BAYAN MUNA vs romulo.docx

7/24/2019 BAYAN MUNA vs romulo.docx

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BAYAN MUNA, as represented by Rep.SATUR OCAMPO, Rep. CRISPINBELTRAN, and Rep. LIZA L. MAZA,Petitioner,

- versus -

ALBERTO ROMULO, in his apaity asE!e"ti#e Seretary, and BLAS $. OPLE,

in his apaity as Seretary %& $%rei'nA&&airs,Respondents.

(.R. N%. )*+)- Present: CORONA, C.J.,CARPIO,

CARPIO MORALES,VELASCO, JR.,NACHURA,LEONARO-E CAS!RO,"RION,PERAL!A,"ERSAMIN,EL CAS!ILLO,

A"A,VILLARAMA, JR.,PERE#,MENO#A, $nd

SERENO, JJ . Pro%u&'$ted: (e)ru$r* +, ++

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

E C I S I O N

/ELASCO, 0R., J .1

The Case

!/is petition0+1 2or 3ertior$ri, %$nd$%us $nd pro/i)ition under Ru&e 45 $ss$i&s $nd see6s

to nu&&i2* t/e Non-Surrender A'ree%ent 3on3&uded )* $nd )et7een t/e Repu)&i3 o2 t/e

P/i&ippines 8RP9 $nd t/e United St$tes o2 A%eri3$ 8USA9.

The $ats

Petitioner "$*$n Mun$ is $ du&* re'istered p$rt*-&ist 'roup est$)&is/ed to represent t/e

%$r'in$&ied se3tors o2 so3iet*. Respondent "&$s (. Op&e, no7 de3e$sed, 7$s t/e Se3ret$r* o2

(orei'n A22$irs durin' t/e period %$teri$& to t/is 3$se. Respondent A&)erto Ro%u&o 7$s

i%p&e$ded in /is 3$p$3it* $s t/en Ee3utive Se3ret$r*.01

R%2e Stat"te %& the Internati%na3 Cri2ina3 C%"rt

H$vin' $ 6e* deter%in$tive )e$rin' on t/is 3$se is t/e Ro%e St$tute 0;1 est$)&is/in' t/e

Intern$tion$& Cri%in$& Court 8ICC9 7it/ the power to exercise its jurisdiction over persons for the

http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2011/february2011/159618.htm#_ftn1








most serious crimes of international concern and shall be complementary to the national

criminal jurisdictions.0<1 !/e serious 3ri%es $dverted to 3overt/ose 3onsidered 'r$ve under

intern$tion$& &$7, su3/ $s 'eno3ide, 3ri%es $'$inst /u%$nit*, 7$r 3ri%es, $nd 3ri%es o2

$''ression.051

On e3e%)er =, , t/e RP, t/rou'/ Charge dAffaires Enri>ue A. M$n$&o, si'ned t/e

Ro%e St$tute 7/i3/, )* its ter%s, is su)?e3t to r$ti2i3$tion, $33ept$n3e or $pprov$& )* t/e

si'n$tor* st$tes.041 As o2 t/e 2i&in' o2 t/e inst$nt petition, on&* @ out o2 t/e +;@ si'n$tor*

3ountries $ppe$r to /$ve 3o%p&eted t/e r$ti2i3$tion, $pprov$& $nd 3on3urren3e

pro3ess. !/e P/i&ippines is not $%on' t/e @.

RP4US N%n4S"rrender A'ree2ent

On M$* @, ;, t/en A%)$ss$dor (r$n3is J. Ri33i$rdone sent US E%)$ss* Note No.

< to t/e ep$rt%ent o2 (orei'n A22$irs 8(A9 proposin' t/e ter%s o2 t/e non-surrender

)i&$ter$& $'ree%ent 8 Agreement , /erein$2ter9 )et7een t/e USA $nd t/e RP.

Vi$ E3/$n'e o2 Notes No. "(O-=-;01 d$ted M$* +;, ; 8EBN "(O-=-;,

/erein$2ter9, t/e RP, represented )* t/en (A Se3ret$r* Op&e, $'reed 7it/ $nd $33epted t/e US

propos$&s e%)odied under t/e US E%)$ss* Note $dverted to $nd put in e22e3t

t/e Agreement 7it/ t/e US 'overn%ent. In esse, t/e Agreement $i%s to prote3t 7/$t it re2ers to

$nd de2ines $s persons o2 t/e RP $nd US 2ro% 2rivo&ous $nd /$r$ss%ent suits t/$t %i'/t )e

)rou'/t $'$inst t/e% in intern$tion$& tri)un$&s.0=1 It is re2&e3tive o2 t/e in3re$sin' p$3e o2 t/e

str$te'i3 se3urit* $nd de2ense p$rtners/ip )et7een t/e t7o 3ountries. As o2 M$* , ;, si%i&$r

)i&$ter$& $'ree%ents /$ve )een e22e3ted )* $nd )et7een t/eUS $nd ;; ot/er 3ountries.0@1

!/e Agreement pertinent&* provides $s 2o&&o7s:

+. (or purposes o2 t/is A'ree%ent, persons $re 3urrent or 2or%er

overn%ent o22i3i$&s, e%p&o*ees 8in3&udin' 3ontr$3tors9, or %i&it$r* personne& or n$tion$&s o2 one P$rt*.

. Persons o2 one P$rt* present in t/e territor* o2 t/e ot/er s/$&&not, $)sent t/e epress 3onsent o2 t/e 2irst P$rt*,

8$9 )e surrendered or tr$ns2erred )* $n* %e$ns to $n* intern$tion$&

tri)un$& 2or $n* purpose, un&ess su3/ tri)un$& /$s )een est$)&is/ed )*t/e UN Se3urit* Coun3i&, or

8)9 )e surrendered or tr$ns2erred )* $n* %e$ns to $n* ot/er entit* or t/ird

3ountr*, or epe&&ed to $ t/ird 3ountr*, 2or t/e purpose o2 surrender to















or tr$ns2er to $n* intern$tion$& tri)un$&, un&ess su3/ tri)un$& /$s )eenest$)&is/ed )* t/e UN Se3urit* Coun3i&.

;. D/en t/e 0US1 etr$dites, surrenders, or ot/er7ise tr$ns2ers $ person

o2 t/e P/i&ippines to $ t/ird 3ountr*, t/e 0US1 7i&& not $'ree to t/e surrender or tr$ns2er o2 t/$t person )* t/e t/ird 3ountr* to $n* intern$tion$& tri)un$&, un&ess

su3/ tri)un$& /$s )een est$)&is/ed )* t/e UN Se3urit* Coun3i&, $)sent t/eepress 3onsent o2 t/e overn%ent o2 t/e Repu)&i3 o2 t/e P/i&ippines 0RP1.

<. D/en t/e 0RP1 etr$dites, surrenders, or ot/er7ise tr$ns2ers $ person

o2 t/e 0USA1 to $ t/ird 3ountr*, t/e 0RP1 7i&& not $'ree to t/e surrender or tr$ns2er o2 t/$t person )* t/e t/ird 3ountr* to $n* intern$tion$& tri)un$&, un&esssu3/ tri)un$& /$s )een est$)&is/ed )* t/e UN Se3urit* Coun3i&, $)sent t/eepress 3onsent o2 t/e overn%ent o2 t/e 0US1.

5. !/is A'ree%ent s/$&& re%$in in 2or3e unti& one *e$r $2ter t/e d$te on

7/i3/ one p$rt* noti2ies t/e ot/er o2 its intent to ter%in$te t/e A'ree%ent. !/eprovisions o2 t/is A'ree%ent s/$&& 3ontinue to $pp&* 7it/ respe3t to $n* $3t

o33urrin', or $n* $&&e'$tion $risin', )e2ore t/e e22e3tive d$te o2 ter%in$tion.

In response to $ >uer* o2 t/en So&i3itor ener$& A&2redo L. "enip$*o on t/e st$tus o2 t/e

non-surrender $'ree%ent, A%)$ss$dor Ri33i$rdone rep&ied in /is &etter o2 O3to)er =, ; t/$t

t/e e3/$n'e o2 dip&o%$ti3 notes 3onstituted $ &e'$&&* )indin' $'ree%ent under intern$tion$&

&$7 $nd t/$t, under US &$7, t/e s$id $'ree%ent did not re>uire t/e $dvi3e $nd 3onsent o2 t/e

US Sen$te.0+1

In t/is pro3eedin', petitioner i%putes 'r$ve $)use o2 dis3retion to respondents in3on3&udin' $nd r$ti2*in' t/e Agreement $nd pr$*s t/$t it )e stru36 do7n $s un3onstitution$&, or

$t &e$st de3&$red $s 7it/out 2or3e $nd e22e3t.

(or t/eir p$rt, respondents >uestion petitioners st$ndin' to %$int$in $ suit $nd 3ounter

t/$t t/e Agreement , )ein' in t/e n$ture o2 $n ee3utive $'ree%ent, does not re>uire Sen$te

3on3urren3e 2or its e22i3$3*. And 2or re$sons det$i&ed in t/eir 3o%%ent, respondents $ssert t/e

3onstitution$&it* o2 t/e Agreement .

The Iss"es

I. DHE!HER !HE 0RP1 PRESIEN! AN !HE 0(A1 SECRE!ARF RAVELF A"USE !HEIR ISCRE!ION AMOUN!IN !O LACG ORECESS O( JURISIC!ION (OR CONCLUIN !HE RP4US NONSURRENER A(REEMENT "F MEANS O( 0E/ 1 !"#$%&'$%( )A*E) +(,A- &%%(, DHEN !HE PHILIPPINE OVERNMEN! HAS ALREAF





SINE !HE #,E *A*0*E #" *1E 2ICC3 AL!HOUH !HIS ISPENIN RA!I(ICA!ION "F !HE PHILIPPINE SENA!E.

A. D/et/er )* enterin' into t/e A'ree2ent Respondents 'r$ve&*$)used t/eir dis3retion 7/en t/e* 3$pri3ious&* $)$ndoned, 7$ived $ndre&in>uis/ed our on&* &e'iti%$te re3ourse t/rou'/ t/e ome tatute of the2ICC3 to prose3ute $nd tr* persons $s de2ined in t/e A'ree2ent,

or &iter$&&* $n* 3onduit o2 A%eri3$n interests, 7/o /$ve 3o%%itted3ri%es o2 'eno3ide, 3ri%es $'$inst /u%$nit*, 7$r 3ri%es $nd t/e 3ri%e o2 $''ression, t/ere)* $)di3$tin' P/i&ippine Soverei'nt*.

". D/et/er $2ter t/e si'nin' $nd pendin' r$ti2i3$tion o2 t/e ome tatute

of the 2ICC3 t/e 0RP1 President $nd t/e 0(A1 Se3ret$r* $re o)&i'ed)* t/e prin3ip&e o2 'ood 2$it/ to re2r$in 2ro% doin' $&& $3ts 7/i3/ 7ou&dsu)st$nti$&&* i%p$ir t/e v$&ue o2 t/e undert$6in' $s si'ned.

C. D/et/er t/e A'ree2ent 3onstitutes $n $3t 7/i3/ de2e$ts t/e

o)?e3t $nd purpose o2 t/e ome tatute of the International Criminal Court $nd 3ontr$venes t/e o)&i'$tion o2 'ood 2$it/ in/erent in t/e

si'n$ture o2 t/e President $22ied on t/e ome tatute of the International Criminal Court , $nd i2 so 7/et/er t/e A'ree2ent is void $ndunen2or3e$)&e on t/is 'round.

. D/et/er t/e RP4US N%n4S"rrender A'ree2ent is void $nd

unen2or3e$)&e 2or 'r$ve $)use o2 dis3retion $%ountin' to &$36 or e3esso2 ?urisdi3tion in 3onne3tion 7it/ its ee3ution.

II. DHE!HER !HE RP4US NON SURRENER A(REEMENT IS VOI A!

II*I# (OR CON!RAC!IN O"LIA!IONS !HA! ARE EI!HER IMMORALOR O!HERDISE A! VARIANCE DI!H UNIVERSALLF RECONI#EPRINCIPLES O( IN!ERNA!IONAL LAD.

III. DHE!HER !HE A(REEMENT IS VALI, "ININ AN

E((EC!IVE DI!HOU! !HE CONCURRENCE "F A! LEAS! !DO-!HIRS8B;9 O( ALL !HE MEM"ERS O( !HE SENA!E . 0++1

!/e 2ore'oin' issues %$* )e su%%$ried into t7o: first , 7/et/er or not

t/e Agreement 7$s 3ontr$3ted v$&id&*, 7/i3/ reso&ves itse&2 into t/e >uestion o2 7/et/er or not

respondents 'r$ve&* $)used t/eir dis3retion in 3on3&udin' it $nd second , 7/et/er or not

t/e Agreement , 7/i3/ /$s not )een su)%itted to t/e Sen$te 2or 3on3urren3e, 3ontr$venes $nd

under%ines t/e Ro%e St$tute $nd ot/er tre$ties. "ut )e3$use respondents epe3ted&* r$ised it,

7e s/$&& 2irst t$36&e t/e issue o2 petitioners &e'$& st$ndin'.

The C%"rts R"3in'

!/is petition is )ere2t o2 %erit.





Pr%ed"ra3 Iss"e1 Locus Standi %& Petiti%ner

Petitioner, t/rou'/ its t/ree p$rt*-&ist represent$tives, 3ontends t/$t t/e issue o2 t/e

v$&idit* or inv$&idit* o2 t/e Agreement 3$rries 7it/ it 3onstitution$& si'ni2i3$n3e $nd is o2

p$r$%ount i%port$n3e t/$t ?usti2ies its st$ndin'. Cited in t/is re'$rd is 7/$t is usu$&&* re2erred to

$s t/e e%er'en3* po7ers 3$ses, 0+1 in 7/i3/ ordin$r* 3itiens $nd t$p$*ers 7ere $33orded t/e

person$&it* to >uestion t/e 3onstitution$&it* o2 ee3utive issu$n3es.

