Professional Documents
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Up 2012 Political Law Bar Reviewer
Up 2012 Political Law Bar Reviewer
L
AW
BAR REVIEWER
2012
POLITICAL
Constitutional Law 1
Constitutional Law 2
Law on Public Officers
Administrative Law
Election Law
Local Governments
Public International Law
LAW
Dean Danilo L. Concepcion
Dean, UP College of Law
UP
L
AW
BAR REVIEWER
2012
POLITICAL
BAR OPERATIONS COMMISSION 2012
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Ramon Carlo Marcaida |Commissioner
Raymond Velasco Mara Kriska Chen |Deputy Commissioners
Barbie Kaye Perez |Secretary
Carmen Cecilia Veneracion |Treasurer
Hazel Angeline Abenoja|Auditor
COMMITTEE HEADS
Eleanor Balaquiao Mark Xavier Oyales | Acads
Monique Morales Katleya Kate Belderol Kathleen Mae
Tuason (D) Rachel Miranda (D) |Special Lectures
Patricia Madarang Marinella Felizmenio |Secretariat
Victoria Caranay |Publicity and Promotions
Loraine Saguinsin Ma. Luz Baldueza |Marketing
Benjamin Joseph Geronimo Jose Lacas |Logistics
Angelo Bernard Ngo Annalee Toda|HR
Anne Janelle Yu Alyssa Carmelli Castillo |Merchandise
Graciello Timothy Reyes |Layout
Charmaine Sto. Domingo Katrina Maniquis |Mock Bar
Krizel Malabanan Karren de Chavez |Bar Candidates Welfare
Karina Kirstie Paola Ayco Ma. Ara Garcia |Events
LAW
OPERATIONS HEADS
Charles Icasiano Katrina Rivera |Hotel Operations
Marijo Alcala Marian Salanguit |Day-Operations
Jauhari Azis |Night-Operations
Vivienne Villanueva Charlaine Latorre |Food
Kris Francisco Rimban Elvin Salindo |Transpo
Paula Plaza |Linkages
POLITICAL
LAW
POLITICAL
LAW
Constitutional Law 1
A. The Constitution ........................ 11
I. Definition, Nature and Concepts ..... 11
II. Parts ..................................... 12
III. Amendments and Revisions ......... 12
IV. Self-Executing and Non-SelfExecuting Provisions ...................... 16
V. General Provisions..................... 16
B. General Considerations ................ 16
I. National Territory ...................... 16
II. State Immunity ........................ 17
III. Principles and Policies ............... 19
IV. Separation of Powers ................ 20
V. Forms of Government ................. 21
C. Legislative Department ................ 22
I. Who May Exercise Legislative Power 22
II. Houses of Congress .................... 22
III. Legislative Privileges, Inhibitions and
Disqualifications .......................... 24
IV. Quorum and Voting Majorities ...... 25
V. Discipline of Members ................ 26
VI. Electoral Tribunals and the
Commission on Appointments ........... 26
VII. Powers of Congress .................. 28
D. Executive Department ................. 32
I. Privileges, Inhibitions and
Disqualifications .......................... 32
II. Powers .................................. 36
D. Judicial Department .................... 48
I. Concepts ................................. 48
II. Constitutional Safeguards of the
Supreme Court ............................ 50
III. Judicial Restraint ..................... 51
IV. Appointments to the Judiciary ..... 51
F. Constitutional Commissions ........... 54
I. Institutional Independence Safeguards
.............................................. 54
II. Powers and Functions ................. 54
III. Judicial Review ....................... 57
G. Citizenship ............................... 57
1. Natural-Born Citizens and Public
Office ....................................... 58
2. Naturalization and Denaturalization 58
Constitutional Law 2
A. Fundamental Powers of the State.... 67
1. Concept and Application .............. 67
2. Requisites for Valid Exercise ......... 70
3. Similarities and Differences .......... 71
4. Delegation .............................. 72
B. Private Acts & the Bill of Rights ...... 73
1. In General ............................... 73
2. Bases and Purpose ..................... 73
3. Accountability .......................... 74
C. Due Process .............................. 74
1. Relativity of Due Process ............. 75
2. Procedural and Substantive Due
Process ..................................... 75
3. Constitutional and Statutory Due
Process ..................................... 76
4. Hierarchy of Rights .................... 76
5. Judicial Standards of Review ........ 77
D. Equal Protection......................... 77
POLITICAL
1. Concept ................................. 77
2. Requisites for Valid Classification ... 77
E. Searches and Seizures.................. 79
1. Concept ................................. 79
2. Warrant Requirement ................. 79
3. Warrantless Searches ................. 80
4. Warrantless Arrests.................... 83
5. Administrative Arrests ................ 85
6. Drug, Alcohol and Blood Tests ....... 85
F. Privacy of Communications and
Correspondence ............................ 85
1. Private and Public Communications 85
Intrusion, When Allowed ................. 85
2. Writ of Habeas Data ................... 86
1. Concept and Scope .................... 86
2. Content-Based and Content-Neutral
Regulations ................................ 87
Content-Neutral Restrictions............ 89
3. Facial Challenges and the
Overbreadth Doctrine .................... 90
4. Tests ..................................... 91
5. State Regulation of Different Types of
Mass Media ................................. 91
6. Commercial Speech ................... 93
7. Private v. Government Speech ...... 93
8. Hecklers Veto ......................... 93
H. Freedom of Religion .................... 93
1. Non-Establishment Clause ........... 93
2. Free Exercise Clause .................. 94
I. Liberty of Abode and Freedom of
Movement .................................... 95
1. Limitations ............................. 95
Right to Travel ............................ 95
2. Return to Ones Country .............. 95
LAW
POLITICAL
W. Double Jeopardy ..................... 117
1. Requisites .............................. 117
2. Motions for Reconsideration and
Appeals .................................... 118
3. Dismissal with Consent of Accused. 118
X. Ex Post Facto and Bills of Attainder 118
LAW
POLITICAL
LAW
Administrative Law
A. General Principles .................... 148
I. Definitions .............................. 148
II. Historical Considerations ............ 148
B. Administrative Agencies ............. 148
I. Modes of Creation of Administrative
Agencies................................... 148
II. When is an agency administrative? 148
III. Types of Administrative Agencies . 148
C. Powers of Administrative Agencies 148
I. Quasi-Legislative (Rule Making) Power
............................................. 148
III. Fact-Finding, Investigative, Licensing
and Rate-Fixing Powers ................. 152
II. Doctrine of Exhaustion of
Administrative Remedies ............... 153
III. Doctrine of Finality of Administrative
Action ..................................... 154
Election Law
_Toc324721036
POLITICAL
II. Preferential Disposition of Election
Offenses ................................... 173
III. Election Offenses .................... 173
IV. Arrests in Connection with Election
Campaign ................................. 175
V. Prescription ........................... 175
VI. Prohibited Acts Under R.A. 9369 .. 175
Local Governments
A. Public Corporations ................... 178
1. Concept ................................ 178
2. Classifications ......................... 178
B. Municipal Corporations .............. 178
1. Elements ............................... 178
2. Nature and Functions ................ 179
3. Requisites for Creation, Conversion,
Division, Merger or Dissolution ......... 179
C. Principles of Local Autonomy ....... 183
1. State Policy, Principles of
Decentralization ......................... 183
2. Local Autonomy ....................... 183
3. Decentralization ...................... 183
4. Devolution (asked in 1999) .......... 184
D. Powers of Local Government Units
(LGUs)....................................... 184
1. Police Power (General Welfare Clause)
............................................. 184
2. Eminent Domain [Sec. 19, LGC] .... 186
3. Taxing Power [Sec. 18, LGC] ........ 187
4. Closure and Opening of Roads [Sec.
21, LGC] ................................... 188
5. Legislative Power [Secs. 48-59, LGC]
............................................. 189
6. Corporate Powers..................... 194
7. Liability of LGUs ...................... 194
Liability for Torts, Violation of the Law
and Contracts ............................ 195
8. Settlement of Boundary Disputes .. 196
9. Succession of Elective Officials ..... 196
Rules on Succession ..................... 197
10. Discipline of Local Officials ........ 199
11. Recall ................................. 203
12. Term Limits .......................... 204
LAW
POLITICAL
3. Principles of IHL ...................... 228
4. Law on Neutrality .................... 230
K. Law of the Sea ......................... 230
1. Baselines ............................... 230
2. Archipelagic States ................... 230
3. Internal Waters ....................... 231
4. Territorial Sea......................... 231
5. Exclusive Economic Zone ............ 232
6. Continental Shelf ..................... 232
7. Tribunal of the Law of the Sea ..... 233
L. International Environment Law .... 234
LAW
UP
L
AW
BAR REVIEWER
2012
POLITICAL
Constitutional Law 1
BAR OPERATIONS COMMISSION 2012
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Ramon Carlo Marcaida |Commissioner
Raymond Velasco Mara Kriska Chen |Deputy Commissioners
Barbie Kaye Perez |Secretary
Carmen Cecilia Veneracion |Treasurer
Hazel Angeline Abenoja|Auditor
COMMITTEE HEADS
Eleanor Balaquiao Mark Xavier Oyales | Acads
Monique Morales Katleya Kate Belderol Kathleen Mae Tuason (D) Rachel
Miranda (D) |Special Lectures
Patricia Madarang Marinella Felizmenio |Secretariat
Victoria Caranay |Publicity and Promotions
Loraine Saguinsin Ma. Luz Baldueza |Marketing
Benjamin Joseph Geronimo Jose Lacas |Logistics
Angelo Bernard Ngo Annalee Toda|HR
Anne Janelle Yu Alyssa Carmelli Castillo |Merchandise
Graciello Timothy Reyes |Layout
Charmaine Sto. Domingo Katrina Maniquis |Mock Bar
Krizel Malabanan Karren de Chavez |Bar Candidates Welfare
Karina Kirstie Paola Ayco Ma. Ara Garcia |Events
OPERATIONS HEADS
Charles Icasiano Katrina Rivera |Hotel Operations
Marijo Alcala Marian Salanguit |Day-Operations
Jauhari Azis |Night-Operations
Vivienne Villanueva Charlaine Latorre |Food
Kris Francisco Rimban Elvin Salindo |Transpo
Paula Plaza |Linkages
LAW
POLITICAL LAW TEAM 2012
Faculty Editor | Florin T. Hilbay
Subject Heads| Rogelio
Benjamin Redoble Moises
Ronette Colobong
Contributors| Alferri Bayalan
Cielo Gono Noel Luciano
LAYOUT TEAM 2012
Layout Artists | Alyanna
Apacible Noel Luciano RM
Meneses Jenin Velasquez
Mara Villegas Naomi Quimpo
Leslie Octaviano Yas Refran
Cris Bernardino
Layout Head| Graciello Timothy
Reyes
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1
Constitutional Law 1
Constitutional Law 1
Constitutional Law 2
Law on Public Officers
Administrative Law
Election Law
Local Governments
Public International Law
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
J.
POLITICAL LAW
The Constitution
General Considerations
Legislative Department
Executive Department
Judicial Department
Constitutional Commissions
Citizenship
National Economy and Patrimony
Social Justice and Human Rights
Education, Science, Technology,
Arts, Culture and Sports
A. The Constitution
I. Definition, Nature and Concepts
II. Parts
III. Amendments and Revisions
IV. Self-Executing and Non-Self Executing
Provisions
V. General Provisions
Enacted
(conventional)
v.
evolved
(cumulative). A conventional constitution is
enacted, formally struck off at a definite time
and place following a conscious or deliberate
effort taken by a constitutent body or ruler;
while a cumulative body is the result of political
11
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1
evolution, not inaugurated at any specific time
but changing by accretion rather than by any
systematic method. [Cruz, ibid, p.5].
3.
II. Parts
Parts of the Constitution
(1) Constitution of Government establishes the
structure of government, its branches and their
operation.
(2) Constitution of Sovereignty provides how the
Constitution may be changed.
(3) Constitution of Liberty states the fundamental
rights of the people.
[Lambino v. Comelec. G.R. No.174153. October 25,
2006]
12
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1
(1) Proposal The adoption of the suggested
change in the Constitution.
a. By Congress (as a constituent
assembly) a vote of of ALL its
members.
b. Constitutional Convention which
may be called into existence by
2/3 of all the members of
Congress. The Congress, upon a
majority vote of all its members
may submit the question of
whether to call a constitutional
convention to be resolved by the
people in a plebiscite. [Sec. 3, Art.
XVII].
3 Theories on the Constitutional
Position of Conventions
i. A Convention as a body of
very
limited
powers,
purely delegated by the
people directly or by the
regularly
constituted
legislature.
ii. Theory of conventional
sovereignty
the
convention
as
the
supreme organ of the
people, a representative
body.
iii. Constitutional convention
as one of the coordinate
departments
of
the
existing
government.
[Sinco, p. 55-56].
c.
legislative
district
must
be
represented by at least 3% of the
registered voters therein.
i. Limitation:
No
amendment
in
this
manner
shall
be
authorized within 5 years
following the ratification
of this Constitution nor
more often than once
every 5 years thereafter.
(2) Ratification the proposed amendment
shall be submitted to the people and shall
be deemed ratified by the majority of the
votes cast in the plebiscite, held not earlier
than 60 days nor later than 90 days:
a. After approval of the proposal by
Congress or Concon;
b. After certification by the COMELEC
of sufficiency of petition of the
people.
Doctrine of Proper Submission plebiscite
may be held on the same day as regular
election [Gonzales v. COMELEC, 21 SCRA
774]. The use of the word election in the
singular meant that the entire Constitution
must be submitted for ratification at one
plebiscite only; furthermore, the people
must have a proper frame of reference.
[Tolentino v. Comelec, 41 SCRA 702].
Judicial Review of Amendments The question in
now regarded as subject to judicial review, because
invariably, the issue will boil down to whether or not
the constitutional provisions had been followed.
Amendments or Revisions
(Three Stages)
Proposal
Submission
(Prevailing view)
Congress, through
a law calling for
plebiscite
Ratification
The people, through a majority
of the votes cast in a plebiscite
held not earlier than 60 days
nor later than 90 days after the
approval of such amendment or
revision
The people, through a majority
of the votes cast in a plebiscite
held not earlier than 60 days
nor later than 90 days after the
certification by the COMELEC of
the sufficiency of the petition.
13
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1
Date/Timeline
What happened
1947
Parity Amendment
1967`
1971
1971 Constitutional
Convention convened
September 10,
1972
1973
Plebiscite cases
Ratification cases
1976
1976 Amendments
14
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1
Date/Timeline
What happened
1981
1986
EDSA Revolution
February 2, 1987
1997
PIRMA case
2001
EDSA II
2007
15
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1
V. General Provisions
Article XVI General Provisions
(1) Flag of the Philippines (Section 1)
a. Red, white and blue, with a sun and three
stars
b. Design of the flag may be changed only by
constitutional amendment (Bernas)
(2) Name of the country, national anthem, and
national seal (Section 2)
a.
b.
d.
e.
f.
g.
B. General Considerations
I. National Territory
II. State Immunity
III. Principles and Policies
IV. Separation of Powers
V. Checks and Balances
VI. Delegation of Powers
VI. Forms of Government
I. National Territory
Scope of the national territory as defined in the
Constitution
(1) Philippine archipelago, with all the islands
embraced therein.
(2) All other territories over which the Philippines
has sovereignty or jurisdiction
(3) Territorial sea, Seabed, Subsoil, Insular shelves,
and other submarine areas corresponding to (1)
and (2)
(4) (1) and (2) also consist of terrestrial, fluvial,
and aerial domains
Treaty of Paris, Art. III
Spain cedes to the United States the archipelago
known as the Philippines Islands, and comprehending
the islands lying within the following line xxx
16
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1
17
Straight baseline method consists of drawing
straight lines connecting appropriate points on the
coast without departing to any appreciable extent
from the general direction of the coast, in order to
delineate the internal waters from the territorial
waters of an archipelago
NOTE: Please refer to PIL, Chap. 12, II for further
discussion on Baselines
provisions
embodying
this
Constitutional Basis:
The State may not be sued without its consent.
(Sec 3, Art XVI).
International Law Basis:
Par in parem non habet imperium
Jurisprudential Basis:
(1) Positivist Theory - There can be no legal right
as against the authority that makes the laws on
which the right depends.
Also called the
doctrine of Royal Prerogative of Dishonesty.
[Kawananakoa v. Polyblank (1907)]
(2) Sociological Theory - If the State is amenable
to suits, all its time would be spent defending
itself from suits and this would prevent it from
performing it other functions. [Republic vs.
Villasor (1973)]
A suit is against the State regardless of who is named
the defendant if:
(1) It produces adverse consequences to the public
treasury in terms of disbursement of public
funds and loss of government property.
(2) Cannot prosper unless the State has given its
consent.
In the following instances, it was held that the suit is
not against the State:
a. When the purpose of the suit is to compel an
officer charged with the duty of making
payments pursuant to an appropriation
made by law in favor of the plaintiff to
make such payment, since the suit is
intended to compel performance of a
ministerial duty. [Begoso v. PVA (1970)]
b. When from the allegations in the complaint, it
is clear that the respondent is a public
officer sued in a private capacity;
c. When the action is not in personam with the
government as the named defendant, but
an action in rem that does not name the
government in particular.
How the States consent to be sued is given
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1
Express consent - It is effected only by the will of
the legislature through the medium of a duly
enacted statute. May be embodied either in a:
(1) General Law - authorizes any person who meets
the conditions stated in the law to sue the
government in accordance with the procedure in
the law
a.
Torts
18
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1
(Civil Aeronautics Administration v.
Court of Appeals, 167 SCRA 29). State
may only be liable for proprietary acts
(jure gestionis) and not for sovereign
acts (jure imperii).
Synthesis of the Rules
Incorporated
Regardless
of
whether
it
performs
governmental
or proprietary
functions
UNincorporated Governmental
functions
Proprietary
functions
If the Charter
allows it to be
sued CAN be
sued
CANNOT
be
sued
unless
consent
is
given
CAN be sued
19
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1
(4) Promote social justice in all phases of national
development (Section 10)
(5) Personal dignity and human rights (Section 11)
(6) Family as basic social institution (Section 12)
(7) Vital role of youth in nation-building (Section
13)
(8) Role of women in nation-building (Section 14)
(9) Fundamental equality before the law of women
and men (Section 14)
(10) Right to health (Section 15)
(11) Right to a balanced and healthful ecology
(Section 16)
(12) Priority to education, science and technology,
arts, culture, and sports (Section 17)
(13) Labor as a primary social economic force
(Section 18)
(14) Self-reliant and independent national economy
(Section 19)
(15) Role of private sector (Section 20)
(16) Comprehensive rural development and agrarian
reform (Section 21)
(17) Recognition and promotion of rights of
indigenous cultural communities (Section 22)
(18) Community-based,
sectoral
organizations
(Section 23)
(19) Role of communication and information in
nation-building (Section 24)
(20) Autonomy of local governments (Section 25)
(21) Equal access for public service and prohibition
of political dynasties (Section 26)
(22) Honesty and integrity in public service (Section
27)
(23) Policy of full public disclosure (Section 28)
20
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1
Congress in the course of its implementation.
(2) Delegated
legislative
power
to
local
governments Local governments may be
allowed to legislate on purely local matters
(Rubi vs. Provincial Board of Mindoro)
(3) Legislative power reserved to the people by the
provision on initiative and referendum (Article
VI, Sec.1)
(4) Emergency power delegated to the Executive
during State of War or National Emergency
(Article VI, Sec.23 (2))
V. Forms of Government
Definition
Sec. 2(1) Administrative Code. Government of the
Republic of the Philippines is defined as:
the corporate governmental entity through which
the functions of government are exercised
throughout the Philippines, including
(1) the various arms through which political
authority is made effective in the Philippines,
whether pertaining to:
i. the autonomous regions,
ii. the provincial, city, municipal, or barangay
subdivisions, or
iii. other forms of local government.
Government is that institution or aggregate of
institutions by which an independent society makes
and carries out those rules of action which are
necessary to enable men to live in a social state or
which are imposed upon the people forming that
society by those who possess the power or authority
of prescribing them. [US vs Dorr (1903)]
De Jure and De Facto Governments
21
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1
preserve and defend the 1987 Constitution. Indeed,
she has stressed that she is discharging the powers of
the presidency under the authority of the 1987
Constitution.
In fine, the legal distinction between EDSA People
Power I EDSA People Power II is clear. EDSA I
involves the exercise of the people power of
revolution which overthrew the whole government.
EDSA II is an exercise of people power of freedom of
speech and freedom of assembly to petition the
government for redress of grievances which only
affected the office of the President. EDSA I is extraconstitutional and the legitimacy of the new
government that resulted from it cannot be the
subject of judicial review, but EDSA II is intraconstitutional and the resignation of the sitting
President that it caused and the succession of the
Vice President as President are subject to judicial
review. EDSA I presented a political question; EDSA II
involves legal questions. xxx
Even if the petitioner can prove that he did not
resign, still, he cannot successfully claim that he is a
President on leave on the ground that he is merely
unable to govern temporarily. That claim has been
laid to rest by Congress and the decision that
respondent Arroyo is the de jure, president made by
a co-equal branch of government cannot be
reviewed by this Court. [Estrada v Desierto/ Estrada
v GMA, (2001)]
C. Legislative Department
I. Who May Exercise Legislative Power
II. Houses of Congress
III. Legislative Privileges, Inhibitions and
Disqualifications
IV. Quorum and Voting Majorities
V. Discipline of Members
VI. Electoral Tribunals and the Commission on
Appointments
VII. Powers of Congress
22
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1
However, they may serve for more than 2 terms
provided that the terms are not consecutive.
House of Representatives
(Art. VI Secs. 5-8)
Composition: Not more than 250 members, unless
otherwise provided by law, consisting of:
(1) District Representatives
- Elected from
legislative districts apportioned among the
provinces, cities, and the Metro Manila area
election.
Term of Office: 3 years, commencing at noon on
the 30th day of June next following their election.
Tenure may be shorter than the term or it may not
exist at all. These situations will not change the
duration of the term of office. [Dimaporo vs Mitra
(1991)]
Term Limits:
No member of the House of
Representatives shall serve for more than 3
consecutive terms.
23
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1
Salaries
The salaries of Senators and Members of the
House
of
Representatives
shall
be
determined by law.
No increase in said compensation shall take
effect until after the expiration of the full
term of all the Members of the Senate and
the House of Representatives approving
Official
President
Vice-President, President of the
Senate, Speaker of the House of
Representatives, and Chief
Justice of the Supreme Court
Senators, Members of the House
of Representatives, Associate
Justices of the Supreme Court,
and Chairmen of the
Constitutional Commissions
Members of the Constitutional
Commissions
2.
Annual Salary
Php 300,000
Php 240,000
Php 204,000
Php 180,000
3.
is
24
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1
Although a member of Congress shall not be
held liable in any other place for any
speech or debate in the Congress or in any
committee
thereof,
such
immunity,
although absolute in its protection of the
member of Congress against suits for libel,
does not shield the member against the
disciplinary authority of the Congress.
[Osmena v. Pendatun, (1960)]
Disqualifications
Duty to disclose
(1) A public officer or employee shall, upon
assumption of office and as often as may be
required by law, submit a declaration under
oath of his assets, liabilities, and net worth.
25
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1
constitutional majority of the Senate for the purpose
of the quorum. [Avelino v. Cuenco, (1949)]
Voting Majorities
Doctrine of Shifting Majority For each House of
Congress to pass a bill, only the votes of the
majority of those present in the session, there being
a quorum, is required.
Majority of all Members of Congress
majority of the entire composition of
Congress, regardless of the number of
Members present or absent (e.g. [24 +
250/2] +1)
Majority of each House majority of all
Members actually present during the
session, provided there is a quorum
When should
Vote Separately:
Choosing the President
(Article VII, Sec.4)
Determine Presidents
disability (Article VII,
Sec.11)
Confirm the nomination of
the VP (Article VII, Sec.9)
Declaring State of War, in
joint session (Article VI,
Sec.23 (1))
Proposing Constitutional
Amendments (Article XVII,
Sec.1) [subject to
debate]
Congress:
Vote Jointly:
Revoking or extending
the suspension of the
privilege of writ of
habeas corpus (Article
VII, Sec.18)
Revoking or extending
declaration of Martial
Law (Article VII, Sec.18)
V. Discipline of Members
26
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1
qualifications of the members of the National
Assembly." [Angara vs Electoral Commission (1936)]
Commission on Appointments
(Sec 18, Art VI)
Composition
(1) Senate President as ex-officio chairman
(shall not vote except in case of a tie.)
(2) 12 Senators
(3) 12 Members of the House
Powers
The HRET will only gain jurisdiction upon
proclamation of the candidate. Until such
proclamation, he is not yet a member of the House;
hence, the HRET will not have jurisdiction over him.
Jurisdiction over such remains with the COMELEC.
Lazatin v. HRET, (1988)
As constitutional creations invested with necessary
power, the Electoral Tribunals are, in the exercise of
their functions independent organs independent of
Congress and the Supreme Court. The power granted
to HRET by the Constitution is intended to be as
complete and unimpaired as if it had remained
originally in the legislature [Co vs HRET (1991) citing
Angara vs. Electoral Commission [1936]).
Judicial Review of Decisions of Electoral Tribunals
With the SC only insofar as the decision or resolution
was rendered:
(1) without or in excess of jurisdiction, or
27
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1
not include the temporary alliances or
factional divisions not involving severance
of
political
loyalties
or
formal
disaffiliation and permanent shifts of
allegiance from one political party to
another. [Daza vs SIngson (1989)]
By
requiring
a
proportional
representation in the Commission on
Appointments, Section 18 in effect works
as a check on the majority party in the
Senate and helps to maintain the balance
of power. No party can claim more than
what it is entitled to under such rule.
[Guingona, Jr. vs Gonzales, (1993)]
Meetings
(1) Commission on Appointments shall meet
only while Congress is in session.
(2) Meetings are held either at the call of the
Chairman or by a majority of all its
members.
powers of appropriation,
taxation
expropriation
impeach;
Jurisdiction
Specific Powers
(1) Constituent power
(2) Legislative Inquiries
(3) Appropriation
(4) Taxation
(5) Concurrence in treaties and international
agreements
(6) War powers and delegations powers
Inherent Powers
(1) Police Power
Requisites:
(1) Must be in aid of legislation
(2) In accordance with duly published rules of
procedure
(3) Right of persons appearing in or affected by
28
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1
such inquiries shall be respected
Note: The mere filing of a criminal or an
administrative complaint before a court or quasijudicial body should not automatically bar the
conduct of legislative inquiry. [Standard Chartered
Bank v. Senate Committee on Banks, G.R. No.
167173, December 27, 2007]
Additional limitation:
(Refer to Chap 4, III)
Executive
Privilege
29
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1
printing but also that of reading the bill on
separate days. [Tolentino v. Secretary of
Finance]
Substantive Limitations (Circumscribe both the
exercise of the power itself and the allowable
subject of legislation)
Express limitations:
(1) On general powers - Bill of Rights [Art. III]
(2) On taxation [Secs. 28 and 29(3), Art. VII]
(3) On appropriation [Secs. 25 and 29(1) and (2),
Art VI]
(4) On appellate jurisdiction of the SC [Sec. 30, Art.
VI]
(5) No law granting title of royalty or nobility shall
be passed [Sec. 31, Art. VI]
Implied Limitations:
(1) No power to pass irrepealable law
(2) Non-encroachment on powers
departments
(3) Non-delegability of powers
of
other
30
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1
(2) Raise revenue;
(3) Instrument of national and social policy;
(4) Instrument for extermination of undesirable acts
and enterprises;
(5) Tool for regulation;
(6) Imposition of tariffs designed to encourage and
protect locally produced goods against
competition for imports.
Limitations
(1) Public - Power to tax should be exercised only
for a public purpose.
(2) Uniform and Equitable.
Veto of a Rider
31
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1
item which in itself is a specific appropriation of
money, not some general provision of law, which
happens to be put into an appropriation bill.'"
The president cannot veto unavoidable obligations
such as the payment of pensions which has already
been vested by the law.
b. Non-Legislative
(1) Informing Function
D. Executive Department
I. Privileges, Inhibitions and Disqualifications
II. Powers
The President
Qualifications:
(1) Natural-born citizen of the Philippines;
(2) A registered voter;
(3) Able to read and write;
(4) At least forty years of age on the day of the
election; and
(5) A resident of the Philippines for at least ten
years immediately preceding such election.
[Sec. 2, Art. VII]
Election:
(1) Regular Election Second Monday of Monday
(2) Congress as canvassing board Returns of every
election for President and Vice President, duly
certified by the board of canvassers of each
province or city, shall be transmitted to
Congress, directed to the Senate President
who, upon receipt of the certificates of
canvass, shall, not later than 30 days after the
day of the election, open all the certificates in
the presence of the Senate and the House of
Representatives in joint public session, and the
Congress,
upon
determination
of
the
authenticity and due execution thereof in the
manner provided by law, canvass the votes.
Congress shall promulgate its rules for the
canvassing of the certificates. In case two or
more candidates shall have an equal and
highest number of votes, one of them shall be
chosen by a majority vote of all the memers of
Congress. [Art. VII, Sec. 4]
Jurisprudence on Canvassing:
Congress may validly delegate the initial
determination of the authenticity and due execution
of the certificates of canvass to a Joint
Congressional Committee, composed of members of
the House of Representatives and of the Senate. The
creation of the Joint Committee does not constitute
grave abuse and cannot be said to have deprived
petitioner and the other members of Congress of
their congressional prerogatives, because under the
very Rules under attack, the decisions and final
report of the said Committee shall be subject to the
approval of the joint session of both Houses of
Congress, voting separately. [Ruy Elias Lopez v.
32
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1
a.
b.
c.
Presidential
conversations,
correspondences, or discussions during
closed-door Cabinet meetings, like he
internal deliberations of the Supreme
Court and other collegiate courts, or
executive sessions of either House of
Congress,
are
recognized
as
confidential. This kind of information
cannot be pried open by a co-equal
branch of government. [Senate v.
Ermita, G.R. No. 169777, April 20,
2006]
Vice-President
Qualifications, election and term of office and
removal are same as the President but not VicePresident shall serve for more than 2 successive
terms.
The Vice-President may be appointed as Member of
the Cabinet and such requires no confirmation by the
Commission of Appointments.
Prohibitions
A.
Prohibited acts:
(1) Shall not receive any other emoluments
from the government or any other source.
(2) Unless
otherwise
provided
in
the
constitution, shall not hold any other office
or employment.
The prohibition is not to be construed
as applying to posts occupied by the
Executive officials without additional
compensation
in
an
ex-officio
B.
33
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1
prohibition but are properly an imposition of
additional duties and function on said officials. [Civil
Liberties Union v Executive Secretary, (1991)]
C.
Hold
any
other
office
or
employment in the Government, or
any of its subdivisions, agencies, or
instrumentalities including GOCCs or
their subsidiaries; OR
(2) Vice-President
xxx The Vice-President may be appointed
as member of the Cabinet.
Such
appointment requires no confirmation [Sec
3, Art VII]
(3) Cabinet
No
member
of
the
Constitutional
Commission during his term, shall:
Hold
any
other
office
or
employment;
i.
ii.
a. Presidential Immunity
The President as such cannot be sued, enjoying as he
does immunity from suit, but the validity of his acts
can be tested by an action against the other
executive
officials
or
such
independent
constitutional agencies as the Commission on
Elections and the Commission on Audit. [Carillo vs.
Marcos (1981)]
The privilege may be invoked ONLY by the
President. The SC held that the privilege of
immunity from suit pertains to the President by
virtue of the office and may be invoked only by the
holder of the office; not by any other person in the
President's behalf. Thus, an accused in a criminal
case where the President is a complainant cannot
raise the presidential privilege as a defense to
prevent the case from proceeding against the
accused. Moreover, there is nothing in our laws that
would prevent the President from waiving the
privilege. The President may shed the protection
afforded by the privilege and submit to the court's
jurisdiction. [Soliven vs Makasiar (1988); Beltran vs
34
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1
Makasiar (1988)]
Petitioners theorize that the present petition for
prohibition is improper because the same attacks an
act of the President, in violation of the doctrine of
presidential immunity from suit. Petitioners
contention is untenable for the simple reason that
the petition is directed against petitioners and not
against the President. The questioned acts are those
of petitioners and not of the President.
Furthermore, presidential decisions may be
questioned before the courts where there is grave
abuse of discretion or that the President acted
without or in excess of jurisdiction. [Gloria v.
Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 119903, August 15, 2000]
Immunity co-extensive with tenure. After tenure,
the Chief Executive cannot invoke immunity from
suit for civil damages arising out of acts done by him
while he was President which were not performed in
the exercise of official duties. [Estrada v. Desierto,
G.R. Nos. 146710-15, March 2, 2001]
b. Presidential Privilege
Definition: The power of the Government to
withhold information from the public, the courts,
and the Congress. [Schwart] It as "the right of the
President and high-level executive branch officers to
withhold information from Congress, the courts, and
ultimately the public." [Rozell]
Varieties of Executive Privilege:
(1) State secrets privilege - invoked by U.S.
Presidents, beginning with Washington, on the
ground that the information is of such nature
that its disclosure would subvert crucial military
or diplomatic objectives.
(2) Informers privilege - the privilege of the
Government not to disclose the identity of
persons who furnish information of violations of
law to officers charged with the enforcement of
that law.
(b)
(c)
(3) Generic privilege for internal deliberations has been said to attach to intragovernmental
documents
reflecting
advisory
opinions,
recommendations and deliberations comprising
part of a process by which governmental
decisions and policies are formulated. [Senate v.
Ermita, G.R. No. 163783, June 22, 2004]
Scope: This jurisdiction recognizes the common law
holding that there is a "governmental privilege
against public disclosure with respect to state
secrets regarding military, diplomatic and other
national security matters." The same case held that
closed-door Cabinet meetings are also a recognized
limitation on the right to information.
Note: Executive privilege, is properly invoked in
relation to specific categories of information and not
to categories of persons. Only the President (and the
Executive Secretary, by order of the President) can
invoke the privilege. [Senate v. Ermita, supra]
35
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1
II. Powers
a. Executive and Administrative Powers
b. Power of Appointment
c. Power of Control and Supervision
d. Military Powers
e. Pardoning Power
f. Diplomatic Power
g. Powers Relative to Appropriation Measures
h. Residual Powers
Executive power
b. Power of Appointment
IN GENERAL
Sec. 16, Art. VII: The President shall nominate and,
with the consent of the Commission on
Appointments, appoint the heads of the executive
may
be
on
36
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1
vested according to his best lights, the only
condition being that the appointee, if issued a
permanent appointment, should possess the
minimum qualification requirements, including the
Civil Service eligibility prescribed by law for the
position. This discretion also includes the
determination of the nature or character of the
appointment.
Confirmation is not required when the President
appoints
other
government
officers
whose
appointments are not otherwise provided for by law
or those officers whom he may be authorized by law
to appoint (like the Chairman and Members of the
Commission on Human Rights). Also, as observed in
Sarmiento v. Mison, when Congress:
(1) creates inferior offices but omits to provide for
appointment thereto, or provides in an
unconstitutional
manner
for
such
appointments; or
(2) the officers are considered as among those
whose appointments are not otherwise
provided for by law.
Upon Recommendation of the Judicial and Bar
Council
(1) Members of the Supreme Court and all other
courts. (Sec 9, Art VIII)
Appointments need no confirmation.
For lower courts, appointment shall be issued
within 90 days from submission of the list
(2) Ombudsman and his 5 deputies (for Luzon,
Visayas, Mindanao, general and military) Sec 9
Art XI.
Such
appointments
shall
require
no
confirmation.
All vacancies shall be filled within three
months after they occur.
