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Constitutional Law 1 - Course Syllabus

1st Semester, School Year 2008-2009

 

POLITICAL LAW

      Defined

            -  People v. Perfecto, 43 Phil. 887

            -  Macariola v. Asuncion, 114 SCRA 77

 

THE PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION

 

Nature of the Constitution

      Definition;

      Classification;

      Qualities and essential parts of a good written Constitution

 

Ratification / Political vs. Justiciable Question

      -  Javellana v. Executive Secretary, 50 SCRA 33

 

Constitutional Construction

      -  Perfecto v. Meer, 85 Phil. 552

      -  Endencia v. David, 93 Phil. 696

      -  Nitafan v. Commisioner of Internal Revenue, 152 SCRA 284

 

Self-executing provisions

      -  Manila Prince Hotel v. GSIS, GR 122156, Feb. 3, 1997

 

Constitutional History

      Pre-1935 Constitution

      Schurman Commission; Taft Commission; Spooner Amendment; Philippine Bill of 1902

      Jones Law of 1916; Tydings-McDuffie Act of 1934

 

      1935 Constitution

 

      Declaration of Martial Law

            -  Aquino v. Enrile, 59 SCRA 183

     

      1973 Constitution

            -  Javellana v. Executive Secretary, 50 SCRA 33

 

      1986 Snap Presidential Election

            -  Philippine Bar Association. v. Comelec, 140 SCRA 455

 

      People Power Revolt

            Proclamation No. 1, Feb. 25, 1986

            Proc. No. 3, Mar. 25, 1986

               -  Lawyers League v. Aquino, GR 73748, May 22, 1986

               -  In re: Bermudez, 145 SCRA 160

            Freedom Constitution

 

1987 Constitution

      -  In re: Letter of Reynato Puno, June 29, 1992, 210 SCRA

 

      Effectivity of the 1987 Constitution

            -  De Leon v. Esguerra, 153 SCRA 602

 

 

Amendment Process

      Amendment vs. Revision

      Procedure

            1. Proposal

                  a.  By Congress

                  b.  By a Constitutional Convention

                        Theories on Position of Constitutional Convention

                  c.  By the People thru Initiative

                        RA 6735

                              -  Defensor-Santiago v. Comelec, GR 127325, March 19, 1997

 

            2.  Ratification

                  Doctrine of Proper Submission

                        -  Tolentino v. Comelec, 41 SCRA 702

     

      Judicial Review of Amendments

            -  Javellana v. Executive Secretary, 50 SCRA 30

            -  Sanidad v. Comelec, 73 SCRA 333

 

 

Power of Judicial Review

      -  Marbury v. Madison, 5 US 137, 2 L.Ed. 60

      -  Defensor-Santiago v. Guingona, GR 134577, Nov. 18, 1998 

      -  Francisco v. House of Representatives, GR 160261, Nov. 10, 2003

 

      Judicial Supremacy vs. Constitutional Supremacy

 

      Political vs. Justiciable Question

            -  Baker v. Carr, 396 US 186

            -  Nixon v. US, 506 US 224

            -  Goldwater v. Carter, 444 US 996, 62 L.Ed.2d 428

            -  Sanidad v. Comelec, 73 SCRA 333

            -  Estrada v. Arroyo, G.R. No. 146738, March 2, 2001

            -  Brillantes v. Concepcion, GR 163193, June 15, 2004

 

      Presumption of Constitutionality

            -  Lim v. Pacquing, GR 115044, Jan. 27, 1995

 

Requisites of Judicial Review:

 

1.  Actual Case or Controversy

      -  Board of Optometry v. Colet, GR 122241, July 30, 1996

      -  Mariano v. Comelec, 242 SCRA 211

      -  Fernandez v. Torres, 215 SCRA 489

      -  La Bugal-B’laan Tribal Assn. v. DENR Secretary, GR 127882, Jan. 27, 2004

     

      Ripeness

            -  City of Los Angeles v. Lyons, 461 US 95, 75 L.Ed.2d 675

     

