G.R. No.

196231 January 28, 2014

EMILIO A. GONZALES III, Petitioner,
vs.
OFFICE OF !E "RESI#EN OF !E "!ILI""INES, ACING
!RO$G! AN# RE"RESENE# %& E'EC$I(E SECREAR&
"A)$IO N. OC!OA, JR., SENIOR #E"$& E'EC$I(E SECREAR&
JOSE AMOR M. AMORAN#O, OFFICER*IN*C!ARGE * OFFICE OF !E
#E"$& E'EC$I(E SECREAR& FOR LEGAL AFFAIRS, A&.
RONAL#O A. GERON, #IR. RO+ENA $RINGAN*SANC!EZ, AN#
A&. CARLIO #. CAA&ONG, Respondents.
x - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - x
G.R. No. 196232
+EN#ELL %ARRERAS*S$LI Petitioner,
vs.
A&. "A)$IO N. OC!OA, JR., IN !IS CA" A CI& AS E'EC$I(E
SECREAR&, OFFICE OF !E "RESI#EN, A&. #ENNIS F. ORIZ,
A&. CARLO #. S$LA& AN# A&. FROILAN #. MONAL%AN, JR., IN
!EIR CA"ACIIES AS C!AIRMAN AN# MEM%ERS OF OFFICE OF
MALACANANG LEGAL AFFAIRS,Respondents.
D E C I S I O N
%RION, J.:
We resolve the Office of the President's (OP 's !otion for reconsider"tion
of o#r Septe!$er %, &'(& Decision
(
)hich r#led on the petitions filed $*
Dep#t* O!$#ds!"n E!ilio +on,"les III "nd Speci"l Prosec#tor Wendell
-"rrer"s-S#lit. .heir petitions ch"llen/ed the constit#tion"lit* of Section
0(& of Rep#$lic 1ct (R1 No. 233'.
&
In the ch"llen/ed Decision, the Co#rt #pheld the constit#tion"lit* of Section
0(& of R1 No. 233' "nd r#led th"t the President h"s disciplin"r*
4#risdiction over " Dep#t* O!$#ds!"n "nd " Speci"l Prosec#tor. .he
Co#rt, ho)ever, reversed the OP r#lin/ th"t5 (i fo#nd +on,"les /#ilt* of
+ross Ne/lect of D#t* "nd +r"ve 6iscond#ct constit#tin/ $etr"*"l of p#$lic
tr#st7 "nd (ii i!posed on hi! the pen"lt* of dis!iss"l.
S#lit, )ho h"d not then $een dis!issed "nd )ho si!pl* so#/ht to restr"in
the disciplin"r* proceedin/s "/"inst her, solel* 8#estioned the 4#risdiction
of the OP to s#$4ect her to disciplin"r* proceedin/s. .he Co#rt "ffir!ed the
contin#"tion of the proceedin/s "/"inst her "fter #pholdin/ the
constit#tion"lit* of Section 0(& of R1 No. 233'.
.he f"llo of o#r "ss"iled Decision re"ds5
W9ERE:ORE, in +.R. No. (;2&<(, the decision of the Office of the
President in OP C"se No. ( O-=-%2' is RE>ERSED "nd SE. 1SIDE.
Petitioner E!ilio 1. +on,"les III is ordered REINS.1.ED )ith p"*!ent of
$"c?)"/es correspondin/ to the period of s#spension effective
i!!edi"tel*, even "s the Office of the O!$#ds!"n is directed to proceed
)ith the investi/"tion in connection )ith the "$ove c"se "/"inst petitioner.
In +.R. No. (;2&<&, We 1::IR6 the contin#"tion of OP-DC C"se No. ll---
''< "/"inst Speci"l Prosec#tor Wendell -"rrer"s-S#lit for "lle/ed "cts "nd
o!issions t"nt"!o#nt to c#lp"$le viol"tion of the Constit#tion "nd "
$etr"*"l of p#$lic tr#st, in "ccord"nce )ith Section 0(& of the O!$#ds!"n
1ct of (;0;.
<
In vie) of the Co#rt@s r#lin/, the OP filed the present !otion for
reconsider"tion thro#/h the Office of the Solicitor +ener"l (OS+.
We $riefl* n"rr"te the f"cts th"t preceded the filin/ of the petitions "nd the
present !otion for reconsider"tion.
I. 1N.ECEDEN.S
1. +on,"les@ petition (+.R. No. (;2&<(
a. Factual antecedents
On 6"* &2, &''0, Christi"n A"l") filed sep"r"te ch"r/es )ith the
Philippine N"tion"l Police Intern"l 1ff"irs Service (PNP-I1S "nd )ith the
6"nil" Cit* Prosec#tor@s Office "/"inst 6"nil" Police District Senior
Inspector Rol"ndo 6endo," "nd fo#r others (6endo,", et "l. for ro$$er*,
/r"ve thre"t, ro$$er* extortion "nd ph*sic"l in4#r*.
%
On 6"* &;, &''0, Police Senior S#perintendent 1tt*. Cl"rence +#into filed
"n "d!inistr"tive ch"r/e for /r"ve !iscond#ct )ith the N"tion"l Police
Co!!ission (N1POBCO6 PNP-NCRPO "/"inst 6endo,", et "l. $"sed
on the s"!e "lle/"tions !"de $* A"l") $efore the PNP-I1S.
C
On =#l* &, &''0, +on,"les, Dep#t* O!$#ds!"n for 6ilit"r* "nd Other B")
Enforce!ent Officers (6OBEO, directed the N1POBCO6 to t#rn over the
records of 6endo,"@s c"se to his office. .he Office of the Re/ion"l Director
of the N1POBCO6 d#l* co!plied on =#l* &%, &''0.
2
6endo,", et "l. filed
their position p"pers )ith +on,"les, in co!pli"nce )ith his Order.
3
Pendin/ +on,"les@ "ction on 6endo,", et "l.@s c"se (on 1#/#st &2, &''0,
the Office of the Cit* Prosec#tor of 6"nil" Cit* dis!issed A"l")@s
co!pl"int "/"inst 6endo,", et "l. for his f"il#re to s#$st"nti"te his
"lle/"tions.
0
Si!il"rl*, on Octo$er (3, &''0, the PNP-I1S reco!!ended
the dis!iss"l )itho#t pre4#dice of the "d!inistr"tive c"se "/"inst 6endo,",
et "l. for A"l")@s f"il#re to prosec#te.
;
On :e$r#"r* (2, &'';, "fter prep"rin/ " dr"ft decision on 6endo,", et "l.@s
c"se, +on,"les for)"rded the entire records to the Office of then
O!$#ds!"n 6ercedit"s +#tierre, for her revie).
('
In his dr"ft decision,
+on,"les fo#nd 6endo,", et "l. /#ilt* of /r"ve !iscond#ct "nd i!posed on
the! the pen"lt* of dis!iss"l fro! the service.
((
6endo,", et "l. received " cop* of the O!$#ds!"n@s decision th"t
"pproved +on,"les@ reco!!end"tion on Octo$er <', &'';. 6endo,", et "l.
filed " !otion for reconsider"tion
(&
on Nove!$er C, &'';, follo)ed $* "
S#pple!ent to the 6otion for Reconsider"tion.
(<
On Dece!$er (', &'';, the 6OBEO-Records Section for)"rded 6endo,",
et "l.@s c"se records to the Cri!in"l Investi/"tion, Prosec#tion "nd
1d!inistr"tive -#re"#-6OBEO. On Dece!$er (%, &'';, the c"se )"s
"ssi/ned to +r"ft Investi/"tion "nd Prosec#tion Officer (+IPO Dennis
+"rci" for revie) "nd reco!!end"tion.
(%
+IPO +"rci" rele"sed " dr"ft order
(C
to his i!!edi"te s#perior, Director
E#lo/io S. Cecilio, for "ppropri"te "ction on 1pril C, &'('. Dir. Cecilio
si/ned "nd for)"rded the dr"ft order to +on,"les@ office on 1pril &3, &'('.
+on,"les revie)ed the dr"ft "nd endorsed the order, to/ether )ith the c"se
records, on 6"* 2, &'(' for the fin"l "pprov"l $* the O!$#ds!"n.
(2
On 1#/#st &<, &'(', pendin/ fin"l "ction $* the O!$#ds!"n on 6endo,",
et "l.@s c"se, 6endo," hi4"c?ed " to#rist $#s "nd held the &( forei/n
to#rists "nd the fo#r :ilipino to#r "ssist"nts on $o"rd "s host"/es. While
the /overn!ent exerted e"rnest "tte!pts to pe"cef#ll* resolve the
host"/e-t"?in/, it ended tr"/ic"ll*, res#ltin/ in the de"ths of 6endo," "nd
sever"l others on $o"rd the hi4"c?ed $#s.
In the "fter!"th, President -eni/no C. 18#ino III directed the Dep"rt!ent
of =#stice "nd the Dep"rt!ent of Interior "nd Boc"l +overn!ent to cond#ct
" 4oint thoro#/h investi/"tion of the incident. .he t)o dep"rt!ents iss#ed
=oint Dep"rt!ent Order No. '(-&'(', cre"tin/ "n Incident Investi/"tion "nd
Revie) Co!!ittee (IIRC.
In its Septe!$er (2, &'(' :irst Report, the IIRC fo#nd the O!$#ds!"n
"nd +on,"les "cco#nt"$le for their D/ross ne/li/ence "nd /r"ve
!iscond#ct in h"ndlin/ the c"se "/"inst 6endo,".D
(3
.he IIRC st"ted th"t
the O!$#ds!"n "nd +on,"les@ f"il#re to pro!ptl* resolve 6endo,"@s
!otion for reconsider"tion, D)itho#t 4#stific"tion "nd despite repe"ted
ple"sD xxx Dprecipit"ted the desper"te resort to host"/e-t"?in/.D
(0
.he IIRC
reco!!ended the referr"l of its findin/s to the OP for f#rther deter!in"tion
of possi$le "d!inistr"tive offenses "nd for the initi"tion of the proper
"d!inistr"tive proceedin/s.
