De Leon v. Esguerra, 153 SCRA 602 August, 31, 1987 (En Banc), J. Melencio-Herrera ALF E!" M. !

E LE"#, A#$EL %. %ALAMA&, MA '" (. %&A. A#A, J"%E (. &"LE#&'#", "$EL'" J. !E LA "%A an) J"%E M. E%* E(('"#, +etitioners, H"#. BE#JAM'# B. E%$*E A, in ,is ca+acit- as "'( $o.ernor o/ t,e 0ro.ince o/ i1al, H"#. "ME" (. !E LE"#, in ,is ca+acit- as "'( Ma-or o/ t,e Munici+alit- o/ &a-ta-, i1al, FL" E#&'#" $. MA$#", EM'$'" M. &'$A%, '(A !" 2. LA(A#'E#&A, &E"!" " 3. ME!'#A, "%E#!" %. 0A2, an) &E E%'&A L. &"LE#&'#", res+on)ents. FACTS4 "n Ma- 17, 1985, +etitioner Al/re)o M. !e Leon 6as electe) Baranga- (a+tain toget,er 6it, t,e ot,er +etitioners as Baranga- (ouncil7en o/ Baranga- !olores, Munci+alit- o/ &a-ta-, 0ro.ince o/ i1al in a Baranga- election ,el) un)er Batas 0a78ansa Blg. 555, ot,er6ise 9no6n as Baranga- Election Act o/ 1985. "n Fe8ruar- 9, 1987, +etitioner !e Leon recei.e) a Me7oran)u7 ante)ate) !ece78er 1, 198: 8ut signe) 8- res+on)ent "'( $o.ernor Ben;a7in Esguerra on Fe8ruar- 8, 1987 )esignating res+on)ent Florentino $. Magno as Baranga- (a+tain o/ Baranga- !olores an) t,e ot,er res+on)ents as 7e78ers o/ Baranga- (ouncil o/ t,e sa7e Baranga- an) Munici+alit-. 0etitioners +ra-e) to t,e %u+re7e (ourt t,at t,e su8;ect Me7oran)a o/ Fe8ruar- 8, 1987 8e )eclare) null an) .oi) an) t,at res+on)ents 8e +ro,i8ite) 8- ta9ing o.er t,eir +ositions o/ Baranga- (a+tain an) Baranga- (ouncil7en. 0etitioners 7aintain t,at +ursuant to Section 3 of t e !aranga" E#ection Act of 1$%2 (B0 Blg. 555), t,eir ter7s o/ o//ice s,all 8e si< -ears 6,ic, s,all co77ence on June 7, 1988 an) s,all continue until t,eir successors s,all ,a.e electe) an) s,all ,a.e =uali/ie). 't 6as also t,eir +osition t,at 6it, t,e ratification of t e 1$%& ' i#i((ine Constitution, res(on)ent *+C ,overnor no #onger as t e aut orit" to re(#ace t e- an) to )esignate t eir successors. "n t,e ot,er ,an), res+on)ents conten) t,at t,e ter7s o/ o//ice o/ electi.e an) a++ointi.e o//icials 6ere a8olis,e) an) t,at +etitioners continue) in o//ice 8- .irtue o/ %ec. 5, Art. 3 o/ t,e 0ro.isional (onstitution an) not 8ecause t,eir ter7 o/ si< -ears ,a) not -et e<+ire)> an) t,at t,e +ro.ision in t,e Baranga- Election Act /i<ing t,e ter7 o/ o//ice o/ Baranga- o//icials to si< -ears 7ust 8e )ee7e) to ,a.e 8een re+eale) /or 8eing inconsistent 6it, %ec. 5, Art. 3 o/ t,e 0ro.isional (onstitution. +SS.E4 ?,et,er or not t,e )esignation o/ res+on)ents to re+lace +etitioners 6as .ali)l- 7a)e )uring t,e one--ear +erio) 6,ic, en)e) on Fe8 5@, 1987. R.L+/,4 %u+re7e (ourt )eclare) t,at t,e Me7oran)a issue) 8- res+on)ent "'( $o. on Fe8 8, 1987 )esignating res+on)ents as Baranga- (a+tain an) Baranga- (ouncil7en o/ Baranga- !olores, &a-ta-, i1al ,as no #ega# force an) effect. &,e 1987 (onstitution 6as rati/ie) in a +le8iscite on Fe8 5, 1987, t,ere/ore, t,e 0ro.isional (onstitution 7ust 8e )ee7e) to ,a.e su+erse)e). Ha.ing 8eco7e ino+erati.e, res+on)ent "'( $o. coul) no longer rel- on %ec 5, Art 3, t,ereo/ to )esignate res+on)ents to t,e electi.e +ositions occu+ie) 8- +etitioners. ele.antl-, %ec 8, Art 1 o/ t,e 1987 (onstitution /urt,er +ro.i)es in +art4 ASec. 8. The term of office of elective local officials, except barangay officials, which shall be determined by law, shall be three years x x x.A *ntil t,e ter7 o/ o//ice o/ 8aranga- o//icials ,as 8een )eter7ine) 8- la6, t,ere/ore, t,e ter7 o/ o//ice o/ : -ears +ro.i)e) /or in t,e Baranga- Election Act o/ 1985 s,oul) still go.ern. BBBB &,e 1987 (onstitution 6as rati/ie) in a +le8iscite on Fe8ruar- 5 1987. B- t,at )ate, t,ere/ore, t,e 0ro.isional (onstitution 7ust 8e )ee7e) to ,a.e 8een su+erse)e) (E//ecti.it- is i77e)iatel- u+on rati/ication). BBBBBB

