1

MCC INDUSTRIAL SALES CORPORATION, petitioner, vs. SSANGYONG CORPORATION, respondents. Fa ts! On Apri" #$, %&&&, t'e petitioner MCC Ind(stria" Stee" Corp., a do)esti orporation en*a*ed in t'e i)portation and +'o"esa"e o, stain"ess stee" in t'e o(ntr-, ontra ted +it' t'e 'erein private respondent, Ssan*-on Corporation, a )an(,a t(rer o, stain"ess stee" +it' a 'ead o,,i e in Seo(" So(t' .orea. MCC ordered %%& )etri ton o, stain"ess stee" ,or /#,01& )etri ton. It +as arran*ed t'at t'e respondent +i"" iss(e t'e sa"es invoi es t'ro(*' ,a2, and on e t'e petitioner on,or)e to s( ' t'en MCC t'ro(*' its *enera" )ana*er and president Geor*e C'an, t'e "atter 'as to ,a2 t'e sa)e +it' 'is si*nat(re. On t'e ti)e t'e petitioner 'ad a 'ard ti)e to open t'e "atters o, redit, Ssan*-on* de ided to ne*otiate +it' its )ot'er o)pan- in 3orea to *rant MCC a dis o(nt and to e2tend ,or a +'i"e t'e openin* o, "etters o, redit. S( ' re4(est +as a ede 5- respondent. T'e ,irst /6&,&&& "etter o, redit +as iss(ed 5- MCC 5(t t'e re)ainin* /#6&,&&& +as not. On t'is note, t'e respondent +as o)pe""ed to ,i"ed a o)p"aint ,or 5rea ' o, ontra t and pra-er ,or da)a*es. T'e "o+er o(rt a eded +it' t'e pra-er o, t'e respondent, t'at indeed petitioner ,ai"ed o)p"- +it' t'eir ontra t despite dis o(nts *iven as +e"" as e2tension ,or openin* o, "etter o, redit, (nder t'e stron* protest o, t'e petitioner t'at t'e ,a2 opies presented as do ()ent annot 5e re"ied (pon as t'e 5est eviden e. Iss(e! 7'et'er t'e print8o(t and9or p'oto opies o, ,a si)i"e trans)issions are e"e troni eviden e and ad)issi5"e as s( ': ;e"d! E"e troni Co))er e A t o, %&&& <R.A. No. 06=%> vis8?8vis t'e R("es on E"e troni Eviden e. A"t'o(*' t'e parties did not raise t'e 4(estion +'et'er t'e ori*ina" ,a si)i"e trans)issions are @e"e troni data )essa*es@ or @e"e troni do ()ents@ +it'in t'e onte2t o, t'e E"e troni Co))er e A t <t'e petitioner )ere"- assai"s as inad)issi5"e eviden e t'e p'oto opies o, t'e said ,a si)i"e trans)issions>, +e dee) it appropriate to deter)ine ,irst +'et'er t'e said ,a2 trans)issions are indeed +it'in t'e overa*e o, R.A. No. 06=% 5e,ore r("in* on +'et'er t'e p'oto opies t'ereo, are overed 5- t'e "a+. In anase, t'is Co(rt 'as a)p"e a(t'orit- to *o 5e-ond t'e p"eadin*s +'en, in t'e interest o, A(sti e or ,or t'e pro)otion o, p(5"i po"i -, t'ere is a need to )a3e its o+n ,indin*s in order to s(pport its on "(sions.

Ad)issi5i"it- o, Pro For)a Invoi esB Crea ' o, Contra t 5- Appe""ants T(rnin* ,irst to t'e appe""antsD ar*()ent a*ainst t'e ad)issi5i"it- o, t'e Pro For)a Invoi es +it' Re,eren e Nos. ST%8POSTS&E&#8# and ST%8POSTS&E&#8% <E2'i5its @E@, @E8#@ and @F@, pp. %#F8%#0, Re ords>, appe""ants ar*(e t'at t'e said do ()ents are inad)issi5"e <si > 5ein* vio"ative o, t'e 5est eviden e r("e. T'e ar*()ent is (ntena5"e. T'e opies o, t'e said pro8,or)a invoi es s(5)itted 5- t'e appe""ee are ad)issi5"e in eviden e, a"t'o(*' t'e- are )ere e"e troni ,a si)i"e printo(ts o, appe""antDs orders. S( ' ,a si)i"e printo(ts are onsidered E"e troni Do ()ents (nder t'e Ne+ R("es on E"e troni Eviden e, +'i ' a)e into e,,e t on A(*(st #, %&&#. <R("e %, Se tion # G'H, A.M. No. &#868&#8SC>. @<'> DE"e troni do ()entD re,ers to in,or)ation or t'e representation o, in,or)ation, data, ,i*(res, s-)5o"s or ot'er )odes o, +ritten e2pression, des ri5ed or 'o+ever represented, 5- +'i ' a ri*'t is esta5"is'ed or an o5"i*ation e2tin*(is'ed, or 5- +'i ' a ,a t )a- 5e proved and a,,ir)ed, +'i ' is re eived, re orded, trans)itted, stored, pro essed, retrieved or prod( ed e"e troni a""-. It in "(des di*ita""- si*ned do ()ents and anprinto(t or o(tp(t, reada5"e 5- si*'t or ot'er )eans, +'i ' a (rate"- re,"e ts t'e e"e troni data )essa*e or e"e troni do ()ent. For p(rposes o, t'ese R("es, t'e ter) De"e troni do ()entD )a- 5e (sed inter 'an*ea5"- +it' De"e troni data )essa*eD. An e"e troni do ()ent s'a"" 5e re*arded as t'e e4(iva"ent o, an ori*ina" do ()ent (nder t'e Cest Eviden e R("e, as "on* as it is a printo(t or o(tp(t reada5"e 5- si*'t or ot'er )eans, s'o+in* to re,"e t t'e data a (rate"-. <R("e E, Se tion #, A.M. No. &#868 &#8SC> T'e r("in* o, t'e Appe""ate Co(rt is in orre t. R.A. No. 06=%, ot'er+ise 3no+n as t'e E"e troni Co))er e A t o, %&&&, onsiders an e"e troni data )essa*e or an e"e troni do ()ent as t'e ,(n tiona" e4(iva"ent o, a +ritten do ()ent ,or evidentiar- p(rposes. T'e R("es on E"e troni Eviden e re*ards an e"e troni do ()ent as ad)issi5"e in eviden e i, it o)p"ies +it' t'e r("es on ad)issi5i"it- pres ri5ed 5- t'e R("es o, Co(rt

