REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

SUPREME COURT
MANILA
JOSE DE VENECIA III, CA-G.R. No. 00008
Petitioners,

- versus -
Armed Forces Of te Pi!i""ines #AFP$, %EN&
HER'O%ENES ESPERON, in is c("(cit) (s
AFP Cief , INTELLI%ENCE SER*ICE OF THE
AFP #ISAFP$, PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE #PNP$,
P/DIRECTOR AVELINO RAZON, in his capacity as
PNP Chief, SENATOR JUAN PONCE ENRILE, BENJAIN
S! ABALOS, SR!, JO"N AND JANE DOES, an# ALL
PERSONS ACTIN$ ON T"EIR BE"AL% OR UPON T"EIR
INSTRUCTIONS OR ORDERS,
Res"ondents&
& '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' &
PETITION FOR WRIT OF HABEAS DATA
Petiti(ne), *y c(+nse,, )espectf+,,y states-
Parties
.! Petiti(ne) J(se De Venecia III is (f ,e/a, a/e, %i,ipin(, an# a )esi#ent (f .012
Pa,3 A4en+e, Das3a)i5as Vi,,a/e, a6ati City!
1! P+*,ic )esp(n#ent A)3e# %()ces (f the Phi,ippines 7A%P8, hea#e# *y $en!
"e)3(/enes Espe)(n, is the 3i,ita)y #efense ()/ani9ati(n (f the Rep+*,ic (f the
Phi,ippines! It 3ay *e se)4e# :ith ()#e)s an# p)(cesses at A%P'$";, Ca3p
E3i,i( A/+ina,#(, C+*a(, ;+e9(n City!
0! P+*,ic )esp(n#ent Inte,,i/ence Se)4ice (f the A)3e# %()ces (f the Phi,ippines
7ISA%P8 is a s+pp()t +nit (f the A%P en/a/e# in inte,,i/ence an# inf()3ati(n
/athe)in/! It 3ay *e se)4e# ()#e)s an# p)(cesses at A%P'$";, Ca3p E3i,i(
A/+ina,#(, C+*a(, ;+e9(n City!
<! P+*,ic )esp(n#ent Phi,ippine Nati(na, P(,ice 7PNP8, hea#e# *y P/Di)ect()
A4e,in( Ra9(n, is the /(4e)n3ent ()/ani9ati(n tas6e# t( i3p,e3ent the c)i3ina,
,a:s (f the c(+nt)y an# t( ens+)e the safety (f the p+*,ic a/ainst the c(33issi(n
(f c)i3es an# (the) (ffenses! It 3ay *e se)4e# :ith ()#e)s an# (the) c(+)t
p)(cesses th)(+/h the Office (f the Chief (f the PNP, Ca3p C)a3e, C+*a(,
;+e9(n City!
=! Resp(n#ent J+an P(nce En)i,e is an e,ecte# Senat() (f the Rep+*,ic (f the
Phi,ippines! "e 3ay *e se)4e# :ith ()#e)s an# (the) c(+)t p)(cesses at R((3 =>0
$SIS B,#/!, %inancia, Cente), R(&as B,4#!, Pasay City!
?! Resp(n#ent Ben@a3in A*a,(s, S)! is the f()3e) Chai)3an (f the C(33issi(n (n
E,ecti(ns! "e 3ay *e se)4e# ()#e)s an# (the) c(+)t p)(cesses at Aan,a(n St)eet,
an#a,+y(n/ City!
B! Resp(n#ent J(hn an# Jane D(es a)e pe)s(ns actin/ f() () (n *eha,f (f any (f the
na3e# )esp(n#ents, () +p(n thei) inst)+cti(ns an#/() ()#e)s!
Nature of the Case
C! This is a petiti(n +n#e) A!! N(! >C'.'.?'SC p)(3+,/ate# (n 11 Jan+a)y 1>>C,
an# :hich t((6 effect (n 1 %e*)+a)y 1>>C!
2! Petiti(ne)Ds )i/ht t( p)i4acy ha# *een 4i(,ate# an# is *ein/ 4i(,ate# *y the
+n,a:f+, acts (f p+*,ic (fficia,s, hence, his )ec(+)se *y :ay (f the p)esent petiti(n
as sancti(ne# *y Secti(n . (f A!! N(! >C'.'.?'SC!
Statements of Facts
.>! Petiti(ne) #i4+,/e# appa)ent :)(n/'#(in/s an# testifie# *ef()e the Senate #+)in/
its hea)in/s )e/a)#in/ the $(4e)n3entDs Nati(na, B)(a#*an# Net:()6 7NBN8
P)(@ect an# e&p(se# the an(3a,(+s c(nt)act ente)e# int( *y the Rep+*,ic (f the
Phi,ippines an# Zh(n/ Ein/ Te,ec(33+nicati(ns EF+ip3ent 7ZTE8 C()p()ati(n
(f China! The NBN is the p)(p(se# p+*,ic te,ec(33+nicati(ns inf)ast)+ct+)e t(
#e,i4e) 4(ice, #ata, 4i#e(, an# inte)net se)4ices t( ,in6 /(4e)n3ent a/encies an#
(ffices t( (ne an(the)!
