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the regulations of sea-use rights or enacting statutes to comply with the treatys terms
to delimit maritime zones and continental shelves.
G.R. No.: 187167
TERRITORY
1. Magallona v. Executive Secretary
TOPIC: Territory in International Law; Modes of Acquisition of Sovereignty over Territory
Treaties/Laws:
Republic Act No. 9522 - adjusting the countrys archipelagic baselines and
classifying the baseline regime of nearby territories.
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS III)
Art. I of the 1987 Philippine Constitution
RECIT-READY:
Pursuant to UNCLOS III which prescribes the water-land ratio, length, and contour of
baselines of archipelagic States like the Philippines, Congress enacted R.A. 9522 in 2009.
R.A. 9522 shortened one baseline, optimized the location of some basepoints around
the Philippine archipelago and classified adjacent territories, namely, the Kalayaan
Island Group (KIG) and the Scarborough Shoal, as regimes of islands whose islands
generate their own applicable maritime zones. Petitioners are questioning the
constitutionality of R.A. 9522, contending that it reduces Philippine maritime territory
and violates Art. I of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, embodying the terms of the
Treaty of Paris and ancillary treaties that Philippine territory embraces the islands
and all the waters within the rectangular area delimited in the Treaty of Paris. In
upholding the constitutionality of R.A. 9522, the Supreme Court held that baseline laws
(such as R.A. 9522) are statutory mechanisms for UNCLOS III States parties to delimit
with precision the extent of their maritime zones and continental shelves. This gives
notice to the international community of the scope of the maritime space and
submarine areas within which States parties exercise treaty-based rights, namely, the
exercise of sovereignty over territorial waters, the jurisdiction to enforce customs, fiscal,
immigration, and sanitation laws in the contiguous zone, and the right to exploit the
living and non-living resources in the exclusive economic zone, and continental shelf.
Also, UNCLOS III and its ancillary baselines laws play no role in the acquisition,
enlargement or, as petitioners claim, diminution of territory. Under traditional
international law typology, States acquire (or conversely, lose) territory through
occupation, accretion, cession and prescription, not by executing multilateral treaties on
Petitioner: Prof. Merlin M. Magallona, Akbayan Party-List Rep. Risa Hontiveros, Prof. Harry C.
Roque, Jr., And University Of The Philippines College Of Law Students, Alithea Barbara Acas,
Voltaire Alferes, Czarina May Altez, Francis Alvin Asilo, Sheryl Balot, Ruby Amor Barraca, Jose
Javier Bautista, Romina Bernardo, Pagasa Buenaventura, Edan Marri Caete, Vann Dela Cruz,
Rene Delorino, Paulyn May Duman, Sharon Escoto, Rodrigo Fajardo III, Girlie Ferrer, Raoulle Osen
Ferrer, Carla Regina Grepo, Anna Marie Cecilia Go, Irish Kay Kalaw, Mary Ann Joy Lee, Maria Luisa
Manalaysay, Miguel Rafael Musngi, Michael Ocampo, Jaklyn Hanna Pineda, William Ragamat,
Maricar Ramos, Enrik Fort Revillas, James Mark Terry Ridon, Johann Frantz Rivera IV, Christian
Rivero, Dianne Marie Roa, Nicholas Santizo, Melissa Christina Santos, Cristine Mae Tabing,
Vanessa Anne Torno, Maria Ester Vanguardia, and Marcelino Veloso III
Respondents: Hon. Eduardo Ermita, In His Capacity As Executive Secretary, Hon. Alberto Romulo,
In His Capacity As Secretary Of The Department Of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Rolando Andaya, In His
Capacity As Secretary Of The Department Of Budget And Management, Hon. Diony Ventura, In His
Capacity As Administrator Of The National Mapping & Resource Information Authority, And Hon.
