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In re: Aquino, Jr., et al. vs. Enrile, et al. [SEPARATE OPINION, FERNANDEZ, J. ]

IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION FOR HABEAS CORPUS OF BENIGNO S. AQUINO, JR., RAMON MITRA, JR., FRANCISCO RODRIGO, AND NAPOLEON RAMA, petitioners vs. HON. JUAN PONCE ENRILE, SECRETARY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE; GEN. ROMEO ESPINO, CHIEF OF STAFF, ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES; AND GEN. FIDEL V. RAMOS, CHIEF, PHILIPPINE CONSTABULARY, respondents. FERNANDEZ, J.

G.R. No. L-35546 / No. L-35538. / No. L-35539 / No. L-35540 / No. L-35547 / No. L-35556 / No. L-3 | 1974-09-17

FERNANDEZ, J. concurring: 



PROLOGUE 

I have decided to write this Separate Opinion even before the main opinion has been written, for no other cases in the history of the Republic have assumed such transcendental importance as the cases which directly arose out of the proclamation of martial law on September 21, 1972. No other cases presented before this Court have aroused such widespread attention, speculation, controversy, and concern. And in the language of one of the petitioners, "the decision in these case(s), whatever it may be, will be cited in history books many, many years from now. And it will be quoted wherever...