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104
SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED
Henares, Jr. vs. Land Transportaton !ran"#sn$ and Re$%&ator' (oard
).R. No. 1*+-0. O"toer /, 00.
H2LAR2ON M. HENARES, JR., 32CTOR C. A)UST2N, AL!REDO L. HENARES, DAN2EL L.
HENARES, ENR2UE (ELO HENARES, and CR2ST2NA (ELO HENARES, pettoners, vs.
LAND TRANSPORTAT2ON !RANCH2S2N) AND RE)ULATOR5 (OARD and DEPARTMENTO! TRANSPORTAT2ON AND COMMUN2CAT2ONS, respondents.
Partes6 Lo"%s Stand6 A part'7s standn$ e8ore t#s Co%rt s a pro"ed%ra&
te"#n"a&t' 9#"# :a', n t#e e;er"se o8 t#e Co%rt7s ds"reton, e set asde n ve9
o8 t#e :portan"e o8 t#e ss%e rased.
???????????????
TH2RD D232S2ON.
10*
3OL. *0*, OCTO(ER /, 00
10*
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Henares, Jr. vs. Land Transportaton !ran"#sn$ and Re$%&ator' (oard
ta& &e$a& r$#t o8 pettoners, t#er r$#t to "&ean ar. Moreover, as #e&d prevo%s&', apart'7s standn$ e8ore t#s Co%rt s a pro"ed%ra& te"#n"a&t' 9#"# :a', n t#e
e;er"se o8 t#e Co%rt7s ds"reton, e set asde n ve9 o8 t#e :portan"e o8 t#e ss%e
rased. @e r%s# asde t#s ss%e o8 te"#n"a&t' %nder t#e prn"p&e o8 t#e
trans"endenta& :portan"e to t#e p%&", espe"a&&' so 8 t#ese "ases de:and t#at
t#e' e sett&ed pro:pt&'. Undena&', t#e r$#t to "&ean ar not on&' s an ss%e o8
para:o%nt :portan"e to pettoners 8or t "on"erns t#e ar t#e' reat#e, %t t s
a&so :pressed 9t# p%&" nterest. T#e "onse=%en"es o8 t#e "o%nter>prod%"tve
and retro$ressve ee"ts o8 a ne$&e"ted envron:ent d%e to e:ssons o8 :otor
ve#"&es ::eas%ra&' ae"t t#e 9e&&>en$ o8 pettoners. On t#ese "onsderatons,
t#e &e$a& standn$ o8 t#e pettoners deserves re"o$nton.
Manda:%s6 2t s sett&ed t#at :anda:%s s e:p&o'ed to "o:pe& t#e per8or:an"e,
9#en re8%sed, o8 a :nstera& d%t', t#s en$ ts :an oBe"tve. 2t does not &e to
re=%re an'one to 8%&&& "ontra"t%a& o&$atons or to "o:pe& a "o%rse o8 "ond%"t,
nor to "ontro& or reve9 t#e e;er"se o8 ds"reton.
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Sa:e6 Manda:%s s ava&a&e on&' to "o:pe& t#e don$ o8 an a"t spe""a&&'
enBoned ' &a9 as a d%t'. Here, t#ere s no &a9 t#at :andates t#e respondents
Land Transportaton !ran"#sn$ and Re$%&ator' (oard LT!R(F
10
10
SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED
Henares, Jr. vs. Land Transportaton !ran"#sn$ and Re$%&ator' (oard
and t#e Depart:ent o8 Transportaton and Co::%n"atons DOTCF to order o9ners
o8 :otor ve#"&es to %se CN).da:%s
"o::andn$ t#e respondents to re=%re PU3s to %se CN), s %nava&n$. Manda:%s
s ava&a&e on&' to "o:pe& t#e don$ o8 an a"t spe""a&&' enBoned ' &a9 as a d%t'.
Here, t#ere s no &a9 t#at :andates t#e respondents LT!R( and t#e DOTC to ordero9ners o8 :otor ve#"&es to %se CN). At :ost t#e LT!R( #as een tased ' E.O.
No. -0 n par. 4.* F, Se"ton 4 to $rant pre8erenta& and e;"&%sve Cert"ates o8
P%&" Convenen"e CPCF or 8ran"#ses to operators o8 N)3s ased on t#e res%&ts o8
t#e DOTC s%rve's. !%rt#er, :anda:%s 9&& not $enera&&' &e 8ro: one ran"# o8
$overn:ent to a "oordnate ran"#, 8or t#e ovo%s reason t#at net#er s n8eror to
t#e ot#er. T#e need 8or 8%t%re "#an$es n ot# &e$s&aton and ts :p&e:entaton
"annot e pree:pted ' orders 8ro: t#s Co%rt, espe"a&&' 9#en 9#at s pra'ed 8or
s pro"ed%ra&&' nr:. (esdes, "o:t' 9t# and "o%rtes' to a "oe=%a& ran"# d"tate
t#at 9e $ve s%I"ent t:e and &ee9a' 8or t#e "oe=%a& ran"#es to address '
t#e:se&ves t#e envron:enta& pro&e:s rased n t#s petton.
Sa:e6 T#e S%pre:e Co%rt ad:ts n part"%&ar t#at pettoners are %na&e to
pnpont t#e &a9 t#at :poses an nd%ta&e &e$a& d%t' on respondents t#at 9&&
B%st8' a $rant o8 t#e 9rt o8 :anda:%s "o:pe&&n$ t#e %se o8 Co:pressed Nat%ra&
)as CN)F 8or p%&" %t&t' ve#"&es.
