58303241 doctrines consti1 cases based on atty gabriel s outline

8/2/2019 58303241 DOCTRINES Consti1 Cases Based on Atty Gabriel s Outline

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DOCTRINESOFCONSTI1CASES(basedonAtty.Gabrielsoutline)CONSTITUTIONOFTHEPHILIPPINESDELEONv.ESGUERRAThe1987ConstitutionwasratifiedinaplebisciteonFebruary2,1987.Bythatdate,therefore,theProvisionalConstitutionmustbedeemedtohavebeensuperseded.

GONZALESv.COMELECR.B.H.Nos.1and3arenullandvoidbecause:

1.TheMembersofCongress,whichapprovedtheproposedamendments,aswellastheresolutioncallingaconventiontoproposeamendments,are,atbest,defactoCongressmen;

2.Congressmayadopteitheroneoftwoalternativesproposeamendmentsorcallaconventionthereforebutmaynotavailofboththatistosay,proposeamendmentandcallaconventionatthesametime;

3.Theelection,inwhichproposalsforamendmenttotheConstitutionshallbesubmittedforratification,mustbeaspecialelection,notageneralelection,inwhichofficersofthenationalandlocalgovernmentssuchastheelectionsscheduledtobeheldonNovember14,1967willbechosen;and

4.ThespiritoftheConstitutiondemandsthattheelection,inwhichproposalsforamendmentshallbesubmittedtothepeopleforratification,mustbeheldundersuchconditionswhich,allegedly,donotexistastogivethepeopleareasonableopportunitytohaveafairgraspofthenatureandimplicationsofsaidamendments.

IMBONGv.COMELECCongress,whenactingasaConstituentAssemblypursuanttoArt.XVoftheConstitution,hasfullandplenaryauthoritytoproposeConstitutionalamendmentsortocallaconventionforthepurpose,byathree-fourthsvoteofeachHouseinjointsessionassembledbutvotingseparately.Consequently,whenCongress,actingasaConstituentAssembly,omitstoprovideforsuchimplementingdetailsaftercallingaconstitutionalconvention,Congress,actingasalegislativebody,c

anenactthenecessaryimplementinglegislationtofillinthegaps.

CONCEPTOFSTATERuffyvChiefofStaff

Therulethatlawsofpoliticalnatureoraffectingpoliticalrelationsareconsideredsupersededorheldinabeyanceduringthemilitaryoccupation,isintendedforthegoverningofthecivilinhabitantsoftheoccupiedterritoryandnotfortheenemiesinarms.

STATEIMMUNITY

TheHolySeevRosario,Jr

Pursuanttothe1961ViennaConventiononDiplomaticRelations,adiplomaticenvoyisgrantedimmunityfromthecivilandadministrativejurisdictionofthereceivingstateoveranyrealactionrelatingtoprivateimmovablepropertysituatedintheterritoryofthereceivingstatewhichtheenvoyholdsonbehalfofthesendingstateforthepurposesofthemission

SandersvVeridianoMereallegationthatagovernmentfunctionaryisbeingsuedinhispersonalcapacitywillnotautomaticallyremovehimfromtheprotectionofthelawsofpublicofficersanddoctrineofstateimmunity


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Doctrineofstateimmunityapplicablealsotootherstates.

RepublicvSandovalStatecannotbeheldliableforthedeathsthatfollowedtheincident;liabilityshouldfallonthepublicofficerswhocommittedactsbeyondtheirauthority3instanceswhensuitisproper:1.whensuedbyitsname2.whenunincorporatedgovernmentagencyissued3.whenthesuitisagainstagovernmentemployeebutliabilitybelongstothegovernment

FestejovFernando

Officeroremployeecommittingthetortispersonallyliableandmaybesuedasanyothercitizenandheldanswerableforwhateverinjury

CivilAeronauticsAdministrationv.CourtofAppealsNotallgovernmententitieswhethercorporateornotareimmunefromsuits.Immunityfromsuitsisdeterminedbythecharacteroftheobjectsforwhichtheentitywasorganized.

MunicipalityofSanFernando,LaUnionv.JudgeFirme

Thetestofliabilityofthemunicipalitydependsonwhetherornotthedriveractinginbehalfofthemunicipalityisperforminggovernmentalorproprietaryfunctions.Ithasalreadybeenremarkedthatmunicipalcorporationsaresuablebecausetheirchartersgrantthemthecompetencetosueandbesued.Nevertheless,theyaregenerallynotliablefortortscommittedbytheminthedischargeofgovernmentalfunctionsandcanbeheldanswerableonlyifitcanbeshownthattheywereactinginaproprietarycapacity.Inpermittingsuchentitiestobesued,thestatemerelygivestheclaimantstherighttoshowthedefendantwasnotactinginitsgovernmentalcapacitywhentheinjurywasinflictedorthatthecasecomesundertheexceptionsrecognizedbylaw.Failingthis,theclaimantscannotrecover.

MunicipalityofSanMiguel,Bulacanv.Fernandez

Municipalfundsinpossessionofmunicipalandprovincialtreasurersarepublicfundsexemptfromexecution.Municipalfundsareheldintrustforthepeopleintendedandusedfortheaccomplishmentsofthepurposesforwhichmunicipalcorporationsarecreatedandthattosubjectsaidpropertiesandpublicfundstoexecutionwouldmateriallyimpede,evendefeatandinsomeinstancedestroysaidpurposes.

MunicipalityofMakativ.CourtofAppealsWhenamunicipalityfailsorrefuseswithoutjustifiablereasontoeffectpaymentofafinalmoneyjudgmentrenderedagainstit,theclaimantmayavailoftheremedyofmandamusinordertocompeltheenactmentandapprovalofthenecessaryappropriationordinanceandthecorrespondingdisbursementofmunicipalfunds.

USAvsGuintoAstatemaybesaidtohavedescendedtothelevelofanindividualandcanthusbedeemedtohavetacitlygivenitsconsenttobesuedonlywhenitentersintobusinesscontracts.

VeteransManpowervsCAThestateisdeemedtohavegiventacitlyitsconsenttobesuedwhenitentersintoacontract.However,itdoesnotapplywherethecontractrelatestotheexerciseofitssovereignfunctions.


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TheMerrittvsGovofthePhilByconsentingtobesued,astatesimplywaivesitsimmunityfromsuit.Itdoesnottherebyconcedeitsliabilitytotheplaintiff,orcreateanycauseofactioninhisfavor,orextenditsliabilitytoanycausenotpreviouslyrecognized.Itmerelygivesremedytoenforceapre-existingliabilityandsubmititselftothejurisdictionofthecourt,subjecttoitsrighttointerposeanylawfuldefense.

Amigablevs.CuencaThegovernment,whenittakesawayapropertyfromaprivatelandownerforpublicusewithoutgoingthroughthelegalprocessofexpropriationornegotiatedsale,theaggrievedpartymayproperlymaintainasuitagainstthegovernmentwithouttherebyviolatingthedoctrineofgovernmentalimmunityfromsuit.Thisdoctrinecannotbeusedinperpetratinginjusticetoacitizen.

Republicvs.SandiganbayanWhenthestatefilesanaction,itdivestsitselfofthesovereigncharacterandsheditsimmunityformsuit,descendingtothelevelofanordinarylitigant.

FundamentalPrinciplesandStatePoliciesSection1

Villavicenciov.Lukban:Held:Mayorsactunconstitutional.Itwasnotauthorizedbyanylaworordinance

.Ourgovernmentisagovernmentoflawsandnotmen.Section2

Kurodav.Jalandoni:thinkJapaneseLieutenat-Generalchargedbeforethemilitarycommission.Held:ThePhilippinescanadopttherulesandregulationslaiddownontheHagueandGenevaConventionsnotwithstandingthatitisnotasignatorythereto.Itembodiedgenerallyacceptedprinciplesofinternationallawbindinguponallstates.

Agustinv.Edu:

thinktriangularreflectorizedearlywarningdevices.

Held:LegislativeenactmentisnotnecessaryinordertoauthorizetheissuanceofLOIprescribingtheuseoftriangularreflectorizedearlywarningdevices.Thisisalsoanillustrationofgenerallyacceptedprinciplesofinternationallaw(Pactasuntservanda).

Ichongv.Hernandez:thinkRetailTradeNationalizationLawwhichisagainsttheprincipleofPactasuntservanda.Held:theRetailTradeNationalizationLawisnotunconstitutionalbecauseitwaspassedintheexerciseofthepolicepowerwhichcannotbebargainedawaythroughthemediumofatreaty.

Gonzalesv.Hechanova:

thinkriceimportation.Statutevs.Treaty.Held:Municipallawwasupheldoverinternationallawonthebasisofthedoctrineofseparationofpowersundertherule-makingpowersoftheSupremeCourt.Inthiscase,thecontractsadvertedtoareNOTtreaties.

Section6

Aglipayvs.Ruiz-Thereisnoviolationoftheprincipleoftheseparationofchurchandstate.Theissuanceandsaleofthestampsinquestionmaybesaidtobelinkedwithaneventofareligiouscharacter,buttheresultingpropaganda,i


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fany,receivedbytheCatholicChurch,wasnottheaimandpurposeofthegovernment.Theideabehindtheissuanceofthepostagestampswastoattracttouriststoourcountryandnotprimarilythereligiousevent.Section10Almedavs.CA-Thereexistsatenantsrightofredemptioninsugarandcoconutlands.PursuanttoAgriculturalLandReformCodeof1963,itrecognizessharetenancyinsugarlandswhichisinconsonancewiththeStatespromotionofsocialjusticewhereinitmayregulatetheacquisition,ownership,use,enjoymentanddispositionofprivateproperty,andequitablydiffusepropertyownershipandprofits.Ondoy.vs.Ignacio-Theprincipleofsocialjusticeappliedinthiscaseisamatterofprotection,notequality.TheCourtrecognizedtherightofthepetitionertotheclaimofcompensationbecausehersonwasshowntohavediedwhileintheactualperformanceofhiswork.Tostrengthentheconstitutionalschemeofsocialjusticeandprotectiontolabor,TheCourtmadementionthatasbetweenalaborer,usuallypoorandunlettered,andtheemployer,whohasresourcestosecureablelegaladvice,thelawhasreasontodemandfromthelatterthestrictercompliance.Salongavs.Farrales-Thepleaofsocialjusticeoftheplaintiffcannotbeconsideredbecauseitwasshownthatnocontract,eithertosellorofsale,waseverperfectedbetweenhimandthedefendant.ItmustberememberedthatsocialjusticecannotbeinvokedtotrampleontherightsofpropertyownerswhounderourConstitutionandlawsarealsoentitledtoprotection.Thesocialjusticeconsecratedin

4by1E(2008-2009)SBCLaw-Mendiola

5ourConstitutionwasnotintendedtotakeawayrightsfromapersonandgivethemtoanotherwhoisnotentitledthereto.