4ocus standi is $ ri'/t o2 $ppe$r$n3e in $ 3ourt o2 ?usti3e on $ 'iven >uestion.

0+;1 Spe3i2i3$&&*, it is $ p$rt*s person$& $nd su)st$nti$& interest in $ 3$se 7/ere /e /$s sust$ined

or 7i&& sust$in dire3t in?ur* $s $ resu&t 0+<1 o2 t/e $3t )ein' 3/$&&en'ed, $nd 3$&&s 2or %ore t/$n ?ust

$ 'ener$&ied 'riev$n3e.0+51 !/e ter% interest re2ers to %$teri$& interest, $s distin'uis/ed 2ro%

one t/$t is %ere&* in3ident$&.0+41 !/e r$tion$&e 2or re>uirin' $ p$rt* 7/o 3/$&&en'es t/e v$&idit* o2

$ &$7 or intern$tion$& $'ree%ent to $&&e'e su3/ $ person$& st$6e in t/e out3o%e o2 t/e3ontrovers* is to $ssure t/e 3on3rete $dverseness 7/i3/ s/$rpens t/e present$tion o2 issues

upon 7/i3/ t/e 3ourt so &$r'e&* depends 2or i&&u%in$tion o2 di22i3u&t 3onstitution$& >uestions.0+1

4ocus standi , /o7ever, is %ere&* $ %$tter o2 pro3edure $nd it /$s )een re3o'nied t/$t,

in so%e 3$ses, suits $re not )rou'/t )* p$rties 7/o /$ve )een person$&&* in?ured )* t/e

oper$tion o2 $ &$7 or $n* ot/er 'overn%ent $3t, )ut )* 3on3erned 3itiens, t$p$*ers, or voters

7/o $3tu$&&* sue in t/e pu)&i3 interest. 0+=1 Conse>uent&*, in $ 3$ten$ o2 3$ses,0+@1 t/is Court /$s

inv$ri$)&* $dopted $ &i)er$& st$n3e on locus standi.

oin' )* t/e petition, petitioners represent$tives pursue t/e inst$nt suit pri%$ri&* $s

3on3erned 3itiens r$isin' issues o2 tr$ns3endent$& i%port$n3e, )ot/ 2or t/e Repu)&i3 $nd t/e

3itienr* $s $ 7/o&e.

D/en suin' $s $ 3itien to >uestion t/e v$&idit* o2 $ &$7 or ot/er 'overn%ent $3tion, $

petitioner needs to %eet 3ert$in spe3i2i3 re>uire%ents )e2ore /e 3$n )e 3&ot/ed 7it/

st$ndin'. "rancisco5 Jr. v. agmamalasa6it na mga ,anananggol ng mga ,anggagawang

7ilipino5 Inc.

01

epounded on t/is re>uire%ent, t/us:

In $ &on' &ine o2 3$ses, /o7ever, 3on3erned 3itiens, t$p$*ers $nd&e'is&$tors 7/en spe3i2i3 re>uire%ents /$ve )een %et /$ve )een 'iven st$ndin')* t/is Court.

D/en suin' $s $ citi8en, t/e interest o2 t/e petitioner $ss$i&in' t/e3onstitution$&it* o2 $ st$tute %ust )e dire3t $nd person$&. He %ust )e $)&e to






















s/o7, not on&* t/$t t/e &$7 or $n* 'overn%ent $3t is inv$&id, )ut $&so t/$t /esust$ined or is in i%%inent d$n'er o2 sust$inin' so%e dire3t in?ur* $s $ resu&t o2 its en2or3e%ent, $nd not %ere&* t/$t /e su22ers t/ere)* in so%e inde2inite 7$*. It%ust $ppe$r t/$t t/e person 3o%p&$inin' /$s )een or is $)out to )e denied so%eri'/t or privi&e'e to 7/i3/ /e is &$72u&&* entit&ed or t/$t /e is $)out to )e su)?e3tedto so%e )urdens or pen$&ties )* re$son o2 t/e st$tute or $3t 3o%p&$ined o2. In

2ine, 7/en t/e pro3eedin' invo&ves t/e $ssertion o2 $ pu)&i3 ri'/t, t/e %ere 2$3tt/$t /e is $ 3itien s$tis2ies t/e re>uire%ent o2 person$& interest. 0+1

In t/e 3$se $t )$r, petitioners represent$tives /$ve 3o%p&ied 7it/ t/e >u$&i2*in'

3onditions or spe3i2i3 re>uire%ents e$3ted under t/e locus standi ru&e. As 3itiens, t/eir

interest in t/e su)?e3t %$tter o2 t/e petition is dire3t $nd person$&. At t/e ver* &e$st, t/eir

$ssertions >uestionin' t/e Agreement $re %$de o2 $ pu)&i3 ri'/t, i.e., to $s3ert$in t/$t

t/e Agreement did not 'o $'$inst est$)&is/ed n$tion$& po&i3ies, pr$3ti3es, $nd o)&i'$tions

)e$rin' on t/e St$tes o)&i'$tion to t/e 3o%%unit* o2 n$tions.

At $n* event, t/e pri%ordi$& i%port$n3e to (i&ipino 3itiens in 'ener$& o2 t/e issue $t /$nd

i%pe&s t/e Court to )rus/ $side t/e pro3edur$& )$rrier posed )* t/e tr$dition$& re>uire%ent

o2 locus standi , $s 7e /$ve done in $ &on' &ine o2 e$r&ier 3$ses, not$)&* in t/e o&d )ut o2t-3ited

e%er'en3* po7ers 3$ses01 $nd 9ilosbayan v. :uingona5 Jr .0;1 In 3$ses o2 tr$ns3endent$&

i%port$n3e, 7e 7rote $'$in in !ayan v. ;amora,0<1 !/e Court %$* re&$ t/e st$ndin'

re>uire%ents $nd $&&o7 $ suit to prosper even 7/ere t/ere is no dire3t in?ur* to t/e p$rt*

3&$i%in' t/e ri'/t o2 ?udi3i$& revie7.

Moreover, )e$rin' in %ind 7/$t t/e Court s$id in *aada v. Angara, t/$t it 7i&& not s/ir6,

di'ress 2ro% or $)$ndon its s$3red dut* $nd $ut/orit* to up/o&d t/e Constitution in %$tters t/$t

invo&ve 'r$ve $)use o2 dis3retion )rou'/t )e2ore it in $ppropri$te 3$ses, 3o%%itted )* $n*

o22i3er, $'en3*, instru%ent$&it* or dep$rt%ent o2 t/e 'overn%ent, 051 7e 3$nnot )ut reso&ve /e$d

on t/e issues r$ised )e2ore us. Indeed, 7/ere $n $3tion o2 $n* )r$n3/ o2 'overn%ent is

serious&* $&&e'ed to /$ve in2rin'ed t/e Constitution or is done 7it/ 'r$ve $)use o2 dis3retion, it

)e3o%es not on&* t/e ri'/t )ut in 2$3t t/e dut* o2 t/e ?udi3i$r* to sett&e it. As in t/is petition,

issues $re pre3ise&* r$ised puttin' to t/e 2ore t/e propriet* o2 t/e Agreement pendin' t/er$ti2i3$tion o2 t/e Ro%e St$tute.

/a3idity %& the RP4US N%n4S"rrender A'ree2ent













Petitioners initi$& 3/$&&en'e $'$inst t/e Agreement re&$tes to 2or%, its t/res/o&d posture

)ein' t/$t EBN "(O-=-; 3$nnot )e $ v$&id %ediu% 2or 3on3&udin' t/e Agreement .

Petitioners 3ontentionper/$ps t$6en un$7$re o2 3ert$in 7e&&-re3o'nied intern$tion$&

do3trines, pr$3ti3es, $nd ?$r'onsis unten$)&e. One o2 t/ese is t/e do3trine o2 in3orpor$tion, $s

epressed in Se3tion , Arti3&e II o2 t/e Constitution, 7/erein t/e P/i&ippines $dopts t/e

'ener$&&* $33epted prin3ip&es o2 intern$tion$& &$7 $nd intern$tion$& ?urispruden3e $s p$rt o2 t/e

&$7 o2 t/e &$nd $nd $d/eres to t/e po&i3* o2 pe$3e, 3ooper$tion, $nd $%it* 7it/ $&& n$tions. 041 An

e3/$n'e o2 notes 2$&&s into t/e 3$te'or* o2 inter-'overn%ent$& $'ree%ents,01 7/i3/ is $n

intern$tion$&&* $33epted 2or% o2 intern$tion$& $'ree%ent. !/e United N$tions !re$t* Co&&e3tions

8!re$t* Re2eren3e uide9 de2ines t/e ter% $s 2o&&o7s:

An e3/$n'e o2 notes is $ re3ord o2 $ routine $'ree%ent, t/$t /$s %$n*si%i&$rities 7it/ t/e priv$te &$7 3ontr$3t. !/e $'ree%ent 3onsists o2 t/e e3/$n'e

o2 t7o do3u%ents, e$3/ o2 t/e p$rties )ein' in t/e possession o2 t/e one si'ned)* t/e represent$tive o2 t/e ot/er. Under t/e usu$& pro3edure, t/e $33eptin'St$te repe$ts t/e tet o2 t/e o22erin' St$te to re3ord its $ssent. !/e si'n$tories o2 t/e &etters %$* )e 'overn%ent Ministers, dip&o%$ts or dep$rt%ent$& /e$ds. !/ete3/ni>ue o2 e3/$n'e o2 notes is 2re>uent&* resorted to, eit/er )e3$use o2 itsspeed* pro3edure, or, so%eti%es, to $void t/e pro3ess o2 &e'is&$tive $pprov$&. 0=1

In $not/er perspe3tive, t/e ter%s e3/$n'e o2 notes $nd ee3utive $'ree%ents /$ve

)een used inter3/$n'e$)&*, e3/$n'e o2 notes )ein' 3onsidered $ 2or% o2 ee3utive $'ree%ent

t/$t )e3o%es )indin' t/rou'/ ee3utive $3tion.0@1 On t/e ot/er /$nd, ee3utive $'ree%ents

3on3&uded )* t/e President so%eti%es t$6e t/e 2or% o2 e3/$n'e o2 notes $nd $t ot/er ti%es

t/$t o2 %ore 2or%$& do3u%ents deno%in$ted $'ree%ents or proto3o&s. 0;1 As 2or%er US Hi'/

Co%%issioner to t/e P/i&ippines (r$n3is ". S$*re o)served in /is 7or6, *he Constitutionality of

*rade Agreement Acts:!/e point 7/ere ordin$r* 3orresponden3e )et7een t/is $nd ot/er

'overn%ents ends $nd $'ree%ents 7/et/er deno%in$ted ee3utive $'ree%entsor e3/$n'e o2 notes or ot/er7ise )e'in, %$* so%eti%es )e di22i3u&t o2 re$d*$s3ert$in%ent. 0;+1

It is 2$ir&* 3&e$r 2ro% t/e 2ore'oin' dis>uisition t/$t EBN "(O-=-;)e it vie7ed $s t/e

Non-Surrender A'ree%ent itse&2, or $s $n inte'r$& instru%ent o2 $33ept$n3e t/ereo2 or $s3onsent to )e )oundis $ re3o'nied %ode o2 3on3&udin' $ &e'$&&* )indin' intern$tion$& 7ritten

3ontr$3t $%on' n$tions.

Senate C%n"rrene N%t Re5"ired
















Arti3&e o2 t/e Vienn$ Convention on t/e L$7 o2 !re$ties de2ines $ tre$t* $s $n

intern$tion$& $'ree%ent 3on3&uded )et7een st$tes in 7ritten 2or% $nd 'overned )* intern$tion$&

&$7, 7/et/er e%)odied in $ sin'&e instru%ent or in t7o or %ore re&$ted instru%ents $nd

7/$tever its p$rti3u&$r desi'n$tion.0;1 Intern$tion$& $'ree%ents %$* )e in t/e 2or% o2 8+9 tre$ties

t/$t re>uire &e'is&$tive 3on3urren3e $2ter ee3utive r$ti2i3$tion or 89 ee3utive $'ree%ents t/$t

$re si%i&$r to tre$ties, e3ept t/$t t/e* do not re>uire &e'is&$tive 3on3urren3e $nd $re usu$&&*

&ess 2or%$& $nd de$& 7it/ $ n$rro7er r$n'e o2 su)?e3t %$tters t/$n tre$ties. 0;;1

Under intern$tion$& &$7, t/ere is no di22eren3e )et7een tre$ties $nd ee3utive

$'ree%ents in ter%s o2 t/eir )indin' e22e3ts on t/e 3ontr$3tin' st$tes 3on3erned, 0;<1 $s &on' $s

t/e ne'oti$tin' 2un3tion$ries /$ve re%$ined 7it/in t/eir po7ers. 0;51 Neit/er, on t/e do%esti3

sp/ere, 3$n one )e /e&d v$&id i2 it vio&$tes t/e Constitution.0;41 Aut/orities $re, /o7ever, $'reed

t/$t one is distin3t 2ro% $not/er 2or $33epted re$sons $p$rt 2ro% t/e 3on3urren3e-re>uire%ent$spe3t.0;1 As /$s )een o)served )* US 3onstitution$& s3/o&$rs, $ tre$t* /$s 're$ter di'nit* t/$n

$n ee3utive $'ree%ent, )e3$use its 3onstitution$& e22i3$3* is )e*ond dou)t, $ tre$t* /$vin'

)e/ind it t/e $ut/orit* o2 t/e President, t/e Sen$te, $nd t/e peop&e 0;=1 $ r$ti2ied tre$t*, un&i6e $n

ee3utive $'ree%ent, t$6es pre3eden3e over $n* prior st$tutor* en$3t%ent.0;@1

Petitioner p$r&$*s t/e notion t/$t t/e Agreement is o2 du)ious v$&idit*, p$rt$6in' $s it

does o2 t/e n$ture o2 $ tre$t* /en3e, it %ust )e du&* 3on3urred in )* t/e Sen$te.Petitioner t$6es

$ 3ue 2ro% Commissioner of Customs v. Eastern ea *rading , in 7/i3/ t/e Court reprodu3ed

t/e 2o&&o7in' o)serv$tions %$de )* US &e'$& s3/o&$rs: 0I1ntern$tion$& $'ree%ents invo&vin'

po&iti3$& issues or 3/$n'es o2 n$tion$& po&i3* $nd t/ose invo&vin' intern$tion$& $rr$n'e%ents o2 $

per%$nent 3/$r$3ter usu$&&* t$6e t/e 2or% o2 tre$ties 07/i&e1 t/ose e%)od*in' $d?ust%ents o2

det$i& 3$rr*in' out 7e&& est$)&is/ed n$tion$& po&i3ies $nd tr$ditions $nd t/ose invo&vin'

$rr$n'e%ents o2 $ %ore or &ess te%por$r* n$ture t$6e t/e 2or% o2 ee3utive $'ree%ents. 0<1

Pressin' its point, petitioner su)%its t/$t t/e su)?e3t o2 t/e Agreement does not 2$&&

under $n* o2 t/e su)?e3t-3$te'ories t/$t $re enu%er$ted in t/e Eastern ea *rading 3$se, $nd

t/$t %$* )e 3overed )* $n ee3utive $'ree%ent, su3/ $s 3o%%er3i$&B3onsu&$r re&$tions, %ost-2$vored n$tion ri'/ts, p$tent ri'/ts, tr$de%$r6 $nd 3op*ri'/t prote3tion, post$& $nd n$vi'$tion

$rr$n'e%ents $nd sett&e%ent o2 3&$i%s.

