up political law reviewer

8/10/2019 UP Political Law Reviewer

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LABOR LAW REVIEWER

ELECTION LAW

CONSTITUTIONAL

LAW I

CONSTITUTIONAL

LAW II

PUBLIC

INTERNATIONAL LAW

ADMINISTRATIVE

LAW

LAW ON

PUBLIC OFFICERS

LOCAL

GOVERNMENT LAW

POLITICAL LAW 2

Copyright and all other relevant rights over this material areowned jointly by the University of the Philippines College ofLaw, the Faculty Editor and the Student Editorial Team.

The ownership of the work belongs to the University of thePhilippines College of Law. No part of this book shall bereproduced or distributed without the consent of the UPCollege of Law.

All rights are reserved.


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POLITICAL LAW REVIEWER

CONSTITUTION L L W

Table of Contents

Chapter I. The State .................................................3

I. Territory .......................................................3A. 1987 Const., Art. I ...................................3B. Treaty of Paris, Art. III .............................3C. Archipelagic Doctrine ..............................4

II. People..........................................................4A. Definition.................................................4B. Citizenship ..............................................4

III. Sovereignty..................................................6A. Kinds .......................................................6B. Theory of Auto-Limitation ........................6C. Dominium v Imperium ........................6D. Jurisdiction ..............................................6E. Suits Against the State and the Doctrineof Sovereign Immunity ......................................7

IV. Government .................................................8A. Definition.................................................8B. Functions ................................................8C. Doctrine of Parens Patriae ......................8D. De Jure and De Facto Governments.......9

Chapter II. Structure and Powers of Government Separation of Powers ............................................10

I. Legislative Department..............................10A. Nature and Classification of LegislativePower .............................................................10B. Composition, Qualifications and Term ofOffice10C. Election .................................................11D. Salaries, Privileges and Disqualifications

12E. Internal Government of Congress.........13F. Electoral Tribunals ................................14G. Commission on Appointments ..............15H. Powers of Congress..............................16

II. Judiciary.....................................................21A. In General .............................................21B. Supreme Court......................................23C. Judicial and Bar Council........................25

III. Executive...................................................25A. The President........................................25B. Vice President.......................................41

IV. Constitutional Commissions.......................42A. Common Provisions ..............................42B. Civil Service Commission......................42C. Commission on Elections......................43D. Commission on Audit............................44

V. Constitutionally-Mandated Bodies .............44A. Sandiganbayan .....................................44

B. Ombudsman .........................................44C. Commission on Human Rights..............45

Chapter III. National Economy and Patrimony.....46I. General Principles .....................................46

A. Goals.....................................................46B. Citizenship Requirements .....................46C. Filipino First...........................................46

II. Natural Resources.....................................46A. Regalian Doctrine [Jura Regalia] ..........46

B. Exploration, Development, and Utilization47

C. Stewardship Concept ............................48III. Private Lands.............................................48

A. General Rule .........................................48

B. Exceptions.............................................48IV. Monopolies.................................................48V. Central Monetary Authority ........................48

Chapter IV. Current Events and Special Topics ..49I. Party-List System.......................................49II. Question Hour v. Inquiries In Aid of Legislation ...........................................................51III. Executive Privilege................................51IV. Peoples Initiative .......................................52V. Right of Reply ............................................53VI. The (Erstwhile) Province of Shariff Kabunsuan ..........................................................53VII. MOA on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD)..54


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ONSTITUTION L L W II

Table of Contents

Chapter I. Bill of Rights .................................58I. In General ...........................................58II. Bases and Purpose.............................59

A. Bases: ............................................. 59III. Accountability ......................................59

Chapter II. Fundamental Powers ..................60of the State......................................................60

I. Police Power .......................................60A. Definition .........................................60

II. Eminent Domain..................................63A. Definition .........................................63B. Who May Exercise..........................63C. Requisites .......................................64

III. Taxation ..............................................65A. Definition and Scope....................... 65B. Who May Exercise.........................65C. Limitations.......................................65

D. Double Taxation..............................66

Chapter III. Due Process................................67I. In General ...........................................67II. Substantive Due Process....................67

A. Scope..............................................68B. Requisites .......................................68C. Doctrines.........................................68

III. Procedural Due Process .....................69A. Scope..............................................69B. Kinds...............................................69

IV. Due Process As Limitation OnFundamental State Powers .........................70

A. Vis--vis Police Power ....................70B. Vis--vis Eminent Domain ..............70C. Vis--vis Power to Tax....................71

Chapter IV. Equal Protection of the Laws....72I. Definition and Scope of Protection......72II. Requisites of Valid Classification ........72III. Examples of Valid Classification.........72

A. Aliens .............................................. 72B. Filipino Female Domestics Working

Abroad .....................................................73C. Land-based vs. Sea-based FilipinoOverseas Workers...................................73

D. Qualification for Elective Office.......73E. Office of the Ombudsman...............73F. Print vs. Broadcast Media...............73

IV. Standards of Judicial Review ..............73A. Rational Basis Test ......................73B. Strict Scrutiny Test .......................73C. Intensified Means Test .................73

Chapter V. Requirements for Fair Procedure.........................................................................74

I. Nature and Scope ...............................74II. ARREST..............................................74

A. Requisites for Issuance of a ValidArrest Warrant ......................................... 74B. Requisites of a Valid Warrantless

Arrest (Rule 113, Sec. 5, Rules on CriminalProcedure)...............................................75

III. SEARCH AND SEIZURE.................... 77IV. Detention/Custodial Investigation .......80

A. Rights under Custodial Investigation80

B. Tests of Waiver of Miranda Rights . 83V. Protocol After Conduct Of Investigation

84VI. Other Rights Guaranteed Under Art. III.Sec. 12......................................................... 84VII. Exclusionary Rules ......................... 84VIII. Right to Bail ....................................86

Chapter VI. Rights of the Accused...............88II. Rights Post Trial..................................91

Chapter VII. Writs ...........................................94I. HABEAS CORPUS ............................. 94II. WRIT OF AMPARO ............................96III. WRIT OF HABEAS DATA...................96

Chapter VIII. Privacy of Communication andCorrespondence ............................................99

I. Intrusion, When Allowed ..................... 99II. Forms of Correspondence Covered ...99III. ENABLING LAW ................................. 99

Chapter IX. Freedom of Expression...........101I. Basis, Components, Scope andLimitations..................................................101II. CONTENT-BASED RESTRICTIONS103IV. CONTENT-NEUTRAL RESTRICTIONS

106

Chapter X. Freedom of Religion .................109I. Non-establishment Clause................ 109II. Free Exercise Clause........................110III. Tests .................................................111

Chapter XI. Liberty of Abode and Travel ...112

I. Liberty of Abode................................112II. Right to Travel...................................112III. Right to Return to Ones Country......112

Chapter XII. RA 9372: Human Security Act*.......................................................................113

Chapter XIII. Latest Cases........................... 119


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PUBLIC INTERNATIONAL LAW

Table of Contents

Chapter I. Preliminaries...............................124I. Public International Law (PIL)...........124II. Contra-Distinctions............................124III. Relationship between PIL and Municipal

Law 125A. Monist View...................................125B. Dualist View..................................125C. Monist-Naturalist View..................125D. Coordinationist View.....................125

IV. The Philippine Doctrine.....................125A. Doctrine of Incorporation .............. 125B. Doctrine of Transformation ...........125

Chapter II. Actors of International Law ......126I. Subjects and Objects of InternationalLaw 126

A. States............................................126B. Individuals.....................................128C. International Organizations (IO)....128

Chapter III. The Norms of International Law.......................................................................129

I. Concepts ...........................................129II. Sources of International Law ............129

A. Treaty as Source of Law............... 129B. Customary International Law........129C. General Principle of Law...............131D. Subsidiary Source: Judicial Decisions

132E. Subsidiary Source: Publicists .......132F. Other Sources...............................132

III. Status of Norms ................................132A. Jus Cogensor Peremptory Norms132B. Erga Omnes Norms ......................132

Chapter IV. The Law of Treaties .................133I. Definition ...........................................133II. Requisites for Validity........................133

A. Treaty Making Capacity ................ 133B. Competence of theRepresentative/Organ Making the Treaty

133C. Parties Must Freely Give Consent 133D. Object and Subject Matter Must be

Lawful ....................................................133E. Ratification in Accordance with theConstitutional Process of the PartiesConcerned .............................................133

