SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

Pimentel, Jr. vs. Office of the Executive Secret r!

".R. No. #$%&%%. Jul! ', (&&$.) SENATOR A*U+,+NO P+MENTE,, JR., REP. ETTA ROSA,ES, P-+,+PP+NE COA,+T+ON .OR T-E ESTA/,+S-MENT O. T-E +NTERNAT+ONA, CR+M+NA, COURT, TAS0 .ORCE DETA+NEES O. T-E P-+,+PP+NES, .AM+,+ES O. 1+CT+MS O. +N1O,UNTAR2 D+SAPPEARANCES, /+ANCA -AC+NT-A R. RO*UE, -ARR+SON JACO/ R. RO*UE, A-MED PA",+NA3AN, RON P. SA,O, ,EA1+DES ". DOM+N"O, ED"ARDO CAR,O 1+STAN, NOE, 1+,,AROMAN, CE,ESTE CEM/RANO, ,+4A A/+ERA, JA+ME ARRO2O, MAR3+, ,,ASOS, CR+ST+NA ATEND+DO, +SRA.E, .A"E,A, n5 ROME, /A"ARES,

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) EN /ANC.

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Pimentel, Jr. vs. Office of the Executive Secret r! 9etitioners, vs. O..+CE O. T-E E:ECUT+1E SECRETAR2, re9resente5 ;! -ON. A,/ERTO ROMU,O, n5 the DEPARTMENT O. .ORE+"N A..A+RS, re9resente5 ;! -ON. /,AS OP,E, res9on5ents.

Actions< Ju5ici l Revie=< P rties< ,ocus St n5i< M n5 mus< To ;e >iven 5ue course, 9etition for m n5 mus must h ve ;een institute5 ;! 9 rt! >>rieve5 ;! the lle>e5 in ction of n! tri;un l, cor9or tion, ;o r5 or 9erson =hich unl =full! exclu5es s i5 9 rt! from the en?o!ment of le> l ri>ht< The Court =ill exercise its 9o=er of ?u5ici l revie= onl! if the c se is ;rou>ht ;efore it ;! 9 rt! =ho h s the le> l st n5in> to r ise the constitution l or le> l @uestions< A,e> l st n5in>B me ns 9erson l n5 su;st nti l interest in the c se such th t the 9 rt! h s sust ine5 or =ill sust in 5irect in?ur! s result of the >overnment ct th t is ;ein> ch llen>e5. CA 9etition for m n5 mus m ! ;e file5 =hen n! tri;un l, cor9or tion, ;o r5, officer or 9erson unl =full! ne>lects the 9erform nce of n ct =hich the l = s9ecific ll! en?oins s 5ut! resultin> from n office, trust, or st tion. 3e h ve hel5 th t to ;e >iven 5ue course, 9etition for m n5 mus must h ve ;een institute5 ;! 9 rt! >>rieve5 ;! the lle>e5 in ction of n! tri;un l, cor9or tion, ;o r5 or 9erson =hich unl =full! exclu5es s i5 9 rt! from the en?o!ment of le> l ri>ht. The 9etitioner in ever! c se must therefore ;e n >>rieve5 9 rt! in the sense th t he 9ossesses cle r le> l ri>ht to ;e enforce5 n5 5irect interest in the 5ut! or ct to ;e 9erforme5. The Court =ill exercise its 9o=er of ?u5ici l revie= onl! if the c se is ;rou>ht ;efore it ;! 9 rt! =ho h s the le> l st n5in> to r ise the constitution l or le> l @uestion. A,e> l st n5in>B me ns 9erson l n5 su;st nti l interest in the c se such th t the 9 rt! h s sust ine5 or =ill sust in 5irect in?ur! s result of the >overnment ct th t is ;ein> ch llen>e5. The term AinterestB is m teri l interest, n interest in issue n5 to ;e ffecte5 ;! the 5ecree, s 5istin>uishe5 from mere interest in the @uestion involve5, or mere inci5ent l interest.

S me< S me< S me< S me< S me< +ntern tion l , =< Rome St tute of the +ntern tion l Crimin l Court< Onl! Sen tor Pimentel h s the le> l st n5in> to file the inst nt suit since the other 9etitioners, even s the! m int in their st n5in> s 5voc tes n5 5efen5ers of hum n ri>hts, n5 s citiDens of the countr!, h ve not sho=n th t the! h ve sust ine5 or =ill sust in 5irect in?ur! from the nonE

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SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

Pimentel, Jr. vs. Office of the Executive Secret r!

tr nsmitt l of the si>ne5 text of the Rome St tute to the Sen teCthe Rome St tute is inten5e5 to com9lement n tion l crimin l l =s n5 courts n5 sufficient reme5ies re v il ;le un5er our n tion l l =s to 9rotect our citiDens > inst hum n ri>hts viol tions n5 9etitioners c n l= !s seeF re5ress for n! ;use in our 5omestic courts.CThe @uestion in st n5in> is =hether 9 rt! h s lle>e5 such 9erson l st Fe in the outcome of the controvers! s to ssure th t concrete 5verseness =hich sh r9ens the 9resent tion of issues u9on =hich the court so l r>el! 5e9en5s for illumin tion of 5ifficult constitution l @uestions. 3e fin5 th t mon> the 9etitioners, onl! Sen tor Pimentel h s the le> l st n5in> to file the inst nt suit. The other 9etitioners m int in their st n5in> s 5voc tes n5 5efen5ers of hum n ri>hts, n5 s citiDens of the countr!. The! h ve not sho=n, ho=ever, th t the! h ve sust ine5 or =ill sust in 5irect in?ur! from the nonEtr nsmitt l of the si>ne5 text of the Rome St tute to the Sen te. Their contention th t the! =ill ;e 5e9rive5 of their reme5ies for the 9rotection n5 enforcement of their ri>hts 5oes not 9ersu 5e. The Rome St tute is inten5e5 to com9lement n tion l crimin l l =s n5 courts. Sufficient reme5ies re v il ;le un5er our n tion l l =s to 9rotect our citiDens > inst hum n ri>hts viol tions n5 9etitioners c n l= !s seeF re5ress for n! ;use in our 5omestic courts.

