ANAK MINDANAO PARTY-LIST vs EXECUTIVE SECRETARY FACTS:
Peti Pe titi tion oner erss Anak Mi Mind ndan anao ao Pa Part rtyy-Li List st Gr Grou oup p (A (AMI MIN) N) an and d Ma Mama malo lo De Desc scen enda dant ntss Organization,, Inc (MDOI) assail the c!stit"ti! Organization c!stit"ti!alit# alit# $ E%ec"tive O&'e& (E)O)* Ns) +, a!' +./0 1th iss"e' i! 233 , !ia t"e present Petition #or $ertiorari and Pro"i%ition
&it" prayer #or in'uncti!e relie# E)O) N) +,0 4hich P&esi'e!t 5l&ia Maca6a7al-A&&# iss"e' ! Se6te81e& 2.0 2330 &ea's: EXECUTIVE ORDER NO) +, TRANSFORMIN5 T9E DEPA DEPARTMENT RTMENT OF A5RARIAN A5RARIAN REFORM INTO T9E DEPARTMENT OF LAND REFORM
$*ION + The De6a&t8e!t $ A7&a&ia! Re$&8 is "ere%y t&a!s$&8e' into t"e De6a&t8e!t $ La!' Re$&8 It s"all %e responsi%le #or all land re#orm in t"e country,
including agrarian re#orm, ur%an land re#orm, and ancestral domain re#orm $*ION *"e PCUP is "ere%y placed "!'e& the s"6e&visi! a!' c!t&l $ the De6a&t8e!t $ La!' Re$&8 *"e $"airman o# t"e P$P s"all %e e.-o##icio ndersecretary
o# t"e Department o# Land /e#orm #or r%an Land /e#orm
E)O) N) +./0 4hich a8e!'e' E)O) N) +, a 8!th late& & ! Oct1e& 2,0 2330 &ea's: EXECUTIVE ORDER NO) +./ AMENDIN5 EXECUTIVE ORDER NO) +, ENTITLED TRANSFORMIN5 T9E DEPARTMENT OF A5RARIAN REFORM INTO T9E DEPARTMENT OF LAND REFORM
01/A, /epu%lic Act No 234+ created t"e National $ommission on Indigenous P eoples5 01/A, pursuant to t"e Administrati!e $ode o# +624, t"e President "as t"e continuing aut"ority to reorganize t"e administrati!e structure o# t"e National Go!ernment NO0, *1/7O/, I, GLO/IA MA$APA MA$APAGAL-A//O8O, GAL-A//O8O, President o# t"e /epu%lic o# t"e , %y !irtue o# t"e po&ers !ested in me %y t"e $onstitution and e.isting la&s, do "ere%y order9 ection + Amending + Amending Section 3 of Executive Order No. 364 364 ection 3 o# .ecuti!e Order No 3:;, dated s"all no& read as #ollo&s9 ection 3 *"e Nati!al C88issi! ! I!'i7e!"s Pe6les (N$IP) s"all
%e an attache' a7e!c# $ the De6a&t8e!t $ La!' Re$&8
Petiti!e&s c!te!' that the t4 6&esi'e!tial iss"a!ces a&e "!c!stit"ti!al $& vilati!7: - T9E CONSTITUTIONAL PRINCIPLES OF SEPARATION OF POERS AND OF T9E RULE OF LA;<= - T9E CONSTITUTIONAL SC9EME AND POLICIES FOR A5RARIAN REFORM0 UR>AN LAND REFORM0 INDI5ENOUS PEOPLES RI59TS AND ANCESTRAL DOMAIN;< AND=
- T9E CONSTITUTIONAL RI59T OF T9E PEOPLE AND T9EIR OR5ANI?ATIONS TO EFFECTIVE AND REASONA>LE PARTICIPATION IN DECISION-MAKIN50 INCLUDIN5 T9ROU59 ADE@UATE CONSULTATION;)=
, t"is $ourt ga!e due course to t"e Petition and re?uired t"e su%mission o# memoranda, &it" &"ic" petitioners and respondents complied on Marc" ;, ==: and April ++, ==:, respecti!ely The iss"e ! the t&a!s$&8ati! $ the De6a&t8e!t $ A7&a&ia! Re$&8 (DAR* i!t the De6a&t8e!t $ La!' Re$&8 (DLR* 1eca8e 8t a!' aca'e8ic0 h4eve&0 the 'e6a&t8e!t havi!7 &eve&te' t its $&8e& !a8e 1# vi&t"e $ E)O) N) , ;2= 4hich 4as iss"e' ! A"7"st 2+0 233) The C"&t is th"s le$t 4ith the sle iss"e $ the le7alit# $ 6laci!7 the P&esi'e!tial C88issi!;+= $& the U&1a! P& (PCUP* "!'e& the s"6e&visi! a!' c!t&l $ the DAR0 a!' the Nati!al C88issi! ! I!'i7e!"s Pe6les (NCIP* "!'e& the DAR as a! attache' a7e!c#)
