FIRST DIVISION

Aggrieved, petitioners filed on June 21, 2006 before the Court of Appeals a petition for certiorari docketed as CA-
INTEGRATED BAR OF THE PHILIPPINES represented G.R. No. 175241
by its National President, Jose Anselmo I. Cadiz, H. G.R. SP No. 94949.[6] The petition having been unresolved within 24 hours from its filing, petitioners filed before
HARRY L. ROQUE, and JOEL RUIZ BUTUYAN, Present:
this Court on June 22, 2006 a petition for certiorari docketed as G.R. No. 172951 which assailed the appellate
Petitioners,
PUNO, C.J., Chairperson, courts inaction or refusal to resolve the petition within the period provided under the Public Assembly Act of
CARPIO MORALES,
- versus - LEONARDO-DE CASTRO, 1985.[7]
BERSAMIN, and
VILLARAMA, JR., JJ.
The Court, by Resolutions of July 26, 2006, August 30, 2006 and November 20, 2006, respectively,
HONORABLE MANILA MAYOR JOSE LITO ATIENZA,
Respondent. denied the petition for being moot and academic, denied the relief that the petition be heard on the merits in

view of the pendency of CA-G.R. SP No. 94949, and denied the motion for reconsideration.
Promulgated:
February 24, 2010

x - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -x
The rally pushed through on June 22, 2006 at Mendiola Bridge, after Cadiz discussed with P/Supt. Arturo

Paglinawan whose contingent from the Manila Police District (MPD) earlier barred petitioners from proceeding

DECISION thereto. Petitioners allege that the participants voluntarily dispersed after the peaceful conduct of the program.

The MPD thereupon instituted on June 26, 2006 a criminal action,[8] docketed as I.S. No. 06I-12501,
CARPIO MORALES, J.:
against Cadiz for violating the Public Assembly Act in staging a rally at a venue not indicated in the permit, to

Petitioners Integrated Bar of the Philippines[1] (IBP) and lawyers H. Harry L. Roque and Joel R. Butuyan appeal the which charge Cadiz filed a Counter-Affidavit of August 3, 2006.

June 28, 2006 Decision[2] and the October 26, 2006 Resolution[3] of the Court of Appeals that found no grave abuse

of discretion on the part of respondent Jose Lito Atienza, the then mayor of Manila, in granting a permit to rally in In the meantime, the appellate court ruled, in CA-G.R. SP No. 94949, by the first assailed issuance, that the

a venue other than the one applied for by the IBP. petition became moot and lacked merit. The appellate court also denied petitioners motion for reconsideration

by the second assailed issuance.

the City Mayor of Manila a letter application[4] for a permit to rally at the foot of Mendiola Bridge on June 22, Hence, the filing of the present petition for review on certiorari, to which respondent filed his Comment
2006 from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. to be participated in by IBP officers and members, law students and multi- of November 18, 2008 which merited petitioners Reply of October 2, 2009.
sectoral organizations.

The main issue is whether the appellate court erred in holding that the modification of the venue in IBPs rally
Respondent issued a permit[5] dated June 16, 2006 allowing the IBP to stage a rally on given date but indicated permit does not constitute grave abuse of discretion.
therein Plaza Miranda as the venue, instead of Mendiola Bridge, which permit the IBP received on June 19, 2006.
 Petitioners assert that the partial grant of the application runs contrary to the Pubic Assembly Act and Under the Rules,[10] the existence of a prejudicial question is a ground in a petition to suspend proceedings in a

violates their constitutional right to freedom of expression and public assembly. criminal action. Since suspension of the proceedings in the criminal action may be made only upon petition and

not at the instance of the judge or the investigating prosecutor,[11] the latter cannot take cognizance of a claim of

prejudicial question without a petition to suspend being filed. Since a petition to suspend can be filed only in the

criminal action,[12] the determination of the pendency of a prejudicial question should be made at the first

The Court shall first resolve the preliminary issue of mootness. instance in the criminal action, and not before this Court in an appeal from the civil action.

