Human Rights Cases Case Digest List

8/20/2019 Human Rights Cases Case Digest List

1/75

Case Digest List

o Case Digest

Bar Exam Subjects

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'())

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o +axation

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%e#ublic Act No, ''-./ creating t*e C+A

National Internal %eenue Code

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Ciil Code o t*e P*ili##ines

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5/75

Human Rights Law Case Digest: OpposaV. Factoran (1993) .R. !o. 1"1"#3 July 30 !""3

Lesso#s $%%licable& rig't of Fili%i#os to a bala#ced a#d 'ealt'ful ecology i#ter(ge#eratio#al

res%o#sibility i#ter(ge#eratio#al )ustice

Laws $%%licable&

F$*TS&

+etitio#ers Mi#ors duly re%rese#ted a#d )oi#ed by t'eir res%ective %are#ts agai#st origi#al

defe#da#t Fulge#cio S, Factora# Jr, -Secretary of t'e .e%artme#t of /#viro#me#t a#d atural

Resources 1./R2 w'ic' 'e 'olds i# trust for t'e be#efit of %lai#tiff mi#ors a#d succeedi#g

ge#eratio#s

%etitio# to %reve#t t'e misa%%ro%riatio# or im%airme#t4 of +'ili%%i#e rai#forests a#d 4arrest

t'e u#abated 'emorr'age of t'e cou#try5s vital life su%%ort systems a#d co#ti#ued ra%e of

Mot'er /art' ( gra#ted timber lice#se agreeme#ts 15TL$5s52 to various cor%oratio#s to cut t'e

aggregate area of 3,6" millio# 'ectares for commercial loggi#g %ur%oses t'us at t'e %rese#t

rate of deforestatio# i,e, about 700000 'ectares %er a##um or 78 'ectares %er 'our t'e

+'ili%%i#es will be bereft of forest resources after t'e e#d of t'is e#sui#g decade if #ot earlier,

clear a#d co#stitutio#al rig't to a bala#ced a#d 'ealt'ful ecology a#d are e#titled to

%rotectio# by t'e State i# its ca%acity as t'e %are#s %atriae

+'ili%%i#e /#viro#me#tal +olicy w'ic' i# %erti#e#t %art states t'at it is t'e %olicy of t'e

State& 1a2 to create develo% mai#tai# a#d im%rove co#ditio#s u#der w'ic' ma# a#d #ature ca#

t'rive i# %roductive a#d e#)oyable 'armo#y wit' eac' ot'er91b2 to fulfill t'e social eco#omic a#d

ot'er re:uireme#ts of %rese#t a#d future ge#eratio#s of Fili%i#os a#d9

1c2 to e#sure t'e attai#me#t of a# e#viro#me#tal :uality t'at is co#ductive to a life of dig#ity a#d

well(bei#g, 1+,., !!8! ; Ju#e !"> of t'e *o#stitutio#29

b, 4%rotect t'e #atio#5s mari#e wealt',4 1Sectio# 7 ibid29

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c, 4co#serve a#d %romote t'e #atio#5s cultural 'eritage a#d resources 1sic24 1Sectio# !?

$rticle =>@ id,29

d, 4%rotect a#d adva#ce t'e rig't of t'e %eo%le to a bala#ced a#d 'ealt'ful ecology i# accord

wit' t'e r'yt'm a#d 'armo#y of #ature,4 1Sectio# !; $rticle >> id,2

Secretary Factora# Jr, filed a Motio# to .ismiss t'e com%lai#t based o# 7 grou#ds#amely& 1!2 t'e %lai#tiffs 'ave #o cause of actio# agai#st 'im a#d 172 t'e issue raised by t'e

%lai#tiffs is a %olitical :uestio# w'ic' %ro%erly %ertai#s to t'e legislative or eAecutive bra#c'es of

over#me#t ( gra#ted furt'er ruli#g t'at t'e gra#ti#g of t'e relief %rayed for would result i# t'e

im%airme#t of co#tracts w'ic' is %ro'ibited by t'e fu#dame#tal law of t'e la#d,

S%ecial civil actio# for certiorari u#der Rule ;8 to set aside dismissal order

>SSC/&

o !, w'et'er or #ot t'e mi#ors 'ave locus sta#di ( yes

o 7, DE t'e TL$ s'ould be ca#celled

H/L.&+etitio# is gra#ted

7, es, D'ile t'e rig't to a bala#ced a#d 'ealt'ful ecology is to be fou#d u#der t'e

.eclaratio# of +ri#ci%les a#d State +olicies 1GT Bill of Rig'ts2 it does #ot follow t'at it is less

im%orta#t t'a# a#y of t'e civil a#d %olitical rig'ts e#umerated i# t'e latter,

Suc' a rig't belo#gs to a differe#t category of rig'ts altoget'er for it co#cer#s

#ot'i#g less t'a# self(%reservatio# a#d self(%er%etuatio#(t'e adva#ceme#t of w'ic' may eve#

be said to %redate all gover#me#ts a#d co#stitutio#s,

$s a matter of fact t'ese basic rig'ts #eed GT eve# be writte# i# t'e

*o#stitutio# for t'ey are assumed to eAist from t'e i#ce%tio# of 'uma#ki#d,

/A%licitly me#tio#ed i# t'e fu#dame#tal c'arter because of t'e well(fou#ded

fear of its framers t'at u#less t'e rig'ts to a bala#ced a#d 'ealt'ful ecology a#d to 'ealt' are

ma#dated as state %olicies by t'e *o#stitutio# itself t'ereby 'ig'lig'ti#g t'eir co#ti#ui#g

im%orta#ce a#d im%osi#g u%o# t'e state a solem# obligatio# to %reserve t'e first a#d %rotect a#d

adva#ce t'e seco#d t'e day would #ot be too far w'e# all else would be lost #ot o#ly for t'e

%rese#t ge#eratio# but also for t'ose to come,

T'e rig't to a bala#ced a#d 'ealt'ful ecology carries wit' it t'e correlative

duty to refrai# from im%airi#g t'e e#viro#me#t,

eve# before t'e ratificatio# of t'e !"6< *o#stitutio# s%ecific statutes already

%aid s%ecial atte#tio# to t'e 4e#viro#me#tal rig't4 of t'e %rese#t a#d future ge#eratio#s -Ju#e

!"


7/75

all lice#ses may t'us be revoked or resci#ded by eAecutive actio#, >t is #ot a

co#tract %ro%erty or a %ro%erty rig't %rotested by t'e due %rocess clause of t'e *o#stitutio#,

$ timber lice#se is a# i#strume#t by w'ic' t'e State regulates t'e utiliatio#

a#d dis%ositio# of forest resources to t'e e#d t'at %ublic welfare is %romoted, $ timber lice#se is

#ot a co#tract wit'i# t'e %urview of t'e due %rocess clause9 it is o#ly a lice#se or %rivilege w'ic'ca# be validly wit'draw# w'e#ever dictated by %ublic i#terest or %ublic welfare as i# t'is case

t'e co#stitutio#al guara#ty of #o#(im%airme#t of obligatio#s of co#tract is

limited by t'e eAercise of t'e %olice %ower of t'e State i# t'e i#terest of %ublic 'ealt' safety

moral a#d ge#eral welfare

/:ually fu#dame#tal wit' t'e %rivate rig't is t'at of t'e %ublic to regulate it i#

t'e commo# i#terest,

Dit' res%ect to re#ewal t'e 'older is GT e#titled to it as a matter of rig't,

Labels: 1993, Case Digest , environmental law, G.R. No. 101083, human rights, human

rights law,human rights law case digest , July 30, ooso v !actoran

$urispru%ence: .R. !o. 1"1"#3 $u&' 3"1993 / B$*

,R, o, !0!063 July 30 !""3

JC$ $TG>G $$ RGS$R>G a#d JGS/ $LFGSG all sur#amed G+GS$ mi#ors a#d

re%rese#ted by t'eir %are#ts $TG>G a#d R>I$L>$ G+GS$ RGB/RT$ >*GL/ S$.>C$ mi#or

re%rese#ted by 'er %are#ts *$L@> a#d RGB/RT$ S$.>C$ *$RLG $M$.$ S$LC. a#d

+$TR>SH$ all sur#amed FLGR/S mi#ors a#d re%rese#ted by t'eir %are#ts /R>*G a#d >.$

FLGR/S >$>$ .>T$ R, FGRTC mi#or re%rese#ted by 'er %are#ts S>R>. a#d .GLGR/S

FGRTC /GR/ >> a#d M$, *G*/+*>G all sur#amed M>S$ mi#ors a#d re%rese#ted by

t'eir %are#ts /GR/ a#d MR$ M>S$ B/J$M> $L$ @, +/S>$ mi#or re%rese#ted by 'is

%are#ts $TG>G a#d $L>*/ +/S>$ JG@>/ M$R>/ $LF$RG mi#or re%rese#ted by 'er %are#ts