S me< S me< S me< S me< S me< S me< ,e>isl tors h ve the st n5in> to m int in inviol te the 9rero> tives, 9o=ers n5 9rivile>es veste5 ;! the Constitution in their office n5 re llo=e5 to sue to @uestion the v li5it! of n! offici l ction =hich the! cl im infrin>es their 9rero> tives s le>isl tors.CAs re> r5s Sen tor Pimentel, it h s ;een hel5 th t Ato the extent the 9o=ers of Con>ress re im9 ire5, so is the 9o=er of e ch mem;er thereof, since his office confers ri>ht to 9 rtici9 te in the exercise of the 9o=ers of th t institution.B Thus, le>isl tors h ve the st n5in> to m int in inviol te the 9rero> tives, 9o=ers n5 9rivile>es veste5 ;! the Constitution in their office n5 re llo=e5 to sue to @uestion the v li5it! of n! offici l ction =hich the! cl im infrin>es their 9rero> tives s le>isl tors. The 9etition t ; r invoFes the 9o=er of the Sen te to >r nt or =ithhol5 its concurrence to tre t! entere5 into ;! the executive ;r nch, in this c se, the Rome St tute. The 9etition seeFs to or5er the executive ;r nch to tr nsmit the co9! of the tre t! to the Sen te to llo= it to exercise such uthorit!. Sen tor Pimentel,

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Pimentel, Jr. vs. Office of the Executive Secret r!

s mem;er of the institution, cert inl! h s the le> l st n5in> to ssert such uthorit! of the Sen te.

+ntern tion l , =< Tre ties< Presi5enc!< +n our s!stem of >overnment, the Presi5ent, ;ein> the he 5 of st te, is re> r5e5 s the sole or> n n5 uthorit! in extern l rel tions n5 is the countr!Gs sole re9resent tive =ith forei>n n tions.C+n our s!stem of >overnment, the Presi5ent, ;ein> the he 5 of st te, is re> r5e5 s the sole or> n n5 uthorit! in extern l rel tions n5 is the countr!Gs sole re9resent tive =ith forei>n n tions. As the chief rchitect of forei>n 9olic!, the Presi5ent cts s the countr!Gs mouth9iece =ith res9ect to intern tion l ff irs. -ence, the Presi5ent is veste5 =ith the uthorit! to 5e l =ith forei>n st tes n5 >overnments, exten5 or =ithhol5 reco>nition, m int in 5i9lom tic rel tions, enter into tre ties, n5 other=ise tr ns ct the ;usiness of forei>n rel tions. +n the re lm of tre t!Em Fin>, the Presi5ent h s the sole uthorit! to ne>oti te =ith other st tes. Nonetheless, =hile the Presi5ent h s the sole uthorit! to ne>oti te n5 enter into tre ties, the Constitution 9rovi5es limit tion to his 9o=er ;! re@uirin> the concurrence of (H7 of ll the mem;ers of the Sen te for the v li5it! of the tre t! entere5 into ;! him. Section (#, Article 1++ of the #I%J Constitution 9rovi5es th t Ano tre t! or intern tion l >reement sh ll ;e v li5 n5 effective unless concurre5 in ;! t le st t=oEthir5s of ll the Mem;ers of the Sen te.B

S me< S me< S me< The 9 rtici9 tion of the le>isl tive ;r nch in the tre t!Em Fin> 9rocess = s 5eeme5 essenti l to 9rovi5e checF on the executive in the fiel5 of forei>n rel tions.CThe 9 rtici9 tion of the le>isl tive ;r nch in the tre t!Em Fin> 9rocess = s 5eeme5 essenti l to 9rovi5e checF on the executive in the fiel5 of forei>n rel tions. /! re@uirin> the concurrence of the le>isl ture in the tre ties entere5 into ;! the Presi5ent, the Constitution ensures he lth! s!stem of checFs n5 ; l nce necess r! in the n tionGs 9ursuit of 9olitic l m turit! n5 >ro=th.

S me< S me< S me< The si>nin> of the tre t! n5 the r tific tion re t=o se9 r te n5 5istinct ste9s in the tre t!Em Fin> 9rocessCthe si>n ture is 9rim ril! inten5e5 s me ns of uthentic tin> the instrument n5 s s!m;ol of the >oo5 f ith of the 9 rties, usu ll! 9erforme5 ;! the st teGs uthoriDe5 re9resent tive, =hile r tific tion is the form l ct ;! =hich st te confirms n5 cce9ts the 9rovisions of tre t! conclu5e5 ;! its re9resent tive, n5 is >ener ll! hel5

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SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

Pimentel, Jr. vs. Office of the Executive Secret r!

