c63 Telebap vs. Comelec

8/18/2019 c63 Telebap vs. Comelec

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TELEBAP vs. COMELEC, G.R. NO. 132922, April 21, 1998 (289 SCRA 337)F!"s# TELEBAP $% GMA N&"'r "*&"+&r l&% p&"i"i$ " !+ll&$*& "+& vli%i"- C/&l&! Ti/& %0& " "+& !" "+" si% prvisi$s# (1) +v& "&$prp&r"i&s 'i"+0" %0& pr!&ss l' $% 'i"+0" 0s" !/p&$s"i$ (2) i"

%&$i&% "+& r%i $% "&l&visi$ r%!s" !/p$i&s "+& &40l pr"&!"i$ "+& l's $% (3) "+" i" is i$ &5!&ss "+& p'&r *iv&$ " "+& C/&l&! "r&*0l"& "+& p&r"i$ /&%i !//0$i!"i$ r i$r/"i$ %0ri$*&l&!"i$ p&ri%.

6&l%#P&"i"i$&rs r*0/&$" is 'i"+0" /&ri", All r%!s"i$*, '+&"+&r - r%i r- "&l&visi$ s""i$s, is li!&$s&% - "+& *v&r$/&$". Air'v& r&40&$!i&s+v& " & ll!"&% s "+&r& r& /r& i$%ivi%0ls '+ '$" " r%!s""+$ "+&r& r& r&40&$!i&s " ssi*$. 9 A r$!+is& is "+0s privil&*& s0&!",/$* "+&r "+i$*s, " /&$%&% - C$*r&ss i$ !!r%$!& 'i"+ "+&

!$s"i"0"i$l prvisi$ "+" $- s0!+ r$!+is& r ri*+" *r$"&% . . . s+ll &s0&!" " /&$%/&$", l"&r"i$ r r&p&l - "+& C$*r&ss '+&$ "+&!//$ *% s r&40ir&s.$%&&%, prvisi$s r COMELEC Ti/& +v& &&$ /%& - /&$%/&$" "+&r$!+is&s r%i $% "&l&visi$ r%!s" s""i$s $%, 0$"il "+& pr&s&$"!s& 's r0*+", s0!+ prvisi$s +% $" &&$ "+0*+" s "i$*prp&r"- 'i"+0" 0s" !/p&$s"i$. Ar". :, ;11 "+& C$s"i"0"i$0"+ri


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R&p0li! "+& P+ilippi$&sSUPREME COURT

B*0i Ci"-

EN BANC

G.R. No. 132922 April 21, 1998

TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND BROADCAST ATTORNEYS OF TEPILIPPINES, INC. !"# GMA NET$OR%, INC., p&"i"i$&rs,vs.TE COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, r&sp$%&$".

MENDO&A, J.:

$ Osmeña v . COMELEC, G.R. N. 132231, %&!i%&% Mr!+ 31, 1998, 1 '&0p+&l% "+& vli%i"- ; 11() R.A. N. D '+i!+ pr+ii"s "+& sl& r%$"i$ pri$" sp!& r ir "i/& r pli"i!l %s, &5!&p" " "+& C//issi$$ El&!"i$s 0$%&r ;9, B.P. N. 881, "+& O/$i0s El&!"i$ C%&, 'i"+r&sp&!" " pri$" /&%i, $% ;92, 'i"+ r&sp&!" " r%!s" /&%i. $ "+&pr&s&$" !s&, '& !$si%&r "+& vli%i"- ;92 B.P. Bl*. N. 881 *i$s"!li/s "+" "+& r&40ir&/&$" "+" r%i $% "&l&visi$ "i/& & *iv&$ r&&"&s prp&r"- 'i"+0" %0& pr!&ss l' "+" i" vil"&s "+& &/i$&$"

%/i$ !l0s& "+& C$s"i"0"i$ '+i!+ prvi%&s r "+& p-/&$" 0s"!/p&$s"i$ "+" i" %&$i&s r%!s" /&%i "+& &40l pr"&!"i$ "+&l's $% "+", i$ $- &v&$", i" vil"&s "+& "&r/s "+& r$!+is& p&"i"i$&r GMA N&"'r, $!.

P&"i"i$&r T&l&!//0$i!"i$s $% Br%!s" A""r$&-s "+& P+ilippi$&s,$!. is $ r*$i


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The Question of Standing

A" "+& "+r&s+l% "+is s0i" is "+& 40&s"i$ s"$%i$* p&"i"i$&r T&l&!//0$i!"i$s $% Br%!s" A""r$&-s "+& P+ilippi$&s, $!.(TELEBAP). As lr&%- $"&%, i"s /&/&rs ss&r" $ i$"&r&s" s l'-&rs

r%i $% "&l&visi$ r%!s"i$* !/p$i&s $% s !i"i


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!$s"i"0"i$l !+ll&$*&. P&"i"i$&r p&r"&s r%i $% "&l&visi$ r%!s"s""i$s i$ "+& P+ilippi$&s &!"&% - "+& &$r!&/&$" ;92 B.P. Bl*. 881r&40iri$* r%i $% "&l&visi$ r%!s" !/p$i&s " prvi%& r&& ir "i/& ""+& COMELEC r "+& 0s& !$%i%"&s r !/pi*$ $% "+&r pli"i!lp0rps&s.

P&"i"i$&r !li/s "+" i" s0&r&% lss&s r0$$i$* " s&v&rl /illi$ p&ss i$prvi%i$* COMELEC Ti/& i$ !$$&!"i$ 'i"+ "+& 1992 pr&si%&$"il &l&!"i$$% "+& 199 s&$"ril &l&!"i$ $% "+" i" s"$%s " s0&r &v&$ /r&s+0l% i" & r&40ir&% " % s *i$ "+is -&r. P&"i"i$&rs ll&*"i$ "+" i"'ill s0&r lss&s *i$ &!0s& i" is r&40ir&% " prvi%& r&& ir "i/& iss0!i&$" " *iv& i" s"$%i$* " 40&s"i$ "+& vli%i"- ;92. (

Airing of COMELEC Time, a

Reasonable Condition for

rant of !etitioner"s

#ran$hise

As pi$"&% 0" i$ 0r %&!isi$ i$ Osmeña v . COMELEC, ;11() R.A. N.D $% ;9 $% ;92 "+& B.P. Bl*. 881 r& pr" $% pr!&l r&*0l"r-s!+&/& %&si*$&% " &40li


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S&!. 9. Comele$ s(a$e. H T+& C//issi$ s+ll pr!0r& sp!& i$ "l&s" $& $&'spp&r *&$&rl !ir!0l"i$ i$ &v&r- prvi$!& r!i"- !rovided, ho/ever, T+" i$ "+& s&$!& si% $&'spp&r,p0li!"i$ s+ll & %$& i$ $- "+&r /*


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s0&!" " /&$%/&$", l"&r"i$ r r&p&l - "+& C$*r&ss '+&$ "+&!//$ *% s r&40ir&s. 1+

T+& i%& "+" r%!s" s""i$s /- & r&40ir&% " prvi%& COMELEC Ti/&r&& !+r*& is $" $&'. " *&s ! " "+& El&!"i$ C%& 1971 (R.A. N.

