5 of its $e$bers, especi!lly so,
th!t in the inst!nt c!se, the tenents of petitionersT con5re5!tion !re dero5!tory
to those of the Ro$!n C!tholic Ch)rch. The respondent $!yor w!s s)st!ined
by this Co)rt, with fo)r $e$bers of the Co)rt dissentin5.
The c!se of 6.!. s. %"urado, et al. (1 Phil. >22 L08?1M) shows th!t while the
$)nicip!l co)ncil of #!n C!rlos, Occident!l 7e5ros w!s in session, so$e @??
residents of the town !sse$bled ne!r the $)nicip!l b)ildin5. Dpon the
openin5 of the session ! l!r5e n)$ber of those !sse$bled !bo)t the b)ildin5
crowded into the co)ncil ch!$ber !bo)t the b)ildin5 crowded into the co)ncil
ch!$ber !nd de$!nded the dis$iss!l fro$ office of the $)nicip!l tre!s)rer,
the secret!ry !nd the chief of police, !nd the s)bstit)tion in their pl!ces of
new offici!ls. The co)ncil !cceded to their wishes !nd drew )p ! for$!l
doc)$ent settin5 o)t the re!sons for its !ction, which w!s si5ned by the
co)ncilors present !nd by sever!l le!ders of the crowd. *t !ppe!rs th!t the
$ove$ent h!d its ori5in in reli5io)s differences between residents of the
$)nicip!lity. The petitioners believed th!t the offici!ls !bove-n!$ed sho)ld
not contin)e to hold office bec!)se of their o)tspoEen !lle5i!nce to one of the
f!ctions into which the town w!s !t th!t ti$e divided. (This Co)rt reversed the
decision, of the tri!l co)rt convictin5 the$ of sedition).
*n Peo"le s. -eyes, et al (C/-&.R. 7o. 0A6AA-R, 9)ly 21, 08@@), the !cc)sed
Reyes, who w!s the chief of police of the town of #!n Bsteb!n, *locos #)r,
ordered his police$en to stop "inister #!nid!d of the *5lesi! ni Uristo, which
w!s then holdin5 ! $eetin5 !t the p)blic pl!;!, fro$ contin)in5 with his
ser$on when the l!tter !tt!cEed in the co)rse of his ser$on the C!tholic !nd
/5lip!y!n ch)rches, !s well !s the wo$en of #!n Bsteb!n, *locos #)r.
/cc)sed were convicted of viol!tion of /rt. 0A0 of the Revised Pen!l Code.
/5!in, in Peo"le s. Mi0allos (C/-&. R. 7o. 0A608, /)5)st @, 08@@) wherein
the !cc)sed w!s convicted by the Co)rt of irst *nst!nce !nd Co)rt of
/ppe!ls of the offense defined )nder /rt. 0AA of the Revised Pen!l Code, the
f!cts show th!t "inister T!5oylo of the *5lesi! ni Uristo sect w!s stoned by the
!cc)sed while the for$er w!s pre!chin5 or spre!din5 his belief on ! p)blic
ro!d before ! crowd of !ro)nd @?? persons.
Peo"le s. Mandoriao (C/-&.R. 7o. 0200>, ebr)!ry 2@, 08@@, @0 O.&. >608)
st!rted with ! r!lly or5!ni;ed by the *5lesi! ni Uristo, !ttended by !bo)t A??
people, @? of who$ belon5ed to the s!id sect !t ! p)blic p!rE in ,!5)io City.
One of the $inisters of the sect expo)nded on ! topic !ssertin5 th!t Christ
w!s not &od b)t !n ordin!ry $!n, c!)sin5 the crowd to beco$e )nr)ly,
where)pon, !ppell!nt went )p the st!5e !nd 5r!bbed the $icrophone
ch!llen5in5 the $inister to ! deb!te. (The lower co)rt convicted !ppell!nt of
viol!tion of /rt. 0AA of the Revised Pen!l Code b)t the Co)rt of /ppe!ls
!c()itted hi$).
*n Peo"le s. Gesul0a (0 C. /. Rep. 0?A), !ppell!nt, ! protest!nt pre!cher of
the #eventh '!y /dventist, w!s fo)nd 5)ilty by the lower co)rt of offendin5
reli5io)s feelin5s. The Co)rt of /ppe!ls reversed the conviction. The f!ct
show th!t so$e C!tholic ele$ents in =eyte cond)cted ! b!r!n5!y, si$il!r to
the ros!ry, which contin)ed with ! procession o)tside. The procession with bi5
!ttend!nce h!d to p!ss !lon5 the b!rrio ro!d in the $iddle of which !
Protest!nt $eetin5 w!s bein5 held )nder ! per$it iss)ed by the $)nicip!l
$!yor. On !cco)nt of s!id $eetin5, the procession co)ld not p!ss thro)5h.
Those !ttendin5 the procession re()ested fro$, b)t were denied p!ss!5e by,
the !ppell!nt who w!s then spe!Ein5 !t the $eetin5 (in the co)rse of which
he )ttered words notorio)sly offensive to the feelin5s of the C!tholic f!ithf)l).
The procession!l p!rticip!nts who were sin5in5 /ve "!ri! in hi5h pitch, tooE
!nother ro!d, while others p!ssed )nder the ne!rby ho)ses. 4hen the
procession w!s !bo)t 0? $eters fro$ the $eetin5 pl!ce, !ppell!nt
te$por!rily stopped t!lEin5 !nd res)$ed his t!lEs !fter the procession h!d
p!ssed.
*n the c!se of Peo"le s. 2en0son L(C/) 61 O.&. 0@@2M, the cri$in!l !ct
co$pl!ined of w!s the perfor$!nce by the !ppell!nt of b)ri!l rites inside the
Ro$!n C!tholic Ce$etery in !ccord!nce with the r)les !nd pr!ctices of the
sect c!lled 6Christ is the /nswer6. There w!s ! per$it for the b)ri!l in
()estion. Convicted by the lower co)rt, !ppell!nt w!s !c()itted on !ppe!l.
The inevit!ble conse()ence of the election or !ppoint$ent of priests or
$inisters of reli5ion to $)nicip!l p)blic offices wo)ld be the !ppropri!tion of
p)blic f)nds for the p!y$ent of their s!l!ries !nd their )tili;!tion of p)blic
property, which $!y liEewise be e$ployed, directly or indirectly, for the benefit
or s)pport of !ny sect ch)rch, deno$in!tion, sect!ri!n instit)tion, or syste$ of
reli5ion - ! p!lp!ble viol!tion of the constit)tion!l prohibition !5!inst the
!ppropri!tion of )tili;!tion of p)blic $oney or property for s)ch reli5io)s
p)rposes (P!r. 2, #ec 03, /rt. - ***, 081 A Constit)tion).
*n s)$, if the dis()!lific!tion prescribed in #ection 201@ of the Revised
/d$inistr!tive Code were n)llified, three b!sic constit)tion!l 5)!r!ntees
wo)ld th)s be viol!ted : #ection 3 of /rticle *-, #ection 03(2) of /rticle -***,
!nd #ection 0@ of /rticle 2- of the 081A Constit)tion.
The newly elected .e!d of the C!tholic ch)rch, Pope 9ohn P!)l 0, )pon his
inst!ll!tion on #epte$ber 0, 0813, en%oined his C!tholic flocE to strictly !dhere
to the 9effersoni!n concept of sep!r!tion of Ch)rch !nd #t!te.
*n its editori!l of #epte$ber 6, 0813, the Ti$es 9o)rn!l (p. >) co$$ented on
the !fores!id P!p!l prono)nce$ent+
#chol!rs the world over h!iled the st!te$ent of Pope 9ohn P!)l * !ffir$in5 the sep!r!tion
of ch)rch !nd st!te !s Tof historic i$port!nce.T #o$e even detected in it ! hint of Tho$!s
9efferson, the /$eric!n fo)ndin5 f!ther who worEed the concept into the D.#. Co
instit)tion.
To ilipinos steeped in this constit)tion!l tr!dition, the PopeT re$!rEs on this point in his
!ddress before ! 5ro)p of diplo$!ts !re very si5nific!nt. This is especi!lly tr)e in the f!ce
of the over ;e!lo)sness of so$e $e$bers of the cler5y whose !ctivities in th n!$e of
soci!l !ction tend to end!n5er n!tion!lity
4hile it co)ld be s!id th!t the provision in the Philippine Constit)tion on the sep!r!tion of
ch)rch !nd st!te h!s tr!ces of stron5 9effersoni!n infl)ence )pon the fr!$ers of the
f)nd!$ent!l ch!rter, the s!d experience of the ilipinos !t the h!nds of the $eddlin5
fri!rs d)rin5 three cent)ries of #p!nish occ)p!tion $!de the$ $ore sensitive to !nd
!c)tely !w!re of the concept. The re%ection of ! st!te s)pported ch)rch d)rin5 the
Philippine Revol)tion only served to enh!nce this theory.
The Pope s!id the roles of 5overn$ent !nd ch)rch were of Ttwo orders,sion !nd
co$petenceT of ! T)ni()eT !nd Tspeci!l ch!r!cter.
The ch)rchTs responsibilities Tdo not interfere with p)rely te$por!l technic!l !politic!l
!ff!irs, which !re $!tters for ... 5overn$ents,T he s!id.
#i5nific!nt, too, !re the co$$ents on the p!p!l st!te$ent by s)ch reli5io)s le!ders !s
Rev. P!)l ,oyle he!d of the P!ssionist !thers. The Pope,T !ccordin5 to ,oyle Tnot only
st!tes it !s ! principle, b)t !s ! desir!ble one.T
4h!t we h!ve here,T !ccordin5 to Rev. 'on!ld C!$pton, ! 9es)it offici!l !nd one-ti$e
editor of the n!tion!l C!tholic weeEly, /$eric!, Tis not %)st ! st!te$ent b)t ! pled5e th!t
both on the n!tion!l !nd intern!tion!l levels, we donTt w!nt ! st!te ch)rch.T
4ith the concept stron5ly reiter!ted !nd the lines once !5!in cle!rly dr!wn, it is to be
hoped th!t we sho)ld not for5et, renderin5 )nto C!es!r wh!t is C!es!rTs !nd to &od
wh!t is &odTs. The Pope h!s $!de his pled5e, let no $e$ber of the Ch)rch $!Ee
$ocEery of it.
/nother ilipino histori!n, C!rlos I)irino, writin5 !bo)t 9es)it- ed)c!ted
/$b!ss!dor =eon "!. &)errero, !)thor of the pri;e- winnin5 6The irst
ilipino6, ! bio5r!phy of Ri;!l, ch!r!cteri;ed the #p!nish fri!r !s 6the $ost
d!n5ero)s of $!n : one co$binin5 5re!t power with ! sense of devotion to
his $ission : ... .e, then, bec!$e the 5re!t !nt!5onist of the first ilipino,
9ose Ri;!l.6
/ si5nific!nt f!ct see$s to indic!te ! d!n5ero)s !tte$pt on the p!rt of the
C!tholic hier!rchy in the Philippines to s)bvert the l!ws of the Rep)blic, if not
the Rep)blic itself. or sever!l ye!rs now, the ecclesi!stic!l trib)n!l h!s been
!nn)llin5 $!rri!5es, despite the f!ct th!t s)ch $!rri!5es c!n no lon5er be
!nn)lled )nder o)r l!ws. Bven $!rri!5es of spo)ses with children h!d been
n)llified. *t sho)ld be e$ph!si;ed th!t the power to !nn)l $!rri!5es in the
Philippines is vested only in the co)rts est!blished by the #t!te, !nd not in
ecclesi!stic!l trib)n!ls. The 5ro)nds for !nn)l$ent of $!rri!5es oid ab
initio or $erely void!ble, !re expressly en)$er!ted in the Civil Code.
*n ! newsp!per interview, the exec)tive vice offici!l of the "etropolit!n
"!tri$oni!l Trib)n!l of the /rchdiocese of "!nil!, in re-!ffir$in5 the position
of the C!tholic Ch)rch th!t it is which !re consideredoid ab initio is !nn)llin5
only $!rri!5e he r)les of the Ch)rch, wo)ld not specify the )nder t c!nonic!l
5ro)nds for !nn)l$ent of $!rri!5es considered void fro$ the very be5innin5
by the Ch)rch, st!tin5 $erely th!t they !re 6v!ried !nd diverse ... !ll of the$
!re ()!lified ter$s with specific $e!nin5s very different fro$ the l!y$!nTs
)nderst!ndin56 (Ti$es 9o)rn!l, Modern Liin0, p. 0, Oct. A, 0813). This
!nswer is ev!sive. #)ch ev!sion is co$po)nded by the f!ct th!t s)ch
!nn)l$ents by the Ch)rch !re not p)blished in !ny C!tholic or5!n to en!ble
the p)blic to Enow the f!cts of e!ch c!se !nd the re!sons for !nn)llin5 the
$!rri!5e, )nliEe the c!ses decided by the civil co)rts.
.owever, !ther "!rio 7epo$)ceno, ! 9es)it $!rri!5e co)nselor, st!ted
before the *nteri$ ,!t!s!n5 P!$b!ns! co$$ittee cond)ctin5 he!rin5s on the
divorce bills, th!t the Philippine C!tholic ch)rch h!s in f!ct !nn)lled $!ny
$!rri!5es on the 5ro)nds of 6$or!l inco$p!tibility6 or e$otion!l i$$!t)rity on
the p!rt of one or both spo)ses ('!ily Bxpress, pp. 0-2, 7ov. 1, 0813). This
5ro)nd finds its co)nterp!rt in 7ev!d! !nd "exico, where 6()icEie6 divorces
!re the f!shion. The spo)ses, "r. !nd "rs. 9ose ". "eily both st!ted in their
col)$n 6.)sb!nd !nd 4ife6 th!t the C!tholic Ch)rch !nn)ls $!rri!5es on the
5ro)nd of l!cE of f)ll or s)fficient consent on the p!rt of the spo)ses, which
consent $!y be i$p!ired by i5nor!nce, no intention to co-h!bit, l!cE of
conscio)sness !t the ti$e of the $!rri!5e either c!)sed by dr)5s or !lcohol,
error, si$)l!tion of consent, condition!l consent, force !ndGor fe!r, !nd l!cE of
d)e discretion (Philippine P!nor!$!, p. @6, 7ov. 02, 0813). Bxcept for force
!nd fe!r, !ll the other ()!lific!tions !s to the existence of f)ll consent !re not
fo)nd in o)r civil l!ws.
The st!te$ent of C!rdin!l #in th!t the #t!te sho)ld not interfere with Ch)rch
r)lin5s on $!rri!5es sole$ni;ed in ch)rch is ! defi!nce of the l!w !nd the
!)thority of the Rep)blic of the PhilippinesP bec!)se it i$plies th!t the r)les of
the Ch)rch on the v!lidity or n)llity of $!rri!5es sole$ni;ed in ch)rch sh!ll
prev!il over the l!ws of the #t!te on the s)b%ect (see 6,)lletin Tod!y6, pp. * V
02, Oct. @, 0813). This st!te$ent of C!rdin!l #in belies his !ffir$!tion th!t the
Ch)rch does not interfere with or defy civil l!ws b)t respects the$ (see
6,)lletin Tod!y6, su"ra).
There is need of e$ph!si;in5 th!t $!rri!5e is ! soci!l instit)tion : not %)st !
$ere contr!ct)!l rel!tion : whose s!nctity is reco5ni;ed !nd protected by
the #t!te, !nd is not ! $!tter within the excl)sive %)risdiction of the Ch)rch.
The solid!rity of the ilipino f!$ily !nd s!nctity of the $!rit!l bond !re the
pri$!ry concern of the #t!te, perh!ps even $ore th!n they !re of the C!tholic
ch)rch, !s the f!$ily )nit constit)tes the stren5th of the n!tion. The Ch)rch
trib)n!ls in !nn)llin5 $!rri!5es, is )s)rpin5 the power of the co)rts
est!blished by the #t!te. Bven the !)thority of the priests !nd $inisters to
sole$ni;e $!rri!5es is 5r!nted by #t!te l!w, witho)t which no priest or
$inister of !ny reli5ion or ch)rch or sect or deno$in!tion c!n le5!lly
sole$ni;e $!rri!5es. *f the ri5ht of the C!tholic ch)rch to !nn)l $!rri!5es or
to decl!re $!rit!l )nions !s void ab initio )nder its r)les were conceded, then
there is no re!son to deny the s!$e ri5ht to the $inisters of the Protest!nt
ch)rch !nd other reli5io)s sect or deno$in!tion.
The !nn)l$ent by the Ch)rch does not render the spo)ses exe$pt fro$
possible prosec)tion for bi5!$y, !d)ltery or conc)bin!5e, sho)ld they
contr!ct ! second $!rri!5e or h!ve c!rn!l Enowled5e of, or co-h!bit with
persons other th!n their le5iti$!te spo)ses of the first $!rri!5e which
re$!ins l!wf)l in the yes of the l!ws v!lidly pro$)l5!ted by the #t!te.
*f the Ch)rch trib)n!l believes th!t the $!rit!l )nion is ! n)llity fro$ the very
be5innin5 )nder the civil l!ws, then the Ch)rch sho)ld !dvise the p!rties to 5o
to the civil co)rts. ,)t the Ch)rch sho)ld not !rro5!te )nto itself #t!te
!)thority !nd the %)risdiction of the co)rts cre!ted by the #t!te.
To stress, in o)r co)ntry, there is only one soverei5n, the Rep)blic of the
Philippines, !nd not the Ro$!n C!tholic Ch)rch or !ny other ch)rch. Only the
soverei5n, the Rep)blic of the Philippines, c!n v!lidly pro$)l5!te l!ws to
5overn !ll the inh!bit!nts of the Philippines, whether citi;ens or !liens,
incl)din5 l!ws concernin5 $!rri!5es, persons !nd f!$ily rel!tions. /nd only
the co)rts est!blished by the soverei5n, the Rep)blic of the Philippines, c!n
!pply, interpret !nd enforce s)ch l!ws. The exercise by the C!tholic ch)rch in
pro$)l5!tin5 r)les 5overnin5 $!rri!5es !nd definin5 the 5ro)nds for
!nn)l$ent of the s!$e, !s well !s est!blishin5 ecclesi!stic!l trib)n!ls to
!nn)l $!rri!5es or to decl!re $!rri!5es void ab initio is ! )s)rp!tion of the
soverei5n power of Tthe #t!te.
4hile !ny Ch)rch or reli5io)s sect or deno$in!tion h!s the ri5ht to exist
independent of the Constit)tion !nd the l!ws of the co)ntry, s)ch Ch)rch or
reli5io)s sect or deno$in!tion sh!ll obey the Constit)tion !nd the l!ws of the
#t!te where it exists !nd oper!tes. The Ch)rch or !ny reli5io)s sect or
deno$in!tion c!n invoEe the protection of the #t!te whenever its existence
!nd the persons of its he!ds, priests, $inisters !nd properties !re i$perilled
or viol!ted. ,)t the Ch)rch or reli5io)s sect or deno$in!tion h!s no le5!l or
ecclesi!stic!l power to s)bvert the #t!te !nd its l!ws. 7o Ch)rch or !ny
reli5io)s sect or deno$in!tion c!n repe!l or $odify the provisions of the l!ws
v!lidly pro$)l5!ted by the #t!te. h!t the existin5 l!ws on !nn)l$ent
*f the Ch)rch believes t of $!rri!5es need to be !$ended, it sho)ld s)55est
s)ch !$end$entsP b)t it sho)ld not en!ct or pro$)l5!te s)ch proposed
!$end$ents.
The 5ood C!rdin!l 9!i$e =. #in wo)ld do well to heed ChristTs re$inder
(which he repe!ted !t the o)rth /nn)!l 7!tion!l Pr!yer ,re!Ef!st !t the
"!nil! .otel on 7ove$ber A?, 0813) to .is disciples th!t .is Uin5do$ is not
of this world.
/nd !ll !)thorities of the Ro$!n C!tholic Ch)rch sho)ld liEewise h!rEen to
the in%)nction of the s)pre$e Pontiff Pope 9ohn P!)l 00, who on rid!y,
7ove$ber 2>, 0813, told the $onEs, fri!rs !nd other reli5io)s th!t their d)ty is
to le!d ! poor !nd obedient life r!ther th!n be en5!5ed in 6soci!l !nd politic!l
r!dic!lis$6 (Ti$es 9o)rn!l, p!5e 0, 7ove$ber 2@, 0813).
* therefore vote to 5r!nt the petition !nd to reverse the decision of the tri!l
co)rt.

NTONIO, J. conc)rrin5+
* conc)r in the %)d5$ent, b)t dissent fro$ the views expressed by "r. 9)stice
ern!ndo. *n resolvin5 the iss)es in the c!se !t b!r, the $!in opinion f!iled to
consider #ection 0@ of /rticle 2- of the Constit)tion. This provision, which
ord!ins the inviol!bility of the sep!r!tion of Ch)rch !nd #t!te, !ppe!rs $ore
relev!nt to the c!se !t b!r, if we consider the constit)tion!l 5)!r!ntee of
reli5io)s freedo$ in its historic!l settin5. *t $)st be rec!lled th!t d)rin5 the
period of #p!nish coloni!l do$in!tion, the )nion of Ch)rch !nd #t!te in the
Philippines w!s $!int!ined !nd protected. /s observed by one writer+
The ri!r !t this period w!s the f)ll e$bodi$ent of #p!nish coloni!l don!tion. .e w!s de
f!cto ! coloni!l civil !d$inistr!tor !nd ! defender of the soverei5nty of the Uin5 of #p!in
over the s)b%ect 3ndio in $ost provinci!l towns. #i$)lt!neo)sly he w!s de %)re by
oper!tion of the Patronato -eal, the ri5htf)l p!rish priest of the s!$e towns constit)ted
!s p!rishes.
#ince he w!s the only #p!ni!rd in residence in $ost Philippine towns he w!s not only !
s!l!ried 5overn$ent offici!l he w!s entr)sted with p)rely civil f)nctions. Th)s, for
inst!nce, he drew )p the trib)te list of his p!rish, the list, n!$ely, of those 3ndios s)b%ect
to the poll t!x !nd to st!t)te l!bor. .e w!s the director of the loc!l ele$ent!ry school. .e
s)pervised the election of loc!l offici!ls whose confir$!tion in office by the coloni!l
5overn$ent depended entirely )pon his reco$$end!tion. .e !ttended, !nd often
presided !t the $eetin5s of the town co)ncil, whose ordin!nces h!d to be !pproved by
hi$. Ro!ds, brid5es !nd other p)blic worEs were $!int!ined )nder his orders !nd
vi5il!nce. .e w!s the %)d5e !nd 5)!rdi!n of p)blic $or!ls.
The ri!r therefore, w!s the pro$oter, defender, !nd protector of #p!nish r)le in the
Philippines. ... .
1
*t is ! historic!l f!ct th!t this !rr!n5e$ent sp!wned !b)ses on the p!rt of the
fri!rs. /ccordin5 to two noted histori!ns, 6one of the $ost )nwelco$e
ch!r!cteristics of #p!nish coloni;!tion w!s the encro!ch$ent of the ch)rch
)pon the %)risdiction of the 5overn$ent, !nd the exercise of politic!l power by
the reli5io)s. *n the centr!l 5overn$ent, represent!tives of the ch)rch or of
the reli5io)s orders s!t in the hi5hest co)ncils. The fri!rs were he!vily
represented in the powerf)l Per$!nent Co$$ission on Censorship, cre!ted
in 03@6, which h!d %)risdiction over Tthe press !nd the introd)ction of booEs in
the !rchipel!5o, !ccordin5 to r)les !pproved by both the civil !nd
ecclesi!stic!l !)thorities.T *n the towns the $!sses were s)b%ect to the will of
the p!rish priest, who do$in!ted the loc!l offici!ls. *ndeed, in the towns, the
fri!rs !nd priests bec!$e inte5r!ted into the $!chinery of 5overn$ent+ they
Th!d beco$e the 5overn$ent.T Th)s, there w!s no effective syste$ of checEs
!nd b!l!nces which co)ld c)rb !b)ses.6
2
#!id histori!ns f)rther noted th!t+
9)stice lorentino Torres testified, !lso before the Philippine Co$$ission in 08??, th!t
the fri!rs were so powerf)l th!t they co)ld intervene directly in the election of $)nicip!l
offici!ls, !nd co)ld obt!in the tr!nsfer, s)spension, or even re$ov!l fro$ office of civil
offici!ls, fro$ the hi5hest to the lowest, incl)din5 the 5overnor-5ener!l. /ccordin5 to hi$,
whoever w!s s)spected by the fri!rs to be ! filib)ster no $!tter how worthy or )pri5ht, T...
bec!$e the ob%ect of !ll $!nner of 5overn$ent!l !ction, of $ilit!ry proceedin5s, !nd of
the cr)elest o)tr!5es !nd vex!tions, bec!)se !5!inst hi$ who w!s !cc)sed of bein5 !
filib)ster !ll $!nner of ill tre!t$ent, i$prison$ent, deport!tion, !nd even !ss!ssin!tion
w!s per$itted.T
-
!ther 9ose ,)r5os !ttrib)ted the re5ressiveness of the ilipinos in his
6"!nifesto6 in the newsp!per =! -erd!d6 to the efforts of the fri!rs to Eeep the
poor *ndios in i5nor!nce !nd r)sticity !nd this constit)ted ! const!nt obst!cle
to the pro5ress !nd !dv!nce$ent of the ilipinos. *n 6Bl ilib)steris$o6, 9ose
Ri;!l bl!$ed by the tyr!nny !nd !b)ses of the fri!rs !nd #p!nish offici!ls,
!nd especi!lly their s)ppression of free *de!s, !s the c!)se of the soci!l !nd
politic!l b!cEw!rdness of the ilipinos.
*t is in the !n5)ish of their historic!l experience th!t the ilipinos so)5ht ! b!n
on the intervention of the ecclesi!stics in the $!n!5e$ent of 5overn$ent.
Th)s, the fr!$ers of the Constit)tion of the irst Philippine Rep)blic ("!lolos
Constit)tion) of 0388 dee$ed it necess!ry to prevent interference with, !nd
do$in!tion of, the 5overn$ent by the ecclesi!stics by providin5, in /rticle @,
Title *ll thereof, for the 6sep!r!tion of the Ch)rch !nd the #t!te.6
4
Bven before
the est!blish$ent of the /$eric!n coloni!l r)le, there w!s, therefore, this
prev!ilin5 cl!$or of the ilipinos to erect ! w!ll between the Ch)rch !nd the
#t!te. *n the instr)ctions of President "cUinley to the Philippine Co$$ission
which l!id o)t the policies of the Dnited #t!tes in est!blishin5 ! 5overn$ent in
the Philippines, he st!ted th!t 6the sep!r!tion of #t!te !nd Ch)rch sh!ll be
re!l, entire !nd !bsol)te.6
The sep!r!tion of #t!te !nd Ch)rch cl!)se w!s !5!in incorpor!ted in the
08A@ !nd l!ter in the 081A Constit)tions. Th)s, the 081A Constit)tion of the
Philippines provides th!t 6the sep!r!tion of ch)rch !nd st!te sh!ll be
inviol!ble.6
5
This sho)ld, therefore, be t!Een into consider!tion in !scert!inin5
the $e!nin5 !nd i$port of #ection 3 of /rticle *- of the Constit)tion, which
st!tes th!t 6no reli5io)s test sh!ll be re()ired for the exercise of civil or
politic!l ri5hts.6
6
/ccordin5 to #tory, the 6no reli5io)s test6 cl!)se cont!ined in
the Dnited #t!tes Constit)tion w!s 6not introd)ced $erely for the p)rpose of
s!tisfyin5 the scr)ples of $!ny respect!ble persons, who feel !n invincible
rep)5n!nce to !ny reli5io)s test or !ffir$!tion. *t h!d ! hi5her ob%ectP to c)t off
forever every pretence of !lli!nce between ch)rch !nd st!te in the n!tion!l
5overn$ent. The fr!$ers of the Constit)tion were f)lly sensible of the d!n5ers
fro$ this so)rce, $!rEed o)t in the history of other !5es !nd co)ntries, !nd
not wholly )nEnown to o)r own. They Enew th!t bi5otry w!s )nce!sin5ly
vi5il!nt in its str!t!5e$s to sec)re to itself !n excl)sive !scend!ncy over the
h)$!n $indP !nd th!t toler!nce w!s ever re!dy to !r$ itself with !ll the
terrors of the civil power to exter$in!te those who do)bted its do5$!s or
resisted its inf!llibility.6
7
*t is cle!r, therefore, th!t the two provisions, t!Een to5ether, ens)re the
sep!r!tion of Ch)rch fro$ &overn$ent, while !t the s!$e ti$e 5ivin5
!ss)r!nce th!t no $!n sh!ll be discri$in!ted !5!inst bec!)se of his reli5io)s
beliefs. The interrel!tion of these co$ple$ent!ry cl!)ses w!s well
s)$$!ri;ed, th)s+ 6The str)ct)re of o)r 5overn$ent h!s, for the preserv!tion
of civil liberty, resc)ed the te$por!l instit)tions fro$ reli5io)s interference. On
the other h!nd, it h!s sec)red reli5io)s liberty fro$ the inv!sion of the civil
!)thority.6
8
*ndeed, it is ! $!tter of history th!t 6the )nion of 5overn$ent !nd
reli5ion tends to destroy 5overn$ent !nd de5r!de reli5ion.6
9
*t w!s p!rtly to ens)re th!t no p!rtic)l!r reli5io)s sect sh!ll ever !5!in obt!in
! do$in!nt hold over civil 5overn$ent th!t #ection 201@ of the Revised
/d$inistr!tive Code w!s incorpor!ted in o)r l!ws, Th)s, it provides th!t 6in no
c!se sh!ll there be elected or !ppointed to ! $)nicip!l office ecclesi!stics ...6.
This Co)rt !pplied this prohibition in ! c!se decided on "!rch 0>, 08@@,
or after the !doption of the 08A@ Constit)tion. Th)s, :ilar . Paraiso,
10
the
Co)rt r)led th!t ! $inister of the Dnited Ch)rch of Christ w!s ineli5ible to
!ss)$e the office of $)nicip!l $!yor.
*n its /$eric!n settin5, the sep!r!tion of Ch)rch !nd #t!te cl!)se is %)stified
6by the necessity for Eeepin5 the st!te o)t of the !ff!irs of the ch)rch, lest the
ch)rch be s)bordin!ted to the st!teP in 9effersoni!n ter$s its f)nction is to
Eeep the ch)rch o)t of the b)siness of 5overn$ent, lest the 5overn$ent be
s)bordin!ted to the ch)rch. =i$ited powers of 5overn$ent were not instit)ted
to exp!nd the re!l$ of power of reli5io)s or5!ni;!tions, b)t r!ther in f!vor of
freedo$ of !ctions !nd tho)5ht by the people.6
11
*t is, therefore, obvio)s th!t on the b!sis of its history !nd constit)tion!l
p)rpose, the !forecited provisions of the Constit)tion f)rnish neither w!rr!nt
nor %)stific!tion for the holdin5 in the $!in opinion th!t #ection 201@ of the
Revised /d$inistr!tive Code, insof!r !s it incl)des ecclesi!stics is
inconsistent with the 6reli5io)s freedo$ 5)!r!nteed in the Constit)tion.6
*n 2orcaso . 8at?ins,
12
which is !ccorded pers)!sive wei5ht in the $!%ority
opinion, there w!s no showin5 th!t Torc!so w!s !n ecclesi!stic or ! $inister
or officer of !ny reli5io)s sect /s ! $!tter of f!ct, he w!s ref)sed !
co$$ission to serve !s not!ry p)blic bec!)se he wo)ld not decl!re his belief
in &od, !s re()ired by /rticle A1 of the "!ryl!nd Constit)tion. The #)pre$e
Co)rt properly held th!t the re()ire$ent is ! reli5io)s test !nd
6)nconstit)tion!lly inv!des the !ppell!ntTs freedo$ of belief !nd reli5ion !nd
therefore c!nnot be enforced !5!inst hi$.6
On the other h!nd, the sit)!tion of priv!te respondent is $!teri!lly different.
.e is !d$ittedly ! $e$ber of the Cler5y, bein5 ! priest of the Ro$!n C!tholic
Ch)rch. *t is for this re!son th!t he is bein5 prevented fro$ !ss)$in5 the
office of $)nicip!l $!yor, !nd not bec!)se of his reli5io)s belief. The
prohibition does not i$pin5e )pon his reli5io)s freedo$. .e h!s the f)ll !nd
free ri5ht to entert!in his reli5io)s belief, to pr!ctice his reli5io)s principle !nd
to te!ch his reli5io)s doctrine, !s lon5 !s he does not viol!te the l!ws of
$or!lity or the l!ws of the l!nd. The sep!r!tion of Ch)rch !nd #t!te cl!)se in
the Constit)tion !ppe!rs to be ! reco5nition of the te!chin5s of history 6th!t
powerf)l sects or 5ro)ps $i5ht brin5 !bo)t ! f)sion of 5overn$ent!l !nd
reli5io)s f)nctions or ! concert or dependency of one )pon the other to the
end th!t offici!l s)pport of the ... &overn$ent wo)ld be pl!ced behind the
tenets of one or of !ll orthodoxies.6
1-
The intent of the constit)tion!l provision is the vit!l p!rt, the essence of the
l!w. The cle!r p)rpose of the fr!$ers of the Constit)tion !nd the
)nderst!ndin5 of the people when they !pprove it, when !scert!ined, $)st be
enforced. *ndeed, in constr)in5 provisions of the Constit)tion, the proper
co)rse is to st!rt o)t !nd follow the tr)e intent of its fr!$ers !nd to !dopt th!t
constr)ction which h!r$oni;es best with the context !nd pro$otes in the
f)llest $!nner the re!li;!tion of the constit)tion!l p)rpose.
* liEewise t!Ee exception to the view expressed in the $!%ority opinion th!t the
s)pre$!cy of the Constit)tion s)pplies the !nswer to the iss)e of the eli5ibility
of ! $e$ber of the cler5y to !n elective $)nicip!l position. The !pplic!tion of
/rticle 2-*, #ection 2 of the 08A@ Constit)tion, with its co)nterp!rt in /rticle
2-**, #ection 1 of the 081A Constit)tion, concernin5 l!ws inconsistent with the
Constit)tion, is in!cc)r!te. /rticle 201@ of the Revised /d$inistr!tive Code, in
incl)din5 ecclesi!stics within the !$bit of the prohibition, is not inconsistent
with the explicit provision of the 08A@ Constit)tion th!t 6(n)o reli5io)s test sh!ll
be re()ired for the exercise of civil or politic!l ri5hts.6
14
The !bsence of
inconsistency $!y be seen fro$ the f!ct th!t the prohibition !5!inst 6reli5io)s
tests6 w!s not ori5in!l to the 08A@ constit)tion. *t w!s expressly provided in
the 9ones =!w
15
th!t 6no reli5io)s test sh!ll be re()ired for the exercise of civil
or politic!l ri5hts6 (#ection A). /t the ti$e of the p!ss!5e of the 9ones =!w, the
Ori5in!l /d$inistr!tive Code (/ct 26@1) w!s !lre!dy in force, h!vin5 been
en!cted in ebr)!ry 0806. *n order to h!r$oni;e the Code with the 9ones
=!w, the Code w!s !$ended in October 0806, with the p!ss!5e of /ct 2100.
The revision w!s $!de expressly 6for the p)rpose of ada"tin0 it to the Jones
La/ !nd the Reor5!ni;!tion /ct.
16
7otwithst!ndin5 s)ch st!ted p)rpose of the
!$end$ent, the prohibition !5!inst the election of ecclesi!stics to $)nicip!l
offices, ori5in!lly e$bodied in #ection 2020
17
of the 26@1, w!s ret!ined. This
is ! cle!r indic!tion th!t it is not rep)5n!nt to the 6no reli5io)s test6 doctrine
which, !s !forest!ted, w!s !lre!dy expressly provided for in the 9ones =!w.
Considerin5 th!t #ection 201@ of the Revised /d$inistr!tive Code, which 6c)t
off forever every pretence of !ny !lli!nce between ch)rch !nd st!te6, is in
confor$ity with #ection 0@ of /rticle 2- of the Constit)tion, which ord!ins th!t
6the sep!r!tion of ch)rch !nd st!te shall be iniolable, 6 it c!nnot, wherefore,
be s!id th!t s)ch st!t)te, in incl)din5 ecclesi!stics !$on5 those ineli5ible to
$)nicip!l office, is viol!tive of the f)nd!$ent!l l!w.
* conc)r in the view incisively disc)ssed by Chief 9)stice C!stro th!t #ection
201@ of the Revised /d$inistr!tive Code h!s not. been repe!led or
s)perseded by !ny other le5isl!tion !nd, therefore, is the controllin5 l!w in the
c!se before Ds.
#ince we c!nnot ne5!te the cle!r !nd )ne()ivoc!l intend$ent of the l!w, *
therefore conc)r in the %)d5$ent 5r!ntin5 the certior!ri.

%#9O, PL%, J. dissentin5+
* conc)r f)lly with the sep!r!te Opinion of 9)stice Cl!)dio Teeh!nEee on !ll
the points disc)ssed therein.
/s re5!rds the fin!l o)tco$e of this c!se, with 9)stices ern!ndo,
Concepcion 9r., #!ntos, ern!nde;, !nd &)errero who sh!re o)r views on the
le5!l iss)e r!ised in the Petition, now votin5 with the Chief 9)stice !nd the
fo)r other 9)stices to 0rant the "etition bec!)se, 6the vote is indecisive6 for
6while @ $e$bers of the Co)rt constit)te ! $inority, the vote of the re$!inin5
seven does not s)ffice to render the ch!llen5ed provision ineffective,6 !nd
6)nder the circ)$st!nces, certiorari lies,6 !nd therefore the !fore$entioned
9)stices 6h!ve no choice then b)t to vote for the revers!l of the lower co)rt
decision !nd decl!re ineli5ible respondent !ther "!r5!rito R. &on;!5! for
the office of $)nicip!l $!yor.6 (#ee 0st p!r!5r!ph, p. A of "!%ority Opinion) *
c!n only st!te th!t this re!sonin5 s)rp!sses $y co$prehension.
* believe th!t there wo)ld h!ve been 5re!ter fidelity to the prev!ilin5 sit)!tion
h!d the petition for certior!ri been denied d)e to the ori5in!l l!cE of necess!ry
votes to 5r!nt the s!$e, ! status Auo $!int!ined insof!r !s respondent
!ther &on;!5! is concerned, witho)t ! concl)sive r)lin5 prono)nced on the
le5!l iss)e !s the re()ired ei5ht votes for p)rposes of renderin5 %)d5$ent is
!bsent. (#ee #ec. 8, 9)dici!ry /ct of 08>3 !s !$ended by /rt. 2, #ec.
2L2M081A Constit)tion)
/s expl!ined in det!il in the sep!r!te Opinion of 9)stice Teeh!nEee, the deni!l
of the Petition for Review wo)ld be in conson!nce with #ec. 00, R)les @6,
R)les of Co)rt.
* now s)b$it the followin5 observ!tions on the $!tter of the dis()!lific!tion of
!n ecclesi!stic to r)n for ! $)nicip!l elective office.
The $inority view !sserts th!t #ection 201@ of the /d$inistr!tive Code which
decl!res ecclesi!stics !$on5 others ineli5ible for election or !ppoint$ent to !
$)nicip!l office, does not viol!te !ny provision of the Constit)tion !nd th!t in
f!ct it stren5thens the constit)tion!l provision on the sep!r!tion of Ch)rch !nd
#t!te. 9)stice R!$on /()ino p!rtic)l!rly st!tes+ 6to !llow cler5y$en to t!Ee
p!rt in politic!l !ff!irs is to st!rt the process of revivin5 the theocr!cy of
pri$itive societies, !nd p!st civili;!tions where the priests, with his ch!nts
inc!nt!tions hoc)s-poc)s !nd !bbr!c!d!br! pl!yed sinister role6, !nd 6Ri;!l
!nd the refor$ers wo)ld h!ve l!bored in v!in !nd wo)ld be betr!yed if the
priest beco$es ! politici!n.6 (pp. A, >, 6 of Opinion)
* $)st voice $y ob%ection to the !bove-()oted sweepin5 st!te$ents which !re
!lso echoed in the other Opinions of $y distin5)ished Colle!5)es, !s they
s!vor of bi!s, pre%)dice, !nd constit)te !n )n%)st indict$ent !nd dicri$in!tion
!5!inst priests, $ore p!rtic)l!rly, priest of the Ro$!n C!tholic Ch)rch.
*t is not for $e to pontific!te on wh!t is or sho)ld be the tr)e $ission of
priests, $inisters, !nd n)ns, the l!tter, !ccordin5 to 9)stice /()ino, !lso f!ll
)nder the ter$ ecclesi!stics for * wo)ld le!ve th!t $!tter to the conscience
!nd %)d5$ent of the person concerned !nd of his s)periors in his ch)rch, b)t *
will spe!E o)t in defense of ! personTs constit)tion!l ri5ht not to be
dicri$in!ted !5!inst, nor to be denied of e()!l opport)nities for worE or
e$ploy$ent, or withheld of e()!l protection of the l!ws in the exercise of his
civil or politic!l ri5hts, si$ply bec!)se he is 5!rbed in ! c!ssocE or ! reli5io)s
h!bit !nd h!s t!Een vows of service to &od !nd his ch)rch.
OneTs reli5io)s voc!tion does not strip the individ)!l of his ri5hts !nd
obli5!tions !s ! citi;en of his co)ntry !nd !s ! $e$ber of the co$$)nity
where he serves. .e is p!rt of society, !nd his h!vin5 t!Een vows of poverty,
h)$ility, !nd love, renders hi$ !ll the $ore concerned with h)$!nity, $ore
p!rtic)l!rly, with the soci!l !nd econo$ic conditions of the people with who$
he lives be they within or o)t of his flocE. / $inister of the ch)rch is therefore
not to be fe!red of pl!yin5 ! 6sinister role6 in the h!ndlin5 of 5overn$ent
!ff!irs, r!ther it is the l!y$!n $otiv!ted by !$bition !nd 5reed set o)t to
enrich hi$self !nd perpet)!te his person in power while the poor beco$es
poorer !nd the oppressed beco$es $ore b)rdened with in%)stice, who is to
be !bhorred !nd sh)nned.
The fe!rs expressed by the 9)stice concerned d!te f!r b!cE in the d!rE !5es
of history !nd in tr)th !re the res)lt of the !b)ses of ! fe/. 7ow we live in
different ti$es. Concepts in 5overn$ent, politics, reli5ion, !nd society !s !
whole, h!ve )nder5one dr!stic ch!n5es with the p!ssin5 of the ye!rs. The
ilipino people for their p!rt h!ve Eept f!ith with their 5o!l of politic!l
independence !nd their love for freedo$ !nd %)stice side by side with their
Christi!n reli5ion !nd !ll other f!iths which fo)rish in the prev!ilin5 spirit of
ec)$enis$
The present role of the Ro$!n C!tholic Ch)rch w!s cle!rly expressed by
Pope 9ohn 22*** in his encyclic!l 6Mater et Ma0istra6 th)s+
2. Christi!nity is the $eetin5 point of e!rth !nd he!ven. *t l!ys cl!i$ to the whole $!n,
body !nd so)l, intellect !nd will, ind)cin5 hi$ to r!ise his $ind !bove the ch!n5in5
conditions of this e!rthly existence !nd re!ch )pw!rd for the etern!l life of he!ven, where
one d!y he w .00 find his )nf!ilin5 h!ppiness !nd pe!ce.
A. .ence, tho)5h the Ch)rchTs first c!re $)st be for so)ls, how she c!n s!nctify the$
!nd $!Ee the$ sh!re in the 5ifts of he!ven, she concerns herself too /ith the eCi0encies
of manBs daily life, /ith his lielihood and education and his 0eneral tem"oral /elfare and
"ros"erity.
xxx xxx xxx
03?. "oreover, in beco$in5 !s it were the lifeblood of these people, the Ch)rch is not,
nor does she consider herself to be, ! forei5n body in their $idst. .er presence brin5s
!bo)t the rebirth, the res)rrection, of e!ch individ)!l in ChristP !nd the $!n who # reborn
!nd rises !5!in in Christ never feels hi$self constr!ined fro$ witho)t. .e feels hi$self
free in the very depth of his bein5, !nd freely r!ised )p to &od. /nd th)s he !ffir$s !nd
develops th!t side of his n!t)re which is noblest !nd best. (The #oci!l Te!chin5 of Pope
9ohn 22***, p. @P e$ph!sis s)pplied)
The !bove $!y well be the ob%ective of !ll reli5ions.
4h!t then h!ve we to fe!r or 5)!rd !5!inst ! $inister of the ch)rch if ever the
reins of loc!l 5overn$ent !re pl!ced in his h!nds< /s one writer s!ys+ 64hen
one 5ives hi$self wholly to &od, the noblest !nd best in his n!t)re e$er5esP
spont!neo)sly he is 5enero)s, noble, Eind !nd co$p!ssion!teP he will h!ve
the co)r!5e th!t co$es fro$ disinterested love, !nd h!vin5 these ()!lities, he
will beco$e ! powerf)l infl)ence for 5od6 /nd so, r!ther th!n ! tool of evil, !n
ecclesi!stic or ! priest will be !n effective instr)$ent of 5ood in the
co$$)nity.
Of $)ch interest, !nd * wo)ld 5ive it $)ch wei5ht, is !n 038> decision of the
#)pre$e Co)rt of Pennsylv!ni!, Dnited #t!tes of /$eric!, ! co)ntry which
%e!lo)sy 5)!rds the enforce$ent of the principle of sep!r!tion of Ch)rch !nd
#t!te. 3n .yson0 et al . !chool District of Gallit1in $orou0h et al., the !ction
w!s to restr!in the school directors of the 'istrict fro$ per$ittin5 sect!ri!n
te!chin5 in the co$$on schools !nd fro$ e$ployin5 !s te!chers sisters of
the Order of #t. 9oseph, ! reli5io)s society of the Ro$!n C!tholic Ch)rch.
The co)rt of co$$on ple!s dis$issed the !ction !nd dissolved ! preli$in!ry
in%)nction previo)sly iss)ed. /n !ppe!l w!s $!de to the #t!te #)pre$e Co)rt
!nd the l!tter dis$issed the !ppe!l !nd !ffir$ed the order or decree. #!id the
Co)rt thro)5h 9)stice 9ohn 'e!n+
xxx xxx xxx
Dn()estion!bly, these wo$en !re C!tholics, strict !dherents of Ch!t f!ith, believin5 f)lly
in its distinctive creed !nd doctrine. ,)t this does not dis()!lify the$. Our constitution
ne0aties any assertion of inca"acity or ineli0ibility to office because of reli0ious
belief. /rticle 0 of the bill of ri5hts decl!res+ 6/ll $en h!ve ! n!t)r!l !nd indefe!sible ri5ht
to worship /l$i5hty &od !ccordin5 to the dict!tes of their own conscienceP ... no h)$!n
!)thority c!n in !ny c!se wh!tever control or interfere with the ri5hts of conscience. 3f, by
la/, any man or /oman can be eCcluded from "ublic em"loyment because he or she is a
Catholic, that is a "al"able iolation of the s"irit of the Constitution for there can be, in a
democracy, no hi0her "enalty im"osed u"on one holdin0 to a "articular reli0ious belief
than "er"etual eCclusion from "ublic station because of it. Men may disAualify
themseles by crime, but the state no lon0er disAualifies because of reli0ious belief. 4e
c!nnot now, even if we w!nted to, in view of o)r l!w, both f)nd!$ent!l !nd st!t)tory, 5o
b!cE ! cent)ry or two, to ! d!rEer !5e, !nd est!blish ! reli5io)s test !s ! ()!lific!tion for
office. (A? /tl Rep. pp. >32->3A, e$ph!sis s)pplied)
,)t then it is stron5ly !r5)ed th!t the election or !ppoint$ent of priests or
even n)ns to $)nicip!l office will be viol!tive of the sep!r!tion of ch)rch !nd
st!te. * stron5ly believe th!t it is not so. /s !n e$inent Constit)tion!list p)ts it+
wh!t is so)5ht to be !chieved )nder the principle of sep!r!tion of ch)rch !nd
st!te is th!t politic!l process is ins)l!ted fro$ reli5ion !nd reli5ion fro$
politicsP in other words, 5overn$ent ne)tr!lity in reli5io)s $!tters.
1
Th)s, o)r
Constit)tion provides th!t no l!w sh!ll be $!de respectin5 !n est!blish$ent
of reli5ion.
.!vin5 !n ecclesi!stic or priest in ! loc!l 5overn$ent office s)ch !s th!t of the
$)nicip!l $!yor will not necess!rily $e!n the involve$ent of politics in
reli5ion or ice&ersa. Of co)rse the reli5ion of the $!n c!nnot be dissoci!ted
fro$ his person!lityP in tr)th, his reli5ion infl)ences his cond)ct, his $or!l
v!l)es, the f!irness of his %)d5$ent, his o)tlooE on soci!l proble$s, etc. /s
st!ted in the .yson0 decision, inevit!bly in pop)l!r 5overn$ent by the
$!%ority, p)blic instit)tions will be tin5ed $ore or less by the reli5io)s
proclivities of the $!%ority, b)t in !ll c!ses where ! discretion is reposed by the
l!w, it is to be !ss)$ed in the !bsence of evidence to the contr!ry, th!t the
p)blic officer will perfor$ his d)ty in the $!nner the l!w re()ires. * $!y !dd
th!t there !re le5!l re$edies !v!il!ble to the citi;enry !5!inst offici!l !ction
viol!tive of !ny existin5 l!w or constit)tion!l $!nd!te.
4.BRBORB, * vote to deny this Petition for review !nd to !ffir$ the decision
of respondent 9)d5e.

/#INO, J. conc)rrin5+
Reverend !ther "!r5!rito R. &on;!5! w!s elected in 0810 !s $!yor of
/lb)r()er()e ,ohol. ort)n!to R. P!$il his opponent, filed ! Auo
/arranto proceedin5 !5!inst hi$. P!$il invoEed section 201@ of the Revised
/d$inistr!tive Code of 0801 which dis()!lifies cler5y$en fro$ holdin5 !
$)nicip!l office in the followin5 pere$ptory ter$s+
#BC. 201@. Persons ineli0ible to munici"al office. : *n no c!se sh!ll there be elected or
!ppointed to ! $)nicip!l office ecclesi!stics, soldiers in !ctive service, persons receivin5
s!l!ries or co$pens!tion fro$ provinci!l or 7!tion!l f)nds, or contr!ctors for p)blic
worEs of the $)nicip!lity.
!ther &on;!5! interposed the defense th!t section 201@ w!s i$pliedly
repe!led by section 2A of the Blection Code of 0810 which provides+
#BC. 2A. Candidate holdin0 a""ointie office or "osition. : Bvery person holdin5 !
p)blic !ppointive office or position petition, incl)din5 !ctive $e$bers of the /r$ed
orces of the Philippines !nd every officer or e$ployee in 5overn$ent-owned or controlM.
ed corpor!tions, sh!ll ipso-f!cto ce!se in his office or position on the d!te he files his
certific!te of c!ndid!cy+ Proided, Th!t the filin5 of ! certific!te f c!ndid!cy sh!ll not
!ffect wh!tever civil, cri$in!l or !d. !d$inistr!tive li!bilities which he $!y h!ve inc)rred.
*t $!y be noted th!t section 201@ dis()!lifies fro$ holdin5 ! $)nicip!l office
soldiers in !ctive service !s well !s priests. The f!ct th!t tion A2 of the
Blection Code of 0810 !llows !ctive $e$bers of the /r$ed orces of the
Philippines to r)n for $)nicip!l $!yor $!y 5ive the i$pression th!t #ection
201@ w!s i$pliedly repe!led by #ection 2A. The lower co)rt w!s of th!t
opinion. *t denied the petition for Auo /arranto. P!l !ppe!led by $e!ns of
certior!ri )nder Rep)blic /ct 7o. @>>?.
* !$ of the opinion th!t the !ppe!l is $eritorio)s. The lower co)rt erred in
dis$issin5 the petition for ()o w!rr!nto. / soldier in the !ctive service $!y
r)n for $!yor bec!)se )nder #ection 2A he i"so factoce!ses to be !n !r$y
$!n fro$ the ti$e he files his certific!te of c!ndid!cy.
*n contr!st, ! priest contin)es to be ! priest notwithst!ndin5 his filin5 of !
certific!te of c!ndid!cy for $)nicip!l $!yor.
#o, it c!nnot be concl)ded th!t section 2A of the Revised Blection Code
i$pliedly !bro5!ted the ineli5ibility of priests to r)n for $)nicip!l $!yor !s
provided in section 201@. There is no irreconcili!ble rep)5n!ncy between
section 2A !nd section 201@ insof!r !s ecclesi!stics !re concerned.
#ection 201@ !nd section 2A !re in "ari materia with respect to soldiers in the
!ctive service. There is no inco$p!tibility between the two sections with
respect to soldiers. The dis()!lific!tion in section 201@, !s re5!rds soldiers in
the !ctive service, is co$p!tible with their cess!tion !s $e$bers of the !r$ed
forces when they file their certific!tes of c!ndid!cy, !s provided for in section
2A. #oldiers c!n hold ! $)nicip!l office if they !re no lon5er in !ctive service.
Th!t c!n be i$plied fro$ section 201@ itself.
or th!t $!tter, the !)to$!tic resi5n!tion fro$ p)blic office, )nder section 2A,
of p)blic officers who file their certific!tes of c!ndid!cy h!s no connection with
the dis()!lific!tion in section 201@ of ecclesi!stics fro$ holdin5 !ny $)nicip!l
office. Th!t dis()!lific!tion is not !ffected by the provision of the i"so
factoresi5n!tion of p)blic officers who file their certific!tes of c!ndid!cy
bec!)se !n ecclesi!stic is not ! p)blic officer.
The view th!t section 2A i$pliedly repe!led the dis()!lific!tion of ecclesi!stics
fro$ holdin5 ! $)nicip!l office is str!ined !nd f!r-fetched.
#o $)ch for section 2A of the Blection Code of 0810. "r 9)stice ern!ndo,
the Co)rts le!din5 !)thority on constit)tion!l-l!w, t!cEled the ()estion of
respondentTs eli5ibility fro$ the constit)tion!l -,viewpoint !ltho)5h the iss)e of
constit)tion!lity w!s not r!ised in the lower co)rt. * dis!5ree with the opinion
th!t the provision of section 201@ dis()!lifyin5 ecclesi!stics fro$ holdin5 !
$)nicip!l office is )nconstit)tion!l.
The ter$ ecclesi!stics refers to priests, cler5y$en or persons in holy orders
or consecr!ted to the service of the ch)rch. ,ro!dly spe!Ein5, it $!y incl)de
n)ns.
Confor$!bly with section 201@, !n ord!ined $inister of the Dnited Ch)rch of
Christ w!s held to be ineli5ible to hold the office of $)nicip!l $!yor. .is
election to th!t office w!s n)llified in ! Auo /arrantoproceedin5 (-il!r vs,
P!r!iso, 86 Phil. 6@8).
*t is !r5)ed th!t the dis()!lific!tion of priests w!s !bro5!ted by section 001),
/rticle * * * of the 08A@ Constit)tion which provides th!t 6no reli5io)s test sh!ll
be re()ired for the exercise of civil or politic!l ri5hts6. *t is !ss)$ed th!t the
dis ()!lific!tion is 6inconsistent with the reli5io)s freedo$ 5)!r!nteed by the
Constit)tion (#ee sec. 3, /rt. *-P sec. 03L20, /rt. -***, !nd sec. 3, /rt. 2**, 081A
Constit)tion).
* dis!5ree with th!t concl)sion. There is no incon5r)ency between the
dis()!lific!tion provision !nd the 6no reli5io)s test6 provision. The two
provision c!n st!nd to5ether. The dis()!lific!tion provision does not i$p!ir
the free exercise !nd en%oy$ent or reli5io)s profession !nd worship. *t h!s
nothin5 to do with reli5io)s freedo$.
The dis()!lific!tion of priests fro$ holdin5 ! $)nicip!l office is !n !pplic!tion
of the $!nd!te for the sep!r!tion of ch)rch !nd st!te (#ec. 0@, /rt. 2-, 081A
Constit)tionP /rt. @, "!lolos Constit)tion) which is b!sed on ChristTs
!d$onition+ 6Render, therefore, )nto C!es!r the thin5s th!t !re C!es!rTs !nd
to &od the thin5s th!t !re &odTs6.
*t sho)ld be borne in $ind th!t the dis()!lific!tion in section 201@ is !
reprod)ction of section 0@ of /ct 7o. 32 of the Philippine Co$$ission which
w!s p!ssed on 9!n)!ry A0, 08?0, The Co$$ission est!blished th!t
dis()!lific!tion in spite of the 6no reli5io)s test provision fo)nd in !rticle -* of
the eder!l Constit)tion. The constit)tion!lity of th!t dis()!lific!tion h!d not
been !ss!iled )p to 0810 when the inst!nt c!se !rose.
The dis()!lific!tion of priests fro$ holdin5 $)nicip!l offices is ! conse()ence
of the experience of o)r foref!thers d)rin5 the #p!nish re5i$e when the
intervention of the loc!l c)r!te in $)nicip!l !ff!irs res)lted in oppression,
!b)ses, $isery i$$or!lity !nd st!5n!tion. The revol)tion !5!inst #p!in w!s
p!rtly !n )prisin5 !5!inst the fri!rs whose predo$in!nce in the co)ntryTs
!ff!irs w!s ch!r!cteri;ed by Pl!ridel !s the soberania monacal.
There is ! ch!pter in Ri;!lTs #oli Me 2an0ere entitled Los !oberanos (The
R)lers), wherein the !)thor !nswers the ()estion+ I)ienes er!n los c!ci()es
del p)eblo<6. .e noted th!t the town of #!n 'ie5o w!s not r)led by 'on
R!f!el *b!rr! the richest l!ndowner, nor by C!pit!n Ti!5o, the $oneylender,
nor by the0obernardorcillo, nor by &od. *t w!s r)led by the c)r!te !nd
the alfere1. Ri;!l described the two r)lers !s follows+
#!n 'ie5o w!s ! Eind of Ro$e+ not the Ro$e of the ti$e when the c)nnin5 Ro$)l)s l!id
o)t its w!lls with ! plow, nor of the l!ter ti$e when, b!thed in its own !nd othersT blood, it
dict!ted l!ws to the world : no, it w!s ! Ro$e of o)r own ti$es with the difference th!t
in pl!ce of $!rble $on)$ents !nd colose)$s it h!d its $on)$ents of s!w!li !nd its
cocEpit of nip! The c)r!te w!s the Pope in the -!tic!nP the !lfere; of the Civil &)!rd, the
Uin5 of *t!ly on the I)irin!l !ll, it $)st be )nderstood, on ! sc!le of nip! !nd b!$boo.
.ere !s there, contin)!l ()!rrelin5, went on, since e!ch wished to be the $!ster !nd
considered the other !n intr)der. ... Bstos on los sober!nos del p)eblo de #!n 'ie5o.
The fl!5itio)s thr!lldo$ which the fri!rs i$posed on the ilipinos, w!s !n
!spect of the $!li5n!nt soci!l c!ncer th!t Ri;!l !nd the prop!5!ndists
exposed !nd co$b!ted in their writin5s.
The ecclesi!stic is dis()!lified to r)n for !n elective office in order to prevent,
his ch)rch fro$ controllin5 the 5overn$ent. The s!$e re!son holds tr)e with
respect to soldiers in !ctive service. They sho)ld not $eddle in politics so th!t
no se5$ent of the !r$y c!n overthrow the 5overn$ent,
*ndeed, there is no re!son when ! priest sho)ld hold ! civil office. .e sho)ld
h!Ee eno)5h worE in his h!nds $inisterin5 to the spirit)!l needs of the
$e$bers of his ch)rch. .e c!n be !n !ctivist !nd he c!n ch!$pion soci!l
%)stice if lie is not ! $)nicip!l officeholder
Respondent !ther &on;!5! is s)pposed to devote hi$self solely to spirit)!l
$!tters !nd not to te$por!l !ff!irs s)ch !s the !d$inistr!tion of !
$)nicip!lity. The ob%ective of the Ro$!n C!tholic Ch)rch is the s!lv!tion or
rede$ption of so)ls. To !tt!in th!t ob%ective, the priest )nder the CodeC Juris
Canoniciis invested with the three-fold f)nction of te!chin5, directin5 !nd
s!nctifyin5 in the t!$e of 9es)s Christ. Th!t $e!ns the 5overn!nce of the
f!ithf)l !nd the $inistry of divine worship or excl)sive dedic!tion to the service
of &od !nd the s!nctific!tion of $en in the $!nner of the priestly !nd =evitic!l
orders of the Old Test!$ent (08 Bncyclopedi! ,rit!nic!, 081A Bd., pp. >6@-
>66).
To n)llify the dis()!lific!tion provision wo)ld be ! retro5ressive step. To !llow
cler5y$en to t!Ee p!rt in politic!l !ff!irs is to st!rt the process of revivin5 the
theor!cy or pri$itive societies !nd p!st civili;!tions where the priests with his
ch!nts inc!nt!tions hoc)s-poc)s !nd !bbr!c!d!br! pl!yed ! sinister role.
These observ!tions !re b!sed on historic!l f!cts. * h!ve n in5r!ined bi!s or
pre%)dice !5!inst priests. There !re, !n there h!ve been 5ood !nd s!intly
cler5y$en liEe the l!te !ttier &eor5e 9. 4il$!nn #. 9. Philippine 'ep)ty of th
Uni5hts of Col)$b)s. Reli5ion pl!ys !n i$port!nt role in enforcin5 the $or!l
code !nd pro$otin5 order !nd $or!lity in society.
Ri;!l !nd the refor$ers wo)ld h!ve l!bored in v!in !nd wo)ld be betr!yed if
the priest beco$es ! politici!n. .e wo)ld be deb!sed !nd his ch)rch wo)ld
be de5r!ded. The evils !risin5 fro$ his intervention in $)nicip!l !ff!irs wo)ld
o)twei5ht the !dv!nt!5es, if !ny.
/ priest, who is dis()!lified fro$ beco$in5 ! $)nicip!l e$ployee, is not
denied !ny p!rt of his reli5io)s freedo$., or his politic!l ri5hts. / priest $!y
h!ve the civil ri5ht to e$br!ce the reli5io)s voc!tion b)t he does not h!ve the
constit)tion!l ri5ht to be ! $)nicip!l e$ployee. .e c!n choose between bein5
! $)nicip!l e$ployee !nd bein5 ! priest. .e c!nnot be both. TTh!t
!rr!n5e$ent is 5ood for hi$self !nd his ch)rch !nd for #ociety.
On the other h!nd, the st!t)tory provision th!t only l!y$en c!n hold $)nicip!l
offices or th!t cler5y$en !re dis()!lified to beco$e $)nicip!l offici!ls is
co$p!tible with the 6no reli5io)s test6 provision of the 08A@ Constit)tion which
is !lso fo)nd in .8 tion 3. !rticle *- of the 081A Constit)tion !nd in section A of
the 9ones l!w. They !re co$p!tible bec!)se they refer to different thin5s
The 6no reli5io)s test6 provision $e!ns th!t ! person or citi;en $!y exercise
civil ri5ht (liEe the ri5ht to !c()ire property) or ! politic!l ri5ht (the ri5ht to vote
or hold office, for inst!nce) witho)t bein5 re()ired to belon5 to ! cert!in
ch)rch or to hold p!rtic)l!r reli5io)s beliefs (#ee "iller vs. Bl P!so Co)nty
0>6, #. 4. 2nd 0?21, 61 C.9.#. 023, note >3P >6 C. 9. 8A8, note >>).
Th)s, ! constit)tion!l provision prescribin5 th!t cert!in p)blic officers sh!ll be
Protest!nts re()ires ! reli5io)s test .!le vs. Bverett @A 7. 8, 61 C.9.#. 028,
note @0P >6 C. 9. 8A8, note >1. #ee #t!te vs. 4il$in5ton City Co)ncil, A 'el
28>, 61 C.9.#. 028, note @2).
/nd, ! constit)tion!l provision re()irin5 !s ! condition for !ppoint$ent !s !
not!ry p)blic th!t ! person sho)ld decl!re his belief in the existence of &od or
sho)ld not be !n !theist or !n !5nostic re()ires ! reli5io)s test !nd is,
therefore, )nconstit)tion!l. Th!t constit)tion!l provision i$ple$ents the
historic!lly discredited policy of 6probin5 reli5io)s beliefs by test o!ths or
li$itin5 p)blic offices to persons who h!ve, or perh!ps $ore properly profess
to h!ve, ! belief in so$e p!rtic)l!r Eind of reli5io)s concepts.6 (Torc!so vs.
4!tEins, A61 D. #. >33, >8>, 6 =. Bd. 2nd 832, 831).
The historic!l b!cE5ro)nd of the 6no reli5io)s test6 provision cle!rly shows
th!t it is consistent with the dis()!lific!tion of !ll cler5y$en fro$ holdin5
p)blic office !nd th!t it c!nnot be invoEed to inv!lid!te the st!t)tory provision
on dis()!lific!tion.
The 6no reli5io)s test6 provision is ! re!ction !5!inst the Test /cts which once
)pon ! ti$e were enforced in Bn5l!nd, #cotl!nd !nd *rel!nd. The Test /cts
provided th!t only those who professed the est!blished reli5ion were eli5ible
for p)blic office. Those l!ws discri$in!ted !5!inst rec)s!nts or Ro$!n
C!tholics !nd non-confor$ists.
*n Bn5l!nd the reli5io)s test w!s first e$bodied in the Corpor!tion /ct of
0660. *t provided th!t !ll $e$bers of town corpor!tions, in !ddition to t!Ein5
the o!ths of !lle5i!nce !nd s)bscribin5 to ! decl!r!tion !5!inst the #ole$n
=e!5)e !nd Coven!nt, sho)ld, within one ye!r before election, receive the
s!cr!$ent of the =ordTs #)pper !ccordin5 to the rites of the Ch)rch of
Bn5l!nd. =!ter, the re()ire$ent w!s extended to !ll p)blic offices.
The Bn5lish Test /ct of 0613 provided th!t !ll peers !nd $e$bers of the
.o)se of Co$$ons sho)ld $!Ee ! decl!r!tion !5!inst tr!ns)bst!nti!tion,
invoc!tion of s!ints, !nd the s!crifice of the $!ss. ')rin5 the l!ter p!rt of the
nineteenth cent)ry the Test /cts were !bro5!ted.
*n #cotl!nd, the Test /ct $!de profession of the refor$ed f!ith ! condition of
p)blic office. *n *rel!nd, the principle of )sin5 the s!cr!$ent !s ! test w!s
!dopted. O!ths of !lle5i!nce !nd decl!r!tions !5!inst Ro$!n C!tholic beliefs
!nd pr!ctices were ex!cted. =!ter, the tests were !bolished in the two
co)ntries (20 Bncyclopedi! ,rit!nnic!, 081A Bd., 33A->).
To re()ire th!t ! person sho)ld be ! Protest!nt in order to be eli5ible to p)blic
office is different fro$ dis()!lifyin5 !ll cler5y$en fro$ holdin5 $)nicip!l
positions. The re()ire$ent !s to reli5io)s belief does violence to reli5io)s
freedo$, b)t the dis()!lific!tion, which indiscri$in!tely !pplies to !ll persons
re5!rdless of reli5io)s pers)!sion, does not inv!de !n ecclesi!sticTs reli5io)s
belief .e is dis()!lified not bec!)se of his reli5ion b)t bec!)se of his reli5io)s
voc!tion.
Conse()ently, section 201@ c!n coexist, !s it h!s co-existed for sever!l
dec!des, with the 6no reli5io)s test6 constit)tion!l provision. *t is not
)nconstit)tion!l. *t stren5thens the constit)tion!l provision for the sep!r!tion
of ch)rch !nd st!te.
* conc)r in the opinions of the Chief 9)stice !nd 9)stices ,!rredo, "!E!si!r
!nd /ntonio. * vote for the revers!l of the lower co)rtTs decision !nd the
n)llific!tion of !ther &on;!5!Ts election !s $)nicip!l $!yor of /lb)r()er()e
,ohol.