(;
1ccordin/l*, on Octo$er (C, &'(', +on,"les )"s for!"ll* ch"r/ed $efore
the OP for +ross Ne/lect of D#t* "ndEor Inefficienc* in the Perfor!"nce of
Offici"l D#t* "nd for 6iscond#ct in Office.
&'
b. The OP ruling
On 6"rch <(, &'((, the OP fo#nd +on,"les /#ilt* "s ch"r/ed "nd
dis!issed hi! fro! the service.
&(
1ccordin/ to the OP, Dthe inordin"te "nd
#n4#stified del"* in the resol#tion of F6endo,"@sG 6otion for
Reconsider"tion FHth"t sp"nned for nine (; lon/ !onths@G xxx "!o#nted to
/ross ne/lect of d#t*D "nd Dconstit#ted " fl"/r"nt disre/"rd of the Office of
the O!$#ds!"n@s o)n R#les of Proced#re.D
&&
c. .he Petition
+on,"les posited in his petition th"t the OP h"s no "d!inistr"tive
disciplin"r* 4#risdiction over " Dep#t* O!$#ds!"n. Inder Section &( of
R1 No. 233', it is the O!$#ds!"n )ho exercises "d!inistr"tive
disciplin"r* 4#risdiction over the Dep#t* O!$#ds!"n.
On the !erits, +on,"les "r/#ed th"t his office received the dr"ft order fro!
+IPO +"rci" on 1pril &3, &'('. On 6"* 2, &'(', he co!pleted his revie)
of the dr"ft, "pproved it, "nd tr"ns!itted it to the Office of the O!$#ds!"n
for fin"l "pprov"l. Since the dr"ft order on 6endo,"@s !otion for
reconsider"tion h"d to #nder/o different levels of prep"r"tion, revie) "nd
"pprov"l, the period it too? to resolve the !otion co#ld not $e #n4#stified,
since he hi!self "cted on the dr"ft order onl* )ithin nine (; c"lend"rs
d"*s fro! his receipt of the order.
&<
-. S#lit@s petition (+.R. No. (;2&<&
In 1pril &''C, the Office of the O!$#ds!"n ch"r/ed 6"4or +ener"l C"rlos
:. +"rci" "nd sever"l others, $efore the S"ndi/"n$"*"n, )ith pl#nder "nd
!one* l"#nderin/. On 6"* 3, &''3, +"rci" filed "n Ir/ent Petition for -"il
)hich the prosec#tion opposed. .he S"ndi/"n$"*"n denied +"rci"'s
#r/ent petition for $"il on ="n#"r* 3, &'(', in vie) of the stren/th of the
prosec#tion@s evidence "/"inst +"rci".
On :e$r#"r* &C, &'(', the Office of the O!$#ds!"n, thro#/h S#lit "nd her
prosec#tori"l st"ff, entered into " ple" $"r/"inin/ "/ree!ent (1/ree!ent
)ith +"rci".
&%
+"rci" there$* "/reed to5 (i )ithdr") his ple" of not /#ilt* to
the ch"r/e of pl#nder "nd enter " ple" of /#ilt* to the lesser offense of
indirect $ri$er*7 "nd (ii )ithdr") his ple" of not /#ilt* to the ch"r/e of
!one* l"#nderin/ "nd enter " /#ilt* ple" to the lesser offense of f"cilit"tin/
!one* l"#nderin/. In exch"n/e, he )o#ld conve* to the /overn!ent his
o)nership, ri/hts "nd other interests over the re"l "nd person"l properties
en#!er"ted in the 1/ree!ent "nd the $"n? deposits "lle/ed in the
infor!"tion.
&C
.he S"ndi/"n$"*"n "pproved the 1/ree!ent on 6"* %, &'('
&2
$"sed on
the p"rties@ s#$!itted =oint 6otion for 1pprov"l.
&3
.he "pp"rent one-sidedness of the 1/ree!ent dre) p#$lic o#tr"/e "nd
pro!pted the Co!!ittee on =#stice of the 9o#se of Represent"tives to
cond#ct "n investi/"tion. 1fter p#$lic he"rin/s, the Co!!ittee fo#nd th"t
S#lit, her dep#ties "nd "ssist"nts co!!itted c#lp"$le viol"tions of the
Constit#tion "nd $etr"*"l of p#$lic tr#st J /ro#nds for re!ov"l #nder
Section 0(& of R1 No. 233'.
&0
.he Co!!ittee reco!!ended to the
President the dis!iss"l fro! the service of S#lit "nd the filin/ of "ppropri"te
ch"r/es "/"inst her dep#ties "nd "ssist"nts $efore the "ppropri"te
/overn!ent office.
1ccordin/l*, the OP initi"ted "n "d!inistr"tive disciplin"r* proceedin/
"/"inst S#lit.
&;
On 6"rch &%, &'((, S#lit filed her Written Expl"n"tion,
8#estionin/ the OP@s 4#risdiction.
<'
.he 8#estion of 4#risdiction
not)ithst"ndin/, the OP set the c"se for preli!in"r* investi/"tion on 1pril
(C, &'((, pro!ptin/ S#lit to see? relief fro! this Co#rt.
II. COIR.@S RIBIN+
On !otion for reconsider"tion "nd f#rther reflection, the Co#rt votes to
/r"nt +on,"les@ petition "nd to decl"re Section 0(& of R1 No. 233'
#nconstit#tion"l )ith respect to the Office of the O!$#ds!"n. (1s the f#ll
expl"n"tion of the Co#rt@s vote descri$es $elo), this concl#sion does not
"ppl* to S#lit "s the /r"nt of independence is solel* )ith respect to the
Office of the O!$#ds!"n )hich does not incl#de the Office of the Speci"l
Prosec#tor #nder the Constit#tion. .he prev"ilin/ r#lin/ on this l"tter point
is e!$odied in the Conc#rrin/ "nd Dissentin/ Opinion of =. 6"rvic 6"rio
>ictor Beonen.
1. Preli!in"r* consider"tions5
". 1$sence of !otion for reconsider"tion on the p"rt of the petitioners
1t the o#tset, the Co#rt notes th"t +on,"les "nd S#lit did not file " !otion
for reconsider"tion of the Co#rt@s Septe!$er %, &'(& Decision7 onl* the OP,
thro#/h the OS+, !oved for the reconsider"tion of o#r r#lin/ reinst"tin/
+on,"les.
.his o!ission, ho)ever, poses no o$st"cle for the Co#rt@s revie) of its
r#lin/ on the )hole c"se since " serio#s constit#tion"l 8#estion h"s $een
r"ised "nd is one of the #nderl*in/ $"ses for the v"lidit* or inv"lidit* of the
presidenti"l "ction. If the President does not h"ve "n* constit#tion"l
"#thorit* to discipline " Dep#t* O!$#ds!"n "ndEor " Speci"l Prosec#tor in
the first pl"ce, then "n* r#lin/ on the le/"l correctness of the OP@s decision
on the !erits )ill $e "n e!pt* one.
In other )ords, since the v"lidit* of the OP@s decision on the !erits of the
dis!iss"l is inextric"$l* "nchored on the fin"l "nd correct r#lin/ on the
constit#tion"l iss#e, the )hole c"se J incl#din/ the constit#tion"l iss#e J
re!"ins "live for the Co#rt@s consider"tion on !otion for reconsider"tion.
$. .he 4#stici"$ilit* of the constit#tion"l
iss#e r"ised in the petitions
We cl"rif*, too, th"t the iss#e of )hether " Dep#t* O!$#ds!"n !"* $e
s#$4ected to the "d!inistr"tive disciplin"r* 4#risdiction of the President
(conc#rrentl* )ith th"t of the O!$#ds!"n is " 4#stici"$le J not " politic"l J
8#estion. 1 4#stici"$le 8#estion is one )hich is inherentl* s#scepti$le of
$ein/ )hether s#ch st"t#tor* /r"nt viol"tes the Constit#tion, p"rtic#l"rl*
)hether Section 0(& of R1 No. 233' viol"tes the core constit#tion"l
principle of the independence of the Office of the O!$#ds!"n "s
expressed in Section C, 1rt. KI of the Constit#tion.
/ decided on /ro#nds reco/ni,ed $* l"),
<(
"s )here the co#rt finds th"t
there "re constit#tion"ll*-i!posed li!its on the exercise of the po)ers
conferred on " politic"l $r"nch of the /overn!ent.
<&
In resolvin/ the petitions, )e do not in8#ire into the )isdo! of the
Con/ress@ choice to /r"nt conc#rrent disciplin"r* "#thorit* to the President.
O#r in8#ir* is li!ited to )hether s#ch st"t#tor* /r"nt viol"tes the
Constit#tion, p"rtic#l"rl* )hether Section 0(& of R1 No. 233' viol"tes the
core constit#tion"l principle of the independence of the Office of the
O!$#ds!"n "s expressed in Section C, 1rt. KI of the Constit#tion.
.o $e s#re, neither the Exec#tive nor the Be/isl"tive c"n cre"te the po)er
th"t Section 0(& of R1 No. 233' /r"nts )here the Constit#tion confers
none. When exercised "#thorit* is dr")n fro! " v"c##!, !ore so )hen
the "#thorit* r#ns co#nter to " core constit#tion"l principle "nd
constit#tion"l intents, the Co#rt is d#t*-$o#nd to intervene #nder the
po)ers "nd d#ties /r"nted "nd i!posed on it $* 1rticle >III of the
Constit#tion.
-. .he Dep#t* O!$#ds!"n5 Constit#tion"l Iss#e
". .he Philippine O!$#ds!"n
Prior to the (;3< Constit#tion, p"st presidents est"$lished sever"l
O!$#ds!"n-li?e "/encies to serve "s the people's !edi#! for "irin/
/riev"nces "nd for direct redress "/"inst "$#ses "nd !iscond#ct in the
/overn!ent. Ilti!"tel*, ho)ever, these "/encies f"iled to f#ll* re"li,e their
o$4ective for l"c? of the politic"l independence necess"r* for the effective
perfor!"nce of their f#nction "s /overn!ent critic.
