GENERAL PRINCIPLES

International Law defned.

Traditional: That branch of public law which reulate! the relation! of State! and of
other entitie! which ha"e bee ranted international per!onalit#.
$octrine of Incorporation
I! e%pre!!ed in Sec. &' Art. II' Philippine Con!titution' a! follow!: (The Philippine!
renounce! war a! an in!tru)ent of national polic#' adopt! the enerall# accepted
principle! of international law a! part of the law of the land' and adhere! to the polic#
of peace' e*ualit#' +u!tice' freedo)' cooperation and a)it# with all nation!.
Althouh the Philippine! wa! not a !inator# to the ,aue and Gene"a Con"ention!'
international +uri!prudence i! auto)aticall# incorporated in Philippine law' thu!
)a-in war cri)e! puni!hable in the Philippine!.
The doctrine of tran!for)ation re*uire! the enact)ent b# the lei!lati"e bod# of !uch
international law principle! a! are !ouht to be part of )unicipal law.
Police power cannot be barained awa# throuh the )ediu) of a treat# or a contract.
International Cu!to)!' a! e"idence of a eneral practice accepted a! bindin law
throuh per!i!tent u!ae o"er a lon period of ti)e' e..' anar#' e%e)ption of
unar)ed f!hin "e!!el fro) capture. It i! nece!!ar#' howe"er' that the cu!to) be .i/
pre"ailin practice b# a nu)ber of !tate!0 .ii/ repeated o"er a con!iderable period of
ti)e0 and .iii/ attended b# opinion +uri! or a !en!e of leal obliation.
S123ECTS 45 INTERNATI4NAL LA6
A !ub+ect i! an entit# that ha! riht! and re!pon!ibilitie! under international law0 it
can be a proper part# in tran!action! in"ol"in the application of the law of nation!
a)on )e)ber! of the international co))unit#. An ob+ect i! a per!on or thin in
re!pect of which riht! are held and obliation! a!!u)ed b# the !ub+ect0 it i! not
directl# o"erned b# the rule! of international law0 it! riht! are recei"ed' and it!
re!pon!ibilitie! i)po!ed' indirectl# throuh the in!tru)entalit# of an international
aenc#.
The !ub+ect! of international law are: !tate!' colonie! and dependencie!' )andate!
and tru!t territorie!' the ,ol# See .7atican Cit#/' the 1nited Nation!' bellierent
co))unitie!' international ad)ini!trati"e bodie!' and' to a certain e%tent'
indi"idual!.
State!.
A !tate i! a roup of people' li"in toether in a f%ed territor#' orani8ed or political
end! under an independent o"ern)ent' and capable of enterin into international
relation! with other !tate!.
Ele)ent!:
People. The# )u!t be !u9cient in nu)ber to )aintain and perpetuate the)!el"e!.
Territor#.
Go"ern)ent
Independence or !o"ereint#.
4b+ect! : the riht! that the# )a# ha"e are onl# deri"ati"e in nature. E%. There i! a
treat#.
Reconition: the act b# which a !tate ac-nowlede! the e%i!tence of another !tate' a
o"ern)ent or a bellierent co))unit#' and indicate! it! willinne!! to deal with the
entit# a! !uch under international law.
2a!ic Rule! on Reconition: it i! a political act and )ainl# a )atter of polic# on the
part of each !tate0 it i! di!cretionar# on the part of the reconi8in authorit#0 and it i!
e%erci!ed b# the political .e%ecuti"e/ depart)ent of the !tate. Thu!' the lealit# and
wi!do) of reconition i! not !ub+ect to +udicial re"iew.
Tobar;6il!on $octrine: preclude! reconition of an# o"ern)ent e!tabli!hed b#
re"olutionar# )ean! until con!titutional reorani8ation b# free election of
repre!entati"e!.
Sti)!on $octrine: No reconition of a o"ern)ent e!tabli!hed throuh e%ternal
are!!ion.
E!trada $octrine: Since reconition ha! been con!trued a! appro"al .and non<
reconition' di!appro"al/ of a o"ern)ent e!tabli!hed throuh a political uphea"al' a
!tate )a# not i!!ue a declaration i"in reconition to !uch o"ern)ent' but )erel#
accept whate"er o"ern)ent i! in e=ecti"e control without rai!in the i!!ue of
reconition. $ealin or not dealin with the o"ern)ent i! not a +ud)ent on the
leiti)ac# of the !aid o"ern)ent.
>ind! of Reconition. ?a# be e%pre!! or i)plied0 )a# al!o be:
I"a/ de facto: E%tended b# the reconi8in !tate which belie"e! that !o)e of the
re*uire)ent! for reconition are ab!ent. The reconition i! enerall# pro"i!ional and
li)ited to certain +uridical relation!0 it doe! not brin about full diplo)atic intercour!e
and doe! not i"e title to a!!et! of the !tate held;!ituated abroad.