      Mootness

            -  David v. Macapagal-Arroyo (PP1017), GR 171396, May 3, 2006

            -  La Bugal-B’laan Tribal Assn. v. DENR Secretary, GR 127882, Dec. 1, 2004

            -  DeFunis v. Odegaard, 416 US 312, 40 L.Ed.2d 164

 

2.  Proper Party

      Conventional Standing

            -  Warth v. Seldin, 422 US 490, 45 L.Ed.2d. 343

 

      Representative Standing

 

      Jus Tertii standing

            -  Craig v. Boren, 429 US 190, 50 L.Ed.2d. 397

 

      Transcendental importance to the public

            -  Tatad v. Garcia, 243 SCRA 436

            -  Kilosbayan v. Guingona, 232 SCRA 110

            -  Kilosbayan v. Morato, 246 SCRA 540

            -  Kilosbayan v. Morato (Recon.), GR 118910, Nov. 16, 1995

 

      Standing of members of Congress

            -  Philconsa v. Enriquez, 235 SCRA 506

            -  Bagatsing v. Committee on Privatization, GR 112399, July 14, 1995

 

      Standing of Integrated Bar of the Philippines

            -  IBP v. Zamora, G.R. No. 141284, August 15, 2000

 

      Standing of the Government to question its own laws

            -  People v. Vera, 65 Phil. 56

 

      Taxpayer’s Suits

            -  Bayan v. Zamora, G.R. No. 138570, October 10, 2000

            -  Gonzales v. Narvasa, G.R. No. 140835, August 14, 2000

 

3.  Question must be raised at the earliest possible opportunity

 

4.  Constitutional question must the very "lis mota" of the case

 

      Doctrine of Purposeful Hesitation

            -  Drilon v. Lim, GR 112497, Aug. 4, 1994

 

      Functions of Judicial Review

 

      Effects of Declaration of Unconstitutionality

            Doctrine of Operative Fact

                  -  Republic v. CA, GR 79732, Nov. 8, 1993

 

 

CONCEPT OF STATE

 

1.  People

 

      Citizenship

      Distinguished from nationality

      Modes of Acquiring citizenship

      Citizens of the Philippines

            -  Moy Ya Lim Yao v. Commissioner of Immigration, 41 SCRA 292

            -  Djumantan v. Domingo, Jan. 30, 1995

      Election of Philippine citizenship

            -  In re: Vicente Ching, Bar Matter No. 914, October 1, 1999

      Doctrine of implied election

            -  Co v. HRET, G.R. No. 92191-92, July 30, 1991

      Natural-born citizens

            -  Bengson v. HRET, G.R. No. 142840, May 7, 2001

            -  Tecson v. Comelec, G.R. No. 161434, March 3, 2004

      Dual citizenship & dual allegiance

            -  Mercado v. Manzano, GR 135083, May 26, 1999

      Res judicata in citizenship cases

      Doctrine of Indelible Allegiance

 

      Naturalization

            -  Republic v. De la Rosa, 232 SCRA 785

     

      Loss of citizenship

            -  By naturalization in a foreign country

                  -  Frivaldo v. Comelec, 174 SCRA 245

                  -  Labo v. Comelec, 176 SCRA 1

            -  By express renunciation or expatriation

                  -  Yu v. Defensor-Santiago, 169 SCRA 364

 

      Reacquisition of citizenship, RA 8171

            Retroactivity of Repatriation

                  -  Frivaldo v. Comelec, 257 SCRA 727, June 28, 1996

 

      Suffrage

            -  Akbayan Youth v. Comelec, G.R. No. 147066, March 26, 2001

            -  Makalintal v. Comelec, GR 157013, July 10, 2003

 

2.  Territory

      Philippine Archipelago; Archipelago Doctrine; UN Convention on the Law of the Sea

 

3.  Government

      Functions

            Constituent vs. Ministrant

            Laissez-faire vs. Welfare State

      Doctrine of Parens Patriae

            -  Gov't. of Phil. Islands v. Monte de Piedad, 35 Phil. 728

            -  Cabanas v. Pilapil, 58 SCRA 94

      Classification

            -  De Jure

            -  De Facto

            -  Lawyers League v. Aquino, GR 73748, May 22, 1986

 

