1 - Chavez V JBC

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SUPREMECOURTREPORTSANNOTATEDVOLUME676
G.R. No. 202242.
July 17, 2012.*
FRANCISCO I. CHAVEZ, petitioner, vs. JUDICIAL AND

BAR COUNCIL, SEN. FRANCIS JOSEPH G. ESCUDERO
and REP. NIEL C. TUPAS, JR., respondents.
Constitutional Law Supreme Court Jurisdiction Declaratory
Relief Notwithstanding the fact that only questions of law are
raised
_______________
*EN BANC.
580
580
SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

Chavez vs. Judicial and Bar Council
in the petition, an action for declaratory relief is not among those

within the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court as provided
in Section 5, Article VIII of the Constitution.The Constitution as
the subject matter, and the validity and construction of Section 8
(1), Article VIII as the issue raised, the petition should properly
be considered as that which would result in the adjudication of
rights sans the execution process because the only relief to be
granted is the very declaration of the rights under the document
sought to be construed. It being so, the original jurisdiction over
the petition lies with the appropriate Regional Trial Court (RTC).
Notwithstanding the fact that only questions of law are raised in
the petition, an action for declaratory relief is not among those
within the original jurisdiction of this Court as provided in
Section 5, Article VIII of the Constitution.
Same Same Judicial Review Limitations on the Supreme
Courts Power of Judicial Review.The Courts power of judicial
review, like almost all other powers conferred by the Constitution,
is subject to several limitations, namely: (1) there must be an
actual case or controversy calling for the exercise of judicial
power (2) the person challenging the act must have standing to
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challenge he must have a personal and substantial interest in the

case, such that he has sustained or will sustain, direct injury as a
result of its enforcement (3) the question of constitutionality
must be raised at the earliest possible opportunity and (4) the
issue of constitutionality must be the very lis mota of the case.
Generally, a party will be allowed to litigate only when these
conditions sine qua non are present, especially when the
constitutionality of an act by a coequal branch of government is
put in issue.
Same Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) The claim that the
composition of the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) is illegal and
unconstitutional is an object of concern, not just for a nominee to a
judicial post, but for all citizens who have the right to seek judicial
intervention for rectification of legal blunders.A vast number of
aspirants to judicial posts all over the country may be affected by
the Courts ruling. More importantly, the legality of the very
process of nominations to the positions in the Judiciary is the
nucleus of the controversy. The Court considers this a
constitutional issue that must be passed upon, lest a
constitutional process be plagued by misgivings, doubts and
worse, mistrust. Hence, a citizen has a right to bring this question
to the Court, clothed with legal standing and
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VOL. 676, JULY 17, 2012
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at the same time, armed with issues of transcendental importance

to society. The claim that the composition of the JBC is illegal and
unconstitutional is an object of concern, not just for a nominee to
a judicial post, but for all citizens who have the right to seek
judicial intervention for rectification of legal blunders.
Same Statutory Construction It is a wellsettled principle of
constitutional construction that the language employed in the
Constitution must be given their ordinary meaning except where
technical terms are employed.One of the primary and basic rules
in statutory construction is that where the words of a statute are
clear, plain, and free from ambiguity, it must be given its literal
meaning and applied without attempted interpretation. It is a
wellsettled principle of constitutional construction that the
language employed in the Constitution must be given their
ordinary meaning except where technical terms are employed. As
much as possible, the words of the Constitution should be
understood in the sense they have in common use. What it says
according to the text of the provision to be construed compels
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acceptance and negates the power of the courts to alter it, based
on the postulate that the framers and the people mean what they
say. Verba legis non est recedendumfrom the words of a statute
there should be no departure.
Statutory Construction Noscitur a Sociis Under the maxim
noscitur a sociis, where a particular word or phrase is ambiguous
in itself or is equally susceptible of various meanings, its correct
construction may be made clear and specific by considering the
company of words in which it is founded or with which it is
associated.Under the maxim noscitur a sociis, where a
particular word or phrase is ambiguous in itself or is equally
susceptible of various meanings, its correct construction may be
made clear and specific by considering the company of words in
which it is founded or with which it is associated. This is because
a word or phrase in a statute is always used in association with
other words or phrases, and its meaning may, thus, be modified or
restricted by the latter. The particular words, clauses and phrases
should not be studied as detached and isolated expressions, but
the whole and every part of the statute must be considered in
fixing the meaning of any of its parts and in order to produce a
harmonious whole. A statute must be so construed as to
harmonize and give effect to all its provisions whenever possible.
In short, every meaning to be given to each word or
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phrase must be ascertained from the context of the body of the

statute since a word or phrase in a statute is always used in
association with other words or phrases and its meaning may be
modified or restricted by the latter.
Constitutional Law Judicial and Bar Council Doubtless, the
Framers of our Constitution intended to create a Judicial and Bar
Council (JBC) as an innovative solution in response to the public
clamor in favor of eliminating politics in the appointment of
members of the Judiciary.Doubtless, the Framers of our
Constitution intended to create a JBC as an innovative solution in
response to the public clamor in favor of eliminating politics in the
appointment of members of the Judiciary. To ensure judicial
independence, they adopted a holistic approach and hoped that, in
creating a JBC, the private sector and the three branches of
government would have an active role and equal voice in the
selection of the members of the Judiciary. Therefore, to allow the
Legislature to have more quantitative influence in the JBC by
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having more than one voice speak, whether with one full vote or
onehalf (1/2) a vote each, would, as one former congressman and
member of the JBC put it, negate the principle of equality among
the three branches of government which is enshrined in the
Constitution.
Same Doctrine of Operative Facts In the interest of fair play
under the doctrine of operative facts, actions previous to the
declaration of unconstitutionality are legally recognized.In the
interest of fair play under the doctrine of operative facts, actions
previous to the declaration of unconstitutionality are legally
recognized. They are not nullified. In Planters Products, Inc. v.
Fertiphil Corporation, 548 SCRA 485 (2008), the Court explained:
The doctrine of operative fact, as an exception to the general rule,
only applies as a matter of equity and fair play. It nullifies the
effects of an unconstitutional law by recognizing that the
existence of a statute prior to a determination of
unconstitutionality is an operative fact and may have
consequences which cannot always be ignored. The past cannot
always be erased by a new judicial declaration. The doctrine is
applicable when a declaration of unconstitutionality will impose
an undue burden on those who have relied on the invalid law.
Thus, it was applied to a criminal case when a declaration of
unconstitutionality would put the accused in double jeopardy or
would put in limbo the acts done by a municipality in reliance
upon a law creating it.
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ABAD, J., Dissenting Opinion:

Statutory Construction View that it is a basic principle in
statutory construction that the law must be given a reasonable
interpretation at all times.It is a basic principle in statutory
construction that the law must be given a reasonable
interpretation at all times. The Court may, in some instances,
consider the spirit and reason of a statute, where a literal
meaning would lead to absurdity, contradiction, or injustice, or
would defeat the clear purpose of the law makers. Applying a
verba legis or strictly literal interpretation of the constitution may
render its provisions meaningless and lead to inconvenience, an
absurd situation, or an injustice. To obviate this aberration, and
bearing in mind the principle that the intent or the spirit of the
law is the law itself, resort should be made to the rule that the
spirit of the law controls its letter.
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Constitutional Law Congress Judicial and Bar Council

(JBC) View that to insist that only one member of Congress from
either the Senate or the House of Representatives should sit at any
time in the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), is to ignore the fact
that while these two houses of Congress are involved in the
common task of making laws, they are separate and distinct.To
insist that only one member of Congress from either the Senate or
the House of Representatives should sit at any time in the JBC, is
to ignore the fact that while these two houses of Congress are
involved in the common task of making laws, they are separate
and distinct. Senators are elected by the people at large, while the
Members of the House of Representatives, by their respective
districts or sectors. They have detached administrative
organizations and deliberate on laws separately, indeed, often
coming up with dissimilar drafts of those laws. Clearly, neither
the Senate nor the House of Representatives can by itself claim to
represent the Congress. Those who drafted Section 8(1) did not
intend to limit the term Congress to just either of the two
Houses.
Same Same Same View that allowing a Senator and a
Congressman to sit alternately at any one time cannot be a
solution since each of them would actually be representing only his
half of Congress when he takes part in Judicial and Bar Council
(JBC) deliberations.Allowing a Senator and a Congressman to
sit alternately at any one time cannot be a solution since each of
them would actually
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be representing only his half of Congress when he takes part in

