Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Coverage
Political Law (Constitutional Law I)
Constitutional Law (Constitutional Law II)
Administrative Law
Public Officers and Election Law
Local Government/Municipal Corporations
Public International Law
Course objectives
1. To give a review of the topics covered under Political Law
2. Foster critical thinking on issues and current events related to the topics under the subject
Course methodology
1. Classes will be conducted using online methods
2. There will be graded recitation, quizzes, assignments, and examinations
3. Quizzes, assignments, and examinations will cover provisions of the Constitution, laws, and
jurisprudence
Class policies
1. The assigned cases must be read for recitation, quizzes, and examination purposes
2. Exams will be in essay form
3. No textbook is required (Students are free to choose the reference they will use)
Class policies
1. Keep absences and tardiness to a minimum
2. All students must be on mute during the class except for the student reciting.
3. Recording must be with the consent of the professor and the class.
4. Unnecessary noise or any disruption of the class discussion will not be tolerated. The student
causing the disruption will be marked as absent for the specific session/class. Only 3 absences
will be allowed.
5. Students are encouraged to ask questions
6. During quiz and examinations, the proctor will be watching through zoom while students take
the exams on google classroom. Any unnecessary disruption will give cause to the proctor or
professor not accepting the exam submitted by the student causing the said disruption.
CHEATING will mean an automatic failure.
7. Synchronous class lectures will be done via Zoom. Students are required to join. Students
failing to do so will be marked as absent. The link will be provided before the class.
8. Assignments and quizzes will be uploaded in the online platform.
9. The assigned cases must be read for digest, recitation, quizzes, assignments, and examination
purposes
10. Exams will be in essay form
11. No textbook is required (Students are free to choose the reference they will use)
Grading system:
25% - Quizzes
25% - Midterm Exam ((Constitutional Law I)
25%- Pre-Final Exam (Constitutional Law II)
25% - Final Exam (Administrative Law, Public Officers, Election Law, Local Government, PIL)
Constitutional Law Review
1. In general
a. R.A. No. 6735
Cases: Garcia vs. COMELEC, 237 SCRA 279 (1994)
PIRMA vs. COMELEC, G.R. No. 129745, September 23, 1997
b. Difference between amendment and revision
Case: Lambino vs. COMELEC, G.R. No. 174153, October 25, 2006
c. Legal tests
1. Quantitative test
2. Qualitative test
2. Steps in the amendatory process
I. Proposals
a. By congress as a Constituent Assembly
b. By Constitutional Convention
c. By people's initiative
Cases: Santiago vs. COMELEC, G.R. No.127325, March 19, 1997
d. By President during emergency
Case: Sanidad vs. COMELEC, 73 SCRA 33 (1976)
e. Submission of Proposals
Doctrine of Proper Submission
Cases: Tolentino vs. COMELEC, 41 SCRA 702 (1971)
Planas vs. COMELEC, 49 SCRA 105 (1973)
UNIDO vs. COMELEC, 104 SCRA 17 (1981)
II. Ratification
D. Self-executing and non-self-executing provisions
Case: Gamboa vs. Teves, 652 SCRA 690 (2011)
E. General provisions
a. Flag of the Philippines
b. Name of the country, national anthem, and national seal
Republic Act No. 8491 Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines.
