REPUBLICOFTHEPHILIPPINES

SUPREMECOURT
SECONDDIVISION
MANILA
BISHOPPEDRODULAYARIGO,CESARN.
SARINO,DR.JOSEANTONION.SOCRATES
PROF.H.HARRYL.ROQUE,JR.
Petitioners,
SC.G.R.No.185941
For:

PETITIONFORREVIEWON
CERTIORARIUNDERRULE45(with
anApplicationforWritsofPreliminaryMandatoryandProhibitoryInjunction
and/orTemporaryRestrainingOrder)
versus
HON.EXECUTIVESECRETARYEDUARDOR.
ERMITA,HON.ENERGYSECRETARYANGELO
T.
REYES,HON.FINANCESECRETARY
MARGARITOB.TEVES,HON.BUDGETAND
MANAGEMENTSECRETARYROLANDOD.
ANDAYAJR.,HON.PALAWANGOVERNOR
JOELT.REYES,HON.REPRESENTATIVE
ANTONIOC.ALVAREZ,(1STDISTRICT),HON.
REPRESENTATIVEABRAHAMMITRA,(2ND
DISTRICT),RAFAELE.DELPILAR,
PRESIDENT&CEO,PNOCEXPLORATION
CORPORATION,
Respondents.
X__________________________________X

PETITION
Petitioners,bycounsel,anduntothisHonorableCourt,respectfullystate,that:
PREFATORYSTATEMENT
Inthiscitizenssuit,theissueoftheequitableshareintheproceedsofthe

utilizationofthedevelopmentofnationalwealth1ofalocalgovernmentunit,inthis

Fromthelanguageofthefundamentallawoftheland.SeeCONST.(1987),artX,sec.7,whichprovides
that:Localgovernmentsshallbeentitledtoanequitableshareintheproceedsoftheutilizationand

case,theProvinceofPalawan,bythespecialgeographicalcircumstancesinvolved,is
inextricablylinkedwiththeintegrityofthenationalterritoryandthenationalpatrimony;
theassailedpresidentialissuance,EO683,craftedbasedonagrievouslyerroneous
constructionbytheChiefExecutiveoftheconstitutionallydefinednationalterritorial
limits,isbyitself,patentlyillegalandunconstitutionalinsofarasitviolatestheprovisions
ofthe1991LocalGovernmentCodeandthe1987Constitutionguaranteeinganequitable
shareoftheproceedsoftheutilizationofthedevelopmentofthenationalwealthofa
localgovernmentunit.

TheCourtaquohasrefusedtotakecognizanceofthecaseprimarilyonthegroundsof
prematurityandofjudicialdeferencetojointeffortsbytheExecutiveandtheLegislative
todefinethecountrysbaselines.Petitionerscontendthatwhileitistruethatthe
questionedExecutiveOrderisindeedpremisedontheeventuallegislativedetermination
ofthemetesandboundsofthenationalterritorypertainingtothecountrysbaselines,
particularlyasitrelatestotheKalayaanIslandGroup,popularlyknownastheSpratlys,
theverytermsandconditionsofEO683alreadypresentjusticiableissueswithrespectto
thedisbursementofpublicfundsprovidedinthepresidentialissuance;onthisbasis,the
Courtscannotshirkfromthedutytopassupontherelevantlegalandconstitutional
issues;moreover,PetitionersarguethatitisaswelltheconstitutionaldutyoftheCourts
toexaminewhatthe1987Constitutionitselfestablishesasthemetesandboundsofthe
nationalterritory.

Finally,theCourtaquohasfaultedPetitionersfortheirsupposedfailuretoprovideit
withdocumentsrelevanttoitsadjudicationofthePetition,pursuanttotheprovisionsof
theRevisedRulesofCourt.Acloseexaminationoftheissuehowever,willsupport
Petitionersclaimthatthesedocumentsareonlytangentialtothecontroversiesathand,
developmentofthenationalwealthwithintheirrespectiveareas,inthemannerprovidedbylaw,including
sharingthesamewiththeinhabitantsbydirectmeans.

nottomentionthatthisHonorableCourtitselfhasalreadydeterminedthatPetitionersare
notlegallyinapositiontosecurethesedocumentsbecausetheyarenotpartiestoit.

PETITIONERS

BishopPedroDulayArigocurrentBishopoftheArchdioceseofPuertoPrincesa,
Palawan,suesasaresidentofPalawan,citizenandtaxpayeroftheRepublicofthe
Philippines.

PetitionerCesarN.Sarino,aformersecretaryoftheDepartmentoftheInteriorandLocal
Government(DILG),suesasacitizenandtaxpayeroftheRepublicofthePhilippines.

Dr.JoseAntonioN.Socrates,ageologistandsurgeonbytraining,suesasaresidentof
Palawan,citizenandtaxpayeroftheRepublicofthePhilippines.

PetitionerProf.H.HarryL.Roque,Jr.,isalawyerandprofessorofconstitutionallaw
andinternationallawattheUniversityofthePhilippines,suesasacitizen,taxpayer,and
asanofficerofthecourtwithasworndutytoupholdtheConstitutionandthelawsofthe
RepublicofthePhilippines.

Allthepetitionersinthiscontroversymaybeservedwithcourtprocessesthroughtheir
counsel,theRoqueandButuyanLawOffices,withofficeaddressatUnit1904,Antel
2000CorporateCenter,No.121,ValeroStreet,SalcedoVillage,MakatiCity,1227.

RESPONDENTS

RespondentHon.EduardoErmitaistheincumbentExecutiveSecretary,withoffice
addressat2ndFloor,MabiniHall,Malacaang,J.P.LaurelSt.,SanMiguel,Manila,
wherehemaybeservedwithsummonsandothercourtprocesses.
7.

RespondentHon.AngeloT.ReyesistheincumbentSecretaryofthe

DepartmentofEnergy[hereinafter,DOE],withofficeaddressatMerittRoad,Fort
Bonifacio,Taguig,MetroManila,wherehemaybeservedwithsummonsandothercourt
processes.

RespondentHon.MargaritoB.TevesJr.istheincumbentSecretaryoftheDepartmentof
Finance[hereinafter,DOF],withofficeaddressatRoxasBlvd.,cornerVitoCruzSt.,
Manila,wherehemaybeservedwithsummonsandothercourtprocesses.

RespondentHon.RolandoD.AndayaJr.istheincumbentSecretaryoftheDepartmentof
BudgetandManagement[hereinafter,DBM],withofficeaddressatJ.PLaurelSt.,corner
AyalaSt.,CityofManila,whereshemaybeservedwithsummonsandothercourt
processes.

RespondentHon.JoelT.ReyesistheincumbentGovernoroftheProvinceofPalawan,
withofficeaddressattheProvincialCapitol,PuertoPrincesaCity,Palawan,wherehe
maybeservedwithsummonsandotherlegalprocesses.

RespondentHon.AntonioC.AlvarezistheincumbentRepresentativeoftheFirstDistrict
oftheProvinceofPalawan.Hemaybeservedwithsummonsandotherlegalprocessesat
theHouseofRepresentatives,HouseofRepresentativesComplex,ConstitutionHills,
QuezonCity1126.

RespondentHon.AbrahamMitraistheincumbentRepresentativeoftheSecond
DistrictoftheProvinceofPalawan.Hemaybeservedwithsummonsandother
legalprocessesattheHouseofRepresentatives,HouseofRepresentatives
Complex,ConstitutionHills,QuezonCity1126.

RespondentRafaelE.DelPilaristheincumbentPresident&CEOofthePNOC
ExplorationCorporation.Hemaybeservedwithsummonsandotherlegal
processesBuilding1,EnergyCenter,FortBonifacio,TaguigCity1634.

STATEMENTOFMATERIALFACTS

TheRepublicofthePhilippines,throughtheDepartmentofEnergy(DOE),
enteredintoaservicecontractwithShellPhilippinesExplorationB.V.and
OccidentalPhilippines,IncorporatedonDecember11,1990fortheexclusive
contractofpetroleumoperationsintheareareferredtoasCAMAGO
MALAMPAYA.TheexplorationledtothedrillingoftheCamagoMalampaya
naturalgasreservoirlocatedabouteighty(80)kilometersfromthecoastlineof
Palawan,intheSouthChinaSea.

TheCamagoMalampayaproject,whichfeaturesextensivenaturalgasandoil
deposits,issaidtobethelargestsingleinvestmentinthecountry,projectedto
generateapproximately8to10billionU.S.DollarsofrevenueofthePhilippine
government.

AdisputehasarisenbetweentheProvincialGovernmentandtheNational
GovernmentovertheproportionateshareoftheproceedsoffromtheCamago
Malampayanaturalgasproject.

TheProvincialGovernmentofPalawanassertsitsclaimoverafortypercent(40%)share
oftheproceeds,accordingtotheprovisionsofthe1991LocalGovernmentCode.Its
claimforsuchashareisfoundedonitscontentionthattheCamagoMalampayagas
fieldsarelocatedwithintheterritorialjurisdictionofPalawanandisthusentitledtothe
proceedsasprovidedforintheLocalGovernmentCode.Forthisreason,theProvincial
GovernmentofPalawanhasapendingclaiminCourtagainsttheNationalGovernment.2

TheNationalGovernmenthowevercontendsthattheCamagoMalampayanaturalgas
reservoirisapproximatelyeighty(80)kilometersfromthecoastlineofPalawanandis
thusoutsideitsterritorialjurisdiction.Hence,theProvincialGovernmentsclaimto
entitlementtonationalwealthisunfounded.

Therehavebeenanumberofnegotiationsbetweenthetwopartiestoendthelegaltussle
betweenthemoverwhohaswhichrightfulshareovertheproceedsoftheproject,while
thecaseisstillpendingincourt.

ThelatestofsucheffortstosettlethecontroversyistheissuancebytheOfficeofthe
PresidentonDec.1,2007ofExecutiveOrderNo.683[hereinafterEO683],which
authorizestheuseoffees,revenuesandreceiptsfromservicecontractno.38forthe
implementationofdevelopmentprojectsforthepeopleofPalawan.3

ItwassignedByRespondentSec.ErmitaonbehalfofMrs.GloriaMacapagalArroyo.