SA/T+A,* 0S. C*1ELEC

22&0 SCRA 1063 ,.R. /o.12&3253 1$ 1ar 1$$&4 !A3'!E, J ., J M' 'AM !EFE#%" %A#&'A$", ALECA#!E 0A!'LLA an) MA 'A '%ABEL "#$0'#, +etitioners ("MM'%%'"# "# ELE(&'"#%, et al., +etitioners-inter.enors. FACTS4 0ri.ate res+on)ent Att-. Jesus !el/in, +resi)ent o/ 0eo+leDs 'nitiati.e /or e/or7s, Mo)erni1ation an) Action (0' MA), /ile) 6it, ("MELE( a +etition to a7en) t,e constitution to li/t t,e ter7 li7its o/ electi.e o//icials, t,roug, 0eo+leDs 'nitiati.e. He 8ase) t,is +etition on Artic#e 50++, Sec. 2 of t e 1$%& Constitution, 6,ic, +ro.i)es /or t,e rig,t o/ t,e +eo+le to e<ercise t,e +o6er to )irectl- +ro+ose a7en)7ents to t,e (onstitution. %u8se=uentl- t,e ("MELE( issue) an or)er )irecting t,e +u8lication o/ t,e +etition an) o/ t,e notice o/ ,earing an) t,erea/ter set t,e case /or ,earing. At t,e ,earing, %enator oco, t,e 'B0, !e7o9ras-a-'+agtanggol ang Eonstitus-on, 0u8lic 'nterest La6 (enter, an) La8an ng !e7o9rati9ong 0ili+ino a++eare) as inter.enors-o++ositors. %enator oco /ile) a 7otion to )is7iss t,e !el/in +etition on t,e groun) t,at t,e +etition is not cogni1a8le 8- t,e ("MELE(. &,e +etitioners ,erein %enator %antiago, Ale<an)er 0a)illa, an) 'sa8el "ng+in /ile) t,is ci.il action /or +ro,i8ition un)er ule :@ o/ t,e ules o/ (ourt against ("MELE( an) t,e !el/in +etition rising t,e se.eral argu7ents, suc, as t,e /ollo6ing4 (1) &,e constitutional +ro.ision on +eo+leFs initiati.e to a7en) t,e constitution can onl- 8e i7+le7ente) 8- la6 to 8e +asse) 8- (ongress. #o suc, la6 ,as 8een +asse)> (5) &,e +eo+leDs initiati.e is li7ite) to a7en)7ents to t,e (onstitution, not to re.ision t,ereo/. Li/ting o/ t,e ter7 li7its constitutes a re.ision, t,ere/ore it is outsi)e t,e +o6er o/ +eo+leDs initiati.e. &,e %u+re7e (ourt grante) t,e Motions /or 'nter.ention. +SS.E4 ?,et,er or not %ec. 5, Art. C3'' o/ t,e 1987 (onstitution is a sel/-e<ecuting +ro.ision (sel/-e<ecuting 7eans +ro.ision t,at ta9es e//ect i77e)iatel- 6Gout t,e nee) /or inter.ening court action, a))itional or su++orting legislation, or ot,er 9in) o/ i7+le7enting action) . ?,et,er or not ("MELE( esolution #o. 53HH regar)ing t,e con)uct o/ initiati.e on a7en)7ents to t,e (onstitution is .ali), consi)ering t,e a8sence in t,e la6 o/ s+eci/ic +ro.isions on t,e con)uct o/ suc, initiati.e. ?,et,er t,e li/ting o/ ter7 li7its o/ electi.e o//icials 6oul) constitute a re.ision or an a7en)7ent o/ t,e (onstitution. 6ELD4 &,e court rule) in /a.or o/ t,e +etitioners an) t,e ;u)g7ent ren)ere) 6as4 $ A#&'#$ t,e instant +etition> !E(LA '#$ .A. #o. :73@ ina)e=uate to co.er t,e s-ste7 o/ initiati.e on a7en)7ents to t,e (onstitution, an) to ,a.e /aile) to +ro.i)e su//icient stan)ar) /or su8or)inate legislation> !E(LA '#$ .oi) t,ose +arts o/ esolutions #o. 53HH o/ t,e (o77ission on Elections +rescri8ing rules an) regulations on t,e con)uct o/ initiati.e or a7en)7ents to t,e (onstitution> an) " !E '#$ t,e (o77ission on Elections to /ort,6it, !'%M'%% t,e !ELF'# +etition

