2016 BAR EXAMINATIONS POLITICAL LAW November 6, 2016 8:00 A.M. - 12:00 N.N. INSTRUCTIONS 1.

This Questionnaire contains ten (10) pages. Check the number of pages and make sure it has the correct
number of pages and their proper numbers. All the items have to be answered within/our (4) hours.
Since there are twenty (20) questions, you have 12 minutes to answer each question, and 6 minutes to
answer each sub-question. You may write on the Questionnaire for notes relating to the questions.
Read each question very carefully and write your answers in your Bar Examination Notebook in the
same order the questions are posed. Write your answers only on the front of every sheet in your
Notebook. If not sufficient then start with the back page of the first sheet and thereafter. Note well the
allocated percentage points for each number, question, or sub-question. In your answers, use the
numbering system in the questionnaire. 2. Answer the Essay questions legibly, clearly, and concisely.
Start each number on a separate page. An answer to a sub-question under the same number may be
written continuously on the same page and the immediately succeeding pages until completed. Your
answer should demonstrate your ability to analyze the facts, apply the pertinent . laws and
jurisprudence, and arrive at a sound or logical conclusion. Always support your answer with the
pertinent laws, rules, jurisprudence, and the facts. A mere "Yes" or "No" answer without any
corresponding explanation or discussion will not be given full credit. Thus, always briefly but fully explain
your answers although the question does not expressly ask for an explanation. You do not need to re-
write or repeat the question in your Notebook. 3. Make sure you do not write your name or any
extraneous note/s or distinctive markingls on your Notebook that can serve as an identifying mark/s
(such as names that are not in the given questions, prayers, or private notes to the Examiner). Writing,
leaving, or making any distinguishing or identifying mark in the exam Notebook is considered cheating
and can disqualify you. YOU CAN BRING HOME THE QUESTIONNAIRE. JUSTICE PRESBITERO J. VELASCO,
JR. Chairman 2016 Bar Examinations -IThe contents of the vault of ABC company consisting of cash and
documents were stolen. Paulyn, the treasurer of ABC, was invited by the Makati City Police Department
to shed light on the amount of cash stolen 1 and the details of the missing documents. Paulyn obliged
and volunteered the information asked. Later, Paulyn was charged with qualified theft together with
other suspects. Paulyn claims her rights under the Constitution and pertinent laws were blatantly
violated. The police explained that they were just gathering evidence when Paulyn was invited for a
conference and she was not a suspect at that time. Rule on her defense. (5%) SUGGESTED ANSWER: Her
defense is bereft with merit. Custodial investigation begins to operate at once as soon as the
investigation ceases to be a general inquiry into an unsolved crime, and direction is then aimed upon a
particular suspect who has been taken into custody and to whom the police would then direct
interrogatory questions which tend to illicit incriminating statements. (People v. Dela Cruz, GR No.
118866-68, Sept. 17, 1997) As Paulyn was not taken into custody but only invited and that there was no
particular suspect yet and no questions propounded that will possibly incriminate her, Paulyn's
constitutional rights were not violated. -IISec. 11, Art. XII of the Constitution, provides: "No franchise,
certificate or any other form of authorization for the operation of a public utility shall be granted except
to citizens of the Philippines or to corporations or associations organized under the laws of the
Philippines at least sixty per centum of whose capital is owned by such citizens xx x." Does the term
"capital" mentioned in the cited section refer to the total common shares only, or to the total
outstanding capital stock, or to both or "separately to each class of shares, whether common, preferred
non-voting, preferred voting or any class of shares?" Explain your answer. (5%) SUGGESTED ANSWER: It
refers only to shares of stock entitled to vote in the election of directors thus, only to common shares.