TheProvincialGovernmentwonaPetitionforDeclaratoryReliefitfiledwithBranch95oftheRegional
TrialCourtofPuertoPrincesa,docketedasSpecialCivilActionCaseNo.3779.Subsequently,theDOE,
thenheadedbySec.RaphaelPerpetuoLotilla,broughtthecasebeforetheSupremeCourt,docketedasG.R
No.170867,whereitremainspending.
3

AcopyofEO683isattachedtothispleadingasANNEXA.ItwasattachedtothePetitionfiledwiththe
CourtaquoasANNEXAaswell.

EO683,amongotherthings,providesthat:

[T]hedulyauthorizedrepresentativesoftheNationalGovernmentandtheProvince
ofPalawan,withtheconformityoftheRepresentativesoftheCongressionalDistricts
ofPalawan,haveagreedonaProvisionalImplementationAgreement(PIA)that
wouldallow50%ofthedisputed40%iftheNetGovernmentShareintheproceeds
ofSC38tobeutilizedfortheimmediateandeffectiveimplementationofthe
developmentprojectsforthepeopleofPalawan.

1ofEO683providesthatunderthePIA,theDBMisauthorizedtoreleasefundsto
theimplementingagenciesontheendorsementandsubmissionbytheDOEand/or
thePNOCExplorationCorporationofthefollowingdocuments:a)directivebythe
OfficeofthePresidentorwrittenrequestoftheProvinceofPalawan,thePalawan
CongressionalDistrictsortheHighlyUrbanizedCityofPuertoPrincesa,forthe
fundingofdesignatedprojects(1.1);(b)acertificationthatthedesignatedprojects
fallundertheinvestmentprogramoftheProvinceofPalawan,CityofPuerto
Princesa,and/orthedevelopmentprojectsidentifiedinthedevelopmentprogramof
theNationalGovernmentoritsagencies;(1.2);and(c),BureauofTreasury
certificationontheavailabilityoffundsfromthe50%ofthe40%sharebeingclaimed
bytheProvinceofPalawanfromtheNetGovernmentShareunderSC38.

ItstatesthattheDBMshallbesubjecttotheactualcollectionsdepositedwiththe
NationalTreasury,andshallbeinaccordancewiththeAnnualFiscalProgramofthe
NationalGovernment.

Anotherrelevantprovisionisfoundin3ofEO683,whichprovidesthatthe
NationalgovernmentshallallowtheProvinceofPalawan,theCongressionalDistricts
ofPalawanandtheCityofPuertoPrincesatosecuritizetheirsharesinthe50%ofthe
disputed40%oftheNetGovernmentShareintheproceedsofSC38accordingtothe

PIA.TheDOE,inconsultationwiththeDOF,willberesponsibleforpreparingtheNet
GovernmentRevenuesfortheperiodoftoJune30,1010[sic].

TheamountsreleasedpursuanttothisEOshallbewithoutprejudicetoanyongoing
discussionsorfinaljudicialresolutionofthelegaldisputeregardingtheNational
GovernmentsterritorialjurisdictionovertheareascoveredbySC38inrelationtothe
claimoftheProvinceofPalawanunderSec.290ofRA7160,accordingto4ofEO
683.

EO684wastotakeeffectfifteen(15)daysafteritspublicationinanewspaperofgeneral
circulation.

OnFeb.5,2008,thePetitionersreceivedacertifiedtruecopyofEO683,signedonDec.
1,2007bytheRespondentSec.ErmitabytheauthorityofMrs.GloriaMacapagal
Arroyo.TheeffectivityclauseofEO683providesthatitshalltakeeffect15daysafterits
publicationinageneralnewspaper.

OnFeb.7,2008PetitionersfiledwiththeHonorableCourtofAppealsaspecialcivil
actionforcertiorariunderRule654questioningtheissuanceofEO683,withan
applicationforwritsofpreliminarymandatoryandprohibitoryinjunctionand/or
temporaryrestrainingorder.ThecasewasdocketedasCAGRSPNo.102247.

OnApril3,2008,PetitionersreceivednoticeoftheCourtaquosResolutiondatedMarch
18,2008directingthemtosubmitwithinfive(5)daysfromnoticecopiesofthe
following:(1)petitionforreviewoncertioraridocketedasGRNo.170867(Republicof
thePhilippinesetal.,
v.theProvincialGovernmentofPalawan)filedwiththis
HonorableCourt;(2)
thedecision
oftheRegional
TrialCourtofPuertoPrincesa,
Palawan,Branch95inSpecialCivil
ActionNo.3779;
(3)MotionforReconsiderationof
4

AcopyofthePetitionwithannexesisattachedasANNEXB.

theaforesaidRTCdecision;(4)ServiceContractNo.38;and(5)theProvisional
ImplementationAgreement(PIA),asrequiredunderSection1,Rule65,inrelationto
Section3,Rule46ofthe1997RulesofCivilProcedure.5

Petitionersoughtanadditionalten(10)daysfromApril8,2008oruntilApril18,2008to
complywiththeResolution.

OnApril18,2008,PetitionersfiledaManifestationandMotionwiththeCourtaquo,
informingtheCourtthattheywereunabletoobtainacopyofthecaserecordsofGRNo.
1708657inthedocketsofthisHonorableCourtdespitehavingmadeaformalrequestfor
itandconsideringthattheyarenotpartiesinthesaidcase;Theyhoweverattachedtothe
pleadingcertifiedtruecopiesoftheDecisionoftheRegionalTrialCourtBranch95in
PuertoPrincesa,PalawanandtheMotionforReconsiderationfiledbytheNational
GovernmentinthesaidcaseaswellasacopyofServiceContractNo.38.Theyfurther
manifestedthedifficultytheyencounteredlocatingacopyofthePIAmentionedinEO
386andprayedoftheCourttodirect(1)theHon.SecretaryofEnergy,aRespondentin
thecase,tosubmitacopyofthePetitionforReviewinGRNo.1708657,ofwhichitwas
theleadPetitioner;(2)TheHon.ExecutiveSecretaryofthePhilippines,another
Respondent,tosubmitbeforetheCourtaquoacertifiedtruecopyofSCNo.38
anyofthefollowingRespondents,namelyHon.JoelT.Reyes,incumbentGovernorof
Palawan,Hon.AntonioC.Alvarez,incumbentRepresentativeoftheFirstDistrictofthe
ProvinceofPalawanandHon.AbrahamMitra,incumbentRepresentativeoftheSecond
DistrictoftheProvinceofPalawan,tosubmittotheCourtacopyofthesaidPIA,to
whichtheyweresupposedtohavebeensignatories.6

OnMay29,2008,theFormerTwelfthDivisionoftheHonorableCourtofAppeals
renderedaresolutioninCAGRNO.102247,thedispositiveportionofwhich
5

AcopyoftheResolutionisattachedasANNEXC.

AcopyoftheManifestationandMotionwithannexesisattachedasANNEXD.

readthus:WHEREFORE,thepetitionisDENIEDDUECOURSEandaccordingly
DISMISSED.7

34.OnJune23,2008,PetitionerfiledaMotionprayingthattheCourtaquo
reconsideritsMay29,2008:8

OnAugust8,2008,PetitionersfiledyetanotherManifestationandMotionbeforethe
Courtaquoafurthersubmissionontheirfailuretoprovideitwithacopyofthe
PetitioninGRNo.170867(RepublicofthePhilippinesetal.,v.ProvincialGovernment
ofPalawan),asaresultofwhichtheCourtaquo,initsMay29,2008resolution
dismissingthecase,faultedthePetitioners,findingthatPetitionersexcuseforfailingto
submitthesaiddocumentholdsnowaterinlightofthefactthattheSupremeCourt
requirespleadings,motionsandotherpaperstobefiledinnolessthaneighteen(18)
copies.
IntheirsecondManifestationandMotion,PetitionersinformedtheCourtaquo
thatonAug.5,2008,theyreceivedacopyofaResolutiondatedJune23,2008ofthe
ThirdDivisionofthisHonorableCourt,inwhichtheHighCourtresolvedtonotethus:
theletterdated10April2008ofRomelRegaladoBagaresofRoqueandButuyanLaw
OfficesandtoDENYhisrequestforcertifiedtruecopiesofdocumentsenumerated
thereintobesubmittedinarelatedcasependingbeforetheCourtofAppealsasthesaid
lawofficeisnotacounselforanyparty.Theoriginalduplicatecopyofthesaid
ResolutionwasattachedtotheManifestationandMotion.9

37.OnJune6,2008,PetitionersreceivedacopyofaResolutionoftheHonorableCourt
ofAppealsdatedDecember16,2008,denyingtheirMotionforReconsideration

AduplicateoriginalcopyoftheResolutiondatedMay29,2008isattachedasANNEXE.8Acopyofthe
MotionforReconsiderationisattachedasANNEXF.
9
AcopyofthesecondManifestationandMotionwithannexesisattachedasANNEXG.

10

datedJune23,2008.Thedispositiveportionreadthus:WHEREFORE,premises
considered,petitionersmotionforreconsiderationisDENIEDforlackofmerit.10

STATEMENTOFMATERIALDATES

UnderRule45,Petitionershave15daysfromnoticeoftheassailedjudgmentororder
withinwhichtofileaPetitionforReviewonCertiorari.AsPetitionerreceivedthesaid
ResolutiononJanuary7,2009theyhaduntilJanuary22,2009withinwhichtofilethe
Petition.

However,onevendate,PetitionersfiledwiththisHonorableCourtamotionaskingfor
anadditional30daysoruntilFeb.21,2009tofilethesame.Atthesametime,Petitioners
paidthefilingandotherlawfuldocketfeesintheamountofFourThousandSeven
HundredandSixtyThreePesos(P4763.00),inclusiveofthefeeforaWritofPreliminary
Injunctionand/oraTemporaryRestrainingOrder,throughPostalMoneyOrdersissuedin
thenameoftheHon.ClerkofCourtofthisHonorableCourt.

Thus,Feb.21,2009beingaSaturday,Petitionerhaduntiltoday,Feb.23,2009,thenext
regularbusinessday,withinwhichtodothesame.

Petitionersthereforearefilingtheinstantactionwithinthereglamentaryperiodprovided
forunderRule45.

10

AcertifiedtruecopyoftheResolutionisattachedasANNEXH.