Hilario Davide, Jr., In His Capacity As Representative Of The Permanent Mission Of The Republic Of
The Philippines To The United Nations
In 1961, Congress passed Republic Act No. 3046 demarcating the maritime
baselines of the Philippines as an archipelagic State.
o This law followed the framing of the Convention on the Territorial
Sea and the Contiguous Zone in 1958 (UNCLOS I), codifying, among
others, the sovereign right of States parties over their territorial sea,
the breadth of which, however, was left undetermined.
o The second round of negotiations in Geneva in 1960 (UNCLOS II) was
also not able to determine the breadth of the territorial sea.
o Thus, domestically, RA 3046 remained unchanged for nearly 50
years, except for R.A. 5446 passed in 1968, correcting typographical
errors and reserving the drawing of baselines around Sabah in North
Borneo.
In March 2009, R.A. 9552 was enacted by Congress amending R.A. 3046, in
order to be consistent with the terms of the United Nations Convention on the
Law of the Sea (UNCLOS III).
Petitioners contentions
o RA 9522 reduces Philippine maritime territory and violates Art. I of
the 1987 Philippine Constitution, embodying the terms of the Treaty
of Paris and ancillary treaties
o RA 9522 opens the countrys waters landward of the baselines to
maritime passage by all vessels and aircrafts, undermining Philippine
sovereignty and national security, contravening the countrys
nuclear-free policy, and damaging marine resources, in violation of
relevant constitutional provisions
Respondents contentions
o RA 9522 complies with the terms of UNCLOS III, preserving
Philippine territory over the KIG or Scarborough Shoal.
o RA 9522 does not undermine the countrys security, environment
and economic interests or relinquish the Philippines claim over
Sabah.
o Respondents also question the normative force, under international
law, of petitioners assertion that what Spain ceded to the United
States under the Treaty of Paris were the islands and all the
waters found within the boundaries of the rectangular area drawn
under the Treaty of Paris.
ISSUES/HELD:
Whether RA 9522 is unconstitutional - NO
I. RA 9522 is a Statutory Tool to Demarcate the Countrys Maritime Zones and
Continental Shelf Under UNCLOS III, not to Delineate Philippine Territory
Baseline laws such as RA 9522 are enacted by UNCLOS III States parties to
mark-out specific basepoints along their coasts from which baselines are
drawn, either straight or contoured, to serve as geographic starting points to
measure the breadth of the maritime zones and continental shelf. Article 48 of
UNCLOS III on archipelagic States like ours could not be any clearer:
II. RA 9522s Use of the Framework of Regime of Islands to Determine the Maritime
Zones of the KIG and the Scarborough Shoal, not Inconsistent with the Philippines
Claim of Sovereignty Over these Areas
RA 9522 merely followed the basepoints mapped by RA 3046, save for at least
nine basepoints that RA 9522 skipped to optimize the location of basepoints
and adjust the length of one baseline (and thus comply with UNCLOS IIIs
limitation on the maximum length of baselines). Under RA 3046, as under RA
9522, the KIG and the Scarborough Shoal lie outside of the baselines drawn
around the Philippine archipelago. Hence, it cannot be said that RA 9522
weakens the countrys claim over the said islands.
IV. UNCLOS III and RA 9522 not Incompatible with the Constitutions Delineation of
Internal Waters
The Philippines exercises sovereignty over the body of water lying landward of
the baselines, including the air space over it and the submarine areas
underneath. The fact of sovereignty, however, does not preclude the
operation of municipal and international law norms subjecting the territorial
sea or archipelagic waters to necessary, if not marginal, burdens in the
interest of maintaining unimpeded, expeditious international navigation,
consistent with the international law principle of freedom of navigation. Thus,
domestically, the political branches of the Philippine government, in the
competent discharge of their constitutional powers, may pass legislation
designating routes within the archipelagic waters to regulate innocent and sea
lanes passage. Indeed, bills drawing nautical highways for sea lanes passage
are now pending in Congress.
DISPOSITIVE: Petition is Dismissed.
