EN BANC

[G.R. No. L-18684. September 14, 1961.]

LAMBERTO MACIAS, LORENZO TEVES, FAUSTO
DUGENIO, ROGACIANO MERCADO and MARIANO
PERDICES, petitioners, s! T"E COMMISSION ON
ELECTIONS and VICENTE GELLA in #is Capa$it% as
Nationa& Treas'rer, respondents!
Crispin D! Bai(as ) Asso$iates *or petitioners!
Barrios, Garcia Aposto! "or respo#$e#t Commissio# o#
E!ectio#s.
So!icitor Ge#era! E$i!berto Barot, Assista#t So!icitor Ge#era!
%aci"ico %. $e Castro a#$ So!icitor Cami!o &. '(ia)o# "or
respo#$e#t Natio#a! *reas(rer.
S+LLAB,S
1. RE&-S*R-C*-NG S*A*,*ES. /01 CAN BR-NG
AC*-1N *1 *ES* 2AL-&-*+. 3 Citi)e#s 45o are $epri6e$
o" a# e!ectio# "ra#c5ise to 45ic5 t5e7 are e#tit!e$ (#$er t5e
Co#stit(tio# b7 a# apportio#me#t act, 5a6e s(""icie#t i#terest
to test its 6a!i$it7.
8. -&.. -&.. %1/ER 19 C1,R* *1 RE2-E/
A%%1R*-1N:EN* LA/S. 3 &istrict apportio#me#t !a4s
are s(b;ect to re6ie4 b7 t5e co(rts. *5e co#stit(tio#a!it7 o" a
!e<is!ati6e apportio#me#t act is a ;($icia! =(estio#.
>. -&.. -&.. BAS-S 19 A%%1R*-1N:EN*.
%REL-:-NAR+ CENS,S EN,:ERA*-1N. 3
Apportio#me#t o" !e<is!ati6e $istrict ma7 !e<a!!7 rest o#
o""icia! ce#s(s e#(meratio# e6e# i" #ot 7et "i#a!.
4. -&.. -&.. A21-&ANCE 19 S*A*,*E.
&-S%R1%1R*-1N:EN* 19 RE%RESEN*A*-1N. 3
Rep(b!ic Act No. >?4? t5at <a6e pro6i#ces 4it5 !ess #(mber o"
i#5abita#ts more represe#tati6e $istricts t5a# t5ose 4it5 bi<<er
pop(!atio# is $ec!are$ i#6a!i$ beca(se it 6io!ates t5e pri#cip!e
o" proportio#a! represe#tatio# prescribe$ b7 t5e Co#stit(tio#.
& E C - S - 1 N
BENG@1N, C.A pB
Stateme#t o" t5e case. 3 %etitio#ers re=(est t5at respo#$e#t
o""icia!s be prese#te$ "rom imp!eme#ti#< Rep(b!ic Act >?4?
t5at apportio#s represe#tati6e $istricts i# t5is co(#tr7. -t is
(#co#stit(tio#a! a#$ 6oi$, t5e7 a!!e<e, beca(seB CaD it 4as
passe$ b7 t5e 0o(se o" Represe#tati6es 4it5o(t pri#te$ "i#a!
copies o" t5e bi!! 5a6i#< bee# "(r#is5e$ t5e :embers at !east
t5ree ca!e#$ar $a7s prior to its passa<e. CbD it 4as appro6e$
more t5a# t5ree 7ears a"ter t5e ret(r# o" t5e !ast ce#s(s o" o(r
pop(!atio#. a#$ CcD it apportio#e$ $istricts 4it5o(t re<ar$ to t5e
#(mber o" i#5abita#ts o" t5e se6era! pro6i#ces.
A$mitti#< some a!!e<atio#s b(t $e#7i#< ot5ers, t5e respo#$e#ts
a6er t5e7 4ere mere!7 comp!7i#< 4it5 t5eir $(ties (#$er t5e
stat(te, 45ic5 t5e7 pres(me a#$ a!!e<e to be co#stit(tio#a!. *5e
respo#$e#t Natio#a! *reas(rer "(rt5er a6ers t5at petitio#ers
5a6e #o perso#a!it7 to bri#< t5is actio#. t5at a $(!7 certi"ie$
cop7 o" t5e !a4 creates t5e pres(mptio# o" its 5a6i#< bee#
passe$ i# accor$a#ce 4it5 t5e re=(ireme#ts o" t5e Co#stit(tio#
C$istrib(tio# o" pri#te$ bi!!s i#c!($e$D. t5at t5e &irector o" t5e
Ce#s(s s(bmitte$ a# o""icia! report o# t5e pop(!atio# o" t5e
%5i!ippi#es i# No6ember 196?, 45ic5 report became t5e basis
o" t5e bi!!. a#$ t5at t5e Act comp!ies 4it5 t5e pri#cip!e o"
proportio#a! represe#tatio# prescribe$ b7 t5e Co#stit(tio#.
