civil case 6.docx

8/9/2019 civil case 6.docx

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EN BANC

G.R. No. L-19313 January 19, 1962

DOMINADOR R. AYTONA, petitioner,-versus-

ANDRES V. CASTILLO, ET AL., respondents.

R E S O L U T I O N.

ENG!ON, C.J.:

Without prejudice to the suse!uent pro"u#$%tion o& "ore e'tended opinion, the Court%dopted tod%(, the &o##o)in$ reso#utions* .

On +ece"er , /, then 0resident C%r#os 0. 1%rci% %ppointed +o"in%dor R. A(ton% %s ad interim 1overnor o& the Centr%# B%n2. On the s%"e d%(, the #%tter too2 thecorrespondin$ o%th.

On +ece"er 34, /, %t noon, 0resident-e#ect +iosd%do 5%c%p%$%# %ssu"ed o&&ice6%nd on +ece"er 3, /, he issued Ad"inistr%tive Order No. rec%##in$,)ithdr%)in$, %nd c%nce##in$ %## ad interim %ppoint"ent "%de ( 0resident 1%rci% %&ter

+ece"er 3, /, 7d%te )hen he, 5%c%p%$%#, h%d een proc#%i"ed e#ected ( theCon$ress8. On 9%nu%r( , /, 0resident 5%c%p%$%# %ppointed Andres :. C%sti##o %sad interim 1overnor o& the Centr%# B%n2, %nd the #%tter !u%#i&ied i""edi%te#(.

On 9%nu%r( , /, oth %ppointed e'ercised the po)ers o& their o&&ice, %#thou$hC%sti##o in&or"ed A(ton% o& his tit#e thereto6 %nd so"e unp#e%s%ntness deve#oped in thepre"ises o& the Centr%# B%n2. ;o)ever, the ne't d%( %nd there%&ter, A(ton% )%sde&inite#( prevented &ro" ho#din$ o&&ice in the Centr%# B%n2.

So, he instituted this proceedin$ )hich is pr%ctic%##(, % quo warranto, ch%##en$in$C%sti##o


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The record sho)s th%t 0resident 1%rci% sent to the Co""ission on Appoint"ents =)hich )%s not then in session = % co""unic%tion d%ted +ece"er , /,su"ittin$ >&or con&ir"%tion> ad interim %ppoint"ents o& %ssist%nt director o& #%nds,counci#ors, "%(ors, "e"ers o& the provinci%# o%rds, &isc%#s, justices o& the pe%ce,o&&icers o& the %r"(, etc.6 %nd the n%"e o& +o"in%dor R. A(ton% %s 1overnor o& the

Centr%# B%n2 occupies nu"er ?@, et)een % justice o& the pe%ce %nd % co#one# o& the Ar"ed orces.

Another co""unic%tion o& 0resident 1%rci% e%rin$ the s%"e d%te, su"itted % #ist o& ad interim %ppoint"ents o& orei$n A&&%irs o&&icers, jud$es, &isc%#s, chie&s o& po#ice,

justices o& the pe%ce, "%(ors, counci#ors, etc. nu"er /3 o& )hich )%s th%t o& +o"in%dor R. A(ton% &or 1overnor o& the 0hi#ippines in the Bo%rds o& Intern%tion%#5onet%r( und, Intern%tion%# B%n2 &or Reconstruction %nd +eve#op"ent, etc.

A third co""unic%tion #i2e)ise d%ted +ece"er , /, %ddressed to theCo""ission on Appoint"ents su"itted &or con&ir"%tion ? n%"es o& persons

%ppointed %s jud$es o& &irst inst%nce, "e"ers o& provinci%# o%rds, %nd o%rds o& $overn"ent corpor%tions, &isc%#s, justice o& the pe%ce, even one %ssoci%te justice o& thisCourt occup(in$ position No. %nd t)o %ssoci%te justices o& the Court o& Appe%#s 7%nd 48 et)een %n %ssist%nt o& the So#icitor-1ener%# or >#%st "inute>%ppoint"ents.

In revo2in$ the %ppoint"ents, 0resident 5%c%p%$%# is s%id to h%ve %cted &or these %ndother re%sons* 78 the out$oin$ 0resident shou#d h%ve re&r%ined &ro" &i##in$ v%c%ncies to$ive the ne) 0resident opportunit( to consider n%"es in the #i$ht o& his ne) po#icies,)hich )ere %pproved ( the e#ector%te in the #%st e#ections6 78 these sc%nd%#ous#(hurried %ppoint"ents in "%ss do not &%## )ithin the intent %nd spirit o& the constitution%#provision %uthoriin$ the issu%nce o& ad interim %ppoint"ents6 738 the %ppoint"ents)ere irre$u#%r, i""or%# %nd unjust, ec%use the( )ere issued on#( upon the conditionth%t the %ppointee )ou#d i""edi%te#( !u%#i&( ovious#( to prevent % rec%## or revoc%tion( the inco"in$ 0resident, )ith the resu#t th%t those deservin$ o& pro"otion or %ppoint"ent )ho pre&erred to e n%"ed ( the ne) 0resident dec#ined %nd )ere (-p%ssed6 %nd 7?8 the %nor"%# conditions surroundin$ the %ppoint"ent %nd !u%#i&ic%tionsevinced % desire on the p%rt o& the out$oin$ 0resident "ere#( suvert the po#icies o& theinco"in$ %d"inistr%tion.

It is %d"itted th%t "%n( o& the persons "entioned in the co""unic%tion to theCo""ission on Appoint"ents d%ted +ece"er , /, did not !u%#i&(. There isevidence th%t in the ni$ht o& +ece"er , there )%s % scr%"#e in 5%#%c%D%n o& c%ndid%tes &or positions tr(in$ to $et their )ritten %ppoint"ents or h%vin$ such


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%ppoint"ents ch%n$ed to "ore convenient p#%ces, %&ter so"e #%st "inute %r$%inin$.There )%s unusu%# hurr( in the issu%nce o& the %ppoint"ents = )hich )ere notcoursed throu$h the +ep%rt"ent ;e%ds = %nd in the con&usion, % )o"%n %ppointed

jud$e )%s desi$n%ted >5r.> %nd % "%n )%s desi$n%ted >5%d%".> One %ppointee )ho$ot his %ppoint"ent %nd )%s re!uired to !u%#i&(, resorted to the rush o& %s2in$

per"ission to s)e%r e&ore % re#%tive o&&ici%#, %nd then never !u%#i&ied.