JGS/ a#d M$R>$ @>GL/T$ $LF$RG M$R>$ *G*/+*>G T, *$STRG mi#or re%rese#ted by

'er %are#ts FR/./>L a#d J$/ *$STRG JGH$$ ./S$M+$R$.G

mi#or re%rese#ted by 'er %are#ts JGS/ a#d $/L$ ./S$M+R$.G *$RLG JG$C> T,

$R@$S$ mi#or re%rese#ted by 'is %are#ts R/GR>G >> a#d *R>ST>/ *H$R>T $R@$S$

M$, M$R$R>T$ J/SCS >$*>G M$, $/L$ a#d M$R>/ $BR>/LL/ all sur#amed S$/I

mi#ors re%rese#ted by t'eir %are#ts RGB/RTG a#d $CRGR$ S$/I KR>ST>/ M$R /LL/

M$ GL.$ M$RTH/ a#d .$@>.>$ all sur#amed K> mi#ors re%rese#ted by t'eir %are#ts

M$R>G a#d H$.// K> .$@>. FR$*>S*G a#d TH/R/S/ @>*TGR>$ all sur#amed

/.R>$ mi#ors re%rese#ted by t'eir %are#ts B$LT$I$R a#d T/R/S>T$ /.R>$ JGS/ M$,

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8/75

a#d R/>$ M$, all sur#amed $B$$ mi#ors re%rese#ted by t'eir %are#ts $TG>G a#d

M$R>*$ $B$$ M$R>L> M$R>G JR, a#d M$R>/TT/ all sur#amed *$R.$M$ mi#ors

re%rese#ted by t'eir %are#ts M$R>G a#d L>$ *$R.$M$ *L$R>SS$ $ M$R>/ $/L a#d

>M// L all sur#amed G+GS$ mi#ors a#d re%rese#ted by t'eir %are#ts R>*$R.G a#d

M$R>SS$ G+GS$ +H>L>+ JGS/+H ST/+H/ JGH a#d >S$>$H J$M/S all sur#amed C>+>Tmi#ors re%rese#ted by t'eir %are#ts JGS/ M$= a#d @>LM> C>+>T BCH$D *>/LG *R>S$TG

$$ .$>/L a#d FR$*>S*G all sur#amed B>B$L mi#ors re%rese#ted by t'eir %are#ts

FR$*>S*G JR, a#d M>L$RGS B>B$L a#d TH/ +H>L>++>/ /*GLG>*$L /TDGRK >*,

%etitio#ers

vs,

TH/ HGGR$BL/ FCL/*>G S, F$*TGR$ JR, i# 'is ca%acity as t'e Secretary of t'e

.e%artme#t of /#viro#me#t a#d atural Resources a#d TH/ HGGR$BL/ /R>B/RTG C,

RGS$R>G +residi#g Judge of t'e RT* Makati Bra#c' ;; res%o#de#ts,

G%osa Law Gffice for %etitio#ers,

T'e Solicitor e#eral for res%o#de#ts,

.$@>./ JR, J,&

># a broader se#se t'is %etitio# bears u%o# t'e rig't of Fili%i#os to a bala#ced a#d 'ealt'ful

ecology w'ic' t'e %etitio#ers dramatically associate wit' t'e twi# co#ce%ts of 4i#ter(ge#eratio#al

res%o#sibility4 a#d 4i#ter(ge#eratio#al )ustice,4 S%ecifically it touc'es o# t'e issue of w'et'er t'e

said %etitio#ers 'ave a cause of actio# to 4%reve#t t'e misa%%ro%riatio# or im%airme#t4 of +'ili%%i#e

rai#forests a#d 4arrest t'e u#abated 'emorr'age of t'e cou#try5s vital l ife su%%ort systems a#d

co#ti#ued ra%e of Mot'er /art',4

T'e co#troversy 'as its ge#esis i# *ivil *ase o, "0(m%leaded as a# additio#al %lai#tiff is t'e +'ili%%i#e /cological etwork >#c,1+/>2 a domestic #o#(stock a#d #o#(%rofit cor%oratio# orga#ied for t'e %ur%ose of i#ter alia

e#gagi#g i# co#certed actio# geared for t'e %rotectio# of our e#viro#me#t a#d #atural resources,

T'e origi#al defe#da#t was t'e Ho#orable Fulge#cio S, Factora# Jr, t'e# Secretary of t'e

.e%artme#t of /#viro#me#t a#d atural Resources 1./R2, His substitutio# i# t'is %etitio# by t'e

#ew Secretary t'e Ho#orable $#gel *, $lcala was subse:ue#tly ordered u%o# %ro%er motio# by t'e

%etitio#ers, ! T'e com%lai#t 7 was i#stituted as a taA%ayers5 class suit 3 a#d alleges t'at t'e


9/75

%lai#tiffs 4are all citie#s of t'e Re%ublic of t'e +'ili%%i#es taA%ayers a#d e#titled to t'e full be#efit

use a#d e#)oyme#t of t'e #atural resource treasure t'at is t'e cou#try5s virgi# tro%ical forests,4 T'e

same was filed for t'emselves a#d ot'ers w'o are e:ually co#cer#ed about t'e %reservatio# of said

resource but are 4so #umerous t'at it is im%racticable to bri#g t'em all before t'e *ourt,4 T'e mi#ors

furt'er asseverate t'at t'ey 4re%rese#t t'eir ge#eratio# as well as ge#eratio#s yet u#bor#,4 ?*o#se:ue#tly it is %rayed for t'at )udgme#t be re#dered&

, , , orderi#g defe#da#t 'is age#ts re%rese#tatives a#d ot'er %erso#s acti#g i# 'is be'alf to

1!2 *a#cel all eAisti#g timber lice#se agreeme#ts i# t'e cou#try9

172 *ease a#d desist from receivi#g acce%ti#g %rocessi#g re#ewi#g or a%%rovi#g #ew timber

lice#se agreeme#ts,

a#d gra#ti#g t'e %lai#tiffs 4, , , suc' ot'er reliefs )ust a#d e:uitable u#der t'e %remises,4 8

T'e com%lai#t starts off wit' t'e ge#eral averme#ts t'at t'e +'ili%%i#e arc'i%elago of


10/75

co#structed a#d o%erated for t'e %ur%ose of su%%lyi#g water for domestic uses irrigatio# a#d t'e

ge#eratio# of electric %ower a#d 1k2 t'e reductio# of t'e eart'5s ca%acity to %rocess carbo# dioAide

gases w'ic' 'as led to %er%leAi#g a#d catastro%'ic climatic c'a#ges suc' as t'e %'e#ome#o# of

global warmi#g ot'erwise k#ow# as t'e 4gree#'ouse effect,4

+lai#tiffs furt'er assert t'at t'e adverse a#d detrime#tal co#se:ue#ces of co#ti#ued a#d

deforestatio# are so ca%able of u#:uestio#able demo#stratio# t'at t'e same may be submitted as a

matter of )udicial #otice, T'is #otwit'sta#di#g t'ey eA%ressed t'eir i#te#tio# to %rese#t eA%ert

wit#esses as well as docume#tary %'otogra%'ic a#d film evide#ce i# t'e course of t'e trial,

$s t'eir cause of actio# t'ey s%ecifically allege t'at&

*$CS/ GF $*T>G


11/75

%aragra%' ; 'ereof are already bei#g felt eA%erie#ced a#d suffered by t'e ge#eratio# of %lai#tiff

adults,

!?, T'e co#ti#ued allowa#ce by defe#da#t of TL$ 'olders to cut a#d deforest t'e remai#i#g forest

sta#ds will work great damage a#d irre%arable i#)ury to %lai#tiffs es%ecially %lai#tiff mi#ors a#dt'eir successors w'o may #ever see use be#efit from a#d e#)oy t'is rare a#d u#i:ue #atural

resource treasure,

T'is act of defe#da#t co#stitutes a misa%%ro%riatio# a#dEor im%airme#t of t'e #atural resource

%ro%erty 'e 'olds i# trust for t'e be#efit of %lai#tiff mi#ors a#d succeedi#g ge#eratio#s,

!8, +lai#tiffs 'ave a clear a#d co#stitutio#al rig't to a bala#ced a#d 'ealt'ful ecology a#d are

e#titled to %rotectio# by t'e State i# its ca%acity as t'e %are#s %atriae,

!;, +lai#tiff 'ave eA'austed all admi#istrative remedies wit' t'e defe#da#t5s office, G# Marc' 7

!""0 %lai#tiffs served u%o# defe#da#t a fi#al dema#d to ca#cel all loggi#g %ermits i# t'e cou#try,

$ co%y of t'e %lai#tiffs5 letter dated Marc' ! !""0 is 'ereto attac'ed as $##eA 4B4,

!


12/75

70, Furt'ermore defe#da#t5s co#ti#ued refusal to ca#cel t'e aforeme#tio#ed TL$5s is

co#tradictory to t'e *o#stitutio#al %olicy of t'e State to

a, effect 4a more e:uitable distributio# of o%%ortu#ities i#come a#d wealt'4 a#d 4make full a#defficie#t use of #atural resources 1sic2,4 1Sectio# ! $rticle =>> of t'e *o#stitutio#29

b, 4%rotect t'e #atio#5s mari#e wealt',4 1Sectio# 7 ibid29

c, 4co#serve a#d %romote t'e #atio#5s cultural 'eritage a#d resources 1sic24 1Sectio# !? $rticle

=>@ id,29

d, 4%rotect a#d adva#ce t'e rig't of t'e %eo%le to a bala#ced a#d 'ealt'ful ecology i# accord wit'

t'e r'yt'm a#d 'armo#y of #ature,4 1Sectio# !; $rticle >> id,2

7!, Fi#ally defe#da#t5s act is co#trary to t'e 'ig'est law of 'uma#ki#d t'e #atural law a#d

violative of %lai#tiffs5 rig't to self(%reservatio# a#d %er%etuatio#,

77, T'ere is #o ot'er %lai# s%eedy a#d ade:uate remedy i# law ot'er t'a# t'e i#sta#t actio# to

arrest t'e u#abated 'emorr'age of t'e cou#try5s vital life su%%ort systems a#d co#ti#ued ra%e of

Mot'er /art', ;

G# 77 Ju#e !""0 t'e origi#al defe#da#t Secretary Factora# Jr, filed a Motio# to .ismiss t'e

com%lai#t based o# two 172 grou#ds #amely& 1!2 t'e %lai#tiffs 'ave #o cause of actio# agai#st 'im

a#d 172 t'e issue raised by t'e %lai#tiffs is a %olitical :uestio# w'ic' %ro%erly %ertai#s to t'e

legislative or eAecutive bra#c'es of over#me#t, ># t'eir !7 July !""0 G%%ositio# to t'e Motio# t'e

%etitio#ers mai#tai# t'at 1!2 t'e com%lai#t s'ows a clear a#d u#mistakable cause of actio# 172 t'e

motio# is dilatory a#d 132 t'e actio# %rese#ts a )usticiable :uestio# as it i#volves t'e defe#da#t5s

abuse of discretio#,

G# !6 July !""! res%o#de#t Judge issued a# order gra#ti#g t'e aforeme#tio#ed motio# to

dismiss, < ># t'e said order #ot o#ly was t'e defe#da#t5s claim t'at t'e com%lai#t states #o cause

of actio# agai#st 'im a#d t'at it raises a %olitical :uestio# sustai#ed t'e res%o#de#t Judge furt'er ruled t'at t'e gra#ti#g of t'e relief %rayed for would result i# t'e im%airme#t of co#tracts w'ic' is