A"ter 5eari#< t5e parties a#$ co#si$eri#< t5eir memora#$a, t5is
Co(rt reac5e$ t5e co#c!(sio# t5at t5e stat(te s5o(!$ be
$ec!are$ i#6a!i$, a#$, a4are o" t5e #ee$ o" prompt actio#,
iss(e$ its brie" reso!(tio# o" A(<(st 8>, part!7 i# t5e "o!!o4i#<
!a#<(a<eB
E/5ereas s(c5 Rep(b!ic Act >?4? c!ear!7 6io!ates t5e sai$
co#stit(tio#a! pro6isio# i# se6era! 4a7s #ame!7, CaD it <a6e
Ceb( se6e# members, 45i!e Ri)a! 4it5 a bi<<er #(mber o"
i#5abita#ts <ot "o(r o#!7. CbD it <a6e :a#i!a "o(r members,
45i!e Cotabato 4it5 a bi<<er pop(!atio# <ot t5ree o#!7. . . ..E
E/5ereas s(c5 6io!atio# o" t5e Co#stit(tio#a! ma#$ate re#$ers
t5e !a4 6oi$.
E*5ere"ore, 4it5o(t pre;($ice to t5e 4riti#< o" a more eFte#$e$
opi#io# passi#< a$$itio#a!!7 o# ot5er iss(es raise$ i# t5e case,
t5e Co(rt reso!6e$, 4it5o(t a#7 $isse#t, "ort54it5 to iss(e t5e
i#;(#ctio# pra7e$ "or b7 t5e petitio#ers. No bo#$ is #ee$e$.E
/5at 4it5 t5e reser6atio# a##o(#ce$ i# t5e reso!(tio#, a#$
45at 4it5 t5e motio# "or reco#si$eratio#, t5is is #o4 4ritte#
"(!!7 to eFp!ai# t5e premises o# 45ic5 o(r co#c!(sio# reste$.
%erso#a!it7 o" t5e petitio#ers. 3 %etitio#ers are o(r members
o" t5e 0o(se o" Represe#tati6es "rom Ne<ros 1rie#ta!,
:isamis 1rie#ta!, a#$ B(!aca#, a#$ t5e pro6i#cia! <o6er#or o"
Ne<ros 1rie#ta!. *5e7 bri#< t5is actio# i# be5a!" o" t5emse!6es
a#$ o" ot5er resi$e#ts o" t5eir pro6i#ces. *5e7 a!!e<e, a#$ t5is
Co(rt "i#$s, t5at t5eir pro6i#ces 5a$ bee# $iscrimi#ate$ a<ai#st
b7 Rep(b!ic Act >?4?, beca(se t5e7 4ere <i6e# !ess
represe#tati6e $istricts t5a# t5e #(mber o" t5eir i#5abita#ts
re=(ire$ or ;(sti"ie$B :isamis 1rie#ta! 5a6i#< >8G,8>9
i#5abita#ts, 4as <i6e# o#e $istrict o#!7, 45ereas Ca6ite 4it5
>G9,9?8 i#5abita#ts, 4as <i6e# t4o $istricts. Ne<ros 1rie#ta!
a#$ B(!aca# 4it5 H98,G8> a#$ HHG,691 respecti6e!7, 4ere
a!!otte$ 8 represe#tati6e $istricts eac5, 45ereas A!ba7 4it5
H1H,961 4as assi<#e$ > $istricts.
*5e a(t5orities 5o!$ t5at Eciti)e#s 45o are $epri6e$ o" as "(!!
a#$ e""ecti6e a# e!ecti6e "ra#c5ise as t5e7 are e#tit!e$ to (#$er
t5e Co#stit(tio# b7 a# apportio#me#t act, 5a6e a s(""icie#t
i#terest to procee$ i# a co(rt to test t5e stat(te. C18 Am. A(r.