11

NATUREOFTHECASE

42.ThisPetitionisanAppealbyCertioraribeforetheSupremeCourtunderRule45of
theRevisedRulesofCourt,questioningtheresolutionoftheCourtaquothatdismissed
thespecialcivilactionforcertiorariunderRule65filedagainsttheRespondentsinthe
instantcase.Onaccountofthenatureofthispetitionandthecausesofactioninvolved,
PetitionersrespectfullyaskofthisHonorableCourtthatthebondforawritof
preliminarymandatoryandprohibitoryinjunctionand/ortemporaryrestrainingorderbe
waived.

STATEMENTOFTHEISSUES

I.WHETHERORNOTTHEHONORABLE COURTAQUOGRAVELYERREDUNDERLAW
WHENITHELDTHATTHEREISNO
PROCEEDINGAQUO.

ACTUALCASEANDCONTROVERSYINTHE

II.WHETHERORNOTTHEHONORABLECOURTAQUOGRAVELYERREDUNDERLAWIN
DISMISSINGTHEPETITIONONTHEGROUNDOFPREMATURITYANDDEFERRINGTOONGOINGJOINTEFFORTSOFTHEBOTHTHELEGISLATUREANDTHEEXECUTIVETO
REDEFINETHECOUNTRYSBASELINES.

III.WHETHERORNOTTHEHONORABLECOURTAQUOGRAVELYERREDUNDERLAW
INDISMISSINGTHEPETITIONFORTHEALLEGEDFAILUREOFPETITIONERSTOPROVIDE
ITWITHACOPYOFTHEPROVISIONALINTERIMAGREEMENT (PIA)THATGAVERISETO
THEISSUANCEOFEO683,PURSUANTTORULE651INRELATIONTORULE463
OFTHEREVISEDRULESOFCOURT.
IV.WHETHERORNOTTHEHONORABLECOURTAQUOERREDUNDERLAWINDISMISSING
THEPETITIONFORTHEALLEGEDFAILUREOFPETITIONERSTOPROVIDEITWITHCERTAIN
DOCUMENTSPERTAININGTOGRNO.170867,PURSUANTTORULE651
INRELATIONTORULE463OFTHEREVISEDRULESOFCOURT.

12

SUBMISSIONS

I.THEHONORABLECOURTAQUOGRAVELYERREDUNDERLAWWHENITHELDTHAT
THEREISNOACTUALCASEANDCONTROVERSYINTHEPROCEEDINGAQUO,
CONSIDERINGTHATTHEISSUANCEOFQUESTIONEDEXECUTIVEORDER(EO)683
ALREADYINVOLVESSTATUTORYCONSTITUTIONALANDJURISPRUDENTIALQUESTIONS
THATARERIPEFORADJUDICATION,NAMELY,THEDIBURSEMENTOFPUBLICFUNDSIN
VIOLATIONOFTHECONSTITUTIONALPROVISIONONREALIGNMENTOFPUBLICFUNDS ,

THEPROVISIONSOFTHE1991LOCALGOVERNMENTCODEONTHEEQUITABLESHARING
OFTHEINTERNALREVENUEALLOTMENT(IRA)BETWEENTHENATIONAL

GOVERNMENTANDTHELOCALGOVERNMENTUNITS,ANDTHEUNLAWFULWITHOLDING
OFTHESAIDALLOTMENT,ALLOFWHICHTHECOURTSHAVEACONSTITUTIONALDUTY
TORESOLVE.

II.THEHONORABLECOURTAQUOGRAVELYERREDUNDERLAWINDISMISSINGTHE
PETITIONONTHEGROUNDOFPREMATURITYANDOFJUDICIALDEFERENCETOCOEQUALBRANCHESOFGOVERNMENTNOWDELIBERATINGONTHECOUNTRYSBASELINES,

CONSIDERINGTHAT(1)THEHONORABLECOURTAQUOHASACONSTITUTIONALDUTYTO
INTERPRETTHECONSTITUTIONALPROVISIONSDEFININGTHENATIONALTERRITORYAND(2)
INDEPENDENTOFTHEFINALADJUDICATIONOFTHEDISPUTEBETWEENTHEPROVINCEOF

PALAWANANDTHENATIONALGOVERNMENTPENDINGBEFORETHETHIRDDIVISIONOF
THISHONORABLECOURTINGRNO.170867(REPUBLICOFTHEPHILIPPINESETAL.,V.THE
PROVINCIALGOVERNMENTOFPALAWAN),
THETERMSANDCONDITIONSOFE.O.683AREINDUBITABLYALREADYAVIOLATIONOF

CONSTITUTION,STATUTEANDJURISPRUDENCE.
III.THEHONORABLECOURTAQUOGRAVELYERREDUNDERLAWINDISMISSINGTHE
PETITIONFORTHEALLEGEDFAILUREOFPETITIONERSTOPROVIDEITWITHACOPYOF
THEPROVISIONALINTERIMAGREEMENT(PIA),CONSIDERINGTHATTHETERMSAND
PROVISIONSOFEO683EMBODYALLTHETERMSANDPROVISIONSOFTHEASSAILED
PIA.THUSWHATISBEINGCHALLENGEDISTHEQUESTIONEDORDER,WHICHWAS

DRAFTEDANDISSUEDTOEXPRESSINOFFICIALTERMSANDTOPUTINTOLEGALEFFECT
THEPIASOWNTERMSANDCONDITIONS;REQUIRINGPETITIONERSTOSUBMITACOPY
OFTHEPIA,DRAFTEDANDSIGNEDINTHEFIRSTPLACEUNDERCONDITIONSOF

SECRECY,WOULDSIMPLYBESUPERFLOUS,ACCORDINGTOTHERULESCOURT.

IV.THEHONORABLECOURTAQUOERREDUNDERLAWINDISMISSINGTHEPETITION
FORTHEALLEGEDFAILUREOFPETITIONERSTOPROVIDEITWITHCERTAIN
DOCUMENTSPERTAININGTOGRNO.170867,CONSIDERINGTHATUNDERTHERULES
OFCOURTTHESEARENOTREALLYNECESSARY-ASTHEYAREONLYTANGENTIALTO
THERESOLUTIONOFTHECASEBYTHECOURTAQUO,NOTTOMENTIONTHAT
PETITIONERSARENOTEVENPARTIESTOTHECASEOFWHICHTHESAMEDOCUMENTS
AREPART,ASTHISHONORABLECOURTITSELFHASALREADYDETERMINED.

13

DISCUSSION

I.
THEHONORABLECOURTAQUO
GRAVELY

ERREDUNDERLAW

WHENITHELDTHATTHEREISNO
ACTUALCASEANDCONTROVERSY
IN

THEPROCEEDINGAQUO,

CONSIDERINGTHATTHEISSUANCE
OF
QUESTIONED

EXECUTIVE
ORDER(EO)683ALREADY
INVOLVES
STATUTORY
CONSTITUTIONAL

AND
JURISPRUDENTIAL
QUESTIONS
THAT
ARE
RIPE
FOR
ADJUDICATION,

NAMELY,

THE

DIBURSEMENTOFPUBLICFUNDS
IN

VIOLATION

CONSTITUTIONAL

OF

THE

PROVISIONON

REALIGNMENTOFPUBLICFUNDS,
THE

PROVISIONSOFTHE1991

LOCALGOVERNMENTCODEONTHEEQUITABLESHARINGOFTHEINTERNALREVENUE
ALLOTMENT

(IRA)BETWEENTHENATIONALGOVERNMENTANDTHELOCALGOVERNMENTUNITS,
ANDTHE
UNLAWFULWITHOLDINGOFTHE
SAIDALLOTMENT,ALLOFWHICH
THE
COURTS
HAVE
A
CONSTITUTIONAL

DUTY
TO

RESOLVE.

43.ContrarytotheCourtaquoscontention,theinstantPetitionhasnotbeen
prematurelyfiledandthattheissuespresentedbeforeitarenotyetripeforadjudication.

WhileitmaywellbetruethattheinterimundertakingbetweentheNationalGovernment
andtheProvinceofPalawaniscontingentonthefinaladjudicationofG.R.No.170867,it
isundeniablethatinthemeanwhilethatnosuchadjudicationhashappened
disbursementsofpublicfundswillensueorarealreadytakingplaceinviolationof
Statute,Constitutionandjurisprudence.

14

A.Violationsofthe1991LocalGovernmentCode

44.

TheCourtaquoshouldhaveconsideredthatEO683,amongother

things,providesthat:

[T]hedulyauthorizedrepresentativesoftheNationalGovernmentandtheProvinceof
Palawan,withtheconformityoftheRepresentativesoftheCongressionalDistrictsof
Palawan,haveagreedonaProvisionalImplementationAgreement(PIA)thatwould
allow50%ofthedisputed40%iftheNetGovernmentShareintheproceedsofSC38to
beutilizedfortheimmediateandeffectiveimplementationofthedevelopmentprojects
forthepeopleofPalawan.

Thus,evenifthecaseispending,bothpartieshaveagreedthattheywillnevertheless
allowthedisbursementofpublicfundsaccordingtoanagreedformula.Moreover,such
disbursementwillproceedindependentofandregardlessofwhattheoutcomewillbeof
theSupremeCourtsadjudicationoftheirrespectiveterritorialclaimsoverthe
Malampayagasandoilwells.ItisforthisreasonthatPetitionerscontendthatthe
certiorariproceedingaquocouldhavebeengivenduecourseindependentofthe
SupremeCourtsadjudicationofsuchterritorialconflictbetweentheNational
GovernmentandtheProvinceofPalawan.

1ofEO683providesthatunderthePIA,theDBMisauthorizedtoreleasefundstothe
implementingagenciesontheendorsementandsubmissionbytheDOEand/orthePNOC
ExplorationCorporationofthefollowingdocuments:a)directivebytheOfficeofthe
PresidentorwrittenrequestoftheProvinceofPalawan,thePalawanCongressional
DistrictsortheHighlyUrbanizedCityofPuertoPrincesa,forthefundingofdesignated
projects(1.1);(b)acertificationthatthedesignatedprojectsfallundertheinvestment
programoftheProvinceofPalawan,CityofPuertoPrincesa,and/orthedevelopment
projectsidentifiedinthedevelopmentprogramoftheNationalGovernmentorits
agencies;(1.2);and(c),BureauofTreasurycertificationontheavailabilityof

15

fundsfromthe50%ofthe40%sharebeingclaimedbytheProvinceofPalawanfromthe
NetGovernmentShareunderSC38.