Case: Martinez vs. Lim, A.M. No. P-04-1795, March 25, 2009
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d. Reacquisition of citizenship
Cases: Tecson vs. COMELEC, G.R. No 161434, March 3, 2004
In Re Ching, Bar Matter No. 914, October 1, 1999
i. Procedure for reacquisition via repatriation/ R. A. No. 8171
Cases: Tabasa vs. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 125793, August 29, 2006
Altajeros vs. COMELEC, G.R. No. 163256, November 10, 2004
ii. R.A. No. 9225 Citizenship Reacquisition Act
Cases: David vs. Agbay, G.R. No. 199113, March 18, 2015
Tan vs. Crisologo G.R. No. 193993, November 8, 2017
Cardino vs. COMELEC, G.R. No. 216637, March 7, 2017
3. Government
i. Government of the Philippines defined
Case: U.S. vs. Dorr, 2 Phil. 339 (1903)
ii. Constituent and ministrant functions of government defined
Case: Bacani vs Nacoco, 100 Phil. 468 (1956)
iii. Traditional classification of government functions obliterated
Case: ACCFAvs. CUGCO, 30 SCRA 256 (1989)
iv. De facto vs de jure government
Case: Co Kim Chan vs. Valdez, 75 Phil 113 (1946)
Estrada vs. Desierto, 356 SCRA 108, (2001)
v. Revolutionary Government
Case: Republic vs. Sandiganbayan, 406 SCRA 190 (2003)
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Cases: BANAT vs. COMELEC, 586 SCRA 210 (2009); Resolution dated July 8, 2009
Giron v. COMELEC, G.R. No. 188179, January 22, 2013
b. Requirements as to certain laws enrolled bill
i. Appropriation laws
Case: Guingona vs. Carague, 196 SCRA 221 (1991)
ii. Power of Taxation and requirement as to tax laws
Tolentino vs. Secretary of Finance, 235 SCRA 630 (1994)
iii. Jurisdiction of the Supreme court
Case: First Lepanto Ceramic vs. Court of appeals, 237 SCRA 519 (1994)
2. Procedure on passage of bills
Cases: Abas Kida vs. Senate, 659 SCRA 270 (2011)
3. Presidential veto
Cases: Bolinao Electronics vs. Valencia 11 SCRA 486 (1964)
Bengzon vs. Drilon, 208 SCRA 133 (1992)
4. Legislative veto
Case: Macalintal vs. COMELEC, 405 SCRA 719 (2003)
5. Effectivity of laws
Case: Tanada vs. Tuvera, G.R. No. L-63915, April 24, 1985 and December 29, 1986
6. Journal and congressional records
Cases: Casco Chemical vs. Gimenez, 7 SCRA 347 (1963)
Mabanag vs. Lopez Vito, 78 Phil. 1 (1947)
Astorga vs. Villegas, 56 SCRA 714 (1974)
Morales vs. Subido, 27 SCRA 131 (1969)
B. EXECUTIVE BRANCH
1. The President
a. Singular Executive
Cases: Villena vs. Secretary, 67 Phil 451 (1939)
Ang-angco vs. Castillo, 9 SCRA 619 (1963)
b. Qualifications, election. term, oath - Art. VII, Secs. 2, 4, 5
Case: Macalintal vs. PET, 635 SCRA 783 (2001)
Pormento vs. Estrada, G.R. No. 191988, August 31, 2010
c. Privilege and salary - Art. VII, Sec. 6
Cases: Republic vs. Sandiganbayan, 406 SCRA 190 (2003)
d. Prohibitions - Art. VII, Sec. 13
Case: Funa vs. Ermita, 612 SCRA 308 (2010)
e. Exceptions to prohibition from holding another office
- Vice President as a member of the Cabinet; Secretary of Justice as member of the JBC
Cases: Funa vs. Agra, G.R. No. 191644, February 19, 2013
2. Powers and functions of the President
a. Executive power
i. Power to execute laws - Art VII, Sec 1 and 17
Case: Ople vs. Torres, 293 SCRA 141 (1998)
DENR vs. DENR Reg. 12 Employees, 409 SCRA 359 (2003)
Banda vs. Ermita, 618 SCRA 488 (2010)
ii. Control and supervision over the executive branch - Art. VII, Sec. 17
Cases: Buklod ng Kawaning EIIB vs. Exec. Secretary, 360 SCRA 718 (2001)
