Human Rights Law.

1st Semester, AY 2022-2023

COURSE SYLLABUS
Human Rights
Atty. Dashell C. Yancha-Po

Course Description
The course focuses on human rights principles, norms, conventions,
implementation and remedies, as enunciated in the various international and
national legal instruments and jurisprudence. It will employ an interdisciplinary
approach in the discussion of current issues and emerging trends in human
rights discourse.

Academic Calendar (First Semester AY 2022-2023)

October 17-23, 2022 Midterm Examinations

December 19, 2022-January 1, 2023 Holiday Break
January 2-7, 2023 Final Examinations

Merit-based Grading System

Numerical grading system of 60% to 100%, passing threshold at 75%
Class Standing: 40%
Mid Term Exams Grade: 30%
Final Exams Grade: 30%

Session Date Topics for Discussion

No.
Module 1: Introduction to Human Rights Law

1 Aug 27 Preliminaries

2-4 Sept 2 1. Principles of Human Rights Law

Sept 9 a. Characteristics
Sept 16 b. Classification (source, recipient, aspect of life,
struggle for recognition, derogability)
c. Three (3) Stages of Human Rights
d. Three (3) Obligations of States
e. Components of Human Rights

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Human Rights Law. 1st Semester, AY 2022-2023

f. Approaches (Natural law, Positivist, Marxist)

2. Human Rights and Dignity

• Relationship between human rights and human
dignity

a. Donnelly, J. Human Dignity and Human Rights

(2009) Chapter 1 available at
https://www.legal-tools.org/doc/e80bda/pdf/

b. Diokno, J. What I’ve Learned at

https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/what-
ive-learned/-government-is-always-and-only-an-
instrument-of-the-people-211jose-w-diokno-
a00203-20180226-lfrm

c. No cause more worthy: Ka Pepe Diokno’s fight for

human rights at
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/18277
5-jose-ka-pepe-diokno-human-rights/

3. Situation of human rights in the Philippines

• Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for

Human Rights (HRC 44th Session, 2020) at:
https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/
PH/Philippines-HRC44-AEV.pdf

https://www.hrw.org/world-
report/2021/country-chapters/philippines

4. Commission on Human Rights

• Constitutional mandate, powers and functions

Art 13 Sec 18, 1987 Constitution
• About the CHR at http://chr.gov.ph/about-us/

a. EPZA v CHR (G.R. No. 101476, 1992)

b. Carino v CHR (204 SCRA 483)
c. Simon v CHR (G.R. No. 100150, 1994

5. Human Rights and the 1987 Constitution

• What are the human rights provisions found in the

1987 Constitution?

6. Due Process, Equal Protection, Rule of Law

a. Tanada v Tuvera (136 SCRA 329)

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b. Biraogo v Philippine Truth Commission (G.R. No.

192935) December 07, 2010
c. Central Bank Employees Association, Inc. v BSP (446
SCRA 299, 2004)
d. White Light Corporation v. City of Manila (G.R. No.
122846, January 20, 2009)

Activities: Human Beings/Human Rights

Human Rights and Human Needs
Plotting human rights provisions in the 1987
Constitution

Module 2: The Three Generation of Rights

and the International Bill of Rights

5-6 Sept 23, 30 1. Three Generation of Rights

• Civil and Political Rights

• Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
• Solidarity/Collective Rights

• The evolution of human rights. Available at:

https://www.coe.int/en/web/compass/the-
evolution-of-human-
rights#:~:text=The%20specific%20rights%20that%2
0are,to%20communication%20and%20humanitaria
n%20assistance.

References:

a. Domaradzki, S. et al. Karel Vasak’s Generations of

Rights and the Contemporary Human Rights Discourse
Available at
https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s1214
2-019-00565-x.pdf

b. Jensen, S. Putting to rest the Three Generations

Theory of human rights. Available at
https://www.openglobalrights.org/putting-to-rest-the-
three-generations-theory-of-human-rights/

c. Ahmed, M. Discussion regarding possibility of

expansion of second and third generation human
rights. Available at
https://www.academia.edu/17101988/Discussion_reg
arding_possibility_of_expansion_of_second_and_third_g
eneration_human_rights

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Human Rights Law. 1st Semester, AY 2022-2023

d. Nolan, Aoife and Porter, Bruce and Langford,

Malcolm. The Justiciability of Social and Economic
Rights: An Updated Appraisal (July 16, 2009). CHRGJ
Working Paper No. 15. at
https://ssrn.com/abstract=1434944

e. UNOHCHR Fact Sheet No. 33. FAQs on ESC Rights.

