GOVERNOR EMILIO M.R. OSMEÑA, (Province of Cebu), GOVERNOR ROBERTO PAGDANGANAN, on behalf of the League of Governors of the Philippines, REPRESENTATIVES PABLO P. GARCIA (3rd District-Cebu), RAUL vs. . DEL MAR (North District, Cebu City), ANTONIO T. BACALTOS (1st District-Cebu), WILFREDO G. CAINGLET…
- G.R. Number: G.R. No. 100318
- Promulgated: 1991-05-14
- Ponente: Paras, J.
Doctrine
The judiciary may review acts of the Legislative and Executive branches to determine legality and to remedy grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction.
Where a constitutional stalemate exists and jurisdiction is properly invoked, the Court must act to interpret and apply the Constitution rather than substitute its will for other branches.
Facts
Petitioners challenged the legality of Republic Act No. 7056 on grounds including violation of the Constitution's provision on synchronization of elections.
Respondents contended the matter was political and nonjusticiable, but the Court found the challenge to involve the legality, not the wisdom, of the statute.
Given the public importance and constitutional questions raised, the Court set aside technical procedural objections and took cognizance of the petition.
The Solicitor General did not directly refute petitioners' constitutional arguments on synchronization of elections.
Issues
Whether the Supreme Court has jurisdiction to review the constitutionality of Republic Act No. 7056 despite arguments that the matter is political and nonjusticiable.
Whether Republic Act No. 7056 violates the Constitution (particularly the provision on synchronization of elections) and should be declared unconstitutional.
Ruling
The Court held it has competence to hear the case: the issue concerns legality, not political discretion, and political questions may be reviewed under the Court's expanded jurisdiction when grave abuse of discretion is alleged.
Republic Act No. 7056 was declared UNCONSTITUTIONAL, NULL and VOID; the earlier restraining order is made permanent and no costs were awarded.