Pichay vs. ODESLA, 677 SCRA 408 (2012)
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C. JUDICIAL BRANCH
I. The Judiciary
1. Judicial power - Art. VIII, Sec. 1
Case: Ynot vs. IAC, 148 SCRA 659 (1987)
2. Supreme Court
a. Jurisdiction - Art VIII, Sec. 5
Cases: Santiago vs. Bautista, 32 SCRA 188 (1970)
b. Congressional power over jurisdiction of the SC - Art VIII, Sec. 2; Art VI, Sec 30
c. En banc vs. Division- Art VIII, Sec. 4
Case: Manotok vs. Barque, 574 SCRA 468 (2008)
d. Composition - Art. VIII, Sec. 4
Case: Vargas vs. Rilloraza, 80 Phil 297 (1948)
De Castro vs. JBC, G.R. No.191002, March 17, 2010 and April 20, 2010
e. Appointments and Qualifications
Cases: Kilosbayan vs. Ermita, 526 SCRA 353 (2007)
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• Associational
Cases: Assoc. of Flood Victims vs. COMELEC G.R. No. 203775, Aug. 5, 2014
• Taxpayers - Cases: Mamba vs Lara, 608 SCRA 149 (2009)
• Voters - Case: Tolentino vs. COMELEC, 420 SCRA 438 (2004)
• Legislative - Case: Ople vs. Torres, 293 SCRA 141 (1998)
• Governmental - Case: People vs. Vera, 65 Phil 56 (1937)
• Standing jus tertii - PBOAP vs. DOLE, G.R. No. 202275 July 17, 2018
• Exceptions: Transcendental importance
Case: Francisco vs. Toll Regulatory Board 633 SCRA 470 (2010)
d. Constitutionality is the very lis mota of the case
Cases: Kalipunan ng Damay ang Mahibirap, inc., et al. vs. Robredo,
G.R. No. 200903, July 22, 2014
v. Exceptions to the requisites:
Case: Carpio vs Court of Appeals 692 SCRA 162 (2013)
Bankers Assoc. of the Phil. vs. COMELEC 710 SCRA 608 (2013)
Saguisag vs. Ochoa, G.R. No. 212426, January 12, 2016
vi. Effect of declaration of unconstitutionality
Cases: Araullo vs. Aquino, G.R. No. 209287, July 1, 2014
Film Development Council of the Philippines, vs. Colon Heritage Realty
Corporation, G.R. No. 203754, June 16, 2015
V. CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSIONS
A. Constitutional safeguards to ensure independence of commissions
B. Prohibited offices and interests
C. Review of final orders, resolutions, and decisions
1. Rendered in the exercise of quasi-judicial functions
2. Rendered in the exercise of administrative functions
D. Civil Service Commission
1. Scope of civil service - Art. IX-B, Sec. 2; Art. XII, Sec. 16
a. terms and conditions of employment in the civil service
i. oath of allegiance Art. IX-B; Art. XI, Sec. 18
ii. merit system
a. appointment of lameducks
b. ban on partisan political activities
Case: CLU vs. Executive Secretary, 194 SCRA 317 (1991)
iii. standardization of pay and ban on double compensation -Art. IX-B, Sec. 5 & 8
iv. ban on partisan political activities Art. IX-B, Sec. 2
v. removal and suspension only for cause Art. IX-B, Sec. 2
vi. right of self organization Art. IX-B, Sec. 2
vii. right to strike
2. Review of decision of the CSC - Art. IX-A, Sec. 7
3. Fiscal autonomy - Art. IX-A, Sec. 5
E. Commission on Elections
1. Composition and qualifications Art. IX-C, Sec. 1
Case: Cayetano vs. Monsod, 201 SCRA 210 (1991)
2. Appointment and term of office Art. IX-C, Sec. 1
Case: Brillantes vs. Yorac 192 SCRA 358 (1990)
3. Powers and functions - Art. IX-C, Sec. 2
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F. Commission on Audit
1. Composition and qualifications - Art. IX-D, Sec. 1
2. Appointment and term of office - Art. IX-D, Sec. 1
3. Powers and functions - Art. IX-D, Sec. 2