to ;e n executive ct, un5ert Fen ;! the he 5 of the st te or of the >overnment.C PetitionersG r>uments e@u te the si>nin> of the tre t! ;! the Phili99ine re9resent tive =ith r tific tion. +t shoul5 ;e un5erscore5 th t the si>nin> of the tre t! n5 the r tific tion re t=o se9 r te n5 5istinct ste9s in the tre t!Em Fin> 9rocess. As e rlier 5iscusse5, the si>n ture is 9rim ril! inten5e5 s me ns of uthentic tin> the instrument n5 s s!m;ol of the >oo5 f ith of the 9 rties. +t is usu ll! 9erforme5 ;! the st teGs uthoriDe5 re9resent tive in the 5i9lom tic mission. R tific tion, on the other h n5, is the form l ct ;! =hich st te confirms n5 cce9ts the 9rovisions of tre t! conclu5e5 ;! its re9resent tive. +t is >ener ll! hel5 to ;e n executive ct, un5ert Fen ;! the he 5 of the st te or of the >overnment. Thus, Executive Or5er No. 8$I issue5 ;! Presi5ent .i5el 1. R mos on Novem;er ($, #IIJ 9rovi5es the >ui5elines in the ne>oti tion of intern tion l >reements n5 its r tific tion. +t m n5 tes th t fter the tre t! h s ;een si>ne5 ;! the Phili99ine re9resent tive, the s me sh ll ;e tr nsmitte5 to the De9 rtment of .orei>n Aff irs. The De9 rtment of .orei>n Aff irs sh ll then 9re9 re the r tific tion 9 9ers n5 for= r5 the si>ne5 co9! of the tre t! to the Presi5ent for r tific tion. After the Presi5ent h s r tifie5 the tre t!, the De9 rtment of .orei>n Aff irs sh ll su;mit the s me to the Sen te for concurrence. U9on recei9t of the concurrence of

the Sen te, the De9 rtment of .orei>n Aff irs sh ll com9l! =ith the 9rovisions of the tre t! to ren5er it effective.

S me< S me< S me< PetitionersG su;mission th t the Phili99ines is ;oun5 un5er tre t! l = n5 intern tion l l = to r tif! the tre t! =hich it h s si>ne5 is =ithout ; sisCit is the r tific tion th t ;in5s the st te to the 9rovisions thereof< There is no le> l o;li> tion to r tif! tre t!, ;ut it >oes =ithout s !in> th t the refus l must ;e ; se5 on su;st nti l >roun5s n5 not on su9erfici l or =himsic l re sons< The Presi5ent h s the 5iscretion even fter the si>nin> of the tre t! ;! the Phili99ine re9resent tive =hether or not to r tif! the s me.CPetitionersG su;mission th t the Phili99ines is ;oun5 un5er tre t! l = n5 intern tion l l = to r tif! the tre t! =hich it h s si>ne5 is =ithout ; sis. The si>n ture 5oes not si>nif! the fin l consent of the st te to the tre t!. +t is the r tific tion th t ;in5s the st te to the 9rovisions thereof. +n f ct, the Rome St tute itself re@uires th t the si>n ture of the re9resent tives of the st tes ;e su;?ect to r tific tion, cce9t nce or 99rov l of the si>n tor! st tes. R tific tion is the ct ;! =hich the 9rovisions of tre t! re forE

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Pimentel, Jr. vs. Office of the Executive Secret r!

m ll! confirme5 n5 99rove5 ;! St te. /! r tif!in> tre t! si>ne5 in its ;eh lf, st te ex9resses its =illin>ness to ;e ;oun5 ;! the 9rovisions of such tre t!. After the tre t! is si>ne5 ;! the st teGs re9resent tive, the Presi5ent, ;ein> ccount ;le to the 9eo9le, is ;ur5ene5 =ith the res9onsi;ilit! n5 the 5ut! to c refull! stu5! the contents of the tre t! n5 ensure th t the! re not inimic l to the interest of the st te n5 its 9eo9le. Thus, the Presi5ent h s the 5iscretion even fter the si>nin> of the tre t! ;! the Phili99ine re9resent tive =hether or not to r tif! the s me. The 1ienn Convention on the , = of Tre ties 5oes not contem9l te to 5efe t or even restr in this 9o=er of the he 5 of st tes. +f th t =ere so, the re@uirement of

r tific tion of tre ties =oul5 ;e 9ointless n5 futile. +t h s ;een hel5 th t st te h s no le> l or even mor l 5ut! to r tif! tre t! =hich h s ;een si>ne5 ;! its 9leni9otenti ries. There is no le> l o;li> tion to r tif! tre t!, ;ut it >oes =ithout s !in> th t the refus l must ;e ; se5 on su;st nti l >roun5s n5 not on su9erfici l or =himsic l re sons. Other=ise, the other st te =oul5 ;e ?ustifie5 in t Fin> offense.

S me< S me< S me< +t is =ithin the uthorit! of the Presi5ent to refuse to su;mit tre t! to the Sen te or, h vin> secure5 its consent for its r tific tion, refuse to r tif! it.C+t shoul5 ;e em9h siDe5 th t un5er our Constitution, the 9o=er to r tif! is veste5 in the Presi5ent, su;?ect to the concurrence of the Sen te. The role of the Sen te, ho=ever, is limite5 onl! to >ivin> or =ithhol5in> its consent, or concurrence, to the r tific tion. -ence, it is =ithin the uthorit! of the Presi5ent to refuse to su;mit tre t! to the Sen te or, h vin> secure5 its consent for its r tific tion, refuse to r tif! it. Althou>h the refus l of st te to r tif! tre t! =hich h s ;een si>ne5 in its ;eh lf is serious ste9 th t shoul5 not ;e t Fen li>htl!, such 5ecision is =ithin the com9etence of the Presi5ent lone, =hich c nnot ;e encro che5 ;! this Court vi =rit of m n5 mus. This Court h s no ?uris5iction over ctions seeFin> to en?oin the Presi5ent in the 9erform nce of his offici l 5uties. The Court, therefore, c nnot issue the =rit of m n5 mus 9r !e5 for ;! the 9etitioners s it is ;e!on5 its ?uris5iction to com9el the executive ;r nch of the >overnment to tr nsmit the si>ne5 text of Rome St tute to the Sen te.

SPEC+A, C+1+, ACT+ON in the Su9reme Court. M n5 mus.