To construe broadly the term "capital" as the total outstanding capital stock, including both common
and nonvoting preferred shares, grossly contravenes the intent and letter of the Constitution that the
State shall develop a self-reliant and independent national economy effectively controlled by Filipinos. A
broad definition unjustifiably disregards who owns the all-important voting stock, which necessarily
equates to control of the public utility. (Gamboa v. Teves, GR No. 176579, June 28, 2011) -IIIA law
converted the component city of Malumanay, Laguna into a highly urbanized city. The Local
Government Code (LGC) provides that the conversion "shall take effect only after it is approved by the
majority of votes cast in a plebiscite to be held in the political units directly affected." Before the
COMELEC, Mayor Xenon of Malumanay City insists that only the registered voters of the city should vote
in the plebiscite because the city is the only political unit directly affected by the conversion. Governor
Yuri asserts that all the registered voters of the entire province of Laguna should participate in the
plebiscite, because when the LGC speaks of the "qualified voters therein," it means all the voters of all
the political units affected by such conversion, and that includes all the voters of the entire province. He
argues that the income, population and area of Laguna will be reduced. Who, between Mayor Xenon
and Governor Yuri, is correct? Explain your answer. (5%) 2 SUGGESTED ANSWER: Gov. Yuri is correct. In
the conversion of a component city into a highly urbanized city, the registered voters of the entire
province should participate in the plebiscite, not just the residents of the concerned city. In converting a
city into a highly urbanized city, Sec. 453 of the LGC calls for the conduct of a plebiscite by the "qualified
voters therein." Meanwhile, Sec. 10, Art. X of the Constitution mandates that no LGU shall be created,
divided, merged, abolished or its boundary substantially altered without approval by a majority of the
votes cast in a plebiscite in the "political units directly affected." Construing the law in harmony with the
Constitution, the phrase "by the qualified voters therein" in Sec. 453 of LGC means the qualified voters
not only in the city proposed to be converted to a highly urbanized city but also the voters of the
political units directly affected by such conversion. (Umali v. COMELEC, GR No. 203974, April 22, 2014)
As the income, population and area of Laguna will be reduced, it will certainly be directly affected by the
conversion of Malumanay into a highly urbanized area. Therefore, the province of Laguna as well as the
qualified voters in Malumanay should participate in the plebiscite called for its conversion. -IVSeveral
concerned residents of the areas fronting Manila Bay, among them a group of students who are minors,
filed a suit against the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the Department of Environment
and Natural Resources (DENR), the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Agriculture (DA),
the Department of Education (DepEd), the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and a
number of other executive agencies, asking the court to order them to perform their duties relating to
the cleanup, rehabilitation and protection of Manila Bay. The complaint alleges that the continued
neglect by defendants and their failure to prevent and abate pollution in Manila Bay constitute a
violation of the petitioners' constitutional right to life, health and a balanced ecology. [a] If the
defendants assert that the students/petitioners who are minors do not have locus standi to file the
action, is the assertion correct? Explain your answer. (2.5%) SUGGESTED ANSWER: No, it is not correct.
The liberalization of standing first enunciated in Oposa v. Factoran, insofar as it refers to minors and
generations yet unborn, is now enshrined in Part II, Rule 2, Sec. 5 of the Rules of Procedure for
Environmental Cases (RPEC) which allows the filing of a citizen suit in environmental cases. The provision
on citizen suits in the Rules collapses the traditional rule on personal and direct interest, on the principle
that humans are stewards of nature. (Arigo v. Swift, GR No. 206510, Sept. 16, 2014) [b] In its decision
which attained finality, the Court ordered the defendants to clean up, rehabilitate and sanitize Manila
Bay within eighteen (18) months, and to submit to the Court periodic reports of their accomplishment,
so that the Court can monitor and oversee the activities undertaken by the agencies in compliance with
the Court's directives. Subsequently, a resolution was issued extending the time periods within which
the agencies should comply with the directives covered by the final decision. A view was raised that the
Court's continued intervention after the case has been decided violates the doctrine of separation of
powers considering that the government agencies all belong to the Executive Department and are under
the control of the President. Is this contention correct? Why 3 or why not? (2.5%) SUGGESTED ANSWER:
No, it is not correct. The issuance of subsequent resolutions by the Court is simply an exercise of judicial
power under Art. VIII of the Constitution, because the execution of the Decision is but an integral part of
the adjudicative function of the Court. (MMDA v. Concerned Residents of Manila Bay, GR No. 171947,
Feb. 15, 2011) -VSection 8 of P.D. No. 910, entitled "Creating an Energy Development Board, defining its
powers and functions, providing funds therefor and for other purposes," provides that: "All fees,
revenues and receipts of the Board from any and all sources x x x shall form part of a Special Fund to be
used to finance energy resource development and exploitation programs and projects of the
government and for such other purposes as may be hereafter directed by the President." The
Malampaya NGO contends that the provision constitutes an undue delegation of legislative power since
the phrase "and for such other purposes as may be hereafter directed by the President" gives the
President unbridled discretion to determine the purpose for which the funds will be used. On the other
hand, the government urges the application of ejusdem generis. [a] Explain the "completeness test" and
"sufficient standard test." (2.5%) SUGGESTED ANSWER: Under the "completeness test," the law must be
complete in all its terms and conditions when it leaves the legislature such that when it reaches the
delegate, the only thing he will have to do is to enforce it. The "sufficient standard test" mandates
adequate guidelines or limitations in the law to determine the boundaries of the delegate's authority
and prevent the delegation from running riot. (Disini v. Secretary of Justice, GR No. 203335, Feb. 11,
2014) [b] Does the assailed portion of section 8 of PD 910 hurdle the two (2) tests? (2.5%) SUGGESTED
ANSWER: While the said Section 8 may pass the "completeness test," it should nevertheless be stricken
down as unconstitutional because it lies independently unfettered by any sufficient standard of the
delegating law. This notwithstanding, the rest of Section 8, insofar as it allows for the use of the
Malampaya Funds "to finance energy resource development and exploitation programs and projects of
the government," remains legally effective and subsisting. (Belgica v. Ochoa, GR No. 208566, Nov. 11,
2013) -VIPornographic materials in the form of tabloids, magazines and other printed materials,
proliferate and are being sold openly in the streets of Masaya City. The City Mayor organized a task
force which confiscated these materials. He then ordered that the materials be burned in public.
