Crim Cases Original

8/12/2019 Crim Cases Original

1/311

6

FIRST DIVISION

G.R. No. 142396 February 11, 2003

KHOSROW MINUCHER,petitioner,vs.HON. COUR OF !""E!#S a$% !RHUR SC!#&O,respondents.

D E C I S I O N

'IUG,J.:

Sometime in May 196, an In!ormation !or vio"ation o! Se#tion $ o! Rep%&"i# '#t No.6$(), ot*er+ise a"so no+n as t*e -Danero%s Dr%s '#t o! 19/(,- +as !i"ed aainst

petitioner 0*osro+ Min%#*er and one '&&as Tora&ian +it* t*e Reiona" Tria" Co%rt,ran#* 1)1, o! 2asi City. T*e #rimina" #*are !o""o+ed a -&%y3&%st operation-#ond%#ted &y t*e 2*i"ippine po"i#e nar#oti# aents in t*e *o%se o! Min%#*er, anIranian nationa", +*ere a 4%antity o! *eroin, a pro*i&ited dr%, +as said to *ave &eensei5ed. T*e nar#oti# aents +ere a##ompanied &y private respondent 'rt*%r S#a"5o+*o +o%"d, in d%e time, &e#ome one o! t*e prin#ipa" +itnesses !or t*e prose#%tion.On 7an%ary 19, 2residin 7%de E%tropio Mirino rendered a de#ision a#4%ittint*e t+o a##%sed.

On 8 '%%st 19, Min%#*er !i"ed Civi" Case No. 3$)691 &e!ore t*e Reiona"Tria" Co%rt RTC:, ran#* 19, o! Mani"a !or damaes on a##o%nt o! +*at *e #"aimedto *ave &een tr%mped3%p #*ares o! dr% tra!!i#in made &y 'rt*%r S#a"5o. T*eMani"a RTC detai"ed +*at it *ad !o%nd to &e t*e !a#ts and #ir#%mstan#es s%rro%ndint*e #ase.

-T*e testimony o! t*e p"ainti!! dis#"osed t*at *e is an Iranian nationa". ;e #ame to t*e2*i"ippines to st%dy in t*e


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+as *is &%siness a!ter t*e 0*omeini overnment #%t *is pension o! over B8,. permont*. D%rin t*eir introd%#tion in t*at meetin, t*e de!endant ave t*e p"ainti!! *is#a""in #ard, +*i#* s*o+ed t*at *e is +orin at t*e


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%np"%ed. ;e ased !or any +arrant, &%t t*e de!endant to"d *im to s*%t %p. ;e +asnevert*e"ess to"d t*at *e +o%"d &e a&"e to #a"" !or *is "a+yer +*o #an de!end *im.

-T*e p"ainti!! too note o! t*e !a#t t*at +*en t*e de!endant invited *im to #ome o%t tomeet *is #o%sin, *is sa!e +as opened +*ere *e ept t*e B($,. t*e de!endant paid

!or t*e #arpets and anot*er B,. +*i#* *e a"so p"a#ed in t*e sa!e toet*er +it* a&ra#e"et +ort* B1),. and a pair o! earrins +ort* B1,.. ;e a"sodis#overed missin %pon *is re"ease *is pie#es *and3made 2ersian #arpets, va"%ed atB6),., a paintin *e &o%*t !or 28,. toet*er +it* *is TV and &etamaAsets. ;e #"aimed t*at +*en *e +as *and#%!!ed, t*e de!endant too *is eys !rom *is+a""et. T*ere +as, t*ere!ore, not*in "e!t in *is *o%se.

-T*at *is arrest as a *eroin tra!!i#er A A A *ad &een +e"" p%&"i#i5ed t*ro%*o%t t*e+or"d, in vario%s ne+spapers, parti#%"ar"y in '%stra"ia, 'meri#a, Centra" 'sia and int*e 2*i"ippines. ;e +as identi!ied in t*e papers as an internationa" dr% tra!!i#er. A AA

In !a#t, t*e arrest o! de!endant and Tora&ian +as "ie+ise on te"evision, not on"y in t*e2*i"ippines, &%t a"so in 'meri#a and in Jermany. ;is !riends in said p"a#es in!ormed*im t*at t*ey sa+ *im on TV +it* said ne+s.

-'!ter t*e arrest made on p"ainti!! and Tora&ian, t*ey +ere &ro%*t to Camp Crame*and#%!!ed toet*er, +*ere t*ey +ere detained !or t*ree days +it*o%t !ood and+ater.-1

D%rin t*e tria", t*e "a+ !irm o! =%na, Sison and Manas, !i"ed a spe#ia" appearan#e !orS#a"5o and moved !or eAtension o! time to !i"e an ans+er pendin a s%pposed advi#e!rom t*e


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Cir#%"ar No. 13K in any event, t*e Co%rt added, S#a"5o *ad !ai"ed to s*o+ t*at t*eappe""ate #o%rt +as in error in its 4%estioned H%dment.

Mean+*i"e, at t*e #o%rt a 4%o, an order, dated 9 Fe&r%ary 199, +as iss%ed a:de#"arin S#a"5o in de!a%"t !or *is !ai"%re to !i"e a responsive p"eadin ans+er: and

&: settin t*e #ase !or t*e re#eption o! eviden#e. On 1( Mar#* 199, S#a"5o !i"ed amotion to set aside t*e order o! de!a%"t and to admit *is ans+er to t*e #omp"aint.Jrantin t*e motion, t*e tria" #o%rt set t*e #ase !or pre3tria". In *is ans+er, S#a"5odenied t*e materia" a""eations o! t*e #omp"aint and raised t*e a!!irmative de!enses a:o! Min%#*ers !ai"%re to state a #a%se o! a#tion in *is #omp"aint and &: t*at S#a"5o*ad a#ted in t*e dis#*are o! *is o!!i#ia" d%ties as &ein mere"y an aent o! t*e Dr%En!or#ement 'dministration o! t*e


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-'dH%din de!endant "ia&"e to p"ainti!! in a#t%a" and #ompensatory damaes o!2)(,.K mora" damaes in t*e s%m o! 21 mi""ionK eAemp"ary damaes in t*es%m o! 21,.K attorneys !ees in t*e s%m o! 2(,. p"%s #osts.

T*e C"er o! t*e Reiona" Tria" Co%rt, Mani"a, is ordered to tae note o! t*e "ien o!

t*e Co%rt on t*is H%dment to ans+er !or t*e %npaid do#et !ees #onsiderin t*at t*ep"ainti!! in t*is #ase instit%ted t*is a#tion as a pa%per "itiant.-(

?*i"e t*e tria" #o%rt ave #reden#e to t*e #"aim o! S#a"5o and t*e eviden#e presented&y *im t*at *e +as a dip"omati# aent entit"ed to imm%nity as s%#*, it r%"ed t*at *e,nevert*e"ess, s*o%"d &e *e"d a##o%nta&"e !or t*e a#ts #omp"ained o! #ommittedo%tside *is o!!i#ia" d%ties. On appea", t*e Co%rt o! 'ppea"s reversed t*e de#ision o!t*e tria" #o%rt and s%stained t*e de!ense o! S#a"5o t*at *e +as s%!!i#ient"y #"ot*ed +it*dip"omati# imm%nity d%rin *is term o! d%ty and t*ere&y imm%ne !rom t*e #rimina"and #ivi" H%risdi#tion o! t*e -Re#eivin State- p%rs%ant to t*e terms o! t*e ViennaConvention.

;en#e, t*is re#o%rse &y Min%#*er. T*e instant petition !or revie+ raises a t+o3!o"diss%eG 1: +*et*er or not t*e do#trine o! #on#"%siveness o! H%dment, !o""o+in t*ede#ision rendered &y t*is Co%rt in J.R. No. 9//6), s*o%"d *ave pre#"%ded t*e Co%rto! 'ppea"s !rom reso"vin t*e appea" to it in an entire"y di!!erent manner, and (:+*et*er or not 'rt*%r S#a"5o is indeed entit"ed to dip"omati# imm%nity.

T*e do#trine o! #on#"%siveness o! H%dment, or its indred r%"e o! res H%di#ata, +o%"dre4%ire 1: t*e !ina"ity o! t*e prior H%dment, (: a va"id H%risdi#tion over t*e s%&He#tmatter and t*e parties on t*e part o! t*e #o%rt t*at renders it, 8: a H%dment on t*emerits, and $: an identity o! t*e parties, s%&He#t matter and #a%ses o! a#tion.8Even+*i"e one o! t*e iss%es s%&mitted in J.R. No. 9//6) 3 -+*et*er or not p%&"i#respondent Co%rt o! 'ppea"s erred in r%"in t*at private respondent S#a"5o is adip"omat imm%ne !rom #ivi" s%it #on!orma&"y +it* t*e Vienna Convention onDip"omati# Re"ations- 3 is a"so a pivota" 4%estion raised in t*e instant petition, t*er%"in in J.R. No. 9//6), *o+ever, *as not reso"ved t*at point +it* !ina"ity. Indeed,t*e Co%rt t*ere *as made t*is o&servation 3

-It may &e mentioned in t*is reard t*at private respondent *imse"!, in *is 2re3tria"rie! !i"ed on 18 7%ne 199, %ne4%ivo#a""y states t*at *e +o%"d present do#%mentaryeviden#e #onsistin o! DE' re#ords on *is investiation and s%rvei""an#e o! p"ainti!!

and on *is position and d%ties as DE' spe#ia" aent in Mani"a. ;avin t*%s reserved*is ri*t to present eviden#e in s%pport o! *is position, +*i#* is t*e &asis !or t*ea""eed dip"omati# imm%nity, t*e &arren se"!3servin #"aim in t*e &e"ated motion todismiss #annot &e re"ied %pon !or a reasona&"e, inte""ient and !air reso"%tion o! t*eiss%e o! dip"omati# imm%nity.-$

S#a"5o #ontends t*at t*e Vienna Convention on Dip"omati# Re"ations, to +*i#* t*e2*i"ippines is a sinatory, rants *im a&so"%te imm%nity !rom s%it, des#ri&in *is!%n#tions as an aent o! t*e


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1. EA*. ( 3 Dip"omati# Note No. $1$ dated (9 May 199K

(. EA*. 1 3 Certi!i#ation o! Vi#e Cons%" Donna 0. ?ood+ard dated 11 7%ne199K

8. EA*. ) 3 Dip"omati# Note No. /)/ dated () O#to&er 1991K

$. EA*. 6 3 Dip"omati# Note No. /91 dated 1/ Novem&er 199(K and

). EA*. / 3 Dip"omati# Note No. 88 dated (1 O#to&er 19.

6. EA*. 8 3 1st Indorsement o! t*e ;on. 7ore R. Co4%ia, =ea" 'dviser,Department o! Forein '!!airs, dated (/ 7%ne 199 !or+ardin Em&assy Note

No. $1$ to t*e C"er o! Co%rt o! RTC Mani"a, ran#* 19 t*e tria" #o%rt:K

/. EA*. $ 3 Dip"omati# Note No. $1$, appended to t*e 1st Indorsement EA*.8:K and

. EA*. 3 =etter dated 1 Novem&er 199( !rom t*e O!!i#e o! t*e 2roto#o",Department o! Forein '!!airs, t*ro%* 'sst. Se#. Emman%e" Fernande5,addressed to t*e C*ie! 7%sti#e o! t*is Co%rt.)

T*e do#%ments, a##ordin to S#a"5o, +o%"d s*o+ t*atG 1: t*e


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t*e


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S#a"5o asserted, parti#%"ar"y in *is EA*i&its -9- to -18,- t*at *e +as an 'ssistant'tta#*> o! t*e


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' sini!i#ant do#%ment +o%"d appear to &e EA*i&it No. , dated Novem&er 199(,iss%ed &y t*e O!!i#e o! 2roto#o" o! t*e Department o! Forein '!!airs and sined &yEmman%e" C. Fernande5, 'ssistant Se#retary, #erti!yin t*at -t*e re#ords o! t*eDepartment +o%"d: s*o+ t*at Mr. 'rt*%r ?. S#a"5o, 7r., d%rin *is term o! o!!i#e int*e 2*i"ippines !rom 1$ O#to&er 19) %p to 1 '%%st 19: +as "isted as an

'ssistant 'tta#*> o! t*e


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State, in +*ose servi#e *e is, %nder t*e maAim 3 par in parem, non *a&et imperi%m 3t*at a"" states are soverein e4%a"s and #annot assert H%risdi#tion over one anot*er.((T*e imp"i#ation, in &road terms, is t*at i! t*e H%dment aainst an o!!i#ia" +o%"dre4%ire t*e state itse"! to per!orm an a!!irmative a#t to satis!y t*e a+ard, s%#* as t*eappropriation o! t*e amo%nt needed to pay t*e damaes de#reed aainst *im, t*e s%it

m%st &e rearded as &ein aainst t*e state itse"!, a"t*o%* it *as not &een !orma""yimp"eaded.(8

In


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vested in *im. It is a +e""3sett"ed prin#ip"e o! "a+ t*at a p%&"i# o!!i#ia" may &e "ia&"e in*is persona" private #apa#ity !or +*atever damae *e may *ave #a%sed &y *is a#tdone +it* ma"i#e and in &ad !ait* or &eyond t*e s#ope o! *is a%t*ority and

H%risdi#tion.-(/

' !orein aent, operatin +it*in a territory, #an &e #"oaed +it* imm%nity !rom s%it&%t on"y as "on as it #an &e esta&"is*ed t*at *e is a#tin +it*in t*e dire#tives o! t*esendin state. T*e #onsent o! t*e *ost state is an indispensa&"e re4%irement o! &asi##o%rtesy &et+een t*e t+o sovereins. J%into and S*a%! &ot* invo"ve o!!i#ers and

personne" o! t*e


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8=in5a vs. C', (91 SCR' 8$.

$Min%#*er vs. Co%rt o! 'ppea"s, (1$ SCR' ($(.