Se;(r(4e O;6)6o)7
&STRO, !.J. conc)rrin5+
4hile * conc)r in the res)lt, cert!in overridin5 consider!tions, set forth below,
constr!in $e to dissent fro$ the opinion penned by 9)stice ern!ndo !s well
!s the written conc)rrence of 9)stice Teeh!nEee !nd ")So; P!l$!.
,.
* re%ect 9)stice Teeh!nEeeTs !r5)$ent th!t section 201@ of the /d$inistr!tive
Code
1
h!s been repe!led by section 2A of the Blection Code of 0810.
2
7or
c!n * !ccept the concl)sion re!ched by 9)stice ern!ndo th!t the s!id
provision of the /d$inistr!tive Code h!s been s)perseded or rendered
inoper!tive by the specific provisions of the 08A@ !nd 081A Constit)tions th!t
forbid the re()ire$ent of ! reli5io)s test for the exercise of civil or politic!l
ri5hts.
The thr)st of section 2A of the Blection Code of 0810 is si$ple+ wh!t is the
effect of the filin5 of certific!tes of c!ndid!cy by !ppointive, elective !nd other
offici!ls of the 5overn$ent< The s!id section is therefore of no relev!nce
(except to the extent th!t it !llows $e$bers of the /r$ed orces to r)n for
elective positions). Dpon the other h!nd, section 201@ of the /d$inistr!tive
Code tre!ts of ! disp!r!te $!tter, which is the !bsol)te dis()!lific!tion of the
cl!sses of persons en)$er!ted therein.
7or does the proscription cont!ined in the s!id section 201@ prescribe !
reli5io)s test for tile exercise of civil or politic!l ri5hts. * h!ve se!rchin5ly
!n!ly;ed this provision, !nd * !$ )n!ble to infer fro$ it !ny re()ire$ent of !
reli5io)s test.
On the co$ple$ent!ry ()estion of i$plied repe!l, it is ! ti$e-honored c!rdin!l
r)le of le5!l her$ene)tics th!t for ! l!ter provision of l!w to be considered !s
h!vin5 repe!led ! prior provision, there $)st be s)ch !bsol)te rep)5n!nce
between the two th!t the prior provision must 5ive w!y. * do not discern !ny
s)ch rep)5n!nce.
).
#ince section 201@ of the /d$inistr!tive Code h!s not been s)perseded, !nd
h!s been neither expressly nor i$pliedly repe!led in so f!r !s the !bsol)te
dis()!lific!tion of ecclesi!stics is concerned, it is perforce the controllin5 l!w
in the c!se !t b!r. C!ref)l note $)st be t!Een th!t the !bsol)te
dis()!lific!tion is co)ched in the $ost co$pellin5 of ne5!tive ter$s. The l!w
re!ds+ 63n no case sh!ll there be elected or a""ointed to ! $)nicip!l office
ecclesi!stics (e$ph!sis s)pplied)
#ho)ld !n ecclesi!stic be erroneo)sly !llowed by this Co)rt to hold !
$)nicip!l office, thro)5h the h!ppenst!nce of ! proced)r!l technic!lity or by
the $ischief of circ)$loc)tion or otherwise, then the Co)rt wo)ld be "artice"s
criminis in the ne5!tion of the )ne()ivoc!l !nd i$perio)s $!nd!te of the l!w.
The l!w !d$its of no exceptionP there c!n therefore be none. /nd the Co)rt
h!s no constit)tion!l w!rr!nt to le5isl!te thr) !ny $!nner of exercise in
se$!ntics.
+.
* wish to $!Ee of record so$e 5r!ve $is5ivin5 !bo)t !llowin5 ecclesi!stics to
be elected to 5overn$ent!l offices.
O)r =ord 9es)s Christ pre!ched love, ch!rity, co$p!ssion !nd $ercy
thro)5ho)t .is e!rthly existence : !nd these fo)r virt)es, to $y $ind, $!Ee
)p .is ti$eless 5ospel. Dnh!ppily, however, history h!s not infre()ently been
!n !n5)ished witness to reli5io)s intoler!nce !nd persec)tion by
ecclesi!stics, whether they were C!tholics or Protest!nts.
/dvertin5 to $y own person!l experience !s ! pr!cticin5 C!tholic, * still he!r,
once in ! 5re!t while, ser$ons or ho$ilies by C!tholic priests, delivered fro$
the p)lpit or fro$ the !lt!r, decl!rin5 th!t the C!tholic w!y of life is 6the w!y to
s!lv!tion,6 thereby inesc!p!bly i$plyin5 (witho)t explicitly st!tin5) th!t the
!dherents of other Christi!n sects !nd other reli5io)s f!iths $!y be d!$ned
fro$ birth.
*t is th)s entirely possible th!t the election of ecclesi!stics to $)nicip!l offices
$!y sp!wn s$!ll reli5io)s w!rs inste!d of pro$ote the 5ener!l co$$)nity
welf!re !nd pe!ce - !nd these reli5io)s w!rs co)ld conceiv!bly b)r5eon into
internecine di$ensions. 4here then wo)ld we consi5n Pope 9ohn 22***Ts
ec)$enis$<
#ho)ld the $!%ority of the $!yor!lties of the Philippines be so$ed!y occ)pied
by $ilit!nt C!tholic ecclesi!stics, is it i$prob!ble th!t the next develop$ent
will be ! deter$ined n!tionwide c!$p!i5n by the C!tholic Ch)rch for the
election of ecclesi!stics to o)r n!tion!l le5isl!tive body< /nd if this event)!lity
sho)ld co$e, wh!t then of o)r cherished tr!dition of sep!r!tion of Ch)rch !nd
#t!te< or $y p!rt, with history in perspective, the obvio)s lo5ic!l !nd
inevit!ble conse()ence is too fri5htf)l to conte$pl!te.
*n $y view, !ll ecclesi!stics : whoever they !re, wh!tever their f!iths,
wherever they $!y be : sho)ld essenti!lly be p!stors, i$$ersin5
the$selves !ro)nd the clocE in the proble$s of the dis!dv!nt!5ed !nd the
poor. ,)t they c!nnot be effective p!stors if they do not dissoci!te the$selves
co$pletely fro$ every !nd !ll b!ne of politics.

TEEHNBEE, J. dissentin5+
* dissent fro$ the %)d5$ent reversin5 !nd settin5 !side respondent %)d5eTs
!ppe!led resol)tion of "!rch >, 0812 which dis$issed herein petitionerTs
petition below of Auo /arranto for dis()!lific!tion of respondent !s the d)ly
elected !nd ()!lified $!yor of /lb)r()er()e, ,ohol in the 0810 elections d)e
to his bein5 !lle5edly ineli5ible therefor !s !n ecclesi!stic !nd inste!d
enterin5 ! new %)d5$ent orderin5 hi$ to v!c!te the s!id office on the 5ro)nd
of 6there bein5 ! f!il)re to elect.6
*. * hold on the sole iss)e %oined by the p!rties in the co)rt below !nd in this
Co)rt on !ppe!l th!t the !rch!ic Revised /d$inistr!tive Code provision
b!rrin5 ecclesi!stic inter !li! fro$ election or re!ppoint$ent to ! $)nicip!l
office h!s n repe!led by the provisions of the Blection Code of 0810, !s
correctly r)led e!rlier by the Co$$ission on Blections (in denyin5 ! sep!r!te
petition filed by the s!$e petitioner for !nn)l$ent of respondentTs certific!te of
c!ndid!cy) !nd by respondent %)d5e in the c!se !t b!r.
The sole iss)e %oined in the c!se !t b!r by the p!rties is on the p)rely le5!l
()estion of whether section 201@ of the Revised /d$inistr!tive Code which
b!rs fro$ election or !ppoint$ent to ! $)nicip!l office 6ecclesi!stics, soldiers
i$ !ctive service, persons receivin5 s!l!ries or co$pens!tion fro$ provinci!l
or n!tion!l f)nds or contr!ctors for p)blic worE of the $)nicip!lity6 is still i$
force or h!s be!$ repe!led by the provisions of the Blection Code of 0810,
P!rtic)l!rly section 2A
1
thereof which allo/s 6every person holdi$5 ! p)blic
!ppointive office or position, incl)din5 !ctive $e$bers of the /r$ed orces6
to r)n for !ny p)blic elective office b)t provides for their cess!tion in
office i"so facto eCcludes eccessi!stics !nd $)nicip!l p)blic worEs
contr!ctors fro$ those decl!red ineli5ible or dis()!lified for$ f)nnin5 for !n
elective office.
This is incontrovertible fro$ the record.
Respondent %)d5eTs pre-tri!l order of 9!n)!ry 2@, 0812 definin5 the sole iss)e
of l!w !s %oined !nd s)b$itted by the p!rties expressly records th!t
The p!rties !5reed d)rin5 this pre-tri!l conference th!t the ()estion of whether or not
respondent resi5ned fro$ the C!tholic hier!rchy !s ! priest is i$$!teri!l to the iss)es
r!ise in the inst!nt resol)tion by the Co)rt p)rely on ()estion of l!w, th!t is whether or
not the provisions of the Revised /d$inistr!tive Code which prohibits ecclesi!tics for $
r)nnin5 for $)nicip!l elective position.
2
!nd 5!ve the p!rties ten d!ys to file their respective $e$or!nd!, !nd
decl!red the c!se s)b$itted for resol)tion )pon expir!tion of the period.
Petitioner sole !ssin5$ent of error in his !pplel!nts brief !t b!t is 6(T)h!t the
co)rt a Auo erred in r)lin5 th!t section s)perseded by the provisions of
Rep)blic /ct 7o. 6A33, otherwise Enown !s the Blection Code of 0810.6
-
/nd
his only !r5)$ent in s)pport thereof-insof!r !s is relev!nt to this Co)rtTs
%)d5e$ent-w!s !s follows+

The repe!lin5 cl!)se of the Blection Code of 0810 does not $ention the Revised
/d$inistr!tive Code or #ection 201@ thereof !s !$on5 those expressly repe!led. *n the
!bsence of inconsistency with !ny of the provisions of the Blection Code, #ec. 201@ is
neither repe!l. ed, expressly or i$pliedly, nor revoEed or s)perseded by !ny existin5 l!w,
!nd therefore $)st contin)e to st!nd in f)ll force !nd effect.
*t is the intent of Con5ress to ret!in prohibitions of ecclesi!stics fro$ holdin5 $)nicip!l
office in order to $!int!in in. viol!te the 5re!t principle )nderlyin5 the Philippine
Constit)tion, th!t is : T.B CO"P=BTB #BP/R/T*O7 O T.B C.DRC. /7' #T/TB.
The preserv!tion of this principle is precisely the $ovin5 spirit of the le5isl!t)re in
p!ssin5 #ec. 201@ of the Revised /d$inistr!tive Code !nd in B2C=D'*7& ecclesi!stics
fro$ the en)$er!tion of persons in #ec. 2A Of the Blection Code of 0810. To !llow
ecclesi!stics to r)n for ! $)nicip!l office $e!ns !n !bsol)te !b!ndon$ent of this
principle.
or ! n)$ber of c!ses, the #)pre$e Co)rt h!s dis()!lified ecclesi!stics fro$ !ss)$in5
! $)nicip!l office. *n !n *dentic!l c!se of Pedro -ill!r vs. &!)dencio P!r!iso, 7o. =-3?0>,
"!rch 0>, 08@@P 86 Phil. 6@8, the #)pre$e Co)rt dis()!lified respondent &!)dencio
P!r!iso, then ! $inister of the Dnited Ch)rch of Christ, fro$ the office of "!yor of Ri;!l,
7)ev! Bci%! for bein5 !n ecclesi!stic !nd therefore ineli5ible to hold ! $)nicip!l office.
4
7ow, prior to the filin5 of the c!se below, petitioner (who w!s the inc)$bent
$!yor of /lb)r()er()e, ,ohol) h!d before the 0810 : elections filed !
petition with the Co$$ission on Blections
5
for the !nn)l$ent of the certific!te
of c!ndid!cy !s !n independent c!ndid!te (=iber!l P!rty 5)est c!ndid!te) for
the elective position of $!yor of the $)nicip!lity of /lb)r()er()e, ,ohol of his
lone opponent, herein respondent Reverend "!r5!rito R. &on;!5!, C!tholic
p!rish priest of the $)nicip!lity of 9!5n! ,ohol on the 5ro)nd of the l!tterTs
bein5 b!rred fro$ election to s!id office !s !n ecclesi!stic.
The Co$elec )n!ni$o)sly denied the petition, r)lin5 th!t respondent w!s
eli5ible for the office since section 201@ of the Revised /d$inistr!tive Code
h!d been repe!led by force of the ". "endo;!, $e$bers.
Blection Code of 0810 which in 6#ection 2>8 (thereof) expressly repe!ls R./.
7o. 03?, R./. 7o. A@33 !nd !ll other l!ws, exec)tive orders, r)les !nd
re5)l!tions, or p!rts thereof, inconsistent with the Code.6
6
The Co$elec r)led th!t soldiers in !ctive service !nd persons receivin5
s!l!ries or co$pens!tion fro$ provinci!l or n!tion!l f)nds 6!re obvio)sly now
!llowed to r)n for ! p)blic elective office bec!)se )nder #ec. 2A of the
Blection Code of 0810 6 every person holdin5 ! p)blic !ppointive office or
position, incl)din5 !ctive $e$bers of the /r$ed orcesT sh!ll i"so facto ce!se
in their office or position on the d!te they file their Tcertific!tes of c!ndid!cy.
TThis i$plies th!t they !re no lon5er dis()!lified fro$ r)nnin5 for !n elective
office.6
The Co$elec f)rther r)led th!t !s to the two re$!inin5 c!te5ories for$erly
b!nned )nder the Revised /d$inistr!tive Code, 6ecclesi!stics !nd contr!ctors
for p)blic worEs of the $)nicip!lity !re !llowed to r)n for $)nicip!l elective
offices )nder the $!xi$, B3nclusio unius est eCclusio alteriusB, they bein5 not
incl)ded in the en)$er!tion of persons ineli5ible )nder the 7ew Blection
Code. The r)le is th!t !ll persons possessin5 the necess!ry
()!lific!tions,6eCce"t those eC"ressly disAualified by the election code, !re
eli5ible to r)n for p)blic office.6
Respondent %)d5e, expressin5 !5ree$ent with the Co$elec r)lin5 in th!t
c!se, held th!t respondent is not dis()!lified nor ineli5ible to hold the position
of $!yor of /lb)r()er()e to which he h!d been d)ly elected !nd procl!i$ed.
Respondent %)d5e prescinded fro$ the f!ct th!t respondent h!d resi5ned his
position !s p!rish priest of !nother town, 9!5n! !nd his resi5n!tion !ccepted
on #epte$ber 1, 0810 by the ,ishop of T!5bil!r!n !nd th!t his !)thority to
sole$ni;e $!rri!5es h!d !t his re()est of #epte$ber 1, 0810 been c!ncelled
on October 22, 0810 by 'irector of the 7!tion!l =ibr!ry #er!fin '.
I)i!son
7
!ll before the 7ove$ber, 0810 elections ()nliEe in :ilar s.
Paraiso
8
wherein this Co)rt )pheld the tri!l co)rtTs ref)s!l to 5ive credence to
the 6s)pposed resi5n!tion6 of therein respondent !s ! $inister of his ch)rch).
.e byp!ssed !lso the well-t!Een proced)r!l ()estion th!t petitioner not
h!vin5 !ppe!led the !dverse Co$elec r)lin5 in the e!rlier c!se to this Co)rt
w!s bo)nd thereby !s the la/ of the case !nd co)ld no lon5er brin5 this
second !ction on the s!$e ()estion !fter his defe!t in the elections.
*n $y view, the Co$elec r)lin5 !nd respondent co)rtTs resol)tion !5reein5
therewith st!nd on solid 5ro)nd. /s the Co$elec stressed in its r)lin5, the
Blection Code of 0810 !s the !pplic!ble l!w in this c!se eC"ressly
enumerates all those decl!red ineli0ible or disAualified fro$ c!ndid!cy or if
elected, fro$ holdin5 office, i1, n)is!nce c!ndid!tes )nder section A0, those
dis()!lified on !cco)nt of h!vin5 been decl!red by fin!l decision of !
co$ponent co)rt or trib)n!l 5)ilty of terroris$, election overspendin5,
solicit!tion or receipt of prohibited contrib)tions or viol!tion of cert!in specified
provisions of the Code )nder section 2@, or h!vin5 been liEewise decl!red
disloy!l to the constit)ted 5overn$ent )nder section 21 or those presidenti!l
!ppointees who pre$!t)rely seeE to r)n for elective office witho)t co$plyin5
with the co$p)lsory w!itin5 periods of 0@? d!ys (for n!tion!l office) !nd 02?
d!ys (for !ny other elective office) !fter the ter$in!tion of their ten)re of office
)nder section 13. /ll other persons possessin5 the necess!ry ()!lific!tions
!nd not si$il!rly expressly decl!red ineli5ible or dis()!lified by the s!id
Blection Code, s)ch !s ecclesi!stics the respondent or contr!ctors for
$)nicip!l p)blic worEs c!nnot b)t be dee$ed eli0ible for p)blic office. Th)s,
ecclesi!sticsT eli5ibility for national office h!s )nivers!lly been conceded !nd
h!s never been ()estioned.
/s !lre!dy st!ted !bove, !ppointive p)blic office holders !nd !ctive $e$bers
of the /r$ed orces !re no lon5er dis()!lified fro$ r)nnin5 for !n elective
office, bec!)se section 2A of the 0810 Blection Code $!nifestly !llows the$
to do so !nd provides th!t they6 sh!ll i"so facto ce!se in (their) office or
position on the d!te (they) file (their) certific!te of c!ndid!cy.6 Bcclesi!stics
!nd $)nicip!l p)blic worEs contr!ctors !re no lon5er incl)ded in the extensive
en)$er!tion of persons ineli5ible )nder the s!id Blection Code. Dnder the
$!xi$ of 63nclusio unius eCclusio alterius6 !nd the 5ener!l r)le th!t !ll
persons possessed of the necess!ry ()!lific!tions except those eC"ressly
disAualified by the Blection Code !re eli5ible to r)n for p)blic office, the b!n
!5!inst the$ in section 201@ of the Revised /d$inistr!tive Code $)st be
dee$ed set !side )nder the 0810 Blection CodeTs repe!lin5 cl!)se.
The wisdo$ or desir!bility of the eli$in!tion of s)ch prohibitions !re of co)rse
beyond the province !nd %)risdiction of the co)rts. /side fro$ s)ch prohibition
bein5 !t w!r with the Constit)tion!l in%)nction th!t 6no reli5io)s test sh!ll be
re()ired for the exercise-of civil or politic!l ri5hts,6 the =e5isl!tors $)st h!ve
considered th!t there w!s no lon5er !ny rhy$e or re!son for the !rch!ic b!n
!5!inst ecclesi!sticsT election to ! munici"al office when there is no s)ch b!n
!5!inst their r)nnin5 for national office !nd !fter !ll, oC "o"uli est oC Dei. /s
to the liftin5 of the b!n !5!inst munici"al p)blic worEs contr!ctors, s)ffice it to
st!te th!t there !re other l!ws, e.5. the /nti-&r!ft !nd Corr)pt Pr!ctices /ct
which if properly enforced sho)ld provide $ore th!n !de()!te s!fe5)!rds for
the p)blic interests.
There is no 5!ins!yin5 th!t the Blection Code of 0810 is ! s)bse()ent
co$prehensive le5isl!tion 5overnin5 elections !nd c!ndid!tes for p)blic office
!nd its en!ct$ent, )nder the est!blished r)les of st!t)tory constr)ction, 6(!s)
! code )pon ! 5iven s)b%ect $!tter conte$pl!tes ! syste$!tic !nd co$plete
body of l!w desi5ned to f)nction within the bo)nds of its expressed li$it!tions
!s the sole re5)l!tory l!w )pon the s)b%ect to which it rel!tes, ... The
en!ct$ent of ! code oper!tes to repe!l !ll prior l!ws )pon the s!$e s)b%ect
$!tter where, bec!)se of its co$prehensiveness, it inferenti!lly p)rports to be
! co$plete tre!t$ent of the s)b%ect $!tter. ...6
9
The repe!l of the b!n is f)rther $!de $!nifest in the li5ht of the 2@? sections
of the 0810 Blection Code since 6(T)he intent to repe!l !ll for$er l!ws )pon
the s)b%ect is $!de !pp!rent by the en!ct$ent of s)bse()ent co$prehensive
le5isl!tion est!blishin5 el!bor!te incl)sions !nd excl)sions of the persons,
thin5s !nd rel!tionships ordin!rily !ssoci!ted with the s)b%ect. =e5isl!tion of
this sort which oper!tes to revise the entire s)b%ect to which it rel!tes, by its
very co$prehensiveness 5ives stron5 i$plic!tion of ! le5isl!tive intent not
only to repe!l for$er st!t)tory l!w )pon the s)b%ect, b)t !lso to s)persede the
co$$on l!w rel!tin5 to the s!$e s)b%ect.6
10
/s ! p)re Auestion of la/, on the sole iss)e %oined by the p!rties, therefore, *
hold th!t the b!n in section 201 of the /d$inistr!tive Code !5!inst the
election of ecclesi!stics (!nd the three other c!te5ories therein $entioned) to
! $)nicip!l office h!s been repe!led by the provisions of the Blection Code of
0810, which nowhere in its !ll-e$br!cin5 !nd co$prehensive text $entions-
ecclesi!stics (!s well !s the three other c!te5ories in the !fores!id
/d$inistr!tive Code provision) !s !$on5 those ineli5ible or dis()!lified to r)n
for p)blic office (n!tion!l or loc!l).
**. On the constit)tion!l di$ension 5iven motu "ro"rio to the c!se in the $!in
opinion of "r. 9)stice ern!ndo, by w!y of 6Constit)tion!l ob%ections to the
contin)in5 force !nd effectivity of #ection 201@ !s f!r !s ecclesi!stics !re
concerned6
11
, * conc)r with the $!in opinion, conc)rred in by five other
$e$bers of the Co)rt, i1, 9)stices ")no; P!l$!, Concepcion 9r., #!ntos,
ern!nde; !nd &)errero th!t the !rch!ic /d$inistr!tive Code provision
decl!rin5 ecclesi!stics ineli5ible for election or !ppoint$ent to ! $)nicip!l
office is inconsistent with !nd viol!tive of the reli5io)s freedo$ 5)!r!nteed b
the 08A@ Constit)tion
12
!nd th!t to so b!r the$ fro$ office is to i$pose !
reli5io)s test in viol!tion of the Constit)tion!l $!nd!te th!t 67o reli5io)s test
sh!ll be re()ired for the exercise of civil or politic!l ri5hts.6
,oth the 08A@ Constit)tion (which is !pplic!ble to the c!se !t b!r) !nd the
081A Constit)tion 5)!r!ntee in pr!ctic!lly *dentic!l ter$s the f)llest reli5io)s
freedo$. To !ss)re th!t there is no i$pedi$ent to the f)llest exercise of oneTs
reli5io)s freedo$, the Constit)tion prohibits th!t there be ! st!te est!blished
)nion !nd thereby decrees th!t there $)st be sep!r!tion of ch)rch !nd st!te.
(The 081A Constit)tion red)nd!ntly stresses in its &ener!l Provisions, /rticle
2-, section 0@ th!t 6(T)he sep!r!tion of ch)rch !nd st!te sh!ll be inviol!ble.6).
The free exercise of oneTs reli5ion !nd freedo$ of expression of reli5io)s
doctrines !nd beliefs (positive !s well !s ne0atie) !nd the freedo$ to perfor$
reli5io)s rites !nd pr!ctices !re 5)!r!nteed by the Constit)tionTs $!nd!te th!t
6no l!w sh!ll be $!de ... prohibitin5 the free exercise (of reli5ion)6 !nd th!t
6the free exercise !nd en%oy$ent of reli5io)s profession !nd worship, witho)t
discri$in!tion or preference, sh!ll foreer be !llowed.6 *n order to !ss)re the
f)llest freedo$ of the individ)!l in this re5!rd !nd to prevent th!t the #t!te
ne5!te or dil)te reli5io)s freedo$ by !ccordin5 preference to one reli5io)s
or5!ni;!tion !s !5!inst others, the Constit)tion fin!lly co$$!nds th!t 6no
reli5io)s test sh!ll be re()ired for the exercise of civil or politic!l ri5hts.6
*t is conceded th!t the non-reli5io)s test cl!)se constit)tion!lly b!rs the st!te
fro$ dis()!lifyin5 ! non-believer, !n !theist or !n !5nostic fro$ votin5 or
bein5 voted for ! p)blic office for it is t!nt!$o)nt to ! reli5io)s test !nd
co$pellin5 the$ to profess ! belief in &od !nd ! reli5ion. ,y the s!$e toEen,
the s!$e cl!)se is e()!lly !pplic!ble to those !t the opposite end, let )s c!ll
the$ the f)ll believers who in their love of &od and their fellow$en h!ve t!Een
)p the $inistry of their ch)rch or the robe of the priest+ to dis()!lify the$ fro$
bein5 voted for !nd elected to ! $)nicip!l office ()nder the ()estioned
/d$inistr!tive Code provision) is to ex!ct ! reli5io)s test for the exercise of
their politic!l ri5hts for it !$o)nts to co$pellin5 the$ to shed off their reli5io)s
$inistry or robe for the exercise of their politic!l ri5ht to r)n for p)blic office.
#t!ted in $odern context, the #!t!nist is concededly not dis()!lified )nder
the ()estioned /d$inistr!tive Code provision fro$ election to $)nicip!l office.
To enforce the s!$e st!t)teTs dis()!lific!tion !5!inst ecclesi!stics is to
wron5f)lly inv!de the ecclesi!sticTs freedo$ of belief !nd reli5ion !nd to
i$pose )pon hi$ ! reli5io)s test in fl!5r!nt viol!tion of the Constit)tion. *n
contr!st to the #!t!nist who is not s)b%ected to ! reli5io)s test !nd dis()!lified
for his picEin5 )p #!t!nTs robe !5!inst &od, the ecclesi!stic is dis()!lified for
professin5 the profo)ndent reli5io)s belief in &od !nd we!rin5 .is cross on
his l!pel : he is to be b!rred si$ply bec!)se he is !n ecclesi!stic.
* hold, therefore, th!t !side fro$ the strictly le5!l ()estion presented by the
p!rties !nd correctly resolved by the Co$elec in the e!rlier c!se !nd by the
lower co)rt in the c!se !t b!r, to wit, th!t the b!n in section 201@ of the
Revised /d$inistr!tive Code !5!inst the election of ecclesi!stics (!$on5
others) to ! $)nicip!l office h!s been repe!led by the 0810 Blection Code, it
is !lso correct to decl!re by w!y ofobiter dictum (since it h!s not been r!ised
or pl!ced in iss)e in the c!se !t b!r) !s the $!in opinion princip!lly holds, th!t
this !rch!ic provision of the /d$inistr!tive Code of 0801 $)st !lso be
dee$ed !s no lon5er oper!tive by force of the constit)tion!l $!nd!te th!t !ll
l!ws inconsistent with !nd viol!tive of the Constit)tion sh!ll ce!se to be in
force.
1-
The $!in thr)st of the five sep!r!te conc)rrences for )pholdin5 the
()estioned b!n of ecclesi!stics fro$ p)blic ($)nicip!l office) is the fe!r of
6reli5io)s intoler!nce !nd persec)tion by ecclesi!stics6 !nd the 6oppression,
!b)ses, $isery, i$$or!lity !nd st!5n!tion6 wre!Eed by the fri!rs d)rin5 the
#p!nish re5i$e. ,)t it is not !ppreci!ted therein th!t this w!s d)e to the )nion
of the #t!te !nd the Ch)rch then : ! sit)!tion th!t h!s lon5 ce!sed since
before the t)rn of the cent)ry !nd is now c!te5oric!lly proscribed by the
Constit)tion. /s .is B$inence, 9!i$e =. C!rdin!l #in, recently observed+
Dnion of the Ch)rch !nd the #t!te inv!ri!bly ends in the Ch)rch bein5 !bsorbed,
$!nip)l!ted or do$in!ted by the #t!te, or in the #t!te bein5 do$in!ted by the Ch)rch.
Ds)!lly, it is the for$er event)!lity th!t t!Ees pl!ce, for the Ch)rch possess no !r$ed or
coercive power co$p!r!ble to wh!t the #t!te h!s.
/t the be5innin5 of her history, the Ch)rch invested the Ein5s of recently converted
co)ntries with the office !nd title of Protectors of the Ch)rch. This w!s !ll-ri5ht so lon5 !s
the Ein5s were 5ood !nd holy $en, liEe #t. #tephen of .)n5!ry, or !t le!st re!son!ble
decent $en, liEe Ch!rle$!5ne of r!nce. b)t s!intly !nd decent $en !re often
s)cceeded by sco)ndrels !nd the protectors - in the wry observ!tion of the Uin5 of #l!$
wo)nd )p Tprotectin5 the Ch)rch o)t of everythin5 th!t she possessed.
4hen, in so$e r!re inst!nces, it is the Ch)rch th!t do$in!tes the #t!te, the res)lt is
wh!t we Enow !s cleric!lis$.
,oth !ltern!tives, it is obvio)s, !re )ndesir!ble. 4hen the Ch)rch is do$in!ted by the
#t!te, she beco$es ! tool for the f)rther!nce of wordly !i$s. /nd when the #t!te is
do$in!ted by the Ch)rch, then the Ch)rch tends to 5et conf)sed !s to her n!t)re,
*dentity, role !nd sion The Ch)rch, !fter !n, is ! s)pern!t)r!l society. Conse()ently, she
is we!Eened when she pl!ces her reli!nce on te$por!l power !nd reso)rces r!ther th!n
on the 5r!ce of /l$i5hty &od. Cleric!lis$ provoEes the n!t)r!l re!ction of sep!r!tion, by
which is $e!nt the isol!tion !nd strict confine$ent of the Ch)rch to the s!cristy. *t is the
pl!cin5 the Ch)rch )nder ho)se !rrest.
14
.istori!ns h!ve noted th!t with the i$position of the sep!r!tion of st!te !nd
ch)rch by the /$eric!n re5i$e, 6(T)he C!tholic Ch)rch, however, derived
)nder the principle of sep!r!tion of Ch)rch !nd #t!te positive benefits !nd
!dv!nt!5es. .er freedo$ w!s 5re!tly enh!nced. #he w!s no lon5er s)b%ect
to the v!rio)s for$s of s)pervision !nd control i$posed )pon her d)rin5 the
#p!nish re5i$e. #he w!s freed fro$ 5overn$ent intervention in the $!Ein5 of
!ppoint$ents to positions in the ecclesi!stic!l syste$, in the cre!tion of
p!rishes !nd in the est!blish$ent of instit)tions of reli5io)s ch!r!cter.6
15
The #p!nish er! of 6reli5io)s intoler!nce !nd oppression6 !nd the new er! of
sep!r!tion of st!te !nd ch)rch e!sily led to the p!ss!5e of the b!n !5!inst
ecclesi!stics. There w!s deep pre%)dice !nd resent$ent !5!inst the #p!nish
fri!rs which r)bbed off on the ilipino C!tholic p!rish priests. C!tholics !nd
the new reli5io)s 5ro)ps of /5lip!y!ns !nd Protest!nts were reported to h!ve
h!rbored 5re!t $istr)st of e!ch other !nd fe!r th!t one 5ro)p wo)ld very
liEely )se politic!l power !s !n instr)$ent for reli5io)s do$in!tion over the
others.
,)t it c!nnot be denied th!t the sit)!tion h!s r!dic!lly ch!n5ed since then.
#peci!lly !fter -!tic!n 00 in 086@, the spirit of ec)$enis$, $)t)!l respect,
!nd cooper!tion h!ve $!rEed the rel!tions between C!tholics, Protest!nts,
/5lip!y!ns, 30lesia ni Mristo !nd other reli5io)s deno$in!tions.
or C!tholics, the -!tic!n synod decl!red+ 6th!t the h)$!n person h!s ! ri5ht
to reli5io)s freedo$. This freedo$ $e!ns th!t !ll $en !re to be i$$)ne fro$
coercion on the p!rt of the individ)!ls or of soci!l 5ro)ps !nd of !ny h)$!n
power, in s)ch wise th!t in $!tters reli5io)s no one is to be forced to !ct in !
$!nner contr!ry to his own beliefs. 7or is !nyone to be restr!ined fro$ !ctin5
in !ccord!nce with his own beliefs, whether priv!tely or p)blicly, whether
!lone or in !ssoci!tion with others, within li$its.
16
-!tic!n ** !lso decl!red th!t 6Cooper!tion !$on5 !ll Christi!ns vividly
expresses th!t bond which !lre!dy )nites the$ ... *t sho)ld contrib)te to ! %)st
!ppreci!tion of the di5nity of the h)$!n person, the pro$otion of the
blessin5s of pe!ce, the !pplic!tion of &ospel principles to soci!l life, the
!dv!nce$ent of the !rts !nd sciences in ! Christi!n spirit. Christi!ns sho)ld
!lso worE to5ether in the )se of every possible $e!ns to relieve the !fflictions
of o)r ti$es, s)ch !s f!$ine !nd n!t)r!l dis!sters, illiter!cy !nd poverty, l!cE
of ho)sin5 !nd the )ne()!l distrib)tion of we!lth. Thro)5h s)ch cooper!tion,
!ll believers in Christ !re !ble to le!rn e!sily how they c!n )nderst!nd e!ch
other better !nd estee$ e!ch other $ore, !nd how the ro!d to the )nity of
Christi!ns $!y be $!de s$ooth.
17
*f the fri!rs then 5r!bbed the so-c!lled fri!r l!nds thro)5h oppressive
exploit!tion of the $!sses, the priests of today h!ve t!Een )p the c)d5els for
the $!sses !nd !re !t the forefront of their str)55le for soci!l %)stice !nd !
%)st society.
The d!ys !re lon5 5one when the Priest is s)pposed to confine hi$self to the
s!cristy !nd devote hi$self solely to spirit)!l, not te$por!l, $!tters. 4here
the #t!te f!ils of f!lters, the priest $)st needs help $inister to this te$por!l
power h!s res)lted fro$ their !d%)stin5 the$selves to tile re!lities !nd
i$per!tives of the present d!y world.
/s !lre!dy indic!ted !bove, it is to be noted th!t the only st!t)tory prohibition
w!s to b!n ecclesi!stics fro$ !ppoint$ent or election to munici"al office.
There is no b!n wh!tsoever !5!inst their election to or holdin5 of n!tion!l
office, which by its n!t)re !nd scope is politic!lly $ore si5nific!nt !nd
powerf)l co$p!red to ! loc!l office.
The n!tion!l experience with ecclesi!stics who h!ve been elected
to national offices h!s shown th!t contr!ry to the )nfo)nded fe!rs of reli5io)s
pre%)dice !nd n!rrow-$indedness expressed in so$e of the conc)rrin5
opinions, they h!ve disch!r5ed their t!sE with 5re!t co$petence !nd honor,
since there is b!sic!lly no inco$p!tibility between their reli5io)s !nd l!y
offices, !s witness the elections !nd p!rticip!tion of "s5r. &re5orio /5lip!y !s
dele5!te to the "!lolos Con5ress of 0383, "inister Bnri()e #obrepen! !nd
Philippine *ndependent Ch)rch ,ishop #erv!ndo C!stro !s dele5!tes to the
08A>-08A@ Constit)tion!l Convention, rs. P!cifico Orti; !nd 9or5e Uint!n!r
!nd three other priests !s dele5!tes to the 0810 Constit)tion!l Convention.
!nd !5!in r. 9or5e Uint!n!r !s $e$ber of the c)rrent *nteri$ ,!t!s!n5
P!$b!ns!.
/s f!r !s local offices !re concerned, the best proof of the ilipino
ecclesi!sticTs c!p!city to disch!r5e his politic!l office co$petently !nd with
det!ch$ent fro$ his reli5io)s $inistry or priesthood is the very c!se of
respondent r. &on;!5!, who !s f!r !s the record shows h!s efficiently
disch!r5ed the role of $!yor of /lb)r()er()e since his !ss)$ption of office
on 9!n)!ry 0, 0812 )p to the present to the s!tisf!ction of his constit)ents !nd
witho)t !ny co$pl!ints. The ()estion of whether ! priest or cleric sho)ld
exercise his politic!l ri5ht of seeEin5 p)blic office, n!tion!l or loc!l, is !fter !ll
best left to the decision of his ch)rch !nd his own %)d5$ent. /fter !ll, it is to be
pres)$ed th!t no responsible person wo)ld seeE p)blic office Enowin5 th!t
his ecclesi!stic!l d)ties wo)ld be ! hindr!nce to his renderin5 %)st !nd
efficient p)blic service. .ere, respondent !fter his decision to r)n for election
in his ho$etown of /lb)r()er()e, d)ly resi5ned his position of p!rish priest in
!nother town, th!t of 9!5n! ,ohol lon5 before the holdin5 of the election. The
$!in thin5 is th!t the Constit)tion!l $!nd!te of no reli5io)s test for the
exercise of oneTs civil or politic!l ri5hts $)st be respected. The ecclesi!stic is
free to seeE p)blic office !nd pl!ce his person!l $erits !nd ()!lific!tions for
p)blic service before the elector!te who in the )lti$!te !n!lysis will p!ss
%)d5$ent )pon hi$.
!ther 9ose ,)r5os of the f!$ed Gombur1a $!rtyrs tooE )p in his $!nifesto
of 036> the b!ttle of the n!tive cler5y !5!inst the #p!nish fri!rs who h!d
fo)nd their p!rishes to be l)cr!tive positions !nd ref)sed to 5ive the$ )p to
the ilipino sec)l!rs who were incre!sin5 in n)$ber !nd i$provin5 in c!liber.
.e boldly !cc)sed the fri!rs of 6enrich$ent, 5reed !nd i$$or!lity6 !nd they
$!rEed hi$ !s their 5re!test ene$y.
/s the histori!ns now !ssess it, 6*ndeed, whether or not !ther ,)r5os $e!nt
it, his $!nifesto of 036> 5!lv!ni;ed !nd f)sed the sc!ttered !nd isol!ted
!re!s of discontent in the l!nd, so th!t ilipino n!tion!lis$ which h!d its birth
p!n5s in "!ct!n fin!lly e$er5ed f)ll-5rown. The tr!v!il of the ilipino cler5y
served to 5!lv!ni;e ilipino n!tion!lis$, existin5 since =!p)l!p) in
)ninte5r!ted !nd )ndeveloped for$ fro$ T)5)e5!r!o to T!5libi fro$ #)l) to
#!rr!t !nd #!5!d!. /s in #p!in itself, n!tion!lis$ in the Philippines needed
!n inf)sion of liber!lis$ before it co)ld !c()ire content !nd direction. /nd,
perh!ps witho)t $e!nin5 to do so, it w!s the pec)li!r contrib)tion of
the Fili"ino cler0y, $)ch respected !nd $ost influential !$on5 the people, to
5ive s)bst!nce !nd $e!nin5 to their fellow ilipinosT love of freedo$ !nd
co)ntry.
18
Th)s, 6the disp)te between sec)l!r !nd re5)l!r cler5y over the p!rishes.........
bec!$e ! n!tion!list $ove$ent, which %oined forces with the l!y refor$ists
who h!d co$e into the open ...6 !nd 6(T)he new $ove$ent blew liEe ! wind of
ch!n5e thro)5h every level !nd l!yer of society except the i$pre5n!ble r!nEs
of the fri!rs. Then, s)ddenly, it bec!$e ! whirlwind th!t s)cEed three pio)s
sec)l!r priests into its vortex or the C!vite ")tiny of 0312 exploded !nd they
were !cc)sed of co$plicity, co)rt-$!rti!led !nd 5!rroted.
19
*t w!s o)r n!tion!l hero, 'r. 9ose Ri;!l, who 6c!pt)red the historic 5!lv!ni;in5
$ission which the $!rtyr priests !cco$plished for their people !nd co)ntry, !s
well !s the cr)elty !nd inh)$!nity of the reven5e in the 5)ise of %)stice
inflicted )pon the$, when in 0380 he dedic!ted his second novel 4l
FilibusterismoL#)bversionM
20
to the three $!rtyr priests in the followin5 words+
LTThe Ch)rch, by ref)sin5 to )nfrocE yo), h!s p)t in do)bt the cri$e ch!r5ed
!5!inst yo)P the &overn$ent by enshro)din5 yo)r tri!l in $ystery !nd
p!rdonin5 yo)r co!cc)sed h!s i$plied th!t so$e $ist!Ee w!s co$$itted
when yo)r f!te w!s decidedP !nd the whole of the Philippines in p!yin5
ho$!5e to yo)r $e$ory !nd c!llin5 yo) $!rtyrs tot!lly re%ects yo)r 5)ilt.TM6
21
*t wo)ld indeed be !n ironic twist of history if the $!rtyrdo$ of rs. ,)r5os,
&o$e; !nd N!$or! in the defense of freedo$ !nd the di5nity !nd ri5hts of
the ilipino cler5y which 5!lv!ni;ed ilipino n!tion!lis$ !nd event)!lly
overthrew the #p!nish re5i$e were to be set !t n!)5ht !nd the ilipino
ecclesi!stics were to re$!in b!nned fro$ seeEin5 p)blic office to serve their
fellow$en, bec!)se the spectre of the fri!rs who !b)sed !nd $!ltre!ted the
people contin)es to h!)nt )s !nd we wo)ld now visit their sins )pon o)r own
cler5y.
***. The disposition of the c!se !nd %)d5$ent 5r!ntin5 Auo /arranto -
notwithst!ndin5 th!t there st!ndseen votes for !ffir$in5 respondent %)d5eTs
dis$iss!l of the Auo /arranto, n!$ely, 9)stices ern!ndo, Teeh!nEee, ")So;
P!l$!, Concepcion 9r., #!ntos, ern!nde; !nd &)errero, on the 5ro)nd th!t
the ()estioned provision b!rrin5 ecclesi!stics fro$ $)nicip!l office h!s been
s)perseded !nd rendered inoper!tive by the no-reli5io)s test cl!)se of the
Constit)tion !nd by the Blection Code of 0810 !nd onlyfie votes for
)pholdin5 !s in f)ll force !nd effect the ()estioned b!n on ecclesi!stics,
n!$ely, the Chief 9)stice !nd 9)stices ,!rredo, "!E!si!r, /ntonio !nd /()ino
is contr!ry to the R)le of Co)rt providin5 th!t where the Co)rt in b!nc is
e()!lly divided in opinion !nd no decision by ei5ht 9)stices is re!ched (!s
re()ired by /rticle 2, section 2 L2M of the 081A Constit)tion for the
prono)nce$ent of ! %)d5$ent) the !ppe!led %)d5$ent or order sh!ll st!nd
!ffir$ed. #ince the lower co)rt dis$issed the Auo /arrantopetition !nd
!llowed respondent to re$!in in office, s)ch dis$iss!l sho)ld stand affirmed,
r!ther th!n the %)d5$ent now rendered 5r!ntin5 the Auo /arranto petition !nd
orderin5 respondent to v!c!te the office.
/s st!ted in the $!in opinion, seven 9)stices !re for !ffir$!nce of the
!ppe!led %)d5$ent 6!s the ch!llen5ed provision is no lon5er oper!tive either
bec!)se it w!s s)perseded by the 08A@ Constit)tion or repe!led6 while five
9)stices hold th!t 6s)ch ! prohibition !5!inst !n ecclesi!stic r)nnin5 for
elective office is not t!inted with !ny constit)tion!l infir$ity.6
22
The writer of the
$!in opinion, however, %oined by fo)r others Ln!$ely, 9)stices Concepcion 9r.,
#!ntos, ern!nde; !nd &)erreroM invoEe the le5!l principle th!t 6the
pres)$ption of v!lidity Lof ! l!wM c!lls for its !pplic!tion6 !nd therefore h!ve
voted with the $inority of five Ln!$ely, the Chief 9)stice !nd 9)stices ,!rredo,
"!E!si!r, /ntonio !nd /()inoM to reverse !nd set !side the %)d5$ent a
Auo !nd to order th!t 6respondent &on;!5! ... i$$edi!tely ... v!c!te the
$!yor!lty of the $)nicip!lity of /lb)r()er()e, ,ohol, there bein5 ! f!il)re to
elect.
2-
/s ! preli$in!ry observ!tion, it sho)ld be noted th!t the %)d5$ent or
dispositive portion of the $!in opinion orderin5 respondent &on;!5! to v!c!te
his office 6there bein5 ! f!il)re to elect6, is not correct, since s!id respondent
w!s d)ly elected !nd procl!i$ed after his c!ndid!cy !nd ()!lific!tion for the
office h!d been precisely )pheld before the holdin5 of the 0810 elections by
the Co$$ission on Blections which dis$issed the s!$e herein petitionerTs
petition with it to !nn)l respondentTs certific!te of c!ndid!cy, on ex!ctly the
s!$e 5ro)nd !s here, b!sed on section 201@ of the /d$inistr!tive Code,
which dismissal w!s not !ppe!led by petitioner !nd is therefore the l!w of the
c!se.
,e th!t !s it $!y, the ()estion confrontin5 the Co)rt is wh!t is the !pplic!ble
l!w in ! c!se liEe this where there is !n inconcl)sive or indecisive vote of
seven to five for !ffir$in5 the !ppe!led %)d5$ent<
To be5in with, the !pplic!ble l!w is not the Constit)tion!l provision which
re()ires ! ()!lified vote of !t le!st ten members of this Co)rt to decl!re
)nconstit)tion!l ! l!w, tre!ty or exec)tive !5ree$ent.
24
*n #)ch constit)tion!l
c!ses, f!il)re to re!ch the ()!lified vote of ten $e$bers res)lts in !
decl!r!tion th!t the constit)tion!lity of the ()estioned l!w is dee$ed )pheld.
Concededly, the present !ction is not one to decl!re )nconstit)tion!l the
()estioned provision b!nnin5 ecclesi!stics fro$ $)nicip!l office. The !ction
w!s filed by petitioner precisely invoEin5 the l!wTs b!n in order to dis()!lify
respondent. The lower co)rt $erely sided with the Co$elecTs r)lin5 in !n
e!rlier c!se filed by petitioner for the s!$e p)rpose of dis()!lifyin5
respondent, !nd dis$issed the c!se below )pholdin5 respondentTs defense
th!t the l!w h!d been repe!led by the 0810 Blection Code. This w!s
the sole iss)e both before the lower co)rt !nd this Co)rt.
/s shown herein!bove, the sole iss)e %oined by the p!rties in the co)rt below
!nd in this Co)rt on !ppe!l w!s whether or not the ()estioned provision
b!nnin5 ecclesi!stics fro$ $)nicip!l office h!s been repe!led or not by the
0810 Blection Code. Concededly, ! $ini$)$ of ei0ht otes !s re()ired by the
Constit)tion for the prono)nce$ent of ! %)d5$ent is needed to decl!re th!t
the s!$e h!s been repe!led )nder this sole iss)e, or s)perseded or rendered
inoper!tive by virt)e of the 08A@ Constit)tion!l provisions 5)!r!nteein5
freedo$ of reli5ion !nd prohibitin5 reli5io)s tests for the exercise of civil !nd
politic!l ri5hts )nder the su""lementary iss)e of repe!l by force of the
Constit)tion r!ised motu "ro"rioin the $!in opinion.
25
The !pplic!ble l!w, then, in non-constit)tion!l c!ses s)ch !s th!t !t b!r is
fo)nd in R)le @6, section 00 of the R)les of Co)rt, which w!s desi5ned
specific!lly to cover s)ch c!ses where the necess!ry $!%ority of ! minimum
ei0ht otes 6for the prono)nce$ent of ! %)d5$ent,
26
c!nnot be h!d !nd
provides th!t the !ppe!led %)d5$ent sh!ll st!nd !ffir$ed.
The !ppe!led %)d5$ent in the c!se !t b!r dis$issin5 the Auo /arranto !ction
$)st stand affirmed )nder the cited R)le which provides th!t+
#BC. 00. Procedure if o"inion is eAually diided. @ 4here the co)rt in banc is eAually
diided in o"inion, or the necessary majority cannot be had, the case shall be reheard,
and if on re& hearin0 no decision is reached, the action shall be dismissed if ori0inally
commenced in the courtF in a""ealed cases, the jud0ment or order a""ealed from shall
stand affirmed and on all incidental matters, the "etition or motion shall be denied. (R)le
@6)
/s rest!ted in "or!nTs Co$$ents, 6(*)n a""ealed c!ses, the !bove provision
st!tes th!t the %)d5$ent or order !ppe!led fro$ sh!ll stand affirmed. This
refers to civil c!ses, the r)le in cri$in!l c!ses bein5 th!t provided by section A
of R)le 02@, which st!tes th!t in s)ch c!ses the %)d5$ent of conviction of the
lower co)rt sh!ll be reversed !nd the defend!nt !c()itted. *f the %)d5$ent
!ppe!led fro$ decl!res ! l!w or ! tre!ty )nconstit)tion!l, or i$poses de!th
pen!lty !nd the conc)rrence of !t le!st ei5ht Lnow ten 9)stices c!nnot be h!d,
the #)pre$e Co)rt sh!ll so decl!re, !nd in s)ch c!se the v!lidity or
constit)tion!lity of the !ct or tre!ty involved sh!ll be dee$ed )pheld, or the
pen!lty next lower to de!th sh!ll be i$posed.6
27
/pp!rently, the five $e$bers of the Co)rt he!ded by the writer of the $!in
opinion fo)nd the$selves in ! conflict between the principle of pres)$ption of
v!lidity of ! l!w which nor$!lly c!lls for its i$ple$ent!tion by the exec)tive
dep!rt$ent - )ntil decl!red inv!lid by the co)rts !nd their view th!t the
ch!llen5ed le5!l provision b!rrin5 ecclesi!stics fro$ $)nicip!l office is no
lon5er oper!tive either bec!)se it h!s been s)perseded by the Constit)tion or
repe!led by the 0810 Blection Code. *n s)ch c!se, it is s)b$itted with !ll d)e
respect th!t they erred in %oinin5 votes with the $inority of five opinin5 to the
contr!ry, for the cited R)le expressly provides th!t in s)ch ! c!se of ! s"lit
Court with neither side obt!inin5 the necess!ry n)$ber of votes for the
prono)nce$ent of ! %)d5$ent )pholdin5 their conflictin0views,
the a""ealed %)d5$ent sh!ll stand affirmed.
or the !ppe!led %)d5$ent to st!nd !ffir$ed does not $e!n th!t 6the Co)rt
wo)ld be "artice"s criminisin the ne5!tion of the )ne()ivoc!l !nd i$perio)s
$!nd!te of the l!w.6
28
*t wo)ld si$ply be the l!w of the case, bec!)se of the
inconcl)sive vote. *t is %)st the s!$e !s if petitioner h!d not !ppe!led or if his
!ppe!l h!d been dis$issed for f!il)re to prosec)te the s!$e.
*f the lower co)rt h!d r)led in f!vor of petitioner !nd respondent were the
!ppell!nt, the !ppe!led %)d5$ent (!5!inst respondent in this ex!$ple) wo)ld
st!nd !ffir$ed, despite the seven votes in his f!vor. ,)t the vote wo)ld be
inconcl)sive %)st the s!$e. The iss)e of whether or not the ch!llen5ed l!w is
dee$ed s)perseded by the Constit)tion or repe!led by the 0810 Blection
Code wo)ld h!ve to be left for !nother c!se !nd !nother ti$e.
P)t in !nother w!y, even !ss)$in5 th!t the lower co)rt erred in !d%)d5in5 th!t
the ()estioned l!w h!s been repe!led, )nder the cited !nd !pplic!ble R)le,
this Co)rt wo)ld need 3 votes to overt)rn s)ch %)d5$ent, %)st !s it wo)ld need
the same n)$ber of votes for this Co)rt to overt)rn the %)d5$ent if it h!d
been the other w!y !ro)nd. This is the necess!ry conse()ence in c!ses
where this Co)rt c!nnot !rrive !t ! $!%ority one w!y or the other.
The s!$e sit)!tion h!s h!ppened $ore fre()ently in !ppe!ls fro$ cri$in!l
convictions by the lower co)rts wherein the !pplic!ble r)le is the reerse, with
R)le 02@, section A providin5 th!t where the necess!ry $!%ority of ei5ht votes
for !ffir$in5 the %)d5$ent of conviction or !c()ittin5 the !cc)sed c!nnot be
h!d, 6the %)d5$ent of coniction of the lower co)rt sh!ll be reersed !nd the
defend!nt !c()itted.
29
The provisions of the Pen!l Code !nd #t!t)tes !re 5ener!lly !bsol)te
provisions !5!inst the co$$ission of the cri$in!l !cts therein defined. ,)t the
f!il)re of the Co)rt to obt!in the necess!ry $!%ority of ei0ht otes (in non&
ca"ital c!ses) for the "ronouncement of ! jud0ment !ffir$in5
the coniction (!nd res)ltin5 in the !c()itt!l of the !cc)sed) does not connote
in !ny $!nner th!t this Co)rt h!s thereby beco$e !"artice"s criminis in the
viol!tion of the cri$in!l l!w. 7either does it $e!n th!t the Co)rt h!s thereby
rendered the pen!l st!t)te void or ineffect)!l with the !cc)sedTs !c()itt!l in
the specific cri$in!l c!se. To cite !n ex!$ple, in the c!se of -amire1 s.
Court of %""eals, 10 #CR/ 2A0 (9)ne 0?, 0816), the !cc)sed w!s therein
!c()itted of the cri$e of falsification on ! > to @ vote (o)t of 00 9)stices with 2
!bstentions), b)t it c!nnot be s!id th!t the prev!ilin5 opinion thereby
obliter!ted the cri$e of f!lsific!tion )nder /rt. 012 of the Revised Pen!l Code
si$ply bec!)se of the !lle5ed repe!l of C, Circ)l!r 2? by C, Circ)l!r 0AA
which served !s the $!in re!son for dividin5 the Co)rt in the c!se.
*f the $!%ority were to follow the s!$e !ppro!ch in these cri$in!l c!ses where
there is ! si$il!r division of the Co)rt !s to whether ! p!rtic)l!r pen!l st!t)te
or provision h!s been repe!led or rendered inoper!tive !nd the necess!ry
$!%ority c!nnot be h!d, !s in the cited c!se of -amire1, su"ra - then even
those who vote for !c()itt!l (!s those who voted for decl!rin5 the ()estioned
l!w inoper!tive) $)st cross over !nd %oin those votin5 contrarily for !ffir$!nce
of conviction in order to )phold the principle !pplied herein by the $!%ority th!t
6the pres)$ption of v!lidity Lof ! l!wM c!lls for its !pplic!tion6 : in viol!tion of
the cited R)les 5overnin5 ! divided Co)rtTs f!il)re to re!ch the necess!ry
$!%ority.
*n closin5, it sho)ld be borne in $ind th!t petitionerTs !ction to dis()!lify
respondent !nd to be procl!i$ed !s /lb)r()er()e ,ohol $!yor in his ste!d is
!n exercise in f)tility bec!)se (!) the officeTs ter$ h!s lon5 expired !nd (b)
$ore i$port!ntly, even if the ter$ $!y be dee$ed !s not h!vin5 expired, this
Co)rt h!s consistently held th!t ! petitioner in s)ch dis()!lific!tion
proceedin5s c!nnot be procl!i$ed !s elected to the office (in lie) of !
dis()!lified respondent) which is the only thin5 th!t petitioner h!s v!inly
so)5ht herein : to be procl!i$ed !nd se!ted !s $!yor vice the respondent
who defe!ted hi$ in the election. /s held in :ilar s. Paraiso, su"ra+
-0
6(/)s to
the ()estion whether, respondent bein5 ineli5ible, petitioner c!n be decl!red
elected, h!vin5 obt!ined second pl!ce in the elections, o)r !nswer is si$ple+
this Co)rt h!s !lre!dy decl!red th!t this c!nnot be done in the !bsence of !n
express provision !)thori;in5 s)ch decl!r!tion. O)r l!w not only does not
cont!in !ny s)ch provision b)t !pp!rently see$s to prohibit it,6

