POLITICAL LAW REVIEW 1Atty. Cecilio D. Duka, Ed.D.

ProfessorCollege of Law, San Sebastian College, ManilaCollege of Law, De La Salle University, Manila

I. DEFINITION            -  People v. Perfecto, 43 Phil. 887            -  Macariola v. Asuncion, 114 SCRA 77 II. THE PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION Nature of the Constitution      Definition;       Classification;       Qualities and essential parts of a good written Constitution Ratification      -  Javellana v. Executive Secretary, 50 SCRA 33 Constitutional Construction      -  Perfecto v. Meer, 85 Phil. 552      -  Endencia v. David, 93 Phil. 696      -  Nitafan v. Commissioner 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 902      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

 

III. AMENDMENT PROCESSAmendment vs. RevisionProcedure1. 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, G.R 127325, March 19, 1997

Lambino, et. al vs. COMELEC G.R. No. 174153 October 25, 2006

2.  Ratification                  Doctrine of Proper Submission                   -  Tolentino v. Comelec, 41 SCRA 702      3. Judicial Review of Amendments            -  Javellana v. Executive Secretary, 50 SCRA 30            -  Sanidad v. Comelec, 73 SCRA 333 IV. 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 SupremacyPolitical 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

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       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

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 V. CONCEPT OF STATEElements of the State1. People2.  Territory      Philippine Archipelago

Archipelago DoctrineUN Convention on the Law of the SeaThe Baselines Law

R.A 3046R.A. 5446R.A. 9522

3.  Government      Functions            Constituent vs. Ministrant

Forms of GovernmentMonarchy

AbsoluteLimited or Constitutional

AristocracyOligarchy

DemocracyDirect or pureIndirect or republican

Other FormsParliamentary vs. PresidentialDe Jure vs. De FactoUnitary vs. Federal

     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

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     Dominium vs. Imperium     Derogation of Philippine Sovereignty; The Visiting Forces Agreement            -  Bayan v. Zamora, G.R. No. 138570, October 10, 2000  VI. 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

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            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

VII. 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

- BARA vs. Comelec – May 4, 2007- Banat vs. Comelec – April 21, 2009

             Apportionment of Legislative Districts                  -  Baker v. Carr, 369 US 186                  -  Mariano v. Comelec, 242 SCRA 211

- Montejo v. Comelec, GR 118702, Mar. 19, 1995- Bagabuyo vs. Comelec – December 8, 2008

                  Gerrymandering                  Doctrine of Equal Representation

            Qualifications                  -  Marcos v. Comelec, 248 SCRA 300                  -  Aquino v. Comelec, Sept. 18, 1995                  Theory of legal impossibility

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                  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

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                  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  - Neri vs. Senate G.R. No. 180643 March 25, 2008

            Power to Punish contempt                  -  Arnault v. Nazareno, 87 Phil. 29                  -  Arnault v. Balagtas, 97 Phil. 358             Power to declare existence of state of war

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                  -  The Prize cases, 67 US 635, 17 L.Ed. 459                  -  Mora v. McNamara, 389 US 934, 19 L.Ed.2d 287 IX. 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- Poe vs. Arroyo,  P.E.T. CASE No. 002.  March 29, 2005- Legarda vs. De Castro, P.E.T. Case No. 003 January 18, 2008

            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

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                        -  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

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                                                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 

X. 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

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            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

Secretary of DND vs. Manalo, October 7, 2008

Writ of Habeas Data            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 XII. 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   

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    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, 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, October 25, 1999

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