4.  Sovereignty

      Effects of Change in sovereignty

            -  People v. Perfecto, 43 Phil. 887

            -  Macariola v. Asuncion, 114 SCRA 77

      Effects of Belligerent Occupation

 

      Doctrine of Jus Postliminium

      Dominium vs. Imperium

      Derogation of Philippine Sovereignty; The Visiting Forces Agreement

            -  Bayan v. Zamora, G.R. No. 138570, October 10, 2000

 

 

Doctrine of State Immunity

      Basis

            -  U.S.A. vs. Reyes, March 1, 1993

     

      Immunity of Foreign States & Diplomats

            Principle of par in parem non habet imperium

            Process of Suggestion

                  -  The Holy See v. RTC, GR 101949, Dec. 1, 1994

Determination of Immunity by the Department of Foreign Affairs

         -  Liang v. People, G.R. No. 125865, January 28, 2000

     

      Immunity of International Organizations and Agencies

            -  SEAFDEC v. NLRC, 241 SCRA 580

            -  Callado v. IRRI, 244 SCRA 210

            -  DFA v. NLRC, Sept. 18, 1996

     

      Immunity of Government Agencies

            Incorporated

                  Municipal Corporations

                        -  Municipality of San Fernando v. Judge Firme, 195 SCRA 692 

            Unincorporated

                  If principal function is governmental

                        -  Farolan v. CTA 217 SCRA 298

                  If proprietary  suable

     

      Suits against Public Officers

            -  City of Angeles v. CA, Aug. 28,1996

            -  Veterans Manpower v. CA, 214 SCRA 286

            -  Wylie v. Rarang, 209 SCRA 357

 

      Consent to be sued

            Express Consent

                  -  Republic v. Feliciano, 148 SCRA 424

                  General Law

                        -  CA 327; PD 1445; Art. 2180; Act No. 3038

                  Special Law

                        -  Meritt v. Gov't. of the Phil. Islands, 34 Phil. 311

            Implied Consent

                  When State commences litigation

                        -  Froilan v. Pan Oriental Shipping, Sept. 30, 1954

                  When State enters into a business contract

                        -  USA v. Ruiz, 136 SCRA 487

 

            Suability not outright liability

                  -  Meritt v. Gov't. of the Phil. Islands, 34 Phil. 311

                  -  Fontanilla v. Maliaman, 194 SCRA 486

 

            Consent to be sued does not include consent to execution

                  -  Republic v. Villasor, 54 SCRA 84

                  -  Municipality of San Miguel v. Fernandez, 130 SCRA 56

                  -  Municipality of Makati v. CA, 190 SCRA 206

     

      Immunity cannot be used to perpetrate an injustice on a citizen

            -  Ministerio v. CFI of Cebu, 40 SCRA 464

 

 

PRINCIPLES AND STATE POLICIES

      Preamble

      Republicanism

            Manifestations

                  1.  Nemo est supra leges

                        -  Villavicencio v. Lukban, 39 Phil. 778

                  2.  Rule of majority

 

                  3.  Accountability of Public Officials

                  4.  Bill of Rights

                  5.  Legislature cannot pass irrepealable laws

 

                  6.  Separation of Powers

                        Principle of Blending of Powers

                        Principle of Checks and Balances

                              -  The Steel Seizure case, 343 US 579, 96 L.Ed. 1153

                              -  Bowsher v. Synar, 478 US 714

                              -  Senate v. Ermita (E.O.464), G.R. No. 169777

 

                  7.  Non-delegation of powers

                              -  Phil. Interisland Shipping Ass'n. v. CA, GR 100481, Jan. 22, 1997

                        Potestas delegata non delegare potest

 

