PHILIPPINE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF LAW
FIRST SEMESTER SY 2019-2020

Course Title: ​Private International Law

Units: ​Two (2) Units
Instructor: ​ ​Floro C. Balato, Jr.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The course deals primarily with basic principles, international theories and vital
doctrines of Private International Law, also known as “Conflicts of Law” based on
relevant international laws and jurisprudence which deserve the attention of law
students, particularly topics and issues most frequently asked in the Bar examinations.

GRADING SYSTEM:

Class Standing ​25%

Mid Term Examinations ​35%
Final Examinations ​40%
​100% ​

• Class standing includes attendance, recitation, quizzes and other written works,
which may be assigned from time to time.
• For purposes of marking exams and quizzes (essays), the passing score is 75
points.
• Several resource materials will be used in this course, mostly from Conflict of
Laws, Cases, Materials and Comments, (Central Book Supply, Inc), 2000
edition, by Jorge R. Coquia and Elizabeth Aguiling- Pangalangan and Conflict
of Laws, (Rex Book Store), 2017 edition by Galahad R. A. Pe Benito.

• Students are expected to read on the assigned topics and prepare for recitations, using
relevant case law and materials from their personal research.
• Students are required to read the cases cited in the assigned text and those listed herein
below.

COURSE OUTLINE: PRIVATE INTERNATIONAL LAW

I. Introduction

A. What is Private International Law

B. Scope of Private International Law
a) Definition
b) Diversity of Laws, Customs and Practices
c) Object, Function and Scope
D. Distinction between Public International Law vs. Private International Law
(Branches of International Law)
a) Source
b) Subjects
E. Brief Historical Development of Private International Law
a) Roman Law Origin
b) Modern Developments
G. Sources of Conflict of Laws
a) Codes and Statutes
b) Treaties and International Conventions
c) Treaties, Commentaries and Studies of Learned Societies
d) Judicial Decisions
D) Foreign Element
E) Choice of Applicable Law
F) Extraterritoriality
G) Forum Non Conveniens

• Read: Chapter 1 Conflict of Laws, (Rex Book Store), 2017 edition by Galahad R.
A. Pe Benito and Part One: Conflict of Laws, Cases, Materials and Comments,
(Central Book Supply, Inc), 2000 edition, by Jorge R. Coquia and Elizabeth
Aguiling- Pangalangan

Cases for Reading:

Hilton vs Guyot, 159 U.S 113 (1895).

Abdullahi v. Pfizer 569 F.3d 163 (2009)
Hasegawa v. Kitamura, GR No. 149177, Nov 23 2007
Small vs. US, 544 US 385 (2005)
Kiobel v Royal Dutch Petroleum Co., 133 S Ct 1659 (2013)
Saudi Arabian Airlines v. Rebesencio, et al, GR. No. 198587, January 14, 2015
II. Jurisdiction and Choice of Law

1. Jurisdiction
a) Jurisdiction over the person
b) Jurisdiction over the property
c) Jurisdiction over the subject matter
2. Choice of Law
a) Traditional Approaches
b) Modern Approaches
3. Choice of Law Principles
a) Local Law- the Problem of Renvoi
b) Needs of the interstate and international systems
c) Relevant policies of the forum
d) Relevant policies of the other interested parties
e) Protection of justified expectations
f) Policies underlying a particular field of law
g) Certainty, predictability and uniform result
h) Ease of determination of the law to be applied
4. Other Principles Affecting Choice of Law
5. Proof of Foreign Law and Processual Presumption

Read: Chapter II Conflict of Laws, (Rex Book Store), 2017 edition by Galahad R. A.
Pe Benito and Part Two, Conflict of Laws, Cases, Materials and Comments,
(Central Book Supply, Inc), 2000 edition, by Jorge R. Coquia and Elizabeth
Aguiling- Pangalangan

Cases for Reading:

 Aznar vs. Garcia, G.R. No. L-16749, January 31, 1963
Bellis vs. Bellis, G.R. No. L-23678, June 6, 1967
Cadalin, et. al. vs. POEA Administrator, G.R. Nos. L-104776, 105029-32, December 5, 1994
Bank of America NT & Asia vs. American Realty Corporation, G.R. No. 133876, December
29, 1999
Dacasin vs Dacasin, G.R. No. 168785, February 5, 2010
Kearney vs. Salomon Smith Barney, 137 p.3d 914 (2006)
Butler vs. Adoption Media, LLC 486 F. Supp. 2d (2007)
Francisco vs. Stolt Achievement MT 293 F.3d 270 (2002)
Hancock vs. Watson 962 So. 2d 627 (2007)
Wildvalley Shipping vs. Court of Appeals G.R. No. 119602, October 6, 2000
Manufacturers Hanover Trust Co. vs. Guerrero, G.R. No. 136804, February 19, 2003
Edi- staff Builders International vs. NLRC, G.R. No 145587, October 26, 2007
Norse Management Co. vs. National Seamen Board, G.R. No. L-54204, September 30, 1982
Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation vs. Sherman, et al., G.R. No. 72494, August
11, 1989
Carnival Cruise Lines, Inc. vs. Shute, 499 U.S. 585 (1990)

III. Personal Law, Citizenship and Domicile

A. Personal Status and Capacity

1. Definition
2. Beginning and end of personality
3. Absence
4. Name
5. Age of majority
6. Capacity
B. Nationality
1. Determination of Nationality; how acquired?
a) Natural born citizens
b) Naturalization process
2. Loss of Philippine citizenship
3. Reacquisition of citizenship under RA 9225
4. Reacquisition vs. retention of citizenship
5. Problems applicable to nationality principle
a) Dual or multiple citizenship; dual allegiance
b) Stateless persons
c) Foundlings
C. Domicile
1. Definition of Domicile
2. Kinds of Domicile
3. Domicile and Citizenship
4. General Rules on Domicile
5. Merits and Demerits of Domicile
6. Loss and Retention of Domicile
7. Permanent residency and the process of foreign naturalization
8. Absentee voting and domicile
9. Domicile and venue in estate proceedings
10. RA 10590, Overseas Voting Act of 2013

Read: Chapter V and VI Conflict of Laws, (Rex Book Store), 2017 edition by
Galahad R. A. Pe Benito and Part Three, Conflict of Laws, Cases, Materials and
Comments, (Central Book Supply, Inc), 2000 edition, by Jorge R. Coquia and
Elizabeth Aguiling- Pangalangan
 Cases for Reading:

Bengzon III vs. House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal, G.R. No. 142840, May 7, 2001
Poe-Llamanzares vs. Comelec, G.R. Nos 221697-221700, March 8, 2016
Djumantan vs. Domingo, G.R. No. 99358, January 30, 1995
Mercado vs. Manzano, 307 SCRA 630 (1999)
Board of Immigration Commissioners vs. Go Callano, 25 SCRA 890 (1968)
Jacot vs. Dal, G.R. No. 179848, November 27, 2008
Sobejana-Condon vs. Comelec, G.R. No. 198742, August 10, 2012
Maquiling vs. Comelec, G.R. No. 195649, April 16, 2013
Arnado vs. Comelec, G.R. No. 210164, August 18, 2015
David vs.Agbay, G.R. No. 199113, March 18, 2015
In Re: Petition to Re-Acquire the Privilege to Practice Law in the Philippines,
B.M. No. 2112, July 24, 2012
Perez vs. Brownnell, 356 U.S. 44 (1958)
Afroyim vs. Rusk, 387 U.S. 253 (1967)
Schill vs. Cincinnati Ins. Co. 141 Ohio St. 3d 382 (2014)
Marcos vs. Comelec, 248 SCRA 300 (1995)
Jalosjos vs. Comelec, G.R. No. 191970, April 24, 2012
Caballero vs. Comelec, G.R. 209835, September 22, 2015
Caasi vs. CA, G.R. No. 88831, November 8, 1990
Coquilla vs. Comelec, G.R. No. 151914, July 31, 2002
Macalintal vs. Comelec, G.R. No. 157013, July 10, 2003
Nicolas-Lewis vs. Comelec, G.R. No. 162759, August 4, 2006
Jao vs. CA, G.R. No. 128314, May 29, 2002
San Luis vs. San Luis, G.R. No. 134029, February 6, 2007