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envron:ent n t#e &and:ar "ase o8 Oposa. 5et, as sero%s as t#e statst"s are on
ar po&&%ton, 9t# t#e present 8%e&s dee:ed to;" as t#e' are to t#e envron:ent, as
8ata& as t#ese po&&%tants are to t#e #ea&t# o8 t#e "tKens, and %r$ent&' re=%rn$
resort to drast" :eas%res to red%"e ar po&&%tants e:tted ' :otor ve#"&es, 9e
:%st ad:t n part"%&ar t#at pettoners are %na&e to pnpont t#e &a9 t#at :poses
an nd%ta&e &e$a& d%t' on respondents t#at 9&& B%st8' a $rant o8 t#e 9rt o8:anda:%s "o:pe&&n$ t#e %se o8 CN) 8or p%&" %t&t' ve#"&es. 2t appears to %s
t#at :ore proper&', t#e &e$s&at%re s#o%&d provde rst t#e spe"" stat%tor' re:ed'
to t#e "o:p&e; envron:enta& pro&e:s ared ' #eren pettoners e8ore an'
B%d"a& re"o%rse ' :anda:%s s taen.
SPEC2AL C232L ACT2ON n t#e S%pre:e Co%rt. Manda:%s.
T#e 8a"ts are stated n t#e reso&%ton o8 t#e Co%rt.
!ondev&&a, Jasarno, 5o%n$, Rondaro and LroBo La9 OI"es 8or pettoners.
10
3OL. *0*, OCTO(ER /, 00
10
Henares, Jr. vs. Land Transportaton !ran"#sn$ and Re$%&ator' (oard
T#e So&"tor )enera& 8or respondents.
R E S O L U T 2 O N
U2SUM(2N), J.
7/23/2019 Henares, Jr. vs. Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board
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Pettoners "#a&&en$e t#s Co%rt to ss%e a 9rt o8 :anda:%s "o::andn$
respondents Land Transportaton !ran"#sn$ and Re$%&ator' (oard LT!R(F and t#e
Depart:ent o8 Transportaton and Co::%n"atons DOTCF to re=%re p%&" %t&t'
ve#"&es PU3sF to %se "o:pressed nat%ra& $as CN)F as a&ternatve 8%e&.
Ctn$ statst"s 8ro: t#e Metro Man&a Transportaton and TraI" St%aton St%d' o8
1--,1 t#e Envron:enta& Mana$e:ent (%rea% EM(F o8 t#e Natona& Capta&
Re$on, a st%d' o8 t#e Asan Deve&op:ent (an,/ t#e Man&a Oservator'4 and t#e
Depart:ent o8 Envron:ent and Nat%ra& Reso%r"es* DENRF on t#e #$# $ro9t# and
&o9 t%rnover n ve#"&e o9ners#p n t#e P#&ppnes, n"&%dn$ dese&>po9ered
ve#"&es, t9o>stroe en$ne po9ered :otor"'"&es and t#er "on"o:tant e:sson o8
ar po&&%tants, pettoners atte:pt to present a "o:pe&&n$ "ase 8or B%d"a& a"ton
a$anst t#e ane o8 ar po&&%ton and re&ated envron:enta& #aKards.
Pettoners a&&e$e t#at t#e part"%&ate :atters PMF
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* 2d., at p. .
10+
10+
SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED
Henares, Jr. vs. Land Transportaton !ran"#sn$ and Re$%&ator' (oard
toner, anot#er e:sson, "aron :ono;de COF, 9#en not "o:p&ete&' %rned %t
e:tted nto t#e at:osp#ere and t#en n#a&ed "an dsr%pt t#e ne"essar' o;'$en n
&ood. @t# pro&on$ed e;pos%re, CO ae"ts t#e nervo%s s'ste: and "an e &et#a& to
peop&e 9t# 9ea #earts.
Pettoners add t#at a&t#o%$# :%"# o8 t#e ne9 po9er $enerated n t#e "o%ntr' 9&&
%se nat%ra& $as 9#&e a n%:er o8 o& and "oa&>red 8%e& statons are en$ p#ased>
o%t, st&& 9t# t#e proBe"ted do%&n$ o8 po9er $eneraton over t#e ne;t 10 'ears,
and 9t# t#e "ontn%n$ #$# de:and 8or :otor ve#"&es, t#e ener$' and transport
se"tors are &e&' to re:an t#e :aBor so%r"es o8 #ar:8%& e:ssons. Pettoners re8er
%s to t#e st%d' o8 t#e P#&ppne Envron:ent Montor 00, statn$ t#at n 8o%r o8
t#e "o%ntr'7s :aBor "tes, Metro Man&a, Davao, Ce% and (a$%o, t#e e;pos%re to
PM10, a ner PM 9#"# "an penetrate deep nto t#e &%n$s "a%sn$ sero%s #ea&t#
pro&e:s, s est:ated at over US4/0 :&&on.+ T#e st%d' a&so reports t#at t#e
e:ssons o8 PMs #ave "a%sed t#e 8o&&o9n$
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Over ,000 peop&e de pre:at%re&'. T#s &oss s va&%ed at ao%t US140 :&&on.
Over -,000 peop&e s%er 8ro: "#ron" ron"#ts, 9#"# s va&%ed at ao%t US10
:&&on.
