MIDTERM EXAMINATIONS ON ENVIRONMENTAL LAW

ATTY. GENE R. ABOT

1. Mr. Little, a Canadian by birth went to the Philippines to marry his Filipina
fiancée in 2010. Afterwards, they immediately left the Philippines for their
honeymoon and stayed in the United Kingdom until 2012. Soon after they
returned to Canada to stay and live there. This year Mrs. Stuart returned to
the Philippines and started buying properties. They invested in buying
agricultural lands and timberlands as they plan to set–up a logging company.

a.) May the Littles buy properties in the Philippines?

b.) What are the limitations for Mrs. Little to purchase property in the
Philippines?
c.) What are the classifications of land under our Constitution and
differentiate one from the other.

2. China claims areas which the Philippines consider as its territory. Resolve
the conflict. What is our National Territory?

3. What are our National Resources? Explain the reason for conserving our
National Resources.

4. Pablo and his family reside in a posh subdivision in Nueva Ecija known as
Villa Rica Estates. The said subdivision is surrounded by farm lands and a
cement factory. Sometime this year a piggery started operating in one of the
adjacent farm lands which emitted noxious odors reaching the subdivision.
Simultaneously, the cement factory’s anti-pollution devices failed causing air
pollutants to invade the atmosphere of the subdivision. Because of these
unfortunate incidents Pablo’s family and the other subdivision resident
suffered from the tremendous influx of noxious odors and pollutants.

a.) What remedies can Pablo and the other residents pursue to
alleviate their suffering? What government agencies should be
involved in the solution?
b.) Compare the rights of the residents of Villa Rica Estates against
the rights of the owner of the piggery and the cement factory.

5. Explain the ruling laid down by the Supreme Court in the case of MMDA vs.
Concerned residents of Manila bay.