CONSTITUTIONAL LAW I

(COURSE SYLLABUS)
AY 2023
NEW ERA UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF LAW

ATTY. JOVEN G. SEVILLANO

PART I GENERAL PRINCIPLES

A. POLITICAL LAW
1. Scope
2. Basis/History

B. NATURE OF CONSTITUTION
1. Constitution, defined
2. Purpose/Classification
3. Essential Qualities/Parts
4. Supremacy of Constitution
 Manila Prince Hotel v GSIS, 267 SCRA 408 (1997)
5. Construction
 Francisco vs House of Representatives, GR No. 160261, November 10,2003
 Civil Liberties Union vs Executive Secretary, 194 SCRA 317

C. AMENDMENTS OR REVISIONS Article XVII

1. Procedure
a. Proposal Sections 1 to 3
 Lambino v COMELEC, G.R. Nos. 174153 and 174299, October 25, 2006
 Imbong v COMELEC, 35 SCRA 28
 Gonzales vs COMELEC, 21 SCRA 774
 Javellana vs Executive Secretary, et. al., L-36142, March 31, 1973
 Sanidad vs COMELEC
 Bautista vs Salonga, 172 SCRA 160, April 13, 1989
 Santiago v COMELEC, G.R. No. 127325, March 19, 1997
b. Ratification Section 4

PART II CONCEPT OF STATE

A. ELEMENTS OF THE STATE

1. People
2. Territory
a. NATIONAL TERRITORY Article I
b. Components
c. Philippine Archipelago
d. Archipelagic Doctrine
 Magallona v Ermita, GR No. 187167, July 16, 2011
 Province of North Cotabato, et. al., GR No. 183591, October 14, 2008
3. Government
4. Sovereignty
 Ruffy v Chief of Staff, 75 PHIL 875
 Laurel v Misa, 77 PHIL 856
 B. DOCTRINE OF IMMUNITY FROM SUIT Article XVI Section 3
1. Doctrine of Non-Suability
 United States vs Guinto, GR No.76607, February 26, 1990
 Callado vs International Rice Reasearch Institute, GR No. 106483, May 22, 1995
 Arigo v Swift, 735 SCRA 102 (2014)
 Rallos vs City of Cebu, G.R. 202651, August 28, 2013
2. Waiver of Immunity
 Amigable v Cuenca, 43 SCRA 360
 Ministerio v City of Cebu, 40 SCRA 464
 Merritt v Government of the Philippine Islands, 34 Phil 311
 Vinuya vs Romulo, GR No. 162230, April 28, 2010 (J. del Castillo) and August 13, 2014
3. Suits Against Government Agencies
 Department of Health vs Phil Pharmawealth, Inc., GR No. 182358, February 20, 2013
 Fontanilla vs Maliaman, et. al., GR No. 55963
 National Irrigation Administration vs Fontanilla, et. al., GR Nos. L-55963, December 1,
1989
 Professional Video, Inc. vs TESDA, GR No.155504, June 26, 2009
 COA vs Link World International, Inc., 581 SCRA 501 (2009)
 Republic vs Hidalgo, 534 SCRA 619 (2007)
 UP v Dizon, GR No. 71182, 23 August 2012
 Marynette Gamboa v P/SSPT Marilou Chan and P/Supt William Fang. GR No. 193636, 24 July 2012
4. Suits against Public Offficers
 Sanders v Veridiano, 162 SCRA 88
 Lansang vs Court of Appeals, GR NO. 102667, February 23, 2000
5. Suability vs Liability
 Merritt v Government of the Philippine Islands, 34 Phil 311
 Fontanilla vs Maliaman, et. al., GR No. 55963

PART III DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES AND STATE POLICIES