Near&' *1 :&&on "ases o8 resprator' s':pto: da's n Metro Man&a avera$n$
t9"e a 'ear n Davao and Ce%, and ve to s; t:es n Metro Man&a and (a$%oF,
"osts ao%t US10 :&&on. T#s s a 0 per"ent n"rease, over a de"ade, 9#en
"o:pared 9t# t#e ndn$s o8 a s:&ar st%d' done n 1-- 8or Metro Man&a, 9#"#
reported // :&&on "ases.-
Pettoners &e9se "te t#e Unverst' o8 t#e P#&ppnes7 st%des n 1--0>-1 and
1--4 s#o9n$ t#at ve#"%&ar e:ssons n Metro Man&a #ave res%&ted to t#e
preva&en"e o8 "#ron" ostr%"tve p%&:onar' dseases COPDF6 t#at p%&:onar'
t%er"%&oss s #$#est a:on$ Beep>
???????????????
2d., at pp. *, >+.
2d., at p. -.
+ 2d., at p. 10.
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- 2d., at pp. ->10.
10-
3OL. *0*, OCTO(ER /, 00
10-
Henares, Jr. vs. Land Transportaton !ran"#sn$ and Re$%&ator' (oard
ne' drvers6 and t#ere s a 4.+ to .* per"ent preva&en"e o8 resprator' s':pto:s
a:on$ s"#oo& "#&dren and 1*.+ to 40. per"ent a:on$ "#&d vendors. T#e st%des
a&so revea&ed t#at t#e "#&dren n Metro Man&a s#o9ed :ore "o:pro:sed
p%&:onar' 8%n"ton t#an t#er r%ra& "o%nterparts. Pettoners n8er t#at t#ese are
:ost&' d%e to t#e e:ssons o8 PU3s.
To "o%nter t#e a8ore:entoned detr:enta& ee"ts o8 e:ssons 8ro: PU3s,
pettoners propose t#e %se o8 CN). A""ordn$ to pettoners, CN) s a nat%ra& $as
"o:prsed :ost&' o8 :et#ane 9#"# a&t#o%$# "ontann$ s:a&& a:o%nts o8 propane
and %tane,10 s "o&or&ess and odor&ess and "onsdered t#e "&eanest 8oss& 8%e&
e"a%se t prod%"es :%"# &ess po&&%tants t#an "oa& and petro&e%:6 prod%"es %p to
-0 per"ent &ess CO "o:pared to $aso&ne and dese& 8%e&6 red%"es NO; e:ssons '
*0 per"ent and "%ts #'dro"aron e:ssons ' #a&86 e:ts 0 per"ent &ess PMs6 and
re&eases vrt%a&&' no s%&8%r do;de. A&t#o%$#, a""ordn$ to pettoners, t#e on&'
dra9a" o8 CN) s t#at t prod%"es :ore :et#ane, one o8 t#e $ases &a:ed 8or
$&oa& 9ar:n$.11
Assertn$ t#er r$#t to "&ean ar, pettoners "ontend t#at t#e ases 8or t#er petton
8or a 9rt o8 :anda:%s to order t#e LT!R( to re=%re PU3s to %se CN) as an
a&ternatve 8%e&, &e n Se"ton 1,1 Art"&e 22 o8 t#e 1-+ Constt%ton, o%r r%&n$ n
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Oposa v. !a"toran, Jr.,1/ and Se"ton 414 o8 Rep%&" A"t No. +4- ot#er9se no9n
as t#e P#&ppne C&ean Ar A"t o8 1---.
???????????????
10 2d., at p. 11, "tn$ A&ternatve !%e&s A e' to Red%"n$ Ar Po&&%ton. T#e
Envron:enta& Ed%"aton and 2n8or:aton Dvson Envron:enta& Mana$e:ent
(%rea%>DENR.
11 2d., at pp. 11>1, "tn$ (a"a&&an, J.J. A&ternatve !%e&s 8or 3e#"&es. (%sness and
Envron:ent. !rst %arter 00/. 3o&%:e +, No. 1, pa$e 1.
1 Se"ton 1. T#e State s#a&& prote"t and advan"e t#e r$#t o8 t#e peop&e to a
a&an"ed and #ea&t#8%& e"o&o$' n a""ord 9t# t#e r#'t#: and #ar:on' o8 nat%re.
1/ ).R. No. 1010+/, J%&' /0, 1--/, 4 SCRA -.
14 SEC. 4. Re"o$nton o8 R$#ts.de"&ared prn"p&es, t#e
8o&&o9n$ r$#ts o8 "tKens are #ere' so%$#t to e re"o$nKed and t#e State s#a&&
see to $%arantee t#er enBo':ent
110
110
SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED
Henares, Jr. vs. Land Transportaton !ran"#sn$ and Re$%&ator' (oard
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Meant:e, 8o&&o9n$ a s%se=%ent :oton, t#e Co%rt $ranted pettoners7 :oton to
:p&ead t#e Depart:ent o8 Transportaton and Co::%n"atons DOTCF as
addtona& respondent.