)For do#%mentary EA*i&its Nos. 13, see Ro""o, pp. 1$831)).

6For Do#%mentary EA*i&its Nos. 9318, See Ro""o, pp. 1)6316.

/Ei"een Den5a, -Dip"omati# =a+, ' Commentary on t*e Vienna Conventionon Dip"omati# Re"ations,- (nd Edition, C"aredon 2ress, OA!ord, 199, at (1.

Ibid.

9'rti#"e 8 o! t*e Vienna Convention en%merates t*e !%n#tions o! t*edip"omati# mission as

a: representin t*e sendin State in t*e re#eivin StateK

&: prote#tin in t*e re#eivin State t*e interests o! t*e sendin Stateand o! its nationa"s, +it*in t*e "imits permitted &y internationa" "a+K

#: neotiatin +it* t*e Jovernment o! t*e re#eivin StateK

d: as#ertainin &y a"" "a+!%" means #onditions and deve"opments int*e re#eivin State, and reportin t*ereon to t*e Jovernment o! t*esendin StateK

e: promotin !riend"y re"ations &et+een t*e sendin State and t*ere#eivin State, and deve"opin t*eir e#onomi#, #%"t%ra" and s#ienti!i#re"ations.

1'm&assadors are dip"omati# aents o! t*e !irst #"ass, +*o dea", as a r%"e +it*t*e Minister o! Forein '!!airs or t*e Se#retary o! State, as t*e #ase may &e.Me"4%iades 7. Jam&oa, -E"ements o! Dip"omati# and Cons%"ar 2ra#ti#e, 'J"ossary,- Centra" =a+&oo 2%&"is*in, Co., 1966, p. 19.:

11Envoys are dip"omati# aents o! t*e se#ond #"ass. T*is is t*e tit"e o! t*e *ead

o! "eation as distin%is*ed !rom an em&assy, t*e *ead o! +*i#* is #a""ed'm&assador EAtraordinary and 2"enipotentiary. =ie t*e 'm&assador, t*eenvoy is a"so a##redited to t*e ;ead o! State. Jam&oa, p. 19.:

1(C*ares d '!!airs are eit*er en titre or ad interim. C*ares d '!!airs en titreare appointed on a permanent &asis and &e"on to t*e !o%rt* #"ass o!dip"omati# envoys, t*e ot*er t*ree &ein am&assadors, ministers

p"enipotentiary and envoys eAtraordinary, and ministers resident. ;e is t*e*ead o! t*e "eation in *is o+n ri*t and is not a##redited to t*e *ead o! State

&%t to t*e !orein o!!i#e. '##ordin to Rad"ori#, #*ares d a!!airs aresometimes %sed to des#ri&ed a person +*o *as &een p"a#ed in #%stody o! t*e

ar#*ives and ot*er property o! a mission in a #o%ntry +it* +*i#* !orma"dip"omati# re"ations are not maintained. C*ares d a!!airs ad interim, in
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#ontrast are %s%a""y t*ose se#ond in #ommand o! t*e dip"omati# mission minister, #o%nse"or or !irst se#retary, +*o are on"y temporari"y in #*are o! t*emission d%rin t*e a&sen#e o! t*e *ead o! t*e mission. ;e is not a##reditedeit*er to t*e ;ead o! State or t*e Forein O!!i#e. Jam&oa,Ibid., pp. )13)(.:

18T*e #"assi!i#ation o! dip"omati# representatives +as #onsidered sini!i#ant&e!ore &e#a%se dire#t #omm%ni#ation +it* t*e *ead o! state depended on t*eran o! t*e dip"omat and, moreover, on"y po+er!%" states +ere rearded asentit"ed to send envoys o! t*e *i*est ran. 't present *o+ever, dip"omati#matters are %s%a""y dis#%ssed not +it* t*e *ead o! state &%t +it* t*e !oreinse#retary reard"ess o! t*e dip"omats ran. Moreover, it *as &e#ome t*e

pra#ti#e no+ !or even t*e sma""est and t*e +eaest states to send dip"omati#representatives o! t*e *i*est ran, even to t*e maHor po+ers. Cr%5,Internationa" =a+, 19) Edition, p. 1$).:

1$Jam&oa,supra., pp. 8(388.

1)$ SCR' ($(.

167.=. rier"y, -T*e =a+ o! Nations,- OA!ord


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on t*e ro%nd t*at %ndertain maritime naviation and &%siness as a#ommer#ia" enterprise do not #onstit%te a soverein a#t. D.?. Jrie,-Internationa" =a+,- =ondon %tter+ort*s, 19/, p. ((1.:

((See S#*ooner EA#*ane vs. M#Faddon, / Cran#* 116 11(:, #ited in

C*ar"es J. Fen+i#, -Internationa" =a+,- Ne+ or, 8rd Edition 19$:, p.8/.

(8


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): T;E DECISION OF 7'N


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'!ter a #are!%" de"i&eration o! t*e ar%ments raised in petitioners and intervenorsMotions !or Re#onsideration, +e !ind no #oent reason to dist%r& o%r De#ision o!7an%ary (, (. 's +e *ave stated t*erein, t*e s"ander o! a person, &y any stret#*,#annot &e #onsidered as !a""in +it*in t*e p%rvie+ o! t*e imm%nity ranted to 'Do!!i#ers and personne". 2etitioner ar%es t*at t*e De#ision *ad t*e e!!e#t o! preH%din

t*e #rimina" #ase !or ora" de!amation aainst *im. ?e +is* to stress t*at it did not.?*at +e mere"y stated t*erein is t*at s"ander, in enera", #annot &e #onsidered as ana#t per!ormed in an o!!i#ia" #apa#ity. T*e iss%e o! +*et*er or not petitioners%tteran#es #onstit%ted ora" de!amation is sti"" !or t*e tria" #o%rt to determine.

?;EREFORE, in vie+ o! t*e !oreoin, t*e Motions !or Re#onsideration !i"ed &ypetitioner and intervenor Department o! Forein '!!airs are DENIED +it*FIN'=IT.

SO ORDERED.

Kapunan and Pardo, JJ .,#on#%r.Davide, Jr., C.J.,I a"so Hoin #on#%rrin opinion o! Mr. 7%sti#e 2%no.Puno, J.,2"ease see #on#%rrin opinion.

Co$)urr-$/ O(-$-o$

"UNO,J.,#on#%rrinG

For reso"%tion is t*e Motion !or Re#onsideration !i"ed &y petitioner 7e!!rey =ian o!t*is Co%rts de#ision dated 7an%ary (, ( +*i#* denied t*e petition !or revie+. ?et*ere *e"d t*atG t*e proto#o" #omm%ni#ation o! t*e Department o! Forein '!!airs tot*e e!!e#t t*at petitioner =ian is #overed &y imm%nity is on"y pre"iminary and *as no

&indin e!!e#t in #o%rtsK t*e imm%nity provided !or %nder Se#tion $)a: o! t*e;ead4%arters 'reement is s%&He#t to t*e #ondition t*at t*e a#t &e done in an -o!!i#ia"#apa#ity-K t*at s"anderin a person #annot &e said to *ave &een done in an -o!!i#ia"#apa#ity- and, *en#e, it is not #overed &y t*e imm%nity areementK %nder t*e ViennaConvention on Dip"omati# Re"ations, a dip"omati# aent, ass%min petitioner is s%#*,enHoys imm%nity !rom #rimina" H%risdi#tion o! t*e re#eivin state eA#ept in t*e #ase o!an a#tion re"atin to any pro!essiona" or #ommer#ia" a#tivity eAer#ised &y t*e

dip"omati# aent in t*e re#eivin state o%tside *is o!!i#ia" !%n#tionsK t*e #ommissiono! a #rime is not part o! o!!i#ia" d%tyK and t*at a pre"iminary investiation is not amatter o! ri*t in #ases #oni5a&"e &y t*e Metropo"itan Tria" Co%rt.

2etitioners motion !or re#onsideration is an#*ored on t*e !o""o+in ar%mentsG

1. T*e DF's determination o! imm%nity is a po"iti#a" 4%estion to &e made &yt*e eAe#%tive &ran#* o! t*e overnment and is #on#"%sive %pon t*e #o%rtsK

(. T*e imm%nity o! internationa" orani5ations is a&so"%teK

8. T*e imm%nity eAtends to a"" sta!! o! t*e 'sian Deve"opment an 'D:K


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$. D%e pro#ess +as !%""y a##orded t*e #omp"ainant to re&%t t*e DF' proto#o"K

). T*e de#ision o! 7an%ary (, ( erroneo%s"y made a !indin o! !a#t on t*emerits, name"y, t*e s"anderin o! a person +*i#* preH%ded petitioners #ase

&e!ore t*e Metropo"itan Tria" Co%rt MTC: Manda"%yonK and

6. T*e Vienna Convention on dip"omati# re"ations is not app"i#a&"e to t*is#ase.

2etitioner #ontends t*at a determination o! a persons dip"omati# imm%nity &y t*eDepartment o! Forein '!!airs is a po"iti#a" 4%estion. It is so"e"y +it*in t*e

preroative o! t*e eAe#%tive department and is #on#"%sive %pon t*e #o%rts. In s%pporto! *is s%&mission, petitioner #ites t*e !o""o+in #asesG WHO vs. !uinoK1

Internationa" Catho"ic #i$ration Commission vs. Ca""e%aK(&he Ho"' (ee vs. )osario,Jr.K8*asco vs. +nited ationsK$andD- vs. *)C.)

It is !%rt*er #ontended t*at t*e immunit' conerred under the D/ Charter and theHead!uarters $reement is abso"ute. It is desined to sa!e%ard t*e a%tonomy andindependen#e o! internationa" orani5ations aainst inter!eren#e !rom any a%t*orityeAterna" to t*e orani5ations. It is ne#essary to a""o+ s%#* orani5ations to dis#*aret*eir entr%sted !%n#tions e!!e#tive"y. T*e on"y eA#eption to t*is imm%nity is +*ent*ere is an imp"ied or eApress +aiver or +*en t*e imm%nity is eApress"y "imited &ystat%te. T*e eA#eption a""eed"y *as no app"i#ation to t*e #ase at &ar.

2etitioner "ie+ise %res t*at t*e internationa" orani5ations imm%nity !rom "o#a"H%risdi#tion empo+ers t*eD/ a"one to determine what constitutes 0oicia" acts0and the same cannot be sub%ect to dierent interpretations b' the member states. Itasserts t*at t*e ;ead4%arters 'reement provides !or remedies to #*e# a&%sesaainst t*e eAer#ise o! t*e imm%nity. T*%s, Se#tion $9 states t*at t*e -an s*a""+aive t*e imm%nity a##orded to any person i!, in its opinion, s%#* imm%nity +o%"dimpede t*e #o%rse o! H%sti#e and t*e +aiver +o%"d not preH%di#e t*e p%rposes !or+*i#* t*e imm%nities are a##orded.- Se#tion )1 a""o+s !or #ons%"tation &et+een t*eovernment and t*e an s*o%"d t*e overnment #onsider t*at an a&%se *as o##%rred.T*e same se#tion provides t*e me#*anism !or a disp%te sett"ement reardin, amonot*ers, iss%es o! interpretation or app"i#ation o! t*e areement.

2etitioners ar%ment t*at a determination &y t*e Department o! Forein '!!airs t*at

*e is entit"ed to dip"omati# imm%nity is a po"iti#a" 4%estion &indin on t*e #o%rts, isan#*ored on t*e r%"in en%n#iated in t*e #ase o WHO, et a". vs. !uino, et a".,6vi5G

-It is a re#oni5ed prin#ip"e o! internationa" "a+ and %nder o%r system o!separation o! po+ers t*at dip"omati# imm%nity is essentia""y a po"iti#a"4%estion and #o%rts s*o%"d re!%se to "oo &eyond a determination &y t*eeAe#%tive &ran#* o! t*e overnment, and +*ere t*e p"ea o! dip"omati#imm%nity is re#oni5ed and a!!irmed &y t*e eAe#%tive &ran#* o! t*eovernment as in t*e #ase at &ar, it is t*en t*e d%ty o! t*e #o%rts to a##ept t*e#"aim o! imm%nity %pon appropriate s%estion &y t*e prin#ipa" "a+ o!!i#er o!t*e overnment, t*e So"i#itor Jenera" in t*is #ase, or ot*er o!!i#er a#tin %nder

*is dire#tion. ;en#e, in ad*eren#e to t*e sett"ed prin#ip"e t*at #o%rts may notso eAer#ise t*eir H%risdi#tion &y sei5%re and detention o! property, as to


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em&arrass t*e eAe#%tive arm o! t*e overnment in #ond%#tin !oreinre"ations, it is a##epted do#trine t*at in s%#* #ases t*e H%di#ia" department o!t*e overnment !o""o+s t*e a#tion o! t*e po"iti#a" &ran#* and +i"" notem&arrass t*e "atter &y ass%min an antaonisti# H%risdi#tion.-

T*is r%"in +as reiterated in t*e s%&se4%ent #ases o!Internationa" Catho"ic #i$rationCommission vs. Ca""e%aK/&he Ho"' (ee vs. )osario, Jr.K*asco vs. +K9andD- vs.

*)C.1

T*e #ase o! WHO vs. !uinoinvo"ved t*e sear#* and sei5%re o! persona" e!!e#ts o!petitioner =eon#e Verst%y!t, an o!!i#ia" o! t*e ?;O. Verst%y!t +as #erti!ied to &eentit"ed to dip"omati# imm%nity p%rs%ant to t*e ;ost 'reement eAe#%ted &et+een t*e2*i"ippines and t*e WHO.

