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SCHOOL OF LAWAngeles University Foundation

THE WRITS OF AMPARO & HABEAS DATA

EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGEin relation to the

OVERSIGHTFUNCTIONS OFCONGRESSANDLEGISLATIVEINQUIRY

POLITICAL ASYLUM

A Term Paper accomplished as Final Requirement

in Public International Law (PIL) under

ATTY.TEODORO JUMAMILLAW PROFESSOR

Submitted by

JOEY ANDREW G.GUERREROAUF LAW-II 03/26/09

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Introduction

The way of the world is to make laws, but follow custom. 1

However, even our own Constitution recognize that customary international law can be deemed part of the

law of the land through incorporation. Thus, a custom practiced by a relevant number of nations for a considerate

amount of time may possibly be treated in the same plane as a written law in our jurisdiction.

This sentence once appeared in the dissertations of Montaigne, considered by the world as the father of the

literary essay and one of the most influential philosophers during the French Renaissance.

While Montaigne may be remembered now because of his accomplishments in literature, his writings

sometimes cannot hide the fact that he trained under the great legal minds of his era.

The above-quoted declaration depicts such an example.

The realization of the soundness of Montaignes statement dawned upon this student when he studied

Public International Law. Even though written statutes exist, it cannot be denied that such laws before enactment

were once upon a time mere customs observed by various societies, even nations.

It is in this score that Montaignes advise makes sense. It is common knowledge that statutes are enactedcontinuously. Thus, laws in any state can easily number up to the thousands. One, indeed, can easily get confused.

In these cases, as Montaigne puts it, it would seem better to follow custom. For the simple reason that,

sooner or later, such custom will be, if not already, written into law anyway.

Indeed, the spheres of International Law and Constitutional law are overwhelmed by profound intricacies

especially when it concerns Philippine law. The Constitution, in our setting ranks as the supreme law of the land. As

such, any subsequently enacted statute must be consistent with its provisions.

2

Considering the intimacy between Constitutional law and International law as emphasized by the preceding

paragraphs, however, this student believes that this undertaking will hardly be problematic.

In fact, generally accepted principles of international law are sometimes even transformed into our own

laws by the Legislature. This practice exemplifies the impact of international customs on our written laws.

The following themes as far as practicable will be expounded to the utmost of ability. Though to a

reasonable mind, except possibly for political asylum, the writs of habeas data and amparo as well as executive

privilege may be considered more as subjects in the vast realm of Constitutional law, yet this student will attempt to

highlight their origins in international law. After all, these topics were really assigned as a requirement to hurdle the

law school course in Public International Law.

1 WikiQuote, Michel de Montaigne,http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Michel_de_Montaigne.

2 Sec. 2, Art. II, The 1987 Philippine Constitution.
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Michel_de_Montaignehttp://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Michel_de_Montaignehttp://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Michel_de_Montaignehttp://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Michel_de_Montaigne

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THE WRITS OF AMPARO & HABEAS DATA

Historical Background

Before the writs ofAmparoand Habeas Data, the only writ available in our judicial system as a remedy

primarily for the protection of the constitutional rights of life and liberty is the Writ ofHabeas Corpus.

Habeas Corpusin latin literally means You shall have the body. It is a legal action, or writ, through which

a person can seek relief from unlawful detention. It protects the individual from harming him or herself, or from

being harmed by the judicial system. The writ of habeas corpus has historically been an important instrument for the

safeguarding of individual freedom against arbitrary state action. 3

A writ ofhabeas corpusis issued by a court and addressed to a custodian demanding that his prisoner be

brought before the court, together with proof of authority, allowing the court to determine whether that custodian

has lawful authority to hold that person. 4

If it is found that the custodian has no lawful authority, the prisoner shall be released from custody. The

prisoner, or another person on their behalf (for example, where the prisoner is being held incommunicado), may

petition the court for a writ of habeas corpus. 5

However, both the 1935 and 1973 Philippine Constitutions vest upon the President or the Prime Minister the

power to suspend this extraordinary writ on occasions of invasion, insurrection, or rebellion or imminent danger

thereof, when the public safety requires it. 6

3 Wikipedia, Habeas Corpus,

The infamous President Ferdinand E. Marcos used this particular provision to suspend the writ of habeascorpusin 1971 which ultimately paved the way for the proclamation of Martial law.

As a result, Philippine History became witness to the proliferation of the dangers which the writ ofhabeas

corpus, if only effective in those days, may have reasonably prevented. Apparently, countless political adversaries

including civilians and journalists were either surreptitiously detained or kidnapped without cause by the military,

some never to be seen again by their loved ones.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habeas_corpus.

4 Ibid.

5 Wikipedia, Habeas Corpus,http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habeas_corpus.

6 Sec. 10 (2), Art. VII, The 1935 Philippine Constitution.

Sec. 12, Art. IX, The 1973 Philippine Constitution.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Writhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justicehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detention_%28imprisonment%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judiciaryhttp://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/incommunicadohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habeas_corpushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habeas_corpushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habeas_corpushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habeas_corpushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habeas_corpushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habeas_corpushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habeas_corpushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habeas_corpushttp://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/incommunicadohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judiciaryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detention_%28imprisonment%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justicehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Writ

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Anyone who lived during that period of Martial Law will tell you that those times were the darkest times in

Philippine history. The common citizens were at the mercy of a man who had every intention of holding on to power

as if it was life itself. Those were dark times indeed. As the writ ofhabeas corpuswas suspended, the military picked

up and incarcerated many innocent civilians on trumped up charges of sedition. More often than not, these people

were convicted without trial, and denied the due process of law. 7

Hence, the 1987 Philippine Constitution now provides that while the President may still suspend the writ of

Habeas Corpusand declare Martial Law, such proclamation can only last for a period not exceeding 60 days. Within

48 hours, the President is tasked to submit a report to Congress. The Congress then, acting jointly, would have the

power either to extend or revoke such declaration by majority vote.

When Martial law was ended by the 1986 People Power Revolution in Edsa, legislators ensure that certain

safeguards would be inserted in the New Constitution to avoid another experience of the horrid events that

transpired during the Martial Law era.

8

Extralegal killings are those committed without

Days, months, years and even decades passed. At first glance, the safeguards enshrined in the Constitution

seemed to have maintained their purpose. The writ ofHabeas Corpuswas never again suspended and Martial Law

to this date has not been again proclaimed. The gross violations of life and liberty, however, did not stop.

The violators employed more drastic means in the form of extrajudicial killings and forced disappearances to

silence their political enemies. To these new methods of violence, the Writ ofHabeas Corpusproved ineffective.

due process of law, which include summary and arbitrary

executions known by many by the term salvagings.9

An enforced disappearance occurs when force is used (by, for example, agents of a state) to cause a person

to vanish from public view, followed by a refusal to acknowledge the deprivation of liberty (and/or by concealment of

the fate or whereabouts of the disappeared person), thereby placing the victim outside the protection of law. 10

7 The 1986 Edsa Revolution Website, The Philippines Under Martial Law,

In this situation, even if a petition for Habeas Corpus is filed in behalf of the victim and subsequently the

court issues such writ, the custodian would just refuse to confirm that he is in fact detaining the said person.