199.D
*5ere"ore, petitio#ers as 6oters a#$ as co#<ressme# a#$
<o6er#or o" t5e a<<rie6e$ pro6i#ces 5a6e perso#a!it7 to s(e.
-# Sti<!it) 6s. Sc5ar$ie# CI7D 4? S./. C8$D >1H, t5e ri<5t o" a
citi)e# to =(estio# t5e 6a!i$it7 o" a re$istricti#< stat(te 4as
(p5e!$. *5e same ri<5t 4as reco<#i)e$ i# Ao#es 6s. 9reema#
C1J!a.D 146 %. C8$D H64, t5e co(rt sa7i#< t5at eac5 citi)e# 5as
t5e ri<5t to 5a6e t5e State apportio#e$ i# accor$a#ce 4it5 t5e
Co#stit(tio# a#$ to be <o6er#e$ b7 Le<is!ati6e "air!7
represe#ti#< t5e 45o!e bo$7 o" e!ectorate a#$ e!ecte$ as
re=(ire$ b7 t5e Co#stit(tio#.
Co!e<ro6e 6s. Gree#, >88 ,.S. H49, o# 45ic5 respo#$e#ts re!7,
appear to be i#co#c!(si6eB t5ree a<ai#st t5ree. *5e se6e#t5
;(stice co#c(rre$ i# t5e res(!t e6e# s(pposi#< t5e co#trar7 4as
;(sticiab!e.E
*5e pri#te$-"orm, t5ree-$a7 re=(ireme#t. 3 *5e Co#stit(tio#
pro6i$es t5at E#o bi!! s5a!! be passe$ b7 eit5er 0o(se (#!ess it
s5a!! 5a6e bee# pri#te$ a#$ copies t5ereo" i# its "i#a! "orm
"(r#is5e$ its :embers at !east t5ree ca!e#$ar $a7s prior to its
passa<e, eFcept 45e# t5e %resi$e#t s5a!! 5a6e certi"ie$ to t5e
#ecessit7 o" its imme$iate e#actme#t.E
%etitio#ers prese#te$ certi"icates o" t5e Secretar7 o" t5e 0o(se
o" Represe#tati6es to s5o4 t5at #o pri#te$ cop7 5a$ bee#
$istrib(te$ t5ree $a7s be"ore passa<e o" t5e bi!! Co# :a7 1?,
1961D a#$ t5at #o certi"icate o" (r<e#c7 b7 t5e %resi$e#t 5a$
bee# recei6e$ i# t5e 0o(se.
*5e respo#$e#ts c!aim i# t5eir $e"e#se t5at a stat(te ma7 #ot be
#(!!i"ie$ (po# e6i$e#ce o" "ai!(re to pri#t, beca(se Eit is
co#c!(si6e!7 pres(me$ t5at t5e $etai!s o" !e<is!ati6e proce$(re
!ea$i#< to t5e e#ro!!me#t t5at are prescribe$ b7 t5e
Co#stit(tio# 5a6e bee# comp!ie$ 4it5 b7 t5e Le<is!at(re.E
*5e7 "(rt5er c!aim t5at t5e certi"icates o" t5e Secretar7 o" t5e
0o(se are i#a$missib!e, i# 6ie4 o" t5e co#c!(si6e Ce#ro!!e$-
bi!!D pres(mptio#, 45ic5 i# se6era! i#sta#ces 5a6e bee# app!ie$
b7 t5e co(rts. -# "(rt5er s(pport o" t5eir co#te#tio#, sec. >1>
C8D o" Act 19? mi<5t be cite$. 1
1# t5e ot5er 5a#$, it ma7 be sai$ "or t5e petitio#ers, t5at s(c5
pri#te$-bi!! re=(ireme#t 5a$ a "(#$ame#ta! p(rpose to ser6e 8
a#$ 4as i#serte$ i# t5e Co#stit(tio# #ot as a mere proce$(ra!
step. a#$ t5at t5e e#ro!!e$-bi!! t5eor7, i" a$opte$, 4o(!$
prec!($e t5e co(rts "rom e#"orci#< s(c5 re=(ireme#t i# proper
cases.
/e $o #ot $eem it #ecessar7 to maJe a $e"i#ite pro#o(#ceme#t
o# t5is =(estio#, beca(se t5e co#tro6ers7 ma7 be $eci$e$ (po#
t5e iss(e o" $istricts-i#-proportio#-to-i#5abita#ts.