JBC deliberations. Allowing both, on the other hand, to sit in
those deliberations at the same time with half a vote each is
absurd since that would diminish their standing and make them
second class members of JBC, something that the Constitution
clearly does not contemplate. It is presumed when drafting laws
that the legislature does not intend to produce undesirable
consequences. Thus, when a literal translation would result to
such consequences, the same is to be utterly rejected.
Same Same Same View the presence of an elected Senator
and an elected member of the House of Representatives in the
Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) is more consistent with the
republican nature of our government where all government
authority emanates from the people and is exercised by
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representatives chosen by them.The presence of an elected

Senator and an elected member of the House of Representatives
in the JBC is more consistent with the republican nature of our
government where all government authority emanates from the
people and is exercised by representatives chosen by them.
PETITION to question the composition of the Judicial and

Bar Council.
The facts are stated in the opinion of the Court.
MENDOZA, J.:
The issue at hand has been in hibernation until the
unexpected departure of Chief Justice Renato C. Corona on
May 29, 2012, and the nomination of former Solicitor
General Francisco I. Chavez (petitioner), as his potential
successor, triggered the filing of this case. The issue has
constantly been nagging legal minds, yet remained
dormant for lack of constitutional challenge.
As the matter is of extreme urgency considering the
constitutional deadline in the process of selecting the
nominees for the vacant seat of the Chief Justice, the Court
cannot delay the resolution of the issue a day longer.
Relegating it in the meantime to the back burner is not an
option.
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585
Does the first paragraph of Section 8, Article VIII of the

1987 Constitution allow more than one (1) member of
Congress to sit in the JBC? Is the practice of having two (2)
representatives from each house of Congress with one (1)
vote each sanctioned by the Constitution? These are the
pivotal questions to be resolved in this original action for
prohibition and injunction.
Long before the naissance of the present Constitution,
the annals of history bear witness to the fact that the
exercise of appointing members of the Judiciary has always
been the exclusive prerogative of the executive and
legislative branches of the government. Like their
progenitor of American origins, both the Malolos
Constitution1 and the 1935 Constitution2 had vested the
power to appoint the members of the Judiciary in the
President, subject to confirmation by the Commission on
Appointments. It was during these times that the country
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became witness to the deplorable practice of aspirants

seeking confirmation of their appointment in the Judiciary
to ingratiate themselves with the members of the
legislative body.3
Then, with the fusion of executive and legislative power
under the 1973 Constitution,4 the appointment of judges
and justices was no longer subject to the scrutiny of
another body.
_______________
1 Article 80 Title X of the Malolos Constitution provides: The Chief
Justice of the Supreme Court and the SolicitorGeneral shall be chosen by
the National Assembly in concurrence with the President of the Republic
and the Secretaries of the Government, and shall be absolutely
independent of the Legislative and Executive Powers.
2 Section 5 Article VIII of the 1935 Constitution provides: The
Members of the Supreme Court and all judges of inferior courts shall be
appointed by the President with the consent of the Commission on
Appointments.
3 1 Records of the Constitutional Commission Proceedings and
Debates, 437.
4Section 4 Article X of the 1973 Constitution provides: The Members
of the Supreme Court and judges of inferior courts shall be appointed by
the President.
586
586

It was absolute, except that the appointees must have

all the qualifications and none of the disqualifications.
Prompted by the clamor to rid the process of
appointments to the Judiciary from political pressure and
partisan activities,5 the members of the Constitutional
Commission saw the need to create a separate, competent
and independent body to recommend nominees to the
President. Thus, it conceived of a body representative of all
the stakeholders in the judicial appointment process and
called it the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC). Its
composition, term and functions are provided under Section
8, Article VIII of the Constitution, viz.:
Section 8. (1) A Judicial and Bar Council is hereby created
under the supervision of the Supreme Court composed of the
Chief Justice as ex officio Chairman, the Secretary of Justice, and
a representative of the Congress as ex officio Members, a
representative of the Integrated Bar, a professor of law, a retired
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Member of the Supreme Court, and a representative of the

private sector.
(2) The regular members of the Council shall be appointed by
the President for a term of four years with the consent of the
Commission on Appointments. Of the Members first appointed,
the representative of the Integrated Bar shall serve for four years,
the professor of law for three years, the retired Justice for two
years, and the representative of the private sector for one year.
(3) The Clerk of the Supreme Court shall be the Secretary ex
officio of the Council and shall keep a record of its proceedings.
(4) The regular Members of the Council shall receive such
emoluments as may be determined by the Supreme Court. The
Supreme Court shall provide in its annual budget the
appropriations for the Council.
(5) The Council shall have the principal function of
recommending appointees to the Judiciary. It may exercise such
other functions and duties as the Supreme Court may assign to
it.
_______________
5 1 Records, Constitutional Commission, Proceedings and Debates, p.
487.
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587
In compliance therewith, Congress, from the moment of

the creation of the JBC, designated one representative to
sit in the JBC to act as one of the ex officio members.6
Perhaps in order to give equal opportunity to both houses
to sit in the exclusive body, the House of Representatives
and the Senate would send alternate representatives to the
JBC. In other words, Congress had only one (1)
representative.
In 1994, the composition of the JBC was substantially
altered. Instead of having only seven (7) members, an
eighth (8th) member was added to the JBC as two (2)
representatives from Congress began sitting in the JBC
one from the House of Representatives and one from the
Senate, with each having onehalf (1/2) of a vote.7 Then,
curiously, the JBC En Banc, in separate meetings held in
2000 and 2001, decided to allow the representatives from
the Senate and the House of Representatives one full vote
each.8 At present, Senator Francis Joseph G. Escudero and
Congressman
Niel
C.
Tupas,
Jr.
(respondents)
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simultaneously sit in the JBC as representatives of the

legislature.
It is this practice that petitioner has questioned in this
petition,9 setting forth the following
GROUNDS FOR ALLOWANCE OF THE PETITION
I
Article VIII, Section 8, Paragraph 1 is clear, definite and needs
no interpretation in that the JBC shall have only one
representative from Congress.
_______________
6 List of JBC Chairpersons, Ex Officio and Regular Members, Ex Officio
Secretaries and Consultants, issued by the Office of the Executive Officer, Judicial
and Bar Council, Rollo, pp. 6263.
7Id.
8 Comment of the JBC, p. 80, citing Minutes of the 1st En Banc Executive
Meeting, January 12, 2000 and Minutes of the 12th En Banc Meeting, May 30,
2001.
9Rollo, pp. 369.
588
588

II
The framers of the Constitution clearly envisioned,
contemplated and decided on a JBC composed of only seven (7)
members.
III
Had the framers of the Constitution intended that the JBC
composed of the one member from the Senate and one member
from the House of Representatives, they could have easily said so
as they did in the other provisions of the Constitution.
IV
The composition of the JBC providing for three exofficio
members is purposely designed for a balanced representation of
each of the three branches of the government.
V
One of the two (2) members of the JBC from Congress has no
right (not even right) to sit in the said constitutional body and
perform the duties and functions of a member thereof.
VI
The JBC cannot conduct valid proceedings as its composition is
illegal and unconstitutional.10
On July 9, 2012, the JBC filed its Comment.11
It,
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On July 9, 2012, the JBC filed its Comment.11 It,

however, abstained from recommending on how this
constitutional issue should be disposed in gracious
deference to the wisdom of the Court. Nonetheless, the JBC
was more than generous enough to offer the insights of
various personalities previously connected with it.12
Through the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG),
respondents defended their position as members of the JBC
in their Comment13 filed on July 12, 2012. According to
them, the crux of the controversy is the phrase a
representative of Con
_______________
10Id., at pp. 1718.
11Id., at pp. 76106.
12Id., at p. 80.
13Id., at pp. 117163.
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589
gress.14 Reverting to the basics, they cite Section 1, Article

