SUGGESTED CASES IN POLITICAL LAW

CONSTITUTIONAL LAW I

I. Introduction

A. Nature of the Constitution

• Manila Prince Hotel v. GSIS, 267 SCRA 408 [1997] [Bellosillo])

B. Changing the Constitution

• Lambino v Comelec, G.R. 174153 (2006)

II. II. Interpreting the Constitution

A. Role of the Judiciary as interpreter of laws

• Marbury v Madison, 5 US 137
• Angara v Electoral Commission, 63 Phil 139 (1936).
• Maria Carolina P. Araullo, et al. v. Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III, et
al. G.R. No., 209287, July 1, 2014, En Banc

B. Rules of Interpretation
• Francisco v House of Representatives, G.R. 160261 (Nov. 10, 2003)

C. Requisites of Judicial Review

• Actual case or controversy

▪ Mariano v Comelec, G.R. 118577

▪ Montesclaros vs Comelec, G.R. 152295 (2002)
▪ Belgica, et al. v. Exec. Sec. Paquito N. Ochoa, et al.,
G.R. No. 208566, 710 SCRA 1, 89, Nov. 19, 2013, En
Banc
▪ Saturnino C. Ocampo, et al. v. Rear Admiral Ernesto
C. Enriquez, et al., G.R. No. 225973, November 8,
2016, En Banc
▪ James M. Imbong, et al. v. Hon. Paquito N. Ochoa,
Jr., et al., GR No. 204819, April 8, 2014,

o Facial Challenge

▪ Estrada v Sandiganbayan, G.R. No. 148560 (2001)

▪ Imbong v Ochoa G.R. No. 204819 (2014)
▪ Jose Jesus M. Disini, Jr., et al. v. The Secretary of
Justice, et al., G.R. No,. 203335, Feb. 11, 2014, En
Banc
 o Political Question
▪ Emilio A. Gonzales III v. Office of the President, etc.,
et al./Wendell Bareras-Sulit v. Atty. Paquito N.
Ochoa, Jr., et al., G.R. No. 196231/G.R. No. 196232,
January 28, 2014.
▪ Vinuya, et al. v. The Honorable Executive Secretary
Alberto G. Romulo, et al., G.R. No. 162230, April 28.
2010, En Banc

o Moot and academic

▪ Gonzales v Narvasa, G.R. 140835 (2000)
▪ Lacson v Perez, GR 147780 (2001)
▪ Defunis v Odegard 416 US 312 (1974)
▪ (International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-
biotech Applications, Inc. v. Greenpeace Southeast
Asia (Philippines), et al., GR No. 209271, December
8, 2015,
▪ David v Arroyo
▪ Belgica, et al. v. Exec. Sec. Paquito N. Ochoa, et al.,
G.R. No. 208566, 710 SCRA 1, 89, Nov. 19, 2013, En
Banc
▪

• Standing
o KMU Labor Center v Garcia, G.R. 115381 (1994)
o IBP v Zamora GR 141284 (2000)
o Tanada v Tuvera 136 SCRA 27 (1985)
o Ople v Torres 293N SCRA 141 (1998)
o Information Technology Foundation v Comelec, GR 159139
(2004)
o Kilosbayan v Guingona, 232 SCRA 110 (1994)
o Saturnino C. Ocampo, et al. v. Rear Admiral Ernesto C.
Enriquez, et al., G.R. No. 225973, November 8, 2016,
o Most Rev. Pedro D. Arigo, et al. v. Scott H. Swift, et al., G.R.
No. 206510, September 16, 2014,
o
• Earliest Opportunity
o Need to notify Solicitor General
▪ Mirasol vs CA GR 128448 (2001)
o Symbolic Decisions
▪ Salonga v Cruz Pano 134 SCRA 438

D. Effects of declaration of unconstitutionality

• Serrano de Agbayani vs PNB, 38 SCRA 429 (1972)

• Commissioner of Internal Revenue v. San Roque Power Corporation,
G.R. No. 187485, October 8, 2013
• Maria Carolina P. Araullo, et al. v. Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III, et al.
G.R. No., 209287, 728 SCRA 1, July 1, 2014
 • Maria Carolina P. Araullo, et al. v. Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III, et al.,
G.R. No. 209287, February 3, 2015, En Banc [Bersamin], Resolution of
the Motion for Reconsideration)

III. The Philippines as a State

A. Territory
• Magallona v Ermita, G.R. 187167 (2011)
• Province of North Cotabato v GRP Peace Panel on Ancestral
Domain, 568 SCRA 402 (2008)
• Reagan v CIR, 30 SCRA 968 (1969)
• People v Gozo 53 SCRA 476

B. Philippine Citizenship

• Lee v Director of Lands, G.R. 128195 (2001)

• Republic v Chule Lim, GR No. 153883
• Calilung v Datumanong, GR 160869
• Republic v Nora Sagun, GR 187567 (2012)
• In Re Ching, Bar Matter 914 (1999)
• Co v HRET 199 SCRA 692
• Bengson v HRET, GR 142840
• So v RP, 513 SCRA 267 (2007)
• David v Agbay, GR 1991113, Mar 18, 2015
• Nicholas-Lewis v Comelec, GR No. 162759 (2006)
• Aznar v Comelec, GR No. 83820, (1990)
• Valles v Comelec GR No. 137000 (2000)
• Poe v COMELEC G.R. 221697 (2016)

C. The Doctrine of State Immunity

1. Suits vs the Philippine State

• Department of Agriculture v. NLRC, 227 SCRA 693, Nov. 11, 1993

• Philippine Agila Satellite v Lichauco, G.R. No. 134887 (2006)
• Amado J. Lansang v. CA, G.R. No. 102667, Feb. 23, 2000
• Republic v. Sandoval, 220 SCRA 124, March 19, 1993
• Sayson v Singson 54 SCRA 282)
• Republic v Purisima 78 SCRA 470 (1977)
• UP v. Dizon, G.R. No. 171182, 679 SCRA 54, 23 August 2012
• Rayo v CFI, 110 SCRA 450 (1981)
• Farolan v CTA, 217 SCRA 298 (1993)
• Republic v Sandiganbayan, GR No. 85384 (1990)
• Santiago v Republic, 87 SCRA 294 (1978)
• DOTC v Sps. Abecina, GR 206484, Jan 29, 2016
• Amigable v Cuenca 43 SCRA 360 (1972)
• EPG Construction Co. v. Vigilar, 354 SCRA 566, Mar.16, 2001
• Torio v Fontanilla 85 SCRA 99 (1978)
 2. Suits vs Foreign States

• Arigo v Swift, G.R. 206510 (2014)

• The Holy See v Rosario, (December 17, 1994)
• USA v Ruiz, 136 SCRA 487 (1985)
• Minucher v CA, GR No. 76609 (1990)
• Rep. of Indonesia v Vinzon, GR 154705 (2003)
• DFA v NLRC, GR No. 113191 (1997)
• ATCI v Echin, GR 178551, Oct 11, 2010

3. Suits against Public Officers

• Animas vs PVAO, 174 SCRA 214

• USA v Reyes, GR No. 79233 (1993)
• Shauf v CA 191 SCRA 713 (1990)

4. Execution vs the State

• Nessia v Fermin, 220 SCRA 615 (1993)
• Caloocan City v Allarde, GR No. 107721 (2003)

IV. Philippine Constitutional Principles and Policies

Principles and Policies

• Pable Ocampo v HRET, GR No. 158466 (2004)

• Maquiling v COMELEC, G.R. 195649 (2013)
• Villavicencio v Lukban, 39 Phil 778 (1919)
• Agustin v Edu, 88 SCRA 195 (1979)
• Ichong v Hernandez, 101 Phil 115 (1957)
• Deutsche Bank AG Manila Branch v CIR, 704 SCRA 216 (2013)
• In RE Garcia, 2 SCRA 984
• Lagman v Zosa, 66 Phil 13 (1938)
• Estrada v Escritor AM No. P-02-1651 (2006)
• Republic v Manalo, GR 221029, Apr 4, 2018
• Bayan v Exec Secretary, GR No. 138570 (2000)
• Pamatong v Comelec GR No. 161872 (2004)
• Garcia v Drilon, 699 SCRA 352 (2013)
• PASEI v Drilon, 163 SCRA 386 (1988)
• UP BOR v CA, GR No. 134629 (1999)
• CoTeSCUP v Secretary of Education, G.R. 216930, October 2018
• University of San Agustin, Inc. v. Court of Appeals, 230 SCRA 761, 774-
775, March 7, 1994
• SSS Employees Assn. vs CA, 175 SCRA 686
• Oposa v Factoran, GR 101083 (1993)
• Republic v Albios, 707 SCRA 584 (2013)
• Imbong v Ochoa, 721 SCRA 146 (2014)
 • Roe v Wade, 410 US 113
• Limbona v Conte Mangelin, 170 SCRA 786
•
V. The Exercise of Government Power

A. Separation of Powers and Delegation of Power

• Mamiscal v Abdullah 761 SCRA 39 (2015)

• In RE Laureta and Maravilla 148 SCRA 382
• INS v Chadha, 462 US 919 (1983)
• Arnault v Balagtas, 97 Phil 358 (1955)
• Belgica v Ochoa, Jr., 710 SCRA 1 (2013)
• Mendoza v People, 659 SCRA 681 (2011)
• NPC Drivers and Mechanical Association v Napocor, 503
SCRA 138 (2006)
• Garcia v Executive Secretary, 211 SCRA 219
• US v Tang Ho 43 Phil 1
• CoTeSCUP v Secretary of Education, G.R. 216930, October 2018
• Pelaez v Auditor General, 15 SCRA 569
• People v Judge Dacuycuy, 173 SCRA 90
• Sema v Comelec, G.R. 177597 (2008)
• Jose Jesus M. Disini, Jr., et al. v. The Secretary of Justice, et al., G.R.
No,. 203335, Feb. 11, 2014

VI. Structure and Powers of Government

A. The Legislative Branch

Composition, Qualifications and Term of Office

• Powell v McCormack, 395 US 486

• Pobre v Defensor-Santiago, 597 SCRA 1 (2009)
• Aquino III v Comelec, 617 SCRA 623 (2010)
• Alaba v Comelec, 611 SCRA 147 (2010)
• Naval v Comelec, 729 SCRA 299 (2014)
• Bagabuyo v Comelec, 573 SCRA 290 (2008)
• Reyes v Comelec, 699 SCRA 522 (2013) and 708 SCRA 197 (2013
• Banat v Comelec, GR 179271 (2009)
• Ang Ladlad v Comelec, GR 190582 (2010)
• Walden Bello v Comelec GR 191998 (2010)
• Atong Paglaum v Comelec, GR 203766
• Coalition of Asso. of Senior Citizens in the Phil. v Comelec, 201 SCRA
786 (2013)
• Lico v Comelec, GR 205505, Sep 29, 2015
• Abang Lingkod v Comelec, 708 SCRA 133 (2013)
• Akbayan v HRET, 612 SCRA 375 (2010)
• Aquino v Comelec, 248 SCRA 400 (1995)
 • Daryl Grace J. Abayon v. The Honorable House of Representatives
Electoral Tribunal, et al., G.R. Nos. 189466 and 189506, 612 SCRA 375,
11 February 2010

Organization and Discipline

• Santiago v Guingona, G.R. 134577, (1998)

• Avelino v Cuenco, 83 Phil 17 (1949)
• Alejandrino v Quezon, 46 Phil 83 (1924)
• De Venecia v SB, G.R. No. 130240 (2002)
• Pobre v Defensor-Santiago, 597 SCRA 1 (2009)

Privileges, Inhibitions and Disqualifications

• Philconsa v Mathay, 18 SCRA 300 (1966)

• Ligot v Mathay, 56 SCRA 823 (1974)
• People v Jalosjos, G.R. NO. 132875
• Adaza v Pacana, 135 SCRA 431 (1985)
• Puyat v De Guzman 113 SCRA 31 (1982)
• Liban v Gordon, 593 SCRA 68 (2009) and 639 SCRA 709 (2011)

Powers and LImitations on Powers

• Makalintal v Comelec, GR 157013, Jul 10, 2003

• Abakada group Party List v Purisima, GR 166715, Aug 14, 2008
• Bengzon v Blue Ribbon Committee, 203 SCRA 767
• Arnault v Nazareno, G.R. L-3820
• PHILCOMSAT Holdings Corporation v. Senate, G.R. No. 180308, June
19, 2012
• Neri v Senate Committee on Accountability of Public Officers (549
SCRA 77 AND 564 SCRA 152
• Balag, v Senate, G.R. No. G.R. No. 234608, July 03, 2018
• Senate v Ermita, G.R. 169777 (2006)
• Belgica (G.R. 208566, 2013)
• Araullo v Abad (G.R. 209287)
• Lawyers against Monopoly and Poverty [LAMP] v. The Secretary of
Budget and Management, G.R. No. 164987, Apr. 24, 2012,
• Arnault v Balagtas, 97 Phil 358
• Imbong v Ochoa, 721 SCRA 146 (2014)
• Tanada v Tuvera, 136 SCRA 27 (1985)
•

Non Legislative Powers and Special Bodies

• Abbas v SET, 166 SCRA 651 (1988)

• Bondoc v Pineda, 201 SCRA 732
• Codilla v De Venecia, G.R. 150605 (2002)
• Cunanan v Tan 5 SCRA 1 (1962)
 • Velasco v Belmonte, G.R. 211140 (2016)
• Ty-Delgado v HRET G.R. 219603 (2016)

B. The Executive Branch

The President

• Republic v Sandiganbayan, GR 152154 (2003)

• Estrada v Arroyo, G.R. No. 146738 (2001)
• Makalintal vs PET 635 SCRA 783 and 651 SCRA 239
• Pormento v Estrada, 629 SCRA 530 (2010)

Powers and Limitations

• Laurel v Garcia, GR No. 92013 (1990)

• Marcos v Manglapus, 178 SCRA 760
• Saguisag v Ochoa, G.R. 212426 (2016)
• Funa v Ermita, 612 SCRA 308 (2010)
• Funa v Agra, 691 SCRA 196 (2013
• De Castro v JBC, 615 SCRA 666 (2010)
• Velicaria-Garafil v O.P. GR 203372, Jun 16, 2015
• Manalo v Sistosa, GR 107369 (1999)
• Hontiveros-Baraquel v Toll Regulatory Board, GR 181293, Feb 23,
2015
• Resident Marine Mammals of the Protected Seascape Tanon Strait,
et al. v. Secretary Angelo Reyes, et al., G.R. No. 180771, April 21,
2015
• Kulayan v Tan, 675 SCRA 482 (2012)
• Ampatuan v Puno, 651 SCRA 228 (2011)
• Fortun v Macapagal-Arroyo 668 SCRA 504 (2012)
• Lagman v Medialdea, GR 231658, Jul 4, 2017
• Monsanto v Factoran, Jr., 170 SCRA 190 (1989)
• Risos-Vidal v Comelec, 747 SCRA 210 (2015)
• Saguisag v Ochoa, Jr. GR 212426 and 212444, Jan 12, 2016
• Bayan v Executive Secretary, GR 138570, Oct 10, 2000
• Biraogo v Philippine Truth Commission, GR 192935 (2010)

C. The Judiciary Appointments

to the Judiciary

• Chavez v JBC, 676 SCRA 579 (2012 and 696 SCRA 496 (2013)
• Jardeleza v Sereno, 733 SCRA 279 (2014) and Resolution, GR
213181, Jan 21, 2015
• Villanueva v JBC, GR 211833, Apr 7, 2015
Judicial Independence

• Re: COA Opinion on the Appraised Value of the Properties

Purchased for the retired Chief/Associate Justices of SC, 678
SCRA 1 (2012)
• Re: Request for Guidance/Clarification on Section 7, Rule 111, RA
10154 requiring government employees to secure a clearance of
pendency/non-pendency of cases from CSC, 706 SCRA 502 (2013)
• Re: Save the SC Judicial Independence and Fiscal Autonomy
Movement v Abolition of Judiciary development Fund (JDF) and
Reduction of Fiscal Autonomy UDK-15143, Jan 21, 2015
• Re: Petition for recognition of the exemption of the GSIS from
payment of legal fees, 612 SCRA 193 (2010)

Constitutional Commissions and Constitutional Creations

Common Provisions

• Cayetano v Monsod, GR 100113 (1991)

• Gaminde v COA, GR No. 140335 (2000)
• Brillantes v Yorac, GR No. 93867 (1990)
• CSC v DBM, GR 158791
• Funa v Duque 742 SCRA 166 (2014)

The COMELEC

• Sarmiento v COMELEC, 212 SCRA 307

• Ambil v Comelec GR No. 143398
• Brillantes v Comelec, GR 163193 (2004)
• Sandoval v Comelec, GR 133842
• Al Haj v Comelec, GR No. 151046

The Civil Service Commission

• General v Roco, GR No. 143366 (2001)

• CSC v Salas, GR 123708
• Office of the Ombudsman vs CSC, GR No. 159940 (2005)
• Vistan v Nicolas 201 SCRA 524
• Domingo v Zamora, GR 142283 (2003)
• OP v Buenaobra, GR 170021 (2006)
• Capablanca v CSC, GR 179370, Nov 19, 2009

The COA
• DBP v COA, 231 SCRA 202
• Bustamante v COA, 216 SCRA 164
• DBP v COA, GR No. 88435 (2002)

Sandiganbayan
 • PD 1606
• Nunez v Sandiganbayan, 111 SCRA 433

Ombudsman
• Roxas v Vasquez, GR No 114944
• People v Velez, GR No. 138093
• Ledesma v CA GR No. 161629
• Ombudsman v Madriaga, GR No. 164316
• Caoibes v Ombudsman, GR 132177, Jul 19, 2001

Office of the Special Prosecutor

• Zaldiva v SB, 160 SCRA 843
• Orap v Sandiganbayan, 139 SCRA 252

National Commissions
• Carino v CHR, GR 96681
• Canonizado v Aguirre, GR No. 133132 (2000)