In $ddition, petitioner 2oists t/e $pp&i3$)i&it* to t/e inst$nt 3$se o2 Adolfo v. C"I of

;ambales and ,erchant ,0<+1 /o&din' t/$t $n ee3utive $'ree%ent t/rou'/ $n e3/$n'e o2 notes

3$nnot )e used to $%end $ tre$t*.

























De $re not persu$ded.

!/e 3$te'ori$tion o2 su)?e3t %$tters t/$t %$* )e 3overed )* intern$tion$& $'ree%ents

%entioned in Eastern ea *rading is not 3$st in stone. !/ere $re no /$rd $nd 2$st ru&es on t/e

propriet* o2 enterin', on $ 'iven su)?e3t, into $ tre$t* or $n ee3utive $'ree%ent $s $n

instru%ent o2 intern$tion$& re&$tions. !/e pri%$r* 3onsider$tion in t/e 3/oi3e o2 t/e 2or% o2

$'ree%ent is t/e p$rties intent $nd desire to 3r$2t $n intern$tion$& $'ree%ent in t/e 2or% t/e* so

7is/ to 2urt/er t/eir respe3tive interests. Veri&*, t/e %$tter o2 2or% t$6es $ )$36 se$t 7/en it

3o%es to e22e3tiveness $nd )indin' e22e3t o2 t/e en2or3e%ent o2 $ tre$t* or $n ee3utive

$'ree%ent, $s t/e p$rties in eit/er intern$tion$& $'ree%ent e$3/ &$)or under t/e pacta sunt

servanda0<1 prin3ip&e.

As %$* )e noted, $&%ost /$&2 $ 3entur* /$s e&$psed sin3e t/e Court rendered its

de3ision in Eastern ea *rading . Sin3e t/en, t/e 3ondu3t o2 2orei'n $22$irs /$s )e3o%e %ore

3o%p&e $nd t/e do%$in o2 intern$tion$& &$7 7ider, $s to in3&ude su3/ su)?e3ts $s /u%$n ri'/ts,

t/e environ%ent, $nd t/e se$. In 2$3t, in t/e US $&one, t/e ee3utive $'ree%ents ee3uted )*

its President 2ro% +@= to 3overed su)?e3ts su3/ $s de2ense, tr$de, s3ienti2i3 3ooper$tion,

$vi$tion, $to%i3 ener'*, environ%ent$& 3ooper$tion, pe$3e 3orps, $r%s &i%it$tion, $nd nu3&e$r

s$2et*, $%on' ot/ers.0<;1 Sure&*, t/e enu%er$tion in Eastern ea *rading 3$nnot 3ir3u%s3ri)e

t/e option o2 e$3/ st$te on t/e %$tter o2 7/i3/ t/e intern$tion$& $'ree%ent 2or%$t 7ou&d )e

3onvenient to serve its )est interest. As (r$n3is S$*re s$id in /is 7or6 re2erred to e$r&ier: It 7ou&d )e use&ess to undert$6e to dis3uss /ere t/e &$r'e v$riet* o2

ee3utive $'ree%ents $s su3/ 3on3&uded 2ro% ti%e to ti%e. Hundreds o2 ee3utive $'ree%ents, ot/er t/$n t/ose entered into under t/e tr$de-$'ree%ent$3t, /$ve )een ne'oti$ted 7it/ 2orei'n 'overn%ents. !/e* 3over su3/su)?e3ts $s t/e inspe3tion o2 vesse&s, n$vi'$tion dues, in3o%e t$ on s/ippin'pro2its, t/e $d%ission o2 3ivi& $ir 3r$2t, 3usto% %$tters $nd 3o%%er3i$& re&$tions'ener$&&*, intern$tion$& 3&$i%s, post$& %$tters, t/e re'istr$tion o2 tr$de%$r6s $nd3op*ri'/ts, et3.

And &est it )e over&oo6ed, one t*pe o2 ee3utive $'ree%ent is $ tre$t*-$ut/oried

0<<1

or $tre$t*-i%p&e%entin' ee3utive $'ree%ent,0<51 7/i3/ ne3ess$ri&* 7ou&d 3over t/e s$%e %$tters

su)?e3t o2 t/e under&*in' tre$t*.

"ut over $nd $)ove t/e 2ore'oin' 3onsider$tions is t/e 2$3t t/$ts$ve 2or t/e situ$tion $nd

%$tters 3onte%p&$ted in Se3. 5, Art. VIII o2 t/e Constitution 0<417/en $ tre$t* is re>uired, t/e













Constitution does not 3&$ssi2* $n* su)?e3t, &i6e t/$t invo&vin' po&iti3$& issues, to )e in t/e 2or% o2,

$nd r$ti2ied $s, $ tre$t*. D/$t t/e Constitution %ere&* pres3ri)es is t/$t tre$ties need t/e

3on3urren3e o2 t/e Sen$te )* $ vote de2ined t/erein to 3o%p&ete t/e r$ti2i3$tion pro3ess.

Petitioners re&i$n3e on Adolfo0<1 is %isp&$3ed, s$id 3$se )ein' in$pp&i3$)&e o7in' to

di22erent 2$3tu$& %i&ieus. !/ere, t/e Court /e&d t/$t $n ee3utive $'ree%ent 3$nnot )e used to

$%end $ du&* r$ti2ied $nd eistin' tre$t*, i.e., t/e "$ses !re$t*. Indeed, $n ee3utive $'ree%ent

t/$t does not re>uire t/e 3on3urren3e o2 t/e Sen$te 2or its r$ti2i3$tion %$* not )e used to $%end

$ tre$t* t/$t, under t/e Constitution, is t/e produ3t o2 t/e r$ti2*in' $3ts o2 t/e Ee3utive $nd t/e

Sen$te. !/e presen3e o2 $ tre$t*, purported&* )ein' su)?e3t to $%end%ent )* $n ee3utive

$'ree%ent, does not o)t$in under t/e pre%ises.

Considerin' t/e $)ove dis3ussion, t/e Court need not )e&$)or $t &en't/ t/e t/ird %$inissue r$ised, re2errin' to t/e v$&idit* $nd e22e3tivit* o2 t/e Agreement 7it/out t/e 3on3urren3e )*

$t &e$st t7o-t/irds o2 $&& t/e %e%)ers o2 t/e Sen$te. !/e Court /$s, in Eastern ea *rading ,

0<=1 $s reiter$ted in !ayan,0<@1 'iven re3o'nition to t/e o)&i'$tor* e22e3t o2 ee3utive $'ree%ents

7it/out t/e 3on3urren3e o2 t/e Sen$te:

0!1/e ri'/t o2 t/e Ee3utive to enter into )indin' $'ree%ents 7it/out

t/e ne3essit* o2 su)se>uent Con'ression$& $pprov$& /$s )een 3on2ir%ed )* &on'us$'e. (ro% t/e e$r&iest d$*s o2 our /istor*, 7e /$ve entered ee3utive$'ree%ents 3overin' su3/ su)?e3ts $s 3o%%er3i$& $nd 3onsu&$r re&$tions, %ost

2$vored-n$tion ri'/ts, p$tent ri'/ts, tr$de%$r6 $nd 3op*ri'/t prote3tion, post$&$nd n$vi'$tion $rr$n'e%ents $nd t/e sett&e%ent o2 3&$i%s. !/e v$&idit* o2 t/ese/$s never )een serious&* >uestioned )* our 3ourts.

The A'ree2ent N%t in C%ntra#enti%n %& the R%2e Stat"te

It is t/e petitioners net 3ontention t/$t t/e Agreement under%ines t/e est$)&is/%ent o2

t/e ICC $nd is nu&& $nd void inso2$r $s it undu&* restri3ts t/e ICCs ?urisdi3tion $nd in2rin'es upon

t/e e22e3tivit* o2 t/e Ro%e St$tute. Petitioner posits t/$t t/e Agreement 7$s 3onstituted so&e&*

2or t/e purpose o2 providin' individu$&s or 'roups o2 individu$&s 7it/ i%%unit* 2ro% t/e

?urisdi3tion o2 t/e ICC $nd su3/ 'r$nt o2 i%%unit* t/rou'/ non-surrender $'ree%ents $&&e'ed&*

does not &e'iti%$te&* 2$&& 7it/in t/e s3ope o2 Art. @= o2 t/eRo%e St$tute. It 3on3&udes t/$t st$te

p$rties 7it/ non-surrender $'ree%ents $re prevented 2ro% %eetin' t/eir o)&i'$tions under t/e

Ro%e St$tute, t/ere)* 3onstitutin' $ )re$3/ o2 Arts. , 051 =4,05+1 =@051 $nd @05;1 t/ereo2.


















Petitioner stresses t/$t t/e over$&& o)?e3t $nd purpose o2 t/e Ro%e St$tute is to ensure

t/$t t/ose responsi)&e 2or t/e 7orst possi)&e 3ri%es $re )rou'/t to ?usti3e in $&& 3$ses, pri%$ri&*

)* st$tes, )ut $s $ &$st resort, )* t/e ICC t/us, $n* $'ree%ent&i6e t/e non-surrender

$'ree%entt/$t pre3&udes t/e ICC 2ro% eer3isin' its 3o%p&e%ent$r* 2un3tion o2 $3tin' 7/en $

st$te is un$)&e to or un7i&&in' to do so, de2e$ts t/e o)?e3t $nd purpose o2 t/e Ro%e St$tute.

Petitioner 7ou&d $dd t/$t t/e President $nd t/e (A Se3ret$r*, $s represent$tives o2 $

si'n$tor* o2 t/e Ro%e St$tute, $re o)&i'ed )* t/e i%per$tives o2 'ood 2$it/ to re2r$in 2ro%

per2or%in' $3ts t/$t su)st$nti$&&* dev$&ue t/e purpose $nd o)?e3t o2 t/e St$tute, $s

si'ned. Addin' $ nu&&i2*in' in'redient to t/e Agreement , $33ordin' to petitioner, is t/e 2$3t t/$t it

/$s $n i%%or$& purpose or is ot/er7ise $t v$ri$n3e 7it/ $ prior&* ee3uted tre$t*.

Contr$r* to petitioners pretense, t/e Agreement does not 3ontr$vene or under%ine, nor does it di22er 2ro%, t/e Ro%e St$tute. ($r 2ro% 'oin' $'$inst e$3/ ot/er, one 3o%p&e%ents t/e

ot/er. As $ %$tter o2 2$3t, t/e prin3ip&e o2 3o%p&e%ent$rit* underpins t/e 3re$tion o2 t/e ICC. As

$pt&* pointed out )* respondents $nd $d%itted )* petitioners, t/e ?urisdi3tion o2 t/e ICC is to )e

3o%p&e%ent$r* to n$tion$& 3ri%in$& ?urisdi3tions 0o2 t/e si'n$tor* st$tes1. 05<1 Art. + o2 t/e Ro%e

St$tute pertinent&* provides:

Arti3&e +

!/e Court

An Intern$tion$& Cri%inin$& Court 8t/e Court9 is /ere)* est$)&is/ed. It sha33 ha#e the p%6er t% e!erise its 7"risditi%n over persons 2or t/e %ostserious 3ri%es o2 intern$tion$& 3on3ern, $s re2erred to in t/is St$tute, $nd sha33be %2p3e2entary t% nati%na3 ri2ina3 7"risditi%ns. !/e ?urisdi3tion $nd2un3tionin' o2 t/e Court s/$&& )e 'overned )* t/e provisions o2 t/isSt$tute. 8E%p/$sis ours.9

Si'ni2i3$nt&*, t/e sit/ pre$%)u&$r p$r$'r$p/ o2 t/e Ro%e St$tute de3&$res t/$t it is t/e

dut* o2 ever* St$te to eer3ise its 3ri%in$& ?urisdi3tion over t/ose responsi)&e 2or intern$tion$&

3ri%es. !/is provision indi3$tes t/$t pri%$r* ?urisdi3tion over t/e so-3$&&ed intern$tion$& 3ri%es

rests, $t t/e 2irst inst$n3e, 7it/ t/e st$te 7/ere t/e 3ri%e 7$s 3o%%itted se3ond$ri&*, 7it/ t/e

ICC in $ppropri$te situ$tions 3onte%p&$ted under Art. +, p$r. + 0551 o2 t/e Ro%e St$tute.








