EN BANC [G.R. No. 81385. February 21, 1989.] EDUARDO B. OLAGUER AND CONRADO S. REES !" #$e!r o%%!&!a' &a(a&!#y a) F*SCAL AGEN+S OF +E -RES*DEN+*AL CO*SS*ON ON GOOD GO/ERNEN+, Petitioners Petitioners,, 0. +E REG*ONAL +R*AL COUR+, NA+*ONAL CA-*+AL UD*C*AL REG*ON, BRANC 8, AN*LA, -RES*DED B +E ONORABLE UDGE DEE+R*O . BA+AR*O, R., .B. OL*/ARES, AUGUS+O /*LLANUE/A, ARACELL* L*NSANGAN, LU*SA L*NSANGAN, ALEANDRO ARAAG, ANUEL SALA, +URN*+A SOR*ANO, L*NO S*SON, DO*NGO FLORES, *LAGROS *4ON, a" CAR*DAD OR-*ADA, Respondents Respondents.. +$e So'!&!#or Ge"era', %or Petitioners Petitioners.. De'!a L. er6o)o %or Private Respondents. Respondents.
SLLABUS
1. CONSTITUTIONAL LAW; PRESIDENTIAL COMMISSION ON GOOD GOVERNMENT (PCGG); CO-EQUAL BODY WITH THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURTS AND THE COURT OF APPEALS. — In !" "#"$%&'" &' *n%&n'+ !" PCGG &' , %-"*, /0 2&! !" $"3&n, $&, %*$' ,n0 %-"*, /0&"' !,4" n 52"$ %n$ !" !"$.. T!" $"3&n, $&, %*$' ,n0 !" C*$ A55",' !,4" n 6*$&'0&%&n 4"$ !" PCGG &n !" "#"$%&'" !"$ &' 52"$' *n0"$ !" ,55&%,/" E#"%*&4" O$0"$' ,n0 S"%&n 78+ A$&%" 9VIII !" 1:< Cn'&*&n ,n0+ !"$"$"+ =, n &n"$"$" 2&! ,n0 $"'$,&n $ '" ,'&0" !" $0"$' ,n0 ,%&n' !" PCGG. B !" ',=" >"n+ !" $"3&n, $&, %*$' !,4" n 6*$&'0&%&n 4"$ !" ,%' &'%, ,3"n' !" PCGG ,%&n3 $ ,n0 &n /"!, ',&0 %==&''&n. 7. ID.; ID.; SEC. ?(,)+ E9ECUTIVE ORDER NO. 1; AFFORDED MEMBERS OF SAID COMMISSION IMMUNITY FROM SUIT FOR DAMAGES. — T!" C==&''&n '!*0 n /" "=/$&"0 &n ,n0 '2,=5"0 / "3, '*&' /"$" &n"$&$ %*$' , 4"$ !" ,n0. O!"$2&'"+ !" C==&''&n 2& /" $%"0 '5"n0 4,*,/" &=" 0""n0&n3 , &' ,%*,&n' &n '*%! %*$'. T!&' 2& 0"", !" 4"$ 5*$5'" /"!&n0 !" %$",&n !" C==&''&n. A%%$0&n3+ A%%$0&n3+ S"%&n ?(,) E#"%*&4" O$0"$ N. 1 "#5$"'' ,%%$0"0 !" C==&''&n ,n0 &' ="=/"$' &==*n& &==*n& $= '*& $ 0,=,3"' &n !,@ N %&4& ,%&n '!, &" ,3,&n' !" C==&''&n $ ,n ="=/"$ !"$" $ ,n!&n3 0n" $ =&"0 &n !" 0&'%!,$3" !" ,'> %n"=5,"0 / !&' $0"$ $0"$. . %$,,24&$*,1,2&/$,$
. SANDIGANBAYAN; VESTED WITH URISDICTION OVER CASES INVOLVING MEMBERS AND AGENTS OF THE PCGG. — P"&&n"$'+ ,' &'%, ,3"n' !" PCGG+ %,nn /" '*"0 &n '*%! %,5,%& /"$" !" $0&n,$ %*$'. T!" $&/*n, $ '*%! 5*$5'" &' !" S,n0&3,n/,,n S,n0&3,n/,,n.. I n"%"'',$& 2' !, !" &''*"' $,&'"0 / !" 5$&4," $"'5n0"n' /"$" !" $"'5n0"n 6*03" !" ""% !, 5"&&n"$' ,$" *'*$5"$' ,n0 !,4" n $&3! '& &n !" /,$0 0&$"%$' $ ,% ,' %$5$," &%"$' !" PI ,$" &''*"' 2!&%! '!*0 /" ,00$"''"0 !" S,n0&3,n/,,n.
DEC*S*ON
GANCACO, J. GANCACO, J.77
T!" 5,$,=""$' !" 6*$&'0&%&n !" $0&n,$ %*$' &n $",&n !" S"%*$&&"' ,n0 E#%!,n3" C==&''&n (SEC) ,n0 !" S,n0&3,n/,,n S,n0&3,n/,,n ,$" 5* &n &''*" & ''*" &n !&' 5"&&n.
