Right to Privacy_Cases

8/9/2019 Right to Privacy_Cases

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Republic of the PhilippinesSUPREME COURTManila

EN BANC

G.R. No. 12!"# $ul% 2&' 1(("B)AS *. OP)E' petitione+',s.RUBEN -. TORRES' A)EAN-ER AGU/RRE' 0ECTOR /))ANUEA' C/E)/TO 0AB/TO' ROBERT BARBERS' CARMENC/TAREO-/CA' CESAR SAR/NO' RENATO A)ENC/A' TOMAS P. A*R/CA' 0EA- O* T0E NAT/ONA) COMPUTER CENTER anC0A/RMAN O* T0E COMM/SS/ON ON AU-/T' +esponents.

PUNO' $.3

The petition at ba+ is a co44enable e5o+t on the pa+t of Senato+ Blas *. Ople to p+e,ent the sh+in6in7 of the +i7ht top+i,ac%' 8hich the +e,e+e M+. $ustice B+aneis consie+e as 9the 4ost co4p+ehensi,e of +i7hts an the +i7ht 4ost,alue b% ci,ili:e 4en.9 1 Petitione+ Ople p+a%s that 8e in,aliate A4inist+ati,e O+e+ No. &;" entitle 9Aoption ofa National Co4pute+i:e /entie 7+ant the petition fo+ the +i7hts sou7ht to be ,inicate b% the petitione+ nee st+on7e+ ba++ie+s a7ainstfu+the+ e+osion.

A.O. No. &;" 8as issue b% P+esient *iel . Ra4os On -ece4be+ 12' 1((! an +eas as follo8s3

A-OPT/ON O* A NAT/ONA) COMPUTER/?E-

/-ENT/*/CAT/ON RE*ERENCE S@STEM

>0EREAS' the+e is a nee to p+o,ie *ilipino citi:ens an fo+ei7n +esients 8ith the facilit% to con,enientl% t+ansactbusiness 8ith basic se+,ice an social secu+it% p+o,ie+s an othe+ 7o,e+n4ent inst+u4entalities

>0EREAS' this 8ill +eui+e a co4pute+i:e s%ste4 to p+ope+l% an ecientl% ientif% pe+sons see6in7 basic se+,iceson social secu+it% an +euce' if not totall% e+aicate f+auulent t+ansactions an 4is+ep+esentations

>0EREAS' a conce+te an collabo+ati,e e5o+t a4on7 the ,a+ious basic se+,ices an social secu+it% p+o,iin7a7encies an othe+ 7o,e+n4ent int+u4entalities is +eui+e to achie,e such a s%ste4

NO>' T0ERE*ORE' /' */-E) . RAMOS' P+esient of the Republic of the Philippines' b% ,i+tue of the po8e+s ,este in 4e

b% la8' o he+eb% i+ect the follo8in73

Sec. 1. Establish4ent of a National Co4pote+i:e /enti


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Sec. . Sub4ission of Re7ula+ Repo+ts. The NSO' GS/S an SSS shall sub4it +e7ula+ +epo+ts to the Oce of theP+esient th+ou7h the /ACC' on the status of i4ple4entation of this une+ta6in7.

Sec. ". E5ecti,it%. This A4inist+ati,e O+e+ shall ta6e e5ect i44eiatel%.

-ONE in the Cit% of Manila' this 12th a% of -ece4be+ in the %ea+ of Ou+ )o+' Nineteen 0un+e an Ninet%DSi.

SG-.F */-E) . RAMOS

A.O. No. &;" 8as publishe in fou+ ne8spape+s of 7ene+al ci+culation on $anua+% 22' 1(( an $anua+% 2&' 1((. On$anua+% 2H' 1((' petitione+


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po8e+ to Con7+ess is b+oa' 7ene+al an co4p+ehensi,e. 1; The le7islati,e bo% possesses plena+% po8e+ fo+ allpu+poses of ci,il 7o,e+n4ent. 11 An% po8e+' ee4e to be le7islati,e b% usa7e an t+aition' is necessa+il% possesseb% Con7+ess' unless the Constitution has lo7e it else8he+e. 12 /n


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a7ainst un+easonable sea+ches an sei:u+es.9 The *ifth A4en4ent in its SelfD/nc+i4ination Clause enables the citi:ento c+eate a :one of p+i,ac% 8hich 7o,e+n4ent 4a% not fo+ce hi4 to su++ene+ to his et+i4ent. The Ninth A4en4entp+o,ies3 9The enu4e+ation in the Constitution' of ce+tain +i7hts' shall not be const+ue to en% o+ ispa+a7e othe+s+etaine b% the people.9

/n the 1(!" case of Mo+fe ,. Mutuc' &2 8e aopte the G+is8ol +ulin7 that the+e is a constitutional +i7ht to p+i,ac%.Spea6in7 th+u M+. $ustice' late+ Chief $ustice' En+iue *e+nano' 8e hel3

The G+is8ol case in,aliate a Connecticut statute 8hich 4ae the use of cont+acepti,es a c+i4inal o5ence on the7+oun of its a4ountin7 to an unconstitutional in,asion of the +i7ht of p+i,ac% of 4a++ie pe+sons +i7htfull% it st+esse9a +elationship l%in7 8ithin the :one of p+i,ac% c+eate b% se,e+al funa4ental constitutional 7ua+antees.9 /t has 8ie+i4plications thou7h. The constitutional +i7ht to p+i,ac% has co4e into its o8n.

So it is li6e8ise in ou+ Iu+isiction. The +i7ht to p+i,ac% as such is acco+e +eco7nition inepenentl% of itsienti


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p+ecise con


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!( The use of bio4et+ics an co4pute+ technolo7% in A.O. No. &;" oes not assu+e the ini,iual of a +easonableepectation of p+i,ac%. ; As technolo7% a,ances' the le,el of +easonabl% epecte p+i,ac% ec+eases. 1 The4easu+e of p+otection 7+ante b% the +easonable epectation i4inishes as +ele,ant technolo7% beco4es 4o+e 8iel%accepte. 2 The secu+it% of the co4pute+ ata e ecla+e that the la8' in co4pellin7 a publicoce+ to 4a6e an annual +epo+t isclosin7 his assets an liabilities' his sou+ces of inco4e an epenses' i notinf+in7e on the ini,iual=s +i7ht to p+i,ac%. The la8 8as enacte to p+o4ote 4o+alit% in public a4inist+ation b%cu+tailin7 an 4ini4i:in7 the oppo+tunities fo+ ocial co++uption an 4aintainin7 a stana+ of honest% in the publicse+,ice. "

The sa4e ci+cu4stances o not obtain in the case at ba+. *o+ one' R.A. &;1( is a statute' not an a4inist+ati,e o+e+.Seconl%' R.A. &;1( itself is sucientl% etaile. The la8 is clea+ on 8hat p+actices 8e+e p+ohibite an penali:e' anit 8as na++o8l% +a8n to a,oi abuses. /N the case at ba+' A.O. No. &;" 4a% ha,e been i4pelle b% a 8o+th% pu+pose'but' it cannot pass constitutional sc+utin% fo+ it is not na++o8l% +a8n. An 8e no8 ho that 8hen the inte7+it% of afuna4ental +i7ht is at sta6e' this cou+t 8ill 7i,e the challen7e la8' a4inist+ati,e o+e+' +ule o+ +e7ulation a st+icte+sc+utin%. /t 8ill not o fo+ the autho+ities to in,o6e the p+esu4ption of +e7ula+it% in the pe+fo+4ance of ocial uties.No+ is it enou7h fo+ the autho+ities to p+o,e that thei+ act is not i++ational fo+ a basic +i7ht can be i4inishe' if notefeate' e,en 8hen the 7o,e+n4ent oes not act i++ationall%. The% 4ust satisfacto+il% sho8 the p+esence ofco4pellin7 state inte+ests an that the la8' +ule o+ +e7ulation is na++o8l% +a8n to p+eclue abuses. This app+oach is

e4ane b% the 1(" Constitution 8hose enti+e 4at+i is esi7ne to p+otect hu4an +i7hts an to p+e,entautho+ita+ianis4. /n case of oubt' the least 8e can o is to lean to8a+s the stance that 8ill not put in an7e+ the+i7hts p+otecte b% the Constitutions.

