by

Milagros Santos-Ong
Director, Library Services
Supreme Court of the Philippines
2nd Convention of Court Librarians of the Philippines
Buenos Aires, Bago City, October 13, 2005
 INTRODUCTION

http://www.nyulawglobal.org/globalex

http://www.gov.ph

http://www.gov.pd/aboutphil/general.asp
http://www.popcom.gov.ph
 POLITICAL STRUCTURE
The 1987 Constitution, duly ratified in a plebiscite held on February 2, 1987

1. GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE
2. CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSIONS
3. LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
4. OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
 GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE

a) Pre-Spanish (before 1521)

The Barangays
Maragtas Code issued by Datu Sumakwel of Panay Island
Code of Kalantiao issued by Datu Kalantiano in 1433.
 GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE
b). Spanish period (1521-1898)

Melquiades Gambao in his book entitled An Introduction to Philippine Law (7th ed,.,
1969) listed the most prominent laws in this period: Fuero Juzgo, Fuero Real, Las
Siete Partidas, Leyes de Toros, Nueva Recapilacion de las Leyes de Indias and the
Novisima Recopilacion. Some of these laws were also in force in other Spanish
colonies. Laws in force at the end of the Spanish rule in 1898 are as follows: Codigo
Penal de 1870, Ley Provisional para la Aplicaciones de las Dispociciones del Codigo
Penal en las Islas Filipinas, Ley de Enjuciamento Criminal, Ley de Enjuciameniento
Civil, Codigo de Comercio, Codigo Civil de 1889, Ley Hipotecaria, Ley de Minas, Ley
Notarial de 1862, Railway law of 1877, Law of Foreigners for Ultramarime Provinces
and the Code of Military Justice

General Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed the Philippine Independence in Kawit,

Cavite on June 12, 1898. The Malolos Congress also known as Assembly of the
Representatives, which can be considered as revolutionary in nature, was convened
on September 15, 1898. The first Philippine Constitution, the Malolos Constitution
was approved on January 20, 1899.

The Laws of the First Philippine Republic; The Law of Malolos, 1898-1899
by Sulpicio Guevarra (1972).
 GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE

c) American period (1898-1946)

Treaty of Paris on December 10, 1898

Constitution on February 8, 1935, signed by U.S. President Franklin

Delano Roosevelt on March 23, 1935 and ratified at a plebiscite held on May 14,
1935.

Organic laws that govern the Philippines during this period were: President
McKinleys Instruction to the Second Philippine Commission on April 7, 1900;
Spooner Amendment of 1901; Philippine Bill of 1902; Jones Law of 1916 and the
Tydings McDuffie Law of May 1, 1934.

Mendoza, Vicente V. From McKinleys Instruction to the New Constitution.

QC: Central Book Supply, 1978.

The Supreme Court of the Philippines were appealed to the United States
Supreme Court, which were reported in the United States Supreme Court Reports.
 GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE

d). Japanese period (1941-1944)

The 1943 Constitution was ratified by a special national convention of the

Kapisanan sa Paglilingkod ng Bagong Pilipinas (KALIBAPI).

e). Republic period (1946-1972

Efforts to amend the 1935 Constitution started on August 24, 1970 with
approval of Republic Act No. 6132 where 310 delegates were elected on November
10, 1970. On June 1, 1971, the Constitutional Convention met. While it was still in
session, President Ferdinand E. Marcos declared Martial Law on September 11,
1972. The Constitutional Convention completed the draft Constitution on
November 29, 1972. It was submitted for ratification through citizens assemblies on
January 17, 1973. This is known as the 1973 Constitution.
 GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE
f). Martial Law Period (1972-1986)
1973 Constitution which established a parliamentary form of government.

Military tribunals were established. Amendments to the Constitution were made wherein by virtue of
amendment No. 3, the powers of the President and the Prime Minister were merged into the incumbent
President Ferdinand E. Marcos.

Amendment No, 6 authorized President Marcos to continue exercising legislative powers until
Martial law is in effect.
Amendment No. 7 provided for the barangays as the smallest political subdivision and the
sanggunians or councils.

The 1981 amendment introduced the modified presidential/parliamentary system of government of

the Philippines

Proclamation No. 2045 (1981) lifted Martial Law and abolished Military tribunals. Election was held on
June 16, 1981 and President Marcos was re-elected into office as President. The constitution was again
amended in 1984 and a plebiscite was held on January 27, 1984 pursuant to Batas Pambansa Blg. 643 (1984).
Elections were held on May 14, 1984 for the 183 elective seats in the 200 member Batasang Pambansa.

Impeachment resolution filed by 57 members of the opposition was filed against President Marcos
but was dismissed.

A special presidential lection, popularly known as Snap Election was called by President Marcos on
November 3, 1985 and was held on February 7, 1986
 GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE
g). Republic Revival (1986 to present)

Corazon C. Aquino and Salvador H. Laurel took their oath of office as

President and Vice President of the Philippine Republic on February 25, 1986.