This excuse, to circumvent the rules on Habeas Corpus, became the usual alibi of government defendants

who were otherwise guilty of utilizing extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances against innocent civilians.

http://library.thinkquest.org/15816/thebeginning.article4.html.

8 Sec. 18, Art. VII, The 1987 Philippine Constitution.

9 Wikipedia, The Writ of Amparo and Habeas Data (Philippines),http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Writ_of_Amparo_and_Habeas_Data_(Philippines).

10 Wikipedia, Forced disappearances,http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disappearances.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Due_process_of_lawhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Due_process_of_lawhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Publichttp://library.thinkquest.org/15816/thebeginning.article4.htmlhttp://library.thinkquest.org/15816/thebeginning.article4.htmlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Writ_of_Amparo_and_Habeas_Data_(Philippines)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Writ_of_Amparo_and_Habeas_Data_(Philippines)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disappearanceshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disappearanceshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disappearanceshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disappearanceshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Writ_of_Amparo_and_Habeas_Data_(Philippines)http://library.thinkquest.org/15816/thebeginning.article4.htmlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Publichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Due_process_of_law

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Thus, the need for the issuance of additional legal remedies to supplement the inefficacy of the writ of

Habeas Corpus arose. It is for this reason that the Supreme Court in 2007 brought into existence the Writs of

Amparo and Habeas Data in the Philippine Legal System.

International Origins

While considered as still innovative concepts in the Philippine setting, the Writs of Amparo and Habeas Data

have long before existed in the legal systems of other international personalities.

The Writ of Amparo

Amparo, literally to protect, originated in Mexico and spread throughout the Western Hemisphere where it

has gradually evolved into various forms, depending on the particular needs of each country. It started as a

protection against acts or omissions of public authorities in violation of constitutional rights. 11

Later, however, the writ evolved for several purposes: (1) For the protection of personal freedom,

equivalent to the habeas corpus writ (called amparo libertad); (2) For the judicial review of the constitutionality

ofstatutes (called amparo contra leyes); (3) For the judicial review of the constitutionality and legality of a judicial

decision (called amparo casacion); (4) For the judicial review of administrative actions (called amparo

administrativo); and (5) For the protection of peasants rights derived from the agrarian reform process (called

amparo agrario). 12

The writ of amparohas been constitutionally adopted by Latin American countries, except Cuba, to protect

against human rights abuses especially during the time they were governed by military juntas. Generally, these

countries adopted the writ to provide for a remedy to protect the whole range of constitutional rights, including

socio-economic rights. 13

The literal translation from Latin of Habeas Data is you have the data. Habeas Data is a constitutional

right granted in several countries in Latin-America. It shows variations from country to country, but in general, it is

designed to protect, by means of an individual complaint presented to a constitutional court, the image, privacy,

honour, information self-determination and freedom of information of a person.

The Writ of Habeas Data

Conversely, the concept of the writ of Habeas Data was also borrowed from international entities.

14

11 The Supreme Court of the Philippines Website. Annotation to the Writ of Amparo.http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/Annotation_amparo.pdf.

12 Ibid.

13 The Supreme Court of the Philippines Website, Annotation to the Writ of Amparo,http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/Annotation_amparo.pdf.

14 Wikipedia, Habeas data,http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habeas_data.
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/Annotation_amparo.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/Annotation_amparo.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/Annotation_amparo.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/Annotation_amparo.pdfhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habeas_datahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habeas_datahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habeas_datahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habeas_datahttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/Annotation_amparo.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/Annotation_amparo.pdf

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The Habeas Data has a very short history. The roots of the writ ofhabeas datacan be traced to the Council

of Europes 108th Convention on Data Protection of 1981. The writ ofhabeas datamay be said to be the youngest

legal mechanism to appear in the legal landscape. A comparative law scholar has described habeas data as a

procedure designed to safeguard individual freedom from abuse in the information age. The European Data

Protection Convention of 1981 was convened to develop safeguards to secure the privacy of the individual by way of

regulating the processing of personal information or data. 15

In countries like Germany, the use of the writ ofhabeas datawas justified by invoking the peoples right to

individual self-determination. 16

In Latin American countries, however, it found use as an aid in solving their perennial problem of protecting

the individual against human rights abuses. 17

The 1987 Constitution enhanced the protection of human rights by giving the Supreme Court the power to

promulgate rules concerning the protection and enforcement of constitutional rights

Philippine Setting

18

This rule-making power unique to the present Constitution, is the result of our experience under the dark

years of the martial law regime. 19

Before, the protection of constitutional rights was principally lodged with Congress through the enactment

of laws and their implementing rules and regulation. 20

The 1987 Constitution, however, gave the the Supreme Court the additional power to promulgate rules to

protect and enforce rights guaranteed by the fundamental law of the land. 21 In light of the prevalence of extralegal

killing and enforced disappearances, the Supreme Court resolved to exercise for the first time its power to

promulgate rules to protect our peoples constitutional rights. 22

15 Chief Justice Reynato Puno (2007), The Writ of Habeas Data,http://www.humanrights.gov.ph/docs/Puno_Writ_of_Habeas_Data_11-19-07-speech.pdf.

16 Ibid.

17 Ibid.

18

Sec. 5 (5), Art. VIII, The 1987 Philippine Constitution.


20 Ibid.

21 Ibid.

22 Ibid.
http://www.humanrights.gov.ph/docs/Puno_Writ_of_Habeas_Data_11-19-07-speech.pdfhttp://www.humanrights.gov.ph/docs/Puno_Writ_of_Habeas_Data_11-19-07-speech.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/Annotation_amparo.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/Annotation_amparo.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/Annotation_amparo.pdfhttp://www.humanrights.gov.ph/docs/Puno_Writ_of_Habeas_Data_11-19-07-speech.pdf

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Hence, the reason why the Writs of Amparo and Habeas Data are now already included as extraordinary

remedies in our legal system for the protection of life and liberty.

The Writ of Amparo

On September 25, 2007, Chief Justice Reynato Puno officially announced the approval or promulgation of

the Writ of Amparo:

"Today, the Supreme Court promulgated the rule that will place the constitutional right to life,

liberty and security above violation and threats of violation. This rule will provide the victims of extralegal

killings and enforced disappearances the protection they need and the promise of vindication for their

rights. This rule empowers our courts to issue reliefs that may be granted through judicial orders of

protection, production, inspection and other relief to safeguard one's life and liberty The writ of amparo

shall hold public authorities, those who took their oath to defend the constitution and enforce our laws, to a

high standard of official conduct and hold them accountable to our people. The sovereign Filipino people

should be assured that if their right to life and liberty is threatened or violated, they will find vindication inour courts of justice." 23

The Supreme Court Committee on Revision of the Rules of Court agreed that the writ ofamparoshould not

be as comprehensive and all-encompassing as the ones found in some countries, especially Mexico. These nations

are understandably more advanced in their laws as well as in their procedures with respect to the scope of this

extraordinary writ. The Committee decided that in our jurisdiction, this writ ofamparoshould be allowed to evolve

through time and jurisprudence and through substantive laws as they may be promulgated by Congress.

