LOUIS "BAROK" C. BIRAOGO v. THE PHILIPPINE TRUTH COMMISSION

EN BANC
LOUIS ―BAROK‖ C. BIRAOGO, G.R. No. 192935

Petitioner,
- versus -
THE PHILIPPINE TRUTH

COMMISSION OF 2010,
Respondent.
x-----------------------x
REP. EDCEL C. LAGMAN, G.R. No. 193036
REP. RODOLFO B. ALBANO, JR.,
REP. SIMEON A. DATUMANONG, Present:
and REP. ORLANDO B. FUA, SR.,
Petitioners, CORONA, C.J.,
CARPIO,
CARPIO MORALES,
VELASCO, JR.,
- versus - NACHURA,
LEONARDO-DE CASTRO,
BRION,
PERALTA,
BERSAMIN,
DEL CASTILLO,
ABAD,
VILLARAMA, JR.,
PEREZ,
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY MENDOZA, and
PAQUITO N. OCHOA, JR. and SERENO, JJ.
DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND
MANAGEMENT SECRETARY Promulgated:
FLORENCIO B. ABAD,
Respondents. December 7, 2010
x -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- x
Page 1 of 256
DECISION
MENDOZA, J.:
When the judiciary mediates to allocate constitutional

boundaries, it does not assert any superiority over the other
departments; it does not in reality nullify or invalidate an act of the
legislature, but only asserts the solemn and sacred obligation assigned
to it by the Constitution to determine conflicting claims of authority
under the Constitution and to establish for the parties in an actual
controversy the rights which that instrument secures and guarantees
to them.
--- Justice Jose P. Laurel1[1]
The role of the Constitution cannot be overlooked. It is through the

Constitution that the fundamental powers of government are established, limited
and defined, and by which these powers are distributed among the several
departments.2[2] The Constitution is the basic and paramount law to which all other
laws must conform and to which all persons, including the highest officials of the
land, must defer.3[3] Constitutional doctrines must remain steadfast no matter what
may be the tides of time. It cannot be simply made to sway and accommodate the
call of situations and much more tailor itself to the whims and caprices of
government and the people who run it.4[4]
For consideration before the Court are two consolidated cases5[5] both of
which essentially assail the validity and constitutionality of Executive Order No. 1,
dated July 30, 2010, entitled “Creating the Philippine Truth Commission of 2010.”
The first case is G.R. No. 192935, a special civil action for prohibition
instituted by petitioner Louis Biraogo (Biraogo) in his capacity as a citizen and
taxpayer. Biraogo assails Executive Order No. 1 for being violative of the
1[1]
Angara v. The Electoral Commission, 63 Phil. 139, 158 (1936).
2[2]
Bernas, The 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines; A Commentary, 1996 ed., p. xxxiv, citing
Miller, Lectures on the Constitution of the United States 64 (1893); 1 Schwartz, The Powers of Government 1
(1963).
3[3]
Cruz, Philippine Political law, 2002 ed. p. 12.
4[4]
Id.
5[5]
Resolution dated August 24, 2010 consolidating G.R. No. 192935 with G.R. No. 193036, rollo, pp. 87-88.
Page 2 of 256
legislative power of Congress under Section 1, Article VI of the Constitution 6[6] as
it usurps the constitutional authority of the legislature to create a public office and
to appropriate funds therefor.7[7]
The second case, G.R. No. 193036, is a special civil action for certiorari and
prohibition filed by petitioners Edcel C. Lagman, Rodolfo B. Albano Jr., Simeon
A. Datumanong, and Orlando B. Fua, Sr. (petitioners-legislators) as incumbent
members of the House of Representatives.
The genesis of the foregoing cases can be traced to the events prior to the
historic May 2010 elections, when then Senator Benigno Simeon Aquino III
declared his staunch condemnation of graft and corruption with his slogan, “Kung
walang corrupt, walang mahirap.” The Filipino people, convinced of his sincerity
and of his ability to carry out this noble objective, catapulted the good senator to
the presidency.
To transform his campaign slogan into reality, President Aquino found a

need for a special body to investigate reported cases of graft and corruption
allegedly committed during the previous administration.
Thus, at the dawn of his administration, the President on July 30, 2010,
signed Executive Order No. 1 establishing the Philippine Truth Commission of
2010 (Truth Commission). Pertinent provisions of said executive order read:
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 1
CREATING THE PHILIPPINE TRUTH COMMISSION OF 2010
WHEREAS, Article XI, Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines

solemnly enshrines the principle that a public office is a public trust and mandates that
public officers and employees, who are servants of the people, must at all times be
accountable to the latter, serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty and
efficiency, act with patriotism and justice, and lead modest lives;
WHEREAS, corruption is among the most despicable acts of defiance of this

principle and notorious violation of this mandate;
WHEREAS, corruption is an evil and scourge which seriously affects the

political, economic, and social life of a nation; in a very special way it inflicts untold
misfortune and misery on the poor, the marginalized and underprivileged sector of
society;
6[6]
Section 1. The legislative power shall be vested in the Congress of the Philippines which shall consist of a Senate
and a House of Representatives, except to the extent reserved to the people by the provision on initiative and
referendum.
7[7]
Biraogo Petition, p. 5, rollo, p. 7.
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WHEREAS, corruption in the Philippines has reached very alarming levels, and
undermined the people‘s trust and confidence in the Government and its institutions;
WHEREAS, there is an urgent call for the determination of the truth regarding
certain reports of large scale graft and corruption in the government and to put a closure
to them by the filing of the appropriate cases against those involved, if warranted, and to
deter others from committing the evil, restore the people‘s faith and confidence in the
Government and in their public servants;
WHEREAS, the President‘s battlecry during his campaign for the Presidency in
the last elections ―kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap‖ expresses a solemn pledge that
if elected, he would end corruption and the evil it breeds;
WHEREAS, there is a need for a separate body dedicated solely to investigating

and finding out the truth concerning the reported cases of graft and corruption during the
previous administration, and which will recommend the prosecution of the offenders and
secure justice for all;
WHEREAS, Book III, Chapter 10, Section 31 of Executive Order No. 292,
otherwise known as the Revised Administrative Code of the Philippines, gives the
President the continuing authority to reorganize the Office of the President.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BENIGNO SIMEON AQUINO III, President of the

Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:
SECTION 1. Creation of a Commission. – There is hereby created the

PHILIPPINE TRUTH COMMISSION, hereinafter referred to as the ―COMMISSION,‖
which shall primarily seek and find the truth on, and toward this end, investigate reports
of graft and corruption of such scale and magnitude that shock and offend the moral and
ethical sensibilities of the people, committed by public officers and employees, their co-
principals, accomplices and accessories from the private sector, if any, during the
previous administration; and thereafter recommend the appropriate action or measure to
be taken thereon to ensure that the full measure of justice shall be served without fear or
favor.
The Commission shall be composed of a Chairman and four (4) members who
will act as an independent collegial body.
SECTION 2. Powers and Functions. – The Commission, which shall have all the
powers of an investigative body under Section 37, Chapter 9, Book I of the
Administrative Code of 1987, is primarily tasked to conduct a thorough fact-finding
investigation of reported cases of graft and corruption referred to in Section 1, involving
third level public officers and higher, their co-principals, accomplices and accessories
from the private sector, if any, during the previous administration and thereafter submit its
finding and recommendations to the President, Congress and the Ombudsman.
In particular, it shall:
a) Identify and determine the reported cases of such graft and corruption which it will
investigate;
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b) Collect, receive, review and evaluate evidence related to or regarding the cases of
large scale corruption which it has chosen to investigate, and to this end require any
agency, official or employee of the Executive Branch, including government-owned or
controlled corporations, to produce documents, books, records and other papers;
c) Upon proper request or representation, obtain information and documents from the
Senate and the House of Representatives records of investigations conducted by
committees thereof relating to matters or subjects being investigated by the Commission;
d) Upon proper request and representation, obtain information from the courts,
including the Sandiganbayan and the Office of the Court Administrator, information or
documents in respect to corruption cases filed with the Sandiganbayan or the regular
courts, as the case may be;
e) Invite or subpoena witnesses and take their testimonies and for that purpose,
administer oaths or affirmations as the case may be;
f) Recommend, in cases where there is a need to utilize any person as a state witness
to ensure that the ends of justice be fully served, that such person who qualifies as a state
witness under the Revised Rules of Court of the Philippines be admitted for that purpose;
g) Turn over from time to time, for expeditious prosecution, to the appropriate
prosecutorial authorities, by means of a special or interim report and recommendation, all
evidence on corruption of public officers and employees and their private sector co-
principals, accomplices or accessories, if any, when in the course of its investigation the
Commission finds that there is reasonable ground to believe that they are liable for graft
and corruption under pertinent applicable laws;
h) Call upon any government investigative or prosecutorial agency such as the

Department of Justice or any of the agencies under it, and the Presidential Anti-Graft
Commission, for such assistance and cooperation as it may require in the discharge of its
functions and duties;
i) Engage or contract the services of resource persons, professionals and other

personnel determined by it as necessary to carry out its mandate;
j) Promulgate its rules and regulations or rules of procedure it deems necessary to

effectively and efficiently carry out the objectives of this Executive Order and to ensure
the orderly conduct of its investigations, proceedings and hearings, including the
presentation of evidence;
k) Exercise such other acts incident to or are appropriate and necessary in connection
with the objectives and purposes of this Order.
SECTION 3. Staffing Requirements. – x x x.
SECTION 4. Detail of Employees. – x x x.
SECTION 5. Engagement of Experts. – x x x
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SECTION 6. Conduct of Proceedings. – x x x.
SECTION 7. Right to Counsel of Witnesses/Resource Persons. – x x x.
SECTION 8. Protection of Witnesses/Resource Persons. – x x x.
SECTION 9. Refusal to Obey Subpoena, Take Oath or Give Testimony. – Any

government official or personnel who, without lawful excuse, fails to appear upon
subpoena issued by the Commission or who, appearing before the Commission refuses to
take oath or affirmation, give testimony or produce documents for inspection, when
required, shall be subject to administrative disciplinary action. Any private person who
does the same may be dealt with in accordance with law.
SECTION 10. Duty to Extend Assistance to the Commission. – x x x.
SECTION 11. Budget for the Commission. – The Office of the President shall
provide the necessary funds for the Commission to ensure that it can exercise its powers,
execute its functions, and perform its duties and responsibilities as effectively, efficiently,
and expeditiously as possible.
SECTION 12. Office. – x x x.
SECTION 13. Furniture/Equipment. – x x x.
SECTION 14. Term of the Commission. – The Commission shall accomplish its
mission on or before December 31, 2012.
SECTION 15. Publication of Final Report. – x x x.
SECTION 16. Transfer of Records and Facilities of the Commission. – x x x.
SECTION 17. Special Provision Concerning Mandate. If and when in the

judgment of the President there is a need to expand the mandate of the Commission as
defined in Section 1 hereof to include the investigation of cases and instances of graft and
corruption during the prior administrations, such mandate may be so extended
accordingly by way of a supplemental Executive Order.
SECTION 18. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Order is declared

unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other
provisions hereof.
SECTION 19. Effectivity. – This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.
DONE in the City of Manila, Philippines, this 30th day of July 2010.
(SGD.) BENIGNO S. AQUINO III
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By the President:
(SGD.) PAQUITO N. OCHOA, JR.

Executive Secretary
Nature of the Truth Commission
As can be gleaned from the above-quoted provisions, the Philippine Truth

Commission (PTC) is a mere ad hoc body formed under the Office of the President
with the primary task to investigate reports of graft and corruption committed by
third-level public officers and employees, their co-principals, accomplices and
accessories during the previous administration, and thereafter to submit its finding
and recommendations to the President, Congress and the Ombudsman. Though it
has been described as an ―independent collegial body,‖ it is essentially an entity
within the Office of the President Proper and subject to his control. Doubtless, it
constitutes a public office, as an ad hoc body is one.8[8]
To accomplish its task, the PTC shall have all the powers of an investigative
body under Section 37, Chapter 9, Book I of the Administrative Code of 1987. It is
not, however, a quasi-judicial body as it cannot adjudicate, arbitrate, resolve, settle,
or render awards in disputes between contending parties. All it can do is gather,
collect and assess evidence of graft and corruption and make recommendations. It
may have subpoena powers but it has no power to cite people in contempt, much
less order their arrest. Although it is a fact-finding body, it cannot determine from
such facts if probable cause exists as to warrant the filing of an information in our
courts of law. Needless to state, it cannot impose criminal, civil or administrative
penalties or sanctions.
The PTC is different from the truth commissions in other countries which
have been created as official, transitory and non-judicial fact-finding bodies ―to
establish the facts and context of serious violations of human rights or of
international humanitarian law in a country‘s past.‖9[9] They are usually established
by states emerging from periods of internal unrest, civil strife or authoritarianism
to serve as mechanisms for transitional justice.
Truth commissions have been described as bodies that share the following
characteristics: (1) they examine only past events; (2) they investigate patterns of
8[8]
Salvador Laurel v. Hon. Desierto, G.R. No. 145368, April 12, 2002, citing F.R. Mechem, A Treatise On The Law
of Public Offices and Officers.
9[9]
International Center for Transitional Justice, <http://www.ictj.org/en/tj/138.html> visited November 20, 2010.
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abuse committed over a period of time, as opposed to a particular event; (3) they
are temporary bodies that finish their work with the submission of a report
containing conclusions and recommendations; and (4) they are officially
sanctioned, authorized or empowered by the State.10[10] ―Commission‘s members
are usually empowered to conduct research, support victims, and propose policy
recommendations to prevent recurrence of crimes. Through their investigations, the
commissions may aim to discover and learn more about past abuses, or formally
acknowledge them. They may aim to prepare the way for prosecutions and
recommend institutional reforms.‖11[11]
Thus, their main goals range from retribution to reconciliation. The

Nuremburg and Tokyo war crime tribunals are examples of a retributory or
vindicatory body set up to try and punish those responsible for crimes against
humanity. A form of a reconciliatory tribunal is the Truth and Reconciliation
Commission of South Africa, the principal function of which was to heal the
wounds of past violence and to prevent future conflict by providing a cathartic
experience for victims.
The PTC is a far cry from South Africa‘s model. The latter placed more
emphasis on reconciliation than on judicial retribution, while the marching order of
the PTC is the identification and punishment of perpetrators. As one writer12[12]
puts it:
The order ruled out reconciliation. It translated the Draconian code spelled
out by Aquino in his inaugural speech: ―To those who talk about reconciliation, if
they mean that they would like us to simply forget about the wrongs that they
have committed in the past, we have this to say: There can be no reconciliation
without justice. When we allow crimes to go unpunished, we give consent to their
occurring over and over again.‖
The Thrusts of the Petitions
Barely a month after the issuance of Executive Order No. 1, the petitioners
asked the Court to declare it unconstitutional and to enjoin the PTC from
10[10]
Freeman, The Truth Commission and Procedural Fairness, 2006 Ed., p. 12, citing Hayner, UnspeakableTruths:
Facing the Challenge of Truth Commissions.
11[11]
International Center for Transitional Justice, supra note 9.
12[12]
Armando Doronila, Philippine Daily Inquirer, August 2, 2010.
<http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100802-284444/Truth-body-told-Take-no
prisoners> visited November 9, 2010.
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performing its functions. A perusal of the arguments of the petitioners in both
cases shows that they are essentially the same. The petitioners-legislators
summarized them in the following manner:
(a) E.O. No. 1 violates the separation of powers as it arrogates

the power of the Congress to create a public office and appropriate
funds for its operation.
(b) The provision of Book III, Chapter 10, Section 31 of the

Administrative Code of 1987 cannot legitimize E.O. No. 1 because the
delegated authority of the President to structurally reorganize the
Office of the President to achieve economy, simplicity and efficiency
does not include the power to create an entirely new public office
which was hitherto inexistent like the ―Truth Commission.‖
(c) E.O. No. 1 illegally amended the Constitution and pertinent

statutes when it vested the ―Truth Commission‖ with quasi-judicial
powers duplicating, if not superseding, those of the Office of the
Ombudsman created under the 1987 Constitution and the Department
of Justice created under the Administrative Code of 1987.
(d) E.O. No. 1 violates the equal protection clause as it

selectively targets for investigation and prosecution officials and
personnel of the previous administration as if corruption is their
peculiar species even as it excludes those of the other administrations,
past and present, who may be indictable.
(e) The creation of the ―Philippine Truth Commission of 2010‖

violates the consistent and general international practice of four
decades wherein States constitute truth commissions to exclusively
investigate human rights violations, which customary practice forms
part of the generally accepted principles of international law which the
Philippines is mandated to adhere to pursuant to the Declaration of
Principles enshrined in the Constitution.
(f) The creation of the ―Truth Commission‖ is an exercise in

futility, an adventure in partisan hostility, a launching pad for
trial/conviction by publicity and a mere populist propaganda to
mistakenly impress the people that widespread poverty will altogether
vanish if corruption is eliminated without even addressing the other
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major causes of poverty.
(g) The mere fact that previous commissions were not

constitutionally challenged is of no moment because neither laches
nor estoppel can bar an eventual question on the constitutionality and
validity of an executive issuance or even a statute.‖13[13]
In their Consolidated Comment,14[14] the respondents, through the Office of

the Solicitor General (OSG), essentially questioned the legal standing of petitioners
and defended the assailed executive order with the following arguments:
1] E.O. No. 1 does not arrogate the powers of Congress to create

a public office because the President‘s executive power and power of
control necessarily include the inherent power to conduct
investigations to ensure that laws are faithfully executed and that, in
any event, the Constitution, Revised Administrative Code of 1987
(E.O. No. 292), 15[15] Presidential Decree (P.D.) No. 141616[16] (as
amended by P.D. No. 1772), R.A. No. 9970,17[17] and settled
jurisprudence that authorize the President to create or form such
bodies.
2] E.O. No. 1 does not usurp the power of Congress to

appropriate funds because there is no appropriation but a mere
allocation of funds already appropriated by Congress.
3] The Truth Commission does not duplicate or supersede the

functions of the Office of the Ombudsman (Ombudsman) and the
Department of Justice (DOJ), because it is a fact-finding body and not
a quasi-judicial body and its functions do not duplicate, supplant or
erode the latter‘s jurisdiction.
4] The Truth Commission does not violate the equal protection

clause because it was validly created for laudable purposes.
13[13]
Lagman Petition, pp. 50-52, rollo, pp. 58-60.
14[14]
Rollo, pp. 111-216.
15[15]
Otherwise known as the Administrative Code of 1987.
16[16]
Granting Continuing Authority To The President Of The Philippines To Reorganize The National Government.
17[17]
Otherwise known as the General Appropriations Act of 2010.
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The OSG then points to the continued existence and validity of other
executive orders and presidential issuances creating similar bodies to justify the
creation of the PTC such as Presidential Complaint and Action Commission
(PCAC) by President Ramon B. Magsaysay, Presidential Committee on
Administrative Performance Efficiency (PCAPE) by President Carlos P. Garcia and
Presidential Agency on Reform and Government Operations (PARGO) by President
Ferdinand E. Marcos.18[18]
From the petitions, pleadings, transcripts, and memoranda, the following are
the principal issues to be resolved:
1. Whether or not the petitioners have the legal standing

to file their respective petitions and question Executive Order No. 1;
2. Whether or not Executive Order No. 1 violates the

principle of separation of powers by usurping the powers of Congress
to create and to appropriate funds for public offices, agencies and
commissions;
3. Whether or not Executive Order No. 1 supplants the powers

of the Ombudsman and the DOJ;
4. Whether or not Executive Order No. 1 violates the equal

protection clause; and
5. Whether or not petitioners are entitled to injunctive relief.
Essential requisites for judicial review
Before proceeding to resolve the issue of the constitutionality of Executive

Order No. 1, the Court needs to ascertain whether the requisites for a valid exercise
of its power of judicial review are present.
Like almost all powers conferred by the Constitution, the power of judicial
review is subject to limitations, to wit: (1) there must be an actual case or
controversy calling for the exercise of judicial power; (2) the person challenging
the act must have the standing to question the validity of the subject act or
issuance; otherwise stated, he must have a personal and substantial interest in the
18[18]
OSG Consolidated Comment, p. 33, rollo, p. 153, citing Uy v. Sandiganbayan, G.R. Nos. 105965-70, March
20, 2001, 354 SCRA 651, 660-661.
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case such that he has sustained, or will sustain, direct injury as a result of its
enforcement; (3) the question of constitutionality must be raised at the earliest
opportunity; and (4) the issue of constitutionality must be the very lis mota of the
case.19[19]
Among all these limitations, only the legal standing of the petitioners has
been put at issue.
Legal Standing of the Petitioners
The OSG attacks the legal personality of the petitioners-legislators to file

their petition for failure to demonstrate their personal stake in the outcome of the
case. It argues that the petitioners have not shown that they have sustained or are
in danger of sustaining any personal injury attributable to the creation of the PTC.
Not claiming to be the subject of the commission‘s investigations, petitioners will
not sustain injury in its creation or as a result of its proceedings.20[20]
The Court disagrees with the OSG in questioning the legal standing of the
petitioners-legislators to assail Executive Order No. 1. Evidently, their petition
primarily invokes usurpation of the power of the Congress as a body to which they
belong as members. This certainly justifies their resolve to take the cudgels for
Congress as an institution and present the complaints on the usurpation of their
power and rights as members of the legislature before the Court. As held in
Philippine Constitution Association v. Enriquez,21[21]
To the extent the powers of Congress are impaired, so is the power of each
member thereof, since his office confers a right to participate in the exercise of the
powers of that institution.
An act of the Executive which injures the institution of Congress causes a
derivative but nonetheless substantial injury, which can be questioned by a
member of Congress. In such a case, any member of Congress can have a resort
to the courts.
Indeed, legislators have a legal standing to see to it that the prerogative,

powers and privileges vested by the Constitution in their office remain inviolate.
Thus, they are allowed to question the validity of any official action which, to their
19[19]
Senate of the Philippines v. Ermita, G.R. No. 169777, April 20, 2006, 488 SCRA 1, 35; and Francisco v.
House of Representatives, 460 Phil. 830, 842 (2003).
20[20]
OSG Memorandum, p. 29, rollo, p. 348.
21[21]
G.R. No. 113105, August 19, 1994, 235 SCRA 506, 520.
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mind, infringes on their prerogatives as legislators.22[22]
With regard to Biraogo, the OSG argues that, as a taxpayer, he has no

standing to question the creation of the PTC and the budget for its operations.23[23]
It emphasizes that the funds to be used for the creation and operation of the
commission are to be taken from those funds already appropriated by Congress.
Thus, the allocation and disbursement of funds for the commission will not entail
congressional action but will simply be an exercise of the President‘s power over
contingent funds.
As correctly pointed out by the OSG, Biraogo has not shown that he
sustained, or is in danger of sustaining, any personal and direct injury attributable
to the implementation of Executive Order No. 1. Nowhere in his petition is an
assertion of a clear right that may justify his clamor for the Court to exercise
judicial power and to wield the axe over presidential issuances in defense of the
Constitution. The case of David v. Arroyo24[24] explained the deep-seated rules on
locus standi. Thus:
Locus standi is defined as ―a right of appearance in a court of justice on a

given question.‖ In private suits, standing is governed by the ―real-parties-in
interest‖ rule as contained in Section 2, Rule 3 of the 1997 Rules of Civil
Procedure, as amended. It provides that ―every action must be prosecuted or
defended in the name of the real party in interest.‖ Accordingly, the ―real-
party-in interest‖ is ―the party who stands to be benefited or injured by the
judgment in the suit or the party entitled to the avails of the suit.‖ Succinctly put,
the plaintiff‘s standing is based on his own right to the relief sought.
The difficulty of determining locus standi arises in public suits. Here, the
plaintiff who asserts a ―public right‖ in assailing an allegedly illegal official
action, does so as a representative of the general public. He may be a person who
is affected no differently from any other person. He could be suing as a
―stranger,‖ or in the category of a ―citizen,‖ or ‗taxpayer.‖ In either case, he has to
adequately show that he is entitled to seek judicial protection. In other words, he
has to make out a sufficient interest in the vindication of the public order and the
securing of relief as a ―citizen‖ or ―taxpayer.
Case law in most jurisdictions now allows both ―citizen‖ and ―taxpayer‖
standing in public actions. The distinction was first laid down in Beauchamp v.
Silk, where it was held that the plaintiff in a taxpayer‘s suit is in a different
22[22]
Supra note 19, citing Pimentel Jr., v. Executive Secretary, G.R. No. 158088, July 6, 2005, 462 SCRA 623, 631-
632.
23[23]
24[24]
G.R. No. 171396, May 3, 2006, 489 SCRA 160, 216-218.
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category from the plaintiff in a citizen‘s suit. In the former, the plaintiff is
affected by the expenditure of public funds, while in the latter, he is but the mere
instrument of the public concern. As held by the New York Supreme Court in
People ex rel Case v. Collins: ―In matter of mere public right, however…the
people are the real parties…It is at least the right, if not the duty, of every citizen
to interfere and see that a public offence be properly pursued and punished, and
that a public grievance be remedied.‖ With respect to taxpayer‘s suits, Terr v.
Jordan held that ―the right of a citizen and a taxpayer to maintain an action in
courts to restrain the unlawful use of public funds to his injury cannot be denied.‖
However, to prevent just about any person from seeking judicial

interference in any official policy or act with which he disagreed with, and thus
hinders the activities of governmental agencies engaged in public service, the
United State Supreme Court laid down the more stringent ―direct injury‖ test in
Ex Parte Levitt, later reaffirmed in Tileston v. Ullman. The same Court ruled that
for a private individual to invoke the judicial power to determine the validity of an
executive or legislative action, he must show that he has sustained a direct
injury as a result of that action, and it is not sufficient that he has a general
interest common to all members of the public.
This Court adopted the ―direct injury‖ test in our jurisdiction. In People
v. Vera, it held that the person who impugns the validity of a statute must have ―a
personal and substantial interest in the case such that he has sustained, or
will sustain direct injury as a result.‖ The Vera doctrine was upheld in a litany
of cases, such as, Custodio v. President of the Senate, Manila Race Horse
Trainers’ Association v. De la Fuente, Pascual v. Secretary of Public Works and
Anti-Chinese League of the Philippines v. Felix. [Emphases included. Citations
omitted]
Notwithstanding, the Court leans on the doctrine that ―the rule on standing is
a matter of procedure, hence, can be relaxed for nontraditional plaintiffs like
ordinary citizens, taxpayers, and legislators when the public interest so requires,
such as when the matter is of transcendental importance, of overreaching
significance to society, or of paramount public interest.‖25[25]
Thus, in Coconut Oil Refiners Association, Inc. v. Torres,26[26] the Court held
that in cases of paramount importance where serious constitutional questions are
involved, the standing requirements may be relaxed and a suit may be allowed to
prosper even where there is no direct injury to the party claiming the right of
25[25]
Social Justice Society (SJS) v. Dangerous Drugs Board and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, G.R.
No. 157870, November 3, 2008, 570 SCRA 410, 421; Tatad v. Secretary of the Department of Energy,
346 Phil 321 (1997); De Guia v. COMELEC, G.R. No. 104712, May 6, 1992, 208 SCRA 420, 422.
26[26]
G.R. 132527, July 29, 2005, 465 SCRA 47, 62.
Page 14 of 256
judicial review. In the first Emergency Powers Cases,27[27] ordinary citizens and
taxpayers were allowed to question the constitutionality of several executive orders
although they had only an indirect and general interest shared in common with the
public.
The OSG claims that the determinants of transcendental importance 28[28] laid
down in CREBA v. ERC and Meralco29[29] are non-existent in this case. The Court,
however, finds reason in Biraogo‘s assertion that the petition covers matters of
transcendental importance to justify the exercise of jurisdiction by the Court.
There are constitutional issues in the petition which deserve the attention of this
Court in view of their seriousness, novelty and weight as precedents. Where the
issues are of transcendental and paramount importance not only to the public but
also to the Bench and the Bar, they should be resolved for the guidance of all.30[30]
Undoubtedly, the Filipino people are more than interested to know the status of the
President‘s first effort to bring about a promised change to the country. The Court
takes cognizance of the petition not due to overwhelming political undertones that
clothe the issue in the eyes of the public, but because the Court stands firm in its
oath to perform its constitutional duty to settle legal controversies with
overreaching significance to society.
Power of the President to Create the Truth Commission
In his memorandum in G.R. No. 192935, Biraogo asserts that the Truth
Commission is a public office and not merely an adjunct body of the Office of the
President.31[31] Thus, in order that the President may create a public office he must
be empowered by the Constitution, a statute or an authorization vested in him by
law. According to petitioner, such power cannot be presumed32[32] since there is no
provision in the Constitution or any specific law that authorizes the President to
create a truth commission.33[33] He adds that Section 31 of the Administrative Code
of 1987, granting the President the continuing authority to reorganize his office,
cannot serve as basis for the creation of a truth commission considering the
aforesaid provision merely uses verbs such as ―reorganize,‖ ―transfer,‖
27[27]
84 Phil. 368, 373 (1949).
28[28]
―(1) the character of the funds or other assets involved in the case; (2) the presence of a clear case of disregard
of a constitutional or statutory prohibition by the public respondent agency or instrumentality of the government;
and, (3) the lack of any other party with a more direct and specific interest in the questions being raised.‖
29[29]
G.R. No. 174697, July 8, 2010.
30[30]
Kilosbayan,Inc. v. Guingona, Jr., G.R. No. 113375, May 5, 1994, 232 SCRA 110, 139.
31[31]
Biraogo Memorandum, p. 7, rollo, p. 69.
32[32]
Id. at 6, rollo, p. 68.
33[33]
Page 15 of 256
―consolidate,‖ ―merge,‖ and ―abolish.‖34[34] Insofar as it vests in the President the
plenary power to reorganize the Office of the President to the extent of creating a
public office, Section 31 is inconsistent with the principle of separation of powers
enshrined in the Constitution and must be deemed repealed upon the effectivity
thereof.35[35]
Similarly, in G.R. No. 193036, petitioners-legislators argue that the creation

of a public office lies within the province of Congress and not with the executive
branch of government. They maintain that the delegated authority of the President
to reorganize under Section 31 of the Revised Administrative Code: 1) does not
permit the President to create a public office, much less a truth commission; 2) is
limited to the reorganization of the administrative structure of the Office of the
President; 3) is limited to the restructuring of the internal organs of the Office of
the President Proper, transfer of functions and transfer of agencies; and 4) only to
achieve simplicity, economy and efficiency.36[36] Such continuing authority of the
President to reorganize his office is limited, and by issuing Executive Order No. 1,
the President overstepped the limits of this delegated authority.
The OSG counters that there is nothing exclusively legislative about the
creation by the President of a fact-finding body such as a truth commission.
Pointing to numerous offices created by past presidents, it argues that the authority
of the President to create public offices within the Office of the President Proper
has long been recognized.37[37] According to the OSG, the Executive, just like the
other two branches of government, possesses the inherent authority to create fact-
finding committees to assist it in the performance of its constitutionally mandated
functions and in the exercise of its administrative functions.38[38] This power, as the
OSG explains it, is but an adjunct of the plenary powers wielded by the President
under Section 1 and his power of control under Section 17, both of Article VII of
the Constitution.39[39]
It contends that the President is necessarily vested with the power to conduct
fact-finding investigations, pursuant to his duty to ensure that all laws are enforced
by public officials and employees of his department and in the exercise of his
authority to assume directly the functions of the executive department, bureau and
34[34]
35[35]
Id. at 10-11, rollo pp. 72-73.
36[36]
Lagman Memorandum, G.R. No 193036, pp. 10-11, rollo, pp. 270-271.
37[37]
38[38]
39[39]
OSG Consolidated Comment, p. 24, rollo, p. 144.
Page 16 of 256
office, or interfere with the discretion of his officials.40[40] The power of the
President to investigate is not limited to the exercise of his power of control over
his subordinates in the executive branch, but extends further in the exercise of his
other powers, such as his power to discipline subordinates,41[41] his power for rule
making, adjudication and licensing purposes42[42] and in order to be informed on
matters which he is entitled to know.43[43]
The OSG also cites the recent case of Banda v. Ermita,44[44] where it was
held that the President has the power to reorganize the offices and agencies in the
executive department in line with his constitutionally granted power of control and
by virtue of a valid delegation of the legislative power to reorganize executive
offices under existing statutes.
Thus, the OSG concludes that the power of control necessarily includes the
power to create offices. For the OSG, the President may create the PTC in order to,
among others, put a closure to the reported large scale graft and corruption in the
government.45[45]
The question, therefore, before the Court is this: Does the creation of the
PTC fall within the ambit of the power to reorganize as expressed in Section 31 of
the Revised Administrative Code? Section 31 contemplates ―reorganization‖ as
limited by the following functional and structural lines: (1) restructuring the
internal organization of the Office of the President Proper by abolishing,
consolidating or merging units thereof or transferring functions from one unit to
another; (2) transferring any function under the Office of the President to any other
Department/Agency or vice versa; or (3) transferring any agency under the Office
of the President to any other Department/Agency or vice versa. Clearly, the
provision refers to reduction of personnel, consolidation of offices, or abolition
thereof by reason of economy or redundancy of functions. These point to
situations where a body or an office is already existent but a modification or
alteration thereof has to be effected. The creation of an office is nowhere
mentioned, much less envisioned in said provision. Accordingly, the answer to the
question is in the negative.
To say that the PTC is borne out of a restructuring of the Office of the
40[40]
OSG Memorandum, pp. 38-39, rollo, pp. 357-358.
41[41]
Citing Department of Health v. Camposano, G.R. No. 157684, April 27, 2005, 457 SCRA 438, 450.
42[42]
Citing Evangelista v. Jarencio, No. L-27274, November 27, 1975, 68 SCRA 99, 104.
43[43]
Citing Rodriguez v. Santos Diaz, No. L-19553, February 29, 1964, 10 SCRA 441, 445.
44[44]
G.R. No. 166620, April 20, 2010.
45[45]
Consolidated Comment, p. 45, rollo, p. 165.
Page 17 of 256
President under Section 31 is a misplaced supposition, even in the plainest
meaning attributable to the term ―restructure‖– an ―alteration of an existing
structure.‖ Evidently, the PTC was not part of the structure of the Office of the
President prior to the enactment of Executive Order No. 1. As held in Buklod ng
Kawaning EIIB v. Hon. Executive Secretary,46[46]
But of course, the list of legal basis authorizing the President to reorganize
any department or agency in the executive branch does not have to end here. We
must not lose sight of the very source of the power – that which constitutes an
express grant of power. Under Section 31, Book III of Executive Order No. 292
(otherwise known as the Administrative Code of 1987), "the President, subject to
the policy in the Executive Office and in order to achieve simplicity, economy and
efficiency, shall have the continuing authority to reorganize the administrative
structure of the Office of the President." For this purpose, he may transfer the
functions of other Departments or Agencies to the Office of the President. In
Canonizado v. Aguirre [323 SCRA 312 (2000)], we ruled that reorganization
"involves the reduction of personnel, consolidation of offices, or abolition thereof
by reason of economy or redundancy of functions." It takes place when there is
an alteration of the existing structure of government offices or units therein,
including the lines of control, authority and responsibility between them. The
EIIB is a bureau attached to the Department of Finance. It falls under the Office
of the President. Hence, it is subject to the President‘s continuing authority to
reorganize. [Emphasis Supplied]
In the same vein, the creation of the PTC is not justified by the President‘s
power of control. Control is essentially the power to alter or modify or nullify or
set aside what a subordinate officer had done in the performance of his duties and
to substitute the judgment of the former with that of the latter. 47[47] Clearly, the
power of control is entirely different from the power to create public offices. The
former is inherent in the Executive, while the latter finds basis from either a valid
delegation from Congress, or his inherent duty to faithfully execute the laws.
The question is this, is there a valid delegation of power from Congress,
empowering the President to create a public office?
According to the OSG, the power to create a truth commission pursuant to
the above provision finds statutory basis under P.D. 1416, as amended by P.D. No.
1772.48[48] The said law granted the President the continuing authority to reorganize
46[46]
G.R. Nos. 142801-802, July 10, 2001, 360 SCRA 718, also cited in Banda, supra.
47[47]
The Veterans Federation of the Philippines v. Reyes, G. R. No. 155027, February 28, 2006, 483 SCRA 526,
564; DOTC v. Mabalot, 428 Phil. 154, 164-165 (2002); Mondano v. Silvosa, 97 Phil. 143 (1955).
48[48]
Page 18 of 256
the national government, including the power to group, consolidate bureaus and
agencies, to abolish offices, to transfer functions, to create and classify functions,
services and activities, transfer appropriations, and to standardize salaries and
materials. This decree, in relation to Section 20, Title I, Book III of E.O. 292 has
been invoked in several cases such as Larin v. Executive Secretary.49[49]
The Court, however, declines to recognize P.D. No. 1416 as a justification
for the President to create a public office. Said decree is already stale,
anachronistic and inoperable. P.D. No. 1416 was a delegation to then President
Marcos of the authority to reorganize the administrative structure of the national
government including the power to create offices and transfer appropriations
pursuant to one of the purposes of the decree, embodied in its last ―Whereas‖
clause:
WHEREAS, the transition towards the parliamentary form of government
will necessitate flexibility in the organization of the national government.
Clearly, as it was only for the purpose of providing manageability and

resiliency during the interim, P.D. No. 1416, as amended by P.D. No. 1772,
became functus oficio upon the convening of the First Congress, as expressly
provided in Section 6, Article XVIII of the 1987 Constitution. In fact, even the
Solicitor General agrees with this view. Thus:
ASSOCIATE JUSTICE CARPIO: Because P.D. 1416 was enacted was the last
whereas clause of P.D. 1416 says ―it was
enacted to prepare the transition from
presidential to parliamentary. Now, in a
parliamentary form of government, the
legislative and executive powers are fused,
correct?
SOLICITOR GENERAL CADIZ: Yes, Your Honor.
ASSOCIATE JUSTICE CARPIO: That is why, that P.D. 1416 was issued.
Now would you agree with me that P.D.
1416 should not be considered effective
anymore upon the promulgation, adoption,
ratification of the 1987 Constitution.
SOLICITOR GENERAL CADIZ: Not the whole of P.D. [No.] 1416, Your
Honor.
49[49]
G.R. No. 112745, October 16, 1997, 280 SCRA 713, 730.
Page 19 of 256
ASSOCIATE JUSTICE CARPIO: The power of the President to reorganize
the entire National Government is deemed
repealed, at least, upon the adoption of the
1987 Constitution, correct.
SOLICITOR GENERAL CADIZ: Yes, Your Honor.50[50]
While the power to create a truth commission cannot pass muster on the
basis of P.D. No. 1416 as amended by P.D. No. 1772, the creation of the PTC finds
justification under Section 17, Article VII of the Constitution, imposing upon the
President the duty to ensure that the laws are faithfully executed. Section 17 reads:
Section 17. The President shall have control of all the executive
departments, bureaus, and offices. He shall ensure that the laws be faithfully
executed. (Emphasis supplied).
As correctly pointed out by the respondents, the allocation of power in the

three principal branches of government is a grant of all powers inherent in them.
The President‘s power to conduct investigations to aid him in ensuring the faithful
execution of laws – in this case, fundamental laws on public accountability and
transparency – is inherent in the President‘s powers as the Chief Executive. That
the authority of the President to conduct investigations and to create bodies to
execute this power is not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution or in statutes
does not mean that he is bereft of such authority. 51[51] As explained in the landmark
case of Marcos v. Manglapus:52[52]
x x x. The 1987 Constitution, however, brought back the presidential
system of government and restored the separation of legislative, executive and
judicial powers by their actual distribution among three distinct branches of
government with provision for checks and balances.
It would not be accurate, however, to state that "executive power" is the

power to enforce the laws, for the President is head of state as well as head of
government and whatever powers inhere in such positions pertain to the office
unless the Constitution itself withholds it. Furthermore, the Constitution itself
provides that the execution of the laws is only one of the powers of the President.
It also grants the President other powers that do not involve the execution of any
provision of law, e.g., his power over the country's foreign relations.
50[50]
TSN, September 28, 2010, pp. 205-207.
51[51]
OSG Memorandum, p. 37, rollo, p.356.
52[52]
G.R. 88211, September 15, 1989, 177 SCRA 688.
Page 20 of 256
On these premises, we hold the view that although the 1987 Constitution
imposes limitations on the exercise of specific powers of the President, it
maintains intact what is traditionally considered as within the scope of "executive
power." Corollarily, the powers of the President cannot be said to be limited only
to the specific powers enumerated in the Constitution. In other words, executive
power is more than the sum of specific powers so enumerated.
It has been advanced that whatever power inherent in the government that
is neither legislative nor judicial has to be executive. x x x.
Indeed, the Executive is given much leeway in ensuring that our laws are
faithfully executed. As stated above, the powers of the President are not limited to
those specific powers under the Constitution.53[53] One of the recognized powers of
the President granted pursuant to this constitutionally-mandated duty is the power
to create ad hoc committees. This flows from the obvious need to ascertain facts
and determine if laws have been faithfully executed. Thus, in Department of
Health v. Camposano,54[54] the authority of the President to issue Administrative
Order No. 298, creating an investigative committee to look into the administrative
charges filed against the employees of the Department of Health for the anomalous
purchase of medicines was upheld. In said case, it was ruled:
The Chief Executive‘s power to create the Ad hoc Investigating

Committee cannot be doubted. Having been constitutionally granted full
control of the Executive Department, to which respondents belong, the President
has the obligation to ensure that all executive officials and employees faithfully
comply with the law. With AO 298 as mandate, the legality of the investigation is
sustained. Such validity is not affected by the fact that the investigating team and
the PCAGC had the same composition, or that the former used the offices and
facilities of the latter in conducting the inquiry. [Emphasis supplied]
It should be stressed that the purpose of allowing ad hoc investigating bodies

to exist is to allow an inquiry into matters which the President is entitled to know
so that he can be properly advised and guided in the performance of his duties
relative to the execution and enforcement of the laws of the land. And if history is
to be revisited, this was also the objective of the investigative bodies created in the
past like the PCAC, PCAPE, PARGO, the Feliciano Commission, the Melo
Commission and the Zenarosa Commission. There being no changes in the
53[53]
Id. at 691.
54[54]
496 Phil. 886, 896-897 (2005).
Page 21 of 256
government structure, the Court is not inclined to declare such executive power as
non-existent just because the direction of the political winds have changed.
On the charge that Executive Order No. 1 transgresses the power of

Congress to appropriate funds for the operation of a public office, suffice it to say
that there will be no appropriation but only an allotment or allocations of existing
funds already appropriated. Accordingly, there is no usurpation on the part of the
Executive of the power of Congress to appropriate funds. Further, there is no need
to specify the amount to be earmarked for the operation of the commission
because, in the words of the Solicitor General, ―whatever funds the Congress has
provided for the Office of the President will be the very source of the funds for the
commission.‖55[55] Moreover, since the amount that would be allocated to the PTC
shall be subject to existing auditing rules and regulations, there is no impropriety in
the funding.
Power of the Truth Commission to Investigate
The President‘s power to conduct investigations to ensure that laws are

faithfully executed is well recognized. It flows from the faithful-execution clause
of the Constitution under Article VII, Section 17 thereof.56[56] As the Chief
Executive, the president represents the government as a whole and sees to it that all
laws are enforced by the officials and employees of his department. He has the
authority to directly assume the functions of the executive department.57[57]
Invoking this authority, the President constituted the PTC to primarily

investigate reports of graft and corruption and to recommend the appropriate
action. As previously stated, no quasi-judicial powers have been vested in the said
body as it cannot adjudicate rights of persons who come before it. It has been said
that ―Quasi-judicial powers involve the power to hear and determine questions of
fact to which the legislative policy is to apply and to decide in accordance with the
standards laid down by law itself in enforcing and administering the same
law.‖58[58] In simpler terms, judicial discretion is involved in the exercise of these
quasi-judicial power, such that it is exclusively vested in the judiciary and must be
clearly authorized by the legislature in the case of administrative agencies.
55[55]
Consolidated Comment, p. 48; rollo, p. 168.
56[56]
Section 17. The President shall have control of all the executive departments, bureaus, and offices. He shall
ensure that the laws be faithfully executed.
57[57]
Ople v. Torres, 354 Phil. 948, 967 (1998).
58[58]
Smart Communications, Inc. et al. v. National Telecommunications Commission, 456 Phil. 145, 156 (2003).
Page 22 of 256
The distinction between the power to investigate and the power to adjudicate
was delineated by the Court in Cariño v. Commission on Human Rights.59[59] Thus:
"Investigate," commonly understood, means to examine, explore, inquire

or delve or probe into, research on, study. The dictionary definition of
"investigate" is "to observe or study closely: inquire into systematically: "to
search or inquire into: x x to subject to an official probe x x: to conduct an official
inquiry." The purpose of investigation, of course, is to discover, to find out, to
learn, obtain information. Nowhere included or intimated is the notion of settling,
deciding or resolving a controversy involved in the facts inquired into by
application of the law to the facts established by the inquiry.
The legal meaning of "investigate" is essentially the same: "(t)o follow up

step by step by patient inquiry or observation. To trace or track; to search into; to
examine and inquire into with care and accuracy; to find out by careful
inquisition; examination; the taking of evidence; a legal inquiry;" "to inquire; to
make an investigation," "investigation" being in turn described as "(a)n
administrative function, the exercise of which ordinarily does not require a
hearing. 2 Am J2d Adm L Sec. 257; x x an inquiry, judicial or otherwise, for the
discovery and collection of facts concerning a certain matter or matters."
"Adjudicate," commonly or popularly understood, means to adjudge,

arbitrate, judge, decide, determine, resolve, rule on, settle. The dictionary defines
the term as "to settle finally (the rights and duties of the parties to a court case) on
the merits of issues raised: x x to pass judgment on: settle judicially: x x act as
judge." And "adjudge" means "to decide or rule upon as a judge or with judicial or
quasi-judicial powers: x x to award or grant judicially in a case of controversy x
x."
In the legal sense, "adjudicate" means: "To settle in the exercise of judicial
authority. To determine finally. Synonymous with adjudge in its strictest sense;"
and "adjudge" means: "To pass on judicially, to decide, settle or decree, or to
sentence or condemn. x x. Implies a judicial determination of a fact, and the entry
of a judgment." [Italics included. Citations Omitted]
Fact-finding is not adjudication and it cannot be likened to the judicial

function of a court of justice, or even a quasi-judicial agency or office. The
function of receiving evidence and ascertaining therefrom the facts of a
59[59]
G.R. No. 96681, December 2, 1991, 204 SCRA 483.
Page 23 of 256
controversy is not a judicial function. To be considered as such, the act of receiving
evidence and arriving at factual conclusions in a controversy must be accompanied
by the authority of applying the law to the factual conclusions to the end that the
controversy may be decided or resolved authoritatively, finally and definitively,
subject to appeals or modes of review as may be provided by law.60[60] Even
respondents themselves admit that the commission is bereft of any quasi-judicial
power.61[61]
Contrary to petitioners‘ apprehension, the PTC will not supplant the

Ombudsman or the DOJ or erode their respective powers. If at all, the
investigative function of the commission will complement those of the two offices.
As pointed out by the Solicitor General, the recommendation to prosecute is but a
consequence of the overall task of the commission to conduct a fact-finding
investigation.‖62[62] The actual prosecution of suspected offenders, much less
adjudication on the merits of the charges against them,63[63] is certainly not a
function given to the commission. The phrase, ―when in the course of its
investigation,‖ under Section 2(g), highlights this fact and gives credence to a
contrary interpretation from that of the petitioners. The function of determining
probable cause for the filing of the appropriate complaints before the courts
remains to be with the DOJ and the Ombudsman.64[64]
At any rate, the Ombudsman‘s power to investigate under R.A. No. 6770 is
not exclusive but is shared with other similarly authorized government agencies.
Thus, in the case of Ombudsman v. Galicia,65[65] it was written:
This power of investigation granted to the Ombudsman by the 1987

Constitution and The Ombudsman Act is not exclusive but is shared with other
similarly authorized government agencies such as the PCGG and judges of
municipal trial courts and municipal circuit trial courts. The power to conduct
preliminary investigation on charges against public employees and officials is
likewise concurrently shared with the Department of Justice. Despite the passage
of the Local Government Code in 1991, the Ombudsman retains concurrent
jurisdiction with the Office of the President and the local Sanggunians to
investigate complaints against local elective officials. [Emphasis supplied].
60[60]
Id. at 492.
61[61]
TSN, September 28, 2010, pp. 39-44; and OSG Memorandum, p. 67, rollo, p. 339.
62[62]
OSG Consolidated Comment, p. 55, rollo, p. 175.
63[63]
64[64]
Id.
65[65]
Page 24 of 256
Also, Executive Order No. 1 cannot contravene the power of the
Ombudsman to investigate criminal cases under Section 15 (1) of R.A. No. 6770,
which states:
(1) Investigate and prosecute on its own or on complaint by any person,
any act or omission of any public officer or employee, office or agency, when
such act or omission appears to be illegal, unjust, improper or inefficient. It has
primary jurisdiction over cases cognizable by the Sandiganbayan and, in the
exercise of its primary jurisdiction, it may take over, at any stage, from any
investigatory agency of government, the investigation of such cases.
[Emphases supplied]
The act of investigation by the Ombudsman as enunciated above

contemplates the conduct of a preliminary investigation or the determination of the
existence of probable cause. This is categorically out of the PTC‘s sphere of
functions. Its power to investigate is limited to obtaining facts so that it can advise
and guide the President in the performance of his duties relative to the execution
and enforcement of the laws of the land. In this regard, the PTC commits no act of
usurpation of the Ombudsman‘s primordial duties.
The same holds true with respect to the DOJ. Its authority under Section 3
(2), Chapter 1, Title III, Book IV in the Revised Administrative Code is by no
means exclusive and, thus, can be shared with a body likewise tasked to investigate
the commission of crimes.
Finally, nowhere in Executive Order No. 1 can it be inferred that the findings
of the PTC are to be accorded conclusiveness. Much like its predecessors, the
Davide Commission, the Feliciano Commission and the Zenarosa Commission, its
findings would, at best, be recommendatory in nature. And being so, the
Ombudsman and the DOJ have a wider degree of latitude to decide whether or not
to reject the recommendation. These offices, therefore, are not deprived of their
mandated duties but will instead be aided by the reports of the PTC for possible
indictments for violations of graft laws.
Violation of the Equal Protection Clause
Although the purpose of the Truth Commission falls within the investigative
power of the President, the Court finds difficulty in upholding the constitutionality
of Executive Order No. 1 in view of its apparent transgression of the equal
protection clause enshrined in Section 1, Article III (Bill of Rights) of the 1987
Page 25 of 256
Constitution. Section 1 reads:
Section 1. No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without

due process of law, nor shall any person be denied the equal protection of the
laws.
The petitioners assail Executive Order No. 1 because it is violative of this

constitutional safeguard. They contend that it does not apply equally to all
members of the same class such that the intent of singling out the ―previous
administration‖ as its sole object makes the PTC an ―adventure in partisan
hostility.‖66[66] Thus, in order to be accorded with validity, the commission must
also cover reports of graft and corruption in virtually all administrations previous
to that of former President Arroyo.67[67]
The petitioners argue that the search for truth behind the reported cases of
graft and corruption must encompass acts committed not only during the
administration of former President Arroyo but also during prior administrations
where the ―same magnitude of controversies and anomalies‖68[68] were reported to
have been committed against the Filipino people. They assail the classification
formulated by the respondents as it does not fall under the recognized exceptions
because first, ―there is no substantial distinction between the group of officials
targeted for investigation by Executive Order No. 1 and other groups or persons
who abused their public office for personal gain; and second, the selective
classification is not germane to the purpose of Executive Order No. 1 to end
corruption.‖69[69] In order to attain constitutional permission, the petitioners
advocate that the commission should deal with ―graft and grafters prior and
subsequent to the Arroyo administration with the strong arm of the law with equal
force.‖70[70]
Position of respondents
According to respondents, while Executive Order No. 1 identifies the

―previous administration‖ as the initial subject of the investigation, following
Section 17 thereof, the PTC will not confine itself to cases of large scale graft and
66[66]
Lagman Petition, pp. 43, 50-52, rollo, pp. 51, 50-60.
67[67]
Lagman Memorandum, G.R. 193036, pp. 28-29, rollo, pp. 347-348.
68[68]
Lagman Petition, p. 31, rollo, p. 39.
69[69]
Id. at 28-29, rollo, pp. 36-37.
70[70]
Page 26 of 256
corruption solely during the said administration.71[71] Assuming arguendo that the
commission would confine its proceedings to officials of the previous
administration, the petitioners argue that no offense is committed against the equal
protection clause for ―the segregation of the transactions of public officers during
the previous administration as possible subjects of investigation is a valid
classification based on substantial distinctions and is germane to the evils which
the Executive Order seeks to correct.‖72[72] To distinguish the Arroyo administration
from past administrations, it recited the following:
First. E.O. No. 1 was issued in view of widespread reports of

large scale graft and corruption in the previous administration which
have eroded public confidence in public institutions. There is,
therefore, an urgent call for the determination of the truth regarding
certain reports of large scale graft and corruption in the government
and to put a closure to them by the filing of the appropriate cases
against those involved, if warranted, and to deter others from
committing the evil, restore the people‘s faith and confidence in the
Government and in their public servants.
Second. The segregation of the preceding administration as the

object of fact-finding is warranted by the reality that unlike with
administrations long gone, the current administration will most likely
bear the immediate consequence of the policies of the previous
administration.
Third. The classification of the previous administration as a

separate class for investigation lies in the reality that the evidence of
possible criminal activity, the evidence that could lead to recovery of
public monies illegally dissipated, the policy lessons to be learned to
ensure that anti-corruption laws are faithfully executed, are more
easily established in the regime that immediately precede the current
administration.
Fourth. Many administrations subject the transactions of their

predecessors to investigations to provide closure to issues that are
pivotal to national life or even as a routine measure of due diligence
and good housekeeping by a nascent administration like the
71[71]
OSG Memorandum, p. 88; rollo, p. 407.
72[72]
OSG Consolidated Comment. p. 68, rollo, p. 188.
Page 27 of 256
Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG), created by
the late President Corazon C. Aquino under Executive Order No. 1 to
pursue the recovery of ill-gotten wealth of her predecessor former
President Ferdinand Marcos and his cronies, and the Saguisag
Commission created by former President Joseph Estrada under
Administrative Order No, 53, to form an ad-hoc and independent
citizens‘ committee to investigate all the facts and circumstances
surrounding ―Philippine Centennial projects‖ of his predecessor,
former President Fidel V. Ramos.73[73] [Emphases supplied]
Concept of the Equal Protection Clause
One of the basic principles on which this government was founded is that of
the equality of right which is embodied in Section 1, Article III of the 1987
Constitution. The equal protection of the laws is embraced in the concept of due
process, as every unfair discrimination offends the requirements of justice and fair
play. It has been embodied in a separate clause, however, to provide for a more
specific guaranty against any form of undue favoritism or hostility from the
government. Arbitrariness in general may be challenged on the basis of the due
process clause. But if the particular act assailed partakes of an unwarranted
partiality or prejudice, the sharper weapon to cut it down is the equal protection
clause.74[74]
―According to a long line of decisions, equal protection simply requires that

all persons or things similarly situated should be treated alike, both as to rights
conferred and responsibilities imposed.‖75[75] It ―requires public bodies and
institutions to treat similarly situated individuals in a similar manner.‖76[76] ―The
purpose of the equal protection clause is to secure every person within a state‘s
jurisdiction against intentional and arbitrary discrimination, whether occasioned by
the express terms of a statue or by its improper execution through the state‘s duly
constituted authorities.‖77[77] ―In other words, the concept of equal justice under the
law requires the state to govern impartially, and it may not draw distinctions
73[73]
OSG Memorandum, pp. 90-93, rollo, pp. 409-412.
74[74]
The Philippine Judges Association v. Hon. Pardo, G.R. No. 105371, November 11, 1993, 227 SCRA 703, 711.
75[75]
Id. at 712, citing Ichong v. Hernandez, 101 Phil. 1155 (1957); Sison, Jr. v. Ancheta, No. L-59431, July 25, 1984,
130 SCRA 654; Association of Small Landowners in the Philippines v. Secretary of Agrarian Reform, G.R. No.
7842, July 14, 1989, 175 SCRA 343, 375.
76[76]
Guino v. Senkowski, 54 F 3d 1050 (2d. Cir. 1995) cited in Am. Jur, 2d, Vol. 16 (b), p. 302.
77[77]
Edward Valves, Inc. v. Wake Country, 343 N.C. 426 cited in Am. Jur. 2d, Vol. 16 (b), p. 303.
Page 28 of 256
between individuals solely on differences that are irrelevant to a legitimate
governmental objective.‖78[78]
The equal protection clause is aimed at all official state actions, not just
those of the legislature.79[79] Its inhibitions cover all the departments of the
government including the political and executive departments, and extend to all
actions of a state denying equal protection of the laws, through whatever agency or
whatever guise is taken. 80[80]
It, however, does not require the universal application of the laws to all
persons or things without distinction. What it simply requires is equality among
equals as determined according to a valid classification. Indeed, the equal
protection clause permits classification. Such classification, however, to be valid
must pass the test of reasonableness. The test has four requisites: (1) The
classification rests on substantial distinctions; (2) It is germane to the purpose of
the law; (3) It is not limited to existing conditions only; and
78[78]
Lehr v. Robertson, 463 US 248, 103 cited in Am. Jur. 2d, Vol. 16 (b), p. 303.
79[79]
See Columbus Bd. of Ed. v. Penick, 443 US 449 cited Am. Jur. 2d, Vol. 16 (b), pp. 316-317.
80[80]
See Lombard v. State of La., 373 US 267 cited in Am. Jur. 2d, Vol. 16 (b), p. 316.
Page 29 of 256
(4) It applies equally to all members of the same class.81[81] ―Superficial differences
do not make for a valid classification.‖82[82]
For a classification to meet the requirements of constitutionality, it must

include or embrace all persons who naturally belong to the class. 83[83] ―The
classification will be regarded as invalid if all the members of the class are not
similarly treated, both as to rights conferred and obligations imposed. It is not
necessary that the classification be made with absolute symmetry, in the sense that
the members of the class should possess the same characteristics in equal degree.
Substantial similarity will suffice; and as long as this is achieved, all those covered
by the classification are to be treated equally. The mere fact that an individual
belonging to a class differs from the other members, as long as that class is
substantially distinguishable from all others, does not justify the non-application of
the law to him.‖84[84]
The classification must not be based on existing circumstances only, or so

constituted as to preclude addition to the number included in the class. It must be
of such a nature as to embrace all those who may thereafter be in similar
circumstances and conditions. It must not leave out or ―underinclude‖ those that
should otherwise fall into a certain classification. As elucidated in Victoriano v.
Elizalde Rope Workers' Union85[85] and reiterated in a long line of cases,86[86]
The guaranty of equal protection of the laws is not a guaranty of equality
in the application of the laws upon all citizens of the state. It is not, therefore, a
requirement, in order to avoid the constitutional prohibition against inequality,
that every man, woman and child should be affected alike by a statute. Equality of
operation of statutes does not mean indiscriminate operation on persons merely as
such, but on persons according to the circumstances surrounding them. It
guarantees equality, not identity of rights. The Constitution does not require that
things which are different in fact be treated in law as though they were the same.
81[81]
Beltran v. Secretary of Health, 512 Phil 560, 583 (2005).
82[82]
Cruz, Constitutional Law, 2003 ed., p. 128.
83[83]
McErlain v. Taylor, 207 Ind. 240 cited in Am. Jur. 2d, Vol. 16 (b), p. 367.
84[84]
Cruz, Constitutional Law, 2003 ed., pp. 135-136.
85[85]
No. L-25246, 59 SCRA 54, 77-78 (September 12, 1974).
86[86]
Basa v. Federacion Obrera de la Industria Tabaquera y Otros Trabajadores de Filipinas (FOITAF), No. L-
27113, November 19, 1974, 61 SCRA 93, 110-111; Anuncension v. National Labor Union, No. L-26097,
November 29, 1977, 80 SCRA 350, 372-373; Villegas v. Hiu Chiong Tsai Pao Ho, No. L-29646, November 10,
1978, 86 SCRA 270, 275; Dumlao v. Comelec, No. L-52245, January 22, 1980, 95 SCRA 392, 404; Ceniza v.
Comelec, No. L-52304, January 28, 1980, 95 SCRA 763, 772-773; Himagan v. People, G.R. No. 113811, October
7, 1994, 237 SCRA 538; The Conference of Maritime Manning Agencies, Inc. v. POEA, G.R. No. 114714, April
21, 1995, 243 SCRA 666, 677; JMM Promotion and Management, Inc. v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 120095,
August 5, 1996, 260 SCRA 319, 331–332; and Tiu v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 127410, January 20, 1999, 301
SCRA 278, 288-289. See also Ichong v. Hernandez, No. L-7995, 101 Phil. 1155 (1957); Vera v. Cuevas, Nos. L-
33693-94, May 31, 1979, 90 SCRA 379, 388; and Tolentino v. Secretary of Finance, G.R. Nos. 115455, 115525,
115543, 115544, 115754, 115781, 115852, 115873, and 115931, August 25, 1994, 235 SCRA 630, 684.
Page 30 of 256
The equal protection clause does not forbid discrimination as to things that are
different. It does not prohibit legislation which is limited either in the object to
which it is directed or by the territory within which it is to operate.
The equal protection of the laws clause of the Constitution allows

classification. Classification in law, as in the other departments of knowledge or
practice, is the grouping of things in speculation or practice because they agree
with one another in certain particulars. A law is not invalid because of simple
inequality. The very idea of classification is that of inequality, so that it goes
without saying that the mere fact of inequality in no manner determines the matter
of constitutionality. All that is required of a valid classification is that it be
reasonable, which means that the classification should be based on substantial
distinctions which make for real differences, that it must be germane to the
purpose of the law; that it must not be limited to existing conditions only; and that
it must apply equally to each member of the class. This Court has held that the
standard is satisfied if the classification or distinction is based on a reasonable
foundation or rational basis and is not palpably arbitrary. [Citations omitted]
Applying these precepts to this case, Executive Order No. 1 should be struck
down as violative of the equal protection clause. The clear mandate of the
envisioned truth commission is to investigate and find out the truth ―concerning the
reported cases of graft and corruption during the previous administration”87[87]
only. The intent to single out the previous administration is plain, patent and
manifest. Mention of it has been made in at least three portions of the questioned
executive order. Specifically, these are:

and finding out the truth concerning the reported cases of graft and corruption
during the previous administration, and which will recommend the prosecution
of the offenders and secure justice for all;

