Tomas Claudio Colleges

College of Law
Taghangin, Morong, Rizal

Laws on Local Governments

(2 units)
Course Syllabus1
By: Atty. Reynaldo N. Moya Jr.

“The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today. Let us move forward with
strong and active faith.” ― Franklin D. Roosevelt

Description: This is a study of the general principles governing local governments. The course also covers the
laws affecting the creation, organization and government of provinces, cities, municipalities, municipal
districts, and barangays; the scope and application of the powers of municipal corporations, including
municipal ordinances, contracts, liabilities, and enterprises; as well as the laws on autonomous regions, and
the National Capital Region.2

Prerequisite: Constitutional Law I

SYLLABUS References:

a. Article X, 1987 Constitution

b. Republic Act No. 7160 (Local Government Code of 1991), as amended

Books References: Agra, A., Compendium on Local Autonomy and Local Government Rodriguez, R.,
The Local Government Code Annotated

State Policy, Principles of Decentralization

Chapter I

Sections 1-5

Creation, Merger, Abolition & Powers

Chapter II, R.A 7160

Sec. 6-23

Sec 16 (General Welfare Clause)

Sec. 19 (Eminent Domain, see cases below (D)

Cases:

1. Creation of Local Government Units: 

Cases:

1
With reference of U.P. College of Law Prof. Rowena V. Guanzon, Local Government Code syllabus
2
LEB Revised Law Curriculum (LEB Mem. Order No. 24, Series of 2021)
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Patricio Tan et al. vs. COMELEC, 142 SCRA 727 (Province of Negros Del Norte created though BP 885);
Torralba vs. Mun. of Sibagat, 147 SCRA 390. Bai Sema vs. Comelec, G.R. No. 177597 (2008): Prov. Of
Shariff Kaubugsuan case The Prov. Of North Cotabato et al vs. Government of Republic of the Philippines, et
al. GR No. 183591; 183751 etc (Oct. 14, 2008), Umali v. Commission on Elections, G.R. No. 203974, April 22,
2014).

 2. Metro Manila Commission:

PD 824- Metropolitan Manila

1. Gemiliano Lopez, Jr. vs. Hon. Comelec G. R. No. 56124 (2) Gemiliano Lopez, Jr. vs. Hon. MMC GR No.
56022 (May 31, 1985)

3. Presumption of constitutionality:

Alvarez v. Guingona, G.R. No.118303 (Jan. 31, 1996)

4. Governmental powers/ functions:

Municipality of San Fernando v. Firme, G.R. No. 52179, (April 8, 1991)

5.  Proprietary powers/ functions: 

City of Manila v. Intermediate Appellate Court G.R. No. 71159 (No. 15, 1989)

Chapter III

DECENTRALIZATION; LOCAL AUTONOMY; POWERS OF MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS

6.  Local Government Units vis a vis National Government 

Power of general supervision

Cases: (1) Drilon v. Lim, G.R. No. 112497 (Agu. 4, 1994) (2) Solicitor General v. Metopolitan Manila Authority,
Gr.No. No.102782 (Dec. 11, 1991) (3) Ganzon vs. Court of Appeals, G.R. No.93252 (Aug. 5, 1991) (4) Mactan
Cebu International Airport Authority v. Marcos et. al, G.R.No. 120082 (Sept. 11, 1996).

7.  Decentralization & local autonomy:

Ref: 1987 Constitution, Local Government Code, RA 7160

(1) Limbona vs. Mangelin, GR No. 80391 (Feb 28, 1989) (2) San Juan vs. Civil Service Commission, 196 SCRA
69 (1991) (3) Ganzon vs. Court of Appeals, 200 SCRA 271 (1991) (4) Cordillera Broad Coalition vs. COA, G.R.
No. 79956 (Jan 29, 1990) (5) Magtajas vs. Pryce Properties Corp, Inc. 234 SCRA 255 (1991) (6) Taule vs.
Santos, G.R. No. 90336 (Aug. 12, 1991 (7) Binay vs. Domingo 204 SCRA 508  (1991) (8) City Government of
Quezon City vs Ericta (June 24, 1983) (9) Villanueva vs. Castaneda, 152 SCRA 142 (1987) (10) Republic vs.
Gonzalez, 199 SCRA 788 (1991) (11) Patalinghug vs. CA, 229 SCRA 554 (1994)