                        Permissible Delegation

                              a.  Tariff Powers to the President

                              b.  Emergency Powers to the President

                                    -  First Emergency Powers cases, 84 Phil. 368

                                    -  Second Emergency Powers cases, 92 Phil. 603

                              c.  Delegation to the People

                              d.  Delegation to Local Government Units

                              e.  Delegation to the Administrative Bodies

                                    Power of Subordinate Legislation

                                          -  Miners Association v. Factoran, GR 98332, Jan. 16, 1995

                                    Principle of Subdelegation of Powers

                                    Doctrine of Qualified Political Agency

 

                        Tests for valid delegation

                              a.  Completeness Test

                              b.  Sufficient Standard Test

                                    -  Ynot v. IAC, 148 SCRA 659     

                                    -  De la Llana v. Alba, 112 SCRA 294

                                    Legislative standard need not be expressed

                                          -  Hirabashi v. United States, 320 US 99

                                          -  Chiongbian v. Orbos, 245 SCRA 253

                  8.  State Immunity (supra)

                  9.  Election through popular will

 

      Act of State

      Incorporation Clause

      Conflict between municipal law and international law

            -  Ichong v. Hernandez, 101 Phil. 115

      Civilian Supremacy

            -  IBP v. Zamora, G.R. No. 141284, August 15, 2000

      Government to serve and protect the people

      People to defend the State

      Separation of Church and State

      Independent Foreign Policy

      Nuclear Free Philippines

      Just and dynamic social order

 

      Social Justice

            -  Calalang v. Williams, 70 Phil. 726

      Respect for human dignity and human rights

      Fundamental Equality of men and women

 

      Promotion of health and ecology

            -  Oposa v. Factoran, GR 1010183, July 30, 1993

      Priority to education, science and technology

      Protection to labor

      Land Reform

            -  Ass'n. of Small Land Owners v. Sec. of Agrarian Reform, 175 SCRA 343

 

      Regalian Doctrine

            -  Republic v. CA, CCP  Intervenor, GR 103882, Nov. 25, 1998

            -  Cruz v. DENR Secretary, G.R. No. 135385, December 6, 2000

            -  La Bugal-B’laan Tribal Assn. v. DENR Secretary, GR 127882, Jan. 27, 2004

 

      Inalienable Lands of the Public Domain

            -  Chavez v. PEA & AMARI, GR 133250, Nov. 11, 2003

 

      Independent People's organizations

 

      Family and Youth

            -  Meyer v. Nebraska, 263 US 393

            -  Pierce v. Society of Sisters, 268 US 510

            -  Wisconsin v. Yoder, 40 LW 4476

            -  Cabanas v. Pilapil, 58 SCRA 94

 

      Self-reliant and independent national economy

            -  Tañada v. Angara (GATT case), GR 118295, May 2, 1997

 

      Communication and information in nation-building

 

      Autonomy of Local Governments

            Decentralization of Administration vs. decentralization of Power

                  -  Limbonas v. Mangelin, 170 SCRA 786

                  -  Basco v. PAGCOR, 197 SCRA 52

 

            Autonomous Region

                  -  Disomangcop v. DPWH Secretary, GR 149848, November 25, 2004

 

       Indigenous Cultural Communities

            -  Cruz v. DENR Secretary, G.R. No. 135385, December 6, 2000

 

      Honest public service and full public disclosure

 

 

LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT

      Legislative power

            Initiative, referendum and Recall

                  -  Defensor-Santiago v. Comelec, GR 127325, March 19, 1997

                  Indirect Initiative

                        -  SBMA v. Comelec, Sept. 26, 1996

            Recall

                  -  Garcia v. Comelec, Oct. 5, 1993

                  Loss of confidence, a political question

                        -  Evardone v. Comelec, 204 SCRA 464, 472

 

      Bicameralism vs. Unicameralism

 

      Senate (Composition; Qualifications; Term of office)

 

      House of Representatives

            Composition (District Representatives; Party-list Representatives)

 

            Party-list Representatives

                  -  Veterans Federation Party v. Comelec, G.R. No. 136781, October 6, 2000

                  -  Ang Bagong Bayani-OFW Labor Party v. Comelec, G.R. No. 147589, June 26, 2001

 

