Republic of the Philippines For consideration of the Court is the Urgent Motion to Recall Entry of Judgment dated October

o Recall Entry of Judgment dated October 20, 2010

Supreme Court filed by Movant-Intervenors[1] dated and filed on October 29, 2010, praying that the Court (a) recall the entry of
Baguio City
judgment, and (b) resolve their motion for reconsideration of the July 20, 2010 Resolution.
EN BANC

RODOLFO G. NAVARRO, VICTOR F. BERNAL, and G.R. No. 180050 To provide a clear perspective of the instant motion, we present hereunder a brief background of the
RENE O. MEDINA, relevant antecedents
Petitioners, Present:
CORONA, C.J.,
- versus - CARPIO, On October 2, 2006, the President of the Republic approved into law Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9355 (An
CARPIO MORALES,
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY EDUARDO ERMITA, VELASCO, JR., Act Creating the Province of Dinagat Islands).[2] On December 3, 2006, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC)
representing the President of the Philippines; Senate of the NACHURA, conducted the mandatory plebiscite for the ratification of the creation of the province under the Local Government
Philippines, represented by the SENATE PRESIDENT; LEONARDO-DE CASTRO,
Code (LGC).[3] The plebiscite yielded 69,943 affirmative votes and 63,502 negative votes.[4] With
House of Representatives, represented by the HOUSE BRION,
SPEAKER; GOVERNOR ROBERT ACE S. BARBERS, PERALTA, the approval of the people from both the mother province of Surigao del
representing the mother province of Surigao del Norte; BERSAMIN,
Norte and the Province of Dinagat Islands (Dinagat), the President appointed the interim set of provincial officials
GOVERNOR GERALDINE ECLEO VILLAROMAN, DEL CASTILLO,
representing the new Province of Dinagat Islands, ABAD, who took their oath of office on January 26, 2007. Later, during the May 14, 2007 synchronized elections, the
Respondents, VILLARAMA, JR., Dinagatnons elected their new set of provincial officials who assumed office on July 1, 2007.[5]
PEREZ,
CONGRESSMAN FRANCISCO T. MATUGAS, HON. SOL MENDOZA, and
T. MATUGAS, HON. ARTURO CARLOS A. EGAY, JR., SERENO, JJ. On November 10, 2006, petitioners Rodolfo G. Navarro, Victor F. Bernal and Rene O. Medina, former
HON. SIMEON VICENTE G. CASTRENCE, HON.
MAMERTO D. GALANIDA, HON. MARGARITO M. political leaders of Surigao del Norte, filed before this Court a petition for certiorari and prohibition (G.R. No.
LONGOS, and HON. CESAR M. BAGUNDOL, 175158) challenging the constitutionality of R.A. No. 9355.[6] The Court dismissed the petition on technical grounds.
Intervenors.
Their motion for reconsideration was also denied.[7]

Undaunted, petitioners, as taxpayers and residents of the Province of Surigao del Norte, filed another
petition for certiorari[8] seeking to nullify R.A. No. 9355 for being unconstitutional. They alleged that the creation of
Dinagat as a new province, if uncorrected, would perpetuate an illegal act of Congress, and would unjustly deprive
the people of Surigao del Norte of a large chunk of the provincial territory, Internal Revenue Allocation (IRA), and
rich resources from the area. They pointed out that when the law was passed, Dinagat had
Promulgated:
a land area of 802.12 square kilometers only and a population of only 106,951, failing to comply with Section 10,
April 12, 2011 Article X of the Constitution and of Section 461 of the LGC, on both counts, viz.
x-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x

Constitution, Article X Local Government

RESOLUTION Section 10. No province, city, municipality, or barangay may be created, divided,
merged, abolished, or its boundary substantially altered, except in accordance with the
NACHURA, J.: criteria established in the local government codeand subject to the approval by a majority
of the votes cast in a plebiscite in the political units directly affected.

LGC, Title IV, Chapter I

 Section 461. Requisites for Creation. (a) A province may be created if it has an WHEREAS, Dinagat Islands, consisting of seven (7) municipalities, were previously
average annual income, as certified by the Department of Finance, of not less than Twenty components of the First Legislative District of the Province of Surigao del Norte. In
million pesos (P20,000,000.00) based on 1991 constant prices and either of the following December 2006 pursuant to Republic Act No. 9355, the Province of Dinagat Island[s] was
requisites: created and its creation was ratified on 02 December 2006 in the Plebiscite for this purpose;

(i) a continuous territory of at least two thousand (2,000) square WHEREAS, as a province, Dinagat Islands was, for purposes of the May 10, 2010 National
kilometers, as certified by the Lands Management Bureau; or and Local Elections, allocated one (1) seat for Governor, one (1) seat for Vice Governor, one
(ii) a population of not less than two hundred fifty thousand (250,000) (1) for congressional seat, and ten (10) Sangguniang Panlalawigan seats pursuant to
inhabitants as certified by the National Statistics Office: Resolution No. 8670 dated 16 September 2009;

Provided, That, the creation thereof shall not reduce the land area, population, and
income of the original unit or units at the time of said creation to less than the minimum
requirements prescribed herein. WHEREAS, the Supreme Court in G.R. No. 180050 entitled Rodolfo Navarro, et al., vs.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, as representative of the President of the Philippines, et
(b) The territory need not be contiguous if it comprises two (2) or more al. rendered a Decision, dated 10 February 2010, declaring Republic Act No. 9355
islands or is separated by a chartered city or cities which do not contribute to the income unconstitutional for failure to comply with the criteria for the creation of a province
of the province. prescribed in Sec. 461 of the Local Government Code in relation to Sec. 10, Art. X, of the
1987 Constitution;
(c) The average annual income shall include the income accruing to the general
fund, exclusive of special funds, trust funds, transfers, and non-recurring income. (Emphasis WHEREAS, respondents intend to file Motion[s] for Reconsideration on the above decision
supplied.) of the Supreme Court;