%op(!atio# Ce#s(s. 3 Accor$i#< to t5e Co#stit(tio#, Et5e
Co#<ress s5a!! b7 !a4, maJe a# apportio#me#t Co" :embers o"
t5e 0o(seD 4it5i# t5ree 7ears a"ter t5e ret(r# o" e6er7
e#(meratio#, a#$ #ot ot5er4ise.E -t is a$mitte$ t5at t5e bi!!,
45ic5 !ater became Rep(b!ic Act >?4?, 4as base$ (po# a
report s(bmitte$ to t5e %resi$e#t b7 t5e &irector o" t5e Ce#s(s
o# No6ember 8>, 196?. -t rea$sB
E- 5a6e t5e 5o#or to s(bmit 5ere4it5 a pre!imi#ar7 co(#t o" t5e
pop(!atio# o" t5e %5i!ippi#es as a res(!t o" t5e pop(!atio#
e#(meratio# 45ic5 5as ;(st bee# comp!ete$. *5is is a report o#
t5e tota! #(mber o" i#5abita#ts i# t5is co(#tr7 a#$ $oes #ot
i#c!($e t5e pop(!atio# c5aracteristics. -t is t5e res(!t o" a 5a#$
ta!!7 a#$ ma7 be s(b;ect to re6isio# 45e# a!! t5e pop(!atio#
sc5e$(!es s5a!! 5a6e bee# processe$ mec5a#ica!!7.
*5e Ce#s(s o" %op(!atio# is t5e "irst o" a series o" "o(r
ce#s(ses 45ic5 i#c!($e 5o(si#<, a<ric(!t(re a#$ eco#omics i#
a$$itio# to pop(!atio#. *5ese "o(r ce#s(ses to<et5er co#stit(te
45at is J#o4# as t5e Ce#s(s o" 196?. LiJe pop(!atio#, t5e
5o(si#< a#$ a<ric(!t(ra! ce#s(ses are (#$er<oi#< processi#<,
45i!e t5e eco#omic ce#s(s is #o4 (#$er preparatio#.
,#ti! t5e "i#a! report is ma$e, t5ese "i<(res s5o(!$ be
co#si$ere$ as o""icia! "or a!! p(rposes.E
%etitio#ers mai#tai# t5at t5e apportio#me#t co(!$ #ot !e<a!!7
rest o# t5is report si#ce it is mere!7 Epre!imi#ar7E a#$ Ema7 be
s(b;ect to re6isio#.E 1# t5e ot5er 5a#$, respo#$e#ts poi#t o(t
t5at t5e abo6e !etter sa7s t5e report s5o(!$ be co#si$ere$
Eo""icia! "or a!! p(rposes.E *5e7 a!so poi#t o(t t5at t5e
ascertai#me#t o" 45at co#stit(tes a ret(r# o" a# e#(meratio# is
a matter "or Co#<ress actio#. *5is iss(e $oes #ot c!ear!7 "a6or
petitio#ers, beca(se t5ere are a(t5orities s(stai#i#< t5e 6ie4
t5at a!t5o(<5 #ot "i#a!, a#$ sti!! s(b;ect to correctio#, a ce#s(s
e#(meratio# ma7 be co#si$ere$ o""icia!, i# t5e se#se t5at
Go6er#me#ta! actio# ma7 be base$ t5ereo# e6e# i# matters o"
apportio#me#t o" !e<is!ati6e $istricts CCa5i!! 6s. Leopo!$
[Co##.] 1?> At!. 8$ 818D CSee a!so E!!iott 6s. State, 1 %ac. 8$
>G?. Er6i# 6s. State, 44 S./. 8$ >8?. 0er#$o# 6s. EFcise
Boar$, 89H %ac. 88>. 0o!comb 6s. SpiJes, 8>8 S./. 891.D
Apportio#me#t o" :embers. 3 *5e Co#stit(tio# $irects t5at
t5e o#e 5(#$re$ t4e#t7 :embers o" t5e 0o(se o"
Represe#tati6es Es5a!! be apportio#e$ amo#< t5e se6era!