!RRE$O, J. conc)rrin5+
"y vote is to 5r!nt the petition !nd to decl!re respondent Rev. r. "!r5!rito
R. &on;!5! dis()!lified )nder #ection 201@ of the Revised /d$inistr!tive
Code fro$ bein5 $!yor of /lb)r()er()e ,ohol, which position he h!s
!ss)$ed by virt)e of his winnin5 in the loc!l elections held in 0810, for which
re!son he sho)ld be ordered to v!c!te the s!$e. * wo)ld, however, li$it the
5ro)nds for $y vote to the consider!tions herein)nder st!ted, for it is not the
d!n5er of !ny for$ or de5ree of ch)rch control of st!te !ff!irs th!t * perceive
in !llowin5 !n ecclesi!stic to be elected !s $!yor, the occ)rrence of s)ch !
contin5ency bein5 prob!bly ()ite re$ote now with the ch!r!cter of the ilipino
cler5y who !re ! f!r cry fro$ the fri!rs d)rin5 the #p!nish ti$es. * %)st c!nnot
i$!5ine how ! d)ly ord!ined $inister of &od whose s!cred life $ission is
s)pposed to be to serve &od !nd to !dv!nce !nd defend the interests of .is
ch)rch !bove !ll other interests c!n properly !ct !s ! 5overn$ent offici!l
co$$itted to enforce st!te policies which $!y conflict with the f)nd!$ent!l
tenets of th!t ch)rch.
* !5ree with the Chief 9)stice !nd 9)stice "!E!si!r th!t the tri!l co)rtTs r)lin5,
followin5 th!t of the Co$$ission on Blections, to the effect th!t #ection 201@
of the Revised /d$inistr!tive Code h!s been repe!led by #ection 2A of the
Blection Code of 0810 is not le5!lly correct. "ore th!n $erely decl!rin5
ecclesi!stics ineli5ible to ! $)nicip!l office, the /d$inistr!tive Code
provisions en%oins in the $ost )ne()ivoc!l ter$s their inc!p!city to hold s)ch
office whether by election or !ppoint$ent. *ndeed, the word 6ineli5ible6 in the
title of the section is in!ppropri!te. *f s!id Blection Code provision h!s !ny
inco$p!tibility with the !bove-$entioned /d$inistr!tive Code provision, it is
only by i$plic!tion !nd only insof!r !s $e$bers of the /r$ed orces of the
Philippines !re concerned, in the sense th!t s!id !r$y $en !re now !llowed
to r)n for election to $)nicip!l offices provided th!t they sh!ll be dee$ed to
!)to$!tic!lly ce!se in their !r$y positions )pon the filin5 of their respective
certific!tes of c!ndid!cy. #ection 2A does not define who !re ()!lified to be
c!ndid!tes for p)blic elective positions, nor who !re dis()!lified. *t $erely
st!tes wh!t is the effect of the filin5 of certific!tes of c!ndid!cy by those
referred to therein, which do not incl)de ecclesi!stics Th)s, the inconsistency
conte$pl!ted in #ection 2>8 of the Code !s prod)ctive of repe!lin5 effect
does not exist in the c!se of #ection 2A thereof vis-!-vis #ection 201@ of the
Revised /d$inistr!tive Code.
/ccordin5ly, the only w!y respondent r. &on;!5! c!n le5!lly hold to the
$!yorship he is occ)pyin5, is for #ection 201@ to be decl!red !s viol!tive of
the constit)tion!l in%)nction in #ection 0 (1) of the 08A@ Constit)tion of the
Philippines which w!s in force in 0810 th!t 67o reli5io)s test sh!ll be re()ired
for the exercise of civil or politic!l ri5hts6 !s contended by hi$. On this score,
it is $y considered view th!t there is no rep)5n!ncy !t !ll between #ection
201@, on the one h!nd, !nd the freedo$ of reli5ion provision of the Old
Constit)tion, which, incident!lly, is reprod)ced text)!lly in the 7ew Ch!rter,
!nd the principle of sep!r!tion of ch)rch !nd st!te, on the other.
The 6no reli5io)s test6 provision is fo)nded on the lon5 cherished principle of
sep!r!tion of ch)rch !nd st!te which the fr!$ers of o)r 081A Constit)tion
opted to incl)de !s !n express provision in the f)nd!$ent!l l!w by ord!inin5
th!t s)ch sep!r!tion 6sh!ll be inviol!ble6 (/rt. 2-, #ec. 0@), not !s !
red)nd!ncy b)t in order to co$prehend sit)!tions which $!y not be covered
by the provisions on reli5io)s freedo$ in the ,ill of Ri5hts. (/rt. *-, #ec. 3.) *t
si$ply $e!ns th!t no p)blic office $!y be denied to !ny person, by re!son of
his reli5io)s belief, incl)din5 his non-belief. 4hether he believes in &od or
not, or, believin5 in &od, he expresses !nd $!nifests his belief in one w!y or
!nother, does not dis()!lify hi$. ,)t when he beco$es ! reli5io)s or !n
ecclesi!stic he beco$es one who does not $erely belon5 to his ch)rch,
con5re5!tion or deno$in!tion or one who entert!ins his own reli5io)s beliefP
he beco$es the offici!l $inister of his ch)rch with distinct d)ties !nd
responsibilities which $!y not !lw!ys be co$p!tible with the post)re of
!bsol)te indifference !nd i$p!rti!lity to !ll reli5io)s beliefs which the
5overn$ent !nd !ll its offici!ls $)st $!int!in !t !ll ti$es, on !ll occ!sions !nd
in every !spect of h)$!n life !nd individ)!l ende!vor precisely bec!)se of the
sep!r!tion of ch)rch !nd st!te !nd the f)ll en%oy$ent of reli5io)s freedo$ by
everyone. There is no Enown s!fe5)!rd !5!inst wittin5 or )nwittin5, p!tent or
l!tent discri$in!tion th!t ! reli5io)s $!y l!pse into when confronted with !
sit)!tion where opposin5 reli5io)s interests $!ybe involved. /nd yet, it is in
s)ch ! predic!$ent th!t p!r!$o)nt p)blic interest wo)ld de$!nd th!t he
sho)ld neither hesit!te nor e()ivoc!te. .!vin5 in $ind the i$perfection of !ll
h)$!n bein5s, * c!nnot believe th!t !ny reli5io)s, fo)nd in s)ch )nenvi!ble
sit)!tion wo)ld be !ble to s)ccessf)lly !c()it hi$self fro$ !ll s)spicion of
conce!led interest in f!vor of his own ch)rch. 4h!t is worse, !ny !tte$pt on
his p!rt to looE the other w!y %)st to !void s)ch s)spicion of p!rti!lity $i5ht
only res)lt in $ore i$propriety or in%)stice. *ndeed, !s * see it, even the d!y of
perfect !nd sincere ec)$enis$ is not yet here.
*t is !lre!dy ! $!tter of deep !nxiety for everyone in !ny politic!l )nit
concerned th!t ! devo)t C!tholic or Protest!nt or ")sli$ l!y$!n holdin5 !
p)blic office therein $!y find it extre$ely diffic)lt, if not i$possible, to
dissoci!te his reli5io)s thinEin5 fro$ his %)d5$ent or $otiv!tions !s he !cts in
the perfor$!nce of his d)ties. Cert!inly, it wo)ld be ! 5r!ver proble$ if the
offici!l sho)ld h!ppen to be ! reli5io)s $inister, since his 5r!ver responsibility
to his ch)rch in the pre$ises co)ld i$!5in!bly o)twei5h in his decision
process the de$!nds of the 5ener!l p)blic interest. /s ! si$ple $!tter of
5ood 5overn$ent principle, the possibility of s)ch !n )ndesir!ble contin5ency
$)st be !voided. To $y $ind, it is %)st !s ob%ection!ble for !n offici!l of the
civil 5overn$ent to try to t!Ee p!rt in r)nnin5 !ny reli5io)s deno$in!tion or
order, !s it is for ! reli5io)s to involve hi$self in the r)nnin5 of the !ff!irs of
5overn$ent !s !n offici!l thereof. The observ!tions of 9)stice Teeh!nEee
!nent so$e reli5io)s le!ders n!$ed by hi$ who h!ve occ)pied positions in
the n!tion!l 5overn$ent either !s dele5!tes to the Constit)tion!l Conventions
of 08A> !nd 0810 or !s $e$bers of the n!tion!l le5isl!t)re !re, * re5ret to
s!y, $ispl!ced. /p!rt fro$ the f!ct th!t they were too few to decisively
i$press the in!lien!ble reli5io)s principles of their respective ch)rches on the
)lti$!te decisions of the conventions or the le5isl!tive bodies where they s!t
re5!rdin5 $!tters in which s!id ch)rches were interested, one h!s to be
)tterly n!ive to expect th!t !ther Uint!n!r for inst!nce, will not be 5)ided
excl)sively by the doctrines !nd decl!red offici!l position of the Ro$!n
C!tholic Ch)rch rel!ted to s)ch controversi!l s)b%ects !s divorce, !nn)l$ent
of $!rri!5es !nd birth control, to cite only ! few. 4ith!l, #ection 201@ covers
only $)nicip!l offices, for the si$ple re!son th!t it is in the lowest levels of the
5overn$ent str)ct)re where the offici!ls const!ntly de!l directly !nd
person!lly with the people th!t the risEs of reli5io)s infl)ences in the d!ily
!ff!irs of p)blic !d$inistr!tion c!n e!sily be exerted to the detri$ent of the
principle of sep!r!tion of ch)rch !nd st!te. "y i$pression is th!t if !ny
reli5io)s is now bein5 !llowed to hold !ny p!rtic)l!r office th!t re()ires
reli5io)s b!cE5ro)nd !nd !ppro!ch, it is $ostly in con%)nction with other
offici!ls with who$ he c!n only !ct in co$$on, s)ch !s, in the ,o!rd of
P!rdons !nd P!role, where he c!n exert !t $ost only ! de5ree of
reco$$end!tory infl)ence !nd he decides nothin5 concl)sively for the st!te.
*n !ny event, the spect!cle of ! priest !nd ! politici!n bein5 one !nd the s!$e
person $!y vet be !n !tte$pt to $ix oil with w!ter, if it wo)ld not be doin5
wh!t the #cript)res do not per$it+ honor both &od !nd "!$$on
Of co)rse, ! ilipino priest or ! n)n does not ce!se to be ! citi;en endowed
with !ll politic!l ri5hts !s s)ch. * $!int!in, however, th!t the choice by !ny
reli5io)s of the hi5h !nd noble voc!tion of dedic!tin5 his or her life to &od !nd
.is Ch)rch sho)ld, in the very n!t)re of thin5s !nd for the best interests of tile
co$$)nity !s ! whole, be dee$ed !s ! virt)!l w!iver or ren)nci!tion of the
prero5!tive to hold ! p)blic office, for the re!sons of inevit!ble inco$p!tibility *
h!ve disc)ssed e!rlier, !nd it is b)t lo5ic!l th!t the l!w 5ive effect to s)ch
ren)nci!tion, for the s!Ee of both, the ch)rch !nd the st!te. /s "r. 9)stice
R!$on C. /()ino !ptly p)ts it, it is not his or her reli5io)s belief b)t the
excl)sivistic ch!r!cter of the voc!tion he or she h!s e$br!ced th!t constit)tes
the b!r to !ny politic!l !$bition he or she $!y entert!in. 9)st !s the very *de!l
itself. of reli5io)s freedo$ h!s been held to yield to the de$!nds of the p)blic
interest, it is not illo5ic!l, $)ch less le5!lly )nten!ble, to constr)e the 6no
reli5io)s test6 provision in th e Constit)tion !s not constit)tin5 ! prohibition
!5!inst b!nnin5 !n ecclesi!stic fro$ holdin5 ! $)nicip!l office d)e to the
inco$p!tibility between his co$$it$ent to his voc!tions, on one h!nd, !nd
his loy!lty !nd dedic!tion to his p)blic office both of which re()ire his f)ll !nd
entire devotion.
%BSIR, J. conc)rrin5+
*t 5rieves $e to dissent on constit)tion!l !nd le5!l 5ro)nds fro$ $y brilli!nt
!nd le!rned colle!5)es, 9)stice Bnri()e ". ern!ndo, 9)stice Cl!)dio
Teeh!nEee !nd 9)stice Cecili! ")no; P!l$!, whose schol!rly dissert!tions
!lw!ys co$$!nd respectP bec!)se $y disc)sssion will be ! c!t!lo5)e of the
d!n5ers po by the Ch)rch in which * w!s born !nd n)rt)red liEe $y two sons
!nd two d!)5hters - the Ro$!n C!tholic Ch)rch, in whose service $y l!te
l!$ented f!ther w!nted to be, st)dyin5 !s he did for the priesthood in !
C!tholic se$in!ry
* f)lly conc)r with the no less incisive opinions of Chief 9)stice red R)i;
C!stro, !nd 9)stices /ntonio P. ,!rredo, elix I. /ntonio !nd R!$on C.
/()ino. * only wish to !dd so$e tho)5hts !voidin5 !s f!r !s possible rest!tin5
the cit!tions in their opinions.
*
,)t first, we sh!ll !pply the le5!l sc!lpel to dissect #ection 2A of the Blection
Code of 0810, which, in the opinion of the tri!l %)d5e, i$pliedly repe!led
#ection 201@ of the Revised /d$inistr!tive Code. This iss)e which w!s not
disc)ssed extensively by "r. 9)stice ern!ndo in his opinion, is the
centerpiece of the opinion of "r. 9)stice Teeh!nEee who conc)rs with hi$.
The two !lle5ed conflictin5 le5!l provisions !re here)nder ()oted+
#ec. 2A. C!ndid!te holdin5 !ppointive office or position. Bvery person holdin5 ! p)blic
!ppointive office or position, incl)din5 !ctive $e$bers of the /r$ed orces of the
Philippines !nd every officer or e$ployee in 5overn$ent-owned or controlled
corpor!tions, sh!ll i"so facto cease in his office or "osition on the date he files his
certificate of candidacy7 Proided, Th!t the filin5 of ! certific!te of c!ndid!cy sh!ll not
!ffect wh!tever civil, cri$in!l or !d$inistr!tive li!bilities which he $!y h!ve inc)rred
(Blection Code of 0810, e$ph!sis s)pplied).
#ection. 201@. Persons ineli5ible to $)nicip!l office. : 3n no case shall there be elected
or a""ointed to a munici"al office ecclesiastics, soldiers in !ctive service, persons
receivin5 s!l!ries or co$pens!tion fro$ provinci!l or n!tion!l f)nds, or contr!ctors for
p)blic worEs of the $)nicip!lity (Revised /d$inistr!tive Code, e$ph!sis s)pplied).
,!sic is the r)le th!t i$plied repe!ls !re not f!vored )nless there is s)ch !n
irreconcil!ble rep)5n!ncy between the two l!ws th!t both st!t)tes c!nnot
st!nd to5ether.
*t is p!tent th!t the two le5!l provisions !re co$p!tible with e!ch other.
#ection 2A of the Blection Codedoes not enumerate the "ersons dis()!lified
for ! p)blic elective or !ppointive officeP b)t merely "rescribes the effect of
filin0 a certificate of candidacy by !n !ppointive p)blic officer or e$ployee or
by !ctive $e$bers of the /r$ed orces of the Philippines or by !n officer or
e$ployee in ! 5overn$ent-owned or controlled corpor!tion.T #ection 2A st!tes
th!t )pon the filin5 of his certific!te of c!ndid!cy, s)ch !ppointive officer or
e$ployee or $e$ber of the /r$ed orces sh!ll Ei"so facto ce!se in his office
or position ...6 The obvio)s p)rpose is to prevent s)ch c!ndid!te fro$ t!Ein5
!dv!nt!5e of his position to the pre%)dice of the opposin5 c!ndid!tes not
si$il!rly sit)!ted.
On the other h!nd, #ection 201@ of the Revised /d$inistr!tive Code provides
for !n !bsol)te dis()!lific!tion !nd en)$er!tes the persons who !re so
!bsol)tely dis()!lified to r)n for or be !ppointed to ! $)nicip!l office which
en)$er!tion incl)des not only p)blic officers b)t !lso priv!te individ)!ls liEe
contr!ctors !nd ecclesi!stics #ection 2A of the Blection Code of 0810 !pplies
only to p)blic officers !nd e$ployees, incl)din5 those in 5overn$ent-owned
or controlled corpor!tions !nd $e$bers of the /r$ed orces, b)t not to
priv!te citi;ens, liEe contr!ctors or ecclesi!stics .ence, ! contr!ctor who is
not e$ployed in !ny 5overn$ent office or 5overn$ent-owned or controlled
corpor!tion or in the /r$ed orces, need not v!c!te his priv!te e$ploy$ent.,
if !ny, )pon his filin5 ! certific!te of c!ndid!cy. liEewise, if he were ()!lified in
the !bsence of the !bsol)te e dis()!lific!tions in #ection 201@ of the Revised
/d$inistr!tive Code, ! priest or $inister is not i"so facto divested of his
position in his ch)rch tile $o$ent he files his certific!te of c!ndid!cy.
The f!ct th!t the Co$$ission on Blections prior to the elections in 0810
denied petitionerTs petition for th !nn)l$ent of the certific!te of c!ndid!cy of
priv!te respondent, is not concl)sive on the #)pre$e Co)rt, the fin!l !rbiter
on le5!l ()estions !nd does not constit)te res judicata. The CO"B=BCTs
opinion $!y be pers)!sive, b)t never bindin5 on the #)pre$e Co)rt.
"oreover, the petition sho)ld h!ve been dis$issed !s pre$!t)re then,
bec!)se the iss)e $i5ht h!ve been rendered $oot !nd !c!de$ic sho)ld the
c!ndid!te so)5ht to be dis()!lified before the election loses the election. /t
!ny r!te, #ection 208 of the Blection Code of 0810 !)thori;es !ny voter to
file Auo /arranto proceedin5s !5!inst !ny loc!l officer-elect on the 5ro)nd of
ineli5ibility within fifteen (0@) d!ys !fter the procl!$!tion of his election. The
!dverse opinion on the p!rt of the CO"B=BC prior to the election, did not b!r
the petition for Auo /arranto )nder #ection 208 of the Blection Code of 0810.
"oreover, )nliEe the 081A Constit)tion, the 081A Constit)tion did not est n the
CO"B=BC !ny power to decide contests rel!tin5 to the election, ret)rns !nd
()!lific!tions of elective offici!ls, whether n!tion!l or loc!l. Dnder the 081A
Constit)tion the CO"B=BC is not conferred the power to decide contests
rel!tin5 to the election, ret)rns !nd ()!lific!tions of $)nicip!l elective offici!ls.
.owever, the 081A Constit)tion constit)tes the CO"B=BC the sole %)d5e of
!ll contests rel!tin5 to the elections, ret)rns !nd ()!lific!tions of the $e$bers
of the 7!tion!l /sse$bly !nd the elective provinci!l !nd city offici!ls (#ection
2L20, /rt. 2**, 081A Constit)tion)P b)t s) h deter$in!tion by the CO"B=BC is
still s)b%ect to review by the #)pre$e Co)rt (#ection * L0M, /rt. 2* 0, 081A
Constit)tion), which therefore is the )lti$!te !rbiter of s)ch election iss)es.
*f the i$plied repe!l theory were s)st!ined, then #ection 2A of t tie Blection
Code of 0810, if constr)ed to !llow ecclesi!stics !nd other $inisters of
reli5ion to r)n for or be !ppointed to ! $)nicip!l office collides with tile
Constit)tion !s the s!$e viol!tes the sep!r!tion of ch)rch !nd st!te expressly
en%oined b #ection 0@ of /rticle 2-, #ection 03(2) of /rticle -***, !nd #ection 3
of /rticle *- of the 081A Constit)tion for the re!sons herein!fter st!ted.
**
4B sh!ll proceed to $!rsh!l the forces with which to l!y sie5e on the cit!del
erected by "r. 9)st ice ern!ndo to s)st!in his theory th!t #ection 201@ of the
Revised /d$inistr!tive Code w!s !bro5!td by the no-reli5io)s test cl!)se of
#ection 0(1) of the ,ill of Ri5hts L/rt. *** of the 08A@ Constit)tion, which is re-
st!ted !s #ection 3 of the ,ill of Ri5hts (/rticle *-) of the 081A Constit)tion.
/s !bove st!ted, repe!ls by i$plic!tion !re !bhorred )nless there is ! cle!r
showin5 of co$plete !nd tot!l inco$p!tibility between the two l!ws. /nd 4B
believe th!t there is no s)ch irreconcil!ble rep)5n!ncy between #ection 201@
of the Revised /d$inistr!tive Code !nd the no-reli5io)s test cl!)se of the ,ill
of Ri5hts.
On the other h!nd, the proposition !dv!nced by $y brethren, 9)stices
ern!ndo !nd Teeh!nEee, cl!shes inevit!bly with the doctrine of sep!r!tion of
Ch)rch !nd #t!te expressly prohibited by #ection 0@ of /rticle 2- of the 081A
Constit)tion, conde$ned by #ection 3 of the ,ill of Ri5hts (/rticle *-), !nd
proscribed by #ection 3 of /rticle 2** !nd #ection i 3(2) of /rticle -* * * of the
081 A Constit)tion.
#ection 0@ of /rticle 2- c!te5oric!lly decl!res th!t+
The sep!r!tion of Ch)rch !nd #t!te sh!ll be inviol!ble.
#ection 3 of the ,ill of Ri5hts (/rticle *-) re!ds+
7o l!w sh!ll be $!de respectin5 !n est!blish$ent of reli5ion, or prohibitin5 the free
exercise thereof. The free exercise !nd en%oy$ent of reli5io)s profession !nd worship,
witho)t discri$in!tion or preference sh!ll forever be !llowed. 7o reli5io)s test sh!ll be
re()ired for the exercise of civil or politic!l ri5hts.
#ection 03(2) of /rticle -* * * st!tes+
7o p)blic $oney or property sh!ll ever be !ppropri!ted, !pplied, p!id, or )sed, directly or
indirectly, for the )se, benefit, or s)pport of !ny sect ch)rch deno$in!tion, sect!ri!n
instit)tion, or syste$ of reli5ion, or for the )se, benefit, or s)pport of !ny priest, pre!cher,
$inister, or other reli5io)s te!cher or di5nit!ry !s s)ch, except when s)ch priest,
pre!cher, $inister, or di5nit!ry, is !ssi5ned to the !r$ed forces, or to !ny pen!l instit)tion
on 5overn$ent orph!n!5e or lepros!ri)$.
#ection 3 of /rticle 2** co$$!nds th!t+
7o reli5io)s sect sh!ll be re5istered !s ! politic!l p!rty, ...
To stress, #ection 201@ of the Revised /d$inistr!tive Code, does not provide
for ! reli5io)s test for the exercise of civil !nd politic!l ri5hts. The s!id section
$erely defines ! dis()!lific!tion for ! p)blic office. *t prohibits priests or
$inisters of !ny reli5ion, !nd the other persons specified in s!id #ection 201@,
fro$ r)nnin5 for or bein5 !p silted to ! $)nicip!l p)blic office. *t does not
deprive s)ch specified individ)!ls of their politic!l ri5ht of s)ffr!5e : to elect !
p)blic offici!l.
/ citi;en, who *s ! C!tholic, Protest!nt, ")sli$, /5lip!y!n or ! $e$ber of the
*5lesi! ni Uristo, b)t who is not ! priest or ! $inister of !ny reli5ion, sect or
deno$in!tion, c!n r)n for ! $)nicip!l elective office. #ection 201@ does not
in()ire into the reli5ion or l!cE of it on the p!rt of !n ordin!ry citi;en. *f it does,
!ll citi;ens wo)ld be dis()!lified for election or !ppoint$ent to ! loc!l p)blic
officeP !nd there wo)ld be no need to sin5le o)t soldiers in !ctive service,
persons receivin5 s!l!ries or co$pens!tion fro$ provinci!l or n!tion!l f)nds,
or contr!ctors for p)blic worEs of the $)nicip!lity, !lon5 with ecclesi!stics /ll
these persons. whether priests or $inisters or soldiers or contr!ctors or
e$ployees of the n!tion!l or provinci!l 5overn$ent, profess so$e reli5ion or
reli5io)s belief. To repe!t, one is dis()!lified )nder #ection 201@, not by
re!son of his reli5ion or l!cE of it, b)t bec!)se of his reli5io)s profession or
voc!tion.
The sep!r!tion of Ch)rch !nd #t!te i$plicit in the ,ill of Ri5hts (#ec. 0, p!r. Ti
of /rt. *** of the 08A@ Constit)tions !nd #ec. 3, /rticle *-, 081A Constit)tion),
h!s been expressly st!ted !nd therefore stressed in #ection 0@ of /rticle 2-
of the 081A Constit)tion, which c!te5oric!lly en%oins th!t 6the sep!r!tion of
Ch)rch !nd #t!te sh!ll be inviol!ble.6 This b!sic principle which )nderlies the
str)ct)re of o)r 5overn$ent w!s the sh!rp re!ction to the historic!l lesson
le!rned by $!nEind in 5ener!l th!t the f)sion of 5overn$ent !nd reli5ion
tends to destroy 5overn$ent !nd de5r!de reli5ion 4n0el s.:itale A1? D# >20
bec!)se it inv!ri!bly de5ener!tes into tyr!nny. The terror th!t w!s the
*n()isition cl!i$ed for its victi$s physicist !nd !strono$er &!lileo &!lilei !nd
philosopher &iord!no ,r)no !$on5 tho)s!nds of other victi$s.
The view herein en)nci!ted by 9)stice ern!ndo !nd Teeh!nEee will !5!in
)sher in the er! of reli5io)s intoler!nce !nd oppression which ch!r!cteri;ed
the #p!nish re5i$e of !bo)t >?? ye!rs in the Philippines. *t will res)rrect in
o)r politic!l life th!t di!bolic !rr!n5e$ent which per$its tile 6encro!ch$ent of
Ch)rch )pon the %)risdiction of the 5overn$ent, !nd the exercise of politic!l
power by tile reli5io)s, in short, the )nion of the #t!te !nd the Ch)rch :
which historic!lly sp!wned !b)ses on the p!rt of the fri!rs th!t contrib)ted to
the re5ressiveness, the soci!l !nd politic!l b!cEw!rdness of the ilipinos
d)rin5 tile #p!nish Br! !nd brin5 !bo)t ! tr)ly theocr!tic st!te : the $ost
d!n5ero)s for$ of !bsol)tis$, !ccordin5 to =ord /cton th!t 5re!t liber!l
C!tholic !nd ill)strio)s schol!r (#en!tor Cl!ro ". Recto 6The Bvil of Reli5io)s
Test in o)r 'e$ocr!cy , speech delivered before the Centr!l Philippine
Dniversity on ebr)!ry 08, 086?).
4hen ! priest is !llowed to r)n for !n elective position, in the stirrin5 l!n5)!5e
of the er)dite Cl!ro ". Recto, he s!$e will re-est!blish 6! tyr!nnic!l re5i$e
th!t en5!5ed in the $ost vicio)s politic!l !nd reli5io)s persec)tion !5!inst
dissenters. The Ch)rch in the Philippines w!s responsible for the exec)tion of
!thers &o$e;, ,)r5os !nd N!$or!, of Ri;!l !nd other ilipino p!triots6
(speech delivered on ebr)!ry 0@, 08@3 before the #)pre$e Co)ncil of the
/ncient !nd /ccepted #cottish Rite of ree "!sonry).
7o do)bt #ection 201@ w!s desi5ned to preserve the indestr)ctible w!ll of
sep!r!tion between Ch)rch !nd #t!te the b!sic pill!r of o)r de$ocr!tic
re5i$e. The no-reli5io)s test cl!)se of the Constit)tion only i$ple$ents !nd
s)pple$ents oneTs freedo$ to entert!in views of his rel!tions to his Cre!tor
!nd to pre!ch, prop!5!te !nd ev!n5eli;e his reli5io)s belief. ,)t s)ch no-
reli5io)s test does not 5)!r!ntee hi$ the ri5ht to r)n for or be !ppointed to !
p)blic office !nd there!fter to )se s)ch p)blic office to co$pel the citi;enry to
confor$ to his reli5io)s belief, thereby to 5!in for his Ch)rch do$in!nce over
the #t!te.
/ priest or $inister, once elected or !ppointed to ! $)nicip!l office,
necess!rily en%oys the s!l!ry pert!inin5 to the office. This wo)ld be ! direct
viol!tion of the prohibition )nder #ection 03(2) of /rticle -*** of the 081A
Constit)tion which w!s cont!ined in p!r!5r!ph A of #ection 2A of /rticle -* of
the 08A@ Constit)tion. 7ot only p)blic f)nds will be !ppropri!ted for his s!l!ry
b)t the priest or $inister th)s elected or !ppointed !s ! $)nicip!l officer
e$ployee will !lso directly or indirectly en%oy the )se or benefit of !ny property
of the $)nicip!lity. The only exception where s)ch !ppropri!tion of p)blic
$oney or property c!n be v!lidly $!de in f!vor of s)ch priest or $inister is
when he is !ssi5ned to the /r$ed orces or to !ny pen!l instit)tion or
5overn$ent orph!n!5e or lepros!ri)$.
4h!t will necess!rily follow wo)ld be the Ch)rch fieldin5 its own c!ndid!tes
for $)nicip!l offices !ll over the co)ntry even witho)t re5isterin5 !s ! politic!l
p!rty. #)ch s)pport by the Ch)rch, !ltho)5h not re5istered !s ! politic!l p!rty,
re$!ins ! circ)$vention of the !bsol)te prohibition specified in #ection 3 of
/rticle 2** of the 081A Constit)tion. /nd when the $!%ority of the winnin5
c!ndid!tes for elective offices in tile towns !ll over the co)ntry !re s)pported
by the Ch)rch, these offici!ls will n!t)r!lly be beholden to the Ch)rch !nd will
)tili;e : covertly or overtly : their office to f)rther the interests of the Ch)rch.
4hen the Ch)rch !chieves s)ch politic!l do$in!nce, then the Ch)rch will
h!ve the power to pers)!de the elector!te or citi;enry to !$end the
Constit)tion to eli$in!te !ll the provisions on sep!r!tion of Ch)rch !nd #t!te,
the est!blish$ent of st!te reli5ion !nd the )tili;!tion of p)blic f)nds or
property by the Ch)rch or by !ny of its priests or $inisters !nd the prohibition
!5!inst the re5istr!tion of ! reli5io)s sect !s ! politic!l p!rty.
The history of $!nEind, incl)din5 o)r own history, to which "r. 9)stice 9ose P.
=!)rel !ppe!led in%0li"ay s. -ui1 (6> Phil. 2?0, 2?@), !nd o)r %)rispr)dence
f)rnish the for$id!ble evidence of the d!n5ers th!t reli5io)s s)pre$!cy poses
to o)r co)ntry !nd people.
Once ! p!rtic)l!r ch)rch or reli5ion controls or is $er5ed with the #t!te, we
sh!ll bid 5oodbye to !ll o)r libertiesP bec!)se !ll other ch)rches, reli5ions,
sects or deno$in!tions !nd !ll other dissenters of wh!tever h)e or
pers)!sion, will not be toler!ted.
9)st recently, col)$nist Teodoro . -!lenci! reco)nted in his col)$n of /)5)st
@, 0813 th!t ! cert!in 69ose ,. "!r!be of '!v!o City reports th!t in the town
fiest! of T!l!lor! 4est #!$!r, b!rrio offici!ls were co$pelled to beco$e
/5lip!y!ns bec!)se the $!yor t)rned /5lip!y!n. Those who did not obey
were denied b!r!n5!y !id6 (Over ! C)p of Coffee, '!ily Bxpress, /)5)st
@00813, p. @).
or$er #en!tor Cl!ro ". Recto, the f!ther of the 08A@ Constit)tion, p!inf)lly
n!rr!tes+
/nd yet we h!ve been witnesses to the f!ct in the l!st two elections th!t reli5io)s
or5!ni;!tions, priests !nd n)ns, bishops !nd !rchbishops descended )pon the politic!l
!ren!, not only to )r5e the f!ithf)l to s)pport their own f!vorite c!ndid!tes for n!tion!l
positions, b)t to en%oin the$ fro$ votin5 for cert!in c!ndid!tes who$ the hier!rchy
considered ene$ies of the ch)rch, )nder thre!t of ex-co$$)nic!tion !nd etern!l
d!$n!tion The confession!l !nd the p)lpit h!ve been )tili;ed for these p)rposes.
xxx xxx xxx
*n the elections of 08@@ the hier!rchy $!de the first try. The hier!rchy 5!ve sever!l
c!ndid!tes for the #en!te their i$pri$!t)r !nd their blessin5 !nd not only en%oined the
f!ithf)l to worE !nd vote for the$ b)t !lso en%oined the$ not to vote for c!ndid!tes who$
they h!d decl!red !n!the$!. Their !5ents cond)cted the c!$p!i5n first in whispers !nd
thro)5h h!ndbills !nd newsp!per !rticles !nd c!ric!t)res in the hier!rchyTs own press
or5!n, b)t l!ter the confession!l !nd, in cert!in !re!s, the p)lpits bec!$e c!$p!i5n
pl!tfor$s. Reli5io)s l!y or5!ni;!tions, priests !nd n)ns, schools of both sexes, tooE
!ctive p!rt in the c!$p!i5n. This w!s the ch)rch $ilit!nt !nd the hier!rchy were
s)ccessf)l to ! cert!in extent. They were !ble to elect !t le!st two sen!tors, !ltho)5h
they f!iled to prevent the election of one they $ost h!ted, !b)sed !nd $!li5ned. Ple!sed
!nd enco)r!5ed by their initi!l victory the hier!rchy $!de ! second try in the 5ener!l
elections. They p)t )p c!ndid!tes for !ll n!tion!l offices, President, -ice-President,
#en!tors !nd Represent!tives. They f!iled to elect the President, however, bec!)se the
hier!rchy were hopelessly divided on the Presidency, !s seen in the !dvertise$ents
which !ppe!red in ! section of the loc!l press. ,ishops in le!5)e with ! ilipino
/rchbishop, were b!cEin5 one c!ndid!te. Those owin5 fe!lty to ! forei5n diplo$!tic
represent!tive of the Ch)rch went !ll-o)t for !nother c!ndid!te. They were !ll one,
however, in en%oinin5 the f!ithf)l fro$ votin5 for ! third c!ndid!te, the s!$e one they h!d
fo)5ht bitterly b)t )ns)ccessf)lly in the precedin5 sen!tori!l elections.
.!ppily for the winnin5 c!ndid!te for -ice-President, they were !ll )nited for hi$. 7ot th!t
the other three c!ndid!tes for the office were rep)ted ene$ies of the ch)rch. ,)t one of
the$, orthodox in his f!ith !nd ! re5)l!r observ!nt, they disliEed for h!vin5 sponsored
!nd voted for the Ri;!l ,ill. They disc!rded !nother s)pposedly bec!)se of his !lle5edly
non-too-exe$pl!ry priv!te life. /nd !s to ! third one, !n !cEnowled5ed C!tholic le!der, it
w!s their belief th!t it wo)ld be w!stin5 votes on hi$ !s he w!s never 5iven ! ch!nce to
win. The victor, bein5 the sole c!ndid!te of the ch)rch for -ice- President, co)ld not b)t
win, th)s %)stifyin5 the n!$e with which he w!s christened, the #p!nish word for &od-
5iven+ 'iosd!do. The ch)rch w!s !lso s)ccessf)l in electin5 two sen!tors. 7ot th!t the
re$!inin5 six were not C!tholics, b)t th!t they were not p!rtic)l!rly f!vorites.
*t is th)s )ndeni!ble th!t while the Constit)tion en%oins the st!te fro$ re()irin5 !ny
reli5io)s test for the exercise of politic!l ri5hts, it is the ch)rch th!t in pr!ctice h!s of l!te
re()ired s)ch ! test !ccordin5 to its own st!nd!rds.
4h!t w!s the c!)se of this s)dden politic!l belli5erence on the p!rt of the hier!rchy<
4hy this recent )n!b!shed !tte$pt to do$in!te the st!te thro)5h the b!llot box< 7o
better !nswer c!n be 5iven except th!t the hier!rchy $)st h!ve re!ched ! decision to
i$ple$ent the policy !nno)nced in Ro$e in 08>3, not ex!ctly by the -!tic!n, b)t by the
offici!l or5!n of ! powerf)l reli5io)s or5!ni;!tion rep)ted to be !dviser to Popes, in !
le!din5 !rticle which procl!i$ed the followin5+
The Ro$!n C!tholic Ch)rch, convinced thro)5h its devisee prero5!tives, of bein5 the
only tr)e ch)rch, $)st de$!nd the ri5ht of freedo$ for herself !lone, bec!)se s)ch !
ri5ht c!n only be possessed by tr)th, never by error. /s to other reli5ions, the Ch)rch will
cert!inly never dr!w the sword, b)t she will re()ire th!t by le5iti$!te $e!ns they sh!ll
not be !llowed to prop!5!te f!lse doctrine. Conse()ently, in ! st!te where the $!%ority of
the people !re C!tholic, the Ch)rch will re()ire th!t le5!l existence be denied to error,
!nd th!t if reli5io)s $inorities !ct)!lly exist, they sh!ll h!ve only ! de f!cto existence
witho)t opport)nity to spre!d their beliefs ... *n so$e co)ntries, C!tholics will be obli5ed
to !sE f)ll reli5io)s freedo$ for !ll, resi5ned !t bein5 forced to co-h!bit!te where they
!lone sho)ld ri5htf)lly be !llowed to live. ,)t in doin5 this the Ch)rch does not reno)nce
her thesis, which re$!ins the $ost i$per!tive of her l!ws, b)t $erely !d!pts herself
to de factoconditions, which $)st be t!Een into !cco)nt in pr!ctic!l !ff!irs ...
This is the essence, not of reli5io)s freedo$, b)t of sect!ri!n intoler!nce+ the ch)rch,
when ! $inority in ! 5iven co)ntry, )r5es freedo$ of worship !nd co-existence !lon5 with
othersP b)t when in the $!%ority, it denies th!t freedo$ to other f!ith deno$in!tions, !nd
cl!i$s ! $onopoly on tr)th. T> Cert!inly this w!s not the view of the fo)nders of the
/$eric!n Rep)blic when they instit)ted the principle of reli5io)s freedo$.
xxx xxx xxx
The policy !nno)nced in Ro$e in 08>3, to which * !lre!dy referred, c!n find no $ore
!de()!te !nd concl)sive ref)t!tion th!n in the followin5 st!te$ent by 'r. 9ohn ,. ,)ry,
Re5i)s Professor of "odern .istory, Dniversity of C!$brid5e, in his / .istory of reedo$
of Tho)5ht+
/ st!te with !n offici!l reli5io)s b)t perfectly toler!nt of !ll creeds !nd c)lts, finds th!t !
society h!d !risen in its $idst which is )nco$pro$isin5ly hostile to !ll creeds b)t is own
!nd which, if it h!d the power, wo)ld s)ppress !ll b)t its own. The 5overn$ent in self-
defense decides to checE the disse$in!tion of these s)bversive *de!s !nd $!Ees the
profession of th!t creed ! cri$e, not on !cco)nt of its p!rtic)l!r tenets b)t on !cco)nt of
the soci!l conse()ences of those tenets The $e$bers of the society c!nnot witho)t
viol!tin5 their consciences !nd inc)rrin5 d!$n!tion !b!ndon their excl)sive doctrine. The
principle of freedo$ of conscience is !sserted !s s)perior to !ll obli5!tions to the #t!te,
!nd the #t!te, confronted by this new cl!i$, is )n!ble to !d$it it. Persec)tion is the
res)lt. (pp. >1>3).
4h!t is to h!ppen when obedience to the l!w is inconsistent with obedience to !n
invisible $!ster< *s it inc)$bent on the #t!te to respect the conscience of the individ)!l
!t !ll costs, or within wh!t li$its< The christi!ns did not !tte$pt ! sol)tion, the 5ener!l
proble$ did not interest the$. They cl!i$ed the ri5ht of freedo$ excl)sively for
the$selves fro$ ! non-Christi!n 5overn$entP !nd it is h!rdly 5oin5 too f!r to s)spect th!t
they wo)ld h!ve !ppl!)ded the 5overn$ent if it h!d s)ppressed the &nostic sects who$
they h!ted !nd c!l)$ni!ted
*n !ny c!se, when ! Christi!n #t!te w!s est!blished, they wo)ld co$pletely for5et the
principles which they h!d invoEed. The $!rtyrs died for conscience, b)t not for liberty.
Tod!y the 5re!test of the Ch)rches de$!nds freedo$ of conscience in the $odern
#t!tes which she does not control, b)t ref)ses to !d$it th!t, where she h!d the power, it
wo)ld be inc)$bent on her to concede it. (pp. >8-@?)
')rin5 the two cent)ries in which they h!d been ! forbid. den t the Christi!ns h!d
cl!i$ed toler!tion on the 5ro)nd th!t reli5io)s belief is vol)nt!ry !nd not ! thin5 which
c!n be enforced. 4hen their f!ith bec!$e the predo$in!nt creed !nd h!d the power of
The #t!te behind it, they !b!ndoned this view. They e$b!rEed or The hopef)l enterprise of
brin5in5 !bo)t ! co$plete )nifor$ity in $enTs opinions on the $ysteries of the )niverse,
!nd be5!n ! $ore or less definite policy of coercin5 tho)5ht. This policy w!s !dopted by
B$perors !nd &overn$ents p!rtly on politic!l 5ro)ndsP reli5io)s divisions, bitter !s they
were, see$ed d!n5ero)s to the )nity of the #t!te. ,)t the f)nd!$ent!l principle l!y in
the doctrine th!t s!lv!tion is to be fo)nd excl)sively in the Christi!n Ch)rch. The
profo)nd conviction th!t those who did not believe in its doctrines wo)ld be d!$ned
etern!lly, !nd th!t &od p)nishes theolo5ic!l error !s if it were the $ost heino)s of cri$es,
h!s n!t)r!lly led to persec)tion. *t w!s ! d)ty to i$pose on $en the only tr)e doctrine,
seein5 th!t their own etern!l interests were !t st!Ee, !nd to hinder errors fro$ spre!din5,
heretics were $ore th!n ordin!ry cri$in!ls !nd the p!in th!t $!n co)ld inflict on the$
were nothin5 to the tort)res !w!itin5 the$ in hell. To rid the e!rth of $en who, however
virt)o)s, were thro)5h their reli5io)s errors, ene$ies of the /l$i5hty, w!s ! pl!in d)ty.
Their virt)es were no exc)se. 4e $)st re$e$ber th!t !ccordin5 to the h)$!ne doctrine
of the Christi!ns, p!5!n th!t is, $erely h)$!n virt)es were vices, !nd inf!nts who died
)nb!pti;ed p!ssed the rest of ti$e in creepin5 on the floor of hell. The intoler!nce !risin5
fro$ s)ch views co)ld not b)t differ in Eind !nd intensity fro$ !nythin5 th!t the world h!d
yet witnessed.T (pp. @2-@A)6 LThe Ch)rch !nd #t!te Dnder the Constit)tion, =!wyers
9o)rn!l "!rch A0, 08@3, pp. 3A-3>M
#ection 201@ of the Revised /d$inistr!tive Code does not therefore cl!sh
with the no-reli5io)s test 5)!r!nteeP bec!)se the s!$e is indispens!ble to the
very s)rviv!l of this rep)blic !5!inst reli5io)s intoler!nce !nd he5e$ony *f the
0810 Coninstit)tion!l Convention w!s not profo)ndly !pprehensive of the evil
effects of the f)sion of the Ch)rch !nd #t!te, it wo)ld not h!ve expressly
re!ffir$ed the inviol!bility of s)ch sep!r!tion, !s heretofore st!ted, in #ection
0@ of /rticle 2- of the 081A Constit)tion. #)ch deep conviction of the ilipino
people w!s first 5iven expression in 0388, even before the be5innin5 of the
/$eric!n re5i$e, by o)r !ncestors who, by re!son of their h!vin5 been
s)b%ect to the indi5nities 5ener!ted by the )nion of Ch)rch !nd #t!te, to
ins)re th!t s)ch oppression will no lon5er !bide, incorpor!ted expressly in the
"!lolos Constit)tion of the irst Philippine Rep)blic th!t the st!te reco5ni;es
the e()!lity of !ll reli5o)s worships !nd the se"aration of the Church and
!tate6 (/rt. -, Title 000, "!lolos Constit)tion).
/s ! livin5 witness to the reli5io)s tyr!nny d)rin5 the #p!nish re5i$e, 9)stice
lorentino TTorres of this #)pre$e Trib)n!l !ffir$ed before the Philippine
Co$$ission in 08?? the !b)ses of the fri!rs (see /5oncillo !nd /lfonso, /
.istory of the ilipino People. 086? ed. p. 00P @ ()oted in the dissentin5
opinion of 9)stice /ntonio).
Professor Ren!to Const!ntino reco)nts+
,)t the f)nd!$ent!l c!)se for the w!rnin5 ;e!l !nd ens)in5 corr)ption of the fri!rs w!s
their !cc()isition of property.
/ letter to &overnor '!s$!rin!s fro$ ,ishop 'o$in5o #!l!;!r d!ted "!rch 20, 0@80.
reco)nts in p!ssin5 how the reli5io)s in "exico obt!ined the revoc!tion of ! loy!l
prohibition !5!inst their ownin5 property. the reli5io)s contended th!t there were too
$!ny dis!dv!nt!5es in h!vin5 the fri!rs live !lone. They proposed the est!blish$ent of
ho)ses to be $!nned by !t le!st fo)r ecclesi!stics ,)t this r!ised the proble$ of their
s)pport. 'ecl!rin5 th!t they did not w!nt their $ission!ries to be ! b)rden to their flocE,
the 'o$inic!ns !nd the /)5)stini!ns s)55ested th!t the best sol)tion ,one est!tes in the
n!tive wo)ld be for the Ein5 5r!nt the$ so$e est!tes in the n!tive propos!l r!n co)nter
to ! roy!l order th!t the cler5y sho)ld not own l!nds in the *ndi!n vill!5es+ b)t the
reli5io)s, thro)5h ,ishop #!l!;!r hi$self. s)cceeded in pers)!din5 the Ein5 to revoEe his
decree.
xxx xxx xxx
The fri!rs !lso bo)5ht l!nd fro$ tile n!tives with the $oney they obt!ined fro$ ch)rch
fees, fro$ tr!de, or fro$ the profits 5!ined fro$ the prod)ce of l!nds which )tili;ed forced
l!bor. 4ith their presti5e !nd power, it w!s e!sy for the$ to press)re vill!5ers into sellin5
the$ their l!nds !t very low prices.
Other l!ndholdin5s were !c()ired thro)5h the foreclos)re of $ort5!5es. The story of how
fri!rs bec!$e $ort5!5ees often be5!n innoc)o)sly eno)5h. =ivin5 !s they did !$on5
the people, the reli5io)s were in the best position to !ppreci!te the possibilities of
!5ric)lt)r!l develop$ent. #eein5 th!t the obst!cle to $ore extensive c)ltiv!tion w!s l!cE
of c!pit!l, $!ny priests entered into p!rtnership with f!r$ers, !dv!ncin5 the$ $oney for
seeds, worE !ni$!ls !nd tools. The priests received h!lf of the h!rvest.
/ltho)5h this !rr!n5e$ent f!vored the $oney lender who received ! f!t sh!re witho)t
worEin5, !t le!st he r!n the s!$e risE !s the f!r$er of 5ettin5 little if the h!rvest w!s
poor. ,)t when the dependence on priestly c!pit!l h!d beco$e $ore or less est!blished,
the fri!rs be5!n to de$!nd th!t their !dv!nces be re5!rded !s lo!ns p!y!ble !t ! fixed
r!te of interest whether the h!rvests were 5ood or b!d. The risEs were now borne by the
tillers !lone, !nd in b!d se!sons they r!n into debt.
4hen s)ch debts !cc)$)l!ted, the fri!rs forced the f!r$ers to $ort5!5e their l!nd to
the$ !nd event)!lly foreclosed the $ort5!5e. The fri!rs then obt!ined title to s)ch l!nds
!nd the f!r$er-owners were either driven !w!y or bec!$e ten!nts.
xxx xxx xxx
#o$e fri!r l!nds were obt!ined thro)5h o)tri5ht )s)rp!tion. 4ith the help of corr)pt
s)rveyors !nd other 5overn$ent offici!l, reli5io)s corpor!tions were !ble to exp!nd their
l!ndholdin5s. /ddition!l hect!res of l!nd o)tside ori5in!l bo)nd!ries of fri!r property
were si$ply 5obbled )p e!ch ti$e ! new s)rvey w!s )ndert!Een. "!ny ti$es, the priests
%)st cl!i$ed pieces of l!nd, drew $!ps of the$, h!d the$ titled, !nd set the$selves )p
!s owners.
The ori5in!l n!tive settlers who h!d tired the l!nd for ye!rs were s)$$!rily decl!red to
be s()!tters. 4hen the n!tives protested, they were !sEed for le5!l proofs of ownership
of the l!nd in ()estion. "ore often th!n not, they co)ld not show !ny le5!l doc)$ent
!ttestin5 to their ownership of the l!nd. The n!tives did not h!ve Ttit)los re!les since their
cl!i$ to the l!nd w!s b!sed on de f!cto possession.
xxx xxx xxx
T!xes, trib)tes, exorbit!nt rents !nd !rbitr!ry incre!ses of the s!$e, forced l!bor !nd
person!l services : !ll these intensified the h!rdships of n!tives who now h!d to 5ive )p
! 5ood p!rt of their prod)ce to their l!ndlords. *n !ddition, so$e !d$inistr!tors pr!cticed
other petty cr)elties which c!)sed $)ch s)fferin5 !$on5 the people.
*n 01>@, in the 9es)it r!nches of =i!n !nd 7!s)5b), ,!t!n5!s, for ex!$ple, the people
!cc)sed the reli5io)s not only of )s)rpin5 the c)ltiv!ted l!nds !nd the hills th!t belon5ed
to the$ b)t !lso of ref)sin5 to !llow the ten!nts to 5et wood, r!tt!n !nd b!$boo for their
person!l )se )nless they p!id the s)$s ch!r5e by the fri!rs.
*n ,)l!c!n, vill!5ers co$pl!ined th!t the reli5io)s che!ted the$ o)t of their l!nds !nd
then cr)elly proceeded to deny the$ the ri5ht to fish in the rivers, to c)t firewood, !nd to
5!ther wild fr)its fro$ the forests. The fri!rs wo)ld not even !llow their c!r!b!os to 5r!;e
on the hills since the reli5io)s now cl!i$ed !ll these !re!s !s their own. 6*n C!vite,
"!nil! !nd ,)l!c!n, s$!ll l!ndholders co$pl!ined th!t since the fri!rs, owned the l!nd
thro)5h which the rivers p!ssed, they h!d to !5ree to the fri!rsT ter$s if they w!nted
w!ter for irri5!tion p)rposes.
=essees of fri!r l!nds protested bitterly th!t their l!ndlords r!ised their rents !l$ost every
ye!r !nd p!rtic)l!rly whenever they s!w th!t thro)5h the f!r$ersT l!bor the l!nd h!d
beco$e $ore prod)ctive. *n so$e c!ses, they even i$posed ! s)rt!x on trees pl!nted by
the ten!nts. 4hen they !ccepted rent!l p!y$ents in Eind, the !d$inistr!tors of the fri!r
est!tes !rbitr!rily fixed the prices of these prod)cts, n!t)r!lly !t lower th!n prev!ilin5
prices.
/side fro$ instit)tion!l exploit!tion, ex!ctions of ! person!l n!t)re were r!$p!nt.
C)r!tes ch!r5ed ! bewilderin5 n)$ber of fees for !ll sorts of rites, fro$ b!ptis$ to b)ri!l.
The n!tives p!id even if it $e!nt sellin5 their l!st possessions bec!)se they h!d been
t!)5ht th!t s)ch rites were indispens!ble to the s!lv!tion of their so)ls.
ri!rs $!de $oney sellin5 ros!ries, sc!p)l!rs !nd other reli5io)s ob%ects. They re()ired
fro$ their flocE !ll Einds of person!l services !nd 5ifts of food for the convent t!ble.
Priests often !d$inistered corpor!l p)nish$ent, )s)!lly whippin5s on n!tives who d!red
disobey their orders or disre5!rd their c!prices. Dn$!rried 5irls were co$pelled to report
to the convent to po)nd rice !nd sweep the ch)rch floors. The l!r5e n)$ber of ilipinos
tod!y who h!ve ! priest so$ewhere in their f!$ily trees !ttests to the fre()ency with
which the vows of celib!cy were tr!ns5ressed.
Of co)rse, the cr)elty c!pricio)sness !nd fre()ency of !b)ses depended on the
ch!r!cter of the individ)!l priest - !nd there were 5ood !nd b!d. .owever, it c!nnot be
denied th!t the virt)!lly )nch!llen5ed power of the fri!r in $ost co$$)nities h!d !
corr)ptin5 infl)ence on $ost.
The peopleTs $o)ntin5 resent$ent led the$ to co$$it v!rio)s !cts of defi!nce, to ref)se
to p!y the )n%)st t!xes i$posed by fri!r est!te !d$inistr!tors, !nd fin!lly to resort to
!r$ed rebellion. #o serio)s were the clerics !b)ses th!t by 01@0, the Ein5 w!s $oved to
iss)e ! roy!l decree orderin5 loc!l 5overn$ent !)thorities
to exercise here!fter the )t$ost vi5il!nce in order th!t the *ndi!ns of the
s!id vill!5es $!y not be $olested by the reli5io)s, !nd th!t the l!tter
sho)ld be Eept in checE in the )n%)st !cts which they $!y in f)t)re
!tte$pt ...
,)t by th!t ti$e s)ch ! directive co)ld h!rdly be enforced. The fri!rs h!d beco$e too
powerf)l not only bec!)se of their spirit)!l hold over both the #p!nish offici!ls !nd the
n!tives, b)t !lso by virt)e of their est!blished econo$ic power. *n !ddition, they h!d
beco$e ! )bi()ito)s presence in the loc!l $!chinery of !d$inistr!tion.
/5!inst the power of his fri!r l!ndlord, ! ten!nt fo)nd it i$possible to prosec)te his
interests or h!ve his co$pl!ints he!rd. / poor ten!nt co)ld not !fford the costs of !
l!ws)it, 5r!ntin5 th!t he Enew the first thin5 !bo)t liti5!tion proced)res. ,esides, wh!t
ch!nce h!d he !5!inst s)ch ! powerf)l fi5)re !s ! fri!r< *f ! fri!r w!nted ! ten!nt
evicted, the cleric co)ld e!sily prev!il )pon ! %)d5e to iss)e the order. !nd he co)ld !s
e!sily !v!il hi$self of 5overn$ent forces to exec)te the decision. Rec!lcitr!nt ten!nts
were often evicted en $!sse there were so $!ny l!ndless pe!s!nts to t!Ee their pl!ces,
!nyw!y.
Bxploit!tion, with its conco$it!nt person!l cr)elties !nd !b)ses, w!s p!rt !nd p!rcel of
the i$per!tive of property exp!nsion once the fri!rsT ri5ht to property h!d been
reco5ni;ed. Bcono$ic power enh!nced politic!l power, !nd politic!l power w!s )sed ti$e
!nd !5!in to exp!nd econo$ic power !nd to oppose !ny !tte$pts by 5overn$ent to
fr)str!te econo$ic exp!nsion.
,y the end of the #p!nish occ)p!tion, the fri!r were in possession of $ore th!n 03@,???
hect!res or !bo)t one-fifteenth of the l!nd )nder c)ltiv!tion. Of this tot!l, !ro)nd 00?,???
hect!res were in the vicinity of "!nil!.
xxx xxx xxx
The e!rly !scend!ncy of the Ch)rch over the #t!te w!s $!de possible by the s)ccess
with which the fri!rs )ndertooE, !l$ost sin5le-h!ndedly, the p!cific!tion of t lie co)ntry.
#ince this s)ccess w!s d)e in l!r5e $e!s)re to the n!tiveTs !ccept!nce of the new
reli5ion, #p!nish power in $ost co$$)nities rested on the infl)ence of the reli5io)s. The
prev!lent opinion !t th!t ti$e th!t Tin e!ch fri!r ill the Philippines the Ein5 h!d ! c!pt!in
5ener!l !nd ! whole !r$y is ! reco5nition of this f!ct.
"oreover, in $ore th!n h!lf of the vill!5es in tile isl!nds there w!s no other #p!ni!rd,
!nd therefore no other coloni!l !)thority the fri!r. This st!te of !ff!irs obt!ined !l$ost to
tile end of #p!nish r)le.
Other f!ctors contrib)ted to fri!r !scend!ncy. The fri!rs Enowled5e of the l!nd !nd of the
people w!s inv!ri!bly s)perior to th!t of the 5overn$ent f)nction!ry. The #p!nish
!lc!ldes $!yores were dependent on the reli5io)s not only bec!)se t he l!tter spoEe * lie
n!tive di!lects b)t !lso bec!)se the ten)re of these 5overn$ent offici!ls w!s te$por!ry
while th!t of the p!rish priest w!s $ore or less per$!nent.
/ $ore f)nd!$ent!l b!sis of the 5re!t politic!l power of the reli5io)s w!s the #p!nish
concept of the )nion of Ch)rch !nd #t!te. The fri!r w!s entr)sted with !n ever-5rowin5
n)$ber of civil d)ties within the co$$)nity )ntil there w!s no !spect of co$$)nity life in
which he did not h!ve ! h!nd.
.e w!s inspector of pri$!ry schools, !nd of t!x!tionP president of the
bo!rd of he!lth, ch!rities, of )rb!n t!x!tion, of st!tistics, of prisonsP
for$erly, president of the bo!rd of p)blic worEs. .e w!s ! $e$ber of the
provinci!l bo!rd !nd the bo!rd for p!rtitionin5 crown l!nds. .e w!s
censor of the $)nicip!l b)d5et, of pl!ys co$edies !nd dr!$!s in the
n!tive l!n5)!5e 5iven !t the co)nselor of $!tters in re5!rd to the
correctness of ced)l!s, $)nicip!l co)ncil, the police force, the schools,
!nd the dr!win5 of lots for !r$y service.
Bcono$ic power thro)5h l!ndholdin5 !nd thro)5h invest$ents in forei5n !nd intern!l
tr!de, politic!l power thro)5h extensive p!rticip!tion in 5overn$ent, !nd spirit)!l control
over both the n!tive pop)l!tion !nd fellow #p!ni!rds : !ll these co$bined to $!Ee the
fri!r the princip!l fi5)re in e!ch co$$)nity, !nd the Ch)rch the do$in!nt power in the
co)ntry.
xxx xxx xxx
Ti$e !nd !5!in, 5overnors co$pl!ined of the !b)ses of the cler5y !nd !ppe!led to the
#p!nish $on!rch to c)rt!il their powers. /s e!rly !s 0@82, &overnor '!s$!rin!s w!s
!lre!dy r!ilin5 !5!inst fri!r power. .e wrote+
/nd the fri!rs s!y the s!$e thin5 : n!$ely, th!t they will !b!ndon their
doctrin!s (i.e., Christi!n vill!5es) if their power over the *ndi!ns is t!Een
!w!y. This power is s)ch th!t the *ndi!ns reco5ni;e no other Ein5 or
s)perior th!n tile f!ther of the doctrine !nd !re $ore !ttentive to his
co$$!nds th!n to those of the 5overnor, Therefore the fri!rs $!Ee )se
of the$ by the h)ndreds, !s sl!ves, in their rowin5, worEs, services, !nd
in other w!ys, witho)t p!yin5 the$, !nd whippin5 the$ !s if they were
hi5hw!y $en. *n wh!tever pert!ins to the f!thers there is no 5rief or pity
felt for the *ndi!nsP b)t !s for so$e service of yo)r "!%esty, or ! p)blic
worE, in which !n *ndi!n $!y be needed, or !s for !nythin5 ordered fro$
the$, the reli5io)s !re bo)nd to 5!ins!y it, pl!ce it on oneTs conscience,
hinder it, or dist)rb everythin5.
*n 06A6, &overnor #eb!sti!n .)rt!do de Corc)er! wrote the Ein5 ob%ectin5 to the
incre!se in the n)$ber of reli5io)s in the isl!nds. /ccordin5 to hi$, the fri!rs h!d
red)ced the n!tives to virt)!l sl!very by forcin5 the$ to sell to the reli5io)s !t their rice
!nd cloth !t prices set by the l!tter who then $onopoli;ed the b)siness in these ite$s.
/nd yet, the 5overnor co$pl!ined, when !ssess$ents of rice, cloth d wine were levied on
the people by the 5overn$ent, these s!$e fri!rs ob%ected on the 5ro)nd th!t the n!tives
were too poor to p!y wh!t w!s de$!nded.
xxx xxx xxx
/b)ses s)ch !s the fri!rTs excessive interference in the n!tivesT d!ily life, person!l ins)lt,
corpor!l p)nish$ent s)ch !s whippin5 !nd l!shin5 of both $en !nd wo$en for the
sli5htest offense, onero)s fees for confessions !nd other reli5io)s rites, sex)!l offenses
!5!inst n!tive wo$en, !nd the n!tive virt)!l red)ction to ! sl!ve !nd serv!nt of the fri!r
: !ll these were bein5 co$$itted !s e!rly !s the second or third dec!de of occ)p!tion.
,)t these wron5s were still inflicted !nd !lso !ccepted on !n individ)!l b!sis !nd they
v!ried in intensity !nd fre()ency dependin5 on the person!lity of e!ch priest.
)rther$ore, since p)nish$ents were $eted o)t on ! v!riety of individ)!l offenses, there
w!s no co$$on 5riev!nce stron5 eno)5h to c!ll forth )nited !ction, !ltho)5h there is no
do)bt th!t resent$ent were b)ildin5 )p.
,)t when the reli5io)s orders be5!n to !c()ire property, their !b)ses tooE on ! different
co$plexion. /s l!ndlords, they bec!$e econo$ic exploiters whose !b)ses thre!tened
the econo$ic s)rviv!l of the n!tives. #)ch !b)ses were no lon5er inflicted by !n
individ)!l on sep!r!te individ)!ls. 7either were they occ!sion!l or dependent on !
p!rtic)l!r fri!r.
Bxploit!tion w!s b!sic !nd per$!nent, !nd enforced by !n instit)tion on 5ro)ps of $en
constit)tin5 pr!ctic!lly the entire co$$)nity. "oreover, this Eind of exploit!tion co)ld not
be %)stified in !ny w!y !s p!rt of the fri!rTs reli5io)s $ission. /ll these f!ctors tr!nsfor$ed
isol!ted resent$ents into co$$on !nd bitter 5riev!nces th!t er)pted in revolts !5!inst
the fri!rs.
Th!t n!tive dis!ffection with the reli5io)s orders h!d ! profo)ndly $!teri!l b!sis is proved
by the f!ct th!t discontent exploded in revolts precisely in !re!s where fri!rs were Enown
to hold l!r5e tr!cts of !5ric)lt)r!l l!nd. *n the provinces of C!vite, =!5)n!, "!nil!,
,)l!c!n !nd "oron5 (now Ri;!l), the reli5io)s owned $ore th!n one-h!lf of the tot!l
!5ric)lt)r!l l!nd. *t is not $ere coincidence th!t these provinces experienced $!ny
!5r!ri!n )prisin5s !nd bec!$e the stron5holds of the Philippine Revol)tion.
To s)$$!ri;e+ the !ttit)de of the n!tives to the Ch)rch in the co)rse of its econo$ic !nd
politic!l !scend!ncy ch!n5ed fro$ initi!l obedience d)e to !we !nd fe!rP to loy!lty !nd
s)bservience !risin5 fro$ !ccept!nce of the C!tholic reli5ion !nd experience with the
power of priests within the coloni!l hier!rchy, b)t !cco$p!nied by person!l resent$entsP
to 5ener!li;ed or 5ro)p hostility bec!)se of co$$on experience with econo$ic
exploit!tion by the fri!rsP !nd fin!lly, to the violently !nti-fri!r senti$ents of the $!sses
d)rin5 the Revol)tion (see Ch!pters 8 !nd 0?) which res)lted in de$!nds for their
exp)lsion !nd in the rise of !n indi5eno)s Ch)rch.
*t is very cle!r th!t this tr!nsfor$!tion in the re!l$ of conscio)sness w!s ! response to !
$!teri!l sti$)l)s : the tr!nsfor$!tion of the Ch)rch fro$ ! coloni!l !ccessory to the
princip!l !pp!r!t)s of coloni!l !ppropri!tion !nd exploit!tion6 (The Philippines : / P!st
Revisited, 081@, pp. 66 to 3?).
/5!in, we h!ve to s)$$on the prodi5io)s intellect of th!t 5re!t n!tion!list,
Cl!ro ". Recto, hi$self ! victi$ of the $ost vicio)s c!$p!i5n !5!inst his
c!ndid!cy in 08@1 w!5ed by the do$in!nt C!tholic ch)rch, which ref)sed to
heed the in%)nction of Christ, explicit fro$ .is !nswer to the Ph!risees when
they !tte$pted to entr!p .i$ into opposin5 the power of Ro$e, to 6render
)nto C!es!r the thin5s th!t !re C!es!rTs !nd )nto &od the thin5s th!t !re
&odTs6. Recto, with his Eeen !nd prophetic $ind, e!sily discerned the d!n5ers
posed by ch)rch interference in o)r de$ocr!tic syste$. *n his speedch
delivered on ebr)!ry 08, 086? on the occ!sion of the confer$ent )pon hi$
of the de5ree of 'octor of .)$!nities,honoris causa by the Centr!l Philippine
Dniversity *loilo City, Recto concl)ded his !r5)$ent !5!inst the )nholy
!lli!nce of Ch)rch !nd #t!te, th)s+
*t is to be deplored th!t in recent ye!rs the $ost n)$erio)s Ch)rch in this co)ntry, not
s!tisfied with the hold it h!s on the fe!lty of fo)r-fifths of the n!tion !s no 5overn$ent h!s
ever en%oyed or will en%oy here, h!s $!de )se of its privile5ed position by de$!ndin5
fro$ c!ndid!tes to p)blic office, p!rtic)l!rly the elective ones, cert!in reli5io)s tests !nd
pled5es of !lle5i!nce. The i$$edi!te p)rpose, of co)rse, is to !c()ire thro)5h policy-
$!Ein5 5overn$ent offici!ls, control of the p)blic !ff!irs !nd )lti$!tely to est!blish here !
tr)ly theocr!tic st!te, which, !ccordin5 to =ord /cton, ! liber!l C!tholic !nd 5re!t Bn5lish
schol!r, is Tthe $ost d!n5ero)s for$ of !bsol)tis$.
4e h!ve been witnessin5 fro$ ti$e to ti$e the or5!ni;!tion of sect!ri!n profession!l
5ro)ps. 4e !lre!dy h!ve ! l!wyers sect!ri!n !ssoci!tion, !nd only recently cert!in loc!l
physici!ns who, cl!i$in5 to believe th!t they sho)ld consider reli5ion in the pr!ctice of
their profession, h!ve 5ro)ped the$selves into ! sect!ri!n !ssoci!tion , !nd only recently
cert!in loc!l physici!ns who, cl!i$in5 to believe th!t they sho)ld consider reli5ion in the
pr!ctice of their profession, h!ve 5ro)ped the$selves into ! sect!ri!n !ssoci!tion of
!pothec!ries or5!ni;ed one of these d!ys, !nd other si$il!r ones, )ntil there sh!ll not be
! sin5le profession or occ)p!tion witho)t its own sect!ri!n !ssoci!tion.
xxx xxx xxx
/t the ti$e the $ost n)$erio)s Ch)rch in this co)ntry $oved onto the politic!l st!5e, !
yo)n5 ilipino priest, rep)tedly !n intellect)!l in his own reli5io)s order, $!de in the
co)rse of ! p)blic !ddress !t the =)net!, with the evident "lacet of the correspondin5
hier!rchy : Aui tacet consentire idetur : the $ost d!rin5 propos!l th!t there sho)ld be
)nion of Ch)rch !nd #t!te, with the Ch)rch !ss)$in5 n!t)r!lly the le!dership inthe
)nholy p!rtnership. s)ch ! propos!l is $ost liEely to h!ppen sho)ld the $ost n)$erio)s
Ch)rch obt!in the necess!ry control of the le5isl!t)re.
*n the l!st three elections the $ost n)$ero)s Ch)rch $!de its infl)ence felt. There w!s !
s$!ll chosen 5ro)p of !$bitio)s politic!l )pst!rts : the yo)th elite, so to spe!E : who
tooE to the field with the )n$ist!E!ble blessin5s !nd p!tron!5e of their Ch)rchTs
hier!rchy. /ltho)5h this 5ro)p did not c!rry offici!lly its sects b!nner, it w!s to !ll intents
!nd p)rposes %)st th!t with no pretense !t bein5 !nythin5 except it w!s *dentified with the
Ch)rch in ()estion !nd it received the l!tterTs )n()!lified !nd )nstinted s)pport thro)5h
p)lpit !nd confession!l !nd thro)5h reli5io)s schools !nd !ssoci!tions !ll over the
co)ntry, Priests !nd n)ns in ch!r5e of priv!te schools were p!rtic)l!rly in their newly
fo)nd $ilit!ncy. The h!loed c!ndid!tes of this 5ro)p were presented to the elector!te !s
the honest !$on5 the holy !nd they c!rried the st!nd!rd, !lbeit )noffici!l of their Ch)rch,
the i$plic!tion w!s th!t !t le!st for the voter th!t belon5s to it, they were the only ones fit,
)nder b)lls !nd encylclic!ls, for p)blic office.
The irony of !ll this is th!t while the 5overn$ent is en%oined by the Constit)tion fro$
i$posin5 or re()irin5 reli5io)s test to !ny office, it is ! reli5io)s est!blish$ent, the th!t
incr)sions in the co)ntry, th!t is doin5 so. /ltho)5h this reli5io)s est!blish$ent did not
f!re !s it h!d expected iii the l!st three elections. t here is no do)bt th!t its inc)rsions into
the politic!l field sho)ld not be t!Een li5htly. *f these inro!ds !re not c)rbed now, th d!y is
not f!r off when we sh!ll see the h!lls of con5ress bein5 )sed to proselyti;e the n!tion
!nd the people le5isl!ted into one reli5ionP f!ith, /n est!blished ch)rch. which is !nother
n!$e for )nion of Ch)rch !nd #t!te, consecr!ted by !pprori!te constit)tion!l
!$$ende$ent, wo)ld be the tr!5ic res)lt
xxx xxx xxx
Ori5in, one of the e!rly !thers - he lived in the Ard cent)ry - !d$onished th!t TChristi!ns
sho)ld not t!Ee p!rt ill the 5overn$ent of the #t!te, b)t only of the divine n!tionT. Tth!t is,
the Ch)rchP !nd ri5htly so, bec!)se $ost people re5!rd politics !s TworldlyT !nd )nworthy
of !ny re!lly holy $!n.T This s!$e doctrine, !ccordin5 to ,ertr!nd R)ssell Tis i$plicit in
#!int /)5)stines City of &od o $)ch so th!t it led ch)rch$en, !t the ti$e of the f!ll of
4estern B$pire, to looE on p!ssively !t sec)l!r dis!sters while they exercised their very
5re!t t!lents, in Ch)rch discipline, theolo5ic!l controversy, !nd the spre!d of
$on!sticis$.
4ritin5 to ! correspondent in Const!ntinople, &re5ory the &re!t s!id. T4h!t ple!ses the
$ost pio)s e$peror, wh!tever, he co$$!nds to be done, is in his power ... /s he
deter$ines, so let hi$ provides. 4h!t he does, if it is c!nonic!l we will followP b)t if it is
not c!nonic!l we will be!r it, !s f!r !s we c!n witho)t sin of o)r own ... R)lers sho)ld not
be critici;ed, b)t sho)ld only be Eept !live to the d!n5er of hell fire if they f!il to follow the
!dvise of the ch)rch.T Pope 7ichol!s * of the 3th cent)ry replied to !n !n5ry letter of
B$peror "ich!le ***+ Tthe d!y of Uin5-Priests !nd B$peror-Pontiffs is p!stP Christi!nity
h!s sep!r!ted the two f)nctions.T
&el!si)s, ! pope in the fifth cent)ry, l!id down the principle of sep!r!tion of Ch)rch !nd
#t!te in the followin5 words+
... *t $!y be tr)e th!t before the co$in5 of Christ, cert!in persons ... existed who were !t
the s!$e ti$e priests !nd Ein5s, !s the holy script)re tens )s "elchi;edech w!s.
... ,)t, !fter the co$in5 of Christ (who w!s .i$self both the tr)e Ein5 !nd the tr)e priest),
no e$peror there!fter h!s !ss)$ed the title of priest, !nd no priest h!s sei;ed ! re5!l
throne ... .e sep!r!ted the Ein5ly d)ties !nd powers fro$ the priestly, !ccordin5 to the
different f)nctions !nd di5nity proper to e!ch ... The soldier of the =ord sho)ld be !s little
!s possible ent!n5led in sec)l!r b)siness, !nd th!t one involved in sec)l!r !ff!irs sho)ld
not be seen occ)pyin5 the le!dership of the ch)rch.T "!sters of Politic!l Tho)5hts by
"ich!el ,. oster, vol. 0, pp. 2A0-2A2.)
Pope =eo 2***, in his Bncyclic!l T*$$ort!l 'ei (7ove$ber 033@) s!id+
*t is 5ener!lly !5reed th!t the o)nder of the Ch)rch, 9es)s Christ, wished th!t the
spirit)!l power to be distinct fro$ the civil, !nd e!ch to be free !nd )nh!$pered in doin5
its own worE, not for5ettin5, however, th!t it is expedient for both, !nd in the interest of
everybody, th!t there be ! h!r$onio)s rel!tionship.
xxx xxx xxx
Reichersber5 !nother f!$o)s ch)rch$!n of the twelfth cent)ry, who s)pported the Pope
in the *nvestit)re controversy, s!id+
9)st !s the e$perors so$eti$es !rro5!ted to the$selves f)nctions belon5in5 to the
priesthood !nd the ch)rchP so they (the priests) on the other h!nd i$!5ine th!t their
priesthood confers on the$ !lso !n i$peri!l, or $ore th!n i$peri!l power
... 4h!t then will h!ve beco$e of those two swords of the &ospel, if the !postle of Christ
sh!ll be !ll, or if the B$peror sh!ll be !ll< *f either the B$pire or the priesthood sh!ll be
robbed of its stren5th !nd di5nity, it will be !s tho)5h yo) were to t!Ee one of the two
5re!t l)$in!ries fro$ the sEy. (3d, p. 2A@.)
'on =)i5i #t)r;o ! distin5)ished C!tholic *t!li!n schol!r, spe!Ein5 of the sep!r!te
f)nctions of Ch)rch !nd #t!te, s!ys+ TBvery !tte$pt to overstep s)ch li$its, fro$ either
side, h!s viol!ted the l!ws of n!t)re !nd those of revel!tion. (Church and !tate, vol. *, p.
23).
=ord /cton in his TPolitic!l Philosophy,T pp. >A->>, re$!rEed+
*f ! Ch)rch is )nited with the #t!te the essenti!l condition of freedo$ v!nishes. *t
beco$es offici!ted. /nd those who 5overn the Ch)rch !re te$pted to divert its infl)ence
to their own p)rposes. #i$il!rly, the s)pport of the Ch)rch d!n5ero)sly incre!ses the
!)thority of the #t!te, by 5ivin5 ! reli5io)s s!nction to the behests of the #t!te. This
incre!ses the d!n5er of depositis$.
Dnder the ter$s of the =!ter!n Tre!ty with *t!ly, which w!s concl)ded in 0828, the .oly
#ee not only !5reed th!t C!tholic or5!ni;!tions wo)ld !bst!in fro$ politics, b)t it
decl!red th!t Tit wishes to re$!in, !nd it will re$!in extr!neo)s to !ll te$por!l disp)tes
between n!tions !nd to !ll intern!tion!l con5resses convoEed for the settle$ent of s)ch
disp)tes )nless the contendin5 p!rties $!Ee ! concord!nt !ppe!l to its $ission of pe!ceP
nevertheless it reserves the ri5ht in every c!se to exercise its $or!l !nd spirit)!l power.T
*n the TReport on Ch)rch !nti #t!teT ("ess!5e !nd 'ecisions of Oxford L08@10 on
Ch)rch, Co$$)nity, !nd #t!te, pp. 21-A?), it w!s decl!red th!t TThe Ch)rch !s the
tr)stee of &odTs redee$in5 &ospel !nd the #t!tes !s the 5)!r!ntor of order, %)stice, !nd
civil liberty, h!ve distinct f)nctions in re5!rd to society. The Ch)rchTs concern is to witness
to $en of the re!lities which o)tl!st ch!n5e bec!)se they !re fo)nded on the etern!l 4ill
of &od. The concern of the #t!te is to provide $en with %)stice, order, !nd sec)rity in !
world of sin !nd ch!n5e, /s it is the !i$ of the Ch)rch to cre!te ! co$$)nity fo)nded on
divine love, it c!nnot do its worE by coercion, nor $)st it co$pro$ise the st!nd!rds
e$bodied in &odTs co$$!nd$ents by s)rrender to the necessities of the d!y. The #t!te,
on the other h!nd, h!s the d)ty of $!int!inin5 p)blic order, !nd therefore, $)st )se
coercion !nd !ccept the li$its of the pr!ctic!ble.
xxx xxx xxx
To !llow !n ecclesi!stic to he!d the exec)tive dep!rt$ent of ! $)nicip!lity is
to per$it the erosion of the principle of sep!r!tion of Ch)rch !nd #t!te !nd
th)s open the flood5!tes for the viol!tion of the cherished liberty of reli5ion
which the constit)tion!l provision seeEs to enforce !nd protect. or it re()ires
no in-depth !n!lysis to re!li;e the dis!stro)s conse()ence of the contr!ry
sit)!tion : !llowin5 ecclesi!stics to r)n for ! loc!l position. C!n there be !n
!ss)r!nce th!t the decisions of s)ch ecclesi!stic in the exercise of his power
!nd !)thority vested in hi$ by re!son of his loc!l position will be clothed with
i$p!rti!lity< Or is not the prob!bility th!t his decision !s well !s discretion be
t!inted with his reli5io)s pre%)dice, very stron5< or considerin5 the ob%ectives
of his priestly voc!tion, is it not inc)$bent )pon hi$ to color !ll his !ct)!tions
with the te!chin5s !nd doctrines of his sect or deno$in!tion< *s there !n
!ss)r!nce th!t in the !ppoint$ent to !ppointive $)nicip!l positions the
reli5io)s !ffili!tion of the co$petin5 !pplic!nts will not pl!y the decisive
f!ctor< *f the ecclesi!stic elec to ! $)nicip!l office of $!yor is ! C!tholic,
wo)ld the ch!nces of !n heretic !n /5lip!y!n, ! Protest!nt or !n *5lesi! ni
Uristo !dherent be !s e()!l !s those of ! C!tholic<
P)rs)ed f)rther, in the sole$ni;!tion of $!rri!5e, how wo)ld he resolve the
conflict between civil l!ws !nd his reli5ion< 4ill he cond)ct the s!$e )nder
the tenets of his reli5ion or )nder the co$$!nds of civil l!ws< 4ill he be
willin5 to sole$ni;e the $!rri!5e of !pplic!nts who both do not belon5 to his
sect 4ill he be i$posin5 the re()ire$ent, !ss)$in5 th!t he is ! C!tholic, th!t
the non-C!tholic p!rty sho)ld !5ree th!t the children of the )nion sh!5 be
bro)5ht )p !ccordin5 to the C!tholic do5$! 4here the !pplic!nts !re first
co)sins, will he be willin5 to sole$ni;e the $!rri!5e, considerin5 th!t )nder
civil l!w, the s!$e is prohibited, b)t )nder C!tholic r)les, the s!$e is
!llowed< 4here obedience to the l!w of the #t!te is inconsistent with
obedience to the l!w of his Ch)rch, how will he !ct< #)ch ()estions co)ld be
!sEed !lso of the $)nicip!l offici!ls who !re $inisters of other reli5ions or
sects
/5!in, in the exercise of his preli$in!ry investi5!tion !)thority, how wo)ld he
decide c!ses )nder investi5!tion where the cri$es involved !re viol!tions of
/rticle 0A2 (*nterr)ption of reli5io)s worship) !nd /rticle 0AA (Offendin5 the
reli5io)s feelin5s)< 4ill not his reli5io)s convictions !nd pre%)dices color his
!ct)!tions<
/lso, in the $!tter of per$its for the )se of p)blic pl!ces for reli5io)s
p)rposes, how wo)ld he tre!t !pplic!tions filed by !theists or by reli5io)s
sects other th!n his< Co)ld there be !n !ss)r!nce of strict i$p!rti!lity<
4h!t !l!r$s $e $ore, however, is the effect of the $!%ority opinion :
!llowin5 ecclesi!stics to r)n for ! p)blic office in the loc!l 5overn$ent : on
the present post)re of the Ch)rches in the present politic!l sit)!tion. or *
entert!in very stron5ly the fe!r th!t with s)ch b!n lifted, it will not be too lon5
fro$ tod!y th!t every $)nicip!lity in the co)ntry will be he!ded by ! priest or
$inister. /nd the res)lt of s)ch ! sit)!tion need not be e$ph!si;ed !ny
f)rther.
Recto h!d expressed it in no )ncert!in ter$s. Recto vent)red to foretell in the
s!$e speech e!rlier ()oted+
... in the li5ht of the events of the recent p!st, )nless the hier!rchy of the $ost n)$ero)s
Ch)rch withdr!ws definitely !nd co$pletely fro$ the field of its newly fo)nd !ctivities, the
n!tion will event)!lly find itself s)cEed into the $!elstro$ of ! reli5ion politic!l w!r with
the s!id Ch)rch on one side !nd on the other ! powerf)l !lli!nce not only !$on5 those
who belon5 to other reli5io)s deno$in!tions, b)t !lso ! si;!ble portion of its f!ithf)l who,
bec!)se of n!tion!lis$ or civil libert!ri!nis$ wo)ld ref)se to follow their spirit)!l le!ders
in s)ch ! p)rely $)nd!ne cr)s!de. *t is irrelev!nt whether the n)$ero)s ch)rch or its
!llied opponents e$er5e victorio)s in s)ch ! b!ttle, for the o)tco$e will be the s!$e !s
in the ones between .ildebr!nd !nd .enry *- !nd their respective s)ccessors, !nd
between the thirteenth-cent)ry popes !nd the .olienst!)fen Tthe )s)!l o)tco$e.T in the
words of Toynbee Tof !ll w!rs th!t !re fo)5ht to the bitter end the no$in!l victor
s)cceeded in de!lin5 the de!th-blow to his victi$ !t the cost of s)st!inin5 f!t!l in%)ries
hi$selfP !nd the re!l victors over both belli5erents were the ne)tr!l tertii 0audentes. *n
o)r c!se, the tertii 5!)dentes, the h!ppy onlooEers, if * $!y be !llowed to tr!nsl!te these
=!tin word freely T wo)ld be the ene$ies of o)r n!tion !nd people, the re!l benefici!ries
of s)ch ! tre$endo)s n!tion!l $isfort)ne.
in!lly, the $!%ority opinion will precipit!te s$!ll reli5io)s w!rs in every town.
4e h!ve seen in c!ses decided by this Co)rt how the reli5io)s f!n!tics h!ve
persec)ted reli5io)s sects in so$e towns 5ivin5 rise to bloody episodes or
p)blic dist)rb!nces.
*t wo)ld see$ th!t !ny h)$!n !ctivity to)chin5 on the reli5io)s beliefs !nd
senti$ents of the people e!sily !5it!te their e$otions, pre%)dices !nd
p!ssions, c!)sin5 even the ordin!rily re!son!ble !nd ed)c!ted !$on5 the$
to !ct intoler!ntly.
*ndeed, in one c!se th!t re!ched this Co)rt, "r. 9)stice 9ose P. =!)rel,
!l!r$ed by the bi5otry of ! Ro$!n C!tholic priest so obvio)s fro$ his
!ct)!tions, !rtic)l!ted in his dissentin5 opinion the followin5 tho)5hts+
4hy, $!y * !sE, sho)ld the $ere !ct of p!ssin5 of the corpse or f)ner!l corte5e in or
thro)5h ! priv!te property be ch!r!cteri;ed !snotorio)sly offensive to the feelin5s of !ny
reli5ion or its !dherents or followers<
The =ord 5!ve, !nd the =ord h!th t!Een !w!yP blessed be the n!$e of the =ord (9ob,
0.20).
*n this c!se, the =ord h!s rec!lled the life of one of .is cre!t)resP !nd it $)st be .is wish
th!t the re$!ins sh!ll h!ve the ri5ht of w!y th!t they $!y be b)ried Tso$ewhere, in
desol!te wind swept sp!ce, in twili5ht l!nd, in no $!nTs l!nd b)t in everybodyTs l!nd.T
R!ther th!n too $!ny reli5ions th!t will $!Ee )s h!te one !nother bec!)se of reli5io)s
pre%)dices !nd intoler!nce, $!y * express the hope th!t we $!y 5r!sp !nd i$bibe the
one f)nd!$ent!l of !ll reli5ions th!t sho)ld $!Ee )s love one !nother. (People vs. ,!es,
63 Phil. 2?A Ll8A8M).
*n the !fores!id c!se of ,!es, ! Ro$!n C!tholic priest !tte$pted to prevent !
f)ner!l held in !ccord!nce with rites of the sect 6Ch)rch of Christ6 fro$
p!ssin5 thro)5h the C!tholic ch)rchy!rd frontin5 the Ro$!n C!tholic Ch)rch
of =)$b!n, =!5)n!. .!vin5 f!iled !lle5edly bec!)se the !cc)sed )sed force
!nd violence, the priest filed ! co$pl!int !5!inst the for$er for viol!tion of
/rticle 0AA of the Revised Pen!l Code, which, however, w!s dis$issed by the
lower co)rt )pon $otion of the fisc!l on the 5ro)nd th!t the !cts !lle5ed in the
co$pl!int did not constit)te the offense !5!inst reli5io)s feelin5s. The
intoler!nt priest however h!d his d!y before this Co)rt which, on !ppe!l, r)led
otherwise, decl!rin5 th!t the offense to reli5io)s feelin5s, )nder the f!ct)!l
circ)$st!nces of the c!se, $)st be %)d5ed !ccordin5 to the feelin5s of the
C!tholics !nd not those of other f!iths. 9)stice 9ose P. =!)rel, %oined by
9)stice *$peri!l, stron5ly dissented fro$ the !fores!id concl)sion of the
$!%ority of the Co)rt, st!tin5 th!t+
... /s * see it, the only !ct which is !lle5ed to h!ve offended the reli5io)s Tfeelin5s of the
f!ithf)lT here is th!t of p!ssin5 by the defend!nts thro)5h the !trio of the ch)rch )nder the
circ)$st!nces $entioned. * $!Ee no reference to the !lle5ed tresp!ss co$$itted by the
defend!nts or the thre!ts i$p)ted to the$ bec!)se these !cts constit)te different
offenses (/rts. 23?, 230 !nd 232-23@) !nd do not f!ll within the p)rview of /rticle 0AA of
the Revised Pen!l Code. * believe th!t !n !ct, in order to be considered !s notorio)sly
offensive to the reli5io)s feelin5s, $)st be one directed !5!inst reli5io)s pr!ctice or
do5$! or rit)!l for the p)rpose of ridic)leP the offender, for inst!nce, $ocEs, scoffs !t or
!tte$pts to d!$!5e !n ob%ect of reli5io)s vener!tion it $)st be !b)sive, ins)ltin5 !nd
obnoxio)s -i!d! Co$$ent!ries !l Codi5o Pen!l, 1?1, 1?3, vide !lso P!checo, Codi5o
Pen!l, P. 2@8).
4hy, $!y * !sE, sho)ld the $ere !ct of p!ssin5 of the corpse or f)ner!l corte5e in or
thro)5h ! priv!te property be ch!r!cteri;ed !s notorio)sly offensive to the feelin5s of !ny
reli5ion or of its !dherents or followers<
The =ord 5!ve, !nd the =ord h!th t!Een !w!yP blessed be the n!$e of the =ord (9ob.
020). 6*n this c!se, the =ord h!s rec!lled the life of one of .is cre!t)resP !nd it $)st be
.is wish th!t the re$!ins sh!ll h!ve the ri5ht of w!y th!t they $!y be b)ried
Tso$ewhere, in desol!te, wind swept sp!ce, in twili5ht l!nd, in no $!nTs l!nd b)t in
everybodyTs l!nd.6 R!ther th!n too $!ny reli5ions th!t will $!Ee )s h!te one !nother
bec!)se of reli5io)s pre%)dices !nd intoler!nce, $!y * ex press the hope th!t we $!y
5r!sp !nd i$bibe the one f)nd!$ent!l of !ll reli5ions th!t sho)ld $!Ee )s love one
!nother.
*t $)st decline to !ccept the st!te$ent $!de in the $!%ority opinion th!t B/hether or not
the act com"lained of is offensie to the reli0ious feelin0s of the Catholics, is a Auestion
of fact /hich must be jud0ed on t accordin0 to the feelin0s of the Catholics and not
those of other faithful ones, for it is "ossible that certain acts may offend the feelin0s of
those /ho "rofess a certain reli0ion, /hile not other/ise offensie to the feelin0s of those
"rofessin0 another faith.T (e$ph!sis is $ine). * express the opinion th!t the offense to
reli5io)s feelin5s sho)ld not be $!de to depend )pon the $ore or less bro!d or n!rrow
conception of !ny 5iven p!rtic)l!r reli5ion, b)t sho)ld be 5!)5ed h!vin5 in view the
n!t)re of the !cts co$$itted !nd !fter scr)tiny of !ll the f!cts !nd circ)$st!nces which
sho)ld be viewed thro)5h the $irror of !n )nbi!sed %)dici!l criterion. Otherwise, the
5r!vity or leniency of the offense wo)ld hin5e on the s)b%ective ch!r!cteri;!tion of the !ct
fro$ the point of view of ! 5iven reli5io)s deno$in!tion or sect !nd in s)ch ! c!se, the
!pplic!tion of the l!w wo)ld be p!rti!l !nd !rbitr!ry, with!l, d!n5ero)s, especi!lly in !
co)ntry s!id to be Tonce the scene of reli5io)s intoler!nce !nd persec)tionT (/5lip!y vs.
R)i;, A@ Off. &!;. 206>) Lpp 2?3-20?M.
*n 6nited !tates s. DacAuel (A6 Phil. 130 008010), !cc)sed b!rrio lie)ten!nt
h!lted !nd !tt!cEed, with the help of three $en, so$e of the Ro$!n C!tholic
inh!bit!nts of the b!rrio of #ococ in the Province of *locos #)r who were then
h!vin5 ! reli5io)s procession witho)t the b!rrio lie)ten!ntTs consent or
!)thori;!tion which see$ed to h!ve !n5ered hi$. .e w!s convicted of 5r!ve
physic!l in%)ries inflicted by hi$ d)rin5 th!t incident )pon ! p!rticip!nt, ! nine-
ye!r old 5irl.
The c!se of ,!lcort! (2@ Phil. 21A L080A0) reve!ls th!t !n /5lip!y!n, who,
)ninvited, entered ! priv!te ho)se, where services of the "ethodist Bpiscop!l
Ch)rch were 5 cond)cted by 0? to 2? persons !nd who then thre!tened the
!sse$bl!5e with ! cl)b, thereby interr)ptin5 the divine service, w!s fo)nd
5)ilty )nder /rticle @10 of the old Pen!l Code (si$il!r to /rt. 0AA, Revised
Pen!l Code).
/5!in, in (@6 O.&. 2A10 L08@3M), its f!ct)!l circ)$st!nces reve!l th!t the
co$pl!int filed by the chief of police !lle5ed th!t while devotees of the *5lesi!
ni Uristo were holdin5 ! reli5io)s cere$ony in ! cert!in ho)se in 'in!l)pih!n,
the !cc)sed stopped in front thereof, $!de )nnecess!ry noise, !nd sho)ted
dero5!tory words !5!inst the *5lesi! ni Uristo !nd its $e$bers, !nd even
stoned the ho)se.
30nacio s. 4la (88 Phil. A>1 L08@6M) !rose bec!)se of the !ct of the $!yor of
#t!. Cr);, N!$b!les, in per$ittin5 the $e$bers of the 9ehov!hTs 4itnesses
to hold their $eetin5 !t the northwestern p!rt of the pl!;! only, inste!d of !t
the EiosE in the p)blic pl!;!. The !ct)!tion of the $!yor w!s p)rs)!nt to !
policy he !dopted even before the re()est $!de by the $e$bers of the
9ehov!hTs 4itnesses, it !ppe!rin5 th!t the p)blic pl!;!, p!rtic)l!rly the EiosE,
is loc!ted !t ! short dist!nce fro$ the Ro$!n C!tholic Ch)rch, c!)sin5 so$e
concern, bec!)se of the proxi$ity, on the p!rt of the !)thoritiesP hence, to
!void dist)rb!nce of pe!ce !nd order, or the h!ppenin5 of )ntow!rd incidents,
they dee$ed necess!ry to prohibit of $eetin5 of its $e$bers, especi!lly so,
th!t in the inst!nt c!se, the tenents of petitionersT con5re5!tion !re dero5!tory
to those of the Ro$!n C!tholic Ch)rch. The respondent $!yor w!s s)st!ined
by this Co)rt, with fo)r $e$bers of the Co)rt dissentin5.
The c!se of 6.!. s. %"urado, et al. (1 Phil. >22 L08?1M) shows th!t while the
$)nicip!l co)ncil of #!n C!rlos, Occident!l 7e5ros w!s in session, so$e @??
residents of the town !sse$bled ne!r the $)nicip!l b)ildin5. Dpon the
openin5 of the session ! l!r5e n)$ber of those !sse$bled !bo)t the b)ildin5
crowded into the co)ncil ch!$ber !bo)t the b)ildin5 crowded into the co)ncil
ch!$ber !nd de$!nded the dis$iss!l fro$ office of the $)nicip!l tre!s)rer,
the secret!ry !nd the chief of police, !nd the s)bstit)tion in their pl!ces of
new offici!ls. The co)ncil !cceded to their wishes !nd drew )p ! for$!l
doc)$ent settin5 o)t the re!sons for its !ction, which w!s si5ned by the
co)ncilors present !nd by sever!l le!ders of the crowd. *t !ppe!rs th!t the
$ove$ent h!d its ori5in in reli5io)s differences between residents of the
$)nicip!lity. The petitioners believed th!t the offici!ls !bove-n!$ed sho)ld
not contin)e to hold office bec!)se of their o)tspoEen !lle5i!nce to one of the
f!ctions into which the town w!s !t th!t ti$e divided. (This Co)rt reversed the
decision, of the tri!l co)rt convictin5 the$ of sedition).
*n Peo"le s. -eyes, et al (C/-&.R. 7o. 0A6AA-R, 9)ly 21, 08@@), the !cc)sed
Reyes, who w!s the chief of police of the town of #!n Bsteb!n, *locos #)r,
ordered his police$en to stop "inister #!nid!d of the *5lesi! ni Uristo, which
w!s then holdin5 ! $eetin5 !t the p)blic pl!;!, fro$ contin)in5 with his
ser$on when the l!tter !tt!cEed in the co)rse of his ser$on the C!tholic !nd
/5lip!y!n ch)rches, !s well !s the wo$en of #!n Bsteb!n, *locos #)r.
/cc)sed were convicted of viol!tion of /rt. 0A0 of the Revised Pen!l Code.
/5!in, in Peo"le s. Mi0allos (C/-&. R. 7o. 0A608, /)5)st @, 08@@) wherein
the !cc)sed w!s convicted by the Co)rt of irst *nst!nce !nd Co)rt of
/ppe!ls of the offense defined )nder /rt. 0AA of the Revised Pen!l Code, the
f!cts show th!t "inister T!5oylo of the *5lesi! ni Uristo sect w!s stoned by the
!cc)sed while the for$er w!s pre!chin5 or spre!din5 his belief on ! p)blic
ro!d before ! crowd of !ro)nd @?? persons.
Peo"le s. Mandoriao (C/-&.R. 7o. 0200>, ebr)!ry 2@, 08@@, @0 O.&. >608)
st!rted with ! r!lly or5!ni;ed by the *5lesi! ni Uristo, !ttended by !bo)t A??
people, @? of who$ belon5ed to the s!id sect !t ! p)blic p!rE in ,!5)io City.
One of the $inisters of the sect expo)nded on ! topic !ssertin5 th!t Christ
w!s not &od b)t !n ordin!ry $!n, c!)sin5 the crowd to beco$e )nr)ly,
where)pon, !ppell!nt went )p the st!5e !nd 5r!bbed the $icrophone
ch!llen5in5 the $inister to ! deb!te. (The lower co)rt convicted !ppell!nt of
viol!tion of /rt. 0AA of the Revised Pen!l Code b)t the Co)rt of /ppe!ls
!c()itted hi$).
*n Peo"le s. Gesul0a (0 C. /. Rep. 0?A), !ppell!nt, ! protest!nt pre!cher of
the #eventh '!y /dventist, w!s fo)nd 5)ilty by the lower co)rt of offendin5
reli5io)s feelin5s. The Co)rt of /ppe!ls reversed the conviction. The f!ct
show th!t so$e C!tholic ele$ents in =eyte cond)cted ! b!r!n5!y, si$il!r to
the ros!ry, which contin)ed with ! procession o)tside. The procession with bi5
!ttend!nce h!d to p!ss !lon5 the b!rrio ro!d in the $iddle of which !
Protest!nt $eetin5 w!s bein5 held )nder ! per$it iss)ed by the $)nicip!l
$!yor. On !cco)nt of s!id $eetin5, the procession co)ld not p!ss thro)5h.
Those !ttendin5 the procession re()ested fro$, b)t were denied p!ss!5e by,
the !ppell!nt who w!s then spe!Ein5 !t the $eetin5 (in the co)rse of which
he )ttered words notorio)sly offensive to the feelin5s of the C!tholic f!ithf)l).
The procession!l p!rticip!nts who were sin5in5 /ve "!ri! in hi5h pitch, tooE
!nother ro!d, while others p!ssed )nder the ne!rby ho)ses. 4hen the
procession w!s !bo)t 0? $eters fro$ the $eetin5 pl!ce, !ppell!nt
te$por!rily stopped t!lEin5 !nd res)$ed his t!lEs !fter the procession h!d
p!ssed.
*n the c!se of Peo"le s. 2en0son L(C/) 61 O.&. 0@@2M, the cri$in!l !ct
co$pl!ined of w!s the perfor$!nce by the !ppell!nt of b)ri!l rites inside the
Ro$!n C!tholic Ce$etery in !ccord!nce with the r)les !nd pr!ctices of the
sect c!lled 6Christ is the /nswer6. There w!s ! per$it for the b)ri!l in
()estion. Convicted by the lower co)rt, !ppell!nt w!s !c()itted on !ppe!l.
The inevit!ble conse()ence of the election or !ppoint$ent of priests or
$inisters of reli5ion to $)nicip!l p)blic offices wo)ld be the !ppropri!tion of
p)blic f)nds for the p!y$ent of their s!l!ries !nd their )tili;!tion of p)blic
property, which $!y liEewise be e$ployed, directly or indirectly, for the benefit
or s)pport of !ny sect ch)rch, deno$in!tion, sect!ri!n instit)tion, or syste$ of
reli5ion - ! p!lp!ble viol!tion of the constit)tion!l prohibition !5!inst the
!ppropri!tion of )tili;!tion of p)blic $oney or property for s)ch reli5io)s
p)rposes (P!r. 2, #ec 03, /rt. - ***, 081 A Constit)tion).
*n s)$, if the dis()!lific!tion prescribed in #ection 201@ of the Revised
/d$inistr!tive Code were n)llified, three b!sic constit)tion!l 5)!r!ntees
wo)ld th)s be viol!ted : #ection 3 of /rticle *-, #ection 03(2) of /rticle -***,
!nd #ection 0@ of /rticle 2- of the 081A Constit)tion.
The newly elected .e!d of the C!tholic ch)rch, Pope 9ohn P!)l 0, )pon his
inst!ll!tion on #epte$ber 0, 0813, en%oined his C!tholic flocE to strictly !dhere
to the 9effersoni!n concept of sep!r!tion of Ch)rch !nd #t!te.
*n its editori!l of #epte$ber 6, 0813, the Ti$es 9o)rn!l (p. >) co$$ented on
the !fores!id P!p!l prono)nce$ent+
#chol!rs the world over h!iled the st!te$ent of Pope 9ohn P!)l * !ffir$in5 the sep!r!tion
of ch)rch !nd st!te !s Tof historic i$port!nce.T #o$e even detected in it ! hint of Tho$!s
9efferson, the /$eric!n fo)ndin5 f!ther who worEed the concept into the D.#. Co
instit)tion.
To ilipinos steeped in this constit)tion!l tr!dition, the PopeT re$!rEs on this point in his
!ddress before ! 5ro)p of diplo$!ts !re very si5nific!nt. This is especi!lly tr)e in the f!ce
of the over ;e!lo)sness of so$e $e$bers of the cler5y whose !ctivities in th n!$e of
soci!l !ction tend to end!n5er n!tion!lity
4hile it co)ld be s!id th!t the provision in the Philippine Constit)tion on the sep!r!tion of
ch)rch !nd st!te h!s tr!ces of stron5 9effersoni!n infl)ence )pon the fr!$ers of the
f)nd!$ent!l ch!rter, the s!d experience of the ilipinos !t the h!nds of the $eddlin5
fri!rs d)rin5 three cent)ries of #p!nish occ)p!tion $!de the$ $ore sensitive to !nd
!c)tely !w!re of the concept. The re%ection of ! st!te s)pported ch)rch d)rin5 the
Philippine Revol)tion only served to enh!nce this theory.
The Pope s!id the roles of 5overn$ent !nd ch)rch were of Ttwo orders,sion !nd
co$petenceT of ! T)ni()eT !nd Tspeci!l ch!r!cter.
The ch)rchTs responsibilities Tdo not interfere with p)rely te$por!l technic!l !politic!l
!ff!irs, which !re $!tters for ... 5overn$ents,T he s!id.
#i5nific!nt, too, !re the co$$ents on the p!p!l st!te$ent by s)ch reli5io)s le!ders !s
Rev. P!)l ,oyle he!d of the P!ssionist !thers. The Pope,T !ccordin5 to ,oyle Tnot only
st!tes it !s ! principle, b)t !s ! desir!ble one.T
4h!t we h!ve here,T !ccordin5 to Rev. 'on!ld C!$pton, ! 9es)it offici!l !nd one-ti$e
editor of the n!tion!l C!tholic weeEly, /$eric!, Tis not %)st ! st!te$ent b)t ! pled5e th!t
both on the n!tion!l !nd intern!tion!l levels, we donTt w!nt ! st!te ch)rch.T
4ith the concept stron5ly reiter!ted !nd the lines once !5!in cle!rly dr!wn, it is to be
hoped th!t we sho)ld not for5et, renderin5 )nto C!es!r wh!t is C!es!rTs !nd to &od
wh!t is &odTs. The Pope h!s $!de his pled5e, let no $e$ber of the Ch)rch $!Ee
$ocEery of it.
/nother ilipino histori!n, C!rlos I)irino, writin5 !bo)t 9es)it- ed)c!ted
/$b!ss!dor =eon "!. &)errero, !)thor of the pri;e- winnin5 6The irst
ilipino6, ! bio5r!phy of Ri;!l, ch!r!cteri;ed the #p!nish fri!r !s 6the $ost
d!n5ero)s of $!n : one co$binin5 5re!t power with ! sense of devotion to
his $ission : ... .e, then, bec!$e the 5re!t !nt!5onist of the first ilipino,
9ose Ri;!l.6
/ si5nific!nt f!ct see$s to indic!te ! d!n5ero)s !tte$pt on the p!rt of the
C!tholic hier!rchy in the Philippines to s)bvert the l!ws of the Rep)blic, if not
the Rep)blic itself. or sever!l ye!rs now, the ecclesi!stic!l trib)n!l h!s been
!nn)llin5 $!rri!5es, despite the f!ct th!t s)ch $!rri!5es c!n no lon5er be
!nn)lled )nder o)r l!ws. Bven $!rri!5es of spo)ses with children h!d been
n)llified. *t sho)ld be e$ph!si;ed th!t the power to !nn)l $!rri!5es in the
Philippines is vested only in the co)rts est!blished by the #t!te, !nd not in
ecclesi!stic!l trib)n!ls. The 5ro)nds for !nn)l$ent of $!rri!5es oid ab
initio or $erely void!ble, !re expressly en)$er!ted in the Civil Code.
*n ! newsp!per interview, the exec)tive vice offici!l of the "etropolit!n
"!tri$oni!l Trib)n!l of the /rchdiocese of "!nil!, in re-!ffir$in5 the position
of the C!tholic Ch)rch th!t it is which !re consideredoid ab initio is !nn)llin5
only $!rri!5e he r)les of the Ch)rch, wo)ld not specify the )nder t c!nonic!l
5ro)nds for !nn)l$ent of $!rri!5es considered void fro$ the very be5innin5
by the Ch)rch, st!tin5 $erely th!t they !re 6v!ried !nd diverse ... !ll of the$
!re ()!lified ter$s with specific $e!nin5s very different fro$ the l!y$!nTs
)nderst!ndin56 (Ti$es 9o)rn!l, Modern Liin0, p. 0, Oct. A, 0813). This
!nswer is ev!sive. #)ch ev!sion is co$po)nded by the f!ct th!t s)ch
!nn)l$ents by the Ch)rch !re not p)blished in !ny C!tholic or5!n to en!ble
the p)blic to Enow the f!cts of e!ch c!se !nd the re!sons for !nn)llin5 the
$!rri!5e, )nliEe the c!ses decided by the civil co)rts.
.owever, !ther "!rio 7epo$)ceno, ! 9es)it $!rri!5e co)nselor, st!ted
before the *nteri$ ,!t!s!n5 P!$b!ns! co$$ittee cond)ctin5 he!rin5s on the
divorce bills, th!t the Philippine C!tholic ch)rch h!s in f!ct !nn)lled $!ny
$!rri!5es on the 5ro)nds of 6$or!l inco$p!tibility6 or e$otion!l i$$!t)rity on
the p!rt of one or both spo)ses ('!ily Bxpress, pp. 0-2, 7ov. 1, 0813). This
5ro)nd finds its co)nterp!rt in 7ev!d! !nd "exico, where 6()icEie6 divorces
!re the f!shion. The spo)ses, "r. !nd "rs. 9ose ". "eily both st!ted in their
col)$n 6.)sb!nd !nd 4ife6 th!t the C!tholic Ch)rch !nn)ls $!rri!5es on the
5ro)nd of l!cE of f)ll or s)fficient consent on the p!rt of the spo)ses, which
consent $!y be i$p!ired by i5nor!nce, no intention to co-h!bit, l!cE of
conscio)sness !t the ti$e of the $!rri!5e either c!)sed by dr)5s or !lcohol,
error, si$)l!tion of consent, condition!l consent, force !ndGor fe!r, !nd l!cE of
d)e discretion (Philippine P!nor!$!, p. @6, 7ov. 02, 0813). Bxcept for force
!nd fe!r, !ll the other ()!lific!tions !s to the existence of f)ll consent !re not
fo)nd in o)r civil l!ws.
The st!te$ent of C!rdin!l #in th!t the #t!te sho)ld not interfere with Ch)rch
r)lin5s on $!rri!5es sole$ni;ed in ch)rch is ! defi!nce of the l!w !nd the
!)thority of the Rep)blic of the PhilippinesP bec!)se it i$plies th!t the r)les of
the Ch)rch on the v!lidity or n)llity of $!rri!5es sole$ni;ed in ch)rch sh!ll
prev!il over the l!ws of the #t!te on the s)b%ect (see 6,)lletin Tod!y6, pp. * V
02, Oct. @, 0813). This st!te$ent of C!rdin!l #in belies his !ffir$!tion th!t the
Ch)rch does not interfere with or defy civil l!ws b)t respects the$ (see
6,)lletin Tod!y6, su"ra).
There is need of e$ph!si;in5 th!t $!rri!5e is ! soci!l instit)tion : not %)st !
$ere contr!ct)!l rel!tion : whose s!nctity is reco5ni;ed !nd protected by
the #t!te, !nd is not ! $!tter within the excl)sive %)risdiction of the Ch)rch.
The solid!rity of the ilipino f!$ily !nd s!nctity of the $!rit!l bond !re the
pri$!ry concern of the #t!te, perh!ps even $ore th!n they !re of the C!tholic
ch)rch, !s the f!$ily )nit constit)tes the stren5th of the n!tion. The Ch)rch
trib)n!ls in !nn)llin5 $!rri!5es, is )s)rpin5 the power of the co)rts
est!blished by the #t!te. Bven the !)thority of the priests !nd $inisters to
sole$ni;e $!rri!5es is 5r!nted by #t!te l!w, witho)t which no priest or
$inister of !ny reli5ion or ch)rch or sect or deno$in!tion c!n le5!lly
sole$ni;e $!rri!5es. *f the ri5ht of the C!tholic ch)rch to !nn)l $!rri!5es or
to decl!re $!rit!l )nions !s void ab initio )nder its r)les were conceded, then
there is no re!son to deny the s!$e ri5ht to the $inisters of the Protest!nt
ch)rch !nd other reli5io)s sect or deno$in!tion.
The !nn)l$ent by the Ch)rch does not render the spo)ses exe$pt fro$
possible prosec)tion for bi5!$y, !d)ltery or conc)bin!5e, sho)ld they
contr!ct ! second $!rri!5e or h!ve c!rn!l Enowled5e of, or co-h!bit with
persons other th!n their le5iti$!te spo)ses of the first $!rri!5e which
re$!ins l!wf)l in the yes of the l!ws v!lidly pro$)l5!ted by the #t!te.
*f the Ch)rch trib)n!l believes th!t the $!rit!l )nion is ! n)llity fro$ the very
be5innin5 )nder the civil l!ws, then the Ch)rch sho)ld !dvise the p!rties to 5o
to the civil co)rts. ,)t the Ch)rch sho)ld not !rro5!te )nto itself #t!te
!)thority !nd the %)risdiction of the co)rts cre!ted by the #t!te.
To stress, in o)r co)ntry, there is only one soverei5n, the Rep)blic of the
Philippines, !nd not the Ro$!n C!tholic Ch)rch or !ny other ch)rch. Only the
soverei5n, the Rep)blic of the Philippines, c!n v!lidly pro$)l5!te l!ws to
5overn !ll the inh!bit!nts of the Philippines, whether citi;ens or !liens,
incl)din5 l!ws concernin5 $!rri!5es, persons !nd f!$ily rel!tions. /nd only
the co)rts est!blished by the soverei5n, the Rep)blic of the Philippines, c!n
!pply, interpret !nd enforce s)ch l!ws. The exercise by the C!tholic ch)rch in
pro$)l5!tin5 r)les 5overnin5 $!rri!5es !nd definin5 the 5ro)nds for
!nn)l$ent of the s!$e, !s well !s est!blishin5 ecclesi!stic!l trib)n!ls to
!nn)l $!rri!5es or to decl!re $!rri!5es void ab initio is ! )s)rp!tion of the
soverei5n power of Tthe #t!te.
4hile !ny Ch)rch or reli5io)s sect or deno$in!tion h!s the ri5ht to exist
independent of the Constit)tion !nd the l!ws of the co)ntry, s)ch Ch)rch or
reli5io)s sect or deno$in!tion sh!ll obey the Constit)tion !nd the l!ws of the
#t!te where it exists !nd oper!tes. The Ch)rch or !ny reli5io)s sect or
deno$in!tion c!n invoEe the protection of the #t!te whenever its existence
!nd the persons of its he!ds, priests, $inisters !nd properties !re i$perilled
or viol!ted. ,)t the Ch)rch or reli5io)s sect or deno$in!tion h!s no le5!l or
ecclesi!stic!l power to s)bvert the #t!te !nd its l!ws. 7o Ch)rch or !ny
reli5io)s sect or deno$in!tion c!n repe!l or $odify the provisions of the l!ws
v!lidly pro$)l5!ted by the #t!te. h!t the existin5 l!ws on !nn)l$ent
*f the Ch)rch believes t of $!rri!5es need to be !$ended, it sho)ld s)55est
s)ch !$end$entsP b)t it sho)ld not en!ct or pro$)l5!te s)ch proposed
!$end$ents.
The 5ood C!rdin!l 9!i$e =. #in wo)ld do well to heed ChristTs re$inder
(which he repe!ted !t the o)rth /nn)!l 7!tion!l Pr!yer ,re!Ef!st !t the
"!nil! .otel on 7ove$ber A?, 0813) to .is disciples th!t .is Uin5do$ is not
of this world.
/nd !ll !)thorities of the Ro$!n C!tholic Ch)rch sho)ld liEewise h!rEen to
the in%)nction of the s)pre$e Pontiff Pope 9ohn P!)l 00, who on rid!y,
7ove$ber 2>, 0813, told the $onEs, fri!rs !nd other reli5io)s th!t their d)ty is
to le!d ! poor !nd obedient life r!ther th!n be en5!5ed in 6soci!l !nd politic!l
r!dic!lis$6 (Ti$es 9o)rn!l, p!5e 0, 7ove$ber 2@, 0813).
* therefore vote to 5r!nt the petition !nd to reverse the decision of the tri!l
co)rt.