VI of the Constitution15 to determine the meaning of the
term Congress. It is their theory that the two houses, the
Senate and the House of Representatives, are permanent
and mandatory components of Congress, such that the
absence of either divests the term of its substantive
meaning as expressed under the Constitution. In simplistic
terms, the House of Representatives, without the Senate
and viceversa, is not Congress.16 Bicameralism, as the
system of choice by the Framers, requires that both houses
exercise their respective powers in the performance of its
mandated duty which is to legislate. Thus, when Section
8(1), Article VIII of the Constitution speaks of a
representative from Congress, it should mean one
representative each from both Houses which comprise the
entire Congress.17
Tracing the subject provisions history, the respondents
claim that when the JBC was established, the Framers
originally envisioned a unicameral legislative body, thereby
allocating a representative of the National Assembly to
the JBC. The phrase, however, was not modified to aptly
jive with the change to bicameralism, the legislative system
finally adopted by the Constitutional Commission on July
21, 1986. According to respondents, if the Commissioners
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were made aware of the consequence of having a bicameral

legislature instead of a unicameral one, they would have
made the corresponding adjustment in the representation
of Congress in the JBC.18
_______________
14Id., at p. 142.
15 The legislative power shall be vested in the Congress of the
Philippines which
shall
consist
of
Senate
and
House
of
Representatives, except to the extent reserved to the people by the

provision on initiative and referendum.
16Id.
17Rollo, p. 143.
18Id., at p. 148.
590
590

The ambiguity having resulted from a plain case of

inadvertence, the respondents urge the Court to look
beyond the letter of the disputed provision because the
literal adherence to its language would produce absurdity
and incongruity to the bicameral nature of Congress.19 In
other words, placing either of the respondents in the JBC
will effectively deprive a house of Congress of its
representation. In the same vein, the electorate
represented by Members of Congress will lose their only
opportunity to participate in the nomination process for the
members of the Judiciary, effectively diminishing the
republican nature of the government.20
The respondents further argue that the allowance of two
(2) representatives of Congress to be members of the JBC
does not render the latters purpose nugatory. While they
admit that the purpose in creating the JBC was to insulate
appointments to the Judiciary from political influence, they
likewise cautioned the Court that this constitutional vision
did not intend to entirely preclude political factor in said
appointments. Therefore, no evil should be perceived in the
current setup of the JBC because two (2) members coming
from Congress, whose membership to certain political
parties is irrelevant, does not necessarily amplify political
partisanship in the JBC. In fact, the presence of two (2)
members from Congress will most likely provide balance as
against the other six (6) members who are undeniably
presidential appointees.21
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The Issues
In resolving the procedural and substantive issues
arising from the petition, as well as the myriad of counter
arguments proffered by the respondents, the Court
synthesized them into two:
_______________
19Id.
20Id.
21Id., at pp. 150153.
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591
(1) Whether or not the conditions sine qua non for the
exercise of the power of judicial review have been met in this case
and
(2) Whether or not the current practice of the JBC to perform
its functions with eight (8) members, two (2) of whom are
members of Congress, runs counter to the letter and spirit of the
1987 Constitution.
The Power of Judicial Review

In its Comment, the JBC submits that petitioner is
clothed with locus standi to file the petition, as a citizen
and taxpayer, who has been nominated to the position of
Chief Justice.22
For the respondents, however, petitioner has no real
interest in questioning the constitutionality of the JBCs
current composition.23 As outlined in jurisprudence, it is
wellsettled that for locus standi to lie, petitioner must
exhibit that he has been denied, or is about to be denied, of
a personal right or privilege to which he is entitled. Here,
petitioner failed to manifest his acceptance of his
recommendation to the position of Chief Justice, thereby
divesting him of a substantial interest in the controversy.
Without his name in the official list of applicants for the
post, the respondents claim that there is no personal stake
on the part of petitioner that would justify his outcry of
unconstitutionality. Moreover, the mere allegation that this
case is of transcendental importance does not excuse the
waiver of the rule on locus standi, because, in the first
place, the case lacks the requisites therefor. The
respondents also question petitioners belated filing of the
petition.24 Being aware that the current composition
of the
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petition.24 Being aware that the current composition of the

JBC has been in practice since 1994, petitioners silence for
eighteen (18) years show that the constitutional issue being
_______________
22Id., at p. 78.
23Id., at p. 131.
24Id., at pp. 131133.
592
592

raised before the Court does not comply with the earliest
possible opportunity requirement.
Before addressing the above issues in seriatim, the
Court deems it proper to first ascertain the nature of the
petition. Pursuant to the rule that the nature of an action
is determined by the allegations therein and the character
of the relief sought, the Court views the petition as
essentially an action for declaratory relief under Rule 63 of
the 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure.25
The Constitution as the subject matter, and the validity
and construction of Section 8 (1), Article VIII as the issue
raised, the petition should properly be considered as that
which would result in the adjudication of rights sans the
execution process because the only relief to be granted is
the very declaration of the rights under the document
sought to be construed. It being so, the original jurisdiction
over the petition lies with the appropriate Regional Trial
Court (RTC). Notwithstanding the fact that only questions
of law are raised in the petition, an action for declaratory
relief is not among those within the original jurisdiction of
this Court as provided in Section 5, Article VIII of the
Constitution.26
_______________
25 Section 1. Who may file petition.Any person interested under a
deed, will, contract or other written instrument, whose rights are affected
by a statute, executive order or regulation, ordinance, or any other
governmental regulation may, before breach or violation thereof, bring an
action in the appropriate Regional Trial Court to determine any question
of construction or validity arising, and for a declaration of his rights or
duties, thereunder.
xxx
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26 1) Exercise original jurisdiction over cases affecting ambassadors,

other public ministers and consuls, and over petitions for certiorari,
prohibition, mandamus, quo warranto, and habeas corpus.
(2) Review, revise, reverse, modify, or affirm on appeal or certiorari,
as the law or the Rules of Court may provide, final judgments and orders
of lower courts.
(a) All cases in which the constitutionality or validity of any treaty,
international or executive agreement, law, presidential de
593
VOL. 676, JULY 17, 2012
593
At any rate, due to its serious implications, not only to

government processes involved but also to the sanctity of
the Constitution, the Court deems it more prudent to take
cognizance of it. After all, the petition is also for prohibition
under Rule 65 seeking to enjoin Congress from sending two
(2) representatives with one (1) full vote each to the JBC.
The Courts power of judicial review, like almost all
other powers conferred by the Constitution, is subject to
several limitations, namely: (1) there must be an actual
case or controversy calling for the exercise of judicial
power (2) the person challenging the act must have
standing to challenge he
_______________
cree, proclamation, order, instruction, ordinance, or regulation is in
question.
(b) All cases involving the legality of any tax, impost, assessment, or
toll, or any penalty imposed in relation thereto.
(c) All cases in which the jurisdiction of any lower court is in issue.
(d) All criminal cases in which the penalty imposed is reclusion
perpetua or higher.
(e) All cases in which only an error or question of law is involved.
(3)
Assign temporarily judges of lower courts to other stations as
public interest may require. Such temporary assignment shall not exceed
six months without the consent of the judge concerned.
(4) Order a change of venue or place of trial to avoid a miscarriage of
justice.
(5)
Promulgate rules concerning the protection and enforcement of
constitutional rights, pleading, practice, and procedure in all courts, the

admission to the practice of law, the integrated bar, and legal assistance
to the underprivileged. Such rules shall provide a simplified and
inexpensive procedure for the speedy disposition of cases, shall be uniform
for all courts of the same grade, and shall not diminish, increase, or
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modify substantive rights. Rules of procedure of special courts and quasi

judicial bodies shall remain effective unless disapproved by the Supreme
Court.
(6) Appoint all officials and employees of the Judiciary in accordance
with the Civil Service Law.
594
594