Petitioners #ind it impermissi%le #or t"e .ecuti!e to intrude into t"e domain o# t"e
Legislature *"ey posit t"at an act o# t"e .ecuti!e &"ic" in'ures t"e institution o# $ongress causes a deri!ati!e %ut nonet"eless su%stantial in'ury, &"ic" can %e ?uestioned %y a mem%er o# $ongress@4 *"ey add t"at to t"e e.tent t"at t"e po&ers o# $ongress are impaired, so is t"e po&er o# eac" mem%er t"ereo#, since "is o##ice con#ers a rig"t to participate in t"e e.ercise o# t"e po&ers o# t"at institution @2 Indeed, a mem%er o# t"e 1ouse o# /epresentati!es "as standing to maintain in!iolate t"e prerogati!es, po&ers and pri!ileges !ested %y t"e $onstitution in "is o##ice @6 The OS5 B"esti!s0 h4eve&0 the sta!'i!7 $ MDOI0 a &e7iste&e' 6e6les &7a!iati! $ Teduray a!' Lambangian t&i1es$l $ (N&th* U6i a!' S"th U6i i! the 6&vi!ce $ Ma7"i!'a!a)
As co-petitioner, MDOI alleges t"at it is concerned &it" t"e negati!e impact o# N$IPs %ecoming an attac"ed agency o# t"e DA/ on t"e processing o# ancestral domain claims It #ears t"at trans#erring t"e N$IP to t"e DA/ &ould a##ect t"e processing o# ancestral domain claims #iled %y its mem%ers Locus standi or legal standing "as %een de#ined as a personal and su%stantial interest in a case suc" t"at t"e party "as sustained or &ill sustain direct in'ury as a result o# t"e go!ernmental act t"at is %eing c"allenged *"e gist o# t"e ?uestion o# standing is &"et"er a party alleges suc" personal staBe in t"e outcome o# t"e contro!ersy as to assure t"at concrete ad!erseness &"ic" s"arpens t"e presentation o# issues upon &"ic" t"e court depends #or illumination o# di##icult constitutional ?uestions @+= It "as %een "eld t"at a party &"o assails t"e constitutionality o# a statute must "a!e a direct and personal interest It must s"o& not only t"at t"e la& or any go!ernmental act is in!alid, %ut also t"at it sustained or is in immediate danger o# sustaining some direct in'ury as a result o# its en#orcement, and not merely t"at it su##ers t"ere%y in some inde#inite &ay It must s"o& t"at it "as %een or is a%out to %e denied some rig"t or pri!ilege to &"ic" it is la&#ully entitled or t"at it is a%out to %e su%'ected to some %urdens or penalties %y reason o# t"e statute or act complained o# @++
7or a concerned party to %e allo&ed to raise a constitutional ?uestion, it must s"o& t"at (+) it "as personally su##ered some actual or t"reatened in'ury as a result o# t"e allegedly illegal conduct o# t"e go!ernment, () t"e in'ury is #airly tracea%le to t"e c"allenged action, and (3) t"e in'ury is liBely to %e redressed %y a #a!ora%le action @+ A! e%a8i!ati! $ MDOIs !e1"l"s clai8s $ !e7ative i86act a!' 6&1a1le set1acs;+= sh4s that the# a&e t a1st&act t 1e c!si'e&e' "'iciall# c7!ia1le) A!' the li!e $ ca"sati! it 6&$$e&s 1et4ee! the challe!7e' acti! a!' alle7e' i!"&# is t atte!"ate') Va7"e 6&6siti!s that the i86le8e!tati! $ the assaile' &'e&s 4ill 4& i!"stice a!' vilate the &i7hts $ its 8e81e&s ca!!t clthe MDOI 4ith the &eB"isite sta!'i!7) Neithe& 4"l' its stat"s as a 6e6les &7a!iati! vest it 4ith the le7al sta!'i!7 t assail the vali'it# $ the e%ec"tive &'e&s);;