ationales 8e,in) t,e ;u)g7ent4 Sec. 2, Art 50++ of t e Constitution is not se#f e7ecutor" (it 7erel- states t,e +rinci+les 6it,out an- su++l-ing 7eans /or its i7+le7entation), t,us, 6it,out i7+le7enting legislation t,e sa7e cannot o+erate. Alt,oug, t,e (onstitution ,as recogni1e) or grante) t,e rig,t, t,e +eo+le cannot e<ercise it i/ (ongress )oes not +ro.i)e /or its i7+le7entation. &,e +ortion o/ C*1ELEC Reso#ution /o. 2300 6,ic, +rescri8es rules an) regulations on t,e con)uct o/ initiati.e on a7en)7ents to t,e (onstitution, is .oi). 't ,as 8een an esta8lis,e) rule t,at 6,at ,as 8een )elegate), cannot 8e )elegate) (+otestas )elegata non )elegari +otest). &,e )elegation o/ t,e +o6er to t,e ("MELE( 8eing

in.ali), t,e latter cannot .ali)l- +ro7ulgate rules an) regulations to i7+le7ent t,e e<ercise o/ t,e rig,t to +eo+leDs initiati.e. &,e #ifting of t e ter- #i-its 8as e#) to 9e t at of a revision, as it 6oul) a//ect ot,er +ro.isions o/ t,e (onstitution suc, as t,e s-nc,roni1ation o/ elections, t,e constitutional guarantee o/ e=ual access to o++ortunities /or +u8lic ser.ice, an) +ro,i8iting +olitical )-nasties. A re.ision cannot 8e )one 8- initiati.e. Ho6e.er, consi)ering t,e (ourtDs )ecision in t,e a8o.e 'ssue, t,e issue o/ 6,et,er or not t,e +etition is a re.ision or a7en)7ent ,as 8eco7e aca)e7ic.

BBBBB &,e rig,t o/ t,e +eo+le to )irectl- +ro+ose a7en)7ents to t,e (onstitution t,roug, t,e s-ste7 o/ initiati.e 6oul) re7ain ento78e) in a col) nic,e until t,e (ongress +ro.i)es /or its i7+le7entation. #"& %ELF-ECE(*&'#$BBBBBB

'n e4 %aturnino .. Ber7u)e1 FACT: 'n a +etition /or )eclarator- relie/ i7+lea)ing no res+on)ents, %aturnino 3. Ber7u)e1, a la6-er, =uotes t,e /irst +aragra+, o/ %ection @ 6,ic, +ro.i)es It,e si<--ear ter7 o/ t,e incu78ent 0resi)ent an) 3ice-0resi)ent electe) in t,e Fe8ruar- 7, 198: election is, /or +ur+oses o/ s-nc,roni1ation o/ elections, ,ere8- e<ten)e) to noon o/ June 3H, 1995. &,e /irst regular elections /or t,e 0resi)ent an) 3ice-0resi)ent un)er t,is (onstitution s,all 8e ,el) on t,e secon) Mon)a- o/ Ma-, 1995,J clai7e) t,e sai) +ro.ision Ais not clearA as to 6,o7 it re/ers, ,e t,en as9s t,e (ourt Ato )eclare an) ans6er t,e =uestion o/ t,e construction an) )e/initeness as to 6,o, a7ong t,e +resent incu78ent 0resi)ent (ora1on A=uino an) 3ice-0resi)ent %al.a)or Laurel an) t,e electe) 0resi)ent Fer)inan) E. Marcos an) 3ice-0resi)ent Arturo M. &olentino 8eing re/erre) to un)er t,e sai) %ection 7 (sic) o/ A &'(LE C3''' o/ t,e & A#%'&" K 0 "3'%'"#% o/ t,e +ro+ose) 198: (onstitution re/ers to.J +SS.E: ?,et,er (ora1on A=uino an) %al.a)or Laurel ,ol) legiti7ate +ositions as t,e incu78ent 0resi)ent an) 3ice 0resi)ent o/ t,e 0,ili++ines. 6ELD: &,e +etition is )is7isse) outrig,t /or lac9 o/ ;uris)iction an) /or lac9 /or cause o/ action. Ber7u)e1L allegation o/ a78iguitor .agueness o/ t,e a/ore=uote) +ro.ision is 7ani/estl- gratuitous, it 8eing a 7atter o/ +u8lic recor) an) co77on +u8lic 9no6le)ge t,at t,e (onstitutional (o77ission re/ers t,erein to incu78ent 0resi)ent (ora1on (. A=uino an) 3ice-0resi)ent %al.a)or H. Laurel, an) to no ot,er +ersons, an) +ro.i)es /or t,e e<tension o/ t,eir ter7 to noon o/ June 3H, 1995 /or +ur+oses o/ s-nc,roni1ation o/ elections. Mutatis 7utan)is, t,ere can 8e no =uestion t,at 0resi)ent (ora1on (. A=uino an) 3ice-0resi)ent %al.a)or H. Laurel are t,e incu78ent an) legiti7ate 0resi)ent an) 3ice 0resi)ent o/ t,e e+u8lic o/ t,e 0,ili++ines. &,e legiti7ac- o/ t,e A=uino go.ern7ent is not a ;usticia8le 7atter. &,e +eo+le ,a.e 7a)e t,e ;u)g7ent> t,e,a.e acce+te) t,e go.ern7ent o/ 0resi)ent (ora1on (. A=uino 6,ic, is in e//ecti.e control o/ t,e entire countr- so t,at it is not 7erel- a )e /acto go.ern7ent 8ut in /act an) la6 a )e ;ure go.ern7ent. Moreo.er, t,e co77unit- o/ nations ,as recogni1e) t,e legiti7ac- o/ t,e +resent go.ern7ent. All t,e ele.en 7e78ers o/ t,is (ourt, as reorgani1e), ,a.e s6orn to u+,ol) t,e /un)a7ental la6 o/ t,e e+u8lic un)er ,er go.ern7ent.