In proceeding to resolve the petition on the merits, the appellate court found no grave abuse of discretion on the

Undoubtedly, the petition filed with the appellate court on June 21, 2006 became moot upon the passing of the part of respondent because the Public Assembly Act does not categorically require respondent to specify in

date of the rally on June 22, 2006. writing the imminent and grave danger of a substantive evil which warrants the denial or modification of the

permit and merely mandates that the action taken shall be in writing and shall be served on respondent within

A moot and academic case is one that ceases to present a justiciable controversy by virtue of supervening events, 24 hours. The appellate court went on to hold that respondent is authorized to regulate the exercise of the

so that a declaration thereon would be of no practical use or value. Generally, courts decline jurisdiction over freedom of expression and of public assembly which are not absolute, and that the challenged permit is consistent

such case or dismiss it on ground of mootness. However, even in cases where supervening events had made the with Plaza Mirandas designation as a freedom park where protest rallies are allowed without permit.

cases moot, this Court did not hesitate to resolve the legal or constitutional issues raised to formulate controlling

principles to guide the bench, bar and public. Moreover, as an exception to the rule on mootness, courts will The Court finds for petitioners.

decide a question otherwise moot if it is capable of repetition, yet evading review.[9] Section 6 of the Public Assembly Act reads:

Section 6. Action to be taken on the application -

of an intended rally are altered by the concerned official, yet it evades review, owing to the limited time in (a) It shall be the duty of the mayor or any official acting in his behalf to issue or grant a permit
unless there is clear and convincing evidence that the public assembly will create a clear and
processing the application where the shortest allowable period is five days prior to the assembly. The present danger to public order, public safety, public convenience, public morals or public health.
susceptibility of recurrence compels the Court to definitively resolve the issue at hand.
(b) The mayor or any official acting in his behalf shall act on the application within two (2)
working days from the date the application was filed, failing which, the permit shall be deemed
granted. Should for any reason the mayor or any official acting in his behalf refuse to accept the
Respecting petitioners argument that the issues presented in CA-G.R. SP No. 94949 pose a prejudicial question to application for a permit, said application shall be posted by the applicant on the premises of the
office of the mayor and shall be deemed to have been filed.
the criminal case against Cadiz, the Court finds it improper to resolve the same in the present case.
(c) If the mayor is of the view that there is imminent and grave danger of a substantive evil
warranting the denial or modification of the permit, he shall immediately inform the applicant
who must be heard on the matter.

(d) The action on the permit shall be in writing and served on the application [sic] within twenty-
four hours.

(e) If the mayor or any official acting in his behalf denies the application or modifies the terms
thereof in his permit, the applicant may contest the decision in an appropriate court of law.
 (f) In case suit is brought before the Metropolitan Trial Court, the Municipal Trial Court, the x x x [The public official concerned shall] appraise whether there may be valid objections to the grant
Municipal Circuit Trial Court, the Regional Trial Court, or the Intermediate Appellate Court, its of the permit or to its grant but at another public place. It is an indispensable condition to such refusal
decisions may be appealed to the appropriate court within forty-eight (48) hours after receipt or modification that the clear and present danger test be the standard for the decision reached. If he is
of the same. No appeal bond and record on appeal shall be required. A decision granting such of the view that there is such an imminent and grave danger of a substantive evil, the applicants must
permit or modifying it in terms satisfactory to the applicant shall, be immediately executory. be heard on the matter. Thereafter, his decision, whether favorable or adverse, must be transmitted to
them at the earliest opportunity. Thus if so minded, they can have recourse to the proper judicial
(g) All cases filed in court under this Section shall be decided within twenty-four (24) hours from authority.[16] (italics and underscoring supplied)
date of filing. Cases filed hereunder shall be immediately endorsed to the executive judge for
disposition or, in his absence, to the next in rank. In modifying the permit outright, respondent gravely abused his discretion when he did not immediately inform

the IBP who should have been heard first on the matter of his perceived imminent and grave danger of a
(h) In all cases, any decision may be appealed to the Supreme Court.
substantive evil that may warrant the changing of the venue. The opportunity to be heard precedes the action on
(i) Telegraphic appeals to be followed by formal appeals are hereby allowed. (underscoring
the permit, since the applicant may directly go to court after an unfavorable action on the permit.
supplied)