..! Afte) petiti(ne) an# the (the) :itnesses ha# )e4ea,e# t( the Senate the pe)cei4e#
c())+pti(n that atten#e# the NBN #ea, an# the acti4e in4(,4e3ent (f P)esi#ent
$,()ia acapa/a,'A))(y( an# he) h+s*an#, %i)st $ent,e3an J(se i/+e, Gi6eG
A))(y( in that c(nt)act, petiti(ne) sta)te# t( )ecei4e #eath th)eats!
.1! In his testi3(ny *ef()e the Senate, petiti(ne) ,i6e:ise i3p,icate# )esp(n#ent
f()3e) C(33issi(n (n E,ecti(ns Chai)3an Ben@a3in A*a,(s, S)! as the p+*,ic
(fficia, :h( faci,itate# the NBN'ZTE #ea,, an# :h( )eF+este# f() an# )ecei4e#
*)i*e 3(ney f)(3 ZTE (fficia,s! In the c(+)se (f his testi3(ny, petiti(ne)
i#entifie# an# affi)3e# an affi#a4it, :hich hi/h,i/hte# the 3ate)ia, p(ints (f
)esp(n#ent A*a,(sD in4(,4e3ent in the #ea,!
A c(py (f the affi#a4it e&ec+te# *y petiti(ne) is attache# as Anne& A!
.0! As state# in his affi#a4it, petiti(ne), :h(se c(3pany, A)3ste)#a3 "(,#in/s,
Inc()p()ate# 7A"I8 ha# s+*3itte# an +ns(,icite# p)(p(sa, f() a B+i,#'O:n'an#'
Ope)ate sche3e f() the c)eati(n (f the Nati(na, B)(a#*an# Net:()6!
.<! S(3eti3e in %e*)+a)y 1>>B () the)ea*(+ts, h(:e4e), thin/s t+)ne# s(+) *et:een
A"I an# the A*a,(s'ZTE /)(+p! In pa)tic+,a), petiti(ne) na))ate# in his affi#a4it-
A fe: #ays ,ate), h(:e4e), Chai)3an A*a,(s ca,,e# 3e +p an# sta)te#
sc)ea3in/ sh(+tin/ in4ecti4es at 3e! "e sai# HSa,*ahe 6an/ *ata 6a! P+tan/ ina
3(, 6+n/ a,a3 ,an/ n/ tatay 3( an/ /ina/a:a 3(, p+tan/ ina 3(!G I :as
*e:i,#e)e# :he)e a,, (f this :as c(3in/ f)(3, +nti, in the 3i##,e (f his )antin/,
he sai# that HI tappe# y(+) te,eph(ne!G I )esp(n#e#, HIsnDt that i,,e/a,IG "e sai#,
H/+st( 3( n/ t)ansc)iptIDG an# I sai# I ce)tain,y :(+,# ,i6e t( ha4e a c(py!
Appa)ent,y, he /(t an/)y *eca+se he f(+n# (+t f)(3 3y ph(ne ca,,s that I ha#
3enti(ne# t( se4e)a, A"I pe)s(nne,, as :e,, as A"IDs pa)tne)s that :e :e)e
ha4in/ #iffic+,ty :ith the NBN c(nt)act *eca+se he 7Chai)3an A*a,(s8 :ante# a
J.0> 3i,,i(n #(,,a) 6ic6*ac6 f)(3 the p)(@ect! Khi,e this :as e&tant f)(3
Chai)3an A*a,(sD f(+, ,an/+a/e :hi,e :e ta,6e#, I ne4e) )ecei4e# a c(py (f the
a,,e/e# t)ansc)ipt (f the c(n4e)sati(n :hich Chai)3an A*a,(s sai# he :(+,# sen#!
Petiti(ne) a,s( )ecei4e# )e,ia*,e inf()3ati(n that the (pe)ati4es (f the A%P,
ISA%P, an# PNP :e)e 3(nit()in/ his 3(4e3ents an# tappin/ his p)i4ate
c(n4e)sati(ns in te,eph(ne an# ce,,+,a) ,ines in his h(3e an# :()6! Petiti(ne) #i#
n(t #(+*t the capa*i,ity (f the A%P, PNP, an# pa)tic+,a),y the ISA%P, t( c(n#+ct
:i)etappin/ (pe)ati(ns!