I"b/ $e 3ure: E%tended to a o"ern)ent fulfllin the re*uire)ent! for reconition.
6hen there i! no !pecifc indication' reconition i!' enerall# con!idered a! de +ure.
The reconition i! relati"el# per)anent0 brin! about full diplo)atic intercour!e and
ob!er"ance of diplo)atic i))unitie!0 and confer! title to a!!et! abroad.
E=ect! of Reconition: $iplo)atic relation!0 riht to !ue in the court! of the
reconi8in !tate.
I))unit# fro) +uri!diction0 entitle)ent to propert# within the reconi8in !tate0
retroacti"e "alidation of the act! of the reconi8ed !tate; o"ern)ent' !uch a! act! of
!tate' and thu!' !o"erein i))unit# co"er! pa!t' pre!ent and future act!.
Reconition of 2ellierenc#0 Condition!. The u!ual condition! for the reconition of
the !tatu! of bellierenc# are: orani8ed ci"il o"ern)ent ha"in control and
!uper"i!ion o"er the ar)ed !trule0 !eriou! and wide!pread !trule with the
outco)e uncertain0 occupation of a !ub!tantial portion of the national territor#0 and
willinne!! on the part of the rebel! to ob!er"e the rule!;cu!to)! of war. .Note: .@/
Ab!ence of an# of the foreoin condition! will re!ult )erel# in in!urenc# which i!
rarel# reconi8ed. .&/ Reconition )a# be either e%pre!! or i)plied0 the procla)ation
b# the parent !tate of a bloc-ade of a port held b# the rebel! i! i)plied reconition of
bellierenc#0 !o i! the procla)ation of neutralit# b# a third !tate.
E=ect! of reconition of 2ellierenc#. Re!pon!ibilit# for act! of rebel! re!ultin in
in+ur# to national! of the reconi8in !tate !hall be !hifted to the rebel o"ern)ent0
the leiti)ate o"ern)ent reconi8in the rebel! !hall ob!er"e the law! of war in
conductin ho!tilitie!0 third !tate! reconi8in the bellierenc# !hall )aintain
neutralit#0 and reconition i! onl# pro"i!ional .for the duration of the ar)ed !trule/
and onl# for the purpo!e of the ho!tilitie!.
Principle of State Continuit#. The !tate continue! a! a +uri!tic bein notwith!tandin
chane! in it! circu)!tance!' pro"ided onl# that !uch chane! do not re!ult in the
lo!! of an# of it! e!!ential ele)ent!.
Succe!!ion of State!. ?a# be uni"er!al or partial. Con!e*uence! are: political law!
are abroated. 6hile )unicipal law! re)ain in force. Treatie! are di!continued'
e%cept tho!e dealin with local riht! and dutie!' !uch a! tho!e e!tabli!hin
ea!e)ent! and !er"itude!0 all riht! of the predece!!or !tare are inherited' but
!ucce!!or !tate can a!!u)e and re+ect liabilitie! at it! di!cretion.
Succe!!ion of Go"ern)ent!. The interit# of the State i! not a=ected0 the !tate
continue! a! the !a)e international per!on e%cept that it! lawful repre!entati"e i!
chane. The con!e*uence! are: all riht! of the predece!!or o"ern)ent are
inherited b# the !ucce!!or0 and where the new o"ern)ent wa! orani8ed b# "irtue
of con!titutional refor) dul# ratifed in a plebi!cite' all obliation! of the predece!!or
are li-ewi!e a!!u)ed0 howe"er' where the new o"ern)ent i! e!tabli!hed throuh
"iolence' the new o"ern)ent )a# lawfull# re+ect purel# per!onal or political
obliation! of the predece!!or' but not tho!e obliation! contracted b# it in the
ordinar# cour!e of o9cial bu!ine!!.
Colonie! and $ependencie!. A colon# i! a dependent political co))unit# con!i!tin
of a nu)ber of citi8en! of the !a)e countr# who ha"e )irated there fro) to inhabit
another countr#' but re)ain !ub+ect to the )other State. A dependenc# i! a territor#
di!tinct fro) the countr# in which the !upre)e !o"erein power re!ide!' but belon!
rihtfull# to it' and !ub+ect to the law! and reulation! which the !o"erein )a#
pre!cribe. .Note: Theoreticall#' the# belon to the parent !tate and' thu!' are without
an# per!onalit# in the international co))unit#. ,owe"er' on occa!ion!' colonie! ha"e
been allowed to participate in their own riht in certain international underta-in!'
e..' the Philippine wa! ad)itted a! a !inator# to the 1N Charter./
A condo)iniu) i! a territor# +ointl# ad)ini!tered b# two !tate!.