must have a personal and substantial interest in the case,

such that he has sustained or will sustain, direct injury as
a result of its enforcement (3) the question of
constitutionality must be raised at the earliest possible
opportunity and (4) the issue of constitutionality must be
the very lis mota of the case.27 Generally, a party will be
allowed to litigate only when these conditions sine qua non
are present, especially when the constitutionality of an act
by a coequal branch of government is put in issue.
Anent locus standi, the question to be answered is this:
does the party possess a personal stake in the outcome of
the controversy as to assure that there is real, concrete and
legal conflict of rights and duties from the issues presented
before the Court? In David v. MacapagalArroyo,28 the
Court summarized the rules on locus standi as culled from
jurisprudence. There, it was held that taxpayers, voters,
concerned citizens, and legislators may be accorded
standing to sue, provided that the following requirements
are met: (1) cases involve constitutional issues (2) for
taxpayers, there must be a claim of illegal disbursement of
public funds or that the tax measure is unconstitutional
(3) for voters, there must be a showing of obvious interest
in the validity of the election law in question (4) for
concerned citizens, there must be a showing that the issues
raised are of transcendental importance which must be
settled early and (5) for legislators, there must be a claim
that the official action complained of infringes upon their
prerogatives as legislators.
In public suits, the plaintiff, representing the general
public, asserts a public right in assailing an allegedly
illegal official action. The plaintiff may be a person who is
affected no differently from any other person, and can be
suing as a stranger, or as a citizen or taxpayer. Thus,
taxpayers
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27Senate of the Philippines v. Ermita, 522 Phil. 1, 27 488 SCRA 1, 35

(2006).
28522 Phil. 705 489 SCRA 160 (2006).
595
VOL. 676, JULY 17, 2012
595
have been allowed to sue where there is a claim that public

funds are illegally disbursed or that public money is being
deflected to any improper purpose, or that public funds are
wasted through the enforcement of an invalid or
unconstitutional law. Of greater import than the damage
caused by the illegal expenditure of public funds is the
mortal wound inflicted upon the fundamental law by the
enforcement of an invalid statute.29
In this case, petitioner seeks judicial intervention as a
taxpayer, a concerned citizen and a nominee to the position
of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. As a taxpayer,
petitioner invokes his right to demand that the taxes he
and the rest of the citizenry have been paying to the
government are spent for lawful purposes. According to
petitioner, since the JBC derives financial support for its
functions, operation and proceedings from taxes paid,
petitioner possesses as taxpayer both right and legal
standing to demand that the JBCs proceedings are not
tainted with illegality and that its composition and actions
do not violate the Constitution. 30
Notably, petitioner takes pains in enumerating past
actions that he had brought before the Court where his
legal standing was sustained. Although this inventory is
unnecessary to establish locus standi because obviously,
not every case before the Court exhibits similar issues and
facts, the Court recognizes the petitioners right to sue in
this case. Clearly, petitioner has the legal standing to bring
the present action because he has a personal stake in the
outcome of this controversy.
The Court disagrees with the respondents contention
that petitioner lost his standing to sue because he is not an
official nominee for the post of Chief Justice. While it is
true that a personal stake on the case is imperative to
have locus
_______________
29 LAMP v. The Secretary of Budget and Management, G.R. No.
164987, April 24, 2012, 670 SCRA 373.
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30Rollo, p. 6.
596
596

standi, this is not to say that only official nominees for the
post of Chief Justice can come to the Court and question
the JBC composition for being unconstitutional. The JBC
likewise screens and nominates other members of the
Judiciary. Albeit heavily publicized in this regard, the
JBCs duty is not at all limited to the nominations for the
highest magistrate in the land. A vast number of aspirants
to judicial posts all over the country may be affected by the
Courts ruling. More importantly, the legality of the very
process of nominations to the positions in the Judiciary is
the nucleus of the controversy. The Court considers this a
constitutional issue that must be passed upon, lest a
constitutional process be plagued by misgivings, doubts
and worse, mistrust. Hence, a citizen has a right to bring
this question to the Court, clothed with legal standing and
at the same time, armed with issues of transcendental
importance to society. The claim that the composition of the
JBC is illegal and unconstitutional is an object of concern,
not just for a nominee to a judicial post, but for all citizens
who have the right to seek judicial intervention for
rectification of legal blunders.
With respect to the question of transcendental
importance, it is not difficult to perceive from the opposing
arguments of the parties that the determinants established
in jurisprudence are attendant in this case: (1) the
character of the funds or other assets involved in the case
(2) the presence of a clear case of disregard of a
constitutional or statutory prohibition by the public
respondent agency or instrumentality of the government
and (3) the lack of any other party with a more direct and
specific interest in the questions being raised.31 The
allegations of constitutional violations in this case are not
empty attacks on the wisdom of the other branches of the
government. The allegations are substantiated by facts
and, therefore, deserve an evaluation from the Court. The
Court
_______________
31 Francisco, Jr. v. House of Representatives, 460 Phil. 830, 899 415
SCRA 44, 139 (2003), citing Kilosbayan v. Guingona, G.R. No. 113375,
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May 5, 1994, 232 SCRA 110, 155157.

597
VOL. 676, JULY 17, 2012
597
need not elaborate on the legal and societal ramifications of

the issues raised. It cannot be gainsaid that the JBC is a
constitutional innovation crucial in the selection of the
magistrates in our judicial system.
The Composition of the JBC
Central to the resolution of the foregoing petition is an
understanding of the composition of the JBC as stated in
the first paragraph of Section 8, Article VIII of the
Constitution. It reads:
Section 8. (1) A Judicial and Bar Council is hereby created
under the supervision of the Supreme Court composed of the
Chief Justice as ex officio Chairman, the Secretary of Justice, and
a representative of the Congress as ex officio Members, a
representative of the Integrated Bar, a professor of law, a retired
Member of the Supreme Court, and a representative of the
private sector.
From a simple reading of the abovequoted provision, it

can readily be discerned that the provision is clear and
unambiguous. The first paragraph calls for the creation of
a JBC and places the same under the supervision of the
Court. Then it goes to its composition where the regular
members are enumerated: a representative of the
Integrated Bar, a professor of law, a retired member of the
Court and a representative from the private sector. On the
second part lies the crux of the present controversy. It
enumerates the ex officio or special members of the JBC
composed of the Chief Justice, who shall be its Chairman,
the Secretary of Justice and a representative of Congress.
As petitioner correctly posits, the use of the singular
letter a preceding representative of Congress is
unequivocal and leaves no room for any other construction.
It is indicative of what the members of the Constitutional
Commission had in mind, that is, Congress may designate
only one (1) representative to the JBC. Had it been the
intention that more than
598
598
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one (1) representative from the legislature would sit in the

JBC, the Framers could have, in no uncertain terms, so
provided.
One of the primary and basic rules in statutory
construction is that where the words of a statute are clear,
plain, and free from ambiguity, it must be given its literal
meaning and applied without attempted interpretation.32 It
is a wellsettled principle of constitutional construction
that the language employed in the Constitution must be
given their ordinary meaning except where technical terms
are employed. As much as possible, the words of the
Constitution should be understood in the sense they have
in common use. What it says according to the text of the
provision to be construed compels acceptance and negates
the power of the courts to alter it, based on the postulate
that the framers and the people mean what they say.33
Verba legis non est recedendumfrom the words of a
statute there should be no departure.34
The raison d tre for the rule is essentially twofold:
First, because it is assumed that the words in which
constitutional provisions are couched express the objective
sought to be attained35 and second, because the
Constitution is not primarily a lawyers document but
essentially that of the people, in whose consciousness it
should ever be present as an important condition for the
rule of law to prevail.36
Moreover, under the maxim noscitur a sociis, where a
particular word or phrase is ambiguous in itself or is
equally susceptible of various meanings, its correct
construction may
_______________
32National Food Authority (NFA) v. Masada Security Agency, Inc., 493
Phil. 241, 250 453 SCRA 70, 79 (2005) Philippine National Bank v.
Garcia, Jr., 437 Phil. 289 388 SCRA 485 (2002).
33Francisco, Jr. v. House of Representatives, supra note 31 at
p. 885, citing J.M. Tuason & Co., Inc. v. Land Tenure Administration, L
21064, February 18, 1970, 31 SCRA 413.
34Id.
35Id.
36Id.
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599
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be made clear and specific by considering the company of

