G.R. No.

175368 April 11, 2013 On July 22, 2005, AMTC filed with the PMRB of Bulacan a formal protest
LEAGUE OF PROVINCES OF THE PHILIPPINES, Petitioner, against the aforesaid Applications for Quarry Permit on the ground that the
vs. subject area was already covered by its Application for Exploration Permit.9
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT and NATURAL RESOURCES and On August 8, 2005, MGB R-III Director Cabantog, who was the concurrent
HON. ANGELO T. REYES, in his capacity as Secretary of Chairman of the PMRB, endorsed to the Provincial Governor of Bulacan,
DENR, Respondents. Governor Josefina M. dela Cruz, the aforesaid Applications for Quarry Permit
DECISION that had apparently been converted to Applications for Small-Scale Mining
PERALTA, J.: Permit of Eduardo D. Mercado, Benedicto S. Cruz, Gerardo R. Cruz and
This is a petition for certiorari, prohibition and mandamus,1 praying that this Lucila S. Valdez (formerly Liberato Sembrano).10
Court order the following: ( 1) declare as unconstitutional Section 17(b)(3)(iii) On August 9, 2005, the PENRO of Bulacan issued four memoranda
of Republic Act (R.A.) No. 7160, otherwise known as The Local Government recommending to Governor Dela Cruz the approval of the aforesaid
Code of 1991 and Section 24 of Republic Act (R.A.) No. 7076, otherwise Applications for Small-Scale Mining Permit.11
known as the People's Small-Scale Mining Act of 1991; (2) prohibit and bar On August 10, 2005, Governor Dela Cruz issued the corresponding Small-
respondents from exercising control over provinces; and (3) declare as illegal Scale Mining Permits in favor of Eduardo D. Mercado, Benedicto S. Cruz,
the respondent Secretary of the Department of Energy and Natural Gerardo R. Cruz and Lucila S. Valdez.12
Resources' (DENR) nullification, voiding and cancellation of the Small-Scale Subsequently, AMTC appealed to respondent DENR Secretary the grant of
Mining permits issued by the Provincial Governor of Bulacan. the aforesaid Small-Scale Mining Permits, arguing that: (1) The PMRB of
The Facts are as follows: Bulacan erred in giving due course to the Applications for Small-Scale Mining
On March 28, 1996, Golden Falcon Mineral Exploration Corporation (Golden Permit without first resolving its formal protest; (2) The areas covered by the
Falcon) filed with the DENR Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office Small-Scale Mining Permits fall within the area covered by AMTC's valid prior
No. III (MGB R-III) an Application for Financial and Technical Assistance Application for Exploration Permit; (3) The Applications for Quarry Permit
Agreement (FTAA) covering an area of 61,136 hectares situated in the were illegally converted to Applications for Small-Scale Mining Permit; (4)
Municipalities of San Miguel, San Ildefonso, Norzagaray and San Jose del DENR-MGB Director Horacio C. Ramos' ruling that the subject areas
Monte, Bulacan.2 became open for mining location only on August 11, 2004 was controlling; (5)
On April 29, 1998, the MGB R-III issued an Order denying Golden Falcon's The Small-Scale Mining Permits were null and void because they covered
Application for Financial and Technical Assistance Agreement for failure to areas that were never declared People's Small-Scale Mining Program sites
secure area clearances from the Forest Management Sector and Lands as mandated by Section 4 of the People's Small-Scale Mining Act of 1991;
Management Sector of the DENR Regional Office No. III.3 and (6) Iron ore is not considered as one of the quarry resources, as defined
On November 11, 1998, Golden Falcon filed an appeal with the DENR Mines by Section 43 of the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, which could be subjects
and Geosciences Bureau Central Office (MGB-Central Office), and sought of an Application for Quarry Permit.13
reconsideration of the Order dated April 29, 1998.4 On August 8, 2006, respondent DENR Secretary rendered a Decision14 in
On February 10, 2004, while Golden Falcon's appeal was pending, Eduardo favor of AMTC. The DENR Secretary agreed with MGB Director Horacio C.