La Bugal-Blaan ri!al Association" #nc. v. $amos" @+> &"ic" MDOI cites in support o# its claim to legal standing, is inapplica%le as it is not similarly situated &it" t"e t"erein petitioners &"o alleged personal and su%stantial in'ury resulting #rom t"e mining acti!ities permitted %y t"e assailed statute And so is %ru& v. Secretar' of Environment and Natural $esources"@+: #or t"e indigenous peoples leaders and organizations &ere not t"e petitioners t"erein, &"o necessarily "ad to satis#y t"e locus standi re?uirement, %ut &ere inter!enors &"o soug"t and &ere allo&ed to %e impleaded, not to assail %ut to de#end t"e constitutionality o# t"e statute Moreo!er, MDOI raises no issue o# transcendental importance to 'usti#y a rela.ation o# t"e rule on legal standing *o %e accorded standing on t"e ground o# transcendental importance, Senate of t(e )(ili**ines v. Ermita @+4 re?uires t"at t"e #ollo&ing elements must %e esta%lis"ed9 (+) t"e pu%lic c"aracter o# t"e #unds or ot"er assets in!ol!ed in t"e case, () t"e presence o# a clear case o# disregard o# a constitutional or statutory pro"i%ition %y t"e pu%lic respondent agency or instrumentality o# go!ernment, and (3) t"e lacB o# any ot"er party &it" a more direct and speci#ic interest in raising t"e
?uestions %eing raised *"e presence o# t"ese elements MDOI #ailed to esta%lis", muc" less allege +rancisco" ,r. v. +ernando@+2 more speci#ically declares t"at t"e transcendental importance o# t"e issues raised must relate to t"e merits o# t"e petition *"is $ourt, not %eing a !enue #or t"e !entilation o# generalized grie!ances, must t"us deny ad'udication o# t"e matters raised %y MDOI N40 ! AMINs 6siti!) AMIN cha&7es the E%ec"tive De6a&t8e!t 4ith t&a!s7&essi! $ the 6&i!ci6le $ se6a&ati! $ 64e&s) U!'e& the 6&i!ci6le $ se6a&ati! $ 64e&s0 C!7&ess0 the P&esi'e!t0 a!' the G"'icia&# 8a# !t e!c&ach ! $iel's allcate' t each $ the8) The le7islat"&e is 7e!e&all# li8ite' t the e!act8e!t $ la4s0 the e%ec"tive t the e!$&ce8e!t $ la4s0 a!' the "'icia&# t thei& i!te&6&etati! a!' a66licati! t cases a!' c!t&ve&sies) The 6&i!ci6le 6&es"66ses 8"t"al &es6ect 1# a!' 1et4ee! the e%ec"tive0 le7islative a!' "'icial 'e6a&t8e!ts $ the 7ve&!8e!t a!' calls $& the8 t 1e le$t al!e t 'ischa&7e thei& '"ties as the# see $it @+6 AMIN c!te!'s that si!ce the DAR0 PCUP a!' NCIP 4e&e c&eate' 1# stat"tes0;23= the# ca! !l# 1e t&a!s$&8e'0 8e&7e' & attache' 1# stat"tes0 !t 1# 8e&e e%ec"tive &'e&s) hile AMIN c!ce'es that the e%ec"tive 64e& is veste' i! the P&esi'e!t ;2= 4h0 as Chie$ E%ec"tive0 hl's the 64e& $ c!t&l $ all the e%ec"tive 'e6a&t8e!ts0 1"&ea"s0 a!' $$ices0;22= it 6sits that this 1&a' 64e& $ c!t&l i!cl"'i!7 the 64e& t &e&7a!ie is B"ali$ie' a!' li8ite'0 $& it ca!!t 1e e%e&cise' i! a 8a!!e& c!t&a&# t la40 citi!7 the c!stit"ti!al '"t# ;2+= $ the P&esi'e!t t e!s"&e that the la4s0 i!cl"'i!7 thse c&eati!7 the a7e!cies0 1e $aith$"ll# e%ec"te') AMIN cites the !a8i!7 $ the PCUP as a 6&esi'e!tial c88issi! t 1e clea&l# a! e%te!si! $ the P&esi'e!t0 a!' the c&eati! $ the NCIP as a! i!'e6e!'e!t a7e!c#