.=! S(3eti3e in %e*)+a)y 1>>C, petiti(ne) )ecei4e# :()# that a )ec()#in/ (f :hat
p+)p()te# t( *e a :i)etappe# te,eph(ne c(n4e)sati(n *et:een hi3se,f an# an(the)
6ey :itness a/ainst the an(3a,(+s NBN'ZTE #ea,, )! R(#(,f( N(e, L(9a#a, J)!
7J+n L(9a#a8, :as +p,(a#e# in the p(p+,a) inte)net :e*site, L(+T+*e! Sai#
p+)p()te# c(n4e)sati(n 3ay *e 4ie:e# at http-//:::!y(+t+*e!c(3/:atchI
4MA>?pJ3B%p1;! Petiti(ne) s+##en,y )eca,,e# the Hth)eatG +tte)e# *y )esp(n#ent
A*a,(s, t( the effect that the ,atte) ha# petiti(ne)Ds te,eph(ne :i)etappe#!
.?! The Senate in4esti/ati(n hea)in/s, :hich c(33ence# in Septe3*e) 1>>B,
c(ntin+e# t( the f(,,(:in/ 3(nths an# +p t( the p)esent! D+)in/ the ,ast Senate
hea)in/ (n .. a)ch 1>>C, the iss+e (f :i)etappin/ :as a/ain *)(+/ht +p in the
c(+)se (f F+esti(nin/ *y Senat() Panfi,i( Lacs(n, th+s-
SEN! LACSON! J+st a F+ic6 F+esti(n f() )! De Venecia *a/( natin
i:anan! Khen #i# y(+ fi)st fin# (+t that y(+) ce,,ph(ne :as *ein/
:i)etappe#I
R! DE VENECIA! I :as ca,,e# *y Chai)3an A*a,(s afte) the
Shen9en 4isit! O6ay! ItDs a fe: #ays afte) %e*)+a)y .0, )! Chai)3an,
:hen I )ecei4e# the ca,, f)(3 Chai)3an A*a,(s :he)e he :as
sc)ea3in/ at 3e f() ta,6in/ a*(+t the J.0> 3i,,i(n (4e)p)icin/!
SEN! LACSON! Ke)e y(+ a*,e t( ,isten t( s(3e :i)etappe#
c(n4e)sati(ns *et:een y(+ an# se4e)a, (the) pe)s(na,itiesI %()
e&a3p,e, :ith Chai)3an A*a,(s!
R! DE VENECIA! Ke,,, I as6e# hi3 f() a t)ansc)ipt :hen he t(,# 3e
he :i)etappe# the ph(ne an# he ne4e) /a4e 3e a t)ansc)ipt! An# then I
sa: the C)yin/ Ba*ies :i)etappe# N *et:een 3yse,f an# J+n L(9a#a!
An# I ha#nDt *(the)e# ,istenin/ t( any N (f a,, the (the) c(n4e)sati(ns
*eca+se I #(nDt :ant t( #i/nify :i)etappe# c(n4e)sati(ns!
SEN! LACSON! Di# y(+ ha4e a chance t( ,isten t( a p()ti(n (f that
c(n4e)sati(n :ith Chai)3an A*a,(s that :as p,aye# this 3()nin/I
R! DE VENECIA! N(, I ha# n(t!
SEN! LACSON! DL(n/ c(nte&t na/'a'app,y yatan/ 3essen/e) sa iy(,
#( y(+ )e3e3*e) that na he :ante# t( *e pa)t (f the (pe)ati(ns na
3as6i 3essen/e) 3an ,an/! In /ist OsicP, (f c(+)se, in /ist OsicP!
R! DE VENECIA! Khen he (ffe)e# 3e the J.> 3i,,i(n an# I sai#
HN(,G I sai#, HI can in4ite y(+ t( *e an in#epen#ent #i)ect() (f
A)3ste)#a3 "(,#in/s if it :ins the *i##in/ f() the *)(a#*an#
net:()6!G
SEN! LACSON! I :(+,# s+//est y(+ ,isten t( s(3e c(n4e)sati(ns, s(,
ne&t ti3e a)(+n#, y(+ can 3()e () ,ess c(nfi)3 the c(nte&t (f y(+)
c(n4e)sati(n () c(n4e)sati(ns :ith Chai)3an A*a,(s an# (the)
pe)s(na,ities!
R! DE VENECIA! Les, I :i,,, L(+) "(n()!
A c(py (f the )e,e4ant p()ti(ns (f the t)ansc)ipts (f sten(/)aphic n(tes (f the Senate
In4esti/ati(n c(n#+cte# (n a)ch .., 1>>C 7<-10 p!3!8 is attache# as Anne& B!