The 1nited Nation!.
The 1N Charter.
A)end)ent. .i/ 2# a "ote of &;A of the )e)ber! of the General A!!e)bl# and ratifed
in accordance with their re!pecti"e con!titutional proce!!e! b# &;A of the )e)ber! of
the 1nited Nation!' includin all the per)anent )e)ber! of the Securit# Council0 .ii/
A eneral conference' called b# a )a+orit# "ote of the General A!!e)bl# and an#
nine )e)ber! of the Securit# Council' )a# purpo!e a)end)ent! b# a &;A "ote of the
conference' and !hall ta-e e=ect when ratifed b# &;A "ote of the conference' and
!hall ta-e e=ect when ratifed b# &;A of the )e)ber! of the 1N' includin the
per)anent )e)ber! of the Securit# Council.
?e)ber!hip.
Ad)i!!ion: deci!ion of &;A of tho!e pre!ent and "otin in the General A!!e)bl# upon
reco))endation of at lea!t nine .includin all the per)anent/ )e)ber! of the
Securit# Council.
Su!pen!ion: the !a)e "ote re*uired a! in ad)i!!ion.
To lift the !u!pen!ion' a *ualifed )a+orit# "ote of the Securit# Council i! needed.
E%pul!ion: &;A "ote of tho!e pre!ent and "otin in the General A!!e)bl#' upon
reco))endation of a *ualifed )a+orit# of the Securit# Council' on round! of
per!i!tentl# "iolatin the principle! contained in the Charter.
General A!!e)bl#. Con!i!t! of all the )e)ber! of the orani8ation' each of which i!
entitled to !end not )ore than B repre!entati"e! and B alternate!.
$eliberati"e bod# not lei!lati"e bod#
$eliberati"e : reco))endator# e=ect.
4n i)portant *ue!tion!' e..' peace' !ecurit#' )e)ber!hip' election!' tru!tee!hip
!#!te)' budet' the "ote of &;A of the )e)ber! pre!ent and "otin i! re*uired0 on
other *ue!tion!' a !i)ple )a+orit# i! !u9cient. To cla!!if# a *ue!tion a! i)portant'
the "ote re*uired i! a !i)ple )a+orit#.
Securit# Council. It i! the -e# oran in the )aintenance of international peace and
!ecurit#. It i! co)po!ed of f"e .B/ per)anent )e)ber!' na)el#: China' 5rance'
Ru!!ia' the 1nited >indo) and the 1nited State!.
$o)e!tic +uri!diction clau!e. The Securit# Council )a# ta-e !uch !tep! a! are
nece!!ar# for the !ettle)ent of di!pute!' includin pre"enti"e or enforce)ent action'
a! )entioned abo"e. The onl# li)itation i! that the di!pute )u!t be international' not
do)e!tic' in character. 4therwi!e' !uch action would "iolate the principle that the 1N
!hall not inter"ene in an# )atter within the do)e!tic +uri!diction of an# State.
7otin: The Calta 5or)ula. Each )e)ber of the Securit# Council !hall ha"e one "ote'
but di!tinction i! )ade between the per)anent )e)ber! and the non<per)anent
)e)ber! in the re!olution of !ub!tanti"e *ue!tion!. Procedural )atter! are to be
decided b# the a9r)ati"e "ote of an# nine or )ore )e)ber!. Non<procedural
)atter! are decided b# the concurrence of at lea!t nine )e)ber!' includin all the
per)anent )e)ber!. The deter)ination of whether a )atter i! procedural or
!ub!tanti"e i! non<procedural. Thi! allow! for the !o<called (double "etoD b# a
per)anent )e)ber of the Council. ,owe"er' the ab!tention or ab!ence of an#
per)anent )e)ber i! not con!idered a ("etoD
The Secretar# General and hi! !ta= are international ci"il !er"ant!' and the# cannot
recei"e in!truction! fro) an# o"ern)ent or !ource out!ide the 1N. The Secretar#
General en+o#! the riht if political initiati"e and )a# brin to the attention of the 1N
Securit# Council an# )atter which' in hi! opinion' )a# threaten international peace
and !ecurit#.
The Court decide! contentiou! ca!e!' and render! ad"i!or# opinion!. 4nl# !tate!'
includin non<)e)ber! of the 1N' )a# be partie! in contentiou! ca!e!. The
+uri!diction of the Court i! ba!ed on the con!ent of the partie! in accordance with the
(optional +uri!diction clau!eD' and the Court )a# decide on interpretation of treatie!'
an# *ue!tion of international law' the e%i!tence of fact! con!titutin breach of
international obliation!' and the nature or e%tent of the reparation to be )ade for
the breach of an international obliation. Ad"i!or# opinion! )a# be i"en upon
re*ue!t of the General A!!e)bl#' or the Securit# Council' or the other oran! of the
1N when authori8ed b# the General A!!e)bl#.