ItstatesthattheDBMshallbesubjecttotheactualcollectionsdepositedwiththe
NationalTreasury,andshallbeinaccordancewiththeAnnualFiscalProgramofthe
NationalGovernment.

Further3ofEO683,providesthattheNationalgovernmentshallallowtheProvinceof
Palawan,theCongressionalDistrictsofPalawanandtheCityofPuertoPrincesato
securitizetheirsharesinthe50%ofthedisputed40%oftheNetGovernmentSharein
theproceedsofSC38accordingtothePIA.TheDOE,inconsultationwiththeDOF,will
beresponsibleforpreparingtheNetGovernmentRevenuesfortheperiodoftoJune30,
1010[sic].

TheamountsreleasedpursuanttothisEOshallbewithoutprejudicetoanyongoing
discussionsorfinaljudicialresolutionofthelegaldisputeregardingtheNational
GovernmentsterritorialjurisdictionovertheareascoveredbySC38inrelationtothe
claimoftheProvinceofPalawanunderSec.290ofRA7160,accordingto4ofEO
683.

Undeniably,EO683isnowineffect,havingalreadybeenpublishedinanewspaperof
generalcirculationalongtimeago,notwithstandingthefactthatrequisitesembodiedin
constitution,statuteandjurisprudenceinrespectofdisbursementsarisingfromtheshare
ofthelocalgovernmentunitintheproceedsoftheutilizationofitsnaturalresourceshave
notbeenmet.

16

Obviously,theserequisiteswerenotobservedinthecaseofPalawan,asitwasnotin
Pimentelv.Aguirreaclearshowingofagraveabuseofdiscretionamountingtoan
excessofjurisdiction.

FortheprovisionsofthelawcannotbebargainedawaybythePIAasembodiedin
EO683;todosowouldnotonlyviolatetheLocalGovernmentCode,butaboveall,
theConstitution,whichprovisionsontheequitablesharingofresourcesbetweenthe
NationalGovernmentandtheLocalGovernmentUnititisalsogivingfleshto.

Firstofall,neitherRespondentReyesnorRespondentsAlvarezandMitrahavethe
authoritytosignonbehalfoftheotherLocalGovernmentUnitsofPalawanthe
mayors,aswellasthebarangaycaptains.Infactthecities,municipalities,and
barangayshaveabiggersharethantheProvincialGovernmentintheallocationof
revenues,as292oftheLocalGovernmentCodesays.(Thecity/municipalitygets
45%andthebarangaygets35%oracombinedshareof80percentasagainstthe
Provincesshareofonly20percent).TheycannotsignthePIAasiftheyarethesole
recipientsoftheproceedsoftheutilizationoftheMalampayaOilandGasReserves.

Infact,thePIAremovesfromthepicturetheotherLGUswhohavearightfulstakein
suchproceedsbecauseheretheProvinceofPalawanclaimsforitselfamuchreduced
shareof50percentofthe40percentsharemandatedbythelawasbelongingtothe
LGUs,grantingtheotherhalftotheNationalGovernment.

Secondly,thePIAviolates290ofthe1991LocalGovernmentCode.Theinterim
agreementonlytalksofnetproceedssupposedlyoftheutilizationofthe
MalampayaoilandgasresourceswhilethelawprovidesthattheshareoftheLGUis
basedongrosscollection.Hencetheinterimagreementreducestherightfulshare
oftheLGUsintwoways:one,bymakingnetproceedsasthebasisofthesharing,
andtwo,bycuttingdowntheequitableshareoftheLGUsinsuchproceedsbyhalf,
whichshareis
17

nowtobeclaimedexclusivelybytheProvinceofPalawan,withoutdueconsiderationfor
thecities,municipalitiesandbarangaysconcerned.

Thisispatentlyillegal,andincontraventionofthe1991LocalGovernmentCode.Inthe
firstplacethisprovisionofthelawisnotsubjecttocompromise.Thisinterimagreement
isanunequivocalviolationoftheintentionofthe1991LocalGovernmentCodeto
providethelocalgovernmentwithgreaterpoweroveritsnaturalresources.

Thirdly,itshouldberememberedthat286oftheLocalGovernmentCodeisfollowed
byaclausethatsays:NothinginthisChaptershallbeunderstoodtodiminishtheshare
oflocalgovernmentunitsunderexistinglaws.Nowthisprovisionisimportantbecause
itgoesagainstallthepromisesthenationalgovernmentismakingthroughthePIA.
Underthelaw,theproceedsoftheutilizationofnaturalresourcesistobedirectly
releasedtoeachlocalgovernmentunit,withoutneedofanyfurtheraction.

TheproblemisthatthePIAmakesitclearthatanyfundallocationforanyprojectmust
firstbeapprovedbytheDepartmentofEnergyand/orthePNOCExplorationCorporation
asprovidedforin1ofEO683.Moreover,theseprojectsaremadesubjecttotheactual
collectionsdepositedwiththeNationalTreasury.

Fourthly,thePIAprovidesthatonlythoseprojectsidentifiedbytheOfficeofthe
President,ortheProvinceofPalawan,orthePalawanCongressionalDistricts,orthe
HighlyUrbanizedCityofPuertoPrincesamaybefunded.Now,thisgoesagainstthe
intentofthe1991LocalGovernmentCodetograntLGUsautonomyandtodecentralize
power.Howthemoneyfromitsequitableshareintheutilizationofitsnaturalresources
istobespentisaprerogativeoftheLGUsandthenationalgovernmenthasnobusiness
fiddlingwithit,subjectonlytothetermsandconditionsfoundin294ofthe1991Local
GovernmentCode.
18

60.

Fifthly,thePIAallowsthesecuritizationofthesharesoftheLGUsand

theNationalGovernmentintheutilizationoftheMalampayaOilandGasresources.The
NationalGovernmentcannotsecuritizewhatitdoesnotownlegally.Neithercanthe
ProvinceofPalawansecuritizewhatitdoesnotfullyown.Securitizationalsobringswith
itahostofcomplexissues,consideringthatitwillnecessarilydrawtheparticipationof
otherpartiescorporationsprimarily.

B.ViolationsofapplicablejurisprudenceontheInternationalRevenueAllotment(IRA)

61.

Themostrecentjurisprudenceupholdstheirrightunderlawtothe

proceedsoftheutilizationofnationalwealthwithintheirboundaries.InPimentelv.
Aguirre,thisHonorableCourtruledthatthesharesofthelocalgovernmentunitfrom
nationalwealthinthenationalinternalrevenueshallbeautomaticallyreleased.TheHigh
CourtsaidthatbythisprovisionintheLocalGovernmentCodeprovidingforsuch
release,itusesthewordshallandasarule,itisawordofcommandthatmustbegiven
acompulsorymeaning.11Theponente,JusticePanganiban,thussaid:

TheConstitutionveststhePresidentwiththepowerofsupervision,notcontrol,overlocal
governmentunits(LGUs).SuchpowerenableshimtoseetoitthatLGUsandtheir
officialsexecutetheirtasksinaccordancewithlaw.Whilehemayissueadvisoriesand
seektheircooperationinsolvingeconomicdifficulties,hecannotpreventthemfrom
performingtheirtasksandusingavailableresourcestoachievetheirgoals.Hemaynot
withholdoralteranyauthorityorpowergiventhembythelaw.Thus,thewithholdingof
aportionofinternalrevenueallotmentslegallyduethemcannotbedirectedby
administrativefiat.12

62.

Inthesamecase,theSupremeCourtsaidthatifatalltherearisesa

situationwherethenationalgovernmentmust,ofnecessity,reducetheshareoflocal

11

G.R.No.132988.July19,2000.

12

Id.

19

governmentunits,thelawitselfsetscertainproceduresandlimitsthatmustbefollowed.
CitingfromtheCode13itself,theponentethussaid:
TherearethereforeseveralrequisitesbeforethePresidentmayinterfereinlocalfiscal
matters:(1)anunmanageablepublicsectordeficitofthenationalgovernment;(2)
consultationswiththepresidingofficersoftheSenateandtheHouseofRepresentatives
andthepresidentsofthevariouslocalleagues;and(3)thecorresponding
recommendationofthesecretariesoftheDepartmentofFinance,InteriorandLocal
Government,andBudgetandManagement.Furthermore,anyadjustmentintheallotment
shallinnocasebelessthanthirtypercent(30%)ofthecollectionofnationalinternal
revenuetaxesofthethirdfiscalyearprecedingthecurrentone.
C.ViolationsoftheConstitutionitself

Thatthereisanactualcaseandcontroversyinthiscaseisestablishedbythefactthat
RespondentSec.ErmitaclearlyoversteppedconstitutionalboundswhenheissuedtheEO
683agraveabuseofdiscretionamountingtoalackofjurisdictionconsideringthat
suchissuanceisaviolationoftheConstitutionalProvisionontheequitablesharingof
resourcesbetweentheNationalGovernmentandtheLocalGovernmentUnit.

Infact,themoneysupposedlycomingfromtheNetShareoftheNationalGovernment
fordisbursementaccordingtoEO683camefromthe40percentshareoftheprovinceof
PalawanfromtheproceedsoftheCamagoMalampayaoilandgasfield,whichisa
realignmentoffundsnotallowedbythe1987Charter;

Moreover,theRespondentSec.Ermitacommittedagraveabuseofdiscretionamounting
toalackofjurisdictionwhenheauthorizedtheSecretaryofDOEand/orthePNOC
ExplorationCorporationtodeterminetowhichimplementingagenciesfundsmay
13

...[I]ntheeventthenationalgovernmentincursanunmanagedpublicsectordeficit,thePresidentof
thePhilippinesisherebyauthorized,upontherecommendationof[the]SecretaryofFinance,Secretaryof
theInteriorandLocalGovernmentandSecretaryofBudgetandManagement,andsubjecttoconsultation
withthepresidingofficersofbothHousesofCongressandthepresidentsoftheliga,tomakethenecessary
adjustmentsintheinternalrevenueallotmentoflocalgovernmentunitsbutinnocaseshalltheallotmentbe
lessthanthirtypercent(30%)ofthecollectionofnationalinternalrevenuetaxesofthethirdfiscalyear
precedingthecurrentfiscalyear...SeealsoRep.Act.No.7160(1991)Sec.284.

