bangsamorols issues

8/9/2019 bangsamorols issues

1/23

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

Supreme Court

En Banc

Manila

ANNAMHEL MONIQUE ROA,

RABELAIS MEINA,

!USTIN FROI E !ESUS,

MAR"IN MANUEL ANICETO,

!OSE NI##O OTILLOS,

IAN ABAILLA, MARITONI FELICE CORTES,

CHUC# PELORINA BALAN$A%AN,

A&ANA THERESE ON$,

$AIL CONCEPCION,

SAPPHIRE ROSE !IMENE',

NICOLE UN#EN(COROMINAS,

$E ESTROSOS,

$LACE ANNE ARNE!O(E LA PIE'A,

!ORALIE IONELA, !OHN ALFRE CHICO,

ALE)ANRA MANA&A$A(RU*E',

LEONIES $ABRIEL PAA&HA$,

PAMELA !ARA "ALERRAMA,

MAR& &SABEL TAN(HUAN$,

BEMAR CLINT CABALLO, L&CA &AN $O,

CHARMAINE NICHOLE SILORA,

#ANN& $ELAINE $ARCIA,

#R&STEL BACALLA,

"ICTORIA AN$ELICA TENCHA"E' AN

NICO !EFFRE& ABERILLA

(PETITIONERS)


2/23

--- versus ---

E)ECUTI"E SECRETAR& PAQUITO N+ OCHOA, !R+, an

EPARTMENT OF BU$ET AN MANA$EMENT SECRETAR&

FLORENCIO B+ ABA,

(RESPONDENTS)

x----------------------------------------------------------------x

PETITION FOR CERTIORARI

Petitioners Annamhel Monique Roa, et al ul! re"resente #! $on Ro#ert Ra!mon e %uia throu&h the

unersi&ne 'ounsel in the a#ove-entitle 'ases, 'omes no unto this honora#le 'ourt, an most

res"e'tull! state an alle&e*

I+ NATURE OF THE PETITION

This 'ase is ile as a s"e'ial 'ivil a'tion uner Rule + o the Rules o ourt o the Phili""ines or

ertiorari to e'lare un'onstitutional the .an&samoro .asi' /a an Exe'utive Orer No0 123 'reatin& a

Transition ommission 'onstitute to rat the aorementione la an or other "ur"oses0

II+ THE PARTIES

Petitioner-

That "etitioners are Annamhel Monique Roa, Ra#elais Meina, 4roilan De $esus, Marvin Manuel

Ani'eto, $ose Ni55o otillos, Ian A#ailla Maritoni 4eli'e ortes, hu'5 PE/ORINA .alan&aan, A!ana

Therese On&, %ail on'e"'ion, Sa""hire Rose $imene6, Ni'ole Dun5en-'orominas, %e Estrosos, %la'e

Anne Arne7o-De /a Pie6a, $oralie Dionela, $ohn Alre hi'o, Alexanra mana!a&a-R89E:, /eonies

%a#riel Paa!ha&, Pamela $ara ;alerrama, Mar! ann! %elaine %ar'ia, >r!stel .a'alla, ;i'toria An&eli'a Ten'have6

an Ni'o $ere! A#erilla0The! 'an #e serve "leain&s an "ro'esses at the 8niversit! o the Phili""ines


3/23

olle&e o /a0 Roa are stuents o the sai 8niversit!0 The! are ilin& this suit as stuents, tax"a!ers

an most im"ortantl! as ITI:ENS o the Re"u#li' o the Phili""ines0

Re-ponent-

The res"onents are =ONORA./E PA?8ITO O=AO in his 'a"a'it! as Exe'utive Se'retar!0 =e 'an

#e serve at the Premier %uest =ouse, Mala'a@an&, $P /aurel St0, Manila0 =e is the alter e&o o the

Presient ho is 'har&e ith the im"lementation o all las in the 'ountr!, "arti'ularl! the .an&samoro

.asi' /a0

III+ STATEMENTS OF FACTS AN MATTERS IN THE CASE

10 On the th Au&ust 233, the %overnment o the Re"u#li' o the Phili""ines (%RP) an the Moro Islami'

/i#eration 4ront (MI/4) ere s'heule to si&n the Memoranum o A&reement on the An'estral

Domain (MOA-AD)020 The MOA-AD sti"ulate the 'reation o the .an&samoro $urii'al Entit! (.$E)0 In this a&reement, the

%RP &rants the authorit! an 7urisi'tion over the an'estral omain an an'estral lans o the

.an&samoro0

B0 The MOA-ADCs 'onstitutionalit! as assaile #! the Provin'e o North ota#ato0 The 'ourt &rante the

"etition an e'lare the MOA-AD as 'ontrar! to la an the onstitution00 Ater the e'ision, the on&ress, ull! su""orte #! the Presient, as a res"onse an in line ith its

"ea'e5ee"in& o#7e'tives, "asse the .an&samoro .asi' /a0

I"+ $ROUNS FOR THE PETITION

.+ E/ecuti0e Orer No+ .12

creatin3 t4e Tran-ition Commi--ion, 54ic4 5a-

e--entiall6 a pu7lic o88ice, i- 0oi 8or 4a0in3 7een

an act o8 t4e Pre-ient ultra vires+1+ T4e Tran-ition Commi--ion

7ein3 void ab initio, t4ere i- t4ere8ore, le3all6

-pea9in3, no ra8t Ban3-amoro Ba-ic La5 to

-pea9 o8 8or Con3re-- to ul6 enact+:+ T4e title o8 t4e

Ban3-amoro Ba-ic La5 i- uncon-titutional 8or

8ailin3 to appre4en t4e people o8 certain

pro0i-ion- t4at allo5 8or material c4an3e- to 54at

t4e title i- uner-too to nece--aril6 an naturall6

entail+


4/23

;+ T4e Ban3-amoro Ba-ic

La5 0iolate- t4e e+ T4e BBL 0iolate- t4e

Section ., Article "III o8 t4e Con-titution0 On t4e i--ue o8 t4e creation

o8 t4e BAN$SAMORO POLICE0?+ On t4e i--ue o8 4a0in3 a

i88erent FLA$+@+ On t4e i--ue o8 t4e to(7e

La7or la5- o8 t4e Ban3-amoro+.2+ Unue ele3ation o8

Le3i-lati0e Po5er-

.+ E/ecuti0e Orer No+ .12 creatin3 t4e Tran-ition Commi--ion, 54ic4 5a- e--entiall6 a pu7lic o88ice,

