Pimentel vs Secretary

8/13/2019 Pimentel vs Secretary

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SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

Pimentel, Jr. vs. Office of the Executive Secretr!

".R. No. #$%&%%. Jul! ', (&&$.)

SENATOR A*U++NO P+MENTE, JR., REP. ETTA ROSAES, P-++PP+NE COA+T+ON OR

T-E ESTA/+S-MENT O T-E +NTERNAT+ONA CR+M+NA COURT, TAS0 ORCE

DETA+NEES O T-E P-++PP+NES, AM++ES O 1+CT+MS O +N1OUNTAR2

D+SAPPEARANCES, /+ANCA -AC+NT-A R. RO*UE, -ARR+SON JACO/ R. RO*UE,

A-MED PA"+NA3AN, RON P. SAO, EA1+DES ". DOM+N"O, ED"ARDO CARO

1+STAN, NOE 1+AROMAN, CEESTE CEM/RANO, +4A A/+ERA, JA+ME ARRO2O,

MAR3+ ASOS, CR+ST+NA ATEND+DO, +SRAE A"EA, n5 ROME /A"ARES,

666666666666666

) EN /ANC.

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9etitioners, vs. O+CE O T-E E:ECUT+1E SECRETAR2, re9resente5 ;! -ON.

A/ERTO ROMUO, n5 the DEPARTMENT O ORE+"N AA+RS, re9resente5 ;!

-ON. /AS OPE, res9on5ents.


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Actions< Ju5icil Revie=< Prties< ocus Stn5i< Mn5mus< To ;e >iven 5ue course,

9etition for mn5mus must hve ;een institute5 ;! 9rt! >>rieve5 ;! the

lle>e5 inction of n! tri;unl, cor9ortion, ;or5 or 9erson =hich unl=full!

exclu5es si5 9rt! from the en?o!ment of le>l ri>ht< The Court =ill exercise its

9o=er of ?u5icil revie= onl! if the cse is ;rou>ht ;efore it ;! 9rt! =ho hs the

le>l stn5in> to rise the constitutionl or le>l @uestions< e>l stn5in>B mens 9ersonl n5 su;stntil interest in the cse such tht the 9rt! hs sustine5 or

=ill sustin 5irect in?ur! s result of the >overnment ct tht is ;ein> chllen>e5.

A 9etition for mn5mus m! ;e file5 =hen n! tri;unl, cor9ortion, ;or5,

officer or 9erson unl=full! ne>lects the 9erformnce of n ct =hich the l=

s9ecificll! en?oins s 5ut! resultin> from n office, trust, or sttion. 3e hve hel5

tht to ;e >iven 5ue course, 9etition for mn5mus must hve ;een institute5 ;!

9rt! >>rieve5 ;! the lle>e5 inction of n! tri;unl, cor9ortion, ;or5 or

9erson =hich unl=full! exclu5es si5 9rt! from the en?o!ment of le>l ri>ht.

The 9etitioner in ever! cse must therefore ;e n >>rieve5 9rt! in the sense tht

he 9ossesses cler le>l ri>ht to ;e enforce5 n5 5irect interest in the 5ut! or

ct to ;e 9erforme5. The Court =ill exercise its 9o=er of ?u5icil revie= onl! if the

cse is ;rou>ht ;efore it ;! 9rt! =ho hs the le>l stn5in> to rise the

constitutionl or le>l @uestion. e>l stn5in>B mens 9ersonl n5 su;stntil

interest in the cse such tht the 9rt! hs sustine5 or =ill sustin 5irect in?ur! s

result of the >overnment ct tht is ;ein> chllen>e5. The term interestB is

mteril interest, n interest in issue n5 to ;e ffecte5 ;! the 5ecree, s

5istin>uishe5 from mere interest in the @uestion involve5, or mere inci5entl

interest.

Sme< Sme< Sme< Sme< Sme< +nterntionl =< Rome Sttute of the

+nterntionl Criminl Court< Onl! Sentor Pimentel hs the le>l stn5in> to file the

instnt suit since the other 9etitioners, even s the! mintin their stn5in> s

5voctes n5 5efen5ers of humn ri>hts, n5 s citiens of the countr!, hve not

sho=n tht the! hve sustine5 or =ill sustin 5irect in?ur! from the non

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trnsmittl of the si>ne5 text of the Rome Sttute to the Sentethe Rome Sttuteis inten5e5 to com9lement ntionl criminl l=s n5 courts n5 sufficient reme5ies

re vil;le un5er our ntionl l=s to 9rotect our citiens >inst humn ri>hts

violtions n5 9etitioners cn l=!s seeF re5ress for n! ;use in our 5omestic

courts.The @uestion in stn5in> is =hether 9rt! hs lle>e5 such 9ersonl

stFe in the outcome of the controvers! s to ssure tht concrete 5verseness

=hich shr9ens the 9resenttion of issues u9on =hich the court so lr>el! 5e9en5s

for illumintion of 5ifficult constitutionl @uestions. 3e fin5 tht mon> the

9etitioners, onl! Sentor Pimentel hs the le>l stn5in> to file the instnt suit. The

other 9etitioners mintin their stn5in> s 5voctes n5 5efen5ers of humn

ri>hts, n5 s citiens of the countr!. The! hve not sho=n, ho=ever, tht the!hve sustine5 or =ill sustin 5irect in?ur! from the nontrnsmittl of the si>ne5

text of the Rome Sttute to the Sente. Their contention tht the! =ill ;e 5e9rive5

of their reme5ies for the 9rotection n5 enforcement of their ri>hts 5oes not

9ersu5e. The Rome Sttute is inten5e5 to com9lement ntionl criminl l=s n5

courts. Sufficient reme5ies re vil;le un5er our ntionl l=s to 9rotect our

citiens >inst humn ri>hts violtions n5 9etitioners cn l=!s seeF re5ress for

n! ;use in our 5omestic courts.