388), '+i!+ prvi%&%#

S&!. D9. Regulation of ele$tion (ro(aganda through mass media. H () T+& r$!+is& ll r%i r%!s"i$* $% "&l&visi$ s""i$s r&+&r&- /&$%&% s s " r&40ir& &!+ s0!+ s""i$ " 0r$is+ r&& !+r*&, 0p$ r&40&s" "+& C//issi$ ?$ El&!"i$s@, %0ri$* "+&p&ri% si5"- %-s &r& "+& &l&!"i$ $" /r& "+$ "&&$ /i$0"&s pri/& "i/& $!& '&& '+i!+ s+ll & $'$ s C/&l&! Ti/&$% '+i!+ s+ll & 0s&% &5!l0siv&l- - "+& C//issi$ " %iss&/i$"&vi"l &l&!"i$ i$r/"i$. Si% C/&l&! Ti/& s+ll & !$si%&r&% spr" "+& p0li! s&rvi!& "i/& si% s""i$s r& r&40ir&% " 0r$is+ "+&

Gv&r$/&$" r "+& %iss&/i$"i$ p0li! i$r/"i$ $% &%0!"i$0$%&r "+&ir r&sp&!"iv& r$!+is&s r p&r/i"s.

T+& prvisi$ 's !rri&% v&r 'i"+ sli*+" /%i!"i$ - "+& 1978 El&!"i$C%& (P.I. N. 129), '+i!+ prvi%&%#

S&!. D. COMELEC Time. H T+& C//issi$ ?$ El&!"i$s@ s+llpr!0r& r%i $% "&l&visi$ "i/& " & $'$ s COMELEC Ti/&'+i!+ s+ll & ll!"&% &40ll- $% i/pr"ill- /$* "+& !$%i%"&s'i"+i$ "+& r& !v&r*& si% r%i $% "&l&visi$ s""i$s. Fr"+is p0rps&, "+& r$!+is&s ll r%i r%!s"i$* $% "&l&visi$

s""i$s r& +&r&- /&$%&% s s " r&40ir& s0!+ s""i$s " 0r$is+"+& C//issi$ r%i r "&l&visi$ "i/&, r&& !+r*&, %0ri$* "+&p&ri% "+& !/pi*$, " l&s" $!& 0" $" "&$&r "+$ &v&r- "+&r%-.

S0s"$"ill- "+& s/& prvisi$ is $' &/%i&% i$ ;92 B.P. Bl*. 881.

$%&&%, prvisi$s r COMELEC Ti/ +v& &&$ /%& - /&$%/&$" "+&r$!+is&s r%i $% "&l&visi$ r%!s" s""i$s $%, 0$"il "+& pr&s&$"!s& 's r0*+", s0!+ prvisi$s +% $" &&$ "+0*+" s "i$*prp&r"- 'i"+0" 0s" !/p&$s"i$. Ar". :, ;11 "+& C$s"i"0"i$

0"+ri


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Nr i$%&&% !$ "+&r& & $- !$s"i"0"i$l &!"i$ " "+& r&40ir&/&$" "+"r%!s" s""i$s *iv& r&& ir "i/&. Ev&$ i$ "+& $i"&% S""&s, "+&r& r&r&sp$sil& s!+lrs '+ &li&v& "+" *v&r$/&$" !$"rls $ r%!s"/&%i !$ !$s"i"0"i$ll- & i$s"i"0"&% " &$s0r& %iv&rsi"- vi&'s $%""&$"i$ " p0li! irs " 0r"+&r "+& s-s"&/ r&& &5pr&ssi$. Fr "+is

p0rps&, r%!s" s""i$s /- & r&40ir&% " *iv& r&& ir "i/& "!$%i%"&s i$ $ &l&!"i$. 12 T+0s, Pr&ssr Css R. S0$s"&i$ "+&$iv&rsi"- C+i!* L' S!+l, i$ 0r*i$* r&r/s i$ r&*0l"i$s &!"i$*"+& r%!s" i$%0s"r-, 'ri"&s#

Ele$tions. =& !0l% % l" " i/prv& !v&r*& &l&!"rl!/pi*$s. Ms" i/pr"$", *v&r$/&$" s+0l% &$s0r& r&& /&%i"i/& r !$%i%"&s. Al/s" ll E0rp&$ $"i$s /& s0!+ prvisi$s"+& $i"&% S""&s %&s $". P&r+ps *v&r$/&$" s+0l% p- r s0!+"i/& $ i"s '$. !erha(s broad$asters should have to o0er it as a$ondition for re$eiving a li$ense. !erha(s a $ommitment to (rovide

free time /ould $ount in favor of the grant of a li$ense in the 1rstinstan$e. S"&ps "+is sr" '0l% si/0l"$&0sl- pr/"& ""&$"i$ "p0li! irs $% *r&"&r %iv&rsi"- vi&'. T+&- '0l% ls +&lpv&r!/& "+& %is"r"i$* &&!"s s0$%i"&s $% "+& !rrsiv&$$!il pr&ss0r&s !&% - !$%i%"&s i$ s&&i$* "i/& $ "+&/&%i. 13

$ "r0"+, r%i $% "&l&visi$ r%!s"i$* !/p$i&s, '+i!+ r& *iv&$r$!+is&s, % $" '$ "+& ir'v&s $% r&40&$!i&s "+r0*+ '+i!+ "+&-"r$s/i" r%!s" si*$ls $% i/*&s. T+&- r& /&r&l- *iv&$ "+& "&/prr-privil&*& 0si$* "+&/. Si$!& r$!+is& is /&r& privil&*&, "+& &5&r!is&