iii. private lands - Case: Ramirez vs. Vda. de Ramirez, 111 SCRA 704 (1982)
iv. lease of foreigners of private lands
Case: Smith, Bell & Co. vs. Register of Deeds, 96 Phil 53 (1954)
v. regulation of economic activities
vi. public utilities - Gamboa vs. Teves, 652 SCRA 690 (2011); 682 SCRA 397 (2012)
vii. mass media and advertising
viii. practice of profession
ix. regulation of economic activities
organization and regulation of private corporations
x. state operation of private enterprise - Case: Agan vs. PIATCO, 450 Phil. 744 (2003)
xi. Monopolies, combinations, and unfair competition
Case: PPA vs. Mendoza, 138 SCRA 632 (1985)
14. Communication and information in nation building
Case: PLDT vs. NTC, 190 SCRA 717 (1990)
15. Autonomy of local governments
Case: Dadole vs. COA, 393 SCRA 262 (2002)
Social Justice Society vs. Atienza, 545 SCRA 92 (2008)
Ambil vs. Sandiganbayan, 653 SCRA 576 (2011)
Abas Kida vs. Senate, 659 SCRA 270 (2011)
16. Indigenous Cultural Communities
Case: Cruz vs. Secretary of DENR, 347 SCRA 128 (2000)
17. Honest public service and Full public disclosure
Executive Order no. 2, s. 2016, Freedom of Information
Case: IDEALS vs. PSALM, 682 SCRA 602 (2012)
Chavez vs. NHA, 530 SCRA 235 (2007)
I. INTRODUCTION
Definition and Hierarchy of rights under the Bill of Rights (Doctrine of Preferred Freedom)
Diocese of Bacolod vs. COMELEC, G.R. No. 205728, January 21, 2015
1 Utak vs. Comelec, G.R. No. 206020, April 14, 2015
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Scope of Protection
Burgos Sr. vs. Chief of Staff, 133 SCRA 800(1984)
R.A. No. 4200
Gaanan vs. IAC, G.R. No. L-69809 October 16, 1986
Probable Cause
a. Concept of Probable Cause in search warrants
Microsoft vs. Maxicorp, 483 SCRA 224 (2004)
Laud vs. People, G.R. No. 199032, November 19, 2014
b. Determining Probable Cause
Person Authorized Rule 126, Sec. 4
Tan vs. Sy Tiong Gue, 613 SCRA 98 (2010)
People vs. Tuan, G.R. No. 176066, August 11, 2010
Mendoza vs. People, G.R. No. 197293, April 21, 2014
c. How is it determined
Personal examination by searching complainant and witnesses
Nala vs. Barroso Jr., 408 SCRA 529 (2003)
People vs. Tuan, 628 SCRA 226 (2010)
d. Description of the things to be seized
Vallejo v. Court of Appeals, 427 SCRA 658 (2004)
Hon Ne Chan v. Honda Motor Co., Ltd., 565 Phil. 545 (2007)
e. Description of the place to be searched
People vs. Tuan, 628 SCRA 226 (2010)
f. Things that may be seized Rule 126, Sec. 3
Burgos Sr. vs. Chief of Staff, 133 SCRA 800(1984)
People v. Salanguit, 356 SCRA 683 (2001)
g. Form and content of warrant; lifetime
Bache and Co. vs. Ruiz, 37 SCRA 823 (1971)
Mustang Lumber vs. CA, 257 SCRA 430 (1996)
h. Validity of Warrant
People vs. Estrada, 296 SCRA 383 (1998)
i. Rules on DNA Evidence AM No. 06-11-5-SC
People vs. Umamito, G.R. No. 172607, October 26, 2007 and April 16, 2009
Warrantless search and seizure
a. Search incident to a lawful arrest Rule 126, Sec. 13
Ong vs People G.R. No. 197788, February 29, 2012
People vs. Calantiao, G.R. No. 203984, June 18, 2014
Homar vs. People, G.R. No. 182534, September 2, 2015
Comerciante vs. People, G.R. No. 205926, July 22, 2015
b. Consented Search/ Written Consent
Villanueva vs. People, G.R. No. 199042, November 17, 2014
Dela Cruz vs. People, G.R. No. 209387, January 11, 2016
Peaceful submission not consent to search
People vs. Cubcubin, Jr., 360 SCRA 690 (2001).