Sme< Sme< Sme< Sme< Sme< Sme< e>isltors hve the stn5in> to mintin

inviolte the 9rero>tives, 9o=ers n5 9rivile>es veste5 ;! the Constitution in their

office n5 re llo=e5 to sue to @uestion the vli5it! of n! officil ction =hich

the! clim infrin>es their 9rero>tives s le>isltors.As re>r5s Sentor Pimentel,

it hs ;een hel5 tht to the extent the 9o=ers of Con>ress re im9ire5, so is the

9o=er of ech mem;er thereof, since his office confers ri>ht to 9rtici9te in the

exercise of the 9o=ers of tht institution.B Thus, le>isltors hve the stn5in> to

mintin inviolte the 9rero>tives, 9o=ers n5 9rivile>es veste5 ;! the

Constitution in their office n5 re llo=e5 to sue to @uestion the vli5it! of n!

officil ction =hich the! clim infrin>es their 9rero>tives s le>isltors. The

9etition t ;r invoFes the 9o=er of the Sente to >rnt or =ithhol5 its concurrence

to tret! entere5 into ;! the executive ;rnch, in this cse, the Rome Sttute. The9etition seeFs to or5er the executive ;rnch to trnsmit the co9! of the tret! to

the Sente to llo= it to exercise such uthorit!. Sentor Pimentel,

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s mem;er of the institution, certinl! hs the le>l stn5in> to ssert such

uthorit! of the Sente.

+nterntionl =< Treties< Presi5enc!< +n our s!stem of >overnment, the Presi5ent,

;ein> the he5 of stte, is re>r5e5 s the sole or>n n5 uthorit! in externl

reltions n5 is the countr!Gs sole re9resenttive =ith forei>n ntions.+n our

s!stem of >overnment, the Presi5ent, ;ein> the he5 of stte, is re>r5e5 s the

sole or>n n5 uthorit! in externl reltions n5 is the countr!Gs sole

re9resenttive =ith forei>n ntions. As the chief rchitect of forei>n 9olic!, the

Presi5ent cts s the countr!Gs mouth9iece =ith res9ect to interntionl ffirs.

-ence, the Presi5ent is veste5 =ith the uthorit! to 5el =ith forei>n sttes n5

>overnments, exten5 or =ithhol5 reco>nition, mintin 5i9lomtic reltions, enterinto treties, n5 other=ise trnsct the ;usiness of forei>n reltions. +n the relm

of tret!mFin>, the Presi5ent hs the sole uthorit! to ne>otite =ith other sttes.

Nonetheless, =hile the Presi5ent hs the sole uthorit! to ne>otite n5 enter into

treties, the Constitution 9rovi5es limittion to his 9o=er ;! re@uirin> the

concurrence of (H7 of ll the mem;ers of the Sente for the vli5it! of the tret!

entere5 into ;! him. Section (#, Article 1++ of the #I% Constitution 9rovi5es tht

no tret! or interntionl >reement shll ;e vli5 n5 effective unless concurre5

in ;! t lest t=othir5s of ll the Mem;ers of the Sente.B

Sme< Sme< Sme< The 9rtici9tion of the le>isltive ;rnch in the tret!mFin>

9rocess =s 5eeme5 essentil to 9rovi5e checF on the executive in the fiel5 of

forei>n reltions.The 9rtici9tion of the le>isltive ;rnch in the tret!mFin>

9rocess =s 5eeme5 essentil to 9rovi5e checF on the executive in the fiel5 of

forei>n reltions. /! re@uirin> the concurrence of the le>islture in the treties

entere5 into ;! the Presi5ent, the Constitution ensures helth! s!stem of checFs

n5 ;lnce necessr! in the ntionGs 9ursuit of 9oliticl mturit! n5 >ro=th.


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Sme< Sme< Sme< The si>nin> of the tret! n5 the rtifiction re t=o se9rte

n5 5istinct ste9s in the tret!mFin> 9rocessthe si>nture is 9rimril! inten5e5

s mens of uthentictin> the instrument n5 s s!m;ol of the >oo5 fith of

the 9rties, usull! 9erforme5 ;! the stteGs uthorie5 re9resenttive, =hilertifiction is the forml ct ;! =hich stte confirms n5 cce9ts the 9rovisions of

tret! conclu5e5 ;! its re9resenttive, n5 is >enerll! hel5

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to ;e n executive ct, un5ertFen ;! the he5 of the stte or of the >overnment.