IC#C vs. Ca""e%a#on#erned a petition !or #erti!i#ation e"e#tion !i"ed aainst ICMCand IRRI. 's internationa" orani5ations, ICMC and IRRI +ere de#"ared to possess

dip"omati# imm%nity. It +as *e"d t*at t*ey are not s%&He#t to "o#a" H%risdi#tions. It +asr%"ed t*at t*e eAer#ise o! H%risdi#tion &y t*e Department o! =a&or over t*e #ase +o%"dde!eat t*e very p%rpose o! imm%nity, +*i#* is to s*ie"d t*e a!!airs o! internationa"orani5ations !rom po"iti#a" press%re or #ontro" &y t*e *ost #o%ntry and to ens%re t*e%n*ampered per!orman#e o! t*eir !%n#tions.

Ho"' (ee v. )osario, Jr. invo"ved an a#tion !or ann%"ment o! sa"e o! "and aainst t*e;o"y See, as represented &y t*e 2apa" N%n#io. T*e Co%rt %p*e"d t*e petitionersde!ense o! soverein imm%nity. It r%"ed t*at +*ere a dip"omati# envoy is rantedimm%nity !rom t*e #ivi" and administrative H%risdi#tion o! t*e re#eivin state over anyrea" a#tion re"atin to private immova&"e property sit%ated in t*e territory o! t*ere#eivin state, +*i#* t*e envoy *o"ds on &e*a"! o! t*e sendin state !or t*e p%rposeso! t*e mission, +it* a"" t*e more reason s*o%"d imm%nity &e re#oni5ed as reards t*esoverein itse"!, +*i#* in t*at #ase is t*e ;o"y See.

In*asco vs. +nited ations, t*e


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orani5ed main"y as a means !or #ond%#tin enera" internationa" &%siness in+*i#* t*e mem&er states *ave an interest.-11

Internationa" p%&"i# o!!i#ia"s *ave &een de!ined asG

-. . . persons +*o, on t*e &asis o! an internationa" treaty #onstit%tin aparti#%"ar internationa" #omm%nity, are appointed &y t*is internationa"#omm%nity, or &y an oran o! it, and are %nder its #ontro" to eAer#ise, in a#ontin%o%s +ay, !%n#tions in t*e interest o! t*is parti#%"ar internationa"#omm%nity, and +*o are s%&He#t to a parti#%"ar persona" stat%s.-1(

8S(e)-a-:e% a/e$)-e8 are -$*er$a*-o$a or/a$-:a*-o$ +a;-$/ u$)*-o$ -$(ar*-)uar -e%, u)+ a (o*, *ee)o


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(. Convention on the Privi"e$es and Immunities o the +nited ations

-Se#tion (G T*e


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Se#tion ((G EAperts . . . per!ormin missions !or t*e


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-Se#tion $G T*e spe#ia"i5ed aen#ies, t*eir property and assets, +*erever"o#ated and &y +*omsoever *e"d, s*a"" enHoy imm%nity !rom every !orm o!"ea" pro#ess eA#ept in so !ar as in any parti#%"ar #ase t*ey *ave eApress"y+aived t*eir imm%nity. It is, *o+ever, %nderstood t*at no +aiver o! imm%nitys*a"" eAtend to any meas%re o! eAe#%tion.

Se#tion 18 a:G Representatives o! mem&ers at meetins #onvened &y aspe#ia"i5ed aen#y s*a"", +*i"e eAer#isin t*eir !%n#tions and d%rin t*eir

Ho%rneys to and !rom t*e p"a#e o! meetin, enHoy imm%nity !rom persona"arrest or detention and !rom sei5%re o! t*eir persona" &aae, and in respe#to! +ords spoen or +ritten and a"" a#ts done &y t*em in t*eir o!!i#ia" #apa#ity,imm%nity !rom "ea" pro#ess o! every ind.

AAA AAA AAA

Se#tion 19 a:G O!!i#ia"s o! t*e spe#ia"i5ed aen#ies s*a"" &e imm%ne !rom

"ea" pro#ess in respe#t o! +ords spoen or +ritten and a"" a#ts per!ormed &yt*em in t*eir o!!i#ia" #apa#ity.

AAA AAA AAA

Se#tion (1G In addition to t*e imm%nities and privi"ees spe#i!ied in se#tions19 and (, t*e eAe#%tive *ead o! ea#* spe#ia"i5ed aen#y, in#"%din a anyo!!i#ia" a#tin on *is &e*a"! d%rin *is a&sen#e !rom d%ty, s*a"" &e a##orded inrespe#t o! *imse"!, *is spo%se and minor #*i"dren, t*e privi"ees andimm%nities, eAemptions and !a#i"ities a##orded to dip"omati# envoys, ina##ordan#e +it* internationa" "a+.-

6. Charter o the D/

-'rti#"e ) 1:G T*e an s*a"" enHoy imm%nity !rom every !orm o! "ea"pro#ess, eA#ept in #ases arisin o%t o! or in #onne#tion +it* t*e eAer#ise o! itspo+ers to &orro+ money, to %arantee o&"iations, or to &%y and se"" or%nder+rite t*e sa"e o! se#%rities, in +*i#* #ases a#tions may &e &ro%*taainst t*e an in a #o%rt o! #ompetent H%risdi#tion in t*e territory o! a#o%ntry in +*i#* t*e an *as its prin#ipa" or a &ran#* o!!i#e, or *asappointed an aent !or t*e p%rpose o! a##eptin servi#e or noti#e o! pro#ess, or

*as iss%ed or %aranteed se#%rities.

AAA AAA AAA

'rti#"e )) i:G '"" Jovernors, Dire#tors, a"ternates, o!!i#ers and emp"oyees o!t*e an, in#"%din eAperts per!ormin missions !or t*e an s*a"" &e imm%ne!rom "ea" pro#ess +it* respe#t to a#ts per!ormed &y t*em in t*eir o!!i#ia"#apa#ity, eA#ept +*en t*e an +aives t*e imm%nity.-

/.D/ Head!uarters $reement

-Se#tion )G T*e an s*a"" enHoy imm%nity !rom every !orm o! "ea" pro#ess,eA#ept in #ases arisin o%t o! or in #onne#tion +it* t*e eAer#ise o! its po+ers


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to &orro+ money, to %arantee o&"iations, or to &%y and se"" or %nder+rite t*esa"e o! se#%rities, in +*i#* #ases a#tions may &e &ro%*t aainst t*e an in a#o%rt o! #ompetent H%risdi#tion in t*e Rep%&"i# o! t*e 2*i"ippines.

AAA AAA AAA

Se#tion $$G Jovernors, ot*er representatives o! Mem&ers, Dire#tors, t*e2resident, Vi#e32resident and eAe#%tive o!!i#ers as may &e areed %pon

&et+een t*e Jovernment and t*e an s*a"" enHoy, d%rin t*eir stay in t*eRep%&"i# o! t*e 2*i"ippines in #onne#tion +it* t*eir o!!i#ia" d%ties +it* t*eanG a: imm%nity !rom persona" arrest or detention and !rom sei5%re o! t*eir

persona" &aaeK &: imm%nity !rom "ea" pro#ess o! every ind in respe#t o!+ords spoen or +ritten and a"" a#ts done &y t*em in t*eir o!!i#ia" #apa#ityKand #: in respe#t o! ot*er matters not #overed in a: and &: a&ove, s%#* ot*erimm%nities, eAemptions, privi"ees and !a#i"ities as are enHoyed &y mem&erso! dip"omati# missions o! #ompara&"e ran, s%&He#t to #orrespondin

#onditions and o&"iations.

Se#tion $) a:G O!!i#ers and sta!! o! t*e an, in#"%din !or t*e p%rposes o!t*is 'rti#"e eAperts and #ons%"tants per!ormin missions !or t*e an, s*a""enHoy . . . imm%nity !rom "ea" pro#ess +it* respe#t to a#ts per!ormed &y t*emin t*eir o!!i#ia" #apa#ity, eA#ept +*en t*e an +aives t*e imm%nity.-

II

&here are three ma%or dierences between dip"omatic and internationa" immunities.-irst"', one o! t*e re#oni5ed "imitations o! dip"omati# imm%nity is t*at mem&ers o!t*e dip"omati# sta!! o! a mission may &e appointed !rom amon t*e nationa"s o! t*ere#eivin State on"y +it* t*e eApress #onsent o! t*at StateK apart !rom invio"a&i"ityand imm%nity !rom H%risdi#tion in respe#t o! o!!i#ia" a#ts per!ormed in t*e eAer#ise o!t*eir !%n#tions, nationa"s enHoy on"y s%#* privi"ees and imm%nities as may &eranted &y t*e re#eivin State. Internationa" imm%nities may &e spe#ia""y important inre"ation to t*e State o! +*i#* t*e o!!i#ia" is a nationa". Se#ond"y, t*e imm%nity o! adip"omati# aent !rom t*e H%risdi#tion o! t*e re#eivin State does not eAempt *im!rom t*e H%risdi#tion o! t*e sendin StateK in t*e #ase o! internationa" imm%nities t*ereis no sendin State and an e4%iva"ent !or t*e H%risdi#tion o! t*e Sendin Statet*ere!ore *as to &e !o%nd eit*er in +aiver o! imm%nity or in some internationa"

dis#ip"inary or H%di#ia" pro#ed%re. T*ird"y, t*e e!!e#tive san#tions +*i#* se#%rerespe#t !or dip"omati# imm%nity are t*e prin#ip"e o! re#ipro#ity and t*e daner o!reta"iation &y t*e arieved StateK internationa" imm%nities enHoy no simi"ar

prote#tion.1$

&he $enera""' accepted princip"es which are now re$arded as the oundation o

internationa" immunities are contained in the I*O #emorandum, which reduced them

in three basic propositions, name"yG 1: t*at internationa" instit%tions s*o%"d *ave astat%s +*i#* prote#ts t*em aainst #ontro" or inter!eren#e &y any one overnment int*e per!orman#e o! !%n#tions !or t*e e!!e#tive dis#*are o! +*i#* t*ey are responsi&"eto demo#rati#a""y #onstit%ted internationa" &odies in +*i#* a"" t*e nations #on#erned

are representedK (: t*at no #o%ntry s*o%"d derive any !inan#ia" advantae &y "evyin!is#a" #*ares on #ommon internationa" !%ndsK and 8: t*at t*e internationa"


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orani5ation s*o%"d, as a #o""e#tivity o! States Mem&ers, &e a##orded t*e !a#i"ities !ort*e #ond%#t o! its o!!i#ia" &%siness #%stomari"y eAtended to ea#* ot*er &y itsindivid%a" mem&er States. &he thin4in$ under"'in$ these propositions is essentia""'institutiona" in character. It is not concerned with the status, di$nit' or privi"e$es o

individua"s, but with the e"ements o unctiona" independence necessar' to ree

internationa" institutions rom nationa" contro" and to enab"e them to dischar$e theirresponsibi"ities impartia""' on beha" o a"" their members.1)

III

2ositive internationa" "a+ *as devised t*ree met*ods o! rantin privi"ees andimm%nities to the personne" o internationa" or$aniations. T*eirstis &y simp"e#onventiona" stip%"ation, as +as t*e #ase in t*e ;a%e Conventions o! 199 and 19/.T*esecondis &y interna" "eis"ation +*ere&y t*e overnment o! a state, %pon +*oseterritory t*e internationa" orani5ation is to #arry o%t its !%n#tions, re#oni5es t*einternationa" #*ara#ter o! t*e orani5ation and rants, &y %ni"atera" meas%res, #ertain

privi"ees and imm%nities to &etter ass%re t*e s%##ess!%" !%n#tionin o! t*eorani5ation and its personne". In t*is sit%ation, treaty o&"iation !or t*e state in4%estion to rant #on#essions is "a#in. S%#* +as t*e #ase +it* t*e Centra"Commission o! t*e R*ine at Stras&o%r and t*e Internationa" Instit%te o! 'ri#%"t%reat Rome. T*e thirdis a #om&ination o! t*e !irst t+o. In t*is t*ird met*od, one !inds a#onventiona" o&"iation to re#oni5e a #ertain stat%s o! an internationa" orani5ationand its personne", &%t t*e stat%s is des#ri&ed in &road and enera" terms. T*e spe#i!i#de!inition and app"i#ation o! t*ose enera" terms are determined &y an a##ord &et+eent*e orani5ation itse"! and t*e state +*erein it is "o#ated. T*is is t*e #ase +it* t*e=ea%e o! Nations, t*e 2ermanent Co%rt o! 7%sti#e, and t*e


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#%stomary internationa" "a+. T*e dip"omati# envoy is appointed &y t*e sendin State&%t it *as to mae #ertain t*at t*e areement o! t*e re#eivin State *as &een iven !ort*e person it proposes to a##redit as *ead o! t*e mission to t*at State.19

&he sta personne" o an internationa" or$aniation 5 the internationa" oicia"s 5

assume a dierent position as re$ards their specia" status. T*ey are appointed ore"e#ted to t*eir position &y t*e orani5ation itse"!, or &y a #ompetent oran o! itK t*eyare responsi&"e to t*e orani5ation and t*eir o!!i#ia" a#ts are imp%ted to it. T*e

%uridica" basiso! t*eir spe#ia" position is !o%nd in #onventiona" "a+,(sin#e t*ere is noesta&"is*ed &asis o! %sae or #%stom in t*e #ase o! t*e internationa" o!!i#ia".Moreover, t*e re"ations*ip &et+een an internationa" orani5ation and a mem&er3statedoes not admit o! t*e prin#ip"e o! re#ipro#ity,(1!or it is #ontradi#tory to t*e &asi#

prin#ip"e o! e4%a"ity o! states. 'n internationa" orani5ation #arries o%t !%n#tions int*e interest o! every mem&er state e4%a""y. T*e internationa" o!!i#ia" does not #arry o%t*is !%n#tions in t*e interest o! any state, &%t in servin t*e orani5ation *e serves,indire#t"y, ea#* state e4%a""y. ;e #annot &e, "ea""y, t*e o&He#t o! t*e operation o! t*e

prin#ip"e o! re#ipro#ity &et+een states %nder s%#* #ir#%mstan#es. It is #ontrary to t*eprin#ip"e o! e4%a"ity o! states !or one state mem&er o! an internationa" orani5ation toassert a #apa#ity to eAtra#t spe#ia" privi"ees !or its nationa"s !rom ot*er mem&erstates on t*e &asis o! a stat%s a+arded &y it to an internationa" orani5ation. It is %pont*is prin#ip"e o! soverein e4%a"ity t*at internationa" orani5ations are &%i"t.