i- 0oi 8or 4a0in3 7een an act o8 t4e Pre-ient ultra vires+

Pu#li' oi'e is 'reate #! la0 O ne'essit!, this means that "u#li' oi'e ma! #e institute #! the

onstitution, or #! vali le&islation "asse #! the 5non re"ositor! o le&islative "oer in &overnment0

Su'h "oer to 'reate a "u#li' oi'e 'annot #e usur"e #! an! o the other 5non #ran'hes o

&overnment in the Phili""ines in ue o#servan'e o the se"aration o "oers0 The Exe'utive is thereore

evoi o an! "oer to 'reate a "u#li' oi'e a#sent vali authori6ation #! on&ress0

The Transition ommission is one su'h oi'e0 Exe'utive Orer No0 123 'onstitute it as su'h*

E)ECUTI"E ORER NO+ .12

CONSTITUTIN$ THE TRANSITION COMMISSION AN FOR OTHER PURPOSES+

%HEREAS,the Pream#le o the 1F Phili""ine onstitution arti'ulates the as"iration o the soverei&n

4ili"ino "eo"le to #uil a 7ust an humane so'iet!, an esta#lish a %overnment that shall em#o! our

ieals an as"irations, "romote the 'ommon &oo, 'onserve an evelo" our "atrimon!, an se'ure to


5/23

ourselves an our "osterit!, the #lessin&s o ine"enen'e an emo'ra'! uner the rule o la an a

re&ime o truth, 7usti'e, reeom, love, equalit! an "ea'eG

%HEREAS, the 'om"rehensive "ea'e "ro'ess a&ena in Minanao is an inis"ensa#le 'om"onent to

a'hieve real an in'lusive re&ional an national evelo"ment &oalsG

%HEREAS, the %overnment entere into the 2312 4rameor5 A&reement (hereinater the A&reement),

hi'h is envisione to "ave the a! or the "ea'eul resolution o the arme stru&&le in MinanaoG

%HEREAS,the %overnment a'5nole&es its 'ommitment to exert all eorts toars reali6in& the ull

im"lementation o the A&reement0

NO% THEREFORE, I, BENI$NO S+ AQUINO III, Presient o the Phili""ines, #! virtue o the

"oers veste in me #! la, o here#! orer that*

SECTION .+ Or3aniation+ The Transition ommission (hereinater the ommission) is here#!

'onstitute0

SECTION 1+Compo-ition+The ommission shall #e 'om"ose o iteen (1) mem#ers a""ointe #!

the Presient in a''oran'e ith the 2312 4rameor5 A&reement on the .an&samoro0

The ommission ma! sit en banc or 'onstitute itsel into ivisions, as it ma! eem ne'essar! or the

s"ee!, ee'tive an ei'ient "erorman'e o its un'tions0

SECTION :+ Function-+ The ommission shall have the olloin& un'tions*

a0 To rat the "ro"ose .an&samoro .asi' /a ith "rovisions 'onsistent ith the 2312 4rameor5

A&reement on the .an&samoroG

#0 Hhenever ne'essar!, to re'ommen to on&ress or the "eo"le "ro"ose amenments to the 1F

Phili""ine onstitutionG

'0 Hhenever ne'essar!, to assist in ienti!in& an 'oorinatin& evelo"ment "ro&rams in the "ro"ose

.an&samoro in 'on7un'tion ith the MI/4 .an&samoro Develo"ment A&en'! (.DA), an the

.an&samoro /eaershi" an Mana&ement Institute (./MI)0


6/23

4or this "ur"ose, the ommission ma! li5eise 'oorinate ith su'h other relevant &overnment a&en'ies

an or non-&overnment or&ani6ationsG

0 To 'oorinate an 'onu't ialo&ues an 'onsultations ith the National %overnment an various

sta5eholers in urtheran'e o its un'tionsG an

e0 To "erorm su'h other relevant un'tions as the Presient ma! hereinater ire't0

SECTION ;+ Coorination 5it4 t4e Le3i-lature+ The ommission ma! ire'tl! 'oorinate ith

le&islative #oies in orer to a''om"lish its un'tions uner this orer0

SECTION =+ uration+ The ommission shall 'ease to o"erate u"on the ena'tment #! on&ress o the

.an&samoro .asi' /a0

SECTION >+ Relation-4ip 5it4 $o0ernment A3encie-+ onsistent ith existin& las, rules an

re&ulations, all national &overnment a&en'ies, in'luin& &overnment-one or 'ontrolle 'or"orations

(%Os) an &overnment inan'ial institutions$FI- ma! #e 'alle u"on to su""ort the ommission in

the "erorman'e o its un'tions0

SECTION D+ Tran-parenc6 an Inclu-i0it6+The ommission shall ensure trans"aren'!, in'lusivit! an

utmost "roessionalism in the "erorman'e o its manate, an shall "rovie or a""ro"riate an ee'tive

me'hanisms or 'onsultations ith all sta5eholers, as ma! #e arrante0

SECTION ?+ Secretariat an Tec4nical Committee- O88ice+ The ommission shall or&ani6e its

