6/7/2020 E-Library - Information At Your Fingertips: Printer Friendly properties arbitrarily taken. For these reasons, we hereby declare Executive Order No. 626-A unconstitutional.[5] In the same manner, this Court in Corona v. United Harbor Pilots Association of the Philippines[6] invalidated an administrative order that restricted harbor pilots from exercising their profession. The administrative order, which required harbor pilots to undergo an annual performance evaluation as a condition for the continued exercise of their profession, was considered a "deprivation of property without due process of law." [7] In Biraogo v. Truth Commission,[8] the creation of the Philippine Truth Commission by virtue of an executive order was deemed unconstitutional for violating the equal protection clause. The classification under the executive order, according to this Court, was unreasonable, thus: Executive Order No. 1 should be struck down as violative of the equal protection clause. The clear mandate of the envisioned truth commission is to investigate and find out the truth "concerning the reported cases of graft and corruption during the previous administration" only. The intent to single out the previous administration is plain, patent and manifest. Mention of it has been made in at least three portions of the questioned executive order. Specifically, these are: WHEREAS, there is a need for a separate body dedicated solely to investigating and finding out the truth concerning the reported cases of graft and corruption during the previous administration, and which will recommend the prosecution of the offenders and secure justice for all; SECTION 1. Creation of a Commission. — There is hereby created the PHILIPPINE TRUTH COMMISSION, hereinafter referred to as the "COMMISSION," which shall primarily seek and find the truth on, and toward this end, investigate reports of graft and corruption of such scale and magnitude that shock and offend the moral and ethical sensibilities of the people, committed by public officers and employees, their co-principals, accomplices and accessories from the private sector, if any, during the previous administration; and thereafter recommend the appropriate action or measure to be taken thereon to ensure that the full measure of justice shall be served without fear or favor. SECTION 2. Powers and Functions. — The Commission, which shall have all the powers of an investigative body under Section 37, Chapter 9, Book I of the Administrative Code of 1987, is primarily tasked to conduct a thorough fact-finding investigation of reported cases of graft and corruption referred to in Section 1, involving third level public officers and higher, their co-principals, accomplices and accessories from the private sector, if any, during the previous administration and thereafter submit its elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocsfriendly/1/64165 62/70