PetitionersG r>uments e@ute the si>nin> of the tret! ;! the Phili99ine

re9resenttive =ith rtifiction. +t shoul5 ;e un5erscore5 tht the si>nin> of the

tret! n5 the rtifiction re t=o se9rte n5 5istinct ste9s in the tret!mFin>

9rocess. As erlier 5iscusse5, the si>nture is 9rimril! inten5e5 s mens of

uthentictin> the instrument n5 s s!m;ol of the >oo5 fith of the 9rties. +t is

usull! 9erforme5 ;! the stteGs uthorie5 re9resenttive in the 5i9lomtic

mission. Rtifiction, on the other hn5, is the forml ct ;! =hich stte confirms

n5 cce9ts the 9rovisions of tret! conclu5e5 ;! its re9resenttive. +t is

>enerll! hel5 to ;e n executive ct, un5ertFen ;! the he5 of the stte or of the

>overnment. Thus, Executive Or5er No. 8$I issue5 ;! Presi5ent i5el 1. Rmos on

Novem;er ($, #II 9rovi5es the >ui5elines in the ne>otition of interntionl>reements n5 its rtifiction. +t mn5tes tht fter the tret! hs ;een si>ne5 ;!

the Phili99ine re9resenttive, the sme shll ;e trnsmitte5 to the De9rtment of

orei>n Affirs. The De9rtment of orei>n Affirs shll then 9re9re the rtifiction

99ers n5 for=r5 the si>ne5 co9! of the tret! to the Presi5ent for rtifiction.

After the Presi5ent hs rtifie5 the tret!, the De9rtment of orei>n Affirs shll

su;mit the sme to the Sente for concurrence. U9on recei9t of the concurrence of


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the Sente, the De9rtment of orei>n Affirs shll com9l! =ith the 9rovisions of

the tret! to ren5er it effective.

Sme< Sme< Sme< PetitionersG su;mission tht the Phili99ines is ;oun5 un5er

tret! l= n5 interntionl l= to rtif! the tret! =hich it hs si>ne5 is =ithout

;sisit is the rtifiction tht ;in5s the stte to the 9rovisions thereof< There is no

le>l o;li>tion to rtif! tret!, ;ut it >oes =ithout s!in> tht the refusl must ;e

;se5 on su;stntil >roun5s n5 not on su9erficil or =himsicl resons< The

Presi5ent hs the 5iscretion even fter the si>nin> of the tret! ;! the Phili99ine

re9resenttive =hether or not to rtif! the sme.PetitionersG su;mission tht the

Phili99ines is ;oun5 un5er tret! l= n5 interntionl l= to rtif! the tret! =hich

it hs si>ne5 is =ithout ;sis. The si>nture 5oes not si>nif! the finl consent of the

stte to the tret!. +t is the rtifiction tht ;in5s the stte to the 9rovisions thereof.

+n fct, the Rome Sttute itself re@uires tht the si>nture of the re9resenttives of

the sttes ;e su;?ect to rtifiction, cce9tnce or 99rovl of the si>ntor! sttes.Rtifiction is the ct ;! =hich the 9rovisions of tret! re for

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mll! confirme5 n5 99rove5 ;! Stte. /! rtif!in> tret! si>ne5 in its ;ehlf,

stte ex9resses its =illin>ness to ;e ;oun5 ;! the 9rovisions of such tret!. Afterthe tret! is si>ne5 ;! the stteGs re9resenttive, the Presi5ent, ;ein> ccount;le

to the 9eo9le, is ;ur5ene5 =ith the res9onsi;ilit! n5 the 5ut! to crefull! stu5! the

contents of the tret! n5 ensure tht the! re not inimicl to the interest of the

stte n5 its 9eo9le. Thus, the Presi5ent hs the 5iscretion even fter the si>nin> of

the tret! ;! the Phili99ine re9resenttive =hether or not to rtif! the sme. The

1ienn Convention on the = of Treties 5oes not contem9lte to 5efet or even

restrin this 9o=er of the he5 of sttes. +f tht =ere so, the re@uirement of


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rtifiction of treties =oul5 ;e 9ointless n5 futile. +t hs ;een hel5 tht stte hs

no le>l or even morl 5ut! to rtif! tret! =hich hs ;een si>ne5 ;! its

9leni9otentiries. There is no le>l o;li>tion to rtif! tret!, ;ut it >oes =ithout

s!in> tht the refusl must ;e ;se5 on su;stntil >roun5s n5 not on su9erficil

or =himsicl resons. Other=ise, the other stte =oul5 ;e ?ustifie5 in tFin> offense.

Sme< Sme< Sme< +t is =ithin the uthorit! of the Presi5ent to refuse to su;mit

tret! to the Sente or, hvin> secure5 its consent for its rtifiction, refuse to

rtif! it.+t shoul5 ;e em9hsie5 tht un5er our Constitution, the 9o=er to rtif! is

veste5 in the Presi5ent, su;?ect to the concurrence of the Sente. The role of the

Sente, ho=ever, is limite5 onl! to >ivin> or =ithhol5in> its consent, or

concurrence, to the rtifiction. -ence, it is =ithin the uthorit! of the Presi5ent to

refuse to su;mit tret! to the Sente or, hvin> secure5 its consent for its

rtifiction, refuse to rtif! it. Althou>h the refusl of stte to rtif! tret! =hich

hs ;een si>ne5 in its ;ehlf is serious ste9 tht shoul5 not ;e tFen li>htl!, such5ecision is =ithin the com9etence of the Presi5ent lone, =hich cnnot ;e

encroche5 ;! this Court vi =rit of mn5mus. This Court hs no ?uris5iction over

ctions seeFin> to en?oin the Presi5ent in the 9erformnce of his officil 5uties. The

Court, therefore, cnnot issue the =rit of mn5mus 9r!e5 for ;! the 9etitioners

s it is ;e!on5 its ?uris5iction to com9el the executive ;rnch of the >overnment to

trnsmit the si>ne5 text of Rome Sttute to the Sente.