We %re in&or"ed, it is 5%#%c%D%nc%re-t%2er> %d"inistr%tion. ;e )%s dut( ound to prep%re &or the order#( tr%ns&er o& %uthorit(the inco"in$ 0resident, %nd he shou#d not do %cts )hich he ou$ht to 2no), )ou#de"%rr%ss or ostruct the po#icies o& his successor. The ti"e &or de%te h%d p%ssed6the e#ector%te h%d spo2en. It )%s not &or hi" to use po)ers %s incu"ent 0resident tocontinue the po#itic%# )%r&%re th%t h%d ended or to %v%i# hi"se#& o& presidenti%#prero$%tives to serve p%rtis%n purposes. The &i##in$ up v%c%ncies in i"port%nt positions,i& &e), %nd so sp%ced to %&&ord so"e %ssur%nce o& de#ier%te %ction %nd c%re&u#consider%tion o& the need &or the %ppoint"ent %nd the %ppointee


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Nor"%##(, )hen the 0resident "%2es %ppoint"ents the consent o& the Co""ission on Appoint"ents, he h%s ene&it o& their %dvice. When he "%2es ad interim %ppoint"ents,he e'ercises % speci%# prero$%tive %nd is ound to e prudent to insure %pprov%# o& hisse#ection either previous consu#t%tion )ith the "e"ers o& the Co""ission or (there%&ter e'p#%inin$ to the" the re%son such se#ection. Where, ho)ever, %s in this

c%se, the Co""ission on Appoint"ents th%t )i## consider the %ppointees is di&&erent&ro" th%t e'istin$ %t the ti"e o& the %ppoint"ent %nd )here the n%"es %re to esu"itted ( successor, )ho "%( not )ho##( %pprove o& the se#ections, the 0residentshou#d e doubly careful in e'tendin$ such %ppoint"ents. No), it is h%rd to e#ieve th%tin si$nin$ 3@4 %ppoint"ents in one ni$ht, 0resident 1%rci% e'ercised such >dou#ec%re> )hich )%s re!uired %nd e'pected o& hi"6 %nd there&ore, there see"s to e &orceto the contention th%t these %ppoint"ents &%## e(ond the intent %nd spirit o& theconstitution%# provision $r%ntin$ to the E'ecutive %uthorit( to issue ad interim%ppoint"ents.

Under the circu"st%nces %ove descried, )h%t )ith the sep%r%tion o& po)ers, this

Court reso#ves th%t it "ust dec#ine to disre$%rd the 0residenti%# Ad"inistr%tive Order No., c%nce##in$ such >"idni$ht> or >#%st-"inute> %ppoint"ents.

O& course, the Court is %)%re o& "%n( precedents to the e&&ect th%t once %n%ppoint"ent h%s een issued, it c%nnot e reconsidered, speci%##( )here the %ppointeeh%s !u%#i&ied. But none o& the" re&er to "%ss ad interim %ppoint"ents 7three-hundred%nd &i&t(8, issued in the #%st hours o& %n out$oin$ Chie& E'ecutive, in % settin$ si"i#%r toth%t out#ined herein. On the other h%nd, the %uthorities %d"it o& e'ception%#circu"st%nces justi&(in$ revoc%tion3 %nd i& %n( circu"st%nces justi&( revoc%tion, thosedescried herein shou#d &it the e'ception.

Incident%##(, it shou#d e st%ted th%t the under#(in$ re%son &or den(in$ the po)er torevo2e %&ter the %ppointee h%s !u%#i&ied is the #%tter


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'ADILLA, J., concurrin$*

Once "ore this Court h%s to p%ss upon %nd deter"ine % controvers( th%t c%##s &or %ninterpret%tion o& the provisions o& the Constitution. The &%cts th%t $%ve rise to the petitionneed not e rest%ted %s the( %re set &orth in opinion rendered &or the Court. The

!uestion is )hether the %ppoint"ent o& % person to % pu#ic o&&ice ( % 0resident )hoseter" o& o&&ice )%s %out to e'pire or ce%se is #%)&u# or does not contr%vene theConstitution6 or, i& #%)&u# %&ter the %ppointee h%s t%2en his o%th, unti# )hen )ou#d such%ppoint"ent e v%#id %nd e&&ective. The constitution%# point invo#ved see"s to h%veeen over#oo2ed the &r%"ers o& the Constitution. It )ou#d see" th%t the &r%"ers, )e##-"e%nin$ persons th%t the( )ere, never &ores%) %n eventu%#it( such %s the onecon&rontin$ the Repu#ic. The &r%"ers never thou$ht %nd %nticip%ted th%t citiene#ev%ted ( the peop#e to such %n e'%#ted o&&ice the 0resident o& the Repu#ic, )ou#dper&or" %n %ct )hich thou$h not e'press#( prohiited ( the Constitution %nd the #%),ou$ht not to e done, since % sense o& propriet( )ou#d e enou$h to stop hi" &ro"per&or"in$ it.

The petitioner invo2es section 4, p%r%$r%ph ?, %rtic#e :II, o& the Constitution )hichprovides th%t =

The 0resident sh%## h%ve the po)er to "%2e %ppoint"ents durin$ the recess o& the Con$ress, ut such %ppoint"ents sh%## e e&&ective on#( unti# dis%pprov%# (the Co""ission on Appoint"ents or unti# the ne't %djourn"ent o& the Con$ress.

Under these constitution%# provisions there see"s to e no dout th%t the 0resident"%( "%2e the %ppoint"ent, %nd i& %pproved ( the Co""ission on Appoint"ents, it)ou#d un!uestion%#( e #%)&u#, v%#id %nd e&&ective, ut i& dis%pproved or not %cted upon

( the Co""ission on Appoint"ents then the %ppoint"ent eco"es ine&&ectu%# %nd the%ppointee ce%ses %nd c%n no #on$er per&or" the duties o& the o&&ice to )hich he h%deen %ppointed.

It is ur$ed th%t the petitioner


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The $overn"ent est%#ished ( the Constitution is one o& chec2s %nd %#%nces toprec#ude %nd prevent %rro$%tion o& po)ers ( o&&icers e#ected or %ppointed under it.

Under the provisions o& the Constitution >The ter" o& o&&ice o& Sen%tors sh%## e si'(e%rs %nd sh%## e$in on the thirtieth d%( o& +ece"er ne't &o##o)in$ their e#ection.>

And >The ter" o& o&&ice o& the 5e"ers o& the ;ouse o& Represent%tives sh%## e &our (e%rs %nd sh%## e$in on the thirtieth d%( o& +ece"er ne't &o##o)in$ their e#ection.>

Under section 4, p%r%$r%ph ?, %rtic#e :II, o& the Constitution, %ove !uoted, the0resident "%( "%2e %ppoint"ents durin$ the recess o& the Con$ress, >ut such%ppoint"ents sh%## e e&&ective on#( unti# dis%pprov%# ( the Co""ission on

Appoint"ents or unti# the ne't %djourn"ent o& the Con$ress.> .

The ter" >recess>, in its ro%dest sense, "e%ns %nd re&ers to the intervenin$ periodet)een %djourn"ent o& % re$u#%r session o& one hundred d%(s e'c#usive o& Sund%(s,or o& % Speci%# session )hich c%nnot continue #on$er th%n thirt( d%(s, %nd theconvenin$ thereo& in re$u#%r session once ever( (e%r on the &ourth 5ond%( o& 9%nu%r(

or in speci%# session to consider $ener%# #e$is#%tion or on#( such sujects %s he 7the0resident8 "%( desi$n%te.3 And such intervenin$ period re&ers to the s%"e Con$ressth%t h%d %djourned %nd )%s to e convened. Such intervenin$ period c%nnot re&er tot)o di&&erent Con$resses, one th%t h%s %djourned %nd one ne)#( chosen or e#ected to"eet in re$u#%r session %s provided &or ( the Constitution, or in speci%# session ( thec%## o& the 0resident.

The ter" o& the 0resident ... sh%## end %t noon the thirtieth d%( o& +ece"er &o##o)in$ the e'pir%tion &our (e%rs %&ter 7his8 e#ection %nd the ter" o& 7his8successor sh%## e$in &ro" such ti"e.?