"+& privil&*& /- r&s$l- & 0r%&$&% 'i"+ "+& p&rr/$!& - "+&*r$"&& s/& r/ p0li! s&rvi!&. T+0s, i$ 2e 3illata v . Stanle4 , 1' r&*0l"i$ r&40iri$* i$"&risl$% v&ss&ls li!&$s&% " &$**& i$ "+& i$"&risl$%"r%& " !rr- /il $%, r "+is p0rps&, " *iv& %v$!& $"i!& " ps"l0"+ri"i&s %"& $% +0r sili$*s v&ss&ls $% !+$*&s sili$*+0rs " &$l& "+&/ " "&$%&r /il r "r$spr""i$ " "+& ls" pr!"i!l&+0r prir " "+& v&ss&ls %&pr"0r&, 's +&l% " & r&s$l& !$%i"i$r "+& s""& *r$" li!&$s&. Al"+0*+ "+& 40&s"i$ !/p&$s"i$ r "+&!rri*& /il 's $" i$ iss0&, "+& C0r" s"r$*l- i/pli&% "+" s0!+ s&rvi!&!0l% & 'i"+0" !/p&$s"i$, s i$ !" 0$%&r Sp$is+ sv&r&i*$"- "+&/il 's !rri&% r&&. 1(

$ !hili((ine Long 2istan$e Tele(hone Com(an4 v . %TC, 1) "+& C0r" r%&r&%"+& PLIT " ll' "+& i$"&r!$$&!"i$ i"s %/&s"i! "&l&p+$& s-s"&/ 'i"+"+& i$"&r$"i$l *"&'- !ili"- Es"&r$ T&l&!/. T+& C0r" !i"&% (1) "+&prvisi$s "+& l&*isl"iv& r$!+is& ll'i$* s0!+ i$"&r!$$&!"i$ (2) "+&s&$!& $- p+-si!l, "&!+$i!l, r &!$/i! sis r r&s"ri!"i$* "+&li$i$* 0p "' s&pr"& "&l&p+$& s-s"&/s $% (3) "+& pssiili"-


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r&pr&s&$"i$* "+& !s" pr%0!i$* pr*r/ r "+& COMELEC Ti/&, r "+&""l /0$" P8,98,8.

T+& !li/ "+" p&"i"i$&r '0l% & lsi$* P2,38, i$ 0$r&li T+&r& is !$"r%i!"i$ +&r&.

As " "+& %%i"i$l /0$" P,,8, i" is !li/&% "+" "+is is "+& !s" pr%0!i$* pr*r/ $% i" is r s0!+ i"&/s s s&"s $% prps, vi%&"p&s, /is!&ll$&0s ("+&r r&$"l, s0ppli&s, "r$spr""i$, &"!.), $%"&!+$i!l !ili"i&s ("&!+$i!l !r&' s0!+ s %ir&!"r $% !/&r/$ s '&lls $ ir pl0*s). T+&r& is $ sis r "+is !li/. E5p&$s&s r "+&s& i"&/s'ill & r "+& !!0$" "+& !$%i%"&s. COMELEC R&sl0"i$ N. 2983,;(%) sp&!i!ll- prvi%&s i$ "+is !$$&!"i$#

(%) Additional servi$es su$h as ta(e5re$ording or video5ta(ing of (rograms, the (re(aration of visual aids, terms and $ondition thereof,and $onsideration to be (aid therefor ma4 be arranged b4 the$andidates /ith the radio6television station $on$erned. 6'&v&r, $r%i"&l&visi$ s""i$ s+ll /& $- %is!ri/i$"i$ /$*!$%i%"&s r&l"iv& " !+r*&s, "&r/s, pr!"i!&s r !ili"i&s r i$!$$&!"i$ 'i"+ "+& s&rvi!&s r&$%&r&%.


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" is 0$r"0$"& "+" i$ "+& &r" " s+' "+" "+&r& is "i$* priv"&prp&r"- 'r"+ /illi$s p&ss, "+& 0$s0s"$"i"&% !+r*& is /%& "+" -i"s %&!isi$ "+& C0r" p&r/i"s "+& *r$% lr!&$- pr&!i0s "i/&, $%ll's i"s&l " &!/& "+& p&pl&s 0$'i""i$* ppr&ssr. T+& !+r*& isr&ll- 0$r"0$"&. $ 7a$8son v . Rosenbaun, 21 K0s"i!& 6l/&s 's s

i$!&$s&% - "+& r&sis"$!& prp&r"- '$&rs " "+& &r&!"i$ pr"- 'lls"+" +& 's l&% " s- i$ +is ri*i$l %r", s""0"&, '+i!+ &/%i&s "+&!//0$i"-s 0$%&rs"$%i$* "+& r&!ipr!l ri*+"s $% %0"i&s $&i*+ri$*l$%'$&rs, %&s $" $&&% " i$v& "+& (enalt4 lar$en4 "+& pli!& p'&ri$ i"s 0s"i!"i$. 6l/&ss r&"+r&$ !rr&!"&% +is "s"&, $% 6l/&s +% "/&$% "+& pss*& s "+" i$ "+& &$% i" sp& $l- i$vi$* "+& pli!&p'&r. 22 K0s"i!& 6l/&s sp& "+& p&""- lr!&$- "+& pli!& p'&r.N' '& r& &i$* "l% "+& *r$% lr!&$- ?- /&$s "+& pli!& p'&r@ pr&!i0s ir "i/&.

iving #ree Air Time a 2ut4

Assumed b4 !etitioner

P&"i"i$&rs !li/ "+" ;92 is $ i$vli% /&$%/&$" R.A. N. 722 '+i!+*r$"&% GMA N&"'r, $!. r$!+is& r "+& p&r"i$ r%i $%"&l&visi$ r%!s"i$* s""i$s. T+&- r*0& "+" l"+0*+ ; R.A. N.722 *iv&s "+& *v&r$/&$" "+& p'&r " "&/prril- 0s& $% p&r"& "+&s""i$s p&"i"i$&r GMA N&"'r r " 0"+ri


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$%&&%, i" is 'r$* " !li/ $ /&$%/&$" p&"i"i$&rs r$!+is& r "+&r&s$ "+" B.P. Bl*. 881, '+i!+ is si% " +v& /&$%&% R.A. N. 722,!"0ll- $"&%"&% i". 2' T+& prvisi$ ;92 B.P. Bl*. 881 /0s" & %&&/&%i$s"&% " & i$!rpr"&% i$ R.A. N. 722. A$%, i$%&&%, ;D "+& l""&rs""0"& %&s.