D. Mercado, Benedicto S. Cruz, Gerardo R. Cruz and Liberato Sembrano Ramos that the area was open to mining location only on August 11, 2004,
filed with the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) fifteen (15) days after the receipt by Golden Falcon on July 27, 2004 of a
of Bulacan their respective Applications for Quarry Permit (AQP), which copy of the MGB-Central Office's Order dated July 16, 2004, which Order
covered the same area subject of Golden Falcon's Application for Financial denied Golden Falcon's appeal. According to the DENR Secretary, the filing
and Technical Assistance Agreement.5 by Golden Falcon of the letter-appeal suspended the finality of the Order of
On July 16, 2004, the MGB-Central Office issued an Order denying Golden denial issued on April 29, 1998 by the Regional Director until the resolution
Falcon's appeal and affirming the MGB R-III's Order dated April 29, 1998. of the appeal on July 16, 2004 by the MGB-Central Office. He stated that the
On September 13, 2004, Atlantic Mines and Trading Corporation (AMTC) Applications for Quarry Permit were filed on February 10, 2004 when the
filed with the PENRO of Bulacan an Application for Exploration Permit (AEP) area was still closed to mining location; hence, the Small-Scale Mining
covering 5,281 hectares of the area covered by Golden Falcon's Application Permits granted by the PMRB and the Governor were null and void. On the
for Financial and Technical Assistance Agreement.6 other hand, the DENR Secretary declared that AMTC filed its Application for
On October 19, 2004, DENR-MGB Director Horacio C. Ramos, in response Exploration Permit when the area was already open to other mining
to MGB R-III Director Arnulfo V. Cabantog's memorandum query dated applicants; thus, AMTC’s Application for Exploration Permit was valid.
September 8, 2004, categorically stated that the MGB-Central Office's Order Moreover, the DENR Secretary held that the questioned Small-Scale Mining
dated July 16, 2004 became final on August 11, 2004, fifteen (15) days after Permits were issued in violation of Section 4 of R.A. No. 7076 and beyond
Golden Falcon received the said Order, per the Certification dated October 8, the authority of the Provincial Governor pursuant to Section 43 of R.A. No.
2004 issued by the Postmaster II of the Philippine Postal Corporation of 7942, because the area was never proclaimed to be under the People's
Cainta, Rizal.7 Small-Scale Mining Program. Further, the DENR Secretary stated that iron
Through letters dated May 5 and May 10, 2005, AMTC notified the PENRO ore mineral is not considered among the quarry resources.
of Bulacan and the MGB R-III Director, respectively, that the subject The dispositive portion of the DENR Secretary’s Decision reads:
Applications for Quarry Permit fell within its (AMTC's) existing valid and prior WHEREFORE, the Application for Exploration Permit, AEP-III-02-04 of
Application for Exploration Permit, and the the former area of Golden Falcon Atlantic Mines and Trading Corp. is declared valid and may now be given
was open to mining location only on August 11, 2004 per the Memorandum due course. The Small-Scale Mining Permits, SSMP-B-002-05 of Gerardo
dated October 19, 2004 of the MGB Director, Central Office.8 Cruz, SSMP-B-003-05 of Eduardo D. Mercado, SSMP-B-004-05 of
On June 24, 2005, Ricardo Medina, Jr., PENRO of Bulacan, indorsed Benedicto S. Cruz and SSMP-B-005-05 of Lucila S. Valdez are declared
AMTC's letter to the Provincial Legal Officer, Atty. Eugenio F. Resurreccion, NULL AND VOID. Consequently, the said permits are hereby
for his legal opinion on which date of denial of Golden Falcon's CANCELLED.15
application/appeal – April 29, 1998 or July 16, 2004 − is to be considered in Hence, petitioner League of Provinces filed this petition.
the deliberation of the Provincial Mining Regulatory Board (PMRB) for the Petitioner is a duly organized league of local governments incorporated
purpose of determining when the land subject of the Applications for Quarry under R.A. No. 7160. Petitioner declares that it is composed of 81 provincial
Permit could be considered open for application. governments, including the Province of Bulacan. It states that this is not an
On June 28, 2005, Provincial Legal Officer Eugenio Resurreccion issued a action of one province alone, but the collective action of all provinces through
legal opinion stating that the Order dated July 16, 2004 of the MGB-Central the League, as a favorable ruling will not only benefit one province, but all
Office was a mere reaffirmation of the Order dated April 29, 1998 of the MGB provinces and all local governments.