Dominador, publisher of the 4 magazine, "Plaything", filed a suit, raising the following constitutional
issues: (a) the confiscation of the materials constituted an illegal search and seizure, because the same
was done without a valid search warrant; and (b) the confiscation, as well as the proposed destruction
of the materials, is a denial of the right to disseminate information, and thus, violates the constitutional
right to freedom of expression. Is either or both contentions proper? Explain your answer. (5%)
SUGGESTED ANSWER: Only the first contention is proper. (a) In Pita v. CA (GR No. 80806, Oct. 5, 1989),
the Court outlined the procedure to be followed, thus: (1) a criminal charge must be brought against the
person/s for purveying the pornographic materials; (2) an application for a search and seizure warrant
obtained from the judge who shall determine the existence of probable cause before issuing such
warrant; (3) the materials confiscated brought to court in the prosecution of the accused for the crime
charged; (4) the court will determine whether the confiscated items are really pornographic, and (5) the
judgment of acquittal or conviction rendered by the court accordingly. In the instant case, the
authorities were not possessed of a lawful court order finding the materials to be pornographic and
authorizing them to carry out a search and seizure. Also, no party has been charged, neither is any
charge being pressed against any party. Thus, the authorities has not shown the required proof to justify
a ban and to warrant confiscation of the magazines. (b) Pornographic materials in violation of Art. 201 of
the RPC are mandated by law [PD 969] to be forfeited and destroyed, even if the accused was acquitted.
(Nograles v. People, GR No. 191080, Nov. 21, 2011) The destruction of the said materials is a valid
exercise of police power to prevent the dissemination of pornographic materials and not to curtail the
freedom of expression. -VIIErnesto, a minor, while driving a motor vehicle, was stopped at a mobile
checkpoint. Noticing that Ernesto is a minor, SPOl Jojo asked Ernesto to exhibit his driver's license but
Ernesto failed to produce it. SPOI Jojo requested Ernesto to alight from the vehicle and the latter
acceded. Upon observing a bulge in the pants of Ernesto, the policeman frisked him and found an
unlicensed .22-caliber pistol inside Ernesto's right pocket. Ernesto was arrested, detained and charged.
At the trial, Ernesto, through his lawyer, argued that, policemen at mobile checkpoints are empowered
to conduct nothing more than a ''visual search". They cannot order the persons riding the vehicle to
alight. They cannot frisk, or conduct a body search of the driver or the passengers of the vehicle.
Ernesto's lawyer thus posited that: [a] The search conducted in violation of the Constitution and
established jurisprudence was an illegal search; thus, the gun which was seized in the course of an illegal
search is the "fruit of the poisonous tree" and is inadmissible in evidence. (2.5%) SUGGESTED ANSWER:
5 This is correct. The search is not incidental to a lawful arrest since such arrest was made without
Ernesto being informed of his Miranda rights. Also, there is nothing that would have allowed the
policeman to conduct the search for he had no probable cause to believe, before the search that either
Ernesto is a law offender or he will find the instrumentality or evidence pertaining to a crime in the
motor vehicle to be searched. (Caballes v. CA, GR No. 136292, Jan. 15, 2002) Here, Ernesto was flagged
down because he was a minor, not a felon. [b] The arrest made as a consequence of the invalid search
was likewise illegal, because an unlawful act (the search) cannot be made the basis of a lawful arrest.
(2.5%) SUGGESTED ANSWER: This is correct. Under the Rules of Court, a person lawfully arrested may be
searched for dangerous weapons or anything, which may be used as proof of the commission of an
offense, without a search warrant. (Rule 126, Sec. 12). Thus, as a rule, the arrest must precede the
search; the process cannot be reversed. The arrest in this case is unlawful for not having complied with
the constitutional requirements. At the time a person is arrested, it shall be the duty of the arresting
officer to inform the latter of the reason for the arrest and must show that person the warrant of arrest,
if any. Persons shall be informed of their constitutional rights to remain silent and to counsel, and that
any statement they might make could be used against them. (Luz v. People, GR No. 197788, Feb. 29,
2012) Here, there is no showing that Ernesto was informed of his Miranda rights as mandated by the
Constitution hence, the arrest is clearly illegal from which a lawful search may follow. Rule on the
correctness of the foregoing arguments, with reasons. -VIIIA law is passed intended to protect women
and children from all forms of violence. When a woman perceives an act to be an act of violence or a
threat of violence against her, she may apply for a Barangay Protection Order (BPO) to be issued by the
Barangay Chairman, which shall have the force and effect of law. Conrado, against whom a BPO had
been issued on petition of his wife, went to court to challenge the constitutionality of the law. He raises
the following grounds: [a] The law violates the equal protection clause, because while it extends
protection to women who may be victims of violence by their husbands, it does not extend the same
protection to husbands who may be battered by their wives. (2.5%) SUGGESTED ANSWER: Conrado's
contention is incorrect. The requisites for a valid classifications are as follows, to wit: (1) substantial
distinctions which make for real differences; (2) germane to the purpose of the law; (3) not limited to
existing conditions only; and (4) must apply equally to all members of the same class. 6 In this case, the
assailed law does not violate the equal protection clause. First, the law rests on substantial distinctions.