Fr "+& !" is "+" "+& %0"- i/ps&% $ "+& GMA N&"'r, $!. - i"sr$!+is& " r&$%&r %&40"& p0li! s&rvi!& "i/& i/pl&/&$"s ;92 B.P.Bl*. 881. $%0"&%l-, i"s p0rps& is " &$l& "+& *v&r$/&$" "!//0$i!"& 'i"+ "+& p&pl& $ /""&rs p0li! i$"&r&s". T+0s, R.A. N.722 prvi%&s#

S&!. D. Res(onsibilit4 to the !ubli$. H The grantee shall (rovideade9uate (ubli$ servi$e time to enable the overnment, through thesaid broad$asting stations, to rea$h the (o(ulation on im(ortant (ubli$issues prvi%& " ll "i/&s s0$% $% l$!&% pr*r//i$* pr/"&

p0li! pr"i!ip"i$ s0!+ s i$ !//0$i"- pr*r//i$* assist in thefun$tions of (ubli$ information and edu$ation !$r/ " "+& &"+i!s +$&s" &$"&rpris& $% $" 0s& i"s s""i$ r "+& r%!s"i$* s!&$& $% i$%&!&$" l$*0*&, sp&&!+, !" r s!&$&, r r "+&%iss&/i$"i$ %&li&r"&l- ls& i$r/"i$ r 'ill0l/isr&pr&s&$""i$, r " "+& %&"ri/&$" "+& p0li! i$"&r&s", r "i$!i"&, &$!0r*&, r ssis" i$ s0v&rsiv& r "r&s$l& !"s.(E/p+sis %%&%).

" is $"&'r"+- "+" ;D R.A. N. 388, r/ '+i!+ ;92 B.P. Bl*. 881's "&$, &5pr&ssl- prvi%&% "+" "+& COMELEC Ti/& s+0l% & !$si%&r&%

s pr" "+& p0li! s&rvi!& "i/& si% s""i$s r& r&40ir&% " 0r$is+ "+&Gv&r$/&$" r "+& %iss&/i$"i$ p0li! i$r/"i$ $% &%0!"i$ 0$%&r"+&ir r&sp&!"iv& r$!+is&s r p&r/i"s. T+&r& is $ r&s$ " s0pps& "+";92 B.P. Bl*. 881 !$si%&rs "+& COMELEC Ti/& "+&r&i$ prvi%&% " &"+&r'is& "+$ s p0li! s&rvi!& '+i!+ p&"i"i$&r is r&40ir&% " r&$%&r0$%&r ;D i"s !+r"&r (R.A. N. 722). $ s0/, B.P. Bl*. 881, ;92 is $" $i$vli% /&$%/&$" p&"i"i$&rs r$!+is& 0" "+& &$r!&/&$" %0"-vl0$"ril- ss0/&% - p&"i"i$&r i$ !!&p"i$* p0li! *r$" privil&*&.

T+0s r, '& +v& !$$&% "+& %is!0ssi$ " "+& prvisi$ ;92 B.P. Bl*.881 r r&& ir "i/& 'i"+0" "i$* i$" !!0$" COMELEC R&sl0"i$ N.

2983JA, ;2 '+i!+ s""&s#

S&!. 2. rant of :Comele$ Time.: H Ev&r- r%i r%!s"i$* $%"&l&visi$ s""i$ p&r"i$* 0$%&r r$!+is& s+ll *r$" "+&C//issi$, u(on (a4ment of just $om(ensation, " l&s" "+ir"- (3)/i$0"&s pri/& "i/& %il-, " & $'$ s C/&l&! Ti/&, &&!"iv&F&r0r- 1, 1998 r !$%i%"&s r Pr&si%&$", i!&JPr&si%&$" $%


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S&$"rs, $% &&!"iv& Mr!+ 27, 1998, r !$%i%"&s r l!l&l&!"iv& !&s, 0$"il M- 9, 1998. (E/p+sis %%&%).

T+is is &!0s& "+& /&$%/&$" prvi%i$* r "+& p-/&$" 0s"!/p&$s"i$ is i$vli%, &i$* i$ !$"rv&$"i$ ;92 B.P. Bl*. 881 "+"

r%i $% "&l&visi$ "i/& *iv&$ %0ri$* "+& p&ri% "+& !/pi*$ s+ll &r&& !+r*&. $%&&%, R&sl0"i$ N. 2983 ri*i$ll- prvi%&% "+" "+&"i/& ll!"&% s+ll & r&& !+r*&, 0s" s ;92 r&40ir&s s0!+ "i/& " &*iv&$ r&& !+r*&. T+& /&$%/&$" pp&rs " & r&!"i$ "p&"i"i$&rs !li/ i$ "+is !s& "+" "+& ri*i$l prvisi$ 's 0$!$s"i"0"i$l&!0s& i" ll&*&%l- 0"+ri


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T+&r& '0l% i$%&&% & &!"i$ " "+& *r$" p'&r " "+& COMELEC i ;92'&r& s %&"il&% s " l&v& $ r/ r !!//%"i$ "+& %&/$%s r%i $% "&l&visi$ pr*r//i$*. Fr '&r& "+" "+& !s&, "+&r& !0l% & $i$"r0si$ i$" "+& &%i"ril pr&r*"iv&s r%i $% "&l&visi$ s""i$s.

