Course Syllabus for Constitutional Law I

Atty. Shielamie C. Anadon

I. Course Description
A survey and evaluation of basic principles dealing with the structure
of the Philippine Government.
II. Course Objectives
At the end of the course, the students should be able to master the
constitutional provisions on:
a. National Territory;
b. Declaration of State Principles and Policies;
c. Functions of the Legislative, Executive and Judicial Departments,
and
d. Principles of Checks and Balances.

III. Course Outline

a. Introduction
i. Fundamental Law as Overriding Standard of Validity
1. Marbury v. Madison, 5 U.S 137
ii. Supremacy of the Constitution
1. Angara v. Electoral Commission, 53 Phil 139
2. Manila Prince Hotel Case, G.R. No. 122165
b. The Constitution
i. Definition
ii. Classification
iii. Qualities of a Good Written Constitution
c. Philippine Constitution
i. Essential Parts
ii. Interpretation/Construction
1. Francisco v. House of Representatives GR No. 160261, Nov.
10, 2003
2. Civil Liberties Union v. Executive Secretary GR No. 83896,
Feb 22, 1991 (Self Executing v. Non Self Executing
Provisions)
3. Gamboa v. Teves, GR No. 176579, June 28, 2011
4. Manila Prince Hotel v. GSIS, GR No. 122156, Feb 3, 1992
d. Article I: The National Territory
i. R.A. 5446 (Sabah)
ii. PD 1596, June 11, 1978 (Kalayaan Island Group)
iii. Reagan v. Commissioner, 30 SCRA 968
iv. People v. Gozo, 53 SCRA 476
v. R.A. 9522, The New Baselines Law of 2009
vi. Magallona v. Ermita, 655 SCRA 476
vii. 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea
viii. Most Rev Pedro Arigo v. Scott Swift, GR 206510, Sept 16, 2014
ix. The South China Sea Arbitration: Philippines v. China, July 12,
2016
e. Article II: Declaration of Principles and State Policies
i. 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
e.Rule of Law
o Petitioner Organizations v. Executive Secretary,
GR Nos. 147036-37, April 10, 2012
2. Adherence to International Law
a. Renunciation of War
b. Adoption of International Law
c. Adherence to policy of peace, freedom, amity
o Bayan Muna v. Romulo, GR No. 159618,
February 1, 2011
o Pharmaceutical and Healthcare v. Health
Secretary, GR No. 173034, October 9, 2007
o Espina v. Zamora, 606 SCRA 598 (2009)

3. Supremacy of Civilian Authoiry

o IBP v. Zamora, GR No. 141284, August 15, 2000

4. Government as protector of People and People as

defenders of the State

II. Policies
1. Independent foreign policy and a nuclear-free
Philippines

o Bayan v. Exec Sec, GR no. 138570 (2000)

o Lim v. Exec Sec, GR No. 151445 (2002)

2. Just and Dynamic Social Order

a. Promotion of Social Justice
o Calalang v. Williams, 70 Phil 726 (1940)

b. Aspects of Social Justice

i. Labor
o Serrano v. Gallant Maritime Services, GR No.
167614, March 24, 2009
ii. Agrarian reform
o Association of Small Landowners v.
Secretary of Agrarian Reform, 175 SCRA
34
o Hacienda Luisita v. Luisita Industrial
Park, GR No. 171101, July 5, 2011

3. Respect for human dignity and human rights

4. Separation of Church and State
o Estrada v. Escritor AM No. P-0201651, August 4,
2003
o Estrada v. Escritor AM No. P-0201651, June 22, 2006
o Ang Ladlad LGBT Party v. COMELEC, 618 SCRA 32
(2010)
o Imbong v. Ochoa, GR No. 204819, April 2014

5. Education, science, technology, arts, culture and

sports

o Alcuaz v. PSBA, 178 SCRA 135 (1989)

o UP v. Ayson, 176 SCRA 571

6. Promotion of Health and Ecology

o Oposa v. Factoran, 224 SCRA 792

o MMDA et al v. Concerened Citizens of Manila Bay, GR
Nos. 171947-48, December 18, 2008

