Dela Llana vs Alba - G.R. No. 57883. March 12, 1982

8/20/2019 Dela Llana vs Alba - G.R. No. 57883. March 12, 1982

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EN BANC

[G.R. No. 57883. March 12, 1982.]

GUALBERTO J. DE LA LLANA, Presiding Judge, Branch II of the it! ourt of O"onga#o,E$TANI$LAO L. E$A, JR., %IDELA &. 'ARGA$, BENJA(IN . E$OLANGO, JUANITO . ATIEN)A,(ANUEL RE&E$ RO$APAPAN, JR., 'IRGILIO E. AIERTO, and POR%IRIO AGUILLON AGUILA,

#etitioners, *s. (ANUEL ALBA, (inister of Budget, %RANI$O TANTUIO, hair+an,o++ission on Audit, and RIARDO PUNO, (inister of Justice, res#ondents.

%ide"a 'argas, Leonardo $. Gona"es and Rau" Gona"es for #etitioners.

$o"icitor Genera" Este"ito (endoa and Assistant $o"icitor Genera" Re!nato $. Puno forres#ondents.

$&NOP$I$

Petitioners assai"ed the constitutiona"it! of Batas Pa+-ansa B"g. /0 entit"ed 1An ActReorganiing the Judiciar!, A##ro#riating %unds Therefore and for other Pur#oses,1 the sa+e-eing contrar! to the securit! of tenure #ro*ision of the onstitution as it se#arates fro+ the

2udiciar! Justices and 2udges of inferior courts fro+ the ourt of A##ea"s to +unici#a" circuitcourts e3ce#t the occu#ants of the $andigan-a!an and the ourt of Ta3 A##ea"s, un"essa##ointed to the inferior courts esta-"ished -! such Act. The! "i4e5ise i+#ute "ac4 of goodfaith in its enact+ent and characterie as undue de"egation of "egis"ati*e #o5er to thePresident his authorit! to 63 the co+#ensation and a""o5ances of the Justices and 2udgesthereafter a##ointed and the deter+ination of the date 5hen the reorganiation sha"" -edee+ed co+#"eted. The $o"icitor Genera" +aintains that there is no *a"id 2usti6cation for theattac4 on the constitutiona"it! of the statute, it -eing a "egiti+ate e3ercise of the #o5er*ested in the Batasang Pa+-ansa to reorganie the 2udiciar!, the a""egations of a-sence ofgood faith as 5e"" as the attac4 on the inde#endence of the 2udiciar! -eing un5arranted andde*oid of an! su##ort in "a5.

After an intensi*e and rigorous stud! of a"" the "ega" as#ects of the case, the $u#re+e ourtdis+issed the #etition, the unconstitutiona"it! of Batas Pa+-ansa B"g. /0 not ha*ing -eensho5n. It he"d that the enact+ent thereof 5as in ans5er to a #ressing and urgent need for a+a2or reorganiation of the 2udiciar!7 that the attendant a-o"ition of the inferior courts 5hichsha"" cause their incu+-ents to cease fro+ ho"ding o8ce does not i+#air the inde#endenceof the 2udiciar! and the securit! of tenure guarantee as incu+-ent 2ustices and 2udges 5ithgood #erfor+ance and c"ean records can -e na+ed ane5 in "ega" conte+#"ation 5ithoutinterru#tion in the continuit! of their ser*ice7 that the #ro*ision granting the Presidentauthorit! to 63 the co+#ensation and a""o5ances of the Justices and 2udges sur*i*es the testof undue de"egation of "egis"ati*e #o5er, a standard ha*ing -een c"ear"! ado#ted therefor7that the reorganiation #ro*ided -! the cha""enged Act 5i"" -e carried out in accordance 5iththe President9s constitutiona" dut! to ta4e care that the "a5s -e faithfu""! e3ecuted, and the

2udiciar!9s co++it+ent to guard constitutiona" rights.

The #etition 5as dis+issed. Associate Justice "audio Teehan4ee dissented in a se#arate

o#inion7 Justices %e"i3 '. (a4asiar and 'enicio Esco"in concurred 5ith the +ain o#inion7 Justice :er+ogenes once#cion concurred in the resu"t7 Justices Antonio P. Barredo, Ra+on. A;uino, Ra+on . %ernande, Ju*ena" < Guerrero, A+eur6na (e"encio=:errera and 'icenteG. Ericta concurred in se#arate o#inions7 Justices 'icente A-ad=$antos and Efren I. P"anasu-+itted se#arate concurring and dissenting o#inions.

$&LLABU$

. RE(EDIAL LA>7 I'IL PROEDURE7 ATION$7 PARTIE$7 APAIT& TO $UE7PETITIONER$9 LEGAL $TANDING DE(ON$TRATED. ? The argu+ent as to the "ac4 of standing


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of #etitioners is easi"! reso"*ed. As far as Judge de "a L"ana is concerned, he certain"! fa""s5ithin the #rinci#"e set forth in Justice Laure"9s o#inion in Peo#"e *s. 'era, @ Phi". @ 0C.

ThusF 1The uncha""enged ru"e is that the #erson 5ho i+#ugns the *a"idit! of a statute +ustha*e a #ersona" and su-stantia" interest in the case such that he has sustained, or 5i""sustain, direct in2ur! as a resu"t of its enforce+ent.1 The other #etitioners as +e+-ers of the-ar and o8cers of the court cannot -e considered as de*oid of 1an! #ersona" and

su-stantia" interest1 on the +atter. There is re"e*ance to this e3cer#t fro+ a se#arateo#inion in A;uino, Jr. *. o++ission on E"ections, L=HHH, Jan. C, 07 1Then there is theattac4 on the standing of #etitioners, as *indicating at +ost 5hat the! consider a #u-"icright and not #rotecting their rights as indi*idua"s. This is to con2ure the s#ecter of the #u-"icright dog+a at an inhi-ition to #arties intent on 4ee#ing #u-"ic o8cia"s sta!ing on the #athof constitutiona"is+. As 5as so 5e"" #ut -! JaeF The #rotection of #ri*ate right is anessentia" constituent of #u-"ic interest and, con*erse"!, 5ithout a 5e""=ordered state therecou"d -e no enforce+ent of #ri*ate rights. Pri*ate and #u-"ic interests are, -oth in asu-stanti*e and #rocedura" sense, as#ects of the tota"it! of the "ega" order.9 (oreo*er,#etitioners ha*e con*incing"! sho5n that in their ca#acit! as ta3#a!ers, their standing tosue has -een a+#"! de+onstrated.

/. ON$TITUTIONAL LA>7 JUDIIAR&7 JUDIIAR& REORGANI)ATION AT O% 0KH7ENAT(ENT T:EREO% IN AN$>ER TO A PRE$$ING AND URGENT NEED7 GOOD %AIT:OB$ER'ED IN IT$ ENAT(ENT. ? The enact+ent of Batas Pa+-ansa B"g. /0 5ou"d 6rst"!,resu"t in the attain+ent 1of +ore e8cienc! in the dis#osa" of cases. $econd"!, thei+#ro*e+ent in the ;ua"it! of 2ustice dis#ensed -! the courts is e3#ected as a necessar!conse;uence of the easing of the court9s doc4ets. Third"!, the structura" changes introducedin the -i"", together 5ith the rea""ocation of 2urisdiction and the re*ision of the ru"es of#rocedure, are designated to suit the court s!ste+ to the e3igencies of the #resent da!Phi"i##ine societ!, and ho#efu""!, of the foreseea-"e future.1 It +a! -e o-ser*ed that the*o"u+e containing the +inutes of the #roceedings of the Batasang Pa+-ansa sho5 that 0H#ages 5ere de*oted to its discussion. It is ;uite o-*ious that it too4 considera-"e ti+e andeort as 5e"" as e3hausti*e stud! -efore the act 5as signed -! the President on August ,0K. >ith such a -ac4ground, it -eco+e ;uite +anifest ho5 "ac4ing in factua" -asis is thea""egation that its enact+ent is tainted -! the *ice of ar-itrariness. >hat a##ears undou-tedand undenia-"e is the good faith that characteried its enact+ent fro+ its ince#tion to the

a83ing of the Presidentia" signature. cdasia

C. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 RE$ULTING ABOLITION O% OURT$ IN GOOD %AIT:, >IT: DUEREOGNITION O% T:E $EURIT& O% TENURE GUARANTEE7 'ALIDIT& O% ABOLITION O% ANO%%IE, $ETTLED RULE. ? Nothing is -etter sett"ed in our "a5 than that the a-o"ition of ano8ce 5ithin the co+#etence of a "egiti+ate -od! if done in good faith suers fro+ noin6r+it!. The #onencia of Justice J.B.L. Re!es in ru *. Pri+icias, Jr., L=/KC, June C, 0@K,reiterated such a doctrineF 1>e 6nd this #oint urged -! res#ondents, to -e 5ithout +erit. Nore+o*a" or se#aration of #etitioners fro+ the ser*ice is here in*o"*ed, -ut the *a"idit! of thea-o"ition of their o8ces. This is a "ega" issue that is for the ourts to decide. It is 5e""=4no5nru"e a"so that *a"id a-o"ition of o8ces is neither re+o*a" nor se#aration of theincu+-ents. . . . And, of course, if the a-o"ition is *oid, the incu+-ent is dee+ed ne*er toha*e ceased to ho"d o8ce. The #re"i+inar! ;uestion "aid at rest, 5e #ass to the +erits of the

case. As 5e""=sett"ed as the ru"e that the a-o"ition of an o8ce does not a+ount to an i""ega"re+o*a" of its incu+-ent is the #rinci#"e that, in order to -e *a"id, the a-o"ition +ust -e+ade in good faith.1 The a-o*e e3cer#t 5as ;uoted 5ith a##ro*a" in Bendani""o, $r. *s.Pro*incia" Go*ernor, L=/K@, Jan. , 0, t5o ear"ier cases enunciating a si+i"ar doctrineha*ing #receded it. As 5ith the o8ces in the other -ranches of the go*ern+ent, so it is 5iththe Judiciar!. The test re+ains 5hether the a-o"ition is in good faith. As that e"e+ent iscons#icuous"! #resent in the enact+ent of Batas Pa+-ansa B"g. /0, then the "ac4 of +eritof this #etition -eco+es e*en +ore a##arent.


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. ID.7 ID7 ID.7 ENAT(ENT T:EREO% (AINTAIN$ UNI(PAIRED T:E INDEPENDENE O% T:E JUDIIAR&7 TER(INATION B& 'IRTUE O% T:E ABOLITION O% T:E O%%IE DOE$ NOTI(PAIR $EURIT& O% TENURE7 $UPRE(E OURT TO BE ON$ULTED IN T:E I(PLE(ENTATIONO% T:E REORGANI)ATION O% T:E JUDIIAR&. ? Petitioners contend that the a-o"ition of thee3isting Inferior ourts co""ides 5ith the securit! of tenure en2o!ed -! incu+-ent Justicesand 2udges under Artic"e , $ection of the onstitution. There 5as a si+i"ar #ro*ision the

0C onstitution. It did not, ho5e*er, go as far as conferring on this Tri-una" the #o5er tosu#er*ise ad+inistrati*e"! inferior courts. (oreo*er, this ourt is e+#o5ered 1to disci#"ine 2udges of inferior courts and, -! a *ote of at "east eight +e+-ers, order their dis+issa".1Thus it #ossesses the co+#etence to re+o*e 2udges. Under the Judiciar! Act, it 5as thePresident 5ho 5as *ested 5ith such #o5er. Re+o*a" is, of course, to -e, distinguished fro+ter+ination -! *irtue of the a-o"ition of the o8ce. After the a-o"ition, there is in "a5 nooccu#ant. In case of re+o*a", there is an o8ce 5ith an occu#ant 5ho 5ou"d there-! "ose his#osition. It is in that sense that fro+ the stand=#oint of strict "a5, the ;uestion of an!i+#air+ent of securit! of tenure does not arise. Nonethe"ess, for the incu+-ents of 9Inferiorourts a-o"ished, the eect is one of se#aration. As to its eect, no distinction e3ists-et5een re+o*a" and the a-o"ition of the o8ce. Rea"istica""!, it is de*oid of signi6cance. :eceases to -e a +e+-er of the Judiciar!. In the i+#"e+entation of the assai"ed "egis"ation,therefore, it 5ou"d -e in accordance 5ith acce#ted #rinci#"es of constitutiona" constructionthat as far as incu+-ent 2ustices and 2udges are concerned, this ourt -e consu"ted and thatits *ie5 -e accorded, the fu""est consideration. No fear need -e entertained that there is afai"ure to accord res#ect to the -asic #rinci#"e that this ourt does not render ad*isor!o#inions. No ;uestion of "a5 is in*o"*ed. If such 5ere the case, certain"! this ourt cou"d notha*e its sa! #rior to the action ta4en -! either of the t5o de#art+ents. E*en then, it cou"ddo so -ut on"! -! 5a! of deciding a case 5here the +atter has -een #ut in issue. Neither isthere an! intrusion into 5ho sha"" -e a##ointed to the *acant #ositions created -! thereorganiation. That re+ains in the hands of the E3ecuti*e to 5ho+ it #ro#er"! -e"ongs.

There is no de#arture therefore fro+ the tried and tested 5a!s of 2udicia" #o5er. Rather 5hatis sought to -e achie*ed -! this "i-era" inter#retation is to #rec"ude an! #"ausi-i"it! to thecharge that in the e3ercise of the conceded #o5er of reorganiing the Inferior ourts, the#o5er of re+o*a" of the #resent incu+-ents *ested in this Tri-una" is ignored or disregarded.