Section 2 of RA 5446, which RA 9522 did not repeal, keeps open the
door for drawing the baselines of Sabah:
o Section 2. The definition of the baselines of the territorial
sea of the Philippine Archipelago as provided in this Act is
without prejudice to the delineation of the baselines of
the territorial sea around the territory of Sabah, situated
in North Borneo, over which the Republic of the
Philippines has acquired dominion and sovereignty.
participated in, was still part of piracy. Though conspiracy wasnt proved on his part, he
was given a lesser responsibility, an accomplice.
Facts
In March 2, 1991, M/T Tabangao, a cargo vessel owned by the PNOC Shipping
and Transport Corporation, loaded with kerosene, gasoline, and oil, worth P40.4M
was sailing off the coast of Mindoro near Silonay Island.
The vessel was suddenly boarded by seven fully armed pirates led by Emilio
Changco (Emilio), older brother of accused-appellant Cecilio Changco (Cecilio). They
detained the crew and took complete control of the vessel.
Loyola ordered 3 crewmembers to paint over, the name "M/T Tabangao" and
PNOC logos of the vessel with the name "Galilee," with registry at San Lorenzo,
Honduras.
The crew was forced to sail to Singapore, all the while sending misleading radio
messages to PNOC that the ship was undergoing repairs.
PNOC reported the disappearance of the vessel to the Philippine Coast Guard and
secured the assistance of the Philippine Air Force and the Philippine Navy.
However, search and rescue operations yielded negative results.
March 9, 1991 the ship arrived in SG to wait for another vessel, which failed to
arrive. With this, they went back to the Philippines and arrived on March 20
March 28, 1991 "M/T Tabangao" again sailed to SG's shoreline where another
vessel called "Navi Pride" anchored beside it.
March 30, 1991 Emilio ordered the crew of "M/T Tabangao" to transfer the
vessel's cargo to the hold of "Navi Pride". Hiong supervised the crew of "Navi Pride"
in receiving the cargo and the transfer was completed.
April 8, 1991 "M/T Tabangao" arrived at Batangas, but the vessel remained at sea
April 10, 1991 the members of the crew were released in three batches with the
stern warning not to report the incident to government authorities until April 12,
1991, otherwise they would be killed
April 12, 1991 the Chief Engineer and the members of the crew, called PNOC to
report the incident. The crewmembers were brought to the Coast Guard Office for
investigation, and to NBI where they executed sworn statements.
Tulin, Hiong, and Cecilio were arrested in separate days in Batangas.
Infante, Jr. and Loyola were arrested by chance at Aguinaldo Hi-way by NBI agents
as the latter were pursuing the mastermind, who managed to evade arrest.
October 24 1991, an Information charging qualified piracy or violation of PD No.
532 (piracy in Philippine Waters) was filed against accused-appellants. Upon
arraignment, accused-appellants pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Tulin, Infante, Jr., and Loyola, maintained the defense of denial, and disputed the
charge, and the transfer of any cargo from "M/T Tabangao" to the "Navi Pride."
They said that they merely worked for Libo-on as crew of the vessel.
Cecilio categorically denied the charge. But he testified that he is the younger
brother of Emilio.
Hiong, also known as Ramzan Ali, adduced evidence that he studied in Sydney,
Australia, and was later employed at Navi Marine Services, Pte., Ltd. as Port
Captain. The company was engaged in the business of trading petroleum, and
owned four vessels, one of which was "Navi Pride."
Hiongs story was a long one. But basically, he acted as the broker of the pirates in
Singapore. He was the ship agent for the sale of the cargo in SG. He did not join the
actual piracy, hence, he was only convicted as an accomplice. (See ruling 4)
Hiong went to the Philippines to discuss the matter with Emilio, who laid out the
details of the new transfer, this time with "M/T Polaris" as contact vessel.
Issues/Ruling:
(1) What are the legal effects and implications of the fact that a non-lawyer
represented accused-appellants during the trial? PROCEEDINGS ARE STILL VALID
BECAUSE THERE WAS A VALID WAIVER OF RIGHTS MADE BY THE ACCUSEDAPPELLANTS.