Proclamation No. 1 was promulgated where in she and her Vice President
took power in the name and by the will of the Filipino people.

Proclamation No. 3 (1986) provided for a new government and a

Provisional Constitution or Freedom Constitution was adopted.

A Constitutional Commission was constituted by virtue of Article V of the

Provisional Constitution and Proclamation No. 9.

1987 Constitution, the President and Vice President elected in the February
7, 1986 elections were given a six year term of office until June 30, 1992.
Congressional elections were held on May 11, 1987.

The number of Republic Acts continued from the number last used
before Martial Law (Republic Act No. 6635 (1972) and Republic Act No. 6636
(1987).
 GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE

Executive Branch

Legislative Department

Senate of the Philippines (Home - Senate of the

Philippines.htm)

House of Representatives (House of Representatives -

Home.htm)

Judicial System

Others
 Executive Branch

Since 1898 when the First Philippine Republic was established, the
Philippines has thirteen (13) Presidents (Office of the Press Secretary Online.htm).

The other members of the Executive Branch are the Vice-President and the
Heads of Executive Departments or Cabinet members. (http://www.gov.ph/directory);
(http://gov.ph/gov.links/ooficeofpres_departments.asp)
 Executive Branch
The following are the Departments under the Executive Branch:

Department of Agrarian Reform (http://www.dar.gov.ph)

Department of Agriculture (http://www.da.gov.ph)
Department of Budget and Management (http://www.dbm.gov.ph)
Department of Education (http://www.deped.gov.ph)
Department of Energy (http://www.doe.gov.ph)
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (http://www.denr.gov.ph)
Department of Finance (http://www.dof.gov.ph)
Department of Foreign Affairs (http://www.dfa.gov.ph)
Department of Health (http://www.doh.gov.ph)
Department of Interior and Local Government (http://www.dilg.gov.ph)
Department of Justice (http://www.doj.gov.ph)
Department of Labor and Employment (http://www.dole.gov.ph)
Department of National Defense (http://www.dnd.gov.ph)
Department of Public Works and Highways (http://www.dpwh.gov.ph)
Department of Science and Technology (http://www.dost.gov.ph)
Department of Tourism (http://www.dot.gov.ph)
Department of Trade and Industry (http://www.dti.gov.ph)
Department of Social Welfare and Development (http://www.dswd.gov.ph)
Department of Transportation and Communications (http://www.dotc.gov.ph)

There are specific bureaus and offices directly under the Office of the President
(http://www.op.gov.ph)(http://www.gov.ph/govlinks/oofceofpres_departments.asp).
 Judicial System

SOURCE: 2002 Revised Manual of Clerks of Court.

 Judicial System

Supreme Court of the Philippines (http://www.supremecourt.gov.ph)

 Judicial System
Sandiganbayan (http://www.sandiganbayan.gov.ph)

Court of Tax Appeals (http://www.cta.gov.ph)

Sharia Courts

Quasi-Courts or Quasi-Judicial Agencies

Quasi-judicial agencies empowered by statutes are: Office of the President.

Department of Agrarian Reform, Securities and Exchange Commission, National Labor Relations
Commission, National Telecommunication Commission, Employees Compensation Commission,
Insurance Commission, Construction Industry Arbitration Commission, Philippine Atomic Energy
Commission, Social Security System, Government Service Insurance System, Bureau of
Patents, Trademark and Technology, National Conciliation Mediation Board, Land Registration
Authority, Civil Aeronautics Board, Central Board of Assessment Appeals, National Electrification
Administration, Energy Regulatory Board, Agricultural Inventions Board and the Board of
Investments.
CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSIONS

Civil Service Commission (http://www.csc.gov.ph)

Commission on Elections (http://www.comelec.gov.ph)

Commission on Audit (http://www.coa.gov.ph)

 LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

ORDINANCES

OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

Commission on Human Rights

Office of the Ombudsman (http://www.ombudsman.gov.ph)

 LEGAL SYSTEM

Nature of the Philippines Legal System

The Philippine legal system may be considered as a unique legal

system because it is a blend of civil law (Roman), common law (Anglo-
American), muslim (Islamic) law and indigenous law.
 LEGAL SYSTEM
Sources of Law

There are two primary sources of the law:

a. Statutes or statutory law

b. Jurisprudence or case law

Senate Electoral Tribunal. Only decisions of the House of

Representatives Electoral Tribunal are printed as House of Representatives
Electoral Tribunal Reports, volume 1 (January 28, 1988-October 3, 1990) to
present. And will be available in CD in November during their anniversary and later
at the Supreme Court E-Library.

c. For Muslim law, the primary source of Shariah are Quran, Sunnaqh, Ijma
and Qiyas. Jainal D. Razul in his book Commentaries and Jurisprudence on the
Muslin Law of the Philippines (1984) further stated there are new sources of law
which some jurists rejected such as Istihsan or juristic preference; Al-Masalih, Al
Mursalah or public interest; Istidlal (custom) and Istishab. (deduction based on
continuity or permance).
 LEGAL SYSTEM
Sources of Law

Classification of Legal Sources

Classification by Authority

Classification by Source

Primary (official) sources or Secondary (unofficial sources).