"!'e& the O$$ice $ the P&esi'e!t);2= It th"s a&7"es that si!ce the le7islat"&e ha' see! $it t c&eate these a7e!cies at se6a&ate ti8es a!' 4ith 'isti!ct 8a!'ates0 the P&esi'e!t sh"l' &es6ect that le7islative 'is6siti!) I! $i!e0 AMIN c!te!'s that a!# &e&7a!iati! $ these a'8i!ist&ative a7e!cies sh"l' 1e the s"1ect $ a stat"te) AMINs 6siti! $ails t i86&ess) The C!stit"ti! c!$e&s0 1# e%6&ess 6&visi!0 the 64e& $ c!t&l ve& e%ec"tive 'e6a&t8e!ts0 1"&ea"s a!' $$ices i! the P&esi'e!t al!e) A!' it la#s '4! a li8itati! ! the le7islative 64e&)
*"e line t"at delineates t"e Legislati!e and .ecuti!e po&er is not indistinct Legislati!e po&er is t"e aut"ority, under t"e $onstitution, to maBe la&s, and to alter and repeal t"em *"e $onstitution, as t"e &ill o# t"e people in t"eir original, so!ereign and unlimited capacity, "as !ested t"is po&er in t"e $ongress o# t"e *"e grant o# legislati!e po&er to $ongress is %road, general and compre"ensi!e *"e legislati!e %ody possesses plenary po&er #or all purposes o# ci!il go!ernment Any po&er, deemed to %e legislati!e %y usage and tradition, is necessarily possessed %y $ongress, unless t"e $onstitution "as lodged it else&"ere In #ine, e.cept as limited %y t"e $onstitution, eit"er e.pressly or impliedly, legislati!e po&er em%races all su%'ects and e.tends to matters o# general concern or common interest hile C!7&ess is veste' 4ith the 64e& t e!act la4s0 the P&esi'e!t e%ec"tes the la4s) The e%ec"tive 64e& is veste' i! the P&esi'e!t) It is 7e!e&all# 'e$i!e' as the 64e& t e!$&ce a!' a'8i!iste& the la4s) It is the 64e& $ ca&&#i!7 the la4s i!t 6&actical 6e&ati! a!' e!$&ci!7 thei& '"e 1se&va!ce) As hea' $ the E%ec"tive De6a&t8e!t0 the P&esi'e!t is the Chie$ E%ec"tive) 9e &e6&ese!ts the 7ve&!8e!t as a 4hle a!' sees t it that all la4s a&e e!$&ce' 1# the $$icials a!' e86l#ees $ his 'e6a&t8e!t) 9e has c!t&l ve& the e%ec"tive 'e6a&t8e!t0 1"&ea"s a!' $$ices) This 8ea!s that he has the a"th&it# t ass"8e 'i&ectl# the $"!cti!s $ the e%ec"tive 'e6a&t8e!t0 1"&ea" a!' $$ice0 & i!te&$e&e 4ith the 'isc&eti! $ its $$icials) C&lla&# t the 64e& $ c!t&l0 the P&esi'e!t als has the '"t# $ s"6e&visi!7 a!' e!$&ce8e!t $ la4s $& the 8ai!te!a!ce $
7e!e&al 6eace a!' 6"1lic &'e&) Th"s0 he is 7&a!te' a'8i!ist&ative 64e& ve& 1"&ea"s a!' $$ices "!'e& his c!t&l t e!a1le hi8 t 'ischa&7e his '"ties e$$ectivel#);2= (Italics 8itte'0 "!'e&sc&i!7 s"66lie'* The C!stit"ti!s e%6&ess 7&a!t $ the 64e& $ c!t&l i! the P&esi'e!t "sti$ies a! e%ec"tive acti! t ca&&# "t &e&7a!iati! 8eas"&es "!'e& a 1&a' a"th&it# $ la4);2,= I! e!acti!7 a stat"te0 the le7islat"&e is 6&es"8e' t have 'eli1e&ate' 4ith $"ll !4le'7e $ all e%isti!7 la4s a!' "&is6&"'e!ce ! the s"1ect) ;2.