The Writ of Amparo took effect on October 24, 2007.

24

Since the writ of amparo is still undefined under our Constitution and our Rules of Court, the rule

enumerates the constitutional rights protected by the writ, i.e., only the right to life, liberty and security of persons.

In other jurisdictions, the writ protects all constitutional rights. The reason for limiting the coverage of its protection

only to the right to life, liberty and security is that other constitutional rights of our people are already enforced

through different remedies. 25

Be that as it may, the Philippine amparoencapsulates a broader coverage. Whereas in other jurisdictions

the writ covers only actual violations, the Philippine version is more protective of the right to life, liberty and security

in the sense that it covers both actual and threatened violations of such rights. Further, unlike other writs of amparo

that provide protection only against unlawful acts or omissions of public officials or employees, our writ covers

23 Jay Rempillo (2007), SC Approves Rule on Writ of Amparo,http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/news/courtnewsflash/2007/09/09250701.php.


25 Ibid.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/September_25http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reynato_Punohttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/news/courtnews%20flash/2007/09/09250701.phphttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/news/courtnews%20flash/2007/09/09250701.phphttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/news/courtnews%20flash/2007/09/09250701.phphttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/news/courtnews%20flash/2007/09/09250701.phphttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/Annotation_amparo.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/Annotation_amparo.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/Annotation_amparo.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/news/courtnews%20flash/2007/09/09250701.phphttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/news/courtnews%20flash/2007/09/09250701.phphttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/news/courtnews%20flash/2007/09/09250701.phphttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reynato_Punohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/September_25

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violations committed by private individuals or entities. Entities refer to artificial persons, as they are also capable of

perpetrating the act or omission. 26

On August 25, 2007,

The Writ of Habeas Data

Chief Justice Reynato Puno at the College of Law alumni of Silliman University inDumaguete City announced that the Supreme Court of the Philippines was drafting the writ of Habeas Data. By

invoking the truth, the new remedy will not only compel military and government agents to release information about

the desaparecidos but require access to military and police files. 27

On January 22, 2008, the Supreme Court En Banc approved the rules for the writ of Habeas Data to

protect a persons right to privacy and allow a person to control any information concerning them." It was made

effective on February 2, 2008. 28

Chief Justice Puno describes this right to truth as fundamental to citizens of countries in transition to

democracy burdened by a legacy of massive human rights violations.

29

The exercise of this right is particularly crucial in disappearances driven by politics because

they usually involve secret execution of detainees without any trial, followed by the concealment of the

body with the purpose of erasing all material traces of the crime and securing impunity for the perpetrators.

Indeed, truth is the bedrock of all legal systems, whether the system follows the common law tradition or

the civil tradition. Justice that is not rooted in truth is injustice in disguise. That kind of justice will not stand

the test of time, for it is not anchored in reality but on mere images, noted the Chief Justice. 30

26 The Supreme Court of the Philippines Website, Annotation to the Writ of Amparo,

Enforcement of the Writs of Amparo and Habeas Data

The Writ of Habeas Corpus, now reinforced by the Writs of Amparo and Habeas Data were designed to

combat the prevalence of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances as well as threats throughout the

country.

http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/Annotation_amparo.pdf.

27 Wikipedia, Habeas data,http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habeas_data.

28 Wikipedia, The Writ of Amparo and Habeas Data (Philippines),http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Writ_of_Amparo_and_Habeas_Data_(Philippines).

29 Gleo Guerra (2007), Writ of Habeas Data in the Offing as Protection in Information Age,http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/publications/benchmark/2007/11/110703.php.

30 Gleo Guerra (2007), Writ of Habeas Data in the Offing as Protection in Information Age,http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/publications/benchmark/2007/11/110703.php.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chief_Justicehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chief_Justicehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reynato_Punohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silliman_Universityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dumaguetehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supreme_Court_of_the_Philippineshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Writhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truthhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Militaryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governmenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agentshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desaparecidoshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Policehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/January_22http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habeas_Datahttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/Annotation_amparo.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/Annotation_amparo.pdfhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habeas_datahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habeas_datahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habeas_datahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Writ_of_Amparo_and_Habeas_Data_(Philippines)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Writ_of_Amparo_and_Habeas_Data_(Philippines)http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/publications/benchmark/2007/11/110703.phphttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/publications/benchmark/2007/11/110703.phphttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/publications/benchmark/2007/11/110703.phphttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/publications/benchmark/2007/11/110703.phphttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/publications/benchmark/2007/11/110703.phphttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/publications/benchmark/2007/11/110703.phphttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Writ_of_Amparo_and_Habeas_Data_(Philippines)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habeas_datahttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/Annotation_amparo.pdfhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habeas_Datahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/January_22http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Policehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desaparecidoshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agentshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governmenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Militaryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truthhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Writhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supreme_Court_of_the_Philippineshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dumaguetehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silliman_Universityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reynato_Punohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chief_Justice

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Filing

The Writ of Amparo may be filed on any day at any time in the Regional Trial Courts where the acts or

omissions complained of were committed, or the Sandiganbayan, Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court as the

case may be. 31

In Habeas Data, the same also applies. It may be filed, at the option of the petitioner, with the Regional

Trial Court where petitioner or respondent resides or where the data or information is gathered, collected or stored.

However, the petition must be filed with the Supreme Court or the Court of Appeals or the Sandiganbayan when the

action concerns public data files of government offices. 32

Both the writs of Amparo and Habeas Data may be filed by the aggrieved party himself or by an authorized

party such as his immediate family or when impossible, his relatives. In the case of Amparo, if an immediate family

member or a relative is unavailable, any concerned citizen may file the petition. 33

The reason for establishing an order is to prevent the indiscriminate and groundless filing of petitions for

amparo which may even prejudice the right to life, liberty or security of the aggrieved party. For instance, the

immediate family may be nearing the point of successfully negotiating with the respondent for the release of the

aggrieved party. An untimely resort to the writ by a nonmember of the family may endanger the life of the aggrieved

party. 34

No fees are required for an Amparo petition. In a petition for the Writ of Habeas Data, no docket and other

lawful fees are required only if the petitioner is an indigent. The indigent petitioner would then have 15 days to

submit proof of his indigency.

Docket Fees

35

The Committee exempted petitioners from payment of docket and other lawful fees in filing an amparo

petition, for this extraordinary writ involves the protection of the right to life, liberty and security of a person. The

enforcement of these sacrosanct rights should not be frustrated by lack of finances. 36

31 Sec. 3, The Rule on the Writ of Amparo,http://www.inquirer.net/verbatim/rules-writ-of-amparo.pdf.

32 Sec. 3, The Rule on the Writ of Habeas Data,http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/rulesofcourt/2008/jan/A.M.No.08-1-16-SC.pdf.