Appointment of Vice-President as Member of the
Cabinet (Sec 3, Art.VII)
Appointment requires NO confirmation
Appointments solely by the President (Sec. 16, Art
VII)
(1) Those vested by the Constitution on the
President alone (e.g. appointment of VicePresident to the Cabinet) [Art. VII, Sec. 3(2)]
(2) Those whose appointments are not otherwise
provided by law.
(3) Those whom he may be authorized by law to
appoint.
(4) Those other officers lower in rank whose
appointment is vested by law in the President
(alone).
The phraseology is muddled:
Sarmiento v Mison (1987):
In arguing that even bureau chiefs needed
confirmation even if they are of inferior rank, the
basis was the phrase, "the Congress may, by law,
vest in the appointment of other officers lower in
rank in the President alone". This meant that until a
law is passed giving such appointing power to the
President alone, then such appointment has to be
confirmed.
The SC dismissed this view however,
saying that the inclusion of the word "alone" was an
oversight. Thus, the Constitution should read "The
Congress may, by law, vest the appointment of other
officers lower in rank in the President."
Limitations on appointing power of the President
(1) The spouse and relatives by consanguinity or
affinity within the 4th civil degree of the
President shall not, during his "tenure", be
appointed as (sec 13, Art VII):
a.
members of the Constitutional
Commissions,
b.
member
of
the
Office
of
Ombudsman,
c.
Secretaries,
d.
Undersecretaries,
e.
Chairmen or heads of bureaus or
offices, including government-owned or
controlled
corporations
and
their
subsidiaries.
(2) The President shall have the power to make
appointments during the recess of the
Congress, whether voluntary or compulsory,
but such appointments shall be effective
only until disapproval by the Commission on
Appointments or until the next adjournment
of the Congress. [Sec 16(2), Art VII]
(3) Appointments extended by an acting
President shall remain effective unless
revoked by the elected President within 90
days from his assumption of office [Sec. 14,
Art. VII] This is limited to presidential
appointments. There is no law that
prohibits local executive officials from
making appointments during the last days of
their tenure. [De Rama v. Court of Appeals,
G.R. No. 131136, February 28, 2001]
recess
(ad-interim)
37
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1
Ad interim appointment a permanent appointment
made by the Pres in the meantime that Congress is
in recess.
It is permanent as it takes effect
immediately and can no longer be withdrawn by the
President once the appointee has qualified into
office.
The fact that it is subject to the
confirmation of the Commission on Appointments
does not alter its permanent character. Hence, said
appointment is effective until (1) disapproved by the
CA or (2) the next adjournment of Congress [Matibag
vs Benipayo (2002)]
b. Acting/Temporary appointment
Can be withdrawn or revoked at the pleasure of the
appointing power. The appointee does not enjoy
security of tenure. This is the kind of appointment
that the Constitution prohibits the Pres from making
to the independent constitutional commissions.
The mere filing of a motion for reconsideration of
the confirmation of an appointment cannot have the
effect of recalling or setting aside said appointment.
The Constitution is clear there must either be a
rejection by the Commission on Appointments or
non-action on its part for the confirmation to be
recalled.
Also, the power to approve or disapprove
appointments is conferred on the CA as a body and
not on the individual members. [Pacete vs Secretary
(1971)]
c. Temporary Designations
Admin Code of 1987, Book III Sec. 17
The President may designate an officer already in
the govt. service or any other competent person to
perform the functions of any office in the executive
branch, appointment to which is vested in him by
law, when:
Commission on Appointments
Confirmation
The seats reserved for sectoral reps may be filled by
appointment by the President under Art XVIII, Sec. 7.
It is indubitable that sectoral representatives to the
House are among the other officers whose
appointments are vested in the Pres in this
Constitution, referred to in the 1st sentence of Art.
VII, Sec. 16.
These appointments require the
confirmation of the Commission on Appointments.
Synthesis:
From the rulings in Sarmiento III v. Mison 1987,
Bautista v. Salonga 1989, and Deles v. Constitutional
Commission 1989, these doctrines are deducible:
Confirmation by the Commission on Appointments is
required only for presidential appointees as
mentioned in the first sentence of Sec. 16, Art. VII,
including those officers whose appointments are
expressly vested by the Constitution itself in the
President:
(1) Heads of the executive departments
(2) Ambassadors, other public ministers and
consuls
(3) Officers of the Armed Forces of the
Philippines with the rank of colonel or naval
captain (because these are officers of a
sizeable command enough to stage a coup)
(4) Other officers whose appointments are
vested in the President in the Constitution:
Midnight Appointments
General Rule: Two months immediately before the
next presidential elections (2nd Monday of March),
and up to the end of his "term" (June 30), a
President (or Acting President) shall not make
appointments. [Sec 15, Art VII]
Exception: Temporary appointments to executive
positions, when continued vacancies will:
(1) prejudice public service (e.g Postmaster);
or
(2) endanger public safety (e.g. Chief of Staff).
The SC ruled that while "midnight appointments"
(note: made by outgoing President near the end of
his term) are not illegal, they should be made in the
capacity of a "caretaker" doubly careful and prudent
in making the selection, so as not to defeat the
policies of the incoming administration. The filling
up of vacancies in important posts, if few, and so
spaced as to afford some assurance of deliberate
action and careful consideration of the need for the
38
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1
appointment and the appointees qualifications, may
be undoubtedly permitted. But the issuance of 350
appointments in one night and the planned induction
of almost all of them a few hours before the
inauguration of the new President may be regarded
as abuse of presidential prerogatives. [Aytona vs
Castillo (1962)]
The SC emphasized that the Aytona ruling does not
declare all midnight appointments as invalid, and
that the ad interim appointment of the petitioner
chief of police here, whose qualification and
regularity were not disputed, except for the fact
that it was made during the last few days of the old
administration, is thus not invalid. [Quimsing vs
Tajanglangit (1964)]
The prohibition against midnight appointments
applies only to the president and does not extend to
local elective officials. Moreover, there is no law
that prohibits local elective officials from making
appointments during the last days of his or her
tenure. [De Rama v. CA (2001)]
NOTE: The Court in the case of De Castro v. JBC, [G.
R. No. 191002, March 17, 2010] ruled that the
prohibition against midnight appointment applies
only to positions in the executive department. Thus,
the appointment of Chief Justice Corona was held
valid. This ruling effectively overruled In re: Mateo
Valenzuela [A.M. No. 98-5-01-SC, November 9, 1998]
which extended the prohibition for midnight
appointments to the judiciary.
Power of Removal
The power of removal may be implied from the
power of appointment. However, the President
cannot remove officials appointed by him where the
Constitution prescribes certain methods for
separation of such officers from public service, e.g.
Chairmen and Commissioners of Constitutional
Commissioners who can be removed only by
impeachment, or judges who are subject to the
disciplinary authority of the Supreme Court.
Members of the career civil service of the Civil
Service who are appointed by the President may be
directly disciplined by him [Villaluz v. Zaldivar, 15
SCRA 710]
Members of Cabinet and such officers whose
continuity in office depends upon the pleasure of the
president may be replaced at any time, but legally
speaking, their separation is effected not by removal
but by expiration of their term.
d. Military powers
Commander in chief powers
(1) He may call out such armed forces to prevent or
suppress lawless violence, invasion or rebellion.
(2) He may suspend the privilege of the writ of
habeas corpus, or
(3) He may proclaim martial law over the entire
Philippines or any part thereof. [Sec. 18, Art.
VII].
Subject to judicial review to determine
whether or not there has been a grave
abuse of discretion amounting to lack or
excess of jurisdiction [Sec 1(2), Art VIII].
The President shall be the Commander-in-chief of
all armed forces of the Philippines Thus, in one
39
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1
case, the President prohibited a general from
attending a hearing at the Senate. However, the
ability of the President to require a military official
to secure prior consent before appearing before
Congress pertains to a wholly different and
independent specie of presidential authoritythe
commander-in-chief powers of the President. By
tradition and jurisprudence, the commander-in-chief
powers of the President are not encumbered by the
same degree of restriction as that which may attach
to executive privilege or executive control. The
commander-in-chief provision in the Constitution is
denominated as Section 18, Article VII, which begins
with the simple declaration that the President shall
be the Commander-in-Chief of all armed forces of
the Philippines x x x Outside explicit constitutional
limitations, such as those found in Section 5, Article
XVI, the commander-in-chief clause vests on the
President,
as
commander-in-chief,
absolute
authority over the persons and actions of the
members of the armed forces. Such authority
includes the ability of the President to restrict the
travel, movement and speech of military officers,
activities which may otherwise be sanctioned under
civilian law. [Gudani v. Senga, G.R. No. 170165,
August 15, 2006].
Graduated Powers - Sec. 18, Art VII, grants the
President, as Commander-in-Chief, a sequence of
graduated power[s]. From the most to the least
benign, these are: the calling out power, the power
to suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas
corpus, and the power to declare martial law. In the
exercise of the latter two powers, the Constitution
requires the concurrence of two conditions, namely,
an actual invasion or rebellion, and that public
safety requires the exercise of such power.
However, as we observed in Integrated Bar of the
Philippines v. Zamora, [t]hese conditions are not
required in the exercise of the calling out power.
The only criterion is that whenever it becomes
necessary, the President may call the armed forces
to prevent or suppress lawless violence, invasion or
rebellion. [Sanlakas v. Executive Secretary, 2004]
40
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1
Congress
cannot
"validate"
the
proclamation or suspension, because it
is already valid.
If Congress extends the measure, but
before the period of extension lapses
the requirements for the proclamation
or suspension no longer exist, Congress
can lift the extension, since the power
to confer implies the power to take
back.
If Congress does not review or lift the
order, this can be reviewed by the
Supreme Court pursuant to the next
section.
41
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1
18 (3), Art. VII]
by court-martial.
the civil
certain
the AFP
military
Nature
Forms of executive clemency
Executive clemencies
(1) Reprieves - a temporary relief from or
postponement of execution of criminal
penalty or sentence or a stay of execution.
[Blacks Law Dictionary]. It is the
withholding of a sentence for an interval of
time, a postponement of execution, a
temporary suspension of execution. [People
vs. Vera, supra]
(2) Commutations - Reduction of sentence.
[Blacks Law Dictionary] . It is a remission
of a part of the punishment; a substitution
of a less penalty for the one originally
imposed. [People vs. Vera, supra]
(3) Amnesty - a sovereign act of oblivion for
past acts, granted by government generally
to a class of persons who have been guilty
usually of political offenses and who are
subject to trial but have not yet been convicted, and often conditioned upon their
return to obedience and duty within a
prescribed time. (BLACK; Brown v Walker,
161 US 602).
(4) Pardons - Permanent cancellation of
sentence. [Blacks Law Dictionary]. It is an
act of grace proceeding from the power
entrusted with the execution of the laws,
which exempts the individual on whom it is
bestowed, from the punishment the law
inflicts for the crime he has committed. It is
a remission of guilt, a forgiveness of the
offense. [People v Vera, supra]
Plenary or partial
42
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1
Pardon
Infractions of peace of
the state
Granted to individuals
Exercised solely by the
executive
Private act which must
be pleaded and proved
Looks
forward
and
relieves the pardonee of
the consequences of the
offense
Amnesty
Addressed to Political
Offenses
To classes of persons
Requires concurrence of
Congress
Public act which the
courts
could
take
judicial notice
Looks backward and puts
into oblivion the offense
itself.
43
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1
external relations and is the countrys sole
representative with foreign nations. As the chief
architect of foreign policy, the President acts as the
countrys mouthpiece with respect to international
affairs. Hence, the President is vested with the
authority:
(1) to
deal
with
foreign
states
and
governments;
(2) extend or withhold recognition;
(3) maintain diplomatic relations;
(4) enter into treaties; and
(5) transact the business of foreign relations.
[Pimentel v. Executive Secretary, G. R. No.
158088, July 6, 2005]
44
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1
(2) by the Commissioner of Immigration under
section 37 of the immigration Law [Qua
Chee Gan v. Deportation Board, supra]
Scope of the power
The Deportation Board can entertain
deportation based on grounds not specified
in Sec 37 of the Immigration Law. The
Board has jurisdiction to investigate Go Tek
even if he had not been convicted yet.
The Presidents power to deport aliens and to
investigate them subject to deportation are
provided in the Revised Administrative
Code.
The State has inherent power to deport
undesirable aliens. This power is exercised
by the President.
There is no legal nor constitutional provision
defining the power to deport aliens because
the intention of the law is to grant the
Chief Executive the full discretion to
determine whether an aliens residence in
the country is so undesirable as to affect
the security, welfare or interest of the
state.
The Chief Executive is the sole and exclusive
judge of the existence of facts which would
warrant the deportation of aliens. [Go Tek
vs Deportation Board (1977)]
Veto Power
General rule: all bills must be approved by the
President before they become law
Exceptions:
(1) the veto of the President is overridden by
2/3 vote of all the Members of the House
where it originated;
(2) the bill lapsed into law because the inaction
of the President; and
(3) the bill passed is the special law to elect
the President and Vice-President.
This gives the President an actual hand in
legislation. However, his course of action is only to
approve it or veto it as a whole. (See Legislative
Power of Congress)
45
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1
Emergency Power
In times of war or other national emergency, the
Congress, may, by law, authorize the President, for
a limited period, and subject to such restrictions as
it may prescribe, to exercise powers necessary and
proper to carry out a declared national policy.
Unless sooner withdrawn by resolution of the
Congress, such powers shall cease upon the next
adjournment thereof. (Sec 23, Art VI see discussion
above)
Please refer to preceding subsection 2.a. EXECUTIVE
AND ADMINISTRATIVE POWERS IN GENERAL
46
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1
RULES ON SUCCESSION
47
President
Death or permanent disability
of the President-elect
President-elect fails to qualify
Vacancy
at the
Beginning
of the
term
Vacancy
during
the term
Temporary
disability
Vice-President-elect
shall
become President
Vice-President-elect shal act as
President until the Presidentelect shall have qualifiedl
Vice-President-elect shall act as
President until a President shall
have
been
chosen
and
qualified.
President of the Senate or
incase of his inability,
Speaker of the House of
Representatives, shall act as
President until a President or a
Vice-President shall have been
chosen and qualified.
Vice-President-elect
become President
shall
JUDICIAL POWER
Constitutional duty of Congress in case of vacancy
in the offices of President and Vice-President
At 10 oclock in the morning of the 3rd day after the
vacancy occurs, Congress shall convene without need
of a call, and within 7 days enact a law calling for a
special election to elect a President and a VicePresident to be held not earlier than 45 nor more
than 60 days from the time of such call. The bill
shall be deemed certified and shall become law upon
its approval on third reading by Congress. xxx the
Convening of Congress cannot be suspended nor the
special election postponed. xxx No special election
shall be called if the vacancy occurs within 18
months before the date of the next presidential
election.
Requisites
for
exercise
Vice-President
Sec. 9 Art. VII The President shall nominate a VicePresident from among the members of the Senate
and the House of Representatives who shall assume
office upon confirmation by a majority vote of all
the members of both houses of Congress voting
separately.
D. Judicial Department
I. Concepts
II. Judicial Indepdence Safeguards
III. Judicial Restraint
IV. Appointments to the Judiciary
V. Supreme Court
I. Concepts
a. Judicial Power (Section 1, Article VIII)
Judicial power includes the duty of the courts of
justice to:
(a) settle actual controversies involving rights which
are legally demandable and enforceable, and
(b) 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.
The second clause effectively limits the doctrine of
political question.
Vested in: Supreme Court and in such lower courts
as may be established by law.
b. Judicial Review
JUDICIAL POWER
Where
vested
Definition
Supreme Court
Lower courts
Duty to settle
actual
controversies
involving rights
which are legally
demandable and
JUDICIAL
REVIEW
Supreme Court
Lower courts
Power of the
courts to test the
validity of
executive and
legislative acts in
light of their
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
[Art. VIII, Sec. 1,
Par. 2]
Jurisdiction
power to decide
and hear a case
and execute a
decision thereof
JUDICIAL
REVIEW
conformity with
the Constitution
[Angara v.
Electoral
Commission
(1936)]
1.Appropriate
case: actual
case or
controversy
2.Standing:
personal and
substantial
interest
3.Question raised
at the earliest
opportunity
4.Lis mota of the
case
ii.
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1
b. the exceptional character of the situation and
the paramount public interest is involved;
c. when constitutional issue raised requires
formulation of controlling principles to
guide the bench, the bar, and the public;
d. fourth, the case is capable of repetition yet
evading review.[capable of repetition yet
evading review [Alunan III v. Mirasol,
(1997); Sanlakas v. Executive Secretary,
(2004)]; or
e. when the court feels called upon to exercise
its symbolic function and provide future
guidance [Salonga v. Pao, (1985)]
b. Standing: NOT the same as real party in
interest
A proper party is one who has sustained or is in
imminent danger of sustaining a direct injury as a
result of the act complained of (IBP v. Zamora,
2000). The alleged injury must also be capable of
being redressed by a favorable judgment [Tolentino
v. Comelec, 2004].
i.
the
orthodox
view
holds
that
Alejandrino v. Quezon,
(1924): The legislatures
exercise of disciplinary
power over its member
is not to be interfered
with by the Court.
Vera v. Avelino, (1946):
inherent right of the
legislature to determine
who shall be admitted to
its membership
JUSTICIABLE
CONTROVERSY
Avelino v. Cuenco,
(1949): election of
Senate President was
done without the
required quorum
Taada v. Cuenco,
(1957): The selection of
the members of the
Senate Electoral Tribunal
is subject to
49
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1
POLITICAL QUESTION
Mabanag v. Lopez-Vito,
(1947): Proposal to
amend the Constitution
is a highly political
function performed by
Congress in its sovereign
capacity.
Osmea v. Pendatun,
(1960): disciplinary
power of the legislature
Severino v. GovernorGeneral, (1910):
Mandamus and
injunction could not lie
to enforce or restrain a
duty which is
discretionary (calling a
special local election).
Montenegro v.
Castaeda, (1952):
Authority to decide
whether the exigency
has arisen requiring the
suspension of the
privilege of the writ of
habeas corpus belongs to
the President.
Manalang v. Quitoriano,
(1954): Presidents
appointing power is not
to be interfered with by
the Court.
Javellana v. Executive
Secretary, (1973): The
people may be deemed
to have cast their
favorable votes in the
belief that in doing so
they did the part
required of them by
Article XV, hence, it may
be said that in its
political aspect, which is
what counts most, after
all, said Article has been
substantially complied
with, and, in effect, the
1973 Constitution has
been constitutionally
ratified.
JUSTICIABLE
CONTROVERSY
constitutional
limitations.
Cunanan v. Tan, Jr.,
(1962): The Commission
on Appointments is a
constitutional creation
and does not derive its
power from Congress.
Gonzales v. Comelec,
(1967); Tolentino v.
Comelec, (1971):
abandoned Mabanag v.
Lopez-Vito
Lansang v. Garcia,
(1971): Suspension of the
privilege of the writ of
habeas corpus is not a
political question.
Javellana v. Executive
Secretary, (1973): WON
the 1973 Constitution
had been ratified in
accordance with the
1935 Constitution is
justiciable.
50
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1
(13) Only the SC may order the temporary detail of
judges. [Art. VIII, Sec. 5 (3)]
(14) The SC can appoint all officials and employees
of the judiciary. [Art. VIII, Sec. 5 (6)]
iii.
51
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1
knowledge, training and experience. [Cayetano v.
Monsod, (1991)]
Lower Courts
(1) Natural born citizens
(2) Member of the Philippine Bar
(3) Must be of proven competence, integrity,
probity and independence.
(4) Such additional requirements provided by
law.
Note: In the case of judges of the lower courts, the
Congress may prescribe other qualifications. (Art
VIII, Sec. 7(3).
52
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1
or seven Members
(3) Vacancy shall be filled within 90 days from
the occurrence thereof
En Banc and Division Cases
En banc - decided with the concurrence of a
majority of the Members who actually took part in
the deliberations and voted.
Instances when the SC sits en banc: (C-DD-MM-PO)
(1) Those
involving
the
constitutionality,
application, or operation of: (TOIL-PIPOO)
Treaty
Orders
International or executive agreement
Law
Presidential decrees
Instructions
Proclamations
Ordinances
Other regulations
Limitations:
a. Shall provide a simplified and inexpensive
procedure for speedy disposition of cases
b. Uniform for all courts in the same grade
c. Shall not diminish, increase or modify
substantive rights
53
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1
F. Constitutional Commissions
I. Institutional Independence Safeguards
II. Powers and Functions
III. Judicial Review
Commission on Election
Commission on Audit
Civil Service Commission
I. Institutional Independence
Safeguards
Because they
government,
independence
influences and
Qualifications:
(1) Natural-born citizens of the Philippines;
(2) At the time of their appointment, at least 35
years of age;
(3) With proven capacity for public administration;
and
(4) Must not have been candidates for any elective
position in the election immediately preceding
their election.
54
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1
Classes of Service:
(1) Career Service Characterized by entrance
based on merit and fitness to be determined, as
far as practicable by competitive examinations,
or based on highly technical qualifications;
opportunity for advancement to higher career
positions; and security of tenure.
a. Open career positions where prior
qualification
in
an
appropriate
examination is required.
b. Closed career positions e.g. scientific
or highly technical in nature;
c. Career Executive Service e.g.
undersecretaries, bureau directors
d. Career Officers other than those
belonging to the Career Executive
Service who are appointed by the
President, e.g. those in the foreign
service
e. Positions in the AFP although governed
by a different merit system
f. Personnel of GOCCs with original
charters
g. Permanent laborers, whether skilled,
semi-skilled or unskilled.
Commission on Election
Exceptions:
(1) Policy determining where the officer lays down
principal or fundamental guidelines or rules; or
formulates a method of action for government
or any of its subdivisions. E.g. department head.
(2) Primarily confidential denoting not only
confidence in the aptitude of the appointee for
the duties of the office but primarily close
intimacy which ensures freedom of intercourse
without embarrassment or freedom from
misgivings or betrayals on confidential matters
of state [De los Santos v. Mallare, 87 Phil 289];
OR one declared to be so by the President of the
Philippines upon the recommendation of the CSC
[Salazar v. Mathay, 73 SCRA 285].
55
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1
COMELEC may exercise such power muto proprio
or upon a verified petition, and the hearing of
the case shall be summary in nature. The SC
held that there are only 3 instances where a
failure of elections may be declared: (a) the
election in any polling place has not been held
on the date fixed on account of force majeure,
violence, terrorism, fraud, or other analogous
causes; (b) the election in any poling place had
been suspended before the hour fixed by law for
the closing of the voting on account of force
majeure, violence, fraud, or other analogous
causes; and (c) after the voting and during the
preparation and transmission of the election
returns or in the custody or canvass thereof
such election results in a failure to elect on
account of force majeure, violence, terrorism,
fraud or other analogous causes. [Sison v.
COMELEC, G.R. No. 134096, March 3, 1999]
(4) Decide administrative questions pertaining to
election except the right to vote.
(5) File petitions in court for inclusion or exclusion
of voters.
(6) Investigate and prosecute cases of violations of
election laws.
The COMELEC has exclusive jurisdiction to
investigate and prosecute cases for violations of
election laws. [De Jesus v. People, 120 SCRA
760]
Thus, the trial court was in error when it
dismissed an information filed by the Election
Supervisor because the latter failed to comply
with the order of the Court to secure the
concurrence of the Prosecutor. [People v. Inting,
187 SCRA 788]. However, the COMELEC may
validly delegate this power to the Provincial
Fiscal. [People v. Judge Basilia 179 SCRA 87]
(7) Recommend pardon, amnesty, parole or
suspension of sentence of election law violators.
(8) Deputize law enforcement agencies and
instrumentalities of the Government for the
exclusive purpose of ensuring free, orderly,
honest, peaceful, and credible elections.
(9) Recommend to the President the removal of any
officer or employee it has deputized for
violation or disregard of, or disobedience to its
directive.
(10) Registration of political parties, organizations
and coalitions and accreditation of citizens
arms.
(11) Regulation of public utilities and media of
information. The law limits the right of free
speech and of access to mass media of the
candidates
themselves.
The
limitation
however, bears a clear and reasonable
connection with the objective set out in the
Constitution. For it is precisely in the unlimited
Commission on Audit
56
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1
Powers and Functions
(1) Examine, audit, and settle accounts pertaining
to Government funds or property: its revenue,
receipts, expenditures, and uses
Post-audit basis: Constitutional bodies,
commissions and offices; Autonomous state
colleges and universities; GOCCs with no
original charters and their subsidiaries; Nongovernmental entities receiving subsidy or
equity, directly or indirectly, from or
through the Government, which are
required by law or the granting institution
to submit such audit as a condition of
subsidy or equity.
(2) Exclusive Authority
Define the scope of its audit and examination;
Establish techniques and methods required ;
Promulgate accounting and auditing rules and
regulations.
Note: Art. IX-D, Sec. 3. No law shall be passed
exempting any entity of the Government or its
subsidiaries in any guise whatever, or any
investment of public funds, from the jurisdiction of
the Commission on Audit.
Composition: A Chairman and 2 Commissioners
Qualifications:
(1) Natural born Filipino citizens
(2) At least 35 years of age
(3) CPAs with not less than 10 years of auditing
experience or members of the Philippine
bar with at least 10 years practice of law
Note: At no time shall all members belong to
the same profession.
b. Administrative
Each Commission shall appoint its own officials in
accordance with law (Art IX-A, Section 4)
Each Commission en banc may promulgate its own
rules concerning pleadings and practices before it
(Art IX-A, Section 6)
o But these rules shall not diminish, increase or
modify substantive rights
Each Commission shall perform such other functions
as may be provided by law (Art IX-A, Section 8)
G. Citizenship
1.
2.
3.
4.
57
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1
ARTICLE IV, Section 1 (3), 1987 Constitution is also
applicable to those who are born to Filipino mothers
and elected Philippine citizenship before February 2,
1987.
This is to correct the anomalous situation where one
born of a Filipino father and an alien mother was
automatically granted the status of a natural-born
citizen, while one born of a Filipino mother and an
alien father would still have to elect Philippine
citizenship. [Co v. Electoral Tribunal of the House of
Representatives (1991)]
Who were the citizens of the Philippines at the time
of the adoption of the 1987 Constitution?
To answer this question, we have to go back to 1973
Constitution.
Citizens under the 1973 Constitution
(1) Those who are citizens of the Philippines at
the time of the adoption of this
Constitution;
(2) Those whose fathers or mothers are citizens
of the Philippines;
(3) Those who elect Philippine citizenship
pursuant to the provisions of the
Constitution of 1935; and
(4) Those who are naturalized in accordance
with law. [Sec.1(1), Art. III]
Citizens under the 1935 Constitution
(1) Those who are citizens at the time of the
adoption of this Constitution;
(2) Those born in the Philippine Islands of
foreign parents who, before the adoption of
this Constitution, had been elected to
public office in the Philippine Islands;
(3) Those whose mothers are citizens of the
Philippines and, upon reaching the age of
majority, elect Philippine citizenship;
(4) Those who are naturalized in accordance
with law. [Sec. 1, Art. IV]
The following persons were citizens of the
Philippines on May 14, 1935 the date of the
adoption of the 1935 Constitution:
(1) Persons born in the Philippine Islands who
resided therein on April 11, 1899 and were
Spanish subjects on that date, unless they
had lost their Philippine citizenship on or
before May 14, 1935.
(2) Natives of the Spanish Peninsula who
resided in the Philippines on April 11, 1899,
and who did not declare their intention of
preserving
their
Spanish
nationality
between that date and October 11, 1900,
unless they had lost their Philippine
citizenship on or before May 14, 1935.
(3) Naturalized citizens of Spain who resided in
the Philippines on April 11, 1899, and did
not declare their intention to preserve their
Spanish nationality within the prescribed
period (up to October 11, 1900).
(4) Children born of (1), (2) and (3) subsequent
to April 11, 1899, unless they lost their
2. Naturalization and
Denaturalization
How may citizenship be reacquired?
(1) Naturalization (CA No. 63 and CA No. 473)
(a) now an abbreviated process, no need to
wait for 3 years (1 year for declaration of
intent, and 2 years for the judgment to
become executory)
(b) requirements:
be 21 years of age
have no disqualification
58
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1
Naturalization is never final and may be revoked
if one commits acts of moral turpitude.
[Republic vs Guy (1982)]
(2) Repatriation
NOTE: Please see subsection 4 for further discussion
(3) Legislative Act
Both a mode of acquiring and reacquiring
citizenship
Dual Allegiance
(1) aliens who are naturalized as Filipinos but
remain loyal to their country of origin (cite
source)
(2) public officers who, while serving the
government, seek citizenship in another country
3. Loss of Citizenship
Grounds for Loss of Citizenship
(1) Naturalization in a foreign country [Sec.1 (1),
CA 63];
(2) Express renunciation or expatriation [Sec.1 (2),
CA 63];
(3) Taking an oath of allegiance to another country
upon reaching the age of majority;
(4) Accepting a commission and serving in the
armed forces of another country, unless there is
an offensive/ defensive pact with the country,
or it maintains armed forces in RP with RPs
consent;
(5) Denaturalization;
(6) Being found by final judgment to be a deserter
of the AFP;
(7) Marriage by a Filipino woman to an alien, if by
the laws of her husbands country, she becomes
a citizen thereof.
Expatriation is a constitutional right. No one can be
59
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1
compelled to remain a Filipino if he does not want
to. [Go Gullian vs Government]
1. Regalian Doctrine
4. Repatriation
Repatriation results in the recovery of the
original nationality. Therefore, if he is a
natural-born citizen before he lost his
citizenship, he will be restored to his
former status as a natural-born Filipino.
[Bengson III vs. HRET (2001)]
Mere filing of certificate of candidacy is not
a
sufficient
act
of
repatriation.
Repatriation requires an express and
equivocal act. [Frivaldo vs COMELEC (1989)]
In the absence of any official action or
approval by proper authorities, a mere
application for repatriation does not, and
cannot,
amount
to
an
automatic
reacquisition of the applicants Philippine
citizenship. [Labo vs COMELEC (1989)]
Regalian Doctrine
Nationalist and Citizenship Requirement
Provisions
Exploration, Development and Utilization of
Natural Resources
Franchises, Authority and Certificates for
Public Utilities
Acquisition, Ownership and Transfer of
Public and Private Lands
Practice of Professions
Organization and Regulation of Corporations,
Private and Public
Monopolies, Restraint of Trade and Unfair
Competition
General Principles
Goals
(1) More equitable distribution of opportunities,
income and wealth
(2) Sustained increase in amount of goods and
services produced by the nation for the benefit
of the people
(3) Expanding production as the key to raising the
quality of life for all, especially the
underprivileged.
Citizenship Requirements
100% Filipino
60-40
Marine Wealth Natural
[Art. XII, Sec. 2, Resources [Art.
par. 2]
XII, Sec. 2, par.
1]
(Co-production,
Joint venture,
Production
sharing
agreemenents)
Agricultural
lands [Art. XII,
Sec. 3]
o Lease:
<
500 ha.
o Purchase,
homestead
or
grant: < 12 ha.
o Private
corporations
may lease not
more
than
1,000 ha. for 25
years,
renewable for
another
25
years.
Practice
of
professions
[Art. XII, Sec.
14]
Small-scale
utilization
of
natural
resources
(as
may
be
provided
by
law) [Art. XII,
Sec. 2, par. 3]
70-30
Advertising
Industry [Art.
XVI, Sec. 11]
Agreements
shall not exceed
a period of 25
years renewable
for another 25
years.
Educational
Institutions
[Art. XIV, Sec.
4(2)]
Areas
of
Investment
as
Congress
may
prescribe
(percentage can
be higher) [Art.
XII, Sec. 10]
Operation
of
public
utility
[Art. XII, Sec.
11]
o Cannot be
for
longer
period than 50
years
o Executive
and
managing
officers must be
Filipino
60
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1
association pursuant to Sec. 11, Art. XII; thus
a joint venture which would engage in the
business of operating a public utility must
comply with the 60%-40% Filipino-foreign
capitalization
requirement.
[JG
Summit
Holdings v. CA, (2000)]
Filipino First
Art. XII, Sec. 10. In the grant of rights, privileges,
and concessions covering the national economy and
patrimony, the State shall give preference to
qualified Filipinos.
The State shall regulate and exercise authority over
foreign investments within its national jurisdiction
and in accordance with its national goals and
priorities.
Size
of
Activities
Natural
Resources
Covered
Scope of the
Agreements
Only
the
President (in
behalf of the
State),
and
only
with
corporations
Only
largescale
exploration,
development
and utilization
Minerals,
petroleum and
other mineral
oils
Involving
either
financial
or
technical
assistance
SERVICE
CONTRACT
(1973 Const.)
A Filipino citizen,
corporation
or
association with
a foreign person
or entity
Contractor
provides
all
necessary
services
and
technology
and
the
requisite
financing,
performs
the
exploration work
obligations,
and
assumes
all
exploration risks
Virtually
the
entire range of
the
countrys
natural resources
Contractor
provides financial
or
technical
resources,
undertakes
the
exploitation
or
61
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1
FTAA
(1987 Const.)
SERVICE
CONTRACT
(1973 Const.)
production of a
given resource,
or
directly
manages
the
productive
enterprise,
operations of the
exploration
and
exploitation of the
resources or the
disposition
of
marketing
or
resources
62
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1
6. Practice of Professions
The practice of ALL profession in the Philippines
shall be limited to Filipino citizens, save in the case
prescribed by law. [Sec. 12, Art. XII]
Private Lands
GENERAL RULE
No private lands shall be transferred or conveyed
except to individuals, corporations, or associations
qualified to acquire or hold lands of the public
domain. [Sec. 7, Art. XII]
EXCEPTIONS
(1) Hereditary succession [Sec. 7, Art. XII]
(2) A natural-born citizen of the Philippines who has
lost his Philippine citizenship may be a
transferee of private lands, subject to
limitations provided by law. [Sec. 8, Art. XII]
Consequence of sale to non-citizens: Any sale or
transfer in violation of the prohibition is null and
void. [Ong Ching Po. V. CA]
63
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1
Constitution but may be permitted to exist to
aid the government in carrying on an enterprise
or to aid in the performance of various services
and functions in the interest of the public.
Nonetheless, a determination must first be
made as to whether public interest requires a
monopoly. As monopolies are subject to abuses
that can inflict severe prejudice to the public,
they are subject to a higher level of State
regulation
than
an
ordinary
business
undertaking. [Agan, Jr. v. PIATCO, (2003)]
Central Monetary Authority [Art. XII, Sec. 20]
Functions:
(1) Provide policy directions in the areas of money,
banking, and credit;
(2) Supervise the operations of banks;
(3) Exercise such regulatory powers as may be
provided by law over the operations of finance
companies and other institutions performing
similar functions
Qualifications of the Governors:
(1) Natural-born Filipino;
(2) Known probity, integrity and patriotism;
(3) Majority shall come from the private sector
and
64
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1
(5) Establish a continuing program of research,
education, and information to enhance respect
for the primacy of human rights;
(6) Recommend to Congress effective measures to
promote human rights and to provide for
compensation to victims of violations of human
rights, or their families;
(7) Monitor the Philippine Government's compliance
with international treaty obligations on human
rights;
(8) Grant immunity from prosecution to any person
whose testimony or whose possession of
documents or other evidence is necessary or
convenient to determine the truth in any
investigation conducted by it or under its
authority;
(9) Request the assistance of any department,
bureau, office, or agency in the performance of
its functions;
(10) Appoint its officers and employees in
accordance with law; and
(11) Perform such other duties and functions as may
be provided by law.