SPEC+A C+1+ ACT+ON in the Su9reme Court. Mn5mus.

The fcts re stte5 in the o9inion of the Court.

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-. -rr! . Ro@ue, Jr. n5 Joel Rui /utu!n for 9etitioners.

The Solicitor "enerl for res9on5ents.

PUNO, J.K

This is 9etition for mn5mus file5 ;! 9etitioners to com9el the Office of the

Executive Secretr! n5 the De9rtment of orei>n Affirs to trnsmit the si>ne5

co9! of the Rome Sttute of the +nterntionl Criminl Court to the Sente of the

Phili99ines for its concurrence in ccor5nce =ith Section (#, Article 1++ of the #I%

Constitution.

The Rome Sttute est;lishe5 the +nterntionl Criminl Court =hich shll hve the

9o=er to exercise its ?uris5iction over 9ersons for the most serious crimes of

interntionl concern x x x n5 shll ;e com9lementr! to the ntionl criminl

?uris5ictions.B# +ts ?uris5iction covers the crime of >enoci5e, crimes >inst

humnit!, =r crimes n5 the crime of >>ression s 5efine5 in the Sttute.( The

Sttute =s o9ene5 for si>nture ;! ll sttes in Rome on Jul! #, #II% n5 h5

remine5 o9en for si>nture until Decem;er 7#, (&&& t the Unite5 Ntions

-e5@urters in Ne= 2orF. The Phili99ines si>ne5 the Sttute on Decem;er (%,(&&& throu>h Chr>e 5G Affirs Enri@ue A. Mnlo of the Phili99ine Mission to the

Unite5 Ntions.7 +ts 9rovisions, ho=ever, re@uire tht it ;e su;?ect to rtifiction,

cce9tnce or 99rovl of the si>ntor! sttes.8

Petitioners file5 the instnt 9etition to com9el the res9on5entsthe Office of the

Executive Secretr! n5 the De9rtment of orei>n Affirsto trnsmit the si>ne5

text of the tret! to the Sente of the Phili99ines for rtifiction.

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# Article #, Rome Sttute.


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( Article $, Rome Sttute.

7 Annex /B of Petition, Rollo, 9. #.

8 Article ($, Rome Sttute.

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+t is the theor! of the 9etitioners tht rtifiction of tret!, un5er ;oth 5omestic

l= n5 interntionl l=, is function of the Sente. -ence, it is the 5ut! of the

executive 5e9rtment to trnsmit the si>ne5 co9! of the Rome Sttute to the

Sente to llo= it to exercise its 5iscretion =ith res9ect to rtifiction of treties.

Moreover, 9etitioners su;mit tht the Phili99ines hs ministeril 5ut! to rtif! the

Rome Sttute un5er tret! l= n5 customr! interntionl l=. Petitioners invoFe

the 1ienn Convention on the = of Treties en?oinin> the sttes to refrin from

cts =hich =oul5 5efet the o;?ect n5 9ur9ose of tret! =hen the! hve si>ne5

the tret! 9rior to rtifiction unless the! hve m5e their intention cler not to

;ecome 9rties to the tret!.$

The Office of the Solicitor "enerl, commentin> for the res9on5ents, @uestione5 the

stn5in> of the 9etitioners to file the instnt suit. +t lso conten5e5 tht the 9etition

t ;r violtes the rule on hierrch! of courts. On the su;stntive issue rise5 ;!

9etitioners, res9on5ents r>ue tht the executive 5e9rtment hs no 5ut! to

trnsmit the Rome Sttute to the Sente for concurrence.


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A 9etition for mn5mus m! ;e file5 =hen n! tri;unl, cor9ortion, ;or5, officer

or 9erson unl=full! ne>lects the 9erformnce of n ct =hich the l= s9ecificll!

en?oins s

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$ Article #%, 1ienn Convention on the = of Treties re5sK

Article #%

O;li>tion not to 5efet the o;?ect n5 9ur9ose of tret! 9rior to its entr! into

force

A Stte is o;li>e5 to refrin from cts =hich =oul5 5efet the o;?ect n5 9ur9ose of

tret! =henK

L it hs si>ne5 the tret! or hs exchn>e5 instruments constitutin> the tret!su;?ect to rtifiction, cce9tnce or 99rovl, until it shll hve m5e its intention

cler not to ;ecome 9rt! to the tret!< or

L; it hs ex9resse5 its consent to ;e ;oun5 ;! the tret!, 9en5in> the entr! into

force of the tret! n5 9rovi5e5 tht such entr! into force is not un5ul! 5el!e5.

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5ut! resultin> from n office, trust, or sttion.' 3e hve hel5 tht to ;e >iven 5uecourse, 9etition for mn5mus must hve ;een institute5 ;! 9rt! >>rieve5 ;!

the lle>e5 inction of n! tri;unl, cor9ortion, ;or5 or 9erson =hich unl=full!

exclu5es si5 9rt! from the en?o!ment of le>l ri>ht. The 9etitioner in ever! cse

must therefore ;e n >>rieve5 9rt! in the sense tht he 9ossesses cler le>l

ri>ht to ;e enforce5 n5 5irect interest in the 5ut! or ct to ;e 9erforme5. The

Court =ill exercise its 9o=er of ?u5icil revie= onl! if the cse is ;rou>ht ;efore it ;!