Effect of Voluntary Surrender
People vs. Agbot, 106 SCRA 325 (1981)
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Trial in Absentia
Ivler vs. Modesto-San Pedro, G.R. No. 172716, November 17, 2010
Concept of speedy trial Republic Act No. 8493 "Speedy Trial Act of 1998."
Tan vs. People of the Philippines, G.R. No. 173637, April 21, 2009
Coscolluela vs. Sandiganbayan, G.R. No. 191411, July 15, 2013
Perez vs. People, G.R. No. 164763, February 12, 2008
Jacob v. Sandiganbayan 635 SCRA 94 (2010)
Mari v. Gonzales, 657 SCRA 414 (2011)
Concept of public trial
Re: Request Radio-TV Coverage of the Trial in the Sandiganbayan of the Plunder Cases
Against the Former President Joseph E. Estrada, 360 SCRA 248(2001)
RE: Petition for radio and television coverage of the multiple murder cases against
Maguindanao Governor Zaldy Ampatuan, et al., A.M. No. 10-11-5-SC, June 14, 2011
Right of confrontation
Bangayan vs. RCBC, G.R. No. 149193, April 4, 2011
People vs. Ng Yik Bun, G.R. No. 180452, January 10, 2011
Go vs. People, G.R. No. 185527, July 18, 2012
Right to be presumed innocent
People vs. Alivio, G.R. No. 177771, May 30, 2011
People vs. Maraorao, G.R. No. 174369, June 18, 2012
Ligot vs. Republic, G.R. No. 176944, March 6, 2013
People vs. Mendoza, G.R. No. 192432, June 23, 2014
Right against self-incrimination
Dela Cruz vs. People, G.R. No. 200748, July 23, 2014
De Castro vs. People, G.R. No. 171672, February 2, 2015
Bail
Definition Rule 114 Secs. 1, 3
People vs. Fitzgerald 505 SCRA 573 (2006)
Leviste vs. Court of Appeals 615 SCRA 619 (2010)
Enrile vs. Sandiganbayan, G.R. No. 213847, August 18, 2015
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11. Requisites for Validity of Administrative Rules and Regulations - Publication and effectivity
Cases: Dagan v. Philippine Racing Commission, G.R. No. 175220, February 12, 2009
Smart Communications Inc., v. NTC, G.R. No. 151908, August 12, 2003
Conte v. Commission on Audit, 76 SCAD 16 or 264 SCRA 19 (1996)
12. Penal Rules and Regulations
Cases: People v. Maceren, 79 SCRA 450 (1977)
13. Force and effect of administrative rules and regulations
Cases: Peralta v. Civil Service Commission, 212 SCRA 425 (1992)
Javellana v. DILG, 212 SCRA 475 (1992)
14. Requirements of notice and hearing or publication
a. Licensing function
b. Fixing of rates
Case: Commissioner of Internal Revenue v. Court of Appeals, 261 SCRA 236 (1996)
15. Construction of administrative rules and regulations
Cases: National Food Authority v. MASADA Security Agency, G.R. No. 163448, March 8, 2005
SGMC Realty Corporation v. Office of the President, G.R. No. 126999, August 30, 2000
16. Prospective or retroactive operation of rules and regulation
Cases: Commissioner of Internal Revenue v. Azucena T. Reyes, G.R. No. 159694, January 27, 2006
Rosario Dadulo v. Honorable Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 175451, Sept. 28, 2007
17. Amendment or repeal of administrative rules and regulations
Case: Republic v. Express Telecommunications Company, Inc., G.R. No. 147096, January 15, 2002
18. Administrative rule and interpretation distinguished
19. Kinds of executive interpretations of the law
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Case: Abad vs. Dela Cruz, G.R. No. 207422 March 18, 2015
c. General and specific qualifications
8. Personnel actions
• Promotion
• Transfer
• Detail
• Reassignment