Cario vs. CHR (G.R. No. 96681 December 2, 1991):
As should at once be observed, only the first of the
enumerated powers and functions bears any
resemblance to adjudication or adjudgment. The
Constitution clearly and categorically grants to the
Commission the power to investigate all forms of
human rights violations involving civil and political
rightsBut it cannot try and decide cases (or hear
and determine causes) as courts of justice, or even
quasi-judicial bodies do. To investigate is not to
adjudicate or adjudge. Whether in the popular or
the technical sense, these terms have well
understood and quite distinct meanings.
1. Academic Freedom
1987 Phil. Constitution, Article 14, Section 5.
(2) Academic freedom shall be enjoyed in all
institutions of higher learning.
DLSU Inc., vs CA (G.R. No. 127980, December 19,
2007):
Section 5(2), Article XIV of the Constitution
guaranties all institutions of higher learning
academic freedom. This institutional academic
freedom includes the right of the school or college
to decide for itself, its aims and objectives, and how
best to attain them free from outside coercion or
interference save possibly when the overriding
public interest calls for some restraint. According to
present
jurisprudence,
academic
freedom
encompasses the independence of an academic
institution to determine for itself (1) who may
teach, (2) what may be taught, (3) how it shall
teach, and (4) who may be admitted to study.
65
UP
L
AW
BAR REVIEWER
2012
POLITICAL
Constitutional Law 2
22
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Ramon Carlo Marcaida |Commissioner
Raymond Velasco Mara Kriska Chen |Deputy Commissioners
Barbie Kaye Perez |Secretary
Carmen Cecilia Veneracion |Treasurer
Hazel Angeline Abenoja|Auditor
COMMITTEE HEADS
Eleanor Balaquiao Mark Xavier Oyales | Acads
Monique Morales Katleya Kate Belderol Kathleen Mae Tuason (D) Rachel
Miranda (D) |Special Lectures
Patricia Madarang Marinella Felizmenio |Secretariat
Victoria Caranay |Publicity and Promotions
Loraine Saguinsin Ma. Luz Baldueza |Marketing
Benjamin Joseph Geronimo Jose Lacas |Logistics
Angelo Bernard Ngo Annalee Toda|HR
Anne Janelle Yu Alyssa Carmelli Castillo |Merchandise
Graciello Timothy Reyes |Layout
Charmaine Sto. Domingo Katrina Maniquis |Mock Bar
Krizel Malabanan Karren de Chavez |Bar Candidates Welfare
Karina Kirstie Paola Ayco Ma. Ara Garcia |Events
OPERATIONS HEADS
Charles Icasiano Katrina Rivera |Hotel Operations
Marijo Alcala Marian Salanguit |Day-Operations
Jauhari Azis |Night-Operations
Vivienne Villanueva Charlaine Latorre |Food
Kris Francisco Rimban Elvin Salindo |Transpo
Paula Plaza |Linkages
LAW
POLITICAL LAW TEAM 2012
Faculty Editor | Florin T. Hilbay
Subject Heads| Rogelio
Benjamin Redoble Moises
Ronette Colobong
Contributors| Alferri Bayalan
Cielo Gono Noel Luciano
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 2
Constitutional Law 2
Constitutional Law 1
Constitutional Law 2
Law on Public Officers
Administrative Law
Election Law
Local Governments
Public International Law
POLITICAL LAW
Fundamental Powers of the State
Private Acts and the Bill of Rights
Due Process
Equal Protection
Searches and Seizures
Privacy of Communications and
Correspondence
G. Freedom of Expression
H. Freedom of Religion
I. Liberty of Abode and Freedom of
Movement
J. Right to Information
K. Right to Association
L. Eminent Domain
M. Contract Clause
N. Legal Assistance and Free Access to
Courts
O. Rights of Suspects
P. Rights of the Accused
Q. Writ of Habeas Corpus
R. Writ of Amparo
S. Self-Incrimination Clause
T. Involuntary Servitude and Political
Prisoners
U. Excessive Fines and Cruel and
Inhuman Punishments
V. U.Non-Imprisonment for Debts
W. Double Jeopardy
X. Ex Post Facto Laws and Bills of
Attainder
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
Definition
General Coverage
"The police power of the State," one court has said,
"is a power coextensive with self-protection, and is
not inaptly termed the 'law of overruling necessity.'
[Rubi vs. Provincial Board (1919)]
It may be said to be that inherent and plenary power
in the State which enables it to prohibit all things
hurtful to the comfort, safety and welfare of
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CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 2
attainment of the object sought and not unduly
oppressive upon individuals. [Lucena Grand Central
Terminal v. JAC Liner (2005)]
The SC Upheld the validity of Administrative Orders
which converted existing mine leases and other
mining
agreements
into
production-sharing
agreements within one year from effectivity. The
subject sought to be governed by the AOs are
germane to the object and purpose of E.O. 279 and
that mining leases or agreements granted by the
State are subject to alterations through a reasonable
exercise of police power of the State. [Miners
Association of the Philippines v. Factoran, 240 SCRA
100]
c.
General Welfare
RA 9257, the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2003,
is a legitimate exercise of police power.
Administrative Order No. 177 issued by the
Department of Health, providing that the 20%
discount privilege of senior citizens shall not be
limited to the purchase of unbranded generic
medicine but shall extend to both prescription and
non-prescription medicine, whether branded or
generic, is valid. When conditions so demand, as
determined by the legislature, property rights must
bow to the primacy of police power because
property rights, though sheltered by the due process
clause, must yield to the general welfare. [Carlos
Superdrug Corporation v. DSWC et al. G.R. No.
166494, June 29, 2007]
National Security
SC upheld the constitutionality of RA 1180 (An Act to
Regulate the Retail Business) which sought to
nationalize the retail trade business by prohibiting
aliens in general from engaging directly or indirectly
in the retail trade. Aliens did not question the
exercise of police power; they claim, however, that
there was a violation of the due process and equal
protection clauses. [Ichong vs. Hernandez (1957)]
Scope of the police power: Since the Courts cannot
foresee the needs and demands of public interest
and welfare, they cannot delimit beforehand the
extent or scope of the police power by which and
through which the state seeks to attain or achieve
public interest and welfare.
Police power and national security: The disputed
law was enacted to remedy a real actual threat and
danger to national economy posed by alien
dominance and control of the retail business; the
enactment clearly falls within the scope of the
police power of the State, thru which and by which
it protects its own personality and insures its
security and future.
Public Safety
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CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 2
ban against hotels and motels or a reasonable
regulatory device as the one found in Ermita-Malate
vs. City of Manila, this is a case where the ordinance
in question severely restricts the services of the
abovementioned establishments.
The rationale started with an outline of the test of a
valid ordinance i.e. it must be within the corporate
powers of the local government to enact and pass
and it must conform with substantive requirements.
A reading of the ordinance at bar would yield that it
prohibits two practices: the wash-up rate admission
and renting out a room more than twice per day.
These prohibitions are anchored in the power of the
LGU to implement ordinances hinged on the general
welfare clausethe devolved aspect of police power.
This case churned out three standards for judicial
review: the STRICT SCRUTINY TEST for laws dealing
with freedom of the mind and curtailment of
political process and the RATIONAL BASIS STANDARD
OF REVIEW for economic legislation. A third standard
was created known as the IMMEDIATE SCRUTINY for
evaluating standards based on gender and
legitimacy.
The Supreme Court justified the application of the
strict scrutiny test to this particular ordinance
despite its lack of political significance by saying
that it is not gravitas alone which is sheltered by the
Bill of Rights. It is precisely these reflexive exercises
of fundamental acts which best reflect the degree of
liberty enjoyed.
Sexual behavior is one of these fundamental acts
covered by the penumbra of rights. While the reality
of illicit activity is judicially recognized, it cannot be
denied that sexual behavior between consenting
adults is constitutionally protected.
Apart from the right to privacy, the ordinance also
proscribes other legitimate activities most of which
are grounded on the convenience of having a place
to stay during the short intervals between travels.
The Ordinance was struck down as an arbitrary
intrusion to private rights. It made no distinction
between lodgings and placed every establishment as
susceptible to illicit patronage. [Cf. White Light
Corporation, et al vs. City of Manila (2009)]
Eminent Domain
a.
Taxation
a.
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Specific Limitations
(1) Uniformity of taxation:
GENERAL RULE: simply geographical
uniformity, meaning it operates with the
same force and effect in every place where
the subject of it is found
EXCEPTION: rule does not prohibit
classification for purposes of taxation,
provided the ff requisites are met:
(SNAGAE)
(a) standards used are substantial and
not arbitrary
(b) if the classification is germane to
achieve the legislative purpose
(c) if that classification applies to
both
present
and
future
conditions, other circumstances
being equal
(d) applies equally to members of the
same class. [Pepsi Cola v. City of
Butuan].
(2) Tax Exemptions
No law granting any tax exemption shall be passed
without the concurrence of a majority of all the
Members of Congress [Sec. 28 (4), Art. VI]
A corollary power but must be for a public purpose,
uniform and equitable and in conformity with the
equal protection clause
Tax exemptions are granted gratuitously and may be
revoked at will, except when it was granted for
valuable consideration
May either be constitutional or statutory
If statutory, it has to have been passed by majority
of all the members of Congress [sec. 28 (4), Art. VI]
Constitutional exemptions [sec. 28(3), Art. VI]
(a) Educational institutions (both
profit and non-profit): Benefits
redound to students, but only
applied to property taxes and not
excise taxes
Eminent Domain
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CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 2
(4) Property must be devoted to public use or
otherwise informally appropriated or
injuriously affected
Utilization of the property must be in such a way as
to oust the owner and deprive him of beneficial
enjoyment of the property
When is there taking in the constitutional case?
When the owner is deprived of his proprietary rights
there is taking of private property. Examples:
(1) The imposition of a right-of-way easement
was held to be taking. The exercise of the
power of eminent domain does not always
result in the taking or appropriation of title
to the expropriated property; it may also
result in the imposition of a burden upon
the owner of the condemned property,
without loss of title or possession. [NPC v.
Gutierrez, 193 SCRA 1]
(2) May include trespass without actual eviction
of the owner, material impairment of the
value of the property or prevention of the
ordinary uses for which the property was
intended. [Ayala de Roxas v. City of Manila,
9 Phil 215]
(3) A municipal ordinance prohibiting a building
which would impair the view of the plaza
from the highway was likewise considered
taking. [People v. Fajardo, 104 Phil. 44]
Eminent
Domain
Just
compensat
ion
(Full and
fair
equivalent
of the
property
taken)
required.
Use of
Property
Not
appropria
ted for
public use
Appropriat
ed for
public use
Objective
To
destroy
noxious
property
or to
restrain
the
noxious
use of
property
Liberty
and
Property
Property
taken for
public use;
it is not
necessarily
noxious
Compensat
ion
b. Adequacy of compensation
The full and fair equivalent of the property taken; it
is the fair market value of the property.
Fair market value is the sum of money which a
person, desirous but not compelled to buy, and an
owner, willing but not compelled to sell, would
agree on as a price to be given and received
therefore.
However, where only a PORTION of the property is
taken, the owner is entitled only to the market value
of the portion actually taken and the consequential
damage to the remaining part.
Note: Just compensation means not only the correct
amount to be paid but also payment within
reasonable time from its taking. [Esteban v. De
Onorio, G.R. No. 146062, June 28, 2001]
Taxation
Equal protection clause: taxes should be uniform
(persons or things belonging to the same class shall
be taxed at the same rate) and equitable (taxes
should be apportioned among the people according
to their ability to pay)
Progressive system of taxation: The rate increases
as the tax base increases, with basis as social justice
Taxation as an instrument for a more
equitable distribution of wealth
Coverage
Property
rights only
Taxation
None
(The
protection
given and
public
improveme
nts
instituted
by the
State
because of
these taxes
[NACHURA]
)
Use taxing
power as
an
implement
for the
attainment
of a
legitimate
police
objective
to regulate
a business
or trade
Earn
revenue
for the
governmen
t
Property
rights only
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CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 2
private property to public use upon payment of just
compensation.
Although both police power and eminent domain
have the general welfare for their object, and
recent trends show a mingling of the two with the
latter being used as an implement of the former,
there are still traditional distinctions between the
two.
Property condemned under police power is usually
noxious or intended for a noxious purpose, hence no
compensation is paid. Likewise in the exercise of
police power, property rights of individuals are
subjected to restraints and burdens in order to
secure the general comfort, health and prosperity of
the State. Where a property interest is merely
restricted because the continued use thereof would
be injurious to public interest, there is no
compensable taking.
However, when a property interest is appropriated
and applied to some public purpose, there is need to
pay just compensation. In the exercise of police
power, the State restricts the use of private
property, but none of the property interests in the
bundles of rights which constitute ownership is
appropriated for use by or for the benefit of the
public. Use of the property by the owners is limited,
but no aspect of the property used or for the benefit
of the public. The deprivation of use can, in fact, be
total, and it will not constitute compensable taking
if nobody else acquires use of the property or any
interest therein. If, however, in the regulation of
the use of the property, somebody else acquires the
use or interest thereof, such restriction constitutes
compensable
taking.
[Dipidio
Earth-Savers
Multipurpose Association v. Gozun, G.R. No. 157882,
March 30, 2006]
If the generation of revenue is the primary purpose
and regulation is merely incidental, the imposition is
a tax, but if regulation is the primary purpose, the
fact that revenue is incidentally raised does not
make the imposition a tax. [Gerochi v. Department
of Energy, G.R. No. 159796, July 17, 2007]
License Fee v. Tax
License Fee is paid for the privilege of doing
something, and may be revoked when public interest
so requires; Tax is imposed on persons of property
for revenue. [Compania General de Tabaco v. City of
Manila, 8 SCRA 367]
Amount collected for a license fee is limited to the
cost of permit and reasonable police regulation
[Except when the license fee is imposed on a nonuseful occupation, such as the practice of hygienic
and aesthetic massage in Physical Therapy
Organization v. Municipal Board of Manila (1957)].
4. Delegation
Police Power
a.
Legislature
Executive
Eminent Domain
The general power to exercise the right of eminent
domain must not be confused with the right to
exercise it in a particular case.
The power of the legislature to confer, upon
municipal corporations and other entities within the
State, general authority to exercise the right of
eminent domain cannot be questioned by the courts,
but that general authority of municipalities or
entities must not be confused with the right to
exercise it in particular instances.
The moment the municipal corporation or entity
attempts to exercise the authority conferred, it
must comply with the conditions accompanying the
authority. The necessity for conferring the authority
upon a municipal corporation to exercise the right of
eminent domain is admittedly within the power of
the legislature.
But whether or not the municipal corporation or
entity is exercising the right in a particular case
under the conditions imposed by the general
authority is a question which the courts have the
right to inquire into. [City of Manila vs. Chinese
Community of Manila, G.R. No. L-14355, October 31,
1919]
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CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 2
When a statute or charter or by general law has
conferred the right of eminent domain upon a
private entity. [Tenorio vs. Manila Railroad Co.,
G.R. No. L-6690, March 29, 1912]
Extent of
Power
Question
of
Necessity
AS EXERCISED BY
CONGRESS
Pervasive and allencompassing
Political question
Re:
Private
Property
AS EXERCISED BY
DELEGATES
Can only be as
broad
as
the
enabling law and
the
conferring
authorities want it
to be
Justiciable
question. RTC has
to
determine
whether there is a
genuine necessity
for its exercise, as
well as what the
propertys value
is.
If not justiciable,
theres grant of
special authority
for
special
purpose
Delegate cannot
expropriate
private property
already
devoted
to public use
It is generally self-executing
Article III contains the chief protection for
human rights but the body of the
Constitution guarantees other rights as
well.
(1) Civil rights rights that belong to
an individual by virtue of his
citizenship in a state or community
(e.g. rights to property, marriage,
freedom
to
contract,
equal
protection, etc.)
(2) Political rights rights that pertain
to an individuals citizenship vis-vis the management of the
government (e.g. right of suffrage,
right to petition government for
redress, right to hold public office,
etc.)
(3) Social and economic rights rights
which are intended to insure the
well-being and economic security
of the individual
(4) Rights of the accused civil rights
intended for the protection of a
person accused of any crime
Taxation
(1) legislature (primarily)
(2) local legislative bodies [Sec. 5, Art. X]
(3) President (to a limited extent, when
granted delegated tariff powers under Sec.
28 (2) Art. VI)
1. In General
It is a declaration and enumeration of a person's
fundamental civil and political rights. It also
imposes safeguards against violations by the
government, by individuals, or by groups of
individuals.
The Bill of Rights governs the relationship between
the individual and the state. Its concern is not the
relation between individuals, between a private
individual and other individuals. What the Bill of
Rights does is to declare some forbidden zones in the
private sphere inaccessible to any power holder.
(Sponsorship Speech of Commissioner Bernas, Record
of the Constitutional Commission, Vol. 1, p. 674;
July 17, 1986; Emphasis supplied) [People vs. Marti,
G.R. No. 81561, January 18, 1991]
Bases:
b.
Purpose:
(1) To preserve democratic ideals
(2) To safeguard fundamental rights
(3) To promote the happiness of an individual
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CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 2
3. Accountability
Sec. 2 Art III shall apply only against law officials or
people working as agents of government concerned
about being able to procure evidence. [People vs.
Marti (1991)]
Section 3 of Article XIII of the Constitution requires
the State to give full protection to labor. We cannot
be faithful to this duty if we give no protection to
labor when the violator of its rights happens to be
private parties like private employers. A private
person does not have a better right than the
government to violate an employee's right to due
process. To be sure, violation of the particular right
of employees to security of tenure comes almost
always from their private employers. [Serrano vs.
NLRC (2000)]
C. Due Process
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
74
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 2
health and bawdy houses to protect the
public morals. [Ynot vs. IAC (1987)]
In such instances, previous judicial hearing may be
omitted without violation of due process in view of:
1) the nature of the property involved; or 2) the
urgency of the need to protect the general welfare
from a clear and present danger.
b. Requisites
Procedural Due Process
In Civil Proceedings
Requisites
(1) An impartial court of tribunal clothed with
judicial power to hear and determine the
matter before it.
(2) Jurisdiction must be lawfully acquired over
the person of the defendant and over the
property subject matter of the proceeding
[Banco Espaol vs. Palanca (1918)]
be
given
an
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CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 2
(7) The tribunal should, in all controversial
questions, render its decision in such a
manner that the parties to the proceeding
can know the various issues involved, and
the reasons for the decision rendered. [Ang
Tibay vs. CIR (1940)]
In Criminal Proceedings
See Rights of the Accused, Topic 1 Criminal Due
Process
In Academic Disciplinary Proceedings
Requisites
(1) The students must be informed in writing of
the nature and cause of any accusation
against them;
(2) They shall have the right to answer the
charges against them, with the assistance of
counsel, if desired;
(3) They shall be informed of the evidence
against them;
(4) They shall have the right to adduce
evidence in their own behalf;
(5) The evidence must be duly considered by
the investigating committee or official
designated by the school authorities to hear
and decide the case [Non vs. Judge Dames
(1990)]
4. Hierarchy of Rights
When the Bill of Rights also protects property rights,
the primacy of human rights over property rights is
recognized. Because these freedoms are delicate
and vulnerable, as well as supremely precious in our
society and the threat of sanctions may deter
their exercise almost as potently as the actual
application of sanctions, they need breathing
space to survive, permitting government regulation
only with narrow specificity. [Philippine Blooming
Mills Employees Organization v. Philippine Blooming
Mills Co., Inc (1973)]
If the liberty involved were freedom of the mind or
the person, the standard for the validity of
governmental acts is much more rigorous and
exacting, but where the liberty curtailed affects at
the most rights of property, the permissible scope of
regulatory measure is wider. [Ermita-Malate Hotel
and Motel Operators Association, Inc. v. City Mayor
of Manila (1967)]
Under the present provision, understood in the light
of established jurisprudence on the position of
property in the hierarchy of constitutional values,
property stands a good chance of serving and
enhancing the life and liberty of all. Running through
various provisions of the Constitution are various
provisions to protect propertybut always with the
explicit or implicit reminder that property has a
social dimension and that the right to property is
weighted with a social obligation. [Bernas]
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CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 2
D. Equal Protection
1. Concept
2. Requisites for Valid Classification
1. Concept
6. Void-for-Vagueness Doctrine
Void for Vagueness: An act is vague when it lacks
comprehensible standards that men of common
intelligence must necessarily guess at its common
meaning and differ as to its application.
The statute is repugnant to the constitution in 2
respects:
(1) It violates due process for failure to accord
persons, especially the parties targeted by
it, fair notice of what conduct to avoid,
(2) It leaves law enforcers an unbridled
discretion in carrying out its provisions.
Related to the "overbreadth" doctrine is the "void for
vagueness doctrine" which holds that "a law is
facially invalid if men of common intelligence must
Definition
Equal protection requires that all persons or things
similarly situated should be treated alike, both as to
rights conferred and responsibilities imposed.
77
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 2
(2) It must be germane to the purpose of the
law;
(3) It must not be limited to existing conditions
only.
An ordinance was declared void because it taxes only
centrifugal sugar produced and exported by the
Ormoc Sugar Company and none other, such that if a
new sugar central is established in Ormoc, it would
not be subject to the ordinance. [Ormoc Sugar Co. vs
Treasurer of Ormoc City (1968)]
(4) Apply equally to all members of the same
class [People vs. Cayat (1939)]
Serrano v. Gallant Maritime introduced a
modification in equal protection jurisprudence by
using the three-level review/scrutiny used in due
process cases. So that, in effect, the level of review
when it comes to equal protection challenges may
follow the following format:
(1) Whether the State was justified in making a
classification at all. (three level scrutiny)
(a) Rational basis test the classification
should bear a reasonable relation to
the governments purpose
(b) Strict scrutiny test in which a
legislative
classification
which
impermissibly interferes with the
exercise of a fundamental right or
operates to the peculiar disadvantage
of a suspect class is presumed
unconstitutional, and the burden is
upon the government to prove that the
classification is necessary to achieve a
compelling state interest and that it is
the least restrictive means to protect
such interest. It is applied when the
classification has a suspect basis
(suspect classes classes subject to
such a history of purposeful unequal
treatment or relegated to such a
position of political powerlessness as to
command extraordinary protection
from the majoritarian political process.
(c) Intermediate scrutiny test Court
accepts the articulated purpose of the
legislation but it closely scrutinizes the
relationship between the classification
and the purpose based on a spectrum
of standards, by gauging the extent to
which
constitutionally
guaranteed
rights depend upon the affected
individual interest.
In which the
government must show that the
challenged classification serves an
important state interest and that the
classification is at least substantially
related to serving that interest
Applicable to certain sensitive but not
suspect classes; certain important but
not fundamental interest.
(2) Whether the classification was valid. (test
of valid classification in People v. Cayat)
Aliens
GENERAL RULE: The general rule is that a legislative
act may not validly classify the citizens of the State
on the basis of their origin, race or parentage.
EXCEPTIONS
(1) In times of great and imminent danger, such
as a threatened invasion or war, such a
classification
is
permitted
by
the
Constitution when the facts so warrant
(e.g. discriminatory legislation against
Japanese citizens during WWII).
(2) The political rights of aliens do not enjoy
the same protection as that of citizens.
(3) Statutes may validly limit to citizens
exclusively the enjoyment of rights or
privileges connected with the public
domain, the public works, or the natural
resources of the State. The rights and
interests of the state in these things are not
simply political but also proprietary in
nature; and so the citizens may lawfully be
given preference over aliens in their use or
enjoyment.
The Court upheld the Retail Trade Nationalization
Law despite the objection that it violated the EP
clause, because there exists real and actual, positive
and fundamental differences between an alien and a
national. [Ichong vs, Hernandez (1957)]
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CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 2
investigations against them. [Almonte vs. Vasquez
(1995)]
Concept
Warrant Requirement
Warrantless Searches
Warrantless Arrests
Administrative Arrests
Drug, Alcohol and Blood Tests
1. Concept
ART. III, SEC. 2. The right of the people to be secure
in their persons, houses, papers, and effects against
unreasonable searches and seizures of whatever
nature and for any purpose shall be inviolable, and
no search warrant or warrant of arrest shall issue
except upon probable cause to be determined
personally by the judge after examination under
oath or affirmation of the complainant and the
witnesses he may produce, and particularly
describing the place to be searched and the persons
or things to be seized.
Nature
Personal
It may be invoked only by the person entitled to it.
[Stonehill vs. Diokno (1967)]
It may be waived expressly or impliedly only by the
person whose right is invaded, not by one who is not
duly authorized to effect such waiver. [People vs.
Damaso (1992)]
Directed Against the Government and Its Agencies
(State Action Requirement)
The right cannot be set up against acts committed
by private individuals. The right applies as a
restraint directed only against the government and
its agencies tasked with the enforcement of the law.
The protection cannot extend to acts committed by
private individuals so as to bring them within the
ambit of alleged unlawful intrusion by the
government. [People vs. Marti (1991)]
What constitutes a reasonable or unreasonable
search and seizure in any particular case is purely a
judicial question, determinable from a consideration
of the circumstances involved. [Valmonte v. De
Villa, 178 SCRA 211]
Objections to the warrant of arrest must be made
before the accused enters his plea. [People v.
Codilla, 224 SCRA 104; People v. Robles, G.R. No.
101335, June 8, 2000]
Scope
Natural Persons
It protects all persons including aliens [Qua Chee
Gan vs. Deportation Board (1963)]
Artificial Persons
Artificial persons are protected to a limited extent.
[Bache & Co. Inc vs. Ruiz (1971)] The opening of
their account books is not protected, by virtue of
police and taxing powers of the State.
2. Warrant Requirement
Must refer to one specific offense. [Asian Surety v.
Herrera, 54 SCRA 312; Castro v. Pabalan, 70 SCRA
477]
The Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972 is a special law that
deals specifically with dangerous drugs which are
subsumed into prohibited and regulated drugs,
and defines and penalizes categories of offenses
which are closely related or which belong to the
same class or species; thus, one search warrant may
be validly issued for several violations thereof.
[People v. Dichoso, 223 SCRA 174] The doctrine was
reiterated in People v. Salanguit, G.R. No.
133254055, April 19, 2001.
Requisites
(1) Existence of probable cause
Warrant of Arrest
Such facts and circumstances antecedent to the
issuance of the warrant that in themselves are
sufficient to induce a cautious man to rely on
them and act in pursuance thereof. [People v.
Syjuco, 64 Phil. 667; Alvarez v. CFI, 64 Phil 33]
Search Warrant
Such facts and circumstances which would lead
a reasonably discreet and prudent man to
believe that an offense has been committed and
that the objects sought in connection with the
offense are in the place sought to be searched.
[Burgos v. Chief of Staff, 133 SCRA 800]
(2) Determination of probable cause personally by
the judge.
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CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 2
3. Warrantless Searches
GENERAL RULE
Areas within the reach and control of the accused
are the permissible areas of search for both stopand-frisk
and
search-incident-to-a-valid-arrest.
[Espano vs. CA; People vs. Cubcubin (2001)]
EXCEPTION
Sec. 3(2), Art. III, 1987 CONSTI. Any evidence
obtained in violation of this or the preceding section
shall be inadmissible for any purpose in any
proceeding.
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Once the primary source is shown to have been
unlawfully obtained, any secondary or derivative
evidence is also inadmissible. [Nardone vs. US
(1939)]
It was alleged that Parliamentary Club was a
gambling house; search warrant was obtained.
Veloso read the warrant and said that he was not
John Doe. The Court ruled that the John Doe
search warrant was valid and held that there is
nothing to prevent issue and service of warrant
against a party whose name is unknown. Besides, the
officers had the right to arrest the persons engaged
in prohibited game. An officer making an arrest may
take from the person arrested any money / property
found upon his person, w/c was used in commission
of crime, or was the fruit of the crime, or w/c may
furnish the person w/ means of committing violence
or escaping, or w/c may be used as evidence on
trial, but not otherwise. [People vs. Veloso (1925)]
Other specific situations:
Quick Look:
a. Search is an Incident to a Lawful Arrest.
b. Search of Moving Vehicles
c. Plain View Doctrine
d. Stop and Frisk Searches
e. Valid Express Waiver
f. Customs search
g. Visual Search at Checkpoints
h. Conduct of Aerial Target Zoning
saturation drive
i. Exigent and Emergency Circumstances
inadvertently discovered
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CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 2
There should be a genuine reason to stop-and-frisk
in the light of the police officers experience and
surrounding conditions to warrant a belief that the
person detained has weapons concealed. [Malacat
vs. CA (1997) citing Terry vs. Ohio]
The police officer should properly introduce himself
and make initial inquiries, approach and restrain a
person who manifests unusual and suspicious
conduct, in order to check the latters outer clothing
for possibly concealed weapons. The apprehending
police officer must have a genuine reason, in
accordance with the police officers experience and
the surrounding conditions, to warrant the belief
that the person to be held has weapons or
contraband concealed about him. [People v. Sy
Chua, G.R. Nos. 136066-67, February 4, 2003]
f.
Customs Search
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Stolen or embezzled property and other
proceeds or fruits of an offense
Used or intended to be used as a means of
committing an offense (Sec. 2 Rule 126,
ROC)
Where the warrant authorized only the seizure of
shabu, and not marijuana, the seizure of the latter
was held unlawful. [People vs. Salanguit, supra]
It is not necessary that the property to be searched
or seized should be owned by the person against
whom the warrant is issued; it is sufficient that the
property is within his control or possession. [Burgos
vs. Chief of Staff (1984)]
Comparison of Procedures in Obtaining Search
Warrants and Arrest Warrants
R112, Sec. 6. When warrant of arrest may issue.
(a) By the Regional Trial Court. Within ten (10)
days from the filing of the complaint or information,
the judge shall personally evaluate the resolution of
the prosecutor and its supporting evidence. He may
immediately dismiss the case if the evidence on
record clearly fails to establish probable cause. If he
finds probable cause, he shall issue a warrant of
arrest, or a commitment order if the accused has
already been arrested pursuant to a warrant issued
by the judge who conducted the preliminary
investigation or when the complaint or information
was filed pursuant to section 7 of this Rule. In case
of doubt on the existence of probable cause, the
judge may order the prosecutor to present
additional evidence [NOTE: THIS IS NOT FOUND IN
THE PROCEDURE FOR A SEARCH WARRANT] within
five (5) days from notice and the issue must be
resolved by the court within thirty (30) days from
the filing of the complaint of information.
Rule 126, Sec. 4. Requisites for issuing search
warrant. A search warrant shall not issue except
upon probable cause in connection with one specific
offense to be determined personally by the judge
after examination under oath or affirmation of the
complainant and the witness he may produce, and
particularly describing the place to be searched and
the things to be seized which may be anywhere in
the Philippines
4. Warrantless Arrests
Requisites for Issuance of a Valid Arrest
Warrant
What the Constitution underscores is the exclusive
and personal responsibility of the issuing judge to
satisfy himself of the existence of probable cause.
In satisfying himself of the existence of probable
cause for the issuance of a warrant of arrest, the
judge is NOT required to personally examine the
complainant and his witnesses.
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CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 2
immediate control is valid as an incident to a lawful
arrest. [People vs. Hindoy (2001)]
EXCEPTION TO BUY-BUST: Instead of arresting the
suspect after the sale in a buy-bust op, the officer
returned to the police headquarters and filed his
report. It was only in the evening that he, without
warrant, arrested the suspect at his house where
dried marijuana leaves were found and seized. This
is unlawful arrest. [People vs. Rodrigueza]
2. When an offense has just been committed and
he has probable cause to believe based on
personal knowledge of facts or circumstances that
the person to be arrested has committed it;
Requisites:
(1) Offense had JUST been committed;
(2) Person making the arrest has probable
cause to believe based on PERSONAL
KNOWLEDGE.
Note: There must be a large measure of immediacy
between the time the offense is committed and the
time of the arrest. If there was an appreciable lapse
of time between arrest and commission of crime,
warrant of arrest must be secured. (NACHURA)
Warrantless arrest of accused for selling marijuana 2
days after he escaped is invalid. [People vs Kimura
(2004)]
The police saw the victim dead at the hospital and
when they inspected the crime scene, they found
the instruments of death. The eyewitnesses reported
the happening and pointed to Gerente as one of the
killers. Here the warrantless arrest only 3 hrs after
the killing was held valid since personal knowledge
was established as to the fact of death and facts
indicating that Gerente killed the victim. [People vs
Gerente (1993)]
PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE: Experience of an officer
which gives the idea that there is probable cause
that the person caught is responsible. It has been
ruled that personal knowledge of facts in arrests
without a warrant must be based on probable cause,
which means an actual belief or reasonable grounds
of suspicion. [Cadua v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No.
123123, Aug. 19, 1999]
Burgos was convicted for the crime of Illegal
Possession of Firearms in Furtherance of Subversion.
Masamlok claimed that he had been forcibly
recruited by Burgos to the NPA, threatening him with
the use of firearm against his life and family.
Masamlok was also allegedly threatened to attend an
NPA seminar. The next day the authorities went to
arrest Burgos without a warrant. They found him in
his residence plowing his field. Burgos denied the
accusation, but his wife pointed to a place below
their house where a gun was buried in the ground.
After the firearm was recovered, Burgos allegedly
pointed to a stock pile of cogon where he had hidden
subversive documents. The prosecution presented an
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CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 2
(2) Violent insanity.
Appellant is estopped from questioning the illegality
of the arrest when he voluntarily submitted himself
to the jurisdiction of the court by entering a plea of
not guilty and by participating in the trial. [People
vs. Salvatierra (1997)]
SCOPE OF WAIVER: Waiver is limited to the illegal
arrest. It does not extend to the search made as an
incident thereto, or the subsequent seizure of
evidence allegedly found during the search [People
vs. Peralta (2004]]
5. Administrative Arrests
Under the express terms of our Constitution, it is,
therefore, even doubtful whether the arrest of an
individual may be ordered by any authority other
than the judge if the purpose is merely to determine
the existence of a probable cause, leading to an
administrative investigation. The Constitution does
not distinguish between warrants in a criminal case
and administrative warrants in administrative
proceedings. And if one suspected of having
committed aim is entitled to a determination of the
probable cause against him, by a judge, why should
one suspected of a violation of an administrative
nature deserve less guarantee? Of course it is
different if the order of arrest is issued to carry out
a final finding of a violation, either by an executive
or legislative officer or agency duly authorized for
the purpose, as then the warrant is not that
mentioned in the Constitution which is issuable only
on probable cause. Such, for example, would be a
warrant of arrest to carry out a final order of
deportation, or to effect compliance of an order of
contempt. The contention of the Solicitor General
that the arrest of a foreigner is necessary to carry
into effect the power of deportation is valid only
when, as already stated, there is already an order of
deportation. To carry out the order of deportation,
the President obviously has the power to order the
arrest of the deportee. But, certainly, during the
investigation, it is not indispensable that the alien
be arrested. It is enough, as was true before the
executive order of President Quirino, that a bond be
required to insure the appearance of the alien during
the investigation, as was authorized in the executive
order of President Roxas. [Vivio v. Montesa (1968)]
The
Supreme
Court
distinguished
between
administrative arrest in the execution of a final
deportation order and arrest as preliminary to
further administrative proceedings:
"Section 1 (3), Article III of the Constitution, we
perceive, does not require judicial intervention in
the execution of a final order of deportation issued
in accordance with law. The constitutional limitation
contemplates an order of arrest in the exercise of
judicial power as a step preliminary or incidental to
prosecution or proceedings for a given offense or
administrative
action,
not
as
a
measure
indispensable to carry out a valid decision by a
competent official, such a legal order of
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CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 2
Intrusion has to be based upon a non-judicial
government officials assessment that public safety
and order demands such intrusion, limited to the
provisions of law. To hold otherwise would be to opt
for a government of men, and not of laws.