On D"%"=/"$ 1<+ 1:<+ 5$&4," $"'5n0"n' &"0 , %=5,&n $ &n6*n%&n ,n0 0,=,3"'+ 2&! , 5$,"$ $ !" &''*,n%" , 2$& 5$"&=&n,$ &n6*n%&n ,n0$ "=5$,$ $"'$,&n&n3 $0"$+ &n !" R"3&n, T$&, C*$ (RTC) M,n&, ,3,&n' 5"&&n"$' ,n0 W&n'n M,$/",+ G,'n O$&3,'+ R/" F"0"$&'+ M,n*" C. V&,-R",+ E=,n*" S$&,n+ ,%> A$$ ,n0 B"n6,=&n T*&. T!" %=5,&n ,"3"'+ ,=n3 !"$'+ !, 5$&4," $"'5n0"n' ,$" n '%>!0"$' 2&! !" $&3! 4" !" P!&&55&n" *$n,&''+ In%. (PI)+ P*/&'!"$ '"4"$, 0,& 5"$&0&%,' '*%! ,' M,n&, *$n,+ P"5"' *$n,+ "%. S="&=" &n 1:<<+ PI+ /,&n"0 $= D"4"5="n B,n> !" P!&&55&n"' (DBP) %"$,&n &n,n%&n3 ,%%==0,&n' ,n0 ,' '"%*$& !"$" "#"%*"0 , &$' =$3,3" &n ,4$ DBP n &' ,''"' "n*="$,"0 &n , &' ,,%!"0 !" =$3,3". T!" PI '%>!0"$' ,''&3n"0 DBP !" 4&n3 $&3!' 4"$ 8< !" , '*/'%$&/"0 ,n0 *',n0&n3 4&n3 '!,$"' '%> !" %=5,n !"0 / !"=. T!" DBP ,55&n"0 ',&0 PI '%>!0"$' ,' 5$#&"' "#"$%&'" &' $&3! 4". D*" '=" &n,n%&, 0&&%* n &' 5,$+ PI $"*"'"0 $ , $"'$*%*$&n3 &' ,n /& 3,&n 2&! %"$,&n %n0&&n'. T!" $"*"' 2,' 3$,n"0 / !" DBP &n , ""$ 0,"0 A*3*' ?+ 1:8. D*" !" 0",* n !" 5,$ !" PI+ !" DBP %,n%""0 !" 5$#&"' &n ,4$ !" ,''&3n&n3 '%>!0"$' n S"5"=/"$ + 1:8 ,n0 0"'&3n,"0 ,' &' 5$#&"' 5"&&n"$ E0*,$0 O,3*"$+ '" M,$& V"" ,n0 M,n*" 0" L"n. DBP '%!"0*"0 , '5"%&, '%>!0"$' =""&n3 $ !" 5*$5'" ""%&n3 n"2 '" 0&$"%$'. I &' ,' ,"3"0 &n !" %=5,&n !, /"$" !" '5"%&, =""&n3+ 5"&&n"$ O,3*"$ ,'>"0 5$&4," $"'5n0"n R',$& M. B,$$" O&4,$"' ,''&3n *,&&n3 '!,$"' n n !" !$"" 5$#&"' DBP /* ,' 2 !"$' /" %!'"n / !&= ' ,' "n,/" !" &4" !"= '& &n !" PI /,$0 0&$"%$'+ ,n0 !,+ ,%%$0&n3+ !" =, /" ,/" %$0&n," =$" ""%&4" 2&! DBP ,' $"3,$0' !" ",$ "4,*,&n ,n0 ,55$4, !" $"*"' $ ,n!"$ $"'$*%*$&n3 !" PI ,n. T!*' $"'5n0"n O&4,$"' ,''&3n"0 !"$ '!,$"!0&n3' %4"$"0 / S%> C"$&&%," N. ? (2!&%! 2"$" , !, &=" ,''&3n"0 DBP) 5"&&n"$ O,3*"$+ M,$/",+ O$&3,'+ M,$& V"" ,n0 0" L"n+ , n" '!,$" ",%!. T!" 0""0' ,''&3n="n 5$4&0"0 !, !" ',&0 ,''&3n="n ,$" 4,&0 n ,' n3 ,' !" n=&n""' &' !" 5"$'n 0"'&3n,"0 / !" DBP ,' &' $"5$"'"n,&4" '& &n !" /,$0 0&$"%$'. T!" %=5,&n ,' ,"3"' !, ,!*3! O,3*"$ 2,' ""%"0 %!,&$=,n !" /,$0 ,n0 %!&" "#"%*&4" &%"$ PI+ !" ,&"0 %=5 2&! !&' %==&="n ,n0 !, !&' 3,4" 5$&4," $"'5n0"n' , $",'n %,n%" !" ,''&3n="n. O,3*"$ ,' %==&"0 %"$,&n &"3, ,%' 2!&%! 3,4" $&'" !" &&n3 '"4"$, %=5,&n' ,3,&n' !&=. H2"4"$+ /"$" !"'" %,'"' %*0 /" $"'4"0+ O,3*"$' ,55&n="n ,' ="=/"$ !" /,$0 0&$"%$' DBP 2,' "$=&n,"0 / P$"'&0"n C$,n C. A*&n ""%&4" S"5"=/"$ :+ 1:<. H" 2,' &n$="0 ,/* !&' "$=&n,&n !$*3! 2 ""$' 0,"0 A*3*' 7< ,n0 O%/"$ 17+ 1:<.