III. The Treaty-Making Process..............133A. Negotiation.................................... 133B. Adoption(Article 9, VCLOT) .........133C. Authentication of the Text(Article 10,VCLOT) .................................................134

D. Expression of Consent to be boundby the Treaty(Article 11, VCLOT) .........134E. Registration with the UN............... 135

IV. Philippine Law................................... 135

V. Amendment or Modification of Treaty135

VI. Reservations ..................................... 135VII. Invalid Treaties ............................. 135VIII. Grounds for Termination...............135

Chapter V. International Responsibility..... 137I. Breach............................................... 137

A. Is Fault or Malice Necessary? ...... 137B. The Standard of Diligence ............137

II. Attribution..........................................137A. Direct and Indirect Attribution ....... 138B. Conduct Attributable to the State . 138

III. Consequences of State Responsibility138

A. Duty to Make Reparation .............. 138B. Forms of Reparation..................... 138

IV. Circumstances Precluding Wrongfulness139

V. Diplomatic Protection (Espousal ofClaim) ....................................................... 139

A. Material Dates............................... 140B. Exhaustion of Local Remedies ..... 140

Chapter VI. Sovereignty and Jurisdiction .141I. Sovereignty....................................... 141

A. Characteristics .............................. 141

B. Sovereign Equality of States ........141C. Corollaries.....................................141

II. Jurisdiction ........................................141A. Criminal Jurisdiction ..................... 141B. Reserved Domain of DomesticJurisdiction ............................................141C. Doctrine of State Immunity ...........141

Chapter VII. The Law of the Sea .................143I. Concepts........................................... 143

A. Distinguished from Maritime orAdmiralty Law........................................ 143B. Baseline ........................................143

II. Waters............................................... 143A. Internal Waters ............................. 144B. Territorial Waters ..........................144C. Contiguous Zone ..........................144D. Exclusive Economic Zone ............144E. High Seas ..................................... 145

III. Archipelagic State ............................. 146IV. Continental Shelf...............................146

A. Limits of the Continental Shelf...... 148


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B. Rights of the Coastal State over theContinental Shelf ...................................148C. Rights with Respect to ContinentalShelf vs. EEZ.........................................148

V. Settlement of Disputes ......................149A. Peaceful Settlement of Disputes ..149B. Compulsory Settlement of Disputes

149C. Jurisdiction of Court or Tribunal....149D. Composition of the InternationalTribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS)149E. Jurisdiction of ITLOS ....................149F. Applicable Laws in Settlement ofDisputes by the ITLOS ..........................149

Chapter VIII. The Use of Force inInternational Law..........................................150

I. Jus Ad Bellum v Jus in Bello.............150II. Rules on the Use of Force ................150

A. General Rule................................. 150B. Exceptions ....................................150

Chapter IX. International Human Rights Law

.......................................................................152I. Definition of Human Rights ...............152II. Classification of Human Rights .........152III. Internationalization of Human Rights

152IV. Sources of Human Rights .................152

A. Convention.................................... 152B. Custom..........................................152

V. International Bill of Human Rights.....153A. Universal Declaration of HumanRights (UDHR).......................................153B. International Covenant on Civil andPolitical Rights (ICCPR) ........................153

C. International Covenant on Economic,Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)....154D. Common Provisions in the ICCPRand the ICESCR and differences ..........154

VI. Specific Norms in Human Rights ......154A. Genocide.......................................154B. Torture ..........................................155C. Rights of the Child ........................155D. Law against Discrimination...........155E. Refugee Law.................................156

Chapter X. International Humanitarian Law.......................................................................157

I. Definition of Armed Conflict ............157II. Fundamental Principles of IHL..........157III. Application of IHL ..............................158IV. The Four Geneva Conventions and theTwo Additional Protocols ...........................158V. Application of the Four GenevaConventions and the Two AdditionalProtocols ....................................................158VI. Definition of Concepts and Phrases..159

A. Combatants...................................159

B. Hors de combat ............................159C. Protected Persons........................ 159D. Martens clause ............................. 159E. Military Objective ..........................159F. Belligerency Status.......................159

VII. IHL and Weapons of MassDestruction.................................................160VIII. IHL and Non-International ArmedConflict 160

A. Common Article 3 and Protocol II. 160B. Control-of-Territory .......................161C. War of National Liberation............161

IX. Neutrality ...........................................161X. Protective Emblems..........................161

A. Who May Use ............................... 162B. Misuse of the Emblem ..................162C. Punishment...................................162

XI. The International Criminal Court.......162A. Crimes within the Courts Jurisdiction

162B. Modes of Incurring Criminal Liability

163C. Sources of Law.............................163

D. Other Key Concepts ..................... 163E. Landmark Cases ..........................163

Chapter XI. Diplomatic Intercourse............165I. Agents of Diplomatic Intercourse......165

A. Head of State................................ 165B. The Foreign Office........................ 165C. The Diplomatic Corps ...................165

II. Functions and Duties ........................165III. Diplomatic Immunities and Privileges165

A. Personal Inviolability ..................... 165B. Inviolability of Premises and Archives

166

C. Right of Official Communication ...166D. Immunity from Local Jurisdiction ..166E. Exemption from Taxes and CustomsDuties ....................................................166

IV. Consular Relations............................ 167A. Ranks............................................ 167B. Necessary Documents ................. 167C. Immunities and Privileges.............167

Chapter XII. Recent International Law Issuesin Philippine Law..........................................168

I. Daniel Smith and the Visiting ForcesAgreement ................................................. 168II. The Constitutionality of the BaselinesLaw 169III. VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN (VAW)

AS A FORM OF TORTURE ...................... 169

Appendix 1 - Straight and Normal Baselines.......................................................................171

Appendix 2 - Continental Shelf and theMaritime Zones............................................. 171


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MINISTR TIVE L W

Table of Contents

Chapter I. Preliminary Considerations.......174A. Definitions .........................................174B. Historical Considerations ..................174C. Modes of Creation of Administrative

Agencies .................................................... 174D. When is an agency administrative? ..174E. Types of Administrative Agencies.....174

Chapter II. Powers of AdministrativeAgencies .......................................................174

A. Quasi-Legislative (Rule-making) Powers174

1. Definition .......................................1742. Non-delegation doctrine................1743. Legislative Delegation...................174

B. Quasi-Judicial (Adjudicatory) Powers174C. Determinative Powers.......................174

Chapter III. Judicial Review and Enforcementof Agency Action..........................................174

A. Considerations .................................. 1741. Basis .............................................1742. Factors to Consider in JudicialReview:..................................................1743. The doctrines of forum shopping, litis

pendentia and res judicata also apply toadministrative agencies.........................1744. General Rule.................................1745. Exceptions ....................................1746. When judicial review is valid despitefinality of administrative decisions: ........174

7. Availability of Judicial Reviewdepends on:...........................................174

B. Four Important Doctrines in JudicialReview .......................................................174

1. Doctrine of Primary Jurisdiction orPreliminary Resort.................................1742. Doctrine of Exhaustion of

Administrative Remedies....................... 1743. Doctrine of Qualified Political Agency

1744. Ripeness .......................................174

C. Extent of Judicial Review ..................1741. General Rule.................................174

2. General Principles ........................1743. Law-fact Distinction.......................1744. Question of Law............................1745. Question of Fact ...........................1746. Question of Discretion ..................174

D. Modes of Judicial Review..................1741. Certiorari .......................................1742. Prohibition .....................................1743. Mandamus ....................................1744. Declaratory Relief .........................174

5. Habeas Corpus............................. 1746. Writ of Amparo..............................1747. Habeas Data.................................1748. Injunction as Provisional Remedy 174

E. Enforcement of Agency Action ......... 1741. Res Judicata; Finality of Judgment

1742. Writ of Execution; Mandamus....... 174


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ELE TION L W

Table of Contents

Chapter I. General Principles......................198A. Definitions .........................................198

1. Suffrage ........................................1982. Scope............................................198

B. Constitutional Mandate on Congress 199C. Election Period ..................................199

Chapter II. COMELEC...................................200A. Composition ......................................200B. Qualifications.....................................200C. Powers and Functions.......................200