(" E'M (HAM 3%. 3AL!E2 $. . #o. L-@ %e+te78er 17, 19M@ 0etitioner4 (" E'M (HAM (alias (" E'M (HAM) es+on)ents4 E*%EB'" 3AL!E2 &A# EEH an) A %E#'" 0. !'2"#, Ju)ge o/ First 'nstance o/ Manila, res+on)ents. Marcelino Lonto9 /or +etitioner. 0. A. e.illa /or res+on)ent 3al)e1 &an Ee,. es+on)ent Ju)ge !i1on in ,is o6n 8e,al/. 0onente4 J. FE 'A FACTS4

&,e res+on)ent ;u)ge o/ t,e lo6er court re/use) to ta9e cogni1ance o/ an) continue t,e +rocee)ing o/ +en)ing ci.il case #o. 3H15 o/ (o Ei7 (,a7, (+etitioner) Ha.ing sai) t,at it 6as initiate) un)er t,e regi7e o/ t,e so-calle) e+u8lic o/ t,e 0,ili++ines esta8lis,e) )uring t,e Ja+anese 7ilitar- occu+ation o/ t,e 0,ili++ines. &,e +rocla7ation issue) 8- $eneral !ouglas MacArt,ur ,a) in.ali)ate) an) nulli/ie) all ;u)icial +rocee)ings an) ;u)g7ents o/ t,e courts o/ t,e 0,ili++ines an), 6it,out an ena8ling la6, lo6er courts ,a.e no ;uris)iction to ta9e cogni1ance o/ an) continue ;u)icial +rocee)ings +en)ing in t,e courts o/ t,e )e/unct e+u8lic o/ t,e 0,ili++ines (t,e 0,ili++ine go.ern7ent un)er t,e Ja+anese). IAll la6s, regulations an) +rocesses o/ an- ot,er go.ern7ent in t,e 0,ili++ines t,an t,at o/ t,e sai) (o77on6ealt, are null an) .oi) an) 6it,out legal e//ect in areas o/ t,e 0,ili++ines /ree o/ ene7- occu+ation an) control.J He also argue) t,at t,e sai) go.ern7ents )uring t,e Ja+anese occu+ation 6ere not )e /acto go.ern7ents. +SS.ES: 1. ?,et,er or not ;u)icial +rocee)ings an) )ecisions 7a)e )uring t,e Ja+anese occu+ation 6ere .ali) an) re7aine) .ali) e.en a/ter t,e A7erican occu+ation 5. ?,et,er or not t,e go.ern7ents esta8lis,e) in t,e 0,ili++ines un)er t,e na7es o/ 0,ili++ines E<ecuti.e (o77ission an) e+u8lic o/ t,e 0,ili++ines )uring t,e Ja+anese 7ilitar- occu+ation or regi7e 6ere )e /acto go.ern7ents. DEC+S+*/S: ?rit o/ 7an)a7us issue) to t,e ;u)ge o/ t,e (ourt o/ First 'nstance o/ Manila, or)ering ,i7 to ta9e cogni1ance o/ an) continue to /inal ;u)g7ent t,e +rocee)ings in ci.il case no. 3H15. 1. 0olitical an) international la6 recogni1es t,at all acts an) +rocee)ings o/ a )e /acto go.ern7ent are goo) an) .ali). &,e 0,ili++ine E<ecuti.e (o77ission an) t,e e+u8lic o/ t,e 0,ili++ines un)er t,e Ja+anese occu+ation 7a- 8e consi)ere) )e /acto go.ern7ents, su++orte) 8- t,e 7ilitar- /orce an) )eri.ing t,eir aut,orit- /ro7 t,e la6s o/ 6ar. 5. 0,ili++ine E<ecuti.e (o77ission 6,ic, 6as organi1e) 8- "r)er #o. 1 8- t,e (o77an)er o/ t,e Ja+anese /orces, 6as a ci.il go.ern7ent esta8lis,e) 8- t,e 7ilitar- /orces o/ occu+ation an) t,ere/ore a )e /acto go.ern7ent o/ t,e secon) 9in). A )e /acto go.ern7ent is one esta8lis,e) t,roug, re8ellion (go.ern7ent gets +ossession an) control t,roug, /orce or t,e .oice o/ t,e 7a;orit- an) 7aintains itsel/ against t,e 6ill o/ t,e rig,t/ul go.ern7ent), t,roug, occu+ation (esta8lis,e) an) 7aintaine) 8- 7ilitar- /orces 6,o in.a)e an) occu+- a territor- o/ t,e ene7- in t,e course o/ 6ar> )enote) as a go.ern7ent o/ +ara7ount /orce) t,roug, insurrection (esta8lis,e) as an in)e+en)ent go.ern7ent 8- t,e in,a8itants o/ a countr- 6,o rise in insurrection against t,e +arent state).