%ro'ibited by t'e fu#dame#tal law of t'e la#d,

+lai#tiffs t'us filed t'e i#sta#t s%ecial civil actio# for certiorari u#der Rule ;8 of t'e Revised Rules

of *ourt a#d ask t'is *ourt to resci#d a#d set aside t'e dismissal order o# t'e grou#d t'at t'e

res%o#de#t Judge gravely abused 'is discretio# i# dismissi#g t'e actio#, $gai# t'e %are#ts of t'e


13/75


14/75

violated t'e terms of t'e agreeme#t or ot'er forestry laws a#d regulatio#s, +etitio#ers5 %ro%ositio# to

'ave all t'e TL$s i#discrimi#ately ca#celled wit'out t'e re:uisite 'eari#g would be violative of t'e

re:uireme#ts of due %rocess,

Before goi#g a#y furt'er De must first focus o# some %rocedural matters, +etitio#ers i#stituted*ivil *ase o, "0(


15/75

AAA AAA AAA

$fter a careful a#d circums%ect evaluatio# of t'e *om%lai#t t'e *ourt ca##ot 'el% but agree wit'

t'e defe#da#t, For alt'oug' we believe t'at %lai#tiffs 'ave but t'e #oblest of all i#te#tio#s it 1sic2 fells'ort of allegi#g wit' sufficie#t defi#ite#ess a s%ecific legal rig't t'ey are seeki#g to e#force a#d

%rotect or a s%ecific legal wro#g t'ey are seeki#g to %reve#t a#d redress 1Sec, ! Rule 7 RR*2,

Furt'ermore t'e *ourt #otes t'at t'e *om%lai#t is re%lete wit' vague assum%tio#s a#d vague

co#clusio#s based o# u#verified data, ># fi#e %lai#tiffs fail to state a cause of actio# i# its *om%lai#t

agai#st t'e 'erei# defe#da#t,

Furt'ermore t'e *ourt firmly believes t'at t'e matter before it bei#g im%ressed wit' %olitical color

a#d i#volvi#g a matter of %ublic %olicy may #ot be take# cog#ia#ce of by t'is *ourt wit'out doi#g

viole#ce to t'e sacred %ri#ci%le of 4Se%aratio# of +owers4 of t'e 3 co(e:ual bra#c'es of t'e

over#me#t,

T'e *ourt is likewise of t'e im%ressio# t'at it ca##ot #o matter 'ow we stretc' our )urisdictio#

gra#t t'e reliefs %rayed for by t'e %lai#tiffs i,e, to ca#cel all eAisti#g timber lice#se agreeme#ts i#

t'e cou#try a#d to cease a#d desist from receivi#g acce%ti#g %rocessi#g re#ewi#g or a%%rovi#g

#ew timber lice#se agreeme#ts, For to do ot'erwise would amou#t to 4im%airme#t of co#tracts4

ab'ored 1sic2 by t'e fu#dame#tal law, !!

De do #ot agree wit' t'e trial court5s co#clusio#s t'at t'e %lai#tiffs failed to allege wit' sufficie#t

defi#ite#ess a s%ecific legal rig't i#volved or a s%ecific legal wro#g committed a#d t'at t'e

com%lai#t is re%lete wit' vague assum%tio#s a#d co#clusio#s based o# u#verified data, $ readi#g of

t'e com%lai#t itself belies t'ese co#clusio#s,

T'e com%lai#t focuses o# o#e s%ecific fu#dame#tal legal rig't t'e rig't to a bala#ced a#d

'ealt'ful ecology w'ic' for t'e first time i# our #atio#5s co#stitutio#al 'istory is solem#ly

i#cor%orated i# t'e fu#dame#tal law, Sectio# !; $rticle >> of t'e !"6< *o#stitutio# eA%licitly %rovides&

Sec, !;, T'e State s'all %rotect a#d adva#ce t'e rig't of t'e %eo%le to a bala#ced a#d 'ealt'ful

ecology i# accord wit' t'e r'yt'm a#d 'armo#y of #ature,

T'is rig't u#ites wit' t'e rig't to 'ealt' w'ic' is %rovided for i# t'e %recedi#g sectio# of t'e same

article&

Sec, !8, T'e State s'all %rotect a#d %romote t'e rig't to 'ealt' of t'e %eo%le a#d i#still 'ealt'

co#scious#ess amo#g t'em,


16/75

D'ile t'e rig't to a bala#ced a#d 'ealt'ful ecology is to be fou#d u#der t'e .eclaratio# of

+ri#ci%les a#d State +olicies a#d #ot u#der t'e Bill of Rig'ts it does #ot follow t'at it is less

im%orta#t t'a# a#y of t'e civil a#d %olitical rig'ts e#umerated i# t'e latter, Suc' a rig't belo#gs to a

differe#t category of rig'ts altoget'er for it co#cer#s #ot'i#g less t'a# self(%reservatio# a#d self(%er%etuatio# a%tly a#d fitti#gly stressed by t'e %etitio#ers t'e adva#ceme#t of w'ic' may eve#

be said to %redate all gover#me#ts a#d co#stitutio#s, $s a matter of fact t'ese basic rig'ts #eed #ot

eve# be writte# i# t'e *o#stitutio# for t'ey are assumed to eAist from t'e i#ce%tio# of 'uma#ki#d, >f

t'ey are #ow eA%licitly me#tio#ed i# t'e fu#dame#tal c'arter it is because of t'e well(fou#ded fear of

its framers t'at u#less t'e rig'ts to a bala#ced a#d 'ealt'ful ecology a#d to 'ealt' are ma#dated as

state %olicies by t'e *o#stitutio# itself t'ereby 'ig'lig'ti#g t'eir co#ti#ui#g im%orta#ce a#d im%osi#g

u%o# t'e state a solem# obligatio# to %reserve t'e first a#d %rotect a#d adva#ce t'e seco#d t'e day

would #ot be too far w'e# all else would be lost #ot o#ly for t'e %rese#t ge#eratio# but also for

t'ose to come ge#eratio#s w'ic' sta#d to i#'erit #ot'i#g but %arc'ed eart' i#ca%able of

sustai#i#g life,

T'e rig't to a bala#ced a#d 'ealt'ful ecology carries wit' it t'e correlative duty to refrai# from

im%airi#g t'e e#viro#me#t, .uri#g t'e debates o# t'is rig't i# o#e of t'e %le#ary sessio#s of t'e

!"6; *o#stitutio#al *ommissio# t'e followi#g eAc'a#ge tra#s%ired betwee# *ommissio#er Dilfrido

@illacorta a#d *ommissio#er $dolfo $cu#a w'o s%o#sored t'e sectio# i# :uestio#&

MR, @>LL$*GRT$&

.oes t'is sectio# ma#date t'e State to %rovide sa#ctio#s agai#st all forms of %ollutio# air

water a#d #oise %ollutio#N

MR, $I*C$&

es Madam +reside#t, T'e rig't to 'ealt'ful 1sic2 e#viro#me#t #ecessarily carries wit' it t'e

correlative duty of #ot im%airi#g t'e same a#d t'erefore sa#ctio#s may be %rovided for im%airme#t

of e#viro#me#tal bala#ce, !7

T'e said rig't im%lies amo#g ma#y ot'er t'i#gs t'e )udicious ma#ageme#t a#d co#servatio# oft'e cou#try5s forests,

Dit'out suc' forests t'e ecological or e#viro#me#tal bala#ce would be irreversiby disru%ted,

*o#formably wit' t'e e#u#ciated rig't to a bala#ced a#d 'ealt'ful ecology a#d t'e rig't to 'ealt'

as well as t'e ot'er related %rovisio#s of t'e *o#stitutio# co#cer#i#g t'e co#servatio# develo%me#t


17/75

a#d utiliatio# of t'e cou#try5s #atural resources !3 t'e# +reside#t *orao# *, $:ui#o %romulgated

o# !0 Ju#e !"6< /,G, o, !"7 !? Sectio# ? of w'ic' eA%ressly ma#dates t'at t'e .e%artme#t of

/#viro#me#t a#d atural Resources 4s'all be t'e %rimary gover#me#t age#cy res%o#sible for t'e

co#servatio# ma#ageme#t develo%me#t a#d %ro%er use of t'e cou#try5s e#viro#me#t a#d #atural

resources s%ecifically forest a#d grai#g la#ds mi#eral resources i#cludi#g t'ose i# reservatio#a#d waters'ed areas a#d la#ds of t'e %ublic domai# as well as t'e lice#si#g a#d regulatio# of all

#atural resources as may be %rovided for by law i# order to e#sure e:uitable s'ari#g of t'e be#efits

derived t'erefrom for t'e welfare of t'e %rese#t a#d future ge#eratio#s of Fili%i#os,4 Sectio# 3

t'ereof makes t'e followi#g stateme#t of %olicy&

Sec, 3, .eclaratio# of +olicy, >t is 'ereby declared t'e %olicy of t'e State to e#sure t'e

sustai#able use develo%me#t ma#ageme#t re#ewal a#d co#servatio# of t'e cou#try5s forest

mi#eral la#d off(s'ore areas a#d ot'er #atural resources i#cludi#g t'e %rotectio# a#d

e#'a#ceme#t of t'e :uality of t'e e#viro#me#t a#d e:uitable access of t'e differe#t segme#ts of

t'e %o%ulatio# to t'e develo%me#t a#d t'e use of t'e cou#try5s #atural resources #ot o#ly for t'e

%rese#t ge#eratio# but for future ge#eratio#s as well, >t is also t'e %olicy of t'e state to recog#ie

a#d a%%ly a true value system i#cludi#g social a#d e#viro#me#tal cost im%licatio#s relative to t'eir

utiliatio# develo%me#t a#d co#servatio# of our #atural resources,

T'is %olicy declaratio# is substa#tially re(stated it Title =>@ Book >@ of t'e $dmi#istrative *ode of

!"6


18/75

Sec, 7, Ma#date, 1!2 T'e .e%artme#t of /#viro#me#t a#d atural Resources s'all be %rimarily

res%o#sible for t'e im%leme#tatio# of t'e foregoi#g %olicy,

172 >t s'all sub)ect to law a#d 'ig'er aut'ority be i# c'arge of carryi#g out t'e State5s

co#stitutio#al ma#date to co#trol a#d su%ervise t'e eA%loratio# develo%me#t utiliatio# a#dco#servatio# of t'e cou#try5s #atural resources,

Bot' /,G, G, !"7 a#d t'e $dmi#istrative *ode of !"6< 'ave set t'e ob)ectives w'ic' will serve

as t'e bases for %olicy formulatio# a#d 'ave defi#ed t'e %owers a#d fu#ctio#s of t'e ./R,

>t may 'owever be recalled t'at eve# before t'e ratificatio# of t'e !"6< *o#stitutio# s%ecific

statutes already %aid s%ecial atte#tio# to t'e 4e#viro#me#tal rig't4 of t'e %rese#t a#d future

ge#eratio#s, G# ; Ju#e !"