1. Constitutional powers and functions[Art. IX-C, Sec. 2]...................................2002. Statutory powers...........................201

D. Rendition of Decision ........................2011. Composition ..................................2012. Time Period and Votes Required .2023. COMELEC decisions reviewable bythe Supreme Court ................................202

E. Measures Designed for COMELECsIndependence ............................................202

Chapter III. Voters: Qualification andRegistration ..................................................203

A. Qualifications..................................... 203B. Registration of Voters........................203

1. Definition .......................................2032. System of Continuing Registration ofVoters ....................................................2043. Illiterate or disabled voters............2044. Election Registration Board ..........204

5. Change of residence or address ..2046. Challenges to right to register.......2047. Deactivation of Registration..........2058. Reactivation of Registration..........2059. Certified List of Voters ..................205

C. Inclusion and Exclusion Proceedings205D. Annulment of Book of Voters ............205E. Overseas Absentee Voter.................206

1. Definitions .....................................2062. Coverage ......................................2063. Qualifications ................................2064. Disqualifications............................2065. Personal Overseas Absentee

Registration ...........................................2066. Inclusion and Exclusion Proceedings

2067. National Registry of Overseas

Absentee Voters .................................... 206

Chapter IV. Pre-Election Requirements.....207A. Certificates of Candidacy .................. 207

1. Candidate, Definition ....................2072. Qualifications.....................................207

3. Disqualifications............................2074. Filing and withdrawal of certificate ofcandidacy .............................................. 2085. Effect of filing certificate of candidacy

2096. Substitution of Candidates............2097. Duty of COMELEC .......................2098. Petition to declare a duly registeredcandidate as a nuisance candidate.......2099. Petition to Deny Due Course or toCancel Certificate ..................................21010. Effect of disqualification case... 210

B. Registration of Political Parties ......... 2101. Party System ................................2102. Definitions.....................................2103. Purpose ........................................2114. Procedure for Registration............ 2115. Who May Not be Registered ........2116. Grounds for refusal and/or cancellation of registration .................... 2117. Parameters in Allocation of Seats forParty-List Representatives .................... 2128. Effect of Change of Affiliation...2129. Nomination of Party-ListRepresentative ...................................... 212

C. Party-list and District RepresentativesDistinguished .............................................213

Chapter V. Election Campaign andExpenditures ................................................214

A. Election Campaign ............................ 214

1. Election Campaign or Part isanPolitical Activity......................................2142. Campaign Period.......................... 2143. Lawful Election Propaganda......... 2154. Prohibited Acts ............................. 2155. Equal Access to Media Time andSpace ....................................................2157. Election Surveys...........................2168. Application for Rallies, Meetings andOther Political Activity............................ 216

B. Election Contributions and Expenditures216

1. Definitions.....................................216

2. Prohibited Contributions ...............2173. Prohibited Fund-raising Activities . 2174. Limitations on Expenses............... 2175. Statement of Contributions andExpenses...............................................2176. Requisites of a Prohibited Donation

218

Chapter VI. Election Proper ........................219A. In General ......................................... 219


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1. What Constitutes an Election........2192. Failure of Elections .......................2193. Postponement of Elections...........2194. Special Elections ..........................220

B. Board of Election Inspectors .............220C. Casting of Votes................................220

1. Voting Hours .................................2202. Voting............................................2203. Challenge of Illegal Voters............2204. Challenge based on certain illegalacts 220

D. Counting of Votes..............................2201. Counting Proper............................2202. Election Returns ...........................220

E. Canvassing of Votes .........................2201. Definitions .....................................2202. Composition of Board of Canvassers

2203. Prohibitions on BOC .....................2204. Canvass by the BOC ....................2205. Certificate of Canvass and Statementof Votes .................................................2206. Proclamation.................................220

Chapter VII. Modes of Challenging Candidacyand Election Results....................................220

A. Cancellation of Certificate of Candidacy220

1. Grounds ........................................2202. Nature of Proceedings.......................2203. Procedure .....................................220

B. Pre-Proclamation Controversies .......2201. Jurisdiction....................................2202. When Not Allowed ........................2203. Nature of Proceedings ..................2204. Issues That May Be Raised..........220

5. Issues That Cannot Be Raised.....2206. Procedure .....................................2207. Effect of Filing of Pre-ProclamationControversy ...........................................2208. Effect of Proclamation of WinningCandidate ..............................................2209. Petition to Annul or SuspendProclamation..........................................22010. Declaration of Failure of Election

220C. Disqualification Cases.......................220

1. Procedure .....................................2202. Effect .................................................220

Chapter VIII. Election Offenses...................220A. Jurisdiction over Election Offenses ...220B. Prosecution of Election Offenses......220C. Preferential Disposition of ElectionOffenses.....................................................220D. Election Offenses..............................220

1. Registration...................................2202. Certificate of Candidacy................2203. Election Campaign........................220

4. Voting............................................2205. Counting of Votes ......................... 2206. Canvassing...................................2207. Acts of Government or Public Officers

2208. Coercion, Intimidation, Violence... 2209. Other Prohibitions ......................... 22010. Penalties................................... 220

E. Arrests in Connection with ElectionCampaign ..................................................220F. Prescription .......................................220G. Prohibited Acts Under R.A. 9369 ......220


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L W ON PU LIC OFFICERS

Table of Contents

Chapter I. Public Office and Officers .........234A. Public Office ......................................234

1. Definition .......................................2342. Purpose.........................................234

3. Nature ...........................................2344. Elements .......................................2345. Public Office v. Public Employment

2346. Public Office v. Public Contract ....2347. No vested right to public office. ....2348. Public Office is not Property. ........2349. Creation of Public Office ...............23410. Methods of Organizing PublicOffices 23411. Modification and Abolition of PublicOffice 23412. Estoppel in Denying Existence ofOffice 234

B. Public Officer.....................................2341. Definition .......................................2342. A Person Cannot be Compelled to

Accept a Public Office. ..........................2343. Public Officers Power is Delegated(not Presumed)......................................234

C. Classification of Public Offices andPublic Officers............................................234D. De Facto Officers ..............................234

1. De Facto Doctrine.........................2342. De Facto Officer Defined ..............2343. Elements of a De Facto Officership

234

4. Office created under anunconstitutional statute..........................2345. Legal Effect of Acts of De FactoOfficers ..................................................2346. Liabilities of De Facto Officers......2347. Right to Compensation of De FactoOfficer....................................................234

Chapter II. Eligibility and Qualifications ....234A. Definition ...........................................234B. Power to Prescribe Qualifications.....234C. Time of Possession of Qualifications 234D. Eligibility is Presumed .......................234

E. Qualifications Prescribed ByConstitution................................................234F. Religious Test or Qualification is notRequired ....................................................234G. Disqualifications to Hold Public Office

234

Chapter III. Formation of Official Relation .234A. Modes of Commencing Official Relation

234

B. Election .............................................234C. Appointment......................................234

1. Definition.......................................2342. Nature of Power to Appoint ..........234

3. Classification of Appointments ..... 2344. Steps in Appointing Process......... 2345. Presidential Appointees................ 234

D. Qualification Standards andRequirements under the Civil Service Law234

1. Qualification Standards ................2342. Political Qualifications for an Office

2343. No Property Qualifications............2344. Citizenship ....................................2345. Effect of Removal of QualificationsDuring the Term .................................... 2346. Effect of Pardon upon theDisqualification to Hold Public Office .... 234

E. Discretion of Appointing Official........234F. Effectivity of Appointment ................. 234G. Effects of a Complete, Final andIrrevocable Appointment............................234H. Civil Service Commissions (CSCs)Jurisdiction.................................................234I. Appointments to the Civil Service..... 234


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LO L GOVERNMENT L W

Table of Contents

Chapter I. Basic Principles..........................258I. Nature and Status .............................258

A. Definition .......................................258B. Dual Nature...................................258

II. Principles of Local Government Law 259A. State Policy, Principles ofDecentralization.....................................259B. Local Autonomy............................259C. Decentralization ............................259C. Devolution.....................................260

III. The Local Government Code ............260A. Effectivity....................................... 260B. Scope............................................260C. Rules of Interpretation ..................260

Chapter II. Creation and Dissolution of LGUs.......................................................................261