            Apportionment of Legislative Districts

                  -  Baker v. Carr, 369 US 186

                  -  Mariano v. Comelec, 242 SCRA 211

                  -  Montejo v. Comelec, GR 118702, Mar. 19, 1995

                  Gerrymandering

                  Doctrine of Equal Representation

 

            Qualifications

                  -  Marcos v. Comelec, 248 SCRA 300

                  -  Aquino v. Comelec, Sept. 18, 1995

                  Theory of legal impossibility

 

                  Natural-born

                        -  Bengson v. HRET, G.R. No. 142840, May 7, 2001

 

            Term of office

 

            Privileges

                  Freedom from Arrest

                  Parliamentary Immunity

                        -  Eastland v. US Servicemen's Fund, 421 US 491

                        -  Hutchinson v. Proxmire, 443 US 111

                        -  Jimenez v. Cabangbang, 17 SCRA 714

 

            Disqualifications and Inhibitions

                  Effect of Imprisonment

                        -  People v. Jalosjos, G.R. Nos. 132875-76, February 3, 2000     

 

            Sessions; Adjournment; Officers

                  -  Santiago v. Guingona, G.R. No. 147589, June 26, 2001

 

            Quorum

                  -  Avelino v. Cuenco, 83 Phil. 17

 

            Rules of Proceedings

                  -  Arroyo v. De Venecia (Sin-taxes case), GR 127255, Aug. 14, 1997

 

            Discipline of members

                  Suspension vs. Preventive Suspension

                  -  Santiago v. Sandiganbayan, G.R. No. 128055.  April 18, 2001

 

            Enrolled Bill Theory

                  -  Mabanag v. Lopez Vito, 78 Phil. 1

                  -  Casco Chemical v. Gimenez, 7 SCRA 347

                  Legislative Journal vs. Enrolled Bill

 

            Electoral Tribunals

                  Composition

                        -  Bondoc v. Pineda, 201 SCRA 792

                        -  Abbas v. Senate Electoral Tribunal, 166 SCRA 651

                  Powers

                        -  Aquino v. Comelec, Sept. 18, 1995

                        -  Sampayan v. Daza, 213 SCRA 807

                  Jurisdiction over Proclamation Controversy

                        -  Caruncho v. Comelec, G.R. No. 135996, September 30, 1999

 

            Commission on Appointments

                  Composition

                        -  Guingona v. Gonzales, 214 SCRA 789

                  Powers

                        -  Sarmiento v. Mison, 156 SCRA 549

 

      Powers of Congress

            General Legislative Power

                  Limitations

                        Substantive Limitations

                        Procedural Limitations

                              One Bill, one subject

                                    -  Guzman v. Comelec, G.R. No. 129118, July 19, 2000

                              Sufficiency of Title

                                    -  Phil. Judges Association v. Prado, GR 105371, Nov. 11, 1993

                                    -  Chongbian v. Orbos, 245 SCRA 253

                              Bills that must originate exclusively from the House

                                    -  Tolentino v. Secretary of Finance, GR 115455, Aug. 25, 1994

                                    -  Decision on Motion for Reconsideration, Oct. 30, 1995

                              Three readings on separate days

                              Bicameral Conference Committee

 

                  Legislative Process

                        Approval of Bills

                              Presidential veto

                              Pocket veto

                              Item veto

                                    -  Bengzon v. Drilon, 208 SCRA 133

 

                              Legislative veto; One-House Veto

                                    -  Immigration Service v. Chadha, 462 US 919, 77 L.Ed.2d 317

                                    -  Phil. Constitution Association v. Enriquez, 235 SCRA 506

 

 

            Power of the Purse

                  Implied limitations on appropriation measure

                        -  Guingona v. Carague, 196 SCRA 221

                  Constitutional limitations and rules

                        Riders

                        Sub rosa appropriation

                        Prohibition against transfer of appropriation

                              -  Phil. Constitution Association v. Enriquez, 235 SCRA 506

 