O2 p$rti3u&$r note is t/e $pp&i3$tion o2 t/e prin3ip&e o2 ne bis in idem0541 under p$r. ; o2 Art.

, Ro%e St$tute, 7/i3/ $'$in unders3ores t/e pri%$3* o2 t/e ?urisdi3tion o2 $ st$te vis-$-vis

t/$t o2 t/e ICC. As 2$r $s re&ev$nt, t/e provision st$tes t/$t no person 7/o /$s )een tried )*

$not/er 3ourt 2or 3ondu3t 03onstitutin' 3ri%es 7it/in its ?urisdi3tion1 s/$&& )e tried )* t/e

0Intern$tion$& Cri%in$&1 Court 7it/ respe3t to t/e s$%e 3ondu3t .

!/e 2ore'oin' provisions o2 t/e Ro%e St$tute, t$6en 3o&&e3tive&*, $r'ue $'$inst t/e ide$

o2 ?urisdi3tion$& 3on2&i3t )et7een t/e P/i&ippines, $s p$rt* to t/e non-surrender $'ree%ent, $nd

t/e ICC or t/e ide$ o2 t/e Agreement su)st$nti$&&* i%p$irin' t/e v$&ue o2 t/e RPs undert$6in'

under t/e Ro%e St$tute. I'norin' 2or $ 7/i&e t/e 2$3t t/$t t/e RP si'ned t/e Ro%e St$tute

$/e$d o2 t/e Agreement , it is $)und$nt&* 3&e$r to us t/$t t/e Ro%e St$tute epress&* re3o'nies

t/e pri%$r* ?urisdi3tion o2 st$tes, &i6e t/e RP, over serious 3ri%es 3o%%itted 7it/in t/eir

respe3tive )orders, t/e 3o%p&e%ent$r* ?urisdi3tion o2 t/e ICC 3o%in' into p&$* on&* 7/en t/esi'n$tor* st$tes $re un7i&&in' or un$)&e to prose3ute.

iven t/e $)ove 3onsider$tion, petitioners su''estiont/$t t/e RP, )* enterin' into

t/e Agreement , vio&$ted its dut* re>uired )* t/e i%per$tives o2 'ood 2$it/ $nd )re$3/ed its

3o%%it%ent under t/e Vienn$ Convention051 to re2r$in 2ro% per2or%in' $n* $3t tendin' to i%p$ir

t/e v$&ue o2 $ tre$t*, e.'., t/e Ro%e St$tute/$s to )e re?e3ted outri'/t. (or not/in' in t/e

provisions o2 t/e Agreement , in re&$tion to t/e Ro%e St$tute, tends to di%inis/ t/e e22i3$3* o2

t/e St$tute, &et $&one de2e$ts t/e purpose o2 t/e ICC. Lest it )e over&oo6ed, t/e Ro%e St$tute

3ont$ins $ proviso t/$t en?oins t/e ICC 2ro% see6in' t/e surrender o2 $n errin' person, s/ou&d

t/e pro3ess re>uire t/e re>uested st$te to per2or% $n $3t t/$t 7ou&d vio&$te so%e intern$tion$&

$'ree%ent it /$s entered into. De re2er to Art. @=89 o2 t/e Ro%e St$tute, 7/i3/ re$ds:

Arti3&e @=

Cooper$tion 7it/ respe3t to 7$iver o2 i%%unit*

$nd 3onsent to surrender

. !/e Court %$* not pro3eed 7it/ $ re>uest 2or surrender 7/i3/7ou&d re>uire t/e re>uested St$te to $3t in3onsistent&* 7it/ its o)&i'$tionsunder intern$tion$& $'ree%ents pursu$nt to 7/i3/ t/e 3onsent o2 $ sendin'St$te is re>uired to surrender $ person o2 t/$t St$te to t/e Court, un&ess t/eCourt 3$n 2irst o)t$in t/e 3ooper$tion o2 t/e sendin' St$te 2or t/e 'ivin' o2 3onsent 2or t/e surrender.








Moreover, under intern$tion$& &$7, t/ere is $ 3onsider$)&e di22eren3e )et7een $ St$te-

P$rt* $nd $ si'n$tor* to $ tre$t*. Under t/e Vienn$ Convention on t/e L$7 o2 !re$ties, $

si'n$tor* st$te is on&* o)&i'ed to re2r$in 2ro% $3ts 7/i3/ 7ou&d de2e$t t/e o)?e3t $nd purpose o2

$ tre$t*05=1 7/ere$s $ St$te-P$rt*, on t/e ot/er /$nd, is &e'$&&* o)&i'ed to 2o&&o7 $&& t/e

provisions o2 $ tre$t* in 'ood 2$it/.

In t/e inst$nt 3$se, it )e$rs stressin' t/$t t/e P/i&ippines is on&* $ si'n$tor* to t/e Ro%e

St$tute $nd not $ St$te-P$rt* 2or &$36 o2 r$ti2i3$tion )* t/e Sen$te. !/us, it is on&* o)&i'ed to

re2r$in 2ro% $3ts 7/i3/ 7ou&d de2e$t t/e o)?e3t $nd purpose o2 t/e Ro%e St$tute. An* $r'u%ent

o)&i'in' t/e P/i&ippines to 2o&&o7 $n* provision in t/e tre$t* 7ou&d )e pre%$ture.

As $ resu&t, petitioners $r'u%ent t/$t St$te-P$rties 7it/ non-surrender $'ree%ents $re

prevented 2ro% %eetin' t/eir o)&i'$tions under t/e Ro%e St$tute, spe3i2i3$&&* Arts. , =4, =@$nd @, %ust 2$i&. !/ese $rti3&es $re on&* &e'$&&* )indin' upon St$te-P$rties, not si'n$tories.

(urt/er%ore, $ 3$re2u& re$din' o2 s$id Art. @ 7ou&d s/o7 t/$t t/e Agreement is not

in3o%p$ti)&e 7it/ t/e Ro%e St$tute. Spe3i2i3$&&*, Art. @8<9 provides t/$t 0i12 t/e re>uestin' St$te

is $ St$te not P$rt* to t/is St$tute t/e re>uested St$te, i2 it is not under $n intern$tion$&

o)&i'$tion to etr$dite t/e person to t/e re>uestin' St$te, s/$&& 'ive priorit* to t/e re>uest 2or

surrender 2ro% t/e Court. In $pp&*in' t/e provision, 3ert$in undisputed 2$3ts s/ou&d )e

pointed out: first , t/e US is neit/er $ St$te-P$rt* nor $ si'n$tor* to t/e Ro%e St$tute

$nd second , t/ere is $n intern$tion$& $'ree%ent )et7een t/e US $nd t/e P/i&ippines re'$rdin'

etr$dition or surrender o2 persons, i.e., t/e Agreement . C&e$r&*, even $ssu%in' t/$t t/e

P/i&ippines is $ St$te-P$rt*, t/e Ro%e St$tute sti&& re3o'nies t/e pri%$3* o2 intern$tion$&

$'ree%ents entered into )et7een St$tes, even 7/en one o2 t/e St$tes is not $ St$te-P$rt* to

t/e Ro%e St$tute.

S%#erei'nty Li2ited by Internati%na3 A'ree2ents

Petitioner net $r'ues t/$t t/e RP /$s, t/rou'/ t/e Agreement , $)di3$ted its soverei'nt*)* )$r'$inin' $7$* t/e ?urisdi3tion o2 t/e ICC to prose3ute US n$tion$&s, 'overn%ent

o22i3i$&sBe%p&o*ees or %i&it$r* personne& 7/o 3o%%it serious 3ri%es o2 intern$tion$& 3on3erns in

t/e P/i&ippines. (or%u&$tin' petitioners $r'u%ent $ )it di22erent&*, t/e RP, )* enterin' into

t/e Agreement , does t/ere)* $)di3$te its soverei'nt*, $)di3$tion )ein' done )* its 7$ivin' or

$)$ndonin' its ri'/t to see6 re3ourse t/rou'/ t/e Ro%e St$tute o2 t/e ICC 2or errin' A%eri3$ns

3o%%ittin' intern$tion$& 3ri%es in t/e 3ountr*.





De $re not persu$ded. As it 7ere, t/e Agreement is )ut $ 2or% o2 $22ir%$n3e $nd

3on2ir%$n3e o2 t/e P/i&ippines n$tion$& 3ri%in$& ?urisdi3tion. N$tion$& 3ri%in$& ?urisdi3tion )ein'

pri%$r*, $s ep&$ined $)ove, it is $&7$*s t/e responsi)i&it* $nd 7it/in t/e prero'$tive o2 t/e RP

eit/er to prose3ute 3ri%in$& o22enses e>u$&&* 3overed )* t/e Ro%e St$tute or to $33ede to t/e

?urisdi3tion o2 t/e ICC. !/us, t/e P/i&ippines %$* de3ide to tr* persons o2 t/e US, $s t/e ter% is

understood in t/e Agreement , under our n$tion$& 3ri%in$& ?usti3e s*ste%. Or it %$* opt not to

eer3ise its 3ri%in$& ?urisdi3tion over its errin' 3itiens or over US persons 3o%%ittin' /i'/

3ri%es in t/e 3ountr* $nd de2er to t/e se3ond$r* 3ri%in$& ?urisdi3tion o2 t/e ICC over t/e%. As to

persons o2 t/e US 7/o% t/e P/i&ippines re2uses to prose3ute, t/e 3ountr* 7ou&d, in e22e3t,

$33ord dis3retion to t/e US to eer3ise eit/er its n$tion$& 3ri%in$& ?urisdi3tion over t/e person

3on3erned or to 'ive its 3onsent to t/e re2err$& o2 t/e %$tter to t/e ICC 2or tri$&. In t/e s$%e

)re$t/, t/e US %ust etend t/e s$%e privi&e'e to t/e P/i&ippines 7it/ respe3t to persons o2 t/eRP 3o%%ittin' /i'/ 3ri%es 7it/in US territori$& ?urisdi3tion.

In t/e 3ontet o2 t/e Constitution, t/ere 3$n )e no serious o)?e3tion to

t/e P/i&ippines $'reein' to undert$6e t/e t/in's set 2ort/ in t/e Agreement . Sure&*, one St$te

3$n $'ree to 7$ive ?urisdi3tionto t/e etent $'reed uponto su)?e3ts o2 $not/er St$te due to t/e

re3o'nition o2 t/e prin3ip&e o2 etr$territori$& i%%unit*. D/$t t/e Court 7rote in icolas v.

omulo05@1$ 3$se invo&vin' t/e i%p&e%ent$tion o2 t/e 3ri%in$& ?urisdi3tion provisions o2 t/e RP-

US Visitin' (or3es A'ree%entis $propos:

Not/in' in t/e Constitution pro/i)its su3/ $'ree%ents re3o'niin'

i%%unit* 2ro% ?urisdi3tion or so%e $spe3ts o2 ?urisdi3tion 8su3/ $s 3ustod*9, inre&$tion to &on'-re3o'nied su)?e3ts o2 su3/ i%%unit* &i6e He$ds o2 St$te,dip&o%$ts $nd %e%)ers o2 t/e $r%ed 2or3es 3ontin'ents o2 $ 2orei'n St$te$&&o7ed to enter $not/er St$tes territor*.

!o )e sure, t/e nu&&it* o2 t/e su)?e3t non-surrender $'ree%ent 3$nnot )e predi3$ted on

t/e postu&$te t/$t so%e o2 its provisions 3onstitute $ virtu$& $)di3$tion o2 its soverei'nt*. A&%ostever* ti%e $ st$te enters into $n intern$tion$& $'ree%ent, it vo&unt$ri&* s/eds o22 p$rt o2 its

soverei'nt*. !/e Constitution, $s dr$2ted, did not envision $ re3&usive P/i&ippines iso&$ted 2ro%

t/e rest o2 t/e 7or&d. It even $d/eres, $s e$r&ier st$ted, to t/e po&i3* o2 3ooper$tion $nd $%it*

7it/ $&& n$tions.041







"* t/eir n$ture, tre$ties $nd intern$tion$& $'ree%ents $3tu$&&* /$ve $ &i%itin' e22e3t on

t/e ot/er7ise en3o%p$ssin' $nd $)so&ute n$ture o2 soverei'nt*. "* t/eir vo&unt$r* $3t, n$tions

%$* de3ide to surrender or 7$ive so%e $spe3ts o2 t/eir st$te po7er or $'ree to &i%it t/e

eer3ise o2 t/eir ot/er7ise e3&usive $nd $)so&ute ?urisdi3tion. !/e usu$& under&*in'

3onsider$tion in t/is p$rti$& surrender %$* )e t/e 're$ter )ene2its derived 2ro% $ p$3t or $

re3ipro3$& undert$6in' o2 one 3ontr$3tin' p$rt* to 'r$nt t/e s$%e privi&e'es or i%%unities to t/e

ot/er. On t/e r$tion$&e t/$t t/e P/i&ippines /$s $dopted t/e 'ener$&&* $33epted prin3ip&es o2

intern$tion$& &$7 $s p$rt o2 t/e &$7 o2 t/e &$nd, $ portion o2 soverei'nt* %$* )e 7$ived 7it/out

vio&$tin' t/e Constitution.04+1 Su3/ 7$iver does not $%ount to $n un3onstitution$& di%inution or

depriv$tion o2 ?urisdi3tion o2 P/i&ippine 3ourts.041

A'ree2ent N%t I22%ra38N%t at /ariane

6ith Prinip3es %& Internati%na3 La6

Petitioner ur'es t/$t t/e Agreement )e stru36 do7n $s void ab initio 2or i%posin'

i%%or$& o)&i'$tions $ndBor )ein' $t v$ri$n3e 7it/ $&&e'ed&* univers$&&* re3o'nied prin3ip&es o2

intern$tion$& &$7. !/e i%%or$& $spe3t pro3eeds 2ro% t/e 2$3t t/$t t/e Agreement , $s petitioner

7ou&d put it, &e$ves 3ri%in$&s i%%une 2ro% responsi)i&it* 2or uni%$'in$)&e $tro3ities t/$t deep&*

s/o36 t/e 3ons3ien3e o2 /u%$nit* it pre3&udes our 3ountr* 2ro% de&iverin' $n A%eri3$n

3ri%in$& to t/e 0ICC1 .04;1

!/e $)ove $r'u%ent is $ 6ind o2 re3*3&in' o2 petitioners e$r&ier position, 7/i3/, $s

$&re$d* dis3ussed, 3ontends t/$t t/e RP, )* enterin' into t/e Agreement , virtu$&&* $)di3$ted its

soverei'nt* $nd in t/e pro3ess under%ined its tre$t* o)&i'$tions under t/e Ro%e St$tute,

3ontr$r* to intern$tion$& &$7 prin3ip&es.04<1

!/e Court is not persu$ded. Su22i3e it to st$te in t/is re'$rd t/$t t/e non-surrender

$'ree%ent, $s $pt&* des3ri)ed )* t/e So&i3itor ener$&, is $n $ssertion )* t/e P/i&ippineso2 its

desire to tr* $nd punis/ 3ri%es under its n$tion$& &$7. !/e $'ree%ent is $ re3o'nition o2

t/e pri%$3* $nd 3o%peten3e o2 t/e 3ountr*s ?udi3i$r* to tr* o22enses under its n$tion$& 3ri%in$&

&$7s $nd dispense ?usti3e 2$ir&* $nd ?udi3ious&*.