I. Creation.............................................261A. General Provisions .......................261B. Specific Requirements..................261C. Authority to Create Local GovernmentUnits262D. Creation and Conversion of LGUs263E. Plebiscite.......................................264F. Beginning of Corporate Existence 264

II. Division and Merger; Abolition ..........266A. Division and Merger......................266B. Abolition ........................................266

III. Settlement of Boundary Disputes .267A. Jurisdictional Responsibility forSettlement of Boundary Dispute............267

B. Appeal...........................................267C. Maintenance of the Status Quo ....267

Chapter III. General Powers andAttributes of LGUs .......................................268I. Powers in General ...............................268

A. Sources of Powers of LGUs..............268B. Classification of Powers of LGUs......268C. Execution of Powers .........................268

II. Political and Corporate Nature of LGUs268

III. Governmental Powers ....................269A. General Welfare ................................ 269

1. Police Power.................................2692. Limitations.....................................2703. Abatement of Nuisance ................2714. Closure of Roads ..........................271

B. Power to Generate Revenue ............272C. Eminent Domain................................273D. Basic Services and Facilities ............275E. Reclassification of Lands ..................276F. Corporate Powers .............................277G. Local Legislative Power ....................278

Chapter IV. Local Initiative and Referendum.......................................................................283

A. Definition ........................................... 283B. Requirements.................................... 283

C. Procedure .........................................283D. Effectivity of Local Propositions ........283E. Limitations on Initiatives....................283F. Limitations Upon Local LegislativeBodies ........................................................ 284

Chapter V. Municipal Liability.....................285A. Specific Provisions making LGUs Liable

285B. Liability for Torts, Violation of the Lawand Contracts ............................................285C. Personal Liability of Public Official.... 286

Chapter VI. Intergovernmental Relations National Government and LGUs.................287

I. Executive Supervision.......................287A. 1987 Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 2 and4 287B. Administrative Code of 1987, Title XIIChapter I................................................287

II. Consultations ....................................288LGC Sec. 2(c), 26, 27 ...........................288

A. Declaration of Policy ..................... 288B. Maintenance of Ecological Balance

288C. Prior Consultation.........................288

III. Relations with Philippine National

Police 289LGC, Sec. 28 ........................................289

IV. Other Relations.............................290A. Inter-local Relations ...................... 290B. Relations with Non-Governmentalorganizations.........................................290

Chapter VII. Local Officials .........................291I. Elective Local Officials .......................291

A. Qualifications .................................... 291B. Disqualifications ...............................292`C. Manner of Election ............................294D. Term of Office ...................................294

E. Rules on Succession ........................296F. Recall ................................................ 299G. Discipline...........................................300

1. Administrative Action ....................3002. Penalties....................................... 3023. Power of Tribunals........................303

II. Appointive Officials............................. 304A. Appointments .................................... 304B. Discipline...........................................306C. Removal ............................................306


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D. Officials Common to All Municipalities,Cities and Provinces ..................................306

III. Provisions Applicable to Elective andAppointive Officials .....................................307

A. Prohibited Interests ...........................307LGC Sec. 89 ..............................................307B. Practice of Profession .......................307C. Prohibition against Appointment .......307

IV. Local Boards and Councils ................307A. Local School Board ...........................307B. Local Health Board............................307C. Local Development Council ..............307D. Local Peace and Order Council ........307

Chapter VIII. Local Government Units .......307A. The Barangay....................................307

1. Katarungang Pambarangay..........3072. Sangguniang Kabataan ................307

B. The Municipality ................................307C. The City.............................................307D. The Province .....................................307

Chapter IX. Miscellaneous and Final

Provisions.....................................................307A. Posting and Publication of Ordinanceswith Penal Sanctions .................................307B. Penalties for Violation of TaxOrdinances.................................................307C. Provisions for Implementation...........307

Chapter X. Application of LGC toAutonomous Regions and Other Entities..307

I. The Autonomous Region in MuslimMindanao ...................................................307II. Cordillera Administrative Region.......307III. The Metropolitan Manila Development

Authority ..................................................... 307


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CONSTITUTION L L W

Table of Contents

Chapter I. The State .................................................3

I. Territory .......................................................3A. 1987 Const., Art. I ...................................3B. Treaty of Paris, Art. III .............................3C. Archipelagic Doctrine ..............................4

II. People..........................................................4A. Definition.................................................4B. Citizenship ..............................................4

III. Sovereignty..................................................6A. Kinds .......................................................6B. Theory of Auto-Limitation ........................6C. Dominium v Imperium ........................6D. Jurisdiction ..............................................6E. Suits Against the State and the Doctrineof Sovereign Immunity ......................................7

IV. Government .................................................8A. Definition.................................................8B. Functions ................................................8C. Doctrine of Parens Patriae ......................8D. De Jure and De Facto Governments.......9

Chapter II. Structure and Powers of Government Separation of Powers ............................................10

I. Legislative Department..............................10A. Nature and Classification of LegislativePower .............................................................10B. Composition, Qualifications and Term ofOffice10C. Election .................................................11D. Salaries, Privileges and Disqualifications

12E. Internal Government of Congress.........13F. Electoral Tribunals ................................14G. Commission on Appointments ..............15H. Powers of Congress..............................16

II. Judiciary.....................................................21A. In General .............................................21B. Supreme Court......................................23C. Judicial and Bar Council........................25

III. Executive...................................................25A. The President........................................25B. Vice President.......................................41

IV. Constitutional Commissions.......................42A. Common Provisions ..............................42B. Civil Service Commission......................42C. Commission on Elections......................43D. Commission on Audit............................44

V. Constitutionally-Mandated Bodies .............44A. Sandiganbayan .....................................44

B. Ombudsman .........................................44C. Commission on Human Rights..............45

Chapter III. National Economy and Patrimony.....46I. General Principles .....................................46

A. Goals.....................................................46B. Citizenship Requirements .....................46C. Filipino First...........................................46

II. Natural Resources.....................................46A. Regalian Doctrine [Jura Regalia] ..........46

B. Exploration, Development, and Utilization47

C. Stewardship Concept ............................48III. Private Lands.............................................48

A. General Rule .........................................48

B. Exceptions.............................................48IV. Monopolies.................................................48V. Central Monetary Authority ........................48

Chapter IV. Current Events and Special Topics ..49I. Party-List System.......................................49II. Question Hour v. Inquiries In Aid of Legislation ...........................................................51III. Executive Privilege................................51IV. Peoples Initiative .......................................52V. Right of Reply ............................................53VI. The (Erstwhile) Province of Shariff Kabunsuan ..........................................................53VII. MOA on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD)..54


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CONSTITUTIONAL LAW I TEAM

Dean Marvic MVF LeonenFaculty Editor

Earla LangitLead Writer

Abigail AlamedaMaricor Estrella

Kate Lomoljoriters

POLITICAL LAW

Jennifer GoSubject Editor

ACADEMICS COMMITTEE

Kristine BongcaronMichelle Dy

Patrich LeccioEditors-in-Chief

PRINTING & DISTRIBUTION

Kae Guerrero

DESIGN & LAYOUT

Pat HernandezViktor Fontanilla

Romualdo Menzon Jr.Rania Joya

LECTURES COMMITTEE

Michelle AriasCamille MarananAngela Sandalo

Heads

Katz ManzanoSam Nuez

Arianne Cerezo

Mary Rose BeleyKrizel MalabananMarcrese Banaag

olunteers

MOCK BAR COMMITTEE

Lilibeth Perez

BAR CANDIDATES WELFARE

Dahlia Salamat

LOGISTICS

Charisse Mendoza

SECRETARIAT COMMITTEE

Jill HernandezHead

Loraine MendozaMary Mendoza

Faye CelsoJoie Bajo

Members

Chapter I. The State

I. TERRITORYA. 1987 CONSTITUTION, ARB. TREATY OF PARISC. ARCHIPELAGIC DOCTRIN

II. PEOPLEA. DEFINITIONSB. CITIZENSHIP

III. SOVEREIGNTYA. KINDS

B. THEORY OF AUTO-LIMITC. DOMINIUM V. IMPERIUMD. JURISDICTIONE. SUITS AGAINST THE

DOCTRINE OF SOVEREIGIV. GOVERNMENT

A. DEFINITIONB. FUNCTIONSC. DOCTRINE OF PARENS PD. DE JURE AND DE FACTO

I. Territory

(Asked 7 times in the Bar)