2i0erential Treatment of

*road$ast Media 7usti1ed

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16/40

%arvasa, C>7>, Regalado, 2avide, 7r>, *ellosillo, Melo, !uno, ?a(unan, Martine@ and Quisumbing, 77>, $on$ur>

Sp!r!- Opi"io"

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17/40

ROMERO, J., %iss&$"i$*

S&!"i$ 92 BP 881 !$s"i"0"&s "i$* priv"& prp&r"- 'i"+0" 0s"!/p&$s"i$. T+& p'&r &/i$&$" %/i$ is p'&r i$+&r&$" i$sv&r&i*$"- $% r&40ir&s $ !$s"i"0"i$l prvisi$ " *iv& i" r!&. " is "+&

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T+&r& is, !0rs&, $ 40&s"i$ "+" "+& "i$* "+& prp&r"- i$ "+& !s& "r is r p0li! 0s&, i.e. " &$s0r& "+" ir "i/& is ll!"&% &40ll- /$*"+& !$%i%"&s, +'&v&r, "+&r& is $ 0s"i!"i$ r "+& "i$* 'i"+0"p-/&$" 0s" !/p&$s"i$. =+il& R&sl0"i$ N. 2983JA +s prvi%&%"+" 0s" !/p&$s"i$ s+ll & pi% r "+& 3 /i$0"&s pri/& "i/&

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19/40

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20/40

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22/40

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B- '- &pil*0&, /0s" pi$" 0" "+" &v&$ R&sp$%&$" C/&l&!&5pr&ssl- r&!*$i


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T+& /ri"-, +'&v&r, p&r&/p"ril- r0s+&s si%& ll "+&s& s!r&%*0r$"&&s $% pr&&rs " r&l- $ "+& $&0l0s l&*l "+&r- "+" r%!s"s""i$s r& /&r& r&!ipi&$"s s""&J*r$"&% r$!+is&s '+i!+ !$ & l"&r&%r 'i"+%r'$ $-"i/& r "+&r'is& 0r%&$&% 'i"+ (ost fa$to &l&p+$"i$&-&s. B- "+is s+r"J!ir!0i"&% r"i$li, dissents>

Sp!r!- Opi"io"

/ITUG, J., s&pr"& pi$i$

ss&$" i$ /s" pr" " "+& '&llJ!$si%&r&% pi$i$ 'ri""&$ - Mr. K0s"i!&i!&$"& . M&$%


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. . . (T)+& L&*isl"0r& !$$" r*i$ '- "+& pli!& p'&r S""&.rr&v!l& *r$"s prp&r"- $% r$!+is&s /- & /%& i "+&- %$" i/pir "+& s0pr&/& 0"+ri"- " /& l's r "+& ri*+"*v&r$/&$" "+& S""& 0" $ L&*isl"0r& !$ !0r"il "+& p'&r i"ss0!!&ssrs " /& s0!+ l's s "+&- /- %&&/ prp&r i$ /""&rs

pli!&. . .

$ "+is !s&, "+& ssil&% l', i$ /- vi&', +s $" il&% i$ /&&"i$* "+&s"$%r%s s&" r"+ r i"s l'0l &5&r!is&,i.e., () "+" i"s 0"ili


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S&!. 2. Gr$" C/&l&! Ti/&. H Ev&r- r%i r%!s"i$* $%"&l&visi$ s""i$ p&r"i$* 0$%&r r$!+is& s+ll *r$" "+&C//issi$, 0p$ p-/&$" 0s" !/p&$s"i$, " l&s" "+ir"- (3)/i$0"&s pri/& "i/& %il-, " & $'$ s C/&l&! Ti/&, &&!"iv&F&r0r- 1, 1998 r !$%i%"&s r Pr&si%&$", i!&JPr&si%&$" $%

S&$"rs, $% &&!"iv& Mr!+ 27, 1998, r !$%i%"&s r l!l&l&!"iv& !&s, 0$"il M- 9, 1998.

S&!"i$ 92 BP 881, i$sr s i" r&40ir&s r%i $% "&l&visi$ s""i$s "prvi%& C/&l&! 'i"+ r%i $% "&l&visi$ "i/& r&& !+r*& is *r$"vil"i$ "+& !$s"i"0"i$l /$%"& "+" priv"& prp&r"- s+ll $" &"&$ r p0li! 0s& 'i"+0" 0s" !/p&$s"i$. =+il& i" is i$+&r&$" i$ "+&S""&, "+& sv&r&i*$ ri*+" " pprpri"& prp&r"- +s $&v&r &&$ 0$%&rs"%" i$!l0%& "i$* prp&r"- r p0li! p0rps&s 'i"+0" "+& %0"- $%r&sp$siili"- r%&ri$* !/p&$s"i$ " "+& i$%ivi%0l '+s& prp&r"- +s&&$ s!ri!&% r "+& *% "+& !//0$i"-. 6&$!&, S&!"i$ 9 Ar"i!l&

"+& 1987 C$s"i"0"i$ '+i!+ r&%s N priv"& prp&r"- s+ll & "&$ rp0li! 0s& 'i"+0" 0s" !/p&$s"i$, *iv&s 0s "' li/i""i$s $ "+& p'&r &/i$&$" %/i$# (1) "+& p0rps& "i$* /0s" & r p0li! 0s& $% (2) 0s" !/p&$s"i$ /0s" & *iv&$ " "+& '$&r "+& priv"& prp&r"-.

T+&r& is, !0rs&, $ 40&s"i$ "+" "+& "i$* "+& prp&r"- i$ "+& !s& "r is r p0li! 0s&, i.e. " &$s0r& "+" ir "i/& is ll!"&% &40ll- /$*"+& !$%i%"&s, +'&v&r, "+&r& is $ 0s"i!"i$ r "+& "i$* 'i"+0"p-/&$" 0s" !/p&$s"i$. =+il& R&sl0"i$ N. 2983JA +s prvi%&%"+" 0s" !/p&$s"i$ s+ll & pi% r "+& 3 /i$0"&s pri/& "i/&*r$"&% - "+& "&l&visi$ s""i$s " r&sp$%&$" C/&l&!, '& $"& "+" "+&

r&sl0"i$ 's pss&% (ursuant " S&!"i$ 92 BP 881 '+i!+ /$%"&s "+"r%i $% "&l&visi$ "i/& & prvi%&% " r&sp$%&$" C/&l&! free of $harge.Si$!& "+& l&*isl"iv& i$"&$" is "+& !$"rlli$* &l&/&$" i$ %&"&r/i$i$* "+&%/i$is"r"iv& p'&rs, ri*+"s, privil&*&s $% i//0$i"i&s*r$"&%, 3 r&sp$%&$" C/&l&! /-, " $- "i/&, %&spi"& "+& r&sl0"i$pss&%, !/p&l "&l&visi$ $% r%i s""i$s " prvi%& i" 'i"+ ir"i/& r&& !+r*&.