R-III; hence, the Order dated April 29, 1998 should be the reckoning period Petitioner raises these issues:
of the denial of the application of Golden Falcon. I
WHETHER OR NOT SECTION 17(B)(3)(III) OF THE, 1991 LOCAL (e) Settle disputes, conflicts or litigations over conflicting claims within a
GOVERNMENT CODE AND SECTION 24 OF THE PEOPLE'S SMALL- people’s small-scale mining area, an area that is declared a small-mining;
SCALE MINING ACT OF 1991 ARE UNCONSTITUTIONAL FOR and
PROVIDING FOR EXECUTIVE CONTROL AND INFRINGING UPON THE (f) Perform such other functions as may be necessary to achieve the goals
LOCAL AUTONOMY OF PROVINCES. and objectives of this Act.26
II Petitioner contends that the aforecited laws and DENR Administrative Order
WHETHER OR NOT THE ACT OF RESPONDENT [DENR] IN NULLIFYING, No. 9640 (the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Philippine Mining
VOIDING AND CANCELLING THE SMALL-SCALE MINING PERMITS Act of 1995) did not explicitly confer upon respondents DENR and the DENR
AMOUNTS TO EXECUTIVE CONTROL, NOT MERELY SUPERVISION AND Secretary the power to reverse, abrogate, nullify, void, or cancel the permits
USURPS THE DEVOLVED POWERS OF ALL PROVINCES.16 issued by the Provincial Governor or small-scale mining contracts entered
To start, the Court finds that petitioner has legal standing to file this petition into by the PMRB. The statutes are also silent as to the power of respondent
because it is tasked under Section 504 of the Local Government Code of DENR Secretary to substitute his own judgment over that of the Provincial
1991 to promote local autonomy at the provincial level;17 adopt measures Governor and the PMRB.
for the promotion of the welfare of all provinces and its officials and Moreover, petitioner contends that Section 17 (b)(3)(iii) of the Local
employees;18 and exercise such other powers and perform such other Government Code of 1991 and Section 24 of R.A. No. 7076, which confer
duties and functions as the league may prescribe for the welfare of the upon respondents DENR and the DENR Secretary the power of control are
provinces.19 unconstitutional, as the Constitution states that the President (and Executive
Before this Court determines the validity of an act of a co-equal and Departments and her alter-egos) has the power of supervision only, not
coordinate branch of the Government, it bears emphasis that ingrained in our control, over acts of the local government units, and grants the local
jurisprudence is the time-honored principle that a statute is presumed to be government units autonomy, thus:
valid.20 This presumption is rooted in the doctrine of separation of powers The 1987 Constitution:
which enjoins upon the three coordinate departments of the Government a Article X, Section 4. The President of the Philippines shall exercise general
becoming courtesy for each other's acts.21 This Court, however, may supervision over local governments. Provinces with respect to component
declare a law, or portions thereof, unconstitutional where a petitioner has cities and municipalities, and cities and municipalities with respect to
shown a clear and unequivocal breach of the Constitution,22 leaving no component barangays, shall ensure that the acts of their component units
doubt or hesitation in the mind of the Court.23 are within the scope of their prescribed powers and functions.27
In this case, petitioner admits that respondent DENR Secretary had the Petitioner contends that the policy in the above-cited constitutional provision
authority to nullify the Small-Scale Mining Permits issued by the Provincial is mirrored in the Local Government Code, which states:
Governor of Bulacan, as the DENR Secretary has control over the PMRB, SEC. 25. National Supervision over Local Government Units. - (a) Consistent
and the implementation of the Small-Scale Mining Program is subject to with the basic policy on local autonomy, the President shall exercise general
control by respondent DENR. supervision over local government units to ensure that their acts are within
Control of the DENR/DENR Secretary over small-scale mining in the the scope of their prescribed powers and functions.