Respondent failed to indicate how he had arrived at modifying the terms of the permit against the standard of a

clear and present danger test which, it bears repeating, is an indispensable condition to such

modification. Nothing in the issued permit adverts to an imminent and grave danger of a substantive evil, which

blank denial or modification would, when granted imprimatur as the appellate court would have it, render illusory
In Bayan, Karapatan, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) v. Ermita,[13] the Court reiterated:
any judicial scrutiny thereof.
x x x Freedom of assembly connotes the right of the people to meet peaceably for consultation
and discussion of matters of public concern. It is entitled to be accorded the utmost deference
and respect. It is not to be limited, much less denied, except on a showing, as is the case with It is true that the licensing official, here respondent Mayor, is not devoid of discretion in
freedom of expression, of a clear and present danger of a substantive evil that the state has determining whether or not a permit would be granted. It is not, however, unfettered
a right to prevent. Even prior to the 1935 Constitution, Justice Malcolm had occasion to stress discretion. While prudence requires that there be a realistic appraisal not of what may possibly
that it is a necessary consequence of our republican institutions and complements the right of occur but of what may probably occur, given all the relevant circumstances, still the assumption
free speech. To paraphrase the opinion of Justice Rutledge, speaking for the majority of the especially so where the assembly is scheduled for a specific public place is that the permit must
American Supreme Court in Thomas v. Collins, it was not by accident or coincidence that the be for the assembly being held there. The exercise of such a right, in the language of Justice
rights to freedom of speech and of the press were coupled in a single guarantee with the rights Roberts, speaking for the American Supreme Court, is not to be "abridged on the plea that it
of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the government for redress of grievances. may be exercised in some other place.[17] (emphasis and underscoring supplied)
All these rights, while not identical, are inseparable. In every case, therefore, where there is a
limitation placed on the exercise of this right, the judiciary is called upon to examine the effects
of the challenged governmental actuation. The sole justification for a limitation on the
exercise of this right, so fundamental to the maintenance of democratic institutions, is the
danger, of a character both grave and imminent, of a serious evil to public safety, public Notably, respondent failed to indicate in his Comment any basis or explanation for his action. It smacks of whim
morals, public health, or any other legitimate public interest.[14] (emphasis supplied) and caprice for respondent to just impose a change of venue for an assembly that was slated for a specific public
place. It is thus reversible error for the appellate court not to have found
The Court in Bayan stated that the provisions of the Public Assembly Act of 1985 practically codified the 1983 such grave abuse of discretion and, under specific statutory
ruling in Reyes v. Bagatsing.[15] In juxtaposing Sections 4 to 6 of the Public Assembly Act with the pertinent portion

of the Reyes case, the Court elucidated as follows: provision, not to have modified the permit in terms satisfactory to the applicant.[18]
 Petitioners aver that, because of the installation of said checkpoints, the residents of Valenzuela are worried of
being harassed and of their safety being placed at the arbitrary, capricious and whimsical disposition of the
WHEREFORE, the assailed Decision and Resolution of the Court of Appeals in CA-G.R. SP No. 94949 military manning the checkpoints, considering that their cars and vehicles are being subjected to regular
searches and check-ups, especially at night or at dawn, without the benefit of a search warrant and/or court
are REVERSED. The Court DECLARES that respondent committed grave abuse of discretion in modifying the rally order. Their alleged fear for their safety increased when, at dawn of 9 July 1988, Benjamin Parpon, a supply
officer of the Municipality of Valenzuela, Bulacan, was gunned down allegedly in cold blood by the members of
permit issued on June 16, 2006 insofar as it altered the venue from Mendiola Bridge to Plaza Miranda.
the NCRDC manning the checkpoint along McArthur Highway at Malinta, Valenzuela, for ignoring and/or refusing
SO ORDERED. to submit himself to the checkpoint and for continuing to speed off inspire of warning shots fired in the air.
Petitioner Valmonte also claims that, on several occasions, he had gone thru these checkpoints where he was
stopped and his car subjected to search/check-up without a court order or search warrant.

Petitioners further contend that the said checkpoints give the respondents a blanket authority to make searches
and/or seizures without search warrant or court order in violation of the Constitution; 2 and, instances have
occurred where a citizen, while not killed, had been harassed.
G.R. No. 83988 September 29, 1989
Petitioners' concern for their safety and apprehension at being harassed by the military manning the checkpoints
RICARDO C. VALMONTE AND UNION OF LAWYERS AND ADVOCATES FOR PEOPLE'S RIGHTS (ULAP), petitioners, are not sufficient grounds to declare the checkpoints as per se illegal. No proof has been presented before the
vs. Court to show that, in the course of their routine checks, the military indeed committed specific violations of
GEN. RENATO DE VILLA AND NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION DISTRICT COMMAND, respondents. petitioners' right against unlawful search and seizure or other rights.