Se'retariat to #e heae #! an Exe'utive Dire'tor as ma! #e esi&nate #! the hair0 The Se'retariat shall

"rovie aministrative an te'hni'al su""ort to the ommission0 The ommission an its Se'retariat shall

hol oi'e in su'h venue as the ommission ma! eem a""ro"riate0

The ommission is here#! authori6e to 'reate te'hni'al 'ommittees an esi&nate mem#ers thereo, an

ma! en&a&e the assistan'e o ex"erts an "roessional avisors, su#7e't to &overnment rules an

re&ulations0

SECTION @+ Bu3et+ The ommission shall #e une ith an initial allo'ation o ONE =8NDRED

MI//ION Pesos (P133,333,333033) rom the ontin&ent 4un o the Oi'e o the Presient0

A""ro"riation or su''eein& !ears shall #e in'or"orate in #u&et "ro"osals uner the Oi'e o the

Presient0


7/23

SECTION .2+ Amini-trati0e $uieline-+ The ommission shall ao"t &uielines or the ee'tive

im"lementation o this orer0

SECTION ..+ Repealin3 Clau-e+ All "revious issuan'es in'onsistent ith the "rovisions o this orer

are here#! re"eale or moiie a''orin&l!0

SECTION .1+ E88ecti0it6+ This orer shall ta5e ee't u"on "u#li'ation in a nes"a"er o &eneral

'ir'ulation0

ONE in the it! o Manila, this 1th a! o De'em#er, in the


8/23

Neither is there an! la in existen'e authori6in& the Presient to 'reate the Transition ommission0 The

PresientCs a't o havin& it 'onstitute via Exe'utive Orer is not ithin, an runs 'ontrar! to, his

'onstitutional manate to aithull! exe'ute the las as state in Se'tion 1, Arti'le ;III o the

onstitution, es"e'iall! ue to the ae 'onsieration that it ee'tivel! a#ro&ates the su#sistin& Or&ani'

A't o the ARMM0 The o'trine o Presient usur"in& le&islative "oer u"on the 'reation o the PT is

'learl! ex"resse in the 'ase o .irao&o vs0 PT0

1+ T4e Tran-ition Commi--ion 7ein3 void ab initio, t4ere i- t4ere8ore, le3all6 -pea9in3, no ra8t

Ban3-amoro Ba-ic La5 to -pea9 o8 8or Con3re-- to ul6 enact+

The .an&samoro .asi' /a 'ame to on&ress not, stri'tl! s"ea5in&, as an initiation o an! o the =ouses0

The ull text o the la s"run& u" rom the 'reative eorts o an inirm Transition ommission orme #!

"ro"ulsion o the Presient, a Transition ommission hose ex"li'it thrusts ere to "la'e &reat

si&nii'an'e an eeren'e to the 4rameor5 A&reement entere into #! the Presient an .an&samoro

re"resentatives0 This eeren'e an &ivin& o si&nii'an'e are urther illustrate in "rovisions o the la,

to #e 'onteste in etail later on, hi'h 'learl! &ive the .an&samoro &overnment un"re'eente

avanta&es that are ithout "arallel amon& those &iven to an! other lo'al &overnment in the State0

on&ress, seemin&l! minul an res"e'tul o these thrusts an o one min ith the Presient, has, in

ull, "asse into la the rat .an&samoro .asi' /a su#mitte to them, ithout material 'han&es in the

orm o amenments 'reita#le to either o the Senate or the =ouse o Re"resentatives0

There is no 'ontrovers! in the "ro'eure unerta5en0 =oever, &iven that the Transition ommission is

void ab initioor havin& #een 'reate #! an a't o the Presient ultra vires, there is no rat .asi' /a to

s"ea5 o an thereore, no measure 'an #e le&all! sai to have #een su#mitte to an eli#erate on #!

on&ress0 Hhat the le&islature has "asse as la has never 'ome to #e to #e&in ith, #ein& the ruit o an

invali a't, hi'h must have #een stru'5 on instea o #ein& &iven or'e an ee't0 To no a''e"t it

#e'ause it has &one throu&h the "ro"er "ro'ess an #een su#7e'te to the le&islative mill is to honor an a't

that as &ravel!, 'onstitutionall! inirm0

There is no sto""in& the le&islative an exe'utive rom "uttin& their heas to&ether on 'ratin& a la that

shall si&nii'antl! hel" usher the "ea'e envisione #! the aministration0 on&ress is aore the "oers


9/23

to o so valil!0 The Exe'utive must leave on&ress to o the ut! en7oine u"on it #! the onstitution,

rather than stam" inirmit! all over its eorts to "ursue "ea'e ith the .an&samoro "eo"le0

:+ T4e title o8 t4e Ban3-amoro Ba-ic La5 i- uncon-titutional 8or 8ailin3 to appre4en t4e people o8

certain pro0i-ion- t4at allo5 8or material c4an3e- to 54at t4e title i- uner-too to nece--aril6 an

naturall6 entail+

Se'0 2+, Art0 ;I o the onstitution states,

1. Every bill passed by the Congress shall embrace only one subject which shall be expressed in the title

thereof.