provinces is granted by three statutes: (1) R.A. No. 7061 or The Local The President shall exercise supervisory authority directly over provinces,
Government Code of 1991; (2) R.A. No. 7076 or the People's Small Scale highly urbanized cities, and independent component cities; through the
Mining Act of 1991; and (3) R.A. No. 7942, otherwise known as the province with respect to component cities and municipalities; and through the
Philippine Mining Act of 1995.24 The pertinent provisions of law sought to be city and municipality with respect to barangays.28
declared as unconstitutional by petitioner are as follows: Petitioner contends that the foregoing provisions of the Constitution and the
R.A. No. 7061 (The Local Government Code of 1991) Local Government Code of 1991 show that the relationship between the
SEC. 17. Basic Services and Facilities. - (a) Local government units shall President and the Provinces or respondent DENR, as the alter ego of the
endeavor to be self-reliant and shall continue exercising the powers and President, and the Province of Bulacan is one of executive supervision, not
discharging the duties and functions currently vested upon them. They shall one of executive control. The term "control" has been defined as the power
also discharge the functions and responsibilities of national agencies and of an officer to alter or modify or set aside what a subordinate officer had
offices devolved to them pursuant to this Code. Local government units shall done in the performance of his/her duties and to substitute the judgment of
likewise exercise such other powers and discharge such other functions and the former for the latter, while the term "supervision" is the power of a
responsibilities as are necessary, appropriate, or incidental to efficient and superior officer to see to it that lower officers perform their function in
effective provision of the basic services and facilities enumerated herein. accordance with law.29
(b) Such basic services and facilities include, but are not limited to, the Petitioner argues that respondent DENR Secretary went beyond mere
following: executive supervision and exercised control when he nullified the small-scale
xxxx mining permits granted by the Provincial Governor of Bulacan, as the former
(3) For a Province:c substituted the judgment of the latter.
xxxx Petitioner asserts that what is involved here is a devolved power.
(iii) Pursuant to national policies and subject to supervision, control and Under the Local Government Code of 1991, the power to regulate small-
review of the DENR, enforcement of forestry laws limited to community- scale mining has been devolved to all provinces. In the exercise of devolved
based forestry projects, pollution control law, small-scale mining law, and powers, departmental approval is not necessary.30
other laws on the protection of the environment; and mini-hydro electric Petitioner contends that if the provisions in Section 24 of R.A. No. 7076 and
projects for local purposes; x x x25 Section 17 (b)(3)(iii) of the Local Government Code of 1991 granting the
R.A. No. 7076 (People's Small-Scale Mining Act of 1991) power of control to the DENR/DENR Secretary are not nullified, nothing
Sec. 24. Provincial/City Mining Regulatory Board. - There is hereby created would stop the DENR Secretary from nullifying, voiding and canceling the
under the direct supervision and control of the Secretary a provincial/city small-scale mining permits that have been issued by a Provincial Governor.
mining regulatory board, herein called the Board, which shall be the Petitioner submits that the statutory grant of power of control to respondents
implementing agency of the Department, and shall exercise the following is unconstitutional, as the Constitution only allows supervision over local
powers and functions, subject to review by the Secretary: governments and proscribes control by the executive departments.
(a) Declare and segregate existing gold-rush areas for small-scale mining; In its Comment, respondents, represented by the Office of the Solicitor
(b) Reserve future gold and other mining areas for small-scale mining; General, stated that contrary to the assertion of petitioner, the power to
(c) Award contracts to small-scale miners; implement the small-scale mining law is expressly limited in Section 17 (b)(3)
(d) Formulate and implement rules and regulations related to small-scale (iii) of the Local Government Code, which provides that it must be carried out
mining; "pursuant to national policies and subject to supervision, control and review
of the DENR." Moreover, the fact that the power to implement the small-scale
mining law has not been fully devolved to provinces is further amplified by (b) Such basic services and facilities include, but are not limited to, the
Section 4 of the People's Small-Scale Mining Act of 1991, which provides, following:
among others, that the People's Small-Scale Mining Program shall be xxxx
implemented by the DENR Secretary. (3) For a Province:c
The petition lacks merit. xxxx
Paragraph 1 of Section 2, Article XII (National Economy and Patrimony) of (iii) Pursuant to national policies and subject to supervision, control and