19/75

sufficie#cy of t'e facts alleged i# t'e com%lai#t itself, o ot'er matter s'ould be co#sidered9

furt'ermore t'e trut' of falsity of t'e said allegatio#s is beside t'e %oi#t for t'e trut' t'ereof is

deemed 'y%ot'etically admitted, T'e o#ly issue to be resolved i# suc' a case is& admitti#g suc'

alleged facts to be true may t'e court re#der a valid )udgme#t i# accorda#ce wit' t'e %rayer i# t'e

com%lai#tN 70 ># Milita#te vs, /drosola#o 7! t'is *ourt laid dow# t'e rule t'at t'e )udiciary s'ould4eAercise t'e utmost care a#d circums%ectio# i# %assi#g u%o# a motio# to dismiss o# t'e grou#d of

t'e abse#ce t'ereof -cause of actio# lest by its failure to ma#ifest a correct a%%reciatio# of t'e facts

alleged a#d deemed 'y%ot'etically admitted w'at t'e law gra#ts or recog#ies is effectively

#ullified, >f t'at 'a%%e#s t'ere is a blot o# t'e legal order, T'e law itself sta#ds i# disre%ute,4

$fter careful eAami#atio# of t'e %etitio#ers5 com%lai#t De fi#d t'e stateme#ts u#der t'e

i#troductory affirmative allegatio#s as well as t'e s%ecific averme#ts u#der t'e sub('eadi#g *$CS/

GF $*T>G to be ade:uate e#oug' to s'ow %rima facie t'e claimed violatio# of t'eir rig'ts, G#

t'e basis t'ereof t'ey may t'us be gra#ted w'olly or %artly t'e reliefs %rayed for, >t bears stressi#g

'owever t'at i#sofar as t'e ca#cellatio# of t'e TL$s is co#cer#ed t'ere is t'e #eed to im%lead as

%arty defe#da#ts t'e gra#tees t'ereof for t'ey are i#dis%e#sable %arties,

T'e foregoi#g co#sidered *ivil *ase o, "0(>> of t'e *o#stitutio# states t'at&

Judicial %ower i#cludes t'e duty of t'e courts of )ustice to settle actual co#troversies i#volvi#g

rig'ts w'ic' are legally dema#dable a#d e#forceable a#d to determi#e w'et'er or #ot t'ere 'as

bee# a grave abuse of discretio# amou#ti#g to lack or eAcess of )urisdictio# o# t'e %art of a#y

bra#c' or i#strume#tality of t'e over#me#t,

*omme#ti#g o# t'is %rovisio# i# 'is book +'ili%%i#e +olitical Law 77 Mr, Justice >saga#i $, *ru

a disti#guis'ed member of t'is *ourt says&

T'e first %art of t'e aut'ority re%rese#ts t'e traditio#al co#ce%t of )udicial %ower i#volvi#g t'e

settleme#t of co#flicti#g rig'ts as co#ferred as law, T'e seco#d %art of t'e aut'ority re%rese#ts a

broade#i#g of )udicial %ower to e#able t'e courts of )ustice to review w'at was before forbidde#

territory to wit t'e discretio# of t'e %olitical de%artme#ts of t'e gover#me#t,

$s worded t'e #ew %rovisio# vests i# t'e )udiciary a#d %articularly t'e Su%reme *ourt t'e %ower


20/75

to rule u%o# eve# t'e wisdom of t'e decisio#s of t'e eAecutive a#d t'e legislature a#d to declare

t'eir acts i#valid for lack or eAcess of )urisdictio# because tai#ted wit' grave abuse of discretio#, T'e

catc' of course is t'e mea#i#g of 4grave abuse of discretio#4 w'ic' is a very elastic %'rase t'at

ca# eA%a#d or co#tract accordi#g to t'e dis%ositio# of t'e )udiciary,

># .aa vs, Si#gso# 73 Mr, Justice *ru #ow s%eaki#g for t'is *ourt #oted&

># t'e case #ow before us t'e )urisdictio#al ob)ectio# becomes eve# less te#able a#d decisive,

T'e reaso# is t'at eve# if we were to assume t'at t'e issue %rese#ted before us was %olitical i#

#ature we would still #ot be %recluded from revolvi#g it u#der t'e eA%a#ded )urisdictio# co#ferred

u%o# us t'at #ow covers i# %ro%er cases eve# t'e %olitical :uestio#, $rticle @>> Sectio# ! of t'e

*o#stitutio# clearly %rovides& , , ,

T'e last grou#d i#voked by t'e trial court i# dismissi#g t'e com%lai#t is t'e #o#(im%airme#t of

co#tracts clause fou#d i# t'e *o#stitutio#, T'e court a :uo declared t'at&

T'e *ourt is likewise of t'e im%ressio# t'at it ca##ot #o matter 'ow we stretc' our )urisdictio#

gra#t t'e reliefs %rayed for by t'e %lai#tiffs i,e, to ca#cel all eAisti#g timber lice#se agreeme#ts i#

t'e cou#try a#d to cease a#d desist from receivi#g acce%ti#g %rocessi#g re#ewi#g or a%%rovi#g

#ew timber lice#se agreeme#ts, For to do ot'erwise would amou#t to 4im%airme#t of co#tracts4

ab'ored 1sic2 by t'e fu#dame#tal law, 7?

De are #ot %ersuaded at all9 o# t'e co#trary De are amaed if #ot s'ocked by suc' a swee%i#g

%ro#ou#ceme#t, ># t'e first %lace t'e res%o#de#t Secretary did #ot for obvious reaso#s eve#

i#voke i# 'is motio# to dismiss t'e #o#(im%airme#t clause, >f 'e 'ad do#e so 'e would 'ave acted

wit' utmost i#fidelity to t'e over#me#t by %rovidi#g u#due a#d u#warra#ted be#efits a#d

adva#tages to t'e timber lice#se 'olders because 'e would 'ave forever bou#d t'e over#me#t to

strictly res%ect t'e said lice#ses accordi#g to t'eir terms a#d co#ditio#s regardless of c'a#ges i#

%olicy a#d t'e dema#ds of %ublic i#terest a#d welfare, He was aware t'at as correctly %oi#ted out by

t'e %etitio#ers i#to every timber lice#se must be read Sectio# 70 of t'e Forestry Reform *ode 1+,.,

o, # Ta#

vs, .irector of Forestry 78 t'is *ourt 'eld&


21/75

, , , $ timber lice#se is a# i#strume#t by w'ic' t'e State regulates t'e utiliatio# a#d dis%ositio# of

forest resources to t'e e#d t'at %ublic welfare is %romoted, $ timber lice#se is #ot a co#tract wit'i#

t'e %urview of t'e due %rocess clause9 it is o#ly a lice#se or %rivilege w'ic' ca# be validly

wit'draw# w'e#ever dictated by %ublic i#terest or %ublic welfare as i# t'is case,

$ lice#se is merely a %ermit or %rivilege to do w'at ot'erwise would be u#lawful a#d is #ot a

co#tract betwee# t'e aut'ority federal state or mu#ici%al gra#ti#g it a#d t'e %erso# to w'om it is

gra#ted9 #eit'er is it %ro%erty or a %ro%erty rig't #or does it create a vested rig't9 #or is it taAatio#

13< *,J, !;62, T'us t'is *ourt 'eld t'at t'e gra#ti#g of lice#se does #ot create irrevocable rig'ts

#eit'er is it %ro%erty or %ro%erty rig'ts 1+eo%le vs, G#g Ti# 8? G,,


22/75

*or%, 76 t'is *ourt stated&

T'e freedom of co#tract u#der our system of gover#me#t is #ot mea#t to be absolute, T'e same

is u#derstood to be sub)ect to reaso#able legislative regulatio# aimed at t'e %romotio# of %ublic

'ealt' moral safety a#d welfare, ># ot'er words t'e co#stitutio#al guara#ty of #o#(im%airme#t ofobligatio#s of co#tract is limited by t'e eAercise of t'e %olice %ower of t'e State i# t'e i#terest of

%ublic 'ealt' safety moral a#d ge#eral welfare,

T'e reaso# for t'is is em%'atically set fort' i# ebia vs, ew ork 7" :uoted i# +'ili%%i#e

$merica# Life >#sura#ce *o, vs, $uditor e#eral 30 to wit&

C#der our form of gover#me#t t'e use of %ro%erty a#d t'e maki#g of co#tracts are #ormally

matters of %rivate a#d #ot of %ublic co#cer#, T'e ge#eral rule is t'at bot' s'all be free of

gover#me#tal i#terfere#ce, But #eit'er %ro%erty rig'ts #or co#tract rig'ts are absolute9 for

gover#me#t ca##ot eAist if t'e citie# may at will use 'is %ro%erty to t'e detrime#t of 'is fellows or

eAercise 'is freedom of co#tract to work t'em 'arm, /:ually fu#dame#tal wit' t'e %rivate rig't is t'at

of t'e %ublic to regulate it i# t'e commo# i#terest,

># s'ort t'e #o#(im%airme#t clause must yield to t'e %olice %ower of t'e state, 3!