%!,n$/"'.%=@4&$*,,2
&/$,$
I &' &>"2&'" ,"3"0 !,+ !" "$=&n,&n n2&!',n0&n3+ O,3*"$ %n&n*"0 "#"$%&'" ,n0 $",&n * =,n,3"="n ,n0 %n$ PI. T!" DBP %!&" "3, %*n'" 2$" 5"&&n"$ R""' &n$=&n3 !&= O,3*"$' $"=4, $= &%" ,n0 "n6&n&n3 !&= $= &=5"="n&n3 $ %=5&n3 2&! ,n &n'$*%&n' $= O,3*"$ ,n0 $= 0&'5'&n3 !" 5$5"$&"' PI ,n0 0&'/*$'&n3 ,n *n0' 2&!* 5$&$ ,55$4, !" /,$0 0&$"%$' PI 2!&%! 2& 'n /" ""%"0+ "#%"5 '*%! ,=*n' n""0"0 &n !" $0&n,$ %*$'" /*'&n"''. A%%$0&n3+ !" DBP+ ,%&n3 !$*3! &' C!,&$=,n+ "'*' E',n&', ,n0 &' D&$"%$-&n-C!,$3"+ '" M,$& V""+ "n"$"0 &n ,n In"$&= A3$""="n 2&! 5$&4," $"'5n0"n'. T!" ',&0 ,3$""="n %,"0 $ , '5"%&, '%>!0"$' =""&n3 $ !" 5*$5'" ""%&n3 , n"2 /,$0 0&$"%$' 2!&%! '!, !0 &%" *n& !" n"# $"3*,$ '%>!0"$' =""&n3 /" !"0 n F"/$*,$ 7+ 1:. T!" %=5,&n *$!"$ ,"3"' !, &n , ""$ 0,"0 D"%"=/"$ 1?+ 1:<+ !" DBP %!&" "3, %*n'" &n$="0 !" 5$&4," $"'5n0"n' !, !" ',&0 In"$&= A3$""="n %,nn /" &=5"="n"0 /"%,*'" O,3*"$ %,&=' !, !" !,' 6*' /""n 0"'&3n,"0 !" &'%, ,n0 ",= ",0"$ !" P$"'&0"n&, C==&''&n n G0 G4"$n="n (PCGG) ,''&3n"0 !" PI ,n0 !, , !&' ,%&n' ,$" ',n%&n"0 ,n0 $"5$"0 PC. C!,&$=,n R,=n A. D&,+ ,n0 !, & &' !" PCGG 2!&%! "#"$%&'"' !" 4&n3 $&3!' , PI %==n '%>' '"*"'"$"0 '&n%" 1:8+ &n%*0&n3 !'" ,''&3n"0 DBP ,n0 !, !" PI *,&&n3 '!,$" n2 !"0 / PI D&$"%$' %,=" $= '!,$"' '"*"'"$"0 / !" PCGG. T!"'" /'"$4,&n' ,$" %n,&n"0 &n , ""$ 0,"0 O%/"$ 1+ 1:< 2$&"n / 5"&&n"$ R""' &n !&' %,5,%& ,' %!&" "3, %*n'" ,n0 %$5$," '"%$",$ PI. I &' ',"0 !"$"&n !, O,3*"$+ 3"!"$ 2&! M,$/",+ O$&3,'+ S$&,n+ F"0"$&'+ A$$ ,n0 V&,-R", !,4" /""n ,%&n3 ,' %$5$," &%"$' ,n0$ ="=/"$' !" /,$0 2&!* !"&$ !,4&n3 /""n ""%"0 / !" =,6$& 4" '%>!0"$' ,n0 2&!* !"&$ 2n&n3 &n !"&$ 2n $&3! "4"n , '&n3" *,&&n3 '!,$". In ,00&&n+ & &' ,"3"0 !, 5"&&n"$ R""' !,0 /""n '"n0&n3 * n&%"' 5$&4," $"'5n0"n' ,/* ,n ,"3"0 '%>!0"$' =""&n3 /" !"0 n D"%"=/"$ 71+ 1:< , !" PI /*&0&n3+ ,n0 !, &n !" ""$ 2$&"n / !" DBP %!&" "3, %*n'"+ 1 & &' ',"0 !, 5"&&n"$ O,3*"$ ,n0 !&' ,''%&,"' 2! %,&= /" ="=/"$' !" /,$0 ,n0 %$5$," &%"$' PI 0 n $"5$"'"n DBP ,n0 !, !" ,$" n ,*!$&"0 ,% &n &' /"!,.