WHEREAS, the electoral data relative to the: (1) position for Member, House of
Representatives representing the lone congressional district of Dinagat Islands, (2) names of
On February 10, 2010, the Court rendered its Decision [9] granting the petition.[10] The Decision declared the candidates for the aforementioned position, (3) position for Governor, Dinagat Islands, (4)
names of the candidates for the said position, (5) position of the Vice Governor, (6) the
R.A. No. 9355 unconstitutional for failure to comply with the requirements on population and land area in the
names of the candidates for the said position, (7) positions for the ten (10) Sangguniang
creation of a province under the LGC. Consequently, it declared the proclamation of Dinagat and the election of its Panlalawigan Members and, [8] all the names of the candidates for Sangguniang
officials as null and void. The Decision likewise declared as null and void the provision on Article 9(2) of the Rules Panlalawigan Members, have already been configured into the system and can no longer be
revised within the remaining period before the elections on May 10, 2010.
and Regulations Implementing the LGC (LGC-IRR), stating that, [t]he land
area requirement shall not apply where the proposed province is composed of one (1) or more islands for being NOW, THEREFORE, with the current system configuration, and depending on whether the
[11]
Decision of the Supreme Court in Navarro vs. Ermita is reconsidered or not, the Commission
beyond the ambit of Article 461 of the LGC, inasmuch as such exemption is not expressly provided in the law. RESOLVED, as it hereby RESOLVES, to declare that:
The Republic, represented by the Office of the Solicitor General, and Dinagat filed their respective
a. If the Decision is reversed, there will be no problem since the current
motions for reconsideration of the Decision. In its Resolution[12] dated May 12, 2010,[13] the Court denied the said
system configuration is in line with the reconsidered Decision, meaning that
motions.[14] the Province of Dinagat Islands and the Province of Surigao del
Norteremain as two (2) separate provinces;
b. If the Decision becomes final and executory before the election, the
Unperturbed, the Republic and Dinagat both filed their respective motions for leave of court to admit Province of Dinagat Islands will revert to its previous status as part of the
their second motions for reconsideration, accompanied by their second motions for reconsideration.These motions First Legislative District, Surigao del Norte.

were eventually noted without action by this Court in its June 29, 2010 Resolution.[15] But because of the current system configuration, the ballots for the Province
of Dinagat Islands will, for the positions of Member, House of
Representatives, Governor, Vice Governor and Members, Sangguniang
Meanwhile, the movants-intervenors filed on June 18, 2010 a Motion for Leave to Intervene and to File Panlalawigan, bear only the names of the candidates for the said positions.
and to Admit Intervenors Motion for Reconsideration of the Resolution dated May 12, 2010. They alleged that the
Conversely, the ballots for the First Legislative District of Surigao del Norte,
COMELEC issued Resolution No. 8790, relevant to this case, which provides will, for the position of Governor, Vice Governor, Member, House of
Representatives, First District of Surigao del Norte and Members,
RESOLUTION NO. 8790
 Sangguniang Panlalawigan, show only candidates for the said
province will have to be restructured; (2) the services of many employees will have to be terminated; (3) contracts
position. Likewise, the whole Province of Surigao del Norte, will, for the
position of Governor and Vice Governor, bear only the names of the will have to be invalidated; and (4) projects and other developments will have to be discontinued. In addition, they
candidates for the said position[s].
claim that their rights cannot be adequately pursued and protected in any other proceeding since their rights would
be foreclosed if the May 12, 2010 Resolution would attain finality.
Consequently, the voters of the Province of Dinagat Islands will not be able
to vote for the candidates of Members, Sangguniang Panlalawigan, and
Member, House [of] Representatives, First Legislative District, Surigao del In their motion for reconsideration of the May 12, 2010 Resolution, movants-intervenors raised three (3) main
Norte, and candidates for Governor and Vice Governor for Surigao del arguments to challenge the above Resolution, namely: (1) that the passage of R.A. No. 9355 operates as an act of
Norte. Meanwhile, voters of the First Legislative District of Surigao del
Norte, will not be able to vote for Members, Sangguniang Panlalawigan and Congress amending Section 461 of the LGC; (2) that the exemption from territorial contiguity, when the intended
Member, House of Representatives, Dinagat Islands. Also, the voters of the province consists of two or more islands, includes the exemption from the application of the minimum land area
whole Province of Surigao del Norte, will not be able to vote for the
requirement; and (3) that the Operative Fact Doctrine is applicable in the instant case.
Governor and Vice Governor, Dinagat Islands. Given this situation, the
Commission will postpone the elections for Governor, Vice Governor,
Member, House of Representatives, First Legislative District, Surigao del
In the Resolution dated July 20, 2010,[16] the Court denied the Motion for Leave to Intervene and to File
Norte, and Members, Sangguniang Panlalawigan, First Legislative District,
Surigao del Norte, because the election will result in [a] failure to elect, and to Admit Intervenors Motion for Reconsideration of the Resolution dated May 12, 2010 on the ground that the
since, in actuality, there are no candidates for Governor, Vice Governor, allowance or disallowance of a motion to intervene is addressed to the sound discretion of the Court, and that the
Members, Sangguniang Panlalawigan, First Legislative District, and
Member, House of Representatives, First Legislative District (with Dinagat appropriate time to file the said motion was before and not after the resolution of this case.
Islands) of Surigao del Norte.