Fi#ally it is difficult to imagi#e as t'e trial court did 'ow t'e #o#(im%airme#t clause could a%%ly

wit' res%ect to t'e %rayer to e#)oi# t'e res%o#de#t Secretary from receivi#g acce%ti#g %rocessi#g

re#ewi#g or a%%rovi#g #ew timber lice#ses for save i# cases of re#ewal #o co#tract would 'ave as

of yet eAisted i# t'e ot'er i#sta#ces, Moreover wit' res%ect to re#ewal t'e 'older is #ot e#titled to it

as a matter of rig't,

DH/R/FGR/ bei#g im%ressed wit' merit t'e i#sta#t +etitio# is 'ereby R$T/. a#d t'e

c'alle#ged Grder of res%o#de#t Judge of !6 July !""! dismissi#g *ivil *ase o, "0(


23/75

Se%arate G%i#io#s

F/L>*>$G J, co#curri#g

> )oi# i# t'e result reac'ed by my disti#guis'ed brot'er i# t'e *ourt .avide Jr, J, i# t'is case

w'ic' to my mi#d is o#e of t'e most im%orta#t cases decided by t'is *ourt i# t'e last few years,

T'e semi#al %ri#ci%les laid dow# i# t'is decisio# are likely to i#flue#ce %rofou#dly t'e directio# a#d

course of t'e %rotectio# a#d ma#ageme#t of t'e e#viro#me#t w'ic' of course embraces t'e

utiliatio# of all t'e #atural resources i# t'e territorial base of our %olity, > 'ave t'erefore soug't to

clarify basically to myself w'at t'e *ourt a%%ears to be sayi#g,

T'e *ourt eA%licitly states t'at %etitio#ers 'ave t'e locus sta#di #ecessary to sustai# t'e bri#gi#g

a#d mai#te#a#ce of t'is suit 1.ecisio# %%, !!(!72, Locus sta#di is #ot a fu#ctio# of %etitio#ers5 claim

t'at t'eir suit is %ro%erly regarded as a class suit, > u#dersta#d locus sta#di to refer to t'e legal

i#terest w'ic' a %lai#tiff must 'ave i# t'e sub)ect matter of t'e suit, Because of t'e very broad#ess

of t'e co#ce%t of 4class4 'ere i#volved members'i% i# t'is 4class4 a%%ears to embrace everyo#e

livi#g i# t'e cou#try w'et'er #ow or i# t'e

future it a%%ears to me t'at everyo#e w'o may be eA%ected to be#efit from t'e course of actio#

%etitio#ers seek to re:uire %ublic res%o#de#ts to take is vested wit' t'e #ecessary locus sta#di, T'e

*ourt may be see# t'erefore to be recog#ii#g a be#eficiaries5 rig't of actio# i# t'e field of

e#viro#me#tal %rotectio# as agai#st bot' t'e %ublic admi#istrative age#cy directly co#cer#ed a#d

t'e %rivate %erso#s or e#tities o%erati#g i# t'e field or sector of activity i#volved, D'et'er suc'

be#eficiaries5 rig't of actio# may be fou#d u#der a#y a#d all circumsta#ces or w'et'er some failure

to act i# t'e first i#sta#ce o# t'e %art of t'e gover#me#tal age#cy co#cer#ed must be s'ow# 14%rioreA'austio# of admi#istrative remedies42 is #ot discussed i# t'e decisio# a#d %resumably is left for

future determi#atio# i# a# a%%ro%riate case,

T'e *ourt 'as also declared t'at t'e com%lai#t 'as alleged a#d focused u%o# 4o#e s%ecific

fu#dame#tal legal rig't t'e rig't to a bala#ced a#d 'ealt'ful ecology4 1.ecisio# %, !?2, T'ere is

#o :uestio# t'at 4t'e rig't to a bala#ced a#d 'ealt'ful ecology4 is 4fu#dame#tal4 a#d t'at


24/75

accordi#gly it 'as bee# 4co#stitutio#alied,4 But alt'oug' it is fu#dame#tal i# c'aracter > suggest

wit' very great res%ect t'at it ca##ot be c'aracteried as 4s%ecific4 wit'out doi#g eAcessive

viole#ce to la#guage, >t is i# fact very difficult to fas'io# la#guage more com%re'e#sive i# sco%e a#d

ge#eralied i# c'aracter t'a# a rig't to 4a bala#ced a#d 'ealt'ful ecology,4 T'e list of %articular

claims w'ic' ca# be subsumed u#der t'is rubic a%%ears to be e#tirely o%e#(e#ded& %reve#tio# a#dco#trol of emissio# of toAic fumes a#d smoke from factories a#d motor ve'icles9 of disc'arge of oil

c'emical efflue#ts garbage a#d raw sewage i#to rivers i#la#d a#d coastal waters by vessels oil

rigs factories mi#es a#d w'ole commu#ities9 of dum%i#g of orga#ic a#d i#orga#ic wastes o# o%e#

la#d streets a#d t'oroug'fares9 failure to re'abilitate la#d after stri%(mi#i#g or o%e#(%it mi#i#g9

kai#gi# or slas'(a#d(bur# farmi#g9 destructio# of fis'eries coral reefs a#d ot'er livi#g sea resources

t'roug' t'e use of dy#amite or cya#ide a#d ot'er c'emicals9 co#tami#atio# of grou#d water

resources9 loss of certai# s%ecies of fau#a a#d flora9 a#d so o#, T'e ot'er stateme#ts %oi#ted out by

t'e *ourt& Sectio# 3 /Aecutive Grder o, !"7 dated !0 Ju#e !"6@ Book >@ of

t'e !"6< $dmi#istrative *ode9 a#d +,., o, !!8! dated ; Ju#e !"


25/75

1vi2 co#servatio# a#d utiliatio# of surface a#d grou#d water

1vii2 mi#eral resources

Two 172 %oi#ts are wort' maki#g i# t'is co##ectio#, Firstly #eit'er %etitio#ers #or t'e *ourt 'as

ide#tified t'e %articular %rovisio# or %rovisio#s 1if a#y2 of t'e +'ili%%i#e /#viro#me#t *ode w'ic' give

rise to a s%ecific legal rig't w'ic' %etitio#ers are seeki#g to e#force, Seco#dly t'e +'ili%%i#e

/#viro#me#t *ode ide#tifies wit' #otable care t'e %articular gover#me#t age#cy c'arged wit' t'e

formulatio# a#d im%leme#tatio# of guideli#es a#d %rograms deali#g wit' eac' of t'e 'eadi#gs a#d

sub('eadi#gs me#tio#ed above, T'e +'ili%%i#e /#viro#me#t *ode does #ot i# ot'er words a%%ear

to co#tem%late actio# o# t'e %art of %rivate %erso#s w'o are be#eficiaries of im%leme#tatio# of t'at

*ode,

$s a matter of logic by fi#di#g %etitio#ers5 cause of actio# as a#c'ored o# a legal rig't com%rised

i# t'e co#stitutio#al stateme#ts above #oted t'e *ourt is i# effect sayi#g t'at Sectio# !8 1a#d

Sectio# !;2 of $rticle >> of t'e *o#stitutio# are self(eAecuti#g a#d )udicially e#forceable eve# i# t'eir

%rese#t form, T'e im%licatio#s of t'is doctri#e will 'ave to be eA%lored i# future cases9 t'ose

im%licatio#s are too large a#d far(reac'i#g i# #ature eve# to be 'i#ted at 'ere,

My suggestio# is sim%ly t'at %etitio#ers must before t'e trial court s'ow a more s%ecific legal

rig't a rig't cast i# la#guage of a sig#ifica#tly lower order of ge#erality t'a# $rticle >> 1!82 of t'e

*o#stitutio# t'at is or may be violated by t'e actio#s or failures to act im%uted to t'e %ublic

res%o#de#t by %etitio#ers so t'at t'e trial court ca# validly re#der )udgme#t gra#ti#g all or %art of t'e

relief %rayed for, To my mi#d t'e *ourt s'ould be u#derstood as sim%ly sayi#g t'at suc' a more

s%ecific legal rig't or rig'ts may well eAist i# our cor%us of law co#sideri#g t'e ge#eral %olicy

%ri#ci%les fou#d i# t'e *o#stitutio# a#d t'e eAiste#ce of t'e +'ili%%i#e /#viro#me#t *ode a#d t'at

t'e trial court s'ould 'ave give# %etitio#ers a# effective o%%ortu#ity so to demo#strate i#stead of

aborti#g t'e %roceedi#gs o# a motio# to dismiss,

>t seems to me im%orta#t t'at t'e legal rig't w'ic' is a# esse#tial com%o#e#t of a cause of actio#

be a s%ecific o%erable legal rig't rat'er t'a# a co#stitutio#al or statutory %olicy for at least two 172

reaso#s, G#e is t'at u#less t'e legal rig't claimed to 'ave bee# violated or disregarded is give#s%ecificatio# i# o%eratio#al terms defe#da#ts may well be u#able to defe#d t'emselves i#tellige#tly

a#d effectively9 i# ot'er words t'ere are due %rocess dime#sio#s to t'is matter,

T'e seco#d is a broader(gauge co#sideratio# w'ere a s%ecific violatio# of law or a%%licable

regulatio# is #ot alleged or %roved %etitio#ers ca# be eA%ected to fall back o# t'e eA%a#ded

co#ce%tio# of )udicial %ower i# t'e seco#d %aragra%' of Sectio# ! of $rticle @>>> of t'e *o#stitutio#


26/75

w'ic' reads&

Sectio# !, , , ,

Judicial %ower i#cludes t'e duty of t'e courts of )ustice to settle actual co#troversies i#volvi#grig'ts w'ic' are legally dema#dable a#d e#forceable a#d to determi#e w'et'er or #ot t'ere 'as


bra#c' or i#strume#tality of t'e over#me#t, 1/m%'asis su%%lied2

D'e# substa#tive sta#dards as ge#eral as 4t'e rig't to a bala#ced a#d 'ealt'y ecology4 a#d 4t'e

rig't to 'ealt'4 are combi#ed wit' remedial sta#dards as broad ra#gi#g as 4a grave abuse of

discretio# amou#ti#g to lack or eAcess of )urisdictio#4 t'e result will be it is res%ectfully submitted to

