University of the Philippines College of Law

Block F2021

Topic Canon 1 - Promote and Respect Law and Legal Process

Case No. G.R. Nos. 79690-707 / Oct. 7, 1988
Case Name Zaldivar v. Gonzales
Ponente Per Curiam

RELEVANT FACTS

 The case refers to the apparent “transgressions” made by the Tanodbayan and respondent Raul
Gonzales with respect to the criminal case he was handling, with which the petitioner Enrique Zaldivar
was one of the defendants;

 The Tanodbayanan Gonzales was seen making remarks against the Supreme Court, quoting:

While President Aquino had been prodding me to prosecute graft cases even if they involve high
and mighty, the Supreme Court had been restraining me

While I don’t wish to discuss the merits of the Zaldivar petition before the Supreme Court, I am a
little bit disturbed that (the order) can aggaravate the thinking of some people that affluent
persons can prevent the progress of a trial.

to great detriment of the reputation of the SC.

 Respondent Gonzales also disclosed that:

(1) he was approached twice by a leading member of the High Court and was told to ‘go slow’ on
Zaldivar and to be ‘not too hard’ on him;
(2) that he ‘was approached and asked to refrain from investigating COA report on illegal
disbursements in the Supreme Court because ‘it will embarrass the Court’; and
(3) that he was called over the phone several times by a leading member of the Court and was asked to
dismiss the cases against

He also presented three handwritten notes which he claimed to be

 The Supreme Court issued

ISSUE

 W/N the

RATIO DECIDENDI

Issue Ratio

RULING
University of the Philippines College of Law
Block F2021

NO SEPARATE OPINION