POLITICAL LAW REVIEW 1

Atty. Cecilio D. Duka, Ed.D.

Professor
College of Law, San Sebastian College, Manila
College 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

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- 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 PROCESS
Amendment vs. Revision
Procedure
1. Proposal
a. By Congress
b. By a Constitutional Convention
Theories on Position of Constitutional Convention
c. By the People thru Initiative
RA 6735
Defensor-Santiago v. Comelec, 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


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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 Supremacy
Political vs. Justiciable Question
- Baker v. Carr, 396 US 186
- Nixon v. US, 506 US 224
- Goldwater v. Carter, 444 US 996, 62 L.Ed.2d 428
- Sanidad v. Comelec, 73 SCRA 333
- Estrada v. Arroyo, G.R. No. 146738, March 2, 2001
- Brillantes v. Concepcion, GR 163193, June 15, 2004

Presumption of Constitutionality
- Lim v. Pacquing, GR 115044, Jan. 27, 1995

Requisites of Judicial Review:
1. Actual Case or Controversy
- Board of Optometry v. Colet, GR 122241, July 30, 1996
- Mariano v. Comelec, 242 SCRA 211
- Fernandez v. Torres, 215 SCRA 489
- La Bugal-Blaan Tribal Assn. v. DENR Secretary, GR 127882, Jan. 27, 2004



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

Mootness
- David v. Macapagal-Arroyo (PP1017), GR 171396, May 3, 2006
- La Bugal-Blaan Tribal Assn. v. DENR Secretary, GR 127882, Dec. 1, 2004
- DeFunis v. Odegaard, 416 US 312, 40 L.Ed.2d 164

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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
Taxpayers 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


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Functions of Judicial Review
Effects of Declaration of Unconstitutionality
Doctrine of Operative Fact
- Republic v. CA, GR 79732, Nov. 8, 1993





V. CONCEPT OF STATE
Elements of the State
1. People
2. Territory
Philippine Archipelago
Archipelago Doctrine
UN Convention on the Law of the Sea
The Baselines Law
R.A 3046
R.A. 5446
R.A. 9522

3. Government
Functions
Constituent vs. Ministrant

Forms of Government
Monarchy
Absolute
Limited or Constitutional
Aristocracy
Oligarchy
Democracy
Direct or pure
Indirect or republican
Other Forms
Parliamentary vs. Presidential
De Jure vs. De Facto
Unitary vs. Federal

Doctrine of Parens Patriae

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- Gov't. of Phil. Islands v. Monte de Piedad, 35 Phil. 728
- Cabanas v. Pilapil, 58 SCRA 94
Classification
- De Jure
- De Facto
- Lawyers League v. Aquino, GR 73748, May 22, 1986

4. Sovereignty
Effects of Change in sovereignty
- People v. Perfecto, 43 Phil. 887
- Macariola v. Asuncion, 114 SCRA 77
Effects of Belligerent Occupation
Doctrine of Jus Postliminium
Dominium vs. Imperium
Derogation of Philippine Sovereignty; The Visiting Forces Agreement
- Bayan v. Zamora, G.R. No. 138570, October 10, 2000

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

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Incorporated
Municipal Corporations
- Municipality of San Fernando v. Judge Firme, 195 SCRA 692
Unincorporated
If principal function is governmental
- Farolan v. CTA 217 SCRA 298
If proprietary suable
Suits against Public Officers
- City of Angeles v. CA, Aug. 28,1996
- Veterans Manpower v. CA, 214 SCRA 286
- Wylie v. Rarang, 209 SCRA 357

Consent to be sued
Express Consent
- Republic v. Feliciano, 148 SCRA 424
General Law
- CA 327; PD 1445; Art. 2180; Act No. 3038
Special Law
- Meritt v. Gov't. of the Phil. Islands, 34 Phil. 311
Implied Consent
When State commences litigation
- Froilan v. Pan Oriental Shipping, Sept. 30, 1954
When State enters into a business contract
- USA v. Ruiz, 136 SCRA 487
Suability not outright liability
- Meritt v. Gov't. of the Phil. Islands, 34 Phil. 311
- Fontanilla v. Maliaman, 194 SCRA 486
Consent to be sued does not include consent to execution
- Republic v. Villasor, 54 SCRA 84
- Municipality of San Miguel v. Fernandez, 130 SCRA 56