PHILIPPINE TRUTH COMMISSION, hereinafter referred to as the
―COMMISSION,‖ which shall primarily seek and find the truth on, and toward
this end, investigate reports of graft and corruption of such scale and magnitude
that shock and offend the moral and ethical sensibilities of the people, committed
by public officers and employees, their co-principals, accomplices and accessories
from the private sector, if any, during the previous administration; and thereafter
recommend the appropriate action or measure to be taken thereon to ensure that
the full measure of justice shall be served without fear or favor.
87[87]
7th Whereas clause, Executive Order No. 1.
Page 31 of 256
Administrative Code of 1987, is primarily tasked to conduct a thorough fact-
finding investigation of reported cases of graft and corruption referred to in
Section 1, involving third level public officers and higher, their co-principals,
accomplices and accessories from the private sector, if any, during the previous
administration and thereafter submit its finding and recommendations to the
President, Congress and the Ombudsman. [Emphases supplied]
In this regard, it must be borne in mind that the Arroyo administration is but
just a member of a class, that is, a class of past administrations. It is not a class of
its own. Not to include past administrations similarly situated constitutes
arbitrariness which the equal protection clause cannot sanction. Such
discriminating differentiation clearly reverberates to label the commission as a
vehicle for vindictiveness and selective retribution.
Though the OSG enumerates several differences between the Arroyo

administration and other past administrations, these distinctions are not substantial
enough to merit the restriction of the investigation to the ―previous administration‖
only. The reports of widespread corruption in the Arroyo administration cannot be
taken as basis for distinguishing said administration from earlier administrations
which were also blemished by similar widespread reports of impropriety. They are
not inherent in, and do not inure solely to, the Arroyo administration. As Justice
Isagani Cruz put it, ―Superficial differences do not make for a valid
classification.‖88[88]
The public needs to be enlightened why Executive Order No. 1 chooses to

limit the scope of the intended investigation to the previous administration only.
The OSG ventures to opine that ―to include other past administrations, at this point,
may unnecessarily overburden the commission and lead it to lose its
effectiveness.‖89[89] The reason given is specious. It is without doubt irrelevant to
the legitimate and noble objective of the PTC to stamp out or ―end corruption and
the evil it breeds.‖90[90]
The probability that there would be difficulty in unearthing evidence or that

the earlier reports involving the earlier administrations were already inquired into
is beside the point. Obviously, deceased presidents and cases which have already
prescribed can no longer be the subjects of inquiry by the PTC. Neither is the PTC
88[88]
Cruz, Constitutional Law, 2003 ed., p. 128.
89[89]
OSG, Memorandum, p. 89, rollo, p. 408.
90[90] th
6 Whereas clause, Executive Order No. 1
Page 32 of 256
expected to conduct simultaneous investigations of previous administrations, given
the body‘s limited time and resources. ―The law does not require the impossible‖
(Lex non cogit ad impossibilia).91[91]
Given the foregoing physical and legal impossibility, the Court logically
recognizes the unfeasibility of investigating almost a century‘s worth of graft
cases. However, the fact remains that Executive Order No. 1 suffers from arbitrary
classification. The PTC, to be true to its mandate of searching for the truth, must
not exclude the other past administrations. The PTC must, at least, have the
authority to investigate all past administrations. While reasonable prioritization
is permitted, it should not be arbitrary lest it be struck down for being
unconstitutional. In the often quoted language of Yick Wo v. Hopkins,92[92]
Though the law itself be fair on its face and impartial in

appearance, yet, if applied and administered by public authority with
an evil eye and an unequal hand, so as practically to make unjust and
illegal discriminations between persons in similar circumstances,
material to their rights, the denial of equal justice is still within the
prohibition of the constitution. [Emphasis supplied]
It could be argued that considering that the PTC is an ad hoc body, its scope
is limited. The Court, however, is of the considered view that although its focus is
restricted, the constitutional guarantee of equal protection under the laws should
not in any way be circumvented. The Constitution is the fundamental and
paramount law of the nation to which all other laws must conform and in
accordance with which all private rights determined and all public authority
administered.93[93] Laws that do not conform to the Constitution should be stricken
down for being unconstitutional.94[94] While the thrust of the PTC is specific, that
is, for investigation of acts of graft and corruption, Executive Order No. 1, to
survive, must be read together with the provisions of the Constitution. To exclude
the earlier administrations in the guise of ―substantial distinctions‖ would only
confirm the petitioners‘ lament that the subject executive order is only an
91[91]
Lee, Handbook of Legal Maxims, 2002 Ed., p.
92[92]
118 US 357, http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=us&vol=118&invol=35 <accessed on
December 4, 2010>.
93[93]
Macalintal v. COMELEC, G.R. No. 157013, July 10, 2003, 405 SCRA 614, pp. 631-632; Manila Prince Hotel
vs. GSIS, 335 Phil. 82, 101 (1997).
94[94]
Id. at 632.
Page 33 of 256
―adventure in partisan hostility.‖ In the case of US v. Cyprian,95[95] it was written:
―A rather limited number of such classifications have routinely been held or
assumed to be arbitrary; those include: race, national origin, gender, political
activity or membership in a political party, union activity or membership in a labor
union, or more generally the exercise of first amendment rights.‖
To reiterate, in order for a classification to meet the requirements of

constitutionality, it must include or embrace all persons who naturally belong to the
class.96[96] ―Such a classification must not be based on existing circumstances only,
or so constituted as to preclude additions to the number included within a class, but
must be of such a nature as to embrace all those who may thereafter be in similar
circumstances and conditions. Furthermore, all who are in situations and
circumstances which are relative to the discriminatory legislation and which are
indistinguishable from those of the members of the class must be brought under the
influence of the law and treated by it in the same way as are the members of the
class.‖97[97]
The Court is not unaware that ―mere underinclusiveness is not fatal to the
validity of a law under the equal protection clause.‖98[98] ―Legislation is not
unconstitutional merely because it is not all-embracing and does not include all the
evils within its reach.‖99[99] It has been written that a regulation challenged under
the equal protection clause is not devoid of a rational predicate simply because it
happens to be incomplete.100[100] In several instances, the underinclusiveness was
not considered a valid reason to strike down a law or regulation where the purpose
can be attained in future legislations or regulations. These cases refer to the ―step
by step‖ process.101[101] ―With regard to equal protection claims, a legislature does
not run the risk of losing the entire remedial scheme simply because it fails,
through inadvertence or otherwise, to cover every evil that might conceivably have
been attacked.‖102[102]
95[95]
756 F. Supp. 388, N.. D. Ind., 1991, Jan 30, 1991, Crim No. HCR 90-42; also
http://in.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.19910130_0000002.NIN.htm/qx <accessed
December 5, 2010>
96[96]
McErlain v. Taylor, 207 Ind. 240 cited in Am. Jur. 2d, Vol. 16 (b), p. 367.
97[97]
Martin v. Tollefson, 24 Wash. 2d 211 cited in Am. Jur. 2d, Vol. 16 (b), pp. 367-368 .
98[98]
Nixon v. Administrator of General Services, 433 US 425 cited in Am. Jur. 2d, Vol. 16 (b), p. 371.
99[99]
Hunter v. Flowers, 43 So 2d 435 cited in Am. Jur. 2d, Vol. 16 (b), p. 370.
100[100]
Clements v. Fashing, 457 US 957.
101[101]
See Am. Jur. 2d, Vol. 16 (b), pp. 370-371, as footnote (A state legislature may, consistently with the Equal
Protection Clause, address a problem one step at a time, or even select one phase of one field and apply a remedy
there, neglecting the others. [Jeffeson v. Hackney, 406 US 535].
102[102]
McDonald v. Board of Election Com’rs of Chicago, 394 US 802 cited in Am Jur 2d, Footnote No. 9.
Page 34 of 256
In Executive Order No. 1, however, there is no inadvertence. That the
previous administration was picked out was deliberate and intentional as can be
gleaned from the fact that it was underscored at least three times in the assailed
executive order. It must be noted that Executive Order No. 1 does not even
mention any particular act, event or report to be focused on unlike the investigative
commissions created in the past. ―The equal protection clause is violated by
purposeful and intentional discrimination.‖103[103]
To disprove petitioners‘ contention that there is deliberate discrimination, the

OSG clarifies that the commission does not only confine itself to cases of large
scale graft and corruption committed during the previous administration.104[104]
The OSG points to Section 17 of Executive Order No. 1, which provides:
SECTION 17. Special Provision Concerning Mandate. If and when in the

judgment of the President there is a need to expand the mandate of the
Commission as defined in Section 1 hereof to include the investigation of cases
and instances of graft and corruption during the prior administrations, such
mandate may be so extended accordingly by way of a supplemental Executive
Order.
The Court is not convinced. Although Section 17 allows the President the
discretion to expand the scope of investigations of the PTC so as to include the acts
of graft and corruption committed in other past administrations, it does not
guarantee that they would be covered in the future. Such expanded mandate of the
commission will still depend on the whim and caprice of the President. If he
would decide not to include them, the section would then be meaningless. This will
only fortify the fears of the petitioners that the Executive Order No. 1 was ―crafted
to tailor-fit the prosecution of officials and personalities of the Arroyo
administration.‖105[105]
The Court tried to seek guidance from the pronouncement in the case of
Virata v. Sandiganbayan,106[106] that the ―PCGG Charter (composed of Executive
Orders Nos. 1, 2 and 14) does not violate the equal protection clause.‖ The
decision, however, was devoid of any discussion on how such conclusory
103[103]
Ricketts v. City of Hardford, 74 F. 3d 1397 cited in Am. Jur. 2d, Vol. 16 (b), p. 303.
104[104]
OSG Consolidated Comment, p. 66, rollo, p.186.
105[105]
Lagman Memorandum, p. 30; rollo, p. 118.
106[106]
G.R. No. 86926, October 15, 1991; 202 SCRA 680.
Page 35 of 256
statement was arrived at, the principal issue in said case being only the sufficiency
of a cause of action.
A final word
The issue that seems to take center stage at present is - whether or not the
Supreme Court, in the exercise of its constitutionally mandated power of Judicial
Review with respect to recent initiatives of the legislature and the executive
department, is exercising undue interference. Is the Highest Tribunal, which is
expected to be the protector of the Constitution, itself guilty of violating
fundamental tenets like the doctrine of separation of powers? Time and again, this
issue has been addressed by the Court, but it seems that the present political
situation calls for it to once again explain the legal basis of its action lest it
continually be accused of being a hindrance to the nation‘s thrust to progress.
The Philippine Supreme Court, according to Article VIII, Section 1 of the

1987 Constitution, is vested with Judicial Power that ―includes the duty of the
courts of justice to settle actual controversies involving rights which are legally
demandable and enforceable, and to determine whether or not there has been a
grave of abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction on the part
of any branch or instrumentality of the government.‖
Furthermore, in Section 4(2) thereof, it is vested with the power of judicial

review which is the power to declare a treaty, international or executive agreement,
law, presidential decree, proclamation, order, instruction, ordinance, or regulation
unconstitutional. This power also includes the duty to rule on the constitutionality
of the application, or operation of presidential decrees, proclamations, orders,
instructions, ordinances, and other regulations. These provisions, however, have
been fertile grounds of conflict between the Supreme Court, on one hand, and the
two co-equal bodies of government, on the other. Many times the Court has been
accused of asserting superiority over the other departments.
To answer this accusation, the words of Justice Laurel would be a good

source of enlightenment, to wit: ―And when the judiciary mediates to allocate
constitutional boundaries, it does not assert any superiority over the other
departments; it does not in reality nullify or invalidate an act of the legislature, but
only asserts the solemn and sacred obligation assigned to it by the Constitution to
determine conflicting claims of authority under the Constitution and to establish
for the parties in an actual controversy the rights which that instrument secures and
Page 36 of 256
guarantees to them.‖107[107]
Thus, the Court, in exercising its power of judicial review, is not imposing
its own will upon a co-equal body but rather simply making sure that any act of
government is done in consonance with the authorities and rights allocated to it by
the Constitution. And, if after said review, the Court finds no constitutional
violations of any sort, then, it has no more authority of proscribing the actions
under review. Otherwise, the Court will not be deterred to pronounce said act as
void and unconstitutional.
It cannot be denied that most government actions are inspired with noble
intentions, all geared towards the betterment of the nation and its people. But then
again, it is important to remember this ethical principle: ―The end does not justify
the means.‖ No matter how noble and worthy of admiration the purpose of an act,
but if the means to be employed in accomplishing it is simply irreconcilable with
constitutional parameters, then it cannot still be allowed.108[108] The Court cannot
just turn a blind eye and simply let it pass. It will continue to uphold the
Constitution and its enshrined principles.
“The Constitution must ever remain supreme. All must bow to
the mandate of this law. Expediency must not be allowed to sap its
strength nor greed for power debase its rectitude.”109[109]
Lest it be misunderstood, this is not the death knell for a truth commission as
nobly envisioned by the present administration. Perhaps a revision of the
executive issuance so as to include the earlier past administrations would
allow it to pass the test of reasonableness and not be an affront to the
Constitution. Of all the branches of the government, it is the judiciary which is the
most interested in knowing the truth and so it will not allow itself to be a hindrance
or obstacle to its attainment. It must, however, be emphasized that the search for
the truth must be within constitutional bounds for ―ours is still a government of
laws and not of men.‖110[110]
WHEREFORE, the petitions are GRANTED. Executive Order No. 1 is

hereby declared UNCONSTITUTIONAL insofar as it is violative of the equal
107[107]
Angara v. Electoral Commission, 63 Phil. 139, 158 (1936).
108[108]
Cruz, Philippine Political Law, 2002 ed., pp. 12-13.
109[109]
Id.
110[110]
Republic v. Southside Homeowners Association, G.R. No. 156951, September 22, 2006.
Page 37 of 256
protection clause of the Constitution.
As also prayed for, the respondents are hereby ordered to cease and desist
from carrying out the provisions of Executive Order No. 1.
SO ORDERED.
JOSE CATRAL MENDOZA

Associate Justice
WE CONCUR:
RENATO C. CORONA
Chief Justice
ANTONIO T. CARPIO CONCHITA CARPIO MORALES
Associate Justice Associate Justice
PRESBITERO J. VELASCO, JR. ANTONIO EDUARDO B. NACHURA
Page 38 of 256
TERESITA J. LEONARDO-DE CASTRO ARTURO D. BRION
DIOSDADO M. PERALTA LUCAS P. BERSAMIN

MARIANO C. DEL CASTILLO ROBERTO A. ABAD
MARTIN S. VILLARAMA, JR. JOSE PORTUGAL PEREZ
Page 39 of 256
MARIA LOURDES P.A. SERENO
Associate Justice
CERTIFICATION
Pursuant to Section 13, Article VIII of the Constitution, I certify that the
conclusions in the above Decision had been reached in consultation before the case
was assigned to the writer of the opinion of the Court.
RENATO C. CORONA
Chief Justice
G.R. No. 192935 — Louis „Barok‟ C. Biraogo versus The Philippine Truth
Commission of 2010
x------------------------x
G.R. No. 193036 — Rep. Edcel C. Lagman et al. versus Executive Secretary
Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr. and Department of Budget Secretary Florencio B. Abad.
Promulgated:
December 7, 2010
Page 40 of 256
x----------------------------------------------x
SEPARATE OPINION
CORONA, C.J.:
OF TRUTH AND TRUTH COMMISSIONS
The fundamental base upon which a truth commission is created is the right
to the truth.111[1] While the right to the truth is yet to be established as a right under
customary law112[2] or as a general principle of international law,113[3] it has
nevertheless emerged as a ―legal concept at the national, regional and international
levels, and relates to the obligation of the state to provide information to victims or
to their families or even society as a whole about the circumstances surrounding
serious violations of human rights.‖114[4]
A truth commission has been generally defined115[5] as a ―body set up to

investigate a past history of violations of human rights in a particular country
...,‖116[6] and includes four elements:
... First, a truth commission focuses on the past. Second, a truth

commission is not focused on a specific event, but attempts to paint the overall
picture of certain human rights abuses, or violations of international humanitarian
law, over a period of time. Third, a truth commission usually exists temporarily
and for a pre-defined period of time, ceasing to exist with the submission of a
111[1]
PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS (Study on the Right to the Truth): Report of
the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations Economic and
Social Council (E/CN.4/2006/91), 8 February 2006.
112[2] See Yasmin Naqvi, The Right to the Truth in International Law: Fact or Fiction?, International Review of
the Red Cross (2006), 88:862:254-
268.
113[3]
Ibid., 268.
114[4]
Ibid., 245.
115[5]
But see Eric Brahm, What is a Truth Commission and Why Does it Matter?, Peace and Conflict Review
(Spring 2009), 3:2:1-14, which proposes that ―Mark Freeman‘s (2006) typology of human rights
investigations as the definition offering the most analytical clarity and the strongest potential to move the
field forward.‖ Freeman [Truth Commissions and Procedural Fairness (2006), New York: Cambridge
University Press; E.H.R.L.R., 2008, 2, 294-297] defines a truth commission as an ―ad hoc, autonomous,
and victim-centered commission of inquiry set up in and authorized by a state for the primary purposes of
(1) investigating and reporting on the principal causes and consequences of broad and relatively recent
patterns of severe violence or repression that occurred in the state during determinate periods of abusive
rule or conflict, and (2) making recommendations for their redress and future prevention.‖
116[6]
Priscilla B. Hayner, Fifteen Truth Commissions – 1974 to 1994: A Comparative Study, Human Rights
Quarterly (Nov. 1994), 16:4:600.
Page 41 of 256
report of its findings. Finally, a truth commission is always vested with some sort
of authority, by way of its sponsor, that allows it greater access to information,
greater security or protection to dig into sensitive issues, and a greater impact with
its report.117[7]
As reported by Amnesty International,118[8] there are at least 33 truth

commissions established in 28 countries from 1974 to 2007 and this includes the
Philippines, which created the Presidential Committee on Human Rights (PCHR)
in 1986 under the post-Marcos administration of Pres. Corazon C. Aquino.
THE PHILIPPINE EXPERIENCE
Notably, Pres. Corazon C. Aquino created not one but two truth
commissions.119[9] Aside from the PCHR, which was created to address human
rights violations, the Presidential Commission on Good Government or PCGG was
also established. The PCGG was tasked with assisting the President in the
―recovery of all in-gotten wealth accumulated by former President Ferdinand E.
Marcos, his immediate family, relatives, subordinates and close associates, whether
located in the Philippines or abroad, including the takeover or sequestration of all
business enterprises and entities owned or controlled by them, during his
administration, directly or through nominees, by taking undue advantage of their
public office and/or using their powers, authority, influence, connections or
relationship,‖ among others.120[10] Unlike the present embattled and controversial
Truth Commission, however, the PCGG was created by Pres. Corazon C. Aquino
pursuant to her legislative powers under Executive Order No. 1,121[11] which in
turn, was sanctioned by Proclamation No. 3.122[12]
117[7]
Ibid., 604.
118[8]
http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/POL30/009/2007/en/7988f852-d38a-11dd-a329-2f46302a8cc6/
pol300092007en.html, viewed on 9 November 2010.
119[9]
Ruben Carranza, Plunder and Pain: Should Transitional Justice Engage with Corruption and Economic
Crimes?, The International Journal of Transitional Justice, Vol. 2, 2008, 322.
120[10]
Bataan Shipyard & Engineering Co., Inc. v. Presidential Commission on Good Government, G.R. No.
75885, May 27, 1987, 150 SCRA 181, 202.
121[11]
Promulgated on February 28, 1986, creating the Presidential Commission on Good Government.
122[12]
Promulgated on March 25, 1986, promulgating the Provisional Constitution (also known as the Freedom
Constitution). Article II, Section 1 thereof stated that the President shall continue to exercise legislative
power until a legislature is elected and convened under a new constitution x x x.
Page 42 of 256
And unlike the PCGG, the present Truth Commission suffers from both
legal and constitutional infirmities and must be struck down as unconstitutional.
POWER TO CREATE PUBLIC OFFICES:

INHERENTLY LEGISLATIVE
The separation of powers is a fundamental principle in our system of

government.123[13] This principle is one of the cornerstones of our constitutional
democracy and it cannot be eroded without endangering our government.124[14] The
1987 Constitution divides governmental power into three co-equal branches: the
executive, the legislative and the judicial. It delineates the powers of the three
branches: the legislature is generally limited to the enactment of laws, the
executive department to the enforcement of laws and the judiciary to their
interpretation and application to cases and controversies.125[15] Each branch is
independent and supreme within its own sphere and the encroachment by one
branch on another is to be avoided at all costs.
The power under scrutiny in this case is the creation of a public office. It is
settled that, except for the offices created by the Constitution, the creation of a
public office is primarily a legislative function. The legislature decides what
offices are suitable, necessary or convenient for the administration of
government.126[16]
The question is whether Congress, by law, has delegated to the Chief

Executive this power to create a public office.
In creating the Truth Commission, Executive Order No. 1 (E.O. No. 1)

points to Section 31, Chapter 10, Book III of E.O. No. 292 or the Administrative
Code of 1987 as its legal basis:
Section 31. Continuing Authority of the President to Reorganize his

Office. — The President, subject to the policy in the Executive Office and in order
to achieve simplicity, economy and efficiency, shall have continuing authority
123[13]
Angara v. Electoral Commission, 68 Phil. 139, 156 (1936).
124[14]
Secretary of Justice v. Lantion, G.R. No. 139465, 17 October 2000.
125[15]
Anak Mindanao Party-List Group v. The Executive Secretary, G.R. No. 166052, 29 August 2007.
126[16]
Eugenio v. Civil Service Commission, 312 Phil. 1145, 1152 (1995) citing AM JUR 2d on Public Officers
and Employees.
Page 43 of 256
to reorganize the administrative structure of the Office of the President. For this
purpose, he may take any of the following actions:
(1) Restructure the internal organization of the Office of the President
Proper, including the immediate Offices, the Presidential Special
Assistants/Advisers System and the Common Staff Support System, by
abolishing, consolidating, or merging units thereof or transferring functions from
one unit to another;
(2) Transfer any function under the Office of the President to any
other Department or Agency as well as transfer functions to the Office of the
President from other Departments and Agencies; and
(3) Transfer any agency under the Office of the President to any other
department or agency as well as transfer agencies to the Office of the President
from other departments or agencies. (Emphasis supplied)
This provision pertains to the President‘s continuing delegated power to

reorganize the Office of the President. The well-settled principle is that the
President has the power to reorganize the offices and agencies in the executive
department in line with his constitutionally granted power of control over
executive offices and by virtue of his delegated legislative power to reorganize
them under existing statutes.127[17] Needless to state, such power must always be in
accordance with the Constitution, relevant laws and prevailing jurisprudence.128[18]
In creating the Truth Commission, did the President merely exercise his
continuing authority to reorganize the executive department? No.
Considering that the President was exercising a delegated power, his actions
should have conformed to the standards set by the law, that is, that the
reorganization be in the interest of ―simplicity, economy and efficiency.‖ Were
such objectives met? They were not. The Truth Commission clearly duplicates and
supplants the functions and powers of the Office of the Ombudsman and/or the
Department of Justice, as will be discussed in detail later. How can the creation of
a new commission with the same duplicative functions as those of already existing
offices result in economy or a more efficient bureaucracy?129[19] Such a creation
becomes even more questionable considering that the 1987 Constitution itself
mandates the Ombudsman to investigate graft and corruption cases.130[20]
THE TRUTH COMMISSION IN THE LIGHT OF
THE EQUAL PROTECTION CLAUSE
127[17]
Banda v. Ermita, G.R. No. 166620, April 20, 2010.
128[18]
Ibid.
129[19]
Buklod ng Kawaniang EIIB v. Sec. Zamora, 413 Phil. 281, 295.
130[20]
Office of the Ombudsman v. Samaniego, G.R. No. 175573, 11 September 2008.
Page 44 of 256
Equal protection is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution.
Section 1, Article III of the 1987 Constitution reads:
... nor shall any person be denied the equal protection of the
laws.
It is a right afforded every man. The right to equal protection does not require a
universal application of the laws to all persons or things without distinction.131[21] It
requires simply that all persons or things similarly situated should be treated alike,
both as to rights conferred and responsibilities imposed.132[22]
In certain cases, however, as when things or persons are different in fact or

circumstance, they may be treated in law differently. 133[23] In Victoriano vs.
Elizalde Rope Workers Union,134[24] the Court declared:
The equal protection of the laws clause of the Constitution allows
classification. Classification in law, as in the other departments of knowledge or
practice, is the grouping of things in speculation or practice because they agree
with one another in certain particulars. A law is not invalid because of simple
inequality. The very idea of classification is that of inequality, so that it goes
without saying that the mere fact of inequality in no manner determines the matter
of constitutionality. All that is required of a valid classification is that it be
reasonable, which means that the classification should be based on substantial
distinctions which make for real differences, that it must be germane to the
purpose of the law; that it must not be limited to existing conditions only; and that
it must apply equally to each member of the class. This Court has held that the
standard is satisfied if the classification or distinction is based on a reasonable
foundation or rational basis and is not palpably arbitrary.
Thus, for a classification to be valid it must pass the test of

reasonableness,135[25] which requires that:
(1) it be based on substantial distinctions;
131[21]
Chamber of Real Estate and Builders’ Associations, Inc. v. Executive Secretary Alberto Romulo (G.R. No.
160756, 2010)
132[22]
Quinto v. Comelec (G.R. No. 189698, 2009)
133[23]
Abakada Guro v. Hon. Cesar V. Purisima (G.R. No. 166715, 2008)
134[24]
59 SCRA 54, 1974.
135[25]
League of Cities of the Philippines v. COMELEC (G.R. No. 176951; G.R. No. 177499; 2008; G.R. No.
178056, 2008)
Page 45 of 256
(2) it must be germane to the purpose of the law;
(3) it must not be limited to present conditions; and
(4) it must apply equally to all members of the same class.
All four requisites must be complied with for the classification to be valid and
constitutional.
The constitutionality of E. O. No. 1 is being attacked on the ground that it

violates the equal protection clause.
Petitioners argue that E.O. No. 1 violates the equal protection clause as it
deliberately vests the Truth Commission with jurisdiction and authority to solely
target officials and employees of the Arroyo Administration.136[26] Moreover, they
claim that there is no substantial distinction of graft reportedly committed under
the Arroyo administration and graft committed under previous administrations to
warrant the creation of a Truth Commission which will investigate for prosecution
officials and employees of the past administration.137[27]
Respondents, on the other hand, argue that the creation of the Truth
Commission does not violate the equal protection clause. According to them, while
E.O. No. 1 names the previous administration as the initial subject of the
investigation, it does not confine itself to cases of graft and corruption committed
solely during the past administration. Section 17 of E.O. No. 1 clearly speaks of
the President‘s power to expand its coverage to previous administrations.
Moreover, respondents argue that the segregation of the transactions of public
officers during the previous administration as possible subjects of investigation is a
valid classification based on substantial distinctions and is germane to the evils
which the executive order seeks to correct.138[28]
On its face, E.O. No. 1 clearly singles out the previous administration as the
Truth Commission‘s sole subject of investigation.
Section 1. Creation of a Commission – There is hereby created the

―COMMISSION‖, which shall primarily seek and find the truth on, and toward
136[26]
Par. 69, Lagman, et al‘s Petition
137[27]
138[28]
OSG Memorandum, pp. 88-90.
Page 46 of 256
that shock and offend the moral and ethical sensibilities of the people committed
from the private sector, if any during the previous administration; and thereafter
recommend the appropriate action to be taken to ensure that the full measure of
justice shall be served without fear or favor.
Section 2. Powers and Functions. – The Commission, which shall have the
Administrative Code of 1987, is primarily tasked to conduct a thorough fact-
finding investigation of reported cases of graft and corruption referred to in
Section 1, involving third level public officers and higher, their co-principals,
accomplices and accessories from the private sector, if any during the previous
administration and thereafter submit its findings and recommendations to the
President, Congress and the Ombudsman. x x x‖ (Emphasis supplied)
Notwithstanding Section 17, which provides:
If and when in the judgment of the President there is a need to expand

the mandate of the Commission as defined in Section 1 hereof to include the
investigation of cases and instances of graft and corruption during the prior
administration, such mandate may be so extended accordingly by way of
supplemental Executive Order.‖ (Emphasis supplied),
such expanded mandate of the Truth Commission will still depend on the whim
and caprice of the President. If the President decides not to expand the coverage of
the investigation, then the Truth Commission‘s sole directive is the investigation of
officials and employees of the Arroyo administration.
Given the indubitably clear mandate of E.O. No. 1, does the identification of
the Arroyo administration as the subject of the Truth Commission‘s investigation
pass the jurisprudential test of reasonableness? Stated differently, does the mandate
of E.O. No. 1 violate the equal protection clause of the Constitution? Yes.
I rule in favor of petitioners.

(1) No Substantial Distinction –
There is no substantial distinction between the corruption which occurred

during the past administration and the corruption of the administrations prior to it.
Allegations of graft and corruption in the government are unfortunately prevalent
regardless of who the President happens to be. Respondents‘ claim of widespread
systemic corruption is not unique only to the past administration.
Page 47 of 256
(2) Not Germane to the Purpose of the Law –
The purpose of E.O. No. 1 (to put an end to corruption in the government) is
stated clearly in the preamble of the aforesaid order:
WHEREAS, the President‘s battle-cry during his campaign for the
Presidency in the last elections “kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap”
expresses a solemn pledge that if elected, he would end corruption and the evil it
breeds; xxx
In the light of the unmistakable purpose of E.O. No. 1, the classification of

the past regime as separate from the past administrations is not germane to the
purpose of the law. Corruption did not occur only in the past administration. To
stamp out corruption, we must go beyond the façade of each administration and
investigate all public officials and employees alleged to have committed graft in
any previous administration.
(3) E.O. No. 1 does Not Apply to Future Conditions –
As correctly pointed out by petitioners, the classification does not even refer
to present conditions, much more to future conditions vis-avis the commission of
graft and corruption. It is limited to a particular past administration and not to all
past administrations.139[29]
We go back to the text of the executive order in question.
xxx
Whereas, there is a need for a separate body dedicated solely to
investigating and finding out the truth concerning the reported cases if graft and
corruption during the previous administration, and which will recommend the
prosecution of the offenders and secure justice for all;
xxx
Section 1. Creating of a Commission. – There is hereby created the
this end investigate reports of graft and corruption, x x x if any, during the
previous administration; xxx
139[29]
Page 48 of 256
Section 2. Power and Functions. Powers and Functions. – The
Commission, which shall have all the powers of an investigative body under
Section 37, Chapter 9, Book I of the Administrative Code of 1987, is primarily
tasked to conduct a thorough fact-finding investigation of reported cases of graft
and corruption x x x, if any, during the previous administration and thereafter
submit its findings and recommendations to the President, Congress and the
Ombudsman. x x x
The above-quoted provisions show that the sole subject of the investigation
will be public officers and employees of the previous administration only, that is,
until such time if and when the President decides to expand the Truth
Commission‘s mandate to include other administrations (if he does so at all).
(4) E.O. No. 1 Does Not Apply to the Same Class –
Lastly, E.O. No. 1 does not apply to all of those belonging to the same class
for it only applies to the public officers and employees of the past administration.
It excludes from its purview the graft and the grafters of administrations prior to
the last one. Graft is not exclusive to the previous presidency alone, hence there is
no justification to limit the scope of the mandate only to the previous
administration.
FACT-FINDING OR INVESTIGATION?
The nature of the powers and functions allocated by the President to the
Truth Commission by virtue of E.O. No. 1 is investigatory,140[30] with the purposes
of determining probable cause of the commission of ―graft and corruption under
pertinent applicable laws‖ and referring such finding and evidence to the proper
authorities for prosecution.141[31]
The respondents pass off these powers and functions as merely fact-finding,
short of investigatory. I do not think so. Sugar-coating the description of the Truth
Commission‘s processes and functions so as to make it ―sound harmless‖ falls
140[30]
Section 2. xxx b) Collect, receive, review and evaluate evidence related to or regarding the cases of
large scale corruption which it has chosen to investigate, and to this end require any agency, official or
employee of the Executive Branch, including government-owned or controlled corporations, to produce
documents, books, records and other papers xxx.
141[31]
Section 2. xxx g) Turn over from time to time, for expeditious prosecution, to the appropriate
prosecutorial authorities, by means of a special or interim report and recommendation, all evidence on
corruption of public officers and employees and their private sector co-principals, accomplices or
accessories, if any, when in the course of its investigation the Commission finds that there is reasonable
ground to believe that they are liable for graft and corruption under pertinent applicable laws xxx.
Page 49 of 256
short of constitutional requirements. It has in its hands the vast arsenal of the
government to intimidate, harass and humiliate its perceived political enemies
outside the lawful prosecutorial avenues provided by law in the Ombudsman or the
Department of Justice.
The scope of the investigatory powers and functions assigned by the

President to the Truth Commission encompasses all ―public officers and
employees, their co-principals, accomplices and accessories from the private
sector, if any, during the previous administration.‖142[32]
There is no doubt in my mind that what the President granted the Truth
Commission is the authority to conduct preliminary investigation of complaints of
graft and corruption against his immediate predecessor and her associates.
The respondents see nothing wrong with that. They believe that, pursuant to
his power of control and general supervision under Article VII of the
Constitution,143[33] the President can create an ad-hoc committee like the Truth
Commission to investigate graft and corruption cases. And the President can
endow it with authority parallel to that of the Ombudsman to conduct preliminary
investigations. Citing Ombudsman v. Galicia144[34] the power of the Ombudsman to
conduct preliminary investigations is not exclusive but shared with other similarly
authorized government agencies.
I take a different view. The operative word is ―authorized‖.
Indeed, the power of control and supervision of the President includes the
power to discipline which in turn implies the power to investigate. 145[35] No
Congress or Court can derogate from that power146[36] but the Constitution itself
may set certain limits.147[37] And the Constitution has in fact carved out the
preliminary investigatory aspect of the control power and allocated the same to the
following:
142[32]
Id.
143[33]
Section 17. The President shall have control of all the executive departments, bureaus, and offices. He shall
144[34]
568 SCRA 327 (2008)
145[35]
Joson v. Executive Secretary, et al., G.R. No. 131255, May 20, 1998; Villaluz v. Zaldivar, et al. (En
Banc), G.R. No. L-22754, December 31, 1965.
146[36]
Rufino v. Endriga, G.R. No. 139554, July 21, 2006.
147[37]
Ang-Angco v. Hon. Natalio Castillo, et al., G.R. No. L-17169, November 30, 1963.
Page 50 of 256
(a) to Congress over presidential appointees who are impeachable officers
(Article XI, Sections 2 and 3);
(b) to the Supreme Court over members of the courts and the personnel
thereof (Article VIII, Section 6); and
(c) to the Ombudsman over any other public official, employee, office or
agency (Article XI, Section 13 (1)).
However, even as the Constitution has granted to the Ombudsman the power
to investigate other public officials and employees, such power is not absolute and
exclusive. Congress has the power to further define the powers of the Ombudsman
and, impliedly, to authorize other offices to conduct such investigation over their
respective officials and personnel.148[38]
The Constitution has vested in Congress alone the power to grant to any
office concurrent jurisdiction with the Ombudsman to conduct preliminary
investigation of cases of graft and corruption.
In a myriad of cases, this Court has recognized the concurrent jurisdiction of

other bodies vis-à-vis the Ombudsman to conduct preliminary investigation of
complaints of graft and corruption as authorized by law, meaning, for any other
person or agency to be able to conduct such investigations, there must be a law
authorizing him or it to do so.
In Ombudsman v. Galicia (cited in the ponencia) as well as Ombudsman v.

Estandarte,149[39] the Court recognized the concurrent jurisdiction of the Division
School Superintendent vis-à-vis the Ombudsman to conduct preliminary
investigation of complaints of graft and corruption committed by public school
teachers. Such concurrent jurisdiction of the Division School Superintendent was
granted by law, specifically RA 4670 or the Magna Carta for Public School
Teachers.150[40]
148[38]
Article XI states:
Section 13. The Office of the Ombudsman shall have the following powers, functions, and duties:
xxx
(8) x x x exercise such other powers or perform such functions or duties as may be provided by
law.
149[39]
G.R. No. 168670, April 13, 2007, 521 SCRA 155.
150[40]
See also Emin v. De Leon (G.R. No. 139794, February 27, 2002, 378 SCRA 143) on the concurrent
authority of the Civil Service Commission and the DEPED Investigating Committee under RA 4670. See
Page 51 of 256
Likewise, in Ombudsman v. Medrano151[41] the Court held that by virtue of
RA 4670 the Department of Education Investigating Committee has concurrent
jurisdiction with the Ombudsman to conduct a preliminary investigation of
complaints against public school teachers.
Even the Sangguniang Panlungsod has concurrent jurisdiction with the

Ombudsman to look into complaints against the punong barangay.152[42] Such
concurrent authority is found in RA 7160 or the Local Government Code.
The Department of Justice is another agency with jurisdiction concurrent

with the Ombudsman to conduct preliminary investigation of public officials and
employees.153[43] Its concurrent jurisdiction is based on the 1987 Administrative
Code.
Certainly, there is a law, the Administrative Code, which authorized the
Office of the President to exercise jurisdiction concurrent with the Ombudsman to
conduct preliminary investigation of graft and corruption cases. However, the
scope and focus of its preliminary investigation are restricted. Under the principle
that the power to appoint includes the power to remove, each President has had his
or her own version of a presidential committee to investigate graft and corruption,
the last being President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo‘s Presidential Anti-Graft
Commission (PAGC) under E.O. No. 268. The PAGC exercised concurrent
authority with the Ombudsman to investigate complaints of graft and corruption
against presidential appointees who are not impeachable officers and non-
presidential appointees in conspiracy with the latter. It is in this light that DOH v.
Camposano, et al.154[44] as cited in the ponencia should be understood. At that
time, the PCAGC (now defunct) had no investigatory power over non-presidential
appointees; hence the President created an ad-hoc committee to investigate both
the principal respondent who was a presidential appointee and her co-conspirators
who were non-presidential appointees. The PAGC (now also defunct), however,
was authorized to investigate both presidential appointees and non-presidential
appointees who were in conspiracy with each other.
further Puse v. Santos-Puse (G.R. No. 183678, March 15, 2010) where the Court held that the concurrent
jurisdiction of the DEPED and CSC to cause preliminary investigation is also shared by the Board of
Professional Teachers under RA 7836 or Philippine Teachers Professionalization Act of 1994.
151[41]
G.R. No. 177580, October 17, 2008.
152[42]
See Ombudsman v. Rolson Rodriguez, G.R. No. 172700, July 23, 2010 citing Laxina, Sr. v.Ombudsman,
G.R. No. 153155, 30 September 2005, 471 SCRA 542.
153[43]
Sevilla Decin v. SPO1 Melzasar Tayco, et al., G.R. No. 1 4 9 9 9 1 , Feb r uar y 1 4 , 2 0 0 7 ; Ho n a sa n II
v. Th e Pa n el o f I n v es tig a tin g Pro s ecu to r s o f th e Dep a r tmen t o f Ju s ti ce , G.R. No. 159747,
April 13, 2004.
154[44]
G.R. No. 157684. April 27, 2005.
Page 52 of 256
However, although pursuant to his power of control the President may
supplant and directly exercise the investigatory functions of departments and
agencies within the executive department,155[45] his power of control under the
Constitution and the Administrative Code is confined only to the executive
department.156[46] Without any law authorizing him, the President cannot legally
create a committee to extend his investigatory reach across the boundaries of the
executive department to ―public officers and employees, their co-principals,
administration‖ without setting apart those who are still in the executive
department from those who are not. Only the Ombudsman has the investigatory
jurisdiction over them under Article XI, Section 13. There is no law granting to the
President the authority to create a committee with concurrent investigatory
jurisdiction of this nature.
The President acted in violation of the Constitution and without authority of

law when he created a Truth Commission under E.O. No. 1 to exercise concurrent
jurisdiction with the Ombudsman to conduct the preliminary investigation of
complaints of graft and corruption against public officers and employees, their co-
previous administration.
INVESTIGATION OR QUASI-
ADJUDICATION?
Respondents argue that the Truth Commission is merely an investigative and

fact-finding body tasked to gather facts, draw conclusions therefrom and
recommend the appropriate actions or measures to be taken. Petitioners, however,
argue that the Truth Commission is vested with quasi-judicial powers. Offices
with such awesome powers cannot be legally created by the President through
mere executive orders.
Petitioners are correct.
The definition of investigation was extensively discussed in Cariño v.

Commission on Human Rights:157[47]
155[45]
See Review Center Association of the Philippines v. Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, et al., G.R. No.
180046 , April 2, 2009; Bermudez v. Executive Secretary, G.R. No. 131429, August 4, 1999.
156[46]
KMU v. Director General, et al., G.R. No. 167798, April 19, 2006.
157[47]
G.R. No. 96681, 2 December 1991, 204 SCRA 483.
Page 53 of 256
"Investigate," commonly understood, means to examine, explore, inquire
or delve or probe into, research on, study. The dictionary definition of
"investigate" is "to observe or study closely: inquire into systematically: "to
search or inquire into: . . . to subject to an official probe . . .: to conduct an official
inquiry." The purpose of investigation, of course, is to discover, to find out, to
learn, obtain information. Nowhere included or intimated is the notion of settling,
deciding or resolving a controversy involved in the facts inquired into by
application of the law to the facts established by the inquiry.
The legal meaning of "investigate" is essentially the same: "(t)o follow up
step by step by patient inquiry or observation. To trace or track; to search into; to
examine and inquire into with care and accuracy; to find out by careful
inquisition; examination; the taking of evidence; a legal inquiry;" "to inquire; to
make an investigation," "investigation" being in turn described as "(a)n
administrative function, the exercise of which ordinarily does not require a
hearing. 2 Am J2d Adm L Sec. 257; . . . an inquiry, judicial or otherwise, for the
discovery and collection of facts concerning a certain matter or matters."158[48]
(Italics in the original)
The exercise of quasi-judicial power goes beyond mere investigation and

fact-finding. Quasi-judicial power has been defined as
… the power of the administrative agency to adjudicate the rights of

persons before it. It is the power to hear and determine questions of fact to which
the legislative policy is to apply and to decide in accordance with the standards
laid down by the law itself in enforcing and administering the same law. The
administrative body exercises its quasi-judicial power when it performs in a
judicial manner an act which is essentially of an executive or administrative
nature, where the power to act in such manner is incidental to or reasonably
necessary for the performance of the executive or administrative duty entrusted to
it. In carrying out their quasi-judicial functions the administrative officers or
bodies are required to investigate facts or ascertain the existence of facts, hold
hearings, weigh evidence, and draw conclusions from them as basis for their
official action and exercise of discretion in a judicial nature.159[49] (Emphasis
supplied)
Despite respondents‘ denial that the Truth Commission is infused with

quasi-judicial powers, it is patent from the provisions of E.O. No. 1 itself that such
powers are indeed vested in the Truth Commission, particularly in Section 2,
paragraphs (b) and (g):
158[48]
Id., pp. 495-496.
159[49]
Dole Philippines Inc. v. Esteva, G.R. No. 161115, 30 November 2006, 509 SCRA 332, 369-370.
Page 54 of 256
b) Collect, receive, review, and evaluate evidence related to or regarding
the cases of large scale corruption which it has chosen to investigate, …
xxx
g) Turn over from time to time, for expeditious prosecution, to the
appropriate prosecutorial authorities, by means of a special or interim report and
recommendation, all evidence on corruption of public officers and employees and
their private sector co-principals, accomplices or accessories, if any, when in the
course of its investigation the Commission finds that there is reasonable
ground to believe they are liable for graft and corruption under pertinent
applicable laws;
xxx
The powers to ―evaluate evidence‖ and ―find reasonable ground to believe

that someone is liable for graft and corruption‖ are not merely fact-finding or
investigatory. These are quasi-judicial in nature because they actually go into the
weighing of evidence, drawing up of legal conclusions from them as basis for their
official action and the exercise of discretion of a judicial or quasi-judicial nature.
The evaluation of the sufficiency of the evidence is a quasi-judicial/judicial

function. It involves an assessment of the evidence which is an exercise of judicial
discretion. We have defined discretion
as the ability to make decisions which represent a responsible choice and

for which an understanding of what is lawful, right or wise may be
160[50]
presupposed.
It is the ―the act or the liberty to decide, according to the principles of justice and
one‘s ideas of what is right and proper under the circumstances, without
willfulness or favor.‖161[51]
Likewise, the power to establish if there is reasonable ground to believe that

certain persons are liable for graft and corruption under pertinent applicable laws is
quasi-judicial in nature because it is akin to the discretion exercised by a
prosecutor in the determination of probable cause during a preliminary
investigation. It involves a judicial (or quasi-judicial) appraisal of the facts for the
purpose of determining if a violation has in fact been committed.
160[50]
Manotoc v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 130974, 16 August 2006.
161[51]
Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. Inc. v. Manggagawa ng Komunikasyon sa Pilipinas, G.R. No.
162783, 14 July 2005.
Page 55 of 256
Although such a preliminary investigation is not a trial and is not intended
to usurp the function of the trial court, it is not a casual affair. The officer
conducting the same investigates or inquires into the facts concerning the
commission of the crime with the end in view of determining whether or not an
information may be prepared against the accused. Indeed, a preliminary
investigation is in effect a realistic judicial appraisal of the merits of the case.
Sufficient proof of the guilt of the accused must be adduced so that when the case
is tried, the trial court may not be bound as a matter of law to order an acquittal. A
preliminary investigation has then been called a judicial inquiry. It is a
judicial proceeding. An act becomes judicial when there is opportunity to be
heard and for, the production and weighing of evidence, and a decision is
rendered thereon.
The authority of a prosecutor or investigating officer duly empowered to
preside or to conduct a preliminary investigation is no less than that of a
municipal judge or even a regional trial court judge. While the investigating
officer, strictly speaking is not a "judge," by the nature of his functions he is
and must be considered to be a quasi judicial officer.162[52]
Hence, the Truth Commission is vested with quasi-judicial discretion in the

discharge of its functions.
As a mere creation of the executive and without a law granting it the power
to investigate person and agencies outside the executive department, the Truth
Commission can only perform administrative functions, not quasi-judicial
functions. ―Administrative agencies are not considered courts; they are neither part
of the judicial system nor are they deemed judicial tribunals.‖163[53]
Executive Order No. 1 and the Philippine Truth Commission of 2010, being
contrary to the Constitution, should be nullified.
I therefore vote that the petitions be GRANTED.
RENATO C. CORONA
162[52]
Cojuangco, Jr. v. Presidential Commission on Good Government, G.R. Nos. 92319-20, 2 October 2, 1990.
This is an En Banc case that had been reiterated in two other En Banc cases, namely, Olivas v. Office of the
Ombudsman (G.R. No. 102420, 20 December 1994) and Uy v. Office of the Ombudsman (G.R. Nos.
156399-400, 27 June 2008, 556 SCRA 73). Thus it cannot be said to have been overturned by Balangauan
v. Court f Appeals, Special Nineteenth Division, Cebu City (G.R. No. 174350, 13 August 2008, 562 SCRA
184) a decision of the Court through the Third Division wherein the Court declared: ―It must be
remembered that a preliminary investigation is not a quasi-judicial proceeding…. (p. 203)‖
163[53]
Meralco v. Energy Regulatory Board, G.R. No. 145399, 17 March 2006.
Page 56 of 256
Chief Justice
EN BANC
Agenda for December 7, 2010
Item No. 103
G.R. No. 192935 - LOUIS ―BAROK‖ C. BIRAOGO, Petitioner, versus THE

PHILIPPINE TRUTH COMMISSION OF 2010, Respondent, and G.R. NO.
193036 - REP. EDCEL C. LAGMAN, REP. RODOLFO B. ALBANO, JR., REP.
SIMEON A. DATUMANONG, and REP, ORLANDO B. FUA, SR., Petitioners,
versus EXECUTIVE SECRETARY PAQUITO N. OCHOA, JR. and
DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT SECRETARY
FLORENCIO B. ABAD, Respondents.
Promulgated on December 7, 2010

x ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- x
SEPARATE OPINION
BRION, J.:
I concur, through this Separate Opinion, with the conclusion that the
Executive Order No. 1 (EO 1 or EO) creating the Truth Commission is fatally
defective and thus should be struck down.
I base my conclusion:
(1) On due process grounds;
(2) On the unconstitutional impact of the EO on the established legal
framework of the criminal justice system;
(3) On the violation of the rule on separation of powers;
(4) On the violations of the personal rights of the investigated persons and
their constitutional right to a fair trial;164[1] and
164[1]
CONSTITUTION, Article III, Section 1 and 14, which states:
Section 1. No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law, nor
Page 57 of 256
(5) On the violation of the equal protection clause.
Two inter-related features of the EO primarily contribute to the resulting

violations. The first is the use of the title Truth Commission, which, as used in the
EO, is fraught with hidden and prejudicial implications beyond the seemingly
simple truth that purportedly characterizes the Commission. The second relates to
the truth-telling function of the Truth Commission under the terms of the EO.
Together, these features radiate outwards with prejudicial effects, resulting in the
above violations.
The full disclosure of the truth about irregular and criminal government
activities, particularly about graft and corruption, is a very worthy ideal that those
in government must fully support; the ideal cannot be disputed, sidetracked or
much less denied. It is a matter that the Constitution itself is deeply concerned
about as shown by Article XI on Accountability of Public Officers.
This concern, however, co-exists with many others and is not the be-all and
end-all of the Charter. The means and manner of addressing this constitutional
concern, for example, rate very highly in the hierarchy of constitutional values,
particularly their effect on the structure and operations of government and the
rights of third parties.
The working of government is based on a well-laid and purposeful

constitutional plan, essentially based on the doctrine of separation of powers, that
can only be altered by the ultimate sovereign – the people. Short of this sovereign
action, not one of the departments of government – neither the Executive, nor the
Legislature, and nor the Judiciary – can modify this constitutional plan, whether
directly or indirectly.
Concern for the individual is another overriding constitutional value.

