Republic of the Philippines

SUPREME COURT
Manila
EN BANC
G.R. No. L-!"#$ Ma%ch &'( $$
)ACAR*AS +*LLA+*CENC*O( ET AL.( petitione%s(
,s.
-USTO LU.BAN( ET AL.( %espon/ents.
Alfonso Men/o0a fo% petitione%s.
Cit1 2iscal 3ia0 fo% %espon/ents.
MALCOLM( -.4
The annals of 5u%i/ical histo%1 fail to %e,eal a case 6uite as %e7a%8able as the
one 9hich this application fo% habeas co%pus sub7its fo% /ecision. :hile
ha%/l1 to be e;pecte/ to be 7et 9ith in this 7o/e%n epoch of t%iu7phant
/e7oc%ac1( 1et( afte% all( the cause p%esents no <%eat /i=cult1 if the%e is 8ept
in the fo%ef%ont of ou% 7in/s the basic p%inciples of popula% <o,e%n7ent( an/
if 9e <i,e e;p%ession to the pa%a7ount pu%pose fo% 9hich the cou%ts( as an
in/epen/ent po9e% of such a <o,e%n7ent( 9e%e constitute/. The p%i7a%1
6uestion is > Shall the 5u/icia%1 pe%7it a <o,e%n7ent of the 7en instea/ of a
<o,e%n7ent of la9s to be set up in the Philippine *slan/s?
O7ittin< 7uch e;t%aneous 7atte%( of no 7o7ent to these p%ocee/in<s( but
9hich 7i<ht p%o,e p%o@table %ea/in< fo% othe% /epa%t7ents of the
<o,e%n7ent( the facts a%e these4 The Ma1o% of the cit1 of Manila( -usto
Lu8ban( fo% the best of all %easons( to e;te%7inate ,ice( o%/e%e/ the
se<%e<ate/ /ist%ict fo% 9o7en of ill %epute( 9hich ha/ been pe%7itte/ fo% a
nu7be% of 1ea%s in the cit1 of Manila( close/. Bet9een Octobe% " an/
Octobe% &'( $A( the 9o7en 9e%e 8ept con@ne/ to thei% houses in the
/ist%ict b1 the police. P%esu7abl1( /u%in< this pe%io/( the cit1 autho%ities
6uietl1 pe%fecte/ a%%an<e7ents 9ith the Bu%eau of Labo% fo% sen/in< the
9o7en to 3a,ao( Min/anao( as labo%e%sB 9ith so7e <o,e%n7ent o=ce fo% the
use of the coast<ua%/ cutte%s Co%%e<i/o% an/ Ne<%os( an/ 9ith the
Constabula%1 fo% a <ua%/ of sol/ie%s. At an1 %ate( about 7i/ni<ht of Octobe%
&'( the police( actin< pu%suant to o%/e%s f%o7 the chief of police( Anton
Coh7ann an/ the Ma1o% of the cit1 of Manila( -usto Lu8ban( /escen/e/ upon
the houses( hustle/ so7e DE in7ates into pat%ol 9a<ons( an/ place/ the7
aboa%/ the stea7e%s that a9aite/ thei% a%%i,al. The 9o7en 9e%e <i,en no
oppo%tunit1 to collect thei% belon<in<s( an/ appa%entl1 9e%e un/e% the
i7p%ession that the1 9e%e bein< ta8en to a police station fo% an in,esti<ation.
The1 ha/ no 8no9le/<e that the1 9e%e /estine/ fo% a life in Min/anao. The1
ha/ not been as8e/ if the1 9ishe/ to /epa%t f%o7 that %e<ion an/ ha/ neithe%
/i%ectl1 no% in/i%ectl1 <i,en thei% consent to the /epo%tation. The in,olunta%1
<uests 9e%e %ecei,e/ on boa%/ the stea7e%s b1 a %ep%esentati,e of the
Bu%eau of Labo% an/ a /etach7ent of Constabula%1 sol/ie%s. The t9o
stea7e%s 9ith thei% un9illin< passen<e%s saile/ fo% 3a,ao /u%in< the ni<ht of
Octobe% &'.
The ,essels %eache/ thei% /estination at 3a,ao on Octobe% &$. The 9o7en
9e%e lan/e/ an/ %eceipte/ fo% as labo%e%s b1 2%ancisco Sales( p%o,incial
<o,e%no% of 3a,ao( an/ b1 2eliciano FGi<o an/ Rafael Castillo. The <o,e%no%
an/ the hacen/e%o FGi<o( 9ho appea% as pa%ties in the case( ha/ no p%e,ious
noti@cation that the 9o7en 9e%e p%ostitutes 9ho ha/ been e;pelle/ f%o7 the
cit1 of Manila. The fu%the% happenin<s to these 9o7en an/ the se%ious
cha%<es <%o9in< out of alle<e/ ill-t%eat7ent a%e of public inte%est( but a%e not
essential to the /isposition of this case. Su=ce it to sa1( <ene%all1( that so7e
of the 9o7en 7a%%ie/( othe%s assu7e/ 7o%e o% less clan/estine %elations
9ith 7en( othe%s 9ent to 9o%8 in /iHe%ent capacities( othe%s assu7e/ a life
un8no9n an/ /isappea%e/( an/ a <oo/l1 po%tion foun/ 7eans to %etu%n to
Manila.
To tu%n bac8 in ou% na%%ati,e( 5ust about the ti7e the Co%%e<i/o% an/ the
Ne<%os 9e%e puttin< in to 3a,ao( the atto%ne1 fo% the %elati,es an/ f%ien/s of
a consi/e%able nu7be% of the /epo%tees p%esente/ an application fo% habeas
co%pus to a 7e7be% of the Sup%e7e Cou%t. Subse6uentl1( the application(
th%ou<h stipulation of the pa%ties( 9as 7a/e to inclu/e all of the 9o7en 9ho
9e%e sent a9a1 f%o7 Manila to 3a,ao an/( as the sa7e 6uestions conce%ne/
the7 all( the application 9ill be consi/e%e/ as inclu/in< the7. The application
set fo%th the salient facts( 9hich nee/ not be %epeate/( an/ alle<e/ that the
9o7en 9e%e ille<all1 %est%aine/ of thei% libe%t1 b1 -usto Lu8ban( Ma1o% of the
cit1 of Manila( Anton Coh7ann( chief of police of the cit1 of Manila( an/ b1
ce%tain un8no9n pa%ties. The 9%it 9as 7a/e %etu%nable befo%e the full cou%t.
The cit1 @scal appea%e/ fo% the %espon/ents( Lu8ban an/ Coh7ann( a/7itte/
ce%tain facts %elati,e to se6uest%ation an/ /epo%tation( an/ p%a1e/ that the
9%it shoul/ not be <%ante/ because the petitione%s 9e%e not p%ope% pa%ties(
because the action shoul/ ha,e been be<un in the Cou%t of 2i%st *nstance fo%
3a,ao( 3epa%t7ent of Min/anao an/ Sulu( because the %espon/ents /i/ not
ha,e an1 of the 9o7en un/e% thei% custo/1 o% cont%ol( an/ because thei%
5u%is/iction /i/ not e;ten/ be1on/ the boun/a%ies of the cit1 of Manila.
Acco%/in< to an e;hibit attache/ to the ans9e% of the @scal( the DE 9o7en
9e%e /estine/ to be labo%e%s( at <oo/ sala%ies( on the hacien/as of FGi<o an/
Go,e%no% Sales. *n open cou%t( the @scal a/7itte/( in ans9e% to 6uestion of a
7e7be% of the cou%t( that these 9o7en ha/ been sent out of Manila 9ithout
thei% consent. The cou%t a9a%/e/ the 9%it( in an o%/e% of No,e7be% !( that
/i%ecte/ -usto Lu8ban( Ma1o% of the cit1 of Manila( Anton Coh7ann( chief of
police of the cit1 of Manila( 2%ancisco Sales( <o,e%no% of the p%o,ince of
3a,ao( an/ 2eliciano FGi<o( an hacen/e%o of 3a,ao( to b%in< befo%e the cou%t
the pe%sons the%ein na7e/( alle<e/ to be /ep%i,e/ of thei% libe%t1( on
3ece7be% &( $A.
Befo%e the /ate 7entione/( se,en of the 9o7en ha/ %etu%ne/ to Manila at
thei% o9n e;pense. On 7otion of counsel fo% petitione%s( thei% testi7on1 9as
ta8en befo%e the cle%8 of the Sup%e7e Cou%t sittin< as co77issione%s. On the
/a1 na7e/ in the o%/e%( 3ece7be% &n/( $A( none of the pe%sons in 9hose
behalf the 9%it 9as issue/ 9e%e p%o/uce/ in cou%t b1 the %espon/ents. *t has
been sho9n that th%ee of those 9ho ha/ been able to co7e bac8 to Manila
th%ou<h thei% o9n eHo%ts( 9e%e noti@e/ b1 the police an/ the sec%et se%,ice
to appea% befo%e the cou%t. The @scal appea%e/( %epeate/ the facts 7o%e
co7p%ehensi,el1( %eite%ate/ the stan/ ta8en b1 hi7 9hen plea/in< to the
o%i<inal petition copie/ a tele<%a7 f%o7 the Ma1o% of the cit1 of Manila to the
p%o,incial <o,e%no% of 3a,ao an/ the ans9e% the%eto( an/ tele<%a7s that ha/
passe/ bet9een the 3i%ecto% of Labo% an/ the atto%ne1 fo% that Bu%eau then
in 3a,ao( an/ oHe%e/ ce%tain a=/a,its sho9in< that the 9o7en 9e%e
containe/ 9ith thei% life in Min/anao an/ /i/ not 9ish to %etu%n to Manila.
Respon/ents Sales ans9e%e/ alle<in< that it 9as not possible to ful@ll the
o%/e% of the Sup%e7e Cou%t because the 9o7en ha/ ne,e% been un/e% his
cont%ol( because the1 9e%e at libe%t1 in the P%o,ince of 3a,ao( an/ because
the1 ha/ 7a%%ie/ o% si<ne/ cont%acts as labo%e%s. Respon/ent FGi<o
ans9e%e/ alle<in< that he /i/ not ha,e an1 of the 9o7en un/e% his cont%ol
an/ that the%efo%e it 9as i7possible fo% hi7 to obe1 the 7an/ate. The cou%t(
afte% /ue /elibe%ation( on 3ece7be% E( $A( p%o7ul<ate/ a secon/ o%/e%(
9hich %elate/ that the %espon/ents ha/ not co7plie/ 9ith the o%i<inal o%/e%
to the satisfaction of the cou%t no% e;plaine/ thei% failu%e to /o so( an/
the%efo%e /i%ecte/ that those of the 9o7en not in Manila be b%ou<ht befo%e
the cou%t b1 %espon/ents Lu8ban( Coh7ann( Sales( an/ FGi<o on -anua%1 #(
$$( unless the 9o7en shoul/( in 9%itten state7ents ,olunta%il1 7a/e
befo%e the 5u/<e of @%st instance of 3a,ao o% the cle%8 of that cou%t( %enounce
the %i<ht( o% unless the %espon/ents shoul/ /e7onst%ate so7e othe% le<al
7oti,es that 7a/e co7pliance i7possible. *t 9as fu%the% state/ that the
6uestion of 9hethe% the %espon/ents 9e%e in conte7pt of cou%t 9oul/ late%
be /eci/e/ an/ the %easons fo% the o%/e% announce/ in the @nal /ecision.
