Title
Pharmaceutical and Health Care Association vs. Duque III
Case
G.R. No. 173034
Decision Date
Oct 9, 2007
PHCAP challenged DOH's stricter RIRR under the Milk Code, arguing it violated constitutional rights. SC ruled some provisions unconstitutional, upholding others, balancing breastfeeding promotion with commercial speech rights.

Case Digest (G.R. No. 173034)
Expanded Legal Reasoning Model

Facts:

  • Parties and Background
    • Petitioner Pharmaceutical and Health Care Association of the Philippines (PHAP) challenged Department of Health (DOH) A.O. No. 2006-0012 (Revised Implementing Rules & Regulations of EO No. 51 “Milk Code”), alleging excess of authority and constitutional infirmities.
    • Respondents were Health Secretary Duque III, undersecretaries, assistant secretaries, and the DOH as co-respondent.
  • Procedural History
    • May 15, 2006: DOH issued the Revised IRR, effective July 7, 2006.
    • June 28, 2006: PHAP filed a petition for certiorari under Rule 65 with prayer for TRO/preliminary injunction; TRO granted August 15, 2006 enjoining RIRR implementation.
    • June 19, 2007: Oral arguments held; issues framed over standing, conformity with EO 51, implementation of international agreements, due process/restraint of trade, and sufficiency of standards.

Issues:

  • Standing
    • Whether PHAP, as an association, is the real party in interest with standing to sue.
  • Validity of RIRR
    • Whether RIRR is constitutional and within DOH’s jurisdiction under EO 51 (Milk Code).
    • Whether pertinent international agreements (CRC, ICESCR, CEDAW, ICMBS, WHA resolutions) are self-executing or require transformation, and whether RIRR duly implements them.
    • Whether specific provisions (Sections 4(f), 5(w), 11, 13, 22, 32, 46, 52) violate due process or constitute undue restraint of trade.
    • Whether Section 13’s “Total Effect” standard is sufficiently definite.

Ruling:

  • (Subscriber-Only)

Ratio:

  • (Subscriber-Only)

Doctrine:

  • (Subscriber-Only)

Analyze Cases Smarter, Faster
Jur helps you analyze cases smarter to comprehend faster—building context before diving into full texts.