T!" %=5,&n "=5!,'&"' !, !" %,&= 5"&&n"$ R""' !, O,3*"$ %,n '& ,' %!,&$=,n !" /,$0 0&$"%$' PI "4"n & !" &' n n3"$ , 0&$"%$ DBP /* ,' n3 ,' !" &' !" &'%, ,3"n ,n0 ",= ",0"$ !" PCGG ,''&3n"0 &' /,'""'' /"%,*'"@ (,) !" 2$&' '"*"'$,&n n !" '!,$"' $"'5n0"n' H&n+ O$5&,0,+ M,$,=,3+ F$"' ,n0 S&'n+ '"$4"0 n !"= n $ ,/* F"/$*,$ 1:+ 1:<+ ,n0 n $"'5n0"n' L&n',n3,n+ S,,>+ S$&,n ,n0 V&,n*"4,+ '"$4"0 n !"= n $ ,/* A5$& 7+ 1:<+ !,0 /""n ,*=,&%, &"0 ,' A*3*' 1:+ 1:< ,n0 O%/"$ 7+ 1:<+ $"'5"%&4"+ 5*$'*,n S"%&n 78+ A$&%" 9VIII !" 1:< Cn'&*&n; ,n0 n !" '"*"'$,&n n !" '!,$"' $"'5n0"n O&4,$"' !,' n /""n &"0 '&n%" , %=5,&n 2,' &"0 ,3,&n' !"$ /"$" !" "#5&$,&n !" %n'&*&n, 0",0&n" $ &&n3 %,'"'; (/) !" '"*"'"$"0 '!,$"' $"'5n0"n O&4,$"' %*0 n /" 4"0 *5n / 5"&&n"$' !"$"&n ,n0 !"&$ %=5,n&n' *n0"$ !"&$ %,&= /"&n3 PCGG &'%, ,3"n' *n0"$ !" $"%"n 5$n*n%"="n !" S*5$"=" C*$ &n '"4"$, %,'"' %",$ ',&n3 !, '"*"'$,&n 0"' n &n44" !" $&3! 2n"$'!&5; (%) n !"$ =""&n3 !,' /""n 4,&0 %,"0 $ !" ""%&n , n"2 '" 0&$"%$' ,"$ !" ="=/"$' !" /,$0 ""%"0 ,' O%/"$ 7+ 1:8 !,0 %",'"0 /" '*%! 0&$"%$'+ "&!"$ / 4&$*" !" %,n%",&n !"&$ *,&&n3 '!,$"' $ !"&$ $"'&3n,&n; (0) 2&! !" &&n3 C&4& C,'" N. /"$" !" S,n0&3,n/,,n 2!"$" !" PI 2,' &'"0 ,' n" !" &n44"0 %$5$,&n'+ , ,%&n' ,"%&n3 ',&0 %$5$,&n+ &n%*0&n3 !'" 2!&%! 2& ,"% $&3!' 2n"$'!&5 ,n0 0&'5'&&n ,''"'+ =*' !,4" !" 5$&$ ,55$4, !" S,n0&3,n/,,n 2!&%! "#"$%&'"' 6*$&'0&%&n 4"$ !"'" %$5$,&n' ,' n" !" 5$5"$&"' &n &&3,&n; ,n0 (") / $0"$ P$"'&0"n A*&n+ 5"&&n"$ O,3*"$' '"5,$,&n $= !" PI 2,' %,"0 $; !, !" ,%' , !" 5"&&n"$' ,n0 !"&$ %=5,n&n' "&!"$ %n&n*&n3 '& &n !" /,$0 0&$"%$' PI ,n0$ $"5$"'"n&n3 ,n0 ,%&n3 ,' &' %$5$," &%"$' ,$" &"3, ,n0 ,$" !" ,%' *'*$5"$' ,n0 &n$*0"$' 4&,&4" !" $&3!' 5$&4," $"'5n0"n' ,' '%>!0"$' ,n0 ,$" %,*'&n3 3$", 0,=,3" ,n0 5$"6*0&%" !"= ,' 2" ,' !" $&3!' !" DBP *n0"$ !" D""0 A''&3n="n+ ,n0 !, '*%! ,%' *'*$5,&n '!*0 /" "n6&n"0 / !" $&, %*$. Un0"$ !" '"%n0 %,*'" ,%&n $ 0,=,3"'+ & &' ,"3"0 !, O,3*"$ ,%"0 &"3, ,n0 *'&0" !" ,*!$& 3$,n"0 !&= ,' n=&n"" DBP ,n0+ ,%%$0&n3+ O&4,$"' %,n%""0 !" D""0 A''&3n="n n" *,&&n3 '!,$" !&= ,' 2" ,' !" D""0 A''&3n="n &n ,4$ M,$/", ,n0 O$&3,'. T!" n&%" %,n%",&n 2,' '"$4"0 *5n !"= n D"%"=/"$ + 1:8. A' , %n'"*"n%" '*%! %,n%",&n+ !" !$"" ,&"0 *,& '& ,' ="=/"$' !" /,$0 PI. %!,n$/"' ,2&/$,$ @ $"0