Tulin, Loyola, Infante, and Cecilio narrate that Mr. Posadas entered his
appearance as counsel for all of them.
In the course of the proceedings, TC discovered that Mr. Posadas was not a
member of the Philippine Bar.
However, the record reveals that a manifestation was executed by accusedappellants February 11, 1991, stating that they were adopting the evidence
adduced when they were represented by a non-lawyer
Such waiver of the right to sufficient representation during the trial as
covered by the due process clause shall only be valid if made with the full
assistance of a bona fide lawyer
During the trial, accused-appellants, as represented by Atty. Abdul Basar,
made a categorical manifestation that said accused-appellants were apprised
of the nature and legal consequences of the subject manifestation, and that
they voluntarily and intelligently executed the same
They also affirmed the truthfulness of its contents when asked in open court
(2) What are the legal effects and implications of the absence of counsel during the
custodial investigation? EVIDENCE OBTAINED IS INADMISSIBLE.
(3) Did the trial court err in finding that the prosecution was able to prove beyond
reasonable doubt that accused-appellants committed the crime of qualified piracy?
NO, THERE ARE WITNESSES, AND THEIR ALIBI WOULD NOT SUFFICE
(4) Did Republic Act No. 7659 obliterate the crime committed by accused-appellant
Hiong?
Moreover, piracy falls under Title One of Book Two of the Revised Penal Code. As
such, it is an exception to the rule on territoriality in criminal law. The same
principle applies even if Hiong, in the instant case, were charged, not with a
violation of qualified piracy under the penal code but under a special law, PD 532
which penalizes piracy in Philippine waters.
It is likewise, well-settled that regardless of the law penalizing the same, piracy is
a reprehensible crime against the whole world
However, does this constitute a violation of accused-appellant's constitutional right
to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation against him on the
ground that he was convicted as an accomplice under Section 4 of PD 532 even
though he was charged as a principal by direct participation under Section 2 of said
law?
TC found that there was insufficiency of evidence showing that Hiong directly
participated in the attack and seizure and that his act was indispensable to it.
But the finding by the TC that Hiongs participation was one, which aided or
abetted Emilio and his band of pirates in the disposition of the stolen cargo under
PD 532 was upheld
The ruling of the trial court is within well-settled jurisprudence that if there is lack
of complete evidence of conspiracy, the liability is that of an accomplice and not
as principal. Any doubt as to the participation of an individual in the commission of
the crime is always resolved in favor of lesser responsibility.
The record discloses that Hiong aided the pirates in disposing of the stolen
cargo. He profited therefrom by buying the hijacked cargo for Navi Marine
Services. He even tested the quality and verified the quantity of the petroleum
products, connived with Navi Marine Services personnel in falsifying the General
Declarations and Crew List to ensure that the illegal transfer went through,
undetected by Singapore Port Authorities, and supplied the pirates with food, beer,
and other provisions for their maintenance while in port
Dispositive Portion
WHEREFORE, finding the conviction of accused-appellants justified by the
evidence on record, the Court hereby AFFIRMS the judgment of the trial court in toto.
SO ORDERED.
Vitug, Panganiban, Gonzaga-Reyes, and Sandoval-Gutierrez, JJ., concur.
Pursuant to the RP-US Extradition Treaty, USA sent to the Philippine Government
Note Verbale and accompanied by duly authenticated documents requesting the
extradition of Mark B. Jimenez a.k.a. Mario Batacan Crespo.
The SFA transmitted the documents to the SOJ for appropriate action.
Upon learning of the request for his extradition, Jimenez sought and was granted a
TRO by the RTC of Manila.
o
The TRO prohibited the Department of Justice (DOJ) from filing with the RTC a
petition for his extradition.