Genocide Con"ention' which conde)n! the )a!! e%ter)ination of national' ethnic'
racial or reliiou! roup!.
51N$A?ENTAL RIGT,S 45 STATES
E%i!tence and Self< Pre!er"ation
Art. B@ of the 1N Charter reconi8e! the riht of the !tate to indi"idual and collecti"e
!elf<defen!e .throuh reional arrane)ent!/ if an ar)ed attac- occur! aain!t !uch
!tate' until the Securit# Council ha! ta-en )ea!ure! nece!!ar# to )aintain
international peace and !ecurit#. ,owe"er' the riht )a# be re!orted to onl# upon a
clear !howin of ra"e and actual daner' and )u!t be li)ited b# nece!!it#. It i!
e"entuall# the Securit# Council which deter)ine! whether or not an (ar)ed attac-D
ha! ta-en place.
Are!!ion: The u!e of ar)ed force b# a !tate aain!t the !o"ereint#' territorial
interit# or political independence of another !tate' or in other an# )anner
incon!i!tent with the 1N Charter.
No con!ideration of whate"er nature' political' econo)ic or )ilitar#' can +u!t
are!!ion0 a war of are!!ion i! a cri)e aain!t international peace which will i"e
ri!e to international re!pon!ibilit#0 no territorial ac*ui!ition or !pecial ad"antae
re!ultin fro) are!!ion !hall be reconi8ed a! lawful. 2ut all of the!e are without
pre+udice to the riht of !elf<deter)ination' freedo) and independence of people!
depri"ed of !uch riht!' not the riht of the!e people! to !trule to that end and to
!ee- and recei"e !upport.
Riht to So"ereint# and Independence.
Inter"ention. Act b# which a !tate! interfere! in the do)e!tic or forein a=air! of
another !tate throuh the u!e of force or threat of force. .whether ph#!ical' political
or econo)ic.
Note that the prote!t or de)and for rectifcation or reparation doe! not co)pro)i!e
inter"ention. Thu!' the act of Pre!ident Clinton in di!courain A)erican! fro)
in"e!tin in 2ur)a wa! not con!idered a! inter"ention.
$rao $octrine
6hich pro"ided that the contractin power! aree not to ha"e recour!e to
ar)ed force for the reco"er# of contract debt! clai)ed fro) the o"ern)ent of one
countr# b# the o"ern)ent of another countr# a! bein due it! national!.
1nder conte)porar# international law' a! a rule' inter"ention i! not allowed.
International di!pute! ha"e to be !ettled b# peaceful )ean!.
At pre!ent' inter"ention i! allowed onl# a! an act of indi"idual or collecti"e !elf<
defen!e in re!pon!e to an ar)ed attac-0 pur!uant to treat# !tipulation!0 or with prior
1N authori8ation.
The Riht of E*ualit#.
Act of State doctrine. E"er# !o"erein !tate i! bound to re!pect the independence of
e"er# other !tate' and the court! of one countr# will not !it in +ud)ent on the act! of
the o"ern)ent of another' done within it! territor#.
A !tate !hould not in*uire into the leal "alidit# of the public act! of another !tate
done within the territor# of the latter. 5or thi! purpo!e' con!ideration! !uch a! )oti"e
are i))aterial.
The act of !tate doctrine or the principle of !o"erein i))unit#' in"o-ed b# 5erdinand
?arco!' wa! not appreciated in a! )uch a! there wa! no e"idence adduced which
!howed that he act! were public' i.e.' that the ?arco! wealth wa! obtained throuh
o9cial e%propriation decree! and the li-e. 2e!ide!' act! of torture' e%ecution and
di!appearance were clearl# act! out!ide of the Pre!ident!E authorit# and are not
co"ered b# the act of !tate doctrine.
The !tateE! i))unit# e%tend! to the ,ead of State who i! the per!onifcation of the
!tate.
Re!tricti"e application of the doctrine. Thi! i))unit#' howe"er' i! reconi8ed onl#
with re!pect to !o"erein or public act! of the !tate' and cannot be in"o-ed with
re!pect to pri"ate or proprietar# act!.
6here the Supre)e Court cla!!ifed contract! entered into b# the !tate into tho!e in
+ure i)perii and tho!e in +ure e!tioni!.
I))unit# e%tend! to diplo)atic per!onnel to the 1nited Nation!' it! oran! and
!peciali8ed aencie!' and to international orani8ation!.
6ai"er of I))unit#. The !tate i! dee)ed to ha"e wai"ed it! i))unit# when it i"e!
con!ent at the ti)e the proceedin i! in!tituted0 when it ta-e! !tep! relatin to the
)erit! of the ca!e before in"o-in i))unit#0 when' b# treat# or contract' it had
pre"iou!l# i"en con!ent0 or when' b# law or reulation in force at the ti)e the
co)plaint aro!e' it ha! indicated that it will con!ent to the in!titution of the
proceedin!.