Befo%e -anua%1 #( $$( fu%the% testi7on1 inclu/in< that of a nu7be% of the
9o7en( of ce%tain /etecti,es an/ police7en( an/ of the p%o,incial <o,e%no%
of 3a,ao( 9as ta8en befo%e the cle%8 of the Sup%e7e Cou%t sittin< as
co77issione% an/ the cle%8 of the Cou%t of 2i%st *nstance of 3a,ao actin< in
the sa7e capacit1. On -anua%1 #( $$( the %espon/ents technicall1
p%esente/ befo%e the Cou%t the 9o7en 9ho ha/ %etu%ne/ to the cit1 th%ou<h
thei% o9n eHo%ts an/ ei<ht othe%s 9ho ha/ been b%ou<ht to Manila b1 the
%espon/ents. Atto%ne1s fo% the %espon/ents( b1 thei% %etu%ns( once a<ain
%ecounte/ the facts an/ fu%the% en/ea,o%e/ to account fo% all of the pe%sons
in,ol,e/ in the habeas co%pus. *n substance( it 9as state/ that the
%espon/ents( th%ou<h thei% %ep%esentati,es an/ a<ents( ha/ succee/e/ in
b%in<in< f%o7 3a,ao 9ith thei% consent ei<ht 9o7enB that ei<ht1-one 9o7en
9e%e foun/ in 3a,ao 9ho( on notice that if the1 /esi%e/ the1 coul/ %etu%n to
Manila( t%anspo%tation fee( %enounce/ the %i<ht th%ou<h s9o%n state7entsB
that @ft1-nine ha/ al%ea/1 %etu%ne/ to Manila b1 othe% 7eans( an/ that
/espite all eHo%ts to @n/ the7 t9ent1-si; coul/ not be locate/. Both counsel
fo% petitione%s an/ the cit1 @scal 9e%e pe%7itte/ to sub7it 7e7o%an/a. The
@%st fo%7all1 as8e/ the cou%t to @n/ -usto Lu8ban( Ma1o% of the cit1 of Manila(
Anton Coh7ann( chief of police of the cit1 of Manila( -ose Ro/%i<ue0 an/
2e%nan/o O%/a;( 7e7be%s of the police fo%ce of the cit1 of Manila( 2eliciano
FGi<o( an hacen/e%o of 3a,ao( Mo/esto -oa6uin( the atto%ne1 fo% the Bu%eau
of Labo%( an/ Anacleto 3ia0( @scal of the cit1 of Manila( in conte7pt of cou%t.
The cit1 @scal %e6ueste/ that the %eplica al 7e7o%an/u7 /e los %ecu%%i/os(
I%epl1 to %espon/entsJ 7e7o%an/u7K /ate/ -anua%1 &'( $$( be st%uc8 f%o7
the %eco%/.
*n the secon/ o%/e%( the cou%t p%o7ise/ to <i,e the %easons fo% <%antin< the
9%it of habeas co%pus in the @nal /ecision. :e 9ill no9 p%ocee/ to /o so.
One fact( an/ one fact onl1( nee/ be %ecalle/ > these one hun/%e/ an/
se,ent1 9o7en 9e%e isolate/ f%o7 societ1( an/ then at ni<ht( 9ithout thei%
consent an/ 9ithout an1 oppo%tunit1 to consult 9ith f%ien/s o% to /efen/ thei%
%i<hts( 9e%e fo%cibl1 hustle/ on boa%/ stea7e%s fo% t%anspo%tation to %e<ions
un8no9n. 3espite the feeble atte7pt to p%o,e that the 9o7en left ,olunta%il1
an/ <la/l1( that such 9as not the case is sho9n b1 the 7e%e fact that the
p%esence of the police an/ the constabula%1 9as /ee7e/ necessa%1 an/ that
these o=ce%s of the la9 chose the sha/es of ni<ht to cloa8 thei% sec%et an/
stealth1 acts. *n/ee/( this is a fact i7possible to %efute an/ p%acticall1
a/7itte/ b1 the %espon/ents.
:ith this situation( a cou%t 9oul/ ne;t e;pect to %esol,e the 6uestion > B1
autho%it1 of 9hat la9 /i/ the Ma1o% an/ the Chief of Police p%esu7e to act in
/epo%tin< b1 /u%ess these pe%sons f%o7 Manila to anothe% /istant localit1
9ithin the Philippine *slan/s? :e tu%n to the statutes an/ 9e @n/ >
Alien p%ostitutes can be e;pelle/ f%o7 the Philippine *slan/s in confo%7it1
9ith an Act of con<%ess. The Go,e%no%-Gene%al can o%/e% the e,iction of
un/esi%able aliens afte% a hea%in< f%o7 the *slan/s. Act No. '$ of the
Philippine Co77ission an/ section D## of the Re,ise/ O%/inances of the cit1
of Manila p%o,i/e fo% the con,iction an/ punish7ent b1 a cou%t of 5ustice of
an1 pe%son 9ho is a co77on p%ostitute. Act No. A$$ autho%i0es the %etu%n of
an1 citi0en of the Unite/ States( 9ho 7a1 ha,e been con,icte/ of ,a<%anc1(
to the ho7elan/. Ne9 Fo%8 an/ othe% States ha,e statutes p%o,i/in< fo% the
co77it7ent to the Couse of Refu<e of 9o7en con,icte/ of bein< co77on
p%ostitutes. Al9a1s a la9L E,en 9hen the health autho%ities co7pel
,accination( o% establish a 6ua%antine( o% place a lep%ous pe%son in the Culion
lepe% colon1( it is /one pu%suant to so7e la9 o% o%/e%. But one can sea%ch in
,ain fo% an1 la9( o%/e%( o% %e<ulation( 9hich e,en hints at the %i<ht of the
Ma1o% of the cit1 of Manila o% the chief of police of that cit1 to fo%ce citi0ens
of the Philippine *slan/s > an/ these 9o7en /espite thei% bein< in a sense
lepe%s of societ1 a%e ne,e%theless not chattels but Philippine citi0ens
p%otecte/ b1 the sa7e constitutional <ua%anties as a%e othe% citi0ens > to
chan<e thei% /o7icile f%o7 Manila to anothe% localit1. On the cont%a%1(
Philippine penal la9 speci@call1 punishes an1 public o=ce% 9ho( not bein<
e;p%essl1 autho%i0e/ b1 la9 o% %e<ulation( co7pels an1 pe%son to chan<e his
%esi/ence.
*n othe% count%ies( as in Spain an/ -apan( the p%i,ile<e of /o7icile is /ee7e/
so i7po%tant as to be foun/ in the Bill of Ri<hts of the Constitution. Un/e% the
A7e%ican constitutional s1ste7( libe%t1 of abo/e is a p%inciple so /eepl1
i7be//e/ in 5u%isp%u/ence an/ consi/e%e/ so ele7enta%1 in natu%e as not
e,en to %e6ui%e a constitutional sanction. E,en the Go,e%no%-Gene%al of the
Philippine *slan/s( e,en the P%esi/ent of the Unite/ States( 9ho has often
been sai/ to e;e%cise 7o%e po9e% than an1 8in< o% potentate( has no such
a%bit%a%1 p%e%o<ati,e( eithe% inhe%ent o% e;p%ess. Much less( the%efo%e( has the
e;ecuti,e of a 7unicipalit1( 9ho acts 9ithin a sphe%e of /ele<ate/ po9e%s. *f
the 7a1o% an/ the chief of police coul/( at thei% 7e%e behest o% e,en fo% the
7ost p%aise9o%th1 of 7oti,es( %en/e% the libe%t1 of the citi0en so insecu%e(
then the p%esi/ents an/ chiefs of police of one thousan/ othe% 7unicipalities
of the Philippines ha,e the sa7e p%i,ile<e. *f these o=cials can ta8e to
the7sel,es such po9e%( then an1 othe% o=cial can /o the sa7e. An/ if an1
o=cial can e;e%cise the po9e%( then all pe%sons 9oul/ ha,e 5ust as 7uch
%i<ht to /o so. An/ if a p%ostitute coul/ be sent a<ainst he% 9ishes an/ un/e%
no la9 f%o7 one localit1 to anothe% 9ithin the count%1( then o=cial/o7 can
hol/ the sa7e club o,e% the hea/ of an1 citi0en.
La9 /e@nes po9e%. Centu%ies a<o Ma<na Cha%ta /ec%ee/ that > MNo f%ee7an
shall be ta8en( o% i7p%isone/( o% be /issei0e/ of his f%eehol/( o% libe%ties( o%
f%ee custo7s( o% be outla9e/( o% e;ile/( o% an1 othe% 9ise /est%o1e/B no% 9ill
9e pass upon hi7 no% con/e7n hi7( but b1 la9ful 5u/<7ent of his pee%s o%
b1 the la9 of the lan/. :e 9ill sell to no 7an( 9e 9ill not /en1 o% /efe% to an1
7an eithe% 5ustice o% %i<ht.M IMa<na Cha%ta( $ Cen.( ( &&'( Cap. &$B
en<. stat. at La%<e( D.K No o=cial( no 7atte% ho9 hi<h( is abo,e the la9. The
cou%ts a%e the fo%u7 9hich functionate to safe<ua%/ in/i,i/ual libe%t1 an/ to
punish o=cial t%ans<%esso%s. MThe la9(M sai/ -ustice Mille%( /eli,e%in< the
opinion of the Sup%e7e Cou%t of the Unite/ States( Mis the onl1 sup%e7e
po9e% in ou% s1ste7 of <o,e%n7ent( an/ e,e%1 7an 9ho b1 acceptin< o=ce
pa%ticipates in its functions is onl1 the 7o%e st%on<l1 boun/ to sub7it to that
sup%e7ac1( an/ to obse%,e the li7itations 9hich it i7poses upon the e;e%cise
of the autho%it1 9hich it <i,es.M IU.S. ,s. Lee NAA&O( E" U.S.( $"( &&E.K MThe
,e%1 i/ea(M sai/ -ustice Matthe9s of the sa7e hi<h t%ibunal in anothe% case(
Mthat one 7an 7a1 be co7pelle/ to hol/ his life( o% the 7eans of li,in<( o%
an1 7ate%ial %i<ht essential to the en5o17ent of life( at the 7e%e 9ill of
anothe%( see7s to be intole%able in an1 count%1 9he%e f%ee/o7 p%e,ails( as
bein< the essence of sla,e%1 itself.M IFic8 :o ,s. Cop8ins NAA"O( A U.S.(
#'"( #DE.K All this e;plains the 7oti,e in issuin< the 9%it of habeas co%pus(
an/ 7a8es clea% 9h1 9e sai/ in the ,e%1 be<innin< that the p%i7a%1 6uestion
9as 9hethe% the cou%ts shoul/ pe%7it a <o,e%n7ent of 7en o% a <o,e%n7ent
of la9s to be establishe/ in the Philippine *slan/s.
:hat a%e the %e7e/ies of the unhapp1 ,icti7s of o=cial opp%ession? The
%e7e/ies of the citi0en a%e th%ee4 IK Ci,il actionB I&K c%i7inal action( an/ I#K
habeas co%pus.
The @%st is an optional but %athe% slo9 p%ocess b1 9hich the a<<%ie,e/ pa%t1
7a1 %ecoup 7one1 /a7a<es. *t 7a1 still %est 9ith the pa%ties in inte%est to
pu%sue such an action( but it 9as ne,e% inten/e/ eHecti,el1 an/ p%o7ptl1 to
7eet an1 such situation as that no9 befo%e us.
As to c%i7inal %esponsibilit1( it is t%ue that the Penal Co/e in fo%ce in these
*slan/s p%o,i/es4
An1 public o=ce% not the%eunto autho%i0e/ b1 la9 o% b1 %e<ulations of a
<ene%al cha%acte% in fo%ce in the Philippines 9ho shall banish an1 pe%son to a
place 7o%e than t9o hun/%e/ 8ilo7ete%s /istant f%o7 his /o7icile( e;cept it
be b1 ,i%tue of the 5u/<7ent of a cou%t( shall be punishe/ b1 a @ne of not less
than th%ee hun/%e/ an/ t9ent1-@,e an/ not 7o%e than th%ee thousan/ t9o
hun/%e/ an/ @ft1 pesetas.
An1 public o=ce% not the%eunto e;p%essl1 autho%i0e/ b1 la9 o% b1 %e<ulation
of a <ene%al cha%acte% in fo%ce in the Philippines 9ho shall co7pel an1 pe%son
to chan<e his /o7icile o% %esi/ence shall suHe% the penalt1 of /estie%%o an/ a
@ne of not less than si; hun/%e/ an/ t9ent1-@,e an/ not 7o%e than si;
thousan/ t9o hun/%e/ an/ @ft1 pesetas. IA%t. &.K
:e ente%tain no /oubt but that( if( afte% /ue in,esti<ation( the p%ope%
p%osecutin< o=ce%s @n/ that an1 public o=ce% has ,iolate/ this p%o,ision of
la9( these p%osecuto%s 9ill institute an/ p%ess a c%i7inal p%osecution 5ust as
,i<o%ousl1 as the1 ha,e /efen/e/ the sa7e o=cial in this action.