c. If the Decision becomes final and executory after the election, the Province On September 7, 2010, movants-intervenors filed a Motion for Reconsideration of the July 20, 2010 Resolution,
of Dinagat Islands will revert to its previous status as part of the First citing several rulings[17] of the Court, allowing intervention as an exception to Section 2, Rule 19 of the Rules of
Legislative District of Surigao del Norte. The result of the election will have
to be nullified for the same reasons given in Item b above. A special election Court that it should be filed at any time before the rendition of judgment. They alleged that, prior to the May 10,
for Governor, Vice Governor, Member, House of Representatives, First 2010 elections, their legal interest in this case was not yet existent. They averred that prior to the May 10, 2010
Legislative District of Surigao del Norte, and Members, Sangguniang
elections, they were unaware of the proceedings in this case. Even for the sake of argument that they had notice of
Panlalawigan, First District, Surigao del Norte (with Dinagat Islands) will
have to be conducted. the pendency of the case, they pointed out that prior to the said elections, Sol T. Matugas was a simple resident of
xxxx
Surigao del Norte, Arturo Carlos A. Egay, Jr. was a member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of the Second
District of Surigao del Norte, and Mamerto D. Galanida was the Municipal Mayor of Socorro, Surigao del Norte,
SO ORDERED.
and that, pursuant to COMELEC Resolution No. 8790, it was only after they were elected as Governor of Surigao
del Norte, Vice Governor of Surigao del Norte and Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member of the First District of
They further alleged that, because they are the duly elected officials of Surigao del Norte whose positions Surigao del Norte, respectively, that they became possessed with legal interest in this controversy.
will be affected by the nullification of the election results in the event that the May 12, 2010 Resolution is not
reversed, they have a legal interest in the instant case and would be directly affected by the declaration of nullity of On October 5, 2010, the Court issued an order for Entry of Judgment, stating that the decision in this case had
R.A. No. 9355. Simply put, movants-intervenors election to their respective offices would necessarily be annulled become final and executory on May 18, 2010. Hence, the above motion.
since Dinagat Islands will revert to its previous status as part of the First Legislative District of Surigao del Norte
and a special election will have to be conducted for governor, vice governor, and House of Representatives member At the outset, it must be clarified that this Resolution delves solely on the instant Urgent Motion to Recall Entry of
and Sangguniang Panlalawigan member for the First Legislative District of Surigao del Norte. Moreover, as Judgment of movants-intervenors, not on the second motions for reconsideration of the original
residents of Surigao del Norte and as public servants representing the interests of their constituents, they have a clear parties, and neither on Dinagats Urgent Omnibus Motion, which our
and strong interest in the outcome of this case inasmuch as the reversion of Dinagat as part of the First Legislative
District of Surigao del Norte will affect the latter province such that: (1) the whole administrative set-up of the
esteemed colleague, Mr. Justice Arturo D. Brion considers as Dinagats third motion for reconsideration. Inasmuch Resolution No. 8790 provides that should the decision in this case attain finality prior to the May 10, 2010 elections,
as the motions for leave to admit their respective motions for reconsideration of the May 12, 2010 Resolution and the election of the local government officials stated therein would only have to be postponed. Given such a scenario,
the aforesaid motions for reconsideration were already noted without action by the Court, there is no reason to treat movants-intervenors would not have suffered any injury or adverse effect with respect to the reversion of Dinagat as
Dinagats Urgent Omnibus Motion differently. In relation to this, the Urgent Motion to Recall Entry of Judgment of part of Surigao del Norte since they would simply have remained candidates for the respective positions they have
movants-intervenors could not be considered as a second motion for reconsideration to warrant the application of vied for and to which they have been elected.
[18]
Section 3, Rule 15 of the Internal Rules of the Supreme Court. It should be noted that this motion prays for the
recall of the entry of judgment and for the resolution of their motion for reconsideration of the July 20, 2010 For a party to have locus standi, one must allege such a personal stake in the outcome of the controversy as to assure
Resolution which remained unresolved. The denial of their motion for leave to intervene and to admit motion for that concrete adverseness which sharpens the presentation of issues upon which the court so largely depends for
reconsideration of the May 12, 2010 Resolution did not rule on the merits of the motion for reconsideration of the illumination of difficult constitutional questions. Because constitutional cases are often public actions in which the
May 12, 2010 Resolution, but only on the timeliness of the intended intervention. Their motion for reconsideration relief sought is likely to affect other persons, a preliminary question frequently arises as to this interest in the
of this denial elaborated on movants-intervenors interest in this case which existed only after judgment had been constitutional question raised.[19]
rendered. As such, their motion for intervention and their motion for reconsideration of the May 12, 2010 Resolution
merely stand as an initial reconsideration of the said resolution. It cannot be denied that movants-intervenors will suffer direct injury in the event their Urgent Motion to Recall
Entry of Judgment dated October 29, 2010 is denied and their Motion for Leave to Intervene and to File and to
With due deference to Mr. Justice Brion, there appears nothing in the records to support the claim that Admit Intervenors Motion for Reconsideration of the Resolution dated May 12, 2010 is denied with finality. Indeed,
this was a ploy of respondents legal tactician to reopen the case despite an entry of judgment. To be sure, it is they have sufficiently shown that they have a personal and substantial interest in the case, such that if the May 12,
actually COMELEC Resolution No. 8790 that set this controversy into motion anew. To reiterate, the pertinent 2010 Resolution be not reconsidered, their election to their respective positions during the May 10, 2010 polls and
portion of the Resolution reads: its concomitant effects would all be nullified and be put to naught. Given their unique circumstances,
movants-intervenors should not be left without any remedy before this Court simply because their interest in this
c. If the Decision becomes final and executory after the election, the Province of
Dinagat Islands will revert to its previous status as part of the First Legislative District case became manifest only after the case had already been decided. The consequences of such a decision would
of Surigao del Norte. The result of the election will have to be nullified for the same definitely work to their disadvantage, nay, to their utmost prejudice, without even them being parties to the
reasons given in Item b above. A special election for Governor, Vice Governor,
Member, House of Representatives, First Legislative District of Surigao del Norte, and dispute. Such decision would also violate their right to due process, a right that cries out for protection. Thus, it is
Members, Sangguniang Panlalawigan, First District, Surigao del Norte imperative that the movants-intervenors be heard on the merits of their cause. We are not only a court of law, but
(with Dinagat Islands) will have to be conducted. (Emphasis supplied.)
also of justice and equity, such that our position and the dire repercussions of this controversy should be weighed on
the scales of justice, rather than dismissed on account of mootness.

Indeed, COMELEC Resolution No. 8790 spawned the peculiar circumstance of proper party interest for
movants-intervenors only with the specter of the decision in the main case becoming final and executory. More The moot and academic principle is not a magical formula that can automatically dissuade the courts from resolving
importantly, if the intervention be not entertained, the movants-intervenors would be left with no other remedy as a case. Courts will decide cases, otherwise moot and academic, if: (1) there is a grave violation of the Constitution;
regards to the impending nullification of their election to their respective positions. Thus, to the Courts mind, there (2) there is an exceptional character of the situation and the paramount public interest is involved; (3) the
is an imperative to grant the Urgent Motion to Recall Entry of Judgment by movants-intervenors. constitutional issue raised requires formation of controlling principles to guide the bench, the bar, and the public;
and (4) the case is capable of repetition yet evading review. [20] The second exception attends this case.
It should be remembered that this case was initiated upon the filing of the petition for certiorari way
back on October 30, 2007. At that time, movants-intervenors had nothing at stake in the outcome of this case. While This Court had taken a liberal attitude in the case of David v. Macapagal-Arroyo,[21] where technicalities of
it may be argued that their interest in this case should have commenced upon the issuance of COMELEC Resolution procedure on locus standi were brushed aside, because the constitutional issues raised were of paramount public
No. 8790, it is obvious that their interest in this case then was more imaginary than real. This is because COMELEC interest or of transcendental importance deserving the attention of the Court. Along parallel lines, the motion for
 xxxx
intervention should be given due course since movants-intervenors have shown their substantial legal interest in the
outcome of this case, even much more than petitioners themselves, and because of the novelty, gravity, and weight HON. LAGUDA. The reason why we are willing to increase the income, double than the
House version, because we also believe that economic viability is really a minimum. Land
of the issues involved.
area and population are functions really of the viability of the area, because you have an
income level which would be the trigger point for economic development, population will
Undeniably, the motion for intervention and the motion for reconsideration of the May 12, 2010 Resolution of naturally increase because there will be an immigration. However, if you disallow the
particular area from being converted into a province because of the population problems in
movants-intervenors is akin to the right to appeal the judgment of a case, which, though merely a statutory right that the beginning, it will never be able to reach the point where it could become a province
must comply with the requirements of the rules, is an essential part of our judicial system, such that courts should simply because it will never have the economic take off for it to trigger off that economic
development.
proceed with caution not to deprive a party of the right to question the judgment and its effects, and ensure that
every party-litigant, including those who would be directly affected, would have the amplest opportunity for the Now, were saying that maybe Fourteen Million Pesos is a floor area where it could pay for
[22]
overhead and provide a minimum of basic services to the population. Over and above that,
proper and just disposition of their cause, freed from the constraints of technicalities.
the provincial officials should be able to trigger off economic development which will attract
immigration, which will attract new investments from the private sector. This is now the
concern of the local officials. But if we are going to tie the hands of the proponents, simply
Verily, the Court had, on several occasions, sanctioned the recall entries of judgment in light of attendant
by telling them, Sorry, you are now at 150 thousand or 200 thousand, you will never be able
extraordinary circumstances.[23] The power to suspend or even disregard rules of procedure can be so pervasive and to become a province because nobody wants to go to your place. Why? Because you never
compelling as to alter even that which this Court itself had already declared final. [24] In this case, the compelling have any reason for economic viability.