IV. Choice of Law in Family Relations

A. Marriage
1. Philippine policy on marriage and the family
2. Extrinsic validity of marriage
3. Intrinsic validity of marriage
4. Effects of marriage to:
a) personal relations of the spouses
b) property relations of spouses
B. Divorce and Separation
a) Divorce decrees obtained by Filipinos
b) Validity of foreign divorce between foreigners
c) Right to remarry after divorce
d) Recognition of foreign divorce and correction of entry
e) Nature of recognition of foreign divorce proceedings
C. Annulment and declaration of nullity of marriage
D. Parental relations
a) Determination of legitimacy of a child
b) Common law principles on legitimacy
c) Parental authority over the child
E. Adoption

Read: Chapter VIII and X Conflict of Laws, (Rex Book Store), 2017 edition by
Galahad R. A. Pe Benito and Part Four, XII, Conflict of Laws, Cases, Materials and
Comments, (Central Book Supply, Inc), 2000 edition, by Jorge R. Coquia and
Elizabeth Aguiling- Pangalangan

Cases for Reading:

US vs. Jarvison, 409 F. 3d 1221 (2005)

Cook vs. Cook, 104 P.3d 857 (2005)
Obergefell vs. Hodges, 135 S. Ct. 2584 (2015)
 Langan vs. St Vincent Hospital of NY, 802 NYS. 2d 476 (NY App. Div. 20015)
Tenchavez vs. Escano, 15 SCRA 355 (1965)
Van Dorn vs. Romillo, 139 SCRA 139, (1985)
San Luis vs. San Luis, 514 SCRA 294 (2007)
Pilapil vs. Ibay-Somera, 174 SCRA 653
Roehr vs. Rodriguez, 452 Phil 608 (2003)
Republic vs. Orbecido, 472 SCRA 114 (2005)
Corpuz vs. Sto. Tomas, 628 SCRA 266 (2010)
Fujiki vs. Marinay, 700 SCRA 69 (2013)
Ramirez Marcaida vs. Aglubat, 21 SCRA 1033 (1962)
Republic vs. Miller, 306 SCRA 183, (1999)

V. Choice of Law in Property

A. Conflict of law on property

B. The controlling law
C. Capacity to transfer or acquire property
D. Extrinsic and intrinsic validity of conveyances
E. Lex Situs Rule; Exceptions
F. Rule as to real or personal property
G. Specific rules as to ownership of real property
H. Condominium Act
I. Situs of Certain Properties
1. Situs of Personal property for tax Purposes
2. Situs of Money
3. Situs of Debts
4. Situs of Corporate Shares of Stocks
J. Patents, Trademarks, Trade Name and Copyright

Read: Chapter VII, Conflict of Laws, (Rex Book Store), 2017 edition by Galahad R.
A. Pe Benito and Part Four, XIII, Conflict of Laws, Cases, Materials and
Comments, (Central Book Supply, Inc), 2000 edition, by Jorge R. Coquia and
Elizabeth Aguiling- Pangalangan

Cases for Reading:

Laurel vs. Garcia, 187 SCRA 797 (1990)

Roberts vs. Locke, 304 P.3d 116 (2013)
Tayag vs. Benguet Consolidated, G.R. No. L-23145, November 29, 1968
Ramirez vs Vda. De Ramirez, 111 SCRA 704 (1982)
Matthews vs. Taylor, G.R. No. 164584, June 22, 2009
Cheesman vs. Intermediate Appellate Court, 193 SCRA 93
Llantino vs. Co Liong Chong, 188 SCRA 592 (1990)