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and re"ated "a+s, and is a(t'enti ated in t'e )anner pres ri5ed 5- t'e said R("es. An e"e troni do ()ent is a"so t'e e4(iva"ent o, an ori*ina" do ()ent (nder t'e Cest Eviden e R("e, i, it is a printo(t or o(tp(t reada5"e 5- si*'t or ot'er )eans, s'o+n to re,"e t t'e data a (rate"-. T'(s, to 5e ad)issi5"e in eviden e as an e"e troni data )essa*e or to 5e onsidered as t'e ,(n tiona" e4(iva"ent o, an ori*ina" do ()ent (nder t'e Cest Eviden e R("e, t'e +ritin* )(st ,ore)ost 5e an @e"e troni data )essa*e@ or an @e"e troni do ()ent.@ T'e E"e troni Co))er e A t o, %&&& de,ines e"e troni data )essa*e and e"e troni do ()ent as ,o""o+s! Se . F. De,inition o, Ter)s. For t'e p(rposes o, t'is A t, t'e ,o""o+in* ter)s are de,ined, as ,o""o+s! 222 . @E"e troni Data Messa*e@ re,ers to in,or)ation *enerated, sent, re eived or stored 5e"e troni , opti a" or si)i"ar )eans. 222 ,. @E"e troni Do ()ent@ re,ers to in,or)ation or t'e representation o, in,or)ation, data, ,i*(res, s-)5o"s or ot'er )odes o, +ritten e2pression, des ri5ed or 'o+ever represented, 5- +'i ' a ri*'t is esta5"is'ed or an o5"i*ation e2tin*(is'ed, or 5- +'i ' a ,a t )a- 5e proved and a,,ir)ed, +'i ' is re eived, re orded, trans)itted, stored, pro essed, retrieved or prod( ed e"e troni a""-. T'e de,initions (nder t'e E"e troni Co))er e A t o, %&&&, its IRR and t'e R("es on E"e troni Eviden e, at ,irst *"an e, onve- t'e i)pression t'at ,a si)i"e trans)issions are e"e troni data )essa*es or e"e troni do ()ents 5e a(se t'e- are sent 5- e"e troni )eans. T'e e2panded de,inition o, an @e"e troni data )essa*e@ (nder t'e IRR, onsistent +it' t'e UNCITRAL Mode" La+, ,(rt'er s(pports t'is t'eor- onsiderin* t'at t'e en()eration @222 GisH not "i)ited to, e"e troni data inter 'an*e <EDI>, e"e troni )ai", te"e*ra), te"e2 or te"e op-.@ And to te"e op- isto send a do ()ent ,ro) one p"a e to anot'er via a ,a2 )a 'ine. Indeed t'e o(rt proved t'at it +as +it'in t'e intention o, t'e ,ra)ers o, t'e "a+ to onsider t'at ori*ina" printo(t or t'e e"e troni data store in o)p(ter or e"e troni *ad*et red( ed in a reada5"e ,or), +i"" 5e onsidered as +ritten instr()ent provided t'at proper a(t'enti ation 5e )ade and proved, to +'i ' t'e respondent )ana*ed to do so. T'e 'i*' o(rt r("ed in ,avor o, t'e respondent.

Di*est 1!IIRGILIO O. GARCILLANO vs. T;E ;OUSE OF REPRESENTATIIES COMMITTEES ON PUCLIC INFORMATION, PUCLIC ORDER AND SAFETY, NATIONAL DEFENSE AND SECURITY, INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TEC;NOLOGY, and SUFFRAGE AND ELECTORAL REFORMS G.R. No. #6&$$0 De e)5er %$, %&&0 IIRGILIO O. GARCILLANO, petitioner, vs. T;E ;OUSE OF REPRESENTATIIES COMMITTEES ON PUCLIC INFORMATION, PUCLIC ORDER AND SAFETY, NATIONAL DEFENSE AND SECURITY, INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TEC;NOLOGY, and SUFFRAGE AND ELECTORAL REFORMS, respondents. 2 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 2 G.R. No. #6=%6F De e)5er %$, %&&0 SANTIAGO JAIIER RANADA and OS7ALDO D. AGCAOILI, petitioners, vs. T;E SENATE OF T;E REPUCLIC OF T;E P;ILIPPINES, REPRESENTED CY T;E SENATE PRESIDENT T;E ;ONORACLE MANUEL IILLAR, respondents. 2 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 2 MAJ. LINDSAY REK SAGGE, petitioner8in8intervention 2 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 2 ALUILINO L. PIMENTEL, JR., CENIGNO NOYNOY C. ALUINO, RODOLFO G. CIAMON, PANFILO M. LACSON, LOREN C. LEGARDA, M.A. JAMCY A.S. MADRIGAL, and ANTONIO F. TRILLANES, respondents8intervenors Fa ts! D(rin* t'e '-pe o, Arro-o ad)inistration, a ne+ ontrovers- arises. D(rin* t'e %&&6 e"e tion t'e onversation o, President Arro-o and t'e 'erein petitioner Iir*i"io Gar i"iano, COMELEC re*iona" dire tor, re*ardin* t'e desire o, t'e president to 'ave a ,avo(ra5"e o(t o)e in ter)s o, 'is senatoria5"es. S( ' onversation +as re orded and +as p"a-ed d(rin* t'e 'o(se o, representative investi*ation. Ce a(se o, s( ' t(rn o, events, a petition +as ,i"ed 5e,ore t'e o(rt pra-in* t'at s( ' p"a-in* o, t'e i""e*a""seiNed o))(ni ation +as in vio"ation o, RA E%&& or t'e anti8+ire tappin* "a+. A"so s( ' petition ,or inA(n tion pra-s t'at t'e Senate o))ittee 5e prevented ,ro) ,(rt'er ond( tin* s( ' investi*ation ,or t'e 5asi reason t'at t'ere +as no proper p(5"i ation o, t'e senate r("es, e)po+erin* t'e) to )a3e s( ' investi*ation o, t'e (n"a+,(""- seiNed do ()ents. Iss(e! 7'et'er or not t'ere +as proper p(5"i ation o, t'e r("es as to e)po+er t'e senate to ,(rt'er pro eed +it' t'eir investi*ation: ;e"d! No, t'e S(pre)e Co(rt )entioned t'e ,o""o+in*!