The cha""enged Act 5ou"d thus -e free fro+ an! unconstitutiona" taint, e*en one not readi"!discerni-"e e3ce#t to those #redis#osed to *ie5 it 5ith distrust. (oreo*er, such aconstruction 5ou"d -e in accordance 5ith the -asic #rinci#"e that in the choice ofa"ternati*es -et5een one 5hich 5ou"d sa*e and another 5hich 5ou"d in*a"idate a statute,the for+er is to -e #referred. There is an o-*ious 5a! to do so. The #rinci#"e that theonstitution enters into and for+s #art of e*er! act to a*oid an! unconstitutiona" taint +ust-e a##"ied.

. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 AUT:ORIT& O% T:E PRE$IDENT TO %I T:E O(PEN$ATION ANDALLO>ANE$ O% JU$TIE$ AND JUDGE$ NOT AN UNDUE DELEGATION O% LEGI$LATI'EPO>ER7 EI$TENE O% A $TANDARD TO A'OID T:E TAINT O% UNDUE DELEGATION LEAR. ?Petitioners 5ou"d characterie as an undue de"egation of "egis"ati*e #o5er to the Presidentthe grant of authorit! to 63 the co+#ensation and the a""o5ances of the Justices and 2udgesthereafter a##ointed. A +ore carefu" reading of the cha""enged Batas Pa+-ansa B"g. /0ought to ha*e cautioned the+ against raising such an issue. The "anguage of the statute is

;uite c"ear. The ;uestioned #ro*ision reads as fo""o5sF 1Inter+ediate A##e""ate Justices,Regiona" Tria" Judges, (etro#o"itan Tria" Judges, (unici#a" Tria" Judges, and (unici#a" ircuit

Tria" Judges sha"" recei*e such co+#ensation and a""o5ances as +a! -e authoried -! thePresident a"ong the guide"ines set forth in Letter of I+#"e+entation No. 0C #ursuant toPresidentia" Decree No. 0K, as a+ended -! Presidentia" Decree No. 0.1 ha#ter I', $ec. of Batas Pa+-ansa B"g. /0 The e3istence of a standard is thus c"ear. The -asic#ostu"ate that under"ies the doctrine of non=de"egation is that it is the "egis"ati*e -od! 5hichis entrusted 5ith the co+#etence to +a4e "a5s and to a"ter and re#ea" the+, the test -eingthe co+#"eteness of the statute in a"" its ter+s and #ro*isions 5hen enacted. As #ointed out


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in Edu *. Ericta, L=C/H0@, Oct. /, 0H, 1To a*oid the taint of un"a5fu" de"egation, there+ust -e a standard, 5hich i+#"ies at the *er! "east that the "egis"ature itse"f deter+ines+atters of #rinci#"e and "a!s do5n funda+enta" #o"ic!. Other5ise, the charge of co+#"etea-dication +a! -e hard to re#ea". A standard thus de6nes "egis"ati*e #o"ic!, +ar4s its "i+its,+a#s out its -oundaries and s#eci6es the #u-"ic agenc! to a##"! it. It indicates thecircu+stances under 5hich the "egis"ati*e co++and is to -e eected. It is the criterion -!

5hich "egis"ati*e #ur#ose +a! -e carried out. Thereafter, the e3ecuti*e or ad+inistrati*eo8ce designated +a! in #ursuance of the a-o*e guide"ines #ro+u"gate su##"e+enta" ru"esand regu"ations. The standard +a! -e either e3#ress or i+#"ied. If the for+er, the non=de"egation o-2ection is easi"! +et. The standard though does not ha*e to -e s#e""ed outs#eci6ca""!. It cou"d -e i+#"ied fro+ the #o"ic! and #ur#ose of the act considered as a5ho"e.1

@. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 NO A(BIGUIT& EI$T$ IN T:E EEUTION O% T:E REORGANI)ATIONLA>. ? Another o-2ection -ased on the a-sence in the statute of 5hat #etitioners refer to asa 1de6nite ti+e fra+e "i+itation1 is e;ua""! -ereft of +erit. The! ignore the categorica""anguage of this #ro*isionF 1The $u#re+e ourt sha"" su-+it to the President, 5ithin thirt!CH da!s fro+ the date of the eecti*it! of this Act, a sta8ng #attern for a"" courtsconstituted #ursuant to this Act 5hich sha"" -e the -asis of the i+#"e+enting order to -eissued -! the President in accordance 5ith the i++ediate"! succeeding section.1 $ec. C,Batas Pa+-ansa B"g. /0 The 6rst sentence of the ne3t $ection is e*en +ore categorica"F1The #ro*isions of this Act sha"" -e i++ediate"! carried out in accordance 5ith an E3ecuti*eOrder to -e issued -! the President.1 $ec. , Batas Pa+-ansa B"g. /0 ertain"!#etitioners cannot -e heard to argue that the President is insensi-"e to his constitutiona"dut! to ta4e care that the "a5s -e faithfu""! e3ecuted. In the +ean5hi"e, the e3isting Inferiorourts aected continue functioning as -efore, 1unti" the co+#"etion of the reorganiation#ro*ided in this Act as dec"ared -! the President. U#on such dec"aration, the said courtssha"" -e dee+ed auto+atica""! a-o"ished and the incu+-ents thereof sha"" cease to ho"do8ce. 1There is no a+-iguit!. The incu+-ents of the courts thus auto+atica""! a-o"ished1sha"" cease to ho"d o8ce.1 No fear need -e entertained -! incu+-ents 5hose "ength ofser*ice, ;ua"it! of #erfor+ance, and c"ean record 2ustif! their -eing na+ed ane5, in "ega"conte+#"ation 5ithout an! interru#tion in the continuit! of their ser*ice. It is e;ua""!reasona-"e to assu+e that fro+ the ran4s of "a5!ers, either in the go*ern+ent ser*ice,

#ri*ate #ractice, or "a5 #rofessors 5i"" co+e the ne5 a##ointees. In the e*ent that in certaincases a "itt"e +ore ti+e is necessar! in the a##raisa" of 5hether or not certain incu+-entsdeser*e rea##oint+ent, it is not fro+ their stand#oint undesira-"e. Rather, it 5ou"d -e area8r+ation of the good faith that 5i"" characterie its i+#"e+entation -! the E3ecuti*e.

There is #ertinence to this o-ser*ation of Justice :o"+es that e*en acce#tance of thegenera"iation that courts ordinari"! shou"d not su##"! o+issions in a "a5, a genera"iation;ua"i6ed as ear"ier sho5n -! the #rinci#"e that to sa*e a statute that cou"d -e done, 1there isno canon against using co++on sense in construing "a5s as sa!ing 5hat the! o-*ious"!+ean.1 f, Roschen *. >ard, /0 U$ CC, CC0 M0/0 LL2ur

. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 PARTIIPATION O% $E'ERAL JU$TIE$ IN T:E PREPARATION O% ANALTERNATI'E PLAN %OR REORGANI)ATION NOT OBJETIONABLE7 $UPRE(E OURT DIRETL&IN'OL'ED >IT: JUDIIAL RE%OR(. ? On the +orning of the hearing of the #etition,

#etitioners sought to dis;ua"if! the hief Justice and Associate Justices Ra+on A;uino andA+eur6na (e"encio=:errera -ecause the 6rst na+ed 5as the hair+an and the other t5o,+e+-ers of the o++ittee on Judicia" Reorganiation. The +otion 5as denied. It 5as +adec"ear then and there that not one of the three +e+-ers of the ourt had an! hand in thefra+ing or in the discussion of Batas Pa+-ansa B"g. /0. The! 5ere not consu"ted. The! didnot testif!. The cha""enged "egis"ation is entire"! the #roduct of the eorts of the "egis"ati*e-od!. Their 5or4 5as "i+ited, as set forth in the E3ecuti*e Order, to su-+itting a"ternati*e#"an for reorganiation. That is +ore in the nature of scho"ar"! studies. E*er since 0C, this

Tri-una" has had ad+inistrati*e su#er*ision o*er inferior courts. It has had the o##ortunit! to


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infor+ itse"f as to the 5a! 2udicia" -usiness is conducted and ho5 it +a! -e i+#ro*ed. E*en#rior to the 0C onstitution, either the then hair+an or +e+-ers of the o++ittee on

Justice of the then $enate of the Phi"i##ines consu"ted +e+-ers of the ourt in drafting#ro#osed "egis"ation aecting the 2udiciar!. It is not ina##ro#riate to cite this e3cer#t fro+ anartic"e in the 0 $u#re+e ourt Re*ie5F 1In the T5entieth centur! the hief Justice of theUnited $tates has #"a!ed a "eading #art in 2udicia" refor+. A *ariet! of conditions ha*e -een

res#onsi-"e for the de*e"o#+ent of this ro"e, and fore+ost a+ong the+ has -een thecreation of e3#"icit institutiona" structures designed to faci"itate refor+.1 A"soF 1Thus thehief Justice cannot a*oid e3#osure to and direct in*o"*e+ent in 2udicia" refor+ at thefedera" "e*e" and, to the e3tent issues of 2udicia" federa"is+ arise, at the state "e*e" as 5e"".1%ish, >i""ia+ :o5ard Taft and har"es E*an :ughes, 0 $u#re+e ourt Re*ie5 /C

K. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 GUARANTEE O% JUDIIAL INDEPENDENE OB$ER'ED. ? It is a cardina"artic"e of faith of our constitutiona" regi+e that it is the #eo#"e 5ho are endo5ed 5ith rights,to secure 5hich a go*ern+ent is instituted. Acting as it does through #u-"ic o8cia"s, it has togrant the+ either e3#ress"! or i+#"ied"! certain #o5ers. Those the! e3ercise not for theiro5n -ene6t -ut for the -od! #o"itic. The onstitution does not s#ea4 in the "anguage ofa+-iguit!F 1A #u-"ic o8ce is a #u-"ic trust.1 Art. III, $ec. I That is +ore than a +ora"ad2uration. It is a "ega" i+#erati*e. The "a5 +a! *est in a #u-"ic o8cia" certain rights. It doesso to ena-"e the+ to #erfor+ his functions and fu"6"" his res#onsi-i"ities +ore e8cient"!. It isfro+ that stand#oint that the securit! of tenure #ro*ision to assure 2udicia" inde#endence isto -e *ie5ed. It is an added guarantee that 2ustices and 2udges can ad+inister 2usticeundeterred -! an! fear of re#risa" or unto5ard conse;uence. Their 2udg+ents then are e*en+ore "i4e"! to -e ins#ired so"e"! -! their 4no5"edge of the "a5 and the dictates of theirconscience, free fro+ the corru#ting inuence of -ase or un5orth! +oti*es. Theinde#endence of 5hich the! are assured is i+#ressed 5ith a signi6cance transcending thatof a #ure"! #ersona" right. As thus *ie5ed, it is not so"e"! for their 5e"fare. The cha""enged"egis"ation 5as thus su-2ected to the +ost rigorous scrutin! -! this Tri-una", "est -! "ac4 ofdue care and circu+s#ection, it a""o5s the erosion of that idea" so 6r+"! e+-edded in thenationa" consciousness.

0. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 JUDIIAL INDEPENDENE PRE$ER'ED DE$PITE T:E REORGANI)ATIONO% IN%ERIOR OURT$. ? At e+#hasied -! for+er hief Justice Paras in Oca+#o *s.

$ecretar! of Justice, O.G. 0 1there is no surer guarantee of 2udicia" inde#endencethan the God=gi*en character and 6tness of those a##ointed to the Bench. The 2udges +a!-e guaranteed a 63ed tenure of o8ce during good -eha*iour, -ut if the! are of such stu asa""o5s the+ to -e su-ser*ient to one ad+inistration after another, or to cater to the 5ishesof one "itigant after another, the inde#endence of the Judiciar! 5i"" -e nothing +ore than a+!th or an! e+#t! idea". Our 2udges, 5e are con6dent, can -e of the t!#e of Lord o4e,regard"ess or in s#ite of the #o5er of ongress ? 5e do not sa! un"i+ited -ut as hereine3ercised ? to reorganie inferior courts.1

H. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 UP:OLDING T:E ON$TITUTIONALIT& T:EREO% >ILL NOT RE$ULT INDELETERIOU$ ON$EUENE$ TO T:E AD(INI$TRATION O% JU$TIE. ? There is no reasonto assu+e that the fai"ure of this suit to annu" Batas Pa+-ansa B"g. /0 5ou"d -e attended5ith de"eterious conse;uences to the ad+inistration of 2ustice. It does not fo""o5 that the

a-o"ition In good faith of the e3isting inferior courts e3ce#t the $andigan-a!an and the ourtof Ta3 A##ea"s and the creation of ne5 ones 5i"" resu"t in a 2udiciar! una-"e or un5i""ing todischarge 5ith inde#endence its so"e+n dut! or one recreant to the trust re#osed in it. Norshou"d there -e an! fear that "ess than good faith 5i"" attend the e3ercise of the a##ointing#o5er *ested in the E3ecuti*e. It cannot -e denied that an inde#endent and e8cient

Judiciar! is so+ething to the credit of an! ad+inistration. >e"" and tru"! has it -een said thatthe funda+enta" #rinci#"e of se#aration of #o5ers assu+es, and 2usti6a-"! so, that the threede#art+ents are as one in their deter+ination to #ursue the idea"s and as#irations and tofu"6"" the ho#es of the so*ereign #eo#"e as e3#ressed in the onstitution. Justice (a"co"+ in(ani"a E"ectric o. *. Pasa! Trans#ortation o+#an!, Phi". @HH 0C/ saidF 1Just as the


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$u#re+e ourt, as the guardian of constitutiona" rights, shou"d not sanction usur#ations -!an! other de#art+ent of the go*ern+ent, so shou"d it as strict"! con6ne its o5n s#here ofinuence to the #o5ers e3#ress"! or -! i+#"ication conferred on it -! the Organic Act.1 Tothat -asic #ostu"ate under"!ing our constitutiona" s!ste+, this ourt re+ains co++itted.