Classification by Character

This refers to the nature of the subject treated in books. This classification
categorizes books as : a) Statute Law Books, b) Case Law Books or Law
Reports, c.) a combination of both and d). Law Finders.
 PHILIPPINE LEGAL
1. Research of Statute lawRESEARCH

1.1. Constitution

The Philippines had several Constitutions as provided in some history books such as Gregorio F. Zaides
Philippine Constitutional History and Constitutions of Modern Nations (1970) and Founders of Freedom; The
History of Three Constitution by a seven man Board. The Philippine legal system recognizes the following
Constitutions: Malolos, 1935, 1973, Provisional or Freedom and 1987 Constitutions.

Text of the Malolos Constitution is available in some history books such as Gregorio F. Zaides Philippine
Constitutional History and Constitutions of Modern Nations, p. 176 (1970)

Sources for the 1934-1935 Constitutional Convention are: 10 volumes of the Constitutional Convention Record
by the House of Representatives (1966), Salvador Laurel's seven volumes book entitled Proceedings of the
Constitutional Convention (1966); 6 volumes of the Philippine Constitution, Origins, Making, Meaning and
Application by the Philippine Lawyers Association with Jose Aruego as one of its editors (1970) and
Journal of the Constitutional convention of the Philippines by Vicente Francisco.

Proceedings of the 1973 Constitutional Convention was not published. A complete compilation is available at
the Filipiniana Reading Room of the National Library of the Philippines.

Journals (3 volumes) and Records ( 5 volumes) of the Constitutional Convention of 1986 were published by the
Constitutional Commission

The proceedings and text of the 1935, 1973 and 1987 Constitutions will be available at the Supreme Court E-
Library.
 PHILIPPINE LEGAL
RESEARCH

1.2. Treaties and other International Agreements

The official text of treaties e published in the Official Gazette,

Department of Foreign Affairs Treaty Series (DFATS), United Nations Treaty
Series (UNTS) or the University of the Philippines Law Center's Philippine Treaty
Series (PTS

Tax treaties Eustaquio Ordono has published a series on the

Philippine tax treaties.
 PHILIPPINE LEGAL
RESEARCH
1.3. Statutes Proper

Statutes are enactments of the different legislative bodies of since 1900

broken down as follows:

4,275 ACTS - Enactments from 1900-1935

733 Commonwealth Acts - Enactments from 1935-1945
2034 Presidential Decrees - Enactments from 1972-1985
884 Batas Pambansa. Enactments from 1979-1985
9335 Republic Acts - Enactments from 1946-1972, 1987- April 2005

Martial Law, other Presidential issuances are: 57 General Orders, 1,525

Letters of Instruction, 2,489 Proclamations, 832 Memorandum Order, 1,297
Memorandum Circular, 157 Letter of Implementation, Letter of Authority, Letters of
Instruction, 504 Administrative Order and 1,093 Executive Orders.

Laws passed by the new 1987 Congress started from Rep. Act No. 6636,
the last Republic Act promulgated by Congress before Martial Law was Rep. Act No.
6635.
 The following are the Philippine codes adopted from 1901 to present:

a. Child and Youth Welfare Code a. Muslim Code of Personal Laws

b. Civil Code b. National Building Cide
c. Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Code c. National Code of Marketing of
d. Coconut Industry Code Breast-milk Substitutes and
e. Code of Commerce Supplements
f. Cooperative Code d. National Internal Revenue Code
g. Corporation Code e. Omnibus Election Code
h. Family Code f. Philippine Environment Code
i. Fire Code g. Revised Administrative Code
j. Forest Reform Code h. Revised Penal Code
k. Intellectual Property Code i. Sanitation Code
l. Labor Code j. State Auditing Code
m. Land Transportation and Traffic Code k. Tariff and Customs Code
n. Local Government Code l. Water Code
In researching for Proclamations, Administrative Orders, Executive Orders and
Memorandum Orders & Circulars of the President, the YEAR is a must or if no year is available,
the President involve. The number of these Presidential issuances starts with no. 1 as a new
President is sworn in. Exception to this are the Executive Orders issued by President Carlos
Garcia after he assumed the Presidency because President Magsaysay died in a plane
crash. He continued the number started by Pres. Magsaysay. When President Garcia was
elected as President, he started his Executive Order No. 1.
 PHILIPPINE LEGAL
RESEARCH
1.4. Administrative Rules and Regulations

In handling this type of materials, there are two important items needed:

Issuing Agency and the Year it was promulgated. This is due to the fact that all Department,
Bureaus, and other government agencies use the ADMINISTRATIVE ORDERS,
MEMORANDUM ORDERS AND MEMORANDUM CIRCULARS for their administrative rules and
regulations AND they start always with number 1 EVERY YEAR. Even the Supreme Court issues
Administrative Orders, Circulars, Memorandum Orders, and Administrative Matters.