In /iasan v0 OME/E, the 'ourt hel that

J!ection "1#1$% &rt. '( of the Constitution contains dual limitations upon legislative power. )irst%

Congress is to refrain from conglomeration% under one statute% of heterogeneous subjects. !econd% the

title of the bill is to be couched in a language

sufficient to notify the legislators and the public and those concerned of the import of the single subject

thereof.K

xxx

*he Constitution does not re+uire Congress to employ in the title of an enactment% language of such

precision as to mirror% fully indexed or catalogued% all the contents and the minute details therein. (t

suffices if the title should serve the purpose of the constitutional demand that it inform the legislators% the

persons interested in the subject of the bill% and the public% of the nature% scope and conse+uences of the

proposed law and its operation. &nd this% to lead them to in+uire into the body of the bill% study and

discuss the same% ta,e appropriate action thereon% and% thus% prevent surprise or fraud upon the

legislators.

J&- &C* /0'((-2 )0/ *3E 4&!(C 5&6 )0/ *3E 4&-2!&70/0 &- &405(!3(-2 *3E

&8*0-0708! /E2(0- (- 78!5(7 7(-&-&0% /EE&5(-2 )0/ *3E 8/0!E /E845(C

&C* -0. 9:;?@


10/23

E-*(*5E &- &C* /0'((-2 )0/ &- 0/2&-(C &C* )0/ *3E &8*0-0708! /E2(0- (-

78!5(7 7(-&-&0% &- )0/ 0*3E/ 8/0!E!K, as the 'om"lete title o the .asi' /a, alls

short o the 'onstitutional stanar as it "atentl! ails to a""rehen "eo"le o 'ertain "rovisions that ma!

'han&e the ee'ts an 'onsequen'es o the la, e"artin& rom hat it naturall! an ne'essaril! entails at

the time o its "assin&0

Su#"ara&ra"h () o Se'0 B, Art0 III, o the .asi' /a states,

d. all other contiguous areas where there is resolution of the local government unit

or a petition of at least ten percent #1:A$ of the registered voters in the area

as,ing for their inclusion at least two months prior to the conduct of the

ratification of the 4angsamoro 4asic 5aw and the process of delimitation of the

4angsamoro.

At the time o its "assin&, the .asi' /a ma! have #een a""rove in "art ue to 'onsierations o its

#ein& limite in o"eration to 'ontem"orar! notions o hat 'onstitutes the J.an&samoroK0 The "rovision

in question allos or uture si&nii'ant alterations to this, leavin& o"en the question as to hether, ha

#een "eo"le a""rise o su'h a "ossi#ilit!, the la oul still have met the a""roval it i0

It ma! #e 'ontene that the "hrase Jall other 'onti&uous areasK, insulates the "rovision rom o"eratin& in

su'h a a! as to ee't the ex"ansion the "etitioners are ar! oG #ut the ors amit o var!in&

inter"retations0 In times to 'ome, hat is a 'onti&uous area ma! #e inter"rete as 'omin& to #e measure

rom the last ae area ithin a reasona#le istan'e0

;+ T4e Ban3-amoro Ba-ic La5 0iolate- t4e e


11/23

Equal "rote'tion requires that all "ersons or thin&s similarl! situate shoul #e treate ali5e, #oth as to

ri&hts 'onerre an res"onsi#ilities im"ose0

LLL

The 'lause is ex"resse uner our .ill o Ri&hts in orer to ensure that, uner the rule o la, all

"arties are &iven the same a''ess to o""ortunities0 Equal "rote'tion has #een use in orer to assail

le&islation that avors one "art! in the etriment o the other0 Equal "rote'tion, #ein& a 'on'e"t that

allos or no ixe einition, has or its ratio legisthe elementar! "rin'i"le o airness, as is one o the

'ore "rin'i"les o Demo'ra'!0

=en'e, it 'an #e lo&i'all! inerre that true equal "rote'tion ne'essitates the unerstanin& o the

'on'erns all "arties that ill #e ae'te #! le&islative ena'tments0 One 'annot ar#itraril! enor'e a "oli'!

that ill have to #e universall! olloe i it "re7ui'es the ri&hts o a 'ertain 'lass o "eo"le0 This is h!,

in man! instan'es, 'lassii'ation an ierent treatment o ierent 'lasses o "eo"le is 7ustiie0

In the 'ase oeople v. 'era, 1FB, this =onora#le ourt hel, 'itin& a orei&n 'ase,4orgin v

)al,. Co(1F11), that or le&islative #oies to reasona#l! 'lassi! the su#7e'ts o le&islation an there#!

avoi violatin& the equal "rote'tion 'lause, the 'lassii'ation*

10 must #e #ase on su#stantial istin'tions hi'h ma5e real ieren'esG

20 it must #e &ermane to the "ur"oses o the laG

B0 it must not #e limite to existin& 'onitions onl!, an

0 must a""l! equall! to ea'h mem#er o the 'lass0

=avin& sai that, hoever, one must note that not onl! are le&islative #oies alloe the "oer to

'lassi! su#7e'ts o le&islationthe! are manate to o so hen an a#sen'e o 'lassii'ation ill

"re7ui'e the ri&hts o the same0 This is a&ain ue to the ramersC intent to "rovie or the elementar!

