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Jose F.S. Bengzon Jr., Et Al. Vs. Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, Et Al. [ DISSENTING OPINION, GUTIERREZ J. ]

JOSE F.S. BENGZON JR., ABELARDO TERMULO, JOSE MANTECON, VICENTE MILLS JR., LEONARDO GAMBOA, KURT BACHMANN JR., JOSE V.E. JIMENEZ, ERNESTO CALUYA, AGERICO UNGSON, SUSAN ROXAS, ELVIE CASTILLO, and CYNTHIA SABIDO LIMJAP, petitioners, vs. THE SENATE BLUE RIBBON COMMITTEE AND ITS MEMBERS, represented by and through the CHAIRMAN, HON. WIGBERTO TA?ADA, respondents, JOSE S. SANDEJAS, intervenor. Bengzon, Zarraga, Narciso, Cudala, Pecson & Bengson for petitioners. Balgos & Perez for intervening petitioner. Eddie Tamondong and Antonio T. Tagaro for respondents.

G.R. No. 89914 | 1991-11-20

GUTIERREZ, JR., J., dissenting: 

I regret that I must express a strong dissent to the Court's opinion in this case. 

The Court is asserting a power which I believe we do not possess. We are encroaching on the turf of Congress. We are prohibiting the Senate from proceeding with a constitutionally vested function. We are stopping the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee from exercising a legislative prerogative investigations in aid of legislation. We do so because we somehow feel that the purported aim is not the real purpose. 

The Court has no power to second guess the motives behind an act of a House of Congress. Neither can we...