TITLE II- ELECTIVE OFFICIALS

CHAPTER I- Qualifications and Election

Sections 39- 43

- Section 41(b) Amended by RA 8553

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- Section 43 Amended by RA 8553

CHAPTER II- Vacancies and Succession

Sections 44- 47

CHAPTER III- Local Legislation

Sections 48- 59

CHAPTER IV- Disciplinary Actions

Sections 60- 61

Cases:

(1) Borja v. COMELEC, G.R No. 133495, Sept. 3, 1998 (2) Montebon v. Commission on Elections, G.R. No.
180444, April 8, 2008 (3) Latasa v. COMELEC G.R. 154289, December 10, 2003 (4) Socrates v. COMELEC,
G.R.No. 154512, Nov. 12, 2002 (5) Naval v. COMELEC, G.R. No. 207851, July 8, 2014

Book III - LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

1. Barangay:

Sections 384-435 RA 7160

R.A No. 10742- Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2015, as amended by

R.A No. 11768, May 06, 2022

R.A No. 9262 otherwise known as the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004;
specifically, Sections 4, 5; Sections on Barangay Protection Order, Duties of Barangay Officials and the Police,
Rights of Victims; Confidentiality 

R.A No. 10755- AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE PUNONG BARANGAY TO ADMINISTER THE OATH OF OFFICE OF
ANY GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL

2. THE MUNICIPALITY

Sections 440-447 RA 7160

3. THE CITY

Sections 448-458 RA 7160

City and Municipal Supervision over Barangays;

4. The Sangguniang Panlungsod

Sections 457-468 RA 7160

Role of People’s and Nongovernmental Organizations, Linkages and Assistance to People’s and Non-
governmental Organizations.

Powers of Local Chief Executives over the PNP;

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Provincial Relations with Component Cities and Municipalities;

Review of Executive Orders;

R.A No. 11054, Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, approved 28
May 2018.

Cases:

A. Police Power:

1. Binay v. Domingo, G.R. No. 92389, Sept 11, 1991) (2) Chua Huat vs. CA, 199 SCRA 1  (1991) (3) Tatel vs
Mun. of Virac 207 SCRA 157 (1992) (4) Bayan vs. Ermita, 488 SCRA 227 (April 25, 2006)

B.P 880- Power of Mayor to issue permits for rallies

B. Power of taxation:

local taxes and real property tax 

Sec 5, 6, 7 Art. X, CONST.

Sec. 128-196, RA 7160, LCG

Real property tax: Sec 197-283, RA 7160, LGC

Special Education Fund Tax (LGC)

Local taxation: 

Sec. 138-196 R.A 7160

1. Basco v. Phil Amusement and Gaming Corp, GR No. 91649 (May 14,1991) (2) Phil Petroleum Corp vs. Mun.
of Pililia, Rizal, 198 SCRA 82 (1991) (3) Floro Cement Corp vs. Gorospe 200 SCRA 480 (4) Tuzon and Mapagu
vs. CA, GR 90107 (Aug 21, 1992)

 Franchises

1. PLDT vs. City of Davao (Aug. 2001) (2) City Government of Q.C. vs.  Bayantel (March 2006) (3) FELS Energy
vs. Prov. Of Batangas (Feb. 2007) (4) Digitel vs. Prov. Of Pangasinan (Feb 2007)

Real Property Taxation

Sec 197-283, RA 7160 and Special Education Fund Tax 

1. Sec. of Finance vs. Ilarde & Cipriano Cabaluna GR 121782 (May 9,2005) (2) Benguet Crop vs. Central Board
of Assessment Appeals 210 SCRA 579 (1992) (3) National Development Co. vs. Cebu City 215 SCRA (4) Prov.
of Tarlac vs. Judge ALcantara GRA No. 65230 (Dec 23, 1992)