Public order and safety is defined as the security of
human lives, liberty and property against the
activities of invaders, insurrectionist and rebels.
[1971 Constitutional Convention, Session of
November 25, 1972]
letters
messages
telephone calls
telegrams, and the like (BERNAS)
Private Communication
Revised Penal Code, Art. 354. Requirement for
publicity. - Every defamatory imputation is
presumed to be malicious, even if it be true, if no
good intention and justifiable motive for making it is
shown, except in the following cases:
1)
G. Freedom of Expression
1. Concept and Scope
2. Content-Based and Content-Neutral
Regulations
3. Facial Challenges and the Overbreadth
Doctrine
4. Tests
5. State Regulation of Different Types of Mass
Media
6. Commercial Speech
7. Private v. Government Speech
See Annex A.
GENERAL RULES
Public Communication
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CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 2
(1) Any system of prior restraints of expression
comes to the Court bearing a heavy
presumption against its constitutionality,
giving the government a heavy burden to
show justification for the imposition of such
restraint. (New York vs. United States 1971)
(2) There need not be total suppression. Even
restriction
of
circulation
constitutes
censorship [Grosjean vs. American Press
Co., 297 US 233]
Examples of Unconstitutional Prior Restraint
(1) COMELEC
prohibition
against
radio
commentators or newspaper columnists
from commenting on the issues involved in
a scheduled plebiscite [Sanidad vs.
COMELEC (1990)]
(2) Arbitrary closure of a radio station (Eastern
Broadcasting vs. Dans (1985))
(3) COMELEC resolution prohibiting the posting
of decals and stickers in mobile units like
cars and other moving vehicles [Adiong vs.
COMELEC (1992)]
(4) Search, padlocking and sealing of the
offices of newspaper publishers (We Forum)
by military authorities [Burgos vs. Chief of
Staff, supra]
(5) An announcement of a public figure to
prohibit the media to issue a specific kind
of statement amounts to prior restraint,
which is violative of the right to free press.
[Chavez vs. Gonzales (2006)]
Examples of Constitutional Prior Restraint:
(1) Law which prohibits, except during the
prescribed election period, the making of
speeches, announcements or commentaries
for or against the election of any candidate
for office [Gonzales vs. COMELEC (1969)]
(2) Prohibition on any person making use of the
media to sell or to give free of charge print
space or air time for campaign or other
political purposes except to the COMELEC.
Ratio: police power of State to regulate
media for purpose of ensuring equal
opportunity, time and space for political
campaigns. [National Press Club vs.
COMELEC, G.R. NO. 1026653, March 5,
1992; Osmena vs. COMELEC]
(3) Movie censorship: the power of the MTCRB
can be exercised only for purposes of
reasonable classification, not censorship.
[NACHURA citing Gonzalez vs. Katigbak
(1985) and Ayer vs. Judge Capulong]
(4) Near vs. Minnesota, (1931):
(a) When a nation is at war, many things
that might be said in time of peace are
such a hindrance to its effort that their
utterance will not be endured so long
as men fight and that no court could
regard them as protected by any
constitutional right
(b) Actual obstruction to the governments
recruiting service or the publication of
the sailing dates of transports or the
number and location of troops
(c) Obscene publications
Subsequent Punishment
Concept: Freedom of speech includes freedom after
speech. Without this assurance, the citizen would
hesitate to speak for fear he might be provoking the
vengeance of the officials he has criticized (chilling
effect).
If criticism is not to be conditioned on the
governments consent, then neither should it be
subject
to
the
governments
subsequent
chastisement.
Examples of Valid Subsequent Restraints:
(1) Libel. Every defamatory imputation is presumed
to be malicious. [Alonzo vs. CA (1995)]
Exceptions to this presumption are found in Art.
354 of the RPC.
(2) Obscenity. The determination of what is
obscene is a judicial function. [Pita vs. CA
(1989)]
Accused was convicted for exhibiting nude
painting and pictures, notwithstanding his claim
that he had done so in the interest of art. Court
said that the purpose was commercial, not
merely artistic, because he charged admission
fees to the exhibition. [U.S. vs. Kottinger
(1923)]
(3) Contempt for criticism/publications tending to
impede, obstruct, embarrass or influence the
courts in administering justice in a pending suit
or proceeding (sub judice) [People vs. Alarcon
(1939)]
(4) Being a public figure does not automatically
destroy in toto a person's right to privacy. The
limits of freedom of expression are reached
when it touches upon matters of private concern
[Lagunzad vs. Gonzales (1979)]
(5) Right of students to free speech in school
premises must not infringe on the schools right
to discipline its students [Miriam College
Foundation vs. CA (2000)]
EXCEPTIONS
(1) Fair comment on matters of public interest.
Fair comment is that which is true or, if
false, expresses the real opinion of the
author based upon reasonable degree of
care and on reasonable grounds.
(2) Criticism of official conduct is given the
widest latitude. [US vs. Bustos (1918)]
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CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 2
Specific Instances
Freedom of Expression and National Security
Espuelas was convicted in the lower court of the
crime of inciting to sedition. Espuelas had his picture
taken, making it to appear as if he were hanging
lifeless at the end of a piece of rope suspended from
the limb of a tree, when in truth and in fact, he was
merely standing on a barrel. After securing copies of
his photograph, he sent copies to several newspapers
and weeklies of general circulation throughout the
Philippines and abroad, for their publication with a
suicide note or letter, wherein he made to appear
that it was written by a fictitious suicidee, Alberto
Reveniera and addressed to the latter's supposed
wife.
These reasons point to the Roxas administration, his
disappointments and humiliations because of the
former and his lack of power to put under Juez de
Cuchillo all the Roxas people in power. Finally, the
letter instructed the wife to teach their children to
burn pictures of Roxas if they come across one.
Espuelas admitted the fact that he wrote the letter
and caused its publication and that he had
impersonated one Alberto Reveniera and posed
himself as Alberto Reveniera in a picture taken
wherein he was shown hanging by the end of a rope
tied to a limb of a tree.
Freedom of Expression, national security: The
letter is a scurrilous libel against the Government. It
suggests or incites rebellious conspiracies or riots
and tends to stir up the people against the
constituted authorities, or to provoke violence from
opposition groups who may seek to silence the
writer, which is the sum and substance of the
offense under consideration. Such writings are
criminal not only because they tend to incite to a
breach of the peace but because they are conducive
to the destruction of the very government itself.
Malicious endeavors to stir up public strife are
prohibited.
Our Legislature has spoken in article 142 of the RPC
and the law must be applied. This kind of legislation
must be weighed carefully vis--vis the fundamental
right to freedom of speech. Such freedom, although
secured by the Constitution, does not confer an
absolute right to speak or publish without
responsibility whatever one may choose. It is not
unbridled license that gives immunity for every
possible use of language and prevents the
punishment of those who abuse this freedom.
The privilege of any citizen to criticize his
government and government officials and to submit
his criticism to the "free trade of ideas" and to plead
for its acceptance in "the competition of the market"
is not to be restrained. However, let such criticism
be specific and therefore constructive, reasoned or
tempered, and not a contemptuous condemnation of
the entire government set-up.
Such wholesale attack is nothing less than an
invitation to disloyalty to the government. When
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CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 2
Courts must be viewpoint-neutral when it comes to
religious matters if only to affirm the neutrality
principle of free speech rights under modern
jurisprudence where "all ideas are treated equal in
the eyes of the First Amendment - even those ideas
that are universally condemned and run counter to
constitutional principles."
Content-Neutral Restrictions
Freedom of Assembly
The right to freedom of speech and to peaceably
assemble, and petition the government for redress
of grievances are fundamental personal rights of the
people guaranteed by the constitutions of
democratic countries. City or town mayors are not
conferred the power to refuse to grant the permit,
but only the discretion in issuing the permit to
determine or specify the streets or public places
where the parade may pass or the meeting may be
held. [Primicias vs. Fugoso (1948)]
The Court held here that freedom of speech and
freedom to peaceably assemble is entitled to be
accorded utmost deference and respect, and cannot
be limited or denied unless there is showing of a
clear and present danger of a substantive evil that
the State has a right to prevent. For the
constitutional right to be invoked, riotous conduct,
injury to property and acts of vandalism must be
avoided. Furthermore, absent any clear and present
danger of a substantive evil, peaceable assembly in
public places like streets or parks cannot be denied.
[J.B.L. Reyes vs. Bagatsing (1983)]
The CPR, insofar as it would purport to differ from
or be in lieu of maximum tolerance, is NULL and
VOID. CPR serves no valid purpose if it means the
same thing as maximum tolerance (Sec. 3 [c] of B.P.
880), and is illegal if it means something else.
Accordingly, what is to be followed is and should be
that mandated by the law itself, namely, maximum
tolerance.
B.P. 880 not unconstitutional. B.P. No. 880 is not
an absolute ban of public assemblies but a
restriction that simply regulates the time, place and
manner of the assemblies. The law is not vague or
overbroad. There is, likewise, no prior restraint,
since the content of the speech is not relevant to
the regulation. A fair and impartial reading of B.P.
No. 880 thus readily shows that it refers to all kinds
of public assemblies that would use public places.
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CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 2
Freedom Parks. B.P. 880 provides that every city
and municipality must set aside a freedom park
within six months from the laws effectivity in 1985,
or 20 years ago. Section 15 of the law provides for
an alternative forum through the creation of
freedom parks where no prior permit is needed for
peaceful assembly and petition at any time.
According to the SolGen (Nachura), however, he is
aware of only ONE declared freedom park - Fuente
Osmena in Cebu City. Without such alternative
forum, to deny the permit would in effect be to
deny the right.
Hence, local governments are given a deadline of 30
days within which to designate specific freedom
parks as provided under B.P. No. 880. If, after that
period, no such parks are so identified in accordance
with Section 15 of the law, all public parks and
plazas of the municipality or city concerned shall in
effect be deemed freedom parks; no prior permit of
whatever kind shall be required to hold an assembly
therein. The only requirement will be written
notices to the police and the office of the mayor to
allow proper coordination and orderly activities.
Permit Application. There is need to address the
situation adverted to by petitioners where mayors do
not act on applications for a permit and when the
police demand a permit and the rallyists could not
produce one, the rally is immediately dispersed.
In such a situation, as a necessary consequence and
part of maximum tolerance, rallyists who can show
the police an application duly filed on a given date
can, after two days from said date, rally in
accordance with their application without the need
to show a permit, the grant of the permit being then
presumed under the law, and it will be the burden of
the authorities to show that there has been a denial
of the application, in which case the rally may be
peacefully dispersed following the procedure of
maximum tolerance prescribed by the law.
Conclusion. For this reason, the so-called calibrated
pre-emptive response policy has no place in our legal
firmament and must be struck down as a darkness
that shrouds freedom. It merely confuses our people
and is used by some police agents to justify abuses.
On the other hand, B.P. No. 880 cannot be
condemned as unconstitutional; it does not curtail or
unduly restrict freedoms; it merely regulates the use
of public places as to the time, place and manner of
assemblies.
Far from being insidious, maximum tolerance is for
the benefit of rallyists, not the government. The
delegation to the mayors of the power to issue rally
permits is valid because it is subject to the
constitutionally-sound clear and present danger
standard. [Bayan vs. Ermita (2006)]
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CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 2
(3) Also, the challenger must establish that
there can be no instance when the assailed
law may be valid.
(4) Used on freedom of expression, when on
the face of a regulation, it appears
sweeping.
A plain reading of PP 1017 shows that it is not
primarily directed to speech / speech-related
conduct. It is actually a call upon the AFP to prevent
or suppress all forms of lawless violence. Petitioners
did not show WON theres an instance when PP1017
may be valid. [David vs. Arroyo (2006)]
4. Tests
Dangerous Tendency Test
If the words uttered create a dangerous tendency of
an evil which the State has the right to prevent,
then such words are punishable. [Cabansag vs.
Fernandez (1957)]
It is sufficient if the natural tendency and the
probable effect of the utterance were to bring
about the substantive evil that the legislative body
seeks to prevent. [People vs. Perez (1956)]
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CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 2
cooperatives or associations, wholly-owned and
managed by such citizens.
The Congress shall regulate or prohibit monopolies in
commercial mass media when the public interest so
requires. No combinations in restraint of trade or
unfair competition therein shall be allowed.
(2) The advertising industry is impressed with public
interest, and shall be regulated by law for the
protection of consumers and the promotion of the
general welfare.
Only Filipino citizens or corporations or associations
at least seventy per centum of the capital of which
is owned by such citizens shall be allowed to engage
in the advertising industry.
The participation of foreign investors in the
governing body of entities in such industry shall be
limited to their proportionate share in the capital
thereof, and all the executive and managing officers
of such entities must be citizens of the Philippines.
The Court pronounced that the freedom of broadcast
media is lesser in scope than the press because of
their pervasive presence in the lives of people and
because of their accessibility to children.
Movie Censorship
Gonzales was the producer of the movie Kapit sa
Patalim w/c the Board of Review for Motion Pictures
and Televisions classified as fit For Adults Only.
Here the Court held that the power of the Board is
limited to the classification of films. For freedom of
expression is the rule and restrictions the exception.
Censorship is allowable only under the clearest
proof of a clear and present danger of a
substantive evil to public safety, morals, health or
any other legit public interest:
(1) There should be no doubt what is feared
may be traced to the expression
complained of.
(2) Also,
there
must
be
reasonable
apprehension about its imminence. It does
not suffice that the danger is only
probable. [Gonzales vs. Kalaw Katigbak
(1985)]
Limited intrusion into a persons privacy is
permissible when that person is a public figure and
the information sought to be published is of a public
character.
What is protected is the right to be free from
unwarranted publicity, from the wrongful publicizing
of the private affairs of an individual which are
outside the realm of public concern. [Ayer
Productions vs Capulong, supra]
Radio Censorship
Television Censorship
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CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 2
Comm. Act 98. Sec. of Interior and/or the Radio
Board is empowered to censor what is considered
neither moral, educational or entertaining, and
prejudicial to public interest. The Board can
forfeit the license of a broadcasting station.
Sec. of the Interior, Dept. Order 13. Requires
submission of daily reports to Sec. of Interior/Radio
Board re: programs before airing. For speeches, a
manuscript or short gist must be submitted.
[Santiago vs. Far Eastern Broadcasting (1941)]
6. Commercial Speech
Commercial speech is unprotected speech.
Commercial Advertising in the U.S. has been
accorded First Amendment protection but it not in
the same level of protection given to political
speech. One case set down the requirements for
protection of commercial speech: (1) speech must
not be false, misleading or proposing an illegal
activity; (2) government interest sought to be served
by regulation must be substantial; (3) the regulation
must advance government interest; and (4) the
regulation must not be overbroad. [BERNAS]
8. Hecklers Veto
An attempt to limit unpopular speech. For example,
an unpopular group wants to hold a rally and asks for
a permit. The government isn't allowed to refuse the
permit based upon the beliefs of the applicants. But
the government can deny the permit, reasoning that
it isn't because the government disapproves of the
group's message, it's just afraid that so many people
will be outraged that there might be violent
protests. Under the Free Speech Clause of Sec. 4 Art
III, the government may not silence speech based on
the reaction (or anticipated reaction) of a hostile
audience, unless there is a "clear and present
danger" of grave and imminent harm, which isn't
easy to prove.
H. Freedom of Religion
1. Non-Establishment Clause
2. Free Exercise Clause
1. Non-Establishment Clause
Concept
The
clause
prohibits
excessive
government
entanglement with, endorsement or disapproval of
religion [Victoriano v. Elizalde Rope Workers Union
(1974); Lynch v. Donnelly, 465 US 668 (1984)
O'Connor, J., concurring); Allegheny County v.
Greater Pittsburg ACLU (1989)]
Basis
Rooted in the separation of Church and State [Sec.
2(5), Art. IX-C; Sec. 5(2), Sec. 29(2) Art. VI, 1987
Consti]
schools
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CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 2
exclusively used for religious, charitable, or
educational purposes shall be exempt from taxation.
(2) Operation of sectarian schools
Sec. 4(2), Art. 14. Educational institutions, other
than those established by religious groups and
mission boards, shall be owned solely by citizens of
the Philippines or corporations or associations at
least sixty per centum of the capital of which is
owned by such citizens
(3) Religious instruction in public schools
Sec. 3(3), Art. 14. At the option expressed in
writing by the parents or guardians, religion shall be
allowed to be taught to their children or wards in
public elementary and high schools within the
regular class hours by instructors designated or
approved by the religious authorities of the religion
to which the children or wards belong, without
additional cost to the Government.
Civil Code, Art. 359. The government promotes the
full growth of the faculties of every child. For this
purpose, the government will establish, whenever
possible:
(1) Schools in every barrio, municipality and city
where optional religious instruction shall be
taught as part of the curriculum at the option of
the parent or guardian. xxx
(4) Public aid to religion
Sec. 29 (2), Art. 6. No public money or property
shall be appropriated, applied, paid, or employed,
directly or indirectly, for the use, benefit, or
support of any sect, church, denomination, sectarian
institution, or system of religion, or of any priest,
preacher, minister, other religious teacher, or
dignitary as such, except when such priest,
preacher, minister, or dignitary is assigned to the
armed forces, or to any penal institution, or
government orphanage or leprosarium.
(5) Postage stamps depicting Philippines as the
site of a significant religious event
Postage stamps which promote a Catholic event
are constitutional. The benefit to religious sect
is incidental to promotion of Philippines as a
tourist destination. [Aglipay vs. Ruiz, (64 Phil.
201)]
(6) Government sponsorship of town fiestas.
Traditions which used to be purely religious
but have now acquired secular character
are permissible [Garces vs. Estenzo (1981)]
(7) Book lending program for students in
parochial schools. The benefit redounds to
students and parents and not to any
particular sect. [Board of Education vs.
Allen, 392 U.S. 236]
(8) Display of crche in a secular setting
Test
Lemon Test
(1) Statute must have a secular legislative
purpose.
(2) Primary effect must be one that neither
advances nor inhibits religion.
(3) Must not foster excessive entanglement
between government and religion. [Lemon
vs. Kurtzman, (403 U.S. 602)]
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CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 2
deprive it of the resources necessary for its
maintenance. [American Bible Society vs. City
of Manila (1957)]
(3) Exemption from union shop
Neither
does
the
law
constitute
an
establishment of religion. It has been held that
in order to withstand objections based on this
ground, the statute must have a secular purpose
and that purpose must not directly advance or
diminish the interest of any religion. Congress
acted merely to relieve persons of the burden
imposed by union security agreements. The free
exercise of religious profession or belief is
superior to contract rights. [Victoriano vs.
Elizalde Rope Workers Union (1974)]
(4) Non-disqualification from local government
office
For lack of votes, law disqualifying religious
leaders from public office is held valid. As per
free exercise clause, it is invalid for it requires a
religious test for qualification. [Pamil vs.
Teleron (1978)]
Dean Pangalangan: There should be no distinction
between ordinary believer and the Pope; if the
former can hold office, why not the latter.
1. Limitations
Right to Travel
RIGHT NOT ABSOLUTE: The Constitutional Right to
Travel under Sec. 5, Art. IV of the 1973 Constitution
is not an absolute right, and can only be impaired
upon lawful order of the court, or when necessary in
the interest of national security, public safety or
public health. Releasing the petitioner on bail and
that as a condition, he make himself available at all
times is a valid restriction on his right to travel. To
allow him to travel, especially abroad will make the
order of the court nugatory as the court's jurisdiction
cannot extend beyond the Philippines. [Manotok vs.
CA (1986)]
J. Right to Information
1.
2.
3.
4.
Limitations
Publication of Laws and Regulations
Access to Court Records
Right to Information Relative to
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CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 2
Art. III Section 7. The right of the people to
information on matters of public concern shall be
recognized. Access to official records, and to
documents and papers pertaining to official acts,
transactions, or decisions, as well as to government
research data used as basis for policy development,
shall be afforded the citizen, subject to such
limitations as may be provided by law.
Art. XVI Section 10. The State shall provide the
policy environment for the full development of
Filipino capability and the emergence of
communication structures suitable to the needs and
aspirations of the nation and the balanced flow of
information into, out of, and across the country, in
accordance with a policy that respects the freedom
of speech and of the press.
Scope
Right to information contemplates inclusion of
negotiations leading to the consummation of the
transaction. Otherwise, the people can never
exercise the right if no contract is consummated, or
if one is consummated, it may be too late for the
public to expose its defects. However, if the right
only affords access to records, documents and
papers, which means the opportunity to inspect and
copy them at his expense. The exercise is also
subject to reasonable regulations to protect the
integrity of public records and to minimize
disruption of government operations. [Chavez v. PEA
and Amari, G.R. No. 133250, July 9, 2002]
1. Limitations
The right does not extend to matters recognized as
privileged information rooted in separation of
powers, nor to information on military and
diplomatic secrets, information affecting national
security, and information on investigations of crimes
by law enforcement agencies before the prosecution
of the accused. [Chavez v. PEA and Amari, supra]
Media practitioners requested information from the
GM of GSIS regarding clean loans granted to certain
members of the defunct Batasang Pambansa on the
guaranty of Imelda Marcos shortly before the Feb
1986 elections. Request was refused on the ground
of confidentiality.
The right to information is not absolute. It is limited
to matters of public concern and is subject to such
limitations as may be provided by law. That the GSIS
was exercising a proprietary function would not
justify its exclusion of the transactions from the
coverage of the right to info. But although citizens
have such right and, pursuant thereto, are entitled
to access to official records, the Constitution does
not accord them the right to compel custodians of
official records to prepare lists, summaries and the
like in their desire to get info on matters of public
concern. [Valmonte vs. Belmonte (1989)]
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Confidential information means information not yet
made a matter of public record relating to pending
cases, as well as information not yet made public
concerning the work of any justice or judge relating
to pending cases, including notes, drafts, research
papers, internal discussions, internal memoranda,
records of internal deliberations and similar papers.
The notes, drafts, research papers, internal
discussions, internal memoranda, records of internal
deliberations and similar papers that a justice or
judge uses in preparing a decision, resolution or
order shall remain confidential even after the
decision, resolution or order is made public.
Decisions are matters of public concern and interest.
Pleadings and other documents filed by parties to a
case need not be matters of public concern or
interest. They are filed for the purpose of
establishing the basis upon which the court may
issue an order or a judgment affecting their rights
and interest. Access to court records may be
permitted at the discretion and subject to the
supervisory and protective powers of the court, after
considering the actual use or purpose for which the
request for access is based and the obvious
prejudice to any of the parties. [Hilado, et al vs
Judge (2006)]
Diplomatic Negotiations
Diplomatic negotiations have a privileged character.
[Akbayan vs Aquino cited in Neri vs Senate (2008)]
Court Hearings
When the constitutional guarantees of freedom of
the press and the right to public information, on the
one hand, and the fundamental rights of the
accused, on the other hand, along with the
constitutional power of a court to control its
K. Right to Association
1. Labor Unionism
2. Communist and Similar Organizations
3. Integrated Bar of the Philippines
Sec. 8, Art. III. The right of the people, including
those employed in the public and private sectors, to
form unions, association, or societies for purposes
not contrary to law shall not be abridged.
Sec 2(5), Art. IX-B. The right to self-organization
shall not be denied to government employees.
Sec. 3, Art. XIII. x x x. It shall guarantee the rights
of all workers to self-organization, collective
bargaining and negotiations, and peaceful concerted
activities, including the right to strike in accordance
with law. They shall be entitled to security of
tenure, humane conditions of work, and a living
wage. They shall also participate in policy and
decision-making processes affecting their rights and
benefits as may be provided by law.
With or without a constitutional provision of this
character, it may be assumed that the freedom to
organize or to be a member of any group or society
exists. With this explicit provision, whatever doubts
there may be on the matter are dispelled. Unlike the
cases of other guarantee which are mostly American
in origin, this particular freedom has an indigenous
cast. It can trace its origin to the Malolos
Constitution.
The limitation "for purposes not contrary to law"
should be interpreted as another way of expressing
the clear and present danger rule for unless an
association or society could be shown to create an
imminent danger to public safety, there is no
justification for abridging the right to form
association societies. [Gonzales vs COMELEC (1969)]
Note: The right is recognized as belonging to people
whether employed or unemployed, and whether
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CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 2
employed in the government or in the private sector.
It also recognizes that the right to form associations
includes the right to unionize
It should be noted that the provision guarantees the
right to associations. It does not include the right to
compel others to form an association. But there may
be situations in which, by entering into a contract,
one may also be agreeing to join an association.
[BERNAS]
If a land buyer who buys a lot with an annotated lien
that the lot owner becomes an automatic member of
a homeowners association thereby voluntarily joins
the association. [Bel-Air Village Association vs
Diokno (1989)]
1. Labor Unionism
The right to form associations does not necessarily
include the right to be given legal personality.
However, if the law itself should make possession of
legal personality a pre-condition for effective
associational action, involved would be not just the
right to have legal personality but also the right to
be an association. [Philippine Association of Free
Labor Unions vs Secretary of Labor (1969)]
The right of association of managerial employees is
denied because of Article 245 of the Labor Code
which provides that managerial employees are not
eligible to join, assist or form any labor
organization. This is because Art III Sec 8 is subject
to the condition that its exercise is for the purposes
not contrary to law. [United Pepsi-Cola Supervisory
Union (UPSU) vs Laguesma (1998)]
L. Eminent Domain
1. Concept
2. Expansive Concept of Public Use
3. Just Compensation
4. Abandonment of Intended Use and Right of
Repurchase
5. Miscellaneous Application
1. Concept
It is the right of the government to take private
property with just compensation.
The power of eminent domain does not depend for
its existence on a specific grant in the constitution.
It is inherent in sovereignty and exists in a sovereign
state without any recognition of it in the
constitution. The provisions found in most of the
state constitutions relating to the taking of property
for the public use do not, by implication, grant the
power to the government of the state, but limit a
power which would otherwise be without limit.
(citations omitted) [Visayan Refining Co. vs. Camus,
G.R. No. L-15870, December 3, 1919]
Generally
(1) Taking of Private Property
(2) for Public Use,
(3) with Just Compensation, and
(4) Due Process.
Specifically (LGUs, Sec. 19, Local Government Code)
(1) Ordinance by a local legislature council is
enacted authorizing local chief executive to
exercise eminent domain,
(2) For public use, purpose or welfare or for
the benefit of the poor and of the landless,
(3) Payment of just compensation,
(4) Valid and definite offer has been previously
made to owner of the property sought to be
expropriated but such offer was not
accepted [Municipality of Paraaque vs. VM
Realty (1998)]
Jurisdiction over a complaint for eminent domain is
with the Regional Trial Court. While the value of the
property to be expropriated is estimated in
monetary terms for the court is duty bound to
determine the amount of just compensation to be
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CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 2
paid for the property it is merely incidental to the
expropriation suit [Barangay San Roque, Talisay,
Cebu v. Heirs of Francisco Pastor, G.R. No. 138869,
June 20, 2000; Bardillion v. Barangay Masili of
Calamba, Laguna, G.R. No. 146886, April 30, 2003]
The issuance of a writ of possession becomes
ministerial upon the (1) filing of a complaint for
expropriation sufficient in form and substance, and
(2) upon deposit made by the government of the
amount equivalent to 15% of the fair market value of
the property sought to be expropriated per current
tax declaration. [Biglang-Awa v. Judge Bacalla, G.R.
Nos. 139927-139936, November 22, 2000; Bardillon
v. Barangay Masili of Calamba, Laguna, Laguna, G.R.
No. 146886, April 30, 2003]
Scope and Limitations
All Private Property capable of ownership may be
expropriated, except money and choses in action.
Even services may be subject to eminent domain.
[Republic v. PLDT, 26 SCRA 620]
The exercise of the right of eminent domain,
whether directly by the State or by its authorized
agents, is necessarily in derogation of private rights.
Hence, strict construction will be made against the
agency exercising the power. [Jesus is Lord Christian
School Foundation v. Municipality of Pasig, G.R. No.
152230, August 9, 2005]
Necessity
The foundation of the right to exercise eminent
domain is genuine necessity and that necessity must
be of public character. Government may not
capriciously or arbitrarily choose which private
property should be expropriated. [Lagcao v. Judge
Labra, G.R. No. 155746, October 13, 2004]
When the power is exercised by the legislature, the
question of necessity is generally a political
question. [Municipality of Meycauyan, Bulacan v.
Intermediate Appellate Court, 157 SCRA 640]
The RTC has the power to inquire into the legality of
the exercise of the right of eminent domain and to
determine whether there is a genuine necessity for
it. [Bardillon v. Barangay Masili of Calamba, Laguna,
G.R. No. 146886, April 30, 2003]
Private Property
Private property already devoted to public use
cannot be expropriated by a delegate of legislature
acting under a general grant of authority. [City of
Manila v. Chinese Community, 40 Phil 349]
Taking
The exercise of the power of eminent does not
always result in the taking or appropriation of title
to the expropriated property; it may only result in
the imposition of a burden upon the owner of the
condemned property, without loss of title or
possession. [National Power Corporation v.
Gutierrez, 193 SCRA 1]
Requisites for a valid taking:
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CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 2
idea that public use is strictly limited to clear
cases of use by the public has been abandoned.
The term public use has now been held to be
synonymous with public interest, public benefit,
public welfare and public convenience. [Reyes v.
National Housing Authority, G.R. No. 147511,
January 20, 2003]
The practical reality that greater benefit may be
derived by Iglesia ni Cristo members than most
others could well be true, but such peculiar
advantage still remains merely incidental and
secondary in nature. That only few would benefit
from the expropriation of the property does not
necessarily diminish the essence and character of
public use [Manosca v. Court of Appeals, 252 SCRA
412]
3. Just Compensation
Definition
It is the just and complete equivalent of the loss
which the owner of the thing expropriated has to
suffer by reason of the expropriation.
Full and fair equivalent of the property taken; it is
the fair market value of the property. It is settled
that the market value of the property is that the
sum of money which a person, desirous but not
compelled to buy, and an owner, willing but not
compelled to sell, would agree on as a price to be
given and received therefor [Province of Tayabas
vs. Perez (1938)]
Determination
BASIS: Fair Market Value
Price fixed by a buyer desirous but not compelled to
buy and a seller willing but not compelled to sell.
Must include consequential damages (damages to
other interest of the owner attributable to the
expropriation) and deduct consequential benefits
(increase of value of other interests attributable to
new use of the former property).
CHOICE OF PROPERTY TO BE EXPROPRIATED IS
SUBJECT
TO
JUDICIAL
REVIEW
AS
TO
REASONABLENESS: Under Section 2, Article IV of the
Philippine Constitution, the Republic of the
Philippines can take private property upon payment
of just compensation. However, private property to
be taken cannot be chosen arbitrarily and
capriciously, as the landowner is entitled to due
process. The Department of Public Highways
originally established the extension in Cuneta
Avenue, and it is assumed that they made extensive
studies regarding it. The change from Cuneta Avenue
to Fernando Rein-Del Pan Streets cannot be justified
on the ground of social impact, as the properties to
be affected along Cuneta Avenue are mostly motels.
[De Knecht vs. Bautista (1980)]
The Presidential Decrees merely serve as a guide or
a factor for the courts in determining amount of just
compensation (which should be the fair and full
Effect of Delay
Just compensation means not only the correct
amount to be paid to the owner of the land but also
payment within a reasonable time from its taking
[Eslaban v. De Onorio, G.R. No. 146062, June 28,
2001]
The filing of the case generally coincides with the
taking. When the filing of the case coincides with
the taking, and the value of the property has
increased because of the use to which the
expropriator has put it, the value is that of the time
of the earlier taking. Otherwise the owner would
gain undeserved profit. But if the value increased
independently of what the expropriator did, then
the value is that of the later filing of the case. Also,
between the time payment is due and the actual
payment, legal interest (6%) accrues. [NAPOCOR v.
CA (1996)]
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CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 2
5. Miscellaneous Application
What the due process clause requires is that the
landowner must be given reasonable opportunity to
be heard and to present his claim or defense.
Although due process does not always necessarily
demand that a proceeding be had before a court of
law, it still mandates some form of proceeding
wherein notice and reasonable opportunity to be
heard are given to the owner to protect his property
rights. Although there are exceptional situations
when in the exercise of the power of eminent
domain, the requirement does not need judicial
process, when it is alleged that the landowners
right to due process of law has been violated in the
taking of his property, the courts can probe and
check on the alleged violation. [Manotok vs. NHA
(1987)]
The performance of the administrative acts
necessary to the exercise of the power of eminent
domain in behalf of the state is lodged by tradition
in the Sovereign or other Chief Executive.
Where the Legislature has expressly conferred the
authority to maintain expropriation proceedings
upon the Chief Executive, the right of the latter to
proceed therein is clear.
Once authority is given to exercise the power of
eminent domain, the matter ceases to be wholly
legislative. The executive authorities may then
decide whether the power will be invoked and to
what extent. (citations omitted) [Visayan Refining
Co. vs. Camus, G.R. No. L-15870, December 3, 1919]
The particular mention in the Constitution of
agrarian reform and the transfer of utilities and
other private enterprises to public ownership merely
underscores the magnitude of the problems sought
to be remedied by these programs. They do not
preclude nor limit the exercise of the power of
eminent domain for such purposes like tourism and
other development programs.
There can be no doubt that expropriation for such
traditions' purposes as the construction of roads,
bridges, ports, waterworks, schools, electric and
telecommunications systems, hydroelectric power
plants, markets and slaughterhouses, parks,
hospitals, government office buildings, and flood
control or irrigation systems is valid. However, the
concept of public use is not limited to traditional
purposes. Here as elsewhere the Idea that "public
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expropriation of private lands to be subdivided into
small lots and conveyed at cost to deserving citizens.
M. Contracts Clause
1. Application of the Contracts Clause
2. Contemporary Application of the Contracts
Clause
3. Limitations
Art. III Section 10 (1987 Constitution):
No law impairing the obligation of contracts shall be
passed.
1. Application
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CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 2
popularity. Such laws might affect advertising
contracts, the non-impairment clause of the
Constitution must yield to the loftier purposes
targeted by the Government. [Chavez v. COMELEC
(2004)]
The Court has imposed 2 essential requisites in order
that RA 7641 (Retirement Law) may be given
retroactive effect. First, the claimant for retirement
benefits must still be in the employ of the employer
at the time the statute took effect. Second, the
claimant must have complied with the requirements
for eligibility for such retirement benefits under the
statute. [Universal Robina Sugar v. Cabaleda (2008)]
3. Limitations
It is ingrained in jurisprudence that the
constitutional prohibition does not prohibit every
change in existing laws. To fall within the
prohibition, the change must not only impair the
obligation of the existing contract, but the
impairment must be substantial. Moreover, the law
must effect a change in the rights of the parties with
reference to each other, and not with respect to
non-parties. [Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives
Association v. Secretary, DILG, G.R. No. 143076,
June 10, 2003]
O. Rights of Suspects
1. Availability
2. Requisites
3. Waiver
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CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 2
ART. III, SEC. 12, 1987 CONSTITUTION
1. Any person under investigation for the
commission of an offense shall have the right to
be informed of his right to remain silent and to
have competent and independent counsel
preferably of his own choice. If the person
cannot afford the services of counsel, he must
be provided with one. These rights cannot be
waived except in writing and in the presence of
counsel.
2. No
torture,
force,
violence,
threat,
intimidation, or any other means which vitiate
the free will shall be used against him. Secret
detention places, solitary, incommunicado, or
other similar forms of detention are prohibited.
3. Any confession or admission obtained in
violation of this or Section 17 hereof shall be
inadmissible in evidence against him.
4. The law shall provide for penal and civil
sanctions for violations of this section as well as
compensation to the rehabilitation of victims of
torture or similar practices, and their families.
