FACTS:
On 05 May 1994, RA 7720 was signed into law converting the municipality of Santiago, Isabela into an independent component city. It was subsequently ratified by the people of Santiago on 04 Jul 1994. On 14 Feb 1998, RA 8528 was enacted changing, among others, the status of Santiago from an independent component city into a component city.
ISSUE(S):
Whether or not the Supreme Court has jurisdiction on justiciable questions.
HELD:
YES. Article VIII, Section 1 of the Constitution defines judicial power as including the duty of the courts of justice to settle actual controversies involving rights which are legally demandable and enforceable, and to determine whether or not there has been a grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction on the part of any branch or instrumentality of the government.