9rt! =ho hs the le>l stn5in> to rise the constitutionl or le>l @uestion.

e>l stn5in>B mens 9ersonl n5 su;stntil interest in the cse such tht

the 9rt! hs sustine5 or =ill sustin 5irect in?ur! s result of the >overnment ct

tht is ;ein> chllen>e5. The term interestB is mteril interest, n interest in issuen5 to ;e ffecte5 ;! the 5ecree, s 5istin>uishe5 from mere interest in the

@uestion involve5, or mere inci5entl interest.%

The 9etition t ;r =s file5 ;! Sentor A@uilino Pimentel, Jr. =ho sserts his le>l

stn5in> to file the suit s mem;er of the Sente< Con>ress=omn orett Ann

Rosles, mem;er of the -ouse of Re9resenttives n5 Chir9erson of its

Committee on -umn Ri>hts< the Phili99ine Colition for the Est;lishment of the

+nterntionl Criminl Court =hich is com9ose5 of in5ivi5uls n5 cor9orte entities

5e5icte5 to the Phili99ine rtifiction of the Rome Sttute< the TsF orce

Detinees of the Phili99ines, ?uri5icl entit! =ith the vo=e5 9ur9ose of 9romotin>

the cuse of humn ri>hts n5 humn ri>hts victims in the countr!< the milies of

1ictims of +nvoluntr! Dis99ernces, ?uri5icl entit! 5ul! or>nie5 n5 existin>

9ursunt to Phili99ine =s =ith the vo=e5 9ur9ose of 9romotin> the cuse of

fmilies n5 vic

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' Section 7, Rule '$, #II Rules of Civil Proce5ure.

e>s9i vs. Civil Service Commission, #$& SCRA $7& L#I%.


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% Jo! vs. Presi5entil Commission on "oo5 "overnment, (($ SCRA $'% L#II7.

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tims of humn ri>hts violtions in the countr!< /inc -cinth Ro@ue n5 -rrison

Jco; Ro@ue, >e5 t=o L( n5 one L#, res9ectivel!, t the time of filin> of the

instnt 9etition, n5 suin> un5er the 5octrine of inter>enertionl ri>hts

enuncite5 in the cse of O9os vs. ctorn, Jr.rou9 of fifth !er =orFin>

l= stu5ents from the Universit! of the Phili99ines Colle>e of = =ho re suin> s

tx9!ers.

The @uestion in stn5in> is =hether 9rt! hs lle>e5 such 9ersonl stFe in the

outcome of the controvers! s to ssure tht concrete 5verseness =hich shr9ens

the 9resenttion of issues u9on =hich the court so lr>el! 5e9en5s for illumintion

of 5ifficult constitutionl @uestions.#&

3e fin5 tht mon> the 9etitioners, onl! Sentor Pimentel hs the le>l stn5in> to

file the instnt suit. The other 9etitioners mintin their stn5in> s 5voctes n5

5efen5ers of humn ri>hts, n5 s citiens of the countr!. The! hve not sho=n,

ho=ever, tht the! hve sustine5 or =ill sustin 5irect in?ur! from the nontrnsmittl of the si>ne5 text of the Rome Sttute to the Sente. Their contention

tht the! =ill ;e 5e9rive5 of their reme5ies for the 9rotection n5 enforcement of

their ri>hts 5oes not 9ersu5e. The Rome Sttute is inten5e5 to com9lement

ntionl criminl l=s n5 courts. Sufficient reme5ies re vil;le un5er our

ntionl l=s to 9rotect our citiens >inst humn ri>hts violtions n5 9etitioners

cn l=!s seeF re5ress for n! ;use in our 5omestic courts.


13/24

As re>r5s Sentor Pimentel, it hs ;een hel5 tht to the extent the 9o=ers of

Con>ress re im9ire5, so is the 9o=er of ech mem;er thereof, since his office

confers ri>ht to 9rtici9te in the exercise of the 9o=ers of tht institution.B##

Thus, le>isltors hve the stn5in> to mintin inviolte the

666666666666666

I ((8 SCRA I( L#II7.

#& "onles vs. Nrvs, 77 SCRA 77 L(&&&.

## Del Mr vs. Phili99ine Amusement n5 "min> Cor9ortion, 78' SCRA 8%$

L(&&&.

'7(

'7(



9rero>tives, 9o=ers n5 9rivile>es veste5 ;! the Constitution in their office n5

re llo=e5 to sue to @uestion the vli5it! of n! officil ction =hich the! clim

infrin>es their 9rero>tives s le>isltors. The 9etition t ;r invoFes the 9o=er of

the Sente to >rnt or =ithhol5 its concurrence to tret! entere5 into ;! the

executive ;rnch, in this cse, the Rome Sttute. The 9etition seeFs to or5er the

executive ;rnch to trnsmit the co9! of the tret! to the Sente to llo= it to


14/24

exercise such uthorit!. Sentor Pimentel, s mem;er of the institution, certinl!

hs the le>l stn5in> to ssert such uthorit! of the Sente.

3e no= >o to the su;stntive issue.

The core issue in this 9etition for mn5mus is =hether the Executive Secretr! n5

the De9rtment of orei>n Affirs hve ministeril 5ut! to trnsmit to the Sente

the co9! of the Rome Sttute si>ne5 ;! mem;er of the Phili99ine Mission to the

Unite5 Ntions even =ithout the si>nture of the Presi5ent.

