BUKIDNON STATE UNIVERSITY

College of Law

THE LAW ON PUBLIC OFFICERS


AND ELECTION LAW Course Syllabus1
2nd Semester, AY 2014-2015

PHOEBE CORAZON C. HIDALGO, J.D.

I. The Law on Public Officers

A. Concepts and Principles: Public Office and Public Office and Public Officers

1. Definitions
a. Administrative Code of 1987
b. Revised Penal Case, Art. 203
c. Meaning of Office and Public Office
d. Public Office and Public employment distinguished

2. Purpose and Nature

a. Public Office, as a Public Trust
b. Public Office, not a Property
c. Public Office, not a Contract
d. Security of Tenure in Public Office as property for purposes of due process
Case: National Land Title and Deeds Registration Administration v. Civil
Service Commission, 221 SCRA 145
e. Distinctions

3. Elements

4. Characteristics

5. Creation, Modification and Abolition of Public Office

6. Kinds/Classifications
Cases: Secretary of DOTC v Mabalot, 378 SCRA 129 (2002)
Peclaro v Sandiganbayan, 247 SCRA 454 (1195)
Maniego v People, 88 Phil 494 (1951)
Laurel v. Disierto, 381 SCRA 48 (2002)
Fernandez v Sto. Tomas, 242 SCRA 192 (1995)
Segovia v Noel, 47 Phil. 547 (1925)

1 Based on the course syllabus of Prof. Jesusa Loreto A. Arellano-Aguda.

 Dario v Miston, 176 SCRA 84 (1989)
Mathay v Court of Appeals, 320 SCRA 703 (1999)

B. Eligibility and Qualifications

1. Definitions

2. Nature of Right to hold Public Office

3. Power of Congress to prescribe qualifications

4. Restrictions and construction

5. General and particular qualifications

See 1987 Constitution

Administrative Code of 1987
Republic Act No. 9225

Cases: Labo, Jr. v COMELEC, 211 SCRA 297 (1992)

Frivaldo v COMELEC, 275 SCRA 727 (1996)
Bengzon v HRET, 357 SCRA 545 (2001)
Mercado v Manzano, 307 SCRA 630 (1999)
Romualdez-Marcos v COMELEC, 248 SCRA 300 (1995)

6. Disqualifications
a. General Disqualification

b. Specific Disqualification

Cases: Civil Liberties Union v. Executive Secretary, 194 SCRA 317 (1991)
Rodriguez v. COMELEC, 259 SCRA 295 (1996)
Lecaros v Sandiganbayan, 305 SCRA 396 (1999)
Dela Cruz v COA, 371 SCRA 157(2001)
Flores v Drilon, 223 SCRA 568 (1993)
Abeto v Garceza, 251 SCRA 539 (1995)
Rabe v Flore, 272 SCRA 415 (1997)
Debugaldo v Civil Service Commission, 237 SCRA 184 (1994)
Civil Service Commission v Dacoycoy, 306 SCRA 425 (1999)
Liban v Gordon, G.R. No. 175352 (2009)

C. Acquisition of Right or Title to Office

1. Appointment

Cases: Luego v Civil Service Commission, 143 SCRA 327 (1986)

Regis v Osmena, 197 SCRA308 (1991)
Achacoso v Macaraig, 195 SCRA 235 (1991)

Province of Camarines Sur v Court of Appeals, 246 SCRA 281 (1995)

Gloria v De Guzman, 249 SCRA 281 (1995)
PLM v IAC, 140 SCRA 22 (1985)
Marohombsar v Alonto, 194 SCRA 391 (1991)
Matibag v Benipayo, 380 SCRA 49 (2002)
Padilla v Civil Service Commission,403 SCRA 116 (2003)
Civil Service Commission v Dela Cruz, 437 SCRA 403 (2004)
Civil Service Commission v Darangina, 613 SCRA 648 (2007)
Corpuz v Court of Appeals, 285 SCRA 23 (1998)
Lapinid v CSC, G.R. No. 96298, 14 May 1991
Gen. Manager, PPA v Monserate, 381 SCRA 200 (2002)

a. Appointment by the President

See: 1987 Constitution, Art. VII, Sec. 16

Cases: Sarmiento v Mison, 156 SCRA 549 (1987)

Calderon v Carale, 208 SCRA 254 (1992)
De Castro v JBC, G.R. No. 191002, 17 Mar 2010
Aytona v Castillo, et al., G.R. No. L-19313, 19 Jan 1962

b. Appointment under Civil Service Qualification Standard

See: 1987 Constitution, Art. IX-B, 2(2)