I& the ad interim %ppoint"ents "%de ( the 0resident durin$ the recess o& the Con$ress%re e&&ective on#( unti# dis%pprov%# ( the Co""ission on Appoint"ents or unti# the ne't%djourn"ent o& the Con$ress = % #i"it%tion on the po)er o& the 0resident = there is %co$ent %nd stron$ re%son &or ho#din$ to e the intent o& the &r%"ers o& the Constitutionth%t such %ppoint"ents "%de ( hi" ce%sed to e v%#id %nd e&&ective %&ter the ter" o& the Con$ress e'istin$ %t the ti"e o& the "%2in$ o& such %ppoint"ents h%d ended or e'pired. The end or e'pir%tion o& the o& the Con$ress e'istin$ %t the ti"e o& the "%2in$o& the ad interim %ppoint"ents ( the 0resident is % stron$er c%use or re%son &or the#%pse or ine&&ectu%#it( o& such %ppoint"ents th%n >the ne't %djourn"ent o& theCon$ress.> Since th%t Con$ress no #on$er e'ists %nd hence c%n no #on$er convene %ndthen >%djourn.> The e&&ectivit( %nd v%#idit( o& the %ppoint"ent o& the petitioner %s1overnor o& the Centr%# B%n2 ce%sed, #%psed %nd e'pired on thirtieth o& +ece"er /. ;e is no #on$er entit#ed ho#d the o&&ice to )hich he h%d een %ppointed. 5( vote,there&ore, is &or the deni%# o& the petition.

Dizon, J., concurs.

I concur )ith the &ore$oin$ concurrin$ opinion o& 9ustice 0%di##%, the s%"e ein$ %sedon %n %ddition%# $round justi&(in$ deni%# o& the petition under consider%tion.


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A(TISTA ANGELO, J., concurrin$* .

In %ddition to the re%sons st%ted in the reso#ution %dopted ( this Court on 9%nu%r( ,/, I )ish to e'press the &o##o)in$ vie)s* .

. The >"idni$ht %ppoint"ents> "%de ( 0resident 1%rci% )ere e'tended ( hi" under Section 4, 0%r%$r%ph ?, Artic#e :II o& the Constitution )hich provides* >The 0residentsh%## h%ve the po)er to "%2e %ppoint"ents durin$ the recess o& the Con$ress, ut such%ppoint"ents sh%## e e&&ective on#( unti# dis%pprov%# ( the Co""ission on

Appoint"ents or unti# the ne't %djourn"ent o& the Con$ress.> It is c#e%r th%t these%ppoint"ents c%n on#( e "%de durin$ the recess o& Con$ress ec%use the( %re ad interim %ppoint"ents.

The ter" >recess> h%s % de&inite #e$%# "e%nin$. It "e%ns the interv%# et)een % sessiono& Con$ress th%t h%s %djourned %nd %nother o& the s%"e Con$ress. It does not re&er tothe interv%# et)een the session o& one Con$ress %nd th%t o& %nother. In th%t c%se the

interv%# is not re&erred to %s % >recess> ut %n %djourn"ent sine die. Thus, in the c%se o& Tipton v. 0%r2er, G Ar2. ?, the court s%id* >The


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it provides th%t >such %ppoint"ents sh%## e e&&ective on#( unti# dis%pprov%# ( theCo""ission on Appoint"ents or unti# the ne't %djourn"ent o& the Con$ress> 7Section4, 0%r%$r%ph ?, Artic#e :II8. This "e%n th%t it "ust e su"itted to the Co""ission on

Appoint"ents o& the Con$ress th%t h%s cre%ted it. It c%nnot e su"itted to theCo""ission on Appoint"ents o& % di&&erent Con$ress. Since the %ppoint"ents in

!uestion )ere su"itted to the Co""ission on Appoint"ents )hich ce%sed to &unctionon +ece"er 34, /, the( #%psed upon the cess%tion o& s%id Co""ission.Conse!uent#(, the( c%n e rec%##ed ( the ne) Chie& E'ecutive.

3. An ad interim %ppoint"ent is not co"p#ete unti# the %ppointee t%2es the o%th o& o&&ice%nd %ctu%##( t%2es possession o& the position or enters upon the disch%r$e o& its duties.The "ere t%2in$ o& the o%th o& o&&ice )ithout %ctu%# %ssu"ption o& o&&ice is not su&&icientto constitute the %ppointee the %ctu%# occup%nt thereo& )ho "%( not e re"ovedthere&ro" e'cept &or c%use 75cChesne( v. S%"pson, 3 S.W. d. @?8. The c%se o& Summers . !zaeta, 0hi#., G@?, c%nnot e cited %s % precedent %s to )hen %n ad interim %ppoint"ent eco"es per"%nent %nd indin$. Th%t c%se invo#ves % c%d%str%#

jud$e )ho )%s $iven %n ad interim %ppoint"ent %s jud$e %t #%r$e. A&ter %ssu"in$ theo&&ice %nd disch%r$in$ his duties, his %ppoint"ent )%s not con&ir"ed. ;e c#%i"ed th%the cou#d sti## revert to his &or"er position %s c%d%str%# jud$e. True, this Court "%de %st%te"ent therein th%t %n ad interim %ppoint"ent eco"es per"%nent %&ter t%2in$ theo%th o& o&&ice, ut such st%te"ent is "ere#( %n obiter dictum ec%use the c%se cou#dh%ve een decided on the doctrine th%t, h%vin$ %ccepted %n inco"p%ti#e o&&ice,petitioner )%s dee"ed to h%ve %%ndoned the position o& c%d%str%# jud$e.

In re#(in$ on cert%in c%ses &or the proposition th%t once %n %ppointee h%s t%2en the o%tho& o&&ice his %ppoint"ent eco"es irrevoc%#e petitioner &%i#s to consider th%t in s%idc%ses there h%d either een %n %ctu%# disch%r$e o& dut( %nd %ctu%# ph(sic%# possession

or %ssu"ption o& o&&ice &o##o)in$ the o%th-t%2in$ %s to constitute the %ppointee theoccup%nt o& the position &ro" )hich he c%nnot e re"oved )ithout c%use. Even thec%se o& "arbury . "adison, Cr%nch, U.S. 3G, L. Ed., /, /, c%nnot e invo2ed %s% precedent, &or there the %ppointees )ere "ere#( no"in%ted %nd their no"in%tionscon&ir"ed ( the Co""ission on Appoint"ents even i& the( h%ve #%ter t%2en their o%tho& o&&ice. Cert%in#(, the( c%n no #on$er e deprived o& their %ppoint"ents &or then thee'ecutive )ou#d e %ctin$ in disre$%rd o& the con&ir"in$ od( )hich is % coordin%te %ndindependent od( not suject to his contro#.

Since the %ppoint"ents in !uestion )ere "%de not in the #i$ht o& the vie)s hereine'pressed, I %" o& the opinion th%t the( did not ripen into v%#id %nd per"%nent%ppoint"ents %nd %s such )ere proper#( rec%##ed ( the ne) Chie& E'ecutive.

CONCE'CION, J., concurrin$ in p%rt %nd dissentin$ in p%rt* .