2n #s Co::ent 8or respondents LT!R( and DOTC, t#e So&"tor )enera&, "tes
Se"ton /, R%&e * o8 t#e Revsed R%&es o8 Co%rt and e;p&ans t#at t#e 9rt o8
:anda:%s s not t#e "orre"t re:ed' sn"e t#e 9rt :a' e ss%ed on&' to "o::and
a tr%na&, "orporaton, oard or person to do an a"t t#at s re=%red to e done,
9#en #e or t %n&a98%&&' ne$&e"ts t#e per8or:an"e o8 an a"t 9#"# t#e &a9
spe""a&&' enBons as a d%t' res%&tn$ 8ro: an oI"e, tr%st or staton, or %n&a98%&&'
e;"&%des anot#er 8ro: t#e %se and enBo':ent o8 a r$#t or oI"e to 9#"# s%"#
ot#er s entt&ed, t#ere en$ no ot#er p&an,
???????????????
aF T#e r$#t to reat#e "&ean ar6
F T#e r$#t to %t&Ke and enBo' a&& nat%ra& reso%r"es a""ordn$ to t#e prn"p&e o8
s%stana&e deve&op:ent6
"F T#e r$#t to part"pate n t#e 8or:%&aton, p&annn$, :p&e:entaton and
:ontorn$ o8 envron:enta& po&"es and pro$ra:s and n t#e de"son>:an$
pro"ess6
dF T#e r$#t to part"pate n t#e de"son>:an$ pro"ess "on"ernn$
deve&op:ent po&"es, p&ans and pro$ra:s, proBe"ts or a"tvtes t#at :a' #ave
adverse :pa"t on t#e envron:ent and p%&" #ea&t#6
eF T#e r$#t to e n8or:ed o8 t#e nat%re and e;tent o8 t#e potenta& #aKard o8
an' a"tvt', %ndertan$ or proBe"t and to e served t:e&' not"e o8 an' s$n"ant
rse n t#e &eve& o8 po&&%ton and t#e a""denta& or de&erate re&ease nto t#e
at:osp#ere o8 #ar:8%& or #aKardo%s s%stan"es6
8F T#e r$#t o8 a""ess to p%&" re"ords 9#"# a "tKen :a' need to e;er"se #s or
#er r$#ts ee"tve&' %nder t#s A"t6
$F T#e r$#t to rn$ a"ton n "o%rt or =%as>B%d"a& odes to enBon a&& a"tvtes
n vo&aton o8 envron:enta& &a9s and re$%&atons, to "o:pe& t#e re#a&taton and
"&ean%p o8 ae"ted area, and to see t#e :poston o8 pena& san"tons a$anst
vo&ators o8 envron:enta& &a9s6 and
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#F T#e r$#t to rn$ a"ton n "o%rt 8or "o:pensaton o8 persona& da:a$es
res%&tn$ 8ro: t#e adverse envron:enta& and p%&" #ea&t# :pa"t o8 a proBe"t or
a"tvt'.
111
3OL. *0*, OCTO(ER /, 00
111
Henares, Jr. vs. Land Transportaton !ran"#sn$ and Re$%&ator' (oard
speed' and ade=%ate re:ed' n t#e ordnar' "o%rse o8 &a9.1* !%rt#er "tn$ e;stn$
B%rspr%den"e, t#e So&"tor )enera& e;p&ans t#at n "ontrast to a ds"retonar' a"t, a
:nstera& a"t, 9#"# a :anda:%s s, s one n 9#"# an oI"er or tr%na& per8or:s
n a $ven state o8 8a"ts, n a pres"red :anner, n oeden"e to a :andate o8 &e$a&
a%t#ort', 9t#o%t re$ard to or t#e e;er"se o8 #s o9n B%d$:ent %pon t#e propret'
or :propret' o8 an a"t done.
T#e So&"tor )enera& a&so notes t#at not#n$ n Rep. A"t No. +4- t#at pettoners
nvoe, pro#ts t#e %se o8 $aso&ne and dese& ' o9ners o8 :otor ve#"&es. Sad&'
too, a""ordn$ to t#e So&"tor )enera&, Rep. A"t No. +4- does not even :enton t#e
e;sten"e o8 CN) as a&ternatve 8%e& and avers t#at %n&ess t#s &a9 s a:ended to
provde CN) as a&ternatve 8%e& 8or PU3s, t#e respondents "annot propose t#at PU3s
%se CN) as a&ternatve 8%e&.
T#e So&"tor )enera& a&so adds t#at t s t#e DENR t#at s tased to :p&e:ent Rep.
A"t No. +4- and not t#e LT!R( nor t#e DOTC. Moreover, #e sa's, t s t#e
Depart:ent o8 Ener$' DOEF, %nder Se"ton 1 o8 Rep. A"t No. +4-, t#at s
re=%red to set t#e spe""atons 8or a&& t'pes o8 8%e& and 8%e&>re&ated prod%"ts to
:prove 8%e& "o:postons 8or :proved eI"en"' and red%"ed e:ssons. He adds
t#at %nder Se"ton 11 o8 t#e "ted Rep%&" A"t, t#e DOTC s &:ted to
7/23/2019 Henares, Jr. vs. Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board
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???????????????
1* Ro&&o, p. 4.
1 SEC. . !%e&s and Addtves.re&ated prod%"ts, to :prove
8%e& "o:poston 8or n"reased eI"en"' and red%"ed e:ssons . . .
1 SEC. 1. Po&&%ton 8ro: Motor 3e#"&es.
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)enera& opnes t#at t#e Co%rt s#o%&d de"&are t#e nstant petton 8or :anda:%s
9t#o%t :ert.