A. 1987 Const., Art. I

SCOPE OF THE NATIONALDEFINED IN THE CONSTITUTIO1) Philippine archipelago2) All other territories over whic

sovereignty or jurisdiction3) Territorial sea, Seabed, Sub

and other submarine areasand (2)

4) (1) and (2) also consist of taerial domains

B. Treaty of Paris, Art. III

Spain cedes to the United Staknown as the Philippines Islands,the islands lying within the followi

*Image taken from:http://media.photobucket.com/image/philipp0international%20law/jibrael_2007/Jibrael%pg

O

T

U

O

W

I

Chapter I. THE STATE

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E

TION

STATE AND THEN IMMUNITY

ATRIAEGOVERNMENTS

TERRITORY ASN

the Philippines has

soil, Insular shelves,corresponding to (1)

rrestrial, fluvial, and

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C. Archipelagic Doctrine

Elements:1. Internal waters waters around, between and

connecting the islands of the archipelago2. Straight baseline method consists of drawing

straight lines connecting appropriate points onthe coastwithout departing to any appreciableextent from the general direction of the coast,in order to delineate the internal waters from theterritorial waters of an archipelago

Refer to PIL, Chap. 12, II for further discussionon Baselines

II. People

A. Definition

The term assumes t hr ee d i f fe re n t m e an i n g s ,depending on the context in which it is used:(NACHURA)

1. Inhabitants, as used in:

i. The r i g h t o f t h e p e o p l e to be secure intheir persons, houses, papers, and effects

against unreasonable searches and seizuresof whatever nature and for any purpose shallbe inviolable x x x(Sec 2, Art III)

The right of an individual to besecure in his person is guaranteedby the Constitution. The same isdeclared a popular right of thepeople and indisputably applies toboth citizens and foreigners in thiscountry. [Qua Chee Gan vsDeportation Board (1963)]

ii. Civilian authority is, at all times, supremeover the military. The Armed Forces of the

Philippines is the p r o t ec t o r o f t h e p e o p l e and the State. Its goal is to secure thesovereignty of the State and the integrity ofthe national territory.(Sec 3, Art II)

2. Electors, as used in:

i. The President and the Vice-President shallbe elected by d i r e c t v o t e o f t h e p e o p l e (Sec 4, Art VII)

3. Citizens, as used in:

i. We, the s o v e re ig n F il ip i n o p e o p le (Preamble)

ii. The Philippines is a democratic and

republican State. S o v e re i g n t y r e s i d es i n t h e p e o pl e and all government authorityemanates from them.(Sec 1, Art II)

iii. The prime duty of the Government is tos er ve an d p ro tec t t he p eo p le . TheGovernment may call upon the people todefend the State and, in the fulfillmentthereof, all citizens may be required, underconditions provided by law, to renderpersonal military, or civil service. (Sec 4, ArtII)

The r i g h t o f t h e p e o p l e to information on matters ofpublic concern shall be recognized. Access to officialrecords, and to documents, and papers pertaining toofficial acts, transactions, or decisions, as well as togovernment research data used as basis for policydevelopment, shall be afforded the citizen, subject tosuch limitations as may be provided by law. (Sec 7,Art III)

As an el em e nt o f a s ta te , people means ac o m m u n i t y o f p e r s o n s adequate in number for self-

sufficiency and defense, and also capable ofmaintaining the c o n ti n u ed e x is t en c e of thecommunity and held together by a c o m m o n b o n d o f law. (BERNAS)

B. Citizenship


1. Who are citizens?

i. Citizens of the Philippines at the time of theadoption of this Constitution;

ii. Those whose fathers or mothers are citizensof the Philippines;

iii. Those who elected to be citizens. This isavailable only to:- those born before January 17, 1973,- to Filipino mothers,- and elect Philippine citizenship upon

reaching the age of majority

iv. Those naturalized in accordance with law.

ARTICLE IV, Section 1 (3), 1987 Constitutionisalso applicable to those who are born to Filipinomothers and elected Philippine citizenship beforeFebruary 2, 1987.

This is to correct the anomalous situationwhere one born of a Filipino father and an alienmother was automatically granted the status of a

natural-born citizen, while one born of a Filipinomother and an alien father would still have toelect Philippine citizenship. [Co v. ElectoralTribunal of the House of Representatives (1991)]

2. Natural-born

i. citizens of the Philippines from birthwithouthaving to perform any act to acquire orperfect their Philippine citizenship; and

ii. those who elect Philippine citizenship inaccordance with ARTICLE IV, Section 1 (3)

The term "natural-born citizens," isdefined to include "those who are

citizens of the Philippines from birthwithout having to perform any act toacquire or perfect their Philippinecitizenship." [Tecson vs COMELEC(2004)]

Only two, i.e., jus soli and jus sanguinis, couldqualify a person to being a "natural-born" citizenof the Philippines. Jus soli, per Roa vs. Collectorof Customs (1912), did not last long. With theadoption of the 1935 Constitution and the


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reversal of Roa in Tan Chong vs. Secretary ofLabor (1947), j us sanguinis or bloodrelationship would now become the primarybasis of citizenship by birth.

3. Who must be Natural-Born?

i. President (Sec. 2, Art VII)ii. Vice-President (Sec. 3, Art VII)iii. Members of Congress (Secs. 3 and 6, Art VI)iv. Justices of SC and lower collegiate courts

(Sec. 7 (1), Art VIII)v. Ombudsman and his deputies (Sec. 8, ArtXI)

vi. Members of Constitutional Commissionsvii. CSC (Sec. 1 (1), Art IX B)viii. COMELEC (Sec. 1 (1) Art IX C)ix. COA (Sec. 1 (1), Art IX D)x. Members of the Central Monetary Authority

(Sec. 20, Art XII)

xi. Members of the Commission on HumanRights (Sec. 17 (2), Art XIII)

4. Grounds for Loss of Citizenship

i. Naturalization in a foreign country [Sec.1 (1),

CA 63];ii. Express renunciation or expatriation [Sec.1(2), CA 63];

iii. Taking an oath of allegiance to anothercountry upon reaching the age of majority;

iv. Accepting a commission and serving in thearmed forces of another country, unlessthere is an offensive/ defensive pact with thecountry, or it maintains armed forces in RPwith RPs consent;

v. Denaturalization;vi. Being found by final judgment to be a

deserter of the AFP;

vii. Marriage by a Filipino woman to an alien, ifby the laws of her husbands country, shebecomes a citizen thereof.

Expatriation is a constitutional right.No one can be compelled to remain aFilipino if he does not want to. [GoGullian vs Government]

EXCEPTION: A Filipino may not divesthimself of Philippine citizenship in anymanner while the Republic of the Philippinesis at war with any country. (Sec. 1 (3), Com.

Act No. 63)

Aznar v COMELEC,(1995)

Loss of Philippine citizenship c an no t b e pr es um ed. Considering the fact that admittedly,Osmea was both a Filipino and an American,the mere fact that he has a certificate stating thathe is an American does not mean that he is notstill a Filipino, since there has been NOEXPRESS renunciation of his Philippinecitizenship. [Aznar vs COMELEC (1995)]

5. How may citizenship be reacquired?

i. Naturalization(CA No. 63 and CA No. 473) now an abbreviated process, no need to

wait for 3 years (1 year for declaration ofintent, and 2 years for the judgment tobecome executory)

requirements:a.) be 21 years of ageb.) be a resident for 6 monthsc.) have good moral characterd.) have no disqualification Naturalization is never final and

may be revoked if one commits actsof moral turpitude. [Republic vs Guy(1982)]

ii. Repatriation Repatriation results in the recovery of

the original nationality. Therefore, if he isa natural-born citizen before he lost hiscitizenship, he will be restored to hisformer status as a natural-born Filipino.[Bengson III vs. HRET (2001)]

Mere filing of certificate of candidacy

is not a sufficient act of repatriation.Repatriation requires an express andequivocal act. [Frivaldo vs COMELEC(1989)]

In the absence of any official action orapproval by proper authorities, a mereapplication for repatriation does not,and cannot, amount to an automaticreacquisition of the applicantsPhilippine cit izenship. [Labo vsCOMELEC (1989)]

iii. Legislative Act both a mode of acquiring and

reacquiring citizenship

6. Dual Allegiance

i. aliens who are naturalized as Filipinos butremain loyal to their country of origin (citesource)

ii. public officers who, while serving thegovernment, seek citizenship in anothercountry (cite source)

disqualified from running for any electivelocal position. (Sec 40d, Local GovernmentCode)

Once a candidate files his candidacy, he isdeemed to have renounced his foreign

citizenship. [Mercado vs Manzano (1999)]

Clearly, in including 5 in Article IV oncitizenship, the concern of theConstitutional Commission was not withdual citizens per se but with naturalizedcitizens who maintain their allegiance totheir countries of origin even after theirnaturalization. Hence, t h e p h r a s e d u a l


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c i t iz ens hip in R .A . N o. 7160, 40( d) and

in R .A . N o. 7854, 20 m us t be u nder s tood

as r efer r ing to dual a l legianc e.

