ENVIRONMENTAL LAW & NATURAL RESOURCES

1st Semester, SY 2020-2021

I. Definitions and Principles

A. Environment
a. Understanding the Concept of Environment
i. Barry Commoner’s Laws of Ecology
B. Natural Resources
a. Importance
b. Classification of Lands of the Public Domain
c. Regalian Doctrine
Jurisprudence
i. Pineda v. CA, 183 SCRA 602
ii. Republic v. IAC, 186 SCRA 88
iii. Director of Forestry v. Villareal, GR No. 32266,
February 27, 1989
iv. Manalo v. IAC, 172 SCRA 795

II. Sources and Foundations of Environmental Law

A. 1987 Constitution
a. Substantive Topics - Right to a Healthy Environment
[Articles II (Sections 15 and 16)]; Regalian Doctrine [Article
XII (Section 2)]; International Environmental Commitments
[Article II (Sections 2 and 7), Article VII (Section 21), Article
VIII (Section 5)]
Jurisprudence
1. Oposa v. Factoran, et al., 224 SCRA 792, G.R. No.
101083 July 30, 1993
2. MMDA, et al v. Residents of Manila Bay, GR Nos
171947-48, 18 Dec 2008
Resident Dolphins and Mammals of Tanon Strait v.
Reyes, GR 180771, April 21, 2015
b. Procedural Topics - access to information [Art III (Section
7)], public participation [XIII (Section 16)]
Jurisprudence
1. Chavez v. PCGG, G.R. No. 130716, 9 December
1998
2. Chavez v. PEA, GR 133250, 9 July 2002
3. Senate of the Philippines v. Ermita, G.R. Nos.
169777, 169659, 169660, 169667, 169834, and
171246, 20 April 2006
4. US v. Reynolds, 345 U.S. 1 , 73 S. Ct. 528, 97 L.Ed.
727, 32 A.L.R.2d 382 (1953)
5. Neri vs. Senate Committee on Accountability of
Public Officers and Investigations, G.R. No. 180643,
4 September 2008
6. Akbayan Citizens Action Party vs. Aquino, G.R. No.
170516, 16 July 2008
7. Garcia v. Board of Investments, G.R. No. 88637, 7
September 1989
8. Valmonte vs. Belmonte, G.R. No. 74930, 13
February 1989
9. Legaspi v, CSC, G.R. No. L-721119, 29 May 1987
10. Gonzales v. Narvasa, G.R. No. 140835, 14 August
2000
11. Baldoza v. Dimaano, A.M. No. 1120-MJ, 5 May
1976
 12. Air Philippines Corporation v. Penswell, G.R. No.
172835, 13 December 2007
B. International treaties
C. National Legislation
D. Administrative Rules and Regulations
III. International Environmental Law
a. Key Environmental Principles: Rio Declaration
1. Intergenerational and Intra-Generational Equity
2. Sustainable Development
3. Responsibility for Transboundary Harm
4. Transparency, Public Participation and Access to
Information and Remedies
5. Cooperation, and Common but Differentiated
Responsibilities
6. Precautionary Principle
7. Prevention
8. Polluter Pays Principles
9. Access and Benefit Sharing regarding Natural Resources
10. Common Heritage and Common Concern of Humankind
b. Jurisprudence (International Court of Justice Cases)
1. Trail Smelter Arbitration (United States v. Canada), Arbitral
Trib. 3 U.N. Rep. Int’l Arb. Awards 1905 (1941)
2. Gabčíkovo-Nagymaros Project (Hungary v. Slovakia), 1997
I.C.J. 7
3. Southern Bluefin Tuna cases (New Zealand v. Japan;
Australia v. Japan), Cases Nos. 3 and 4 ITLOS (1999)
4. MOX Plant Case (Ireland v. United Kingdom), ITLOS Case
No 10, ICGJ 343 (ITLOS 2001), 3rd December 2001,
International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea [ITLOS]
5. Case Concerning Pulp Mills on the River Uruguay
(Argentina v. Uruguay), 2010 I.C.J. 14
IV. Environmental Impact Assessment
a. PD 1151 (Philippine Environmental Policy)
b. PD 1152 (Philippine Environment Code)
c. PD 1586 (Establishing an Environmental Impact Statement
System)
d. Proclamation 2146 (Environmentally Critical Areas and Projects)