Sec. 2, The Rule on the Writ of Habeas Data,http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/rulesofcourt/2008/jan/A.M.No.08-1-16-SC.pdf.



http://www.inquirer.net/verbatim/rules-writ-of-amparo.pdfhttp://www.inquirer.net/verbatim/rules-writ-of-amparo.pdfhttp://www.inquirer.net/verbatim/rules-writ-of-amparo.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/rulesofcourt/2008/jan/A.M.No.08-1-16-SC.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/rulesofcourt/2008/jan/A.M.No.08-1-16-SC.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/rulesofcourt/2008/jan/A.M.No.08-1-16-SC.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/rulesofcourt/2008/jan/A.M.No.08-1-16-SC.pdfhttp://www.inquirer.net/verbatim/rules-writ-of-amparo.pdfhttp://www.inquirer.net/verbatim/rules-writ-of-amparo.pdfhttp://www.inquirer.net/verbatim/rules-writ-of-amparo.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/rulesofcourt/2008/jan/%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20A.M.No.08-1-16-SC.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/rulesofcourt/2008/jan/%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20A.M.No.08-1-16-SC.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/rulesofcourt/2008/jan/%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20A.M.No.08-1-16-SC.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/rulesofcourt/2008/jan/%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20A.M.No.08-1-16-SC.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/Annotation_amparo.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/Annotation_amparo.pdfhttp://www.inquirer.net/verbatim/rules-writ-of-amparo.pdfhttp://www.inquirer.net/verbatim/rules-writ-of-amparo.pdfhttp://www.inquirer.net/verbatim/rules-writ-of-amparo.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/rulesofcourt/2008/jan/%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20A.M.No.08-1-16-SC.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/rulesofcourt/2008/jan/%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20A.M.No.08-1-16-SC.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/rulesofcourt/2008/jan/%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20A.M.No.08-1-16-SC.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/rulesofcourt/2008/jan/%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20A.M.No.08-1-16-SC.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/rulesofcourt/2008/jan/%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20A.M.No.08-1-16-SC.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/rulesofcourt/2008/jan/%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20A.M.No.08-1-16-SC.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/rulesofcourt/2008/jan/%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20A.M.No.08-1-16-SC.pdfhttp://www.inquirer.net/verbatim/rules-writ-of-amparo.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/Annotation_amparo.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/rulesofcourt/2008/jan/%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20A.M.No.08-1-16-SC.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/rulesofcourt/2008/jan/%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20A.M.No.08-1-16-SC.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/rulesofcourt/2008/jan/%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20A.M.No.08-1-16-SC.pdfhttp://www.inquirer.net/verbatim/rules-writ-of-amparo.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/rulesofcourt/2008/jan/A.M.No.08-1-16-SC.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/rulesofcourt/2008/jan/A.M.No.08-1-16-SC.pdfhttp://www.inquirer.net/verbatim/rules-writ-of-amparo.pdf

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Effect of Institution

The filing of an Amparo or Habeas Data petition will not preclude the filing of separate criminal, civil, or

administrative actions. 37

The writ ofamparopartakes of the nature of a prerogative writ. It is not a criminal, civil, or administrative

suit. Hence, it does not suspend the filing of criminal, civil or administrative actions. 38

However, the Amparo or Habeas Data petition will be consolidated with a subsequently filed criminal or

separate civil action. 39

If the criminal action is filed first, a separate petition for Amparo or Habeas Data would not be allowed

anymore. In such case, the reliefs under the writs shall be available by motion in the criminal case. 40

This is to avoid the difficulties that may be encountered when the amparoaction is allowed to proceed

separately from the criminal action. Two courts trying essentially the same subject may issue conflicting orders. 41

The Rule on the Writ of Amparo emphasizes the following reliefs:

Remedies Available

42

1. Temporary Protection Order and Witness Protection Order which empowers the courtto order a government agency or a private person or an accredited institution to give

protection to the aggrieved parties, their family or the organization who filed the petition. 43

36 The Supreme Court of the Philippines Website, Annotation to the Writ of Amparo,

http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/Annotation_amparo.pdf.









http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/Annotation_amparo.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/Annotation_amparo.pdfhttp://www.inquirer.net/verbatim/rules-writ-of-amparo.pdfhttp://www.inquirer.net/verbatim/rules-writ-of-amparo.pdfhttp://www.inquirer.net/verbatim/rules-writ-of-amparo.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/rulesofcourt/2008/jan/%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20A.M.No.08-1-16-SC.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/rulesofcourt/2008/jan/%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20A.M.No.08-1-16-SC.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/rulesofcourt/2008/jan/%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20A.M.No.08-1-16-SC.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/rulesofcourt/2008/jan/%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20A.M.No.08-1-16-SC.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/Annotation_amparo.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/Annotation_amparo.pdfhttp://www.inquirer.net/verbatim/rules-writ-of-amparo.pdfhttp://www.inquirer.net/verbatim/rules-writ-of-amparo.pdfhttp://www.inquirer.net/verbatim/rules-writ-of-amparo.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/rulesofcourt/2008/jan/%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20A.M.No.08-1-16-SC.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/rulesofcourt/2008/jan/%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20A.M.No.08-1-16-SC.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/rulesofcourt/2008/jan/%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20A.M.No.08-1-16-SC.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/rulesofcourt/2008/jan/%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20A.M.No.08-1-16-SC.pdfhttp://www.inquirer.net/verbatim/rules-writ-of-amparo.pdfhttp://www.inquirer.net/verbatim/rules-writ-of-amparo.pdfhttp://www.inquirer.net/verbatim/rules-writ-of-amparo.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/rulesofcourt/2008/jan/%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20A.M.No.08-1-16-SC.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/rulesofcourt/2008/jan/%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20A.M.No.08-1-16-SC.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/rulesofcourt/2008/jan/%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20A.M.No.08-1-16-SC.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/rulesofcourt/2008/jan/%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20A.M.No.08-1-16-SC.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/Annotation_amparo.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/Annotation_amparo.pdfhttp://www.inquirer.net/verbatim/rules-writ-of-amparo.pdfhttp://www.inquirer.net/verbatim/rules-writ-of-amparo.pdfhttp://www.inquirer.net/verbatim/rules-writ-of-amparo.pdfhttp://www.inquirer.net/verbatim/rules-writ-of-amparo.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/Annotation_amparo.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/rulesofcourt/2008/jan/%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20A.M.No.08-1-16-SC.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/rulesofcourt/2008/jan/%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20A.M.No.08-1-16-SC.pdfhttp://www.inquirer.net/verbatim/rules-writ-of-amparo.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/rulesofcourt/2008/jan/%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20A.M.No.08-1-16-SC.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/rulesofcourt/2008/jan/%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20A.M.No.08-1-16-SC.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/rulesofcourt/2008/jan/%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20A.M.No.08-1-16-SC.pdfhttp://www.inquirer.net/verbatim/rules-writ-of-amparo.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/Annotation_amparo.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/rulesofcourt/2008/jan/%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20A.M.No.08-1-16-SC.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/rulesofcourt/2008/jan/%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20A.M.No.08-1-16-SC.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/rulesofcourt/2008/jan/%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20A.M.No.08-1-16-SC.pdfhttp://www.inquirer.net/verbatim/rules-writ-of-amparo.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/Annotation_amparo.pdf

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The grant of a temporary protection order to the petitioner or the aggrieved party and any

member of the immediate family is essential because their lives and safety may be at higher

risk once they file the amparopetition. 44

2. Inspection Order which empowers the court to allow entry into a public or private propertyfor the purpose of inspecting, surveying, measuring or photographing the property or any

relevant object thereon. 45

3. Production Order which empowers the court to order any person to produce documents,papers, letters, photographs, objects or tangible things and those in digitized or electronic

forms.46

Procedure

After the filing of an Amparo or Habeas Data petition requesting any legal remedy available, the court,

justice or judge would immediately order the issuance of the writ if on its face it ought to issue.47

The respondent, upon issuance and service of the Writ, is required to submit a return within five working

days. 48

The return in an Amparo proceeding should be in writing and supported by affidavit containing respondents

lawful defenses to show that he did not commit any violation to the life liberty and security of the aggrieved party.