.B! Petiti(ne) s+*seF+ent,y f(+n# (+t that Senat() Lacs(n :as )efe))in/ t( an(the)
)ec()#in/ (f :hat p+)p()te# t( *e a :i)etappe# te,eph(ne c(n4e)sati(n *et:een
the f()3e) an# )esp(n#ent A*a,(s, a,s( +p,(a#e# t( L(+T+*e! The sa3e )ec()#in/
3ay *e 4ie:e# at http-//:::!y(+t+*e!c(3/:atchI4M)C:A$)EL*>UQNRM.!
.C! In the sa3e Senate hea)in/ (f .. a)ch 1>>C, the 3atte) (f :i)etappe#
c(n4e)sati(ns a/ain s+)face# :hen )esp(n#ent Senat() J+an P(nce En)i,e
F+esti(ne# petiti(ne) a*(+t se4e)a, te,eph(ne c(n4e)sati(ns that he p+)p()te#,y
ha# :ith se4e)a, (the) pe)s(ns! The)eafte), )esp(n#ent Senat() En)i,e th)eatene#
t( *)(a#cast )ec()#in/s (f :i)etappe# c(n4e)sati(ns *et:een petiti(ne) an#
se4e)a, (the) pe)s(ns! Re,e4ant p()ti(ns (f the F+esti(nin/ (f Senat() En)i,e a)e
he)e+n#e) F+(te#-
SEN! ENRILE! O6ay! Di# y(+ ta,6 t( s(3e(ne N a ce)tain %a),ey t(
fin# a :ay t( inf,+ence Sec)eta)y %()3(s(I
R! DE VENECIA! N(, I ha4e n(t!
SEN! ENRILE! O4e) the ph(neI
R! DE VENECIA! N(,*+t %a),ey A3pi, N if y(+D)e )efe))in/ t( %a),ey
A3pi,, :()6s f() 3y (,# c(3pany, B)(a#*an# Phi,ippines!
SEN! ENRILE! C())ect, I 6n(: that!
R! DE VENECIA! Les!
SEN! ENRILE! I ta,6e# t( hi3!
R! DE VENECIA! Les!
SEN! ENRILE! An# he t(,# 3e N he i#entifie# y(+) 4(ice in that
c(n4e)sati(n!
R! DE VENECIA! Khat c(n4e)sati(n is that, L(+) "(n()I
SEN! ENRILE! ID3 /(in/ t( p,ay it he)e (ne #ay!
R! DE VENECIA! Is that a '
SEN! ENRILE! L(+ ca,,e# hi3!
R! DE VENECIA! Is that a :i)etappe# c(n4e)sati(nI
SEN! ENRILE! I #(nDt 6n(:!
R! DE VENECIA! It 3i/ht ha4e!
SEN! ENRILE! It ca3e t( 3e, I :i,, e&p,ain t( y(+! ID,, p,ay it! L(+ can
fi,e the case an# ID,, face the 3+sic! I see y(+ 6n(: %a),ey A3pi,!
R! DE VENECIA! Les, %a),ey A3pi, +se# t( *e :()6in/ f()
B)(a#*an# Phi,ippines!
SEN! ENRILE! An# y(+ ca,,e# hi3 +p, y(+ as6e# hi3 if he c(+,# N if
the)eDs a :ay t(, if he 6n(:s Un#e)sec)eta)y %()3(s( an# he sai# N he
t(,# y(+ HLeah, I 6n(: hi3! I can han#,e hi3!G D( y(+ )e3e3*e) that
c(n4e)sati(nI
R! DE VENECIA! ID4e ne4e) as6e# Atty! A3pi, t( han#,e anythin/
f() 3e in /(4e)n3ent, L(+) "(n()!
SEN! ENRILE! N(, ID3 as6in/ (n,y a*(+t %()3(s(!
R! DE VENECIA! Ke,,, Asec! %()3(s( is an e3p,(yee (f the
/(4e)n3ent, L(+) "(n()!
SEN! ENRILE! Leah, (6ay! An# #( y(+ )e3e3*e) a,s( in that in the
sa3e c(n4e)sati(n y(+ ta,6e# t( a ce)tain S(nny an# ta,6e# a*(+t a
,ette) that is /(in/ t( *e sent t( La))y en#(9a an# S(nny sai# t( y(+,
HKe,,, :e ha4e finishe# the ,ette)! KeD)e sen#in/ it an# :e )e3(4e#
y(+O)P na3e f)(3 the e&ec+ti4e s+33a)y!G
R! DE VENECIA! The)e :as n( s+ch #isc+ssi(n *et:een 3e an#
S(nny $a)cia (n the )e3(4a, (f 3y na3e (n the N I *e,ie4e this is the
,ette) that y(+D)e )efe))in/ t( that S(nny $a)cia ha# :)itten t( Sec)eta)y
en#(9a an# a,s( y(+D4e i3p,icate# the Office (f the Spea6e) in (ne (f
the hea)in/s, L(+) "(n()! S( 3y na3e :as n(t 3enti(ne#! If I
)e3e3*e) c())ect,y, S(nny $a)cia sai# that he :as )efe))e# t( the
DOTC *y the N (ne pe)s(n f)(3 the Office (f the Spea6e)! ThatDs h(: I
)e3e3*e) it! B+t if he N S(nny $a)acia :()6s f() 3e s( I )ea,,y #(nDt
6n(: :hat he sai#! If he +se# 3y na3e *eca+se he :()6s f() 3e, then
thatDs p)(*a*,e!