20

bereleasedunderthePIA.ForinusualbudgetingproceduresofCongress,thesharefrom
theNationalWealthisincludedintheappropriationforAllocationtoLocalGovernment
UnitswhichisclassifiedasamandatoryobligationoftheNationalGovernmenttothe
LGUinaccordancewithSection290ofRepublicActNo.7160,otherwiseknownasthe
LocalGovernmentCode.

ThusEO683isnothingmorethanarealignmentoffundscarriedoutinviolationofthe
Constitution.14ForinusualbudgetingproceduresofCongress,thesharefromthe
NationalWealthisincludedintheappropriationforAllocationtoLocalGovernment
UnitswhichisclassifiedasamandatoryobligationoftheNationalGovernmentto
theLGUandautomaticallyreleasedtotheLGUinaccordancewithSection290of
RepublicActNo.7160,otherwiseknownastheLocalGovernmentCode.15

WhatisparticularlyonerousandillegalaboutthePIAisthatitpracticallygrantsthe
RepresentativesfromPalawanstwocongressionaldistrictsahugeporkbarrelfundone
thatisarguablyevenlargerthanthetotalallocationofporkbarrelforallmembersofthe
HouseofCongressappropriations,whoeachreceivearoundP65millionayearunderthe
annualCongressionalPriorityDevelopmentAssistanceFund(PDAF).

UnderthetermsofEO683,themoneywillbecoursedthroughtheDBM,uponthe
recommendationoftheDOEand/orthePNOCExplorationCorporation,whichisa
violationoftheConstitutionalProvisionontheequitablesharingofresourcesbetween
theNationalGovernmentandtheLocalGovernmentUnit.

TheConstitutionmakesitmandatoryforthegovernmenttoremittheequitableshareof
theLGUintheutilizationofnaturalresources.Asdiscussedabove,itismadethrough
theappropriationforAllocationtoLocalGovernmentUnitsbyCongress.
14

See1987CONSTArt.VI5.

15

See1987CONST,Art.X,6,

21

Here,byvirtueofamereExecutiveOrder,fundsarerealigned,inviolationofthe
Constitution,andoftheprincipleofseparationofpowers.OnlyCongresshasthatpower.
NottheExecutiveSecretary,nottheDOE,nottheDOF,nottheDBM,muchless,the
PNOCExplorationCorporation.TheissuespresentedbyPetitionersintheinstantcase
areclearlyripeforjudicialadjudication.

ItisclearthatthesetermsandprovisionsofEO683maybeadjudicateduponbythis
HonorableCourtwithoutreferencetotheconflictingterritorialclaimsmadebythe
NationalGovernmentandtheProvinceofPalawan.Infact,Petitionersintentinmaking
referencetothependingcasebeforetheSupremeCourtbetweenthetwoentitiesis
merelytoprovideahistoricalbackdroptotheissuanceofthequestionedExecutive
Order.

ItisforthisreasonthatintheinstantPetition,whenitwasfiled,onlyhadacertifiedtrue
copyofEO386asanattachment.

ThisHonorableCourtspowerofjudicialreviewinvolvesthepowertodeclareas
unconstitutionalnotonlyatreaty,internationalorexecutiveagreement,presidential
decree,proclamation,order,instruction,ordinanceorregulationbutalsotheapplication,
oroperationofpresidentialdecrees,proclamations,orders,instructions,ordinances,and
otherregulations.16

Thepresidentialissuanceinquestionclearlyinvolvesconstitutionalissuesthatarewithin
thepowerofthisHonorableCourttoadjudicate.

Moreover,itisalreadylaw,thusgivingrisetothepresumptionthatitstermsand
conditionsprovidingforthequestioneddisbursementofpublicfundsarealreadybeing

16

See1987CONSTArtVIII,4(2).

22

implemented,assuchtermsandconditionsclearlyprovidefortheirimmediate
implementation.

75.Forwhichreason,itwouldnotbespecioustosaythatthisgovernmentalactbeing
challengedEO683infact,alreadyhadadirectadverseeffectonPetitionerswhoare
suingascitizensexercisingapublicrightundertheconstitution.Asheldin
Pascualv.ExecutiveSecretary,therearemanydecisionsnullifying,attheinstanceof
taxpayers,lawsprovidingforthedisbursementofpublicfunds,uponthetheorythatthe
expenditureofpublicfunds,byanofficeroftheStateforthepurposeofadministering
anunconstitutionalactconstitutesamisapplicationofsuchfunds,whichmaybe
enjoinedattherequestofthetaxpayer.17

17

Mabanagv.LopezVito,78Phil.1(1947).

23

II.
THEHONORABLECOURTAQUO
GRAVELYERREDUNDERLAWIN
DISMISSINGTHEPETITIONONTHE
GROUNDOFPREMATURITYANDOF
JUDICIAL

DEFERENCETOCO-

EQUAL BRANCHES

OF

GOVERNMENT NOW
DELIBERATING
COUNTRYS

ON

THE

BASELINES,

(1)THE
HONORABLECOURTAQUOHASA
CONSIDERING THAT

CONSTITUTIONAL

DUTY TO

INTERPRETTHECONSTITUTIONAL
PROVISIONS

DEFINING

THE

NATIONAL

TERRITORY

AND(2)

INDEPENDENT OF

THE

FINAL

ADJUDICATION

OFTHEDISPUTE

PROVINCEOF
PALAWANANDTHENATIONAL
BETWEEN

THE

GOVERNMENTPENDINGBEFORE
THE
THIRDDIVISIONOFTHIS
HONORABLECOURTINGRNO.

170867(REPUBLIC
OF
THE

PHILIPPINES
ETAL.,
V.
THE
PROVINCIAL
GOVERNMENT
OF

PALAWAN),THETERMSAND
CONDITIONS
OFE.O.

683

ARE
INDUBITABLY ALREADY

VIOLATION

OFCONSTITUTION,

STATUTEANDJURISPRUDENCE.

76.TheCourtaquo,indismissingthecase,tookjudicialnoticeoftheongoingefforts
ofboththelegislativeandexecutivedepartmentstoarriveatacommonpositionin
redefiningthecountrysbaseline.18Itthereforedeferredtothelegislativeexecutive
rapproachmentonthebaselineissue,claimingthatitconcernspolicydetermination
thatcannotbemadesubjecttocollateraladjudication.19

18
19

ResolutiondatedMay29,2008,at6.
Id.

24

YettheCourtaquoitselfacknowledgesthatinfact,thereisanexistinglawdefiningthe
countrysbaseline,namely,RepublicActNo.3046,asamendedbyRepublicActNo.
5446.20

Thatlawdefiningthecountrysbaselinesstillstandsaslaw,untilrevokedoramended.
Theongoingeffortsofbothlegislativeandexecutivedepartmentstorefineorotherwise
revisethatlawremainnothingmorethanthatefforts,butnotlaw.

Withduerespect,PetitionersdirecttotheattentionofthisHonorableCourtthefactthat
Article1the1987Constitutionitselfdefineswhatthemetesandboundsofthenational
territoryare:
ThenationalterritorycomprisesthePhilippinearchipelago,withallthe
islands
andwatersembracedtherein,andallotherterritoriesover
whichthePhilippineshassovereignty
orjurisdiction,consistingof
its
terrestrial,fluvialandaerialdomains,
includingits
territorial
sea,
the
seabed,thesubsoil,theinsularshelves,andothersubmarineareas.The
watersaround,between,andconnectingtheislandsofthe
archipelago,
regardlessoftheirbreadthand
dimensions,
form
part
of
the
internalwatersofthePhilippines.

Forthisreason,itwouldbeindisregardofthisdutyundertheConstitutionifthis
HonorableCourtshirksfromtheissuespresentedbyhereinPetitionersbeforeitmerely
onthegroundthatthelegislatureandtheexecutiveareasyettryingtoredefinethe
countrysbaselines,consideringthatsucheffortshavenotyetbeentranslatedintolawso
thatthecountrysexistinglawonbaselinesremaingoodlaw,nottomentionthatinthe
firstplace,theConstitutionitselfdefinestheextentofthenationalterritory.

Thereisoneveryimportantissueattheheartofthisargument,anditisthefactthatthe
issuanceofEO683manifestsaseriouslackofunderstandingonthepartofthe

20

Id.,atfn.14.

25

ExecutiveSecretaryofitsimplicationsonPhilippinesclaimsbothtothenatureandthe
expanseofthenationalterritoryundertheUNCLOSIIIregime.21

ThisisbecausetheprovinceofPalawanisthestrongandsecureanchoronwhichthe
PhilippineclaimtoanExtendedContinentalShelf(hereinafter,ECS)undertheregimeof
theLawoftheSeastands.Ultimately,suchapolicydismembersthenationalterritory
becauseitcutsawaythePhilippineclaimtoanECSasdefinedundertheUnitedNation
ConferenceontheLawoftheSea.TheConference,afteraseriesofmeetingsin1958,
1960,and1973,adoptedin1982whatisnowknownasUNCLOSIII,whichenteredinto
forceonNovember16,1994.ThePhilippinesispartytothetreaty.22

UNCLOSIIIentitlescoastalStateslikethePhilippinestoclaimacontinentalshelfofup
to200nauticalmiles(n.m.)fromitsbaselines.AsArt.76(1)ofUNCLOSIIIprovides:
ThecontinentalshelfofacoastalStatecomprisestheseabedandsubsoilofthesubmarine
areasthatextendbeyonditsterritorialseathroughoutthenaturalprolongationof
itslandterritorytotheouteredgeofthecontinentalmargin,ortoadistanceof200
nauticalmilesfromthebaselinesfromwhichthebreadthoftheterritorialseaismeasured
wheretheouteredgeofthecontinentalmargindoesnotextenduptothatdistance.
[emphasissupplied].
84.This200n.moffshoredefinestheExclusiveEconomicZone[hereinafterEEZ]
ofthecoastalstate.Insomecasesandundercertainconditionshowever,UNCLOS
entitlesacoastalstateupto350n.m.ofEEZ,oranadditional150n.m.more,which
obtainswherethecontinentalshelforaportionofitisbeyondthe200n.m.limit,subject
tothedelimitationoftheneighboringstatesclaimtoasimilarcontinentalshelfregime.