Such return should also note the steps or actions taken by the respondent to determine the fate or whereabuts of

the aggrieved party and the persons resposible for the threat, act or omission. Moreover, all relevant information in

the possession of respondent pertaining to the threat, act or ommission against the aggrieved party as well as the

43 Atty. Neri Javier Colmenares (2007), The Writ of Amparo: A Comparative Review,http://www.bayan.ph/downloads/THE_WRIT_OF_AMPARO_A_COMPARATIVE_REVIEW_BY_CODAL.pdf .


45 Atty. Neri Javier Colmenares (2007), The Writ of Amparo: A Comparative Review,http://www.bayan.ph/downloads/THE_WRIT_OF_AMPARO_A_COMPARATIVE_REVIEW_BY_CODAL.pdf .

46 Ibid.




http://www.bayan.ph/downloads/THE_WRIT_OF_AMPARO_A_COMPARATIVE_REVIEW_BY_CODAL.pdfhttp://www.bayan.ph/downloads/THE_WRIT_OF_AMPARO_A_COMPARATIVE_REVIEW_BY_CODAL.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/Annotation_amparo.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/Annotation_amparo.pdfhttp://www.bayan.ph/downloads/THE_WRIT_OF_AMPARO_A_COMPARATIVE_REVIEW_BY_CODAL.pdfhttp://www.bayan.ph/downloads/THE_WRIT_OF_AMPARO_A_COMPARATIVE_REVIEW_BY_CODAL.pdfhttp://www.inquirer.net/verbatim/rules-writ-of-amparo.pdfhttp://www.inquirer.net/verbatim/rules-writ-of-amparo.pdfhttp://www.inquirer.net/verbatim/rules-writ-of-amparo.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/rulesofcourt/2008/jan/%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20A.M.No.08-1-16-SC.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/rulesofcourt/2008/jan/%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20A.M.No.08-1-16-SC.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/rulesofcourt/2008/jan/%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20A.M.No.08-1-16-SC.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/rulesofcourt/2008/jan/%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20A.M.No.08-1-16-SC.pdfhttp://www.inquirer.net/verbatim/rules-writ-of-amparo.pdfhttp://www.inquirer.net/verbatim/rules-writ-of-amparo.pdfhttp://www.inquirer.net/verbatim/rules-writ-of-amparo.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/rulesofcourt/2008/jan/%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20A.M.No.08-1-16-SC.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/rulesofcourt/2008/jan/%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20A.M.No.08-1-16-SC.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/rulesofcourt/2008/jan/%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20A.M.No.08-1-16-SC.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/rulesofcourt/2008/jan/%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20A.M.No.08-1-16-SC.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/rulesofcourt/2008/jan/%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20A.M.No.08-1-16-SC.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/rulesofcourt/2008/jan/%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20A.M.No.08-1-16-SC.pdfhttp://www.inquirer.net/verbatim/rules-writ-of-amparo.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/rulesofcourt/2008/jan/%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20A.M.No.08-1-16-SC.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/rulesofcourt/2008/jan/%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20A.M.No.08-1-16-SC.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/rulesofcourt/2008/jan/%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20A.M.No.08-1-16-SC.pdfhttp://www.inquirer.net/verbatim/rules-writ-of-amparo.pdfhttp://www.bayan.ph/downloads/THE_WRIT_OF_AMPARO_A_COMPARATIVE_REVIEW_BY_CODAL.pdfhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/Annotation_amparo.pdfhttp://www.bayan.ph/downloads/THE_WRIT_OF_AMPARO_A_COMPARATIVE_REVIEW_BY_CODAL.pdf

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actions that had been or will be taken by the respondent if he happens to be a public official or employee should also

be stated. 49

On the other hand, the return in an action for Habeas Data should contain the lawful defenses of

respondent such as but not limited to national security, state secrets, privileged communication, and confidentiality.

In case the respondent is indeed in charge, in possession or in control of the data or information subject of the

petition, he is required to state in the return a full disclosure of the data or information about the petitioner including

the nature of such information and the purpose of its collection. Furthermore, the steps or actions taken by the

respondent to ensure the security and confidentiality of the data or information held and the currency and accuracy

of such as well as other allegations relevant to the resolution of the case should also be noted. 50

Consequently, if respondent fails to file the return in both instances, the court may proceed to hear the case

ex parte. 51

The hearing on such petitions is summary in nature. 52 Within 10 days from the time petition is submitted

for decision, the court shall render judgment and determine the granting of the reliefs requested based onsubstantial evidence. Otherwise, petition shall be denied. 53 However, any party may appeal from the judgment or

final order to the Supreme Court under rule 45 on questions of facts or law or both. The period for appeal shall be

five working days from notice of judgment. 54

Punishment for contempt by way of a penalty of imprisonment or a fine may be imposed by the court,

justice, or judge if the respondent refuses to make a return or submits a false return as well as if any person

Contempt










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otherwise disobeys or resists a lawful process or order of the court to be punished for contempt. 55 Contempt may

also serve as punishment for the refusal to issue or serve the writs by the clerk of court or any deputized person

respectively. 56

In a nutshell, the Writ of Amparo renders the alibi of non-custody nugatory because it forces the

government officials or the military to prove that indeed they are not in custody of the person in whose favor the writ

was issued and if not, to explain the questioned diappearance and preserve an evidence that might lead to the

prosecution of those responsible.

Summary

57

In this line, the Writ of Habeas Data also compels the production of Government or military records and the

divulgence of any information that can help find out what indeed happened to the victim. 58

It cannot be denied that once upon a time Americans dominated and occuupied our territories, even the

whole country. This occurrence in Philippine history perhaps ranks as the main reason why American culture has

Together, the addition of these two novel remedies in our legal system attempt to alleviate, if not abolish,

the detrimental effects of extra-judicial killings and enforced disappearances including the threats that may

accompany such forms of violence in this jurisdiction. Noble goals, notwithstanding, the status of their

accomplishment remains to be seen.

EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGEIn relation to the OVERSIGHT FUNCTIONS of CONGRESS and LEGISLATIVE INQUIRY


The Philippine Goverment exists as an embodiment of the doctrine ofSeparation of Powers, which traces its

roots in Ancient Greece and Rome. However, our concept of such doctrine was adopted mainly from the United

States.