It !o""o+s !rom t*is same "ea" #ir#%mstan#e t*at a state #a""ed %pon to admit ano!!i#ia" o! an internationa" orani5ation does not *ave a #apa#ity to de#"are *im

persona non $rata.

T*eunctionso! t*e dip"omat and t*ose o! t*e internationa" o!!i#ia" are 4%ite di!!erent.T*ose o! t*e dip"omat are !%n#tions in t*e nationa" interest. T*e tas o! t*eam&assador is to represent *is state, and its spe#i!i# interest, at t*e #apita" o! anot*erstate. T*e !%n#tions o! t*e internationa" o!!i#ia" are #arried o%t in t*e internationa"interest. ;e does not represent a state or t*e interest o! any spe#i!i# state. ;e does not%s%a""y -represent- t*e orani5ation in t*e tr%e sense o! t*at term. ;is !%n#tionsnorma""y are administrative, a"t*o%* t*ey may &e H%di#ia" or eAe#%tive, &%t t*ey arerare"y po"iti#a" or !%n#tions o! representation, s%#* as t*ose o! t*e dip"omat.

T*ere is a di!!eren#e o! deree as +e"" as o! ind. T*e interr%ption o! t*e a#tivities o!a dip"omati# aent is "ie"y to prod%#e serio%s *arm to t*e p%rposes !or +*i#* *is

imm%nities +ere ranted. %t t*e interr%ption o! t*e a#tivities o! t*e internationa"o!!i#ia" does not, %s%a""y, #a%se serio%s dis"o#ation o! t*e !%n#tions o! an internationa"se#retariat.((

On t*e ot*er *and, t*ey are simi"ar in t*e sense t*at a#ts per!ormed in an o!!i#ia"#apa#ity &y eit*er a dip"omati# envoy or an internationa" o!!i#ia" are not attri&%ta&"e to*im as an individ%a" &%t are imp%ted to t*e entity *e represents, t*e state in t*e #ase o!t*e dip"omat, and t*e orani5ation in t*e #ase o! t*e internationa" o!!i#ia".(8

IV

=ooin &a# over 1) years o! privi"ees and imm%nities ranted to t*e personne" o!internationa" orani5ations, it is #"ear t*at t*ey +ere a##orded a +ide s#ope o!


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prote#tion in t*e eAer#ise o! t*eir !%n#tions Q T*e R*ine Treaty o! 1$ &et+een t*eJerman Empire and Fran#e +*i#* provided -a"" t*e ri*ts o! ne%tra"ity- to personsemp"oyed in re%"atin naviation in t*e internationa" interestK T*e Treaty o! er"in o!1/ +*i#* ranted t*e E%ropean Commission o! t*e Dan%&e -#omp"eteindependen#e o! territoria" a%t*orities- in t*e eAer#ise o! its !%n#tionsK T*e Covenant

o! t*e =ea%e +*i#* ranted -dip"omati# imm%nities and privi"ees.- Today, t*e aeo! t*e


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imm%nity !rom s%it and every !orm o! H%di#ia" pro#ess as is enHoyed &y !oreinovernments. T*is ives t*e impression t*at t*e Forein Soverein Imm%nities '#t*as t*e e!!e#t o! app"yin t*e restri#tive t*eory a"so to internationa" orani5ationsenera""y. ;o+ever, aside !rom t*e !a#t t*at t*ere +as no indi#ation in its "eis"ative*istory t*at Conress #ontemp"ated t*at res%"t, and #onsiderin t*at t*e Convention on

2rivi"ees and Imm%nities o! t*e


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preroatives +as #%rtai"ed &e#a%se o! pra#ti#a" ne#essity and &e#a%se t*e proper!%n#tionin o! t*e orani5ation did not re4%ire s%#* eAtensive imm%nity !or itso!!i#ia"s. &hus, the current status o the "aw does not maintain that states $rant

%urisdictiona" immunit' to internationa" oicia"s or acts o their private "ives.78&his

much is e2p"icit rom the Charter and Head!uarters $reement o the D/ which

contain substantia""' simi"ar provisions to that o the 9enera" Convention.

VI

Who is competent to determine whether a $iven act is private or oicia"

T*is is an entire"y di!!erent 4%estion. In #onne#tion +it* t*is 4%estion, t*e #%rrenttendenc' to narrowt*e s#ope o! privi"ees and imm%nities o! internationa" o!!i#ia"sand representatives is most apparent. 2rior to t*e reime o! t*e


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orani5ation and t*e state o! t*e !or%m is to &e reso"ved &y neotiation, &y an areedmode o! sett"ement or &y advisory opinion o! t*e Internationa" Co%rt o! 7%sti#e.88

Re#oni5in t*e di!!i#%"ty t*at &y reason o! t*e ri*t o! a nationa" #o%rt to ass%meH%risdi#tion over private a#ts +it*o%t a +aiver o! imm%nity, t*e determination o! t*e

o!!i#ia" or private #*ara#ter o! a parti#%"ar a#t may pass !rom internationa" to nationa"#ontro", 7ens proposes t*ree +ays o! avoidin di!!i#%"ty in t*e matter. T*eirst+o%"d

&e !or a m%ni#ipa" #o%rt &e!ore +*i#* a 4%estion o! t*e o!!i#ia" or private #*ara#ter o!a parti#%"ar a#t arose to a##ept as #on#"%sive in t*e matter any #"aim &y t*einternationa" orani5ation t*at t*e a#t +as o!!i#ia" in #*ara#ter, s%#* a #"aim &einrearded as e4%iva"ent to a overnmenta" #"aim t*at a parti#%"ar a#t is an a#t o! State.S%#* a #"aim +o%"d &e in e!!e#t a #"aim &y t*e orani5ation t*at t*e pro#eedinsaainst t*e o!!i#ia" +ere a vio"ation o! t*e H%risdi#tiona" imm%nity o! t*e orani5ationitse"! +*i#* is %n4%a"i!ied and t*ere!ore not s%&He#t to de"imitation in t*e dis#retion o!t*e m%ni#ipa" #o%rt. T*esecond+o%"d &e !or a #o%rt to a##ept as #on#"%sive in t*ematter a statement &y t*e eAe#%tive overnment o! t*e #o%ntry +*ere t*e matter arises

#erti!yin t*e o!!i#ia" #*ara#ter o! t*e a#t. T*e third+o%"d &e to *ave re#o%rse to t*epro#ed%re o! internationa" ar&itration. 7ens opines t*at it is possi&"e t*at none o!t*ese t*ree so"%tions +o%"d &e app"i#a&"e in a"" #asesK t*e !irst mi*t &e readi"ya##epta&"e on"y in t*e #"earest #ases and t*e se#ond is avai"a&"e on"y i! t*e eAe#%tiveovernment o! t*e #o%ntry +*ere t*e matter arises #on#%rs in t*e vie+ o! t*einternationa" orani5ation #on#ernin t*e o!!i#ia" #*ara#ter o! t*e a#t. ;o+ever, *es%rmises t*at taen in #om&ination, t*ese vario%s possi&i"ities may a!!ord t*ee"ements o! a so"%tion to t*e pro&"em.8$

One !ina" point. T*e internationa" o!!i#ia"s imm%nity !or o!!i#ia" a#ts may &e "ienedto a #ons%"ar o!!i#ia"s imm%nity !rom arrest, detention, and #rimina" or #ivi" pro#ess+*i#* is not a&so"%te &%t app"ies on"y to a#ts or omissions in t*e per!orman#e o! *iso!!i#ia" !%n#tions, in t*e a&sen#e o! spe#ia" areement. Sin#e a #ons%"ar o!!i#er is notimm%ne !rom a"" "ea" pro#ess, *e m%st respond to any pro#ess and p"ead and proveimm%nity on t*e ro%nd t*at t*e a#t or omission %nder"yin t*e pro#ess +as in t*e

per!orman#e o! *is o!!i#ia" !%n#tions. T*e iss%e *as not &een a%t*oritative"ydetermined, &%t apparent"y t*e &%rden is on t*e #ons%"ar o!!i#er to prove *is stat%s as+e"" as *is eAemption in t*e #ir#%mstan#es. In t*e


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purposes.8/T*is is t*e reason +*y t*eD/ Charter and Head!uarters $reementeAp"i#it"y rant imm%nity !rom "ea" pro#ess to &an o!!i#ers and emp"oyees on"'+it*respe#t to a#ts per!ormed &y t*em in t*eir o!!i#ia" #apa#ity, eA#ept +*en t*e an+aives imm%nity.In other words, oicia"s and emp"o'ees o the D/ are sub%ect tothe %urisdiction o the "oca" courts or their private acts, notwithstandin$ the absence

o a waiver o immunit'.

Petitioner cannot a"so see4 re"ie under the mant"e o 0immunit' rom ever' orm o

"e$a" process0 accorded to D/ as an internationa" or$aniation. &he immunit' o

D/ is abso"ute whereas the immunit' o its oicia"s and emp"o'ees is restricted on"'

to oicia" acts. T*is is in #onsonan#e +it* t*e #%rrent trend in internationa" "a+ +*i#*sees to narro+ t*e s#ope o! prote#tion and red%#e t*e privi"ees and imm%nitiesranted to personne" o! internationa" orani5ations, +*i"e at t*e same time aims toin#rease t*e preroatives o! internationa" orani5ations.

(econd, #onsiderin t*at &an o!!i#ia"s and emp"oyees are #overed &y imm%nity on"y

!or t*eir o!!i#ia" a#ts, t*e ne#essary in!eren#e is t*at t*e a%t*ority o! t*e Department o!'!!airs, or even o! t*e 'D !or t*at matter, to #erti!y t*at t*ey are entit"ed toimm%nity is "imited on"y to a#ts done in t*eir o!!i#ia" #apa#ity. Stated ot*er+ise, it isnot +it*in t*e po+er o! t*e DF', as t*e aen#y in #*are o! t*e eAe#%tivedepartments !orein re"ations, nor t*e 'D, as t*e internationa" orani5ation vested+it* t*e ri*t to +aive imm%nity, to invoe imm%nity !or private a#ts o! &an o!!i#ia"sand emp"oyees, sin#e no s%#* preroative eAists in t*e !irst p"a#e. I! t*e imm%nitydoes not eAist, t*ere is not*in to #erti!y.

's an aside, 'D #annot even #"aim to *ave t*e ri*t to +aive imm%nity !or privatea#ts o! its o!!i#ia"s and emp"oyees. T*e C*arter and t*e ;ead4%arters 'reement are#"ear t*at t*e imm%nity #an &e +aived on"y +it* respe#t to o!!i#ia" a#ts &e#a%se t*is ison"y t*e eAtent to +*i#* t*e privi"ee *as &een ranted. One #annot +aive t*e ri*t toa privi"ee +*i#* *as never &een ranted or a#4%ired.

&hird, I #*oose to adopt t*e vie+ t*at it is t*e "o#a" #o%rts +*i#* *ave H%risdi#tion todetermine +*et*er or not a iven a#t is o!!i#ia" or private. ?*i"e t*ere is a deart* o!#ases on t*e matter %nder 2*i"ippine H%rispr%den#e, t*e iss%e is not entire"y nove".

T*e #ase o!#.H. W'"ie, et a". vs. )aran$, et a".8#on#erns t*e eAtent o! imm%nity!rom s%it o! t*e o!!i#ia"s o! a


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In t*e #ase o! &he Ho"' (ee vs. )osario, Jr.,$a #omp"aint !or ann%"ment o! #ontra#t o!sa"e, re#onveyan#e, spe#i!i# per!orman#e and damaes +as !i"ed aainst petitioner.2etitioner moved to dismiss on t*e ro%nd o!, amon ot*ers, "a# o! H%risdi#tion &asedon soverein imm%nity !rom s%it, +*i#* +as denied &y t*e tria" #o%rt. ' motion !orre#onsideration, and s%&se4%ent"y, a -Motion !or a ;earin !or t*e So"e 2%rpose o!

Esta&"is*in Fa#t%a" '""eation !or C"aim o! Imm%nity as a 7%risdi#tiona" De!ense-+ere !i"ed &y petitioner. T*e tria" #o%rt de!erred reso"%tion o! said motions %nti" a!tertria" on t*e merits. On #ertiorari, t*e Co%rt t*ere r%"ed on t*e iss%e o! petitioners non3s%a&i"ity on t*e &asis o! t*e a""eations made in t*e p"eadins !i"ed &y t*e parties. T*isis an imp"i#it re#onition o! t*e #o%rts H%risdi#tion to as#ertain t*e s%a&i"ity or non3s%a&i"ity o! t*e soverein &y assessin t*e !a#ts o! t*e #ase. T*e Co%rt *astened to addt*at +*en a state or internationa" aen#y +is*es to p"ead soverein or dip"omati#imm%nity in a !orein #o%rt, in some #ases, t*e de!ense o! soverein imm%nity +ass%&mitted dire#t"y to t*e "o#a" #o%rts &y t*e respondents t*ro%* t*eir private#o%nse"s, or +*ere t*e !orein states &ypass t*e Forein O!!i#e, t*e #o%rts #an in4%ireinto t*e !a#ts and mae t*eir o+n determination as to t*e nat%re o! t*e a#ts and

transa#tions invo"ved.