A. PREAMBLE
B. FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES Article II Sections 1-6
1. Principle of Republicanism
 Villavicencio vs Lukban, 39 Phil 778
 Yick Wo vs Hopkins, 118 US 356
2. Incorporation Clause
 Pharmaceutical and Health Care Association vs. Health Secretary, GR No. 173034, October 9, 2007
 Mijares vs Ranada, GR No. 139325, April 12, 2005
 Kuroda vs Jalandoni, 42 OG 4282
 Agustin vs Edu, 88 SCRA 195 (1979)
 Ichong vs Hernandez, 101 Phil 1155
 Magalana vs Ermita, GR No. 187167, August 16, 2011
 Bayan Muna vs Romulo, GR No. 159618, February 1, 2011
 Deutsche Bank AG Manila Branch vs CIR, GR No. 188550, August 19, 2013
 Mary Grace Natividad Poe-Llamanzares v COMELEC, 8 March 2016
3. Civilian Supremacy
4. Defense of the State
 People vs Lagman/ People vs Zosa, 38 OG 1676
5. Peace and Order
6. Separation of Church and State
 Imbong vs Ochoa, GR No. 204819, April 11, 2014

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C. STATE POLICIES Article II Sections 7-28
1. Independent Foreign Policy/Freedom from Nuclear Weapon
2. Social Order/ Social Justice Sections 9, 10, 11, 18 & 21
 Maglakas vs National Housing Authority, GR No. 138823, September 17, 2008
 Duque vs Veloso, GR No. 196201, June 19, 2012
 Calalang vs Williams, 70 SCRA 726
 Manila Water Company vs Del Rosario, GR No. 188747, January 29, 2014
3. Rearing of the youth Sections 11 to 13
 Continental Steel Manufacturing Corporation vs Montano, GR No. 182836, October 13, 2009
 Meyer vs Nebrasca,
 Pierce vs Society of Sisters, 262 US 390
 People vs Ritter, 194 SCRA 690 (1991)
 Department of Education vs San Diego, 180 SCRA 533 (1989)
4. Women Section 14
 Dabalos vs RTC, GR No. 193960, January 7, 2013
 Garcia vs Drilon, GR No. 179267, June 25, 2103
5. Economy Sections 19 to 21
 Espina vs Zamora, GR No. 143855, September 21, 2010
 Gamboa vs Finance Secretary, GR No. 176579, June 28, 2011
 Belgica vs Executive Secretary, GR No. 208566, November 19, 2013
 International Service for the Acquisition Agri-Bioteh Applications, Inc. v Greenpeace
Southeast Asia (Phil), et al, GR No. 209271, 8 December 2015
6. Miscellaneous Sections 15, 16, 17 & 22 to 28
 Calawag vs University of the Philippines Visayas, GR No. 207412, August 7, 2013
 Akang vs Municipality of Isulan, GR No. 186014, June 26, 2013

D. SEPARATION OF POWERS

1. Doctrine of Separation of Powers

 Belgica vs Executive Secretary, GR No. 208566, November 19, 2013
 Philippine Coconut Producers Federation, Inc. vs Republic, GR No. 177857-58, Sept 17, 2009
 Macalintal vs Presidential Electorl Tribunal, GR No. 191618, November 23, 2010
 Angara vs Electoral Commission,63 PHIL 139
 Mendoza vs People, GR No. 183891, October 19, 2011
 Daabay vs Coca-Cola Bottlers Phils., Inc., GR No. 199890, August 19, 2013

2. Justificiable Questions vs Political Questions

 Casibang vs Aquino, 92 SCRA 642 (1979)
 Gonazales vs Office of the President, GR No. 196231, September 4, 2012
 Tanada vs Cuenco, 100 PHIL 1101
 Sanidad vs Commission on Elections, 73 SCRA 333 (1976)
 Estrada vs Disierto, GR No. 146710-15, March 2, 2001
 Belgica vs Executive Secreatary, GR No. 208566, November 19, 2013

E. DELEGATION OF POWERS

1. PERMISSIBLE DELEGATION
a. Tariff Powers Article VI Section 28 (2)
 AKBAYAN vs Aquino, GR No. 170516, July 16, 2008
b. Emergency Powers Article VI Section 23 (2)
 Rodriguez vs Gella, 92 PHIL 603