Appr&$"l-, S&!. 92 BP 881 0s"i!&s s0!+ "i$* 0$%&r "+& *0is& pli!&p'&r r&*0l"i$ '+i!+ !$$" & vli%l- %$&. Pli!& p'&r /0s" &%is"i$*0is+&% r/ "+& p'&r &/i$&$" %/i$. $ "+& &5&r!is& pli!&

p'&r, "+&r& is restri$tion prp&r"- i$"&r&s" " pr/"& p0li! '&lr& ri$"&r&s" '+i!+ i$vlv&s $ !/p&$sl& "i$*. =+&$ "+& p'&r &/i$&$"%/i$, +'&v&r, is &5&r!is&%, prp&r"- i$"&r&s" is pprpri"&% $% a((liedto some (ubli$ (ur(ose, $&!&ssi""i$* !/p&$s"i$ "+&r&r. Tr%i"i$l%is"i$!"i$s &"'&&$ pli!& p'&r $% "+& p'&r &/i$&$" %/i$pr&!l0%&% ppli!"i$ "+ p'&rs " "+& s/& "i/& i$ "+& s/&s0&!". ' 6&$!&, i$ "+& !s& Cit4 of *aguio v . %AASA, ( "+& C0r" +&l%"+" l' r&40iri$* "+& "r$s&r ll /0$i!ipl '"&r'rs s-s"&/s "


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NA=ASA i$ &5!+$*& r i"s ss&"s &40ivl&$" vl0& i$vlv&% "+& &5&r!is& &/i$&$" %/i$ &!0s& "+& prp&r"- i$vlv&% 's '+l&s/& $%i$"&$%&% r p0li! 0s&. Prp&r"- !$%&/$&% 0$%&r "+& &5&r!is& pli!&p'&r, $ "+& "+&r +$%, is $5i0s r i$"&$%&% r $5i0s p0rps& $%,!$s&40&$"l-, is $" !/p&$sl&. Pli!& p'&r pr!&&%s r/ "+& pri$!ipl&

"+" &v&r- +l%&r prp&r"-, +'&v&r sl0"& $% 0$40li&% /- & +is"i"l&, +l%s i" 0$%&r "+& i/pli&% liili"- "+" +is 0s& i" s+ll $" & i$0ri0s" "+& &40l &$-/&$" "+&rs +vi$* $ &40l ri*+" " "+& &$-/&$" "+&ir prp&r"-, $r i$0ri0s " "+& ri*+"s "+& !//0$i"-. Ri*+"s prp&r"-, li& ll "+&r s!il $% !$v&$"i$l ri*+"s, r& s0&!" "r&s$l& li/i""i$s i$ "+&ir &$-/&$" s s+ll pr&v&$" "+&/ r/ &i$*i$0ri0s, $% " s0!+ r&s$l& r&s"ri"s $% r&*0l"i$s &s"lis+&% - l's "+& l&*isl"0r&, 0$%&r "+& *v&r$i$* $% !$"rlli$* p'&r v&s"&% i$ "+&/- "+& !$s"i"0"i$, /- "+i$ $&!&ssr- $% &5p&%i&$". )

$ "+& !s& Small Lando/ners of the !hili((ines


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=+il& "+& p'&r &/i$&$" %/i$ "&$ r&s0l"s i$ "+& pprpri"i$ "i"l&" r pss&ssi$ prp&r"-, i" $&&% $" l'-s & "+& !s&. " is s&""l&%r0l& "+" $&i"+&r !40isi"i$ "i"l& $r ""l %&s"r0!"i$ vl0& is &ss&$"il" "i$* $% i" is 0s0ll- i$ !s&s '+&r& "i"l& r&/i$s 'i"+ "+& priv"& '$&r"+" i$40ir- s+0l% & /%& " %&"&r/i$& '+&"+&r "+& i/pir/&$"

prp&r"- is /&r&l- r&*0l"&% r /0$"s " !/p&$sl& "i$*. Ar&*0l"i$ '+i!+ %&priv&s $- p&rs$ "+& pr"l& 0s& +is prp&r"-!$s"i"0"&s "i$* $% &$"i"l&s +i/ " !/p&$s"i$ 0$l&ss "+& i$vsi$ ri*+"s is s sli*+" s " p&r/i" "+& r&*0l"i$ " & 0s"i&% 0$%&r "+& pli!&p'&r. Si/ilrl-, pli!& r&*0l"i$ '+i!+ 0$r&s$l- r&s"ri!"s "+& ri*+" "0s& 0si$&ss prp&r"- r 0si$&ss p0rps&s, /0$"s " "i$* priv"&prp&r"- $% "+& '$&r /- r&!v&r "+&r&r. 1+ " is ls s&""l&% 0rispr0%&$!& "+" !40isi"i$ ri*+" '- &s&/&$" lls 'i"+i$ "+&p0rvi&' &/i$&$" %/i$. 11

=+il& "+&r& is $ "i$* r pprpri"i$ "i"l& ", $% pss&ssi$ "+&

&5prpri"&% prp&r"- i$ "+& !s& " r, "+&r& is !/p&$sl& "i$*i$s/0!+ s "+&/ is lss "+& &r$i$*s r "+& ir"i/& '+i!+ "+&p&"i"i$&rJi$"&rv&$rs r& !/p&ll&% " %$"&. " is lss '+i!+, "prp+rs& !hili((ine !ress


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ACCORINGL, v"& " %&!lr& S&!"i$ 92 BP 881 i$sr s i" /$%"&s"+" r%i $% "&l&visi$ "i/& & prvi%&% " r&sp$%&$" C/&l&! r&& !+r*& NCONSTTTONAL.