The f cts re st te5 in the o9inion of the Court.

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SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

Pimentel, Jr. vs. Office of the Executive Secret r!

-. - rr! ,. Ro@ue, Jr. n5 Joel RuiD /utu! n for 9etitioners.

The Solicitor "ener l for res9on5ents.

PUNO, J.K

This is 9etition for m n5 mus file5 ;! 9etitioners to com9el the Office of the Executive Secret r! n5 the De9 rtment of .orei>n Aff irs to tr nsmit the si>ne5 co9! of the Rome St tute of the +ntern tion l Crimin l Court to the Sen te of the Phili99ines for its concurrence in ccor5 nce =ith Section (#, Article 1++ of the #I%J Constitution.

The Rome St tute est ;lishe5 the +ntern tion l Crimin l Court =hich Ash ll h ve the 9o=er to exercise its ?uris5iction over 9ersons for the most serious crimes of intern tion l concern x x x n5 sh ll ;e com9lement r! to the n tion l crimin l ?uris5ictions.B# +ts ?uris5iction covers the crime of >enoci5e, crimes > inst hum nit!, = r crimes n5 the crime of >>ression s 5efine5 in the St tute.( The St tute = s o9ene5 for si>n ture ;! ll st tes in Rome on Jul! #J, #II% n5 h 5 rem ine5 o9en for si>n ture until Decem;er 7#, (&&& t the Unite5 N tions -e 5@u rters in Ne= 2orF. The Phili99ines si>ne5 the St tute on Decem;er (%, (&&& throu>h Ch r>e 5G Aff irs Enri@ue A. M n lo of the Phili99ine Mission to the Unite5 N tions.7 +ts 9rovisions, ho=ever, re@uire th t it ;e su;?ect to r tific tion, cce9t nce or 99rov l of the si>n tor! st tes.8

Petitioners file5 the inst nt 9etition to com9el the res9on5entsCthe Office of the Executive Secret r! n5 the De9 rtment of .orei>n Aff irsCto tr nsmit the si>ne5 text of the tre t! to the Sen te of the Phili99ines for r tific tion.

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# Article #, Rome St tute.

( Article $, Rome St tute.

7 Annex A/B of Petition, Rollo, 9. #&#.

8 Article ($, Rome St tute.

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Pimentel, Jr. vs. Office of the Executive Secret r!

+t is the theor! of the 9etitioners th t r tific tion of tre t!, un5er ;oth 5omestic l = n5 intern tion l l =, is function of the Sen te. -ence, it is the 5ut! of the executive 5e9 rtment to tr nsmit the si>ne5 co9! of the Rome St tute to the Sen te to llo= it to exercise its 5iscretion =ith res9ect to r tific tion of tre ties. Moreover, 9etitioners su;mit th t the Phili99ines h s ministeri l 5ut! to r tif! the Rome St tute un5er tre t! l = n5 custom r! intern tion l l =. Petitioners invoFe the 1ienn Convention on the , = of Tre ties en?oinin> the st tes to refr in from cts =hich =oul5 5efe t the o;?ect n5 9ur9ose of tre t! =hen the! h ve si>ne5 the tre t! 9rior to r tific tion unless the! h ve m 5e their intention cle r not to ;ecome 9 rties to the tre t!.$

The Office of the Solicitor "ener l, commentin> for the res9on5ents, @uestione5 the st n5in> of the 9etitioners to file the inst nt suit. +t lso conten5e5 th t the 9etition t ; r viol tes the rule on hier rch! of courts. On the su;st ntive issue r ise5 ;! 9etitioners, res9on5ents r>ue th t the executive 5e9 rtment h s no 5ut! to tr nsmit the Rome St tute to the Sen te for concurrence.

A 9etition for m n5 mus m ! ;e file5 =hen n! tri;un l, cor9or tion, ;o r5, officer or 9erson unl =full! ne>lects the 9erform nce of n ct =hich the l = s9ecific ll! en?oins s

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$ Article #%, 1ienn Convention on the , = of Tre ties re 5sK

Article #%

O;li> tion not to 5efe t the o;?ect n5 9ur9ose of force

tre t! 9rior to its entr! into

A St te is o;li>e5 to refr in from cts =hich =oul5 5efe t the o;?ect n5 9ur9ose of tre t! =henK

L M it h s si>ne5 the tre t! or h s exch n>e5 instruments constitutin> the tre t! su;?ect to r tific tion, cce9t nce or 99rov l, until it sh ll h ve m 5e its intention cle r not to ;ecome 9 rt! to the tre t!< or L;M it h s ex9resse5 its consent to ;e ;oun5 ;! the tre t!, 9en5in> the entr! into force of the tre t! n5 9rovi5e5 th t such entr! into force is not un5ul! 5el !e5.

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SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

Pimentel, Jr. vs. Office of the Executive Secret r!

5ut! resultin> from n office, trust, or st tion.' 3e h ve hel5 th t to ;e >iven 5ue course, 9etition for m n5 mus must h ve ;een institute5 ;! 9 rt! >>rieve5 ;! the lle>e5 in ction of n! tri;un l, cor9or tion, ;o r5 or 9erson =hich unl =full! exclu5es s i5 9 rt! from the en?o!ment of le> l ri>ht. The 9etitioner in ever! c se must therefore ;e n >>rieve5 9 rt! in the sense th t he 9ossesses cle r le> l ri>ht to ;e enforce5 n5 5irect interest in the 5ut! or ct to ;e 9erforme5.J The Court =ill exercise its 9o=er of ?u5ici l revie= onl! if the c se is ;rou>ht ;efore it ;! 9 rt! =ho h s the le> l st n5in> to r ise the constitution l or le> l @uestion. A,e> l st n5in>B me ns 9erson l n5 su;st nti l interest in the c se such th t the 9 rt! h s sust ine5 or =ill sust in 5irect in?ur! s result of the >overnment ct th t is ;ein> ch llen>e5. The term AinterestB is m teri l interest, n interest in issue n5 to ;e ffecte5 ;! the 5ecree, s 5istin>uishe5 from mere interest in the @uestion involve5, or mere inci5ent l interest.%

