LEGAL RESEARCH AND THESIS WRITING Atty.

Ram Ramos
First Semester, S.Y. 2014-2015 georgeramilramos@gmail.com
A. Sources of Law
1. Constitution
- Preamble
- Article 7, Civil Code of the Philippines
- In re: Cunanan, 94 Phil. 534 (1954)
- People vs. Maceren G.R. No. L-32166, October 18, 1977
- National Amnesty Commission vs. Commision on Audit, G.R. No. 156982, September 07, 2004
2. Treaties and International Agreements
- Section 2, Article II, 1987 Constitution
- Agustin vs. Edu, 88 SCRA 195 (1979)
- Mejoff vs. Director of Prisons, G.R. No. L-4254, September 26, 1951
- Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Assoc. of the Phil. vs. Duque, G.R. No. 173034, October 09, 2007
3. Congressional Statutes
- Section 26 (2), Article VI, 1987 Constitution
- Section 27, Article VI, 1987 Constitution
- Yap vs. Thenamaris Ships Management, G.R. No. 179532, May 30, 2011
4. Local Ordinances and Resolutions
- Sec. 1 and 2, Article X, 1987 Constitution
- City of Manila vs. Laguio, G.R. No. 118127, April 12, 2005
5. Rules and Regulations
- Victorias Milling Co., Inc. vs. Social Security Commission, 04 SCRA 627 (1962)
- National Federation of Sugar Workers vs. Ovejera, 114 SCRA 354 (1982)
- People vs. Maceren, G.R. No. L-32166, October 18, 1977
- Soriano vs. Laguardi, G. R. No. 164785, April 29, 2009
6. Jurisprudence/Case Law
a. Doctrine of Stare Decisis
- People of the Philippines vs. Olarte, G.R. No. L-22465, February 28, 1967
- Ayala Corporation vs. Rosa-Diana Realty, G.R. No. 134284, December 01, 2000
b. Doctrine of Res Judicata
- DBP Vs. CA, G.R. No. 110203, Amy 09, 2001
- Sta. Lucia realty and Development, Inc. vs. Cabrigas, G.R. No. 134895, June 19, 2001
- Heirs of Late Faustina Adalid vs. CA, G.R. No. 122202, May 26, 2005
c. Law of the Case
- Argel vs. Pascua, A.M. No. RTJ-94-1131, August 20, 2001
- Buaya vs. Stronghold Insurance, G.R. No. 139020, October 11, 2000
d. Finality of Decision
- Buaya vs. Stronghold Insurance, G.R. No. 139020, October 11, 2000
e. Parts of a Case
Ratio Decidendi
- Mercado vs. People (G.R. No. 149375, 26 November 2002)
- Suntay vs. Cojuangco-Suntay (G.R. No. 132524, 29 December 1998)
Obiter Dictum
- People vs. Macadaeg (G.R. No. L-4136, 28 May 1952)
Dispositive Portion
- Manalang vs. Rickards (G.R. No. L-11986, 31 July 1958)
- Peoples Homesite and Housing vs. Hon. Ericta (G.R. No. L-40675, 17 August 1983)
Separate Opinion
- Manotok, et al. vs. Heirs of Barque (G.R. Nos. 162335 & 162605, 13 February 2009)
Dissenting Opinion
- Coca Cola Bottlers Philippines, Inc. Sales Force Union-PTGWO-Balais vs. Coca Cola
Bottlers Philippines, Inc. (G.R. No. 155651, 28 July 2005)
- Ruiz vs. Ucol (G.R. No. L-45404, 07 August 1987)
- Tolentino vs. Ongsiako (G.R. No. L-17938, 30 April 1963)
7. Others
a. Letters of Instruction
- Philippines Association of Service Exporters, Inc. vs. Torres, G.R. No. 98472, August 19,
1993
- DOJ Opinion No. 63, s. 2006, addressed to Congressman Biazon
b. Executive Order

LEGAL RESEARCH AND THESIS WRITING Atty. Ram Ramos
First Semester, S.Y. 2014-2015 georgeramilramos@gmail.com
- Philippines Association of Service Exporters, Inc. vs. Torres, G.R. No. 98472, August 19,
1993
c. Memorandum Circular
d. Memorandum Order
e. Department Order
f. Administrative Order
g. General or Special Orders
8. Custom
B. Principle of Hierarchy of Laws
- Boracay Foundation Inc. vs. Province of Aklan (G.R. No. 196870, 26 June 2012)
C. Operative Fact
- Union of Filipino Employees vs. Vivar (G.R. No. 79255, 20 January 1992)
D. Prospectivity of Laws
- Article 4, Civil Code of the Philippines
- Erectors, Inv. vs. NLRC (G.R. No. 104215, 08 May 1996)
- PNB vs. Tejano, Jr. (G.R. No. 173615, 16 October 2009)
Exceptions to the Principle of Prospectivity of Laws:
1. Curative Laws Frivaldo vs. COMELEC (G.R. No. 120295, 28 June 1996)
2. Emergency Laws Valencia vs. Surtida (G.R. No. L-17277, 31 May 1961)
3. Penal Statutes U.S. vs. Soliman (G.R. No. L-11555, 06 January 1917)
4. Remedial Laws Alday vs. Camilon (G.R. No. L-60316, 31 January 1983)


I. Legal Authority
A. Types of Legal Authority
1. Primary Legal Authority
2. Secondary Legal Authority
B. Roles of Legal Authority
1. Mandatory Legal Authority
2. Persuasive Legal Authority

II. Thesis Writing
A. Choosing a Legal Issue
B. Choosing Sources
C. Citing Sources
D. Developing an Argument