Fina""y, it appears !rom t*e re#ords o! t*is #ase t*at petitioner is a senior e#onomist at'D and as s%#* *e maes #o%ntry proHe#t pro!i"es +*i#* +i"" *e"p t*e &an inde#idin +*et*er to "end money or s%pport a parti#%"ar proHe#t to a parti#%"ar#o%ntry.$12etitioner stands #*ared o! rave s"ander !or a""eed"y %tterin de!amatoryremars aainst *is se#retary, t*e private #omp"ainant *erein. Considerin t*at t*eimm%nity a##orded to petitioner is "imited on"y to a#ts per!ormed in *is o!!i#ia"#apa#ity, it &e#omes ne#essary to mae a !a#t%a" determination o! +*et*er or not t*ede!amatory %tteran#es +ere made p%rs%ant and in re"ation to *is o!!i#ia" !%n#tions as asenior e#onomist.

I vote to deny t*e motion !or re#onsideration.

Davide, 7r., C.J., #on#%rs.

Foo*$o*e

1Crimina" Cases Nos. )81/ )81/1 o! t*e Metropo"itan Tria" Co%rt o!

Manda"%yon City, ran#* 6, presided &y ;on. Ma. =%isa %iHano32adi""a.(SC' Case No. /$8 o! t*e Reiona" Tria" Co%rt o! 2asi City, ran#* 16,

presided &y ;on. Mariano M.


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$($1 SCR' 61 199):.

)(6( SCR' 8 1996:.

6(upranote 1.

/(upranote (.

(upranote 8.

9(upranote $.

1(upranote ).

11ICMC vs. Ca""eHa,supranote (.

1(7o*n 0erry 0in, &he Privi"e$es and Immunities o the Personne" oInternationa" Or$aniationsAiii 19$9:, #itinG S%5anne asdevant,*es-onctionnaires Internationau22arisG 1981:, C*apter 1.

18ICMC vs. Ca""eHa, et a".,supra, #itin 'rti#"es )/ and 68 o! t*e


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(/7. 0. 0in, s%pra note 1(, at ()3()9.

(Id. at 16.

(9/ut see id. at ()9. It is important to note t*at t*e s%&mission o! internationa"

o!!i#ia"s to "o#a" H%risdi#tion !or private a#ts is not #omp"ete"y a##epted indo#trine and t*eory. 7ens, in parti#%"ar, *as ar%ed !or #omp"ete H%risdi#tiona"imm%nity, as *as ;ammarsHo"d.

8Id. at (63(61.

81Id. at 19.

8(7osep* =. 0%n5,Privi"e$es and Immunities o Internationa" Or$aniations6( 19$/:, #ited in 7. 0. 0in, id. at ()$.

881 Restatement o! t*e =a+ T*ird )1(.

8$7ens,supranote 1$, at 11/311.

8)1 Restatement o! t*e =a+ T*ird $/)3$//.

86Sa"ona ap, 2%&"i# Internationa" =a+ 1 )t* ed., 199(:.

8/1Id. at )11.

8

(9 SCR' 8)/ 199(:.89198 SCR' (( 1991:.

$(upranote 8.

$1TSN, J.R. No. 1()6), O#to&er 1, (, p. 11K Ro""o, p. 898.

G.R. No. 14943 !(r- 1, 2003

"EO"#E OF HE "HI#I""INES, HE SECRE!R OF USICE,>IRECOR GENER!# OF HE "HI#I""INE N!ION!# "O#ICE, CHIEFS!E "ROSECUOR O'ENCIO &U?O, S!E "ROSECUORS "EER#. ONG a$% RU@EN !. &!C!RI!SA 2N> !SSIS!N CI "ROSECUORCONR!>O M. !MO#IN a$% CI "ROSECUOR OF BUE&ON CIC#!RO !RE##!NO,petitioners,vs."!NFI#O M. #!CSON,respondent.

R E S O # U I O N


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C!##EO, SR.,J.7

e!ore t*e Co%rt is t*e petitioners Motion !or Re#onsideration1o! t*e Reso"%tion(dated May (, ((, remandin t*is #ase to t*e Reiona" Tria" Co%rt RTC: o!%e5on City, ran#* 1, !or t*e determination o! severa" !a#t%a" iss%es re"ative to t*e

app"i#ation o! Se#tion o! R%"e 11/ o! t*e Revised R%"es o! Crimina" 2ro#ed%re ont*e dismissa" o! Crimina" Cases Nos. 399316/9 to 3993169 !i"ed aainst t*erespondent and *is #o3a##%sed +it* t*e said #o%rt. In t*e a!oresaid #rimina" #ases, t*erespondent and *is #o3a##%sed +ere #*ared +it* m%"tip"e m%rder !or t*e s*ootinand i""in o! e"even ma"e persons identi!ied as Man%e" Montero, a !ormer Corpora"o! t*e 2*i"ippine 'rmy, Ro"ando Sip"on, S*er+in '&a"ora, +*o +as 16 years o"d, Ray'&a"ora, +*o +as 19 years o"d, 7oe" 'mora, 7evy Redi""as, Me"e%&ren Sorronda, +*o+as 1$ years o"d,82a#i!i#o Montero, 7r., o! t*e $$t* In!antry ata""ion o! t*e2*i"ippine 'rmy, ?e"&or E"#ame", S2O1 Car"ito '"ap3ap o! t*e Lam&oana 2N2, and'"eA Neri, !ormer Corpora" o! t*e $$t* In!antry ata""ion o! t*e 2*i"ippine 'rmy,

&andied as mem&ers o! t*e 0%raton a"e"en Jan. T*e respondent opposed

petitioners motion !or re#onsideration.$

T*e Co%rt r%"ed in t*e Reso"%tion so%*t to &e re#onsidered t*at t*e provisiona"dismissa" o! Crimina" Cases Nos. 399316/9 to 3993169 +ere +it* t*e eApress#onsent o! t*e respondent as *e *imse"! moved !or said provisiona" dismissa" +*en *e!i"ed *is motion !or H%di#ia" determination o! pro&a&"e #a%se and !or eAamination o!+itnesses. T*e Co%rt a"so *e"d t*erein t*at a"t*o%* Se#tion , R%"e 11/ o! t*eRevised R%"es o! Crimina" 2ro#ed%re #o%"d &e iven retroa#tive e!!e#t, t*ere is sti"" aneed to determine +*et*er t*e re4%irements !or its app"i#ation are attendant. T*e tria"#o%rt +as t*%s dire#ted to reso"ve t*e !o""o+inG

... 1: +*et*er t*e provisiona" dismissa" o! t*e #ases *ad t*e eApress #onsent o!t*e a##%sedK (: +*et*er it +as ordered &y t*e #o%rt a!ter noti#e to t*eo!!ended partyK 8: +*et*er t*e (3year period to revive it *as a"ready "apsedK$: +*et*er t*ere is any H%sti!i#ation !or t*e !i"in o! t*e #ases &eyond t*e (3year periodK ): +*et*er noti#es to t*e o!!ended parties +ere iven &e!ore t*e#ases o! respondent =a#son +ere dismissed &y t*en 7%de 'nirK 6: +*et*ert*ere +ere a!!idavits o! desistan#e eAe#%ted &y t*e re"atives o! t*e t*ree 8:ot*er vi#timsK /: +*et*er t*e m%"tip"e m%rder #ases aainst respondent=a#son are &ein revived +it*in or &eyond t*e (3year &ar.

T*e Co%rt !%rt*er *e"d t*at t*e re#onin date o! t*e t+o3year &ar *ad to &e !irstdetermined +*et*er it s*a"" &e !rom t*e date o! t*e order o! t*en 7%de 'nir, 7r.dismissin t*e #ases, or !rom t*e dates o! re#eipt t*ereo! &y t*e vario%s o!!ended

parties, or !rom t*e date o! e!!e#tivity o! t*e ne+ r%"e. '##ordin to t*e Co%rt, i! t*e#ases +ere revived on"y a!ter t*e t+o3year &ar, t*e State m%st &e iven t*eopport%nity to H%sti!y its !ai"%re to #omp"y +it* t*e said time3&ar. It emp*asi5ed t*att*e ne+ r%"e !iAes a time3&ar to pena"i5e t*e State !or its ineA#%sa&"e de"ay in

prose#%tin #ases a"ready !i"ed in #o%rt. ;o+ever, t*e State is not pre#"%ded !rompresentin #ompe""in reasons to H%sti!y t*e reviva" o! #ases &eyond t*e t+o3year &ar.

In s%pport o! t*eir Motion !or Re#onsideration, t*e petitioners #ontend t*at a: Se#tion

, R%"e 11/ o! t*e Revised R%"es o! Crimina" 2ro#ed%re is not app"i#a&"e to Crimina"


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Cases Nos. 399316/9 to 3993169K and &: t*e time3&ar in said r%"e s*o%"d not &eapp"ied retroa#tive"y.

T*e Co%rt s*a"" reso"ve t*e iss%esseriatim.

I. SECTION , R


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Se#tion , R%"e 11/ o! t*e Revised R%"es o! Crimina" 2ro#ed%re readsG

Se#. .Provisiona" dismissa". ' #ase s*a"" not &e provisiona""y dismissedeA#ept +it* t*e eApress #onsent o! t*e a##%sed and +it* noti#e to t*e o!!ended

party.

T*e provisiona" dismissa" o! o!!enses p%nis*a&"e &y imprisonment noteA#eedin siA 6: years or a !ine o! any amo%nt, or &ot*, s*a"" &e#ome

permanent one 1: year a!ter iss%an#e o! t*e order +it*o%t t*e #ase *avin&een revived. ?it* respe#t to o!!enses p%nis*a&"e &y imprisonment o! moret*an siA 6: years, t*eir provisiona" dismissa" s*a"" &e#ome permanent t+o (:years a!ter iss%an#e o! t*e order +it*o%t t*e #ase *avin &een revived.

;avin invoed said r%"e &e!ore t*e petitioners3pane" o! prose#%tors and &e!ore t*eCo%rt o! 'ppea"s, t*e respondent is &%rdened to esta&"is* t*e essentia" re4%isites o!t*e !irst pararap* t*ereo!, name"yG

1. t*e prose#%tion +it* t*e eApress #on!ormity o! t*e a##%sed or t*e a##%sedmoves !or a provisiona" sin per%uicio: dismissa" o! t*e #aseK or &ot* t*e

prose#%tion and t*e a##%sed move !or a provisiona" dismissa" o! t*e #aseK

(. t*e o!!ended party is noti!ied o! t*e motion !or a provisiona" dismissa" o!t*e #aseK

8. t*e #o%rt iss%es an order rantin t*e motion and dismissin t*e #aseprovisiona""yK

$. t*e p%&"i# prose#%tor is served +it* a #opy o! t*e order o! provisiona"dismissa" o! t*e #ase.

T*e !oreoin re4%irements are #onditionssine !ua nonto t*e app"i#ation o! t*e time3&ar in t*e se#ond pararap* o! t*e ne+ r%"e. T*e raison d: etre!or t*e re4%irement o!t*e eApress #onsent o! t*e a##%sed to a provisiona" dismissa" o! a #rimina" #ase is to

&ar *im !rom s%&se4%ent"y assertin t*at t*e reviva" o! t*e #rimina" #ase +i"" p"a#e*im in do%&"e Heopardy !or t*e same o!!ense or !or an o!!ense ne#essari"y in#"%dedt*erein.)

'"t*o%* t*e se#ond pararap* o! t*e ne+ r%"e states t*at t*e order o! dismissa" s*a""&e#ome permanent one year a!ter t*e iss%an#e t*ereo! +it*o%t t*e #ase *avin &eenrevived, t*e provision s*o%"d &e #onstr%ed to mean t*at t*e order o! dismissa" s*a""

&e#ome permanent one year a!ter servi#e o! t*e order o! dismissa" on t*e p%&"i#prose#%tor +*o *as #ontro" o! t*e prose#%tion6+it*o%t t*e #rimina" #ase *avin &eenrevived. T*e p%&"i# prose#%tor #annot &e eApe#ted to #omp"y +it* t*e time"ine %n"ess*e is served +it* a #opy o! t*e order o! dismissa".

EApress #onsent to a provisiona" dismissa" is iven eit*er viva voceor in +ritin. It isa positive, dire#t, %ne4%ivo#a" #onsent re4%irin no in!eren#e or imp"i#ation to s%pp"yits meanin./?*ere t*e a##%sed +rites on t*e motion o! a prose#%tor !or a provisiona"

dismissa" o! t*e #aseo ob%ectionor With m' conormit', t*e +ritin amo%nts toeApress #onsent o! t*e a##%sed to a provisiona" dismissa" o! t*e #ase.T*e mere


37/311

ina#tion or si"en#e o! t*e a##%sed to a motion !or a provisiona" dismissa" o! t*e #ase9or *is !ai"%re to o&He#t to a provisiona" dismissa"1does not amo%nt to eApress #onsent.