Shares of LGUS in national taxes

Sections 6, 7 Art X, 1987 Constitution

Sections 284-294, RA 7160

Pimentel vs. Aguirre, 366 SCRA 201 (2000)

C. Abatement of Nuisance
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(1) Estate of Gregoria Francisco vs. CA, 199 SCRA 595 (2) Technology Developers, Inc Vs. CA, 201 SCRA (1991)
(3) Laguna Lake Development Authority vs. CA, 251 SCRA 421 (1995)

D. Power of Eminent Domain:

Rule 67, 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure

RA 7160, LGC

- R.A No. 10752 or the “Right-of-Way Act (for reading only)

- (OCA3 Circular No. 12-2021) (for reading only)

1. Moday et al v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 107916 (Feb. 20, 1997) (2) Prov. Of Camarines Sur v. Court of
Appeals, G.R. No. 103125 (May 17, 1993) (3) Barangay San Roque vs. Heirs of Pastor, G.R. No. 138896 (June
20,2000) (4) Mun. of Paranaque vs. V.M. Realty Corp, 292 SCRA 678, (5) Heirs of Alberto Suguitan v. City of
Mandaluyong, 328 SCRA 137 (2000).

(6) City of Cebu vs. CA, G.R. No. 109173 (July 5, 1996) (7) Francia vs. Mun. of Meycauyan, GR No. 170432
(2008) (8) Heirs of Ardona v. Reyes, 125 SCRA 220 (1983) (9) Filstream International Inc. vs. CA, 284 SCRA
716 (1998) (10) Hagonoy Market Vendors Assn. Vs. Mun. of Hagonoy, Bulacan GR No. 137621 (Feb 6, 2002)
(11) Republic of the Philippines vs. Court of Appeals, GR 146587 (July 2, 2002)

E. Reclassification of lands:

Sec. 20, R.A 7160

The Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Act Republic Act No. 8435, Sec. 9, 11.

1. Fortich vs. Corona, 312 SCRA 751 (1999) (2) Roxas & Co., Inc. vs Court of Appeals, GR 1287876 (Dec
17, 1999).

F. Closure and Opening of Roads:

Sec 21, RA 7160

1. LGC Cabrera vs. CA, 195 SCRA 314 (1991) (2) MMDA vs. Bel Air Village Assn. Inc., 328 SCRA 836 (2000) (3)
Sangalang vs. IAC, 168 SCRA 634 (1988) (4) Macasiano vs. Diokno GR 97764 (August 10, 1992)

G. Corporate powers

Sec.22, R.A 7160

Liability for damages (Sec. 24, LGC)

H. Authority to negotiate and secure grants; receive donations; float bonds, build-operate and

transfer 

Sec. 23, RA No. 7160 LGC

I. Mayor’s power over the police: operational control; suspension

R.A. No. 8551 or the PNP Reorganization Act

Sections 62, 63, 64, 70

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Office of the Court Administrator
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Section 28, RA 7160

RECALL:

Sections 69- 75 LGC

R.A No. 9244 (Amendment of Recall in RA 7160)

Cases:

1. SOCRATES v. COMELEC, et.al, G.R. No. 154512, Nov. 12, 2002

2. GOH v. HON. LUCILO R. BAYRON and COMELEC , G.R. No. 212584, Nov. 25, 2014

Other Readings:

1. Sherwin T. Gatchalian vs. Romeo V. Urrutia, G.R. No. 223595. March 16, 2022

2. Municipality of Makati (Now City of Makati) vs. Municipality of Taguig (Now City of Taguig), G.R. No.
235316. December 01, 2021

3.  Administrative Code of 1987, Title Twelve

4. Republic Act No. 6770, otherwise known as The Ombudsman Act

5. Republic Act No. 8551, otherwise known as "Philippine National Police Reform and Reorganization Act of
1998", Sections 62, 63, 64, 70

6. Administrative Rule on Sexual Harassment (Civil Service Commission) Read with Republic Act No. 7877
otherwise known as the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995

7. Magna Carta for Health Workers (R.A. No. 7305), Sections 3, 21, 22

8. Election Code (B.P 881) Sections 29, 50, 55, 87

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