P$&4," $"'5n0"n' ,' ,"3"0 !, 0"'5&" '*%! n&%"+ 5"&&n"$ ,n0 !&' ,''%&,"' %n&n*"0 '& &n !" /,$0 ,n0 !, O,3*"$ > 4"$ !" %=5"" =,n,3"="n !" %$5$,&n ,n0 "4"n %,*'"0 !" ,55&n="n !"$ ="=/"$' !" /,$0 ,n0$ %$5$," &%"$' "4"n & '*%! ,55&n""' 0 n 2n PI '!,$"' '%> &n !"&$ 2n $&3!. I &' &>"2&'" ,"3"0 !, !" 5"&&n"$ ,n0 !&' ,''%&,"' '!*0 /" "n6&n"0 $= %==&&n3 *$!"$ ,%' *'*$5,&n ,n0 !, !" '!*0 /" !"0 &,/" $ , *n,2* 0&'/*$'"="n' !" !,4" =,0". I &' *$!"$ ,"3"0 !, '=" !" 5$&4," $"'5n0"n' !,0 /""n *n,2* 0&'=&''"0 ,n0$ $"&$"0 n" ,"$ ,n!"$ !"$"/ 0"5$&4&n3 !"= , /"n"&' !" ,$" "n&"0 ,n0 '*/6"%&n3 !"= 3$", ="n, ,n3*&'!+ '""5"'' n&3!'+ 0""5 !*=&&,&n ,n0 3$", ,n#&" $ 2!&%! !" =*' /" 5,&0 0,=,3"' &n ,n ,=*n " !" '*n0 0&'%$"&n !" %*$. P$&4," $"'5n0"n' ,' ,'>"0 $ "#"=5,$ 0,=,3"' ,' 2" ,' !" '*= P7+. $ ,$n"' ""' ,n0 "#5"n'"' &&3,&n. P$&4," $"'5n0"n' 5$,"0 !, 5"n0&n3 , !",$&n3 n !" ="$&' !" %,'"+ , 2$& 5$"&=&n,$ &n6*n%&n $ , "=5$,$ $"'$,&n&n3 $0"$ /" &''*"0 ,3,&n' 5"&&n"$ R""' "n6&n&n3 !&= $= !0&n3 !" '5"%&, '%>!0"$' =""&n3 '%!"0*"0 , @ A.M. n D"%"=/"$ 71+ 1:<+ ,n0 "n6&n&n3 O,3*"$ ,n0 !&' ,''%&,"' $= '&&n3 ,n0 ,%&n3 ,' ="=/"$' !" /,$0 0&$"%$' PI $ ,' %$5$," &%"$' 5$&4," $"'5n0"n' ,' 5$,"0 !, '*%! "=5$,$ $"'$,&n&n3 $0"$ ,n0$ 2$& 5$"&=&n,$ &n6*n%&n /" =,0" 5"$=,n"n ,"$ 0*" !",$&n3 ,n0 !, P"&&n"$ O,3*"$ ,n0 !&' ,''%&,"' /" =,0" 5,+ 6&n ,n0 '"4"$,+ ,%*, 0,=,3"' ,' =, /" 5$4"0 ,"$ ,*0&+ &n%*0&n3 =$, ,n0 "#"=5,$ 0,=,3"'+ ,$n"' ""' ,n0 &&3,&n "#5"n'"' &n !" ,=*n P7+.+ ,n0 !" %'' !" '*&. 7 On D"%"=/"$ 1+ 1:<+ ,n $0"$ 2,' &''*"0 / !" $&, %*$ '"&n3 !" 5"&&n $ !" &''*,n%" , 2$& 5$"&=&n,$ &n6*n%&n $ !",$&n3 n ,n*,$ ?+ 1: , 1@ &n !" ,"$nn. A "=5$,$ $"'$,&n&n3 $0"$ 2,' &''*"0 "n6&n&n3 5"&&n"$ R""' $= !0&n3 !" '5"%&, '%>!0"$' =""&n3 '%!"0*"0 $ D"%"=/"$ 71+ 1:< ,n0 "n6&n&n3 , !" !"$ 5"&&n"$' &n%*0&n3 O,3*"$ $= '&&n3 ,n0 ,%&n3 ,' ="=/"$' !" /,$0 ,n0$ %$5$," &%"$' PI *n& *$!"$ $0"$' !" %*$. On ,n*,$ ?+ 1:+ , =&n 0&'=&'' 2,' &"0 / !" 5"&&n"$' n !" 3$*n0 !, !" %*$ !,' n 6*$&'0&%&n 4"$ !" 5"$'n' 5"&&n"$'; !, !" 2"$" n '"$4"0 '*==n' ,n0 !, !" '*/6"% =,"$ !" ,%&n &n44"' %n$4"$'&"' ,$&'&n3 * &n$,-%$5$," $",&n' /"2""n ,n0 ,=n3 '%>!0"$' 2!&%! ,$" %4"$"0 / !" 5$4&'&n' S"%&n P$"'&0"n&, D"%$"" N. :7-A ' !, !" =,"$ &'
2&!&n !" $&3&n, ,n0 "#%*'&4" 6*$&'0&%&n !" S"%*$&&"' ,n0 E#%!,n3" C==&''&n (SEC); !, !" 4"n*" $ , 5"&&n '"">&n3 &n6*n%&4" $"&" '!*0 /" !" S,n0&3,n/,,n 2!"$" ,$"',&0 PCGG C,'" N. ,3,&n' B"n6,=&n R=*,0"+ R',$& O&4,$"'+ E. A. &' 5"n0&n3+ 5*$'*,n E#"%*&4" O$0"$ N. 1? 0"&n&n3 !" 6*$&'0&%&n 4"$ %,'"' &n44&n3 !" ,"3"0 &-3"n 2",! F$="$ P$"'&0"n M,$%'+ E. A.; !, & &' !" SEC 2!&%! '!*0 "#"$%&'" 6*$&'0&%&n 4"$ !" %,'" 5*$'*,n S"%&n 8 P$"'&0"n&, D"%$"" N. :7-A; ,n0 !, !" %=5,&n ',"' n %,*'" ,%&n &n,'=*%! ,' !" 5"&&n"$' ,n0 !" !"$ 0""n0,n' !0 '!,$"' "=,n,&n3 $= !" PCGG+ ,n0 n $= !" DBP; !, !" '!,$"' &''*"0 DBP $ O&4,$"'+ " , n !" /,'&' ,n "$$n"*' DBP "3, 5&n&n !,4" /""n 0"%,$"0 4&0 ,/ &n&& ,n0 %,n%""0 / !" PCGG n N4"=/"$ ?