Petitioner, 7e )e&ieve, &$)ors under t/e erroneous i%pression t/$t t/e Agreement 7ou&d

$&&o7 (i&ipinos $nd A%eri3$ns 3o%%ittin' /i'/ 3ri%es o2 intern$tion$& 3on3ern to es3$pe

3ri%in$& tri$& $nd punis/%ent. !/is is %$ni2est&* in3orre3t. Persons 7/o %$* /$ve 3o%%itted

$3ts pen$&ied under t/e Ro%e St$tute 3$n )e prose3uted $nd punis/ed in t/eP/i&ippines or in











t/e US or 7it/ t/e 3onsent o2 t/e RP or t/e US, )e2ore t/e ICC, $ssu%in', 2or t/e non3e, t/$t

$&& t/e 2or%$&ities ne3ess$r* to )ind )ot/ 3ountries to t/e Ro%e St$tute /$ve )een %et. (or

perspe3tive, 7/$t t/e Agreement 3ontetu$&&* pro/i)its is t/e surrender )* eit/er p$rt* o2

individu$&s to intern$tion$& tri)un$&s, &i6e t/e ICC, 7it/out t/e 3onsent o2 t/e ot/er p$rt*, 7/i3/

%$* desire to prose3ute t/e 3ri%e under its eistin' &$7s. Dit/ t/e vie7 7e t$6e o2 t/in's, t/ere

is not/in' i%%or$& or vio&$tive o2 intern$tion$& &$7 3on3epts in t/e $3t o2 t/e P/i&ippines o2

$ssu%in' 3ri%in$& ?urisdi3tion pursu$nt to t/e non-surrender $'ree%ent over $n o22ense

3onsidered 3ri%in$& )* )ot/ P/i&ippine &$7s $nd t/e Ro%e St$tute.

N% (ra#e Ab"se %& isreti%n

Petitioners 2in$& point revo&ves $round t/e ne3essit* o2 t/e Sen$tes 3on3urren3e in

t/e Agreement . And 7it/out spe3i2i3$&&* s$*in' so, petitioner 7ou&d $r'ue t/$t t/e non-surrender

$'ree%ent 7$s ee3uted )* t/e President, t/ru t/e (A Se3ret$r*, in 'r$ve $)use o2 dis3retion.

!/e Court need not de&ve on $nd )e&$)or t/e 2irst portion o2 t/e $)ove posture o2

petitioner, t/e s$%e /$vin' )een dis3ussed $t &en't/ e$r&ier on. As to t/e se3ond portion, De

7is/ to st$te t/$t petitioner virtu$&&* 2$u&ts t/e President 2or per2or%in', t/rou'/ respondents, $

t$s6 3on2erred t/e President )* t/e Constitutiont/e po7er to enter into intern$tion$&

$'ree%ents.

"* 3onstitution$& 2i$t $nd )* t/e n$ture o2 /is or /er o22i3e, t/e President, $s /e$d o2

st$te $nd 'overn%ent, is t/e so&e or'$n $nd $ut/orit* in t/e etern$& $22$irs o2 t/e 3ountr*.0451 !/e Constitution vests in t/e President t/e po7er to enter into intern$tion$& $'ree%ents,

su)?e3t, in $ppropri$te 3$ses, to t/e re>uired 3on3urren3e votes o2 t/e Sen$te."ut $s e$r&ier

indi3$ted, ee3utive $'ree%ents %$* )e v$&id&* entered into 7it/out su3/ 3on3urren3e. As t/e

President 7ie&ds v$st po7ers $nd in2&uen3e, /er 3ondu3t in t/e etern$& $22$irs o2 t/e n$tion is,

$s !ayan 7ou&d put it, ee3utive $&to'et/er. !/e ri'/t o2 t/e President to enter into or r$ti2*

)indin' ee3utive $'ree%ents /$s )een 3on2ir%ed )* &on' pr$3ti3e. 0441

In t/us $'reein' to 3on3&ude t/e Agreement t/ru EBN "(O-=-;, t/en President &ori$

M$3$p$'$&-Arro*o, represented )* t/e Se3ret$r* o2 (orei'n A22$irs, $3ted 7it/in t/e s3ope o2

t/e $ut/orit* $nd dis3retion vested in /er )* t/e Constitution. At t/e end o2 t/e d$*, t/e

President)* r$ti2*in', t/ru /er deputies, t/e non-surrender $'ree%entdid not/in' %ore t/$n

dis3/$r'e $ 3onstitution$& dut* $nd eer3ise $ prero'$tive t/$t pert$ins to /er o22i3e.







D/i&e t/e issue o2 r$ti2i3$tion o2 t/e Ro%e St$tute is not deter%in$tive o2 t/e ot/er

issues r$ised /erein, it %$* per/$ps )e pertinent to re%ind $&& $nd sundr* t/$t $)out t/e ti%e

t/is petition 7$s interposed, su3/ issue o2 r$ti2i3$tion 7$s &$id to rest in 7imentel5 Jr. v. #ffice of

the Executive ecretary.041 As t/e Court e%p/$sied in s$id 3$se, t/e po7er to r$ti2* $ tre$t*,

t/e St$tute in t/$t inst$n3e, rests 7it/ t/e President, su)?e3t to t/e 3on3urren3e o2 t/e Sen$te,

7/ose ro&e re&$tive to t/e r$ti2i3$tion o2 $ tre$t* is &i%ited %ere&* to 3on3urrin' in or 7it//o&din'

t/e r$ti2i3$tion. And 3on3o%it$nt 7it/ t/is tre$t*-%$6in' po7er o2 t/e President is /is or /er

prero'$tive to re2use to su)%it $ tre$t* to t/e Sen$te or /$vin' se3ured t/e &$tters 3onsent to

t/e r$ti2i3$tion o2 t/e tre$t*, re2use to r$ti2* it. 04=1 !/is prero'$tive, t/e Court /$stened to $dd, is

t/e Presidents $&one $nd 3$nnot )e en3ro$3/ed upon vi$ $ 7rit o2 %$nd$%us. "$rrin'

intervenin' events, t/en, t/e P/i&ippines re%$ins to )e ?ust $ si'n$tor* to t/e Ro%e

St$tute. Under Art. +504@1 t/ereo2, t/e 2in$& $3ts re>uired to 3o%p&ete t/e tre$t* pro3ess $nd,

t/us, )rin' it into 2or3e, inso2$r $s t/e P/i&ippines is 3on3erned, /$ve *et to )e done.

A'ree2ent Need N%t Be in the $%r2 %& a Treaty

On e3e%)er ++, @, t/en President Arro*o si'ned into &$7 Repu)&i3 A3t No. 8RA9

@=5+, ot/er7ise 6no7n $s t/e P/i&ippine A3t on Cri%es A'$inst Intern$tion$& Hu%$nit$ri$n L$7,

eno3ide, $nd Ot/er Cri%es A'$inst Hu%$nit*. Se3. + o2 RA @=5+, p$rti3u&$r&* t/e se3ond

p$r$'r$p/ t/ereo2, provides:

Seti%n )9. Jurisdiction. In t/e interest o2 ?usti3e, t/e re&ev$nt P/i&ippine $ut/orities may dispense

7it/ t/e investi'$tion or prose3ution o2 $ 3ri%e punis/$)&e under t/is A3t i2 $not/er 3ourt or intern$tion$& tri)un$& is $&re$d* 3ondu3tin' t/e investi'$tion or undert$6in' t/e prose3ution o2 su3/ 3ri%e. Instead, thea"th%rities may s"rrender %r e!tradite s"speted %r a"sed pers%ns inthe Phi3ippines t% the appr%priate internati%na3 %"rt, i& any, %r t% an%ther State p"rs"ant t% the app3iab3e e!traditi%n 3a6s and treaties. 8E%p/$sissupp&ied.9

A vie7 is $dv$n3ed t/$t t/e Agreement $%ends eistin' %uni3ip$& &$7s on t/e St$tes

o)&i'$tion in re&$tion to 'r$ve 3ri%es $'$inst t/e &$7 o2 n$tions, i.e., 'eno3ide, 3ri%es $'$inst

/u%$nit* $nd 7$r 3ri%es. Re&*in' on t/e $)ove->uoted st$tutor* proviso, t/e vie7 posits t/$t

t/e P/i&ippine is re>uired to surrender to t/e proper intern$tion$& tri)un$& t/ose persons $33used

o2 t/e 'r$ve 3ri%es de2ined under RA @=5+, i2 it does not eer3ise its pri%$r* ?urisdi3tion to

prose3ute t/e%.












!/e )$si3 pre%ise rests on t/e interpret$tion t/$t i2 it does not de3ide to prose3ute $

2orei'n n$tion$& 2or vio&$tions o2 RA @=5+, t/e P/i&ippines /$s on&* t7o options, to 7it: 8+9

surrender t/e $33used to t/e proper intern$tion$& tri)un$& or 89 surrender t/e $33used to

$not/er St$te i2 su3/ surrender is pursu$nt to t/e $pp&i3$)&e etr$dition &$7s $nd tre$ties. "ut

t/e P/i&ippines %$* eer3ise t/ese options on&* in 3$ses 7/ere $not/er 3ourt or intern$tion$&

tri)un$& is $&re$d* 3ondu3tin' t/e investi'$tion or undert$6in' t/e prose3ution o2 su3/ 3ri%e

ot/er7ise, t/e P/i&ippines %ust prose3ute t/e 3ri%e )e2ore its o7n 3ourts pursu$nt to RA @=5+.

Posin' t/e situ$tion o2 $ US n$tion$& under prose3ution )* $n intern$tion$& tri)un$& 2or

$n* 3ri%e under RA @=5+, t/e P/i&ippines /$s t/e option to surrender su3/ USn$tion$& to t/e

intern$tion$& tri)un$& i2 it de3ides not to prose3ute su3/ US n$tion$& /ere. !/e vie7 $sserts t/$t

t/is option o2 t/e P/i&ippines under Se3. + o2 RA @=5+ is not su)?e3t to t/e 3onsent o2 t/e US,

$nd $n* dero'$tion o2 Se3. + o2 RA @=5+, su3/ $s re>uirin' t/e 3onsent o2 t/e US )e2oret/e P/i&ippines 3$n eer3ise su3/ option, re>uires $n $%end$tor* &$7. In &ine 7it/ t/is s3en$rio,

t/e vie7 stron'&* $r'ues t/$t t/e Agreement prevents t/e P/i&ippines7it/out t/e 3onsent o2

t/e US2ro% surrenderin' to $n* intern$tion$& tri)un$& US n$tion$&s $33used o2 3ri%es 3overed

)* RA @=5+, $nd, t/us, in e22e3t $%ends Se3. + o2 RA @=5+. Conse>uent&*, t/e vie7 is stron'&*

i%pressed t/$t t/e Agreement 3$nnot )e e%)odied in $ si%p&e ee3utive $'ree%ent in t/e 2or%

o2 $n e3/$n'e o2 notes )ut %ust )e i%p&e%ented t/rou'/ $n etr$dition &$7 or $ tre$t* 7it/ t/e

3orrespondin' 2or%$&ities.

Moreover, 3onson$nt 7it/ t/e 2ore'oin' vie7, 3itin' Se3. , Art. II o2 t/e Constitution,

7/ere t/e P/i&ippines $dopts, $s $ n$tion$& po&i3*, t/e 'enera33y aepted prinip3es %&

internati%na3 3a6 as part %& the 3a6 %& the 3and, t/e Court is 2urt/er i%pressed to per3eive t/e

Ro%e St$tute $s de3&$r$tor* o2 3usto%$r* intern$tion$& &$7. In ot/er 7ords, t/e St$tute

e%)odies prin3ip&es o2 &$7 7/i3/ 3onstitute 3usto%$r* intern$tion$& &$7 or 3usto% $nd 2or 7/i3/

re$son it $ssu%es t/e st$tus o2 $n en2or3e$)&e do%esti3 &$7 in t/e 3ontet o2 t/e $2ore3ited

3onstitution$& provision. As $ 3oro&&$r*, it is $r'ued t/$t $n* dero'$tion 2ro% t/e Ro%e St$tute

prin3ip&es 3$nnot )e undert$6en vi$ $ %ere ee3utive $'ree%ent, 7/i3/, $s $n e3&usive $3t o2

t/e ee3utive )r$n3/, 3$n on&* i%p&e%ent, )ut 3$nnot $%end or repe$&, $n eistin'

&$7. !/e Agreement , so t/e $r'u%ent 'oes, see6s to 2rustr$te t/e o)?e3ts o2 t/e prin3ip&es o2

&$7 or $&ters 3usto%$r* ru&es e%)odied in t/e Ro%e St$tute.



