Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) from the Enforcement of DOJ Watchlist Order Against Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

Republic of the Philippines
Supreme Court
Manila

EN BANC

GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, Petitioner,
G.R. No. 199034

-versus-

Hon. LEILA M. DE LIMA, in her capacity as Secretary of the Department of Justice and RICARDO A. DAVID, JR., in his capacity as Commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration, Respondents.

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JOSE MIGUEL T. ARROYO,Petitioner,
G.R. No. 199046

-versus-

Hon. LEILA M. DE LIMA, in her capacity as Secretary, Department of Justice, RICARDO V. PARAS III, in his capacity as Chief State Counsel, Department of Justice and RICARDO A. DAVID, JR., in his capacity as
Commissioner, Bureau of Immigration, Respondents.

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TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER

TO: Hon. LEILA M. DE LIMA
Secretary

RICARDO V. PARAS III
Chief State Counsel

Department of Justice (DOJ)
Padre Faura St., Ermita, Manila

RICARDO A. DAVID, JR.
Commissioner
Bureau of Immigration (BOI)
2nd Floor BOI Building
Magallanes Drive, Intramuros, Manila

GREETINGS:

WHEREAS, the Supreme Court, on November 15, 2011, adopted a resolution in the above-entitled cases, to wit:

G.R. No. 199034 (Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo vs. Hon. Leila M. De Lima, in her capacity as Secretary of the Department of Justice and Ricardo A. David, Jr., in his capacity as Commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration) and G.R. No. 199046 (Jose Miguel T. Arroyo vs. Hon. Leila M. de Lima, in her capacity as Secretary, Department of Justice, Ricardo V. Paras III, in his capacity as Chief State Counsel, Department of Justice and Ricardo A. David, Jr., in his capacity as Commissioner, Bureau of Immigration).- Acting on the Special Civil Actions for Certiorari and Prohibition with Prayer for the Issuance of a Temporary Restraining Order and/or Writ of Preliminary Injunction, and mindful of the underlying issues in the cases – the right to life (which is the highest right under the Constitution) and its supporting rights, including the right to travel – the Court Resolved to

(a) CONSOLIDATE the above-entitled cases;
(b) REQUIRE the respondents to COMMENT on the consolidated petitions NOT LATER THAN NOVEMBER 18, 2011;
(c) ISSUE a TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER in the consolidated petitions, enjoining the respondents from enforcing or implementing DOJ Department Circular No. 41 and Watchlist Order Nos. ASM-11-237 dated August 9, 2011, 2011-422 dated September 6, 2011 and 2011-573 dated October 27, 2011, subject to the following conditions:

(i) The petitioners shall post a cash bond of Two Million Pesos (P2,000,000.00) payable to this Court within five (5) days from notice hereof. Failure to post the bond within the aforesaid period will result in the automatic lifting of the temporary restraining order;

(ii) The petitioners shall appoint a legal representative common to both of them who will receive subpoena, orders and other legal processes on their behalf during their absence. The petitioners shall submit the name of the legal representative, also within five (5) days from notice hereof; and
Temporary Restraining Order - 3 - G.R. Nos. 199034 & 199046 November 15, 2011

(iii) If there is a Philippine embassy or consulate in the place where they will be traveling, the petitioners shall inform said embassy or consulate by personal appearance or by phone of their whereabouts at all times; and

(d) SET the consolidated cases for ORAL ARGUMENTS on November 22, 2011, Tuesday, at 2:00 p.m. at the New Session Hall, New Supreme Court Building, Padre Faura, Ermita, Manila.

The Court further Resolved to NOTE the

(a) Very Urgent Manifestation and Motion dated November 9, 2011 filed by the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) for respondents Hon. Leila M. De Lima, in her official capacity as Secretary of the Department of Justice and Ricardo A. David, Jr., in his capacity as Commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration in G.R. No. 199034;

(b) Manifestation and Motion dated November 10, 2011 filed by the OSG for respondents Hon. Leila M. De Lima and Ricardo A. David, Jr. in G.R. No. 199034;

(c) Supplemental Petition dated November 13, 2011 filed by counsel for petitioner in G.R. No. 199034;

(d) Comment/Opposition (on/to the Very Urgent Manifestation and Motion dated November 9, 2011) dated November 14, 2011 filed by counsel for petitioner in G.R. No. 199034;

(e) Very Urgent Manifestation and Motion dated November 9, 2011 filed by the OSG for respondents Hon. Leila M. de Lima, in her capacity as Secretary of the Department of Justice, Ricardo V. Paras III, in his capacity as Chief State Counsel and Ricardo A. David, Jr., in his capacity as Commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration in G.R. No. 199046; and

(f) Urgent Manifestation filed by counsel for petitioner in G.R. No. 199046.

The temporary restraining order shall be immediately executory. Justices Antonio T. Carpio and Bienvenido L. Reyes have reserved the right to submit their dissenting opinions.

Leonardo-De Castro, J., on official business. Del Castillo, J., on official leave. (adv156 & 157)

NOW, THEREFORE, effective immediately and continuing until further orders from this Court, You, Respondents, your agents, representatives, or persons acting in your place or stead, are hereby ENJOINED from enforcing or implementing DOJ Department Circular No. 41 and Watchlist Order Nos. ASM-11-237 dated August 9, 2011, 2011- 422 dated September 6, 2011 and 2011-573 dated October 27, 2011.

GIVEN by the Supreme Court of the Philippines, this 15th day of November 2011.

ENRIQUETA E. VIDAL
Clerk of Court

By:

FELIPA B. ANAMA
Deputy Clerk of Court En Banc

Copy furnished:

Attys. ESTELITO P. MENDOZA, IVY D. PATDU and HYACINTH E. RAFAEL
Law Office of Estelito P. Mendoza & Associates
Counsel for Petitioner in G.R. No. 199034
4th Floor Dynavision Building, 108 Rada St., Legaspi Village, Makati City

Attys. ANACLETO M. DIAZ, MARIA ROSARIO Z. DEL ROSARIO, CHRISTIAN B. DIAZ and ANALENE V. BALISONG
Law Firm of Diaz Del Rosario & Associates
Co-counsel for Petitioner in G.R. No. 199034
6th Floor Padilla Bldg., F. Ortigas, Jr. Road (formerly Emerald Avenue), Ortigas Center, Pasig City

Attys. FERDINAND S. TOPACIO and JOSELITO O. LOMANGAYA
Topacio Law Office
Counsel for Petitioner in G.R. No. 199046
Suite 107 Skyway Twin Towers, H. Javier Street, Ortigas Center, Pasig City

OFFICE OF THE SOLICITOR GENERAL
134 Amorsolo St., Legaspi Village, Makati City

Source: http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/resolutions/2011/november2011/199034_199046_TRO.pdf