University of Cebu College of Law

Constitutional Law 1 – LAW 113

1st sem, SY 2019-2020
Atty. RLGEspina

Course Outline

PRELIMINARIES

I. Introduction

a. Scope of Political Law

b. Necessity of the Study
c. Basis of the Study

II. The Philippine Constitution

a. Historical background
b. Definition, nature, classification, parts and qualities of a constitution
Marcos vs. Manglapus, 177 SCRA 668, September 15, 1989

c. Interpretation and construction

Francisco vs. House of Representatives, G.R. No. 160261, November
10, 2003
Manila Prince Hotel vs. GSIS, G.R. No. 122156, February 3, 1997
Pamatong vs. COMELEC, G.R. No. 161872, April 13, 2004
Gutierrez v. House of Representatives Committee on Justice, GR
193459, February 15, 2011

d. Amendment process
1. Amendment vs. revisions
2. Amendment process
2a. proposal
i. By Congress
ii. By a Constitutional Convention
iii. By the People thru Initiative

2b. ratification
i. Doctrine of proper submission

Article XVII, 1987 Philippine Constitution

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 Lambino vs. COMELEC, G.R. No. 174153, October 25, 2006 and
November 21, 2006
Defensor-Santiago vs. COMELEC, G.R. No. 127325, March 19, 1997
Gonzales vs. COMELEC, 21 SCRA 774
Javellana vs. Executive Secretary, 50 SCRA 50

III. The Philippines as a State

a. Elements of a State

1. People
2. Territory
a. Scope
Article I, 1987 Philippine Constitution
b. Archipelagic doctrine
c. UN Convention on the Law of the Sea
Province of North Cotabato vs. Republic of the Philippines, G.R. No.
183591, October 14, 2008

3. Government
Co Kim Chan vs. Tan Keh, 75 Phil 113
Estrada vs. Desierto, G.R. No. 146710-15, March 2, 2001

4. Sovereignty

b. State Immunity from Suit

1. Basis
Section 3, Article XVI
Republic vs. Villasor, 54 SCRA 83

2. Who enjoys the immunity

Minucher vs. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 142396, February 11, 2003

SEAFDEC vs. Acosta, G.R. No. 97468-70

Callado vs. IRRI, 244 SCRA 210

3. When is a suit against the State

Most Rev. Pedro Arigo et al vs Scott Swift GR No. 2016510,

September 16, 2014.
4. Suits against government agencies

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 PNB vs. CIR, 81 SCRA 314
Municipality of San Fernando vs. Judge Firme, 195 SCRA 692
DOH vs. Phil Pharma Wealth, Inc. G.R. No. 182358, February 20, 2013

5. Suits against public officers

Larkins vs. NLRC, 241 SCRA 598
Shaufs vs. Court of Appeals, 191 SCRA 713
Spouses Jayme vs. Apostol, et al., G.R. No. 163609

6. Need for consent

Amigable vs. Cuenca, 43 SCRA 360
U.S. vs. Ruiz, 136 SCRA 487
Heirs of Diosdado Mendoza vs DPWH, GR No. 203834, July 9, 2014.

7. Scope of consent
City of Caloocan vs. Allarde, G.R. No. 107271, September 10, 2003
Municipality of Makati vs. Court of Appeals, 190 SCRA 206

8. Suability not equated with outright liability

Torio vs. Fontanilla, 85 SCRA 599

PREAMBLE AND DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES AND STATE POLICIES

(Article 2 of the 1987 Philippines Constitution)

IV. Preamble and Declaration of Principles and State Policies

1. Preamble
2. Fundamental Principles and State Policies

Section 1 Republicanism
Section 2 The Incorporation Clause
Pharmaceutical and Health Care vs. Duque, G.R. No. 173034,
October 9, 2007
Section 3 Civilian supremacy
Section 4 Defense of the state [Compulsory military and civil service]
Section 5 Defense of the state [Peace and order]
Section 6 Separation of Church and State
3. State Policies

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 Section 7 Independent foreign policy
Section 8 Nuclear policy
Section 9 Social order and prosperity
Section 10 Social justice
Calalang vs. Williams, 70 Phil 726
Tondo Medical Center Employees vs. Court of Appeals, G.R.
No. 167324, July 17, 2007
Section 11 Dignity of the person
Section 12 Sanctity of family life
Section 13 Rearing of the youth
Section 14 Women
Section 15 Health
Pharmaceutical and Health Care Association of the
Philippines vs Duque III, 535 SCRA 265
Section 16 Balanced Ecology
Oposa vs. Factoran Jr., G.R. No. 101083, July 30, 1993
Laguna Lake Development Authority vs. Court of Appeals,
G.R. No. 110120, March 16, 1994
C and M Timber vs. Alcala, G.R. No. 111088, June 13, 1997
Section 17 Education
Guingona vs. Carague, 196 SCRA 221
Section 18 Labor
Section 19 Independent economy
Tanada vs. Angara, 272 SCRA 18
Garcia vs. Board of Investments, G.R. No. 92024, November 9,
1990
Section 20 Role of private sector
Section 21 Rural development and agrarian reform
Association of Small Landowners vs. Secretary of Agrarian
Reform, 175 SCRA 342 [1989]
Section 22 Indigenous cultural communities
Section 23 Non-government organizations
Section 24 Communications
Section 25 Local autonomy
Section 26 Equal access to opportunities for public service
Pamatong vs. COMELEC, supra.
Section 27 Honesty in public service
Section 28 Transparency policy

SEPARATION OF POWERS AND DELEGATION OF POWERS

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V. 1. Separation of Powers

a. Purposes
b. Principle of Checks and Balances
c. Political Questions Doctrine

2. Delegation of Powers

a. Permissible Delegation

i. Tariff Powers
ii. Emergency Powers
iii. Delegation to the People
iv. Delegation to Local Governments
v. Delegation to Administrative Bodies

b. Tests of Delegation

i. The Completeness Test

ii. The Sufficient Standard Test

Belgica vs Executive Secretary Ochoa, November 11, 2013

In Re: Production of Court Records and Documents and the Attendance of Court
Officials and Employees, February 14, 2012
Office of the Court Administrator vs. Reyes, 621 SCRA 511
Senate of the Philippines vs. Ermita, 488 SCRA 1
Casibang vs. Aquino, 92 SCRA 642
Sanidad vs COMELEC, 73 SCRA 333
COCOFED vs Republic, January 24, 2012
Tañada vs. Cuenco, 100 Phil. 1101
Carbonilla vs. Board of Airline Representatives, 657 SCRA 775
Cervantes vs. Auditor General, 91 Phil. 359
Ynot vs. IAC, 148 SCRA 659
Pelaez vs. Auditor General, 15 SCRA 569

ARTICLE VI
LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT

VI. The Legislative Department

Section 1, Article VI
Tatad vs. Secretary of Energy, G.R. No. 124360, November 5, 1997
Datu Michael Kida vs. Senate, G.R. No. 196271, October 18, 2011

1. The Senate

a. Composition
Section 2, Article VI

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 b. Qualifications
Section 3, Article VI
Social Justice Society vs. Dangerous Drugs Board, G.R. No. 161658, November 3,
2008
c. Term of office

2. The House of Representatives

a. Composition

i. District Representatives
ii. Party-list Representatives

Section 5, Article VI
SEMA vs. COMELEC, G.R. No. 177597, July 16, 2008
Ang Ladlad vs. COMELEC, G.R. No. 190582, April 8, 2010
Bagabuyo vs. COMELEC, G.R. No. 176970, December 8, 2008
Aquino III vs. COMELEC, G.R. No. 189793, April 7, 2010

b. Qualifications

Section 6, Article VI
Romualdez-Marcos vs. COMELEC, G.R. No. 119976, September 18, 1995
Aquino vs. COMELEC, G.R. No. 120265, September 18, 1995
Bengzon vs. Cruz, G.R. No. 142840, May 7, 2001
Valles vs. COMELEC, G.R. No. 137000, August 9, 2000

c. Term of office

Section 7, Article VI
Dimaporo vs. Mitra, Jr.,G.R. No. 96859, October 15, 1991
Quinto vs. COMELEC, G.R. No. 189698, December 1, 2009

3. Election – Sections 8 and 9, Article VI

Codilla vs. De Venecia, G.R. No. 150605, December 10, 2002

4. Filling of vacancies

Section 9, Article VI
Tolentino vs. COMELEC, G.R. No. 148334, January 21, 2004

5. Salaries - Sections 10 and 20, Article VI

6. Parliamentary Immunities

a. Privilege from Arrest

b. Privilege of Speech and Debate

Section 11, Article VI

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 People vs. Jalosjos, G.R. Nos. 132875-76, February 3, 2000
Trillanes vs. Judge Pimentel, G.R. No. 179817, June 27, 2008
Jimenez vs. Cabangbang, 17 SCRA 876 (1966)
Pobre vs. Defensor-Santiago 597 SCRA 1

7. Conflict of Interests - Section 12, Article VI

8. Incompatible and Forbidden Offices - Section 13, Article VI

9. Inhibitions and Disqualifications

Sections 13 and 14, Article VI
Liban vs. Gordon, G.R. No. 175352, July 15, 2009
Villegas vs. Legaspi, G.R. No. 53869, March 25, 1982
Puyat vs. De Guzman, 113 SCRA 31 (1982)

10. Sessions - Section 15, Article VI

11. Officers - Section 16, Article VI
12. Quorum - Section 16, Article VI
13. Discipline of Members - Section 16, Article VI
14. Journals - Section 16, Article VI
15. Adjournment - Section 16, Article VI

Arroyo vs. De Venecia, G.R. No. 17255, August 14, 1997

Aquilino Pimentel vs. Senate Committee of the Whole, G.R. No. 187714, March 8, 2011
Casco vs. Gimenez, 7 SCRA 347
Astorga vs. Villegas, 56 SCRA 714
Osmena vs. Pendatun, 109 Phil 863 (1960)
Miriam Santiago vs. Sandiganbayan, G.R. No. 128055, April 18, 2001
Mabanag vs. Lopez, 78 Phil 1
Casco vs. Gimenez, 7 SCRA 347

16. The Electoral Tribunal

Section 17, Article VI

Tanada vs. Cuenco, 103 Phil 1051
Robles vs. HRET, G.R. No. 86647, February 5, 1990
Bondoc vs. Pineda, G.R. No. 97710, September 26, 1991
Pimentel vs. HRET, G.R. No. 141489, November 29, 2002
Barbers vs. COMELEC, G.R. No. 165691, June 22, 2005
Vinzonz-Chato vs. COMELEC, G.R. No. 172131, April 2, 2007
Amores vs HRET, 622 SCRA 593

17. Organization
Section 19, Article VI
Daza vs. Singson, 180 SCRA 496 (1989)
Coseteng vs. Mitra Jr., 187 SCRA 377 (1990)
Guingona vs. Gonzales, 214 SCRA 789 (1992)

18. Powers

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 a. Legislative Power in General
i. Definition
ii. Procedure
iii. Origin of Bills
Section 24, Article VI
Tolentino vs. Secretary of Finance, 235 SCRA 630 (1994)

iv. Prohibited Measures – Sections 30 and 31,, Article VI

v. Title of Bills
Section 26, Article VI
Tio vs. Videogram Regulatory Board, 151 SCRA 208 (1987)
ABAKADA GURO PARTY LIST , et al. vs. Purisima et al., G.R. No. 166715,
August 14, 2008/G.R. No. 168056, September 1, 2005

vi. Formalities - Section 26, Article VI

vii. Approval of Bills
Section 27, Article VI
Philconsa vs. Enriquez, G.R. No. 113105, August 19, 1994
Kida vs. Senate of the Philippines, G.R. No. 196271, October 18, 2011

b. Legislative Inquiries

Section 21, Article VI

Bengzon vs. Senate Blue Ribbon, G.R. No. L-89914, November 20, 1991
Sabio vs. Gordon, G.R. No. 174177, October 17, 2006
Standard Chartered Bank vs. Senate, G.R. No. 167173, December 27, 2007
Senate vs. Ermita, G.R. No. 169777, April 20, 2006
Neri vs. Senate Committee, G.R. No. 180843, March 25, 2008
Garcillano vs. Senate, G.R. No. 170338, December 28, 2008

c. The Power of Appropriation

Sections 25 and 29, Article VI

Garcia vs. Mata, 65 SCRA 517 (1975)
Philippine Constitutional Association vs. Enriquez, 235 SCRA 506
DAP – Araullo et al vs Benigno Aquino GR No. 209287, July 1, 2014.

d. The Power of Taxation

Section 28, Article VI

Gerochi vs. Department of Energy, G.R. No. 159796, July 17, 2007

e. The Power of Concurrence – Sections 19 and 21, Article VII

f. The War Powers

Section 23, Article VI

David vs. Arroyo, G.R. No. 171396, May 3, 2006

19. Referendum and Initiative - Section 32, Article VI

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 ARTICLE VII
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT

VII. The Executive Department

1. Qualifications
2. Election and Proclamation
3. Term
4. The Vice-President
5. Presidential Succession
6. Oath of Office
7. Perquisites and Inhibitions
8. Presidential Immunity
9. Powers

a. Executive Power in General

b. The Appointing Power
c. The Control Power
d. The “Take Care” Clause
e. The Military Power
f. The Borrowing Power
g. The Diplomatic Power
h. The Budgetary Power
i. The Informing Power
j. Other Powers

Marcos vs. Manglapus, G.R. No. 88211, September 15, 1989 & October 27,
1989
Macalintal vs. COMELEC, G.R. No. 157013, July 10, 2003
Fernando Poe Jr. vs. Arroyo, PET Case No. 002, March 29, 2005
Legarda vs. De Castro, PET Case No. 003, February 12, 2008
Soliven vs. Makasiar, 167 SCRA 393
Estrada vs. Desierto, supra.
David vs. Ermita, supra.
In the Matter of the Petition for the Writ of Amparo and Habeas Data in favor
of Noriel H. Rodriguez; Noriel H. Rodriguez vs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo,
et al., G.R. No. 191805 & G.R. No. 193160. November 15, 2011
Estrada vs. Arroyo, G.R. No. 146738, March 2, 2001 and April 3, 2001
Civil Liberties Union vs. Executive Secretary, 194 SCRA 317
De Castro vs. JBC, G.R. No. 191002. March 17, 2010
Sarmiento vs. Mison, 156 SCRA 549, December 17, 1987.
Matibag vs. Benipayo, supra.

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 Louis “Barok” C. Biraogo vs. The Philippine Truth Commission of 2010 /
Rep. Edcel C. Lagman, et al. vs. Exec. Sec. Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr., et al., G.R.
No. 192935 & G.R. No. 19303, December 7, 2010
Carpio vs. Executive Secretary, G.R. No. 96409, February 14, 1992.
Integrated Bar of the Philippines vs. Zamora, G.R. No. 141284, August 15,
2000
David vs. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, supra.
Datu Zaldy Uy Ampatuan, et al. v. Hon. Ronaldo Puno, et al., G.R. No.
190259. June 7, 2011.
Ocampo vs Rear Admiral Enriquez, November 8, 2016
Lagman vs Medialdea, July 4, 2017

ARTICLE VIII
JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT

VIII. The Judicial Department

1. Independence of the Judiciary

2. Judicial Power in General
Section 1, Article VIII
Section 4(2), Article VIII
Section 5(20), Article VIII
Ynot vs. Intermediate Appellate Court, 148 SCRA 659
Mirasol vs. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 128448, February 1, 2001
Salonga vs. Pano, 134 SCRA 438

3. Jurisdiction
4. Appointments
a. Qualifications
b. The Judicial and Bar Council
5. Fiscal Autonomy
6. Composition of the Supreme Court
a. En Banc Cases
b. Division Cases

7. Requisites of Judicial Inquiry

Louis “Barok” C. Biraogo vs. The Philippine Truth Commission of 2010 / Rep.
Edcel C. Lagman, et al. vs. Exec. Sec. Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr., et al., G.R. No.
192935 & G.R. No. 19303, December 7, 2010.

a. Actual Case

Sanlakas vs. Executive Secretary, G.R. No. 159085, February 3, 2004

Atty. Evillo C. Pormento vs. Joseph “Erap” Ejercito Estrada and Commission

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 on Elections, G.R. No. 191988, August 31, 2010.

b. Proper Party

David vs. Macapagal-Arroyo, G.R. No. 171396, May 3, 2006

c. Earliest Opportunity

Matibag vs. Benipayo, G.R. No. 149036, April 2, 2002

d. Necessity of Deciding Constitutional Question

Arceta vs. Judge Mangrobang, G.R. No. 152895, June 15, 2004

8. Effects of Declaration of Unconstitutionality

9. Powers of the of the Supreme Court

a. Original Jurisdiction
b. Appellate Jurisdiction
c. Temporary Assignment of Judges
d. Change of Venue or Place of Trial
e. Rule-making Power
f. Appointment of Court Personnel
g. Administrative Supervision of Courts

10. Tenure of Judges

11. Consultations of the Court
12. Decisions of the Court
13. Salaries of Judges
14. Periods of Decisions
15. Annual Report

Fabian vs. Desierto, G.R. No. 129742, September 16, 1998

Bengzon vs. Drilon, G.R. No. 103524, April 15, 1992, 208 SCRA 133
Re: COA Opinion on the Computation of the Appraised Value of the Properties
Purchased by the Retired Chief/Associate Justices of the Supreme Court, A.M. No.
11-7-10-SC, July 31, 2012
De Castro vs. Judicial and Bar Council, supra
Echegaray v. Secretary of Justice, GR 132601, Jan. 19, 1999
Republic vs. Gingoyon, G.R. No. 166429
Bar Matter No. 1222, February 4, 2004
Garcia vs. Miro, 582 SCRA 127
Chavez vs. Judicial and Bar Council, G.R. No. 202242, July 17, 2012
Nitafan vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue (152 SCRA 284)
In re: Judge Manzano, 166 SCRA 246 (1988)

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 Fr. Martinez vs. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 123547, May 21, 2001
Francis Jardeleza vs CJ Maria Lourdes Sereno, GR No. 213181, August 19, 2014.

ARTICLE IX
CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSIONS

IX. The Constitutional Commissions

1. The Civil Service Commission

a. Composition and Qualifications

b. Scope of the Civil Service
c. Appointments
d. Security of Tenure
e. Partisan Political Activity
f. Self-organization
g. Temporary Employees
h. Objectives of the Civil Service
i. Oath
j. Disqualifications
k. Standardization of Compensation
l. Double Compensation
2. The Commission on Elections

a. Composition and Qualifications

b. Powers and Functions
i. Enforcement of Election Laws
ii. Decision of Election Contests
iii. Decision of Administrative Questions
iv. Deputization of Law-Enforcement Agencies
v. Registration of Political Parties
vi. Improvement of Elections

c. Election Period
d. Party System
e. Funds
f. Judicial Review

3. The Commission on Audit

a. Composition and Qualifications

b. Powers and Functions
c. Prohibited Exemptions

Ombudsman vs. CSC, February 16, 2005

Brillantes vs. Yorac, 192 SCRA 358

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 Civil Service Commission vs. DBM, 482 SCRA 233
Estrella vs. COMELEC, G.R. No. 160465, May 27, 2004
Cruz vs. Civil Service Commission, G.R. No. 144464, November 22, 2001
Achacoso vs. Macaraig, G.R. No. 93023, March 13, 1991
Flores vs. Drilon, G.R. No. 104732, June 22, 1993
Chavez vs. COMELEC, G.R. No. 162777, August 31, 2004
PDIC vs. COA, 546 SCRA 473
COA vs. Link Worth International, Inc., 581 SCRA 501
Gaminde vs COA, December 13, 2000
Boy Scout of the Philippines vs COA, 651 SCRA 146
Philippine Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals vs COA, 534
SCRA 112

ARTICLE XI
ACCOUNTABILITY OF PUBLIC OFFICERS

X. Accountability of Public Officers

1. Impeachment
a. Impeachable Officers
b. Grounds for Impeachment
c. Procedure
d. Impeachment and Criminal Prosecution

2. The Sandiganbayan
3. The Ombudsman
4. The Special Prosecutor
5. Commission on Human Rights
6. Presidential Commission on Good Government
7. Sequestration
Jarque vs. Desierto, 250 SCRA 11
Ombudsman vs. Mojica, G.R. No. 146486. March 4, 2005
In Re: Honorable Gonzales, A.M. No. 88-4-5433, April 15, 1988
Ma. Merceditas C. Gutierrez v. The House of Representatives Committee on
Justice, et al., G.R. No. 193459, March 8, 2011.
Estrada vs. Desierto, G.R. Nos. 146710-15, March 2, 2001
Khan vs. Ombudsman, G.R. No. 125296, July 20, 2006
Almonte vs. Vasquez, G.R. No. 95367, March 23, 1995
Garcia vs. Miro, G.R. No. 148944, February 05, 2003
Gemma P. Cabalit vs. COA-Region VII/Filadelfo S. Apit vs. COA, Legal and
Adjucation, Region VII/Leonardo G. Olaivar, etc. vs. Hon. Primo C. Miro,
etc., et al., G.R. Nos. 180326/180341/180342, January 17, 2012
Gonzales III vs Office of the President, September 4, 2012

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 Presidential Committee on Behest Loans vs Desierto, October 25, 1999

ARTICLE XII
NATIONAL ECONOMY AND PATRIMONY

Muller vs. Muller, G.R. no. 149615, August 29, 2006

Frenzel vs. Catito, G.R. No. 143958, July 11, 2003
JG Summit vs. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 124293, September 24, 2003
Board of Medicine vs. Yasuyuki Ota, G.R. No. 166097, July 14, 2008

ARTICLE XIII
SOCIAL JUSTICE AND HUMAN RIGHTS

Carino vs. Commission on Human Rights, G.R. No. 96681, December 2, 1991

ARTICLE XIV

EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, ARTS, CULTURE AND SPORTS,

LANGUAGE

Miriam College vs. Court of Apepals, G.R. No. 127930, November 15, 2000
Guzman vs. National University, 142 SCRA 699
Non vs. Dames, 185 SCRA 523
Board of Medical Education vs. Alfonso, 176 SCRA 304
Lupangco vs. Court of Appeals, 160 SCRA 848
UP Board of Regents vs. William, G.R. No. 134625, August 31, 1999

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