56

Sec. 7, The Rule on the Writ of Amparo,http://www.inquirer.net/verbatim/rules-writ-of-amparo.pdf.


57 Sec. 9, The Rule on the Writ of Amparo,http://www.chanrobles.com/writofamparo_amendedsections9and11.html.

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such an impact on our way of life. The legal realm is of no exception. Hence, even our own Constitution has several

provisions that were taken directly from ther United States Constitution.

Separation of powers is a political doctrine under which the executive, legislative and judicial branches of

government are kept distinct, to prevent abuse of power. This US form of separation of powers is widely known as

"checks and balances". 59

Separation of powersis not absolute; it is instead qualified by the doctrine of checks and balances. James

Madison, the Father of the American Constitution, wrote that the three branches "should not be so far separated as

to have no constitutional control over each other." The system of checks and balances is designed to allow each

branch to restrain abuse by another branch. 60

Broadly defined, the power of oversight embraces all activities undertaken by Congress to enhance its

understanding of and influence over the implementation of legislation it has enacted. Clearly, oversight concerns

post-enactment measures undertaken by Congress: (a) to monitor bureaucratic compliance with program objectives,

It is in the light of this doctrine that Executive Privilege will be discussed herein in relation to the Oversight

Functions of Congress and Legislative Inquiry.

Philippine Setting

Pursuant to the doctrine of Separation of Powers, our government consists of the executive, legislative, and

judicial branches. Basically, the Executive branch implements the law, the Legislative branch enacts the law, and the

Judicial branch interprets the law. Each branch is distinct and independent.

Hence, because of the divergence of the powers bestowed upon them, no branch can claim to be above the

other. This does not mean, though, that the doctrine of Separation of Powers is infallible. Indeed, it is still prone to

abuse.

The Martial Law Era ranks as an explicit example. During that time, the Executive Department was able to

abuse its power and practically render powerless the Legislative and Judicial departments of government because of

certain flaws in the law.

To prevent a repeat of history, the 1987 Constitution provided for safeguards that will provide a more

efficient system of checks and balances. As emphasized earlier, the separation of powers doctrine cannot be

effective if its corollary doctrine of checks and balances is not ably implemented.

Included in such safeguards are the Oversight functions of Congress and its power of Legislative Inquiry.

Oversight Functions of Congress

59 Wikipedia, Separation of Powers under the United States Constitution,http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Separation_of_powers_under_the_United_States_Constitution.

60 Ibid.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politicshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctrinehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executive_%28government%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legislaturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judiciaryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governmenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Separation_of_powershttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Madisonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Madisonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Separation_of_powers_under_the_United_States_Constitutionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Separation_of_powers_under_the_United_States_Constitutionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Separation_of_powers_under_the_United_States_Constitutionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Madisonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Madisonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Madisonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Separation_of_powershttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governmenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judiciaryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legislaturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executive_%28government%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctrinehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics

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(b) to determine whether agencies are properly administered, (c) to eliminate executive waste and dishonesty, (d) to

prevent executive usurpation of legislative authority, and (e) to assess executive conformity with the congressional

perception of public interest. The power of oversight has been held to be intrinsic in the grant of legislative power

itself and integral to the checks and balances inherent in a democratic system of government. 61

The acts done by Congress purportedly in the exercise of its oversight powers may be divided into three

categories, namely: (1) supervision, which connotes a continuing and informed awareness on the part of a

congressional committee regarding executive operations in a given administrative area; (2) scrutiny, primarily

intended to determine economy and efficiency of the operation of government activities, exercised through budget

hearings, the question hour and the power of confirmation; and (3) investigation, which is also known as the

inquiry in aid of legislation.62

The Congressional power of inquiry is expressly recognized in Section 21 of

Pursuant to its Oversight power, the Congress may conduct a question hour. The basis for this exercise

can be found in Sec. 22, Art. VI, of the 1987 Constitution which states:

SECTION 22. The heads of departments may upon their own initiative, with the consent

of the President, or upon the request of either House, as the rules of each House shall provide,

appear before and be heard by such House on any matter pertaining to their departments. Written

questions shall be submitted to the President of the Senate or the Speaker of the House of

Representatives at least three days before their scheduled appearance. Interpellations shall not be

limited to written questions, but may cover matters related thereto. When the security of the State

or the public interest so requires and the President so states in writing, the appearance shall be

conducted in executive session.

The Question Hour is distinct from Legislative Inquiry. As such, their differences will be highlighted in

the subsequent paragraphs.

Legislative Inquiry

Article VI of the Constitution:

SECTION 21. The Senate or the House of Representatives or any of its respective

committees may conduct inquiries in aid of legislation in accordance with its duly published rules of

procedure. The rights of persons appearing in or affected by such inquiries shall be respected.

61 Philippine E-legal Forum, Primer on Separation of Powers, Inquiry in Aid of Legislation,http://jlp-law.com/blog/primer-separation-of-powers-inquiry-in-aid-legislation/.

62 Ibid.
http://jlp-law.com/blog/1987-constitution-article-vi-legislative-department/http://jlp-law.com/blog/1987-constitution-article-vi-legislative-department/http://jlp-law.com/blog/philippine-constitution-1987/http://jlp-law.com/blog/primer-separation-of-powers-inquiry-in-aid-legislation/http://jlp-law.com/blog/primer-separation-of-powers-inquiry-in-aid-legislation/http://jlp-law.com/blog/primer-separation-of-powers-inquiry-in-aid-legislation/http://jlp-law.com/blog/primer-separation-of-powers-inquiry-in-aid-legislation/http://jlp-law.com/blog/primer-separation-of-powers-inquiry-in-aid-legislation/http://jlp-law.com/blog/primer-separation-of-powers-inquiry-in-aid-legislation/http://jlp-law.com/blog/philippine-constitution-1987/http://jlp-law.com/blog/1987-constitution-article-vi-legislative-department/

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Even without this express Constitutional provision, the power of inquiry is inherent in the power to legislate.

The power of inquiry, with process to enforce it, is grounded on the necessity of information in the legislative

process. If the information possessed by executive officials on the operation of their offices is necessary for wise

legislation on that subject, by parity of reasoning, Congress has the right to that information and the power to

compel the disclosure thereof. 63

Under the separation of powers, Congress has the right to obtain information from any source even from

officials of departments and agencies in the executive branch. It is this very separation that makes the congressional

right to obtain information from the executive so essential, if the functions of the Congress as the elected

representatives of the people are adequately to be carried out. 64

Section 21 (inquiry in aid of legislation) and Section 22 (question hour) of Article VI of the

Question Hour vs. Legislative Inquiry

Constitution are

closely related and complementary to each other, but they do not pertain to the same power of Congress. One

specifically relates to the power to conduct inquiries in aid of legislation, the aim of which is to elicit information that

may be used for legislation, while the other pertains to the power to conduct a question hour, the objective of which

is to obtain information in pursuit of the oversight function of Congress. While attendance was meant to be

discretionary in the question hour, it was compulsory in inquiries in aid of legislation. 65

This is not to say that the power of legislative inquiry is without limitation. Any abuse in the exercise of

such power is subject to review by the Supreme Court which has the power to determine if there has been grave

abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction in any instrumentality of the government.