Consequently, persons with mere dualcitizenship do not fall under thisdisqualification. Unlike those with dualallegiance, who must, therefore, be subjectto strict process with respect to thetermination of their status, for candidateswith dual citizenship, it should suffice if,

upon the filing of their certificates ofcandidacy, they elect Philippinecitizenship to terminate their status aspersons with dual citizenship consideringthat their condition is the unavoidableconsequence of conflicting laws of differentstates.

Cf: RA 9225 (Cit izenship Retent ion and Re-acquisi t ionA c t o f 2003)

Sec. 3. Retention of Philippine Citizenship. Anyprovision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, natural-borncitizens of the Philippines who have lost their Philippinecitizenship by reason of their naturalization as citizens of a

foreign country are hereby deemed to have re-acquiredPhilippine citizenship upon taking the following oath ofallegiance to the Republic: xxxNatural-born citizens of the Philippines who, after theeffectivity of this Act, become citizens of a foreign countryshall retain their Philippine citizenship upon taking theaforesaid oath.

Sec. 4. Derivative Citizenship. The unmarried child,whether legitimate, illegitimate or adopted, below eighteen(18) years of age, of those who re-acquire Philippinecitizenship upon effectivity of this Act shall be deemedcitizens of the Philippines.

Sec. 5. Civil and Political Rights and Liabilities. Thosewho retain or re-acquire Philippine citizenship under this Actshall enjoy full civil and political rights and be subject to all

attendant liabilities and responsibilities under existing laws ofthe Philippines and the following conditions:(1) Those intending to exercise their right of suffrage must

meet the requirements under Sec. 1, Art. V of theConstitution, RA 9189, otherwise known as "TheOverseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003" and otherexisting laws;

(2) Those seeking elective public office in the Philippinesshall meet the qualifications for holding such publicoffice as required by the Constitution and existing lawsand, at the time of the filing of the certificate ofcandidacy, make a personal and sworn renunciation ofany and all foreign citizenship before any public officerauthorized to administer an oath;

(3) Those appointed to any public office shall subscribeand swear to an oath of allegiance to the Republic ofthe Philippines and its duly constituted authorities priorto their assumption of office: provided, that theyrenounce their oath of allegiance to the country wherethey took that oath;

(4) Those intending to practice their profession in thePhilippines shall apply with the proper authority for alicense or permit to engage in such practice; and

(5) That right to vote or be elected or appointed to anypublic office in the Philippines cannot be exercised by,or extended to, those who:(a) are candidates for or are occupying any public

office in the country of which they are naturalized

citizens; and/or(b) are in active service as commissioned or non-

commissioned officers in the armed forces of thecountry which they are naturalized citizens.

III. Sovereignty


Supreme and uncontrollable power inherent in aState by which the State is governed.

A. Kinds

1. Legal sovereignty - power to issue finalcommands.

2. Political sovereignty - power behind the legalsovereign, or the sum total of the influences thatoperate upon it.

3. Internal sovereignty - power to control domesticaffairs.

4. External sovereignty (also known asindependence) - power to direct relations withother states.

B. Theory of Auto-Limitation

It is the property of the State-force due to which aState has exclusive legal competence of self-limitation and self-restriction.

Sovereignty is subject to restrictions andlimitations voluntarily agreed to by thePhilippines, expressly or impliedly, as a memberof the family of nations. [Taada vs Angara(1997)]

C. Dominium v Imperium

[Lee Hong Hok v. David, (1972)]

Dominium

capacity of the State to own property.

covers such rights as title to land,exploitation and use of it, and disposition orsale of the same.

Regalian doctrine all lands of the public domain belong to

the State, and anyone claiming title hasthe burden to show ownership, comeswithin this concept. In this capacity, theState descends to the status of ordinarypersons and thus becomes liable assuch. [Cruz v. Sec of DENR, (2000)]

Imperium

States authority to govern. covers such activities as passing laws

governing a territory, maintaining peace andorder over it, and defending it against foreigninvasion.

When the State acts in this capacity, itgenerally enjoys sovereign immunity.


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D. Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction is the manifestation of sovereignty.The jurisdiction of the state is understood as bothits authority and the sphere of the exercise of thatauthority. (SINCO)

1. KINDS:

i. Territorial jurisdiction authority of the State to have all persons

and things within its territorial limits to be

completely subject to its control andprotection.

ii. Personal jurisdiction authority of the State over its nationals,

their persons, property, and acts,whether within or outside its territory.(Art 15, CC: Laws relating to familyrights and duties, or to the status,condition and legal capacity of personsare binding upon citizens of thePhilippines, even though living abroad.)

iii. Extraterritorial jurisdiction authority of the State over persons,

things, or acts, outside its territorial limitsby reason of their effects to its territory

E. Suits Against the State and the Doctrine ofSovereign Immunity

(Asked two times in the Bar)

The State may not be sued without its consent.(Sec 3, Art XVI)

There can be no legal right as against theauthority that makes the laws on which the rightdepends. also called the doctrine of RoyalPrerogative of Dishonesty. [Kawananakoa v.

Polyblank (1907)]

If the State is amenable to suits, all its time wouldbe spent defending itself from suits and thiswould prevent it from performing it otherfunctions. [Republic vs. Villasor (1973)]

1. A suit is against the State regardless of who isnamed the defendant if:

i. it produces adverse consequences to thepublic treasury in terms of disbursement ofpublic funds and loss of governmentproperty.

ii. cannot prosper unless the State has given itsconsent.

2. In the following instances, it was held that the suitis not against the State:

i. when the purpose of the suit is to compel anofficer charged with the duty of makingpayments pursuant to an appropriationmade by law in favor of the plaintiff to makesuch payment, since the suit is intended tocompel performance of a ministerial duty.[Begoso v. PVA (1970)]

ii. when from the allegations in the complaint, it

is clear that the respondent is a publicofficer sued in a private capacity;

iii. when the action is not in personam with thegovernment as the named defendant, but anaction in rem that does not name thegovernment in particular.

3. How the States consent to be sued is given:

i. Express consenta. It is effected only by the will of the

legislature through the medium of a duly

enacted statute.b. may be embodied either in a:

General Law

authorizes any person who meetsthe conditions stated in the law tosue the government in accordancewith the procedure in the law

Special Law

may come in the form of a privatebill authorizing a named individualto bring suit on a special claim

Art 2189, CC: Provinces, cities and

municipalities shall be liable fordamages for the death or injuriessuffered by any person by reason ofthe defective conditions of roads,streets, public buildings and otherpublic works under their control andsupervision.

ii. Implied consent when the State enters into a business

contract or itself commences litigation. State may only be liable for

proprietary acts (jure gestionis) andnot for sovereign acts (jure imperii)

When state files complaint, suabilitywill result only where thegovernment is claiming affirmative

relief from the defendant. [US v.Guinto, (1990)] When it would be inequitable for the

State to invoke its immunity. In instances when the State takes

private property for public use orpurpose.

iii. When does Liability Attach?a. The Government is only liable for the

acts of its agents, officers andemployees, when they act as specialagents within the meaning of Art. 2180(6) CC.

Special Agent

one who receives a definite and fixedorder or commission, foreign to theexercise of the duties of his office if he isa special official. [Merritt v. Govt of thePhilippine Islands, (1916)]

This concept does not apply to anyexecutive agent who is anemployee of the activeadministration and who on his ownresponsibility performs the functions


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which are inherent in and naturallypertain to his office and which areregulated by law and theregulations.