7. The Family as basic autonomous social institution

8. A self-reliant and independent economic order;

o Tanada v. Angara, GR no. 118295 (1997)

9. National economy and Patrimony

o Manila Prince Hotel v. GSIS, 267 SCRA 408
(1997)

10. Natural Resources

o La Bugal blaan v. Ramos, GR No. 127882,
December 2004
11. Private Lands
o Ramirez v. Vda de Ramirez, 111 SCRA 704

12. Regulation of economic activites

a. Organization and regulation of private
corporations
b. Operation of Public Utilites
o Gamboa v. Teves, GR No. 176579, June
28, 2011; Resolution dated October 9,
2012
c. On mass media and advertising industry
d. Practice of Professions
e. State operation of private enterprises
o Agan v. PIATCO, GR No. 155001, May 5,
2003
f. Monopolies, combinations and unfair
competition
 o PPA v. Mendoza, 138 SCRA 632

13. Communication and information in nation-

building

14. Autonomy of Local Governments

o Sema v. Comelec, GR No. 177597, July 16, 2008
o League of Cities v. Comelec, GR No. 176591, November
18, 2008
o Ambil v. Sandiganbayan, GR No. 175457, July 6, 2011
o Abas Kida v. Senate, GR No. 196271, October 8, 2011

15. Recognition of rights of indigenous cultural

communities
o Cruz v. Secretary of DENR, GR No. 135385

16. Public Service and Full Public Disclosure

o Chavez v. PCGG, GR No. 130716, December 9, 1998
o Valmonte v. Belmonte, GR No. 74930, February 13,
1989
o Antolin v. Domondon, GR No. 165036, July 5, 2010
o Chavez v. PEA, GR No. 133250, July 9, 2002
f. Separation of Powers

o Nazareth v. Villar, GR No. 188635, January 29, 2013

o Demetria v. Alba, 148 SCRA 208 (1987)
o In Re: Laureta and Maravilla, 148 SCRA 382 (1987)
o Metrobank v. Tobias, GR No. 177730, January 25, 2012

a. Judicial Review; Theory and Justification

o Angara v. Electoral Commission, supra
o Marbury v. Madison, 1 Cranch (5 US) 137, 2 L.ED. 60 (1803)

b. Justiciable and Political Questions

o Tanada v. Cuenco, 13 SCRA 375 (1965)
o Miranda v. Aguirre, GR No. 133064, September 16, 1999
o Francisco v. The House of Representatives, supra
o Torrecampo v. MWSS, GR no. 188296, May 30, 2011

c. Requisites of Judicial Review

i.Actual Case or Controversy

a.Prematurity
o PACU v. Secretary of Education, 97 Phil 806
(1955)
o Mariano v. Comelec, GR No. 119694 (1995)
o Montesclaros v. Comelec, GR No. 152295 (2002)

b.Mootness
 o Atlas Fertilizer v. Secretary of Education, 97 Phil
806 (1955)
o Lacson v. Perez, 357 SCRA 756 (2001)
o Sanlakas v. Executive Secretary, GR No. 159085
(2004)

c.Exceptions to mootness rule

o David v. Arroyo, GR No. 171396, May 3, 2006

ii. Proper Party

o Joya v. PCGG, GR No. 96541 (1993)

o CHR Employees Assoc. CHR, GR No.155336 (2004)
o Automotive Industry Workers Alliance v. Romulo,
GR. 157509 (2005)

1. Citizen Standing
o Tanada v. Tuvera, 136 SCRA 27 (1985)
o Chavez v. PEA and Amari, GR no. 133250 (2002)

2. Associational Standing
o IBP v. Zamora, 338 SCRA 81 (2000)

3. Taxpayer’s Standing

4. Voter’s Standing

5. Legislative Standing
o Ople v. Torres, 293 SCRA 141 (1998)

6. Governmental Standing:
o People v. Vera, 65 Phil 56 (1937)

iii. Earliest Opportunity

iv. Necessity of Deciding Constitutional Questions (lis mota rule)

v. Effect of declaration of unconstitutionality

Sameer v. Cabiles, G.R. No. 170139, August 5, 2014
Planter’s Products Inc., v. Fertiphil Corp, GR No. 166006,
March 14, 2008
Araullo v. Aquino, GR No. 209287, July 1, 2014