pro6i#ces as #ear!7 as ma7 be accor$i#< to t5e #(mber o" t5eir
respecti6e i#5abita#ts.E -# o(r reso!(tio# o# A(<(st 8>, 4e 5e!$
t5at t5is pro6isio# 4as 6io!ate$ b7 Rep(b!ic Act >?4? beca(se
CaD it <a6e Ceb( se6e# members, 45i!e Ri)a! 4it5 a bi<<er
#(mber o" i#5abita#ts <ot "o(r o#!7. CbD it <a6e :a#i!a "o(r
members, 45i!e Cotabato 4it5 a bi<<er pop(!atio# <ot t5ree
o#!7. CcD %a#<asi#a# 4it5 !ess i#5abita#ts t5a# bot5 :a#i!a a#$
Cotabato <ot more t5a# bot5 "i6e members 5a6i#< bee#
assi<#e$ to it. C$D Samar C4it5 8G1,8HGD 4as a!!otte$ "o(r
members 45i!e &a6ao 4it5 9?>,884 <ot t5ree o#!7. CeD B(!aca#
6s. 4it5 HHG,691 <ot t4o o#!7, 45i!e A!ba7 4it5 !ess
i#5abita#ts CH1H,691D <ot t5ree, a#$ C"D :isamis 1rie#ta! 4it5
>8G,8>9 4as <i6e# o#e member o#!7, 45i!e Ca6ite 4it5 !ess
i#5abita#ts C>G9,9?4D <ot t4o. *5ese 4ere #ot t5e o#!7
i#sta#ces o" (#e=(a! apportio#me#t. /e see t5at :o(#tai#
%ro6i#ce 5as > 45ereas -sabe!a, La<(#a a#$ Ca<a7a# 4it5
more i#5abita#ts 5a6e 8 eac5. A#$ t5e# Capi), La ,#io# a#$
-!ocos Norte <ot 8 eac5, 45ereas, S(!( t5at 5as more
i#5abita#ts <ot 1 o#!7. A#$ Le7te 4it5 96G,>8> i#5abita#ts <ot
4 o#!7, 45ereas -!oi!o 4it5 !ess i#5abita#ts C966,14HD 4as
<i6e# H.
S(c5 $isproportio# o" represe#tatio# 5as bee# 5e!$ s(""icie#t to
a6oi$ apportio#me#t !a4s e#acte$ i# States 5a6i#<
Co#stit(tio#a! pro6isio#s simi!ar to o(rs. 9or i#sta#ce, i#
:assac5(setts, t5e Co#stit(tio# re=(ire$ $i6isio# Ei#to
represe#tati6e $istrict . . . e=(a!!7, as #ear!7 as ma7 be,
accor$i#< to t5e re!ati6e #(mber o" !e<a! 6oters i# t5e se6era!
$istricts.E *5e S(preme A($icia! Co(rt o" t5at state "o(#$ t5is
pro6isio# 6io!ate$ b7 a# a!!otme#t t5at <a6e > represe#tati6es
to G,946 6oters a#$ o#!7 8 represe#tati6es to 8,618 6oters, a#$
"(rt5er <a6e t4o represe#tati6es to 4,8H4 6oters a#$ o#e
represe#tati6e to H,H98 6oters. C5ie" A(stice R(<< sai$B
E-t is #ot a# approFimatio# to e=(a!it7 to a!!ot t5ree
represe#tati6es to G,946 6oters, a#$ o#!7 t4o represe#tati6es to
8,618 6oters, a#$ to a!!ot t4o represe#tati6es to 4,8H4 6oters,
a#$ o#e represe#tati6e to H,H96 6oters . . .
E/5e#e6er t5is Ji#$ o" i#e=(a!it7 o" apportio#me#t 5as bee#
be"ore t5e co(rts, it 5as bee# 5e!$ to t5e co#trar7 to t5e
co#stit(tio#. -t 5as bee# sai$ to be Karbitrar7 a#$ capricio(s a#$
a<ai#st t5e 6ita! pri#cip!e o" e=(a!it7.K 0o(<5to# Co(#tr7 6s.
B!acJer, 98 :ic5. 6>8, 64G, 6H>, 16 LRA 4>8, H8 N. /. 9H1.
Gi$$i#<s 6s. B!acJer, 9> :ic5. 1, 1>, 16 LRA 4?8, H8 N. /.