Laure# v. 1isa, && ' i# %56 ,.R. /o. L;<0$ =anuar" 30, 1$<& A/ASTAC+* LA.REL, (etitioner, vs. ER+!ERT* 1+SA, res(on)ent. Facts: Laurel 6as c,arge) o/ treason 8- gi.ing ai) an) co7/ort to t,e Ja+anese )uring t,e Ja+anese occu+ation. 'n ,is )e/ense, ,e raise) t,at ,e cannot 8e +rosecute) /or t,e cri7e o/ treason as 1) t,e so.ereignt- o/ t,e legiti7ate go.ern7ent o/ t,e 0,ili++ines 6as sus+en)e) 5) t,e so.ereignt- 6as c,ange) u+on t,e +rocla7ation o/ t,e e+u8lic o/ t,e 0,ili++ines. +ssue: ?,et,er allegiance to t,e go.ern7ent or so.ereign o/ a countr- is sus+en)e) 8- t,e +resence o/ /oreign occu+anc-. 6e#): &,e (ourt ,el) t,at a citi1en o6es a8solute an) +er7anent allegiance to ,isG,er go.ern7ent or so.ereignt-. %o.ereignt- is not sus+en)e) 8ut still e<ist e.en )uring ene7- occu+ation. Furt,er7ore, t,e c,ange in t,e na7e o/ t,e go.ern7ent, /ro7 (o77on6ealt, to e+u8lic, )oes not i7+l- a c,ange in t,e so.ereignt-.

Feste;o .. Fernan)o, 9M 0,il. @HM FACTS:

&,e +etitioner, (ar7en Feste;o, /ile) a case against 'saias Fernan)o, !irector o/ t,e Bureau o/ 0u8lic ?or9s, 6,o, 6it,out o8taining /irst a rig,t o/ 6a-, an) 6it,out t,e consent an) 9no6le)ge o/ t,e +lainti//, unla6/ull- too9 +ossession o/ +ortions o/ t,e t,ree +arcels o/ lan), an) cause) an irrigation canal to 8e constructe) on t,e +ortion o/ t,e t,ree +arcels o/ lan) on or a8out t,e 7ont, o/ Fe8ruar- 19@1 t,e aggregate area 8eing 5M,179 s=uare 7eters to t,e )a7age an) +re;u)ice o/ t,e +lainti//. +SS.E: (an t,e )e/en)ant in.o9e ,is i77unit-N 6ELD: "r)inaril- t,e o//icer or e7+lo-ee co77itting t,e tort is +ersonall- lia8le t,ere/ore, an) 7a- 8e sue) as an- ot,er citi1en an) ,el) ans6era8le /or 6,ate.er in;ur- or )a7age results /ro7 ,is tortious act. &,e aggrie.e) +art- ,as a rig,t to co77ence an entirel- se+arate an) )istinct ci.il action /or )a7ages, an) /or ot,er relie/. ("#(E0('"#, J., )issenting4 c Bengzon, J., concurs. San)ers v. 0eri)iano, 162 SCRA %% !ALE %A#!E %, A#! A.%. M" EA*, J , +etitioner H"#. E$'#" &. 3E '!'A#" '', res+on)ent FACTS4 0etitioner %an)ers 6as t,e s+ecial ser.ices )irector o/ t,e *.%. #a.al %tation. 0etitioner Moreau 6as t,e co77an)ing o//icer o/ t,e %u8ic #a.al Base. 0ri.ate res+on)ent ossi is an A7erican citi1en 6it, +er7anent resi)ence in t,e 0,ili++ines. 0ri.ate res+on)ent ossi an) ?-er 6ere 8ot, e7+lo-e) as ga7e roo7 atten)ants in t,e s+ecial ser.ices )e+art7ent o/ t,e #A3%&A. "n "cto8er 3, 197@, t,e +ri.ate res+on)ents 6ere a).ise) t,at t,eir e7+lo-7ent ,a) 8een con.erte) /ro7 +er7anent /ull-ti7e to +er7anent +art-ti7e. &,e- institute) grie.ance +rocee)ings to t,e rules an) regulations o/ t,e *.%.!e+art7ent o/ !e/ense. &,e ,earing o//icer reco77en)e) /or reinstate7ent o/ t,eir +er7anent /ull-ti7e status. Ho6e.er, in a letter a))resse) to +etitioner Moreau, %an)ers )isagree) 6it, t,e ,earing o//icerFs re+ort. &,e letter containe) t,e state7ents t,at4 a ) AMr. ossi ten)s to alienate 7ost co-6or9ers an) su+er.isors>A 8) AMessrs. ossi an) ?-ers ,a.e +ro.en, accor)ing to t,eir i77e)iate su+er.isors, to 8e )i//icult e7+lo-ees to su+er.ise>A an) c) Ae.en t,oug, t,e grie.ants 6ere un)er oat, not to )iscuss t,e case 6it, an-one, (t,e-) +lace) t,e recor)s in +u8lic +lace 6,ere ot,ers not in.ol.e) in t,e case coul) ,ear.A Be/ore t,e start o/ t,e grie.ance ,earings, a-letter /ro7 +etitioner Moreau 6as sent to t,e (,ie/ o/ #a.al 0ersonnel e<+laining t,e c,ange o/ t,e +ri.ate res+on)entFs e7+lo-7ent status. %o, +ri.ate res+on)ent /ile) /or )a7ages alleging t,at t,e letters containe) li8elous i7+utations an) t,at t,e +re;u)g7ent o/ t,e grie.ance +rocee)ings 6as an in.asion o/ t,eir +ersonal an) +ro+rietar- rig,ts. Ho6e.er, +etitioners argue) t,at t,e acts co7+laine) o/ 6ere +er/or7e) 8- t,e7 in t,e )isc,arge o/ t,eir o//icial )uties an) t,at, conse=uentl-, t,e court ,a) no ;uris)iction o.er t,e7 un)er t,e )octrine o/ state i77unit-. Ho6e.er, t,e 7otion 6as )enie) on t,e 7ain groun) t,at t,e +etitioners ,a) not +resente) an- e.i)ence t,at t,eir acts 6ere o//icial in nature. +SS.E: ?,et,er or not t,e +etitioners 6ere +er/or7ing t,eir o//icial )utiesN R.L+/,: >es. %an)ers, as )irector o/ t,e s+ecial ser.ices )e+art7ent o/ #A3%&A, un)ou8te)l- ,a) su+er.ision o.er its +ersonnel, inclu)ing t,e +ri.ate res+on)ents. $i.en t,e o//icial c,aracter o/ t,e letters, t,e +etitioners 6ere 8eing sue) as o//icers o/ t,e *nite) %tates go.ern7ent 8ecause t,e,a.e acte) on 8e,al/ o/ t,at go.ern7ent an) 6it,in t,e sco+e o/ t,eir aut,orit-. &,us, it is t,at go.ern7ent an) not t,e +etitioners +ersonallt,at is res+onsi8le /or t,eir acts.'t is stresse) at t,e outset t,at t,e 7ere allegation t,at a go.ern7ent /unctionar- is 8eing sue) in ,is +ersonal ca+acit- 6ill not auto7aticall- re7o.e ,i7 /ro7 t,e +rotection o/ t,e la6 o/ +u8lic o//icers an), i/ a++ro+riate, t,e )octrine o/ state i77unit-.

