PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MAYNILA

COLLEGE OF LAW

CONSTITUTIONAL LAW I

Professor:

Atty. Jennifer Arlene J. Reyes1

Tuesday

5 PM to 8 PM

Course Description

This subject aims to teach the significant concepts and doctrines on the powers
and structures of the Philippine government, the nature and supremacy of the
Constitution, manner of its interpretation, amendments and revisions, the Philippines
as a state, fundamental principles on the inherent powers of the state (police power,
eminent domain and taxation), separation of powers, checks and balances, delegation
of powers, the legislative department, judicial department, executive department, and
the scope and limitations of each department’s powers.

Class Rules

In accordance with the instruction from the Dean’s Office allowing law
professors to conduct classes using safe online platforms such as Zoom meetings or
Microsoft Teams, Zoom Meetings shall be used for discussions and recitations so
kindly make sure that you have a secure internet connection each meeting.

All queries and concerns must be sent through the class beadle. Direct emails
from students shall not be entertained except confirmation of emailed paperwork/
examinations.

POWERS AND STRUCTURES OF GOVERNMENT

I. PRELIMINARY CONCEPTS

A. NATURE OF A CONSTITUTION

1. Republic v. Sandiganbayan, 407 SCRA 10 (2003)

2. Gudani v. Senga, 498 SCRA 671 (2006)
3. Nicolas v. Romulo, 578 SCRA,

1. SUPREMACY OF THE CONSTITUTION

1 Law Subjects taught/being taught: Civil Law Review, Commercial Law Review, Land Titles and
Deeds, Obligations and Contracts, Constitutional Law I, Constitutional Law II, Law on Sales, Persons
and Family Relations Law, Transportation Law, Legal Writing, Legal Techniques and Logic (Legal
Opinion and Trial Memorandum Making II) and Torts and Damages.

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CASES:

1. Tawang Multi-Purpose Cooperative v. La Trinidad Water District, G.R. No. 166471,

March 22, 2011
2. Manila Prince Hotel v. GSIS, 267 SCRA 408, 1997
3. Knights of Rizal v. DMCI Homes, Inc., 824 SCRA 327 (2017)
4. Victoriano v. Elizalde Rope Workers Union, G.R. No. L-25246, September 12, 1974
5. Estrada v. Escritor, A.M. No. P-02-1651, August 04, 2003


(a) Constitution Of Government

(b) Constitution Of Liberty

(c) The Constitution Of Sovereignty


2. MANNER OF INTERPRETATION

a. Verba legis (“plain meaning rule”)

b. Ratio legis est anima (“intention rule”)
c. Ut magis valeat quam pereat (“totality rule” The Constitution is to be interpreted as a
whole.

CASES:


1. Francisco v. House of Representatives, G.R. No. 160261, Nov 10, 2003

2. Belgica v. Ochoa, G.R. Nos. 208566, 208493 and 209251, November 13, 2013

Self-executing and non-self-executing provisions

CASES:

1. Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez v. House of Representatives Committee on

Justice, GR No. 193459, March 08, 2011
2. CotesCUP v. DepEd Secretary, G.R. No. 216930, October 09, 2018
3. Manila Prince Hotel v. GSIS, G.R. 122156, February 3, 1997
4. Defensor-Santiago v. COMELEC, G.R. No. 127325, Mar 19, 1997
5. Nicolas-Lewis v. COMELEC, G.R. NO. 162759, August 04, 2006

3. AMENDMENTS AND REVISIONS

Kinds of Constitution

(a) Written and unwritten


(b) Conventional and cumulative (c) Rigid and flexible

Article XVII, 1987 Constitution



A. Amending and Revising the Constitution


1. How amendment is instituted


a. Congress, Art. XVII, Sec. 1
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b. Constitutional Convention, Art. XVII, Sec. 3
c. The people through initiative, Art. XVII, Sec. 2

2. How revision is instituted

a. Congress, Art. XVII, Sec. 1

b. Constitutional Convention, Art. XVII, Sec. 3:
c. Distinction between Amendment and Revision



CASE: Defensor-Santiago v. COMELEC G.R. No. 127325, March 19, 1997

Different types of Initiative



(a) Initiative on the Constitution
(b) Initiative on statutes
(c) Initiative on local legislation