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- 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

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- 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
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

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Enrolled Bill Theory
- Mabanag v. Lopez Vito, 78 Phil. 1
- Casco Chemical v. Gimenez, 7 SCRA 347
Legislative Journal vs. Enrolled Bill

Electoral Tribunals
Composition
- Bondoc v. Pineda, 201 SCRA 792
- Abbas v. Senate Electoral Tribunal, 166 SCRA 651
Powers
- Aquino v. Comelec, Sept. 18, 1995
- Sampayan v. Daza, 213 SCRA 807
Jurisdiction over Proclamation Controversy
- Caruncho v. Comelec, G.R. No. 135996, September 30, 1999

Commission on Appointments
Composition
- Guingona v. Gonzales, 214 SCRA 789
Powers
- Sarmiento v. Mison, 156 SCRA 549

Powers of Congress
General Legislative Power
Limitations
Substantive Limitations
Procedural Limitations
One Bill, one subject
- Guzman v. Comelec, G.R. No. 129118, July 19, 2000
Sufficiency of Title
- Phil. Judges Association v. Prado, GR 105371, Nov. 11, 1993
- Chongbian v. Orbos, 245 SCRA 253

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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

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- 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
- 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

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- Estrada v. Arroyo, G.R. No. 146738, March 2, 2001
- Decision on Motion for Reconsideration, April 3, 2001

Prohibitions and inhibitions

Rules on Succession
Vacancy at beginning of term
Vacancy during the term
Temporary Disability

Removal of the President
- Estrada v. Arroyo, G.R. No. 146738, March 2, 2001
- Decision on Motion for Reconsideration, April 3, 2001

Powers
Executive Power
- Planas v. Gil, 67 Phil. 62
- Myers, Administratrix v. United States, 272 US 52

Legislative Powers
- Municipality of San Juan v. CA, Sept. 29, 1997
- Ople v. Torres, GR 127685, July 23, 1998

Residual Powers
- Marcos v. Manglapus, 177 SCRA 668

Power to Determine National Policy
- The Steel Seizure case, 343 US 579, 96 L.Ed. 1153

Prosecution of Crimes

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- 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

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- David v. Macapagal-Arroyo (PP1017), GR 171396, May 3, 2006
- Aquino v. Military Commission No. 2, 63 SCRA 546
- Olaguer v. Military Commission No. 34, 150 SCRA 144
- Carpio v. Executive Secretary, supra

Calling Out the Armed Forces
- IBP v. Zamora, G.R. No. 141284, August 15, 2000

Declaration of State of Rebellion
- Lacson v. Perez, G.R. No. 147780, May 10, 2001
Declaration of martial law
- Aquino v. Enrile, 59 SCRA 183

Suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus
- Barcelon v. Baker, 5 Phil. 87
- Montenegro v. Castaeda, 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

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- 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
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

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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

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- Estrada v. Arroyo, G.R. No. 146738, March 2, 2001
- Decision on Motion for Reconsideration, April 3, 2001


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

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

Prosecutorial Powers
- Camanag v. Guerrero, GR 121017, Feb. 17, 1997
Power to issue subpoena; Form of complaint
- Almonte v. Vasquez, 244 SCRA 266
Power to Investigate Administrative Charges
Concurrent with the Office of the President
- Hagad v. Dadole, 241 SCRA 242
Concurrent with the DOJ
- Honasan v. DOJ Panel of Investigating Prosecutors, GR 159747,
Apr. 13, 2004
Power to investigate cases of ill-gotten wealth after Feb. 25, 1996
- Republic v. Sandiganbayan, Sept. 24, 1994
Ombudsman for the Military
- Agbay v. Deputy Ombudsman for the Military, July 2, 1999

Special Prosecutor
- Zaldivar v. Gonzales, 160 SCRA 843

Commission on Human Rights
Powers and Functions of the Commission

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- Cario 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