+ 1:< ' !, !" DBP &' n , '%>!0"$ $"%$0; !, !" %, $ !" '%>!0"$' =""&n3 / 5"&&n"$ R""' 2,' 2&! !" ,55$4, !" PCGG C!,&$=,n; !, PI &' , '"*"'"$"0 %$5$,&n &'"0 ,' &"= N. ?: *n0"$ S!,$"' S%> &n A''"' ,n0 O!"$ P$5"$ B"n6,=&n R=*,0" =,$>"0 Ann"# A+ &n C,'" N. $ R"%n4",n%"+ R"4"$'&n+ A%%*n&n3+ R"'&*&n ,n0 D,=,3"'+ "n&"0 R"5*/&% !" P!&&55&n"'+ 5,&n& 4"$'*' B"n6,=&n (J>) R=*,0"+ E A.+ ; !, !" PI+ 5*$'*,n &' B,$0 R"'*&n N. ?+ 0,"0 N4"=/"$ 1?+ 1:<+ !,' ,*!$&"0 !" &&n3 %$&=&n, %=5,&n' ,3,&n' B"n6,=&n (J>) R=*,0"+ R',$& O&4,$"'+ T*n&, S$&,n+ '" T. A/*n0+ E4"n N&%,'&+ A"6,n0$ M,$,=,3+ C,$&0,0 O$5&,0, ,n0 !"$ $="$ ,n0 5$"'"n PI &%"$' ,n0 "=5""' 2! 0"$,*0"0 !" %=5,n / %n'5&$&n3 &n ,n0$ ,*!$&&n3 !" &"3, 0&'/*$'"="n' PI *n0' ,=*n&n3 P1.8 =&&n+ , $ !" ,%%*n ,n0 *5n &n'$*%&n' ',&0 R=*,0" 2! 2,' n"&!"$ ,n &%"$+ 0&$"%$+ '%>!0"$ $"%$0 PI n$ , %$"0&$ $ '*55&"$ !"$"; !, $"3,$0&n3 !" '"*"'$,&n PI 5*$'*,n $0"$' !" PCGG 0,"0 A5$& 77+ 1:8 ,n0 F"/$*,$ 1:+ 1:<+ !" ,%*, '"*"'$,&n 5$%""0&n3' !,4" n /""n "$=&n,"0 *5n !" &&n3 PCGG K C,'" N. /"$" !" S,n0&3,n/,,n n * 1+ 1:<. P"&&n"$' =,&n,&n !, *n0"$ !" 5"$&n"n 5$4&'&n' !" 1:< Cn'&*&n+ !" %=="n%"="n , 6*0&%&, ,%&n 0"' n &5' ,% & !" '"*"'$,&n $0"$. I &' !" nn-&&n3 , 6*0&%&, ,%&n 2&!&n '&# =n!' $= !" $,&&%,&n !" 1:< Cn'&*&n & !" '"*"'$,&n $0"$ &' &''*"0 /"$" !" $,&&%,&n+ $ 2&!&n '&# =n!' $= !" &=" '"*"'$,&n $0"$ 2,' &''*"0 & !" ',=" 2,' &''*"0 ,"$ '*%! $,&&%,&n+ 2!&%! 2& ,*=,&%, & !" '"*"'$,&n $0"$. P"&&n"$' ,' ',"0 !, 2!&" !" PI '*"$"0 !*3" '"' *n0"$ !" ,0=&n&'$,&n 5$&4," $"'5n0"n'+ !" %$5$,&n $",&"0 5$&' *n0"$ !" =,n,3"="n 5"&&n"$ O,3*"$. A !" %==n ,n0 5$""$$"0 '%>' 5$&4," $"'5n0"n' !,4" /""n '"*"'"$"0 5*$'*,n !" $0"$' !" PCGG 0,"0 A5$& 77+ 1:8 ,n0 F"/$*,$ 1:+ 1:< ,n0 & &' !" PCGG 2!&%! "#"$%&'"' !" 4&n3 $&3!' 5"$,&n&n3 ',&0 '"*"'"$"0 '!,$"' 5*$'*,n !" M"=$,n0*= P$"'&0"n A*&n !" PCGG 0,"0 *n" 78+ 1:8. A M"=$,n0*= &n '*55$ !" 5$,"$ $ !" &''*,n%" , 2$& 5$"&=&n,$ &n6*n%&n ,n0 55'&&n !" =&n 0&'=&'' 2,' &"0 / %*n'" $ Private Respondents. On ,n*,$ 1?+ 1:+ ,n $0"$ 2,' &''*"0 / !" $&, %*$ 0"n&n3 !" =&n 0&'=&'' ,n0 &''*&n3 , 2$& 5$"&=&n,$ &n6*n%&n ,' 5$,"0 $ *5n , /n0 &n !" ,=*n P+. /" &"0 / 5$&4," $"'5n0"n'. H"n%"+ !" !"$"&n 5"&&n $ certiorari ,n0 5$!&/&&n 2&! , 5$,"$ $ !" &''*,n%" , "=5$,$ $"'$,&n&n3 $0"$ ,n0$ , 2$& 5$"&=&n,$ &n6*n%&n 2!"$"&n !" =,&n &''*" &' 2!"!"$ $ n !" $&, %*$ !,' 6*$&'0&%&n 4"$ !" '*/6"% =,"$ !" ,%&n. On ,n*,$ 78+ 1:+ , $"'*&n 2,' &''*"0 / !&' C*$ $"*&$&n3 !" $"'5n0"n' %=="n !"$"&n 2&!&n "n (1) 0,' $= n&%". A "=5$,$ $"'$,&n&n3 $0"$ 2,' &''*"0 "n6&n&n3 !" $"'5n0"n 6*03" %",'" ,n0 0"'&' $= "n$%&n3 !" $0"$ !" $&, %*$ 0,"0 ,n*,$ 1?+ 1: &n C&4& C,'" N.