concern is not only to afford the movants-intervenors the right to be heard since they would be adversely affected by xxxx
the judgment in this case despite not being original parties thereto, but also to arrive at the correct interpretation of
CHAIRMAN PIMENTEL. Okay, what about land area?
the provisions of the LGC with respect to the creation of local government units. In this manner, the thrust of the
Constitution with respect to local autonomy and of the LGC with respect to decentralization and the attainment of HON. LUMAUIG. 1,500 square kilometers

national goals, as hereafter elucidated, will effectively be realized. HON. ANGARA. Walang problema yon, in fact thats not very critical, yong land area
On the merits of the motion for intervention, after taking a long and intent look, the Court finds that the because
first and second arguments raised by movants-intervenors deserve affirmative consideration.
CHAIRMAN PIMENTEL. Okay, ya, our, the Senate version is 3.5, 3,500 square meters, ah,
square kilometers.
It must be borne in mind that the central policy considerations in the creation of local government units are
HON. LAGUDA. Ne, Ne. A province is constituted for the purpose of administrative
economic viability, efficient administration, and capability to deliver basic services to their constituents. The criteria efficiency and delivery of basic services.
prescribed by the LGC, i.e., income, population and land area, are all designed to accomplish these results. In this CHAIRMAN PIMENTEL. Right.

light, Congress, in its collective wisdom, has debated on the relative weight of each of these three criteria, placing HON. LAGUDA. Actually, when you come down to it, when government was instituted,
emphasis on which of them should enjoy preferential consideration. there is only one central government and then everybody falls under that. But it was later on
subdivided into provinces for purposes of administrative efficiency.

CHAIRMAN PIMENTEL. Okay.

Without doubt, the primordial criterion in the creation of local government units, particularly of a province, is
economic viability. This is the clear intent of the framers of the LGC. In this connection, the following excerpts HON. LAGUDA. Now, what were seeing now is that the administrative efficiency is no
from congressional debates are quoted hereunder longer there precisely because the land areas that we are giving to our governors is so wide
that no one man can possibly administer all of the complex machineries that are needed.

HON. ALFELOR. Income is mandatory. We can even have this doubled because we thought Secondly, when you say delivery of basic services, as pointed out by Cong. Alfelor, there are
sections of the province which have never been visited by public officials, precisely because
CHAIRMAN CUENCO. In other words, the primordial consideration here is the economic they dont have the time nor the energy anymore to do that because its so wide. Now, by
viability of the new local government unit, the new province? compressing the land area and by reducing the population requirement, we are, in effect,
 trying to follow the basic policy of why we are creating provinces, which is to deliver basic (1) Population which shall not be less than two thousand (2,000) inhabitants, except in
services and to make it more efficient in administration. municipalities and cities within MMA and other metropolitan political subdivisions as
may be created by law, or in highly-urbanized cities where such territory shall have a
CHAIRMAN PIMENTEL. Yeah, thats correct, but on the assumption that the province is population of at least five thousand (5,000) inhabitants, as certified by the NSO. The
able to do it without being a burden to the national government. Thats the assumption. creation of a barangay shall not reduce the population of the original barangay or
barangays to less than the prescribed minimum/
HON. LAGUDA. Thats why were going into the minimum income level. As we said, if we (2) Land Area which must be contiguous, unless comprised by two (2) or more islands. The
go on a minimum income level, then we say, this is the trigger point at which this territorial jurisdiction of a barangay sought to be created shall be properly identified by
administration can take place.[25] metes and bounds or by more or less permanent natural boundaries.

Municipality:
Also worthy of note are the requisites in the creation of a barangay, a municipality, a city, and a province as
provided both in the LGC and the LGC-IRR, viz. LGC: SEC. 442. Requisites for Creation. (a) A municipality may be created if it has an
average annual income, as certified by the provincial treasurer, or at least Two million five
hundred thousand pesos (P2,500,000.00) for the last two (2) consecutive years based on the
For a Barangay: 1991 constant prices; a population of at least twenty-five thousand (25,000) inhabitants as
certified by the National Statistics Office; and a contiguous territory of at least fifty (50)
LGC: SEC. 386. Requisites for Creation. (a) A barangay may be created out of a contiguous square kilometers as certified by the Lands
territory which has a population of at least two thousand (2,000) inhabitants as certified by Management Bureau: Provided, That the creation thereof shall not reduce the land area,
the National Statistics Office except in cities and municipalities within Metro Manila and population or income of the original municipality or municipalities at the time of said
other metropolitan political subdivisions or in highly urbanized cities where such territory creation to less than the minimum requirements prescribed herein.
shall have a certified population of at least five thousand (5,000) inhabitants: Provided, That
the creation thereof shall not reduce the population of the original barangay or barangays to (b) The territorial jurisdiction of a newly-created municipality shall be properly identified by
less than the minimum requirement prescribed herein. metes and bounds. The requirement on land area shall not apply where the municipality
To enhance the delivery of basic services in the indigenous cultural communities, barangays proposed to be created is composed of one (1) or more islands. The territory need not be
may be created in such communities by an Act of Congress, notwithstanding the above contiguous if it comprises two (2) or more islands.
requirement.
(c) The average annual income shall include the income accruing to the general fund of the
(b) The territorial jurisdiction of the new barangay shall be properly identified by metes and municipality concerned, exclusive of special funds, transfers and non-recurring income.
bounds or by more or less permanent natural boundaries. The territory need not be
contiguous if it comprises two (2) or more islands. (d) Municipalities existing as of the date of effectivity of this Code shall continue to exist and
operate as such. Existing municipal districts organized pursuant to presidential issuances or
(c) The governor or city mayor may prepare a consolidation plan for barangays, based on the executive orders and which have their respective set of elective municipal officials holding
criteria prescribed in this Section, within his territorial jurisdiction. The plan shall be office at the time of the effectivity of this Code shall henceforth be considered regular
submitted to the sangguniang panlalawigan or sangguniang panlungsod concerned for municipalities.
appropriate action. In the case of municipalities within the Metropolitan Manila area and
other metropolitan political subdivisions, the barangay consolidation plan can be prepared LGC-IRR: ARTICLE 13. Municipalities. (a) Requisites for Creation A municipality shall
and approved by the sangguniang bayan concerned. not be created unless the following requisites are present:

LGC-IRR: ARTICLE 14. Barangays. (a) Creation of barangays by the sangguniang (i) Income An average annual income of not less than Two Million Five Hundred
panlalawigan shall require prior recommendation of the sangguniang bayan. Thousand Pesos (P2,500,000.00), for the immediately preceding two (2)
consecutive years based on 1991 constant prices, as certified by the provincial
(b) New barangays in the municipalities within MMA shall be created only by Act of treasurer. The average annual income shall include the income accruing to the
Congress, subject to the limitations and requirements prescribed in this Article. general fund, exclusive of special funds, special accounts, transfers, and
nonrecurring income;
(c) Notwithstanding the population requirement, a barangay may be created in the indigenous (ii) Population which shall not be less than twenty five thousand (25,000)
cultural communities by Act of Congress upon recommendation of the LGU or LGUs where inhabitants, as certified by NSO; and
the cultural community is located.
(iii) Land area which must be contiguous with an area of at least fifty (50) square
(d) A barangay shall not be created unless the following requisites are present: kilometers, as certified by LMB. The territory need not be contiguous if it
comprises two (2) or more islands. The requirement on land area shall not
 apply where the proposed municipality is composed of one (1) or more The creation of a new city shall not reduce the land area, population, and income of the
islands. The territorial jurisdiction of a municipality sought to be created shall be original LGU or LGUs at the time of said creation to less than the prescribed minimum
properly identified by metes and bounds. requirements. All expenses incidental to the creation shall be borne by the petitioners.

The creation of a new municipality shall not reduce the land area, population, and income of
the original LGU or LGUs at the time of said creation to less than the prescribed minimum Provinces:
requirements. All expenses incidental to the creation shall be borne by the petitioners.
LGC: SEC. 461. Requisites for Creation. (a) A province may be created if it has an average
annual income, as certified by the Department of Finance, of not less than Twenty million
pesos (P20,000,000.00) based on 1991 prices and either of the following requisites:

City: (i) a contiguous territory of at least two thousand (2,000) square kilometers, as
certified by the Lands Management Bureau; or,
LGC: SEC. 450. Requisites for Creation. (a) A municipality or a cluster of barangays may (ii) a population of not less than two hundred fifty thousand (250,000) inhabitants as
be converted into a component city if it has an average annual income, as certified by the certified by the National Statistics Office:
Department of Finance, of at least Twenty million pesos (P20,000,000.00) for the last two (2)
consecutive years based on 1991 constant prices, and if it has either of the following Provided, That the creation thereof shall not reduce the land area, population, and income of
requisities: the original unit or units at the time of said creation to less than the minimum requirements
prescribed herein.
(i) a contiguous territory of at least one hundred (100) square kilometers, as
certified by the Lands Management Bureau; or, (b) The territory need not be contiguous if it comprises two (2) or more islands or is
(ii) a population of not less than one hundred fifty thousand (150,000) inhabitants, separated by a chartered city or cities which do not contribute to the income of the province.
as certified by the National Statistics Office: Provided, That, the creation thereof
shall not reduce the land area, population, and income of the original unit or units (c) The average annual income shall include the income accruing to the general fund,
at the time of said creation to less than the minimum requirements prescribed exclusive of special funds, trust funds, transfers, and non-recurring income.
herein.
LGC-IRR: ARTICLE 9. Provinces. (a) Requisites for creation A province shall not be
(b) The territorial jurisdiction of a newly-created city shall be properly identified by metes created unless the following requisites on income and either population or land area are
and bounds. The requirement on land area shall not apply where the city proposed to be present:
created is composed of one (1) or more islands. The territory need not be contiguous if it
comprises two (2) or more islands. (1) Income An average annual income of not less than Twenty Million pesos
(P20,000,000.00) for the immediately preceding two (2) consecutive years based on
(c) The average annual income shall include the income accruing to the general fund, 1991 constant prices, as certified by DOF. The average annual income shall include the
exclusive of special funds, transfers, and non-recurring income. income accruing to the general fund, exclusive of special funds, special accounts,
transfers, and non-recurring income; and
LGC-IRR: ARTICLE 11. Cities. (a) Requisites for creation A city shall not be created (2) Population or land area Population which shall not be less than two hundred fifty
unless the following requisites on income and either population or land area are present: thousand (250,000) inhabitants, as certified by NSO; or land area which must be
contiguous with an area of at least two thousand (2,000) square kilometers, as certified
(1) Income An average annual income of not less than Twenty Million Pesos by LMB. The territory need not be contiguous if it comprises two (2) or more islands or
(P20,000,000.00), for the immediately preceding two (2) consecutive years based on is separated by a chartered city or cities which do not contribute to the income of the
1991 constant prices, as certified by DOF. The average annual income shall include the province. The land area requirement shall not apply where the proposed province
income accruing to the general fund, exclusive of special funds, special accounts, is composed of one (1) or more islands. The territorial jurisdiction of a province
transfers, and nonrecurring income; and sought to be created shall be properly identified by metes and bounds.
(2) Population or land area Population which shall not be less than one hundred fifty
thousand (150,000) inhabitants, as certified by the NSO; or land area which must be The creation of a new province shall not reduce the land area, population, and income of the
contiguous with an area of at least one hundred (100) square kilometers, as certified by original LGU or LGUs at the time of said creation to less than the prescribed minimum
LMB. The territory need not be contiguous if it comprises two (2) or more islands or is requirements. All expenses incidental to the creation shall be borne by the petitioners.
separated by a chartered city or cities which do not contribute to the income of the (Emphasis supplied.)
province. The land area requirement shall not apply where the proposed city is
composed of one (1) or more islands. The territorial jurisdiction of a city sought to be
created shall be properly identified by metes and bounds.
 WHEREAS, pursuant to this declared policy, Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the
It bears scrupulous notice that from the above cited provisions, with respect to the creation of barangays, land area
Local Government Code of 1991, affirms, among others, that the territorial and political
is not a requisite indicator of viability. However, with respect to the creation of municipalities, component cities, subdivisions of the State shall enjoy genuine and meaningful local autonomy to enable them
to attain their fullest development as self-reliant communities and make them more effective
and provinces, the three (3) indicators of viability and projected capacity to provide services, i.e., income,
partners in the attainment of national goals;
population, and land area, are provided for.
WHEREAS, Section 533 of the Local Government Code of 1991 requires the President to
convene an Oversight Committee for the purpose of formulating and issuing the appropriate
But it must be pointed out that when the local government unit to be created consists of one (1) or more islands, it is rules and regulations necessary for the efficient and effective implementation of all the
exempt from the land area requirement as expressly provided in Section 442 and Section 450 of the LGC if the local provisions of the said Code; and

government unit to be created is a municipality or a component city, respectively. This exemption is absent in the
enumeration of the requisites for the creation of a province under Section 461 of the LGC, although it is expressly WHEREAS, the Oversight Committee, after due deliberations and consultations with all the
concerned sectors of society and consideration of the operative principles of local autonomy
stated under Article 9(2) of the LGC-IRR. as provided in the Local Government Code of 1991, has completed the formulation of the
implementing rules and regulations; x x x