' motion o! t*e a##%sed !or a provisiona" dismissa" o! a #ase is an eApress #onsent tos%#* provisiona" dismissa".11I! a #rimina" #ase is provisiona""y dismissed +it* t*e

eApress #onsent o! t*e a##%sed, t*e #ase may &e revived on"y +it*in t*e periodsprovided in t*e ne+ r%"e. On t*e ot*er *and, i! a #rimina" #ase is provisiona""ydismissed +it*o%t t*e eApress #onsent o! t*e a##%sed or over *is o&He#tion, t*e ne+r%"e +o%"d not app"y. T*e #ase may &e revived or re!i"ed even &eyond t*e pres#ri&ed

periods s%&He#t to t*e ri*t o! t*e a##%sed to oppose t*e same on t*e ro%nd o! do%&"eHeopardy1(or t*at s%#* reviva" or re!i"in is &arred &y t*e stat%te o! "imitations.18

T*e #ase may &e revived &y t*e State +it*in t*e time3&ar eit*er &y t*e re!i"in o! t*eIn!ormation or &y t*e !i"in o! a ne+ In!ormation !or t*e same o!!ense or an o!!ensene#essari"y in#"%ded t*erein. T*ere +o%"d &e no need o! a ne+ pre"iminaryinvestiation.1$;o+ever, in a #ase +*erein a!ter t*e provisiona" dismissa" o! a

#rimina" #ase, t*e oriina" +itnesses o! t*e prose#%tion or some o! t*em may *avere#anted t*eir testimonies or may *ave died or may no "oner &e avai"a&"e and ne++itnesses !or t*e State *ave emered, a ne+ pre"iminary investiation1)m%st &e#ond%#ted &e!ore an In!ormation is re!i"ed or a ne+ In!ormation is !i"ed. ' ne+

pre"iminary investiation is a"so re4%ired i! aside !rom t*e oriina" a##%sed, ot*erpersons are #*ared %nder a ne+ #rimina" #omp"aint !or t*e same o!!ense orne#essari"y in#"%ded t*ereinK or i! %nder a ne+ #rimina" #omp"aint, t*e oriina" #*are*as &een %pradedK or i! %nder a ne+ #rimina" #omp"aint, t*e #rimina" "ia&i"ity o! t*ea##%sed is %praded !rom t*at as an a##essory to t*at as a prin#ipa". T*e a##%sed m%st

&e a##orded t*e ri*t to s%&mit #o%nter3a!!idavits and eviden#e. '!ter a"", -t*e !is#a" isnot #a""ed &y t*e R%"es o! Co%rt to +ait in am&%s*K t*e ro"e o! a !is#a" is not main"y to

prose#%te &%t essentia""y to do H%sti#e to every man and to assist t*e #o%rt indispensin t*at H%sti#e.-16

In t*is #ase, t*e respondent *as !ai"ed to prove t*at t*e !irst and se#ond re4%isites o!t*e !irst pararap* o! t*e ne+ r%"e +ere present +*en 7%de 'nir, 7r. dismissedCrimina" Cases Nos. 399316/9 to 3993169. Irre!raa&"y, t*e prose#%tion did not!i"e any motion !or t*e provisiona" dismissa" o! t*e said #rimina" #ases. For *is part,t*e respondent mere"y !i"ed a motion !or H%di#ia" determination o! pro&a&"e #a%se and!or eAamination o! prose#%tion +itnesses a""ein t*at %nder 'rti#"e III, Se#tion ( o!t*e Constit%tion and t*e de#ision o! t*is Co%rt in""ado v. Dio4no,1/amon ot*er

#ases, t*ere +as a need !or t*e tria" #o%rt to #ond%#t a persona" determination o!pro&a&"e #a%se !or t*e iss%an#e o! a +arrant o! arrest aainst respondent and to *avet*e prose#%tions +itnesses s%mmoned &e!ore t*e #o%rt !or its eAamination. T*erespondent #ontended t*erein t*at %nti" a!ter t*e tria" #o%rt s*a"" *ave persona""ydetermined t*e presen#e o! pro&a&"e #a%se, no +arrant o! arrest s*o%"d &e iss%edaainst t*e respondent and i! one *ad a"ready &een iss%ed, t*e +arrant s*o%"d &ere#a""ed &y t*e tria" #o%rt. ;e t*en prayed t*erein t*atG

1: a H%di#ia" determination o! pro&a&"e #a%se p%rs%ant to Se#tion (, 'rti#"e IIIo! t*e Constit%tion &e #ond%#ted &y t*is ;onora&"e Co%rt, and !or t*is

p%rpose, an order &e iss%ed dire#tin t*e prose#%tion to present t*e private

#omp"ainants and t*eir +itnesses at a *earin s#*ed%"ed t*ere!orK and


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(: +arrants !or t*e arrest o! t*e a##%sed3movants &e +it**e"d, or, i! iss%ed,re#a""ed in t*e meantime %nti" t*e reso"%tion o! t*is in#ident.

Ot*er e4%ita&"e re"ie!s are a"so prayed !or.1

T*e respondent did not pray !or t*e dismissa", provisiona" or ot*er+ise, o! Crimina"Cases Nos. 399316/9 to 3993169. Neit*er did *e ever aree, imp"ied"y oreApress"y, to a mere provisiona" dismissa" o! t*e #ases. In !a#t, in *is rep"y !i"ed +it*t*e Co%rt o! 'ppea"s, respondent emp*asi5ed t*atG

... 'n eAamination o! t*e Motion !or 7%di#ia" Determination o! 2ro&a&"e Ca%seand !or EAamination o! 2rose#%tion ?itnesses !i"ed &y t*e petitioner and *isot*er #o3a##%sed in t*e said #rimina" #ases +o%"d s*o+ t*at t*e petitioner didnot pray !or t*e dismissa" o! t*e #ase. On the contrar', the re"ies pra'ed ortherein b' the petitioner are;


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T*at is #orre#t, o%r ;onor.

7


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es, o%r ;onor.

7


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I did not, ?our Honor, because I 4new u""' we"" at that time that m'

c"ient had a"read' been arrai$ned, and the arrai$nment was va"id as

ar as I was concerned. (o, the dismissa", ?our Honor, b' Jud$e $nir

operated to beneit me, and thereore I did not ta4e an' urther step in

addition to roc4in$ the boat or c"ari'in$ the matter urther because it

probab"' cou"d pre%udice the interest o m' c"ient.

7


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prose#%tion +itnesses or !"ee !rom 2*i"ippine H%risdi#tion, provide opport%nity !or t*edestr%#tion or "oss o! t*e prose#%tions p*ysi#a" and ot*er eviden#e and preH%di#e t*eri*ts o! t*e o!!ended party to re#over on t*e #ivi" "ia&i"ity o! t*e a##%sed &y *is#on#ea"ment or !%rtive disposition o! *is property or t*e #onse4%ent "i!tin o! t*e +rito! pre"iminary atta#*ment aainst *is property.

In t*e #ase at &ar, even i! t*e respondents motion !or a determination o! pro&a&"e#a%se and eAamination o! +itnesses may &e #onsidered !or t*e non#e as *is motion !ora provisiona" dismissa" o! Crimina" Cases Nos. 399316/9 to 3993169, *o+ever,t*e *eirs o! t*e vi#tims +ere not noti!ied t*ereo! prior to t*e *earin on said motionon Mar#* ((, 1999. It m%st &e stressed t*at t*e respondent !i"ed *is motion on"y onMar#* 1/, 1999 and set it !or *earin on Mar#* ((, 1999 or &are"y !ive days !rom t*e!i"in t*ereo!. '"t*o%* t*e p%&"i# prose#%tor +as served +it* a #opy o! t*e motion,t*e re#ords do not s*o+ t*at noti#es t*ereo! +ere separate"y iven to t*e *eirs o! t*evi#tims or t*at s%&poenae +ere iss%ed to and re#eived &y t*em, in#"%din t*ose +*oeAe#%ted t*eir a!!idavits o! desistan#e +*o +ere residents o! Dipo"o City or 2i@an,

Lam&oana de" Norte or 2a"ompon, =eyte.($T*ere is as +e"" no proo! in t*e re#ordst*at t*e p%&"i# prose#%tor noti!ied t*e *eirs o! t*e vi#tims o! said motion or o! t*e*earin t*ereo! on Mar#* ((, 1999. '"t*o%* 'tty. Va"de5 entered *is appearan#e as

private prose#%tor,()*e did so on"y !or some &%t not a"" t*e #"ose ins o! t*e vi#tims,name"y, Nenita '"ap3ap, Ime"da Montero, Mararita Redi""as, R%!ino Sip"on,Carme"ita E"#ame", Myrna '&a"ora, and =eonora 'mora +*o eA#ept !or R%!inoSip"on:(6eAe#%ted t*eir respe#tive a!!idavits o! desistan#e.(/T*ere +as no appearan#e!or t*e *eirs o! '"eA Neri, 2a#i!i#o Montero, 7r., and Me"e%&ren Sorronda. T*ere is no

proo! on re#ord t*at a"" t*e *eirs o! t*e vi#tims +ere served +it* #opies o! t*ereso"%tion o! 7%de 'nir, 7r. dismissin t*e said #ases. In !ine, t*ere never +as anyattempt on t*e part o! t*e tria" #o%rt, t*e p%&"i# prose#%tor andor t*e private

prose#%tor to noti!y a"" t*e *eirs o! t*e vi#tims o! t*e respondents motion and t*e*earin t*ereon and o! t*e reso"%tion o! 7%de 'nir, 7r. dismissin said #ases. T*esaid *eirs +ere t*%s deprived o! t*eir ri*t to &e *eard on t*e respondents motion andto prote#t t*eir interests eit*er in t*e tria" #o%rt or in t*e appe""ate #o%rt.

Sin#e t*e #onditions sine 4%a non !or t*e app"i#ation o! t*e ne+ r%"e +ere not present+*en 7%de 'nir, 7r. iss%ed *is reso"%tion, t*e State is not &arred &y t*e time "imit set!ort* in t*e se#ond pararap* o! Se#tion o! R%"e 11/ o! t*e Revised R%"es o!Crimina" 2ro#ed%re. T*e State #an t*%s revive or re!i"e Crimina" Cases Nos. 399316/9 to 3993169 or !i"e ne+ In!ormations !or m%"tip"e m%rder aainst t*e

respondent.

II. T;E TIME3'R IN SECTION , R


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and %nd%"y impair, red%#e, and diminis* t*e States s%&stantive ri*t to prose#%te t*ea##%sed !or m%"tip"e m%rder. T*ey posit t*at %nder 'rti#"e 9 o! t*e Revised 2ena"Code, t*e State *ad t+enty years +it*in +*i#* to !i"e t*e #rimina" #omp"aints aainstt*e a##%sed. ;o+ever, %nder t*e ne+ r%"e, t*e State on"y *ad t+o years !rom noti#e o!t*e p%&"i# prose#%tor o! t*e order o! dismissa" o! Crimina" Cases Nos. 399316/9 to

3993169 +it*in +*i#* to revive t*e said #ases. ?*en t*e ne+ r%"e too e!!e#t onDe#em&er 1, (, t*e State on"y *ad one year and t*ree mont*s +it*in +*i#* torevive t*e #ases or re!i"e t*e In!ormations. T*e period !or t*e State to #*arerespondent !or m%"tip"e m%rder %nder 'rti#"e 9 o! t*e Revised 2ena" Code +as#onsidera&"y and ar&itrari"y red%#ed. T*ey s%&mit t*at in #ase o! #on!"i#t &et+een t*eRevised 2ena" Code and t*e ne+ r%"e, t*e !ormer s*o%"d prevai". T*ey a"so insist t*att*e State *ad #onsistent"y re"ied on t*e pres#riptive periods %nder 'rti#"e 9 o! t*eRevised 2ena" Code. It +as not a##orded aair warnin$t*at it +o%"d !orever &e

&arred &eyond t*e t+o3year period &y a retroa#tive app"i#ation o! t*e ne+ r%"e.(2etitioners t*%s pray to t*e Co%rt to set aside its Reso"%tion o! May (, ((.

For *is part, t*e respondent asserts t*at t*e ne+ r%"e %nder Se#tion o! R%"e 11/ o!t*e Revised R%"es o! Crimina" 2ro#ed%re may &e app"ied retroa#tive"y sin#e t*ere isno s%&stantive ri*t o! t*e State t*at may &e impaired &y its app"i#ation to t*e#rimina" #ases in 4%estion sin#e Ut*e States +itnesses +ere ready, +i""in and a&"eto provide t*eir testimony &%t t*e prose#%tion !ai"ed to a#t on t*ese #ases %nti" it

&e#ame po"iti#a""y eApedient in 'pri" (1 !or t*em to do so.(9'##ordin to t*erespondent, pena" "a+s, eit*er pro#ed%ra" or s%&stantive, may &e retroa#tive"y app"iedso "on as t*ey !avor t*e a##%sed.8;e asserts t*at t*e t+o3year period #ommen#ed tor%n on Mar#* (9, 1999 and "apsed t+o years t*erea!ter +as more t*an reasona&"eopport%nity !or t*e State to !air"y indi#t *im.81In any event, t*e State is iven t*e ri*t%nder t*e Co%rts assai"ed Reso"%tion to H%sti!y t*e !i"in o! t*e In!ormation inCrimina" Cases Nos. 13111( to 131111( &eyond t*e time3&ar %nder t*e ne+ r%"e.

T*e respondent insists t*at Se#tion o! R%"e 11/ o! t*e Revised R%"es o! Crimina"2ro#ed%re does not &roaden t*e s%&stantive ri*t o! do%&"e Heopardy to t*e preH%di#eo! t*e State &e#a%se t*e pro*i&ition aainst t*e reviva" o! t*e #ases +it*in t*e one3year or t+o3year periods provided t*erein is a "ea" #on#ept distin#t !rom t*e

pro*i&ition aainst t*e reviva" o! a provisiona""y dismissed #ase +it*in t*e periodsstated in Se#tion o! R%"e 11/. Moreover, *e #"aims t*at t*e e!!e#ts o! a provisiona"dismissa" %nder said r%"e do not modi!y or neate t*e operation o! t*e pres#riptive

period %nder 'rti#"e 9 o! t*e Revised 2ena" Code. 2res#ription %nder t*e Revised

2ena" Code simp"y &e#omes irre"evant %pon t*e app"i#ation o! Se#tion , R%"e 11/&e#a%se a #omp"aint or in!ormation *as a"ready &een !i"ed aainst t*e a##%sed, +*i#*!i"in to""s t*e r%nnin o! t*e pres#riptive period %nder 'rti#"e 9.8(

T*e Co%rt arees +it* t*e respondent t*at t*e ne+ r%"e is not a stat%te o! "imitations.Stat%tes o! "imitations are #onstr%ed as a#ts o! ra#e, and a s%rrender &y t*e sovereino! its ri*t to prose#%te or o! its ri*t to prose#%te at its dis#retion. S%#* stat%tes are#onsidered as e4%iva"ent to a#ts o! amnesty !o%nded on t*e "i&era" t*eory t*at

prose#%tions s*o%"d not &e a""o+ed to !erment end"ess"y in t*e !i"es o! t*e overnmentto eAp"ode on"y a!ter +itnesses and proo!s ne#essary !or t*e prote#tion o! t*e a##%sed*ave &y s*eer "apse o! time passed &eyond avai"a&i"ity.88T*e periods !iAed %nder s%#*

stat%tes are H%risdi#tiona" and are essentia" e"ements o! t*e o!!enses #overed.8$


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On t*e ot*er *and, t*e time3&ar %nder Se#tion o! R%"e 11/ is ain to a spe#ia"pro#ed%ra" "imitation 4%a"i!yin t*e ri*t o! t*e State to prose#%te main t*e time3&ar an essen#e o! t*e iven ri*t or as an in*erent part t*ereo!, so t*at t*e "apse o! t*etime3&ar operates to eAtin%is* t*e ri*t o! t*e State to prose#%te t*e a##%sed.8)

T*e time3&ar %nder t*e ne+ r%"e does not red%#e t*e periods %nder 'rti#"e 9 o! t*eRevised 2ena" Code, a s%&stantive "a+.86It is &%t a "imitation o! t*e ri*t o! t*e Stateto revive a #rimina" #ase aainst t*e a##%sed a!ter t*e In!ormation *ad &een !i"ed &%ts%&se4%ent"y provisiona""y dismissed +it* t*e eApress #onsent o! t*e a##%sed.