T'e Senate annot 5e a""o+ed to ontin(e +it' t'e ond( t o, t'e 4(estioned "e*is"ative in4(ir- +it'o(t d("- p(5"is'ed r("es o, pro ed(re, in "ear dero*ation o, t'e

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onstit(tiona" re4(ire)ent. Se tion %#, Arti "e II o, t'e #=06 Constit(tion e2p"i it"- provides t'at @t'e Senate or t'e ;o(se o, Representatives, or an- o, its respe tive o))ittees )a- ond( t in4(iries in aid o, "e*is"ation in a ordan e +it' its d("- p(5"is'ed r("es o, pro ed(re.@ T'e re4(isite o, p(5"i ation o, t'e r("es is intended to satis,- t'e 5asi re4(ire)ents o, d(e pro ess.P(5"i ation is indeed i)perative, ,or it +i"" 5e t'e 'ei*'t o, inA(sti e to p(nis' or ot'er+ise 5(rden a itiNen ,or t'e trans*ression o, a "a+ or r("e o, +'i ' 'e 'ad no noti e +'atsoever, not even a onstr( tive one.7'at onstit(tes p(5"i ation is set ,ort' in Arti "e % o, t'e Civi" Code, +'i ' provides t'at @"a+s s'a"" ta3e e,,e t a,ter #F da-s ,o""o+in* t'e o)p"etion o, t'eir p(5"i ation eit'er in t'e O,,i ia" GaNette, or in a ne+spaper o, *enera" ir ("ation in t'e P'i"ippines.@ Respondents A(sti,- t'eir non8o5servan e o, t'e onstit(tiona""- )andated p(5"i ation 5ar*(in* t'at t'e r("es 'ave never 5een a)ended sin e #==F and, despite t'at, t'e- are p(5"is'ed in 5oo3"et ,or) avai"a5"e to an-one ,or ,ree, and a essi5"e to t'e p(5"i at t'e SenateOs internet +e5 pa*e. T'e Co(rt does not a*ree. T'e a5sen e o, an- a)end)ent to t'e r("es annot A(sti,- t'e SenateOs de,ian e o, t'e "ear and (na)5i*(o(s "an*(a*e o, Se tion %#, Arti "e II o, t'e Constit(tion. T'e or*ani "a+ instr( ts, +it'o(t )ore, t'at t'e Senate or its o))ittees )a- ond( t in4(iries in aid o, "e*is"ation on"- in a ordan e +it' d("- p(5"is'ed r("es o, pro ed(re, and does not )a3e an- distin tion +'et'er or not t'ese r("es 'ave (nder*one a)end)ents or revision. T'e onstit(tiona" )andate to p(5"is' t'e said r("es prevai"s over an- (sto), pra ti e or tradition ,o""o+ed 5- t'e Senate. T'e invo ation 5- t'e respondents o, t'e provisions o, R.A. No. 06=%,ot'er+ise 3no+n as t'e E"e troni Co))er e A t o, %&&&, to s(pport t'eir "ai) o, va"id p(5"i ation t'ro(*' t'e internet is a"" t'e )ore in orre t. R.A. 06=% onsiders an e"e troni data )essa*e or an e"e troni do ()ent as t'e ,(n tiona" e4(iva"ent o, a +ritten do ()ent on"- ,or evidentiar- p(rposes.In ot'er +ords, t'e "a+ )ere"- re o*niNes t'e ad)issi5i"itin eviden e <,or t'eir 5ein* t'e ori*ina"> o, e"e troni data )essa*es and9or e"e troni do ()ents.It does not )a3e t'e internet a )edi() ,or p(5"is'in* "a+s, r("es and re*("ations. Given t'is dis (ssion, t'e respondent Senate Co))ittees, t'ere,ore, o("d not, in vio"ation o, t'e Constit(tion, (se its (np(5"is'ed r("es in t'e "e*is"ative in4(ir- s(5Ae t o, t'ese onso"idated ases. T'e ond( t o, in4(iries in aid o, "e*is"ation 5- t'e Senate 'as to 5e de,erred (nti" it s'a"" 'ave a(sed t'e p(5"i ation o, t'e r("es, 5e a(se it an do so on"- @in a ordan e +it' its d("- p(5"is'ed r("es o, pro ed(re.@ Indeed t'e in4(ir- to 5e ond( ted 5- t'e senate in aid o, "e*is"ation annot pro eed ,or t'e reason t'at t'e r("es t'at t'e- +i"" o5serve +as not proper"- p(5"is'ed as provided 5t'e F(nda)enta" La+ o, t'e "and. S( ' in4(ir- i, a""o+ed +it'o(t o5servan e o, t'e re4(ired p(5"i ation +i"" p(t a personOs "i,e, "i5ert- and propert- at sta3e +it'o(t d(e pro ess o, "a+. A"so, t'e ,(rt'er assertion o, t'e senate t'at t'e- a"read- p(5"is'ed s( ' r("es t'ro(*' t'eir +e5 pa*e, in o5servan e o, t'e RA 06=% or t'e E"e troni Co))er e A t +as on"- vie+ed 5- t'e o(rt as )atter o, eviden e and sti"" does not on,or)e +it' +'at t'e onstit(tion propo(nded. In t'is re*ard t'e 'i*' o(rt *ranted t'e petition ,or inA(n tion preventin* t'e senate to ond( t s( ' in4(ir- in aid o, "e*is"ation. Capa""a vs. Co)e"e , GR No. %&###%, J(ne #$, %&#% C- LLCe!La+Li,eC(NNEt etera Facts: On J("- #&, %&&=, t'e Co)e"e and S)art)ati 8TIM entered into a Contra t ,or t'e Provision