When the 1987 Administrative Code (Executive Order No. 292) promulgated all
governmental and department orders, rules and regulations have to be filed with the
University of the Philippines Law Centers Office of National Administrative Register and
published quarterly in a publication called National Administrative Register. Aside from the
printed copies, the National Administrative Register is available electronically in CD ROMS (CD
Asia Technologies Inc.) at the Supreme Court E-Library.

As previously stated, there are no up-to-date or complete Statutes finders. Those

published are listed in the Bibliography. As previously stated, to facilitate legal research, one has
go online virtual libraries such as the Supreme Court E-Library, Chan Robles Virtual Law Library
(http://www.chanrobles.com) or the different databases in CD ROM of CD Asia Technologies
Asia Inc.
 PHILIPPINE LEGAL
RESEARCH
1. Research of Case Law

2.1 Supreme Court Decisions

Decisions of the Supreme Court are classified as follows:

a. "Regular decisions" and extended Resolutions are published in court reports

either in primary or secondary sources.

Unsigned Minute Resolutions are not published.

Case Reports in the Philippines such the Philippine Reports, SCRA, SCAD
come in bound volume which generally covers a month

Judge Nitafan Supreme Court Unpublished Decisions; vol. 1 covers decisions

from March 1946 to February 1952.

Jurisprudencia Filipina. The were translated to form the Philippine Reports.

u of Printing, now the National Printing Office. Due to its late publication, Pres.
the Lex Libris Jurisprudence CD ROM.
How can we search for Supreme Court decisions:
Topic or Subject Approach: (Please See Complete title of the publication from the
Philippine Legal Bibliography chapter)

1. Philippine Digest
2. Republic of the Philippine Digest
3. Velayo's digest
4. Magsino's Compendium
5. Supreme Court's unpublished Subject Index
6. Martinez's Summary of Supreme Court rulings 1984- to 1997
7. UP Law Center's Supreme Court decisions: subject index and digest's
8. SC's Case Digest's
9. Philippine Law and Jurisprudence
10.Castigadors Citations
11. SCRA Quick Index Digest
12.Lex Libris Jurisprudence
Title Approach or Title of the Approach: (Please See Complete title of
the publication from the Philippine Legal Bibliography chapter)

1. Philippine Digest - Case Index

2. Republic of the Philippines Digest
3. Ong, M. Title Index to SC decisions 1946-1978 2v.; 1978-1981 1st
Suppl; 1981-1985, 2nd Suppl; 1986 to present is unpublished but
available at the SC Lib
4. Ateneo's Index & Aquirre's Index
5. Lex Libris Jurisprudence/Template search
Court of Appeals decisions

Sources of Court of Appeals decisions are:

TEXT:
Official Gazette (selective publication)
Court of Appeals Reports which was published by the Court of Appeals until
1980. Even this publication is not a complete compilation. It is still
considered selective for not all CA decisions are published
Court of Appeals Reports (CAR) by Central Book Supply. One volume was
published
Philippine Law and Jurisprudence
Reports Office of the Court of Appeals

Subject or Topic Approach:

Velayo's Digest;
Moreno's Philippine Law dictionary
Decisions of Special Courts

Sandiganbayan and the Court of Tax Appeals do not have published

decisions. The Sandiganbayan has only one volume published;
Sandiganbayan Reports vol. 1 covers decisions promulgated from December
1979 to 1980.

Court of Tax Appeals decisions from 1980 to 2004 are found in the
Lex Libris; Taxation CD ROM.
Decisions of Administrative Agencies, Commissions and Boards

CD Asia Technologies Lex Libris series has individual CD ROMs for the
Department of Justice, Securities and Exchange Commission, Bangko Sentral ng
Pilipines (Central Bank of the Philippines), and the Bureau of Internal Revenue.
Included in these individual CD ROMs are the pertinent laws, their respective
issuances as well as Supreme Court decisions. It CD ROM on Labor (vol. VII)
incorporated issuances from the Department of Labor and Employment and its
affiliated agencies and offices. The Trade, Commerce and Industry CD ROM
includes Supreme Court decisions, laws and issuances of its various agencies
such as the Department of Trade and Industry, Board of Investments, Bureau of
Customs, Bangko Sentral and the Philippine Stock Exchange.