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on t*e app"i#ation to t*e tria" o! *is #ase, +*et*er #ivi" or #rimina", o! anyot*er t*an t*e eAistin r%"es o! pro#ed%re.

It !%rt*er r%"ed t*erein t*at a pro#ed%ra" "a+ may not &e app"ied retroa#tive"y i! to doso +o%"d +or inH%sti#e or +o%"d invo"ve intri#ate pro&"ems o! d%e pro#ess or impair

t*e independen#e o! t*e Co%rt. In aper curiamde#ision in Cipriano v. Cit' oHouma,$8t*e


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T*e ne+ r%"e +as #on#ept%a"i5ed &y t*e Committee on t*e Revision o! t*e R%"es andapproved &y t*e Co%rt en bancprimari"y to en*an#e t*e administration o! t*e #rimina"

H%sti#e system and t*e ri*ts to d%e pro#ess o! t*e State and t*e a##%sed &ye"iminatin t*e de"eterio%s pra#ti#e o! tria" #o%rts o! provisiona""y dismissin #rimina"#ases on motion o! eit*er t*e prose#%tion or t*e a##%sed or Hoint"y, eit*er +it* no

time3&ar !or t*e reviva" t*ereo! or +it* a spe#i!i# or de!inite period !or s%#* reviva" &yt*e p%&"i# prose#%tor. T*ere +ere times +*en s%#* #rimina" #ases +ere no "onerrevived or re!i"ed d%e to #a%ses &eyond t*e #ontro" o! t*e p%&"i# prose#%tor or &e#a%seo! t*e indo"en#e, apat*y or t*e "a#adaisi#a" attit%de o! p%&"i# prose#%tors to t*e

preH%di#e o! t*e State and t*e a##%sed despite t*e mandate to p%&"i# prose#%tors andtria" H%des to eApedite #rimina" pro#eedins.)1

It is a"most a %niversa" eAperien#e t*at t*e a##%sed +e"#omes de"ay as it %s%a""yoperates in *is !avor,)(espe#ia""y i! *e reat"y !ears t*e #onse4%en#es o! *is tria" and#onvi#tion. ;e is *esitant to dist%r& t*e *%s*ed ina#tion &y +*i#* dominant #ases*ave &een no+n to eApire.)8

T*e inordinate de"ay in t*e reviva" or re!i"in o! #rimina" #ases may impair or red%#et*e #apa#ity o! t*e State to prove its #ase +it* t*e disappearan#e or nonavai"a&i"ity o!its +itnesses. 2*ysi#a" eviden#e may *ave &een "ost. Memories o! +itnesses may *avero+n dim or *ave !aded. 2assae o! time maes proo! o! any !a#t more di!!i#%"t.)$T*e a##%sed may &e#ome a !%itive !rom H%sti#e or #ommit anot*er #rime. T*e "onert*e "apse o! time !rom t*e dismissa" o! t*e #ase to t*e reviva" t*ereo!, t*e moredi!!i#%"t it is to prove t*e #rime.

On t*e ot*er side o! t*e !%"#r%m, a mere provisiona" dismissa" o! a #rimina" #ase doesnot terminate a #rimina" #ase. T*e possi&i"ity t*at t*e #ase may &e revived at any timemay disr%pt or red%#e, i! not derai", t*e #*an#es o! t*e a##%sed !or emp"oyment,#%rtai" *is asso#iation, s%&He#t *im to p%&"i# o&"o4%y and #reate anAiety in *im and *is!ami"y. ;e is %na&"e to "ead a norma" "i!e &e#a%se o! #omm%nity s%spi#ion and *iso+n anAiety. ;e #ontin%es to s%!!er t*ose pena"ties and disa&i"ities in#ompati&"e +it*t*e pres%mption o! inno#en#e.));e may a"so "ose *is +itnesses or t*eir memoriesmay !ade +it* t*e passae o! time. In t*e "on r%n, it may diminis* *is #apa#ity tode!end *imse"! and t*%s es#*e+ t*e !airness o! t*e entire #rimina" H%sti#e system.)6

T*e time3&ar %nder t*e ne+ r%"e +as !iAed &y t*e Co%rt to eA#ise t*e ma"aise t*atp"a%ed t*e administration o! t*e #rimina" H%sti#e system !or t*e beneit o the (tate

and the accusedK not !or t*e a##%sed on"y.

T*e Co%rt arees +it* t*e petitioners t*at to app"y t*e time3&ar retroa#tive"y so t*att*e t+o3year period #ommen#ed to r%n on Mar#* 81, 1999 +*en t*e p%&"i# prose#%torre#eived *is #opy o! t*e reso"%tion o! 7%de 'nir, 7r. dismissin t*e #rimina" #ases isin#onsistent +it* t*e intendment o! t*e ne+ r%"e. Instead o! ivin t*e State t+o yearsto revive provisiona""y dismissed #ases, t*e State *ad #onsidera&"y "ess t*an t+o yearsto do so. T*%s, 7%de 'nir, 7r. dismissed Crimina" Cases Nos. 399316/9 to 3993169 on Mar#* (9, 1999. T*e ne+ r%"e too e!!e#t on De#em&er 1, (. I! t*eCo%rt app"ied t*e ne+ time3&ar retroa#tive"y, t*e State +o%"d *ave on"y one year andt*ree mont*s or %nti" Mar#* 81, (1 +it*in +*i#* to revive t*ese #rimina" #ases. T*e

period is s*ort o! t*e t+o3year period !iAed %nder t*e ne+ r%"e. On t*e ot*er *and, i!t*e time "imit is app"ied prospe#tive"y, t*e State +o%"d *ave t+o years !rom De#em&er


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1, ( or %nti" De#em&er 1, (( +it*in +*i#* to revive t*e #ases. T*is is in#onsonan#e +it* t*e intendment o! t*e ne+ r%"e in !iAin t*e time3&ar and t*%s

prevent inH%sti#e to t*e State and avoid a&s%rd, %nreasona&"e, oppressive, inH%rio%s,and +ron!%" res%"ts in t*e administration o! H%sti#e.

T*e period !rom 'pri" 1, 1999 to Novem&er 8, 1999 s*o%"d &e eA#"%ded in t*e#omp%tation o! t*e t+o3year period &e#a%se t*e r%"e pres#ri&in it +as not yet ine!!e#t at t*e time and t*e State #o%"d not &e eApe#ted to #omp"y +it* t*e time3&ar. It#annot even &e ar%ed t*at t*e State +aived its ri*t to revive t*e #rimina" #asesaainst respondent or t*at it +as ne"ient !or not revivin t*em +it*in t*e t+o3year

period %nder t*e ne+ r%"e. 's t*e


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In t*e s%m, t*is Co%rt !inds t*e motion !or re#onsideration o! petitioners meritorio%s.

IN T;E =IJ;T OF '== T;E FOREJOINJ, t*e petitioners Motion !orRe#onsideration is JR'NTED. T*e Reso"%tion o! t*is Co%rt, dated May (, ((, isSET 'SSIDE. T*e De#ision o! t*e Co%rt o! 'ppea"s, dated '%%st ($, (1, in C'3

J.R. S2 No. 6)8$ is REVERSED. T*e 2etition o! t*e Respondent +it* t*e Reiona"Tria" Co%rt in Civi" Case No. 131988 is DISMISSED !or &ein moot anda#ademi#. T*e Reiona" Tria" Co%rt o! %e5on City, ran#* 1, is DIRECTED to!ort*+it* pro#eed +it* Crimina" Cases Nos. 13111( to 131111( +it* de"i&eratedispat#*.

No prono%n#ements as to #osts.

SO ORDERED.

Davide, Jr., C.J., #endoa, Pan$aniban, ustria@#artine, Corona, Carpio@#ora"es

and cuna, J.J.,#on#%r./e""osi""o, J.,see Separate Opinion, #on#%rrin.Puno, J.,2"ease See Disent.3itu$, J.,See Separate dissentin: Opinion.Auisumbin$, J.,In t*e res%"tK #on#%r +it* 7. e""osi""os opinion.?nares@(antia$o, J.,I Hoin t*e dissents o! 7. 2%no 7. J%tierre5.(andova"@9utierre, J.,dissent. 2"ease see my dissentin opinion.Carpio, J.,No part.

Se(ara*e O(-$-o$, Co$)urr-$/

@E##OSI##O,J.7

I we ma4e a mista4e, we can on"' pra' that their

$hosts wi"" not haunt us or the rest o our da's . . .

-'menW- I say to t*e #"ear and #on#ise ponen#ia o! o%r #o""ea%e, Mr. 7%sti#e Romeo7. Ca""eHo Sr., +*o to%#*ed t*e iss%es *ead on and reso"ved t*em +it* t*e #a"mde"i&eration o! a dedi#ated H%rist. =et me H%st add a !e+ more t*o%*ts in t*e e!!ort to

revea" and re#ti!y t*e *a5ards and %n#ertainties ordinari"y #on#ea"ed &y t*e "i& %se o!!orma" i""oi#.

T*is #ase sprins !rom t*e &r%ta" s"a%*ter o! s%spe#ted mem&ers o! t*eKuraton$/a"e"en$ 9an$on 1 May 199). E"even 11: rest"ess so%"s 3 +*o peris*ed in a s*ro%do! mystery 3 remain s*a#"ed !or more t*an *a"! a de#ade &y t*e &ondae o! pop%"arapat*y and ne"e#t, and #ondemned to an inominio%s !a"" &y t*eir in!amy.Stimati5ed and deno%n#ed, t*eir demise m%st *ave &een *ai"ed &y many as t*etri%mp* o! retri&%tive H%sti#e

A A A A Ji!ted +it* t*e "i&erty t*ey no+ not *o+ to %seK +it* a po+er and

enery t*ey no+ not *o+ to app"yK +it* a "i!e +*ose p%rpose and aim t*ey#ompre*end notK t*ey dra t*ro%* t*eir %se"ess and #onv%"sed eAisten#e.


49/311

yron destroys t*em one a!ter t*e ot*er, as i! *e +ere t*e eAe#%tioner o! asenten#e de#reed in *eaven. T*ey !a"" %n+ept, "ie a +it*ered "ea! into t*estream o! time A A A A T*ey die, as t*ey *ave "ived, a"oneK and a pop%"arma"edi#tion *overs ro%nd t*eir so"itary tom&s.1

T*e di#tates o! pr%den#e *o+ever +o%"d #o%nse" %s at t*is time to reserve H%dmenton t*eir sins and transressions. T*e overridin #onsideration is t*e need to %nvei" t*etr%t*, !or tr%t* a"one is t*e verita&"e to%#*stone o! H%sti#e. T*e ri*ts o! t*e e"even11: vi#tims, as m%#* as t*ose o! t*e respondent and *is #o3a##%sed, deserve !%""re#onition and prote#tion. On"y t*en #an +e say t*at +e are tr%"y #ivi"i5ed 3 a &reedapart !rom savaes.

%t t*e manner &y +*i#* t*e #arnae o! 1 May 199) +as #arried o%t spared ap%&"i# indination t*at prompted t*e Senate Committees on 7%sti#e and ;%manRi*ts, Crimes and Nationa" De!ense and Se#%rity to #ond%#t a Hoint investiation on

possi&"e *%man ri*ts vio"ations invo"vin po"i#e o!!i#ers. T*e in4%iry !o#%sed on t*e

iss%e o! +*et*er t*e deat* o! t*e e"even 11: vi#tims +as t*e res%"t o! a -r%&3o%t- ors%mmary i""in, or a -s*oot3o%t- or +it* eA#*ane o! %n!ire, &et+een t*e vi#timsand t*e po"i#e #onsiderin t*at t*e prin#ipa" antaonists +ere po"i#emen and #ivi"ians.On (1 7%ne 199) t*e a!oresaid Senate Committees, in 7oint Committee Report No.1(1, !o%nd t*%s 3

T*ere is no #"arity as to +*et*er t*e &odies +ere *and#%!!ed or *otied +it*ropes +*en t*ey +ere i""ed. &he evidence, *o+ever, estab"ishes that thosewho died were deense"ess and that e2cept or (oronda, none o them ired a

$un. &he orensic report and testimonies o De "os (antos and De "a Cru

show that e"even


50/311

T*e #rimina" #ases +ere do#eted as Crim. Cases Nos. 399316/9 to 3993169,and ra!!"ed to RTC3r. 1 t*en presided over &y 7%de ?en#es"ao 'nir, 7r.Respondent and t*e ot*er a##%sed !i"ed separate &%t identi#a" motions prayin !or a

H%di#ia" determination o! pro&a&"e #a%se, to *o"d in a&eyan#e t*e iss%an#e o! +arrantso! arrest in t*e meantime, and to dismiss t*e #ases s*o%"d t*e #o%rt !ind no pro&a&"e

#a%se.