Section16LLDAv.CATheimmediateresponsetothedemandsofnecessitiesofprotectingvitalpublicinterestsgivesvitalitytothestatementonecologyembodiedintheDeclarationofPrinciplesandStatePoliciesofthe1987Constitution.ArticleII,Section16.Asaconstitutionallyguaranteedrightofeveryperson,itcarriesthecorrelativedutyofnon-impairment.Thisisbuttheconsonancewiththedeclaredpolicyofthestatetoprotectandpromotetherighttohealthofthepeopleandinstillhealthconsciousnessamongthem.Section19GARCIAvs

.BOIBOIcommittedgraveabuseofdiscretionbecauseitrepudiatestheindependentpolicyofgovernmenttorunitsaffairsthewayitdeemsbestforthenationalinterest.EveryprovisionoftheConstitutiononthenationaleconomyandpatrimonyisinfusedwiththespiritofnationalinterest.Thenon-alienationofnationalresources,theStatefullcontroloverthedevelopmentandutilizationofcontributionstotheeconomicgrowthandgeneralwelfareofthecountryandtheregulationofforeigninvestmentinaccordancetonationalgoalsandprioritiesaretooexplicitnottobenoticedandunderstood.

Section21ASSOC.OFSMALLLANDOWNERSINTHEPHIL.vs.SEC.OFAGRARIANREFORMEminentdomainisaninherentpoweroftheStatethatenablesittoforciblyacquireprivatelandsintendedforpublicuseuponpaymentofjustcompensationtotheowner.Privaterightsmustyieldtotheirresistibledemandsofthepublicin

terestonthetime-honoredjustification,asinthecaseofthepolicedpower,thatthewelfareofthepeopleisthesupremelaw.Section25BASCOVSPAGCORLocalAutonomyunder1987ConstitutionsimplymeansthedecentralizationanddoesnotmakethelocalgovernmentssovereignwithintheStateoranimperiumimperio.LIMBONAVSMANGELINDecentralizationofadministrationismerelydelegationofadministrativepowerstotheLGUsinordertobroadenthebaseofgovernmentalpower.Decentralizationofpoweristheabdicationbythenationalgovernmentpowers.Section30LegspivsCSC

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by1E(2008-2009)SBCLaw-Mendiola

6

Theconstitutionalrighttoinformationonmattersofpublicconcernisself-executingwithouttheneedforanyancillaryactoflegislation.

ValmontevsdeVillaTheconstitutionalrighttoinformationislimitedonmattersofpublicconcernandisfurthersubjecttosuchlimitationsasmaybeprovidedbylaw.However,althoughcitizensareaffordedtherighttoinformation,theConstitutiondoesnotaccordthemtherighttocompelthecustodiansofofficialrecordstopreparelists,abstracts,summariesandthelikeintheirdesiretoacquireinformationofpublicconcern.Aquino-sarmientovsmoratoWhenacommitteeorboardiscreatedaspublicinitsveryexistenceandcharactersuchMTRCB,therecanbenovalidclaimtoprivacy.

SEPARATIONOFPOWERSSanidadv.COMELECOnwhetherthecaseisjusticiablePoliticalquestionsareassociatedwiththewisdomofthelegalityofaparticularact.Wherethevortexofthecontroversyreferstothelegalityorvalidityofthecontestedact,thatmatterisdefinitelyjusticiableornon-political.IftheConstitutionprovideshowitmaybeamended,thejudiciaryastheinterpreterofthatConstitution,candeclarewhethertheprocedurefollowedortheauthorityassumedwasvalidornot.OnwhetherthePresidentmayproposeConstitutionalame

ndmentsIfthePresidenthasbeenlegitimatelydischargingthelegislativefunctionsoftheinterimAssembly,thereisnoreasonwhyhecannotvalidlydischargethefunctionofthatAssemblytoproposeamendmentstotheConstitution,whichisbutanadjunct,althoughpeculiar,toitsgrosslegislativepower.(NotethatatthetimePrez.Marcoshadlegislativepowersandtherewasnolegislativedepartmentatthetime)Dazav.SingsonWherethelegalityorvalidityoftheactisinquestionandnotthewisdomoftheact,theCourtmaytakejurisdictionanddecideontheactsvalidity.EveninpoliticalquestionstheCourtmaytakejurisdictionundertheexpandedjudicialpowerextendedtoitbyArt8Sec.1oftheConstitution.(Judicialpowerincludesthedutytosettleactualcontroversiesinvolvingrightswhicharelegallydemandableandenforceable,andtodeterminewhetherornottherehasbeenagraveabuseofdiscretionamountingtolackorexcessofjurisdictiononthepartofanybranchorinstrumentalityofGovernment

.)DelegationofPowersGarciav.Exec.Secretary


7

TheCongressismayauthorizethePresidenttofixtariffratesanddutiessubjecttosuchlimitationsandrestrictionsthattheymayimpose.ThisisexpresslyprovidedforinArt6,Sec28par2oftheConstitution.

Aranetav.DinglasanThedelegationofemergencypowersbyCongresstothePresi

dent.SuchdelegationofpowersmaybelimitedbyCongressandsubjecttorestrictionsitmayprovide.Congressmaywithdrawthedelegatedpoweratanytime.InthiscasetheemergencypowerwaswithdrawnatthetimeCongressbecameabletoexerciseitslegislativedutiesagain.InRe:ManzanoThecommitteeperformsadministrativefunction*whichunderSection12,ArticleVIIIoftheConstitutionprohibitsmembersoftheSCandothercourtsestablishedbylawtobedesignatedtoanyagencyperformingquasi-judicialoradministrativefunctions.ToquoteCJFernandoinGarciavs.Macaraig,hesaidthatwhilethedoctrineofseparationofpowersisarelativetheorynottobeenforcedwithpedanticrigor,thepracticaldemandsofgovernmentprecludingitsdoctrineapplication,itcannotjustif


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yamemberofthejudiciarybeingrequiredtoassumeapositionorperformadutynon-judicialincharacter.Administrativefunctionsarethosewhichinvolvestheregulationandcontroltheconductandaffairsofindividualsfortheirownwelfareandthepromulgationofrulesandregulationstobettercarryoutthepolicyofthelegislativeorsuchasaredevolvedupontheadministrativeagencybytheorganiclawofitsexistence.

Angaravs.ElectoralCommissionTheElectoralCommissionisanindependent,impartial,andnon-partisantribunal.Thesolepowertodeterminecontestsregardingtheelections,returns,andqualificationsofthemembersoftheNationalAssemblyhasbeentransferredintotalitytotheElectoralCommission.Itspowerisclear,complete,andexclusive.EasternShippingLinesvs.POEATheprincipleofnon-delegationofpowersisapplicabletoallthreebranchesofgovernmentspecificallyinthecaseofthelegislative.Whatcanbedelegatedisthediscretiontodeterminehowthelawmaybeenforcedandnotwhatthelawshallbesincetheascertainmentofthelattersubjectiswithintheprerogativeanddeterminationofthelegislature.Delegationoflegislativepowerispermittedandvalidprovidedthatispassesthetwoacceptedtests-completenesstestandthesufficientstandardtest.Thereasonforsuchdelegationistheincreasingcomplexityofthetaskofthegovernmentandthegrowinginabilityofthelegislaturetocopedirectlywiththemyriadproblemsdemandingitsattention.Casibangvs.AquinoWhileunderthe1973ConstitutiontheCommissiononElectionsisnowthesolejudgeofallcontestsrelatingtotheelections,returns,andqualificationsofmembersoftheNationalAssembleaswellaselectiveprovincialandcityofficials(

par2,Sec.2,Art.XII-C,1973Constitution),suchpowerdoesnotextendtoelectoralcontestsconcerningmunicipalelectivepositions.Theissue


8stillremainsajusticiablequestionandnotapoliticalquestion*.Hence,thecourtshavethejurisdictiontohearanddecideonthecase.Politicalquestions,initsordinaryparlance,referstothequestionofpolicy.ItreferstothosequestionswhichundertheConstitutionaretobedecidedbythepeopleintheirsovereigncapacityto,orinregardtowhichfulldiscretionaryauthorityhasbe

envestedtothelegislativeorexecutivebranchofthegovernment.Itisconcernedwiththeissuesdependentuponthewisdom,andnotthelegalityofaparticularmeasure.Rodriguezv.GellaActNo.671wasexpresslyinpursuanceoftheconstitutionallimitationofthedelegationofemergencypowers.ItispresumedthattheNationalAssemblyintendedittobeforalimitedperiod.ExecutiveOrdersNos.545and546,whichwasanchoredtothesaidActaredeclarednullandvoidandtherespondentsareorderedtodesistfromappropriating,releasingandallottingexpendingfundssetasidetherein.Peoplev.VeraActNo.4221istantamounttoanunduedelegationoflegislativepower.Thepowersofthegovernmentaredistributedamongthreecoordinateandsubstantiallyindependentorgans:thelegislative,theexecutiveandthejudicial.EachofthedepartmentsofthegovernmentderivesitsauthorityfromtheConstitution.

LEGISLATIVEDEPARTMENT

Tobiasv.AbalosThecreationofanewcongressionaldistrictisbutanaturalconsequenceofamunicipalitysconversionintoacity.TheConstitutionprovidesthatacityshouldhaveapopulationofatleast250,000andisentitledtoatleast1representative.MarianoJr.v.ComelecAsdecidedinTobiasv.Abalos,theConstitutionprovidesthatthecompositionsoftheHouseshouldnotbemorethan250members,unlessotherwiseprovidedbylaw.ThenaturalresultinthecreationofanewlegislativefromaspeciallawwhosepurposeistoconvertamunicipalityintoacityissanctionedbytheConstitution.Montejov.ComelecTheComel


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echasnopowertoreapportiondistrictsbutonlytomakeminoradjustments.RepublicActNo.7941Anactprovidingfortheelectionoftheparty-listrepresentativesthroughtheparty-listsystemandappropriatingfundstherefrom.Section13Zanduetavs.DelaCostaWhenajudgeoffirstinstance,presidingoverabranchofaCourtofFirstInstanceofajudicialdistrictbyvirtueofalegalandvalidappointment,acceptsanotherappointmenttopresideoverthesamebranchofthesameCourtofFirstInstance,inadditionofanotherCourtofFirstInstance


9totheoldone,entersintothedischargeofthefunctionsofhisnewofficeandreceivesthecorrespondingsalary,heabandonshisoldofficeandcannotclaimtobeentitledtorepossessitorquestiontheconstitutionalityofthelawbyvirtueofwhichhisnewappointmenthasbeenissued;and,saidnewappointmenthavingbeendisapprovedbytheCommissiononAppointmentsoftheNationalAssembly,neithercanheclaimtocontinueoccupyingtheofficeconferreduponhimbysaidnewappointment,havingipsojureceasedinthedischargeofthefunctionsthereof.

