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

CRUZ, J., dissenting: 

I regret I am unable to give my concurrence. I do not agree that the investigation being conducted by the Blue Ribbon Committee is not in aid of legislation. 

In Arnault v. Nazareno, 87 Phil. 29, this Court observed that "we are bound to presume that the action of the legislative body was with a legitimate object if it is capable of being so construed, and we have no right to assume that the contrary was intended." (People ex rel. McDonald vs. Keeler, 99 N.Y. 463; 52 Am. Rep., 49; 2 N.E., 615, quoted with approval by the U.S. Supreme Court in McGrain vs. Daugherty, 273 U.S. 135). As far as I know, that is...