words in which it is founded or with which it is
associated.37 This is because a word or phrase in a statute
is always used in association with other words or phrases,
and its meaning may, thus, be modified or restricted by the
latter.38 The particular words, clauses and phrases should
not be studied as detached and isolated expressions, but
the whole and every part of the statute must be considered
in fixing the meaning of any of its parts and in order to
produce a harmonious whole. A statute must be so
construed as to harmonize and give effect to all its
provisions whenever possible.39 In short, every meaning to
be given to each word or phrase must be ascertained from
the context of the body of the statute since a word or phrase
in a statute is always used in association with other words
or phrases and its meaning may be modified or restricted
by the latter.
Applying the foregoing principle to this case, it becomes
apparent that the word Congress used in Article VIII,
Section 8(1) of the Constitution is used in its generic sense.
No particular allusion whatsoever is made on whether the
Senate or the House of Representatives is being referred to,
but that, in either case, only a singular representative may
be allowed to sit in the JBC. The foregoing declaration is
but sensible, since, as pointed out by an esteemed former
member of the
_______________
37CocaCola Bottlers, Phils., Inc. (CCBPI), Naga Plant v. Gomez, G.R.
No. 154491, November 14, 2008, 571 SCRA 18, 37 People v. Delantar,
G.R. No. 169143, February 2, 2007, 514 SCRA 115, 139 and Republic v.
Sandiganbayan, 255 Phil. 71 173 SCRA 72 (1989), citing Co Kim Chan v.
Valdez Tan Keh and Dizon, 75 Phil. 371 (1945).
38People v. Delantar, G.R. No. 169143, February 2, 2007, 514 SCRA
115, 139 Republic v. Sandiganbayan, 255 Phil. 71 173 SCRA 72 (1989),
citing Co Kim Chan v. Valdez, 75 Phil. 371 (1945).
39Uy v. Sandiganbayan, 407 Phil. 154, 180 354 SCRA 651, 673 (2001).
600
600

Court and consultant of the JBC in his memorandum,40

from the enumeration of the membership of the JBC, it is
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patent that each category of members pertained to a single

individual only.41
Indeed, the spirit and reason of the statute may be
passed upon where a literal meaning would lead to
absurdity, contradiction, injustice, or defeat the clear
purpose of the lawmakers.42 Not any of these instances,
however, is present in the case at bench. Considering that
the language of the subject constitutional provision is plain
and unambiguous, there is no need to resort extrinsic aids
such as records of the Constitutional Commission.
Nevertheless, even if the Court should proceed to look
into the minds of the members of the Constitutional
Commission, it is undeniable from the records thereof that
it was intended that the JBC be composed of seven (7)
members only. Thus:
MR. RODRIGO: Let me go to another point then.
On page 2, Section 5, there is a novel provision about the
appointments of members of the Supreme Court and judges of the
lower courts. At present it is the President who appoints them. If
there is a Commission on Appointments, then it is the President
with the confirmation of the Commission on Appointment. In this
proposal, we would like to establish a new office, a sort of a board
composed of seven members called the Judicial and Bar
Council. And while the President will still appoint the member of
the judiciary, he will be limited to the recommendees of this
Council.
xxx
xxx
xxx
MR. RODRIGO. Of the seven members of the Judicial
and Bar Council, the President appoints four of them who are
regular members.
_______________
40 Memorandum of Associate Justice Leonardo A. Quisumbing, dated March
14, 2007 Rollo, pp. 95103.
41Id., at p. 103.
42Ursua v. Court of Appeals, 326 Phil. 157, 163 256 SCRA 147, 152 (1996).
601
VOL. 676, JULY 17, 2012
601
xxx
xxx
xxx
MR. CONCEPCION. The only purpose of the Committee is to
eliminate partisan politics.43
xxx
xxx
xxx
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MR. RODRIGO. If my amendment is approved, then the

provision will be exactly the same as the provision in the 1935
Constitution, Article VIII, Section 5.
xxx
xxx
xxx
If we do not remove the proposed amendment on the creation of
the Judicial and Bar Council, this will be a diminution of the
appointing power of the highest magistrate of the land, of the
President of the Philippines elected by all the Filipino people. The
appointing power will be limited by a group of seven people
who are not elected by the people but only appointed.
Mr. Presiding Officer, if this Council is created, there will be no
uniformity in our constitutional provisions on appointments. The
members of the Judiciary will be segregated from the rest of the
government. Even a municipal judge cannot be appointed by the
President except upon recommendation or nomination of the three
names by this Committee of seven people, commissioners of the
Commission on Elections, the COA and the Commission on Civil
Serviceeven ambassadors, generals of the Army will not come
under this restriction. Why are we going to segregate the
Judiciary from the rest of our government in the appointment of
highranking officials?
Another reason is that this Council will be ineffective. It will
just besmirch the honor of our President without being effective at
all because this Council will be under the influence of the
President. Four out of seven are appointees of the President and
they can be reappointed when their term ends. Therefore, they
would be kowtow the President. A fifth member is the Minister of
Justice, an alter ego of the President. Another member
represents the Legislature. In all probability, the controlling
part in the legislature belongs to the President and, therefore,
this representative form the National Assembly is also under the
influence of the President. And may I
_______________
43 1 Records of the Constitutional Commission Proceedings and Debates, p.
445.
602
602

say, Mr. Presiding Officer, that event the Chief Justice of the
Supreme Court is an appointee of the President. So it is futile he
will be influence anyway by the President.44 [Emphases supplied]
At this juncture, it is worthy to note that the seven

member composition of the JBC serves a practical purpose,
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that is, to provide a solution should there be a stalemate in

voting. This underlying reason leads the Court to conclude
that a single vote may not be divided into half (1/2),
between two representatives of Congress, or among any of
the sitting members of the JBC for that matter. This
unsanctioned practice can possibly cause disorder and
eventually muddle the JBCs voting process, especially in
the event a tie is reached. The aforesaid purpose would
then be rendered illusory, defeating the precise mechanism
which the Constitution itself created. While it would be
unreasonable to expect that the Framers provide for every
possible scenario, it is sensible to presume that they knew
that an odd composition is the best means to break a voting
deadlock.
The respondents insist that owing to the bicameral
nature of Congress, the word Congress in Section 8(1),
Article VIII of the Constitution should be read as including
both the Senate and the House of Representatives. They
theorize that it was so worded because at the time the said
provision was being drafted, the Framers initially intended
a unicameral form of Congress. Then, when the
Constitutional Commission eventually adopted a bicameral
form of Congress, the Framers, through oversight, failed to
amend Article VIII, Section 8 of the Constitution.45 On this
score, the Court cites the insightful analysis of another
member of the Court and JBC consultant, retired Justice
Consuelo YnaresSantiago.46 Thus:
_______________
44 1 Records of the Constitutional Commission Proceedings and
Debates, pp. 486487.
45Comment of Respondents, Rollo, pp. 142146.
46Comment of JBC id., at pp. 9193.
603
VOL. 676, JULY 17, 2012
603
A perusal of the records of the Constitutional Commission

reveals that the composition of the JBC reflects the Commissions
desire to have in the Council a representation for the major
elements of the community. xxx The exofficio members of the
Council consist of representatives from the three main branches
of government while the regular members are composed of
various stakeholders in the judiciary. The unmistakeable tenor
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of Article VIII, Section 8(1) was to treat each exofficio

member as representing one coequal branch of
government. xxx Thus, the JBC was designed to have seven
voting members with the three exofficio members having equal
say in the choice of judicial nominees.
xxx
No
parallelism
can
be
drawn
between
the
representative of Congress in the JBC and the exercise by
Congress of its legislative powers under Article VI and
constituent powers under Article XVII of the Constitution.
Congress, in relation to the executive and judicial branches of
government, is constitutionally treated as another coequal branch
of in the matter of its representative in the JBC. On the other
hand, the exercise of legislative and constituent powers requires
the Senate and House of Representatives to coordinate and act as
distinct bodies in furtherance of Congress role under our
constitutional scheme. While the latter justifies and, in fact,
necessitates the separateness of the two houses of
Congress as they relate inter se, no such dichotomy need
be made when Congress interacts with the other two co
equal branches of government.
It is more in keeping with the coequal nature of the
three governmental branches to assign the same weight to
considerations that any of its representatives may have
regarding aspiring nominees to the judiciary. The
representatives of the Senate and the House of
Representatives act as such for one branch and should not
have any more quantitative influence as the other
branches in the exercise of prerogatives evenly bestowed
upon the three. Sound reason and principle of equality among
the three branches support this conclusion. [Emphases and
underscoring supplied]
604
604

