Astorga vs Villegas - A case digest

HERMINIO A. ASTORGA vs. ANTONIO J. VILLEGAS, ET AL. 

Facts:

House bill No. 9266, defining the powers, rights and duties of the Vice Mayor of Manila became a
law under RA 4065 after both houses and the President signed it. However, it was later on found out
that the said law was not the same as the version approved by the Senate as it was going thru its
revision. With this finding, the Senate President and the President himself sent out a statement
saying they are withdrawing their signatures from the House Bill No. 9266, therefore, it should not be
considered as a law.

Issue;
WON the petition for mandamus, injunction and/or prohibition with preliminary mandatory and
prohibitory injunction be granted and compel the respondents to comply with the provisions of RA
4065.

Ruling;
The Supreme Court recognized the withdrawal of the President and the Senate Presidents'
signatures from RA 4065 or House Bill 9266, therefore it did not become a law. The temporary
restraining order was also made permanent. The intent of the law making body based on its journals
prevailed over technicality of the legal process of enacting a bill.