SEN! ENRILE! Any:ay, ID3 /(in/ t( as6 pe)3issi(n (f the c(33ittee
t( p,ay that tape he)e, an# I stan# *y it! This ca3e t( 3e *y N it :as
#e,i4e)e# t( 3e, an# I ha4e it t)ansc)i*e#! I :i,, s+pp,y the 3e3*e)s (f
the c(33ittee (f the t)ansc)ipti(n!
R! DE VENECIA! Les, L(+) "(n()!
A c(py (f the )e,e4ant p()ti(ns (f the t)ansc)ipts (f sten(/)aphic n(tes (f
the Senate In4esti/ati(n c(n#+cte# (n a)ch .., 1>>C 7B-.C, B-1C p!3!8 is attache#
as Anne& C!
.2! It is )ea#i,y #e#+ci*,e f)(3 the f()e/(in/ F+(te# e&chan/e that- a! )esp(n#ent
Senat() En)i,e :as c(nf)(ntin/ petiti(ne) :ith p+)p()te# state3ents an#
c(n4e)sati(ns that he a,,e/e#,y ha# (4e) the te,eph(neR *! )esp(n#ent Senat()
En)i,e 4i(,ate# petiti(ne)Ds c(nstit+ti(na,,y /+a)antee# )i/ht t( p)i4acy (f
c(33+nicati(n an# c())ep(n#ence, :hen he #i4+,/e# :hat he *e,ie4e# t( *e
c(n4e)sati(ns *et:een petiti(ne) an# (the pe)s(ns, c+,,e# f)(3 an i,,e/a, HtapeG
)ec()#in/R an# c! )esp(n#ent Senat() En)i,e th)eatene# t( )e4ea, 3()e +n,a:f+,
:i)etappe# te,eph(ne c(n4e)sati(ns in4(,4in/ petiti(ne)!
1>! Petiti(ne) ne4e) /a4e his c(nsent t( any(ne t( )ec()# any (f his te,eph(ne
c(n4e)sati(ns :ith any pe)s(n!
Ground Relied Upon for the Allowance of the Petitioner
I!
T"E CONTINUED PUBLIC BROADCASTIN$, PUBLICATION, AND RE%ERENCE
TO PURPORTED ILLE$AL KIRETAPPED TELEP"ONE CONVERSATIONS
INVOLVIN$ PETITIONER, AS KELL AS T"E CONTINUIN$ T"REATS TO
PUBLICLL DIVUL$E ORE O% T"ESE PURPORTEDLL KIRETAPPED
CONVERSATIONS, VIOLATE PETITIONERDS CONSTITUTIONALLL'
$UARANTEED RI$"T TO PRIVACL!
Discussion
1.! Secti(n . (f the R+,e (n the :)it (f "a*eas Data states-
Secti(n .! "a*eas Data! ' The :)it (f ha*eas #ata is a )e3e#y a4ai,a*,e t( any
pe)s(n :h(se )i/ht t( p)i4acy in ,ife, ,i*e)ty, () sec+)ity is 4i(,ate# () th)eatene# *y an
+n,a:f+, act () (3issi(n (f a p+*,ic (fficia, () e3p,(yee, () (f a p)i4ate in#i4i#+a, ()
entity en/a/e# in the /athe)in/, c(,,ectin/, () st()in/ (f #ata () inf()3ati(n )e/a)#in/ the
pe)s(n, fa3i,y, h(3e, an# c())esp(n#ence (f the a//)ie4e# pa)ty!
11! In the p)esent case, at the 4e)y ,east, the)e ha# *een an# n(: a/ain e&ists a se)i(+s
th)eatene# 4i(,ati(n (f petiti(ne)Ds )i/ht t( p)i4acy p)(pe),y s+*@ect (f the :)it (f
ha*eas #ata!
10! Secti(n 0 (f the Bi,, (f Ri/hts (f (+) C(nstit+ti(n, a3(n/ (the)s, +ph(,#s e4e)y
citi9enDs )i/ht t( p)i4acy-
Secti(n 0! 7.8 The p)i4acy (f c(33+nicati(n an# c())esp(n#ence sha,, *e
in4i(,a*,e e&cept +p(n ,a:f+, ()#e) (f the c(+)t, () :hen p+*,ic safety ()
()#e) )eF+i)es (the):ise as p)esc)i*e# *y ,a:!
