PRELIMINARY READINGS

Sen. Jose W. Diokno's Letter to His Son (1972)

Why lawyers matter: Marvic Leonen at TEDxDiliman (available on Youtube)

ASEAN Law Association – Legal System in Philippines; Chapter 1: Historical Overview

How To Read A Judicial Opinion: A Guide For New Law Students, Orin Kerr

Florin T. Hilbay, Where the Shadows Lie, 85 PHIL. L.J. 104 (2010)

Pacifico A. Agabin, The Politics of Judicial Review over Executive Action: The Supreme Court and

Social Change in UNCONSTITUTIONAL ESSAYS 167-198 (1996)

THE CONSTITUTION AND ITS INTERPRETATION

Manila Prince Hotel v. GSIS, SCRA (1997) (malaysian firm buying MHC)

*Unless expressly provided that a legislative act is necessary to enforce a constitutional mandate, the
presumption now is that all provisions of the constitution are self-executing.

Endencia v. David, 93 Phil. 696 (1953) (tax on pensions)

*Under our system of constitutional government, the legislative is assigned power to make and enact
laws, The executive is charged with the execution or carryingout of the provisions of said laws. But the
interpretation and application of said laws belong exclusively to the Judicial Department. This authority
to interpret and apply laws extend to the constitution

Francisco v. The House of Representatives, 415 SCRA 44 (2003) (Impeachment of Hilario Davide)

*the supreme courts power of judicial review is conferred on the judicial branch of the government in
section 1 article 7 of the constitution. In cases of conflict, the judicial department is the only
constitutional organ which can be called upon to determine the proper allocation of powers between
the several departments and among the integral or constituent units thereof

*Judicial power includes the duty of the courts of justice to settle actual controversies involving rights
which are legally demandable and enforceable, and to determine whether or not there has been a grave
abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction on the part of any branch or
instrumentality of government.

*When the courts declare a law to be inconsistent with the constitution, the former shall be void and
the latter shall govern. Administrative or executive acts, orders, and regulations shall be valid only when
they are not contrary to the laws or the Constitution.

Montescarlo v. Commission on Elections, 384 SCRA 296 (2002) (SK elections)

*
Interpretation

Nitafan v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, 152 SCRA 284 (1987)

J.M. Tuason & Co., Inc. V. Land Tenure Administration, 31 SCRA 413 (1970)

Adoption, Amendment, Revision of the Constitution

Santiago v. COMELEC, G.R. No. 127325. March 19, 1997

Tolentino v. COMELEC, 41 SCRA 702 (1971)

Planas v. COMELEC, 49 SCRA 105 (1973) (Main Opinion)

Javallena v. Executive Secretary, 50 SCRA 30 (1973)

Read the opinions of Justice Concepcion, Makaisar, and Zaldivar.

Lambino v. COMELEC, 505 SCRA 160 (2006)

JUDICIAL REVIEW

A. Separation of Powers

In Re: Laureta and Maravilla, 148 SCRA 382 (1987)

Demetria v. Alba, 148 SCRA 208 (1987)

B. Theory and Justification of Judicial Review

Angara v. Electoral Commission, 63 Phil. 139 (1936)

C. Justiciable and Political Questions

Francisco v. The House of Representatives, 415 SCRA 44 (2003)

Note: other political questions (who to appoint, which road to put)

D. Requisites of Judicial Review

1. Actual Case or Controversy

Prematurity

PACU v. Secretary of Education, 97 Phil. 806 (1995)

Mariano v. COMELEC, G.R. No. 119694, March 7, 1995

Montesclaros v. COMELEC, G.R No. 152295. July 9, 2002

Mootness

Lacson v. Perez, 357 SCRA, 756 (2001)

Sanlakas v. Executive Secretary, G.R. 159085, February 3, 2004

2. Proper Party

Joya v. PCGG, G.R. 96541, August 24, 1993

CHR, Employees Assoc. v. CHR, G.R. 155336, November 25, 2004

Citizen Standing:

Tanada v. Tuvera, 136 SCRA 27 (1985)

Chavez v. PEA and Amari, G.R. 133250, July 9, 2002

Associational Standing:

KMU Labor Center v. Garcia, G.R. 115381, December 23, 1994

IBP v. Zamora, 388 SCRA 81 (2000)

GMA Network, Inc. v. Commission on Election, G.R. No. 205357, September 2, 2014

Taxpayer’s Standing:

Information Technology Foundation of the Philippines v. COMELEC, G.R. No. 159139,

January 13, 2004

Voter’s Standing:

Tolentino v. COMELEC, G.R. No. 148334, January 21, 2004

Legislative Standing:

Ople v. Torres, 293 SCRA 141 (1998)

Governmental Standing:

People v. Vera, 65 Phil 56, (1937)

Standing for Fauna:

Resident Marine Mammals of the Protected Seascape Tanon Strait v. Secretary Reyes, G.R. No.

