Back

Saguisag vs. Executive Secretary

[G.R. No. 212426] Rene A.V. Saguisag, Wigberto E. Tanada, Francisco "Dodong" Nemenzo, Jr., Sr. Mary John Mananzan, Pacifico A. Agabin, Esteban "Steve" Salong, H. Harry L. Roque, Jr., Evalyn G. Ursua, Edre U. Olalia, Dr. Carol Pagaduan-Araullo, Dr. Roland Simbulan, and Teddy Casino, Petitioners, -versus- Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr., Department of National Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Jr., Department of Budget and Management Secretary Florencio Abad, and Armed Forces of the Philippines Chiefof Staff General Emmanuel T. Bautista, Respondents xxxxxxx [G.R. No. 212444] Bagong Alyanasang Makabayan (Bayan) Represented by its Secretary General Renato M. Reyes, Jr., Bayan Muna Party-List Representatives Neri J. Colmenares and Carlos Zarate, Gabriela Women's Party-List Representatives Luz Ilagan and Emerciana de Jesus, Act Teachers Party-List Representative Antonio L. Tinio, Anakpawis Party-List Representative Fernando Hicap, Kabataan Party-List Representative Terry Riddon, Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan (Makabayan), Represented by Saturnino Ocampo and Liza Maza, Bienvenido Lumbera, Joel C. Lamangan, Rafael Mariano, Salvador France, Rogelio M. Soluta, and Clemente G. Bautista, Petitioners versus Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Executive Secetary Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr., Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Emmanuel T. Bautista, Defense Undersecretary Pio Lorenzo Batino, Ambassador Lourdes Yparraguirre, Amabassador J. Eduardo Malaya, Department of Justice Undersecretary Francisco Baraan III, and DND Assistant Secretary for Strategic Assessments Raymund Jose Quilop as Chairperson and Members, respectively, of the Negotiating Panel for the Philippines on EDCA, Respondents. xxxxxxx KILUSANG MAYO UNO, REPRESENTED BY ITS CHAIRPERSON, ELMER LABOG, CONFEDERATION FOR UNITY, RECOGNITION AND ADVANCEMENT OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES (COURAGE), REPRESENTED BY ITS NATIONAL PRESIDENT FERDINAND GAITE, NATIONAL FEDERATION OF LABOR UNIONS-KILUSANG MAYO UNO, REPRESENTED BY ITS NATIONAL PRESIDENT JOSELITO USTAREZ, NENITA GONZAGA, VIOLETA ESPIRITU, VIRGINIA FLORES, AND ARMANDO TEODORO, JR., Petitioners-in-Intervention, RENE A.Q. SAGUISAG, JR., Petitioner-in-Intervention Present: SERENO, CJ, CARPIO, VELASCO, JR., LEONARDO-DE CASTRO, BRION, PERALTA, BERSAMIN, DEL CASTILLO, VILLARAMA, JR., PEREZ, MENDOZA, REYES, PERLAS-BERNABE, LEONEN, and JARDELEZA, * JJ.

G.R. Nos. 212426 & 212444 | 2016-01-12

DECISION

SERENO, CJ:

The petitions [1] before this Court question the constitutionality of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the Republic of the Philippines and the United States of America (U.S.). Petitioners allege that respondents committed grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction when they entered into EDCA with the U.S., [2] claiming that the instrument violated multiple constitutional provisions. [3] In reply, respondents argue that petitioners lack standing to bring the suit. To support the legality of their actions, respondents invoke the 1987 Constitution, treaties, and judicial...