g. The Branches of the Government

1. LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT

A. Power, Composition, Qualification and Term of Office

 1. Senate
2. House of Representatives

a. Term and Tenure

o Dimaporo v. Mitra, 202 SCRA 779 (1991)
o Quinto v. Comelec, GR No. 189698 (2009)

b. Qualifications
o Pundadoya v. Comelec, GR No. 179313
(2009)
o Limbona v. Comelec, GR No. 186006
(2009)
o Mitra v. Comelec, GR No. 191938 (2010)

c. Reapportionment
o Bagabuyo v. Comelec, GR No. 176970
(2008)
o Aquino v. Comelec, GR No. 189793 (2010)
o Mariano v. Comelec, 240 Scra 211 (1995)
o Aquino v. Comelec, 248 SCRA 400 (1995)

d. Party-List Representatives
o Atong Paglaum v. Comelec, GR No.
203766 (2013)
o Veterans Federation Party v. Comelc, 342
SCRA 244 (2000)
o Bagong Bayani v. Comelec, GR no. 147589
(2001)
o BANAT v.Comelec, GR No. 179271 (April
21, 2009); Resolution, July 8, 2009
o Ang Ladlad LGBT Party v. Comelec, GR
No. 190582 (2010)

B. Election
1. Regular election
2. Special election
o Tolentino v. Comelec, 420 SCRA 438 (2004)

C. Organization and Sessions

1. Election of Officers
o Santiago v. Guingona, GR No. 134577 (1998)
o Baguilat v. Alvarez, GR No. 227757, July 25, 2017

2. Quorum
o Avelino v. Cuenco, 83 Phil 17 (1949)

3. Rules of Proceedings
 o Pacete v.Commission on Appointments, 40 SCRA
58 (1971)
o Arroyo v. De Venecia, GR No. 127255 (1997)
o Garcillano v. House of Representatives Committee,
575 SCRA 170

4. Discipline of Members
o Alejandrino v. Quezon 46 Phil 83 (1924)
o Osmena v. Pendatun, 109 Phil 863 (1960)
o De Venecia v. Sandiganbayan, GR No. 130240
(2002)
o Pimentel v. Senate Committee of the Whole, GR
No. 187714 (2011)

5. Journal and Record

a. Enrolled Bill Theory
o Casco Chemical Co. v. Gimenez, 7 SCRA
347 (1963)
o Philippine Judges Association v. Prado, 27
SCRA 703 (1993)

b. Probative Value of the Journal

o US v. Pons, 34 Phil 729 (1916)

c. Matters to be entered in the Journal

d. Journal Entry v. Enrolled Bill Theory

o Astorga v. Villegas, 56 SCRA 714 (1974)
o Morales v. Subido, 27 SCRA 131 (1969)

e. Congressional Record

6. Session
a. Regular Sessions
b. Special Sessions
c. Joint Sessions

D. Salaries and Privileges

1. Salaries
o PHILCONSA v. MAthay, 18 SCRA 300 (1966)
o Ligot v. Mathay, 56 SCRA 823 (1974)
o Amores v. HRET, GR No. 189600 (2010)

2. Freedom from Arrest

o People v. Jalosjos, GR No. 132875 (2000)

3. Speech and Debate Clause

o Jimenez v. Cabangbang, 17 SCRA 876 (1966)
 o Pobre v. Defensor-Santiago, AC No. 7399,
August 25, 2009

4. Disqualifications
o Adaza v. Pacana, 135 SCRA 431 (1985)
o Puyat v, De Guzman, 113 SCRA 31 (1982)
o Liban v. Gordon, GR No. 175332 (July 15, 2009)
and January 18, 2011

5. Duty to Disclose
Article VI, Sec. 12 and 20

E. Powers of Congress
1. General Plenary Powers
o Tan v. Comelec, 142 SCRA 727 (1986)
o Torralba v. Sibagat, 147 SCRA 390 (1987)