180771/181527, April 21, 2015

3. Earliest Opportunity

4. Necessity of Deciding Constitutional Questions

Arceta v. Mangrobang, G.R. No. 152895, June 15, 2004

Angara v. Electrical Commission, 63 Phil. (1936)

INHERENT POWERS OF THE STATE

A. Police Power
Basco v. PAGCOR, G.R. No. 91649, May 14, 1991

Binay v. Domingo, G.R. No. 92389, September 11, 1991

Agustin v. Edu, 88 SCRA 195

Rubi v. Provincial Board, 36 Phil. 660 (1919)

B. Power of Taxation

Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority v. Marcos, G.R. No. 120082, September 11, 1996

Commissioner v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 119761, August 29, 1996

Gerochi v. Department of Energy, G.R. No. 159796, July 17, 2007

C. Eminent Domain

Eslaban , Jr. v. De Onorio, G.R. No. 146062, June 28, 2001

Iron and Steel Authority v. Court of Appeals., G.R. No. 102976, October 25, 1996

Telecomminucations and Broadcast Attoryneys of the Philippines v. COMELEC, G.R. No. 132922,

April 21, 1998

FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES AND STATE POLICIES

A. PRINCIPLES

1. Sovereignty of the People and Republicanism

a. Direct and Indirect Democracy

b. Representation and Renovation

c. Accountability to the people

d. Rule of the Majority

e. The Rule of Law – A2,S1

Lambino v. COMELEC, G.R. No. 174153, October 25, 2006 (Read also dissenting opinion of

former Chief Justice Reynato Puno)

Dissenting Opinion of former Chief Justice Puno in Tolentino v. COMELEC, G.R. No. 148334,

January 21, 2004, specifically his discussion of the Constitutional History of Democracy and

Republicanism in the Philippines

Province of North Cotabato v. GRP, G.R. No. 183591, October 14, 2008

2. Adherence to International Law – A2, S2,7&8

a. Renunciation of War – A6, S23(1)

b. Adoption of International Law

c. Adherence to policy of peace, freedom, amity

PHAP v. Secretary of Health, G.R. No. 173034, October 9, 2007

BAYAN MUNA v. Romulo G.R. No. 159618, February 1, 2011

3. Supremacy of Civilian Authority – A2,S3; A7,S18; A16,S5(4); A16,S5(2)

Gudani v. Senga, G.R. No. 170165, August 15, 2006 (also to be discussed under Executive

Department)

4. Government as protector of People & People as Defenders of the State – A2,S4 & 5

5. Separation of Church and State

A2,S6;

A3,S5 (freedom of religion clause)

A9-C,2(5) (political party ban on sects)

A6,S5(2) (no sectoral representation from religious sector)

A6, S28(3) (tax exemption on churches), S29(2) (no appropriation for sects; exemptions)

A14, S3(3) (optional religious instruction), S4(2) (Filipino ownership for schools, except religious

groups and mission boards)

B. POLICIES

1. Independent Foreign Policy and a nuclear-free Philippines – A2, S7-8; A18, S4 and 25 (on foreign

military bases)

Bayan v. Executive Secretary, G.R. No. 138570, October 10, 2000

Lim v. Executive Secretary, G.R. No. 151445, April 11, 2002

2. A just and dynamic social order – Preamble; A2,S9

a. The promotion of social justice

i. Social justice defined – A13,S1

ii. Labor – A2,S18; A13,S3; A3,S8; A9-B, S2(5)

iii. Agrarian and natural resources reform – A2, S2; A13, S4-8

iv. Urban land reform and housing – A13, S9-10

Macasiano v. National Housing Authority, Resolution, G.R. No. 107921, July 1, 1993
v. Health – A13,S11-13

vi. Women – A2,S14; A13,S14

Saudia v. Rebesencio, G.R. No. 198587, January 14, 2015

vii. People’s organizations – A2,S23; A13, S15-16

b. Respect for human dignity and human rights – A13,S17-19; A2,S11; A16,S5(2)

c. The priority of education, science, technology, arts, culture & sports – A2,S7

i. Education

Right to education – A14,S1

Education mandate of the state – A14,S2&5

The educational system – A14,S3-4

Garcia v. Faculty Admission Committee – Loyola School of Theology, G.R. No. L-40779,