It is )e## sett#ed th%t the $r%ntin$ o& )rits o& prohiition %nd mandamus is ordin%ri#()ithin the sound discretion o& the courts, to e e'ercised on e!uit%#e princip#es, %ndth%t s%id )rits shou#d e issued )hen the ri$ht to the re#ie& is c#e%r 7@@ C.9.S. @, , G3


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dec#%rin$ B%rour e#ected prosecutin$ %ttorne(. The issue )%s )ho h%d een %ppointedthereto. The court he#d th%t it )%s Coo$%n, he h%vin$ ot%ined % c#e%r "%jorit( %ndthere h%vin$ een no error or &r%ud in the votin$, %#thou$h it did not den( the po)er o& the convention to correct errors %nd to nu##i&( the e&&ects o& &r%ud in the votin$ (inv%#id%tin$ the s%"e %nd c%##in$ %nother e#ection, h%d the proceedin$s een t%inted

)ith such error or &r%ud.

The second c%se re&erred to % si"i#%r provision in % cit( ch%rter, to the e&&ect th%t%ppoint"ents ( the co""on counci# sh%## e ( %##ot %nd th%t the person receivin$ %p#ur%#it( o& %##ots sh%## e e#ected. The &irst %##otin$ t%2en &or the e#ection o& the cit(surve(or o& Bri$eport resu#ted in @ %##ots ein$ c%st. It )%s %nnounced th%t there )%sone %##ot "ore th%n "e"ers votin$, %nd th%t there )ere 3 %##ots &or Sco&ie#d, &or St%rr %nd one #%n2 %##ot. Sco&ie#d "%int%ined th%t this resu#t %"ounted to his%ppoint"ent prec#udin$ the counci# &ro" t%2in$ % ne) %##ot ut such pretense )%srejected. In%s"uch %s the nu"er o& %##ots c%st e'ceeded the nu"er o& personsvotin$, the counci# )%s justi&ied in e#ievin$ th%t the proceedin$ )%s not &ree &ro"

suspicion o& &r%ud or "ist%2e in the votin$ %nd, %ccordin$#( in t%2in$ %nother vote.

In oth c%ses, the &r%ud or "ist%2e %##uded to re&erred to the "%nner o& votin$ or o& countin$ the %##ots c%st, not to the intent o& the voters in choosin$ % p%rticu#%r %ppointee.

. An ad interim %ppoint"ent, "%de durin$ % recess o& Con$ress, is co"p#ete %ndirrevoc%#e upon the per&or"%nce o& the #%st %ct re!uired ( #%) &ro" the %ppointin$po)er, even )ithout previous notice to the %ppointee, or %ccept%nce ( hi", or )ithoutsuse!uent %ction o& the #e$is#%tive or$%n th%t "%( ter"in%te its e&&ectivit(.

In the c%se o& %ppoint"ent "%de ( % sin$#e e'ecutive such %s % $overnor,"%(or, etc., it is undisputed th%t the %ppoint"ent once "%de is irrevoc%#e.

' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' '

Where %n %ppoint"ent suject to con&ir"%tion ( the sen%te is "%de ( %$overnor durin$ % recess o& the sen%te, ... the !uestion %rises %s to )hether such%n %ppoint"ent "%( e reconsidered %nd )ithdr%)n ( the $overnor e&ore it is%cted upon ( the Sen%te.

' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' '

In Barrett . Duff 738 ? H%n. 4, G 0%c. , )here %ppoint"ents "%de( the $overnor durin$ % recess o& the #e$is#%ture, )hich %ppoint"ents cou#d note con&ir"ed ( the sen%te %s re!uired ( #%) unti# the ne't session o& th%t od(,)ere revo2ed ( the $overnor


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&ower of the e%ecutie hain$ been once e%ercised, he had no further control oer the office until the a&&ointee has been re'ected by the senate. > 7 ALR, pp.3, 3, ?4.8 .

3. The irrevoc%i#it( o& the ad interim %ppoint"ent %dverted to %ove eco"es "ore

%pp%rent )hen )e consider th%t the ;ouse, Co""ission on Appoint"ents or other %$enc( o& Con$ress ch%r$ed )ith the &unction o& ter"in%tin$ the e&&ectivit( o& such%ppoint"ent, "%( %ct thereon, ( %pprovin$ or dis%pprovin$ the s%"e, even thou$h theE'ecutive h%d not su"itted or &or)%rded it to s%id ;ouse, Co""ission or %$enc( o& Con$ress, %nd even thou$h either the out$oin$ or the inco"in$ E'ecutive sh%## h%vesu"itted &or con&ir"%tion the n%"e o& % suse!uent %ppointee in #ieu o& the &irst one..

This )%s the situ%tion "et in 0eop#e e' re#, +merson s. Shawer 734 W(o 3//, 0%c. 8. The &%cts therein )ere* On 9u#( , , 1overnor C%re( o& W(o"in$%ppointed E"erson %s st%te en$ineer, to &i## the v%c%nc( c%used ( the resi$n%tion o& itsincu"ent. Upon the e'pir%tion o& the #%tter


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opportunit(, %t the session o& Con$ress ne't &o##o)in$ the "%2in$ o& the %ppoint"ent =durin$ )hich it cou#d h%ve "et, %nd, pro%#(, did "eet = "ust e understood %s %ne'pression o& un)i##in$ness to st%"p its %pprov%# upon the %ct o& the e'ecutive. No suchopportunit( e'ists )hen the out$oin$ Con$ress h%s not he#d %n( session, re$u#%r or speci%# %&ter the "%2in$ o& the %ppoint"ent %nd e&ore the e'pir%tion o& the ter" o& s%id

Con$ress, %nd the ne) Con$ress h%s not, %s (et, or$%nied itse#& or even "et.

@. The A"eric%n ru#e concernin$ irrevoc%i#it( o& %ppoint"ents is o#stered up in the0hi#ippines ( Section ? o& Artic#e JII o& the Constitution, )hich provides th%t = >noo&&icer o& e"p#o(ee in the Civi# Service sh%## e re"oved e'cept &or c%use %s provided( #%).> 7Artic#e :II, Section ?.8 .

In &%ct, in his concurrin$ opinion in +raa s. -er$el de Dios 7@ 0hi#., G8, our distin$uished Chie& 9ustice pointed out th%t the revoc%tion o& %n %ppoint"ent, i& &e%si#e,>shou#d e co""unic%ted to the %ppointee before the "o"ent he !u%#i&ied,> %nd th%t>any reocation thereafter, is tantamount to remoal %nd "ust e jud$ed %ccordin$ to

the ru#es %pp#ic%#e to the re"ov%#> 7e"ph%sis ours8. In the present c%se, the revoc%tiono& petitioner..


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In this connection, it shou#d e noted th%t, %s %n %$enc( o& the Sen%te, the co""itteeinvo#ved in s%id c%se cou#d not oper%te &or its princip%# e(ond the #%tterrecess> %ppe%rin$ in Section 47?8 o& Artic#e :II o& our Constitution shou#d e construed to "e%n >)hi#e Con$ress is not in session> %nd this is

con&ir"ed ( the pr%ctice consistent#( oserved in the 0hi#ippines &or ti"e i""e"ori%#,%s )e## %s the ad interim %ppoint"ent e'tended ( 0resident 5%c%p%$%# to respondentC%sti##o.