More than the reasoning provided in the above discussed

rules of constitutional construction, the Court finds the
above thesis as the paramount justification of the Courts
conclusion that Congress, in the context of JBC
representation, should be considered as one body. It is
evident that the definition of Congress as a bicameral
body refers to its primary function in governmentto
legislate.47 In the passage of laws, the Constitution is
explicit in the distinction of the role of each house in the
process. The same holds true in Congress nonlegislative
powers such as, inter alia, the power of appropriation,48 the
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powers such as, inter alia, the power of appropriation,48 the

declaration of an existence of a state of war,49 canvassing of
electoral returns for the President and Vice
_______________
471987 Constitution, Article 6 Section 27(1)Every bill passed by the
Congress shall, before it becomes a law, be presented to the President. If
he approves the same, he shall sign it otherwise, he shall veto it and
return the same with his objections to the House where it originated,
which shall enter the objections at large in its Journal and proceed to
reconsider it. If, after such reconsideration, twothirds of all the Members
of such House shall agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent, together with
the objections, to the other House by which it shall likewise be
reconsidered, and if approved by twothirds of all the Members of that
House, it shall become a law. In all such cases, the votes of each House
shall be determined by yeas or nays, and the names of the Members
voting for or against shall be entered in its Journal. The President shall
communicate his veto of any bill to the House where it originated within
thirty days after the date of receipt thereof otherwise, it shall become a
law as if he had signed it.
48 1987 Constitution, Article 6 Section 24All appropriation, revenue
or tariff bills, bills authorizing increase of public debt, bills of local
application, and private bills shall originate exclusively in the House of
Representatives, but the Senate may propose or concur with amendments.
491987 Constitution, Article 6 Section 23 (1)The Congress, by a vote
of twothirds of both Houses in joint session assembled, voting separately,
shall have the sole power to declare the existence of a state of war.
605
VOL. 676, JULY 17, 2012
605
President,50 and impeachment.51 In the exercise of these

powers, the Constitution employs precise language in
laying down the roles which a particular house plays,
regardless of whether the two houses consummate an
official act by voting jointly or separately. An interplay
between the two houses is necessary in the realization of
these powers causing a vivid dichotomy that the Court
cannot simply discount. Verily, each house is
constitutionally granted with powers and functions
peculiar to its nature and with keen consideration to 1) its
relationship with the other chamber and 2) in consonance
with the principle of checks and balances, to the other
branches of government.
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This, however, cannot be said in the case of JBC

representation because no liaison between the two houses
exists in the
_______________
501987 Constitution, Article 7 Section 4The returns of every election
for President and Vice President, duly certified by the board of canvassers
of each province or city, shall be transmitted to the Congress, directed to
the President of the Senate. Upon receipt of the certificates of canvass, the
President of the Senate shall, not later than thirty days after the day of
the election, open all certificates in the presence of the Senate and the
House of Representatives in joint public session, and the Congress, upon
determination of the authenticity and due execution thereof in the manner
provided by law, canvass the votes. The person having the highest number
of votes shall be proclaimed elected, but in case two or more shall have an
equal and highest number of votes, one of them shall forthwith be chosen
by the vote of a majority of all the Members of both Houses of the
Congress, voting separately.
51 1987 Constitution, Article 11 Section 3 (1)The House of
Representatives shall have the exclusive power to initiate all cases of
impeachment.
xxx
(6)
The Senate shall have the sole power to try and decide all cases of
impeachment. When sitting for that purpose, the Senators shall be on

oath or affirmation. When the President of the Philippines is on trial, the
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court shall preside, but shall not vote. No
person shall be convicted without the concurrence of twothirds of all the
Members of the Senate.
606
606

workings of the JBC. No mechanism is required between

the Senate and the House of Representatives in the
screening and nomination of judicial officers. Hence, the
term Congress must be taken to mean the entire
legislative department. A fortiori, a pretext of oversight
cannot prevail over the more pragmatic scheme which the
Constitution laid with firmness, that is, that the JBC has a
seat for a single representative of Congress, as one of the
coequal branches of government.
Doubtless, the Framers of our Constitution intended to
create a JBC as an innovative solution in response to the
public clamor in favor of eliminating politics in the
appointment of members of the Judiciary.52 To ensure
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judicial independence, they adopted a holistic approach and

hoped that, in creating a JBC, the private sector and the
three branches of government would have an active role
and equal voice in the selection of the members of the
Judiciary.
Therefore, to allow the Legislature to have more
quantitative influence in the JBC by having more than one
voice speak, whether with one full vote or onehalf (1/2) a
vote each, would, as one former congressman and member
of the JBC put it, negate the principle of equality among
the three branches of government which is enshrined in the
Constitution.53
To quote one former Secretary of Justice:
The present imbalance in voting power between the
Legislative and the other sectors represented in the JBC must be
corrected especially when considered visvis the avowed purpose
for its creation, i.e., to insulate the appointments in the Judiciary
against political influence. By allowing both houses of
Congress to have a representative in the JBC and by
giving each representative one (1) vote in the Council,
Congress, as compared to the other members of the JBC, is
accorded greater and unwar
_______________
52 1 Records of the Constitutional Commission Proceedings and Debates
Records of the Constitutional Convention, p. 487.
53Comment of the JBC, Rollo, p. 104.
607
VOL. 676, JULY 17, 2012
607
ranted influence in the appointment of judges.54 [Emphasis

supplied]
It is clear, therefore, that the Constitution mandates

that the JBC be composed of seven (7) members only. Thus,
any inclusion of another member, whether with one whole
vote or half (1/2) of it, goes against that mandate. Section
8(1), Article VIII of the Constitution, providing Congress
with an equal voice with other members of the JBC in
recommending appointees to the Judiciary is explicit. Any
circumvention of the constitutional mandate should not be
countenanced for the Constitution is the supreme law of
the land. The Constitution is the basic and paramount law
to which all other laws must conform and to which all
persons, including the highest officials of the land, must
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defer. Constitutional doctrines must remain steadfast no

matter what may be the tides of time. It cannot be simply
made to sway and accommodate the call of situations and
much more tailor itself to the whims and caprices of the
government and the people who run it.55 Hence, any act of
the government or of a public official or employee which is
contrary to the Constitution is illegal, null and void.
As to the effect of the Courts finding that the current
composition of the JBC is unconstitutional, it bears
mentioning that as a general rule, an unconstitutional act
is not a law it confers no rights it imposes no duties it
affords no protection it creates no office it is inoperative as
if it has not been passed at all.56 This rule, however, is not
absolute. In the interest of fair play under the doctrine of
operative facts, ac
_______________
54 Memorandum of Justice Secretary Agnes VST Devanadera,
Comment of the JBC, id., at pp. 105106.
55 Louis Barok C. Biraogo v. The Philippine Truth Commission of
2010, G.R. No. 192935, December 7, 2010, 637 SCRA 78, 137138, citing
Cruz, Philippine Political Law, 2002 ed., p. 12.
56Claudio S. Yap v. Thennamaris Ships Management and Intermare
Maritime Agencies, Inc., G.R. No. 179532, May 30, 2011, 649 SCRA 369,
380.
608
608

tions previous to the declaration of unconstitutionality are

legally recognized. They are not nullified. In Planters
Products, Inc. v. Fertiphil Corporation,57 the Court
explained:
The doctrine of operative fact, as an exception to the general
rule, only applies as a matter of equity and fair play. It nullifies
the effects of an unconstitutional law by recognizing that the
existence of a statute prior to a determination of
unconstitutionality is an operative fact and may have
consequences which cannot always be ignored. The past cannot
always be erased by a new judicial declaration.
The doctrine is applicable when a declaration of
unconstitutionality will impose an undue burden on those who
have relied on the invalid law. Thus, it was applied to a criminal
case when a declaration of unconstitutionality would put the
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accused in double jeopardy or would put in limbo the acts done by