NTONIO, J. conc)rrin5+
* conc)r in the %)d5$ent, b)t dissent fro$ the views expressed by "r. 9)stice
ern!ndo. *n resolvin5 the iss)es in the c!se !t b!r, the $!in opinion f!iled to
consider #ection 0@ of /rticle 2- of the Constit)tion. This provision, which
ord!ins the inviol!bility of the sep!r!tion of Ch)rch !nd #t!te, !ppe!rs $ore
relev!nt to the c!se !t b!r, if we consider the constit)tion!l 5)!r!ntee of
reli5io)s freedo$ in its historic!l settin5. *t $)st be rec!lled th!t d)rin5 the
period of #p!nish coloni!l do$in!tion, the )nion of Ch)rch !nd #t!te in the
Philippines w!s $!int!ined !nd protected. /s observed by one writer+
The ri!r !t this period w!s the f)ll e$bodi$ent of #p!nish coloni!l don!tion. .e w!s de
f!cto ! coloni!l civil !d$inistr!tor !nd ! defender of the soverei5nty of the Uin5 of #p!in
over the s)b%ect 3ndio in $ost provinci!l towns. #i$)lt!neo)sly he w!s de %)re by
oper!tion of the Patronato -eal, the ri5htf)l p!rish priest of the s!$e towns constit)ted
!s p!rishes.
#ince he w!s the only #p!ni!rd in residence in $ost Philippine towns he w!s not only !
s!l!ried 5overn$ent offici!l he w!s entr)sted with p)rely civil f)nctions. Th)s, for
inst!nce, he drew )p the trib)te list of his p!rish, the list, n!$ely, of those 3ndios s)b%ect
to the poll t!x !nd to st!t)te l!bor. .e w!s the director of the loc!l ele$ent!ry school. .e
s)pervised the election of loc!l offici!ls whose confir$!tion in office by the coloni!l
5overn$ent depended entirely )pon his reco$$end!tion. .e !ttended, !nd often
presided !t the $eetin5s of the town co)ncil, whose ordin!nces h!d to be !pproved by
hi$. Ro!ds, brid5es !nd other p)blic worEs were $!int!ined )nder his orders !nd
vi5il!nce. .e w!s the %)d5e !nd 5)!rdi!n of p)blic $or!ls.
The ri!r therefore, w!s the pro$oter, defender, !nd protector of #p!nish r)le in the
Philippines. ... .
1
*t is ! historic!l f!ct th!t this !rr!n5e$ent sp!wned !b)ses on the p!rt of the
fri!rs. /ccordin5 to two noted histori!ns, 6one of the $ost )nwelco$e
ch!r!cteristics of #p!nish coloni;!tion w!s the encro!ch$ent of the ch)rch
)pon the %)risdiction of the 5overn$ent, !nd the exercise of politic!l power by
the reli5io)s. *n the centr!l 5overn$ent, represent!tives of the ch)rch or of
the reli5io)s orders s!t in the hi5hest co)ncils. The fri!rs were he!vily
represented in the powerf)l Per$!nent Co$$ission on Censorship, cre!ted
in 03@6, which h!d %)risdiction over Tthe press !nd the introd)ction of booEs in
the !rchipel!5o, !ccordin5 to r)les !pproved by both the civil !nd
ecclesi!stic!l !)thorities.T *n the towns the $!sses were s)b%ect to the will of
the p!rish priest, who do$in!ted the loc!l offici!ls. *ndeed, in the towns, the
fri!rs !nd priests bec!$e inte5r!ted into the $!chinery of 5overn$ent+ they
Th!d beco$e the 5overn$ent.T Th)s, there w!s no effective syste$ of checEs
!nd b!l!nces which co)ld c)rb !b)ses.6
2
#!id histori!ns f)rther noted th!t+
9)stice lorentino Torres testified, !lso before the Philippine Co$$ission in 08??, th!t
the fri!rs were so powerf)l th!t they co)ld intervene directly in the election of $)nicip!l
offici!ls, !nd co)ld obt!in the tr!nsfer, s)spension, or even re$ov!l fro$ office of civil
offici!ls, fro$ the hi5hest to the lowest, incl)din5 the 5overnor-5ener!l. /ccordin5 to hi$,
whoever w!s s)spected by the fri!rs to be ! filib)ster no $!tter how worthy or )pri5ht, T...
bec!$e the ob%ect of !ll $!nner of 5overn$ent!l !ction, of $ilit!ry proceedin5s, !nd of
the cr)elest o)tr!5es !nd vex!tions, bec!)se !5!inst hi$ who w!s !cc)sed of bein5 !
filib)ster !ll $!nner of ill tre!t$ent, i$prison$ent, deport!tion, !nd even !ss!ssin!tion
w!s per$itted.T
-
!ther 9ose ,)r5os !ttrib)ted the re5ressiveness of the ilipinos in his
6"!nifesto6 in the newsp!per =! -erd!d6 to the efforts of the fri!rs to Eeep the
poor *ndios in i5nor!nce !nd r)sticity !nd this constit)ted ! const!nt obst!cle
to the pro5ress !nd !dv!nce$ent of the ilipinos. *n 6Bl ilib)steris$o6, 9ose
Ri;!l bl!$ed by the tyr!nny !nd !b)ses of the fri!rs !nd #p!nish offici!ls,
!nd especi!lly their s)ppression of free *de!s, !s the c!)se of the soci!l !nd
politic!l b!cEw!rdness of the ilipinos.
*t is in the !n5)ish of their historic!l experience th!t the ilipinos so)5ht ! b!n
on the intervention of the ecclesi!stics in the $!n!5e$ent of 5overn$ent.
Th)s, the fr!$ers of the Constit)tion of the irst Philippine Rep)blic ("!lolos
Constit)tion) of 0388 dee$ed it necess!ry to prevent interference with, !nd
do$in!tion of, the 5overn$ent by the ecclesi!stics by providin5, in /rticle @,
Title *ll thereof, for the 6sep!r!tion of the Ch)rch !nd the #t!te.6
4
Bven before
the est!blish$ent of the /$eric!n coloni!l r)le, there w!s, therefore, this
prev!ilin5 cl!$or of the ilipinos to erect ! w!ll between the Ch)rch !nd the
#t!te. *n the instr)ctions of President "cUinley to the Philippine Co$$ission
which l!id o)t the policies of the Dnited #t!tes in est!blishin5 ! 5overn$ent in
the Philippines, he st!ted th!t 6the sep!r!tion of #t!te !nd Ch)rch sh!ll be
re!l, entire !nd !bsol)te.6
The sep!r!tion of #t!te !nd Ch)rch cl!)se w!s !5!in incorpor!ted in the
08A@ !nd l!ter in the 081A Constit)tions. Th)s, the 081A Constit)tion of the
Philippines provides th!t 6the sep!r!tion of ch)rch !nd st!te sh!ll be
inviol!ble.6
5
This sho)ld, therefore, be t!Een into consider!tion in !scert!inin5
the $e!nin5 !nd i$port of #ection 3 of /rticle *- of the Constit)tion, which
st!tes th!t 6no reli5io)s test sh!ll be re()ired for the exercise of civil or
politic!l ri5hts.6
6
/ccordin5 to #tory, the 6no reli5io)s test6 cl!)se cont!ined in
the Dnited #t!tes Constit)tion w!s 6not introd)ced $erely for the p)rpose of
s!tisfyin5 the scr)ples of $!ny respect!ble persons, who feel !n invincible
rep)5n!nce to !ny reli5io)s test or !ffir$!tion. *t h!d ! hi5her ob%ectP to c)t off
forever every pretence of !lli!nce between ch)rch !nd st!te in the n!tion!l
5overn$ent. The fr!$ers of the Constit)tion were f)lly sensible of the d!n5ers
fro$ this so)rce, $!rEed o)t in the history of other !5es !nd co)ntries, !nd
not wholly )nEnown to o)r own. They Enew th!t bi5otry w!s )nce!sin5ly
vi5il!nt in its str!t!5e$s to sec)re to itself !n excl)sive !scend!ncy over the
h)$!n $indP !nd th!t toler!nce w!s ever re!dy to !r$ itself with !ll the
terrors of the civil power to exter$in!te those who do)bted its do5$!s or
resisted its inf!llibility.6
7
*t is cle!r, therefore, th!t the two provisions, t!Een to5ether, ens)re the
sep!r!tion of Ch)rch fro$ &overn$ent, while !t the s!$e ti$e 5ivin5
!ss)r!nce th!t no $!n sh!ll be discri$in!ted !5!inst bec!)se of his reli5io)s
beliefs. The interrel!tion of these co$ple$ent!ry cl!)ses w!s well
s)$$!ri;ed, th)s+ 6The str)ct)re of o)r 5overn$ent h!s, for the preserv!tion
of civil liberty, resc)ed the te$por!l instit)tions fro$ reli5io)s interference. On
the other h!nd, it h!s sec)red reli5io)s liberty fro$ the inv!sion of the civil
!)thority.6
8
*ndeed, it is ! $!tter of history th!t 6the )nion of 5overn$ent !nd
reli5ion tends to destroy 5overn$ent !nd de5r!de reli5ion.6
9
*t w!s p!rtly to ens)re th!t no p!rtic)l!r reli5io)s sect sh!ll ever !5!in obt!in
! do$in!nt hold over civil 5overn$ent th!t #ection 201@ of the Revised
/d$inistr!tive Code w!s incorpor!ted in o)r l!ws, Th)s, it provides th!t 6in no
c!se sh!ll there be elected or !ppointed to ! $)nicip!l office ecclesi!stics ...6.
This Co)rt !pplied this prohibition in ! c!se decided on "!rch 0>, 08@@,
or after the !doption of the 08A@ Constit)tion. Th)s, :ilar . Paraiso,
10
the
Co)rt r)led th!t ! $inister of the Dnited Ch)rch of Christ w!s ineli5ible to
!ss)$e the office of $)nicip!l $!yor.
*n its /$eric!n settin5, the sep!r!tion of Ch)rch !nd #t!te cl!)se is %)stified
6by the necessity for Eeepin5 the st!te o)t of the !ff!irs of the ch)rch, lest the
ch)rch be s)bordin!ted to the st!teP in 9effersoni!n ter$s its f)nction is to
Eeep the ch)rch o)t of the b)siness of 5overn$ent, lest the 5overn$ent be
s)bordin!ted to the ch)rch. =i$ited powers of 5overn$ent were not instit)ted
to exp!nd the re!l$ of power of reli5io)s or5!ni;!tions, b)t r!ther in f!vor of
freedo$ of !ctions !nd tho)5ht by the people.6
11
*t is, therefore, obvio)s th!t on the b!sis of its history !nd constit)tion!l
p)rpose, the !forecited provisions of the Constit)tion f)rnish neither w!rr!nt
nor %)stific!tion for the holdin5 in the $!in opinion th!t #ection 201@ of the
Revised /d$inistr!tive Code, insof!r !s it incl)des ecclesi!stics is
inconsistent with the 6reli5io)s freedo$ 5)!r!nteed in the Constit)tion.6
*n 2orcaso . 8at?ins,
12
which is !ccorded pers)!sive wei5ht in the $!%ority
opinion, there w!s no showin5 th!t Torc!so w!s !n ecclesi!stic or ! $inister
or officer of !ny reli5io)s sect /s ! $!tter of f!ct, he w!s ref)sed !
co$$ission to serve !s not!ry p)blic bec!)se he wo)ld not decl!re his belief
in &od, !s re()ired by /rticle A1 of the "!ryl!nd Constit)tion. The #)pre$e
Co)rt properly held th!t the re()ire$ent is ! reli5io)s test !nd
6)nconstit)tion!lly inv!des the !ppell!ntTs freedo$ of belief !nd reli5ion !nd
therefore c!nnot be enforced !5!inst hi$.6
On the other h!nd, the sit)!tion of priv!te respondent is $!teri!lly different.
.e is !d$ittedly ! $e$ber of the Cler5y, bein5 ! priest of the Ro$!n C!tholic
Ch)rch. *t is for this re!son th!t he is bein5 prevented fro$ !ss)$in5 the
office of $)nicip!l $!yor, !nd not bec!)se of his reli5io)s belief. The
prohibition does not i$pin5e )pon his reli5io)s freedo$. .e h!s the f)ll !nd
free ri5ht to entert!in his reli5io)s belief, to pr!ctice his reli5io)s principle !nd
to te!ch his reli5io)s doctrine, !s lon5 !s he does not viol!te the l!ws of
$or!lity or the l!ws of the l!nd. The sep!r!tion of Ch)rch !nd #t!te cl!)se in
the Constit)tion !ppe!rs to be ! reco5nition of the te!chin5s of history 6th!t
powerf)l sects or 5ro)ps $i5ht brin5 !bo)t ! f)sion of 5overn$ent!l !nd
reli5io)s f)nctions or ! concert or dependency of one )pon the other to the
end th!t offici!l s)pport of the ... &overn$ent wo)ld be pl!ced behind the
tenets of one or of !ll orthodoxies.6
1-
The intent of the constit)tion!l provision is the vit!l p!rt, the essence of the
l!w. The cle!r p)rpose of the fr!$ers of the Constit)tion !nd the
)nderst!ndin5 of the people when they !pprove it, when !scert!ined, $)st be
enforced. *ndeed, in constr)in5 provisions of the Constit)tion, the proper
co)rse is to st!rt o)t !nd follow the tr)e intent of its fr!$ers !nd to !dopt th!t
constr)ction which h!r$oni;es best with the context !nd pro$otes in the
f)llest $!nner the re!li;!tion of the constit)tion!l p)rpose.
* liEewise t!Ee exception to the view expressed in the $!%ority opinion th!t the
s)pre$!cy of the Constit)tion s)pplies the !nswer to the iss)e of the eli5ibility
of ! $e$ber of the cler5y to !n elective $)nicip!l position. The !pplic!tion of
/rticle 2-*, #ection 2 of the 08A@ Constit)tion, with its co)nterp!rt in /rticle
2-**, #ection 1 of the 081A Constit)tion, concernin5 l!ws inconsistent with the
Constit)tion, is in!cc)r!te. /rticle 201@ of the Revised /d$inistr!tive Code, in
incl)din5 ecclesi!stics within the !$bit of the prohibition, is not inconsistent
with the explicit provision of the 08A@ Constit)tion th!t 6(n)o reli5io)s test sh!ll
be re()ired for the exercise of civil or politic!l ri5hts.6
14
The !bsence of
inconsistency $!y be seen fro$ the f!ct th!t the prohibition !5!inst 6reli5io)s
tests6 w!s not ori5in!l to the 08A@ constit)tion. *t w!s expressly provided in
the 9ones =!w
15
th!t 6no reli5io)s test sh!ll be re()ired for the exercise of civil
or politic!l ri5hts6 (#ection A). /t the ti$e of the p!ss!5e of the 9ones =!w, the
Ori5in!l /d$inistr!tive Code (/ct 26@1) w!s !lre!dy in force, h!vin5 been
en!cted in ebr)!ry 0806. *n order to h!r$oni;e the Code with the 9ones
=!w, the Code w!s !$ended in October 0806, with the p!ss!5e of /ct 2100.
The revision w!s $!de expressly 6for the p)rpose of ada"tin0 it to the Jones
La/ !nd the Reor5!ni;!tion /ct.
16
7otwithst!ndin5 s)ch st!ted p)rpose of the
!$end$ent, the prohibition !5!inst the election of ecclesi!stics to $)nicip!l
offices, ori5in!lly e$bodied in #ection 2020
17
of the 26@1, w!s ret!ined. This
is ! cle!r indic!tion th!t it is not rep)5n!nt to the 6no reli5io)s test6 doctrine
which, !s !forest!ted, w!s !lre!dy expressly provided for in the 9ones =!w.
Considerin5 th!t #ection 201@ of the Revised /d$inistr!tive Code, which 6c)t
off forever every pretence of !ny !lli!nce between ch)rch !nd st!te6, is in
confor$ity with #ection 0@ of /rticle 2- of the Constit)tion, which ord!ins th!t
6the sep!r!tion of ch)rch !nd st!te shall be iniolable, 6 it c!nnot, wherefore,
be s!id th!t s)ch st!t)te, in incl)din5 ecclesi!stics !$on5 those ineli5ible to
$)nicip!l office, is viol!tive of the f)nd!$ent!l l!w.
* conc)r in the view incisively disc)ssed by Chief 9)stice C!stro th!t #ection
201@ of the Revised /d$inistr!tive Code h!s not. been repe!led or
s)perseded by !ny other le5isl!tion !nd, therefore, is the controllin5 l!w in the
c!se before Ds.
#ince we c!nnot ne5!te the cle!r !nd )ne()ivoc!l intend$ent of the l!w, *
therefore conc)r in the %)d5$ent 5r!ntin5 the certior!ri.