Section14Puyatvs.DeGuzmanNoMemberoftheBatasangPambansashallappeara

scounselbeforeanycourtwithoutappellatejurisdiction,beforeanycourtinanycivilcasewhereintheGovernment,oranysubdivision,agency,orinstrumentalitythereofistheadverseparty,orinanycriminalcasewhereinanyofficeroremployeeoftheGovernmentisaccusedofanoffensecommittedinrelationtohisoffice,orbeforeanyadministrativebody.Neithershallhe,directlyorindirectlybeinterestedfinanciallyinanycontractwith,orinanyfranchiseorspecialprivilegegrantedbytheGovernment,oranysubdivision,agencyorinstrumentalitythereof,includinganygovernment-ownedorcontrolledcorporation,duringhistermofoffice.Heshallnotacceptemploymenttointerveneinanycauseormatterwherehemaybecalledtoactonaccountofhisoffice.Section16Santiagovs.Guingona,Jr.WherenoprovisionoftheConstitution,thelawsoreventherulesoftheSenatehasbeenclearlyshowntohavebeenviolated,disregardedoroverlooked,graveabuseofdiscretioncannotbeimputedtoSenateofficials

foractsdonewithintheircompetenceandauthority.Avelinovs.CuencoTheconstitutionalgranttotheSenateofthepowertoelectitsownpresident,whichshouldnotbeinterferedwith,nortakenover,bythejudiciary.WhentheconstitutiondeclaresthatamajorityofeachHouseshallconstituteaquorum,doesnotmeanallofitsmembers.MajorityofallthemembersconstitutetheHouse.Hence,12senatorswhounanimouslyvotedconstituteamajorityof23senators(10walkedout,1outofthecountry).OSMEAVS.PENDATUNTheHouseisthejudgeofwhatconstitutesdisorderlybehaviorasconferreduponbytheConstitution.Also,Congresshastheinherentlegislativeprerogativeofsuspension.PAREDES,JR.VSSANDIGANBAYANSandiganbayanhastheauthoritytosuspendadistrictrepresentativeinviolationoftheAnti-GraftLawasitisbeingimposedontherepresentativeNOTasamemberoftheHouse.


10

U.S.VSPONSTheCourtmaynotgobeyondthetherecitalsofthelegislativejournalsforthepurposeofdeterminingthedateofadjournmentwhensuchjournalareclearandexplicit.Toinquiretheveracityofjournals,whentheyareclearandexplicit,wouldbetoviolateboththeletterandspiritofthelaws,toinv


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adethecoordinateandindependentdepartmentofthegovernmentandtointerferewiththelegitimatepowersandfunctionsoftheLegislature.

CASCOPHILCHEMICALCOVSGIMENEZEnrolledbilldoctrine-thetermureaformaldehydeisconclusiveuponthecourtsasregardsthetenorofthemeasurepassedbytheCongressandapprovedbythePresident.Sec.18:DazavsSingson-ThesenseoftheConstitutionisthatthemembershipintheCOAmustalwaysreflectpoliticalalignmentsandmustadjusttochanges.Nowhere,however,intheConstitutionrequirethatthepartymustbearegisteredparty.CosetengvsMitra-Endorsementofotherrepresentatives(inCOA)cannotbecountedinfavorofarepresentativeiftheydonotbelongtothelatter

sparty.GuingonavsGonzales-Fullcomplementof12seatsinCOAisnotmandatory.Roundingout0.5to1isunconstitutionalasitwoulddepriveotherpartiesofseatsinCOA.

Sec.21:BengzonvsSenateBlueRibbonCommittee-Investigationwasnotinaidoflegislationwhereitmerelyaimsatdeterminingwhetheralawisviolated.Toallowsuchinvestigationistoviolateseparationofpowers.ArnaultvsNazareno-PowerofInvestigationincludespowertopunishacontumaciouswitnessforcontempt.Experiencehasshownthatmererequestsforinformationarefrequentlyunavailing.-Inaidoflegislation-notdifficulttosatisfy.Necessityorlackofnecessityforlegislativeactionisdeterminedbythesumtotalofinformationtobegatheredasaresultofinvestigation,andnotbyafractionofsuchinformationelicitedfromsinglequestion.Itissufficientthatthequestionisgermanetothesubjectmatterofinquiry.Thereisnoneedforittobedirectlyr

elatedorconnectedtopossiblelegislation.NerivsSenateCommitteeonAccountability


11-Exceptiontolegislativeinquiry:ExecutivePrivilege(whichisextendedtoallcloseadvisorsofthePresident)-ItiswrongforSenatetopunishoneforcontemptwhereexecutiveprivilegeisproperlyinvoked.-Senate

smistakesinthecaseatbar:(1)invitationstoNerididnotincludepossiblestatute;(2)contemptorderlacksrequired#ofvotes;(3)Senatedidnotfirstruleontheclaim

ofexecutiveprivilegeandinsteaddismissedNeri

sexplanation;(4)rulesofprocedureoninquiriesinaidoflegislationnotdulypublished.

Sec.21and22:SenatevsErmita-WhenCongressmerelyseekstobeinformedonhowdepartmentheadsareimplementingthestatutes,itisnotimperative.-TheoversightfunctionofCongressmaybefacilitatedbycompulsoryprocessonlytotheextentthatitisperformedinpursuitoflegislation.-Appearanceofdepartmentheadsinquestionhourisdiscretionary.-WhenCongressexercisesitspowerofinquiry,theonlywayforthedepartmentheadstoexemptthemselvestherefromisbyavalidclaimofprivilege.-EXECUTIVEPRIVILEGEprivilegebasedondoctrineofseparationofpowers,exemptingexecutivefromdisclosurerequirementswheresuchexemptionisnecessarytothedischargeofhighlyimportantexecutiveresponsibilities.Itcoverscategoriesofinformationnotofpersons.Sec.24:To

lentinovsSecretaryofFinance-Thephraseoriginateexclusivelydoesnotrefertotheappropriationslawbuttotheappropriationsbill.ItissufficientthattheHouseofRep.initiatedthepassageofthebill.AlvarezvsGuingona-Abilloflocalapplication,suchasoneaskingfortheconversionofamunicipalityintoacity,isdeemedtohaveoriginatedfromtheHouseprovidedthatthebilloftheHousewasfiledpriortothefilingofthebillintheSenateevenif,intheend,theSenateapproveditsownversion.-ThefilingintheSenateofasubstitutebillinanticipationofitsreceiptofthebilldoesnotcontravenetheconstitutionalrequirementaslongastheSenatedoesnotactthereuponuntilitreceivestheHousebill.Sec.25:GarciavsMata-RIDERaprovisionnotrela


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tedtotheappropriationact(isprohibited)DemetriavsAlba-transferofappropriationsprohibitedPHICONSAvsEnriquez


12-Thelistofthosewhomaybeauthorizedtotransferfundsisexclusive.-Caseatbar:Congressmenareallowedtodeterminethenecessityofrealignment,butHouseSpeakerorSenatePres.willhavetoapprovetherealignmentbeforeitemsarerealigned.-Caseatbar:ChiefofStaffmaynotbegiveauthoritytorealignappropriations.Sec.26:TiovsVideogramRegulatoryBoard-Impositionoftaxissufficientlyrelatedtotheregulationofvideoindustrywherethetitleiscomprehensiveenoughtoincludesuchsubject(taxation)relatedtothegeneralpurpose(creationofVideogramBoard)Phil.JudgesAssoc.vsPrado-Repeal/Withdrawaloffrankingprivilegeisgermanetotheobjectofthetitle,whichistocreatepostalservicesystem.Hence,thesameisembracedinthetitle/TolentinovsSecretaryofFinance[Sec.26(1)]-WithdrawingtaxexemptionsgrantedbeforeisembracedinthesubjectofthetitlewhichistowidenthetaxbaseTanvsDelRosario-3purposesofSec.3(1),Art.VI:(a)topreventhodge-podgeorlog-rollinglegislation(b)topreventsurpriseorfrauduponthelegislaturebymeansofprovisionswhichmightbeoverlooked(c)tofairlyapprisethepeopleofthesubjectsoflegislationUniformityoftaxationmeans:(a)standardsthata

reusedaresubstantialandnotarbitrary(b)categorizationisgermanetoachievelegislativepurpose(c)lawapplies,allthingsbeingequal,tobothpresentandfutureconditions(d)classificationappliesequallywelltoallthosebelongingtothesameclassTobiasvsAbalos-ProvisionprovidingforaseparatelegislativedistrictisgermanetothesubjectofthebillcreatingtheCityofMandaluyongTolentinovsSecretaryofFinance[Sec.26(2)]-IFitisonlytheprintingthatisbeingdispensedbypresidentialcertification,thetimesavedwouldbesonegligibleastobeofanyuseinensuringimmediateenactment.(PrintingandReadingsonseparatedaysbothdispensablebypres.certification)-WherenoSenatorscontrovertedtherealityofthefactualbasisofcertification,growingbudgetdeficitmaybeconsideredasbasisforpresidentialcertification.Senators,inrespondingtothecallofthePres.byvotingonthebill,manifestedtheirbeliefintheurgentneedforcertificationofthebill.Sec.27:Tolent

inovsSec.ofFinance


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-ItiswithinthepowerofaconferencecommitteetoincludeinitsreportanentirelynewprovisionnotfoundineitherHouseBillorSenateBill.(Amendmentinthenatureofsubstitutioniswarrantedaslongasamendmentisgermanetothesubjectmatterofthebill)-todisregardtheenrolledbillistodisregardtherespectduetheother2departments.GonzalesvsMacaraig-Pressidentcanve

toanitem-Doctrineofinappropriateprovisionsaprovisionthatisconstitutionallyinappropriatemaybesingledoutforvetoifitisnotanappropriationorrevenueitem.Aninappropriateprovisioninanappropriationsbillisaniteminiself.

BengzonvsDrilon-President

spowertovetoanitemdoesnotgrantauthoritytovetopartofanitem(orprovisions).-Presidentcannotvetoalaworrepealalaw.PHILCONSAvsEnriquez-Provisionsthataregermanetothespecificappropriationscannotbevetoed.-RequirementofCongressionalapprovalforreleaseoffundsformodernizationofAFPcanbeincorporatedinseparatebillandhence


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inappropriate.Itwasproperlyvetoed.-ExecutiveImpoundmentrefusalofthePresidenttospendfundsalreadyallocatedbyCongressforaspecificpurpose(thedutytoimplementthelawincludesthedutytodesistfromimplementingitwhenimplementationwouldprejudicepublicinterest).TheCourt,however,didnotruleonthisissue,andratherdeclaredtheprovisionconcerningbenefitsofCAFGUsasaninappropriateprovision.Sec.28:KapatiranngmgaNaglilingkodsaPilipinasvsTan-ataxisconsidereduniformwhenitoperateswiththesameforceandeffectineveryplacewherethesubjectmaybefound.AbraValleyCollegevsAquino-Wherealotisnotusedexclusivelyforeducationalpurpose,itmaybetaxediftheuseisnotincidentaltotheattainmentofmainpurpose.Sec.29:PascualvsSec.ofPublicWorks-Appropriationforaroadownedbyaprivateindividualisinvalidbecauseitisnotforapublicpurpose.SubsequentdonationdidnotvalidatethelawbecausevalidityofastatutedependsuponthepowerofCongressatthetimeofitsapprovalandnotuponsubsequentevents.AglipayvsRuiz-Appropriationforspecialstampissueisvalidasitisnotspecificallymadetobenefitareligiousdenominationbutforapublicpurpose.ThebenefitacquiredbytheChurchisincidentalonly.


