ATENEO DE MANILA UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF LAW

Conflict of Laws Syllabus SS2018

3A Atty. Cecille L. Mejia

Grading:

Recitation and quizzes 40%

Midterms 20%
Finals 40%

*I reserve the right to adjust your final grade in proportion with your participation in class.
Students with perfect attendance will be given an additional point to be added to their final
grade.

Rules:

1. Laptops, iPads and phones are not allowed in class. Gadgets are not allowed in class
except in cases of student/group presentations. Prior notice to the professor is required
before laptops, iPads, or projectors may be used.
2. Attendance policy. Absence by a student for more than twenty percent of the total
number of classes or lectures will exclude the student from examinations in the course
and shall be given a final grade of 50 save in exceptional cases when this rule is waived
by the professor. In her discretion, the professor may permit a student who has been
absent for more than 20% of the classes to take the final examination, subject to a penalty
of five (5) points on the student’s final exam grade for each excessive absence, or some
lesser penalty as determined by the professor. The professor, in her absolute discretion,
may waive this rule.
3. No materials allowed in class. No books and photocopy of cases, reviewers and notes,
except for each student’s own handwritten notes in relation to the assigned readings, will
be allowed in class. Any student violating this rule will be considered absent for the
relevant session.
4. Dress Code. Students are expected to strictly observe the ALS Dress Code unless
otherwise provided by the Law School. Any student violating this rule will be considered
absent for the relevant session.

I. Introduction to Conflict of Laws; Definition; Concept; Framework (29 January

2018)

A. Definition: Conflict of Laws; Private International Law

B. Purpose; Theories

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 C. Conflict of Laws v. Public International Law
D. Elements
1. Part of municipal law
2. Directive to courts/ administrative agencies
3. Foreign element
4. Application or non-application of foreign law
E. Foreign element
1. Read: Saudi Arabian Airlines v. Court of Appeals, et.al., G.R. No. 122191, 8
October 1998
2. Read: Laurel v. Garcia, G.R. No. 92013, 25 July 1990

F. Resolution of Conflicts Problems; General Framework

1. Phases involved in resolving conflicts problems
a. Read: Kazuhiro Hasegawa and Nippon Engineering Consultants Co.,
Ltd. v. Kitamura, G.R. No. 149177, 23 November 2007
2. Jurisdiction
a. Venue v. jurisdiction
1. Read: Davao Light & Power Co., Inc. v. Court of Appeals,et.al.,
G.R. No. 111685, 20 August 2001
3. Choice of Law/ Characterization
a. Doctrine of Qualification
1. Read: Saudi Arabian Airlines v. Court of Appeals, et.al., supra
b. Considerations of Public Policy
1. Read: Cadalin, et.al., v. POEA, et.al., G.R. No. 104776, 5
December 1994
c. Doctrine of Processual Presumption
1. Read: Northwest Orient Airlines, Inc. v. CA and C.F. Sharp &
Company, Inc., G.R. No. 112573, 9 February 1995
4. Enforcement of Judgment
a. Read: Oil and Natural Gas Commission v. Court of Appeals and Pacific
Cement Company, G.R. No. 114323, 23 July 1998

G. Some (Domestic) Sources of Conflicts of Law Rules

1. Constitution (Arts. IV and V, Sec. 1)

2. Civil Code (Arts. 14, 15, 16, 17, 815, 816, 817, 818, 819, 829, 1039, 1319, and
1753
3. Family Code of the Philippines (Arts. 10, 21, 26, 35, 36, 37, 38, 80, 96, 184 and
187)
4. Revised Penal Code (Art. 2)
5. Corporation Code (Sec. 133)
6. Rules of Court (Rule 14; Rule 39, Sec. 48; Rule 131, Sec. 3(n); Rule 132, Sec. 25)

IV. Jurisdiction and Choice of Law (5, 12, 19 February 2018, 5 March 2018)

Assignment:

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SALONGA, at 44-66
COQUIA, at 20-153

CASE LAW
Choice of Forum
Sweet Lines, Inc. v. Teves, et al., G.R. No. L-37750 (19 May 1978)
HSBC v. Jack Robert Sherman, et al., G.R. No. 72494 (11 August 1989)