o, an A(to)ated E"e tion S-ste) ,or t'e Ma- #&, %&#& S-n 'roniNed Nationa" and Lo a" E"e tions,<AES Contra t>. T'e ontra t 5et+een t'e Co)e"e and S)art)ati 8TIM +as one o, P"ease o, t'e AES +it' option to p(r 'ase <OTP> t'e *oods "isted in t'e ontra t.Q In said ontra t, t'e Co)e"e +as *iven (nti" De e)5er $#, %&#& +it'in +'i ' to e2er ise t'e option. In Septe)5er %&#&, t'e Co)e"e partia""- e2er ised its OTP =%& (nits o, PCOS )a 'ines +it' orrespondin* anvassin*9 onso"idation s-ste) <CCS> ,or t'e spe ia" e"e tions in ertain areas in t'e provin es o, Casi"an, Lanao de" S(r and C("a an. In a "etter dated De e)5er #0, %&#&, S)art)ati 8TIM, t'ro(*' its C'air)an F"ores, proposed a te)porar- e2tension o, t'e option period on t'e re)ainin* PCOS )a 'ines (nti" Mar ' $#, %&##, +aivin* t'e stora*e osts and overin* t'e )aintenan e osts. T'e Co)e"e did not e2er ise t'e option +it'in t'e e2tended period. Severa" e2tensions +ere *iven ,or t'e Co)e"e to e2er ise t'e OTP (nti" its ,ina" e2tension on Mar ' $#, %&#%. On Mar ' %=, %&#%, t'e Co)e"e iss(ed a Reso"(tion reso"vin* to a ept S)art)ati 8 TIMOs o,,er to e2tend t'e period to e2er ise t'e OTP (nti" Mar ' $#, %&#% and to a(t'oriNe C'air)an Cri""antes to si*n ,or and on 5e'a", o, t'e Co)e"e t'e A*ree)ent on t'e E2tension o, t'e OTP Under t'e AES Contra t <E2tension A*ree)ent>. Co)e"e a*ain iss(ed a Reso"(tion reso"vin* to approve t'e Deed o, Sa"e 5et+een t'e Co)e"e and S)art)ati 8TIM to p(r 'ase t'e "atterOs PCOS )a 'ines to 5e (sed in t'e (p o)in* Ma- %&#$ e"e tions and to a(t'oriNe C'air)an Cri""antes to si*n t'e Deed o, Sa"e ,or and on 5e'a", o, t'e Co)e"e . T'e Deed o, Sa"e +as ,ort'+it' e2e (ted. Petitioners assai" t'e onstit(tiona"it- o, t'e Co)e"e Reso"(tions on t'e *ro(nds t'at t'e option period provided ,or in t'e AES ontra t 'ad a"read- "apsedB t'at t'e e2tension o, t'e option period and t'e e2er ise o, t'e option +it'o(t o)petitive p(5"i 5iddin* ontravene t'e provisions o, RA =#0EB and t'at t'e Co)e"e p(r 'ased t'e )a 'ines in ontravention o, t'e standards "aid do+n in RA =$1=. On t'e ot'er 'and, respondents ar*(e on t'e va"idit- o, t'e s(5Ae t transa tion 5ased on t'e *ro(nds t'at t'ere is no

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pro'i5ition eit'er in t'e ontra t or provision o, "a+ ,or it to e2tend t'e option periodB t'at t'e OTP is not an independent ontra t in itse",, 5(t is a provision ontained in t'e va"id and e2istin* AES ontra t t'at 'ad a"read- satis,ied t'e p(5"i 5iddin* re4(ire)ents o, RA =#0EB and t'at e2er isin* t'e option +as t'e )ost advanta*eo(s option o, t'e Co)e"e . Issue: 7'et'er or not t'ere +as *rave a5(se o, dis retion a)o(ntin* to "a 3 or e2 ess o, A(risdi tion on t'e part o, t'e Co)e"e in iss(in* t'e assai"ed Reso"(tions and in e2e (tin* t'e assai"ed E2tension A*ree)ent and Deed. Held: No. A readin* o, t'e ot'er provisions o, t'e AES ontra t +o("d s'o+ t'at t'e parties are *iven t'e ri*'t to a)end t'e ontra t +'i ' )a- in "(de t'e period +it'in +'i ' to e2er ise t'e option. T'ere is, "i3e+ise, no pro'i5ition on t'e e2tension o, t'e period, provided t'at t'e ontra t is sti"" e,,e tive. T'e Co)e"e sti"" retains PF&M o, t'e a)o(nt d(e S)art)ati 8TIM as per,or)an e se (rit-, +'i ' indi ates t'at t'e AES ontra t is sti"" e,,e tive and not -et ter)inated. Conse4(ent"-, p(rs(ant to Arti "e #= o, t'e ontra t, t'e provisions t'ereo, )a- sti"" 5e a)ended 5- )(t(a" a*ree)ent o, t'e parties provided said a)end)ent is in +ritin* and si*ned 5- t'e parties. Considerin*, 'o+ever, t'at t'e AES ontra t is not an ordinar- ontra t as it invo"ves pro (re)ent 5a *overn)ent a*en -, t'e ri*'ts and o5"i*ations o, t'e parties are *overned not on"- 5t'e Civi" Code 5(t a"so 5- RA =#0E. A +innin* 5idder is not pre "(ded ,ro) )odi,-in* or a)endin* ertain provisions o, t'e ontra t 5idded (pon. ;o+ever, s( ' 'an*es )(st not onstit(te s(5stantia" or )ateria" a)end)ents t'at +o("d a"ter t'e 5asi