A%&n3 n !" =,n&"',&n ,n0 =&n &"0 / %*n'" $ 5$&4," $"'5n0"n' n F"/$*,$ ?+ 1:+ !&' C*$ &''*"0 , $"'*&n "n6&n&n3 5"&&n"$ R""' ,n0$ !" %$5$," &%"$' PI $= !0&n3 ,n!"$ '5"%&, '%>!0"$' =""&n3 n F"/$*,$ + 1: $ , ,n 0," !"$","$ 5"n0&n3 $"'*&n !&' %,'"+ ,n0 0&$"%&n3 !" 5,$&"' =,&n,&n !" ',*' * *n& *$!"$ $0"$' $= !" C*$. T!" 5$&4," $"'5n0"n' &"0 !"&$ %=="n n !" 5"&&n. T!"$","$+ !" 5"&&n"$' &"0 !"&$ $"5. On A5$& + 1:+ !" %*$ $"'4"0 3&4" 0*" %*$'" !" 5"&&n ,n0 %n'&0"$"0 !" %,'" '*/=&"0 $ 0"%&'&n. N"4"$!""''+ !" 5$&4," $"'5n0"n' &"0 , $"6&n0"$. T!" 5"&&n &' &=5$"''"0 2&! ="$&. T!"$" &' n 0&'5*" !, !" PI & ' n2 *n0"$ '"*"'$,&n / !" PCGG ,n0 !, C&4& C,'" N. 2,' &"0 &n !" S,n0&3,n/,,n 2!"$"&n !" PI &' &'"0 ,' ,=n3 !" %$5$,&n' &n44"0 &n !" *n"#5,&n"0 2",! %,'" ,3,&n' $="$ P$"'&0"n M,$%'+ R=*,0" ,n0 =,n
!"$'. T!" $"%$0' &>"2&'" '!2 !, 5"&&n"$ O,3*"$+ ,=n3 !"$'+ &' , &'%, ,3"n !" PCGG ,n0 !, ,' C!,&$=,n !" B,$0 D&$"%$' !" PI+ !" 2,' ,%&n3 $ ,n0 &n /"!, !" PCGG. Un0"$ S"%&n 7 E#"%*&4" O$0"$ N. 1?+ !" S,n0&3,n/,,n !,' "#%*'&4" ,n0 $&3&n, 6*$&'0&%&n 4"$ , %,'"' $"3,$0&n3 !" *n0'+ =n"'+ ,''"' ,n0 5$5"$&"' &"3, ,%*&$"0 / F$="$ P$"'&0"n F"$0&n,n0 E. M,$%'+ M$'. I="0, R=*,0" M,$%'+ !"&$ %'" $",&4"'+ '*/$0&n,"+ /*'&n"'' ,''%&,"'+ 0*==&"'+ ,3"n'+ $ n=&n""'+ %&4& $ %$&=&n,+ &n%*0&n3 &n%&0"n' ,$&'&n3 $= '*%! %,'"'. T!" D"%&'&n !" S,n0&3,n/,,n &' '*/6"% $"4&"2 n certiorari "#%*'&4" / !" S*5$"=" C*$. ? In !" "#"$%&'" &' *n%&n'+ !" PCGG &' , %-"*, /0 2&! !" $"3&n, $&, %*$' ,n0 %-"*, /0&"' !,4" n 52"$ %n$ !" !"$. T!" $"3&n, $&, %*$' ,n0 !" C*$ A55",' !,4" n 6*$&'0&%&n 4"$ !" PCGG &n !" "#"$%&'" &' 52"$' *n0"$ !" ,55&%,/" E#"%*&4" O$0"$' ,n0 S"%&n 78+ A$&%" 9VIII !" 1:< Cn'&*&n ,n0+ !"$"$"+ =, n &n"$"$" 2&! ,n0 $"'$,&n $ '" ,'&0" !" $0"$' ,n0 ,%&n' !" PCGG. 8 B !" ',=" >"n+ !" $"3&n, $&, %*$' !,4" n 6*$&'0&%&n 4"$ !" ,%' &'%, ,3"n' !" PCGG ,%&n3 $ ,n0 &n /"!, ',&0 %==&''&n. T!" C==&''&n '!*0 n /" "=/$&"0 &n ,n0 '2,=5"0 / "3, '*&' /"$" &n"$&$ %*$' , 4"$ !" ,n0. O!"$2&'"+ !" C==&''&n 2& /" $%"0 '5"n0 4,*,/" &=" 0""n0&n3 , &' ,%*,&n' &n '*%! %*$'. T!&' 2& 0"", !" 4"$ 5*$5'" /"!&n0 !" %$",&n !" C==&''&n. A%%$0&n3+ S"%&n ?(,) E#"%*&4" O$0"$ N. 1 "#5$"'' ,%%$0"0 !" C==&''&n ,n0 &' ="=/"$' &==*n& $= '*& $ 0,=,3"' &n !,@ N %&4& ,%&n '!, & " ,3,&n' !" C==&''&n $ ,n ="=/"$ !"$" $ ,n!&n3 0n" $ =&"0 &n !" 0&'%!,$3" !" ,'> %n"=5,"0 / !&' $0"$. %$,,24&$*,1,2&/$,$