Significantly, the Constitution does not distinguish between the guilty and the
shall any person be denied the equal protection of the laws.
Section 14. (1) No person shall be held to answer for a criminal offense without due process of
law.
(2) In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall be presumed innocent until the contrary is proved,
and shall enjoy the right to be heard by himself and counsel, to be informed of the nature and cause of
the accusation against him, to have a speedy, impartial, and public trial, to meet the witnesses face to
face, and to have compulsory process to secure the attendance of witnesses and the production of
evidence in his behalf. However, after arraignment, trial may proceed notwithstanding the absence of
the accused: Provided, that he has been duly notified and his failure to appear is unjustifiable.
Page 58 of 256
innocent in its coverage and grant of rights and guarantees. In fact, it has very
specific guarantees for all accused based on its general concern for every Filipino‘s
life, liberty, security and property. The Constituion, too, ensures that persons of
the same class, whether natural or juridical, are treated equally, and that the
government does not discriminate in its actions.
All these, this Court must zealously guard. We in the Court cannot ever
allow a disturbance of the equilibrium of the constitutional structure in favour of
one or the other branch, especially in favour of the Judiciary. Much less can we
pre-judge any potential accused, even in the name of truth-telling, retribution,
national healing or social justice. The justice that the Constitution envisions is
largely expressed and embodied in the Constitution itself and this concept of
justice, more than anything else, the Judiciary must serve and satisfy. In doing
this, the Judiciary must stand as a neutral and apolitical judge and cannot be an
advocate other than for the primacy of the Constitution.
These, in brief, reflect the underlying reasons for the cited grounds for the
invalidity of E.O. 1.
I. THE EO AND THE ―TRUTH‖ COMMISSION.
A. THE TERMS OF THE EO AND THE RULES;

NATURE OF THE “TRUTH COMMISSION”
The Philippine Truth Commission (Truth Commission or Commission) is a

body ―created‖ by the President of the Philippines by way of an Executive Order
(EO 1 or EO) entitled ―Executive Order No. 1, Creating the Philippine Truth
Commission of 2010.‖ The Truth Commission‘s express and avowed purpose is –
165[2]
―to seek and find the truth on, and toward this end, investigate reports of graft
and corruption of such scale and magnitude that shock and offend the moral and
ethical sensibilities of the people, committed by public officials and employees,
their co-principals, accomplices and accessories from the private sector, if any,
during the previous administration, and thereafter recommend the
appropriate action to be taken thereon to ensure that the full measure of justice
shall be served without fear or favor.‖
165[2]
Executive Order No. 1, ―Creating the Philippine Truth Commission of 2010,‖ Section 1.
Page 59 of 256
Under these terms and by the Solicitor General‘s admissions and
representations, the Truth Commission has three basic functions, namely, fact-
finding,166[3] policy recommendation,167[4] and truth-telling,168[5] all with respect to
reported massive graft and corruption committed by officials and employees of the
previous administration.
The EO defines the Truth Commission as an ―independent collegial body‖

with a Chairman and four members;169[6] and provides for the staff,170[7]
facilities171[8] and budgetary support172[9] it can rely on, all of which are sourced
from or coursed through the Office of the President. It specifically empowers the
Truth Commission to ―collect, receive, review and evaluate evidence.‖173[10] It
defines how the Commission will operate and how its proceedings will be
conducted.174[11] Notably, its hearings shall be open to the public, except only
when they are held in executive sessions for reasons of national security, public
safety or when demanded by witnesses‘ personal security concerns.175[12] It is
tasked to submit its findings and recommendations on graft and corruption to the
President, Congress and the Ombudsman,176[13] and submit special interim reports
and a comprehensive final report which shall be published.177[14] Witnesses or
resource persons are given the right to counsel,178[15] as well as security protection
to be provided by government police agencies.179[16]
The Rules of Procedure of the Philippine Truth Commission of 2010

(Rules), promulgated pursuant to Section 2(j) of EO 1, further flesh out the
operations of the Commission.180[17] Section 4 assures that ―due process shall at all
times be observed in the application of the Rules.‖ It provides for formal
complaints that may be filed before it,181[18] and that after evaluation, the parties
166[3]
TSN, September 28, 2010, pp. 23, 39-40, 52, 60, 73-75, 123-126.
167[4]
Id. at 182.
168[5]
Id. at 58-60.
169[6]
EO 1, Section 1, par. 2.
170[7]
Id., Section 2, paragraphs. H and I; Sections 3, 4 and 5.
171[8]
Id., Sections 12, 13.
172[9]
Id., Section 11.
173[10]
Id., Section 2 (b).
174[11]
Id., Sections 2 (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i) and 6.
175[12]
Id., Section 6.
176[13]
Id., Section 2.
177[14]
Id., Section 15.
178[15]
Id., Section 7.
179[16]
Id., Section 8.
180[17]
Resolution 001, ―Rules of Procedure of the Philippine Truth Commission,‖ September 20, 2010.
181[18]
Rules, Rule 4, Section 1(b).
Page 60 of 256
who appear responsible under the complaints shall be provided copies of the
complaints and supporting documents, and be required to comment on or file
counter-affidavits within ten (10) days.182[19] The Rules declare that the
Commission is not bound by the technical rules of evidence,183[20] reiterate the
protection afforded to witnesses provided under the EO,184[21] and confirm that
hearings shall be open to the public.185[22]
B. THE TITLE ”TRUTH COMMISSION”

AND DUE PROCESS
Both the parties‘ memoranda dwelt on the origins and nature of the term
―Truth Commission,‖ with both using their reading of the term‘s history and
usages to support their respective positions.186[23] What comes across in available
literature is that no nation has a lock on the meaning of the term; there is only a
long line of practice that attaches the term to a body established upon restoration of
democracy after a period of massive violence and repression.187[24] The term truth
commission has been specifically used as a title for the body investigating the
human rights violations188[25] that attended past violence and repression,189[26] and
in some instances for a body working for reconciliation in society.190[27]
The traditional circumstances that give rise to the use of a truth commission
along the lines of established international practice are not present in the Philippine
setting. The Philippines has a new democratically-elected President, whose
election has been fully accepted without protest by all presidential candidates and
by the people. A peaceful transition of administration took place, where Congress
harmoniously convened, with the past President now sitting as a member of the
House of Representatives. While charges of human rights violations may have
been lodged against the government during the past administration, these charges
182[19]
Id., Rule 4, Section 1(b), paragraph 2.
183[20]
Rules, Rule 4, Section 2.
184[21]
EO 1, Section 8.
185[22]
Rules, Rule 5.
186[23]
Petitioner Lagman‘s Petition for Certiorari, rollo, pp. 34-43; Respondents‘ Memorandum, id. at 322-323.
187[24]
See Mark Freeman, Truth Commissions and Procedural Fairness (2006).
188[25]
Freeman, supra note 24 at 12-13 citing Priscilla Hayner, Unspeakable Truths: Facing the Challenge of
Truth Commissions (2nd ed., 2004), p. 14.
189[26]
Freeman, supra note 24 at 14 [Freeman points out that Hayner omitted the element in the definition that
―truth commissions focus on severe acts of violence or repression.‖ He stated further that ―[s]uch acts may take
many forms, ranging from arbitrary detention to torture to enforced disappearance to summary execution.‖
190[27]
Theresa Klosterman, The Feasibility and Propriety of a Truth Commission in Cambodia: Too Little? Too
Late? 15 ARIZ. J. INT'L & COMP. L. 833, 843-844 (1998). See also Priscilla Hayner, Fifteen Truth
Commissions 1974 to 1994: A Comparative Study, 16 HUM. RTS. Q. 597, 600, 607 (1994).
Page 61 of 256
are not those addressed by EO 1.191[28] Rather, EO 1 focuses entirely on graft and
corruption. Significantly, reconciliation does not appear to be a goal – either in
the EO, in the pleadings filed by the parties, or in the oral arguments – thus,
removing a justification for any massive information campaign aimed at healing
divisions that may exist in the nation.
As a matter of law, that a body called a Truth Commission is tasked to

investigate past instances of graft and corruption would not per se be an
irregularity that should cause its invalidation. The use of the word ―truth‖ is not
ordinarily a ground for objection. Not even the Constitution itself defines or tells
us what truth is; the Charter, fleshed out by the statutes, can only outline the
process of arriving at the truth. After the Constitution and the statutes, however,
have laid down the prescribed procedure, then that procedure must be observed in
securing the truth. Any deviation could be a violation depending on the attendant
circumstances.
No international law can also prevent a sovereign country from using the
term as the title of a body tasked to investigate graft and corruption affecting its
citizens within its borders. At the same time, international law cannot be invoked
as a source of legitimacy for the use of the title when it is not based on the
internationally-recognized conditions of its use.
No local law likewise specifically prohibits or regulates the use of the term
―truth commission.‖ Apart from the procedural ―deviation‖ above adverted to,
what may render the use of the term legally objectionable is the standard of
reason, applicable to all government actions, as applied to the attendant
circumstances surrounding the use in the EO of the title Truth Commission. 192[29]
The use of this standard is unavoidable since the title Truth Commission is used in
a public instrument that defines the Commission‘s functions and affects both the
government and private parties.193[30] The Commission‘s work affects third parties
as it is specifically tasked to investigate and prosecute officials and employees of
191[28]
An attempt has been made during the oral arguments to characterize massive graft and corruption as a
violation of human rights, but this characterization does not appear to be based on the settled definition of
human rights (TSN, Sept. 7, 2010, p. 83-84).
192[29]
See Villanueva v. CA, G.R. No. 110921, January 28, 1998, 285 SCRA 180; Fabia v. IAC, G.R. No. L-66101
November 21, 1984, 133 SCRA 364; Lacoste v. Hernandez, G.R. No. L-63796-97, May 21, 1984, 129 SCRA 373;
Lu v. Yorkshire Insurance, 43 Phil. 633 (1922); People v. Macasinag, G.R. No. L-18779, August 18, 1922, 43 Phil.
674 (1922); Correa v. Mateo, 55 Phil. 79 (1930); People v. Macasinag, 43 Phil. 674 (1922).
193[30]
See Joaquin G. Bernas, S.J. The 1987 Constitution Of The Republic Of The Philippines: A Commentary
(2009 ed.), p. 118.
Page 62 of 256
the previous administration. This line of work effectively relates it to the processes
of the criminal justice system.
In the simplest due process terms, the EO – as a governmental action – must

have a reasonable objective and must use equally reasonable means to achieve this
objective.194[31] When the EO – viewed from the prism of its title and its truth-
telling function – is considered a means of achieving the objective of fighting graft
and corruption, it would be invalid if it unreasonably or oppressively affects
parties, whether they be government or private.
C. THE COMMISSION‟S FUNCTIONS
As worded, the EO establishes the Commission as an investigative body

tasked to act on cases of graft and corruption committed during the previous
administration. This is an area that the law has assigned to the primary jurisdiction
of the Ombudsman to investigate and prosecute.195[32] If probable cause exists,
these same cases fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan196[33]
whose decisions are appealable to the Supreme Court.197[34]
Whether a Commission can engage in fact-finding, whose input can aid the
President in policy formulation, is not a disputed issue. What is actively disputed
194[31]
See Id. at 119, citing U.S. v. Toribio, 15 Phil. 85 (1910), which quoted Lawton v. Steel:
[T]he State may interfere wherever the public interests demand it, and in this particular a large
discretion is necessarily vested in the legislature to determine, not only what the interests of the public
require, but what measures are necessary for the protection of such interests. (Barbier vs. Connolly,
113 U.S. 27; Kidd vs. Pearson, 128 U.S. 1.) To justify the State in thus interposing its authority in
behalf of the public, it must appear, first, that the interests of the public generally, as distinguished
from those of a particular class, require such interference; and, second, that the means are reasonably
necessary for the accomplishment of the purpose, and not unduly oppressive upon individuals. The
legislature may not, under the guise of protecting the public interests, arbitrarily interfere with private
business, or impose unusual and unnecessary restrictions upon lawful occupations. In other words, its
determination as to what is a proper exercise of its police powers is not final or conclusive, but is
subject to the supervision of the court.
195[32]
Republic Act No. 6770, Section 15, par.1, November 17, 1989, ―An Act Providing For the Functional and
Structural Organization of the Office of the Ombudsman, and For Other Purposes,‖ See also Ombudsman v.
Enoc, G.R. Nos. 145957-68, January 25, 2002, 374 SCRA 691. See also Ombudsman v. Breva, G.R. No.
145938, February 10, 2006, 482 SCRA 182.
196[33]
Presidential Decree No. 1606, December 10, 1978, ―Revising Presidential Decree No. 1486, Creating a
Special Court to be known as Sandiganbayan and for other purposes,‖ as amended by Republic Act No. 8249,
February 5, 1997, ―An Act Further Defining the Jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan, Amending For The Purpose
Presidential Decree No. 1606, As Amended, Providing Funds Therefor, And For Other Purposes.‖ See also
PCGG v. Hon. Emmanuel G. Peña, etc., et al., G.R. No. L-77663, April 12, 1988, 159 SCRA 556.
197[34]
Id. at 561-562, citing Presidential Decree No. 1606, Section 7, which provides that ―decisions and final
orders [of the Sandiganbayan] shall be subject of review on certiorari by the Supreme Court in accordance with
Rule 45 of the Rules of Court.‖
Page 63 of 256
is whether the Truth Commission shall undertake its tasks in a purely investigative
fact-finding capacity or in the exercise of quasi-judicial powers. This issue impacts
on the level of fairness that should be observed (and the standard of reason that
should apply), and thus carries due process implications. Equally important to the
issue of due process are the function of truth-telling and the effects of this function
when considered with the title “Truth Commission.”
C.1. The Truth-Telling Function
The Solicitor General fully verbalized the truth-telling function when he

declared that it is a means of letting the people know the truth in the allegations of
graft and corruption against the past administration.198[35] The Solicitor General,
in response to the questions of J. Sereno, said:
Justice Sereno: . . .I go now to the truth-telling part of the commission. In other
words, can you describe to us the truth telling and truth seeking part of the
commission?
Solicitor General Cadiz: Your Honor, of course our people will find closure if
aside from the truth finding of facts, those who have been found by the body to
have committed graft and corruption will be prosecuted by the Ombudsman.
It is. . .Your Honor, there is a crime committed and therefore punishment must be
meted out. However, Your Honor, truth-telling part, the mere narration of
facts, the telling of the truth, will likewise I think to a certain degree, satisfy
our people.
Justice Sereno: Are you saying therefore the truth-telling, that the narration like
the other narrations in the past commissions has an independent value apart from
the recommendations to indict which particular persons?
Solicitor General Cadiz: I agree Your Honor. And it is certainly, as the EO

says, it‘s a Truth Commission the narration of facts by the members of the
Commission, I think, will be appreciated by the people independent of the
indictment that is expected likewise. [Emphasis supplied.]
His statement is justified by the EO‘s mandate to seek and find the truth under
Section 1; the opening to the public of the hearing and proceedings under Section
6; and the publication of the Commission‘s final report under Section 15 of the
EO.199[36]
198[35]
TSN, September 28, 2010, pp. 58–60, 147.
199[36]
The Dissent of J. Sereno itself echoes and reechoes with the truth-telling intent of the Truth Commission and
even speaks of ―the need to shape collective memory as a way for the public to confront injustice and move
Page 64 of 256
C.2. Legal Implications of Truth-Telling
Truth-telling, as its name connotes, does not exist solely for the sake of
―truth‖; the “telling” side is equally important as the Solicitor General impressed
upon this Court during the oral arguments.200[37] Thus, to achieve its objectives,
truth-telling needs an audience to whom the truth shall be told.201[38] This
requirement opens up the reality that EO 1 really speaks in two forums.
The first forum, as expressly provided in the EO, is composed of the

persons to be investigated and the recipients of the Commission‘s reports who are
expected to act on these reports, specifically, the President (who needs
investigative and policy formulation assistance); Congress (who may use the
Commission‘s information for its own legislative purposes); and the Ombudsman
as the investigative and prosecutory constitutional office202[39] to which, under the
EO, the Commission must forward its interim and final reports. The
Commission‘s hearings and proceedings are important venues for this forum, as
this is where the investigated persons can defend themselves against the
accusations made. The element of policy formulation, on the other hand, is present
through the Commission‘s interim and final reports from which appropriate
remedial policy measures can be distilled. The element of truth-telling – in the
sense of communicating to the public the developments as they happen and
through the interim and final reports – exists but only plays a secondary role, as the
public is not a direct participant in this forum.
The second forum – not as explicitly defined as the first but which must
implicitly and necessarily be there – is that shared with the general public as the
audience to whom the President (through the EO and the Truth Commission)
wishes to tell the story of the allegedly massive graft and corruption during the
previous administration. This is the distinct domain of truth-telling as the Solicitor
General himself impliedly admits in his quoted arguments.203[40] Section 6 of the
EO fully supports truth-telling, as it opens up the Commission‘s hearings or
proceedings to the public (and hence, to the mass media), subject only to an
towards a more just society‖ (p. 27, dissent). It proceeds to claim that this Separate Opinion ―eliminates the
vital role of the Filipino people in constructing collective memories of injustices as basis for redress.‖ J.
Sereno‘s Dissenting Opinion, pp. 27-28.
200[37]
TSN, September 28, 2010, pp. 146 – 147.
201[38]
See e.g. Bilbija, et al., eds., The Art of Truth Telling About Authoritarian Rule (2005), p. 14.
202[39]
CONSTITUTION, Article XI, Sections 12 and 13.
203[40]
Supra note 35.
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executive session ―where matters of national security or public safety are involved
or when the personal safety of the witness warrants the holding of such executive
or closed-door session hearing.‖
These separate forums are not distinguished merely for purposes of

academic study; they are there, plainly from the terms of the EO, and carry clear
distinctions from which separate legal consequences arise.
Both forums involve third parties, either as persons to be investigated or as

part of the general public (in whose behalf criminal complaints are nominally
brought and who are the recipients of the Commission‘s truth-telling
communications) so that, at the very least, standards of fairness must be
observed.204[41] In the investigative function, the standard depends on whether the
tasks performed are purely investigative or are quasi-judicial, but this distinction is
not very relevant to the discussions of this opinion. In truth-telling, on the other
hand, the level of the required fairness would depend on the objective of this
function and the level of finality attained with respect to this objective.205[42]
In the first forum, no element of finality characterizes the Commission‘s

reports since – from the perspective of the EO‘s express purposes of prosecution
and policy formulation – they are merely recommendatory and are submitted for
the President‘s, Congress‘ and the Ombudsman‘s consideration. Both the
President and Congress may reject the reports for purposes of their respective
policy formulation activities; the Ombudsman may likewise theoretically and
nominally reject them (although with possibly disastrous results as discussed
below).
In the second forum, a very high element of finality exists as the information
communicated through the hearings, proceedings and the reports are directly ―told‖
the people as the ―truth‖ of the graft and corruption that transpired during the
previous administration. In other words, the Commission’s outputs are already the
end products, with the people as the direct consumers. In this sense, the element of
fairness that must exist in the second forum must approximate the rights of an
accused in a criminal trial as the consequence of truth-telling is no less than a final
―conviction‖ before the bar of public opinion based on the ―truth‖ the Commission
―finds.‖ Thus, if the Commission is to observe the rights of due process as Rule 1,
Section 4 of its Rules guarantees, then the right of investigated persons to cross-
204[41]
See Freeman, supra note 24, pp. 88-155.
205[42]
See Freeman, id. at 88.
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examine witnesses against them,206[43] the right against self-incrimination,207[44] and
all the rights attendant to a fair trial must be observed. The rights of persons under
investigation under Section 12 of the Bill of Rights of the Constitution208[45] must
likewise be respected.
II. THE EO‘S LEGAL INFIRMITIES.
A. THE TITLE “TRUTH COMMISSION” + THE

TRUTH-TELLING FUNCTION = VIOLATION
OF DUE PROCESS
A.1. The Impact of the Commission‟s “Truth”
The first problem of the EO is its use of the title ―Truth Commission‖ and its
objective of truth-telling; these assume that what the Truth Commission speaks of
is the ―truth‖ because of its title and of its truth-telling function; thus, anything
other than what the Commission reports would either be a distortion of the truth, or
may even be an ―untruth.‖
This problem surfaced during the oral arguments on queries about the effect
of the title ―Truth Commission‖ on the authority of the duly constituted tribunals
that may thereafter rule on the matters that the Commission shall report on.209[46]
Since the Commission‘s report will constitute the ―truth,‖ any subsequent contrary
finding by the Ombudsman210[47] would necessarily be suspect as an ―untruth;‖ it is
up then to the Ombudsman to convince the public that its findings are true.
To appreciate the extent of this problem, it must be considered that the

hearings or proceedings, where charges of graft and corruption shall be aired, shall
be open to the public. The Commission‘s report shall likewise be published.211[48]
These features cannot but mean full media coverage.
Based on common and usual Philippine experience with its very active
media exemplified by the recent taking of Chinese and Canadian hostages at the
206[43]
CONSTITUTION, Article III, Section 14 (2), supra note 1.
207[44]
CONSTITUTION, Article III, Section 17.
208[45]
209[46]
TSN, September 28, 2010, pp. 149-151.
210[47]
The Commission is bound to furnish the Ombudsman a copy of its partial and final reports for the
Ombudsman‘s consideration and action, under Sec. 2 of the EO.
211[48]
EO 1, Section 16.
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Luneta, a full opening to the media of the Commission‘s hearings, proceedings and
reports means a veritable media feast that, in the case of the Truth Commission,
shall occur on small but detailed daily doses, from the naming of all the persons
under investigation all the way up to the Commission‘s final report. By the time
the Commission report is issued, or even before then, the public shall have been
saturated with the details of the charges made through the publicly-aired written
and testimonial submissions of witnesses, variously viewed from the vantage
points of straight reporting, three-minute TV news clips, or the slants and personal
views of media opinion writers and extended TV coverage. All these are
highlighted as the power of the media and the environment that it creates can
never be underestimated. Hearing the same ―truth‖ on radio and television
and seeing it in print often enough can affect the way of thinking and the
perception, even of those who are determined, in their conscious minds, to avoid
bias.212[49]
As expected, this is a view that those supporting the validity of the EO either
dismisses as an argument that merely relies on a replaceable name, 213[50] or with
more general argument couched under the question ―Who Fears the Truth.‖214[51]
The dismissive argument, to be sure, would have been meritorious if only

the name Truth Commission had not been supported by the Commission‘s truth-
telling function; or, if the name ―Truth Commission‖ were a uniquely Filipino
appellation that does not carry an established meaning under international practice
and usage. Even if it were to be claimed that the EO‘s use of the name is unique
because the Philippines‘ version of the Truth Commission addresses past graft and
corruption and not violence and human rights violations as in other countries, the
name Truth Commission, however, cannot simply be dissociated from its
international usage. The term connotes abuses of untold proportions in the past by
a repressive undemocratic regime – a connotation that may be applicable to the
allegations of graft and corruption, but is incongruous when it did not arise from a
seriously troubled regime; even the present administration cannot dispute that it
assumed office in a peaceful transition of power after relatively clean and peaceful
elections.
The ―Who Fears the Truth?‖ arguments, on the other hand, completely miss
the point of this Separate Opinion. This Opinion does not dispute that past graft
212[49]
See generally Malcolm Gladwell, Blink (2005); see also, Cardozo, The Nature of the Judicial Process, pp.
167-180, and as quoted elsewhere in this Separate Opinion, infra note 55.
213[50]
J. Carpio‘s Dissenting Opinion, pp. 19-211.
214[51]
J. Sereno‘s Dissenting Opinion, pp. 25- 29.
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and corruption must investigated and fully exposed; any statement to the contrary
in the Dissent are unfounded rhetoric written solely for its own partisan audience.
What this Opinion clearly posits as legally objectionable is the government‘s
manner of ―telling;‖ any such action by government must be made according to the
norms and limits of the Constitution to which all departments of government –
including the Executive – are subject. Specifically, the Executive cannot be left
unchecked when its methods grossly violate the Constitution. This matter is
discussed in full below.
A.2. Truth-telling and the Ombudsman
To return to the scenario described above, it is this scenario that will

confront the Ombudsman when the Commission‘s report is submitted to it. At that
point, there would have been a full and extended public debate heavily influenced
by the Commission‘s ―truthful‖ conclusions. Thus, when and if the Ombudsman
finds the evidence from the report unconvincing or below the level that probable
cause requires, it stands to incur the public ire, as the public shall have by then
been fully informed of the ―facts‖ and the ―truth‖ in the Commission‘s report that
the Ombudsman shall appear to have disregarded.
This consequence does not seem to be a serious concern for the framers and
defenders of the EO, as the Commission‘s truth-telling function by then would
have been exercised and fully served. In the Solicitor General‘s words ―Your
Honor, there is crime committed and therefore punishment must be meted out.
However, your Honor, truth-telling part, the mere narration of facts, the telling of
the truth, will likewise I think to a certain degree satisfy our people.‖ On the
question of whether truth-telling has an independent value separate from the
indictment - he said: ―And it is certainly, as the EO says, it’s a Truth Commission
the narration of facts by the members of the Commission, I think, will be
appreciated by the people independent of the indictment that is expected
likewise.”215[52]
In other words, faced with the findings of the Commission, the Ombudsman
who enters a contrary ruling effectively carries the burden of proving that its
findings, not those of the Commission, are correct. To say the least, this resulting
reversal of roles is legally strange since the Ombudsman is the body officially
215[52]
TSN, September 28, 2010, p. 59.
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established and designated by the Constitution to investigate graft and other crimes
committed by public officers, while the Commission is a mere ―creation‖ of the
Executive Order. The Ombudsman, too, by statutory mandate has primary
jurisdiction over the investigation and prosecution of graft and corruption, while
the Commission‘s role is merely recommendatory.
Thus, what the EO patently expresses as a primary role for the

Commission is negated in actual application by the title Truth Commission and
its truth-telling function. Expressed in terms of the forums the EO spawned, the
EO‘s principal intent to use the Truth Commission as a second forum instrument is
unmasked; the first forum – the officially sanctioned forum for the prosecution of
crimes – becomes merely a convenient cover for the second forum.
A.3. Truth-telling and the Courts
The effects of truth-telling could go beyond those that affect the

Ombudsman. If the Ombudsman concurs with the Commission and brings the
recommended graft and corruption charges before the Sandiganbayan – a
constitutionally-established court – this court itself would be subject to the same
truth-telling challenge if it decides to acquit the accused. For that matter, even this
Court, will be perceived to have sided with an “untruth” when and if it goes
against the Commission’s report. Thus, the authority, independence, and even the
integrity of these constitutional bodies – the Ombudsman, the Sandiganbayan, and
the Supreme Court – would have been effectively compromised, to the prejudice of
the justice system. All these, of course, begin with the premise that the Truth
Commission has the mandate to find the ―truth,‖ as it name implies, and has a
truth-telling function that it can fully exercise through its own efforts and through
the media.
A.4. Truth-telling and the Public.
A.4.1. Priming and Other Prejudicial Effects.
At this point in the political development of the nation, the public is already
a very critical audience who can examine announced results and can form its own
conclusions about the culpability or innocence of the investigated persons,
irrespective of what conclusions investigative commissions may arrive at. This is a
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reality that cannot be doubted as the public has been exposed in the past to these
investigative commissions.
The present Truth Commission operating under the terms of the EO,
however, introduces a new twist that the public and the country have not met
before. For the first time, a Truth Commission, tasked with a truth-telling function,
shall speak on the ―truth‖ of what acts of graft and corruption were actually
committed and who the guilty parties are. This official communication from a
governmental body – the Truth Commission – whose express mandate is to find
and ―tell the truth‖ cannot but make a difference in the public perception.
At the very least, the widely-publicized conclusions of the Truth

Commission shall serve as a mechanism for “priming” 216[53] the public, even the
Ombudsman and the courts, to the Commission‘s way of thinking. Pervasively
repeated as an official government pronouncement, the Commission‟s influence
can go beyond the level of priming and can affect the public environment as well
as the thinking of both the decision makers in the criminal justice system and the
public in general.
Otherwise stated, the Commission‘s publicly announced conclusions cannot

but assume the appearance of truth once they penetrate and effectively color the
public‘s perception, through repetition without significant contradiction as official
government findings. These conclusions thus graduate to the level of ―truth‖ in
self-fulfillment of the name the Commission bears; the subtle manipulation of the
Commission’s name and functions, fades in the background or simply becomes
explainable incidents that cannot defeat the accepted truth.
A very interesting related material about the effect of core beliefs on the
decision-making of judges is the point raised by United States Supreme Court
Associate Justice Benjamin N. Cardozo217[54] in his book The Nature of the Judicial
Process218[55] where he said:
… Of the power of favour or prejudice in any sordid or vulgar or evil sense, I
have found no trace, not even the faintest, among the judges whom I have known.
But every day there is borne in on me a new conviction of the inescapable relation
216[53]
See Gladwell, supra note 49, pp. 49-73.
217[54]
Born May 24, 1870, New York; died July 9, 1938, Port Chester, NY. US Supreme Court – 1932-1938. He
was also a Judge of NY Court of Appeals from 1914 to 1932, and was its Chief Judge in the last 6 years of his
term with the Court of Appeals. See http://www.courts.state.ny.us/history/cardozo.htm [last visited December 2,
2010].
218[55]
Benjamin N. Cardozo, The Nature of the Judicial Process, (1921).
Page 71 of 256
between the truth without us and the truth within. The spirit of the age, as it is
revealed to each of us, is too often only the spirit of the group in which the
accidents of birth or education or occupation or fellowship have given us place.
No effort or revolution of the mind will overthrow utterly and at all times the
empire of the subconscious loyalties. ―Our beliefs and opinions,‖ says James
Harvey Robinson, ―like our standards of conduct come to us insensibly as
products of our companionship with our fellow men, not as results of our personal
experience and the inferences we individually make from our own observations.
We are constantly misled by our extraordinary faculty of ‗rationalizing‘ – that is,
of devising plausible arguments by accepting what is imposed upon us by the
traditions of the group to which we belong. We are abjectly credulous by nature,
and instinctively accept the verdict of the group. We are suggestible not merely
when under the spell of an excited mob, or a fervent revival, but we are ever and
always listening to the still small voice of the herd, and are ever ready to defend
and justify the instructions and warnings, and accept them as the mature results of
our own reasoning.‖ This was written, not of judges specially, but of men and
women of all classes.219[56] [Emphasis supplied]
Thus, Justice Cardozo accepted that ―subconscious loyalties‖ to the ―spirit‖ of the
group, i.e., the core beliefs within, is a major factor that affects the decision of a
judge. In the context of EO 1, that ―spirit‖ or core belief is what a generally trusted
government‘s220[57] repeated invocation of ―truth‖ apparently aims to reach. This
goal assumes significance given the Solicitor General‘s statement that truth-telling
is an end in itself. Read with what Justice Cardozo said, this goal translates to the
more concrete and currently understandable aim – to establish the ―truth‖ as
part of the accepted public belief; the EO‘s aim is achieved irrespective of what
the pertinent adjudicatory bodies may conclude, as even they could be influenced
by the generally accepted ―truth.‖
Further on, Justice Cardozo, speaking in the context of the development of

case law in common law, went on to say, quoting Henderson:221[58]
When an adherent to a systematic faith is brought continuously in touch with
influences and exposed to desires inconsistent with that faith, a process of
unconscious cerebration may take place, by which a growing store of hostile
mental inclinations may accumulate, strongly motivating action and decision, but
seldom emerging clearly into consciousness. In the meantime, the formulas of the
old faith are retained and repeated by force of habit, until one day the realization
219[56]
Id. at 175-176.
220[57]
According to a recent SWS Survey conducted from October 20-29, 2010
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/287833/80-filipinos-still-trust-aquino-despite-ratings-dip [last visited November
17, 2010].
221[58]
Supra note 55, pp. 178-179, citing Foreign Corporations in American Constitutional Law, p. 164 cf. Powell
―The Changing Law of Foreign Corporations,‖ 33 Pol. Science Quarterly, p. 569.
Page 72 of 256
comes that conduct and sympathies and fundamental desires have become so
inconsistent with the logical framework that it must be discarded. Then begins
the task of building up and rationalizing a new faith.
Although written in another context, this statement – relating to how one‘s belief is
supplanted by another – runs parallel to how the belief system of an individual
judge can be subtly affected by inconsistent influences and how he ultimately
succumbs to a new belief.
Without doubt, the process of converting to a new belief is an unavoidable

and continuous process that every decision maker undergoes as the belief system
he started with, changes and evolves through in-court experiences and exposure to
outside influences. Such exposure cannot be faulted, particularly when brought on
by the media working pursuant to its exercise of the freedoms of the press and
speech, and speaking in the course of the clash of ideas in the public forum. The
same exposure, however, is not as neutral and fault-free when it is precipitated by
the government acting as a catalytic agent to hasten the achievement of its own
ends, in this case, the disclosure of the “truth” regarding the alleged graft and
corruption during the previous regime.
In the context of the EO, the Executive can investigate within the limits of
its legal parameters and can likewise publicize the results of its investigations to
the full limit of allowable transparency. But in so doing, it cannot act as catalyst
by labelling the action of the Commission it has created as officially-sanctioned
and authoritative truth-telling before the officially-designated bodies – the
Ombudsman and the courts – have spoken. While the emergence of truth is a basic
and necessary component of the justice system, the truth-seeking and truth-finding
processes cannot be speeded up through steps that shortcut and bypass processes
established by the Constitution and the laws. As heretofore mentioned, the
international experiences that gave rise to the title Truth Commission were
transitional situations where, for peculiar reasons (such as the temporary absence
of an established judicial system or the need to speed up the transition to
democratic rule), the use of ad hoc commissions were called for. In the Philippine
setting, the closest similar situation would be the immediate aftermath of the 1986
EDSA Revolution as the country struggled in the transition from authoritarian
martial law regime into a full-fledged democracy. To be sure, the shortcut to the
emergence of truth, fashioned under the terms of EO 1, finds no justification
after the 1987 Constitution and its rights, freedoms and guarantees have been
fully put in place.
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A.4.2. The Effects on the Judicial System
To fully appreciate the potential prejudicial effects of truth-telling on the

judicial system, the effects of media exposure – from the point of view of what
transpires and the circumstances present under truth-telling and under the present
justice system – deserve examination.
Under the present justice system, the media may fully report, as they do
report, all the details of a reported crime and may even give the suspects detailed
focus. These reports, however, are not branded as the “truth” but as matters that
will soon be brought to the appropriate public authorities for proper investigation
and prosecution, if warranted. In the courts, cases are handled on the basis of the
rules of evidence and with due respect for the constitutional rights of the accused,
and are reported based on actual developments, subject only to judicial
requirements to ensure orderly proceedings and the observance of the rights of the
accused. Only after the courts have finally spoken shall there be any conclusive
narrative report of what actually transpired and how accused individuals may have
participated in committing the offense charged. At this point, any public report
and analysis of the findings can no longer adversely affect the constitutional rights
of the accused as they had been given all the opportunities to tell their side in court
under the protective guarantees of the Constitution.
In contrast, the circumstances that underlie Commission reports are

different. The ―truth‖ that the Commission shall publicize shall be based on ―facts‖
that have not been tested and admitted according to the rules of evidence; by its
own express rules, the technical rules of evidence do not apply to the
Commission.222[59] The reported facts may have also been secured under
circumstances violative of the rights of the persons investigated under the
guarantees of the Constitution. Thus, what the Commission reports might not at all
pass the tests of guilt that apply under the present justice system, yet they will be
reported with the full support of the government as the “truth” to the public. As
fully discussed below, these circumstances all work to the active prejudice of the
investigated persons whose reputations, at the very least, are blackened once they
are reported by the Commission as participants in graft and corruption, even if the
courts subsequently find them innocent of these charges.
A.5. Truth-telling: an unreasonable means

to a reasonable objective.
222[59]
Rules, Rule 4, Section 2.
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Viewed from the above perspectives, what becomes plainly evident is an EO
that, as a means of fighting graft and corruption, will effectively and prejudicially
affect the parties inter-acting with the Truth Commission. The EO will erode the
authority and even the integrity of the Ombudsman and the courts in acting on
matters brought before them under the terms of the Constitution; its premature and
―truthful‖ report of guilt will condition the public’s mind to reject any finding other
than those of the Commission.
Under this environment, the findings or results of the second forum

described above overwhelm the processes and whatever may be the findings or
results of the first forum. In other words, the findings or results of the second
forum – obtained without any assurance of the observance of constitutional
guarantees – would not only create heightened expectations and exert unwanted
pressure, but even induce changed perceptions and bias in the processes of the first
forum in the manner analogous to what Justice Cardozo described above. The first
casualties, of course, are the investigated persons and their basic rights, as fully
explained elsewhere in this Opinion.
While EO 1 may, therefore, serve a laudable anti-graft and corruption

purpose and may have been launched by the President in good faith and with all
sincerity, its truth-telling function, undertaken in the manner outlined in the EO
and its implementing rules, is not a means that this Court can hold as reasonable
and valid, when viewed from the prism of due process. From this vantage point,
the Commission is not only a mislabelled body but one whose potential outputs
must as well be discarded for being unacceptable under the norms of the
Constitution.
B. DISTORTION OF EXISTING LEGAL FRAMEWORK
The EO and its truth-telling function must also be struck down as they
distort the constitutional and statutory plan of the criminal justice system without
the authority of law and with an unconstitutional impact on the system.
B.1. The Existing Legal Framework
The Constitution has given the country a well-laid out and balanced division
of powers, distributed among the legislative, executive and judicial branches, with
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specially established offices geared to accomplish specific objectives to strengthen
the whole constitutional structure.
The Legislature is provided, in relation with the dispensation of justice, the

authority to create courts with defined jurisdictions below the level of the Supreme
Court;223[60] to define the required qualifications for judges;224[61] to define what
acts are criminal and what penalties they shall carry; 225[62] and to provide the
budgets for the courts.226[63]
The Executive branch is tasked with the enforcement of the laws that the
Legislature shall pass. In the dispensation of justice, the Executive has the
prerogative of appointing justices and judges,227[64] and the authority to investigate
and prosecute crimes through a Department of Justice constituted in accordance the
Administrative Code.228[65] Specifically provided and established by the
Constitution, for a task that would otherwise fall under the Executive’s
investigatory and prosecutory authority, is an independent Ombudsman for the
purpose of acting on, investigating and prosecuting allegedly criminal acts or
omissions of public officers and employees in the exercise of their functions.
While the Ombudsman‘s jurisdiction is not exclusive, it is primary; it takes
precedence and overrides any investigatory and prosecutory action by the
Department of Justice.229[66]
The Judiciary, on the other hand, is given the task of standing in judgment
over the criminal cases brought before it, either at the first instance through the
municipal and the regional trial courts, or on appeal or certiorari, through the
appellate courts and ultimately to the Supreme Court.230[67] An exception to these
generalities is the Sandiganbayan, a special statutorily-created court with the
exclusive jurisdiction over criminal acts committed by public officers and
223[60]
CONSTITUTION, Article VIII, Section 2. See also Bernas, supra note 30, p. 959.
224[61]
Id., Article VIII, Section 7 (2).
225[62]
People v. Maceren, G.R. No. L-32166 October 18, 1977, 79 SCRA 450, 461 citing 1 Am. Jur. 2nd, sec.
127, p. 938; Texas Co. v. Montgomery, 73 F. Supp. 527: It has been held that "to declare what shall constitute a
crime and how it shall be punished is a power vested exclusively in the legislature, and it may not be delegated
to any other body or agency."
226[63]
CONSTITUTION, Article VIII, Section 5.
227[64]
CONSTITUTION, Article VIII, Section 8.
228[65]
REVISED ADMINISTRATIVE CODE, Book II, Chapter II, Section 22.
229[66]
Honasan II v. The Panel of Investigating Prosecutors of the Department of Justice, G.R. No. 159747, April
13, 2004, 427 SCRA 46. See also Ombudsman v. Enoc, supra note 32.
230[67]
See Batas Pambansa Blg. 129, “An Act Reorganizing the Judiciary, Appropriating Funds Therefor, and For
Other Purposes.”
Page 76 of 256
employees in the exercise of their functions.231[68] Underlying all these is the
Supreme Court‘s authority to promulgate the rules of procedure applicable to
courts and their proceedings,232[69] to appoint all officials and employees of the
Judiciary other than judges,233[70] and to exercise supervision over all courts and
judiciary employees.234[71]
In the usual course, an act allegedly violative of our criminal laws may be
brought to the attention of the police authorities for unilateral fact-finding
investigation. If a basis for a complaint exists, then the matter is brought before
the prosecutor‘s office for formal investigation, through an inquest or a preliminary
investigation, to determine if probable cause exists to justify the filing of a formal
complaint or information before the courts. Aside from those initiated at the
instance of the aggrieved private parties, the fact-finding investigation may be
made at the instance of the President or of senior officials of the Executive branch,
to be undertaken by police authorities, by the investigatory agencies of the
Department of Justice, or by specially constituted or delegated officials or
employees of the Executive branch; the preliminary investigation for the
determination of probable cause is a task statutorily vested in the prosecutor‘s
office.235[72] Up to this point, these activities lie within the Executive branch of
government and may be called its extrajudicial participation in the justice system.
By specific authority of the Constitution and the law, a deviation from the
above general process occurs in the case of acts allegedly committed by public
officers and employees in the performance of their duties where, as mentioned
above, the Ombudsman has primary jurisdiction. While the Executive branch itself
may undertake a unilateral fact-finding, and the prosecutor‘s office may conduct
preliminary investigation for purposes of filing a complaint or information with the
courts, the Ombudsman‘s primary jurisdiction gives this office precedence and
dominance once it decides to take over a case.236[73]
Whether a complaint or information emanates from the prosecutor‘s office

or from the Ombudsman, jurisdiction to hear and try the case belongs to the courts,
mandated to determine – under the formal rules of evidence of the Rules of Court
and with due observance of the constitutional rights of the accused – the guilt or
231[68]
Republic Act No. 8249, supra note 33, Section 4.
232[69]
CONSTITUTION, Article VIII, Section 5 (5).
233[70]
Id., Article VIII, Section 5 (6).
234[71]
Id., Article VIII, Section 6.
235[72]
REVISED ADMINISTRATIVE CODE, Chapter I, Title III, Book IV. See also Honasan II v. Panel of
Investigators, supra note 66.
236[73]
Ibid. See Section 15, par. 1, Republic Act No. 6770.
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innocence of the accused. A case involving criminal acts or omissions of public
officers and employees in the performance of duties falls at the first instance within
the exclusive jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan,237[74] subject to higher recourse to
the Supreme Court. This is the strictly judicial aspect of the criminal justice
system.
Under the above processes, our laws have delegated the handling of criminal
cases to the justice system and there the handling should solely lie, supported by all
the forces the law can muster, until the disputed matter is fully resolved. The
proceedings – whether before the Prosecutor‘s Office, the Ombudsman, or before
the courts – are open to the public and are thereby made transparent; freedom of
information238[75] and of the press239[76] guarantee media participation, consistent
with the justice system‘s orderly proceedings and the protection of the rights of
parties.
The extrajudicial intervention of the Commission, as provided in the EO,

even for the avowed purpose of ―assisting‖ the Ombudsman, directly disrupts the
established order, as the Constitution and the law do not envision a situation where
fact-finding recommendations, already labelled as “true,” would be submitted to
the Ombudsman by an entity within the Executive branch. This arrangement is
simply not within the dispensation of justice scheme, as the determination of
whether probable cause exists cannot be defeated, rendered suspect, or otherwise
eroded by any prior process whose results are represented to be the ―truth‖ of the
alleged criminal acts. The Ombudsman may be bound by the findings of a court,
particularly those of this Court, but not of any other body, most especially a body
outside the regular criminal justice system. Neither can the strictly judicial aspect
of the justice system be saddled with this type of fact-finding, as the determination
of the guilt or innocence of an accused lies strictly and solely with the courts. Nor
can the EO cloak its intent of undercutting the authority of the designated
authorities to rule on the merits of the alleged graft and corruption through a
statement that its findings are recommendatory; as has been discussed above, this
express provision is negated in actual application by the title Truth Commission
and its truth-telling function.
A necessary consequence of the deviation from the established constitutional

and statutory plan is the extension of the situs of the justice system from its
constitutionally and statutorily designated locations (equivalent to the above-
237[74]
For officials in Salary Grade 27 and beyond.
238[75]
239[76]
Id., Article III, Section 4.
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described first forum), since the Commission will investigate matters that are
bound to go to the justice system. In other words, the Commission‘s activities,
including its truth-telling function and the second forum this function creates,
become the prelude to the entry of criminal matters into the Ombudsman and into
the strictly judicial aspect of the system.
In practical terms, this extension undermines the established order in the

judicial system by directly bringing in considerations that are extraneous to the
adjudication of criminal cases, and by co-mingling and confusing these with the
standards of the criminal justice system. The result, unavoidably, is a qualitative
change in the criminal justice system that is based, not on a legislative policy
change, but on an executive fiat.
Because of truth-telling and its consequence of actively bringing in public

opinion as a consideration, standards and usages other than those strictly laid down
or allowed by the Constitution, by the laws and by the Rules of Court will play a
part in the criminal justice system. For example, public comments on the merits of
cases that are still sub judice may become rampant as comments on a truth
commission‘s findings, not on the cases pending before the courts. The
commission‘s ―truthful‖ findings, made without respect for the rules on evidence
and the rights of the accused, would become the standards of public perception of
and reaction to cases, not the evidence as found by the courts based on the rules of
evidence.
Once the door is opened to the Truth Commission approach and public
opinion enters as a consideration in the judicial handling of criminal cases, then the
rules of judging would have effectively changed; reliance on the law, the rules and
jurisprudence would have been weakened to the extent that judges are on the
lookout, not only for what the law and the rules say, but also for what the public
feels about the case. In this eventuality, even a noisy minority can change the
course of a case simply because of their noise and the media attention they get.
(Such tactics have been attempted in the immediate past where pressure has been
brought to bear on this Court through street demonstrations bordering on anarchy,
the marshalling of opinions locally and internationally, and highly partisan media
comments.) The primacy of public opinion may, without doubt, appeal to some but
this is simply not the way of a Judiciary constitutionally-designed to follow the
rule of law.
Another consequent adverse impact could be erosion of what the

Constitution has very carefully fashioned to be a system where the interpretation of
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the law and the dispensation of justice are to be administered apolitically by the
Judiciary. Politics always enters the picture once public opinion begins to be a
significant consideration. At this point, even politicians – ever attuned to the
public pulse – may register their own statements in the public arena on the merits
of the cases even while matters are sub judice. The effects could be worse where
the case under consideration carries its own political dimensions, as in the present
case where the target involves the misdeeds of the previous administration.
Whether the Judiciary shall involve, or be involved, in politics, or whether it

should consider, or be affected by, political considerations in adjudication, has
been firmly decided by the Constitution and our laws in favour of insulation
through provisions on the independence of the Judiciary – the unelected branch of
government whose standard of action is the rule of law rather than the public pulse.
This policy has not been proven to be unsound. Even if it is unsound, any change
will have to be effected through legitimate channels – through the sovereignty that
can change the Constitution, to the extent that the Judiciary‘s and the
Ombudsman‘s independence and the exercise of judicial discretion are concerned,
and through the Congress of the Philippines, with respect to other innovations that
do not require constitutional changes.
To be sure, the President of the Philippines, through an executive or

administrative order and without authority of law, cannot introduce changes or
innovations into the justice system and significantly water down the authoritative
power of the courts and of duly designated constitutional bodies in dispensing
justice. The nobility of the President‘s intentions is not enough to render his act
legal. As has been said often enough, ours is a government of laws, not of men.
C. LIMITS OF THE EXERCISE OF EXECUTIVE

POWER IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM
While the Executive participates in the dispensation of justice under our

constitutional and statutory system through its investigatory and prosecutory arms
and has every authority in law to ensure that the law is enforced and that violators
are prosecuted, even these powers have limits.
The independence of the Ombudsman and its freedom from interference

from all other departments of government in the performance of its functions is a
barrier that cannot be breached, directly or indirectly, except only as the
Constitution and the laws may allow. No such exception has been allowed or given
to the President other than through the prosecution the Department of Justice may
Page 80 of 256
undertake240[77] when the Ombudsman has not asserted its primary jurisdiction. The
concurrent jurisdiction given to the Department of Justice to prosecute criminal
cases, incidentally, is a grant specific to that office,241[78] not to any other office that
the Executive may create through an executive order.
The Executive can, without doubt, recommend that specific violators be

prosecuted and the basis for this recommendation need not even come from the
Department of Justice; the basis may be the findings of the Office of the President
itself independently of its Department of Justice. Notably, the other branches of
government may also, and do in fact, make recommendations to the Ombudsman
in the way that Congress, in the course of its fact-finding for legislative purposes,
unearths anomalies that it reports to the Ombudsman. Even the Supreme Court
recommends that Judiciary officials and employees found administratively liable
be also criminally prosecuted.
The Executive can also designate officials and employees of the Executive
Department (or even appoint presidential assistants or consultants)242[79] to
undertake fact-finding investigation for its use pursuant to the vast powers and
responsibilities of the Presidency, but it cannot create a separate body, in the way
and under the terms it created the Truth Commission, without offending the
Constitution.
The following indicators, however, show that the President was not simply
appointing presidential assistants or assistants when he constituted the Truth
Commission as an investigating or fact-finding body.
First, the President ―created‖ the Truth Commission; the act of creation goes
beyond the mere naming, designation or appointment of assistants and consultants.
There is no need to ―create‖ – i.e., to constitute or establish something out of
nothing, or to establish for the first time243[80] – if only the designation or
appointment of a presidential assistant or consultant is intended. To ―create‖ an
office, too, as the petitioners rightfully claim, is a function of the Legislature under
the constitutional division of powers.244[81] Note in this regard, and as more fully
240[77]
Honasan II v. Panel of Investigators, supra note 66.
241[78]
See Honasan II v. Panel of Investigators, supra note 66. See also RULES OF COURT, Rule 112, Sections 2
and 4.
242[79]
REVISED ADMINISTRATIVE CODE, Chapter 9 (D), Title II, Book III.
243[80] th
BLACK’S LAW DICTIONARY (5 ed., 1979), p. 330.
244[81]
Buklod ng Kawaning EIIB v. Executive Secretary, G.R. Nos. 142801-802, July 10, 2001, 360 SCRA 718,
726, citing Isagani Cruz, The Law on Public Officers (1999 ed.), p. 4.
Page 81 of 256
discussed below, that what the Revised Administrative Code, through its Section
31, allows the President is to ―reorganize,‖ not to create a public office within the
Executive department.
Second, the Truth Commission, as created by the EO, appears to be a

separate body245[82] that is clearly beyond being merely a group of people tasked by
the President to accomplish a specific task within his immediate office; its members
do not operate in the way that presidential assistants and consultants usually do.
It is not insignificant that the Commission has its own Rules of Procedure
that it issued on its own on the authority of the EO. Note that these are not the
rules of the Office of the President but of another body, although one constituted
by the President.
The Commission has its own complete set of officers, beginning from the
Chair and members of the Commission; it has its own consultants, experts, and
employees, although the latter are merely drawn from the Executive
department;246[83] and it even has provisions for its own budget, although these
funds ride on and are to be drawn from the budget of the Office of the President.
Third, the Commission has its own identity, separate and distinct from the
Office of the President, although it still falls within the structural framework of that
office. The Commission undertakes its own ―independent‖ investigation 247[84] that,
according to the Solicitor General, will not be controlled by the Office of the
President;248[85] and it communicates on its own, under its own name, to other
branches of government outside of the Executive branch.
Lastly, the Commission as an office has been vested with functions that not
even the Office of the President possesses by authority of law, and which the
President, consequently, cannot delegate. Specifically, the Commission has its
truth-telling function, because it has been given the task to disclose the ―truth‖ by
the President, thus giving its report the imprimatur of truth well ahead of any
determination in this regard by the constitutional bodies authorized to determine
the existence of probable cause and the guilt or culpability of individuals.
245[82]
EO 1, Section 1.
246[83]
EO 1, Sections 3 and 5.
247[84]
EO 1, Section 1.
248[85]
Page 82 of 256
If the President cannot give the official label of truth independently of the
courts in a fact-finding in a criminal case, either by himself or through the
Department of Justice, it only follows that he cannot delegate this task to any
assistant, consultant, or subordinate, even granting that he can order a fact-finding
investigation based on the powers of his office. This truth-telling function
differentiates the Truth Commission from other commissions constituted in the
past such as the Agrava, Feliciano and Melo Commissions; the pronouncements of
the latter bodies did not carry the imprimatur of truth, and were mere preliminary
findings for the President‘s consideration. An exact recent case to drive home this
point is the Chinese hostage incident where the Office of the President modified
the Report submitted by a duly-constituted group headed by Secretary Leila de
Lima.249[86] Apparently, the findings of the De Lima committee did not carry the
imprimatur of truth and were merely recommendatory; otherwise the Office of the
President would not have modified its findings and recommendations.
Still on the point of the President‘s authority to delegate tasks to a body he

has constituted, in no case can the President order a fact-finding whose results will
operate to undercut the authority and integrity of the Ombudsman in a reported
violation of the criminal laws by a public servant. The President‘s authority –
outside of the instance when the Department of Justice acts in default of the
Ombudsman – is to bring to the attention of, or make recommendations to, the
Ombudsman violations of the law that the Executive branch uncovers in the course
of law enforcement. This authority should be no different from that which
Congress and the Supreme Court exercise on the same point.
Given all the possibilities open to the President for a legitimate fact-finding
intervention – namely, through fact-finding by the Department of Justice or by the
Office of the President itself, utilizing its own officials, employees, consultants or
assistants – the President is not wanting in measures within the parameters allowed
by law to fight graft and corruption and to address specific instances that come to
his attention. To be sure, the Philippine situation right now is far from the
situations in South Africa, Rwanda, and South America,250[87] where quick
transitional justice251[88] had to be achieved because these countries were coming
249[86]
See http://www.gmanews.tv/story/201465/full-text-iirc-report-on-august-23-2010-rizal-park-hostage-
taking-incident, [last visited November 17, 2010].
250[87]
See Jonathan Horowitz, Racial (Re) Construction: The Case of the South African Truth and Reconciliation
Commission, 17 NAT'L BLACK L.J. 67 (2003); Evelyn Bradley, In Search for Justice – A Truth and
Reconciliation Commission for Rwanda, 7 J. INT'L L. & PRAC. 129 (1998).
251[88]
See Catherine O’Rourke, The Shifting Signifier of “Community in Transitional Justice: A Feminist Analysis¸
23 WIS. J.L. GENDER & SOC'Y 269 (2008) citing Transitional Justice and Rule of Law Interest Group, American
Page 83 of 256
from a period of non-democratic rule and their desired justice systems were not yet
fully in place. This reality removes any justification for the President to resort to
extralegal (or even illegal) measures and to institutions and mechanisms outside of
those already in place, in proceeding against grafters in the previous
administration.
If the President and Congress are dissatisfied with the Ombudsman‘s

performance of duty, the constitutionally-provided remedy is to impeach the
Ombudsman based on the constitutionally-provided grounds for removal. The
remedy is not through the creation of a parallel office that either duplicates or
renders ineffective the Ombudsman’s actions. By the latter action, the President
already situates himself and the Executive Department into the justice system in a
manner that the Constitution and the law do not allow.
D. THE PRESIDENT HAS NO AUTHORITY EITHER

UNDER THE CONSTITUTION OR UNDER THE
LAWS TO CREATE THE TRUTH COMMISSION.
Under the 1987 Constitution, the authority to create offices is lodged

exclusively in Congress. This is a necessary implication252[89] of its ―plenary
legislative power.‖253[90] Thus, except as otherwise provided by the Constitution or
statutory grant, no public office can be created except by Congress; any
unauthorized action in this regard violates the doctrine of separation of powers.
In essence, according to Father Joaquin Bernas, ―separation of powers

means that legislation belongs to Congress, execution to the executive, settlement
of legal controversies to the judiciary.‖254[91] This means that the President cannot,
under the present Constitution and in the guise of “executing the laws,” perform
an act that would impinge on Congress’ exclusive power to create laws, including
the power to create a public office.
Society of International Law, Statement of Purpose, http://www.asil.org/interest-groups-

view.cfm?groupid=32.
252[89]
Isagani Cruz, Philippine Political Law (1998 ed.) p. 79. See also Bernas, supra note 30, pp. 676-677,
stating: ―Thus, any power, deemed to be legislative by usage and tradition, is necessarily possessed by
Congress.‖
253[90]
Ibid. See also Canonizado v. Aguirre, G.R. No. 133132, January 25, 2000, 323 SCRA 312; Buklod ng
Kawaning EIIB v. Zamora, G.R. Nos. 142801-802, July 10, 2001, 360 SCRA 718.
254[91]
Bernas, supra note 30, p. 678.
Page 84 of 256
In the present case, the exclusive authority of Congress in creating a public
office is not questioned. The issue raised regarding the President‘s power to create
the Truth Commission boils down to whether the Constitution allows the creation
of the Truth Commission by the President or by an act of Congress.
D.1 The Section 31 Argument.
EO 1, by its express terms, 255[92] is premised on “Book III, Chapter 10,

Section 31 of Executive Order No. 292, otherwise known as the Revised
Administrative Code of the Philippines, which gives the President the
continuing authority to reorganize the Office of the President. The Solicitor
General, of course, did not steadfastly hold on to this view; in the course of the oral
arguments and in his Memorandum, he invoked other bases for the President‘s
authority to issue EO 1. In the process, he likewise made various claims, not all of
them consistent with one another, on the nature of the Truth Commission that EO 1
created.
Section 31 shows that it is a very potent presidential power, as it empowers

him to (1) to re-organize his own internal office; (2) transfer any function or office
from the Office of the President to the various executive departments; and (3)
transfer any function or office from the various executive departments to the Office
of the President.
To reorganize presupposes that an office is or offices are already existing

and that (1) a reduction is effected, either of staff or of its functions, for transfer to
another or for abolition because of redundancy; (2) offices are merged resulting in
the retention of one as the dominant office; (3) two offices are abolished resulting
in the emergence of a new office carrying the attributes of its predecessors as well
as their responsibilities; or (4) a new office is created by dividing the functions and
staff of an existing office. Buklod ng Kawaning EIIB v. Hon. Executive Secretary
addresses this point when it said:
[R]eorganization involves the reduction of personnel, consolidation of offices, or
abolition thereof by reason of economy or redundancy of functions. It takes place
when there is an alteration of the existing structure of government offices or units
therein, including the lines of control, authority and responsibility between
256[93]
them.
255[92]
EO 1, 8th and last Whereas Clause.
256[93]
Buklod ng Kawaning EIIB v. Hon. Executive Secretary, supra note 81.
Page 85 of 256
These traditional concepts of reorganization do not appear to have taken
place in the establishment of the Truth Commission. As heretofore mentioned, by
its plain terms, it was ―created‖ and did not simply emerge from the functions or
the personality of another office, whether within or outside the Office of the
President. Thus, it is a completely new body that the President constituted, not a
body that appropriated the powers of, or derived its powers from, the investigatory
and prosecutory powers of the Department of Justice or any other investigatory
body within the Executive branch.
From the Solicitor General‘s Memorandum, it appears that the inspiration for
the EO came from the use and experiences of truth commissions in other countries
that were coming from ―determinate periods of abusive rule or conflict‖ for
purposes of making ―recommendations for [the] redress and future
prevention‖257[94] of similar abusive rule or conflict. It is a body to establish the
―truth of what abuses actually happened in the past;‖ the Solicitor General even
suggests that the ―doctrine of separation of powers and the extent of the powers of
co-equal branches of government should not be so construed as to restrain the
Executive from uncovering the truth about betrayals of public trust, from
addressing their enabling conditions, and from preventing their recurrence.‖258[95]
By these perorations, the Solicitor General unwittingly strengthens the view that no
reorganization ever took place when the Truth Commission was created; what the
President ―created‖ was a new office that does not trace its roots to any existing
office or function from the Office of the President or from the executive
departments and agencies he controls.
Thus, the President cannot legally invoke Section 31 to create the Truth
Commission. The requirements for the application of this Section are simply not
present; any insistence on the use of this Section can only lead to the invalidity of
EO 1.
D.2. The PD 1416 and Residual Powers

Argument
Independently of the EO‘s express legal basis, the Solicitor-General

introduced a new basis of authority, theorizing that ―the power of the President to
reorganize the executive branch‖ is justifiable under Presidential Decree (PD) No.
257[94]
Solicitor General‘s Memorandum, rollo, p. 332.
258[95]
Id. at 324.
Page 86 of 256
1416, as amended by PD No. 1772, based on the President‘s residual powers under
Section 20, Title I, Book III of E.O. No. 292.‖ He cites in this regard the case of
Larin v. Executive Secretary259[96] and according to him:
x x x This provision speaks of such other powers vested in the President under the
law. What law then which gives him the power to reorganize? It is Presidential
Decree No. 1772 which amended Presidential Decree No. 1416. These decrees
expressly grant the President of the Philippines the continuing authority to
reorganize the national government, which includes the power to group,
consolidate bureaus and agencies, to abolish offices, to transfer functions, to
create and classify functions, services and activities and to standardize salaries
and materials. The validity of these two decrees are unquestionable. The 1987
Constitution clearly provides that "all laws, decrees, executive orders,
proclamations, letters of instructions and other executive issuances not
inconsistent with this Constitution shall remain operative until amended, repealed
or revoked." So far, there is yet no law amending or repealing said decrees.260[97]
[Emphasis supplied]
Unfortunately, even the invocation of the transitory clause of the 1987

Constitution (regarding the validity of laws and decrees not inconsistent with the
Constitution) cannot save EO 1, as PD 1416 is a legislation that has long lost its
potency.
Contemporary history teaches us that PD 1416 was passed under completely

different factual and legal milieus that are not present today, thus rendering this
presidential decree an anachronism that can no longer be invoked.
Prior to the EDSA Revolution of 1986 (and the 1987 Constitution),

President Marcos exercised legislative powers and issued PD 1416, as amended by
PD 1772, which, by its express terms, allowed the President to reorganize and/or
create offices within the National Government. This was sanctioned in the exercise
of the President‘s martial law powers and on the basis of Article XVII, Section
3(2) of the 1973 Constitution.261[98]
Upon the adoption of the 1987 Constitution, and the re-introduction of the
presidential form of government, the ―separation of legislative and executive
powers‖262[99] was restored. Similarly recognized were the limits on the exercise of
259[96]
G.R. No. 112745, October 16, 1997, 280 SCRA 713.
260[97]
Solicitor General‘s Consolidated Comment, rollo, pp. 148-149.
261[98]
Aquino v. COMELEC, No. L-40004, January 31, 1975, 62 SCRA 275.
262[99]
Gonzales v. PAGCOR, G. R. No. 144891, May 27, 2004, 429 SCRA 533,545.
Page 87 of 256
the carefully carved-out and designated powers of each branch of government.
Thus, Congress regained the exclusive power to create public offices; PD 1416, as
amended by PD 1776 – a creation of the legal order under President Marcos – lost
its authority as a justification for the creation of an office by the President.
That PD 1416, as amended by PD 1776, has been overtaken and rendered an

obsolete law, is not a new position taken within this Court. In his separate
concurring opinion in Banda v. Executive Secretary,263[100] Justice Antonio T.
Carpio pointedly posited that the ruling in Larin v. Executive Secretary264[101]
(reiterated in Buklod ng Kawaning EIIB v. Hon. Sec. Zamora265[102] and Tondo
Medical Center Employees Association v. Court of Appeals266[103]), which relied on
Section 20, Chapter 7, Book II of the Administrative Code of 1987 in relation with
P.D. 1416, cannot validate Executive Order No. 378 assailed in that case because
―P.D. 1416, as amended, with its blending of legislative and executive powers, is a
vestige of an autrocratic era, totally anachronistic to our present-day constitutional
democracy.‖ 267[104]
Thus, the present and firmly established legal reality is that under the 1987
Constitution and the Revised Administrative Code, the President cannot create a
public office except to the extent that he is allowed by Section 31, Chapter 10,
Book III of the Revised Administrative Code. As discussed above, even this
narrow window cannot be used as the President did not comply with the
requirements of Section 31.
D.3. The Authority of the President under the