RIG,TS 45 TERRIT4RIAL INTEGRITC AN$ 31RIS$ICTI4N
Land Territor#
?ode! of ac*ui!ition.
a/ $i!co"er# and occupation. Territor# not belonin to an# State' or terra nulliu!
i! placed under the !o"ereint# of the clai)in State. ($i!co"er#D' alone'
)erel# create! an inchoate riht0 it )u!t be followed within a rea!onable ti)e
b# e=ecti"e occupation and ad)ini!tration.
Pre!cription. Territor# )a# al!o be ac*uired throuh continuou! and uninterrupted
po!!e!!ion o"er a lon period of ti)e' +u!t li-e in ci"il law. In international law'
howe"er' there i! no rule of thu)b a! to the lenth of ti)e needed for ac*ui!ition of
territor# throuh pre!cription. In thi! connection' con!ider the Grotiu! doctrine of
i))e)orial pre!cription' which !pea-! of uninterrupted po!!e!!ion oin be#ond
)e)or#.
Ce!!ion .b# treat#/.
ACCRETI4N. The increa!e in the land area of the State' either throuh natural )ean!'
or artifciall#' throuh hu)an labor.
?arti)e Territor# .5lu"ial and ?ariti)e $o)ain/
Thalwe $octrine. 5or boundar# ri"er!' in the ab!ence of an aree)ent between the
riparian State!' the boundar# line i! laid on the )iddle of the )ain na"iable channel.
?iddle of the bride doctrine. 6here there i! a bride o"er a boundar# ri"er' the
boundar# line i! the )iddle or center of the bride.
The Archipelao $octrine: the water! around' between and connectin the i!land! of
the archipelao' reardle!! of their breadth or di)en!ion' are to be treated a!
internal water!.
7e!!el! )a# be allowed innocent pa!!ae within the archipelaic water!' but thi!
riht )a# be !u!pended' after publication' in the intere!t of international !ecurit#.
The coa!tal State )a# al!o de!inate archipelaic !ea lane! for continuou!'
unob!tructed tran!it of "e!!el!.
The eneral rule i! that !hip! .not aircraft/ of all !tate! en+o# the riht of innocent
pa!!ae throuh the territorial !ea .not throuh internal water!/. It i! under!tood'
howe"er' that the pa!!ae )u!t be continuou! and e%peditiou!' e%cept in ca!e! of
force )a+eure. Sub)arine! and other underwater craft are re*uired to na"iate on
the !urface and to !how their Fa.
,ih Sea!. The hih !ea! are treated a! re co))une! or re! nulliu!' and thu!' are not
territor#
4f an# particular St !tate. The traditional "iew i! freedo) of the hih !ea!' i.e.' the#
are open and a"ailable' without re!triction' to the u!e of all State! for the purpo!e of
na"iation' Fiht o"er the)' la#in !ub)arine cable! and pipe!' f!hin' re!earch'
)inin' etc. At pre!ent' howe"er' thi! rule i! !ub+ect to reulation ari!in fro) treat#
!tipulation!' e..' reulation! to -eep the !ea fro) pollution or prohibitin nuclear
te!tin.
Air territor# .Aerial $o)ain/.
4uter !pace' which i! con!idered a! re co))une!. 4ther State! ha"e no riht of
innocent pa!!ae o"er the air territor# of another State.
5i"e freedo)! .of Air Tran!portation for Scheduled International Ser"ice!/: to F#
acro!! the territor# without landin0 land for non<tra9c purpo!e!0 land to put down
pa!!ener' )ail' caro of Fa territor#0 and to put down pa!!ener' )ail and caro
fro) the!e territorie!.
Pur!uant to the @GH@ re!olution of the International Ci"il A"iation 4rani8ation'
intru!ion! into the air !pace b# ci"ilian aircraft )a# be intercepted' but in no ca!e
!hall the interception be attended with the u!e of weapon!. ?ilitar# aircraft )a#'
howe"er' be !hot down' e..' @GHA incident in"ol"in a >orean Airline! plane which
"iolated So"eit air !pace.
In the @GI&' Con"ention on International Liabilit# for $a)ae Cau!ed b# Space
4b+ect!' State! which launch ob+ect! into !pace )a# be held liable for the har)ful
conta)ination cau!ed b# !uch ob+ect!' or for the da)ae which )a# be cau!ed b#
fallin ob+ect!' e..' S-#lab.