= It is th"s &eas!a1le t c!cl"'e that i! 6assi!7 a stat"te 4hich 6laces a! a7e!c# "!'e& the O$$ice $ the P&esi'e!t0 it 4as i! acc&'a!ce 4ith e%isti!7 la4s a!' "&is6&"'e!ce ! the P&esi'e!ts 64e& t &e&7a!ie) I! esta1lishi!7 a! e%ec"tive 'e6a&t8e!t0 1"&ea" & $$ice0 the le7islat"&e !ecessa&il# &'ai!s a! e%ec"tive a7e!c#s 6siti! i! the sche8e $ a'8i!ist&ative st&"ct"&e) S"ch 'ete&8i!ati! is 6&i8a�2H= 1"t s"1ect t the P&esi'e!ts c!ti!"i!7 a"th&it# t &e&7a!ie the a'8i!ist&ative st&"ct"&e) As $a& as 1"&ea"s0 a7e!cies & $$ices i! the e%ec"tive 'e6a&t8e!t a&e c!ce&!e'0 the 64e& $ c!t&l 8a# "sti$# the P&esi'e!t t 'eactivate the $"!cti!s $ a 6a&tic"la& $$ice) O& a la4 8a# e%6&essl# 7&a!t the P&esi'e!t the 1&a' a"th&it# t ca&&# "t &e&7a!iati! 8eas"&es) @6 The A'8i!ist&ative C'e $ /H. is !e s"ch la4: @3=
$ 3= +unctions of Agencies under t(e Office of t(e )resident Agencies under t"e O##ice o# t"e President s"all continue to operate and #unction in accordance &it" t"eir respecti!e c"arters or la&s creating t"em, e%ce6t as the&4ise 6&vi'e' i! this C'e & 1# la4
$ 3+ %ontinuing Aut(orit' of t(e )resident to $eorgani&e (is Office *"e President, s"1ect t the 6lic# i! the E%ec"tive O$$ice and in order t achieve si86licit#0 ec!8# a!' e$$icie!c# , s"all "a!e continuing aut"ority to reorganize
t"e administrati!e structure o# t"e O##ice o# t"e President 7or t"is purpose, "e may taBe any o# t"e #ollo&ing actions9
(+) /estructure t"e internal organization o# t"e O##ice o# t"e President Proper, including t"e immediate O##ices, t"e Presidential pecial AssistantsCAd!isers ystem and t"e $ommon ta## upport ystem, %y a%olis"ing, consolidating, or merging units t"ereo# or trans#erring #unctions #rom one unit to anot"er5 () *rans#er any #unction under t"e O##ice o# t"e President to any ot"er Department or Agency as &ell as trans#er #unctions to t"e O##ice o# t"e President #rom ot"er Departments and Agencies5 and (+* T&a!s$e& a!# a7e!c# "!'e& the O$$ice $ the P&esi'e!t t a!# the& 'e6a&t8e!t & a7e!c# as 4ell as t&a!s$e& a7e!cies t the O$$ice $ the P&esi'e!t $&8 the& 'e6a&t8e!ts & a7e!cies)@3+ (Italics in t"e original5
emp"asis and underscoring supplied) I! ca&&#i!7 "t the la4s i!t 6&actical 6e&ati!0 the P&esi'e!t is 1est eB"i66e' t assess 4hethe& a! e%ec"tive a7e!c# "7ht t c!ti!"e 6e&ati!7 i! acc&'a!ce 4ith its cha&te& & the la4 c&eati!7 it) This is !t t sa# that the le7islat"&e is i!ca6a1le $ 8ai!7 a si8ila& assess8e!t a!' a66&6&iate acti! 4ithi! its 6le!a&# 64e&) The A'8i!ist&ative C'e $ /H. 8e&el# "!'e&sc&es the !ee' t 6&vi'e the P&esi'e!t 4ith s"ita1le sl"ti!s t sit"ati!s ! ha!' t 8eet the e%i7e!cies $ the se&vice that 8a# call $& the e%e&cise $ the 64e& $ c!t&l) . . . *"e la& grants t"e President t"is po&er in recognition o# t"e recurring need o# e!ery President to reorganize "is o##ice to ac"ie!e simplicity, economy and e##iciency *"e O##ice o# t"e President is t"e ner!e center o# t"e .ecuti!e