e. DENR AO 2003-30 (EIS Law IRR)
Jurisprudence
1. Bangus Fry Fisherfolk, et al v. Hon. Lanzanas, et al., GR
131442, July 10, 2003, 405 SCRA 530
V. Environmental Governance
a. Department of Environment and Natural Resources - EO 192
(Creation of DENR)
Jurisprudence
1. Spouses Tabino v. Tabino, G.R. No. 196219, July 30, 2014
2. Bagunu V. Spouses Francisco Aggabao & Rosenda Acerit,
G.R. No. 186487, August 15, 2011
b. Local Government Units - RA 7160 (Local Government Code)
Jurisprudence
1. Tano vs. Socrates, GR No. 110249, 21 Aug 1997
2. Tatel vs. Municipality of Virac, GR 40243, 11 Mar 1992
3. Sangalang vs. IAC, 168 SCRA 634 (1988)
4. MMDA vs. Bel-Air Village Association, Inc., GR No.
135962, 27 Mar 2000
 d. Accountability of Public Officials
1. 1987 Constitution
2. Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials
– RA 6713
3. Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act – RA 3019
4. Ombudsman Act – RA 6770; Environmental Ombudsman
Jurisprudence
(a) Magsuci vs. Sandiganbayan, GR No. 101545, 3 Jan
1995
(b) Arias vs. Sandiganbayan, GR No. 81563, 19 Dec
1989
(c) Llorente vs. Sandiganbayan, 287 SCRA 382, 11 Mar
1998
VI. Special Laws & International Conventions on Different Ecosystems
a. LAND – Understanding the Ecosystems and the Laws
1. Protected Areas and Species
(a) International Conventions - Convention on International
Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
(CITES), 1973-03-03; Convention on Biological Diversity
(CBD), 1992-06-05
(b) National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act
(RA 7586; DENR AO 26-2008)
Jurisprudence
1. PICOP Resources v. Base Metals, GR 163509,
December 6, 2006, 510 SCRA 400
(c) Wildlife Protection Act (RA 9147)
(d) Forestry Reform Code (PD 705)
Jurisprudence
1. Merida v. People of the Philippines, GR
158182, June 12, 2008, 554 SCRA 366
2. Momongan v. Judge Omipon, AM MTJ-93-874,
March 14, 1995, 242 SCRA 332
3. Provident Tree Farms v. Honorable Batario,
GR 92285, March 28, 1994, 231 SCRA 463
4. People v. CFI of Quezon, Branch VII, GR L-
46772, February 13, 1992, 206 SCRA 187
5. Lagua, et al. v. Cusi, et al., GR L-44649, April
15, 1988, 160 SCRA 260
6. Aquino v. People, GR 165448, July 27, 2009,
594 SCRA 50
7. Mustang Lumber, Inc. v. CA, GR 104988, June
18, 1996, 257 SCRA 430
8. Taopa v. People, GR 184098, November 25,
2008, 571 SCRA 610
9. Dagudag v. Paderanga, AM RTJ-06-2017,
June 19, 2008, 555 SCRA 217
10. Paat v. CA, GR 111107, January 10, 1997, 266
SCRA 197
11. Alvarez v. PICOP, GR 162243, November 29,
2006, 508 SCRA 498
12. Alvarez v. PICOP, GR 162243, December 3,
2009, 606 SCRA 444
(e) Chainsaw Act (RA 9175)
(f) National Caves Act (RA 9072)
(g) IPRA Law (RA 8371)
Jurisprudence
 1. Cruz and Europa v. Secretary of Environment and
Natural Resources, G.R. No. 135385, December 6,
2001
2. Lamsis V. Dong-e, GR 173021, October 20, 2010
3. City Government of Baguio City v. Masweng, GR
180206, February 4, 2009, 578 SCRA 88
4. Province of North Cotabato v. GRP Peace Panel,
GR 183591, October 14, 2008, 568 SCRA 402
5. Unduran, et al. v. Aberasturi, et al., G.R. No.
181284, October 20, 2015
2. Solid Waste Management
(a) Ecological Solid Waste Management (ESWM) Act (RA
9003)
Jurisprudence
1. Province of Rizal, et al. v. Executive Secretary, et
al., GR 129546, December 13, 2005, 477 SCRA 436
2. Writ of Kalikasan (CA Special 19th Division,
December 15, 2016 – Inayawan Landfill)
3. Minerals
(a) Mining Act of 1995 (RA 7942)