14GuingonavsCarague-TheAutomaticReappropriationLawforservicingforeignde

btsisvalidbecausetheamountisfixedbytheparametersofthelawitselfwhichrequiresthesimpleactoflookingintothebooksofTreasure(theamountisdeterminable).-Budgetaryprocess:(a)budgetpreparation(b)legislativeauthorization(c)budgetexecution(d)budgetaccountabilityOsmenavsOrbos-IncreaseofpetroleumpricestoresolvetheTerminalFundBalancedeficitisvalidasitwasavalidexerciseofpolicepower.PHILCONSAvsEnriquez-PorkbarrelprovisionsintheannualbudgetallowingmembersofCongresstoperformexecutivefunctionofspendingmoneyappropriatedarenotinviolationofseparationofpowersbecauseCongressitselfhadspecifiedtheusesofthefundandthepowergivenwasmerelyrecommendatorytothePresidentwhocouldapproveordisapprovetherecommendation.Sec.30:FirstLepantoCeramics,Inc.vsCA-B.P.Blg.129grantingexclusiveappellatejurisdictiontoCAoverthedecisionsofquasi-judicialbodiesisnotsupersededbyOmnibusInvestmentsCodeof1987providingthatd

ecisionsofBOIareappealabletoSCbecauseadviceandconcurrenceofSCwasnotsought.DiazvsCA-Sec.10ofEONo.170statingapartyadverselyaffectedbyadecisionofERBmayfileapetitionwithSCwassupersededbytheConstitutionstatingthatjurisdictionofSCcannotbemadetoincreasewithoutitsadviceandconcurrence.Sec.32:SubicBayMetropolitanAuthorityvsCOMELEC-Initiativeisentirelytheworkofelectorate;theprocessoflaw-makingbythepeoplethemselves-Referendumconsistsmerelyoftheelectorateapprovingorrejectingwhathasbeendrawnuporenactedbyalegislativebody.-Caseatbar:COMELECerredinimplementingaResolutionwhenrespondentsfiledpetitionforInitiativeandnotReferendum.EXECUTIVEDEPARTMENTSec.1:MarcosvsManglapus-ThePresidenthasresidualpowers.ThePresidentismorethanthesumofspecificpowersenumeratedintheConstitution.


15-Whatisnotpartofthelegislativeandjudicialdepartmentsisdeemedpartoftheexecutive.-The1987ConstitutionprovidedforalimitationofspecificpowersofthePresident,particularlythoserelatingtothecommander-in-chiefclause,butnotadiminutionofthegeneralgrantofexecutivepower.SolivenvsMakasiar-TheprivilegeofimmunityfromsuitistoassuretheexerciseofPresid


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entialdutiesfreefromanyhindranceordistractionconsideringthatbeingtheChiefExecutivedemandsundividedattention.-TheprivilegepertainstothePresidentbyvirtueoftheofficeandmaybeinvokedonlybytheholderoftheoffice.ThereisnothingwhichprohibitsthePresidenttowaivethisprivilege.EstradavsDesierto-Anon-sittingPresidentdoesnotenjoyimmunityfromsuit(immunityisonlyduringthetenure)-EvenasittingPresidentisnotimmunefromsuitfornon-officialactsorfromwrongdoing.(Publicofficeisapublictrust.TheruleisthatunlawfulactsofpublicofficialsarenotactsoftheStateandtheofficerwhoactsillegallyisnotactingassuchbutstandsinthesamefootingasanyothertrespasser.Sec.13:DoromalvsSandiganbayan-SecSec.13,Art.VIIisapplicableinacasewheretheaccusedhasnotsignedanydocumentofanybidofthefamilycorporationofwhichheisamember,submittedtoanygovernmentdepartment.-Caseatbar:PetitionerhasatleastanindirectinterestwiththetransactionwithDECSandNMYC.CivilLibertiesUnionvsExecutiveSecretary-EONo.284isunconstitutionalinsofaritallowsamemberoftheCabinettoholdnotmorethantwopositionsinthegovernment.(Respondent scontentionthatSec.7,Art.IX-Bisanexceptionwoulddefeattheobviouslegislativeintentwhichistoprohibitcabinetmembersfromholdingmultipleoffices.)AytonavsCastillo-Asarule,onceanappointmentisissued,itcannotbereconsideredwheretheappointeehasqualified.Exception:adinterimappointmentsissuedinthelasthoursofanoutgoingChiefExecutive(midnightappointmentsmadeforbuyingvotes).InreValenzuelaandVallarta-Sec.15(Presidentshallnotmakeappointmentswithin2monthspriortothenextPresidentialelection)isapplicabletothemembersoftheJudiciary.-Thissortofappointmentismadeforpar

tisanconsiderations.Sec.16:BinamiravsGarrucho15by1E(2008-2009)SBCLaw-Mendiola

16-Appointmentordesignationinvolvesexerciseofdiscretionwhichcannotbedelegated.EvenifitbeassumedthatthepowercouldbeexercisedbyMinisterofTourism,itcouldberecalledbythePresident.-Designationisconsideredonlyanactingortemporaryappointment,whichdoesnotconfersecurityoftenure.SarmientovsMison-4groupsofofficerswhomthePresidentshallappoint:(a)headsoftheexecutivedepartments,ambassadors,otherpublicministersandconsul

s,officersofthearmedforcesfromtherankofcolonelornavalcaptain,andotherwhoseappointmentsarevestedinhiminthisConstitution(b)allotherofficersoftheGovernmentwhoseappointmentsarenototherwiseprovidedforbylaw(c)thosewhomthePresidentmaybeauthorizedbylawtoappoint(d)officerslowerinrankwhoseappointmentstheCongressmaybylawvestinthePresidentalone.-Caseatbar:ConfirmationofCOAisnotneededinappointmentofCommissionerofBureauofCustomsbecauseabureauheadisnotamongthosewithinthefirstgroupofappointmentswhereconsentofCOAisrequired.BautistavsSalonga-ConfirmationofCOAisnotneededinappointmentofChairmanofCommissionofHumanRightsbecausesuchappointmentisnotvestedinthePresidentintheConstitution.TherdPresidentappointsChairmanofCHRpursuanttoEO163(CHRChairmanisthuswithinthe3groupofofficers)Quintos-DelesvsCommissionofAppointments-TheappointmentofSectoralRepresentativesrequiresconfirmationby

theCommissiononAppointments.TheseatsreservedforsectoralrepresentativesmaybefilledbyappointmentbythePresidentbyexpressprovisionofSec.7,ArticleXVIIIoftheConstitution(hence,sectoralstrepresentativesarewithinthe1groupofofficers)st-Exceptionstothoseofficerswithinthe1group:(1)Ombudsmanandhisdeputies,and(2)membersoftheSupremeCourtandjudgesoflowercourts.CalderonvsCarale-ConfirmationbyCOAisrequiredonlyforpresidentialappointeesthatarewithinthe1groupofofficersasmentionedinSarmientovsMison.-Congressmaynotexpandthelistofappointmentsneedingconfirmation.-Caseatbar:RA6715,whichrequirestheCOAconfirmationinappointmentsofNLRCChairmanandCommissioners,transgressesSec.16,Art.VII.Theapp


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ointmentsofNLRCChairmanandrdCommissionersdonotneedCOAconfirmationbecausetheyfallunderthe3groupofofficers.TarrosavsSingson-affirmedtherulinginCalderonvsCarale-Caseatbar:AppointmentofCentralBankGovernordoesnotneedCOAconfirmation.FloresvsDrilon-AlawwhichlimitsthePresidenttoonlyoneappointeeisanencroachmenttotheprerogativeofthePresidentbecauseappointmentinvolvesdiscretiontochoosewhotoappoint.st


17

LuegovsCivilServiceCommission-CSCiswithoutauthoritytorevokeanappointmentbecauseofitsbeliefthatanotherpersonwasbetterqualified,whichisanencroachmentonthediscretionvestedsolelyintheappointingauthority.-ThepermanentappointmentmadebytheappointingauthoritymaynotbereversedbyCSCandcallittemporary.PobrevsMendieta-ThevacancyinthepositionofChairmanoftheProfessionalRegulationCommissioncannotbefilledbytheSeniorAssociateCommissionerbyoperationoflaw(orbysuccession)becauseitwilldeprivethePresidentofthepowertoappointtheChairman.

Sec.17DrilonvsLim-Distinctionbetweenpowerandcontrol:Anofficerincon

trollaysdowntherulesinthedoingofanact.iftheyarenotfollowed,hemay,inhisdiscretion,ordertheactundoneorre-donebyhissubordinateorhemayevendecidetodoitbyhimself.Supervisiondoesnotcoversuchauthority.Thesupervisormerelyseestoitthatrulesarefollowed,buthehimselfdoesnotlaydownsuchrules,nordoeshehavethediscretiontomodifyorreplacethem.Iftherulesarenotobserved,hemayordertheworkdoneorre-donebutonlytoconformtotheprescribedrules.Hemaynotprescribehisownmannerexcepttoseetoitthattherulesarefollowed.(Note)Powerofcontrolpertainstopowerofanofficertoalter,modify,nullify,orsetasidewhatasubordinatehasdoneintheperformanceofhisdutiesandtosubstitutehisjudgmenttothatoftheformer[MondanovsSilvosa]VillenavsSecretaryoftheInterior-DoctrineofQualifiedPoliticalAgency(alteregoprinciple)-actsoftheSecretariesofExecutiveDepartments,whenperformedandpromulgatedintheregularcourseofbu

sinessorunlessdisapprovedorreprobatedbytheChiefExecutive,arepresumptivelytheactsoftheChiefExecutive-Caseatbar:SecretaryoftheInteriorisinvestedwiththeauthoritytoordertheinvestigationofthechargesagainstthepetitionerandtoappointaspecialinvestigatorforthatpurpose.Lacson-MagallanesCo.,Inc.vsPano-DepartmentheadsarePresident

smenofconfidence.Hisisthepowertoappointthem;his,too,istheprivilegetodismissthematpleasure.Normally,hecontrolsanddirectstheiracts.Implicitthenishisauthoritytogoover,confirm,modifyorreversetheactiontakenbyhisdepartmentsecretaries.-Caseatbar:ThePresident,throughhisExecutiveSecretary,mayundoanactoftheDirectorofLandsCityofIliganvsDirectorofLands


18-ThePresidenthasthepowertograntportionsofpublicdomaintoanygovernmententityliketheCityofIliganbecausehehascontrolovertheDirectorofLands,whohasdirectexecutivecontrolinthelease,saleoranyformofconcessionordispositionofthelandofpublicdomain.GasconvsArroyo-Caseatbar:ExecutiveSecretaryhasthepowerandauthoritytoenterintotheAgreementtoArbitratewiththeABSCBNasheactedforandinbehalfofthePresidentwhenhesignedit.KilusanBayanvsDominguez-Anadministrativeofficerhasonlysuch


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powersasareexpresslygrantedtohimandthosenecessarilyimpliedintheexercisethereof.Thesepowersshouldnotbeextendedbyimplicationbeyondwhatmaybenecessaryfortheirjustandreasonableexecution.