The validity of the TRO was assailed by the SOJ.
o The Court dismissed the Petition of the SOJ but reconsidered and reversed its
decision.
o It held that Jimenez was bereft of the right to notice and hearing during the
evaluation stage of the extradition process.
o This Resolution has become final and executory.
The USA, through the DOJ, filed with the RTC the appropriate Petition for
Extradition.
o It alleged that Jimenez was the subject of an arrest warrant issued by the US
District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
o The warrant had been issued in connection with the following charges:
conspiracy to defraud the US, tax evasion, wire fraud, false statements and
illegal campaign contributions.
o In order to prevent the flight of Jimenez, the Petition prayed for the issuance
of an order for his immediate arrest.
Jimenez filed before the RTC an Urgent Manifestation/Ex-Parte Motion, which
prayed that the application for an arrest warrant be set for hearing.
RTC granted the Motion of Jimenez and set the case for hearing.
The USA manifested its reservations on the procedure adopted by the trial court
allowing the accused in an extradition case to be heard prior to the issuance of a
warrant of arrest.
After the hearing, the court required the parties to submit their respective
memoranda.
o Jimenez sought an alternative prayer: that in case a warrant should issue, he
be allowed to post bail in the amount of P100,000.
o The alternative prayer of Jimenez was also set for hearing.
o The court issued an order, directing the issuance of a warrant for his arrest
and fixing bail for his temporary liberty at P 1M in cash.
After he had surrendered his passport and posted the required cash bond, Jimenez
was granted provisional liberty.
MAIN ISSUE: W/N the Court committed GADALEJ in allowing Jimenez to post for bail
YES. (Please see sub-issues)
SUB-ISSUE/HELD 1: W/N the present petition was filed prematurely in the SCNO.
The SC can take cognizance of cases where exceptional circumstances are present.
The SC has original jurisdiction, concurrent with that of the RTC and CA, over
petitions for certiorari, prohibition, mandamus, quo warranto and habeas corpus,
and it entertains direct resort in cases where special and important reasons or
exceptional and compelling circumstances justify the same.
In the interest of justice and to settle once and for all the important issue of bail in
extradition proceedings, the SC deem it best to take cognizance of the present
case.
Such proceedings constitute a matter of first impression over which there is no
local jurisprudence to guide lower courts.
1.
2.
3.
e.
f.
g.
4.
5.
USA contends that the procedure adopted by the RTC --informing the accused, a
fugitive from justice, that an Extradition Petition has been filed against him, and
that petitioner is seeking his arrest -- gives him notice to escape and to avoid
extradition.
Jimenez argues that he should not be hurriedly and arbitrarily deprived of his
constitutional right to liberty without due process.
o That there is no specific law or rule setting forth the procedure prior to the
issuance of a warrant of arrest, after the petition for extradition has been filed
in court; ergo, the formulation of that procedure is within the discretion of the
presiding judge.
Both parties cite Section 6 of PD 1069 in support of their arguments. It states:
SEC. 6. Issuance of Summons; Temporary Arrest; Hearing, Service of
Notices.- (1) Immediately upon receipt of the petition, the presiding judge of
the court shall, as soon as practicable, summon the accused to appear and to
answer the petition on the day and hour fixed in the order. [H]e may issue a
warrant for the immediate arrest of the accused which may be served any
where within the Philippines if it appears to the presiding judge that the
immediate arrest and temporary detention of the accused will best serve the
ends of justice. Upon receipt of the answer, or should the accused after
having received the summons fail to answer within the time fixed, the
presiding judge shall hear the case or set another date for the hearing thereof.
(2) The order and notice as well as a copy of the warrant of arrest,
if issued, shall be promptly served each upon the accused and the attorney
Hearing entails sending notices to the opposing parties, receiving facts and
arguments from them, and giving them time to prepare and present such facts and
arguments.
Arrest subsequent to a hearing can no longer be considered immediate.
By using the phrase if it appears, the law further conveys that accuracy is not as
important as speed at such early stage.