The 9etition t ; r = s file5 ;! Sen tor A@uilino Pimentel, Jr. =ho sserts his le> l st n5in> to file the suit s mem;er of the Sen te< Con>ress=om n ,orett Ann Ros les, mem;er of the -ouse of Re9resent tives n5 Ch ir9erson of its Committee on -um n Ri>hts< the Phili99ine Co lition for the Est ;lishment of the +ntern tion l Crimin l Court =hich is com9ose5 of in5ivi5u ls n5 cor9or te entities 5e5ic te5 to the Phili99ine r tific tion of the Rome St tute< the T sF .orce Det inees of the Phili99ines, ?uri5ic l entit! =ith the vo=e5 9ur9ose of 9romotin> the c use of hum n ri>hts n5 hum n ri>hts victims in the countr!< the . milies of 1ictims of +nvolunt r! Dis 99e r nces, ?uri5ic l entit! 5ul! or> niDe5 n5 existin> 9ursu nt to Phili99ine , =s =ith the vo=e5 9ur9ose of 9romotin> the c use of f milies n5 vicE

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' Section 7, Rule '$, #IIJ Rules of Civil Proce5ure.

J ,e> s9i vs. Civil Service Commission, #$& SCRA $7& L#I%JM.

% Jo! vs. Presi5enti l Commission on "oo5 "overnment, (($ SCRA $'% L#II7M.

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Pimentel, Jr. vs. Office of the Executive Secret r!

tims of hum n ri>hts viol tions in the countr!< /i nc - cinth Ro@ue n5 - rrison J co; Ro@ue, >e5 t=o L(M n5 one L#M, res9ectivel!, t the time of filin> of the inst nt 9etition, n5 suin> un5er the 5octrine of interE>ener tion l ri>hts enunci te5 in the c se of O9os vs. . ctor n, Jr.<I n5 >rou9 of fifth !e r =orFin> l = stu5ents from the Universit! of the Phili99ines Colle>e of , = =ho re suin> s t x9 !ers.

The @uestion in st n5in> is =hether 9 rt! h s lle>e5 such 9erson l st Fe in the outcome of the controvers! s to ssure th t concrete 5verseness =hich sh r9ens the 9resent tion of issues u9on =hich the court so l r>el! 5e9en5s for illumin tion of 5ifficult constitution l @uestions.#&

3e fin5 th t mon> the 9etitioners, onl! Sen tor Pimentel h s the le> l st n5in> to file the inst nt suit. The other 9etitioners m int in their st n5in> s 5voc tes n5 5efen5ers of hum n ri>hts, n5 s citiDens of the countr!. The! h ve not sho=n, ho=ever, th t the! h ve sust ine5 or =ill sust in 5irect in?ur! from the nonE tr nsmitt l of the si>ne5 text of the Rome St tute to the Sen te. Their contention th t the! =ill ;e 5e9rive5 of their reme5ies for the 9rotection n5 enforcement of their ri>hts 5oes not 9ersu 5e. The Rome St tute is inten5e5 to com9lement n tion l crimin l l =s n5 courts. Sufficient reme5ies re v il ;le un5er our n tion l l =s to 9rotect our citiDens > inst hum n ri>hts viol tions n5 9etitioners c n l= !s seeF re5ress for n! ;use in our 5omestic courts.

As re> r5s Sen tor Pimentel, it h s ;een hel5 th t Ato the extent the 9o=ers of Con>ress re im9 ire5, so is the 9o=er of e ch mem;er thereof, since his office confers ri>ht to 9 rtici9 te in the exercise of the 9o=ers of th t institution.B## Thus, le>isl tors h ve the st n5in> to m int in inviol te the

666666666666666

I ((8 SCRA JI( L#II7M.

#& "onD les vs. N rv s , 77J SCRA J77 L(&&&M.

## Del M r vs. Phili99ine Amusement n5 " min> Cor9or tion, 78' SCRA 8%$ L(&&&M.

'7(

'7(

SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

Pimentel, Jr. vs. Office of the Executive Secret r!

9rero> tives, 9o=ers n5 9rivile>es veste5 ;! the Constitution in their office n5 re llo=e5 to sue to @uestion the v li5it! of n! offici l ction =hich the! cl im infrin>es their 9rero> tives s le>isl tors. The 9etition t ; r invoFes the 9o=er of the Sen te to >r nt or =ithhol5 its concurrence to tre t! entere5 into ;! the executive ;r nch, in this c se, the Rome St tute. The 9etition seeFs to or5er the executive ;r nch to tr nsmit the co9! of the tre t! to the Sen te to llo= it to

exercise such uthorit!. Sen tor Pimentel, s mem;er of the institution, cert inl! h s the le> l st n5in> to ssert such uthorit! of the Sen te.

3e no= >o to the su;st ntive issue.

The core issue in this 9etition for m n5 mus is =hether the Executive Secret r! n5 the De9 rtment of .orei>n Aff irs h ve ministeri l 5ut! to tr nsmit to the Sen te the co9! of the Rome St tute si>ne5 ;! mem;er of the Phili99ine Mission to the Unite5 N tions even =ithout the si>n ture of the Presi5ent.

3e rule in the ne> tive.