BARREDO, J ., concurringF

. ON$TITUTIONAL LA>7 JUDIIAR&7 JUDIIAR& REORGANI)ATION AT O% 0KH BATA$PA(BAN$A BLG. /07 JUDIIAL REORGANI)ATION NOT ONTRAR& TO T:E INDEPENDENEO% T:E JUDIIAR& PRINIPLE. ? It -eing conceded that the #o5er to create or esta-"ishcarries 5ith it the #o5er to a-o"ish, and it is a "ega" a3io+, or at "east a #rag+atic rea"it!,that the tenure of the ho"der of an o8ce +ust of necessit! end 5hen his o8ce no "ongere3ists, >e ha*e no a"ternati*e than to ho"d that #etitioners9 in*ocation of the inde#endence=of=the=2udiciar! #rinci#"e of the onstitution is una*ai"ing in the cases at -ar. To insist that5hat Batas Pa+-ansa /0 is doing is 2ust a rena+ing, and not a su-stantia" and actua"+odi6cation or a"teration of the #resent 2udicia" structure or s!ste+, assu+ing a c"osescrutin! +ight so+eho5 su##ort such a conc"usion, is #ure 5ishfu" thin4ing, it -einge3#"icit"! and une;ui*oca""! #ro*ided in the $ection in ;uestion that said courts 1are dee+eda-o"ished1 and further, as if to +a4e it +ost un+ista4a-"! e+#hatic, that 1incu+-entsthereof sha"" cease to ho"d o8ce.1 Dura "e3, sed "e3.

/. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 JUDIIAL REORGANI)ATION, AN URGENT NEED7 T>O=%OLD OBJETI'E$O% T:E LA> ALIGNED >IT: T:E %OUNDATION O% T:E PRINIPLE O% INDEPENDENE O% T:e

JUDIIAR&. ? Judicia" reorganiation -eco+es urgent and ine*ita-"e not a"one -ecause ofstructura" inade;uacies of the s!ste+ or of the cu+-erso+eness and technica"it!=#e##eredand dragging #rocedura" ru"es in force, -ut a"so 5hen it -eco+es e*ident that a goodnu+-er of those occu#!ing #ositions in the 2udiciar!, +a4e a +oc4er! of 2ustice and ta4ead*antage of their o8ce for se"6sh #ersona" ends and !et, those in authorit! cannote3#editious"! co#e 5ith the situation under e3isting "a5s and ru"es. It is +! #ersona"assess+ent of the #resent situation in our 2udiciar! that its reorganiation has to -e ofnecessit! t5o=#ronged, for the +ost idea" 2udicia" s!ste+ 5ith the +ost #erfect #rocedura"ru"es cannot satisf! the #eo#"e and the interests of 2ustice un"ess the +en 5ho ho"d#ositions therein #ossess the character, co+#etence and sense of "o!a"t! that can

guarantee their de*otion to dut! and a-so"ute i+#artia"it!, na!, i+#regna-i"it! to a""te+#tations of graft and corru#tion, inc"uding the usua" i+#ortunings and the fearso+ea"-eit i+#ro#er #ressures of the #o5ers that -e. I a+ certain that %i"i#ino #eo#"e fee" ha##!that Batas Pa+-ansa /0 enco+#asses -oth of these o-2ecti*es 5hich indeed are a"igned5ith the foundation of the #rinci#"e of inde#endence of the 2udiciar!. LL#hi"

C. ID.7 ON$TITUTION7 :ARTER TI(ELE$$ EEPT %OR ADOPTION O% (EA$URE$DURING 'ER& UNU$UAL IN$TANE$7 INTEGRIT& O% T:E %UNDA(ENTAL LA> UNDI(INI$:ED

T:EREB&. ? The onstitution is not 2ust a c"uster of high sounding *er-iages s#e""ing #ure"!idea"is+ and no-i"it! in the recognition of hu+an dignit!, #rotection of indi*idua" "i-ertiesand #ro*iding securit! and #ro+otion of the genera" 5e"fare under a go*ern+ent of "a5s.

The funda+enta" "a5 of the "and is a "i*ing instru+ent 5hich trans"ates and ada#ts itse"f tothe de+ands of o-taining circu+stances. It is 5ritten for a"" seasons, e3ce#t for *er! unusua"

instances that hu+an ratiocination cannot 2ustif! to -e conte+#"ated -! its "anguage e*en if read in its -roadest sense and in the +ost "i-era" 5a!. 'eri"!, it is #ara+ount and su#re+e in#eace and in 5ar, -ut e*en in #eace gra*e critica" situations arise de+anding recourse toe3traordinar! so"utions. Para#hrasing the $#anish adage, 1Grandes +a"es, grandesre+edios,1 such inordinar! #ro-"e+s 2ustif! e3ce#tiona" re+edies. And so, histor! recordsthat in the face of gra*e crises and e+ergencies, the +ost constitutiona""! idea"isticcountries ha*e, at one ti+e or another, under the #ressure of #rag+atic considerations,ado#ted corres#onding rea"istic +easures, 5hich #eri"ous"! tether a"ong the #eri#her! oftheir harters, to the e3tent of creating i+#ressions, of course erroneous, that the sa+e had


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-een transgressed, a"though in truth their integrit! and i+#eriousness re+ainedundi+inished and uni+#aired.

. ID.7 JUDIIAR&7 JUDIIAL REORGANI)ATION7 BATA$ PA(BAN$A BLG. /0ON$TITUTIONALL& PER(I$$IBLE %OR T:E ATTAIN(ENT O% T:E OBJET$ IT $EEhi"e, to -e sure, it has the eect of factua""! easing out so+e 2ustices and

2udges -efore the end of their res#ecti*e constitutiona" tenure sans the usua" ad+inistrati*ein*estigation, the desira-"e end is achie*ed thru +eans that, in the "ight of the #re*ai"ingconditions, is constitutiona""! #er+issi-"e.

. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 BATA$ PA(BAN$A /0 DOE$ NOT RENDER (EANINGLE$$ T:E

INDEPENDENE O% T:E JUDIIAR&7 ABOLITION O% EI$TING OURT$ ALLO>ED B& T:EON$TITUTION. ? Not5ithstanding this decision, the inde#endence of the 2udiciar! in thePhi"i##ines is far fro+ -eing insu-stantia", +uch "ess +eaning"ess and dead. BatasPa+-ansa /0 has #recise"! o#ened our e!es to ho5, des#ite dou-ts and +isgi*ings, theonstitution can -e so construed as to +a4e it #ossi-"e for those in authorit! to ans5er thec"a+or of the #eo#"e for an u#right 2udiciar! and o*erco+e constitutiona" road-"oc4s +orea##arent than rea". Li-Le3

@. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 PRE$IDENTIAL APPOINTEE$ TO T:E BEN: >ILL BE ARE%ULL&ON$IDERED. ? B! this decision, the ourt has in factua" eect a"-eit not in constitutiona"conce#tion !ie"ded genera""! to the Batasang Pa+-ansa, and +ore s#eci6ca""! to thePresident, its o5n constitutiona""! conferred #o5er of re+o*a" of 2udges. $ection of theBatasan Act dec"ares that a"" of the+ sha"" -e dee+ed to ha*e ceased to ho"d o8ce, "ea*ing

it to the President to a##oint those 5ho+ he +a! see 6t to occu#! the ne5 courts. Thus,those 5ho 5i"" not -e a##ointed can -e considered as 1ceasing to ho"d their res#ecti*eo8ces,1 or, as others 5ou"d sa! the! 5ou"d -e in fact re+o*ed. :o5 the President 5i"" +a4ehis choice is -e!ond Our #o5er to contro". But e*en if so+e +a! -e eased out e*en 5ithout-eing du"! infor+ed of the reason therefor, +uch "ess -eing gi*en the o##ortunit! to -eheard, the #ast actuations of the President on a"" +atters of dee# #u-"ic interest shou"dser*e as su8cient assurance that 5hen he u"ti+ate"! acts, he 5i"" faithfu""! adhere to hisso"e+n oath 1to do 2ustice to e*er! +an,1 hence, he 5i"" e;ui# hi+se"f 6rst 5ith the fu""estre"ia-"e infor+ation -efore he acts.

AUINO, J ., concurringF

. RE(EDIAL LA>7 I'IL PROEDURE7 ATION$7 DELARATOR& RELIE% ANDPRO:IBITION NOT T:E PROPER RE(ED& TO TE$T T:E ON$TITUTIONALIT& O% A LA>7 NO

JU$TIIABLE ONTRO'ER$& IN A$E AT BAR. ? The #etition shou"d ha*e -een dis+issedoutright -ecause this ourt has no 2urisdiction to grant dec"arator! re"ief and #rohi-ition isnot the #ro#er re+ed! to test the constitutiona"it! of the "a5. The #etition is #re+ature. No

2urisdictiona" ;uestion is in*o"*ed. There is no 2usticia-"e contro*ers! 5herein theconstitutiona"it! of the "a5 is in issue. It is #resu+ed to -e constitutiona". The "a5+a4ing-od! -efore enacting it "oo4ed into the constitutiona" ang"e.

/. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 PARTIE$7 PETITIONER$ >IT:OUT PER$ONALIT& TO A$$AIL T:EON$TITUTIONALIT& O% T:E JUDIIAR& REORGANI)ATION LA>. ? $e*en of the eight


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#etitioners are #ractising "a5!ers. The! ha*e no #ersona"it! to assai" the constitutiona"it! ofthe "a5 e*en as ta3#a!ers. The eighth #etitioner, Gua"-erto J. de "a L"ana, a cit! 2udge, hasno cause of action for #rohi-ition. :e is not -eing re+o*ed fro+ his #osition.

C. ON$TITUTIONAL LA>7 JUDIIAR&7 JUDIIAL REORGANI)ATION7 BATA$ PA(BAN$ABLG. /07 ENAT(ENT T:EREO% IN GOOD %AIT:. ? The Judiciar! Reorganiation La5 5asenacted in ut+ost good faith and not 1to c"oa4 an unconstitutiona" and e*i" #ur#ose.1 Inenacting the said "a5, the "a5+a4ing -od! acted 5ithin the sco#e of its constitutiona"#o5ers and #rerogati*es.

GUERRERO, J ., concurringF

. ON$TITUTIONAL LA>7 JUDIIAR&7 JUDIIAR& REORGANI)ATION AT O% 0KH7OBJETI'E$. ? The institutiona" refor+s and changes en*isioned -! the "a5 are c"ear"!conduci*e to the #ro+otion of nationa" interests. The o-2ecti*es of the "egis"ation, na+e"!Fa An institutiona" restructuring -! the creation of an Inter+ediate A##e""ate ourt, thirteenC Regiona" Tria" ourts, (etro#o"itan Tria" ourts, (unici#a" Tria" ourts and (unici#a"ircuit Tria" ourts7 - A re=a##ortion+ent of 2urisdiction geared to5ards greater e8cienc!7c A si+#"i6cation of #rocedures7 and d The a-o"ition of the inferior courts created -! the

Judiciar! Act of 0K and other statutes, as a##ro*ed -! the ongress of the Phi"i##ines are

undou-ted"! intended to i+#ro*e the regi+e of 2ustice and there-! enhance #u-"ic good andorder. Indeed, the #ur#ose of the Act as further stated in the E3#"anator! Note, 5hich is 1toe+-od! refor+s in the structure, organiation and co+#osition of the Judiciar!, 5ith the ai+of i+#ro*ing the ad+inistration of 2ustice, of decongesting 2udicia" doc4ets, and co#ing 5iththe +ore co+#"e3 #ro-"e+s on the #resent and foreseea-"e future1 cannot -ut 1#ro+ote the5e"fare of societ!, since that is the 6na" cause of "a5.1 ardoo, the Nature of the Judicia"Process, #. @@

/. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 LA> ON$TITUTIONAL %RO( T:E $TANDPOINT O% GENERAL UTILIT& AND%UNTIONAL 'ALUE. ? %ro+ the stand#oint of the genera" uti"it! and functiona" *a"ue of the

Judiciar! Reorganiation Act, there shou"d -e no di8cu"t!, dou-t or dis-e"ief in its "ega"it!and constitutiona"it!. That there are i""s and e*i"s #"aguing the 2udicia" s!ste+ is undenia-"e.

The notorious and scanda"ous congestion of court doc4ets is too 5e""=4no5n to -e ignored as

are the causes 5hich create and #roduce such ano+a"!. E*ident is the need to "oo4 forde*ices and +easures that are +ore #ractica", 5or4a-"e and econo+ica".

C. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 ENAT(ENT T:EREO% PRE$U(ED REGULAR AND DONE IN GOOD %AIT:.? In the "ight of the 4no5n e*i"s and in6r+ities of the 2udicia" s!ste+, it 5ou"d -e a-surdand unreasona-"e to c"ai+ that the "egis"ators did not act u#on the+ in good faith andhonest! of #ur#ose and 5ith "egiti+ate ends. It is #resu+ed that o8cia" dut! has -eenregu"ar"! #erfor+ed. The #resu+#tion of regu"arit! is not con6ned to the acts of theindi*idua" o8cers -ut a"so a##"ies to the acts of -oards, such as ad+inistrati*e -oard or-odies, and to acts of "egis"ati*e -odies. Good faith is a"5a!s to -e #resu+ed in the a-senceof #roof to the contrar!, of 5hich there is none in the case at -ar. It cou"d not -e other5ise if>e are to accord as >e +ust, fu"" faith and credit to the "a5+a4ers9 dee# sense of #u-"icser*ice and the 2udicious e3ercise of their high o8ce as the du"!=e"ected re#resentati*es ofthe #eo#"e.

. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 RE$ULTANT ABOLITION O% OURT$7 $UPRE(E OURT ANNOTINUIRE INTO T:E >I$DO( O% T:E LA>. ? In (orfe *s. (utuc, L=/HCK, Jan. C, 0@K, the$u#re+e ourt he"dF 1It is not the #ro*ince of the courts to su#er*ise "egis"ation and 4ee# it5ithin the -ounds of #ro#riet! and co++on sense. That is #ri+ari"! and e3c"usi*e"! a"egis"ati*e concern. The ourts are not su##osed to o*erride "egiti+ate #o"ic! and . . . ne*erin;uire into the 5isdo+ of the "a5.1 hief Justice %ernando 5ho #enned the (orfe decision5rites in The onstitution of the Phi"i##ines that 5hi"e 1it is thus sett"ed, to #ara#hrasehief Justice once#cion in Gona"es *. o++ission on E"ections, that on"! congressiona"


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#o5er or co+#etence, not the 5isdo+ of action ta4en, +a! -e the -asis for dec"aring astatute in*a"id,1 he adds that it is 1usefu" to reca"" 5hat 5as so c"ear"! stated -! Laure" that9the Judiciar! in the deter+ination of actua" cases and contro*ersies +ust reect the 5isdo+and 2ustice of the #eo#"e as e3#ressed through their re#resentati*es in the e3ecuti*e and"egis"ati*e de#art+ents of the go*ern+ent.91 In an! case, #etitioners ha*e not sho5n an iotaof #roof of -ad faith. There is no factua" foundation of -ad faith on record. I do not consider

the state+ent in the s#onsorshi# s#eech for a-inet Bi"" No. / of (inister of Justice Ricardo J. Puno that the Bi"" 5ou"d -e a +ore e8cient *ehic"e of 1e"i+inating inco+#etent and un6t Judges1 as indicati*e of i+#er+issi-"e "egis"ati*e +oti*e.

. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 $EURIT& O% TENURE7 NATURE AND ONEPT O% A PUBLI O%%IE. ? The Justices and 2udges direct"! aected -! the "a5, -eing "a5!ers, shou"d 4no5 or aree3#ected to 4no5 the nature and conce#t of a #u-"ic o8ce. It is created for the #ur#ose ofeecting the ends for 5hich go*ern+ent has -een instituted, 5hich are for the co++ongood, and not the #ro6t, honor or #ri*ate interest of an! one +an, fa+i"! or c"ass of +en. Inour for+ of go*ern+ent, it is funda+enta" that #u-"ic o8ces are #u-"ic trust, and that the#erson to -e a##ointed shou"d -e se"ected so"e"! 5ith a *ie5 to the #u-"ic 5e"fare. In the"ast ana"!sis, a #u-"ic o8ce is a #ri*i"ege in the gift of the $tate.

@. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 NO 'E$TED INTERE$T EI$T$ IN AN O%%IE7 JUDIIAL

APPOINT(ENT TER(INATE$ >IT: T:E ABOLITION O% T:E OURT. ? There is no such thingas a *ested interest or an estate in an o8ce, or e*en an a-so"ute right to ho"d o8ce.E3ce#ting constitutiona" o8ces 5hich #ro*ide for s#ecia" i++unit! as regards sa"ar! andtenure, no one can -e said to ha*e an! *ested right in an o8ce or its sa"ar!. >hen an o8ceis created -! the onstitution, it cannot -e a-o"ished -! the "egis"ature, -ut 5hen created -!the $tate under the authorit! of the onstitution, it +a! -e a-o"ished -! statute and theincu+-ent de#ri*ed of his o8ce. Acce#tance of a 2udicia" a##oint+ent +ust -e dee+ed asadherence to the ru"e that 15hen the court is a-o"ished, an! une3#ired ter+ is a-o"isheda"so. The Judge of such a court ta4es o8ce 5ith that encu+-rance and 4no5"edge. The

Judge9s right to his fu"" ter+ and his fu"" sa"ar! are not de#endent a"one u#on his goodconduct, -ut a"so u#on the contingenc! that the "egis"ature +a! for the #u-"ic good, inordaining and esta-"ishing the courts, fro+ ti+e to ti+e consider his o8ce unnecessar! anda-o"ish it.

. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 RE(O'AL AND RE=APPOINT(ENT O% JUDGE$ UNDER T:E JUDIIAR&REORGANI)ATION AT, A PRE$IDENTIAL PO>ER AND PREROGATI'E. ? The re+o*a" fro+o8ce of an incu+-ent is +ere"! incidenta" to the *a"id act of a-o"ition of the o8ce asde+anded -! the su#erior and #ara+ount interest of the #eo#"e. The -ad and the croo4ed

2udges +ust -e re+o*ed. The good and the straight, so-er 2udges shou"d -e rea##ointed -utthat is the so"e #o5er and #rerogati*e of the President 5ho, I a+ certain, 5i"" act accordingto the -est interest of the nation and in accordance 5ith his so"e+n oath of o8ce 1to#reser*e and defend its onstitution, e3ecute its "a5s, do 2ustice to e*er!one.1 There andthen the #ro#er -a"ance -et5een the desire to #reser*e #ri*ate interest and thedesideratu+ of #ro+oting the #u-"ic good sha"" ha*e -een struc4. cdtai

K. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 ON$TRUTION IN %A'OR O% T:E ON$TITUTIONALIT& O% T:E LA> TO

BE ADOPTED. ? The $u#re+e ourt has -een ca""ed the conscience of the onstitution. It+a! -e the "ast -u"5ar4 of constitutiona" go*ern+ent. It +ust, ho5e*er, -e re+e+-ered1that "egis"atures are u"ti+ate guardians of the "i-erties and 5e"fare of the #eo#"e in ;uite asgreat a degree as courts.1 (issouri,


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0. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 $OIAL JU$TI%IATION AND T:E %UNTIONAL UTILIT& O% T:E LA>$U%%IIENT TO UP:OLD IT$ ON$TITUTIONALIT&. ? I *ie5 the contro*ers! #resented as aconict of o#inions on 2udicia" inde#endence, 5hether i+#aired or strengthened -! the "a57on reorganiation of the courts, 5hether a-o"ition of o8ce or re+o*a" therefro+7 and onde"egation of "egis"ati*e #o5er, 5hether authoried or unauthoried. >ithout detracting fro+the +erits, the force and -ri""iance of their ad*ocacies -ased on "ogic, histor! and

#recedents, I choose to stand on the socia" 2usti6cation and the functiona" uti"it! of the "a5to u#ho"d its constitutiona"it!. In the "ight of conte+#oraneous e*ents fro+ 5hich the Ne5Re#u-"ic e+erged and e*o"*ed ne5 idea"s of nationa" gro5th and de*e"o#+ent, #articu"ar"!in "a5 and go*ern+ent, a 4ind or for+ of 2udicia" acti*is+, #erha#s si+i"ar to it, is necessar!to 2ustif! as the ratio decidendi of Our 2udg+ent.

DE A$TRO, J ., concurringF

. ON$TITUTIONAL LA>7 JUDIIAR&7 REATION AND ORGANI)ATION O% OURT$, AON$TITUTIONAL PREROGATI'E O% T:E LEGI$LATURE. ? A creation and organiation ofcourts inferior to the $u#re+e ourt is a constitutiona" #rerogati*e of the "egis"ature. This#rerogati*e is #"enar! and necessari"! i+#"ies the #o5er to reorganie said courts, and inthe #rocess, a-o"ish the+ to gi*e 5a! to ne5 or su-stantia""! dierent ones. To contendother5ise 5ou"d -e to forget a -asic doctrine of constitutiona" "a5 that no irre#ea"a-"e "a5s

sha"" -e #assed. dctai

/. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 PO>ER TO REATE $TATUTOR& OURT$ INLUDE$ T:E PO>ER TOABOLI$: T:E(7 JUDIIAL $EURIT& O% TENURE NOT A LEGAL I(PEDI(ENT TO T:E EERI$E

T:EREO%. ? The #o5er to create courts and organie the+ is necessari"! the #ri+ar!authorit! fro+ 5hich 5ou"d thereafter arise the securit! of tenure of those a##ointed to#erfor+ the functions of said courts. In the natura" order of things, therefore, since theoccasion to s#ea4 of securit! of tenure of 2udges arises on"! after the courts ha*e 6rst -een-rought into -eing, the right to securit! of tenure ta4es a secondar! #osition to the -asicand #ri+ar! #o5er of creating the courts to #ro*ide for a fair and strong 2udicia" s!ste+. Ifthe "egis"ature, in the e3ercise of its authorit!, dee+s it 5ise and urgent to #ro*ide for a ne5set of courts, and in doing so, it fee"s the a-o"ition of the o"d courts 5ou"d conduce +ore toits o-2ecti*e of i+#ro*ing the 2udiciar! and raising its standard, the +atter in*o"*ed is one of

#o"ic! and 5isdo+ into 5hich the courts, not e*en the $u#re+e ourt, cannot in;uire, +uch"ess interfere 5ith. B! this secondar! #osition it has to the #ri+ar! #o5er of the "egis"atureto create courts, the securit! of tenure gi*en to the incu+-ents shou"d not -e a "ega"i+#edi+ent to the e3ercise of that -asic #o5er of creating the statutor! courts 5hich, -!necessar! i+#"ication, inc"udes the #o5er to a-o"ish the+ in order to create ne5 ones. This#ri+ar! "egis"ati*e #o5er is a continuing one, and the resu"tant right of securit! of tenure ofthose a##ointed to said courts cou"d not -ring a-out the e3haustion of that #o5er.Un;uestiona-"!, the "egis"ature can re#ea" its o5n "a5s, and that #o5er can ne*er -ee3hausted 5ithout, as a conse;uence, *io"ating a funda+enta" #rece#t of constitutiona" andre#resentati*e go*ern+ent that no irre#ea"a-"e "a5s sha"" -e #assed.

C. ID.7 ID.7 JUDIIAR& REORGANI)ATION AT O% 0KH7 AN E%%ETI'E AND E%%IIENT$&$TE( O% AD(INI$TRATION O% JU$TIE (ORE I(PORTANT T:AN T:E $EURIT& O% TENURE

O% JUDGE$. ? The #assage of the Judiciar! Reorganiation Act of 0KH is no +ore than thee3ercise of the #o5er *ested -! the onstitution on the "egis"ati*e -od! of the Re#u-"ic. That#o5er carries 5ith it the dut! and res#onsi-i"it! of #ro*iding the #eo#"e 5ith the +osteecti*e and e8cient s!ste+ of ad+inistration of 2ustice. This is -! far of +ore i+#erati*eand transcendenta" i+#ortance than the securit! of tenure of 2udges 5hich, ad+itted"!, isone of the factors that 5ou"d conduce to inde#endence of the 2udiciar! ? -ut 6rst of a"", agood, e8cient and eecti*e 2udiciar!. A 2udiciar! 5anting in these -asic ;ua"ities does notdeser*e the inde#endence that is +eant on"! for a 2udiciar! that can ser*e -est the interestand 5e"fare of the #eo#"e 5hich is the +ost #ri+ordia" and #ara+ount consideration, not a


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2udiciar! in 5hich the #eo#"e9s faith has -een eroded, a condition 5hich the securit! oftenure, in so+e instances, +a! e*en -e contri-utor!.

. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 IN%RINGE(ENT O% T:E RIG:T O% $EURIT& O% TENURE JU$TI%IED B& T:E EERI$E O% POLIE PO>ER. ? >hen t5o interests conict as 5hat had gi*en rise tothe #resent contro*ers! ? the dut! of the "egis"ature to #ro*ide societ! 5ith a fair, e8cientand eecti*e 2udicia" s!ste+, on one hand, and the right of 2udges to securit! of tenure, onthe other, the "atter +ust of necessit! !ie"d to the for+er. One in*o"*es #u-"ic 5e"fare andinterest +ore direct"! and on a greater +agnitude than the right of securit! of tenure of the

2udges 5hich is, as is easi"! discerni-"e, +ore of a #ersona" -ene6t to 2ust a fe5, as on"! the 2udge aected cou"d see4 2udicia" redress of 5hat he concei*es to -e its *io"ation. :erein "iesthe #ro#riet! of the e3ercise of 1#o"ice #o5er1 of the $tate, if this conce#t 5hich under"iese*en the onstitution, has to -e in*o4ed as a constitutiona" 2usti6cation of the #assage ofthe Act in ;uestion. That is, if a conict -et5een the #ri+ar! #o5er of the "egis"ature tocreate courts, and +ere conse;uentia" -ene6t accorded to 2udges and 2ustices after thecreation of the courts is indeed #ercei*a-"e, 5hich the 5riter fa""s to see, or, at "east, 5ou"ddisa##ear u#on a reconci"iation of the t5o a##arent"! conicting interests 5hich, fro+ thea-o*e dis;uisition, is not hard to 6nd. It is, 5ithout dou-t, in the essence of the e3ercise of#o"ice #o5er that a right assessa-"e -! indi*idua"s +a! -e infringed in the greater interest of the #u-"ic good and genera" 5e"fare. This is de+onstrated in ho5 the rights and freedo+senu+erated in the Bi"" of Rights en2o!a-"e -! the entire #eo#"e, not 2ust -e a handfu" inco+#arison, are +ade su-2ect to the "a5fu" e3ercise of the #o"ice #o5er of the $tate.

. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 RE$ULTANT ABOLITION O% OURT$ DOE$ NOT A(OUNT TO UNLA>%ULRE(O'AL O% JUDGE$. ? The #ro*ision of Artic"e 'II, $ection H of the onstitution gi*es to

2udicia" o8cia"s no +ore than a guarantee that their retire+ent age as 63ed in theonstitution sha"" not -e a"tera-"e at +ere "egis"ati*e #"easure. The e;ui*a"ent #ro*ision inthe 0C onstitution 5as inserted for the 6rst ti+e -ecause the retire+ent age -efore then5as #ro*ided +ere"! -! statute not -! the onstitution. If it co+es to their re+o*a" orsus#ension, 5hat gi*es the+ constitutiona" #rotection is the afore;uoted #ro*ision 5hichdoes not conte+#"ate a-o"ition of o8ce 5hen done in good faith, for re+o*a" i+#"ies thee3istence of the o8ce, not 5hen it is a-o"ished. As has -een he"d, a-o"ition of o8ce for noreason re"ated to #u-"ic 5e"fare or for the good of the ser*ice, "et a"one 5hen done in -ad

faith, a+ounts to an un"a5fu" re+o*a". The a-o"ition of the courts as dec"ared in the Act as aresu"t of a reorganiation of the 2udiciar!, as the tit"e of the "a5 curt"! -ut i+#ressi*e"!announces, can -! no +eans, fro+ an! *ie5#oint, -e so -randed. And 5hether -! saidreorganiation, the #resent courts 5ou"d -e dee+ed a-o"ished, as the "a5 e3#resses such anun+ista4a-"e intent, the +atter is one for the so"e and e3c"usi*e deter+ination of the"egis"ature. It rests entire"! on its discretion 5hether -! the nature and e3tent of the changesit has introduced, it has done enough to consider the+ a-o"ished. To gi*e the $u#re+e ourtthe #o5er to deter+ine the e3tent or nature of the changes as to their structure, distri-utionand 2urisdiction, -efore the c"ear intent to a-o"ish the+, or to dec"are the+ so a-o"ished, isgi*en eect, 5ou"d -e to a""o5 undue interference in the function of "egis"ation. This 5ou"d-e contrar! to the #ri+ar! dut! of courts #recise"! to gi*e eect to the "egis"ati*e intent ase3#ressed in the "a5 or as +a! -e disco*ered therefro+.

@. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 JUDIIAL INUIR& INTO T:E ABOLITION O% OURT$ NOT PROPER. ? The a-o"ition of the courts is a +atter of "egis"ati*e intent into 5hich no 2udicia" in;uir! is#ro#er, e3ce#t #erha#s if that intent is so #a"#a-"! tainted 5ith constitutiona" re#ugnanc!,5hich is not so in the instant case. >e ha*e, therefore, no occasion to s#ea4 of re+o*a" of

2udges 5hen the reorganiation of the 2udiciar! 5ou"d resu"t in the a-o"ition of the courtsother than the $u#re+e ourt and the ourt of Ta3 A##ea"s. :ence, the #ro*ision of theonstitution gi*ing to the $u#re+e ourt #o5er to dis+iss a 2udge -! a *ote of eight 2usticesdoes not co+e into the *orte3 of the instant contro*ers!. Its #ossi-"e *io"ation -! theassai"ed statute cannot ha##en, and +a!, therefore, not constitute an argu+ent against theconstitutiona"it! of the "a5. cda


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. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 ARBITRARINE$$ IN T:E I(PLE(ENTATION O% T:E LA> $UBJET TO JUDIIAL REDRE$$. ? On"! in the i+#"e+entation of the "a5 +a! there #ossi-"! -e a taint of constitutiona" re#ugnanc!, as 5hen a 2udge of ac4no5"edged honest!, industr! andco+#etence is se#arated, -ecause an act of ar-itrariness 5ou"d there-! -e co++itted, -utthe a-o"ition of the courts as dec"ared -! the "a5 it not -! itse"f or #er se unconstitutiona".onse;uent"!, the "a5, the resu"t of serious and concerned stud! -! a high"! co+#etent

co++ittee, deser*es to -e gi*en a chance to #ro*e its 5orth in the 5a! of i+#ro*ing the 2udiciar!. If in its i+#"e+entation an! one, if at a"", fee"s aggrie*ed, he can a"5a!s see4 2udicia" redress, if he can +a4e out a case of *io"ation of his right of securit! of tenure 5ithuncontro*erti-"e c"arit!, as 5hen the se#aration is *er! ar-itrar! in the #ecu"iarcircu+stances of his case, for an act of ar-itrariness, under an! constitution, isun#ardona-"e.

K. RE(EDIAL LA>7 I'IL PROEDURE7 ATION$7 DI$(I$$AL O% A PRE(ATURE PETITION.? The #etition shou"d -e dis+issed for -eing #re+ature. It as4s this ourt to e3ercise its#o5er of 2udicia" in;uir!, the #o5er to dec"are a "a5 unconstitutiona" 5hen it conicts 5iththe funda+enta" "a5 Peo#"e *s. 'era, @C Phi". C@. This #o5er has 5e""=de6ned "i+its, for itcan -e e3ercised on"! 5hen the fo""o5ing re;uisites are #resent, to 5itF There +ust -e anactua" case or contro*ers!7 / The ;uestion of constitutiona"it! +ust -e raised -! the #ro#er#art!7 C :e shou"d do so at the ear"iest o##ortunit!7 and The deter+ination of theconstitutiona"it! of the statute +ust -e necessar! to a 6na" deter+ination of the case. The#etition does not #resent as actua" contro*ers! nor 5as it 6"ed -! the #ro#er #arties.

0. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 PETITIONER$ >IT:OUT LEGAL PER$ONALIT& TO UE$TION T:EON$TITUTIONALIT& O% T:E JUDIIAR& REORGANI)ATION LA>. ? The +ain ground for5hich the constitutiona"it! of the Judiciar! Reorganiation Act of 0KH is assai"ed is that it is*io"ati*e of the securit! of tenure of 2ustices and 2udges. The on"! #ersons 5ho cou"d raisethe ;uestion of constitutiona"it! of the "a5, therefore, are the actua" incu+-ents of thecourts 5ho 5ou"d -e se#arated fro+ the ser*ice u#on the a-o"ition of the courts aected -!the "a5, on the theor! as ad*anced -! #etitioners that their 2udicia" securit! of tenure 5ou"d-e *io"ated. O"onga#o it! Judge de "a L"ana, the on"! 2udge a+ong the #etitioners, has not-een se#arated fro+ the ser*ice. Nor is his se#aration a"read! a certaint!, for he +a! -ea##ointed to the court e;ui*a"ent to his #resent court, or e*en #ro+oted to a higher court.

On"! 5hen it has -eco+e certain that his tenure has -een ter+inated 5i"" an actua"contro*ers! arise on his a""egation of a fact that has -eco+e actua", not +ere"! #ro-a-"e orh!#othetica". The #resent #etition +a! neither -e a""o5ed as a ta3#a!er suit. A ta3#a!er+a! -ring an action to raise the ;uestion of constitutiona"it! of a statute on"! 5hen no onee"se can +ore a##ro#riate"! -ring the suit to defend a right e3c"usi*e"! -e"onging to hi+,and, therefore, 5ou"d "oca"ie the actua" in2ur! to his #erson, and to no other. %or a 1#ro#er1#art! to in*o4e the #o5er of 2udicia" in;uir!, as one of the re;uisites in the e3ercise of such#o5er, does not +ean one ha*ing no -etter right, one +ore #ersona"ied, than 5hat he hasas a +e+-er of the #u-"ic in genera". >ith the incu+-ent 2udges undou-ted"! -eing theones under #etitioners9 theor!, 5ho 5ou"d suer direct and actua" in2ur!, the! shou"de3c"ude +ere ta3#a!ers 5ho cannot -e said to suer as 1direct1 and 1actua"1 an in2ur! asthe 2udges and 2ustices -! the enforce+ent of the assai"ed statute, fro+ the right to -ringthe suit.

H. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 JUDIIAR& REORGANI)ATION LA> O% 0KH NOT UNON$TITUTIONAL. ?It 5ou"d not -e #ro#er to dec"are the "a5 *oid at this stage, -efore it has e*en -een gi*en achance to #ro*e its 5orth, as the "egis"ature itse"f and a"" those 5ho he"#ed -! theire3hausti*e and scho"ar"! stud!, fe"t it to -e an urgent necessit!, and -efore an! of the#ro#er #arties 5ho cou"d assai" its constitutiona"it! 5ou"d 4no5 for a fact, certain and actua",not +ere"! #ro-a-"e or h!#othetica", that the! ha*e a right *io"ated -! 5hat the! cou"d#ossi-"! contend to -e unconstitutiona" enforce+ent of the "a5, not -! a "a5 that isunconstitutiona" unto itse"f. The 5riter is for gi*ing the "a5 a chance to -e #ut intoa##"ication so as not to douse great #o#u"ar e3#ectations for the count to regain their


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highest "e*e" of e8cienc! and re#utation for #ro-it!. Ine*ita-"!, this is to -e so since on"!5hen the "a5 is fu""! i+#"e+ented 5i"" a"" the courts aected -e dec"ared a-o"ished,undou-ted"! to a*oid an interregnu+ 5hen the countr! is 5ithout an! court, e3ce#t the$u#re+e ourt, the ourt of Ta3 A##ea"s and the $andigan-a!an. On"! then 5i"" it -e 4no5n5hether an actua" contro*ers! 5ou"d arise -ecause an! of the incu+-ents ha*e -een "eftout in the restructured 2udiciar!. cd#hi"

. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 INTERPRETATION T:AT UP:OLD$ T:E ON$TITUTIONALIT& O% T:ELA> $:OULD PRE'AIL. ? A "a5 shou"d, -! a"" reasona-"e intend+ent and feasi-"e +eans, -esa*ed fro+ the doo+ of unconstitutiona"it!, the ru"e coro""ar! thereto -eing that if a "a5 issusce#ti-"e to t5o inter#retations, one of 5hich 5ou"d +a4e it constitutiona", thatinter#retation shou"d -e ado#ted that 5i"" not 4i"" the "a5.

/. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 ADEUATE RE(ED& IN LA> A'AILABLE TO T:O$E >:O (A& BEINJURED T:EREB&. ? >hi"e in the i+#"e+entation of the "a5, constitutiona" re#ugnanc! +a!not entire"! -e ru"ed out, a categorica" ru"ing hereon not -eing necessar! or desira-"e at the+o+ent, the "a5 itse"f is de6nite"! not unconstitutiona". An! of the incu+-ent 2udges 5hofee" in2ured after the "a5 sha"" ha*e -een i+#"e+ented has ade;uate re+ed! in "a5, 5ith fu""re"ief as 5ou"d -e #ro#er. But sure"!, the -ene6ts en*isioned -! the "a5 in the discharge ofone of the -asic duties of go*ern+ent to the #eo#"e ? the ad+inistration of 2ustice ? shou"d

not -e sacri6ced, as it 5ou"d -e, if the "a5 is, as sought in the #resent #etition, dec"ared *oidright no5, on the c"ai+ of a fe5 of -eing a""eged"! denied a right, at -est of dou-tfu"character, for the c"ai+ 5ou"d see+ to rest on an unsu##orta-"e theor! that the! ha*e a*ested right to a #u-"ic o8ce.

C. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 BATA$ PA(BAN$A BLG. /0 NOT $EL%=EEUTOR&7REORGANI)ATION LA> DI$TINGUI$:ED %RO( REPUBLI AT K@. ? The "a5 in ;uestion isnot se"f=e3ecuting in the sense that u#on its eecti*it!, certain 2udges and 2ustices cease to-e so -! direct action of the "a5. This is 5hat distinguishes the Act in ;uestion fro+ R.A. No.K@ in*o"*ed in the case of Oca+#o *s. $ecretar! of Justice, H O.G. 5hich -! its directaction, no act of i+#"e+entation -eing necessar!, a"" the 2udges 5hose #ositions 5erea-o"ished, auto+atica""! ceased as such. The Act in ;uestion, therefore, is not as e3#osed tothe sa+e *u"nera-i"it! to constitutiona" attac4 as R.A. No. K@ 5as. &et -! the o#eration of

the onstitution 5ith its 5ise #ro*ision on ho5 a "a5 +a! -e dec"ared unconstitutiona", R.A.No. K@ stood the test for it to -e enforced to the fu""ness of its intent, 5hich 5as, as in the"a5 under consideration, identi6ed 5ith #u-"ic interest and genera" 5e"fare, through a +oree8cient and eecti*e 2udicia" s!ste+ as the Judiciar! Reorganiation Act of 0KH see4s toesta-"ish.

. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 A:IE'E(ENT O% T:E PRI(AR& PURPO$E O% I(PRO'ING T:E JUDIIAR& T:E PRE'AILING %ATOR IN UP:OLDING T:E ON$TITUTIONALIT& O% T:E LA>. ? The ;uestion -efore this ourt is a si+#"e +atter of choosing -et5een #rotecting so+e 2udges fro+ #ossi-"e se#aration, as the i+#"e+entation of the "a5 to achie*e its #ri+ar!#ur#ose of i+#ro*ing the 2udiciar! +a! ha*e to resu"t in, or ser*ing the interest of the entiresociet! through an honest, e8cient and eecti*e 2udiciar!. %or, it is unthin4a-"e that 5hat isfor the good of the #eo#"e as a 5ho"e cou"d ha*e -een +eant -! the onstitution to -e

sacri6ced for the sa4e of on"! a fe5. The greatest good for the greatest nu+-er is anun5ritten ru"e, +ore 6r+ and enduring than an! of the #ostu"ates s#read in our 5rittenonstitution.

