G.R. No. 80018 – 261 Phil. 777 – 182 SCRA 644 – Political Law – Constitutional Law – State Immunity From Suit – Suit Against Public Officers in their Official Acts; Immunity applies
Consolidated with US vs Guinto
Luis Bautista was employed by the US Air Force, Clark, Pampanga. He was arrested by members of the US Air Force for allegedly selling drugs. He was also fired. He then filed a case against the arresting officers (Special Agents Tomi Kingi, Darrel Dye, and Steven Bostick). Judge Josefina Ceballos denied the motion.
ISSUE: Whether or not the US is immune from suit in this case.
HELD: Yes. Kingi, Dye, and Bostick were acting in the exercise of their official functions when they conducted the buy-bust operation. As Special Agents, they were charged precisely with the function of preventing the distribution, possession and use of prohibited drugs and prosecuting those guilty of such acts. It cannot for a moment be imagined that they were acting in their private or unofficial capacity when they apprehended and later testified against the complainant.