Choice of Law
Bellis v. Bellis, G.R. No. L-23678 (6 June 1967)
Tayag Renato vs. Benguet Consolidated, Inc., G.R. No. 23145 (29 November 1968)
Pakistan International Airlines vs. Ople, 190 SCRA 1990, G.R. No. 61594 (28 September 1990)
Zalamea vs. Court of Appeals and Transworld Airlines, Inc., G.R. No. 104235 (18 November
1993)
United Airlines Inc. vs. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 124110 (20 April 2001)
Cadalin vs. POEA Administrator, 238 SCRA 721, 774-775 (1994)
Asiavest Merchant Bankers vs. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 110263 (20 July 2001)
Garcia vs. Recio, G.R. No. 138322 (2 October 2001)
Corpuz v. Sto. Tomas, G.R. No. 186751 (11 August 2010)
Raytheon International v. Rouzie, G.R. No. 162894 (26 February 2008)

Minimum Contact
HSBC v. Sherman, G.R. No. 72494 (11 August 1989)
Saudi Arabian Airlines v. CA, G.R. No. 122191 (8 October 1998)
Hasegawa v. Kitamura, G.R. No. 149177 (23 November 2007)

Jurisdiction over the Person

International Shoe Co. v. Washington, 326 U.S. 310 (1945)
Perkins v. Benguet Consolidated Mining Co, 342 U.S. 437, 72 S. Ct. 413 96 (1952)
World-Wide Volkswagen Corp vs. Woodson, 444 U.S. 286 (1980)
Calder v. Jones, 465 U.S. 783 (1984)
Philsec Investment et al v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 103493 (June 19, 1997)
Pantaleon v. Asuncion, 1105 Phil. 761 (1959)
Santos v. PNOC, G.R. No. 170943 (23 September 2008).

Jurisdiction over the Res

El Banco-Espanol-Filipino v. Palanca, 37 Phil. 921 (1918)
Perkins v. Dizon, 69 Phil. 186 (1939)
Travelers Health Assn. vs. Virginia, 339 U.S. 643 (1950)

Act of State Doctrine

French vs. Banco National de Cuba, 295 NY 2d, 422-423 (1968)
In Re: Philippine National Bank v. United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, No. 04-
71843, D.C. No. MDL-00840-MLR
Republic v. Marcos, 862 F.2d 1355, 1361 (9th Cir. 1988) (en banc), cert. denied, 490 U.S. 1035,
109 S.Ct. 1933, 104 L.Ed.2d 404 (1989)

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Assumption of jurisdiction v. forum non-conveniens
Gulf Oil Corporation vs. Gilbert, 330 U.S. 501 (1947)
K.K. Shell Sekiyu Osaka Hatsubaisho and Fu Hing Oil Co., Ltd. v. Court of Appeals, G.R. Nos.
90306-07 (30 July 1990)
Communications Materials and Design v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 102223 (22 August 1996)
First Philippine International Bank v. Court of Appeals, 322 Phil. 280 (1996)
Manila Hotel Corp v. NLRC, G.R. No. 120077 (13 October 2000)
Pacific Consultants v. Schonfeld, G.R. No. 166920 (19 February 2007)

Which/what law the assuming court will apply

Aznar v. Christensen-Garcia, G.R. No. L-16749 (31 January 1963)
Bellis v. Bellis, supra
Cadalin vs. POEA Administrator, supra

V. Foreign Law (12 March 2018)

Application of Foreign Law and Choice of Law Theories

Assignment:
SALONGA, at 67-95

Ascertainment and Proof of Foreign Law; Doctrine of Processual Presumption

Assignment:
SALONGA, at 96-109

CASE LAW
Sy Joc Lieng v. Sy Quia, 16 Phil 137 (1910)
In re Estate of Johnson, 39 Phil. 156 (1918)
Fluemer v. Hix, 54 Phil. 610 (1930)
Williamette v. Muzzal, 61 Phil. 471 (1935)
CIR v. Fisher, G.R. Nos. L-11622 (28 January 1961)
Pardo v. Republic, 85 Phil. 323 (1950)
Philippine Commecial and Industrial Bank v. Escolin, 56 SCRA 266 (1974)
Zalamea vs. Court of Appeals and Transworld Airlines, supra
Manufacturers Hanover Trust Co. v. Guerrero, G.R. No. 136804 (19 February 2003)
Crescent Problem v. M/V “Lok Maheshwari”, G.R. No. 155014 (11 November 2005)
EDI-Staff Builders International Inc. v. NLRC, G.R. No. 145587 (26 October 2007)