(ELENIO=:ERRERA, J ., concurringF

. ON$TITUTIONAL LA>7 JUDIIAR&7 JUDIIAR& REORGANI)ATION LA> O% 0KH7LEGI$LATI'E PO>ER TO ABOLI$: OURT$ O=ETEN$I'E >IT: T:E PO>ER TO REATE

T:E(. ? It is a funda+enta" #ro#osition that the "egis"ati*e #o5er to create courts ordinari"!inc"udes the #o5er to organie and to reorganie the+, and that the #o5er to a-o"ish courts


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is genera""! co=e3tensi*e 5ith the #o5er to create the+. The #o5er to a-o"ish 5as notintended to -e ;ua"i6ed -! the #er+anence of tenure. O#inion of hief Justice Ricardo Parasin Oca+#o *s. $ecretar! of Justice, O.G. M0, citing (cu""e! *s. $tate, C $> C:a"se! *s. Gaines, / Lea C@. The right of Judges to ho"d o8ce during good -eha*ior unti"the! reach the age of H !ears, or -eco+e inca#acitated to discharge the duties of theiro8ce, does not de#ri*e ongress of its #o5er to a-o"ish, organie or reorganie inferior

courts. Bri""o *s. Enage, 0 Phi". C/, C, citing )andueta *s. de "a osta, @@ Phi". @7 /A+. Jur., Pu-. O8cer, 0H=. Judges of those courts ta4e o8ce 5ith that encu+-rance and4no5"edge.

/. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 TENURE O% JUDGE$ AND TENURE O% OURT$ DI$TINGUI$:ED. ? $ection, Artic"e refers to the 1Judiciar!1 as a funda+enta" de#art+ent of Go*ern+ent, $ection of the sa+e Artic"e refers to the tenure of o8ce of 1indi*idua"1 Judges inc"usi*e of Justices of inferior ourts7 that is to sa!, tenure of o8ce is a +atter concerning the indi*idua" Judge.

This 1indi*idua"it!1 character of $ection is su##orted -! the c"ause that the $u#re+e ourthas the #o5er to disci#"ine indi*idua" 2udges of inferior courts.

C. ID.7 ID.7 LEGI$LATI'E EERI$E O% T:E PO>ER TO REORGANI)E OURT$ NOT:A(PERED B& T:E $EURIT& O% TENURE GUARANTEE7 JUDGE$ ARE ENTAILED TO T:EIROURT$ BUT OURT$ ARE NOT ENTAILED TO T:EIR JUDGE$. ? A "egis"ature is not -ound to

gi*e securit! of tenure to courts. ourts can -e a-o"ished. In fact, the entire 2udicia" s!ste+can -e changed. If that s!ste+ can no "onger ad+it of change, 5oe to the 5hee"s of#rogress and the i+#erati*es of gro5th in the de*e"o#+ent of the Judiciar!. To ho"d thattenure of 2udges is su#erior to the "egis"ati*e #o5er to reorganie is to render i+#otent thee3ercise of that #o5er. Under $ection , Artic"e , Judges are entai"ed to their count, fro+5hich the! cannot -e se#arated -efore retire+ent age e3ce#t as a disci#"inar! action for-ad -eha*ior. Under $ection , ourts are not entai"ed to their 2udges, -ecause the #o5er ofthe "egis"ati*e to esta-"ish inferior court #resu##oses the #o5er to a-o"ish those courts. If aninferior court is a-o"ished, the 2udge #residing that court 5i"" necessari"! ha*e to "ose his#osition -ecause the a-o"ished court is not entai"ed to hi+.

. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 ON$TITUTIONAL GUARANTEE O% TENURE O% JUDGE$ APPLIE$ ONL&A$ T:EIR OURT$ EI$T. ? The constitutiona" guarantee of tenure of Judges a##"ies on"! as

their ourts e3ist. As "ong as those ourts e3ist, the Judges cannot -e ousted 5ithout 2ustcause7 that is the c"ient of the constitutiona" #ro*ision re"ati*e to securit! of tenure of

Judges. U#on dec"aration of the co+#"etion of the reorganiation as #ro*ided for in theReorganiation Act, the aected ourts 1sha"" -e dee+ed auto+atica""! a-o"ished.1 There-eing no ourts, there are no o8ces for 5hich tenure of Judges +a! -e c"ai+ed. B! thea-o"ition of those o8ces, the rights to the+ are necessari"! e3tinguished (ana"ang *s.uitoriano, 0 Phi". 0HC M0.

. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 BATA$ PA(BAN$A BLG. /0 AN AN$>ER TO AN URGENT PUBLI NEED7GOOD %AIT: IN T:E ENAT(ENT T:EREO% PRE$U(ED. ? The cha""enged "a5 5as enacted-! the Batasang Pa+-ansa in res#onse to an urgent and #ressing #u-"ic need and not forthe #ur#ose of aecting ad*erse"! the securit! of tenure of a"" Judges or "egis"ating the+ outto the detri+ent of 2udicia" inde#endence. It shou"d not -e said of the Batasang Pa+-ansa

that its #o5er of a-o"ition of ourts has -een used to disguise an unconstitutiona" and e*i"#ur#ose to defeat the securit! of tenure of Judges. The Judiciar! Reorganiation Act of 0Ksu8cient"! co+#"ies 5ith the -ona 6de ru"e in the a-o"ition of #u-"ic o8ce. Besides, e*er!#resu+#tion of good faith in its actuations +ust -e accorded a coordinate and co=e;ua"-ranch of go*ern+ent, su#re+e 5ithin the "i+its of its o5n s#here, unti" that #resu+#tion isc"ear"! o*erco+e. There is no sho5ing that the Reorganiation Act 5as +oti*ated for#ersona" or #o"itica" reasons as to 2ustif! the interference -! the ourt Gar*e! *s. Lo5e"",H0 (ass. , K N.E. K/, / A.$.R. @K7 $tate *s. Eduards, H (ont. /K7 H@ Pat. @0, 0R..L. /C@7 L"anto *s. Di+a#oro, @ $RA 00 MM0@@. Pu-"ic interest and #u-"ic good, asthe "egis"ati*e -od! *ie5s it, +ust -e -a"anced 5ith tenure of Judges, 5hich is an indi*idua"


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right. Re*erting to $ection and $ection of Artic"e , the for+er is the 5eightier, -ecausethe 1Judiciar!1 is of +ore i+#ortance to the 5e"fare of the countr! than the tenure of o8ceof an indi*idua" Judge. If a Judge is re+o*ed 5ithout cause, there can -e da+age to the#u-"ic 5e"fare to so+e e3tent, -ut +aintenance of a ourt that does not +eet there;uire+ent of #rogressi*e Go*ern+ent, can cause inca"cu"a-"e #re2udice to the #eo#"e.

@. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 REORGANI)ATION O% T:E JUDIIAL $&$TE( DOE$ NOT ON%LIT >IT: T:E $UPRE(E OURT9$ PO>ER TO DI$IPLINE JUDGE$. ? >here the "egis"ature has 5i""edthat the ourts -e a-o"ished, the #o5er to disci#"ine cannot #ost an o-stac"e to thea-o"ition. The #o5er to disci#"ine can co+e into #"a! on"! 5hen there is re+o*a" fro+ ane3isting 2udicia" o8ce, -ut not 5hen that o8ce is a-o"ished. The reorganiation of the

2udicia" s!ste+ 5ith the a-o"ition of certain courts is not an e3ercise of the #o5er todisci#"ine the Judges of the a-o"ished courts. #rLL

. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 ABOLITION O% OURT$ NOT A DEPRI'ATION O% DUE PROE$$ O% LA>. ? The a-o"ition 5ou"d -e no de#ri*ation either of due #rocess of "a5. A #u-"ic o8ce cannot -eregarded as the 1#ro#ert!1 of the incu+-ent. A #u-"ic o8ce is not a contract $ego*ia *s.Noe", Phi". C MM0/. A #u-"ic o8ce is a #u-"ic trust $ection , Artic"e III, 0Constitution. It is a #ri*i"ege in the gift of the $tate Bro5n *s. Russe", @@ (ast. , C NEHH, C/ LRA /C cited a"so in Taada Q arreon, Po"itica" La5 of the Phi"i##ines, 'o". /, #.

C. The o8cers are the ser*ants of the #eo#"e and not their ru"ers // R..L. CK=C0,cited in (artin, Ad+inistrati*e La5, La5 on Pu-"ic o8cers and E"ection La5, #. /, 0Hed.. Besides, it -ears stressing that there is no re+o*a" fro+ o8ce -ut a-o"ition of the o8ceitse"f.

K. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 BATA$ PA(BAN$A BLG. /0 ENATED IN T:E PUR$UIT O%DE'ELOP(ENTAL GOAL$ >IT:IN T:E JUDIIAR&. ? The ;uestioned statute is in 4ee#ing 5ith+a2or refor+s in other de#art+ents of go*ern+ent. 1The thrust is on de*e"o#+ent.1 It is1the 6rst +a2or reorganiation after four generations.1 It does not #ro*ide for a #iece+ea"change, 5hich cou"d -e ineecti*e. It goes to the roots and does not 2ust scratch the surfaceof our 2udicia" s!ste+. Its +ain o-2ecti*es are an i+#ro*ed ad+inistration of 2ustice, the1attain+ent of +ore e8cienc! in the dis#osa" of cases, a rea""ocation of 2urisdiction, and are*ision of #rocedures 5hich do not send to the #ro#er +eting out of 2ustice.1 These ai+s

are #o"ic! +atters of necessit! in the #ursuit of de*e"o#+enta" goa"s 5ithin the 2udiciar!.

0. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 INNO'ATI'E %EATURE$ ONTAINED IN T:E REORGANI)ATION LA>. ? There are inno*ati*e features in the Act that co++end the+se"*esF a the confusing andi""ogica" areas of concurrent 2urisdiction -et5een tria" ourts ha*e -een entire"! e"i+inated7- Under $ection C0, there is a unifor+ #eriod for a##ea" of 6fteen da!s counted fro+the notice of the 6na" order, reso"ution, a5ard, 2udg+ent, or decision a##ea"ed fro+7 arecord on a##ea" is no "onger re;uired to ta4e an a##ea". The entire origina" record is no5 to-e trans+itted7 c Under $ection H, in deciding a##ea"ed cases, ado#tion -! reference of6ndings of fact and conc"usions of "a5 as set forth in the decision, order, or reso"ution ofdecisions in a##ea"ed cases7 d $ection / #ro*ides for a +onth"! "onge*it! #a! e;ui*a"entto S of the +onth"! -asic #a! for Justices and Judges of the courts herein created for each6*e !ears of continuous, e8cient, and +eritorious ser*ice rendered in the Judiciar!, Pro*ided

that, in no case sha"" the tota" sa"ar! of each Justice or Judge concerned, after this "onge*it!#a! is added, e3ceed the sa"ar! of the Justice or Judge ne3t in ran4. Thus, Justices and Judges 5ho +a! not reach the to#, 5here unfortunate"! there is not enough roo+ for a"",+a! ha*e the satisfaction of at "east a##ro3i+ating the sa"ar! sca"e of those a-o*e hi+de#ending on his "ength of ser*ice.

H. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 $A%EGUARD$ TO BE UNDERTA.? >hi"e the "a5 itse"f as 5ritten is constitutiona", the +anner in 5hich it 5i"" -e ad+inisteredshou"d not -e tainted 5ith unconstitutiona"it! (!"es $a"t o. *s. Board of o++rs., /C0 U$K, @H L. Ed. C0/, C@ $ct /H. To o-*iate the #ossi-i"it! of an unconstitutiona" e3ercise of


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#o5er the fo""o5ing safeguards are reco++ended andor e3#ected to -e underta4enF a thePresident can -e e3#ected to indicate a reasona-"e ti+e fra+e for the co+#"etion of thereorganiation #ro*ided for in the Act and the issuance of the corres#onding i+#"e+entingorder7 - a##oint+ents and their eecti*it! shou"d -e si+u"taneous 5ith, or as c"ose as#ossi-"e, to the dec"aration -! the President of the co+#"etion of the reorganiation under$ection to a*oid an! detri+ent to the s+ooth and continuous functioning of the 2udicia"

+achiner!7 and c the ser*ices of those not se#arated shou"d -e dee+ed uninterru#ted, asreco++ended -! the o++ittee on Judicia" Reorganiation.

. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 $TA%%ING PATTERN7 NA(E$ O% JUDGE$ TO BE ELUDED T:ERE%RO(7EEUTI'E :OIE TO BE RE$PETED. ? Justice :errera disagrees 5ith the suggestion ofone of the a+ici curiae that the sta8ng #attern -e +ade to inc"ude the na+es of Judges.

The sta8ng #attern for Judges it a"read! c"ear"! and e3#"icit"! #ro*ided in the "a5 itse"f5hich enu+erates the *arious Judges and Justices in their hierarchica" order. %urther+ore, toinc"ude she su#erior #ositions of Judges 5ou"d de#art fro+ the traditiona" conce#t of asta8ng #attern, 5hich refers +ore to #ersonne" organiation and corres#onding sa"aries ofinferior e+#"o!ees. It is a"so constitutiona""! o-2ectiona-"e in that it 5ou"d interfere 5ith the#rerogati*e of a##oint+ent intrinsica""! e3ecuti*e in nature Gue*ara *s. Inocentes, @ $RAC0 M0@@7 Go*ern+ent of the Phi"i##ines *s. $#ringer, H Phi". /0 M0/. The President+a! not -e de#ri*ed of, nor -e "i+ited in, the fu"" use of his discretion in the a##oint+ent of#ersons to an! #u-"ic o8ce. Nothing shou"d so trench u#on e3ecuti*e choice as to -e, ineect, 2udicia" designation.

/. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 NE> APPOINT(ENT$ TO $TRENGT:EN T:E JUDIIAL $&$TE(. ? Re"iancecan -e #"aced on the good faith of the President that a"" the deser*ing, u#on considerationsof 1e8cienc!, integrit!, "ength of ser*ice and other re"e*ant factors,1 sha"" -e a##ointed to astrengthened and re*ita"ied 2udicia" s!ste+ in the interest of #u-"ic ser*ice7 thata##oint+ents 5i"" not -e undu"! de"a!ed, and that a##ointees 5i"" -e e*a"uated thorough"!to ensure ;ua"it! and i+#artia"it! in the +en and 5o+en 5ho 5i"" 4ee# *igi" o*er our 2udicia"ra+#arts. cdasia

ERITA, J ., concurringF

. ON$TITUTIONAL LA>7 JUDIIAR&7 JUDIIAR& REORGANI)ATION LA>7 LEGI$LATI'EPO>ER TO REATE OURT$ INLUDE$ T:E PO>ER TO ABOLI$: T:E $A(E. ? Theconstitution grants to the Batasang Pa+-ansa the #o5er to create courts inferior to the$u#re+e ourt Artic"e , $ection . A"" e3isting inferior courts 5ere created -! "a5. No "a5is irre#ea"a-"e. The #o5er to create an o8ce inc"udes the #o5er to a-o"ish the sa+e.Urge"io *s. Os+ea, 0 $RA C7 (aca *s. Ocha*e, /H $RA /

/. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 RE(O'AL %RO( O%%IE AND ABOLITION O% O%%IE, DI$TINGUI$:ED.? $ecurit! of tenure cannot -e in*o4ed 5hen there is no re+o*a" of a #u-"ic o8cer ore+#"o!ee -ut an a-o"ition of his o8ce. (ana"ang *s. uitoriano, 0 Phi". 0HC7 ru *s.Pri+icias, /C $RA 00K7 Ba"do *s. O8ce of the President, K $RA CC, C@/. A distinctionshou"d -e +ade -et5een re+o*a" fro+ o8ce and a-o"ition of an o8ce. Re+o*a" i+#"ies thatthe o8ce su-sists after ouster, 5hi"e, in a-o"ition, the o8ce no "onger e3ists there-!ter+inating the right of the incu+-ent to e3ercise the rights and duties of the o8ce.anonigo *s. Ra+iro, C $RA /K

C. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 RE$ULTANT ABOLITION O% OURT$ PA$$E$ T:E TE$T O% GOOD %AIT:. ? The #o5er of the "egis"ati*e -ranch of the go*ern+ent to a-o"ish courts inferior to the$u#re+e ourt has "ong -een esta-"ished. Oca+#o *s. $ecretar! of Justice, C O.G. >hat is on"! needed is that the a-o"ition #asses the test of good faith. It need on"! -e sho5nthat said a-o"ition of the courts is +ere"! incidenta" to a -ona 6de reorganiation. Urge"io*s. Os+ea, 0 $RA C


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. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 PUBLI >EL%ARE TO PRE'AIL O'ER T:E INDI'IDUAL INTERE$T O% JUDGE$. ? In the i+#"e+entation of the "a5, so+e Judges and Justices +a! -e ad*erse"!aected. But in a conict -et5een #u-"ic interest and the indi*idua" interest of so+e Judgesand Justices, the #u-"ic 5ea" +ust #re*ai". The 5e"fare of the #eo#"e is the su#re+e "a5.

. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 APPOINT(ENT$ TO T:E NE> OURT$, A PRE$IDENTIAL PREROGATI'E. ? The i+#"e+entation of the "a5 5i"" entai" a##oint+ents to the ne5 courts. The #o5er ofa##oint+ent is the e3c"usi*e #rerogati*e of the President. The i+#"e+entation of the "a5shou"d -e "eft e3c"usi*e"! to the 5isdo+, #atriotis+ and states+anshi# of the President.

ABAD $ANTO$, J ., concurring and dissentingF

. ON$TITUTIONAL LA>7 JUDIIAR&7 JUDIIAR& REORGANI)ATION LA> O% 0KH BATA$PA(BAN$A BLG. /07 LA> NOT UNON$TITUTIONAL. ? I agree 5ith the "earned hief

Justice of the Phi"i##ines that Batas Pa+-ansa B"g. /0 is not unconstitutiona".

/. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 PRIOR ON$ULTATION >IT: T:E $UPRE(E OURT $:OULD NOT BEREUIRED O% T:E PRE$IDENT IN T:E I(PLE(ENTATION O% T:E LA>. ? It has a"read! -eenru"ed that the statute does not suer fro+ an! constitutiona" in6r+it! -ecause the a-o"itionof certain 2udicia" o8ces 5as done in good faith. This -eing the case, I -e"ie*e that the

E3ecuti*e is entit"ed to e3ercise its constitutiona" #o5er to 6"" the ne5"! created 2udicia"#ositions 5ithout an! o-"igation to consu"t 5ith this ourt and to accord its *ie5s the fu""estconsideration. To re;uire consu"tation 5i"" constitute an in*asion of e3ecuti*e territor! 5hichcan -e resented and e*en re#e""ed. The i+#"icit suggestion that there cou"d -e anunconstitutiona" i+#"e+entation of the ;uestioned "egis"ation is not congruent 5ith the -asicconc"usion that it is not unconstitutiona".

PLANA, J ., concurring and dissentingF

. ON$TITUTIONAL LA>7 JUDIIAR& REORGANI)ATION LA>7 PO>ER TO REATEOURT$ INLUDE$ T:E PO>ER TO ABOLI$: OR REPLAE T:E(7 BATA$ PA(BAN$A BLG. /0ENATED IN GOOD %AIT:. ? As the "a5+a4ing -od! has the #o5er to create inferior courtsand de6ne, #rescri-e and a##ortion their 2urisdiction, so it has the #o5er to a-o"ish orre#"ace the+ 5ith other courts at "ong as the act is done in good faith and not for the#ur#ose of attaining an unconstitutiona" end. Good faith has thus -eco+e the crucia" issue inthe case at -ar.

/. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 PRE$IDENT NOT OBLIGED TO ON$ULT >IT: T:E $UPRE(E OURT IN T:E I(PLE(ENTATION O% T:E LA>. ? The President is under no o-"igation to consu"t 5iththe $u#re+e ourt7 and the $u#re+e ourt as such is not ca""ed u#on to gi*e "ega" ad*ice tothe President. Indeed, as the $u#re+e ourt itse"f has said, it cannot gi*e ad*isor! o#inionsBaco"od=(urcia P"anters9 Assoc., Inc. *s. Baco"od=(urcia (i""ing o., CH $RA @7 N>$A *s.ourt of Industria" Re"ations, 0H $RA @/0 e*en to the President.

C. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 %IING O% O(PEN$ATION AND ALLO>ANE$ %OR (E(BER$ O% T:E JUDIIAR& DOE$ NOT ON$TITUTE AN UNDUE DELEGATION UNTO T:E PRE$IDENT O%LEGI$LATI'E PO>ER7 PRINIPLE O% $EPARATION O% PO>ER$ UNDER T:E 0C

ON$TITUTION. ? Under the O"d onstitution, 5hen the a-iding ru"e 5as se#aration of"egis"ati*e and e3ecuti*e #o5ers, there 5as good reason to +aintain the doctrine of non=de"egation of "egis"ati*e #o5er. Other5ise, the #rinci#"e of se#aration of go*ern+enta"#o5ers cou"d -e negated *ia un-rid"ed de"egation of "egis"ati*e #o5er. The 0Constitution has ho5e*er radica""! changed the constitutiona" set=u#. There is no5 aco++ing"ing or fusion of e3ecuti*e and "egis"ati*e #o5ers in the hands of the sa+e grou# ofo8cia"s. a-inet +e+-ers #"a! a "eading ro"e in the "egis"ati*e #rocess, and +e+-ers of theBatasan acti*e"! discharge e3ecuti*e functions. The Pri+e (inister indeed +ust co+e fro+its ran4s. Under the circu+stances, there is rea""! not +uch sense in rigid"! insisting on the


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#rinci#"e of non=de"egation of "egis"ati*e #o5er, at "east *is=a=*is the E3ecuti*e De#art+ent.In a *er! rea" sense, the #resent onstitution has signi6cant"! eroded the hoar! doctrine ofnon=de"egation of "egis"ati*e #o5er, a"though it has retained so+e #ro*isions of the o"donstitution 5hich 5ere #redicated on the #rinci#"e of non=de"egation, this ti+e #erha#s notso +uch to authorie shifting of #o5er and there-! corres#onding"! reduce the incidence of1undue1 de"egation of "egis"ati*e #o5er, as to a*ert the a-dication thereof.

TEE:AN7 JUDIIAR&7 JUDIIAR& REORGANI)ATION LA> O% 0KH BATA$PA(BAN$A BLG. /07 RE$ULTANT ABOLITION O% OURT$7 EPRE$$ GUARANT& O%$EURIT& O% TENURE O'ERRIDE$ T:E I(PLIED AUT:ORIT& O% RE(O'ING JUDGE$ B&LEGI$LATION. ? The reasoning that the e3#ress guarant! of tenure #rotecting incu+-ent

2udges during good -eha*iour un"ess re+o*ed fro+ o8ce after hearing and due #rocess oru#on reaching the co+#u"sor! retire+ent age of se*ent! !ears +ust o*erride the i+#"iedauthorit! of re+o*ing -! "egis"ation the 2udges has -een further strengthened and #"aced-e!ond dou-t -! the ne5 #ro*isions of the 0C onstitution that transferred thead+inistrati*e su#er*ision o*er a"" courts and their #ersonne" fro+ the hief E3ecuti*ethrough the then $ecretar! of Justice to the $u#re+e ourt Art. , $ec. @, 0Constitution and *ested in the $u#re+e ourt e3c"usi*e"! the #o5er to disci#"ine 2udges of

inferior courts, and, -! a *ote of at "east eight +e+-ers, order their dis+issa", 5hich #o5er5as for+er"! "odged -! the Judiciar! Act in the hief E3ecuti*e. cdasia

/. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 0C ON$TITUTION RULE$ OUT OU$TER O% JUDGE$ B&LEGI$LATION B& 'E$TING IN T:E $UPRE(E OURT T:E PO>ER TO RE(O'E AND DI$IPLINE

JUDGE$. ? If the fra+ers of the 0C onstitution 5ished to dis#e" the strong dou-ts againstthe re+o*a" of incu+-ent 2udges through "egis"ati*e action -! a-o"ition of their courts, thenthe! 5ou"d ha*e so c"ear"! #ro*ided for such for+ of re+o*a" in the 0C onstitution, -uton the contrar! as a"read! stated the! ru"ed out such re+o*a" or ouster of 2udges -!"egis"ati*e action -! *esting e3c"usi*e"! in the $u#re+e ourt the #o5er of disci#"ine andre+o*a" of 2udges of a"" inferior courts.

C. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 REORGANI)ATION AT DOE$ NOT :ANGE T:E BA$I $TRUTURE O%

EI$TING OURT$. ? The ;uestioned Act eects certain changes and #rocedura" refor+s5ith +ore s#eci6c de"ineation of 2urisdiction -ut the! do not change the -asic structure ofthe e3isting courts. The #resent (unici#a" ourts, (unici#a" ircuit ourts and it! ourtsare restructured and redesignated as (unici#a" Tria" ourts and (unici#a" ircuit Tria" ourtsand (etro#o"itan Tria" ourts in the cha""enged Act. The ourts of %irst Instance, ircuitri+ina" ourts, Ju*eni"e Q Do+estic Re"ations ourts and ourts of Agrarian Re"ations area"" restructured and redesigned to -e 4no5n -! the co++on na+e of Regiona" Tria" ourts5ith #ro*ision for certain -ranches thereof 1to hand"e e3c"usi*e"! cri+ina" cases, 2u*eni"eand do+estic re"ations cases, agrarian cases, ur-an "and refor+ cases andor such others#ecia" cases as the $u#re+e ourt +a! deter+ine in the interest of a s#eed! and e8cientad+inistration of 2ustice1 $ec. /C, B.P. B"g. /0 and the ourt of A##ea"s is restructuredand redesignated as the Inter+ediate A##e""ate ourt 5ith an increase in the nu+-er ofA##e""ate Justices fro+ the #resent C to CH -ut 5ith a reduction of the nu+-er of di*isions

fro+ C co+#osed of C Justices each to H co+#osed of C +e+-ers each such that it isfeared that there is created a -ott"enec4 at the a##e""ate "e*e" in the i+#ortant tas4discharged -! such a##e""ate courts as re*ie5ers of facts.

. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 1NE>OURT$1 $UB$TANTIALL& T:E 1OLD OURT$1 >IT: ONL& A:ANGE O% NA(E. ? Justice Teehan4ee *ie5s that the candid ad+ission -! the hief Justicein his o#inion for the ourt 1that he entertained dou-ts as to 5hether the inter+ediate courtof a##ea"s #ro*ided for is a ne5 tri-una"1 is e;ua""! a##"ica-"e to a"" the other +entionedcourts #ro*ided for in the cha""enged Act as 1ne5 courts.1 And the -est #roof of this is the#"ain and si+#"e transitor! #ro*ision in $ection thereof that u#on the President9s


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dec"aration of co+#"etion of the reorganiation 5here-! the 1o"d courts1 sha"" 1-e dee+edauto+atica""! a-o"ished and the incu+-ents thereof sha"" cease to ho"d o8ce1, 1The cases#ending in the o"d ourts sha"" -e transferred to the a##ro#riate ourts constituted #ursuantto this Act, together 5ith the #ertinent functions, records, e;ui#+ent, #ro#ert! and thenecessar! #ersonne",1 together 5ith the 1a##"ica-"e a##ro#riations.1 This cou"d not ha*e-een #ossi-"e 5ithout a s#eci6cation and enu+eration of 5hat s#eci6c cases of the 1o"d

courts 1 5ou"d -e transferred to the #articu"ar 1ne5 courts,1 had these 1ne5 courts1 not-een +anifest"! and su-stantia""! the 1o"d courts1 5ith a change of na+e ? or as descri-ed-! Justice Barredo to ha*e -een his 6rst *ie5, no5 discarded, in his se#arate o#inion7 12ust arena+ing, and not a su-stantia" and actua" +odi6cation or a"teration of the #resent 2udicia"structure or s!ste+1 or 1a rearrange+ent or re+ode""ing of the o"d structure.1

. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 ABOLITION O% OURT$ AND ON$EUENT OU$TER O% INU(BENT JUDGE$ %RO( O%%IE7 GUARANT& O% TENURE O% JUDGE$ E$$ENTIAL %OR A %REE ANDINDEPENDENT JUDIIAR&7 REORGANI)ATION $:OULD ALLO> T:E INU(BENT$ TO RE(AININ O%%IE UNLE$$ RE(O'ED %OR AU$E. ? The good faith in the enact+ent of thecha""enged Act +ust need -e granted. >hat +ust -e reconci"ed is the "egis"ati*e #o5er toa-o"ish courts as i+#"ied fro+ the #o5er to esta-"ish the+ 5ith the e3#ress constitutiona"guarant! of tenure of the 2udges 5hich is essentia" for a free and inde#endent 2udiciar!.Adherents of the Ru"e of La5 are agreed that indis#ensa-"e for the +aintenance of the Ru"eof La5 is free and inde#endent 2udiciar!, s5orn to #rotect and enforce it 5ithout fear orfa*or ? 1free, not on"! fro+ graft, corru#tion, ine#tness and inco+#etence -ut e*en fro+the tentac"es of interference and insidious inuence of the #o"itica" #o5ers that -e,1 to ;uoteagain fro+ Justice Barredo9s se#arate o#inion. :ence, +! adherence to the =+e+-er+a2orit! o#inion of for+er hief Justice Bengon in the case of Oca+#o *s. $ecretar! of

Justice, G.R. No. L=0H, Jan. K, 0CC, as restated -! the Phi"i##ine Association of La5Professors headed -! for+er hief Justice Ro-erto once#cion that 1an! reorganiationshou"d at "east a""o5 the incu+-ents of the e3isting courts to re+ain in o8ce thea##ro#riate counter#art 1ne5 courts9 un"ess the! are re+o*ed for cause.1

@. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 JUDIIAL INDEPENDENE ETEND$ TO T:E ENTIRE OURT$&$TE(7 'IE>$ O% A(II URIAE T:EREON. ? %or+er U.P. La5 Dean Irene ortes in her+e+orandu+ as a+icus curiae stated 1for the 2udiciar! 5hose inde#endence is not on"!

eroded -ut is in gra*e danger of -eing co+#"ete"! destro!ed, 2udicia" inde#endence is not aguarantee intended for the $u#re+e ourt a"one, it e3tends to the entire court s!ste+ andis e*en +ore *ita" to the courts at the "o5est "e*e"s -ecause there are +ore of the+ andthe! o#erate c"osest to the #eo#"e,1 and 1#articu"ar"! under the #resent for+ of +odi6ed#ar"ia+entar! go*ern+ent 5ith "egis"ati*e and e3ecuti*e functions o*er"a##ing and incertain areas +erging, the 2udiciar! is "eft to #erfor+ the chec4ing function in the#erfor+ance of 5hich its inde#endence assu+es an e*en +ore *ita" i+#ortance.1 Thee3tensi*e +e+oranda 6"ed -! Dean ortes and other a+ici curiae such as for+er $enator

Jose >. Dio4no 5ho strong"! urges the ourt to stri4e do5n the Act 1to #re*ent furtherdestruction of 2udicia" inde#endence,1 for+er $enator Loreno $u+u"ong, President of thePhi"i##ine onstitution Association 5ho ad*ocates for the ourt9s ado#tion of the Bengon+a2orit! o#inion in the Oca+#o case so as to a-ide -! 1the e"e+entar! ru"e in theinter#retation of constitutions that eect shou"d -e gi*en to a"" #arts of the onstitution1 and

that the 2udges9 securit! of tenure guarant! shou"d not -e 1rendered +eaning"ess andino#erati*e1 for+er $o"icitor Genera" Arturo A. A"afri, #resident of the Phi"i##ine La5!ers9Association 5ho su-+its that the tota" a-o"ition of a"" courts -e"o5 the $u#re+e ourte3ce#t the $andigan-a!an and the ourt of Ta3 A##ea"s and the re+o*a" of the incu+-ent

Justices and Judges *io"ates the inde#endence of the 2udiciar!, their securit! of tenure andright to due #rocess guaranteed the+ -! the onstitution1 and Att!. Rau" (. Gona"es,#resident of the Nationa" Bar Association of the Phi"i##ines 5ho in*o4es the Dec"aration ofDe"hi at the IJ onference in 0C0, that 1The #rinci#"es of unre+o*a-i"it! of the Judiciar!


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and their $ecurit! of Tenure unti" death or unti" a retiring age uted -! statute is reached, isan i+#ortant safeguard of the Ru"e of La51 ha*e great"! he"#ed in fortif!ing +! *ie5s.

. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 TRAN$ITOR& PRO'I$ION$ O% T:E 0C ON$TITUTIONRENDERED NUGATOR& JUDGE$9 $EURIT& O% TENURE7 RE$TORATION O% GUARANT&7 ANURGENT NEED %OR A %REE AND INDEPENDENT JUDIIAR&. ? The 2udges9 securit! of tenure5as rendered nugator! -! the Transitor! Pro*isions of the 0C onstitution 5hich grantedthe incu+-ent President the un"i+ited #o5er to re+o*e and re#"ace a"" 2udges and o8cia"sas against the "i+ited one=!ear #eriod for the e3ercise of such #o5er granted Presidentueon in the 0C onstitution u#on esta-"ish+ent of the Phi"i##ine o++on5ea"th. U#onthe dec"aration of +artia" "a5 in $e#te+-er, 0/, 2ustices and 2udges of a"" courts, e3ce#tthe $u#re+e ourt, had -een re;uired to hand in their resignation. There is "isted a tota" ofCC 2udges 5ho 5ere re#"aced or 5hose resignations 5ere acce#ted -! the President duringthe #eriod fro+ $e#te+-er, 0/ to A#ri", 0@. The #o5er to re#"ace e*en the 2udgesa##ointed after the eecti*it! on Januar! , 0C onstitution is !et in*o4ed on -eha"f ofthe President in the #ending case of Ta#ucar *s. %a+ador, G.R. No. C@ 6"ed on (arch /,0KH not5ithstanding the he"d *ie5 that such #ost = 0C onstitution a##ointed 2udges arenot su-2ect to the Re#"ace+ent "ause of the cited Transitor! Pro*ision, . . . . And no5 co+esthis tota" a-o"ition of ,@@C 2udicia" #ositions and thousands of #ersonne" #ositionsun#recedented in its s5ee# and sco#e. The urgent need is to strengthen the 2udiciar! 5iththe restoration of the securit! of tenure of 2udges, 5hich is essentia" for a free andinde#endent 2udiciar! as +andated -! the onstitution, not to +a4e +ore enfee-"ed ana"read! fee-"e 2udiciar!, #ossessed neither of the #o5er of the s5ord nor the #urse, asdecried -! for+er hief Justice Bengon in his Oca+#o +a2orit! o#inion. cdasia

K. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 JUDIIAL INDEPENDENE TO BE PRE$ER'ED E$PEIALL& IN 'IE>O% T:E EI$TING $TRONG TIE$ BET>EEN T:E EEUTI'E AND LEGI$LATI'E DEPART(ENT$.? In %ortun *s. La-ang, H $RA @H (a! /, 0K, it 5as stressed that 5ith the#ro*ision transferring to the $u#re+e ourt ad+inistrati*e su#er*ision o*er the Judiciar!,there is a greater need 1to #reser*e uni+#aired the inde#endence of the 2udiciar!, es#ecia""!so at #resent, 5here to a"" intents and #ur#oses, there is a fusion -et5een the e3ecuti*e andthe "egis"ati*e -ranches,1 5ith the further o-ser*ation that 1+an! are the 5a!s -! 5hichsuch inde#endence cou"d -e eroded.1

0. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 (O'E TO RID T:E JUDIIAR& O% INO(PETENT AND ORRUPT JUDGE$7 DUE PROE$$ (U$T BE OB$ER'ED IN T:E I(PLE(ENTATION O% T:E PURGE. ?%or+er $enator Dio4no in his +e+orandu+ antici#ates the argu+ent that 1great i""sde+and drastic cures1 thus7 1Drastic, !es ? -ut not unfair nor unconstitutiona". One doesnot i+#ro*e courts -! a-o"ishing the+, an! +ore than a doctor cures a #atient -! 4i""inghi+. The i""s the 2udiciar! suers fro+ 5ere caused -! i+#airing its inde#endence7 the! 5i""not -e cured -! tota""! destro!ing that inde#endence. To ado#t such a course cou"d on"!-reed +ore #er*ersit! in the ad+inistration of 2ustice, 2ust as the a-uses of +artia" ru"e ha*e-red +ore su-*ersion.1 %ina""!, as stated -! the 0 Integrated Bar of the Phi"i##ines /nd:ouse of De"egates, 1It 5ou"d, indeed, -e +ost ironica" if Judges 5ho are ca""ed u#on to gi*edue #rocess cannot count it on the+se"*es. O-ser*ance of #rocedura" due #rocess in these#aration of +is6ts fro+ the Judiciar! is the right 5a! to attain a "audi-"e o-2ecti*e.1

H. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 JUDGE$ TO BE RE(O'ED ONL& A%TER A %AIR :EARING.? As stressed -! the hief Justice in the %ortun case, 2udges are entit"ed to the cardina"#rinci#"es of fairness and due #rocess and the o##ortunit! to -e heard and defendthe+se"*es against the accusations +ade against the+ and not to -e su-2ected toharass+ent and hu+i"iation, and the ourt 5i"" re#udiate the 1o##ressi*e e3ercise of "ega"authorit!.1 (ore so, are 2udges entit"ed to such due #rocess 5hen 5hat is at sta4e is theirconstitutiona""! guaranteed securit! of tenure and non=i+#air+ent of the inde#endence ofthe 2udiciar! and the #ro#er e3ercise of the constitutiona" #o5er e3c"usi*e"! *ested in the$u#re+e ourt to disci#"ine and re+o*e 2udges after fair hearing.


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. .ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 $UPRE(E OURT TO EERI$E IT$ PO>ER O%DI$IPLINE AND DI$(I$$AL O% ALL JUDGE$ O% IN%ERIOR OURT$. ? Judges of inferior courtsshou"d not -e su++ari"! re+o*ed and -randed for "ife in such reorganiation on the -asis of con6dentia" ad*erse re#orts as to their #erfor+ance, co+#etence or integrit!, sa*e those5ho +a! *o"untari"! resign fro+ o8ce u#on -eing confronted 5ith such re#orts againstthe+. The trou-"e 5ith such e3=#arte re#orts, 5ithout due #rocess or hearing, has -een

#ro*en fro+ our #ast e3#erience 5here a nu+-er of honest and co+#etent 2udges 5eresu++ari"! re+o*ed 5hi"e others 5ho 5ere genera""! -e"ie*ed to -e -as4et cases ha*ere+ained in the ser*ice. The #o5er of disci#"ine and dis+issa" of 2udges of a"" inferior courts,fro+ the ourt of A##ea"s do5n, has -een *ested -! the 0C onstitution in the $u#re+eourt, and if the 2udiciar! is to -e strengthened, it shou"d -e "eft to c"ean its o5n house u#onco+#"aint and 5ith the coo#eration of the aggrie*ed #arties and after due #rocess andhearing.

/. ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 ID.7 INU(BENT JUDGE$ TO BE RETAINED IN T:E 1NE>OURT$1. ? The constitutiona" confrontation and conict +a! 5e"" -e a*oided -! ho"dingthat since the changes and #ro*isions of the cha""enged Act do not su-stantia""! change thenature and functions of the 1ne5 courts1 therein #ro*ided as co+#ared to the 1a-o"ished o"dcourt1 -ut #ro*ide for #rocedura" changes 63ed de"ineation of 2urisdiction and increases inthe nu+-er of courts for a +ore eecti*e and e8cient dis#osition of court cases, theincu+-ent 2udges9 guaranteed securit! of tenure re;uire that the! -e retained in thecorres#onding 1ne5 courts.1

D E I $ I O N

%ERNANDO, .J #F

This ourt, #ursuant to its gra*e res#onsi-i"it! of #assing u#on the *a"idit! of an! e3ecuti*eor "egis"ati*e act in an a##ro#riate case, has to reso"*e the crucia" issue of theconstitutiona"it! of Batas Pa+-ansa B"g. /0, entit"ed 1An Act Reorganiing the Judiciar!,A##ro#riating %unds Therefor and for Other Pur#oses.1 The tas4 of 2udicia" re*ie5, a#t"!characteried as e3acting and de"icate, is ne*er +ore so than 5hen a conceded "egis"ati*e#o5er, that of 2udicia" reorganiation, +a! #ossi-"! co""ide 5ith the ti+e=honored #rinci#"e

of the inde#endence of the 2udiciar! / as #rotected and safeguarded -! this constitutiona"#ro*isionF 1The (e+-e

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Dela Llana vs Alba - G.R. No. 57883. March 12, 1982

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