1. Availability
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CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 2
eliciting incriminating statements. [People vs. Mara
(1994)]
2. Requisites
People vs. Agustin (1995): This carries the
correlative obligation on the part of the investigator
to
explain,
and
contemplates
effective
under
c. Right to Counsel
RA 7438, Rights of Persons under Custodial
Investigation; Section 2. Rights of Persons Arrested,
Detained or Under Custodial Investigation; Duties of
Public Officers.
(a) Any person arrested detained or under custodial
investigation shall at all times be assisted by
counsel; otherwise the waiver shall be null and
void and of no effect.
The Miranda doctrine was modified to qualify
the right to counsel to mean competent and
independent counsel preferably of the
suspect's own choice.
An individual need not make a preinterrogation request for a lawyer.
While such request affirmatively secures his
right to have one, his failure to ask for a
lawyer does not constitute a waiver.
No effective waiver of the right to counsel
during interrogation can be recognized
unless specifically made AFTER the
warnings have been given.
The accused who does not know his
rights and therefore does not make a
request may be the person who most
needs counsel.
If an individual indicates that he wishes the
assistance
of
counsel
before
any
interrogation occurs, the authorities cannot
rationally ignore or deny his request on the
basis that the individual does not have or
cannot afford a retained attorney.
In order fully to apprise a person interrogated
of the extent of his rights under this system
then, it is necessary to warn him not only
that he has the right to consult with an
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CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 2
attorney, but also that if he is indigent a
lawyer will be appointed to represent him.
The right to counsel does not mean that the accused
must personally hire his own counsel. The
constitutional requirement is satisfied when a
counsel is engaged by anyone acting on behalf of the
person under investigation, or appointed by the
court upon petition by said person or by someone on
his behalf. [People v. Espiritu, G.R. No. 128287,
February 2, 1999]
POLICE LINE-UPS When petitioner was identified by
the complainant at the police line-up, he had not
been held yet to answer for a criminal offense. The
police line-up is not a part of the custodial inquest,
hence, he was not yet entitled to counsel.
Rule on Waiver
SEC. 12, ART. III:
(1) Must be in writing
(2) Made in the presence of counsel
RA 7438, Rights of Persons under Custodial
Investigation; Section 2. Rights of Persons Arrested,
Detained or Under Custodial Investigation; Duties of
Public Officers.
(e) Any waiver by a person arrested or detained
under the provisions of Article 125 of the Revised
Penal Code, or under custodial investigation, shall
be in writing and signed by such person in the
presence of his counsel; otherwise the waiver shall
be null and void and of no effect.
Thus, it was held that when the process had not yet
shifted from the investigatory to the accusatory as
when police investigation does not elicit a confession
the accused may not yet avail of the services of his
lawyer. [Escobedo vs. Illinois of the United States
Federal Supreme Court (1964)]
3. Waiver
What Cannot be Waived
(1) The right to remain silent and the right to
counsel may be waived.
(2) What CANNOT be waived is THE RIGHT TO
BE GIVEN THE MIRANDA WARNINGS.
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Section 1. Rights of accused at trial. In all
criminal prosecutions, the accused shall be entitled
to the following rights:
(a) To be presumed innocent until the contrary is
proved beyond reasonable doubt.
(b) To be informed of the nature and cause of the
accusation against him.
(c) To be present and defend in person and by
counsel at every stage of the proceedings, from
arraignment to promulgation of the judgment.
The accused may, however, waive his presence
at the trial pursuant to the stipulations set forth
in his bail, unless his presence is specifically
ordered by the court for purposes of
identification.
The absence of the accused without justifiable
cause at the trial of which he had notice shall
be considered a waiver of his right to be present
thereat.
When an accused under custody escapes, he
shall be deemed to have waived his right to be
present on all subsequent trial dates until
custody over him is regained. Upon motion, the
accused may be allowed to defend himself in
person when it sufficiently appears to the court
that he can properly protect his rights without
the assistance of counsel.
(d) To testify as a witness in his own behalf but
subject to cross-examination on matters
covered by direct examination. His silence shall
not in any manner prejudice him.
(e) To be exempt from being compelled to be a
witness against himself.
(f) To confront and cross-examine the witnesses
against him at the trial. Either party may utilize
as part of its evidence the testimony of a
witness who is deceased, out of or cannot with
due diligence be found in the Philippines,
unavailable, or otherwise unable to testify,
given in another case or proceeding, judicial or
administrative, involving the same parties and
subject matter, the adverse party having the
opportunity to cross-examine him.
(g) To have compulsory process issued to secure the
attendance of witnesses and production of other
evidence in his behalf.
(h) To have speedy, impartial and public trial.
(i) To appeal in all cases allowed and in the manner
prescribed by law.
2. Bail
Sec. 13, Art. III. All persons, except those charged
with offenses punishable by reclusion perpetua when
the evidence of guilt is strong, shall, before
conviction, be bailable by sufficient sureties, or be
released on recognizance as may be provided by law.
The right to bail shall not be impaired even when
the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus is
suspended. Excessive bail shall not be required.
Definition [Sec. 1, Rule 114, ROC]
Bail is the security given for the release of a person
in custody of the law, furnished by him or a
bondsman, conditioned upon his appearance before
any court as may be required.
Before conviction, every person is bailable except if
charged with capital offenses when the evidence of
guilt is strong. Such a right flows from the
presumption of innocence in favor of every accused
who should not be subjected to the loss of freedom
as thereafter he would be entitled to acquittal,
unless his guilt be proved beyond reasonable doubt.
[Dela Camara vs. Enage (1971)]
The military men who participated in the failed coup
d etat should be denied release on bail. The
argument that denial from the military of the right
to bail would violate the equal protection clause is
not acceptable, given that the officers and members
of the military are not similarly situated with others.
They are allowed a fiduciary use of firearms and can
easily continue their insurgent activities against the
government. National security considerations should
impress upon the Court that release on bail of
respondents constitutes a damaging precedent.
[Comendador vs. De Villa (1991)]
It has not been alleged that the persons to be
arrested for their alleged participation in the
"rebellion" on May 1, 2001 are members of an
outlawed organization intending to overthrow the
government. Therefore, to justify a warrantless
arrest under Section 5(a), there must be a showing
that the persons arrested or to be arrested has
committed, is actually committing or is attempting
to commit the offense of rebellion. In other words,
there must be an overt act constitutive of rebellion
taking place in the presence of the arresting officer.
This requirement was not complied with particularly
in the arrest of Senator Enrile. In the Court's
Resolution of May 5, 2001 in the petition for habeas
corpus filed by Senator Enrile, the Court noted that
the sworn statements of the policemen who
purportedly arrested him were hearsay. Senator
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Enrile was arrested two (2) days after he delivered
allegedly seditious speeches. Consequently, his
arrest without warrant cannot be justified under
Section 5(b) which states that an arrest without a
warrant is lawful when made after an offense has
just been committed and the arresting officer or
private person has probable cause to believe based
on personal knowledge of facts and circumstances
that the person arrested has committed the offense.
Since the evidence in this case is hearsay, the
evidence of guilt is not strong, bail is allowed.
[Enrile vs. Perez (En Banc Resolution, 2001)]
Matter of Discretion
1. In case the evidence
of guilt is strong. In such
a case, according to
People vs. San Diego
(1966),
the
court's
discretion to grant bail
must be exercised in the
light of a summary of the
evidence presented by
the prosecution.
Thus, the order granting
or refusing bail must
contain a summary of
the evidence for the
prosecution followed by
the
conclusion
on
whether or not the
evidence of guilt is
strong (Note: it is not
the existence of guilt
itself
which
is
concluded
but
the
strength
of
the
probability that guilt
exists).
2.
In
extradition
proceedings. Extradition
courts do not render
judgments of conviction
or acquittal so it does
not matter WON the
crimes the accused is
being extradited for is
punishable by reclusion
perpetua [US Govt. vs.
Judge Puruganan and
Mark Jimenez (2002)]
When Available
General rule: From the very moment of arrest
(which may be before or after the filing of formal
charges in court) up to the time of conviction by
final judgment (which means after appeal).
10
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CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 2
3. Presumption of Innocence
The requirement of proof beyond reasonable doubt
is a necessary corollary of the constitutional right to
be presumed innocent. [People vs. Dramavo (1971)]
The accused cannot present evidence before the
prosecution does so, even if the accused pleads
guilty. It violates the presumption of innocence.
[Alejandro vs. Pepito (1980)]
The presumption of regularity (in official duties)
cannot by itself prevail over the presumption of
innocence of the accused. But where it is not the
sole basis for conviction, the presumption of
regularity of performance of official functions may
prevail over the constitutional presumption of
innocence. [People vs. Acuram (2000)]
EQUIPOISE RULE: Where the evidence adduced by
the parties is evenly balanced, the constitutional
presumption of innocence should tilt the balance in
favor of the accused. [Corpuz vs. People (1991)]
In order that circumstantial evidence may warrant
conviction, the following requisites must concur:
(1) There is more than one circumstance
(2) The facts from which the inferences are
derived are proven
(3) The combination of all the circumstances is
such as to produce conviction beyond
reasonable doubt. [People v. Bato, G.R. No.
113804, January 16, 1998]
4. Right to be Heard
SEC. 12, ART. III. 1987 CONSTITUTION.
1. Any person under investigation for the
commission of an offense shall have the right to be
informed of his right to remain silent and to have
competent and independent counsel preferably of
his own choice. If the person cannot afford the
services of counsel, he must be provided with one.
5. Assistance of Counsel
RA 7438. Rights of Persons under Custodial
Investigation. SEC. 2. Rights of Persons Arrested,
Detained or Under Custodial Investigation; Duties of
Public Officers. (a) Any person arrested detained
or under custodial investigation shall at all times
be assisted by counsel;
Elements of the Right to Counsel
(1) Courts duty to inform the accused of right
to counsel before being arraigned;
(2) It must ask him if he desires the services of
counsel;
(3) If he does, and is unable to get one, the
Court must give him one; if the accused
wishes to procure private counsel, the
Court must give him time to obtain one.
(4) Where no lawyer is available, the Court may
appoint any person resident of the province
and of good repute for probity and ability.
6. Right to be Informed
Procedural due process requires that the accused
must be informed why he is being prosecuted and
what charge he must meet. [Vera vs. People, supra]
10
9
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 2
Dismissal based on the denial of the right to speedy
trial amounts to an acquittal.
[Acevedo
vs.
Sarmiento (1970)]
Note: RA 8493 provides: a 30-day arraignment
within the filing of the information or from the date
the accused appeared before the court; trial shall
commence 30 days from the arraignment, as fixed by
the court. The entire trial period shall not exceed
180 days, except as otherwise authorized by the SC
Chief Justice.
The right to a speedy trial is violated only when the
proceeding is attended by vexatious, capricious and
oppressive
delays,
or
when
unjustified
postponements of the trial are asked for and
secured, or when without cause or justifiable
motive, a long period of time is allowed to elapse
without the party having his case tried. [dela Rosa v.
Court of Appeals, 253 SCRA 499; Tai Lim v. Court of
Appeals, G.R. No. 131483, October 26, 1999]
The different interests of the defendant which the
right to speedy trail are designed to protect are:
(1) To
prevent
oppressive
pre-trail
incarceration,
(2) To minimize anxiety and concern of the
accused,
(3) To limit the possibility that the defense will
be impaired.
But the right to speedy trail cannot be invoked
where to sustain the same would result in a clear
denial of due process to the prosecution. In essence,
the right to a speedy trial does not preclude the
peoples equally important right to public justice.
[Uy v. Hon. Adriano, G.r. No. 159098, October 27,
2006]
RA 8493 is a means of enforcing the right of the
accused to a speedy trial. The spirit of the law is
that the accused must go on record in the attitude
of demanding a trial or resisting delay. If he does not
do this, he must be held, in law, to have waived the
privilege. [Uy v. Hon. Adriano, G.R. No. 159098,
October 27, 2006]
8. Right of Confrontation
This is the basis of the right to cross-examination.
Testimony of a witness who has not submitted
himself to cross examination is not admissible in
evidence. The affidavits of witnesses who are not
presented during the trial, hence not subjected to
cross examination, are inadmissible because they are
hearsay. [People v. Quidate, G.R. No. 117401,
October 1, 1998; Cariago v. Court of Appeals, G.R.
No. 143561, June 6, 2001]
9. Compulsory Process
(1) Right to Secure Attendance of Witness
(2) Right to Production of Other Evidence
11
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CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 2
qualified, he cannot waive when he is to be
identified.
Trial in Absentia: As a general rule, subject to
certain exceptions, any constitutional or statutory
right may be waived if such waiver is not against
public policy.
Considering Art IV, Sec 19, 1973 Constitution (trial
of a capital offense may proceed even in the
absence of the accused) and the absence of any law
specifically requiring his presence at all stages of his
trial, there appears, no logical reason why
petitioner, although he is charged with a capital
offense, should be precluded from waiving his right
to be present in the proceedings for the
perpetuation of testimony, since this right was
conferred upon him for his protection and benefit.
[Aquino vs. Military Commission (1975)]
11
1
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 2
only by the prescribed setting or the conditions
essential to its existence, but, also, as regards the
time when and the place where it may be exercised.
Thus, the Court has the authority to inquire into the
existence of the factual bases for the proclamation
in order to determine its constitutional sufficiency.
The test for such judicial inquiry is whether or not
the Executive acted arbitrarily in issuing the
Proclamation. The test is not correctness, but
arbitrariness.
For the suspension of the privilege of the writ to be
valid, (a) there must be "invasion, insurrection or
rebellion" or, pursuant to paragraph (2), section 10
of Art. VII of the Constitution, "imminent danger
thereof"; and (b) public safety must require the
aforementioned suspension. The President declared
in Proclamation No. 889, as amended, that both
conditions are present, and the Supreme Court
agreed. The President did not act arbitrarily; the
Court acknowledged the existence of a sizeable
group of men (Communists and the NPA) who have
publicly risen in arms to overthrow the government
and have thus been and still are engaged in rebellion
against the Government of the Philippines. [Lansang
vs. Garcia (1971)]
It is not physical restraint alone which can be
inquired into by means of the writ of habeas corpus.
In this case, the petition is valid as petitioners
temporary release from detention is accompanied
with restrictions w/ the ff effects: 1) curtailed
freedom of movement by the condition that he must
get approval of respondents for any travel outside
Metro Manila, 2) abridged liberty of abode because
prior approval of respondent is required in case
petitioner wants to change place of residence, 3)
abridged freedom of speech due to prohibition from
taking any interviews inimical to national security,
and 4) petitioner is required to report regularly to
respondents or their reps. [Moncupa vs. Enrile
(1986)]
It being undeniable that if the Hernandez ruling
were to be given retroactive effect, petitioners had
served the full term for which they could have been
legally committed, is habeas corpus the appropriate
remedy?
YES. Cruz vs. Director of Prisons (1910): "The courts
uniformly hold that where a sentence imposes
punishment in excess of the power of the court to
impose, such sentence is void as to the excess. The
rule is that the petitioner is not entitled to his
discharge on a writ of habeas corpus unless he has
served out so much of the sentence as was valid."
While the above decision speaks of a trial judge
losing jurisdiction over the case, insofar as the
remedy of habeas corpus is concerned, the emphatic
affirmation that it is the only means of benefiting
the accused by the retroactive character of a
favorable decision holds true. Petitioners clearly
have thus successfully sustained the burden of
justifying their release. [Gumabon vs. Director of
Prisons (1971)]
R. Writ of Amparo
Definition
The petition for a writ of amparo is a remedy
available to any person whose right to life, liberty
11
2
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 2
and security is violated or threatened with violation
by an unlawful act or omission of a public official or
employee, or of a private individual or entity. [Sec.
1, The Rule on the Writ of Amparo]
Basis
The Supreme Court shall have the following powers:
xxx (5) Promulgate rules concerning the protection
and enforcement of constitutional rights, xxx. Such
rules shall provide a simplified and inexpensive
procedure for the speedy disposition of cases, shall
be uniform for all courts of the same grade, and
shall not diminish, increase, or modify substantive
rights. xxx [Sec. 5, Art. VIII, 1987 Consti]
Enforceability
Returnable
Before
the
issuing court or
judge
Anywhere
in
the Philippines
(1) Before the
issuing court or
justices
Court
of
Appeals or any
of its justices
SC or any of its
justices
any
justice
thereof, OR
(2) Any RTC of
the
place
where
the
threat, act or
omission was
committed or
any
of
its
elements
occurred
(1) Before the
issuing court or
any
justice
thereof
(2) Before the
Sandiganbayan
or CA or any of
their justices,
OR
(3) Any RTC of
the
place
where
the
threat, act or
omission was
committed or
any
of
its
elements
occurred
Docket fees
The petitioner shall be exempted from the payment
of the docket and other lawful fees when filing the
petition. The court, justice or judge shall docket
the petition and act upon it immediately. [Sec. 4]
Return
Within 72 hours after service of the writ, the
respondent shall file a verified written return
together with supporting affidavits which shall,
among other things, contain the following:
(a) The lawful defenses to show that the
respondent did not violate or threaten with
violation the right to life, liberty and
security of the aggrieved party, through any
act or omission
(b) The steps or actions taken by the
respondent to determine the date or
whereabouts of the aggrieved party and the
person/s responsible for the threat, act or
omission
(c) All relevant information in the possession of
the respondent pertaining to the threat, act
or omission against the aggrieved party
(d) If the respondent is a public official or
employee, the return shall further state the
actions that have been or will still be taken:
(i) To verify the identity of the
aggrieved party
(ii) To recover and preserve evidence
related
to
the
death
or
disappearance of the person
identified in the petition which
may aid in the prosecution of the
person/s responsible
11
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CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 2
(iii) To identify witnesses and obtain
statements from them concerning
the death or disappearance
(iv) To determine the cause, manner,
location and time of death or
disappearance as well as any
pattern or practice that may have
brought about the death or
disappearance
(v) To identify and apprehend the
person/s involved in the death or
disappearance
(vi) To bring the suspected offenders
before a competent court.
The return shall also state other matters relevant to
the investigation, its resolution and the prosecution
of the case.
A general denial of the allegations in the petition
shall not be allowed. [Sec. 9]
Hearing
The hearing on the petition shall be summary.
However, the court, justice or judge may call for a
preliminary conference to simplify the issues and
determine the possibility of obtaining stipulations
and admissions from the parties.
The hearing shall be from day to day until completed
and given the same priority as petitions for habeas
corpus. [Sec. 13]
Burden of proof
The parties shall establish their claims by substantial
evidence.
The respondent who is a private individual or entity
must prove that ordinary diligence as required by
applicable laws, rules and regulations was observed
in the performance of duty.
The respondent who is a public official or employee
must prove that extraordinary diligence as required
by applicable laws, rules and regulations was
observed in the performance of duty.
The respondent public official or employee cannot
invoke the presumption that official duty has been
regularly performed to evade responsibility or
liability. [Sec. 17]
The Manalo brothers were abducted, detained, and
tortured repeatedly by the military. After their
escape, they filed a petition for the privilege of the
Writ of Amparo. The Supreme Court granted the
petition and held that there was a continuing
violation of the Manalos right to security.
Considering that they only escaped from captivity
and have implicated military officers, there is still a
threat to their lives, liberty, and security. The
threat vitiates their free will and they are forced to
limit their movements and activities. The
government also failed to provide them protection
because the military themselves perpetrated the
abduction, detention, and torture. The government
also failed to provide an effective investigation.
S. Self-Incrimination Clause
1. Scope and Coverage
2. Application
3. Immunity Statutes
Foreign Laws
11
4
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 2
The privilege which exists as to private papers,
cannot be maintained in relation to records
required by law to be kept in order that there may
be suitable information of transactions which are the
appropriate subjects of governmental regulation and
the enforcement of restrictions validly established.
[Shapiro v. US (1948)]
In recent cases, the US Supreme Court has struck
down certain registration requirements that
presented real and appreciable risk of selfincrimination. These involved statues directed at
inherently suspect groups in areas permeated by
criminal statutes, a circumstance which laid the
subjects open to real risk of self-incrimination.
[BERNAS]
The great majority of persons who file income tax
returns do not incriminate themselves by disclosing
their
occupation.
The
requirement
that
such returns be completed and filed simply does not
involve the compulsion to incriminate considered in
Mackey. [US v. Sullivan (1927)]
2. Application
Involuntary Servitude
3. Immunity Statutes
Transactional Immunity
ART. XIII. SEC. 18. 1987 CONSTITUTION.
The Commission on Human Rights shall have the
following powers and functions: xxx
11
5
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 2
A former court stenographer may be compelled
under pain of contempt to transcribe stenographic
notes he had failed to attend to while in service. x x
x such compulsion is not the condition of enforced
compulsory service referred to by the Constitution.
Fernando, J. concurring opinion:
The matter could become tricky should a
stenographer stubbornly refuse to obey and the
court insist on keeping him in jail. The detention
could then become punitive and give rise to the
issue of involuntary servitude. [Aclaracion v.
Gatmaitan (1975)]
Political Prisoners
Although they may also be considered as military
prisoners as indicated in the second "Whereas", are
in fact civil prisoners, accused of offenses of
political character, not amenable to military justice
but to the ordinary administration of justice in civil
courts.
If the petitioners are political prisoners subject to
the civil jurisdiction of ordinary courts of justice if
they are to be prosecuted at all, the army has no
jurisdiction, nor power, nor authority, from all legal
standpoints, to continue holding them in restraint.
They are entitled, as a matter of fundamental right,
to be immediately released, any allegation as to
whether the war was ended or not. [Raquiza v.
Bradford (1945)]
Sec. 19 of CA No. 682 authorizes that the political
prisoners in question "may be released on bail, even
prior to the presentation of the corresponding
information," and this may be done "existing
provisions of law to the contrary notwithstanding."
We must assume that the discretion granted must be
construed in the sense that the same may be
exercised in cases wherein it was not heretofore
granted by law. And it is reasonable to assume that
the discretion granted is to the effect that the
People's Court may exercise jurisdiction to order the
release on bail of political prisoners "even prior to
the presentation of the corresponding information."
[Duran v. Abad Santos (1945)]
Petitioner has also contended that his arrest was
partly motivated by political reasons, and has
endeavored to show that, due to his oratorical
ability, he became very popular and contributed "to
the bad licking" of political opponents in Davao.
Petitioner also called our attention to the fact that
of the thousands of other prisoners who were
released by the Japanese by pardon or otherwise, no
one except him has been re-arrested. Thus,
Camasura
was
released
from
confinement.
[Camasura v. Provost Marshal (1947)]
11
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CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 2
and the Executive Department of the position of the
House of Representative on this matter and urging
the President to exhaust all means under the law to
immediately implement the death penalty law.")
House Resolution No. 25 expressed the sentiment
that the House ". . . does not desire at this time to
review Republic Act 7659." In addition, the President
has stated that he will not request Congress to ratify
the Second Protocol in review of the prevalence of
heinous crimes in the country. [Echegaray v.
Secretary (1998)]
To be prohibited by this provision the punishment
must not only be unusual but it must also be cruel.
There is no reason why unusual punishments which
were not cruel should have been prohibited. If that
had been done it would have been impossible to
change the punishments that existed when the
Constitution was adopted. A law which changes a
penalty so as to make it less severe would be
unconstitutional if the new penalty were an unusual
one.
Punishments are cruel when they involve torture or a
lingering death; but the punishment of death is not
cruel, within the meaning of that word as used in
the Constitution. It implies there something inhuman
and barbarous, something more than the mere
extinguishment of life. The constitutional limit must
be reckoned on the basis of the nature and mode of
punishment measured in terms of physical pain.
[Legarda v. Valdez (1902)]
Cruel and unusual as found in the Constitution, do
not have the same meaning as clearly excessive
found in Article 5 of the Penal Code. It takes more
than merely being harsh, excessive, out of
proportion, or severe for a penalty to be obnoxious
to the Constitution. The fact that the punishment
authorized by the statute is severe does not make it
cruel and unusual. x x x the punishment must be
flagrantly and plainly oppressive, wholly
disproportionate to the nature of the offense as to
shock the moral sense of the community [for it to be
banned]. [People v. Estoista (1953)]
Sec 19 (2) as worded, already embodies
constitutional authorization for the Commission on
Human Rights to take action in accordance with Art
XIII Sec 18. There is a command addressed to
Congressed to pass whatever civil or penal
legislation might be required for the subject.
[BERNAS]
W. Double Jeopardy
1. Requisites
2. Motions for Reconsideration and Appeals
3. Dismissal with Consent of Accused
SEC. 21. ART. III. No person shall be twice put in
jeopardy of punishment for the same offense. If an
act is punished by a law and an ordinance,
conviction or acquittal under either shall constitute
a bar to another prosecution for the same act.
Termination of Jeopardy
(1) By acquittal
(2) By final conviction
(3) By dismissal without express consent of
accused
(4) By dismissal on the merits
1. Requisites
(1) Court of competent jurisdiction;
(2) A Complaint/Information sufficient in form
and substance to sustain a conviction;
(3) Arraignment and plea by the accused;
(4) Conviction, acquittal, or dismissal of the
case without the express consent, of the
accused. [Rule 117, Sec. 7; People vs.
Obsania (1968)]
When Subsequent Prosecution is Barred
(1) Same offense
(2) Attempt of the same offense
(3) Frustration of the same offense
(4) Offense necessarily included in the 1st
offense (All the elements of the 2nd
constitute some of the elements of the 1st
offense)
(5) Offense that necessarily includes the 1st
offense (All the elements of the 1st
constitute some of the elements of the 2nd
offense)
Exceptions
(1) The graver offense developed due to
"supervening facts" arising from the same
11
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CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 2
act or omission constituting the former
charged.
(2) The facts constituting the graver charge
became known or were discovered only
after the filing of the former complaint or
information.
(3) The plea of guilty to the lesser offense was
made without the consent of the fiscal and
the offended party.
When Defense of Double Jeopardy is Available
(1) Dismissal based on insufficiency of
evidence;
(2) Dismissal because of denial of right to
speedy trial;
(3) Accused is discharged to be a state witness.
11
8
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 2
the writ of habeas corpus. [Montenegro v. Castaeda
(1952)]
Bills of AttainderDefined
A bill of attainder is a legislative act which inflicts
punishment without judicial trial. If the punishment
be less than death, the act is termed a bill of pains
Annex A
QUERY
What is the writ of
habeas data?
HABEAS DATA
Remedy
Available to any person
Whose right to life, liberty, and security
has been violated or is threatened with violation
By an unlawful act or omission
of a public official or employee, or of a private individual or entity
Engaged in the gathering, collecting or storing of data or information
regarding the person, family, home and correspondence of the aggrieved
party.
The Rule on the Writ of Habeas Data (A.M. No. 08-1-16-SC), which was approved by the
Supreme Court on 22 January 2008. That Rule shall not diminish, increase or modify
substantive rights.
11
9
UP
L
AW
BAR REVIEWER
2012
POLITICAL
LAW
POLITICAL LAW TEAM 2012
Faculty Editor | Florin T. Hilbay
Subject Heads| Rogelio
Benjamin Redoble Moises
Ronette Colobong
Contributors| Alferri Bayalan
Cielo Gono Noel Luciano
LAYOUT TEAM 2012
Layout Artists | Alyanna
Apacible Noel Luciano RM
Meneses Jenin Velasquez
Mara Villegas Naomi Quimpo
Leslie Octaviano Yas Refran
Cris Bernardino
Layout Head| Graciello Timothy
Reyes
POLITICAL LAW
A. General Principles
B. Modes of Acquiring Title to Public
Office
C. Modes and Kinds of Appointment
D. Eligibility and Qualification
Requirements
E. Disabilities and Inhibitions of Public
Officers
F. Powers and Duties of Public
Officers
G. Rights of Public Officers
H. Liabilities of Public Officers
I. Immunity of Public Officers
J. De Facto Officers
K. Termination of Official Relation
L. The Civil Service
M. Accountability of Public Officers
N. Term Limits
A. General Principles
I. Concept and Application
II. Public Officer
III. Classification of Public Officers and Public
Officers
2. Purpose
to effect the end for the governments
institution : common good;
NOT profit, honor, or private interest of any
person, family or class of persons [63 Am
Jur 2d 667]
3. Nature
Philippine Constitution, Art. XI
Sec. 1. Public office is a public trust. Public officers
and employees must, at all times, be accountable to
4. Elements
i.
v.
Note:
The elements of permanence and
continuity are dispensable.
On the dispensability of the element of
permanence: an example is the public office of
the Board of Canvassers, yet its duties are only
for a limited period of time.
On the dispensability of the element of
continuance: Mechem in one case states that
the the most important characteristic in
characterizing a position as a public office is
the DELEGATION to the individual of some of
the sovereign functions of government.
o Here, the court held that Laurel, as chair of
the National Centennial Commission (NCC),
is a public officer. The public office of NCC
was delegated and is performing executive
functions: it enforces the conservation and
promotion of the nations historical and
cultural heritage.
o Such delegated function is a policy embodied
in the Constitution. It is inconsequential
12
1
Subject
Matter
Scope
Public Office
Incident of
sovereignty.
Sovereignty is
omnipresent.
To carry out the
sovereign as well as
governmental
functions affecting
even persons not
bound by the
contract.
A public office
embraces the idea
of tenure,
duration,
continuity, and the
duties connected
therewith are
generally
continuing and
permanent.
Duties that are
generally
continuing and
permanent.
Public Contract
Originates from will
of contracting
parties.
Obligations
imposed only upon
the persons who
entered into the
contract.
Limited duration and
specific in its object.
Its terms define and
limit the rights and
obligations of the
parties, and neither
may depart
therefrom without
the consent of the
other.
Duties are very
specific to the
contract.
Where
duties
are
defined
The law
Contract
by the Constitution
by statute / law
GENERAL RULE:
The creation of a public
office is PRIMARILY a Legislative Function.
EXCEPTIONS:
o where the offices are created by the
Constitution;
12
2
Definition
(What he is) He performs governmental public
functions / duties which involve the
exercise of discretion ( not clerical or
manual)
Method
Singlehead
Composition
one head assisted
by subordinates
Board
System
11. Modification
Office
and
Efficiency
Swifter decision and
action
but may sometimes
be hastily made
Mature studies and
deliberations but
may be slow in
responding to issues
and problems
Abolition
of
Public
GENERAL RULE
The power to create an office includes the power to
modify or abolish it (i.e. Legislature generally has
this power)
EXCEPTIONS
Where
the
Constitution
prohibits
such
modification / abolition;
12
3
Creation
Public Body Served
Nature of functions
Exercise of Judgment or Discretion
Legality of Title to office
Compensation
Election
Appointment
Others:
a. Succession by operation of law;
b. Direct provision of law, e.g. ex-officio officers
1. Election
EXCEPTIONS
2. Appointment
Constitutional
Statutory
National
Local
Legislative
Executive
Judicial
Civil
Military
Quasi-judicial
Ministerial
De Jure
De Facto
Lucrative
Honorary
(a) Definition
Designation
Definition
Imposition of
additional duties
upon existing
office
Extent of
Powers
Security of
tenure?
Is prior/1st
office
abandoned
when
Limited
Appointment
Appointing
authority selects
an individual
who will occupy
a certain public
office
Comprehensive
No.
Yes.
a 2nd
designated
position is
assumed?
NO
a 2nd
appointive
position is
assumed?
Usually YES
12
4
I. Classification of Appointments
1)
2)
Permanent:
The permanent appointee:
o must be qualified
o must be eligible
o is constitutionally guaranteed security
of tenure
(Duration) until lawful termination.
Note: Conditional appointments are not
permanent.
Temporary:
an acting appointment;
the temporary appointee
qualified or eligible;
NEED
NOT
be
Ambassadors;
12
5
Presumed.
Administrators of public officers, primarily the
department heads should be entrusted with plenary,
or at least sufficient, discretion. Their position most
favorably determines who can best fulfill the
functions of a vacated office. There should always
be full recognition of the wide scope of a
discretionary authority, UNLESS the law speaks in
the most mandatory and peremptory tone,
considering all the circumstances. [Reyes v.
Abeleda (1968)]
Discretionary Act.
Appointment is an essentially discretionary power. It
must be performed by the officer in whom it is
vested, the only condition being that the appointee
should possess the qualifications required by law.
[Lapinid v. CSC (1991)]
12
6
I. Definition
Eligibility:
endowment/requirement/accomplish-ment that
fits one for a public office.
V. Effectivity of Appointment
Immediately upon appointing authoritys issuance
(Rule V, Sec. 10, Omnibus Rules)
Midnight appointments
o GENERAL RULE: A President or Acting
President shall not appoint 2 months
immediately before the next presidential
elections until his term ends. (Art. VII, Sec.
15, 1987 Const.)
o EXCEPTION: Temporary appointments to
executive
positions
when
continued
vacancies will prejudice public service or
will endanger public safety.
GENERAL RULE:
Congress is empowered to
prescribe the qualifications for holding public
office.
12
7
V. Qualifications Prescribed By
Constitution
1.
2.
3.
For
Congressmen
(Sec.
6,
Art.
VI,
Constitution)
Natural-born citizen
25 years old on election day
able to read and write
registered voter in district in which he shall
be elected
resident thereof for not less than one year
immediately preceding election day
4.
5.
12
8
6.
7.
Natural-born citizen
35 years old at time of appointment
proven capacity for public administration
not a candidate for any elective position in
election
immediately
preceding
appointment
COA Commissioners
Natural-born citizen
35 years old at time of appointment
CPA with >10 year of auditing experience or
Bar member engaged in practice of law for at
least 10 years
Not candidates for any elective position in
election
immediately
preceding
appointment.
Notes:
Qualification Standards
It enumerates the minimum requirements for
a class of positions in terms of education,
training and experience, civil service
eligibility, physical fitness, and other
qualities
required
for
successful
performance.
(Sec.
22,
Book
V,
Administrative Code)
The Departments and Agencies are responsible
for continuously establishing, administering
and maintaining the qualification standards
as an incentive to career advancement.
(Sec. 7, Rule IV, Omnibus Rules)
Such establishment, administration, and
maintenance shall be assisted and approved
by the CSC and shall be in consultation with
the Wage and Position Classification Office
(ibid)
It shall be established for all positions in the
1st and 2nd levels (Sec. 1, Rule IV,
Omnibus Rules)
Party-list representation;
Commission on Appointments;
Citizenship
Aliens not eligible for public office.
The purpose of the citizenship requirement is
to ensure that no alien, i.e., no person
12
9
Public Officer
The President, Vice
President, the Members
of the Cabinet and their
deputies or assistants
Senator or Member of
the House of
Representatives
GENERAL RULE
Pardon will not restore the right to hold public
office. (Art. 36, Revised Penal Code)
EXCEPTIONS
When the reason for granting pardon is noncommission of the imputed crime. [Garcia v.
Chairman, COA (1993)]
Disqualifications
shall not hold any other
office or employment
during their tenure,
UNLESS otherwise
provided in the
Constitution, (Art. VII,
Sec. 13)
may not hold during his
term any other office or
employment in the
Government, or any
subdivision, agency or
instrumentality thereof,
including government owned or -controlled
corporations or their
subsidiaries
Members of the
Supreme Court and
other courts established
by law
Members of the
Constitutional
Commission
Ombudsman and his
Deputies
Members of
Constitutional
Commissions, the
Ombudsman and his
Deputies
Members of
Constitutional
Commissions, the
Ombudsman and his
Deputies
The Presidents spouse
and relatives by
consanguinity or affinity
within the fourth civil
degree
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0
Other Disqualifications
1. Mental or physical incapacity
2. Misconduct or crime: persons convicted of
crimes involving moral turpitude are USUALLY
disqualified from holding public office.
3. Impeachment
4. Removal or suspension from office: not
presumed non-imposable when such
ineligibility is not constitutional or statutory
declared.