23

21

Thefulltextofthemultilateraltreatymaybeaccessedattheofficialwebsitefoundat
<http://www.un.org/Depts/los/convention_agreements/texts/unclos/UNCLOSTOC.htm>lastvisited,June
10,2004.UndertheRevisedRulesonEvidence,mandatoryjudicialnoticeisgiventothelawof
nations.SeeRULEOFCOURT,Rule129,1,1997RevisedRulesofCourt.
22

ThePhilippinesratifiedthetreatyonMay8,1984;forinformationonthestatusofthetreatyastothe
variousratificationsmade,see<http://www.un.org/Depts/los/reference_files/status2003.pdf>lastvisited,
June10,2004.
23
TherelevantprovisionsofArt.76,para.4,etseq.,providesthus:

26

Clearly,theCamagoMalampayaoilandhasfields,fromtheUNCLOSIIIdefinition,
fallwithintheareaofthecontinentalshelfofPalawanasthenaturalprolongationof
itslandterritory.Itmustbestressedthat,contrarytothecontentionoftheChief
Executiveandheragents,theoilandgasintheareaarenotfoundinthewatersoff
PalawanbutinthecontinentalshelfofPalawan.

Inotherwords,thesemineralresourcesaredrawnupbypipesfromthedeepbowels
thesubsoil,thatisofthecontinentalshelf.Toanyscientistorlawyerwell
(a)ForthepurposesofthisConvention,thecoastalStateshallestablishtheouteredgeofthe
continentalmarginwhereverthemarginextendsbeyond200nauticalmilesfromthebaselinesfrom
whichthebreadthoftheterritorialseaismeasured,byeither:
alinedelineatedinaccordancewithparagraph7byreferencetotheoutermostfixedpointsateachof
whichthethicknessofsedimentaryrocksisatleast1percentoftheshortestdistancefromsuchpoint
tothefootofthecontinentalslope;or
alinedelineatedinaccordancewithparagraph7byreferencetofixedpointsnotmorethan60nautical
milesfromthefootofthecontinentalslope.

Intheabsenceofevidencetothecontrary,thefootofthecontinentalslopeshallbedeterminedasthe
pointofmaximumchangeinthegradientatitsbase.
Thefixedpointscomprisingthelineoftheouterlimitsofthecontinentalshelfonthe
seabed,drawninaccordancewithparagraph4(a)(i)and(ii),eithershallnotexceed350nauticalmiles
fromthebaselinesfromwhichthebreadthoftheterritorialseaismeasuredorshallnotexceed100
nauticalmilesfromthe2,500metreisobath,whichisalineconnectingthedepthof2,500metres.
Notwithstandingtheprovisionsofparagraph5,onsubmarineridges,theouterlimitofthecontinental
shelfshallnotexceed350nauticalmilesfromthebaselinesfromwhichthebreadthoftheterritorial
seaismeasured.Thisparagraphdoesnotapplytosubmarineelevationsthatarenaturalcomponentsof
thecontinentalmargin,suchasitsplateaux,rises,caps,banksandspurs.
ThecoastalStateshalldelineatetheouterlimitsofitscontinentalshelf,wherethatshelfextends
beyond200nauticalmilesfromthebaselinesfromwhichthebreadthoftheterritorialseaismeasured,
bystraightlinesnotexceeding60nauticalmilesinlength,connectingfixedpoints,definedby
coordinatesoflatitudeandlongitude.
Informationonthelimitsofthecontinentalshelfbeyond200nauticalmilesfromthebaselinesfrom
whichthebreadthoftheterritorialseaismeasuredshallbesubmittedbythecoastalStatetothe
CommissionontheLimitsoftheContinentalShelfsetupunderAnnexIIonthebasisofequitable
geographicalrepresentation.TheCommissionshallmakerecommendationstocoastalStateson
mattersrelatedtotheestablishmentoftheouterlimitsoftheircontinentalshelf.Thelimitsoftheshelf
establishedbyacoastalStateonthebasisoftheserecommendationsshallbefinalandbinding.
ThecoastalStateshalldepositwiththeSecretaryGeneraloftheUnitedNationschartsandrelevant
information,includinggeodeticdata,permanentlydescribingtheouterlimitsofitscontinentalshelf.
TheSecretaryGeneralshallgiveduepublicitythereto.
Theprovisionsofthisarticlearewithoutprejudicetothequestionofdelimitationofthecontinental
shelfbetweenStateswithoppositeoradjacentcoasts.

27

versedinthelanguageofUNCLOSIII,itissimplypreposteroustosaythattheCamago
MalampayafieldsareoutsidePalawan,orthattheoilandgasreservesaredrawnfrom
waters80kilometersoffitsshores.Themineralresources,infact,areminedfromthe
subsoilofthesubmarineareasthatextendbeyonditsterritorialseathroughoutthe
naturalprolongationofitslandterritory,toborrowinpartfromArt.76(1)of
UNCLOSIII.

Indeed,UNCLOSIIIacknowledgestheinherentrightofeverycoastalstatetoits
ContinentalShelfbutrequiresthatacleardelimitationofthelimitsofsuchrightincases
whereotherstatesmakeasimilarclaim;24thisdelimitationisalsoimportanttothe
determinationofwheretheinternationalseabed,whichisconsideredthecommon
heritageofmankind,starts.

Thedeadlineforthesubmissionofthelimitsofthecontinentalshelfhasbeensetonor
beforeMay13,2009,ortenyearsaftertheScientificandTechnicalGuidelinesofthe
CommissionontheLimitsoftheContinentalShelf(CLCS)hasbeenadopted.

Thedelineationofthelimitsofitscontinentalshelfwillassurethecountryssovereign
rightsoverthepetroleum,naturalgasandotherresourcesfoundinthearea.Inother
words,anECSwhichextendsupto350nauticalmilesfromthebaselinesmeansa
muchexpandedclaimtorichnaturalresourcesintheregionandagreateraccesstothese
resources.AtextbookbytwonotedexpertsontheLawoftheSearegimeexplainsjust
howimportanttheissueofdelimitatingacoastalstatescontinentalshelfis:
Physically,theseabedadjacenttoaphysicalcoastisusuallyconsideredtoconsistof
threeseparatesectionsFirst,thesectionthatslopesdowngraduallyfromthelowwater
marktothedepth,averagingabout130
24

Art.83oftheUNCLOSIIIprovidesthatdelimitationbetweenoppositeandadjacentstatesshallbe
effectedbyagreementonthebasisofinternationallawinordertoachieveanequitablesolution.See
alsotheICJrulinginthe1982Tunisia/LibyaContinentalShelfCase,wheretheinternationaltribunalruled
thatundercustomaryinternationallaw,thesatisfactionofequitableprinciplesis,inthedelimitation
process,ofcardinalimportance.1982ICJRep.18.

28

metres,atwhichtheangleofdeclinationincreasesmarkedly:thisisthecontinentalshelf
proper.Second,thesectionborderingtheshelfandhavingthesteeperslope,goingdown
toaround1,200to2,500metres:thisisknownasthecontinentalslope.Third,thereisin
manylocationsanareabeyondtheslopewheretheseabedfallsawaymoregraduallyand
iscomposedmainlyofsedimentswasheddownfromthecontinents.Thisiscalledthe
continentalrise,andtypicallydescendstoadepthofaround3,500to5,500metres.
Togetherthesethreesectionsfromthecontinentalmargin,whichconstitutesaboutone
fifthoftheseafloor.
Inmanyplaces,thecontinentalmarginandespeciallythecontinentalshelfisrichin
naturalresources.Mostimportantaretheextensiveoilandgasreserves,whichrepresent
somethinglikeninetypercentofthetotalvalueofmineralstakenfromtheseabed.
Offshoreexploitationofoilandgasonacommercialscaledidnotbeginshortlybefore
theSecondWorldWar,butitexpandedrapidlyasaresultofdevelopmentsintechnology
andincreasingdemand.Bythemid1990soffshoreoilandgasproductionaccountedfor
aroundonethirdofthetotalworldproduction;andsomeestimatedthataround70
percentoftheworldsundiscoveredreserveslieoffshore.Itisexpectedthatby2005
therewillbearound4,100offshoreoilandgasfieldsonstream,andalmost9,000
offshoreplatformsassociatedwiththem.Themainconcentrationsofproductionfacilities
lieinfourareas:northwestEurope,WestAfrica,southeastAsiaandnorthAmerica
Therehasalsobeeninterestinplacerdepositsofheavymineralscontainingmetalssuch
astin,titanium,chromiumandzirconium.Aswellasmineralresources,therearealso
importantfisheriesonthecontinentalshelfforsedentaryspecies,suchasoystersand
clams,andlobstersandcrabs(althoughtheclassificationofthetwolatterorganismsas
sedentaryiscontroversial)Theexistenceofsucharichdiversityofvaluableresources
makesthelegalstatusofthecontinentalshelfanimportantpracticalquestion.25

90.Worthnotingisthefactthatforseveralyearsnow,ajointprojectonthe
DelimitationoftheOuterLimitsofthePhilippineContinentalShelfhasbeendoingjust
that:fortifyingthePhilippineclaimtoanextendedcontinentalshelf.Theprojectaimsto
gather,generate,process,andassessbathymetrical,geophysical,andgeologicaldataas
wellaspreparethelegalandpoliticalargumentsnecessarytomakethePhilippinesclaim
tosuchanextendedcontinentalshelfbeforetheUnitedNations.SpearheadedbytheUP
LawCenterInstituteofInternationalLegalStudies(UPLAWIILS),ithasforparticipants
theUPNationalInstituteofGeologicalSciences(UPNIGS),theCoastandGeodetic
SurveyDivisionoftheNationalMappingResourceInformationAgency(NAMRIA)of
25

RRCHURCHILL&A.V.LOWE,THELAWOFTHESEA141142(3rded.,1999).[Britishspellinghasbeen
retainedinthepassagequoted].