Ne,e%theless( that the act 7a1 be a c%i7e an/ that the pe%sons <uilt1 the%eof
can be p%ocee/e/ a<ainst( is no ba% to the instant p%ocee/in<s. To 6uote the
9o%/s of -u/<e Coole1 in a case 9hich 9ill late% be %efe%%e/ to > M*t 9oul/ be
a 7onst%ous ano7al1 in the la9 if to an application b1 one unla9full1
con@ne/( ta be %esto%e/ to his libe%t1( it coul/ be a su=cient ans9e% that the
con@ne7ent 9as a c%i7e( an/ the%efo%e 7i<ht be continue/ in/e@nitel1 until
the <uilt1 pa%t1 9as t%ie/ an/ punishe/ the%efo% b1 the slo9 p%ocess of
c%i7inal p%oce/u%e.M I*n the 7atte% of -ac8son NA"DO( ' Mich.( !"( !#!.K
The 9%it of habeas co%pus 9as /e,ise/ an/ e;ists as a spee/1 an/ eHectual
%e7e/1 to %elie,e pe%sons f%o7 unla9ful %est%aint( an/ as the best an/ onl1
su=cient /efense of pe%sonal f%ee/o7. An1 fu%the% %i<hts of the pa%ties a%e
left untouche/ b1 /ecision on the 9%it( 9hose p%incipal pu%pose is to set the
in/i,i/ual at libe%t1.
G%ante/ that habeas co%pus is the p%ope% %e7e/1( %espon/ents ha,e %aise/
th%ee speci@c ob5ections to its issuance in this instance. The @scal has a%<ue/
IlK that the%e is a /efect in pa%ties petitione%s( I&K that the Sup%e7e Cou%t
shoul/ not a assu7e 5u%is/iction( an/ I#K that the pe%son in 6uestion a%e not
%est%aine/ of thei% libe%t1 b1 %espon/ents. *t 9as @nall1 su<<este/ that the
5u%is/iction of the Ma1o% an/ the chief of police of the cit1 of Manila onl1
e;ten/s to the cit1 li7its an/ that pe%fo%ce the1 coul/ not b%in< the 9o7en
f%o7 3a,ao.
The @%st /efense 9as not p%esente/ 9ith an1 ,i<o% b1 counsel. The
petitione%s 9e%e %elati,es an/ f%ien/s of the /epo%tees. The 9a1 the e;pulsion
9as con/ucte/ b1 the cit1 o=cials 7a/e it i7possible fo% the 9o7en to si<n
a petition fo% habeas co%pus. *t 9as conse6uentl1 p%ope% fo% the 9%it to be
sub7itte/ b1 pe%sons in thei% behalf. ICo/e of C%i7inal P%oce/u%e( sec. DAB
Co/e of Ci,il P%oce/u%e( sec. '&D.K The la9( in its 0ealous %e<a%/ fo% pe%sonal
libe%t1( e,en 7a8es it the /ut1 of a cou%t o% 5u/<e to <%ant a 9%it of habeas
co%pus if the%e is e,i/ence that 9ithin the cou%tJs 5u%is/iction a pe%son is
un5ustl1 i7p%isone/ o% %est%aine/ of his libe%t1( thou<h no application be
7a/e the%efo%. ICo/e of C%i7inal P%oce/u%e( sec. $#.K Petitione%s ha/ stan/in<
in cou%t.
The @scal ne;t conten/e/ that the 9%it shoul/ ha,e been as8e/ fo% in the
Cou%t of 2i%st *nstance of 3a,ao o% shoul/ ha,e been 7a/e %etu%nable befo%e
that cou%t. *t is a <ene%al %ule of <oo/ p%actice that( to a,oi/ unnecessa%1
e;pense an/ incon,enience( petitions fo% habeas co%pus shoul/ be p%esente/
to the nea%est 5u/<e of the cou%t of @%st instance. But this is not a ha%/ an/
fast %ule. The 9%it of habeas co%pus 7a1 be <%ante/ b1 the Sup%e7e Cou%t o%
an1 5u/<e the%eof enfo%cible an19he%e in the Philippine *slan/s. ICo/e of
C%i7inal P%oce/u%e( sec. D$B Co/e of Ci,il P%oce/u%e( sec. '&".K :hethe% the
9%it shall be 7a/e %etu%nable befo%e the Sup%e7e Cou%t o% befo%e an infe%io%
cou%t %ests in the /isc%etion of the Sup%e7e Cou%t an/ is /epen/ent on the
pa%ticula% ci%cu7stances. *n this instance it 9as not sho9n that the Cou%t of
2i%st *nstance of 3a,ao 9as in session( o% that the 9o7en ha/ an1 7eans b1
9hich to a/,ance thei% plea befo%e that cou%t. On the othe% han/( it 9as
sho9n that the petitione%s 9ith thei% atto%ne1s( an/ the t9o o%i<inal
%espon/ents 9ith thei% atto%ne1( 9e%e in ManilaB it 9as sho9n that the case
in,ol,e/ pa%ties situate/ in /iHe%ent pa%ts of the *slan/sB it 9as sho9n that
the 9o7en 7i<ht still be i7p%isone/ o% %est%aine/ of thei% libe%t1B an/ it 9as
sho9n that if the 9%it 9as to acco7plish its pu%pose( it 7ust be ta8en
co<ni0ance of an/ /eci/e/ i77e/iatel1 b1 the appellate cou%t. The failu%e of
the supe%io% cou%t to consi/e% the application an/ then to <%ant the 9%it
9oul/ ha,e a7ounte/ to a /enial of the bene@ts of the 9%it.
The last a%<u7ent of the @scal is 7o%e plausible an/ 7o%e /i=cult to 7eet.
:hen the 9%it 9as p%a1e/ fo%( sa1s counsel( the pa%ties in 9hose behalf it
9as as8e/ 9e%e un/e% no %est%aintB the 9o7en( it is clai7e/( 9e%e f%ee in
3a,ao( an/ the 5u%is/iction of the 7a1o% an/ the chief of police /i/ not
e;ten/ be1on/ the cit1 li7its. At @%st blush( this is a tenable position. On
close% e;a7ination( acceptance of such /ictu7 is foun/ to be pe%,e%si,e of
the @%st p%inciples of the 9%it of habeas co%pus.
A p%i7e speci@cation of an application fo% a 9%it of habeas co%pus is %est%aint
of libe%t1. The essential ob5ect an/ pu%pose of the 9%it of habeas co%pus is to
in6ui%e into all 7anne% of in,olunta%1 %est%aint as /istin<uishe/ f%o7
,olunta%1( an/ to %elie,e a pe%son the%ef%o7 if such %est%aint is ille<al. An1
%est%aint 9hich 9ill p%eclu/e f%ee/o7 of action is su=cient. The fo%cible
ta8in< of these 9o7en f%o7 Manila b1 o=cials of that cit1( 9ho han/e/ the7
o,e% to othe% pa%ties( 9ho /eposite/ the7 in a /istant %e<ion( /ep%i,e/ these
9o7en of f%ee/o7 of loco7otion 5ust as eHecti,el1 as if the1 ha/ been
i7p%isone/. Place/ in 3a,ao 9ithout eithe% 7one1 o% pe%sonal belon<in<s(
the1 9e%e p%e,ente/ f%o7 e;e%cisin< the libe%t1 of <oin< 9hen an/ 9he%e
the1 please/. The %est%aint of libe%t1 9hich be<an in Manila continue/ until
the a<<%ie,e/ pa%ties 9e%e %etu%ne/ to Manila an/ %elease/ o% until the1
f%eel1 an/ t%ul1 9ai,e/ his %i<ht.
Consi/e% fo% a 7o7ent 9hat an a<%ee7ent 9ith such a /efense 9oul/ 7ean.
The chief e;ecuti,e of an1 7unicipalit1 in the Philippines coul/ fo%cibl1 an/
ille<all1 ta8e a p%i,ate citi0en an/ place hi7 be1on/ the boun/a%ies of the
7unicipalit1( an/ then( 9hen calle/ upon to /efen/ his o=cial action( coul/
cal7l1 fol/ his han/s an/ clai7 that the pe%son 9as un/e% no %est%aint an/
that he( the o=cial( ha/ no 5u%is/iction o,e% this othe% 7unicipalit1. :e
belie,e the t%ue p%inciple shoul/ be that( if the %espon/ent is 9ithin the
5u%is/iction of the cou%t an/ has it in his po9e% to obe1 the o%/e% of the cou%t
an/ thus to un/o the 9%on< that he has inPicte/( he shoul/ be co7pelle/ to
/o so. E,en if the pa%t1 to 9ho7 the 9%it is a//%esse/ has ille<all1 pa%te/
9ith the custo/1 of a pe%son befo%e the application fo% the 9%it is no %eason
9h1 the 9%it shoul/ not issue. *f the 7a1o% an/ the chief of police( actin<
un/e% no autho%it1 of la9( coul/ /epo%t these 9o7en f%o7 the cit1 of Manila
to 3a,ao( the sa7e o=cials 7ust necessa%il1 ha,e the sa7e 7eans to %etu%n
the7 f%o7 3a,ao to Manila. The %espon/ents( 9ithin the %each of p%ocess(
7a1 not be pe%7itte/ to %est%ain a fello9 citi0en of he% libe%t1 b1 fo%cin< he%
to chan<e he% /o7icile an/ to a,o9 the act 9ith i7punit1 in the cou%ts( 9hile
the pe%son 9ho has lost he% bi%th%i<ht of libe%t1 has no eHecti,e %ecou%se. The
<%eat 9%it of libe%t1 7a1 not thus be easil1 e,a/e/.
*t 7ust be that so7e such 6uestion has he%etofo%e been p%esente/ to the
cou%ts fo% /ecision. Ne,e%theless( st%an<e as it 7a1 see7( a close
e;a7ination of the autho%ities fails to %e,eal an1 analo<ous case. Ce%tain
/ecisions of %espectable cou%ts a%e ho9e,e% ,e%1 pe%suasi,e in natu%e.
A 6uestion ca7e befo%e the Sup%e7e Cou%t of the State of Michi<an at an
ea%l1 /ate as to 9hethe% o% not a 9%it of habeas co%pus 9oul/ issue f%o7 the
Sup%e7e Cou%t to a pe%son 9ithin the 5u%is/iction of the State to b%in< into
the State a 7ino% chil/ un/e% <ua%/ianship in the State( 9ho has been an/
continues to be /etaine/ in anothe% State. The 7e7be%ship of the Michi<an
Sup%e7e Cou%t at this ti7e 9as notable. *t 9as co7pose/ of Ma%tin( chief
5ustice( an/ Coole1( Ca7pbell( an/ Ch%istianc1( 5ustices. On the 6uestion
p%esente/ the cou%t 9as e6uall1 /i,i/e/. Ca7pbell( -.( 9ith 9ho7 concu%%e/
Ma%tin( C. -.( hel/ that the 9%it shoul/ be 6uashe/. Coole1( -.( one of the 7ost
/istin<uishe/ A7e%ican 5u/<es an/ la9-9%ite%s( 9ith 9ho7 concu%%e/
Ch%istianc1( -.( hel/ that the 9%it shoul/ issue. Since the opinion of -ustice
Ca7pbell 9as p%e/icate/ to a la%<e e;tent on his conception of the En<lish
/ecisions( an/ since( as 9ill he%eafte% appea%( the En<lish cou%ts ha,e ta8en a
cont%a%1 ,ie9( onl1 the follo9in< elo6uent passa<es f%o7 the opinion of
-ustice Coole1 a%e 6uote/4
* ha,e not 1et seen su=cient %eason to /oubt the po9e% of this cou%t to issue
the p%esent 9%it on the petition 9hich 9as lai/ befo%e us. . . .