VI. Choice of Law in Contracts

A. Conflict of laws in contractual relations

B. Primacy of contractual stipulations
C. Contracts involving a foreign element
D. Extrinsic validity of contracts
E. Intrinsic Validity of contracts
1. Lex Loci Contractus
2. Lex Loci Solutionis
3. Lex Loci Intentionis
E. Capacity to enter into contracts
 F. Choice of law issues in Conflicts Contracts Case
1. Choice of forum clause
2. Contract with arbitration clause
3. Adhesion contracts
4. Special contracts
5. Applicable law in absence of effective choice
G. Choice of law stipulations, waiver of renvoi, depecage
H. Defenses to jurisdiction and choice of law
I. Limitations to Choice of Law

Chapter III, Conflict of Laws, (Rex Book Store), 2017 edition by Galahad R. A. Pe
Benito and Part Four, XIV, Conflict of Laws, Cases, Materials and Comments,
(Central Book Supply, Inc), 2000 edition, by Jorge R. Coquia and Elizabeth
Aguiling- Pangalangan

Cases for Reading:

Bagong Filipino Overseas Corporation National Labor Relations vs. NLRC, G.R. L-66006,
February 28, 1985
Atienza vs. Philimare Shipping, 176 SCRA 325 (1989)
Pakistan International Airlines vs. Blas Ople, G.R. No. 61594, September 28, 1990
Erie Insurance Exchange vs. Hefferman, 925 A. 2d 636 (Md.2007)
Government vs. Frank, G.R. No. 2935, March 23, 1909
In re KMH, 169 P.3d 1025 (2007)
Triple Eight Integrated Services, Inc. v. NLRC, G.R. No. 129584, December 3, 1998
Hasegawa vs. Kitamura, G.R. No. 149177, November 23, 2007

VI. Choice of Law in Wills, Succession and Administration of Estates

A. Conflicts of Law in Succession

B. Allowance of wills proved outside of the Philippines
C. Extrinsic validity of wills
D. Intrinsic validity of wills
E. Interpretation of wills
F. Revocation
G. Probate
H. Administration of Estates
I. Trusts

Chapter IX, Conflict of Laws, (Rex Book Store), 2017 edition by Galahad R. A. Pe
Benito and Part Four, XV, Conflict of Laws, Cases, Materials and Comments,
(Central Book Supply, Inc), 2000 edition, by Jorge R. Coquia and Elizabeth
Aguiling- Pangalangan

Cases for Reading:

Dalton v. Giberson, 91 Phil 524 (1952)

Miciano vs. Brimo, 50 Phil 867 (1927)
Bohanan vs. Bohanan 106 Phil 997 (1960)

VII. Choice of Law in Torts and Crimes

A. Torts as a source of obligation

B. Concept of negligence
C. Conflict of laws in Torts
D. Approaches to conflicts torts
 E. Policies behind conflicts tort law
F. Lex Loci Delicti Commissi
G. Modern Theories of foreign tort liability
1. The Most Significant Relationship
2. Interest Analysis
3. Caver’s Principle of Preference
H. Foreign Tort Claims
1. Conditions for the Enforcement of Tort Claims
2. Products Liability of Foreign Manufacturer
3. The Alien Tort Act
4. Philippine Rule on Foreign Torts
I. Torts vs. Crimes
J. Lex Loci Delicti

Chapter IV, Conflict of Laws, (Rex Book Store), 2017 edition by Galahad R. A. Pe
Benito and Part Four, XVI, Conflict of Laws, Cases, Materials and Comments,
(Central Book Supply, Inc), 2000 edition, by Jorge R. Coquia and Elizabeth
Aguiling- Pangalangan

Cases for reading:

Dowis, et al. vs. Mud Slingers, Inc. et al., 279 Ga. 808 (2005)
Melton vs Stephens, 13 N. E. 3d 533 (2014)
Saudi Arabian Airlines vs. Court of Appeals, G. R. No. 122192, October 8, 1998
First National Bank vs Rostek, 514 P. 2d 314 (1973)
Kamelgard vs Macura, 585 F. 3d 334 ( 2009)
Lankenau vs Boles, 199 A.D. 1404 (2014)
th
Winter vs Novartis, 739 F. 3d 405 (8 Cir 2014)
Future Select vs. Tremont Group, 331 P 3d. 29 (Wash 2014)

VIII. Choice of Law Affecting Corporations

A. Conflict problems of corporations

B. Personal law of a corporation
C. Incorporation test; exceptions
1. Constitutional and statutory restrictions
2. Control test during war
D. Domicile or residence foreign corporations
E. Nationality of corporations
F. Test of corporate nationality
a) Control Test
b) Grandfather rule
G. Jurisdiction over foreign corporations
H. Right of foreign corporations to sue
I. License requirements, exceptions
1. Isolated transactions
2. Action to protect trademark, tradename, goodwill, patent or unfair
competition
3. Agreements to fully transact outside of the Philippines
4. Corollary defensive suits
J. Scope of ‘transacting business’
K. Special corporations
1. Religious societies
2. Transnational corporations
L. Partnerships
M. One man corporation
 Read: Chapter XI, Conflict of Laws, (Rex Book Store), 2017 edition by Galahad R.
A. Pe Benito and Part Four, XVII, Conflict of Laws, Cases, Materials and
Comments, (Central Book Supply, Inc), 2000 edition, by Jorge R. Coquia and
Elizabeth Aguiling- Pangalangan

Cases for reading:

Cargill vs. Intra Strata Assurance Corp., G.R. No. 168266, March 15, 2010
Steelcase vs. Design International, G. R. No. 1711995, April 18, 2012
State Investment House vs. Citibank, G. R. Nos. 79926-27, October 17, 1991
Rogers vs. Guaranty Trust Co., 288 US 123 (1932)
Western Air Lines vs. Sobleski, 191 Cal App. 2d. 399 (1961)
th
Mansfield Hardwood Lumber vs. Johnson, 268 F. 2d 317, 5 Cir 1959)
Hyatt Elevators vs. Goldstar Elevators, G.R. No. 161026, October 24, 2005
Clavecilla Radio Systems vs. Antillon, G. R. No L-22238, February 18, 1967
Tayag vs. Benguet Consolidated, G. R. No. L. 23145, November 29, 1968
Narra Nickel Mining vs. Redmont Consolidated Mines, G. R. 195580,April 21, 2014
Gamboa vs. Teves, G.R. No. 176579, June 28, 2011

X. Foreign Judgements

A. Recognition of foreign judgements

B. Recognition vs enforcement
C. Bases of recognition and enforcement of foreign judgement
D. Policies on recognition of foreign judgement
E. Requisites for recognition or enforcement of foreign judgements
F. Effects of foreign judgment; res judicata
G. Grounds for non -recognition, repelled foreign judgments
H. Proof of foreign law
I. Modern developments
J. Procedures for enforcement of foreign judgements

Read: Chapter XIV, Conflict of Laws, (Rex Book Store), 2017 edition by Galahad R.
A. Pe Benito and Part Five, Conflict of Laws, Cases, Materials and Comments,
(Central Book Supply, Inc), 2000 edition, by Jorge R. Coquia and Elizabeth
Aguiling- Pangalangan

Cases for Reading:

Fujiki vs Marinay, G.R. no. 196049, June 26, 2013

Roehr vs Rodriguez, G. R. No 142820, June 20, 2003
St Aviation Services vs. Grand International Airways, G.R. No. 140288, October 23, 2006
Philippine Aluminum Wheel vs. FASGI, G.R. No. 137378, October 12, 2000