Any e4i#ence (*taine# in 4i(,ati(n (f this () the p)ece#in/ secti(n sha,, *e
ina#3issi*,e f() any p+)p(se in any p)(cee#in/s!
1<! This "(n()a*,e C(+)t has c(nsistent,y he,#-
Z(nes (f p)i4acy a)e )ec(/ni9e# an# p)(tecte# in (+) ,a:s! Kithin these 9(nes,
any f()3 (f int)+si(n is i3pe)3issi*,e +n,ess e&c+se# *y ,a: an# in acc()#ance :ith
c+st(3a)y ,e/a, p)(cess! The 3etic+,(+s )e/a)# :e acc()# t( these 9(nes a)ises n(t (n,y
f)(3 (+) c(n4icti(n that the )i/ht t( p)i4acy is a Hc(nstit+ti(na, )i/htG an# Hthe )i/ht 3(st
4a,+e# *y the ci4i,i9e# 3en,G *+t a,s( f)(3 (+) a#he)ence t( the Uni4e)sa, Dec,a)ati(n (f
"+3an Ri/hts :hich 3an#ates that, Hn( (ne sha,, *e s+*@ecte# t( a)*it)a)y inte)fe)ence
:ith his p)i4acyG an# He4e)y(ne has the )i/ht t( the p)(tecti(n (f the ,a: a/ainst s+ch
inte)fe)ence () attac6s!G
O+) Bi,, (f Ri/hts, ensh)ine# in A)tic,e III (f the C(nstit+ti(n, p)(4i#es at ,east
t:( /+a)antees that e&p,icit,y c)eate 9(nes (f p)i4acy! It hi/h,i/hts a pe)s(nDs H)i/ht t( *e
,et a,(neG () the H)i/ht t( #ete)3ine :hat, h(: 3+ch, t( :h(3, an# :hen inf()3ati(n
a*(+t hi3se,f sha,, *e #isc,(se#! Secti(n 1 /+a)antees Hthe )i/ht (f the pe(p,et( *e sec+)e
in thei) pe)s(ns, h(+ses, pape)s, an# effects a/ainst +n)eas(na*,e sea)ches an# sei9+)es (f
:hate4e) nat+)e an# f() any p+)p(se!G Secti(n 0 )en#e)s in4i(,a*,e the Hp)i4acy (f
c(33+nicati(n an# c())esp(n#enceG an# f+)the) ca+ti(ns that Hany e4i#ence (*taine# in
4i(,ati(n (f this () the p)ece#in/ secti(n sha,, *e ina#3issi*,e f() any p+)p(se in any
p)(cee#in/!
1=! In L(+)#es T! a)F+e9 4s! "(n! Anian( A! Desie)t(, et a,,! this "(n()a*,e C(+)t
ha# (ccasi(n t( )+,e-
Z(nes (f p)i4acy a)e )ec(/ni9e# an# p)(tecte# in (+) ,a:s! The Ci4i, C(#e
p)(4i#es that HOeP4e)y pe)s(n sha,, )espect the #i/nity, pe)s(na,ity, p)i4acy, an# peace (f
3in# (f his nei/h*()s an# (the) pe)s(nsG an# p+nishes as acti(na*,e t()ts se4e)a, acts f()
3e##,in/ an# p)yin/ int( the p)i4acy (f an(the)! It a,s( h(,#s a p+*,ic (ffice) ()
e3p,(yee () any p)i4ate in#i4i#+a, ,ia*,e f() #a3a/es f() any 4i(,ati(n (f the )i/hts an#
,i*e)ties (f an(the) pe)s(n, an# )ec(/ni9es the p)i4acy (f ,ette)s an# (the) p)i4ate
c(33+nicati(ns! The Re4ise# Pena, C(#e 3a6es a c)i3e (f the 4i(,ati(n (f sec)ets *y an
(ffice), the )e4e,ati(n (f t)a#e an# in#+st)ia, sec)ets, an# t)espass t( #:e,,in/! In4asi(n (f
p)i4acy is an (ffense in specia, ,a:s ,i6e the Anti'Ki)etappin/ La:, the Sec)ecy (f Ban6
Dep(sits Act, an# the Inte,,ect+a, P)(pe)ty C(#e!
1?! Resp(n#ent Senat() En)i,e p+*,ic,y c(nf)(nte# petiti(ne) )e/a)#in/ state3ents
that the ,atte) p+)p()te#,y 3a#e in the c(+)se (f 4a)i(+s te,eph(ne c(n4e)sati(ns!