"rin'i"le o airness0

A""l!in& the Equal Prote'tion 'lause to the 'ase at #ar, the 'ities o ota#ato an Isa#ela, #oth

'ite uner Se'tion 2(') o Arti'le III o the .an&samoro .asi' /a, are in a ierent 'lassii'ation rom

the other 'lasses0 The! have isa&ree to #e in'lue to #e "art o the ARMM 2331 "le#is'ite #ut,

nonetheless, the! are or'i#l! #ein& in'lue in the ne territor! that ill #e uner the 7urisi'tion o the

.an&samoro .asi' /a0

Moreover, the seemin&l! savin& 'lause Jto ensure the iest a''e"ta#ilit! o the .an&samoro

.asi' /a in the 'ore areas a#ove-mentione, a "o"ular ratii'ation shall #e 'onu'te amon& all the

.an&samoro ithin the areas or their ao"tionK is a measure that ta5es "la'e ater the la as "asse0 It

oul #e in'orre't to sa! the! are nevertheless ex'lue rom the ne territor! until the! 'on'ur or, ha


12/23


13/23

Their 'on'urren'e is o "aramount im"ortan'e0 Inha#itants o ota#ato an Isa#ela, ue to the

"assa&e o the .an&samoro .asi' /a, are no uner the Exe'utive, /e&islative (#oth e"artments uner

Arti'le ;II o the .an&samoro .asi' /a) an $ui'iar! 7urisi'tion o the ne territor!0 An hile the!

are 'onsiere to #e 'iti6ens hose ri&hts are res"e'te an their "eo"le &iven the ri&ht to run or oi'e,

the! are nevertheless the minorit! to a 'lass the! i not a&ree to have as their rulers0 Their voi'es, hi'h

use to #e in equal ootin& ith the mar&inali6e Moros in the National %overnment, are no a5in to a

his"er 'om"are to the #oomin& voi'es o the Moro ma7orit!0 The! are no uner the taxation "oers

o the .an&samoro %overnment0 Their 'hilren have to re'eive .an&samoro eu'ation0 Even the ri&hts

(Arti'le IL) the! no have are ri&hts 'onerre to them #! the .an&samoro .asi' /a0

Hhile there are man! "rovisions that "rote'tC the non-Moros, su'h as Se'tion o Arti'le IL,

hi'h outlines the ri&hts the .an&samoro %overnment ill re'o&ni6e, the same oes not have the

'hara'teristi' o a sel-exe'utor! "rovision0 This 'an also #e sai or the Se'tion 2B o Arti'le L, hi'h

"rovies that the J.an&samoro Parliament shall ena't las to "romote an su""ort the traitionaltri#al

7usti'e s!stems that are a""ro"riate or the ini&enous "eo"les, as eine #! them0K On the other han,

Se'tions 1 to 22 o the same arti'le have meti'ulousl! "rovie or the ShariCah ourts0

=+ T4e Ban3-amoro Ba-ic La5 i- incon-i-tent 5it4 t4e Con-titution an la5- a- pre-entl6 5ore+

The .asi' /a a'5nole&es an s"earheas the ormation o a lo'al &overnment an "oliti'al unit the

"oers, avanta&es an me'hanisms o hi'h #elie its 'onstitutionalit!0

Se'0 1 o Art0 L o the onstitution "rovies that JtDhere shall be created autonomous regions in

7uslim 7indanao and in the Cordilleras consisting of provinces% cities% municipalities% and geographical

areas sharing common and distinctive historical and cultural heritage% economic and social structures%

and other relevant characteristics within the framewor, of this Constitution and the national sovereignty

as well as territorial integrity of the /epublic of the hilippines.K

Material in the aore quote is the "hrase Jithin the rameor5 o this onstitution an the national

soverei&nt! as ell as territorial inte&rit! o the Re"u#li' o the Phili""inesK0 The "ur"ose an intent o

the ramers in havin& in'lue su'h a "hrase is unmista5a#le in im"ortG an !et man! "rovisions in the

.asi' /a are "oise to 'ontravene this 'onstitutionall! "rovie qualii'ation0 It is mae maniest in the

outset in its Pream#le, hi'h #rans the relationshi" #eteen the entral an .an&samoro %overnments

as Jas!mmetri'alK0 The 'hoi'e o or is intri&uin& an oreshaos a "erversion in the entire la o a


14/23


15/23

The se'tion olloin& is even more 'ontentious in its manate to the entral %overnment an

.an&samoro %overnment to o#serve a J"arit! o esteemK0

oul a ulillment o this "rovision result to a relaxation o the PresientCs "oer o su"ervision It ver!

ell 'oul, an that ill result to an unair stanar o treatment an "rivile&e aore to the

.an&samoro "eo"le0

.ut even #e!on that, there is no la'5 o "roo to the &reater 'a"a'ities #equeathe an entruste to the

.an&samoro ithin the statute0

There is urthermore a ieren'e in the &overnmental stru'ture o#serve #! the entral %overnment an

all other lo'al an autonomous &overnments, an that hi'h is o#serve #! the .an&samoro0

Se'0 1, 2 an B o Art0 ;II o ../Q

This Parliament Jshall #e 'om"ose o at least sixt! (+3) mem#ers, unless otherise "rovie #!

Parliament, ho are re"resentatives o "oliti'al "arties ele'te throu&h a s!stem o "ro"ortional

re"resentation, those ele'te rom sin&le mem#er istri'ts an to reserve seats to re"resent 5e! se'tors in

the .an&samoro, ex'e"t as otherise "rovie uner this Arti'le0K Se'0 o same Arti'leQ

This Parliament, a"art rom #ein& a mar5e e"arture rom the one iel!-use stru'ture o &overnment

in the Phili""ines, is enoe ith "oers that airl! measure u" to those en7o!e an exer'ise #! the

'orres"onin& #oies in the national &overnment0 Su#"ara&ra"h () o Se'0 o Art0 ; states*

The .an&samoro Parliament shall have the olloin& "oers*

10 To ena't le&islation on the ri&hts o the "eo"le o the .an&samoro to

initiate measures or the "assa&e, amenment or re"eal o re&ional

or lo'al le&islationG to #e 'onsulte on matters that ae't their

environmentG to 'all or a reerenum on im"ortant issues ae'tin&

their livesG an, to re'all re&ional or lo'al oi'ialsG

20 To 'onu't inquiries or "u#li' 'onsultations in ai o le&islation in

a''oran'e ith its rules0 In 'onne'tion thereith, it shall have the

"oer to issue su#"oena or su#"oena u'es te'um to 'om"el the

attenan'e o itnesses an the "rou'tion o "a"ers, o'uments, or

thin&s #! itnesses or "ersons uner investi&ation #! the Parliament,

itsel, or #! an! o its 'ommittees0 It shall also have the ri&ht to 'ite


16/23

itnesses or "ersons uner investi&ation or 'ontem"t or reusal to testi!