*t 9oul/ be st%an<e in/ee/ if( at this late /a1( afte% the eulo<iu7s of si;
centu%ies an/ a half ha,e been e;pen/e/ upon the Ma<na Cha%ta( an/ %i,e%s
of bloo/ she/ fo% its establish7entB afte% its 7an1 con@%7ations( until Co8e
coul/ /ecla%e in his speech on the petition of %i<ht that MMa<na Cha%ta 9as
such a fello9 that he 9ill ha,e no so,e%ei<n(M an/ afte% the e;tension of its
bene@ts an/ secu%ities b1 the petition of %i<ht( bill of %i<hts an/ habeas
co%pus acts( it shoul/ no9 be /isco,e%e/ that e,asion of that <%eat clause fo%
the p%otection of pe%sonal libe%t1( 9hich is the life an/ soul of the 9hole
inst%u7ent( is so eas1 as is clai7e/ he%e. *f it is so( it is i7po%tant that it be
/ete%7ine/ 9ithout /ela1( that the le<islatu%e 7a1 appl1 the p%ope% %e7e/1(
as * can not /oubt the1 9oul/( on the sub5ect bein< b%ou<ht to thei% notice. . .
.
The secon/ p%oposition > that the statuto%1 p%o,isions a%e con@ne/ to the
case of i7p%ison7ent 9ithin the state > see7s to 7e to be base/ upon a
7isconception as to the sou%ce of ou% 5u%is/iction. *t 9as ne,e% the case in
En<lan/ that the cou%t of 8in<Js bench /e%i,e/ its 5u%is/iction to issue an/
enfo%ce this 9%it f%o7 the statute. Statutes 9e%e not passe/ to <i,e the %i<ht(
but to co7pel the obse%,ance of %i<hts 9hich e;iste/. . . .
The i7po%tant fact to be obse%,e/ in %e<a%/ to the 7o/e of p%oce/u%e upon
this 9%it is( that it is /i%ecte/ to an/ se%,e/ upon( not the pe%son con@ne/(
but his 5ailo%. *t /oes not %each the fo%7e% e;cept th%ou<h the latte%. The
o=ce% o% pe%son 9ho se%,es it /oes not unba% the p%ison /oo%s( an/ set the
p%isone% f%ee( but the cou%t %elie,es hi7 b1 co7pellin< the opp%esso% to
%elease his const%aint. The 9hole fo%ce of the 9%it is spent upon the
%espon/ent( an/ if he fails to obe1 it( the 7eans to be %eso%te/ to fo% the
pu%poses of co7pulsion a%e @ne an/ i7p%ison7ent. This is the o%/ina%1 7o/e
of aHo%/in< %elief( an/ if an1 othe% 7eans a%e %eso%te/ to( the1 a%e onl1
au;ilia%1 to those 9hich a%e usual. The place of con@ne7ent is( the%efo%e( not
i7po%tant to the %elief( if the <uilt1 pa%t1 is 9ithin %each of p%ocess( so that b1
the po9e% of the cou%t he can be co7pelle/ to %elease his <%asp. The
/i=cult1 of aHo%/in< %e/%ess is not inc%ease/ b1 the con@ne7ent bein<
be1on/ the li7its of the state( e;cept as <%eate% /istance 7a1 aHect it. The
i7po%tant 6uestion is( 9he%e the po9e% of cont%ol e;e%cise/? An/ * a7 a9a%e
of no othe% %e7e/1. I*n the 7atte% of -ac8son NA"DO( ' Mich.( !".K
The opinion of -u/<e Coole1 has since been accepte/ as autho%itati,e b1
othe% cou%ts. IRi,e%s ,s. Mitchell NAAO( 'D *o9a( $#B B%eene ,s. People
N$O( Colo.( D Pac. Rep.( EEEB E; pa%te Foun< NA$&O( 'E 2e/.( '&".K
The En<lish cou%ts ha,e <i,en ca%eful consi/e%ation to the sub5ect. Thus( a
chil/ ha/ been ta8en out of En<lish b1 the %espon/ent. A 9%it of habeas
co%pus 9as issue/ b1 the QueenJs Bench 3i,ision upon the application of the
7othe% an/ he% husban/ /i%ectin< the /efen/ant to p%o/uce the chil/. The
5u/<e at cha7be%s <a,e /efen/ant until a ce%tain /ate to p%o/uce the chil/(
but he /i/ not /o so. Cis %etu%n state/ that the chil/ befo%e the issuance of
the 9%it ha/ been han/e/ o,e% b1 hi7 to anothe%B that it 9as no lon<e% in his
custo/1 o% cont%ol( an/ that it 9as i7possible fo% hi7 to obe1 the 9%it. Ce
9as foun/ in conte7pt of cou%t. On appeal( the cou%t( th%ou<h Lo%/ Eshe%( M.
R.( sai/4
A 9%it of habeas co%pus 9as o%/e%e/ to issue( an/ 9as issue/ on -anua%1 &&.
That 9%it co77an/e/ the /efen/ant to ha,e the bo/1 of the chil/ befo%e a
5u/<e in cha7be%s at the Ro1al Cou%ts of -ustice i77e/iatel1 afte% the %eceipt
of the 9%it( to<ethe% 9ith the cause of he% bein< ta8en an/ /etaine/. That is a
co77an/ to b%in< the chil/ befo%e the 5u/<e an/ 7ust be obe1e/( unless
so7e la9ful %eason can be sho9n to e;cuse the nonp%o/uction of the chil/. *f
it coul/ be sho9n that b1 %eason of his ha,in< la9full1 pa%te/ 9ith the
possession of the chil/ befo%e the issuin< of the 9%it( the /efen/ant ha/ no
lon<e% po9e% to p%o/uce the chil/( that 7i<ht be an ans9e%B but in the
absence of an1 la9ful %eason he is boun/ to p%o/uce the chil/( an/( if he /oes
not( he is in conte7pt of the Cou%t fo% not obe1in< the 9%it 9ithout la9ful
e;cuse. Man1 eHo%ts ha,e been 7a/e in a%<u7ent to shift the 6uestion of
conte7pt to so7e ante%io% pe%io/ fo% the pu%pose of sho9in< that 9hat 9as
/one at so7e ti7e p%io% to the 9%it cannot be a conte7pt. But the 6uestion is
not as to 9hat 9as /one befo%e the issue of the 9%it. The 6uestion is 9hethe%
the%e has been a conte7pt in /isobe1in< the 9%it it 9as issue/ b1 not
p%o/ucin< the chil/ in obe/ience to its co77an/s. IThe Queen ,s. Be%na%/o
NAA$O( &# Q. B. 3.( #E'. See also to the sa7e eHect the *%ish case of *n %e
Matthe9s( & *%. Co7. La9 Rep. NN. S.O( &##B The Queen ,s. Ba%na%/o(
Gossa<eJs Case NA$EO( &! Q. B. 3.( &A#.K
A /ecision co7in< f%o7 the 2e/e%al Cou%ts is also of inte%est. A habeas co%pus
9as /i%ecte/ to the /efen/ant to ha,e befo%e the ci%cuit cou%t of the 3ist%ict
of Colu7bia th%ee colo%e/ pe%sons( 9ith the cause of thei% /etention. 3a,is( in
his %etu%n to the 9%it( state/ on oath that he ha/ pu%chase/ the ne<%oes as
sla,es in the cit1 of :ashin<tonB that( as he belie,e/( the1 9e%e %e7o,e/
be1on/ the 3ist%ict of Colu7bia befo%e the se%,ice of the 9%it of habeas
co%pus( an/ that the1 9e%e then be1on/ his cont%ol an/ out of his custo/1.
The e,i/ence ten/e/ to sho9 that 3a,is ha/ %e7o,e/ the ne<%oes because
he suspecte/ the1 9oul/ appl1 fo% a 9%it of habeas co%pus. The cou%t hel/ the
%etu%n to be e,asi,e an/ insu=cient( an/ that 3a,is 9as boun/ to p%o/uce
the ne<%oes( an/ 3a,is bein< p%esent in cou%t( an/ %efusin< to p%o/uce the7(
o%/e%e/ that he be co77itte/ to the custo/1 of the 7a%shall until he shoul/
p%o/uce the ne<%oes( o% be othe%9ise /ischa%<e/ in /ue cou%se of la9. The
cou%t afte%9a%/s o%/e%e/ that 3a,is be %elease/ upon the p%o/uction of t9o
of the ne<%oes( fo% one of the ne<%oes ha/ %un a9a1 an/ been lo/<e/ in 5ail in
Ma%1lan/. 3a,is p%o/uce/ the t9o ne<%oes on the last /a1 of the te%7.
IUnite/ States ,s. 3a,is NA#$O( ' C%anch C.C.( "&&( 2e/. Cas. No. !$&". See
also Robb ,s. Connoll1 NAA#O( U.S.( "&!B Chu%ch on Cabeas( &n/ e/.( p.
DE.K
:e @n/( the%efo%e( both on %eason an/ autho%it1( that no one of the /efense
oHe%e/ b1 the %espon/ents constitute/ a le<iti7ate ba% to the <%antin< of the
9%it of habeas co%pus.
The%e %e7ains to be consi/e%e/ 9hethe% the %espon/ent co7plie/ 9ith the
t9o o%/e%s of the Sup%e7e Cou%t a9a%/in< the 9%it of habeas co%pus( an/ if it
be foun/ that the1 /i/ not( 9hethe% the conte7pt shoul/ be punishe/ o% be
ta8en as pu%<e/.
The @%st o%/e%( it 9ill be %ecalle/( /i%ecte/ -usto Lu8ban( Anton Coh7ann(
2%ancisco Sales( an/ 2eliciano FGi<o to p%esent the pe%sons na7e/ in the 9%it
befo%e the cou%t on 3ece7be% &( $A. The o%/e% 9as /ate/ No,e7be% !(
$A. The %espon/ents 9e%e thus <i,en a7ple ti7e( p%acticall1 one 7onth( to
co7pl1 9ith the 9%it. As fa% as the %eco%/ /iscloses( the Ma1o% of the cit1 of
Manila 9aite/ until the &st of No,e7be% befo%e sen/in< a tele<%a7 to the
p%o,incial <o,e%no% of 3a,ao. Acco%/in< to the %esponse of the atto%ne1 fo%
the Bu%eau of Labo% to the tele<%a7 of his chief( the%e 9e%e then in 3a,ao
9o7en 9ho /esi%e/ to %etu%n to Manila( but 9ho shoul/ not be pe%7itte/ to
/o so because of ha,in< cont%acte/ /ebts. The half-hea%te/ eHo%t natu%all1
%esulte/ in none of the pa%ties in 6uestion bein< b%ou<ht befo%e the cou%t on
the /a1 na7e/.
2o% the %espon/ents to ha,e ful@lle/ the cou%tJs o%/e%( th%ee optional cou%ses
9e%e open4 IK The1 coul/ ha,e p%o/uce/ the bo/ies of the pe%sons acco%/in<
to the co77an/ of the 9%itB o% I&K the1 coul/ ha,e sho9n b1 a=/a,it that on
account of sic8ness o% in@%7it1 those pe%sons coul/ not safel1 be b%ou<ht
befo%e the cou%tB o% I#K the1 coul/ ha,e p%esente/ a=/a,its to sho9 that the
pa%ties in 6uestion o% thei% atto%ne1 9ai,e/ the %i<ht to be p%esent. ICo/e of
C%i7inal P%oce/u%e( sec. AD.K The1 /i/ not p%o/uce the bo/ies of the pe%sons
in 9hose behalf the 9%it 9as <%ante/B the1 /i/ not sho9 i7possibilit1 of
pe%fo%7anceB an/ the1 /i/ not p%esent 9%itin<s that 9ai,e/ the %i<ht to be
p%esent b1 those inte%este/. *nstea/ a fe9 ste%eot1pe/ a=/a,its pu%po%tin<
to sho9 that the 9o7en 9e%e conten/e/ 9ith thei% life in 3a,ao( so7e of
9hich ha,e since been %epu/iate/ b1 the si<ne%s( 9e%e appen/e/ to the
%etu%n. That th%ou<h o%/ina%1 /ili<ence a consi/e%able nu7be% of the 9o7en(
at least si;t1( coul/ ha,e been b%ou<ht bac8 to Manila is /e7onst%ate/ to be
foun/ in the 7unicipalit1 of 3a,ao( an/ that about this nu7be% eithe%
%etu%ne/ at thei% o9n e;pense o% 9e%e p%o/uce/ at the secon/ hea%in< b1 the
%espon/ents.