The unequal power relationship between women and men; the fact that women are more likely than
men to be victims of violence; and the widespread gender bias and prejudice against women, all make
for real differences justifying the classification. Second, the classification is germane to the purpose of
the assailed law, which is to address violence committed against women and children, as spelled out in
its declared policy. Third, the classification is not limited to existing conditions only, and the law applies
equally to all members. The application of the challenged law is not limited to existing conditions when
it was promulgated, but to future conditions as well, for as long as the safety and security of women and
their children are threatened by violence and abuse. And the law applied equally to all women and
children who suffer violence and abuse. (Garcia v. Drilon, GR No. 179267, June 25, 2013) [b] The grant of
authority to the Barangay Chairman to issue a Barangay Protection Order (BPO) constitutes an undue
delegation of judicial power, because obviously, the issuance of the BPO entails the exercise of judicial
power. (2.5%) SUGGESTED ANSWER: He is not correct. Such function of the Barangay Chairman is purely
executive in nature, consistent with his duty under the LGC "to enforce all laws and ordinances" and "to
maintain public order in the barangay." (Garcia v. Drilon, supra.) Rule on the validity of the grounds
raised by Conrado, with reasons. -IXThe Government, through Secretary Toogoody of the Department of
Transportation (DOTr), filed a complaint for eminent domain to acquire a 1,000- hectare property in
Bulacan, owned by Baldomero. The court granted the expropriation, fixed the amount of just
compensation, and installed the Government in full possession of the property. [a] If the Government
does not immediately pay the amount fixed by the court as just compensation, can Baldomero
successfully demand the return of the property to him? Explain your answer. (2.5%) SUGGESTED
ANSWER: No, he cannot. As a rule, non-payment of just compensation in an expropriation proceeding
does not entitle the private landowners to recover possession of the expropriated lots but only to
demand payment of the FMV of the property plus interest. (Republic v. CA, GR No. 146587, July 2, 2002;
Reyes v. NHA, GR No. 147511, Jan. 20, 2003) Nevertheless, where the government fails to pay just
compensation within five (5) years from the finality of the judgment in the expropriation proceedings,
the owners concerned shall have the right to recover possession of their property. (Republic v. Lim, GR
No. 161656, June 29, 2005) In this case, there is no showing that the judgment in the expropriation
proceeding has attained finality from which the five (5) year period may be reckoned so as to determine
whether or not 7 Baldomero already has the right to demand the return of his property. [b] If the
Government paid full compensation but after two years it abandoned its plan to build an airport on the
property, can Baldomero compel the Government to re-sell the property back to him? Explain your
answer. (2.5%) SUGGESTED ANSWER: No, he cannot. The property owner's right to repurchase the
property depends upon the character of the title acquired by the expropriator, i.e. if land is expropriated
for a particular purpose with the condition that when that purpose is ended or abandoned, the property
shall revert to the former owner, then the former owner can re-acquire the property. In this case, the
terms of the judgment in the expropriation case were very clear and unequivocal, granting title over the
lot in fee simple to the Government. No condition on the right to repurchase was imposed. (Mactan-
Cebu International Airport Authority v. CA, GR No. 139495, Nov. 27, 2000) -XThe Philippines entered into
an international agreement with members of the international community creating the International
Economic Organization (IEO) which will serve as a forum to address economic issues between States,
create standards, encourage greater volume of trade between its members, and settle economic
disputes. After the Philippine President signed the agreement, the Philippine Senate demanded that the
international agreement be submitted to it for its ratification. The President refused, arguing that it is an
executive agreement that merely created an international organization and it dwells mainly on
addressing economic issues among States. Is the international agreement creating the IEO a treaty or an
executive agreement? Explain. (5%) SUGGESTED ANSWER: It is an executive agreement. Treaties differ
from executive agreements, to wit: (1) international agreements which involve political issues or
changes of national policy and those involving international arrangements of a permanent character
take the form of a treaty; while international agreements involving adjustment of details carrying out
well established national policies and traditions and involving arrangements of a more or less temporary
nature take the form of executive agreements; and (2) in treaties, formal documents require ratification,
while executive agreements become binding through executive action. (Commissioner of Customs v.
