COURSE OUTLINE

I. GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS

A. Definition of Political Law

Macariola vs. Asuncion, 114 SCRA 77 (1982)
B. Sub-divisions of Political Law
D. Definition of Constitutional Law
C. Constitution
1. Definition
2. Purpose of the Constitution
3. Classification
4. Essential qualities of a written constitution
5. Parts of a constitution
Executory and Non-executory Parts of the Constitution
Kilosbayan vs. Morato, 246 SCRA 540
Oposa vs. Factoran, 224 SCRA 792
Razon vs. Tagitis, 606 SCRA 598
Basco vs. Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corporation, 197 SCRA 57
Bases Conversion and Development Authority vs. COA, 580 SCRA 295
Tañada vs. Angara, 272 SCRA 18
PLDT vs. NTC, 190 SCRA 717
Tolentino vs. Secretary of Finance, 235 SCRA 630
Legaspi vs. Civil Service Commission, 150 SCRA 530
David vs. Arroyo, 489 SCRA 160
Manila Prince Hotel vs. GSIS, 2364 SCRA 408
Tatad vs, Secretary of the Department of Energy, 281 SCRA 330
People vs. Leachon, 276 SCRA 163
Garcia vs. Faculty Admission Committee, 68 SCRA 27
6. Interpretation or Construction of the Constitution
Francisco v. House of Rep., G.R. No. 160261, Nov.10, 2003
Civil Liberties Union v. Executive Secretary, 194 SCRA 317
Pamatong v. Comelec, G.R. No. 161872, April 13, 2004
7. Supremacy of the constitution
Mutuc vs. Comelec, 36 SCRA 228 (1970)
Alih et., al., vs. Castro, 151 SCRA 279 (1987)
Manila Prince Hotel vs. GSIS, 267 SCRA 408

II. HISTORY AND BACKGROUND

A. The Philippine Revolution and the Malolos Constitution

B. The Organic Laws Under the American Period
1. Mckinley’s Instructions (Apr. 7, 1900)
2. The Spooner Amendment (1901)
3. The Philippine Bill of 1902
4. The Philippine Autonomy Act or Jones Law (1916)
U.S. vs. Bull, 15 Phil. 259 (1910)
C. The Japanese Occupation
D. The 1935 Constitution
Mabanag vs. Lopez Vito, 78 Phil 1 (1947)
E. The 1973 Constitution
Planas vs. Comelec, 49 SCRA 105 (1973)

1
 Javellana vs. Executive Secretary, 50 SCRA 30 (1973)
Sanidad vs. Comelec 73 SCRA 333 (1976)
Occena vs. Comelec, 104 SCRA 1 (1981)
Imbong v. Comelec, 35 SCRA 28
F. The 1986 Provisional Constitution
1.The Snap Elections
PBA v. Comelec, 140 SCRA 455 (1985)
2. The February 1986 Revolution
3. Proclamation No. 1, February 25, 1986
4. Proclamation No. 3, March 25, 1986
Lawyers League v. Pres. Aquino, G.R. 73748, May 22, 1986
In Re Saturnino Bermudez, 145 SCRA 160 (1986)
G. The 1987 Constitution
1. The Constitutional Commission of 1986
2. Proclamation No. 58 (February 11, 1987)
3. When considered ratified - Article XVIII, Section 27
De Leon vs. Esguerra, 153 SCRA 602 (1987)

III. AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION

Article XVII, Sections 1,2 & 3
A. Amendment vs. Revision
B. Proposal
1. By Congress
2. By Constitutional Convention
Gonzales vs. Comelec, 21 SCRA 774 (1968)
3. By the people thru initiative (See R.A. 6735 August 4, 1989)
Santiago vs. Comelec, G.R. 127325, March 19, 1997
Lambino v. Comelec, G.R. No. 174153, October 25, 2006
Lambino v. Comelec Resolution (November 21, 2006)
C. Submission
Tolentino vs. Comelec, 41 SCRA 702
D. Ratification - Article XVII, Section 4, Paragraphs 1 & 2
E. The position of the Convention in our system of government