Pres3indin' 2ro% t/e 2ore'oin' pre%ises, t/e vie7 t/us $dv$n3ed 3onsiders

t/e Agreement ine22i3$3ious, un&ess it is e%)odied in $ tre$t* du&* r$ti2ied 7it/ t/e 3on3urren3e

o2 t/e Sen$te, t/e t/eor* )ein' t/$t $ Sen$te- r$ti2ied tre$t* p$rt$6es o2 t/e n$ture o2 $

%uni3ip$& &$7 t/$t 3$n $%end or supersede $not/er &$7, in t/is inst$n3e Se3. + o2 RA @=5+

$nd t/e st$tus o2 t/e Ro%e St$tute $s 3onstitutive o2 en2or3e$)&e do%esti3 &$7 under Se3. ,

Art. II o2 t/e Constitution.

De $re un$)&e to &end 3o'en3* to t/e vie7 t/us t$6en. (or one, 7e 2ind t/$t

t/e Agreement does not $%end or is repu'n$nt to RA @=5+. (or $not/er, t/e vie7 does not

3&e$r&* st$te 7/$t pre3ise prin3ip&es o2 &$7, i2 $n*, t/e Agreement $&ters. And 2or $ t/ird, it does

not de%onstr$te in t/e 3on3rete /o7 t/e Agreement see6s to 2rustr$te t/e o)?e3tives o2 t/e

prin3ip&es o2 &$7 su)su%ed in t/e Ro%e St$tute.

($r 2ro% it, $s e$r&ier ep&$ined, t/e Agreement does not under%ine t/e Ro%e St$tute

$s t/e 2or%er %ere&* rein2or3es t/e pri%$3* o2 t/e n$tion$& ?urisdi3tion o2 t/e US $nd

t/e P/i&ippines in prose3utin' 3ri%in$& o22enses 3o%%itted )* t/eir respe3tive 3itiens

$nd %i&it$r* personne&, $%on' ot/ers. !/e ?urisdi3tion o2 t/e ICC pursu$nt to t/e Ro%e St$tute

over /i'/ 3ri%es indi3$ted t/ere$t is 3&e$r&* $nd un%ist$6$)&* 3o%p&e%ent$r* to t/e n$tion$&

3ri%in$& ?urisdi3tion o2 t/e si'n$tor* st$tes.

Moreover, RA @=5+ 3&e$r&*: 8+9 de2ines $nd est$)&is/es t/e 3ri%es $'$inst intern$tion$&

/u%$nit$ri$n &$7, 'eno3ide $nd ot/er 3ri%es $'$inst /u%$nit* 01 89 provides pen$& s$n3tions

$nd 3ri%in$& &i$)i&it* 2or t/eir 3o%%ission

0+1

$nd 8;9 est$)&is/es spe3i$& 3ourts 2or t/eprose3ution o2 t/ese 3ri%es $nd 2or t/e St$te to eer3ise pri%$r* 3ri%in$& ?urisdi3tion.01 No7/ere in RA @=5+ is t/ere $ proviso t/$t 'oes $'$inst t/e tenor o2 t/e Agreement .

!/e vie7 %$6es %u3/ o2 t/e $)ove >uoted se3ond p$r. o2 Se3. +, RA @=5+

$s re5"irin' t/e P/i&ippine St$te to surrender to t/e proper intern$tion$& tri)un$& t/ose persons

$33used o2 3ri%es s$n3tioned under s$id &$7 i2 it does not eer3ise its pri%$r* ?urisdi3tion to

prose3ute su3/ persons. !/is vie7 is not entire&* 3orre3t, 2or t/e $)ove >uoted proviso 3&e$r&*

provides disreti%n to t/e P/i&ippine St$te on 7/et/er to surrender or not $ person $33used o2

t/e 3ri%es under RA @=5+. !/e st$tutor* proviso uses t/e 7ordmay . It is sett&ed do3trine in

st$tutor* 3onstru3tion t/$t t/e 7ord %$* denotes dis3retion, $nd 3$nnot )e 3onstrued $s /$vin'

%$nd$tor* e22e3t.0;1 !/us, t/e pertinent se3ond p$r$r$'r$p/ o2 Se3. +, RA @=5+ is si%p&*

per%issive on t/e p$rt o2 t/e P/i&ippine St$te.

"esides, even 'r$ntin' t/$t t/e surrender o2 $ person is %$nd$tori&* re>uired 7/en t/e

P/i&ippines does not eer3ise its pri%$r* ?urisdi3tion in 3$ses 7/ere $not/er 3ourt or

intern$tion$& tri)un$& is $&re$d* 3ondu3tin' t/e investi'$tion or undert$6in' t/e prose3ution o2

su3/ 3ri%e, sti&&, t/e tenor o2 t/e Agreement is not repu'n$nt to Se3. + o2 RA @=5+.S$id &e'$&











proviso $pt&* provides t/$t t/e surrender %$* )e %$de to $not/er St$te pursu$nt to t/e

$pp&i3$)&e etr$dition &$7s $nd tre$ties. !/e Agreement 3$n $&re$d* )e 3onsidered $ tre$t*

2o&&o7in' t/is Courts de3ision in icolas v. omulo0<1 7/i3/ 3ited <einberger v. ossi .051 In icolas, De /e&d t/$t $n ee3utive $'ree%ent is $ tre$t* 7it/in t/e %e$nin' o2 t/$t 7ord in

intern$tion$& &$7 $nd 3onstitutes en2or3e$)&e do%esti3 &$7 vis$$vis t/e United St$tes.041

Li6e7ise, t/e P/i&ippines $nd t/e US $&re$d* /$ve $n eistin' etr$dition tre$t*, i.e., RP-

US Etr$dition !re$t*, 7/i3/ 7$s ee3uted on Nove%)er +;, +@@<. !/e pertinent P/i&ippine &$7,

on t/e ot/er /$nd, is Presidenti$& e3ree No. +4@, issued on J$nu$r* +;, +@. !/us,

t/e Agreement , in 3on?un3tion 7it/ t/e RP-US Etr$dition !re$t*, 7ou&d neit/er vio&$te nor run

3ounter to Se3. + o2 RA @=5+.

!/e vie7s re&i$n3e on uplico v. eda01 is si%i&$r&* i%proper. In t/$t 3$se, sever$&

petitions 7ere 2i&ed >uestionin' t/e po7er o2 t/e President to enter into 2orei'n &o$n $'ree%ents.

Ho7ever, )e2ore t/e petitions 3ou&d )e reso&ved )* t/e Court, t/e O22i3e o2 t/e So&i3itor ener$&

2i&ed $ M$ni2est$tion $nd Motion $verrin' t/$t t/e P/i&ippine overn%ent de3ided not to3ontinue 7it/ t/e #!E N$tion$& "ro$d)$nd Net7or6 Pro?e3t, t/us renderin' t/e petition %oot. In

reso&vin' t/e 3$se, t/e Court too6 ?udi3i$& noti3e o2 t/e $3t o2 t/e ee3utive dep$rt%ent o2

t/e P/i&ippines 8t/e President9 $nd 2ound t/e petition to )e indeed %oot. A33ordin'&*, it

dis%issed t/e petitions.

In /is dissent in t/e $)ove%entioned 3$se, Justi3e C$rpio dis3ussed t/e &e'$&

i%p&i3$tions o2 $n ee3utive $'ree%ent. He st$ted t/$t $n ee3utive $'ree%ent /$s t/e 2or3e

$nd e22e3t o2 &$7 0it1 3$nnot $%end or repe$& pri%r &$7s.0=1 Hen3e, t/is $r'u%ent 2inds no

$pp&i3$tion in t/is 3$se seein' $s RA @=5+ is $ su)se>uent &$7, not $ prior one. Not$)&*, t/is

$r'u%ent 3$nnot )e 2ound in t/e ratio decidendi o2 t/e 3$se, )ut on&* in t/e dissentin' opinion.

!/e vie7 2urt/er 3ontends t/$t t/e RP-US Etr$dition !re$t* is in$pp&i3$)&e to RA @=5+

2or t/e re$son t/$t under p$r. +, Art. o2 t/e RP-US Etr$dition !re$t*, 0$1n o22ense s/$&& )e $n

etr$dit$)&e o22ense i2 it is punishable "nder the 3a6s in b%th C%ntratin' Parties ,0@1 $nd t/ere)* 3on3&udin' t/$t 7/i&e t/e P/i&ippines /$s 3ri%in$&ied under RA @=5+ t/e $3ts

de2ined in t/e Ro%e St$tute $s 7$r 3ri%es, 'eno3ide $nd ot/er 3ri%es $'$inst /u%$nit*, t/ere

is no si%i&$r &e'is&$tion in t/e US. It is 2urt/er $r'ued t/$t, 3itin' 0.. v. Coolidge, in t/e US, $

person 3$nnot )e tried in t/e 2eder$& 3ourts 2or $n intern$tion$& 3ri%e un&ess Con'ress $dopts $

&$7 de2inin' $nd punis/in' t/e o22ense.

!/is vie7 %ust 2$i&.

On t/e 3ontr$r*, t/e US /$s $&re$d* en$3ted &e'is&$tion punis/in' t/e /i'/ 3ri%es

%entioned e$r&ier. In 2$3t, $s e$r&* $s O3to)er 4, t/e US en$3ted $ &$7 3ri%in$&iin' 7$r

3ri%es. Se3tion <<+, C/$pter ++=, P$rt I, !it&e += o2 t/e United St$tes Code Annot$ted 8USCA9

provides 2or t/e 3ri%in$& o22ense o2 7$r 3ri%es 7/i3/ is si%i&$r to t/e 7$r 3ri%es 2ound in )ot/

t/e Ro%e St$tute $nd RA @=5+, t/us:

















8$9 O22ense D/oever, 7/et/er inside or outside t/e United St$tes, 3o%%its $

7$r 3ri%e, in $n* o2 t/e 3ir3u%st$n3es des3ri)ed in su)se3tion 8)9, s/$&& )e2ined under t/is tit&e or i%prisoned 2or &i2e or $n* ter% o2 *e$rs, or )ot/, $nd i2 de$t/ resu&ts to t/e vi3ti%, s/$&& $&so )e su)?e3t to t/e pen$&t* o2 de$t/.

8)9 Cir3u%st$n3es !/e 3ir3u%st$n3es re2erred to in su)se3tion 8$9 $re t/$t t/eperson 3o%%ittin' su3/ 7$r 3ri%e or t/e vi3ti% o2 su3/ 7$r 3ri%e is $%e%)er o2 t/e Ar%ed (or3es o2 t/e United St$tes or $ n$tion$& o2 t/e UnitedSt$tes 8$s de2ined in Se3tion ++ o2 t/e I%%i'r$tion $nd N$tion$&it* A3t9.

839 e2inition As used in t/is Se3tion t/e ter% 7$r 3ri%e %e$ns $n* 3ondu3t8+9 e2ined $s $ 'r$ve )re$3/ in $n* o2 t/e intern$tion$& 3onventions si'ned

$t enev$ + Au'ust +@<@, or $n* proto3o& to su3/ 3onvention to 7/i3/t/e United St$tes is $ p$rt*

89 Pro/i)ited )* Arti3&e ;, 5, or = o2 t/e Anne to t/eH$'ue Convention IV, Respe3tin' t/e L$7s $nd Custo%s o2 D$r onL$nd, si'ned += O3to)er +@

8;9 D/i3/ 3onstitutes $ 'r$ve )re$3/ o2 3o%%on Arti3&e ; 8$s de2ined insu)se3tion 0d19 7/en 3o%%itted in t/e 3ontet o2 $nd in $sso3i$tion 7it/

$n $r%ed 3on2&i3t not o2 $n intern$tion$& 3/$r$3ter or 8<9 O2 $ person 7/o, in re&$tion to $n $r%ed 3on2&i3t $nd 3ontr$r* to t/e

provisions o2 t/e Proto3o& on Pro/i)itions or Restri3tions on t/e Use o2 Mines, "oo)*-!r$ps $nd Ot/er evi3es $s $%ended $t enev$ on ; M$*+@@4 8Proto3o& II $s $%ended on ; M$* +@@49, 7/en t/e United St$tes is$ p$rt* to su3/ Proto3o&, 7i&&2u&&* 6i&&s or 3$uses serious in?ur* to 3ivi&i$ns.0=1

Si%i&$r&*, in e3e%)er @, t/e US $dopted $ &$7 t/$t 3ri%in$&ied 'eno3ide, to 7it: +@+. eno3ide

8$9 "$si3 O22ense D/oever, 7/et/er in t/e ti%e o2 pe$3e or inti%e o2 7$r $nd 7it/ spe3i2i3 intent to destro*, in 7/o&e or in su)st$nti$&p$rt, $ n$tion$&, et/ni3, r$3i$& or re&i'ious 'roup $s su3/

8+9 6i&&s %e%)ers o2 t/$t 'roup89 3$uses serious )odi&* in?ur* to %e%)ers o2 t/$t 'roup8;9 3$uses t/e per%$nent i%p$ir%ent o2 t/e %ent$& 2$3u&ties o2 %e%)ers o2 t/e 'roup t/rou'/ dru's, torture, or si%i&$r te3/ni>ues8<9 su)?e3ts t/e 'roup to 3onditions o2 &i2e t/$t $re intended to 3$uset/e p/*si3$& destru3tion o2 t/e 'roup in 7/o&e or in p$rt859 i%poses %e$sures intended to prevent )irt/s 7it/in t/e 'roup or 849 tr$ns2ers )* 2or3e 3/i&dren o2 t/e 'roup to $not/er 'roup

s/$&& )e punis/ed $s provided in su)se3tion 8)9. 0=+1

Ar'uin' 2urt/er, $not/er vie7 /$s )een $dv$n3ed t/$t t/e 3urrent US &$7s do not 3over

ever* 3ri%e &isted 7it/in t/e ?urisdi3tion o2 t/e ICC $nd t/$t t/ere is $ '$p )et7een t/e

de2initions o2 t/e di22erent 3ri%es under t/e US &$7s versus t/e Ro%e St$tute. !/e vie7 used $

report 7ritten )* Vi3tori$ G. Ho&t $nd E&is$)et/ D. $&&$s, entit&ed On !ri$&: !/e US Mi&it$r* $nd

t/e Intern$tion$& Cri%in$& Court, $s its )$sis.