There appears neither rhyme nor reason why this exemption should apply to cities and municipalities, but not to
provinces. In fact, considering the physical configuration of the Philippine archipelago, there is a greater likelihood Consistent with the declared policy to provide local government units genuine and meaningful local autonomy,
that islands or group of islands would form part of the land area of a newly-created province than in most cities or contiguity and minimum land area requirements for prospective local government units should be liberally construed
municipalities. It is, therefore, logical to infer that the genuine legislative policy decision was expressed in Section in order to achieve the desired results. The strict interpretation adopted by the February 10, 2010 Decision could
442 (for municipalities) and Section 450 (for component cities) of the LGC, but was inadvertently omitted in prove to be counter-productive, if not outright absurd, awkward, and impractical. Picture an intended province that
Section 461 (for provinces). Thus, when the exemption was expressly provided in Article 9(2) of the LGC-IRR, the consists of several municipalities and component cities which, in themselves, also consist of islands. The component
inclusion was intended to correct the congressional oversight in Section 461 of the LGC and to reflect the true cities and municipalities which consist of islands are exempt from the minimum land area requirement, pursuant to
legislative intent. It would, then, be in order for the Court to uphold the validity of Article 9(2) of the LGC-IRR. Sections 450 and 442, respectively, of the LGC. Yet, the province would be made to comply with the minimum land
This interpretation finds merit when we consider the basic policy considerations underpinning the principle of local area criterion of 2,000 square kilometers, even if it consists of several islands. This would mean that Congress has
autonomy. opted to assign a distinctive preference to create a province with contiguous land area over one composed of islands
and negate the greater imperative of development of self-reliant communities, rural progress, and the delivery of
Section 2 of the LGC, of which paragraph (a) is pertinent to this case, provides basic services to the constituency. This preferential option would prove more difficult and burdensome if the
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. (a) It is hereby declared the policy of the State that 2,000-square-kilometer territory of a province is scattered because the islands are separated by bodies of water, as
the territorial and political subdivisions of the State shall enjoy genuine and meaningful local compared to one with a contiguous land mass.
autonomy to enable them to attain their fullest development as self-reliant communities and
make them more effective partners in the attainment of national goals. Toward this end, the
State shall provide for a more responsive and accountable local government structure Moreover, such a very restrictive construction could trench on the equal protection clause, as it actually defeats the
instituted through a system of decentralization whereby local government units shall be given
more powers, authority, responsibilities, and resources. The process of decentralization shall purpose of local autonomy and decentralization as enshrined in the Constitution. Hence, the land area requirement
proceed from the national government to the local government units. should be read together with territorial contiguity.

This declaration of policy is echoed in Article 3(a) of the LGC-IRR[26] and in the Whereas clauses of Administrative Another look at the transcript of the deliberations of Congress should prove enlightening:
Order No. 270,[27] which read
CHAIRMAN ALFELOR. Can we give time to Congressman Chiongbian,[28] with respect to
his
WHEREAS, Section 25, Article II of the Constitution mandates that the State shall ensure the
autonomy of local governments;
CHAIRMAN LINA. Okay.
HON. CHIONGBIAN. At the outset, Chairman Lina, we would like to apprise the this will be a slap on the House, if we do not approve it, as approved by the lower House. This
distinguished Senator about the action taken by the House, on House Bill No. 7166. This was can be [an] irritant in the approval of the Conference Committee Report. And I just want to
passed about two years ago and has been pending in the Senate for consideration. This is a bill manifest that insofar as the creation of the province, not only in my province, but the other
that I am not the only one involved, including our distinguished Chairman here. But then we provinces. That the mother province will participate in the plebiscite, they can defeat the
did want to sponsor the bill, being the Chairman then of the Local Government. province, lets say, on the basis of the result, the province cannot be created if they lose in the
plebiscite, and I dont see why, we should put this stringent conditions to the private people of
So, I took the cudgels for the rest of the Congressmen, who were more or less interested in the the devolution that they are seeking.
creation of the new provinces, because of the vastness of the areas that were involved.
So, Mr. Senator, I think we should consider the situation seriously, because, this is an
At any rate, this bill was passed by the House unanimously without any objection. And as I approved version of the House, and I will not be the one to raise up and question the
have said a while ago, that this has been pending in the Senate for the last two years. And Sen. Conference Committee Report, but the rest of the House that are interested in this bill. And
Pimentel himself was just in South Cotabatoand he delivered a speech that he will support this they have been approaching the Speaker about this. So, the Speaker reminded me to make
bill, and he says, that he will incorporate this in the Local Government Code, which I have in sure that it takes the cudgel of the House approved version.
writing from him. I showed you the letter that he wrote, and naturally, we in the House got
hold of the Senate version. It becomes an impossibility for the whole Philippines to create a So, thats all what I can say, Mr. Senator, and I dont believe that it is not, because its the wish
new province, and that is quite the concern of the respective Congressmen. of the House, but because the mother province will participate anyhow, you vote them down;
and that is provided for in the Constitution.As a matter of fact, I have seen the amendment
Now, insofar as the constitutional provision is concerned, there is nothing to stop the mother with regards to the creation of the city to be urbanized, subject to the plebiscite. And why
province from voting against the bill, if a province is going to be created. should we not allow that to happen in the provinces! In other words, we dont want the people
who wants to create a new province, as if they are left in the devolution of powers, when they
So, we are talking about devolution of powers here. Why is the province not willing to create feel that they are far away from civilization.
another province, when it can be justified. Even Speaker Mitra says, what will happen
to Palawan? We wont have one million people there, and if you look at Palawan, there will be Now, I am not talking about other provinces, because I am unaware, not aware of their
about three or four provinces that will comprise that island. So, the development will be situation. But the province of South Cotabato has a very unique geographical territorial
hampered. conglomerations. One side is in the other side of the Bay, of Sarangani Bay. The capital town
is in the North; while these other municipalities are in the East and in the West. And if they
Now, I would like to read into the record the letter of Sen. Pimentel, dated November 2, have to travel from the last town in the eastern part of the province, it is about one hundred
1989. This was practically about a year after 7166 was approved by the House, House Bill forty kilometers to the capital town. And from the West side, it is the same distance. And
7166. from the North side, it is about one hundred kilometers. So that is the problem there. And
besides, they have enough resources and I feel that, not because I am interested in the
province, I am after their welfare in the future. Who am I to dictate on those people? I have no
interest but then I am looking at the future development of these areas.