para)eters o, t'e ontra t and +o("d onstit(te a denia" to t'e ot'er 5idders o, t'e opport(nit- to 5id on t'e sa)e ter)s. T'e on "(sions 'e"d 5- t'e Co(rt in Po+er Se tor Assets and Lia5i"ities Mana*e)ent Corporation <PSALM> v. PoNNo"ani P'i"ippines In orporated and A*an, Jr. v. P'i"ippine Internationa" Air Ter)ina"s Co., In ., <PIATCO> annot 5e app"ied in t'e present ase. First, S)art)ati 8TIM +as not *ranted additiona" ri*'t t'at +as not previo(s"- avai"a5"e to t'e ot'er 5idders. T'e 5idders +ere apprised t'at aside ,ro) t'e "ease o, *oods and p(r 'ase o, servi es, t'eir proposa"s s'o("d in "(de an OTP t'e s(5Ae t *oods. Se ond, t'e a)end)ent o, t'e AES ontra t is not s(5stantia". T'e approved 5(d*et ,or t'e ontra t +as P##,%%$,1#0,E&&.&& 'ar*ed a*ainst t'e s(pp"e)enta" appropriations ,or e"e tion )oderniNation. Cids +ere, t'ere,ore, a epted provided t'at t'e- did not e2 eed Fa ts! Ma"d- N(eN, ,i"ed a o)p"aint ,or i""e*a" dis)issa" a*ainst PAGCOR +'en t'e "atter a (sed 'i) o, (sin* i""e*a" dr(*s. T'e "o+er a eded +it' t'e pra-er and ontention o, Ma"d- 5(t event(a""- t'e appe""ate o(rt reversed t'e initia" ,avora5"e de ision o, t'e o(rt a 4(o. In t'is re*ard, Ma"d- +as in desperate need o, 'e"p t'at an spped (p 'is ase 5e,ore t'e CA. ;e onta ted, E"vira Cr(N8Apao, an E2e (tive Assistant II o, t'e a tin* Division C"er3 o, Co(rt o, CA, +'o) 'e "earned ,ro) 'is sister8in8"a+. E"vira te2ted Ma"d-, t'at a ,avora5"e de ision an 5e )ade provided P#Mi""ion 5e *iven to 'er. Ma"d- 5ar*ained ,or a "o+er a)o(nt 5(t E"vira re,(sed, )entionin* t'at it is t'e ,"at rate t'e person +'o +i"" )a3e t'e ,avora5"e de ision. E"vira te2ted Ma"d- t'at t'e- 'ave to )eet at ti)es P"aNa Un Aven(e. Ma"d- and E"vira )et and ne*otiated ,or a "o+er pri e, 5(t to no avai". T'e- arran*ed ,or a not'er )eein*, 5(t no+, Ma"d- oordinated to )atter +it' GMA 6 I)5esti*ador, +'ere assistan e ,ro) PAOCTF +as so(*'t ,or an entrap)ent operation. D(rin* t'e )eetin*, )ar3ed )one- +as prepared. A*ents o, PAOCTF +ere in position to e2e (te t'e entrape)ent. 7'en E"vira arrived, s'e +as an2io(s t'at an entrap)ent +i"" 5e )ade. Event(a""- t'e PAOCTF operators e2e (ted t'e entrap)ent and investi*ated t'e respondent. Iss(e! +'et'er or not ep'e)era" o))(ni ations an 5e (sed as eviden e 5e,ore t'e o(rt: A.M. No. CA8&F8#08P Apri" #%, %&&F MALDY NUEM, Co)p"ainant, vs. ELIIRA CRUM8APAO, respondent. said a)o(nt. T'e o)petitive p(5"i 5iddin* ond( ted ,or t'e AES AES ontra t is )ore advanta*eo(s to t'e Co)e"e and t'e p(5"i ontra t +as 5e a(se t'e

s(,,i ient. A ne+ p(5"i 5iddin* +o("d 5e a s(per,"(it-. Last"-, t'e a)end)ent o, t'e P6,#=#,E0E,6$=.E0 renta"s paid ,or t'e "ease o, *oods and p(r 'ase o, servi es (nder t'e AES ontra t +as onsidered part o, t'e p(r 'ase pri e. For t'e Co)e"e to o+n t'e s(5Ae t *oods, it +as re4(ired to pa- on"- P%,#$&,1$F,&E0.#F. I, t'e Co)e"e did not e2er ise t'e option, t'e renta"s a"read- paid +o("d A(st 5e one o, t'e *overn)ent e2penses ,or t'e past e"e tion and +o("d 5e o, no (se to ,(t(re e"e tions.

5
;e"d! Yes, t'e S(pre)e Co(rt )entioned t'e ,o""o+in*! Co)p"ainant +as a5"e to prove 5- 'is testi)on- in onA(n tion +it' t'e te2t )essa*es ,ro) respondent d("- presented 5e,ore t'e Co))ittee t'at t'e "atter as3ed ,or One Mi""ion Pesos <P#,&&&,&&&.&&> in e2 'an*e ,or a ,avora5"e de ision o, t'e ,or)erOs pendin* ase +it' t'e CA. T'e te2t )essa*es +ere proper"- ad)itted 5- t'e Co))ittee sin e t'e sa)e are no+ overed 5- Se tion #<3>, R("e % o, t'e R("es on E"e troni Eviden e +'i ' provides! @Ep'e)era" e"e troni o))(ni ation@ re,ers to te"ep'one onversations, te2t )essa*es . . . and ot'er e"e troni ,or)s o, o))(ni ation t'e eviden e o, +'i ' is not re orded or retained.@ Under Se tion %, R("e ## o, t'e R("es on E"e troni Eviden e, @Ep'e)era" e"e troni o))(ni ations s'a"" 5e proven 5- t'e testi)on- o, a person +'o +as a part- to t'e sa)e or +'o 'as persona" 3no+"ed*e t'ereo, . . . .