Sultan Alimbunar Limbona vs Conte Mangelin

GR 80391 February 28, 1989

FACTS:

Sultan Limbona in his capacity as speaker of the Regional assembly together with Xavier Razul was
invited by Congressman Matalan to assist in House Committee on Muslin Affairs in Congress. Thereafter,
he informed the members of hiss assembly that there shall be no session in November. The assembly
was held in defiance to Limbona’s advice where he was unseated from his position. Petitioner prays that
the session be declared null and void, and that he be declared still the speaker of the assembly. Pending
the proceedings, SC received the resolution expressly expelling Limbona from the assembly. The court
ordered his reinstatement with the caution that should his acts indeed warrants his removal from the
assembly, respondents shall commence proper proceedings.

ISSUE:

Whether or not the National Court have jurisdiction over the affairs of the autonomous government of
Mindanao

RULING:

While it is in the discretion of the Sanggunian to punish erring colleagues, their acts are nonetheless
subject to the moderating band of the Court in the event that such discretion is exercised with grave
abuse. PD 1618 creating the autonomous government of Mindanao mandates that the President shall
have the power of general supervision and control over autonomous regions. The Sangguniang
Pampook, their legislative firm is made to discharge chiefly administrative services, thus the court
assumed jurisdiction.a