Case Summary (G.R. No. 240873)
Procedural History
The petitioners filed a Petition for Certiorari and Prohibition alleging that Proposed Senate Resolution No. 760 lacks intent for legislation and merely calls for an investigation. They challenge Trillanes's actions, arguing that he issued invitations to resource persons without the Senate body's requisite approval and maintain that the inquiry is a targeted attack intended solely to humiliate them.
Respondent's Position
Senator Trillanes denied the accusations, asserting that the proposed resolution had been properly processed within the Senate, having been referred to the appropriate committees with authority. He highlighted that the hearing invitations issued were part of his official capacity. Furthermore, Trillanes contended that the investigation was formally assigned to the Blue Ribbon Committee, and therefore, the actions contested by petitioners were moot because they concerned a matter that was no longer active due to the expiration of the 17th Congress.
Nature of the Inquiry and Its Legislative Basis
The Court referred to Article VI, Section 21 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, which allows legislative inquiries in aid of legislation. The Court asserted that while legislative inquiries are indispensable for informed law-making, they must adhere to procedural rules and respect individual rights contained within the Bill of Rights. The concept that legislative bodies cannot engage in law enforcement or criminal investigations was reiterated, confirming that inquiries are tightly constrained to furthering legislative purposes rather than collecting incriminating evidence.
Judicial Review and Justiciability
The Court emphasized that its judicial review is limited to actual cases with substantive controversies. A case becomes moot when no legal rights conflict remains. The decision detailed that the Senate's investigation regarding Proposed Senate Resolution No. 760 had become moot following th
...continue readingCase Syllabus (G.R. No. 240873)
Case Overview
- This case involves a Petition for Certiorari and Prohibition filed by Solicitor General Jose C. Calida and his family against Senator Antonio "Sonny" Trillanes IV and relevant Senate committees.
- The petitioners seek to prohibit Senator Trillanes from conducting a legislative inquiry into alleged conflicts of interest related to government contracts awarded to their security services company.
Background of the Case
- Petitioners argue that Proposed Senate Resolution No. 760, which calls for an investigation into the Calida family's business dealings, lacks legislative intent and merely serves to target and humiliate them.
- They assert that Trillanes acted without authority in conducting the inquiry, as the Senate had not approved the resolution prior to issuing invitations to resource persons.
Respondent's Position
- Senator Trillanes refutes the petitioners' claims, stating that the proposed resolution had undergone the necessary parliamentary procedure and was formally referred to the appropriate committees.