Faithful Execution Clause
Article VII, Section 17 of the 1987 Constitution directs and authorizes the
President to faithfully execute the laws and the potency of this power cannot be
underestimated. Owing perhaps to the latitude granted to the President under this
constitutional provision, the Solicitor General posited that the President‘s power to
create the Truth Commission may be justified under this general grant of authority.
In particular, the Solicitor General argues that the ―President‘s power to conduct
investigations to aid him in ensuring the faithful execution of laws – in this case,
263[100]
G.R. No. 166620, April 20, 2010.
264[101]
Supra note 96.
265[102]
Supra note 81.
266[103]
G.R. No. 167324, July 17, 2007, 527 SCRA 746.
267[104]
J. Carpio‘s Separate Concurring Opinion. Supra note 100.
Page 88 of 256
fundamental laws on public accountability and transparency – is inherent in the
President‘s powers as the Chief Executive.‖ 268[105] The Solicitor General further
argues: ―That the authority of the President to conduct investigations and to create
bodies to execute this power is not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution or in
statutes does not mean he is bereft of such authority.‖269[106]
That the President cannot, in the absence of any statutory justification, refuse
to execute the laws when called for is a principle fully recognized by
jurisprudence. In In re Neagle, the US Supreme Court held that the faithful
execution clause is ―not limited to the enforcement of acts of Congress according
to their express terms.‖270[107] According to Father Bernas, Neagle ―saw as law that
had to be faithfully executed not just formal acts of the legislature but any duty or
obligation inferable from the Constitution or from statutes.‖271[108]
Under his broad powers to execute the laws, the President can undoubtedly
create ad hoc bodies for purposes of investigating reported crimes. The President,
however, has to observe the limits imposed on him by the constitutional plan: he
must respect the separation of powers and the independence of other bodies which
have their own constitutional and statutory mandates, as discussed above. Contrary
to what J. Antonio Eduardo B. Nachura claims in his Dissent, the President cannot
claim the right to create a public office in the course of implementing the law, as
this power lodged exclusively in Congress. An investigating body, furthermore,
must operate within the Executive branch; the President cannot create an office
outside the Executive department.
These legal realities spawned the problems that the Solicitor General created
for himself when he made conflicting claims about the Truth Commission during
the oral arguments. For accuracy, the excerpts from the oral arguments are best
quoted verbatim.272[109]
Associate Justice Nachura: Mr. Solicitor General, most of my questions have
actually been asked already and there are few things that I would like to be
clarified on. Well, following the questions asked by Justice Carpio, I would like a
clarification from you, a definite answer, is the Truth Commission a public office?
Solicitor General Cadiz: No, Your Honor.
268[105]
Solicitor General‘s Consolidated Comment, rollo, p. 160.
269[106]
Id. at 41.
270[107]
135 U.S. 1, 59 (1890).
271[108]
272[109]
TSN, September 28, 2010, pp. 209-214.
Page 89 of 256
Associate Justice Nachura: Ah, you mean it is not a public office?
Solicitor General Cadiz: It is not a public office in the concept that it has to be
created by Congress, Your Honor.
Associate Justice Nachura: Oh, come on, I agree with you that the President can
create public offices, that was what, ah, one of the questions I asked Congressman
Lagman.
Solicitor General Cadiz: Thank you, your Honor.
Associate Justice Nachura: Because he was insisting that only Congress could
create public office although, he said, the President can create public offices but
only in the context of the authority granted under the Administrative Code of
1987. So, it is a public office?
Solicitor General Cadiz: Yes, Your Honor.
Associate Justice Nachura: This is definite, categorical. You are certain now
that Truth Commission (interrupted)
Solicitor General Cadiz: Yes, Your Honor, under the Office of the President
Proper, yes, Your Honor.
Associate Justice Nachura: Again?
Solicitor General Cadiz: That this Truth Commission is a public office, Your
Honor, created under the Office of the President.
Associate Justice Nachura: Okay, created under the Office of the President,
because it is the President who created it. And the President can create offices
only within the executive department. He cannot create a public office outside of
the executive department, alright.
Associate Justice Nachura: Okay. So, the Commissioners who are appointed
are what, Presidential Assistants? Are they Presidential Assistants?
Solicitor General Cadiz: They are Commissioners, Your Honor.
Associate Justice Nachura: They are, therefore, alter-egos of the President?
Page 90 of 256
Solicitor General Cadiz: No, Your Honor. There is created a Truth
Commission, and Commissioners are appointed and it so stated here that they are
independent.
Associate Justice Nachura: Aha, okay.
Solicitor General Cadiz: Of the Office of the President.
Associate Justice Nachura: Are you saying now that the Commissioners are not
under the power and control of the President of the Philippines?
Solicitor General Cadiz: It is so stated in the Executive Order, Your Honor.
Associate Justice Nachura: Aha, alright. So, the Truth Commission is not an
office within the executive department, because it is not under the power of
control of the President, then, Section 17 of Article VII would not apply to them,
is that it?
Solicitor General Cadiz: Your Honor, the President has delineated his power by
creating an Executive Order which created the Commission, which says, that this
is an independent body, Your Honor.
Associate Justice Nachura: Okay. So, what you are saying is, this is a creation
of the President, it is under the President‘s power of control, but the President has
chosen not to exercise the power of control by declaring that it shall be an
independent body?
Associate Justice Nachura: That is your position. I would like you to place that
in your memorandum and see. I would like to see how you will develop that
argument.
The Solicitor General, despite his promise to respond through his

Memorandum, never bothered to explain point-by-point his unusual positions and
conclusions during the oral arguments, responding only with generalities that were
not responsive or in point.273[110]
273[110]
Part of the argument the Solicitor General relied upon was Department of Health v. Campasano, (G.R. No.
157684. April 27, 2005, 457 SCRA 438) Solicitor General’s Consolidated Comment, rollo, pp. 145-146. Reliance
on this case, however, is misplaced. In Campasano, the Court upheld the power of the President to create an
ad hoc investigating committee in the Department of Health on the basis of the President’s constitutional
power of control over the Executive Department as well as his obligation under the faithful execution clause to
ensure that all executive officials and employees faithfully comply with the law. The Court’s ruling in
Campasano is not determinative of the present case as the Truth Commission is claimed to be a body entirely
distinct and independent from the Office of the President. This conclusion is bolstered by the Solicitor
Page 91 of 256
Specifically, while admitting that the Truth Commission is a ―creation‖ of
the President under his office pursuant to the latter‘s authority under the
Administrative Code of 1987, the Solicitor General incongruously claimed that the
Commission is ―independent‖ of the Office of the President and is not under his
control. Mercifully, J. Nachura suggested that the President may have created a
body under his control but has chosen not to exercise the power of control by
declaring that it is an independent body, to which the Solicitor General fully
agreed.
Truth to tell (no pun intended), the Solicitor General appears under these
positions to be playing a game of smoke and mirrors with the Court. For purposes
of the creation of the Truth Commission, he posits that the move is fully within the
President‘s authority and in the performance of his executive functions. This
claim, of course, must necessarily be based on the premise that execution is by the
President himself or by people who are within the Executive Department and
within the President‘s power of supervision and control, as the President cannot
delegate his powers beyond the Executive Department. At the same time, he
claims that the Commissioners (whom he refuses to refer to as Presidential
Assistants or as alter egos of the President)274[111] are independent of the President,
apparently because the President has waived his power of control over them.
All these necessarily lead to the question: can the President really create an
office within the Executive branch that is independent of his control? The short
answer is he cannot, and the short reason again is the constitutional plan. The
execution and implementation of the laws have been placed by the Constitution on
the shoulders of the President and on none other.275[112] He cannot delegate his
executive powers to any person or entity outside the Executive department except
by authority of the Constitution or the law (which authority in this case he does not
have), nor can he delegate his authority to undertake fact-finding as an incident of
General’s own admission during oral arguments that the Truth Commission, particularly the Commissioners
are not under the power of control by the President. In fact, the Solicitor General went as far as to admit that
the President has in fact relinquished the power of control over the Commission to underscore its
independence.
274[111]
275[112]
CONSTITUTION, Article VII, Section 1: ‗The Executive Power shall be vested in the President of the
Philippines.‖ See Bernas, supra note 30, p. 820: ―With the 1987 Constitution, the constitutional system returns
to the presidential model of the 1935 Constitution: executive power is vested in the President.‖ Father Bernas
further states: ―In vesting executive power in one person rather than in a plural executive, the evident intention
was to invest the power holder with energy.‖
Page 92 of 256
his executive power, and at the same time take the position that he has no
responsibility for the fact-finding because it is independent of him and his office.
Under the constitutional plan, the creation of this kind of office with this
kind of independence is lodged only in the Legislature.276[113] For example, it is
only the Legislature which can create a body like the National Labor Relations
Commission whose decisions are final and are neither appealable to the President
nor to his alter ego, the Secretary of Labor.277[114] Yet another example, President
Corazon Aquino herself, because the creation of an independent commission was
outside her executive powers, deemed it necessary to act pursuant to a legislative
fiat in constituting the first Davide Commission of 1989.278[115]
Apparently, the President wanted to create a separate, distinct and

independent Commission because he wants to continuously impress upon the
public – his audience in the second forum – that this Commission can tell the
―truth‖ without any control or prompting from the Office of the President and
without need of waiting for definitive word from those constitutionally-assigned to
undertake this task. Here, truth-telling again rears its ugly head and is unmasked
for what it really is – an attempt to bypass the constitutional plan on how crimes
are investigated and resolved with finality.
Otherwise stated, if indeed the President can create the Commission as a

fact-finding or investigating body, the Commission must perforce be an entity that
276[113]
CONSTITUTION, Article VI, Section 1: ―The legislative power shall be vested in the Congress of the
Philippines which shall consist of a Senate and a House of Representatives, except to the extent reserved to the
people by the provision on initiative and referendum.‖ See Vera v. Avelino, 77 Phil. 192, 212 (1946): ―any
power, deemed to be legislative by usage and tradition, is necessarily possessed by Congress x x x‖ cited in
Bernas, supra note 30, pp. 676-677.
277[114]
Even in the case of the NLRC, however, presidential control cannot be avoided as the NLRC is part of the
Executive branch and the President, through his Secretary of Labor, sets the policies on labor and employment
(expressed through rules and regulations and interpretation) that, consistent with the existing laws and
jurisprudence, must be followed.
278[115]
Republic
Act 6832, otherwise known as “An Act Creating A Commission To Conduct A Thorough Fact-Finding
Investigation Of The Failed Coup D′État Of December 1989, Recommend Measures To Prevent The Occurrence
Of Similar Attempts At A Violent Seizure Of Power, And For Other Purposes.” Its Section 1 provides:
Section 1. Creation, Objectives and Powers. — There is hereby created an independent

Commission which shall investigate all the facts and circumstances of the failed coup d'état of
December 1989, and recommend measures to prevent similar attempts at a violent seizure of
power. [Emphasis supplied]
Page 93 of 256
is within the Executive branch and as such is subject to the control and supervision
of the President. In fact, the circumstances surrounding the existence of the
Commission – already outlined above in terms of its processes, facilities, budget
and staff – cannot but lead to control. Likewise, if indeed the Truth Commission is
under the control of the President who issued the EO with openly-admitted
political motivation,279[116] then the Solicitor General‘s representation about the
Commission‘s independently-arrived ―truth‖ may fall under the classification of a
smoke and mirror political move. Sad to state, the Solicitor General chose to aim
for the best of all worlds in making representations about the creation and the
nature of the Commission. We cannot allow this approach to pass unnoticed and
without the observations it deserves.
If the President wants a truly independent Commission, then that

Commission must be created through an act of Congress; otherwise, that
independent Commission will be an unconstitutional body. Note as added
examples in this regard that previous presidential fact-finding bodies, created either
by Executive or Administrative Orders (i.e., Feliciano, Melo, Zeñarosa and IIRC
Commissions), were all part of the Executive department and their findings, even
without any express representation in the orders creating them, were necessarily
subject to the power of the President to review, alter, modify or revise according to
the best judgment of the President. That the President who received these
commissions‘ reports did not alter the recommendations made is not an argument
that the President can create an ―independent‖ commission, as the Presidents
receiving the commissions‘ reports could have, but simply did not, choose to
interfere with these past commissions‘ findings.
In sum, this Court cannot and should not accept an arrangement where: (1)
the President creates an office pursuant to his constitutional power to execute the
laws and to his Administrative Code powers to reorganize the Executive branch,
and (2) at the same time or thereafter allow the President to disavow any link with
the created body or its results through a claim of independence and waiver of
control. This arrangement bypasses and mocks the constitutional plan on the
separation of powers; among others, it encroaches into Congress‘ authority to
create an office. This consequence must necessarily be fatal for the arrangement is
inimical to the doctrine of separation of powers whose purpose, according to
Father Joaquin Bernas, is:
to prevent concentration of powers in one department and thereby to avoid
tyranny. But the price paid for the insurance against tyranny is the risk of a
degree of inefficiency and even the danger of gridlock. As Justice Brandeis put it,
279[116]
See 6th Whereas Clause, EO 1.
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―the doctrine of separation of powers was adopted…not to promote efficiency but
to preclude the exercise of arbitrary power. The purpose was not to avoid friction,
but, by means of the inevitable friction incident to the distribution of
governmental powers among the three departments, to save the people from
autocracy.‖280[117]
Indeed, to allow one department of government, without the authority of law or the
Constitution, to be granted the authority to bestow an advanced imprimatur of
“truth” bespeaks of a concentration of power that may well overshadow any
initiative to combat graft and corruption; in its own way, this grant itself is an open
invitation to the very evils sought to be avoided.
E. VIOLATIONS OF THE RIGHTS

OF INVESTIGATED PERSONS
E.1 Violation of Personal Rights
Separately from the above effects, truth-telling as envisioned under the EO,
carries prejudicial effects on the persons it immediately targets, namely: the
officials, employees and private individuals alleged to have committed graft and
corruption during the previous administration. This consequence proceeds from the
above discussed truth-telling premise that –whether the Commission reports
(recommending the charging of specific individuals) are proven or not in the
appropriate courts – the Commission‘s function of truth-telling function would
have been served and the Commission would have effectively acted against the
charged individuals.
The most obvious prejudicial effect of the truth-telling function on the

persons investigated is on their persons, reputation and property. Simply being
singled out as ―charged‖ in a truth-telling report will inevitably mean disturbance
of one‘s routines, activities and relationships; the preparation for a defense that will
cost money, time and energy; changes in personal, job and business relationships
with others; and adverse effects on jobs and businesses. Worse, reputations can
forever be tarnished after one is labelled as a participant in massive graft and
corruption.
Conceivably, these prejudicial effects may be dismissed as speculative

arguments that are not justified by any supporting evidence and, hence, cannot
effectively be cited as factual basis for the invalidity of the EO. Evidence,
280[117]
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however, is hardly necessary where the prejudicial effects are self-evident, i.e.,
given that the announced and undisputed government position that truth-telling per
se, in the manner envisioned by the EO and its implementing rules, is an
independent objective the government wants to achieve. When the government
itself has been heard on the ―truth,‖ the probability of prejudice for the individual
charged is not only a likelihood; it approaches the level of certainty.
In testing the validity of a government act or statute, such potential for harm
suffices to invalidate the challenged act; evidence of actual harm is not necessary
in the way it is necessary for a criminal conviction or to justify an award for
damages. In plainer terms, the certainty of consequent damage requires no
evidence or further reasoning when the government itself declares that for as long
as the ―story‖ of the allegedly massive graft and corruption during the past
administration is told, the Commission would have fulfilled one of its functions to
satisfaction; under this reckless approach, it is self-evident that the mistaken object
of the ―truth‖ told must necessarily suffer.
In the context of this effect, the government statement translates to the

message: forget the damage the persons investigated may suffer on their
persons and reputation; forget the rights they are entitled to under the
Constitution; give primacy to the story told. This kind of message, of course, is
unacceptable under a Constitution that establishes the strongest safeguards,
through the Bill of Rights, in favor of the individual‘s right to life, security and
property against the overwhelming might of the government.
E.2 Denial of the right to a fair criminal trial.
The essence of the due process guarantee in a criminal case, as provided

under Section 14(1) of the Constitution, is the right to a fair trial. What is fair
depends on compliance with the express guarantees of the Constitution, and on the
circumstances of each case.
When the Commission‘s report itself is characterized, prior to trial, and held
out by the government to be the true story of the graft and corruption charged, the
chances of individuals to have a fair trial in a subsequent criminal case cannot be
very great.
Consider on this point that not even the main actors in the criminal justice
system – the Ombudsman, the Sandiganbayan and even this Court – can avoid the
cloud of ―untruth‖ and a doubtful taint in their integrity after the government has
Page 96 of 256
publicized the Commission‘s findings as the truth. If the rulings of these
constitutional bodies themselves can be suspect, individual defenses for sure
cannot rise any higher.
Where the government simply wants to tell its story, already labelled as true,
well ahead of any court proceedings, and judicial notice is taken of the kind of
publicity and the ferment in public opinion that news of government scandals
generate, it does not require a leap of faith to conclude that an accused brought to
court against overwhelming public opinion starts his case with a less than equal
chance of acquittal. The presumption of innocence notwithstanding, the playing
field cannot but be uneven in a criminal trial when the accused enters trial with a
government-sponsored badge of guilt on his forehead.281[118] The presumption of
innocence in law cannot serve an accused in a biased atmosphere pointing to
guilt in fact because the government and public opinion have spoken against
the accused.
Viewed from the perspective of its cause, the prejudicial publicity, that
adversely affects the chances of an accused for a fair trial after the EO has done its
job, is not the kind that occurs solely because of the identity of the individual
accused. This prejudice results from a cause systemic to the EO because of its
truth-telling feature that allows the government to call its proceedings and reports a
process of truth-telling where the tales cannot but be true. This kind of systemic
aberration has no place in the country‘s dispensation of criminal justice system and
should be struck down as invalid before it can fully work itself into the criminal
justice system as an acceptable intervention.
F. THE TRUTH COMMISSION AND

THE EQUAL PROTECTION CLAUSE
281[118]
See e.g. Allenet de Ribemont v. France, February 10, 1995, 15175/89 [1995] ECHR 5, where the European
Court of Human Rights held that the right to presumption of innocence may be ―infringed not only by a judge or
court but also by other public authorities.‖ The ECHR likewise held:
The presumption of innocence enshrined in paragraph 2 of Article 6 (art. 6-2) is one of the
elements of the fair criminal trial that is required by paragraph 1 (art. 6-1) (see, among other
authorities, the Deweer v. Belgium judgment, of 27 February 1980, Series A no. 35, p. 30, para.
56, and the Minelli judgment previously cited, p. 15, para. 27). It will be violated if a judicial
decision concerning a person charged with a criminal offence reflects an opinion that he is guilty
before he has been proved guilty according to law. It suffices, even in the absence of any formal
finding, that there is some reasoning suggesting that the court regards the accused as guilty
(see the Minelli judgment previously cited, p. 18, para. 37). [emphasis supplied]
Page 97 of 256
The guarantee of equal protection of the law is a branch of the right to due
process embodied in Article III, Section 1 of the Constitution. It is rooted in the
same concept of fairness that underlies the due process clause. In its simplest
sense, it requires equal treatment, i.e., the absence of discrimination, for all those
under the same situation. An early case, People v. Cayat,282[119] articulated the
requisites determinative of valid and reasonable classification under the equal
protection clause, and stated that it must
(1) rest on substantial distinctions;
(2) be germane to the purpose of the law;
(3) not be limited to existing conditions only; and
(4) apply equally to all members of the same class.
In our jurisdiction, we mainly decide equal protection challenges using

a ―rational basis‖ test, coupled with a ―deferential‖ scrutiny of legislative
classifications and a reluctance to invalidate a law unless there is a showing of a
clear and unequivocal breach of the Constitution.283[120] Our views on the matter,
however, have not remained static, and have been attuned to the jurisprudential
developments in the United States on the levels of scrutiny that are applied to
determine the acceptability of any differences in treatment that may result from the
law. 284[121]
Serrano v. Gallant Maritime Services, Inc.285[122] summarizes the three tests

employed in this jurisdiction as follows:
There are three levels of scrutiny at which the Court reviews the
constitutionality of a classification embodied in a law: a) the deferential or
rational basis scrutiny in which the challenged classification needs only be
shown to be rationally related to serving a legitimate state interest; b) the middle-
tier or intermediate scrutiny in which the government must show that the
challenged classification serves an important state interest and that the
classification is at least substantially related to serving that interest; and c) strict
judicial scrutiny in which a legislative classification which impermissibly
282[119]
68 Phil. 12 (1939).
283[120]
Central Bank Employees Association, Inc. v. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, G.R. No. 148208, December 15,
2004, 446 SCRA 299, 370.
284[121]
See Central Bank Employees Association, Inc. v. Bangko Sental ng Pilipinas, id., where the Court
expanded the concept of suspect classification; See also Serrano v. Gallant Maritime Services, Inc., infra
where the Court applied the strict scrutiny test.
285[122]
G.R. No. 167614, March 24 2009, 582 SCRA 254, 277-278.
Page 98 of 256
interferes with the exercise of a fundamental right or operates to the peculiar
disadvantage of a suspect class is presumed unconstitutional, and the burden is
upon the government to prove that the classification is necessary to achieve a
compelling state interest and that it is the least restrictive means to protect such
interest. [Emphasis supplied]
The most exacting of the three tests is evidently the strict scrutiny test,
which requires the government to show that the challenged classification serves a
compelling state interest and that the classification is necessary to serve that
interest.286[123] Briefly stated, the strict scrutiny test is applied when the challenged
statute either:
(1) classifies on the basis of an inherently suspect characteristic; or

(2) infringes fundamental constitutional rights.
In these situations, the usual presumption of constitutionality is reversed,

and it falls upon the government to demonstrate that its classification has been
narrowly tailored to further compelling governmental interests; otherwise, the
law shall be declared unconstitutional for violating the equal protection
clause.287[124]
In EO 1, for the first time in Philippine history, the Executive created a

public office to address the ―reports of graft and corruption of such magnitude that
shock and offend the moral and ethical sensibilities of the people,
committed….during the previous administration‖ through fact-finding, policy
formulation and truth-telling.288[125] While fact-finding has been undertaken by
previous investigative commissions for purposes of possible prosecution and
policy-formulation, a first for the current Truth Commission is its task of truth-
telling. The Commission not only has to investigate reported graft and corruption;
it also has the authority to announce to the public the ―truth‖ regarding alleged
graft and corruption committed during the previous administration.
EO 1‘s problem with the equal protection clause lies in the truth-telling
function it gave the Truth Commission.
286[123]
Supra note 30, pp. 139-140.
287[124]
J. Carpio-Morales‘ Dissenting Opinion. Supra note 120, p. 485.
288[125]
See Item I (c) of this Concurring Opinion, p. 8.
Page 99 of 256
As extensively discussed earlier in this Opinion, truth-telling is not an
ordinary task, as the Commission‘s reports to the government and the public are
already given the imprimatur of truth way before the allegations of graft and
corruption are ever proven in court. This feature, by itself, is a unique differential
treatment that cannot but be considered in the application of the jurisprudential
equal protection clause requirements.
Equally unique is the focus of the Commission‘s investigation - it solely

addresses alleged graft and corruption committed during the past administration.
This focus is further narrowed down to ―third level public officers and higher, their
co-principal, accomplices and accessories from the private sector, if any, during
the previous administration.‖289[126] Under these terms, the subject of the EO is
limited only to a very select group – the highest officials, not any ordinary
government official at the time. Notably excluded under these express terms are
third level and higher officials of other previous administrations who can still be
possibly be charged of similar levels of graft and corruption they might have
perpetrated during their incumbency. Likewise excepted are the third level officials
of the present administration who may likewise commit the same level of graft and
corruption during the term of the Commission.
Thus, from the points of truth-telling and the focus on the people to be
investigated, at least a double layer of differential treatment characterizes the Truth
Commission‘s investigation. Given these disparate treatment, the equal protection
question that arises is: does the resulting classification and segregation of third
level officials of the previous administration and their differential treatment rest on
substantial distinctions? Stated more plainly, is there reasonable basis to
differentiate the officials of the previous administration, both from the focus
given to them in relation with all other officials as pointed out above, and in the
truth-telling treatment accorded to them by the Commission?
Still a deeper question to be answered is: what level of scrutiny should be

given to the patent discrimination in focus and in treatment that the EO abets?
Although this question is stated last, it should have been the initial consideration,
as its determination governs the level of scrutiny to be accorded; if the strict
scrutiny test is appropriate, the government, not the party questioning a
classification, carries the burden of showing that permissible classification took
place. This critical consideration partly accounts, too, for the relegation to the last,
among the EO‘s cited grounds for invalidity, of the equal protection clause
289[126]
EO 1, Section 2.
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violation; the applicable level of scrutiny may depend on the prior determination of
whether, as held in Serrano, the disparate treatment is attended by infringement of
fundamental constitutional rights.
―Fundamental rights‖ whose infringement leads to strict scrutiny under the

equal protection clause are those basic liberties explicitly or implicitly guaranteed
in the Constitution. Justice Carpio-Morales, although in dissent in Central Bank
Employees Association, Inc. v. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas,290[127] elaborated on
this point when she said:
Most fundamental rights cases decided in the United States require equal
protection analysis because these cases would involve a review of statutes which
classify persons and impose differing restrictions on the ability of a certain class
of persons to exercise a fundamental right. Fundamental rights include only
those basic liberties explicitly or implicitly guaranteed by the U.S.
Constitution. And precisely because these statutes affect fundamental
liberties, any experiment involving basic freedoms which the legislature
conducts must be critically examined under the lens of Strict Scrutiny.
Fundamental rights which give rise to Strict Scrutiny include the right
of procreation, the right to marry, the right to exercise First Amendment
freedoms such as free speech, political expression, press, assembly, and so
forth, the right to travel, and the right to vote. [Emphasis supplied]
In the present case, as shown by the previously cited grounds for the EO‘s
invalidity, EO No. 1 infringes the personal due process rights of the
investigated persons, as well as their constitutional right to a fair trial.
Indisputably, both these rights – one of them guaranteed under Section 1, Article
III, and under Section 14 of the same Article – are, by jurisprudential definition,
fundamental rights. With these infringements, the question now thus shifts to the
application of the strict scrutiny test – an exercise not novel in this jurisdiction.
In the above-cited Central Bank Employees Association, Inc. case,291[128] we

stated:
Congress retains its wide discretion in providing for a valid classification,
and its policies should be accorded recognition and respect by the courts of justice
except when they run afoul of the Constitution. The deference stops where the
classification violates a fundamental right, or prejudices persons accorded
special protection by the Constitution. When these violations arise, this Court
must discharge its primary role as the vanguard of constitutional guaranties, and
290[127]
Supra note 120, pp. 495-496.
291[128]
Id. at 387, 390.
Page 101 of 256

require a stricter and more exacting adherence to constitutional limitations.
Rational basis should not suffice.
xxx
But if the challenge to the statute is premised on the denial of a fundamental

right, or the perpetuation of prejudice against persons favored by the
Constitution with special protection, judicial scrutiny ought to be more
strict. A weak and watered down view would call for the abdication of this
Court‘s solemn duty to strike down any law repugnant to the Constitution and the
rights it enshrines. This is true whether the actor committing the unconstitutional
act is a private person or the government itself or one of its instrumentalities.
Oppressive acts will be struck down regardless of the character or nature of the
actor. [Underscoring supplied]
Stripped of the usual deference accorded to it, the government must show that a
compelling state interest exists to justify the differential treatment that EO 1
fosters.
Serrano v. Gallant Maritime Services, Inc.292[129] helpfully tells us the

compelling state interest that is critical in a strict scrutiny examination:
What constitutes compelling state interest is measured by the scale of
rights and powers arrayed in the Constitution and calibrated by history. It is akin
to the paramount interest of the state for which some individual liberties must
give way, such as the public interest in safeguarding health or maintaining
medical standards, or in maintaining access to information on matters of public
concern.
In this same cited case, the Court categorically ruled that ―the burden is upon the
government to prove that the classification is necessary to achieve a compelling
state interest and that it is the least restrictive means to protect such
interest.‖293[130]
On its face, the compelling state interest the EO cites is the “urgent call for
the determination of the truth regarding certain reports of large scale graft and
corruption in the government and to put a closure to them by the filing of the
appropriate cases against those involved if warranted, and to deter others from
committing the evil, restore the people’s faith and confidence in the Government
and in their public servants.‖294[131] Under these terms, what appears important to
292[129]
Supra note 120, p. 296.
293[130]
Id. at 278 citing Grutter v. Bollinger,539 US 306 (2003); Bernal v. Fainter, 467 US 216 (1984).
294[131]
EO 1, 5th Whereas Clause.
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the government as means or mediums in its fight against graft and corruption are
(1) to expose the graft and corruption the past administration committed; (2)
to prosecute the malefactors, if possible; and (3) to set an example for others.
Whether a compelling State interest exists can best be tested through the prism of
the means the government has opted to utilize.
In the usual course and irrespective of who the malefactors are and when
they committed their transgressions, grafters and corruptors ought to be
prosecuted. This is not only a goal but a duty of government. Thus, by itself, the
prosecution that the EO envisions is not any different from all other actions the
government undertakes day to day under the criminal justice system in proceeding
against the grafters and the corrupt. In other words, expressed as a duty, the
compelling drive to prosecute must be the same irrespective of the administration
under which the graft and corruption were perpetrated. If indeed this is so, what
compelling reasons can there be to drive the government to use the EO and its
unusual terms in proceeding against the officials of the previous administration?
If the EO‘s terms are to be the yardstick, the basis for the separate focus is
the ―extent and magnitude‖ of the reported graft and corruption which ―shock and
offend the moral and ethical sensibilities of the people.‖ What this ―extent and
magnitude‖ is or what specific incidents of massive graft are referred to, however,
have been left vague. Likewise, no explanation has been given on why special
measures – i.e., the special focus on the targeted officials, the creation of a new
office, and the grant of truth-telling authority – have been taken.
Effectively, by acting as he did, the President simply gave the Commission

the license to an open hunting season to tell the ―truth‖ against the previous
administration; the Commission can investigate an alleged single billion-peso
scam, as well as transactions during the past administration that, collectively, may
reach the same amount. Only the Commission, in its wisdom, is to judge what
allegations or reports of graft and corruption to cover for as long as these were
during the past administration. In the absence of any specific guiding principle or
directive, indicative of its rationale, the conclusion is unavoidable that the EO
carries no special compelling reason to single out officials of the previous
administration; what is important is that the graft be attributed to the previous
administration. In other words, the real reason for the EO‘s focus lies elsewhere,
not necessarily in the nature or extent of the matters to be investigated.
If, as strongly hinted by the Solicitor General, dissatisfaction exists

regarding the Ombudsman‘s zeal, efforts, results, and lack of impartiality, these
Page 103 of 256
concerns should be addressed through the remedies provided under the
Constitution and the laws, not by bypassing the established remedies under these
instruments. Certainly, the remedy is not through the creation of new public office
without the authority of Congress.
Every successful prosecution of a graft and corruption violation ought to be

an opportunity to set an example and to send a message to the public that the
government seriously intends to discharge its duties and responsibilities in the area
of graft and corruption. To be sure, the conviction of a third level officer is a high
profile accomplishment that the government can and should announce to all as
evidence of its efforts and of the lesson that the conviction conveys. This
government‘s accomplishment, however, does not need to be against an official or
officials of the previous administration in order to be a lesson; it can be any third
level or higher official from any administration, including the present. In fact, the
present administration‟s serious intent in fighting graft may all the more be
highlighted if it will also proceed against its own people.
It is noteworthy that the terms of the EO itself do not provide any specific
reason why, for purposes of conveying a message against graft and corruption, the
focus should be on officials of the previous administration under the EO‘s special
truth-telling terms. As mentioned above, the extent of the alleged graft and
corruption during the previous administration does not appear to be a sufficient
reason for distinction under the EO‘s vague terms. Additionally, if a lesson for the
public is really intended, the government already has similar successful
prosecutions to its credit and can have many more graphic examples to draw from;
it does not need to be driven to unusual means to show the graft and corruption
committed under the previous administration. The host of examples and
methodologies already available to the government only demonstrate that the focus
on, and differential treatment of, specific officials for public lesson purposes
involves a classification unsupported by any special overriding reason.
Given the lack of sufficiently compelling reasons to use two (2) of the three
(3) objectives or interests the government cited in EO 1, what is left of these
expressed interests is simply the desire to expose the graft and corruption the
previous administration might have committed. Interestingly, the EO itself partly
provides the guiding spirit that might have moved the Executive to its intended
expose as it unabashedly points to the President‘s promise made in the last election
– “Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap.”295[132] There, too, is the Solicitor
295[132]
EO 1, 6th Whereas Clause.
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General‘s very calculated statement that truth-telling is an end in itself that the EO
wishes to achieve.
Juxtaposing these overt indicators with the EO‘s singleness of focus on the
previous administration, what emerges in bold relief is the conclusion that the EO
was issued largely for political ends: the President wants his election promise
fulfilled in a dramatic and unforgettable way; none could be more so than criminal
convictions, or at least, exposure of the ―truth‖ that would forever mark his
political opponents; thus, the focus on the previous administration and the stress on
establishing their corrupt ways as the ―truth.‖
Viewed in these lights, the political motivation behind the EO becomes

inescapable. Political considerations, of course, cannot be considered a legitimate
state purpose as basis for proper classification.296[133] They may be specially
compelling but only for the point of view of a political party or interest, not from
the point of view of an equality-sensitive State.
In sum, no sufficient and compelling state interest appears to be served by

the EO to justify the differential treatment of the past administration‘s officials. In
fact, exposure of the sins of the previous administration through truth-telling
should not even be viewed as ―least restrictive‖ as it is in fact a means with
pernicious effects on government and on third parties.
For these reasons, the conclusion that the EO violates the equal protection
clause is unavoidable.
G. A FEW LAST WORDS
Our ruling in this case should not in any way detract from the concept that
the Judiciary is the least dangerous branch of government. The Judiciary has no
direct control over policy nor over the national purse, in the way that the
Legislature does. Neither does it implement laws nor exercise power over those
who can enforce laws and national policy. All that it has is the power to safeguard
the Constitution in a manner independent of the two other branches of government.
Ours is merely the power to check and ensure that constitutional powers and
guarantees are observed, and constitutional limits are not violated.
296[133]
Carbonaro v. Reeher, 392 F. Supp. 753 (E.D. Pa. 1975).
Page 105 of 256

Under this constitutional arrangement, the Judiciary offers the least threat to
the people and their rights, and the least threat, too, to the two other branches of
government. If we rule against the other two branches of government at all in
cases properly brought before us, we do so only to exercise our sworn duty under
the Constitution. We do not prevent the two other branches from undertaking their
respective constitutional roles; we merely confine them to the limits set by the
Constitution.
This is how we view our present action in declaring the invalidity of EO 1.

We do not thereby impugn the nobility of the Executive‘s objective of fighting
graft and corruption. We simply tell the Executive to secure this objective within
the means and manner the Constitution ordains, perhaps in a way that would
enable us to fully support the Executive.
To be sure, no cause exists to even impliedly use the term ―imperial

judiciary‖ 297[134] in characterizing our action in this case.
This Court, by constitutional design and for good reasons, is not an elective
body and, as already stated above, has neither reason nor occasion to delve into
politics – the realm already occupied by the two other branches of government. It
cannot exercise any ascendancy over the two other branches of government as it is,
in fact, dependent on these two branches in many ways, most particularly for its
budget, for the laws and policies that are the main subjects for its interpretation,
and for the enforcement of its decisions. While it has the power to interpret the
Constitution, the Judiciary itself, however, is subject to the same Constitution and,
for this reason, must in fact be very careful and zealous in ensuring that it respects
the very instrument it is sworn to safeguard. We are aware, too, that we ―cannot be
the repository of all remedies‖298[135] and cannot presume that we can cure all the
ills of society through the powers the Constitution extended to us. Thus, this
Court – by its nature and functions – cannot be in any way be ―imperial,‖ nor has it
297[134]
See then Associate Justice Reynato S. Puno‘s Concurring and Dissenting Opinion in Francisco, Jr. v.
Nagmamalasakit na mga Manananggol ng mga Manggagawang Pilipino, Inc., G.R. No. 160261, November 10,
2003, 415 SCRA 44, 211, where former Chief Justice Puno spoke of an ―imperial judiciary,‖ viz:
The 1987 Constitution expanded the parameters of judicial power, but that by no means is
a justification for the errant thought that the Constitution created an imperial judiciary. An
imperial judiciary composed of the unelected, whose sole constituency is the blindfolded lady
without the right to vote, is counter-majoritarian, hence, inherently inimical to the central ideal of
democracy. We cannot pretend to be an imperial judiciary for in a government whose cornerstone
rests on the doctrine of separation of powers, we cannot be the repository of all remedies.
298[135]
Ibid.
Page 106 of 256

any intention to be so. Otherwise, we ourselves shall violate the very instrument
we are sworn to uphold.
As evident in the way this Court resolved the present case, it had no way but
to declare EO invalid for the many reasons set forth above. The cited grounds are
neither flimsy nor contrived; they rest on solid legal bases. Unfortunately, no other
approach exists in constitutional interpretation except to construe the assailed
governmental issuances in their best possible lights or to reflect these effects in a
creative way where these approaches are at all possible. Even construction in the
best lights or a creative interpretation, however, cannot be done where the cited
grounds are major, grave and affect the very core of the contested issuance – the
situation we have in the present case.
Nor can this Court be too active or creative in advocating a position for or
against a cause without risking its integrity in the performance of its role as the
middle man with the authority to decide disputed constitutional issues. The better
(and safer) course for democracy is to have a Court that holds on to traditional
values, departing from these values only when these values have become
inconsistent with the spirit and intent of the Constitution.
In the present case, as should be evident in reading the ponencia and this
Separate Opinion, we have closely adhered to traditional lines. If this can be called
activism at all, we have been an activist for tradition. Thereby, we invalidated the
act of the Executive without however foreclosing or jeopardizing his opportunity to
work for the same objective in some future, more legally reasoned, and better
framed course of action.
ARTURO D. BRION
Associate Justice
G.R. No. 192935 - LOUIS “BAROK” C. BIRAOGO v. THE PHILIPPINE
TRUTH COMMISSION OF 2010.
G.R. No. 193036 - REP. EDCEL C. LAGMAN, REP. RODOLFO B. ALBANO,

JR., REP. SIMEON A. DATUMANONG and REP.
ORLANDO B. FUA, SR. v. EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
PAQUITO N. OCHOA, JR. and DEPARTMENT OF
BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT SECRETARY
FLORENCIO B. ABAD.
Page 107 of 256

x------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x
SEPARATE OPINION
BERSAMIN, J.:
I register my full concurrence with the Majority‘s well reasoned conclusion

to strike down Executive Order No. 1 (E.O. No. 1) for its incurable
unconstitutionality.
I share and adopt the perspectives of my colleagues in the Majority on why

the issuance has to be struck down. I render this Separate Opinion only to express
some thoughts on a few matters.
I
Locus Standi of Petitioners
I hold that the petitioners have locus standi.
In particular reference to the petitioners in G.R. No. 193036, I think that

their being incumbent Members of the House of Representatives gave them the
requisite legal standing to challenge E. O. No. 1 as an impermissible intrusion of
the Executive into the domain of the Legislature. Indeed, to the extent that the
powers of Congress are impaired, so is the power of each Member, whose office
confers a right to participate in the exercise of the powers of that institution;
consequently, an act of the Executive that injures the institution of Congress causes
a derivative but nonetheless substantial injury that a Member of Congress can
assail.299[1] Moreover, any intrusion of one Department in the domain of another
Department diminishes the enduring idea underlying the incorporation in the
Fundamental Law of the time-honored republican concept of separation of powers.
Justice Mendoza‘s main opinion, which well explains why the petitioners
have locus standi, is congruent with my view on the matter that I expressed in De
Castro v. Judicial and Bar Council, et al.,300[2] viz:
299[1]
Philippine Constitution Association v. Hon. Enriquez, G.R. Nos. 113105, 113174, 113766 and 113888,
August 19, 1994, 235 SCRA 506.
300[2]
G.R. Nos. 191002, 191032, 191057, 191149, 191342 and 191420, and A.M. No. 10-2-5-SC, March 17,
2010.
Page 108 of 256

Black defines locus standi as ―a right of appearance in a court of justice on a
given question.‖ In public or constitutional litigations, the Court is often burdened
with the determination of the locus standi of the petitioners due to the ever-
present need to regulate the invocation of the intervention of the Court to correct
any official action or policy in order to avoid obstructing the efficient functioning
of public officials and offices involved in public service. It is required, therefore,
that the petitioner must have a personal stake in the outcome of the controversy,
for, as indicated in Agan, Jr. v. Philippine International Air Terminals Co., Inc.:
The question on legal standing is whether such parties have

―alleged such a personal stake in the outcome of the controversy as to
assure that concrete adverseness which sharpens the presentation of
issues upon which the court so largely depends for illumination of
difficult constitutional questions.‖ Accordingly, it has been held that the
interest of a person assailing the constitutionality of a statute must be
direct and personal. He must be able to show, not only that the law or
any government act is invalid, but also that he sustained or is in
imminent danger of sustaining some direct injury as a result of its
enforcement, and not merely that he suffers thereby in some indefinite
way. It must appear that the person complaining has been or is about to
be denied some right or privilege to which he is lawfully entitled or that
he is about to be subjected to some burdens or penalties by reason of the
statute or act complained of.
It is true that as early as in 1937, in People v. Vera, the Court adopted the
direct injury test for determining whether a petitioner in a public action had locus
standi. There, the Court held that the person who would assail the validity of a
statute must have ―a personal and substantial interest in the case such that he has
sustained, or will sustain direct injury as a result.‖ Vera was followed in Custodio
v. President of the Senate, Manila Race Horse Trainers’ Association v. De la
Fuente, Anti-Chinese League of the Philippines v. Felix, and Pascual v. Secretary
of Public Works.
Yet, the Court has also held that the requirement of locus standi, being a
mere procedural technicality, can be waived by the Court in the exercise of its
discretion. For instance, in 1949, in Araneta v. Dinglasan, the Court liberalized
the approach when the cases had ―transcendental importance.‖ Some notable
controversies whose petitioners did not pass the direct injury test were allowed to
be treated in the same way as in Araneta v. Dinglasan.
In the 1975 decision in Aquino v. Commission on Elections, this Court

decided to resolve the issues raised by the petition due to their ―far-reaching
implications,‖ even if the petitioner had no personality to file the suit. The liberal
approach of Aquino v. Commission on Elections has been adopted in several
notable cases, permitting ordinary citizens, legislators, and civic organizations
to bring their suits involving the constitutionality or validity of laws, regulations,
and rulings.
Page 109 of 256

However, the assertion of a public right as a predicate for challenging a
supposedly illegal or unconstitutional executive or legislative action rests on the
theory that the petitioner represents the public in general. Although such petitioner
may not be as adversely affected by the action complained against as are others, it
is enough that he sufficiently demonstrates in his petition that he is entitled to
protection or relief from the Court in the vindication of a public right.
Quite often, as here, the petitioner in a public action sues as a citizen or

taxpayer to gain locus standi. That is not surprising, for even if the issue may
appear to concern only the public in general, such capacities nonetheless equip the
petitioner with adequate interest to sue. In David v. Macapagal-Arroyo, the Court
aptly explains why:
Case law in most jurisdictions now allows both ―citizen‖ and

―taxpayer‖ standing in public actions. The distinction was first laid down
in Beauchamp v. Silk, where it was held that the plaintiff in a taxpayer‘s
suit is in a different category from the plaintiff in a citizen‘s suit. In the
former, the plaintiff is affected by the expenditure of public funds, while
in the latter, he is but the mere instrument of the public concern. As held
by the New York Supreme Court in People ex rel Case v. Collins: ―In
matter of mere public right, however…the people are the real parties…It
is at least the right, if not the duty, of every citizen to interfere and see
that a public offence be properly pursued and punished, and that a public
grievance be remedied.‖ With respect to taxpayer‘s suits, Terr v. Jordan
held that ―the right of a citizen and a taxpayer to maintain an action in
courts to restrain the unlawful use of public funds to his injury cannot be
denied.‖
xxx
In any event, the Court retains the broad discretion to waive the requirement
of legal standing in favor of any petitioner when the matter involved has
transcendental importance, or otherwise requires a liberalization of the
requirement.
Yet, if any doubt still lingers about the locus standi of any petitioner, we
dispel the doubt now in order to remove any obstacle or obstruction to the
resolution of the essential issue squarely presented herein. We are not to shirk
from discharging our solemn duty by reason alone of an obstacle more technical
than otherwise. In Agan, Jr. v. Philippine International Air Terminals Co., Inc., we
pointed out: ―Standing is a peculiar concept in constitutional law because in some
cases, suits are not brought by parties who have been personally injured by the
operation of a law or any other government act but by concerned citizens,
taxpayers or voters who actually sue in the public interest.‖ But even if, strictly
speaking, the petitioners ―are not covered by the definition, it is still within the
wide discretion of the Court to waive the requirement and so remove the
impediment to its addressing and resolving the serious constitutional questions
Page 110 of 256

raised.‖
II
The President Has No Power to Create A Public Office
A public office may be created only through any of the following modes,
namely: (a) by the Constitution; or (b) by statute enacted by Congress; or (c) by
authority of law (through a valid delegation of power).301[3]
The power to create a public office is essentially legislative, and, therefore,

it belongs to Congress. It is not shared by Congress with the President, until and
unless Congress enacts legislation that delegates a part of the power to the
President, or any other officer or agency.
Yet, the Solicitor General contends that the legal basis for the President‘s
creation of the Truth Commission through E. O. No. 1 is Section 31, Chapter 10,
Book III, of the Administrative Code of 1987.
Section 31, Chapter 10, Book III, of the Administrative Code of 1987, which
reads:
Section 31. Continuing Authority of the President to Reorganize his Office. –
The President, subject to the policy in the Executive Office and in order to
achieve simplicity, economy and efficiency, shall have continuing authority to
reorganize the administrative structure of the Office of the President. For this
1. Restructure the internal organization of the Office of the President

Assistants/Advisers System, by abolishing, consolidating or merging units thereof
or transferring functions from one unit to another;
2. Transfer any function under the Office of the President to any other
Department or Agency as well as transfer functions to the Office of the President
from other Departments and Agencies; and
3. Transfer any agency under the Office of the President to any other
department or agency as well as transfer agencies to the Office of the President
301[3]
Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications v. Malabot, G.R. No. 138200, February 27,
2002, 378 SCRA 128.
Page 111 of 256

from other departments or agencies.
nowhere refers to the creation of a public office by the President. On the contrary,
only a little effort is needed to know from reading the text of the provision that
what has been granted is limited to an authority for reorganization through any of
the modes expressly mentioned in the provision.
The Truth Commission has not existed before E. O. No. 1 gave it life on
July 30, 2010. Without a doubt, it is a new office, something we come to know
from the plain words of Section 1 of E. O. No. 1 itself, to wit:
Section 1. Creation of a Commission. – There is hereby created the

that shock and offend the moral and ethical sensibilities of the people, committed
from the private sector, if any, during the previous administration; and thereafter
recommend the appropriate action or measure to be taken thereon to ensure that
the full measure of justice shall be served without fear or favor.
The Commission shall be composed of a Chairman and four (4) members

who will act as an independent collegial body.
If the Truth Commission is an entirely new office, then it is not the result of
any reorganization undertaken pursuant to Section 31, Chapter 10, Book III, of the
Administrative Code of 1987. Thus, the contention of the Solicitor General is
absolutely unwarranted.
Neither may the creation of the Truth Commission be made to rest for its
validity on the fact that the Constitution, through its Section 17, Article VII,
invests the President with the duty to ensure that the laws are faithfully executed.
In my view, the duty of faithful execution of the laws necessarily presumes the
prior existence of a law or rule to execute on the part of the President. But, here,
there is no law or rule that the President has based his issuance of E. O. No. 1.
I cannot also bring myself to accept the notion that the creation of the Truth
Commission is traceable to the President‘s power of control over the Executive
Department. It is already settled that the President‘s power of control can only
mean ―the power of an officer to alter, modify, or set aside what a subordinate
officer had done in the performance of his duties, and to substitute the judgment of
Page 112 of 256
the former for that of the latter.‖302[4] As such, the creation by the President of a
public office like the Truth Commission, without either a provision of the
Constitution or a proper law enacted by
Congress authorizing such creation, is not an act that the power of control
includes.
III
Truth Commission Replicates and Usurps the
Duties and Functions of the
Office of the Ombudsman
I find that the Truth Commission replicates and usurps the duties and
functions of the Office of the Ombudsman. Hence, the Truth Commission is
superfluous and may erode the public trust and confidence in the Office of the
Ombudsman.
The Office of the Ombudsman is a constitutionally-created quasi-judicial

body established to investigate and prosecute illegal acts and omissions of those
who serve in the Government. Section 5, Article XI of the 1987 Constitution
enumerates the powers, functions, and duties of the Office of the Ombudsman,
including the power to:
(1) Investigate on its own, or on complaint by any person, any act or

omission of any public official, employee, office or agency, when such act or
omission appears to be illegal, unjust, improper, or inefficient.
xxx
(5) Request any government agency for assistance and information

necessary in the discharge of its responsibilities, and to examine, if necessary,
pertinent records and documents.
xxx
(7) Determine the causes of inefficiency, red tape, mismanagement, fraud,

and corruption in the Government and make recommendations for their elimination
and the observance of high standards of ethics and efficiency.
The Framers of the Constitution, particularly those of them who composed
302[4]
Mondano v. Silvosa, 97 Phil. 143.
Page 113 of 256

the Committee on Accountability of Public Officers, intended the Office of the
Ombudsman to be strong and effective, in order to enable the Office of the
Ombudsman to carry out its mandate as the Protector of the People against the
inept, abusive, and corrupt in the Government. This intent is clear from the
proceedings on the establishment of the Office of the Ombudsman, as follows:
SPONSORSHIP SPEECH
OF COMMISSIONER MONSOD
MR. MONSOD. Madam President, the Committee on Accountability of

Public Officers is respectfully submitting its proposed Article in the Constitution,
and we would just want to make a few remarks on the articles and sections that we
have included.
xxx
With respect to the Sandiganbayan and the Tanodbayan, the Committee

decided to make a distinction between the purely prosecutory function of the
Tanodbayan and the function of a pure Ombudsman who will use the prestige and
persuasive powers of his office. To call the attention of government officials to
any impropriety, misconduct or injustice, we conceive the Ombudsman as a
champion of citizens x x x The concept of the Ombudsman here is admittedly a
little bit different from the 1973 concept x x x The idea here is to address
ourselves to the problem that those who have unlawfully benefitted from the
acquisition of public property over the years, through technicalities or
practice, have gained immunity and that, therefore, the right of the people to
recover should be respected x x x.303[5]
xxx
SPONSORSHIP SPEECH
OF COMMISSIONER COLAYCO
MR. COLAYCO. Thank you, Madam President.
The Committee is proposing the creation of an office which can act in a

quick and effective manner on complaints against the administrative
inaction, abuse and arbitrariness of government officials and employees in
dealing with the people x x x.
xxx
303[5]
Record of the Deliberation of the 1986 Constitutional Commission, R.C.C. No. 40, Saturday, July 26, 1986,
pp. 265.
Page 114 of 256

[W]e have proposed as briefly as possible in our resolution an office which
will not require __ formal condition for the filing of a complaint. Under our
proposal, a person can file a complaint even by telephone and without much ado,
the office of the Ombudsman is under obligation to see to it that the complaint is
acted upon, not merely attended to but acted upon. x x x. If the employee admits
that there was reason behind the complaint, he is told to do what the complainant
wanted him to do without much ado. And then that is followed up by the
corresponding report to the department of the government which has supervision
over the employee at fault, with the proper recommendation.
xxx
Under our proposal, the Ombudsman is empowered to investigate, to

inquire into and to demand the production of documents involving
transactions and contracts of the government where disbursement of public
finds is reported x x x [t]he main thrust is action; the disciplinary and
punitive remedy is secondary. On a higher level then, the Ombudsman is going
to be the eyes and ears of the people. Where administrative action demanded is
not forthcoming x x x he (Ombudsman) is authorized to make public the nature of
the complaint and the inaction of the official concerned x x x.304[6]
xxx
SPONSORSHIP SPEECH
OF COMMISSIONER NOLLEDO
MR. NOLLEDO. Thank you, Madam President.
xxx
Madam President, the creation of the Ombudsman x x x is in answer to the

crying need of our people for an honest and responsive government. The office of
the Ombudsman as proposed by the Committee on Accountability of Public
Officers x x x is really an institution primarily for the citizens as against the
malpractices and corruption in the government. As an official critic, the
Ombudsman will study the law, the procedure and practice in the
government, and make appropriate recommendations for a more systematic
operation of the governmental machinery, free from bureaucratic
inconveniences. As a mobilizer, the Ombudsman will see to it that there be a
steady flow of services to the individual consumers of government. And as a
watchdog, the Ombudsman will look after the general, as well as specific
performances of all government officials and employees so that the law may
not be administered with an evil eye or an uneven hand.305[7]
304[6]
Id., at 265-266.
305[7]
Id., at 267.
Page 115 of 256

On the other hand, E. O. No. 1 enumerates the objectives of the creation of
the Truth Commission, thus:
CREATING THE PHILIPPINE TRUTH COMMISSION OF 2010

solemnly enshrines the principle that a public office is a public trust and mandates
that public officers and employees, who are servants of the people, must at all
times be accountable to the latter, serve them with utmost responsibility,
integrity, loyalty and efficiency, act with patriotism and justice, and lead
modest lives;
xxx
certain reports of large scale graft and corruption in the government and to
put a closure to them by the filing of the appropriate cases against those
involved, if warranted, and to deter others from committing the evil, restore the
people‘s faith and confidence in the Government and in their public servants;
WHEREAS, there is a need for a separate body dedicated solely to

investigating and finding out the truth concerning the reported cases of graft
and corruption during the previous administration, and which will
recommend the prosecution of the offenders and secure justice for all;

Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby
order:

―COMMISSION,‖ which shall primarily seek and find the truth on, and
toward this end, investigate reports of graft and corruption of such scale and
magnitude that shock and offend the moral and ethical sensibilities of the
people, committed by public officers and employees, their co-principals,
accomplices and accessories from the private sector, if any, during the
previous administration; and thereafter recommend the appropriate action or
measure to be taken thereon to ensure that the full measure of justice shall be
served without fear or favor.
Page 116 of 256

xxx
A comparison between the aforequoted objectives of the Office of the

Ombudsman and the Truth Commission quickly reveals that the Truth Commission
is superfluous, because it replicates or imitates the work of the Office of the
Ombudsman. The result is that the Truth Commission can even usurp the functions,
duties, and responsibilities of the Office of the Ombudsman. That usurpation is not
a desirable result, considering that the public faith and trust in the Office of the
Ombudsman, as a constitutionally-created office imbued with specific powers and
duties to investigate and prosecute graft and corruption, may be eroded.
ACCORDINGLY, I vote to grant the petitions.
LUCAS P. BERSAMIN
Associate Justice
EN BANC
G.R. No. 192935 – LOUIS ―BAROK‖ C. BIRAOGO, petitioner, versus THE

PHILIPPINE TRUTH COMMISSION OF 2010, respondent, and G.R. No.
193036 – REP. EDCEL C. LAGMAN, REP. RODOLFO B. ALBANO, JR., REP.
SIMEON A. DATUMANONG, and REP. ORLANDO B. FUA, SR., petitioners,
versus EXECUTIVE SECRETARY PAQUITO N. OCHOA, JR., and
DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT SECRETARY
FLORENCIO B. ABAD, respondents.
x-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x
SEPARATE OPINION
PEREZ, J.:
Page 117 of 256

Executive Order No. 1 of President Benigno S. Aquino III Creating the
Philippine Truth Commission of 2010 violates Article XI, Section 5 and Section 7
together with Section 13(1) and (7) and related provisions in Paragraphs (2), (3),
(4), (5) and (6) of the same Section 7, all of the Philippine Constitution.
Particularized, the presidential issuance offends against the independence of

the Office of the Ombudsman; defies the protection against legislation of the
mandates of the Ombudsman; and defiles the bestowal of these mandates by their
reappointment to the lesser body. The presidential creation, if unchecked, would,
under the layer of good intentions, sully the integrity of the organic act which, for
law to rule, can be touched by no one except the sovereign people and only by the
way and manner they have ordained. This is a democratic original. The sovereign
people can, of course, choose to cut the essential ties, scatter the existing entirety
and slay the standing system. That did not happen. The sovereign elected to stay
put; to stay in the present ordinance. Everyone must honor the election. And there
can be no permissible disregard, even in part, of the free and deliberate choice.
The proposition is truly significant in this study of the questioned executive

order. The country has had a historic revolution that gave the people the chance to
right the wrong that shoved the nation on the verge. A new charter was written.
But the topic of Executive Order No. 1, accountability of public officers, was
rewritten and as the same constitutional heading. The injunction that public office
is a public trust, including its meaning and import, was copied from the otherwise
discarded document. And having adopted the objective of the old, the new law
assumed likewise the means for the end which are the anti-graft institutions of
1973,to wit, the special graft court named Sandiganbayan and the Ombudsman, the
corruption investigator and prosecutor then known as the Tanodbayan both of
which were, in the 1973 Charter, ordered created by legislation.
The transplant of idea and mechanism, the adoption of the ends and the
assumption of the means of 1973 leads to the definite conclusion that the present
Constitution is an affirmance that, driven by the breadth of corruption in public
office needing enduring solutions, there must be no less than a constitutionally
secured institution with impregnable authority to combat corruption. This is the
Ombudsman.
Uy vs. Sandiganbayan,306[1] chronicled the origins of the Ombudsman. It

was there recounted that:
306[1]
G.R. No. 105965-70, 354 SCRA 651, 661.
Page 118 of 256

In the advent of the 1973 Constitution, the members of the Constitutional
Convention saw the need to constitutionalize the office of the Ombudsman, to
give it political independence and adequate powers to enforce its
recommendations. The 1973 Constitution mandated the legislature to create an
office of the Ombudsman to be known as Tanodbayan. Its powers shall not be
limited to receiving complaints and making recommendations, but shall also
include the filing and prosecution of criminal, civil or administrative case before
the appropriate body in case of failure of justice. Section 6, Article XIII of the
1973 Constitution read:
Section 6. The Batasang Pambansa shall create an office

of the Ombudsman, to be known as Tanodbayan, which shall
receive and investigate complaints relative to public office,
including those in government-owned or controlled
corporations, make appropriate recommendations, and in case of
failure of justice as defined by law, file and prosecute the
corresponding criminal, civil or administrative case before the
proper court of body.
Uy went on to enumerate the implementing presidential decrees, issued as

legislation, namely Presidential Decree No. 1487 creating the Office of the
Ombudsman known as the Tanodbayan; Presidential Decree No. 1607 broadening
the authority of the Tanodbayan to investigate administrative acts of administrative
agencies; Presidential Decree 1630 reorganizing the Office of the Tanodbayan and
vesting the powers of the Special Prosecutor in the Tanodbayan himself.
The events at and following the ratification of the 1987 Constitution, as

likewise historified in Uy, must be made part of this writer‘s position:
With the ratification of the 1987 Constitution, a new Office of the

Ombudsman was created. The present Ombudsman, as protector of the people, is
mandated to act promptly on complaints filed in any form or manner against
public officials or employees of the government or any subdivision, agency or
instrumentality thereof, including government-owned or controlled corporations,
and to notify the complainants of the action taken and the result thereof. He
possesses the following powers, functions and duties:
1. Investigate on its own, or on complaint by any person,

any act or omission of any public official, employee, office or
agency, when such act or omission appears to be illegal, unjust,
improper, or inefficient;
Page 119 of 256

2. Direct, upon complaint or at its own instance, any
public official or employee of the Government, or any
subdivision, agency or instrumentality thereof, as well as of any
government-owned or controlled corporation with original
charter, to perform and expedite any act or duty required by law,
or to stop, prevent and correct any abuse or impropriety in the
performance of duties.
3. Direct the officer concerned to take appropriate action

against a public official or employee at fault, and recommend his
removal, suspension, demotion, fine, censure, or prosecution, and
ensure compliance therewith.
4. Direct the officer concerned, in any appropriate case,

and subject to such limitations as may be provided by law, to
furnish it with copies of documents relating to contracts or
transactions entered into by his office involving the
disbursements or use of public funds or properties, and report any
irregularity to the Commission on Audit for appropriate action.
5. Request any government agency for assistance and

information necessary in the discharge of its responsibilities, and
to examine, if necessary, pertinent records and documents.
6. Publicize matters covered by its investigation when

circumstances so warrant and with due prudence.
7. Determine the causes of inefficiency, red tape,

mismanagement, fraud, and corruption in the Government and
make recommendations for their elimination and the observance
of high standards of ethics and efficiency.
8. Promulgate its rules or procedure and exercise such

other powers or perform such functions or duties as may be
provided by law.
As a new Office of the Ombudsman was established, the then existing