The case of >halen ,. Roe ( cite b% the Solicito+ Gene+al is also o5Dline. /n >halen' the Unite States Sup+e4e Cou+t8as p+esente 8ith the uestion of 8hethe+ the State of Ne8 @o+6 coul 6eep a cent+ali:e co4pute+ +eco+ of thena4es an a+esses of all pe+sons 8ho obtaine ce+tain +u7s pu+suant to a octo+=s p+esc+iption. The Ne8 @o+6State Cont+olle Substance Act of 1(2 +eui+e ph%sicians to ientif% pa+ties obtainin7 p+esc+iption +u7s enu4e+atein the statute' i.e.' +u7s 8ith a +eco7ni:e 4eical use but 8ith a potential fo+ abuse' so that the na4es ana+esses of the patients can be +eco+e in a cent+ali:e co4pute+


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unconstitutional in,asions. >e +eite+ate that an% la8 o+ o+e+ that in,aes ini,iual p+i,ac% 8ill be subIecte b% thisCou+t to st+ict sc+utin%. The +eason fo+ this stance 8as lai o8n in Mo+fe ,. Mutuc' to 8it3

The concept of li4ite 7o,e+n4ent has al8a%s inclue the iea that 7o,e+n4ental po8e+s stop sho+t of ce+tainint+usions into the pe+sonal life of the citi:en. This is inee one of the basic isctinctions bet8een absolute anli4ite 7o,e+n4ent. Ulti4ate an pe+,asi,e cont+ol of the ini,iual' in all aspects of his life' is the hall4a+6 of theabsolute state. /n cont+ast' a s%ste4 of li4ite 7o,e+n4ent safe7ua+s a p+i,ate secto+' 8hich belon7s to theini,iual' e close 8ith the state4ent that the +i7ht to p+i,ac% 8as not

en7+a,e in ou+ Constitution fo+ atte+%.

/N /E> >0EREO*' the petition is 7+ante an A4inis+ati,e O+e+ No. &;" entitle 9Aoption of a NationalCo4pute+i:e /enti


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p+ouce e,ience in an% Iuicial' le7islati,e o+ a4inist+ati,e p+oceein7 conce+nin7 4atte+s 8ithin its ocial co7ni:ance.9Appa+entl%' the pu+pose is to ensu+e PCGG=s unha4pe+e pe+fo+4ance of its tas6.&

Toa%' the constitutionalit% of Section HbF is bein7 uestione on the 7+oun that it t+a4ples upon the Senate=s po8e+ to conuctle7islati,e inui+% une+ A+ticle /' Section 21 of the 1(" Constitution' 8hich +eas3

The Senate o+ the 0ouse of Rep+esentati,es o+ an% of its +especti,e co44ittees 4a% conuct inui+ies in ai of le7islation inacco+ance 8ith its ul% publishe +ules of p+oceu+e. The +i7hts of pe+sons appea+in7 in o+ a5ecte b% such inui+ies shall be+especte.

The facts a+e unispute.

On *eb+ua+% 2;' 2;;!' Senato+ Mi+ia4 -efenso+ Santia7o int+ouce Philippine Senate Resolution No. H## Senate Res. No. H##F'H9i+ectin7 an inui+% in ai of le7islation on the ano4alous losses incu++e b% the Philippines O,e+seas Teleco44unicationsCo+po+ation POTCF' Philippine Co44unications Satellite Co+po+ation P0/)COMSATF' an P0/)COMSAT 0olin7s Co+po+ation P0CFue to the alle7e i4p+op+ieties in thei+ ope+ations b% thei+ +especti,e Boa+ of -i+ecto+s.9

The pe+tinent po+tions of the Resolution +ea3

>0EREAS' in the last ua+te+ of 2;;#' the +ep+esentation an ente+tain4ent epense of the P0C s6%+oc6ete to PH.& 4illion' asco4pa+e to the p+e,ious %ea+=s 4e+e P1;! thousan

>0EREAS' so4e boa+ 4e4be+s establishe 8holl% o8ne P0C subsiia+% calle Teleco44unications Cente+' /nc. TC/F' 8he+e P0Cfuns a+e alle7el% siphone in 1" 4onths' o,e+ P& 4illion ha been alle7el% a,ance to TC/ 8ithout an% accountabilit% +epo+t7i,en to P0C an P0/)COMSAT

>0EREAS' the Philippine Sta+' in its 12 *eb+ua+% 2;;2 issue +epo+te that the eecuti,e co44ittee of Philco4sat has p+ecipitatel%+elease P2!# 4illion an 7+ante P12# 4illion loan to a +elati,e of an eecuti,e co44ittee 4e4be+ to ate the+e ha,e been no

pa%4ents 7i,en' subIectin7 the co4pan% to an esti4ate inte+est inco4e loss of P11.2# 4illion in 2;;H

>0EREAS' the+e is an u+7ent nee to p+otect the inte+est of the Republic of the Philippines in the P0C' P0/)COMSAT' an POTC f+o4an% ano4alous t+ansaction' an to conse+,e o+ sal,a7e an% +e4ainin7 ,alue of the 7o,e+n4ent=s euit% position in theseco+po+ations f+o4 an% abuses of po8e+ one b% thei+ +especti,e boa+ of i+ecto+s

>0ERE*ORE' be it +esol,e that the p+ope+ Senate Co44ittee shall conuct an inui+% in ai of le7islation' on the ano4alous lossesincu++e b% the Philippine O,e+seas Teleco44unications Co+po+ation POTCF' Philippine Co44unications Satellite Co+po+ationP0/)COMSATF' an Philco4sat 0olin7s Co+po+ations P0CF ue to the alle7e i4p+op+ieties in the ope+ations b% thei+ +especti,eboa+ of i+ecto+s.

Aopte.

S7F M/R/AM -E*ENSOR SANT/AGO

On the sa4e ate' *eb+ua+% 2;' 2;;!' Senate Res. No. H## 8as sub4itte to the Senate an +efe++e to the Co44ittee onAccountabilit% of Public Oce+s an /n,esti7ations an Co44ittee on Public Se+,ices. 0o8e,e+' on Ma+ch 2"' 2;;!' upon 4otion ofSenato+ *+ancis N. Pan7ilinan' it 8as t+ansfe++e to the Co44ittee on Go,e+n4ent Co+po+ations an Public Ente+p+ises.#

On Ma% "' 2;;!' Chief of Sta5 Rio C. /nocencio' une+ the autho+it% of Senato+ Richa+ $. Go+on' 8+ote Chai+4an Ca4ilo ). Sabio ofthe PCGG' one of the he+ein petitione+s' in,itin7 hi4 to be one of the +esou+ce pe+sons in the public 4eetin7 Iointl% conucte b% theCo44ittee on Go,e+n4ent Co+po+ations an Public Ente+p+ises an Co44ittee on Public Se+,ices. The pu+pose of the public 4eetin78as to elibe+ate on Senate Res. No. H##.!

On Ma% (' 2;;!' Chai+4an Sabio ecline the in,itation because of p+io+ co44it4ent. At the sa4e ti4e' he in,o6e Section HbF ofE.O. No. 1 ea+lie+ uote.