944. BarJer 6s. State, 1>> -#$. 1G8, 19G, 18 LRA H6G, >8 NE
8>6, >> NE 119. &e##e7 6s. State, 144 -#$. H?>, H>H, >1 LRA
G86, 48 N. E. 989.E
1t5er cases a!o#< t5e same !i#e (p5o!$i#< t5e same 6ie4 are
t5eseB
1. Sti<!it) 6s. Sc5ar$ie#, s(pra, 45erei# t4e!6e $istricts
e#tit!e$ to b(t siF 4ere <i6e# t4e!6e represe#tati6es, a#$
t4e!6e $istricts <i6e# t4e!6e o#!7 4ere act(a!!7 e#tit!e$ to
t4e#t7-t4o.
8. Ao#es 6s. 9reema#, s(pra, 45erei# $istricts e#tit!e$ to
o#!7 > se#ators 4ere <i6e# G, a#$ $istricts e#tit!e$ to 1H 4ere
assi<#e$ se6e# o#!7.
-t is ar<(e$ i# t5e motio# to reco#si$er, t5at si#ce Rep(b!ic Act
>?4? impro6es eFisti#< co#$itio#s, t5is Co(rt co(!$ per5aps, i#
t5e eFercise o" ;($icia! statesma#s5ip, co#si$er t5e =(estio#
i#6o!6e$ as p(re!7 po!itica! a#$ t5ere"ore #o#-;(sticiab!e. *5e
o6er45e!mi#< 4ei<5t o" a(t5orit7 is t5at $istrict apportio#me#t
!a4s are s(b;ect to re6ie4 b7 t5e co(rts.
E*5e Co#stit(tio#a!it7 o" a !e<is!ati6e apportio#me#t act is a
;($icia! =(estio#, a#$ #ot o#e 45ic5 t5e co(rt ca##ot co#si$er
o# t5e <ro(#$ t5at it is po!itica! =(estio#.E C%arJer 6s. State eF
re!. %o4e!!, 18 L. R. A. H6G, 1>> -#$. 1G8, >8 N. E. 8>6. State
eF re!. :orris 6s. /ri<5tso#, 88 L. R. A. H48, H6 N. A. L., 186,
88 At!. H6. 0armiso# 6s. Ba!ot Comrs. 48 L. R. A. H91, 4H /.
2a. 1G9, >1 S. E. >94D
E-t is 4e!! sett!e$ t5at t5e passa<e o" apportio#me#t acts is #ot
so eFc!(si6e!7 4it5i# t5e po!itica! po4er o" t5e !e<is!at(re as to
prec!($e a co(rt "rom i#=(iri#< i#to t5eir co#stit(tio#a!it7
45e# t5e =(estio# is proper!7 bro(<5t be"ore it.E C-#$ia#a-
%arJer 6s. %o4e!! C1888D 1>> -#$. 1G8, 18 L. R. A. H6G, >8 N.
E. 8>6, >> N. E. 119. &e##e7 6s. State C1896D 144 -#$. H?>. >1
L. R. A. G86, 48 N. E. 989. :ario# Co(#t7 6s. Ae4ett C191HD
184 -#$. 6>, 11? N. E. HH>.D CIe#t(cJ7-Ra<!a#$ 6s. A#$erso#
C19?GD 18H I7. 141, 188 Am. St. Rep. 848, 1?? S. /. 86H.D
C:assac5(setts-Att7. Ge#. 6s. S(""o!J Co(#t7 Apportio#me#t
Comrs. etc.D
-t ma7 be a$$e$ i# t5is co##ectio#, t5at t5e mere impact o" t5e
s(it (po# t5e po!itica! sit(atio# $oes #ot re#$er it po!itica!
i#stea$ o" ;($icia!. CLamb 6s. C(##i#<5am, 1G L.R.A. 14H, 8>
/is. 9?.D
*5e a!!e<e$ circ(msta#ce t5at t5is stat(te impro6es t5e prese#t
set-(p co#stit(tes #o eFc(se "or appro6i#< a tra#s<ressio# o"
co#stit(tio#a! !imitatio#s, beca(se t5e e#$ $oes #ot ;(sti"7 t5e
mea#s. 9(rt5ermore, t5ere is #o reaso# to $o(bt t5at, a4are o"
t5e eFisti#< i#e=(a!it7 o" represe#tatio#, a#$ impe!!e$ b7 its
se#se o" $(t7, Co#<ress 4i!! opport(#e!7 appro6e reme$ia!
!e<is!atio# i# accor$ 4it5 t5e precepts o" t5e Co#stit(tio#.