Exceptions to the Application of Foreign Law

Assignment:
SALONGA, at 110-134

CASE LAW

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Dacanay v. Florendo, R.R. No. L-2071 (19 September 1950)
Yao Kee, et al. v. Sy-Gonzales, G.R. No. L-55960 (24 November 1988)
Bank of America v. American Realty Corporation, G.R. No. 133876 (29 December 1999)

VI. Nature of Conflicts Rules, the Problem of Characterization, and Renvoi (02 April 2018)

Assignment:
SALONGA, at 135-152; 217-237
COQUIA, at 57-153

CASE LAW
In the Matter of the Testate Estate of Edward E. Christensen, G.R. No. L-16749 (31 January 1963)
Aznar v. Christensen-Garcia, supra
Bellis v. Bellis, supra
Saudi Arabian Airlines v. CA, supra
Llorente v. CA, G.R. No. 124371 (23 November 2000)

VII. Property (02 April 2018)

Assignment:
SALONGA, at 474-500
COQIUA, at 301-328

CASE LAW
Laurel v. Garcia, G.R. No. 92013 (25 July 1990)
Holy See v. Rosario, G.R. No. G.R. No. 101949 (December 1, 1994)
Salvacion v. Central Bank, G.R. No. 94723 (21 August 1997)

VIII. Personal Law, Nationality and Domicile (09 April 2018)

Assignment:
SALONGA, at 153-216
COQUIA, at 154-251

Republic Act No. 9225, Retention and Reacquisition of Citizenship Act (2003)

CASE LAW
Templeton v. Government, 59 Phil. 293 (1933)
Alcanta v. Secretary of Interior, 61 Phil. 459 (1935)
Vellila v. Posadas, 62 Phil. 624 (1935)
Gallego v. Vera, 73 Phil. 450 (1941)
Villhermosa v. Commissioner of Immigration, G.R. No. L-1663 (21 March 1948)
In re: Robert Cu, G.R. No. L-3018 (18 July 1951)
Philippine Trust v. Bohanan, G.R. No. L-12105 (30 January 1960)
Caraballo v. Republic, G.R. No. L-15080 (25 April 1962)

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Aznar v. Christensen-Garcia, supra
Lao Chay v. Galang, G.R. No. L-19977 (30 October 1964)
Zita Ngo Burca v. Republic, G.R. No. L-24252 (30 January 1967)
Mo Ya Yim Yao v. CIR, G.R. No. L-21289, 41 SCRA 292 (1971)
Llorente v. CA, supra
Saludo v. American Express, G.R. No. 159507 (19 April 2006)

IX. Marriage, Adoption and Family Relations (16 April 2018)

Assignment:
SALONGA, at 255-335
COQUIA, at 252-301

Domestic Adoption Act of 1998

Inter-country Adoption Act of 1995

CASE LAW
Adiong v. Cheong Seng Gee, 43 Phil. 43 (1922)
Ramirez v. Gmur, 42 Phil. 855 (1918)
Hix v. Fluemer, 55 Phil. 851 (1931)
Barretto v. Gonzales, 58 Phil. 67 (1933)
Arca v. Javier, 50 O.G. 3538 (1954)
Wong Woo Yui v. Vivo, 13 SCRA 552 (1965)
Tenchavez v. Escano, G.R. No. L-19671 (29 November 1965)
Van Dorm v. Romillo, 139 SCRA 139 (1985)
De Leon v. CA, 186 SCRA 347 (1990)
Ballados v. CA, G.R. No. 95718 (19 November 1990)
Yao Kee, et al. v. Sy-Gonzales, supra
Eugenio v. Velez, 185 SCRA 435 (1990)
Board of Commissioners v. Dela Rosa, G.R. Nos. 95122-23 (31 May 1991)