Resp(n#ent Senat() En)i,e f+)the) 3a#e 3enti(n an# in4(6e# as his s(+)ce a
s+pp(se# HtapeG )ec()#in/ (f s+ch c(n4e)sati(n! K()se, in the c(+)se (f the
Senate hea)in/ (f .. a)ch 1>>C, he p+*,ic,y th)eatene# t( p+*,ic,y ai) the
p+)p()te# tape )ec()#in/s (f :i)etappe# te,eph(ne c(n4e)sati(ns in4(,4in/
petiti(ne)! These acts (f Senat() En)i,e, c(nstit+tes 4i(,ati(ns (f Rep+*,ic Act N(!
<1>>, (the):ise 6n(:n as the Anti'Ki)etappin/ Act, :hich p)(4i#es pena,
sancti(ns f() #efine# instances (f in4asi(ns (f p)i4acy, th+s-
Secti(n .! It sha,, *e +n,a:f+, f() any pe)s(n, n(t *ein/
a+th()i9e# *y a,, the pa)ties t( any p)i4ate c(33+nicati(n ()
sp(6en :()#, t( tap any :i)e () ca*,e, () *y +sin/ any (the)
#e4ice () a))an/e3ent, t( sec)et,y (4e)hea), inte)cept, () )ec()#
s+ch c(33+nicati(n () sp(6en :()# *y +sin/ a #e4ice
c(33(n,y 6n(:n as a #ictaph(ne () #icta/)aph () #etectaph(ne
() :a,6ie'ta,6ie () tape )ec()#e), () h(:e4e) (the):ise
#esc)i*e#-
It sha,, a,s( *e +n,a:f+, f() any pe)s(n, *e he a pa)ticipant () n(t
in the act () acts pena,i9e# in the ne&t p)ece#in/ sentence, t(
6n(:in/,y p(ssess any tape )ec()#, :i)e )ec()#, #isc )ec()#, ()
any (the) s+ch )ec()#, () c(pies the)e(f, (f any c(33+nicati(n
() sp(6en :()# sec+)e# eithe) *ef()e () afte) the effecti4e #ate (f
this Act in the 3anne) p)(hi*ite# *y this ,a:R () t( )ep,ay the
sa3e f() any (the) pe)s(n () pe)s(nsR () t( c(33+nicate the
c(ntents the)e(f, eithe) 4e)*a,,y () in :)itin/, () t( f+)nish
t)ansc)ipti(ns the)e(f, :hethe) c(3p,ete () pa)tia,, t( any (the)
pe)s(n- Provided, That the +se (f s+ch )ec()# () any c(pies
the)e(f as e4i#ence in any ci4i,, c)i3ina, in4esti/ati(n () t)ia, (f
(ffenses 3enti(ne# in Sec! 0 he)e(f, sha,, n(t *e c(4e)e# *y this
p)(hi*iti(n!
Sec! 1! Any pe)s(n :h( :i,f+,,y () 6n(:in/,y #(es () :h( sha,,
ai#, pe)3it, () ca+se t( *e #(ne any (f the acts #ec,a)e# t( *e
+n,a:f+, in the p)ece#in/ Sec! () :h( 4i(,ates the p)(4isi(ns (f
the f(,,(:in/ Sec! () (f any ()#e) iss+e# the)e+n#e), () ai#s,
pe)3its, () ca+ses s+ch 4i(,ati(n sha,,, +p(n c(n4icti(n the)e(f,
*e p+nishe# *y i3p)is(n3ent f() n(t ,ess than si& 3(nths ()
3()e than si& yea)s an# :ith the access()y pena,ty (f pe)pet+a,
a*s(,+te #isF+a,ificati(n f)(3 p+*,ic (ffice if the (ffen#e) *e a
p+*,ic (fficia, at the ti3e (f the c(33issi(n (f the (ffense, an#,
if the (ffen#e) is an a,ien he sha,, *e s+*@ect t( #ep()tati(n
p)(cee#in/s!
1B! Resp(n#ent Senat() En)i,e cate/()ica,,y a#3itte# in the c(+)se (f the Senate
in4esti/ati(n (n the NBN'ZTE #ea, ,ast .. a)ch 1>>C that he is in p(ssessi(n (f
the p+)p()te# HtapeG )ec()#in/ (f s+pp(se# c(n4e)sati(ns *et:een petiti(ne) an#
(the) pe)s(ns!
1C! If (n,y +p(n this *asis, the "(n()a*,e C(+)t is #+ty *(+n# t( iss+e the :)it p)aye#
f()! C,ea),y, petiti(ne)Ds )i/ht t( p)i4acy is th)eatene# *y an +n,a:f+, act (f a
p+*,ic (fficia,, n( ,ess than an e,ecte# Senat() (f the Rep+*,ic!