. The c%se o& "c#hesney s. Sam&son 73 S. W. d. @?8 h%s, %#so, een invo2ed insupport o& the proposition th%t >%n ad interim %ppoint"ent is not co"p#ete unti# the%ppointee t%2es the o%th o& o&&ice and actually ta)es &ossession o& the position or enters upon the disch%r$e o& its duties> %nd th%t, e&ore such %ctu%# t%2in$ o& possession, thou$h %&ter the o%th t%2in$, the %ppointee "%( e re"oved )ithout c%use.

We h%ve not &ound in s%id c%se %n(thin$ justi&(in$ such c#%i". The issue in s%id c%se)%s )hether % st%te $overnor cou#d rec%## %n uncon&ir"ed %ppoint"ent o& 5cChesne(to the st%te te'too2 co""ission )hen there h%d een no session o& the Sen%tesuse!uent to the %ppoint"ent, %nd such issue )%s decided in the ne$atie.

A#thou$h, in %ddition to %cceptin$ the %ppoint"ent, 5cChesne( h%d !u%#i&ied %nde'ercised the &unction o& the o&&ice, the decision o& the Court c#e%r#( indic%tes th%t it )%snot necess%r( &or hi" either to disch%r$e the duties o& the o&&ice or even to t%2e the o%tho& o&&ice, in order to render his %ppoint"ent irrevoc%#e. The Court e'p#icit#( dec#%red


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th%t the %ppoint"ent, once >co"p#eted by the e%ecutie is not suject to reconsider%tionor rec%##6> th%t the %ppoint"ent >is co"p#ete )hen the a&&ointin$ authority h%sper&or"ed the %cts incu"ent upon hi" to %cco"p#ish the purpose6> %nd th%t in thec%se o& recess %ppoint"ents, #i2e th%t o& 5cChesne(,> the a&&ointment alone con&ersupon the %ppointee &or the ti"e ein$ the ri$ht to t%2e %nd ho#d the o&&ice %nd

constitutes the #%st %ct respectin$ the "%tter to e per&or"ed by the e%ecutie po)er>co"p#etin$ the %ppoint"ent %nd renderin$ the s%"e irrevoc%#e.

In short, the 5cChesne( c%se is %uthorit( &or the petitioner herein.

. 5ost, i& not %## %ppoint"ents "%de ( the 0resident h%ve t)o 78 %spects, n%"e#(,the #e$%# %nd the po#itic%#. The &irst re&ers to his %uthorit( to "%2e the %ppoint"ent. Thesecond de%#s )ith the )isdo" in the e'ercise o& such %uthorit(, %s )e## %s )ith itspropriet(. Whether $iven v%c%nc( or nu"er o& v%c%ncies shou#d e &i##ed, or )ho%"on$ sever%# !u%#i&ied persons sh%## e chosen, or )hether % $iven %ppoint"ent or nu"er o& %ppoint"ent )i## &%vor the po#itic%# p%rt( to )ho" the po)er o& %ppoint"ent

e#on$s %nd )i## injure the interest o& % riv%# po#itic%# p%rt( %nd to )h%t e'tent, %re, to "("ind, essenti%##( %nd t(pic%##( po#itic%# "%tters. ;ence, I e#ieve th%t the !uestion)hether cert%in %ppoint"ents shou#d e s%nctioned or turned do)n ( re%son o& thei"proper, i""or%# or "%#evo#ent "otives )ith )hich s%id "%tters )ere %##e$ed#(h%nd#ed is, #i2e)ise, c#e%r#( po#itic%#, %nd %s such, its deter"in%tion e#on$s, not to thecourts o& justice 7:er% vs. Ave#ino, GG 0hi#., , 4@6 / C.9.S /-/46 Wi##ou$h( onthe Constitution, :o#. III 3/-3G8, ut to the po#itic%# or$%n est%#ished precise#( tochec2 possi#e %uses in the e'ercise o& the %ppointin$ po)er = the Co""ission on

Appoint"ents.

Indeed, I c%n h%rd#( conceive o& %n( !uestion "ore p%tent#( %nd ch%r%cteristic%##(

po#itic%# th%n this one, or "ore %ppropri%te &or deter"in%tion o& s%id od(. Neither thepossi#e or pro%#e contro# thereo& ( "e"ers o& the N%cion%#ist% 0%rt( nor thenu"er o& o&&ices or %ppoint"ents invo#ved c%n %&&ect the n%ture o& the issue. Sure#(, itspo#itic%# ch%r%cter is the s%"e )hichever po#itic%# p%rt( "%( h%ve the #%r$est nu"er o& votes in the Co""ission on Appoint"ents. The i$ nu"er o& s%id %ppoint"ents "ere#(tend to "%2e "ore "%ni&est the po#itic%# co"p#e'ion thereo& %nd its non-justi&i%#en%ture.

4. In !smea s. Pendatum 7L-G??, Octoer , /48, )e re&used to distur the%ction o& the ;ouse o& Represent%tives in suspendin$ % "e"er thereo& = )ho h%d"%de dero$%tor( i"put%tions %$%inst the 0resident o& the 0hi#ippines = upon the$round th%t such i"put%tions constituted % re%ch o& the courtes( due to % coordin%ter%nch o& the 1overn"ent. Fet, in the present c%se, i"put%tions si"i#%r#( dero$%tor( tothe s%"e r%nch o& the 1overn"ent %re, in e&&ect, "%de in the "%jorit( reso#ution.

I c%nnot see ho) such i"put%tions c%n e reconci#ed )ith the position t%2en ( thisCourt in the !smea c%se %nd in other c%ses 7B%rce#on% vs. B%2er, @ 0hi#., G6Severino vs. 1overnor-1ener%#, / 0hi#., 3//6 Auev% vs. Wood, ?@ 0hi#., /6

A#ej%ndrino vs. ueon, ?/ 0hi#., @6 5%%n%$ vs. Lope :ito, G 0hi#., 6 C%i#i vs.


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r%ncisco, L-?/3, 5%( , @8 in )hich it >&%stidious#( oserved> the theor( o& sep%r%tion o& po)ers 7Os"eD% vs. 0end%tu", su&ra8. Thus, in Santos s. atco 7@@ O&&.1%. /?8, in )hich % dep%rt"ent he%d )%s sou$ht to e enjoined &ro" e#ectioneerin$,in vie) o& the e'p#icit provision o& the Civi# Service Act o& @ 7Repu#ic Act No. /4,section 8, prohiitin$ %## o&&icers %nd e"p#o(ees in the civi# service, >)hether in the

co"petitive or c#%ssi&ied, or non-co"petitive or unc#%ssi&ied service,> &ro" en$%$in$direct#( or indirect#( in p%rtis%n po#itic%# %ctivities or t%2in$ p%rt in %n( e#ection e'cept tovote, )e he#d th%t the issue therein r%ised )%s one o& >i"propriet( %s distin$uished &ro"i##e$%#it(,> %nd th%t, %s such, it >is not justici%#e ( this Court.> In "abana$ s. Lo&ez -ito 7G 0hi#., 8, )e re&used to decide, upon the s%"e $round, )hether speci&iednu"ers o& votes constituted three-&ourths o& %## "e"ers o& e%ch ;ouse o& Con$ress.In -era s. Aelino 7GG 0hi#., 8, )e not on#( dec#%red th%t >the judici%r( is not therepositor( o& re"edies &or %## po#itic%# or soci%# evi#s,> ut, %#so, !uoted )ith %pprov%# thest%te"ent, "%de in Ale'andrino s. /uezon 7?/ 0hi#., 8, to the e&&ect th%t >the judici%#dep%rt"ent h%s no po)er to revise even the "ost %ritr%r( %nd un&%ir %ction o& the#e$is#%tive dep%rt"ent, or o& either ;ouse thereo&, t%2en in pursu%nce o& the po)er

co""itted e'c#usive#( to th%t dep%rt"ent ( the Constitution.> 7E"ph%sis ours.8 .