<<
It )"s #nder the (;3< Constit#tion th"t the Office of the O!$#ds!"n
$ec"!e " constit#tion"ll*-!"nd"ted office to /ive it politic"l independence
"nd "de8#"te po)ers to enforce its !"nd"te. P#rs#"nt to the (;3<
Constit#tion, President :erdin"nd 6"rcos en"cted Presidenti"l Decree
(PD No. (%03, "s "!ended $* PD No. (2'3 "nd PD No. (2<', cre"tin/
the Office of the O!$#ds!"n to $e ?no)n "s ."nod$"*"n. It )"s t"s?ed
princip"ll* to investi/"te, on co!pl"int or !ot# proprio, "n* "d!inistr"tive
"ct of "n* "d!inistr"tive "/enc*, incl#din/ "n* /overn!ent-o)ned or
controlled corpor"tion. When the Office of the ."nod$"*"n )"s reor/"ni,ed
in (;3;, the po)ers previo#sl* vested in the Speci"l Prosec#tor )ere
tr"nsferred to the ."nod$"*"n hi!self. 9e )"s /iven the excl#sive
"#thorit* to cond#ct preli!in"r* investi/"tion of "ll c"ses co/ni,"$le $* the
S"ndi/"n$"*"n, file the correspondin/ infor!"tion, "nd control the
prosec#tion of these c"ses.
<%
With the "dvent of the (;03 Constit#tion, " ne) Office of the O!$#ds!"n
)"s cre"ted $* constit#tion"l fi"t. Inli?e in the (;3< Constit#tion, its
independence )"s expressl* "nd constit#tion"ll* /#"r"nteed. Its o$4ectives
"re to enforce the st"te polic* in Section &3, 1rticle II
<C
"nd the st"nd"rd of
"cco#nt"$ilit* in p#$lic service #nder Section (, 1rticle KI of the (;03
Constit#tion. .hese provisions re"d5
Section &3. .he St"te sh"ll !"int"in honest* "nd inte/rit* in the p#$lic
service "nd t"?e positive "nd effective !e"s#res "/"inst /r"ft "nd
corr#ption.
Section (. P#$lic office is " p#$lic tr#st. P#$lic officers "nd e!plo*ees
!#st, "t "ll ti!es, $e "cco#nt"$le to the people, serve the! )ith #t!ost
responsi$ilit*, inte/rit*, lo*"lt*, "nd efficienc*7 "ct )ith p"triotis! "nd
4#stice, "nd le"d !odest lives.
Inder Section (&, 1rticle KI of the (;03 Constit#tion, the Office of the
O!$#ds!"n is envisioned to $e the Dprotector of the peopleD "/"inst the
inept, "$#sive, "nd corr#pt in the +overn!ent, to f#nction essenti"ll* "s "
co!pl"ints "nd "ction $#re"#.
<2
.his constit#tion"l vision of " Philippine
O!$#ds!"n pr"ctic"ll* intends to !"?e the O!$#ds!"n "n "#thorit* to
directl* chec? "nd /#"rd "/"inst the ills, "$#ses "nd excesses of the
$#re"#cr"c*. P#rs#"nt to Section (<(0, 1rticle KI of the (;03 Constit#tion,
Con/ress en"cted R1 No. 233' to en"$le it to f#rther re"li,e the vision of
the Constit#tion. Section &( of R1 No. 233' provides5
Section &(. Offici"l S#$4ect to Disciplin"r* 1#thorit*7 Exceptions. L .he
Office of the O!$#ds!"n sh"ll h"ve disciplin"r* "#thorit* over "ll elective
"nd "ppointive offici"ls of the +overn!ent "nd its s#$divisions,
instr#!ent"lities "nd "/encies, incl#din/ 6e!$ers of the C"$inet, loc"l
/overn!ent, /overn!ent-o)ned or controlled corpor"tions "nd their
s#$sidi"ries, except over offici"ls )ho !"* $e re!oved onl* $*
i!pe"ch!ent or over 6e!$ers of Con/ress, "nd the =#dici"r*. Fe!ph"sis
o#rs, it"lics s#ppliedG
1s the O!$#ds!"n is expected to $e "n D"ctivist )"tch!"n,D
<3
the Co#rt
h"s #pheld its "ctions, "ltho#/h not s8#"rel* f"llin/ #nder the $ro"d
po)ers /r"nted it $* the Constit#tion "nd $* R1 No. 233', if these "ctions
"re re"son"$l* in line )ith its offici"l f#nction "nd consistent )ith the l")
"nd the Constit#tion.
<0
.he O!$#ds!"n@s $ro"d investi/"tive "nd disciplin"r* po)ers incl#de "ll
"cts of !"lfe"s"nce, !isfe"s"nce, "nd nonfe"s"nce of "ll p#$lic offici"ls,
incl#din/ 6e!$ers of the C"$inet "nd ?e* Exec#tive officers, d#rin/ their
ten#re. .o s#pport these $ro"d po)ers, the Constit#tion s") it fit to ins#l"te
the Office of the O!$#ds!"n fro! the press#res "nd infl#ence of
offici"ldo! "nd p"rtis"n politics "nd fro! fe"r of extern"l repris"l $*
!"?in/ it "n DindependentD office. Section C,
1rticle KI of the Constit#tion expressed this intent, "s follo)s5
Section C. .here is here$* cre"ted the independent Office of the
O!$#ds!"n, co!posed of the O!$#ds!"n to $e ?no)n "s ."nod$"*"n,
one over"ll Dep#t* "nd "t le"st one Dep#t* e"ch for B#,on, >is"*"s, "nd
6ind"n"o. 1 sep"r"te Dep#t* for the !ilit"r* est"$lish!ent !"* li?e)ise
$e "ppointed. Fe!ph"sis o#rsG
+iven the scope of its disciplin"r* "#thorit*, the Office of the O!$#ds!"n
is " ver* po)erf#l /overn!ent constit#tion"l "/enc* th"t is considered D"
notch "$ove other /riev"nce-h"ndlin/ investi/"tive $odies.D
<;
It h"s
po)ers, $oth constit#tion"l "nd st"t#tor*, th"t "re co!!ens#r"te )ith its
d"#ntin/ t"s? of enforcin/ "cco#nt"$ilit* of p#$lic officers.
%'
$. DIndependenceD of constit#tion"l $odies vis-"-vis the O!$#ds!"n@s
independence
Inder the Constit#tion, sever"l constit#tion"l $odies h"ve $een expressl*
l"$eled "s Dindependent.D
%(
.he extent of the independence en4o*ed $*
these constit#tion"l $odies ho)ever v"ries "nd is to $e interpreted )ith t)o
si/nific"nt consider"tions in !ind5 first, the f#nctions perfor!ed or the
po)ers involved in " /iven c"se7 "nd second, consistenc* of "n* "llo)"$le
interference to these po)ers "nd f#nctions, )ith the principle of chec?s "nd
$"l"nces.
Not"$l*, the independence en4o*ed $* the Office of the O!$#ds!"n "nd
$* the Constit#tion"l Co!!issions sh"res cert"in ch"r"cteristics J the* do
not o)e their existence to "n* "ct of Con/ress, $#t "re cre"ted $* the
Constit#tion itself7 "ddition"ll*, the* "ll en4o* fisc"l "#tono!*. In /ener"l
ter!s, the fr"!ers of the Constit#tion intended th"t these DindependentD
$odies $e ins#l"ted fro! politic"l press#re to the extent th"t the "$sence of
DindependenceD )o#ld res#lt in the i!p"ir!ent of their core f#nctions.
In -en/,on v. Drilon,
%&
involvin/ the fisc"l "#tono!* of the =#dici"r*, )e
r#led "/"inst the interference th"t the President !"* $rin/ "nd !"int"ined
th"t the independence "nd the flexi$ilit* of the =#dici"r*, the Constit#tion"l
Co!!issions "nd the Office of the O!$#ds!"n "re cr#ci"l to o#r le/"l
s*ste!.
.he =#dici"r*, the Constit#tion"l Co!!issions, "nd the O!$#ds!"n !#st
h"ve the independence "nd flexi$ilit* needed in the disch"r/e of their
constit#tion"l d#ties. .he i!position of restrictions "nd constr"ints on the
!"nner the independent constit#tion"l offices "lloc"te "nd #tili,e the f#nds
"ppropri"ted for their oper"tions is "n"the!" to fisc"l "#tono!* "nd
viol"tive not onl* the express !"nd"te of the Constit#tion $#t especi"ll* "s
re/"rds the S#pre!e Co#rt, of the independence "nd sep"r"tion of po)ers
#pon )hich the entire f"$ric of o#r constit#tion"l s*ste! is $"sed.
.he constit#tion"l deli$er"tions expl"in the Constit#tion"l Co!!issions@
need for independence. In the deli$er"tions of the (;3< Constit#tion, the
dele/"tes "!ended the (;<C Constit#tion $* providin/ for "
constit#tion"ll*-cre"ted Civil Service Co!!ission, inste"d of one cre"ted
$* l"), on the pre!ise th"t the effectivit* of this $od* is dependent on its
freedo! fro! the tent"cles of politics.
%<
In " si!il"r !"nner, the
deli$er"tions of the (;03 Constit#tion on the Co!!ission on 1#dit
hi/hli/hted the develop!ents in the p"st Constit#tions /e"red to)"rds
ins#l"tin/ the Co!!ission on 1#dit fro! politic"l press#re.