@ In t'is ase, o)p"ainant +'o +as t'e re ipient o, said )essa*es and t'ere,ore 'ad persona" 3no+"ed*e t'ereo, testi,ied on t'eir ontents and i)port. Respondent 'erse", ad)itted t'at t'e e""p'one n()5er re,"e ted in o)p"ainantOs e""p'one ,ro) +'i ' t'e )essa*es ori*inated +as 'ers. Moreover, ando(5t respondent )a- 'ave 'ad as to t'e ad)issi5i"it- o, t'e te2t )essa*es 'ad 5een "aid to rest +'en s'e and 'er o(nse" si*ned and attested to t'e vera it- o, t'e te2t )essa*es 5et+een 'er and o)p"ainant. It is a"so +e"" to re)e)5er t'at in ad)inistrative ases, te 'ni a" r("es o, pro ed(re and eviden e are not stri t"- app"ied. 7e 'ave no do(5t as to t'e pro5ative va"(e o, t'e te2t )essa*es as eviden e in deter)inin* t'e *(i"t or "a 3 t'ereo, o, respondent in t'is ase. Indeed t'e te2t )essa*es o, E"vira an 5e (sed as an eviden e 5e,ore o(rt pro eedin* and even in ad)inistrative pro eedin*s as in t'e ase at 'and. Ma"d- is one o, t'e re ipient o, t' t2t )essa*es, to +'i ' 'e 'as persona" 3no+"ed*e o, t'e o))(ni ation. Moreover, t'e person to +'o) t'e respondent on,essed )ade a +ritten report 5e,ore J(sti e Ii""ara)a as to t'e a t(ations )ade 5- E"vira. T'e 'i*' o(rt reiterated t'at 5ein* an e)p"o-ee, s'e 'as a 5(rden o, presentin* 5e,ore t'e p(5"i , 'onest- and pro5it- as en e)p"o-ee o, t'e depart)ent t'at on,er A(d*)ent and A(sti e. T'e 'i*' o(rt dis)issed t'e e)p"o-ee ,or *rave a5(se o, dis retion. G.R. No. #0%0$F Apri" %&, %&#& RUSTAN ANG PASCUA, Petitioner, vs. T;E ;ONORACLE COURT OF APPEALS and IRIS; SAGUD, Respondents. Fa ts! T'e 'erein petitioner, R(stan An* and t'e private respondent, Iris' Sa*(d +ere "overs d(rin* t'eir o""e*e da-s in 7es"e-an Universit- in Maria A(rora Provin e o, A(rora. Event(a""-, Iris' 'eard t'at R(stan 'as a "ive8in8partner +'o) R(stan *ot pre*nant. Ce a(se o, t'is, Iris' de ided to 5ro3e (p +it' R(stan. T'e "atter as3ed Iris' to e"ope +it' 'i), sin e 'e does not "ove t'e ot'er *ir", to +'i ' Iris' re,(sed. To press(re Iris' to *et 5a 3 +it' 'i) 'e send )("ti)edia )essa*es to Iris', 5earin* a pi t(re o, a na3ed +o)an, +'o spread 'er "e*s +it' a ,a e o, Iris' s(peri)posed on it. R(stan even added in t'e te2t )essa*e t'at it is eas- ,or 'i) to spread t'ose pi t(res in t'e internet. Ce a(se o, t'is s enario, Iris', as3ed 'e"p ,ro) t'e Ii 8Ma-or o, t'e )(ni ipa"it-, to +'i ' oordination +it' t'e "o a" po"i e +as )ade. Entrap)ent operation +as ond( ted and arrested R(stan. Iss(e! 7'et'er or not R(stanOs ontention t'at t'e )("ti)edia )essa*es s'o("d not 5e )ade ad)issi5"e ,or t'e 5asi reason t'at s( ' +as not proper"- a(t'enti ated as provided 5t'e R("es on E"e troni Do ()ents: ;e"d! No, t'e S(pre)e Co(rt )entioned t'e ,o""o+in*! R(stan "ai)s t'at t'e o5s ene pi t(re sent to Iris' t'ro(*' a te2t )essa*e onstit(tes an e"e troni do ()ent. T'(s, it s'o("d 5e a(t'enti ated 5- )eans o, an e"e troni si*nat(re, as provided (nder Se tion #, R("e F o, t'e R("es on E"e troni Eviden e <A.M. &#868&#8SC>. C(t, ,irst"-, R(stan is raisin* t'is o5Ae tion to t'e ad)issi5i"it- o, t'e o5s ene pi t(re, E2'i5it A, ,or t'e ,irst ti)e 5e,ore t'is Co(rt. T'e o5Ae tion is too "ate sin e 'e s'o("d 'ave o5Ae ted to t'e ad)ission o, t'e pi t(re on s( ' *ro(nd at t'e ti)e it +as o,,ered in eviden e. ;e s'o("d 5e dee)ed to 'ave a"read- +aived s( ' *ro(nd ,or o5Ae tion. Cesides, t'e r("es 'e ites do not app"- to t'e present ri)ina" a tion. T'e R("es on E"e troni Eviden e app"ies on"- to ivi" a tions, 4(asi8A(di ia" pro eedin*s, and ad)inistrative pro eedin*s. Indeed t'e assertion o, R(stan +i"" not 5e *iven )erit ,or t'e 5asi reason t'at s( ' ontention +as on"- raised 5e,ore t'is o(rt to +'i ' t'e "atter 'ad a pres()ption t'at R(stan 'as +aived 'is ri*'t to 4(estion t'e a(t'enti it- o, t'e pi t(res. Moreover, t'e o(rt avers t'at s( ' assertion o, R(stan annot 5e )ade possi5"e in ri)ina" aseB s( ' an on"5e )ade 5e,ore, ivi" and ad)inistrative a tions. T'e 'i*' o(rt denied t'e petition. Fa ts!