Eastern Sea Trading, G.R. No. L- 14279, Oct. 31, 1961) Here, the agreement does not change the
economic policy of the Philippines. Instead, it merely involves adjustment of details carrying out such
economic policy by creating the IEO wherein States may address certain economic issues and disputes. -
XIThe USS Liberty, a warship of the United States (U.S.), entered Philippine archipelagic waters on its
way to 8 Australia. Because of the negligence of the naval officials on board, the vessel ran aground off
the island of Palawan, damaging coral reefs and other marine resources in the area. Officials of Palawan
filed a suit for damages against the naval officials for their negligence, and against the U.S., based on
Articles 30 and 31 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Article 31 provides
that the Flag State shall bear international responsibility for any loss or damage to the Coastal State
resulting from noncompliance by a warship with the laws and regulations of the coastal State
concerning passage through the territorial sea. The U. S. Government raised the defenses that: [a] The
Philippine courts cannot exercise jurisdiction over another sovereign State, including its warship and
naval officials. (2.5%) SUGGESTED ANSWER: The contention is correct. Considering that the satisfaction
of a judgment against the naval officials will require remedial actions and appropriation of funds by the
US Government, the suit is deemed to be one against the US itself. The Doctrine of State Immunity bars
the exercise of jurisdiction by the Philippine courts over the persons of said officials. (Arigo v. Swift, GR
No. 206510, Sept. 16, 2014) Furthermore, warships and other government ships of other States
operated for non-commercial purposes, enjoy immunity from the jurisdiction of local courts and
administrative tribunals, subject to the provisions of Arts. 30 and 31 of UNCLOS. (Nachura) [b] The
United States is not a signatory to UN CLOS and thus cannot be bound by its provisions. (2.5%)
SUGGESTED ANSWER: This is incorrect. Non-membership in the UNCLOS does not mean that the US will
disregard the rights of the Philippines as a Coastal State over its internal waters and territorial sea. As a
world leader, the US is expected to bear "international responsibility" under Art. 31 in connection with
the USS Liberty grounding which adversely affected the coral reefs and other marine resources in
Palawan. Moreover, although the said treaty upholds the immunity of warships from the jurisdiction of
Coastal States while navigating the latter's territorial sea, the flag States shall be required to leave the
territorial sea immediately if they flout the laws and regulations of the Coastal State, and they will be
liable for damages caused by their warships or any other government vessel operated for non-
commercial purposes under Article 31. (Arigo v. Swift, supra.) Rule on the validity of the defenses raised
by the U.S., with reasons. -XIIParagraphs c, d and f of Section 36 of Republic Act No. 9165 provide: "Sec.
36. Authorized drug testing. xx x The following shall be subjected to undergo drug testing: xx x 9 c.
Students of secondary and tertiary schools x x x; d. Officers and employees of public and private offices x
x x; f. All persons charged before the prosecutor's office with a criminal offense having an imposable
imprisonment of not less than 6 years and 1 day;" Petitioners contend that the assailed portions of Sec.
36 are unconstitutional for violating the right to privacy, the right against unreasonable searches and
seizures and the equal protection clause. Decide if the assailed provisions are unconstitutional. (5%)
SUGGESTED ANSWER: Only Sec. 36(f) is unconstitutional. In the case of students, the constitutional
viability of the mandatory, random, and suspicionless drug testing for students emanates primarily from
the waiver by the students of their right to privacy when they seek entry to the school, and from their
voluntarily submitting their persons to the parental authority of school authorities. In the case of private
and public employees, the constitutional soundness of the mandatory, random, and suspicionless drug
testing proceeds from the reasonableness of the drug test policy and requirement. The situation is
entirely different in the case of persons charged before the public prosecutor's office with criminal
offenses punishable with six (6) years and one (1) day imprisonment. The operative concepts in the
mandatory drug testing are "randomness" and "suspicionless." In the case of persons charged with a
crime before the prosecutor's office, a mandatory drug testing can never be random or suspicionless. To
impose mandatory drug testing on the accused is a blatant attempt to harness a medical test as a tool
for criminal prosecution, contrary to the stated objectives of RA 9165. Drug testing in this case would
violate a persons' right to privacy guaranteed under Sec. 2, Art. III of the Constitution. (Social Justice
Society v. Dangerous Drugs Board, GR No. 157870, Nov. 3, 2008) -XIIIWhile Congress was not in session,
the President appointed Antero as Secretary of the Department of Tourism (DOT), Benito as
Commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration (BI), Clodualdo as Chairman of the Civil Service Commission
(CSC), Dexter as Chairman of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), and Emmanuel as Philippine
Ambassador to Cameroon. The following day, all the appointees took their oath before the President,
and commenced to perform the functions of their respective offices. [a] Characterize the appointments,
whether permanent or temporary; and whether regular or interim, with reasons. (2.5%) SUGGESTED
ANSWER: Antero, Clodualdo and Emmanuel's appointments are permanent and interim appointments.
On the other hand, the appointments of Benito and Dexter may only be classified either as permanent
or temporary, not regular or interim. Since Antero, Clodualdo and Emmanuel were appointed by the
President while the Congress is not in 10 session and such appointments require the consent of the
Commission on Appointments (Art. VII, Sec. 16, first sentence; Art. IX-B, Sec. 1[2]), their appointments
are considered as ad interim. (Nachura) Being so, such appointments are permanent in nature following
the rule that an ad interim appointment is a permanent appointment. (PLM v. IAC, 140 SCRA 22) In the
case of Benito and Dexter, their appointments do not need the consent and confirmation of the
Commission on Appointments because the Commissioner of the BI and the Chairman of the CHR are not
among the officers mentioned in the first sentence of Art. VII, Sec. 16 of the Constitution. (Sarmiento v.