(b) Small-Scale Mining (RA 7076)
Jurisprudence
1. Miners Association of the Philippines, Inc. v.
Factoran (240 SCRA 100, January 16, 1995)
2. Asaphil v. Tuason, GR 134030, April 25, 2006,
488 SCRA 126
3. Didipio Earthsaver’s Multipurpose Assoc., Inc. v.
Environmental Secretary, GR No. 157882, 30
March 2006
4. Republic v. Rosemoor, GR149927, March 30,
2004, 426 SCRA 517
5. La Bugal-B’Laan Tribal Association, Inc. v. Victor
Ramos, GR No. 127882, January 27, 2004, 421
SCRA 148
6. La Bugal-B’Laan Tribal Association, Inc. v. Victor
Ramos, GR No. 127882, December 1, 2004, 445
SCRA 1
7. Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company v. WMC
Resources, GR 162331, 507 SCRA 315
8. Benguet Corp v. DENR, GR163101, February 13,
2008, 545 SCRA 196
9. Diamond Drilling Corporation v. Newmont
Philippines, Inc., GR 183576, May 30, 2011
b. AIR
1. International Conventions
(a) Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants,
2001-05-22
(b) Kyoto Protocol to the UN Framework Convention on
Climate Change, 1997-12-11
(c) UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, 05-09-92
(d) Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer,
Montreal Convention, 1987-09-16
2. Clean Air Act – RA 8749
Jurisprudence
1. MMDA v. JANCOM, G.R. No. 147465, 01/02/2002
 2. Henares v. LTFRB and DOTC, GR 158290,
October 23, 2006, 505 SCRA 104
Mead v. Argel, 115 SCRA 256,G.R. No. L-41958 July
20, 1982
3. Pollution Adjudication Board v. CA, 195 SCRA 112,
G.R. No. 93891 March 11, 1991
4. Technology Developers, Inc. v. CA, 193 SCRA
147, G.R. No. 94759 January 21, 1991) (201 SCRA
xi, July 31, 1991
5. Rodriguez vs. IAC, GR No. 74816, March 17, 1987
3. Renewable Energy Act
4. Biofuels Act - RA 9367
c. WATER
1. Freshwaters (Use and Management of Waters)
(a) Clean Water Act (RA 9275)
(b) Water Code of the Philippines (PD 1067)
Jurisprudence
1. Metro Iloilo Water District v. CA, GR 122855,
March 31, 2005, 454 SCRA 249
2. BF Northwest Homeowner’s Association v.
IAC, GR 72370, May 29, 1987, 234 SCRA 537
3. Amistoso v. Ong, GR L-60219, June 29, 1984,
130 SCRA 228
4. Loney, et al., v. People of the Philippines, GR
152644, February 10, 2006, 482 SCRA 194
(c) Code of Sanitation (PD 856)
(d) Laguna Lake Development Authority (RA 4850)
Jurisprudence
1. Public Hearing Committee of LLDA v. SM
Prime Holdings, GR 170599, September 22,
2010
2. Pacific Steam Laundry v. LLDA, GR 165299,
December 18, 2009, 608 SCRA 442
3. The Alexandra Condominium Corporation v.
LLDA, GR 169228, September 11, 2009, 599
SCRA 452
4. LLDA v. CA, GR 110120, March 16, 1994, 231
SCRA 292
5. LLDA v. CA, GR 120865-71, December 7,
1995, 251 SCRA 42
2. Sea
(a) International Conventions
1. Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by
Dumping of Wastes and Other Matters (MARPOL),
1972-12-29
2. Convention on the Control of Transboundary
Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal,
Basel Convention, 1989-03-22
(b) National Laws
1. Marine Pollution Decree – PD 979
2. Philippine Fisheries Code – RA 8550; RA 10654
Jurisprudence
1. Taño v. Socrates, supra.
2. De Guzman v. Escalona, 97 SCRA 619, May
16, 1980
3. Republic v. Casino, 5 SCRA 103, 05/26/1962
 4. Hizon v. CA, 265 SCRA 517, December 13,
1996
5. People v. Anito, 95 Phil 865, September 28,
1954
6. People v. Cubelo, 106 Phil 496, November 20,
1959
7. People v. Lim, G.R. No. L-14432, July 26, 1960
8. People v. Vergara, SCRA 624, April 2, 1997
9. Roldan v. Arca, 65 SCRA 336 July 25, 1975
10. US v. Hernandez, 31 Phil 343 August 26, 1915