The court is expected merely to get a prima facie finding -- sufficient to make a
speedy initial determination as regards the arrest and detention of the accused.
It is evident that respondent judge could have already gotten an impression from
the records adequate for him to make an initial determination of whether the
accused was someone who should immediately be arrested in order to best
serve the ends of justice.
In point of fact, he actually concluded from these supporting documents that
probable cause did exist.
In connection with the matter of immediate arrest, however, the word hearing is
notably absent from the provision.
o Evidently, had the holding of a hearing at that stage been intended, the law
could have easily so provided.
o
It also bears emphasizing at this point that extradition proceedings are
summary in nature.
o The silence of the Law and the Treaty leans to the more reasonable
interpretation that there is no intention to punctuate with a hearing every
little step in the entire proceedings.
As argued by petitioner, sending to persons sought to be extradited a notice of the
request for their arrest and setting it for hearing at some future date would give
them ample opportunity to prepare and execute an escape.
Neither the Treaty nor the Law could have intended that consequence, for the very
purpose of both would have been defeated by the escape of the accused from the
requested state.
Even Section 2 of Article III of the Constitution does not require a notice or a
hearing before the issuance of a warrant of arrest.
To determine probable cause for the issuance of arrest warrants, the Constitution
itself requires only the examination -- under oath or affirmation -- of complainants
and the witnesses they may produce.
There is no requirement to notify and hear the accused before the issuance of
warrants of arrest.
Jimenez maintains that Art III Sec. 13 of the Constitution secures the right to bail of
all persons, including those sought to be extradited.
o Supposedly, the only exceptions are the ones charged with offenses
punishable with reclusion perpetua, when evidence of guilt is strong.
USA claims that there is no provision in the Philippine Constitution granting the
right to bail to a person who is the subject of an extradition request and arrest
warrant.
The Consti provision on, as well as Section 4 of Rule 114 of the ROC, applies only
when a person has been arrested and detained for violation of Philippine criminal
laws.
o It does not apply to extradition proceedings, because extradition courts do
not render judgments of conviction or acquittal.
Moreover, the constitutional right to bail flows from the presumption of
innocence in favor of every accused, unless his guilt be proved beyond reasonable
doubt.
o It follows that the constitutional provision on bail will not apply to a case
like extradition, where the presumption of innocence is not at issue.
His Right to due process is NOT violated.
o His detention prior to the conclusion of the extradition proceedings does not
amount to a violation of his right to due process.
o Jimenez will be given full opportunity to be heard subsequently, when the
extradition court hears the Petition for Extradition.
o It is also worth noting that before the US government requested the
extradition of respondent, proceedings had already been conducted in that
country.
Jimenez contends that there are special circumstances that are compelling enough for
the Court to grant his request for provisional release on bail.
academic.
In any event, it is settled that bail may be applied for and granted by the trial
court at anytime after the applicant has been taken into custody and prior to
judgment, even after bail has been previously denied.
In the present case, the extradition court may continue hearing evidence on the
application for bail, which may be granted in accordance with the guidelines in
this Decision.
2.
3.
4.
5.
there is no flight risk and no danger to the community; and (b) there exist special,
humanitarian or compelling circumstances. The grounds used by the highest court
in the requesting state for the grant of bail therein may be considered, under the
principle of reciprocity as a special circumstance. In extradition cases, bail is not a
matter of right; it is subject to judicial discretion in the context of the peculiar
facts of each case.
6. Potential extraditees are entitled to the rights to due process and to fundamental
fairness. Due process does not always call for a prior opportunity to be heard. A
subsequent opportunity is sufficient due to the flight risk involved. Indeed,
available during the hearings on the petition and the answer is the full chance to be
heard and to enjoy fundamental fairness that is compatible with the summary
nature of extradition.
7. xxx
8. We realize that extradition is essentially an executive, not a judicial, responsibility
arising out of the presidential power to conduct foreign relations and to implement
treaties. Thus, the Executive Department of government has broad discretion in
its duty and power of implementation.
