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Most Rev. Pedro D. Arigo, et al. Vs. Scott H. Swift, et al. [Concurring Opinion C.J. Sereno]

MOST REV. PEDRO D. ARIGO, Vicar Apostolic of Puerto Princesa D.D.; MOST REV. DEOGRACIAS S. INIGUEZ, JR., Bishop-Emeritus of Caloocan, FRANCES Q. QUIMPO, CLEMENTE G. BAUSTISTA, JR., Kalikasan-PNE, MARIA CAROLINA P. ARAULLO, RENATO M. REYES JR., Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, HON. NERI JAVIER COLMENARES, Bayan Muna Party-List, ROLAND G. SIMBULAN, PH.D., Junk VFA Movement, TERESITA R. PEREZ, PH.D., HON. RAYMOND V. PALATINO, Kabataan Party-List, PETER SJ. GONZALES, Pamalakaya, GIOVANNI A. TAPANG, PH.D., Agliam, ELMER C. LABOG, Kilusang Mayo Uno, JOAN MAYE. SALVADOR, Gabriela, JOSE ERIQUE A. AFRICA, THERESA A. CONCEPCION, MARY JOAN A. GUAN, NESTOR T. BAGUINON, PH.D., A. EDSEL F. TUPAS, Petitioners v. SCOTT H. SWIFT in his capacity as Commander of the U.S. 111 Fleet, MARK A. RICE in his capacity as Commanding Officer of the USS Guardian, PRESIDENT BENIGNO S. AQUINO III in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, HON. ALBERT F. DEL ROSARIO, Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs, HON. PAQUITO OCHOA, JR., Executive Secretary, Office of the President, HON. VOLTAIRE T. GAZMIN, Secretary, Department of National Defense,' HON. SECRETARY RAMON JESUS P. P AJE, Secretary, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, VICE ADMIRAL JOSE LUIS M. ALANO, Philippine Navy Flag Officer in Command, Armed Forces of the Philippines, ADMIRAL RODOLFO D. ISORENA, Commandant, Philippine Coast Guard, COMMODORE ENRICO EFREN EVANGELISTA, Philippine Coast Guard Palawan, MAJOR GEN. VIRGILIO 0. DOMINGO, Commandant of Armed Forces of the Philippines Command, LT. GEN. TERRY G. ROBLING, US Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, and Balikatan 2013 Exercise CoDirector, Respondents. [Concurring Opinion C.J. Sereno]

G.R. No. 206510 | 2014-09-15

EN BANC
 
CONCURRING OPINION

SERENO, CJ:
 
I concur.

Sovereign immunity serves as a bar for the foreign sovereign to be subjected to the trial process. Supported both by local jurisprudence, as well as international law (which forms part of the Philippine legal structure), the doctrine should not be reversed in this particular case.

SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY IN PHILIPPINE LAW

Sovereign immunity in Philippine law has been lengthily discussed by the Court in China National Machinery & Equipment Corp. v. Hon. Santamaria in the following manner:
 
This Court explained the doctrine of sovereign immunity in...