%ro%el courts i#to t'e u#c'arted ocea# of social a#d eco#omic %olicy maki#g, $t least i# res%ect of

t'e vast area of e#viro#me#tal %rotectio# a#d ma#ageme#t our courts 'ave #o claim to s%ecial

tec'#ical com%ete#ce a#d eA%erie#ce a#d %rofessio#al :ualificatio#, D'ere #o s%ecific o%erable

#orms a#d sta#dards are s'ow# to eAist t'e# t'e %olicy maki#g de%artme#ts t'e legislative a#d

eAecutive de%artme#ts must be give# a real a#d effective o%%ortu#ity to fas'io# a#d %romulgate

t'ose #orms a#d sta#dards a#d to im%leme#t t'em before t'e courts s'ould i#terve#e,

My lear#ed brot'er .avide Jr, J, rig'tly i#sists t'at t'e timber com%a#ies w'ose co#cessio#

agreeme#ts or TL$5s %etitio#ers dema#d %ublic res%o#de#ts s'ould ca#cel must be im%leaded i#

t'e %roceedi#gs below, >t mig't be asked t'at if %etitio#ers5 e#titleme#t to t'e relief dema#ded is #ot

de%e#de#t u%o# %roof of breac' by t'e timber com%a#ies of o#e or more of t'e s%ecific terms a#d

co#ditio#s of t'eir co#cessio# agreeme#ts 1a#d t'is %etitio#ers im%licitly assume2 w'at will t'ose

com%a#ies litigate aboutN T'e a#swer > suggest is t'at t'ey may seek to dis%ute t'e eAiste#ce of t'e

s%ecific legal rig't %etitio#ers s'ould allege as well as t'e reality of t'e claimed factual #eAus

betwee# %etitio#ers5 s%ecific legal rig'ts a#d t'e claimed wro#gful acts or failures to act of %ublic

res%o#de#t admi#istrative age#cy, T'ey may also co#trovert t'e a%%ro%riate#ess of t'e remedy or

remedies dema#ded by %etitio#ers u#der all t'e circumsta#ces w'ic' eAist,

> vote to gra#t t'e +etitio# for *ertiorari because t'e %rotectio# of t'e e#viro#me#t i#cludi#g t'e

forest cover of our territory is of eAtreme im%orta#ce for t'e cou#try, T'e doctri#es set out i# t'e

*ourt5s decisio# issued today s'ould 'owever be sub)ected to closer eAami#atio#,

Q Se%arate G%i#io#s


27/75

F/L>*>$G J, co#curri#g

> )oi# i# t'e result reac'ed by my disti#guis'ed brot'er i# t'e *ourt .avide Jr, J, i# t'is case

w'ic' to my mi#d is o#e of t'e most im%orta#t cases decided by t'is *ourt i# t'e last few years,T'e semi#al %ri#ci%les laid dow# i# t'is decisio# are likely to i#flue#ce %rofou#dly t'e directio# a#d

course of t'e %rotectio# a#d ma#ageme#t of t'e e#viro#me#t w'ic' of course embraces t'e

utiliatio# of all t'e #atural resources i# t'e territorial base of our %olity, > 'ave t'erefore soug't to

clarify basically to myself w'at t'e *ourt a%%ears to be sayi#g,

T'e *ourt eA%licitly states t'at %etitio#ers 'ave t'e locus sta#di #ecessary to sustai# t'e bri#gi#g

a#d mai#te#a#ce of t'is suit 1.ecisio# %%, !!(!72, Locus sta#di is #ot a fu#ctio# of %etitio#ers5 claim

t'at t'eir suit is %ro%erly regarded as a class suit, > u#dersta#d locus sta#di to refer to t'e legal

i#terest w'ic' a %lai#tiff must 'ave i# t'e sub)ect matter of t'e suit, Because of t'e very broad#ess

of t'e co#ce%t of 4class4 'ere i#volved members'i% i# t'is 4class4 a%%ears to embrace everyo#e

livi#g i# t'e cou#try w'et'er #ow or i# t'e

future it a%%ears to me t'at everyo#e w'o may be eA%ected to be#efit from t'e course of actio#

%etitio#ers seek to re:uire %ublic res%o#de#ts to take is vested wit' t'e #ecessary locus sta#di, T'e

*ourt may be see# t'erefore to be recog#ii#g a be#eficiaries5 rig't of actio# i# t'e field of

e#viro#me#tal %rotectio# as agai#st bot' t'e %ublic admi#istrative age#cy directly co#cer#ed a#d

t'e %rivate %erso#s or e#tities o%erati#g i# t'e field or sector of activity i#volved, D'et'er suc'

be#eficiaries5 rig't of actio# may be fou#d u#der a#y a#d all circumsta#ces or w'et'er some failure

to act i# t'e first i#sta#ce o# t'e %art of t'e gover#me#tal age#cy co#cer#ed must be s'ow# 14%rior

eA'austio# of admi#istrative remedies42 is #ot discussed i# t'e decisio# a#d %resumably is left for

future determi#atio# i# a# a%%ro%riate case,

T'e *ourt 'as also declared t'at t'e com%lai#t 'as alleged a#d focused u%o# 4o#e s%ecific

fu#dame#tal legal rig't t'e rig't to a bala#ced a#d 'ealt'ful ecology4 1.ecisio# %, !?2, T'ere is

#o :uestio# t'at 4t'e rig't to a bala#ced a#d 'ealt'ful ecology4 is 4fu#dame#tal4 a#d t'at

accordi#gly it 'as bee# 4co#stitutio#alied,4 But alt'oug' it is fu#dame#tal i# c'aracter > suggest

wit' very great res%ect t'at it ca##ot be c'aracteried as 4s%ecific4 wit'out doi#g eAcessive

viole#ce to la#guage, >t is i# fact very difficult to fas'io# la#guage more com%re'e#sive i# sco%e a#d

ge#eralied i# c'aracter t'a# a rig't to 4a bala#ced a#d 'ealt'ful ecology,4 T'e list of %articularclaims w'ic' ca# be subsumed u#der t'is rubic a%%ears to be e#tirely o%e#(e#ded& %reve#tio# a#d

co#trol of emissio# of toAic fumes a#d smoke from factories a#d motor ve'icles9 of disc'arge of oil

c'emical efflue#ts garbage a#d raw sewage i#to rivers i#la#d a#d coastal waters by vessels oil

rigs factories mi#es a#d w'ole commu#ities9 of dum%i#g of orga#ic a#d i#orga#ic wastes o# o%e#

la#d streets a#d t'oroug'fares9 failure to re'abilitate la#d after stri%(mi#i#g or o%e#(%it mi#i#g9

kai#gi# or slas'(a#d(bur# farmi#g9 destructio# of fis'eries coral reefs a#d ot'er livi#g sea resources


28/75

t'roug' t'e use of dy#amite or cya#ide a#d ot'er c'emicals9 co#tami#atio# of grou#d water

resources9 loss of certai# s%ecies of fau#a a#d flora9 a#d so o#, T'e ot'er stateme#ts %oi#ted out by

t'e *ourt& Sectio# 3 /Aecutive Grder o, !"7 dated !0 Ju#e !"6@ Book >@ of

t'e !"6< $dmi#istrative *ode9 a#d +,., o, !!8! dated ; Ju#e !"


29/75

sub('eadi#gs me#tio#ed above, T'e +'ili%%i#e /#viro#me#t *ode does #ot i# ot'er words a%%ear

to co#tem%late actio# o# t'e %art of %rivate %erso#s w'o are be#eficiaries of im%leme#tatio# of t'at

*ode,

$s a matter of logic by fi#di#g %etitio#ers5 cause of actio# as a#c'ored o# a legal rig't com%risedi# t'e co#stitutio#al stateme#ts above #oted t'e *ourt is i# effect sayi#g t'at Sectio# !8 1a#d

Sectio# !;2 of $rticle >> of t'e *o#stitutio# are self(eAecuti#g a#d )udicially e#forceable eve# i# t'eir

%rese#t form, T'e im%licatio#s of t'is doctri#e will 'ave to be eA%lored i# future cases9 t'ose

im%licatio#s are too large a#d far(reac'i#g i# #ature eve# to be 'i#ted at 'ere,

My suggestio# is sim%ly t'at %etitio#ers must before t'e trial court s'ow a more s%ecific legal

rig't a rig't cast i# la#guage of a sig#ifica#tly lower order of ge#erality t'a# $rticle >> 1!82 of t'e

*o#stitutio# t'at is or may be violated by t'e actio#s or failures to act im%uted to t'e %ublic

res%o#de#t by %etitio#ers so t'at t'e trial court ca# validly re#der )udgme#t gra#ti#g all or %art of t'e

relief %rayed for, To my mi#d t'e *ourt s'ould be u#derstood as sim%ly sayi#g t'at suc' a more

s%ecific legal rig't or rig'ts may well eAist i# our cor%us of law co#sideri#g t'e ge#eral %olicy

%ri#ci%les fou#d i# t'e *o#stitutio# a#d t'e eAiste#ce of t'e +'ili%%i#e /#viro#me#t *ode a#d t'at

t'e trial court s'ould 'ave give# %etitio#ers a# effective o%%ortu#ity so to demo#strate i#stead of

aborti#g t'e %roceedi#gs o# a motio# to dismiss,

>t seems to me im%orta#t t'at t'e legal rig't w'ic' is a# esse#tial com%o#e#t of a cause of actio#

be a s%ecific o%erable legal rig't rat'er t'a# a co#stitutio#al or statutory %olicy for at least two 172

reaso#s, G#e is t'at u#less t'e legal rig't claimed to 'ave bee# violated or disregarded is give#

s%ecificatio# i# o%eratio#al terms defe#da#ts may well be u#able to defe#d t'emselves i#tellige#tly

a#d effectively9 i# ot'er words t'ere are due %rocess dime#sio#s to t'is matter,

T'e seco#d is a broader(gauge co#sideratio# w'ere a s%ecific violatio# of law or a%%licable

regulatio# is #ot alleged or %roved %etitio#ers ca# be eA%ected to fall back o# t'e eA%a#ded

co#ce%tio# of )udicial %ower i# t'e seco#d %aragra%' of Sectio# ! of $rticle @>>> of t'e *o#stitutio#

w'ic' reads&

Sectio# !, , , ,

Judicial %ower i#cludes t'e duty of t'e courts of )ustice to settle actual co#troversies i#volvi#g

rig'ts w'ic' are legally dema#dable a#d e#forceable a#d to determi#e w'et'er or #ot t'ere 'as


bra#c' or i#strume#tality of t'e over#me#t, 1/m%'asis su%%lied2

D'e# substa#tive sta#dards as ge#eral as 4t'e rig't to a bala#ced a#d 'ealt'y ecology4 a#d 4t'e