Tanodbayan became the Office of the Special Prosecutor which continued to
function and exercise its powers as provided by law, except those conferred on
the Office of the Ombudsman created under the 1987 Constitution.
The frameworks for the Office of the Ombudsman and the Office of the
Special Prosecutor were laid down by President Corazon Aquino in Executive
Order (EO) 243 and EO 244, both passed on July 24, 1987.
Page 120 of 256

In September 1989, Congress passed RA 6770 providing for the
functional and structural organization of the Office of the Ombudsman. As
in the previous laws on the Ombudsman, RA 6770 gave the present Ombudsman
not only the duty to receive and relay the people‘s grievances, but also the duty to
investigate and prosecute for and in their behalf, civil, criminal and administrative
offenses committed by government officers and employees as embodied in
Sections 15 and 11 of the law.307[2]
Clear then from the chronicle, that, as it was at the time of its
constitutionalization in 1973, the power of the Ombudsman ―shall not be limited to
receiving complaints and making recommendations, but shall also include the
filing and prosecution of criminal xxx cases before the appropriate body xxx.‖
More importantly, the grant of political independence to the Ombudsman which
was the spirit behind the 1973 provisions was specifically stated in the 1987
Constitution. Thus:
Section 5. There is hereby created the independent Office of the

Ombudsman, composed of the Ombudsman to be known as Tanodbayan, one
overall Deputy, and at least one Deputy each for Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
A separate Deputy for the Military establishment may likewise be appointed.
(Underscoring supplied.)
Of direct relevance and application to the case at bar is the reason behind the
constitutionalization of the Ombudsman. Again, we refer to Uy308[3] citing Cortez,
Redress of Grievance and the Philippine Ombudsman (Tanodbayan):
In this jurisdiction, several Ombudsman-like agencies were established by

past Presidents to serve as the people‘s medium for airing grievances and seeking
redress against abuses and misconduct in the government. These offices were
conceived with the view of raising the standard in public service and ensuring
integrity and efficiency in the government. In May 1950, President Elpidio
Quirino created the Integrity Board charged with receiving complaints against
public officials for acts of corruption, dereliction of duty and irregularity in office,
and conducting a thorough investigation of these complaints. The Integrity Board
was succeeded by several other agencies which performed basically the same
functions of complaints-handling and investigation. These were the Presidential
Complaints and Action Commission under President Ramon Magsaysay, the
Presidential Committee on Administration Performance Efficiency under
President Carlos Garcia, the Presidential Anti-Graft Committee under President
Diosdado Macapagal, and the Presidential Agency on Reform and Government
Operations and the Office of the Citizens counselor, both under President
307[2]
Id. at 664-665.
308[3]
Id. at 660-661.
Page 121 of 256

Ferdinand Marcos. It was observed, however, that these agencies failed to realize
their objective for they did not enjoy the political independence necessary for the
effective performance of their function as government critic. Furthermore, their
powers extended to no more than fact-finding and recommending.
The lack of political independence of these presidential commissions, to

which was attributed their failure to realize their objectives, was clarified during
the deliberations of the Constitutional Commission on what is now Article XI of
the Constitution with, as already observed, the same heading used in 1973,
―Accountability of Public Officials.‖ The Commissioners also alluded to the
unsuccessful presidential attempts.
In his sponsorship speech, Commissioner Colayco, Vice-Chairman of the

Committee on Accountability of Public Officers, articulated:
In 1950, for instance, President Quirino created the Integrity Board in an

attempt to formalize the procedure for executive direction and control of the
bureaucracy. This Board lasted for six months. When President Magsaysay took
over the reins of government in 1953, he created the Presidential Complaints and
Action Committee. The primary purpose of this Committee was to expedite
action on complaints received by the Office of the President against the manner
in which the officials of the executive departments and offices were
performing the duties entrusted to them by law, or against their acts, conduct or
behavior. xxx. But again politics came in – this office did not last long. Two
months after President Magsaysay‘s death, the office was abolished.
Next, President Garcia created his own Presidential Committee on

Administration, Performance and Efficiency [PCAPE]. Again this office did not
last long and was replaced by the Presidential Agency on Reforms and
Government Operations or PARGO under the regime of President Marcos.309[4]
As Commissioner Colayco pointed out in the continuation of his sponsorship

speech: although these programs were ―good per se,‖ the succeeding Presidents
discarded them – as the incoming Presidents generally tend to abandon the policies
and programs of their predecessors – a political barrier to the eventual success of
these bodies. He concluded by saying that ―[t]he intention, therefore, of our
proposal is to constitutionalize the office so that it cannot be touched by the
Presidents as they come and go.‖
309[4]
Records of the Constitutional Commission Vol. II, 26 July 1986, p. 267.
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It may thus be said that the 1987 Constitution completed the Ombudsman‘s
constitutionalization which was started in 1973. The past Constitution mandated
the creation by the legislature, the National Security Assembly, later the Batasang
Pambansa, of an office of the Ombudsman, which mandate, incidentally, was given
also for the creation of a special court, the Sandiganbayan. The present
Constitution, while allowing the continuation of the Sandiganbayan and leaving its
functions and jurisdiction to provisions ―by law,‖ itself created ―the independent
Office of the Ombudsman‖ and itself determined its powers, functions and duties.
The independence of the Ombudsman is further underscored by the constitutional
orders that the Ombudsman and his Deputies shall be appointed by the President
from a list prepared by the Judicial and Bar Council which appointments shall
require no confirmation; that the Ombudsman and his Deputies shall have the rank
of Chairman and Members, respectively, of the Constitutional Commissions, and
they shall receive the same salary, which shall not be decreased during their term
of office; that the Office of the Ombudsman shall enjoy fiscal autonomy and its
approved annual appropriations shall be automatically and regularly released; and
that the Ombudsman may only be removed from office by impeachment.310[5]
It is with the ground and setting just described that Executive Order No. 1
created the Philippine Truth Commission. Naturally, the Order had to state that the
Philippine Truth Commission was created by the President of the Republic of the
Philippines further describing the act as the exercise of his ―continuing authority to
reorganize the Office of the President.‖ The Order specified that the budget of the
Commission shall be provided by the Office of the President and even its furniture
and equipment will come from the Office of the President. More significantly, a
basic premise of the creation is the President‘s battlecry during his campaign for
the Presidency in the last elections ―kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap,”
which is considered a ―solemn pledge that if elected, he would end corruption and
the evil it breeds.‖ So much so that the issuance states that ―a comprehensive final
report shall be published upon directive of the President‖ upon whose directive
likewise, interim reports may issue from time to time.
The Philippine Truth Commission anchored itself on the already

constitutionalized principle that public office is a public trust. It adopted the
already defined goal to circle and contain corruption, an enemy of the good state
310[5]
Sec. 9, Sec. 10, Sec. 14 and Sec. 2 of Article XI, 1987 Constitution.
Page 123 of 256

already identified way back in 1973. What Executive Order No. 1 did was to
shorten the sight and set it from the incumbent‘s standpoint. Therefrom, it fixed
its target at ―reported cases of graft and corruption involving third level public
officers and higher, their co-principals, accomplice and accessories from the
private sector‖ and further pinpointed the subjects as ―third level public officers
during the previous administration.‖ For this commission, the Philippine Truth
Commission was presidentially empowered as an ―investigative body‖ for a
thorough fact finding investigation, thereafter to:

appropriate prosecutional authorities, by means of a special or interim report and
recommendation, all evidence on corruption of public officers and employees and
their private sector co-principals, accomplice or accessories, if any, when in the
course of its investigation the Commission finds that there is reasonable ground to
believe that they are liable for graft and corruption under pertinent applicable
laws.
Having thus taken account of the foregoing, this writer takes the following
position:
1. In light of the constitutionally declared and amply underscored

independence of the Office of the Ombudsman, which declaration is winnowed
wisdom from the experienced inherent defects of presidential creations, so real and
true that the Ombudsman‘s constitutionalization was adopted to completion even if
from the charter of an overthrown regime, Executive Order No. 1 cannot pass the
present constitutional test. Executive Order No. 1 is unconstitutional precisely
because it was issued by the President. As articulated by Commissioner Colayco
of the Commission that resurrected the Ombudsman, ―our proposal is to
constitutionalize the office so that it cannot be touched by the Presidents as they
come and go.‖ And as this Court stated, repeating the observation regarding the
erstwhile presidential anti-graft commissions, such commissions failed to realize
their objective because they did not enjoy the political independence necessary for
the effective performance of a government critic.
Relevant too are the words of Commissioner Regalado:
It is said here that the Tanodbayan or the Ombudsman would be a

toothless or a paper tiger. That is not necessarily so. If he is toothless, then let us
give him a little more teeth by making him independent of the Office of the
President because it is now a constitutional creation, so that the insidious tentacles
of politics, as has always been our problem, even with PARGO, PCAPE and so
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forth, will not deprive him of the opportunity to render service to Juan dela
Cruz.311[6]
Verily, the Philippine Truth Commission is a defiance of the constitutional wisdom

that established the politically independent Ombudsman for one of its reasons for
being is the very campaign battlecry of the President ―kung walang corrupt,
walang mahirap.‖ Not that there is anything wrong with the political slogan.
What is wrong is the pursuit of the pledge outside the limits of the Constitution.
What is wrong is the creation by the President himself of an Ombudsman-like body
while there stands established an Ombudsman, constitutionally created especially
because of unsuccessful presidential antecedents, and thus made independent from
presidential prerogative.
2. A simple comparison will show that likeness of the Philippine Truth

Commission with the Ombudsman. No such likeness is permitted by the
Constitution.
It can easily be seen that the powers of the Truth Commission to: 1)
identify and determine the reported cases of graft and corruption which it will
investigate; and 2) collect, receive, review and evaluate evidence related to or
regarding the cases of large scale corruption which it has chosen to
investigate,312[7] are the same as the power of the Ombudsman to investigate any
illegal, unjust, improper, or inefficient act or omission of any public official,
employee, office or agency.313[8]
The authority of the Truth Commission to require any agency, official or

employee of the Executive Branch to produce documents, books, records and other
papers314[9] mirrors the authority of the Ombudsman to direct concerned
government officials to furnish it with copies of documents relating to contracts or
transactions entered into by the latter‘s office involving the disbursement or use of
public funds or properties.315[10]
Likewise, the right to obtain information and documents from the Senate,
the House of Representatives and the courts,316[11] granted by Executive Order No.
1 to the Truth Commission, is analogous to the license of the Ombudsman to
311[6]
Records of the Constitutional Commission, Vol. II, 26 July 1986, p. 296.
312[7]
Section 2(a) and (b), respectively, E.O. No. 1, dated 30 July 2010.
313[8]
Article XI, Section 13(1), 1987 Constitution.
314[9]
Section 2(b), E.O. No. 1, supra note 7.
315[10]
316[11]
Section 2(c) and (d), E.O. No. 1, supra.
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request any government agency for assistance and information and to examine
pertinent records and documents.317[12]
And, the powers of the Truth Commission to invite or subpoena witnesses,

take their testimonies, administer oaths318[13] and impose administrative
disciplinary action for refusal to obey subpoena, take oath or give testimony319[14]
are parallel to the powers to administer oaths, issue subpoena, take testimony and
punish for contempt or subject to administrative disciplinary action any officer or
employee who delays or refuses to comply with a referral or directive granted by
Republic Act (RA) 6770320[15] to the Ombudsman.
If Executive Order No. 1 is allowed, there will be a violation of Section 7 of

Article XI, the essence of which is that the function and powers (enumerated in
Section 13 of Article XI) conferred on the Ombudsman created under the 1987
Constitution cannot be removed or transferred by law. Section 7 states:
Section 7. The existing Tanodbayan shall hereafter be known as the

Office of the Special Prosecutor. It shall continue to function and exercise
its powers as now or hereafter may be provided by law, except those
conferred on the Office of the Ombudsman created under this Constitution.
There is a self-evident reason for the shield against legislation provided by

Section 7 in protection of the functions conferred on the Office of the Ombudsman
in Section 13. The Ombudsman is a constitutional office; its enumerated functions
are constitutional powers.
So zealously guarded are the constitutional functions of the Ombudsman that

the prohibited assignment of the conferred powers was mentioned in Section 7 in
relation to the authority of the Tanodbayan which, while renamed as Office of the
Special Prosecutor, remained constitutionally recognized and allowed to ―continue
to function and exercise its powers as now or hereafter may be provided by law.‖
The position of the Office of the Special Prosecutor, as a continuing office

with powers ―as may be provided by law‖ vis-à-vis the Ombudsman created by the
317[12]
318[13]
Section 2(e), E.O. No. 1, supra.
319[14]
Id., Section 9.
320[15]
The Ombudsman Act of 1989, Section 15(8) and (9) and Section 26(4).
Page 126 of 256

1987 Constitution would be unraveled by subsequent law and jurisprudence. Most
apt is Zaldivar vs. Sandiganbayan,321[16] which said:
Under the 1987 Constitution, the Ombudsman (as distinguished from

the incumbent Tanodbayan) is charged with the duty to:
Investigate on its own, or on complaint by any person, any act or omission

of any public official, employee, office or agency, when such act or omission
appears to be illegal, unjust, improper, or inefficient.
The Constitution likewise provides that:
The existing Tanodbayan shall hereafter be known as the Office of the

Special Prosecutor. It shall continue to function and exercise its powers as now
or hereafter may be provided by law, except those conferred on the Office of the
Ombudsman created under this Constitution.
Now then, inasmuch as the aforementioned duty is given to the

Ombudsman, the incumbent Tanodbayan (called Special Prosecutor under the
1987 Constitution and who is supposed to retain powers and duties NOT GIVEN
to the Ombudsman) is clearly without authority to conduct preliminary
investigations and to direct the filing of criminal cases with the Sandiganbayan,
except upon orders of the Ombudsman. This right to do so was lost effective
February 2, 1987. From that time, he has been divested of such authority.
Under the present Constitution, the Special Prosecutor (Raul Gonzalez) is

a mere subordinate of the Tanodbayan (Ombudsman) and can investigate and
prosecute cases only upon the latter‘s authority or orders. The Special Prosecutor
cannot initiate the prosecution of cases but can only conduct the same if
instructed to do so by the Ombudsman. Even his original power to issue
subpoena, which he still claims under Section 10(d) of PD 1630, is now deemed
transferred to the Ombudsman, who may, however, retain it in the Special
Prosecutor in connection with the cases he is ordered to investigate.
(Underscoring supplied.)
The ruling was clear: the duty to investigate contained in Section 13(1)
having been conferred on the Office of the Ombudsman, left the then Tanodbayan
without authority to conduct preliminary investigation except upon orders of the
Ombudsman. The message was definite. The conferment of plenary power upon
the Ombudsman to investigate ―any act or omission of any public official xxx
when such act or omission appears to be illegal, unjust, improper or inefficient‖
321[16]
G.R. Nos. L-79660-707, 27 April 1988, 160 SCRA 843, 846-847.
Page 127 of 256

cannot, after 1987 and while the present Constitution remains, be shared even by
the body previously constitutionalized as vested with such authority, even if there
is such assignment ―by law.‖
Indeed, the subsequent law obeyed Section 7 as correctly read in Zaldivar.

Thus, in Republic Act No. 6770, an Act Providing For the Functional And
Structural Organization of the Office of the Ombudsman and For Other Purposes,
it was made clear in Section 11(3) second sentence that ―the Office of the Special
Prosecutor shall be an organic component of the Office of the Ombudsman and
shall be under the supervision and control of the Ombudsman.‖
Constitutional history, specific constitutional provisions, jurisprudence and

current statute combine to say that after the ratification of the Constitution in 1987,
no body can be given ―by law‖ any of the powers, functions and duties already
conferred on the Ombudsman by Section 13, Article XI of the Constitution. As
already shown, the Truth Commission insofar as concerns the mentioned third
level officers or higher of the previous administration appropriates, not just one but
virtually, all of the powers constitutionally enumerated for the Ombudsman. The
violation of Section 7 in relation to Section 13 of Article XI of the Constitution is
evident.
3. No comfort is given to the respondents by the fact that, as mentioned in

Honasan II vs. Panel of Investigating Prosecutors of the Department of
Justice,322[17] there are ―jurisprudential declarations‖ that the Ombudsman and the
Department of Justice (DOJ) have concurrent jurisdiction. Concurrence of
jurisdiction does not allow concurrent exercise of such jurisdiction. Such is so that
the Ombudsman Act specifically states in Section 15 that the Ombudsman has
primary jurisdiction over cases cognizable by the Sandiganbayan – precisely the
kind of cases covered by the Philippine Truth Commission – and proceeds to
define ―primary jurisdiction‖ by again, specifically, stating that the Ombudsman
―may take over, at any stage, from any investigation of such cases.‖ This primary
jurisdiction was the premise when a majority of the Court in Honasan discussed
the relevance of OMB-DOJ Joint Circular No. 95-001 (which provides that the
preliminary investigation and prosecution of offenses committed by public officers
in relation to office filed with the Office of the Prosecutor shall be ―under the
control and supervision of the Office of the Ombudsman‖) in relation to Sections 2
and 4, Rule 112 of the Revised Rules on Criminal Procedure on Preliminary
Investigation, which concerns the review of the resolution of the investigating
322[17]
G.R. No. 159747, 13 April 2004, 427 SCRA 46.
Page 128 of 256

prosecutor in such cases. Honasan would conclude that the authority of the DOJ
prosecutors to conduct preliminary investigation of offenses within the original
jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan is subject to the qualification:
xxx that in offenses falling within the original jurisdiction of the

Sandiganbayan, the prosecutor shall, after their investigation, transmit the records
and their resolutions to the Ombudsman or his deputy for appropriate action.
Also, the prosecutor cannot dismiss the complaint without prior written authority
of the Ombudsman or his deputy, nor can the prosecutor file an Information with
the Sandiganbayan without being deputized by, and without prior written
authority of the Ombudsman, or his deputy.323[18] (Underscoring in the original)
Three separate opinions, two of which were dissents were submitted in

Honasan. Justice Vitug said that the investigating fiscal must be particularly
deputized by the Ombudsman and the investigation must be conducted under the
supervision and control of the Ombudsman;324[19] Justice Ynares-Santiago
discussed at length the concept of primary jurisdiction and took the position
that:325[20]
Where the concurrent authority is vested in both the Department of Justice

and the Office of the Ombudsman, the doctrine of primary jurisdiction should
operate to restrain the Department of Justice from exercising its investigative
authority if the case will likely be cognizable by the Sandiganbayan. In such
cases, the Office of the Ombudsman should be the proper agency to conduct the
preliminary investigation over such an offense, it being vested with the
specialized competence and undoubted probity to conduct the investigation.
Justice Sandoval-Gutierrez was more straightforward:326[21]
While the DOJ has a broad general jurisdiction over crimes found in the
Revised Penal Code and special laws, however, this jurisdiction is not
plenary or total. Whenever the Constitution or statute vests jurisdiction over the
investigation and prosecution of certain crimes in an office, the DOJ has no
jurisdiction over those crimes. In election offenses, the Constitution vests the
power to investigate and prosecute in the Commission on Elections. In crimes
committed by public officers in relation to their office, the Ombudsman is given
by both the Constitution and the statute the same power of investigation and
prosecution. These powers may not be exercised by the DOJ. xxx
323[18]
Id. at 74.
324[19]
Id. at 77-78.
325[20]
Id. at 86.
326[21]
Id. at 92.
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At the very least, therefore, the prosecutor, in Sandiganbayan cases must,
after investigation transmit the records and their resolution to the Ombudsman
whose prior written authority is needed before the prosecutor can dismiss a
complaint or file an information in which latter instance, a deputization of the
fiscal is additionally needed. Even as this writer submits that the position of the
minority in Honasan hews far better to the Constitution since, as already observed,
the Ombudsman‘s authority excludes even the Tanodbayan which used to be the
constitutionally recognized holder of the power, the further submission is that the
majority ruling to the effect that the Ombudsman is the supervisor of the
prosecutor who investigates graft in high places, nonetheless illegalizes the
Philippine Truth Commission.
Respondent‘s main reliance is that –
Unlike that of the OMB or DOJ which conducts formal investigation

as a result of criminal complaints filed before them, or upon reports, the Truth
Commission conducts fact-finding investigation preliminary to the filing of a
complaint that could lead to a criminal investigation.327[22]
If the Philippine Truth Commission would, indeed, conduct only fact-finding

investigations preliminary to a criminal investigation, then the foregoing
discussion would truly be irrelevant. The fact, however, is that the Philippine
Truth Commission is, to use the Solicitor General‘s phrase a ―criminal
investigator‖ or one who conducts a preliminary investigation for the prosecution
of a criminal case.
Detailing the powers and functions of the Philippine Truth Commission,

Section 2 of Executive Order No. 1 says that the Commission shall identify and
determine the reported cases of such graft and corruption which it will investigate
(Section 2[a]) and collect, receive, review and evaluate evidence related to or
regarding the cases of large scale corruption which it has chosen to investigate
(Sec. 2[b]). As aforenoted, the Philippine Truth Commission‘s power to
investigate graft and corruption is no different from the constitutional power of the
Ombudsman to investigate any act of any public official when such act appears to
be illegal, unjust, improper, or inefficient. The Philippine Truth Commission
cannot avoid the comparison by differentiating ―formal investigation‖ or ―criminal
investigation‖ which it says is conducted by the Ombudsman or the DOJ, from the
―fact-finding investigation‖ of the Philippine Truth Commission. Let us go back to
Zaldivar. There it was as much as stated that the power to investigate mentioned
327[22]
Memorandum for Respondent, p. 79.
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in Section 13(1) of the 1987 Constitution is the authority to conduct preliminary
investigation which authority was removed from the Tandobayan called Special
Prosecutor when it was given to the Ombudsman. This equivalence was affirmed
in Acop vs. Office of the Ombudsman,328[23] where it was stated:
In view of the foregoing, it is evident that the petitioners have not borne
out any distinction between ―the duty to investigate‖ and ―the power to
conduct preliminary investigations;‖ neither have the petitioners established that
the latter remains with the Tanodbayan, now the Special Prosecutor. Thus, this
Court can only reject the petitioners‘ first proposition.
Such established definition of ―investigation‖ of graft and corruption cases,

especially for the purpose of determining the authority of one body in relation to
another, which is exactly one of the issues in this case, must be read into Executive
Order No. 1. No source citation is needed for the generally accepted rule that the
words used in a legal document, indeed one which is intended to be a law, has the
meaning that is established at the time of the law‘s promulgation. ―Investigation‖
in Section 1(a) of Executive Order No. 1 is the same as preliminary investigation
and its conduct by the Truth Commission cannot be independent of the
Ombudsman. The Truth Commission cannot exist outside the Ombudsman.
Executive Order No. 1 so places the Truth Commission and, is, therefore
unconstitutional.
Indeed, Executive Order No. 1 itself pronounces that what it empowers the
Philippine Truth Commission with is the authority of preliminary investigation.
Section 2(g) of the executive order states:
Turn over from time to time, for expeditious prosecution, to the

appropriate prosecutional authorities, by means of a special or interim report
and recommendation, all evidence on corruption of public officers and
employees and their private sector co-principals, accomplice or accessories, if
any, when in the course of its investigation the Commission finds that there is
reasonable ground to believe that they are liable for graft and corruption under
pertinent applicable laws. (Underscoring supplied.)
Investigation to find reasonable ground to believe ―that they are liable for
graft and corruption under applicable laws‖ is preliminary investigation as defined
in Rule 112, Section 1 of the Rules of Criminal Procedure, which states:
328[23]
G.R. No. 120422, 248 SCRA 566, 579.
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Section 1. Preliminary investigation defined; when required. –
Preliminary investigation is an inquiry or proceeding to determine whether there
is sufficient ground to engender a well-founded belief that a crime has been
committed and the respondent is probably guilty thereof, and should be held for
trial.
Moreover, as clearly stated in Section 2(g) of Executive Order No. 1, the

Philippine Truth Commission will be more powerful than the DOJ prosecutors who
are required, after their investigation, to transmit the records and their resolution
for appropriate action by the Ombudsman or his deputy, which action is taken only
after a review by the Ombudsman. Section 4 of Rule 112 states that:
xxxx
No complaint or information may be filed or dismissed by an investigating
prosecutor without the prior written authority or approval of the provincial
or city prosecutor or chief state prosecutor or the Ombudsman or his deputy.
Where the investigating prosecutor recommends the dismissal of the

complaint but his recommendation is disapproved by the provincial or city
prosecutor or chief state prosecutor or the Ombudsman or his deputy on the
ground that a probable cause exists, the latter may, by himself, file the
information against the respondent, or direct another assistant prosecutor or state
prosecutor to do so without conducting another preliminary investigation.
If upon petition by a proper party under such rules as the Department of

Justice may prescribe or motu proprio, the Secretary of Justice reverses or
modifies the resolution of the provincial or city prosecutor or chief state
prosecutor, he shall direct the prosecutor concerned either to file the
corresponding information without conducting another preliminary investigation,
or to dismiss or move for dismissal of the complaint or information with notice to
the parties. The same Rule shall apply in preliminary investigations conducted by
the officers of the Office of the Ombudsman.
In other words, under existing Rule which follows the statutorily defined
primary jurisdiction of the Ombudsman in obeisance to the constitutional
conferment of authority, the Ombudsman reviews and may reverse or modify the
resolution of the investigating prosecutor. In the case of the Philippine Truth
Commission, the Ombudsman not only shares its constitutional power but, over
and above this, it is divested of any and all investigatory power because the
Philippine Truth Commission‘s finding of ―reasonable ground‖ is final and
unreviewable and is turned over to the Ombudsman solely for ―expeditious
prosecution.‖
Page 132 of 256

4. There is an attempt by the Solicitor General to read around the
explicitness of Section 2(g) of Executive Order No. 1. Thus, skirting the words
―for expeditious prosecution‖ and their obvious meanings as just discussed, the
respondents argue that:
The Truth Commission will submit its recommendation to, among others,
the OMB and to the ―appropriate prosecutorial authorities‖ which then shall
exercise their constitutional and statutory powers and jurisdiction to evaluate the
recommendation or endorsements of the Truth Commission. While findings of the
Truth Commission are recommendatory, the facts gathered by the Commission
will decisively aid prosecutorial bodies in supporting possible indictments for
violations of anti-graft laws. Moreover, the policy recommendations to address
corruption in government will be invaluable to the Executive‘s goal to realize its
anti-corruption policies.329[24]
xxxx
The Reports of the Truth Commission will serve as bases for possible
prosecutions and as sources of policy options xxx.
Fact gathering as basis for preliminary investigation and not as preliminary

investigation itself and basis for prosecution, is, seemingly, the function
respondents want to attribute to the Philippine Truth Commission to escape the
obvious unconstitutional conferment of Ombudsman power. That is no route out
of the bind. Fact gathering, fact finding, indeed truth finding is, as much as
investigation as preliminary investigation, also constitutionally conferred on the
Ombudsman. Section 12 of Article XI states:
Section 12. The Ombudsman and his Deputies, as protectors of the

people, shall act promptly on complaints filed in any form or manner against
public officials or employees of the government, or any subdivision, agency or
instrumentality thereof, including government-owned or controlled corporations,
and shall, in appropriate cases, notify the complainants of the action taken and the
result thereof.
The Ombudsman on its own investigates any act or omission of any public
official when such act or omission appears to be illegal (Section 13(1), Article XI
of the Constitution). The power is broad enough, if not specially intended, to cover
fact-finding of the tenor that was given to the Philippine Truth Commission by
Executive Order No. 1 which is:
329[24]
Memorandum for Respondents, pp. 73-74.
Page 133 of 256

b) Collect, receive, review and evaluate evidence related to or regarding
the cases of large scale corruption which it has chosen to investigate xxx.
And, the objective of the Philippine Truth Commission pointed to by the

Solicitor General which is to make findings for ―policy recommendations to
address corruption in government‖ and to serve as ―sources of policy options‖ is
exactly the function described for and ascribed to the Ombudsman in Section
13(7), Art. XI of the Constitution:
(7) Determine the causes of inefficiency, red tape, mismanagement, fraud,

and corruption in the Government and make recommendations for their
elimination and the observance of high standards of ethics and efficiency.
Moreover, as at the outset already pointed out, the power of the Philippine
Truth Commission to obtain information and documents from the Congress and the
Judiciary [Section 2(c) and (d) of Executive Order No. 1] is a reproduction of the
Ombudsman powers provided for in Section 13 (4) and (5), Article XI of the
Constitution.
Virtually, another Ombudsman is created by Executive Order No. 1. That

cannot be permitted as long as the 1987 Constitution remains as the fundamental
law.
5. To excuse the existence of the presidentially created, manned, funded and

equipped Truth Commission side-by-side with the Constitutionally created and
empowered Ombudsman, the Solicitor General provides the very argument against
the proposition. In page 75 of his memorandum, the Solicitor General says that:
The concerned agencies need not wait until the completion of the
investigation of the Truth Commission before they can proceed with their own
investigative and prosecutorial functions. Moreover, the Truth Commission will,
from time to time, publish special interim reports and recommendations, over and
above the comprehensive final report. If any, the preliminary reports may aid the
concerned agencies in their investigations and eventually, in the filing of a
complaint or information. (Underscoring supplied)
Apparently, the statement proceeds from the position that ―the power of the
OMB to investigate offenses involving public officers or employees is not
exclusive but is concurrent with other similarly authorized agencies of the
Page 134 of 256

government.‖330[25] Without cutting off from the discussions that the concurrence
of jurisdiction of the Ombudsman with any other body should be read to mean that
at the very least any finding by any other body is reviewable by the Ombudsman
and that in full obedience to the Constitution, graft cases against high officials
should be investigated alone by or under the aegis of the Ombudsman, it need only
be repeated that concurrence of jurisdiction does not allow concurrent exercise of
jurisdiction. This is the reason why we have the rule that excludes any other
concurrently authorized body from the body first exercising jurisdiction. This is
the reason why forum shopping is malpractice of law.
The truth is, in the intensely political if not partisan matter of ―reports of
graft and corruption xxx committed by public officers xxx, if any, during the
previous administration,‖ there can only be one finding of truth. Any addition to
that one finding would result in din and confusion, a babel not needed by a nation
trying to be one. And this is why all that fall under the topic accountability of
public officers have been particularized and gathered under one authority - The
Ombudsman. This was done by the Constitution. It cannot be undone as the
nation now stands and remains.
WHEREFORE, I vote for the grant of the petition and the declaration of
Executive Order No. 1 as unconstitutional.
JOSE PORTUGAL PEREZ

Associate Justice
330[25]
Memorandum for Respondents, p. 82.
Page 135 of 256

EN BANC
G.R. No. 192935 − Louis ―Barok‖ C. Biraogo, Petitioner, vs. The Philippine
Truth Commission, Respondent.
G.R. No. 193036 − Rep. Edcel C. Lagman, Rep. Rodolfo B. Albano, Jr., Rep.
Simeon A. Datumanong, and Rep. Orlando B. Fua, Sr., Petitioners, vs.
Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr. and Department of Budget and
Management Secretary Florencio B. Abad, Respondents.
Promulgated:
December 7, 2010
x-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x
DISSENTING OPINION
CARPIO, J.:
The two petitions before this Court seek to declare void Executive Order No.
1, Creating the Philippine Truth Commission of 2010 (EO 1), for being
unconstitutional.
Page 136 of 256

In G.R. No. 192935, petitioner Louis C. Biraogo (Biraogo), as a Filipino
citizen and as a taxpayer, filed a petition under Rule 65 for prohibition and
injunction. Biraogo prays for the issuance of a writ of preliminary injunction and
temporary restraining order to declare EO 1 unconstitutional, and to direct the
Philippine Truth Commission (Truth Commission) to desist from proceeding under
the authority of EO 1.
In G.R. No. 193036, petitioners Edcel C. Lagman, Rodolfo B. Albano, Jr.,

Simeon A. Datumanong, and Orlando B. Fua, Sr. (Lagman, et al.), as Members of
the House of Representatives, filed a petition under Rule 65 for certiorari and
prohibition. Petitioners Lagman, et al. pray for the issuance of a temporary
restraining order or writ of preliminary injunction to declare void EO 1 for being
unconstitutional.
The Powers of the President
Petitioners Biraogo and Lagman, et al. (collectively petitioners) assail the

creation of the Truth Commission. They claim that President Benigno S. Aquino
III (President Aquino) has no power to create the Commission. Petitioners‘
objections are mere sound bites, devoid of sound legal reasoning.
On 30 July 2010, President Aquino issued EO 1 pursuant to Section 31,

Chapter 10, Title III, Book III of Executive Order No. 292 (EO 292).331[1] Section
31 reads:
Section 31. Continuing Authority of the President to Reorganize his Office. The
President, subject to the policy in the Executive Office and in order to achieve
simplicity, economy and efficiency, shall have continuing authority to reorganize
the administrative structure of the Office of the President. For this purpose, he
may take any of the following actions:
331[1]
Also known as the Administrative Code of 1987. One of EO 1‘s WHEREAS clauses reads:
―WHEREAS, Book III, Chapter 10, Section 31 of Executive Order No. 292, otherwise known as the
Revised Administrative Code of the Philippines, gives the President the continuing authority to
reorganize the Office of the President.‖
Page 137 of 256

(1) Restructure the internal organization of the Office of the President Proper,
including the immediate Offices, the Presidential Special Assistants/Advisers
System and the Common Staff Support System, by abolishing, consolidating or
merging units thereof or transferring functions from one unit to another;
(2) Transfer any function under the Office of the President to any other Department
or Agency as well as transfer functions to the Office of the President from other
Departments and Agencies; and
(3) Transfer any agency under the Office of the President to any other department or
agency as well as transfer agencies to the Office of the President from other
departments or agencies. (Emphasis supplied)
The law expressly grants the President the ―continuing authority to

reorganize the administrative structure of the Office of the President,‖ which
necessarily includes the power to create offices within the Office of the President
Proper. The power of the President to reorganize the Office of the President Proper
cannot be disputed as this power is expressly granted to the President by law.
Pursuant to this power to reorganize, all Presidents under the 1987 Constitution
have created, abolished or merged offices or units within the Office of the
President Proper, EO 1 being the most recent instance. This Court explained the
rationale behind the President‘s continuing authority to reorganize the Office of the
President Proper in this way:
x x x The law grants the President this power in recognition of the recurring need
of every President to reorganize his office ―to achieve simplicity, economy and
efficiency.‖ The Office of the President is the nerve center of the Executive Branch. To
remain effective and efficient, the Office of the President must be capable of being
shaped and reshaped by the President in the manner he deems fit to carry out his
directives and policies. After all, the Office of the President is the command post of
the President. This is the rationale behind the President‘s continuing authority to
reorganize the administrative structure of the Office of the President.332[2] (Emphasis
supplied)
332[2]
Domingo v. Zamora, 445 Phil. 7, 13 (2003).
Page 138 of 256

The Power To Execute
Faithfully the Laws
Section 1, Article VI of the 1987 Constitution states that ―[t]he executive

power is vested in the President of the Philippines.‖ Section 17, Article VII of
the 1987 Constitution states that ―[t]he President shall have control of all the
executive departments, bureaus and offices. He shall ensure that the laws be
faithfully executed.‖333[3] Before he enters office, the President takes the
following oath prescribed in Section 5, Article VII of the 1987 Constitution: ―I do
solemnly swear that I will faithfully and conscientiously fulfill my duties as
President of the Philippines, preserve and defend its Constitution, execute its laws,
do justice to every man, and consecrate myself to the service of the Nation. So
help me God.‖334[4]
Executive power is vested exclusively in the President. Neither the

Judiciary nor the Legislature can execute the law. As the Executive, the President
is mandated not only to execute the law, but also to execute faithfully the law.
To execute faithfully the law, the President must first know the facts that
justify or require the execution of the law. To know the facts, the President may
have to conduct fact-finding investigations. Otherwise, without knowing the
facts, the President may be blindly or negligently, and not faithfully and
intelligently, executing the law.
Due to time and physical constraints, the President cannot obviously conduct
by himself the fact-finding investigations. The President will have to delegate the
fact-finding function to one or more subordinates. Thus, the President may appoint
333[3]
Emphasis supplied.
334[4]
Emphasis supplied. President Aquino took his oath in Filipino.
Page 139 of 256

a single fact-finding investigator, or a collegial body or committee. In recognizing
that the President has the power to appoint an investigator to inquire into facts, this
Court held:
Moreover, petitioner cannot claim that his investigation as acting general manager
is for the purpose of removing him as such for having already been relieved, the
obvious purpose of the investigation is merely to gather facts that may aid the
President in finding out why the NARIC failed to attain its objectives, particularly in
the stabilization of the prices of rice and corn. His investigation is, therefore, not
punitive, but merely an inquiry into matters which the President is entitled to
know so that he can be properly guided in the performance of his duties relative
to the execution and enforcement of the laws of the land. In this sense, the
President may authorize the appointment of an investigator of petitioner Rodriguez
in his capacity as acting general manager even if under the law the authority to
appoint him and discipline him belongs to the NARIC Board of Directors. The
petition for prohibition, therefore, has no merit.335[5] (Boldfacing and italicization
supplied)
The Power To Find Facts
The power to find facts, or to conduct fact-finding investigations, is

necessary and proper, and thus inherent in the President‘s power to execute
faithfully the law. Indeed, the power to find facts is inherent not only in Executive
power, but also in Legislative as well as Judicial power. The Legislature cannot
sensibly enact a law without knowing the factual milieu upon which the law is to
operate. Likewise, the courts cannot render justice without knowing the facts of
the case if the issue is not purely legal. Petitioner Lagman admitted this during the
oral arguments:
ASSOCIATE JUSTICE CARPIO:
335[5]
Rodriguez, et al. v. Santos Diaz, et al., 119 Phil. 723, 727-728 (1964).
Page 140 of 256

x x x The power to fact-find is inherent in the legislature, correct? I mean, before
you can pass a law, you must determine the facts. So, it‘s essential that you have to
determine the facts to pass a law, and therefore, the power to fact-find is inherent in
legislative power, correct?
CONGRESSMAN LAGMAN:
Yes, Your Honor.
And it is also inherent in judicial power, we must know the facts to render a
decision, correct?
CONGRESSMAN LAGMAN:
Yes, Your Honor.
And it is also inherent in executive power that [the] President has to know the facts
so that he can faithfully execute the laws, correct?
CONGRESSMAN LAGMAN:
Yes, Your Honor, in that context (interrupted).
So (interrupted)
CONGRESSMAN LAGMAN:
Page 141 of 256

Your Honor, in that context, the legislature has the inherent power to make factual
inquiries in aid of legislation. In the case of the Supreme Court and the other courts,
the power to inquire into facts [is] in aid of adjudication. And in the case of the
Office of the President, or the President himself [has the power] to inquire into the
facts in order to execute the laws.336[6]
Being an inherent power, there is no need to confer explicitly on the

President, in the Constitution or in the statutes, the power to find facts.
Evangelista v. Jarencio337[7] underscored the importance of the power to find facts
or to investigate:
It has been essayed that the lifeblood of the administrative process is the flow of
fact[s], the gathering, the organization and the analysis of evidence. Investigations
are useful for all administrative functions, not only for rule making,
adjudication, and licensing, but also for prosecuting, for supervising and
directing, for determining general policy, for recommending legislation, and for
purposes no more specific than illuminating obscure areas to find out what if
anything should be done. An administrative agency may be authorized to make
investigations, not only in proceedings of a legislative or judicial nature, but also in
proceedings whose sole purpose is to obtain information upon which future action of
a legislative or judicial nature may be taken and may require the attendance of
witnesses in proceedings of a purely investigatory nature. It may conduct general
inquiries into evils calling for correction, and to report findings to appropriate bodies
and make recommendations for actions. (Emphasis supplied)
The Power To Create

A Public Office
The creation of a public office must be distinguished from the creation of an

ad hoc fact-finding public body.
The power to create a public office is undeniably a legislative power. There

are two ways by which a public office is created: (1) by law, or (2) by delegation
336[6]
TSN, 7 September 2010, pp. 56-57.
337[7]
No. L-29274, 27 November 1975, 68 SCRA 99, 104.
Page 142 of 256

of law, as found in the President‘s authority to reorganize his Office. The
President as the Executive does not inherently possess the power to reorganize the
Executive branch. However, the Legislature has delegated to the President the
power to create public offices within the Office of the President Proper, as
provided in Section 31(1), Chapter 10, Title III, Book III of EO 292.
Thus, the President can create the Truth Commission as a public office in his
Office pursuant to his power to reorganize the Office of the President Proper.338[8]
In such a case, the President is exercising his delegated power to create a public
office within the Office of the President Proper. There is no dispute that the
President possesses this delegated power.
In the alternative, the President can also create the Truth Commission as an
ad hoc body to conduct a fact-finding investigation pursuant to the President‘s
inherent power to find facts as basis to execute faithfully the law. The creation of
such ad hoc fact-finding body is indisputably necessary and proper for the
President to execute faithfully the law. In such a case, members of the Truth
Commission may be appointed as Special Assistants or Advisers of the
President,339[9] and then assigned to conduct a fact-finding investigation. The
President can appoint as many Special Assistants or Advisers as he may need.340[10]
There is no public office created and members of the Truth Commission are
incumbents already holding public office in government. These incumbents are
given an assignment by the President to be members of the Truth Commission.
Thus, the Truth Commission is merely an ad hoc body assigned to conduct a fact-
finding investigation.
338[8]
Section 31, Chapter 10, Title III, Book III of EO 292, quoted on page 2.
339[9]
Section 22, Chapter 8, Title II, Book III of EO 292 reads:
Section 22. Office of the President Proper. (1) The Office of the President Proper shall consist of the
Private Office, the Executive Office, the Common Staff Support System, and the Presidential Special
Assistants/Advisers System;
(2) The Executive Office refers to the Offices of the Executive Secretary, Deputy Executive Secretaries
and Assistant Executive Secretaries;
(3) The Common Staff Support System embraces the offices or units under the general categories of
development and management, general government administration and internal administration; and
(4) The Presidential Special Assistants/Advisers System includes such special
assistants or advisers as may be needed by the President.‖ (Emphasis supplied)
340[10]
Section 22(4), Id.
Page 143 of 256

The creation of ad hoc fact-finding bodies is a routine occurrence in the
Executive and even in the Judicial branches of government. Whenever there is a
complaint against a government official or employee, the Department Secretary,
head of agency or head of a local government unit usually creates a fact-finding
body whose members are incumbent officials in the same department, agency or
local government unit.341[11] This is also true in the Judiciary, where this Court
routinely appoints a fact-finding investigator, drawn from incumbent Judges or
Justices (or even retired Judges or Justices who are appointed consultants in the
Office of the Court Administrator), to investigate complaints against incumbent
officials or employees in the Judiciary.
The creation of such ad hoc investigating bodies, as well as the appointment

of ad hoc investigators, does not result in the creation of a public office. In creating
ad hoc investigatory bodies or appointing ad hoc investigators, executive and
judicial officials do not create public offices but merely exercise a power inherent
in their primary constitutional or statutory functions, which may be to execute the
law, to exercise disciplinary authority, or both. These fact-finding bodies and
investigators are not permanent bodies or functionaries, unlike public offices or
their occupants. There is no separate compensation, other than per diems or
allowances, for those designated as members of ad hoc investigating bodies or as
ad hoc investigators.
Presidential Decree No. 1416 (PD 1416) cannot be used as basis of the
President‘s power to reorganize his Office or create the Truth Commission. PD
1416, as amended, delegates to the President ―continuing authority to reorganize
the National Government,‖342[12] which means the Executive, Legislative and
341[11]
Section 47(2), Chapter 6, Book V of EO 292 provides:
Section 47. Disciplinary Jurisdiction. -
xxx
(2) The Secretaries and heads of agencies and instrumentalities, provinces, cities and
municipalities shall have jurisdiction to investigate and decide matters involving disciplinary action
against officers and employees under their jurisdiction. x x x. (Emphasis supplied)
342[12]
Paragraph 1 of PD 1416, as amended, provides:
1. The President of the Philippines shall have continuing authority to reorganize the
National Government. In exercising this authority, the President shall be guided by generally
acceptable principles of good government and responsive national development, including but not
limited to the following guidelines for a more efficient, effective, economical and development-oriented
governmental framework:
(a) More effective planning, implementation, and review functions;
(b) Greater decentralization and responsiveness in the decision-making process;
Page 144 of 256

Judicial branches of government, in addition to the independent constitutional
bodies. Such delegation can exist only in a dictatorial regime, not under a
democratic government founded on the separation of powers. The other powers
granted to the President under PD 1416, as amended, like the power to transfer
appropriations without conditions and the power to standardize salaries, are also
contrary to the provisions of the 1987 Constitution.343[13] PD 1416, which was
promulgated during the Martial Law regime to facilitate the transition from the
presidential to a parliamentary form of government under the 1973
Constitution,344[14] is now functus officio and deemed repealed upon the ratification
of the 1987 Constitution.
The President‘s power to create ad hoc fact-finding bodies does not emanate
from the President‘s power of control over the Executive branch. The President‘s
power of control is the power to reverse, revise or modify the decisions of
subordinate executive officials, or substitute his own decision for that of his
subordinate, or even make the decision himself without waiting for the action of
(c) Further minimization, if not elimination, of duplication or overlapping of purposes, functions,
activities, and programs;
(d) Further development of as standardized as possible ministerial, sub-ministerial and corporate
organizational structures;
(e) Further development of the regionalization process; and
(f) Further rationalization of the functions of and administrative relationship among government
entities.
For purposes of this Decree, the coverage of the continuing authority of the President to reorganize shall
be interpreted to encompass all agencies, entities, instrumentalities, and units of the National
Government, including all government-owned or controlled corporations, as well as the entire range of
the powers, functions, authorities, administrative relationships, and related aspects pertaining to these
agencies, entities, instrumentalities, and units.
2. For this purpose, the President may, at his discretion, take the following actions:
(a) Group, coordinate, consolidate or integrate departments, bureaus, offices, agencies,
instrumentalities and functions of the government;
(b) Abolish departments, offices, agencies or functions which may not be necessary, or create
those which are necessary, for the efficient conduct of government functions services and activities;
(c) Transfer functions, appropriations, equipment, properties, records and personnel from one
department, bureau, office, agency or instrumentality to another;
(d) Create, classify, combine, split, and abolish positions;
(e) Standardize salaries, materials and equipment;
(f) Create, abolish, group, consolidate, merge, or integrate entities, agencies, instrumentalities, and
units of the National Government, as well as expand, amend, change, or otherwise modify their
powers, functions and authorities, including, with respect to government-owned or controlled
corporations, their corporate life, capitalization, and other relevant aspects of their charters; and
(g) Take such other related actions as may be necessary to carry out the purposes and objectives of
this Decree. (Emphasis supplied)
343[13]
Paragraph 1 (c) and (e), PD 1416, as amended.
344[14]
The clause states: ―WHEREAS, the transition towards the parliamentary form of government will
necessitate flexibility in the organization of the national government.‖
Page 145 of 256

his subordinate.345[15] This power of control does not involve the power to create a
public office. Neither does the President‘s power to find facts or his broader power
to execute the laws give the President the power to create a public office. The
President can exercise the power to find facts or to execute the laws without
creating a public office.
Objections to EO 1
There Is No Usurpation of Congress’

Power To Appropriate Funds
Petitioners Lagman, et al. argue that EO 1 usurps the exclusive power of

Congress to appropriate funds because it gives the President the power to
appropriate funds for the operations of the Truth Commission. Petitioners
Lagman, et al. add that no particular source of funding is identified and that the
amount of funds to be used is not specified.
Congress is exclusively vested with the ―power of the purse,‖ recognized in

the constitutional provision that ―no money shall be paid out of the Treasury except
in pursuance of an appropriation made by law.‖346[16] The specific purpose of an
appropriation law is to authorize the release of unappropriated public funds from
the National Treasury.347[17]
Section 11 of EO 1 merely states that ―the Office of the President shall

provide the necessary funds for the Commission to ensure that it can exercise its
345[15]
Aurillo v. Rabi, 441 Phil. 117 (2002); Drilon v. Lim, G.R. No. 112497, 4 August 1994, 235 SCRA 135;
Mondano v. Silvosa, etc. et al., 97 Phil. 143 (1955).
346[16]
Section 29(1), Article VI, 1987 Constitution.
347[17]
Association of Small Landowners in the Philippines, Inc. v. Secretary of Agrarian Reform, G.R.
No. 78742, 14 July 1989, 175 SCRA 343.
Page 146 of 256

powers, execute its functions, and perform its duties and responsibilities as
effectively, efficiently, and expeditiously as possible.‖ Section 11 does not direct
the National Treasurer to release unappropriated funds in the National Treasury to
finance the operations of the Truth Commission. Section 11 does not also say that
the President is appropriating, or is empowered to appropriate, funds from the
unappropriated funds in the National Treasury. Clearly, there is absolutely no
language in EO 1 appropriating, or empowering the President to appropriate,
unappropriated funds in the National Treasury.
Section 11 of EO 1 merely states that the Office of the President shall fund
the operations of the Truth Commission. Under EO 1, the funds to be spent for the
operations of the Truth Commission have already been appropriated by Congress
to the Office of the President under the current General Appropriations Act. The
budget for the Office of the President under the annual General Appropriations Act
always contains a Contingent Fund348[18] that can fund the operations of ad hoc
investigating bodies like the Truth Commission. In this case, there is no
appropriation but merely a disbursement by the President of funds that Congress
had already appropriated for the Office of the President.
The Truth Commission Is Not

A Quasi-Judicial Body
While petitioners Lagman, et al. insist that the Truth Commission is a quasi-
judicial body, they admit that there is no specific provision in EO 1 that states that
the Truth Commission has quasi-judicial powers.349[19]
Okay. Now. Let‘s tackle that issue. Where in the Executive Order is it stated that
[the Truth Commission] has a quasi-judicial power? Show me the provision.
348[18]
See Special Provision No. 2, General Appropriations Act of 2010 or Republic Act No. 9970.
349[19]
TSN, 7 September 2010, p. 61.
Page 147 of 256

CONGRESSMAN LAGMAN:
There is no exact provision.
There is no language in EO 1 granting the Truth Commission quasi-judicial

power, whether expressly or impliedly, because the Truth Commission is not, and
was never intended to be, a quasi-judicial body. The power of the President to
create offices within the Office of the President Proper is a power to create only
executive or administrative offices, not quasi-judicial offices or bodies.
Undeniably, a quasi-judicial office or body can only be created by the Legislature.
The Truth Commission, as created under EO 1, is not a quasi-judicial body and is
not vested with any quasi-judicial power or function.
The exercise of quasi-judicial functions involves the determination, with

respect to the matter in controversy, of what the law is, what the legal rights and
obligations of the contending parties are, and based thereon and the facts obtaining,
the adjudication of the respective rights and obligations of the parties.350[20]
The tribunal, board or officer exercising quasi-judicial functions must be clothed
with the power to pass judgment on the controversy. 351[21] In short, quasi-judicial
power is the power of an administrative body to adjudicate the rights and
obligations of parties under its jurisdiction in a manner that is final and binding,
unless there is a proper appeal. In the recent case of Bedol v. Commission on
Elections,352[22] this Court declared:
Quasi-judicial or administrative adjudicatory power on the other hand is the

power of the administrative agency to adjudicate the rights of persons before it. It
is the power to hear and determine questions of fact to which the legislative policy is
to apply and to decide in accordance with the standards laid down by the law itself in
enforcing and administering the same law. The administrative body exercises its
quasi-judicial power when it performs in a judicial manner an act which is essentially
of an executive or administrative nature, where the power to act in such manner is
incidental to or reasonably necessary for the performance of the executive or
administrative duty entrusted to it. In carrying out their quasi-judicial functions the
350[20]
Doran v. Executive Judge Luczon, Jr., G.R. No. 151344, 26 September 2006, 503 SCRA 106.
351[21]
Id.
352[22]
G.R. No. 179830, 3 December 2009, 606 SCRA 554, citing Dole Philippines Inc. v. Esteva, G.R. No.
161115, 30 November 2006, 509 SCRA 332.
Page 148 of 256

administrative officers or bodies are required to investigate facts or ascertain the
existence of facts, hold hearings, weigh evidence, and draw conclusions from them
as basis for their official action and exercise of discretion in a judicial nature.353[23]
(Emphasis supplied)
Under EO 1, the Truth Commission primarily investigates reports of graft

and corruption and recommends the appropriate actions to be taken. Thus, Section
2 of EO 1 states that the Truth Commission is ―primarily tasked to conduct a
thorough fact-finding investigation of reported cases of graft and corruption
and thereafter submit its findings and recommendations to the President,
Congress and the Ombudsman.‖ The President, Congress and the Ombudsman
are not bound by the findings and recommendations of the Truth Commission.
Neither are the parties subject of the fact-finding investigation bound by the
findings and recommendations of the Truth Commission.
Clearly, the function of the Truth Commission is merely investigative and

recommendatory in nature. The Truth Commission has no power to adjudicate
the rights and obligations of the persons who come before it. Nothing whatsoever
in EO 1 gives the Truth Commission quasi-judicial power, expressly or
impliedly. In short, the Truth Commission is not a quasi-judicial body because it
does not exercise the quasi-judicial power to bind parties before it with its actions
or decisions.
The creation of the Truth Commission has three distinct purposes since it is
tasked to submit its findings to the President, Congress and the Ombudsman. The
Truth Commission will submit its findings to the President so that the President
can faithfully execute the law. For example, the Truth Commission may
recommend to the President that Department Secretaries should personally approve
disbursements of funds in certain contracts or projects above a certain amount and
not delegate such function to their Undersecretaries.354[24] The Truth Commission
353[23]
Id. at 570-571.
354[24]
Section 65, Chapter 13, Book IV of EO 292 merely provides:
Section 65. Approval of other types of Government Contracts. — All other types of government
contracts which are not within the coverage of this Chapter shall, in the absence of a special
provision, be executed with the approval of the Secretary or by the head of the bureau or office
Page 149 of 256

will also submit its findings to Congress for the possible enactment by Congress of
remedial legislation. For example, Congress may pass a law penalizing
Department Secretaries who delegate to their Undersecretaries the approval of
disbursement of funds contrary to the directive of the President. Lastly, the Truth
Commission will submit its findings to the Ombudsman for possible further
investigation of those who may have violated the law. The Ombudsman may
either conduct a further investigation or simply ignore the findings of the Truth
Commission. Incidentally, the Ombudsman has publicly stated that she supports
the creation of the Truth Commission and that she will cooperate with its
investigation.355[25]
That EO 1 declares that the Truth Commission ―will act as an independent

collegial body‖ cannot invalidate EO 1. This provision merely means that the
President will not dictate on the members of the Truth Commission on what their
findings and recommendations should be. The Truth Commission is free to come
out with its own findings and recommendations, free from any interference or
pressure from the President. Of course, as EO 1 expressly provides, the President,
Congress and the Ombudsman are not bound by such findings and
recommendations.
There Is No Usurpation of the

Powers of the Ombudsman
Petitioners Lagman, et al. argue that since the Ombudsman has the exclusive
jurisdiction to investigate graft and corruption cases, the Truth Commission
encroaches on this exclusive power of the Ombudsman.
having control of the appropriation against which the contract would create a charge. Such
contracts shall be processed and approved in accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations.
355[25]
http://www.mb.com.ph/node/270641/ombud, accessed on 19 November 2010.
Page 150 of 256

There are three types of fact-finding investigations in the Executive branch.
First, there is the purely fact-finding investigation the purpose of which is to
establish the facts as basis for future executive action, excluding the determination
of administrative culpability or the determination of probable cause. Second, there
is the administrative investigation to determine administrative culpabilities of
public officials and employees. Third, there is the preliminary investigation whose
sole purpose is to determine probable cause as to the existence and perpetrator of a
crime. These three types of fact-finding investigations are separate and distinct
investigations.
A purely fact-finding investigation under the Office of the President is the

first type of fact-finding investigation. Such fact-finding investigation has three
distinct objectives. The first is to improve administrative procedures and
efficiency, institute administrative measures to prevent corruption, and recommend
policy options − all with the objective of enabling the President to execute
faithfully the law. The second is to recommend to Congress possible legislation in
response to new conditions brought to light in the fact-finding investigation. The
third is to recommend to the head of office the filing of a formal administrative
charge, or the filing of a criminal complaint before the prosecutor.
Under the third objective, the fact-finding investigation is merely a

gathering and evaluation of facts to determine whether there is sufficient basis to
proceed with a formal administrative charge, or the filing of a criminal complaint
before the prosecutor who will conduct a preliminary investigation. This purely
fact-finding investigation does not determine administrative culpability or the
existence of probable cause. The fact-finding investigation comes before an
administrative investigation or preliminary investigation, where administrative
culpability or probable cause, respectively, is determined.
On the other hand, an administrative investigation follows, and takes up, the
recommendation of a purely fact-finding investigation to charge formally a public
official or employee for possible misconduct in office. Similarly, a preliminary
investigation is an inquiry to determine whether there is sufficient ground to
believe that a crime has been committed and that the respondent is probably guilty
Page 151 of 256

of such crime, and should be held for trial.356[26] A preliminary investigation‘s sole
purpose is to determine whether there is probable cause to charge a person for a
crime.
Section 15 of Republic Act No. 6770357[27] provides:
SEC. 15. Powers, Functions and Duties. - The Office of the Ombudsman shall have
the following powers, functions and duties: x x x
(1) Investigate and prosecute on its own or on complaint by any person, any act or
omission of any public officer or employee, office or agency when such act or
omission appears to be illegal, unjust, improper or inefficient. It has primary
jurisdiction over cases cognizable by the Sandiganbayan and, in the exercise of
his primary jurisdiction, it may take over, at any stage, from any investigatory
agency of Government, the investigation of such cases; x x x (Emphasis supplied)
The Ombudsman has ―primary jurisdiction over cases cognizable by the

Sandiganbayan.‖ The cases cognizable by the Sandiganbayan are criminal cases
as well as quasi-criminal cases like the forfeiture of unexplained wealth.358[28] ―[I]n
the exercise of this primary jurisdiction‖ over cases cognizable by the
Sandiganbayan, the Ombudsman ―may take over x x x the investigation of such
cases‖ from any investigatory agency of the Government. The cases covered by
the ―primary jurisdiction‖ of the Ombudsman are criminal or quasi-criminal
cases but not administrative cases. Administrative cases, such as administrative
disciplinary cases, are not cognizable by the Sandiganbayan. With more reason,
purely fact-finding investigations conducted by the Executive branch are not
cognizable by the Sandiganbayan.
356[26]
Section 1, Rule 112, Rules of Court.
357[27]
―An Act Providing for the Functional and Structural Organization of the Office of the Ombudsman, and
for Other Purposes.‖ Also known as ―The Ombudsman Act of 1989.‖
358[28]
Republic Act No. 8249, entitled ―An Act Further Defining the Jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan,
Amending For the Purpose Presidential Decree No. 1606, as Amended, Providing Funds Therefore, and
For Other Purposes.‖ Approved on 5 February 1997.
Page 152 of 256