29

theDepartmentoftheEnvironmentandNaturalResources(DENR),Minesand
GeosciencesBureauoftheDENR,andtheEnergyResourceDevelopmentBureauofthe
DepartmentofEnergy(DoE).Theproject,estimatedtocostclosetoP1.9billionovera
fiveyearperiod(19931997),hasidentifiedthreeareaswherethepossibleextended
continentalshelfexists:(i)theKIG;(ii)theBenhamRiseand(iii)theScarboroughShoal
Area.
Filipinoexpertshowever,lookattheKIGasthemostpromising26withrespectto
petroleumandnaturalgas.Thathydrocarbondepositsaboundintheareaisindicatedby
sevendrillholesintheReedBankandotherdrillholesinWesternPalawan,includingthe
discoverywellsinNido,Malampaya,andCadlao,althoughnodrillholeshaveyettobe
madeattheKIGitself.27ThemainargumentisthattheKIGisacontinuationofthe
Palawanlandmass,oranaturalprolongationofthePalawancontinentalshelf.The
geologyunderneathPalawan,thestudiessofarshow,areidenticaltothatfound
underneaththeKIG.28

Indeed,thisisnotonlyalegalargumentbutalsoascientificone,becauseFilipinoexperts
whohavestudiedtheareaarguethatthebestwaytoclaimanECSintheareaisto
considertheMalampayafieldsandtheKalayaanIslandGroup(otherwisepopularly
knownastheSpratlys)asaunifiedextensionofthecontinentalshelfofPalawan.

Hence,thePhilippineclaimtosovereigntytotheentireKIGregion,aswellastothe
CamagoMalampayafields,cannotstandonanysolidfootingwithoutacknowledging
26

Dr.TeodoroM.Santos,AStrategyforDelineatingthePhilippineContinentalShelf:AnAbstract,edited
versionofapaperpresentedataroundtablediscussionontheDelineationoftheExtendedPhilippine
ContinentalShelf,August30,2001attheUPLCIILS,at3.Dr.SantosisaseniorgeologistattheUP
NIGS.Dr.Santosisoneofthescientificexpertsworkingontheinterdisciplinary,interagency
delimitationprojectandtheleadingproponentofthecampaignforanECS.27Id.,at6.
28

Dr.Santos,supranote1,at3.Dr.Santos,inthesamepaper,alsoreports:Oneofthemostimportant
documentsthattendtoindicatethattheKIGandPalawanareanintegralpartofthesamefragmentof
continentalcrustwasthegeologicmapoftheSouthChinaSeamadebyaFrenchgroupofgeologists.This
map,inproperscaleanddetail,andsupportedbydirectgeomorphicalevidence,canbeusedtosupportthe
Philippinesclaimtoanextendedcontinentalshelfintheareaid.,at910.

30

theexistenceoftheContinentalShelfofPalawan,andwithoutadvancingitbeforethe
properUNbody,theCommissionontheLimitsoftheContinentalShelf.

Thecasemaywellbeunderstoodthroughthissyllogism:tosaythattheCamago
MalampayafieldsarenotpartofPalawanistosaythatthePhilippinesdoesnothave
anyclaimtoanECS,ormuchless,toaninnercontinentalshelfthatisallof200n.m.
extendingseaward.Itisineffect,todenytheexistenceofacontinentalshelfappurtenant
totheProvinceofPalawan;ButthisisalsoasurrenderofPhilippineclaimstosovereign
rightsoveralargeregionthatFilipinoshavelongconsideredasbelongingtoPhilippine
nationalterritory,includingtheKIG.Thepursuitofsuchapolicyalsounderminesthe
PhilippineclaimtotheKIG.

ThisisbecauseonebasisforthePhilippineclaimtotheKIGisthattheyconstitutea
naturalprolongationofthecontinentalshelfoftheprovinceofPalawan.29

TodenythatPalawanpossessesaContinentalShelfandthattheCamagoMalampaya
fieldsareanaturalprolongationofPalawanslandmassistobargainawaytheFilipino
peoplesrightfulclaimtotherichmarineresourcesintheregionincontraventionofour
nationalinterestintheintegrityofthenationalterritoryaswellasthepeoplesright
indeed,thehereinpetitionersrighttoenjoythebenefitsofthenaturalresourcesofthe
country.

Itistherefore,aviolationofthefundamentallawoftheland,whichdeclaresthus:
TheStateshallprotectthenationsmarinewealthinitsarchipelagicwaters,territorialsea,
andexclusiveeconomiczone,andreserveitsuseandenjoymentexclusivelytoFilipino
30
citizens.
29

SeealsoGerardoM.C.Valero,TheDisputeOvertheSpratlyArchipelago:IstheQuestionof
SovereigntyStillRelevant?ProceedingsofaRoundTableDiscussionsponsoredbytheUPInstituteof
InternationalLegalStudies,169(1993)andH.HarryRoque,Jr.,ChinasClaimtotheSpratlys:ACritical
Analysis,JOURN.OFEN,&NAT.RES.LAW(1007).

31

98.Whatarecoveredbythecontinentalshelfprovisions?Theseare

(a)the

sovereignrighttoexploreandexploititsnaturalresources31whichdonotdependon
occupation,effectiveornotional,oranyexpressproclamation32andareexclusivein
thesensethatifthecoastalstatedoesnotexplorethecontinentalshelforexploitits
naturalresources,noonemayundertaketheseactivitieswithouttheexpressconsentof
thecoastalstate33;(b)exclusiverightsto:construct,operateanduseofartificialislands,
installationsandstructuresonthecontinentalshelf34;authorizeandregulatedrillingon
thecontinentalshelfforallpurposes;andexploitthesubsoilbymeansoftunneling,
irrespectiveofthedepthofthewaterabovethesubsoil.35

Needlesstosay,theseinvolvespecialandimportantconstitutionalissuesrequiringthis
HonorableCourtsintervention.

Moreover,assumingthatthebetterpartofjudicialdiscretionisexercisedinfavorof
deferencetothelegislatureontheissueofterritorialdelimitation,thereareotherissues
presentedbeforetheCourtaquoalreadydiscussedabovethatithasthedutytoresolve
undertheConstitutionandthatitcannotavoidifitistofaithfullyperformsuchduty.For
theseissuesinvolvethedisbursementofpublicfundsinviolationoflaw,jurisprudence
andtheconstitutionandPetitioners,asdothepublic,standtosufferirreparableinjuryif
theseactsarenotrestrained.

30

CONST.(1987).Art.XII,Sec.2(2).Foranexcellentbackgroundonthisarticle,seeA.SuzetteV.
Suarez,Note:RevisitingtheProvisiononProtectionofMarineWealthandReservationofitsUseforthe
ExclusiveEnjoymentofFilipinoCitizensinthe1987Constitution,4OCEANLAWANDPOLICY
SERIES,125136(2000).
31
Art.77(1),UNCLOSIII.
Art.56(3),UNCLOSIII.
Art.77(1)UNCLOSIII.

Art.80,UNCLOSIII.
Art.85,UNCLOSIII.

32

CONDITIONS;

III.
THEHONORABLECOURTAQUO
GRAVELYERREDUNDERLAWIN
DISMISSINGTHECASEFORTHE
ALLEGED

FAILURE

OF

PETITIONERSTOPROVIDEITWITH
A

COPYOFTHEPROVISIONAL

INTERIM

AGREEMENT

(PIA),

CONSIDERING THATTHETERMS
AND

PROVISIONSOFEO683

EMBODY

ALLTHETERMSAND

PROVISIONS

OFTHEASSAILED

PIA.

WHAT IS

THUS

BEING

CHALLENGEDISTHEQUESTIONED
ORDER,WHICH
AND

WASDRAFTED

ISSUEDTOEXPRESSIN

OFFICIALTERMSANDTOPUTINTO
LEGALEFFECTTHEPIASOWN
TERMS AND
REQUIRING

PETITIONERS

SUBMIT

ACOPYOFTHEPIA,

DRAFTED

ANDSIGNEDINTHE

TO

FIRSTPLACEUNDERCONDITIONS
OFSECRECY,WOULDSIMPLYBE
SUPERFLOUS,ACCORDINGTOTHE

RULESCOURT.

101.

ThemostcursoryreadingofEO683showsthatitinfactembodiesallthe

relevantprovisionsofthePIA;infact,itcanbesaidtobeamererestatementofthePIA.

102.

AccordingtoEO683,themainintentofthePIAistoforgeanagreement

betweentheNationalGovernmentandtheProvinceofPalawan,withtheconformityof
itsRepresentations,whichwouldallow:

50%ofthedisputed40%oftheNetGovernmentShareintheproceedsofSC38tobe
utilizedfortheimmediateandeffectiveimplementationofthedevelopmentprojectsfor
thepeopleofPalawan.

33

Alongthisline,1ofEO683providesthatunderthePIA,theDBMisauthorizedto
releasefundstotheimplementingagenciesontheendorsementandsubmissionbythe
DOEand/orthePNOCExplorationCorporationofthefollowingdocuments:a)
directivebytheOfficeofthePresidentorwrittenrequestoftheProvinceofPalawan,
thePalawanCongressionalDistrictsortheHighlyUrbanizedCityofPuertoPrincesa,
forthefundingofdesignatedprojects(1.1);(b)acertificationthatthedesignated
projectsfallundertheinvestmentprogramoftheProvinceofPalawan,CityofPuerto
Princesa,and/orthedevelopmentprojectsidentifiedinthedevelopmentprogramof
theNationalGovernmentoritsagencies;(1.2);and(c),BureauofTreasury
certificationontheavailabilityoffundsfromthe50%ofthe40%sharebeingclaimed
bytheProvinceofPalawanfromtheNetGovernmentShareunderSC38.

ItstatesthattheDBMshallbesubjecttotheactualcollectionsdepositedwiththe
NationalTreasury,andshallbeinaccordancewiththeAnnualFiscalProgramofthe
NationalGovernment.

Moreover,3ofEO683,whichprovidesthattheNationalgovernmentshallallow
theProvinceofPalawan,theCongressionalDistrictsofPalawanandtheCityof
PuertoPrincesatosecuritizetheirsharesinthe50%ofthedisputed40%oftheNet
GovernmentShareintheproceedsofSC38accordingtothePIA.TheDOE,in
consultationwiththeDOF,willberesponsibleforpreparingtheNetGovernment
RevenuesfortheperiodoftoJune30,1010[sic].