Mison, 156 SCRA 549; Bautista v. Salonga, 172 SCRA 16). Nonetheless, their appointment may be
permanent or temporary depending upon the discretion of the appointing authority because
appointment is discretionary hence, it includes the determination of the nature or character of the
appointment, i.e., whether the appointment is temporary or permanent. (Nachura; Luego v. CSC, 143
SCRA 327; Lapinid v. CSC, 197 SCRA 106; Pobre v. Mendieta, 224 SCRA 738)) [b] A civil society group, the
Volunteers Against Misguided Politics (VAMP), files suit, contesting the legality of the acts of the
appointees and claiming that the appointees should not have entered into the performance of the
functions of their respective offices, because their appointments had not yet been confirmed by the
Commission on Appointments. Is this claim of VAMP correct? Why or why not? (2.5%) SUGGESTED
ANSWER: No, the claim is not correct. The acts of Antero, Clodualdo and Emmanuel are valid for the
reason that ad interim appointments take effect immediately pending confirmation by the Commission
on Appointments. (Nachura) The acts of Benito and Dexter are likewise valid even in the absence of a
confirmation from the Commission on Appointments because their appointments are not in fact subject
to such confirmation. -XIVOnofre, a natural born Filipino citizen, arrived in the United States in 1985. In
1990, he married Salvacion, a Mexican, and together they applied for and obtained American citizenship
in 2001. In 2015, the couple and their children --Alfred, 21 years of age, Robert, 16, and Marie, 14, who
were all born in the U.S. -- returned to the Philippines on June 1, 2015. On June 15, 2015, informed that
he could reacquire Philippine citizenship without losing his American citizenship, Onofre went home to
the Philippines and took the oath of allegiance prescribed under R.A. No. 9225. On October 28, 2015, he
filed a Certificate of Candidacy to run in the May 9, 2016 elections for the position of Congressman in his
home province of Palawan, running against reelectionist Congressman Profundo. [a] Did Onofre's
reacquisition of Philippine citizenship benefit his wife, Salvacion, and their minor children and confer
upon them Filipino citizenship? Explain your answer. (2.5%) SUGGESTED ANSWER: No, such
reacquisition only confers upon his minor children Filipino citizenship. Derivative citizenship covers only
the unmarried child, whether legitimate, illegitimate or adopted, below eighteen (18) years of age, of
those who re-acquire Philippine citizenship upon effectivity of 11 RA 9225. (Sec. 4, RA 9225) Thus,
Salvacion may not be granted derivative citizenship as the wife is not covered by the law. [b] Before the
May 9, 2016 elections, Profundo's lawyer filed a Petition to Deny Due Course or to Cancel the Certificate
of Candidacy against Onofre. What grounds can he raise in his Petition to support it? Explain your
answer. (2.5%) SUGGESTED ANSWER: I will raise his dual citizenship and residency as grounds for the
Petition. For his dual citizenship, in view of Sec. 5(2) of RA 9225, Onofre should have stated in clear and
unequivocal terms that he is renouncing all foreign citizenship. (Lopez v. COMELEC, GR No. 182701, July
23, 2008). For his residency, reacquisition of Philippine citizenship under RA 9225 has no automatic
impact or effect on residence/domicile. Such reacquisition did not automatically make him regain his
residence in Palawan. He must still prove that after becoming a Philippine citizen, he had re-established
Palawan as his new domicile of choice which is reckoned from the time he made it such. (Caballero v.
COMELEC, GR No. 209835, Sept. 22, 2015) Since the Constitution requires that a member of the House
of Representatives must, among others, be a natural born citizen and a resident of the district in which
he shall be elected for not less than 1 year immediately preceding the day of election, Onofre
deliberately deceived the electorate by making a false material representation as to his citizenship and
residency. -XVCongress passed a bill appropriating PlOO-billion. Part of the money is to be used for the
purchase of a 200- hectare property in Antipolo. The rest shall be spent for the development of the area
and the construction of the Universal Temple for All the World's Faiths (UTAW-F). When completed, the
site will be open, free of charge, to all religions, beliefs, and faiths, where each devotee or believer shall
be accommodated and treated in a fair and equal manner, without distinction, favor, or prejudice. There
will also be individual segments or zones in the area which can be used for the conduct of whatever
rituals, services, sacraments, or ceremonials that may be required by the customs or practices of each
particular religion. The President approved the bill, happy in the thought that this could start the healing
process of our wounded country and encourage people of varied and often conflicting faiths to live
together in harmony and in peace. If the law is questioned on the ground that it violates Sec. 5, Article III
of the Constitution that "no law shall be made respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the
free exercise thereof," how will you resolve the challenge? Explain. (5%) SUGGESTED ANSWER: The
argument is correct. The non-establishment clause is supported by several provisions under the present
Constitution, one of which is the prohibition against the use of public money or property for the benefit
of any religion, or of any priest, minister, or ecclesiastic. (Art. VI, Sec. 29[2]) The non-establishment
clause means that the State cannot among others pass laws which aid one religion, aid all religion, or
prefer one religion over another. (Everson v. Board of Education, 30 US 1) 12 By appropriating fund for
the establishment of the UTAW-F for the purpose of aiding all religion, Congress in effect violated the
non-establishment clause. -XVIJojo filed a criminal complaint against Art for theft of a backpack worth
P150.00 with the Office of the City Prosecutor of Manila. The crime is punishable with arresto mayor to
prision correccional in its minimum period, or not to exceed 4 years and 2 months. The case was
assigned to Prosecutor Tristan and he applied Sec. 8(a) of Rule 112 which reads: "(a) If filed with the
prosecutor. - If the complaint is filed directly with the prosecutor involving an offense punishable by
imprisonment of less than four (4) years, two (2) months and one (1) day, the procedure outlined in Sec.