GO TO THE WEB SITES OF THE GOVERNMENT

AGENCIES.
 LEGAL PROFESSION AND
LEGAL EDUCATION
This Law List is available in the Supreme Court website. (http://
www.supremecourt.gov.ph)

Law Schools
eighty nine (89) law schools throughout the
Educational Association and/or Organizations:
a. Philippine Association of Law Deans
b. Philippine Association of Law Professors
c. Philippine Association of Law Students
Bar Associations

Integrated Bar of the Philippines (http://www.ibp.org..ph)

Other Bar Associations

Philippine Bar Association, Philippine Lawyers Association, Trial Lawyers

Association of the Philippines, Vanguard of the Philippine Constitution,
PHILCONSA, All Asia Association, Catholic Lawyers Guild of the Philippines,
Society of International Law, WILOCI, Women Lawyers Association of the
Philippines (WLAP), FIDA. The Philippines is also a member of international
law associations such as the ASEAN Law Association, and LAWASIA.
 LEGAL BIBLIOGRAPHY
I. STATUTES

A. STATUTE LAW BOOKS

Acts and Resolutions of the Batasang Pambansa, (1978-1984). 6v

Arroyo, Basilisa C., and Perla S. Frianeza, eds. 1986 Presidential
Issuances; An Annotated Compilation of Executive Orders,
Proclamations, Memorandum Orders, Memorandum Circulars and
Administrative Orders, February 25-December 31, 1986 (1987).
Commonwealth Acts Nos. 1-733 by the House of Representatives
Legislative Reference Library. 4v.
Commonwealth Acts Annotated by Sulpicio Guevarra (1968). 3v.
Compendium of Laws of the Philippines. House of Representatives
Congressional Library (1989). 2v
Laws and resolutions passed during the first session of the Congress of the
Commonwealth and of the First Congress of the Republic of the
Philippines. Manila: Bureau of Printing (1951).
Laws and Resolutions of the Republic of the Philippines.
Manila: Bureau of Printing (1955). 27v.
Laws and Resolutions Manila: Bureau of Printing. (1987-Present).
vol.1-present
A. STATUTE LAW BOOKS

The Laws of the First Philippine Republic; The Law of Malolos, 1898-1899 by
Sulpicio Guevarra (1972).
Lex Libris: Laws by CD Asia Technologies Inc (CD ROM)
Official Gazette. Volume 1 to present (1901- present) weekly
Philippine Permanent and General Statutes. Compiled and edited by
Gabriel B. Trinidad. (1971). 4v with Suppl..
Philippine Permanent and General Statutes. Compiled and edited by
Gabriel V. Trinidad, Jr. rev. ed. (1978- present). 7 vols.
Presidential Decrees with General Orders and Letters of Instructions.
Prepared and edited by Wenceslao G. Laureta (1973).
Presidential Decrees Consequent to Proclamation Nos. 1081/1104; Comp.
& Consolidated ed. By F.D. Pinpin (1973- ) v.
Presidential Decrees, Letters of Instruction, and Other Presidential.
Compiled and bound annual from Malacaang
Public Laws Annotated. Edited by Sulpicio Guevarra. (1963). 7v.
Public Laws enacted by the Philippine Legislature. Manila: Bureau of
Printing. (1910-1935). 24 v.
Public Laws of the Commonwealth Annotated by Jacobo & Sons. n.d. 4v.
A. STATUTE LAW BOOKS

Public Laws of the Commonwealth Enacted by The National Assembly

Manila: Bureau of Printing. (1939-1941). 2 v.
Public Laws of the Commonwealth Enacted by The National Assembly of
the Philippines. (1935-1946). Edited by Floro P. Agustin. n.d.
Public Laws Passed by the Philippine Commission. Manila: Bureau of
Printing, (1903-1908). 6 vols.
Republic Acts and Resolutions. House of Representatives.
Vital Documents on the Proclamation No. 1081 Declaring a State of
Martial Law in the Philippines from the Declaration of the New
Constitution Jan. 17, 1973) by the National Media Production Center,
n. d. 3v..
Vital Legal Document Compiled and edited by the CBS Editorial Staff. 116 v.
Vital Legal Document Compiled and edited by the CBS Editorial Staff
Second Series. (1997-Present) vol.-present
U.S. Congress. Senate. Senate Documents. Laws of the Fourth Philippine
Legislature. Washington : Government Printing Office (1918.) vols. 3-4:
A. STATUTE FINDER (Index)

Aguirre, Vyva Victoria. Subject and Title Index to Executive Orders.

February 25, 1986 - July 26, 1987 Legis Index No. 1 (1987).
Albert, Justo R., and Rizal Gorospe Daga. Philippine Laws Made Easier to
Find (1954).
Arroyo, Basilisa C., and Perla S. Frianeza. Topical Index: 1986
Presidential Issuances.(1987)
Moran, Isabelo C. Index to Republic Acts Nos. 1-1613 (vols. 1-11)
Consisting Congressional Bills Enacted (1956) with supplement.
Moreno, Federico B. Official Gazette Desk Book. v. 1- (1956)
Philippine Annotated Laws. Manila: Lawyers Cooperative Pub. v
Philippines, Batasang Pambansa. Library Services.
Source List of Executive Orders (1966-1986). (1986)
Source List of Letters of Instruction (1972-1986). (1986
Source List of Presidential Decrees Issued from 1972-1986
Philippines. Batasang Pambansa. Library Service. Subject Index to
Presidential Decrees Nos. 1-2036. (1985).
Philippines. Congress. House of Representatives. Subject Index to
Compendium of Philippine Laws. (1989). Vol. 3
A. STATUTE FINDER (Index)