5. Previous tenure of office: for example, an
appointed Ombudsman is absolutely disqualified
for reappointment (Article XI, Constitution).
6. Consecutive terms limit:
i. Vice-President = 2 consecutive terms
ii. Senator = 2 consecutive terms
iii. Representative = 3 consecutive terms
iv.Elective local officials = 3 consecutive terms
(Sec. 8, Art. X, Constitution)
8.
Disqualifications
corporations. (Art. VIII,
Sec. 13)
9.
13
1
1. As to Nature
a.Ministerial
b. Discretionary
13
2
f. Ethical duties
Every public officer is bound to perform the
duties of his office honestly, faithfully and to
of
I. In General
(De Leon, 2008)
2. Rights as a citizen
a. Protection from publication commenting on
his fitness and the like
13
3
3. Next-in-Rank Rule
Right to self-organization
4. Personnel Actions
13
4
13
5
13
6
b.
J. De Facto Officers
I. De Facto Doctrine
II. De Facto Officer Defined
III. Elements of a De Facto Officership
IV. Office created under an unconstitutional
statute
V. Legal Effect of Acts of De Facto Officers
VI. Liability of De Facto Officers
VII. Right to Compensation of De Facto Officer
I. De Facto Doctrine
13
7
a.
Requisites
He is legally
qualified for the
office;
De Jure
A de jure office
exists;
He is lawfully
chosen to such
office;
Basis of
Authority
He undertakes to
perform the
duties of such
office according
to laws
prescribed mode.
Right:
He has the lawful
right / title to
the office
How
ousted
Cannot be
ousted.
Validity of
official
acts
Valid, subject to
exceptions (e.g.,
acting beyond his
scope of
authority, etc.)
Rightfully
entitled to
compensation;
Rule on
Compensation
De Facto
De jure office;
He assumed
office under color
of right or
general
acquiescence by
the public;
He actually and
physically
possessed the
office in good
faith.
Reputation: He
possesses office
and performs its
duties under
color of right, but
he is not
technically
qualified to act in
all points of law
In a direct
proceeding (quo
warranto);
(collaterally)
Valid as to the
public until his
title to the office
is adjudged
insufficient.
Conditionally
entitled to
receive
compensation:
only when no de
jure officer is
declared;
He is paid only
for actual
services
rendered.
b.
Nature
Basis of
authority
De Facto
He becomes
officer under any
of the 4
circumstances
discussed under
Part II (above).
Color of right or
title to office
Intruder
He possesses
office and
performs official
acts without
actual or
apparent
authority.
None. Neither
lawful title nor
color of right to
13
8
Rule on
compensation
Valid as to the
public until his
title to the office
is adjudged
insufficient
Entitled to
receive
compensation
only when no de
jure officer is
declared and only
for actual
services
rendered.
Intruder
office.
Absolutely void;
His acts can be
impeached at any
time in any
proceeding
(unless and until
he continues to
act for a long
time, creating a
presumption of
his right to act)
(De Leon, 119)
Not entitled to
compensation at
all.
13
9
IV. Resignation
14
0
V. Acceptance of an incompatible
office
IX. Impeachment
X. Abolition of office
VIII. Removal
14
1
XII. Recall
Through recall, an elective official may be removed
at any time during his term by the vote of the
people at an election called for such purpose or at a
general election.
I. Scope
Civil Service Commissions (CSCs) Jurisdiction
Exclusive Jurisdiction
o Disciplinary cases
o Cases involving personnel action affecting
the Civil Service employees
Promotion
Transfer
Reinstatement
Reemployment
Detail, reassignment
Demotion
Separation
o Employment status
o Qualification standards
Recall of appointment
o Includes the authority to recall an
appointment which has been initially
approved when it is shown that the same
was issued in disregard of pertinent CSC
laws, rules and regulations.
o as opposed to Recall under Sec 69-75 of the
Local Government Code:
14
2
Requisites:
1. series of promotions
2. all promotional appointments are
simultaneously submitted to the
Commission for approval
3. the Commission disapproves the
appointment of a person to a
higher position.
No commission of delinquency or
misconduct, and is not separated.
o Same effect as Executive Clemency, which
completely obliterates the adverse effects
of the administrative decision which found
him guilty of dishonesty. He is restored ipso
facto upon grant of such. Application for
reinstatement = unnecessary.
Temporary Appointee
I. Impeachment
I. Impeachment
II. Ombudsman
III. Sandiganbayan
IV. Ill-Gotten Wealth
14
3
II. Ombudsman
(Agpalo, 2005)
Disciplinary Power Over Public Officers
III. Sandiganbayan
14
4
14
5
N. Term Limits
All elective local officials, except barangay
officials (Sec. 8, Art. X, Constitution; Sec. 43 LGC)
14
6
UP
L
AW
BAR REVIEWER
2012
POLITICAL
Administrative Law
BAR OPERATIONS COMMISSION 2012
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Ramon Carlo Marcaida |Commissioner
Raymond Velasco Mara Kriska Chen |Deputy Commissioners
Barbie Kaye Perez |Secretary
Carmen Cecilia Veneracion |Treasurer
Hazel Angeline Abenoja|Auditor
COMMITTEE HEADS
Eleanor Balaquiao Mark Xavier Oyales | Acads
Monique Morales Katleya Kate Belderol Kathleen Mae Tuason (D) Rachel
Miranda (D) |Special Lectures
Patricia Madarang Marinella Felizmenio |Secretariat
Victoria Caranay |Publicity and Promotions
Loraine Saguinsin Ma. Luz Baldueza |Marketing
Benjamin Joseph Geronimo Jose Lacas |Logistics
Angelo Bernard Ngo Annalee Toda|HR
Anne Janelle Yu Alyssa Carmelli Castillo |Merchandise
Graciello Timothy Reyes |Layout
Charmaine Sto. Domingo Katrina Maniquis |Mock Bar
Krizel Malabanan Karren de Chavez |Bar Candidates Welfare
Karina Kirstie Paola Ayco Ma. Ara Garcia |Events
OPERATIONS HEADS
Charles Icasiano Katrina Rivera |Hotel Operations
Marijo Alcala Marian Salanguit |Day-Operations
Jauhari Azis |Night-Operations
Vivienne Villanueva Charlaine Latorre |Food
Kris Francisco Rimban Elvin Salindo |Transpo
Paula Plaza |Linkages
LAW
POLITICAL LAW TEAM 2012
Faculty Editor | Florin T. Hilbay
Subject Heads| Rogelio
Benjamin Redoble Moises
Ronette Colobong
Contributors| Alferri Bayalan
Cielo Gono Noel Luciano
LAYOUT TEAM 2012
Layout Artists | Alyanna
Apacible Noel Luciano RM
Meneses Jenin Velasquez
Mara Villegas Naomi Quimpo
Leslie Octaviano Yas Refran
Cris Bernardino
Layout Head| Graciello Timothy
Reyes
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW
Administrative Law
Constitutional Law 1
Constitutional Law 2
Law on Public Officers
Administrative Law
Election Law
Local Governments
Public International Law
A.
B.
C.
D.
POLITICAL LAW
General Principles
Administrative Agencies
Powers of Administrative Agencies
Judicial Recourse and Review
A. General Principles
I. Definitions
Administrative Law is that branch of modern law
under which the executive department of the
government, acting in a quasi-legislative or quasijudicial capacity, interferes with the conduct of the
individual for the purpose of promoting the wellbeing of the community (DEAN ROSCOE POUND)
Administrative Agencies are the organs of
government, other than a court and other than the
legislature, which affect the rights of private parties
either through adjudication or through rule-making.
C. Powers of Administrative
Agencies
B. Administrative Agencies
I. Modes of Creation of Administrative Agencies
II. When is an agency administrative?
III. Type of Administrative Agencies
1) 1987 Constitution
(E.g. CSC, COMELEC, COA, CHR, Commission on
Appointments, Judicial and Bar Council and NEDA)
2) Legislative Enactments
(E.g. NLRC, SEC, PRC, Social Security Commission,
Commission on Immigration and Deportation,
14
8
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW
Potestas delegata non delegare potest. What has
been delegated cannot be delegated.
Legislative Delegation
Requisites for a valid delegation
(1) The law must be complete in itself and must set
forth the policy to be executed
(2) The law must fix a standard, the limits of which
are sufficiently determinate or determinable,
to which the delegate must conform
What is a sufficient standard:
(1) Defines legislative policy, marks its limits, maps
out its boundaries and specifies the public
agency to apply it; and
(2) Indicates the circumstances under which the
legislative command is to be effected.
[Santiago v COMELEC (1997); ABAKADA Guro
List vs Ermita (2005)]
Forms of the sufficient standard:
(1) Express
(2) Implied [Edu vs Ericta (1970)]
(3) Embodied in other statutes on the same matter
and not necessarily in the same law being
challenged. [Chiongbian vs Orbos (1995)]
Legislative Rules
Due process involves
whether the parties
were afforded the
opportunity to be
notified and heard
before the issuance of
the ruling.
Interpretative Rules
interpretation or give its
own set of rules.
Due process means that
the body observed the
proper procedure in
passing rules.
c. Contingent legislation
Pertains to rules and regulations made by an
administrative authority on the existence of certain
facts or things upon which the enforcement of the
law depends.
14
9
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW
EXCEPTIONS:
(a) Different date is fixed by law or
specified in the rule.
(b) In case of imminent danger to public
health, safety and welfare.
Penal Rules
Sec. 6, 1987 Administrative Code. Omission of
Some Rules. (2) Every rule establishing an offense
or defining an act which, pursuant to law is
punishable as a crime or subject to a penalty shall in
all cases be published in full text.
(1) The law itself must declare the act as
punishable and must also define or fix the
penalty for the violation.
(2) Can administrative bodies make penal rules? NO.
Penal statutes are exclusive to the legislature
and cannot be delegated. Administrative rules
and regulations must not include, prohibit or
punish acts which the law does not even define
as a criminal act. [People vs Maceren (1977)]
(3) If a rule is penal, it must be published before it
takes effect. [People vs Que Po Lay (1954)]
General Rule
A tribunal, board or officer exercising judicial
functions acts without jurisdiction if no authority has
been conferred to it by law to hear and decide cases
(1) Jurisdiction to hear is explicitly or by necessary
implication, conferred through the terms of
the enabling statute.
(2) Effect
of
administrative
acts
outside
jurisdictionVOID.
15
0
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW
review becomes a farce; it is rendered
meaningless. [Rivera vs CSC (1995)]
(2)
When required:
(1) When the law specifically requires it.
(2) When it affects a persons status and liberty.
When not required:
(1) Urgent reasons.
(2) Discretion is exercised by an officer vested with
it upon an undisputed fact.
(3) If it involves the exercise of discretion and there
is no grave abuse.
(4) When rules to govern future conduct of persons
or enterprises, unless law provides otherwise.
(5) In the valid exercise of police power.
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
15
1
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW
once
judicially
authorities.
determined
by
competent
15
2
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW
administrative agencies and the legislative intent on
the matter is to have uniformity in the rulings.
It can only occur where there is a concurrence of
jurisdiction
between
the
court
and
the
administrative agency.
It is a question of the court yielding to the agency
because of the latters expertise, and does not
amount to ouster of the court. [Texas & Pacific
Railway v Abilene (1907)]
Requisites:
(1) Administrative body and the regular court have
concurrent and original jurisdiction
(2) Question to be resolved requires expertise of
administrative agency
(3) Legislative intent on the matter is to have
uniformity in rulings
(4) Administrative agency is performing a quasijudicial or adjudicatory function (not rulemaking or quasi-legislative function [Smart vs
NTC (2003)]
Rationale: It is presumed that an administrative
agency, if afforded an opportunity to pass upon a
matter, would decide the same correctly, or correct
any previous error committed in its forum [Caballes
v Sison (2004)]
When the Doctrine is Inapplicable:
(1) If the agency has exclusive jurisdiction
(2) When the issue is not within the competence of
the administrative body to act on.
(3) When the issue involved is clearly a factual
question that does not require specialized skills
and knowledge for resolution to justify the
exercise of primary jurisdiction.
Effect
The case is not dismissed, but merely suspended
until after the matters within the competence of the
administrative agency are threshed out and
determined. [Vidad vs RTC (1993)]
15
3
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW
(3) Administrative remedy not exclusive but merely
cumulative or concurrent to a judicial remedy.
[Pascual vs Provincial Board (1959)]
(4) Validity and urgency of judicial action or
intervention. [Paat vs CA (1997)]
(5) No other plain, speedy, adequate remedy in the
ordinary course of the law. [Paat v CA (1997)t;
Information Technology Foundn v COMELEC
(2004)]
(6) Resort to exhaustion will only be oppressive and
patently unreasonable. [Paat vs CA (1997);
Cipriano vs Marcelino (1972)]
(7) Where the administrative remedy is only
permissive or voluntary and not a prerequisite
to the institution of judicial proceedings.
[Corpuz vs Cuaderno (1962)]
(8) Application of the doctrine will only cause great
and irreparable damage which cannot be
prevented except by taking the appropriate
court action. [Paat vs CA (1997); Cipriano vs
Marcelino (1972)]
(9) When it involves the rule-making or quasilegislative functions of an administrative
agency. [Smart vs NTC (2003)]
(10) Administrative agency is in estoppel. [Republic
vs Sandiganbayan (1996)]
(11) Doctrine of qualified political agency
(12) Subject of controversy is private land in land
case proceedings. [Paat vs CA (1997)]
(13) Blatant violation of due process. [Paat vs CA
(1997); Pagara vs CA]
(14) Where there is unreasonable delay or official
inaction. [Republic vs Sandiganbayan (1996)]
(15) Administrative action is patently illegal
amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction.
[Paat vs CA (1997)]
(16) Resort to administrative remedy will amount to
a nullification of a claim. [DAR vs Apex
Investment (2003); Paat vs CA (1997)]
(17) No administrative review provided for by law.
[Estrada vs CA (2004)]
(18) Issue of non-exhaustion of administrative
remedies rendered moot. [Estrada vs CA (2004)]
(19) In quo warranto proceedings. [Corpus vs
Cuaderno (1962)]
(20) Law expressly provides for a different review
procedure. [Samahang Magbubukid vs CA (1999)]
Effect of
Remedies:
Failure
to
Exhaust
Administrative
15
4
UP
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BAR REVIEWER
2012
POLITICAL
Election Law
BAR OPERATIONS COMMISSION 2012
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Ramon Carlo Marcaida |Commissioner
Raymond Velasco Mara Kriska Chen |Deputy Commissioners
Barbie Kaye Perez |Secretary
Carmen Cecilia Veneracion |Treasurer
Hazel Angeline Abenoja|Auditor
COMMITTEE HEADS
Eleanor Balaquiao Mark Xavier Oyales | Acads
Monique Morales Katleya Kate Belderol Kathleen Mae Tuason (D) Rachel
Miranda (D) |Special Lectures
Patricia Madarang Marinella Felizmenio |Secretariat
Victoria Caranay |Publicity and Promotions
Loraine Saguinsin Ma. Luz Baldueza |Marketing
Benjamin Joseph Geronimo Jose Lacas |Logistics
Angelo Bernard Ngo Annalee Toda|HR
Anne Janelle Yu Alyssa Carmelli Castillo |Merchandise
Graciello Timothy Reyes |Layout
Charmaine Sto. Domingo Katrina Maniquis |Mock Bar
Krizel Malabanan Karren de Chavez |Bar Candidates Welfare
Karina Kirstie Paola Ayco Ma. Ara Garcia |Events
OPERATIONS HEADS
Charles Icasiano Katrina Rivera |Hotel Operations
Marijo Alcala Marian Salanguit |Day-Operations
Jauhari Azis |Night-Operations
Vivienne Villanueva Charlaine Latorre |Food
Kris Francisco Rimban Elvin Salindo |Transpo
Paula Plaza |Linkages
LAW
POLITICAL LAW TEAM 2012
Faculty Editor | Florin T. Hilbay
Subject Heads| Rogelio
Benjamin Redoble Moises
Ronette Colobong
Contributors| Alferri Bayalan
Cielo Gono Noel Luciano
LAYOUT TEAM 2012
Layout Artists | Alyanna
Apacible Noel Luciano RM
Meneses Jenin Velasquez
Mara Villegas Naomi Quimpo
Leslie Octaviano Yas Refran
Cris Bernardino
Layout Head| Graciello Timothy
Reyes
ELECTION LAW
Election Law
Constitutional Law 1
Constitutional Law 2
Law on Public Officers
Administrative Law
Election Law
Local Governments
Public International Law
POLITICAL LAW
A. Suffrage
B. Qualification and Disqualification of
Voters
C. Registration of Voters
D. Inclusion and Exclusion Proceedings
E. Political Parties
F. Candidacy
G. Campaign
H. Board of Canvassers
I. Remedies and Jurisdiction in
Election Law
J. Prosecution of Election Offenses
A. Suffrage
The right to vote in the election of officers chosen
by the people and in determination of questions
submitted to the people.
I. Scope
Election: the means by which the people choose
their officials for a definite and fixed period and to
whom they entrust for the time being the exercise of
the powers of government.
Kinds
Regular: one provided by law for the election of
officers either nation-wide or in certain subdivisions
thereof, after the expiration of the full term of the
former officers.
Special: one held to fill a vacancy in office before
the expiration of the full term for which the
incumbent was elected.
Plebiscite: election at which any proposed
amendment to, or revision of, the Constitution is
submitted to the people for their ratification.
Referendum: submission of a law pass by the
national or local legislative body to the registered
voters at an election called for the purpose for their
ratification or rejection.
Initiative: the power of the people to propose
amendments to the Constitution or to propose and
enact legislation through an election called for the
purpose. [Sec. 3a, R.A. 6735, The Initiative and
Referendum Act]
3 systems of initiative:
(1) Initiative on the Constitution: petition
proposing amendments to the Constitution.
(2) Initiative on statutes: petition proposing
to enact a national legislation.
(3) Initiative on local legislation: petition
proposing to enact a regional, provincial,
city, municipal or barangay law, resolution
or ordinance.
B. Qualification and
Disqualification of Voters
I. Qualifications
II. Overseas Absentee Voter
I. Qualifications
[Art. V, Sec. 1, 1987 Const.]
Citizenship:
Filipino
citizen
by
birth
or
naturalization
Age: at least 18 at the time of the election
Residency:
(3) Resident of the Philippines for at least 1
year and
(4) Resident of the place wherein they propose
to vote for at least 6 months immediately
preceding the election
Note: Any person who temporarily resides in another
city, municipality or country solely by reason of his:
(1) employment in private or public service
(2) educational activities
(3) work in the military or naval reservations
within the Philippines
(4) service in the AFP, PNP or
(5) confinement or detention in government
institutions in accordance with law shall
not be deemed to have lost his original
residence [Sec. 9, R.A. 8189, Voters
Registration Act of 1996]
It is not necessary that a person should have a house
in order to establish his residence or domicile in a
municipality. It is enough that he should live there,
provided that his stay is accompanied by his
intention to reside therein permanently. [Marcos v.
COMELEC (1995)]
Not otherwise disqualified by law: These are the 3
grounds for disqualification to register as a voter
under Sec. 11, R.A. 8189, Voters Registration Act of
1996:
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ELECTION LAW
(1) Sentenced by final judgment to suffer
imprisonment for not less than 1 year
(unless granted a plenary pardon or an
amnesty) shall automatically reacquire
right to vote upon the expiration of 5 years
after the service of sentence.
(2) Adjudged by final judgment for having
committed any crime involving disloyalty
to the duly constituted government (e.g.
rebellion, sedition, violation of the
firearms law) or any crime against national
security (unless restored to full civil and
political rights in accordance with law)
shall automatically reacquire the right to
vote upon the expiration of 5 years after
the service of sentence
(3) Insane or incompetent persons as declared
by competent authority
Registered voter: In order that a qualified elector
may vote in any election, plebiscite or referendum,
he must be registered in the Permanent List of
Voters for the city or municipality in which he
resides. [Sec. 115, B.P. 881, Omnibus Election Code]
Note: No literacy, property or other substantive
requirement shall be imposed on the exercise of
suffrage
C. Registration of Voters
I. Definition
II. System of Continuing Registration of Voters
III. Illiterate or disabled voters
IV. Election Registration Board
V. Change of residence or address
VI. Challenges to right to register
VII. Deactivation of Registration
VIII. Reactivation of Registration
IX. Certified List of Voters
X. Annulment of Book of Voters
XI. Overseas Absentee Voter
I. Definition
Act of accomplishing and filing of a sworn
application for registration by a qualified voter
before the election officer of the city or
municipality wherein he resides and including the
same in the book of registered voters upon approval
by the Election Registration Board. [Sec. 3a, R.A.
8189]
15
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ELECTION LAW
Issue: WON COMELEC Resolution 8585 should be
declared void.
Ruling: Yes. By Sec. 8 R.A. 8189, Congress itself has
determined that the period of 120 days before a
regular election and 90 days before a special
election is enough time for the COMELEC to make
ALL the necessary preparations with respect to the
coming elections. COMELEC is granted the power to
fix other periods and dates for pre-election activities
only if the same cannot be reasonably held within
the period provided by law. There is no ground to
hold that the mandate of continuing voter
registration cannot be reasonably held within the
period provided by Sec. 8 of R.A. 8189.
The case is different from Akbayan-Youth vs.
COMELEC, wherein the petitioners filed their
petition with the Court and sought the conduct of a
two-day registration all within the 120-day
prohibitive period. In this case, both the dates of
filing of the petition and the extension sought are
prior to the 120-day prohibitive period.
In writing
State the grounds therefor
Under oath and
Attached to the application, together with
the proof of notice of hearing to the
challenger and the applicant
15
8
ELECTION LAW
application for reactivation of his registration in the
form of an affidavit stating that the grounds for the
deactivation no longer exist.
When: Any time not later than 120 days before a
regular election and 90 days before a special
election. [Sec. 28, R.A. 8189]
Definitions
15
9
ELECTION LAW
When: any time not later than 210 days before
the day of the elections
Who may file: any interested person [Sec. 6.7,
R.A. 9189]
E. Political Parties
I. Party System
II. Definitions
III. Purpose
IV. Procedure for Registration
V. Who May Not be Registered
VI. Grounds for refusal and/or cancellation of
registration
VII. Parameters in Allocation of Seats for PartyList Representatives
VIII. Effect of Change of Affiliation
I. Party System
A free and open party system shall be allowed to
evolve according to the free choice of the people.
[Art. IX-C, Sec. 6, Const.]
No votes cast in favor of a political party,
organization, coalition shall be valid, except for
those registered under the party-list system. [Art.
IX-C, Sec. 7, Const.]
II. Definitions
Party-List System: Mechanism of proportional
representation in the election of representatives to
the House of Representatives from national, regional
and sectoral parties or organizations or coalitions
registered with the COMELEC.
Political party: An organized group of citizens
advocating an ideology or platform, principles and
policies for the general conduct of government and
which, as the most immediate means of securing
their adoption, regularly nominates certain of its
leaders and members as candidates for public office.
3 kinds of Parties:
(1) National party - constituency is spread over
the geographical territory of at least a
majority of the regions.
(2) Regional party - constituency is spread over
the geographical territory of at least a
majority of the cities and provinces
comprising the region.
(3) Sectoral party organized group of citizens
belonging to any of the following sectors:
labor, peasant, fisherfolk, urban poor,
indigenous cultural communities, elderly,
handicapped, women, youth, veterans,
overseas workers and professionals whose
principal advocacy pertains to the special
interests and concerns of their sector.
Sectoral organization: group of citizens or a
coalition of groups of citizens who share similar
physical attributes or characteristics, employment,
interests or concerns.
III. Purpose
To enable Filipino citizens belonging to marginalized
and underrepresented sectors, organizations and
parties, and who lack well-defined political
constituencies but who could contribute to the
formulation
and
enactment
of
appropriate
legislation that will benefit the nation as a whole, to
become members of the House of Representatives.
[Sec. 2, R.A. 7941]
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0
ELECTION LAW
(4) Foreign party or organization
(5) Receives
support
from
any
foreign
government,
foreign
political
party,
foundation, organization, whether directly or
through any of its officers or members or
indirectly through third parties for partisan
election purposes
(6) Violates or fails to comply with laws, rules or
regulations relating to elections
(7) Declares untruthful statements in its petition
(8) Ceased to exist for at least 1 year
(9) Fails to participate in the last 2 preceding
elections or
(10) Fails to obtain at least 2% of the votes cast
under the party-list system in the 2 preceding
elections for the constituency in which it has
registered [Sec. 6, R.A. 7941]
x 20 =
Number of seats
available to
party-list
representatives
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1
ELECTION LAW
F. Candidacy
I. Qualifications of Candidates
II. Filing of Certificates of Candidacy
I. Qualifications of Candidates
1.
Candidate, Definition
Disqualifications
16
2
ELECTION LAW
requirement of a personal and sworn
renunciation of foreign citizenship. Section
5(2) of R.A. No. 9225 compels natural-born
Filipinos, who have been naturalized as
citizens of a foreign country, but who
reacquired or retained their Philippine
citizenship (1) to take the oath of
allegiance under Section 3 of Republic Act
No. 9225, and (2) for those seeking elective
public offices in the Philippines, to
additionally execute a personal and sworn
renunciation of any and all foreign
citizenship before an authorized public
officer prior or simultaneous to the filing of
their certificates of candidacy, to qualify as
candidates in Philippine elections. [Jacot
vs. Dal, (November 2008)]
(5) Fugitive from justice in criminal and nonpolitical cases here and abroad
(6) Insane or feeble-minded
16
3
ELECTION LAW
ministerial duty to receive and acknowledge receipt
of the certificates of candidacy provided said
certificates are: under oath and contain all the
required data and in the form prescribed by the
Commission.
EXCEPTION: COMELEC may go beyond the face of
the certificate of candidacy
(1) Nuisance candidates
(2) Petition to deny due course or to cancel a
certificate of candidacy
duly
authorized
Grounds: certificate of candidacy has been filed (1) To put the election process in mockery or
disrepute or
(2) To cause confusion among the voters by the
similarity of the names of the registered
candidates or
(3) Clearly demonstrate that the candidate has
no bona fide intention to run for the office
for which the certificate of candidacy has
been filed and thus prevent a faithful
determination of the true will of the
electorate [Sec. 69, B.P. 881]
Proceeding: summary in nature
Cancel
16
4
ELECTION LAW
(2) after the election and before the
proclamation of the respondent - the trial
and hearing of the case shall be suspended
and referred to the Law Department for
preliminary investigation
NOTE: In either case, if the evidence of guilt is
strong, the COMELEC may order the suspension
of the proclamation of respondent, and if
proclaimed, to suspend the effects of
proclamation. [Sec. 4, Resolution No. 8678]
G. Campaign
I. Premature Campaigning
II. Prohibited Contributions
I. Premature Campaigning
GENERAL RULE: Any election campaign or partisan
political activity for or against any candidate outside
of the campaign period is prohibited and shall be
considered as an election offense. [Sec. 80, B.P.
881]
EXCEPTION: Political parties may hold political
conventions to nominate their official candidates
within 30 days before the start of the period for
filing a certificate of candidacy. [Sec. 15, R.A. 9369,
Poll Automation Law]
Prohibited campaigning days: It is unlawful for any
person to engage in an election campaign or partisan
political activity on:
(1) Maundy Thursday
(2) Good Friday
(3) eve of Election Day and
(4) Election Day [Sec. 3, COMELEC Resolution
8758]
PENERA VS COMELEC
G.R. No. 181613, November 25. 2009
Facts: On 11 September 2009, the SC affirmed the
COMELECs decision to disqualify Penera as
mayoralty candidate in Sta. Monica, Surigao del
Norte, for engaging in election campaign outside the
campaign period, in violation of Sec. 80 of B.P. 881.
Penera moved for reconsideration, arguing that she
was not yet a candidate at the time of the supposed
premature campaigning, since under Sec. 15 of R.A.
9369 one is not officially a candidate until the start
of the campaign period.
2. Campaign Period
For President, Vice-President and Senators - 90
days before the day of the election.
For Members of the HR and elective provincial,
city and municipal officials - 45 days before the day
of the election. [Sec. 5, R.A. 7166]
16
5
ELECTION LAW
posted, not larger than 2x3 feet
(4) Streamers not larger than 3x8 feet are allowed
at a public meeting or rally or in announcing
the holding of such. May be displayed 5 days
before the meeting or rally and shall be
removed within 24 hours after such
(5) Paid advertisements in print or broadcast media
Print,
broadcast
or
outdoor
advertisements
donated
to
the
candidate or political party shall not be
printed, published, broadcast or
exhibited
without
the
written
acceptance by said candidate or
political party.
Written acceptance
must be attached to the advertising
contract and submitted to the
COMELEC within 5 days after its
signing. [Sec. 4.3, R.A. 9006, cf. Sec.
6.3, R.A. 9006]
(6) All other forms of election propaganda not
prohibited by the Omnibus Election Code or the
Fair Election Act of 2001. [Sec. 3, R.A. 9006,
The Fair Election Act]
4. Prohibited Acts
Any
mass
media
columnist,
commentator,
announcer, reporter, on-air correspondent or
personality who is a candidate for any elective
public office or is a campaign volunteer for or
employed or retained in any capacity by any
candidate or political party shall:
(1) be deemed resigned, if so required by their
employer or
(2) take a leave of absence from his/her work as
such during the campaign period
6. Election Surveys
The measurement of opinions and perceptions of the
voters as regards a candidate's popularity,
qualifications, platforms or a matter of public
discussion in relation to the election, including
voters' preference for candidates or publicly
discussed issues during the campaign period.
Surveys affecting national candidates shall not be
16
6
ELECTION LAW
published 15 days before an election and surveys
affecting local candidates shall not be published 7
days before an election.
Exit polls may only be taken subject to the following
requirements:
(1) Pollsters shall not conduct their surveys within
50m from the polling place, whether said
survey is taken in a home, dwelling place and
other places
(2) Pollsters shall wear distinctive clothing
(3) Pollsters shall inform the voters that they may
refuse to answer and
(4) The result of the exit polls may be announced
after the closing of the polls on election day
and must clearly identify the total number of
respondents, and the places where they were
taken. Said announcement shall state that the
same is unofficial and does not represent a
trend. [Sec. 5, R.A. 9006]
excludes
services
rendered
without
compensation by individuals volunteering their
time in behalf of a candidate or political party
2. Prohibited Contributions
(1) From Public or private financial institutions.
Unless:
(a) the financial institutions are legally in
the business of lending money
(b) the loan is made in accordance with
laws and regulations AND
(c) the loan is made in the ordinary course
of business
(2) Natural and juridical persons operating a public
utility or in possession of or exploiting any
natural resources of the nation
(3) Natural and juridical persons who hold contracts
or sub-contracts to supply the government or
any of its divisions,
subdivisions or
instrumentalities, with goods or services or to
perform construction or other works
(4) Grantees of franchises, incentives, exemptions,
allocations or similar privileges or concessions
by the government or any of its divisions,
subdivisions or instrumentalities, including
GOCCs
(5) Grantees, within 1 year prior to the date of the
election, of loans or other accommodations in
excess of P100,000 by the government or any
of
its
divisions,
subdivisions
or
instrumentalities including GOCCs
(6) Educational institutions which have received
grants of public funds amounting to no less
than P100,000
(7) Officials or employees in the Civil Service, or
members of the Armed Forces of the
Philippines
(8) Foreigners and foreign corporations, including
foreign governments. [Sec. 95 and 96, B.P.
881]
16
7
ELECTION LAW
97, B.P. 881]
H. Board of Canvassers
4. Limitations on Expenses
For Candidates
(1) President and VP: P10 for every voter currently
registered
(2) Other candidates: P3 for every voter currently
registered in the constituency where he filed
his certificate of candidacy
Candidates Without a Political Party:
voter
P5 for every
Chairman
Vice
Chairman
Member
Province
Provincial
election
supervisor
or lawyer
in the
COMELEC
regional
office
Provincial
fiscal
Provincial
superinten
dent of
schools
City
City
election
registrar or
a lawyer of
COMELEC;
In cities
with more
than 1
election
registrar,
COMELEC
shall
designate
City fiscal
City
superinten
dent of
schools
Municipality
Election
registrar or
COMELEC
representa
tive
Municipal
treasurer
Most senior
district
school
supervisor
or in his
absence, a
principal of
the school
district or
elementary
school
Vice
Chairman
Province
Ranking
lawyer of
the
COMELEC
-Provincial
auditor
-Registrar
of Deeds
-Clerk of
Court
nominated
by
the
Executive
Judge of
the RTC;
-Any other
available
appointive
provincial
official
City
Ranking
lawyer of
the
COMELEC
-City
auditor or
equivalent;
-Registrar
of Deeds;
-Clerk
of
Court
nominated
by
the
Executive
Judge
of
the RTC;
-Any other
available
appointive
city official
Municipality
Ranking
lawyer of
the
COMELEC
-Municipal
Administrat
or;
-Municipal
Assessor;
-Clerk
of
Court
nominated
by
the
Executive
Judge of the
MTC;
-Any other
available
appointive
municipal
16
8
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Member
Same as
for ViceChairman
Same as for
ViceChairman
official
Same as for
ViceChairman
House
of
Functions:
(1) Upon receipt of the certificates of canvass, the
President of the Senate shall, not later than 30
days after the day of the election, open all the
certificates in the presence of the Senate and
the House of Representatives in joint public
session.
(2) Congress upon determination of the authenticity
and the due execution thereof in the manner
provided by law shall:
(3) canvass all the results for president and vicepresident and
(4) proclaim the winning candidates. [Sec. 22, R.A.
9369]
National BOC for
Representatives
Senators
and
Party-List
V. Proclamation
Proclamation shall be after the canvass of election
returns, in the absence of a perfected appeal to the
COMELEC, proclaim the candidates who obtained the
highest number of votes cast in the province, city,
municipality or barangay, on the basis of the
certificates of canvass.
16
9
ELECTION LAW
special public meeting at which the board shall
proceed to the drawing of lots of tied candidates
and shall proclaim as elected the candidates who
may be favored by luck. [Sec. 240, B.P. 881]
There is a tie when:
(1) 2 or more candidates receive an equal and
highest number of votes; or
(2) 2 or more candidates are to be elected for the
same position and 2 or more candidates
received the same number of votes for the
LAST PLACE in the number to be elected.
Proclamation of a lone candidate: Upon the
expiration of the deadline for the filing of
certificates of candidacy in a special election called
to fill a vacancy in an elective position other than
for President and VP, when there is only 1 qualified
candidate, he shall be proclaimed elected without
holding the special election upon certification by the
COMELEC that he is the only candidate for the office
and is therefore deemed elected. [Sec. 2, R.A.
8295, Law on Proclamation of Solo Candidates]
Procedure
2. Failure of Elections
Grounds: in any of such cases the failure or
suspension of election must affect the result of the
election
(1) Election in any polling place has not been
held on the date fixed due to force
majeure, violence, terrorism, fraud, or
other analogous causes.
(2) Election in any polling place had been
suspended before the hour fixed for the
closing of the voting due to force majeure,
violence, terrorism, fraud, or other
analogous causes.
(3) After the voting and during the preparation
and transmission of the election returns or
in the custody or canvass thereof such
election results in a failure to elect due to
force majeure, violence, terrorism, fraud or
other analogous causes. [Sec. 6, B.P. 881]
Causes for the declaration of failure of election may
occur before or after the casting of votes or on the
day of the election. [Sec. 4, R.A. 7166]
The postponement, declaration of failure of election
and the calling of special elections shall be decided
by the COMELEC sitting en banc by a majority vote
of its members. [Sec. 4, R.A. 7166]
The COMELEC shall call for the holding or
continuation of the election not held, suspended or
which resulted in a failure to elect:
(1) upon a verified petition by any interested
party and
(2) after due notice and hearing [Sec. 6, B.P.