https://www.ohchr.org/documents/publications/facts
heet33en.pdf

2. International Bill of Rights

• Universal Declaration of Human Rights
• ICCPR
• ICESCR

Cases:

a. Ocampo v Enriquez (G.R. No. 225973, November 08,

2016)
b. Marcos v Manglapus (G.R. No. 88211, September 15,
1989)
c. Chavez v Gonzales (G.R. No. 168338, February 15,
2008)
d. PAFLU v Secretary of Labor (G.R. No. L-22228,
February 27, 1969)
e. Diocese of Bacolod v COMELEC (G.R. No. 205728,
January 21, 2015)
f. International School Alliance of Educators v
Quisumbing, et al (GR No. 128845, June 1, 2000)
g. Knights of Rizal v DMCI Homes (G.R. No. 213948,
April 25, 2017)
h. Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap, Inc. v Robredo
et. al (G.R. No. 200903, July 22, 2014)
i. Imbong v Ochoa (GR No. 204819, April 8, 2014)
j. Re: Letter of Tony Q. Valenciano, Holding of Religious
Rituals at the Hall of Justice Building in Quezon City
(A.M. No. 10-4-19-SC, March 07, 2017)

Activity: Giving Human Rights a Human Face

Module 3: Nine Core Human Rights Instruments

7-8 October 7, 1. Fact Sheet No. 30/Rev.1, The United Nations Human
October 14 Rights Treaty System: An introduction to the core
human rights treaties and the treaty bodies at
https://www.refworld.org/cgi-
bin/texis/vtx/rwmain?docid=479477490

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Human Rights Law. 1st Semester, AY 2022-2023

2. Core International Human Rights Instruments

https://guides.ll.georgetown.edu/c.php?g=273364&p=
6066284#Table%20of%20Core%20International%20Hu
man%20Rights%20Treaties

3. Human Rights Legal Framework

https://gsdrc.org/topic-guides/human-rights/human-
rights-legal-framework/

4. Discussion on Terrorism

a. Atty. Howard M. Calleja, et al. Vs. Executive

Secretary, et al. (G.R. No. 252578) December 7, 2021
b. Southern Hemisphere Engagement Network, Inc. v
Anti-Terrorism Council (G.R. No. 178552
October 5, 2010)
c. Criteria for the balancing of human rights protection
and the combating of terrorism (Annex to the Report of
the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and
Follow-up to the World Conference on Human Rights
(February 2002) Available at:
https://www.legislationline.org/documents/id/7740

Activities: Windows and Mirrors/ The Ladder of Torture

9 October 21 Mid-Terms

10 October 28 Mid Terms Break (with Asynchronous Task)

Module 4: Social Justice and Vulnerable Sectors

11-12 November 4 1. Social Justice

November 11
Reference:
Monsod, Christian. Social Justice. at
https://drive.google.com/file/d/19Qjk-
S3OvabdXmncJyi3pYKFGqosP4Xe/view

Cases:
a. Calalang v Williams (G.R. No. 47800, December 2,
1940)
b. Phil Sugar Estates Development Co., Ltd v Prudencio
(G.R. No. L-75, February 6, 1946)
c. Manila Water Company v del Rosario (G.R. No.
188747, January 29, 2014)
d. PLDT v NLRC (247 Phil. 641 (1988)

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Human Rights Law. 1st Semester, AY 2022-2023

e. Daabay v. Coca-Cola Bottlers (G.R. No. 199890, 19

August 2013)
f. Central Pangasinan Electric Cooperative, Inc. v.
National Labor Relations Commission (G.R. NO.
163561, July 24, 2007
g. San Miguel Corporation v Lao (G.R. No. 143136-37.
July 11, 2002)

2. Vulnerable Groups

Cases:
a. People v Genosa (G.R. No. 135981, January 15,
2004)
b. Republic v Karbasi, G.R. No. 210412 (July 29, 2015)
c. Silverio v Rep of the Phil (GR No. 174689, Oct 22,
2007)
d. Cruz v Secretary of Environment and Natural
Resources (G.R. No.135385, December 6, 2000)
e. Heirs of Tunged v Sta. Lucia Realty and Dev’t Inc.
(March 6, 2018, G.R. No. 231737 )
f. Donna B. Jacob v. First Step Manpower Int’l Services,
Inc., (G.R. No. 229984. July 8, 2020)
g. PASEI v Drilon (G.R. No. 81958, June 30, 1988)