Philippines. Congress. House of Representatives. Index Guide for

Executive Order Nos. 1-302. (1989).
Philippines. Presidential Decrees and Subject Index by Malacaang
Records Office (1976).
Philippines. President (Marcos, 1965-1986). Presidential Decrees with
General Orders and Letters of Instructions; Prepared and edited
by Wenceslao G. Laureta. Manila: Rex Book Store, 1978. vol. 2.
Presidential Decrees Guide and Subject Index, No. 1-1000. Manila:
Malacaang Records Office (1976).
Subject Guide to Presidential Decrees and other Presidential Issuances.
1975-1986. QC: (1975-1987). v.
Subject Index to the Official Gazette, 1945-1985 by the Supreme Court
Library Services, (1993) 2vols.
Vital Legal Documents Index Guide: Covers all Presidential Decrees,
Letters of Instructions, General Orders and CB Circulars from
volumes 1-25. (1976).

*Full Text of Republic Acts. Presidential Issuances, Rules and Regulations

of Administrative Agencies, Ordinances are published also in newspapers
of general issuances pursuant to Executive Order No. 200 of 1986.
C. CONSTITUTION

TEXTBOOKS/TREATIES

1. 1987 Constitution
Bernas, Joaquin. The Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines 2003).
Bernas, Joaquin. Constitutional Structure and Powers of the Government
(1997).
Cruz, Isagani. Constitutional Law. (2003)
De Leon, Hector. Philippine Constitutional Law. (2003- 2004) 2 vols.
De Leon, Hector. Textbook on the Philippine Constitution (2002)
Joven, Jose. Primer on Philippine Government and Constitution. (1989).
Martin, Ruperto G. New Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines.
(1987).
Nolledo, J. Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines Explained (1992)
Padilla, Ambrosio. The 1987 Constitutions of the Republic of the
Philippines. With comments and cases (1990) 3 vols.
Paulino, Benjamin. The New Constitution: Annotated and Commented.
(1990)
Santiago, Miriam. Constitution Annotated. (2000)
Santiago, Miriam. Constitutional law. (1994) 2 vols.
Sibal, J. The 1987 Constitution of the Philippines (1994)
Suarez, Rolando. Principles, Comments and Cases in Constitutional Law.
(1999-2000). 2 vols.
Taro, Fe Anonuevo. The 1987 Constitution of the Philippines (1989)
TEXTBOOKS/TREATIES

2. Provisional/Freedom Constitution (Proclamation No. 3, s. 1986)

De Leon, Hector. Textbook on the provisional constitution. (1986).

Martin, Ruperto. Law and Jurisprudence on the Freedom
Constitution of the Philippines. (1986)

3. 1973 Constitution
Bernas, Joaquin. The (Revised) Philippine Constitution. (1983) 2 vols.
Fernando, Emma. Philippine Constitutional Law; Survey of the 1973
Philippine Constitution (1977)
Fernando, Enrique. The Constitution of the Philippines. 2d ed. (1977)
Martin, Ruperto. The New Constitution of the Philippines. (1973)
Mendoza, Honesto. The New Constitution. (1974)
Mendoza, Vicente. From McKinleys Instruction to the New Constitution.
(1978)
Montejo, Cirilo. The New Constitution. (1973)
Pe, Cecilio. Mga Paliwanag sa Bagong Saligang Batas. (1975)
Santiago, Miriam Defensor. The 1972 Constitution. (1973)
Tupaz, Antonio. The New Constitution. (1972)
TEXTBOOKS/TREATIES

4. 1935 Constitution

Aruego, Jose. Philippine Political Law. (1950).

Cuaderno, M. The Framing of the Constitution of the Philippines. (1937)
2v.
Nolledo, J.. Constitution of the Philippines (1971)
Sinco, Vicente. The Philippine Political Law. (1962).
Villaluz, N. Commentaries and Opinions on the Constitution.
(1935)

5. Comparative

Pacis, Vicente. Founders of Freedom: History of the Three Philippines

Constitutions. (1971.)
Padilla, Ambrosio. The 1987 Constitutions of the Republic
of the Philippines. vol. 3 pp779-863.
Sison, Carmelo. Comparative Study of the of the 1987, 1973, and
1935 Philippine Constitutions. (1999)
 LEGAL BIBLIOGRAPHY
I. ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS

To get the latest text of these regulations, one has to go to the specific
government agency and/or with the latest technology, they are available in
their websites.