Purely fact-finding investigations to improve administrative procedures and
efficiency, to institute administrative measures to prevent corruption, to provide
the President with policy options, to recommend to Congress remedial legislation,
and even to determine whether there is basis to file a formal administrative charge
against a government official or employee, do not fall under the ―primary
jurisdiction‖ of the Ombudsman. These fact-finding investigations do not
involve criminal or quasi-criminal cases cognizable by the Sandiganbayan.
If the Ombudsman has the power to take-over purely fact-finding

investigations from the President or his subordinates, then the President will
become inutile. The President will be wholly dependent on the Ombudsman,
waiting for the Ombudsman to establish the facts before the President can act to
execute faithfully the law. The Constitution does not vest such power in the
Ombudsman. No statute grants the Ombudsman such power, and if there were,
such law would be unconstitutional for usurping the power of the President to find
facts necessary and proper to his faithful execution of the law.
Besides, if the Ombudsman has the exclusive power to conduct fact-finding

investigations, then even the Judiciary and the Legislature cannot perform their
fundamental functions without the action or approval of the Ombudsman. While
the Constitution grants the Office of the Ombudsman the power to ―[i]nvestigate
on its own x x x any act or omission of any public official, employee, office or
agency,‖359[29] such power is not exclusive. To hold that such investigatory
power is exclusive to the Ombudsman is to make the Executive, Legislative and
Judiciary wholly dependent on the Ombudsman for the performance of their
Executive, Legislative and Judicial functions.
Even in investigations involving criminal and quasi-criminal cases

cognizable by the Sandiganbayan, the Ombudsman does not have exclusive
jurisdiction to conduct preliminary investigations. In Honasan II v. The Panel of
Investigating Prosecutors of the Department of Justice,360[30] this Court held:
359[29]
Section 13(1), Article XI, Constitution.
360[30]
G.R. No. 159747, 13 April 2004, 427 SCRA 46.
Page 153 of 256

In summation, the Constitution, Section 15 of the Ombudsman Act of 1989 and
Section 4 of the Sandiganbayan Law, as amended, do not give to the
Ombudsman exclusive jurisdiction to investigate offenses committed by public
officers or employees. The authority of the Ombudsman to investigate offenses
involving public officers or employees is concurrent with other government
investigating agencies such as provincial, city and state prosecutors. However, the
Ombudsman, in the exercise of its primary jurisdiction over cases cognizable by the
Sandiganbayan, may take over, at any stage, from any investigating agency of the
government, the investigation of such cases.361[31] (Emphasis supplied)
To repeat, Honasan II categorically ruled that ―the Constitution, Section 15 of

the Ombudsman Act of 1989 and Section 4 of the Sandiganbayan Law, as
amended, do not give the Ombudsman exclusive jurisdiction to investigate
offenses committed by public officials and employees.‖
The concurrent jurisdiction of the Ombudsman refers to the conduct of a

preliminary investigation to determine if there is probable cause to charge a public
officer or employee with an offense, not to the conduct of a purely administrative
fact-finding investigation that does not involve the determination of probable
cause.362[32] The Truth Commission is a purely fact-finding body that does not
determine the existence of probable cause. There is no accused or even a suspect
before the Truth Commission, which merely conducts a general inquiry on
reported cases of graft and corruption. No one will even be under custodial
investigation before the Truth Commission.363[33] Thus, the claim that the Truth
Commission is usurping the investigatory power of the Ombudsman, or of any
other government official, has no basis whatsoever.
In criminal fact-finding investigations, the law expressly vests in the

Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)
investigatory powers. Section 24 of Republic Act No. 6975364[34] provides:
361[31]
Id. at 70.
362[32]
Id.
363[33]
People vs. Morial, 415 Phil. 310 (2001).
364[34]
An Act Establishing The Philippine National Police Under A Reorganized Department of Interior and
Local Government And For Other Purposes. Also known as the Philippine National Police Law or the
Department of Interior and Local Government Act of 1990.
Page 154 of 256

Section 24. Powers and Functions – The PNP shall have the following powers
and duties:
(a) x x x
xxx
(c) Investigate and prevent crimes, effect the arrest of criminal offenders, bring
offenders to justice, and assist in their prosecution;
x x x. (Emphasis supplied)
Section 1 of Republic Act No. 157 also provides:
Section 1. There is hereby created a Bureau of Investigation under the

Department of Justice which shall have the following functions:
(a) To undertake investigation of crimes and other offenses against the laws of
the Philippines, upon its own initiative and as public interest may require;
The PNP and the NBI are under the control of the President. Indisputably,
the President can at any time direct the PNP and NBI, whether singly, jointly or in
coordination with other government bodies, to investigate possible violations of
penal laws, whether committed by public officials or private individuals. To say
that the Ombudsman has the exclusive power to conduct fact-finding investigations
of crimes involving public officials and employees is to immobilize our law-
enforcement agencies and allow graft and corruption to run riot. The fact-finding
arm of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate crimes, whether committed
Page 155 of 256

by public or private parties, is the NBI.365[35] The DOJ Proper does not conduct
fact-finding investigations of crimes, but only preliminary investigations.
The Truth Commission

Has Subpoena Powers
Section 2 of EO 1 provides that the Truth Commission shall have all the
powers of an investigative body under Section 37, Chapter 9, Book I of EO 292,
which reads:
Sec. 37. Powers Incidental to Taking of Testimony. - When authority to take

testimony or receive evidence is conferred upon any administrative officer or any
non-judicial person, committee, or other body, such authority shall include the
power to administer oaths, summon witnesses, and require the production of
documents by a subpoena duces tecum. (Emphasis supplied)
Section 2(e) of EO 1 confers on the Truth Commission the power to ―[i]nvite

or subpoena witnesses and take their testimonies and for that purpose, administer
oaths or affirmation as the case may be.‖ Thus, the Truth Commission, a body
authorized to take testimony, can administer oaths and issue subpoena and
subpoena duces tecum pursuant to Section 37, Chapter 9, Book I of EO 292. In
fact, this power to administer oaths and to issue subpoena and subpoena duces
tecum is a power of every administrative fact-finding investigative body created in
365[35]
Section 3, Chapter I, Title III, Book IV of EO 292 provides:
Section 3. Powers and Functions. - To accomplish its mandate, the Department (DOJ) shall have the
following powers and functions:
(1) x x x
(2) Investigate the commission of crimes, prosecute offenders and administer the probation
and correction system;
x x x.
Page 156 of 256

the Executive, Legislative or Judicial branch. Section 37, Chapter 9, Book I of
EO 292 grants such power to every fact-finding body so created.
The Truth Commission

Has No Contempt Powers
Section 9 of EO 1 provides:
Section 9. Refusal to Obey Subpoena, Take Oath or Give Testimony. Any government
official or personnel who, without lawful excuse, fails to appear upon subpoena issued by
the Commission or who, appearing before the Commission refuses to take oath or
affirmation, give testimony or produce documents for inspection, when required, shall be
subject to administrative disciplinary action. Any private person who does the same may
be dealt with in accordance with law.
There is no provision in EO 1 that gives the Truth Commission the power to

cite persons for contempt. As explained by Solicitor General Jose Anselmo I.
Cadiz, if the person who refuses to obey the subpoena, take oath or give testimony
is a public officer, he can be charged with ―defiance of a lawful order,‖366[36]
which should mean insubordination367[37] if his superior had ordered him to obey
the subpoena of the Truth Commission. If the person is not a public officer or
employee, he can only be dealt with in accordance with law, which should mean
that the Truth Commission could file a petition with the proper court to cite such
private person in contempt pursuant to Sections 1368[38] and 9369[39] of Rule 21 of the
Rules of Court.
366[36]
TSN, 28 September 2010, pp. 41-42.
367[37]
Section 46(25), Chapter 7, Book V, EO 292.
368[38]
Section 1, Rule 21 of the Rules of Court provides:
SEC. 1. Subpoena and Subpoena duces tecum. - Subpoena is a process directed to a person requiring
him to attend and to testify at the hearing or trial of an action, or at any investigation conducted by
competent authority, or for the taking of his deposition. It may also require him to bring with him any
books, documents, or other things under his control, in which case it is called a subpoena duces tecum.
Page 157 of 256

However, the mere fact that the Truth Commission, by itself, has no coercive
power to compel any one, whether a government employee or a private individual,
to testify before the Commission does not invalidate the creation by the President,
or by the Judiciary or Legislature, of a purely administrative fact-finding
investigative body. There are witnesses who may voluntarily testify, and bring
relevant documents, before such fact-finding body. The fact-finding body may
even rely only on official records of the government. To require every
administrative fact-finding body to have coercive or contempt powers is to
invalidate all administrative fact-finding bodies created by the Executive,
Legislative and Judicial branches of government.
The Name “Truth Commission”

Cannot Invalidate EO 1
There is much ado about the words ―Truth Commission‖ as the name of the
fact-finding body created under EO 1. There is no law or rule prescribing how a
fact-finding body should be named. In fact, there is no law or rule prescribing
how permanent government commissions, offices, or entities should be
named.370[40] There is also no law or rule prohibiting the use of the words
―Truth Commission‖ as the name of a fact-finding body. Most fact-finding
bodies are named, either officially or unofficially, after the chairperson of such
body, which by itself, will not give any clue as to the nature, powers or functions
of the body. Thus, the name Feliciano Commission or Melo Commission, by
itself, does not indicate what the commission is all about. Naming the present
(Emphasis supplied)
369[39]
Section 9, Rule 21 of the Rules of Court provides:
SEC. 9. Contempt. Failure by any person without adequate cause to obey a subpoena served upon him
shall be deemed a contempt of court from which the subpoena is issued. If the subpoena was not issued
by a court, the disobedience thereto shall be punished in accordance with the applicable law or
Rule. (Emphasis supplied)
370[40]
In sharp contrast, Section 26(1), Article VI of the Constitution provides: ―Every bill passed by the Congress
shall embrace only one subject which shall be expressed in the title thereof.‖ Thus, the title of a bill must
express the subject of the bill.
Page 158 of 256

fact-finding body as the ―Truth Commission‖ is more descriptive than naming it
the Davide Commission after the name of its chairperson.
The name of a government commission, office or entity does not determine

its nature, powers or functions. The specific provisions of the charter creating the
commission, office or entity determine its nature, powers or functions. The name
of the commission, office or entity is not important and may even be misleading.
For example, the term Ombudsman connotes a male official but no one in his right
mind will argue that a female cannot be an Ombudsman. In fact, the present
Ombudsman is not a man but a woman. In the private sector, the name of a
corporation may not even indicate what the corporation is all about. Thus, Apple
Corporation is not in the business of selling apples or even oranges. An individual
may be named Honesto but he may be anything but honest. All this tells us that
in determining the nature, powers or functions of a commission, office or
entity, courts should not be fixated by its name but should examine what it is
tasked or empowered to do.
In any event, there is nothing inherently wrong in the words ―Truth

Commission‖ as the name of a fact-finding body. The primary purpose of every
fact-finding body is to establish the facts. The facts lead to, or even constitute, the
truth. In essence, to establish the facts is to establish the truth. Thus, the name
―Truth Commission‖ is as appropriate as the name ―Fact-Finding Commission.‖ If
the name of the commission created in EO 1 is changed to ―Fact-Finding
Commission,‖ the nature, powers and functions of the commission will remain
exactly the same. This simply shows that the name of the commission created
under EO 1 is not important, and any esoteric discourse on the ramifications of the
name ―Truth Commission‖ is merely an academic exercise. Of course, the name
―Truth Commission‖ is more appealing than the worn-out name ―Fact-Finding
Commission.‖ Courts, however, cannot invalidate a law or executive issuance just
because its draftsman has a flair for catchy words and a disdain for trite ones.
Under the law, a fact-finding commission by any other name is a fact-finding
commission.371[41]
371[41]
With apologies to William Shakespeare. These are the lines in Romeo and Juliet: ―What‘s in a name?
That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.‖
Page 159 of 256

The Public Will Not Be Deceived that
Findings of Truth Commission Are Final
The fear that the public will automatically perceive the findings of the Truth
Commission as the ―truth,‖ and any subsequent contrary findings by the
Ombudsman or Sandiganbayan as the ―untruth,‖ is misplaced. First, EO 1 is
unequivocally clear that the findings of the Truth Commission are neither final nor
binding on the Ombudsman, more so on the Sandiganbayan which is not even
mentioned in EO 1. No one reading EO 1 can possibly be deceived or misled that
the Ombudsman or the Sandiganbayan are bound by the findings of the Truth
Commission.
Second, even if the Truth Commission is renamed the ―Fact-Finding

Commission,‖ the same argument can also be raised — that the public may
automatically perceive the findings of the Fact-Finding Commission as the
unquestionable ―facts,‖ and any subsequent contrary findings by the Ombudsman
or Sandiganbayan as ―non-factual.‖ This argument is bereft of merit because the
public can easily read and understand what EO 1 expressly says — that the
findings of the Truth Commission are not final or binding but merely
recommendatory.
Third, the Filipino people are familiar with the Agrava Board,372[42] a fact-
finding body that investigated the assassination of former Senator Benigno S.
Aquino, Jr. The people know that the findings of the Agrava Board were not
binding on the then Tanodbayan or the Sandiganbayan. The Agrava Board
recommended for prosecution 26 named individuals373[43] but the Tanodbayan
charged 40 named individuals374[44] before the Sandiganbayan. On the other hand,
372[42]
Created by Presidential Decree No. 1886 dated 14 October 1983.
373[43]
The Majority Opinion of the Agrava Board recommended for prosecution 26 named individuals, including
Gen. Fabian Ver. The Minority Opinion of Chairperson Corazon Agrava recommended for prosecution
only 7 named individuals, excluding Gen. Ver.
374[44]
Excluding those charged as ―John Does.‖
Page 160 of 256

the Sandiganbayan convicted only 16 of those charged by the Tanodbayan and
acquitted 20 of the accused.375[45]
Fourth, as most Filipinos know, many persons who undergo preliminary

investigation and are charged for commission of crimes are eventually acquitted by
the trial courts, and even by the appellate courts. In short, the fear that the public
will be misled that the findings of the Truth Commission is the unerring gospel
truth is more imagined than real.
EO 1 Does Not Violate

The Equal Protection Clause
Petitioners Lagman, et al. argue that EO 1 violates the equal protection

clause because the investigation of the Truth Commission is limited to alleged acts
of graft and corruption during the Arroyo administration.
A reading of Section 17 of EO 1 readily shows that the Truth Commission‘s

investigation is not limited to the Arroyo administration. Section 17 of EO 1
provides:
Section 17. Special Provision Concerning Mandate. If and when in the judgment of
the President there is a need to expand the mandate of the Commission as defined in
Section 1 hereof to include the investigation of cases and instances of graft and
corruption during the prior administrations, such mandate may be extended
accordingly by way of a supplemental Executive Order. (Emphasis supplied)
375[45]
One of the accused died during the trial and three remained at large.
Page 161 of 256

The President can expand the mandate of the Truth Commission to investigate alleged graft and corruption cases of
other past
administrations
even as its primary task is to investigate the Arroyo administration.
EO 1 does not confine the mandate of the Truth Commission
solely to alleged acts of graft and corruption during the Arroyo
Administration.
Section 17 of EO 1 is the same as Section 2(b) of Executive Order No. 1

dated 28 February 1986 issued by President Corazon Aquino creating the
Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG Charter). Section 2(b) of
the PCGG Charter provides:
Section 2. The Commission shall be charged with the task of assisting the President in
regard to the following matters:
(a) The recovery of all ill-gotten wealth accumulated by former President Ferdinand E.
Marcos, his immediate family, relatives, subordinates and close associates xxx.
(b) The investigation of such cases of graft and corruption as the President may
assign to the Commission from time to time.
x x x x . (Emphasis supplied)
Thus, under Section 2(b) of the PCGG Charter, the President can expand the
investigation of the PCCG even as its primary task is to recover the ill-gotten
wealth of the Marcoses and their cronies. Both EO 1 and the PCGG Charter
have the same provisions on the scope of their investigations. Both the Truth
Commission and the PCGG are primarily tasked to conduct specific investigations,
with their mandates subject to expansion by the President from time to time. This
Court has consistently upheld the constitutionality of the PCGG Charter.376[46]
Like Section 2(b) of the PCGG Charter, Section 17 of EO 1 merely prioritizes the
investigation of acts of graft and corruption that may have taken place during the Arroyo administration. If time allows, the
President may extend the mandate of the Truth Commission to investigate other administrations prior to the Arroyo
376[46]
Virata v. Sandiganbayan, G.R. No. 86926, 15 October 1991, 202 SCRA 680; PCGG v. Peña, 293 Phil. 93
(1988); and Baseco v. PCGG, 234 Phil. 180 (1987).
Page 162 of 256

administration.
The prioritization of such work or assignment does not violate the equal protection clause because the
prioritization is based on reasonable grounds.
First, the prescriptive period for the most serious acts of graft and corruption
under the Revised Penal Code is 20 years,377[47] 15 years for offenses punishable
under the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act,378[48] and 12 years for offenses
punishable under special penal laws that do not expressly provide for prescriptive
periods.379[49] Any investigation will have to focus on alleged acts of graft and
corruption within the last 20 years, almost half of which or 9 years is under the
Arroyo administration.
While it is true that the prescriptive period is counted from the time of
discovery of the offense, the ―reported cases‖380[50] of ―large scale corruption‖381[51]
involving ―third level public officers and higher,‖382[52] which the Truth
Commission will investigate, have already been widely reported in media, and
many of these reported cases have even been investigated by the House of
Representatives or the Senate. Thus, the prescriptive periods of these ―reported
cases‖ of ―large scale corruption‖ may have already began to run since these
anomalies are publicly known and may be deemed already discovered.383[53] These
prescriptive periods refer to the criminal acts of public officials under penal laws,
and not to the recovery of ill-gotten wealth which under the Constitution is
imprescriptible.384[54]
Second, the Marcos, Ramos and Estrada administrations were already

investigated by their successor administrations. This alone is incontrovertible
proof that the Arroyo administration is not being singled out for investigation
or prosecution.
377[47]
Article 90, in relation to Articles 211-A and 217, of the Revised Penal Code.
378[48]
Section 11, RA No. 3019.
379[49]
Section 1, Act No. 3326.
380[50]
Section 2, EO 1.
381[51]
Section 2(b), EO 1.
382[52]
Id.
383[53]
See People v. Duque, G.R. No. 100285, 13 August 1992, 212 SCRA 607.
384[54]
Section 15, Article XI, Constitution.
Page 163 of 256

Third, all the past Presidents, with the exception of Presidents Ramos,
Estrada and Arroyo, are already dead. The possible witnesses to alleged acts of
graft and corruption during the Presidencies of the deceased presidents may also be
dead or unavailable. In fact, the only living President whose administration has
not been investigated by its successor administration is President Arroyo.
Fourth, the more recent the alleged acts of graft and corruption, the more
readily available will be the witnesses, and the more easily the witnesses can recall
with accuracy the relevant events. Inaction over time means the loss not only of
witnesses but also of material documents, not to mention the loss of public interest.
Fifth, the 29-month time limit given to the Truth Commission prevents it from investigating other past
administrations.385[55]
There is also the constraint on the enormous resources needed to investigate other past
administrations
. Just identifying the transactions, locating relevant documents, and
looking for witnesses would require a whole bureaucracy.
These are not only reasonable but also compelling grounds for the Truth
Commission to prioritize the investigation of the Arroyo administration. To
prioritize based on reasonable and even compelling grounds is not to
discriminate, but to act sensibly and responsibly.
In any event, there is no violation of the equal protection clause just because the authorities focus
their
or prosecution on one particular law-breaker for surely a person accused of robbery cannot
investigation alleged ,
raise as a defense that other robbers like him all over the country are not being prosecuted.386[56]
By the very nature
of an investigation or prosecution, there must be a focus on particular act or acts of
a person or a group of persons.
Indeed, almost every fact-finding body focuses its investigation on a specific

subject matter ─ whether it be a specific act, incident, event, situation, condition,
person or group of persons. This specific focus results from the nature of a fact-
385[55]
Section 14 of EO 1 provides that ―the Commission shall accomplish its mission on or before
December 31, 2012.‖
386[56]
In People v. dela Piedra, 403 Phil. 31, 54 (2001), the Court stated, ―The prosecution of one guilty person
while others equally guilty are not prosecuted, however, is not, by itself, a denial of the equal protection of
the laws.‖
Page 164 of 256

finding investigation, which is a necessary and proper response to a specific
compelling act, incident, event, situation, or condition involving a person or group
of persons. Thus, the fact-finding commissions created under the previous Arroyo
administration had specific focus: the Feliciano Commission focused on the
Oakwood mutiny, the Melo Commission focused on extra-judicial killings, and the
Zeñarosa Commission focused on private armies.
Significantly, the PCGG Charter even specifies the persons to be

investigated for the recovery of ill-gotten wealth. Thus, Section 2(a) of the PCGG
Charter provides:
Section 2. The Commission shall be charged with the task of assisting the President in
regard to the following matters:
(a) The recovery of all ill-gotten wealth accumulated by former President

Ferdinand E. Marcos, his immediate family, relatives, subordinates and close
associates, whether located in the Philippines or abroad, including the takeover or
sequestration of all business enterprises and entities owned or controlled by them, during
his administration, directly or through nominees, by taking undue advantage of their
public office and/or using their powers, authority, influence, connections or relationship.
(b) x x x . (Emphasis supplied)
The PCGG Charter has survived all constitutional attacks before this Court,
including the claim that its Section 2(a) violates the equal protection clause. In
Virata v. Sandiganbayan,387[57] this Court categorically ruled that the PCGG
Charter ―does not violate the equal protection clause and is not a bill of
attainder or an ex post facto law.‖388[58]
This specific focus of fact-finding investigations is also true in the United

States. Thus, the Roberts Commission389[59] focused on the Pearl Harbor attack, the
387[57]
G.R. No. 86926, 15 October 1991, 202 SCRA 680.
388[58]
Id. at 698. (Emphasis supplied)
389[59]
Created by President Franklin Roosevelt.
Page 165 of 256

Warren Commission390[60] focused on the assassination of President John F.
Kennedy, and the 9/11 Commission391[61] focused on the 11 September 2001
terrorist attacks on the United States. These fact-finding commissions were
created with specific focus to assist the U.S. President and Congress in crafting
executive and legislative responses to specific acts or events of grave national
importance. Clearly, fact-finding investigations by their very nature must have a
specific focus.
Graft and corruption cases before the Arroyo administration have already been investigated by the previous
administrations President Corazon Aquino created the Presidential Commission on Good Government to recover the ill-gotten
.
wealth of the Marcoses and
their cronies.392[62] President Joseph Estrada created the Saguisag Commission to investigate
the Philippine Centennial projects of President Fidel Ramos.393[63]
The glaring acts of corruption during the Estrada
administration have already been investigated resulting in the conviction of President Estrada for plunder. Thus, it stands to
reason that the Truth Commission should give priority to the alleged acts of graft and corruption during the Arroyo
administration.
The majority opinion claims that EO 1 violates the equal protection clause
because the Arroyo administration belongs to a class of past administrations and
the other past administrations are not included in the investigation of the Truth
Commission. Thus, the majority opinion states:
In this regard, it must be borne in mind that the Arroyo administration is but
just a member of a class, that is, a class of past administrations. It is not a class of its
own. Not to include past administrations similarly situated constitutes arbitrariness
which the equal protection clause cannot sanction. Such discriminating differentiation
clearly reverberates to label the commission as a vehicle for vindictiveness and selective
retribution.
xxx
390[60]
Created by President Lyndon Johnson.
391[61]
Created through law by the U.S. Congress.
392[62]
Executive Order No. 1, dated 28 February 1986.
393[63]
Administrative Order No. 53 – Creating an Ad-hoc and Independent Citizens‘ Committee to
Investigate All the Facts and Circumstances Surrounding Philippine Centennial Projects, Including
its Component Activities, dated 24 February 1999.
Page 166 of 256

x x x The PTC [Philippine Truth Commission], to be true to its mandate of
searching the truth, must not exclude the other past administrations. The PTC
must, at least, have the authority to investigate all past administrations. While
reasonable prioritization is permitted, it should not be arbitrary lest it be struck down for
being unconstitutional.
xxx
x x x To exclude the earlier administrations in the guise of ―substantial

distinctions‖ would only confirm the petitioners' lament that the subject executive
order is only an ―adventure in partisan hostility.‖ x x x.
xxx
To reiterate, in order for a classification to meet the requirements of

constitutionality, it must include or embrace all persons who naturally belong to the
class. ―Such a classification must not be based on existing circumstances only, or so
constituted as to preclude additions to the number included within a class, but must be of
such a nature as to embrace all those who may hereafter be in similar circumstances and
conditions. Furthermore, all who are in situations and circumstances which are relative
to the discriminatory legislation and which are indistinguishable from those of the
members of the class must be brought under the influence of the law and treated by it in
the same way as are the members of the class.‖ (Emphasis supplied)
The majority opinion goes on to suggest that EO 1 could be amended ―to include
the earlier past administrations‖ to allow it ―to pass the test of reasonableness
and not be an affront to the Constitution.‖
The majority opinion‘s reasoning is specious, illogical, impractical,

impossible to comply, and contrary to the Constitution and well-settled
jurisprudence. To require that ―earlier past administrations‖ must also be
included in the investigation of the Truth Commission, with the Truth Commission
expressly empowered ―to investigate all past administrations,‖ before there can
be a valid investigation of the Arroyo administration under the equal protection
clause, is to prevent absolutely the investigation of the Arroyo administration
under any circumstance.
Page 167 of 256

While the majority opinion admits that there can be ―reasonable
prioritization‖ of past administrations to be investigated, it not only fails to
explain how such reasonable prioritization can be made, it also proceeds to strike
down EO 1 for prioritizing the Arroyo administration in the investigation of the
Truth Commission. And while admitting that there can be a valid classification
based on substantial distinctions, the majority opinion inexplicably makes any
substantial distinction immaterial by stating that ―[t]o exclude the earlier
administrations in the guise of ―substantial distinctions‖ would only confirm
the petitioners' lament that the subject executive order is only an 'adventure
in partisan hostility.'‖
The ―earlier past administrations‖ prior to the Arroyo administration cover

the Presidencies of Emilio Aguinaldo, Manuel Quezon, Jose Laurel, Sergio
Osmeña, Manuel Roxas, Elpidio Quirino, Ramon Magsaysay, Carlos Garcia,
Diosdado Macapagal, Ferdinand Marcos, Corazon Aquino, Fidel Ramos, and
Joseph Estrada, a period spanning 102 years or more than a century. All these
administrations, plus the 9-year Arroyo administration, already constitute the
universe of all past administrations, covering a total period of 111 years. All these
―earlier past administrations‖ cannot constitute just one class of administrations
because if they were to constitute just one class, then there would be no other class
of administrations. It is like saying that since all citizens are human beings, then
all citizens belong to just one class and you cannot classify them as disabled,
impoverished, marginalized, illiterate, peasants, farmers, minors, adults or seniors.
Classifying the ―earlier past administrations‖ in the last 111 years as just
one class is not germane to the purpose of investigating possible acts of graft and
corruption. There are prescriptive periods to prosecute crimes. There are
administrations that have already been investigated by their successor
administrations. There are also administrations that have been subjected to several
Congressional investigations for alleged large-scale anomalies. There are past
Presidents, and the officials in their administrations, who are all dead. There are
past Presidents who are dead but some of the officials in their administrations are
still alive. Thus, all the ―earlier past administrations‖ cannot be classified as just
one single class − ―a class of past administrations‖ ‒ because they are not all
similarly situated.
Page 168 of 256

On the other hand, just because the Presidents and officials of ―earlier past
administrations‖ are now all dead, or the prescriptive periods under the penal
laws have all prescribed, does not mean that there can no longer be any
investigation of these officials. The State's right to recover the ill-gotten wealth of
these officials is imprescriptible.394[64] Section 15, Article XI of the 1987
Constitution provides:
Section 15. The right of the State to recover properties unlawfully acquired by
public officials or employees, from them or from their nominees or transferees, shall not
be barred by prescription, laches or estoppel. (Emphasis supplied)
Legally and morally, any ill-gotten wealth since the Presidency of Gen.
Emilio Aguinaldo can still be recovered by the State. Thus, if the Truth
Commission is required to investigate ―earlier past administrations‖ that
could still be legally investigated, the Truth Commission may have to start
with the Presidency of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo.
394[64]
Even prior to the 1987 Constitution, public officials could not acquire ownership of their ill-gotten wealth
by prescription. Section 11 of Republic Act No. 1379, or the Law on Forfeiture of Ill-Gotten Wealth
enacted on 18 June 1956, provides:
Section 11. Laws on prescription. — The laws concerning acquisitive

prescription and limitation of actions cannot be invoked by, nor shall they
benefit the respondent, in respect of any property unlawfully acquired by him.
Under Article 1133 of the New Civil Code, “[m]ovables possessed through a crime can never be acquired
through prescription by the offender.” And under Article 1956 of the Spanish Civil Code of 1889,
“ownership of personal property stolen or taken by robbery cannot be acquired by prescription by the
thief or robber, or his accomplices, or accessories, unless the crime or misdemeanor or the penalty
therefor and the action to enforce the civil liability arising from the crime or misdemeanor are barred by
prescription.”
Page 169 of 256

A fact-finding investigation of ―earlier past administrations,‖ spanning
111 years punctuated by two world wars, a war for independence, and several
rebellions ─ would obviously be an impossible task to undertake for an ad hoc
body like the Truth Commission. To insist that ―earlier past administrations‖
must also be investigated by the Truth Commission, together with the Arroyo
administration, is utterly bereft of any reasonable basis other than to prevent
absolutely the investigation of the Arroyo administration. No nation on this planet
has even attempted to assign to one ad-hoc fact-finding body the investigation of
all its senior public officials in the past 100 years.
The majority opinion‘s overriding thesis − that ―earlier past

administrations‖ belong to only one class and they must all be included in the
investigation of the Truth Commission, with the Truth Commission expressly
empowered ―to investigate all past administrations‖ − is even the wrong
assertion of discrimination that is violative of the equal protection clause. The
logical and correct assertion of a violation of the equal protection clause is that the
Arroyo administration is being investigated for possible acts of graft and
corruption while other past administrations similarly situated were not.
Thus, in the leading case of United States v. Armstrong,395[65] decided in

1996, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that ―to establish a discrimination effect in a
race case, the claimant must show that similarly situated individuals of a different
race were not prosecuted.‖396[66] Applied to the present petitions, petitioners must
establish that similarly situated officials of other past administrations were not
investigated. However, the incontrovertible and glaring fact is that the Marcoses
and their cronies were investigated and prosecuted by the PCGG, President Fidel
Ramos and his officials in the Centennial projects were investigated by the
Saguisag Commission, and President Joseph Estrada was investigated, prosecuted
and convicted of plunder under the Arroyo administration. Indisputably, the
Arroyo administration is not being singled out for investigation or prosecution
because other past administrations and their officials were also investigated or
prosecuted.
395[65]
517 U.S. 456, decided 13 May 1996. The U.S. Supreme Court reiterated this ruling in United States v.
Bass, 536 U.S. 862 (2002), a per curiam decision.
396[66]
517 U.S. 456, 465.
Page 170 of 256

In United States v. Armstrong, the U.S. Supreme Court further stated that
―[a] selective-prosecution claim asks a court to exercise judicial power over a
―special province‖ of the Executive,‖397[67] citing Hecker v. Chaney398[68] which
held that a decision whether or not to indict ―has long been regarded
as the special province of the Executive Branch, inasmuch it is the Executive
who is charged by the Constitution to ‗take Care that the Laws be faithfully
executed.‘‖399[69] These U.S. cases already involved the prosecution of cases
before the grand jury or the courts, well past the administrative fact-finding
investigative phase.
In the present case, no one has been charged before the prosecutor or the
courts. What petitioners want this Court to do is invalidate a mere administrative
fact-finding investigation by the Executive branch, an investigative phase prior to
preliminary investigation. Clearly, if courts cannot exercise the Executive‘s
―special province‖ to decide whether or not to indict, which is the equivalent of
determination of probable cause, with greater reason courts cannot exercise the
Executive‘s ―special province‖ to decide what or what not to investigate for
administrative fact-finding purposes.
For this Court to exercise this ―special province‖ of the President is to

encroach on the exclusive domain of the Executive to execute the law in blatant
violation of the finely crafted constitutional separation of power. Any unwarranted
intrusion by this Court into the exclusive domain of the Executive or Legislative
branch disrupts the separation of power among the three co-equal branches and
ultimately invites re-balancing measures from the Executive or Legislative branch.
A claim of selective prosecution that violates the equal protection clause

can be raised only by the party adversely affected by the discriminatory act.
In Nunez v. Sandiganbayan,400[70] this Court declared:
397[67]
Id. at 464.
398[68]
470 U.S. 821 (1985).
399[69]
Id. at 832.
400[70]
197 Phil. 407, 423 (1982). This ruling was reiterated in City of Manila v. Laguio, 495 Phil. 289 (2005);
Mejia v. Pamaran, 243 Phil. 600 (1998); Bautista v. Juinio, 212 Phil. 307 (1984); and Calubaquib v.
Page 171 of 256

‗x x x Those adversely affected may under the circumstances invoke the equal
protection clause only if they can show that the governmental act assailed, far from being
inspired by the attainment of the common weal was prompted by the spirit of hostility, or
at the very least, discrimination that finds no support in reason.‘ x x x. (Emphasis
supplied)
Here, petitioners do not claim to be adversely affected by the alleged

selective prosecution under EO 1. Even in the absence of such a claim by the
proper party, the majority opinion strikes down EO 1 as discriminatory and thus
violative of the equal protection clause. This is a gratuitous act to those who are
not before this Court, a discriminatory exception to the rule that only those
―adversely affected‖ by an alleged selective prosecution can invoke the equal
protection clause. Ironically, such discriminatory exception is a violation of the
equal protection clause. In short, the ruling of the majority is in itself a violation
of the equal protection clause, the very constitutional guarantee that it seeks to
enforce.
The majority opinion‘s requirement that ―earlier past administrations‖ in

the last 111 years should be included in the investigation of the Truth Commission
to comply with the equal protection clause is a recipe for all criminals to escape
prosecution. This requirement is like saying that before a person can be charged
with estafa, the prosecution must also charge all persons who in the past may have
committed estafa in the country. Since it is impossible for the prosecution to
charge all those who in the past may have committed estafa in the country, then it
becomes impossible to prosecute anyone for estafa.
This Court has categorically rejected this specious reasoning and false
invocation of the equal protection clause in People v. dela Piedra,401[71] where the
Court emphatically ruled:
Sandiganbayan, 202 Phil. 817 (1982).

401[71]
403 Phil. 31 (2001).
Page 172 of 256

The prosecution of one guilty person while others equally guilty are not
prosecuted, however, is not, by itself, a denial of the equal protection of the laws. x x
x
x x x The mere allegation that appellant, a Cebuana, was charged with the
commission of a crime, while a Zamboangueña, the guilty party in appellant‘s eyes, was
not, is insufficient to support a conclusion that the prosecution officers denied appellant
equal protection of the laws.
There is also common sense practicality in sustaining appellant‘s prosecution.
While all persons accused of crime are to be treated on a basis of equality

before the law, it does not follow that they are to be protected in the
commission of crime. It would be unconscionable, for instance, to excuse a
defendant guilty of murder because others have murdered with impunity.
The remedy for unequal enforcement of the law in such instances does not
lie in the exoneration of the guilty at the expense of society . . . . Protection
of the law will be extended to all persons equally in the pursuit of their lawful
occupations, but no person has the right to demand protection of the law in the
commission of a crime. (People v. Montgomery, 117 P.2d 437 [1941])
Likewise,
[i]f the failure of prosecutors to enforce the criminal laws as to some persons
should be converted into a defense for others charged with crime, the result
would be that the trial of the district attorney for nonfeasance would become an
issue in the trial of many persons charged with heinous crimes and the
enforcement of law would suffer a complete breakdown (State v. Hicks, 325
P.2d 794 [1958]).402[72] (Emphasis supplied)
The Court has reiterated this ―common sense‖ ruling in People v. Dumlao403[73]
and in Santos v. People,404[74] for to hold otherwise is utter nonsense as it means
effectively granting immunity to all criminals.
402[72]
Id. at 54-56.
403[73]
G.R. No. 168918, 2 March 2009, 580 SCRA 409.
404[74]
G.R. No. 173176, 26 August 2008, 563 SCRA 341.
Page 173 of 256

Indeed, it is a basic statutory principle that non-observance of a law by
disuse is not a ground to escape prosecution for violation of a law. Article 7 of
Civil Code expressly provides:
Article 7. Laws are repealed only by subsequent ones, and their violation or non-
observance shall not be excused by disuse, or custom or practice to the contrary.
A person investigated or prosecuted for a possible crime cannot raise the defense
that he is being singled out because others who may have committed the same
crime are not being investigated or prosecuted. Such person cannot even raise
the defense that after several decades he is the first and only one being
investigated or prosecuted for a specific crime. The law expressly states that
disuse of a law, or custom or practice allowing violation of a law, will never justify
the violation of the law or its non-observance.
A fact-finding investigation in the Executive or Judicial branch, even if

limited to specific government officials ─ whether incumbent, resigned or retired
─ does not violate the equal protection clause. If an anomaly is reported in a
government transaction and a fact-finding investigation is conducted, the
investigation by necessity must focus on the public officials involved in the
transaction. It is ridiculous for anyone to ask this Court to stop the investigation of
such public officials on the ground that past public officials of the same rank, who
may have been involved in similar anomalous transactions in the past, are not
being investigated by the same fact-finding body. To uphold such a laughable
claim is to grant immunity to all criminals, throwing out of the window the
constitutional principle that ―[p]ublic office is a public trust‖405[75] and that
―[p]ublic officials and employees must at all times be accountable to the
people.‖406[76]
405[75]
406[76]
Id.
Page 174 of 256

When the Constitution states that public officials are ―at all times‖
accountable to the people, it means at any time public officials can be held to
account by the people. Nonsensical claims, like the selective prosecution invoked
in People v. dela Piedra, are unavailing. Impossible conditions, like requiring the
investigation of ―earlier past administrations,‖ are disallowed. All these flimsy
and dilatory excuses violate the clear command of the Constitution that public
officials are accountable to the people ―at all times.‖
The majority opinion will also mean that the PCGG Charter − which tasked
the PCGG to recover the ill-gotten wealth of the Marcoses and their cronies −
violates the equal protection clause because the PCCG Charter specifically
mentions the Marcoses and their cronies. The majority opinion reverses several
decisions407[77] of this Court upholding the constitutionality of the PCCG Charter,
endangering over two decades of hard work in recovering ill-gotten wealth.
Ominously, the majority opinion provides from hereon every administration

a cloak of immunity against any investigation by its successor administration. This
will institutionalize impunity in transgressing anti-corruption and other penal laws.
Sadly, the majority opinion makes it impossible to bring good governance to our
government.
The Truth Commission is only a fact-finding body to provide the President

with facts so that he can understand what happened in certain government
transactions during the previous administration. There is no preliminary
investigation yet and the Truth Commission will never conduct one. No one is
even being charged before the prosecutor or the Ombudsman. This Court has
consistently refused to interfere in the determination by the prosecutor of the
existence of probable cause in a preliminary investigation.408[78] With more reason
should this Court refuse to interfere in the purely fact-finding work of the Truth
Commission, which will not even determine whether there is probable cause to
charge any person of a crime.
407[77]
Supra, note 46.
408[78]
See Spouses Aduan v. Levi Chong, G.R. No. 172796, 13 July 2009, 592 SCRA 508; UCPB v. Looyuko, G.R.
No. 156337, 28 September 2007, 534 SCRA 322; First Women’s Credit Corporation v. Perez, G.R. No.
169026, 15 June 2006, 490 SCRA 774; and Dupasquier v. Court of Appeals, 403 Phil. 10 (2001).
Page 175 of 256

Before the President executes the law, he has the right, and even the duty, to
know the facts to assure himself and the public that he is correctly executing the
law. This Court has no power to prevent the President from knowing the facts
to understand certain government transactions in the Executive branch,
transactions that may need to be reviewed, revived, corrected, terminated or
completed. If this Court can do so, then it can also prevent the House of
Representatives or the Senate from conducting an investigation, in aid of
legislation, on the financial transactions of the Arroyo administration, on the
ground of violation of the equal protection clause. Unless, of course, the House or
the Senate attempts to do the impossible ― conduct an investigation on the
financial transactions of ―earlier past administrations‖ since the Presidency of
General Emilio Aguinaldo. Indeed, under the majority opinion, neither the House
nor the Senate can conduct any investigation on any administration, past or
present, if ―earlier past administrations‖ are not included in the legislative
investigation.
In short, the majority opinion‘s requirements that EO 1 should also include

―earlier past administrations,‖ with the Truth Commission empowered ―to
investigate all past administrations,‖ to comply with the equal protection clause,
is a requirement that is not only illogical and impossible to comply, it also allows
the impunity to commit graft and corruption and other crimes under our penal
laws. The majority opinion completely ignores the constitutional principle that
public office is a public trust and that public officials are at all times accountable
to the people.
A Final Word
The incumbent President was overwhelmingly elected by the Filipino people in the 10 May 2010
elections based
on his announced program of eliminating graft and corruption in government.
As the Solicitor General explains
the incumbent President has pledged to the electorate that the elimination of graft and corruption will start with the
it,
investigation and prosecution of those who may have committed large-scale corruption in the previous administration.409[79]
During the election campaign, the incumbent President identified graft and corruption as the major
cause of poverty in the country
as depicted in his campaign theme ―kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap.‖ It was
largely on this campaign pledge to eliminate graft and corruption in government that the electorate
overwhelmingly
409[79]
Memorandum for Respondents, p. 91.
Page 176 of 256

voted for the incumbent President.
The Filipino people do not want to remain forever at the
bottom third of 178 countries ranked in terms of governments free from the
scourge of corruption.410[80]
Neither the Constitution nor any existing law prevents the incumbent President
from redeeming his campaign pledge to the Filipino people. In fact, the incumbent President‘s campaign pledge is merely a
reiteration of the basic State policy, enshrined in Section 27, Article II of the Constitution, that:
Section 27. The State shall maintain honesty and integrity in the public service and take positive and effective measures
against graft and corruption.
(Emphasis supplied)
The incumbent President‘s campaign pledge also reiterates the constitutional

principle that ―[p]ublic office is a public trust‖411[81] and that ―[p]ublic officers and
employees must at all times be accountable to the people.‖412[82]
This Court, in striking down EO 1 creating the Truth Commission, overrules the manifest will of the Filipino people to
start the difficult task of putting an end to graft and corruption in government, denies the President his basic constitutional power
to determine the facts in his faithful execution of the law and suppresses whatever truth may come out in the purely fact-finding
,
investigation of the Truth Commission.
This Court, in invoking the equal protection clause to
strike down a purely fact-finding investigation, grants immunity to those who
violate anti-corruption laws and other penal laws, renders meaningless the
constitutional principle that public office is a public trust, and makes public
officials unaccountable to the people at any time.
Ironically, this Court, and even subordinates of the President in the

Executive branch, routinely create all year round fact-finding bodies to
investigate all kinds of complaints against officials and employees in the Judiciary
or the Executive branch, as the case may be. The previous President created
through executive issuances three purely fact-finding commissions similar to the
410[80]
The 2010 Transparency International Corruption Index ranks the Philippines at 134 out of 178 countries.
See http:/www.transparency.org/policy_research/surveys_indices/cpi/2010/results, accessed on 13
November 2010.
411[81]
412[82]
Id.
Page 177 of 256

Truth Commission. Yet the incumbent President, the only official mandated by the
Constitution to execute faithfully the law, is now denied by this Court the power to
create the purely fact-finding Truth Commission.
History will record the ruling today of the Court‘s majority as a severe case
of judicial overreach that made the incumbent President a diminished Executive in
an affront to a co-equal branch of government, crippled our already challenged
justice system, and crushed the hopes of the long suffering Filipino people for an
end to graft and corruption in government.
Accordingly, I vote to DISMISS the petitions.
ANTONIO T. CARPIO
Associate Justice
G. R. No. 192935 - Louis ―Barok‖ C. Biraogo, Petitioner versus The

Philippine Truth Commission of 2010, Respondent.
G.R. No. 193036 - Representative Edcel C. Lagman, Rep. Rodolfo B. Albano,

Jr., Rep. Simeon A. Datumanong and Rep. Orlando B. Fua, Sr., Petitioners
versus Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr. and Department of Budget
and Management Secretary Florencio B. Abad, Respondents.
Page 178 of 256

Promulgated:
December 7, 2010
x-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x
CONCURRING AND DISSENTING OPINION
NACHURA, J.:
Before us are two (2) consolidated petitions:
1. G.R. No. 192935 is a petition for prohibition filed by petitioner Louis

Biraogo (Biraogo), in his capacity as a citizen and taxpayer, assailing Executive
Order (E.O.) No. 1, entitled ―Creating the Philippine Truth Commission of 2010‖
for violating Section 1, Article VI of the 1987 Constitution; and
2. G.R. No. 193036 is a petition for certiorari and prohibition filed by

petitioners Edcel C. Lagman, Rodolfo B. Albano, Jr., Simeon A. Datumanong, and
Orlando B. Fua, Sr., in their capacity as members of the House of Representatives,
similarly bewailing the unconstitutionality of E.O. No. 1.
First, the all too familiar facts leading to this cause celebre.
On May 10, 2010, Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III was elected President of
the Philippines. Oft repeated during his campaign for the presidency was the
uncompromising slogan, ―Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap.‖
Page 179 of 256

Barely a month after his assumption to office, and intended as fulfillment of
his campaign promise, President Aquino, on July 30, 2010, issued Executive Order
No. 1, to wit:
CREATING THE PHILIPPINE
TRUTH COMMISSION OF 2010

solemnly enshrines the principle that a public office is a public trust and mandates that
public officers and employees, who are servants of the people, must at all times be
accountable to the latter, serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty and
efficiency, act with patriotism and justice, and lead modest lives;
WHEREAS, corruption is among the most despicable acts of defiance of this

principle and notorious violation of this mandate;
WHEREAS, corruption is an evil and scourge which seriously affects the

political, economic, and social life of a nation; in a very special way it inflicts untold
misfortune and misery on the poor, the marginalized and underprivileged sector of
society;
WHEREAS, corruption in the Philippines has reached very alarming levels, and
undermined the people‘s trust and confidence in the Government and its institutions;
certain reports of large scale graft and corruption in the government and to put a closure
to them by the filing of the appropriate cases against those involved, if warranted, and to
deter others from committing the evil, restore the people‘s faith and confidence in the
WHEREAS, the President‘s battlecry during his campaign for the Presidency in
the last elections ―kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap‖ expresses a solemn pledge that
if elected, he would end corruption and the evil it breeds;
Page 180 of 256

and finding out the truth concerning the reported cases of graft and corruption during the
previous administration, and which will recommend the prosecution of the offenders and
secure justice for all;

Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby
order:

PHILIPPINE TRUTH COMMISSION, hereinafter referred to as the ―COMMISSION,‖
which shall primarily seek and find the truth on, and toward this end, investigate reports
of graft and corruption of such scale and magnitude that shock and offend the moral and
ethical sensibilities of the people, committed by the public officers and employees, their
co-principals, accomplices and accessories from the private sector, if any, during the
favor.
The Commission shall be composed of a Chairman and four (4) members who
will act as an independent collegial body.
Administrative Code of 1987, is primarily tasked to conduct a thorough fact-finding
investigation of reported cases of graft and corruption referred to in Section 1, involving
third level public officers and higher, their co-principals, accomplices and accessories
from the private sector, if any, during the previous administration and thereafter submit
its finding and recommendation to the President, Congress and the Ombudsman. In
particular, it shall:
Page 181 of 256

a) Identify and determine the reported cases of such graft and corruption
which it will investigate;
b) Collect, receive, review and evaluate evidence related to or regarding the

cases of large scale corruption which it has chosen to investigate, and to this end require
any agency, official or employee of the Executive Branch, including government-owned
or controlled corporation, to produce documents, books, records and other papers;
c) Upon proper request and representation, obtain information and

documents from the Senate and the House of Representatives records of investigations
conducted by committees thereof relating to matters or subjects being investigated by the
Commission;
d) Upon proper request and representation, obtain information from the

courts, including the Sandiganbayan and the Office of the Court Administrator,
information or documents in respect to corruption cases filed with the Sandiganbayan or
the regular courts, as the case may be;
e) Invite or subpoena witnesses and take their testimonies and for that
purpose, administer oaths or affirmations as the case may be;
f) Recommend, in cases where there is a need to utilize any person as a

state witness to ensure that the ends of justice be fully served, that such person who
qualifies as a state witness under the Revised Rules of Court of the Philippines be
admitted for that purpose;

appropriate prosecutorial authorities, by means of a special or interim report and
recommendation, all evidence on corruption of public officers and employees and their
private sector co-principals, accomplices or accessories, if any, when in the course of its
investigation the Commission finds that there is reasonable ground to believe that they
are liable for graft and corruption under pertinent applicable laws;
h) Call upon any government investigative or prosecutorial agency such as

the Department of Justice or any of the agencies under it, and the Presidential Anti-Graft
Commission, for such assistance and cooperation as it may require in the discharge of its
functions and duties;
Page 182 of 256

i) Engage or contract the services of resource person, professional and
other personnel determined by it as necessary to carry out its mandate;
j) Promulgate its rules and regulations or rules of procedure it deems

necessary to effectively and efficiently carry out the objectives of this Executive Order
and to ensure the orderly conduct of its investigations, proceedings and hearings,
including the presentation of evidence;
k) Exercise such other acts incident to or are appropriate and necessary in

connection with the objectives and purposes of this Order.
SECTION 3. Staffing Requirements. – The Commission shall be assisted by such

assistants and personnel as may be necessary to enable it to perform its functions, and
shall formulate and establish its organization structure and staffing pattern composed of
such administrative and technical personnel as it may deem necessary to efficiently and
effectively carry out its functions and duties prescribed herein, subject to the approval of
the Department of Budget and Management. The officials of the Commission shall in
particular include, but not limited to, the following:
a. General Counsel
b. Deputy General Counsel
c. Special Counsel
d. Clerk of the Commission
SECTION 4. Detail of Employees. – The President, upon recommendation of the

Commission, shall detail such public officers or personnel from other department or
agencies which may be required by the Commission. The detailed officers and personnel
may be paid honoraria and/or allowances as may be authorized by law, subject to
pertinent accounting and auditing rules and procedures.
SECTION 5. Engagement of Experts. – The Truth Commission shall have the

power to engage the services of experts as consultants or advisers as it may deem
necessary to accomplish its mission.
SECTION 6. Conduct of Proceedings. – The proceedings of the Commission

shall be in accordance with the rules promulgated by the Commission. Hearings or
proceedings of the Commission shall be open to the public. However, the Commission,
motu propio, or upon the request of the person testifying, hold an executive or closed-
door hearing where matters of national security or public safety are involved or when the
Page 183 of 256

personal safety of the witness warrants the holding of such executive or closed-door
hearing. The Commission shall provide the rules for such hearing.
SECTION 7. Right to Counsel of Witnesses/Resources Persons. – Any person

called to testify before the Commission shall have the right to counsel at any stage of the
proceedings.
SECTION 8. Protection of Witnesses/Resource Persons. – The Commission shall

always seek to assure the safety of the persons called to testify and, if necessary make
arrangements to secure the assistance and cooperation of the Philippine National Police
and other appropriate government agencies.
SECTION 9. Refusal to Obey Subpoena, Take Oath or Give Testimony. – Any

government official or personnel who, without lawful excuse, fails to appear upon
subpoena issued by the Commission or who, appearing before the Commission refuses to
take oath or affirmation, give testimony or produce documents for inspection, when
required, shall be subject to administrative disciplinary action. Any private person who
does the same may be dealt with in accordance with law.
SECTION 10. Duty to Extend Assistance to the Commission. – The departments,

bureaus, offices, agencies or instrumentalities of the Government, including government-
owned and controlled corporations, are hereby directed to extend such assistance and
cooperation as the Commission may need in the exercise of its powers, execution of its
functions and discharge of its duties and responsibilities with the end in vies of
accomplishing its mandate. Refusal to extend such assistance or cooperation for no valid
or justifiable reason or adequate cause shall constitute a ground for disciplinary action
against the refusing official or personnel.
SECTION 11. Budget for the Commission. – The Office of the President shall
provide the necessary funds for the Commission to ensure that it can exercise its powers,
execute its functions, and perform its duties and responsibilities as effectively, efficiently,
and expeditiously as possible.
SECTION 12. Office. – The Commission may avail itself of such office space
which may be available in government buildings accessible to the public space after
coordination with the department or agencies in control of said building or, if not
available, lease such space as it may require from private owners.
SECTION 13. Furniture/Equipment. – The Commission shall also be entitled to

use such equipment or furniture from the Office of the President which are available. In
Page 184 of 256

the absence thereof, it may request for the purchase of such furniture or equipment by the
Office of the President.
SECTION. 14. Term of the Commission. – The Commission shall accomplish its
mission on or before December 31, 2012.
SECTION 15. Publication of Final Report. – On or before December 31, 2012,

the Commission shall render a comprehensive final report which shall be published upon
the directive of the president. Prior thereto, also upon directive of the President, the
Commission may publish such special interim reports it may issue from time to time.
SECTION 16. Transfer of Records and Facilities of the Commission. – Upon the
completion of its work, the records of the Commission as well as its equipment, furniture
and other properties it may have acquired shall be returned to the Office of the President.
SECTION 17. Special Provision Concerning Mandate. – If and when in the

judgment of the President there is a need to expand the mandate of the Commission as
defined in Section 1 hereof to include the investigation of cases and instances of graft and
SECTION 18. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Order is declared

unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other
provisions hereof.
Section 19. Effectivity. – This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.
DONE in the City of Manila, Philippines, this 30th day of July 2010.
(SGD.) BENIGNO S. AQUINO III
By the President:
(SGD.) PAQUITO N. OCHOA, JR.
Page 185 of 256

Executive Secretary
Without delay, petitioners Biraogo and Congressmen Lagman, Albano,

Datumanong, and Fua filed their respective petitions decrying the constitutionality
of the Truth Commission, primarily, for being a usurpation by the President of the
legislative power to create a public office.
In compliance with our Resolution, the Office of the Solicitor General

(OSG) filed its Consolidated Comment to the petitions. Motu proprio, the Court
heard oral arguments on September 7 and 28, 2010, where we required the parties,
thereafter, to file their respective memoranda.
In his Memorandum, petitioner Biraogo, in the main, contends that E.O. No.
1 violates Section 1, Article VI of the 1987 Constitution because it creates a public
office which only Congress is empowered to do. Additionally, ―considering certain
admissions made by the OSG during the oral arguments,‖ the petitioner questions
the alleged intrusion of E.O. No. 1 into the independence of the Office of the
Ombudsman mandated in, and protected under, Section 5, Article XI of the 1987
Constitution.
Holding parallel views on the invalidity of the E.O., petitioner Members of

the House of Representatives raise the following issues:
I.
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 1 CREATING THE PHILIPPINE TRUTH

COMMISSION OF 2010 VIOLATES THE PRINCIPLE OF
SEPARATION OF POWERS BY USURPING THE POWERS OF THE
CONGRESS (1) TO CREATE PUBLIC OFFICES, AGENCIES AND
COMMISSIONS; AND (2) TO APPROPRIATE PUBLIC FUNDS.
II.
Page 186 of 256

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 1 VIOLATES THE EQUAL PROTECTION
CLAUSE OF THE 1987 CONSTITUTION BECAUSE IT LIMITS THE
JURISDICTION OF THE PHILIPPINE TRUTH COMMISSION TO
OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE ―PREVIOUS
ADMINISTRATION‖ (THE ADMINISTRATION OF OFRMER
PRESIDENT GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO).
III.
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 1 SUPPLANTS THE

CONSTITUTIONALLY MANDATED POWERS OF THE OFFICE OF
THE OMBUDSMAN AS PROVIDED IN THE 1987 CONSTITUTION
AND SUPPLEMENTED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6770 OR THE
―OMBUDSMAN ACT OF 1989.‖
Expectedly, in its Memorandum, the OSG traverses the contention of

petitioners and upholds the constitutionality of E.O. No. 1 on the strength of the
following arguments:
I.
PETITIONERS HAVE NOT AND WILL NOT SUFFER DIRECT

PERSONAL INJURY WITH THE ISSUANCE OF EXECUTIVE
ORDER NO. 1. PETITIONERS DO NOT HAVE LEGAL STANDING
TO ASSAIL THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF EXECUTIVE ORDER
NO. 1.
II.
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 1 IS CONSTITUTIONAL AND VALID.