            Power of Taxation

                  -  McCulloch v. Maryland, 17 US (4 Wheat, 316)

 

            Power of Legislative Investigation

                  -  Senate v. Ermita (E.O.464), G.R. No. 169777

                  -  Bengzon v. Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, 203 SCRA 767

 

            Power to Punish contempt

                  -  Arnault v. Nazareno, 87 Phil. 29

                  -  Arnault v. Balagtas, 97 Phil. 358

 

            Power to declare existence of state of war

                  -  The Prize cases, 67 US 635, 17 L.Ed. 459

                  -  Mora v. McNamara, 389 US 934, 19 L.Ed.2d 287

 

 

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT

      President and Vice-President

            Qualifications

      Natural-born Citizen

            -  Tecson v. Comelec, G.R. No. 161434, March 3, 2004

 

            Election

                  Congress as canvassing board

                  Supreme Court as Electoral Tribunal

                        -  Defensor-Santiago v. Ramos, PET Case no. 001, Feb. 13, 1996

            Term of office

 

            Privileges

                  Official residence

                  Salary

 

                  Presidential Immunity

                        -  In re: Bermudez, 145 SCRA 160

                        -  Beltran v. Makasiar, 167 SCRA 393

                        -  US v. Nixon, 418 US 683, 41 L.Ed.2d 1039

                        -  Nixon v. Fitzgerald, 457 US 731

                        -  Clinton v. Jones, 520 US 681, May 27, 1997

                        -  Estrada v. Arroyo, G.R. No. 146738, March 2, 2001

                        -  Decision on Motion for Reconsideration, April 3, 2001

 

            Prohibitions and inhibitions

 

            Rules on Succession

                  Vacancy at beginning of term

                  Vacancy during the term

                  Temporary Disability

 

            Removal of the President

                  - Estrada v. Arroyo, G.R. No. 146738, March 2, 2001

                  - Decision on Motion for Reconsideration, April 3, 2001

     

            Powers

                  Executive Power

                        -  Planas v. Gil, 67 Phil. 62

                        -  Myers, Administratrix v. United States, 272 US 52

 

                  Legislative Powers

                        -  Municipality of San Juan v. CA, Sept. 29, 1997

                        -  Ople v. Torres, GR 127685, July 23, 1998

 

 

                  Residual Powers

                        -  Marcos v. Manglapus, 177 SCRA 668

 

                  Power to Determine National Policy

                        -  The Steel Seizure case, 343 US 579, 96 L.Ed. 1153

 

                  Prosecution of Crimes

                        -  Webb v. De Leon, 247 SCRA 652

 

                  Creation of Preparatory Committee on Constitutional Reforms

                        -  Gonzales v. Narvasa, G.R. No. 140835, August 14, 2000

 

                  Appointing Power

                        Discretionary power

                              -  Flores v. Drilon, GR 104732, June 22, 1993

                              -  Gordon v. Judge Santos, CA-GR Sp No. 48339, Aug. 21, 1998

                              -  Gordon v. CA, GR 134900, Sept. 1, 1998 

                              -  Luego v. Civil Service Commission, 143 SCRA 327

                        Classes of Appointment

                              -  Gaminde v. COA, G.R. No. 140335, December 13, 2000

                        Appointments subject to confirmation of Commission on Appointments

                              -  Sarmiento v. Mison, 156 SCRA 549

                              -  Manalo v. Sistoza, GR 107369, Aug. 11, 1999

                        Limitations on the Appointment Power

                        Power of Removal

     

                  Power of Control

                        Control vs. Supervision

                              -  Drilon v. Lim, GR 112497, Aug. 4, 1994

                        Alter-ego Principle or Doctrine of Qualified Political Agency

                              -  Carpio v. Executive Secretary, Feb. 14, 1992

                        The Executive Secretary

                              -  Lacson-Magallanes v. Pano, 21 SCRA 895

 