%%
Not"$l*, the Constit#tion "lso cre"ted "n DindependentD Co!!ission on
9#!"n Ri/hts, "ltho#/h it en4o*s " lesser de/ree of independence since it
is not /r"nted fisc"l "#tono!* in the !"nner fisc"l "#tono!* is /r"nted to
the constit#tion"l co!!issions. .he l"c? of fisc"l "#tono!*
not)ithst"ndin/, the fr"!ers of the (;03 Constit#tion cle"rl* expressed
their desire to ?eep the Co!!ission independent fro! the exec#tive
$r"nch "nd other politic"l le"ders5
6R. 6ONSOD. We see the !erits of the "r/#!ents of Co!!issioner
Rodri/o. If )e expl"in to hi! o#r concept, he c"n "dvise #s on ho) to
reconcile his position )ith o#rs. .he position of the co!!ittee is th"t )e
need " $od* th"t )o#ld $e "$le to )or? "nd cooper"te )ith the exec#tive
$ec"#se the Co!!issioner is ri/ht. 6"n* of the services needed $* this
co!!ission )o#ld need not onl* the cooper"tion of the exec#tive $r"nch of
the /overn!ent $#t "lso of the 4#dici"l $r"nch of /overn!ent. .his is /oin/
to $e " per!"nent constit#tion"l co!!ission over ti!e. We "lso )"nt "
co!!ission to f#nction even #nder the )orst circ#!st"nce )hen the
exec#tive !"* not $e ver* cooper"tive. 9o)ever, the 8#estion in o#r !ind
is5 C"n it still f#nction d#rin/ th"t ti!eM 9ence, )e "re )illin/ to "ccept
s#//estions fro! Co!!issioner Rodri/o on ho) to reconcile this. We
re"li,e the need for coordin"tion "nd cooper"tion. We "lso )o#ld li?e to
$#ild in so!e s"fe/#"rds th"t it )ill not $e rendered #seless $* "n
#ncooper"tive exec#tive.
x x x x
6R. +1RCI1. xxx >er* often, )hen intern"tion"l co!!issions or
or/"ni,"tions on h#!"n ri/hts /o to " co#ntr*, the !ost credi$le
or/"ni,"tions "re independent h#!"n ri/hts $odies. >er* often these "re
priv"te or/"ni,"tions, !"n* of )hich "re prosec#ted, s#ch "s those )e find
in !"n* co#ntries in B"tin 1!eric". In f"ct, )h"t )e "re proposin/ is "n
independent $od* on h#!"n ri/hts, )hich )o#ld provide /overn!ents )ith
credi$ilit* precisel* $ec"#se it is independent of the present "d!inistr"tion.
Wh"tever it s"*s on the h#!"n ri/hts sit#"tion )ill $e credi$le $ec"#se it is
not s#$4ect to press#re or control fro! the present politic"l le"dership.
Secondl*, )e "ll ?no) ho) politic"l fort#nes co!e "nd /o. .hose )ho "re
in po)er *esterd"* "re in opposition tod"* "nd those )ho "re in po)er
tod"* !"* $e in the opposition to!orro). .herefore, if )e h"ve "
Co!!ission on 9#!"n Ri/hts th"t )o#ld investi/"te "nd !"?e s#re th"t
the ri/hts of e"ch one is protected, then )e sh"ll h"ve " $od* th"t co#ld
st"nd #p to "n* po)er, to defend the ri/hts of individ#"ls "/"inst "rrest,
#nf"ir tri"l, "nd so on.
%C
.hese deli$er"tive consider"tions "$#nd"ntl* sho) th"t the independent
constit#tion"l co!!issions h"ve $een consistentl* intended $* the fr"!ers
to $e independent fro! exec#tive control or s#pervision or "n* for! of
politic"l infl#ence. 1t le"st insof"r "s these $odies "re concerned,
4#rispr#dence is not sc"rce on ho) the DindependenceD /r"nted to these
$odies prevents presidenti"l interference.
In -rill"ntes, =r. v. Nor"c,
%2
)e e!ph"si,ed th"t the Constit#tion"l
Co!!issions, )hich h"ve $een ch"r"cteri,ed #nder the Constit#tion "s
Dindependent,D "re not #nder the control of the President, even if the*
disch"r/e f#nctions th"t "re exec#tive in n"t#re. .he Co#rt decl"red "s
#nconstit#tion"l the President@s "ct of te!por"ril* "ppointin/ the
respondent in th"t c"se "s 1ctin/ Ch"ir!"n of the Co!elec Dho)ever )ell-
!e"nin/D
%3
it !i/ht h"ve $een.
In -"#tist" v. Sen"tor S"lon/",
%0
the Co#rt c"te/oric"ll* st"ted th"t the
ten#re of the co!!issioners of the independent Co!!ission on 9#!"n
Ri/hts co#ld not $e pl"ced #nder the discretion"r* po)er of the President5
Indeed, the Co#rt finds it extre!el* diffic#lt to concept#"li,e ho) "n office
conceived "nd cre"ted $* the Constit#tion to $e independent J "s the
Co!!ission on 9#!"n Ri/hts J "nd vested )ith the delic"te "nd vit"l
f#nctions of investi/"tin/ viol"tions of h#!"n ri/hts, pinpointin/
responsi$ilit* "nd reco!!endin/ s"nctions "s )ell "s re!edi"l !e"s#res
therefor, c"n tr#l* f#nction )ith independence "nd effectiveness, )hen the
ten#re in office of its Ch"ir!"n "nd 6e!$ers is !"de dependent on the
ple"s#re of the President. Exec#tive Order No. (2<-1, $ein/ "ntithetic"l to
the constit#tion"l !"nd"te of independence for the Co!!ission on 9#!"n
Ri/hts h"s to $e decl"red #nconstit#tion"l.
1/"in, in 1tt*. 6"c"lint"l v. Co!elec,
%;
the Co#rt considered even the !ere
revie) of the r#les of the Co!!ission on Elections $* Con/ress "
Dtr"!plin/D of the constit#tion"l !"nd"te of independence of this $od*.
O$vio#sl*, the !ere revie) of r#les pl"ces consider"$l* less press#re on "
constit#tion"l $od* th"n the Exec#tive@s po)er to discipline "nd re!ove ?e*
offici"ls of the Office of the O!$#ds!"n, *et the Co#rt str#c? do)n the l")
"s #nconstit#tion"l.
.he ?ind of independence en4o*ed $* the Office of the O!$#ds!"n
cert"inl* c"nnot $e inferior J $#t is si!il"r in de/ree "nd ?ind J to the
independence si!il"rl* /#"r"nteed $* the Constit#tion to the Constit#tion"l
Co!!issions since "ll these offices fill the politic"l interstices of "
rep#$lic"n de!ocr"c* th"t "re cr#ci"l to its existence "nd proper
f#nctionin/.
C'
c. Section 8(2) of RA No. 6!
"esting disci#linar$ authorit$
in the President o"er the
%e#ut$ O&buds&an "iolates
the inde#endence of the Office
of the O&buds&an and is thus
unconstitutional
O#r disc#ssions, p"rtic#l"rl* the Co#rt@s expressed c"#tion "/"inst
presidenti"l interference )ith the constit#tion"l co!!issions, on one h"nd,
"nd those expressed $* the fr"!ers of the (;03 Constit#tion, on the other,
in protectin/ the independence of the Constit#tion"l Co!!issions, spe"?
for the!selves "s over)hel!in/ re"sons to inv"lid"te Section 0(& of R1
No. 233' for viol"tin/ the independence of the Office of the O!$#ds!"n.
In !ore concrete ter!s, )e r#le th"t s#$4ectin/ the Dep#t* O!$#ds!"n to
discipline "nd re!ov"l $* the President, )hose o)n "lter e/os "nd offici"ls
in the Exec#tive Dep"rt!ent "re s#$4ect to the O!$#ds!"n@s disciplin"r*
"#thorit*, c"nnot $#t serio#sl* pl"ce "t ris? the independence of the Office
of the O!$#ds!"n itself. .he Office of the O!$#ds!"n, $* express
constit#tion"l !"nd"te, incl#des its ?e* offici"ls, "ll of the! t"s?ed to
s#pport the O!$#ds!"n in c"rr*in/ o#t her !"nd"te. Infort#n"tel*,
intr#sion #pon the constit#tion"ll*-/r"nted independence is )h"t Section
0(& of R1 No. 233' ex"ctl* did. -* so doin/, the l") directl* collided not
onl* )ith the independence th"t the Constit#tion /#"r"ntees to the Office of
the O!$#ds!"n, $#t inevit"$l* )ith the principle of chec?s "nd $"l"nces
th"t the cre"tion of "n O!$#ds!"n office see?s to revit"li,e.
+,a- ./ -ru0 1or -,0 O23u4/2an 2u/- 30 05ua66y an4 n070//ar.6y -ru0
1or ,0r #08u-.0/ 9,o a7- a/ a:0n-/ o1 -,0 O23u4/2an .n -,0
80r1or2an70 o1 -,0.r 4u-.0/. ,0 O23u4/2an 7an ,ar46y 30 0;807-04
-o 86a70 ,0r 7o2860-0 -ru/- .n ,0r /u3or4.na-0 o11.7.a6/ 9,o ar0 no- a/
.n4080n40n- a/ /,0 ./, .1 on6y 307au/0 -,0y ar0 /u3<07- -o 8r0//ur0/
an4 7on-ro6/ 0;-0rna6 -o ,0r O11.70. ,./ n004 1or 7o2860-0 -ru/- ./
-ru0 .n an .40a6 /0--.n: an4 -ru0r /-.66 .n a youn: 402o7ra7y 6.=0 -,0
",.6.88.n0/ 9,0r0 :ra1- an4 7orru8-.on ./ /-.66 a 2a<or 8ro3602 1or -,0
:o>0rn20n-. For -,0/0 r0a/on/, S07-.on 8?2@ o1 RA No. 6AA0
?8ro>.4.n: -,a- -,0 "r0/.40n- 2ay r02o>0 a #08u-y O23u4/2an@
/,ou64 30 4076ar04 >o.4.
.he deli$er"tions of the Constit#tion"l Co!!ission on the independence of
the O!$#ds!"n f#ll* s#pport this position. Co!!issioner :loren,
Re/"l"do of the Constit#tion"l Co!!ission expressed his "pprehension
th"t "n* for! of presidenti"l control over the Office of the O!$#ds!"n
)o#ld di!inish its independence.