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 1 DOES NOT ARROGATE THE POWERS
OF CONGRESS TO CREATE A PUBLIC OFFICE AND TO
APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR ITS OPERATIONS.
Page 187 of 256

III.
THE EXECUTIVE CREATED THE TRUTH COMMISSION

PRIMARILY AS A TOOL FOR NATION-BUILDING TO
INDEPENDENTLY DETERMINE THE PRINCIPAL CAUSES AND
CONSEQUENCES OF CORRUPTION AND TO MAKE POLICY
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THEIR REDRESS AND FUTURE
PREVENTION. ALTHOUGH ITS INVESTIGATION MAY
CONTRIBUTE TO SUBSEQUENT PROSECUTORIAL EFFORTS,
THE COMMISSION WILL NOT ENCROACH BUT COMPLEMENT
THE POWERS OF THE OMBUDSMAN AND THE DOJ IN
INVESTIGATING CORRUPTION.
IV.
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 1 IS VALID AND CONSTITUTIONAL. IT

DOES NOT VIOLATE THE EQUAL PROTECTION CLAUSE. THE
TRUTH COMMISSION HAS LEGITIMATE AND LAUDABLE
PURPOSES.
In resolving these issues, the ponencia, penned by the learned Justice Jose
Catral Mendoza, concludes that:
1. Petitioners have legal standing to file the instant petitions; petitioner

Biraogo only because of the transcendental importance of the issues involved,
while petitioner Members of the House of Representatives have standing to
question the validity of any official action which allegedly infringes on their
prerogatives as legislators;
2. The creation of the Truth Commission by E. O. No. 1 is not a valid

exercise of the President‘s power to reorganize under the Administrative Code of
1987;
Page 188 of 256

3. However, the President‘s power to create the herein assailed Truth
Commission is justified under Section 17,413[1] Article VII of the Constitution,
albeit what may be created is merely an ad hoc Commission;
4. The Truth Commission does not supplant the Ombudsman or the

Department of Justice (DOJ) nor erode their respective powers; and
5. Nonetheless, E.O. No. 1 is unconstitutional because it transgresses the

equal protection clause enshrined in Section 1, Article III of the Constitution.
I agree with the ponencia that, given our liberal approach in David v.
Arroyo414[2] and subsequent cases, petitioners have locus standi to raise the
question of constitutionality of the Truth Commission‘s creation. I also concur
with Justice Mendoza‘s conclusion that the Truth Commission will not supplant
the Office of the Ombudsman or the DOJ, nor impermissibly encroach upon the
latter‘s exercise of constitutional and statutory powers.
I agree with the ponencia that the President of the Philippines can create an
ad hoc investigative body. But more than that, I believe that, necessarily implied
from his power of control over all executive departments and his constitutional
duty to faithfully execute the laws, as well as his statutory authority under the
Administrative Code of 1987, the President may create a public office.
However, I find myself unable to concur with Justice Mendoza‘s considered

opinion that E.O. No. 1 breaches the constitutional guarantee of equal protection of
the laws.
Let me elucidate.
413[1]
SEC. 17. The President shall have control of all the executive departments, bureau and offices. He shall
414[2]
G.R. No. 171396, May 3, 2006, 489 SCRA 160.
Page 189 of 256

The Truth Commission is a Public Office
The first of two core questions that confront the Court in this controversy is
whether the President of the Philippines can create a public office. A corollary, as
a consequence of statements made by the Solicitor General during the oral
argument, is whether the Truth Commission is a public office.
A public office is defined as the right, authority, or duty, created and

conferred by law, by which for a given period, either fixed by law or enduring at
the pleasure of the creating power, an individual is invested with some sovereign
power of government to be exercised by him for the benefit of the public.415[3]
Public offices are created either by the Constitution, by valid statutory enactments,
or by authority of law. A person who holds a public office is a public officer.
Given the powers conferred upon it, as spelled out in E.O. No. 1, there can
be no doubt that the Truth Commission is a public office, and the Chairman and
the Commissioners appointed thereto, public officers.
As will be discussed hereunder, it is my respectful submission that the

President of the Philippines has ample legal authority to create a public office, in
this case, the Truth Commission. This authority flows from the President‘s
constitutional power of control in conjunction with his constitutional duty to ensure
that laws be faithfully executed, coupled with provisions of a valid statutory
enactment, E.O. No. 292, otherwise known as the Administrative Code of 1987.
E. O. No. 1 and the Executive Power
Central to the resolution of these consolidated petitions is an understanding

of the ―lines of demarcation‖ of the powers of government, i.e., the doctrine of
415[3]
Fernandez v. Sto. Tomas, 312 Phil. 235, 247 (1995).
Page 190 of 256

separation of powers. The landmark case of Government of the Philippine Islands
v. Springer416[4] has mapped out this legal doctrine:
The Government of the Philippines Islands is an agency of the Congress of the

United States. The powers which the Congress, the principal, has seen fit to entrust to the
Philippine Government, the agent, are distributed among three coordinate departments,
the executive, the legislative, and the judicial. It is true that the Organic Act contains no
general distributing clause. But the principle is clearly deducible from the grant of
powers. It is expressly incorporated in our Administrative Code. It has time and again
been approvingly enforced by this court.
No department of the government of the Philippine Islands may legally exercise

any of the powers conferred by the Organic Law upon any of the others. Again it is true
that the Organic Law contains no such explicit prohibitions. But it is fairly implied by the
division of the government into three departments. The effect is the same whether the
prohibition is expressed or not. It has repeatedly been announced by this court that each
of the branches of the Government is in the main independent of the others. The doctrine
is too firmly imbedded in Philippine institutions to be debatable.
It is beyond the power of any branch of the Government of the Philippine islands
to exercise its functions in any other way than that prescribed by the Organic Law or by
local laws which conform to the Organic Law. The Governor-General must find his
powers and duties in the fundamental law. An Act of the Philippine Legislature must
comply with the grant from Congress. The jurisdiction of this court and other courts is
derived from the constitutional provisions.
xxx
The Organic Act vests ―the supreme executive power‖ in the Governor-General
of the Philippine Islands. In addition to specified functions, he is given ―general
supervisions and control of all the departments and bureaus of the government of the
Philippine Islands as far is not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act.‖ He is also
made ―responsible for the faithful execution of the laws of the Philippine islands and of
the United States operative within the Philippine Islands.‖ The authority of the Governor-
General is made secure by the important proviso ―that all executive functions of
Government must be directly under the governor-General or within one of the executive
departments under the supervision and control of the governor-general.‖ By the
Administrative Code, ―the governor-general, as Chief executive of the islands, is charged
with the executive control of the Philippine Government, to be exercised in person or
through the Secretaries of Departments, or other proper agency, according to law.‖
416[4]
50 Phil. 259 (1927).
Page 191 of 256

These ―lines of demarcation‖ have been consistently recognized and upheld in all
subsequent Organic Acts applied to the Philippines, including the present
fundamental law, the 1987 Constitution.
Section 1, Article VII of the 1987 Constitution417[5] vests executive power in

the President of the Philippines. On the nature of the executive power, Justice
Isagani A. Cruz writes:
Executive power is briefly described as the power to enforce and administer the laws,
but it is actually more than this. In the exercise of this power, the President of the
Philippines assumes a plenitude of authority, and the corresponding awesome
responsibility, that makes him, indeed, the most influential person in the land.418[6]
In National Electrification Administration v. Court of Appeals,419[7] this Court

said that, as the administrative head of the government, the President is vested with
the power to execute, administer and carry out laws into practical operation.
Impressed upon us, then, is the fact that executive power is the power of carrying
out the laws into practical operation and enforcing their due observance.
Relevant to this disquisition are two specific powers that flow from this
―plenitude of authority.‖ Both are found in Section 17, Article VII of the
Constitution.420[8] They are commonly referred to as the power of control and the
take care clause.
Section 17 is a self-executing provision. The President‘s power of control is

derived directly from the Constitution and not from any implementing
417[5]
Section 1. The executive power shall be vested in the President of the Philippines.
418[6]
Cruz, Philippine Political Law (2005 ed.), p. 182.
419[7]
G.R. No. 143481, February 15, 2002.
420[8]
Sec. 17. The President shall have control of all the executive departments, bureaus and offices. He shall
Page 192 of 256

legislation.421[9] On the other hand, the power to take care that the laws be
faithfully executed makes the President a dominant figure in the administration of
the government. The law he is supposed to enforce includes the Constitution itself,
statutes, judicial decisions, administrative rules and regulations and municipal
ordinances, as well as the treaties entered into by our government.422[10] At almost
every cusp of executive power is the President‘s power of control and his
constitutional obligation to ensure the faithful execution of the laws.
Demonstrating the mirabile dictu of presidential power and obligation, we

declared in Ople v. Torres:423[11]
As head of the Executive Department, the President is the Chief Executive. He

represents the government as a whole and sees to it that all laws are enforced by the
officials and employees of his department. He has control over the executive department,
bureaus and offices. This means that he has the authority to assume directly the functions
of the executive department, bureau and office, or interfere with the discretion of its
officials. Corollary to the power of control, the President also has the duty of supervising
the enforcement of laws for the maintenance of general peace and public order. Thus, he
is granted administrative power over bureaus and offices under his control to enable him
to discharge his duties effectively.
Mondano v. Silvosa,424[12] defines the power of control as ―the power of an

officer to alter, modify, or set aside what a subordinate officer had done in the
performance of his duties, and to substitute the judgment of the former for that of
the latter.‖ It includes the authority to order the doing of an act by a subordinate,
or to undo such act or to assume a power directly vested in him by law.425[13]
In this regard, Araneta v. Gatmaitan426[14] is instructive:
If under the law the Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources has authority to
regulate or ban fishing by trawl, then the President of the Philippines may exercise the
421[9]
Cruz, Philippine Political Law (2005 ed.), p. 213.
422[10]
Id. at 216.
423[11]
354 Phil. 948 (1998).
424[12]
97 Phil. 143 (1955).
425[13]
Cruz, Philippine Political Law (2005 ed.), pp. 211-212.
426[14]
101 Phil. 328 (1957).
Page 193 of 256

same power and authority because of the following: (a) The President shall have control
of all the executive departments, bureaus or offices pursuant to Section 10(1), Article VII,
of the Constitution; (b) Executive Orders may be issued by the President under Section
63 of the Revised Administrative Code :governing the general performance of duties by
public employees or disposing of issues of general concern;‖ and (c) Under Section 74 of
the Revised Administrative Code, ―All executive functions of the Government of the
Republic of the Philippines shall be directly under the Executive Department, subject to
the supervision and control of the President of the Philippines in matters of general
policy.‖
Our ruling in City of Iligan v. Director of Lands427[15] echoes the same principle in
this wise:
Since it is the Director of Lands who has direct executive control among others in the
lease, sale or any form of concession or disposition of the land of the public domain
subject to the immediate control of the Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources,
and considering that under the Constitution the President of the Philippines has control
over all executive departments, bureaus and offices, etc., the President of the Philippines
has therefore the same authority to dispose of the portions of the public domain as his
subordinates, the Director of Lands, and his alter-ego the Secretary of Agriculture and
Natural Resources.
From these cited decisions, it is abundantly clear that the overarching

framework in the President‘s power of control enables him to assume directly the
powers of any executive department, bureau or office. Otherwise stated, whatever
powers conferred by law upon subordinate officials within his control are powers
also vested in the President of the Philippines. In contemplation of law, he may
directly exercise the powers of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, the Secretary of
National Defense, the Commissioner of Customs, or of any subordinate official in
the executive department. Thus, he could, for example, take upon himself the
investigatory functions of the Department of Justice, and personally conduct an
investigation. If he decides to do so, he would be at liberty to delegate a portion of
this investigatory function to a public officer, or a panel of public officers, within
his Office and under his control. There is no principle of law that proscribes his
doing so. In this context, the President may, therefore, create an agency within his
Office to exercise the functions, or part of the functions, that he has assumed for
himself. Even the ponencia admits that this can be done.
427[15]
G.R. No.L-30852, February 26, 1988, 158 SCRA 158.
Page 194 of 256

When this power of control is juxtaposed with the constitutional duty to
ensure that laws be faithfully executed, it is obvious that, for the effective exercise
of the take care clause, it may become necessary for the President to create an
office, agency or commission, and charge it with the authority and the power that
he has chosen to assume for himself. It will not simply be an exercise of the power
of control, but also a measure intended to ensure that laws are faithfully executed.
To reiterate, the take care clause is the constitutional mandate for the
President to ensure that laws be faithfully executed. Dean Vicente G. Sinco
observed that the President‘s constitutional obligation of ensuring the faithful
execution of the laws ―is a fundamental function of the executive head [involving]
a two-fold task, [i.e.,] the enforcement of laws by him and the enforcement of laws
by other officers under his direction.‖ 428[16]
As adverted to above, the laws that the President is mandated to execute

include the Constitution, statutes, judicial decisions, administrative rules and
regulations and municipal ordinances. Among the constitutional provisions that
the President is obliged to enforce are the following General Principles and State
Policies of the 1987 Philippine Constitution:
Section 4, Article II: The prime duty of government is to serve and protect the people x
xx
Section 5, Article II: The maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life, liberty
and property, and promotion of the general welfare are essential for the enjoyment by all
the people of the blessings of democracy.
Section 9, Article II: The State shall promote a just and dynamic social order that will
ensure the prosperity and independence of the nation and free the people from poverty
through policies that provide adequate social services, promote full employment, a rising
standard of living, and an improved quality of life for all.
428[16]
Sinco, Philippine Political Law (10th ed.), p. 260.
Page 195 of 256

Section 13, Article II: The State values the dignity of every human person and
guarantees full respect for human rights.
Section 27, Article II: The State shall maintain honesty and integrity in the public
service and take positive and effective measures against graft and corruption.
Section 28, Article II: Subject to reasonable conditions prescribed by law, the State
adopts and implements a policy of full public disclosure of all its transactions involving
public interest.
Closer to home, as head of the biggest bureaucracy in the country, the President
must also see to the faithful execution of Section 1, Article XI of the Constitution,
which reads: “Public office is a public trust. Public officers and employees must at
all times be accountable to the people; serve them with utmost responsibility,
integrity, loyalty and efficiency; act with patriotism and justice; and lead modest
lives.”
These are constitutional provisions the enforcement of which is inextricably

linked to the spirit and objective of E.O. No. 1.
Although only Section 1, Article XI, is cited in the Whereas clauses of E. O.

No. 1, the President is obliged to execute the other constitutional principles as well.
Absent any law that provides a specific manner in which these constitutional
provisions are to be enforced, or prohibits any particular mode of enforcement, the
President could invoke the doctrine of necessary implication, i.e., that the express
grant of the power in Section 17, Article VII, for the President to faithfully execute
the laws, carries with it the grant of all other powers necessary, proper, or
incidental to the effective and efficient exercise of the expressly granted
power.429[17] Thus, if a Truth Commission is deemed the necessary vehicle for the
faithful execution of the constitutional mandate on public accountability, then the
power to create the same would necessarily be implied, and reasonably derived,
from the basic power granted in the Constitution. Accordingly, the take care
clause, in harmony with the President‘s power of control, along with the pertinent
429[17]
See Marcos v. Manglapus, G.R. No. 88211, September 15, 1989, 178 SCRA 760.
Page 196 of 256

provisions of the Administrative Code of 1987, would justify the issuance of E. O.
No. 1 and the creation of the Truth Commission.
Further to this discussion, it is cogent to examine the administrative

framework of Executive Power, as outlined in the Administrative Code.
Quite logically, the power of control and the take care clause precede all
others in the enumeration of the Powers of the President. Section 1, Book III, Title
I simply restates the constitutional provision, to wit:
SECTION 1. Power of Control.—The President shall have control of all the executive
departments, bureaus, and offices. He shall ensure that the laws be faithfully executed.
Next in the enumeration is the ordinance power of the President which defines
executive orders, thus:
SEC. 2. Executive Orders. - Acts of the President providing for rules of a general or
permanent character in implementation or execution of constitutional or statutory powers
shall be promulgated in executive orders.
At the bottom of the list are the other powers (Chapter 7, Book III of the Code) of
the President, which include the residual power, viz:
SEC. 19. Powers Under the Constitution.—The President shall exercise such other
powers as are provided for in the Constitution.
SEC. 20. Residual Powers.—Unless Congress provides otherwise, the president shall
exercise such other powers and functions vested in the President which are provided for
under the laws and which are not specifically enumerated above, or which are not
delegated by the President in accordance with law.
Page 197 of 256

In addition, pursuant to the organizational structure of the Executive
Department,430[18] one of the powers granted to the President is his continuing
authority to reorganize his Office:431[19]
SEC. 31. Continuing Authority of the President to Reorganize his Office. - The
President, subject to the policy in the Executive Office and in order to achieve simplicity,
economy and efficiency, shall have continuing authority to reorganize the administrative
structure of the Office of the President. For this purpose, he may take any of the
following actions:
(1) Restructure the internal organization of the Office of the President Proper,
including the immediate Offices, the Presidential Special Assistants/Advisers
System and the Common staff Support System, by abolishing, consolidating or
merging units thereof or transferring functions from one unit to another;
(2) Transfer any function under the Office of the President to any other Department
or Agency as well as transfer functions to the Office of the President from other
Departments and Agencies; and
(3) Transfer any agency under the Office of the President to any other department or
agency as well as transfer agencies to the Office of the President from other
departments or agencies.
Consistent therewith, the Administrative Code provides in Section 1,

Chapter 1, Book IV (The Executive Branch) that ―[t]he Executive Branch shall
have such Departments as are necessary for the functional distribution of the work
of the President and for the performance of their functions.‖ Hence, the primary
articulated policy in the Executive Branch is the organization and maintenance of
the Departments to insure their capacity to plan and implement programs in
accordance with established national policies.432[20]
With these Administrative Code provisions in mind, we note the triptych

function of the Truth Commission, namely: (1) gather facts; (2) investigate; and (3)
recommend, as set forth in Section 1 of E.O. No. 1:
430[18]
See Chapter 8, Title II, Book III of the Administrative Code.
431[19]
Section 31, Chapter 10, Title III, Book III of the Administrative Code.
432[20]
Section 2, Chapter 1, Book IV of the 1987 Administrative Code.
Page 198 of 256

SECTION 1. Creation of a Commission. – There is hereby created the PHILIPPINE
TRUTH COMMISSION, hereinafter referred to as the ―COMMISSION,‖ which shall [1]
primarily seek and find the truth on, and toward this end, [2] investigate reports of
graft and corruption of such scale and magnitude that shock and offend the moral and
ethical sensibilities of the people, committed by the public officers and employees, their
co-principals, accomplices and accessories from the private sector, if any, during the
previous administration; and thereafter [3] recommend the appropriate action or
measure to be taken thereon to ensure that the full measure of justice shall be served
without fear or favor. (emphasis and numbering supplied)
It is plain to see that the Truth Commission‘s fact-finding and investigation into
―reports of large scale corruption by the previous administration‖ involve policy-
making on issues of fundamental concern to the President, primarily, corruption
and its linkage to the country‘s social and economic development.
On this point, I differ from the ponencia, as it reads the President‘s power to
reorganize in a different light, viz:
The question, therefore, before the Court is this: Does the creation of the Truth
Commission fall within the ambit of the power to reorganize as expressed in Section 31
of the Revised Administrative Code? Section 31 contemplates ―reorganization‖ as limited
by the following functional and structural lines: (1) restructuring the internal organization
of the Office of the President Proper by abolishing, consolidating or merging units
thereof or transferring functions from one unit to another; (2) transferring any function
under the Office of the President to any other Department/Agency or vice versa; or (3)
transferring any agency under the Office of the President to any other
Department/Agency or vice versa. Clearly, the provision refers to reduction of personnel,
consolidation of offices, or abolition thereof by reason of economy or redundancy of
functions. These point to situations where a body or an office is already existent by a
modification or alteration thereof has to be effected. The creation of an office is nowhere
mentioned, much less envisioned in said provision. Accordingly, the answer is in the
negative.
xxx
xxx [T]he creation of the Truth Commission is not justified by the president‘s
power of control. Control is essentially the power to alter or modify or nullify or set aside
what a subordinate officer had done in the performance of his duties and to substitute the
judgment of the former with that of the latter. Clearly, the power of control is entirely
Page 199 of 256

different from the power to create public offices. The former is inherent in the Executive,
while the latter finds basis from either a valid delegation from Congress, or his inherent
duty to faithfully execute the laws.
I am constrained to disagree because, contrary to the ponencia’s holding, the

President‘s power to reorganize is not limited by the enumeration in Section 31 of
the Administrative Code.
As previously discussed, the President‘s power of control, in conjunction

with his constitutional obligation to faithfully execute the laws, allows his direct
assumption of the powers and functions of executive departments, bureaus and
offices.433[21] To repeat, the overarching framework in the President‘s power of
control enables him to assume directly the functions of an executive department.
On the macro level, the President exercises his power of control by directly
assuming all the functions of executive departments, bureaus or offices. On the
micro level, the President may directly assume certain or specific, not all,
functions of a Department. In the milieu under which the Truth Commission is
supposed to operate, pursuant to E. O. No. 1, only the investigatory function of the
DOJ for certain crimes is directly assumed by the President, then delegated to the
Truth Commission. After all, it is axiomatic that the grant of broad powers includes
the grant of a lesser power; in this case, to be exercised — and delegated —at the
President‘s option.
My conclusion that the transfer of functions of a Department to the Office of

the President falls within the President‘s power of reorganization is reinforced by
jurisprudence.
In Larin v. Executive Secretary,434[22] the Court sustained the President‘s

power to reorganize under Section 20, Book III of E.O. 292, in relation to PD No.
1416, as amended by PD No. 1772:
Another legal basis of E.O. No. 132 is Section 20, Book III of E.O. No. 292
which states:
433[21]
Ople v. Torres, 354 Phil 949 (1998).
434[22]
Page 200 of 256

―Sec. 20. Residual Powers.—Unless Congress provides otherwise, the President
shall exercise such other powers and functions vested in the President which are
provided for under the laws and which are not specifically enumerated above or which
are not delegated by the President in accordance with law.
This provision speaks of such other powers vested in the president under the law.
What law then gives him the power to reorganize? It is Presidential decree No. 1772
which amended Presidential Decree no. 1416. These decrees expressly grant the
President of the Philippines the continuing authority to reorganize the national
government, which includes the power to group, consolidate bureaus and agencies, to
abolish offices, to transfer functions, to create and classify functions, services and
activities and to standardize salaries and materials. The validity of these two decrees are
unquestionable. The 1987 Constitution clearly provides that ―all laws, decrees, executive
orders, proclamations, letters of instructions and other executive issuances not
inconsistent with this Constitution shall remain operative until amended, repealed or
revoked.‖ So far, there is yet not law amending or repealing said decrees.
Subsequently, Buklod ng Kawaning EIIB v. Zamora,435[23] affirmed the

holding in Larin and explicitly recognized the President‘s authority to transfer
functions of other Departments or Agencies to the Office of the President,
consistent with his powers of reorganization, to wit:
But of course, the list of legal basis authorizing the President to reorganize any
department or agency in the executive branch does not have to end here. We must not
lose sight of the very sources of the power—that which constitutes an express grant of
power. Under Section 31, Book III of Executive Order No. 292 (otherwise known as the
Administrative Code of 1987), “the President, subject to the policy in the Executive
Office and in order to achieve simplicity, economy and efficiency, shall have the
continuing authority to reorganize the administrative structure of the Office of the
president.” For this purpose, he may transfer the functions of other Departments or
Agencies to the Office of the President. In Canonizado v. Aguirre, we ruled that
reorganization “involves the reduction of personnel, consolidation of offices, or abolition
thereof by reason of economy or redundancy of functions.” It takes place when there is an
alteration of the existing structure of government or units therein, including the lines of
control, authority and responsibility between them. xxx (emphasis supplied)
435[23]
G.R Nos. 142801-142802, July 10, 2001, 360 SCRA 718.
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Then, and quite significantly, in Bagaoisan v. National Tobacco
Administration,436[24] this Court clarified the nature of the grant to the President of
the power to reorganize the administrative structure of the Office of the President,
thus:
In the recent case of Rosa Ligaya C. Domingo, et. al. v. Hon. Ronaldo d. Zamora,
in his capacity as the Executive Secretary, et. al., this Court has had occasion to also
delve on the President‘s power to reorganize the Office of the President under Section 31
(2) and (3) of Executive Order No. 292 and the power to reorganize the Office of the
President Proper. The Court has there observed:
―x x x. Under Section 31(1) of E.O. 292, the President can reorganize the Office
of the President Proper by abolishing, consolidating or merging units, or by transferring
functions from one unit to another. In contrast, under Section 31(2) and (3) of EO 292,
the President‘s power to reorganize offices outside the Office of the President Proper but
still within the Office of the President is limited to merely transferring functions or
agencies from the Office of the President to Departments or Agencies, and vice versa.‖
The provisions of Section 31, Book III, Chapter 10, of Executive Order No. 292
(Administrative code of 1987), above-referred to, reads thusly:
Sec. 31. Continuing Authority of the President to Reorganize his

Office. - The President, subject to the policy in the Executive Office and
in order to achieve simplicity, economy and efficiency, shall have
continuing authority to reorganize the administrative structure of the
Office of the President. For this purpose, he may take any of the
following actions:

Assistants/Advisers System and the Common staff Support System,
by abolishing, consolidating or merging units thereof or transferring
functions from one unit to another;
(2) Transfer any function under the Office of the President to any other
Department or Agency as well as transfer functions to the Office of
the President from other Departments and Agencies; and
436[24]
G.R. No. 152845, August 5, 2003, 408 SCRA 337.
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(3) Transfer any agency under the Office of the President to any other
department or agency as well as transfer agencies to the Office of the
President from other departments or agencies.
The first sentence of the law is an express grant to the President of a continuing authority
to reorganize the administrative structure of the Office of the President. The succeeding
numbered paragraphs are not in the nature of provisos that unduly limit the aim
and scope of the grant to the President of the power to reorganize but are to be
viewed in consonance therewith. Section 31(1) of Executive order No. 292 specifically
refers to the President‘s power to restructure the internal organization of the Office of the
President Proper, by abolishing, consolidating or merging units hereof or transferring
functions from unit to another, while Section 31(2) and (3) concern executive offices
outside the Office of the President Proper allowing the President to transfer any
function under the Office of the President to any other Department or Agency and
vice versa, and the transfer of any agency under the Office of the President to any
other department or agency and vice versa. (Emphasis supplied)
Notably, based on our ruling in Bagaoisan, even if we do not consider P.D.

No. 1416, as amended by P.D. No. 1772, the abstraction of the Truth
Commission, as fortified by the President‘s power to reorganize found in
paragraph 2, Section 31 of the Administrative Code, is demonstrably permitted.
That the Truth Commission is a derivative of the reorganization of the

Office of the President should brook no dissent. The President is not precluded
from transferring and re-aligning the fact-finding functions of the different
Departments regarding certain and specific issues, because ultimately, the
President‘s authority to reorganize is derived from the power-and-duty nexus
fleshed out in the two powers granted to him in Section 17, Article VII of the
Constitution.437[25]
437[25]
Sinco, Philippine Political Law, p. 261,
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I earnestly believe that, even with this Court‘s expanded power of judicial
review, we still cannot refashion, and dictate on, the policy determination made by
the President concerning what function, of whichever Department, regarding
specific issues, he may choose to directly assume and take cognizance of. To do so
would exceed the boundaries of judicial authority and encroach on an executive
prerogative. It would violate the principle of separation of powers, the
constitutional guarantee that no branch of government should arrogate unto itself
those functions and powers vested by the Constitution in the other branches.438[26]
In fine, it is my submission that the Truth Commission is a public office

validly created by the President of the Philippines under authority of law, as an
adjunct of the Office of the President — to which the President has validly
delegated the fact-finding and investigatory powers [of the Department of Justice]
which he had chosen to personally assume. Further, it is the product of the
President‘s exercise of the power to reorganize the Office of the President granted
under the Administrative Code.
This conclusion inevitably brings to the threshold of our discussion the

matter of the ―independence‖ of the Truth Commission, subject of an amusing
exchange we had with the Solicitor General during the oral argument, and to which
the erudite Justice Arturo D. Brion devoted several pages in his Separate
Concurring Opinion. The word ―independent,‖ as used in E. O. No. 1, cannot be
understood to mean total separateness or full autonomy from the Office of the
President. Being a creation of the President of the Philippines, it cannot be totally
dissociated from its creator. By the nature of its creation, the Truth Commission is
intimately linked to the Office of the President, and the Executive Order, as it
were, is the umbilical cord that binds the Truth Commission to the Office of the
President.
The word ―independent,‖ used to describe the Commission, should be

interpreted as an expression of the intent of the President: that the Truth
Commission shall be accorded the fullest measure of freedom and objectivity in
438[26]
See Tañada v. Angara, 338 Phil. 546 (1997), where the Court did not ―review the wisdom of the President
and the Senate in enlisting the country into the WTO, or pass upon the merits of trade liberalization as a policy
espoused by the said international body.‖ The issue passed upon by the Court was limited to determining whether
there had been a grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction on the part of the Senate in
ratifying the WTO Agreement and its three annexes.
Page 204 of 256

the pursuit of its mandate, unbound and uninhibited in the performance of its duties
by interference or undue pressure coming from the President. Our exchange
during the oral argument ended on this note: that while the Truth Commission is,
technically, subject to the power of control of the President, the latter has
manifested his intention, as indicated in the Executive Order, not to exercise the
power over the acts of the Commission.
E. O. No. 1 and the Equal Protection Clause
Enshrined in Section 1, Article III of the Philippine Constitution is the

assurance that all persons shall enjoy the equal protection of the laws, expressed as
follows:
Section 1. No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due

process of law, nor shall any person be denied the equal protection of the laws.
(emphasis supplied)
The equality guaranteed under this clause is equality under the same
conditions and among persons similarly situated; it is equality among equals, not
similarity of treatment of persons who are classified based on substantial
differences in relation to the object to be accomplished.439[27] When things or
persons are different in fact or circumstances, they may be treated in law
differently. On this score, this Court has previously intoned that:
The equal protection of the laws clause of the Constitution allows classification.
Classification in law, as in the other departments of knowledge or practice, is the
grouping of things in speculation or practice because they agree with one another in
certain particulars. A law is not invalid because of simple inequality. The very idea of
classification is that of inequality, so that it goes without saying that the mere fact of
inequality in no manner determines the matter of constitutionality. All that is required of
a valid classification should be based on substantial distinctions which make for real
differences; that it must be germane to the purpose of the law; that it must not be limited
to existing conditions only; and that it must apply equally to each member of the class.
439[27]
British American Tobacco v. Camacho, G.R. No. 163583, August 20, 2008, 562 SCRA 511.
Page 205 of 256

This Court has held that the standard is satisfied if the classification or distinction is
based on a reasonable foundation or rational basis and is not palpably arbitrary.440[28]
Thus, when a statute or executive action is challenged on the ground that it violates
the equal protection clause, the standards of judicial review are clear and
unequivocal:
It is an established principle in constitutional law that the guaranty of the equal

protection of the laws is not violated by a legislation based on a reasonable classification.
Classification, to be valid, must: (1) rest on substantial distinctions; (2) be germane to the
purpose of the law; (3) not be limited to existing conditions only; and (4) apply equally to
all members of the same class.441[29]
Further, in a more recent decision, we also declared:
In consonance thereto, we have held that ―in our jurisdiction, the standard and
analysis of equal protection challenges in the main have followed the ‗rational basis‘
test, coupled with a deferential attitude to legislative classifications and a reluctance
to invalidate a law unless there is a showing of a clear and unequivocal breach of the
Constitution.‖ x x x.
Under this test, a legislative classification, to survive an equal protection challenge,

must be shown to rationally further a legitimate state interest. The classifications must be
reasonable and rest upon some ground of difference having a fair and substantial relation
to the object of the legislation. Since every law has in its favor the presumption of
constitutionality, the burden of proof is on the one attacking the constitutionality of the
law to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the legislative classification is without rational
basis. The presumption of constitutionality can be overcome only by the most explicit
demonstration that a classification is a hostile and oppressive discrimination against
particular persons and classes, and that there is no conceivable basis which might support
it.442[30]
The ―rational basis‖ test is one of three ―levels of scrutiny‖ analyses

developed by courts in reviewing challenges of unconstitutionality against statutes
440[28]
Victoriano v. Elizalde Rope Workers’ Union, 158 Phil. 60 (1974).
441[29]
Coconut Oil Refiners Association v. Torres, 503 Phil. 42, 53-54 (2005).
442[30]
British American Tobacco, v. Camacho, et al., supra note 27.
Page 206 of 256

and executive action. Carl Cheng, in his dissertation, ―Important Right and the
Private Attorney General Doctrine,‖443[31] enlightens us, thus:
[I]n the area of equal protection analysis, the judiciary has developed a ‗level of
scrutiny‘ analysis for resolving the tensions inherent in judicial review. When engaging
in this analysis, a court subjects the legislative or executive action to one of three levels
of scrutiny, depending on the class of persons and the rights affected by the action. The
three levels are rational basis scrutiny, intermediate scrutiny, and strict scrutiny. If a
particular legislative or executive act does not survive the appropriate level of scrutiny,
the act is held to be unconstitutional. If it does survive, it is deemed constitutional. The
three tensions discussed above and, in turn, the three judicial responses to each, run
parallel to these three levels of scrutiny. In response to each tension, the court applies a
specific level of scrutiny.
He goes on to explain these ―levels of scrutiny‖, as follows:
The first level of scrutiny, rational basis scrutiny, requires only that the purpose of
the legislative or executive act not be invidious or arbitrary, and that the act‘s
classification be reasonably related to the purpose. Rational basis scrutiny is applied to
legislative or executive acts that have the general nature of economic or social welfare
legislation. While purporting to set limits, rational basis scrutiny in practice results in
complete judicial deference to the legislature or executive. Thus, a legislative or
executive act which is subject to rational basis scrutiny is for all practical purposes
assured of being upheld as constitutional.
The second level of scrutiny, intermediate scrutiny, requires that the purpose of the
legislative or executive act be an important governmental interest and that the act‘s
classification be significantly related to the purpose. Intermediate scrutiny has been
applied to classifications based on gender and illegitimacy. The rationale for this higher
level of scrutiny is that gender and illegitimacy classifications historically have resulted
from invidious discrimination. However, compared to strict scrutiny, intermediate
scrutiny‘s presumption of invidious discrimination is more readily rebutted, since benign
motives are more likely to underlie classifications triggering intermediate scrutiny.
The third level of scrutiny is strict scrutiny. Strict scrutiny requires that the
legislative or executive act‘s purpose be a compelling state interest and that the act‘s
classification be narrowly tailored to the purpose. Strict scrutiny is triggered in two
situations: (1) where the act infringes on a fundamental right; and (2) where the act‘s
classification is based on race or national origin. While strict scrutiny purports to be only
443[31]
California Law Review 1929, December 1985.
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a very close judicial examination of legislative or executive acts, for all practical
purposes, an act subject to strict scrutiny is assured of being held unconstitutional.
(Citations omitted.)
It is noteworthy that, in a host of cases, this Court has recognized the applicability
of the foregoing tests. Among them are City of Manila v. Laguio, Jr.,444[32] Central
Bank Employees Association v. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas,445[33] and British
American Tobacco v. Camacho, et al.,446[34] in all of which the Court applied the
minimum level of scrutiny, or the rational basis test.
It is important to remember that when this Court resolves an equal protection

challenge against a legislative or executive act, ―[w]e do not inquire whether the
[challenged act] is wise or desirable xxx. Misguided laws may nevertheless be
constitutional. Our task is merely to determine whether there is ‗some rationality
in the nature of the class singled out.‘‖447[35]
Laws classify in order to achieve objectives, but the classification may not
perfectly achieve the objective.448[36] Thus, in Michael M. v. Supreme Court of
Sonoma County,449[37] the U.S. Supreme Court said that the relevant inquiry is not
whether the statute is drawn as precisely as it might have been, but whether the line
chosen [by the legislature] is within constitutional limitations. The equal
protection clause does not require the legislature to enact a statute so broad that it
may well be incapable of enforcement.450[38]
It is equally significant to bear in mind that when a governmental act draws

up a classification, it actually creates two classes: one consists of the people in the
―statutory class‖ and the other consists precisely of those people necessary to
444[32]
G.R. No. 118127, April 12, 2005, 455 SCRA 308.
445[33]
487 Phil. 531 (2004).
446[34]
Supra note 27.
447[35]
Prince Eric Fuller v. State of Oregon, 417 U.S., 40, 94 S.Ct.2116, 40 L.Ed.2d 577.
448[36]
Calvin Massey, Roadmap of Constitutional Law, Aspen Law & Business, 1997, p. 301.
449[37]
450 U.S. 464, 101 S.Ct. 1200, U.S. Cal., 1981, March 23, 1981.
450[38]
Id.
Page 208 of 256

achieve the objective of the governmental action (the ―objective class‖).451[39] It
could happen that –
The ―statutory class‖ may include ―more‖ than is necessary in the classification to
achieve the objective. If so, the law is ―over-inclusive.‖ The classification may also
include ―less‖ than is necessary to achieve the objective. If so, the statute is ―under-
inclusive.‖
A curfew law, requiring all persons under age eighteen to be off the streets between
the hours of midnight and 6 a.m., presumably has as its objective the prevention of street
crime by minors; this is ―over-inclusive‖ since the class of criminal minors (the objective
class) is completely included in the class of people under age eighteen (the statutory
class), but many people under age eighteen are not part of the class of criminal minors.
A city ordinance that bans streetcar vendors in a heavily visited ―tourist quarter‖ of
the city in order to alleviate sidewalk and street congestion is ―under-inclusive‖. All
streetcar vendors (the statutory class) contribute toward sidewalk and street congestion,
but the class of people causing sidewalk and street congestion (the objective class) surely
includes many others as well.
It is rare if not virtually impossible for a statutory class and an objective class to
coincide perfectly.452[40]
And, as the ponencia itself admits, ―under-inclusion‖ or ―over-inclusion, per se, is

not enough reason to invalidate a law for violation of the equal protection clause,
precisely because perfection in classification is not required.453[41]
Thus, in the determination of whether the classification is invidious or

arbitrary, its relation to the purpose must be examined. Under the rational basis
test, the presence of any plausible legitimate objective for the classification, where
the classification serves to accomplish that objective to
451[39]
Massey, Roadmap of Constitutional Law, Aspen Law & Business, 1997, p. 301.
452[40]
Id. at 302-302.
453[41]
Id. at 303.
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any degree, no matter how tiny, would validate the classification. To be
invalidated on constitutional grounds, the test requires that the classification must
have one of the following traits: (1) it has absolutely no conceivable legitimate
purpose; or (2) it is so unconnected to any conceivable objective, that it is absurd,
utterly arbitrary, whimsical, or even perverse.454[42]
Given the foregoing discussion on this constitutional guarantee of equal

protection, we now confront the question: Does the mandate of Executive Order
No. 1, for the Truth Commission to investigate ―graft and corruption during the
previous administration,‖ violate the equal protection clause?
I answer in the negative.
First, because Executive Order No. 1 passes the rational basis test.
To repeat, the first level of scrutiny known as the rational basis test, requires
only that the purpose of the legislative or executive act not be invidious or
arbitrary, and that the act‘s classification be reasonably related to the purpose. The
classification must be shown to rationally further a legitimate state interest. 455[43] In
its recent equal protection jurisprudence, the Court has focused primarily upon (1)
the ―rationality‖ of the government‘s distinction, and (2) the ―purpose‖ of that
distinction.
To the point, we look at the definition of an executive order and the

articulated purpose of E.O. No. 1.
An executive order is an act of the President providing for rules in

implementation or execution of constitutional or statutory powers.456[44] From this
definition, it can easily be gleaned that E. O. No. 1 is intended to implement a
454[42]
Id.
455[43]
Id. at 299.
456[44]
Section 2, Book III, Title I, Administrative Code.
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number of constitutional provisions, among others, Article XI, Section 1. In fact,
E.O. No. 1 is prefaced with the principle that ―public office is a public trust‖ and
―public officers and employees, who are servants of the people, must at all time be
accountable to the latter, serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty
and efficiency, act with patriotism and justice, and lead modest lives.‖
What likewise comes to mind, albeit not articulated therein, is Article II,
Section 27, of the 1987 Constitution, which declares that ―[t]he State shall
maintain honesty and integrity in the public service and take positive and effective
measures against graft and corruption.‖ In addition, the immediately following
section provides: ―[s]ubject to reasonable conditions prescribed by law, the State
adopts and implements a policy of full public disclosure of all its transactions
involving public interest.‖457[45] There is also Article XI, Section 1, which sets the
standard of conduct of public officers, mandating that ―[p]ublic officers and
employees must, at all times, be accountable to the people, serve them with utmost
responsibility, integrity, loyalty, and efficiency; act with patriotism and justice, and
lead modest lives.‖ There is, therefore, no gainsaying that the enforcement of
these provisions, i.e., the fight against corruption, is a compelling state interest.
Not only does the Constitution oblige the President to ensure that all laws be
faithfully executed,458[46] but he has also taken an oath to preserve and defend the
Constitution.459[47] In this regard, the President‘s current approach to restore public
accountability in government service may be said to involve a process, starting
with the creation of the Truth Commission.
It is also no secret that various commissions had been established by

previous Presidents, each specifically tasked to investigate certain reports and
issues in furtherance of state interest. Among the latest of such commissions is the
Zeñarosa Commission, empowered to investigate the existence of private armies,
as well as the Maguindanao Massacre.460[48]
457[45]
CONSTITUTION, Section 28, Article II.
458[46]
CONSTITUTION, Section 17, Article VII.
459[47]
CONSTITUTION, Section, 5, Article VII.
460[48]
See Annex ―A‖ of the Respondent‘s Memorandum.
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Under E.O. No. 1, the President initially classified the investigation of
reports of graft and corruption during the previous administration because of his
avowed purpose to maintain the public trust that is characteristic of a public office.
The first recital (paragraph) of E.O. No. 1 does not depart therefrom. The
succeeding recitals (paragraphs) enumerate the causality of maintaining public
office as a public trust with corruption as ―among the most despicable acts of
defiance of this principle and notorious violation of this mandate.‖ Moreover, the
President views corruption as ―an evil and scourge which seriously affects the
political, economic, and social life of a nation.‖ Thus, the incumbent President has
determined that the first phase of his fight against graft and corruption is to have
reports thereof during the previous administration investigated. There is then a
palpable relation between the supposed classification and the articulated purpose of
the challenged executive order.
The initial categorization of the issues and reports which are to be the
subject of the Truth Commission‘s investigation is the President‘s call. Pursuing a
system of priorities does not translate to suspect classification resulting in violation
of the equal protection guarantee. In his assignment of priorities to address
various government concerns, the President, as the
Page 212 of 256

Chief Executive, may initially limit the focus of his inquiry and investigate
issues and reports one at a time. As such, there is actually no differential treatment
that can be equated to an invalid classification.
E.O. No. 1 cannot be subjected to the strict level of scrutiny simply because
there is a claimed inequality on its face or in the manner it is to be applied. On its
face, there is actually no class created. The ponencia harps on three provisions in
the executive order directing the conduct of an investigation into cases of large
scale graft and corruption ―during the previous administration.‖ On that basis, the
ponencia concludes that there is invidious discrimination, because the executive
order is focused only on the immediate past administration.
I disagree. While the phrase ―previous administration‖ alludes to persons,

which may, indeed, be a class within the equal protection paradigm, it is important
to note that the entire phrase is ―during the previous administration,‖ which
connotes a time frame that limits the scope of the Commission‘s inquiry. The
phrase does not really create a separate class; it merely lays down the pertinent
period of inquiry. The limited period of inquiry, ostensibly (but only initially)
excluding administrations prior to the immediate past administration, is not, per se,
an intentional and invidious discrimination anathema to a valid classification.
Even granting that the phrase creates a class, E.O. No. 1 has not, as yet, been given
any room for application, since barely a few days from its issuance, it was
subjected to a constitutional challenge. We cannot allow the furor generated by
this controversy over the creation of the Truth Commission to be an excuse to
apply the strict scrutiny test, there being no basis for a facial challenge, nor for an
―as-applied‖ challenge.
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To reiterate for emphasis, the determination of the perceived instances of
graft and corruption that ought to claim priority of investigation is addressed to the
executive, as it involves a policy decision. This determination must not to be
overthrown simply because there are other instances of graft and corruption which
the Truth Commission should also investigate.461[49] In any event, Section 17 of
E.O. No. 1 responds to this objection, when it provides:
SECTION 17. Special Provision Concerning Mandate. – If and when in the judgment of
the President there is a need to expand the mandate of the Commission as defined in
Section 1 hereof to include the investigation of cases and instances of graft and
It may also be pointed out that E.O. No. 1 does not confer a right nor deprive
anyone of the exercise of his right. There is no right conferred nor liability
imposed that would constitute a burden on fundamental rights so as to justify the
application of the strict scrutiny test. A fact-finding investigation of certain acts of
public officers committed during a specific period hardly merits this Court‘s
distraction from its regular functions. If we must exercise the power of judicial
review, then we should use the minimum level of scrutiny, the rational basis test.
On more than one occasion, this Court denied equal protection challenges to
statutes without evidence of a clear and intentional discrimination.462[50] The
pervasive theme in these rulings is a claim of discriminatory prosecution, not
simply a claim of discriminatory investigation. In People v. Piedra,463[51] we
explained:
The prosecution of one guilty person while others equally guilty are not
prosecuted, however, is not, by itself, a denial of the equal protection of the laws. Where
the official action purports to be in conformity to the statutory classification, an erroneous
or mistaken performance of the statutory duty, although a violation of the statute, is not
without more a denial of the equal protection of the laws. The unlawful administration by
officers of a statute fair on its face, resulting in its unequal application to those who are
entitled to be treated alike, is not a denial of equal protection unless there is shown to be
461[49]
See: Miller v. Wilson, 236 U.S. 373, 384, 35 S. Ct. 342, 59 L. Ed. 628 (1915).
462[50]
See People v. Dumlao, G.R. No. 168198, March 2, 2009, 580 SCRA 409 citing Santos v. People and People
v. Dela Piedra.
463[51]
G.R. No. 121777, January 24, 2001, 350 SCRA 163.
Page 214 of 256

present in it an element of intentional or purposeful discrimination. This may appear on
the face of the action taken with respect to a particular class or person, or it may only be
shown by extrinsic evidence showing a discriminatory design over another not to be
inferred from the action itself. But a discriminatory purpose is not presumed, there
must be a showing of "clear and intentional discrimination." Appellant has failed to
show that, in charging appellant in court, that there was a "clear and intentional
discrimination" on the part of the prosecuting officials.
The discretion of who to prosecute depends on the prosecution's sound assessment

whether the evidence before it can justify a reasonable belief that a person has committed
an offense. The presumption is that the prosecuting officers regularly performed
their duties, and this presumption can be overcome only by proof to the contrary,
not by mere speculation. Indeed, appellant has not presented any evidence to overcome
this presumption. The mere allegation that appellant, a Cebuana, was charged with the
commission of a crime, while a Zamboangueña, the guilty party in appellant's eyes, was
not, is insufficient to support a conclusion that the prosecution officers denied appellant
equal protection of the laws. There is also common sense practicality in sustaining
appellant's prosecution.
While all persons accused of crime are to be treated on a basis of equality before the law,
it does not follow that they are to be protected in the commission of crime. It would be
unconscionable, for instance, to excuse a defendant guilty of murder because others have
murdered with impunity. The remedy for unequal enforcement of the law in such
instances does not lie in the exoneration of the guilty at the expense of society x x x.
Protection of the law will be extended to all persons equally in the pursuit of their lawful
occupations, but no person has the right to demand protection of the law in the
commission of a crime.
Likewise, [i]f the failure of prosecutors to enforce the criminal laws as to some persons
should be converted into a defense for others charged with crime, the result would be that
the trial of the district attorney for nonfeasance would become an issue in the trial of
many persons charged with heinous crimes and the enforcement of law would suffer a
complete breakdown. (emphasis supplied.)
Evidently, the abstraction of the President‘s power to directly prosecute

crimes, hand in hand with his duty to faithfully execute the laws, carries with it the
lesser power of investigation. To what extent, then, should this Court exercise its
review powers over an act of the President directing the conduct of a fact-finding
investigation that has not even commenced? These are clearly issues of wisdom
and policy. Beyond what is presented before this Court, on its face, the rest
remains within the realm of speculation.
It bears stressing that by tradition, any administration‘s blueprint for

governance covers a wide range of priorities. Contrary to the ponencia’s
Page 215 of 256
conclusion, such a roadmap for governance obviously entails a ―step by step‖
process in the President‘s system of priorities.
Viewed in this context, the fact that the ―previous administration‖ was
mentioned thrice in E.O. No. 1, as pointed out by the ponencia, is not ―purposeful
and intentional discrimination‖ which violates the equal protection clause. Such a
circumstance does not demonstrate a ―history of purposeful unequal treatment, or
relegated to such a position of political powerlessness as to command
extraordinary protection from the majoritarian political process.‖464[52] It simply
has to be taken in the light of the President‘s discretion to determine his
government‘s priorities.
It, therefore, remains unclear how the equal protection clause is violated
merely because the E. O. does not specify that reports of large scale graft and
corruption in other prior administrations should likewise be investigated. Notably,
the investigation of these reports will not automatically lead to prosecution, as E.O
No. 1 only authorizes the investigation of certain reports with an accompanying
recommended action.
464[52]
State v. Hatori, 92 Hawaii 217, 225 [1999] citing State v. Sturch, 82 Hawaii 269, 276 [1996].
Page 216 of 256

The following provisions of the executive order are too clear to brook objection:
1. 5th Whereas Clause

WHEREAS, there is an urgent call for the determination of the truth regarding certain
reports of large scale graft and corruption in the government and to put a closure to them
by the filing of the appropriate cases against those involved, if warranted, and to deter
others from committing the evil, restore the people‘s faith and confidence in the
2. Section 1
SECTION 1. Creation of a Commission. – There is hereby created the PHILIPPINE

TRUTH COMMISSION, hereinafter referred to as the ―COMMISSION,‖ which shall
primarily seek and find the truth on, and toward this end, investigate reports of graft and
corruption of such scale and magnitude that shock and offend the moral and ethical
sensibilities of the people, committed by the public officers and employees, their co-
favor.
3. Section 2
SECTION 2. Powers and Functions. – The Commission, which shall have all the powers
of an investigative body under Section 37, Chapter 9, Book I of the Administrative Code
of 1987, is primarily tasked to conduct a thorough fact-finding investigation of reported
cases of graft and corruption referred to in Section 1, involving third level public officers
and higher, their co-principals, accomplices and accessories from the private sector, if
any, during the previous administration and thereafter submit its finding and
recommendation to the President, Congress and the Ombudsman.
Second, petitioners do not even attempt to overthrow the presumption of

constitutionality of executive acts. They simply hurl pastiche arguments hoping
that at least one will stick.
Page 217 of 256

In any imputed violations of the equal protection clause, the standard of
judicial review is always prefaced by a presumption of constitutionality:
As this Court enters upon the task of passing on the validity of an act of a co-
equal and coordinate branch of the Government, it bears emphasis that deeply ingrained
in our jurisprudence is the time-honored principle that statute is presumed to be valid.
This presumption is rooted in the doctrine of separation of powers which enjoins upon the
three coordinate departments of the Government a becoming courtesy for each other‘s
acts. Hence, to doubt is to sustain. The theory is that before the act was done or the law
was enacted, earnest studies were made by Congress, or the President, or both, to insure
that the Constitution would not be breached. This Court, however, may declare a law, or
portions thereof, unconstitutional where a petitioner has shown a clear and unequivocal
breach of the Constitution, not merely a doubtful or argumentative one. In other words,
before a statute or a portion thereof may be declared unconstitutional, it must be shown
that the statute or issuance violates the Constitution clearly, palpably and plainly, and in
such a manner as to leave no doubt or hesitation in the mind of the Court.465[53]
Clearly, the acts of the President, in the exercise of his or her power, is
preliminarily presumed constitutional such that the party challenging the
constitutionality thereof (the executive act) on equal protection grounds bears the
heavy burden of showing that the official act is arbitrary and capricious.466[54]
Indeed, laws or executive orders, must comply with the basic requirements
of the Constitution, and as challenged herein, the equal protection of the laws.
Nonetheless, only in clear cases of invalid classification violative of the equal
protection clause will this Court strike down such laws or official actions.
Third, petitioner Members of the House of Representatives are not proper

parties to challenge the constitutionality of E.O. No. 1 on equal protection
grounds. Petitioner Members of the House of Representatives cannot take up
the lance for the previous administration. Under all three levels of scrutiny
earlier discussed, they are precluded from raising the equal protection of the
laws challenge. The perceptive notation by my esteemed colleague, Justice
Carpio Morales, in her dissent, comes to life when she observes that petitioner
Members of the House of Representatives cannot vicariously invoke violation
of equal protection of the laws. Even assuming E.O. No. 1 does draw a
classification, much less an unreasonable one, petitioner Members of the House
465[53]
Coconut Oil Refiners Association, Inc., et al. v. Hon. Ruben Torres, et. al., 503 Phil. 42, 53-54 (2005).
466[54]
People v. Dela Piedra, 403 Phil. 31 (2001).
Page 218 of 256

of Representatives, as well as petitioner Biraogo, are not covered by the
supposed arbitrary and unreasonable classification.
If we applied both intermediate and strict scrutiny, the nakedness of petitioners‘

arguments are revealed because they do not claim violation of any of their
fundamental rights, nor do they cry discrimination based on race, gender and
illegitimacy. Petitioners‘ equal protection clause challenge likewise dissolves
when calibrated against the purpose of E.O. No. 1 and its supposed
classification of the administration which the Truth Commission is tasked to
investigate. Nowhere in the pleadings of petitioners and their claim of violation
of separation of powers and usurpation of legislative power by the executive is
it established how such violation or usurpation translates to violation by E.O.
No. 1 of the equal protection of the laws. Thus, no reason exists for the majority
to sustain the challenge of equal protection if none of the petitioners belong to
the class, claimed by the majority to be, discriminated against.
Finally, I wish to address the proposition contained in Justice Brion‘s

concurrence— the creation of the Truth Commission has a reasonable objective,
albeit accomplished through unreasonable means. According to him, E.O. No. 1
is objectionable on due process grounds as well. He propounds that the ―truth-
telling‖ function of the Truth Commission violates due process because it
primes the public to accept the findings of the Commission as actual and gospel
truth.
Considering all the foregoing discussion, I must, regrettably, disagree with

the suggestion. Peculiar to our nation is a verbose Constitution. Herein
enshrined are motherhood statements— exhortations for public officers to
follow. A quick perusal of E.O. No. 1 bears out a similar intonation. Although
the Solicitor General may have made certain declarations, read as admissions
by the other Members of this Court, these cannot bind the Supreme Court in
interpreting the constitutional grant of executive power. The matter is simply a
failure of articulation which cannot be used to diminish the power of the
executive. On the whole, the erroneous declarations of the Solicitor General,
preempting and interpreting the President‘s exercise of executive power beyond
the articulated purpose of E.O. No. 1, is not equivalent to the wrongful exercise
by the President of executive power.
Page 219 of 256

Let me then close this dissertation with Marcos v. Manglapus467[55] which
trailblazed and redefined the extent of judicial review on the powers of the co-
equal branches of government, in particular, executive power:
Under the Constitution, judicial power includes the duty to ―determine whether
or not there has been a grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of
jurisdiction on the party of any branch or instrumentality of the Government.‖ xxx
The present Constitution limits resort to the political question doctrine and
broadens the scope of judicial inquiry into areas which the Court, under previous
constitutions, would have normally left to the political departments to decide. But
nonetheless there remain issues beyond the Court‘s jurisdiction the determination which
is exclusively for the President, for Congress or for the people themselves through a
plebiscite or referendum. We cannot, for example, question the President‘s recognition of
a foreign government, no matter how premature or improvident such action may appear.
We cannot set aside a presidential pardon though it may appear to us that the beneficiary
is totally undeserving of the grant. Nor can we amend the Constitution under the guise of
resolving a dispute brought before us because the power is reserved to the people.
There is nothing in the case before us that precludes our determination thereof on
the political question doctrine. The deliberation of the Constitutional Commission cited
by petitioners show that the framers intended to widen the scope of judicial review but
they did not intend courts of justice to settle all actual controversies before them. When
political questions are involved, the Constitution limits the determination to whether or
not there has been a grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction
on the part of the official whose action is being questioned. If grave abuse is not
established, the Court will not substitute its judgment for that of the official concerned
and decide a matter which by its nature or by law is for the latter alone to decide. In this
light, it would appear clear that the second paragraph of Article VIII, Section 1 of the
Constitution, defining ―judicial power,‖ which specifically empowers the courts to
determine whether or not there has been a grave abuse of discretion on the part of any
branch or instrumentality of the government, incorporates in the fundamental law the
ruling in Lansang v. Garcia that:
Article VII of the [1935] Constitution vests in the Executive the power to
suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus under specified
conditions. Pursuant to the principle of separation of powers underlying
our system of government, the Executive is supreme within his own
sphere. However, the separation of powers, under the Constitution, is not
absolute. What is more, it goes hand in hand with the system of checks
and balances, under which the Executive is supreme, as regards the
suspension of the privilege, but only if and when he acts within the
sphere allotted to him by the Basic Law, and the authority to determine
467[55]
G.R. No. 88211, September 15, 1989, 177 SCRA 668, 695-697.
Page 220 of 256

whether or not he has so acted is vested in the Judicial Department,
which, in this respect, is, in turn, constitutionally supreme.
In the exercise of such authority, the function of the Court is

merely to check—not to supplant—the Executive, or to ascertain merely
whether he has gone beyond the constitutional limits of his jurisdiction,
not to exercise the power vested in him or to determine the wisdom of his
act.
It is for the foregoing reasons that I vote to DISMISS the petitions.
ANTONIO EDUARDO B. NACHURA

Associate Justice
G.R. No. 192935 (LOUIS ―BAROK‖ C. BIRAOGO vs.

THE PHILIPPINE TRUTH COMMISSION OF 2010)
G.R. No. 193036 (REP. EDCEL C. LAGMAN, REP. RODOLFO B.

ALBANO, JR., REP. SIMEON A. DATUMANONG and
REP. ORLANDO B. FUA, SR. vs. EXECUTIVE
SECRETARY PAQUITO N. OCHOA, JR. and
DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT
SECRETARY FLORENCIO B. ABAD)
Promulgated:
December 7, 2010
x--------------------------------------------------x
Page 221 of 256

CONCURRING OPINION
LEONARDO-DE CASTRO, J.:
I concur in the result of the ponencia of Justice Jose Catral Mendoza and
join the separate opinions of my colleagues, Chief Justice Renato C. Corona,
Justice Arturo D. Brion and Justice Jose Portugal Perez. I vote to declare
Executive Order No. 1 (EO No. 1) unconstitutional, as a well-intentioned, but ill-
devised, presidential issuance that transgresses the boundaries of executive power
and responsibility set by the Constitution and our laws.
While I agree with the majority consensus that equal protection is an issue
that must be resolved in these consolidated petitions, the weightier legal obstacles
to the creation of the Philippine Truth Commission (the Commission) by executive
order deserve greater attention in this discussion.
If the Commission created by EO No. 1 were a living person, it would be

suffering from the most acute identity crisis. Is it an independent body? Is it a mere
ad hoc fact-finding body under the control of the President? And in either case,
what legal repercussion does its creation have on our constitutionally and
statutorily developed system for investigating and prosecuting graft and corruption
cases?
Indeed, from the answers to these questions, it becomes evident that those
who have designed this constitutional anomaly designated as a ―truth commission‖
have painted themselves into a legal corner with no escape.
If the Commission is an office independent of the President, then its creation by executive fiat is
unconstitutional.
Page 222 of 256

The concept of a ―truth commission‖ in other jurisdictions has a primordial
characteristic – independence. As a body created to investigate and report on the
―truth‖ of historical events (ordinarily involving State violations of human rights
en masse) in a country in transition from an authoritarian regime to a democratic
one or from a conflict situation to one of peace, the freedom of the members of the
truth commission from any form of influence is paramount to ensure the credibility
of any findings it may make.
Thus, ―truth commissions‖ have been described in this wise:
Truth commissions are non-judicial, independent panels of inquiry typically

set up to establish the facts and context of serious violations of human rights or of
international humanitarian law in a country‘s past. Commissions‘ members are usually
empowered to conduct research, support victims, and propose policy recommendations to
prevent recurrence of crimes. Through their investigations, the commissions may aim to
discover and learn more about past abuses, or formally acknowledge them. They may aim
to prepare the way for prosecutions and recommend institutional reforms. Most
commissions focus on victims‘ needs as a path toward reconciliation and reducing
conflict about what occurred in the past.468[1] (Emphases supplied.)
Notably, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human
Rights likewise lists operational independence as one of the core principles in the
establishment of a truth commission:
The legitimacy and public confidence that are essential for a successful truth commission
process depend on the commission‘s ability to carry out its work without political
interference. Once established, the commission should operate free of direct influence
or control by the Government, including in its research and investigations,
budgetary decision-making, and in its report and recommendations. Where financial
oversight is needed, operational independence should be preserved. Political authorities
should give clear signals that the commission will be operating independently. 469[2]
(Emphases supplied.)
468[1]
From the website of the International Center for Transitional Justice, http://ictj.org/en/tj/138.html,
accessed on December 6, 2010.
469[2]
Rule-of-Law Tools for Post-Conflict States: Truth Commissions, Office of the United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations, New York and Geneva (2006) at p. 6.
Page 223 of 256
With due respect, I disagree with Justice Antonio T. Carpio‘s opinion that
the naming of the body created by EO No. 1 as the ―Philippine Truth Commission‖
was a mere attempt to be novel, to depart from the tired and repetitious scheme of
naming a commission after its appointed head/leader or of calling it a ―fact-
finding‖ body. Obviously, the title given to the Commission is meant to convey
the message that it is independent of the Office of the President.
Those who dissent from the majority position gloss over the fact that EO No.
1 itself expressly states that the Commission‘s members shall ―act as an
independent collegial body.‖470[3] During oral arguments, the Solicitor General
confirmed that what EO No. 1 intended is for the Commission to be an
independent body over which the President has no power of control.471[4] The
Solicitor General further claimed that one of the functions of the Commission is
―truth-telling.‖ Verily, the creation of the Philippine Truth Commission and its
naming as such were done as a deliberate reference to the tradition of independent
truth commissions as they are conceived in international law, albeit adapted to a
particular factual situation in this jurisdiction.
If this Philippine Truth Commission is an office independent of the President

and not subject to the latter‘s control and supervision, then the creation of the
Commission must be done by legislative action and not by executive order. It is
undisputed that under our constitutional framework only Congress has the power to
create public offices and grant to them such functions and powers as may be
necessary to fulfill their purpose. Even in the international sphere, the creation of
the more familiar truth commissions has been done by an act of legislature.472[5]
Neither can the creation of the Commission be justified as an exercise of the

delegated legislative authority of the President to reorganize his office and the
executive department under Section 31, Chapter 10, Title III, Book III of the
470[3]
Section 1, EO No. 1.
471[4]
TSN, September 28, 2010, pp. 209-215, cited in the Separate Opinion of Justice Brion.
472[5]
To cite a few examples: The South African ―Truth and Reconciliation Commission‖ was
established under the Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Act 34 of 1995 passed by
that country‘s parliament. The ―National Unity and Reconciliation Commission‖ in Rwanda was
officially set up in 1999 by an act of the Transitional National Assembly.
Page 224 of 256
Administrative Code of 1987. The acts of reorganization authorized under said
provision are limited to the following:
SEC. 31. Continuing Authority of the President to Reorganize his Office.