Pettoners, n t#er Rep&', nsst t#at t#e respondents possess t#e ad:nstratve
and re$%&ator' po9ers to :p&e:ent :eas%res n a""ordan"e 9t# t#e po&"es and
prn"p&es :andated ' Rep. A"t No. +4-, spe""a&&' Se"ton 1+ and Se"ton
1.1- Pettoners state t#at %nder t#ese &a9s and 9t# a&& t#e ava&a&e n8or:aton
provded ' t#e DOE on t#e enets o8 CN), respondents "annot $nore t#e
e;sten"e o8 CN), and t#er 8a&%re to re"o$nKe CN) and "o:pe& ts %se ' PU3s as
a&ternatve 8%e& 9#&e ar po&&%ton ro%$#t ao%t ' t#e e:ssons o8 $aso&ne and
dese& endan$er t#e envron:ent and t#e peop&e, s tanta:o%nt to ne$&e"t n t#e
per8or:an"e o8 a d%t' 9#"# t#e &a9 enBons.
Last&', pettoners aver t#at ot#er t#an t#e 9rt app&ed 8or, t#e' #ave no ot#er
p&an, speed' and ade=%ate re:ed' n t#e ordnar' "o%rse o8 &a9. Pettoners nsst
t#at t#e 9rt n 8a"t s#o%&d e ss%ed p%rs%ant to t#e ver' sa:e Se"ton /, R%&e *
o8 t#e Revsed R%&es o8 Co%rt t#at t#e So&"tor )enera& nvoes.
2n t#er Me:orand%:, pettoners p#rase t#e ss%es e8ore %s as 8o&&o9s
2. @HETHER OR NOT THE PET2T2ONERS HA3E THE PERSONAL2T5 TO (R2N) THEPRESENT ACT2ON
22. @HETHER OR NOT THE PRESENT ACT2ON 2S SUPPORTED (5 LA@
???????????????
. . .
1+ SEC. . De"&araton o8 Prn"p&es.
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!na&&', t#e State re"o$nKes t#at a "&ean and #ea&t#' envron:ent s 8or t#e $ood o8
a&& and s#o%&d t#ere8ore e t#e "on"ern o8 a&&.
1- SEC. 1. Po&&%ton 8ro: Motor 3e#"&es.
7/23/2019 Henares, Jr. vs. Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board
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t#e ases 8or t#er standn$ to &e t#e nstant petton. T#e' aver t#at 9#en t#ere s
an o:sson ' t#e $overn:ent to sa8e$%ard a r$#t, n t#s "ase t#er r$#t to "&ean
ar, t#en, t#e "tKens "an resort to and e;#a%st a&& re:edes to "#a&&en$e t#s
o:sson ' t#e $overn:ent. T#s, t#e' sa', s e:oded n Se"ton 4/ o8 Rep. A"t
No. +4-.
Pettoners nsst t#at sn"e t s t#e LT!R( and t#e DOTC t#at are t#e $overn:ent
a$en"es "&ot#ed 9t# po9er to re$%&ate and "ontro& :otor ve#"&es, part"%&ar&'
PU3s, and 9t# t#e sa:e a$en"es7 a9areness and no9&ed$e t#at t#e PU3s e:t
dan$ero%s &eve&s o8 ar po&&%tants, t#en, t#e respons&t' to see t#at t#ese are
"%red 8a&&s %nder respondents7 8%n"tons and a 9rt o8 :anda:%s s#o%&d ss%e
a$anst t#e:.
T#e So&"tor )enera&, 8or #s part, reterates #s poston t#at t#e respondent
$overn:ent a$en"es, t#e DOTC and t#e LT!R(, are not
???????????????
0 Ro&&o, pp. -/>-4.
1 S%pra note 1.
Oposa v. !a"toran, Jr., s%pra note 1/.
/ S%pra note 14.
114
114
7/23/2019 Henares, Jr. vs. Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board
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SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED
Henares, Jr. vs. Land Transportaton !ran"#sn$ and Re$%&ator' (oard
n a poston to "o:pe& t#e PU3s to %se CN) as a&ternatve 8%e&. T#e So&"tor
)enera& e;p&ans t#at t#e 8%n"ton o8 t#e DOTC s &:ted to :p&e:entn$ t#e
e:sson standards set 8ort# n Rep. A"t No. +4- and t#e sad &a9 on&' $oes as 8ar
as settn$ t#e :a;:%: &:t 8or t#e e:sson o8 ve#"&es, %t t does not re"o$nKe
CN) as a&ternatve en$ne 8%e&. T#e So&"tor )enera& avers t#at t#e petton s#o%&d
e addressed to Con$ress 8or t to "o:e %p 9t# a po&"' t#at 9o%&d "o:pe& t#e %se
o8 CN) as a&ternatve 8%e&.
Patent&', t#s Co%rt s en$ ased to reso&ve ss%es t#at are not on&' pro"ed%ra&.
Pettoners "#a&&en$e t#s Co%rt to de"de 8 9#at pettoners propose "o%&d e done
t#ro%$# a &ess "r"%to%s, speed' and %n"#artered "o%rse n an ss%e t#at C#e8
J%st"e H&aro ). Davde, Jr. n #s ponen"a n t#e Oposa "ase,4 des"res as
nter$eneratona& respons&t' and nter>$eneratona& B%st"e.