#eore it or #eore an! o its 'ommittees or to "rou'e "a"ers, o'uments

or thin&s require #! the Parliament or an! o its 'ommittees0 The ri&hts

o "ersons a""earin& in or ae'te 1 #! su'h inquiries shall #e res"e'teG

B0 To ena't a la that oul allo the hie Minister, S"ea5er o the

Parliament an the Presiin& $usti'e o the .an&samoro Shariah =i&h

ourt to au&ment an! item in the .an&samoro %eneral A""ro"riations

/a or their res"e'tive oi'es rom savin&s in other items o their

res"e'tive a""ro"riationsG

0 To ena't a la that shall re&ulate the &rant o ran'hises an

'on'essions, an em"oer the hie Minister to &rant leases, "ermits,

an li'enses over a&ri'ultural lans an or orest mana&ementG

The "oers enumerate in num#ers 1, 2, B an o the aorementione "rovision "ertains to the "oer o

on&ress to le&islate, to 'onu't le&islative inquiries an to a""ro"riate uns0 These 'learl! are

en'roa'hment on the "oers o the on&ress0 The! are is'usse urther in issue num#er 130

>+ T4e BBL 0iolate- t4e Section ., Article "III o8 t4e Con-titution

Se'0 1, Arti'le ;III o the 'onstitution states that Jjudicial power shall be vested in one !upreme Court

and in such lower courts as may be established by law0K

As 'an #e unerstoo in the "lain text, the Su"reme ourt is hi&hest 'ourt in the lan an on&ress 'an

onl! esta#lish loer 'ourts #! la0 =oever Arti'le ;, Se' 11 o the ../ states that J tDhe supremacy

of !hariah and its application shall only be to 7uslims. K hile Arti'le L, Se' 1 o the same la states

that the J*he justice system in the 4angsamoro shall consist of !hariah law which shall have supremacy

and application over 7uslims only.K

This im"lies that the Su"reme ourt ill lose its 7urisi'tion over Muslims to the ShariCah0 This is

tantamount to e"rivin& the Su"reme ourt 7urisi'tion over the 'ases enumerate in Art ;III Se'tion

o the onstitution over Muslims0 This is "rohi#ite #! our onstitution as state in Se'tion 2 o Arti'le

;III hi'h states that JtDhe Congress shall have the power to define% prescribe% and apportion the

jurisdiction of the various courts but may not deprive the !upreme Court of its jurisdiction over cases

enumerated in !ection ; hereof.K


17/23

D+ On t4e i--ue o8 t4e creation o8 t4e BAN$SAMORO POLICE0

!ec. " of &rt. =( in the .an&samoro .asi' /a states that su'h Jill #e or&ani6e, maintaine,

su"ervise, an utili6e or the "rimar! "ur"oseK This is 'ontrar! to Art0 L;I, Se'0 + o the 1F

onstitution hi'h sa!s that J the state shall maintain one "oli'e or'e hi'h shall #e national in

'hara'ter an 'ivilian in or'e to #e aministere an 'ontrolle #! the national "oli'e 'ommission0 The

authorit! o lo'al exe'utives over the "oli'e units in their 7urisi'tion shall #e "rovie #! la0K The

'reation o the .an&samoro Poli'e ill not #e 'onsistent to the 'onstitution as it ill #e another "oli'e

or'e limitin& their 7urisi'tion insie the .an&samoro territor!, hen'e, 'annot #e 'onsiere as "art o the

PNP0 Them, #ein& name as the .an&samoro Poli'e, is an a#solute ieren'e to the normal mem#ers o

the Phili""ine National Poli'e #e'ause in other re&ions o the Phili""ines li5e the AR an

A/A.AR:ON, it is onl! the PNP that &overns0 Pro#lems ma! arise i, or exam"le, a non-Moro is

sou&ht to #e etaine #! the PNP, 'an the! o su'h un'tion i a etainee lees in an area on hi'h the

.an&samoro "oli'e 'arries 7urisi'tion Houl it 7ust result to isa&reement hen it 'omes to 7urisi'tion

an as a result, oul also ae't the #asi' human ri&ht o s"ee! is"osition o 'ases

It ill also violate the equal "rote'tion 'lause #e'ause o the unex"laine ne'essit! o "roviin& a "oli'e

or'e limite onl! or the .an&samoro an still #e 'onsiere as "art o the PNP0 4urthermore, the eense

an se'urit! o the .an&samoro shall #e the res"onsi#ilit! o the entral %overnment0 The entral

%overnment ma! also o"t to 'reate a .an&samoro omman o the Arme 4or'es o the Phili""ines or

the .an&samoro, hi'h shall #e or&ani6e, maintaine an utili6e in a''oran'e ith national las0

Hh! is there a se"arate "oli'e or'e or the .an&samoro Is it still or their 'ultural ientit! Politi'al

"oer E'onomi' &roth Or even so'ial istin'tion I it is, then all re&ions shoul #e entitle o this

5in o se"arate "oli'e or'e0 It violates the equal "rote'tion 'lause #e'ause the! ere authori6e to have

a .an&samoro "oli'e 7ust #e'ause o their envisione autonom!, merel! as a re&ion hi'h is "art o the

Phili""ines0

Sin'e the hea o the .an&samoro "oli'e ill #e 'hie minister ele'te #! the .an&samoro "arliament

hile the PNP 'hie is a""ointe #! a ierent entit!, several is"ute ma! arise on their is'retionar!