. In the present c%se, )e h%ve co"p#ete#( reversed our st%nd on the princip#e o& sep%r%tion o& po)ers. We h%ve in!uired into the "otives o& the E'ecutive dep%rt"ent in"%2in$ the %ppoint"ents in !uestion, %#thou$h it is )e## sett#ed, under the%&ore"entioned princip#e, th%t* .

1ener%##( courts c%nnot in!uire into the "otive, po#ic(, )isdo", or e'pedienc( o& #e$is#%tion.

The justice, )isdo", po#ic(, necessit(, or e'pedienc(, o& % #%) )hich is )ithin its po)ers

%re &or the #e$is#%ture, %nd %re not open to in!uir( ( the courts, e'cept %s %n %id toproper interpret%tion.> 7/ C.9.S. ?G-?G8 .

I& this is true %s re$%rds the #e$is#%tive r%nch o& the $overn"ent, I c%n see no v%#idre%son, %nd none h%s een pointed out, )h( the s%"e nor" shou#d not $overn our re#%tions, )ith the e'ecutive dep%rt"ent. ;o)ever, )e h%ve not "ere#( disre$%rdedsuch nor". We %re, %#so, in e&&ect, restr%inin$ the Co""ission on Appoint"ents = %nor$%n o& % coordin%te, co-e!u%# r%nch o& the 1overn"ent = &ro" %ctin$ on the!uestioned %ppoint"ents. Wh%t is "ore, )e %re virtu%##( %ssu"in$ in %dv%nce th%t s%idod( = )hich h%s not een or$%nied %s (et %nd )hose "e"ership is sti##undeter"ined = )i## not %ct in h%r"on( )ith the spirit o& our Constitution.

. It is trite to s%( th%t cert%in "or%# %nd po#itic%# %spects o& the issue e&ore us c%nnotut produce % stron$ %version to)%rds the c%se o& petitioner herein %nd the hundreds o& others %ppointed under the s%"e conditions %s he )%s. A#thou$h "e"ers o& the ench"ust %#)%(s ende%vor to "ini"ie the inuence o& e"otion%# &%ctors tendin$ to %&&ectthe ojectivit( essenti%# to % &%ir %nd i"p%rti%# %ppr%is%# o& the issues su"itted &or their deter"in%tion, it is on#( n%tur%# = %nd, I venture to %dd, &ortun%te 7&or, other)ise, ho)cou#d the( hope to do justice to their &e##o)"en8 = th%t the( shou#d %sic%##( re%ct %s


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I. The :%#idit( o& A(ton%recess> "e%ns >the

inter"ission et)een sittin$s o& the s%"e od( %t its re$u#%r or %djourned session, %ndnot to the interv%# et)een the &in%# %djourn"ent o& one od( %nd the convenin$ o& %nother %t the ne't re$u#%r session. When %pp#ied to % #e$is#%tive od(, it "e%ns %te"por%r( dis"iss%#, %nd not %djourn"ent sine die.> In support o& this vie), counse#cites the c%se o& (i&ton . Par)er, G Ar2. 3, &ro" )hich the &ore$oin$ !uot%tion )%st%2en.

An e'%"in%tion o& this c%se, ho)ever, disc#oses th%t it did not re&er to the po)er o& the0resident to "%2e ad interim %ppoint"ents. The pronounce"ent )%s "%de inconnection )ith the interpret%tion o& Section G, Artic#e @ o& the Constitution o& the St%teo& Ar2%ns%s. The c%se invo#ved the v%#idit( o& the certi&ic%te o& the %uditor )ith re&erence

to the #e$%#it( o& the e'penses o& % co""ittee o& the St%te Sen%te %uthoried ( the#%tter to "%2e cert%in investi$%tions e(ond the dur%tion o& the session o& the 1ener%# Asse"#(. The court, in dec#%rin$ the certi&ic%te )ithout s%nction o& #%), st%ted* .

>The Sen%te h%s no po)er ( reso#ution o& its o)n to e'tend its session, %ndneither did it h%ve po)er to such sep%r%te reso#ution to continue its co""ittee, %"ere %$enc( o& the od(, e(ond the ter" o& the od( itse#& )hich cre%ted it.> .

in vie) o& the provisions o& the %&ore"entioned Section G, Artic#e @ o& the st%teConstitution prescriin$ >th%t the re$u#%r ienni%# session o& the Le$is#%ture sh%## note'ceed /4 d%(s, un#ess ( K3 vote o& the "e"ers e#ected to e%ch house, %nd section

3 re!uirin$ % vote o& the "%jorit( o& e%ch house to en%ct % #%) or p%ss % reso#utionh%vin$ the &orce %nd e&&ect o& % #%)>. App%rent#( %n opinion o& 9ud$e Coo#e( see"in$#(to the contr%r( )%s cited to re&ute this vie) o& the court, %nd so the decision )ent on tos%(*

E%ch house, s%(s 9ud$e Coo#e(, "ust %#so e %##o)ed to proceed in its o)n )%(in the co##ection o& such in&or"%tion "%( see" i"port%nt to % proper disch%r$e o& its &unctions6 %nd )henever it is dee"ed desir%#e th%t )itnesses shou#d ee'%"ined, the po)er %nd the %uthorit( to do so is ver( proper#( re&erred to %co""ittee, )ith %n( such po)ers short o& &in%# #e$is#%tive or judici%# %ction %s"%( see" necess%r( or e'pedient in the p%rticu#%r c%se. Such % co""ittee h%s

no %uthorit( to sitdurin$ a recess of the house

)hich h%s %ppointed it, )ithout itsper"ission to th%t e&&ect. But the house is at liberty to confer such authority if it sees fit.

It is in this connection %nd evident#( in % desire to e'p#%in the opinion o& 9ud$e Coo#e(th%t the court "%de the pronounce"ent re#ied upon ( respondents, thus* .


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.... The recess here re&erred to ( 9ud$e Coo#e( )e thin2 shou#d e construed to"e%n on#( the inter"ission et)een sittin$s o& the s%"e od( %t its re$u#%r or %djourned session, %nd not to the interv%# et)een the &in%# %djourn"ent o& oneod( %nd the convenin$ o& %nother %t the ne't re$u#%r session. When %pp#ied to% #e$is#%tive od(, it "e%ns % te"por%r( dis"iss%# %nd not %n %djourn"ent sine

die.

The conc#usion re%ched ( the court c%n not e other)ise. The c%se re&ers to thepo)ers o& one house o& the st%te Le$is#%ture, )ith the concurrence o& the other, tocon&er %uthorit( upon its o)n co""ittee to %ct e(ond the dur%tion o& the session o& the1ener%# Asse"#(. Cert%in#(, 9ud$e Coo#e(recess> "e%ns >the inter"ission between sittin$s o& the same body.>Since the @th Con$ress h%s not %s (et even convened, the period et)een +ece"er 34 %nd 9%nu%r( c%n not e % recess o& the @th Con$ress ec%use it, de&inite#(, is not%n inter"ission et)een sittin$s o& the s%"e od(.