No9, as to pettoners7 standn$. T#ere s no dsp%te t#at pettoners #ave standn$
to rn$ t#er "ase e8ore t#s Co%rt. Even respondents do not =%eston t#er
standn$. T#s petton 8o"%ses on one 8%nda:enta& &e$a& r$#t o8 pettoners, t#er
r$#t to "&ean ar. Moreover, as #e&d prevo%s&', a part'7s standn$ e8ore t#s Co%rt
s a pro"ed%ra& te"#n"a&t' 9#"# :a', n t#e e;er"se o8 t#e Co%rt7s ds"reton, e
set asde n ve9 o8 t#e :portan"e o8 t#e ss%e rased. @e r%s# asde t#s ss%e o8
te"#n"a&t' %nder t#e prn"p&e o8 t#e trans"endenta& :portan"e to t#e p%&",
espe"a&&' so 8 t#ese "ases de:and t#at t#e' e sett&ed pro:pt&'.
Undena&', t#e r$#t to "&ean ar not on&' s an ss%e o8 para:o%nt :portan"e to
pettoners 8or t "on"erns t#e ar t#e' reat#e, %t t s a&so :pressed 9t# p%&"nterest. T#e "onse=%en"es o8 t#e "o%nterprod%"tve and retro$ressve ee"ts o8 a
ne$&e"ted envron:ent d%e to e:ssons o8 :otor ve#"&es ::eas%ra&' ae"t t#e
9e&&>en$ o8 pettoners. On t#ese "onsderatons, t#e &e$a& standn$ o8 t#e
pettoners deserves re"o$nton.
7/23/2019 Henares, Jr. vs. Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board
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O%r ne;t "on"ern s 9#et#er t#e 9rt o8 :anda:%s s t#e proper re:ed', and 8 t#e
9rt "o%&d ss%e a$anst respondents.
???????????????
4 Oposa v. !a"toran, Jr., s%pra note 1/.
11*
3OL. *0*, OCTO(ER /, 00
11*
Henares, Jr. vs. Land Transportaton !ran"#sn$ and Re$%&ator' (oard
Under Se"ton /, R%&e * o8 t#e R%&es o8 Co%rt, :anda:%s &es %nder an' o8 t#e
8o&&o9n$ "ases 1F a$anst an' tr%na& 9#"# %n&a98%&&' ne$&e"ts t#e per8or:an"e
o8 an a"t 9#"# t#e &a9 spe""a&&' enBons as a d%t'6 F n "ase an' "orporaton,
oard or person %n&a98%&&' ne$&e"ts t#e per8or:an"e o8 an a"t 9#"# t#e &a9 enBons
as a d%t' res%&tn$ 8ro: an oI"e, tr%st, or staton6 and /F n "ase an' tr%na&,
"orporaton, oard or person %n&a98%&&' e;"&%des anot#er 8ro: t#e %se and
enBo':ent o8 a r$#t or oI"e to 9#"# s%"# ot#er s &e$a&&' entt&ed6 and t#ere s no
ot#er p&an, speed', and ade=%ate re:ed' n t#e ordnar' "o%rse o8 &a9.
2n Unverst' o8 San A$%stn, 2n". v. Co%rt o8 Appea&s,* 9e sad,
G 2t s sett&ed t#at :anda:%s s e:p&o'ed to "o:pe& t#e per8or:an"e, 9#en
re8%sed, o8 a :nstera& d%t', t#s en$ ts :an oBe"tve. 2t does not &e to re=%re
an'one to 8%&&& "ontra"t%a& o&$atons or to "o:pe& a "o%rse o8 "ond%"t, nor to
"ontro& or reve9 t#e e;er"se o8 ds"reton. On t#e part o8 t#e pettoner, t s
7/23/2019 Henares, Jr. vs. Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board
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essenta& to t#e ss%an"e o8 a 9rt o8 :anda:%s t#at #e s#o%&d #ave a "&ear &e$a&
r$#t to t#e t#n$ de:anded and t :%st e t#e :peratve d%t' o8 t#e respondent
to per8or: t#e a"t re=%red. 2t never ss%es n do%t8%& "ases. @#&e t :a' not e
ne"essar' t#at t#e d%t' e aso&%te&' e;pressed, t :%st #o9ever, e "&ear. T#e 9rt
9&& not ss%e to "o:pe& an oI"a& to do an't#n$ 9#"# s not #s d%t' to do or
9#"# s #s d%t' not to do, or $ve to t#e app&"ant an't#n$ to 9#"# #e s notentt&ed ' &a9. T#e 9rt net#er "on8ers po9ers nor :poses d%tes. 2t s s:p&' a
"o::and to e;er"se a po9er a&read' possessed and to per8or: a d%t' a&read'
:posed. E:p#ass s%pp&ed.F
2n t#s petton t#e &e$a& r$#t 9#"# s so%$#t to e re"o$nKed and en8or"ed #n$es
on a "onstt%tona& and a stat%tor' po&"' a&read' art"%&ated n operatona& ter:s,
e.$. n Rep. A"t No. +4-, t#e P#&ppne C&ean Ar A"t o8 1---. Para$rap# aF,
Se"ton 1 o8 t#e A"t spe""a&&' provdes t#at 9#en PU3s are "on"erned, t#e
respons&t' o8 :p&e:entn$ t#e po&"' 8a&&s on respondent DOTC. 2t provdes as8o&&o9s
???????????????
* ).R. No. 100*++, Mar"# , 1--4, /0 SCRA 1, 1>.
11
11
SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED
Henares, Jr. vs. Land Transportaton !ran"#sn$ and Re$%&ator' (oard
SEC. 1. Po&&%ton 8ro: Motor 3e#"&es.