TheamountsreleasedpursuanttothisEOshallbewithoutprejudicetoanyongoing
discussionsorfinaljudicialresolutionofthelegaldisputeregardingtheNational
GovernmentsterritorialjurisdictionovertheareascoveredbySC38inrelationto
theclaimoftheProvinceofPalawanunderSec.290ofRA7160,accordingto4of
EO683.

34

ItisclearfromthetermsandprovisionsofEO683thattheseinfactonlyrestatein
officialtermsthetermsandprovisionsofthePIA.ThesignatoriestothePIAhave
alsobeendulyidentifiedinthequestionedExecutiveOrder.

Infact,fromthetenorofEO683,itcanbereasonablysaidthatthereisnothing
significantinthePIAthathasnotbeenreproducedorrepeatedinthequestioned
ExecutiveOrder.

ThusitshouldbestressedthatwhatisbeingassailedisEO683itself,whichputsinto
officiallegaltermstheprovisionsofthePIA;EO683isthelegalactputtinginto
legaleffecttheprovisionsofthePIAthatissubjecttothespecialcivilactionof
certiorariunderRule65intheCourtaquo.

Therelevantportionof1ofRule65onlyrequiresthatthepetitionbeaccompanied
byacertifiedtruecopyofthejudgment,orderorresolutionsubjectthereof,copiesof
allpleadingsanddocumentsrelevantandpertinentthereto.

Thepleadingsanddocumentsrequiredareonlythoserelevantandpertinenttothe
resolutionofthecase.Atissuehereisreallytheunconstitutionalandillegalissuance
ofEO683,whichhasbeenmadesubjecttothespecialcivilactionofcertiorariunder
Rule65.ThePIAwouldnotbesubjecttosuchachallengepreciselybecauseitwould
haveadifferentlegaleffectbyitself,intheabsenceofanenablingorimplementing
law.Adifferentremedywouldbeappropriateandnotsuchaspecialcivilactiona
complaintfortheannulmentofacontract,andfiledwithadifferentcourtandnotthe
Courtaquo,inparticulartheRegionalTrialCourt,whichhassubjectmatter
jurisdictionoversuchanaction.

35

112.Havingsaidthis,itmustalsobenotedthatthePIAhasbeenkeptunderwrapsand
awayfromtheeyesofthepeopleofPalawanbythesignatories.Itwasenteredintowith
utmostsecrecy.ThesignatoriestothePIAdidnotdiscloseittothepeopleofPalawan.
HenceitcameasabigsurprisetothePetitionerswhentheEO683wasissued;asthey
hadearliermanifested,theyonlycametoknowaboutthePIAbecauseoftheExecutive
Orderinquestion.AfterEO683cametolight,Petitionersdecidedtobringthematterto
Courtbecauseofitspatentillegalityandunconstitutionality.

113.

Ifanything,thereisanissuehereofthepeoplesconstitutionalrightto

informationonmattersthataffectpubliclife.36ItisincumbentupontheCourttoaskthe
partiestothePIAwhoarerespondentstothespecialcivilactionforcertiorariunderRule
65beforetheCourtaquotoproducethequestionedagreementintheproceedingsbefore
it.

36

CONST.(1987)Art.III7:Therightofthepeopletoinformationonmattersofpublicconcernshallbe
recognized.Accesstoofficialrecords,andtodocumentsandpaperspertainingtoofficialacts,transactions,
ordecisions,aswellastogovernmentresearchdatausedasbasisforpolicydevelopment,shallbeafforded
thecitizen,subjecttosuchlimitationsasmaybeprovidedbylaw.

36

IV.
THEHONORABLECOURTAQUO
ERREDUNDERLAWINDISMISSING
THE

CASEFORTHEALLEGED

FAILURE

OFPETITIONERSTO

PROVIDE

IT

WITH CERTAIN

DOCUMENTSPERTAININGTOGR

NO.170867,CONSIDERINGTHAT
UNDER THERULESOFCOURT
THESE ARE

NOT

REALLY

NECESSARY-ASTHEYAREONLY
TANGENTIAL

TO

THE

RESOLUTIONOFTHECASEBYTHE

COURTAQUO,NOTTOMENTION
THATPETITIONERSARENOTEVEN
PARTIESTOTHECASESOFWHICH
THESAMEDOCUMENTSAREPART,
AS

THISHONORABLECOURT

ITSELF HAS

ALREADY

DETERMINED.

Asalreadynotedabove,PetitionersreceivedacopyofaResolutiondatedJune23,2008
oftheThirdDivisionofthisHonorableCourt,inwhichtheHighCourtresolvedtonote
thus:theletterdated10April2008ofRomelRegaladoBagaresofRoqueandButuyan
LawOfficesandtoDENYhisrequestforcertifiedtruecopiesofdocumentsenumerated
thereintobesubmittedinarelatedcasependingbeforetheCourtofAppealsasthesaid
lawofficeisnotacounselforanyparty.

DespitethebesteffortsexertedbyundersignedcounselonbehalfofthePetitioners,they
couldnotobtainacopyofthePetitionfiledinGRNo.170867pendingbeforetheThird
DivisionofthisHonorableCourtbecause,asalreadynotedbythesameCourt,
undersignedcounselisnotacounselforanypartyinthesaidcase.

37

However,someoftheRespondentsinthecasebeforetheCourtaquoarepartiesto
thecaseinGRNo.170867;theyaretherefore,themostlogicalsourcesofthePetition
aswellasrelateddocuments,includingSC98.

Inanycase,GRNo.170867anditsrecordsarenowamatterofjudicialnoticetothis
HonorableCourt.

Besides,andasalreadydiscussedabove,therelevantportionof1ofRule65only
requiresthatthepetitionbeaccompaniedbyacertifiedtruecopyofthejudgment,
orderorresolutionsubjectthereof,copiesofallpleadingsanddocumentsrelevant
andpertinentthereto.

TheRulesstatethatthepleadingsanddocumentsrequiredareonlythoserelevant
andpertinenttotheresolutionofthecase.Whatisatissuehere?Itisthe
unconstitutionalandillegalissuanceofEO683,whichhasbeenmadesubjecttothe
specialcivilactionofcertiorariunderRule65.

Moreover,asPetitionersargueabove,theprovisiontotheCourtaquoofacopyof
thePetitionandofSC98isnotnecessaryforittoadjudicateontheissuespresented
inthiscase,inasmuchasthetermsandprovisionsofEO683maybeadjudicated
uponbytheCourtwithoutdirectreferencetotheconflictingterritorialclaimsmade
bytheNationalGovernmentandtheProvinceofPalawan.

TheissueofwhetherthegaswellsofMalampayafallproperlywithinthePalawan
provincialterritoryisdistinctandseparatefromwhetherornotthedisbursementsthat
EO683allowtobemadeareinviolationofboththe1987Charterandtherelevant
provisionsinthe1991LocalGovernmentCodeontheequitableshareofthelocal
governmentunitinthedistributionoftheproceedsofthenationalwealthwithinits

38

jurisdictionaswellasofthejurisprudenceontheimmediatereleaseoftheInternational
RevenueAllotment.

PRAYER

WHEREFORE,premisesconsidered,PetitionersrespectfullypraythatthisHonorable
CourtissueaResolution
givingduecoursetothePetition;
annullingtheCourtaquosResolutionsdatedMay29,2008andJune6,2008;and
declaringthequestionedEO386bothillegalandunconstitutionalonthegrounds
discussedabove.
Otherreliefjustandequitablearealsoprayedfor.
MakatiCityfortheCityofManila,February17,2009.

BytheCounselforPetitioners:

ROQUE&BUTUYANLAWOFFICES
Unit1904Antel2000CorporateCenter121ValeroSt.,SalcedoVillage
MakatiCity1200

TelNo.7503847to48
Email:mail@roquebutuyan.comFaxNo:8873893

39

By:

H.HARRYL.ROQUE,JR.
PTRNO.0008545/JAN.8,2009/MAKATICITY
IBPNO.499912/LIFETIME/MAKATICITY
ROLLNO.36976
MCLEEXEMPTIONNO.II002169
JOELRUIZBUTUYAN
PTRNO.0008546/JAN.8,2009/MAKATICITY
IBPNO.500459/LIFETIME/MAKATICITY
ROLLNO.36911
MCLECOMPLIANCENO.0000571
ROMELREGALADOBAGARES
PTRNO.0016687/JAN14,2009/MAKATICITY
IBPNO.775414/JAN12,2009/SOCSARGEN
ROLLNO.49518
MCLECOMPLIANCENO.II0015132JAN.5,2009

COPYFURNISHED:
OfficeoftheSolicitorGeneral
134AmorsoloSt.,LegaspiVillage
1229MakatiCity
Hon.EduardoErmita
Secretary
OfficeoftheExecutiveSecretary
Malacanang,Manila
Hon.RolandoD.AndayaJr.
Secretary
DepartmentofBudgetandManagement
JPLaurelSt.,cornerAyalaSt.Manila
Hon.AngeloT.Reyes
Secretary

DepartmentofEnergy
MerittRoad,FortBonifacio
Taguig,MetroManila
Hon.MargaritoB.Teves
Secretary
DepartmentofFinance
RoxasBlvd.,cornerVitoCruzSt.,
Manila
40

Hon.JoelT.Reyes
Governor
ProvincialCapitol
PuertoPrincesaCity
Palawan
Hon.AntonioC.Alvarez
Representative,1stDistrict,Palawan
HouseofRepresentativesComplex
ConstitutionalHills,QuezonCity1126
Hon.BahamMitra
Representative,2ndDistrict,Palawan
HouseofRepresentativesComplex
ConstitutionHills,QuezonCity1126.
RafaelE.DelPilar
President&CEO
PNOCExplorationCorporation
Building1,EnergyCenter
FortBonifacio
TaguigCity1634

EXPLANATION

DuetotheshortageofmessengerialservicesandlackoftimethisPetitionisbeingserved
totheotherpartiesbyregisteredmailinaccordancewithSection11,Rule13ofthe
RevisedRulesofCourt.
ROMELREGALADOBAGARES

41