a municipality in reliance upon a law creating it.
Considering the circumstances, the Court finds the

exception applicable in this case and holds that
notwithstanding its finding of unconstitutionality in the
current composition of the JBC, all its prior official actions
are nonetheless valid.
At this point, the Court takes the initiative to clarify
that it is not in a position to determine as to who should
remain as the sole representative of Congress in the JBC.
This is a matter beyond the province of the Court and is
best left to the determination of Congress.
Finally, while the Court finds wisdom in respondents
contention that both the Senate and the House of
Representatives should be equally represented in the JBC,
the Court is not in a position to stamp its imprimatur on
such a construction at the risk of expanding the meaning of
the Constitution as currently worded. Needless to state, the
remedy lies in the amendment of this constitutional
provision. The courts merely give effect to the lawgivers
intent. The solemn power and duty of the Court to
interpret and apply the law does not
_______________
57G.R. No. 166006, March 14, 2008, 548 SCRA 485, 516517.
609
VOL. 676, JULY 17, 2012
609
include the power to correct, by reading into the law what

is not written therein.
WHEREFORE, the petition is GRANTED. The current
numerical composition of the Judicial and Bar Council is
declared UNCONSTITUTIONAL. The Judicial and Bar
Council is hereby enjoined to reconstitute itself so that only
one (1) member of Congress will sit as a representative in
its proceedings, in accordance with Section 8(1), Article
VIII of the 1987 Constitution.
This disposition is immediately executory.
SO ORDERED.
Peralta, Bersamin, Villarama, Jr., Perez, Reyes and
PerlasBernabe, JJ., concur.
Carpio, J., No Part. I am a nominee to the CJ position.
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Velasco, Jr., J., No partI am being considered for

nomination by the JBC.
LeonardoDe Castro, J., No partI am one of the
incumbent Justices being considered by the JBC for
nomination to CJ position.
Brion, J., No part. On leave.
Del Castillo, J., I join the dissent of J. Abad.
Abad, J., See my dissenting opinion.
Sereno, J., No parta nominee for CJ.
DISSENTING OPINION
ABAD, J.:
Some of my colleagues who have been nominated to the
position of Chief Justice like me have inhibited themselves
from this case at the outset. I respect their judgments. I, on
the other hand, chose not to inhibit myself from the case
since I have found no compelling reason for doing so.
610
610

I take no issue with the majority of the Court on the

threshold question of whether or not the requisite
conditions for the exercise of its power of judicial review
have been met in this case. I am satisfied that those
conditions are present.
It is the main question that concerns me: whether or not
each of the Senate and the House of Representatives is
entitled to one representative in the Judicial and Bar
Council (JBC), both with the right to vote independently
like its other members.
The problem has arisen because currently one
representative each from the Senate and the House of
Representatives take part as members of the JBC with
each casting one vote in its deliberations. Petitioner
Francisco I. Chavez challenges this arrangement, however,
citing Section 8(1) of Article VIII of the 1987 Constitution
which literally gives Congress just one representative in
the JBC. Thus:
Article VIII, Section 8. (1) A Judicial and Bar Council is
hereby created under the supervision of the Supreme Court
composed of the Chief Justice as ex officio Chairman, the
Secretary of Justice, and a representative of the Congress as
ex officio Members, a representative of the Integrated Bar, a
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professor of law, a retired Member of the Supreme Court, and a

representative of the private sector. (Emphasis ours)1
The majority heavily relies on the wordings of Section

8(1) above. According to them, the framers of the 1987
Constitution used plain, unambiguous, and certain terms
in crafting that section and, therefore, it calls for no further
interpretation. The provision uses the indefinite article a
signifying one before the word representative which in
itself is in singular form. Consequently, says the majority,
Congress should have but just one representative in the
JBC. Section 8(1) uses the term Congress in its generic
sense, without any special and specific mention of the two
houses that compose it, namely the Senate and the House
of Representatives.
_______________
1The 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines.
611
VOL. 676, JULY 17, 2012
611
The majority also invokes the doctrine of noscitur a

sociis which states that a proper interpretation may be had
by considering the words that accompany the term or
phrase in question.2 By looking at the enumeration in
Section 8(1) of who the JBC members are, one can readily
discern that every category of membership in that body
refers just to a single individual.
There are three wellsettled principles of constitutional
construction: first, verba legis, that is, wherever possible,
the words used in the Constitution should be given their
ordinary meaning except where technical terms are
employed second, where there is ambiguity, ratio legis est
anima, meaning that the words of the Constitution should
be interpreted in accordance with the intent of its framers
and third, ut magis valeat quam pereat, meaning that the
Constitution is to be interpreted as a whole.3
There is no question that when the Constitutional
Commission (ConCom) deliberated on the provisions
regarding the composition of the JBC, the members of the
commission thought, as the original draft of those
provisions indicates, that the country would have a
unicameral legislative body, like a parliament. For this
reason, they allocated the three ex officio memberships in
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the council to the Chief Justice, the Secretary of Justice,

and a representative from the National Assembly,
evidently to give representation in the JBC to the three
great branches of government.
Subsequently, however, the ConCom decided, after a
very close vote of 23 against 22, to adopt a bicameral
legislative body, with a Senate and a House of
Representatives. Unfortunately, as Fr. Joaquin Bernas, a
member of the ConCom, admits, the committee charged
with making adjustments in
_______________
2Government Service Insurance System v. Commission on Audit, G.R.
No. 162372, October 19, 2011, 658 SCRA 796.
3Francisco v. House of Representatives, G.R. No. 160261, November 10,
2003, 415 SCRA 44.
612
612

the previously passed provisions covering the JBC, failed to

consider the impact of the changed character of the
legislature on the inclusion of a representative of the
Congress in the membership of the JBC.4
Still, it is a basic principle in statutory construction that
the law must be given a reasonable interpretation at all
times.5 The Court may, in some instances, consider the
spirit and reason of a statute, where a literal meaning
would lead to absurdity, contradiction, or injustice, or
would defeat the clear purpose of the law makers.6
Applying a verba legis or strictly literal interpretation of
the constitution may render its provisions meaningless and
lead to inconvenience, an absurd situation, or an injustice.
To obviate this aberration, and bearing in mind the
principle that the intent or the spirit of the law is the law
itself, resort should be made to the rule that the spirit of
the law controls its letter.7
To insist that only one member of Congress from either
the Senate or the House of Representatives should sit at
any time in the JBC, is to ignore the fact that while these
two houses of Congress are involved in the common task of
making laws, they are separate and distinct.8 Senators are
elected by the people at large, while the Members of the
House of Representatives, by their respective districts or
sectors. They have detached administrative organizations
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and deliberate on laws separately, indeed, often coming up

with dissimilar drafts of those laws. Clearly, neither the
Senate nor the House of Representatives can by itself claim
to represent the Congress.
_______________
4 http://opinion.inquirer.net/31813/jbcoddsandends (last accessed 18
July 2012).
5Millares v. National Labor Relations Commission, G.R. No. 110524,
July 29, 2002, 385 SCRA 306.
6 People v. Manantan, G.R. No. 14129, July 31, 1962, 5 SCRA 684,
citing Crawford, Interpretation of Laws, Sec. 78, p. 294.
7Navarro v. Executive Secretary, G.R. No. 180050, February 10, 2010,
620 SCRA 529, dissenting opinion of J. Perez.
8Supra note 1, Article VI, Section 1.
613
VOL. 676, JULY 17, 2012
613
Those who drafted Section 8(1) did not intend to limit the
term Congress to just either of the two Houses.
Notably, the doctrine that a proper interpretation may
be had by considering the words that accompany the term
or phrase in question should apply to this case. While it is
true that Section 8(1) provides for just a representative of
the Congress, it also provides that such representation is
ex officio. Ex officio is a Latin term, meaning by virtue
of ones office, or position.9 This is not too different from
the idea that a man, by virtue of being a husband to his
wife, is also a father to their children. So in Section 8(1),
whoever occupies the designated office or position becomes
an ex officio JBC member. For instance, if the President
appoints Mr. X as Chief Justice, Mr. X automatically
becomes the chairman of the JBC, an attached function, by
virtue of his being the Chief Justice. He replaces the former
Chief Justice without need for another appointment or the
taking of a separate oath of office. In the same way, if the
President appoints Mr. Y as Secretary of Justice, Mr. Y
also automatically becomes a member of the JBC, also an
attached function, by virtue of his being the Secretary of
Justice.
Now, under the rules of the Senate, the Chairman of its
Justice Committee is automatically the Senate
representative to the JBC. In the same way, under the
rules of the House of Representatives, the Chairman of its
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Justice Committee is the House representative to the JBC.