At t/e outset, it s/ou&d )e pointed out t/$t t/e report used %$* not /$ve $n* 7ei'/t or v$&ue

under intern$tion$& &$7. Arti3&e ;= o2 t/e St$tute o2 t/e Intern$tion$& Court o2 Justi3e 8ICJ9 &ists

t/e sour3es o2 intern$tion$& &$7, $s 2o&&o7s: 8+9 intern$tion$& 3onventions, 7/et/er 'ener$& or

p$rti3u&$r, est$)&is/in' ru&es epress&* re3o'nied )* t/e 3ontestin' st$tes 89 intern$tion$&

3usto%, $s eviden3e o2 $ 'ener$& pr$3ti3e $33epted $s &$7 8;9 t/e 'ener$& prin3ip&es o2 &$7

re3o'nied )* 3ivi&ied n$tions $nd 8<9 su)?e3t to t/e provisions o2 Arti3&e 5@, ?udi3i$& de3isions

$nd the teahin's %& the 2%st hi'h3y 5"a3i&ied p"b3iists %& the #ari%"s nati%ns, $s

su)sidi$r* %e$ns 2or t/e deter%in$tion o2 ru&es o2 &$7. !/e report does not 2$&& under $n* o2 t/e

2ore'oin' enu%er$ted sour3es. It 3$nnot even )e 3onsidered $s t/e te$3/in's o2 /i'/&* >u$&i2ied

pu)&i3ists. A /i'/&* >u$&i2ied pu)&i3ist is $ s3/o&$r o2 pu)&i3 intern$tion$& &$7 $nd t/e ter% usu$&&*

re2ers to &e'$& s3/o&$rs or $3$de%i3 7riters.0=1 It /$s not )een s/o7n t/$t t/e $ut/ors0=;1 o2 t/is

report $re /i'/&* >u$&i2ied pu)&i3ists.

Assu%in' arguendo t/$t t/e report /$s 7ei'/t, sti&&, t/e per3eived '$ps in t/e de2initions

o2 t/e 3ri%es $re n%ne!istent. !o /i'/&i'/t, t/e t$)&e )e&o7 s/o7s t/e de2initions o2 'eno3ide$nd 7$r 3ri%es under t/e Ro%e St$tute vis--vis t/e de2initions under US &$7s:

Ro%e St$tute US L$7

Arti3e (en%ide

(or t/e purpose o2 t/is St$tute, 'eno3ide%e$ns $n* o2 t/e 2o&&o7in' $3ts 3o%%itted7it/ intent to destro*, in 7/o&e or in p$rt, $n$tion$&, et/ni3$&, r$3i$& or re&i'ious 'roup,

$s su3/:8$9 Gi&&in' %e%)ers o2 t/e 'roup8)9 C$usin' serious )odi&* or %ent$& /$r%

to %e%)ers o2 t/e 'roup839 e&i)er$te&* in2&i3tin' on t/e 'roup

3onditions o2 &i2e 3$&3u&$ted to )rin'$)out its p/*si3$& destru3tion in 7/o&eor in p$rt

8d9 I%posin' %e$sures intended to prevent)irt/s 7it/in t/e 'roup

8e9 (or3i)&* tr$ns2errin' 3/i&dren o2 t/e'roup to $not/er 'roup.

):+). (en%ide 8$9 "$si3 O22ense D/oever, 7/et/er in t/eti%e o2 pe$3e or in ti%e o2 7$r $nd 7it/spe3i2i3 intent to destro*, in 7/o&e or insu)st$nti$& p$rt, $ n$tion$&, et/ni3, r$3i$& or

re&i'ious 'roup $s su3/8+9 6i&&s %e%)ers o2 t/$t 'roup89 3$uses serious )odi&* in?ur* to

%e%)ers o2 t/$t 'roup8;9 3$uses t/e per%$nent i%p$ir%ent o2

t/e %ent$& 2$3u&ties o2 %e%)ers o2 t/e 'roup t/rou'/ dru's, torture, or si%i&$r te3/ni>ues

8<9 su)?e3ts t/e 'roup to 3onditions o2 &i2et/$t $re intended to 3$use t/ep/*si3$& destru3tion o2 t/e 'roup in7/o&e or in p$rt

859 i%poses %e$sures intended to prevent)irt/s 7it/in t/e 'roup or 849 tr$ns2ers )* 2or3e 3/i&dren o2 t/e 'roup

to $not/er 'roups/$&& )e punis/ed $s provided insu)se3tion 8)9.

Arti3e -;ar Cri2es

. (or t/e purpose o2 t/is St$tute, 7$r

8$9 e2inition As used in t/is Se3tion t/eter% 7$r 3ri%e %e$ns $n* 3ondu3t

8+9 e2ined $s $ 'r$ve )re$3/ in $n* o2







3ri%es %e$ns:8$9 r$ve )re$3/es o2 t/e enev$Conventions o2 + Au'ust +@<@, n$%e&*,$n* o2 t/e 2o&&o7in' $3ts $'$inst personsor propert* prote3ted under t/e provisionso2 t/e re&ev$nt enev$ Convention: 0=<1

8)9 Ot/er serious vio&$tions o2 t/e &$7s $nd3usto%s $pp&i3$)&e in intern$tion$& $r%ed3on2&i3t, 7it/in t/e est$)&is/ed 2r$%e7or6o2 intern$tion$& &$7, n$%e&*, $n* o2 t/e2o&&o7in' $3ts: 839 In t/e 3$se o2 $n $r%ed 3on2&i3t not o2$n intern$tion$& 3/$r$3ter, seriousvio&$tions o2 $rti3&e ; 3o%%on to t/e 2ourenev$ Conventions o2 + Au'ust +@<@,n$%e&*, $n* o2 t/e 2o&&o7in' $3ts3o%%itted $'$inst persons t$6in' no

$3tive p$rt in t/e /osti&ities, in3&udin'%e%)ers o2 $r%ed 2or3es 7/o /$ve &$iddo7n t/eir $r%s $nd t/ose p&$3ed /ors de3o%)$t )* si36ness, 7ounds, detention or$n* ot/er 3$use: 8d9 P$r$'r$p/ 839 $pp&ies to $r%ed3on2&i3ts not o2 $n intern$tion$& 3/$r$3ter$nd t/us does not $pp&* to situ$tions o2intern$& distur)$n3es $nd tensions, su3/$s riots, iso&$ted $nd spor$di3 $3ts o2vio&en3e or ot/er $3ts o2 $ si%i&$r n$ture.

8e9 Ot/er serious vio&$tions o2 t/e &$7s $nd3usto%s $pp&i3$)&e in $r%ed 3on2&i3ts noto2 $n intern$tion$& 3/$r$3ter, 7it/in t/eest$)&is/ed 2r$%e7or6 o2 intern$tion$& &$7,n$%e&*, $n* o2 t/e 2o&&o7in' $3ts: .

t/e intern$tion$& 3onventions si'ned$t enev$+ Au'ust +@<@, or $n*proto3o& to su3/ 3onvention to 7/i3/t/e United St$tes is $ p$rt*

89 Pro/i)ited )* Arti3&e ;, 5, or = o2 t/e Anne to t/e

H$'ue Convention IV, Respe3tin't/e L$7s $nd Custo%s o2 D$r onL$nd, si'ned += O3to)er +@

8;9 D/i3/ 3onstitutes $ 'r$ve )re$3/ o2 3o%%on Arti3&e ; 8$s de2ined insu)se3tion 0d10=519 7/en 3o%%itted int/e 3ontet o2 $nd in $sso3i$tion 7it/$n $r%ed 3on2&i3t not o2 $nintern$tion$& 3/$r$3ter or

8<9 O2 $ person 7/o, in re&$tion to $n$r%ed 3on2&i3t $nd 3ontr$r* to t/eprovisions o2 t/e Proto3o& on

Pro/i)itions or Restri3tions on t/eUse o2 Mines, "oo)*-!r$ps $ndOt/er evi3es $s $%ended $tenev$ on ; M$* +@@4 8Proto3o& II$s $%ended on ; M$* +@@49, 7/ent/e United St$tes is $ p$rt* to su3/Proto3o&, 7i&&2u&&* 6i&&s or 3$usesserious in?ur* to 3ivi&i$ns.0=41

Evident&*, t/e '$ps pointed out $s to t/e de2inition o2 t/e 3ri%es $re not present. In 2$3t, t/e

report itse&2 st$ted $s %u3/, to 7it: (e7 )e&ieved t/ere 7ere 7ide di22eren3es )et7een t/e 3ri%es under t/e

?urisdi3tion o2 t/e Court $nd 3ri%es 7it/in t/e Uni2or% Code o2 Mi&it$r* Justi3e

t/$t 7ou&d epose US personne& to t/e Court. Sin3e US %i&it$r* &$7*ers 7ereinstru%ent$& in dr$2tin' t/e e&e%ents o2 3ri%es out&ined in t/e Ro%e St$tute, t/e*ensured t/$t %ost o2 t/e 3ri%es 7ere 3onsistent 7it/ t/ose out&ined in t/e UCMJ$nd '$ve stren't/ to 3o%p&e%ent$rit* 2or t/e US. S%$&& $re$s o2 potenti$& '$ps)et7een t/e UCMJ $nd t/e Ro%e St$tute, %i&it$r* eperts $r'ued, 3ou&d )e$ddressed t/rou'/ eistin' %i&it$r* &$7s.0=1











!/e report 7ent on 2urt/er to s$* t/$t 0$133ordin' to t/ose invo&ved, t/e e&e%ents o2

3ri%es &$id out in t/e Ro%e St$tute /$ve )een p$rt o2 US %i&it$r* do3trine 2or de3$des.0==1 !/us,

t/e $r'u%ent pro22ered 3$nnot st$nd.

Nonet/e&ess, despite t/e &$36 o2 $3tu$& do%esti3 &e'is&$tion, t/e US not$)&* 2o&&o7s t/e

do3trine o2 in3orpor$tion. As e$r&* $s +@, t/e estee%ed Justi3e r$* in *he 7a=uete

1abana0=@1 3$se $&re$d* /e&d intern$tion$& &$7 $s p$rt o2 t/e &$7 o2 t/e US, to 7it:

Internati%na3 3a6 is part %& %"r 3a6, $nd %ust )e $s3ert$ined $nd

$d%inistered )* t/e 3ourts o2 ?usti3e o2 $ppropri$te ?urisdi3tion $s o2ten $s>uestions o2 ri'/t dependin' upon it $re du&* presented 2or t/eir deter%in$tion.(or t/is purpose, 7/ere t/ere is no tre$t* $nd no 3ontro&&in' ee3utive or &e'is&$tive $3t or ?udi3i$& de3ision, resort %ust )e /$d to t/e 3usto%s $nd us$'eso2 3ivi&ied n$tions, $nd, $s eviden3e o2 t/ese, to t/e 7or6s o2 ?urists $nd3o%%ent$tors 7/o )* *e$rs o2 &$)or, rese$r3/, $nd eperien3e /$ve %$det/e%se&ves pe3u&i$r&* 7e&& $3>u$inted 7it/ t/e su)?e3ts o2 7/i3/ t/e* tre$t. Su3/

7or6s $re resorted to )* ?udi3i$& tri)un$&s, not 2or t/e spe3u&$tions o2 t/eir $ut/ors3on3ernin' 7/$t t/e &$7 ou'/t to )e, )ut 2or t/e trust7ort/* eviden3e o2 7/$t t/e&$7 re$&&* is.0@1 8E%p/$sis supp&ied.9

!/us, $ person 3$n )e tried in t/e US 2or $n intern$tion$& 3ri%e despite t/e &$36 o2

do%esti3 &e'is&$tion. !/e 3ited ru&in' in 0.. v. Coolidge,0@+1 7/i3/ in turn is )$sed on t/e /o&din'

in 0.. v. 1udson,0@1 on&* $pp&ies to 3o%%on &$7 $nd not to t/e &$7 o2 n$tions or intern$tion$&

&$7.0@;1 Indeed, t/e Court in 0.. v. 1udson on&* 3onsidered t/e >uestion, 7/et/er t/e Cir3uit

Courts o2 t/e United St$tes 3$n eer3ise $ %22%n 3a6 ?urisdi3tion in 3ri%in$& 3$ses.0@<1 St$ted

ot/er7ise, t/ere is no 3o%%on &$7 3ri%e in t/e US)ut t/is is 3onsider$)&* di22erent 2ro%

intern$tion$& &$7.