As a matter of fact, if I am in politics, its incidental; I do not need to be there, but I can
foresee what the creation of a new province will bring to these people. It will bring them
On November 2, 1989, the Senator wrote me: prosperity; it will bring them more income, and it will encourage even foreign investors. Like
the PAP now, they are concentrating in South Cotabato, especially in the City of
Dear Congressman Chiongbian: General Santos and the neighboring municipalities, and they are quite interested and even the
AID people are asking me, What is holding the creation of a new province when practically
We are in receipt of your letter of 17 October. Please be informed that you need it? Its not 20 or 30 kilometers from the capital town; its about 140 kilometers. And
your House No. 7166 was incorporated in the proposed Local Government Code, imagine those people have to travel that far and our road is not like Metropolitan Manila. That
Senate Bill No. 155, which is pending for second reading. is as far as from here to Tarlac. And there are municipalities there that are just one
municipality is bigger than the province of La Union. They have the income. Of course, they
Thank you and warm regards. dont have the population because thats a part of the land of promise and people
from Luzon are migrating everyday because they feel that there are more opportunities here.
Very truly yours,
So, by creating the new provinces, not only in my case, in the other cases, it will enhance the
development of the Philippines, not because I am interested in my province. Well, as far as I
That is the very context of the letter of the Senator, and we are quite surprised that the Senate
am concerned, you know, I am in the twilight years of my life to serve and I would like to
has adopted another position.
serve my people well. No personal or political interest here. I hope the distinguished
Chairman of the Committee will appreciate the House Bill 7166, which the House has already
So, we would like because this is a unanimously approved bill in the House, thats the only bill
approved because we dont want them to throw the Conference Committee Report after we
that is involving the present Local Government Code that we are practically considering; and
have worked that the house Bill has been, you know, drawn over board and not even composed of six municipalities, eight municipalities, seven municipalities. Like in Cagayan,
considered by the Senate. And on top of that, we are considering a bill that has not yet been Tuguegarao, there are six municipalities. Ah, excuse me, Batanes.
passed. So I hope the Senator will take that into account.
CHAIRMAN LINA. Will you look at the case of --- how many municipalities are there in
Thank you for giving me this time to explain. Batanes province?

CHAIRMAN LINA. Thank you very much, Congressman James. We will look into the CHAIRMAN ALFELOR. Batanes is only six.
legislative history of the Senate version on this matter of creation of provinces. I am sure
there was an amendment. As I said, Ill look into it.Maybe the House version was incorporated CHAIRMAN LINA. Six town. Siquijor?
in toto, but maybe during the discussion, their amendments were introduced and, therefore,
Senator Pimentel could not hold on to the original version and as a result new criteria were CHAIRMAN ALFELOR. Siquijor. It is region?
introduced.
CHAIRMAN LINA. Seven.
But because of the manifestation that you just made, we will definitely, when we reach a book,
Title IV, on the matter of provinces, we will look at it sympathetically from your end so that CHAIRMAN ALFELOR.L Seven. Anim.
the objective that you want [to] achieve can be realized. So we will look at it with
sympathy. We will review our position on the matter, how we arrived at the Senate version CHAIRMAN LINA. Six also.
and we will adopt an open mind definitely when we come into it.
CHAIRMAN ALFELOR. Six also.

CHAIRMAN LINA. It seems with a minimum number of towns?

CHAIRMAN ALFELOR. The population of Siquijor is only 70 thousand, not even one
CHAIRMAN ALFELOR. Kanino yan? congressional district. But tumaas in 1982. Camiguin, that is Region 9. Wala dito. Nagtataka
nga ako ngayon.
CHAIRMAN LINA. Book III.
CHAIRMAN LINA. Camiguin, Camiguin.
CHAIRMAN ALFELOR. Title?
CHAIRMAN ALFELOR. That is region? Camiguin has five municipalities, with a population
CHAIRMAN LINA. Title IV. of 63 thousand. But we do not hold it against the province because maybe thats one stimulant
where growth can grow, can start. The land area for Camiguin is only 229 square
CHAIRMAN ALFELOR. I have been pondering on the case of James, especially on kilometers. So if we hard fast on requirements of, we set a minimum for every province,
economic stimulation of a certain area. Like our case, because I put myself on our province, palagay ko we just leave it to legislation, eh. Anyway, the Constitution is very clear that in
our province is quite very big. Its composed of four (4) congressional districts and I feel it case we would like to divide, we submit it to a plebiscite. Pabayaan natin ang tao. Kung
should be five now. But during the Batasan time, four of us talked and conversed proposing to maglalagay tayo ng set ng minimum, tila yata mahihirapan tayo, eh. Because what is really
divide the province into two. the thrust of the Local Government Code? Growth. To devolve powers in order for the
community to have its own idea how they will stimulate growth in their respective areas.
There are areas then, when since time immemorial, very few governors ever tread on those
areas. That is, maybe youre acquainted with the Bondoc Peninsula of Quezon, fronting that So, in every geographical condition, mayroon sariling id[i]osyncracies eh, we cannot make a
is Ragay Gulf. From Ragay there is a long stretch of coastal area. From Albay going to Ragay, generalization.
very few governors ever tread [there] before, even today. That area now is infested with
NPA. That is the area of Congressman Andaya. CHAIRMAN LINA. Will the creation of a province, carved out of the existing province
because of some geographical id[i]osyncracies, as you called it, stimulate the economic
Now, we thought that in order to stimulate growth, maybe provincial aid can be extended to growth in the area or will substantial aid coming from the national government to a particular
these areas. With a big or a large area of a province, a certain administrator or provincial area, say, to a municipality, achieve the same purpose?
governor definitely will have no sufficient time.For me, if we really would like to stimulate
growth, I believe that an area where there is physical or geographical impossibilities, where CHAIRMAN ALFELOR. Ano tayo dito sa budget. All right, here is a province. Usually,
administrators can penetrate, I think we have to create certain provisions in the law where tinitingnan lang yun, provision eh, hindi na yung composition eh. You are entitled to, say,
maybe we can treat it with special considerations. 20% of the area.

Now, we went over the graduate scale of the Philipppine Local Government Data as far as Theres a province of Camarines Sur which have the same share with that of Camiguin and
provinces are concerned. It is very surprising that there are provinces here which only Siquijor, but Camiguin is composed only of five municipalities; in Siquijor, its composed of
 six, but the share of Siquijor is the same share with that of the province of Camarines Sur,
be replaced with a new law, now the LGC of 1991, which is more dynamic and cognizant of the needs of
having a bigger area, very much bigger.
the Philippines as an archipelagic country. This accounts for the exemption from the land area requirement of local
That is the budget in process.
government units composed of one or more islands, as expressly stated under Sections 442 and 450 of the LGC,
CHAIRMAN LINA. Well, as I said, we are going to consider this very seriously and even with respect to the creation of municipalities and cities, but inadvertently omitted from Section 461 with respect to
with sympathy because of the explanation given and we will study this very carefully. [29] the creation of provinces. Hence, the void or missing detail was filled in by the Oversight Committee in the
LGC-IRR.