C(
.he follo)in/ exch"n/es $et)een
Co!!issioners -l"s Ople "nd Christi"n 6onsod f#rther reve"l the
constit#tion"l intent to ?eep the Office of the O!$#ds!"n independent
fro! the President5
6R. OPBE. xxx
6"* I direct " 8#estion to the Co!!itteeM xxx FWGill the Co!!ittee
consider l"ter "n "!end!ent xxx, $* )"* of desi/n"tin/ the office of the
O!$#ds!"n "s " constit#tion"l "r! for /ood /overn!ent, efficienc* of the
p#$lic service "nd the inte/rit* of the President of the Philippines, inste"d
of cre"tin/ "nother "/enc* in " ?ind of "d!inistr"tive li!$o )hich )o#ld $e
"cco#nt"$le to no one on the pretext th"t it is " constit#tion"l $od*M
6R. 6ONSOD. .he Co!!ittee disc#ssed th"t d#rin/ o#r co!!ittee
deli$er"tions "nd )hen )e prep"red the report, it )"s the opinion of the
Co!!ittee L "nd I $elieve it still is L th"t it !"* not contri$#te to the
effectiveness of this office of the O!$#ds!"n precisel* $ec"#se !"n* of
the c#lprits in inefficienc*, in4#stice "nd i!propriet* "re in the exec#tive
dep"rt!ent. .herefore, "s )e s") the )ron/ i!ple!ent"tion of the
."nod$"*"n )hich )"s #nder the tre!endo#s infl#ence of the President, it
)"s "n ineffect#"l $od* "nd )"s red#ced to the f#nction of " speci"l fisc"l.
.he )hole p#rpose of o#r propos"l is precisel* to sep"r"te those f#nctions
"nd to prod#ce " vehicle th"t )ill /ive tr#e !e"nin/ to the concept of
O!$#ds!"n. .herefore, )e re/ret th"t )e c"nnot "ccept the proposition.
C&
.he st"te!ents !"de $* Co!!issioner 6onsod e!ph"si,ed " ver* lo/ic"l
principle5 the Exec#tive po)er to re!ove "nd discipline ?e* offici"ls of the
Office of the O!$#ds!"n, or to exercise "n* po)er over the!, )o#ld
res#lt in "n "$s#rd sit#"tion )herein the Office of the O!$#ds!"n is /iven
the d#t* to "d4#dic"te on the inte/rit* "nd co!petence of the ver* persons
)ho c"n re!ove or s#spend its !e!$ers. E8#"ll* relev"nt is the
i!pression th"t )o#ld $e /iven to the p#$lic if the r#le )ere other)ise. 1
co!pl"in"nt )ith " /riev"nce "/"inst " hi/h-r"n?in/ offici"l of the
Exec#tive, )ho "ppe"rs to en4o* the President@s f"vor, )o#ld $e
disco#r"/ed fro! "ppro"chin/ the O!$#ds!"n )ith his co!pl"int7 the
co!pl"in"nt@s i!pression (even if !ispl"ced, th"t the O!$#ds!"n )o#ld
$e s#scepti$le to politic"l press#re, c"nnot $e "voided. .o $e s#re, s#ch "n
i!pression )o#ld erode the constit#tion"l intent of cre"tin/ "n Office of the
O!$#ds!"n "s ch"!pion of the people "/"inst corr#ption "nd
$#re"#cr"c*.
d. The &utual'#rotection argu&ent for
crafting Section 8(2)of RA No. 6!
In cr"ftin/ Section 0(& of R1 No. 233', Con/ress "pp"rentl* "ddressed
the concern th"t " l"c? of "n extern"l chec? "/"inst the Dep#t*
O!$#ds!"n )o#ld res#lt in !#t#"l protection $et)een the O!$#ds!"n
"nd her Dep#ties.
While the precedin/ disc#ssion "lre"d* s#ffices to "ddress this concern, it
sho#ld $e "dded th"t this concern st"nds on sh"?* /ro#nds since it i/nores
the existin/ chec?s "nd $"l"nces "lre"d* in pl"ce. On the one h"nd, the
O!$#ds!"n@s Dep#ties c"nnot protect the O!$#ds!"n $ec"#se she is
s#$4ect to the i!pe"ch!ent po)er of Con/ress. On the other h"nd, the
O!$#ds!"n@s "tte!pt to cover #p the !isdeeds of her Dep#ties c"n $e
8#estioned $efore the Co#rt on "ppe"l or certior"ri. .he s"!e "tte!pt c"n
li?e)ise s#$4ect her to i!pe"ch!ent.
.he 4#dici"l reco#rse "v"il"$le is onl* consistent )ith the n"t#re of the
S#pre!e Co#rt "s " non-politic"l independent $od* !"nd"ted $* the
Constit#tion to settle 4#dici"l "nd 8#"si-4#dici"l disp#tes, )hose 4#d/es "nd
e!plo*ees "re not s#$4ect to the disciplin"r* "#thorit* of the O!$#ds!"n
"nd )hose ne#tr"lit* )o#ld $e less 8#estion"$le. .he 6e!$ers of the
Co#rt the!selves !"* $e s#$4ected to the i!pe"ch!ent po)er of
Con/ress.
In these li/hts, the "ppe"l, if "n*, of the !#t#"l protection "r/#!ent
$eco!es distinctl* i!pl"#si$le. 1t the s"!e ti!e, the Co#rt re!"ins
consistent )ith its est"$lished r#lin/s - th"t the independence /r"nted to
the Constit#tion"l Co!!issions $"rs "n* #nd#e interference fro! either
the Exec#tive or Con/ress J "nd is in f#ll "ccord )ith constit#tion"l intent.
e. (ongress) #o*er deter&ines the
&anner and causes for the re&o"al
of non'i&#eachable officers is not a
carte blanch authorit$
Inder Section &, 1rticle KI of the (;03 Constit#tion,
C<
Con/ress is
e!po)ered to deter!ine the !odes of re!ov"l fro! office of "ll p#$lic
officers "nd e!plo*ees except the President, the >ice-President, the
6e!$ers of the S#pre!e Co#rt, the 6e!$ers of the Constit#tion"l
Co!!issions, "nd the O!$#ds!"n, )ho "re "ll i!pe"ch"$le offici"ls.
.he intent of the fr"!ers of the Constit#tion in providin/ th"t DF"Gll other
p#$lic officers "nd e!plo*ees !"* $e re!oved fro! office "s provided $*
l"), $#t not $* i!pe"ch!entD in the second sentence of Section &, 1rticle
KI is to prevent Con/ress fro! extendin/ the !ore strin/ent r#le of
Dre!ov"l onl* $* i!pe"ch!entD to f"vored p#$lic officers.
C%
Inderst"nd"$l*
so, i!pe"ch!ent is the !ost diffic#lt "nd c#!$erso!e !ode of re!ovin/ "
p#$lic officer fro! office. It is, $* its n"t#re, " s#i /eneris politico-le/"l
process
CC
th"t si/n"ls the need for " 4#dicio#s "nd c"ref#l h"ndlin/ "s
sho)n $* the process re8#ired to initi"te the proceedin/7
C2
the one-*e"r
li!it"tion or $"r for its initi"tion7
C3
the li!ited /ro#nds for
i!pe"ch!ent7
C0
the defined instr#!ent"lit* /iven the po)er to tr*
i!pe"ch!ent c"ses7
C;
"nd the n#!$er of votes re8#ired for " findin/ of
/#ilt.
2'
1ll these "r/#e "/"inst the extension of this re!ov"l !ech"nis!
$e*ond those !entioned in the Constit#tion.
On the pr"ctic"l side, o#r n"tion h"s )itnessed the co!plic"tions "nd
pro$le!s "n i!pe"ch!ent proceedin/ ent"ils, th#s 4#stif*in/ its li!ited
"pplic"tion onl* to the offici"ls occ#p*in/ the hi/hest echelons of
responsi$ilit* in o#r /overn!ent. .o n"!e " fe), so!e of the ne/"tive
pr"ctic"l effects of i!pe"ch!ent "re5 it st"lls le/isl"tive )or?7 it is "n
expensive process in ter!s of the cost of prosec#tion "lone7 "nd, !ore
i!port"ntl*, it is inherentl* divisive of the n"tion.
2(
.h#s, in " cost-$enefit
"n"l*sis of "doptin/ i!pe"ch!ent "s " !ech"nis!, li!itin/ Con/ress@
po)er to other)ise le/isl"te on the !"tter is f"r !ore "dv"nt"/eo#s to the
co#ntr*.
It is in these li/hts th"t the second sentence in Section &, 1rticle KI of the
(;03 Constit#tion sho#ld $e re"d. Contr"r* to the i!plied vie) of the
!inorit*, in no )"* c"n this provision $e re/"rded "s $l"n?et "#thorit* for
Con/ress to provide for "n* /ro#nd of re!ov"l it dee!s fit. While the
!"nner "nd c"#se of re!ov"l "re left to con/ression"l deter!in"tion, this
!#st still $e consistent )ith constit#tion"l /#"r"ntees "nd principles,
n"!el*5 the ri/ht to proced#r"l "nd s#$st"ntive d#e process7 the
constit#tion"l /#"r"ntee of sec#rit* of ten#re7 the principle of sep"r"tion of
po)ers7 "nd the principle of chec?s "nd $"l"nces.
2&
In short, the "#thorit* /r"nted $* the Constit#tion to Con/ress to provide for
the !"nner "nd c"#se of re!ov"l of "ll other p#$lic officers "nd e!plo*ees
does not !e"n th"t Con/ress c"n i/nore the $"sic principles "nd precepts
est"$lished $* the Constit#tion.