X. Succession (23 April 2018)

Assignment:
SALONGA, at 503-534
COQUIA, at 380-406

CASE LAW
In re Estate of Johnson, supra
Miciano v. Brimo, 50 Phil. 867 (1924)
Valera v. Calderon, 57 Phil. 280 (1918)
Gibbs v. Government, 59 Phil. 293 (1933)
Philippine Trust v. Bohanan, supra
Aznar v. Christenses-Garcia, supra
Bellis v. Bellis, supra
Bilbao v. Bilbao, 87 Phil. 144 (1950)

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Enriquez v. Abadia, 95 Phil. 627 (1954)
Cayetano v. Leonidas, 129 SCRA 522 (1984)

XI. Contracts (7 May 2018)

Assignment:
SALONGA, at 336-387
COQUIA, at 329-379

CASE LAW
Molina v. dela Riva, 6 Phil. 12 (1906)
Insular Government v. Frank, 13 Phil. 236 (1909)
Ibanez v. Hongkong & Shanghai Bank, 30 Phil. 228 (1915)
Companie de Commerce v. Hamburg-Amerika, 36 Phil. 590 (1917)
King Mau Wu v. SyCip, 94 Phil. 784 (1954)
Shewaram v. Philippine Airlines, 17 SCRA 606 (1966)
Ong Yiu v. CA, 91 SCRA 223 (1979)
Pan American World Airways v. IAC, 164 SCRA 268 (1988)
Pakistan International Airlines v. Ople, 190 SCRA 90 (1990)
Triple Eight Integrated Services v. NLRC, G.R. No. 129584 (3 December 1998)
Phil. Export and Foreign Loan Guarantee Corp. v. V.P. Eusebio Construction Inc. (2004)

XII. Tort and Crimes (14 May 2018)

Assignment:
SALONGA, at 388-29
COQUIA, at 407-457

CASE LAW
SS Lotus Case, P.C.I.J. Ser. A, No. 10, p. 4 (1927)
Filartiga v. Pens-Irala, 630 F. 2d 876 (2d Cir, 1980)
In re Estate of Ferdinand Marcos, 1994 U.S. App. Lexis 14796 (9th Circ., 1994)
Trajano v. Marcos, 113 S. Ct. 2959 (1993)
Saudi Arabian Airlines v. CA, supra

XIII. Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgment and Foreign Arbitral Awards (14
May 2018)

Assignment:
SALONGA, at 217-237
COQUIA, at 529-562

1958 Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards

Republic Act No. 9285, The Alternative Dispute Resolution Act (2004), secs. 42-48

CASE LAW

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National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh v. Stolt-Nielsen Philippines, Inc., G.R. No.
87958 (26 April 1990)
Querubin vs. Querubin, G.R. No. L-3693 (29 July 1950)
Borthwick vs. Castro Bartolome, 152 SCRA 229 (1987)
Philippine International Shipping vs. CA, 172 SCRA 810 (1989)
Northwest Orient Airlines, Inc. vs. Court of Appeals, 241 SCRA 192 (1995)
PHILSEC vs. CA, G.R. 103493, (19 June 1997)
Philippine Aluminum Wheels Inc. vs. FASGI Enterprises, G.R. No. 137378 (12 October 2000)
Priscilla C. Mijares et al., v. Hon. Santiago Javier Ranada et al., G.R. No. 139325 (12 April 2005)
Asiavest Merchant Bankers vs. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 110263 (20 July 2001)
Republic v. Gingoyon, G.R. No. 166429 (1 February 2006)
Jorge Gonzales, et al. v. Climax Mining Ltd., et al., G.R. No. 161957 (22 January 2007)
Korea Technologies Co. Ltd. v. Lerma, G.R. No. 143581 (7 January 2008)

XIV. Special Topics (21 May 2018)

Cyber-era

Panavision International vs. Dennis Toeppen, 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, No. 97-55467 (1998)
CompuServe vs. Patterson, 89 F. 3d 1257 (1996)
Yahoo!, Inc. vs. La Ligue Contre Le Racisme et L’Antisemitisme United States District Court for
the Northern District of California, San Jose Division Case No. C-00-21275 JF [Docket No. 170]
(2001)
America Online, Inc., v. Superior Court, 90 Cal.App.4th 1, 108 Ca. Rptr. 2d 699 (2001)

Data Privacy Act (2012) and IRR

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