Unauthorized acts of governmentofficials or officers are not actsof the State, and an action againstthe officials or officers by onewhose rights have been invaded orviolated by such acts, for the

protection of his rights, is not a suitagainst the State.

The doctrine of immunity from suitwill not apply and may not beinvoked where the public official isbeing sued in his private andpersonal capacity as an ordinarycitizen, for acts without authority orin excess of the powers vested inhim. [Lansang vs CA (2000)]

b. When the Government creates acorporation, it invariably provides thiscorporation a separate entity and withthe capacity to sue and be sued.

Consent to be sued includesactions based on quasi-delict eventhough committed by regular, andnot special, agents.

Rule: a government entity can besued for tort, but if it is, it can invokethe defense that it acted through itsregular employee, and not througha special agent.

c. The principle of State immunity from suitdoes not apply when the reliefdemanded requires no affirmativeofficial action on the part of the Stateor the affirmative discharge of any

obligation which belongs to the State inits political capacity, even though theofficers or agents who are madedefendants claim to hold or act only byvirtue of a title of the State and as itsagents and servants. [Republic vSandoval, (1993)]

IV. Government

(Asked two times in the Bar)

A. Definition

Sec. 2(1) Administrative Code. Government of theRepublic of the Philippines is defined as:the c o r p o r a te g o v e r n m en t a l e n t it y through which thefunctions of government are exercised throughout thePhilippines, including

the v a r i o u s a r m s through which political authority is

made effective in the Philippines, whether pertaining to:1. the autonomous regions,2. the provincial, city, municipal, or barangay

subdivisions, or3. other forms of local government.

Government is that institution or aggregate ofinstitutions by which an independent societymakes and carries out those rules of action whichare necessary to enable men to live in a socialstate or which are imposed upon the peopleforming that society by those who possess thepower or authority of prescribing them.[US vsDorr (1903)]

B. Functions

1. Constituent functions - constitute the very bondsof society; compulsory.

i. keeping of order and providing protectionii. fixing of legal relations between man and

wife, and children

iii. regulation of the holding, transmission andinterchange of property

iv. define crime and punishmentv. regulates and determines contract between

individuals

vi. dealings of state with foreign powers

2. Ministrant functions - undertaken to advance the

general interests of society; optional.i. public worksii. public educationiii. public charityiv. health and safety regulationsv. trade and industry

The distinction between constituent andministrant functions is not relevant in our

jurisdiction. [ACCFA v. Federation of LaborUnions, (1969)]

C. Doctrine of Parens Patriae

Parens patriae is the task of the government toact as guardian of the rights of the people.

This prerogative of parens patriae is inherent inthe supreme power of every state, whether thatpower is lodged in a royal person or in thelegislature

The Monte de Piedad y Caja de Ahorros deManila is an institution organized in accordancewith the canon law, having been created by theroyal order of the King of Spain of July 8, 1880,made under the royal patronate powers then


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existing in the Crown of Spain. The royal orderreferred to created, according to the purposeexpressed therein, an institution for the safeinvestment of the savings of the poor classes andto assist the needy in time of need by loaningsuch savings to them at a low rate of interest.[Government of the Philippine Islands v. Montede Piedad, (1916)]

D. De Jure and De Facto Governments

1. De jure government

i. has rightful titleii. no power or control, either because this has

been withdrawn from it, or because it has notyet actually entered into the exercise thereof.[In re Letter of Associate Justice Puno,(1992)]

2. De facto government

i. government of fact, that is, it actuallyexercises power or control without legal title.[Co Kim Cham v. Valdes, (1945)]

The legitimacy of the Aquino government isnot a justiciable matter. It belongs to the

realm of politics where only the people of thePhilippines are the judge. And the peoplehave made the judgment; they have

accepted the government of PresidentCorazon C. Aquino which is in effectivecontrol of the entire country so that it is notmerely a de facto government but in factand law a de jure government. Moreover,the community of nations has recognized thelegitimacy of the present government. All theeleven members of this Court, asreorganized, have sworn to uphold thefundamental law of the Republic under hergovernment. [In re Bermudez, (1986) citingLawyers League for a Better Philippines v.

Aquino, (1986)]

In the cited cases [Lawyers League for aBetter Philippines and/or Oliver A. Lozano v.President Corazon C. Aquino, et al], we heldthat the government of former PresidentAquino was the result of a successfulrevolutionby the sovereign people, albeit apeaceful one. No less than the FreedomConstitution declared that the Aquinogovernment was installed through a directexercise of the power of the Filipino people"in defiance of the provisions of the 1973Constitution, as amended."

It is familiar learning that t h e l e g i t i m a c y o f a g o v e r n m e n t s i r e d b y a s u c c e s s f u l r e v o l u t i o n

b y p e o p l e p o w e r i s b e y o n d j u d i c i a l s c r u t i n y

for that government automatically orbits out of theconstitutional loop. In checkered contrast, thegovernment of respondent Arroyo is notrevolutionary in character. The oath that shetook at the EDSA Shrine is the oath under the1987 Constitution. In her oath, shecategorically swore to preserve and defend

the 1987 Constitution. Indeed, she has stressedthat she is discharging the powers of thepresidency under the authority of the 1987Constitution.

In fine, the legal distinction between EDSAPeople Power I EDSA People Power II is clear.EDSA I involves the exercise of the people powerof revolution which overthrew the wholegovernment. EDSA II is an exercise of people

power of freedom of speech and freedom of

assembly to petition the government for redressof grievances which only affected the office of thePresident. EDSA I is extra-constitutional andthe legitimacy of the new government thatresulted from it cannot be the subject of

judicial review, but EDSA II is intra-constitutional and the resignation of thesitting President that it caused and thesuccession of the Vice President as Presidentare subject to judicial review. EDSA Ipresented a political question; EDSA II involveslegal questions. xxx

Even if the petitioner can prove that he did notresign, still, he cannot successfully claim that he

is a President on leave on the ground that he ismerely unable to govern temporarily. That claimhas been laid to rest by Congress and thedecision that respondent Arroyo is the de

jure, president made by a co-equal branch ofgovernment cannot be reviewed by this Court.[Estrada v Desierto/ Estrada v GMA, (2001)]


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POLITICAL LAW REVIEWER Chapter II. STRUCTURE and POWERS of GOVERNMENT Separation of Power

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Chapter II. Structure and Powers ofGovernment Separation of Powers

I. LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENTA. NATURE AND CLASSIFICATION OF

LEGISLATIVE POWERB. COMPOSITION, QUALIFICATIONS AND TERM

OF OFFICEC. ELECTIOND. SALARIES, PRIVILEGES AND

DISQUALIFICATIONSE. INTERNAL GOVERNMENT OF CONGRESSF. ELECTORAL TRIBUNALSG. COMMISSION ON APPOINTMENTSH. POWERS OF CONGRESS

II. JUDICIAL DEPARTMENTA. IN GENERALB. SUPREME COURTC. JUDICIAL AND BAR COUNCIL

III. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTA. PRESIDENTB. VICE-PRESIDENT

IV. CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSIONSA. COMMON PROVISIONSB. CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSIONC. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONSD. COMMISSION ON AUDIT

V. CONSTITUTIONALLY-MANDATED BODIESA. SANDIGANBAYANB. OMBUDSMANC. COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS

I. Legislative Department


A. Nature and Classification of LegislativePower

1. Nature:

The authority to make laws and to alter or

repeal them.

Vested in Congress, except to the extent

reserved to the people by provision oninitiative and referendum

Plenary (Congress may legislate on anysubject matter provided that the limitationsare observed.)

2. Classification of Legislative Power:

Original - possessed by the sovereignpeople

Derivative - delegated by the sovereignpeople to legislative bodies and issubordinate to the original power of thepeople

Constituent - power to amend and revisethe Constitution

Ordinary - power to pass ordinary laws

B. Composition, Qualifications and Term of Office

Senate(Art. VI secs. 2-4)

House of Representatives(Art. VI secs. 5-8)

Composition 24 senators elected at large Not more than 250 members, unless otherwiseprovided by law, consisting of:1. District Representatives2. Party-List Representatives3. Sectoral Representatives

Qualifications Natural-born citizen

At least 35 years old on the day of theelection

Able to read and write

A registered voter

Resident of the Philippines for at least 2years immediately preceding the day of theelection

Natural-born citizens

At least 25 years old on the day of the election Able to read and write

Registered voter in the district he seeks torepresent

A resident of the said district for at least 1 yearimmediately preceding the day of the election

Term of Office

6 years 3 years

Term Limits 2 consecutive terms. 3 consecutive terms.