In the s"!e !"nner, the con/ression"l deter!in"tion of the identit* of the
disciplin"r* "#thorit* is not " $l"n?et "#thorit* for Con/ress to repose it on
)ho!soever Con/ress chooses )itho#t r#nnin/ "fo#l of the independence
en4o*ed $* the Office of the O!$#ds!"n "nd )itho#t disr#ptin/ the
delic"te chec? "nd $"l"nce !ech"nis! #nder the Constit#tion. Properl*
vie)ed fro! this perspective, the core constit#tion"l principle of
independence is o$served "nd "n* possi$le "$s#rdit* res#ltin/ fro! "
contr"r* interpret"tion is "voided. In other )ords, )hile the Constit#tion
itself vested Con/ress )ith the po)er to deter!ine the !"nner "nd c"#se
of re!ov"l of "ll non-i!pe"ch"$le offici"ls, this po)er !#st $e interpreted
consistent )ith the core constit#tion"l principle of independence of the
Office of the O!$#ds!"n. O#r o$serv"tion in 6"c"lint"l v. Co!elec
2<
is
"pt5
.he "!$it of le/isl"tive po)er #nder 1rticle >I of the Constit#tion is
circ#!scri$ed $* other constit#tion"l provisions. One s#ch provision is
Section ( of 1rticle IK-1 of the (;03 Constit#tion ord"inin/ th"t
constit#tion"l co!!issions s#ch "s the CO6EBEC sh"ll $e Dindependent.D
While one !"* "r/#e th"t the /ro#nds for i!pe"ch!ent #nder Section 0(&
of R1 No. 233' is intended "s " !e"s#re of protection for the Dep#t*
O!$#ds!"n "nd Speci"l Prosec#tor J since these /ro#nds "re not
intended to cover "ll ?inds of offici"l )ron/doin/ "nd pl"in errors of
4#d/!ent - this "r/#!ent serio#sl* overloo?s the erosion of the
independence of the Office of the O!$#ds!"n th"t it cre"tes. .he !ere
f"ct th"t " st"t#toril*-cre"ted s)ord of D"!ocles h"n/s over the Dep#t*
O!$#ds!"n@s he"d, $* itself, opens #p "ll the ch"nnels for extern"l
press#res "nd infl#ence of offici"ldo! "nd p"rtis"n politics. .he fe"r of
extern"l repris"l fro! the ver* office he is to chec? for excesses "nd
"$#ses defe"ts the ver* p#rpose of /r"ntin/ independence to the Office of
the O!$#ds!"n.
.h"t " 4#dici"l re!ed* is "v"il"$le (to set "side dis!iss"ls th"t do not
confor! to the hi/h st"nd"rd re8#ired in deter!inin/ )hether " Dep#t*
O!$#ds!"n co!!itted "n i!pe"ch"$le offense "nd th"t the President@s
po)er of re!ov"l is li!ited to specified /ro#nds "re dis!"ll* in"de8#"te
)hen $"l"nced )ith the constit#tion"l principle of independence. .he !ere
filin/ of "n "d!inistr"tive c"se "/"inst the Dep#t* O!$#ds!"n "nd the
Speci"l Prosec#tor $efore the OP c"n "lre"d* res#lt in their s#spension
"nd c"n interr#pt the perfor!"nce of their f#nctions, in viol"tion of Section
(&, 1rticle KI of the Constit#tion. With onl* one ter! "llo)ed #nder Section
((, " Dep#t* O!$#ds!"n or Speci"l Prosec#tor, if re!ov"$le $* the
President, c"n $e red#ced to the ver* s"!e ineffective Office of the
O!$#ds!"n th"t the fr"!ers h"d foreseen "nd c"ref#ll* tried to "void $*
!"?in/ these offices independent constit#tion"l $odies.
1t "n* r"te, even "ss#!in/ th"t the OP h"s disciplin"r* "#thorit* over the
Dep#t* O!$#ds!"n, its decision findin/ +on,"les /#ilt* of +ross Ne/lect
of D#t* "nd +r"ve 6iscond#ct constit#tin/ $etr"*"l of p#$lic tr#st is
p"tentl* erroneo#s. .he OP@s decision perfectl* ill#str"tes )h* the
re8#ire!ent of i!pe"ch!ent-/ro#nds in Section 0(& of R1 No. 233'
c"nnot $e considered, even "t " !ini!#!, " !e"s#re of protection of the
independence of the Office of the O!$#ds!"n.
C. .he Dep#t* O!$#ds!"n5 .he Dis!iss"l Iss#e
a. The Office of the President)s
finding of gross negligence
has no legal and factual leg to
stand on
.he OP@s decision fo#nd +on,"les /#ilt* of +ross Ne/lect of D#t* "nd of
+r"ve 6iscond#ct. .he "ss"iled Decision of the OP re"ds5
Ipon consider"tion of the :irst Report, the evidence "nd "lle/"tions of
respondent Dep#t* O!$#ds!"n hi!self, "nd other doc#!ent"r* evidence
/"thered, this Office finds th"t the inordin"te "nd #n4#stified del"* in the
resol#tion of C"pt"in 6endo,"@s 6otion for Reconsider"tion ti!el* filed on
C Nove!$er &''; xxx "!o#nted to /ross ne/lect of d#t* "ndEor inefficienc*
in the perfor!"nce of offici"l d#t*.
2%
b. No gross neglect of dut$ or inefficienc$
Bet #s "/"in $riefl* rec"ll the f"cts.
(. Nove!$er C, &''; - 6endo," filed " 6otion for Reconsider"tion of
the decision of the O!$#ds!"n,
2C
)hich )"s follo)ed $* "
S#pple!ent to the 6otion for Reconsider"tion7
22
&. Dece!$er (%, &'';
23
- +IPO +"rci", )ho )"s "ssi/ned to revie)
these !otions "nd !"?e his reco!!end"tion for the "ppropri"te
"ction, received the records of the c"se7
<. 1pril C, &'(' J +IPO +"rci" rele"sed " dr"ft order to $e revie)ed
$* his i!!edi"te s#perior, Dir. Cecilio7
20
%. 1pril &3, &'(' J Dir. Cecilio si/ned "nd for)"rded to +on,"les this
dr"ft order7
2;
C. 6"* 2, &'(' (or nine d"*s "fter the records )ere for)"rded to
+on,"les J +on,"les endorsed the dr"ft order for the fin"l "pprov"l
of the O!$#ds!"n.
3'
Cle"rl*, )hen 6endo," hi4"c?ed the to#rist $#s on 1#/#st &<, &'(', the
records of the c"se )ere "lre"d* pendin/ $efore O!$#ds!"n +#tierre,.
+ross ne/li/ence refers to ne/li/ence ch"r"cteri,ed $* the )"nt of even
the sli/htest c"re, "ctin/ or o!ittin/ to "ct in " sit#"tion )here there is "
d#t* to "ct, not in"dvertentl* $#t )illf#ll* "nd intention"ll*, )ith " conscio#s
indifference to conse8#ences insof"r "s other persons !"* $e "ffected. In
the c"se of p#$lic offici"ls, there is /ross ne/li/ence )hen " $re"ch of d#t*
is fl"/r"nt "nd p"lp"$le.
3(
+on,"les c"nnot $e /#ilt* of /ross ne/lect of d#t* "ndEor inefficienc* since
he "cted on the c"se for)"rded to hi! )ithin nine d"*s. In findin/
+on,"les /#ilt*, the OP
3&
relied on Section 0, R#le III of 1d!inistr"tive
Order No. 3 (or the R#les of Proced#re of the Office of the O!$#ds!"n,
series of (;;', "s "!ended in r#lin/ th"t +on,"les sho#ld h"ve "cted on
6endo,"@s 6otion for Reconsider"tion )ithin five d"*s5
Section 0. 6otion for reconsider"tion or reinvesti/"tion5 +ro#nds J
Whenever "llo)"$le, " !otion for reconsider"tion or reinvesti/"tion !"*
onl* $e entert"ined if filed )ithin ten ((' d"*s fro! receipt of the decision
or order $* the p"rt* on the $"sis of "n* of the follo)in/ /ro#nds5
" Ne) evidence h"d $een discovered )hich !"teri"ll* "ffects the
order, directive or decision7
$ +r"ve errors of f"cts or l")s or serio#s irre/#l"rities h"ve $een
co!!itted pre4#dici"l to the interest of the !ov"nt.
Onl* one !otion for reconsider"tion or reinvesti/"tion sh"ll $e "llo)ed, "nd
the 9e"rin/ Officer sh"ll resolve the s"!e )ithin five (C d"*s fro! the d"te
of s#$!ission for resol#tion. Fe!ph"sis "nd #nderscore o#rsG
Even if )e consider this provision to $e !"nd"tor*, the period it re8#ires
c"nnot "ppl* to +on,"les since he is " Dep#t* O!$#ds!"n )hose
o$li/"tion is to revie) the c"se7 he is not si!pl* " 9e"rin/ Officer t"s?ed
)ith the initi"l resol#tion of the !otion. In Section 2 of 1d!inistr"tive Order
No. 3 on the resol#tion of the c"se "nd s#$!ission of the proposed
decision, the period for resolvin/ the c"se does not cover the period )ithin
)hich it sho#ld $e revie)ed5
Section 2. Rendition of decision. J Not l"ter th"n thirt* (<' d"*s "fter the
c"se is decl"red s#$!itted for resol#tion, the 9e"rin/ Officer sh"ll s#$!it "
proposed decision cont"inin/ his findin/s "nd reco!!end"tion for the
"pprov"l of the O!$#ds!"n. S"id proposed decision sh"ll $e revie)ed $*
the Directors, 1ssist"nt O!$#ds!en "nd Dep#t* O!$#ds!en concerned.
With respect to lo) r"n?in/ p#$lic offici"ls, the Dep#t* O!$#ds!"n
concerned sh"ll $e the "pprovin/ "#thorit*. Ipon "pprov"l, copies thereof
sh"ll $e served #pon the p"rties "nd the he"d of the office or "/enc* of
)hich the respondent is "n offici"l or e!plo*ee for his infor!"tion "nd
co!pli"nce )ith the "ppropri"te directive cont"ined therein. Fit"lics "nd
e!ph"ses s#ppliedG
.h#s, the OP@s r#lin/ th"t +on,"les h"d $een /rossl* ne/li/ent for t"?in/
nine d"*s, inste"d of five d"*s, to revie) " c"se )"s tot"ll* $"seless.
c. No actionable failure to su#er"ise subordinates
.he OP@s cl"i!s th"t +on,"les co#ld h"ve s#pervised his s#$ordin"tes to
pro!ptl* "ct on 6endo,"@s !otion "nd "pprised the ."nod$"*"n of the
#r/enc* of resolvin/ the s"!e "re si!il"rl* /ro#ndless.
.he Office of the O!$#ds!"n is not " corner office in o#r $#re"#cr"c*. It
h"ndles n#!ero#s c"ses th"t involve the potenti"l loss of e!plo*!ent of
!"n* other p#$lic e!plo*ees. We c"nnot concl#sivel* st"te, "s the OP
"ppe"rs to s#//est, th"t 6endo,"@s c"se sho#ld h"ve $een prioriti,ed over
other si!il"r c"ses.
.he Co#rt h"s "lre"d* t"?en 4#dici"l notice of the ste"d* stre"! of c"ses
re"chin/ the Office of the O!$#ds!"n.