Cases: Juco v NLRC, 277 SCRA 528 (1997)

EIIB v Court of Appeals, 299 SCRA 373 (1998)
Chua v Civil Service Commission, 206 SCRA 65 (1992)
Cuevas v Bacal, 347 SCRA 338 (2000)
PAGCOR v Rilloraza, 359 SCRA 525 (2001)
Luego v Civil Service Commission, supra
Aquino v Civil Service Commission, 208 SCRA 240 (1992)
Delos Santos v Mallare, 87 Phil. 288 (1950)
Tria v Sto. Tomas, 199 SCRA 833 (1991)
Laurel v Civil Service Commission, 203 SCRA 195 (1991)
Grino v Civil Service Commission, 194 SCRA 458 (1991)
 Tomali v CSC, 238 SCRA 572 (1994)
Obiasca v Bassalote (2010)

2. De Facto Officership

a. Definitions

b. Elements

Cases: Dimaandal v COA, 291 SCRA 322 (1998)

Menzon v Petilla, 197 SCRA 251 (1991)
Malaluan v COMELEC, 254 SCRA 397 (1996)
Flores v Drilon, supra
Torres v Ribo, 81 Phil 44 (1948)
Tuanda v Sandiganbayan, 249 SCRA 342 (1995)
Monroy v Court of Appeals, 20 SCRA 620 (1967)
Civil Liberties Union v Executive Secretary, supra
Gen. Manager, PPA v Monserate, supra

3. Remedy to Question Title

Cases: Tarrosa v Singson, 232 SCRA 553 (1994)

Mendoza v Alia, 302 SCRA 623 (1989)
Romualdez v Civil Service Commission, 225 SCRA 285 (1993)

4. By Election

D. Power, Duties and Responsibilities of Public Officers

1. Power and Duties

a. Source of Power and Authority

b. Construction of power and duties

c. Delegation of Power

Case: Torres v Ribo, supra

d. Scope of Power and Authority

e. Specific duties
See: Republic Act No. 6713 and Implementing Rules and Regulations (Code of
Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials & Employees)

Cases: Rabe v Flores, 272 SCRA 415 (1997)

Morfe v Mutuc. G.R. No. L-20387 (1968)
PAGC v Pleyton, G.R. No. 176058 (2011)

f. Norms of Conduct

See: Republic Act No. 6713

Cases: Samson v. Restrivera, G.R. 178454 (2011)

2. Rights and Privileges

a. Right to Office

See: Republic Act No. 6758 (Salary Standardization Act)

COA Government Auditing Rules and Regulations, Sec 2671

Cases: Baybay Water District v Commission on Audit, 374 SCRA 482 (2002)
Rodrigo v Sandiganbayan, 303 SCRA 309 (1999)
Tejada v Domingo, 205 SCRA 138 (1992)
Santos v Court of Appeals, 345 SCRA 553 (2000)

b. Security of Tenure

c. Right to compensation

d. Rights under the Civil Service Law & the Rules under the Administrative Code
1987

e. Personnel Actions

i. Promotions

See: Section 13, Omnibus Rules Implementing Book V, E.O. 292

Cases: Panis v CSC, 229 SCRA 589 (1994)

Divinigracia v Sto. Tomas, 244 SCRA 595 (1995)
Santiago, Jr. v CSC, 178 SCRA 102 (1989)
Abila v CSC, 198 SCRA 102 (1991)
Medenilla v CSC, 194 SCRA 278 (1991)
 Lustero v IAC, G.R. No. 74814, 16 Jul 1991

ii. Transfer

Cases: People v Reyes, 247 SCRA 328 (1995)

Vinzons-Chato v Natividad 224 SCRA 787 (1995)
Vinzonz-Chato v Zenorosa, 344 SCRA 18 (2000)

iii. Detail

Case: Republic v Court of Appeals, 182 SCRA 721 (1990)

iv. Reassignment

Cases: Fernandez v Sto. Tomas, supra

Teotico v Agda, 197 SCRA 675 (1991)
Carino v Dawas, 380 SCRA 355 (2002)
Pastor v City of Pasig, 382 SCRA 232 (2002)
v. Reinstatement

Cases: Cristobal v Melchor, 78 SCRA 175 (1977)

Sabello v DECS, 180 SCRA 623 (1989)
Monsanto v Factoran, 170 SCRA 190 (1989)
Cabagnot v C SC, 233 SCRA 59 (1993)
Gloria c de Guzman, supra

vi. Reemployment

f. Rights to self-organization

Cases: TUPAS v NHA, 173 SCRA 38 (1989)