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  Araneta vs Dinglasan, 84 PHIL 368
 David vs Arroyo, GR No. 171396, May 3, 2006
 Divinagracia vs Consolidated Broadcasting System, Inc., GR No. 162272, April 7, 2009

c. Delegation to the People Article VI Section 1

Article VI Section 32
Article XVII Section 2
 People vs Vera, 65 PHIL 56
d. Delegation to Local Governments
e. Delegation to Administrative Bodies
 Commissioner of Customs vs Hypermix Feeds Corporation, GR No.179579,Feb 1, 2012
 Robosa vs NLRC, GR No. 176085, February 8, 2012

2. TESTS OF DELEGATION
a. Completeness Test
 United States vs Ang Tang Ho, 43 Phil 1
b. Sufficient Standard Test
 Hirabayashi vs United States, 320 US 99
 De la Lana vs Alba, 112 SCRA 294
 People vs Vera, 65 Phil 56
 Ynot vs Intermediate Appellate Court, 148 SCRA 659
 Emmanuel Pelaez vs Auditor General, 15 SCRA 569
 Bureau of Customs Employees Association vs Teves, GR No. 181704, December 6, 2011
 Garcia vs Drilon, GR No. 179267, June 25, 2013
 Belgica vs Executive Secretary, GR No. 208566, November 19, 2013
 Vivas vs The Monetary Board, GR. No. 191424, August 7, 2013
 Imbong vs Ochoa, GR No. 204819, April 11,2014
 Jose Jesus M. Disini, Jr. et al v The Sec. of Justice, GR No. 203335, 11 February 2014

PART IV PRINCIPAL ORGANS OF THE GOVERNMENT

A. LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT Article VI

Section 1
1. STRUCTURE
a. Senate
1. Composition Section 2
2. Qualifications Section 3
 Jalosjos vs COMELEC, GR NO. 193314, June 25, 2013
3. Term Section 4
b. House of Representatives
1. Composition Section 5
a. District Representatives
 Mariano, Jr. vs COMELEC, GR No. 118577, March 7, 1995
 Aquino vs COMELEC, GR No. 189793, April 7, 2009
 Aldaba v COMELEC, GR No. 188078, 25 January 2010
b. Party-List Representatives
 Banat vs COMELEC, GR No. 179271, 21 April 2009
 Atong Paglaum vs COMELEC,GR No. 203766, April 2, 2013

Republic Act No. 7941

 Coalition of Associations of Senior Citizens in the Philippines vs
COMELEC, GR Nos. 206844-45, July 23, 2013

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  COCOFED vs COMELEC, GR No. 207026, August 6, 2013
 Alliance for Nationalism and Democracy (ANAD) vs COMELEC, GR
No. 206987, September 10, 2013
 Abang Lingkod Party-List vs COMELEC, GR No. 206952, October 22, 2013
c. Sectoral Representatives

2. Qualifications Section 6
3. Term Section 7
2. CONSIDERATIONS
a. Election Section 8
b. Vacancy Section 9
c. Salary Section 10
d. Parliamentary Immunities Section 11
e. Conflict of Interest Section 12
f. Inhibitions and Disqualifications Section 14
g. Offices Section 13
 Belgica vs Executive Secretary, GR No. 208566, November 19, 2013

h. Sessions Section 15
i. Officers Section 16
 Datu Abas Kida vs Senate, GR No. 196271

j. Electoral Tribunals Section 17

 Tanada vs COMELEC, GR Nos. 207199-200, October 22, 2013
 Abayon vs HRET, et al, GR Nos. 189466 & 189506, 11 February 2010

k. Commission on Appointments Section 18

l. Organization Section 19

3. POWERS OF CONGRESS
a. Legislative Power
 Nagkakaisang Maralita ng Sitio Masigasig, Inc., Military Shrine Services, GR No.
187587, June 5, 2013
1. Limitations
2. Legislative Process
b. Origin of Bills Section 24
Sections 30 and 31
 Tolentino vs Sec of Finance , GR No. 115455, August 25, 1994

c. Title of Bills Section 26 (1)