The cou%t( at the ti7e the %etu%n to its @%st o%/e% 9as 7a/e( 9oul/ ha,e been
9a%%ante/ su77a%il1 in @n/in< the %espon/ents <uilt1 of conte7pt of cou%t(
an/ in sen/in< the7 to 5ail until the1 obe1e/ the o%/e%. Thei% e;cuses fo% the
non-p%o/uction of the pe%sons 9e%e fa% f%o7 su=cient. The( autho%ities cite/
he%ein pe%tainin< to so7e9hat si7ila% facts all ten/ to in/icate 9ith 9hat
e;actitu/e a habeas co%pus 9%it 7ust be ful@lle/. 2o% e;a7ple( in Gossa<eJs
case( sup%a( the Ma<ist%ate in %efe%%in< to an ea%lie% /ecision of the Cou%t(
sai/4 M:e thou<ht that( ha,in< b%ou<ht about that state of thin<s b1 his o9n
ille<al act( he 7ust ta8e the conse6uencesB an/ 9e sai/ that he 9as boun/ to
use e,e%1 eHo%t to <et the chil/ bac8B that he 7ust /o 7uch 7o%e than 9%ite
lette%s fo% the pu%poseB that he 7ust a/,e%tise in A7e%ica( an/ e,en if
necessa%1 hi7self <o afte% the chil/( an/ /o e,e%1thin< that 7o%tal 7an coul/
/o in the 7atte%B an/ that the cou%t 9oul/ onl1 accept clea% p%oof of an
absolute i7possibilit1 b1 9a1 of e;cuse.M *n othe% 9o%/s( the %etu%n /i/ not
sho9 that e,e%1 possible eHo%t to p%o/uce the 9o7en 9as 7a/e b1 the
%espon/ents. That the cou%t fo%ebo%e at this ti7e to ta8e /%astic action 9as
because it /i/ not 9ish to see p%esente/ to the public <a0e the spectacle of a
clash bet9een e;ecuti,e o=cials an/ the 5u/icia%1( an/ because it /esi%e/ to
<i,e the %espon/ents anothe% chance to /e7onst%ate thei% <oo/ faith an/ to
7iti<ate thei% 9%on<.
*n %esponse to the secon/ o%/e% of the cou%t( the %espon/ents appea% to ha,e
beco7e 7o%e 0ealous an/ to ha,e sho9n a bette% spi%it. A<ents 9e%e
/ispatche/ to Min/anao( placa%/s 9e%e poste/( the constabula%1 an/ the
7unicipal police 5oine/ in %oun/in< up the 9o7en( an/ a stea7e% 9ith f%ee
t%anspo%tation to Manila 9as p%o,i/e/. :hile cha%<es an/ counte%-cha%<es in
such a bitte%l1 conteste/ case a%e to be e;pecte/( an/ 9hile a c%itical %ea/in<
of the %eco%/ 7i<ht %e,eal a failu%e of lite%al ful@ll7ent 9ith ou% 7an/ate( 9e
co7e to conclu/e that the%e is a substantial co7pliance 9ith it. Ou% @n/in< to
this eHect 7a1 be inPuence/ so7e9hat b1 ou% since%e /esi%e to see this
unhapp1 inci/ent @nall1 close/. *f an1 9%on< is no9 bein< pe%pet%ate/ in
3a,ao( it shoul/ %ecei,e an e;ecuti,e in,esti<ation. *f an1 pa%ticula%
in/i,i/ual is still %est%aine/ of he% libe%t1( it can be 7a/e the ob5ect of
sepa%ate habeas co%pus p%ocee/in<s.
Since the 9%it has al%ea/1 been <%ante/( an/ since 9e @n/ a substantial
co7pliance 9ith it( nothin< fu%the% in this connection %e7ains to be /one.
The atto%ne1 fo% the petitione%s as8s that 9e @n/ in conte7pt of cou%t -usto
Lu8ban( Ma1o% of the cit1 of Manila( Anton Coh7ann( chief of police of the
cit1 of Manila( -ose Ro/%i<ue0( an/ 2e%nan/o O%/a;( 7e7be%s of the police
fo%ce of the cit1 of Manila( Mo/esto -oa6uin( the atto%ne1 fo% the Bu%eau of
Labo%( 2eliciano FGi<o( an hacen/e%o of 3a,ao( an/ Anacleto 3ia0( 2iscal of
the cit1 of Manila.
The po9e% to punish fo% conte7pt of cou%t shoul/ be e;e%cise/ on the
p%ese%,ati,e an/ not on the ,in/icti,e p%inciple. Onl1 occasionall1 shoul/ the
cou%t in,o8e its inhe%ent po9e% in o%/e% to %etain that %espect 9ithout 9hich
the a/7inist%ation of 5ustice 7ust falte% o% fail. Ne,e%theless 9hen one is
co77an/e/ to p%o/uce a ce%tain pe%son an/ /oes not /o so( an/ /oes not
oHe% a ,ali/ e;cuse( a cou%t 7ust( to ,in/icate its autho%it1( a/5u/<e the
%espon/ent to be <uilt1 of conte7pt( an/ 7ust o%/e% hi7 eithe% i7p%isone/ o%
@ne/. An o=ce%Js failu%e to p%o/uce the bo/1 of a pe%son in obe/ience to a
9%it of habeas co%pus 9hen he has po9e% to /o so( is a conte7pt co77itte/
in the face of the cou%t. IE; pa%te Ste%ns NAAAO( DD Cal.( '"B *n %e Patte%son
NAAAO( $$ N. C.( !ED.K
:ith all the facts an/ ci%cu7stances in 7in/( an/ 9ith 5u/icial %e<a%/ fo%
hu7an i7pe%fections( 9e cannot sa1 that an1 of the %espon/ents( 9ith the
possible e;ception of the @%st na7e/( has Patl1 /isobe1e/ the cou%t b1 actin<
in opposition to its autho%it1. Respon/ents Coh7ann( Ro/%i<ue0( O%/a;( an/
-oa6uin onl1 follo9e/ the o%/e%s of thei% chiefs( an/ 9hile( un/e% the la9 of
public o=ce%s( this /oes not e;one%ate the7 enti%el1( it is ne,e%theless a
po9e%ful 7iti<atin< ci%cu7stance. The hacen/e%o FGi<o appea%s to ha,e
been /%a9n into the case th%ou<h a 7isconst%uction b1 counsel of tele<%aphic
co77unications. The cit1 @scal( Anacleto 3ia0( 9oul/ see7 to ha,e /one no
7o%e than to ful@ll his /ut1 as the le<al %ep%esentati,e of the cit1
<o,e%n7ent. 2in/in< hi7 innocent of an1 /is%espect to the cou%t( his counte%-
7otion to st%i8e f%o7 the %eco%/ the 7e7o%an/u7 of atto%ne1 fo% the
petitione%s( 9hich b%in<s hi7 into this un/esi%able position( 7ust be <%ante/.
:hen all is sai/ an/ /one( as fa% as this %eco%/ /iscloses( the o=cial 9ho 9as
p%i7a%il1 %esponsible fo% the unla9ful /epo%tation( 9ho o%/e%e/ the police to
acco7plish the sa7e( 9ho 7a/e a%%an<e7ents fo% the stea7e%s an/ the
constabula%1( 9ho con/ucte/ the ne<otiations 9ith the Bu%eau of Labo%( an/
9ho late%( as the hea/ of the cit1 <o,e%n7ent( ha/ it 9ithin his po9e% to
facilitate the %etu%n of the unfo%tunate 9o7en to Manila( 9as -usto Lu8ban(
the Ma1o% of the cit1 of Manila. Cis intention to supp%ess the social e,il 9as
co77en/able. Cis 7etho/s 9e%e unla9ful. Cis %e<a%/ fo% the 9%it of habeas
co%pus issue/ b1 the cou%t 9as onl1 ta%/il1 an/ %eluctantl1 ac8no9le/<e/.
*t 9oul/ be possible to tu%n to the p%o,isions of section '!" of the Co/e of
Ci,il P%oce/u%e( 9hich %elates to the penalt1 fo% /isobe1in< the 9%it( an/ in
pu%suance the%eof to %e6ui%e %espon/ent Lu8ban to fo%feit to the pa%ties
a<<%ie,e/ as 7uch as P!EE each( 9hich 9oul/ %each to 7an1 thousan/s of
pesos( an/ in a//ition to /eal 9ith hi7 as fo% a conte7pt. So7e 7e7be%s of
the cou%t a%e incline/ to this ste%n ,ie9. *t 9oul/ also be possible to @n/ that
since %espon/ent Lu8ban /i/ co7pl1 substantiall1 9ith the secon/ o%/e% of
the cou%t( he has pu%<e/ his conte7pt of the @%st o%/e%. So7e 7e7be%s of
the cou%t a%e incline/ to this 7e%ciful ,ie9. Bet9een the t9o e;t%e7es
appea%s to lie the co%%ect @n/in<. The failu%e of %espon/ent Lu8ban to obe1
the @%st 7an/ate of the cou%t ten/e/ to belittle an/ e7ba%%ass the
a/7inist%ation of 5ustice to such an e;tent that his late% acti,it1 7a1 be
consi/e%e/ onl1 as e;tenuatin< his con/uct. A no7inal @ne 9ill at once
co77an/ such %espect 9ithout bein< un/ul1 opp%essi,e > such an a7ount is
PEE.
*n %esu7e > as befo%e state/( no fu%the% action on the 9%it of habeas co%pus
is necessa%1. The %espon/ents Coh7ann( Ro/%i<ue0( O%/a;( -oa6uin( FGi<o(
an/ 3ia0 a%e foun/ not to be in conte7pt of cou%t. Respon/ent Lu8ban is
foun/ in conte7pt of cou%t an/ shall pa1 into the o=ce of the cle%8 of the
Sup%e7e Cou%t 9ithin @,e /a1s the su7 of one hun/%e/ pesos IPEEK. The
7otion of the @scal of the cit1 of Manila to st%i8e f%o7 the %eco%/ the Replica
al Me7o%an/u7 /e los Recu%%i/os of -anua%1 &'( $$( is <%ante/. Costs shall
be ta;e/ a<ainst %espon/ents. So o%/e%e/.
*n conclu/in< this te/ious an/ /isa<%eeable tas8( 7a1 9e not be pe%7itte/ to
e;p%ess the hope that this /ecision 7a1 se%,e to bul9a%8 the fo%ti@cations of
an o%/e%l1 <o,e%n7ent of la9s an/ to p%otect in/i,i/ual libe%t1 f%o7 ille<al
enc%oach7ent.
A%ellano( C.-.( A,anceGa an/ Moi%( --.( concu%.
-ohnson( an/ St%eet( --.( concu% in the %esult.
Sepa%ate Opinions
TORRES( -.( /issentin<4
The un/e%si<ne/ /oes not enti%el1 a<%ee to the opinion of the 7a5o%it1 in the
/ecision of the habeas co%pus p%ocee/in< a<ainst -usto Lu8ban( the 7a1o% of
this cit1.
The%e is nothin< in the %eco%/ that sho9s the 7oti,e 9hich i7pelle/ Ma1o%
Lu8ban to obli<e a <%eat nu7be% of 9o7en of ,a%ious a<es( in7ates of the
houses of p%ostitution situate/ in Ga%/enia St%eet( /ist%ict of Sa7paloc( to
chan<e thei% %esi/ence.