3e rule in the ne>tive.

+n our s!stem of >overnment, the Presi5ent, ;ein> the he5 of stte, is re>r5e5 s

the sole or>n n5 uthorit! in externl reltions n5 is the countr!Gs sole

re9resenttive =ith forei>n ntions.#( As the chief rchitect of forei>n 9olic!, the

Presi5ent cts s the countr!Gs mouth9iece =ith res9ect to interntionl ffirs.

-ence, the Presi5ent is veste5 =ith the uthorit! to 5el =ith forei>n sttes n5

>overnments, exten5 or =ithhol5 reco>nition, mintin 5i9lomtic reltions, enter

into treties, n5 other=ise trnsct the ;usiness of forei>n reltions.#7 +n the

relm of tret!mFin>, the Presi5ent hs the sole uthorit! to ne>otite =ith other

sttes.

Nonetheless, =hile the Presi5ent hs the sole uthorit! to ne>otite n5 enter into

treties, the Constitution 9rovi5es

666666666666666

#( Cortes, The Phili99ine Presi5enc!K A Stu5! of Executive Po=er L#I'', 9. #%.

#7 Cru, Phili99ine Politicl = L#II' E5., 9. ((7.


15/24

'77

1O. 8'(, JU2 ', (&&$

'77


limittion to his 9o=er ;! re@uirin> the concurrence of (H7 of ll the mem;ers of theSente for the vli5it! of the tret! entere5 into ;! him. Section (#, Article 1++ of

the #I% Constitution 9rovi5es tht no tret! or interntionl >reement shll ;e

vli5 n5 effective unless concurre5 in ;! t lest t=othir5s of ll the Mem;ers of

the Sente.B The #I7$ n5 the #I7 Constitution lso re@uire5 the concurrence ;!

the le>islture to the treties entere5 into ;! the executive. Section #& L, Article

1++ of the #I7$ Constitution 9rovi5e5K

Sec. #&. L The Presi5ent shll hve the 9o=er, =ith the concurrence of t=othir5s

of ll the Mem;ers of the Sente, to mFe treties x x x.

Section #8 L# Article 1+++ of the #I7 Constitution stte5K

Sec. #8. L# Exce9t s other=ise 9rovi5e5 in this Constitution, no tret! shll ;e

vli5 n5 effective unless concurre5 in ;! m?orit! of ll the Mem;ers of the

/tsn> Pm;ns.

The 9rtici9tion of the le>isltive ;rnch in the tret!mFin> 9rocess =s 5eeme5

essentil to 9rovi5e checF on the executive in the fiel5 of forei>n reltions.#8 /!

re@uirin> the concurrence of the le>islture in the treties entere5 into ;! the

Presi5ent, the Constitution ensures helth! s!stem of checFs n5 ;lnce

necessr! in the ntionGs 9ursuit of 9oliticl mturit! n5 >ro=th.#$


16/24

+n filin> this 9etition, the 9etitioners inter9ret Section (#, Article 1++ of the #I%

Constitution to men tht the 9o=er to rtif! treties ;elon>s to the Sente.

3e 5is>ree.

Justice +s>ni Cru, in his ;ooF on +nterntionl =, 5escri;es the tret!mFin>

9rocess in this =iseK

666666666666666

#8 Cortes, su9r note #(, 9. #%I.

#$ /!n vs. 4mor, 78( SCRA 88I L(&&&.

'78

'78



The usul ste9s in the tret!mFin> 9rocess reK ne>otition, si>nture,

rtifiction, n5 exchn>e of the instruments of rtifiction. The tret! m! then ;e

su;mitte5 for re>istrtion n5 9u;liction un5er the U.N. Chrter, lthou>h this ste9

is not essentil to the vli5it! of the >reement s ;et=een the 9rties.


17/24

Ne>otition m! ;e un5ertFen 5irectl! ;! the he5 of stte ;ut he no= usull!

ssi>ns this tsF to his uthorie5 re9resenttives. These re9resenttives re

9rovi5e5 =ith cre5entils Fno=n s full 9o=ers, =hich the! exhi;it to the other

ne>otitors t the strt of the forml 5iscussions. +t is stn5r5 9rctice for one ofthe 9rties to su;mit 5rft of the 9ro9ose5 tret! =hich, to>ether =ith the

counter9ro9osls, ;ecomes the ;sis of the su;se@uent ne>otitions. The

ne>otitions m! ;e ;rief or 9rotrcte5, 5e9en5in> on the issues involve5, n5 m!

even coll9seB in cse the 9rties re un;le to come to n >reement on the

9oints un5er consi5ertion.

+f n5 =hen the ne>otitors finll! 5eci5e on the terms of the tret!, the sme is

o9ene5 for si>nture. This ste9 is 9rimril! inten5e5 s mens of uthentictin>

the instrument n5 for the 9ur9ose of s!m;oliin> the >oo5 fith of the 9rties< ;ut,si>nificntl!, it 5oes not in5icte the finl consent of the stte in cses =here

rtifiction of the tret! is re@uire5. The 5ocument is or5inril! si>ne5 in

ccor5nce =ith the lternt, tht is, ech of the severl ne>otitors is llo=e5 to

si>n first on the co9! =hich he =ill ;rin> home to his o=n stte.