• Reinstatement
• Reemployment
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ELECTION LAW
1. Suffrage
Case: Kabataan Party-list vs COMELEC G.R. No. 221318, December 16, 2015
2. Powers of the Commission on Elections
Cases: Cagas v. COMELEC, G. R. No. 194139, January 24, 2012
Sahali v. COMELEC, G.R. No. 201796, January 15, 2013
Aquino vs. COMELEC, G.R. Nos. 211789-90, March 17, 2015
Tolentino vs. COMELEC, G.R. No. 218536, January 26, 2016
7. Candidacy
Cases: Quinto v. COMELEC,G.R. No. 189698, Dec. 1, 2009 and Feb. 22, 2010
Aratea v. COMELEC, 683 SCRA 105, (2012)
Jalosjos v. COMELEC, 683 SCRA 1 (2012)
Federico v. COMELEC, G.R. No. 199612, January 22, 2013
Ibrahim v. COMELEC, G.R. No. 192289, January 8, 2013
Tagolino v. COMELEC, G.R. No. 202202, March 19, 2013
8. Disqualification
Cases: Munder v. COMELEC, 659 SCRA 256 (2011)
Sobejana-Condon v. COMELEC, G.R. No. 198742, August 10, 2012
Maquiling v. COMELEC, G.R. No. 195649, April 16, 2013
Jalosjos v. COMELEC, G.R. No. 193314, February 26, 2013
Engle vs. COMELEC, G.R. No. 215995, January 19, 2016
Chua vs. COMELEC, G.R. No. 216607, April 5, 2016
9. Campaign
• Election Campaign
• Lawful Propaganda
• Equal access and media
Cases: Penera v. COMELEC, G.R No. 181613 Sept. 11, 2009 and Nov. 25, 2009
Giron v. COMELEC G.R. No. 188179, January 22, 2013
10. Casting of Votes and Absentee Voting
Cases: Libanan v. HRET, 283 SCRA 520 (1997)
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LOCAL GOVERNMENT
A. Principles of local autonomy
Cases: League of Cities vs. COMELEC, G.R. No. 176591, November 18, 2008
Ambil vs. Sandiganbayan, 653 SCRA 576 (2011)
Villafuerte vs. Robredo G.R. No. 195390, December 10, 2014
Navarro vs Ermita G.R. No. 180050, February 10, 2010
Mandanas vs. Ochoa, G.R. No. 199802, July 3, 2018
b. Eminent domain
Cases: Municipality of Cordova vs. Pathfinder Development, G.R. No. 205544, June 29, 2016
Sy vs. Quezon City, G.R. No. 202690, June 5, 2013
c. Taxing power
Cases: MCIAA vs. City of Lapu-Lapu, G.R. No. 181756, June 15, 2015
Pelizloy Realty vs. Province of Benguet, G.R. No. 183137, April 10, 2013
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d. Legislative power
i. Requisites for valid ordinance
Case: City of Batangas vs. Philippine Shell, G.R. No. 195003, June 7, 2017
ii. Local initiative and referendum
Case: Marmeto vs. COMELEC, G.R. No. 213953, September 26, 2017
2. Liability
Case: LTO vs. City of Butuan, G.R. No. 131512, January 20, 2000
5. Recall
Case: Goh vs. Bayron, G.R. No. 212584, November 25, 2014
6. Term limits
Case: Naval vs. COMELEC, G.R. No. 207851, July 8, 2014
D. Subjects
1. States
2. International organizations
3. Individuals
E. Jurisdiction of states
1. Basis of jurisdiction
a. Territoriality principle
Case: Socorro vs. Van Wilsem, G.R. No. 193707, December 10, 2014
c. Protective principle
d. Universality principle
e. Passive personality principle
I. Refugees
Case: Republic vs. Karbasi, G.R. No. 210412, July 28, 2015
J. Extradition
Cases: Wright vs. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 113213 August 15, 1994
Secretary of Justice vs. Hon. Lantion, G.R. No. 139465, January 18, 2000
Secretary of Justice vs. Hon. Lantion, G.R. No. 139465, October 17, 2000
Government of the United States of America vs. Hon. Purganan, G.R. No. 148571,
September 24, 2002
Rodriguez vs. RTC, G.R. No. 157977, February 27, 2006