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‘x x x. A direct invocation of the Supreme Court’s
original jurisdiction to issue these writs should be allowed
only when there are special and important reasons therefor,
clearly and specifically set out in the petition. This is
established policy. It is a policy that is necessary to prevent
inordinate demands upon the Court’s time and attention
which are better devoted to those matters within its exclusive
jurisdiction, and to prevent further over-crowding of the
Court’s docket.”
Pursuant to said judicial policy, we resolve to take
primary jurisdiction over the present petition in the interest of
speedy justice and to avoid future litigations so as to promptly
put an end to the present controversy which, as correctly
observed by petitioners, has sparked national interest because
of the magnitude of the problem created by the issuance of the
assailed resolution. x x x.’”
In Cuaresma, the Court highlighted its power to set aside its own rules in the
interest of justice:
“That the Court has the power to set aside its own rules in the
higher interests of justice is well-entrenched in our jurisprudence. We
reiterate what we said in Piczon vs. Court of Appeals:
‘Be it remembered that rules of procedure are but mere
tools designed to facilitate the attainment of justice. Their
strict and rigid application, which would result in
technicalities that tend to frustrate rather than promote
substantial justice, must always be avoided. Time and again,
this Court has suspended its own rules and excepted a
particular case from their operation whenever the higher
interests of justice so require. In the instant petition, we
forego a lengthy disquisition of the proper procedure that
should have been taken by the parties involved and proceed
directly to the merits of the case.’"
In the same manner, Petitioners seek to compel Respondents to disclose the full
text of the JPEPA and all its related attachments and annexes, inasmuch as the JPEPA
involves compelling public interest due to its effects on business, labor, farmers,
consumers, and other taxpayers.
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