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Executive Secretary
G.R. No. 151445
April 11, 2002
FACTS:
ISSUE:
Whether or not the Balikatan 02-1 activities are
covered by the VFA.
HELD:
Petition is dismissed. The VFA itself permits US
personnel to engage on an impermanent basis, in
activities, the exact meaning of which is left undefined.
The sole encumbrance placed on its definition is couched
in the negative, in that the US personnel must abstain
from any activity inconsistent with the spirit of this
agreement, and in particular, from any political activity.
Under these auspices, the VFA gives legitimacy to
the current Balikatan exercises. It is only logical to
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EN BANC
G.R. No. 151445 - April 11, 2002
ARTHUR D. LIM and PAULINO R. ERSANDO,
petitioners, vs. HONORABLE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
as alter ego of HER EXCELLENCEY GLORIA
MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, and HONORABLE ANGELO
REYES in his capacity as Secretary of National
Defense, respondents.
---------------------------------------SANLAKAS and PARTIDO NG MANGGAGAWA,
petitioners-intervenors,
vs.
GLORIA
MACAPAGAARROYO, ALBERTO ROMULO, ANGELO REYES,
respondents.
DE LEON, JR., J.:
This case involves a petition for certiorari and prohibition
as well as a petition-in-intervention, praying that
respondents be restrained from proceeding with the socalled "Balikatan 02-1" and that after due notice and
hearing, that judgment be rendered issuing a permanent
writ of injunction and/or prohibition against the
deployment of U.S. troops in Basilan and Mindanao for
being illegal and in violation of the Constitution.
for American
States Charge
Minutes of the
and Assistant
Petitioners Lim
arguments:
the
and
Ersando
present
following
1. TRAINING
II
and
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provisos governing
agreements, state:
interpretations
of
international
result
which
is
manifestly
absurd
integrity, national
determination.
interest,
and
the
right
to
self-
Melo,
Mendoza,
Quisumbing,
Carpio,
JJ.,
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