On Au7ust 1;' 2;;!' Senato+ Go+on issue a Subpoena A Testiith all ue +espect' Section HbF of E.O. No. 1 constitutes a li4itation on the po8e+ of le7islati,e inui+%' an a +eco7nition b% theState of the nee to p+o,ie p+otection to the PCGG in o+e+ to ensu+e the unha4pe+e pe+fo+4ance of its uties une+ its cha+te+.E.O. No. 1 is a la8' Section HbF of 8hich ha not been a4ene' +epeale o+ +e,ise in an% 8a%.

To sa% the least' it 8oul +eui+e both 0ouses of Con7+ess an P+esiential


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Octobe+ 12' 1((#3 Obeience to the +ule of la8 fo+4s the be+oc6 of ou+ s%ste4 of Iustice. /f Iu7es' une+ the 7uise of +eli7ious o+political beliefs 8e+e allo8e to +oa4 un+est+icte be%on bouna+ies 8ithin 8hich the% a+e +eui+e b% la8 to ee+cise the uties ofthei+ oce' then la8 beco4es 4eanin7less. A 7o,e+n4ent of la8s' not of 4en eclues the ee+cise of b+oa isc+etiona+% po8e+s b%those actin7 une+ its autho+it%. Une+ this s%ste4' Iu7es a+e 7uie b% the Rule of )a8' an ou7ht to =p+otect an enfo+ce it 8ithoutfea+ o+ fa,o+'= H LAct of Athens 1(##F +esist enc+oach4ents b% 7o,e+n4ents' political pa+ties' o+ e,en the inte+fe+ence of thei+ o8npe+sonal beliefs.F

Rele,antl%' Chai+4an Sabio=s lette+ to Sen. Go+on ate Au7ust 1(' 2;;! pointe out that the ano4alous t+ansactions +efe++e to inthe P.S. Resolution No. H## a+e subIect of penin7 cases befo+e the +e7ula+ cou+ts' the Sani7anba%an an the Sup+e4e Cou+tPenin7 cases inclue3 a. Sa4uel -i,ina ,. Manuel Nieto' $+.' et al.' CADG.R. No. "(1;2 b. Philippine Co44unications Satellite

Co+po+ation ,. Manuel Nieto' et al. c. Philippine Co44unications Satellite Co+po+ation ,. Manuel -. Anal' Ci,il Case No. ;!D;(#' RTC'B+anch !1' Ma6ati Cit% . Philippine Co44unications Satellite Co+po+ation ,. P0/)COMSAT 0olin7s Co+po+ation' et al.' Ci,il Case No.;HD1;H(F fo+ 8hich +eason the% 4a% not be able to testif% the+eon une+ the p+inciple of sub Iuice. The lauable obIecti,es of thePCGG=s functions' +eco7ni:e in se,e+al cases ecie b% the Sup+e4e Cou+t' of the PCGG 8ill be put to nau7ht if its +eco,e+% e5o+ts8ill be unul% i4pee b% a le7islati,e in,esti7ation of cases that a+e al+ea% penin7 befo+e the Sani7anba%an an t+ial cou+ts.

/n Ben7:on ,. Senate Blue Ribbon Co44ittee' 2;& SCRA !' "H L1((1F the 0ono+able Sup+e4e Cou+t hel3

9LThe issues sou7ht to be in,esti7ate b% the +esponent Co44ittee is one o,e+ 8hich Iu+isiction ha been acui+e b% theSani7anba%an. /n sho+t' the issue has been p+eDe4pte b% that cou+t. To allo8 the +esponent Co44ittee to conuct its o8nin,esti7ation of an issue al+ea% befo+e the Sani7aba%an 8oul not onl% pose the possibilit% of conictin7 Iu74ents bet8een ale7islati,e co44ittee an a Iuicial t+ibunal' but if the Co44ittee=s Iu74ent 8e+e to be +eache befo+e that of the Sani7anba%an'the possibilit% of its inuence bein7 4ae to bea+ on the ulti4ate Iu74ent of the Sani7anba%an can not be iscounte.

/T /S /N /E> O* T0E *OREGO/NG CONS/-ERAT/ONS that the Co44ission ecie not to atten the Senate inui+% to testif% anp+ouce e,ience the+eat.

Uncon,ince 8ith the abo,e Co4pliance an Eplanation' the Co44ittee on Go,e+n4ent Co+po+ations an Public Ente+p+ises an theCo44ittee on Public Se+,ices issue an O+e+1& i+ectin7 MaIo+ Gene+al $ose BalaIaia Ret.F' Senate Se+7eantDAtDA+4s' to placeChai+4an Sabio an his Co44issione+s une+ a++est fo+ conte4pt of the Senate. The O+e+ bea+s the app+o,al of Senate P+esientilla+ an the 4aIo+it% of the Co44ittees= 4e4be+s.

On Septe4be+ 12' 2;;!' at a+oun 1;3H# a.4.' MaIo+ Gene+al BalaIaia a++este Chai+4an Sabio in his oce at /RC Builin7' No. "2E-SA' Manalu%on7 Cit% an b+ou7ht hi4 to the Senate p+e4ises 8he+e he 8as etaine.

0ence' Chai+4an Sabio


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On the othe+ a+4 of the scale is Section HbF of E.O. No.1 li4itin7 such po8e+ of le7islati,e inui+% b% ee4ptin7 all PCGG 4e4be+s o+sta5 f+o4 testif%in7 in an% Iuicial' le7islati,e o+ a4inist+ati,e p+oceein7' thus3

No 4e4be+ o+ sta5 of the Co44ission shall be +eui+e to testif% o+ p+ouce e,ience in an% Iuicial' le7islati,e o+ a4inist+ati,ep+oceein7 conce+nin7 4atte+s 8ithin its ocial co7ni:ance.

To ete+4ine 8hethe+ the+e eists a clea+ an uneui,ocal +epu7nanc% bet8een the t8o uote p+o,isions that 8a++ants aecla+ation that Section HbF has been +epeale b% the 1(" Constitution' a b+ief consie+ation of the Con7+ess= po8e+ of inui+% isi4pe+ati,e.

The Con7+ess= po8e+ of inui+% has been +eco7ni:e in fo+ei7n Iu+isictions lon7 befo+e it +eache ou+ sho+es th+ou7h McG+ain ,.-au7he+t%'1# cite in A+nault ,. Na:a+eno.1! /n those ea+lie+ a%s' A4e+ican cou+ts consie+e the po8e+ of inui+% as inhe+ent in the

po8e+ to le7islate. The 1"!H case of B+i77s ,. MacKella+1 eplains the b+eath an basis of the po8e+' thus3

>he+e no constitutional li4itation o+ +est+iction eists' it is co4petent fo+ eithe+ of the t8o boies co4posin7 the le7islatu+e to o' inthei+ sepa+ate capacit%' 8hate,e+ 4a% be essential to enable the4 to le7islate./t is 8ellDestablishe p+inciple of this pa+lia4enta+%la8' that eithe+ house 4a% institute an% in,esti7ation ha,in7 +efe+ence to its o8n o+7ani:ation' the conuct o+ ualihat 8as the+efo+e i4plicit une+ the 1( Constitution' as inuence b% A4e+ican Iu+isp+uence' beca4e eplicit une+ the 1(&an 1(" Constitutions.1(

Notabl%' the 1(" Constitution +eco7ni:es the po8e+ of in,esti7ation' not Iust of Con7+ess' but also of 9an% of its co44ittee.9 This issi7ni


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A+ticle //' Section 2"

SubIect to +easonable conitions p+esc+ibe b% la8' the State aopts an i4ple4ents a polic% of full public isclosu+e of all itst+ansactions in,ol,in7 public inte+est.