Theorie! on where outer !pace bein!: .i/ Lowe!t altitude for artifcial earth !atellite!
to orbit without bein de!tro#ed b# friction .GJ -)!. Abo"e earth/0 .ii/ theoretical
li)it! of air Fiht! .HK -)!./0 and .iii/ the functional approach' i.e.' that the rule! !hall
not depend on the boundarie! !et' but on the nature of the acti"it# underta-en.
2a!e! of 3uri!diction.
Territorial Principle. The State )a# e%erci!e +uri!diction onl# within it! territor#.
E%ceptionall#' it )a# ha"e +uri!diction o"er per!on! and act! done out!ide it!
territor# dependin on the -ind of +uri!diction it in"o-e!. 6hile there i! no territorial
li)it on the e%erci!e of +uri!diction o"er ci"il )atter!' a State' a! a eneral rule' ha!
cri)inal +uri!diction onl# o"er o=en!e! co))itted within it! territor#' e%cept o"er .i/
continuin o=en!e!0 .ii/ act! pre+udicial to the national !ecurit# or "ital intere!t! of
the State0 .iii/ uni"er!al cri)e!0 and .i"./ o=en!e! co"ered b# !pecial aree)ent
.althouh thi! i! now ob!olete./
Nationalit# Principle. The State ha! +uri!diction o"er it! national! an#where in the
world' ba!ed on the theor# that a national i! entitled to the protection of the State
where"er he )a# be' and thu!' i! bound to it b# dut# of obedience and alleiance'
unle!! he i! prepared to renounce hi! nationalit#. Thi! applie! to ci"il )atter!.
Protecti"e Principle. State ha! +uri!diction o"er act! co))itted abroad .b# national!
or foreiner!/ which are pre+udicial to it! national !ecurit# or "ital intere!t!. See Art.
&' Re"i!ed Penal Code' which !pea-! of Philippine cri)inal +uri!diction o"er .i/
o=en!e! co))itted on board a Philippine !hip or air!hip0 .ii/ forer#;counterfeitin of
Philippine coin! or currenc# note!0 .iii/ introduction into the Philippine! of !uch fored
or counterfeit coin! or note!0 .i"/ o=en!e! co))itted b# the public o9cer! or
e)plo#ee! in the e%erci!e of o9cial function!0 and ."/ cri)e! aain!t national
!ecurit# and the law of nation!.
Principle of 1ni"er!alit#. State ha! +uri!diction o"er o=en!e! con!idered a! uni"er!al
cri)e! reardle!! of where co))itted and who co))itted the). 1ni"er!al cri)e!
are tho!e which threaten the international co))unit# a! ! whole and are con!idered
cri)inal o=en!e! in all countrie! e..' pirac# +ure entiu)' enocide' white !la"e
trade' hi<+ac-in' terrori!)' war cri)e!.
Principle of Pa!!i"e Per!onalit#. State e%erci!e! +uri!diction o"er cri)e! aain!t it!
own national! e"en if co))itted out!ide it! territor#. Thi! principle )a# be re!orted
to if the other! are not applicable.
E%e)ption! fro) 3uri!diction
$octrine of State I))unit#
Act of State $octrine. A !tate !hould not in*uire into the leal "alidit# of the public
act! of another State done within the territor# of the latter.
5orein )erchant "e!!el! e%erci!in the riht of innocent pa!!ae or arri"al under
!tre!!. Innocent pa!!ae i! na"iation throuh the territorial !ea of a State for the
purpo!e of tra"er!in that !ea without entering internal waters' or of
proceedin to internal water!' or )a-in for the hih !ea! fro) internal water!' a!
lon a! it i! not pre+udicial to the peace' ood order or !ecurit# of the Coa!tal State.
Arri"al under !tre!!' or in"oluntar# entrance' )a# be due to lac- of pro"i!ion!'
un!eaworthine!! of the "e!!el' incle)ent weather' or other ca!e of force )a+eure'
!uch a! pur!uit b# pirate!.
5orein ar)ie! pa!!in throuh or !tationed in the territor# with the per)i!!ion of the
State.
6ar!hip! and other public "e!!el! of another State operated for non<co))ercial
purpo!e!. Their crew )e)ber! are i))une fro) local +uri!diction when on !hore
dut#, but this immunity will not apply if the crew members
violate local laws while on furlough or of-duty.
3uri!diction o"er )ariti)e territor#.
a/ 4"er internal water!. The !a)e +uri!diction a! o"er the land area' !ince the
internal water! are dee)ed a!!i)ilated in the land )a!!. In the ca!e of
forein )erchant "e!!el! doc-ed in a local port or ba#' the Coa!tal State
e%erci!e! +uri!diction in civil matters, but criminal jurisdiction is
determined according to the<<<
i/ Enli!h Rule: The coa!tal State !hall ha"e +uri!diction o"er all o=en!e!
committed on board the "e!!el except tho!e which do not
co)pro)i!e the peace of the port applicable in the Philippine.
ii/ 5rench Rule: fag State ha"e +uri!diction o"er all o=en!e! co))itted on
board the "e!!el e%cept tho!e which co)pro)i!e the peace of the port.