:e 8no9 no e;p%ess la9( %e<ulation( o% o%/inance 9hich clea%l1 p%ohibits the
openin< of public houses of p%ostitution( as those in the sai/ Ga%/enia St%eet(
Sa7paloc. 2o% this %eason( 9hen 7o%e than one hun/%e/ an/ @ft1 9o7en
9e%e asse7ble/ an/ place/ aboa%/ a stea7e% an/ t%anspo%te/ to 3a,ao(
consi/e%in< that the e;istence of the sai/ houses of p%ostitution has been
tole%ate/ fo% so lon< a ti7e( it is un/eniable that the 7a1o% of the cit1( in
p%ocee/in< in the 7anne% sho9n( acte/ 9ithout autho%it1 of an1 le<al
p%o,ision 9hich constitutes an e;ception to the la9s <ua%anteein< the libe%t1
an/ the in/i,i/ual %i<hts of the %esi/ents of the cit1 of Manila.
:e /o not belie,e in the po7p an/ obstentation of fo%ce /ispla1e/ b1 the
police in co7pl1in< 9ith the o%/e% of the 7a1o% of the cit1B neithe% /o 9e
belie,e in the necessit1 of ta8in< the7 to the /istant /ist%ict of 3a,ao. The
sai/ <o,e%n7ental autho%it1( in ca%%1in< out his intention to supp%ess the
se<%e<ate/ /ist%ict o% the co77unit1 fo%7e/ b1 those 9o7en in Ga%/enia
St%eet( coul/ ha,e obli<e/ the sai/ 9o7en to %etu%n to thei% fo%7e%
%esi/ences in this cit1 o% in the p%o,inces( 9ithout the necessit1 of
t%anspo%tin< the7 to Min/anaoB hence the sai/ o=cial is obli<e/ to b%in<
bac8 the 9o7en 9ho a%e still in 3a,ao so that the1 7a1 %etu%n to the places
in 9hich the1 li,e/ p%io% to thei% beco7in< in7ates of ce%tain houses in
Ga%/enia St%eet.
As %e<a%/s the 7anne% 9he%eb1 the 7a1o% co7plie/ 9ith the o%/e%s of this
cou%t( 9e /o not @n/ an1 appa%ent /isobe/ience an/ 7a%8e/ absence of
%espect in the steps ta8en b1 the 7a1o% of the cit1 an/ his subo%/inates( if 9e
ta8e into account the /i=culties encounte%e/ in b%in<in< the sai/ 9o7en 9ho
9e%e f%ee at 3a,ao an/ p%esentin< the7 befo%e this cou%t 9ithin the ti7e
@;e/( inas7uch as it /oes not appea% that the sai/ 9o7en 9e%e li,in<
to<ethe% in a <i,en place. *t 9as not because the1 9e%e %eall1 /etaine/( but
because on the @%st /a1s the%e 9e%e no houses in 9hich the1 coul/ li,e 9ith
a %elati,e in/epen/ent f%o7 one anothe%( an/ as a p%oof that the1 9e%e f%ee a
nu7be% of the7 %etu%ne/ to Manila an/ the othe%s succee/e/ in li,in<
sepa%ate f%o7 thei% co7panions 9ho continue/ li,in< to<ethe%.
To /ete%7ine 9hethe% o% not the 7a1o% acte/ 9ith a <oo/ pu%pose an/ le<al
ob5ect an/ 9hethe% he has acte/ in <oo/ o% ba/ faith in p%ocee/in< to
/issol,e the sai/ co77unit1 of p%ostitutes an/ to obli<e the7 to chan<e thei%
/o7icile( it is necessa%1 to consi/e% not onl1 the %i<hts an/ inte%ests of the
sai/ 9o7en an/ especiall1 of the pat%ons 9ho ha,e been /i%ectin< an/
con/uctin< such a %ep%oachable ente%p%ise an/ sha7eful business in one of
the subu%bs of this cit1( but also the %i<hts an/ inte%ests of the ,e%1
nu7e%ous people of Manila 9he%e %elati,el1 a fe9 t%ansients acci/entall1 an/
fo% so7e /a1s %esi/e( the inhabitants the%eof bein< 7o%e than th%ee hun/%e/
thousan/ I#EE(EEEK 9ho can not( 9ith in/iHe%ence an/ 9ithout %epu<nance(
li,e in the sa7e place 9ith so 7an1 unfo%tunate 9o7en /e/icate/ to
p%ostitution.
*f the 7ate%ial an/ 7o%al inte%ests of the co77unit1 as 9ell as the /e7an/s
of social 7o%alit1 a%e to be ta8en into account( it is not possible to sustain
that it is le<al an/ pe%7issible to establish a house of pan/e%in< o%
p%ostitution in the 7i/st of an enli<htene/ population( fo%( althou<h the%e
9e%e no positi,e la9s p%ohibitin< the e;istence of such houses 9ithin a
/ist%ict of Manila( the /ictates of co77on sense an/ /ictates of conscience of
its inhabitants a%e su=cient to 9a%%ant the public a/7inist%ation( actin<
co%%ectl1( in e;e%cisin< the ine,itable /ut1 of o%/e%in< the closin< an/
aban/on7ent of a house of p%ostitution ostensibl1 open to the public( an/ of
obli<in< the in7ates the%eof to lea,e it( althou<h such a house is inhabite/ b1
its t%ue o9ne% 9ho in,o8es in his behalf the p%otection of the constitutional
la9 <ua%anteein< his libe%t1( his in/i,i/ual %i<hts( an/ his %i<ht to p%ope%t1.
A chole%a patient( a lepe%( o% an1 othe% pe%son aHecte/ b1 a 8no9n
conta<ious /isease cannot in,o8e in his fa,o% the constitutional la9 9hich
<ua%antees his libe%t1 an/ in/i,i/ual %i<hts( shoul/ the a/7inist%ati,e
autho%it1 o%/e% his hospitali0ation( %eclusion( o% concent%ation in a ce%tain
islan/ o% /istant point in o%/e% to f%ee f%o7 conta<ious the <%eat 7a5o%it1 of
the inhabitants of the count%1 9ho fo%tunatel1 /o not ha,e such /iseases.
The sa7e %easons e;ist o% stan/ <oo/ 9ith %espect to the unfo%tunate 9o7en
/e/icate/ to p%ostitution( an/ such %easons beco7e st%on<e% because the
@%st pe%sons na7e/ ha,e cont%acte/ thei% /iseases 9ithout thei% 8no9le/<e
an/ e,en a<ainst thei% 9ill( 9he%eas the unfo%tunate p%ostitutes ,olunta%il1
a/opte/ such 7anne% of li,in< an/ spontaneousl1 accepte/ all its
conse6uences( 8no9in< positi,el1 that thei% constant inte%cou%se 9ith 7en of
all classes( not9ithstan/in< the cleanliness an/ p%ecaution 9hich the1 a%e
9ont to a/opt( <i,es 9a1 to the sp%ea/ o% 7ultiplication of the /isease 8no9n
as s1philis( a ,ene%eal /isease( 9hich( althou<h it constitutes a sec%et /isease
a7on< 7en an/ 9o7en( is still p%e5u/icial to the hu7an species in the sa7e
/e<%ee( scope( an/ se%iousness as chole%a( tube%culosis( lep%os1( pest(
t1phoi/( an/ othe% conta<ious /iseases 9hich p%o/uce <%eat 7o%talit1 an/
,e%1 se%ious p%e5u/ice to poo% hu7anit1.
*f a 1oun< 9o7an( instea/ of en<a<in< in an occupation o% 9o%8s suitable to
he% se;( 9hich can <i,e he% su=cient %e7une%ation fo% he% subsistence(
p%efe%s to put he%self un/e% the 9ill of anothe% 9o7an 9ho is usuall1 ol/e%
than she is an/ 9ho is the 7ana<e% o% o9ne% of a house of p%ostitution( o%
spontaneousl1 /e/icates he%self to this sha7eful p%ofession( it is un/eniable
that she ,olunta%il1 an/ 9ith he% o9n 8no9le/<e %enounces he% libe%t1 an/
in/i,i/ual %i<hts <ua%antee/ b1 the Constitution( because it is e,i/ent that
she can not 5oin the societ1 of /ecent 9o7en no% can she e;pect to <et the
sa7e %espect that is /ue to the latte%( no% is it possible fo% he% to li,e 9ithin
the co77unit1 o% societ1 9ith the sa7e libe%t1 an/ %i<hts en5o1e/ b1 e,e%1
citi0en. Consi/e%in< he% /ishono%able con/uct an/ life( she shoul/ the%efo%e
be co7p%ise/ 9ithin that class 9hich is al9a1s sub5ect to the police an/
sanita%1 %e<ulations con/uci,e to the 7aintenance of public /ecenc1 an/
7o%alit1 an/ to the conse%,ation of public health( an/ fo% this %eason it shoul/
not pe%7itte/ that the unfo%tunate 9o7en /e/icate/ to p%ostitution e,a/e
the 5ust o%/e%s an/ %esolutions a/opte/ b1 the a/7inist%ati,e autho%ities.
*t is %e<%ettable that unnecessa%1 %i<o% 9as e7plo1e/ a<ainst the sai/ poo%
9o7en( but those 9ho ha,e been 9o%%1in< so 7uch about the p%e5u/ice
%esultin< f%o7 a <o,e%n7ental 7easu%e( 9hich bein< a ,e%1 /%astic %e7e/1
7a1 be consi/e%e/ a%bit%a%1( ha,e faile/ to consi/e% 9ith /ue %ePection the
inte%ests of the inhabitants of this cit1 in <ene%al an/ pa%ticula%l1 the /uties
an/ %esponsibilities 9ei<hin< upon the autho%ities 9hich a/7iniste% an/
<o,e%n itB the1 ha,e fo%<otten that 7an1 of those 9ho c%itici0e an/ censu%e
the 7a1o% a%e fathe%s of fa7ilies an/ a%e in /ut1 boun/ to ta8e ca%e of thei%
chil/%en.
2o% the fo%e<oin< %easons( 9e %each the conclusion that 9hen the petitione%s(
because of the abno%7al life the1 assu7e/( 9e%e obli<e/ to chan<e thei%
%esi/ence not b1 a p%i,ate citi0en but b1 the 7a1o% of the cit1 9ho is /i%ectl1
%esponsible fo% the conse%,ation of public health an/ social 7o%alit1( the
latte% coul/ ta8e the step he ha/ ta8en( a,ailin< hi7self of the se%,ices of the
police in <oo/ faith an/ onl1 9ith the pu%pose of p%otectin< the i77ense
7a5o%it1 of the population f%o7 the social e,ils an/ /iseases 9hich the
houses of p%ostitution situate/ in Ga%/enia St%eet ha,e been p%o/ucin<( 9hich
houses ha,e been constitutin< fo% 1ea%s a t%ue cente% fo% the p%opa<ation of
<ene%al /iseases an/ othe% e,ils /e%i,e/ the%ef%o7. Cence( in o%/e%in< the
/issolution an/ aban/on7ent of the sai/ houses of p%ostitution an/ the
chan<e of the /o7icile of the in7ates the%eof( the 7a1o% /i/ not in ba/ faith
,iolate the constitutional la9s 9hich <ua%antees the libe%t1 an/ the in/i,i/ual
%i<hts of e,e%1 2ilipino( inas7uch as the 9o7en petitione%s /o not absolutel1
en5o1 the sai/ libe%t1 an/ %i<hts( the e;e%cise of 9hich the1 ha,e ,olunta%il1
%enounce/ in e;chan<e fo% the f%ee p%actice of thei% sha7eful p%ofession.
*n ,e%1 hi<hl1 a/,ance/ an/ ci,ili0e/ count%ies( the%e ha,e been a/opte/ b1
the a/7inist%ati,e autho%ities si7ila% 7easu%es( 7o%e o% less %i<o%ous(
%espectin< p%ostitutes( consi/e%in< the7 p%e5u/icial to the people( althou<h it
is t%ue that in the e;ecution of such 7easu%es 7o%e hu7ane an/ less /%astic
p%oce/u%es( fo%tite% in %e et sua,ite% in fo%7a( ha,e been a/opte/( but such
p%oce/u%es ha,e al9a1s ha/ in ,ie9 the ulti7ate ob5ect of the Go,e%n7ent
fo% the sa8e of the co77unit1( that is( puttin< an en/ to the li,in< to<ethe% in
a ce%tain place of 9o7en /e/icate/ to p%ostitution an/ chan<in< thei%
/o7icile( 9ith the p%oble7atical hope that the1 a/opt anothe% 7anne% of
li,in< 9hich is bette% an/ 7o%e useful to the7sel,es an/ to societ1.