30/75

rig't to 'ealt'4 are combi#ed wit' remedial sta#dards as broad ra#gi#g as 4a grave abuse of

discretio# amou#ti#g to lack or eAcess of )urisdictio#4 t'e result will be it is res%ectfully submitted to

%ro%el courts i#to t'e u#c'arted ocea# of social a#d eco#omic %olicy maki#g, $t least i# res%ect of

t'e vast area of e#viro#me#tal %rotectio# a#d ma#ageme#t our courts 'ave #o claim to s%ecial

tec'#ical com%ete#ce a#d eA%erie#ce a#d %rofessio#al :ualificatio#, D'ere #o s%ecific o%erable#orms a#d sta#dards are s'ow# to eAist t'e# t'e %olicy maki#g de%artme#ts t'e legislative a#d

eAecutive de%artme#ts must be give# a real a#d effective o%%ortu#ity to fas'io# a#d %romulgate

t'ose #orms a#d sta#dards a#d to im%leme#t t'em before t'e courts s'ould i#terve#e,

My lear#ed brot'er .avide Jr, J, rig'tly i#sists t'at t'e timber com%a#ies w'ose co#cessio#

agreeme#ts or TL$5s %etitio#ers dema#d %ublic res%o#de#ts s'ould ca#cel must be im%leaded i#

t'e %roceedi#gs below, >t mig't be asked t'at if %etitio#ers5 e#titleme#t to t'e relief dema#ded is #ot

de%e#de#t u%o# %roof of breac' by t'e timber com%a#ies of o#e or more of t'e s%ecific terms a#d

co#ditio#s of t'eir co#cessio# agreeme#ts 1a#d t'is %etitio#ers im%licitly assume2 w'at will t'ose

com%a#ies litigate aboutN T'e a#swer > suggest is t'at t'ey may seek to dis%ute t'e eAiste#ce of t'e

s%ecific legal rig't %etitio#ers s'ould allege as well as t'e reality of t'e claimed factual #eAus

betwee# %etitio#ers5 s%ecific legal rig'ts a#d t'e claimed wro#gful acts or failures to act of %ublic

res%o#de#t admi#istrative age#cy, T'ey may also co#trovert t'e a%%ro%riate#ess of t'e remedy or

remedies dema#ded by %etitio#ers u#der all t'e circumsta#ces w'ic' eAist,

> vote to gra#t t'e +etitio# for *ertiorari because t'e %rotectio# of t'e e#viro#me#t i#cludi#g t'e

forest cover of our territory is of eAtreme im%orta#ce for t'e cou#try, T'e doctri#es set out i# t'e

*ourt5s decisio# issued today s'ould 'owever be sub)ected to closer eAami#atio#,

Labels: 1993, environmental law, G.R. No. 101083, human rights, human rights law, July

30, ooso v !actoran, transcendental imortance

$urispru%ence: .R. !o. 1391* Fe+ruar',, ,"1" F>RST .>@>S>G

>R// S$T/ $. R/$L.G S$T/ v, HG, /.>LB/RTG T, *L$R$@$LL i# 'is ca%acity as

+residi#g Judge of Bra#c' ;0 Regio#al Trial *ourt of Baguio *ity a#d @>T$ , K$L$SH>$

,R, o, !


31/75

Before t'is *ourt is a %etitio# for certiorari-! u#der Rule ;8 of t'e !""< Rules of *ivil

+rocedure as ame#ded filed by %etitio#ers >re#e a#d Rey#aldo Sa#te assaili#g t'e .ecisio#-7

dated Ja#uary 3! 700; a#d t'e Resolutio#-3 dated Ju#e 73 700; of t'e Seve#tee#t' .ivisio# of

t'e *ourt of $%%eals i# *$(,R, S+ o, 6


32/75

He#ce %etitio#ers agai# filed a +etitio# for *ertiorari a#d +ro'ibitio#-!3 before t'e *ourt of

$%%eals docketed as *$(,R, S+ o, 6./, *ivil *ase o, 8


33/75

C#able to acce%t t'e decisio# %etitio#ers are #ow before us raisi#g t'e followi#g issues&

>,

DH/TH/R GR GT TH/R/ D$S R$@/ $BCS/ GF .>S*R/T>G $MGCT> TG L$*K GR

> /=*/SS GF JCR>S.>*T>G G TH/ +$RT GF TH/ 1FGRM/R2 S/@/T//TH .>@>S>G GF

TH/ HGGR$BL/ *GCRT GF $++/$LS DH/ >T R/SGL@/. TH$T TH/ R/>G$L TR>$L

*GCRT GF B$C>G *>T BR$*H ;0 H$S JCR>S.>*T>G G@/R TH/ SCBJ/*T M$TT/R GF

TH/ *$S/ FGR .$M$/S $MGCT> TG +300000,009

>>,

DH/TH/R GR GT TH/R/ D$S R$@/ $BCS/ GF .>S*R/T>G G TH/ +$RT GF TH/

HGGR$BL/ R/S+G./T JC./ GF TH/ R/>G$L TR>$L *GCRT GF B$C>G BR$*H

;0 FGR $LLGD> TH/ *GM+L$>$T TG $M/. TH/ *GM+L$>T 1>*R/$S> TH/

$MGCT GF .$M$/S TG !000000,00 TG *GF/R JCR>S.>*T>G G@/R TH/ SCBJ/*T

M$TT/R GF TH/ *$S/ ./S+>T/ TH/ +/./* GF $ +/T>T>G FGR */RT>GR$R> F>L/. $T

TH/ *GCRT GF $++/$LS S/@/TH .>@>S>G .G*K/T/. $S *$ ,R, G, 68?;8,-!8

># esse#ce t'e basic issues for our resolutio# are&

!2 .id t'e RT* ac:uire )urisdictio# over t'e caseN a#d

72 .id t'e RT* commit grave abuse of discretio# i# allowi#g t'e ame#dme#t of t'e

com%lai#tN

+etitio#ers i#sist t'at t'e com%lai#t falls u#der t'e eAclusive )urisdictio# of t'e MT**, T'ey

mai#tai# t'at t'e claim for moral damages i# t'e amou#t of +300000,00 i# t'e origi#al com%lai#t is

t'e mai# actio#, T'e eAem%lary damages bei#g discretio#ary s'ould #ot be i#cluded i# t'e

com%utatio# of t'e )urisdictio#al amou#t, $#d 'avi#g #o )urisdictio# over t'e sub)ect matter of t'e

case t'e RT* acted wit' grave abuse of discretio# w'e# it allowed t'e ame#dme#t of t'e com%lai#t

to i#crease t'e claim for moral damages i# order to co#fer )urisdictio#,

># 'er *omme#t-!; res%o#de#t averred t'at t'e #ature of 'er com%lai#t is for recovery of

damages, $s suc' t'e totality of t'e claim for damages i#cludi#g t'e eAem%lary damages as well

as t'e ot'er damages alleged a#d %rayed i# t'e com%lai#t suc' as attor#eys fees a#d litigatio#

eA%e#ses s'ould be i#cluded i# determi#i#g )urisdictio#, T'e total claim bei#g +?70000,00 t'e

RT* 'as )urisdictio# over t'e com%lai#t,


34/75

De de#y t'e %etitio# w'ic' alt'oug' de#omi#ated as a %etitio# for certiorari we treat as a

%etitio# for review o# certiorari u#der Rule ?8 i# view of t'e issues raised,

Sectio# !"162 of Batas +amba#sa Blg, !7"-!


35/75

amou#t of all t'e damages claimed regardless of ki#d a#d #ature suc' as eAem%lary damages

#omi#al damages a#d attor#eys fees etc, be usedN

># t'is regard $dmi#istrative *ircular o, 0"("?-!" is i#structive&

A A A A

7, T'e eAclusio# of t'e term damages of w'atever ki#dU i# determi#i#g t'e )urisdictio#al

amou#t u#der Sectio# !" 162 a#d Sectio# 33 1!2 of B,+, Blg, !7" as ame#ded by R,$, o, t is settled t'at )urisdictio# is co#ferred by law based o# t'e facts

alleged i# t'e com%lai#t si#ce t'e latter com%rises a co#cise stateme#t of t'e ultimate facts

co#stituti#g t'e %lai#tiffs causes of actio#,-70 >t is clear based o# t'e allegatio#s of t'e com%lai#t

t'at res%o#de#ts mai# actio# is for damages, He#ce t'e ot'er forms of damages bei#g claimed by

res%o#de#t e,g, eAem%lary damages attor#eys fees a#d litigatio# eA%e#ses are #ot merely

i#cide#tal to or co#se:ue#ces of t'e mai# actio# but co#stitute t'e %rimary relief %rayed for i# t'e

com%lai#t,

># Me#doa v, Soria#o-7! it was 'eld t'at i# cases w'ere t'e claim for damages is t'e mai#

cause of actio# or o#e of t'e causes of actio# t'e amou#t of suc' claim s'all be co#sidered i#

determi#i#g t'e )urisdictio# of t'e court, ># t'e said case t'e res%o#de#ts claim of +"7"000,0; i#

damages a#d +78000 attor#eys fees %lus +800 %er court a%%eara#ce was 'eld to re%rese#t t'e

mo#etary e:uivale#t for com%e#satio# of t'e alleged i#)ury, T'e *ourt t'erei# 'eld t'at t'e total

amou#t of mo#etary claims i#cludi#g t'e claims for damages was t'e basis to determi#e t'e

)urisdictio#al amou#t,

$lso i# >#iego v, +urga#a#-77 t'e *ourt 'as 'eld&

T'e amou#t of damages claimed is wit'i# t'e )urisdictio# of t'e RT* si#ce it is t'e claim

for all ki#ds of damages t'at is t'e basis of determi#i#g t'e )urisdictio# of courts w'et'er t'e claims

for damages arise from t'e same or from differe#t causes of actio#,


36/75

A A A A

*o#sideri#g t'at t'e total amou#t of damages claimed was +?70000,00 t'e *ourt of

$%%eals was correct i# ruli#g t'at t'e RT* 'ad )urisdictio# over t'e case,

Lastly we fi#d #o error muc' less grave abuse of discretio# o# t'e %art of t'e *ourt of

$%%eals i# affirmi#g t'e RT*s order allowi#g t'e ame#dme#t of t'e origi#al com%lai#t from

+300000,00 to +!000000,00 des%ite t'e %e#de#cy of a %etitio# for certiorari filed before t'e *ourt

of $%%eals, D'ile it is a basic )uris%rude#tial %ri#ci%le t'at a# ame#dme#t ca##ot be allowed w'e#

t'e court 'as #o )urisdictio# over t'e origi#al com%lai#t a#d t'e %ur%ose of t'e ame#dme#t is to

co#fer )urisdictio# o# t'e court-73 'ere t'e RT* clearly 'ad )urisdictio# over t'e origi#al com%lai#t

a#d ame#dme#t of t'e com%lai#t was t'e# still a matter of rig't,-7?