3<
.his consider"tion cert"inl*
!ilit"tes "/"inst the OS+@s o$serv"tion th"t there )"s D" /rossl* inordin"te
"nd inexc#s"$le del"*D
3%
on the p"rt of +on,"les.
E8#"ll* i!port"nt, the constit#tion"l /#"r"ntee of Dspeed* disposition of
c"sesD $efore, "!on/ others, 8#"si-4#dici"l $odies,
3C
li?e the Office of the
O!$#ds!"n, is itself " rel"tive concept.
32
.h#s, the del"*, if "n*, !#st $e
!e"s#red in this o$4ective constit#tion"l sense. Infort#n"tel*, $ec"#se of
the ver* st"t#tor* /ro#nds relied #pon $* the OP in dis!issin/ +on,"les,
the politic"l "nd, perh"ps, Dpr"ctic"lD consider"tions /ot the $etter of )h"t
is le/"l "nd constit#tion"l.
.he f"cts do not sho) th"t +on,"les@ s#$ordin"tes h"d in "n* )"* $een
/rossl* ne/li/ent in their )or?. While +IPO +"rci" revie)ed the c"se "nd
dr"fted the order for !ore th"n three !onths, it is note)orth* th"t he h"d
not dr"fted the initi"l decision "nd, therefore, h"d to revie) the c"se for the
first ti!e.
33
Even the O!$#ds!"n herself co#ld not $e f"#lted for "ctin/ on
" c"se )ithin fo#r !onths, /iven the "!o#nt of c"ses th"t her office
h"ndles.
.he point is th"t these "re not inordin"tel* lon/ periods for the )or?
involved5 ex"!in"tion of the records, rese"rch on the pertinent l")s "nd
4#rispr#dence, "nd exercise of le/"l 4#d/!ent "nd discretion. If this Co#rt
r#les th"t these periods per se constit#te /ross ne/lect of d#t*, the
O!$#ds!"n@s constit#tion"l !"nd"te to prosec#te "ll the errin/ offici"ls of
this co#ntr* )o#ld $e s#$4ected to "n #nre"son"$le "nd over)hel!in/
constr"int. Si!il"rl*, if the Co#rt r#les th"t these periods per se constit#te
/ross ne/lect of d#t*, then )e !#st $e prep"red to reconcile this )ith the
est"$lished concept of the ri/ht of speed* disposition of c"ses J so!ethin/
the Co#rt !"* $e h"rd p#t to 4#stif*.
d. No undue interest
.he OP "lso fo#nd +on,"les /#ilt* of sho)in/ #nd#e interest in 6endo,"@s
c"se $* h"vin/ the c"se endorsed to the Office of the O!$#ds!"n "nd $*
resolvin/ it "/"inst 6endo," on the $"sis of the #nverified co!pl"int-
"ffid"vit of the "lle/ed victi!, A"l").
.he f"ct th"t +on,"les h"d 6endo,"@s c"se endorsed to his office lies
)ithin his !"nd"te, even if it )ere $"sed !erel* on the re8#est of the
"lle/ed victi!@s f"ther. .he Constit#tion e!po)ers the O!$#ds!"n "nd
her Dep#ties to "ct pro!ptl* on co!pl"ints filed in "n* for! or !"nner
"/"inst "n* p#$lic offici"l or e!plo*ee of the /overn!ent.
30
.his provision
is echoed $* Section (< of R1 No. 233',
3;
"nd $* Section <, R#le III of
1d!inistr"tive Order No. 3, series of (;;', "s "!ended.
0'
6oreover, +on,"les "nd his s#$ordin"tes did not resolve the co!pl"int
onl* on the $"sis of the #nverified "ffid"vit of A"l"). -"sed on the
prosec#tion officer@s reco!!end"tions, the findin/ of /#ilt on the p"rt of
6endo,", et "l. )"s $"sed on their "d!issions "s )ell. 6endo,", et "l.
"d!itted th"t the* h"d "rrested A"l") $"sed on t)o tr"ffic viol"tions "nd
"llo)ed hi! to st"* the )hole ni/ht #ntil the follo)in/ !ornin/ in the police
precinct. .he next !ornin/, A"l") )"s "llo)ed to le"ve the precinct
despite his f"il#re to sho) " v"lid license "nd $"sed !erel* on his pro!ise
to ret#rn )ith the proper doc#!ents.
0(
.hese "d!issions led +on,"les "nd
his st"ff to concl#de th"t 6endo,", et "l. irre/#l"rl* "cted in "pprehendin/
A"l"), since the proper proced#re for the "pprehension of tr"ffic viol"tors
)o#ld $e to /ive the! " tic?et "nd to file " c"se, )hen "ppropri"te.
0&
B"stl*, )e c"nnot ded#ce #nd#e interest si!pl* $ec"#se +on,"les@
decision differs fro! the decision of the PNP-I1S ()hich dis!issed the
co!pl"int "/"inst 6endo,". .o $e s#re, )e c"nnot tie the h"nds of "n*
4#dici"l or 8#"si-4#dici"l $od* $* r#lin/ th"t it sho#ld "l)"*s conc#r )ith the
decisions of other 4#dici"l or 8#"si-4#dici"l $odies )hich !"* h"ve "lso
t"?en co/ni,"nce of the c"se. .o do so in the c"se of " Dep#t*
O!$#ds!"n )o#ld $e rep#/n"nt to the independence th"t o#r Constit#tion
h"s specific"ll* /r"nted to this office "nd )o#ld n#llif* the ver* p#rpose for
)hich it )"s cre"ted.
e. Penalt$ of dis&issal totall$
inco&&ensurate *ith established facts
+iven the l"c? of f"ct#"l $"sis for the ch"r/es "/"inst +on,"les, the
pen"lt* of re!ov"l i!posed $* the OP necess"ril* s#ffers /r"ve infir!it*.
-"sic strict#res of f"ir pl"* dict"te th"t )e c"n onl* $e held li"$le for o#r
o)n !isdeeds7 )e c"n $e !"de to "cco#nt onl* for l"pses in o#r
responsi$ilities. It is not"$le th"t of "ll the officers, it )"s +on,"les )ho
too? the le"st ti!e L nine d"*s L follo)ed $* Cecilio, )ho too? &( d"*s7
+"rci" L the )riter of the dr"ft L too? less th"n fo#r !onths, "nd the
O!$#ds!"n, less th"n fo#r !onths #ntil the ?idn"ppin/ incident rendered
6endo,"@s !otion !oot.
In these li/hts, the decision of the OP is cle"rl* "nd p"tentl* )ron/. .his
concl#sion, ho)ever, does not precl#de the O!$#ds!"n fro! loo?in/ into
"n* other possi$le "d!inistr"tive li"$ilit* of +on,"les #nder existin/ Civil
Service l")s, r#les "nd re/#l"tions.
D. .he Speci"l Prosec#tor5 .he Constit#tion"l Iss#e
.he (;03 Constit#tion cre"ted " ne), independent Office of the
O!$#ds!"n. .he existin/ ."nod$"*"n "t the ti!e
0<
$ec"!e the Office of
the Speci"l Prosec#tor #nder the (;03 Constit#tion. While the co!position
of the independent Office of the O!$#ds!"n #nder the (;03 Constit#tion
does not text#"ll* incl#de the Speci"l Prosec#tor, the )ei/ht of the
fore/oin/ disc#ssions on the #nconstit#tion"lit* of Section 0(& of R1 No.
233' sho#ld e8#"ll* "ppl* to the
Speci"l Prosec#tor on the $"sis of the le/isl"tive histor* of the Office of the
O!$#ds!"n "s expo#nded in 4#rispr#dence.
Inder the (;3< Constit#tion,
0%
the le/isl"t#re )"s !"nd"ted to cre"te the
Office of the O!$#ds!"n, ?no)n "s the ."nod$"*"n, )ith investi/"tive
"nd prosec#tori"l po)ers. 1ccordin/l*, on =#ne ((, (;30, President
:erdin"nd 6"rcos en"cted PD No. (%03.
0C
Inder PD No. (%02,
02
ho)ever, the DChief Speci"l Prosec#torD (CSP )"s
/iven the Dexcl#sive "#thorit*D to cond#ct preli!in"r* investi/"tion "nd to
prosec#te c"ses th"t "re )ithin the 4#risdiction of the S"ndi/"n$"*"n.
03
PD
No. (%02 expressl* /"ve the Secret"r* of =#stice the po)er of control "nd
s#pervision over the Speci"l Prosec#tor.
00
Consistent )ith this /r"nt of
po)er, the l") "lso "#thori,ed the Secret"r* of =#stice to "ppoint or det"il
to the Office of the CSP D"n* officer or e!plo*ee of Dep"rt!ent of =#stice
or "n* -#re"# or Office #nder the exec#tive s#pervision thereofD to "ssist
the Office of the CSP.
In Dece!$er (;30, PD No. (2'3
0;
pr"ctic"ll* /"ve $"c? to the ."nod$"*"n
the po)ers t"?en ")"* fro! it $* the Office of the CSP. .he l") Dcre"ted in
the Office of the ."nod$"*"n "n Office of the Chief Speci"l Prosec#torD
#nder the ."nod$"*"n@s control,
;'
)ith the excl#sive "#thorit* to cond#ct
preli!in"r* investi/"tion "nd prosec#te "ll c"ses co/ni,"$le $* the
S"ndi/"n$"*"n. Inli?e the e"rlier decree, the l") "lso e!po)ered the
."nod$"*"n to "ppoint Speci"l Investi/"tors "nd s#$ordin"te personnel
"ndEor to det"il to the Office of the CSP "n* p#$lic officer or e!plo*ees
)ho Dsh"ll $e #nder the s#pervision "nd control of the Chief Speci"l
Prosec#tor.D
;(
In (;3;, PD No. (2<' f#rther "!ended the e"rlier decrees
$* tr"nsferrin/ the po)ers previo#sl* vested in the Speci"l Prosec#tor
directl* to the ."nod$"*"n hi!self.
;&
.his )"s the st"te of the l") "t the ti!e the (;03 Constit#tion )"s r"tified.