1. Senate(Art. VI Secs. 2-4)

Composition: 24 senators elected at large

Qualifications:1. Natural-born citizen2. At least 35 years old on the day of the

election3. Able to read and write4. A registered voter5. Resident of the Philippines for at least 2

years immediately preceding the day of theelection

Term of Office: 6 years, commencing at noon

on the 30th

day of June next following theirelection

Term Limits: only up to 2 consecutive terms.However, they may serve for more than 2 terms

provided that the terms are not consecutive.

2. House of Representatives(Art. VI Secs. 5-8)

Composition: Not more than 250 members,unless otherwise provided by law, consisting of:

i. District Representatives elected from legislative districts

apportioned among the provinces, cities,


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and the Metro Manila area.

Rules on Apportionment of LegislativeDistricts:1. Proportional representation based

on number of inhabitantsa. Each city with a population of

at least 250,000, or eachprovince, shall have at least 1representative. Each province,irrespective of the number ofinhabitants, shall have at least

1 representative.b. Each legislative district shall

comprise, as far as practicable,contiguous, compact, andadjacent territory.

2. Re-apportionment by Congresswithin 3 years after the return ofeach census

ii. Party-List Representatives 20% of the total number of

representatives

chosen indirectly through a partyselected by voters

RA 7941 (An Act Providing For TheElection Of Party-List RepresentativesThrough The Party-List System, And

Appropriating Funds Therefor)o Parties, organizations, and

coalitions must obtain at least 2% ofall votes cast to obtain a party-listseat

o Those garnering more than 2% areentitled to additional seats inproportion to their total number ofvotes, but may not have more than3 seats

o Disqualified:1. Religious Sects

2. Foreign Organizations3. Those Advocating Violence orUnlawful Means

o Qualified Sectors:1. Labor2. Peasant3. Fisherfolk4. Urban Poor5. Indigenous Cultural

Communities6. Elderly7. Handicapped8. Women9. Youth10. Veterans

11. Overseas Workers12. Professionals

iii. Sectoral Representatives For 3 consecutive terms from 2

February 1987, 25 seats shall beallotted to sectoral representatives.

to be chosen by appointment orelection, as may be provided by law

Unti l a law is passed, they areappointed by the President from a list

of nominees by the respectivesectors. (Art. XVIII, sec. 7)

Sec. 41, RA 7160 (An Act Providing for a Local GovernmentCode of 1991): Manner of Election.

(c) In addition thereto, there shall be one (1) sectoralrepresentative from the women, one (1) from the workers,and one (1) from any of the following sectors: the urbanpoor, indigenous cultural communities, disabled persons, orany other sector as may be determined by the sanggunianconcerned within ninety (90) days prior to the holding of thenext local elections, as may be provided for by law. TheComelec shall promulgate the rules and regulations toeffectively provide for the election of such sectoralrepresentatives.

Qualifications of Representatives:1. Natural-born citizens2. At least 25 years old on the day of

the election3. Able to read and write4. Registered voter in the district he

seeks to represent5. A resident of the said district for at

least 1 year immediately precedingthe day of the election.

Term of Office: 3 years, commencingat noon on the 30

thday of June next

following their election.

In B.P. Blg. 881 members of the legislatureincluded in the enumeration of elective publicofficials are to be considered resigned fromoffice from the moment of the filing of theircertificates of candidacy for another office,except for President and Vice-President. Theterm of office prescribed by the Constitutionmay not be extended or shortened by thelegislature, but the period during which anofficer actually holds the office (tenure) may

be affected by circumstances within orbeyond the power of said officer.Tenure may be shorter than the term or

it may not exist at all. These situations willnot change the duration of the term of office.[Dimaporo vs Mitra (1991)]

Term Limits: No member of the House

of Representatives shall serve for more than3 consecutive terms.

3. Synchronized Terms of Office(Secs 1-2, Art XVIII)

C. Election

1. Regular Elections

Unless otherwise provided by law, theregular election of the Senators and theMembers of the House of Representativesshall be held on the second Monday of May.(Sec 8, Art VI)

2. Special Election

In case of vacancy in the Senate or in theHouse of Representatives, a special election


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may be called to fill such vacancy in themanner prescribed by law,

But the Senator or Member of the House ofRepresentatives thus elected shall serveonly for the unexpired term. (Sec 9, Art VI)

The Constitution mandates that there shouldalways be adequate representation for everyprovince or legislative district. If a vacancyoccurs in a manner contemplated in theConstitution, thenCongress has the authority if

not the duty to call for special elections.[Lo zada v. COMELEC, (1983)]

D. Salaries, Privileges and Disqualifications

1. Salaries

The salaries of Senators and Members ofthe House of Representatives shall bedetermined by law.

No increase in said compensation shall takeeffect until after the expiration of the full termof all the Members of the Senate and theHouse of Representatives approving suchincrease. [Ligot v. Mathay, (1974)]

Official Annual Salary

President Php 300,000

Vice-President, President ofthe Senate, Speaker of theHouse of Representatives,and Chief Justice of theSupreme Court

Php 240,000

Senators, Members of theHouse of Representatives,Associate Justices of theSupreme Court, andChairmen of theConstitutional Commissions

Php 204,000

Members of theConstitutional Commissions

Php 180,000

2. Freedom from arrest(Art VI Sec 11, 1987 Constitution)

A Senator or Member of the House ofRepresentatives shall, in all offensespunishable by not more than six yearsimprisonment, be privileged from arrest whilethe Congress is in session.

No Member shall be questioned nor be heldliable in any other place for any speech ordebate in the Congress or in any committeethereof.

3. Speech and Debate Clause In this case, a clarification of the scope and

limitation of the parliamentary immunity wasmade. There was reiteration that,

First, Congressional immunity is a guaranteeof immunity from answerability before an outsideforum but not from answerability to thedisciplinary authority of congress itself;

Second, to come under the guarantee thespeech or debate" must be one made "inCongress or in any committee thereof." [Jimenezv. Cabangbang, (1966)]

Each House of the Congress can discipline itsmembers for disorderly conduct or behavior.

What constitutes disorderly behavior isentirely up to Congress to define.

Although a member of Congress shall not beheld liable in any other place for any speech ordebate in the Congress or in any committeethereof, such immunity, although absolute in itsprotection of the member of Congress againstsuits for libel, does not shield the memberagainst the disciplinary authority of the

Congress. [Osmena v. Pendatun, (1960)]

4. Disqualifications

May not hold any other office or employmentin the government during his term withoutforfeiting his seat.(Art VI Sec 13)

May not be appointed to any office createdor the emoluments thereof were increasedduring the term for which he was elected.(Art VI Sec 13)

Cannot personally appear as counsel beforeany court, electoral tribunal, quasi-judicialand administrative bodies during his term ofoffice.(Art VI Sec 14)

Shall not be financially interested, directly orindirectly, in any contract with, or franchiseor special privilege granted by thegovernment during his term of office. (Art VISec 14)

Shall not intervene in any matter before anyoffice of the government when it is for hispecuniary benefit or where he may be calledupon to act on account of his office. (Art VISec 14)

Certain salient circumstances militate against theintervention of Assemblyman Fernandez in theSEC Case.

He had acquired a mere P200.00 worth ofstock in IPI, representing ten shares out of262,843 outstanding shares.

He acquired them after the contestedelection of Directors, after the quo warranto suithad been filed before SEC, and one day beforethe scheduled hearing of the case before theSEC.

Before he moved to intervene, he hadsignified his intention to appear as counsel forrespondent, but which was objected to bypetitioners. Realizing, perhaps, the validity of theobjection, he decided, instead, to "intervene" onthe ground of legal interest in the matter underlitigation.

Under those facts and circumstances thatthere has been an indirect "appearance ascounsel before ... an administrative body" andthat is a circumvention of the Constitutionalprohibition.

The "intervention" was an afterthought toenable him to appear actively in the proceedingsin some other capacity. [Puyat v De Guzman,(1982)]


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5. Duty to Disclose

A public officer or employee shall, uponassumption of office and as often as may berequired by