"oers0 An! settlement oul result to an unne'essar! ela! to exe'ute its un'tions0 The "etitioners also

"reem"t that "assiveness on the a't that the .an&samoro shall #e "art o the PNP ill not #e lon& term as

the .an&samoro "arliament ma! ena't las to &overn the .an&samoro Poli'e hi'h the .asi' /a

s"e'ii'all! authori6e in Art0 LI, Se'0 120 The "arliament 'an o"t to ena't amen or re"eal las to &ive

'han&e that ma! #e su#stantial enou&h or it to have is'retionar! "oers, hi'h are 'om"letel!

ine"enent ith the PNP0


18/23


19/23

I re'o&ni6e that the .an&samoro .asi' /a assure to im"lement the 'arinal ri&hts o or5ers

s"e'ii'all! &uarantee #! our onstitution, #ut Se'0F o Art0 ;III o the .asi' /a shoul also &uarantee,

as state in the .asi' /aCs "ream#le, not onl! the #asi' ri&hts o or5ers #ut also the lasC 'onsonan'e

ith the Phili""ine onstitution ith re&ars to its la#or relations0 Hhat shoul e "resume i the

"rin'i"le o share res"onsi#ilit! #eteen an em"lo!er an em"lo!ee as not in'lue in the

.an&samoro .asi' /a Hhat a#out tiltin& the s'ales o 7usti'e in avor o the la#orer Hhat a#out the

#alan'in& o interests #eteen the or5ers an em"lo!ers Hill the .an&samoro, ho 'laims that the!

are a se"arate nation ith a istin't ientit!, 'ulture an ine"enent state, "rovie #etter las Hill it #e

a &oo iea to &ive them the "rivile&e to 'ustomi6e their la#or las

Their las on la#or are not !et 'reate, hen'e, several a'tors are still aitin& to #e etermine that

'annot #e 'ertain i it ill 'onorm to our usual la#or relations an stanars, hi'h ma! lea to in7usti'e

in 'ratin& their la#or estin!0 An exam"le is the overseas em"lo!ment here it as not 'learl! state in

the .an&samoro .asi' /a i su'h is "ermitte or the .an&samoro "eo"le0 Hhat e 'an assume is that

the! shoul #e "ermitte as its ull "rote'tion to la#or is &uarantee #! Se'0 1, Art0 LIII o the

onstitution0

.2+ Unue ele3ation o8 Le3i-lati0e Po5er-

Pertinent se'tion o the ../ ith re&ar to its le&islative "oers0

Art ", Sec III .;

Esta#lishment o &overnmentGone anor 'ontrolle 'or"orations %OS an inan'ial institutions0

U The .an&samoro %overnment shall legislate and implement the creation of its own 20CCs in the

"ursuit o the 'ommon &oo, an su#7e't to e'onomi' via#ilit!0 The %Os shall #e re&istere ith

the Se'urities an Ex'han&e ommission or shall #e esta#lishe uner le&islative 'harter #! the

.an&samoro %overnmentG

Art ", Sec III =D

The .an&samoro Parliament ma! create% divide% merge% abolish or substantially alter boundaries of

provinces% cities% municipalities or barangays in accordance with a law enacted by the 4angsamoro

arliament% an su#7e't to the a""roval #! a ma7orit! o the votes 'ast in a "le#is'ite in the "oliti'al

units ire'tl! ae'te0 Su#7e't to the 'riteria "rovie in sai la, the .an&samoro Parliament

ma! li5eise 'reate a""ro"riate lo'al &overnment units in the areas inha#ite

"reominantl! #! ini&enous "eo"lesG


20/23

Art "II, Sec . an 1

Se'tion 10VPoers o %overnment0 U The "oers o &overnment shall #e veste in the

.an&samoro Parliament, hi'h shall exer'ise those "oers an un'tions ex"ressl!

&rante to it in this .asi' /a, an those ne'essar! or or in'iental to the "ro"er

&overnan'e an evelo"ment o the .an&samoro0 (t shall set policies% legislate on

matters within its authority% an ele't a hie Minister, ho shall exer'ise exe'utive

authorit! in its #ehal0

Se'tion 20 /e&islative Authorit!0 U*he 4angsamoro arliament shall have the authority

to enact laws on matters that are within the powers and competencies of the

4angsamoro 2overnment.

Art "II, Sec ?

Reistri'tin&0 U *he arliament shall have the power 1 to reconstitute% by law , the "arliamentar! istri'ts

a""ortione amon& the "rovin'es, 'ities, muni'i"alities, an &eo&ra"hi' areas o the .an&samoro to

ensure equita#le re"resentation in the Parliament0 The reistri'tin&, mer&in& or 'reation, o

"arliamentar! istri'ts shall #e #ase on the num#er o inha#itants an aitional "rovin'es, 'ities,

muni'i"alities, an &eo&ra"hi' areas, hi'h shall #e'ome "art o the territories o the .an&samoro

%overnment0

Art "II, Sec 1=(1D

Se'tion 20 A""ro"riations0 U No "u#li' mone! ma! #e s"ent ithout an a""ro"riations a't 'learl!

einin& the "ur"ose or hi'h it is intene0 The 4angsamoro arliament shall pass an annual

appropriations law.