the Constitution31 provides that "the exploration, development and utilization review of the DENR, enforcement of forestry laws limited to community-
of natural resources shall be under the full control and supervision of the based forestry projects, pollution control law, small-scale mining law, and
State." other laws on the protection of the environment; and mini-hydro electric
Moreover, paragraph 3 of Section 2, Article XII of the Constitution provides projects for local purposes;39
that "the Congress may, by law, allow small-scale utilization of natural Clearly, the Local Government Code did not fully devolve the enforcement of
resources by Filipino citizens x x x." the small-scale mining law to the provincial government, as its enforcement
Pursuant to Section 2, Article XII of the Constitution, R.A. No. 7076 or the is subject to the supervision, control and review of the DENR, which is in
People's Small-Scale Mining Act of 1991, was enacted, establishing under charge, subject to law and higher authority, of carrying out the State's
Section 4 thereof a People's Small-Scale Mining Program to be implemented constitutional mandate to control and supervise the exploration,
by the DENR Secretary in coordination with other concerned government development, utilization of the country's natural resources.40
agencies. Section 17 (b)(3)(iii) of the Local Government Code of 1991 is in harmony
The People's Small-Scale Mining Act of 1991 defines "small-scale mining" as with R.A. No. 7076 or the People's Small-Scale Mining Act of 1991,41 which
"refer[ring] to mining activities, which rely heavily on manual labor using established a People's Small-Scale Mining Program to be implemented by
simple implement and methods and do not use explosives or heavy mining the Secretary of the DENR, thus:
equipment."32 Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared of the State to promote,
It should be pointed out that the Administrative Code of 198733 provides that develop, protect and rationalize viable small-scale mining activities in order
the DENR is, subject to law and higher authority, in charge of carrying out the to generate more employment opportunities and provide an equitable
State's constitutional mandate, under Section 2, Article XII of the sharing of the nation's wealth and natural resources, giving due regard to
Constitution, to control and supervise the exploration, development, existing rights as herein provided.
utilization and conservation of the country's natural resources. Hence, the xxxx
enforcement of small-scale mining law in the provinces is made subject to Sec. 4. People's Small-Scale Mining Program. - For the purpose of carrying
the supervision, control and review of the DENR under the Local out the declared policy provided in Section 2 hereof, there is hereby
Government Code of 1991, while the People’s Small-Scale Mining Act of established a People's Small-Scale Mining Program to be implemented by
1991 provides that the People’s Small-Scale Mining Program is to be the Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources,
implemented by the DENR Secretary in coordination with other concerned hereinafter called the Department, in coordination with other concerned
local government agencies. government agencies, designed to achieve an orderly, systematic and
Indeed, Section 4, Article X (Local Government) of the Constitution states rational scheme for the small-scale development and utilization of mineral
that "[t]he President of the Philippines shall exercise general supervision resources in certain mineral areas in order to address the social, economic,
over local governments," and Section 25 of the Local Government Code technical, and environmental problems connected with small-scale mining
reiterates the same. General supervision by the President means no more activities.
than seeing to it that laws are faithfully executed or that subordinate officers xxxx
act within the law.34 Sec. 24. Provincial/City Mining Regulatory Board. – There is hereby created
The Court has clarified that the constitutional guarantee of local autonomy in under the direct supervision and control of the Secretary a provincial/city
the Constitution Art. X, Sec. 2 refers to the administrative autonomy of local mining regulatory board, herein called the Board, which shall be the
government units or, cast in more technical language, the decentralization of implementing agency of the Department, and shall exercise the following
government authority.35 It does not make local governments sovereign powers and functions, subject to review by the Secretary:
within the State.36 Administrative autonomy may involve devolution of (a) Declare and segregate existing gold-rush areas for small-scale mining;
powers, but subject to limitations like following national policies or (b) Reserve future gold and other mining areas for small-scale mining;
standards,37 and those provided by the Local Government Code, as the (c) Award contracts to small-scale miners;
structuring of local governments and the allocation of powers, (d) Formulate and implement rules and regulations related to small-scale
responsibilities, and resources among the different local government units mining;
