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Spouses Renato Constanino, Jr., et al. vs. Hon. Jose B. Cuisia, et al. [SEPARATE OPINION, J. PANGANIBAN]

SPOUSES RENATO CONSTANTINO JR. and LOURDES CONSTANTINO and Their Minor Children RENATO, REDENTOR, ANNA MARIKA LISSA, NINA ELISA, and ANNA KARMINA; FREEDOM FROM DEBT COALITION; and FILOMENO STA. ANA III vs. The Hon. JOSE B. CUISIA, in His Capacity as Governor of the Central Bank; The Hon. RAMON DEL ROSARIO, in His Capacity as Secretary of Finance; The Hon. EMMANUEL V. PELAEZ, in His Capacity as Philippine Debt Negotiating Panel Chairman; and the NATIONAL TREASURER. [SEPARATE OPINION, J. PANGANIBAN]

G.R. No. 106064 | 2005-10-13

SEPARATE OPINION 

PANGANIBAN, J.: 

I agree that the Petition should be dismissed, insofar as it seeks to nullify the subject debt-relief Contracts executed by respondents under the authority of the President. 

Decision to Honor Debts
an Executive Call

Indubitably, former President Corazon C. Aquino's decision to honor the outstanding debts of the Republic at the time she assumed the presidency was a policy matter well within her prerogative. It was purely an executive call; hence, beyond judicial scrutiny. The Petition has failed to show grave abuse of discretion that would warrant judicial intervention. I agree with the ponencia...