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In the circu"st%nces, it see"s it is %n over-st%te"ent to s%( th%t the ter" >recess h%s %de&inite #e$%# "e%nin$ in the sense %ttriuted to it in the (i&ton s. Par)er c%se. Thecon&usion in the "inds o& the sever%# counse#s &or the respondents %s to the %pp#ic%tiono& the %##e$ed "e%nin$ o& the ter", indic%tes % e#%ored e&&ort on their p%rt to i"pute %"e%nin$ to s%tis&( their c%se. Upon the other h%nd, )e &ind in >;inds 0recedents o& the

;ouse o& Represent%tives> 7:o#. @, pp. @-@38, % #e$is#%tive interpret%tion ( theUnited St%tes Sen%te "%de durin$ the discussion o& the ter" >recess o& the Sen%te> inconnection )ith the 0resident


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Sen%te, )hich )i## h%ve the e&&ect o& %n %ppoint"ent "%de in the recessoccurrin$ et)een t)o sessions o& the Sen%te.> 70resident - Appoint"entO&&icers - ;o#id%( Recess, 4, 3 Op. Att(. 1en. @, 7U.S.C.A. Const. Art. ,Sec. M..

It is )orth)hi#e to note th%t our Constitution in p%r%$r%ph ?, Section 4 o& Artic#e :IIspe%2s o& >recess> )ithout "%2in$ %n( distriution et)een the sessions one con$ress%nd the sessions o& %nother. And it is trite to s%( th%t )hen the #%) "%2es no distinction,no distinction shou#d e "%de, especi%##( i& to do so )ou#d resu#t in % str%inedinterpret%tion thereo& %nd de&e%t the evident purpose o& the &r%"ers o& the Constitution -in this inst%nce, to render it cert%in th%t %t ti"es there shou#d e, )hether the Con$ressis in session or not, %n o&&icer &or ever( o&&ice, entit#ed to disch%r$e the duties thereo&. 7@;inds, op. cit., p. @3.8 .

II. La&sin$ of Aytona*s A&&ointment1 .

It is contended &or the respondents th%t since "e"ers o& the Co""ission on Appoint"ents ce%sed to e such upon the e'pir%tion o& their ter" o& o&&ice %t "idni$ht o& +ece"er , /, the Co""ission on Appoint"ents #i2e)ise ce%sed to e'ist on thetheor( th%t cre%tion c%n not e'ist e(ond the #i&e o& its cre%tor %t #e%st )ith respect toone-h%#& o& its "e"ers. This see"s to ste" &ro" the )ron$ notion th%t theCo""ission on Appoint"ents is % cre%ture o& the Con$ress. This con&uses theCo""ission on Appoint"ents %s % constitution%# od( )ith its "e"ers. The od(continued to e'ist, ut on#( its "e"ership ch%n$es periodic%##(. When the Constitutionprovides in Section 3 o& Artic#e / thereo& th%t >the E#ector%# Triun%#s %nd theCo""ission on Appoint"ents sh%## e constituted )ithin 34 d%(s %&ter the Sen%te %ndthe ;ouse o& Represent%tives sh%## h%ve een or$%nied )ith the e#ection o& their

0resident %nd Spe%2er, respective#(>, it did not "e%n th%t the Sen%te %nd the ;ouse o& Represent%tives there( cre%te s%id odies, no "ore th%n the 0resident c%n e s%id tocre%te the Supre"e Court ( %ppointin$ the 9ustices therein. It si"p#( ord%ined th%t theCo""ission e constituted or or$%nied ( e#ectin$ the "e"ers thereo&, )hosepositions h%ve %#re%d( een cre%ted in virtue o& Section o& the s%"e Constitution. Toho#d the E#ector%# Triun%#s %nd the Co""ission on Appoint"ents %re non-e'istin$durin$ the period &ro" +ece"er 34, / to 9%nu%r( , / 7%nd durin$ thecorrespondin$ period ever( &our (e%rs there%&ter8 )i## resu#t in %n %surdit( %nd %situ%tion destructive o& the nor"%# processes provided in the Constitution. One o& such%surd resu#ts )ou#d e th%t no e#ector%# protest %$%inst %n( e#ected %nd proc#%i"edcon$ress"%n or sen%tor c%n e #e$%##( &i#ed )ith the E#ector%# Triun%#s )ithin theperiod prescrie ( their ru#es, th%t is, )ithin &i&teen d%(s &o##o)in$ the proc#%"%tion o& the resu#ts o& the e#ection, )hich period &%##s )ithin the ti"e )hen the E#ector%# Triun%#s7%s is the c%se o& Co""ission on Appoint"ents8 %re %##e$ed#( non-e'istent.

The proceedin$s in the Constitution%# Convention %re cited to support the theor( th%tthe Co""ission on Appoint"ents is not % per"%nent co""ission. A revie) o& therecords, ho)ever, o& th%t convention reve%#s th%t )h%t )%s intended in the proposeddr%&t )%s to %uthorie the Co""ission on Appoint"ents to ho#d sessions even )hen the


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Con$ress is not in session. The "ere &%ct th%t such % propos%# )%s de&e%ted %nd,conse!uent#(, the )ord >per"%nent> )%s not %dopted in the &in%# te't, does not i"portth%t the Constitution "e%nt to $ive %n o&& %nd on e'istence to the Co""ission on

Appoint"ents #%psin$ ever( &our (e%rs )hen the t)e#ve o& its "e"ers ce%se to esuch. On the contr%r(, it see"s "ore #o$ic%# to ho#d th%t the #e$%# e'istence o& the

Co""ission %s )e## %s the E#ector%# Triun%#s continue irrespective o& the v%c%nciesth%t "%( e'ist in the "e"ership thereo&. It is &or this re%son th%t the personne# o& theseodies do not ce%se periodic%##(, ut continue to per&or" their duties in their respectiveo&&ices &or )hich the( %re #e$%##( p%id their s%#%ries ( the $overn"ent. It see"s c#e%r,there&ore, th%t the Co""ission on Appoint"ents did not #%pse on +ece"er , /.Neither did the %ppoint"ent o& A(ton% #%pse on th%t d%te ec%use the s%"e cou#d note %cted upon ( the Co""ission on Appoint"ents durin$ the recess o& the Con$ress.

III. "ay the a&&ointment of Aytona be le$ally recalled or withdrawn after he hasqualified for the &osition to which he was a&&ointed2 .

0recedents %re to the e&&ect th%t )hen once %n %ppoint"ent h%s een e'tended ( theChie& E'ecutive )ho, %s is provided in our Constitution, h%s the so#e po)er o& %ppoint"ent suject on#( to the consent o& the Co""ission on Appoint"ents, %nd the%ppointee h%s %ccepted the %ppoint"ent, the s%"e eco"es co"p#ete %nd the%ppointin$ po)er c%n not )ithdr%) it e'cept in c%ses )here the tenure o& the %ppointeeis %t the Chie& E'ecutiveno o&&icer or e"p#o(ee in the Civi# Service sh%## ere"oved or suspended e'cept &or c%use %s provided ( #%).> I&, there&ore, the rec%## or the )ithdr%)%# o& the %ppoint"ent o& A(ton% )%s not %uthoried ( #%), then his

%ssu"ption o& the &unctions o& his o&&ice on 9%nu%r( , / )%s c#e%r#( )ithin his #e$%#ri$ht %nd the inter&erence o& C%sti##o, %$$r%v%ted ( the %ssist%nce or %t #e%st thepresence o& "e"ers o& the Ar"ed orces, )%s c#e%r#( un#%)&u#.