4"er the territorial !ea. Cri)inal +uri!diction o"er forein )erchant "e!!el! !hall be
deter)ined b# the application of either the Enli!h Rule or the 5rench Rule. Innocent
pa!!ae and in"oluntar# entrance are reconi8ed e%ception!' pro"ided that in ca!e of
in"oluntar# entrance' the di!tre!! on the "e!!el )u!t be real.
4"er the hih !ea!. 3uri!diction )a# be e%erci!ed b# the State on the hih !ea! o"er
the followin:
i/ It! "e!!el. The Fa State ha! +uri!diction o"er it! public "e!!el! where"er
the# are' and o"er it! )erchant "e!!el! on the hih !ea!.
1N Con"ention on the Law of the Sea concede! that a "e!!el !hall ha"e the
nationalit# of the Fa it fle!' pro"ided there i! a enuine lin- between the State
.who!e Fa i! Fown/ and the "e!!el!' i.e.' the State )u!t e=ecti"el# e%erci!e
+uri!diction and control in ad)ini!trati"e' technical and !ocial )atter! o"er the !hip.
1nder the law! of neutralit#' the public "e!!el! or aircraft of a bellierent State )a#
"i!it and !earch an# neutral )erchant "e!!el on the open !ea! and capture it if found
to be enaed in acti"itie! fa"orable to the other bellierent.
1nder the doctrine of hot pur!uit. If an o=en!e i! co))itted b# a forein )erchant
"e!!el within the territorial water! of the coa!tal State .or if the coa!tal State ha!
ood rea!on to belie"e that !uch an o=en!e had been co))itted/' the !aid StateE!
"e!!el .war!hip!' )ilitar# aircraft' other !hip! cleared and identifable a! bein in
o"ern)ent !er"ice and authori8ed to that e=ect/ )a# pur!ue the o=endin "e!!el
into the open !ea! and' upon capture' brin it bac- to it! territor# for puni!h)ent.
,owe"er' to be lawful' the pur!uit )u!t ha"e beun before the o=endin "e!!el ha!
left the territorial water! or the contiuou! 8one of the coa!tal State0 the pur!uit )u!t
be continuou! and unbated0 and it! cea!e! a! !oon a! the !hip bein pur!ued enter!
the territorial !ea of it! own' or of a third' State. Thi! riht )a# be e%erci!ed with
re!pect to "iolation! co))itted in the e%clu!i"e econo)ic 8one or on the continental
!helf in!tallation!.
Throuh the principle of e%territorialit#' e%e)ption of per!on! and thin! fro) the
local +uri!diction on the ba!i! of international cu!to). $i!tinui!h thi! fro) the
principle of e%tra<territorialit#' wherein e%e)ption fro) +uri!diction i! ba!ed on treat#
or con"ention. The latter principle i! di!credited.
International Cri)inal Court .ICC/.
The +uri!diction of the Court !hall be li)ited to the )i!t !eriou! cri)e! of concern to
the international co))unit# a! a whole. The Court ha! +uri!diction in accordance with
the ICC Statute with re!pect to the followin cri)e!: enocide' cri)e! aain!t
hu)anit#' war cri)e!' and cri)e! of are!!ion.
RIG,T 45 LEGATI4N
The riht of leation. Al!o -nown a! the riht of diplo)atic intercour!e' thi! refer! to
the riht of the State to !end and recei"e diplo)atic )i!!ion!' which enable! State!
to carr# on friendl# intercour!e. It i! not a natural or inherent riht' but e%i!t! onl# b#
co))on con!ent.
,ead of State. ,e i! i))une fro) cri)inal and ci"il +uri!diction' except when he
himself is the plaintif' and i! not !ub+ect to ta% or e%chane or currenc#.
To a"oid e)barra!!)ent' State! re!ort to an infor)al in*uir# a! to the acceptabilit#
of a particular en"o#' to which the recei"in State re!pond! with an infor)al
confor)it#. Thi! infor)al proce!! i! -nown a! areation.
6ith the infor)al proce!! concluded' the diplo)atic )i!!ion then co))ence! when
the en"o# pre!ent! hi)!elf at the recei"in State' enerall# ar)ed with the followin
paper!: .i/ Lettre de creance .letter of credence/' with the na)e' ran- and eneral
character of the )i!!ion' and a re*ue!t for fa"orable reception and full credence0 .ii/
diplo)atic pa!!port authori8in hi! tra"el0 .iii/ in!truction!' which )a# include a
docu)ent of full power! .plein! pou"oir!/ authori8in hi) to neotiate on
e%traordinar# or !pecial bu!ine!!0 and .i"/ cipher' or code or !ecret -e#' for
co))unication! with hi! countr#.