%#9O, PL%, J. dissentin5+
* conc)r f)lly with the sep!r!te Opinion of 9)stice Cl!)dio Teeh!nEee on !ll
the points disc)ssed therein.
/s re5!rds the fin!l o)tco$e of this c!se, with 9)stices ern!ndo,
Concepcion 9r., #!ntos, ern!nde;, !nd &)errero who sh!re o)r views on the
le5!l iss)e r!ised in the Petition, now votin5 with the Chief 9)stice !nd the
fo)r other 9)stices to 0rant the "etition bec!)se, 6the vote is indecisive6 for
6while @ $e$bers of the Co)rt constit)te ! $inority, the vote of the re$!inin5
seven does not s)ffice to render the ch!llen5ed provision ineffective,6 !nd
6)nder the circ)$st!nces, certiorari lies,6 !nd therefore the !fore$entioned
9)stices 6h!ve no choice then b)t to vote for the revers!l of the lower co)rt
decision !nd decl!re ineli5ible respondent !ther "!r5!rito R. &on;!5! for
the office of $)nicip!l $!yor.6 (#ee 0st p!r!5r!ph, p. A of "!%ority Opinion) *
c!n only st!te th!t this re!sonin5 s)rp!sses $y co$prehension.
* believe th!t there wo)ld h!ve been 5re!ter fidelity to the prev!ilin5 sit)!tion
h!d the petition for certior!ri been denied d)e to the ori5in!l l!cE of necess!ry
votes to 5r!nt the s!$e, ! status Auo $!int!ined insof!r !s respondent
!ther &on;!5! is concerned, witho)t ! concl)sive r)lin5 prono)nced on the
le5!l iss)e !s the re()ired ei5ht votes for p)rposes of renderin5 %)d5$ent is
!bsent. (#ee #ec. 8, 9)dici!ry /ct of 08>3 !s !$ended by /rt. 2, #ec.
2L2M081A Constit)tion)
/s expl!ined in det!il in the sep!r!te Opinion of 9)stice Teeh!nEee, the deni!l
of the Petition for Review wo)ld be in conson!nce with #ec. 00, R)les @6,
R)les of Co)rt.
* now s)b$it the followin5 observ!tions on the $!tter of the dis()!lific!tion of
!n ecclesi!stic to r)n for ! $)nicip!l elective office.
The $inority view !sserts th!t #ection 201@ of the /d$inistr!tive Code which
decl!res ecclesi!stics !$on5 others ineli5ible for election or !ppoint$ent to !
$)nicip!l office, does not viol!te !ny provision of the Constit)tion !nd th!t in
f!ct it stren5thens the constit)tion!l provision on the sep!r!tion of Ch)rch !nd
#t!te. 9)stice R!$on /()ino p!rtic)l!rly st!tes+ 6to !llow cler5y$en to t!Ee
p!rt in politic!l !ff!irs is to st!rt the process of revivin5 the theocr!cy of
pri$itive societies, !nd p!st civili;!tions where the priests, with his ch!nts
inc!nt!tions hoc)s-poc)s !nd !bbr!c!d!br! pl!yed sinister role6, !nd 6Ri;!l
!nd the refor$ers wo)ld h!ve l!bored in v!in !nd wo)ld be betr!yed if the
priest beco$es ! politici!n.6 (pp. A, >, 6 of Opinion)
* $)st voice $y ob%ection to the !bove-()oted sweepin5 st!te$ents which !re
!lso echoed in the other Opinions of $y distin5)ished Colle!5)es, !s they
s!vor of bi!s, pre%)dice, !nd constit)te !n )n%)st indict$ent !nd dicri$in!tion
!5!inst priests, $ore p!rtic)l!rly, priest of the Ro$!n C!tholic Ch)rch.
*t is not for $e to pontific!te on wh!t is or sho)ld be the tr)e $ission of
priests, $inisters, !nd n)ns, the l!tter, !ccordin5 to 9)stice /()ino, !lso f!ll
)nder the ter$ ecclesi!stics for * wo)ld le!ve th!t $!tter to the conscience
!nd %)d5$ent of the person concerned !nd of his s)periors in his ch)rch, b)t *
will spe!E o)t in defense of ! personTs constit)tion!l ri5ht not to be
dicri$in!ted !5!inst, nor to be denied of e()!l opport)nities for worE or
e$ploy$ent, or withheld of e()!l protection of the l!ws in the exercise of his
civil or politic!l ri5hts, si$ply bec!)se he is 5!rbed in ! c!ssocE or ! reli5io)s
h!bit !nd h!s t!Een vows of service to &od !nd his ch)rch.
OneTs reli5io)s voc!tion does not strip the individ)!l of his ri5hts !nd
obli5!tions !s ! citi;en of his co)ntry !nd !s ! $e$ber of the co$$)nity
where he serves. .e is p!rt of society, !nd his h!vin5 t!Een vows of poverty,
h)$ility, !nd love, renders hi$ !ll the $ore concerned with h)$!nity, $ore
p!rtic)l!rly, with the soci!l !nd econo$ic conditions of the people with who$
he lives be they within or o)t of his flocE. / $inister of the ch)rch is therefore
not to be fe!red of pl!yin5 ! 6sinister role6 in the h!ndlin5 of 5overn$ent
!ff!irs, r!ther it is the l!y$!n $otiv!ted by !$bition !nd 5reed set o)t to
enrich hi$self !nd perpet)!te his person in power while the poor beco$es
poorer !nd the oppressed beco$es $ore b)rdened with in%)stice, who is to
be !bhorred !nd sh)nned.
The fe!rs expressed by the 9)stice concerned d!te f!r b!cE in the d!rE !5es
of history !nd in tr)th !re the res)lt of the !b)ses of ! fe/. 7ow we live in
different ti$es. Concepts in 5overn$ent, politics, reli5ion, !nd society !s !
whole, h!ve )nder5one dr!stic ch!n5es with the p!ssin5 of the ye!rs. The
ilipino people for their p!rt h!ve Eept f!ith with their 5o!l of politic!l
independence !nd their love for freedo$ !nd %)stice side by side with their
Christi!n reli5ion !nd !ll other f!iths which fo)rish in the prev!ilin5 spirit of
ec)$enis$
The present role of the Ro$!n C!tholic Ch)rch w!s cle!rly expressed by
Pope 9ohn 22*** in his encyclic!l 6Mater et Ma0istra6 th)s+
2. Christi!nity is the $eetin5 point of e!rth !nd he!ven. *t l!ys cl!i$ to the whole $!n,
body !nd so)l, intellect !nd will, ind)cin5 hi$ to r!ise his $ind !bove the ch!n5in5
conditions of this e!rthly existence !nd re!ch )pw!rd for the etern!l life of he!ven, where
one d!y he w .00 find his )nf!ilin5 h!ppiness !nd pe!ce.
A. .ence, tho)5h the Ch)rchTs first c!re $)st be for so)ls, how she c!n s!nctify the$
!nd $!Ee the$ sh!re in the 5ifts of he!ven, she concerns herself too /ith the eCi0encies
of manBs daily life, /ith his lielihood and education and his 0eneral tem"oral /elfare and
"ros"erity.
xxx xxx xxx
03?. "oreover, in beco$in5 !s it were the lifeblood of these people, the Ch)rch is not,
nor does she consider herself to be, ! forei5n body in their $idst. .er presence brin5s
!bo)t the rebirth, the res)rrection, of e!ch individ)!l in ChristP !nd the $!n who # reborn
!nd rises !5!in in Christ never feels hi$self constr!ined fro$ witho)t. .e feels hi$self
free in the very depth of his bein5, !nd freely r!ised )p to &od. /nd th)s he !ffir$s !nd
develops th!t side of his n!t)re which is noblest !nd best. (The #oci!l Te!chin5 of Pope
9ohn 22***, p. @P e$ph!sis s)pplied)
The !bove $!y well be the ob%ective of !ll reli5ions.
4h!t then h!ve we to fe!r or 5)!rd !5!inst ! $inister of the ch)rch if ever the
reins of loc!l 5overn$ent !re pl!ced in his h!nds< /s one writer s!ys+ 64hen
one 5ives hi$self wholly to &od, the noblest !nd best in his n!t)re e$er5esP
spont!neo)sly he is 5enero)s, noble, Eind !nd co$p!ssion!teP he will h!ve
the co)r!5e th!t co$es fro$ disinterested love, !nd h!vin5 these ()!lities, he
will beco$e ! powerf)l infl)ence for 5od6 /nd so, r!ther th!n ! tool of evil, !n
ecclesi!stic or ! priest will be !n effective instr)$ent of 5ood in the
co$$)nity.
Of $)ch interest, !nd * wo)ld 5ive it $)ch wei5ht, is !n 038> decision of the
#)pre$e Co)rt of Pennsylv!ni!, Dnited #t!tes of /$eric!, ! co)ntry which
%e!lo)sy 5)!rds the enforce$ent of the principle of sep!r!tion of Ch)rch !nd
#t!te. 3n .yson0 et al . !chool District of Gallit1in $orou0h et al., the !ction
w!s to restr!in the school directors of the 'istrict fro$ per$ittin5 sect!ri!n
te!chin5 in the co$$on schools !nd fro$ e$ployin5 !s te!chers sisters of
the Order of #t. 9oseph, ! reli5io)s society of the Ro$!n C!tholic Ch)rch.
The co)rt of co$$on ple!s dis$issed the !ction !nd dissolved ! preli$in!ry
in%)nction previo)sly iss)ed. /n !ppe!l w!s $!de to the #t!te #)pre$e Co)rt
!nd the l!tter dis$issed the !ppe!l !nd !ffir$ed the order or decree. #!id the
Co)rt thro)5h 9)stice 9ohn 'e!n+
xxx xxx xxx
Dn()estion!bly, these wo$en !re C!tholics, strict !dherents of Ch!t f!ith, believin5 f)lly
in its distinctive creed !nd doctrine. ,)t this does not dis()!lify the$. Our constitution
ne0aties any assertion of inca"acity or ineli0ibility to office because of reli0ious
belief. /rticle 0 of the bill of ri5hts decl!res+ 6/ll $en h!ve ! n!t)r!l !nd indefe!sible ri5ht
to worship /l$i5hty &od !ccordin5 to the dict!tes of their own conscienceP ... no h)$!n
!)thority c!n in !ny c!se wh!tever control or interfere with the ri5hts of conscience. 3f, by
la/, any man or /oman can be eCcluded from "ublic em"loyment because he or she is a
Catholic, that is a "al"able iolation of the s"irit of the Constitution for there can be, in a
democracy, no hi0her "enalty im"osed u"on one holdin0 to a "articular reli0ious belief
than "er"etual eCclusion from "ublic station because of it. Men may disAualify
themseles by crime, but the state no lon0er disAualifies because of reli0ious belief. 4e
c!nnot now, even if we w!nted to, in view of o)r l!w, both f)nd!$ent!l !nd st!t)tory, 5o
b!cE ! cent)ry or two, to ! d!rEer !5e, !nd est!blish ! reli5io)s test !s ! ()!lific!tion for
office. (A? /tl Rep. pp. >32->3A, e$ph!sis s)pplied)
,)t then it is stron5ly !r5)ed th!t the election or !ppoint$ent of priests or
even n)ns to $)nicip!l office will be viol!tive of the sep!r!tion of ch)rch !nd
st!te. * stron5ly believe th!t it is not so. /s !n e$inent Constit)tion!list p)ts it+
wh!t is so)5ht to be !chieved )nder the principle of sep!r!tion of ch)rch !nd
st!te is th!t politic!l process is ins)l!ted fro$ reli5ion !nd reli5ion fro$
politicsP in other words, 5overn$ent ne)tr!lity in reli5io)s $!tters.
1
Th)s, o)r
Constit)tion provides th!t no l!w sh!ll be $!de respectin5 !n est!blish$ent
of reli5ion.
.!vin5 !n ecclesi!stic or priest in ! loc!l 5overn$ent office s)ch !s th!t of the
$)nicip!l $!yor will not necess!rily $e!n the involve$ent of politics in
reli5ion or ice&ersa. Of co)rse the reli5ion of the $!n c!nnot be dissoci!ted
fro$ his person!lityP in tr)th, his reli5ion infl)ences his cond)ct, his $or!l
v!l)es, the f!irness of his %)d5$ent, his o)tlooE on soci!l proble$s, etc. /s
st!ted in the .yson0 decision, inevit!bly in pop)l!r 5overn$ent by the
$!%ority, p)blic instit)tions will be tin5ed $ore or less by the reli5io)s
proclivities of the $!%ority, b)t in !ll c!ses where ! discretion is reposed by the
l!w, it is to be !ss)$ed in the !bsence of evidence to the contr!ry, th!t the
p)blic officer will perfor$ his d)ty in the $!nner the l!w re()ires. * $!y !dd
th!t there !re le5!l re$edies !v!il!ble to the citi;enry !5!inst offici!l !ction
viol!tive of !ny existin5 l!w or constit)tion!l $!nd!te.
4.BRBORB, * vote to deny this Petition for review !nd to !ffir$ the decision
of respondent 9)d5e.

/#INO, J. conc)rrin5+
Reverend !ther "!r5!rito R. &on;!5! w!s elected in 0810 !s $!yor of
/lb)r()er()e ,ohol. ort)n!to R. P!$il his opponent, filed ! Auo
/arranto proceedin5 !5!inst hi$. P!$il invoEed section 201@ of the Revised
/d$inistr!tive Code of 0801 which dis()!lifies cler5y$en fro$ holdin5 !
$)nicip!l office in the followin5 pere$ptory ter$s+
#BC. 201@. Persons ineli0ible to munici"al office. : *n no c!se sh!ll there be elected or
!ppointed to ! $)nicip!l office ecclesi!stics, soldiers in !ctive service, persons receivin5
s!l!ries or co$pens!tion fro$ provinci!l or 7!tion!l f)nds, or contr!ctors for p)blic
worEs of the $)nicip!lity.
!ther &on;!5! interposed the defense th!t section 201@ w!s i$pliedly
repe!led by section 2A of the Blection Code of 0810 which provides+
#BC. 2A. Candidate holdin0 a""ointie office or "osition. : Bvery person holdin5 !
p)blic !ppointive office or position petition, incl)din5 !ctive $e$bers of the /r$ed
orces of the Philippines !nd every officer or e$ployee in 5overn$ent-owned or controlM.
ed corpor!tions, sh!ll ipso-f!cto ce!se in his office or position on the d!te he files his
certific!te of c!ndid!cy+ Proided, Th!t the filin5 of ! certific!te f c!ndid!cy sh!ll not
!ffect wh!tever civil, cri$in!l or !d. !d$inistr!tive li!bilities which he $!y h!ve inc)rred.
*t $!y be noted th!t section 201@ dis()!lifies fro$ holdin5 ! $)nicip!l office
soldiers in !ctive service !s well !s priests. The f!ct th!t tion A2 of the
Blection Code of 0810 !llows !ctive $e$bers of the /r$ed orces of the
Philippines to r)n for $)nicip!l $!yor $!y 5ive the i$pression th!t #ection
201@ w!s i$pliedly repe!led by #ection 2A. The lower co)rt w!s of th!t
opinion. *t denied the petition for Auo /arranto. P!l !ppe!led by $e!ns of
certior!ri )nder Rep)blic /ct 7o. @>>?.
* !$ of the opinion th!t the !ppe!l is $eritorio)s. The lower co)rt erred in
dis$issin5 the petition for ()o w!rr!nto. / soldier in the !ctive service $!y
r)n for $!yor bec!)se )nder #ection 2A he i"so factoce!ses to be !n !r$y
$!n fro$ the ti$e he files his certific!te of c!ndid!cy.
*n contr!st, ! priest contin)es to be ! priest notwithst!ndin5 his filin5 of !
certific!te of c!ndid!cy for $)nicip!l $!yor.
#o, it c!nnot be concl)ded th!t section 2A of the Revised Blection Code
i$pliedly !bro5!ted the ineli5ibility of priests to r)n for $)nicip!l $!yor !s
provided in section 201@. There is no irreconcili!ble rep)5n!ncy between
section 2A !nd section 201@ insof!r !s ecclesi!stics !re concerned.
#ection 201@ !nd section 2A !re in "ari materia with respect to soldiers in the
!ctive service. There is no inco$p!tibility between the two sections with
respect to soldiers. The dis()!lific!tion in section 201@, !s re5!rds soldiers in
the !ctive service, is co$p!tible with their cess!tion !s $e$bers of the !r$ed
forces when they file their certific!tes of c!ndid!cy, !s provided for in section
2A. #oldiers c!n hold ! $)nicip!l office if they !re no lon5er in !ctive service.
Th!t c!n be i$plied fro$ section 201@ itself.
or th!t $!tter, the !)to$!tic resi5n!tion fro$ p)blic office, )nder section 2A,
of p)blic officers who file their certific!tes of c!ndid!cy h!s no connection with
the dis()!lific!tion in section 201@ of ecclesi!stics fro$ holdin5 !ny $)nicip!l
office. Th!t dis()!lific!tion is not !ffected by the provision of the i"so
factoresi5n!tion of p)blic officers who file their certific!tes of c!ndid!cy
bec!)se !n ecclesi!stic is not ! p)blic officer.
The view th!t section 2A i$pliedly repe!led the dis()!lific!tion of ecclesi!stics
fro$ holdin5 ! $)nicip!l office is str!ined !nd f!r-fetched.
#o $)ch for section 2A of the Blection Code of 0810. "r 9)stice ern!ndo,
the Co)rts le!din5 !)thority on constit)tion!l-l!w, t!cEled the ()estion of
respondentTs eli5ibility fro$ the constit)tion!l -,viewpoint !ltho)5h the iss)e of
constit)tion!lity w!s not r!ised in the lower co)rt. * dis!5ree with the opinion
th!t the provision of section 201@ dis()!lifyin5 ecclesi!stics fro$ holdin5 !
$)nicip!l office is )nconstit)tion!l.
The ter$ ecclesi!stics refers to priests, cler5y$en or persons in holy orders
or consecr!ted to the service of the ch)rch. ,ro!dly spe!Ein5, it $!y incl)de
n)ns.
Confor$!bly with section 201@, !n ord!ined $inister of the Dnited Ch)rch of
Christ w!s held to be ineli5ible to hold the office of $)nicip!l $!yor. .is
election to th!t office w!s n)llified in ! Auo /arrantoproceedin5 (-il!r vs,
P!r!iso, 86 Phil. 6@8).
*t is !r5)ed th!t the dis()!lific!tion of priests w!s !bro5!ted by section 001),
/rticle * * * of the 08A@ Constit)tion which provides th!t 6no reli5io)s test sh!ll
be re()ired for the exercise of civil or politic!l ri5hts6. *t is !ss)$ed th!t the
dis ()!lific!tion is 6inconsistent with the reli5io)s freedo$ 5)!r!nteed by the
Constit)tion (#ee sec. 3, /rt. *-P sec. 03L20, /rt. -***, !nd sec. 3, /rt. 2**, 081A
Constit)tion).
* dis!5ree with th!t concl)sion. There is no incon5r)ency between the
dis()!lific!tion provision !nd the 6no reli5io)s test6 provision. The two
provision c!n st!nd to5ether. The dis()!lific!tion provision does not i$p!ir
the free exercise !nd en%oy$ent or reli5io)s profession !nd worship. *t h!s
nothin5 to do with reli5io)s freedo$.
The dis()!lific!tion of priests fro$ holdin5 ! $)nicip!l office is !n !pplic!tion
of the $!nd!te for the sep!r!tion of ch)rch !nd st!te (#ec. 0@, /rt. 2-, 081A
Constit)tionP /rt. @, "!lolos Constit)tion) which is b!sed on ChristTs
!d$onition+ 6Render, therefore, )nto C!es!r the thin5s th!t !re C!es!rTs !nd
to &od the thin5s th!t !re &odTs6.
*t sho)ld be borne in $ind th!t the dis()!lific!tion in section 201@ is !
reprod)ction of section 0@ of /ct 7o. 32 of the Philippine Co$$ission which
w!s p!ssed on 9!n)!ry A0, 08?0, The Co$$ission est!blished th!t
dis()!lific!tion in spite of the 6no reli5io)s test provision fo)nd in !rticle -* of
the eder!l Constit)tion. The constit)tion!lity of th!t dis()!lific!tion h!d not
been !ss!iled )p to 0810 when the inst!nt c!se !rose.
The dis()!lific!tion of priests fro$ holdin5 $)nicip!l offices is ! conse()ence
of the experience of o)r foref!thers d)rin5 the #p!nish re5i$e when the
intervention of the loc!l c)r!te in $)nicip!l !ff!irs res)lted in oppression,
!b)ses, $isery i$$or!lity !nd st!5n!tion. The revol)tion !5!inst #p!in w!s
p!rtly !n )prisin5 !5!inst the fri!rs whose predo$in!nce in the co)ntryTs
!ff!irs w!s ch!r!cteri;ed by Pl!ridel !s the soberania monacal.
There is ! ch!pter in Ri;!lTs #oli Me 2an0ere entitled Los !oberanos (The
R)lers), wherein the !)thor !nswers the ()estion+ I)ienes er!n los c!ci()es
del p)eblo<6. .e noted th!t the town of #!n 'ie5o w!s not r)led by 'on
R!f!el *b!rr! the richest l!ndowner, nor by C!pit!n Ti!5o, the $oneylender,
nor by the0obernardorcillo, nor by &od. *t w!s r)led by the c)r!te !nd
the alfere1. Ri;!l described the two r)lers !s follows+
#!n 'ie5o w!s ! Eind of Ro$e+ not the Ro$e of the ti$e when the c)nnin5 Ro$)l)s l!id
o)t its w!lls with ! plow, nor of the l!ter ti$e when, b!thed in its own !nd othersT blood, it
dict!ted l!ws to the world : no, it w!s ! Ro$e of o)r own ti$es with the difference th!t
in pl!ce of $!rble $on)$ents !nd colose)$s it h!d its $on)$ents of s!w!li !nd its
cocEpit of nip! The c)r!te w!s the Pope in the -!tic!nP the !lfere; of the Civil &)!rd, the
Uin5 of *t!ly on the I)irin!l !ll, it $)st be )nderstood, on ! sc!le of nip! !nd b!$boo.
.ere !s there, contin)!l ()!rrelin5, went on, since e!ch wished to be the $!ster !nd
considered the other !n intr)der. ... Bstos on los sober!nos del p)eblo de #!n 'ie5o.
The fl!5itio)s thr!lldo$ which the fri!rs i$posed on the ilipinos, w!s !n
!spect of the $!li5n!nt soci!l c!ncer th!t Ri;!l !nd the prop!5!ndists
exposed !nd co$b!ted in their writin5s.
The ecclesi!stic is dis()!lified to r)n for !n elective office in order to prevent,
his ch)rch fro$ controllin5 the 5overn$ent. The s!$e re!son holds tr)e with
respect to soldiers in !ctive service. They sho)ld not $eddle in politics so th!t
no se5$ent of the !r$y c!n overthrow the 5overn$ent,
*ndeed, there is no re!son when ! priest sho)ld hold ! civil office. .e sho)ld
h!Ee eno)5h worE in his h!nds $inisterin5 to the spirit)!l needs of the
$e$bers of his ch)rch. .e c!n be !n !ctivist !nd he c!n ch!$pion soci!l
%)stice if lie is not ! $)nicip!l officeholder
Respondent !ther &on;!5! is s)pposed to devote hi$self solely to spirit)!l
$!tters !nd not to te$por!l !ff!irs s)ch !s the !d$inistr!tion of !
$)nicip!lity. The ob%ective of the Ro$!n C!tholic Ch)rch is the s!lv!tion or
rede$ption of so)ls. To !tt!in th!t ob%ective, the priest )nder the CodeC Juris
Canoniciis invested with the three-fold f)nction of te!chin5, directin5 !nd
s!nctifyin5 in the t!$e of 9es)s Christ. Th!t $e!ns the 5overn!nce of the
f!ithf)l !nd the $inistry of divine worship or excl)sive dedic!tion to the service
of &od !nd the s!nctific!tion of $en in the $!nner of the priestly !nd =evitic!l
orders of the Old Test!$ent (08 Bncyclopedi! ,rit!nic!, 081A Bd., pp. >6@-
>66).
To n)llify the dis()!lific!tion provision wo)ld be ! retro5ressive step. To !llow
cler5y$en to t!Ee p!rt in politic!l !ff!irs is to st!rt the process of revivin5 the
theor!cy or pri$itive societies !nd p!st civili;!tions where the priests with his
ch!nts inc!nt!tions hoc)s-poc)s !nd !bbr!c!d!br! pl!yed ! sinister role.
These observ!tions !re b!sed on historic!l f!cts. * h!ve n in5r!ined bi!s or
pre%)dice !5!inst priests. There !re, !n there h!ve been 5ood !nd s!intly
cler5y$en liEe the l!te !ttier &eor5e 9. 4il$!nn #. 9. Philippine 'ep)ty of th
Uni5hts of Col)$b)s. Reli5ion pl!ys !n i$port!nt role in enforcin5 the $or!l
code !nd pro$otin5 order !nd $or!lity in society.
Ri;!l !nd the refor$ers wo)ld h!ve l!bored in v!in !nd wo)ld be betr!yed if
the priest beco$es ! politici!n. .e wo)ld be deb!sed !nd his ch)rch wo)ld
be de5r!ded. The evils !risin5 fro$ his intervention in $)nicip!l !ff!irs wo)ld
o)twei5ht the !dv!nt!5es, if !ny.
/ priest, who is dis()!lified fro$ beco$in5 ! $)nicip!l e$ployee, is not
denied !ny p!rt of his reli5io)s freedo$., or his politic!l ri5hts. / priest $!y
h!ve the civil ri5ht to e$br!ce the reli5io)s voc!tion b)t he does not h!ve the
constit)tion!l ri5ht to be ! $)nicip!l e$ployee. .e c!n choose between bein5
! $)nicip!l e$ployee !nd bein5 ! priest. .e c!nnot be both. TTh!t
!rr!n5e$ent is 5ood for hi$self !nd his ch)rch !nd for #ociety.
On the other h!nd, the st!t)tory provision th!t only l!y$en c!n hold $)nicip!l
offices or th!t cler5y$en !re dis()!lified to beco$e $)nicip!l offici!ls is
co$p!tible with the 6no reli5io)s test6 provision of the 08A@ Constit)tion which
is !lso fo)nd in .8 tion 3. !rticle *- of the 081A Constit)tion !nd in section A of
the 9ones l!w. They !re co$p!tible bec!)se they refer to different thin5s
The 6no reli5io)s test6 provision $e!ns th!t ! person or citi;en $!y exercise
civil ri5ht (liEe the ri5ht to !c()ire property) or ! politic!l ri5ht (the ri5ht to vote
or hold office, for inst!nce) witho)t bein5 re()ired to belon5 to ! cert!in
ch)rch or to hold p!rtic)l!r reli5io)s beliefs (#ee "iller vs. Bl P!so Co)nty
0>6, #. 4. 2nd 0?21, 61 C.9.#. 023, note >3P >6 C. 9. 8A8, note >>).
Th)s, ! constit)tion!l provision prescribin5 th!t cert!in p)blic officers sh!ll be
Protest!nts re()ires ! reli5io)s test .!le vs. Bverett @A 7. 8, 61 C.9.#. 028,
note @0P >6 C. 9. 8A8, note >1. #ee #t!te vs. 4il$in5ton City Co)ncil, A 'el
28>, 61 C.9.#. 028, note @2).
/nd, ! constit)tion!l provision re()irin5 !s ! condition for !ppoint$ent !s !
not!ry p)blic th!t ! person sho)ld decl!re his belief in the existence of &od or
sho)ld not be !n !theist or !n !5nostic re()ires ! reli5io)s test !nd is,
therefore, )nconstit)tion!l. Th!t constit)tion!l provision i$ple$ents the
historic!lly discredited policy of 6probin5 reli5io)s beliefs by test o!ths or
li$itin5 p)blic offices to persons who h!ve, or perh!ps $ore properly profess
to h!ve, ! belief in so$e p!rtic)l!r Eind of reli5io)s concepts.6 (Torc!so vs.
4!tEins, A61 D. #. >33, >8>, 6 =. Bd. 2nd 832, 831).
The historic!l b!cE5ro)nd of the 6no reli5io)s test6 provision cle!rly shows
th!t it is consistent with the dis()!lific!tion of !ll cler5y$en fro$ holdin5
p)blic office !nd th!t it c!nnot be invoEed to inv!lid!te the st!t)tory provision
on dis()!lific!tion.
The 6no reli5io)s test6 provision is ! re!ction !5!inst the Test /cts which once
)pon ! ti$e were enforced in Bn5l!nd, #cotl!nd !nd *rel!nd. The Test /cts
provided th!t only those who professed the est!blished reli5ion were eli5ible
for p)blic office. Those l!ws discri$in!ted !5!inst rec)s!nts or Ro$!n
C!tholics !nd non-confor$ists.
*n Bn5l!nd the reli5io)s test w!s first e$bodied in the Corpor!tion /ct of
0660. *t provided th!t !ll $e$bers of town corpor!tions, in !ddition to t!Ein5
the o!ths of !lle5i!nce !nd s)bscribin5 to ! decl!r!tion !5!inst the #ole$n
=e!5)e !nd Coven!nt, sho)ld, within one ye!r before election, receive the
s!cr!$ent of the =ordTs #)pper !ccordin5 to the rites of the Ch)rch of
Bn5l!nd. =!ter, the re()ire$ent w!s extended to !ll p)blic offices.
The Bn5lish Test /ct of 0613 provided th!t !ll peers !nd $e$bers of the
.o)se of Co$$ons sho)ld $!Ee ! decl!r!tion !5!inst tr!ns)bst!nti!tion,
invoc!tion of s!ints, !nd the s!crifice of the $!ss. ')rin5 the l!ter p!rt of the
nineteenth cent)ry the Test /cts were !bro5!ted.
*n #cotl!nd, the Test /ct $!de profession of the refor$ed f!ith ! condition of
p)blic office. *n *rel!nd, the principle of )sin5 the s!cr!$ent !s ! test w!s
!dopted. O!ths of !lle5i!nce !nd decl!r!tions !5!inst Ro$!n C!tholic beliefs
!nd pr!ctices were ex!cted. =!ter, the tests were !bolished in the two
co)ntries (20 Bncyclopedi! ,rit!nnic!, 081A Bd., 33A->).
To re()ire th!t ! person sho)ld be ! Protest!nt in order to be eli5ible to p)blic
office is different fro$ dis()!lifyin5 !ll cler5y$en fro$ holdin5 $)nicip!l
positions. The re()ire$ent !s to reli5io)s belief does violence to reli5io)s
freedo$, b)t the dis()!lific!tion, which indiscri$in!tely !pplies to !ll persons
re5!rdless of reli5io)s pers)!sion, does not inv!de !n ecclesi!sticTs reli5io)s
belief .e is dis()!lified not bec!)se of his reli5ion b)t bec!)se of his reli5io)s
voc!tion.
Conse()ently, section 201@ c!n coexist, !s it h!s co-existed for sever!l
dec!des, with the 6no reli5io)s test6 constit)tion!l provision. *t is not
)nconstit)tion!l. *t stren5thens the constit)tion!l provision for the sep!r!tion
of ch)rch !nd st!te.
* conc)r in the opinions of the Chief 9)stice !nd 9)stices ,!rredo, "!E!si!r
!nd /ntonio. * vote for the revers!l of the lower co)rtTs decision !nd the
n)llific!tion of !ther &on;!5!Ts election !s $)nicip!l $!yor of /lb)r()er()e
,ohol.
Foo4)o4e7
0 Petition. p!r. 0.
2 3bid, p!r. >.
A #ection 201@ of the Revised /d$inistr!tive Code (0801).
> The doctrine of repe!l w!s stressed in the sep!r!te opinion of 9)stice Teeh!nEee, !ltho)5h he w!s liEewise in
!5ree$ent with the view of the other six 9)stices th!t s)ch ! b!n on ecclesi!stics, is not in confor$ity with the
Constit)tion, ! ()estion which, !ccordin5 to hi$, however, w!s not s()!rely r!ised.
@ /rt. ***, #ec. 0, p!r. 1 of the 08A@ Constit)tion. The present provision re!ds !s follows+ 67o l!w sh!ll be $!de
respectin5 !n est!blish$ent of reli5ion, or prohibitin5 the free exercise thereof. The free exercise !nd en%oy$ent of
reli5io)s profession !nd worship, witho)t discri$in!tion or preference, sh!ll forever be !llowed. 7o reli5io)s test sh!ll
be re()ired for the exercise of civil or politic!l ri5hts.6 /rt. *-, #ec. 3 of the present Constit)tion is worded si$il!rly, T
6 Cf. People v. =ins!n5!n 62 Phil. 6>6 (08A@)P 'e los #!ntos v. "!ll!re, 31 Phil. 238 (08@?)P !nd "!rtine; v. "orfe =-
A>?22, "!rch 2>, 0812, >> #CR/ 22.
1 /rt. 2-*, #ection 2 of the Constit)tion. / si$il!r provision is now fo)nd in /rticle 2-**, #ection 1. *t re!ds+ 6/ll existin5
l!ws not inconsistent with this Constit)tion sh!ll re$!in oper!tive )ntil !$ended, $odified, or repe!led by the 7!tion!l
/sse$bly.
3 62 Phil. 6>6.
8 /rticle 2103 of the Revised /d$inistr!tive Code re!dsP 6/ person li!ble to the ced)l! t!x who re$!ins delin()ent in
the p!y$ent of the s!$e for fifteen d!ys !fter 9)ne first of e!ch ye!r !nd who )pon de$!nd of the provinci!l tre!s)rer
f!ils there!fter to p!y s)ch t!x !s re()ired by l!w sh!ll be dee$ed to be 5)ilty of ! $isde$e!norP !nd the provinci!l
tre!s)rer $!y, in his discretion, c!)se the delin()ent to be prosec)ted before the %)stice of the pe!ce of the
.$)nicip!lity in which the delin()ent sh!ll be fo)nd, !nd )pon conviction the person so delin()ent sh!ll be sentenced
to i$prison$ent of five d!ys for e!ch )np!id ced)l!. 6
0? /ccordin5 to /rt. ***, #ec. 0, cl!)se 02 of the Constit)tion+ 67o person sh!ll be i$prisoned for debt or non-p!y$ent
of ! poll t!x.6 There is ! reiter!tion of this provision in the present Constit)tion. C /rt. *-. #ection 0A.
00 62 Phil. 6>6, 6@?.
02 31 Phil. 238 (08@?).
0A #ection 2>>@ of the Revised /d$inistr!tive Code, insof!r !s pertinent, re!ds !s follows+ 6The President of the
Philippines sh!ll !ppoint, with tile consent of the Co$$ission on /ppoint$ents of the Con5ress of the Philippines, the
$!yor. the vice-$!yor, !nd one of the other $e$bers of the city co)ncil, the $e$bers of the !dvisory co)ncil, the city
he!lth officer. the city en5ineer, the chief of police, the city tre!s)rer, the city P,!ssessor, the city !ttorney !nd the
!ssist!nt city !ttorney, !nd be $!y re$ove !t ple!s)re !n of the s!id !ppointed officers. ... .6
0> 31 Phil. 28,8. 288.
0@ =-A>?22, "!rch 2>,0812, >> #CR/ 22.
06 /rt. -*, #ec. 0@ of the 08A@ Constit)tion re!ds+ 6The #en!tors !nd "e$bers of the .o)se of Represent!tives sh!ll
in !ll c!ses except tre!son, felony, !nd bre!ch of the pe!ce, be privile5ed fro$ !rrest d)rin5 their !ttend!nce !t the
sessions of the Con5ress, !nd in 5oin5 to !nd ret)rnin5 fro$ the s!$eP !nd for !ny speech or deb!te therein, they
sh!ll not be ()estioned in !ny other pl!ce.6 The : "orfe decision h!s been $odified by the present Constit)tion,
which in its /rticle -***, #ec. 8, extends the privile5e of freedo$ fro$ !rrest =o $e$bers of the 7!tion!l /sse$bly if the
offense i$p)ted to hi$ is p)nish!ble by not $ore th!n six ye!rs i$prison$ent.
01 2?1 D# >2@ (08?3).
03 A61 D# >33 (0860).
08 3bid, >86.
2? 86 Phil. 6@8 (08@@).
20 A? Phil, @6A.
22 3bid, @10.
2A A Cr!nch 0@8, 012 (03?@). 9)stice "orel!nd !lso cited Dnited #t!tes v. #!n5es 0>> D# A0? (0382) !nd Cross v.
,)rEe 0>6 D# 32 (0382).
C/#TRO, 9.
0 6*n no c!se sh!ll there be elected or !ppointed to ! $)nicip!l office ecclei!stics, soldiers in !ctive service, persons
receivin5 s!l!ries or co$pens!tion fro$ provinci!l or n!tion!l f)nds, or contr!ctors for p)blic worEs of the $)nicip!lity.6
2 6#BC. 2A. C!ndid!te holdin5 !ppointive office or position. : Bvery peson holdin5 ! p)blic !ppointive office or
posiiton, incl)din5 !ctive $e$bers of the /r$ed orces of the Philippines, !nd every officer or e$ployee in
5overn$ent-owned or controlled corpor!tions, sh!ll i"so&facto ce!se in his office or position on the d!te he files his
certific!te of c!ndid!cy+ Provided, Th!t the filin5 of! certific!te of c!ndid!cy sh!ll not !ffect wh!tever civil, cri$in!l or
!d$inistr!tive li!bilities which he $!y inc)rred.
TBB./7UBB, 9.,
0 The cited section provides+ #BC 2A. C!ndid!te holdin5 !ppointive office or position - Bvery per5o$ holdin5 ! p)blic
positive once or "osit on incl)din5 !ctive $e$bers of the /r$ed orces of the Philippine !nd every officer or e$ployee
in 5overn$ent.
Owned or controlled corpor!tions, sh!ll ipso f!cto ce!se in his office or position on the d!te he files his certific!te or
c!ndid!cy sh!ll not !ffect wh!tever civil cri$in!l or !d$inistr!tive li!bilities which he $!y h!ve inc)rred.6( R./. 7o.
6A33)
2 Rollo. 7o. 6A33)
A Petitioner-!ppell!ntTs brief, !t p!5es >-@
> 3dem, !t p!5es 00-02, e$ph!sis copied.
@ Co$posed then of 9!i$e 7. BRRBR, ch!ir$!n !nd =ino ". P!t!%o !nd 9ose
6 Rollo, !t p!5e 28.
1 Bxhibits /, /-0, , !nd ,- 0, Rollo, pp- >6->1.
3 86 Phil. 6@8 (08@@).
8 0 #)therl!nd #t!t)tory Constr)ction, pp. >18->30.
0? 3dem, !t pp >1@->11.
00 "!in opinion, !t p!5e A. #ee !lso p!5e 2 thereof on the specific ()estion6 r!ised.
02 Provided in /rticle 000, section 0, p!r. 1 of the 08A@ Constit)tionTs ,ill of Ri5hts !nd s)bst!nti!lly reprod)ced in
/rticle *-, section 3 of the 081A Constit)tionTs ,4 of Ri5hts.
0A /rt. 2-*, section 2 of the 08A@ Constit)tion !nd /rt. 2-**, section 1 of the 081A Constit)tion.
0> #ep!r!tion, 7ot *sol!tion+ !ddress of C!rdin!l #in on 7ove$ber 00, 0813 before the *nte5r!ted ,!r of the
Philippines, "!nil! Ch!pter 00.
0@ o)nders of reedo$, p. 03?.
06 -!tic!n 00, 'ecl!r!tion of Reli5io)s reedo$ 2.
01 -!tic!n 00, 'ecree on Bc)$enisr$ 02.
03 -icente /lb!no P!cis+ o)nders of reedo$, p!5es 68-1?.
08 3dem, p!5e 12, citin5 #ch)$!cher !nd C)shner ,)r5os !nd the C!vite ")tiny (0868).
2? Title in Bn5lish.
20 o)nders of reedo$, p!5e 11, I)ot!tion in br!cEets fro$ 'r. Ri;!l is the Bn5lish tr!nsl!tion of =eon "!. &)errero,
inserted in lie) of the tr!nsl!tion in Op.cit.
22 /t p!5e 2, $!in opinion.
2A /t p!5e 8, $!in opinion.
2> /rticle 2, section 2(2), 081A Constit)tion.
2@ !u"ra, !t p!5e 1 et se(.
26 3dem, in rel!tion to section 8, 9)dici!ry /ct of 08>3 (R./. 7o. 286. !s !$ended).
21 "or!nTs R)les of Co)rt, 081? Bd., p. @, @@P e$ph!sis !nd note in br!cEets s)pplied.
23 Chief 9)sticeTs opinion, !t p!5e A.
28 The philosophic!l b!sis of the r)le is th!t 6(*)f the vote of the individ)!l $e$bers of the !ppell!te co)rt !ffords !
$e!s)re of the rel!tive wei5ht of the evidence of 5)ilt, then !n e()!lly divided co)rt $)st be constr)ed to $e!n !
re!son!ble do)bt which $)st, in the !ccepted principles of cri$in!l proced)re, be resolved in f!vor of the !cc)sed.6 (>
"or!nTs R)les of Co)rt, 081? ed., p. A33)
A? #ee fn. 3.
/7TO7*O, 9.
0 /$brosio ". "!n!li5od #T' 6&re5orio /5lip!y .ero or -ill!in6 (0811), pp, 2@-26.
2 /5oncillo !nd /lfonso. 6/ #hort .istory of the ilipino People6 (086?), pp. 00?-000.
A 3bid, p. 000.
> /rticle @ The st!te reco5ni;es the e()!lity of !ll reli5io)s worships !nd the sep!r!tion of the Ch)rch !nd the #t!te.
@ /rticle 2-, #ection 0@.
6 *-, #ection 3.
1 #tory. 6Co$$ent!ries on the Constit)tion of the Dnited #t!tes6, -ol. **, p. 6>3. .
3 4!tson ). 9ones, 0A 4!ll. 618. 1A?, cited in Bverson v. ,o!rd of Bd)c!tion 063 /=R 0>?>.
8 Bnel v. -it!le A1? D. #. >20P 32 #. Ct. 0260P 3 =. ed. 2d 6?0 (0862).
0? 86 Phil. 6@8, pro$)l5!ted on "!rch 0>, 08@@.
00 Philip ,. U)ri!nd 6Of Ch)rch !nd #t!te !nd the #)pre$e Co)rt6, 086@ #elected Bss!ys on Constit)tion!l =!w, pp.
1?0-1?2.
02 A61 D. #. >33, 6 =. ed. 2d 832.
0A &)nther !nd 'owlin5 6C!ses !nd "!teri!ls on Constit)tion!l l!w6 (086? Bd p. 0A63.
0> /rticle *ll, #ection 0, p!r!5r!ph 1, reprod)ced in /rticle *-, #ection 3 of the 081A Constit)tion.
0@ /ct of Con5ress of /)5)st 28, 0806.
06 /ct 210 0, 6/n /ct /$endin5 the /d$inistr!tive Code6. *t!lics s)pplied.
01 6#BC, 2020. Persons ineli5ible to $)nicip!l office. *n no c!se sh!ll there be elected or !ppointed to ! $)nicip!l
office ecclesi!stics soldiers in !ctive service, persons receivin5 or co$pens!tion fro$ provinci!l or *ns)l!r f)nds or
contr!ctors for p)blic worEs of the $)nicip!lity.6
/ID*7O, 9.
0 ,ern!s, #i Constit)tion!l Ri5hts !nd ')ties, -ol. 0, 081> Bd., p. 0>1.
The =!wphil Pro%ect - /rell!no =!w o)nd!tion
Republic of the Philippines
SUPREME COURT
Manila
EN BANC

G.R. No7. 92191-92 "1=C -0, 1991
NTONIO +. &O, petitioner,
vs.
ELE&TORL TRI!#NL OF THE HO#SE OF REPRESENTTI'ES N$
"OSE ONG, "R.,respondents.
G.R. No7. 92202-0- "1=C -0, 1991
SI.TO T. !LN/#IT, "R., petitioner,
vs.
ELE&TORL TRI!#NL OF THE HO#SE OF REPRESENTTI'ES N$
"OSE ONG, "R.,respondents.
.echanoa & %ssociates for "etitioner Co.
$rillantes, #achura, #aarro and %rcilla La/ Offices for res"ondent On0, Jr.