The matters raised during the said Bicameral Conference Committee meeting clearly show the manifest intention of
Congress to promote development in the previously underdeveloped and uninhabited land areas With three (3) members each from both the Senate and the House of Representatives, particularly the

by allowing them to directly share in the allocation of funds under the chairpersons of their respective Committees on Local Government, it cannot be gainsaid that the inclusion by the
Oversight Committee of the exemption from the land area requirement with respect to the creation of provinces
consisting of one (1) or more islands was intended by Congress, but unfortunately not expressly stated in Section
national budget. It should be remembered that, under Sections 284 and 285
461 of the LGC, and this intent was echoed through an express provision in the LGC-IRR. To be sure, the Oversight
of the LGC, the IRA is given back to local governments, and the sharing is based on land area, population, and local
Committee did not just arbitrarily and whimsically insert such an exemption in Article 9(2) of the LGC-IRR. The
revenue.[30]
Oversight Committee evidently conducted due deliberation and consultations with all the concerned sectors of
society and considered the operative principles of local autonomy as provided in the LGC when the IRR was
Elementary is the principle that, if the literal application of the law results in absurdity, impossibility, or injustice,
formulated.[33] Undoubtedly, this amounts not only to an executive construction, entitled to great weight and respect
then courts may resort to extrinsic aids of statutory construction, such as the legislative history of the law, [31] or may
from this Court,[34] but to legislative construction as well, especially with the inclusion of representatives from the
consider the implementing rules and regulations and pertinent executive issuances in the nature of executive and/or
four leagues of local government units as members of the Oversight Committee.
legislative construction. Pursuant to this principle, Article 9(2) of the LGC-IRR should be deemed incorporated in
the basic law, the LGC.
With the formulation of the LGC-IRR, which amounted to both executive and legislative construction of
the LGC, the many details to implement the LGC had already been put in place, which Congress understood to be
It is well to remember that the LGC-IRR was formulated by the Oversight Committee consisting of
impractical and not too urgent to immediately translate into direct amendments to the LGC. But Congress,
members of both the Executive and Legislative departments, pursuant to Section 533[32] of the LGC.As Section 533
recognizing the capacity and viability of Dinagat to become a full-fledged province, enacted R.A. No. 9355,
provides, the Oversight Committee shall formulate and issue the appropriate rules and regulations necessary for
following the exemption from the land area requirement, which, with respect to the creation of provinces, can only
the efficient and effective implementation of any and all provisions of this Code, thereby ensuring compliance
be found as an express provision in the LGC-IRR. In effect, pursuant to its plenary legislative powers, Congress
with the principles of local autonomy as defined under the Constitution. It was also mandated by the
breathed flesh and blood into that exemption in Article 9(2) of the LGC-IRR and transformed it into law when it
Constitution that a local government code shall be enacted by Congress, to wit
enacted R.A. No. 9355 creating the Island Province of Dinagat.

Section 3. The Congress shall enact a local government code which shall provide
for a more responsive and accountable local government structure instituted through a Further, the bill that eventually became R.A. No. 9355 was filed and favorably voted upon in both
system of decentralization with effective mechanisms of recall, initiative, and Chambers of Congress. Such acts of both Chambers of Congress definitively show the clear legislative intent to
referendum, allocate among the different local government units their powers,
responsibilities, and resources, and provide for the qualifications, election, appointment and incorporate into the LGC that exemption from the land area requirement, with respect to the creation of a province
removal, term, salaries, powers and functions and duties of local officials, and all other when it consists of one or more islands, as expressly provided only in the LGC-IRR.Thereby, and by necessity, the
matters relating to the organization and operation of the local units. (Emphasis supplied.)
LGC was amended by way of the enactment of R.A. No. 9355.

What is more, the land area, while considered as an indicator of viability of a local government unit, is
These State policies are the very reason for the enactment of the LGC, with the view to attain
not conclusive in showing that Dinagat cannot become a province, taking into account its average annual income
decentralization and countryside development. Congress saw that the old LGC, Batas Pambansa Bilang 337, had to
of P82,696,433.23 at the time of its creation, as certified by the Bureau of Local Government Finance, which is four and the proclamation of the Province of Dinagat Islands and the election of the officials thereof are
times more than the minimum requirement of P20,000,000.00 for the creation of a province. The delivery of basic declared VALID; and
services to its constituents has been proven possible and sustainable. Rather than looking at the results of the
plebiscite and the May 10, 2010 elections as mere fait accomplicircumstances which cannot operate in favor of 4. The petition is DISMISSED.
Dinagats existence as a province, they must be seen from the perspective that Dinagat is ready and capable of
becoming a province. This Court should not be instrumental in stunting such capacity. As we have held in League of
Cities of the Philippines v. Commission on Elections[35]
Ratio legis est anima. The spirit rather than the letter of the law. A statute must be
read according to its spirit or intent, for what is within the spirit is within the statute although
it is not within its letter, and that which is within the letter but not within the spirit is not
within the statute. Put a bit differently, that which is within the intent of the lawmaker is as
much within the statute as if within the letter, and that which is within the letter of the statute
is not within the statute unless within the intent of the lawmakers. Withal, courts ought not to
interpret and should not accept an interpretation that would defeat the intent of the law and its
legislators.
So as it is exhorted to pass on a challenge against the validity of an act of Congress, a
co-equal branch of government, it behooves the Court to have at once one principle in mind:
the presumption of constitutionality of statutes.This presumption finds its roots in the
tri-partite system of government and the corollary separation of powers, which enjoins the
three great departments of the government to accord a becoming courtesy for each others acts,
and not to interfere inordinately with the exercise by one of its official functions. Towards this
end, courts ought to reject assaults against the validity of statutes, barring of course their clear
unconstitutionality. To doubt is to sustain, the theory in context being that the law is the
product of earnest studies by Congress to ensure that no constitutional prescription or concept
is infringed. Consequently, before a law duly challenged is nullified, an unequivocal breach of,
or a clear conflict with, the Constitution, not merely a doubtful or argumentative one, must be
demonstrated in such a manner as to leave no doubt in the mind of the Court.

WHEREFORE, the Court resolved to:

1. GRANT the Urgent Motion to Recall Entry of Judgment by movants-intervenors, dated and filed on
October 29, 2010;

2. RECONSIDER and SET ASIDE the July 20, 2010 Resolution, and GRANT the Motion for Leave to
Intervene and to File and to Admit Intervenors Motion for Reconsideration of the Resolution dated July 20, 2010;

3. GRANT the Intervenors Motion for Reconsideration of the Resolution dated May 12, 2010. The May
12, 2010 Resolution is RECONSIDERED and SET ASIDE. The provision in Article 9(2) of the Rules and
Regulations Implementing the Local Government Code of 1991 stating, The land area requirement shall not apply
where the proposed province is composed of one (1) or more islands, is declared VALID. Accordingly, Republic
Act No. 9355 (An Act Creating the Province of Dinagat Islands) is declared as VALID and CONSTITUTIONAL,