B- t,e sa7e to9en, t,e 7ere in.ocation o/ o//icial c,aracter 6ill not su//ice to insulate ,i7 /ro7 sua8ilit- an) lia8ilit- /or an act i7+ute) to ,i7 as a +ersonal tort co77itte) 6it,out or in e<cess o/ ,is aut,orit-. &,ese 6ell-settle) +rinci+les are a++lica8le not onl- to t,e o//icers o/ t,e local state 8ut also 6,ere t,e +erson sue) in its courts +ertains to t,e go.ern7ent o/ a /oreign state, as in t,e +resent case Assu7ing t,at t,e trial can +rocee) an) it is +ro.e) t,at t,e clai7ants ,a.e a rig,t to t,e +a-7ent o/ )a7ages, suc, a6ar) 6ill ,a.e to 8e satis/ie) not 8- t,e +etitioners in t,eir +ersonal ca+acities 8ut 8- t,e *nite) %tates go.ern7ent as t,eir +rinci+al. &,is 6ill re=uire t,at go.ern7ent to +er/or7 an a//ir7ati.e act to satis/- t,e ;u)g7ent, .i1, t,e a++ro+riation o/ t,e necessar- a7ount to co.er t,e )a7ages a6ar)e), t,us 7a9ing t,e action a suit against t,at go.ern7ent 6it,out its consent. &,e +ractical ;usti/ication /or t,e )octrine, as Hol7es +ut it, is t,at At,ere can 8e no legal rig,t against t,e aut,orit- 6,ic, 7a9es t,e la6 on 6,ic, t,e rig,t )e+en)s. 'n t,e case o/ /oreign states, t,e rule is )eri.e) /ro7 t,e +rinci+le o/ t,e so.ereign e=ualit- o/ states 6,ic, 6isela)7onis,es t,at par in parem non habet imperium (An e=ual ,as no +o6er o.er an e=ual) an) t,at a contrar- attitu)e 6oul) Aunduly vex the peace of nations.A "ur a),erence to t,is +rece+t is /or7all- e<+resse) in Artic#e ++, Section 2, of our Constitution, 6,ere 6e reiterate /ro7 our +re.ious c,arters t,at t,e 0,ili++ines Aa)o(ts t e genera##" acce(te) (rinci(#es of internationa# #a8 as (art of t e #a8 of t e #an). ?HE EF" E, t,e +etition is $ A#&E!

!e+art7ent o/ Agriculture .. #L (, 557 %( A :93 FACTS: 0etitioner !"A an) %ultan %ecurit- Agenc- entere) into a contract /or securit- ser.ices to 8e +ro.i)e) 8- t,e latter to t,e sai) go.ern7ent entit-. 'n %e+te78er 13, 199H, se.eral guar)s o/ t,e %ultan %ecurit- Agenc- /ile) a co7+laint /or un)er+a-7ent o/ 6ages, non-+a-7ent o/ 13t, 7ont, +a-, uni/or7 allo6ances, nig,t s,i/t )i//erential +a-, ,oli)a- +a- an) o.erti7e +a-, as 6ell as /or )a7ages against t,e !"A an) t,e %ultan %ecurit- Agenc- 8e/ore t,e egional Ar8itration Branc, in (aga-an !e "ro (it &,e La8or Ar8iter /oun) !"A ;ointl- an) se.erall- lia8le 6it, %ultan Agenc- /or t,e +a-7ent o/ 7one- clai7 o/ t,e guar)s. &,e La8or Ar8iter issue) a I?rit o/ E<ecutionJ co77an)ing t,e (it- %,eri// to en/orce an) e<ecute t,e ;u)g7ent against t,e !"A an) %ultan. &,e (it- %,eri// le.ie) on e<ecution 3 7otor .e,icles o/ t,e !"A 0etitioner !"A /ile) a I+etition /or in;unction, +ro,i8ition an) 7an)a7us, 6it, +ra-er /or +reli7inar- in;unctionJ 6it, t,e #L ( (aga-an !e "ro. 't argue) t,at t,e 6rit o/ e<ecution 6as e//ecte) 6it,out t,e La8or Ar8iter ,a.ing )ul- ac=uire) ;uris)iction o.er t,e !"A. Hence, its )ecision 6as null an) .oi). 't also +ointe) out t,at t,e attac,7ent o/ its +ro+ert- 6oul) ;eo+ar)i1e its go.ern7ental /unctions to t,e +re;u)ice o/ t,e +u8lic goo) #L ( --- )is7isse) t,e +etition /or in;unction /or lac9 o/ 8asis an) a &e7+orar- %ta- o/ E<ecution is issue) /or a +erio) o/ 5 7ont,s 8ut not e<ten)i8le. !"A c,arges #L ( /or gra.e a8use o/ )iscretion /or re/using to =uas, t,e 6rit o/ e<ecution. 't argue) t,at 7oneclai7s against t,e !e+art7ent /alls un)er t,e e<clusi.e ;uris)iction o/ t,e (o77ission on Au)it. Furt,er, t,e !"A asserts t,at t,e #L ( ,as )isregar)e) t,e car)inal rule on t,e non-sua8ilit- o/ t,e %tate.