PANGANIBAN, J., %iss&$"i$*

A" iss0& i$ "+is !s& is "+& !$s"i"0"i$li"- S&!"i$ 92 "+& O/$i0sEl&!"i$ C%& 1 '+i!+ !/p&ls ll r%!s" s""i$s i$ "+& !0$"r- "prvi%& r%i $% "&l&visi$ "i/&, free of $harge, %0ri$* "+& p&ri% "+&?&l&!"i$@ !/pi*$s, '+i!+ "+& C//issi$ $ El&!"i$s s+ll ll!"&&40ll- $% i/pr"ill- /$* "+& !$%i%"&s . . . P&"i"i$&rs !$"&$%, $% *r&&, "+" "+is l&*l prvisi$ is 0$!$s"i"0"i$l &!0s& i" !$s!"&spriv"& prp&r"- 'i"+0" %0& pr!&ss l' $% 'i"+0" p-/&$" 0s"!/p&$s"i$, $% %&$i&s r%!s" /&%i &40l pr"&!"i$ "+& l'.

$ !hili((ine !ress


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2. Ass0/i$* arguendo "+" "+& S""& '$s "+& ir l$&s, "+& r%!s"i$*!/p$i&s lr&%- p- r&$"l &&s " "+& *v&r$/&$" r "+&ir 0s&. 6&$!&,"+& s&i


35/40

A!!r%i$*l-, "+& N"i$l T&l&!//0$i!"i$s C//issi$ (NTC) 's "s&%- l' " i$s"i"0"i$lir &v&r-%- r $!& '&&> r s "&$ s C/&l&! /- %ir&!" %0ri$*"+& s/& p&ri%> T+& &5"&$" "+& "i$* r %&priv"i$ is $"


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i$s0s"$"il "+is is $" !s& de minimis"&/prr- li/i""i$ rr&s"ri$" 0p$ "+& 0s& priv"& prp&r"-. T+& /$&"r- vl0& "+&!/p0lsr- %$"i$, /&s0r&% - "+& %v&r"isi$* r"&s r%i$ril-!+r*&% - $&'spp&r p0lis+&rs '+&"+&r i$ !i"i&s r i$ $$J0r$r&s, /- & v&r- s0s"$"il i$%&&%. (E/p+sis i$ ri*i$l)

:Common ood: 2oes %ot 7ustif4 =nbridled

Ta8ing of #ran$hisee"s *road$ast Time

Li& "+& 40&s"i$&% r&sl0"i$ i$ PP, S&!"i$ 92 !$"i$s $ li/i" s " "+&/0$" $% r&!0rr&$!& "+& %$"i$ ir "i/& "+" C/&l&! !$%&/$% r/ r%i $% T s""i$s. T+&r& r& $ *0i%&li$&s r s"$%r%sprvi%&% s " "+& !+i!& s""i$s, "i/& $% r&40&$!- iri$*, $%pr*r/s " & ir&%. T+&r&"i!ll-, C/&l&! !$ !/p&l "+& 0s& ll "+&ir "i/& s""i$. T+& !" "+" C/&l&! +s $" &5&r!is&% i"s *r$"&%

p'&r ri"rril- is i//"&ril &!0s& "+& l', s 'r%&%, %/i"s 0$ri%l&% &5&r!is&.

A s""0"& is !$si%&r&% vi% r v&rr&%"+ '+&$ i" &$%s "+&!$s"i"0"i$l pri$!ipl& "+" *v&r$/&$"l p0rps& " !$"rl rpr&v&$" !"ivi"i&s !$s"i"0"i$ll- s0&!" " s""& r&*0l"i$s /- $"& !+i&v&% - /&$s '+i!+ s'&&p 0$$&!&ssril- r%l- $% "+&r&-i$v%& "+& r& pr"&!"&% r&&%/s. ('i!l&r v. Q", 19 L &% 2%DDD ?197@). $ s&ri&s %&!isi$s "+is C0r" +s +&l% "+", &v&$"+0*+ "+& *v&r$/&$"l p0rps& & l&*i"i/"& $% s0s"$"il, "+"p0rps& !$$" & p0rs0&% - /&$s "+" r%l- s"i& 0$%/&$"l

p&rs$l li&r"i&s '+&$ "+& &$% !$ & /r& $rr'l- !+i&v&%. T+&r&%"+ l&*isl"iv& ri%*/&$" /0s" & vi&'&% i$ "+& li*+" l&ss%rs"i! /&$s r !+i&vi$* "+& s/& si! p0rps&. 1'

$ 198 pi$i$, "+& A/&ri!$ S0pr&/& C0r" /%& !l&r "+" "+&s&$!& s0!+ r&s$l& $% %&$i"& s"$%r%s i$ l&*isl"i$ i"s!+r!"&r is "l. =+&r&, s i$ "+& !s& "+& v& pr*rp+s, "+&/ri"- "+& C0r" !0l% %is!&r$ $ v&rr&%"+ "+" /&spssil& ppr&ssiv& r !pri!i0s ppli!"i$ "+& s""0"r-prvisi$s, "+& li$& %ivi%i$* "+& vli% r/ "+& !$s"i"0"i$ll- i$r/+s &&$ !rss&%. S0!+ prvisi$s &$% "+& !$s"i"0"i$l pri$!ipl&

"+" *v&r$/&$"l p0rps& " !$"rl r pr&v&$" !"ivi"i&s!$s"i"0"i$ll- s0&!" " s""& r&*0l"i$ /- $" & !+i&v&% -/&$s '+i!+ s'&&p 0$$&!&ssril- r%l- $% "+&r&- i$v%& "+& r& pr"&!"&% r&&%/s.

" is 0$%&$il&, "+&r&r&, "+" &v&$ "+0*+ "+& *v&r$/&$"l p0rps&& l&*i"i/"& $% s0s"$"il, "+&- !$$" & p0rs0&% - /&$s "+"r%l- s"i& 0$%/&$"l p&rs$l li&r"i&s '+&$ "+& &$% !$ & /r&


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$rr'l- !+i&v&%. Fr pr&!isi$ r&*0l"i$ is "+& "0!+s"$& i$ $r& s !ls&l- r&l"&% " 0r /s" pr&!i0s r&&%/s. 1(

As r0l&, s""0"& /- & si% " & v*0& $% i$vli% i i" l&v&s l'&$r!&s (i$ "+& !s&, "+& C/&l&!) 0$ri%l&% %is!r&"i$ i$ !rr-i$* 0" i"s

prvisi$s $% &!/&s $ ri"rr- &5i$* "+& *v&r$/&$" /0s!l&. 1)