The following are alternate sources:

a. National Administrative Register

b. Official Gazette -- Selective publication
c. Philippine Law Journals such as Court Systems Journal,
Lawyers Review, Philippine Law Gazette, etc.
d. Bulletin and/or Newsletter of the Administrative Agency
and Instrumentality is the latest source of administrative
regulations.
 LEGAL BIBLIOGRAPHY
III. CASE LAW

A. Case/Court REPORTS

Court of Appeals. Report of Cases Decided by the Court of Appeals of the Philippines.
(1961-1980) 25 v.
Court of Appeals Reports Annotated: Selected Decisions of the Court of Appeals in
1986/compiled, Annotated and Edited by the Editorial Staff of the Central Lawbook
Publishing Co., v. 1- (1988- )
!e-library! A Century & 4 Years of Philippine Supreme Court Decisions 1901-April 2004.
Research & Development Department, Agoo Computer College, Agoo, Lau Union, Philippines
(CD ROM)
Lex Libris: Jurisprudence. CD Asia Technologies Inc. CD ROM)
Official Gazette. v.1- present (1901 present). (Selective Publication for each Court e.g.
Supreme Court, Court of Appeals)
Philippine Laws and Jurisprudence
Philippine Reports. vol. 1- present (1904 to present)
Philippine Reports Annotated Edited by Vicente J. Francisco. (1933) 29v.
Philippine Reports Annotated. Compiled, Annotated and Edited by the Editorial Staff of the
Central Central Lawbook Pub., v. 1+ Manila: Central Lawbook Publishing, 1987+
Sandiganbayan Reports. v.1- (1983- ).
Supreme Court Advanced Decisions (SCAD) (2003 to present) vol.- Present
Supreme Court Reports Annotated (SCRA). v.1- present (1967-2004)
Supreme Court Rulings: /compiled/ by Jose N. Nolledo. (1984). 9v.
Supreme Court Unpublished Decisions, March, 1946 to February, 1952, compiled by David
Nitafan. v.1- (1991).
III. CASE LAW

B. CASE FINDERS (Digest and Index, etc.)

Ateneo de Manila University. Index to Cases Decided by the Supreme Court of the Republic
of the Philippines. (1961-1975) (1977).
Case Digest 1951: Abstracts of Cases Published by the Supreme Court of the Philippines:
Camilo D. Quaison, editor. (1952).
Case Digest January-June 1953: Camilo D. Quiason, editor. (1953).
Case Digest of Supreme Court Decisions by the Supreme Court. (July 1988 to present.)
Monthly
Castigador, Lerio Caballero. Citations; Excerpts of Supreme Court Decisions (1991- )
Castillo, Armando C. Subject Index to Published and Unpublished
Decisions of the Supreme Court of the Philippines. (1952).
Del Rosario, Leon S. Index Digest of Philippine Supreme Court Decisions.(1953).
Dominguez, Artistotle T. SCEX; 410 Excerpts-Issues From 304 Supreme Court
Decisions/Resolution Promulgated from 3 September 31 January 1997. (1997)
Gorospe, Rene B. And Echiverri, Lilia F. Index to SCRA Annotation (1994)
Index to Supreme Court Decisions by the Supreme Court v.
Magsino, Celso L. Compendium of Philippine Jurisprudence: Supreme Court Decisions from
1945 to 1980. (1984-1989) 9v. Supplement. 2v.
Martinez, Daniel T. Summary of Supreme Court Rulings. 1985-1997 Annual.
Moreno, Federico B. Official Gazette Desk Book. (1956) v.1-
Navarrete, Antonio F. 1957 Digest-Index - Manila: Printed by Benipayo Press, 1958.
Philippines Digest; Digest of the Reports of the Supreme Court of the Philippine Islands;
Covering All Decisions of the Supreme Court of the Philippine Islands and the
Philippine Decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States. (1927-1930).
50v.
B. CASE FINDERS (Digest and Index, etc.)

Republic of the Philippines Digest Covering all Decisions of the Supreme Court of the
Philippines from July 4,1946, through September 1958 including all Cases Not
Officially Published as Well as Cases Reported in the Official Reports and
the Official Gazette. (1960-70). 8v. with supplement
Santos-Ong, Milagros. Title Index to Supreme Court Decisions. 2v.
Santos-Ong, Milagros. Title Index to Supreme Court Decisions; 1978-1982 Supplement
Santos-Ong, Milagros. Title Index to Supreme Court Decisions, 1981-1985.
Sibal, J.A. Index SCRA Annotations (vols. 1-309) (2001)
Supreme Court Subject Index and Digest . (1976- ) Quarterly, with annual
cummulation. vol.1- .
Supreme Court Decisions: A Title Index, 1982-1985. Vyva Victoria M. Aguirre, editor.
(1987).
Supreme Court Reports Annotated (1984).
Supreme Court Reports Annotated Quick Index -- Digest. (1972- Present) v.1- present
Annual publication
Velayos Digest General Index by Jose Agaton Sibal. (1980) 2v.
Velayos Digest of Philippine Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Decisions, 1942-
1973; by Ramon M. Velayo. (1963-1970.)
IV. DICTIONARIES