*"e O##ice o# t"e President consists o# t"e O##ice o# t"e President proper and t"e agencies under it@33 It is !t 'is6"te' that PCUP a!' NCIP 4e&e $&8e' as a7e!cies "!'e& the O$$ice $ the P&esi'e!t);+= The A7e!cies "!'e& the O$$ice $ the P&esi'e!t &e$e& t thse $$ices 6lace' "!'e& the chai&8a!shi6 $ the P&esi'e!t0 thse "!'e& the s"6e&visi! a!' c!t&l $ the P&esi'e!t0 thse "!'e& the a'8i!ist&ative s"6e&visi! $ the O$$ice $ the P&esi'e!t0 thse attache' t the
O$$ice $& 6lic# a!' 6&7&a8 c&'i!ati!0 a!' thse that a&e !t 6lace' 1# la4 & &'e& c&eati!7 the8 "!'e& a!# s6ecial 'e6a&t8e!t);+= As th"s 6&vi'e' 1# la40 the P&esi'e!t 8a# t&a!s$e& a!# a7e!c# "!'e& the O$$ice $ the P&esi'e!t t a!# the& 'e6a&t8e!t & a7e!c#0 s"1ect t the 6lic# i! the E%ec"tive O$$ice a!' i! &'e& t achieve si86licit#0 ec!8# a!' e$$icie!c#) 5a"7e' a7ai!st these 7"i'eli!es0;+,= the challe!7e' e%ec"tive &'e&s 8a# !t 1e sai' t have 1ee! iss"e' 4ith 7&ave a1"se $ 'isc&eti! & i! vilati! $ the &"le $ la4) The &e$e&e!ces i! E)O) +, t asset &e$&8 as a! a!ti-6ve&t# 8eas"&e $& scial "stice a!' t &ati!aliati! $ the 1"&ea"c&ac# i! $"&the&a!ce $ 7' 7ve&!8e!t;+.= e!ca6s"late a 6&ti! $ the e%isti!7 6lic# i! the E%ec"tive O$$ice) As ave&&e' 1# the OS50 the P&esi'e!t sa4 it $it t st&ea8li!e the a7e!cies s as !t t hi!'e& the 'elive&# $ c&"cial scial &e$&8s) ;+H= The c!sli'ati! $ $"!cti!s i! E)O) +, ai8s t attai! the 1ectives $ si86licit#0 ec!8# a!' e$$icie!c# as 7athe&e' $&8 the 6&visi! 7&a!ti!7 PCUP a!' NCIP access t the &a!7e $ se&vices 6&vi'e' 1# the DARs tech!ical $$ices a!' s"66&t s#ste8s@36 The cha&acte&iati! $ the NCIP as a! i!'e6e!'e!t a7e!c# "!'e& the O$$ice $ the P&esi'e!t 'es !t &e8ve sai' 1'# $&8 the P&esi'e!ts c!t&l a!' s"6e&visi! 4ith &es6ect t its 6e&$&8a!ce $ a'8i!ist&ative $"!cti!s) o it "as %een opined9 *"at $ongress did not intend to place t"e N$IP under t"e control o# t"e President in all instances is e!ident in t"e IP/A itsel#, &"ic" pro!ides t"at t"e decisions o# t"e N$IP in t"e e.ercise o# its ?uasi 'udicial #unctions s"all %e appeala%le to t"e $ourt o# Appeals, liBe t"ose o# t"e National La%or /elations $ommission (NL/$) and t"e ecurities and .c"ange $ommission ($) Ne!ert"eless, t"e N$IP, alt"oug" independent to a certain degree, &as placed %y $ongress under t"e o##ice o# t"e President and, as suc", is still su%'ect to t"e Presidents po&er o# control and super!ision granted under ection +4, Article II o# t"e $onstitution &it" respect to its per#ormance o# administrati!e #unctions@ @;= (nderscoring supplied)
I! t&a!s$e&&i!7 the NCIP t the DAR as a! attache' a7e!c#0 the P&esi'e!t
e$$ectivel# te86e&e' the e%e&cise $ 6&esi'e!tial a"th&it# a!' c!si'e&a1l# &ec7!ie' that 'e7&ee $ i!'e6e!'e!ce) The A'8i!ist&ative C'e $ /H. cate7&ies a'8i!ist&ative &elati!shi6s i!t (* s"6e&visi! a!' c!t&l0 (2* a'8i!ist&ative s"6e&visi!0 a!' (+* attach8e!t);