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T'is ase on erns a "ai) o, o))ission o, t'e ri)e o, vio"en e a*ainst +o)en +'en a ,or)er 5o-,riend sent to t'e *ir" t'e pi t(re o, a na3ed +o)an, not 'er, 5(t +it' 'er ,a e on it. T'e p(5"i prose (tor 'ar*ed petitioner8a (sed R(stan An* <R(stan> 5e,ore t'e Re*iona" Tria" Co(rt <RTC> o, Ca"er, A(rora, o, vio"ation o, t'e Anti8Iio"en e A*ainst 7o)en and T'eir C'i"dren A t or Rep(5"i A t <R.A.> =%1% in an in,or)ation t'at reads! On or a5o(t J(ne F, %&&F, in t'e M(ni ipa"it- o, Maria A(rora, Provin e o, A(rora, P'i"ippines and +it'in t'e A(risdi tion o, t'is ;onora5"e Co(rt, t'e said a (sed +i"",(""-, (n"a+,(""- and ,e"onio(s"-, in a p(rpose,(" and re 3"ess ond( t, sent t'ro(*' t'e S'ort Messa*in* Servi e <SMS> (sin* 'is )o5i"e p'one, a porno*rap'i pi t(re to one Iris' Sa*(d, +'o +as 'is ,or)er *ir",riend, +'ere5- t'e ,a e o, t'e "atter +as atta 'ed to a o)p"ete"- na3ed 5od- o, anot'er +o)an )a3in* it to appear t'at it +as said Iris' Sa*(d +'o is depi ted in t'e said o5s ene and porno*rap'i pi t(re t'ere5- a(sin* s(5stantia" e)otiona" an*(is', ps- 'o"o*i a" distress and '()i"iation to t'e said Iris' Sa*(d. On A(*(st #, %&&#, t'e RTC ,o(nd R(stan *(i"t- o, t'e vio"ation o, Se tion F<'> o, R.A. =%1%. On R(stanOs appea" to t'e Co(rt o, Appea"s <CA>, t'e "atter rendered a de ision dated Jan(ar- $#, %&&0, a,,ir)in* t'e RTC de ision. R(stan "ai)s t'at t'e o5s ene pi t(re sent to Iris' t'ro(*' a te2t )essa*e onstit(tes an e"e troni do ()ent. T'(s, it s'o("d 5e a(t'enti ated 5- )eans o, an e"e troni si*nat(re, as provided (nder Se tion #, R("e F o, t'e R("es on E"e troni Eviden e <A.M. &#868&#8SC>. T'e CA denied R(stanOs )otion ,or re onsideration in a reso"(tion dated Apri" %F, %&&0. T'(s, R(stan ,i"ed t'e present ,or revie+ on ertiorari. Iss(e! 7'et'er or not t'e R("es on E"e troni Eviden e app"ies on ri)ina" ases and t'(s, t'e pi t(re sent t'ro(*' a e"" p'one )essa*e +'erein Sa*(dOs ,a e +as atta 'ed on t'e 5odo, a n(de +o)an )a- 5e (sed as eviden e ,or vio"ation o, Se tion F<'> o, R.A. =%1%. ;e"d! T'e r("es 'e ites do not app"- to t'e present ri)ina" a tion. T'e R("es on E"e troni Eviden e app"ies on"- to ivi" a tions, 4(asi8A(di ia" pro eedin*s, and ad)inistrative pro eedin*s. ;o+ever, R(stan is raisin* t'is o5Ae tion to t'e ad)issi5i"it- o, t'e o5s ene pi t(re, E2'i5it A, ,or t'e ,irst ti)e 5e,ore t'is Co(rt. T'e o5Ae tion is too "ate sin e 'e s'o("d 'ave o5Ae ted to t'e ad)ission o, t'e pi t(re on s( ' *ro(nd at t'e ti)e it +as o,,ered in eviden e. ;e s'o("d 5e dee)ed to 'ave a"read- +aived s( ' *ro(nd ,or o5Ae tion. In on "(sion, t'is Co(rt ,inds t'at t'e prose (tion 'as proved ea ' and ever- e"e)ent o, t'e ri)e 'ar*ed 5e-ond reasona5"e do(5t. G.R. No. #6&E=# Apri" E, %&&6 NATIONAL PO7ER CORPORATION, Petitioner, vs. ;ON. RAMON G. CODILLA, JR., Presidin* J(d*e, RTC o, Ce5(, Cr. #=, CANGPAI S;IPPING COMPANY, and 7ALLEM S;IPPING, INCORPORATED, Respondents.

Fa ts! On apri" %&, #==1, M9I Di5ena7in) 5ein* operated and o+ned 5- t'e 'erein private respondent Can*pai s'ippin* o)pan- (nder its 'ip a*ent 7a""en s'ippin* In ., a identa""- 5()ped t'e po+er 5ar*e o, t'e 'erein petitioner, NAPOCOR. T'e "atter ,i"ed a o)p"aint ,or da)a*es on apri" %1, #==1 5e,ore t'e sa"a o, t'e 'erein p(5"i respondent A(d*e. D(rin* t'e presentation o, eviden e, t'e petitioner presented as pie es o, eviden e Kero2 opies, to +'i ' s( ' +as ad)itted 5- t'e o(rt. ;oever, a )otion to stri3e o(t t'e eviden e +as ,i"ed 5e,ore t'e o(rt to +'i ' t'e o(rt ordered t'at s( ' pie es o, eviden e 5e stri 3en o(t o, t'e re ords 5(t 'as to 5e atta 'ed to t'e do ()ents ,or proper disposition 5- t'e appe""ate in ase o, appea" 5e,ore t'e "atter. T'e petitioner aver t'at s( ' do ()ents 5e ad)itted ,or t'e 5asi reason t'at s( ' is +it'in t'e p(rvie+ o, t'e e"e troni eviden e. Iss(e! 7'et'er or not t'epei es o, eviden e s(5)itted 5- t'e petitioner 5e re*arded +it'in t'e p(rvie+ o, t'e e"e troni eviden e ,or t'e o(rt 5e o)pe""ed to ad)it: ;e"d! No, t'e S(pre)e Co(rt )entioned t'e ,o""o+in*: Se tion # o, R("e % o, t'e R("es on E"e troni Eviden e as ,o""o+s! @<'> @E"e troni do ()ent@ re,ers to in,or)ation or t'e representation o, in,or)ation, data, ,i*(res, s-)5o"s or ot'er )ode"s o, +ritten e2pression, des ri5ed or 'o+ever represented, 5- +'i ' a ri*'t is esta5"is'ed or an o5"i*ation e2tin*(is'ed, or 5- +'i ' a ,a t )a- 5e proved and a,,ir)ed, +'i ' is re eived, re orded, trans)itted, stored, pro essed, retrieved or prod( ed e"e troni a""-. It in "(des di*ita""- si*ned do ()ents and an- printo(t, reada5"e 5- si*'t or ot'er )eans +'i ' a (rate"- re,"e ts t'e e"e troni data )essa*e or e"e troni do ()ent. For t'e p(rpose o, t'ese R("es, t'e ter) @e"e troni do ()ent@ )a- 5e (sed inter 'an*ea5"- +it' @e"e troni data )essa*e@.