VII. Resolving Environmental Issues

a. Rules of Procedure for Environmental Cases, A.M. No. 09-6-8-SC,
April 13, 2010
b. Remedies from Quasi-Judicial Bodies
1. Pollution Adjudication Board
Jurisprudence
1. Shell Philippines Exploration, B.V., et al. v. Jalos, et
al., GR 179918, September 8, 2010
c. Doctrine of exhaustion of administrative remedies
Jurisprudence
1. Universal Robina Corporation v. LLDA, G.R. No. 191427,
May 30, 2011
2. Republic v. Lacap, GR No. 158253, March 2, 2007, 517
SCRA 255
d. Criminal Procedure
e. Civil Procedure
a. Citizen’s Suit – RA 8749 (Clean Air Act); RA 9003 (ESWM Act)
b. Legal Standing to Sue
Jurisprudence
1. Didipio Earthsaver’s Multipurpose Assoc., Inc. v.
Environmental Secretary, supra.
2. Shell Phils Exploration v. Efren Jalos, et al, GR No.
179918, 8 Sept 2010
3. Social Justice Society, et al v. Chevron Phils, et al, GR
No. 156052, 7 March 2009
4. Francisco Chavez v. NHA, et al, GR No. 164527, 15 Aug
2007
5. Pacific Steam Laundry v. LLDA, GR No. 165299, 18 Dec
2009
6. Hilario Henares, et al v. LTFRB, et al, GR No. 158290, 23
Aug 2006
7. MMDA, et al v. Residents of Manila Bay, GR Nos 171947-
48, 18 Dec 2008
8. Kilosbayan v. Executive Secretary, GR No. 101083, 30
July 1993
f. Special Remedies
a. Writ of Kalikasan and Continuing Mandamus
Jurisprudence
1. MMDA vs. Concerned Residents of Manila Bay, GR Nos.
171947-48, December 18, 2008
2. Hernandez vs. NAPOCOR, GR No. 145328, March 23,
2006
3. Boracay Foundation, Inc. vs. Province of Aklan, GR No.
196870, June 26, 2012
4. International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech
 Applications, Inc. v. Greenpeace Southeast Asia
(Philippines), GR 209271, July 26, 2016
b. Temporary Environmental Protection Order (TEPO)
Jurisprudence
1. West Tower Condominium Corp. vs. First Phil Industrial
Corp., GR No. 194239, May 31, 2011
c. Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP)