Public International Law

Course Outline
Atty. Ethelbert B. Ouano

Principal References:
JOAQUIN G. BERNAS, S.J., INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC INTERNATIONAL LAW (2009 ed.)
MERLIN M. MAGALLONA, FUNDAMENTALS OF PUBLIC INTERNATIONAL LAW (2005 ed.)
JAMES CRAWFORD, BROWNLIES PRINCIPLES OF PUBLIC INTERNATIONAL LAW (2013)


Oral/Quiz Prelim - 5
Prelim - 20
Oral/Quiz Midterm - 10
Midterm - 20
Oral/Quiz Final 10
Final - 20
Moot 15

I. Introduction: Nature of International Law
a. Definition
b. Public International Law vs. Private International Law
c. Divisions
d. Basis

II. Sources of International Law
a. Treaties
i. Executive Order No. 459, November 25, 1997, Guidelines in the Negotiation of
International Agreements
ii. Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, May 23, 1969
iii. Bagong Alyansang Makabayan v. Executive Secretary Ronaldo Zamora, G.R. No.
138570, Oct. 10, 2000
iv. Pimentel, Jr., v. Executive Secretary 462 SCRA 622, 6 July 2005
v. Tanada v. Angara, 272 SCRA 18, May 2, 1997
vi. Lim vs. Executive Secretary, G.R. No. 151445, April 11, 2002
vii. Constantino v. Cuisia and Del Rosario, G.R. No. 106064, Oct. 13, 2005.
viii. Abaya v. Ebdane, G.R. No. 167919, Feb. 14, 2007.
ix. Pharmaceutical v. DOH, GR 173034, Oct. 9, 2007.
x. The Province of North Cotabato v. GRP Peace Panel, G.R. No. 183591, Oct. 14, 2008.
xi. Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (2008)
xii. Bangsamoro Framework Agreement (2012)
xiii. Bayan Muna v. Romulo, G.R. No. 159618, Feb. 1, 2011.
xiv. China National Machinery v. Santamaria, G.R. No. 185572, Feb. 7, 2012.
xv. Reservations to the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of
Genocide (Advisory Opinion, I.C.J. Reports, 1951)
xvi. Interpretation of Peace Treaties Case (Second Phase, Advisory Opinion, I.C.J. Reports
221, 1950)
xvii. Fisheries Jurisdiction Case (Jurisdiction, United Kingdom v. Iceland, I.C.J. Reports,
1974)
xviii. Danube Dam Case (Hungary v. Slovakia, 37 ILM, 1998)

xix. Sei Fujii v. California (242 P. 2d 617; 19 ILR 312, 1952)

b. State Practice: Custom
i. Republic v. Sandiganbayan, G.R. No. 104768, July 21, 2003.
ii. The Paquete Habana (175 U.S. 677, 1900)
iii. The Asylum Case (Colombia v. Peru, 17 I.L.R. 28; I.C.J. Reports, 1950)
iv. North Sea Continental Shelf Case (I.C.J. Reports, 1969)
v. Nuclear Test Cases (Australia v. France; New Zealand v. France, I.C.J. Reports, 1974)
vi. Nicaragua v. U.S. ( I.C.J Reports, 1986)

c. Domestic Law: General Principles of Law and Application of International Law by
Domestic Courts
i. International Law vs. Municipal Law
ii. Doctrine of Incorporation
1. Mejoff v. Director of Prisons 90 Phil. 70
2. Kuroda vs. Jalandoni 83 Phil. 171
3. Agustin v. Edu 88 SCRA 195
4. J.B.L. Reyes v. Bagatsing GR. No. 65366 October 25, 1983
5. Secretary Of Justice v. Judge Lantion GR 139465, 18 Jan. 2000
6. Tanada v. Angara, 272 SCRA 18, May 2, 1997
iii. Doctrine of Transformation
iv. Constitution vs. Treaty
v. Mijares v. Hon. Ranada, GR 1393325, April 12, 2005
vi. Filartiga v. Pena-Irala (630 F. 2d 876, 1980)
vii. Trendtex Trading Corporation v. Central Bank of Nigeria (1 All E.R. 881, 1977)

III. Subject and Objects of International Law
a. States
i. Concept of Sovereignty as Autolimitation
1. Abbas vs. COMELEC
ii. Recognition
1. Marcos v. Manglapus GR 88211 15 Sept. 1989
2. ICMC vs. Calleja GR 85750, 28 Sept. 1990
3. Wilson/Tobar Doctrine
4. Stimson Doctrine
5. Extrada Doctrine
iii. Belligerency
b. International Organizations
i. Charter of the United Nations, Articles 1, 2, 7, 104
ii. Reparations for Injuries Suffered in the Service of the United Nations (I.C.J. Reports,
1949)
c. Individuals and Corporations
i. Judgment of the Nuremberg Tribunal
ii. Dispute between Texaco Overseas Petroleum Co./California Asiatic Oil Co. and the
Government of the Libyan Arab Republic (Compensation for Nationalized Property,
Arbitral Awards on the Merits, 19 January 1977, 17 I.L.M., 1978)

IV. Jurisdiction of States
a. Territory

i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.

vi.
vii.
viii.
ix.
x.
xi.

Magallona vs. Ermita, G.R No. 187167 August 16, 2011

DFA Policy Paper No. 15 (on Sabah Claim)
New Baselines Law (R.A. 9522)
The South China Sea Dispute The Spratlys
Island of Palmas Case (Netherlands v. U.S.A., 2 R.I.A.A. 829, Permanent Court of
Arbitration
Legal Status of Eastern Greenland (P.C.I.J. Reports, series A/B, No. 53, 1933)
Western Sahara Case (Advisory Opinion, I.C.J. Reports, 1975)
Convention on International Civil Aviation, signed at Chicago on 7 December 1944
Fisheries Case (United Kingdom v. Norway, I.C.J. Reports, 1951)
The Corfu Channel Case (I.C.J. Reports, 1949)
1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea, Articles 3, 8

b. Adjacent Maritime Areas

i. UNCLOS / ITLOS
ii. People v. Tulin, GR 111709, August 30, 2009
iii. North Sea Continental Shelf Cases (Germany v. Denmark/Holland, 8 I.L.M. 340, 1969)
iv. Gulf of Maine (Canada/USA, I.C.J. Reports, 1984)
v. Libya/Malta Continental Shelf Case (I.C.J. Reports,1985)
vi. 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea, Article 76
vii. Fisheries Jurisdiction Case (U.K. v. Iceland, Merits, I.C.J. Reports, 1974)
i. 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea, Articles 55, 56, 57, 211, 123

c. Jurisdiction over Persons and Economic Activities
i. Criminal and Civil Jurisdiction
1. Table of RP Extradition Treaties
2. Procedure on Extradition under P.D. 1069
3. The Princeton Principles on Universal Jurisdiction
4. Govt. of U.S.A. v. Hon. Purganan, GR 148571 Sept. 24, 2002
5. Govt. of Hongkong v. Olalia, GR153675, April 19, 2007
6. The S.S. Lotus (2 World Court Reports, 1920) A97, UNCLOS
7. The Attorney-General of the Government of Israel v. Eichmann (36 I.L.R. 277,
1962)
8. In the Matter of the Requested Extradition of Joseph Patrick Thomas Doherty (7
Vand. J.T. L.,1984)
9. Philippine Extradition Law (P.D. 1069)
10. Secretary of Justice v. Hon. Lantion (G.R. No. 139465, October 17, 2000)
11. Secretary of Justice v. Muoz (G.R. No. 140520, December 18, 2000)
12. Rodriguez v. RTC of Manila (GR 157977, February 27, 2006)
13. Montreal Convention of 1971- Article 8(2)

ii. Immunity from Jurisdiction
1. State Immunity and Act of State
a. Sanders v. Veridiano, 162 SCRA 88
b. U.S. v. Guinto, 182 SCRA 644
c. Chuidian v. Sandiganbayan, GR 139941, January 19, 2001
d. Dayrit v. Phil Pharmawealth, GR 169304, March 13, 2007
e. Professional Video v. TESA, GR 155504, June 26, 2009
f. ATCI v. Echin, GR 178551, October 11, 2010

g. Gunigundo v. Sandiganbayan, GR 124772, August 14, 200

h. Victory Transport Inc. v. Comisaria General de Abastecimientos y
Transportes (35 I.L.R., 110 U.S.C.A. 2d Circ., 1994)
i. Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo v. Venne (22
D.L.R. (3d) 669, 1972) t.
j. I1 Congreso del Partido- Cuban Sugar Trade (2 All E.R. 1064, 1981)
k. Trendtex Trading Corporation v. Central Bank of Nigeria (1 All E.R.
881, 1977) Philippines:
l. Pinochet Case (House of Lords, November 25, 1998)

Diplomatic and Consular Immunity
a. Excerpts from the DFA 1997 Manual on Immunities and Privileges
b. Minucher v. CA, 214 SCRA 242
c. Republic of Indonesia v. Vinzon, 405 SCRA 126
d. Nicolas v. Romulo, GR 175888, February 11, 2009
e. U.S. Diplomatic and Consular Staff in Tehran (U.S. v. Iran, I.C.J.
Reports 3, 1980)
f. Regina v. Palacios (7 D.L.R. 112, 4th, 1984)
g. Holy See v. Rosario (238 SCRA 524)
h. Indonesia v. Vinzon (GR 154705, June 26, 2003)
i. Deutsche v. CA (GR 152318, April 16, 2009)
j. DFA v. NLRC (262 SCRA 39)
k. Lasco v. UN (241 SCRA 681)
l. WHO v. Aquino (48 SCRA 242)
m. ICMC v. Calleja (190 SCRA 130)
n. Liang v. People (G.R. 125865, January 28, 2000)
o. Sps. Lacierda v. Platon (GR 157141, August 31, 2005 )
3. Immunities and International Organizations

iii. Areas not subject to the jurisdiction of individual states
1. 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea, Articles 87, 97
2. 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea, Definition of Piracy, Article 101
3. Declaration of Principles Governing the Seabed and the Ocean Floor and the
Subsoil Thereof,
4. Beyond the Limits of National Jurisdiction Resolution 2749 XXV (1970)
5. 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea, Part XI
6. Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in Exploration of Outer
Space and the Use of Outer Space, Including the Moon and other Celestial
Bodies (1967)
7. Convention on Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects (1972)
d. Other rights of states

V. Responsibility of States
a. General Principles of Responsibility
i. International Law Commission Draft Articles on State Responsibility, Articles 1-10, 19
Youmans Case (RIAA iv. 110, 1926)
ii. Caire Claim Case (France v. Mexico, French-Mexican Claims Commission, RIAA v.
516, 1929)
iii. Home Missionary Society Case (RIAA vi. 42, 1920)

2.

b.

c.

Responsibility for Acts Affecting Individuals

i. Traditional International Liability
1. United States (Chattin) v. Mexico (4 R.I.A.A. 282, 1927)
2. The Law of Responsibility of States for Damages Done in Their Territory to the
Person or Property of Foreigners, 23 Am. J. Int l L. 131-239 (1929)
Supplement: Codification of International Law.

ii. International Protection of Human Rights
1. U.N. Charter, Articles 1(3), 55, 56
2. Mejoff v. Director of Prisons (90 Phil. 70)
3. Marcos v. Manglapus, 177 SCRA 668; 178 SCRA 760
4. International School v. Quisumbing, GR 128845, June 1, 2000
5. Republic v. Sandiganbayan, GR 104768, July 21, 2003
6. CB Employees v. BSP, GR 148208, December 14, 2004
7. Sec. of National Defense v. Manalo, GR 180906, October 7, 2008
8. Reyes v. CA, GR 182161, December 3, 2009
9. Rubrico v. GMA, GR 183871, February 18, 2010
10. BOAC v. Cadapan, GR 184461-62, May 31, 2011
11. Biraogo v. Truth Commission, GR 192935, December 7, 2010
12. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966) and Optional
Protocols 1 and 2
13. International Covenant on Economic, Social & Cultural Rights (1966)
14. Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (1969)
15. Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (1981) and
Optional Protocol (2000)
16. Convention against Torture (1987)
17. Convention on the Rights of the Child (1990) and Optional Protocols on Sale,
Prostitution and
18. Pornography (2002) and Children in Situations of Armed Conflict (2002)
19. Migrant Workers Convention (2003)
20. South-West Africa Cases, Second Phase (I.C.J. Reports, 1966, Dissenting
Opinion of Judge Tanaka)

iii. The Taking of Property: Nationalization and Expropriation
1. United Nations Declaration on Permanent Sovereignty over Natural Resources,
1962, U.N.G.A.
2. Resolution 1803 (XVII) United Nations Resolution 3171 (XXVIII) on
Permanent Sovereignty over Natural Resources, Dec. 17, 1973
3. Charter of Economic Rights and Duties of States, 1974, U.N.G.A. Resolution
3281 (XXIX)
4. Proposed Amendment to Article 2 of Charter of Economic Rights and Duties of
States
5. Texaco Overseas Petroleum Co./California Asiatic Oil Co. and the Government
of Libyan Arab
6. Republic (Compensation for Nationalized Property, 19 January 1977, 17 I.L.M.
1)

Responsibility for Environmental Harm
i. Oposa v. Factoran
ii. DENR v. Concerned Residents, GR 171947, December 18, 2008

iii. Ma. Socorro Manguiat, The Right to Cleaner Air: Strategies for Pollution Control in the
Light of Existing Laws (1993) (unpublished J.D. thesis, Ateneo de Manila University)
(on file with the Professional Schools Lobrary, Ateneo de Manila University).
iv. The Trail Smelter Arbitration (3 R.I.A.A.1905, 1938/1941)
v. The Corfu Channel Case (supra.)
vi. The Stockholm Principles (1972)
vii. U.N.G.A. Resolution 2995 (XXVII)
viii. U.N.G.A. Resolution 2996 (XXVII)
ix. International Law Association Resolution 1972 United Nations Environment Program:
Governing Council Decisions Concerning Policy
x. Objectives, 12 I.L.M. 1183 (1973)
xi. Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, A/CONF.151/5/Rev.1, 31 I.L.M. 874
(1992)
xii. Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
xiii. 1989 Basel Convention on the Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes

d. International Claims
i. Vinuya v. Romulo, GR 162230, April 28, 2010
ii. United States [North American Dredging Co. of Texas] v. United Mexican States (4
R.I.A.A. 26, 1927)
iii. Dissent of Judge Nielsen in the subsequent case of International Fisheries Co.,
(Nielsens Opinions 207, 1931)
iv. The Tattler (United States v. Great Britain, Nielsen Rep. 489, 1920)
v. The Panevezys-Saldutiskis Railway Case (Estonia v. Lithuania, P.C.I.J. Series A/B, No.
76, 1939)
vi. Nottebohm Case (Liechtenstein v. Guatemala, I.C.J. Reports 4, 1955)
vii. Case Concerning the Barcelona Traction (Belgium v. Spain, I.C.J. Reports 3, 1970)
viii. Banco Nacional de Cuba v. Peter L.F. Sabbatino (376 U.S. 398, 1964)
ix. Alfred Dunhill of London Inc. v. The Republic of Cuba (425 U.S. 682, 48 L.Ed. 2d.301,
1976)
x. Buttes Gas and Oil Co. and Another v. Hammer and Another (3 W.L.R. 787, H.L., 1981)

VI. United Nations
a. Principal Purposes
b. Membership
c. Principal Organs

VII.
Resolution of Disputes
a. Use of Force
i. General
1. Charter of the United Nations, Articles 2 (3) (4), Articles 39-42
2. General Assembly Resolution 3314 XXX on the Definition of Aggression
ii. The Laws of War
iii. The Concepts of Self-Defense
1. Charter of the United Nations, Article 51
iv. The Legality of Reprisals
v. Humanitarian Intervention
1. U.N. Security Council Resolution 1483 (2003) Reconstruction of Iraq
vi. Terrorism
b. Judicial and Arbitral Settlement

i. International Court of Justice

1. Statute of the ICJ
ii. Non-judicial
1. Del Monte v. CA, GR 136154, February 7, 2001
2. LM Power v. Capitol, GR 141833, March 26, 2003
3. Frabelle v. Philamlife, GR 158560, August 17, 2007
4. Gonzales v. Hon Pimentel, GR 167994, January 22, 2007