A+ticle ///' Section

The +i7ht of the people to info+4ation on 4atte+s of public conce+n shall be +eco7ni:e. Access to ocial +eco+s' an to ocu4ents'an pape+s pe+tainin7 to ocial acts' t+ansactions' o+ ecisions' as 8ell as to 7o,e+n4ent +esea+ch ata use as basis fo+ polic%e,elop4ent' shall be a5o+e the citi:en' subIect to such li4itations as 4a% be p+o,ie b% la8.

These t8in p+o,isions of the Constitution see6 to p+o4ote t+anspa+enc% in polic%D4a6in7 an in the ope+ations of the 7o,e+n4ent' as

8ell as p+o,ie the people sucient info+4ation to enable the4 to ee+cise e5ecti,el% thei+ constitutional +i7hts. A+4e 8ith the +i7htinfo+4ation' citi:ens can pa+ticipate in public iscussions leain7 to the fo+4ulation of 7o,e+n4ent policies an thei+ e5ecti,ei4ple4entation. /n al4onte ,. Bel4onte' $+.2 the Cou+t eplaine that an info+4e citi:en+% is essential to the eistence an p+ope+functionin7 of an% e4oc+ac%' thus3

An essential ele4ent of these f+eeo4s is to 6eep open a continuin7 ialo7ue o+ p+ocess of co44unication bet8een the 7o,e+n4entan the people. /t is in the inte+est of the State that the channels fo+ f+ee political iscussion be 4aintaine to the en that the7o,e+n4ent 4a% pe+cei,e an be +esponsi,e to the people=s 8ill. @et' this open ialo7ue can be e5ecti,e onl% to the etent that theciti:en+% is info+4e an thus able to fo+4ulate its 8ill intelli7entl%. Onl% 8hen the pa+ticipants in the iscussion a+e a8a+e of theissues an ha,e access to info+4ation +elatin7 the+eto can such bea+ f+uit.

Conseuentl%' the conuct of inui+ies in ai of le7islation is not onl% intene to bene


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>ith his a4ission' Chai+4an Sabio is not full% con,ince that he an his Co44issione+s a+e shiele f+o4 testif%in7 befo+e+esponent Senate Co44ittees b% Section HbF of E.O. No. 1. /n e5ect' his a+7u4ent that the sai p+o,ision ee4pts hi4 an his coD+esponent Co44issione+s f+o4 testif%in7 befo+e +esponent Senate Co44ittees conce+nin7 Senate Res. No. H## utte+l% lac6s 4e+it.

/ncientall%' an a+7u4ent +epeate b% Chai+4an Sabio is that +esponent Senate Co44ittees ha,e no po8e+ to punish hi4 an hisCo44issione+s fo+ conte4pt of the Senate.

The a+7u4ent is 4isleain7.

A+ticle /' Section 21 p+o,ies3

The Senate o+ the 0ouse of Rep+esentati,es o+ an% of its +especti,e co44ittees 4a% conuct inui+ies in ai of le7islation in

acco+ance 8ith its ul% publishe +ules of p+oceu+e. The +i7hts of pe+sons appea+in7 in o+ a5ecte b% such inui+ies shall be+especte.

/t 4ust be st+esse that the O+e+ of A++est fo+ 9conte4pt of Senate Co44ittees an the Philippine Senate9 8as app+o,e b% SenateP+esient illa+ an si7ne b%


13/25

ete+4ination to these cases' the i4po+tant inui+ies a+e3


14/25

Manila

EN BANC

/N T0E MATTER O* T0E PET/T/ON *OR T0E >R/T O* AMPARO AN- 0ABEAS -ATA /N *AOR O* NOR/E) 0. RO-R/GUE?'

NOR/E) 0. RO-R/GUE?' Petitione+'

D ,e+sus D

G)OR/A MACAPAGA)DARRO@O' GEN. /CTOR S. /BRA-O' P-G $ESUS AME ERSO?A' )T. GEN. -E)*/N BANG/T' MA$. GEN.NESTOR ?. OC0OA' PCSUPT. AMETO G. TO)ENT/NO' PSSUPT. $U-E >. SANTOS' CO). REM/G/O M. -E ERA' an oce+ na4eMATUT/NA' )T. CO). M/NA' CA)OG' GEORGE PA)ACPAC une+ the na4e 0ARR@'V ANTON/O CRU?' A)->/N BONGV PAS/CO)ANan /NCENT CA))AGAN' Responents.G.R. No. 1(1";#

D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D/N T0E MATTER O* T0E PET/T/ON *OR T0E >R/T O* AMPARO AN- 0ABEAS -ATA /N *AOR O* NOR/E) 0. RO-R/GUE?'

PO)/CE -/R. GEN. $ESUS A. ERSO?A' PSSUPT. $U-E >. SANTOS' BGEN. REMEG/O M. -E ERA' 1ST )T. R@AN S. MATUT/NA' )T.

CO). )AURENCE E. M/NA' ANTON/O C. CRU?' A)->/N C. PAS/CO)AN an /CENTE A. CA))AGAN' Petitione+s'

D ,e+sus D

NOR/E) 0. RO-R/GUE?' Responent.G.R. No. 1(&1!;

P+o4ul7ate3

No,e4be+ 1#' 2;11

D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D

- E C / S / O NSERENO' $.3Befo+e this Cou+t a+e t8o consoliate cases' na4el%' 1F Petition fo+ Pa+tial Re,ie8 on Ce+tio+a+i ate 2; Ap+il 2;1; G.R. No.1(1";#F' an 2F Petition fo+ Re,ie8 on Ce+tio+a+i ate 1( Au7ust 2;1; G.R. No. 1(&1!;F.L1 Both Petitions assail the 12Ap+il 2;1; -ecision of the Cou+t of Appeals' the ispositi,e po+tion of 8hich +eas3

>0ERE*ORE' the petition fo+ 8+it of a4pa+o an 8+it of habeas ata is GRANTE-.

Responents Gen. icto+ S. /b+ao' )t. Gen. -el


15/25

Ro+i7ue: clai4s that the 4ilita+% ta77e KMP as an ene4% of the State une+ the Oplan Banta% )a%a' 4a6in7 its 4e4be+sta+7ets of et+aIuicial 6illin7s an enfo+ce isappea+ances.L2 On ! Septe4be+ 2;;(' at #3;; p.4.' Ro+i7ue: ha Iust +eache Ba+an7a% Tapel' Ca7a%an onboa+ a t+ic%cle +i,en b%0e+4ie Antonio Ca+los Ca+losF' 8hen fou+ 4en fo+cibl% too6 hi4 an fo+ce hi4 into a ca+. /nsie the ,ehicle 8e+e se,e+al4en in ci,ilian clothes' one of 8ho4 8as holin7 a .H# calibe+ pistol. Subseuentl%' th+ee 4o+e pe+sons a++i,e' an one ofthe4 ca++ie a 7un at his sie. T8o 4en boa+e the ca+' 8hile the othe+s +oe on the t+ic%cle.L&

The 4en tie the hans of Ro+i7ue:' o+e+e hi4 to lie on his sto4ach' sat on his bac6 an sta+te punchin7 hi4. Theca+ t+a,elle to8a+s the i+ection of Sta. Te+esitaDMission an 4o,e a+oun the a+ea until about 23;; a.4. -u+in7 the +i,e'the 4en fo+ce Ro+i7ue: to confess to bein7 a 4e4be+ of the Ne8 PeopleWs A+4% NPAF' but he +e4aine silent. The ca+ thenente+e a place that appea+e to be a 4ilita+% ca4p. The+e 8e+e solie+s all o,e+ the a+ea' an the+e 8as a banne+ 8ith the8o+ B+a,oV 8+itten on it. Ro+i7ue: late+ on lea+ne that the ca4p belon7e to the 1th /nfant+% Battalion of the Philippine