Mr&v&r, "+& &5"&$" "+& !"0l "i$* ir "i/& is &$r/0s, &5ri"$"$% 0$r&s$l&. $ "+&ir M&/r$%0/, 1* p&"i"i$&rs ll&*& ($% "+is +s$" &&$ r&0""&% " ll) "+" %0ri$* "+& 1992 &l&!"i$ p&ri%, GMA N&"'r+s &&$ !/p&ll&% " %$"& P22,D98. 'r"+ %v&r"isi$* r&v&$0&s$% r "+& !0rr&$" &l&!"i$ p&ri%, GMA s"$%s " ls& s"**&ri$*P8,98,8. N', !l&rl- $% /s" vi0sl-, "+&s& /0$"s r& $"i$!$s&40&$"il r de minimis. T+&- !$s"i"0"& ri"rr- "i$* $ *r$%s!l&

A/&ri!$ 0rispr0%&$!& is r&pl&"& 'i"+ !i""i$s s+'i$* "+" ?l@&*isl"iv&r&*0l"i$ p0li! 0"ili"i&s /0s" $" +v& "+& &&!" %&privi$* $ '$&r +is prp&r"- 'i"+0" %0& pr!&ss l', $r !$s!"i$* r pprpri"i$*priv"& prp&r"- 'i"+0" %0& pr!&ss l', $r !$s!"i$* rpprpri"i$* priv"& prp&r"- 'i"+0" 0s" !/p&$s"i$, $r li/i"i$* rpr&s!rii$* irr&v!l- v&s"&% ri*+"s r privil&*&s l'0ll- !40ir&% 0$%&r !+r"&r r r$!+is&. T+& p'&r " r&*0l"& is s0&!" " "+&s& !$s"i"0"i$lli/i"s. 18 C$s&40&$"l-, ri*+"s 0$%&r r$!+is& !$$" & "&$ r%/*&% r p0li! 0s& 'i"+0" "+& /i$* 0s" !/p&$s"i$"+&r&r. 19 T % s is !l&rl- &-$% "+& p'&r "+& l&*isl"0r& "r&*0l"&.


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C/&l&!, " !/p&l 0$ri%l&% %$"i$ "+& ir "i/& si% !/p$i&s'i"+0" %0& pr!&ss $% 'i"+0" p-/&$" 0s" !/p&$s"i$.

$ !", &v&$ i$ "+& !s& s""&J'$&% r&s0r!&s r&&rr&% " &rli&r H li&il, /i$&rls $% !l H $!& "+& li!&$s& " &5pli" $% %&v&lp "+&/ is

*r$"&% " priv"& !rpr"i$, "+& *v&r$/&$" !$ $l$*&r arbitraril4 !$s!"& r pprpri"& "+&/ gratis 0$%&r "+& *0is& s&rvi$* "+& !//$ *%. Cr0%& il, r i$s"$!&, $!& &5plr&%, %rill&%, $%r&$&% is "+&r&"&r !$si%&r&% "+& prp&r"- "+& 0"+ri


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=+" /&s "+& "i$* ir "i/& &v&$ /r& %i0s is i"s e; (ostfa$to $"0r&. =+&$ "+& r%!s" !/p$i&s !40ir&% "+&ir r$!+is&s $%s&" 0p "+&ir &5p&$siv& !ili"i&s, "+&- '&r& $" i$r/&% "+& i//&$si"- "+& %$"i$s "+&- r& $' !/p&ll&% " *iv&.

N"& s+0l% & /%&, ", "+& !" "+" '+" S&!"i$ 92 "&s '- is ir"i/&. Air "i/& is "+& $is+&% pr%0!" "&r s""i$ 0s&s i"s '$ r%!s"!ili"i&s. T+& r&40&$!- is l0s" "+& sp&!i! r0"& r !+$$&l - '+i!+ "+is/&%i0/ r&!+&s "+& T s&"s "+& *&$&rl p0li!. T&!+$i!ll-, "+&r&r&, "+&'+l&sl& l"&r"i$ - S&!"i$ 92 ll r%!s" r$!+is& '0l% pp&r0$r&l"&% " "+& !/p&ll&% %$"i$s. =+il& "+& &5pr&ss /%i!"i$ is i$"+& r$!+is&, '+" S&!"i$ 92 r&ll- %&s is "+" i" "&s '- "+& &$%pr%0!" "+& !ili"i&s '+i!+ '&r& s&" 0p "+r0*+ "+& 0s& "+&&$"r&pr&$&0rs i$v&s"/&$"s $% "+& r%!s"&rs 'r.

E!


40/40

T+& pr&r&% %is"i$!"i$ &"'&&$ pri$" $% r%!s" /&%i is "i$si*$i!$" $% " i/s- " & vli% 0s"i!"i$ r "+& %is!ri/i$"i$. T+& pri$" $% r%!s" /&%i r& &40l i$ "+& s&$s& "+" "+ %&riv& "+&irr&v&$0&s pri$!ipll- r/ pi% %s. T+&- s+0l% "+0s & "r&"&% &40ll- -"+& l' i$ r&sp&!" s0!+ %s.

T s0/ 0p, "+& Bill Ri*+"s 0r C$s"i"0"i$ &5pr&ssl- *0r$"&&s "+&ll'i$* ri*+"s#

1. N p&rs$, '+&"+&r ri!+ r pr, s+ll & %&priv&% prp&r"- 'i"+0" %0&pr!&ss. 2(

2. S0!+ prp&r"- s+ll $" & "&$ - "+& *v&r$/&$", &v&$ r "+& 0s& "+& *&$&rl p0li!, 'i"+0" rs" p-i$* 0s" !/p&$s"i$ " "+& '$&r. 2)

3. N $&, r&*r%l&ss s!il r $$!il s""0s, s+ll & %&$i&% &40l

pr"&!"i$ "+& l'. 2*

T+& /ri"-, +'&v&r, p&r&/p"ril- r0s+&s si%& ll "+&s& s!r&%*0r$"&&s $% pr&&rs " r&l- $ "+& $&0l0s l&*l "+&r- "+" r%!s"s""i$s r& /&r& r&!ipi&$"s s""&J*r$"&% r$!+is&s '+i!+ !$ & l"&r&%r 'i"+%r'$ $-"i/& r "+&r'is& 0r%&$&% 'i"+ (ost fa$to &l&p+$"i$&-&s. B- "+is s+r"J!ir!0i"&% r"i$li, dissents>

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c63 Telebap vs. Comelec