2. Limitations on the Legislative Power

a. Substantive limitations
o ABAKADA Guro v. Purisima, GR No.
166715 (2008)

b. Procedural limitations
Art. VI, Sec. 26-27

c. Prohibition against delegation

of legislative powers

i. Criterion of valid
delegation
o Abakada v. Executive Secretary, 469
SCRA 14
o Sema v. Comelec, GR No. 177597 (2008)

ii. Undue delegation

iii. Proper delegation
1. By express authority of the
Constitution
o Garcia v. Executive Secretary,
210 SCRA 256

2. Delegation to the President

o Biraogo v. Philippine Truth
Commission, GR No. 192935
(2010)

3. Delegation to Local Governments

 o Gancayco v. Government of
Quezon City, GR No. 177807
(2011)

4. Delegation of power to carry out

defined policy according to
prescribed standards
o Edu v. Ericta, October 24,
1970

3. Question Hour

4. Legislative Investigation
o Arnault v. Nazareno, 87 Phil 29 (1950)
o Arnault v. Balagtas, 97 Phil 358 (1955)
o Bengzon v. Sen Blue Ribbon Committee, 203
SCRA 767 (1991)
o Senate v. Ermita, GR No. 169777 (2006)
o Neri v. Senate Committee on Accountability,
GR No. 180643 (March 2008 and September
2008)

5. Act as board of canvassers for presidential election

Art. VII, Sec. 4

6. Call a special election for Presidency

Art. VII, Sec. 10

7. Legislative veto or extension for suspension of writ of

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

8. Presidential amnesties
Art. VII, Sec. 19

9. Confirm appointments, Commission on Appointments

Art. VII, Sec. 9
o Daza v. Singson, 180 SCRA 496 (1989)
o Coseteng v. Mitra, Jr., 187 SCRA 377 (1990)
o Guingona v. Gonzales, 214 SCRA 789 (1992)
o Drilon v. De Venecia, GR No. 180055 (2009)

10. Concur in treaties

o Saguisag v. Executive Secretary, GR No. 212426,
212444, January 12, 2016
o Pimentel v. Executive Secretary,, GR No. 158088
(2005)
o Bayan Muna v. Romulo, GR No. 159618 (2011)
 11. Declaration of existence of war and delegation of
emergency powers
Art. VI, Sec. 23

12. Power of Impeachment

o Gutierrez v. The House of Representatives
Committee on Justice, GR No. 193459 (2011)
o CJ Corona v. Senate, JGR No. 200242 (2012)

13. Power of Appropriation

o Demetria v. Alba, 148 SCRA 208
o Philconsa v. Enriquez, GR No. 113105, August
19, 1994
o Belgica v. Executive Secretary, GR No. 208566,
November 19, 2013
o Araullo v. Aquino, G.R. No. 209517 (2014)

14. Power of Taxation

o Tolentino v. Secretary of Finance, GR No.
115455, Sugust 25, 1994
o Lung Center v. Quezon City, GR No. 144104,
June 29, 2004
o Tan v. Del Rosario, 237 SCRA 324

15. Electoral Tribunals

o Pimentel v. HRET, GR No. 141489 (2002)

F. Legislative Process
1. Requirement as to bills
a. Titles of bills
o Lidasan v. Comelec, 21 SCRA 479 (1967)
o Giron v. Comelec, GR No. 188179 (2013)

b. Requirements as to certain laws

i. Appropriation laws
o Guingona v. Carague, 196 SCRA 221
(1991)
o LAMP v. The Sec. Of Budger, GR No.
164987 (2012)

ii. Tax laws

o Tolentino v. Sec. Of Finance, GR No.
115455 (1994)

iii. Appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme

Court
Fabian v. Desierto, GR No. 129742 (1998)
 c. Procedure for the Passage of bills
o Tolentino v. Sec. Of Finance, supra
o Gonzales v. Macaraig, GR No. 87636
(1990)
o Bengzon v. Drilon, 208 SCRA 133 (1992)

d. Effectivity of laws
o Tanada v. Tuvera, GR No. L-63915 (1985
and 1986)

2. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT

The President
3. Qualification, election, term and oath
o Pormento v. Estrada, GR No. 181988 (2010)
4. Privileges and salary
o Republic v. Sandiganbayan, GR No. 152154
(2003)
5. Succession
a. In case of vacancy at the beginning of term
b. In case of vacancy during term
c. In case of temporary disability
o Estrada v. Arroyo, GR No. 146738 (2001)
6. Removal
7. Prohibitions
8. Exceptions to prohibition from holding another office
a. Vice-President as member of the cabinet
b. Sec of Justice as member of Judicial and Bar
Council
o Civil Liberties Union v. Exec Sec, 194
SCRA 317 (1991)

Powers and Functions of the President

9. Executive Power
o Marcos v. Manglapus, 178 SCRA 760 (1989)
o DENR v. DENR Region 12 Employees, GR No.
149725 (2003)
o Banda v. Ermita, GR No. 166620 (2010)

10. Control of executive departments

o Balquera v. Alcala, GR No. 109406 (1998)
o Hutchison Ports v. SBMA, GR No. 131367 (2000)
o NEA v. COA, 377 SCRA 233 (2002)

11. General Supervision over local

governments/autonomous regions
o Pimentel v. Aguirre, GR No. 132988 (2000)
12. Power of appointment
oSarmiento v. Mison, 156 SCRA 549 (1987)
oCalderon v. Carale, GR No. 91636 (1992)
oManalo v. Sistoza, GR No. 107369 (1999)
oDe Castro v. JBC, GR No. 191002 (2010)
oMatibag v. Benipayo, GR no. 149036 (2002)
oFuna v. Ermita, G.R. No. 184740, February 11,
2010
o Funa v. Commission on Audit, GR No. 192791
(2012)

13. Executive clemency

o Barrioquinto v. Fernandez, GR No. L-1278 (1949)
o Vera v. People, 7 SCRA 152 (1963)
o Monsanto v. Factoran, GR No. 78239 (1989)
o In re Lontok, 43 Phil 293 (1922)
o Torres v. Gonzales, 152 SCRA 273 (1987)

14. Commander-in-Chief
oIBP v. Zamora, GR No. 141284 (2000)
oSanlakas v. Exec Sec, GR No. 159085 (2004)
oAquino v. Enrile, 59 SCRA 183 (1974)
oOlaguer v. Military Commission No. 34, 150 SCRA
144 (1987)
o Garcia v. Exec Sec, GR No. 198554 (2012)
o Fortun v. Macapagal-Arroyo, GR No. 190293 (2012)

15. Emergency Powers

o David v. Arroyo, GR No. 171390 (2006)

16. Contracting and guaranteeing foreign loans

o Constantino v. Cuisia, GR No. 106064 (2005)

17. Foreign affairs

o Nicolas v.Romulo, GR No. 175888 (2009)
o People’s Movement for Press Freedom v.
Manglapus (April 13, 1988)
o Comm of Customs v. Eastern Sea Trading, 3
SCRA 351 (1961)
o Go Tek v. Deportation Board, 79 SCRA 17 (1977)

18. Legislation
a. Address Congress
b. Preparation and submission of the budget
c. Veto-Power
d. Emergency Powers
19. Immunity from Suit
o Beltran v. Macasiar, GR No. 82585 (1988)
 o Gloria v. Court of Appeals, GR No. 119903
(2000)
II. Vice President
1. Qualifications, election, term and oath
2. Privileges and salary
3. Prohibitions
4. Succession

3. JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT

i. Judicial Power
ii. The Supreme Court
1. Composition
Art. VIII, Sec. 4
2. Mode of Sitting
o People v. Gacott, GR No. 116049 (2009)
3. Appointment and qualifications
o Kilosbayan v. Ermita, GR No. 177721 (2007)
4. No non-judicial work for judges
o Garcia v. Macaraig, 30 SCRA 106 (1971)
5. Salary
o Nitafan v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue,
152 SCRA 284 (1987)
6. Tenure
Art. VIII, Sec 2 and 11
7. Removal
o In re Gonzales, 160 SCRA 771 (1988)