*n ,ie9 of the fo%e<oin< %e7a%8s( 9e shoul/ hol/( as 9e he%eb1 hol/( that
Ma1o% -usto Lu8ban is obli<e/ to ta8e bac8 an/ %esto%e the sai/ 9o7en 9ho
a%e at p%esent foun/ in 3a,ao( an/ 9ho /esi%e to %etu%n to thei% fo%7e%
%especti,e %esi/ences( not in Ga%/enia St%eet( Sa7paloc 3ist%ict( 9ith the
e;ception of the p%ostitutes 9ho shoul/ e;p%essl1 7a8e 8no9n to the cle%8 of
cou%t thei% p%efe%ence to %esi/e in 3a,ao( 9hich 7anifestation 7ust be 7a/e
un/e% oath. This %esolution 7ust be t%ans7itte/ to the 7a1o% 9ithin the
sho%test ti7e possible fo% its /ue co7pliance. The costs shall be cha%<e/ /e
o=cio.
ARAULLO( -.( /issentin< in pa%t4
* %e<%et to /issent f%o7 the %espectable opinion of the 7a5o%it1 in the /ecision
%en/e%e/ in these p%ocee/in<s( 9ith %espect to the @n/in< as to the
i7po%tance of the conte7pt co77itte/( acco%/in< to the sa7e /ecision( b1
-usto Lu8ban( Ma1o% of the cit1 of Manila( an/ the conse6uent i7position
upon hi7 of a no7inal @ne of PEE.
*n the sai/ /ecision( it is sai/4
The @%st o%/e%( it 9ill be %ecalle/( /i%ecte/ -usto Lu8ban( Anton Coh7ann(
2%ancisco Sales( an/ 2eliciano FGi<o to p%esent the pe%sons na7e/ in the 9%it
befo%e the cou%t on 3ece7be% &( $A. The o%/e% 9as /ate/ No,e7be% !(
$A. The %espon/ents 9e%e thus <i,en a7ple ti7e( p%acticall1 one 7onth( to
co7pl1 9ith the 9%it. As fa% as the %eco%/ /isclose/( the 7a1o% of the cit1 of
Manila 9aite/ until the &st of No,e7be% befo%e sen/in< a tele<%a7 to the
p%o,incial <o,e%no% of 3a,ao. Acco%/in< to the %esponse of the Atto%ne1 fo%
the Bu%eau of Labo% to the tele<%a7 of his chief( the%e 9e%e then in 3a,ao
9o7en 9ho /esi%e/ to %etu%n to Manila( but 9ho shoul/ not be pe%7itte/ to
/o so because of ha,in< cont%acte/ /ebts. The half-hea%te/ eHo%t natu%all1
%esulte/ in none of the pa%ties in 6uestion bein< b%ou<ht befo%e the cou%t on
the /a1 na7e/.
*n acco%/ance 9ith section AD of Gene%al O%/e%s No. 'A( as sai/ in the sa7e
/ecision( the %espon/ents( fo% the pu%pose of co7pl1in< 9ith the o%/e% of the
cou%t( coul/ ha,e( IK p%o/uce/ the bo/ies of the pe%sons acco%/in< to the
co77an/ of the 9%itB I&K sho9n b1 a=/a,its that on account of sic8ness o%
in@%7it1 the sai/ 9o7en coul/ not safel1 be b%ou<ht befo%e this cou%tB an/
I#K p%esente/ a=/a,its to sho9 that the pa%ties in 6uestion o% thei% la91e%s
9ai,e/ thei% %i<ht to be p%esent. Acco%/in< to the sa7e /ecision( the sai/
%espon/ents M. . . /i/ not p%o/uce the bo/ies of the pe%sons in 9hose behalf
the 9%it 9as <%ante/B /i/ not sho9 i7possibilit1 of pe%fo%7anceB an/ /i/ not
p%esent 9%itin<s( that 9ai,e/ the %i<ht to be p%esent b1 those inte%este/.
*nstea/( a fe9 ste%eot1pe/ a=/a,its pu%po%tin< to sho9 that the 9o7en 9e%e
contente/ 9ith thei% life in 3a,ao( so7e of 9hich ha,e since been %epu/iate/
b1 the si<ne%s( 9e%e appen/e/ to the %etu%n. That th%ou<h o%/ina%1 /ili<ence
a consi/e%able nu7be% of the 9o7en( at least si;t1( coul/ ha,e been b%ou<ht
bac8 to Manila is /e7onst%ate/ b1 the fact that /u%in< this ti7e the1 9e%e
easil1 to be foun/ in the 7unicipalit1 of 3a,ao( an/ that about this nu7be%
eithe% %etu%ne/ at thei% o9n e;pense o% 9e%e p%o/uce/ at the secon/ hea%in<
b1 the %espon/ents.M
The 7a5o%it1 opinion also %eco<ni0e/ that( MThat cou%t( at the ti7e the %etu%n
to its @%st o%/e% 9as 7a/e( 9oul/ ha,e been 9a%%ante/ su77a%il1 in @n/in<
the %espon/ent <uilt1 of conte7pt of cou%t( an/ in sen/in< the7 to 5ail until
the1 obe1e/ the o%/e%. Thei% e;cuses fo% the non p%o/uction of the pe%sons
9e%e fa% f%o7 su=cient.M To co%%obo%ate this( the 7a5o%it1 /ecision cites the
case of the Queen ,s. Ba%na%/o( Gossa<eJs Case INA$EO( &! Q. B. 3.( &A#K
an/ a//e/ Mthat the %etu%n /i/ not sho9 that e,e%1 possible eHo%t to p%o/uce
the 9o7en 9as 7a/e b1 the %espon/ents.M
:hen the sai/ %etu%n b1 the %espon/ents 9as 7a/e to this cou%t in banc an/
the case /iscusse/( 71 opinion 9as that Ma1o% Lu8ban shoul/ ha,e been
i77e/iatel1 punishe/ fo% conte7pt. Ne,e%theless( a secon/ o%/e% %efe%%e/ to
in the /ecision 9as issue/ on 3ece7be% E( $A( %e6ui%in< the %espon/ents
to p%o/uce befo%e the cou%t( on -anua%1 #( $$( the 9o7en 9ho 9e%e not in
Manila( unless the1 coul/ sho9 that it 9as i7possible to co7pl1 9ith the sai/
o%/e% on the t9o <%oun/s p%e,iousl1 7entione/. :ith %espect to this secon/
o%/e%( the sa7e /ecision has the follo9in< to sa14
*n %esponse to the secon/ o%/e% of the cou%t( the %espon/ents appea% to ha,e
beco7e 7o%e 0ealous an/ to ha,e sho9n a bette% spi%it. A<ents 9e%e
/ispatche/ to Min/anao( placa%/s 9e%e poste/( the constabula%1 an/ the
7unicipal police 5oine/ in %oun/in< up the 9o7en( an/ a stea7e% 9ith f%ee
t%anspo%tation to Manila 9as p%o,i/e/. :hile cha%<es an/ counte%cha%<es in
such a bitte%l1 conteste/ case a%e to be e;pecte/( an/ 9hile a c%itical %ea/in<
of the %eco%/ 7i<ht %e,eal a failu%e of lite%al ful@ll7ent 9ith ou% 7an/ate( 9e
co7e to conclu/e that the%e is a substantial co7pliance 9ith it.
* /o not a<%ee to this conclusion.
The %espon/ent 7a1o% of the cit1 of Manila( -usto Lu8ban( let D /a1s elapse
f%o7 the /ate of the issuance of the @%st o%/e% on No,e7be% !th till the &st
of the sa7e 7onth befo%e ta8in< the @%st step fo% co7pliance 9ith the
7an/ate of the sai/ o%/e%B he 9aite/ till the &st of No,e7be%( as the
/ecision sa1s( befo%e he sent a tele<%a7 to the p%o,incial <o,e%no% o f 3a,ao
an/ natu%all1 this half-hea%te/ eHo%t( as is so 6uali@e/ in the /ecision(
%esulte/ in that none of the 9o7en appea%e/ befo%e this cou%t on 3ece7be%
&n/. Thus( the sai/ o%/e% 9as not co7plie/ 9ith( an/ in a//ition to this
nonco7pliance the%e 9as the ci%cu7stances that se,en of the sai/ 9o7en
ha,in< %etu%ne/ to Manila at thei% o9n e;pense befo%e the sai/ secon/ /a1 of
3ece7be% an/ bein< in the antecha7be% of the cou%t %oo7( 9hich fact 9as
8no9n to Chief of Police Coh7ann( 9ho 9as then p%esent at the t%ial an/ to
the atto%ne1 fo% the %espon/ents( 9e%e not p%o/uce/ befo%e the cou%t b1 the
%espon/ents no% /i/ the latte% sho9 an1 eHo%t to p%esent the7( in spite of the
fact that thei% attention 9as calle/ to this pa%ticula% b1 the un/e%si<ne/.