A+4%.LHRo+i7ue: 8as b+ou7ht to a canteen' 8he+e si 4en conf+onte hi4' o+e+in7 hi4 to confess to his 4e4be+ship in the NPA.-ue to his ehaustion' he unintentionall% fell asleep. As a +esult' the 4en hit hi4 on the hea to 8a6e hi4 up. Afte+ theinte++o7ation' t8o of the 4en 7ua+e hi4' but i not allo8 hi4 to sleep.L#

/n the 4o+nin7 of Septe4be+ 2;;(' the 4en tie the hans of Ro+i7ue:' blinfole hi4 an 4ae hi4 boa+ a,ehicle. >hile the% 8e+e in t+ansit' the solie+s +epeatel% hit hi4 in the hea an th+eatene to 6ill hi4. >hen the ca+stoppe afte+ about ten 4inutes' the solie+s b+ou7ht hi4 to a +oo4' +e4o,e his blinfol' an fo+ce hi4 to confess tobein7 a 4e4be+ of the NPA. -u+in7 the inte++o7ation' the solie+s +epeatel% hit hi4 on the hea. The+eafte+' he 8asetaine insie the +oo4 fo+ the enti+e a%. The solie+s tie his sto4ach to a papa7' an 7a,e hi4 +ice an ,ian. *ea+in7that the foo 4i7ht be poisone' he +efuse to eat an%thin7. 0e slept on the papa7 8hile bein7 tie to it at the 8aist.L!

On " Septe4be+ 2;;(' the 4en fo+ce Ro+i7ue: into a ,ehicle' 8hich b+ou7ht the4 to Bu7e% an Mission. >hilepassin7 houses alon7 the 8a%' the 4en as6e hi4 if his contacts li,e in those houses. >hen he faile to ans8e+' a solie+pointe a 7un to his hea an th+eatene to 6ill hi4 an his fa4il%. Because he +e4aine silent' the solie+s beat hi4 antie hi4 up. The ,ehicle +etu+ne to the 4ilita+% ca4p at past 13;; p.4.' 8he+e he 8as a7ain subIecte to tacticalinte++o7ation about the location of an NPA ca4p an his alle7e NPA co4+aes. 0e su5e+e incessant 4aulin7 e,e+% ti4e hefaile to ans8e+.L

At a8n on ( Septe4be+ 2;;(' solie+s a+4e 8ith +ies too6 Ro+i7ue: an 4ae hi4 thei+ 7uie on thei+ 8a% to anNPA ca4p in Bi+ao. Acco4pan%in7 the4 8as a 4an na4e 0a++%' 8ho' acco+in7 to the solie+s' 8as an NPA 4e4be+ 8hoha su++ene+e to the 4ilita+%. 0a++% pointe to Ro+i7ue: an calle hi4 a 4e4be+ of the NPA. 0e also hea+ 0a++% tell thesolie+s that the latte+ 6ne8 the a+ea 8ell an 8as acuainte 8ith a 4an na4e El,is. The solie+s loae Ro+i7ue: into a4ilita+% t+uc6 an +o,e to Tabba6' Bu7e%. >hile he 8as 8al6in7 8ith the solie+s' he notice a solie+ 8ith the na4e ta7Matutina'V 8ho appea+e to be an ocial because the othe+ solie+s a+esse hi4 as si+.VL"

Upon +eachin7 Bi+ao on foot' the solie+s loo6e fo+ an 8as able to locate a ce+tain El,is an tol hi4 that Ro+i7ue:ha ientihen he +efuse' the solie+s 4alt+eate hi4 once 4o+e.L1;

On 1& Septe4be+ 2;;(' the solie+s fo+ce Ro+i7ue: to si7n ocu4ents ecla+in7 that he ha su++ene+e in anencounte+ in Cu4ao' an

that the solie+s i not shoot hi4 because he beca4e a 4ilita+% asset in Ma%. >hen he +efuse to si7n the ocu4ent' he+ecei,e anothe+ beatin7. Thus' he 8as co4pelle to si7n' but i so usin7 a i5e+ent si7natu+e to sho8 that he 8as 4e+el%coe+ce.L11

The solie+s sho8e Ro+i7ue: photo7+aphs of i5e+ent pe+sons an as6e hi4 if he 6ne8 the 4en appea+in7 the+ein.>hen he tol the4 that he i not +eco7ni:e the ini,iuals on the photos' the solie+s inst+ucte hi4 to 8+ite o8n thena4e of his school an o+7ani:ation' but he ecline. The solie+s then 8+ote so4ethin7 on the pape+' 4a6in7 it appea+ thathe 8as the one 8ho ha 8+itten it' an fo+ce hi4 to si7n the ocu4ent. The solie+s too6 photo7+aphs of hi4 8hile he 8assi7nin7. Afte+8a+s' the solie+s fo+ce hi4 o8n' hel his hans' an sat on his feet. 0e i not onl% +ecei,e anothe+ beatin7'but 8as also elect+ocute. The to+tu+e laste fo+ about an hou+.L12

At 113;; p.4. on 1# Septe4be+ 2;;(' the solie+s b+ou7ht Ro+i7ue: to a 4ilita+% ope+ation in the 4ountains' 8he+e hesa8 Matutina a7ain. The% all spent the ni7ht the+e.L1&

/n the 4o+nin7 of 1! Septe4be+ 2;;(' the solie+s an Ro+i7ue: sta+te thei+ escent. >hen the% stoppe' thesolie+s too6 his photo7+aph an as6e hi4 to na4e the location of the NPA ca4p. The+eafte+' the% all +etu+ne to the 4ilita+%ca4p. The solie+s as6e hi4 to ta6e a bath an 8ea+ a 8hite polo shi+t hane to hi4. 0e 8as then b+ou7ht to the En+ileMeical Cente+' 8he+e -+. $uliet Ra4il -+. Ra4ilF ea4ine hi4.L1H >hen the octo+ as6e hi4 8h% he ha b+uises ancontusions' he lie an tol he+ that he sustaine the4 8hen he slippe' as he notice a solie+ obse+,in7 hi4. -+. Ra4ilWs4eical ce+tihile he 8as ha,in7 b+ea6fast' the t8o solie+s 7ua+in7 hi4 +epeatel% +e4ine hi4 not to isclose tothe 4eia his epe+ience in the ca4p an to sa% instea that he ha su++ene+e to the 4ilita+%.L1"

At (3;; a.4. on the sa4e a%' the 4othe+ an the b+othe+ of Ro+i7ue: a++i,e su++oune b% se,e+al 4en. 0is 4othe+'>il4a Ro+i7ue: >il4aF' tal6e to )t. Col. Mina. Ro+i7ue: hea+ one of the solie+s tell >il4a that he ha su++ene+e tothe 4ilita+% an ha lon7 been its asset. 0is b+othe+' Roel Ro+i7ue: RoelF' info+4e hi4 that the 4en acco4pan%in7 the48e+e f+o4 the C0R' na4el%' Pasicolan' C+u: an Calla7an. Upon seein7 Ro+i7ue:' C+u: inst+ucte hi4 to lift up his shi+t' anone of the C0R e4plo%ees too6 photo7+aphs of his b+uises.L1(

A solie+ t+ie to con,ince >il4a to let Ro+i7ue: sta% in the ca4p fo+ anothe+ t8o 8ee6s to supposel% p+e,ent theNPA f+o4 ta6in7 +e,en7e on hi4. Responent Calo7 also app+oache Ro+i7ue: an Roel an as6e the4 to beco4e 4ilita+%assets. Roel +efuse an insiste that the% ta6e Ro+i7ue: ho4e to Manila. A7ain' the solie+s +e4ine the4 to +ef+ain f+o4facin7 the 4eia. The solie+s also tol the4 that the latte+ 8ill be ta6en to the Tu7ue7a+ao Ai+po+t an 7ua+e until the%+eache ho4e.L2;