D%rin t*e *earin on t*e motions, t*e seven /: or ei*t : vi#tims neAt o! ineAe#%ted a!!idavits o! desistan#e +*i"e ot*ers re#anted t*eir a!!idavit3#omp"aints.?it* t*is deve"opment, t*e tria" #o%rt in its Reso"%tion o! (9 Mar#* 1999 dismissedt*e #ases !or "a# o! pro&a&"e #a%se to *o"d t*e a##%sed !or tria", *o"din t*at -t*ere isno more eviden#e to s*o+ t*at t*e #rimes: *ave &een #ommitted and t*at t*e a##%sedare pro&a&"y %i"ty t*ereo!.-8

T+o (: years "ater, or on (9 Mar#* (1, Se#retary ;ernando . 2ere5 o! t*eDepartment o! 7%sti#e re#eived a "etter !rom 2N2 Dire#tor Jenera" =eandro R.

Mendo5a indorsin !or pre"iminary investiation t*e s+orn a!!idavits o! t+o (: ne++itnesses re"ative to t*eKuraton$ /a"e"en$in#ident. Se#retary 2ere5 #onstit%ted a

pane" o! State 2rose#%tors to investiate t*e matter. T*e pane" iss%ed severa"s%&poenas to a"" t*e a##%sed in Crim. Cases Nos. 399316/9 to 3993169,in#"%din respondent =a#son, re4%irin t*em to s%&mit t*eir #o%nter3a!!idavits and toappear at t*e pre"iminary #on!eren#e.

Conse4%ent"y, on ( May (1, respondent and severa" o! *is #o3a##%sed !i"ed apetition !or pro*i&ition +it* app"i#ation !or a temporary restrainin order andorpre"iminary inH%n#tion +it* t*e RTC3Mani"a, seein to enHoin t*e Se#retary o!7%sti#e and t*e State 2rose#%tors !rom !%rt*er #ond%#tin a pre"iminary investiation.T*e pro*i&ition #ase +as ra!!"ed to RTC3r. $, Mani"a, presided over &y 7%de;erminia V. 2asam&a. T*e !i"in o! t*is petition not+it*standin, t*e 2ane" o! State2rose#%tors pro#eeded to iss%e a Reso"%tion !indin pro&a&"e #a%se to *o"drespondent and *is #o3a##%sed !or tria", !or e"even 11: #o%nts o! m%rder. '##ordin"y,

Inormations+ere !i"ed &e!ore t*e RTC, %e5on City, and do#eted as Crim. CasesNos. 13111( to 131111(.

Deviatin !rom t*e norma" pro#ed%re, t*e EAe#%tive 7%de, Vi#e3EAe#%tive 7%desand 2residin 7%des o! %e5on City dispensed +it* t*e #%stomary ra!!"eK instead,assined t*e #ases to 7%de Ma. T*eresa =. adao o! RTC3r. 1, %e5on City,

pres%ma&"y as t*e s%##essor o! 7%de 'nir in t*e same &ran#*.

Mean+*i"e, in t*e pro*i&ition #ase &e!ore RTC3r. $, Mani"a, 7%de 2asam&a deniedt*e prayer !or t*e iss%an#e o! a temporary restrainin order t*%s3

'!ter a st%dy, t*is Co%rt s%&mits t*at t*e dismissa" o! Crimina" Cases Nos. 399316/9 to 3993169 is not one on t*e merits and +it*o%t any re#ordedarrainment and entered p"ea on t*e part o! t*e *erein petitioners. T*edismissa" +as a dire#t #onse4%en#e o! t*e !indin o! t*e %e5on City Reiona"Tria" Co%rt t*at no pro&a&"e #a%se eAists !or t*e iss%an#e o! +arrants o! arrestaainst petitioner *erein and to *o"d t*em !or tria". T*e arrainment *ad +it*

t*e Sandian&ayan does not p%t t*e #ase in a di!!erent perspe#tive sin#e t*eSandian&ayan +as adH%ded to &e +it*o%t any H%risdi#tion to try t*e #ases.$


51/311

Dissatis!ied, respondent e"evated t*e #ase on a petition !or #ertiorari to t*e Co%rt o!'ppea"s +*i#* t*erea!ter rendered t*e assai"ed De#ision o! ($ '%%st (1 rantint*e petition, de#"arin n%"" and void a"" t*e pro#eedins #ond%#ted &y t*e State2rose#%tors, and orderin a"" t*e #rimina"Inormationsdismissed 3

T*e present #ontroversy, &ein one invo"vin -provisiona" dismissa"- andreviva" o! #rimina" #ases, !a""s +it*in t*e p%rvie+ o! t*e pres#riptive period

provided %nder Se#tion , R%"e 11/ o! t*e ( Revised R%"es on Crimina"2ro#ed%re. T*e se#ond pararap* o! t*e said provision is #o%#*ed in #"ear,simp"e and #ateori#a" +ords. It mandates t*at !or o!!enses p%nis*a&"e &yimprisonment o! more t*an siA 6: years, as t*e s%&He#t #rimina" #ases, t*eir

provisiona" dismissa" s*a"" &e#ome permanent t+o (: years a!ter t*e iss%an#eo! t*e order +it*o%t t*e #ase *avin &een revived. It s*o%"d &e noted t*at t*ereviva" o! t*e s%&He#t #rimina" #ases A A A +as #ommen#ed on"y on 'pri" 19,(1, t*at is, more t*an t+o (: years a!ter t*e iss%an#e, on Mar#* (9, 1999, o!RTC3%e5on Citys Reso"%tion A A A A)

;en#e, t*e present re#o%rse. T*e &one o! #ontention, +*i#* #rysta""i5es a"" t*ear%ments o! t*e parties into a sin"e point o! in4%iry, &ears %pon t*e nat%re ande!!e#ts o! a provisiona" dismissa" +*i#* *as &e#ome permanent a!ter t*e "apse o! t*e

periods provided in Se#. , R%"e 11/, ()evised )u"es on Crimina" Procedure. For!a#i"ity o! re!eren#e, t*e #ontroversia" provision o! Se#. 4%oted *ere%nder 3

Se#. .Provisiona" dismissa". 3 ' #ase s*a"" not &e provisiona""y dismissedeA#ept +it* t*e eApress #onsent o! t*e a##%sed and +it* noti#e to t*e o!!ended

party.

T*e provisiona" dismissa" o! o!!enses p%nis*a&"e &y imprisonment A A A o!more t*an siA 6: years, t*eir provisiona" dismissa" s*a"" &e#ome permanentt+o (: years a!ter iss%an#e o! t*e order +it*o%t t*e #ase *avin &een revivedita"ics supp"ied:.

'ss%min t*at Se#. , R%"e 11/, is avai"a&"e to respondent a"t*o%* it is my positiont*at it is not, t*e 4%estion t*at s*o%"d &e ased isG Does t*e provisiona" dismissa" o! a#rimina" #ase +*i#* *as &e#ome permanent %nder Se#. e!!e#tive"y !ore#"ose t*eri*t o! t*e State to prose#%te an a##%sed I *ave taen reat pains ana"y5in t*e

position o! respondentK reret!%""y, I am %na&"e to aree !or my #ons#ien#e s*ivers at

its de&i"itatin, #ripp"in i! not #r%s*in, impa#t %pon o%r #rimina" H%sti#e system.

T*e &asi# s%&stantive "a+s on pres#ription o! o!!enses are 'rts. 9 and 91 o! &he)evised Pena" Code, +*i#* are 4%oted *ere%nder 3

'rt. 9.Prescription o crimes. 3 Crimes p%nis*a&"e &y deat*, rec"usionperpetuaor rec"usion tempora"s*a"" pres#ri&e in t+enty years. Crimesp%nis*a&"e &y ot*er a!!"i#tive pena"ties s*a"" pres#ri&e in !i!teen years.

Crimes p%nis*a&"e &y ot*er a!!"i#tive pena"ties s*a"" pres#ri&e in !i!teen years.


52/311

T*ose p%nis*a&"e &y a #orre#tiona" pena"ty s*a"" pres#ri&e in ten yearsK +it*t*e eA#eption o! t*ose p%nis*a&"e &y arresto mayor, +*i#* s*a"" pres#ri&e in!ive years.

T*e #rime o! "i&e" or ot*er simi"ar o!!enses s*a"" pres#ri&e in one year.

T*e o!!enses o! ora" de!amation and s"ander &y deed s*a"" pres#ri&e in siAmont*s.

=i*t o!!enses s*a"" pres#ri&e in t+o mont*s

?*en t*e pena"ty !iAed &y "a+ is a #ompo%nd one, t*e *i*est pena"ty s*a"" &emade t*e &asis o! t*e app"i#ation o! t*e r%"es #ontained in t*e !irst, se#ond andt*ird pararap*s o! t*is arti#"e.

'rt. 91. Computation o prescription o oenses. 3 T*e period o! pres#ription

s*a"" #ommen#e to r%n !rom t*e day on +*i#* t*e #rime is dis#overed &y t*eo!!ended party, t*e a%t*orities, or t*eir aents, and s*a"" &e interr%pted &y t*e!i"in o! t*e #omp"aint or in!ormation, and s*a"" #ommen#e to r%n aain +*ens%#* pro#eedins terminate +it*o%t t*e a##%sed &ein #onvi#ted or a#4%itted,or are %nH%sti!ia&"y stopped !or any reason not imp%ta&"e to *im.

T*e term o! pres#ription s*a"" not r%n +*en t*e o!!ender is a&sent !rom t*e2*i"ippine 'r#*ipe"ao.

Evident"y, respondents #on#ept o! a provisiona" dismissa" t*at *as &e#ome permanent

%nder Se#. , R%"e 11/, emas#%"ates and renders i""%sory its very p%rpose. Ite!!e#tive"y o&"iterates t*e di!!erent pres#riptive periods %nder 'rt. 9, +*i#* are !iAedon t*e &asis o! t*e ravity o! t*e pena"ty pres#ri&ed !or t*e o!!ense, and s%pp"ants it+it* a %ni!orm period o! one 1: year or t+o (: years, as t*e #ase may &e. It "ie+ises%&stantia""y modi!ies t*e manner o! #omp%tin t*e period o! pres#ription in 'rt. 91sin#e t*e re#onin o! t*e one 1: or t+o (:3year pres#riptive period %nder Se#. is#onstant and invaria&"e, and +it*o%t reard to t*e n%m&er o! interr%ptions. Reard"esso! t*e n%m&er o! times t*e #ase aainst an a##%sed is provisiona""y dismissed, t*e

prose#%tion +o%"d a"+ays *ave a !%"" ra#e period o! t+o (: years +it*in +*i#* torevive t*e #aseK m%#* %n"ie 'rt. 91 +*erein t*e period #ons%med prior to t*e !i"ino! t*e #omp"aint or in!ormation is ta#ed to t*e period #ons%med a!ter t*e dismissa" o!

t*e #ase !or p%rposes o! determinin +*et*er t*e #rime *as pres#ri&ed.

Interestin"y, a dividin "ine is dra+n in t*e app"i#ation o! 'rts. 9 and 91 o! &he)evised Pena" Code, and Se#. , R%"e 11/, o! t*e 7BBB )evised )u"es on Crimina"Procedure, o&vio%s"y in an attempt to "end a de"%sive sem&"an#e o! p"a%si&i"ity to its#onstr%#tion o! Se#. . It is posited t*at 'rt. 91 and Se#. operate on -di!!erent

p"anes,- so to spea, t*e vita" distin#tion &ein t*at Se#. , R%"e 11/, #ontemp"ates asit%ation +*ere a #ase *ad a"ready &een !i"ed and +as provisiona""y dismissed.

I do not aree. 'rti#"e 91 o! &he )evised Pena" Codedistin#t"y speas o! -pres#riptionA A A s*a"" &e interr%pted &y t*e !i"in o! t*e #omp"aint or in!ormation, and s*a""

#ommen#e to r%n aain +*en s%#* pro#eedins terminate +it*o%t t*e a##%sed &ein#onvi#ted or a#4%itted, or %nH%sti!ia&"y stopped !or any reason not imp%ta&"e to *im.-


53/311

It #an readi"y &e seen t*ere!ore t*at t*e #on#ept o! a provisiona" dismissa" is s%&s%medin 'rt. 91 sin#e in a provisiona" dismissa", pro#eedins ne#essari"y terminate +it*o%tt*e a##%sed &ein #onvi#ted or a#4%itted. T*%s, to #onstr%e and app"y Se#. in t*emanner s%ested a&ove +o%"d %ndenia&"y res%"t in a dire#t and irre#on#i"a&"e#on!"i#t +it* 'rt. 91.

In a provisiona" dismissa", t*e prose#%tion, t*e de!ense and t*e o!!ended party, ine!!e#t, enter into a ta#it areement !or a temporary #essation o! *osti"ities, i.e., tomomentari"y *o"d in a&eyan#e t*e prose#%tion o! t*e a##%sed. 2ararap* 1 o! Se#.

pres#ri&es t*e re4%irements t*eretoG a: #onsent o! t*e a##%sed, and &: noti#e to t*eo!!ended party. It m%st &e remem&ered *o+ever t*at permanent dismissa" o! a #ase is

&%t an o!!s*oot o! its previo%s provisiona" dismissa" and t*e s%&se4%ent !ai"%re torevive +it*in t*e time !rames set !ort* in Se#. . %t does t*e permanent dismissa" o!t*e #ase arisin !rom a provisiona" dismissa" a!!e#t t*e ri*t o! t*e State to prose#%te+it*in t*e periods provided in 'rt. 9 o! &he )evised Pena" Code

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