November 28, 1975

Non v. Dames II, G.R. 89317, May 20, 1990

Cudia v. Superintendent of the Philippine Military Academy, G.R. No. 211362, February 24,

2015

ii. Language – A14,S6-9

iii. Science and technology – A14, S10-13

iv. Arts and Culture – A14, S14-18

v. Sports – A14, S19

d. Promotion of health and ecology – A2,S15-16; A13,S11-13

Oposa v. Factoran, 224 SCRA 792

e. The family as basic autonomous social institution – A2,S12; A15; A2, S13; Family Code, Article 1

i. Protection of the Unborn

ii. Natural Right and Duty of Parents

Imbong v. Ochoa Jr., G.R. No. 204819, April 8, 2014

f. A self-reliant and independent economic order – A2,S19-20

g. National Economy and Patrimony – A12,S1

h. Natural Resources – A12,S2-5&7

i. Private lands

i. Citizenship requirement – A12,S7; 1973 Const., A17,S11

Exception (acquisition by legal succession, Acquisition by former natural born

citizen – A12,S8)

Ramirez v. Vda. de Ramirez, 111 SCRA 704

ii. Agrarian reform – A13,S4-8

iii. Urban land reform and housing – A13,S9-10

j. Lease to foreigners of private lands valid

k. Regulation of economic activities

TERRITORY, PEOPLE, AND GOVERNMENT

A. Territory

See Executive Order No. 292, (1987), Book I, Sec. 3

Republic Act No. 9522 (2009)

Magallona v. Ermita, G.R No. 187167, July 16, 2011

The Province of North Cotabato v. The Government of the Republic of the Philippines Peace and

Panel on Ancestral Domain, G.R. No. 183591, October 14, 2008

B. People

1. Citizenship Article IV (Citizenship), Sections 1-5

See Executive Order no. 292 (1987), Book I, Sections 5 to 9.

Aznar v. COMELEC, 185 SCRA 703 (1990)

Tecson v. Commission on Elections, 424 SCRA 277 (2004)

Willie Yu v. Defensor-Santiago, 169 SCRA 364 (1989)

Bengson III v. Cruz, 357 SCRA 545 (2001)

Labo v. COMELEC, 176 SCRA 1 (1989)

Frivaldo v. COMELEC, 257 SCRA 727 (1996)

Sobejana-Condon v. COMELEC, G.R. No. 198742

Mercado v. Manzano and COMELEC G.R. No. 135083 (1999)

Republic v. Sagun (G.R. No. 187567; February 15, 2012)

Republic Act No. 8171 (1995)

Republiv Act No. 9225 or “An Act Making the Citizenship of the Philippine Citizens who Acquire

Foreign Citizenship Permanent, Amending for the Purpose Commonwealth Act. No. 63, As

Amended and for other Purposes” (August 29, 2003)

2. Suffrage

Art. V, Sections 1-2

Romualdez v. RTC, 226 SCRA 408, 415 (1993)

AKBAYAN v. COMELEC, 355 SCRA 318 (2001)

Macalintal v. COMELEC, 405 SCRA 614 (2003)

See Republic Act No. 9189 “An Act Providing for a System of Overseas Absentee Voting by

Qualified Citizens of the Philippine Abroad, Appropriating Funds. Therefor, and for other

Purposes” (February 13, 2003) as amended by Republic Act No. 10590

C. Government

1. Government of the Philippines, Defined

See Executive Order No. 292 (1987), Introductory Provisions, Section 2.

2. Separation of Powers, Principle of Checks and Balances, Blending of Powers

3. Accountability of Public Officers

4. Constituent and Ministrant and Functions of the Government

Bacani v. NAOCOCO, 100 Phil. 486 (1956)

ACCFA v. CUGCO, 141 Phil. 334 (1969)

5. De facto and De lure Government

Co Cham v. Valdez, 75 Phil. 113 (1945)

6. Revolutionary Government

Republic v. Sandiganbayan, G.R. No. 104768, July 21, 2003

7. Parens Patriae

Concepcion v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No 123450, August 31, 2003

8. Immunity from Suit

See Executive Order No. 292 (1987), Book I, Section 10-11

Republic v. Feliciano, 148 SCRA 424 (1987)

Meritt v. Government of the Phil. Island, 34 Phil. 311 (1916)

Philippine Agila Satellite v. Lichauco, G.R No. 134887, July 27, 2006

Minucher v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 142396, February 11, 2003

GTZ v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 180388, January 18, 2011

Arigo v. Swift, G.R. No. 206510, September 16, 2014

Vigilar v. Aquino, G.R. No. 180388, January 18, 2011

Money Claims

Ministerio v. Court of First Instance, 40 SCRA 464 (1971)