12! The :)it p)aye# f() ,i6e:ise (+/ht t( iss+e a/ainst )esp(n#ent A*a,(s, :h(, :hi,e
n(t any3()e a p+*,ic (ffice), ha4in/ since )esi/ne# his p(st as Chai)3an (f the
C(33issi(n (n E,ecti(ns in the face (f i3peach3ent cha)/es ,e4e,e# a/ainst hi3,
:as the fi)st pe)s(n f)(3 :h(3 petiti(ne) ,ea)ne# that his te,eph(ne
c(n4e)sati(ns :e)e p+)p()te#,y *ein/ )ec()#e# :ith(+t his c(nsent! In fact, it is
petiti(ne)Ds s:()n testi3(ny *ef()e the Senate that )esp(n#ent A*a,(s hi3se,f
a#3itte# that he :as the (ne :h( ca+se# the :i)etappin/ (f petiti(ne)Ds ce,,+,a)
ph(ne!
0>! The :)it 3+st ,i6e:ise iss+e a/ainst )esp(n#ents A%P, PNP, an# ISA%P,
c(nsi#e)in/ that these a)e the 6n(:n /(4e)n3ent 3i,ita)y a)3s :ith :i)etappin/
capa*i,ities, an# a)e 6n(:n t( pe)f()3 s+ch :i)etappin/ acti4ities in the )e/+,a)
c(+)se (f thei) (pe)ati(ns!
0.! Resp(n#entsD c(,,ecti4e acti(ns c(nstit+te +n:a))ante# int)+si(ns (n petiti(ne)Ds
)i/ht t( sec+)ity an# p)i4acy! It sh(+,# *e n(te# that the ci)c+,ati(n (f s+pp(se#
:i)etappe# 3ate)ia,s p+)p()te#,y *ea)in/ petiti(ne)Ds c(n4e)sati(ns :ith (the)
pe)s(ns si/nifies the *,atant an# +n@+stifie# inc+)si(n (n petiti(ne)Ds p)i4ate
c(n4e)sati(n!
Petiti(ne) sh(+,# n(t *e he,# h(sta/e *y these sche3es that a)e a,, #i)ecte#
at enc)(achin/ +p(n the p)i4acy (f his c(33+nicati(n :hi,e at the sa3e ti3e
#a3a/in/ the c)e#i*i,ity (f the testi3(ny he p)(4i#e# t( the Senate! Resp(n#ents
sh(+,# th+s *e #i)ecte# t( p)(#+ce these i,,e/a,,y (*taine# :i)etappe#
c(n4e)sati(ns an# +,ti3ate,y *e he,# ,ia*,e f() thei) c)i3ina, acts!
01! Up(n the f()e/(in/, it is p,ain that petiti(ne) is entit,e# t( the )e,iefs *ein/ p)aye#
f() in this Petiti(n as it is c,ea) that his )i/ht t( p)i4acy an# sec+)ity a)e th)eatene#
*y the +n,a:f+, acts (f )esp(n#ents!
Resp(n#ents sh(+,# p)(#+ce the :i)etappe# c(n4e)sati(ns an# the)eafte) *e he,# ,ia*,e
f() thei) c)i3ina, act (f /athe)in/ #ata an# inf()3ati(n a/ainst petiti(ne) :ith(+t the
a+th()ity )eF+i)e# *y ,a:!
They sh(+,# a,s( *e ()#e)e# t( #esist f)(3 c(33ittin/ any (the) act that c(nstit+tes
+n@+stifie# an# +n:a))ante# in4asi(n (f petiti(ne)Ds c(nstit+ti(na, )i/ht t( sec+)ity an#
p)i4acy!
RELIEF
+HEREFORE, it is )espectf+,,y p)aye# that afte) #+e p)(cee#in/s, @+#/3ent *e
)en#e)e#-
a8 En@(inin/ )esp(n#ents t( p)(#+ce a,, 3ate)ia,s inc,+#in/ )ec()#in/s an#
t)ansc)ipti(ns the)e(f, in thei) p(ssessi(n (*taine# th)(+/h thei) :i)etappin/
acti4ities (n petiti(ne)Ds p)i4ate c(33+nicati(nR
*8 En@(inin/ )esp(n#ent Senat() J+an P(nce En)i,e f)(3 ca))yin/ (+t his th)eat t(
p+*,ic,y *)(a#cast s+pp(se# :i)etappe# c(n4e)sati(ns in4(,4in/ petiti(ne)R an#
c8 O)#e)in/ )esp(n#ents t( cease a,, thei) ha)ass3ent an# s+)4ei,,ance acti4ities
a/ainst petiti(ne)!
Petiti(ne) p)ays f() f+)the) )e,iefs @+st () eF+ita*,e +n#e) the ci)c+3stances!
a6ati City f() ani,a, 1? a)ch, 1>>C!