7/23/2019 Henares, Jr. vs. Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board
19/23
:prove t#e e:sson standards, t#e Depart:ent QDENR s#a&& reve9, revse and
p%&s# t#e standards ever' t9o F 'ears, or as t#e need arses. 2t s#a&& "onsder
t#e :a;:%: &:ts 8or a&& :aBor po&&%tants to ens%re s%stanta& :prove:ent n ar
=%a&t' 8or t#e #ea&t#, sa8et' and 9e&8are o8 t#e $enera& p%&".
Para$rap# F states
F T#e Depart:ent QDENR n "o&&aoraton 9t# t#e DOTC, DT2 and L)Us, s#a&&
deve&op an a"ton p&an 8or t#e "ontro& and :ana$e:ent o8 ar po&&%ton 8ro: :otor
ve#"&es "onsstent 9t# t#e 2nte$rated Ar %a&t' !ra:e9or . . . . E:p#ass
s%pp&ed.F
T#ere s no dsp%te t#at %nder t#e C&ean Ar A"t t s t#e DENR t#at s tased to set
t#e e:sson standards 8or 8%e& %se and t#e tas o8 deve&opn$ an a"ton p&an. As 8ar
as :otor ve#"&es are "on"erned, t devo&ves %pon t#e DOTC and t#e &ne a$en"'
9#ose :andate s to oversee t#at :otor ve#"&es prepare an a"ton p&an and
:p&e:ent t#e e:sson standards 8or :otor ve#"&es, na:e&' t#e LT!R(.
2n Oposa 9e sad, t#e r$#t to a a&an"ed and #ea&t#8%& e"o&o$' "arres 9t# t t#e
"orre&atve d%t' to re8ran 8ro: :parn$ t#e envron:ent. @e a&so sad, t s "&ear&'
t#e d%t' o8 t#e respons&e $overn:ent a$en"es to advan"e t#e sad r$#t.
Pettoners nvoe t#e provsons o8 t#e Constt%ton and t#e C&ean Ar A"t n t#er
pra'er 8or ss%an"e o8 a 9rt o8 :anda:%s "o::andn$ t#e respondents to re=%re
PU3s to %se CN) as an a&ternatve 8%e&. A&t#o%$# ot# are $enera& :andates t#at do
not spe""a&&' enBon t#e %se o8 an' nd o8 8%e&, part"%&ar&' t#e %se o8 CN), t#ere
s an e;e"%tve order :p&e:entn$ a pro$ra: on t#e %se o8 CN) ' p%&" ve#"&es.
E;e"%tve Order No. -0, entt&ed 2:p&e:entn$ t#e Nat%ra& )as 3e#"&e Pro$ra: 8or
P%&" Transport N)3PPTF, too ee"t on !er%ar' 4, 004. T#e pro$ra:
re"o$nKed, a:on$ ot#ers, nat%ra& $as as a "&ean %rnn$ a&ternatve 8%e& 8or ve#"&e
9#"# #as t#e potenta& to prod%"e s%stanta&&' &o9er po&&%tants6 and t#e Ma>
???????????????
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Oposa v. !a"toran, Jr., s%pra note 1/ at pp. +0*, +0+.
11
3OL. *0*, OCTO(ER /, 00
11
Henares, Jr. vs. Land Transportaton !ran"#sn$ and Re$%&ator' (oard
&a:pa'a )as>to>Po9er ProBe"t as representn$ t#e e$nnn$ o8 t#e nat%ra& $as
nd%str' o8 t#e P#&ppnes. Para$rap# 1., Se"ton 1 o8 E.O. No. -0 "tes as one o8
ts oBe"tves, t#e %se o8 CN) as a "&ean a&ternatve 8%e& 8or transport. !%rt#er:ore,
one o8 t#e "o:ponents o8 t#e pro$ra: s t#e deve&op:ent o8 CN) re8%e&n$ statons
and a&& re&ated 8a"&tes n strate$" &o"atons n t#e "o%ntr' to serve t#e needs o8
CN)>po9ered PU3s. Se"ton / o8 E.O. No. -0, "onsstent 9t# E.O. No. , seres o8
00, des$nated t#e DOE as t#e &ead a$en"' aF n deve&opn$ t#e nat%ra& $as
nd%str' o8 t#e "o%ntr' 9t# t#e DENR, t#ro%$# t#e EM( and F n 8or:%&atn$e:sson standards 8or CN). Most s$n"ant&', par. 4.*, Se"ton 4 tass t#e DOTC,
9orn$ 9t# t#e DOE, to deve&op an :p&e:entaton p&an 8or a $rad%a& s#8t to
CN) 8%e& %t&Katon n PU3s and pro:ote N)3s Qnat%ra& $as ve#"&es n Metro
Man&a and L%Kon t#ro%$# t#e ss%an"e o8 dre"tvesorders provdn$ pre8erenta&
8ran"#ses n present da' :aBor ro%tes and e;"&%sve 8ran"#ses to N)3s n ne9&'
opened ro%tesG A t#oro%$# readn$ o8 t#e e;e"%tve order ass%res %s t#at
:p&e:entaton 8or a "&eaner envron:ent s en$ addressed. To a "ertan e;tent,
t#e nstant petton #ad een :ooted ' t#e ss%an"e o8 E.O. No. -0.