AngangcovsCastillo-Thepowertoremoveisinherentinthepowertoappoint,butnotwithregardtothoseofficersoremployeeswhobelongtotheclassifiedserviceforastothemtheinherentpowercannotbeexercisedNAMARCOvsArca-Executivepowerofcontrolextendstogovernment-ownedcorporations.Sec.18:GuazonvsDeVilla-ThePresidenthasthepowertoordainsaturationdrives.ThereisnothingintheConstitutionwhichdeniestheauthorityoftheChiefExec.toorderpoliceactionstostopunabatedcriminality,risinglawlessness,andalarmingcommunistactivities.RuffyvsChiefofStaff-Courtsmartialaresimplyinstrumentalitiesoftheexecutivepower,providedbytheCongressforthePresidentasCommanderinchieftoaidhiminproperlycommandingthearmyandnavyandenforcingdisciplinethereinandutilizeunderhisorderthoseofhisauthorizedmilitaryrepresentatives.OlaguervsMilitaryCommissionNo.34-Dueprocessoflawdemandsthatinallcriminalprosecutionstheaccusedbeentitledtoatrial.Thetrialcontemplatedbythedueprocessclauseistrialbyjudicialprocess.MilitaryCommissionsarenotcourtswithinthePhilippinejudicialsystem.Judicialpowerisvestedonlyinthecourts.MilitarycommissionspertaintotheexecutivedepartmentandareinstrumentalitiesofthePresidentascommander-in-chieftoaidhiminenforcingdisciplineinthearmedforces.Sec.19:TorresvsGonzales


19-Ajudicialpronouncementisnotnecessaryindeterminingwhethertheconditionsinthepardonareviolated.ThedeterminationofwhetherthereisaviolationsoftheconditionsrestsexclusivelyinthesoundjudgmentofthePresident.MonsantovsFactoran-Pardonimpliesguilt.Whileitrelievesthepartypardonedfromallpunitiveconsequencesofhiscriminalact,itrelieveshimfromnothingmore.Itdoesnot,therefore,restoreaconvictedfelontopublicofficeforfeitedbyreasonofconviction.PeoplevsSalle,Jr.-Pardonmaybegrantedonlybyfinaljudgment.Wherethejudgmentofconvictionisstillpendingappeal,execu

tiveclemencymaynotyetbegranted.Beforeanappellantmaybegrantedpardon,hemustfirstaskforthewithdrawalofhisappeal.GarciavsCOA-President sgrantofexecutiveclemencytoapersondismissedfromhisofficepursuanttoanadministrativecase(butwherethelatterhasbeenacquittedinacriminalcasebasedonthesamefactsallegedinthecriminalcase)entitlesthelattertoautomaticreinstatementandbackwages.

SabellovsDECS-Pardon(inacriminalcase)freestheindividualfromallthepenaltiesanddisabilitiesandrestoreshimtoallhiscivilrights.Althoughsuchpardonmayrestoreaperson seligibilitytopublicoffice,itdoesnotentitlehimtoautomaticreinstatement.Heshouldapplyforreappointmenttosaidoffice.-[ComparewithGarciavsCOA]LlamasvsOrbos-Ingrantingthepowerofexecutiveclemency,theConstitutiondoesnotdistinguishbetweencriminalandad

ministrativecases.Sec.18:Constantino,Jr.vsCuisia-Thedebt-reliefcontracts,prividingforbuy-backandbond-conversionschemes,enteredintopursuanttoFinancingProgramarenotbeyondthepowersgrantedtothePresidentunderSec.20,Art.VII.TheonlyrestrictionthattheConstitutionprovides,asidefromthepriorconcurrenceoftheMonetaryBoard,isthatloansmustbesubjecttolimitationsprovidedbylaw.Accordingly,thecontentionthatbuy-backandbond-conversionschemesareneitherloansnorguarantees,andhencebeyondthePresidentswertoexecute,arewithoutmerit.Sec.21:CommissionerofCustomsvsEasternSeaTrading(1961)-TheconcurrenceoftheHouseofCongressisrequiredbyourfundamentallawinthemakingoftreatieswhicharehoweverdistinctanddiffere


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ntfromexecutiveagreementswhichmaybevalidlyenteredwithoutsuchconcurrence.


20

Pimentel,Jr.vsExec.Sec.-ThepowertoratifyisvestedinthePresident,subjecttoconcurrenceoftheSenate.TheroleoftheSenateislimitedonlytogivingorwithholdingitsconsentorconcurrencetotheratification.Hence,itiswithintheauthorityofthePresidenttorefusetosubmitatreatytotheSenateorhavingsecureditsconsentforitsratification,refusetoratifyit.ThisdiscretiontoratifylieswithinthePresident

scompetencealone.-4stepsintreaty-makingprocess:(a)negotiation(b)signingofthetreaty(simplyameansofauthenticatingtheinstrumentandasymbolofgoodfaith)(c)ratification(formalactbywhichastatuteconfirmsandacceptstheprovisionsofatreaty)(d)exchangeofinstrumentsofratification-Inthecaseatbar,thetreatywasmerelysigned.

JUDICIALDEPARTMENTSec.1:SantiagovsBautista-Thecourtsmaynotexercisejudicialpowerwhenthereisnoapplicablelaw.-Caseatbar:Anawardofhonorstoastudentbyaboardofteachersmaynotbereversedbyacourtwheretheaw

ardsaregovernedbynoapplicablelaw.DazavSingson-Eveniftheissuepresentedwaspoliticalinnature,theCourtisstillnotbeprecludedfromresolvingitundertheexpandedjurisdictionconferreduponitthatnowcovers,inpropercases,eventhepoliticalquestion.-Thatwhereseriousconstitutionalquestionsareinvolved,"thetranscendentalimportancetothepublicofthesecasesdemandsthattheybesettledpromptlyanddefinitelybrushingaside,ifwemust,technicalitiesofprocedure."MantrusteSystemsvCourtofAppeals-Therecanbenojustificationforjudicialinterferenceinthebusinessofanadministrativeagency,exceptwhenitviolatesacitizen

sconstitutionalrights,orcommitsagraveabuseofdiscretion,oractsinexcessof,orwithoutjurisdiction.-CourtsmaynotsubstitutetheirjudgmentforthatoftheAssetPrivatizationTrust(administrativebody),norblock,byaninjunction,thedischargeofitsfunctionsandtheimplementationofitsdecisionsinconnectionwiththeacquisition,sa

leordispositionofassetstransferredtoit.MalagavPenachos,Jr.-Itwaspreviouslydeclaredtheprohibitionpertainedtotheissuanceofinjunctionsorrestrainingordersbycourtsagainstadministrativeactsincontroversiesinvolvingfactsortheexerciseof


21discretionintechnicalcases.TheCourtobservedthattoallowthecourtstojudgethesematterswoulddisturbthesmoothfunctioningoftheadministrativemachinery.Onissuesdefinitelyoutsideofthisdimensionandinvolvingquestionso

flaw,courtscouldnotbepreventedbyanylaw(inthiscase,P.D.No.605)fromexercisingtheirpowertorestrainorprohibitadministrativeacts.PACUvSecretaryofEducation-Judicialpowerislimitedtothedecisionofactualcasesandcontroversies.(MereapprehensionthattheSecretaryofEducationmightunderthelawwithdrawthepermitofoneofpetitionersdoesnotconstituteajusticiablecontroversy.)-Courtsdonotsittoadjudicatemereacademicquestionstosatisfyscholarlyinterestthereinhoweverintellectuallysolidtheproblemmaybe.Thisisespeciallytruewheretheissues"reachconstitutionaldimensions,forthentherecomesintoplayregardforthecourt sdutytoavoiddecisionofconstitutionalissuesunlessavoidancebecomesevasion.Mariano,Jr.vCOMELEC-


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Consideringthatthosecontingenciesmentionedbythepetitionersmayormaynothappen,petitionersmerelyposeahypotheticalissuewhichhasyettoripentoanactualcaseorcontroversy.PetitionerswhoareresidentsofTaguig(exceptMariano)arenotalsotheproperpartiestoraisethisabstractissue(cityofMakatiisinvolved).Worse,theyraisethisfuturisticissueinapetitionfordeclaratoryreliefoverwhichthisCourthasnojurisdiction.

MacasianovNationalHousingAuthority-Itisarulefirmlyentrenchedinourjurisprudencethattheconstitutionalityofanactofthelegislaturewillnotbedeterminedbythecourtsunlessthatquestionisproperlyraisedandpresentedinappropriatecasesandisnecessarytoadeterminationofthecase.J.JoyavPCGG-Theruleissettledthatnoquestioninvolvingtheconstitutionalityorvalidityofalaworgovernmentalactmaybeheardanddecidedbythecourtunlessthereiscompliancewiththelegalrequisitesforjudicialinquiry,namely:thatthequestionmustberaisedbytheproperparty;thattheremustbeanactualcaseorcontroversy;thatthequestionmustberaisedattheearliestpossibleopportunity;and,thatthedecisionontheconstitutionalorlegalquestionmustbenecessarytothedeterminationofthecaseitself.Butthemostimportantarethefirsttwo(2)requisites.-Noteveryactionfiledbyataxpayercanqualifytochallengethelegalityofofficialactsdonebythegovernment.Ataxpayerssuitcanprosperonlyifthegovernmentalactsbeingquestionedinvolvedisbursementofpublicfundsuponthetheorythattheexpenditureofpublicfundsbyanofficerofthestateforthepurposeofadministeringanunconstitutionalactconstitutesamisapplicationofsuchfunds,whichmaybeenjoinedattherequest

ofataxpayer.LegaspivCivilServiceCommission-ItbecomesapparentthatwhenaMandamusproceedinginvolvestheassertionofapublicright,therequirementofpersonalinterestissatisfiedbythemerefactthatthepetitionerisacitizen,andtherefore,partofthegeneral"public"whichpossessestheright.-"Public"isacomprehensive,all-inclusiveterm.Properlyconstrued,itembraceseveryperson.


22

DumlaovCOMELEC-Forone,thereisamisjoinderofpartiesandactions.Onepetitionerdoesnotjoinotherpetitionersintheburdenoftheircomplaint,nordothelatterjointheformerinhis.They,respectively,contestcompletelydifferentstatutoryprovisions.-Foranother,therearestandardsthathavetobefollowedintheexerciseofthefunctionofjudicialreview,namely:(1)theexistenceofanappropriatecase;(2)aninterestpersonalandsubstantialbythepartyraisingtheconstitutionalquestion;(3)thepleathatthefunctionbeexercisedattheearliestopportunity;and(4)thenecessitythattheconstitutionalquestionbepasseduponinordertodecidethecase.BugnayConst.andDevt.Corp.vLaron-Thedoctrineholdsthatonlywhentheactcomplainedofdirectlyinvolvesanillegaldisbursementofpublicfundsraisedbytaxationwillthetaxpayer ssuitbeallowed.Theessenceofataxpayer srighttoinstitutesuchanactionhingesontheexistenceofthatrequisitepecuniaryormonetaryinterest.-

Itisnotenoughthatthetaxpayer-plaintiffsufficientlyshowthathewouldbebenefitedorinjuredbythejudgmentorentitledtotheavailsofthesuitasarealpartyininterest.