+n our s!stem of >overnment, the Presi5ent, ;ein> the he 5 of st te, is re> r5e5 s the sole or> n n5 uthorit! in extern l rel tions n5 is the countr!Gs sole re9resent tive =ith forei>n n tions.#( As the chief rchitect of forei>n 9olic!, the Presi5ent cts s the countr!Gs mouth9iece =ith res9ect to intern tion l ff irs. -ence, the Presi5ent is veste5 =ith the uthorit! to 5e l =ith forei>n st tes n5 >overnments, exten5 or =ithhol5 reco>nition, m int in 5i9lom tic rel tions, enter into tre ties, n5 other=ise tr ns ct the ;usiness of forei>n rel tions.#7 +n the re lm of tre t!Em Fin>, the Presi5ent h s the sole uthorit! to ne>oti te =ith other st tes.

Nonetheless, =hile the Presi5ent h s the sole uthorit! to ne>oti te n5 enter into tre ties, the Constitution 9rovi5es

666666666666666

#( Cortes, The Phili99ine Presi5enc!K A Stu5! of Executive Po=er L#I''M, 9. #%J.

#7 CruD, Phili99ine Politic l , = L#II' E5.M, 9. ((7.

'77

1O,. 8'(, JU,2 ', (&&$

'77

Pimentel, Jr. vs. Office of the Executive Secret r!

limit tion to his 9o=er ;! re@uirin> the concurrence of (H7 of ll the mem;ers of the Sen te for the v li5it! of the tre t! entere5 into ;! him. Section (#, Article 1++ of the #I%J Constitution 9rovi5es th t Ano tre t! or intern tion l >reement sh ll ;e v li5 n5 effective unless concurre5 in ;! t le st t=oEthir5s of ll the Mem;ers of the Sen te.B The #I7$ n5 the #IJ7 Constitution lso re@uire5 the concurrence ;! the le>isl ture to the tre ties entere5 into ;! the executive. Section #& LJM, Article 1++ of the #I7$ Constitution 9rovi5e5K

Sec. #&. LJM The Presi5ent sh ll h ve the 9o=er, =ith the concurrence of t=oEthir5s of ll the Mem;ers of the Sen te, to m Fe tre ties x x x.

Section #8 L#M Article 1+++ of the #IJ7 Constitution st te5K

Sec. #8. L#M Exce9t s other=ise 9rovi5e5 in this Constitution, no tre t! sh ll ;e v li5 n5 effective unless concurre5 in ;! m ?orit! of ll the Mem;ers of the / t s n> P m; ns .

The 9 rtici9 tion of the le>isl tive ;r nch in the tre t!Em Fin> 9rocess = s 5eeme5 essenti l to 9rovi5e checF on the executive in the fiel5 of forei>n rel tions.#8 /! re@uirin> the concurrence of the le>isl ture in the tre ties entere5 into ;! the Presi5ent, the Constitution ensures he lth! s!stem of checFs n5 ; l nce necess r! in the n tionGs 9ursuit of 9olitic l m turit! n5 >ro=th.#$

+n filin> this 9etition, the 9etitioners inter9ret Section (#, Article 1++ of the #I%J Constitution to me n th t the 9o=er to r tif! tre ties ;elon>s to the Sen te.

3e 5is >ree.

Justice +s > ni CruD, in his ;ooF on +ntern tion l , =, 5escri;es the tre t!Em Fin> 9rocess in this =iseK

666666666666666

#8 Cortes, su9r note #(, 9. #%I.

#$ / ! n vs. 4 mor , 78( SCRA 88I L(&&&M.

'78

'78

SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

Pimentel, Jr. vs. Office of the Executive Secret r!

The usu l ste9s in the tre t!Em Fin> 9rocess reK ne>oti tion, si>n ture, r tific tion, n5 exch n>e of the instruments of r tific tion. The tre t! m ! then ;e su;mitte5 for re>istr tion n5 9u;lic tion un5er the U.N. Ch rter, lthou>h this ste9 is not essenti l to the v li5it! of the >reement s ;et=een the 9 rties.

Ne>oti tion m ! ;e un5ert Fen 5irectl! ;! the he 5 of st te ;ut he no= usu ll! ssi>ns this t sF to his uthoriDe5 re9resent tives. These re9resent tives re 9rovi5e5 =ith cre5enti ls Fno=n s full 9o=ers, =hich the! exhi;it to the other ne>oti tors t the st rt of the form l 5iscussions. +t is st n5 r5 9r ctice for one of the 9 rties to su;mit 5r ft of the 9ro9ose5 tre t! =hich, to>ether =ith the counterE9ro9os ls, ;ecomes the ; sis of the su;se@uent ne>oti tions. The ne>oti tions m ! ;e ;rief or 9rotr cte5, 5e9en5in> on the issues involve5, n5 m ! even Acoll 9seB in c se the 9 rties re un ;le to come to n >reement on the 9oints un5er consi5er tion.

+f n5 =hen the ne>oti tors fin ll! 5eci5e on the terms of the tre t!, the s me is o9ene5 for si>n ture. This ste9 is 9rim ril! inten5e5 s me ns of uthentic tin> the instrument n5 for the 9ur9ose of s!m;oliDin> the >oo5 f ith of the 9 rties< ;ut, si>nific ntl!, it 5oes not in5ic te the fin l consent of the st te in c ses =here r tific tion of the tre t! is re@uire5. The 5ocument is or5in ril! si>ne5 in ccor5 nce =ith the ltern t, th t is, e ch of the sever l ne>oti tors is llo=e5 to si>n first on the co9! =hich he =ill ;rin> home to his o=n st te.