Re$retta&', #o9ever, t#e p&an, speed' and ade=%ate re:ed' #eren so%$#t '
pettoners, .e., a 9rt o8 :anda:%s "o::andn$ t#e respondents to re=%re PU3s
to %se CN), s %nava&n$. Manda:%s s ava&a&e on&' to "o:pe& t#e don$ o8 an a"t
spe""a&&' enBoned ' &a9 as a d%t'. Here, t#ere s no &a9 t#at :andates t#e
respondents LT!R( and t#e DOTC to order o9ners o8 :otor ve#"&es to %se CN). At
:ost t#e LT!R( #as een tased ' E.O. No. -0 n par. 4.* F, Se"ton 4 to $rant
7/23/2019 Henares, Jr. vs. Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board
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pre8erenta& and e;"&%sve Cert"ates o8 P%&" Convenen"e CPCF or 8ran"#ses to
operators o8 N)3s ased on t#e res%&ts o8 t#e DOTC s%rve's.
!%rt#er, :anda:%s 9&& not $enera&&' &e 8ro: one ran"# o8 $overn:ent to a
"oordnate ran"#, 8or t#e ovo%s reason t#at net#er s n8eror to t#e ot#er. T#e
need 8or 8%t%re "#an$es n ot# &e$s&aton
???????????????
D9arna v. Do:n$o, ).R. No. 1*/4*4, J%&' , 004, 4// SCRA 4+, *4.
11+
11+
SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED
Henares, Jr. vs. Land Transportaton !ran"#sn$ and Re$%&ator' (oard
and ts :p&e:entaton "annot e pree:pted ' orders 8ro: t#s Co%rt, espe"a&&'
9#en 9#at s pra'ed 8or s pro"ed%ra&&' nr:. (esdes, "o:t' 9t# and "o%rtes' to
a "oe=%a& ran"# d"tate t#at 9e $ve s%I"ent t:e and &ee9a' 8or t#e "oe=%a&
ran"#es to address ' t#e:se&ves t#e envron:enta& pro&e:s rased n t#s
petton.
2n t#e sa:e :anner t#at 9e #ave asso"ated t#e 8%nda:enta& r$#t to a a&an"ed
and #ea&t#8%& e"o&o$' 9t# t#e t9n "on"epts o8 nter>$eneratona& respons&t'
and nter>$eneratona& B%st"e n Oposa,+ 9#ere 9e %p#e&d t#e r$#t o8 8%t%re
!&pnos to prevent t#e destr%"ton o8 t#e ran8orests, so do 9e re"o$nKe, n t#s
petton, t#e r$#t o8 pettoners and t#e 8%t%re $eneraton to "&ean ar. 2n Oposa 9e
7/23/2019 Henares, Jr. vs. Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board
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sad t#at 8 t#e r$#t to a a&an"ed and #ea&t#8%& e"o&o$' s no9 e;p&"t&' 8o%nd n
t#e Constt%ton even 8 t#e r$#t s ass%:ed to e;st 8ro: t#e n"epton o8
#%:annd,G t s e"a%se o8 t#e 9e&&>8o%nded 8ear o8 ts 8ra:ers Qo8 t#e
Constt%ton t#at %n&ess t#e r$#ts to a a&an"ed and #ea&t#8%& e"o&o$' and to
#ea&t# are :andated as state po&"es ' t#e Constt%ton tse&8, t#ere' #$#&$#tn$
t#er "ontn%n$ :portan"e and :posn$ %pon t#e state a so&e:n o&$aton topreserve t#e rst and prote"t and advan"e t#e se"ond, t#e da' 9o%&d not e too 8ar
9#en a&& e&se 9o%&d e &ost not on&' 8or t#e present $eneraton, %t a&so 8or t#ose to
"o:e. . .-
2t s t#e r: e&e8 o8 t#s Co%rt t#at n t#s "ase, t s t:e&' to reaIr: t#e pre:%:
9e #ave p&a"ed on t#e prote"ton o8 t#e envron:ent n t#e &and:ar "ase o8
Oposa. 5et, as sero%s as t#e statst"s are on ar po&&%ton, 9t# t#e present 8%e&s
dee:ed to;" as t#e' are to t#e envron:ent, as 8ata& as t#ese po&&%tants are to t#e
#ea&t# o8 t#e "tKens, and %r$ent&' re=%rn$ resort to drast" :eas%res to red%"ear po&&%tants e:tted ' :otor ve#"&es, 9e :%st ad:t n part"%&ar t#at
pettoners are %na&e to pnpont t#e &a9 t#at :poses an nd%ta&e &e$a& d%t' on
respondents t#at 9&& B%st8' a $rant o8 t#e 9rt o8 :anda:%s "o:pe&&n$ t#e %se o8
CN) 8or p%&" %t&t' ve#"&es. 2t appears to %s t#at :ore proper&', t#e &e$s&at%re
s#o%&d provde rst t#e spe"" stat%tor' re:ed' to t#e "o:p&e; en>
???????????????
+ Oposa v. !a"toran, Jr., s%pra note 1/ at p. +0/.
- 2d., at p. +0*.
11-
3OL. *0*, OCTO(ER /, 00
11-
7/23/2019 Henares, Jr. vs. Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board
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Re8%erKo vs. Hers o8 t#e Late !ran"s"o Re8%erKo, Sr.
vron:enta& pro&e:s ared ' #eren pettoners e8ore an' B%d"a& re"o%rse ':anda:%s s taen.
@HERE!ORE, t#e petton 8or t#e ss%an"e o8 a 9rt o8 :anda:%s s D2SM2SSED 8or
&a" o8 :ert.
SO ORDERED.
Carpo, Carpo>Mora&es, Tn$a and 3e&as"o, Jr., JJ., "on"%r.
Petton ds:ssed.
Notes.
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