9. xxx
10. At bottom, extradition proceedings should be conducted with all deliberate speed
to determine compliance with the Extradition Treaty and Law; and, while
safeguarding
basic
individual
rights,
to
avoid
the
legalistic contortions, delays and technicalities that may negate that purpose.
DISPOSITIVE: WHEREFORE, the Petition is GRANTED xxx The RTC of Manila is directed to
conduct the extradition proceedings before it, with all deliberate speed pursuant to the
spirit and the letter of our Extradition Treaty with the United States as well as our
Extradition Law
held that Judge Olalia did not err. Extradition is not a criminal proceeding but is an
administrative proceeding. Although the court in Puruganan ruled that bail only applies
to criminal proceeding, the decision was revised taking into consideration the various
treaty obligations of the Philippines in international law that uphold human rights.
Among the rights involved is the right to liberty. Although our extradition law does not
provide a grant for bail to an extraditee, it neither prohibits an application for bail.
Extradition proceeding is sui generis and partakes of an administrative nature. However,
extradition bears all the earmarks of a criminal proceeding. A potential extraditee may
be detained and arrested. While the Philippines must honor its extradition obligation to
HK, it should not diminish Munozs right to life, liberty, and due process which are
guaranteed not only by the constitution but also by the various international covenants
to which the Philippines is a party. Thus, Munoz is entitled to bail, provided that he
proves with clear and convincing evidence that he is not a flight risk. Case was
remanded to the trial court to see if there is clear and convincing evidence that Munoz
is not a flight risk.
FACTS:
An Agreement for the Surrender of Accused and Convicted Persons was entered
into by the Republic of the Philippines (hereinafter PHL) and then British Crown
Colony of Hong Kong (hereinafter HK) which took effect in 1997.
Private respondent Munoz was charged in HK for 3 counts of accepting an
advantage as agent and 7 counts of conspiracy to defraud. Warrants of arrest
were issued by HK court against Munoz in 1997 and 1999 and if convicted, faces jail
term of 7 to 14 years for each charge
Upon receipt of request for provisional arrest by PHL through the DOJ, the NBI filed
with the RTC an application for provisional arrest and the same was granted in Sept
23, 1999. On same date, NBI agents arrested and detained Munoz.
Initially, Munoz filed with the CA a petition questioning the validity of the order of
arrest in which the CA declared such as void. But, the SC reversed this and declared
the order of arrest valid. This decision became final and executor in April 2001.
Meanwhile, as early as Nov 22, 1999, HK has filed with the RTC of Manila a petition
for extradition of Munoz. In the same case, a petition for bail was filed by Munoz.
Judge Bernardo, Jr. (a.k.a Mr. NBA Fantasy) denied the petition for bail but upon
reconsideration, Judge Olalia granted bail subject to certain conditions on Oct. 30,
2001.
An urgent motion to vacate the order was denied by Judge Olalia, hence this instant
Petition.
o Petitioner HK contended that Judge Olalia committed GADAJEL and that there is
nothing in the constitution or statutory law providing that a potential extraditee
has a right to bail, the right being limited solely to criminal proceeding
o Private Respondent maintained that right to bail extends to prospective
extraditee and that extradition is a harsh process resulting in a prolonged
deprivation of liberty
ISSUES: (1) Whether the right to bail extends to a prospective extraditee (considering
that extradition is an administrative case and right to bail involves criminal cases).
HELD: YES, Case Dismissed
RATIO:
The court has previously ruled in Govt of USA v. Puraganan that the constitutional
provision on bail does not apply to extradition proceedings; it is available only in
criminal proceedings. The SC in that case reasoned:
o The use of word conviction in the constitution applies only to persons arrested
and detained for violation of Philippine criminal laws. Court does not render a
judgment of conviction in extradition
o The right to bail flows from the presumption of innocence in favour of every
accused before judgement. The presumption of innocence is not an issue in
extradition thus it follows that right to bail is not contemplated
HOWEVER, the court took note of the current trends in international law which
gives primacy on the worth of the individual person and the sanctity of human rights.
o There is growing importance of the individual in PIL
o Higher value is given to human rights in the international sphere
o There is corresponding duty of countries to observe these universal human rights
in treaty obligations
o There is the duty of the courts to balance the rights of the individual under our
constitution and the law on extradition on the other.