G#TIERRE,, "R., J.:p
The petitioners co$e to this Co)rt !sEin5 for the settin5 !side !nd revers!l of
! decision of the .o)se of Represent!tives Blector!l Trib)n!l (.RBT).
The .RBT decl!red th!t respondent 9ose On5, 9r. is ! n!t)r!l born ilipino
citi;en !nd ! resident of =!o!n5, 7orthern #!$!r for votin5 p)rposes. The
sole iss)e before )s is whether or not, in $!Ein5 th!t deter$in!tion, the .RBT
!cted with 5r!ve !b)se of discretion.
On "!y 00, 0831, the con5ression!l election for the second district of
7orthern #!$!r w!s held.
/$on5 the c!ndid!tes who vied for the position of represent!tive in the
second le5isl!tive district of 7orthern #!$!r !re the petitioners, #ixto
,!lin()it !nd /ntonio Co !nd the priv!te respondent, 9ose On5, 9r.
Respondent On5 w!s procl!i$ed the d)ly elected represent!tive of the
second district of 7orthern #!$!r.
The petitioners filed election protests !5!inst the priv!te respondent pre$ised
on the followin5 5ro)nds+
0) 9ose On5, 9r. is not ! n!t)r!l born citi;en of the PhilippinesP !nd
2) 9ose On5, 9r. is not ! resident of the second district of 7orthern #!$!r.
The .RBT in its decision d!ted 7ove$ber 6, 0838, fo)nd for the priv!te
respondent.
/ $otion for reconsider!tion w!s filed by the petitioners on 7ove$ber 02,
0838. This w!s, however, denied by the .RBT in its resol)tion d!ted ebr)!ry
22, 0838.
.ence, these petitions for certiorari.
4e tre!t the co$$ents !s !nswers !nd decide the iss)es r!ised in the
petitions.
O# 2.4 3!!64 OF J6-3!D3C23O#
The first ()estion which !rises refers to o)r %)risdiction.
The Constit)tion explicitly provides th!t the .o)se of Represent!tives
Blector!l Trib)n!l (.RBT) !nd the #en!te Blector!l Trib)n!l (#BT) sh!ll be
the sole jud0es of !ll contests rel!tin5 to the election, ret)rns,
!nd Aualifications of their respective $e$bers. (!ee /rticle -*, #ection 01,
Constit)tion)
The !)thority conferred )pon the Blector!l Trib)n!l is f)ll, cle!r !nd co$plete.
The )se of the word solee$ph!si;es the excl)sivity of the %)risdiction of these
Trib)n!ls.
The #)pre$e Co)rt in the c!se of La1atin . .-42 (063 #CR/ A80 L0833M)
st!ted th!t )nder the 0831 Constit)tion, the %)risdiction of the Blector!l
Trib)n!l is ori5in!l !nd excl)sive, i1+
The )se of the word 6sole6 e$ph!si;es the excl)sive ch!r!cter of the %)risdiction
conferred (/n5!r! v. Blector!l Co$$ission, su"ra !t p. 062). The exercise of power by
the Blector!l Co$$ission )nder the 08A@ Constit)tion h!s been described !s 6intended
to be !s co$plete !nd )ni$p!ired !s if it h!d ori5in!lly re$!ined in the le5isl!t)re.6 (id.,
!t p. 01@) B!rlier this 5r!nt of power to the le5isl!t)re w!s ch!r!cteri;ed by 9)stice
"!lcol$ !s 6f)ll, cle!r !nd co$pleteP (-eloso v. ,o!rd of C!nv!ssers of =eyte !nd
#!$!r, A8 Phil. 336 L0808M) Dnder the !$ended 08A@ Constit)tion, the power w!s
)n()!lifiedly reposed )pon the Blector!l Trib)n!l !nd it re$!ined !s f)ll, cle!r !nd
co$plete !s th!t previo)sly 5r!nted the =e5isl!t)re !nd the Blector!l Co$$ission,
(=!chic! v. C!p, 2@ #CR/ 0>? L0863M) The s!$e $!y be s!id with re5!rd to the
%)risdiction of the Blector!l Trib)n!l )nder the 0831 Constit)tion. (p. >?0)
The Co)rt contin)ed f)rther, 6. . . so lon5 !s the Constit)tion 5r!nts the .RBT
the power to be the sole %)d5e of !ll contests rel!tin5 to election, ret)rns !nd
()!lific!tions of $e$bers of the .o)se of Represent!tives, !ny fin!l !ction
t!Een by the .RBT on ! $!tter within its %)risdiction sh!ll, !s ! r)le, not be
reviewed by this Co)rt . . . the power 5r!nted to the Blector!l Trib)n!l is f)ll,
cle!r !nd co$plete !nd excl)des the exercise of !ny !)thority on the p!rt of
this Co)rt th!t wo)ld in !ny wise restrict it or c)rt!il it or even !ffect the s!$e.6
(pp. >?A->?>)
4hen $!y the Co)rt in()ire into !cts of the Blector!l Trib)n!ls )nder o)r
constit)tion!l 5r!nts of power<
*n the l!ter c!se of -obles . .-42 (030 #CR/ 13? L088?M) the #)pre$e
Co)rt st!ted th!t the %)d5$ents of the Trib)n!l !re beyond %)dici!l
interference s!ve only 6in the exercise of this Co)rtTs so-c!lled extr!ordin!ry
%)risdiction, . . . )pon ! deter$in!tion th!t the Trib)n!lTs decision or resol)tion
w!s rendered witho)t or in excess of its %)risdiction, or with 5r!ve !b)se of
discretion or p!r!phr!sin5 "orrero, )pon ! cle!r showin5 of s)ch !rbitr!ry
!nd i$provident )se by the Trib)n!l of its power !s constit)tes ! deni!l of d)e
process of l!w, or )pon ! de$onstr!tion of ! very cle!r )n$iti5!ted BRROR,
$!nifestly constit)tin5 s)ch &R/-B /,D#B O '*#CRBT*O7 th!t there h!s
to be ! re$edy for s)ch !b)se.6 (!t pp. 13@-136)
*n the le!din5 c!se of Morrero . $ocar (66 Phil. >28 L08A3M) the Co)rt r)led
th!t the power of the Blector!l Co$$ission 6is beyond %)dici!l interference
except, in !ny event, )pon ! cle!r showin5 of s)ch !rbitr!ry !nd i$provident
)se of power !s will constit)te ! deni!l of d)e process.6 The Co)rt does not
vent)re into the perilo)s !re! of tryin5 to correct perceived errors of
independent br!nches of the &overn$ent, *t co$es in only when it h!s to
vindic!te ! deni!l of d)e process or correct !n !b)se of discretion so 5r!ve or
5l!rin5 th!t no less th!n the Constit)tion c!lls for re$edi!l !ction.
The #)pre$e Co)rt )nder the 0831 Constit)tion, h!s been 5iven !n
exp!nded %)risdiction, so to spe!E, to review the decisions of the other
br!nches !nd !5encies of the 5overn$ent to deter$ine whether or not they
h!ve !cted within the bo)nds of the Constit)tion. (!ee /rticle -***, #ection 0,
Constit)tion)
Cet, in the exercise thereof, the Co)rt is to $erely checE whether or not the
5overn$ent!l br!nch or !5ency h!s 5one beyond the Constit)tion!l li$its of
its %)risdiction, not th!t it erred or h!s ! different view. *n the !bsence of !
showin5 th!t the .RBT h!s co$$itted 5r!ve !b)se of discretion !$o)ntin5 to
l!cE of %)risdiction, there is no occ!sion for the Co)rt to exercise its corrective
powerP it will not decide ! $!tter which by its n!t)re is for the .RBT !lone to
decide. (!ee "!rcos v. "!n5l!p)s, 011 #CR/ 663 L0838M) *t h!s no power to
looE into wh!t it thinEs is !pp!rent error.
/s constit)tion!l cre!tions invested with necess!ry power, the Blector!l
Trib)n!ls, !ltho)5h not powers in the trip!rtite sche$e of the 5overn$ent, !re,
in the exercise of their f)nctions independent or5!ns : independent of
Con5ress !nd the #)pre$e Co)rt. The power 5r!nted to .RBT by the
Constit)tion is intended to be !s co$plete !nd )ni$p!ired !s if it h!d
re$!ined ori5in!lly in the le5isl!t)re. (/n5!r! v. Blector!l Co$$ission, 6A
Phil. 0A8 L08A6M)
*n p!ssin5 )pon petitions, the Co)rt with its tr!dition!l !nd c!ref)l re5!rd for
the b!l!nce of powers, $)st per$it this excl)sive privile5e of the Trib)n!ls to
re$!in where the #overei5n !)thority h!s pl!ce it. (!ee-eloso v. ,o!rds of
C!nv!ssers of =eyte !nd #!$!r, A8 Phil. 336 L0808M)
*t h!s been !r5)ed th!t )nder /rticle -*, #ection 01 of the present
Constit)tion, the sit)!tion $!y exist !s it exists tod!y where there is !n
)nhe!lthy one-sided politic!l co$position of the two Blector!l Trib)n!ls. There
is nothin5 in the Constit)tion, however, th!t $!Ees the .RBT bec!)se of its
co$position !ny less independent fro$ the Co)rt or its constit)tion!l f)nctions
!ny less excl)sive. The de5ree of %)dici!l intervention sho)ld not be $!de to
depend on how $!ny le5isl!tive $e$bers of the .RBT belon5 to this p!rty or
th!t p!rty. The test re$!ins the s!$e-$!nifest 5r!ve !b)se of discretion.
*n the c!se !t b!r, the Co)rt finds no i$provident )se of power, no deni!l of
d)e process on the p!rt of the .RBT which will necessit!te the exercise of the
power of %)dici!l review by the #)pre$e Co)rt.
O# 2.4 3!!64 OF C323L4#!.3P
The records show th!t in the ye!r 038@, the priv!te respondentTs 5r!ndf!ther,
On5 Te, !rrived in the Philippines fro$ Chin!. On5 Te est!blished his
residence in the $)nicip!lity of =!o!n5, #!$!r on l!nd which he bo)5ht fro$
the fr)its of h!rd worE.
/s ! resident of =!o!n5, On5 Te w!s !ble to obt!in ! certific!te of residence
fro$ the then #p!nish coloni!l !d$inistr!tion.
The f!ther of the priv!te respondent, 9ose On5 Ch)!n w!s born in Chin! in
08?@. .e w!s bro)5ht by On5 Te to #!$!r in the ye!r 080@.
9ose On5 Ch)!n spent his childhood in the province of #!$!r. *n =!o!n5, he
w!s !ble to est!blish !n end)rin5 rel!tionship with his nei5hbors, res)ltin5 in
his e!sy !ssi$il!tion into the co$$)nity.
/s 9ose On5 Ch)!n 5rew older in the r)r!l !nd se!side co$$)nity of
=!o!n5, he !bsorbed ilipino c)lt)r!l v!l)es !nd pr!ctices. .e w!s b!pti;ed
into Christi!nity. /s the ye!rs p!ssed, 9ose On5 Ch)!n $et ! n!t)r!l born-
ilipino, /5ripin! =!o. The two fell in love !nd, there!fter, 5ot $!rried in 08A2
!ccordin5 to C!tholic f!ith !nd pr!ctice.
The co)ple bore ei5ht children, one of who$ is the priv!te respondent who
w!s born in 08>3.
The priv!te respondentTs f!ther never e$i5r!ted fro$ this co)ntry. .e decided
to p)t )p ! h!rdw!re store !nd sh!red !nd s)rvived the vicissit)des of life in
#!$!r.
The b)siness prospered. Bxp!nsion bec!$e inevit!ble. /s ! res)lt, ! br!nch
w!s set-)p in ,inondo, "!nil!. *n the $e!nti$e, the f!ther of the priv!te
respondent, )ns)re of his le5!l st!t)s !nd in !n )ne()ivoc!l !ffir$!tion of
where he c!st his life !nd f!$ily, filed with the Co)rt of irst *nst!nce of #!$!r
!n !pplic!tion for n!t)r!li;!tion on ebr)!ry 0@, 08@>.
On /pril 23, 08@@, the C* of #!$!r, !fter tri!l, decl!red 9ose On5 Ch)!n !
ilipino citi;en.
On "!y 0@, 08@1, the Co)rt of irst *nst!nce of #!$!r iss)ed !n order
decl!rin5 the decision of /pril 23, 08@@ !s fin!l !nd exec)tory !nd th!t 9ose
On5 Ch)!n $!y !lre!dy t!Ee his O!th of /lle5i!nce.
P)rs)!nt to s!id order, 9ose On5 Ch)!n tooE his O!th of /lle5i!nceP
correspondin5ly, ! certific!te of n!t)r!li;!tion w!s iss)ed to hi$.
/t the ti$e 9ose On5 Ch)!n tooE his o!th, the priv!te respondent then !
$inor of nine ye!rs w!s finishin5 his ele$ent!ry ed)c!tion in the province of
#!$!r. There is nothin5 in the records to differenti!te hi$ fro$ other ilipinos
insof!r !s the c)sto$s !nd pr!ctices of the loc!l pop)l!ce were concerned.
ort)nes ch!n5ed. The ho)se of the f!$ily of the priv!te respondent in
=!o!n5, #!$!r w!s b)rned to the 5ro)nd.
Dnd!)nted by the c!t!strophe, the priv!te respondentTs f!$ily constr)cted
!nother one in pl!ce of their r)ined ho)se. /5!in, there is no showin5 other
th!n th!t =!o!n5 w!s their !bode !nd ho$e.
/fter co$pletin5 his ele$ent!ry ed)c!tion, the priv!te respondent, in se!rch
for better ed)c!tion, went to "!nil! in order to !c()ire his second!ry !nd
colle5e ed)c!tion.
*n the $e!nti$e, !nother $isfort)ne w!s s)ffered by the f!$ily in 081@ when
! fire 5)tted their second ho)se in =!o!n5, #!$!r. The respondentTs f!$ily
constr)cted still !nother ho)se, this ti$e ! 06-door !p!rt$ent b)ildin5, two
doors of which were reserved for the f!$ily.
The priv!te respondent 5r!d)!ted fro$ colle5e, !nd there!fter tooE !nd
p!ssed the CP/ ,o!rd Bx!$in!tions.
#ince e$ploy$ent opport)nities were better in "!nil!, the respondent looEed
for worE here. .e fo)nd ! %ob in the Centr!l ,!nE of the Philippines !s !n
ex!$iner. =!ter, however, he worEed in the h!rdw!re b)siness of his f!$ily in
"!nil!. *n 0810, his elder brother, B$il, w!s elected !s ! dele5!te to the 0810
Constit)tion!l Convention. .is st!t)s !s ! n!t)r!l born citi;en w!s
ch!llen5ed. P!renthetic!lly, the Convention which in dr!ftin5 the Constit)tion
re$oved the )ne()!l tre!t$ent 5iven to derived citi;enship on the b!sis of the
$otherTs citi;enship for$!lly !nd sole$nly decl!red B$il On5, respondentTs
f)ll brother, !s ! natural born Fili"ino. The Constit)tion!l Convention h!d to be
!w!re of the $e!nin5 of n!t)r!l born citi;enship since it w!s precisely
!$endin5 the !rticle on this s)b%ect.
The priv!te respondent fre()ently went ho$e to =!o!n5, #!$!r, where he
5rew )p !nd spent his childhood d!ys.
*n 083>, the priv!te respondent $!rried ! ilipin! n!$ed 'esiree =i$.
or the elections of 083> !nd 0836, 9ose On5, 9r. re5istered hi$self !s !
voter of =!o!n5, #!$!r, !nd correspondin5ly, voted there d)rin5 those
elections.
The priv!te respondent !fter bein5 en5!5ed for sever!l ye!rs in the
$!n!5e$ent of their f!$ily b)siness decided to be of 5re!ter service to his
province !nd r!n for p)blic office. .ence, when the opport)nity c!$e in 0831,
he r!n in the elections for represent!tive in the second district of 7orthern
#!$!r.
"r. On5 w!s overwhel$in5ly voted by the people of 7orthern #!$!r !s their
represent!tive in Con5ress. Bven if the tot!l votes of the two petitioners !re
co$bined, On5 wo)ld still le!d the two by $ore th!n 1,??? votes.
The pertinent portions of the Constit)tion fo)nd in /rticle *- re!d+
#BCT*O7 0, the followin5 !re citi;ens of the Philippines+
0. Those who !re citi;ens of the Philippines !t the ti$e of the !doption of the
Constit)tionP
2. Those whose f!thers or $others !re citi;ens of the PhilippinesP
A. Those born before 9!n)!ry 01, 081A, of ilipino $others, who elect Philippine
citi;enship )pon re!chin5 the !5e of $!%orityP !nd
>. Those who !re n!t)r!li;ed in !ccord!nce with l!w.
#BCT*O7 2, 7!t)r!l-born Citi;ens !re those who !re citi;ens of the Philippines fro$ birth
witho)t h!vin5 to perfor$ !ny !ct to !c()ire or perfect their citi;enship. Those who elect
Philippine citi;enship in !ccord!nce with p!r!5r!ph A hereof sh!ll be dee$ed n!t)r!l-
born citi;ens.
The Co)rt interprets #ection 0, P!r!5r!ph A !bove !s !pplyin5 not only to
those who elect Philippine citi;enship !fter ebr)!ry 2, 0831 b)t !lso to those
who, h!vin5 been born of ilipino $others, elected citi;enship before th!t
d!te.
The provision in P!r!5r!ph A w!s intended to correct !n )nf!ir position which
discri$in!tes !5!inst ilipino wo$en. There is no !$bi5)ity in the
deliber!tions of the Constit)tion!l Co$$ission, i1+
"r. /;c)n!+ 4ith respect to the provision of section >, wo)ld this refer
only to those who elect Philippine citi;enship !fter the effectivity of the
081A Constit)tion or wo)ld it !lso cover those who elected it )nder the
081A Constit)tion<
r. ,ern!s+ 3t /ould a""ly to anybody /ho elected Phili""ine citi1enshi"
by irtue of the "roision of the ,*+D Constitution /hether the election
/as done before or after January ,<, ,*<+. (Records of the
Constit)tion!l Co$$ission, -ol. 0, p. 223P B$ph!sis s)pplied)
xxx xxx xxx
"r. Tren!s+ The Co$$ittee on Citi;enship, ,ill of Ri5hts, Politic!l Ri5hts
!nd Obli5!tions !nd .)$!n Ri5hts h!s $ore or less decided to extend
the interpret!tion of who is ! n!t)r!l-born citi;en !s provided in section >
of the 081A Constit)tion by !ddin5 th!t persons who h!ve elected
Philippine Citi;enship )nder the 08A@ Constit)tion sh!ll be n!t)r!l-born<
/$ * ri5ht "r. Presidin5 Officer<
r. ,ern!s+ yes.
xxx xxx xxx
"r. 7olledo+ /nd * re$e$ber very well th!t in the Reverend !ther
,ern!sT well written booE, he s!id th!t the decision w!s desi5ned $erely
to !cco$$od!te for$er dele5!te Brnesto /n5 !nd th!t the definition on
n!t)r!l-born h!s no retro!ctive effect. 7ow it see$s th!t the Reverend
!ther ,ern!s is 5oin5 !5!inst this intention by s)pportin5 the
!$end$ent<
r. ,ern!s+ /s the Co$$issioner c!n see, there h!s been !n evol)tion in
$y thinEin5. (Records of the Constit)tion!l Co$$ission, -ol. 0, p. 038)
xxx xxx xxx
"r. Rodri5o+ ,)t this provision beco$es very i$port!nt bec!)se his
election of Philippine citi;enship $!Ees hi$ not only ! ilipino citi;en b)t
! n!t)r!l-born ilipino citi;en entitlin5 hi$ to r)n for Con5ress. . .
r. ,ern!s+ Correct. 4e !re ()ite !w!re of th!t !nd for th!t re!son we
will le!ve it to the body to !pprove th!t provision of section >.
"r. Rodri5o+ * thinE there is ! 5ood b!sis for the provision bec!)se it
striEes $e !s )nf!ir th!t the ilipino citi;en who w!s born ! d!y before
9!n)!ry 01, 081A c!nnot be ! ilipino citi;en or ! n!t)r!l-born citi;en.
(Records of the Constit)tion!l Co$$ission, -ol. 0, p. 2A0)
xxx xxx xxx
"r. Rodri5o+ The p)rpose of th!t provision is to re$edy !n ine()it!ble
sit)!tion. ,etween 08A@ !nd 081A when we were )nder the 08A@
Constit)tion, those born of ilipino f!thers b)t !lien $others were
n!t)r!l-born ilipinos. .owever, those born of ilipino $others b)t !lien
f!thers wo)ld h!ve to elect Philippine citi;enship )pon re!chin5 the !5e
of $!%orityP !nd if they do elect, they beco$e ilipino citi;ens b)t not
n!t)r!l-born ilipino citi;ens. (Records of the Constit)tion!l Co$$ission,
-ol. 0, p. A@6)
The fore5oin5 si5nific!ntly reve!ls the intent of the fr!$ers. To $!Ee the
provision prospective fro$ ebr)!ry A, 0831 is to 5ive ! n!rrow interpret!tion
res)ltin5 in !n ine()it!ble sit)!tion. *t $)st !lso be retro!ctive.
*t sho)ld be noted th!t in constr)in5 the l!w, the Co)rts !re not !lw!ys to be
hed5ed in by the liter!l $e!nin5 of its l!n5)!5e. The spirit !nd intend$ent
thereof, $)st prev!il over the letter, especi!lly where !dherence to the l!tter
wo)ld res)lt in !bs)rdity !nd in%)stice. (C!sel! v. Co)rt of /ppe!ls, A@ #CR/
218 L081?M)
/ Constit)tion!l provision sho)ld be constr)ed so !s to 5ive it effective
oper!tion !nd s)ppress the $ischief !t which it is !i$ed, hence, it is the spirit
of the provision which sho)ld prev!il over the letter thereof. (9!rrolt v.
"!bberly, 0?A D.#. @3?)
*n the words of the Co)rt in the c!se of J.M. 2uason . L2% (A0 #CR/ >0A
L081?M+
To th!t pri$ordi!l intent, !ll else is s)bordin!ted. O)r Constit)tion, !ny constit)tion is not
to be constr)ed n!rrowly or ped!ntic!lly for the prescriptions therein cont!ined, to
p!r!phr!se 9)stice .ol$es, !re not $!the$!tic!l for$)l!s h!vin5 their essence in their
for$ b)t !re or5!nic livin5 instit)tions, the si5nific!nce of which is vit!l not for$!l. . . . (p.
>21)
The provision in ()estion w!s en!cted to correct the !no$!lo)s sit)!tion
where one born of ! ilipino f!ther !nd !n !lien $other w!s !)to$!tic!lly
5r!nted the st!t)s of ! n!t)r!l-born citi;en while one born of ! ilipino $other
!nd !n !lien f!ther wo)ld still h!ve to elect Philippine citi;enship. *f one so
elected, he w!s not, )nder e!rlier l!ws, conferred the st!t)s of ! n!t)r!l-born.
Dnder the 081A Constit)tion, those born of ilipino f!thers !nd those born of
ilipino $others with !n !lien f!ther were pl!ced on e()!l footin5. They were
both considered !s n!t)r!l-born citi;ens.
.ence, the bestow$ent of the st!t)s of 6n!t)r!l-born6 c!nnot be $!de to
depend on the fleetin5 !ccident of ti$e or res)lt in two Einds of citi;ens $!de
)p of essenti!lly the s!$e si$il!rly sit)!ted $e$bers.
*t is for this re!son th!t the !$end$ents were en!cted, th!t is, in order to
re$edy this !ccident!l !no$!ly, !nd, therefore, tre!t e()!lly !ll those born
before the 081A Constit)tion !nd who elected Philippine citi;enship either
before or !fter the effectivity of th!t Constit)tion.
The Constit)tion!l provision in ()estion is, therefore c)r!tive in n!t)re. The
en!ct$ent w!s $e!nt to correct the ine()it!ble !nd !bs)rd sit)!tion which
then prev!iled, !nd th)s, render those !cts v!lid which wo)ld h!ve been nil !t
the ti$e h!d it not been for the c)r!tive provisions. (!ee 'evelop$ent ,!nE of
the Philippines v. Co)rt of /ppe!ls, 86 #CR/ A>2 L083?M)
There is no disp)te th!t the respondentTs $other w!s ! n!t)r!l born ilipin! !t
the ti$e of her $!rri!5e. Cr)ci!l to this c!se is the iss)e of whether or not the
respondent elected or chose to be ! ilipino citi;en.
Blection beco$es $!teri!l bec!)se #ection 2 of /rticle *- of the Constit)tion
!ccords n!t)r!l born st!t)s to children born of ilipino $others before 9!n)!ry
01, 081A, if they elect citi;enship )pon re!chin5 the !5e of $!%ority.
To expect the respondent to h!ve for$!lly or in writin5 elected citi;enship
when he c!$e of !5e is to !sE for the )nn!t)r!l !nd )nnecess!ry. The re!son
is obvio)s. .e w!s !lre!dy ! citi;en. 7ot only w!s his $other ! n!t)r!l born
citi;en b)t his f!ther h!d been n!t)r!li;ed when the respondent w!s only nine
(8) ye!rs old. .e co)ld not h!ve divined when he c!$e of !5e th!t in 081A
!nd 0831 the Constit)tion wo)ld be !$ended to re()ire hi$ to h!ve filed !
sworn st!te$ent in 0868 electin5 citi;enship inspite of his !lre!dy h!vin5
been ! citi;en since 08@1. *n 0868, election thro)5h ! sworn st!te$ent wo)ld
h!ve been !n )n)s)!l !nd )nnecess!ry proced)re for one who h!d been !
citi;en since he w!s nine ye!rs old.
4e h!ve %)rispr)dence th!t defines 6election6 !s both ! for$!l !nd !n
infor$!l process.
*n the c!se of 3n -e+ Florencio Mallare (@8 #CR/ >@ L081>M), the Co)rt held
th!t the exercise of the ri5ht of s)ffr!5e !nd the p!rticip!tion in election
exercises constit)te ! positive !ct of election of Philippine citi;enship. *n the
ex!ct prono)nce$ent of the Co)rt, we held+
4stebanBs eCercise of the ri0ht of suffra0e /hen he came of a0e, constitutes a "ositie
act of election of Phili""ine citi1enshi" (p. @2P e$ph!sis s)pplied)
The priv!te respondent did $ore th!n $erely exercise his ri5ht of s)ffr!5e. .e
h!s est!blished his life here in the Philippines.
or those in the pec)li!r sit)!tion of the respondent who c!nnot be expected
to h!ve elected citi;enship !s they were !lre!dy citi;ens, we !pply the 3n -e
Mallare r)le.
The respondent w!s born in !n o)tlyin5 r)r!l town of #!$!r where there !re
no !lien encl!ves !nd no r!ci!l distinctions. The respondent h!s lived the life
of ! ilipino since birth. .is f!ther !pplied for n!t)r!li;!tion when the child
w!s still ! s$!ll boy. .e is ! Ro$!n C!tholic. .e h!s worEed for ! sensitive
5overn$ent !5ency. .is profession re()ires citi;enship for t!Ein5 the
ex!$in!tions !nd 5ettin5 ! license. .e h!s p!rticip!ted in politic!l exercises
!s ! ilipino !nd h!s !lw!ys considered hi$self ! ilipino citi;en. There is
nothin5 in the records to show th!t he does not e$br!ce Philippine c)sto$s
!nd v!l)es, nothin5 to indic!te !ny tin5e of !lien-ness no !cts to show th!t
this co)ntry is not his n!t)r!l ho$el!nd. The $!ss of voters of 7orthern
#!$!r !re frilly !w!re of "r. On5Ts p!rent!5e. They sho)ld Enow hi$ better
th!n !ny $e$ber of this Co)rt will ever Enow hi$. They voted by
overwhel$in5 n)$bers to h!ve hi$ represent the$ in Con5ress. ,ec!)se of
his !cts since childhood, they h!ve considered hi$ !s ! ilipino.
The filin5 of sworn st!te$ent or for$!l decl!r!tion is ! re()ire$ent for those
who still h!ve to elect citi;enship. For those already Fili"inos when the ti$e to
elect c!$e )p, there !re !cts of deliber!te choice which c!nnot be less
bindin5. Bnterin5 ! profession open only to ilipinos, servin5 in p)blic office
where citi;enship is ! ()!lific!tion, votin5 d)rin5 election ti$e, r)nnin5 for
p)blic office, !nd other c!te5oric!l !cts of si$il!r n!t)re !re the$selves
for$!l $!nifest!tions of choice for these persons.
/n election of Philippine citi;enship pres)pposes th!t the person electin5 is
!n !lien. Or his st!t)s is do)btf)l bec!)se he is ! n!tion!l of two co)ntries.
There is no do)bt in this c!se !bo)t "r. On5Ts bein5 ! ilipino when he t)rned
twenty-one (20).
4e repe!t th!t !ny election of Philippine citi;enship on the p!rt of the priv!te
respondent wo)ld not only h!ve been s)perfl)o)s b)t it wo)ld !lso h!ve
res)lted in !n !bs)rdity. .ow c!n ! ilipino citi;en elect Philippine citi;enship<
The respondent .RBT h!s !n interestin5 view !s to how "r. On5 elected
citi;enship. *t observed th!t 6when protestee w!s only nine ye!rs of !5e, his
f!ther, 9ose On5 Ch)!n bec!$e ! n!t)r!li;ed ilipino. #ection 0@ of the
Revised 7!t)r!li;!tion /ct s()!rely !pplies its benefit to hi$ for he w!s then
! $inor residin5 in this co)ntry. Concededly, it /as the la/ itself that had
already elected Phili""ine citi1enshi" for "rotestee by declarin0 him as such.6
(B$ph!sis s)pplied)
The petitioners !r5)e th!t the respondentTs f!ther w!s not, v!lidly, !
n!t)r!li;ed citi;en bec!)se of his pre$!t)re t!Ein5 of the o!th of citi;enship.
The Co)rt c!nnot 5o into the coll!ter!l proced)re of strippin5 "r. On5Ts f!ther
of his citi;enship !fter his de!th !nd !t this very l!te d!te %)st so we c!n 5o
!fter the son.
The petitioners ()estion the citi;enship of the f!ther thro)5h ! coll!ter!l
!ppro!ch. This c!n not be done. *n o)r %)risdiction, !n !tt!cE on ! personTs
citi;enship $!y only be done thro)5h ! direct !ction for its n)llity. (!ee I)eto
v. C!tolico, A0 #CR/ @2 L081?M)
To !sE the Co)rt to decl!re the 5r!nt of Philippine citi;enship to 9ose On5
Ch)!n !s n)ll !nd void wo)ld r)n !5!inst the principle of d)e process. 9ose
On5 Ch)!n h!s !lre!dy been l!id to rest. .ow c!n he be 5iven ! f!ir
opport)nity to defend hi$self. / de!d $!n c!nnot spe!E. To ()ote the words
of the .RBT 6On5 Ch)!nTs lips h!ve lon5 been $)ted to perpet)ity by his
de$ise !nd obvio)sly he co)ld not )se beyond where his $ort!l re$!ins now
lie to defend hi$self were this $!tter to be $!de ! centr!l iss)e in this c!se.6
The iss)e before )s is not the n)llific!tion of the 5r!nt of citi;enship to 9ose
On5 Ch)!n. O)r f)nction is to deter$ine whether or not the .RBT co$$itted
!b)se of !)thority in the exercise of its powers. "oreover, the respondent
tr!ces his n!t)r!l born citi;enship thro)5h his mother, not thro)5h the
citi;enship of his f!ther. The citi;enship of the f!ther is relev!nt only to
deter$ine whether or not the respondent 6chose6 to be ! ilipino when he
c!$e of !5e. /t th!t ti$e !nd )p to the present, both $other !nd f!ther were
ilipinos. Respondent On5 could not hae elected any other citi1enshi" )nless
he first for$!lly reno)nced Philippine citi;enship in f!vor of ! forei5n
n!tion!lity. DnliEe other persons f!ced with ! proble$ of election, there w!s
no forei5n n!tion!lity of his f!ther which he co)ld possibly h!ve chosen.
There is !nother re!son why we c!nnot decl!re the .RBT !s h!vin5
co$$itted $!nifest 5r!ve !b)se of discretion. The s!$e iss)e of n!t)r!l-born
citi;enship h!s !lre!dy been decided by the Constit)tion!l Convention of
0810 !nd by the ,!t!s!n5 P!$b!ns! convened by !)thority of the
Constit)tion dr!fted by th!t Convention. B$il On5, f)ll blood brother of the
respondent, w!s decl!red !nd !ccepted !s ! n!t)r!l born citi;en by both
bodies.
/ss)$in5 th!t o)r opinion is different fro$ th!t of the Constit)tion!l
Convention, the ,!t!s!n5 P!$b!ns!, !nd the respondent .RBT, s)ch !
difference co)ld only be ch!r!cteri;ed !s error. There wo)ld be no b!sis to
c!ll the .RBT decision so !rbitr!ry !nd whi$sic!l !s to !$o)nt to 0rae
abuse of discretion.
4h!t w!s the b!sis for the Constit)tion!l ConventionTs decl!rin5 B$il On5 !
n!t)r!l born citi;en<
Dnder the Philippine ,ill of 08?2, inh!bit!nts of the Philippines who were
#p!nish s)b%ects on the 00th d!y of /pril 0388 !nd then residin5 in s!id
isl!nds !nd their children born s)bse()ent thereto were conferred the st!t)s
of ! ilipino citi;en.
4!s the 5r!ndf!ther of the priv!te respondent ! #p!nish s)b%ect<
/rticle 01 of the Civil Code of #p!in en)$er!tes those who were considered
#p!nish #)b%ects, i1+
/RT*C=B 01. The followin5 !re #p!ni!rds+
0. Persons born in #p!nish territory.
2. Children born of ! #p!nish f!ther or $other, even tho)5h they were born o)t of #p!in.
A. orei5ners who $!y h!ve obt!ined n!t)r!li;!tion p!pers.
>. 2hose /ithout such "a"ers, /ho may hae acAuired domicile in any to/n in the
Monarchy. (B$ph!sis s)pplied)
The do$icile of ! n!t)r!l person is the pl!ce of his h!bit)!l residence. This
do$icile, once est!blished is considered to contin)e !nd will not be dee$ed
lost )ntil ! new one is est!blished. (/rticle @?, 7CCP /rticle >?, Civil Code of
#p!inP N)elli5 v. Rep)blic, 3A Phil. 163 L08>8M)
/s e!rlier st!ted, On5 Te bec!$e ! per$!nent resident of =!o!n5, #!$!r
!ro)nd 038@. Correspondin5ly, ! certific!te of residence w!s then iss)ed to
hi$ by virt)e of his bein5 ! resident of =!o!n5, #!$!r. (Report of the
Co$$ittee on Blection Protests !nd Credenti!ls of the 0810 Constit)tion!l
Convention, #epte$ber 1, 0812, p. A)
The do$icile th!t On5 Te est!blished in 038@ contin)ed )ntil /pril 00, 0388P it
even went beyond the t)rn of the 08th cent)ry. *t is !lso in this pl!ce were
On5 Te set-)p his b)siness !nd !c()ired his re!l property.
/s concl)ded by the Constit)tion!l Convention, On5 Te f!lls within the
$e!nin5 of s)b-p!r!5r!ph > of /rticle 01 of the Civil Code of #p!in.
/ltho)5h On5 Te $!de brief visits to Chin!, he, nevertheless, !lw!ys ret)rned
to the Philippines. The f!ct th!t he died in Chin!, d)rin5 one of his visits in
s!id co)ntry, w!s of no $o$ent. This will not ch!n5e the f!ct th!t he !lre!dy
h!d his do$icile fixed in the Philippines !nd p)rs)!nt to the Civil Code of
#p!in, he h!d beco$e ! #p!nish s)b%ect.
*f On5 Te bec!$e ! #p!nish s)b%ect by virt)e of h!vin5 est!blished his
do$icile in ! town )nder the "on!rchy of #p!in, necess!rily, On5 Te w!s !lso
!n inh!bit!nt of the Philippines for !n inh!bit!nt h!s been defined !s one who
h!s !ct)!l fixed residence in ! pl!ceP one who h!s ! do$icile in ! pl!ce.
(,o)vierTs =!w 'iction!ry, -ol. **) / "riori, there c!n be no other lo5ic!l
concl)sion b)t to ed)ce th!t On5 Te ()!lified !s ! ilipino citi;en )nder the
provisions of section > of the Philippine ,ill of 08?2.
The .RBT itself fo)nd this f!ct of !bsol)te verity in concl)din5 th!t the priv!te
respondent w!s ! n!t)r!l-born ilipino.
The petitionersT sole 5ro)nd in disp)tin5 this f!ct is th!t doc)$ent presented
to prove it were not in co$pli!nce with the best the evidence r)le. The
petitioners !lle5e th!t the priv!te respondent f!iled to present the ori5in!l of
the doc)$ent!ry evidence, testi$oni!l evidence !nd of the tr!nscript of the
proceedin5s of the body which the !fores!id resol)tion of the 0810
Constit)tion!l Convention w!s predic!ted.
On the contr!ry, the doc)$ents presented by the priv!te respondent f!ll )nder
the exceptions to the best evidence r)le.
*t w!s est!blished in the proceedin5s before the .RBT th!t the ori5in!ls of the
Co$$ittee Report 7o. 02, the $in)tes of the plen!ry session of 0810
Constit)tion!l Convention held on 7ove$ber 23, 0812 c!nnot be fo)nd.
This w!s !ffir$ed by /tty. Ric!frente, /ssist!nt #ecret!ry of the 0810
Constit)tion!l ConventionP by /tty. 7olledo, 'ele5!te to the 0810
Constit)tion!l ConventionP !nd by /tty. /ntonio #!ntos, Chief =ibr!ri!n of the
D.P =!w Center, in their respective testi$onies 5iven before the .RBT to the
effect th!t there is no 5overn$ent!l !5ency which is the offici!l c)stodi!n of
the records of the 0810 Constit)tion!l Convention. (T#7, 'ece$ber 02, 0833,
pp. A?-A0P T#7, 9!n)!ry 01, 0838, pp. A>-A@P T#7, ebr)!ry 0, 0838, p. >>P
T#7, ebr)!ry 6, 0838, pp. 23-28)
The exec)tion of the ori5in!ls w!s est!blished by /tty. Ric!frente, who !s the
/ssist!nt #ecret!ry of the 0810 Constit)tion!l Convention w!s the proper
p!rty to testify to s)ch exec)tion. (T#7, 'ece$ber 02, 0838, pp. 00-2>)
The in!bility to prod)ce the ori5in!ls before the .RBT w!s !lso testified to !s
!forest!ted by /tty. Ric!frente, /tty. 7olledo, !nd /tty. #!ntos. *n provin5 the
in!bility to prod)ce, the l!w does not re()ire the de5ree of proof to be of
s)fficient cert!intyP it is eno)5h th!t it be shown th!t !fter ! bon! fide dili5ent
se!rch, the s!$e c!nnot be fo)nd. (see &overn$ent of P.*. v. "!rtine;, >>
Phil. 301 L0803M)
#ince the exec)tion of the doc)$ent !nd the in!bility to prod)ce were
!de()!tely est!blished, the contents of the ()estioned doc)$ents c!n be
proven by ! copy thereof or by the recollection of witnesses.
"oreover, to er!se !ll do)bts !s to the !)thenticity of the doc)$ent!ry
evidence cited in the Co$$ittee Report, the for$er $e$ber of the 0810
Constit)tion!l Convention, /tty. 7olledo, when he w!s presented !s ! witness
in the he!rin5 of the protest !5!inst the priv!te respondent, c!te5oric!lly
st!ted th!t he s!w the disp)ted doc)$ents presented d)rin5 the he!rin5 of
the election protest !5!inst the brother of the priv!te respondent. (T#7,
ebr)!ry 0, 0838, pp. 3-8)
*n his conc)rrin5 opinion, "r. 9)stice #!r$iento, ! vice-president of the
Constit)tion!l Convention, st!tes th!t he w!s presidin5 officer of the plen!ry
session which deliber!ted on the report on the election protest !5!inst
'ele5!te B$il On5. .e cites ! lon5 list of n!$es of dele5!tes present. /$on5
the$ !re "r. Chief 9)stice ern!n, !nd "r. 9)stice '!vide, 9r. The petitioners
co)ld h!ve presented !ny one of the lon5 list of dele5!tes to ref)te "r. On5Ts
h!vin5 been decl!red ! n!t)r!l-born citi;en. They did not do so. 7or did they
de$)r to the contents of the doc)$ents presented by the priv!te respondent.
They $erely relied on the proced)r!l ob%ections respectin5 the !d$issibility of
the evidence presented.
The Constit)tion!l Convention w!s the sole jud0e of the ()!lific!tions of B$il
On5 to be ! $e$ber of th!t body. The .RBT by explicit $!nd!te of the
Constit)tion, is the sole jud0e of the ()!lific!tions of 9ose On5, 9r. to be !
$e$ber of Con5ress. ,oth bodies deliber!ted !t len5th on the controversies
over which they were sole jud0es. 'ecisions were !rrived !t only !fter ! f)ll
present!tion of !ll relev!nt f!ctors which the p!rties wished to present. Bven
!ss)$in5 th!t we dis!5ree with their concl)sions, we c!nnot decl!re their
!cts !s co$$itted with 5r!ve !b)se of discretion. 4e h!ve to Eeep cle!r the
line betweenerror !nd 0rae abuse.
O# 2.4 3!!64 OF -4!3D4#C4
The petitioners ()estion the residence ()!lific!tion of respondent On5.
The petitioners lose si5ht of the $e!nin5 of 6residence6 )nder the
Constit)tion. The ter$ 6residence6 h!s been )nderstood !s synony$o)s
with domicile not only )nder the previo)s Constit)tions b)t !lso )nder the
0831 Constit)tion.
The deliber!tions of the Constit)tion!l Co$$ission reve!l th!t the $e!nin5 of
residence is&a&is the ()!lific!tions of ! c!ndid!te for Con5ress contin)es to
re$!in the s!$e !s th!t of do$icile, to wit+
"r. 7olledo+ 4ith respect to #ection @, * re$e$ber th!t in the 0810
Constit)tion!l Convention, there w!s !n !tte$pt to re()ire residence in
the pl!ce not less th!n one ye!r i$$edi!tely precedin5 the d!y of the
elections. #o $y ()estion is+ 4h!t is the Co$$itteeTs concept of
residence of ! c!ndid!te for the le5isl!t)re< *s it !ct)!l residence or is it
the concept of do$icile or constr)ctive residence<
"r. '!vide+ "!d!$e President, in so f!r !s the re5)l!r $e$bers of the
7!tion!l /sse$bly !re concerned, the proposed section $erely provides,
!$on5 others, !nd ! resident thereof, th!t is, in the district, for ! period
of not less th!n one ye!r precedin5 the d!y of the election. This w!s in
effect lifted fro$ the 081A Constit)tion, the interpret!tion 5iven to it w!s
do$icile. (Records of the 0831 Constit)tion!l Convention, -ol. 00, 9)ly
22, 0836. p. 31)
xxx xxx xxx
"rs. Ros!rio ,r!id+ The next ()estion is on #ection 1, p!5e 2. * thinE
Co$$issioner 7olledo h!s r!ised the s!$e point th!t 6resident6 h!s
been interpreted !t ti$es !s ! $!tter of intention r!ther th!n !ct)!l
residence.
"r. 'e los Reyes+ 'o$icile.
"s. Ros!rio ,r!id+ Ces, #o, wo)ld the 5entle$en consider !t the proper
ti$e to 5o b!cE to !ct)!l residence r!ther th!n $ere intention to reside<
"r. 'e los Reyes+ ,)t we $i5ht enco)nter so$e diffic)lty especi!lly
considerin5 th!t ! provision in the Constit)tion in the /rticle on #)ffr!5e
s!ys th!t ilipinos livin5 !bro!d $!y vote !s en!cted by l!w. #o, we
h!ve to sticE to the ori5in!l concept th!t it sho)ld be by do$icile !nd not
physic!l !nd !ct)!l residence. (Records of the 0831 Constit)tion!l
Co$$ission, -ol. 00, 9)ly 22, 0836, p. 00?)
The fr!$ers of the Constit)tion !dhered to the e!rlier definition 5iven to the
word 6residence6 which re5!rded it !s h!vin5 the s!$e $e!nin5 !s do$icile.
The ter$ 6do$icile6 denotes ! fixed per$!nent residence to which when
!bsent for b)siness or ple!s)re, one intends to ret)rn. (On5 .)!n Tin v.
Rep)blic, 08 #CR/ 866 L0861M) The !bsence of ! person fro$ s!id
per$!nent residence, no $!tter how lon5, notwithst!ndin5, it contin)es to be
the do$icile of th!t person. *n other words, do$icile is ch!r!cteri;ed
by animus reertendi (D%!no v. Rep)blic, 01 #CR/ 0>1 L0866M)
The do$icile of ori5in of the priv!te respondent, which w!s the do$icile of his
p!rents, is fixed !t =!o!n5, #!$!r. Contr!ry to the petitionersT i$p)t!tion,
9ose On5, 9r. never !b!ndoned s!id do$icileP it re$!ined fixed therein even
)p to the present.
The priv!te respondent, in the proceedin5s before the .RBT s)fficiently
est!blished th!t !fter the fire th!t 5)tted their ho)se in 0860, !nother one w!s
constr)cted.
=iEewise, !fter the second fire which !5!in destroyed their ho)se in 081@, !
sixteen-door !p!rt$ent w!s b)ilt by their f!$ily, two doors of which were
reserved !s their f!$ily residence. (T#7, 9ose On5, 9r., 7ove$ber 03,0833,
p. 3)
The petitionersT !lle5!tion th!t since the priv!te respondent owns no property
in =!o!n5, #!$!r, he c!nnot, therefore, be ! resident of s!id pl!ce is
$ispl!ced.
The properties owned by the On5 !$ily !re in the n!$e of the priv!te
respondentTs p!rents. Dpon the de$ise of his p!rents, necess!rily, the priv!te
respondent, p)rs)!nt to the l!ws of s)ccession, bec!$e the co-owner thereof
(!s ! co- heir), notwithst!ndin5 the f!ct th!t these were still in the n!$es of
his p!rents.
Bven !ss)$in5 th!t the priv!te respondent does not own !ny property in
#!$!r, the #)pre$e Co)rt in the c!se of De los -eyes . !olidum (60 Phil.
38A L08A@M) held th!t it is not re()ired th!t ! person sho)ld h!ve ! ho)se in
order to est!blish his residence !nd do$icile. 3t is enou0h that he should lie
in the munici"ality or in a rented house or in that of a friend or relatie.
(B$ph!sis s)pplied)
To re()ire the priv!te respondent to own property in order to be eli5ible to r)n
for Con5ress wo)ld be t!nt!$o)nt to ! property ()!lific!tion. The Constit)tion
only re()ires th!t the c!ndid!te $eet the !5e, citi;enship, votin5 !nd
residence re()ire$ents. 7owhere is it re()ired by the Constit)tion th!t the
c!ndid!te sho)ld !lso own property in order to be ()!lified to r)n.
(see "!()er! v. ,orr!, 022 Phil. >02 L086@M)
*t h!s !lso been settled th!t !bsence fro$ residence to p)rs)e st)dies or
pr!ctice ! profession or re5istr!tion !s ! voter other th!n in the pl!ce where
one is elected, does not constit)te loss of residence. (!ypon v. I)irino, 86
Phil. 28> L08@>M)
/s previo)sly st!ted, the priv!te respondent st!yed in "!nil! for the p)rpose
of finishin5 his st)dies !nd l!ter to pr!ctice his profession, There w!s no
intention to !b!ndon the residence in =!o!n5, #!$!r. On the contr!ry, the
periodic!l %o)rneys $!de to his ho$e province reve!l th!t he !lw!ys h!d
the animusreertendi.
The Philippines is $!de )p not only of ! sin5le r!ceP it h!s, r!ther, )nder5one
!n interr!ci!l evol)tion. Thro)5ho)t o)r history, there h!s been ! contin)in5
infl)x of "!l!ys, Chinese, /$eric!ns, 9!p!nese, #p!ni!rds !nd other
n!tion!lities. This r!ci!l diversity 5ives stren5th to o)r co)ntry.
"!ny 5re!t ilipinos h!ve not been whole-blooded n!tion!ls, if there is s)ch !
person, for there is none. To $ention ! few, the 5re!t 9ose Ri;!l w!s p!rt
Chinese, the l!te Chief 9)stice Cl!)dio Teeh!nEee w!s p!rt Chinese, !nd of
co)rse o)r own President, Cor!;on /()ino is !lso p!rt Chinese. -erily, so$e
ilipinos of who$ we !re pro)d were ethnic!lly $ore Chinese th!n the priv!te
respondent.
O)r citi;ens no do)bt constit)te the co)ntryTs 5re!test we!lth. Citi;enship is !
speci!l privile5e which one $)st forever cherish.
.owever, in order to tr)ly revere this tre!s)re of citi;enship, we do not, on the
b!sis of too h!rsh !n interpret!tion, h!ve to )nre!son!bly deny it to those
who ()!lify to sh!re in its richness.
Dnder the overly strict %)rispr)dence s)rro)ndin5 o)r !nti()!ted n!t)r!li;!tion
l!ws only the very !ffl)ent b!cEed by infl)enti!l p!trons, who were willin5 to
s)ffer the indi5nities of ! len5thy, so$eti$es h)$ili!tin5, !nd often corr)pt
process of cle!r!nces by $inor b)re!)cr!ts !nd whose l!wyers Enew how to
overco$e so $!ny technic!l tr!ps of the %)dici!l process were !ble to !c()ire
citi;enship. *t is ti$e for the n!t)r!li;!tion l!w to be revised to en!ble ! $ore
positive, !ffir$!tive, !nd $e!nin5f)l ex!$in!tion of !n !pplic!ntTs s)it!bility to
be ! ilipino. / $ore h)$!ne, $ore ind)bit!ble !nd less technic!l !ppro!ch
to citi;enship proble$s is essenti!l.
4.BRBORB, the petitions !re hereby '*#"*##B'. The ()estioned decision
of the .o)se of Represent!tives Blector!l Trib)n!l is /*R"B'. Respondent
9ose On5, 9r. is decl!red ! n!t)r!l-born citi;en of the Philippines !nd !
resident of =!o!n5, 7orthern #!$!r.
#O OR'BRB'.
$idin, GriNo&%Auino, Medialdea and Daide, Jr., JJ., concur.
Fernan, C.J., Melencio&.errera, Cru1, Feliciano and Gancayco, JJ., too? no
"art.


