Title
Sanlakas vs. Reyes
Case
G.R. No. 159085
Decision Date
Feb 3, 2004
In 2003, AFP soldiers occupied Oakwood, protesting corruption. President Arroyo declared a "state of rebellion," later lifted. SC ruled the declaration valid but legally insignificant, dismissing petitions as moot.

Case Digest (G.R. No. 159085)
Expanded Legal Reasoning Model

Facts:

  • Consolidation of Petitions
    • Four petitions filed before the Supreme Court:
      • G.R. No. 159085 by Sanlakas (Rep. J.V. Bautista) and Partido ng Manggagawa (Rep. Renato Magsumbo)
      • G.R. No. 159103 by Social Justice Society officers/members (Alcantara, Albano, Gorospe, Sandoval, Mapile)
      • G.R. No. 159185 by House Representatives Suplico, Padilla, Lobregat, Amin, Mitra, Talino-Santos, Yumul-Hermida
      • G.R. No. 159196 by Senator Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr.
    • Common Respondents: President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Executive Secretary, Secretaries of Defense, Justice and DILG, AFP and PNP Chiefs
  • The Oakwood Incident and Presidential Actions
    • July 27, 2003 – some 323 junior AFP officers and enlisted men occupy Oakwood Premiere apartments in Makati, citing corruption and demanding resignations of the President, DND and PNP chiefs
    • President issues at 1:00 PM Proclamation No. 427 declaring a “state of rebellion” and General Order No. 4 calling out the AFP and PNP to suppress it
    • By 11:00 PM the same day, the occupants surrender; subsequent searches, seizures and in-custody interrogations ensue in Makati and surrounding staging areas
  • Subsequent Developments
    • August 1, 2003 – President lifts the “state of rebellion” via Proclamation No. 435
    • Petitions challenge Proclamation No. 427 and General Order No. 4 on grounds of constitutional grant of power, standing, report requirements, and alleged usurpation of congressional/emergency powers

Issues:

  • Do Proclamation No. 427 and General Order No. 4 exceed Presidential powers under Section 18, Article VII of the 1987 Constitution?
  • Are the petitions rendered moot by Proclamation No. 435 and, if so, does the “capable of repetition, yet evading review” exception apply?
  • Which petitioners possess legal standing to challenge the proclamations and orders?
  • Does the declaration of a “state of rebellion” trigger the report requirements applicable to martial law or suspension of the writ of habeas corpus?
  • Can the proclamations be deemed an exercise of “emergency powers” requiring prior congressional authorization under Section 23(2), Article VI?

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.