SSS v CA, 175 SCRA 686 (1989)
Bangalisan v CA, 276 SCRA 617 (1997)
Lopez v CA, 215 SCRA 512 (1992)
People v Jalosjos, 324 SCRA 689 (2000)

g. Other rights

See: Employees Compensation

Republic Act No. 6713

Cases: Borromeo v CSC, 199 SCRA 911 (1991)

Vital-Gozon v CA, 212 SCRA 235 (1992)
 Mancenido v CA, 330 SCRA 419 (2000)
Santos v CA, 435 SCRA 553 (2000)
Cena v CSC, 211 SCRA 179 (1992)
Rabor v CSC, 244 SCRA 614 (1995)
GSIS v COA, 441 SCRA 532 (2004)

3. Liabilities

a. In General – RA 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards)

b. Administrative Liability

c. Civil Liability

d. Criminal Liability

See Civil Code, Arts. 27, 32, 34

Administrative Code Book I, Secs. 38 -39
Revised Penal Code, Title VII
Republic Act No. 3019
Republic Act No. 1379

Cases: Palma v Graciana, G.R. No. L-2740 (1956)

Cojuanco v. CA, 309 SCRA 602 (1999)
Tecson v Sandiganbayan, 318 SCRA 80 (1999)
Ocampo v Office of the Ombudsman, 322 SCRA 17 (2000)
Rodrigo v Sandiganbayan, 303 SCRA 309 (1999)
Lacson v Executive Secretary, 301 SCRA 298 (1999)
Garcia v Sandiganbayan, 460 SCRA 586 (2005)

4. Disabilities and Inhibitions

a. Under the Constitution

b. Under existing laws

E. Termination of Official Relations

See Republic Act No. 6713

Republic Act No. 7160

1. Expiration of Term
Cases: Achocoso v Macaraig, supra
Lecaroz v Sandiganbayan, supra
Gloria v De Guzman, supra

2. Retirement

3. Death or Permanent Disability

4. Resignation

Cases: Ortiz v COMELEC, 162 SCRA 312 (1988)

Estrada v Arroyo, 353 SCRA 452 (2001)
Republic v Sandiganbayan, 548 SCRA 361 (2008)

5. Acceptance of Incompatible Office

Cass: Republic Interest Center, Inc., v Elma, 494 SCRA 53 (2006)

6. Abandonment of Office

Case: Canonizado v Aguirre, 351 SCRA 359 (2001)

7. Prescription of Right to Office

8. Removal

Cases: Aquino v Civil Service Commission, supra

Fabella v CA, 282 SCRA 768 (1997)
Aguialdo v Santos,212 SCRA 768 (1992)
Salalima v Guingona, Jr., 257 SCRA 55 (1996)
Gloria v CA, 306 SCRA 287 (1999)
Secretary of education v CA, 342 SCRA 40 (2000)
Hagod v Gazo-Dadole, 251 SCRA 424 (1995)
The Sanguniang Barangay of Brgy. Don Mariano Marcos v Martinez, 547
SCRA 416 (2008)

9. Impeachment

Case: Francisco, Jr. v HR, G.R. 160261, 415 SCRA 44 (2003)

10. Abolition of Office

Case: Canonizado v Commission of Audit, 226 SCRA 356 (1993)

11. Termination through Reorganization

12. Conviction of Crime

Case: Garcia v Commission on Audit

13. Recall

Cases: Garcia v COMELEC, 227 SCRA 100 (1993)

Angobung v COMELEC, 269 SCRA 245 (1997)

14. Disciplinary Measures

Cases: Ombudsman v CA, G.R. 168079 (17 Jul 2007)

Marohomsalic v Cole, G.R. 169918 (27 Feb 2008)
Jason v Torres, 290 SCRA 279 (1998)
Socrates v Sandiganbayan, 263 SCRA 775 (1996)
Castro v Gloria, 363 SCRA 417 (2001)
Caniete v Secretary of Education, 333 SCRA 849 (2000)
Nalupta, Jr. v Tapec, 220 SCRA 505 (1993)
Office of the Court Administrator v Librado, 260 SCRA 624 (1996)
RTC Makati Movement Against Graft and Corruption v Dumlao, 247
SCRA 108 (1995)
Nieva v Alvarez-Edad, 450 SCRA 45 (2005)
Civil Service Commission v Dacoycoy, supra
Santos v Macaraig, 208 SCRA 74 (1992)