Se;(r(4e O;6)6o)7

P$ILL, J. dissentin5+
* dissent.
These sep!r!te petitions for certiorari !nd mandamus seeE to !nn)l the
decision D of respondent .o)se of Represent!tives Blector!l Trib)n!l
(herein!fter referred to !s the trib)n!l) d!ted 6 7ove$ber 0838 which
decl!red priv!te respondent 9ose =. On5, ! n!t)r!l-born citi;en of the
Philippines !nd ! le5!l resident of =!o!n5, 7orthern #!$!r, !nd the
resol)tion of the trib)n!l d!ted 22 ebr)!ry 088? denyin5 petitionersT $otions
for reconsider!tion.
*n &.R. 7os. 82080-82, petitioner Co !lso pr!ys th!t the Co)rt decl!re priv!te
respondent On5 not ()!lified to be ! "e$ber of the .o)se of
Represent!tives !nd to decl!re hi$ (petitioner Co) who !lle5edly obt!ined the
hi5hest n)$ber of votes !$on5 the Aualified candidates, the d)ly elected
represent!tive of the second le5isl!tive district of 7orthern #!$!r. *n &.R.
7os. 822?2-?A, petitioner ,!l!n()it pr!ys th!t the Co)rt decl!re priv!te
respondent On5 !nd Co (petitioner in &.R. 7os. 82080-82) not ()!lified for
$e$bership in the .o)se of Represent!tives !nd to procl!i$ hi$ (,!l!n5)it)
!s the d)ly elected represent!tive of s!id district.
Petitioners /ntonio C. Co, #ixto T. ,!l!n()it, 9r. !nd priv!te respondent 9ose
On5 Ch)!n, 9r. were !$on5 the c!ndid!tes for the position of Represent!tive
or Con5ress$!n for the second district of 7orthern #!$!r d)rin5 the 00 "!y
0831 con5ression!l elections. Priv!te respondent w!s procl!i$ed d)ly-
elected on 03 "!y 0831 with ! pl)r!lity of so$e sixteen tho)s!nd (06,???)
votes over petitioner Co who obt!ined the next hi5hest n)$ber of votes.
Petitioners Co !nd ,!l!n()it then filed sep!r!te election protests !5!inst
priv!te respondent with the trib)n!l, docEeted !s .RBT C!ses 7os. 0A !nd
0@ respectively. ,oth protests r!ised !l$ost the s!$e iss)es !nd were th)s
considered !nd decided %ointly by the trib)n!l.
The iss)es r!ised before the trib)n!l were the followin5+
0. 4hether or not protestee ($e!nin5, On5) is ! n!t)r!l-born citi;en of the Philippines in
conte$pl!tion of #ection 6, /rticle -* of the 0831 Constit)tion in rel!tion to #ections 2
!nd 0(A), /rticle *- thereofP !nd
2. 4hether or not protestee w!s ! resident of =!o!n5, 7orthern #!$!r, in conte$pl!tion
of #ection 6, /rticle -* of the s!$e Constit)tion, for ! period of not less th!n one ye!r
i$$edi!tely precedin5 the con5ression!l elections of "!y 0831.
The respondent trib)n!l in its decision d!ted 6 7ove$ber 0838 held th!t
respondent 9ose =. On5 is ! n!t)r!l-born citi;en of the Philippines !nd w!s !
le5!l resident of =!o!n5, 7orthern #!$!r for the re()ired period prior to the
"!y 0831 con5ression!l elections. .e w!s, therefore, decl!red ()!lified to
contin)e in office !s "e$ber of the .o)se of Represent!tives, Con5ress of
the Philippines, representin5 the second le5isl!tive district of 7orthern #!$!r.
The f!ct)!l !ntecedents t!Een fro$ the consolid!ted proceedin5s in the
trib)n!l !re the followin5+
0. The Protestee (On5) w!s born on 9)ne 08, 08>3 to the le5!l spo)ses On5 Ch)!n !lso
Enown !s 9ose On5 Ch)!n !nd /5rifin! B. =!o. .is pl!ce of birth is =!o!n5 which is now
one of the $)nicip!lities co$prisin5 the province of 7orthern #!$!r (Rep)blic /ct 7o.
60A2 !pproved on /)5)st 2>, 081? !nd the Ordin!nce !ppended to the 0831
Constit)tion).
2. On the other h!nd, 9ose On5 Ch)!n w!s born in Chin! !nd !rrived in "!nil! on
'ece$ber 06, 080@. (Bxhibit ;;) #)bse()ently there!fter, he tooE )p residence in
=!o!n5, #!$!r.
A. On ebr)!ry >, 08A2, he $!rried /5rifin! B. =!o. Their weddin5 w!s celebr!ted
!ccordin5 to the rites !nd pr!ctices of the Ro$!n C!tholic Ch)rch in the ")nicip!lity of
=!o!n5 (Bxh. B).
>. /t the ti$e of her $!rri!5e to 9ose On5 Ch)!n, /5rifin! B. =!o w!s ! n!t)r!l-born
ilipino citi;en, both her p!rents !t the ti$e of her birth bein5 ilipino citi;ens. (Bxhibits B
V *)
@. On ebr)!ry 0@, 08@>, 9ose On5 Ch)!n, desirin5 to !c()ire Philippine citi;enship,
filed his petition for n!t)r!li;!tion with the Co)rt of irst *nst!nce of #!$!r, p)rs)!nt to
Co$$onwe!lth /ct 7o. >1A, otherwise Enown !s the Revised 7!t)r!li;!tion =!w.
6. On /pril 23, 08@@, the Co)rt of irst *nst!nce of #!$!r rendered ! decision !pprovin5
the !pplic!tion of 9ose On5 Ch)!n for n!t)r!li;!tion !nd decl!rin5 s!id petitioner !
ilipino citi;en 6with !ll the ri5hts !nd privile5es !nd d)ties, li!bilities !nd obli5!tions
inherent to ilipino citi;ens. (Bxh. B)
1. On "!y 0@, 08@1, the s!$e Co)rt iss)ed !n order+
(0) decl!rin5 the decision of this Co)rt of /pril 23, 08@@ fin!l !nd
exec)toryP
(2) directin5 the clerE of co)rt to iss)e the correspondin5 Certific!te of
7!t)r!li;!tion in f!vor of the !pplic!nt On5 Ch)!n who prefers to t!Ee
his o!th !nd re5ister his n!$e !s 9ose On5 Ch)!n. Petitioner $!y t!Ee
his o!th !s ilipino citi;en )nder "s new christi!n n!$e, 9ose On5
Ch)!n. (Bxh. )
3. On the s!$e d!y, 9ose On5 Ch)!n h!vin5 t!Een the correspondin5 o!th of !lle5i!nce
to the Constit)tion !nd the &overn$ent of the Philippines !s prescribed by #ection 02 of
Co$$onwe!lth /ct 7o. >1A, w!s iss)ed the correspondin5 Certific!te of 7!t)r!li;!tion.
(Bxh. &)
8. On 7ove$ber 0?, 081?, B$il =. On5, ! f)ll-brother of the protestee !nd ! son born on
9)ly 2@, 08A1 !t =!o!n5, #!$!r to the spo)ses 9ose On5 Ch)!n !nd /5rifin! B. =!o,
w!s elected dele5!te fro$ 7orthern #!$!r to the 0810 Constit)tion!l Convention.
0?. ,y protesteeTs own -testi$ony, it w!s est!blished th!t he h!d !ttended 5r!de school
in =!o!n5. There!fter, he went to "!nil! where he finished his second!ry !s well !s his
colle5e ed)c!tion. 4hile l!ter e$ployed in "!nil!, protestee however went ho$e to
=!o!n5 whenever he h!d the opport)nity to do so, which inv!ri!bly wo)ld be !s fre()ent
!s twice to fo)r ti$es ! ye!r.
00. Protestee !lso showed th!t bein5 ! n!tive !nd le5!l resident of =!o!n5, he re5istered
!s ! voter therein !nd correspondin5ly voted in s!id $)nicip!lity in the 083> !nd 0836
elections.
02. /5!in in 'ece$ber 0836, d)rin5 the 5ener!l re5istr!tion of !ll voters in the co)ntry,
Protestee re-re5istered !s ! voter in Precinct 7o. > of ,!r!n5!y T)$!5)intin5 in =!o!n5.
*n his voterTs !ffid!vit, Protestee indic!ted th!t he is ! resident of =!o!n5 since birth.
(Bxh. 1)
1
PetitionersT $otions for reconsider!tion of the trib)n!lTs decision h!vin5 been
denied, petitioners filed the present petitions.
*n their co$$ents, the respondents first r!ise the iss)e of the Co)rtTs
%)risdiction to review the decision of the .o)se Blector!l Trib)n!l, considerin5
the constit)tion!l provision vestin5 )pon s!id trib)n!l the power !nd !)thority
to !ct !s the sole jud0e of !ll contests rel!tin5 to the ()!lific!tions of the
"e$bers of the .o)se of Represent!tives.
2
On the ()estion of this Co)rtTs %)risdiction over the present controversy, *
believe th!t, contr!ry to the respondentsT contentions, the Co)rt h!s the
%)risdiction !nd co$petence to review the ()estioned decision of the trib)n!l
!nd to decide the present controversy.
/rticle -***, #ection * of the 0831 Constit)tion provides th!t+
9)dici!l power incl)des the d)ty of the co)rts of %)stice to settle !ct)!l controversies
involvin5 ri5hts which !re le5!lly de$!nd!ble !nd enforce!ble, !nd to deter$ine whether
or not there h!s been ! 5r!ve !b)se of discretion !$o)ntin5 to l!cE or excess of
%)risdiction on the p!rt of !ny br!nch or instr)$ent!lity of the &overn$ent.
The Constit)tion, it is tr)e, constit)tes the trib)n!l !s the sole jud0e of !ll
contests rel!tin5 to the election, ret)rns, !nd ()!lific!tions of "e$bers of the
.o)se of Represent!tives. ,)t !s e!rly !s 08A3, it w!s held in Morrero
s. $ocar,
-
constr)in5 #ection >, /rticle -* of the 08A@ Constit)tion which
provided th!t 6. . . The Blector!l Co$$ission sh!ll be the sole %)d5e of !ll
contests rel!tin5 to the election, ret)rns !nd ()!lific!tions of the "e$bers of
the 7!tion!l /sse$bly,6 th!t+
The %)d5$ent rendered by the (elector!l) co$$ission in the exercise of s)ch !n
!cEnowled5ed power is beyond %)dici!l interference, except, in !ny event, 6)pon ! cle!r
showin5 of s)ch !rbitr!ry !nd i$provident )se of the power !s will constit)te ! deni!l of
d)e process of l!w.6 (,!rry vs. D# ex rel. C)nnin5h!$, 218 D# @81P 1A =!w. ed., 361P
/n5!r! vs. Blector!l Co$$ission, A@ Off. &!;., 2A.)
/nd then )nder the !fore-()oted provisions of /rticle -***, #ection 0 of the
0831 Constit)tion, this Co)rt is d)ty-bo)nd to deter$ine whether or not, in !n
!ct)!l controversy, there h!s been ! 5r!ve !b)se of discretion !$o)ntin5 to
l!cE or excess of %)risdiction on the p!rt of !ny br!nch or instr)$ent!lity of the
&overn$ent.
The present controversy, it will be observed, involves $ore th!n perceived
irre5)l!rities in the cond)ct of ! con5ression!l election or ! disp)ted
!ppreci!tion of b!llots, in which c!ses, it $!y be contended with 5re!t le5!l
force !nd pers)!sion th!t the decision of the elector!l trib)n!l sho)ld be fin!l
!nd concl)sive, for it is, by constit)tion!l directive, $!de the sole %)d5e of
contests rel!tin5 to s)ch $!tters. The present controversy, however, involves
no less th!n ! deter$in!tion of whether the ()!lific!tions for $e$bership in
the .o)se of Represent!tives, as "rescribed by the Constitution, h!ve been
$et. *ndeed, this Co)rt wo)ld be )nfor5iv!bly re$iss in the perfor$!nce of its
d)ties, !s $!nd!ted by the Constit)tion, were it to !llow ! person, not !
n!t)r!l-born ilipino citi;en, to contin)e to sit !s ! "e$ber of the .o)se of
Represent!tives, solely bec!)se the .o)se Blector!l Trib)n!l h!s decl!red
hi$ to be so. *n s)ch ! c!se, the trib)n!l wo)ld h!ve !cted with 5r!ve !b)se
of discretion !$o)ntin5 to l!cE or excess of %)risdiction !s to re()ire the
exercise by this Co)rt of its power of %)dici!l review.
,esides, the citi;enship !nd residence ()!lific!tions of priv!te respondent for
the office of "e$ber of the .o)se of Represent!tives, !re here controverted
by petitioners who, !t the s!$e ti$e, cl!i$ th!t they !re entitled to the office
ille5!lly held by priv!te respondent. ro$ this !ddition!l direction, where one
!sserts !n e!rnestly perceived ri5ht th!t in t)rn is vi5oro)sly resisted by
!nother, there is cle!rly ! %)stici!ble controversy proper for this Co)rt to
consider !nd decide.
7or c!n it be s!id th!t the Co)rt, in reviewin5 the decision of the trib)n!l,
!sserts s)pre$!cy over it in contr!vention of the ti$e-honored principle of
constit)tion!l sep!r!tion of powers. The Co)rt in this inst!nce si$ply perfor$s
! f)nction entr)sted !nd !ssi5ned to it by the Constit)tion of interpretin5, in !
%)stici!ble controversy, the pertinent provisions of the Constit)tion with fin!lity.
*t is the role of the 9)dici!ry to refine !nd, when necess!ry, correct constit)tion!l (!ndGor
st!t)tory) interpret!tion, in the context of the inter!ctions of the three br!nches of the
5overn$ent, !l$ost !lw!ys in sit)!tions where so$e !5ency of the #t!te h!s en5!5ed in
!ction th!t ste$s )lti$!tely fro$ so$e le5iti$!te !re! of 5overn$ent!l power (the
#)pre$e Co)rt in "odern Role, C.,. #evisher, 08@3, p. A6).
4
"oreover, it is decidedly ! $!tter of 5re!t p)blic interest !nd concern to
deter$ine whether or not priv!te respondent is ()!lified to hold so i$port!nt
!nd hi5h ! p)blic office which is specific!lly reserved by the Constit)tion only
to n!t)r!l-born ilipino citi;ens.
/fter ! c!ref)l consider!tion of the iss)es !nd the evidence, it is $y
considered opinion th!t the respondent trib)n!l co$$itted 5r!ve !b)se of
discretion !$o)ntin5 to l!cE or excess of %)risdiction in renderin5 its
()estioned decision !nd resol)tion, for re!sons to be presently st!ted.
The Constit)tion
5
re()ires th!t ! "e$ber of the .o)se of Represent!tives
$)st be ! n!t)r!l-born citi;en of the Philippines !nd, on the d!y of the
election, is !t le!st twenty-five (2@) ye!rs of !5e, !ble to re!d !nd write, !nd,
except the p!rty-list represent!tives, ! re5istered voter in the district in which
he sh!ll be elected, !nd ! resident thereof for ! period of not less th!n one (0)
ye!r i$$edi!tely precedin5 the d!y of the election.
/rticle *-, #ection 2 of the 0831 Constit)tion defines n!t)r!l-born (ilipino)
citi;ens !s+
7!t)r!l-born citi;ens !re those who !re citi;ens of the Philippines fro$ birth witho)t
h!vin5 to perfor$ !ny !ct to !c()ire or perfect their Philippine citi;enship. Those who
elect Philippine citi;enship in !ccord!nce with p!r!5r!ph (A), #ection * hereof sh!ll be
dee$ed n!t)r!l-born citi;en,
/rticle *-, #ection 0, p!r!5r!ph (A) of the 0831 Constit)tion provides th!t+
#ection 0. The followin5 !re citi;ens of the Philippines+
xxx xxx xxx
(A) Those born before 9!n)!ry 01, 081A, of ilipino $others, who elect Philippine
citi;enship )pon re!chin5 the !5e of $!%ority.
The Co)rt in this c!se is f!ced with the d)ty of interpretin5 the !bove-()oted
constit)tion!l provisions. The first sentence of #ection 2 of /rticle *- st!tes the
b!sic definition of ! n!t)r!l-born ilipino citi;en. 'oes priv!te respondent f!ll
within s!id definition<
To the respondent trib)n!l,
Protestee $!y even be decl!red ! n!t)r!l-born citi;en of the Philippines )nder the first
sentence of #ec. 2 of /rticle *- of the 0831 Constit)tion bec!)se he did not h!ve 6to
perfor$ !ny !ct to !c()ire or perfect his Philippine citi;enship.6 *t be!rs to repe!t th!t on
0@ "!y 08@1, while still ! $inor of 8 ye!rs he !lre!dy bec!$e ! ilipino citi;en by
decl!r!tion of l!w. #ince his $other w!s ! n!t)r!l-born citi;en !t the ti$e of her
$!rri!5e, protestee h!d !n incho!te ri5ht to Philippine citi;enship !t the $o$ent of his
birth !nd, conse()ently the decl!r!tion by virt)e of #ec. 0@ of C/ >1A th!t he w!s !
ilipino citi;en retro!cted to the $o$ent of his birth witho)t his h!vin5 to perfor$ !ny !ct
to !c()ire or perfect s)ch Philippine citi;enship.
6
* re5ret th!t * !$ neither convinced nor pers)!ded by s)ch E!leidoscopic
r!tiocin!tion. The records show th!t priv!te respondent w!s born on 08 9)ne
08>3 to the spo)ses 9ose On5 Ch)!n, ! Chinese citi;en, !nd /5rifin! B. =!o,
! n!t)r!l-born ilipino citi;en, in =!o!n5, 7orthern #!$!r. *n other words, at
birth, priv!te respondent w!s ! Chinese citi;en (not ! n!t)r!l-born ilipino
citi;en) bec!)se his f!ther w!s then ! Chinese citi;en (not ! n!t)r!li;ed
ilipino citi;en). Dnder the 08A@ Constit)tion which w!s enforced !t the ti$e
of priv!te respondentTs birth on 08 9)ne 08>3, only those whose f!thers were
citi;ens of the Philippines were considered ilipino citi;ens. Those whose
$others were citi;ens of the Philippines h!d to elect Philippine citi;enship
)pon re!chin5 the !5e of $!%ority, in order to be considered ilipino citi;ens.
7
ollowin5 the b!sic definition in the 0831 Constit)tion of ! n!t)r!l-born citi;en,
in rel!tion to the 08A@ Constit)tion, priv!te respondent is not ! n!t)r!l-born
ilipino citi;en, hain0 been born a Chinese citi1enby virt)e of the Chinese
citi;enship of his f!ther !t the ti$e of his birth, !ltho)5h fro$ birth, priv!te
respondent h!d the ri5ht to elect Philippine citi;enship, the citi;enship of his
$other, b)t only )pon his re!chin5 the !5e of $!%ority.
4hile )nder #ection 0@ of the Revised 7!t)r!li;!tion =!w (C./. >1A) $inor
children of ! n!t)r!li;ed citi;en (f!ther), who were born in the Philippines prior
to the n!t)r!li;!tion of the p!rent automatically become Fili"ino citi1ens,
8
this
does not !lter the f!ct th!t priv!te respondent w!s not born to ! ilipino f!ther,
!nd the oper!tion of #ection 0@ of C/ >1A did not confer )pon hi$ the st!t)s
of ! natural&bornciti;en $erely bec!)se he did not h!ve to perfor$ !ny !ct to
!c()ire or perfect his st!t)s !s ! Fili"ino citi1en.
,)t even !ss)$in5 ar0uendo th!t priv!te respondent co)ld be considered !
n!t)r!l-born citi;en by virt)e of the oper!tion of C/ >1A, petitioners however
contend th!t the n!t)r!li;!tion of priv!te respondentTs f!ther w!s inv!lid !nd
void fro$ the be5innin5, !nd, therefore, priv!te respondent is not even !
ilipino citi;en.
Respondent trib)n!l in its ()estioned decision r)led th!t only ! direct
proceedin5 for n)llity of n!t)r!li;!tion !s ! ilipino citi;en is per$issible, !nd,
therefore, ! coll!ter!l !tt!cE on On5 Ch)!nTs n!t)r!li;!tion is b!rred in !n
elector!l contest which does not even involve hi$ (On5 Ch)!n).
Priv!te respondent, for his p!rt, !vers in his Co$$ent th!t the ch!llen5e
!5!inst On5 Ch)!nTs n!t)r!li;!tion $)st e$!n!te fro$ the &overn$ent !nd
$)st be $!de in ! properG!ppropri!te !nd direct proceedin5 for de-
n!t)r!li;!tion directed !5!inst the proper p!rty, who in s)ch c!se is On5
Ch)!n, !nd !lso d)rin5 his lifeti$e.
/ %)d5$ent in ! n!t)r!li;!tion proceedin5 is not, however, !fforded the
ch!r!cter of i$pre5n!bility )nder the principle of res judicata.
9
#ection 03 of
C/ >1A provides th!t ! certific!te of n!t)r!li;!tion $!y be c!ncelled )pon
$otion $!de in the proper proceedin5 by the #olicitor &ener!l or his
represent!tive, or by the proper provinci!l fisc!l.
*n -e"ublic s. Go $on Lee,
10
this Co)rt held th!t+
/n !lien friend is offered )nder cert!in conditions the privile5e of citi;enship. .e $!y
!ccept the offer !nd beco$e ! citi;en )pon co$pli!nce with the prescribed conditions,
b)t not otherwise. .is cl!i$ is of f!vor, not of ri5ht. .e c!n only beco$e ! citi;en )pon
!nd !fter ! strict co$pli!nce with the !cts of Con5ress. /n !pplic!nt for this hi5h privile5e
is bo)nd, therefore, to confor$ to the ter$s )pon which !lone the ri5ht he seeEs c!n be
conferred. *t is his province, !nd he is bo)nd, to see th!t the %)risdiction!l f!cts )pon
which the 5r!nt is predic!ted !ct)!lly exist !nd if they do not he t!Ees nothin5 by this
p!per 5r!nt.
xxx xxx xxx
Con5ress h!vin5 li$ited this privile5e to ! specified cl!ss of persons, no other person is
entitled to s)ch privile5e, nor to ! certific!te p)rportin5 to 5r!nt it, !nd !ny s)ch certific!te
iss)ed to ! person not so entitled to receive it $)st be tre!ted !s ! $ere n)llity, which
confers no le5!l ri5hts !s !5!inst the 5overn$ent, fro$ which it h!s been obt!ined
witho)t w!rr!nt of l!w.
67!t)r!li;!tion is not ! ri5ht, b)t ! privile5e of the $ost discri$in!tin5 !s well
!s delic!te !nd ex!ctin5 n!t)re, !ffectin5 p)blic interest of the hi5hest order,
!nd which $!y be en%oyed only )nder the precise conditions prescribed by
l!w therefor.6
11
Considerin5 the le5!l i$plic!tions of the !lle5!tion $!de by the petitioners
th!t the n!t)r!li;!tion of priv!te respondentTs f!ther On5 Ch)!n, is ! n)llity,
the Co)rt sho)ld $!Ee ! r)lin5 on the v!lidity of s!id n!t)r!li;!tion
proceedin5s. This co)rse of !ction beco$es !ll the $ore inevit!ble !nd
%)stified in the present c!se where, to repe!t for stress, it is cl!i$ed th!t !
forei5ner is holdin5 ! p)blic
office.
12
*t c!nnot be overlooEed, in this connection, th!t the citi;enship of priv!te
respondent is derived fro$ his f!ther. *f his f!therTs ilipino citi;enship is void
fro$ the be5innin5, then there is nothin5 fro$ which priv!te respondent c!n
derive his own cl!i$ed ilipino citi;enship. or ! sprin5 c!nnot rise hi5her
th!n its so)rce. /nd to !llow priv!te respondent to !v!il of the privile5es of
ilipino citi;enship by virt)e of ! void n!t)r!li;!tion of his f!ther, wo)ld
constit)te or !t le!st s!nction ! contin)in5 offense !5!inst the Constit)tion.
The records show th!t priv!te respondentTs f!ther, 9ose On5 Ch)!n, tooE the
o!th of !lle5i!nce to the Constit)tion !nd the Philippine &overn$ent, !s
prescribed by #ection 02 of C/ >1A on the s!$e d!y (0@ "!y 08@1) th!t the
C* iss)ed its order directin5 the clerE of co)rt to iss)e the correspondin5
Certific!te of 7!t)r!li;!tion !nd for the !pplic!nt to t!Ee the o!th of
!lle5i!nce.
.owever, it is settled th!t !n order 5r!ntin5 ! petition to t!Ee the re()isite o!th
of !lle5i!nce of one who h!s previo)sly obt!ined ! decision f!vor!ble to his
!pplic!tion for n!t)r!li;!tion, is a""ealable. *t is, therefore, i$proper !nd
ille5!l to !)thori;e the t!Ein5 of s!id o!th )pon the iss)!nce of s!id order !nd
before the expir!tion of the re5le$ent!ry period to perfect !ny !ppe!l fro$
s!id order.
1-
*n Cua !un Me s. -e"ublic,
14
this Co)rt held th!t+
/d$inistr!tion of the o!th of !lle5i!nce on the s!$e d!y !s iss)!nce of order 5r!ntin5
citi;enship is irre5)l!r !nd $!Ees the proceedin5s so t!Een n)ll !nd void. (Rep)blic vs.
&)y, 00@ #CR/ 2>> L0832MP citin0 the c!se of On5 #o vs. Rep)blic of the Philippines, 020
Phil. 0A30).
*t wo)ld !ppe!r fro$ the fore5oin5 disc)ssion th!t the n!t)r!li;!tion of 9ose
On5 Ch)!n (priv!te respondentTs f!ther) w!s n)ll !nd void. *t follows th!t the
priv!te respondent did not !c()ire !ny le5!l ri5hts fro$ the void n!t)r!li;!tion
of his f!ther !nd th)s he c!nnot hi$self be considered ! ilipino citi;en, $ore
so, ! n!t)r!l-born ilipino citi;en.
,)t !ss)$in5 th!t the C* order of 0@ "!y 08@1 directin5 the clerE of co)rt to
iss)e the certific!te of n!t)r!li;!tion to On5 Ch)!n !nd for the l!tter to t!Ee
the o!th of !lle5i!nce w!s fin!l !nd not !ppe!l!ble, the res)ltin5
n!t)r!li;!tion of On5 Ch)!n effected, !s previo)sly st!ted, !n !)to$!tic
n!t)r!li;!tion of priv!te respondent, then ! $inor, !s ! ilipino citi;en on 0@
"!y 08@1, b)t not his !c()isition or perfection of the st!t)s of ! n!t)r!l-born
ilipino citi;en.
=et )s now looE into the ()estion of whether or not priv!te respondent
!c()ired the st!t)s of ! n!t)r!l-born ilipino citi;en by re!son of the
)ndisp)ted f!ct th!t his $other w!s ! n!t)r!l-born ilipino citi;en. This in t)rn
le!ds )s to !n ex!$in!tion of the second sentence in /rticle *-, #ection 2 of
the 0831 Constit)tion. *t exp!nds, in ! $!nner of spe!Ein5, in rel!tion to
#ection 0, p!r!5r!ph (A) of the s!$e /rticle *-, the st!t)s of ! n!t)r!l-born
ilipino citi;en to those who elect Philippine citi;enship )pon re!chin5 the !5e
of $!%ority. The ri5ht or privile5e of election is !v!il!ble, however, only to
those born to ilipino $others )nder the 08A@ Constit)tion, !nd before the
081A Constit)tion tooE effect on 01 9!n)!ry 081A.
The petitioners contend th!t the respondent trib)n!l !cted in excess of its
%)risdiction or 5r!vely !b)sed its discretion !s to exceed its %)risdiction in
6distortin56 the confer$ent by the 0831 Constit)tion of the st!t)s of 6n!t)r!l-
born6 ilipino citi;en on those who elect Philippine citi;enship : !ll in its
str!ined effort, !ccordin5 to petitioners, to s)pport priv!te respondentTs
()!lific!tion to be ! "e$ber of the .o)se of Represent!tives.
15
Petitioners !r5)e th!t the cle!r, )n!$bi5)o)s wordin5 of section 0(A) of /rticle
*- of the 0831 Constit)tion conte$pl!tes th!t only the le5iti$!te children of
ilipino $others with !lien f!ther, born before 01 9!n)!ry 081A !nd who wo)ld
re!ch the !5e of $!%ority (!nd th)s elect Philippine citi;enship) !fter the
effectivity of the 0831 Constit)tion !re entitled to the st!t)s of n!t)r!l-born
ilipino citi;en.
16
The respondent trib)n!l in resolvin5 the iss)e of the constit)tion!l provisionsT
interpret!tion, fo)nd re!son to refer to the interpell!tions $!de d)rin5 the
0836 Constit)tion!l Co$$ission. *t s!id+
Th!t the benevolent provisions of #ections 2 !nd 0(A) of /rticle *- of the 0831
Constit)tion w!s (sic) intended by its (sic) fr!$ers to be endowed, witho)t distinction, to
!ll ilipinos by election p)rs)!nt to the 08A@ Constit)tion is $ore th!n pers)!sively
est!blished by the extensive interpell!tions !nd deb!te on the iss)e !s borne by the
offici!l records of the 0836 Constit)tion!l Co$$ission.
17
/ltho)5h * find the distinction !s to when election of Philippine citi;enship w!s
$!de irrelev!nt to the c!se !t b!r, since priv!te respondent, contr!ry to the
concl)sion of the respondent trib)n!l, did not elect Philippine citi;enship, !s
provided by l!w, * still consider it necess!ry to settle the controversy re5!rdin5
the $e!nin5 of the constit)tion!l provisions in ()estion.
* !5ree with respondent trib)n!l th!t the deb!tes, interpell!tions petitions !nd
opinions expressed in the 0836 Constit)tion!l Co$$ission $!y be resorted to
in !scert!inin5 the $e!nin5 of so$ewh!t el)sive !nd even neb)lo)s
constit)tion!l provisions. Th)s :
The !scert!in$ent of th!t intent is b)t in Eeepin5 with the f)nd!$ent!l principle of
constit)tion!l constr)ction th!t the intent of the fr!$ers of the or5!nic l!w !nd of the
people !doptin5 it sho)ld be 5iven effect. The pri$!ry t!sE in constit)tion!l constr)ction
is to !scert!in !nd there!fter !ss)re the re!li;!tion of the p)rpose of the fr!$ers !nd of
the people in the !doption of the Constit)tion. *t $!y !lso be s!fely !ss)$ed th!t the
people in r!tifyin5 the constit)tion were 5)ided $!inly by the expl!n!tion offered by the
fr!$ers.
18
The deliber!tions of the 0836 Constit)tion!l Co$$ission relev!nt to #ection
2, /rticle *- in rel!tion to #ection 0(A) of the s!$e /rticle, !ppe!r to ne5!te
the contention of petitioners th!t only those born to ilipino $others before 01
9!n)!ry 081A !nd who wo)ld elect Philippine citi;enship after the effectivity of
the 0831 Constit)tion, !re to be considered n!t)r!l-born ilipino citi;ens.
')rin5 the free-wheelin5 disc)ssions on citi;enship, Co$$issioner TreS!s
specific!lly !sEed Co$$issioner ,ern!s re5!rdin5 the provisions in ()estion,
th)s+
"R. TRB7/#+ The Co$$ittee on Citi;enship, ,ill of Ri5hts, Politic!l
Ri5hts !nd Obli5!tions !nd .)$!n Ri5hts h!s $ore or less decided to
extend the interpret!tion of who is ! n!t)r!l-born ilipino citi;en !s
provided in #ection > of the 081A Constit)tion, by !ddin5 th!t persons
who h!ve elected Philippine citi;enship )nder the 08A@ Constit)tion sh!ll
be considered n!t)r!l-born. /$ * ri5ht, "r. Presidin5 Officer<
R ,BR7/#+ Ces.
"R. TRB7/#+ /nd does the Co$$issioner thinE th!t tills !ddition to
#ection > of the 081A Constit)tion wo)ld be contr!ry to the spirit of th!t
section<
R ,BR7/#+ Ces, we !re ()ite !w!re th!t it is contr!ry to the letter
re!lly. ,)t whether it is contr!ry to the spirit is so$ethin5 th!t h!s been
deb!ted before !nd is bein5 deb!ted even now. 4e will rec!ll th!t d)rin5
the 0810 Constit)tion!l Convention, the st!t)s of n!t)r!l-born citi;enship
of one of the dele5!tes, "r. /n5, w!s ch!llen5ed precisely bec!)se he
w!s ! citi;en by election. in!lly, the 0810 Constit)tion!l Convention
considered hi$ ! n!t)r!l-born citi;en, one of the re()ire$ents to be !
"e$ber of the 0810 Constit)tion!l Convention. The re!son behind th!t
decision w!s th!t ! person )nder his circ)$st!nces !lre!dy h!d the
incho!te ri5ht to be ! citi;en by the f!ct th!t the $other w!s ! ilipino.
/nd !s ! $!tter of f!ct, the 0810 Constit)tion!l Convention for$!li;ed
th!t reco5nition by !doptin5 p!r!5r!ph 2 of #ection 0 of the 0810
Constit)tion. #o, the entire p)rpose of this proviso is si$ply to perh!ps
re$edy wh!tever in%)stice there $!y be so th!t these people born before
9!n)!ry 01, 081A who !re not n!t)r!li;ed !nd people who !re not
n!t)r!l born b)t who !re in the s!$e sit)!tion !s we !re considered
n!t)r!l-born citi;ens. #o, the intention of the Co$$ittee in proposin5 this
is to e()!li;e their st!t)s.
19
4hen !sEed to cl!rify the provision on n!t)r!l-born citi;ens, Co$$issioner
,ern!s replied to Co$$issioner /;c)n! th)s+
"R. /NCD7/+ 4ith respect to the proviso in #ection >, wo)ld this refer
only to those who elect Philippine citi;enship !fter the effectivity of the
081A Constit)tion or wo)ld it !lso cover those who elected it )nder the
08A@ Constit)tion<
R ,BR7/#+ *t wo)ld !pply to !nybody who elected Philippine
citi;enship by virt)e of the provision of the 08A@ Constit)tion, whether the
election w!s done before or !fter 01 9!n)!ry 081A.
20
/nd d)rin5 the period of !$end$ents. Co$$issioner Rodri5o expl!ined the
p)rpose of wh!t now !ppe!r !s #ection 2 !nd #ection 0, p!r!5r!ph (A) of
/rticle *- of the 0831 Constit)tion, th)s+
"R. RO'R*&O+ The p)rpose of th!t proviso is to re$edy !n ine()it!ble
sit)!tion. ,etween 08A@ !nd 081A, when we were )nder the 08A@
Constit)tion, those born of ilipino f!thers b)t !lien $others were
n!t)r!l-born ilipinos. .owever, those born of ilipino $others b)t !lien
f!thers wo)ld h!ve to elect Philippine citi;enship )pon re!chin5 the !5e
of $!%orityP !nd, if they do elect, they beco$e ilipino citi;ens, yet, b)t
not n!t)r!l-born ilipino citi;ens.
The 081A Constit)tion e()!li;ed the st!t)s of those born of ilipino $others !nd those
born of ilipino f!thers. #o th!t fro$ 9!n)!ry 01, 081A when the 081A Constit)tion tooE
effect, those born of ilipino $others b)t of !lien f!thers !re n!t)r!l-born ilipino citi;ens.
/lso, those who !re born of ilipino f!thers !nd !lien $others !re n!t)r!l-born ilipino
citi;ens.
*f the 081A Constit)tion e()!li;ed the st!t)s of ! child born of ! ilipino $other !nd th!t
born of ! ilipino f!ther, why do we not 5ive ! ch!nce to ! child born before 9!n)!ry 01,
081A, if !nd when he elects Philippine citi;enship, to be in the s!$e st!t)s !s one born of
! ilipino f!ther : n!$ely, n!t)r!l-born citi;en.
/nother thin5 * st!ted is e()!li;in5 the st!t)s of ! f!ther !nd ! $other is&a&is the child.
* wo)ld liEe to st!te !lso th!t we showed e()!li;e the st!t)s of ! child born of ! ilipino
$other the d!y before 9!n)!ry 01, 081A !nd ! child born !lso of ! ilipino $other on
9!n)!ry 01 or 2> ho)rs l!ter. / child born of ! ilipino $other b)t !n !lien f!ther one d!y
before 9!n)!ry 01, 081A is ! ilipino citi;en, if he elects Philippine citi;enship, b)t he is
not ! n!t)r!l-born ilipino citi;en. .owever, the other child who l)cEily w!s born 2> ho)rs
l!ter : $!ybe bec!)se of p!rto l!borioso : is ! n!t)r!l-born ilipino citi;en.
21
*t wo)ld !ppe!r then th!t the intent of the fr!$ers of the 0831 Constit)tion in
definin5 ! n!t)r!l-born ilipino citi;en w!s to e()!li;e the position of ilipino
f!thers !nd ilipino $others !s to their children beco$in5 n!t)r!l-born ilipino
citi;ens. *n other words, !fter 01 9!n)!ry 081A, effectivity d!te of the 081A
Constit)tion, all those born of ilipino f!thers (with !lien spo)se) or ilipino
$others (with !lien spo)se) !re n!t)r!l-born ilipino citi;ens. ,)t those born
to ilipino $others "rior to ,< January ,*<+ $)st still elect Philippine
citi;enship )pon their re!chin5 the !5e of $!%ority, in order to be dee$ed
n!t)r!l-born ilipino citi;ens. The election, which is rel!ted to the !tt!in$ent
of the !5e of $!%ority, $!y be $!de before or !fter 01 9!n)!ry 081A. This
interpret!tion !ppe!rs to be in conson!nce with the f)nd!$ent!l p)rpose of
the Constit)tion which is to protect !nd enh!nce the peopleTs individ)!l
interests,
22
!nd to foster e()!lity !$on5 the$.
#ince priv!te respondent w!s born on 08 9)ne 08>3 (or before 01 9!n)!ry
081A) to ! ilipino $other (with !n !lien spo)se) !nd sho)ld h!ve elected
Philippine citi;enship on 08 9)ne 0868 (when he !tt!ined the !5e of $!%ority),
or soon there!fter, in order to h!ve the st!t)s of ! n!t)r!l-born ilipino citi;en
)nder the 0831 Constit)tion, the vit!l ()estion is+ did priv!te respondent re!lly
elect Philippine citi;enship< /s e!rlier st!ted, * believe th!t priv!te respondent
did not elect Philippine citi;enship, contr!ry to the r)lin5 of the respondent
trib)n!l.
The respondent trib)n!l, on this iss)e, r)led !s follows+
4here ! person born to ! ilipino $other !nd !n !lien f!ther h!d exercised the ri5ht of
s)ffr!5e when he c!$e of !5e, the s!$e constit)tes ! positive !ct of election of
Philippine citi;enship. (lorencio vs. "!ll!re) LsicM The !cts of the petitioner in re5isterin5
!s ! voter, p!rticip!tin5 in elections !nd c!$p!i5nin5 for cert!in c!ndid!tes were held by
the #)pre$e Co)rt !s s)fficient to show his preference for Philippine citi;enship.
/ccordin5ly, even witho)t co$plyin5 with the for$!l re()isites for election, the petitionerTs
ilipino citi;enship w!s %)dici!lly )pheld.
2-
* find the !bove r)lin5 of the respondent trib)n!l to be p!tently erroneo)s !nd
cle!rly )nten!ble, !s to !$o)nt to 5r!ve !b)se of discretion. or it is settled
doctrine in this %)risdiction th!t election of Philippine citi;enship $)st be $!de
in !ccord!nce with Co$$onwe!lth /ct 62@. #ections 0 !nd 2
24
of the /ct
$!nd!te th!t the option to elect Philippine citi;enship $)st be effected
expressly not i$pliedly.
The respondent trib)n!l cites 3n re7 Florencio Mallare
25
which held th!t
Bsteb!n "!ll!reTs exercise of the ri5ht of s)ffr!5e when he c!$e of !5e,
constit)ted ! positive !ct of election of Philippine citi;enship.
Mallare, cited by respondent trib)n!l !s !)thority for the doctrine of i$plied
election of Philippine citi;enship, is not !pplic!ble to the c!se !t b!r. The
respondent trib)n!l f!iled to consider th!t Bsteb!n "!ll!re re!ched the !5e of
$!%ority in ,*)', or seventeen (01) ye!rs before C/ 62@ w!s !pproved !nd,
$ore i$port!ntly, eleven (00) ye!rs before the 08A@ Constit)tion (which
5r!nted the ri5ht of election) tooE effect.
To ()ote "r. 9)stice ern!nde; in Mallare+
*ndeed, it wo)ld be )nf!ir to expect the present!tion of ! for$!l deed to th!t effect
considerin5 th!t prior to the en!ct$ent of Co$$onwe!lth /ct 62@ on 9)ne 1, 08>0, no
p!rtic)l!r proceedin5 w!s re()ired to exercise the option to elect Philippine citi;enship,
5r!nted to the proper p!rty by #ection 0, s)bsection >, /rticle *- of the 08A@ Philippine
Constit)tion.
26
"oreover, Bsteb!n "!ll!re w!s held to be ! ilipino citi;en bec!)se he
w!s !n ille0itimate 9natural; child of ! ilipino $other !nd th)s followed
her citi;enship. * therefore !5ree with the petitionersT s)b$ission th!t,
in citin0 the Mallare c!se, the respondent trib)n!l h!d en5!5ed in
!nobiter dictum.
The respondent trib)n!l !lso erred in r)lin5 th!t by oper!tion of C/ >1A, the
Revised 7!t)r!li;!tion =!w, providin5 for priv!te respondentTs !c()isition of
ilipino citi;enship by re!son of the n!t)r!li;!tion of his f!ther, the l!w itself
h!d !lre!dy elected Philippine citi;enship for hi$. or,
!ss)$in5 ar0uendo th!t the n!t)r!li;!tion of priv!te respondentTs f!ther w!s
v!lid, !nd th!t there w!s no f)rther need for priv!te respondent to elect
Philippine citi;enship (!s he h!d !)to$!tic!lly beco$e ! ilipino citi;en) yet,
this did not $e!n th!t the oper!tion of the Revised 7!t)r!li;!tion =!w
!$o)nted to !n election by hi$ of Philippine citi;enship !s conte$pl!ted by
the Constit)tion. ,esides, election of Philippine citi;enship derived fro$ oneTs
ilipino $other, is $!de )pon re!chin5 the !5e of $!%ority, not d)rin5 oneTs
$inority.
There is no do)bt in $y $ind, therefore, th!t priv!te respondent did not elect
Philippine citi;enship )pon re!chin5 the !5e of $!%ority in 0868 or within !
re!son!ble ti$e there!fter !s re()ired by C/ 62@. Conse()ently, he c!nnot
be dee$ed ! n!t)r!l-born ilipino citi;en )nder #ections 2 !nd 0(A), /rticle *-
of the 0831 Constit)tion.
,!sed on !ll the fore5oin5 consider!tions !nd pre$ises, * !$ constr!ined to
st!te th!t priv!te respondent is not ! n!t)r!l-born citi;en of the Philippines in
conte$pl!tion of #ection 6, /rticle -* of the 0831 Constit)tion in rel!tion to
#ections 2 !nd 0(A), /rticle *- thereof, !nd hence is dis()!lified or ineli5ible to
be ! "e$ber of the .o)se of Represent!tives.
/t this point, * find it no lon5er necess!ry to r)le on the iss)e of re()ired
residence, in!s$)ch !s the Constit)tion re()ires th!t ! "e$ber of the .o)se
of Represent!tives $)st be both ! n!t)r!l-born ilipino citi;en !nd ! resident
for !t le!st one (0) ye!r in the district in which he sh!ll be elected.
The next ()estion th!t co$es )p is whether or not either of the petitioners c!n
repl!ce priv!te respondent !s the Represent!tive of the second le5isl!tive
district of 7orthern #!$!r in the .o)se of Represent!tives.
* !5ree with respondent trib)n!l th!t neither of the petitioners $!y t!Ee the
pl!ce of priv!te respondent in the .o)se of Represent!tives representin5 the
second district of 7orthern #!$!r. The r)lin5 of this Co)rt in -amon L. Labo,
Jr. s. 2he Commission on 4lections 9COM4L4C; 4# $%#C and Luis
L.Lardi1abal,
27
is controllin5. There we held th!t =)is =. =!rdi;!b!l, who filed
the Auo /arranto petition, co)ld not repl!ce R!$on =. =!bo, 9r. !s $!yor of
,!5)io City for the si$ple re!son th!t !s he obt!ined only the second hi5hest
n)$ber of votes in the election, he w!s obvio)sly not the choice of the people
of ,!5)io City for $!yor of th!t City.
/ petition !lle5in5 th!t the c!ndid!te-elect is not ()!lified for the office is, in
effect, ! Auo /arrantoproceedin5 even if it is l!belled !n election protest.
28
*t is
! proceedin5 to )nse!t the ineli5ible person fro$ office b)t not necess!rily to
inst!ll the protest!nt in his pl!ce.
29
The 5ener!l r)le is th!t the f!ct th!t ! pl)r!lity or ! $!%ority of the votes !re
c!st for !n ineli5ible c!ndid!te in !n election does not entitle the c!ndid!te
receivin5 the next hi5hest n)$ber of votes to be decl!red elected. *n s)ch !
c!se, the electors h!ve f!iled to $!Ee ! choice !nd the election is ! n)llity.
-0
#o)nd policy dict!tes th!t p)blic elective offices !re filled by those who h!ve the hi5hest
n)$ber of votes c!st in the election for th!t office, !nd it is ! f)nd!$ent!l ide! in !ll
rep)blic!n for$s of 5overn$ent th!t no one c!n be decl!red elected !nd no $e!s)re
c!n be decl!red c!rried )nless he or it receives ! $!%ority or pl)r!lity of the le5!l votes
c!st in the election. (2? Corp)s 9)ris 2nd, # 2>A, p. 616).
/s e!rly !s 0802, this Co)rt h!s !lre!dy decl!red th!t the c!ndid!te who lost in !n
election c!nnot be procl!i$ed the winner in the event th!t the c!ndid!te who won is
fo)nd ineli5ible for the office to which he w!s elected. This w!s the r)lin5 in Top!cio v.
P!redes (2A Phil. 2A3) :
/5!in, the effect of ! decision th!t ! c!ndid!te is not entitled to the office
bec!)se of fr!)d or irre5)l!rities in the election is ()ite different fro$ th!t
prod)ced by decl!rin5 ! person ineli5ible to hold s)ch !n office. . . . *f it
be fo)nd th!t the s)ccessf)l c!ndid!te (!ccordin5 to the bo!rd of
c!nv!ssers) obt!ined ! pl)r!lity in !n ille5!l $!nner, !nd th!t !nother
c!ndid!te w!s the re!l victor, the for$er $)st retire in f!vor of the l!tter.
*n the other c!se, there is not, strictly spe!Ein5, ! contest, !s the wre!th
of victory c!nnot be tr!nsferred fro$ !n ineli5ible to !ny other c!ndid!te
when the sole ()estion is the eli5ibility of the one receivin5 ! pl)r!lity of
the le5!lly c!st b!llots. . . .
-1
2he reco0nition of 4mil L. On0 by the ,*<, Constitutional Conention
as a natural&born Fili"ino citi1en, in relation to the "resent case.
Priv!te respondent, !s previo)sly st!ted, is ! f)ll brother of B$il =. On5, both
of the$ h!vin5 the s!$e f!ther !nd $other.
Priv!te respondent, relyin5 on ! resol)tion of the 0810 Constit)tion!l
Convention
-2
to the effect th!t B$il =. On5 w!s ! n!t)r!l-born ilipino citi;en,
!lle5ed before the .o)se Blector!l Trib)n!l th!t, by analo0y, he is hi$self !
n!t)r!l-born ilipino citi;en. This s)b$ission, while initi!lly i$pressive, is, !s
will now be shown, fl!wed !nd not s)pported by the evidence. 7ot even the
$!%ority decision of the elector!l trib)n!l !dopted the s!$e !s the b!sis of its
decision in f!vor of priv!te respondent. The trib)n!l, in reference to this
s)b$ission, s!id+
,e th!t !s it $!y !nd in the li5ht of the Trib)n!lTs disposition of protesteeTs citi;enship
b!sed on !n entirely different set of circ)$st!nces, !p!rt fro$ the indisp)t!ble f!ct th!t
the $!tters !tte$pted to be bro)5ht in iss)e in connection therewith !re too f!r re$oved
in point of ti$e !nd relev!nce fro$ the decisive events relied )pon by the Trib)n!l, we
view these two iss)es !s bein5 !lre!dy inconse()enti!l.
--
The elector!l trib)n!l ($!%ority) inste!d chose to predic!te its decision
on the !lle5ed citi;enship by n!t)r!li;!tion of priv!te respondentTs f!ther
(On5 Ch)!n) !nd on the !lle5ed election of Philippine citi;enship by
priv!te respondent.
B$il =. On5, w!s elected dele5!te to the 0810 Constit)tion!l Convention.
Blector!l protests, n)$bers BP-?1 !nd BP-?3, were filed by =eon!rdo '.
&!lin5 !nd &)!lberto '. =)to !5!inst B$il =. On5, contestin5 his citi;enship
()!lific!tion. The Co$$ittee on Blection Protests Credenti!ls of the 0810
Contit)tion Convention he!rd the protests !nd s)b$itted to the Convention !
report d!ted > #epte$ber 0812, the dispositive portion of which st!ted+
*t !ppe!rin5 th!t protesteeTs 5r!ndf!ther w!s hi$self ! ilipino citi;en )nder the
provisions of the Philippine ,ill of 08?2 !nd the Tre!ty of P!ris of 'ece$ber 0?, 0383,
th)s conferrin5 )pon protesteeTs own f!ther, On5 Ch)!n, Philippine citi;enship !t birth,
the concl)sion is inesc!p!ble th!t protestee hi$self is ! n!t)r!l-born citi;en, !nd is
therefore ()!lified to hold the office of dele5!te to the Constit)tion!l Convention.
-4
On 23 7ove$ber 0812, d)rin5 ! plen!ry session of the 0810 Constit)tion!l
Convention, the election protests filed !5!inst B$il =. On5 were dis$issed,
followin5 the report of the Co$$ittee on Blection Protests !nd Credenti!ls.
-5
*t is evident, )p to this point, th!t the !ction of the 0810 Constit)tion!l
Convention in the c!se of B$il =. On5 is, to s!y the le!st, inconcl)sive to the
c!se !t b!r, bec!)se :
!) the 0810 Constit)tion!l Convention decision in the B$il =. On5 c!se involved the
08A@ ConstitutionP the present c!se, on the other h!nd involves the 0831 Constitution+
b) the 08A@ Constit)tion cont!ined no specific definition of ! 6n!t)r!l-born citi;en6 of the
PhilippinesP the 0831 Constit)tion cont!ins ! precise !nd specific definition of ! 6n!t)r!l-
born citi;en6 of the Philippines in #ec. 2, /rt. *- thereof !nd priv!te respondent does not
()!lify )nder s)ch definition in the 0831 Constit)tionP
c) the decision of the 0810 Constit)tion!l Convention in the c!se of B$il =. On5 w!s !
decision of ! "olitical body, not a court of la/. /nd, even if we h!ve to t!Ee s)ch !
decision !s ! decision of ! Auasi&judicial body (i.e., ! politic!l body exercisin5 ()!si-
%)dici!l f)nctions), s!id decision in the B$il =. On5 c!se c!n not h!ve the c!te5ory or
ch!r!cter of res judicata in the present %)dici!l controversy, bec!)se between the two (2)
c!ses, there is no identity of p!rties (one involves B$il =. On5, while the other involves
priv!te respondent) !nd, $ore i$port!ntly, there is no identity of c!)ses of !ction
bec!)se the first involves the 08A@ Constit)tion while the second involves the 0831
Constit)tion.
,)t even l!yin5 !side the fore5oin5 re!sons b!sed on proced)r!l r)les !nd
lo5ic, the eidences)b$itted before the elector!l trib)n!l !nd, therefore, !lso
before this Co)rt, does not s)pport the !lle5!tions $!de by B$il =. On5
before the 0810 Constit)tion!l Convention !nd inferenti!lly !dopted by priv!te
respondent in the present controversy. This le!ds )s to !n interestin5 in()iry
!nd findin5.
The 0810 Constit)tion!l Convention in holdin5 th!t B$il =. On5 w!s !
6n!t)r!l-born citi;en6 of the Philippines )nder the 08A@ Constit)tion l!id stress
on the 6f!ct6 : !nd this !ppe!rs cr)ci!l !nd centr!l to its decision : th!t B$il
=. On5Ts 5r!ndf!ther, On0 2e bec!$e ! ilipino citi;en )nder the Philippine
,ill of 08?2 !nd, therefore, his descend!nts liEe B$il =. On5 (!nd therefore,
!lso priv!te respondent) bec!$e n!t)r!l-born ilipinos. The 0810
Constit)tion!l Convention s!id+
On5 Te B$il On5Ts 5r!ndf!ther, w!s ! #p!nish s)b%ect residin5 in the Philippines on /pril
00, 0388 !nd w!s therefore one of the $!ny who bec!$e i"so facto citi;ens of the
Philippines )nder the provisions of the Philippine ,ill of 08?2. #!id l!w expressly
decl!red th!t !ll inh!bit!nts of the Philippine *sl!nds who contin)ed to reside therein !nd
who were #p!nish s)b%ects on /pril 00, 0388 !s well !s their children born s)bse()ent
thereto, 6sh!ll be dee$ed !nd held to be citi;ens of the Philippine *sl!nds.6 (#ection >,
Philippine ,ill of
08?2).
-6
The 6test6 then, followin5 the pre$ises of the 0810 Constit)tion!l Convention,
is whether or not On5 Te priv!te respondentTs !nd B$il =. On5Ts 5r!ndf!ther
w!s 6!n inh!bit!nt of the Philippines who contin)ed to reside therein !nd w!s
! #p!nish s)b%ect on /pril 00, 0388.6 *f he $et these re()ire$ents of the
Philippine ,ill of 08?2, then, On5 Te w!s ! ilipino citi;enP otherwise, he w!s
not ! ilipino citi;en.
Petitioners (protest!nts) s)b$itted !nd offered in evidence before the .o)se
Blector!l Trib)n!l exhibits 4, 2, C, N ,//, ,,, CC, '' !nd BB which !re
copies of entries in the 6Re5istro de Chinos6 fro$ ye!rs 0386 to 0381 which
show th!t On5 Te w!s not listed !s !n inh!bit!nt of #!$!r where he is
cl!i$ed to h!ve been ! resident. Petitioners (protest!nts) !lso s)b$itted !nd
offered in evidence before the .o)se Blector!l Trib)n!l exhibit -, !
certific!tion of the Chief of the /rchives 'ivision, Records !nd "!n!5e$ent
!nd /rchives Office, st!tin5 th!t the n!$e of On5 Te does not !ppe!r in the
6Re5istro Centr!l de Chinos6 for the province of #!$!r for 038@. These
exhibits prove or !t le!st, !s petitioners v!lidly !r5)e, tend to prove th!t On5
Te w!s 7OT ! resident of #!$!r close to 00 /pril 0388 !nd, therefore, co)ld
not contin)e residin5 in #!$!r, Philippines !fter 00 /pril 0388, contr!ry to
priv!te respondentTs pretense. *n the f!ce of these proofs or evidence, priv!te
respondent /*=B' TO PRB#B7T /7C RB,DTT/= OR COD7TBR-/*=*7&
B-*'B7CB, except the decision of the 0810 Constit)tion!l Convention in the
c!se of B$il =. On5, previo)sly disc)ssed.
*t is not s)rprisin5 then th!t, !s previo)sly noted, the $!%ority decision of the
.o)se Blector!l Trib)n!l sEirted !ny reli!nce on the !lle5ed i"so facto ilipino
citi;enship of On5 Te )nder the Philippine ,ill of 08?2. *t is e()!lly not
s)rprisin5 th!t On5 Ch)!n, the son of On5 Te !nd f!ther or priv!te
respondent, did not even !tte$pt to cl!i$ ilipino citi;enship by re!son of
On5 TeTs !lle5ed ilipino citi;enship )nder the Philippine ,ill of 08?2 b)t
inste!d !pplied for Philippine citi;enship thro)5h n!t)r!li;!tion.
7or c!n it be contended by the priv!te respondent th!t the .o)se Blector!l
Trib)n!l sho)ld no lon5er h!ve reviewed the f!ct)!l ()estion or iss)e of On5
TeTs citi;enship in the li5ht of the resol)tion of the 0810 Constit)tion!l
Convention findin5 hi$ (On5 Te to h!ve beco$e ! ilipino citi;en )nder the
Philippine ,ill of 08?2. The trib)n!l h!d to looE into the ()estion bec!)se the
findin5 th!t On5 Te h!d beco$e ! ilipino citi;en )nder the Philippine ,ill of
08?2 w!s the centr!l core of s!id 0810 resol)tion b)t !s held in Lee
s. Commissioners of
3mmi0ration+
-7
. . . Bveryti$e the citi;enship of ! person is $!teri!l or indispens!ble in ! %)dici!l or
!d$inistr!tive c!se, wh!tever the correspondin5 Co)rt or !d$inistr!tive !)thority
decides therein !s to s)ch citi;enship is 5ener!lly not considered !s res adjudicata,
hence it h!s to be threshed o)t !5!in !nd !5!in !s the occ!sion $!y de$!nd.
4hich fin!lly brin5s )s to the resol)tion of this Co)rt in 4mil L. On0
s. COM4L4C, et al., &.R. 7o. 612?0, 3 "!y 083>. *n connection with s!id
resol)tion, it is contended by priv!te respondent th!t the resol)tion of the
0810 Constit)tion!l Convention in the B$il =. On5 c!se w!s elev!ted to this
Co)rt on ! ()estion involvin5 B$il =. On5Ts dis()!lific!tion to r)n for
$e$bership in the ,!t!s!n5 P!$b!ns! !nd th!t, !ccordin5 to priv!te
respondent, this Co)rt !llowed the )se of the Co$$ittee Report to the 0810
Constit)tion!l Convention.
To f)lly !ppreci!te the i$plic!tions of s)ch contention, it wo)ld help to looE
into the circ)$st!nces of the c!se bro)5ht before this Co)rt in rel!tion to the
Co)rtTs !ction or disposition. B$il =. On5 !nd Bdilberto 'el -!lle were both
c!ndid!tes for the ,!t!s!n5 P!$b!ns! in the 0> "!y 083> election. -!lle
filed ! petition for dis()!lific!tion with the Co$$ission on Blection on 28
"!rch 083> docEeted !s #PC 7o. 3>-68 contendin5 th!t On5 is not ! n!t)r!l-
born citi;en. On5 filed ! $otion to dis$iss the petition on the 5ro)nd th!t the
%)d5$ent of the 0810 Constit)tion!l Convention on his st!t)s !s ! n!t)r!l-
born citi;en of the Philippines b!rs the petitioner fro$ r!isin5 the *dentic!l
iss)e before the CO"B=BC. (&.R. 7o. 612?0, -ollo, p. 8>) The $otion w!s
denied by the CO"B=BC, th)s, pro$ptin5 B$il =. On5 to file with this Co)rt !
petition for certiorari, prohibition !nd mandamus with preli$in!ry in%)nction
!5!inst the CO"B=BC, docEeted !s &.R. 7o. 612?0.
*n ! resol)tion d!ted 3 "!y 083>, this Co)rt resolved to iss)e ! writ of
preli$in!ry in%)nction en%oinin5 respondent CO"B=BC fro$ holdin5 !ny
f)rther he!rin5 on the dis()!lific!tion c!se entitled 64dilberto Del :alle
s. 4mil On0 (#PC 7o. 3>-68) except to dis$iss the s!$e. (&.R. 7os. 822?2-
?A, -ollo, p. AA@)
This Co)rt, in expl!inin5 its !ction, held th!t+
/ctin5 on the pr!yer of the petitioner for the iss)!nce of ! 4rit of Preli$in!ry *n%)nction,
!nd considerin5 th!t !t the he!rin5 this $ornin5, it w!s bro)5ht o)t th!t the 0810
Constit)tion!l Convention, !t its session of 7ove$ber 23, 0812, !fter considerin5 the
Report of its Co$$ittee on Blection Protests !nd Credenti!ls, fo)nd th!t the protest
()estionin5 the citi;enship of the protestee (the petitioner herein) w!s 5ro)ndless !nd
dis$issed Blection Protests 7os. BP ?1 !nd BP ?3 filed !5!inst s!id petitioner (p.
2A1, -ollo), the !)thenticity of the "in)tes of s!id session !s well !s of the s!id
Co$$itteeTs Report h!vin5 been d)ly !d$itted in evidence witho)t ob%ection !nd be!rs
o)t, for no/, witho)t need for ! f)ll he!rin5, th!t petitioner is ! n!t)r!l-born citi;en, the
Co)rt Resolved to *##DB, effective i$$edi!tely, ! 4rit of Preli$in!ry *n%)nction en%oinin5
respondent CO"B=BC fro$ holdin5 !ny f)rther he!rin5 on the dis()!lific!tion c!se
entitled 4dilberto Del :alle s. 4mil On0 (#PC 7o. 3>-68) sched)led !t A+?? oTclocE this
!fternoon, or !ny other d!y, except to dis$iss the s!$e.2his is /ithout "rejudice to any
a""ro"riate action that "riate res"ondent may /ish to ta?e after the elections. (e$ph!sis
s)pplied)
*t is th)s cle!r th!t the resol)tion of this Co)rt in &.R. 7o. 612?0 w!s
rendered witho)t the benefit of ! he!rin5 on the $erits either by the Co)rt or
by the CO"B=BC !nd $erely on the b!sis of ! Co$$itteeTs Report to the
0810 Constit)tion!l Convention, !nd th!t this Co)rt (!nd this is ()ite
si5nific!nt) did not foreclose !ny !ppropri!te !ction th!t 'el -!lle (therein
petitioner) $!y wish to t!Ee !fter the elections.
*t is th)s !b)nd!ntly cle!r !lso th!t to this Co)rt, the resol)tion of the 0810
Constit)tion!l Convention reco5ni;in5 B$il =. On5 !s ! n!t)r!l-born citi;en
)nder the 08A@ Constit)tion did not foreclose ! f)t)re or f)rther proceedin5 in
re5!rd to the s!$e ()estion !nd th!t, conse()ently, there is no ested ri0ht of
B$il =. On5 to s)ch reco5nition. .ow $)ch $ore when the Constit)tion
involved is not the 08A@ Constit)tion b)t the 0831 Constit)tion whose
provisions were never considered in !ll s)ch proceedin5s bec!)se the 0831
Constit)tion w!s still inexistent.
/ fin!l word. *t is re5rett!ble th!t one (!s priv!te respondent) who
)n()estion!bly obt!ined the hi5hest n)$ber of votes for the elective position
of Represent!tive (Con5ress$!n) to the .o)se of Represent!tives for the
second district of 7orthern #!$!r, wo)ld h!ve h!d to ce!se in office by virt)e
of this Co)rtTs decision, if the full membershi" of the Court had "artici"ated in
this case, with the res)lt th!t the le5isl!tive district wo)ld ce!se to h!ve, in the
interi$, ! represent!tive in the .o)se of Represent!tives. ,)t the
f)nd!$ent!l consider!tion in c!ses of this n!t)re is the Constit)tion !nd only
the Constit)tion. *t h!s to be !ss)$ed, therefore, th!t when the elector!te in
the second le5isl!tive district of 7orthern #!$!r c!st the $!%ority of their
votes for priv!te respondent, they assumed and belieed that he /as fully
eli0ible and Aualified for the office because he is a natural&born Fili"ino citi1en.
Th!t erroneo)s !ss)$ption !nd belief c!n not prev!il over, b)t $)st yield to
the $!%esty of the Constit)tion.
This is ! s!d d!y for the Constit)tion. /s * see it, the Constit)tion $!nd!tes
th!t $e$bers of the .o)se of Represent!tives sho)ld be Enatural&
born citi;ens of the Philippines6. The votin5 $!%ority of the present Co)rt s!ys,
6ilipino citi;ens will do.6 This is b!d eno)5h. 4h!t is worse is, the s!$e
votin5 $!%ority, in effect, s!ys, 6even !liens will do !s well.6
4.BRBORB, $y vote is cle!r+ to decl!re priv!te respondent 9ose =. On5
Ch)!, 9r., !s he cle!rly is, 7OT ! n!t)r!l-born citi;en of the Philippines !nd
therefore 7OT ID/=**B' to be ! "e$ber of the .o)se of Represent!tives,
Con5ress of the Philippines.
#arasa, J., Paras, J. and -e0alado, J., dissentin0.
SR%IENTO, J. conc)rrin5+
* conc)r with the $!%ority.
(0)
* wish to point o)t first th!t the ()estion of citi;enship is ! ()estion of f!ct, !nd
!s ! r)le, the #)pre$e Co)rt le!ves f!cts to the trib)n!l th!t deter$ined
the$. * !$ ()ite !5reed th!t the Blector!l Trib)n!l of the .o)se of
Represent!tives, !s the 6sole %)d5e6 of !ll contests rel!tin5 to the $e$bership
in the .o)se, !s follows+
#ec. 01. The #en!te !nd the .o)se of Represent!tives sh!ll e!ch h!ve !n Blector!l
Trib)n!l which sh!ll be the sole %)d5e of !ll contests rel!tin5 to the election, ret)rns, !nd
()!lific!tions of their respective "e$bers. B!ch Blector!l Trib)n!l sh!ll be co$posed of
nine "e$bers, three of who$ sh!ll be 9)stices of the #)pre$e Co)rt to be desi5n!ted
by the Chief 9)stice, !nd the re$!inin5 six sh!ll be "e$bers of the #en!te or the .o)se
of Represent!tives, !s the c!se $!y be, who sh!ll be chosen on the b!sis of proportion!l
represent!tion fro$ the politic!l p!rties !nd the p!rties or or5!ni;!tions re5istered )nder
the p!rty-list syste$ represented therein. The senior 9)stice in the Blector!l Trib)n!l sh!ll
be its Ch!ir$!n.
1
is the best %)d5e of f!cts !nd this Co)rt c!n not s)bstit)te its %)d5$ent
bec!)se it thinEs it Enows better.
*n the c!se of %ratuc . Commission on 4lections,
2
it w!s held th!t this Co)rt
c!n not review the errors of the Co$$ission on Blections (then the 6sole
%)d5e6 of !ll election contests) : in the sense of reviewin5 f!cts !nd
)ne!rthin5 $ist!Ees : !nd th!t this Co)rtTs %)risdiction is to see si$ply
whether or not it is 5)ilty of ! 5r!ve !b)se of discretion. *t is tr)e th!t the new
Constit)tion h!s conferred exp!nded powers on the Co)rt,
-
b)t !s the
Ch!rter st!tes, o)r !)thority is 6to deter$ine whether or not there h!s been !
5r!ve !b)se of discretion !$o)ntin5 to l!cE or excess of %)risdiction on the
p!rt of !ny br!nch or instr)$ent!lity of the &overn$ent.6
4
*t is not to review
f!cts.
6&r!ve !b)se of discretion6 h!s been defined !s whi$sic!l exercise of power
!$o)ntin5 to excess of %)risdiction, or otherwise, to deni!l of d)e process of
l!w.
5
* find none of th!t here.
/s the $!%ority indic!tes, 9ose On5Ts citi;enship is ! $!tter of opinion with
which $en $!y differ, b)t cert!inly, it is ()ite !nother thin5 to s!y th!t the
respondent Trib)n!l h!s 5r!vely !b)sed its discretion bec!)se the $!%ority
h!s be55ed to differ. *t does not for$ p!rt of the d)ty of the Co)rt to re$edy
!ll i$!5ined wron5s co$$itted by the &overn$ent.
The respondent Trib)n!l h!s spoEen. /ccordin5 to the Trib)n!l, 9ose On5 is !
ilipino citi;en !nd conse()ently, is possessed of the ()!lific!tions to be !
$e$ber of the .o)se. /s the sole %)d5e, precisely, of this ()estion, the Co)rt
c!n not be $ore popish th!n the pope.
(2)
* c!n not s!y, in the second pl!ce, th!t the 'ecision in ()estion st!nds ex!ctly
on indefensible 5ro)nds. *t is to be noted th!t 9ose On5 h!d relied on the
Report d!ted #epte$ber >, 0812 of the 0810 Constit)tion!l Convention
Co$$ittee
6
on Blection Protests !nd Credenti!ls, in which the Co$$ittees
)pheld the citi;enship, !nd s)st!ined the ()!lific!tion to sit !s 'ele5!te, of
B$il On5, 9ose On5Ts f)ll blood brother. /ccordin5 to the Report, On5 Te the
On5sT 5r!ndf!ther, w!s !lre!dy ! ilipino citi;en h!vin5 co$plied with the
re()ire$ents on ilipini;!tion by existin5 l!ws for which his s)ccessors need
not h!ve elected ilipino citi;enship. * ()ote+
xxx xxx xxx
There is $erit in protesteeTs cl!i$. There c!n h!rdly be !ny do)bt th!t On5 Te
protesteesTs 5r!ndf!ther, w!s ! #p!nish s)b%ect residin5 in the Philippines on /pril 00,
0388, !nd w!s therefore one of the $!ny who bec!$ei"so facto citi;ens of the
Philippines )nder the provisions of the Philippine ,ill of 08?2. #!id l!w expressly
decl!red th!t !ll inh!bit!nts of the Philippine *sl!nds who contin)ed to reside therein !nd
who were #p!nish s)b%ects on /pril 00, 0388, !s well !s their children born s)bse()ent
thereto, 6sh!ll be dee$ed !nd held to be citi;ens of the Philippine *sl!nds6 (#ec. >,
Philippine ,ill of 08?2). Bxcepted fro$ the oper!tion of this r)le were #p!nish s)b%ects
who sh!ll h!ve elected to preserve their !lle5i!nce to the Crown of #p!in in !ccord!nce
with the Tre!ty of P!ris of 'ece$ber 0?, 0383. ,)t )nder the Tre!ty of P!ris, only
#p!nish s)b%ects who were n!tives of Penins)l!r #p!in h!d the privile5e of preservin5
their #p!nish n!tion!lity.
7
xxx xxx xxx
xxx xxx xxx
/s e!rlier noted, protesteeTs 5r!ndf!ther est!blished residence in the Philippines in 038@,
!s shown by the-e0istro Central de Chinos. .e w!s !lso iss)ed ! certific!te of
re5istr!tion. .e est!blished ! b)siness here, !nd l!ter !c()ired re!l property. /ltho)5h
he went b!cE to Chin! for brief visits, he inv!ri!bly c!$e b!cE. .e even bro)5ht his
eldest son, On5 Ch)!n, to live in the Philippines when the l!tter w!s only 0? ye!rs old.
/nd On5 Ch)!n w!s !d$itted into the co)ntry bec!)se, !s d)ly noted on his l!ndin5
certific!te, his f!ther, On5 Te h!d been d)ly enrolled )nder CR 06??8-A61@@ : i.e., !s !
per$!nent resident. *ndeed, even when On5 Te went b!cE to Chin! in the 082?Ts for
!nother visit, he left his son, On5 Ch)!n, who w!s then still ! $inor, in the Philippines :
obvio)sly bec!)se he h!d lon5 considered the Philippines his ho$e. The do$icile he
est!blished in 038@ is pres)$ed to h!ve contin)ed )p to, !nd beyond, /pril 00, 0388, for,
!s !lre!dy !dverted to, ! do$icile once !c()ired is not lost )ntil ! new one is 5!ined. The
only concl)sion then c!n th)s be dr!wn is th!t On5 Te w!s d)ly do$iciled in the
Philippines !s of /pril 00, 0388, within the $e!nin5 of p!r. >, /rt. 01, of the Civil Code of
0338 : !nd w!s, conse()ently, ! #p!nish s)b%ect, he ()!lified !s ! ilipino citi;en )nder
the provisions of #ection > of the Philippine ,ill of 08?2.
8
*t is tr)e th!t On5 Ch)!n, the On5 brothersT f!ther, s)bse()ently so)5ht
n!t)r!li;!tion in the belief th!t he w!s, !ll !lon5, ! Chinese citi;en, b)t !s the
Report held+
Protest!nts, however, $!Ee c!pit!l of the f!ct th!t both On5 Te !nd his son, On5 Ch)!n
(protesteeTs f!ther), !ppe!r to h!ve been re5istered !s Chinese citi;ens even lon5 !fter
the t)rn of the cent)ry. 4orse, On5 Ch)!n hi$self believed the w!s !lien, to the extent of
h!vin5 to seeE !d$ission !s ! Pilipino citi;en thro)5h n!t)r!li;!tion proceedin5s. The
point, to o)r $ind, is neither cr)ci!l nor s)bst!nti!l. On5Ts st!t)s !s ! citi;en is ! $!tter
of l!w, r!ther th!n of person!l belief. *t is wh!t the l!w provides, !nd not wh!t one thinEs
his st!t)s to be, which deter$ines whether one is ! citi;en of ! p!rtic)l!r st!te or not.
"ere $ist!Ee or $is!pprehension !s to oneTs citi;enship, it h!s been held, is not !
s)fficient c!)se or re!son for forfeit)re of Philippine citi;enshipP it does not even
constit)te estoppel (P!l!nc! vs. Rep)blic, 3? Phil. @13, @3>). Too, estoppel !pplies only
to ()estions of f!ct !nd not of l!w (T!n!d! v. C)enco, =-0?@2?, eb. 23, 08@1).
9
*t is to be noted th!t the Report w!s )n!ni$o)sly !pproved by the Co$$ittee,
!nd on 7ove$ber 23, 0812, !pproved witho)t !ny ob%ection by the
Convention in plen!ry session.
10
* !$ not, of co)rse, to be $ist!Een !s !ctin5 !s $o)thpiece of B$il On5, b)t
in !ll c!ndor, * spe!E fro$ experience, bec!)se when the Convention
!pproved the Report in ()estion, * w!s one of its vice-presidents !nd the
presidin5 officer.
*t is to be noted fin!lly, th!t the $!tter w!s elev!ted to this Co)rt (on !
()estion involvin5 B$il On5Ts ()!lific!tion to sit !s $e$ber of the def)nct
,!t!s!n5 P!$b!ns!)
11
in which this Co)rt !llowed the )se of the Co$$ittee
Report.
!ced with s)ch positive !cts of the &overn$ent, * s)b$it th!t the ()estion of
the On5Ts citi;enship is ! settled $!tter. =et it rest.
*t is tr)e th!t Blector!l Protest 7os. BP-?1 !nd BP-?3 of the Convention !s
well !s &.R. 7o. 612?0 of this Co)rt, involved B$il On5 !nd not his brotherP *
s)b$it, however, th!t wh!t is s!)ce for the 5oose is s!)ce for the 5!nder.
* !lso s)b$it th!t the f)nd!$ent!l ()estion is whether or not we will overt)rn
the )n!ni$o)s r)lin5 of 261 dele5!tes, indeed, !lso of this Co)rt.