8. Fiscal Autonomy
9. Jurisdiction
o Santiago v.Bautista, 32 SCRA 188 (1970)
o Felipe v. Leuterio, 91 Phil 482 (1952)

10. Deliberations
o Consing v. Court of Appeals, 177 SCRA 14
(1989)
o In re Production of Court Records and
Documents and the Attendance of Court
Officials under subpoenas of Feb 10, 2012 and
the various letters for the Impeachment
Prosecution Panel dated January 19 and 15,
2012 and Feb 14, 2012

11. Voting
o Cruz v. DENR, GR No. 135385 (2000)

12. Requirements as to decisions

o Miguel v.JTC Group, GR No.157752 (2005)
 o Nunal v.COA, 169 SCRA 356 (1989)
o Yao v CA, GR No. 132428 (2000)

13. Periods for deciding cases; Art. VIII, Sec.

15; Art. VII, Sec. 18; Art. XVIII, Sec. 12-14

14. Presidential Electoral Tribunal

o Macalintal v. PET, GR No. 191818 (2011)

15. Administrative powers Art. VIII, Sec. 5 and

11
a. Supervision of lower courts justice
o In re Demetria, AM No. 00-7-09 (2001)
b. Appointment of officials and employees
of entire judiciary
c. Temporarily assign judges to other
stations in public interest
d. Order a change of venue or place of
trial to avoid miscarriage of justice
o People v. Pilotin, 65 SCRA 635 (1975)
o People v. Sola, 103 SCRA 393 (1981)

e. Promulgate rules concerning the

enforcement and protection of
constitutional rights
o In the matter of the petition for the writ of
Amparo and Habeas Data in favoe of
Noriel Rodriguez, GR No. 191805, 193160
(2011)
f. Promulgate Rules Concerning
Pleading, Practice and Procedure

g. Admission to the Practice of Law

o Zaldivar v. Gonzales, 166 SCRA 316
(1978)

h. Integration of the Bar

o In re Edillon, 84 SCRA 554 (1978)

i. Legal Assistance to the Underprivileges

16. Report on the Judiciary

iii. Lower Courts
1. Qualifications and appointment
2. Tenure
o De La Llana v. Alba, 122 SCRA 291 (1982)

iv. Judicial and Bar Council

 o Jardeleza v. Sereno, G.R. No. 213181, August 19,
2014
o Chavez v. JBC, GR No. 202242, July 17, 2012

v. Automatic release of appropriation for the judiciary

o Benzon v. DRilon, 208 SCRA 133 (1992)

h. The Constitutional Commissions

a. Civil Service Commission

i.Scope of the Civil Service
Art IX-B, Sec 2; Art XII, Sec.. 16
1. Terms and conditions of employment in the
Civil Service
a. Merit System
i. Appointment of lameducks
ii. Ban on partisan political
activities
Art IX-B, Sec 2
iii. Standardization of pay and ban
on double
Art IX-B, Sec 5 & 8
iv. Removal or suspension only for
cause
Art IX-B, Sec. 2
v. Right of self-organization
Art. IX-B, Sec. 2
vi. Right to strike

b. Review of decisions of the CSC

c. Fiscal Autonomy

b. Commission on Elections

i. Composition and qualifications of Commissioners

Art. IX-C, Sec. 1
o Cayetano v. Monsod
ii. Appointment and term of office of Commissioners;
o Brillantes v. Yorac, 192 SCRA 358
iii. Powers and functions of the Comelec; Art. IX-C,
Sec.2
1. Enforce election laws
2. Decide administrative questions pertaining
to election except right to vote
3. Petition for inclusion and exclusion of voters
4. Prosecute election law violators
5. Recommend clemency for election law
violations
 6. Deputize law enforcement agents
7. Registration of political parties and under
party-list system
8. Regulation of public utilities and media
information
9. Decide election contests

c. Commission on Audit
i. Composition and qualifications – Art. IX-D, Sec.1
ii. Appointment and term of office – Art. IX-D, Sec. 1
iii. Powers and functions – Art. IX-D, Sec.2

i.Accountability of Public Officers

d. Public Office as public trust
e. Disclosure of assets, liabilities and net worth
f. Ban on financial accommodations
g. Agencies for insuring public accountability
i. Congress (Impeachment)
ii. Sandiganbayan
iii. Ombudsman
iv. Office of the Special Prosecutor