Ro+i7ue: an his fa4il% 4isse thei+ i7ht. Subseuentl%' the solie+s acco4panie the4 to the C0R oce' 8he+eRo+i7ue: 8as 4ae to si7n an aa,it statin7 that he 8as neithe+ abucte no+ to+tu+e. Af+ai an espe+ate to +etu+nho4e' he 8as fo+ce to si7n the ocu4ent. C+u: a,ise hi4 not to


16/25

al+ea% f+ee hi4. The C0R pe+sonnel then le hi4 an his fa4il% to the C0R To%ota Ta4a+a8 * se+,ice ,ehicle. 0e noticethat a ,ehicle 8ith solie+s on boa+ follo8e the4.L21

The Ta4a+a8 * pulle o,e+ an +esponent 1st )t. Matutina boa+e the ,ehicle. Upon +eachin7 a 4all in /sabela'Ro+i7ue:' his fa4il%' Calla7an' 1st )t. Matutina an t8o othe+ solie+s t+ansfe++e to an o+an7e To%ota Re,o 8ith platenu4be+ >TG #(. Upon +eachin7 the bouna+% of Nue,a EciIa an Nue,a isca%a' 1st )t. Matutina ali7hte an calleRo+i7ue: to a ine+. A ce+tain Alan app+oache Ro+i7ue: an hane hi4 a cellphone 8ith a S/M ca+. The latte+ an hisfa4il% then left an +esu4e thei+ Iou+ne% bac6 ho4e.L22

Ro+i7ue: +eache his house in Sta. Ana' Manila at &3;; a.4. on 1" Septe4be+ 2;1;. Calla7an an t8o solie+s 8entinsie the house' an too6 photo7+aphs an a ,ieo foota7e the+eof. The solie+s eplaine that the photos an ,ieos 8oulse+,e as e,ience of the fact that Ro+i7ue: an his fa4il% 8e+e able to a++i,e ho4e safel%. -espite Ro+i7ue:Ws e5o+ts toconf+ont the solie+s about thei+ acts' the% still continue an onl% left thi+t% 4inutes late+.L2&

On 1( Septe4be+ 2;;(' -+. Re7inalo Pa4u7as' a ph%sician t+aine b% the /nte+national Co44ittee on To+tu+e anRehabilitation' ea4ine Ro+i7ue: an issue a Meical Ce+tiil4a to the 1th /nfant+% -i,ision.LHH>hen the C0R oce+s' alon7 8ith >il4a an Roel' a++i,e at the 1th /nfant+% Battalion at Masin' Alcala' Ca7a%an' B+i7aeCo44ane+ Col. e e+a an Battalion Co44ane+ )t. Col. Mina alle7e that Ro+i7ue: ha beco4e one of thei+ assets' ase,ience b% the Su44a+% on the Su++ene+ of No+iel Ro+i7ue: an the latte+Ws Cont+act as A7ent.LH# The C0R oce+sobse+,e his casual an co+ial e4eano+ 8ith the solie+s.LH! /n an% case' C+u: as6e hi4 to +aise his shi+t to see if he habeen subIecte to an% 4alt+eat4ent. C+u: an Pasicolan i not see an% t+aces of to+tu+e. The+eafte+' Ro+i7ue: 8as+elease to his fa4il%' an the% 8e+e 4ae to si7n a ce+ti


17/25

On the othe+ han' +esponents the+ein' in thei+ Co44ent ate &; $ul% 2;1;' a,e++e3

a. The Cou+t of Appeals p+ope+l% +oppe then P+esient Glo+ia Macapa7al A++o%o as a pa+t%D+esponent' as she4a% not be sue in an% case u+in7 he+ tenu+e of oce o+ actual incu4benc%.

b. Petitione+ ha not p+esente an% aeuate an co4petent e,ience' 4uch less substantial e,ience' toestablish his clai4 that public +esponents ha ,iolate' 8e+e ,iolatin7 o+ th+eatenin7 to ,iolate his +i7hts to life' libe+t% ansecu+it%' as 8ell as his +i7ht to p+i,ac%. 0ence' he 8as not entitle to the p+i,ile7e of the 8+its of a4pa+o an habeas ata o+to the co++esponin7 inte+i4 +eliefs i.e. inspection o+e+' p+ouction o+e+ an te4po+a+% p+otection o+e+F p+o,ie une+

the +ule on the 8+it of a4pa+o an the +ule on the 8+it of habeas ata.L#HOn 1( Au7ust 2;1;' P-G. e+:osa' PSSupt. Santos' BGen. -e e+a' 1st )t. Matutina' )t. Col. Mina' C+u:' Pasicolan anCalla7an hethe+ the inte+i4 +eliefs p+a%e fo+ b% Ro+i7ue: 4a% be 7+ante afte+ the 8+its of a4pa+o an habeas ata

ha,e al+ea% been issue in his fa,o+.//. >hethe+ fo+4e+ P+esient A++o%o shoul be +oppe as a +esponent on the basis of the p+esiential i44unit%f+o4 suit.///. >hethe+ the oct+ine of co44an +esponsibilit% can be use in a4pa+o an habeas ata cases./. >hethe+ the +i7hts to life' libe+t% an p+ope+t% of Ro+i7ue: 8e+e ,iolate o+ th+eatene b% +esponents in G.R. No.1(1";#.At the outset' it 4ust be e4phasi:e that the 8+its of a4pa+o an habeas ata 8e+e p+o4ul7ate to ensu+e the p+otection ofthe peopleWs +i7hts to life' libe+t% an secu+it%.L# The +ules on these 8+its 8e+e issue in li7ht of the ala+4in7 p+e,alence ofet+aIuicial 6illin7s an enfo+ce isappea+ances.L#" The Rule on the >+it of A4pa+o too6 e5ect on 2H Octobe+ 2;;'L#(an the Rule on the >+it of 0abeas -ata on 2 *eb+ua+% 2;;".L!;

The 8+it of a4pa+o is an et+ao+ina+% an inepenent +e4e% that p+o,ies +api Iuicial +elief' as it pa+ta6es of a su44a+%p+oceein7 that +eui+es onl% substantial e,ience to 4a6e the app+op+iate inte+i4 an pe+4anent +eliefs a,ailable to thepetitione+.L!1 /t is not an action to ete+4ine c+i4inal 7uilt +eui+in7 p+oof be%on +easonable oubt' o+ liabilit% fo+ a4a7es+eui+in7 p+epone+ance of e,ience' o+ a4inist+ati,e +esponsibilit% +eui+in7 substantial e,ience that 8ill +eui+e full anehausti,e p+oceein7s.L!2 Rathe+' it se+,es both p+e,enti,e an cu+ati,e +oles in a+essin7 the p+oble4 of et+aIuicial

6illin7s an enfo+ce isappea+ances.L!& /t is p+e,enti,e in that it b+ea6s the epectation of i4punit% in the co44ission ofthese o5enses' an it is cu+ati,e in that it facilitates the subseuent punish4ent of pe+pet+ato+s b% ine,itabl% leain7 tosubseuent in,esti7ation an action.L!HMean8hile' the 8+it of habeas ata p+o,ies a Iuicial +e4e% to p+otect a pe+sonWs +i7ht to cont+ol info+4ation +e7a+in7oneself' pa+ticula+l% in instances 8he+e such info+4ation is bein7 collecte th+ou7h unla8ful 4eans in o+e+ to achie,eunla8ful ens.L!# As an inepenent an su44a+% +e4e% to p+otect the +i7ht to p+i,ac% Q especiall% the +i7ht toinfo+4ational p+i,ac%L!! Q the p+oceein7s fo+ the issuance of the 8+it of habeas ata oes not entail an%


18/25

The 4o,ant 4ust sho8 that the inspection o+e+ is necessa+% to establish the +i7ht of the a77+ie,e pa+t% alle7e to beth+eatene o+ ,iolate.