The President, subject to the policy in the Executive Office and in order to
achieve simplicity, economy and efficiency, shall have continuing authority to

Proper, including the immediate Offices, the Presidential Special Assistants/Advisers
System and the Common Support System, by abolishing, consolidating or merging
units thereof or transferring functions from one unit to another;
(2) Transfer any function under the Office of the President to any other
Department or Agency as well as transfer functions to the Office of the President from
other Departments and Agencies; and
(3) Transfer any agency under the Office of the President to any other department
or agency as well as transfer agencies to the Office of the President from other
Departments or Agencies. (Emphases supplied.)
There is nothing in EO No. 1 that indicates that the Commission is a part of

the executive department or of the Office of the President Proper. Indeed, it is
Justice Carpio who suggests that the President may appoint the commissioners of
the Philippine Truth Commission as presidential special assistants or advisers in
order that the Commission be subsumed in the Office of the President Proper and
to clearly place EO No. 1 within the ambit of Section 31. To my mind, the fact
that the commissioners are proposed to be appointed as presidential advisers is an
indication that the Philippine Truth Commission was initially planned to be
independent of the President and the subsequent appointment of the commissioners
as presidential advisers will be merely curative of the patent defect in the creation
of the Commission by an Executive Order, as an independent body.
I agree with Justice Brion that what EO No. 1 sought to accomplish was not
a mere reorganization under the delegated legislative authority of the President.
Page 225 of 256

The creation of the Philippine Truth Commission did not involve any restructuring
of the Office of the President Proper nor the transfer of any function or office from
the Office of the President to the various executive departments and vice-versa.
The Commission is an entirely new specie of public office which, as discussed in
the concurring opinions, is not exercising inherently executive powers or functions
but infringing on functions reserved by the Constitution and our laws to other
offices.
If the Commission is under the control and supervision of the President, and not an independent
body, the danger that the Commission may be used for partisan political ends is real and not
imagined.
For the sake of argument, let us accept for the moment the propositions of
our dissenting colleagues that:
(a) The Commission is not a separate public office independent of the

President;
(b) The Commission is an executive body (or a part of the Office of

the President Proper) that may be created by the President
through an executive order under Section 31; and
(c) The Commission is merely an ad hoc fact-finding body intended

to apprise the President of facts that will aid him in the
fulfillment of his duty to ensure the faithful execution of the
laws.
If the foregoing statements are true, then what EO No. 1 created is a body
under the control and supervision of the President. In fact, if the commissioners
are to be considered special advisers to the President, the Commission would be a
body that serves at the pleasure of the President. Proponents who support the
creation of the Commission in the manner provided for under EO No. 1 should
drop all arguments regarding the purported independence and objectivity of the
proceedings before it.
Page 226 of 256
Indeed, EO No. 1 itself is replete with provisions that indicate that the
existence and operations of the Commission will be dependent on the Office of the
President. Its budget shall be provided by the Office of the President 473[6] and
therefore it has no fiscal autonomy. The reports of the Commission shall be
published upon the directive of the President.474[7] Further, if we follow the legal
premises of our dissenting colleagues to their logical conclusion, then the
Commission as a body created by executive order may likewise be abolished (if it
is part of the Presidential Special Assistants/Advisers System of the Office of the
President Proper) or restructured by executive order. EO No. 1 may be amended,
modified, and repealed all by executive order. More importantly, if the
Commission is subject to the power of control of the President, he may reverse,
revise or modify the actions of the Commission or even substitute his own decision
for that of the Commission.
Whether by name or by nature, the Philippine Truth Commission cannot be

deemed politically ―neutral‖ so as to assure a completely impartial conduct of its
purported fact-finding mandate. I further concur with Chief Justice Corona that
attempts to ―sugar coat‖ the Philippine Truth Commission‘s functions as
―harmless‖ deserve no credence.
The purported functions to be served by the Commission, as the concurring opinions vividly
illustrate, will subvert the functions of the Ombudsman and the constitutional and statutory
developed criminal justice system.
First, it is apparent on the face of EO No. 1 that in general ―it is primarily

tasked to conduct a thorough fact-finding investigation of reported cases of graft
and corruption [of such scale and magnitude that shock and offend the moral and
ethical sensibilities of the people], involving third level public officers and higher,
their co-principals, accomplices and accessories from the private sector, if any,
during the previous administration.‖475[8] I agree with the Chief Justice‘s
proposition that there is no law authorizing the President to create a body to
investigate persons outside the executive department in relation to graft and
473[6]
Section 11 of EO No. 1.
474[7]
Section 15 of EO No. 1.
475[8]
Section 2, EO No. 1 with phrase in brackets supplied from Section 1.
Page 227 of 256
corruption cases, concurrently with the Office of the Ombudsman which has such
express legal authority. Indeed, even in jurisprudence, the instances when the
power of the President to investigate and create ad hoc committees for that purpose
were upheld have been usually related to his power of control and discipline over
his subordinates or his power of supervision over local government units.
In Ganzon v. Kayanan,476[9] a case involving the investigation of a mayor, we

held that the power of the President to remove any official in the government
service under the Revised Administrative Code and his constitutional power of
supervision over local governments were the bases for the power of the President
to order an investigation of any action or the conduct of any person in the
government service, and to designate the official committee, or person by whom
such investigation shall be conducted.
In Larin v. Executive Secretary,477[10] where the petitioner subject of the

investigation was an Assistant Commissioner in the Bureau of Internal Revenue,
we held that:
Being a presidential appointee, he comes under the direct disciplining authority of the
President. This is in line with the well settled principle that the "power to remove is
inherent in the power to appoint" conferred to the President by Section 16, Article VII of
the Constitution. Thus, it is ineluctably clear that Memorandum Order No. 164,
which created a committee to investigate the administrative charge against
petitioner, was issued pursuant to the power of removal of the President. x x x.478[11]
(Emphases supplied.)
In a similar vein, it was ruled in Joson v. Executive Secretary,479[12] that:
476[9]
104 Phil. 483 (1958).
477[10]
345 Phil. 962 (1997).
478[11]
Id. at 974.
479[12]
352 Phil. 888 (1998).
Page 228 of 256
The power of the President over administrative disciplinary cases against elective
local officials is derived from his power of general supervision over local governments.
Section 4, Article X of the 1987 Constitution provides:
Sec. 4. The President of the Philippines shall exercise general

supervision over local governments. Provinces with respect to
component cities and municipalities, and cities and municipalities
with respect to component barangays shall ensure that the acts of
their component units are within the scope of their prescribed
powers and functions."
The power of supervision means "overseeing or the authority of an officer to see that
the subordinate officers perform their duties. If the subordinate officers fail or neglect
to fulfill their duties, the official may take such action or step as prescribed by law to
make them perform their duties. The President's power of general supervision means
no more than the power of ensuring that laws are faithfully executed, or that
subordinate officers act within the law. Supervision is not incompatible with
discipline. And the power to discipline and ensure that the laws be faithfully
executed must be construed to authorize the President to order an investigation of
the act or conduct of local officials when in his opinion the good of the public service
so requires.480[13] (Emphases ours.)
Still on the same point, Department of Health v. Camposano481[14] likewise

discussed that:
The Chief Executive‘s power to create the Ad Hoc Investigating Committee

cannot be doubted. Having been constitutionally granted full control of the Executive
Department, to which respondents belong, the President has the obligation to ensure
that all executive officials and employees faithfully comply with the law. With AO
298 as mandate, the legality of the investigation is sustained. Such validity is not
affected by the fact that the investigating team and the PCAGC had the same
composition, or that the former used the offices and facilities of the latter in conducting
the inquiry.482[15] (Emphases supplied.)
480[13]
Id. at 913-914.
481[14]
496 Phil. 886 (2005).
482[15]
Id. at 896-897.
Page 229 of 256
Second, the functions of the Commission, although ostensibly only
recommendatory, are basically prosecutorial in nature and not confined to
objective fact finding. EO No. 1 empowers the Commission to, among others:
SECTION 2. x x x.
xxxx
(b) Collect, receive, review and evaluate evidence related to or regarding the
cases of large scale corruption which it has chosen to investigate, and to this end require
any agency, official or employee of the Executive Branch, including government-owned
or controlled corporations, to produce documents, books, records and other papers;
xxxx
(g) Turn over from time to time, for expeditious prosecution to the appropriate
prosecutorial authorities, by means of a special or interim report and recommendation, all
evidence on corruption of public officers and employees and their private sector co-
principals, accomplices or accessories, if any, when in the course of its investigation the
Commission finds that there is reasonable ground to believe that they are liable for graft
and corruption under pertinent applicable laws. (Emphasis ours.)
I agree with Justice Perez that the aforementioned functions run counter to
the very purpose for the creation of the Office of the Ombudsman, to
constitutionalize a politically independent office responsible for public
accountability as a response to the negative experience with presidential
commissions. His discussion on the constitutional history of the Office of the
Ombudsman and the jurisprudential bases for its primary jurisdiction over cases
cognizable by the Sandiganbayan (i.e., specific offenses, including graft and
corruption, committed by public officials as provided for in Presidential Decree
No. 1606, as amended) is apropos indeed.
I likewise find compelling Justice Brion‘s presentation regarding the

Commission‘s ―truth-telling‖ function‘s potential implications on due process
rights and the right to a fair trial and the likelihood of duplication of, or
Page 230 of 256
interference with, the investigatory or adjudicatory functions of the Ombudsman
and the courts. I need not repeat Justice Brion‘s comprehensive and lucid
discussion here. However, I do find it fitting to echo here former Chief Justice
Claudio Teehankee, Sr.‘s dissenting opinion in Evangelista v. Jarencio,483[16] the
oft-cited authority for the President‘s power to investigate, where he stated that:
The thrust of all this is that the State with its overwhelming and vast powers and
resources can and must ferret out and investigate wrongdoing, graft and corruption
and at the same time respect the constitutional guarantees of the individual's right
to privacy, silence and due process and against self-incrimination and unreasonable
search and seizure. x x x.484[17] (Emphases ours.)
The constitutional mandate for public accountability and the present

administration‘s noble purpose to curb graft and corruption simply cannot justify
trivializing individual rights equally protected under the Constitution. This Court
cannot place its stamp of approval on executive action that is constitutionally
abhorrent even if for a laudable objective, and even if done by a President who has
the support of popular opinion on his side. For the decisions of the Court to have
value as precedent, we cannot decide cases on the basis of personalities nor on
something as fickle and fleeting as public sentiment. It is worth repeating that our
duty as a Court is to uphold the rule of law and not the rule of men.
Concluding Statement
Section 1, Article VIII of the 1987 Constitution provides:
Section 1. The judicial power shall be vested in one Supreme Court and in such
lower courts as may be established by law.
Judicial power includes the duty of the courts of justice to settle actual
controversies involving rights which are legally demandable and enforceable, and to
determine whether or not there has been a grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or
excess of jurisdiction on the part of any branch or instrumentality of the Government.
483[16]
160-A Phil. 753 (1975).
484[17]
Id. at 776.
Page 231 of 256
Undeniably, from the foregoing, judicial review is not only a power but a
constitutional duty of the courts. The framers of our Constitution found an
imperative need to provide for an expanded scope of review in favor of the ―non-
political‖ courts as a vital check against possible abuses by the political branches
of government. For this reason, I cannot subscribe to Justice Maria Lourdes
Sereno‘s view that the Court‘s exercise of its review power in this instance is
tantamount to supplanting the will of the electorate. A philosophical view that the
exercise of such power by the Judiciary may from a certain perspective be
―undemocratic‖ is not legal authority for this Court to abdicate its role and duty
under the Constitution. It also ignores the fact that it is the people by the
ratification of the Constitution who has given this power and duty of review to the
Judiciary.
The insinuations that the members of the majority are impelled by improper
motives, being countermajoritarian and allowing graft and corruption to proliferate
with impunity are utterly baseless. Not only are these sort of ad hominem attacks
and populist appeals to emotion fallacious, they are essentially non-legal
arguments that have no place in a debate regarding constitutionality. At the end of
the day, Justices of this Court must vote according to their conscience and their
honest belief of what the law is in a particular case. That is what gives us courage
to stand by our actions even in the face of the harshest criticism. Those who read
our opinions, if they are truly discerning, will be able to determine if we voted on
points of law and if any one of us was merely pandering to the appointing power.
Needless to say, this Court will fully support the present administration‘s
initiatives on transparency and accountability if implemented within the bounds of
the Constitution and the laws that the President professes he wishes to faithfully
execute. Unfortunately, in this instance, EO No. 1 fails this ultimate legal litmus
test.
TERESITA J. LEONARDO-DE CASTRO

Page 232 of 256
Associate Justice
G.R. No. 192935 (Louis ―Barok‖ C. Biraogo v. The Philippine Truth

Commission of 2010) and G.R. No. 193036 (Rep. Edcel C. Lagman, Rep.
Rodolfo B. Albano, Jr., Rep. Simeon A. Datumanong and Rep. Orlando B.
Fua, Sr., v. Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr. and Department and
Management Secretary Florencio B. Abad).
Promulgated:
December 7, 2010
x-------------------------------------------------- x
SEPARATE CONCURRING OPINION
PERALTA, J.:
On July 30, 2010, President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III issued Executive
Order (E.O.) No. 1 creating the Philippine Truth Commission of 2010 (Truth
Commission), which is ―primarily tasked to conduct a thorough fact-finding
investigation of reported cases of graft and corruption x x x involving third level
public officers and higher, their co-principals, accomplices and accessories from
the private sector, if any, during the previous administration and thereafter submit
its findings and recommendations to the President, Congress and the
Ombudsman.‖
Petitioners filed their respective petitions questioning the constitutionality of

E.O. No. 1. In G.R. No. 193036, petitioners, as members of the House of
Representatives, have legal standing to impugn the validity of E.O. No. 1, since
they claim that E.O. No. 1 infringes upon their prerogatives as legislators. 485[1] In
G.R. No. 192935, petitioner, who filed his petition as a taxpayer, may also be
accorded standing to sue, considering that the issues raised are of transcendental
importance to the public.486[2] The people await the outcome of the President‘s
effort to implement his pledge to find out the truth and provide closure to the
reported cases of graft and corruption during the previous administration. The
485[1]
See David v. Macapagal-Arroyo, G.R. No. 171396, May 3, 2006, 489 SCRA 160.
486[2]
Kilosbayan, Incorporated v. Guingona, Jr., G.R. No. 113375, May 5, 1994, 232 SCRA 110.
Page 233 of 256

constitutional issues raised by petitioners seek the determination of whether or not
the creation of the Truth Commission is a valid exercise by the President of his
executive power.
Petitioners contend that E.O. No. 1 is unconstitutional, because only

Congress may create a public office, pursuant to Section 1, Article VI of the
Constitution.487[3]
Respondents, through the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), counter that
the issuance of E.O. No. 1 is mainly supported by Section 17, Article VII of the
Constitution,488[4] Section 31, Title III, Book III of E.O. No. 292, and Presidential
Decree (P.D.) No. 1416, as amended by P.D. No. 1772.
Quoted in E.O. No. 1 as the legal basis for its creation is Section 31, Title
III, Book III of E.O. No. 292, otherwise known as the Revised Administrative Code
of 1987, which provides:
SEC. 31. Continuing Authority of the President to Reorganize his
Office. – The President, subject to the policy in the Executive Office and in order
to achieve simplicity, economy and efficiency, shall have continuing authority to
(1) Restructure the internal organization of the Office of the

President Proper, including the immediate Offices, the Presidential
Special Assistants/Advisers System and the Common Staff
Support System, by abolishing, consolidating or merging units
thereof or transferring functions from one unit to another;
(2) Transfer any function under the Office of the President

to any other Department or Agency as well as transfer functions to
the Office of the President from other Departments and Agencies;
and
(3) Transfer any agency under the Office of the

President to any other department or agency as well as transfer
agencies to the Office of the President from other departments and
agencies.
487[3]
Sec. 1. The legislative power shall be vested in the Congress of the Philippines which shall consist of a
Senate and a House of Representatives, except to the extent reserved to the people by the provision on initiative and
referendum.
488[4]
Sec. 17. The President shall have control of all executive departments, bureaus and offices. He shall ensure
that the laws be faithfully executed.
Page 234 of 256

In Bagaoisan v. National Tobacco Administration,489[5] the Court held that
the first sentence of the law is an express grant to the President of a continuing
authority to reorganize the administrative structure of the Office of the President.
Section 31(1) of Executive Order No. 292 specifically refers to the President‘s
power to restructure the internal organization of the Office of the President Proper,
by abolishing, consolidating or merging units thereof or transferring functions
from one unit to another.490[6] Section 31(2) and (3) concern executive offices
outside the Office of the President Proper allowing the President to transfer any
function under the Office of the President to any other department or agency and
vice-versa, and the transfer of any agency under the Office of the President to any
other department or agency and vice-versa.491[7]
Thus, the reorganization in Section 31 involves abolishing, consolidating or

merging units in the Office of the President Proper or transferring functions from
one unit to another in the Office of the President Proper, and the transfer of any
function or any agency under the Office of the President to any other department or
agency and vice-versa. Nowhere is it stated that the President can create an office
like the Truth Commission, which does not result from any reorganization under
Section 31. Hence, the said section cannot be used to justify the creation of the
Truth Commission.
Moreover, in its Comment, the OSG stated that one of the bases for the
creation of E.O. No. 1 is P.D. No. 1416, as amended by P.D. No. 1772, which
amendment was enacted by President Ferdinand E. Marcos on January 15, 1981.
P.D. No. 1416, as amended, is inapplicable as basis in the creation of the

Truth Commission, since it was intended by President Ferdinand E. Marcos to
promote efficiency and flexibility in the organization of the national government to
strengthen the government bureaucracy when the government was in the transition
from presidential to the parliamentary form of government. This is evident in the
preamble of P.D. No. 1416,492[8] which states:
WHEREAS, the transition toward the parliamentary form of government

will necessitate flexibility in the organization of the national government; x x
x493[9]
489[5]
G.R. No. 152845, August 5, 2003, 408 SCRA 337.
490[6]
Id. (Emphasis supplied.)
491[7]
Id. (Emphasis supplied.)
492[8]
Enacted on June 9, 1978.
493[9]
Emphasis supplied.
Page 235 of 256

The OSG admitted during the oral argument494[10] that the 1987 Constitution
ended the power of the President to reorganize the national government. It is noted
that President Ferdinand E. Marcos exercised legislative power concurrently with
the interim Batasang Pambansa (1976) and, subsequently, with the regular
Batasang Pambansa (1984).495[11] After the February 1986 revolution, President
Corazon C. Aquino assumed revolutionary legislative power, and issued
Proclamation No. 3, the Provisional Freedom Constitution. Section 3, Article I of
Proclamation No. 3 abolished the Batasang Pambansa, while Section 1, Article II
of the said Proclamation vested legislative power in the President until a
legislature would be elected and convened under a new Constitution. Thus,
Section 6, Article XVIII (Transitory Provisions) of the 1987 Constitution provides
that ―[t]he incumbent President (President Corazon Aquino) shall continue to
exercise legislative powers until the first Congress is convened.‖496[12]
In view of the foregoing, the decision in Larin v. Executive Secretary497[13]

insofar as P.D. No. 1416, as amended by P.D. No. 1772, is cited as a law granting
the President the power to reorganize, needs to be re-examined.
Assuming that P.D. No. 1416, as amended, is still a valid law, it cannot be
the basis of the creation of the Truth Commission, because all the cases, from
Larin v. Executive Secretary;498[14] Buklod ng Kawaning EIIB v. Zamora;499[15]
Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications v.
Mabalot;500[16] Bagaoisan v. National Tobacco Administration;501[17] Department
of Environment and Natural Resources v. DENR Region 12 Employees;502[18]
Tondo Medical Center Employees Association v. Court of Appeals;503[19] Malaria
Employees and Workers Association of the Philippines, Inc. (MEWAP) v.
Romulo504[20] to Banda v. Ermita,505[21] which cited P.D. No. 1416, as amended, as
a basis to reorganize, involved reorganization or streamlining of an agency of the
494[10]
Conducted on September 28, 2010.
495[11]
Joaquin G. Bernas, S.J., The Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines, A Commentary, Vol. II, First
edition, pp. 70-73, citing Legaspi v. Minister of Finance, 115 SCRA 418. (1982).
496[12]
Id. at 73.
497[13]
498[14]
Id.
499[15]
G.R. Nos. 142801-802, July 10, 2001, 360 SCRA 718.
500[16]
G.R. No. 138200, February 27, 2002, 378 SCRA 128.
501[17]
Supra note 5.
502[18]
G.R. No. 149724, August 19, 2003, 409 SCRA 359.
503[19]
G.R. No. 167324, July 17, 2007, 527 SCRA 746.
504[20]
G.R. No. 160093, July 31, 2007, 528 SCRA 673.
505[21]
G.R. No. 166620, April 20, 2010.
Page 236 of 256

Executive Department. However, the Truth Commission was not created for
streamlining purposes.
The purpose of reorganization under P.D. No. 1416, as amended by P.D. No.
1772, is to ―promote simplicity, economy and efficiency in the government to
enable it to pursue programs consistent with national goals for accelerated social
and economic development, and to improve upon the services of the government in
the transaction of the public business.‖
The creation of the Truth Commission, however, is not to promote

simplicity, economy and efficiency in the government. The Truth Commission is
primarily tasked to conduct fact-finding investigation of reported cases of graft and
corruption involving third level public officers and higher, their co-principals,
administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, which separate investigative
body, as stated in the preamble, ―will recommend the prosecution of the offenders
and secure justice for all.‖ It is, in part, the implementation of the pledge of
President Benigno Aquino, Jr. during the last election that if elected, he would end
corruption and the evil it breeds.
In its Memorandum, the OSG justifies the power of the President to create
the Truth Commission based on his authority to create ad hoc fact-finding
committees or offices within the Office of the President, which authority is
described as an adjunct of his plenary executive power under Section 1 and his
power of control under Section 17, both of Article VII of the Constitution.506[22] It
cited the case of Department of Health v. Camposano,507[23] which held:
The Chief Executive‘s power to create the Ad Hoc Investigating Committee

cannot be doubted. Having been constitutionally granted full control of the
Executive Department, to which respondents belong, the President has the
obligation to ensure that all executive officials and employees faithfully comply
with the law. With AO 298 as mandate, the legality of the investigation is sustained.
Such validity is not affected by the fact that the investigating team and the PCAGC
had the same composition, or that the former used the offices and facilities of the latter
in conducting the inquiry.
506[22]
OSG Memorandum, p. 43.
507[23]
496 Phil. 886, 896-897 (2005).
Page 237 of 256

To clarify, the power of control is ―the power of an officer to alter or modify
or nullify or set aside what a subordinate officer had done in the performance of his
duties and to substitute the judgment of the former for that of the latter;‖508[24]
hence, it cannot be the basis of creating the Truth Commission.
The ponencia justifies the creation of the Truth Commission based on the
President‘s duty to ensure that the laws be faithfully executed under Section 17,
Article VII of the Constitution, thus:
Sec. 17. The President shall have control of all executive departments,
bureaus and offices. He shall ensure that the laws be faithfully executed.509[25]
According to the ponencia, to ascertain if laws are faithfully executed, the

President has the power to create ad hoc investigating committees, which power
has been upheld in Department of Health v. Camposano.510[26] In the said case,
some concerned employees of the Department of Health (DOH)-National Capital
Region (NCR) filed a complaint before the DOH Resident against certain officers
of the DOH arising from alleged anomalous purchase of medicines. The Resident
Ombudsman submitted an investigation report to the Secretary of Health
recommending the filing of a formal administrative charge of Dishonesty and Grave
Misconduct against the respondents. Subsequently, the Secretary of Health filed a
formal charge against the respondents for Grave Misconduct, Dishonesty, and
Violation of Republic Act No. 3019. Thereafter, the Executive Secretary issued
Administrative Order No. 298, creating an ad hoc committee to investigate the
administrative case filed against the DOH-NCR employees. The said
Administrative Order was indorsed to the Presidential Commission Against Graft
and Corruption (PCAGC), which found the respondents guilty as charged and
recommended their dismissal from the government. However, the Court
overturned the dismissal of respondents by the Secretary of DOH, because
respondents were denied due process, but it declared valid the creation of the ad
hoc committee, thus:
x x x The investigation was authorized under Administrative Order No. 298 dated
October 25, 1996, which had created an Ad Hoc Committee to look into the
administrative charges filed against Director Rosalinda U. Majarais, Priscilla G.
Camposano, Horacio D. Cabrera, Imelda Q. Agustin and Enrique L. Perez.
508[24]
Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications v. Mabalot, supra note 16.
509[25]
Emphasis supplied.
510[26]
Supra note 23.
Page 238 of 256

The Investigating Committee was composed of all the members of the
PCAGC: Chairman Eufemio C. Domingo, Commissioner Dario C. Rama and
Commissioner Jaime L. Guerrero. The Committee was directed by AO 298 to
―follow the procedure prescribed under Section 38 to 40 of the Civil Service Law
(PD 807), as amended.‖ It was tasked to ―forward to the Disciplining Authority
the entire records of the case, together with its findings and recommendations, as
well as the draft decision for the approval of the President.‖
The Chief Executive‘s power to create the Ad Hoc Investigating

Committee cannot be doubted. Having been constitutionally granted full control
of the Executive Department, to which respondents belong, the President has the
obligation to ensure that all executive officials and employees faithfully comply
with the law. With AO 298 as mandate, the legality of the investigation is sustained.
Such validity is not affected by the fact that the investigating team and the PCAGC
had the same composition, or that the former used the offices and facilities of the
latter in conducting the inquiry.511[27]
The ponencia stressed that the purpose of allowing ad hoc investigating

bodies to exist is to allow inquiry into matters which the President is entitled to
know so that he can be properly advised and guided in the performance of his
duties relative to the execution and enforcement of the laws of the land. The
ponencia stated that this was also the objective of investigative bodies created in
the past like the PCAC, PCAPE, PARGO, the Feliciano Commission, the Melo
Commission and the Zenarosa Commission. Hence, the ponencia held that the
President‘s power to create investigative bodies cannot be denied.
Albeit the President has the power to create ad hoc committees to investigate
or inquire into matters for the guidance of the President to ensure that the laws be
faithfully executed, I am of the view that the Truth Commission was not created in
the nature of the aforementioned ad hoc investigating/fact-finding bodies. The
Truth Commission was created more in the nature of a public office.
Based on the creation of ad hoc investigating bodies in Department of

Health v. Camposano and Presidential Ad Hoc Fact-Finding Committee on
Behest Loans v. Desierto,512[28] the members of an ad hoc investigative body are
511[27]
Department of Health v. Camposano, supra note 23.
512[28]
G.R. No. 145184, March 14, 2008, 548 SCRA 295. In this case, President Fidel V. Ramos issued on
October 8, 1992, Administrative Order No. 13 creating the Presidential Ad Hoc Fact-Finding Committee on Behest
Loans (Committee), which reads:
WHEREAS, Sec. 28, Article II of the 1987 Constitution provides that ―Subject to
reasonable conditions prescribed by law, the State adopts and implements a policy of full public
disclosure of all transactions involving public interest‖;
Page 239 of 256

heads and representatives of existing government offices, depending on the nature
WHEREAS, Sec. 15, Article XI of the 1987 Constitution provides that ―The right of the
state to recover properties unlawfully acquired by public officials or employees, from them or
from their nominees or transferees, shall not be barred by prescription, laches or estoppel‖;
WHEREAS, there have been allegations of loans, guarantees, or other forms of financial
accommodation granted, directly or indirectly, by government owned and controlled bank or
financial institutions, at the behest, command or urging by previous government officials to the
disadvantage and detriment of the Philippine government and the Filipino people;
ACCORDINGLY, an ―Ad-Hoc FACT FINDING COMMITTEE ON BEHEST LOANS‖
is hereby created to be composed of the following:
Chairman of the Presidential

Commission on Good Government - Chairman
The Solicitor General - Vice-Chairman
Representative from the

Office of the Executive Secretary - Member

Department of Finance - Member

Department of Justice - Member

Development Bank of the Philippines - Member

Philippine National Bank - Member

Asset Privatization Trust - Member
Government Corporate Counsel - Member

Philippine Export and Foreign
Loan Guarantee Corporation - Member
The Ad Hoc Committee shall perform the following functions:
1. Inventory all behest loans; identify the lenders and borrowers, including the principal
officers and stockholders of the borrowing firms, as well as the persons responsible for
granting the loans or who influenced the grant thereof;
2. Identify the borrowers who were granted ―friendly waivers‖, as well as the government
officials who granted these waivers; determine the validity of these waivers;
3. Determine the courses of action that the government should take to recover those loans,
and to recommend appropriate actions to the Office of the President within sixty (60) days
from the date hereof.
The Committee is hereby empowered to call upon any department, bureau, office, agency,
instrumentality or corporation of the government, or any officer or employee thereof, for such
assistance as it may need in the discharge of its function.
Page 240 of 256

of the subject matter of the investigation. The ad hoc investigating body‘s functions
are primarily fact-finding/investigative and recommendatory in nature.513[29]
In this case, the members of the Truth Commission are not officials from
existing government offices. Moreover, the Truth Commission has been granted
powers of an independent office as follows:
1. Engage or contract the services of resource persons, professionals and

other personnel determined by it as necessary to carry out its
mandate;514[30]
2. Promulgate its rules and regulations or rules of procedure it deems
necessary to effectively and efficiently carry out the objectives of this
Executive Order and to ensure the orderly conduct of its investigations,
proceedings and hearings, including the presentation of evidence.515[31]
3. The Truth Commission shall have the power to engage the services of
experts as consultants or advisers as it may deem necessary to accomplish
its mission.516[32]
In addition, the Truth Commission has coercive powers such as the power to
subpoena witnesses.517[33] Any government official or personnel who, without
lawful excuse, fails to appear upon subpoena issued by the Commission or who,
appearing before the Commission refuses to take oath or affirmation, give
testimony or produce documents for inspection, when required, shall be subject to
administrative disciplinary action.518[34] Any private person who does the same
may be dealt with in accordance with law.519[35] Apparently, the grant of such
powers to the Truth Commission is no longer part of the executive power of the
President, as it is part of law-making, which legislative power is vested in
Congress.520[36] There are only two instances in the Constitution wherein Congress
may delegate its law-making authority to the President:521[37]
513[29]
See Footnote 28.
514[30]
E.O. No. 1, Section 2 (i).
515[31]
E.O. No. 1, Section 2 (j).
516[32]
E.O. No. 1, Section 5.
517[33]
E.O. No. 1, Section 2 (e).
518[34]
E.O. No. 1. Section 9.
519[35]
Id.
520[36]
The Constitution, Article VI, Section 1. The legislative power shall be vested in the Congress of the
Philippines which shall consist of a Senate and a House of Representatives, except to the extent reserved to the
people by the provision on initiative and referendum.
521[37]
Joaquin G. Bernas, S.J., The Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines, A Commentary, Vol. II, supra
note 11, at 70, 140-141, 161.
Page 241 of 256

Article VI, Section 23. (1) The Congress, by a vote of two-thirds of both
houses in joint session assembled, voting separately, shall have the sole power to
declare the existence of a state of war.
(2) In times of war or other national emergency, the Congress may, by

law, authorize the President, for a limited period and subject to such
restrictions as it may prescribe, to exercise powers necessary and proper to
carry out a declared national policy. Unless sooner withdrawn by resolution
of the Congress, such powers shall cease upon the next adjournment thereof.
Article VI, Sec. 28. (1) The rule of taxation shall be uniform and equitable.
The Congress shall evolve a progressive system of taxation.
(2) The Congress may, by law, authorize the President to fix within
specified limits, and subject to such limitations and restrictions as it may
impose, tariff rates, import and export quotas, tonnage and wharfage dues,
and other duties or imposts within the framework of the national development
program of the government.522[38]
Although the President may create investigating bodies to help him in his
duty to ensure that the laws are faithfully executed, he cannot be allowed to
encroach on or usurp the law-making power of the Legislature in the creation of
such investigative bodies.
Moreover, the Truth Commission‘s function is questioned on the ground that

it duplicates, if not supersedes, the function of the Office of the Ombudsman. The
OSG avers that the Ombudsman‘s power to investigate is not exclusive, but is
shared with other similarly authorized agencies, citing Ombudsman v.
Galicia.523[39]
Based on Section 2 of E.O. No. 1, the powers and functions of the Truth
Commission do not supplant the powers and functions of the Ombudsman. 524[40]
Nevertheless, what is the use of the Truth Commission if its power is merely
recommendatory? Any finding of graft and corruption by the Truth Commission is
522[38]
Emphasis supplied.
523[39]
524[40]
Republic Act No. 6770, Section 15. Powers, Functions and Duties. – The Office of the Ombudsman shall
have the following powers, functions and duties:
(1) Investigate and prosecute on its own or on complaint by any person, any act or omission of any public
officer or employee, office or agency, when such act or omission appears to be illegal, unjust, improper or
inefficient. It has primary jurisdiction over cases cognizable by the Sandiganbayan and, in the exercise of this
primary jurisdiction, it may take over, at any stage, from any investigatory agency of Government, the investigation
of such cases x x x.
Page 242 of 256

still subject to evaluation by the Office of the Ombudsman, as it is only the Office
of the Ombudsman that is empowered to conduct preliminary investigation,
determine the existence of probable cause and prosecute the case. Hence, the
creation of the Truth Commission will merely be a waste of money, since it
duplicates the function of the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate reported
cases of graft and corruption.
Further, E.O. No. 1 violates that equal protection clause enshrined in the
Constitution. The guarantee of equal protection of the laws means that no person or
class of persons shall be denied the same protection of laws which is enjoyed by
other persons or other classes in like circumstances.525[41]
In this case, investigation by the Truth Commission covers only third level
public officers and higher, their co-principals, accomplices and accessories from the
private sector, if any, during the previous administration of former President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo.526[42]
The OSG, however, counters in its Memorandum that the equal protection
clause of the Constitution is not violated, because although E.O. No. 1 names the
previous administration as the initial subject of the investigation of cases of graft
and corruption, it is not confined to the said administration, since E.O. No. 1
clearly speaks of the President‘s power to expand its coverage to prior
administrations as follows:
SECTION 17. Special Provision Concerning Mandate. If and when in

the judgment of the President there is a need to expand the mandate of the
Commission as defined in Section 1 hereof to include the investigation of cases
and instances of graft and corruption during the prior administrations, such
mandate may be so extended accordingly by way of a supplemental Executive
Order.527[43]
As provided above, the mandate of the Truth Commission may be expanded

to include the investigation of cases of graft and corruption during prior
administrations, but it is subject to the ―judgment‖ or discretion of the President
525[41]
City of Manila v. Laguio, Jr., G.R. No. 118127, April 12, 2005, 455 SCRA 308.
526[42]
E.O. No. 1, Section 2. Powers and functions.-- The Commission, which shall have all the powers of an
investigative body under Section 37, Chapter 9, Book I of the Administrative Code of 1987, is primarily tasked to
conduct a thorough fact-finding investigation of reported cases of graft and corruption referred to in Section 1,
involving third level public officers and higher, their co-principals, accomplices and accessories from the private
sector, if any, during the previous administration x x x. (Emphasis supplied.)
527[43]
Emphasis supplied.
Page 243 of 256

and it may be so extended by way of a supplemental Executive Order. In the
absence of the exercise of judgment by the President that the Truth Commission
shall also conduct investigation of reported cases of graft and corruption during
prior administrations, and in the absence of the issuance of a supplemental
executive order to that effect, E.O. No. 1 covers only third level public officers and
higher, their co-principals, accomplices and accessories from the private sector, if
any, during the previous administration of former President Gloria Macapagal-
Arroyo. This is admitted by the OSG in its Memorandum528[44] as it explains that
―to include the past administrations, at this point, may unnecessarily overburden
the Commission and lead it to lose its effectiveness.‖ The OSG‘s position shows
more consideration for the burden that the investigation may cause to the
Commission, while losing sight of the equal protection clause of the Constitution.
The OSG further states that even if the Truth Commission would solely
concern itself with graft and corruption, if there be any, of the previous
administration, there is still no violation of the equal protection clause. It submits
that the segregation of the transactions of public officers during the previous
administration as possible subjects of investigation is a valid classification based
on substantial distinctions and is germane to the evils which the E.O. seeks to
correct. The distinctions cited are:
1) E.O No. 1 was issued in view of widespread reports of large scale graft
and corruption in the previous administration which have eroded public
confidence in public institutions.
2) The segregation of the preceding administration as the object of fact-
finding investigations is warranted by the reality that the current
administration will most likely bear the immediate consequences of the
policies of the previous administration, unlike those of the
administrations long gone.
3) The classification of the previous administration as a separate class for
investigation lies in the reality that the evidence of possible criminal
activity, the evidence that could lead to recovery of public monies
illegally dissipated, the policy lessons to be learned to ensure that anti-
corruption laws are faithfully executed, are more easily established in the
regime that immediately precedes the current administration.
528[44]
Memorandum, p. 89.
Page 244 of 256

4) Many administrations subject the transactions of their predecessors to
investigations to provide closure to issues that are pivotal to national life
or even as a routine measure of due diligence and good housekeeping by
a nascent administration.
Indeed, the equal protection clause of the Constitution allows

classification.529[45] If the classification is reasonable, the law may operate only on
some and not all of the people without violating the equal protection clause. 530[46]
To be valid, it must conform to the following requirements: (1) It must be based
on substantial distinctions; (2) it must be germane to the purposes of the law; (3) it
must not be limited to existing conditions only; and (4) it must apply equally to all
members of the class.531[47]
Peralta v. Commission on Elections 532[48] held:
The equal protection clause does not forbid all legal classifications. What
[it] proscribes is a classification which is arbitrary and unreasonable. It is not
violated by a reasonable classification based upon substantial distinctions, where
the classification is germane to the purpose of the law and applies equally to all
those belonging to the same class. The equal protection clause is not infringed by
legislation which applies only to those persons falling within a specified class, if it
applies alike to all persons within such class, and reasonable grounds exist for
making a distinction between those who fall within the class and those who do
not. There is, of course, no concise or easy answer as to what an arbitrary
classification is. No definite rule has been or can be laid down on the basis of
which such question may be resolved. The determination must be made in
accordance with the facts presented by the particular case. The general rule, which
is well-settled by the authorities, is that a classification, to be valid, must rest upon
material differences between the persons, activities or things included and those
excluded. There must, in other words, be a basis for distinction. Furthermore, such
classification must be germane and pertinent to the purpose of the law. And,
finally, the basis of classification must, in general, be so drawn that those who
stand in substantially the same position with respect to the law are treated alike.
The distinctions cited by the OSG are not substantial to separate the previous
administration as a distinct class from prior administrations as subject matter for
529[45]
Central Bank Employees Association, Inc. v. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, G.R. No. 148208, December 15,
2004, 446 SCRA 299, citing Victoriano v. Elizalde Rope Workers’ Union, 59 SCRA 54. (1974).
530[46]
City of Manila v. Laguio, Jr., G.R. No. 118127, April 12, 2005, 455 SCRA 308, 348.
531[47]
Id. at 348-349.
532[48]
No. L-47771, March 11, 1978, 82 SCRA 30.
Page 245 of 256

investigation for the purpose of ending graft and corruption. As stated by the
ponencia, the reports of widespread corruption in the previous administration
cannot be taken as a substantial distinction, since similar reports have been made in
earlier administrations.
Moreover, a valid classification must rest upon material differences between

the persons, or activities or thing included and excluded.533[49] Reasonable grounds
must exist for making a distinction between those who fall within the class and
those who do not.534[50] There is no substantial distinction cited between public
officers who may be involved in reported cases of graft and corruption during the
previous administration and public officers who may be involved in reported cases
of graft and corruption during prior administrations in relation to the purpose of
ending graft and corruption. To limit the investigation to public officers of the
previous administration is violative of the equal protection clause.
I vote, therefore, to GRANT the petitions as Executive Order No. 1 is

unconstitutional since it violates the equal protection clause of the Constitution and
encroaches on the law-making power of Congress under Section 1, Article VI of
the Constitution.
DIOSDADO M. PERALTA
Associate Justice
EN BANC
G.R. No. 192935 -- Louis ―Barok‖ C. Biraogo, Petitioner, versus

The Philippine Truth Commission of 2010,
Respondent.
G.R. No. 193036 -- Rep. Edcel C. Lagman, Rep. Rodolfo B. Albano,

Jr., Rep. Simeon A. Datumanong, and Rep.
Orlando B. Fua, Sr., Petitioners, versus
Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr. and
533[49]
Peralta v. Commission on Elections, supra.
534[50]
Id.
Page 246 of 256

Department of Budget and Management
Secretary Florencio B. Abad, Respondents.
Promulgated:
December 7, 2010
x ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- x
SEPARATE
DISSENTING OPINION
ABAD, J.:
Brief Background
As the opinion written for the majority by Justice Jose Catral Mendoza says,
President Benigno Simeon Aquino III (President P-Noy to distinguish him from
former President Corazon C. Aquino) campaigned on a platform of ―kung walang
corrupt, walang mahirap.‖ On being elected President, he issued Executive Order
1,535[1] creating the Philippine Truth Commission of 2010 that he tasked with the
investigation of reported corruption during the previous administration. The Truth
Commission is to submit its findings and recommendations to the President, the
Congress, and the Ombudsman.
Petitioners Louis Biraogo, Rep. Edcel C. Lagman, Rep. Rodolfo B. Albano,

Jr., Rep. Simeon A. Datumanong, and Rep. Orlando B. Fua, Sr. have come to this
Court to challenge the Constitutionality of Executive Order 1.
The Issues Presented
The parties present four issues:
1. Whether or not petitioners have legal standing to challenge the

constitutionality of Executive Order 1;
2. Whether or not Executive Order 1 usurps the authority of Congress to

create and appropriate funds for public offices, agencies, and commissions;
535[1]
Dated July 30, 2010.
Page 247 of 256

3. Whether or not Executive Order 1 supplants the powers of the
Ombudsman and the DOJ; and
4. Whether or not Executive Order 1 violates the equal protection clause

in that it singles out the previous administration for investigation.
Discussion
The majority holds that petitioners have standing before the Court; that
President P-Noy has the power to create the Truth Commission; that he has not
usurped the powers of Congress to create public offices and appropriate funds for
them; and, finally, that the Truth Commission can conduct investigation without
supplanting the powers of the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice since the
Commission has not been vested with quasi-judicial powers. I fully conform to
these rulings.
The majority holds, however, that Executive Order 1 violates the equal
protection clause of the Constitution. It is here that I register my dissent.
The 1987 Constitution provides in section 1 of Article III (The Bill of

Rights) as follows:
Section 1. No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property

without due process of law, nor shall any person be denied the equal
protection of the laws.
The idea behind the ―equal protection clause‖ is that public authorities
should treat all persons or things equally in terms of rights granted to and
responsibilities imposed on them. As an element of due process, the equal
protection clause bars arbitrary discrimination in favor of or against a class
whether in what the law provides and how it is enforced.
Take the comic example of a law that requires married women to wear their
wedding rings at all times to warn other men not to entice women to violate their
marriage vows. Such law would be unfair and discriminatory since married men,
who are not covered by it, are exposed to similar enticements from women other
than their wives.
Page 248 of 256

But it would be just as unfair and discriminatory if people who hardly share
anything in common are grouped together and treated similarly. 536[2] The equal
protection clause is not violated by a law that applies only to persons falling within
a specified class, if such law applies equally to all persons within such class, and
reasonable grounds exist for making a distinction between those who fall within it
and those who do not.537[3]
For example, restaurant cooks and waiters cannot complain of

discrimination against an ordinance that requires them but not other workers to
undergo periodic medical check-ups. Such check-ups are important for food-
handlers in the interest of public health but not for ordinary office clerks. Also, a
law that grants a 60-day paid leave to pregnant workers but not to other workers,
male or female, is not discriminatory since female workers who just had their
babies need more time to care for the latter and make adjustments for going back to
work.
Here, the issue I address is whether or not President P-Noy‘s decision to

focus the Truth Commission‘s investigation solely on the reported corruption
during the previous administration, implicitly excluding the corruption during the
administrations before it, violates the equal protection clause. Since absolute
equality in treating matters is not required, the ultimate issue in this case is whether
or not the President has reasonable grounds for making a distinction between
corruptions committed in the recent past and those committed in the remote past.
As a rule, his grounds for making a distinction would be deemed reasonable if they
are germane or relevant to the purpose for which he created the Truth
Commission.538[4]
And what is the President‘s purpose in creating the Truth Commission?

This can be inferred from section 1 of Executive Order 1 which states that the
Commission‘s primary function is to –
xxx seek and find the truth on, and toward this end, investigate
reports of graft and corruption of such scale and magnitude that shock and
offend the moral and ethical sensibilities of the people, committed by public
officials and employees, their co-principals, accomplices and accessories
from the private sector, if any, during the previous administration, and
thereafter recommend the appropriate action to be taken thereon to ensure
that the full measure of justice shall be served without fear or favor.
536[2]
Rene B. Gorospe, I Constitutional Law (2004 Edition) 210.
537[3]
2 Cooley, Constitutional Limitations, 824-825.
538[4]
People v. Cayat, 68 Phil. 12 (1939), citing leading American cases.
Page 249 of 256

Evidently, the objective the President sets for the Truth Commission is the
uncovering of the ―truth‖ regarding reported corruption in the previous
administration ―to ensure that the full measure of justice [evidently upon those
responsible for it] is served without fear or favor.‖ Ultimately, the purpose of the
creation of the Truth Commission is to ensure that the corrupt officials of the
previous administration are exposed and brought to justice.
The majority holds that picking on the ―previous administration‖ and not the
others before it makes the Commission‘s investigation an ―adventure in partisan
hostility.‖ To be fair, said the majority, the search for truth must include corrupt
acts not only during the previous administration but also during the administrations
before it where the ―same magnitude of controversies and anomalies‖ has been
reported.
The majority points out that corruption in the previous administration and
corruption in the administrations before it have no substantial difference. And
what difference they have, the majority adds, is not relevant to the purpose of
Executive Order 1, which is to uncover corrupt acts and recommend their
punishment. Superficial difference like the difference in time in this case does not
make for a valid classification.
But time differentiation should not be so easily dismissed as superficial. The

world in which people live has two great dimensions: the dimension of space and
the dimension of time. Nobody can say that the difference in time between two
acts or events makes for a superficial difference. Such difference is the substance
of human existence. As the Bible says:
There is an appointed time for everything,

and a time for every affair under the heavens.
A time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant.
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to tear down, and a time to build.
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather them;
a time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces.
A time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew;
a time to be silent and a time to speak.
Page 250 of 256

A time to love, and a time to hate;
a time of war, and a time of peace.
(Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, New American Bible)
Recognizing the irreversibility of time is indispensable to every sound

decision that people make in their lives everyday, like not combing the hair that is
no longer there. In time, parents let their married children leave to make their own
homes. Also, when a loved one passes away, he who is left must know that he
cannot bring back the time that is gone. He is wise to move on with his life after
some period of mourning. To deny the truth that the difference in time makes for
substantial difference in human lives is to deny the idea of transition from growth
to decay, from life to death, and from relevant to irrelevant.
Here the past presidential administrations the country has gone through in
modern history cover a period of 75 years, going back from when President Gloria
Macapagal Arroyo ended her term in 2010 to the time President Manuel L. Quezon
began his term in 1935. The period could even go back 111 years if the
administration of President Emilio Aguinaldo from 1989 to 1901 is included. But,
so as not to complicate matters, the latter‘s administration might just as well be
excluded from this discussion.
It should be remembered that the right of the State to recover properties

unlawfully acquired by public officials does not prescribe. 539[5] So, if the
majority‘s advice were to be literally adopted, the Truth Commission‘s
investigation to be fair to all should go back 75 years to include the administrations
of former Presidents Arroyo, Estrada, Ramos, Aquino, Marcos, Macapagal, Garcia,
Magsaysay, Quirino, Roxas, Osmena, Laurel, and Quezon.
As it happens, President P-Noy limited the Truth Commission‘s

investigation to the 9 years of the previous administration. He did not include the
66 years of the 12 other administrations before it. The question, as already stated,
is whether the distinction between the recent past and the remote past makes for a
substantial difference that is relevant to the purpose of Executive Order 1.
That the distinction makes for a substantial difference is the first point in this
dissent.
1. The Right to Equal Protection
539[5]
1987 CONSTITUTION OF THE PHILIPPINES, Article 11, Section 15.
Page 251 of 256

Feasibility of success. Time erodes the evidence of the past. The
likelihood of finding evidence needed for conviction diminishes with the march of
time. Witnesses, like everyone else, have short memories. And they become
scarce, working overseas, migrating, changing addresses, or just passing away.
Official or private documents needed as evidence are easily overwhelmed by the
demand to file and keep even more documents generated by new activities and
transactions. Thus, old documents are stored away in basements, garages, or
corridors, and eventually lost track of, misplaced, or simply destroyed, whether
intentionally or not. In a government that is notorious for throwing away or
mishandling old records, searching for a piece of document after ten years would
be uncertain, tedious, long, and costly.
When the government of President Marcos fell in 1986, the new government
acted swiftly to sequester suspected wealth, impound documents believed to
constitute evidence of wrong-doing, and interview witnesses who could help
prosecute the Marcoses and their cronies. One would think that these actions will
ensure successful prosecution of those who committed graft and corruption in that
era. Yet, after just a decade, the prosecution has been mostly unable to find the
right documents or call the right witnesses. Today, after 24 years, the full force of
government has failed to produce even one conviction.
Clearly, it would be a waste of effort and time to scour all of 66 years of the
administrations before the last, looking for evidence that would produce
conviction. Time has blurred the chance of success. Limiting the Truth
Commission‘s investigation to the 9 years of the previous administration gives it
the best chance of yielding the required proof needed for successful action against
the offenders.
Historically, there have been no known or outstanding inquiries done by the

Executive Department into corrupt acts of the past that went beyond the term of the
immediately preceding administration. It makes sense for President P-Noy to limit
the investigation to what is practical and attainable, namely, the 9 years of the
previous administration. He strikes at what is here and near. Perchance, he can get
a conviction. Investigating corruption in the past 75 years rather than in the nearest
9 years, under a nebulous claim of evenhandedness, is the key to failing altogether.
It has been held that if the law presumably hits the evil where it is felt, it is not to
be overthrown because there are other instances to which it might have been
applied.540[6]
540[6]
Keokee Coke Co. v. Taylor, 234 U.S. 224, 227.
Page 252 of 256

Neutralization of Presidential bias. The Court can take judicial notice of
the fact that President P-noy openly attacked the previous administration for its
alleged corruption in the course of his election campaign. In a sense, he has
developed a bias against it. Consequently, his creation of the Truth Commission,
consisting of a former Chief Justice, two former Associate Justices of the Supreme
Court, and two law professors serves to neutralize such bias and ensure fairness.
The President did not have to include the 66 years of earlier administrations for
investigation since he did not specifically target them in his election campaign.
At any rate, it does not mean that when the President created the Truth
Commission, he shut the door to the investigation of corruption committed during
the 66 years before the previous one. All existing government agencies that are
charged with unearthing crimes committed by public officials are not precluded
from following up leads and uncovering corruptions committed during the earlier
years. Those corrupt officials of the remote past have not gained immunity by
reason of Executive Order 1.
Matching task to size. The Truth Commission is a collegial body of just

five members with no budget or permanent staffs of its own. It simply would not
have the time and resources for examining hundreds if not thousands of anomalous
government contracts that may have been entered into in the past 75 years up to the
time of President Quezon. You cannot order five men to pull a train that a
thousand men cannot move.
Good housekeeping. Directing the investigation of reported corrupt acts

committed during the previous administration is, as the Solicitor General pointed
out, consistent with good housekeeping. For example, a new treasurer would be
prudent to ensure that the former treasurer he succeeds has balanced his accounts
and submitted himself to a closing audit even after the new treasurer has taken
over. This prevents the latter having to unfairly assume the liabilities of his
predecessor for shortages in the cash box. Of course, the new treasurer is not
required to look farther into the accounts of the earlier treasurers.
In like manner, it is reasonable for President P-Noy to cause the

investigation of the anomalies reportedly committed during the previous
administration to which he succeeded. He has to locate government funds that
have not been accounted for. He has to stanch the bleeding that the government
could be suffering even now by reason of anomalous contracts that are still on-
going. Such is a part of good housekeeping. It does not violate the equal
Page 253 of 256
protection clause by its non-inclusion of the earlier administrations in its review.
The latter‘s dealings is remotely relevant to good housekeeping that is intended to
manage a smooth transition from one administration to the next.
2. The President‘s Judgment

as against the Court‘s
That is the first point. The second point is that the Court needs to stand
within the limits of its power to review the actions of a co-equal branch, like those
of the President, within the sphere of its constitutional authority. Since, as the
majority concedes, the creation of the Truth Commission is within the
constitutional powers of President P-Noy to undertake, then to him, not to the
Court, belongs the discretion to define the limits of the investigation as he deems
fit. The Court cannot pit its judgment against the judgment of the President in such
matter.
And when can the Supreme Court interfere with the exercise of that
discretion? The answer is, as provided in Section 1, Article VIII of the 1987
Constitution, only when the President gravely abuses his exercise of such
discretion. This means that, in restricting the Truth Commission‘s investigation
only to corruptions committed during the previous administration, he acted
capriciously and whimsically or in an arbitrary or despotic manner.541[7]
To act capriciously and whimsically is to act freakishly, abruptly, or

erratically, like laughing one moment and crying the next without apparent reason.
Does this characterize the President‘s action in this case, considering that he
merely acted to set a feasible target, neutralize political bias, assign the
Commission a task suitable to its limited capacity, and observe correct
housekeeping procedures? Did he act arbitrarily in the manner of little children
changing the rules of the game in the middle of the play or despotically in the
manner of a dictator? Unless he did, the Court must rein in its horses. It cannot
itself exceed the limits of its power of review under the Constitution.
Besides, the Court is not better placed than the President to make the
decision he made. Unlike the President, the Court does not have the full resources
of the government available to it. It does not have all the information and data it
would need for deciding what objective is fair and viable for a five-member body
like the Truth Commission. Only when the President‘s actions are plainly
541[7]
Perez v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 162580, January 27, 2006, 480 SCRA 411, 416.
Page 254 of 256

irrational and arbitrary even to the man on the street can the Court step in from
Mount Olympus and stop such actions.
Notably, none of those who have been reported as involved in corruption in

the previous administration have come forward to complain that the creation of the
Truth Commission has violated their rights to equal protection. If they committed
no wrong, and I believe many would fall in this category, they would probably
have an interest in pushing for the convening of the Commission. On the other
hand, if they believe that the investigation unfairly threatens their liberties, they
can, if subpoenaed, to testify invoke their right to silence. As stated in the majority
opinion, the findings of the Commission would not bind them. Such findings
would not diminish their right to defend themselves at the appropriate time and
forum.
For the above reasons, I join the main dissent of Justice Antonio T. Carpio.
ROBERTO A. ABAD
Associate Justice
Page 255 of 256

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EN BANC

LOUIS ―BAROK‖ C. BIRAOGO, G.R. No. 192935

THE PHILIPPINE TRUTH

When the judiciary mediates to allocate constitutional

--- Justice Jose P. Laurel1[1]

The role of the Constitution cannot be overlooked. It is through the

To transform his campaign slogan into reality, President Aquino found a

CREATING THE PHILIPPINE TRUTH COMMISSION OF 2010

WHEREAS, Article XI, Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines

WHEREAS, corruption is among the most despicable acts of defiance of this

WHEREAS, corruption is an evil and scourge which seriously affects the

WHEREAS, there is a need for a separate body dedicated solely to investigating

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BENIGNO SIMEON AQUINO III, President of the

SECTION 1. Creation of a Commission. – There is hereby created the

h) Call upon any government investigative or prosecutorial agency such as the

i) Engage or contract the services of resource persons, professionals and other

j) Promulgate its rules and regulations or rules of procedure it deems necessary to

SECTION 3. Staffing Requirements. – x x x.

SECTION 4. Detail of Employees. – x x x.

SECTION 5. Engagement of Experts. – x x x

SECTION 7. Right to Counsel of Witnesses/Resource Persons. – x x x.

SECTION 8. Protection of Witnesses/Resource Persons. – x x x.

SECTION 9. Refusal to Obey Subpoena, Take Oath or Give Testimony. – Any

SECTION 10. Duty to Extend Assistance to the Commission. – x x x.

SECTION 12. Office. – x x x.

SECTION 13. Furniture/Equipment. – x x x.

SECTION 15. Publication of Final Report. – x x x.

SECTION 16. Transfer of Records and Facilities of the Commission. – x x x.

SECTION 17. Special Provision Concerning Mandate. If and when in the

SECTION 18. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Order is declared

(SGD.) BENIGNO S. AQUINO III

(SGD.) PAQUITO N. OCHOA, JR.

Nature of the Truth Commission

As can be gleaned from the above-quoted provisions, the Philippine Truth

Thus, their main goals range from retribution to reconciliation. The

The Thrusts of the Petitions

(a) E.O. No. 1 violates the separation of powers as it arrogates

(b) The provision of Book III, Chapter 10, Section 31 of the

(c) E.O. No. 1 illegally amended the Constitution and pertinent

(d) E.O. No. 1 violates the equal protection clause as it

(e) The creation of the ―Philippine Truth Commission of 2010‖

(f) The creation of the ―Truth Commission‖ is an exercise in

(g) The mere fact that previous commissions were not

In their Consolidated Comment,14[14] the respondents, through the Office of

1] E.O. No. 1 does not arrogate the powers of Congress to create

2] E.O. No. 1 does not usurp the power of Congress to

3] The Truth Commission does not duplicate or supersede the

4] The Truth Commission does not violate the equal protection

1. Whether or not the petitioners have the legal standing

2. Whether or not Executive Order No. 1 violates the

3. Whether or not Executive Order No. 1 supplants the powers

4. Whether or not Executive Order No. 1 violates the equal

5. Whether or not petitioners are entitled to injunctive relief.

Essential requisites for judicial review

Before proceeding to resolve the issue of the constitutionality of Executive

Legal Standing of the Petitioners

The OSG attacks the legal personality of the petitioners-legislators to file

Indeed, legislators have a legal standing to see to it that the prerogative,

With regard to Biraogo, the OSG argues that, as a taxpayer, he has no