Rtifiction, =hich is the next ste9, is the forml ct ;! =hich stte confirms n5

cce9ts the 9rovisions of tret! conclu5e5 ;! its re9resenttives. The 9ur9ose of

rtifiction is to en;le the contrctin> sttes to exmine the tret! more closel!

n5 to >ive them n o99ortunit! to refuse to ;e ;oun5 ;! it shoul5 the! fin5 it

inimicl to their interests. +t is for this reson tht most treties re m5e su;?ect to

the scrutin! n5 consent of 5e

'7$

1O. 8'(, JU2 ', (&&$

'7$



18/24

9rtment of the >overnment other thn tht =hich ne>otite5 them.

x x x

The lst ste9 in the tret!mFin> 9rocess is the exchn>e of the instruments of

rtifiction, =hich usull! lso si>nifies the effectivit! of the tret! unless 5ifferent

5te hs ;een >ree5 u9on ;! the 9rties. 3here rtifiction is 5is9ense5 =ith n5

no effectivit! cluse is em;o5ie5 in the tret!, the instrument is 5eeme5 effective

u9on its si>nture.#' em9hsis su99lie5

PetitionersG r>uments e@ute the si>nin> of the tret! ;! the Phili99ine

re9resenttive =ith rtifiction. +t shoul5 ;e un5erscore5 tht the si>nin> of the

tret! n5 the rtifiction re t=o se9rte n5 5istinct ste9s in the tret!mFin>

9rocess. As erlier 5iscusse5, the si>nture is 9rimril! inten5e5 s mens of

uthentictin> the instrument n5 s s!m;ol of the >oo5 fith of the 9rties. +t is

usull! 9erforme5 ;! the stteGs uthorie5 re9resenttive in the 5i9lomtic

mission. Rtifiction, on the other hn5, is the forml ct ;! =hich stte confirms

n5 cce9ts the 9rovisions of tret! conclu5e5 ;! its re9resenttive. +t is

>enerll! hel5 to ;e n executive ct, un5ertFen ;! the he5 of the stte or of the

>overnment.# Thus, Executive Or5er No. 8$I issue5 ;! Presi5ent i5el 1. Rmos

on Novem;er ($, #II 9rovi5es the >ui5elines in the ne>otition of interntionl>reements n5 its rtifiction. +t mn5tes tht fter the tret! hs ;een si>ne5 ;!

the Phili99ine re9resenttive, the sme shll ;e trnsmitte5 to the De9rtment of

orei>n Affirs. The De9rtment of orei>n Affirs shll then 9re9re the rtifiction

99ers n5 for=r5 the si>ne5 co9! of the tret! to the Presi5ent for rtifiction.

After the Presi5ent hs rtifie5 the tret!, the De9rtment of orei>n Affirs shll

su;mit the sme to the Sente for concurrence. U9on recei9t of the con

666666666666666

#' Cru, +nterntionl = L#II% E5., 99. #(#8.

# /!n vs. 4mor, su9r note #$.


19/24

'7'

'7'



currence of the Sente, the De9rtment of orei>n Affirs shll com9l! =ith the

9rovisions of the tret! to ren5er it effective. Section of Executive Or5er No. 8$I

re5sK

Sec. . Domestic Re@uirements for the Entr! into orce of Tret! or n Executive

A>reement.The 5omestic re@uirements for the entr! into force of tret! or n

executive >reement, or n! men5ment thereto, shll ;e s follo=sK

A. Executive A>reements.

i. All executive >reements shll ;e trnsmitte5 to the De9rtment of orei>n

Affirs fter their si>nin> for the 9re9rtion of the rtifiction 99ers. The

trnsmittl shll inclu5e the hi>hli>hts of the >reements n5 the ;enefits =hich

=ill ccrue to the Phili99ines risin> from them.

ii. The De9rtment of orei>n Affirs, 9ursunt to the en5orsement ;! the

concerne5 >enc!, shll trnsmit the >reements to the Presi5ent of the Phili99ines

for his rtifiction. The ori>inl si>ne5 instrument of rtifiction shll then ;e

returne5 to the De9rtment of orei>n Affirs for 99ro9rite ction.

/. Treties.


20/24

i. All treties, re>r5less of their 5esi>ntion, shll com9l! =ith the re@uirements

9rovi5e5 in su;9r>r9hs # n5 (, item A LExecutive A>reements of this

Section. +n 55ition, the De9rtment of orei>n Affirs shll su;mit the treties to

the Sente of the Phili99ines for concurrence in the rtifiction ;! the Presi5ent. Acertifie5 true co9! of the treties, in such num;ers s m! ;e re@uire5 ;! the

Sente, to>ether =ith certifie5 true co9! of the rtifiction instrument, shll

ccom9n! the su;mission of the treties to the Sente.

ii. U9on recei9t of the concurrence ;! the Sente, the De9rtment of orei>n

Affirs shll com9l! =ith the 9rovision of the treties in effectin> their entr! into

force.