In fact, a person who refuses to attend a congressional hearing in relation to the exercise of the power of

legislative inquiry in aid of legislation may be cited for contempt.

Limitations

66

As now contained in the 1987 Constitution (Section 21, Article VI), the power of Congress to investigate is

circumscribed by three limitations, namely: (a) it must be in aid of its legislative functions, (b) it must be conducted

63

Philippine E-legal Forum, Primer on Separation of Powers, Inquiry in Aid of Legislation,http://jlp-law.com/blog/primer-separation-of-powers-inquiry-in-aid-legislation/.

64 Ibid.

65 Ibid.

66 Sec. 1, Art. VIII, The 1987 Philippine Constitution.
http://jlp-law.com/blog/philippine-constitution-1987/http://jlp-law.com/blog/philippine-constitution-1987/http://jlp-law.com/blog/philippine-constitution-1987/http://jlp-law.com/blog/primer-separation-of-powers-inquiry-in-aid-legislation/http://jlp-law.com/blog/primer-separation-of-powers-inquiry-in-aid-legislation/http://jlp-law.com/blog/primer-separation-of-powers-inquiry-in-aid-legislation/http://jlp-law.com/blog/primer-separation-of-powers-inquiry-in-aid-legislation/http://jlp-law.com/blog/primer-separation-of-powers-inquiry-in-aid-legislation/http://jlp-law.com/blog/primer-separation-of-powers-inquiry-in-aid-legislation/http://jlp-law.com/blog/philippine-constitution-1987/http://jlp-law.com/blog/philippine-constitution-1987/

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in accordance with duly published rules of procedure, and (c) the persons appearing therein are afforded their

constitutional rights, including the right to be represented by counsel and the right against self-incrimination. 67

In addition, even where the inquiry is in aid of legislation, there are still recognized exemptions to the power

of inquiry, which exemptions fall under the rubric of executive privilege.

68

Executive privilege is the implied constitutional power of the President to withhold information requested by

other branches of the government. The Constitution does not expressly grant this power to the President but courts

have long recognized implied Presidential powers if necessary and proper in carrying out powers and functions

expressly granted to the Executive under the Constitution.

Executive Privilege

69

Executive privilege is not a clear or unitary concept, although it has been defined as the power of the

Government to withhold information from the public, the courts, and the Congress or the right of the President and

high-level executive branch officers to withhold information from Congress, the courts, and ultimately the public. 70

Executive privilege is properly invoked in relation to specific categories of information and not to categories

of persons. Executive privilege, whether asserted against Congress, the courts, or the public, is recognized only in

relation to certain types of information of a sensitive character. 71

The matters covered under executive privilege include: (1) Information between inter-government

agencies prior to the conclusion of treaties and executive agreements; (2) Presidential conversations,

correspondences, and discussions in closed-door Cabinet meetings; and (3) Matters affecting national security and

public order.72

When an official is being summoned by Congress on a matter which, in his own judgment, might be covered

by executive privilege, he must be afforded reasonable time to inform the President or the Executive Secretary of the

possible need for invoking the privilege. This is necessary in order to provide the President or the Executive Secretary

with fair opportunity to consider whether the matter indeed calls for a claim of executive privilege. If, after the lapse


68 Ibid.

69 Justice Antonio Carpio (2008), The Limits of Executive Privilege,http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/views-and-analysis/03/28/08/limits-executive-privilege-0.


71 Ibid.

72 Ibid.
http://jlp-law.com/blog/primer-separation-of-powers-inquiry-in-aid-legislation/http://jlp-law.com/blog/primer-separation-of-powers-inquiry-in-aid-legislation/http://jlp-law.com/blog/primer-separation-of-powers-inquiry-in-aid-legislation/http://jlp-law.com/blog/primer-separation-of-powers-inquiry-in-aid-legislation/http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/views-and-analysis/03/28/08/limits-executive-privilege-0http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/views-and-analysis/03/28/08/limits-executive-privilege-0http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/views-and-analysis/03/28/08/limits-executive-privilege-0http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/views-and-analysis/03/28/08/limits-executive-privilege-0http://jlp-law.com/blog/primer-separation-of-powers-inquiry-in-aid-legislation/http://jlp-law.com/blog/primer-separation-of-powers-inquiry-in-aid-legislation/http://jlp-law.com/blog/primer-separation-of-powers-inquiry-in-aid-legislation/http://jlp-law.com/blog/primer-separation-of-powers-inquiry-in-aid-legislation/http://jlp-law.com/blog/primer-separation-of-powers-inquiry-in-aid-legislation/http://jlp-law.com/blog/primer-separation-of-powers-inquiry-in-aid-legislation/http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/views-and-analysis/03/28/08/limits-executive-privilege-0http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/views-and-analysis/03/28/08/limits-executive-privilege-0http://jlp-law.com/blog/primer-separation-of-powers-inquiry-in-aid-legislation/http://jlp-law.com/blog/primer-separation-of-powers-inquiry-in-aid-legislation/

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of that reasonable time, neither the President nor the Executive Secretary invokes the privilege, Congress is no

longer bound to respect the failure of the official to appear before Congress and may then opt to avail of the

necessary legal means to compel his appearance. 73

A claim of privilege, being a claim of exemption from an obligation to disclose information, must be clearly

asserted. An implied claim of privilege is invalid per se. The validity of claims of privilege must be assessed on a case

to case basis, examining the ground invoked therefore, and the particular circumstances surrounding it. 74

The conclusion of the Supreme Court in the said case is summarized as follows:

Executive Order 464

As stated earlier, executive privilege is not expressly granted by the Constitution. To remedy thi problem,

the President issued Executive Order 464. In the case of Senate vs. Ermita (April 20, 2006) the constitutionality of

Executive Orer 464 was challenged. The Supreme Court strucked down and declared as unconstitutional some of the

provisions of the said order.

75

The power of inquiry (inquiry in aid of legislation) of Congress is expressly recognized in Section 21 of

Article VI of the Constitution. An exemption to such Congressional power falls under the rubric of executive privilege,

Congress undoubtedly has a right to information from the executive branch whenever it is

sought in aid of legislation. If the executive branch withholds such information on the ground that it

is privileged, it must so assert it and state the reason therefor and why it must be respected.

The infirm provisions of E.O. 464, however, allow the executive branch to evade

congressional requests for information without need of clearly asserting a right to do so and/or

proffering its reasons therefor. By the mere expedient of invoking said provisions, the power of

Congress to conduct inquiries in aid of legislation is frustrated. That is impermissible.

Resort to any means then by which officials of the executive branch could refuse to divulge

information cannot be presumed valid. Otherwise, we shall not have merely nullified the power of

our legislature to inquire into the operations of government, but we shall have given up something

of much greater value -- our right as a people to take part in government.

Legislative Inquiry vs. Executive Privilege


74 Ibid.

75 Philippine E-legal Forum, Executive Order 464 Senate vs. Ermita, http:// jlp-law.com/blog/executive-order-464-senate-philippines-ermita/.
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which is also a constitutional concept. Executive privilege, however, is recognized only in relation to certain types of

information of a sensitive character. The validity of a claim thereof depends on the ground invoked to justify it and

the context in which it is made. Executive officials are NOT exempt from the duty to disclose information by the mere

fact of being executive officials. 76

As early as 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as adopted by resolution by the United Nations

already provided for an individuals right to asylum.