!/e US dou)t&ess re3o'nies intern$tion$& &$7 $s p$rt o2 t/e &$7 o2 t/e &$nd, ne3ess$ri&*

in3&udin' intern$tion$& 3ri%es, even 7it/out $n* &o3$& st$tute. 0@51 In 2$3t, *e$rs &$ter, US 3ourts

7ou&d $pp&* intern$tion$& &$7 $s $ sour3e o2 3ri%in$& &i$)i&it* despite t/e &$36 o2 $ &o3$& st$tute

3ri%in$&iin' it $s su3/. So it 7$s t/$t in Ex 7arte >uirin0@41 t/e US Supre%e Court noted t/$t

021ro% t/e ver* )e'innin' o2 its /istor* t/is Court /$s re3o'nied $nd $pp&ied t/e &$7 o2 7$r $s

in3&udin' t/$t p$rt o2 t/e &$7 o2 n$tions 7/i3/ pres3ri)es, 2or t/e 3ondu3t o2 7$r, t/e st$tus,

ri'/ts $nd duties o2 ene%* n$tions $s 7e&& $s o2 ene%* individu$&s. 0@1 It 7ent on 2urt/er to

ep&$in t/$t Con'ress /$d not undert$6en t/e t$s6 o2 3odi2*in' t/e spe3i2i3 o22enses 3overed in

t/e &$7 o2 7$r, t/us: It is no o)?e3tion t/$t C%n'ress in providin' 2or t/e tri$& o2 su3/

o22enses has n%t itse3& "nderta<en t% %di&y that branh %& internati%na3 3a6%r t% 2ar< its preise b%"ndaries, %r t% en"2erate %r de&ine by stat"te a33the ats 6hih that 3a6 %nde2ns. An A3t o2 Con'ress punis/in' t/e 3ri%e o2 pir$3* $s de2ined )* t/e &$7 o2 n$tions is $n $ppropri$te eer3ise o2 its3onstitution$& $ut/orit*, Art. I, s =, 3&. +, to de2ine $nd punis/ t/e o22ense sin3e it/$s $dopted )* re2eren3e t/e su22i3ient&* pre3ise de2inition o2 intern$tion$& &$7.

























Si%i&$r&* )* t/e re2eren3e in t/e +5t/ Arti3&e o2 D$r to o22enders or o22ensest/$t )* t/e &$7 o2 7$r %$* )e tri$)&e )* su3/ %i&it$r* 3o%%issions.Con'ress /$s in3orpor$ted )* re2eren3e, $s 7it/in t/e ?urisdi3tion o2 %i&it$r*3o%%issions, $&& o22enses 7/i3/ $re de2ined $s su3/ )* t/e &$7 o2 7$r , $nd7/i3/ %$* 3onstitution$&&* )e in3&uded 7it/in t/$t ?urisdi3tion. 0@=1 8E%p/$sissupp&ied.9

!/is ru&e 2inds $n even stron'er /o&d in t/e 3$se o2 3ri%es $'$inst /u%$nit*. It /$s )een

/e&d t/$t 'eno3ide, 7$r 3ri%es $nd 3ri%es $'$inst /u%$nit* /$ve $tt$ined t/e st$tus o2

3usto%$r* intern$tion$& &$7. So%e even 'o so 2$r $s to st$te t/$t t/ese 3ri%es /$ve $tt$ined

t/e st$tus o2 jus cogens.0@@1

Custo%$r* intern$tion$& &$7 or intern$tion$& 3usto% is $ sour3e o2 intern$tion$& &$7 $s

st$ted in t/e St$tute o2 t/e ICJ.0+1 It is de2ined $s t/e 'ener$& $nd 3onsistent pr$3ti3e o2 st$tes

re3o'nied $nd 2o&&o7ed )* t/e% 2ro% $ sense o2 &e'$& o)&i'$tion. 0++1 In order to est$)&is/ t/e

3usto%$r* st$tus o2 $ p$rti3u&$r nor%, t7o e&e%ents %ust 3on3ur: St$te pr$3ti3e, t/e o)?e3tive

e&e%ent $nd opinio juris sive necessitates, t/e su)?e3tive e&e%ent.0+1

St$te pr$3ti3e re2ers to t/e 3ontinuous repetition o2 t/e s$%e or si%i&$r 6ind o2 $3ts or

nor%s )* St$tes.0+;1 It is de%onstr$ted upon t/e eisten3e o2 t/e 2o&&o7in' e&e%ents: 8+9

'ener$&it* 89 uni2or%it* $nd 3onsisten3* $nd 8;9 dur$tion.0+<1 D/i&e, opinio juris, t/e

ps*3/o&o'i3$& e&e%ent, re>uires t/$t t/e st$te pr$3ti3e or nor% )e 3$rried out in su3/ $ 7$*, $s

to )e eviden3e o2 $ )e&ie2 t/$t t/is pr$3ti3e is rendered o)&i'$tor* )* t/e eisten3e o2 $ ru&e o2

&$7 re>uirin' it.0+51

!/e ter% jus cogens %e$ns t/e 3o%pe&&in' &$7.0+41 Coro&&$r*, $ jus cogens nor% /o&ds

t/e /i'/est /ier$r3/i3$& position $%on' $&& ot/er 3usto%$r* nor%s $nd prin3ip&es.0+1

As $resu&t, jus cogens nor%s $re dee%ed pere%ptor* $nd non-dero'$)&e.0+=1 D/en $pp&ied to

intern$tion$& 3ri%es, jus cogens 3ri%es /$ve )een dee%ed so 2und$%ent$& to t/e eisten3e o2 $

?ust intern$tion$& &e'$& order t/$t st$tes 3$nnot dero'$te 2ro% t/e%, even )* $'ree%ent.0+@1

!/ese jus cogens 3ri%es re&$te to t/e prin3ip&e o2 univers$& ?urisdi3tion, i.e., $n* st$te

%$* eer3ise ?urisdi3tion over $n individu$& 7/o 3o%%its 3ert$in /einous $nd 7ide&*

3onde%ned o22enses, even 7/en no ot/er re3o'nied )$sis 2or ?urisdi3tion eists.0++1 !/e

r$tion$&e )e/ind t/is prin3ip&e is t/$t t/e 3ri%e 3o%%itted is so e're'ious t/$t it is 3onsidered to

)e 3o%%itted $'$inst $&& %e%)ers o2 t/e intern$tion$& 3o%%unit* 0+++1 $nd t/us 'r$ntin' ever*

St$te ?urisdi3tion over t/e 3ri%e.

0++1

!/ere2ore, even 7it/ t/e 3urrent &$36 o2 do%esti3 &e'is&$tion on t/e p$rt o2 t/e US, it sti&& /$s

)ot/ t/e do3trine o2 in3orpor$tion $nd univers$& ?urisdi3tion to tr* t/ese 3ri%es.

Conse>uent&*, no %$tter /o7 /$rd one insists, t/e ICC, $s $n intern$tion$& tri)un$&,

2ound in t/e Ro%e St$tute is not de3&$r$tor* o2 3usto%$r* intern$tion$& &$7.



































!/e 2irst e&e%ent o2 3usto%$r* intern$tion$& &$7, i.e., est$)&is/ed, 7idespre$d, $nd

3onsistent pr$3ti3e on t/e p$rt o2 St$tes,0++;1 does not, under t/e pre%ises, $ppe$r to )e

o)t$inin' $s re2&e3ted in t/is si%p&e re$&it*: As o2 O3to)er +, +, on&* ++<0++<1 St$tes /$ve

r$ti2ied t/e Ro%e St$tute, su)se>uent to its 3o%in' into 2or3e ei'/t 8=9 *e$rs e$r&ier, or on Ju&*

+, . !/e 2$3t t/$t ++< St$tes out o2 $ tot$& o2 +@<0++51 3ountries in t/e 7or&d, or rou'/&*

5=.4, /$ve r$ti2ied t/e Ro%e St$tute 3$sts dou)t on 7/et/er or not t/e per3eived prin3ip&es

3ont$ined in t/e St$tute /$ve $tt$ined t/e st$tus o2 3usto%$r* &$7 $nd s/ou&d )e dee%ed $s

o)&i'$tor* intern$tion$& &$7. !/e nu%)ers even tend to $r'ue $'$inst t/e ur'en3* o2 est$)&is/in'

intern$tion$& 3ri%in$& 3ourts envisioned in t/e Ro%e St$tute. Lest it )e over&oo6ed,

t/e P/i&ippines, ?ud'in' )* t/e $3tion or in$3tion o2 its top o22i3i$&s, does not even 2ee& )ound )*

t/e Ro%e St$tute. es ipsa lo=uitur . More t/$n ei'/t 8=9 *e$rs /$ve e&$psed sin3e t/e

P/i&ippine represent$tive si'ned t/e St$tute, )ut t/e tre$t* /$s not )een tr$ns%itted to t/e

Sen$te 2or t/e r$ti2i3$tion pro3ess.

And t/is )rin's us to 7/$t (r. "ern$s, S.J. $pt&* s$id respe3tin' t/e $pp&i3$tion o2 t/e

3on3urrin' e&e%ents, t/us:

Custo% or 3usto%$r* intern$tion$& &$7 %e$ns $ 'ener$& $nd 3onsistent

pr$3ti3e o2 st$tes 2o&&o7ed )* t/e% 2ro% $ sense o2 &e'$& o)&i'$tion 0opinio juris1 . !/is st$te%ent 3ont$ins t/e t7o )$si3 e&e%ents o2 3usto%: t/e %$teri$&2$3tor, t/$t is /o7 t/e st$tes )e/$ve, $nd t/e ps*3/o&o'i3$& 2$3tor or su)?e3tive2$3tor, t/$t is, 7/* t/e* )e/$ve t/e 7$* t/e* do.

!/e initi$& 2$3tor 2or deter%inin' t/e eisten3e o2 3usto% is the at"a3 beha#i%r

%& states. !/is in3&udes sever$& e&e%ents: dur$tion, 3onsisten3*, $nd 'ener$&it*o2 t/e pr$3ti3e o2 st$tes.

!/e re>uired dur$tion 3$n )e eit/er s/ort or &on'. ur$tion t/ere2ore is not t/e %ost i%port$nt e&e%ent. More i%port$nt is

t/e 3onsisten3* $nd t/e 'ener$&it* o2 t/e pr$3ti3e.

One the e!istene %& state pratie has been estab3ished, it)e3o%es ne3ess$r* t% deter2ine 6hy states beha#e the 6ay they d%. ost$tes )e/$ve t/e 7$* t/e* do )e3$use t/e* 3onsider it o)&i'$tor* to )e/$vet/us or do t/e* do it on&* $s $ %$tter o2 3ourtes* #pinio juris, or t/e )e&ie2 t/$t $3ert$in 2or% o2 )e/$vior is o)&i'$tor*, is 7/$t %$6es pr$3ti3e $n intern$tion$&ru&e. Dit/out it, pr$3ti3e is not &$7.0++41 8E%p/$sis $dded.9











Evident&*, t/ere is, $s *et, no over7/e&%in' 3onsensus, &et $&one prev$&ent pr$3ti3e,

$%on' t/e di22erent 3ountries in t/e 7or&d t/$t t/e prose3ution o2 intern$tion$&&* re3o'nied

3ri%es o2 'eno3ide, et3. sh%"3d be hand3ed by a parti"3ar internati%na3 ri2ina3 %"rt.

A)sent t/e 7idespre$dB3onsistent-pr$3ti3e-o2-st$tes 2$3tor, t/e se3ond or

t/e ps*3/o&o'i3$& e&e%ent %ust )e dee%ed non-eistent, 2or $n in>uir* on 7/* st$tes )e/$ve

t/e 7$* t/e* do presupposes, in t/e 2irst p&$3e, t/$t t/e* $re $3tu$&&* )e/$vin', $s $ %$tter o2

sett&ed $nd 3onsistent pr$3ti3e, in $ 3ert$in %$nner. !/is i%p&i3it&* re>uires )e&ie2 t/$t t/e

pr$3ti3e in >uestion is rendered o)&i'$tor* )* t/e eisten3e o2 $ ru&e o2 &$7 re>uirin' it. 0++1 Li6e

t/e 2irst e&e%ent, t/e se3ond e&e%ent /$s &i6e7ise not )een s/o7n to )e present.

(urt/er, t/e Ro%e St$tute itse&2 re?e3ts t/e 3on3ept o2 univers$& ?urisdi3tion over t/e

3ri%es enu%er$ted t/erein $s eviden3ed )* it re>uirin' St$te 3onsent.0++=1 Even 2urt/er,

t/e Ro%e St$tute spe3i2i3$&&* $nd une>uivo3$&&* re>uires t/$t: !/is Stat"te is subject t%

rati&iati%n, $33ept$n3e or $pprov$& )* si'n$tor* St$tes.0++@1 !/ese 3&e$r&* ne'$te t/e $r'u%ent

t/$t su3/ /$s $&re$d* $tt$ined 3usto%$r* st$tus.

More i%port$nt&*, $n $3t o2 t/e ee3utive )r$n3/ 7it/ $ 2orei'n 'overn%ent %ust )e

$22orded 're$t respe3t. !/e po7er to enter into ee3utive $'ree%ents /$s &on' )een re3o'nied

to )e &od'ed 7it/ t/e President. As De /e&d in eri v. enate Committee on Accountability of

7ublic #fficers and Investigations, 0t1/e po7er to enter into $n ee3utive $'ree%ent is in

essen3e $n ee3utive po7er. !/is $ut/orit* o2 t/e President to enter into ee3utive $'ree%ents

7it/out t/e 3on3urren3e o2 t/e Le'is&$ture /$s tr$dition$&&* )een re3o'nied in P/i&ippine

?urispruden3e.0+1 !/e r$tion$&e )e/ind t/is prin3ip&e is t/e invio&$)&e do3trine o2 sep$r$tion o2

po7ers $%on' t/e &e'is&$tive, ee3utive $nd ?udi3i$& )r$n3/es o2 t/e 'overn%ent. !/us, $)sent$n* 3&e$r 3ontr$vention o2 t/e &$7, 3ourts s/ou&d eer3ise ut%ost 3$ution in de3&$rin' $n*

ee3utive $'ree%ent inv$&id.

In &i'/t o2 t/e $)ove 3onsider$tion, t/e position or vie7 t/$t t/e 3/$&&en'ed RP-US Non-

Surrender A'ree%ent ou'/t to )e in t/e 2or% o2 $ tre$t*, to )e e22e3tive, /$s to )e re?e3ted.

;=ERE$ORE, t/e petition 2or 3ertior$ri, %$nd$%us $nd pro/i)ition is

/ere)* ISMISSE 2or &$36 o2 %erit. No 3osts.

SO ORERE.












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