and local officials have been placed by the Constitution in the hands of (e) Settle disputes, conflicts or litigations over conflicting claims within a
Congress38 under Section 3, Article X of the Constitution. people’s small-scale mining area, an area that is declared a small-mining;
Section 3, Article X of the Constitution mandated Congress to "enact a local and
government code which shall provide for a more responsive and accountable (f) Perform such other functions as may be necessary to achieve the goals
local government structure instituted through a system of decentralization and objectives of this Act.42
with effective mechanisms of recall, initiative, and referendum, allocate DENR Administrative Order No. 34, series of 1992, containing the Rules and
among the different local government units their powers, responsibilities, and Regulations to implement R.A. No. 7076, provides:
resources, and provide for the qualifications, election, appointment and SEC. 21. Administrative Supervision over the People's Small-Scale Mining
removal, term, salaries, powers and functions and duties of local officials, Program. − The following DENR officials shall exercise the following
and all other matters relating to the organization and operation of the local supervisory functions in the implementation of the Program:
units." 21.1 DENR Secretrary – direct supervision and control over the program and
In connection with the enforcement of the small-scale mining law in the activities of the small-scale miners within the people's small-scale mining
province, Section 17 of the Local Government Code provides: area;
SEC. 17. Basic Services and Facilities. - (a) Local government units shall 21.2 Director − the Director shall:
endeavor to be self-reliant and shall continue exercising the powers and a. Recommend the depth or length of the tunnel or adit taking into account
discharging the duties and functions currently vested upon them. They shall the: (1) size of membership and capitalization of the cooperative; (2) size of
also discharge the functions and responsibilities of national agencies and mineralized areas; (3) quantity of mineral deposits; (4) safety of miners; and
offices devolved to them pursuant to this Code. Local government units shall (5) environmental impact and other considerations;
likewise exercise such other powers and discharge such other functions and b. Determine the right of small-scale miners to existing facilities in
responsibilities as are necessary, appropriate, or incidental to efficient and consultation with the operator, claimowner, landowner or lessor of an
effective provision of the basic services and facilities enumerated herein. affected area upon declaration of a small-scale mining area;
c. Recommend to the Secretary the withdrawal of the status of the people's xxxx
small-scale mining area when it can no longer be feasibly operated on a 22.5 Settles disputes, conflicts or litigations over conflicting claims within
small-scale basis; and ninety (90) days upon filing of protests or complaints; Provided, That any
d. See to it that the small-scale mining contractors abide by small-scale aggrieved party may appeal within five (5) days from the Board's decision to
mines safety rules and regulations. the Secretary for final resolution otherwise the same is considered final and
xxxx executory; x x x
SEC. 22. Provincial/City Mining Regulatory Board. − The Provincial/City In this case, in accordance with Section 22, paragraph 22.5 of the
Mining Regulatory Board created under R.A. 7076 shall exercise the Implementing Rules and Regulations of R.A. No. 7076, the AMTC filed on
following powers and functions, subject to review by the Secretary: July 22, 2005 with the PMRB of Bulacan a formal protest against the
22.1 Declares and segregates existing gold rush area for small-scale mining; Applications for Quarry Permits of Eduardo Mercado, Benedicto Cruz,
22.2 Reserves for the future, mineralized areas/mineral lands for people's Liberato Sembrano (replaced by Lucila Valdez) and Gerardo Cruz on the
small-scale mining; ground that the subject area was already covered by its Application for
22.3 Awards contracts to small-scale miners’ cooperative; Exploration Permit.48 However, on August 8, 2005, the PMRB issued
22.4 Formulates and implements rules and regulations related to R.A. 7076; Resolution Nos. 05-8, 05-9, 05-10 and 05-11, resolving to submit to the
22.5 Settles disputes, conflicts or litigations over conflicting claims within Provincial Governor of Bulacan the Applications for Small-Scale Mining
ninety (90) days upon filing of protests or complaints; Provided, That any Permits of Eduardo Mercado, Benedicto Cruz, Lucila Valdez and Gerardo
aggrieved party may appeal within five (5) days from the Board's decision to Cruz for the granting/issuance of the said permits.49 On August 10, 2005,
the Secretary for final resolution otherwise the same is considered final and the Provincial Governor of Bulacan issued the Small-Scale Mining Permits to
executory; and Eduardo Mercado, Benedicto Cruz, Lucila Valdez and Gerardo Cruz based
22.6 Performs such other functions as may be necessary to achieve the on the legal opinion of the Provincial Legal Officer and the Resolutions of the
goals and objectives of R.A. 7076. PMRB of Bulacan.
