SECRETARY OF JUSTICE VS LANTION extradition treaty which they found having matters needed to
be addressed. Respondent, then requested for copies of all the
G.R. No. L-139465 January 18, 2000 documents included in the extradition request and for him to be given ample time to assess it. The Secretary of Justice denied SECRETARY OF JUSTICE, petitioner, request on the following grounds: vs. He found it premature to secure him copies prior to the HON. RALPH C. LANTION, Presiding Judge, completion of the evaluation. At that point in time, the DOJ is Regional Trial Court of Manila, Branch 25, and MARK B. in the process of evaluating whether the procedures and JIMENEZ, respondents. requirements under the relevant law (PD 1069 Philippine Extradition Law) and treaty (RP-US Extradition Treaty) have been complied with by the Requesting Government. Evaluation Facts: by the DOJ of the documents is not a preliminary investigation like in criminal cases making the constitutionally guaranteed This is a petition for review of a decision of the Manila rights of the accused in criminal prosecution inapplicable. Regional Trial Court (RTC). The Department of Justice The U.S. requested for the prevention of unauthorized received a request from the Department of Foreign Affairs for disclosure of the information in the documents. the extradition of respondent Mark Jimenez to the U.S. The The department is not in position to hold in abeyance Grand Jury Indictment. The warrant for his arrest, and other proceedings in connection with an extradition request, as supporting documents for said extradition were attached along Philippines is bound to Vienna Convention on law of treaties with the request. Charges include: such that every treaty in force is binding upon the parties.
Conspiracy to commit offense or to defraud the US
Attempt to evade or defeat tax Mark Jimenez then filed a petition against the Secretary of Fraud by wire, radio, or television Justice. RTC presiding Judge Lantion favored Jimenez. False statement or entries Secretary of Justice was made to issue a copy of the requested Election contribution in name of another papers, as well as conducting further proceedings. Thus, this petition is now at bar.
The Department of Justice (DOJ), through a designated panel
proceeded with the technical evaluation and assessment of the Issue/s: obligations to the government of another state. This is so although we recognize treaties as a source of binding Whether or not respondents entitlement to notice and hearing obligations under generally accepted principles of international during the evaluation stage of the proceedings constitute a law incorporated in our Constitution as part of the law of the breach of the legal duties of the Philippine Government under land. the RP-US Extradition Treaty.
Discussions:
The doctrine of incorporation is applied whenever municipal
tribunals are confronted with situations in which there appears to be a conflict between a rule of international law and the provisions of the constitution or statute of a local state. Efforts should be done to harmonize them. In a situation, however, where the conflict is irreconcilable and a choice has to be made between a rule of international law and municipal law, jurisprudence dictates that municipal law should be upheld by the municipal courts. The doctrine of incorporation decrees that rules of international law are given equal standing, but are not superior to, national legislative enactments.
Ruling/s:
No. The human rights of person, Filipino or foreigner, and the
rights of the accused guaranteed in our Constitution should take precedence over treaty rights claimed by a contracting state. The duties of the government to the individual deserve preferential consideration when they collide with its treaty