KilosbayanvGuingona,Jr.-Aparty sstandingbeforethisCourtisaproceduraltechnicalitywhichitmay,intheexerciseofitsdiscretion,setasideinviewoftheimportanceoftheissuesraised.-InlinewiththeliberalpolicyofthisCourtonlocusstandi,ordinarytaxpayers,membersofCongress,andevenassociationofplanters,andnon-profitcivicorganizationswereallowedtoinitiateandprosecuteactionsbeforethisCourttoquestiontheconstitutionalityorv


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alidityoflaws,acts,decisions,rulings,orordersofvariousgovernmentagenciesorinstrumentalities.PHILCONSAvEnriquez-TheSenatorshavelegalstandingtoquestionthevalidityoftheveto.WhenavetowasmadeinexcessoftheauthorityofthePresident,itimpermissibilyintrudesintothedomainoftheLegislature.AmemberofCongresscanquestionanactoftheExecutivewhichinjuresCongressasaninstitution.TatadvGarcia,Jr.-Theprevailingdoctrinesintaxpayer

ssuitsaretoallowtaxpayerstoquestioncontractsenteredintobythenationalgovernmentorgovernment-ownedorcontrolledcorporationsallegedlyincontraventionofthelawandtodisallowthesamewhenonlymunicipalcontractsareinvolved(justlikeinBugnaycasesincenopublicmoneywasinvolved).OposavFactoran,Jr.-CLASSSUIT:Thesubjectmatterofthecomplaintisofcommonandgeneralinterestnotjusttoseveral,buttoallcitizensofthePhilippines.Consequently,sincethepartiesaresonumerous,itbecomesimpracticable,ifnottotallyimpossible,tobringallofthembeforethecourt.


23-Theirpersonalitytosueinbehalfofthesucceedinggenerationscanonlybebasedontheconceptofintergenerationalresponsibilityinsofarastherighttoabalancedandhealthfulecologyisconcerned.-Needlesstosay,everygenerationhasaresponsibilitytothenexttopreservethatrhythmandharmonyforthe

fullenjoymentofabalancedandhealthfulecology.Putalittledifferently,theminors`assertionoftheirrighttoasoundenvironmentconstitutes,atthesametime,theperformanceoftheirobligationtoensuretheprotectionofthatrightforthegenerationstocome.LozadavCOMELEC-Astaxpayers,petitionersmaynotfiletheinstantpetition,fornowherethereinisitallegedthattaxmoneyisbeingillegallyspent.Itisonlywhenanactcomplainedof,whichmayincludealegislativeenactmentorstatute,involvestheillegalexpenditureofpublicmoneythattheso-calledtaxpayersuitmaybeallowed.-Theunchallengedruleisthatthepersonwhoimpugnsthevalidityofastatutemusthaveapersonalandsubstantialinterestinthecasesuchthathehassustained,orwillsustain,directinjuryasaresultofitsenforcement.Concreteinjury,whetheractualorthreatened,isthatindispensableelementofadisputewhichservesinparttocastitinaformtraditionallycapableofjudicialresolution.Whentheasser

tedharmisa"generalizedgrievance"sharedinsubstantiallyequalmeasurebyalloralargeclassofcitizens,thatharmalonenormallydoesnotwarrantexerciseofjurisdiction.

KilosbayanvMorato-Thevotingonpetitioners

standinginthepreviouscasewasanarrowone,seven(7)memberssustainingpetitioners standingandsix(6)denyingpetitioners

righttobringthesuit.Themajoritywasthusatenuousonethatisnotlikelytobemaintainedinanysubsequentlitigation.Inaddition,therehavebeenchargesinthemembershipoftheCourt,withtheretirementofJusticeCruzandBidinandtheappointmentofthewriterofthisopinionandJusticeFrancisco.Giventhisfactitishardlytenabletoinsistonthemaintenanceoftherulingastopetitioners standing.SECTION3BengzonvLim-Whatisfiscalautonomy?Itcontemplatesaguaranteeoffullflexibilitytoallocateand

utilizetheirresourceswiththewisdomanddispatchthattheirneedsrequire.Itrecognizesthepowerandauthoritytolevy,assessandcollectfees,fixratesofcompensationnotexceedingthehighestratesauthorizedbylawforcompensationandplayplansofthegovernmentandallocateanddisbursesuchsumsasmaybeprovidedbylaworprescribedbytheminthecourseofthedischargeoftheirfunctions.Fiscalautonomymeansfreedomfromoutsidecontrol.-TheJudiciary,theConstitutionalCommissions,andtheOmbudsmanmusthavetheindependenceandflexibilityneededinthedischargeoftheirconstitutionalduties.Theimpositionofrestrictionsandconstraintsonthemannertheindependentconstitutionalofficesallocateandutilizethefundsappropriatedfortheiroperationsisan


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athematofiscalautonomyandviolativenotonlyoftheexpressmandateoftheConstitutionbutespeciallyasregardstheSupremeCourt,oftheindependenceandseparationofpowersuponwhichtheentirefabricofourconstitutionalsystemisbasedSECTION4


24LimketkaiSonsMilling,Inc.vCourtofAppeals,et.al.-ReorganizationispurelyaninternalmatteroftheCourttowhichpetitionercertainlyhasnobusinessatall.-TheCourtwithitsnewmembershipisnotobligedtofollowblindlyadecisionupholdingaparty

scasewhen,afteritsre-examination,thesamecallsforarectification.SECTION5DrilonvLim-TheConstitutionvestsintheSupremeCourtappellatejurisdictionoverfinaljudgmentsandordersoflowercourtsinallcasesinwhichtheconstitutionalityorvalidityofanytreaty,internationalorexecutiveagreement,law,presidentialdecree,proclamation,order,instruction,ordinance,orregulationisinquestion.-Intheexerciseofthisjurisdiction,lowercourtsareadvisedtoactwiththeutmostcircumspection,bearinginmindtheconsequencesofadeclarationofunconstitutionalityuponthestabilityoflaws,nolessthanonthedoctrineofseparationofpowers.Asthequestionedactisusuallythehandiworkofthelegislativeortheexecutivedepartments,orboth,itwillbeprudentforsuchcourts,ifonlyoutofabecomingmo

desty,todefertothehigherjudgmentofthisCourtintheconsiderationofitsvalidity,whichisbetterdeterminedafterathoroughdeliberationbyacollegiatebodyandwiththeconcurrenceofthemajorityofthosewhoparticipatedinitsdiscussion.LarranagavCourtofAppeals(TransferthevenueofthepreliminaryinvestigationfromCebuCitytoManilabecauseoftheextensivecoverageoftheproceedingsbytheCebumediawhichallegedlyinfluencedthepeople

sperceptionofpetitioner

scharacterandguilt.)-TheCourtrecognizesthatpervasiveandprejudicialpublicityundercertaincircumstancescandepriveanaccusedofhisdueprocessrighttofairtrial.Itwaspreviouslyheldthattowarrantafindingofprejudicialpublicitytheremustbeallegationandproofthatthejudgeshavebeenundulyinfluenced,notsimplythattheymightbe,bythebarrageinpublicity.-Inthecaseatbar,nothingintherecordsshowsthatthetoneandcontentofthepublicitythatattendedtheinvestigationofpetitionersfatally

infectedthefairnessandimpartialityoftheDOJPanel.FirstLepantoCeramics,Inc.vCourtofAppeals-ItisintendedtogivetheSupremeCourtameasureofcontrolovercasespacedunderitsappellatejurisdiction.Fortheindiscriminateenactmentoflegislationenlargingitsappellatejurisdiction.FortheindiscriminateenactmentoflegislationenlargingitsappellatejurisdictioncanunnecessarilyburdentheCourtandtherebyundermineitsessentialfunctionofexpoundingthelawinitsmostprofoundnationalaspects.AruelovCourtofAppeals-Constitutionallyspeaking,theCOMELECcannotadoptaruleprohibitingthefilingofcertainpleadingsintheregularcourts.Thepowertopromulgaterulesconcerningpleadings,practiceandprocedureinallcourtsisvestedontheSupremeCourt.JavellanavDILG

24


25

(Section90oftheLocalGovernmentCodeof1991andDLGMemorandumCircularNo.90-81doesnotviolateArticleVIII.Section5oftheConstitution.NeitherthestatutenorthecirculartrenchesupontheSupremeCourt

spowerandauthoritytoprescriberulesonthepracticeoflaw.)-TheLocalGovernmentCodeandDLGMemorandumCircularNo.90-81simplyprescriberulesofconductforpublicoffic


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ialstoavoidconflictsofinterestbetweenthedischargeoftheirpublicdutiesandtheprivatepracticeoftheirprofession,inthoseinstanceswherethelawallowsit.SECTION6MacedavVasquez-IntheabsenceofanyadministrativeactiontakenagainstapersonbytheCourtwithregardtohiscertificatesofservice,theinvestigationbeingconductedbytheOmbudsmanencroachesintotheCourt

spowerofadministrativesupervisionoverallcourtsanditspersonnel,inviolationofthedoctrineofseparationofpowers.-WhereacriminalcomplaintagainstaJudgeorothercourtemployeearisesfromtheiradministrativeduties,theOmbudsmanmustdeferactiononsaidcomplaintandreferthesametotheCourtfordeterminationwhethersaidJudgeorcourtemployeehadactedwithinthescopeoftheiradministrativeduties.RaquizavJudgeCastaneda,Jr.-TheruleseveninanadministrativecasedemandsthatiftherespondentJudgeshouldbedisciplinedforgravemisconductoranygraveroffense,theevidencepresentedagainsthimshouldbecompetentandderivedfromdirectknowledge.Thejudiciary,towhichrespondentbelongs,nolessdemandsthatbeforeitsmembercouldbefaulted,itshouldbeonlyafterdueinvestigationandbasedoncompetentproofs,noless.Thisisallthemoresowhenasinthiscasethechargesarepenalinnature.(

Misconduct

alsoimplies

awrongfulintentionandnotamereerrorofjudgment.Itresultsthatevenifrespondentwerenotcorrectinhislegalconclusions,hisjudicialactuationscannotberegardedasgravemisconduct,unlessthecontrarysufficientlyappears.)SECTION10NitafanvCommissionerofInternalRevenue-TheclearintentoftheConstitutionalCommissionwastodeletetheproposedexpressgrantofexemptionfrompaymentofincometaxtomembersoftheJudiciary,soasto"givesubstancetoequalityamongthethreebranchesofGovernmen

t.SECTION11DeLaLlanavAlba-JudiciaryActdoesnotviolatejudicialsecurityoftenure.ThisCourtisempowered"todisciplinejudgesofinferiorcourtsand,byavoteofatleasteightmembers,ordertheirdismissal."Thus,itpossessesthecompetencetoremovejudges.UndertheJudiciaryAct,itwasthePresidentwhowasvestedwithsuchpower.Removalis,ofcourse,tobedistinguishedfromterminationbyvirtueoftheabolitionoftheoffice.Therecanbenotenuretoanon-existentoffice.Aftertheabolition,thereisinlawnooccupant.Incaseofremoval,thereisanofficewithanoccupantwhowouldtherebylosehisposition.Itisinthatsensethatfromthestandpointofstrictlaw,thequestionof