DH/R/FGR/ t'e %etitio# is ./>/. for lack of merit, T'e .ecisio# a#d Resolutio# of t'e *ourt

of $%%eals dated Ja#uary 3! 700; a#d Ju#e 73 700; res%ectively are $FF>RM/., T'e Regio#al

Trial *ourt of Baguio *ity Bra#c' ;0 is .>R/*T/. to co#ti#ue wit' t'e trial %roceedi#gs i# *ivil

*ase o, 8


37/75

S>S filed a otice wit' t'e RT* ma#ifesti#g t'e dismissal of t'e com%lai#t, G# t'e same

day S>S filed a# Crge#t +etitio# wit' t'e Securities a#d /Ac'a#ge *ommissio# 1S/*2 seeki#g

to restrai# Rosete from recog#ii#g cou#ti#g a#d tabulati#g directly or i#directly #otio#ally or

actually or i# w'atever way form ma##er or mea#s or ot'erwise 'o#ori#g t'e s'ares covered

byU t'e %roAies i# favor of a#y officer re%rese#ti#g M/R$L*G Ma#ageme#t4 a#d to a##ul a#ddeclare i#valid said %roAies,

S/* issued a S'ow *ause Grder

+etitio#ers filed a %etitio# for certiorari wit' %ro'ibitio# wit' t'e *ourt of $%%eals

*$& com%lai#t filed by S>S i# t'e S/* is 'ereby .>SM>SS/. due to S/*s lack of

)urisdictio#

>SSC/&

!, DE S/* ca# be %rivate res%o#de#ts

7, DE it is a validatio# of t'e %roAy wit'i# t'e S/*5s )urisdictio# 1as o%%osed to >#tra(*or%orate

*o#troversies wit'i# t'e RT*5S )urisdictio#2

H/L.& /=+C/. for lack of ca%acity of t'e %etitio#er to bri#g fort' t'e suit

!, G

Rule ;8 does recog#ie t'at t'e S/* a#d its officers s'ould 'ave bee# desig#ated as %ublic

res%o#de#ts i# t'e %etitio# for certiorari filed wit' t'e *ourt of $%%eals, et t'eir i#volveme#t i#

t'e i#sta#t %etitio# is #ot as origi#al %arty(litiga#ts but as t'e :uasi()udicial age#cy a#d officers

eAercisi#g t'e ad)udicative fu#ctio#s over t'e dis%ute betwee# t'e two co#te#di#g factio#s wit'i#

Meralco, From t'e o#set #eit'er t'e S/* #or Marti#e or uevarra 'as bee# co#sidered as a

real %arty(i#(i#terest, Sectio# 7 Rule 3 of t'e !""< Rules of *ivil +rocedure %rovides t'at every

actio# must be %rosecuted or defe#ded i# t'e #ame of t'e real %arty i# i#terest t'at is t'e %arty

w'o sta#ds to be be#efited or i#)ured by t'e )udgme#t i# t'e suit or t'e %arty e#titled to t'e

avails of t'e suit,U >t would be facetious to assume t'at t'e S/* 'ad a#y real i#terest or stake i#

t'e i#tra(cor%orate dis%ute wit'i# Meralco, $t t'is %oi#t o#ly o#e %etitio# remai#st'e %etitio#

for certiorari filed by S>S i# ,R, o, !63"08,

C#der Sectio# ?,; t'at t'e ability to delegate fu#ctio#s to a si#gle commissio#er does #ot

eAte#d to t'e eAercise of t'e review or a%%ellate aut'ority of t'e S/*, T'e issua#ce of t'e *.G

is a# act of t'e S/* itself do#e i# t'e eAercise of its origi#al )urisdictio# to review actual cases or

co#troversies, >f it 'as #ot bee# clear to t'e S/* before it s'ould be clear #ow t'at its %ower toissue a *.G ca# #ot u#der t'e SR* be delegated to a# i#dividual commissio#er,

7, G,

Jurisdictio# is co#ferred by #o ot'er source but law, Bot' sides 'ave relied u%o# %rovisio#s

of Re%, $ct o, 6m%leme#ti#g Rules or $>RR(SR*2 a#d ot'er related rules to


38/75

su%%ort t'eir com%eti#g co#te#tio#s t'at eit'er t'e S/* or t'e trial courts 'as eAclusive origi#al

)urisdictio# over t'e dis%ute,

t'e disti#ctio# betwee# %roAy solicitatio#U a#d %roAy validatio#U ca##ot be dismissed

off'a#d, T'e rig't of a stock'older to vote by %roAy is ge#erally establis'ed by t'e

*or%oratio# *ode but it is t'e SR* w'ic' s%ecifically regulates t'e form a#d use of %roAiesmore %articularly t'e %rocedure of %roAy solicitatio# %rimarily t'roug' Sectio# 70,

T'e i#vestigatory %ower of t'e S/* establis'ed by Sectio# 83,! is ce#tral to its regulatory

aut'ority most crucial to t'e %ublic i#terest es%ecially as it may %ertai# to cor%oratio#s wit'

%ublicly traded s'ares, For t'at reaso# we are #ot kee# o# %ursui#g %rivate res%o#de#ts

i#siste#ce t'at t'e S>S com%lai#t be viewed as rooted i# a# i#tra(cor%orate co#troversy solely

wit'i# t'e )urisdictio# of t'e trial courts to decide, >t is %ossible t'at a# i#tra(cor%orate

co#troversy may a#imate a disgru#tled s'are'older to com%lai# to t'e S/* a cor%oratio#s

violatio#s of S/* rules a#d regulatio#s but t'at motive alo#e s'ould #ot be sufficie#t to de%rive

t'e S/* of its i#vestigatory a#d regulatory %owers es%ecially so si#ce suc' %owers are

eAercisable o# a motu %ro%rio basis,

ote t'at Sectio# ; is immediately %receded by Sectio# 8 w'ic' origi#ally co#ferred o# t'e

S/* origi#al a#d eAclusive )urisdictio# to 'ear a#d decide casesU i#volvi#g co#troversies i# t'e

electio# or a%%oi#tme#ts of directors trustees officers or ma#agers of suc' cor%oratio#s

%art#ers'i%s or associatio#s,U T'us suc' %ower of t'e S/* t'e# was i#cide#tal or a#cillary to

t'e eAercise of suc' )urisdictio#, T'e cases referred to i# Sectio# 8 were tra#sferred from t'e

)urisdictio# of t'e S/* to t'e regular courts wit' t'e %assage of t'e SR* s%ecifically Sectio#

8,7, T'us t'e S/*s %ower to %ass u%o# t'e validity of %roAies i# relatio# to electio#

co#troversies 'as effectively bee# wit'draw# tied as it is to its abrogated )urisdictio#al %owers,

Based o# t'e foregoi#g it is evide#t t'at t'e li#c'%i# i# decidi#g t'e :uestio# is w'et'er or #ot

t'e cause of actio# of S>S before t'e S/* is i#timately tied to a# electio# co#troversy as

defi#ed u#der Sectio# 81c2 of +reside#tial .ecree o, "07($,

C#der t'e circumsta#ces we do #ot see it feasible for S>S to %osit t'at its c'alle#ge to t'e

solicitatio# or validatio# of %roAies bore #o relatio# at all to t'e sc'eduled electio# of t'e board of

directors of Meralco duri#g t'e a##ual meeti#g, S>S very well k#ew t'at t'e co#troversy falls

wit'i# t'e co#tem%latio# of a# electio# co#troversy %ro%erly wit'i# t'e )urisdictio# of t'e regular

courts, Gt'erwise it would 'ave #ever filed its origi#al %etitio# wit' t'e RT* of +asay, S>S may

'ave wit'draw# its %etitio# wit' t'e RT* o# a #ew assessme#t made i# good fait' t'at t'e

co#troversy falls wit'i# t'e )urisdictio# of t'e S/* yet t'e reality is t'at t'e reassessme#t is%recisely wro#g as a matter of law,

Labels: "009, criminal rocedure, G.R. No. 18390&, G()( v. C*, January

19, 'urisdiction, remedial law,rtc, securities and e+change commission

http://www.philippinelegalguide.com/search/label/2009http://www.philippinelegalguide.com/search/label/2009http://www.philippinelegalguide.com/search/label/criminal%20procedurehttp://www.philippinelegalguide.com/search/label/criminal%20procedurehttp://www.philippinelegalguide.com/search/label/G.R.%20No.%20183905http://www.philippinelegalguide.com/search/label/GSIS%20v.%20CAhttp://www.philippinelegalguide.com/search/label/GSIS%20v.%20CAhttp://www.philippinelegalguide.com/search/label/January%2019http://www.philippinelegalguide.com/search/label/January%2019http://www.philippinelegalguide.com/search/label/January%2019http://www.philippinelegalguide.com/search/label/jurisdictionhttp://www.philippinelegalguide.com/search/label/remedial%20lawhttp://www.philippinelegalguide.com/search/label/rtchttp://www.philippinelegalguide.com/search/label/rtchttp:

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