ith &es6ect t the thi&' cate7� it has 1ee! hel' that a! attache' a7e!c# has a la&7e& 8eas"&e $ i!'e6e!'e!ce $&8 the De6a&t8e!t t 4hich it is attache' tha! !e 4hich is "!'e& 'e6a&t8e!tal s"6e&visi! a!' c!t&l & a'8i!ist&ative s"6e&visi!) This is 1&!e "t 1# the late&al &elati!shi6 1et4ee! the De6a&t8e!t a!' the attache' a7e!c#) The attach8e!t is 8e&el# $& 6lic# a!' 6&7&a8 c&'i!ati!);2= I!'ee'0 the esse!tial a"t!8"s cha&acte& $ a 1a&' is !t !e7ate' 1# its attach8e!t t a c88issi!) @;3 AMIN a&7"es0 h4eve&0 that the&e is a! a!ach&!is8 $ s&ts 1eca"se the&e ca! 1e ! 6lic# a!' 6&7&a8 c&'i!ati! 1et4ee! c!ce6t"all# 'i$$e&e!t a&eas $ &e$&8) It clai8s that the !e4 $&a8e4& s"1s"8i!7 a7&a&ia! &e$&80 "&1a! la!' &e$&8 a!' a!cest&al '8ai! &e$&8 is $"!'a8e!tall# i!che&e!t i! vie4 $ the 4i'el# 'i$$e&e!t c!te%ts);= A!' it 6sits that it is a s"1sta!tive t&a!s$&8ati! & &e&ie!tati! that &"!s c!t&a&# t the c!stit"ti!al sche8e a!' 6licies) AMIN 7es ! t 6&$$e& the c!ce6t $ &'e&i!7 the la4 ;= 4hich0 s it alle7es0 ca! 1e sai' $ the C!stit"ti!s 'isti!ct t&eat8e!t $ these th&ee a&eas0 as &e$lecte' i! se6a&ate 6&visi!s i! 'i$$e&e!t 6a&ts $ the C!stit"ti!) ;,= It a&7"es that the C!stit"ti! 'i' !t i!te!' a! ve&-a&chi!7 c!ce6t $ a7&a&ia! &e$&8 t e!c86ass the t4 the& a&eas0 a!' that h4 the la4 is &'e&e' i! a ce&tai! 4a# sh"l' !t 1e "!'e&8i!e' 1# 8e&e e%ec"tive &'e&s i! the 7"ise $ a'8i!ist&ative e$$icie!c#) The C"&t is !t 6e&s"a'e')
The i!te&6la# $ va&i"s a&eas $ &e$&8 i! the 6&8ti! $ scial "stice is !t s8ethi!7 i86la"si1le & "!liel#);.= Thei& i!te&lci!7 !at"&e c"ts ac&ss la1els a!' 4&s a7ai!st a &i7i' 6i7e!hli!7 $ e%ec"tive tass a8!7 the 8e81e&s $ the P&esi'e!ts $$icial $a8il#) Nta1l#0 the C!stit"ti! i!hi1ite' $&8 i'e!ti$#i!7 a!' c86a&t8e!talii!7 the c86siti! $ the Ca1i!et) I! vesti!7 e%ec"tive 64e& i! !e 6e&s! &athe& tha! i! a 6l"&al e%ec"tive0 the evi'e!t i!te!ti! 4as t i!vest the 64e& hl'e& 4ith e!e&7#);H= AMIN taes 6&e8i"8 ! the seve&e' t&eat8e!t $ these &e$&8 a&eas i! 8a&e' 6&visi!s $ the C!stit"ti!) It is a 6&ece6t0 h4eve&0 that i!$e&e!ces '&a4! $&8 title0 cha6te& & secti! hea'i!7s a&e e!title' t ve&# little 4ei7ht) ;/= A!' s 8"st &elia!ce ! s"1-hea'i!7s0;3= & the lac the&e$0 t s"66&t a st&ai!e' 'e'"cti! 1e 7ive! the 4ei7ht $ heli"8) Sec!'a&# ai's 8a# 1e c!s"lte' t &e8ve0 !t t c&eate '"1t) ;= AMINs thesis "!settles0 8&e tha! settles the &'e& $ thi!7s i! c!st&"i!7 the C!stit"ti!) Its i!te&6&etati! $ails t clea&l# esta1lish that the s-calle' &'e&i!7 & a&&a!7e8e!t $ 6&visi!s i! the C!stit"ti! 4as c!sci"sl# a'6te' t i86l# a si7!i$icati! i! te&8s $ 7ve&!8e!t hie&a&ch# $&8 4he&e a c!stit"ti!al 8a!'ate ca! per se 1e 'e&ive' & asse&te') It $ails t 'e8!st&ate that the &'e&i!7 & la#"t 4as !t si86l# a 8atte& $ st#le i! c!stit"ti!al '&a$ti!7 1"t !e $ i!te!ti! i! 7ve&!8e!t st&"ct"&i!7) ith its i!he&e!t a81i7"it#0 the 6&6se' i!te&6&etati! ca!!t 1e 8a'e a 1asis $& 'ecla&i!7 a la4 & 7ve&!8e!tal act "!c!stit"ti!al) A la4 has i! its $av& the 6&es"86ti! $ c!stit"ti!alit#) F& it t 1e !"lli$ie'0 it 8"st 1e sh4! that the&e is a clea& a!' "!eB"ivcal 1&each $ the C!stit"ti!) The 7&"!' $& !"llit# 8"st 1e clea& a!' 1e#!' &eas!a1le '"1t);2= A!# &eas!a1le '"1t sh"l'0 $ll4i!7 the "!ive&sal &"le $ le7al he&8e!e"tics0 1e &eslve' i! $av& $ the c!stit"ti!alit# $ a la4);>3