26anyimpairmentofsecurityoftenuredoesnotarise.Nonetheless,fortheincumbentsofinferiorcourtsabolished,theeffectisoneofseparation.Astoitseffect,nodistinctionexistsbetweenremovalandtheabolitionoftheoffice.Realistically,itisdevoidofsignificance.Heceasestobeamemberofthejudiciary.PeoplevGacott,Jr.-TorequiretheentireCourttodeliberateuponandparticipateinalladministrativemattersorcasesregardlessofthesanctions,imposableorimposed,wouldresultinacongesteddocketandunduedelayintheadjudicationofcasesintheCourt,especiallyinadministrativematters,sinceevencasesinvolvingthepenaltyofreprimandwouldrequireactionbytheCourtenbanc.-Yet,althoughasthusdemonstrated,onlycasesinvolvingdismissalof

judgesoflowercourtsarespecificallyrequiredtobedecidedbytheCourtenbanc,incognizanceoftheneedforathoroughandjudiciousevaluationofseriouschargesagainstmembersofthejudiciary,itisonlywhenthepenaltyimposeddoesnotexceedsuspensionofmorethanoneyearorafineofP10,000.00,orboth,thattheadministrativemattermaybedecidedindivision.SECTION12InRe:Manzano-AsincumbentRTCJudges,theyformpartofthestructureofgovernment.Theirintegrityandperformanceintheadjudicationofcasescontributetothesolidityofsuchstructure.Aspublicofficials,theyaretrusteesofanorderlysociety.Evenasnon-membersofProvincial/CityCommitteesonJustice,RTCjudgesshouldrenderassistancetosaidCommitteestohelppromotethelandablepur


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posesforwhichtheyexist,butonlywhensuchassistancemaybereasonablyincidentaltothefulfillmentoftheirjudicialduties.SECTION14NicosIndustrialCorpvCourtofAppeals-TheCourtisnotdutyboundtorendersigneddecisionsallthetime.Ithasamplediscretiontoformulatedecisionsand/orminuteresolutions,providedalegalbasisisgiven,dependingonitsevaluationofacase.-Asitissettledthatanorderdismissingacaseforinsufficientevidenceisajudgmentonthemerits,itisimperativethatitbeareasoneddecisionclearlyanddistinctlystatingthereinthefactsandthelawonwhichitisbased.MendozavCFI-Whatisexpectedofthejudiciary"isthatthedecisionrenderedmakesclearwhyeitherpartyprevailedundertheapplicablelawtothefactsasestablished.Noristhereanyregidformulaastothelanguagetobeemployedtosatisfytherequirementofclarityanddistinctness.Thediscretionoftheparticularjudgeinthisrespect,whilenotunlimited,isnecessarilybroad.ThereisnosacramentalformofwordswhichhemustuseuponpainofbeingconsideredashavingfailedtoabidebywhattheConstitutiondirects."-Theprovisionhasbeenheldtoreferonlytodecisionsofthemeritsandnottoordersofthetrialcourtresolvingincidentalmatterssuchastheoneatbar.(contentoftheresolution:incidentintheprosecutionofpetitioner)


27

BorromeovCourtofAppeals-TheCourtremindsalllowercourts,lawyers,andlitigantsthatitdisposesofthebulkofitscasesbyminuteresolutionsanddecreesthemasfinalandexecutory,aswhereacaseispatentlywithoutmerit,wheretheissuesraisedarefactualinnature,wherethedecisionappealedfromissupportedbysubstantialevidenceandisinaccordwiththefactsofthecaseandtheapplicablelaws,whereitisclearfromtherecordsthatthepetitionisfiledmerelytoforestalltheearlyexecutionofjudgmentandfornon-compliancewiththerules.Theresolutiondenyingduecourseordismissingthepetitionalwaysgivesthelegalbasis.-WhentheCourt,afterdeliberatingonapetitionandanysubsequentpleadings,manifestations,comments,ormotionsdecidestodenyduecoursetothepetitionandstatesthatthequestionsraisedarefactualornoreversibleerrorintherespondentcourt

sdecisionisshownorforsomeotherlegalbasisstatedintheresolution,thereissufficientcompliancewiththe

constitutionalrequirement.-MinuteresolutionsneednotbesignedbythemembersoftheCourtwhotookpartinthedeliberationsofacasenordotheyrequirethecertificationoftheChiefJustice.

KomatsuIndustries(Phils.)IncvCourtofAppeals-IthaslongbeensettledthatthisCourthasdiscretiontodecidewhethera"minuteresolution"shouldbeusedinlieuofafull-blowndecisioninanyparticularcaseandthataminuteResolutionofdismissalofaPetitionforReviewonCertiorariconstitutesanadjudicationonthemeritsofthecontroversyorsubjectmatterofthePetition.IthasbeenstressedbytheCourtthatthegrantofduecoursetoaPetitionforReviewis"notamatterofright,butofsoundjudicialdiscretion;andsothereisnoneedtofullyexplaintheCourt sdenial.Foronething,thefactsandlawarealreadymentionedintheCourtofAppeals

opinion."PrudentialBankvCastr

o-TheConstitutionalmandatethat"no...motionforreconsiderationofadecisionofthecourtshallbe...deniedwithoutstatingthelegalbasistherefor"isinapplicableinadministrativecases.Andevenifitwere,saidResolutionstatedthelegalbasisforthedenialand,therefore,adheredfaithfullytotheConstitutionalrequirement."Lackofmerit,"whichwasoneofthegroundsfordenial,isalegalbasis.-(certificationissue)Therequirementofacertificationreferstodecisionstojudicialcasesandnottoadministrativecases.Besides,sincethedecisionwasapercuriamdecision,aformalcertificationisnotrequired.OilandNaturalGasCommissionvCourtofAppeals-Theconstitutionalmandatethatnodecisionshallberenderedbyanycourtwithoutexpressingther


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einclearlyanddistinctlythefactsandthelawonwhichitisbaseddoesnotprecludethevalidityof"memorandumdecisions"whichadoptbyreferencethefindingsoffactandconclusionsoflawcontainedinthedecisionsofinferiortribunals.SECTION14(not16)ValdezvCourtofAppeals


28-The(lower)courtstatementinthedecisionthatapartyhasprovenhiscasewhiletheotherhasnot,isnotthefindingsoffactscontemplatedbytheConstitutionandtherulestobeclearlyanddistinctlystated.-ThisCourthassaidagainandagainthatitisnotatrieroffactsandthatitrelies,onthefactualfindingsofthelowercourtandtheappellatecourtwhichareconclusive.CONSTITUTIONALCOMMISSIONSA.COMMONPROVISIONSAruelov.CATheruleoftheCommissionshouldprevailiftheproceedingisbeforeaCommission.Butiftheproceedingisbeforeacourt,theRulesofCourtprevails.(Sec.6)Cuav.ComelecThe2-1decisionrenderedbytheFirstDivisionwasavaliddecisionunderArticleIX-A,Section7oftheConstitution.(Sec.7)Vital-Gozonv.CAExecutionoftheCivilServiceCommission

sdecisionshouldhavebeenorderedandeffectedbytheCommissionitself,whendelaFuentefiledamotiontherefor.Itdeclinedtodoso,however,ontheallegedground,asdelaFuenteclaimshewastold,thatit"hadnocoercivepowersunlikeacourttoenforceitsfinaldecisions/resolutions

."Thatproposition,communicatedtodelaFuente,oftheCommission

ssupposedlackofcoercivepowertoenforceitsfinaljudgments,isincorrect.ItisinconsistentwithpreviousactsoftheCommissionofactuallydirectingexecutionofitsdecisionsandresolutions,whichthisCourthassanctionedinseveralcases;anditisnotintruthacorrectassessmentofitspowersundertheConstitutionandtherelevantlaws

FilipinasEngineeringandMachineShopv.FerrerWhileitmaybetruethatthelowercourthasthejurisdictionovercontroversiesdealingwiththeCOMELEC

sawardofcontracts,thesamebeingpurelyadministrativeandcivilinnature,nevertheless,hereinpetitionerhasnocauseofactiononthebasisoftheallegationsofitscomplaint."TheCommissiononElectionsshallhaveexclusivechargeoftheenforcementandadministrationofalllawsrelativetotheconductofelect

ionsandshallexerciseallotherfunctionswhichmaybeconferreduponitbylaw.Itshalldecide,savethoseinvolvingtherighttovote,alladministrativequestionsaffectingelections,includingthedeterminationofthenumberoflocationofpollingplaces,andtheappointmentofelectioninspectorsandofotherelectionofficials...Thedecisions,ordersandrulingsoftheCommissionshallbesubjecttoreviewbytheSupremeCourt."Mateov.CAThehiringandfiringofemployeesofgovernment-ownedandcontrolledcorporationsaregovernedbytheprovisionsoftheCivilServiceLawandRulesandRegulations.SCRevisedAdministrativeCircularNo.1-95.FinalresolutionsoftheCivilServiceCommissionshallbeappealabletotheCourtofAppeals.Inanyevent,whetherundertheoldruleorthe

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29presentrule,RegionalTrialCourtshavenojurisdictiontoentertaincasesinvolvingdismissalofofficersandemployeescoveredytheCivilServiceLaw.CIVILSERVICECOMMISSIONSection2TUPASv.NHCCivilservicenowcoversonlygovernment-ownedorcontrolledcorporationswithoriginalorlegislativecharters,thatisthosecreatedbyanactofCongressorbyspeciallaw,andnotthoseincorporatedunderandpursuanttoagenerallegislation.NHCisnotcoveredbycivils