Nee$!ess to sa7, e=(a!it7 o" represe#tatio# > i# t5e !e<is!at(re
bei#< s(c5 a# esse#tia! "eat(re o" rep(b!ica# i#stit(tio#s, a#$
a""ecti#< so ma#7 !i6es, t5e ;($iciar7 ma7 #ot 4it5 a c!ear
co#scie#ce sta#$ b7 to <i6e "ree 5a#$ to t5e $iscretio# o" t5e
po!itica! $epartme#ts o" t5e Go6er#me#t. Cases are #(mero(s
45erei# co(rts i#ter6e#e$ (po# proo" o" 6io!atio# o" t5e
co#stit(tio#a! pri#cip!e o" e=(a!it7 o" represe#tatio#.
EA# i#;(#ctio# to pre6e#t t5e secretar7 o" state "rom iss(i#<
#otices o" e!ectio# (#$er a# (#co#stit(tio#a! apportio#me#t act
<err7ma#$eri#< t5e state is #ot a (s(rpatio# o" a(t5orit7 b7 t5e
co(rt, o# t5e <ro(#$ t5at t5e =(estio# is a po!itica! o#e, b(t t5e
co#stit(tio#a!it7 o" t5e act is p(re!7 a ;($icia! =(estio#.E CState
eF re!. A$ams Co(#t7 6. C(##i#<5am, 1H L.R.A. H61, 81 /is.
44?, H1 N. /. G84.D
E*5e "act t5at t5e actio# ma7 5a6e a po!itica! e""ect, a#$ i# t5at
se#se e""ect a po!itica! ob;ect, $oes #ot maJe t5e =(estio#s
i#6o!6e$ i# a s(it to $ec!are t5e (#co#stit(tio#a!it7 o" a#
apportio#me#t act po!itica! i#stea$ o" ;($icia!.E CState eF re.
Lamb 6. C(##i#<5am, 1G L.R.A. 14H, 8> /is. 9?, H> N. /.
48.D
EA# (#co#stit(tio#a! apportio#me#t !a4 ma7 be $ec!are$ 6oi$
b7 t5e co(rts, #ot4it5sta#$i#< t5e "act t5at s(c5 stat(te is a#
eFercise o" po!itica! po4er.E C&e##e7 6s. State eF re!. Bas!er,
>1 L.R.A. G86, 144 -#$. H?>, 48 N. E. 989.D
E*5e co#stit(tio#a!it7 o" a stat(te "ormi#< a $e!e<ate $istrict or
apportio#i#< $e!e<ates "or t5e 5o(se o" $e!e<ates is a ;($icia!
=(estio# "or t5e co(rts, a!t5o(<5 t5e stat(te is a# eFercise o"
po!itica! po4er.E C0armiso# 6. Ba!!ot Comrs. 48 L.R.A. H91, 4H
/. 2a. 1G9, >1 S. B. >94.D [> L.R.A. &i<est p. 8G>G.]
Co#c!(sio#. 3 9or a!! t5e "ore<oi#<, 4e 5ereb7 reiterate o(r
reso!(tio# $ec!ari#< t5at Rep(b!ic Act >?4? i#"ri#<e$ t5e
pro6isio#s o" t5e Co#stit(tio# a#$ is t5ere"ore 6oi$.
%a$i!!a, Labra$or, Co#cepcio#, Re7es A.B.L., Barrera, %are$es,
&i)o#, &e Leo# a#$ Nati6i$a$, AA., co#c(r.
Ba(tista A#<e!o, A., is o# !ea6e.
9oot#otes
1. E. . . %ro6i$e$, *5at i# t5e case o" Acts o" t5e %5i!ippi#e
Commissio# or t5e %5i!ippi#e Le<is!at(re 45e# t5ere is i#
eFiste#ce a cop7 si<#e$ b7 t5e presi$i#< o""icers a#$ t5e
secretaries o" sai$ bo$ies, it s5a!! be co#c!(si6e proo" o" t5e
pro6isio#s o" s(c5 Act a#$ o" t5e $(e e#actme#ts t5ereo".E
C-ta!ics o(rs.D
8. *o pre6e#t "ra($, tricJer7, $eceit a#$ s(bter"(<e i# t5e
e#actme#t o" bi!!s CH9 Corp(s A(ris H4D.
>. E!ies at t5e "o(#$atio# o" represe#tati6e <o6er#me#tE
C18 Am. A(r. 198D.
C o p 7 r i < 5 t 1 9 9 4 - 1 9 9 9 C & * e c 5 # o ! o < i e s A
s i a, - # c.