Inder the (;03 Constit#tion, "n Dindependent Office of the O!$#ds!"nD is
cre"ted.
;<
.he existin/ ."nod$"*"n is !"de the Office of the Speci"l
Prosec#tor, D)ho sh"ll contin#e to f#nction "nd exercise its po)ers "s
no)
;%
or here"fter !"* $e provided $* l").D
;C
Other th"n the O!$#ds!"n@s Dep#ties, the O!$#ds!"n sh"ll "ppoint "ll
other offici"ls "nd e!plo*ees of the Office of the O!$#ds!"n.
;2
Section
(<(0, 1rticle KI of the (;03 Constit#tion provides th"t the O!$#ds!"n
!"* exercise Ds#ch other po)ers or perfor! s#ch f#nctions or d#ties "s
!"* $e provided $* l").D P#rs#"nt to this constit#tion"l co!!"nd,
Con/ress en"cted R1 No. 233' to provide for the f#nction"l "nd str#ct#r"l
or/"ni,"tion of the Office of the O!$#ds!"n "nd the extent of its
disciplin"r* "#thorit*.
In ter!s of co!position, Section < of R1 No. 233' defines the co!position
of the Office of the O!$#ds!"n, incl#din/ in this Office not onl* the offices
of the sever"l Dep#t* O!$#ds!en $#t the Office of the Speci"l Prosec#tor
"s )ell. In ter!s of "ppoint!ent, the l") /"ve the President the "#thorit* to
"ppoint the O!$#ds!"n, his Dep#ties "nd the Speci"l Prosec#tor, fro! "
list of no!inees prep"red $* the =#dici"l "nd -"r Co#ncil. In c"se of
v"c"nc* in these positions, the l") re8#ires th"t the v"c"nc* $e filled )ithin
three (< !onths fro! occ#rrence.
;3
.he l") "lso i!poses on the Speci"l Prosec#tor the s"!e 8#"lific"tions it
i!poses on the O!$#ds!"n hi!selfEherself "nd hisEher dep#ties.
;0
.heir
ter!s of office,
;;
prohi$itions "nd 8#"lific"tions,
(''
r"n? "nd s"l"r* "re
li?e)ise the s"!e.
('(
.he re8#ire!ent on disclos#re
('&
is i!posed on the
O!$#ds!"n, the Dep#ties "nd the Speci"l Prosec#tor "s )ell. In c"se of
v"c"nc* in the Office of the O!$#ds!"n, the Over"ll Dep#t* c"nnot
"ss#!e the role of 1ctin/ O!$#ds!"n7 the President !"* desi/n"te "n*
of the Dep#ties or the Speci"l Prosec#tor "s 1ctin/ O!$#ds!"n.
('<
.he
po)er of the O!$#ds!"n "nd his or her dep#ties to re8#ire other
/overn!ent "/encies to render "ssist"nce to the Office of the O!$#ds!"n
is li?e)ise en4o*ed $* the Speci"l Prosec#tor.
('%
+iven this le/isl"tive histor*, the present over"ll le/"l str#ct#re of the Office
of the O!$#ds!"n, $oth #nder the (;03 Constit#tion "nd R1 No. 233',
!ilit"tes "/"inst "n interpret"tion th"t )o#ld ins#l"te the Dep#t*
O!$#ds!"n fro! the disciplin"r* "#thorit* of the OP "nd *et expose the
Speci"l Prosec#tor to the s"!e ills th"t " /r"nt of independence to the
Office of the O!$#ds!"n )"s desi/ned for.
Con/ress reco/ni,ed the i!port"nce of the Speci"l Prosec#tor "s "
necess"r* "d4#nct of the O!$#ds!"n, "side fro! his or her dep#ties, $*
!"?in/ the Office of the Speci"l Prosec#tor "n or/"nic co!ponent of the
Office of the O!$#ds!"n "nd $* /r"ntin/ the O!$#ds!"n control "nd
s#pervision over th"t office.
('C
.his po)er of control "nd s#pervision
incl#des vestin/ the Office of the O!$#ds!"n )ith the po)er to "ssi/n
d#ties to the Speci"l Prosec#tor "s heEshe !"* dee! fit.+,*#hi+ .h#s, $*
constit#tion"l desi/n, the Speci"l Prosec#tor is $* no !e"ns "n ordin"r*
s#$ordin"te $#t one )ho effectivel* "nd directl* "ids the O!$#ds!"n in
the exercise of hisEher d#ties, )hich incl#de investi/"tion "nd prosec#tion
of offici"ls in the Exec#tive Dep"rt!ent.
Inder Section (((% of R1 No. 233', the Speci"l Prosec#tor h"ndles the
prosec#tion of cri!in"l c"ses )ithin the 4#risdiction of the S"ndi/"n$"*"n
"nd this prosec#tori"l "#thorit* incl#des hi/h-r"n?in/ exec#tive offici"ls.
:or e!ph"sis, s#$4ectin/ the Speci"l Prosec#tor to disciplin"r* "nd
re!ov"l po)ers of the President, )hose o)n "lter e/os "nd offici"ls in the
Exec#tive Dep"rt!ent "re s#$4ect to the prosec#tori"l "#thorit* of the
Speci"l Prosec#tor, )o#ld serio#sl* pl"ce the independence of the Office of
the O!$#ds!"n itself "t ris?.
.h#s, even if the Office of the Speci"l Prosec#tor is not expressl* !"de
p"rt of the co!position of the Office of the O!$#ds!"n, the role it
perfor!s "s "n or/"nic co!ponent of th"t Office !ilit"tes "/"inst "
differenti"l tre"t!ent $et)een the O!$#ds!"n@s Dep#ties, on one h"nd,
"nd the Speci"l Prosec#tor hi!self, on the other. Wh"t is tr#e for the
O!$#ds!"n !#st $e e8#"ll* tr#e, not onl* for her Dep#ties $#t, "lso for
other lesser offici"ls of th"t Office )ho "ct directl* "s "/ents of the
O!$#ds!"n herself in the perfor!"nce of her d#ties.
In 1cop v. Office of the O!$#ds!"n,
('2
the Co#rt )"s confronted )ith "n
"r/#!ent th"t, "t $otto!, the Office of the Speci"l Prosec#tor is not "
s#$ordin"te "/enc* of the Office of the O!$#ds!"n "nd is, in f"ct,
sep"r"te "nd distinct fro! the l"tter. In de$#n?in/ th"t "r/#!ent, the Co#rt
s"id5
:irstl*, the petitioners !isconstr#e Co!!issioner Ro!#lo's st"te!ent "s
"#thorit* to "dvoc"te th"t the intent of the fr"!ers of the (;03 Constit#tion
)"s to pl"ce the Office of the Speci"l Prosec#tor #nder the Office of the
President. Kxx
In the second pl"ce, Section 3 of 1rticle KI expressl* provides th"t the then
existin/ ."nod$"*"n, to $e henceforth ?no)n "s the Office of the Speci"l
Prosec#tor, Dsh"ll contin#e to f#nction "nd exercise its po)ers "s no) or
here"fter !"* $e provided $* l"), except those conferred on the Office of
the O!$#ds!"n cre"ted #nder this Constit#tion.D .he #nderscored phr"se
evidentl* refers to the ."nod$"*"n's po)ers #nder P.D. No. (2<' or
s#$se8#ent "!end"tor* le/isl"tion. It follo)s then th"t Con/ress !"*
re!ove "n* of the ."nod$"*"n'sESpeci"l Prosec#tor's po)ers #nder P.D.
N'. (2<' or /r"nt it other po)ers, except those po)ers conferred $* the
Constit#tion on the Office of the O!$#ds!"n.
P#rs#in/ the present line of re"sonin/, )hen one considers th"t $* express
!"nd"te of p"r"/r"ph 0, Section (<, 1rticle KI of the Constit#tion, the
O!$#ds!"n !"* Dexercise s#ch other po)ers or perfor! f#nctions or
d#ties "s !"* $e provided $* l"),D it is ind#$it"$le then th"t Con/ress h"s
the po)er to pl"ce the Office of the Speci"l Prosec#tor #nder the Office of
the O!$#ds!"n.
('3
.h#s, #nder the present Constit#tion, there is ever* re"son to tre"t the
Speci"l Prosec#tor to $e "t p"r )ith the O!$#ds!"n's dep#ties, "t le"st
insof"r "s "n extr"neo#s disciplin"r* "#thorit* is concerned, "nd !#st "lso
en4o* the s"!e /r"nt of independence #nder the Constit#tion.
III. SI661RN O: >O.IN+
In the votin/ held on ="n#"r* &0, &'(%, $* " vote of 0-3,
('0
the Co#rt
resolved to reverse its Septe!$er %, &'(& Decision insof"r "s petitioner
+on,"les is concerned (+.R. No. (;2&<(. We decl"red Section 0(& of R1
No. 233' #nconstit#tion"l $* /r"ntin/ disciplin"r* 4#risdiction to the
President over " Dep#t* O!$#ds!"n, in viol"tion of the independence of
the Office of the O!$#ds!"n.
9o)ever, $* "nother vote of 0-3,
(';
the Co#rt resolved to !"int"in the
v"lidit* of Section 0(& of R1 No. 233' insof"r "s S#lit is concerned. .he
Co#rt did not consider the Office of the Speci"l Prosec#tor to $e
constit#tion"ll* )ithin the Office of the O!$#ds!"n "nd is, hence, not
entitled to the independence the l"tter en4o*s #nder the Constit#tion.
W9ERE:ORE, pre!ises considered, the Co#rt resolves to decl"re Section
0(& INCONS.I.I.ION1B. .his r#lin/ renders "n* f#rther r#lin/ on the
dis!iss"l of Dep#t* O!$#ds!"n E!ilio +on,"les III #nnecess"r*, $#t is
)itho#t pre4#dice to the po)er of the O!$#ds!"n to cond#ct "n
"d!inistr"tive investi/"tion, if )"rr"nted, into the possi$le "d!inistr"tive
li"$ilit* of Dep#t* O!$#ds!"n E!ilio +on,"les III #nder pertinent Civil
Service l")s, r#les "nd re/#l"tions.
SO ORDERED.
AR$RO #. %RION
1ssoci"te =#stice