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ervicesoitsemployeesundoubtedlyhavetherighttoformunionsoremployees

organizations.Therighttounionizeortoformorganizationsisnowexplicitlyrecognizedandgrantedtoemployeesinboththegovernmentalandtheprivatesectors.DelosSantosv.MallareTheofficeofcityengineerisneitherprimarilyconfidential,policy-determining,norhighlytechnical.ThesepositionsmentionedareexcludedfromthemeritsystemanddismissalatpleasureofofficersandemployeesappointedthereinisallowedbytheConstitution.Thus,thecityengineercannotberemovedwithoutjustcause.Salazarv.MathayThetenureofofficialsholdingprimarilyconfidentialpositionsendsuponlossofconfidencebecausetheirtermofofficelastsonlyaslongasconfidenceinthemendures.Corpusv.CuadernoHighlytechnicalemployeescannotberemovedbyreasonoflackorlossofconfidencebytheonemakingtheappointment.Luegov.CivilServiceCommissionTheCSChasnoauthoritytodisapproveorrevokeapermanentappointmentonthegroundthatanotherpersonisbetterqualifiedthantheappointee.TheCSCisnotempoweredtodeterminethekindornatureoftheappointmentextendedbytheappointingofficer,itsauthoritybeinglimitedtoapprovingorreviewingtheappointmentinthelightoftherequirementsoftheCivilServiceLaw.Approvalismoreappropriatelycalledanattestation,thatis,ofthefactthattheappointeeisqualifiedforthepositiontowhichhehasbeennamed.ProvinceofCamarinesSurv.CALackofcivilserviceeligibilitymakesanappointmenttemporary;thus,theappointmentisrevocableatanytime(withoutafixedanddefiniteterm)ordependentuponthepleasureoftheappointingpower.Obtainingthecivilservicelegibilitylaterondoesnotipsofactoconvertatemporaryappointmentintoapermanentone.SSSEmployeesAssociationv.CATherightofgovernment

employeestoorganizedoesnotincludetherighttostrike.Section729by1E(2008-2009)SBCLaw-Mendiola

30CivilLibertiesUnionv.ExecutiveSecretaryWhileallotherappointiveofficialsinthecivilserviceareallowedtoholdotherofficeoremploymentinthegovernmentduringtheirtenurewhensuchisallowedbytlawandtheprimaryfunctionoftheiroffice,Cabinetmembers,theirdeputies,andassistantsmayonlydosowhenexpresslyauthorizedbytheConstitutionitself.Floresv.DrilonTheprovisowhichstates,Provided,however,thatforthefirstyearofitsoperationsf

romtheeffectivityofthisAct,themayoroftheCityofOlongaposhallbeappointedasthechairmanandchiefexecutiveofficeroftheSubicAuthority,violatestheconstitutionalprohibitionagainstappointmentordesignationofelectiveofficialstoothergovernmentposts.Section8Quimsonv.OzaetaTheemploymentofapersonasanagentcollectorisnotitselfunlawfulbecausethereisnoincompatibilitybetweenaidappointmentandhisemploymentasDeputyProvincialTreasurerandMunicipalTreasurer.Thereisnolegalobjectiontogovernmentofficialoccupyingtwogovernmentofficesandperformingfunctionstobothaslongasthereisnoincompatibility.TheConstitutionalprohibitionreferstodoubleappointmentsandperformanceoffunctionsofmorethanoneoffice.

COMMISSIONONELECTIONSSection1Cayetanov.MonsodPracticeoflawmeansanyactivity,inoroutofcourt,whichrequirestheapplicationoflaw,legalproced

ure,knowledge,trainingandexperience.Toengageinthepracticeoflawistoperformthoseactswhicharecharacteristicsoftheprofession.Generally,topracticelawistogivenoticeorrenderanykindofservicewhichdeviceorservicerequirestheuseinanydegreeoflegalknowledgeorskill.Brillantesv.YoracThePresidenthasnoauthoritytomakedesignationofaComelecChairmaninanActingCapacity.ThechoiceoftemporaryChairmanintheabsenceoftheregularchairmancomesunderthediscretionoftheComelec.ItcannotbeexercisedbythePresident.AdesignationAsActingChairmanisbyitsverytermsessentiallytemporaryandthereforerevocableatwill.Nocauseneedbeestablishedtojustifyitsrevocation.Lindov.ComelecComelecsstatementthatfakeandspuriousba


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llotsmayhavebeenintroducedtoincreasethevotesofprotestantcannotbemadeabasisfordenyingtheexecutionpendingappeal.

Section3Sarmientovs.Comelec


31PursuanttoSection16ofR.A.7166,itprovides:"Allpre-proclamationcasespendingbeforetheCommissionshallbedeemedterminatedatthebeginningofthetermoftheofficeinvolvedandtherulingsoftheboardsofcanvassersconcernedshallbedeemedaffirmed,withoutprejudicetothefilingofaregularelectionprotestbytheaggrievedparty.However,proceedingsmaycontinuewhenonthebasisoftheevidencethusfarpresented,theCommissiondeterminesthatthepetitionappearsmeritoriousandaccordinglyissuesanorderfortheproceedingtocontinueorwhenanappropriateorderhasbeenissuedbytheSupremeCourtinapetitionforcertiorari."

Reyesvs.RTCofOrientalMindoroAllelectioncases,includingpre-proclamationcontroversies,mustbedecidedbytheCOMELECindivision.Shouldapartybedissatisfiedwiththedecision,hemayfileamotionforreconsiderationbeforetheCOMELECenbanc.Itis,therefore,thedecision,orderorrulingoftheCOMELE

Cenbancthat,inaccordancewithArt.IX,A,Section7,"maybebroughttotheSupremeCourtoncertiorari."Section4NationalPressClubvs.ComelecTheComelechasalsobeengrantedtherighttosuperviseandregulatetheexercisebymediapractitionersthemselvesoftheirrighttoexpressionduringplebisciteperiods.Mediapractitionersexercisingtheirfreedomofexpressionduringplebisciteperiodsareneitherthefranchiseholdersnorthecandidates.Infact,therearenocandidatesinvolvedinaplebiscite.

TelecommunicationsandBroadcastAttorneysofthePhilippinesvsGMAItisarguedthatthepowertosuperviseorregulategiventotheCOMELECunderArt.IX-C,Section4oftheConstitutiondoesnotincludethepowertoprohibit.Inthefirstplace,whattheCOMELECisauthorizedtosuperviseorregulatebyArt.IX-C,Section4oftheConstitution,amongotherthings,istheusebymediaofinform

ationoftheirfranchisesorpermits,whilewhatCongress(nottheCOMELEC)prohibitsisthesaleordonationofprintspaceorairtimeforpoliticalads.Inotherwords,theobjectofsupervisionorregulationisdifferentfromtheobjectoftheprohibition.Itisanotherfallacyforpetitionerstocontendthatthepowertoregulatedoesnotincludethepowertoprohibit.Thismayhaveforceiftheobjectofthepowerwerethesame.Adiongvs.COMELECThepostingofdecalsandstickersoncars,calesas,tricycles,pedicabsandothermovingvehiclesneedstheconsentoftheownerofthevehicle.Hence,thepreferenceofthecitizenbecomescrucialinthiskindofelectionpropagandanotthefinancialresourcesofthecandidate.Whetherthecandidateisrichand,therefore,canaffordtodoleoutmoredecalsandstickersorpoorandwithoutthemeanstospreadoutthenumberofdecalsandstickersisnotasimportantastherightoftheownertofreelyexpresshischoiceandexercisehisrightoffreespeech.Theownercanev

enpreparehisowndecalsorstickersforpostingonhispersonalproperty.Tostrikedownthisrightandenjoinitisimpermissibleencroachmentofhisliberties.Sanidadvs.COMELEC


32ComelecspacesandComelecradiotimemayprovideaforumforexpressionbutthe


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ydonotguaranteefulldisseminationofinformationtothepublicconcernedbecausetheyarelimitedtoeitherspecificportionsinnewspapersortospecificradioortelevisiontimes.

COMMISSIONONAUDITSECTION2GUEVARAVSGIMENEZTheAuditor-Generalhasnomadatetodisapproveexpenditureswhichinhisopinionareexcessiveandextravagant.Hisauthorityislimitedtotheauditinginexpendituresoffundsandproperties.suchfunctionislimitedtoadeterminationofwhetherthereisalawappropriatingfundsforagivenpurpose;whetheracontractenteredmadebytheproperofficerhasbeenenteredinconformitywiththesaidappropriationlaw;whetherthegoodsandservicescoveredbythesaidcontracthavebeendeliveredorrenderedinpursuancethereof,asattestedbytheproperofficer;andwhetherpaymentthereforehasbeenauthorizedbytheofficialsofthecorrespondingdepartmentorbureau.Iftheserequirementshavebeenfulfilled,itistheministerialdutyoftheAuditorGeneraltoapproveandpassinauditthevoucherandtreasurywarrantforsaidpayment.Nodiscretiontodisapprovesaidpaymentonthegroundthatcontractwasunwiseorunreasonable.OROCIOVSCOATodeterminewhetheranexpenditureofagovernmentagencyorinstrumentalityisirregular,unnecessary,excessive,extravagantandunconscionable,theCOAshouldnotbeboundbytheopinionofthelegalcounselofaparticularagency.Legalcounselcanonlyofferlegaladvice.OSMENAVSCOAAcompromiseagreementbetweenamunicipalcorporation(CebuCity)andtheparentsofvictim(SpousesdelaCerna)wasconstitutional.Theparticipationofthecityinanamicablesettlementandeventualexecutionofacompromiseisindubitablewithinthepowerandauthorityofamunicipalc

orporation.Notably,thecompromiseagreementwassubmittedtoitslegislativecouncil,whichapproveditconformablywithitsestablishedrulesandprocedure.

SAMBELIVSPROVINCEOFISABELACOAhastheregulatorypowertoensurethatgovernmentfundsandpropertiesarefullyprotectedandconservedandthatirregularunnecessary,excessive,orextravagantexpendituresorusesoffundsownedby,orpertainingtotheGovernmentoranyofitssubdivisions,agenciesofinstrumentalitiesareprevented.BUSTAMANTEVSCOADiscretionexercisedbyCOAinthedenialoftheappeal(onthedecisionofaRegionalAuditor)iswithinitspower.Also,conclusionsofaBoardofDirectorsofagovernment-ownedandcontrolledcorporationinsafeguardingtheproperuseofthegovernmentsandpeoplespropertycannotprevailovertheconstitutionalmandateonCOA.SALIGUMBAVSCOA


33SupremeCourtspowertoreviewCOAdecisionsreferstomoneymattersandnottoadministrativecases(rapecasevs.auditingexaminer-respondent)involvingthedisciplineofitspersonnel.SECTION3PHILAIRLINESVSCOA(moreonsection2)COAhastheexclusiveauthority,subjecttolimitations,todefinethescopeofitsauditandexamination,establishthetechniquesandmethodsrequiredtherefore.COAcanadoptasitsown,simplybyreiterationorbyreference,withoutthenecessityofrepromulgation,alreadyexistingrulesandregulations.Itmayalsoexpandthecoveragethereoftoagenciesorinstrumentalitiesunderitsauditj

urisdiction.COAcanadvisedPALtodesistfrombiddingtheitsfueluponexpirationofcontractsBAGATSINGVSCOMMITTEEONPRIVATIZATIONCOA,theagencythatadoptedtherulesonbiddingproceduretobefollowedbygovernmentofficesandcorporations,upheldthelegalityofbiddingalthoughthereisonlyoneofferor(2weredisqualified-bidbelowfloorpriceandtechnicalreasons)sincetheCOACirculardoesnotspeakofacceptedbidsbutofofferors,withoutdistinctionastowhethertheyweredisqualified.Theinterpretationofanagencyofitsownrulesshouldbegivenmoreweightthantheinterpretationbytheagencyofthelawitismerelytaskedtoadminister.


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58303241 doctrines consti1 cases based on atty gabriel s outline

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