R tific tion, =hich is the next ste9, is the form l ct ;! =hich st te confirms n5 cce9ts the 9rovisions of tre t! conclu5e5 ;! its re9resent tives. The 9ur9ose of r tific tion is to en ;le the contr ctin> st tes to ex mine the tre t! more closel! n5 to >ive them n o99ortunit! to refuse to ;e ;oun5 ;! it shoul5 the! fin5 it inimic l to their interests. +t is for this re son th t most tre ties re m 5e su;?ect to the scrutin! n5 consent of 5eE

'7$

1O,. 8'(, JU,2 ', (&&$

'7$

Pimentel, Jr. vs. Office of the Executive Secret r!

9 rtment of the >overnment other th n th t =hich ne>oti te5 them.

xxx

The l st ste9 in the tre t!Em Fin> 9rocess is the exch n>e of the instruments of r tific tion, =hich usu ll! lso si>nifies the effectivit! of the tre t! unless 5ifferent 5 te h s ;een >ree5 u9on ;! the 9 rties. 3here r tific tion is 5is9ense5 =ith n5 no effectivit! cl use is em;o5ie5 in the tre t!, the instrument is 5eeme5 effective u9on its si>n ture.#' Nem9h sis su99lie5O

PetitionersG r>uments e@u te the si>nin> of the tre t! ;! the Phili99ine re9resent tive =ith r tific tion. +t shoul5 ;e un5erscore5 th t the si>nin> of the tre t! n5 the r tific tion re t=o se9 r te n5 5istinct ste9s in the tre t!Em Fin> 9rocess. As e rlier 5iscusse5, the si>n ture is 9rim ril! inten5e5 s me ns of uthentic tin> the instrument n5 s s!m;ol of the >oo5 f ith of the 9 rties. +t is usu ll! 9erforme5 ;! the st teGs uthoriDe5 re9resent tive in the 5i9lom tic mission. R tific tion, on the other h n5, is the form l ct ;! =hich st te confirms n5 cce9ts the 9rovisions of tre t! conclu5e5 ;! its re9resent tive. +t is >ener ll! hel5 to ;e n executive ct, un5ert Fen ;! the he 5 of the st te or of the >overnment.#J Thus, Executive Or5er No. 8$I issue5 ;! Presi5ent .i5el 1. R mos on Novem;er ($, #IIJ 9rovi5es the >ui5elines in the ne>oti tion of intern tion l >reements n5 its r tific tion. +t m n5 tes th t fter the tre t! h s ;een si>ne5 ;! the Phili99ine re9resent tive, the s me sh ll ;e tr nsmitte5 to the De9 rtment of .orei>n Aff irs. The De9 rtment of .orei>n Aff irs sh ll then 9re9 re the r tific tion 9 9ers n5 for= r5 the si>ne5 co9! of the tre t! to the Presi5ent for r tific tion. After the Presi5ent h s r tifie5 the tre t!, the De9 rtment of .orei>n Aff irs sh ll su;mit the s me to the Sen te for concurrence. U9on recei9t of the conE

666666666666666

#' CruD, +ntern tion l , = L#II% E5.M, 99. #J(E#J8.

#J / ! n vs. 4 mor , su9r note #$.

'7'

'7'

SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

Pimentel, Jr. vs. Office of the Executive Secret r!

currence of the Sen te, the De9 rtment of .orei>n Aff irs sh ll com9l! =ith the 9rovisions of the tre t! to ren5er it effective. Section J of Executive Or5er No. 8$I re 5sK

Sec. J. Domestic Re@uirements for the Entr! into .orce of Tre t! or n Executive A>reement.CThe 5omestic re@uirements for the entr! into force of tre t! or n executive >reement, or n! men5ment thereto, sh ll ;e s follo=sK

A. Executive A>reements.

i. All executive >reements sh ll ;e tr nsmitte5 to the De9 rtment of .orei>n Aff irs fter their si>nin> for the 9re9 r tion of the r tific tion 9 9ers. The tr nsmitt l sh ll inclu5e the hi>hli>hts of the >reements n5 the ;enefits =hich =ill ccrue to the Phili99ines risin> from them. ii. The De9 rtment of .orei>n Aff irs, 9ursu nt to the en5orsement ;! the concerne5 >enc!, sh ll tr nsmit the >reements to the Presi5ent of the Phili99ines for his r tific tion. The ori>in l si>ne5 instrument of r tific tion sh ll then ;e returne5 to the De9 rtment of .orei>n Aff irs for 99ro9ri te ction.

/. Tre ties.

i. All tre ties, re> r5less of their 5esi>n tion, sh ll com9l! =ith the re@uirements 9rovi5e5 in su;E9 r >r 9hNsO # n5 (, item A LExecutive A>reementsM of this Section. +n 55ition, the De9 rtment of .orei>n Aff irs sh ll su;mit the tre ties to the Sen te of the Phili99ines for concurrence in the r tific tion ;! the Presi5ent. A certifie5 true co9! of the tre ties, in such num;ers s m ! ;e re@uire5 ;! the Sen te, to>ether =ith certifie5 true co9! of the r tific tion instrument, sh ll ccom9 n! the su;mission of the tre ties to the Sen te. ii. U9on recei9t of the concurrence ;! the Sen te, the De9 rtment of .orei>n Aff irs sh ll com9l! =ith the 9rovision of the tre ties in effectin> their entr! into force.

