CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1

OUTLINE AND SYLLABUS

In loving memory and based on the lectures of Atty. Vincent Paul Le. Montejo

STRUCTURE AND POWERS OF GOVERNMENT

I. IN GENERAL

A. Political Law Defined

Case - MACARIOLA VS. ASUNCION 114 SCRA 77 (1982)
B. Constitutional Law Defined
C. Constitution Defined
Types/Kinds of Constitution

II. BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT CONSTITUTION

A. The February 1986 Revolution and the Proclamation of the Provisional

Constitution.

Proclamation No. 1 - Feb. 25, 1986 (Prov. Govt.)

Proclamation No. 3 - March 25, 1986 (Prov. Const.)
Cases - LAWYERS LEAGUE VS. AQUINO May 22, 1986
IN RE: BERMUDEZ 145 SCRA 160 (1986)

B. Adoption and Effectivity of the Present Constitution.

Article V of the Provisional Constitution

Sec. 27, Art. XVIII of the 1987 Constitution
Proclamation No. 58 - Feb. 11, 1987
Case - DE LEON VS. ESGUERRA 153 SCRA 602 (1987)

Compare with Effectivity of Statutes

Case - TAÑADA VS. TUVERA 136 SCRA 27 (1985)
& 146 SCRA 446 (1986)
Law - E.O. 200 - June 18, 1987 Amending Art. 2 of the Civil Code

III. JUDICIAL ELABORATION OF THE CONSTITUTION

A. Construction - MANILA PRINCE HOTEL VS. GSIS 267 SCRA 408 (1997)
PAMATONG VS. COMELEC 427 SCRA 96 (2004)

B. Theory of Judicial Review

Separation of Powers
Case – ANGARA VS. ELECTORAL COMMISSION 63 PHIL 139 (1936)
TAWAY MPC VS. LA TRINIDAD 646 SCRA 21 (2011)
METROBANK VS. TOBIAS 664 SCRA 165 (2012)
CSC VS. RAMONEDA-PITA 696 SCRA 155 (2013)
GARCIA VS. DRILON 699 SCRA 352 (2013)

Presumption of Constitutionality
Case – PEREZ VS. PEOPLE 544 SCRA 532 (2008)

ANNOTATION – JUDICIAL REVIEW – 583 SCRA 142 (2009)

C. Conditions for the Exercise of Judicial Review

Cases -
DELA LLANA VS. CHAIRPERSON 665 SCRA176 (2012)
CANDARI VS. DONASCO 666 SCRA 279 (2012)
 GALICTO VS. AQUINO 667 SCRA 255 (2012)
FUNA VS. VILLAR 670 SCRA 570 (2012)
CHAVEZ VS. JBC 676 SCRA 579 (2012)
IDEALS VS. PSALM 682 SCRA 602 (2012)
ADVOCATES FOR TRUTH VS. BANGKO SENTRAL
688 SCRA 530 (2013)
FUNA VS. AGRA 691 SCRA 196 (2013)

D. Functions of Judicial Review: Checking, Legitimating and Symbolic

Cases - JAVIER VS. COMELEC 144 SCRA 194 (1986)
ABS-CBN VS. COMELEC 323 SCRA 811 (2000)
CENTRAL BANK VS. BSP 446 SCRA 229 (2004)

E. All Courts Can Exercise Judicial Review

Cases - YNOT VS. IAC 148 SCRA 659 (1987)
ONGSUCO VS. MALONES 604 SCRA 499 (2009)

F. Effects of Declaration of Unconstitutionality

Law - Article 7, New Civil Code of the Philippines
Cases - SERRANO DE AGBAYANI VS. PNB 38 SCRA 429 (1971)
FLORES VS. DRILON 223 SCRA 568 (1993)
ALDOVINO VS. ALUNAN III 230 SCRA 825 (1994)

Operative Fact Doctrine

G. Political Question vs. Justiciable Question

Cases - OPOSA VS. FACTORAN 224 SCRA 792 (1993)
VELARDE VS. SJS 428 SCRA 283 (2004)
VINUYA VS. ROMULO 619 SCRA 533 (2010)

IV. THE PHILIPPINES AS A STATE

A. State Defined - Elements

Case - COLLECTOR VS. CAMPOS RUEDA 42 SCRA 23 (1971)

B. Territory - The Archipelago Concept

Article 1, 1987 Constitution

1. The Philippine Archipelago

a. Treaty Limits
Art. III of the Treaty of Paris
Treaty of Washington between Spain and US (11-7-1900)
Treaty between US and Great Britain (1-2-1930)
b. Methods of Determining Baselines
R.A. 3046 - June 17, 1961
R.A. 5446 - Sept. 8, 1968
R.A. 9522 – March 10, 2009

2. Other Territories Over which the Philippines has Sovereignty or

Jurisdiction.
Law - P.D. No. 1596 - June 11, 1978 (Kalayaan Islands)
“Scarborough Shoal”

3. The Territorial Sea, the Sea Bed, the Subsoil, the Insular Shelves and
Other Submarine Areas.

4. Two Hundred-Mile Exclusive Economic Zone

Laws - P.D. 1599 - June 11, 1978
U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea - April 30, 1982

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C. People

1. Different Meaning of the Word “People” under the Constitution

a. Inhabitants - Secs. 15 & 16, Art. II; Sec. 2, Art. III
Case - QUA CHEE GAN VS. DEPORTATION
BOARD 9 SCRA 27 (1963)
Sec. 1, Art. XIII
b. Citizens - Preamble; Secs. 1 & 4, Art. II; Sec. 7, Art. III
c. Electors - Sec. 2, Art. VI; Sec. 4, Art. VII; Sec. 25, Art. XVIII

2. Citizenship
a. Who are Citizens
Sec. 1, Art. IV, 1987 Constitution
Suggested Readings - ANNOTATIONS ON CITIZENSHIP
197 SCRA 928 (1991); 232 SCRA 800 (1994);
257 SCRA 795 (1996); & 337 SCRA 558
(2000)

Case – TECSON VS. COMELEC 424 SCRA 277 (2004)

GO, SR. VS. RAMOS 598 SCRA 266 (2009)
GONZALES VS. PENNISI 614 SCRA 292 (2010)

b. Election of Philippine Citizenship

Law- COMM. ACT NO. 625 - JUNE 7, 1941
Cases - IN RE: CHING 316 SCRA 1 (1999)
REPUBLIC VS. LIM 419 SCRA 123 (2004)
MA VS. FERNANDEZ 625 SCRA 566 (2010)
REPUBLIC VS. SAGUN 666 SCRA 321 (2012)

c. Natural-Born Citizens
ANNOTATION 357 SCRA 580
Sec. 2, Art. IV, 1987 Constitution
Who must be Natural-Born
1. President - Art. VII, Sec 2
2. Vice President - Art. VII, Sec. 3
3. Members of Congress - Art. VI, Secs. 3 & 6
4. Justices of the Supreme Court and Lower
Collegiate Courts - Art. VIII, Sec. 8
Case – KILOSBAYAN VS. ERMITA
526 SCRA 353 (2007)
5. Ombudsman and Deputies - Art. XI, Sec. 8
6. Constitutional Commission Members -
Art. IX-B, Sec. 1 (1)
Art. IX-C, Sec. 1 (1)
Art. IX-D, Sec. 1 (1)
7. Central Monetary Authority Members -
Art. XII, Sec. 20
8. Commission on Human Rights Members -
Art. XIII, Sec. 17 (2)

d. Naturalized Citizens
Laws – R.A. 9139 June 8, 2001
COMM. ACT NO. 473 - JUNE 17, 1939
1. Who are qualified to be Naturalized
Note Effect of R.A. 6809 - Age of Majority
Note Effect on Language Requirement -
Art. XIV, Sec. 6, 1987 Constitution
Residency Requirement Reduced to 5 years
2. Declaration of Intention

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 3. Procedure
4. When Decision is Executory - Sec. 15, R.A. 530
Case – REPUBLIC VS. LI CHING CHUNG 694 SCRA 249 (2013)
5. Denaturalization
Case – CO VS. CIVIL REGISTER 423 SCRA 420 (2004)
REPUBLIC VS. ONG 673 SCRA 485 (2012)
 R.A. 9139 June 8, 2001
Case – REPUBLIC VS. BATUIGAS 706 SCRA 746 (2013)

3. Loss and Reacquisition of Citizenship

Sec. 3, Art. V, 1987 Constitution
Law - COMM. ACT NO. 63
R.A. 9225 - August 29, 2003
Case – AASJS VS. DATUMANONG 523 SCRA 108 (2007)
LOPEZ VS. COMELEC 559 SCRA 698 (2008)
JACOT VS. DAL 572 SCRA 295 (2008)
DE GUZMAN VS. COMELEC 590 SCRA 149 (09)
SOBEJANA-CONDON VS. COMELEC
678 SCRA 267 (2012)

a. Loss of Citizenship
1. Naturalization in a Foreign Country
Cases - GUY VS. IGNACIO
622 SCRA 678 (2010)

2. Express Renunciation or Expatriation

Cases - YU VS. DEFENSOR-SANTIAGO
169 SCRA 364 (1989)
AZNAR VS. COMELEC
185 SCRA 703 (1990)
VILANDO VS. HRET 656 SCRA 17 (2011)
MAQUILING VS. COMELEC 696 SCRA 420
700 SCRA 367 (2013)

b. Reacquisition or Repatriation
Law – R.A. 8171 October 23, 1995
Cases - REPUBLIC VS. DELA ROSA 232 SCRA
785 (1994)
VALLES VS. COMELEC 337 SCRA 543 (2000)
BENGZON III VS. HRET 357 SCRA 545 (2001)
ANGAT VS. REPUBLIC 314 SCRA 438 (1999)
ALTERAJOS VS. COMELEC 441 SCRA
655 (2004)
TABASA VS. CA 500 SCRA 9 (2006)

4. Dual Allegiance
Sec. 5, Art. IV, 1987 Constitution
Sec. 40 (d), Local Govt. Code of 1991
Case – MERCADO VS. MANZANO 307 SCRA 630 (1999)
Annotation – ALLEGIANCE OF FORMER FILIPINO
CITIZEN – 573 SCRA 733 (2008)

D. Sovereignty

1. Sovereign Immunity
a. Basis
Sec. 3, Art. XVI, 1987 Constitution
Case - REPUBLIC VS. VILLASOR 54 SCRA 83 (1973)
ANNOTATION – IMMUNITY OF GOVERNMENT
AGENCY 591 SCRA 104 (2009)

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 b. When is a Suit against the State
Cases - PROFESSIONAL VIDEO VS. TESDA
591 SCRA 83 (2009)
HEIRS OF MATEO PIDACAN VS. ATO
629 SCRA 451 (2010)
ATO VS. RAMOS 644 SCRA 36 (2011)
CHINA NATIONAL VS. SANTAMARIA
665 SCRA 189 (2012)
DOH VS. PHIL PHARMA 691 SCRA 421 (2013)

c. Consent to be Sued

How Consent is Given

Cases - VETERANS MANPOWER VS. CA
214 SCRA 286 (1992)
DA VS. NLRC 227 SCRA 693 (1993)

1. Express Consent

a. Money Claims Arising From Contract

Laws - C.A. 3038, C.A. 327 & P.D. 1415
Case - SAYSON VS. SINGSON
54 SCRA 282 (1973)

b. Incorporation of Govt. Owned and/or

Controlled Corporations (GOCCs)
Case – NHA VS. HEIRS OF GUIVELONDO
404 SCRA 389 (2003)
2. Implied Consent

a. Govt. Enters Into Business Contracts

Cases – PTA VS. PGDEI 668 SCRA 406

b. Inequitable to Claim Immunity

Case –
REPUBLIC VS. UNIMEX 518
SCRA 19 (2007)

c. Govt. Initiates a Complaint. Open to

Counterclaim
Case -
REPUBLIC VS. SANDIGANBAYAN
484 SCRA 119 (2006)

3. Scope of Consent

a. Under Act No. 3083

Case - COMMISSIONER VS. SAN DIEGO
31 SCRA 616 (1970)

b. Under a Charter
Case - PNB VS. CIR 81 SCRA 314 (1978)

c. Execution
Cases - DEPT. OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS VS.
NLRC 262 SCRA 39 (1996)
REPUBLIC VS. HIDALGO 477 SCRA
32 (2005)

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 4. Suability vs. Liability

Quasi-Delict committed by Special Agent

Law – Art. 2180, New Civil Code
Cases – MERRIT VS. GOVT 34 PHIL 311 (1916)
MUNICIPALITY VS. JUDGE 195 SCRA
692 (1991)

E. Government

1. “Government” in General - Defined

2. “Government of the Philippines” - Defined
Law - Sec. 2 (1), Administrative Code of 1987

V. THE STRUCTURE AND POWERS OF THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT

A. LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT (CONGRESS)

1. Composition, Qualifications, and Term of Office

a. Senate
Art. VI, Secs. 2-4

b. House of Representative
Art. VI, Secs. 5-6
Art. IX, C, Secs. 6-8
Art. XVIII, Sec. 7
Fair Elections Act – R.A. 9006)
Cases - SABILI VS. COMELEC 670 SCRA 664 (2012)
ALDOVINO VS. COMELEC 609 SCRA 636 (2009)
TALAGA VS. COMELEC 683 SCRA 602 (2012)
QUINTO VS. COMELEC 606 SCRA 258 (2009)
613 SCRA 385 (2010)
MITRA VS. COMELEC 622 SCRA 749 (2010)
ASISTIO VS. AGUIRRE 619 518 (2010)
Annotation – RESIDENCY 691 SCRA 385 (2013)

Apportionment / Districts
Cases - SEMA VS. COMELEC 558 SCRA 700 (2008)
ALDABA VS. COMELEC 611 SCRA 137 (2009
615 SCRA 564 (2010)

Law - PARTY LIST SYSTEM ACT R.A. 7941 March 3, 1995

Cases – BANAT VS. COMELEC 586 SCRA 210 (2009)
ANG LADLAD VS. COMELEC 618 SCRA 32 (2010)
LOKIN, JR. VS COMELEC 621 SCRA 285 (2010)
674 SCRA 538 (2012)
AMORES VS. HRET 622 SCRA 593 (2010)
ATONG PAGLAUM, INC. VS. COMELEC
694 SCRA 477 (2013)
ABANG LINGKOD VS. COMELEC 708 SCRA 133
ANNOTATION – Cancellation of Accreditation 706 SCRA 298

c. Synchronized terms of office

Art. XVIII, Secs. 1-2
ANNOTATION ON TERM LIMITATION 582 SCRA 774 (09)
Case - ABUNDO VS. COMELEC 688 SCRA 149 (2013)

2. Election
a. Regular election
Art. VI, Sec. 8

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 b. Special election
Art. VI, Sec. 9
Art. IX, C, Sec. 11
Law - REP. ACT NO 6645, Dec. 28, 1987
REP. ACT NO. 7166
Case – TOLENTINO VS. COMELEC
420 SCRA 438 (2004)

3. Salaries, Privileges, and Disqualifications

a. Salaries
Art. VI, Sec. 10
Art. XVIII, Sec. 17
Case - PHILCONSA VS. MATHAY 18 SCRA 300 (1966)
LIGOT VS. MATHAY 56 SCRA 823 (1974)

b. Freedom from arrest

Art. VI, Sec. 11
Case – PEOPLE VS. JALOSJOS 324 SCRA 689 (2000)
TRILLANES VS. PIMENTEL 556 SCRA 471 (2008)

c. Speech and Debate Clause

Art. VI, Sec. 11
Cases - JIMENEZ VS. CABANGBANG 17 SCRA 876 (1966)
OSMEÑA VS. PENDATUN 109 PHIL 863 (1960)

d. Disqualifications
(1) Incompatible and Forbidden Offices
Id. Sec. 13
Case - LIBAN VS. GORDON 593 SCRA 68 (2009)
LIBAN VS. GORDON 639 SCRA 703 (2011)

(2) Other prohibitions

Art. VI, Sec. 14
Case - PUYAT VS. DE GUZMAN 113 SCRA 31 (1982)
Art. XI, Sec.16

e. Duty to disclose
Art. XI, Sec 17
Art. VI, Sec 12
Id., Sec. 20

4. Internal Government of Congress

a. Election of Officers
Art. VI, Sec. 16 (1)
Case – SANTIAGO VS. GUINGONA 298 SCRA 756 (1998)

b. Quorum
Id., Sec. 16 (2)
Case - AVELINO VS. CUENCO 83 PHIL. 17 (1949)

c. Rules of proceedings
Id., Sec. 16 (3)
Id., Sec 21
Case – ARROYO VS. DE VENECIA 277 SCRA258 (1997)

d. Discipline of members
Id., Sec. 16 (3)
Cases - ALEJANDRINO VS. QUEZON 46 PHIL. 83 (1924)
OSMEÑA VS. PENDATUN 109 PHIL. 863 (1960)

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 (suspension for 15 months)

e. Journal and Congressional Records

Art. VI, Sec. 16 (4)
(1) The Enrolled Bill Theory
Cases - ARROYO VS. DE VENECIA 277 SCRA 268
(1997)

(2) Probative value of the journal

Case - UNITED STATES VS. PONS 34 PHIL.
729 (1916)

(3) Matters required to be entered in the Journal

(a) Yeas and nays on third and final reading of a bill
Art. VI, Sec. 26 (2)
(b) Veto message of the President
Art. VI, Sec. 27 (1)
(c) Yeas and nays on the repassing of a bill vetoed
by the President
(d) Yeas and nays on any question at the request of
1/5 of members present (Art. VI, Sec. 16 [4])
(e) Summary of Proceedings

(4) Journal Entry Rule v. Enrolled Bill Theory

Cases - ASTORGA VS. VILLEGAS
56 SCRA 714 (1974)
FIELD VS. CLARK, 36 L. ED. 294 (1891)
(it is not competent for the appellants
to show from the journals that the
enrolled bill contained a section that
does not appear in the enrolled act in
the custody of the State Dept.”)

(5) Congressional Record

Art., Sec. 16 (4), par. 2

5. Sessions
(1) Regular sessions
Art. VI, Sec. 15
Id. Sec. 16 (5)

(2) Special sessions

Id., sec. 15
Art. VII, Secs. 10-11
Art. VII, sec. 18 par. 3

(3) Joint sessions

(a) Voting separately
Art. VII, Sec. 4 (Choosing the President)
Id. Sec. 11, Par. 4 (Determining the President’s
temporary disability)
Id., Sec. 9 (Confirming the nomination of a
Vice-President)
Art. VI, Sec. 23(1) (Declaring a state of war)
Art. XVII, Sec. 1(1) (Amending the Constitution)

(b) Voting jointly

Art. VII, Sec. 18 (to revoke or extend

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 martial law or suspension of
privilege of habeas corpus)

6. Electoral Tribunal
Art. VI, Secs. 17 and 19
Cases FERNANDEZ VS. HRET 608 SCRA 733 (2009)
VINZONS-CHATO VS. COMELEC 689 SCRA 107 (13)
REYES VS. COMELEC 699 SCRA 522 (2013)
708 SCRA 197 (2013)
ANNOTATION – Jurisdiction – 689 SCRA 717

a. Composition
Cases- TAÑADA VS. CUENCO, 103 PHIL. 1051(1957)
ABBAS VS. SET, 166 SCRA 651 (1988)
PIMENTEL VS. HRET 393 SCRA 231 (2002)

b. Nature of Function
Case- ANGARA VS. ELECTORAL COMMISSION
63 PHIL. 139 (1946)
c. Independence of the Electoral Tribunals
Case - BONDOC VS. PINEDA, 201 SCRA 792 (1991)

d. Powers
Cases - LIBANAN VS. HRET 283 SCRA 520 (1997)
GARCIA VS. HRET 312 SCRA 353 (1999)

e. Judicial Review of decisions of Electoral Tribunals

Case - MARTINEZ VS. HRET 610 SCRA 733 (2010)
SANDOVAL VS. HRET 614 SCRA 793 (2010)

7. Commission on Appointments
Art. VI, Secs. 18 and 19
Cases - GUINGONA VS. GONZALES 214 SCRA 789
(1991) AND 219 SCRA 326 (1993)

8. Powers of Congress
A. General plenary powers
Art. VI, Sec. 1
Case – CITY OF DAVAO VS. RTC – 467 SCRA 280 (2005)

1. Limitations on the legislative power

(1) Substantive limitations

(a) Express substantive limitations
Art. III (Bill of Rights)
Art. VI, Secs. 25 and 28
Art. XIV, Sec. 4(3)
Art. VI, Sec. 29

(b) Implied substantive limitations

Doctrine of Non-Delegation of Powers

applicable in all branches of Government

1. Prohibition against delegation of

legislative power
Cases – REVIEW CENTER VS. ERMITA
583 SCRA 428 (2009)
GUTIERREZ VS. DBM 616 SCRA 1 (2010)

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 Exception to Non-Delegation Doctrine
Delegation to the President
Art. VI, Sec. 23(2) & Sec. 28 (2)

Delegation to the people Art.

VII, sec. 32

Delegation to local governments

2. Prohibition against passage of irrepealable laws

(2) Procedural limitation

ANNOTATION- The Legislative Process
669 SCRA 611 (2012)

Art VI, Secs. 26-27

Case – ARROYO VS DE VENECIA 291 SCRA 433
(1998)

B. Question hour
Art VI, Sec. 22
Case – SENATE VS. ERMITA 488 SCRA 1 (2006)

C. Legislative investigations
Art VI, Sec. 21
Cases- SENATE BLUE RIBBON VS. MAJADUCON
407 SCRA 356 (2004)
SENATE VS. ERMITA 488 SCRA 1 (2006)
GUDANI VS. SENGA 498 SCRA 671 (2006)
IN RE: SABIO 504 SCRA 704 (2006)
NERI VS. SENATE COMMITTEE 549 SCRA 77 (2008)
564 SCRA 52 (2008)
GARCILLANO VS. HR COMMITTEES
575 SCRA 170 (2008)

D. Act as board of canvassers for Presidential and Vice Presidential

elections - Art. VII, Sec. 4, par. 4
Case – BRILLANTES VS. COMELEC 432 SCRA 269 (2004)

E. Call special election for President and Vice President

Art. VII, Sec. 10

F. Revoke or extend suspension of privilege of habeas corpus

or declaration of martial law
Art. VII, Sec. 18

G. Approve Presidential Amnesties

Art. VII, Sec. 19

H. Confirm certain appointments

Art. VII, Sec. 9 and Sec. 16

I. Concur in Treaties
Art. VII, Sec. 21 (through the Senate)
CF: Sec. 25, Art. XVIII, 1987 Constitution
Case – BAYAN VS. ZAMORA 342 SCRA 449 (2000)
Annotation – VISITING FORCES AGREEMENT 342 SCRA 522

J. Declaration of war and delegation of emergency powers

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 Art. VI, Sec. 23
Case – DAVID VS. MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
489 SCRA 160 (2006)
(PP 1017 - Declaration of State of National
Emergency)

K. Be judge of the President’s physical fitness or capacity

Art. VI, Sec. 11, par. 4

L. Power of impeachment
Case – CORONA VS. SENATE 676 SCRA 563 (2012)

(1) Who are subject to impeachment

Art. XI, sec. 2
Case – OFFICE VS. MOJICA – 452 SCRA 714 (2005)
GONZALES VS. OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
678 SCRA 614 (2012)

(2) Grounds for impeachment

Art. XI, sec. 2

(3) Procedure for impeachment

Id., sec. 3(1)-(6)
Case – FRANCISCO VS. NMMP, INC. 425 SCRA
44 (2003)
GUTIERREZ VS. HR COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE
643 SCRA 198 (2011)

(4) Consequence of impeachment

Id., sec. 3(7)
Case – ESTRADA VS. DESIERTO 356 SCRA
108 (2001)

M. Power with regard to the utilization of natural resources

Art. XII, sec. 2

9. Legislative process
Requirements as to bills

(1) As to titles of bills

Art. VI, sec. 26(1)
Cases - PHIL. JUDGES ASSOCIATION VS. PRADO
227 SCRA 703 (1993)
DE GUZMAN VS. COMELEC 336 SCRA 188 (2000)

Which should control, the title or the text of a statute?

Cases - CRUZ VS. PARAS, 123 SCRA 569 (1953)
TATAD VS. SECRETARY 281 SCRA 330 (1997)
282 SCRA 337 (1997)

(2) Requirements as to certain laws

Origin of Bills – Case – ABAKADA VS. EXECUTIVE
469 SCRA 1 (2005)

(a) Appropriation laws

Art. VII, sec. 22
Art. VI, secs. 24-25
Cases - BRILLANTES VS. COMELEC 432 SCRA 269
(2004)
ATITIW VS. ZAMORA 471 SCRA 329 (2005)

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 (b) Tax laws
Art. VI, sec. 28
Art. XIV, sec. 4(3) (4)
Cases - YMCA vs. CA 298 SCRA 83 (1998)
CHAVEZ VS. PCGG 299 SCRA 744 (1998)
LUNG CENTER VS. QUEZON CITY
433 SCRA 119 2004)

b. Procedure for the passage of bills

Art. VI, sec. 26(2)
Case - ALVAREZ VS. GUINGONA, JR. 252 SCRA 695 (1996)
TOLENTINO VS. SECRETARY 235 SCRA 630 (1994) and
249 SCRA 628 (1995)

c. The President’s veto power

Qualified versus Absolute Veto

Messaged veto versus Pocket Veto

No “pocket veto” in the Philippines. What is a pocket veto? Art. I,

sec. 7 of U.S. Const; “If any bill shall not be returned by the
President within ten days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have
been presented to him, the same shall be a law, in like manner as
if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their adjournment
prevent its return in which case it shall not be a law.”

Art. VI, sec. 27

Compare 1935 Const., Art. VI, sec. 20
Cases - GONZALES VS. MACARAIG, 191 SCRA 452 (1990)
BENGZON VS. DRILON, 208 SCRA 133 (1992)
PCA VS. ENRIQUEZ 235 SCRA 506 (1994)

Legislative Veto – ABAKADA VS. PURISIMA 562 SCRA 251 (2008)

d. Effectivity of laws
Civil Code, Art. 2
Cases - TAÑADA VS. TUVERA, 136 SCRA 27 (1985)
Same, resolution of motion for reconsideration, 146 SCRA 446 (1986)
Executive Order No. 200, June 18, 1987

10. Initiative and Referendum, Rep. Act. No. 6735, Aug. 4, 1989
Cases – GARCIA VS. COMELEC 237 SCRA 279 (1994)

B. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT

1. The President

a. Qualifications, election, term and oath

Art. VII, secs. 2, 4 and 5
Case – SANTIAGO VS. RAMOS 253 SCRA 559 (1996)
TECSON VS. COMELEC 424 SCRA 277 (2004)
POE, JR. VS. MACAPAGAL 454 SCRA 142 (2005)
b. Privilege and salary
Art. VII, sec. 6
Executive Privilege :
Cases – AKBAYAN VS. AQUINO 558 SCRA 468
NERI VS. SENATE COMMITTEE 549 SCRA 77 (2008)
564 SCRA 52 (2008)
Annotation – 549 SCRA 402 / 588 SCRA 687

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 EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE 619 SCRA 669 (2010)

c. Prohibitions
Art. VII, sec. 13
Case - CLU VS. EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
194 SCRA 317 (1991)
NATIONAL AMNESTY COMM. VS. COA
437 SCRA 655 (2004)
BITONIO VS. COA 425 SCRA 437 (2004)
PUBLIC INTEREST VS. ELMA
494 SCRA 53 (2006)
517 SCRA 336 (2007)

Compare prohibitions against other officials

Art. VI, sec. 13
Art. IX, A, sec. 2
Art. IX, B, sec. 7
Art. VIII, sec. 12

Exceptions to rule prohibiting executive officials from holding

additional positions:
(1) Vice President as member of the Cabinet (Art. VII,
sec. 3, par. 2)

(2) Secretary of Justice as members of Judicial and

Bar Council (Art. VIII, sec. 8(1)

(3) Ex officio positions

d. Succession
Case – ESTRADA VS. DESIERTO – 353 SCRA 452 (2001)
356 SCRA 108 (2001)
ANNOTATION – SUCCESSION OF MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
353 SCRA 587 (2001)

(1) At the beginning of term

Art. VII, sec. 7
Id., sec. 10

(2) During term

Art. VII, sec. 8
Id., sec 10

(3) In case of temporary disability

Art. VII, sec. VII, secs. 11-12
Case – BORJA VS. COMELEC 295 SCRA 157 (1998)

e. Removal
Art. XI, secs. 2-3

f. Powers and Function of the President

(1) Executive Power

Art. VII, secs. 1 and 17
Cases - MARCOS VS. MANGLAPUS 177 SCRA 668
and 178 SCRA 760 (1989)
OPLE VS. TORRES 293 SCRA 141 (1998)
KMU VS. DIRECTOR GENERAL 487 SCRA
623 (2006)

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 (2) Control of executive department
Art. VII, sec. 17
Qualified Political Agency
Case – ANGELES VS. GAITE 646 SCRA 309 (2011)
SECRETARY VS. MABALOT 378 SCRA 128
(2002)
DENR VS. DENR EMPLOYEES 409 SCRA 359
(2003)

(3) General supervision of local governments and autonomous

regions
Art. X, sec. 4
Id., sec 16
Cases - GANZON VS. COURT OF APPEALS
200 SCRA 271 (1991)
JOSON VS. TORRES 290 SCRA 279 (1998)

(4) Power of appointment

(A) With consent of Commission on Appointments

Cases - MANALO VS. SISTOZA 312 SCRA 239
SORIANO VS. LISTA 399 SCRA 437 (2004)
PIMENTEL VS. ERMITA 472 SCRA 587 (05)

(a) Heads of Departments

Art. VII, sec. 16
(b) Ambassadors, public ministers, and consuls
Art. VII, sec. 16
(c) Officers of the armed forces from the rank of colonel
and naval captain
Art. VII, sec. 16
(d) Chairman and Members of the Constitutional
Commissions
Art. IX, B. sec. 1 (2)
Id., C, sec. 1 (2)
Id., D, sec. 1 (2)
(e) Regular Members of the Judicial and Bar Council
Art. VIII, sec 8 (2)
(f) Sectoral Representatives
Art. XVIII, sec. 7 - RA 7941
Case – QUINTOS-DELES VS. COMMISSION ON
APPOINTMENTS 177 SCRA 259 (1992)

(B) Upon recommendation of the Judicial and the Bar

Council

(a) Members of the Supreme Court and all other courts

Art. VIII, sec. 9
(b) Ombudsman and Deputies (Art. XI, sec. 9)

(C) Appointment of the Vice President as member of the

Cabinet (Art. VII, sec. 3)

(D) Appointment solely by the President

(Art. VII, sec. 16)

(a) Those whose appointments are

not otherwise provided by law
(b) Those whom he may be authorized
by law to appoint

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 Case – BERMUDEZ VS. TORRES 311 SCRA 733
(1999)

(E) Power to Remove by the President

Case - GONZALES VS. OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
678 SCRA 614 (2012)

(F) Limitations on appointing power of the President

Art. VII, secs. 13 and 15
Case - IN RE: HON. MATEO A. VALENZUELA 298
SCRA 408 (1998)
DE RAMA VS. CA 353 SCRA 94 (2001)
DE CASTRO VS. JBC 615 SCRA 666 (2010)
618 SCRA 639 (2010)

(F) Interim or Recess Appointments

Art. VI, sec. 19
Art. VII, sec. 16, par. 2
Case – CONCEPCION BAUTISTA VS. SALONGA,
172 SCRA 160 (1989)

(G) Temporary Designations

Adm. Code of 1987, Bk. III, sec. 17

The President may designate an officer

already in the government service or any other
competent person to perform the function of all
office in the executive branch, appointment to
which is vested in him by law, when:

(a) The officer regularly appointed to the office is

unable to perform his duties by reason of
illness,
absence or any other cause; or

(b) there exists a vacancy.

In no case shall a temporary designation exceed

one (1) year.

(H) Limitations on appointing power of Acting President

Art. VII, secs. 14-16

(5) Executive clemencies

Art. VII, sec. 19
Art. IX, C, sec.5
Cases -
PEOPLE VS. SALLE JR., 250 SCRA 581 (1995)
IN RE: TORRES, 251 SCRA 709 (1995)
PEOPLE VS. CASIDO 269 SCRA 44 (1997)
PEOPLE VS. PATRIARCA 341 SCRA 464 (2000)
MAGDALO VS. COMELEC 673 SCRA 651 (2012)

(a) Pardon distinguished from probation

(b) Pardon distinguished from parole

© Pardon distinguished from amnesty

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 Case - BARRIOQUINTO VS. FERNANDEZ,
85 PHIL. 642 (1940)

(d) Effects of Pardon

Cases - CRISTOBAL VS. LABRADOR, 71
PHIL. 34 (1940)
FELOBELLO VS. PALATINO,
72 PHIL. 441 (1941)
MONSANTO VS. FACTORAN, 170
SCRA 190 (1989)

(e) Sanctions for violations

of conditional pardons
Case - TORRES VS. GONZALES
152 SCRA 272 (1987)

(f) Does pardoning power apply

to administrative cases?
Case - LLAMAS VS. EXECUTIVE
SECRETARY 202 SCRA 844
(1991)

(6) Powers of Commander-in- Chief

Art. VII, sec. 18
Art. III, sec. 13
Art. VIII, Sec. 1, par. 2
Affirmed:
Case - LANSANG VS. GARCIA, 42 SCRA 448 (1971)
Overruled
Cases - GARCIA-PADILLA VS. PONCE ENRILE,
121 SCRA 472 (1983)
IBP VS. ZAMORA 338 SCRA 81 (2000)
LAGMAN VS MEDIALDEA G.R. 231658, July 4, 2017

(7) Emergency Powers

Art. VI. Sec. 23 (2)

(8) Contracting and guaranteeing foreign loans

Art. VII, sec. 20
Art. XII, sec. 21

(9) Power over foreign affairs

(a) Treaty making
Art. VII, sec.21
Case – BAYAN VS. EXECUTIVE 342 SCRA 449
(2002)
PIMENTEL VS. OFFICE 462 SCRA 265
(2005)

Treaty distinguished from executive agreements

(b) Deportation undesirable aliens

Cases - QUA CHEE GAN VS. DEPORTATION BOARD,
9 SCRA 27 (1963)
DOMINGO VS. SCHEER 421 SCRA 468 (04)

(12) Power over legislation

(a) Message to Congress
Art. VII, sec. 23
(b) Preparation and submission of the budget

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 Id., sec. 22
(c) Veto power
Art. VI, sec 27
(d) Emergency powers
Art. VI, sec. 23 (2)
(e) Fixing of tariff rates
Art. VI, sec. 28 (2)
Case - GARCIA VS. EXECUTIVE SEC., 211 SCRA 219
(1992)

Immunity from suits

Cases - RODRIGUEZ VS. MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
660 SCAR 98 (2011)
LOZADA VS. MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
670 SCRA 664 (2012)
SAEZ VS. MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
681 SCRA 686 (2012)

2. Vice President
a. Qualifications, election, term and oath
Art. VII, sec. 3
Id., sec. 4
Id., sec. 5

b. Privilege and salary

Art., VII, sec.6

c. Prohibitions
Art., VII, sec. 13
Id., sec 3, par. 2

d. Succession
Art., VII, sec. 9

e. Removal
Art. XI, secs. 2-3

f. Functions
(1) Right of succession
Art. VII, secs. 8 and 11
(2) Membership in Cabinet
Art. VII, sec. 3, par. 2

C. THE JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT

1. The Supreme Court

a. Composition
Art. VIII, sec. 4
SC Resolution No. 2-89
Cases - PUBLIC INTEREST VS. ELMA 517 SCRA 336 (2007)
CITY OF TAGAYTAY VS. GUERRERO
600 SCRA 33 (2009)

b. Appointment and qualifications

Art. VIII, sec. 7 (1)
Id., sec. 8 (5)
Id., sec. 9
Case – IN RE: VALENZUELA 298 SCRA 408 (1998)
DE CASTRO VS. JBC 615 SCRA 666 (2010)
618 SCRA 639 (2010)

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c. Salary
Art. VIII, sec. 17
Art. XVIII, sec. 17
Cases - PERFECTO VS. MEER, 85 PHIL. 522 (1950)
ENDENCIA VS. DAVID, 93 PHIL. 696 (1953)
Compare 1973 Const., Art. XV, sec. 6 not exempt
from income tax
Case- NITAFAN VS. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL
REVENUE, 152 SCRA 284 (1987)

d. Security of Tenure
Art. VIII, sec. 11
Id, sec 2, par. 2
Case- DE LA LLANA VS. ALBA, 112 SCRA 294 (1982)

e. Removal
Art. VIII, sec. 11
Art. XI, sec. 2
Case - IN RE : RAUL M. GONZALES, 160 SCRA 771 (1988)

f. Fiscal autonomy
Art. VIII, sec. 3
Case – CSC VS. DEPARTMENT 464 SCRA 115 (2005)

g. Jurisdiction
Judicial Power

(1) Art. VIII, sec. 1

Cases – ONGSUCO VS. MALONES 604 SCRA 499 (2009)

TAN SR VS. MATSUURA 688 SCRA 263 (2013)
GIRON V. COMELEC 689 SCRA 97 (2013)

(2) Id., sec. 5

Cases- CMU VS. EXECUTIVE 631 SCRA 30 (2010)
ABALOS VS. DARAPA 646 SCRA 200 (2011)

(3) Art. VII, sec. 18, par.3

(4) Art. VII, sec. 4, par. 7

Cases - TECSON VS. COMELEC 424 SCRA 277
(2004)
LEGARDA VS. DE CASTRO 542 SCRA 125 (08)
MAKALINTAL VS. PET 651 SCRA 239 (2011)

(5) Art. IX, A, sec. 7

h. Congressional power over jurisdiction of Supreme Court

Art. VIII, sec. 2, par. 1
Art. VI, sec. 30
Cases – FIRST VS. CA 237 SCRA 519 (1994)
FABIAN VS. DESIERTO 295 SCRA 470 (1998)

i. Administrative powers
(1) Supervision of lower courts
Case - CAOIBES VS. OMBUDSMAN 361 SCRA 395
IN RE: REQUEST FOR GUIDANCE
706 SCRA 502 (2013)

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 (2) Temporarily assign judges to other stations in the public
interest
Art. VIII, sec. 5(3)

(3) Order a change of venue or place of trial to avoid miscarriage

of justice
Art. VIII, sec. 5(4)

(4) Discipline of judges

Art. VIII, sec. 11
Case – PEOPLE VS. GACOTT 246 SCRA 52 (1996)

(5) Appointment of officials and employees of entire judiciary

Art. VIII, sec. 5(6)

j. Rule Making
Art. VIII, sec. 5 (5)
Case - YLAYA VS. GACOTT 689 SCRA 452 (2013)
Art. XII, sec. 14, par. 2 (practice of professions)
Art. VII, sec. 18, par. 3
Case – ECHEGARAY VS. SECRETARY 301 SCRA 96 (1999)

k. No quasi-judicial and administrative work of judges

Art. VIII, sec. 12
Cases - IN RE JUDGE RODOLFO MANZANO, 166 SCRA
246 (1988)
CHAVEZ VS. JBC 676 SCRA 579 (2012)

l. Report on the judiciary

Art. VIII, sec. 16

m. Manner of sitting and votes required

Art. VIII, sec. 4
Rule 56, sec. 7 (1997 Rules on Civil Procedure)
Rule 125, sec. 3 (2000 Rules on Criminal Procedure)
Case – LEAGUE OF CITIES VS. COMELEC
608 SCRA 636 (2009) AM-99-1-09 SC

n. Requirements as to decisions
Art. VIII, secs. 13-14
Cases – MANGELEN VS. CA, 215 SCRA 230 (1992)

GERMAN MACHINERIES VS. ENDAYA

444 SCRA 323 (2004)

a. Mandatory period for deciding cases

Art. VIII, sec. 15
Art. VII, sec. 18, par. 3
Art. XVIII, secs. 12-14
Cases - OCA VS. FUENTES III 692 SCRA 429 (2013)
IN RE: JUDGE CARBONELL 700 SCRA 806 (2013)

2. Lower courts
a. Qualifications and appointment
Art. VIII, sec. 7(1) (2)
Id., sec. 8(5)
Id., sec. 9
Case- RE: SENIORITY AMONG FOUR APPOINTMENTS
631 SCRA 377 (2010)

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 b. Salary
Art. VIII, sec. 10

c. Congressional power to reorganize and security of tenure

Art. VIII, sec. 11
Id., sec. 2 , par. 2
Cases - DE LA LLANA VS. ALBA, 112 SCRA 294 (1982)

d. Removal
Art. VIII, sec. 11
Case – PEOPLE VS. GACOTT 246 SCRA 52 (1996)

e. Jurisdiction
Art. VIII, sec 1
Case - YNOT VS IAC, 148 SCRA 659 (1987)

f. Requirements as to preparation of decisions

Art. VIII, sec. 15

g. Mandatory period for deciding

Art. VIII, sec. 15
Art. XVIII, secs. 12- 14
Case – ADAO VS. LORENZO 316 SCRA 570 (1999)

3. The Judicial and Bar Council

Art. VIII, sec. 8
Case - DE CASTRO VS. JBC 615 SCRA 666 (2010)
618 SCRA 639 (2010)
CHAVEZ VS. JBC 676 SCRA 579 (2012)
CHAVEZ VS. JBC 696 SCRA 496 (2013)

4. Automatic release of appropriations for the judiciary

Art. VIII, sec. 3

5. Court Martial
Case - REPUBLIC VS. ASUNCION, 231 SCRA 211 (1994)

D. THE CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSIONS

1. CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION

a. Composition and qualifications of Commissioners

Art. IX, B, sec. 1 (1)
Art. VII, sec. 13, par. 2
Case- CAYETANO VS. MONSOD, 201 SCRA 210 (1991)

b. Appointment and term of office of Commissioners;

Rule against reappointment
Art. IX, B, sec. 1(2)
Cases- NACIONALISTA PARTY VS. ANGELO
BAUTISTA, 85 PHIL. 101 (1949)
BRILLANTES VS. YORAC, G.R. NO.
93867, DEC. 18, 1990
NP VS. VERA, 85 PHIL. 149 (1951)
REPUBLIC VS. IMPERIAL, 96 PHIL. 770 (1955)
GAMINDE VS. COA 347 655 (2000)

c. Appointment of personnel of CSC

Art. IX, A, sec. 4

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 d. Salary
Art. XVIII, sec. 17
Art. IX, A, sec.3

e. Disqualifications
Art. IX, A, sec. 2

f. Impeachment
Art. XI, sec. 2

g. Appeal – CAPABLANCA VS. CSC 605 SCRA 61 (2009)

h. Scope of the civil service

Art. IX, B, sec. 2(1)
For definition of “government owned or controlled corporations
with original charters.” See Art. XII, sec. 16
Cases - JUCO VS. NLRC 277 SCRA 528 (1997)
HDMF VS. COA 432 SCRA 126 (2004)
PNB VS. TEJANO 604 SCRA 147 (2009)

2. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS
Cases – BARRO VS. COMELEC (1ST DIVISION) 603 SCRA 292 (2009)
CAGAS VS. COMELEC 663 SCRA 644 (2012)
JALOSJOS VS. COMELEC 674 SCRA 530 (2012)
LOKIN JR VS. COMELEC 674 SCRA 538
SEVILLA VS. COMELEC 693 SCRA 605 (2013)

a. Composition and qualifications of Commissioners

Art. IX, C, sec. 1(1)
Art. VII, sec. 13, par. 2

c. Appointment and term of office of Commissioners;

Rule against reappointment
Art. IX, C, sec. 1(2)

c. Appointment of personnel
Art. IX, A, sec. 4

d. Salary
Art. IX, A, sec. 3
Art. XVIII, sec. 17

e. Disqualifications
Art. IX, A, sec. 2

f. Impeachment
Art. XI, sec. 2

g. Appeal
Case - GANCES VS. CA. 259 SCRA 99 (1996)

3. COMMISSION ON AUDIT
Powers – Cases – VELOSO VS. COA 656 SCRA 767 (2011)
AGRA VS. COA 661 SCRA 563 (2011)
COCOFED VS. REPUBLIC 663 SCRA 514 (2012)
VERZOSA VS. CARAGUE 665 SCRA 124 (2012)
DELOS SANTOS VS. COA 703 SCRA 501 (2013)

a. Composition and qualifications

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 Art. IX, D, sec. 1 (1)
Art. VII, sec. 12, par. 2
FUNA VS. VILLAR 670 SCRA 579 (2012)

b. Appointment And term of commissioners

Art. IX, D, sec, 1 (2)
FUNA VS. VILLAR 670 SCRA 579 (2012)

c. Appointment of COA personnel

Art. IX, A, sec. 4

d. Salary
Art. IX, A, sec. 3
Art. XVIII, sec. 17

e. Disqualifications
Art. IX, A, sec. 2

f. Impeachment
Art. XI, sec. 2

g. Appeal – REYES VS. COA 305 SCRA 512 (1999)

REBLORA VS. AFP 698 SCRA 727 (2013)

VI. THE AMENDING PROCESS

A. PROPOSAL
Art, XVII, secs. 1-2
Case - GONZALES VS. COMELEC, 21 SCRA 774 (1967)

1. By Congress
Art. XVII, sec. 1,1935 Const., Art. XV
Case - GONZALES VS. COMELEC, SUPRA

2. By Constitutional Convention
Art. XVII, sec. 3

3. By the people through initiatives

Art. XVII, sec. 2
Rep. Act No. 6735, SECS. 5 &9(b)
Case - SANTIAGO VS. COMELEC 270 SCRA 106 (1997)

B. RATIFICATION
1. In case amendments proposed by Congress or Convention
Art. XVII, sec. 4, par. 1

2. In case of amendments proposed through initiative

Art. XVII, sec. 4, par. 2

3. Plebiscite to be called by Congress and supervised by COMELEC,

but the initiative on Constitution will be called by COMELEC

C. THEORIES REGARDING THE POSITION OF A CONSTITUTIONAL

CONVENTION IN OUR SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT
Case - TOLENTINO VS. COMELEC, 41 SCRA 701 (1971)

D. JUDICIAL REVIEW OF THE AMENDING PROCESS

Cases - GONZALES VS. COMELEC, 21 SCRA 774 (1967)
TOLENTINO VS. COMELEC, 41 SCRA 702 (1967)
JAVELLANA VS. EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, 50

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 SCRA 30 (1972)
Art. VIII, sec. 1, par. 1

Compiled by: Atty. Vincent Paul Montejo

2014-2015/1nd Semester/ADDU College of Law
Edited and updated by: Atty. Thomas Kristino B. Caharian

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