Thus, there are two persons in Congress, not just one, who
hold separate offices or positions with the attached function
of sitting in the JBC. Section 8(1) cannot be literally
applied simply because there is no office, serving both the
Senate and the House of Representatives, with the
attached function of sitting as member in the JBC.
Inevitably, if the Court were to stick to the literal
reading of Section 8(1), which restricts JBC representation
to just one
_______________
9Websters New World College Dictionary, 3rd Edition, p. 477.
614
614

person holding office in Congress and working under both

houses, no one will qualify as ex officio member of JBC.
No such individual exists. Congress would consequently be
denied the representation that those who drafted the
Constitution intended it to have.
Allowing a Senator and a Congressman to sit alternately
at any one time cannot be a solution since each of them
would actually be representing only his half of Congress
when he takes part in JBC deliberations. Allowing both, on
the other hand, to sit in those deliberations at the same
time with half a vote each is absurd since that would
diminish their standing and make them second class
members of JBC, something that the Constitution clearly
does not contemplate. It is presumed when drafting laws
that the legislature does not intend to produce undesirable
consequences. Thus, when a literal translation would result
to such consequences, the same is to be utterly rejected.10
Indeed, the JBC abandoned the halfavote practice on
January 12, 2000 and recognized the right of the Senator
and the Congressman attending their deliberations to cast
one vote each. Only by recognizing this right can the true
spirit and intent of Section 8(1) be attained.
With respect to the sevenman membership of the JBC,
the majority assumes that by providing for an odd
numbered composition those who drafted the Constitution
sought to prevent the possibility of a stalemate in voting
and that, consequently, an eightman membership is out of
the question. But a tie vote does not pose a problem. The
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JBCs main function is to choose at least three nominees for

each judicial position from which the President will select
the one he would want to appoint. Any tie in the voting is
immaterial since this is not a yes or no proposition. Very
often, those in the shortlist submitted to the President get
even votes. On the other hand, when a yes or no
proposition is voted upon and there is a tie,
_______________
10 Supra note 5.
615
VOL. 676, JULY 17, 2012
615
it merely means that the proposition is lost for failure to

get the plurality of votes.
The majority points out that the framers of the 1987
Constitution created the JBC as a response to a public
clamor for removing partisan politics from the selection
process for judges and justices of the courts. It thus results
that the private sector and the three branches of
government have been given active roles and equal voices
in their selection. The majority contends that, if it were to
allow two representatives from the Congress in the JBC,
the balance of power within that body will tilt in favor of
Congress.
But, it is not partisan politics per se that Section 8(1)
intends to remove from the appointment process in the
judiciary, but partisan domination of the same. Indeed,
politicians have distinct roles in that process. For instance,
it is the President, a politician, who appoints the six
regular members of the JBC. And these appointees have to
be confirmed by the Commission on Appointment,
composed of politicians. What is more, although it is the
JBC that screens candidates for positions in the judiciary,
it is the President who eventually appoints them.
Further, if the idea was to absolutely eliminate politics
from the JBC selection process, the framers of the
Constitution could simply have barred all politicians from
it. But the Constitution as enacted allows the Secretary of
Justice, an alterego of the President, as well as
representatives from the Congress to sit as members of
JBC. Evidently, the Constitution wants certain
representatives of the people to have a hand in the
selection of the members of the judiciary.
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The majority also holds the view that allowing two

members of the Congress to sit in the JBC would
undermine the Constitutions intent to maintain the
balance of power in that body and give the legislature
greater and unwarranted influence in the appointment of
members of the Judiciary. But this fear is unwarranted.
The lawmakers hold only two positions in that eightman
body. This will not give them greater power
616
616

than the other six members have. Besides, historically, the

representatives from the Senate and the lower house have
frequently disagreed in their votes. Their outlooks differ.
Actually, if the Court would go by numbers, it is the
President who appoints six of the members of the JBC (the
Chief Justice, the Secretary of Justice, and the four regular
members), thus establishing an edge in favor of
presidential appointees. Placing one representative each
from the Senate and the House of Representatives rather
than just one congressional representative somewhat
blunts that edge. As the OSG correctly points out, the
current practice contributes two elective officials in the
JBC whose membership is totally independent from the
Office of the President.
Lastly, the presence of an elected Senator and an elected
member of the House of Representatives in the JBC is
more consistent with the republican nature of our
government where all government authority emanates
from the people and is exercised by representatives chosen
by them.
For the above reasons, I vote to DISMISS the petition.
Petition granted, current numerical composition of
Judicial and Bar Council declared unconstitutional.
Notes.The system of judicial review should not be
misused and abused to evade the operation of final and
executory judgments. (Marcelo vs. Philippine Commercial
International Bank [PCIB], 607 SCRA 778 [2009])
That the operative fact doctrine squarely applies to
executive acts is wellsettled in our jurisprudence.
(Hacienda Luisita, Incorporated vs. Presidential Agrarian
Reform Council, 653 SCRA 154 [2011])
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10/29/2016

G.R. No. 202242.

July 17, 2012.*

FRANCISCO I. CHAVEZ, petitioner, vs. JUDICIAL AND

SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

in the petition, an action for declaratory relief is not among those

challenge he must have a personal and substantial interest in the

VOL. 676, JULY 17, 2012

Chavez vs. Judicial and Bar Council

at the same time, armed with issues of transcendental importance

SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

phrase must be ascertained from the context of the body of the

VOL. 676, JULY 17, 2012

Chavez vs. Judicial and Bar Council

ABAD, J., Dissenting Opinion:

Constitutional Law Congress Judicial and Bar Council

SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

be representing only his half of Congress when he takes part in

representatives chosen by them.The presence of an elected

PETITION to question the composition of the Judicial and

VOL. 676, JULY 17, 2012

Chavez vs. Judicial and Bar Council

Does the first paragraph of Section 8, Article VIII of the

became witness to the deplorable practice of aspirants

SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

It was absolute, except that the appointees must have

Member of the Supreme Court, and a representative of the

VOL. 676, JULY 17, 2012

Chavez vs. Judicial and Bar Council

In compliance therewith, Congress, from the moment of

simultaneously sit in the JBC as representatives of the

SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

On July 9, 2012, the JBC filed its Comment.11 It,

VOL. 676, JULY 17, 2012

Chavez vs. Judicial and Bar Council

gress.14 Reverting to the basics, they cite Section 1, Article

were made aware of the consequence of having a bicameral

Representatives, except to the extent reserved to the people by the

SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

The ambiguity having resulted from a plain case of

VOL. 676, JULY 17, 2012

Chavez vs. Judicial and Bar Council

The Power of Judicial Review

petition.24 Being aware that the current composition of the

SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

26 1) Exercise original jurisdiction over cases affecting ambassadors,

VOL. 676, JULY 17, 2012

Chavez vs. Judicial and Bar Council

At any rate, due to its serious implications, not only to

Assign temporarily judges of lower courts to other stations as

Promulgate rules concerning the protection and enforcement of

constitutional rights, pleading, practice, and procedure in all courts, the

modify substantive rights. Rules of procedure of special courts and quasi

SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

must have a personal and substantial interest in the case,

27Senate of the Philippines v. Ermita, 522 Phil. 1, 27 488 SCRA 1, 35

VOL. 676, JULY 17, 2012

Chavez vs. Judicial and Bar Council

have been allowed to sue where there is a claim that public

SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

May 5, 1994, 232 SCRA 110, 155157.

VOL. 676, JULY 17, 2012

Chavez vs. Judicial and Bar Council