IV. THE STATE

A. Concept and Definition
Distinguished from nation
CIR vs. Campos Rueda, 42 SCRA 23
Magallona vs. Ermita 655 SCRA 476
Reagan vs, CIR 30 SCRA 968
Shipside Inc. vs. CA 352 SCRA 334
B. Territory
1. Definition
2. Components
3. The Philippine Archipelago - Article I
a. Article III, Treaty of Paris
b. The US-Spain November 7, 1900 Treaty
c. The US-Great Britain January 2, 1930 Treaty
d. R.A. 3046 (June 17, 1961)
e. R.A. 5446 (September 8, 1968)
f. P.D. No. 1596, June 11, 1978 (other territories)
g. P.D. No. 1599, June 11, 1978 (200 Mile EEZ)
h. U.N. Convention on Law of the Sea

2
 Reagan vs CIR, 30 SCRA 968 (1969)
People vs. Gozo, 53 SCRA 476 (1973)
C. People
Definition
a. As Inhabitants
Qua Chee Gan vs Deportation Board (1963)
b. As Electors
c. As Citizens
D. Government
1. Definition
US vs Dorr (1903)
Government of the Rep. of the Philippines defined
Section 2 (1) Administrative Code of 1987
People v. SB, G.R. No. 145951, August 12, 2003
MIAA v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 155650, July 20, 2006
2. Constituent vs Ministrant Functions
ACCFA v. CUGCO, 30 SCRA 649 (1969)
Valmonte vs. Belmonte, 170 SCRA 256 (1989)
3. Parens Patriae
Government vs. Monte de Peidad, 35 Phil. 728 (1916)
Cabanas vs. Pilapil, 58 SCRA 94 (1974)
Gonzales v. Marcos, 65 SCRA 624 (1975)
4. De Jure Government/Criteria for Legitimacy
In re Letter of Associate Justice Puno, (1992)
5. De Facto governments
a. Kinds & Characteristics
Co Kim Cham vs. Valdez, 75 Phil 113, 371 (1946)
Lawyer's League v. Aquino, G.R. no. 73748, May 22, 1986
In re Bermudez, (1986) citing Lawyers League for a Better Philippines
Estrada v Desierto/ Estrada v GMA, (2001)]
6. Government distinguished from Administration
7. Other classifications of Governments
E. Sovereignty
1. Definition
2. Dual Aspect, Kinds & Characteristics
3. Dominium & Imperium
4. Effects of Change in Sovereignty
Macariola vs. Asuncion, supra
6. Effects of Military Occupation
7. Territorial, personal and extraterritorial jurisdiction
8. Acts of State
Harvey vs. Commissioner, 162 SCRA 840 (1988)

V. CITIZENSHIP

A. Definition
B. Importance of Citizenship
Lee. V. Dir. of Lands, G.R. No. 128195, October 3, 2001
C. Modes of Acquiring Citizenship
D. Who are Philippine Citizens - Article IV, Section 1
1. Citizens at the time of adoption of the 1987 Constitution
a) Citizens under the 1935 Constitution
i. Philippine Bill of 1902 & Jones Law

3
 ii. The Caram Rule
iii. Those whose fathers were citizens
Republic v. Chule Lim, G.R. No. 153883, January 13, 2004
iv. Those who elected upon reaching majority age
v. Those who were naturalized
b) Citizens under the 1973 Constitution
i. Those already citizens
ii. Those whose fathers and mothers are citizens
iii. Those who elected
iv. Those who were naturalized
2. Those whose fathers & mothers are citizens
3. Those who elect Philippine Citizenship
4. Those who are naturalized in accordance with law.
E. Natural Born Citizens - Article IV, Section 2
Advantages of natural born citizens
Article XII, Section 8
Article VII, Sections 2 & 3
Article VI, Sections 3 & 6
Article VIII, Section 7 (1)
Article XI Section 8
Art. IX-B Section 1(1)
Art. IX-C Section 1(1)
Art. IX-D Section 1(1)
Article XII, Section 20
Article XIII, Section 17 (2)
1. Those whose fathers and mother are citizens.
2. Those who elect Filipino citizenship
3. Reacquisition of natural born citizenship by repatriation
Tecson v. Comelec, G.R. No. 161434, March 3, 2004
In re Ching, Bar Matter No. 914, October 1, 1999
Co vs HRET, 199 SCRA 692 (1991)
Villahermosa vs Commissioner, 80 Phil 541 (1948)
Bengzon v. HRET, G.R. No. 142840, May 7, 2001
Co v. Electoral Tribunal of the House of Representatives (1991)
Tecson vs COMELEC (2004)
Roa vs. Collector of Customs (1912)
Tan Chong vs. Secretary of Labor (1947)
Gullian vs Government
Aznar v COMELEC, (1995)
Llamanzanares vs. COMELEC GR. No. 221697, March 8, 2016 & April 5, 2016
F. Naturalization
1. By Judicial Proceeding
a) Com. Act No. 473 (Revised naturalization Law)
Sections 2,3,4,5,7,8,15 & 18
b) R.A. No. 530 Section 1 - effect on the wife and children
Republic vs De La Rosa, G.R. No. 104654, June 6, 1994
Republic vs. Liyao, 214 SCRA 748 (1992)
Moya Lim Yao v. Commissioner, 41 SCRA 292
2. By Administrative Proceeding (R.A. No. 9138)
3. By Direct Act of Congress
3. Denaturalization
G. Loss of Citizenship - Article IV, Section 3

4
 Coquilla v. Comelec, G.R. No. 151914, July 31, 2002
Yu vs Santiago, 169 SCRA 364 (1989)
H. Reacquisition of Citizenship
Com. Act. No. 63, Section 1(2)
Frivaldo vs. Comelec, 174 SCRA 245 (1989)
Frivaldo vs. Comelec, 257 SCRA 727 (1996)
Altarejos v. Comelec, G.R. No. 163256. Nov. 10, 2004)
Tabasa v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 125793, August 29, 2006
Angat v. Republic, GR. No. 132244, September 14,1999
Jao vs. Republic 121 SCRA 358 (1983)
I. Dual Citizenship
R.A. No. 9225 (September 17, 2003)
Nicholas-Lewis v. Comelec, G.R. No. 162759, August 4, 2006
J. Dual Allegiance - Article IV, Sections 4 & 5
(See Sec. 40, R.A. 7160, Local Govt. Code)
Aznar vs Comelec, G.R. No. 83820, May 25, 1990
Mercado v. Manzano, 307 SCRA 630 (1999)
Valles v. Comelec, G.R. 137000, August 9, 2000

VI. DOCTRINE OF STATE IMMUNITY

1. Basis - Article XVI, Section 3
2. When is a suit against a State?
Republic vs. Feliciano, 148 SCRA 424 (1987)
Phil. Agila Satellite v. Lichauco, G.R. No. 134887, July 27, 2006
3. Express Consent
a. Money claims arising from contract
Act. No. 3083
C.A. no. 327 as amended by P.D. No. 1445
Sayson vs. Singson, 54 SCRA 282 (1973)
Republic vs. Purisima, 78 SCRA 470 (1977)
b. Torts committed by special agents - NCC Article 2180
Meritt vs Government, 34 Phil. 311 (1916)
c. Incorporated Government Agencies
(Note: Unincorporated Agencies exercising principally
proprietary functions may be sued)
PNB vs. CIR, 81 SCRA 314 (1978)
SSS vs. CA. 120, SCRA 707 (1983)
Rayo v. CFI, 110 SCRA 450 (1981)
Farolan v. CTA, 217 SCRA 298 (1993)
UP vs. Dizon, 679 SCRA 54 (2012)
4. Implied Consent
a. Government submits itself to the court’s jurisdiction
b. The State itself files a complaint
RP vs. Sandiganbayan, G.R. No. 85384, Feb. 28, 1990
Froilan vs. Pan Oriental Shipping Co., 95 Phil. 905 (1954)
Lim vs. Brownell, 107 Phil. 344 (1960)
c. Government entering into business contracts
Malong v. PNR, 138 SCRA 63 (19850
Fontanilla v. Maliaman, 194 SCRA 486 (1991)
d. When Inequitable for government to claim immunity
Santiago vs. Republic, 87 SCRA 294 (1978)
Amigable vs; Cuenca, 43 SCRA 360 (1972)
5. Suits against Municipal Corporations

5
 Torio vs. Fontanilla, 85 SCRA 99 (1978)
6. Suits against Foreign States
The Holy See vs. Hon. Rosario, Jr., December 17, 1994
U.S.A. vs. Ruiz, 136 SCRA 487 (1985)
U.S.A. vs. Guinto, G.R. No. 76609, Feb. 26, 1990
Minucher v. CA, G.R. No. 142396, February 11, 2003
Rep. of Indonesia v. Vinzon, G.R. 154705, June 26, 2003
China National Machinery & Equip Corp. vs. Santamaria 665 SCRA
189(2012)
Arigo vs. Swift, 735 SCRA 102 (2014)
7. Suits against International Agencies
WH0 v. Aquino, G.R. No. L-35131, November 29, 1972
DFA v. NLRC, G.R. No. 113191, September 18, 1997
8. Suits against Public Officers
Animas v. PVAO, 174 SCRA 214 (1989)
U.S.A. vs. Reyes, G.R. No. 79233, March 1, 1993
Lansang v. CA, G.R. No. 102667, February 23, 2000
Shauf v. Court of Appeals, 191 SCRA 713 (1990)
Republic v. Sandoval, G.R. No. 48607, March 19, 1993
Liang vs. People 323 SCRA 692 (2000)
9. Consent to execution
PNB vs. Pabalan, 83 SCRA 595 (1978)
Municipality of Makati vs. CA. 190 SCRA 206 (1990)
Nessia vs. Fermin, 220 SCRA 615 (1993)
Caloocan City v. Allarde, G.R. No. 107271, Sept. 10, 2003

VII. JUDICIAL REVIEW

A. Theory and Justification of Judicial Review

Angara vs. Electoral Commission, 63 Phil. 139 (1936)
Francisco v. House of Rep., G.R. No. 160261, Nov.10, 2003
B. Requisites of Judicial Review
Article VIII, Section 5(2)
1. Actual Case or Controversy
Prematurity:
PACU vs Secretary of Education, 97 Phil. 806 (1955)
Mariano vs Comelec, G.R. No. 119694 March 7, 1995
Cutaran v. DENR, G.R. No. 134958, January 31, 2001
Montesclaros v. Comelec, G.R. No. 152295. July 9, 2002
Mootness:
Atlas Fertilizer v. Sec, DAR, G.R. No. 93100, June 19, 1997
Gonzales v. Narvasa, G.R. No. 140835. August 14, 2000
Lacson v. Perez, G.R. No. 147780, May 10, 2001
Defunis v. Odegaard, 416 U.S. 312 (1974)
Exceptions to Mootness:
Acop v. Guingona, G.R. No. 134855, July 2, 2002
Sanlakas v. Executive Secretary, G.R. 159085, February 3, 2004
Pimentel v. Ermita, G.R. 164978, October 13, 2005
2. Proper Party
Joya vs PCGG, G.R. 96541, August 24, 1993
Agan v. PIATCO, G.R. No. 155001, May 5, 2003
CHR Employees Assoc. v. CHR, G.R. 155336, Nov. 25, 2004
Citizen Standing:

6
 Tanada vs. Tuvera, 136 SCRA 27 (1985)
Chavez v. PEA and Amari, G.R. 133250, July 9, 2002
Associational Standing:
KMU Labor Center vs. Garcia, G.R. 115381, Dec. 23, 1994
John Hay PAC. v. Lim, G.R. No. 119775, Oct. 24, 2003
IBP v. Zamora, G.R. No. 141284, August 15, 2000
Executive Secretary v. CA, 429 SCRA 781, May 25, 2004
Kilosbayan v. Guingona, 232 SCRA 110 (1994)
Taxpayer’s Standing:
U.S. v. Richardson, 418 U.S. 166 (1974)
ITF v. Comelec, G.R. No. 159139. Jan. 13, 2004
Jumamil v. Café, G.R. 144570, September 21, 2005
Voter’s Standing:
Tolentino v. Comelec, 420 SCRA 438, January 21, 2004
Legislative Standing:
Ople v. Torres, 293 SCRA 141 (1998)
Governmental Standing:
People v. Vera, 65 Phil 56, November 16, 1937
Facial Challenge:
Estrada v. Sandiganbayan, G.R. No. 148560, Nov. 19, 2001
3. Earliest Opportunity
Umali v. Guingona, 305 SCRA 533 (1999)
4. Necessity of Deciding Constitutional Questions
Arceta v. Mangrobang, G.R. No. 152895. June 15, 2004
Mandatory Notice
Mirasol v. CA, G.R. No. 128448, February 1, 2001
C. Functions of Judicial Review
Mitra vs Comelec, 104 SCRA 58 (1981)
Salonga vs Cruz-Pano, 134 SCRA 438 (1985)
Javier v. Comelec, 144 SCRA 194 (1988)
D. The Exercise of Judicial Review
Ynot vs. IAC, 148 SCRA 659 (1987)
E. Effect of Declaration of Unconstitutionality
New Civil Code, Article 7
Serrano de Agbayani vs PNB, 38 SCRA 429 (1972)
F. Partial Unconstitutionality
Salazar vs Achacoso, 183 SCRA 145 (1986)

VIII. PRINCIPLES AND POLICIES

A. Principles
1. Sovereignty of the People and Republicanism
a. Direct and Indirect Democracy
b. Representation and renovation
c. Accountability to the people
d. Rule of the Majority
Pablo Ocampo v. HRET, G.R. No. 158466. June 15, 2004
e. The Rule of Law
Article II, Section 1 (sovereignty resides in the people)
Article V, (Suffrage)
Villavicencio vs. Lukban, 39 Phil. 778 (1919)
2. Adherence to International Law
Article II, Section 2, 7 & 8

7
 (Independent foreign/nuclear-free policy)
a. Renunciation of War - Article VI, Section 23 (1)
b. Adoption of International Law
Mejoff vs. Director of Prisons, 90 Phil. 70 (1952)
Agustin vs. Edu, 88 SCRA 195 (1979)
Ichong vs. Hernandez, 101 Phil. 115 (1957)
In Re Garcia; 2 SCRA 984 (1961)
c. Adherence to policy of peace, freedom, amity
3. Supremacy of Civilian Authority
Article II, Section 3
Article VII, Section 18 (commander-in-chief clause)
Article XVI, Section 5(4) (AFP in active service)
Article XVI, Section 5(2) (respect for people's rights)
4. Government as protector & People as Defenders of the State
Article II, Sections 4 & 5 (no extension of service)
People vs. Lagman and Zosa, 66 Phil. 13 (1938)
Resident Aliens
5. Separation of Church and State
Article II, Section 6
Article III, Section 5 (freedom of religion clause)
Article IX-C, 2(5) (political party ban on sects)
Article VI, Section 5(2) (no sectoral rep. from religious sector)
Exceptions : Article VI, Section 28(3) (tax exempt. of churches)
Id., Section 29(2) (no appropriation for sects; exemptions)
Article XIV, Section 3(3) (optional religious instruction)
Id., Section 4(2) (Filipino ownership for schools, exceptions)
Estrada v. Escritor, A.M. No. P-02-1651, August 4, 2003
Imbong v. Ochoa, 721 SCRA 146 (2014)
Islamic Da’wah Council of the Phil v. Office of the ES, 405 SCRA 497 (2003)

C. Policies
1. Independent foreign policy and a nuclear-free Philippines
Article II, Sections 7-8
Article XVIII, Sections 4 & 25 (on foreign military bases)
Bayan v. Exec. Sec., G.R. No. 138570, October 10, 2000
Lim v. Exec. Sec., G.R. No. 151445, April 11, 2002
2. A just and dynamic social order
Preamble
Article II, Section 9
a. The promotion of social justice
Article II, Section 10
Article XIII, Section 1-2
Article II, Section 26
Pamatong v. Comelec, G.R. No. 161872. April 13, 2004
PLDT v. NLRC, 164 SCRA 671 (1988)
Article VII, Section 13 par. 2
Calalang vs. Williams, 70 Phil. 726 (1940)
APCD v. PCA, G.R. No. 110526, February 10, 1998
PLDT v. NTC, 190 SCRA 717 (1990)
Maquera v. Borja, G.R. No. L-24761, September 7, 1965
b. Respect for human dignity and human rights
Article XIII, Sections 17-19
Article II, Section 11

8
 Article XVI, Section 5(2)
Simon v. CHR, G.R. No. 100150, January 5, 1994
c. Fundamental equality of women and men
Article II, Section 14
Article III, Sections 14
PASEI vs. Drilon, 163 SCRA 386 (1988)
d. Independent people's organization
Article II, Section 23
Article XIII, Sections 15-16
e. The priority of education, science, technology, etc.
Article II, Section 17
Article XIV, Section 2
Tablarin vs. Gutierrez, 152 SCRA 370 (1987)
PRC v. de Guzman, G.R. No. 144681, June 21, 2004
U.P. BOR v. C.A., G.R. No. 134629, August 31, 1999
Camacho v. Coresis, G.R. No. 134372, August 22, 2002
DECS v. San Diego 180 SCRA 533 (1989)
f. Urban land reform and housing
Article XIII, Section 9-10
Mandaluyong v. Francisco, G.R. 137152, January 29, 2001
g. Reform in agriculture and other natural resources
Article II Section 2
Article XIII, Sections 4-8
h. Protection of Labor
Article II, Section 18
Article XIII, Section 3
The right of government workers to form unions
Article III, Section 8
Article IX-B, Section 2(5)
SSS Employ. Assn. vs. CA, 175 SCRA 686 (1989)
i. Promotion of health and ecology.
Article II, Sections 15-16
Article XIII, Sections 11-13
Prov. Of Rizal v. Exec. Sec., G.R. No. 129546, Dec. 13, 2005
Oposa v. Factoran, 224 SCRA 792 (1993)
MMDA vs. Concerned Residents of Manila Bay, 574 SCRA 661 (2008)
Boracay Foundation Inc. v. Province of Aklan, 674 SCRA 555 (2012)
3. The family as basic autonomous social institution
Article II, Section 12
Article XV (The Family)
Article II, Section 13
Family Code, Article 1
a. Protection of the Unborn
Roe v. Wade, 410 US 113
b. Natural Right and Duty of Parents
Meyer vs. Nebraska, 262 US 390
Pierce vs Society of Sisters, 262 US 510
Angeles vs Judge Sison, 112 SCRA 26 (1982)
4. A self-reliant and independent economic order
Article II, Sections 19 - 20
Article XII (National economy and patrimony)
Tanada vs. Angara, G.R. 118295, May 2, 1997
5. Communication and information in nation-building

9
 Article II, Section 24
Article XVI, Sections 10 - 11
Article XVIII, Section 23
PLDT v. NTC, G.R. No. 88404, October 18, 1990
6. Autonomy of local governments
Article II, Section 25
Article X (Local Government Code of 1991 (R.A. No. 7160)
7. Recognition of rights of indigenous cultural communities
Article II, Section 22
Article VI, Section 5(2)
Article XII, Section 5
Article XIII, Section 6
Article XIV, Section 17
Article XVI, Section 12
R.A. No. 8371 (1997), The Indigenous Peoples Rights Act
8. Honest Public Service and Full Public Disclosure
Article II, Section 27
Article XI, Sections 4,5,6 (Ombudsman)
Article II, Section 28 (full public disclosure)
Article XI, Section 17 (statement of assets/liabilities)
Article VII, Section 12 (president's health)
Article VII, Section 20 (publication of loan applications)
Article XII, Section 21 (make public foreign loans)
Article XII, Section 2(5) (contracts with foreign groups)
Article VII, Sections 12,20 (con. of interest/books of acc.)
Article IX-D, Section 4 (COA annual report)
Article III, Section 7 (right to information)
Legaspi vs CSC, 150 SCRA 530 (1987)
Valmonte vs Belmonte, 170 SCRA 256 (1989)
De Jesus vs. COA, G.R. 109023, August 12, 1998
Chavez v. PEA & Amari, G.R. No. 133250, July 9, 2002

10