Se;(r(4e O;6)6o)7
P$ILL, J. dissentin5+
* dissent.
These sep!r!te petitions for certiorari !nd mandamus seeE to !nn)l the
decision D of respondent .o)se of Represent!tives Blector!l Trib)n!l
(herein!fter referred to !s the trib)n!l) d!ted 6 7ove$ber 0838 which
decl!red priv!te respondent 9ose =. On5, ! n!t)r!l-born citi;en of the
Philippines !nd ! le5!l resident of =!o!n5, 7orthern #!$!r, !nd the
resol)tion of the trib)n!l d!ted 22 ebr)!ry 088? denyin5 petitionersT $otions
for reconsider!tion.
*n &.R. 7os. 82080-82, petitioner Co !lso pr!ys th!t the Co)rt decl!re priv!te
respondent On5 not ()!lified to be ! "e$ber of the .o)se of
Represent!tives !nd to decl!re hi$ (petitioner Co) who !lle5edly obt!ined the
hi5hest n)$ber of votes !$on5 the Aualified candidates, the d)ly elected
represent!tive of the second le5isl!tive district of 7orthern #!$!r. *n &.R.
7os. 822?2-?A, petitioner ,!l!n()it pr!ys th!t the Co)rt decl!re priv!te
respondent On5 !nd Co (petitioner in &.R. 7os. 82080-82) not ()!lified for
$e$bership in the .o)se of Represent!tives !nd to procl!i$ hi$ (,!l!n5)it)
!s the d)ly elected represent!tive of s!id district.
Petitioners /ntonio C. Co, #ixto T. ,!l!n()it, 9r. !nd priv!te respondent 9ose
On5 Ch)!n, 9r. were !$on5 the c!ndid!tes for the position of Represent!tive
or Con5ress$!n for the second district of 7orthern #!$!r d)rin5 the 00 "!y
0831 con5ression!l elections. Priv!te respondent w!s procl!i$ed d)ly-
elected on 03 "!y 0831 with ! pl)r!lity of so$e sixteen tho)s!nd (06,???)
votes over petitioner Co who obt!ined the next hi5hest n)$ber of votes.
Petitioners Co !nd ,!l!n()it then filed sep!r!te election protests !5!inst
priv!te respondent with the trib)n!l, docEeted !s .RBT C!ses 7os. 0A !nd
0@ respectively. ,oth protests r!ised !l$ost the s!$e iss)es !nd were th)s
considered !nd decided %ointly by the trib)n!l.
The iss)es r!ised before the trib)n!l were the followin5+
0. 4hether or not protestee ($e!nin5, On5) is ! n!t)r!l-born citi;en of the Philippines in
conte$pl!tion of #ection 6, /rticle -* of the 0831 Constit)tion in rel!tion to #ections 2
!nd 0(A), /rticle *- thereofP !nd
2. 4hether or not protestee w!s ! resident of =!o!n5, 7orthern #!$!r, in conte$pl!tion
of #ection 6, /rticle -* of the s!$e Constit)tion, for ! period of not less th!n one ye!r
i$$edi!tely precedin5 the con5ression!l elections of "!y 0831.
The respondent trib)n!l in its decision d!ted 6 7ove$ber 0838 held th!t
respondent 9ose =. On5 is ! n!t)r!l-born citi;en of the Philippines !nd w!s !
le5!l resident of =!o!n5, 7orthern #!$!r for the re()ired period prior to the
"!y 0831 con5ression!l elections. .e w!s, therefore, decl!red ()!lified to
contin)e in office !s "e$ber of the .o)se of Represent!tives, Con5ress of
the Philippines, representin5 the second le5isl!tive district of 7orthern #!$!r.
The f!ct)!l !ntecedents t!Een fro$ the consolid!ted proceedin5s in the
trib)n!l !re the followin5+
0. The Protestee (On5) w!s born on 9)ne 08, 08>3 to the le5!l spo)ses On5 Ch)!n !lso
Enown !s 9ose On5 Ch)!n !nd /5rifin! B. =!o. .is pl!ce of birth is =!o!n5 which is now
one of the $)nicip!lities co$prisin5 the province of 7orthern #!$!r (Rep)blic /ct 7o.
60A2 !pproved on /)5)st 2>, 081? !nd the Ordin!nce !ppended to the 0831
Constit)tion).
2. On the other h!nd, 9ose On5 Ch)!n w!s born in Chin! !nd !rrived in "!nil! on
'ece$ber 06, 080@. (Bxhibit ;;) #)bse()ently there!fter, he tooE )p residence in
=!o!n5, #!$!r.
A. On ebr)!ry >, 08A2, he $!rried /5rifin! B. =!o. Their weddin5 w!s celebr!ted
!ccordin5 to the rites !nd pr!ctices of the Ro$!n C!tholic Ch)rch in the ")nicip!lity of
=!o!n5 (Bxh. B).
>. /t the ti$e of her $!rri!5e to 9ose On5 Ch)!n, /5rifin! B. =!o w!s ! n!t)r!l-born
ilipino citi;en, both her p!rents !t the ti$e of her birth bein5 ilipino citi;ens. (Bxhibits B
V *)
@. On ebr)!ry 0@, 08@>, 9ose On5 Ch)!n, desirin5 to !c()ire Philippine citi;enship,
filed his petition for n!t)r!li;!tion with the Co)rt of irst *nst!nce of #!$!r, p)rs)!nt to
Co$$onwe!lth /ct 7o. >1A, otherwise Enown !s the Revised 7!t)r!li;!tion =!w.
6. On /pril 23, 08@@, the Co)rt of irst *nst!nce of #!$!r rendered ! decision !pprovin5
the !pplic!tion of 9ose On5 Ch)!n for n!t)r!li;!tion !nd decl!rin5 s!id petitioner !
ilipino citi;en 6with !ll the ri5hts !nd privile5es !nd d)ties, li!bilities !nd obli5!tions
inherent to ilipino citi;ens. (Bxh. B)
1. On "!y 0@, 08@1, the s!$e Co)rt iss)ed !n order+
(0) decl!rin5 the decision of this Co)rt of /pril 23, 08@@ fin!l !nd
exec)toryP
(2) directin5 the clerE of co)rt to iss)e the correspondin5 Certific!te of
7!t)r!li;!tion in f!vor of the !pplic!nt On5 Ch)!n who prefers to t!Ee
his o!th !nd re5ister his n!$e !s 9ose On5 Ch)!n. Petitioner $!y t!Ee
his o!th !s ilipino citi;en )nder "s new christi!n n!$e, 9ose On5
Ch)!n. (Bxh. )
3. On the s!$e d!y, 9ose On5 Ch)!n h!vin5 t!Een the correspondin5 o!th of !lle5i!nce
to the Constit)tion !nd the &overn$ent of the Philippines !s prescribed by #ection 02 of
Co$$onwe!lth /ct 7o. >1A, w!s iss)ed the correspondin5 Certific!te of 7!t)r!li;!tion.
(Bxh. &)
8. On 7ove$ber 0?, 081?, B$il =. On5, ! f)ll-brother of the protestee !nd ! son born on
9)ly 2@, 08A1 !t =!o!n5, #!$!r to the spo)ses 9ose On5 Ch)!n !nd /5rifin! B. =!o,
w!s elected dele5!te fro$ 7orthern #!$!r to the 0810 Constit)tion!l Convention.
0?. ,y protesteeTs own -testi$ony, it w!s est!blished th!t he h!d !ttended 5r!de school
in =!o!n5. There!fter, he went to "!nil! where he finished his second!ry !s well !s his
colle5e ed)c!tion. 4hile l!ter e$ployed in "!nil!, protestee however went ho$e to
=!o!n5 whenever he h!d the opport)nity to do so, which inv!ri!bly wo)ld be !s fre()ent
!s twice to fo)r ti$es ! ye!r.
00. Protestee !lso showed th!t bein5 ! n!tive !nd le5!l resident of =!o!n5, he re5istered
!s ! voter therein !nd correspondin5ly voted in s!id $)nicip!lity in the 083> !nd 0836
elections.
02. /5!in in 'ece$ber 0836, d)rin5 the 5ener!l re5istr!tion of !ll voters in the co)ntry,
Protestee re-re5istered !s ! voter in Precinct 7o. > of ,!r!n5!y T)$!5)intin5 in =!o!n5.
*n his voterTs !ffid!vit, Protestee indic!ted th!t he is ! resident of =!o!n5 since birth.
(Bxh. 1)
1
PetitionersT $otions for reconsider!tion of the trib)n!lTs decision h!vin5 been
denied, petitioners filed the present petitions.
*n their co$$ents, the respondents first r!ise the iss)e of the Co)rtTs
%)risdiction to review the decision of the .o)se Blector!l Trib)n!l, considerin5
the constit)tion!l provision vestin5 )pon s!id trib)n!l the power !nd !)thority
to !ct !s the sole jud0e of !ll contests rel!tin5 to the ()!lific!tions of the
"e$bers of the .o)se of Represent!tives.
2
On the ()estion of this Co)rtTs %)risdiction over the present controversy, *
believe th!t, contr!ry to the respondentsT contentions, the Co)rt h!s the
%)risdiction !nd co$petence to review the ()estioned decision of the trib)n!l
!nd to decide the present controversy.
/rticle -***, #ection * of the 0831 Constit)tion provides th!t+
9)dici!l power incl)des the d)ty of the co)rts of %)stice to settle !ct)!l controversies
involvin5 ri5hts which !re le5!lly de$!nd!ble !nd enforce!ble, !nd to deter$ine whether
or not there h!s been ! 5r!ve !b)se of discretion !$o)ntin5 to l!cE or excess of
%)risdiction on the p!rt of !ny br!nch or instr)$ent!lity of the &overn$ent.
The Constit)tion, it is tr)e, constit)tes the trib)n!l !s the sole jud0e of !ll
contests rel!tin5 to the election, ret)rns, !nd ()!lific!tions of "e$bers of the
.o)se of Represent!tives. ,)t !s e!rly !s 08A3, it w!s held in Morrero
s. $ocar,
-
constr)in5 #ection >, /rticle -* of the 08A@ Constit)tion which
provided th!t 6. . . The Blector!l Co$$ission sh!ll be the sole %)d5e of !ll
contests rel!tin5 to the election, ret)rns !nd ()!lific!tions of the "e$bers of
the 7!tion!l /sse$bly,6 th!t+
The %)d5$ent rendered by the (elector!l) co$$ission in the exercise of s)ch !n
!cEnowled5ed power is beyond %)dici!l interference, except, in !ny event, 6)pon ! cle!r
showin5 of s)ch !rbitr!ry !nd i$provident )se of the power !s will constit)te ! deni!l of
d)e process of l!w.6 (,!rry vs. D# ex rel. C)nnin5h!$, 218 D# @81P 1A =!w. ed., 361P
/n5!r! vs. Blector!l Co$$ission, A@ Off. &!;., 2A.)
/nd then )nder the !fore-()oted provisions of /rticle -***, #ection 0 of the
0831 Constit)tion, this Co)rt is d)ty-bo)nd to deter$ine whether or not, in !n
!ct)!l controversy, there h!s been ! 5r!ve !b)se of discretion !$o)ntin5 to
l!cE or excess of %)risdiction on the p!rt of !ny br!nch or instr)$ent!lity of the
&overn$ent.
The present controversy, it will be observed, involves $ore th!n perceived
irre5)l!rities in the cond)ct of ! con5ression!l election or ! disp)ted
!ppreci!tion of b!llots, in which c!ses, it $!y be contended with 5re!t le5!l
force !nd pers)!sion th!t the decision of the elector!l trib)n!l sho)ld be fin!l
!nd concl)sive, for it is, by constit)tion!l directive, $!de the sole %)d5e of
contests rel!tin5 to s)ch $!tters. The present controversy, however, involves
no less th!n ! deter$in!tion of whether the ()!lific!tions for $e$bership in
the .o)se of Represent!tives, as "rescribed by the Constitution, h!ve been
$et. *ndeed, this Co)rt wo)ld be )nfor5iv!bly re$iss in the perfor$!nce of its
d)ties, !s $!nd!ted by the Constit)tion, were it to !llow ! person, not !
n!t)r!l-born ilipino citi;en, to contin)e to sit !s ! "e$ber of the .o)se of
Represent!tives, solely bec!)se the .o)se Blector!l Trib)n!l h!s decl!red
hi$ to be so. *n s)ch ! c!se, the trib)n!l wo)ld h!ve !cted with 5r!ve !b)se
of discretion !$o)ntin5 to l!cE or excess of %)risdiction !s to re()ire the
exercise by this Co)rt of its power of %)dici!l review.
,esides, the citi;enship !nd residence ()!lific!tions of priv!te respondent for
the office of "e$ber of the .o)se of Represent!tives, !re here controverted
by petitioners who, !t the s!$e ti$e, cl!i$ th!t they !re entitled to the office
ille5!lly held by priv!te respondent. ro$ this !ddition!l direction, where one
!sserts !n e!rnestly perceived ri5ht th!t in t)rn is vi5oro)sly resisted by
!nother, there is cle!rly ! %)stici!ble controversy proper for this Co)rt to
consider !nd decide.
7or c!n it be s!id th!t the Co)rt, in reviewin5 the decision of the trib)n!l,
!sserts s)pre$!cy over it in contr!vention of the ti$e-honored principle of
constit)tion!l sep!r!tion of powers. The Co)rt in this inst!nce si$ply perfor$s
! f)nction entr)sted !nd !ssi5ned to it by the Constit)tion of interpretin5, in !
%)stici!ble controversy, the pertinent provisions of the Constit)tion with fin!lity.
*t is the role of the 9)dici!ry to refine !nd, when necess!ry, correct constit)tion!l (!ndGor
st!t)tory) interpret!tion, in the context of the inter!ctions of the three br!nches of the
5overn$ent, !l$ost !lw!ys in sit)!tions where so$e !5ency of the #t!te h!s en5!5ed in
!ction th!t ste$s )lti$!tely fro$ so$e le5iti$!te !re! of 5overn$ent!l power (the
#)pre$e Co)rt in "odern Role, C.,. #evisher, 08@3, p. A6).
4
"oreover, it is decidedly ! $!tter of 5re!t p)blic interest !nd concern to
deter$ine whether or not priv!te respondent is ()!lified to hold so i$port!nt
!nd hi5h ! p)blic office which is specific!lly reserved by the Constit)tion only
to n!t)r!l-born ilipino citi;ens.
/fter ! c!ref)l consider!tion of the iss)es !nd the evidence, it is $y
considered opinion th!t the respondent trib)n!l co$$itted 5r!ve !b)se of
discretion !$o)ntin5 to l!cE or excess of %)risdiction in renderin5 its
()estioned decision !nd resol)tion, for re!sons to be presently st!ted.
The Constit)tion
5
re()ires th!t ! "e$ber of the .o)se of Represent!tives
$)st be ! n!t)r!l-born citi;en of the Philippines !nd, on the d!y of the
election, is !t le!st twenty-five (2@) ye!rs of !5e, !ble to re!d !nd write, !nd,
except the p!rty-list represent!tives, ! re5istered voter in the district in which
he sh!ll be elected, !nd ! resident thereof for ! period of not less th!n one (0)
ye!r i$$edi!tely precedin5 the d!y of the election.
/rticle *-, #ection 2 of the 0831 Constit)tion defines n!t)r!l-born (ilipino)
citi;ens !s+
7!t)r!l-born citi;ens !re those who !re citi;ens of the Philippines fro$ birth witho)t
h!vin5 to perfor$ !ny !ct to !c()ire or perfect their Philippine citi;enship. Those who
elect Philippine citi;enship in !ccord!nce with p!r!5r!ph (A), #ection * hereof sh!ll be
dee$ed n!t)r!l-born citi;en,
/rticle *-, #ection 0, p!r!5r!ph (A) of the 0831 Constit)tion provides th!t+
#ection 0. The followin5 !re citi;ens of the Philippines+
xxx xxx xxx
(A) Those born before 9!n)!ry 01, 081A, of ilipino $others, who elect Philippine
citi;enship )pon re!chin5 the !5e of $!%ority.
The Co)rt in this c!se is f!ced with the d)ty of interpretin5 the !bove-()oted
constit)tion!l provisions. The first sentence of #ection 2 of /rticle *- st!tes the
b!sic definition of ! n!t)r!l-born ilipino citi;en. 'oes priv!te respondent f!ll
within s!id definition<
To the respondent trib)n!l,
Protestee $!y even be decl!red ! n!t)r!l-born citi;en of the Philippines )nder the first
sentence of #ec. 2 of /rticle *- of the 0831 Constit)tion bec!)se he did not h!ve 6to
perfor$ !ny !ct to !c()ire or perfect his Philippine citi;enship.6 *t be!rs to repe!t th!t on
0@ "!y 08@1, while still ! $inor of 8 ye!rs he !lre!dy bec!$e ! ilipino citi;en by
decl!r!tion of l!w. #ince his $other w!s ! n!t)r!l-born citi;en !t the ti$e of her
$!rri!5e, protestee h!d !n incho!te ri5ht to Philippine citi;enship !t the $o$ent of his
birth !nd, conse()ently the decl!r!tion by virt)e of #ec. 0@ of C/ >1A th!t he w!s !
ilipino citi;en retro!cted to the $o$ent of his birth witho)t his h!vin5 to perfor$ !ny !ct
to !c()ire or perfect s)ch Philippine citi;enship.
6
* re5ret th!t * !$ neither convinced nor pers)!ded by s)ch E!leidoscopic
r!tiocin!tion. The records show th!t priv!te respondent w!s born on 08 9)ne
08>3 to the spo)ses 9ose On5 Ch)!n, ! Chinese citi;en, !nd /5rifin! B. =!o,
! n!t)r!l-born ilipino citi;en, in =!o!n5, 7orthern #!$!r. *n other words, at
birth, priv!te respondent w!s ! Chinese citi;en (not ! n!t)r!l-born ilipino
citi;en) bec!)se his f!ther w!s then ! Chinese citi;en (not ! n!t)r!li;ed
ilipino citi;en). Dnder the 08A@ Constit)tion which w!s enforced !t the ti$e
of priv!te respondentTs birth on 08 9)ne 08>3, only those whose f!thers were
citi;ens of the Philippines were considered ilipino citi;ens. Those whose
$others were citi;ens of the Philippines h!d to elect Philippine citi;enship
)pon re!chin5 the !5e of $!%ority, in order to be considered ilipino citi;ens.
7
ollowin5 the b!sic definition in the 0831 Constit)tion of ! n!t)r!l-born citi;en,
in rel!tion to the 08A@ Constit)tion, priv!te respondent is not ! n!t)r!l-born
ilipino citi;en, hain0 been born a Chinese citi1enby virt)e of the Chinese
citi;enship of his f!ther !t the ti$e of his birth, !ltho)5h fro$ birth, priv!te
respondent h!d the ri5ht to elect Philippine citi;enship, the citi;enship of his
$other, b)t only )pon his re!chin5 the !5e of $!%ority.
4hile )nder #ection 0@ of the Revised 7!t)r!li;!tion =!w (C./. >1A) $inor
children of ! n!t)r!li;ed citi;en (f!ther), who were born in the Philippines prior
to the n!t)r!li;!tion of the p!rent automatically become Fili"ino citi1ens,
8
this
does not !lter the f!ct th!t priv!te respondent w!s not born to ! ilipino f!ther,
!nd the oper!tion of #ection 0@ of C/ >1A did not confer )pon hi$ the st!t)s
of ! natural&bornciti;en $erely bec!)se he did not h!ve to perfor$ !ny !ct to
!c()ire or perfect his st!t)s !s ! Fili"ino citi1en.
,)t even !ss)$in5 ar0uendo th!t priv!te respondent co)ld be considered !
n!t)r!l-born citi;en by virt)e of the oper!tion of C/ >1A, petitioners however
contend th!t the n!t)r!li;!tion of priv!te respondentTs f!ther w!s inv!lid !nd
void fro$ the be5innin5, !nd, therefore, priv!te respondent is not even !
ilipino citi;en.
Respondent trib)n!l in its ()estioned decision r)led th!t only ! direct
proceedin5 for n)llity of n!t)r!li;!tion !s ! ilipino citi;en is per$issible, !nd,
therefore, ! coll!ter!l !tt!cE on On5 Ch)!nTs n!t)r!li;!tion is b!rred in !n
elector!l contest which does not even involve hi$ (On5 Ch)!n).
Priv!te respondent, for his p!rt, !vers in his Co$$ent th!t the ch!llen5e
!5!inst On5 Ch)!nTs n!t)r!li;!tion $)st e$!n!te fro$ the &overn$ent !nd
$)st be $!de in ! properG!ppropri!te !nd direct proceedin5 for de-
n!t)r!li;!tion directed !5!inst the proper p!rty, who in s)ch c!se is On5
Ch)!n, !nd !lso d)rin5 his lifeti$e.
/ %)d5$ent in ! n!t)r!li;!tion proceedin5 is not, however, !fforded the
ch!r!cter of i$pre5n!bility )nder the principle of res judicata.
9
#ection 03 of
C/ >1A provides th!t ! certific!te of n!t)r!li;!tion $!y be c!ncelled )pon
$otion $!de in the proper proceedin5 by the #olicitor &ener!l or his
represent!tive, or by the proper provinci!l fisc!l.
*n -e"ublic s. Go $on Lee,
10
this Co)rt held th!t+
/n !lien friend is offered )nder cert!in conditions the privile5e of citi;enship. .e $!y
!ccept the offer !nd beco$e ! citi;en )pon co$pli!nce with the prescribed conditions,
b)t not otherwise. .is cl!i$ is of f!vor, not of ri5ht. .e c!n only beco$e ! citi;en )pon
!nd !fter ! strict co$pli!nce with the !cts of Con5ress. /n !pplic!nt for this hi5h privile5e
is bo)nd, therefore, to confor$ to the ter$s )pon which !lone the ri5ht he seeEs c!n be
conferred. *t is his province, !nd he is bo)nd, to see th!t the %)risdiction!l f!cts )pon
which the 5r!nt is predic!ted !ct)!lly exist !nd if they do not he t!Ees nothin5 by this
p!per 5r!nt.
xxx xxx xxx
Con5ress h!vin5 li$ited this privile5e to ! specified cl!ss of persons, no other person is
entitled to s)ch privile5e, nor to ! certific!te p)rportin5 to 5r!nt it, !nd !ny s)ch certific!te
iss)ed to ! person not so entitled to receive it $)st be tre!ted !s ! $ere n)llity, which
confers no le5!l ri5hts !s !5!inst the 5overn$ent, fro$ which it h!s been obt!ined
witho)t w!rr!nt of l!w.
67!t)r!li;!tion is not ! ri5ht, b)t ! privile5e of the $ost discri$in!tin5 !s well
!s delic!te !nd ex!ctin5 n!t)re, !ffectin5 p)blic interest of the hi5hest order,
!nd which $!y be en%oyed only )nder the precise conditions prescribed by
l!w therefor.6
11
Considerin5 the le5!l i$plic!tions of the !lle5!tion $!de by the petitioners
th!t the n!t)r!li;!tion of priv!te respondentTs f!ther On5 Ch)!n, is ! n)llity,
the Co)rt sho)ld $!Ee ! r)lin5 on the v!lidity of s!id n!t)r!li;!tion
proceedin5s. This co)rse of !ction beco$es !ll the $ore inevit!ble !nd
%)stified in the present c!se where, to repe!t for stress, it is cl!i$ed th!t !
forei5ner is holdin5 ! p)blic
office.
12
*t c!nnot be overlooEed, in this connection, th!t the citi;enship of priv!te
respondent is derived fro$ his f!ther. *f his f!therTs ilipino citi;enship is void
fro$ the be5innin5, then there is nothin5 fro$ which priv!te respondent c!n
derive his own cl!i$ed ilipino citi;enship. or ! sprin5 c!nnot rise hi5her
th!n its so)rce. /nd to !llow priv!te respondent to !v!il of the privile5es of
ilipino citi;enship by virt)e of ! void n!t)r!li;!tion of his f!ther, wo)ld
constit)te or !t le!st s!nction ! contin)in5 offense !5!inst the Constit)tion.
The records show th!t priv!te respondentTs f!ther, 9ose On5 Ch)!n, tooE the
o!th of !lle5i!nce to the Constit)tion !nd the Philippine &overn$ent, !s
prescribed by #ection 02 of C/ >1A on the s!$e d!y (0@ "!y 08@1) th!t the
C* iss)ed its order directin5 the clerE of co)rt to iss)e the correspondin5
Certific!te of 7!t)r!li;!tion !nd for the !pplic!nt to t!Ee the o!th of
!lle5i!nce.
.owever, it is settled th!t !n order 5r!ntin5 ! petition to t!Ee the re()isite o!th
of !lle5i!nce of one who h!s previo)sly obt!ined ! decision f!vor!ble to his
!pplic!tion for n!t)r!li;!tion, is a""ealable. *t is, therefore, i$proper !nd
ille5!l to !)thori;e the t!Ein5 of s!id o!th )pon the iss)!nce of s!id order !nd
before the expir!tion of the re5le$ent!ry period to perfect !ny !ppe!l fro$
s!id order.
1-
*n Cua !un Me s. -e"ublic,
14
this Co)rt held th!t+
/d$inistr!tion of the o!th of !lle5i!nce on the s!$e d!y !s iss)!nce of order 5r!ntin5
citi;enship is irre5)l!r !nd $!Ees the proceedin5s so t!Een n)ll !nd void. (Rep)blic vs.
&)y, 00@ #CR/ 2>> L0832MP citin0 the c!se of On5 #o vs. Rep)blic of the Philippines, 020
Phil. 0A30).
*t wo)ld !ppe!r fro$ the fore5oin5 disc)ssion th!t the n!t)r!li;!tion of 9ose
On5 Ch)!n (priv!te respondentTs f!ther) w!s n)ll !nd void. *t follows th!t the
priv!te respondent did not !c()ire !ny le5!l ri5hts fro$ the void n!t)r!li;!tion
of his f!ther !nd th)s he c!nnot hi$self be considered ! ilipino citi;en, $ore
so, ! n!t)r!l-born ilipino citi;en.
,)t !ss)$in5 th!t the C* order of 0@ "!y 08@1 directin5 the clerE of co)rt to
iss)e the certific!te of n!t)r!li;!tion to On5 Ch)!n !nd for the l!tter to t!Ee
the o!th of !lle5i!nce w!s fin!l !nd not !ppe!l!ble, the res)ltin5
n!t)r!li;!tion of On5 Ch)!n effected, !s previo)sly st!ted, !n !)to$!tic
n!t)r!li;!tion of priv!te respondent, then ! $inor, !s ! ilipino citi;en on 0@
"!y 08@1, b)t not his !c()isition or perfection of the st!t)s of ! n!t)r!l-born
ilipino citi;en.
=et )s now looE into the ()estion of whether or not priv!te respondent
!c()ired the st!t)s of ! n!t)r!l-born ilipino citi;en by re!son of the
)ndisp)ted f!ct th!t his $other w!s ! n!t)r!l-born ilipino citi;en. This in t)rn
le!ds )s to !n ex!$in!tion of the second sentence in /rticle *-, #ection 2 of
the 0831 Constit)tion. *t exp!nds, in ! $!nner of spe!Ein5, in rel!tion to
#ection 0, p!r!5r!ph (A) of the s!$e /rticle *-, the st!t)s of ! n!t)r!l-born
ilipino citi;en to those who elect Philippine citi;enship )pon re!chin5 the !5e
of $!%ority. The ri5ht or privile5e of election is !v!il!ble, however, only to
those born to ilipino $others )nder the 08A@ Constit)tion, !nd before the
081A Constit)tion tooE effect on 01 9!n)!ry 081A.
The petitioners contend th!t the respondent trib)n!l !cted in excess of its
%)risdiction or 5r!vely !b)sed its discretion !s to exceed its %)risdiction in
6distortin56 the confer$ent by the 0831 Constit)tion of the st!t)s of 6n!t)r!l-
born6 ilipino citi;en on those who elect Philippine citi;enship : !ll in its
str!ined effort, !ccordin5 to petitioners, to s)pport priv!te respondentTs
()!lific!tion to be ! "e$ber of the .o)se of Represent!tives.
15
Petitioners !r5)e th!t the cle!r, )n!$bi5)o)s wordin5 of section 0(A) of /rticle
*- of the 0831 Constit)tion conte$pl!tes th!t only the le5iti$!te children of
ilipino $others with !lien f!ther, born before 01 9!n)!ry 081A !nd who wo)ld
re!ch the !5e of $!%ority (!nd th)s elect Philippine citi;enship) !fter the
effectivity of the 0831 Constit)tion !re entitled to the st!t)s of n!t)r!l-born
ilipino citi;en.
16
The respondent trib)n!l in resolvin5 the iss)e of the constit)tion!l provisionsT
interpret!tion, fo)nd re!son to refer to the interpell!tions $!de d)rin5 the
0836 Constit)tion!l Co$$ission. *t s!id+
Th!t the benevolent provisions of #ections 2 !nd 0(A) of /rticle *- of the 0831
Constit)tion w!s (sic) intended by its (sic) fr!$ers to be endowed, witho)t distinction, to
!ll ilipinos by election p)rs)!nt to the 08A@ Constit)tion is $ore th!n pers)!sively
est!blished by the extensive interpell!tions !nd deb!te on the iss)e !s borne by the
offici!l records of the 0836 Constit)tion!l Co$$ission.
17
/ltho)5h * find the distinction !s to when election of Philippine citi;enship w!s
$!de irrelev!nt to the c!se !t b!r, since priv!te respondent, contr!ry to the
concl)sion of the respondent trib)n!l, did not elect Philippine citi;enship, !s
provided by l!w, * still consider it necess!ry to settle the controversy re5!rdin5
the $e!nin5 of the constit)tion!l provisions in ()estion.
* !5ree with respondent trib)n!l th!t the deb!tes, interpell!tions petitions !nd
opinions expressed in the 0836 Constit)tion!l Co$$ission $!y be resorted to
in !scert!inin5 the $e!nin5 of so$ewh!t el)sive !nd even neb)lo)s
constit)tion!l provisions. Th)s :
The !scert!in$ent of th!t intent is b)t in Eeepin5 with the f)nd!$ent!l principle of
constit)tion!l constr)ction th!t the intent of the fr!$ers of the or5!nic l!w !nd of the
people !doptin5 it sho)ld be 5iven effect. The pri$!ry t!sE in constit)tion!l constr)ction
is to !scert!in !nd there!fter !ss)re the re!li;!tion of the p)rpose of the fr!$ers !nd of
the people in the !doption of the Constit)tion. *t $!y !lso be s!fely !ss)$ed th!t the
people in r!tifyin5 the constit)tion were 5)ided $!inly by the expl!n!tion offered by the
fr!$ers.
18
The deliber!tions of the 0836 Constit)tion!l Co$$ission relev!nt to #ection
2, /rticle *- in rel!tion to #ection 0(A) of the s!$e /rticle, !ppe!r to ne5!te
the contention of petitioners th!t only those born to ilipino $others before 01
9!n)!ry 081A !nd who wo)ld elect Philippine citi;enship after the effectivity of
the 0831 Constit)tion, !re to be considered n!t)r!l-born ilipino citi;ens.
')rin5 the free-wheelin5 disc)ssions on citi;enship, Co$$issioner TreS!s
specific!lly !sEed Co$$issioner ,ern!s re5!rdin5 the provisions in ()estion,
th)s+
"R. TRB7/#+ The Co$$ittee on Citi;enship, ,ill of Ri5hts, Politic!l
Ri5hts !nd Obli5!tions !nd .)$!n Ri5hts h!s $ore or less decided to
extend the interpret!tion of who is ! n!t)r!l-born ilipino citi;en !s
provided in #ection > of the 081A Constit)tion, by !ddin5 th!t persons
who h!ve elected Philippine citi;enship )nder the 08A@ Constit)tion sh!ll
be considered n!t)r!l-born. /$ * ri5ht, "r. Presidin5 Officer<
R ,BR7/#+ Ces.
"R. TRB7/#+ /nd does the Co$$issioner thinE th!t tills !ddition to
#ection > of the 081A Constit)tion wo)ld be contr!ry to the spirit of th!t
section<
R ,BR7/#+ Ces, we !re ()ite !w!re th!t it is contr!ry to the letter
re!lly. ,)t whether it is contr!ry to the spirit is so$ethin5 th!t h!s been
deb!ted before !nd is bein5 deb!ted even now. 4e will rec!ll th!t d)rin5
the 0810 Constit)tion!l Convention, the st!t)s of n!t)r!l-born citi;enship
of one of the dele5!tes, "r. /n5, w!s ch!llen5ed precisely bec!)se he
w!s ! citi;en by election. in!lly, the 0810 Constit)tion!l Convention
considered hi$ ! n!t)r!l-born citi;en, one of the re()ire$ents to be !
"e$ber of the 0810 Constit)tion!l Convention. The re!son behind th!t
decision w!s th!t ! person )nder his circ)$st!nces !lre!dy h!d the
incho!te ri5ht to be ! citi;en by the f!ct th!t the $other w!s ! ilipino.
/nd !s ! $!tter of f!ct, the 0810 Constit)tion!l Convention for$!li;ed
th!t reco5nition by !doptin5 p!r!5r!ph 2 of #ection 0 of the 0810
Constit)tion. #o, the entire p)rpose of this proviso is si$ply to perh!ps
re$edy wh!tever in%)stice there $!y be so th!t these people born before
9!n)!ry 01, 081A who !re not n!t)r!li;ed !nd people who !re not
n!t)r!l born b)t who !re in the s!$e sit)!tion !s we !re considered
n!t)r!l-born citi;ens. #o, the intention of the Co$$ittee in proposin5 this
is to e()!li;e their st!t)s.
19
4hen !sEed to cl!rify the provision on n!t)r!l-born citi;ens, Co$$issioner
,ern!s replied to Co$$issioner /;c)n! th)s+
"R. /NCD7/+ 4ith respect to the proviso in #ection >, wo)ld this refer
only to those who elect Philippine citi;enship !fter the effectivity of the
081A Constit)tion or wo)ld it !lso cover those who elected it )nder the
08A@ Constit)tion<
R ,BR7/#+ *t wo)ld !pply to !nybody who elected Philippine
citi;enship by virt)e of the provision of the 08A@ Constit)tion, whether the
election w!s done before or !fter 01 9!n)!ry 081A.
20
/nd d)rin5 the period of !$end$ents. Co$$issioner Rodri5o expl!ined the
p)rpose of wh!t now !ppe!r !s #ection 2 !nd #ection 0, p!r!5r!ph (A) of
/rticle *- of the 0831 Constit)tion, th)s+
"R. RO'R*&O+ The p)rpose of th!t proviso is to re$edy !n ine()it!ble
sit)!tion. ,etween 08A@ !nd 081A, when we were )nder the 08A@
Constit)tion, those born of ilipino f!thers b)t !lien $others were
n!t)r!l-born ilipinos. .owever, those born of ilipino $others b)t !lien
f!thers wo)ld h!ve to elect Philippine citi;enship )pon re!chin5 the !5e
of $!%orityP !nd, if they do elect, they beco$e ilipino citi;ens, yet, b)t
not n!t)r!l-born ilipino citi;ens.
The 081A Constit)tion e()!li;ed the st!t)s of those born of ilipino $others !nd those
born of ilipino f!thers. #o th!t fro$ 9!n)!ry 01, 081A when the 081A Constit)tion tooE
effect, those born of ilipino $others b)t of !lien f!thers !re n!t)r!l-born ilipino citi;ens.
/lso, those who !re born of ilipino f!thers !nd !lien $others !re n!t)r!l-born ilipino
citi;ens.
*f the 081A Constit)tion e()!li;ed the st!t)s of ! child born of ! ilipino $other !nd th!t
born of ! ilipino f!ther, why do we not 5ive ! ch!nce to ! child born before 9!n)!ry 01,
081A, if !nd when he elects Philippine citi;enship, to be in the s!$e st!t)s !s one born of
! ilipino f!ther : n!$ely, n!t)r!l-born citi;en.
/nother thin5 * st!ted is e()!li;in5 the st!t)s of ! f!ther !nd ! $other is&a&is the child.
* wo)ld liEe to st!te !lso th!t we showed e()!li;e the st!t)s of ! child born of ! ilipino
$other the d!y before 9!n)!ry 01, 081A !nd ! child born !lso of ! ilipino $other on
9!n)!ry 01 or 2> ho)rs l!ter. / child born of ! ilipino $other b)t !n !lien f!ther one d!y
before 9!n)!ry 01, 081A is ! ilipino citi;en, if he elects Philippine citi;enship, b)t he is
not ! n!t)r!l-born ilipino citi;en. .owever, the other child who l)cEily w!s born 2> ho)rs
l!ter : $!ybe bec!)se of p!rto l!borioso : is ! n!t)r!l-born ilipino citi;en.
21
*t wo)ld !ppe!r then th!t the intent of the fr!$ers of the 0831 Constit)tion in
definin5 ! n!t)r!l-born ilipino citi;en w!s to e()!li;e the position of ilipino
f!thers !nd ilipino $others !s to their children beco$in5 n!t)r!l-born ilipino
citi;ens. *n other words, !fter 01 9!n)!ry 081A, effectivity d!te of the 081A
Constit)tion, all those born of ilipino f!thers (with !lien spo)se) or ilipino
$others (with !lien spo)se) !re n!t)r!l-born ilipino citi;ens. ,)t those born
to ilipino $others "rior to ,< January ,*<+ $)st still elect Philippine
citi;enship )pon their re!chin5 the !5e of $!%ority, in order to be dee$ed
n!t)r!l-born ilipino citi;ens. The election, which is rel!ted to the !tt!in$ent
of the !5e of $!%ority, $!y be $!de before or !fter 01 9!n)!ry 081A. This
interpret!tion !ppe!rs to be in conson!nce with the f)nd!$ent!l p)rpose of
the Constit)tion which is to protect !nd enh!nce the peopleTs individ)!l
interests,
22
!nd to foster e()!lity !$on5 the$.
#ince priv!te respondent w!s born on 08 9)ne 08>3 (or before 01 9!n)!ry
081A) to ! ilipino $other (with !n !lien spo)se) !nd sho)ld h!ve elected
Philippine citi;enship on 08 9)ne 0868 (when he !tt!ined the !5e of $!%ority),
or soon there!fter, in order to h!ve the st!t)s of ! n!t)r!l-born ilipino citi;en
)nder the 0831 Constit)tion, the vit!l ()estion is+ did priv!te respondent re!lly
elect Philippine citi;enship< /s e!rlier st!ted, * believe th!t priv!te respondent
did not elect Philippine citi;enship, contr!ry to the r)lin5 of the respondent
trib)n!l.
The respondent trib)n!l, on this iss)e, r)led !s follows+
4here ! person born to ! ilipino $other !nd !n !lien f!ther h!d exercised the ri5ht of
s)ffr!5e when he c!$e of !5e, the s!$e constit)tes ! positive !ct of election of
Philippine citi;enship. (lorencio vs. "!ll!re) LsicM The !cts of the petitioner in re5isterin5
!s ! voter, p!rticip!tin5 in elections !nd c!$p!i5nin5 for cert!in c!ndid!tes were held by
the #)pre$e Co)rt !s s)fficient to show his preference for Philippine citi;enship.
/ccordin5ly, even witho)t co$plyin5 with the for$!l re()isites for election, the petitionerTs
ilipino citi;enship w!s %)dici!lly )pheld.
2-
* find the !bove r)lin5 of the respondent trib)n!l to be p!tently erroneo)s !nd
cle!rly )nten!ble, !s to !$o)nt to 5r!ve !b)se of discretion. or it is settled
doctrine in this %)risdiction th!t election of Philippine citi;enship $)st be $!de
in !ccord!nce with Co$$onwe!lth /ct 62@. #ections 0 !nd 2
24
of the /ct
$!nd!te th!t the option to elect Philippine citi;enship $)st be effected
expressly not i$pliedly.
The respondent trib)n!l cites 3n re+ Florencio Mallare
25
which held th!t
Bsteb!n "!ll!reTs exercise of the ri5ht of s)ffr!5e when he c!$e of !5e,
constit)ted ! positive !ct of election of Philippine citi;enship.
Mallare, cited by respondent trib)n!l !s !)thority for the doctrine of i$plied
election of Philippine citi;enship, is not !pplic!ble to the c!se !t b!r. The
respondent trib)n!l f!iled to consider th!t Bsteb!n "!ll!re re!ched the !5e of
$!%ority in ,*)', or seventeen (01) ye!rs before C/ 62@ w!s !pproved !nd,
$ore i$port!ntly, eleven (00) ye!rs before the 08A@ Constit)tion (which
5r!nted the ri5ht of election) tooE effect.
To ()ote "r. 9)stice ern!nde; in Mallare+
*ndeed, it wo)ld be )nf!ir to expect the present!tion of ! for$!l deed to th!t effect
considerin5 th!t prior to the en!ct$ent of Co$$onwe!lth /ct 62@ on 9)ne 1, 08>0, no
p!rtic)l!r proceedin5 w!s re()ired to exercise the option to elect Philippine citi;enship,
5r!nted to the proper p!rty by #ection 0, s)bsection >, /rticle *- of the 08A@ Philippine
Constit)tion.
26
"oreover, Bsteb!n "!ll!re w!s held to be ! ilipino citi;en bec!)se he
w!s !n ille0itimate 9natural; child of ! ilipino $other !nd th)s followed
her citi;enship. * therefore !5ree with the petitionersT s)b$ission th!t,
in citin0 the Mallare c!se, the respondent trib)n!l h!d en5!5ed in
!nobiter dictum.
The respondent trib)n!l !lso erred in r)lin5 th!t by oper!tion of C/ >1A, the
Revised 7!t)r!li;!tion =!w, providin5 for priv!te respondentTs !c()isition of
ilipino citi;enship by re!son of the n!t)r!li;!tion of his f!ther, the l!w itself
h!d !lre!dy elected Philippine citi;enship for hi$. or,
!ss)$in5 ar0uendo th!t the n!t)r!li;!tion of priv!te respondentTs f!ther w!s
v!lid, !nd th!t there w!s no f)rther need for priv!te respondent to elect
Philippine citi;enship (!s he h!d !)to$!tic!lly beco$e ! ilipino citi;en) yet,
this did not $e!n th!t the oper!tion of the Revised 7!t)r!li;!tion =!w
!$o)nted to !n election by hi$ of Philippine citi;enship !s conte$pl!ted by
the Constit)tion. ,esides, election of Philippine citi;enship derived fro$ oneTs
ilipino $other, is $!de )pon re!chin5 the !5e of $!%ority, not d)rin5 oneTs
$inority.
There is no do)bt in $y $ind, therefore, th!t priv!te respondent did not elect
Philippine citi;enship )pon re!chin5 the !5e of $!%ority in 0868 or within !
re!son!ble ti$e there!fter !s re()ired by C/ 62@. Conse()ently, he c!nnot
be dee$ed ! n!t)r!l-born ilipino citi;en )nder #ections 2 !nd 0(A), /rticle *-
of the 0831 Constit)tion.
,!sed on !ll the fore5oin5 consider!tions !nd pre$ises, * !$ constr!ined to
st!te th!t priv!te respondent is not ! n!t)r!l-born citi;en of the Philippines in
conte$pl!tion of #ection 6, /rticle -* of the 0831 Constit)tion in rel!tion to
#ections 2 !nd 0(A), /rticle *- thereof, !nd hence is dis()!lified or ineli5ible to
be ! "e$ber of the .o)se of Represent!tives.
/t this point, * find it no lon5er necess!ry to r)le on the iss)e of re()ired
residence, in!s$)ch !s the Constit)tion re()ires th!t ! "e$ber of the .o)se
of Represent!tives $)st be both ! n!t)r!l-born ilipino citi;en !nd ! resident
for !t le!st one (0) ye!r in the district in which he sh!ll be elected.
The next ()estion th!t co$es )p is whether or not either of the petitioners c!n
repl!ce priv!te respondent !s the Represent!tive of the second le5isl!tive
district of 7orthern #!$!r in the .o)se of Represent!tives.
* !5ree with respondent trib)n!l th!t neither of the petitioners $!y t!Ee the
pl!ce of priv!te respondent in the .o)se of Represent!tives representin5 the
second district of 7orthern #!$!r. The r)lin5 of this Co)rt in -amon L. Labo,
Jr. s. 2he Commission on 4lections 9COM4L4C; 4# $%#C and Luis
L.Lardi1abal,
27
is controllin5. There we held th!t =)is =. =!rdi;!b!l, who filed
the Auo /arranto petition, co)ld not repl!ce R!$on =. =!bo, 9r. !s $!yor of
,!5)io City for the si$ple re!son th!t !s he obt!ined only the second hi5hest
n)$ber of votes in the election, he w!s obvio)sly not the choice of the people
of ,!5)io City for $!yor of th!t City.
/ petition !lle5in5 th!t the c!ndid!te-elect is not ()!lified for the office is, in
effect, ! Auo /arrantoproceedin5 even if it is l!belled !n election protest.
28
*t is
! proceedin5 to )nse!t the ineli5ible person fro$ office b)t not necess!rily to
inst!ll the protest!nt in his pl!ce.
29
The 5ener!l r)le is th!t the f!ct th!t ! pl)r!lity or ! $!%ority of the votes !re
c!st for !n ineli5ible c!ndid!te in !n election does not entitle the c!ndid!te
receivin5 the next hi5hest n)$ber of votes to be decl!red elected. *n s)ch !
c!se, the electors h!ve f!iled to $!Ee ! choice !nd the election is ! n)llity.
-0
#o)nd policy dict!tes th!t p)blic elective offices !re filled by those who h!ve the hi5hest
n)$ber of votes c!st in the election for th!t office, !nd it is ! f)nd!$ent!l ide! in !ll
rep)blic!n for$s of 5overn$ent th!t no one c!n be decl!red elected !nd no $e!s)re
c!n be decl!red c!rried )nless he or it receives ! $!%ority or pl)r!lity of the le5!l votes
c!st in the election. (2? Corp)s 9)ris 2nd, # 2>A, p. 616).
/s e!rly !s 0802, this Co)rt h!s !lre!dy decl!red th!t the c!ndid!te who lost in !n
election c!nnot be procl!i$ed the winner in the event th!t the c!ndid!te who won is
fo)nd ineli5ible for the office to which he w!s elected. This w!s the r)lin5 in Top!cio v.
P!redes (2A Phil. 2A3) :
/5!in, the effect of ! decision th!t ! c!ndid!te is not entitled to the office
bec!)se of fr!)d or irre5)l!rities in the election is ()ite different fro$ th!t
prod)ced by decl!rin5 ! person ineli5ible to hold s)ch !n office. . . . *f it
be fo)nd th!t the s)ccessf)l c!ndid!te (!ccordin5 to the bo!rd of
c!nv!ssers) obt!ined ! pl)r!lity in !n ille5!l $!nner, !nd th!t !nother
c!ndid!te w!s the re!l victor, the for$er $)st retire in f!vor of the l!tter.
*n the other c!se, there is not, strictly spe!Ein5, ! contest, !s the wre!th
of victory c!nnot be tr!nsferred fro$ !n ineli5ible to !ny other c!ndid!te
when the sole ()estion is the eli5ibility of the one receivin5 ! pl)r!lity of
the le5!lly c!st b!llots. . . .
-1
2he reco0nition of 4mil L. On0 by the ,*<, Constitutional Conention
as a natural&born Fili"ino citi1en, in relation to the "resent case.
Priv!te respondent, !s previo)sly st!ted, is ! f)ll brother of B$il =. On5, both
of the$ h!vin5 the s!$e f!ther !nd $other.
Priv!te respondent, relyin5 on ! resol)tion of the 0810 Constit)tion!l
Convention
-2
to the effect th!t B$il =. On5 w!s ! n!t)r!l-born ilipino citi;en,
!lle5ed before the .o)se Blector!l Trib)n!l th!t, by analo0y, he is hi$self !
n!t)r!l-born ilipino citi;en. This s)b$ission, while initi!lly i$pressive, is, !s
will now be shown, fl!wed !nd not s)pported by the evidence. 7ot even the
$!%ority decision of the elector!l trib)n!l !dopted the s!$e !s the b!sis of its
decision in f!vor of priv!te respondent. The trib)n!l, in reference to this
s)b$ission, s!id+
,e th!t !s it $!y !nd in the li5ht of the Trib)n!lTs disposition of protesteeTs citi;enship
b!sed on !n entirely different set of circ)$st!nces, !p!rt fro$ the indisp)t!ble f!ct th!t
the $!tters !tte$pted to be bro)5ht in iss)e in connection therewith !re too f!r re$oved
in point of ti$e !nd relev!nce fro$ the decisive events relied )pon by the Trib)n!l, we
view these two iss)es !s bein5 !lre!dy inconse()enti!l.
--
The elector!l trib)n!l ($!%ority) inste!d chose to predic!te its decision
on the !lle5ed citi;enship by n!t)r!li;!tion of priv!te respondentTs f!ther
(On5 Ch)!n) !nd on the !lle5ed election of Philippine citi;enship by
priv!te respondent.
B$il =. On5, w!s elected dele5!te to the 0810 Constit)tion!l Convention.
Blector!l protests, n)$bers BP-?1 !nd BP-?3, were filed by =eon!rdo '.
&!lin5 !nd &)!lberto '. =)to !5!inst B$il =. On5, contestin5 his citi;enship
()!lific!tion. The Co$$ittee on Blection Protests Credenti!ls of the 0810
Contit)tion Convention he!rd the protests !nd s)b$itted to the Convention !
report d!ted > #epte$ber 0812, the dispositive portion of which st!ted+
*t !ppe!rin5 th!t protesteeTs 5r!ndf!ther w!s hi$self ! ilipino citi;en )nder the
provisions of the Philippine ,ill of 08?2 !nd the Tre!ty of P!ris of 'ece$ber 0?, 0383,
th)s conferrin5 )pon protesteeTs own f!ther, On5 Ch)!n, Philippine citi;enship !t birth,
the concl)sion is inesc!p!ble th!t protestee hi$self is ! n!t)r!l-born citi;en, !nd is
therefore ()!lified to hold the office of dele5!te to the Constit)tion!l Convention.
-4
On 23 7ove$ber 0812, d)rin5 ! plen!ry session of the 0810 Constit)tion!l
Convention, the election protests filed !5!inst B$il =. On5 were dis$issed,
followin5 the report of the Co$$ittee on Blection Protests !nd Credenti!ls.
-5
*t is evident, )p to this point, th!t the !ction of the 0810 Constit)tion!l
Convention in the c!se of B$il =. On5 is, to s!y the le!st, inconcl)sive to the
c!se !t b!r, bec!)se :
!) the 0810 Constit)tion!l Convention decision in the B$il =. On5 c!se involved the
08A@ ConstitutionP the present c!se, on the other h!nd involves the 0831 Constitution+
b) the 08A@ Constit)tion cont!ined no specific definition of ! 6n!t)r!l-born citi;en6 of the
PhilippinesP the 0831 Constit)tion cont!ins ! precise !nd specific definition of ! 6n!t)r!l-
born citi;en6 of the Philippines in #ec. 2, /rt. *- thereof !nd priv!te respondent does not
()!lify )nder s)ch definition in the 0831 Constit)tionP
c) the decision of the 0810 Constit)tion!l Convention in the c!se of B$il =. On5 w!s !
decision of ! "olitical body, not a court of la/. /nd, even if we h!ve to t!Ee s)ch !
decision !s ! decision of ! Auasi&judicial body (i.e., ! politic!l body exercisin5 ()!si-
%)dici!l f)nctions), s!id decision in the B$il =. On5 c!se c!n not h!ve the c!te5ory or
ch!r!cter of res judicata in the present %)dici!l controversy, bec!)se between the two (2)
c!ses, there is no identity of p!rties (one involves B$il =. On5, while the other involves
priv!te respondent) !nd, $ore i$port!ntly, there is no identity of c!)ses of !ction
bec!)se the first involves the 08A@ Constit)tion while the second involves the 0831
Constit)tion.
,)t even l!yin5 !side the fore5oin5 re!sons b!sed on proced)r!l r)les !nd
lo5ic, the eidences)b$itted before the elector!l trib)n!l !nd, therefore, !lso
before this Co)rt, does not s)pport the !lle5!tions $!de by B$il =. On5
before the 0810 Constit)tion!l Convention !nd inferenti!lly !dopted by priv!te
respondent in the present controversy. This le!ds )s to !n interestin5 in()iry
!nd findin5.
The 0810 Constit)tion!l Convention in holdin5 th!t B$il =. On5 w!s !
6n!t)r!l-born citi;en6 of the Philippines )nder the 08A@ Constit)tion l!id stress
on the 6f!ct6 : !nd this !ppe!rs cr)ci!l !nd centr!l to its decision : th!t B$il
=. On5Ts 5r!ndf!ther, On0 2e bec!$e ! ilipino citi;en )nder the Philippine
,ill of 08?2 !nd, therefore, his descend!nts liEe B$il =. On5 (!nd therefore,
!lso priv!te respondent) bec!$e n!t)r!l-born ilipinos. The 0810
Constit)tion!l Convention s!id+
On5 Te B$il On5Ts 5r!ndf!ther, w!s ! #p!nish s)b%ect residin5 in the Philippines on /pril
00, 0388 !nd w!s therefore one of the $!ny who bec!$e i"so facto citi;ens of the
Philippines )nder the provisions of the Philippine ,ill of 08?2. #!id l!w expressly
decl!red th!t !ll inh!bit!nts of the Philippine *sl!nds who contin)ed to reside therein !nd
who were #p!nish s)b%ects on /pril 00, 0388 !s well !s their children born s)bse()ent
thereto, 6sh!ll be dee$ed !nd held to be citi;ens of the Philippine *sl!nds.6 (#ection >,
Philippine ,ill of
08?2).
-6
The 6test6 then, followin5 the pre$ises of the 0810 Constit)tion!l Convention,
is whether or not On5 Te priv!te respondentTs !nd B$il =. On5Ts 5r!ndf!ther
w!s 6!n inh!bit!nt of the Philippines who contin)ed to reside therein !nd w!s
! #p!nish s)b%ect on /pril 00, 0388.6 *f he $et these re()ire$ents of the
Philippine ,ill of 08?2, then, On5 Te w!s ! ilipino citi;enP otherwise, he w!s
not ! ilipino citi;en.
Petitioners (protest!nts) s)b$itted !nd offered in evidence before the .o)se
Blector!l Trib)n!l exhibits 4, 2, C, N ,//, ,,, CC, '' !nd BB which !re
copies of entries in the 6Re5istro de Chinos6 fro$ ye!rs 0386 to 0381 which
show th!t On5 Te w!s not listed !s !n inh!bit!nt of #!$!r where he is
cl!i$ed to h!ve been ! resident. Petitioners (protest!nts) !lso s)b$itted !nd
offered in evidence before the .o)se Blector!l Trib)n!l exhibit -, !
certific!tion of the Chief of the /rchives 'ivision, Records !nd "!n!5e$ent
!nd /rchives Office, st!tin5 th!t the n!$e of On5 Te does not !ppe!r in the
6Re5istro Centr!l de Chinos6 for the province of #!$!r for 038@. These
exhibits prove or !t le!st, !s petitioners v!lidly !r5)e, tend to prove th!t On5
Te w!s 7OT ! resident of #!$!r close to 00 /pril 0388 !nd, therefore, co)ld
not contin)e residin5 in #!$!r, Philippines !fter 00 /pril 0388, contr!ry to
priv!te respondentTs pretense. *n the f!ce of these proofs or evidence, priv!te
respondent /*=B' TO PRB#B7T /7C RB,DTT/= OR COD7TBR-/*=*7&
B-*'B7CB, except the decision of the 0810 Constit)tion!l Convention in the
c!se of B$il =. On5, previo)sly disc)ssed.
*t is not s)rprisin5 then th!t, !s previo)sly noted, the $!%ority decision of the
.o)se Blector!l Trib)n!l sEirted !ny reli!nce on the !lle5ed i"so facto ilipino
citi;enship of On5 Te )nder the Philippine ,ill of 08?2. *t is e()!lly not
s)rprisin5 th!t On5 Ch)!n, the son of On5 Te !nd f!ther or priv!te
respondent, did not even !tte$pt to cl!i$ ilipino citi;enship by re!son of
On5 TeTs !lle5ed ilipino citi;enship )nder the Philippine ,ill of 08?2 b)t
inste!d !pplied for Philippine citi;enship thro)5h n!t)r!li;!tion.
7or c!n it be contended by the priv!te respondent th!t the .o)se Blector!l
Trib)n!l sho)ld no lon5er h!ve reviewed the f!ct)!l ()estion or iss)e of On5
TeTs citi;enship in the li5ht of the resol)tion of the 0810 Constit)tion!l
Convention findin5 hi$ (On5 Te to h!ve beco$e ! ilipino citi;en )nder the
Philippine ,ill of 08?2. The trib)n!l h!d to looE into the ()estion bec!)se the
findin5 th!t On5 Te h!d beco$e ! ilipino citi;en )nder the Philippine ,ill of
08?2 w!s the centr!l core of s!id 0810 resol)tion b)t !s held in Lee
s. Commissioners of
3mmi0ration+
-7
. . . Bveryti$e the citi;enship of ! person is $!teri!l or indispens!ble in ! %)dici!l or
!d$inistr!tive c!se, wh!tever the correspondin5 Co)rt or !d$inistr!tive !)thority
decides therein !s to s)ch citi;enship is 5ener!lly not considered !s res adjudicata,
hence it h!s to be threshed o)t !5!in !nd !5!in !s the occ!sion $!y de$!nd.
4hich fin!lly brin5s )s to the resol)tion of this Co)rt in 4mil L. On0
s. COM4L4C, et al., &.R. 7o. 612?0, 3 "!y 083>. *n connection with s!id
resol)tion, it is contended by priv!te respondent th!t the resol)tion of the
0810 Constit)tion!l Convention in the B$il =. On5 c!se w!s elev!ted to this
Co)rt on ! ()estion involvin5 B$il =. On5Ts dis()!lific!tion to r)n for
$e$bership in the ,!t!s!n5 P!$b!ns! !nd th!t, !ccordin5 to priv!te
respondent, this Co)rt !llowed the )se of the Co$$ittee Report to the 0810
Constit)tion!l Convention.
To f)lly !ppreci!te the i$plic!tions of s)ch contention, it wo)ld help to looE
into the circ)$st!nces of the c!se bro)5ht before this Co)rt in rel!tion to the
Co)rtTs !ction or disposition. B$il =. On5 !nd Bdilberto 'el -!lle were both
c!ndid!tes for the ,!t!s!n5 P!$b!ns! in the 0> "!y 083> election. -!lle
filed ! petition for dis()!lific!tion with the Co$$ission on Blection on 28
"!rch 083> docEeted !s #PC 7o. 3>-68 contendin5 th!t On5 is not ! n!t)r!l-
born citi;en. On5 filed ! $otion to dis$iss the petition on the 5ro)nd th!t the
%)d5$ent of the 0810 Constit)tion!l Convention on his st!t)s !s ! n!t)r!l-
born citi;en of the Philippines b!rs the petitioner fro$ r!isin5 the *dentic!l
iss)e before the CO"B=BC. (&.R. 7o. 612?0, -ollo, p. 8>) The $otion w!s
denied by the CO"B=BC, th)s, pro$ptin5 B$il =. On5 to file with this Co)rt !
petition for certiorari, prohibition !nd mandamus with preli$in!ry in%)nction
!5!inst the CO"B=BC, docEeted !s &.R. 7o. 612?0.
*n ! resol)tion d!ted 3 "!y 083>, this Co)rt resolved to iss)e ! writ of
preli$in!ry in%)nction en%oinin5 respondent CO"B=BC fro$ holdin5 !ny
f)rther he!rin5 on the dis()!lific!tion c!se entitled 64dilberto Del :alle
s. 4mil On0 (#PC 7o. 3>-68) except to dis$iss the s!$e. (&.R. 7os. 822?2-
?A, -ollo, p. AA@)
This Co)rt, in expl!inin5 its !ction, held th!t+
/ctin5 on the pr!yer of the petitioner for the iss)!nce of ! 4rit of Preli$in!ry *n%)nction,
!nd considerin5 th!t !t the he!rin5 this $ornin5, it w!s bro)5ht o)t th!t the 0810
Constit)tion!l Convention, !t its session of 7ove$ber 23, 0812, !fter considerin5 the
Report of its Co$$ittee on Blection Protests !nd Credenti!ls, fo)nd th!t the protest
()estionin5 the citi;enship of the protestee (the petitioner herein) w!s 5ro)ndless !nd
dis$issed Blection Protests 7os. BP ?1 !nd BP ?3 filed !5!inst s!id petitioner (p.
2A1, -ollo), the !)thenticity of the "in)tes of s!id session !s well !s of the s!id
Co$$itteeTs Report h!vin5 been d)ly !d$itted in evidence witho)t ob%ection !nd be!rs
o)t, for no/, witho)t need for ! f)ll he!rin5, th!t petitioner is ! n!t)r!l-born citi;en, the
Co)rt Resolved to *##DB, effective i$$edi!tely, ! 4rit of Preli$in!ry *n%)nction en%oinin5
respondent CO"B=BC fro$ holdin5 !ny f)rther he!rin5 on the dis()!lific!tion c!se
entitled 4dilberto Del :alle s. 4mil On0 (#PC 7o. 3>-68) sched)led !t A+?? oTclocE this
!fternoon, or !ny other d!y, except to dis$iss the s!$e.2his is /ithout "rejudice to any
a""ro"riate action that "riate res"ondent may /ish to ta?e after the elections. (e$ph!sis
s)pplied)
*t is th)s cle!r th!t the resol)tion of this Co)rt in &.R. 7o. 612?0 w!s
rendered witho)t the benefit of ! he!rin5 on the $erits either by the Co)rt or
by the CO"B=BC !nd $erely on the b!sis of ! Co$$itteeTs Report to the
0810 Constit)tion!l Convention, !nd th!t this Co)rt (!nd this is ()ite
si5nific!nt) did not foreclose !ny !ppropri!te !ction th!t 'el -!lle (therein
petitioner) $!y wish to t!Ee !fter the elections.
*t is th)s !b)nd!ntly cle!r !lso th!t to this Co)rt, the resol)tion of the 0810
Constit)tion!l Convention reco5ni;in5 B$il =. On5 !s ! n!t)r!l-born citi;en
)nder the 08A@ Constit)tion did not foreclose ! f)t)re or f)rther proceedin5 in
re5!rd to the s!$e ()estion !nd th!t, conse()ently, there is no ested ri0ht of
B$il =. On5 to s)ch reco5nition. .ow $)ch $ore when the Constit)tion
involved is not the 08A@ Constit)tion b)t the 0831 Constit)tion whose
provisions were never considered in !ll s)ch proceedin5s bec!)se the 0831
Constit)tion w!s still inexistent.
/ fin!l word. *t is re5rett!ble th!t one (!s priv!te respondent) who
)n()estion!bly obt!ined the hi5hest n)$ber of votes for the elective position
of Represent!tive (Con5ress$!n) to the .o)se of Represent!tives for the
second district of 7orthern #!$!r, wo)ld h!ve h!d to ce!se in office by virt)e
of this Co)rtTs decision, if the full membershi" of the Court had "artici"ated in
this case, with the res)lt th!t the le5isl!tive district wo)ld ce!se to h!ve, in the
interi$, ! represent!tive in the .o)se of Represent!tives. ,)t the
f)nd!$ent!l consider!tion in c!ses of this n!t)re is the Constit)tion !nd only
the Constit)tion. *t h!s to be !ss)$ed, therefore, th!t when the elector!te in
the second le5isl!tive district of 7orthern #!$!r c!st the $!%ority of their
votes for priv!te respondent, they assumed and belieed that he /as fully
eli0ible and Aualified for the office because he is a natural&born Fili"ino citi1en.
Th!t erroneo)s !ss)$ption !nd belief c!n not prev!il over, b)t $)st yield to
the $!%esty of the Constit)tion.
This is ! s!d d!y for the Constit)tion. /s * see it, the Constit)tion $!nd!tes
th!t $e$bers of the .o)se of Represent!tives sho)ld be Enatural&
born citi;ens of the Philippines6. The votin5 $!%ority of the present Co)rt s!ys,
6ilipino citi;ens will do.6 This is b!d eno)5h. 4h!t is worse is, the s!$e
votin5 $!%ority, in effect, s!ys, 6even !liens will do !s well.6
4.BRBORB, $y vote is cle!r+ to decl!re priv!te respondent 9ose =. On5
Ch)!, 9r., !s he cle!rly is, 7OT ! n!t)r!l-born citi;en of the Philippines !nd
therefore 7OT ID/=**B' to be ! "e$ber of the .o)se of Represent!tives,
Con5ress of the Philippines.
#arasa, J., Paras, J. and -e0alado, J., dissentin0.
SR%IENTO, J. conc)rrin5+
* conc)r with the $!%ority.
(0)
* wish to point o)t first th!t the ()estion of citi;enship is ! ()estion of f!ct, !nd
!s ! r)le, the #)pre$e Co)rt le!ves f!cts to the trib)n!l th!t deter$ined
the$. * !$ ()ite !5reed th!t the Blector!l Trib)n!l of the .o)se of
Represent!tives, !s the 6sole %)d5e6 of !ll contests rel!tin5 to the $e$bership
in the .o)se, !s follows+
#ec. 01. The #en!te !nd the .o)se of Represent!tives sh!ll e!ch h!ve !n Blector!l
Trib)n!l which sh!ll be the sole %)d5e of !ll contests rel!tin5 to the election, ret)rns, !nd
()!lific!tions of their respective "e$bers. B!ch Blector!l Trib)n!l sh!ll be co$posed of
nine "e$bers, three of who$ sh!ll be 9)stices of the #)pre$e Co)rt to be desi5n!ted
by the Chief 9)stice, !nd the re$!inin5 six sh!ll be "e$bers of the #en!te or the .o)se
of Represent!tives, !s the c!se $!y be, who sh!ll be chosen on the b!sis of proportion!l
represent!tion fro$ the politic!l p!rties !nd the p!rties or or5!ni;!tions re5istered )nder
the p!rty-list syste$ represented therein. The senior 9)stice in the Blector!l Trib)n!l sh!ll
be its Ch!ir$!n.
1
is the best %)d5e of f!cts !nd this Co)rt c!n not s)bstit)te its %)d5$ent
bec!)se it thinEs it Enows better.
*n the c!se of %ratuc . Commission on 4lections,
2
it w!s held th!t this Co)rt
c!n not review the errors of the Co$$ission on Blections (then the 6sole
%)d5e6 of !ll election contests) : in the sense of reviewin5 f!cts !nd
)ne!rthin5 $ist!Ees : !nd th!t this Co)rtTs %)risdiction is to see si$ply
whether or not it is 5)ilty of ! 5r!ve !b)se of discretion. *t is tr)e th!t the new
Constit)tion h!s conferred exp!nded powers on the Co)rt,
-
b)t !s the
Ch!rter st!tes, o)r !)thority is 6to deter$ine whether or not there h!s been !
5r!ve !b)se of discretion !$o)ntin5 to l!cE or excess of %)risdiction on the
p!rt of !ny br!nch or instr)$ent!lity of the &overn$ent.6
4
*t is not to review
f!cts.
6&r!ve !b)se of discretion6 h!s been defined !s whi$sic!l exercise of power
!$o)ntin5 to excess of %)risdiction, or otherwise, to deni!l of d)e process of
l!w.
5
* find none of th!t here.
/s the $!%ority indic!tes, 9ose On5Ts citi;enship is ! $!tter of opinion with
which $en $!y differ, b)t cert!inly, it is ()ite !nother thin5 to s!y th!t the
respondent Trib)n!l h!s 5r!vely !b)sed its discretion bec!)se the $!%ority
h!s be55ed to differ. *t does not for$ p!rt of the d)ty of the Co)rt to re$edy
!ll i$!5ined wron5s co$$itted by the &overn$ent.
The respondent Trib)n!l h!s spoEen. /ccordin5 to the Trib)n!l, 9ose On5 is !
ilipino citi;en !nd conse()ently, is possessed of the ()!lific!tions to be !
$e$ber of the .o)se. /s the sole %)d5e, precisely, of this ()estion, the Co)rt
c!n not be $ore popish th!n the pope.
(2)
* c!n not s!y, in the second pl!ce, th!t the 'ecision in ()estion st!nds ex!ctly
on indefensible 5ro)nds. *t is to be noted th!t 9ose On5 h!d relied on the
Report d!ted #epte$ber >, 0812 of the 0810 Constit)tion!l Convention
Co$$ittee
6
on Blection Protests !nd Credenti!ls, in which the Co$$ittees
)pheld the citi;enship, !nd s)st!ined the ()!lific!tion to sit !s 'ele5!te, of
B$il On5, 9ose On5Ts f)ll blood brother. /ccordin5 to the Report, On5 Te the
On5sT 5r!ndf!ther, w!s !lre!dy ! ilipino citi;en h!vin5 co$plied with the
re()ire$ents on ilipini;!tion by existin5 l!ws for which his s)ccessors need
not h!ve elected ilipino citi;enship. * ()ote+
xxx xxx xxx
There is $erit in protesteeTs cl!i$. There c!n h!rdly be !ny do)bt th!t On5 Te
protesteesTs 5r!ndf!ther, w!s ! #p!nish s)b%ect residin5 in the Philippines on /pril 00,
0388, !nd w!s therefore one of the $!ny who bec!$ei"so facto citi;ens of the
Philippines )nder the provisions of the Philippine ,ill of 08?2. #!id l!w expressly
decl!red th!t !ll inh!bit!nts of the Philippine *sl!nds who contin)ed to reside therein !nd
who were #p!nish s)b%ects on /pril 00, 0388, !s well !s their children born s)bse()ent
thereto, 6sh!ll be dee$ed !nd held to be citi;ens of the Philippine *sl!nds6 (#ec. >,
Philippine ,ill of 08?2). Bxcepted fro$ the oper!tion of this r)le were #p!nish s)b%ects
who sh!ll h!ve elected to preserve their !lle5i!nce to the Crown of #p!in in !ccord!nce
with the Tre!ty of P!ris of 'ece$ber 0?, 0383. ,)t )nder the Tre!ty of P!ris, only
#p!nish s)b%ects who were n!tives of Penins)l!r #p!in h!d the privile5e of preservin5
their #p!nish n!tion!lity.
7
xxx xxx xxx
xxx xxx xxx
/s e!rlier noted, protesteeTs 5r!ndf!ther est!blished residence in the Philippines in 038@,
!s shown by the-e0istro Central de Chinos. .e w!s !lso iss)ed ! certific!te of
re5istr!tion. .e est!blished ! b)siness here, !nd l!ter !c()ired re!l property. /ltho)5h
he went b!cE to Chin! for brief visits, he inv!ri!bly c!$e b!cE. .e even bro)5ht his
eldest son, On5 Ch)!n, to live in the Philippines when the l!tter w!s only 0? ye!rs old.
/nd On5 Ch)!n w!s !d$itted into the co)ntry bec!)se, !s d)ly noted on his l!ndin5
certific!te, his f!ther, On5 Te h!d been d)ly enrolled )nder CR 06??8-A61@@ : i.e., !s !
per$!nent resident. *ndeed, even when On5 Te went b!cE to Chin! in the 082?Ts for
!nother visit, he left his son, On5 Ch)!n, who w!s then still ! $inor, in the Philippines :
obvio)sly bec!)se he h!d lon5 considered the Philippines his ho$e. The do$icile he
est!blished in 038@ is pres)$ed to h!ve contin)ed )p to, !nd beyond, /pril 00, 0388, for,
!s !lre!dy !dverted to, ! do$icile once !c()ired is not lost )ntil ! new one is 5!ined. The
only concl)sion then c!n th)s be dr!wn is th!t On5 Te w!s d)ly do$iciled in the
Philippines !s of /pril 00, 0388, within the $e!nin5 of p!r. >, /rt. 01, of the Civil Code of
0338 : !nd w!s, conse()ently, ! #p!nish s)b%ect, he ()!lified !s ! ilipino citi;en )nder
the provisions of #ection > of the Philippine ,ill of 08?2.
8
*t is tr)e th!t On5 Ch)!n, the On5 brothersT f!ther, s)bse()ently so)5ht
n!t)r!li;!tion in the belief th!t he w!s, !ll !lon5, ! Chinese citi;en, b)t !s the
Report held+
Protest!nts, however, $!Ee c!pit!l of the f!ct th!t both On5 Te !nd his son, On5 Ch)!n
(protesteeTs f!ther), !ppe!r to h!ve been re5istered !s Chinese citi;ens even lon5 !fter
the t)rn of the cent)ry. 4orse, On5 Ch)!n hi$self believed the w!s !lien, to the extent of
h!vin5 to seeE !d$ission !s ! Pilipino citi;en thro)5h n!t)r!li;!tion proceedin5s. The
point, to o)r $ind, is neither cr)ci!l nor s)bst!nti!l. On5Ts st!t)s !s ! citi;en is ! $!tter
of l!w, r!ther th!n of person!l belief. *t is wh!t the l!w provides, !nd not wh!t one thinEs
his st!t)s to be, which deter$ines whether one is ! citi;en of ! p!rtic)l!r st!te or not.
"ere $ist!Ee or $is!pprehension !s to oneTs citi;enship, it h!s been held, is not !
s)fficient c!)se or re!son for forfeit)re of Philippine citi;enshipP it does not even
constit)te estoppel (P!l!nc! vs. Rep)blic, 3? Phil. @13, @3>). Too, estoppel !pplies only
to ()estions of f!ct !nd not of l!w (T!n!d! v. C)enco, =-0?@2?, eb. 23, 08@1).
9
*t is to be noted th!t the Report w!s )n!ni$o)sly !pproved by the Co$$ittee,
!nd on 7ove$ber 23, 0812, !pproved witho)t !ny ob%ection by the
Convention in plen!ry session.
10
* !$ not, of co)rse, to be $ist!Een !s !ctin5 !s $o)thpiece of B$il On5, b)t
in !ll c!ndor, * spe!E fro$ experience, bec!)se when the Convention
!pproved the Report in ()estion, * w!s one of its vice-presidents !nd the
presidin5 officer.
*t is to be noted fin!lly, th!t the $!tter w!s elev!ted to this Co)rt (on !
()estion involvin5 B$il On5Ts ()!lific!tion to sit !s $e$ber of the def)nct
,!t!s!n5 P!$b!ns!)
11
in which this Co)rt !llowed the )se of the Co$$ittee
Report.
!ced with s)ch positive !cts of the &overn$ent, * s)b$it th!t the ()estion of
the On5Ts citi;enship is ! settled $!tter. =et it rest.
*t is tr)e th!t Blector!l Protest 7os. BP-?1 !nd BP-?3 of the Convention !s
well !s &.R. 7o. 612?0 of this Co)rt, involved B$il On5 !nd not his brotherP *
s)b$it, however, th!t wh!t is s!)ce for the 5oose is s!)ce for the 5!nder.
* !lso s)b$it th!t the f)nd!$ent!l ()estion is whether or not we will overt)rn
the )n!ni$o)s r)lin5 of 261 dele5!tes, indeed, !lso of this Co)rt.
Foo4)o4e7
#!r$iento J.+ conc)rrin5
0 CO7#T., !rt. -*, sec. 01.
2 7os. =->81?@-?8P >8101-20, ebr)!ry 3, 0818, 33 #CR/ 2@0.
A CO7#T., su"ra, !rt. -***, sec. 0.
> !u"ra.
@ Robles v. .o)se of Represent!tives Blector!l Trib)n!l, &.R. 7o. 366>1, ebr)!ry @,
088?, 030 #CR/ 13?.
6 &!lin5 v. On5, Blec. Protest 7o. BP-?1 (Const. Con), #epte$ber >, 0812P =)to v. On5,
Blec. Protest, 7o. BP-?3 (Const. Con) #epte$ber >, 0812P =iw!5, 9)!n, Ch$n.
1 Rept., Co$$. on Blection Protests !nd Credenti!ls (Const. Con.), #epte$ber >, 0812,
A.
3 3d., >-@.
8 3d., @-6.
0? The 'ele5!tes present were !s follows+
'ele5!te
/b!los B.
'ele5!te
,!c!ltos
'ele5!te
/bl!n
'ele5!te
,!delles
'ele5!te
/b)e5
'ele5!te
,!5)il!t
'ele5!te
/b)ndo
'ele5!te
,!r!di
'ele5!te /dil 'ele5!te
,!rbers
'ele5!te
/l!nis
'ele5!te
,!)tist!
'ele5!te
/l!no
'ele5!te ,elo
'ele5!te
/$!nte
'ele5!te
,l!nci!
'ele5!te /nni 'ele5!te
,on5bon5
'ele5!te
/p!lisoE
'ele5!te
,or%!
'ele5!te
/r!be%o
'ele5!te
,orr!
'ele5!te
,orro$eo
'ele5!te
=!55)i
'ele5!te
,)en
'ele5!te
=!;o
'ele5!te
,)5nosen
'ele5!te
=edes$! C.
'ele5!te
C!in5let
'ele5!te
=e5!spi
'ele5!te
C!lderon C.
'ele5!te
=eviste C.
'ele5!te
C!lderon P.
'ele5!te =i$
P.
'ele5!te
C!liw!r!
'ele5!te =i$
R.
'ele5!te
C!$ello
'ele5!te
"!c!r!y!
'ele5!te
C!$po$!nes
'ele5!te
"!ci!s
'ele5!te
C!nil!o
'ele5!te
"!drille%os
'ele5!te
C!rrillo
'ele5!te
"o$ent!
'ele5!te
C!stillo P.
'ele5!te
C!stro
'ele5!te
C!t!n
'ele5!te
Ceni;!
'ele5!te
Cle$ents
'ele5!te
Corp)s
'ele5!te
'!vid
'ele5!te
'!vide
'ele5!te 'e
&);$!n
'ele5!te
"!p)p)no
'ele5!te
"!rino
'ele5!te
"endiol!
'ele5!te
"i%!res
'ele5!te
"is!
'ele5!te
"onte%o
'ele5!te
"ontinol!
'ele5!te
Ol$edo
'ele5!te On5
'ele5!te
'ele5!te 'e
l! #ern!
'ele5!te
Bnc!rn!cion
'ele5!te
Bspirit) /.C.
'ele5!te
Bst!niel
'ele5!te
Bstrell!
'ele5!te
Bx$)ndo
'ele5!te
lores /.
'ele5!te
lores T.
'ele5!te
&!rci! 9.
'ele5!te
&!)diel
'ele5!te
&on;!5!
'ele5!te
&)ev!r!
'ele5!te
&)irn!ld!
'ele5!te
&);$!n
'ele5!te
.il!do
'ele5!te
.ocson
'ele5!te
*5n!cio
O;!$i;
'ele5!te
P!notes
'ele5!te
Pepito
'ele5!te
Pi$entel /.
'ele5!te
I)ibr!n;!
'ele5!te
I)intero
'ele5!te
I)irino
'ele5!te
Reyes &.
'ele5!te
Rodri5)e; ,.
'ele5!te
Rodri5)e; P.
'ele5!te
Ro$)!ldo
'ele5!te
#!bio
'ele5!te
#!l!;!r /.
'ele5!te
#!n5E)l!
'ele5!te
#!ntill!n
'ele5!te
#!ntos O.
'ele5!te
#!r$iento
'ele5!te
Uint!n!r 9.
'ele5!te
=!chic!
'ele5!te
=!5!$on
'ele5!te
T!b)en!
'ele5!te
T!nopo
'ele5!te
Tin5son
'ele5!te
Tolentino
'ele5!te
Trono
'ele5!te
T)p!; /.
'ele5!te
-!lde;
'ele5!te
-el!sco
'ele5!te
-er;ol!
'ele5!te -ill!r
'ele5!te
-in;ons
'ele5!te
-iterbo
'ele5!te C!p
'ele5!te C)lo
/.
'ele5!te C)lo
'ele5!te
#er!pio
'ele5!te
#err!no
'ele5!te
#inco
'ele5!te
,rit!nico
'ele5!te
C!b!l
'ele5!te
C!l!yc!y
'ele5!te
C!lderon 9.
'ele5!te
C!p)lon5
'ele5!te
C!stilo 7.
'ele5!te
C!t)bi5
'ele5!te Ce!
'ele5!te
Cl!ver
'ele5!te
Concordi!
'ele5!te
Cr);
'ele5!te 'e
l! Cr);
'ele5!te 'e
l! P!;
'ele5!te 'e
=i$!
9.&.
'ele5!te
N!fr!
The President
'ele5!te
/b!d
'ele5!te
/b!los .
'ele5!te
/b)b!E!r
'ele5!te
/5)il!r
'ele5!te
/lb!no
'ele5!te
/ld!b!
'ele5!te
/lfelor
'ele5!te
/lonto
'ele5!te
/$!ton5
'ele5!te
/$p!t)!n
'ele5!te
/n5!r!
'ele5!te
/n5!l!
'ele5!te
/ntonio
'ele5!te
/r!net! T.
'ele5!te
'ele5!te 'e
los Reyes
'ele5!te 'e
Pio
'ele5!te
'e!vit
'ele5!te
Bsp!rr!5o
'ele5!te
Bspin!
'ele5!te
Bspirit) R.
'ele5!te
!%!rdo
'ele5!te
!l5)i
'ele5!te
ern!n
'ele5!te
ern!nde;
'ele5!te
&!n5!n
'ele5!te
&!rci! /.
'ele5!te
&!rci! .
'ele5!te
&!rd! =.P.
'ele5!te
&!rci! =.".
'ele5!te
&ordon
'ele5!te
/r)e5o
'ele5!te
/still!
'ele5!te
/;c)n!
'ele5!te
,!l!ne
'ele5!te
,!lindon5
'ele5!te
,!rrer!
'ele5!te
,en5;on
'ele5!te
=edes$! .
'ele5!te
=edes$! O.
'ele5!te
=eido
'ele5!te
=obre5!t
'ele5!te
=obrin
'ele5!te
=ocsin 9.
'ele5!te
=ocsin ".
'ele5!te
"!d!r!n5
'ele5!te
"!rtine;
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*$peri!l
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9!$ir
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9ohnston
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9)!b!n
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Restor
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Reyes ,.
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Reyes C.
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Reyes 9.
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Reyes P.
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Robles
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Roco
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7)5)id
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Opinion
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Ordone;
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P.
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R.
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P!cific!dor
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P!diernos
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Ros!les
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R)ben
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P!n5!nd!$!n
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P!r!des
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Pi$entel -.
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Pin5oy
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Ponchinl!n
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Pri$ici!s
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P)ris$!
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P)r)5!n!n
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P);on
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I)intos
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R!$os
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-!ler!
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-eloso '.
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C!nch!
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Reyn!
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#ison /.
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#ison B.
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#oron5!n
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#)!re;
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#y%)co
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Teodoro
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Teves
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Tir!dor
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Toc!o
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Trill!n!
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T)p!; '.
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C!r!non
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Nos!

00 On5 v. Co$$ission on Blections, &.R. 7o. 612?0, "!y 3, 083>.
P!dill! J.+ dissentin5
W 4ith the conc)rrence of Con5ress$en "!rio =. T!5!r!o, '!vid /. Ponce 'e =eon,
#i$eon B. &!rci!, 9)!nito &. C!$!s)r!, 9r. !nd 9ose B. C!lin5!s!nP 9)stices /$e)rfin!
/. "elencio-.errer!, *s!5!ni /. Cr);, lorentino P. elici!no !nd Con5ress$!n /ntonio
.. Cerilles dissented.
0 &.R. 7os. 82080-82, Rollo, pp. 20-2A.
2 #ection 01, /rticle -*, 0831 Constit)tion.
A 7o. >@A@2, October A0, 08A3, 66 Phil. >28.
> Ch!rtered ,!nE B$ployees /ssoci!tion vs. Ople, &.R. 7o. >>101, /)5)st 23, 083@,
0A3 #CR/ 21A. /rticle -*, #ection 6.
6 &.R. 7o. 82080-82, -ollo, pp. >0->2.
1 /rticle ***, #ection 0 (A) !nd (>),08A@ Constit)tion provide+
#ection 0. The followin5 !re citi;ens of the Philippines.
(A) Those whose f!thers !re citi;ens of the Philippines.
(>) Those whose $others !re -citi;ens of the Philippines !nd )pon re!chin5 the !5e of
$!%ority, elect Philippine citi;enship.
3 ,)rc! vs. Rep)blic, &.R. 7o. =-2>2@2, 9!n)!ry A?, 0861, 08 #CR/ 036.
8 #i! Reyes vs. 'eport!tion ,o!rd, 7o. =-A016A, "!y A?, 083A, 022 #CR/ >13.
0? &.R. 7o. =-00>88, /pril 28, 0860, 0 #CR/ citin5 D.#. vs. #ponrer, 01@ ed. >>?.
00 C)!sEi T!n #i vs. Rep)blic, &.R. 7o. =-03??6, October A0, 0862, 6 #CR/ @>@.
02 =!bo vs. CO"B=BC, &.R. 7o. 36@6>, /)5)st 0, 0838, 016 #CR/ 0.
0A T!n vs. Rep)blic, &.R. 7o. =-231?6, 9!n)!ry A?, 0810, A1 #CR/ A@A.
0> &.R. 7o. =-2861>, /pril 3, 0833, 0@8 #CR/ >11.
0@ &.R. 7os. 82080-82, -ollo, p. 1.
06 &.R. 7os. 822?2-?A, -ollo, p. 2A.
01 &.R. 7os. 82080-82, -ollo, p. A?.
03 7it!f!n vs. Co$$issioner of *ntern!l Reven)e, &.R. 7o. =-1313?, 9)ly 2A, 0831, 0@2
#CR/ 23>.
08 Record of the Constit)tion!l Co$$ission, -ol. *, p. 038.
2? Record of the Constit)tion!l Co$$ission, -ol. *, p. 223.
20 Record of the Constit)tion!l Co$$ission, -ol. *, p. A@6.
22 /c!r vs. Ros!l, &.R. 7o. =-201?1, "!rch 03, 0861, 08 #CR/ 62@.
2A &.R. 7o. 82080-82, -ollo, p. >?.
2> #ections 0 !nd 2, C./. 62@ st!te+
#BCT*O7 0. The option to elect Philippine citi;enship in !ccord!nce with s)bsection (>),
section 0, /rticle *-, of the Constit)tion sh!ll be expressed in ! st!te$ent to be si5ned
!nd sworn to by the p!rty concerned before !ny officer !)thori;ed to !d$inister o!ths,
!nd sh!ll be filed with the ne!rest civil re5istry. The s!id p!rty sh!ll !cco$p!ny the
!fores!id st!te$ent with the o!th of !lle5i!nce to the Constit)tion !nd the &overn$ent of
the Philippines.
6#BCT*O7 2. *f the p!rty concerned is !bsent fro$ the Philippines, he $!y $!Ee the
st!te$ent herein !)thori;ed before !ny officer of the &overn$ent of the Dnited #t!tes
!)thori;ed to !d$inister o!ths, !nd he sh!ll forw!rd s)ch st!te$ent to5ether with his
o!th of !lle5i!nce, to the Civil Re5istry of "!nil!.6
2@ /d$inistr!tive C!se 7o. @AA, #epte$ber 02, 081>, @8 #CR/ >@.
26 *n Re+ lorencio "!ll!re, su"ra, p. @2.
21 &.R. 7o. 36@6>, /)5)st 0, 0838, 016 #CR/ 0.
23 =)ison vs. &!rci!, 7o. =-0?830, /pril 2@, 08@3, 0?A Phil. >@A.
28 Top!cio vs. P!redes, 7o. 3?68, October 1, 0802, 2A Phil. 2A3.
A? =l!$oso vs. errer, et !l. 7o. =-2>1?. /)5)st A?, 08>8, 3> Phil. >8?.
A0 &eroni$o vs. R!$os, &.R. 7o. 6?@?>, "!y 0>, 083@,0A6 #CR/ >A@.
A2 Two (2) of the $e$bers of s!id 0810 Constit)tion!l Convention !re now distin5)ished
$e$bers of the Co)rt, n!$ely, #!r$iento !nd '!vide, JJ. !nd they !re p!rt of the otin0
majority in this c!se.
AA &.R. 7os. 82080-82, -ollo, pp. >2->A.
A> &.R. 7os. 822?2-?A, -ollo, p. 086.
A@ &.R. 7os. 822?2-?A, -ollo, p. 200.
A6 &.R. 7os. 822?2-?A, -ollo, p. 08A.
A1 &.R. 7o. =-2A>>6, 2? 'ece$ber 0810, >2 #CR/ @60.