Case Digest (G.R. No. 232395)
Facts:
- Petitioners: Pedro S. Agcaoili, Jr., Encarnacion A. Gaor, Josephine P. Calajate, Genedine D. Jambaro, Eden C. Battulayan, Evangeline C. Tabulog, and Maria Imelda Josefa "Imee" R. Marcos.
- Respondents: Representatives Rodolfo C. Fariñas, Johnny T. Pimentel, and Lt. Gen. Roland Detabali (Ret.), Sergeant-at-Arms of the House of Representatives.
- Background: On March 14, 2017, House Resolution No. 882 was introduced to investigate the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte's use of excise tax shares, particularly regarding alleged violations of Republic Act No. 7171.
- Petitioners, employees of the Provincial Government, were summoned to testify but did not appear, leading to a subpoena.
- They claimed intimidation and threats during hearings, resulting in citations for contempt and detention.
- On May 30, 2017, they filed a Petition for Habeas Corpus with the Court of Appeals (CA), which initially ordered their release but later dismissed the petition as moot after their release on July 13, 2017.
- The petitioners then filed an Omnibus Petition seeking the Supreme Court's jurisdiction over the Habeas Corpus Petition, a writ of prohibition against the legislative inquiry, and a writ of Amparo for protection.
Issue:
- (Unlock)
Ruling:
- The Supreme Court dismissed the Omnibus Petition.
- The petition for the issuance of a writ of Habeas Corpus was rendered moot by the petitioners' release from detention.
- The Court cannot assume jurisdiction over the Habeas Corpus Petition as it was already pending before the CA.
- The legislative inquiry cannot be enjoined by a writ of prohibition a...(Unlock)
Ratio:
- The Court determined that the release of the petitioners from detention made the Habeas Corpus Petition moot, as the writ's primary purpose is to address involuntary restraint.
- Jurisdiction over such petitio...continue reading
Case Digest (G.R. No. 232395)
Facts:
The case involves an Omnibus Petition filed by petitioners Pedro S. Agcaoili, Jr., Encarnacion A. Gaor, Josephine P. Calajate, Genedine D. Jambaro, Eden C. Battulayan, Evangeline C. Tabulog, and co-petitioner Maria Imelda Josefa "Imee" R. Marcos against various respondents including Representatives Rodolfo C. Fariñas and Johnny T. Pimentel, and Lt. Gen. Roland Detabali (Ret.), in his capacity as Sergeant-at-Arms of the House of Representatives. The events leading to the petition began on March 14, 2017, when House Resolution No. 882 was introduced, directing the Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability to investigate the use of excise tax shares by the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte, particularly regarding alleged violations of Republic Act No. 7171. The petitioners, all employees of the Provincial Government, were summoned to testify but failed to appear at the initial hearings, leading to a subpoena being issued for their attendance. They claimed they were subjected to intimidation and threats during the hearings, resulting in citations for contempt and subsequent detention. On May 30, 2017, they filed a Petition for Habeas Corpus before the Court of Appeals (CA), which issued a writ ordering their release. However, the CA later dismissed the petition as moot after the petitioners were released from detention on July 13, 2017. The petitioners then filed the Omnibus Petition seeking the Court's assumption of jurisdictio...