Summary

It is clear that executive privilege is granted to the President only being the lone head of the Executive

Department. Without this, the President may not be able to do the duties and responsibilities that accompanies the

office for fear of interference from the other branches of government.

However, this privilege may not be abused by the Executive Department. This is clear from the ruling of the

Supreme Court in Senate vs. Ermita. The Power of Legislative Inquiry pursuant to the Oversight functions of

Congress must not be circumvented by merely invoking executive privilege.

Whether this is enough to prevent such abuse continues to be a debatable issue to this day.

POLITICAL ASYLUM


77

The Right of asylum (or political asylum) is an ancient juridical notion, under which a person persecuted for

political opinions or religious beliefs in his or her own country may be protected by another sovereign authority, aforeign country, or Church sanctuaries (as in medieval times). 78

This right has its roots in a longstanding Western traditionalthough it was already recognized by the

Egyptians, the Greeks and the HebrewsDescartes went to the Netherlands, Voltaire to England, Hobbes to France

(followed by many English nobles during the English Civil War), etc; each state offered protection to foreign

persecuted persons. 79

76 Philippine E-legal Forum, Executive Order 464 Senate vs. Ermita, http:// jlp-law.com/blog/executive-order-464-senate-philippines-ermita/.

77 Art. 14, 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

78 Wikipedia, Right of Asylum,http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_of_asylum.

79 Ibid.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persecutionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sovereigntyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Churchhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanctuaryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_worldhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traditionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egyptianshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greekshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hebrewshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Descarteshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netherlandshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voltairehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Englandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hobbeshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_Civil_Warhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_of_asylumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_of_asylumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_of_asylumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_of_asylumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_Civil_Warhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hobbeshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Englandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voltairehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netherlandshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Descarteshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hebrewshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greekshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egyptianshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traditionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_worldhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanctuaryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Churchhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sovereigntyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persecution

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International Implementation

Prevailing laws about political asylum vary. As a general rule, someone must indicate that he or she wishes

to seek asylum upon entering a country, although in some cases an asylum application may be filed later, as might

be the case when someone travels on a routine trip and learns that it would be dangerous to return. The application

for political asylum can include a wide range of supporting information, and people may have up to a year or more to

gather the documents and support they need. If rejected, that applicant may be deported if he or she is in the

country illegally, or the applicant may be asked to go through another application process to receive a resident alien

card or extended visa. 80

Many countries around the world take the right to political asylum very seriously, and international

organizations have spelled out rules and regulations in an attempt to keep political asylum laws uniform. Many

organizations will also help people who believe that they are entitled to the right to political asylum, offering legal

assistance, housing and job placement, and assistance with filing for permanent residency or citizenship. 81

Hence, the right to political asylum is now considered a general principle of international law or customary

international law. As such, the Constitution provides that it should be deemed part of the law of the land.

Philippine Setting

Hard law refers to binding international legal norms or those which have coercive character. Soft law,

on the other hand, refers to norms that are non-binding in character but still have legal relevance.Although the 1948

Universal Declaration of Human Rights can be categorized as a soft law when it was adopted by the United Nations

decades ago, it nonetheless ripened into hard law already by the signing and ratification of the Philippines of two

binding covenants -- the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on

Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

82

Many Filipinos have already sought political asylum in foreign jurisdictions. An example would be Jose Maria

Sison who was infamous for being the activist who reorganized the Communist Party of the Philippines. Since 1987

when he went into exile in the Netherlands after the Marcos era, Sison sought for political asylum there as a political

This

ranks as the primary reason why notwithstanding the fact that political asylum was never written in our laws, it is still

part of our legal system.

Relevant Cases

80 Wisegeek, What is Political Asylum,http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-political-asylum.htm.

81 Ibid.

82 Sec. 2, Art. II, The 1987 Philippine Constitution.
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-political-asylum.htmhttp://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-political-asylum.htmhttp://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-political-asylum.htmhttp://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-political-asylum.htm

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refugee. However, his asylum status was put into question when he was labeled as a terrorist and charged with

orchestrating some murders in the Philippines in 2001. His prosecution in Europe at present is still on-going. 83

Just recently, former Agriculture Undersecretary Joc-Joc Bolante who is allegedly involved as the architect in

a P728-million fertilizer scam allegedly diverted to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyos campaign funds in the 2004

Presidential Elections sought for political asylum in the United States because allegedly of political persecution. The

United States Court of Appeals rejected his petition ruling that he was unable to prove with sufficient evidence that

he is in fact under political persecution. 84

1) As regards the Writs of Amparo and Habeas Data, the mere promulgation of these rules by our Supreme Courtwill not be sufficient to put a stop to extralegal killings, enforced disappearances as well as the threats that

accompany them.

In the Philippines, a case has yet to be decided by the Supreme Court to

put political asylum in clearer terms insofar as this jurisdiction is concerned.

Conclusion and Recommendations

The discussion of the Writs of Amparo and Habeas Data, Executive Privilege in relation to the Oversight

Functions of Congress and Legislative Inquiry as well as Political Asylum must now come to an end for lack of time

and space.

The following conclusions and recommendations of this law student are volunteered:

Writing a legal rule is one thing, but implementing it is definitely another. The entire process of enforcing thesewrits will not only be dependent upon the wordings of the promulgated rules but also on the actions of the

court, judge, or justice hearing the case. It is imperative that such one must possess the cold neutrality of an

impartial judge. He must also be able to withstand the threats and pressure of powerful government officials.

Otherwise, a corrupt, biased, and frail judge will just nullify the good intentions of the subject writs.

2) As regards Executive Privilege in relaton to the Oversight Functions of Congress and Legislative Inquiry, themere declaration of unconstitutionality of some E.O. 464 provisions is not enough.

While such declaration may have stopped the abuse of executive privilege as an excuse in congressionalhearings in aid of legislation, it did not provide a solution for blatant lying by those summoned by Congress.

Deterrent circumstances such as this must be avoided by applying more stringent rules in order for the Congress

to enact more accurate and updated legislations.

3) As regards Political Asylum, the Legislature or the Judiciary must find a way to make this customary internationallaw clearer in our jurisdiction.

In attaining these goals, of course, the help of the Almighty ranks mandatory. Who knows? Maybe, just

maybe, honest public officials who will serve public interest more than their own may come to our rescue. Sometimes

miracles do happen.

83 Wikipedia,Jose Maria Sison,http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jose_Maria_Sison.

84 The Daily PCIJ, U.S. Court of Appeals Rejects Bolante Asylum Petition,http://www.pcij.org/blog/?p=3102.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jose_Maria_Sisonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jose_Maria_Sisonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jose_Maria_Sisonhttp://www.pcij.org/blog/?p=3102http://www.pcij.org/blog/?p=3102http://www.pcij.org/blog/?p=3102http://www.pcij.org/blog/?p=3102http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jose_Maria_Sison

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