C&4& C,'" N. <-?18 5"n0&n3 /"$" !" $"'5n0"n 6*03" &' 0"n=&n,"0 ,' n" $ &n6*n%&n 2&! 5$,"$ $ 2$& 5$"&=&n,$ &n6*n%&n ,n0$ "=5$,$ $"'$,&n&n3 $0"$ ,n0 0,=,3"'. P,$&%*,$+ *n0"$ 5,$,3$,5! 1<(0) !" %=5,&n+ 5$&4," $"'5n0"n' ,0=&"0 !, !" PI &' &'"0 ,' n" !" &n44"0 %$5$,&n' &n C&4& C,'" N. 5"n0&n3 /"$" !" S,n0&3,n/,,n 2!&%! n2 "#"$%&'"' 6*$&'0&%&n 4"$ !" ',&0 %$5$,&n. P"&&n"$' O,3*"$ ,n0 R""' ,55",$ /" &'%, ,3"n' !" PCGG. T!"$" %,n /" n 0*/+ !"$"$"+ !, !" '*/6"% =,"$ !" ,%&n (!" PI+ &' 5$5"$&"' ,n0 ,''"') ,' 2&!&n !" "#%*'&4" 6*$&'0&%&n !" S,n0&3,n/,,n. %!,n$/"'4&$*,,2&/$,$ %!,n$/"'.%=@%!,n$/"'.%=. 5!
P"&&n"$'+ ,' &'%, ,3"n' !" PCGG+ %,nn /" '*"0 &n '*%! %,5,%& /"$" !" $0&n,$ %*$'. T!" $&/*n, $ '*%! 5*$5'" &' !" S,n0&3,n/,,n. I n"%"'',$& 2' !, !" &''*"' $,&'"0 / !" 5$&4," $"'5n0"n' /"$" !" $"'5n0"n 6*03" !" ""% !, 5"&&n"$' ,$" *'*$5"$' ,n0 !,4" n $&3! '& &n !" /,$0 0&$"%$' $ ,% ,' %$5$," &%"$' !" PI ,$" &''*"' 2!&%! '!*0 /" ,00$"''"0 !" S,n0&3,n/,,n. WHEREFORE+ !" 5"&&n &' GRANTED. T!" $"'5n0"n 6*03" &' 5"$=,n"n "n6&n"0 $= "n$%&n3 !" $0"$ !" T$&, C*$ 0,"0 ,n*,$ 1?+ 1:. T!" $"'$,&n&n3 $0"$ &''*"0 / !&' C*$ 0,"0 F"/$*,$ ?+ 1: "n6&n&n3 5"&&n"$ R""' ,n0$ !" %$5$," &%"$' !" PI $= !0&n3 !" '5"%&, '%>!0"$' =""&n3 n F"/$*,$ + 1: $ , ,n 0," !"$","$+ ,n0 5$"'"$4" ,n0 =,&n,&n !" ',*' *+ &' !"$"/ &"0. T!" $0"$ !" $&, %*$ 0,"0 ,n*,$ 1?+ 1: &' !"$"/ SET ASIDE ,n0 ,n!"$ $0"$ &' !"$"/ &''*"0 0&'=&''&n3 !" %=5,&n+ 2&!* 5$n*n%"="n ,' %''. T!&' D"%&'&n &' &=="0&," "#"%*$. SO ORDERED. F"$n,n C.J.+ N,$4,',+ M""n%&-H"$$"$,+ C$*+ P,$,'+ P,0&,+ B&0&n+ S,$=&"n+ C$'+ G$&-A*&n+ M"0&,0", ,n0 R"3,,0+ JJ.+ %n%*$. Se(ara#e O(!"!o")
GUTIERRE+ R. J.+ 0&''"n&n3@
%!,n$/1"'4&$*,1,2&/$,$
I $"&"$," = 0&''"n &n PCGG 4. P",+ G.R. N. <<88+ A5$& 17+ 1:. FELICIANO+ J.+ %n%*$$&n3@
%!,n$/1"'4&$*, 1,2&/$,$
I %n%*$ &n !" $"'*+ $ !" $",'n' ,n0 2&! !" *,&&%,&n &' '" * &n = '"5,$," 5&n&n &n PCGG 4. P",+ G.R. N. <<+ 17 A5$& 1:.