PetitionersG su;mission th t the Phili99ines is ;oun5 un5er tre t! l = n5 intern tion l l = to r tif! the tre t! =hich it h s si>ne5 is =ithout ; sis. The si>n ture 5oes not si>nif! the

'7J

1O,. 8'(, JU,2 ', (&&$

'7J

Pimentel, Jr. vs. Office of the Executive Secret r!

fin l consent of the st te to the tre t!. +t is the r tific tion th t ;in5s the st te to the 9rovisions thereof. +n f ct, the Rome St tute itself re@uires th t the si>n ture of the re9resent tives of the st tes ;e su;?ect to r tific tion, cce9t nce or 99rov l of the si>n tor! st tes. R tific tion is the ct ;! =hich the 9rovisions of tre t! re form ll! confirme5 n5 99rove5 ;! St te. /! r tif!in> tre t! si>ne5 in its ;eh lf, st te ex9resses its =illin>ness to ;e ;oun5 ;! the 9rovisions of such tre t!. After the tre t! is si>ne5 ;! the st teGs re9resent tive, the Presi5ent, ;ein> ccount ;le to the 9eo9le, is ;ur5ene5 =ith the res9onsi;ilit! n5 the 5ut! to c refull! stu5! the contents of the tre t! n5 ensure th t the! re not inimic l to

the interest of the st te n5 its 9eo9le. Thus, the Presi5ent h s the 5iscretion even fter the si>nin> of the tre t! ;! the Phili99ine re9resent tive =hether or not to r tif! the s me. The 1ienn Convention on the , = of Tre ties 5oes not contem9l te to 5efe t or even restr in this 9o=er of the he 5 of st tes. +f th t =ere so, the re@uirement of r tific tion of tre ties =oul5 ;e 9ointless n5 futile. +t h s ;een hel5 th t st te h s no le> l or even mor l 5ut! to r tif! tre t! =hich h s ;een si>ne5 ;! its 9leni9otenti ries.#% There is no le> l o;li> tion to r tif! tre t!, ;ut it >oes =ithout s !in> th t the refus l must ;e ; se5 on su;st nti l >roun5s n5 not on su9erfici l or =himsic l re sons. Other=ise, the other st te =oul5 ;e ?ustifie5 in t Fin> offense.#I

+t shoul5 ;e em9h siDe5 th t un5er our Constitution, the 9o=er to r tif! is veste5 in the Presi5ent, su;?ect to the concurrence of the Sen te. The role of the Sen te, ho=ever, is limite5 onl! to >ivin> or =ithhol5in> its consent, or concurrence, to the r tific tion.(& -ence, it is =ithin the uthorit! of the Presi5ent to refuse to su;mit tre t! to the Sen te or, h vin> secure5 its consent for its r tific tion, refuse to r tif!

666666666666666

#% S lon>

n5 2 9, Pu;lic +ntern tion l , = L$th E5itionM, 9. #7%.

#I CruD, +ntern tion l , =, su9r note #', 9. #J8.

(& / ! n vs. 4 mor , su9r note #$.

'7%

'7%

SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

Pimentel, Jr. vs. Office of the Executive Secret r!

it.(# Althou>h the refus l of st te to r tif! tre t! =hich h s ;een si>ne5 in its ;eh lf is serious ste9 th t shoul5 not ;e t Fen li>htl!,(( such 5ecision is =ithin the com9etence of the Presi5ent lone, =hich c nnot ;e encro che5 ;! this Court vi =rit of m n5 mus. This Court h s no ?uris5iction over ctions seeFin> to en?oin the Presi5ent in the 9erform nce of his offici l 5uties.(7 The Court, therefore, c nnot issue the =rit of m n5 mus 9r !e5 for ;! the 9etitioners s it is ;e!on5 its ?uris5iction to com9el the executive ;r nch of the >overnment to tr nsmit the si>ne5 text of Rome St tute to the Sen te.

+N 1+E3 3-EREO., the 9etition is D+SM+SSED.

SO ORDERED.

D vi5e, Jr., P n> ni; n, *uisum;in>, 2n resES nti >o, Austri EM rtineD, C r9ioE Mor les, C lle?o, Sr., ADcun , Tin> , ChicoEN D rio n5 " rci , JJ., concur.

S n5ov lE"utierreD, C r9io n5 Coron , JJ., On Offici l ,e ve.

Petition 5ismisse5.

Notes.CA c te>oric l reco>nition ;! the Executive /r nch th t the +RR+ en?o!s immunities ccor5e5 to intern tion l or> niD tions is 5etermin tion =hich is consi5ere5 9olitic l @uestion conclusive u9on the Courts. LC ll 5o vs. +ntern tion l Rice Rese rch +nstitute, (88 SCRA (#& N#II$OM

The 3 rs = Convention is s much 9 rt of Phili99ine , = s the Civil Co5e, Co5e of Commerce n5 other munici9 l s9eci l l =s, n5 the 9rovisions therein cont ine5, s9ecific ll! on the limit tion of c rrierGs li ;ilit!, re o9er tive in

666666666666666

(# CruD, +ntern tion l , =, su9r note #', 9. #J8.

(( S lon>

n5 2 9, su9r note #%.

(7 See Severino vs. "overnorE"ener l, #' Phil. 7'' L#I#&M.

'7I

1O,. 8'(, JU,2 ', (&&$

'7I

Pimentel, Jr. vs. Office of the Executive Secret r!

the Phili99ines ;ut onl! in 99ro9ri te situ tions. LPhili99ine Airlines, +nc. vs. Court of A99e ls, ($$ SCRA 8% N#II'OM

3hile soverei>nt! h s tr 5ition ll! ;een 5eeme5 ;solute n5 llEencom9 ssin> on the 5omestic level, it is ho=ever su;?ect to restrictions n5 limit tions volunt ril! >ree5 to ;! the Phili99ines, ex9ressl! or im9lie5l!, s mem;er of the f mil! of n tions. LT P 5 vs. An> r , (J( SCRA #% N#IIJOM

CCo&oCC

'8& Q Co9!ri>ht (&#( Centr l /ooF Su99l!, +nc. All ri>hts reserve5. NPimentel, Jr. vs. Office of the Executive Secret r!, 8'( SCRA '((L(&&$MO