881]
When: on a date reasonably close to the date of the
election not held, suspended or which resulted in a
failure to elect BUT not later than 30 days after the
cessation of the cause of such postponement or
suspension of the election or failure to elect. [Sec.
6, B.P. 881]
17
0
ELECTION LAW
there was voting, the election nonetheless
resulted in a failure to elect; and
(2) The votes cast would affect the results of the
election.
Procedure:
(1) Petitioner files verified petition with the Law
Department of the COMELEC.
(2) Unless a shorter period is deemed necessary by
circumstances, within 24 hours, the Clerk of
Court concerned serves notices to all
interested parties, indicating therein the date
of hearing, through the fastest means
available.
(3) Unless a shorter period is deemed necessary by
the circumstances, within 2 days from receipt
of the notice of hearing, any interested party
may file an opposition with the Law
Department of the COMELEC.
(4) The COMELEC proceeds to hear the petition.
The COMELEC may delegate the hearing of the
case and the reception of evidence to any of
its officials who are members of the Philippine
Bar.
(5) The COMELEC then decides whether to grant or
deny the petition.
This lies within the
exclusive prerogative of the COMELEC.
1. Jurisdiction
COMELEC has exclusive jurisdiction over preproclamation cases. It may order, motu proprio or
upon written petition, the partial or total suspension
of the proclamation of any candidate-elect or annul
partially or totally any proclamation, if one has been
made. [Sec. 242, BP 881]
3. Nature of Proceedings
Heard summarily by the COMELEC after due notice
and hearing. This is because canvass and
proclamation should be delayed as little as possible.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Incompelte
Contain material defects;
Appear to be tampered with or falsified;
Contain discrepancies in the same returns
or in other authentic copies;
(3) The election returns were:
(a) Prepared under duress, threats, coercion,
intimidation or
(b) Obviously manufactured or not authentic
(4) Substituted
or
fraudulent
returns
in
controverted polling places were canvassed,
the results of which materially affected the
standing of the aggrieved candidate(s).
(6) Manifest errors in the Certificates of Canvass or
Election Returns [Sec. 15, R.A. 7166; Chavez v.
COMELEC]
6. Procedure
a. Questions involving the composition or
proceedings of the board of canvassers, or
correction of manifest errors
Where: Either in the Board of Canvassers or directly
with the COMELEC. [Sec. 17, R.A. 7166]
When:
(1) a petition involves the illegal composition or
proceedings of the board, must be filed
immediately when the board begins to act as
such [Laodeno v. Comelec], or at the time of
the appointment of the member whose
capacity to sit as such is objected to if it
comes after the canvassing of the board, or
immediately at the point where the
proceedings are or begin to be illegal.
Otherwise, by participating in the proceedings,
the petitioner is deemed to have acquiesced in
the composition of the BOC.
(2) If the petition is for correction, it must be filed
not later than 5 days following the date of
proclamation, and must implead all candidates
who may be adversely affected thereby. [Sec.
5(b), Rule 27, COMELEC Rules of Procedure]
17
1
ELECTION LAW
b. Matters relating to the preparation,
transmission, receipt, custody and appreciation
of the election returns and certificates of canvass
Where: Only with the Board of Canvassers
When: At the time the questioned return is
presented for inclusion in the canvass.
Who: Any candidate, political party or coalition of
political parties
Note: Non-compliance with any of the steps above
is fatal to the pre-proclamation petition.
17
2
ELECTION LAW
(3) MeTC or MTC over election contests
involving barangay officials [Sec. 252. BP
881]
V. Quo Warranto
2. Certificate of Candidacy
(1) Continued misrepresentation or holding out as
a candidate of a disqualified candidate or one
declared by final and executory judgment to
be a nuisance candidate [Sec. 27f, R.A. 6646]
(2) Knowingly
inducing
or
abetting
such
misrepresentation of a disqualified or
nuisance candidate [Sec. 27f, R.A. 6646];
(3) Coercing, bribing, threatening, harassing,
intimidating, terrorizing, or actually causing,
inflicting or producing violence, injury,
punishment, torture, damage, loss or
disadvantage to discourage any other person or
persons from filing a certificate of candidacy in
order to eliminate all other potential
candidates from running in a special election
[Sec. 5, R.A. 8295]
3. Election Campaign
(1) Appointment or use of special policemen,
special agents or the like during the campaign
period [Sec. 261m, B.P. 881]
(2) Use of armored land, water or aircraft during
the campaign period [Sec. 261r, B.P. 881]
(3) Unlawful electioneering [Sec. 261k, B.P. 881]
17
3
ELECTION LAW
(5) Removal,
destruction,
obliteration,
or
tampering of lawful election propaganda, or
preventing the distribution thereof [Sec. 83,
B.P. 881 vis--vis Sec. 262, B.P. 881]
4. Voting
5. Counting of Votes
(1) Tampering, increasing, decreasing votes, or
refusal to correct tampered votes after proper
verification and hearing by any member of the
board of election inspectors [Sec. 27b, R.A.
6646]
9. Other Prohibitions
6. Canvassing
17
4
ELECTION LAW
election period [Sec. 261dd (4), B.P. 881]. In
addition to the prescribed penalty, such
refusal constitutes a ground for cancellation or
revocation of certificate of public convenience
or franchise.
10. Penalties
For individuals
(1) Imprisonment of not less than 1 year but not
more than 6 years, without probation [Sec.
264, B.P. 881]
(2) Disqualification to hold public office
(3) Deprivation of the right of suffrage
For a Foreigner
(1) Imprisonment of not less than 1 year but not
more than 6 years (without probation);
(2) Deportation after service of sentence
V. Prescription
5 years from the date of their commission. If the
discovery of the offense be made in an election
contest proceeding, the period of prescription shall
commence on the date on which the judgment in
such proceedings becomes final and executory.
[Sec. 267, B.P. 881]
17
5
ELECTION LAW
17
6
UP
L
AW
BAR REVIEWER
2012
POLITICAL
Local Governments
BAR OPERATIONS COMMISSION 2012
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Ramon Carlo Marcaida |Commissioner
Raymond Velasco Mara Kriska Chen |Deputy Commissioners
Barbie Kaye Perez |Secretary
Carmen Cecilia Veneracion |Treasurer
Hazel Angeline Abenoja|Auditor
COMMITTEE HEADS
Eleanor Balaquiao Mark Xavier Oyales | Acads
Monique Morales Katleya Kate Belderol Kathleen Mae Tuason (D) Rachel
Miranda (D) |Special Lectures
Patricia Madarang Marinella Felizmenio |Secretariat
Victoria Caranay |Publicity and Promotions
Loraine Saguinsin Ma. Luz Baldueza |Marketing
Benjamin Joseph Geronimo Jose Lacas |Logistics
Angelo Bernard Ngo Annalee Toda|HR
Anne Janelle Yu Alyssa Carmelli Castillo |Merchandise
Graciello Timothy Reyes |Layout
Charmaine Sto. Domingo Katrina Maniquis |Mock Bar
Krizel Malabanan Karren de Chavez |Bar Candidates Welfare
Karina Kirstie Paola Ayco Ma. Ara Garcia |Events
OPERATIONS HEADS
Charles Icasiano Katrina Rivera |Hotel Operations
Marijo Alcala Marian Salanguit |Day-Operations
Jauhari Azis |Night-Operations
Vivienne Villanueva Charlaine Latorre |Food
Kris Francisco Rimban Elvin Salindo |Transpo
Paula Plaza |Linkages
LAW
POLITICAL LAW TEAM 2012
Faculty Editor | Florin T. Hilbay
Subject Heads| Rogelio
Benjamin Redoble Moises
Ronette Colobong
Contributors| Alferri Bayalan
Cielo Gono Noel Luciano
LAYOUT TEAM 2012
Layout Artists | Alyanna
Apacible Noel Luciano RM
Meneses Jenin Velasquez
Mara Villegas Naomi Quimpo
Leslie Octaviano Yas Refran
Cris Bernardino
Layout Head| Graciello Timothy
Reyes
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
Local Governments
Constitutional Law 1
Constitutional Law 2
Law on Public Officers
Administrative Law
Election Law
Local Governments
Public International Law
A.
B.
C.
D.
POLITICAL LAW
Public Corporations
Municipal Corporations
Principles of Local Autonomy
Powers of Local Government Units
(LGUs)
A. Public Corporations
1. Concept
2. Classifications
1. Concept
Distinguished from Government-Owned or
Controlled Corporations (GOCCs)
As to purpose
A municipal corporation in its strict sense is the
body politic constituted by the inhabitants of a city
or town for the purpose of local government thereof.
It is the body politic established by law particularly
as an agency of the State to assist in the civil
government of the country chiefly to regulate the
local and internal affairs of the city or town that is
incorporated.
Non-municipal corporations, on the other hand, are
public corporations created as agencies of the State
for limited purposes to take charge merely of some
public or state work other than community
government. [National Waterworks & Sewerage
Authority v. NWSA Consolidated Unions (1964)]
As to personality
(The National Coconut Corporation) was given a
corporate power separate and distinct from our
government, for it was made subject to the
provisions of our Corporation Law in so far as its
corporate existence and the powers that it may
exercise are concerned. [Bacani v. National Coconut
Corporation (1956)]
It is an independent agency of the government
although it is placed, for administrative purposes,
under the Department of Public Works and
Communications. It has continuous succession under
its corporate name and may sue and be sued in
court. It has corporate powers to be exercised by its
board of directors; it has its own assets and
liabilities; and it may charge rates for its services.
[National Waterworks & Sewerage Authority v.
NWSA Consolidated Unions (1964)]
The mere fact that the Government happens to be a
majority stockholder does not make it a public
corporation.
[Bacani
v.
National
Coconut
Corporation (1956)]
By becoming a stockholder in the National Coal
Company, the Government divested itself of its
sovereign character so far as respects the
interchangeable
with
2. Classifications
Municipal
Corporation
vs.
Quasi-municipal
corporation
A municipal corporation exists by virtue of, and is
governed by, its charter. A quasi-municipal
corporation operates directly as an agency of the
state to help in the administration of public
functions. [Singco (1955)]
B. Municipal Corporations
1. Elements
2. Nature and Functions
3. Requisites for Creation, Conversion, Division,
Merger or Dissolution
LGC Sec. 14. Beginning of Corporate Existence
The election and qualification of
(1) chief executive AND
(2) majority of the members of the Sanggunian
UNLESS some other time is fixed therefore by the
law or ordinance creating it.
Note: Art.14 applies when the law creating it is
SILENT as to the beginning of its corporate
existence.
1. Elements
Elements of a Municipal Corporation
(1) A LEGAL creation or incorporation
(2) A CORPORATE NAME by which the artificial
or legal entity is known and in which all
corporate acts are done
(3) INHABITANTS constituting the population
who are invested with the political and
corporate powers which are executed
through duly constituted officers and agents
(4) A place or TERRITORY within which the
local civil government and corporate
functions are exercised.
178
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
Political/Governmental
Examples:
(1) Regulations against
fire, disease
(2) Preservation
of
public peace
(3) Maintenance
of
municipal plaza
(4) Establishment
of
schools,
post
offices, etc.
Corporate/Municipal
Examples:
(1) Municipal
waterworks
(2) Slaughterhouses
(3) Markets
(4) Stables
(5) Bathing
establishments
(6) Wharves
(7) Fisheries
(8) Maintenance
of
parks, golf courses,
cemeteries, airports
Specific Requirements
179
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
The jurisdiction of the metropolitan authority that
will thereby be created shall be limited to basic
services requiring coordination. [Sec. 11, LGC]
180
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
executive order is later impliedly recognized and its
acts are accorded legal validity, its creation can no
longer be questioned.
3
d.
Requirements
(1) In accordance with the criteria established
in the LGC
(2) Majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite in
the political units directly affected.
181
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
Compliance with population OR land area, in
addition to income, is sufficient to satisfy the
requirements in the creation of a city. [Samson v.
Aguirre (1999)]
Internal Revenue Allocations (IRAs) form part of the
income of LGUs. The funds generated from local
taxes, IRAs and national wealth utilization proceeds
accrue to the general fund of the LGU and are used
to finance its operations subject to specified modes
of spending the same as provided for in the LGC and
its implementing rules and regulations.
As such, for purposes of budget preparation, which
budget should reflect the estimates of the income of
the LGU, among others, the IRAs and the share in
the national wealth utilization proceeds are
considered items of income. [Alvarez v. Guingona
(1996)]
NOTES:
For provinces and cities, the income requirement
must be satisfied; and EITHER population OR
territory.
In the creation of barangays, there is no minimum
requirement for area and income.
As to the income requirement, average annual
income shall include the income accruing to the
general fund, exclusive of special funds, transfers,
and non-recurring income.
Plebiscite
No creation, division, merger, abolition, or
substantial alteration of boundaries of local
government units shall take effect unless there is:
(1) Law or ordinance
(2) Approved by a majority of the votes cast in a
plebiscite called for the purpose in the political
unit or units directly affected.
(3) Said plebiscite shall be conducted by the
commission on elections (COMELEC) within 120
days from the date of effectivity of the law or
ordinance effecting such action, unless said law
or ordinance fixes another date. [Sec. 10, LGC]
Illustrations
When the law states that the plebiscite shall be
conducted in the political units directly
affected, it means that the residents of the
political entity who would be economically
dislocated by the separation of a portion thereof
have the right to vote in said plebiscite. What is
contemplated by the phrase political units directly
affected is the plurality of political units which
would participate in the plebiscite. [Padilla v.
COMELEC (1992)]
The downgrading of Santiago City from an
independent component city to a component city
falls within the meaning of creation, division,
merger, abolition, or substantial alteration of
boundaries; hence, ratification in a plebiscite is
182
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
(2) Laws and ordinance of the annexing LGU
prevails
(3) The right of office in the annexed LGU is
terminated
(4) Title to property is acquired by the
annexing LGU
(5) Debts are assumed by the annexing LGU
[Martin, supra]
Effects of division
(1) The legal existence of the original
municipality is extinguished
(2) Property, rights and powers are acquired by
the dividing LGUs [Martin, supra]
Abolition
A local government unit may be abolished:
2. Local Autonomy
The principle of local autonomy under the 1987
Constitution
simply
means
decentralization
(discussed below). [Basco vs PAGCOR (1991)]
Illustrations
The CSC cannot declare the provision upon
recommendation of the local chief executive
concerned as merely directory. Such provision is in
consonance with local autonomy. [San Juan vs CSC
(1991)]
An A.O. may not compel LGUs to reduce their total
expenditures. Supervising officials may not lay down
or modify the rules. These rules were made in
furtherance of local autonomy. [Pimentel vs Aguirre
(2000)]
HOWEVER, the Constitution did not intend, for the
sake of local autonomy, to deprive the legislature of
all authority over LGUs, in particular, concerning
discipline. [Ganzon vs CA (1991)]
3. Decentralization
NOTE: Decentralization is a means to achieve local
autonomy.
Autonomy is either (1) decentralization
administration or (2) decentralization of power.
of
183
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
There is decentralization of administration when
the central government delegates administrative
powers to political subdivisions in order to broaden
the base of government power.
Purpose: to relieve the central government of the
burden of managing local affairs and enable it to
concentrate on national concerns.
The President exercises "general supervision" over
them, but only to "ensure that local affairs are
administered according to law." He has no control
over their acts in the sense that he can substitute
their judgments with his own. [Limbona v. Mangelin
(1989)]
Cf. Decentralization of power is the abdication of
political power in favor of LGUs declared to be
autonomous. There is self-immolation where
autonomous government is accountable, not to the
central government, but to its constituents. (Note:
not allowed by our Constitution.)
Sec. 1 of AO 372 (Adoption of Economy Measures in
Government for FY 1998), insofar as it directs
LGUs to reduce expenditures by at least 25%, is a
valid exercise of the Presidents power of general
supervision over LGUs as it is advisory only.
Supervisory power, when contrasted with control, is
the power of mere oversight over an inferior body;
it does not include any restraining authority over
such body. [Pimentel v. Aguirre, supra]
Private
or
Ministerial,
Execution of Powers
Where statute prescribes the manner of exercise,
the procedure must be followed.
Where statute is silent, LGUs have discretion to
select reasonable means and methods of exercise.
Power to generate and apply resources
Local government units shall have the power and
authority to:
(1) Generate and apply resources
(2) Establish an organization responsible for
implementation of development plans,
program objectives, and priorities
(3) Own sources of revenues (Sec.5, Art. X,
Constitution; Sec.18 LGC) which include:
(a) Power to create own sources
(b) Levy taxes, fees and charges
Determined by law
Automatically
and
directly
released
(d) Equitable share in utilization and
development of national wealth (Sec.7,
Art. X, Constitution; Sec.18 LGC)
Within
respective
territorial
jurisdictions
In
the
exercise
of
their
governmental
or
proprietary
powers and functions [Sec.18,
LGC]
184
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
(1) Responsibilities of local police agencies
(2) Local police shall be organized, maintained,
supervised and utilized in accordance with
applicable laws.
Defense and security of regions [Sec.21, Art. X,
Constitution]
(1) Responsibility of National Government
General
(1)
(2)
(3)
Nature
The police power of a municipal corporation extends
to all the great public needs, and, in a broad sense
includes all legislation and almost every function of
the municipal government. Public purpose is not
unconstitutional merely because it incidentally
benefits a limited number of persons. The drift is
towards social welfare legislation geared towards
state policies to provide adequate social services,
the promotion of general welfare and social justice
[Binay v Domingo (1991)]
To constitute public use:
The public in general should have equal or
common rights to use the land or facility
involved on the same terms
The number of users is not the yardstick in
determining whether property is properly
reserved for public use or public benefit
[Republic v. Gonzales]
2 Branches of the GWC
The General Welfare Clause has 2 branches:
(1) the general legislative power which
authorizes municipal councils to enact
ordinances and make regulations not
repugnant to law as may be necessary to
carry into effect and discharge the powers
and duties conferred upon it by law;
(2) The police power, which authorizes the
municipality to enact ordinances as may be
proper and necessary for the health and
safety, prosperity, morals, peace, good
order, comfort and convenience of the
municipality and its inhabitants, and for the
protection of their property.
185
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
Deny an application for permit or avoid the
injury to the health of residents.
[Technology Developers vs CA (1991)]
Provide for burial assistance to the poor.
[Binay vs Domingo, supra]
Abatement of a public nuisance because
stored inflammable materials created a
danger to the people within the
neighbourhood [Tatel vs Mun. of Virac
(1992)]
Rescind contracts [Tamin vs CA (1994)]
Enforcement of fishery laws in municipal
waters including the conservation of
mangroves. [Tano vs Socrates (1997)]
Illustrations: Police Power Does Not Apply
The LGU has no power to prohibit the
operation of night clubs, a lawful trade or
pursuit of occupation. It may only regulate.
[De La Cruz vs Paras (1983)]
Anxiety, uncertainty and restiveness among
stallholders and traders cannot be a ground
to revoke the mayors permit. The General
Welfare claim is too amorphous. [Greater
Balanga vs Mun. of Balanga (1994)]
Butuan city board passes an ordinance
requiring that the sale of tickets to movies,
exhibitions or other performances to
children between 7-12 years of age should
be at half price. The said ordinance was
declared void. The theater operators are
merely
conducting
their
legitimate
business. There is nothing immoral or
injurious in charging the same price for
both children and adults. In fact, no person
is under compulsion to purchase a ticket.
[Balacuit v CFI (1988)]
The power of the municipal government to
issue fishing privileges is only for revenue
purposes. BUT the power of the LLDA to
grant permits is for the purpose of
effectively regulating and monitoring
activities in the lake region and is in the
nature of police power. [Laguna Lake
Development Authority v. CA (1995)]
186
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
Eminent domain may be exercised over
easements (property rights), not just lands
or personal property. [NPC vs Jocson (1992)]
Necessity does not contemplate the economic
relief of a few families devoid of any other
public advantage [Manila vs Arellano
(1950)]
Eminent domain requires an ordinance, not
just a resolution. Res judicata does not
apply to expropriation cases [Paranaque vs
VM Realty (1998)]
Just compensation shall be determined at the
time of taking, NOT at the time of filing
complaint Although the general rule in
determining just compensation in eminent
domain is the value of the property as of
the date of filing of the complaint, the rule
admits of an exception: where the SC fixed
the value of the property as of the date it
was taken and not at the date of the
commencement of the expropriation
proceedings. Finally, while sec.4, Rule 67 of
the Rules of Court provides that just
compensation shall be determined at the
time of the filing of the complaint for
expropriation, such law cannot prevail over
the Local Government Code, which is
substantive law. [Cebu vs Apolonio (2002)]
It
187
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
(1) Income tax (except when levied on banks
and financial institutions)
(2) Documentary stamp tax
(3) Estate tax
(4) Customs duties, registration fees of vessels
and all other kinds of customs fees and
charges
(5) Taxes, fees and charges and other
impositions upon goods carried in or out of,
or
passing
through,
the
territorial
jurisdiction of local government units in the
guise of charges for wharfage, tolls for
bridges or otherwise, or other taxes, fees or
charges in any form whatsoever upon such
goods or merchandise
(6) Taxes, fees or charges on agricultural and
aquatic products when sold by marginal
farmers or fishermen
(7) Taxes on business enterprises certified by
the BOI as pioneer or non-pioneer for a
period of 6 and 4 years, respectively, from
date of registration
(8) Excise taxes
(9) Percentage taxes or VAT
(10) Taxes
on
the
gross
receipts
of
transportation contractors and persons
engaged in the transportation of passengers
or freight, and common carriers
(11) Taxes on premiums paid by way of
reinsurance or retrocession
(12) Taxes, fees, charges for the registration of
motor vehicles and for the issuance of all
kinds of licenses or permits for the driving
thereof, except tricycles
(13) Taxes, fees, or other charges in Phil.
products actually exported, except as
otherwise provided therein
(14) Taxes, fees or charges, on Countryside and
Barangay Enterprises and cooperatives duly
registered under RA 6810 and the
Cooperative Code
(15) Taxes, fees, or charges of any kind on the
National Government, its agencies and
instrumentalities
Fundamental principles governing the financial
affairs, transactions and operations of LGUs [Sec.
305, LGC]
(1) No money shall be paid out of the local
treasury except in pursuance of an
appropriations ordinance or law;
(2) Local government funds and monies shall be
spent solely for public purposes;
(3) Local revenue is generated only from
sources expressly authorized by law or
ordinance, and collection thereof shall at
all times be acknowledged properly;
(4) All monies officially received by a local
government officer in any capacity or on
any occasion shall be accounted for as local
funds, unless otherwise provided by law;
(5) Trust funds in the local treasury shall not be
paid out except in fulfillment of the
purpose for which the trust was created or
the funds received;
(6) Every officer of the LGU whose duties
permit or require the possession or custody
188
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
Permanently close or open
(1) Ordinance: Vote of at least 2/3 of all
members of the Sanggunian
(2) When necessary, an adequate substitute for
the public facility should be provided
(3) Make provision for public safety
(4) If permanently withdrawn from public use
(5) May be used or conveyed for any purpose
for which other real property belonging in
LGU may be lawfully used or conveyed
(6) Freedom park: must have provision for
relocation to new site
Temporary close or open
(1) Ordinance
(2) May be done:
Fiesta celebrations
Public rallies
189
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
-
Quorum
Majority of all members of the Sanggunian who have
been elected and qualified
If a question of quorum is raised: the presiding
officer shall immediately proceed to call the roll of
the members and announce the results.
If there is NO quorum:
(1) The presiding officer may declare a recess
until such time as a quorum is constituted
OR a majority of the members present may
adjourn from day to day and may compel
the immediate attendance of any member
absent without justifiable cause by
arresting the absent member and present
him at the session
(2) No business shall be transacted [Sec. 53,
LGC]
Sessions
Regular sessions: fixed by resolution on 1st day of the
session immediately following the election of its
members
Minimum numbers of regular sessions: once a
week (panlalawigan, panlungsod, bayan)
and twice a month for the Sangguniang
Barangay
Special session: may be called by the local chief
executive or by a majority of the members of the
Sanggunian-cause: when public interest demands
Written notice: served personally at the
members usual place of residence at least
24 hours before the session
Unless otherwise concurred in by 2/3 vote of
the Sangguniang members present, there
being a quorum, no other matters may be
considered except those stated in the
notice
Sessions are open to the public, UNLESS a closeddoor session is ordered by:
(1) an affirmative vote of a majority of the
members present (there being a quorum)
190
of
the
members
(Component)
City
or
Municipal
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
copies of approved ordinances and the resolutions
approving the local development plans and public
investment programs formulated by the local
development councils
191
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
Form part of the record of the proceedings
and shall be made in the following manner:
Made before the member participates
in the deliberations on the ordinance or
resolution under consideration
If the member did not participate
during the deliberations, the
disclosure shall be made before
voting on the ordinance or
resolution on second and third
readings
Made when a member takes a position
or makes a privilege speech on a
matter that may affect the business
interest, financial connections, or
professional relationship
Updated rules, the rules of the previous year may be
used.
The signature of the mayor is not a mere ministerial
act, but involves the exercise of discretion on the
part of the local chief executive. [Delos Reyes v
Sandiganbayan (1997)]
Incidents of Law-Making (Legislative) Power
Posting and Publication of:
(1) Tax ordinances and Revenue measures
Requirements
Referendum or initiative affecting a resolution or
ordinance passed by the legislative assembly of a
province or city:
(1) petition must be signed by at least 10% of
the registered voters in the province or
city,
(2) of which every legislative district must be
represented by at least 3% of the registered
voters therein;
192
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
(3) Provided, however, that if the province or
city is composed only of 1 legislative
district, then at least each municipality in a
province or each barangay in a city should
be represented by at least 3% of the
registered voters therein.
Referendum or initiative on an ordinance passed in a
municipality: petition must be signed by at least
10% of the registered voters in the municipality, of
which every barangay is represented by at least 3%
of the registered voters therein
Referendum or initiative on a barangay resolution
or ordinance: must be signed by at least 10% of the
registered voters in said barangay
Procedure
Not less than 1,000 registered voters in case of
provinces and cities, 100 in case of municipalities,
and 50 in case of barangays, may file a petition with
the local legislative body, respectively, proposing
the adoption, enactment, repeal, or amendment, of
any law, ordinance or resolution
Limitations on Initiatives
(1) The power of local initiative shall not be
exercised more than once a year.
193
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
6. Corporate Powers
Every LGU, as a corporation has the following
powers: (SC-PCSO)
(1) To have continuous succession in its
corporate name
(2) To sue and be sued
(3) To have and use a corporate seal
(4) To acquire and convey real or personal
property
(5) To enter into contracts
(6) To exercise such other powers as are
granted to corporations [Sec. 22, LGC]
Limitations: as provided in LGC and other laws
Corporate Seal
LGUs may continue using, modify, or change their
existing corporate seals.
7. Liability of LGUs
Requisites
Provincial capitol or
Jurisprudence
The authority of a municipality to fix and collect
rents for water supplied by its waterworks system is
expressly granted by law. However, even without
these provisions the authority of the municipality to
fix and collect fees from its waterworks would be
194
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
omissions, but also for those of persons for whom
one is responsible. X X X The State is responsible in
like manner when it acts through a special agent;
but not when the damage has been caused by the
official to whom the task done properly pertains, in
which case what is provided in Article 2176 shall be
applicable. [Art. 2180(6), CC]
Provinces, cities and municipalities shall be liable
for damages for the death of, or injuries suffered by,
any person by reason of the defective condition of
roads, streets, bridges, public buildings, and other
public works under their control or supervision. [Art.
2189, CC]
IS LIABLE
DEFENSE
Exercise of due diligence
in the selection and
supervision is not a
defense.
RATIO:
because
this
defense is available only
to private employers.
WHEN LGU IS NOT LIABLE
If damage resulted from an act of LGU in the
performance of governmental functions
Illustrations
On Contract
RULE: The LGU is liable only for contracts that are
intra vires.
The Doctrine of Implied Municipal Liability provides
that an LGU may become obligated upon an implied
contract to pay reasonable value of the benefits
accepted by it as to which it has the general power
to contract [Cebu vs IAC, 147 SCRA 447]
BUT the LGU may not be estopped in order to
validate a contract which the LGU is not authorized
to make EVEN IF it has accepted the benefits
thereunder [San Diego vs Mun. Of Naujan, 107 Phil
112]
A private individual who deals with a LGU is imputed
with constructive knowledge of the extent of the
power or authority of the LGU to enter into
contracts. Thus, ordinarily, the doctrine of estoppel
does not lie against the LGU.
On Tort
If in the performance of a governmental
function, the LGU is NOT liable
195
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
Mayor exceeding authority in vetoing a resolution
passed by the Sanggunian [Pilar v Sangguniang Bayan
ng Dasol (1984)]
- [Note that under CC27, a public servant is
personally liable for damages for his refusal
or neglect to perform his official duty]
When the officials incorrectly ordered the
construction of a drug rehabilitation center [Angeles
vs CA, 21 SCRA 90]
When officials illegally dismiss an employee [Rama
vs CA, 148 SCRA 49]
When the official defies an order of reinstatement of
an illegally dismissed employee [Correa vs CFI, 92
SCRA 312]
The Mayor pays for the back salaries of
an
illegally
dismissed
employee
[Nemenzo vs Sabillano, 25 SCRA 1]
The Governor pays for moral damages
for refusing the reinstatement of an
employee [San Luis vs CA (1989]
A public officer, whether judicial, quasi-judicial or
executive, is not personally liable to one injured in
consequence of an act performed within the scope
of his official authority, and in line of his official
duty. [Tuzon v. CA (1992)]
The holding of a town fiesta is a proprietary
function, though not for profit, for which a
municipality is liable for damages to 3rd persons ex
contractu or ex delicto;
that under the principle of respondeat
superior the principal is liable for the
negligence of its agents acting within the
scope of their assigned tasks; and
that the municipal councilors have a
personality distinct and separate from the
municipality [Torio v. Fontanilla (1978)]
Hence, as a rule they are not co-responsible in an
action for damages for tort or negligence unless they
acted in bad faith or have directly participated in
the commission of the wrongful act.
municipality
two
or
more
municipalities within the
same province
municipalities
or
component
cities
of
different provinces
concerned.
sangguniang
panlalawigan concerned.
a component city or
municipality on the one
hand and a highly
urbanized city on the
other; or two or more
highly urbanized cities,
jointly
referred
for
settlement
to
the
respective sanggunians
of the parties.
Appeal
Within the time and manner prescribed by the Rules
of Court, any party may elevate the decision of the
sanggunian concerned to the proper Regional Trial
Court having jurisdiction over the area in dispute.
The Regional Trial Court shall decide the appeal
within one (1) year from the filing thereof. Pending
final resolution of the disputed area prior to the
dispute shall be maintained and continued for all
legal purposes. [Sec. 119, LGC]
196
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
Rules on Succession
a. Successors in permanent vacancies in office of
local chief executive
Permanent vacancy entails that an elective local
official: (DR VaReReQI)
(1) fills a higher vacant office;
(2) refuses to assume office;
(3) fails to qualify;
(4) dies;
(5) is removed from office;
(6) voluntarily resigns; or
(7) is otherwise permanently incapacitated to
discharge the functions of his office. [Sec.
44, LGC: (Asked in 1995, 1996, 2002, 2008)]
Office where
Permanent Vacancy
Occurs
Governor
Mayor
Office
of
the
governor or [and]
vice-governor,
mayor or [and] vicemayor
Office where
Permanent Vacancy
Occurs
Member of Sangguniang
Panlungsod
of
component cities and
the Sangguniang Bayan
Member
of
the
Sangguniang Barangay
Representation of the
youth and the barangay
in the sanggunian
b.
GENERAL RULE: Vice-governor, city/ municipal vicemayor, or the highest ranking sangguniang barangay
member shall automatically exercise the powers and
perform the duties and functions of the local chief
executive.
EXCEPTION: The power to appoint/suspend/dismiss
employees can be exercised only if the period of
temporary incapacity exceeds 30 working days.
197
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
If the local chief executive is traveling within the
country but outside his territorial jurisdiction for a
period not exceeding 3 consecutive days, he may
designate in writing the officer-in-charge.
GENERAL RULE: The local chief executive cannot
authorize any local official to assume the
powers/duties/functions of his office, other than the
vice-governor, city/municipal vice-mayor, or highest
ranking sangguniang barangay member.
The authorization shall specify the powers and
functions that the officer-in-charge shall exercise.
EXCEPTION: The power to appoint, suspend and
dismiss employees.
GENERAL RULE: If the local chief executive
fails/refuses to issue the authorization, the vicegovernor, city/municipal vice-mayor, or highest
ranking sangguniang barangay member has right to
assume the powers, duties, and functions of the
office on the 4th day of absence.
EXCEPTION: The power to appoint/ suspend/dismiss
employees.
Office where
Temporary Vacancy
Occurs
Governor
Mayor
Punong barangay
Local chief executive
traveling within the
country but outside
his
territorial
jurisdiction for
a
period not exceeding
three
consecutive
days
Jurisprudence
The LGC is silent on the mode of succession when
there is a temporary vacancy in the office of the
vice-governor. In this case, there was a vacancy
when the vice-governor automatically assumed the
governorship pending the determination of who is
the local chief executive. Because of such
circumstances, the President, through the Secretary
LOCAL OFFICIAL
governors;
mayors of
1)highly urbanized
cities or
2)independent
component cities
vice-governors;
city/municipal
vicemayors
city/municipal mayors of
component
cities/municipalities
sanggunian
panlalawigan,
panlungsod and bayan
members;
its employees
punong barangays
sangguniang barangay
members
198
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
Grounds
Grounds for administrative action (discipline,
suspension, removal): MAD-VAD-CO
(1) Disloyalty to the Republic of the
Philippines;
(2) Culpable violation of the Constitution;
(3) Dishonesty, oppression, misconduct in
office, gross negligence, or dereliction of
duty;
(4) Commission of any offense involving moral
turpitude or any offense punishable by at
least prision mayor, which is from 6 years
and 1 day to 12 years imprisonment;
(5) Abuse of authority;
(6) Unauthorized absence for 15 consecutive
working days in case of local chief
executives and 4 consecutive sessions in the
case of members of the sanggunian;
(7) Application for, or acquisition of, foreign
citizenship or residence of the status of an
immigrant of another country; and
(8) Such other grounds as may be provided by
the Local Government Code of 1991;
Republic Act No. 6713; Republic Act No.
3019; Administrative Code of 1987; Revised
applicable
How Initiated
(1) by any private individual or any government
officer or employee by filing a sworn
written complaint (verified)
(2) by the Office of the President or any
government agency duly authorized by law
to ensure that LGUs act within their
prescribed powers and functions
Elective Official against
whom Administrative
Complaint is Filed
Provincial or city official
Municipal official
Barangay official
Where to File
Complaint
Office of the President
Sangguniang
Panlalawigan
Sangguniang Panlungsod
or Sangguniang Bayan
Jurisprudence
Supervision and discipline. The President is not
devoid of disciplinary powers because he merely has
supervisory powers under the Constitution.
Supervision is not incompatible with disciplining
authority. [Ganzon vs CA (1991)]
Valid delegation. Under AO 23, the delegation of the
power to investigate to the Sec of Interior is valid.
What cannot be delegated is the power to discipline.
[Joson vs Torres, 290 SCRA 279]
Prejudicial
question?