3(a) of this Rule shall be observed. The Prosecutor shall act on the complaint within ten (10) days from
its filing." On the other hand, Sec. 3(a) of Rule 112 provides: "(a) The complaint shall state the address of
the respondent and shall be accompanied by affidavits of the complainant and his witnesses as well as
other supporting documents to establish probable cause. x x x" Since Sec. 8(a) authorizes the Prosecutor
to decide the complaint on the basis of the affidavits and other supporting documents submitted by the
complainant, Prosecutor Tristan did not notify Art nor require him to submit a counter-affidavit. He
proceeded to file the Information against Art with the Metropolitan Trial Court. Art vehemently assails
Sec. 8(a) of Rule 112 as unconstitutional and violative of due process and his rights as an accused under
the Constitution for he was not informed of the complaint nor was he given the opportunity to raise his
defenses thereto before the Information was filed. Rule on the constitutionality of Sec. 8(a) of Rule 112.
Explain. (5%) -XVII- [a] Define the archipelagic doctrine of national territory, state its rationale; and
explain how it is implemented through the straight baseline method. (2.5%) SUGGESTED ANSWER:
Under the Archipelagic Doctrine, the waters around, between and connecting the islands of the
archipelago, regardless of their breadth and dimensions, form part of the internal waters of the
Philippines. (2nd sentence, Art. I) This Doctrine is based on the principle that an archipelago, which
consists of a number of islands separated by bodies of water, should be treated as one integral unit, and
the waters inside the baselines are considered internal waters. (Nachura) Using the straight baseline
method, imaginary lines are drawn joining the outermost points of the outermost islands of the
archipelago, enclosing an area the ratio of which should not be more than 9:1 (water to land); provided
that the drawing of baselines shall not depart to any appreciable extent, from the general configuration
of the archipelago. The waters within the baselines shall be considered internal waters; while the
breadth of the territorial sea, the contiguous zone, the exclusive economic zone and the continental
shelf shall then be measured from the baselines. (Art. 48, UNCLOS) [b] Section 2 of RA 9522 declared the
Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) and Scarborough Shoal as "Regimes of Islands." Professor Agaton contends
that since the law did not enclose said islands, then the Philippines lost its sovereignty and jurisdiction
over them. Is his contention correct? Explain. 13 (2.5%) SUGGESTED ANSWER: The use of the Framework
of Regime of Islands to determine the maritime zone of the KIG and the Scarborough Shoal is not
inconsistent with the Philippine claim of sovereignty. Section 2 of the law commits to text the
Philippines continued claim of sovereignty and jurisdiction over the KIG and the Scarborough Shoal
when it affirmatively states that both KIG and the Scarborough Shoal are areas over which the
Philippines likewise exercises sovereignty and jurisdiction. Had Congress in RA 9522 enclosed the KIG
and the Scarborough Shoal as part of the Philippine archipelago, the Philippines would have committed
a breach of two provisions of UNCLOS III. Although the Philippines has consistently claimed sovereignty
over the KIG and the Scarborough Shoal for several decades, these outlying areas are located at an
appreciable distance from the nearest shoreline of the Philippine archipelago, such that any straight
baseline loped around them from the nearest basepoint will inevitably "depart to an appreciable extent
from the general configuration of the archipelago" hence, will exceed 100 nautical miles. These will
constitute violations of Article 47(3) and Article 47(2) of UNCLOS III. (Magallona v. Ermita, GR No.