Module 5: The Human Rights Protection System

13 November 18 Remedies and Procedures

1. Local Remedies: Civil, Criminal, Administrative,

Special Proceedings
2. International Remedies: UN, Optional Protocols
3. Preventive Mechanisms
- National Human Rights Institutions: Focus on
the Commission on Human Rights
- Reportorial Requirements

4. RA 10368 (The Human Rights Reparation and

Recognition Act of 2013)
5. RA 9346 (Act Prohibiting the Imposition of Death
Penalty in the Philippines)

Reference:
Alexandra R. Harrington, Don’t Mind the Gap: The Rise
of Individual Complaint Mechanisms Within
International Human Rights Treaties, 22 Duke Journal
of Comparative & International Law 153-182 (2012)
Available at:
https://scholarship.law.duke.edu/djcil/vol22/iss2/1

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Human Rights Law. 1st Semester, AY 2022-2023

Cases:
a. Cagang v Sandiganbayan (G.R. Nos. 206438 and
206458, July 31, 2018)
b. Republic v Sandoval (220 SCRA 124) 1993
c. Burgos v Esperon (G.R. No. 183711, February 04,
2014)
d. Mijares v Ranada (G.R. NO. 139325, April 12, 2005)
e. Karen Vertido Case. Communication No. 18/2008,
UN Doc. CEDAW/C/46/D/18/2008 (2010)
f. Lenido Lumanog and Augusto Santos v The
Philippines (U.N. Doc. CCPR/C/92/D/1466/2006
Communication No. 1466/2006. 20 March 2008)
g. Cagas, et al. v The Philippines (U.N. Doc.
CCPR/C/73/D/788/1997, Communication No.
788/1997)

• Discussion on Death Penalty

https://balayph.net/news-events/features-and-
articles/128-fact-sheet-note-on-the-death-penalty-and-
the-philippines-
2#:~:text=1%20National%20context%20The%201987%
20Constitution%20of%20the,...%203%20General%20in
formation%20on%20the%20death%20penalty

14-15 November 25, Prerogative Writs

December 2
1. Writ of Habeas Corpus
2. Writ of Amparo
3. Writ of Habeas Data
4. Writ of Kalikasan

Cases:
a. Villavicencio et al v Lukban (G.R. No.L-14639, March
25, 1919)
b. Secretary of National Defense v Manalo (GR No.
180906) Oct 7, 2008
c. Castillo v Cruz (G.R. No. 182165) Nov 25, 2009
d. Lee v Ilagan (G.R. No. 203254, October 08, 2014)
e. Rodriguez v Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, et al. (G.R. No.
191805, April 16, 2013)
f. Razon, Jr. v Tagitis (G.R. No.182498, Dec 3, 2009)
g. Gamboa v Chan (G.R. No. 193636, July 24, 2012)
h. International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-
Biotech Applications, Inc. v Greenpeace Southeast Asia,
et al (G.R. No. 209271, December 8, 2015)
i. Osmena v Garganera (G.R. No. 231164, March 20,
2018)

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j. Rubrico v Macapagal-Arroyo (G.R. No. 183871)

February 18, 2010
k. Vivares v St Theresa’s College (G.R. No. 202666
September 29, 2014)

References:

a. The Writ of Habeas Data (Speech of Chief Justice

Reynato Puno, 2017) Available at
https://pnl-law.com/blog/writ-of-habeas-data-
by-chief-justice-reynato-puno/
b. Daytec, Cheryl, Apple and Orange? : Comparing the
Writs of Habeas Corpus and Amparo as Human Rights
Remedies in the Philippines (July 14, 2011). Available
at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2475118 or
http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2475118

Module 6: Issues in Human Rights Law

This module provides for an opportunity for the class to engage in the discussion of
current issues and emerging trends in human rights discourse, through group
presentations. The presentations will discuss the linkages between human rights and
the respective topics/themes assigned. The Reports should include an analysis of at
least two (2) cases (international or domestic), and the prospects, initiatives and
challenges of human rights protection relating to the said issues. The Group Reports
will comprise 30% of the Final Exams.

16 Dec 9 Group I: Impact of COVID-19 on Human Rights and

the Rule of Law

Group II: Corruption and Human Rights

17 Dec 16 Group III: Human Rights and the Environment

Group IV: Regional Human Rights Protection

Systems (European/African/Inter-American/
ASEAN?)

18 January 6, Final Exams

2023

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