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On t'e ot'er 'and, an @e"e troni do ()ent@ re,ers to in,or)ation or t'e representation o, in,or)ation, data, ,i*(res, s-)5o"s or ot'er )ode"s o, +ritten e2pression, des ri5ed or 'o+ever represented, 5- +'i ' a ri*'t is esta5"is'ed or an o5"i*ation e2tin*(is'ed, or 5+'i ' a ,a t )a- 5e proved and a,,ir)ed, +'i ' is re eived, re orded, trans)itted, stored, pro essed, retrieved or prod( ed e"e troni a""-.It in "(des di*ita""- si*ned do ()ents and an- printo(t, reada5"e 5- si*'t or ot'er )eans +'i ' a (rate"- re,"e ts t'e e"e troni data )essa*e or e"e troni do ()ent. T'e r("es (se t'e +ord @in,or)ation@ to de,ine an e"e troni do ()ent re eived, re orded, trans)itted, stored, pro essed, retrieved or prod( ed e"e troni a""-. T'is +o("d s(**est t'at an e"e troni do ()ent is re"evant on"- in ter)s o, t'e in,or)ation ontained t'erein, si)i"ar to an- ot'er do ()ent +'i ' is presented in eviden e as proo, o, its ontents. ;o+ever, +'at di,,erentiates an e"e troni do ()ent ,ro) a paper85ased do ()ent is t'e )anner 5- +'i ' t'e in,or)ation is pro essedB "ear"-, t'e in,or)ation ontained in an e"e troni do ()ent is re eived, re orded, trans)itted, stored, pro essed, retrieved or prod( ed e"e troni a""-. A per(sa" o, t'e in,or)ation ontained in t'e p'oto opies s(5)itted 5- petitioner +i"" revea" t'at not a"" o, t'e ontents t'erein, s( ' as t'e si*nat(res o, t'e persons +'o p(rported"- si*ned t'e do ()ents, )a- 5e re orded or prod( ed e"e troni a""-. C- no stret ' o, t'e i)a*ination an a personOs si*nat(re a,,i2ed )an(a""- 5e onsidered as in,or)ation e"e troni a""- re eived, re orded, trans)itted, stored, pro essed, retrieved or prod( ed. ;en e, t'e ar*()ent o, petitioner t'at sin e t'ese paper printo(ts +ere prod( ed t'ro(*' an e"e troni pro ess, t'en t'ese p'oto opies are e"e troni do ()ents as de,ined in t'e R("es on E"e troni Eviden e is o5vio(s"- an erroneo(s, i, not prepostero(s, interpretation o, t'e "a+. ;avin* t'(s de "ared t'at t'e o,,ered p'oto opies are not tanta)o(nt to e"e troni do ()ents, it is onse4(entia" t'at t'e sa)e )a- not 5e onsidered as t'e ,(n tiona" e4(iva"ent o, t'eir ori*ina" as de reed in t'e "a+. Se tion %, R("e #$& o, t'e R("es o, Co(rt! @SECTION %. Ori*ina" +ritin* )(st 5e prod( edB e2 eptions. R T'ere an 5e no eviden e o, a +ritin* t'e ontents o, +'i ' is t'e s(5Ae t o, in4(ir-, ot'er t'an t'e ori*ina" +ritin* itse",, e2 ept in t'e ,o""o+in* ases! <a> 7'en t'e ori*ina" 'as 5een "ost, destro-ed, or annot 5e prod( ed in o(rtB <5> 7'en t'e ori*ina" is in t'e possession o, t'e part- a*ainst +'o) t'e eviden e is o,,ered, and t'e "atter ,ai"s to prod( e it a,ter reasona5"e noti eB < > 7'en t'e ori*ina" is a re ord or ot'er do ()ent in t'e (stod- o, a p(5"i o,,i erB <d> 7'en t'e ori*ina" 'as 5een re orded in an e2istin* re ord a erti,ied op- o, +'i ' is )ade eviden e 5- "a+B <e> 7'en t'e ori*ina" onsists o, n()ero(s a o(nts or ot'er do ()ents +'i ' annot 5e e2a)ined in o(rt +it'o(t *reat "oss o, ti)e and t'e ,a t so(*'t to 5e esta5"is'ed ,ro) t'e) is on"- t'e *enera" res("t o, t'e +'o"e.@ 7'en t'e ori*ina" do ()ent 'as 5een "ost or destro-ed, or annot 5e prod( ed in o(rt, t'e o,,eror, (pon proo, o, its e2e (tion or e2isten e and t'e a(se o, its (navai"a5i"it+it'o(t 5ad ,ait' on 'is part, )a- prove its ontents 5- a op-, or 5- a re ita" o, its ontents in so)e a(t'enti do ()ent, or 5- t'e testi)on- o, +itnesses in t'e order stated. T'e o,,eror o, se ondar- eviden e is 5(rdened to prove t'e predi ates t'ereo,! <a> t'e "oss or destr( tion o, t'e ori*ina" +it'o(t 5ad ,ait' on t'e part o, t'e proponent9o,,eror +'i ' an 5e s'o+n 5- ir ()stantia" eviden e o, ro(tine pra ti es o, destr( tion o, do ()entsB <5> t'e proponent )(st prove 5- a ,air preponderan e o, eviden e as to raise a reasona5"e in,eren e o, t'e "oss or destr( tion o, t'e ori*ina" op-B and < > it )(st 5e s'o+n t'at a di"i*ent and 5ona ,ide 5(t (ns( ess,(" sear ' 'as 5een )ade ,or t'e do ()ent in t'e proper p"a e or p"a es. ;o+ever, in t'e ase at 5ar, t'o(*' petitioner insisted in o,,erin* t'e p'oto opies as do ()entar- eviden e, it ,ai"ed to esta5"is' t'at s( ' o,,er +as )ade in a ordan e +it' t'e e2 eptions as en()erated (nder t'e a5ove4(oted r("e. A ordin*"-, +e ,ind no error in t'e Order o, t'e o(rt a 4(o den-in* ad)issi5i"it- o, t'e p'oto opies o,,ered 5- petitioner as do ()entar- eviden e. Indeed t'e do ()ents presented 5- t'e petitioner as eviden e 5e,ore t'e o(rt +ere not +it'in t'e p(rvie+ e"e troni do ()ent or e"e troni data )essa*e. It +i"" 5e 'i*'"(na epta5"e to re*ard an in,or)ation )an(a""- +ritten do+n to 5e re*arded as e"e troni )essa*e. T'e petitioner annot aver no+ to s(5)it t'e ori*ina" opies o, t'e do ()ents sin e t'e- +ere *iven eno(*' ti)e to s(5)it s( ' 5(t t'e- re,(sed to do so and insist t'at t'e p'oto opies 5e ad)itted instead.