187167, Aug. 16, 2011) -XVIIISec. 8, Article X of the 1987 Constitution provides that no elective official
shall serve for more than three (3) consecutive terms. Rule and explain briefly the reason if the official is
prohibited to run for another term in each of the following situations: (a) if the official is a Vice-Mayor
who assumed the position of Mayor for the unexpired term under the Local Government Code; (b) if the
official has served for three consecutive terms and did not seek a 4th term but who won in a recall
election; (c) if the position of Mayor of a town is abolished due to conversion of the town to a city; (d) if
the official is preventively suspended during his term but was exonerated; and (e) if the official is
proclaimed as winner and assumes office but loses in an election protest. (5%) SUGGESTED ANSWER: (a)
The Vice Mayor who assumed the position of Mayor may still be eligible to run for the position of Mayor
because when he occupied the post of the mayor upon the incumbents death and served for the
remainder of the term, he cannot be construed as having served a full term as contemplated under the
subject constitutional provision. The term "served" must be one "for which [the official concerned] was
elected." (Borja v. COMELEC, GR No. 133495, Sept. 3, 1998) (b) The official may still run for another term
since the principle behind the three-term limit rule is to prevent consecutiveness of the service of terms,
and that there was in his case a break in such consecutiveness after the end of his third term and before
the recall election. (Socrates v. COMELEC, G.R. Nos. 154512-84, Nov. 12, 2002) (c) The official may no
longer run for another term because the framers of the Constitution specifically included an exception
to the people's freedom to choose those who will govern them in order to avoid the evil of a single
person accumulating excessive power over a particular territorial jurisdiction as a result of prolonged
stay in the same office. For the three-term limit for elective local government officials to apply, two
conditions must concur: (1) the official concerned has been elected for three consecutive terms in the
same local government post; and (2) he has served three consecutive terms. 14 In this case, while the
new city acquired a new corporate existence separate and distinct from that of the municipality, this
does not mean, however, that for the purpose of applying the subject Constitutional provision, the
office of the municipal mayor would now be construed as a different local government post as that of
the office of the city mayor. The territorial jurisdiction of the city is the same as that of the municipality.
Consequently, the inhabitants of the municipality are the same as those in the city. These inhabitants
are the same group of voters who elected the official concerned to be their municipal mayor for three
consecutive terms. These are also the same inhabitants over whom he held power and authority as their
chief executive for nine years. (Latasa v. COMELEC, GR No. 154829, Dec. 10, 2003) (d) The official
concerned cannot anymore run for another term in violation of the prohibited fourth term as preventive
suspension does not interrupt an elective officials term 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. (Aldovino v. COMELEC, GR No. 184836, Dec. 23, 2009) (e) The official may still run for
another term because he cannot be considered as having been duly elected to the supposed third term,
and that he did not fully serve such term by reason of involuntary relinquishment of office. (Lonzanida v.
COMELEC, GR No. 135150, July 28, 1999) -XIXFernando filed an administrative complaint against his co-
teacher, Amelia, claiming that the latter is living with a married man who is not her husband. Fernando
charged Amelia with committing "disgraceful and immoral conduct" in violation of the Revised
Administrative Code and, thus, should not be allowed to remain employed in the government. Amelia,
on the other hand, claims that she and her partner are members of a religious sect that allows members
of the congregation who have been abandoned by their respective spouses to enter marital relations
under a "Declaration of Pledging Faithfulness." Having made such Declaration, she argues that she
cannot be charged with committing immoral conduct for she is entitled to free exercise of religion under
the Constitution. [a] Is Amelia administratively liable? State your reasons briefly. (2.5%) SUGGESTED
ANSWER: No, she is not. Although the morality contemplated by laws is secular, benevolent neutrality
could allow for accommodation of morality based on religion, provided it does not offend compelling
state interest. In applying the compelling state interest test, the first inquiry is whether her right to
religious freedom has been burdened. The second step is to ascertain her sincerity in her religious belief.
In this case, there is no doubt that between keeping her employment and abandoning her religious
belief and practice and family on the one hand, and giving up her employment and keeping her religious
belief and practice and family on the other, puts a burden on her free exercise of religion. Also, she
appears to be sincere in her religious belief and practice, and is not merely using the "Declaration of
Pledging Faithfulness" to avoid punishment for immorality. Thus, there is nothing that demonstrates
how the interest is so compelling that it should override her plea of religious freedom, nor is it shown
that the means employed by the government in pursuing its interest is the least restrictive to her
religious exercise. (Estrada v. Escritur, AM No. P-02-1651, Aug. 4, 2003) 15 [b] Briefly explain the concept
of "benevolent neutrality." (2.5%) SUGGESTED ANSWER: Benevolent neutrality recognizes that
government must pursue its secular goals and interests, but at the same time, strive to uphold religious
liberty to the greatest extent possible within flexible constitutional limits. Thus, although the morality
contemplated by laws is secular, benevolent neutrality could allow for accommodation of morality
based on religion, provided it does not offend compelling state interest. (supra.) -XXUnder Sec. 5, Article
VIII of the Constitution, the Supreme Court shall have the power to "promulgate rules concerning the
protection and enforcement of constitutional rights, pleading, practice and procedure in all courts xxx."
Section 23 of R.A. No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 provides that "any
person charged under any provision of this Act regardless of the imposable penalty shall not be allowed
to avail of the provision on plea-bargaining." Patricio, a user who was charged with alleged sale of shabu
but who wants to enter a plea of guilt to a charge of possession, questions the constitutionality of Sec.
23 on the ground that Congress encroached on the rule-making power of the Supreme Court under Sec.
5, Article VIII. He argues that plea-bargaining is procedural in nature and is within the exclusive
constitutional power of the Court. Is Patricio correct? Explain your answer. (5%) -E