SEC. 6. Declaration of People's Small-Scale Mining Areas. – The Board Hence, AMTC filed an appeal with respondent DENR Secretary, appealing
created under R.A. 7076 shall have the authority to declare and set aside from Letter-Resolution No. 05-1317 and Resolution Nos. 05-08, 05-09, 05-10
People's Small-Scale Mining Areas in sites onshore suitable for small-scale and 05-11, all dated August 8, 2005, of the PMRB of Bulacan, which
mining operations subject to review by the DENR Secretary thru the resolutions gave due course and granted, on August 10, 2005, Small-Scale
Director.43 Mining Permits to Eduardo D. Mercado, Benedicto S. Cruz, Lucila Valdez
DENR Administrative Order No. 23, otherwise known as the Implementing and Gerardo Cruz involving parcels of mineral land situated at Camachin,
Rules and Regulations of R.A. No. 7942, otherwise known as the Philippine Doña Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan.
Mining Act of 1995, adopted on August 15, 1995, provides under Section The PMRB of Bulacan filed its Answer, stating that it is an administrative
12344 thereof that small-scale mining applications should be filed with the body, created under R.A. No. 7076, which cannot be equated with the court
PMRB45 and the corresponding permits shall be issued by the Provincial wherein a full-blown hearing could be conducted, but it is enough that the
Governor, except small-scale mining applications within the mineral parties were given the opportunity to present evidence. It asserted that the
reservations. questioned resolutions it issued were in accordance with the mining laws and
Thereafter, DENR Administrative Order No. 96-40, otherwise known as the that the Small-Scale Mining Permits granted were registered ahead of
Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of R.A. No. 7942, otherwise AMTC's Application for Exploration Permit. Further, the Board stated that the
known as the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, adopted on December 19, 1996, Governor of Bulacan had the power to approve the Small-Scale Mining
provides that applications for Small-Scale Mining Permits shall be filed with Permits under R.A. No. 7160.
the Provincial Governor/City Mayor through the concerned Provincial/City The DENR Secretary found the appeal meritorious, and resolved these
Mining Regulatory Board for areas outside the Mineral Reservations and with pivotal issues: (1) when is the subject mining area open for mining location
the Director though the Bureau for areas within the Mineral by other applicants; and (2) who among the applicants have valid
Reservations.46 Moreover, it provides that Local Government Units shall, in applications.1âwphi1 The pertinent portion of the decision of the DENR
coordination with the Bureau/ Regional Offices and subject to valid and Secretary reads:
existing mining rights, "approve applications for small-scale mining, sand and We agree with the ruling of the MGB Director that the area is open only to
gravel, quarry x x x and gravel permits not exceeding five (5) hectares."47 mining location on August 11, 2004, fifteen (15) days after the receipt by
Petitioner contends that the Local Government Code of 1991, R.A. No. 7076, Golden Falcon on July 27, 2004 of a copy of the subject Order of July 16,
DENR Administrative Orders Nos. 95-23 and 96-40 granted the DENR 2004.1âwphi1 The filing by Golden Falcon of the letter-appeal suspended
Secretary the broad statutory power of control, but did not confer upon the the finality of the Order of Denial issued on April 29, 1998 by the Regional
respondents DENR and DENR Secretary the power to reverse, abrogate, Director until the Resolution thereof on July 16, 2004.
nullify, void, cancel the permits issued by the Provincial Governor or small- Although the subject AQPs/SSMPs were processed in accordance with the
scale mining contracts entered into by the Board. procedures of the PMRB, however, the AQPs were filed on February 10,
The contention does not persuade. 2004 when the area is still closed to mining location. Consequently, the
The settlement of disputes over conflicting claims in small-scale mining is SSMPs granted by the PMRB and the Governor are null and void making
provided for in Section 24 of R.A. No. 7076, thus: thereby AEP No. III-02-04 of the AMTC valid, it having been filed when the
Sec. 24. Provincial/City Mining Regulatory Board. − There is hereby created area is already open to other mining applicants.
under the direct supervision and control of the Secretary a provincial/city Records also show that the AQPs were converted into SSMPs. These are
mining regulatory board, herein called the Board, which shall be the two (2) different applications. The questioned SSMPs were issued in
implementing agency of the Department, and shall exercise the following violation of Section 4 of RA 7076 and beyond the authority of the Provincial
powers and functions, subject to review by the Secretary: Governor pursuant to Section 43 of RA 7942 because the area was never
xxxx proclaimed as "People's Small-Scale Mining Program." Moreover, iron ore
(e) Settle disputes, conflicts or litigations over conflicting claims within a mineral is not considered among the quarry resources.