The %esult of the sai/ secon/ o%/e% 9as( as is sai/ in the sa7e /ecision( that
the %espon/ents( on -anua%1 #th( the /a1 @;e/ fo% the p%otection of the
9o7en befo%e this cou%t( p%esente/ technicall1 the se,en IDK 9o7en abo,e-
7entione/ 9ho ha/ %etu%ne/ to the cit1 at thei% o9n e;pense an/ the othe%
ei<ht IAK 9o7en 9ho7 the %espon/ents the7sel,es b%ou<ht to Manila(
alle<in< 7o%eo,e% that thei% a<ents an/ subo%/inates succee/e/ in b%in<in<
the7 f%o7 3a,ao 9ith thei% consentB that in 3a,ao the1 foun/ ei<ht1-one
IAK 9o7en 9ho( 9hen as8e/ if the1 /esi%e/ to %etu%n to Manila 9ith f%ee
t%anspo%tation( %enounce/ such a %i<ht( as is sho9n in the a=/a,its
p%esente/ b1 the %espon/ents to this eHectB that( th%ou<h othe% 7eans( @ft1-
nine I'$K 9o7en ha,e al%ea/1 %etu%ne/ to Manila( but not9ithstan/in< the
eHo%ts 7a/e to @n/ the7 it 9as not possible to locate the 9he%eabouts of
t9ent1-si; I&"K of the7. Thus( in sho%t( out of the one hun/%e/ an/ ei<ht1-
one IAK 9o7en 9ho( as has been p%e,iousl1 sai/( ha,e been ille<all1
/etaine/ b1 Ma1o% Lu8ban an/ Chief of Police Coh7ann an/ t%anspo%te/ to
3a,ao a<ainst thei% 9ill( onl1 ei<ht IAK ha,e been b%ou<ht to Manila an/
p%esente/ befo%e this cou%t b1 the %espon/ents in co7pliance 9ith the sai/
t9o o%/e%s. 2ift1-nine I'$K of the7 ha,e %etu%ne/ to Manila th%ou<h othe%
7eans not fu%nishe/ b1 the %espon/ents( t9ent1-si; of 9ho7 9e%e b%ou<ht
b1 the atto%ne1 fo% the petitione%s( Men/o0a( on his %etu%n f%o7 3a,ao. The
sai/ atto%ne1 pai/ out of his o9n poc8et the t%anspo%tation of the sai/ t9ent1-
si; 9o7en. A//in< to these nu7be%s the othe% se,en IDK 9o7en 9ho
%etu%ne/ to this cit1 at thei% o9n e;pense befo%e -anua%1 # 9e ha,e a total
of si;t1-si; I""K( 9hich e,i/entl1 p%o,es( on the one han/( the falsit1 of the
alle<ation b1 the %espon/ents in thei% @%st ans9e% at the t%ial of 3ece7be% &(
$A( <i,in< as one of the %easons fo% thei% inabilit1 to p%esent an1 of the sai/
9o7en that the latte% 9e%e content 9ith thei% life in Min/anao an/ /i/ not
/esi%e to %etu%n to ManilaB an/( on the othe% han/( that the %espon/ents(
especiall1 the @%st na7e/( that is Ma1o% -usto Lu8ban( 9ho acte/ as chief an/
p%incipal in all that %efe%s to the co7pliance 9ith the o%/e%s issue/ b1 this
cou%t( coul/ b%in< befo%e 3ece7be% &n/( the /ate of the @%st hea%in< of the
case( as 9ell as befo%e -anua%1 #th( the /ate @;e/ fo% the co7pliance 9ith
the secon/ o%/e%( if not the se,ent1-fou% ID!K 9o7en al%ea/1 in/icate/( at
least a <%eat nu7be% of the7( o% at least si;t1 I"EK of the7( as is sai/ in the
7a5o%it1 /ecision( inas7uch as the sai/ %espon/ent coul/ count upon the ai/
of the Constabula%1 fo%ces an/ the 7unicipal police( an/ ha/ t%anspo%tation
facilities fo% the pu%pose. But the sai/ %espon/ent 7a1o% b%ou<ht onl1 ei<ht
IAK of the 9o7en befo%e this cou%t on -anua%1 #th. This fact can not( in 71
5u/<7ent( 9ith /ue %espect to the 7a5o%it1 opinion( 5ustif1 the conclusion that
the sai/ %espon/ent has substantiall1 co7plie/ 9ith the secon/ o%/e% of this
cou%t( but on the othe% han/ /e7onst%ates that he ha/ not co7plie/ 9ith the
7an/ate of this cou%t in its @%st an/ secon/ o%/e%sB that neithe% of the sai/
o%/e%s has been co7plie/ 9ith b1 the %espon/ent -usto Lu8ban( Ma1o% of the
cit1 of Manila( 9ho is( acco%/in< to the 7a5o%it1 /ecision( p%incipall1
%esponsible fo% the conte7pt( to 9hich conclusion * a<%ee. The con/uct of the
sai/ %espon/ent 9ith %espect to the secon/ o%/e% con@%7s the conte7pt
co77itte/ b1 non-co7pliance 9ith the @%st o%/e% an/ constitutes a ne9
conte7pt because of non-co7pliance 9ith the secon/( because of the
p%o/uction of onl1 ei<ht IAK of the one hun/%e/ an/ ei<ht1-one IAK 9o7en
9ho ha,e been ille<all1 /etaine/ b1 ,i%tue of his o%/e% an/ t%anspo%te/ to
3a,ao a<ainst thei% 9ill( co77ittin< the t9ent1-si; I&"K 9o7en 9ho coul/
not be foun/ in 3a,ao( /e7onst%ates in 71 opinion that( not9ithstan/in< the
natu%e of the case 9hich /eals 9ith the %e7e/1 of habeas co%pus( p%esente/
b1 the petitione%s an/ in,ol,in< the 6uestion 9hethe% the1 shoul/ o% not be
<%ante/ thei% libe%t1( the %espon/ent has not <i,en /ue attention to the sa7e
no% has he 7a/e an1 eHo%t to co7pl1 9ith the secon/ o%/e%. *n othe% 9o%/s(
he has /isobe1e/ the sai/ t9o o%/e%sB has /espise/ the autho%it1 of this
cou%tB has faile/ to <i,e the %espect /ue to 5usticeB an/ lastl1( he has c%eate/
an/ place/ obstacles to the a/7inist%ation of 5ustice in the sai/ habeas
co%pus p%ocee/in<( thus p%e,entin<( because of his noto%ious /isobe/ience(
the %esolution of the sai/ p%ocee/in< 9ith the p%o7ptness 9hich the natu%e of
the sa7e %e6ui%e/.
Conte7pt of cou%t has been /e@ne/ as a /espisin< of the autho%it1( 5ustice(
o% /i<nit1 of the cou%tB an/ he is <uilt1 of conte7pt 9hose con/uct is such as
ten/s to b%in< the autho%it1 an/ a/7inist%ation of the la9 into /is%espect o%
/is%e<a%/. . . .M IRulin< Case La9( ,ol. "( p. !AA.K
*t is a <ene%al p%inciple that a /isobe/ience of an1 ,ali/ o%/e% of the cou%t
constitutes conte7pt( unless the /efen/ant is unable to co7pl1 the%e9ith.
IRulin< Case La9( ,ol. "( p. 'E&.K
*t is conte7pt to e7plo1 a subte%fu<e to e,a/e the 5u/<7ent of the cou%t( o%
to obst%uct o% atte7pt to obst%uct the se%,ice of le<al p%ocess. *f a pe%son
hin/e%s o% p%e,ents the se%,ice of p%ocess b1 /ecei,in< the o=ce% o%
ci%cu7,entin< hi7 b1 an1 7eans( the %esult is the sa7e as thou<h he ha/
obst%ucte/ b1 so7e /i%ect 7eans. IRulin< Case La9( ,ol. "( p. 'E#.K
:hile it 7a1 see7 so7e9hat incon<%uous to spea8( as the cou%ts often /o( of
enfo%cin< %espect fo% the la9 an/ fo% the 7eans it has p%o,i/e/ in ci,ili0e/
co77unities fo% establishin< 5ustice( since t%ue %espect ne,e% co7es in that
9a1( it is appa%ent ne,e%theless that the po9e% to enfo%ce /eco%u7 in the
cou%ts an/ obe/ience to thei% o%/e%s an/ 5ust 7easu%es is so essentiall1 a
pa%t of the life of the cou%ts that it 9oul/ be /i=cult to concei,e of thei%
usefulness o% e=cienc1 as e;istin< 9ithout it. The%efo%e it 7a1 be sai/
<ene%all1 that 9he%e /ue %espect fo% the cou%ts as 7iniste%s of the la9 is
9antin<( a necessit1 a%ises fo% the use of co7pulsion( not( ho9e,e%( so 7uch
to e;cite in/i,i/ual %espect as to co7pel obe/ience o% to %e7o,e an unla9ful
o% un9a%%ante/ inte%fe%ence 9ith the a/7inist%ation of 5ustice. IRulin< Case
La9( ,ol. "( p. !AD.K
The po9e% to punish fo% conte7pt is as ol/ as the la9 itself( an/ has been
e;e%cise/ f%o7 the ea%liest ti7es. *n En<lan/ it has been e;e%te/ 9hen the
conte7pt consiste/ of scan/ali0in< the so,e%ei<n o% his 7iniste%s( the la9-
7a8in< po9e%( o% the cou%ts. *n the A7e%ican states the po9e% to punish fo%
conte7pt( so fa% as the e;ecuti,e /epa%t7ent an/ the 7iniste%s of state a%e
conce%ne/( an/ in so7e /e<%ee so fa% as the le<islati,e /epa%t7ent is
conce%ne/( is obsolete( but it has been al7ost uni,e%sall1 p%ese%,e/ so fa% as
%e<a%/s the 5u/icial /epa%t7ent. The po9e% 9hich the cou%ts ha,e of
,in/icatin< thei% o9n autho%it1 is a necessa%1 inci/ent to e,e%1 cou%t of
5ustice( 9hethe% of %eco%/ o% notB an/ the autho%it1 fo% issuin< attach7ents in
a p%ope% case fo% conte7pts out of cou%t( it has been /ecla%e/( stan/s upon
the sa7e i77e7o%ial usa<e as suppo%ts the 9hole fab%ic of the co77on la9.
. . . IRulin< Case La9( ,ol. "( p. !A$.K
The un/ispute/ i7po%tance of the o%/e%s of this cou%t 9hich ha,e been
/isobe1e/B the loss of the p%esti<e of the autho%it1 of the cou%t 9hich issue/
the sai/ o%/e%s( 9hich loss 7i<ht ha,e been cause/ b1 nonco7pliance 9ith
the sa7e o%/e%s on the pa%t of the %espon/ent -usto Lu8banB the /a7a<es
9hich 7i<ht ha,e been suHe%e/ b1 so7e of the 9o7en ille<all1 /etaine/( in
,ie9 of the fact that the1 9e%e not b%ou<ht to Manila b1 the %espon/ents to
be p%esente/ befo%e the cou%t an/ of the fu%the% fact that so7e of the7 9e%e
obli<e/ to co7e to this cit1 at thei% o9n e;pense 9hile still othe%s 9e%e
b%ou<ht to Manila b1 the atto%ne1 fo% the petitione%s( 9ho pai/ out of his o9n
poc8et the t%anspo%tation of the sai/ 9o7enB an/ the /ela1 9hich 9as
necessa%il1 incu%%e/ in the %esolution of the petition inte%pose/ b1 the sai/
petitione%s an/ 9hich 9as /ue to the fact that the sai/ o%/e%s 9e%e not
oppo%tunatel1 an/ /ul1 obe1e/ an/ co7plie/ 9ith( a%e ci%cu7stances 9hich
shoul/ be ta8en into account in i7posin< upon the %espon/ent -usto Lu8ban
the penalt1 co%%espon/in< to the conte7pt co77itte/ b1 hi7( a penalt1
9hich( acco%/in< to section &#" of the Co/e of Ci,il P%oce/u%e( shoul/ consist
of a @ne not e;cee/in< P(EEE o% i7p%ison7ent not e;cee/in< 7onths( o%
both such @ne an/ i7p%ison7ent. *n the i7position of the penalt1( the%e
shoul/ also be ta8en into consi/e%ation the special ci%cu7stance that the
conte7pt 9as co77itte/ b1 a public autho%it1( the 7a1o% of the cit1 of
Manila( the @%st e;ecuti,e autho%it1 of the cit1( an/ conse6uentl1( the pe%son
obli<e/ to be the @%st in <i,in< an e;a7ple of obe/ience an/ %espect fo% the
la9s an/ the ,ali/ an/ 5ust o%/e%s of the /ul1 constitute/ autho%ities as 9ell
as fo% the o%/e%s e7anatin< f%o7 the cou%ts of 5ustice( an/ in <i,in< help an/
ai/ to the sai/ cou%ts in o%/e% that 5ustice 7a1 be a/7iniste%e/ 9ith
p%o7ptness an/ %ectitu/e.
* belie,e( the%efo%e( that instea/ of the @ne of one hun/%e/ pesos IPEEK(
the%e shoul/ be i7pose/ upon the %espon/ent -usto Lu8ban a @ne of @,e
hun/%e/ pesos IP'EEK( an/ all the costs shoul/ be cha%<e/ a<ainst hi7.
Lastl1( * belie,e it to be 71 /ut1 to state he%e that the %eco%/s of this
p%ocee/in< shoul/ be t%ans7itte/ to the Atto%ne1-Gene%al in o%/e% that( afte%
a stu/1 of the sa7e an/ /e/uction f%o7 the testi7on1 9hich he 7a1 /ee7
necessa%1( an/ the p%ope% t%ans7ittal of the sa7e to the @scal of the cit1 of
Manila an/ to the p%o,incial @scal of 3a,ao( both the latte% shall p%esent the
co%%espon/in< info%7ations fo% the p%osecution an/ punish7ent of the c%i7es
9hich ha,e been co77itte/ on the occasion 9hen the ille<al /etention of the
9o7en 9as ca%%ie/ into eHect b1 Ma1o% -usto Lu8ban of the cit1 of Manila
an/ Chief of Police Anton Coh7ann( an/ also of those c%i7es co77itte/ b1
%eason of the sa7e /etention an/ 9hile the 9o7en 9e%e in 3a,ao. This 9ill
be one of the 7eans 9he%eb1 the 5ust hope e;p%esse/ in the 7a5o%it1
/ecision 9ill be %eali0e/( that is( that in the Philippine *slan/s the%e shoul/
e;ist a <o,e%n7ent of la9s an/ not a <o,e%n7ent of 7en an/ that this
/ecision 7a1 se%,e to bul9a%8 the fo%ti@cations of an o%/e%l1 Go,e%n7ent of
la9s an/ to p%otect in/i,i/ual libe%t1 f%o7 ille<al enc%oach7ents.