Ricardo C. Valmonte for himself and his co-petitioners. In a case filed by the same petitioner organization, Union of Lawyers and Advocates for People's Right (ULAP) vs.
Integrated National Police, 3 it was held that individual petitioners who do not allege that any of their rights were
violated are not qualified to bring the action, as real parties in interest.

PADILLA, J.: The constitutional right against unreasonable searches and seizures is a personal right invocable only by those
whose rights have been infringed, 4 or threatened to be infringed. What constitutes a reasonable or
unreasonable search and seizure in any particular case is purely a judicial question, determinable from a
This is a petition for prohibition with preliminary injunction and/or temporary restraining order, seeking the
consideration of the circumstances involved. 5
declaration of checkpoints in Valenzuela, Metro Manila or elsewhere, as unconstitutional and the dismantling
and banning of the same or, in the alternative, to direct the respondents to formulate guidelines in the
implementation of checkpoints, for the protection of the people. Petitioner Valmonte's general allegation to the effect that he had been stopped and searched without a search
warrant by the military manning the checkpoints, without more, i.e., without stating the details of the incidents
which amount to a violation of his right against unlawful search and seizure, is not sufficient to enable the Court
Petitioner Ricardo C. Valmonte sues in his capacity as citizen of the Republic, taxpayer, member of the Integrated
to determine whether there was a violation of Valmonte's right against unlawful search and seizure. Not all
Bar of the Philippines (IBP), and resident of Valenzuela, Metro Manila; while petitioner Union of Lawyers and
searches and seizures are prohibited. Those which are reasonable are not forbidden. A reasonable search is not
Advocates for People's Rights (ULAP) sues in its capacity as an association whose members are all members of
to be determined by any fixed formula but is to be resolved according to the facts of each case. 6
the IBP.

Where, for example, the officer merely draws aside the curtain of a vacant vehicle which is parked on the public
The factual background of the case is as follows:
fair grounds, 7 or simply looks into a vehicle, 8 or flashes a light therein, 9 these do not constitute unreasonable
search.
On 20 January 1987, the National Capital Region District Command (NCRDC) was activated pursuant to Letter of
Instruction 02/87 of the Philippine General Headquarters, AFP, with the mission of conducting security
The setting up of the questioned checkpoints in Valenzuela (and probably in other areas) may be considered as a
operations within its area of responsibility and peripheral areas, for the purpose of establishing an effective
security measure to enable the NCRDC to pursue its mission of establishing effective territorial defense and
territorial defense, maintaining peace and order, and providing an atmosphere conducive to the social, economic
maintaining peace and order for the benefit of the public. Checkpoints may also be regarded as measures to
and political development of the National Capital Region.1 As part of its duty to maintain peace and order, the
thwart plots to destabilize the government, in the interest of public security. In this connection, the Court may
NCRDC installed checkpoints in various parts of Valenzuela, Metro Manila.
take judicial notice of the shift to urban centers and their suburbs of the insurgency movement, so clearly
reflected in the increased killings in cities of police and military men by NPA "sparrow units," not to mention the
abundance of unlicensed firearms and the alarming rise in lawlessness and violence in such urban centers, not all
of which are reported in media, most likely brought about by deteriorating economic conditions — which all sum
up to what one can rightly consider, at the very least, as abnormal times. Between the inherent right of the state
to protect its existence and promote public welfare and an individual's right against a warrantless search which is
however reasonably conducted, the former should prevail.

True, the manning of checkpoints by the military is susceptible of abuse by the men in uniform, in the same
manner that all governmental power is susceptible of abuse. But, at the cost of occasional inconvenience,
discomfort and even irritation to the citizen, the checkpoints during these abnormal times, when conducted
within reasonable limits, are part of the price we pay for an orderly society and a peaceful community.

Finally, on 17 July 1988, military and police checkpoints in Metro Manila were temporarily lifted and a review
and refinement of the rules in the conduct of the police and military manning the checkpoints was ordered by
the National Capital Regional Command Chief and the Metropolitan Police Director. 10

WHEREFORE, the petition is DISMISSED.

SO ORDERED.

Fernan, C.J., Narvasa, Melencio-Herrera, Gutierrez, Jr., Paras, Feliciano, Gancayco, Bidin, Cortes, Griño-Aquino,
Medialdea and Regalado, JJ., concur.