people's small-scale mining area, an area that is declared a small mining xxxx
area; x x x WHEREFORE, the Application for Exploration Permit, AEP-III-02-04 of
Section 24, paragraph (e) of R.A. No. 7076 cited above is reflected in Atlantic Mines and Trading Corp. is declared valid and may now be given
Section 22, paragraph 22.5 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of due course. The Small-Scale Mining Permits, SSMP-B-002-05 of Gerardo
R.A. No. 7076, to wit: Cruz, SSMP-B-003-05 of Eduardo D. Mercado, SSMP-B-004-05 of
SEC. 22. Provincial/City Mining Regulatory Board. – The Provincial/City Benedicto S. Cruz and SSMP-B-005-05 of Lucila S. Valdez are declared
Mining Regulatory Board created under R.A. No. 7076 shall exercise the NULL AND VOID. Consequently, the said permits are hereby
following powers and functions, subject to review by the Secretary: CANCELLED.50
The Court finds that the decision of the DENR Secretary was rendered in adjudication of their respective rights.53 The DENR Secretary exercises
accordance with the power of review granted to the DENR Secretary in the quasi-judicial function under R.A. No. 7076 and its Implementing Rules and
resolution of disputes, which is provided for in Section 24 of R.A. No. 707651 Regulations to the extent necessary in settling disputes, conflicts or
and Section 22 of its Implementing Rules and Regulations.52 It is noted that litigations over conflicting claims. This quasi-judicial function of the DENR
although AMTC filed a protest with the PMRB regarding its superior and prior Secretary can neither be equated with "substitution of judgment" of the
Application for Exploration Permit over the Applications for Quarry Permit, Provincial Governor in issuing Small-Scale Mining Permits nor "control" over
which were converted to Small-Scale Mining Permits, the PMRB did not the said act of the Provincial Governor as it is a determination of the rights of
resolve the same, but issued Resolution Nos. 05-08 to 05-11 on August 8, AMTC over conflicting claims based on the law.
2005, resolving to submit to the Provincial Governor of Bulacan the In determining whether Section 17 (b)(3)(iii) of the Local Government Code
Applications for Small-Scale Mining Permits of Eduardo Mercado, Benedicto of 1991 and Section 24 of R.A. No. 7076 are unconstitutional, the Court has
Cruz, Lucila Valdez and Gerardo Cruz for the granting of the said permits. been guided by Beltran v. The Secretary of Health, 54 which held:
After the Provincial Governor of Bulacan issued the Small-Scale Mining The fundamental criterion is that all reasonable doubts should be resolved in
Permits on August 10, 2005, AMTC appealed the Resolutions of the PMRB favor of the constitutionality of a statute. Every law has in its favor the
giving due course to the granting of the Small-Scale Mining Permits by the presumption of constitutionality. For a law to be nullified, it must be shown
Provincial Governor. that there is a clear and unequivocal breach of the Constitution. The ground
Hence, the decision of the DENR Secretary, declaring that the Application for for nullity must be clear and beyond reasonable doubt. Those who petition
Exploration Permit of AMTC was valid and may be given due course, and this Court to declare a law, or parts thereof, unconstitutional must clearly
canceling the Small-Scale Mining Permits issued by the Provincial Governor, establish the basis therefor. Otherwise, the petition must fail. 55
emanated from the power of review granted to the DENR Secretary under In this case, the Court finds that the grounds raised by petitioner to challenge
R.A. No. 7076 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations. The DENR the constitutionality of Section 17 (b )(3)(iii) of the Local Government Code of
Secretary's power to review and, therefore, decide, in this case, the issue on 1991 and Section 24 'of R.A. No.7076 failed to overcome the constitutionality
the validity of the issuance of the Small-Scale Mining Permits by the of the said provisions of law.
Provincial Governor as recommended by the PMRB, is a quasi-judicial WHEREFORE, the petition is DISMISSED for lack of merit.
function, which involves the determination of what the law is, and what the No costs.
legal rights of the contending parties are, with respect to the matter in SO ORDERED.
controversy and, on the basis thereof and the facts obtaining, the