$iplo)atic i))unitie! and pri"ilee!.
Per!onal in"iolabilit#. The per!on of the diplo)atic repre!entati"e i! in"iolable0 he
!hall not be liable to an# for) of arre!t or detention. The recei"in State !hall treat
hi) with due re!pect and ta-e all !tep! to pre"ent an# attac- on hi! per!on' freedo)
or dinit#. In the Philippine!' R.A. IB puni!he!' on the ba!i! of reciprocit#' an# per!on
who a!!ault!' !tri-e!' wound!' o=er! "iolence to the per!on of the a)ba!!ador or
)ini!ter .e%cept if done in !elf<defen!e/. The 1N Con"ention on the Pre"ention and
Puni!h)ent of Cri)e! Aain!t Internationall# Protected Per!on! con!ider! cri)e!
aain!t diplo)atic aent! a! international' not political' in nature. ,owe"er' the
diplo)atic en"o#' )a# be arre!ted te)poraril# in ca!e of urent daner' !uch a!
when he co))it! an act of "iolence which )a-e! it nece!!ar# to put hi) under
re!traint for the purpo!e of pre"entin !i)ilar act!0 but he )u!t be relea!ed and !ent
ho)e in due ti)e.
In"iolabilit# of pre)i!e! and archi"e!. The pre)i!e! occupied b# a diplo)atic
)i!!ion' a! well a! the pri"ate re!idence of the diplo)atic aent' are in"iolable. The
aent! of the recei"in State )a# not enter without the con!ent of the en"o#' e%cept
in e%tre)e ca!e! of nece!!it#' e..' when the pre)i!e! are on fre' or where there i!
i))inent daner that a cri)e of "iolence i! to be perpetrated in the pre)i!e!. Such
pre)i!e! cannot be entered of !earched' and neither can the ood!' record! and
archi"e! be detained b# local authoritie! e"en under proce!! of law.
The !er"ice of writ!' !u))on!' order! or proce!!e! within the pre)i!e! of the
)i!!ion or re!idence of the en"o# i! prohibited. E"en if a cri)inal ta-e! refue within
the pre)i!e!' the peace o9cer! cannot brea- into !uch pre)i!e! for the purpo!e of
apprehendin. The fuiti"e !hould' howe"er' be !urrendered upon de)and b# local
authoritie!' e%cept when the riht of a!#lu) e%i!t!. 2ut if it i! the a)ba!!ador
hi)!elf who re*ue!t! local police a!!i!tance' thi! pri"ilee cannot be in"o-ed.
1nle!! the riht i! reconi8ed b# treat# or b# local u!ae' an en"o# !hould not per)it
the pre)i!e! of hi! )i!!ion or hi! re!idence to be u!ed a! a place of a!#lu) for
fuiti"e! fro) +u!tice. An en"o# )a#' howe"er' in the intere!t! of hu)anit#' a=ord
te)porar# !helter to per!on! in i))inent peril of their li"e!' !uch a! tho!e Feein
fro) )ob "iolence.
The diplo)atic aent al!o en+o#! i))unit# fro) the ci"il and ad)ini!trati"e
+uri!diction of the recei"in State' and thu!' no ci"il action of an# -ind )a# be
brouht aain!t hi)' e"en with re!pect to )atter! concernin hi! pri"ate life. A! a
rule' hi! propertie! are not !ub+ect to arni!h)ent' !ei8ure for debt' e%ecution and
the li-e' e%cept in the followin ca!e!: (a/ an# real action relatin to pri"ate
i))o"able propert# !ituated in the territor# of the recei"in State' unle!! the en"o#
hold! it on behalf of the !endin State for the purpo!e! of the )i!!ion0 .b) an action
relatin to !ucce!!ion in which the diplo)atic aent i! in"ol"ed a! e%ecutor'
ad)ini!trator' heir or leatee a! pri"ate per!on and not on behalf of the !endin
State0 and (c/ an action relatin to an# profe!!ional or co))ercial acti"it# e%erci!ed
b# the diplo)atic aent in the recei"in State out!ide hi! o9cial function!.
Thi! i))unit# al!o )ean! that the diplo)atic aent cannot be co)pelled to te!tif#'
not e"en b# depo!ition' without the con!ent of hi! o"ern)ent' before an# +udicial or
ad)ini!trati"e tribunal in the recei"in State.
6here it wa! held that the i))unit# doe! not protect a public o9cial who co))it!
unauthori8ed act!' ina!)uch a! !uch unauthori8ed act! are not act! of State.
Accordinl#' he )a# be !ued for !uch unlawful act! in hi! pri"ate capacit#.