 Belgica vs Executive Secreatary, GR No. 208566, November 19, 2013

d. Formalities Section 26 (2)

e. Approval of Bills Section 27
 Bengzon vs Sec of Justice and Insular Auditor, 62 Phil 912 (1936)

f. Legislative Inquiries Section 21

 Balag vs Senate, GR No. 234608, July 3, 2018

g. Appearance of Department Heads Section 22

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 h. Power of Appropriation Section 29 (1)
1.Constitutional Limitations
a. Origin Section 24
b. Discretionary Funds Section 25 (6)
c. Special Appropriation Section 25 (4)
d. General Appropriation Section 25 (1)
e. Riders Section 25 (2)
f. Approval Section 25 (3)
g. Transfer Section 25 (5)
 Araullo vs Aquino, GR No. 209287, July 1, 2014
 Belgica vs Executive Secreatary, GR No. 208566, November 19,
2013
 LAMP v The Sec of Budget and Management, GR No. 164987, 24
April 2012
2. Appropriation for Sectarian Purposes Section 29 (2)
3. Automatic Re-appropriation Section 25 (7)
4. Special Funds Section 29 (3)
i. Power of Taxation Section 28 (1)
Section 28 (3)
Section 28 (4)
 Swedish Match Phils,., Inc. vs The Treasurer of the City of Manila, GR No. 181277, July
3, 2013

k. Power of Concurrence
1. Amnesty Article VII Section 19
2. Treaties Article VII Section 21
l. War Powers Section 23 (1)
m. Referendum and Initiative Republic Act No. 6735

B. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT Article VII

 Republic of the Philippines vs Bayao, GR No. 179492, June 5, 2013
 Resident Marine Mammals of the Protected Seascpe Tanon Strait, et. al. v Secretary
Angelo Reyes, et al , GR No. 180771, 21 April 21, 2015
1. PRESIDENT & VICE-PRESIDENT
a. Qualifications/Term Sections 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6
b. Rule on Succession
1. Presidential Succession Sections 7, 8, and 9
2. Vacancy Section 10
a. At the Beginning of Term
1. Death/Permanent Disability
2. Fails to Qualify
3. Not have been Chosen
4. Died, Not Qualified/Chosen
b. During the Term
3. Declaration of Inability Sections 11 and 12
a. Voluntary Declaration
b. Involuntary Declaration
c. Inhibitions Section 13
 Funa vs Agra, GR No. 191644, February 19, 2013

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 2. POWERS OF THE PRESIDENT
a. RESIDUAL POWER
b. APPOINTING POWER
1. Appointment Section 16
2. Confirmation
3. Limitations Sections 14 and 15

c. REMOVAL POWER
d. CONTROL POWER Section 17
 Almario vs Executive Secretary, GR No. 189028, July 16, 2013

e. MILITARY POWER Section 18

1. Commander in Chief Clause
 Jamar KUlayan v Gov Abdusakar Tan, GR No. 187298, July 3, 2012
 Pichay, Jr, v Office of the Deputy Executive Sec for Legal Affairs, et al , GR
No. 196425, 24 July 2012

2. Suspension of Privilege of Habeas Corpus

3. Martial Law
 Lagman vs Medialdea, GR No. 231658, July 4, 2017
 Lagman vs Pimentel, GR No. 235935, February 6, 2018

f. PARDONING POWER Section 19

 Atty. Alicia Risos-Vidal v COMELEC, GR No. 206666, 21 January 2015

g. BARROWING POWER Section 20

h. DIPLOMATIC POWER Section 21
 Saguisag vs Ochoa, GR No. 212426, January 12, 2016

i. BUDGETARY POWERS Section 22

j. INFORMING POWER Section 23
k. OTHER POWERS Article VI Section 15
Article VI Section 27
Article IX (c) Section 2 (4)
Article IX (c) Section 2 (8)
Article VI Section 23 (2)
Article VI Section 28 (2)

C. JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT Article VIII

a. JUDICIAL POWERS Section 1

 Daabay vs Coca-Cola Bottlers PHILs, Inc., GR No. 199890, August 19, 2013
 Vinuya, et al v The Honorable Executive Sec Alberto Romulo, GR No.162230, April 28, 2010
 Saturnino Ocampo, et al v Rear Admiral Ernesto C Enriquez, et al, GR No. 225973,
November 8, 2016

1. Jurisdiction Section 2
 Applied Food Ingredients Company, Inc. vs CIR, GR No. 18426, November 11, 2013
2. Where Vested Sections 4, 10 and 11

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 3. Independence of Judiciary Section 3
4. Appointment Sections 7 and 9
5. Judicial and Bar Council Section 8
 Villanueva vs Judicial and Bar Council, GR No. 211833, April 7, 2015
 Chavez vs Judicial and Bar Council, GR No. 202242, July 17, 2012
 Republic of the Philippines vs Sereno, GR NO. 237428, May 11, 2018
 Aguinaldo vs Aquino, GR No. 224302, November 29, 2016

b. POWER OF JUDICIAL REVIEW

1. Judicial Review Section 1, Article VIII
Section 4 (2)
Section 5 (2)
 Angara v Electoral Commission, 63 Phil 139
 Aquino v Enrile, 59 SCRA 183
 Bondoc v Pineda, 201 SCRA 792
 Mirasol v CA, GR No. 128448, February 1, 2001

c. REQUISITES OF JUDICIAL INQUIRY

1. Actual Case or Controversy
 Garcia vs Drilon, GR No. 179267, June 25, 2013
 Jalosjos vs COMELEC, GR No. 205033, June 18, 2013
 Maquiling vs COMELEC, GR No. 19649, July 2, 2013
 Corales vs Republic, GR No. 186613, August 27, 2013
 Republic of the Philippines vs Roque, GR No. 204603, September 24, 2013
 Bankers Association of the Philippines vs COMELEC, GR No. 206794, November 26,
2013
2. Proper Party
 Almario vs Executive Secretary, GR No. 189028, July 16, 2013
 Philippine Air Lines vs CIR, GR No. 198759, July 1, 2013
 Remulla vs Maliksi, GR No. 171633, September 18, 2013
3. Earliest Possible Opportunity
 Garcia vs Drilon, GR No. 179267, June 25, 2013
 Boston Equity Resources, Inc. vs. CA, GR No. 173946, June 19, 2013
 Applied Food Ingredients Company, Inc. vs CIR, GR No. 18426, November 11, 2013
4. Necessity of Deciding Constitutional Question

d. POWERS OF THE SUPREME COURT Sections 5 and 6

1. Original Jurisdiction
2. Appellate Jurisdiction
3. Temporary Assignment of Judges
4. Order the Change of Venue/Place of Trial
5. Rule Making Power
6. Appointment of Court Personnel
7. Administrative Supervision
8. Annual Report Section 16
e. Other significant provisions
1. Consultation of Court Section 13
2. Decision of the Court Section 14
3. Period of Decision Section 15
4. Tenure Section 11
5. Salaries Section 10
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PART V - CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSIONS Article IX, 1987 Philippine
Constitution
A. Civil Service Commission (CSC)
B. Commission on Elections (COMELEC)
C. Commission on Audit (COA)
 Dela Llana v. The Chairperson, COA, GR No. 190989, February 7, 2012

PART VI - NATIONAL ECONOMY AND PATRIMONY Article XII, 1987 Philippine

Constitution
 Resident Marine Mammals vs Reyes, GR No. 180771, April 21, 2015
 La Bugal-Blaan Tribal Association, Inc. vs. Ramos, GR No. 127882, December 1, 2004

PART VII - ACCOUNTABILITY OF PUBLIC OFFICERS Article XI, 1987 Philippine

Constitution
Public Office is a Public Trust
Statement of Policy

IMPEACHMENT
1. Impeachable Officers
2. Grounds
3. Procedure
4. Limitations
5. Effects of Conviction

SANDIGANBAYAN
OMBUDSMAN

 In Re: First Indorsement from Honorable Raul M. Gonzales, AM No. 88-4-5433, April 15,
1988

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