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Province of North Cotabato vs. GRP Peace Panel

THE PROVINCE OF NORTH COTABATO, duly represented by GOVERNOR JESUS SACDALAN and/or VICE-GOVERNOR EMMANUEL PINOL, for and in his own behalf, Petitioners, versus THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES PEACE PANEL ON ANCESTRAL DOMAIN (GRP), represented by SEC. RODOLFO GARCIA, ATTY. LEAH ARMAMENTO, ATTY. SEDFREY CANDELARIA, MARK RYAN SULLIVAN and/or GEN. HERMOGENES ESPERON, JR., the latter in his capacity as the present and duly-appointed Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPEOPLE) or the so-called Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, Respondents.

G.R. No. 183591 and G.R. No. 183752 and G.R. No. 183893 and G.R. No. 183962 | 2008-10-14

D E C I S I O N
 
CARPIO MORALES, J.:
 
Subject of these consolidated cases is the extent of the powers of the President in pursuing the peace process.  While the facts surrounding this controversy center on the armed conflict in Mindanao between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the legal issue involved has a bearing on all areas in the country where there has been a long-standing armed conflict.  Yet again, the Court is tasked to perform a delicate balancing act.  It must uncompromisingly delineate the bounds within which the President may lawfully...