The
administrative
investigation can proceed even during the pendency
of an appeal of audit findings to the Commission on
Audit [Salalima vs Guingona, 257 SCRA 55]
Jurisdiction
Power of Tribunals
(1) The Ombudsman (Asked in 1999, 2003)
The Ombudsman and the Office of the President
have
concurrent
jurisdiction
to
conduct
administrative investigations over local elective
officials. The LGC did not withdraw the power of the
Ombudsman under RA 6770. [Hagad v. Gozo-Dadole
(1993)]
Preventive Suspension
under RA 6770
1. the evidence of guilt
is strong; AND
2. that any of the ff. are
present:
a. the charge against
the officer or
employee should
involve dishonesty,
oppression or grave
misconduct or
neglect in the
performance of
duty;
b. the charges should
warrant removal
Preventive Suspension
under the LGC
1. there is reasonable
ground to believe
that the respondent
has committed the
act or acts
complained of
2. the evidence of
culpability is strong
3. the gravity of the
offense so warrants;
or
4. the continuance in
office of the
respondent could
influence the
199
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
from office; or
c. the respondents
continued stay in
office would
prejudice the case
filed against him
Maximum period: 6 mos.
witnesses or pose a
threat to the safety
and integrity of the
records and other
evidence
Maximum period: 60 days
200
order of the
suspend an
who is under
the Office of
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
be paid his full salary or compensation, including
such emoluments accruing during such suspension.
[Sec. 64, LGC]
The provincial governor is authorized to preventively
suspend the municipal mayor any time after the
issues have been joined and any of the following
grounds were shown to exist:
(1) When there is reasonable ground to
believe that the respondent has
committed the act or acts complained
of
(2) When the evidence of culpability is
strong
(3) When the gravity of the offense so
warrants
(4) When the continuance in office of the
respondent
could
influence
the
witnesses or pose a threat to the safety
and integrity of the records and other
evidence.
There is nothing improper in suspending an
officer before the charges are heard and before
he is given an opportunity to prove his
innocence. Preventive suspension is allowed so
that respondent may not hamper the normal
course of the investigation through the use of
his influence and authority over possible
witnesses. When a local government official
believes that he has been wrongfully
suspended, the proper procedure is to exhaust
administrative remedies, i.e. seek relief from
the DILG Secretary, and not to file a case in
court. [Espiritu v. Melgar (1992)]
Piecemeal suspensions should not be issued. If
there are several administrative cases against a
public official, these cases should be
consolidated for the purpose of ordering
preventive suspension, instead of issuing an
order of suspension for each case. Elective local
officials should be given the benefit of
simultaneous service of suspension. [Ganzon v.
CA (1991)]
NOTE: The ruling in this case as to simultaneous
service of suspension is more of an exception
than the rule, because of the following
circumstances:
In writing
Removal
An elective local official may be removed by order of
the proper court. [Sec. 60, LGC]
The penalty of removal from office as a result of
administrative investigation shall be considered a
bar to the candidacy of the respondent for any
elective position. [Sec. 66(c), LGC]
[cf. effect of penalty of suspension]
Proper court order
Local legislative bodies and/or the Office of the
President cannot validly impose the penalty of
dismissal or removal from service on erring local
elective officials. It is clear from Sec. 60 of LGC that
an elective local official may be removed from office
201
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
on the grounds enumerated above only by order of
the proper court.
Administrative Appeal
Within 30 days from receipt of decisions:
Decisions of:
Sangguniang
Panlungsod of
component cities
Sangguniang Bayan
Sangguniang
Panlalawigan
Sangguniang
Panlungsod of:
- highly urbanized
cities
- independent
component cities
Office of the President
May be appealed
before:
Sangguniang
Panlalawigan
Doctrine of Condonation
When re-election considered a condonation: if the
proceedings are abated due to elections. In this
case, there is no final determination of misconduct
[Malinao v. Reyes (1996)]
Subsequent re-election cannot be deemed a
condonation if there was already a final
determination of his guilt before the re-election
[Reyes v. COMELEC (1996)]
Appointive Officials
The appointing authority is generally the disciplining
authority.
202
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
No remedy of appeal if the decision of the
administrative case exonerated the office or
employee. Party adversely affected in PD 807 or
The Philippine Civil Service Law only refers to the
government employee against which the case is
filed. [Mendez vs. CSC (1991)]
The City Treasurer has authority to discipline his
subordinates.
The power to discipline is specifically granted by the
Revised Administrative Code to heads of
departments, agencies and instrumentalities,
provinces and cities.
The power to commence administrative proceedings
against subordinate officers is granted by the
Omnibus Rules to the secretary of department, head
of office, head of LGU, chief of agency, regional
director, or person with sworn written complaint.
The City Treasurer may also motu proprio institute
disciplinary proceedings against subordinates.
These rules must be reconciled with the LGC, which
gives the mayor the authority to institute
administrative and judicial proceedings against any
official or employee of the city. In cases involving
employees of the city treasurers office, the mayor
must file his complaint with the treasurers office or
with the DOF. [Garcia vs. Pajaro (2002)]
[Sangguniang Bayan of San Andres v. CA (1998)]:
(Asked in 2000)
Requisites to constitute
resignation:
(1) Intention to relinquish
a part of the term
(2) Act of relinquishment
(3) Acceptance by the
proper authority
Essential elements of
abandonment:
(1) Intent to abandon
(2) Overt act by which
the intention is to
be carried into
effect
Removal
In interpreting its own rules as it did, the CSC was
acting within its constitutionally delegated power to
interpret its own rules. The CSC, by ruling that the
employee took an automatic leave of absence, was
merely interpreting its own rule on requirement of
approved leave. [City Government of Makati City v.
CSC (2002)]
11. Recall
(Asked in 2002)
Recall is a mode of removal of a public official by
the people before the end of his term of office.
[Garcia v. COMELEC, (1993)]
Who has the power of recall: Power of recall for
loss of confidence is exercised by the registered
voters of the LGU. [Sec. 69, LGC]
Effectivity: Upon the election and proclamation of a
successor in the person of the candidate receiving
the highest number of votes cast during the election
203
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
political question. Loss of confidence is the formal
withdrawal by the electorate of their trust in a
persons ability to discharge his office previously
bestowed on him by the same electorate. [Evardone
v. COMELEC (1991)]
Recall is a mode of removal of a public official by
the people before the end of his term of office. The
peoples prerogative to remove a public official is an
incident of their sovereign power and in the absence
of constitutional restraint, the power is implied in
all governmental operations. Such power has been
held to be indispensable for the proper
administration of public affairs. [Garcia v. COMELEC
(1993)]
The Liga ng mga Barangay and the Preparatory
Recall Assembly are entirely different entities even
if they may have the same members. [Malonzo vs
Comelec (1997)]
NOTE: Under RA 9244, the Congress removed the
Preparatory Recall Assembly as a mode of recall.
A Regular local election is necessary in order to
replace the local elective official who is sought to be
recalled. This does not include SK elections. [Paras
v. COMELEC (1996)]
Limitations on the Holding of Recalls
Any elective official may be the subject of a recall
election only once during his term of office for loss
of confidence.
Note:
Recall, as used in par. b, sec. 74 prescribing the 1year limitation, refers to the election itself (not
the process of initiating the recall proceedings). The
purpose of the 1-year limitation from assumption is
to prevent premature action without having
sufficient time to evaluate the officials
performance.
As long as the election is held outside the 1-year
period, the preliminary proceedings to initiate recall
can be held even before the end of 1 year from
assumption.
The 1-year period before regular local election does
not include the campaign period. [Claudio v.
COMELEC (2000)]
204
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
RA 9164: Synchronized Barangay and Sangguniang
Kabataan Elections (2002)
Term of office of barangay
kabataan officials: 3 years
and
sangguniang
205
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
Effect of Conversion of the LGU: The mayor of a
municipality held his post for three terms. During his
last term, the municipality became a city and he was
declared hold-over mayor by the charter. The said
mayor should not be allowed to run again. If he
were allowed to do so, he would have served the
same people for a term more than what is allowed
by law [Latasa v. COMELEC (2003)]
Effect of Preventive Suspension: Strict adherence
to the intent of the three-term limit rule demands
that preventive suspension should not be considered
an interruption that allows an elective officials stay
in office beyond three terms.
A preventive
suspension cannot simply be a term interruption
because the suspended official continues to stay in
office although he is barred from exercising the
functions and prerogatives of the office within the
suspension period. The best indicator of the
suspended officials continuity in office is the
absence of a permanent replacement and the lack of
the authority to appoint one since no vacancy exists.
To allow a preventively suspended elective official
to run for a fourth and prohibited term is to close
our eyes to this reality and to allow a constitutional
violation through sophistry by equating the
temporary inability to discharge the functions of
office with the interruption of term that the
constitutional provision contemplates. [Aldovino v.
COMELEC, G.R. No. 182867, November 25, 2008]
206
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
Annex A
Requirements
Province
LGC 460-461
Average
annual
income, as certified
by the DOF, of not
less than P20,000,000
based
on
1991
constant prices
City
RA 9009 (2001)
Average
annual
income, as certified
by the DOF, of at
least P100,000,000 for
the last 2 consecutive
years based on 2000
constant prices
Population
250,000 inhabitants
150,000 inhabitants
Municipality
LGC 441-442
Average
annual
income, as certified
by
the
provincial
treasurer, of at least
P2,500,000 for the
last two consecutive
years based on 1991
constant prices
25,000 inhabitants
Territory
contiguous territory
of at least 2,000km2
contiguous territory
of at least 100km2
contiguous territory
of at least 50km2
Same as CITY.
By an Act of Congress
Approval must be by
majority of the votes
cast;
except
otherwise provided in
the Act of Congress,
the plebiscite shall be
held within 120 days
from effectivity of the
law
or
ordinance
effecting such action
By law or by an
ordinance
of
the
sangguniang
panlalawigan
or
panlungsod; In case of
the
creation
of
barangays
by
the
sangguniang
panlalawigan,
the
recommendation
of
the
sangguniang
bayan concerned shall
be necessary
By an Act of Congress,
to
enhance
the
delivery
of
basic
services in indigenous
cultural communities
Approval must be by
majority of the votes
cast; plebiscite shall
be held within such
period of time as may
be determined by the
law
or
ordinance
creating
said
barangay.
Income
Manner of
Creation
By an Act of Congress
requirement on land
area shall not apply
where
the
city
proposed
to
be
created is composed
of 1 or more islands;
the territory need not
be contiguous if it
comprises 2 or more
islands
By an Act of Congress
Plebiscite
(in LGUs
directly
affected)
Approval must be by
majority of the votes
cast;
except
otherwise provided in
the Act of Congress,
the plebiscite shall be
held within 120 days
from effectivity of the
law
or
ordinance
effecting such action
Approval must be by
majority of the votes
cast;
except
otherwise provided in
the Act of Congress,
the plebiscite shall be
held within 120 days
from effectivity of the
law
or
ordinance
effecting such action
Barangay
LGC 385-386
No
minimum
requirement
for
income
2,000 inhabitants
5,000 inhabitants, in
cities
and
municipalities within
MM
and
other
metropolitan political
subdivisions or highly
urbanized cities
No
minimum
requirement for area
207
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
Annex B
Reviewed by
Furnish copies of ordinances
or resolution within
Period to examine
documents
Ground to invalidate
ordinance or resolution
Barangay Ordinances
Sangguniang
panlungsod
or
sangguniang bayan
10 days after enactment of ALL
ordinances
208
UP
L
AW
BAR REVIEWER
2012
POLITICAL
LAW
POLITICAL LAW TEAM 2012
Faculty Editor | Florin T. Hilbay
Subject Heads| Rogelio
Benjamin Redoble Moises
Ronette Colobong
Contributors| Alferri Bayalan
Cielo Gono Noel Luciano
LAYOUT TEAM 2012
Layout Artists | Alyanna
Apacible Noel Luciano RM
Meneses Jenin Velasquez
Mara Villegas Naomi Quimpo
Leslie Octaviano Yas Refran
Cris Bernardino
Layout Head| Graciello Timothy
Reyes
POLITICAL LAW
Concepts
International and National Law
Sources
Subjects
Diplomatic and Consular Law
Treaties
Nationality and Statelessness
Treatment of Aliens
International Human Rights Law
International Humanitarian Law
(IHL) and Neutrality
K. Law of the Sea
L. International Environment Law
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
J.
A. Concepts
1. Obligations Erga Omnes
2. Jus Cogens
3. Concept of Aeguo Et Bono
Formal Sources vs. Material Sources
Formal sources consist of the methods and
procedures for the creation of rules of general
application which are legally binding upon States.
Material sources, upon the other hand, are the
substantive evidence of the existence of the norms.
2. Jus Cogens
Definition
A jus cogens or peremptory norm is a norm which
States cannot derogate or deviate from in their
agreements. It is a mandatory norm and stands on a
higher category than a jus dispositivum norm which
States can set aside or modify by agreement.
Illustrations
Law on genocide
Principle of self-determination
This may mean simply that the Court may reach fair
compromise in balancing the interests of the parties.
norms
of
international law are deemed part
of national law
210
Monist View
International and municipal legal systems are
fundamentally part of one legal order. This view
considers international law to be superior, with
municipal law being a mere subset of international
law.
Thus, international norms are applicable within
municipal system seven without some positive act of
the State.
Dualist View
International law and municipal law are separate
systems.
Only those problems affecting international relations
are within the scope of international law.
Thus, before an international norm can have an
effect within a municipal legal system, that norm
must be transformed, or adopted into the municipal
system through a positive act by a State organ.
(Exception: Customary International Law and
General Principles of International Law)
Monist-Naturalist View
PIL is superior to municipal law, and that both
systems are but a part of a higher system of natural
law.
Coordinationist View
International law and municipal law operate in
different spheres, but municipal law is (generally)
obliged to be in conformity with international law.
C. Sources
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Primary Sources
(1) International Conventions, whether general
or particular, establishing rules expressly
recognized by the contracting states
(Treaties);
Subsidiary Sources
(1) Judicial Decisions; and
(2) Teachings of the most highly qualified
publicists of the various nations (Art. 38,
ICJ Statute).
(a) Treaties,
Customs
and
General
Principles (Primary Sources) create law,
while
court
decisions
publicists
teachings constitute evidence of what
is the law.
(b) With respect to the three primary
sources, the order the enumeration
does not provide a hierarchy in all
cases.
Thus, although treaties are mentioned first, they are
not ipso facto superior to customs and general
principles.
211
General
binding upon all or most
states or
Particular
binding between
only two or among a few states.
Elements
State Practice
For custom to exist, the customary practice must be
both consistent and general.
(1) Consistency requires substantial uniformity,
and not necessarily complete uniformity in
practice.
(2) Generality likewise does not require
universality.
The absence of protest could be considered evidence
of the binding nature of customary practice.
[Akehurst]
Acts Evidencing State Practice
(1) Diplomatic correspondence
(2) Policy statements
(3) Press releases
(4) Opinions of official legal advisers
(5) Official manuals on legal decisions
(executive
decisions
and
practices;
government comments on drafts by the ILC)
(6) International and national judicial decisions
(7) Recitals in treaties and international
instruments
(8) Practice of international organs [Harris]
UN General Assembly Resolutions are generally just
recommendations. They have no binding effect
under the Charter, save in limited fields like
budgetary concerns. However, such resolutions may
nonetheless be an evidence of state practice that is
relevant in the development of custom.
212
Duality of Norms
It is possible for a norm of international law to exist
both as a customary norm and a conventional norm
(ex. The Prohibition against the Use of Force). Such
norms are said to be of dual character.
Norms of dual character come into being through any
of the following ways:
(1) A treaty provision may simply restate a
customary norm (as is true of many of the
provisions in the VCLOT;
(2) A treaty provision may constitute evidence
of custom;
(3) A treaty provision may crystallize into a
customary norm.
For a treaty provision to crystallize into custom, the
provision must be norm-creating. The treaty must be
law-making, creating legal obligations which are not
dissolved by their fulfillment.
The number of parties, the explicit acceptance of
rules of law, and, in some cases, the declaratory
nature of the provisions produce a strong lawcreating effect at least as great as the general
practice considered sufficient to support a
customary rule. [Brownlie]
The customary norm retains a separate identity even
if its content is identical with that of a treaty norm.
Thus, a state that cannot hold a state responsibility
for a breach of a treaty obligation can still hold the
erring state responsible for the breach of the
identical customary norm. [Nicaragua vs. US Case]
Procedural
Rules
the
use
of
circumstantial evidence, hearsay evidence
(press reports).
213
D. Subjects
1. States
2. International Organizations
3. Individuals
Subjects of International Law refer to entities:
(1) capable of possessing international rights
and duties; and
(2) having the capacity to maintain these rights
by
bringing
international
claims
[Reparations for Injuries Advisory Opinion
(1949)]
1. States
States remain the most important actors in
international law. It possesses objective or erga
omnes personality, not merely by virtue of
recognition on the part of particular states.
Objective
(general)
international
personality exists wherever the rights and
obligations of an entity are conferred by
general international law, e.g. states
Special
(particular)
international
personality exists where an entity is
established by particular States for special
purposes
A state is defined as a group of people, more or less
numerous, permanently living in a definite territory,
under an independent government organized for
political ends and capable of entering into legal
relations with other states [Art. 1, Montevideo
Convention on the Rights and Duties of States
(1933)]
Requisite Elements
a. People
The term people refers to an aggregate of
individuals of both sexes who live together as a
community despite racial or cultural differences.
Although no minimum number is provided, they
should be permanent, and sufficient to maintain and
perpetuate themselves.
b. Territory
State territory is that defined portion of the surface
of the globe which is subjected to the sovereignty of
the State. [Oppenheim]
A state must exercise control over a certain area. It
need not be exactly defined by metes and bounds,
so long as there exists a reasonable certainty of
identifying it. No minimum land area is required.
214
Effective Government
Although an effective government is the
best evidence of the existence of a State,
Government
established
as
an
independent
government
by
inhabitants of a country who rise in
insurrection against the parent state.
d. Independence or Sovereignty
(Asked 1 time in the Bar)
215
Recognition
Act by which a state acknowledges the existence of
another state, government or belligerent community
and indicates willingness to deal with the entity as
such under international law.
As a public act of state, recognition is an optional
and political act and there is no legal duty in this
regard.
Legal functions of recognition
The typical act of recognition has 2 legal functions:
(1) The determination of statehood as a
question of law which may have evidential
effect before a tribunal, and
(2) A condition of the establishment of formal,
optional, and bilateral relations, including
diplomatic relations and the conclusion of
treaties; also described by some jurists as
constitutive
Declaratory View vs. Constitutive View (Asked 1
time in the Bar).
The Declaratory View (Prevailing
recognition
is
a
mere
acknowledgement of an existing
fact, legal personality having
conferred by operation of law.
Effects of recognition:
(1) Diplomatic relations
(2) Right to sue in courts of recognizing state
(3) Right to possession of properties of
predecessor in the recognizing state
(4) All acts of the recognized state or
government are validated retroactively,
preventing the recognizing state from
passing upon their legality in its own court.
2. International Organizations
The status and powers of an IO is determined by
agreement and not by general or customary
international law.
IOs are considered subjects of international law if
their legal personality is established by their
constituent instrument (charter).
Further, its constituent rights and duties, or
capacities and immunities, are limited to those set
forth in the treaty creating the international
organization. Thus, legal personality in this context
is a relative concept. [Magallona]
216
3. Individuals
While States are have traditionally been deemed to
be subject of international law, individuals have
likewise become in some degree subjects of that
law. However, individuals may assume the status of
subjects of international law only on the basis of
agreement by states and in specific context, not in
accordance with general or customary IL.
Illustrations
217
Personal Inviolability
Personal inviolability consist of 2 aspects:
(1) The duty of the receiving State to refrain
from exercising its sovereign rights, in
particular law enforcement rights against
the diplomat; and
(2) The duty to treat him with due respect and
protect his person, freedom or dignity from
physical interference by other persons.
The receiving State shall treat him with due respect
and take all steps to prevent any attack on his
person, freedom or dignity. [Art. 29, VCDR]
The diplomatic representative shall not be liable to
any form of arrest or detention.
In the Hostage Case, however the ICJ held the
diplomatic envoy, however, may be arrested
temporarily in case of urgent danger, such as when
he commits an act of violence which makes it
necessary to put him under restraint for the purpose
of preventing similar acts [Case Concerning the US
Diplomatic and Consular Staff in Tehran, ICJ
Reports, 1980]
and
freely
218
219
3. Consular Relations
Consuls are State agents residing abroad for various
purposes but mainly
(1) in the interest of commerce and navigation,
(2) issuance of visa (permit to visit his
country), and
(3) such other functions as are designed to
protect nationals of the appointing State.
Ranks
Consul General: heads several consular districts, or
one exceptionally large consular district.
Consul: in charge of a small district or town or port.
Vice Consul: assists the consul.
Necessary Documents
The following documents are necessary for the
assumption of Consular functions:
(1) Letters Patent(letter de provision) the
letter of appointment or commission which
is transmitted by the sending state to the
Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the country
where the consul is to serve.
(2) Exequatur the authorization given to the
consul by the sovereign of the receiving
State, allowing him to exercise his function
within the territory.
Functions
220
F. Treaties
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Definition
Requisites for Validity
Treaty-Making Process
Invalid Treaties
Grounds for Termination
1. Definition
A 'treaty' is:
(1) an international agreement
(2) concluded between States
(3) in written form and
(4) governed by international law,
(5) whether embodied in a single instrument or
in two or more related instruments and
(6) whatever
its
particular
designation
[Art.2(1), VCLOT]
Under the VCLOT, the term treaty includes all
agreements between states, regardless of how they
are called. Thus, for purposes of international law,
treaties, executive agreements, exchanges of notes,
etc. are all treaties. Note, however, that Philippine
law makes a distinction between treaties and
executive agreements.
Both are equally binding,
but only treaties require the concurrence of the
Senate to be effective.
Treaty
Subject
Matter
1. Political
Issues
2. Changes in
national
policy
3. Involves
international
agreements
of a
permanent
character
Executive
Agreements
1. Transitory
effectivity
2. Adjusts details
to carry out
wellestablished
national
policies and
traditions
3. Temporary
4. Implements
treaties,
statutes,
221
Ratification
Requires
ratification
by
the 2/3 of the
Senate to be
valid
and
effective (Art.
VII, Sec. 21)
Executive
Agreements
policies
Does not require
concurrence
by
Senate
to
be
binding
is
(5) Approval
Negotiation
State representatives discuss
provisions of the treaty.
the
terms
and
222
4. Invalid Treaties
(1) If the treaty violates a jus cogens norm of
international law (void);
(2) If the conclusion of a treaty is procured by
threat or use of force (void);
(3) Error of fact, provided that such fact formed an
essential basis of a states consent to be bound;
(4) If the representative of a state was corrupted to
consent by another negotiating state;
(5) If consent was obtained through fraudulent
conduct of another negotiating state;
(6) If the representative consented in violation of
specific restrictions on authority, provided:
1. Nationality
Definition (Cruz): The tie that binds an individual to
his state, from which he can claim protection and
whose laws he is obliged to obey.
223
Acquisition
By birth
(1) Jus soli nationality of the state where he
is born
(2) Jus sanguinis nationality of his parents
By naturalization a process by which a foreigner
acquires, voluntarily or by operation of law, the
nationality of another state
2 Types of Naturalization
(1) Direct
Loss of Nationality
Voluntary
(1) Renunciation (express or implied)
(2) Request for release
Involuntary
(1) Forfeiture
as
a
result
of
some
disqualification or prohibited act
(2) Substitution of one nationality for another
2. Statelessness
Definition (Cruz): The condition or status of an
individual who is born without any nationality or who
loses his nationality without retaining or acquiring
another.
Covenant Relating to the Status of Stateless
Persons: A stateless person is entitled to, among
others, the right to religion and religious instruction,
access to courts, elementary education, public relief
and assistance and rationing of products in short
supply, as well as treatment of no less favourable
than that accorded to aliens.
H. Treatment of Aliens
1. Extradition
GENERAL RULE: An alien cannot claim a preferred
position vis-a-vis the national of the state.
International standard of justice the standard of
the reasonable state and calls for compliance with
the ordinary norms of official conduct observed in
civilized jurisdictions
224
1. Extradition
Definition (Cruz): The surrender of a person by one
state to another state where he is wanted for
prosecution or, if already convicted, for punishment.
PD 1086: The removal of an accused from the
Philippines with the object of placing him at the
disposal of foreign authorities to enable the
requesting state or government to hold him in
connection with any criminal investigation directed
against him in connection with any criminal
investigation directed against him or the execution
of a penalty imposed on him under the penal or
criminal law of the requesting state or government.
Basis: Treaty between the state of refuge and the
state of origin.
Fundamental Principles
Extradition is based on the consent of the state of
the state of asylum as expressed in a treaty or
manifested as an act of goodwill.
Principle of speciality a fugitive who is extradited
may be tried only for the crime specified in the
request for extradition and included in the list of
offenses in the extradition.
Procedure
If the surrender of a fugitive is sought, a request for
his extradition is presented through diplomatic
channels to the state of refuge, with the necessary
papers for identification.
Upon a receipt of the request, the state of refuge
will conduct a judicial investigation to ascertain if
the crime is covered by the extradition treaty and if
there is a prima facie case against the fugitive
according to its own laws.
If there is, a warrant of surrender will be drawn and
the fugitive will be delivered to the state of origin.
The evaluation process partakes of the nature of a
criminal investigation, having consequences which
will result in deprivation of liberty of the
prospective extradite. A favorable action in an
extradition request exposes a person to eventual
extradition to a foreign country, thus exhibiting the
penal
aspect
of
the
process.
The evaluation process itself is like a preliminary
investigation since both procedures may have the
same result the arrest and imprisonment of the
respondent. The basic rights of notice and hearing
are applicable in criminal, civil and administrative
proceedings. Non-observance of these rights will
invalidate the proceedings. Individuals are entitled
to be notified of any pending case affecting their
interests, and upon notice, may claim the right to
appear therein and present their side. [Secretary of
Justice vs. Lantion]
225
Obligatory
Force under
International
Law
Derogation/
Restriction,
when allowed
First
generation
strictly (or
objectively)
obligatory,
whatever the
economic or
other
conditions of
the states
obligated
may only be
derogated in a
public
emergency
Second
generation
relatively
obligatory: States
are required to
progressively
achieve the full
realization
of
these rights to
the maximum of
their
available
resources
may be restricted
for the general
welfare, with or
without
an
emergency that
threatens
the
independence or
security of a State
Party.
226
3. International Covenant on
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
(ICESCR)
The ICESCR, like the ICCPR, is an international
covenant and is binding on the respective State
Parties.
It embodies the second generation of human rights,
although it lists more rights than the UDHR:
(1) Right to health;
(2) Right to strike;
(3) Right to be free from hunger;
(4) Rights to enjoy the benefits of scientific
progress;
(5) Freedom for scientific research and
creativity.
Obligations of State Parties
State Parties are required to undertake the
necessary steps to the maximum of its available
resources, with a view to achieving progressively the
full realization of the rights enumerated in the
covenant by all appropriate means.
Note unlike the ICCPR, the states under the ICESCR
merely agree to take steps to the maximum of its
available resources.
Common Provisions in the ICCPR and the ICESCR
and differences
The common provisions of the two Covenants deal
with collective rights, namely:
(1) The right of self-determination of peoples;
(2) the right of peoples to freely dispose of
their natural wealth and resources;
(3) the right not of peoples not to be deprived
of their own means of subsistence
Note these rights are not covered by the UDHR.
227
Control-of-Territory
The test of whether a dissident armed force has
control of territory is when such armed force can (1)
carry out sustained and concerted military
operations, and whether it has (2) the capacity to
comply with the provisions of the Protocol.
In a non-international armed conflict where the
dissident armed forces do not exercise such control
over territory, Article 3, and not Protocol II may be
applicable. The result is that this situation may give
rise to two categories of non-international armed
conflicts: one where only Article 3 applies, and the
other where both Article 3 and Protocol II apply.
228
Hors de combat
Under Art. 41(2) of Protocol I, a person is hors de
combat if he:
(1) Is in the power of an adverse party to the
conflict;
(2) He clearly expresses an intention to
surrender; or
(3) He has been rendered unconscious or is
otherwise incapacitated by wounds or
sickness, and is therefore incapable of
defending himself, provided that in any of
these cases, he abstains from any hostile
act and does not attempt to escape.
Persons hors de combat shall be protected and
treated humanely without any adverse distinction.
Their right to life and physical and moral integrity
shall be respected
Protected Persons
Protected persons are those who enjoy or are
entitled to protection under the Geneva
Conventions.
Categories of protected persons include:
(1) The wounded, the sick, and shipwrecked;
(2) Prisoners of War
(3) Civilians
For purposes of protection, civilians are further
classified as:
(1) Civilians who are victims of conflict in
countries involved
(2) Civilians in territories of the enemy;
(3) Civilians in occupied territories;
(4) Civilians internees
Treatment of Civilians
Fundamental Principles of IHL
(1) Parties to an armed conflict, together with
their armed forces, do not have unlimited
choice of methods or means of warfare.
They are prohibited from employing
weapons or means of warfare that cause
unnecessary damage or excessive suffering.
(2) Parties to an armed conflict shall, at all
times,
distinguish
between
civilian
population and the combatants (Principle of
Distinction). Civilians shall be spared from
military attacks which shall be directed only
against military objectives.
Prisoners of War
Article 4, Geneva Convention: Prisoners of war are
persons belonging to one of the following categories:
(1) Members of the armed forces of a Party to
the conflict, including militias or volunteer
corps
(2) Militias or volunteer corps operating in or
outside their own territory, even if such
territory is occupied provided:
(a) They are being commanded by a person
responsible for his subordinates
(b) Have
a
fixed
distinctive
sign
recognizable at a distance
(c) Carries arms openly
(d) Conducts
their
operations
in
accordance with the laws and customs
of war
(3) Members of regular armed forces who
profess allegiance to a government or
authority not recognized by the Detaining
Power
(4) Civilians who accompany the armed forces,
provided
that
they
have
received
authorization from the armed forces which
they accompany
(5) Members of crews of merchant marine and
the crews of civil aircraft of the Parties to
the conflict
(6) Inhabitants of a non-occupied territory who
on
the
approach
of
the
enemy
spontaneously take up arms to resist the
invading forces, without having had time to
form themselves into regular armed units,
provided they carry arms openly and
respect the laws and customs of war
(7) Persons belonging to the armed forces of
the occupied territory
229
4. Law on Neutrality
Neutrality is the legal status of a State in times of
war, by which it adopts impartiality in relation to
the belligerents with their recognition.
The Hague Convention Respecting the Rights and
Duties of Neutral Powers (Oct. 18, 1907) governs the
status of neutrality by the following rules:
(1) The territory of the neutral Power is
inviolable;
(2) Belligerents are forbidden to move troops
or munitions of war and supplies across the
territory of a neutral Power;
(3) A neutral power is forbidden to allow
belligerents to use its territory for moving
troops,
establishing
communication
facilities, or forming corps of combatants.
(4) Troops of belligerent armies received by a
neutral Power in its territory shall be
interned by away from the theatre of war;
(5) The neutral Power may supply them with
food, clothing or relief required by
humanity;
(6) If the neutral Power receives escaped
prisoners of war, it shall leave them at
liberty. It may assign them a place of
residence if it allows them to remain in its
territory;
(7) The neutral power may authorize the
passage into its territory of the sick and
wounded if the means of transport bringing
them does not carry personnel or materials
of war
The Third Geneva Convention (Prisoners of War)
allows neutral Powers to cooperate with the parties
to the armed conflict in making arrangements for
the accommodation in the formers territory of the
sick and wounded prisoners of war.
Interned persons among the civilian population, in
particular the children, the pregnant women, the
mothers with infants and young children, wounded
and sick, may be accommodated in a neutral state in
the course of hostilities, by agreement between the
parties to the conflict.
Protecting Power
A protecting power is a State or an organization
Baselines
Archipelagic States
Internal Waters
Territorial Sea
1. Baselines
Definition
The line from which a breadth of the territorial sea
and other maritime zones, such as the contiguous
zone and the exclusive economic zone is
measured.
Its purpose is to determine the starting point to
begin measuring maritime zones boundary of the
coastal state. (See Appendix 1)
Normal baseline the territorial sea is the lowwater line along the coast as marked on large-scale
charts officially recognized by the coastal state.
[Art. 5, UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, or
UNCLOS]
Straight baseline where the coastline is deeply
indented or cut into, or if there is a fringe of islands
along the coast in its immediate vicinity, the method
of straight lines joining the appropriate points may
be employed in drawing the baseline from which the
breadth of the territorial sea is measured [Art. 7,
UNCLOS]
2. Archipelagic States
Definition
It is a state made up of wholly one or more
archipelagos. It may include other islands.
An archipelago is a group of islands, including parts
of islands, interconnecting waters and other natural
features which are so closely related that such
islands, waters and natural features form an intrinsic
geographical, economic and political entity, or
which historically have been regarded as such.
230
Archipelagic Waters
Archipelagic waters these are the waters enclosed
by the straight archipelagic baselines, regardless of
their depth or distance from the coast.
It is subject to the sovereignty of the archipelagic
state, but subject to the right of innocent passage
for the ships of all states.
3. Internal Waters
(Asked 1 time in the Bar)
Definition
These are waters of lakes, rivers, and bays landward
of the baseline of the territorial sea.
However, in case of archipelagic states, waters
landward of the baseline other than those rivers,
bays and lakes, are archipelagic waters.
Internal waters are treated as part of a State's land
territory, and is subject to the full exercise of
sovereignty. Thus, the coastal state may designate
which waters to open and which to close to foreign
shipping.
4. Territorial Sea
(Asked 1 time in the Bar)
Definition
These waters stretch up to 12 miles from the
baseline on the seaward direction.
They are subject to the jurisdiction of the coastal
state, which jurisdiction almost approximates that
which is exercised over land territory.
Except that the coastal state must respect the rights
to (1) innocent passage and, in the case of certain
straits, to (2) transit passage. (Asked 1 time in the
Bar)
Innocent passage navigation through the
territorial sea w/o entering internal waters, going to
internal waters, or coming from internal waters and
making for the high seas.
It must (a) involve only acts that are required by
navigation or by distress, and (b) not prejudice the
peace, security, or good order of the coastal state.
Transit passage the right to exercise freedom of
navigation and overflight solely for the purpose of
continuous and expeditious transit through the
straights used for international navigation.
The right cannot be unilaterally suspended by the
coastal state.
INNOCENT PASSAGE
Pertains to navigation of
ships only
Requires submarines and
other
underwater
vehicles to navigate on
the surface and show
TRANSIT PASSAGE
Includes the right of
overflight
Submarines are allowed
to navigate in normal
mode i.e. submerged
231
TRANSIT PASSAGE
Cannot be suspended
6. Continental Shelf
Extended Continental Shelf
Definition
It is the seabed and subsoil of the submarine areas
extending beyond the territorial sea of the coastal
state throughout the natural prolongation of its
lands territory up to
(1) the outer edge of the continental margin,
or
(2) a distance of 200 nautical miles from the
baselines of the territorial sea where the
outer edge of the continental margin does
not extend up to that distance.
Continental margin the submerged prolongation
of the land mass of the continental state, consisting
of the continental shelf proper, the continental
slope, and the continental rise
232
state as to
living
resources
State
over
the
of such
resources
living
233
Settlement of Disputes
Duty to
manage
and
conserve
living
resources
Rights of
the coastal
state as to
natural
resources
Rights of
the coastal
Continental Shelf
No duty
Relate to mineral
and other nonliving resources
of the seabed and
the subsoil
Apply only to
sedentary species
EEZ
Coastal state is
obliged
to
manage
and
conserve
living
resources in the
EEZ
Have to do with
natural resources
of both waters
superadjacent to
the seabed and
those
of
the
seabed
and
subsoil
Do not pertain to
sedentary species
Jurisdiction of ITLOS
*
234