The &ore$oin$ disposes, in "( opinion, the #e$%# issue %nd the ri$hts o& the p%rties in thepresent c%se. But %$%inst these, to "e, c#e%r "%nd%tes o& the Constitution %nd the #e$%#%nd judici%# precedents, respondents h%ve %ppe%#ed to this Court &or it to e'ercise>judici%# st%tes"%nship> invo2in$ the spirit o& the Constitution. It is c#%i"ed th%t there)%s % "%ni&est %use o& po)er ( the out$oin$ 0resident in e'tendin$, on the eve o& the e'pir%tion o& his ter", so"e three hundred %nd &i&t( ad interim %ppoint"ents to &i## %ne!u%# nu"er o& v%c%ncies in the di&&erent r%nches o& the $overn"ent6 th%t no proper consider%tion )%s $iven o& the "erits o& the %ppointees, it %ppe%rin$ th%t in the c%se o& %t #e%st so"e o& the %ppointees to the judici%r(, their %ssur%nce o& %n i""edi%te%ssu"ption o& o&&ice or the t%2in$ o& o%th )%s "%de % condition precedent to the%ppoint"ents, %nd th%t there )%s % )i#d scr%"#e in 5%#%c%D%n %"on$ the %ppointeeson the ni$ht o& +ece"er . We %re sc%nd%#ied ( this %nd e'pect the Court to %pp#(the re"ed(. Wh%t o& the proceedin$s in Con$ress durin$ the #%st d%( o& session )heni##s %&ter i##s %re p%ssed in % "%nner not too dissi"i#%r to the descried scene in


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5%#%c%D%n C%n the Supre"e Court e e'pected to correct this too ( dec#%rin$ %##such #%)s %s inv%#id just %s )e %re %s2ed to inv%#id%te these %ppoint"ents .

Be this %s it "%(, )h%tever "%( e our person%# vie)s on this "%tter, I %$ree )ith 5r.9ustice Concepcion th%t not %## )ron$s or even %use o& po)er c%n e corrected ( the

e'ercise o& the hi$h prero$%tives o& the Supre"e Court vested in it ( the Constitution. As I t%2e it, the hi$her %nd "ore de#ic%te is the prero$%tive, the $re%ter shou#d e thede$ree o& se#&-restr%int in the e'ercise thereo&, #est the &ine %nd tested sc%#e o& chec2s%nd %#%nces set up ( the Constitution e j%rred. In the s%"e "%nner th%t )e e'pectcircu"spection %nd c%re, even dou#e c%re, on the p%rt o& the other t)o co-e!u%#coordin%te dep%rt"ents o& the $overn"ent, so "ust )e e "ost c%utious %nd s#o) in

jud$in$ the "or%#it(, propriet( %nd $ood &%ith invo#ved in the %ctu%tions o& the other dep%rt"ents in "%tters co"in$ )ithin their co"petence. The re"ed(, I e#ieve, under the circu"st%nces is )ith the Co""ission on Appoint"ents to )hich the %ppoint"entsh%ve een su"itted. The "ore &%ct th%t it is e'pected th%t the Co""ission on

Appoint"ents )ou#d e contro##ed ( the p%rt( o& the out$oin$ 0resident is i""%teri%#,

ec%use #e$%# processes c%n not e "%de to depend upon the &ortunes o& po#itic%#p%rties, &or there is sti## the u#ti"%te re"ed( ( the peop#e in %## %uthorit(. At %n( r%te, %sh%s %#re%d( een %pt#( s%id* the judici%r( is not the repositor( o& re"edies &or %## po#itic%#or soci%# evi#s, %nd th%t the judici%# dep%rt"ent h%s no po)er to revise even %ritr%r( or un&%ir %ction o& the other dep%rt"ents t%2en in pursu%nce o& the po)er co""ittede'c#usive#( to those dep%rt"ents ( the Constitution..

5%( I %dd* %## the sc%nd%#ous circu"st%nces rou$ht to the %ttention o& this Court didnot #in2 the petitioner herein, s%ve &or the &%ct th%t this %ppoint"ent )%s e'tended onthe s%"e d%( %s those issued under the unusu%# %nd irre$u#%r circu"st%nces %ttendin$the other %ppoint"ents. I& %t %##, there is evidence in &%vor o& A(ton% to the e&&ect th%t

inso&%r %s he is concerned, his %ppoint"ent to the position o& 1overnor o& the Centr%#B%n2 h%s een under consider%tion &or % #on$ ti"e %nd th%t he is !u%#i&ied &or theposition. It c%n not, there&ore e s%id th%t )ith respect to hi" there )%s no "%turede#ier%tion %nd due consider%tion o& his !u%#i&ic%tions %nd o& the need o& the service.he ch%r$e )%s "%de th%t the position o& 1overnor o& the Centr%# B%n2 h%s een v%c%nt&or sever%# "onths %nd th%t the 0resident shou#d h%ve &i##ed it e%r#ier. Fet, )hen the0resident %ctu%##( &i##ed it %s he did, he is criticied c#%i"in$ th%t there )%s no i""edi%teneed &or such %ction in vie) o& the &%ct th%t there )%s %n Actin$ 1overnor. Th%t it )%sre%##( necess%r( to &i## the position is evidenced ( the %ct o& 0resident 5%c%p%$%#hi"se#& in "%2in$ his o)n %ppoint"ent h%rd#( t)ent(-&our hours %&ter he rec%##ed the%ppoint"ent o& A(ton%.

Su""%riin$, I )ou#d s%( th%t %## the circu"st%nces cited ( the respondents th%t h%vesurrounded the issu%nce o& the %ppoint"ents in !uestion, h%ve to do )ith the "ode or "%nner o& the e'ercise o& the %uthorit( to "%2e the %ppoint"ent, !uite %p%rt &ro" thee'istence o& the %uthorit( itse#&. The oserv%nce o& $ood &%ith, "or%#it( %nd propriet( (the other t)o co-e!u%# coordin%te dep%rt"ents in the per&or"%nce o& their &unctions"ust e secured ( their sense o& dut( %nd o&&ici%# o%th h%nd not ( %n( supervisor(po)er o& the courts..


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The ro#e o& courts in our sche"e o& $overn"ent is to interpret the #%) %nd render justiceunder it. This si"p#( "e%ns th%t )h%tever "%( e our o)n person%# &ee#in$s %s to thepropriet(, "or%#it(, or )isdo" o& %n( o&&ici%# %ct or %ctu%tion o& % pu#ic o&&icer or %n(%$enc( o& the $overn"ent )ithin their respective co"petence rou$ht to the %ttention o& the Court &or %djudic%tion, the( shou#d not e per"itted to prev%i# over c#e%r #e$%#

consider%tions, &or ours is % re$i"e under the Ru#e o& L%)..

In vie) o& the &ore$oin$, I %" constr%ined to re$ister "( dissent.

civil case 6.docx

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