                  Military Powers

                        Commander-in-chief clause

                              -  Ex Parte Milligan, 71 US 2

                              -  David v. Macapagal-Arroyo (PP1017), GR 171396, May 3, 2006

                              -  Aquino v. Military Commission No. 2, 63 SCRA 546

                              -  Olaguer v. Military Commission No. 34, 150 SCRA 144

                              -  Carpio v. Executive Secretary, supra

                       

                        Calling Out the Armed Forces

                              -  IBP v. Zamora, G.R. No. 141284, August 15, 2000

                       

                        Declaration of State of Rebellion

                              -  Lacson v. Perez, G.R. No. 147780, May 10, 2001

 

                        Declaration of martial law

                              -  Aquino v. Enrile, 59 SCRA 183

                       

                        Suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus

                              -  Barcelon v. Baker, 5 Phil. 87

                              -  Montenegro v. Castañeda, 91 Phil. 882

                              -  Lansang v. Garcia, 42 SCRA 448

                              -  Garcia-Padilla v. Enrile, 121 SCRA 472

 

                  Pardoning Power

                        -  People v. Salle, 250 SCRA 581, Dec. 4, 1995

                        -  Monsanto v. Factoran, 170 SCRA 190

                        -  Garcia v. Chairman, COA, 226 SCRA 356

                        Pardon vs. Amnesty

 

                  Diplomatic Power

                        -  Dames & Moore v. Regan, 453 US 654

                        Treaties vs. Executive Agreements

 

                  Power to Impound

                        -  Philconsa v. Enriquez, Aug. 19, 1994

 

 

JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT

      Judicial Power

            Expanded jurisdiction

                  Effect on the political question doctrine

 

            Jurisdiction

                  -  Diaz v. CA, Dec. 5, 1994

                  -  First Lepanto Ceramics v. CA, Oct. 7, 1994

 

      Constitutional Safeguards to insure independence of the Judiciary

            Justices/judges may not be designated to any agency performing non-judicial functions

            Fiscal Autonomy

 

      Power of Judicial Review

 

      Appointment to the Judiciary

            Procedure for Appointment

            Judicial and Bar Council

     

      Supreme Court

            Composition

            En Banc & Division cases

                  Fortich v. Corona, G.R. No. 131457, August 19, 1999

 

            Powers

                  Supervision over the Judiciary

                        -  Dolalas v. Office of the Ombudsman, Dec. 24, 1996

                  Rule-making powers

                        -  Maniago v. CA, 253 SCRA 674

                  Mandatory Review of Death Penalty Cases

                        -  People v. Esparas, GR 120034, Aug. 20, 1996

            Writ of Amparo

            Equipoise Doctrine

            Decisions of the Court

                  -  Nicos Industrial Corp. v. CA, 206 SCRA 127

                  -  Prudential Bank v. Castro, 158 SCRA 646 

 

            Power to control execution of decision

                  -  Echegaray v. Secretary of Justice, GR 132601, Jan. 19, 1999

            

            Tenure of Justices/Judges

                  -  De la Llana v. Alba, 112 SCRA 294

            Removal and Discipline

                  -  Maceda v. Ombudsman, GR 102781, Apr. 22, 1993

                  -  People v. Gacott, 246 SCRA 52

            Salaries

                  -  Perfecto v. Meer, 85 Phil. 552

                  -  Endencia v. David, 93 Phil. 696

                  -  Nitafan v. Commisioner of Internal Revenue, 152 SCRA 284

 

 

INDEPENDENT CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSION

      Safeguards to insure the independence of the Commissions

            Prohibition on appointment in an acting capacity

                  -  Brillantes v. Yorac, 192 SCRA 358

      Disqualifications and Inhibitions

      Decisions -  Certiorari to the Supreme Court

            -  Galido v. Comelec, Jan. 18, 1991

            -  Reyes v. RTC, 244 SCRA 41

            -  Garces v. CA, July 17, 1996

      SC Revised Admin. Cir. 1-95

 

1.  Civil Service Commission

      Scope of the Civil Service

            -  DOH v. NLRC, 251 SCRA 700

      Approval of appointments

            -  Luego v. Civil Service Commission, 143 SCRA 327

            -  Ramonte v. CSC, 244 SCRA 498

 