O*le v. orres@>; on &"ic" AMIN relies is una!ailing In t"at case, an administrati!e
order in!ol!ed a system o# identi#ication t"at re?uired a delicate ad'ustment o# !arious contending state policies properly lodged in t"e legislati!e arena It &as declared unconstitutional #or dealing &it" a su%'ect t"at s"ould %e co!ered %y la& and #or !iolating t"e rig"t to pri!acy In t"e present case, AMIN glaringly #ailed to s"o& "o& t"e reorganization %y e.ecuti!e #iat &ould "amper t"e e.ercise o# citizens rig"ts and pri!ileges It rested on t"e am%iguous conclusion t"at t"e reorganization 'eopardizes economic, social and cultural rig"ts It intimated, &it"out e.pounding, t"at t"e agendum %e"ind t"e issuances is to &eaBen t"e indigenous peoples rig"ts in #a!or o# t"e mining industry And it raised concerns a%out t"e possi%le retrogression in DA/s per#ormance as t"e added &orBload may impede t"e implementation o# t"e compre"ensi!e agrarian re#orm program AMIN "as not s"o&n, "o&e!er, t"at %y placing t"e N$IP as an attac"ed agency o# t"e DA/, t"e President altered t"e nature and dynamics o# t"e 'urisdiction and ad'udicatory #unctions o# t"e N$IP concerning all claims and disputes in!ol!ing rig"ts o# indigenous cultural communities and
indigenous peoples Nor "as it %een s"o&n, nay alleged, t"at t"e reorganization &as made in %ad #ait"@>> As #or t"e ot"er arguments raised %y AMIN &"ic" pertain to t"e &isdom or soundness o# t"e e.ecuti!e decision, t"e $ourt #inds it unnecessary to pass upon t"em *"e raging de%ate on t"e most #itting #rame&orB in t"e deli!ery o# social ser!ices is endless in t"e political arena It is not t"e %usiness o# t"is $ourt to 'oin in t"e #ray $ourts "a!e no 'udicial po&er to re!ie& cases in!ol!ing political ?uestions and, as a rule, &ill desist #rom taBing cognizance o# speculati!e or "ypot"etical cases, ad!isory opinions and cases t"at "a!e %ecome moot@>: 7inally, a &ord on t"e last ground pro##ered #or declaring t"e unconstitutionality o# t"e assailed issuances E t"at t"ey !iolate ection +:, Article FIII o# t"e $onstitution @>4 on t"e peoples rig"t to participate in decision-maBing t"roug" ade?uate consultation mec"anisms *"e #ramers o# t"e $onstitution recognized t"at t"e consultation mec"anisms &ere already operating &it"out t"e tates action %y la&, suc" t"at t"e role o# t"e tate &ould %e mere #acilitation, not necessarily creation o# t"ese consultation mec"anisms *"e tate pro!ides t"e support, %ut e!entually it is t"e people, properly organized in t"eir associations, &"o can assert t"e rig"t and pursue t"e o%'ecti!e Penalty #or #ailure on t"e part o# t"e go!ernment to consult could only %e re#lected in t"e %allot %o. and &ould not nulli#y go!ernment action@>2 9EREFORE, t"e petition is DISMISSED .ecuti!e Order Nos 3:; and 346 issued
on eptem%er 4, ==; and Octo%er :, ==;, respecti!ely, are declared not unconstitutional O O/D/D