The inspection o+e+ shall specif% the pe+son o+ pe+sons autho+i:e to 4a6e the inspection an the ate' ti4e' place an4anne+ of 4a6in7 the inspection an 4a% p+esc+ibe othe+ conitions to p+otect the constitutional +i7hts of all pa+ties. Theo+e+ shall epi+e itness P+otection' Secu+it% an Bene+it of A4pa+o is Iusti


19/25

This is in acco+ 8ith ou+ +ulin7 in /n Re3 Satu+nino Be+4ue: that incu4bent P+esients a+e i44une f+o4 suit o+ f+o4 bein7b+ou7ht to cou+t u+in7 the pe+io of thei+ incu4benc% an tenu+eV but not be%on.

>e no8 co4e to the scope of i44unit% that can be clai4e b% petitione+ as a nonDsittin7 P+esient. The cases


20/25

of co44ane+s fo+ c+i4es co44itte b% subo+inate 4e4be+s of the a+4e fo+ces o+ othe+ pe+sons subIect to thei+ cont+ol ininte+national 8a+s o+ o4estic conict.VL" Althou7h o+i7inall% use fo+ asce+tainin7 c+i4inal co4plicit%' the co44an+esponsibilit% oct+ine has also foun application in ci,il cases fo+ hu4an +i7hts abuses.L( /n the Unite States' fo+ ea4ple'co44an +esponsibilit% 8as use in *o+ ,. Ga+cia an Ro4a7o:a ,. Ga+cia Q ci,il actions +it of A4pa+o o not ete+4ine c+i4inal' ci,il o+ a4inist+ati,e liabilit% shoul notabate the applicabilit% of the oct+ine of co44an +esponsibilit%. Ta6in7 Sec+eta+% of National -efense ,. Manalo an Ra:on ,.

Ta7itis in p+ope+ contet' the% o not p+eclue the application of the oct+ine of co44an +esponsibilit% to A4pa+o cases.

Manalo 8as actuall% e4phatic on the i4po+tance of the +i7ht to secu+it% of pe+son an its conte4po+a+% si7ni+itof A4pa+o an e5ecti,e +e4e% fo+ ,icti4s of et+ale7al 6illin7s an enfo+ce isappea+ances o+ th+eats the+eof. >hile the+e isa 7enuine ea+th of e,ience to hol +esponents Gen. 0e+4o7enes Espe+on an P-i+. Gen. A,elino Ra:on accountableune+ the co44an +esponsibilit% oct+ine' the ponenciaWs hesitant application of the oct+ine itself is +eplete 8ithi4plications abho++ent to the +ationale behin the Rule on the >+it of A4pa+o.L"2 E4phasis supplie.F

This Sepa+ate Opinion 8as +eite+ate in the +ecentl% ecie case of Boac ,. Caapan'L"& li6e8ise penne b% $ustice Ca+pioDMo+ales' 8he+ein this Cou+t +ule3

Rub+ico cate7o+icall% enies the application of co44an +esponsibilit% in a4pa+o cases to ete+4ine c+i4inal liabilit%. TheCou+t 4aintains its ahe+ence to this p+onounce4ent as fa+ as a4pa+o cases a+e conce+ne.

Rub+ico' ho8e,e+' +eco7ni:es a p+eli4ina+% %et li4ite application of co44an +esponsibilit% in a4pa+o cases to instances ofete+4inin7 the +esponsible o+ accountable ini,iuals o+ entities that a+e ut%Dboun to abate an% t+ans7+ession on the life'libe+t% o+ secu+it% of the a77+ie,e pa+t%.

/f co44an +esponsibilit% 8e+e to be in,o6e an applie to these p+oceein7s' it shoul' at 4ost' be onl% to ete+4ine theautho+ 8ho' at the


21/25

Such ientie +ule in the a+4ati,e.

To hol so4eone liable une+ the oct+ine of co44an +esponsibilit%' the follo8in7 ele4ents 4ust obtain3a. the eistence of a supe+io+Dsubo+inate +elationship bet8een the accuse as supe+io+ an the pe+pet+ato+ of thec+i4e as his subo+inateb. the supe+io+ 6ne8 o+ ha +eason to 6no8 that the c+i4e 8as about to be o+ ha been co44itte anc. the supe+io+ faile to ta6e the necessa+% an +easonable 4easu+es to p+e,ent the c+i4inal acts o+ punish thepe+pet+ato+s the+eof.L"H

The p+esient' bein7 the co44ane+DinDchief of all a+4e fo+ces'L"# necessa+il% possesses cont+ol o,e+ the 4ilita+% thatualie +ule in the ne7ati,e.Ro+i7ue: ancho+s his a+7u4ent on a 7ene+al alle7ation that on the basis of the Melo Co44issionV an the Alston Repo+t'V+esponents in G.R. No. 1(1";# al+ea% ha 6no8le7e of an info+4ation on' an shoul ha,e 6no8n that a cli4ate of

enfo+ce isappea+ances ha been pe+pet+ate on 4e4be+s of the NPA.L(2 >ithout e,en attachin7' o+ at the ,e+% least'uotin7 these +epo+ts' Ro+i7ue: contens that the Melo Repo+t points to +o7ue 4ilita+% 4en as the pe+pet+ato+s. >hile theAlston Repo+t states that the+e is a polic% allo8in7 enfo+ce isappea+ances an pins the bla4e on the P+esient' 8e o notauto4aticall% i4pute +esponsibilit% to fo+4e+ P+esient A++o%o fo+ each an e,e+% count of fo+cible isappea+ance.L(& Asief+o4 Ro+i7ue:Ws 7ene+al a,e+4ents' the+e is no piece of e,ience that coul establish he+ +esponsibilit% o+ accountabilit% fo+his abuction. Neithe+ 8as the+e e,en a clea+ atte4pt to sho8 that she shoul ha,e 6no8n about the ,iolation of his +i7ht tolife' libe+t% o+ secu+it%' o+ that she ha faile to in,esti7ate' punish o+ p+e,ent it.

*ou+th issue3 Responsibilit% o+ accountabilit% of +esponents in G.R. No. 1(1";#

The oct+ine of totalit% of e,ience in a4pa+o cases 8as


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D 1;c4 heale sca+ face +i7ht sieD 2c4 heale sca+ +i7ht e%eb+o8 late+al a+eaFD 2c4 heale sca+ +i7ht e%e b+o8 4eian a+eaFD Hc4 2c4 he4ato4a ante+io+ chest at the ste+nal a+ea +i7ht sieD &c4 2c4 he4ato4a ste+nal a+ea left sieD !c4 1c4 he4ato4a f+o4 epi7ast+ic a+ea to ant. chest left sieD !c4 1c4 he4ato4a f+o4 epi7ast+ic a+ea to ant. chest +i7ht sieD Multiple heale +ashes b+o8nish iscolo+ationF both fo+ea+4D Multiple heale +ashes b+o8nish iscolo+ationFD both le7 a+4D hip a+ealu4ba+ a+eaL1;1

-+. Pa4u7as pe+fo+4e a sepa+ate 4eical ea4ination of Ro+i7ue: on 1( Septe4be+ 2;;(' the +esults of 8hich con


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/n the Retu+n of the >+it' +esponent A*P 4e4be+s alle7e that petitione+ con+it of A4pa+o eplicitl% states that the ,iolation of o+ th+eat to the +i7ht to life' libe+t% an secu+it% 4a% because b% eithe+ an act o+ an o4ission of a public ocial.L111 Mo+eo,e+' in the contet of a4pa+o

p+oceein7s' +esponsibilit% 4a% +efe+ to the pa+ticipation of the +esponents' b% action o+ o4ission' in enfo+ceisappea+ance.L112 Accountabilit%' on the othe+ han' 4a% attach to +esponents 8ho a+e i4pute 8ith 6no8le7e +elatin7to the enfo+ce isappea+ance an 8ho ca++% the bu+en of isclosu+e o+ those 8ho ca++%' but ha,e faile to ischa+7e' thebu+en of et+ao+ina+% ili7ence in the in,esti7ation of the enfo+ce isappea+ance.L11&