THUS, the court in light of the various international treaties re-examined the ruling
in Puragan.
o First, deprivation of liberty is not limited to criminal proceedings. Respondents in
admin cases such as deportation and quarantine have likewise been detained.
o Second, Philippine jurisprudence prior to Puragan has not limited the exercise to
bail to criminal proceedings only. There have been cases where right to bail was
granted in admin cases mostly deportation proceedings.
If bail can be granted in deportation cases, we see no justification why it should
not also be allowed in extradition cases.
o The court applied the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which the
constitution says is part of the law of the land
o Also, the right of an extraditee to apply for bail must be viewed in the light of
various treaty obligations of PHL. What is important is that the right to liberty
must not be impaired.
Extradition is the removal of an accused from PHL with the object of placing him at
the disposal of foreign authorities to enable the requesting state or govt to hold him
in connection with any criminal investigation directed against him or the execution
of a penalty imposed on him under penal or criminal law of the requesting state.
o It is a right of a foreign power created by a treaty
o It is NOT A CRIMINAL PROCEEDING even if the potential extraditee is a criminal
in another state
o IT IS SUI GENERIS tracing its existence on treaty obligation between states
It is neither a trial nor a civil action. It is merely administrative in character.
While ostensibly administrative, extradition bears all earmark of criminal process.
o Potential extraditee is subject to arrest, prolonged restraint of liberty, and forced
to transfer to the demanding state
o Extradition is characterized by (a) deprivation of liberty and (b) the means
employed to attain purpose of extradition is the machinery of criminal law
Records show that Munoz was arrested on Sept 23, 1999 and remained
incarcerated until Dec 20, 2001, a period of over 2 years without having been
convicted of any crime. This is a serious deprivation of his fundamental right to
liberty by any standard!
While the Philippines must honor its obligation under the extradition treaty, it
should not diminish a potential extraditees right to life, liberty and due process
which are guaranteed not only by the constitution but also by international
conventions to which the PHL is party thereto.
While our extradition law does not provide for the grant of bail to an extraditee,
neither is there a prohibition. Constitutional provision on due process however
guarantees this right.
o Since this is not a criminal proceeding where there is a presumption of innocence
and that in extradition proceedings, there is a presumption that an extraditee is
a fugitive from justice, Munoz (the prospective extraditee) has the burden of
proof of showing that he is not a flight risk and should be granted bail.
o An extradition proceeding being sui generis the standard of proof required is
clear and convincing evidence which is below proof beyond reasonable doubt
but above preponderance of evidence.
Thus Munoz must prove by clear and convincing evidence that he is not a flight risk
and will abide with all the orders and processes of extradition court.
Issue:
Whether the petitioners were acting official capacities which merits them the grant of
jurisdictional immunity. YES
Ratio:
o
It is not disputed that the letter Sanders had written was in fact a
reply to a request from his superior, the other petitioner, for more
information regarding the case of the private respondents.
Even in the absence of such request, he still was within his rights in
reacting to the hearing officer's criticismin effect a direct attack
against him-that Special Services was practicing "an autocratic
form of supervision.
It would seem only proper for the courts of this country to refrain
from taking cognizance of this matter and to treat it as coming
under the internal administration of the said base.(Parties in this
case were Americans and Naval Base employees)
WHEREFORE, the petition is GRANTED. The challenged orders dated March 8,1977,
August 9,1977, and September 7, 1977, are SET ASIDE. The respondent court is directed
to DISMISS Civil Case No. 2077-O. Our Temporary restraining order of September
26,1977, is made PERMANENT. No costs.