Se'tion 2+0 .u&et0 U The orm, 'ontent, an manner o "re"aration 1V o the .an&samoro

budget shall be prescribed by lawena'te #! the .an&samoro Parliament0 Penin& the

ena'tment o su'h la, the #u&etin& "ro'ess shall #e &overne #! existin& las, rules, an re&ulations

on #u&et0

Se'tion 20 Reena'te .u&et0 I, #! the en o a is'al !ear, the .an&samoro Parliament shall

have aile to "ass the .an&samoro a""ro"riations #ill or the ensuin& is'al !ear, the .an&samoro


21/23

A""ro"riations A't or the "re'ein& !ear shall #e eeme automati'all! reena'te an shall remain in

or'e an ee't until a ne .an&samoro appropriations law is enacted by arliament.

Art I), Sec @(.2

Se'tion F0 Ri&hts o /a#or0 The .an&samoro %overnment shall &uarantee all unamental ri&hts o

all or5ers to sel or&ani6ation, 'olle'tive #ar&ainin& an ne&otiations, an "ea'eul 'on'erte

a'tivities, in'luin& the ri&ht to stri5e, in a''oran'e ith la to #e "asse #! Parliament0 In this

re&ar, the ri&ht o or5ers, hether "u#li'l! or "rivatel! em"lo!e, to orm unions, asso'iations or

eerations shall not #e a#ri&e0

The or5ers shall "arti'i"ate in "oli'! an e'ision ma5in& "ro'esses 1V ae'tin& their ri&hts an

#eneits, as ma! #e "rovie #! la to #e ena'te #! the .an&samoro Parliament0

The ri&ht o or5ers to se'urit! o tenure, humane 'onitions o or5, an a livin& a&e shall #e

&uarantee0

No trai'5in& in "ersons an en&a&ement o minors in an! ha6arous or eleterious orms o

em"lo!ment shall #e tolerate0

*hese rights shall be provided for in a law to be passed by the 4angsamoro arliament.

Se'tion 130 Prote'tion o Homen an hilren0 U The .an&samoro %overnment shall u"hol an

"rote't the unamental ri&hts o omen an 'hilren in'luin& the ri&ht o omen to en&a&e in laul

em"lo!ment0 Homen an 'hilren es"e'iall! or"hans o tener a&e, shall #e "rote'te rom

ex"loitation, a#use or is'rimination0 *he 4angsamoro arliament shall enact the necessary laws

for the implementation of this section.

All the a#ove mentione "rovisions o the ../ "ertains to the le&islative "oer #! the .an&samoro

%overnment0 Num#ers 1 o Se'tion B Arti'le ; "ertains to the "oer o the .an&samoro %overnment to

'reate oi'es0 Num#ers o Se'tion B Arti'le ; an Se'tion o Arti'le ;II "ertains to the "oer o the

.an&samoro %overnment to a""ortion0 Se'tion 1 an 2 o Arti'le ;II "ertains to the "oer o the

.an&samoro %overnment to le&islate las in &eneral ithin its 7urisi'tion0 Se'tion 2-2+ o Arti'le III

"ertains to the "oer o the .an&samoro %overnment to "ass a""ro"riations la or its %overnment0


22/23

/astl! Se'tions F an 13 o the ../ restates the "oer o the .an&samoro %overnment to "ass s"e'ii'

las or the "rote'tion o s"e'ii' ri&hts0

This is 'ontrar! to the onstitution0 Se'tion I o Arti'le ;I states that J tDhe legislative power shall be

vested in the Congress of the hilippines which shall consist of a !enate and a 3ouse of /epresentatives%

except to the extent reserved to the people by the provision on initiative and referendum.K This

'onstitutional "rovision 'learl! states that it is onl! the on&ress, ith the ex'e"tion o the "oers

reserve to the "eo"le, ho 'an exer'ise le&islative "oers0 The le&islative "oers in'lue, amon&

others, the "oer to "ass las, the "oer to a""ortion territories an the "oer to a""ro"riate uns0

These "oers 'annot #e ele&ate in the a! that is ritten in the ../0

CONCLUIN$ STATEMENT

Petitioners inall! ish to a&ain uners'ore the un'onstitutional as"e'ts o the .an&samaro .asi' /a

namel!* 1) Exe'utive Orer No0 123 'reatin& the Transition ommission, hi'h as essentiall! a "u#li'

oi'e, is voi or havin& #een an a't o the Presient ultra vires, 2) the Transition ommission #ein& void

ab initio, there is thereore, le&all! s"ea5in&, no rat .an&samoro .asi' /a to s"ea5 o or on&ress to

ul! ena't, B) the title o the .an&samoro .asi' /a is un'onstitutional or ailin& to a""rehen the

"eo"le o 'ertain "rovisions that allo or material 'han&es to hat the title is unerstoo to ne'essaril!

an naturall! entail, ) The .an&samoro .asi' /a violates the equal "rote'tion 'lause, ) the

.an&samoro .asi' /a is in'onsistent ith the onstitution an las as "resentl! ore, +) the ../

violates the Se'tion 1, Arti'le ;III o the onstitution, ) the 'reation o the .AN%SAMORO PO/IE,

) havin& a ierent 4/A%, F) the to-#e /a#or las o the .an&samoro, an lastl! 13) the unue

ele&ation o le&islative "oers0


23/23

PRA&ER

H=ERE4ORE, it is most res"e'tull! "ra!e o this =onora#le ourt that the .an&samoro .asi' /a

alon& ith Exe'utive Orer No0 123 'reatin& a Transition ommission #e e'lare un'onstitutional an

that the res"onents Exe'utive Se'retar! Paquito N0 O'hoa, $r0, an De"artment o .u&et an

Mana&ement Se'retar! 4loren'io .0 A#a #e en7oine rom im"lementin& the sai la an rom releasin&

un or the im"lementation o su'h0

Petitioners "ra! or su'h other relie as this =onora#le Su"reme ourt ma! in equita#le an "ro"er in

the "remises0

bangsamorols issues

Documents

Transcript of bangsamorols issues