/n this +e7a+' 8e e4phasi:e ou+ +ulin7 in Sec+eta+% of National -efense ,. ManaloL11H that the +i7ht to secu+it% of a pe+soninclues the positi,e obli7ation of the 7o,e+n4ent to ensu+e the obse+,ance of the ut% to in,esti7ate' ,i:3

Thi+' the +i7ht to secu+it% of pe+son is a 7ua+antee of p+otection of one=s +i7hts b% the 7o,e+n4ent. /n the contet of the 8+itof A4pa+o' this +i7ht is built into the 7ua+antees of the +i7ht to life an libe+t% une+ A+ticle ///' Section 1 of the 1("Constitution an the +i7ht to secu+it% of pe+son as f+eeo4 f+o4 th+eat an 7ua+antee of boil% an ps%cholo7ical inte7+it%Fune+ A+ticle ///' Section 2. The +i7ht to secu+it% of pe+son in this thi+ sense is a co+olla+% of the polic% that the State7ua+antees full +espect fo+ hu4an +i7htsV une+ A+ticle //' Section 11 of the 1(" Constitution. As the 7o,e+n4ent is the chief7ua+anto+ of o+e+ an secu+it%' the Constitutional 7ua+antee of the +i7hts to life' libe+t% an secu+it% of pe+son is +ene+eine5ecti,e if 7o,e+n4ent oes not a5o+ p+otection to these +i7hts especiall% 8hen the% a+e une+ th+eat. P+otection incluesconuctin7 e5ecti,e in,esti7ations' o+7ani:ation of the 7o,e+n4ent appa+atus to eten p+otection to ,icti4s of et+ale7al6illin7s o+ enfo+ce isappea+ances o+ th+eats the+eofF ano+ thei+ fa4ilies' an b+in7in7 o5ene+s to the ba+ of Iustice. The/nte+DA4e+ican Cou+t of 0u4an Ri7hts st+esse the i4po+tance of in,esti7ation in the elasue: Ro+i7ue: Case' ,i:3The ut% to in,esti7ateF 4ust be une+ta6en in a se+ious 4anne+ an not as a 4e+e fo+4alit% p+eo+aine to be ine5ecti,e.An in,esti7ation 4ust ha,e an obIecti,e an be assu4e b% the State as its o8n le7al ut%' not as a step ta6en b% p+i,ate

inte+ests that epens upon the initiati,e of the ,icti4 o+ his fa4il% o+ upon thei+ o5e+ of p+oof' 8ithout an e5ecti,e sea+ch fo+the t+uth b% the 7o,e+n4ent.

Si4ila+l%' the Eu+opean Cou+t of 0u4an Ri7hts EC0RF has inte+p+ete the +i7ht to secu+it%V not onl% as p+ohibitin7 the Statef+o4 a+bit+a+il% ep+i,in7 libe+t%' but i4posin7 a positi,e ut% on the State to a5o+ p+otection of the +i7ht to libe+t%. TheEC0R inte+p+ete the +i7ht to secu+it% of pe+sonV une+ A+ticle #1F of the Eu+opean Con,ention of 0u4an Ri7hts in theleain7 case on isappea+ance of pe+sons' Ku+t ,. Tu+6e%. /n this case' the clai4ant=s son ha been a++este b% stateautho+ities an ha not been seen since. The fa4il%=s +euests fo+ info+4ation an in,esti7ation +e7a+in7 his 8he+eaboutsp+o,e futile. The clai4ant su77este that this 8as a ,iolation of he+ son=s +i7ht to secu+it% of pe+son. The EC0R +ule' ,i:3

... an% ep+i,ation of libe+t% 4ust not onl% ha,e been e5ecte in confo+4it% 8ith the substanti,e an p+oceu+al +ules ofnational la8 but 4ust euall% be in 6eepin7 8ith the ,e+% pu+pose of A+ticle #' na4el% to p+otect the ini,iual f+o4a+bit+a+iness... 0a,in7 assu4e cont+ol o,e+ that ini,iual it is incu4bent on the autho+ities to account fo+ his o+ he+

8he+eabouts. *o+ this +eason' A+ticle # 4ust be seen as +eui+in7 the autho+ities to ta6e e5ecti,e 4easu+es to safe7ua+a7ainst the +is6 of isappea+ance an to conuct a p+o4pt e5ecti,e in,esti7ation into an a+7uable clai4 that a pe+son hasbeen ta6en into custo% an has not been seen since.L11# E4phasis supplieF

/n the instant case' this Cou+t +ules that +esponents in G.R. No. 1(1";# a+e +esponsible o+ accountable fo+ the ,iolation ofRo+i7ue:Ws +i7ht to life' libe+t% an secu+it% on account of thei+ abIect failu+e to conuct a fai+ an e5ecti,e ocialin,esti7ation of his o+eal in the hans of the 4ilita+%. Responents Gen. /b+ao' P-G. e+:osa' )t. Gen. Ban7it' MaI. Gen.Ochoa' Col. -e e+a an )t. Col. Mina onl% conucte a pe+functo+% in,esti7ation' ee+tin7 no e5o+ts to ta6e Ra4i+e:Wsaccount of the e,ents into consie+ation. Rathe+' these +esponents solel% +elie on the +epo+ts an na++ation of the 4ilita+%.

The +ulin7 of the appellate cou+t 4ust be e4phasi:e3

/n this case' +esponents /b+ao' e+:osa' Ban7it' Tolentino' Santos' -e e+a' an Mina a+e accountable' fo+ 8hile the% 8e+echa+7e 8ith the in,esti7ation of the subIect incient' the in,esti7ation the% conucte ano+ +elie on is supe+


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oneDsie. The +eco+s isclose that the 4ilita+%' in in,esti7atin7 the incient co4plaine of' epene on theCo4p+ehensi,e Repo+t of No+iel Ro+i7ue: YPepito p+epa+e b% 1)t. $ohnn% Calub fo+ the Co44anin7 Oce+ of the #;1st/nfant+% B+i7ae' #th /nfant+% -i,ision' Philippine A+4%. Such +epo+t' ho8e,e+' is 4e+el% base on the na++ation of the 4ilita+%.No e5o+ts 8e+e une+ta6en to solicit petitione+Ws ,e+sion of the subIect incient an no 8itnesses 8e+e uestione +e7a+in7the alle7e abuction of petitione+.

Responent P-G e+:osa' as Chief of the PNP' is accountable because Section 2H of Republic Act No. !(#' othe+8ise 6no8nas the PNP )a8'V speci/T0 MO-/*/CAT/ON.

The case is is4isse 8ith +espect to +esponents fo+4e+ P+esient Glo+ia Macapa7alDA++o%o' PCSupt. A4eto G. Tolentino'an PSSupt. $ue >. Santos' Calo7' Geo+7e Palacpac' Antonio C+u:' Al8in Pasicolan an icent Calla7an fo+ lac6 of 4e+it.

This Cou+t i+ects the Oce of the O4bus4an O4bus4anF an the -epa+t4ent of $ustice -O$F to ta6e the app+op+iateaction 8ith +espect to an% possible liabilit% o+ liabilities' 8ithin thei+ +especti,e le7al co4petence' that 4a% ha,e beenincu++e b% +esponents Gen. icto+ /b+ao' P-G. $esus e+:osa' )t. Gen. -el


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