 

2.  Commission on Elections

      En Banc and Division cases

            -  Sarmiento v. Comelec, 212 SCRA 307

      Powers and Functions

            -  Relampagos v. Cumba, 243 SCRA 690

            -  Loong v. Comelec, GR 133676, Apr. 14, 1999

      Exclusive Original Jurisdiction and Appellate Jurisdiction

            -  Guieb v. Fontanilla, 247 SCRA 348, Aug. 14, 1995

      Special Registration of New Voters

            -  Akbayan Youth v. Comelec, G.R. No. 147066, March 26, 2001

 

3.  Commission on Audit

            -  Commissioner of Internal Revenue v. COA, GR 101976, Jan. 29, 1993

 

 

ACCOUNTABILITY OF PUBLIC OFFICERS

 

      Impeachment

            Impeachable Officers

            Grounds for Impeachment

            Procedure

                  -  Romulo v. Yniguez, 141 SCRA 263

            Impeachment and Criminal Prosecution

                  -  Estrada v. Arroyo, G.R. No. 146738, March 2, 2001

                  -  Decision on Motion for Reconsideration, April 3, 2001

 

      Sandiganbayan

            Jurisdiction

                  -  Lacson v. Executive Secretary, G.R. No. 128096, January 20, 1999

 

      Ombudsman

            Supervision and control

                  -  Acop v. Office of the Ombudsman, 248 SCRA 566

            Prosecutorial Powers

                  -  Camanag v. Guerrero, GR 121017, Feb. 17, 1997

            Power to issue subpoena;  Form of complaint

                  -  Almonte v. Vasquez, 244 SCRA 266

            Power to Investigate Administrative Charges

                  Concurrent with the Office of the President

                        -  Hagad v. Dadole, 241 SCRA 242

                  Concurrent with the DOJ

                        -  Honasan v. DOJ Panel of Investigating Prosecutors, GR 159747, Apr. 13, 2004

            Power to investigate cases of ill-gotten wealth after Feb. 25, 1996

                  -  Republic v. Sandiganbayan, Sept. 24, 1994

            Ombudsman for the Military

                  -  Agbay v. Deputy Ombudsman for the Military, G.R. No. 134503, July 2, 1999

                 

      Special Prosecutor

            -  Zaldivar v. Gonzales, 160 SCRA 843

 

      Commission on Human Rights

            Powers and Functions of the Commission

                  -  Cariño v. CHR, GR 96681, Dec. 2, 1991

            Civil Rights vs. Political Rights

                  -  Simon v. CHR, 229 SCRA 117, Jan. 5, 1994

           Fiscal Autonomy

                  -  CHR Employees Assn. v. CHR, GR No. 155336, Nov. 25, 2004

 

      Presidential Commission on Good Government

            -  Chavez v. PCGG, GR 130716, Dec. 9, 1998

            -  Cojuangco v. Roxas, 195 SCRA 797

            -  Republic v. Sandiganbayan, 258 SCRA 685

            -  Romualdez v. Sandiganbayan, 244 S 152

           

            Sequestration

                  -  Republic v. Sandiganbayan, GR 106244, Jan. 22, 1997     

           

            Order signed by only one commissioner

                  -  Republic v. Sandiganbayan, GR 113420, Mar. 7, 1997

 

            Imprescriptibility of Right of State to Recover Ill-gotten Wealth

                  - Presidential Committee on Behest Loans v. Desierto, G.R. No. 130140, October 25, 1999

 

Back to Top!

 

Course Syllabi:

 

Constitutional Law 1

Constitutional Law 2

 

PIL Bar Reviewer

 

Chapter XIV

International Humanitarian Law

 

Chapter XV

International Criminal Law

 

Sample Exam

with Suggested Answers

 

Sample Topnotchers' Answers

 

Ten Commandments

in Answering Bar Questions

 

Previous

Exam Results:

 

October 16, 2006 (with Answers)

March 27, 2006

October 10, 2005

 

Codename Claim Form

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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