#L (, on t,e ot,er ,an), argue t,at +etitioner ,as i7+lie)l- 6ai.e) its i77unit- /ro7 suit 8- conclu)ing a ser.ice contract 6it, %ultan %ecurit- Agenc+SS.E: ?,et,er t,e !"A can 8e sue)N R.L+/,: *n)er t,e (onstitution, it sa-s t,at It e State cannot 9e sue) 8it out its consent.J &,is si7+l- 7eans t,at a so.ereign is e<e7+t /ro7 suit on t,e groun) t,at t,ere can 8e no legal rig,t as against t,e aut,orit- t,at 7a9es t,e la6 on 6,ic, t,e rig,t )e+en)s. &,is )octrine is also calle) It e ro"a# (rerogative of )is onest"J 8ecause it grants t,e %tate t,e +rerogati.e to )e/eat an- legiti7ate clai7 against it 8- si7+l- in.o9ing its non-sua8ilit-.

&,is rule is not reall- a8solute /or it )oes not sa- t,at state 7a- not 8e sue) un)er an- circu7stances. &,e %tateLs consent 7a- 8e gi.en e<+ressl- or i7+lie)l-. E<+ress consent 7a- 8e 7a)e t,roug, a general la6 or s+ecial la6. "n t,e ot,er ,an), '7+lie) consent is 6,en t,e %tate itsel/ co77ences litigation, t,us o+ening itsel/ to a counterclai7, or 6,en it enters into a contract. 'n t,e (AB, t,e clai7s o/ t,e securit- guar)s arising /ro7 t,e (ontract /or %er.ice, clearl- constitute 7one- clai7s. *n)er Act #o. 3H83, a general la6, t,e %tate consents an) su87its to 8e sue) u+on an- 7one-e) clai7 in.ol.ing lia8ilit- arising /ro7 contract, e<+ress or i7+lie). Ho6e.er, t,e 7one- clai7 7ust /irst 8e 8roug,t to t,e (o77ission on Au)it.

?HE EF" E, 0E&'&'"# '% $ A#&E! Ra"o v. CF+ of !u#acan, 110 SCRA <60 FACTS: !uring t,e ,eig,t o/ t,at in/a7ous t-+,oon AEA!'#$A, #0(, acting t,roug, its +lant su+erinten)ent, Ben;a7in (,a.e1, o+ene) or cause) to 8e o+ene) si7ultaneousl- all t,e t,ree /loo)gates o/ t,e Angat !a7 6,ic, inun)ate) se.eral to6ns in Bulacan. 3icti7s o/ t,e /loo) /ile) /or )a7ages to t,e res+on)ent court 6it, ele.en co7+laints against t,e res+on)ent cor+oration an) Ben;a7in (,a.e1. es+on)ent cor+oration /ile) se+arate ans6ers to eac, o/ t,ese ele.en co7+laints an) in.o9e) in eac, ans6er a s+ecial an) a//ir7ati.e )e/ense t,at Ain t,e o+eration o/ t,e Angat !a7,A it is A+er/or7ing a +urel- go.ern7ental /unctionA, ,ence it Acannot 8e sue) 6it,out t,e e<+ress consent o/ t,e %tate.A &,e res+on)ent court )is7isse) t,eir +etition. +SS.E: 1. ?,et,er res+on)ent #ational 0o6er (or+oration +er/or7s a go.ern7ental /unction 6it, res+ect to t,e 7anage7ent an) o+eration o/ t,e Angat !a7. 5. ?,et,er t,e +o6er o/ res+on)ent #ational 0o6er (or+oration to sue an) 8e sue) un)er its organic c,arter inclu)es t,e +o6er to 8e sue) /or tort. 6ELD: Kes. ?it, res+ect to t,e 7anage7ent an) o+eration o/ t,e Angat !a7, it is su//icient to sa- t,at t,e go.ern7ent ,as organi1e) a +ri.ate cor+oration, +ut 7one- in it an) ,as allo6e) it to sue an) 8e sue) in an- court un)er its c,arter. &,e c,arter +ro.ision t,at t,e #0( can Asue an) 8e sue) in an- courtA is 6it,out =uali/ication on t,e cause o/ action an) accor)ingl- it can inclu)e a tort clai7 suc, as t,e one institute) 8- t,e +etitioners. Barredo (Chairman), A uino, !e Castro, "ricta and "scolin JJ., concur. Concepcion Jr., J., is on leave.