PetitionersG su;mission tht the Phili99ines is ;oun5 un5er tret! l= n5

interntionl l= to rtif! the tret! =hich it hs si>ne5 is =ithout ;sis. Thesi>nture 5oes not si>nif! the

'7

1O. 8'(, JU2 ', (&&$

'7


finl consent of the stte to the tret!. +t is the rtifiction tht ;in5s the stte to

the 9rovisions thereof. +n fct, the Rome Sttute itself re@uires tht the si>nture ofthe re9resenttives of the sttes ;e su;?ect to rtifiction, cce9tnce or 99rovl

of the si>ntor! sttes. Rtifiction is the ct ;! =hich the 9rovisions of tret! re

formll! confirme5 n5 99rove5 ;! Stte. /! rtif!in> tret! si>ne5 in its

;ehlf, stte ex9resses its =illin>ness to ;e ;oun5 ;! the 9rovisions of such

tret!. After the tret! is si>ne5 ;! the stteGs re9resenttive, the Presi5ent, ;ein>

ccount;le to the 9eo9le, is ;ur5ene5 =ith the res9onsi;ilit! n5 the 5ut! to

crefull! stu5! the contents of the tret! n5 ensure tht the! re not inimicl to


21/24

the interest of the stte n5 its 9eo9le. Thus, the Presi5ent hs the 5iscretion even

fter the si>nin> of the tret! ;! the Phili99ine re9resenttive =hether or not to

rtif! the sme. The 1ienn Convention on the = of Treties 5oes not

contem9lte to 5efet or even restrin this 9o=er of the he5 of sttes. +f tht =ere

so, the re@uirement of rtifiction of treties =oul5 ;e 9ointless n5 futile. +t hs

;een hel5 tht stte hs no le>l or even morl 5ut! to rtif! tret! =hich hs;een si>ne5 ;! its 9leni9otentiries.#% There is no le>l o;li>tion to rtif! tret!,

;ut it >oes =ithout s!in> tht the refusl must ;e ;se5 on su;stntil >roun5s

n5 not on su9erficil or =himsicl resons. Other=ise, the other stte =oul5 ;e

?ustifie5 in tFin> offense.#I

+t shoul5 ;e em9hsie5 tht un5er our Constitution, the 9o=er to rtif! is veste5 in

the Presi5ent, su;?ect to the concurrence of the Sente. The role of the Sente,

ho=ever, is limite5 onl! to >ivin> or =ithhol5in> its consent, or concurrence, to the

rtifiction.(& -ence, it is =ithin the uthorit! of the Presi5ent to refuse to su;mit tret! to the Sente or, hvin> secure5 its consent for its rtifiction, refuse to

rtif!

666666666666666

#% Slon> n5 29, Pu;lic +nterntionl = L$th E5ition, 9. #7%.

#I Cru, +nterntionl =, su9r note #', 9. #8.

(& /!n vs. 4mor, su9r note #$.

'7%

'7%



22/24


it.(# Althou>h the refusl of stte to rtif! tret! =hich hs ;een si>ne5 in its;ehlf is serious ste9 tht shoul5 not ;e tFen li>htl!,(( such 5ecision is =ithin

the com9etence of the Presi5ent lone, =hich cnnot ;e encroche5 ;! this Court

vi =rit of mn5mus. This Court hs no ?uris5iction over ctions seeFin> to en?oin

the Presi5ent in the 9erformnce of his officil 5uties.(7 The Court, therefore,

cnnot issue the =rit of mn5mus 9r!e5 for ;! the 9etitioners s it is ;e!on5 its

?uris5iction to com9el the executive ;rnch of the >overnment to trnsmit the

si>ne5 text of Rome Sttute to the Sente.

+N 1+E3 3-EREO, the 9etition is D+SM+SSED.

SO ORDERED.

Dvi5e, Jr., Pn>ni;n, *uisum;in>, 2nresSnti>o, AustriMrtine, Cr9io

Morles, Clle?o, Sr., Acun, Tin>, ChicoNrio n5 "rci, JJ., concur.

Sn5ovl"utierre, Cr9io n5 Coron, JJ., On Officil eve.

Petition 5ismisse5.

Notes.A cte>oricl reco>nition ;! the Executive /rnch tht the +RR+ en?o!s

immunities ccor5e5 to interntionl or>nitions is 5etermintion =hich is

consi5ere5 9oliticl @uestion conclusive u9on the Courts. LCll5o vs. +nterntionl

Rice Reserch +nstitute, (88 SCRA (#& #II$

The 3rs= Convention is s much 9rt of Phili99ine = s the Civil Co5e, Co5e

of Commerce n5 other munici9l s9ecil l=s, n5 the 9rovisions therein

contine5, s9ecificll! on the limittion of crrierGs li;ilit!, re o9ertive in


23/24

666666666666666

(# Cru, +nterntionl =, su9r note #', 9. #8.

(( Slon> n5 29, su9r note #%.

(7 See Severino vs. "overnor"enerl, #' Phil. 7'' L#I#&.

'7I

1O. 8'(, JU2 ', (&&$

'7I


the Phili99ines ;ut onl! in 99ro9rite situtions. LPhili99ine Airlines, +nc. vs. Court

of A99els, ($$ SCRA 8% #II'

3hile soverei>nt! hs tr5itionll! ;een 5eeme5 ;solute n5 llencom9ssin> on

the 5omestic level, it is ho=ever su;?ect to restrictions n5 limittions voluntril!

>ree5 to ;! the Phili99ines, ex9ressl! or im9lie5l!, s mem;er of the fmil! of

ntions. LT5 vs. An>r, (( SCRA #% #II

o&o


24/24

'8&

Q Co9!ri>ht (( Centrl /ooF Su99l!, +nc. All ri>hts reserve5. Pimentel, Jr. vs.

Office of the Executive Secretr!, 8'( SCRA '((L(&&$

Documents

Pimentel vs Secretary