A. PHILIPPINE

Moreno, F. Philippine law dictionary (2000)

Agpalo, R. Agpalos Legal Words and Phrases (1997)
Sibal, J.A. Philippine legal encyclopedia (1986)
Barriatos. Glossary of Philippine Industrial Relations Terms and Phrases
(2003)
Nolledo, J. Dictionary of Legal Terms (1967)
Salao, E. Law Dictionary (2004)
Gamboa, M. Dictionary of International law and diplomacy (1975)
Isidro. Philippine labor dictionary (1966)
Tiopanco, T. Dictionary of insurance terms and phrases (1986)
Lee, Handbook of legal maxims (1998)
Llanes. A Compilation of Legal Maxims (2004)

B. FOREIGN (some)

Ballentines law dictionary (1969)

Bander & Wallach. Medial legal dictionary (1970)
Blacks Law Dictionary (1989)
Bouviers Law Dictionary & Concise Encyclopedia 3v.
Casselman. Labor Dictionary (1949)
Maloys Medical dictionary for lawyers
Strouds Judicial dictionary of words and phrases. 5v
Words and Phrases 45 vols.
V. INTERNATIONAL TREATIES

A. PHILIPPINES
Philippine Treaty Series (U.P. Law Center) 7 vols. DFA
Treaty Series v.1-

B. FOREIGN

United Nations Treaty Series 1946 to date

League of Nations Treaty Series, 1920-1946
Consolidated Treaty Series, 1948-1918
Racueil General de Traites, 1876-present
Periodicals such as International Legal Materials, American
Journal of International Law
VI. FORM BOOKS

PHILIPPINE

Altavas, E. Real Estate Conveyancing and Other Legal Forms (1950)

Fisher, F. New Encyclopedia of Philippine Legal Forms (1926)
Fisher, F. Philippine Legal and Business Forms. (1948)
Guevarra, Sulpicio. Legal forms. (1991)
Ignacio, R. Tagalog Forms For Notaries Public With Other Legal Terms
In Tagalog (1967)
Martin, Ruperto. Handbook of legal and judicial forms (1974)
Pena, N. Legal forms in real estate conveyancing. (1994)
Sia, Norma. Legal forms in English and Filipino. (1977)
Tanada, Lorenzo. Philippine legal forms. 2 vols.

FOREIGN (Some)

American Jurisprudence, legal forms annotated. 15 vols.

American Jurisprudence, legal forms 2d. ed. 22 vols.
American Jurisprudence, pleadings and practice forms, annotated. 27 vols.
Fletcher, W. Corporation forms and precedents annotated. (1938). 5 vols.
Fletcher, W. Corporation forms annotated. (1957) 10v.
Jones, L. Legal Forms Annotated (1946)
 LEGAL SOURCES
1. Electronic Sources

1.a. Philippine On-Line Sources

Supreme Court E-Library (http://www.supremecourt.gov.ph)

Chan Robles Law Firm Virtual Law Library (http://www.chanrobles.com)

Arellano Law Foundation (http://www.lawphil.net

Pinoy law.com. (http://www.pinoylaw.com)

1.b. Foreign

Findlaw.com
Lexis
Westlaw
1. Electronic Sources

2. CD-Roms

1. CD Asia Technologies Inc. (http://www.cdasia.com.ph)

The LEX LIBRIS

Vol 1 LAWS (Philippine Edition)

Vol 2 TAXATION (Philippine Edition)
Vol 3 JURISPRUDENCE (The Supreme Court Reports)
Vol 4 DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (Opinions of the Secretary).
Vol. 5 LOCAL AUTONOMY AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Vol 6 ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Vol 7 LABOR AND SOCIAL LEGISLATION
Vol 8 ELECTIONS
Vol 9 TRADE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY .
Vol 10 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Vol 11 FAMILY LAW
 OTHER TITLES
LEX LIBRIS STUDENT EDITION.
BANGKO SENTRAL NG PILIPINAS.
LEX LIBRIS STUDENT EDITION.
BANGKO SENTRAL NG PILIPINAS.
THE NATIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGISTER (1990 TO 2000).

PROCEEDINGS OF THE 1986 CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSION.

IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS AGAINST PRES. JOSEPH E.
ESTRADA.

2. !e-library! A Century & 4 Years of Philippine Supreme Court

Decisions 1901-
April 2004. Research & Development Department, Agoo
Computer
College, Agoo, Lau Union, Philippines

3. i-LAW Instant CD Supreme Court Decisions from 1901 to February

2005
2. Philippine Legal Publishers

a. Institutional Publishers

National Printing Office

Supreme Court of the Philippines
University of the Philippines Law Center

b. Commercial Publishers
Anvil Publications
Central Books Supply (http://www.central.com.ph)
National Book Store
Rex Book Store Legal Materials ( http://rexinteractive.com)