[RA 6735, Sec. 3 (a)]. Sec. 3 (b) of RA 6735

a. Indirect Initiative
b. Direct Initiative

Kinds of Referendum

a. Referendum on Statutes
b. Referendum on Local Laws


CASE: Lambino v. COMELEC, G.R. No. 174153, Oct. 25, 2006


Requisites for a valid ratification


CASES:

1. Gonzales v. COMELEC, G.R. No. L-28196, November 9, 1967

2. Tolentino v. COMELEC, G.R. No. L-34150, October 16, 1971
3. De Leon v. Esguerra, 153 SCRA.

B. THE PHILIPPINES AS A STATE

1. Elements

• People
• Territory
• Government
• Sovereignty

2. Distinction between Internal and External Self-Determination

Macariola v. Asuncion, 114 SCRA 77 (1982)

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C. FUNDAMENTAL POWERS OF THE STATE

1. Police Power

CASES:

1. Mark Anthony v. Zabal et al., vs. Rodrigo R. Duterte et al., GR. No. 238467 12
February 2019
2. Sama y Hinupas v. People, G.R. No. 224469, 5 January 2021
3. GENUINO, et al. vs. HON. LEILA M. DE LIMA, GR. No. 197930, 199034, 199046,
17 April 2018
4. City of Manila v. Judge Laguio, G.R. No. 118127 12 April 2005
5. Acosta v. Ochoa, G.R. Nos. 211559, 211567, 212570 & 215634, 15 October 2019.
6. Mosqueda et al., vs. Pilipino Banana Growers & Exporters Association, Inc., et al.



2. Eminent Domain

CASES:

1. Rep. of the Philippines vs. Jose Gamir-Consuelo Diaz), GR. No. 218732, 12 November 2018
2. Lloyds Richfield Industrial Corp. v. National Power Corp, G.R. Nos. 190207 & 190213, 30
June 2021
3. Republic of the Philippines v. Jorge Castillo, et al., GR. No. 190453, 26 February 2020
4. Republic v. Jose Gamir-Consuelo Diaz Heirs Association, Inc., G.R. No. 218732, November
18, 2018

3. Taxation

CASES:

1. City of Davao v. AP Holdings, Inc., G.R. No. 245887, 22 January 2020

2. La Sallian Educational Innovators Foundation (De La Salle University-College Of
St. Benilde) Inc., v. Commissioner Of Internal Revenue, G.R. No. 202792, 27
February 2019

D. Relevance of the Declaration of Principles and State Policies



Sections 1 to 28, Article II, 1987 Constitution


CASES:

1. Peralta v. Philippine Postal Corporation, GR No. 223395, December 04, 2018

2. Imbong v. Ochoa. G.R. No. 204819, April 8, 2014
3. SPARK v. Q.C., City of Manila, and City of Navotas, G.R. No. 225442, August 08,
2017
4. Zabal v. Pres. Duterte, G.R. No. 238467, February 12, 2019
5. Oposa v. Factoran. G.R. No. 101083, July 30, 1993
6. Belgica v. Ochoa, G.R. Nos. 208566, 208493 and 209251, November 13, 2013
7. Ang Ladlad v. COMELEC, G.R. No. 190582, April 08, 2010
8. Ha Datu Tawahig v. Cebu City Prosecutor Lineth Lapinid, G.R. No. 221139, March
20, 2019
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 9. National Federation of Hog Farmers, Inc. v. Board of Investments, G.R. No. 205835,
June 23, 2020

E. Dynamics Among the Branches of Government

1. Separation of Powers

CASES:

1 1. Belgica v. Ochoa, G.R. Nos. 208566, 208493 and 209251, November 13, 2013
2 2. Ha Datu Tawahig v. Cebu City Prosecutor Lineth Lapinid, G.R. No. 221139, March
20, 2019
3 3. Estipona, Jr., v. Lobrigo. G.R. No. 226679, August 15, 2017
4 4. Ople v. Torres. G.R. No. 127685, July 23, 1998
5 5. Senate of the Philippines v. Ermita, 488 SCRA 1 (2006)
6 6. Pulido v. People, G.R. No. 220149, July 27, 2021
7 7. People v. Edgardo S. Go, G.R. No. 210816, December 10, 2018

2. System of Checks and Balances


3. Delegation of Powers

Tests for valid delegation of powers

a. Completeness test 


b. Sufficient Standard test 


CASES:

8 1. Sema v. Commission on Elections, 558 SCRA 700 (2008)

1 2. NPC Drivers and Mechanics Association (NPC DAMA) v. National Power
Corporation (NPC), 845 SCRA 487, 2017

F. State Immunity


1. Basis


Waiver of Immunity: Express and Implied


Distinction between governmental and proprietary functions


CASES:

2 1. Bank of the Philippine Islands v. Central Bank of the Philippines, G.R. No. 197593,
October 12, 2020
3 2. Arigo v. Swift, 735 SCRA 102 (2014)
4 3. Bases Conversion and Development Authority v. Commissioner of Internal
Revenue, G.R. No. 205466, January 11, 2021

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 Legislative power

1. Derivative and Delegated Power

Tests of valid delegation of powers

CASES:

5 1. Gerochi v. Department of Energy. G.R. No. July 17, 2007

6 2. Bayan Muna v. Sec. Ermita, G.R. No. 169838, Apr 25, 2006

2. Plenary Character:


CASE: Belgica v. Ochoa, G.R. No. 20856, November 19, 2013

3. Limitations

a. Substantive

Bill of Rights

Section 22, Art. III

Section 30, Art. VI
Section 25[1], Art. VI
Section 26[1], Art. VI
Section 31, Art. VI
Section 29 [2], Art. VI

b. Procedural - Manner of Passage and Form of Bills


Sections 26 and 27, Article VI


CASES:

7 1. Arroyo v. De Venecia, G.R. No. 127255, August 14, 1997

8 2. CotesCUP v. DepEd Secretary, G.R. No. 216930, October 09, 2018:

4. Law-Making Distinguished from Law-Execution


1 CASE: Abakada Party List v. Secretary of Finance Purisima


Powers delegated to administrative agencies

CASE: CotesCUP v. DepEd Secretary

5. Exceptions to Non-Delegability


a) Local Governments

b) Presidential power in times of war and national emergency, including Martial Law
and in a revolutionary context
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 Section 23 (1) and (2), Article VI

CASE:

2 Lagman v. Medialdea, G.R. No. 231658, December 05, 2017, G.R. No. 231658; July 5,
2017 and G.R. No. 243522, February 19, 2019

c) Fixing Tariff Rates, Quotas, and Other Duties Section 28(2), Article VI

6. Legislative Power of the People Through Initiative and Referendum

Sections 1 and 32 of Article VI


Section 25, Article XVIII

Sections 10, 11 and 18, Article X


CASE: Lambino v. COMELEC

B. Bicameral Congress


1. Senate
2. House of Representatives: Sections 5(1), 6 and 7, Article VI

a) District Representatives and Mechanics of Apportionment: Sections 5(1), (3) and (4),
Article VI

Gerrymandering

CASES:

3 1. Aldaba v. COMELEC, G.R. No. 188078, January 25, 2010

4 2. Aquino and Robredo v. COMELEC, G.R. No. 189793, April 07, 2010
5 3. Navarro v. Commission on Elections, G.R. No. 180050, February 10, 2010

b) Party-List System: Sections 5(1) and (2), Article VI

Republic Act No. 7941

CASES:

6 1. Atong Paglaum, Inc. v. Commission on Elections, G.R. No. 203766, April 2, 2013
7 2. BANAT v. COMELEC, G.R. NO. 179271, July 8, 2009
8 3. Lokin v. COMELEC, GR Nos. 179431-32, June 22, 2010
1 4. Coalition of Associations of Senior Citizens in the Philippines v. COMELEC, G.R.
Nos. 206844-45, July 23, 2013
2 5. Amores v. House of Representative Electoral Tribunal, G.R. No. 189600, June 29,
2010
3 6. Baguilat, Jr., Alvarez, G.R. No. 227757, July 25, 2017

C. Legislative Privileges, Disclosure of Financial and Business Affairs, Prohibitions,

Inhibitions, and Disqualifications: Sections 11, 12, 13, and 14, Article VI

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Legislative Privileges

1. Parliamentary speech
2. Freedom from arrest 


Section 11, Article VI

CASES:

1. Trillanes, IV v. Marigomen, G.R. No. 223451, March 14, 2018

2. People v. Jalosjos, G.R. Nos. 132875-76, February 3, 2000

Duty to Disclose and Notify under Section 12, Article VI

Disqualifications under Section 13, Article VI

CASES:

1. Liban v. Gordon, G.R. No. 175352, Jul 15, 2009

2. Legarda v. De Castro, P.E.T. CASE NO. 003, March 31, 2005

Prohibitions under Section 14, Article VI

D. Quorum and Voting Majorities: Read Section 16(2), Article VI

CASE: Avelino v. Cuenco, G.R. No. L-2821, March 04, 1949

E. Discipline of Members, Section 16(3), Article VI


F. Law-Making Process, Section 26, Article VI 


CASE: Ang Nars Party List v. Executive Secretary, G.R. No. 215746, October 8, 2019

1. Function of the Bicameral Conference Committee, Section 24, Article VI

CASE: Tolentino v. Secretary of Finance, G.R. No. 115455, August 25, 1994

2. Limitations on Legislative Power Section 26, Article VI

a) Limitations on Revenue, Appropriations, and Tariff, Section 24, Article VI; Section
25 (1) to (7), Article VI

b) Presidential Veto and Congressional Override, Section 27, Article VI

G. Rules on Appropriation and Re-Alignment


The requisites for a valid transfer under Section 25(5), Article VI of the Constitution

CASE: Araullo v. Aquino III, G.R. No. 209287, July 1, 2014

H. Electoral Tribunals and Commission on Appointments


1. Composition: Section 17, Article VI
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2. Powers and Jurisdiction: Read the first sentence of Section 17, Article VI


CASES:

1. Ongsiako-Reyes v. HRET, G.R. No. 207264, Jun 25, 2013

2. Tañada v. HRET, G.R. No. 217012, March 01, 2016:
3. David v. SET and Poe-Llamanzares, GR No. 221538, Sep 20, 2016

I. Powers of Congress

1. Legislative Inquiries and the Oversight Functions

2. Non-Legislative


a) Informing Function

CASES:

1. Francisco, Jr. v. House of Representatives

2. Ombudsman Gutierrez v. House of Representatives
3. Republic v. Sereno, G.R. No. 237428, May 11, 2018

III. Executive Department

A. Nature of Executive Power: Read Sections 1 and 17, Article VIII



1. In Relation to the Implementation of Laws (Including Delegated Powers)
2. Express or Implied (Including the Faithful Execution of Laws and Residual Powers)

CASE: Marcos v. Manglapus, 177 SCRA 668

B. Concept of Presidential Immunity


1. Conduct Covered

CASES:

1. Zabal v. Pres. Duterte, G.R. No. 238467, February 12, 2019

2. De Lima V. Pres. Duterte, G.R. No. 227635, October 15, 2019
3. Estrada v. Desierto, G.R. Nos. 146710-15, March 2, 2001

2. Waiver and Exceptions


CASES:

1. Soliven v. Makasiar. G.R. No. 82585, November 14, 1988

2. Sabio v. Sandiganbayan (First Division), G.R. Nos. 233853-53, July 10, 2019

C. Concept of Executive Privilege

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CASE: Senate of the Philippines v. Ermita, G.R. No. 169777, April 20, 2006

1. Types

2. Who May Invoke


CASES:

1. Neri v. Senate Committees, G.R. No. 180643, March 25, 2008

2. Sereno v. CRTM, G.R. No. 175210, February 01, 2016

D. Qualifications, Election, Term of the President and Vice-President, and Rules on

Succession

Manner to fill up the temporary vacancy under paragraph 5 of Section 7, Article VII
Temporary Incapacity of the President under Section 11 of Article VII

President Health Status under Section 12 of Article VII

CASE: De Leon v. Pres. Duterte, G.R. No. 252118. May 8, 2020

E. Other Privileges, Inhibitions, and Disqualifications, Section 6, Article VII

Inhibitions and Disqualifications - Section 13, Article VII

F. Powers of the President



1. Executive and Administrative Powers
3. Power of Appointment


Classes of appointment

CASES:

1. Sarmiento v. Mison, G.R. No. L-79974, December 17, 1987

2. Calderon v. Carale, G.R. No. 91636, April 23, 1992
3. Funa v. Agra, G.R. No. 191644, February 19, 2013

Process of Confirmation by the Commission Read Section 16, Article VII

By-Passed Appointments and their Effects


Appointments by an Acting President


Scope of Midnight Appointments Read Section 15, Article VII

CASE: De Castro v. Judicial and Bar Council, G.R. No. 191002, March 17, 2010

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e) Recess and Ad-Interim Appointments



CASE: Matibag v. Benipayo, G.R. No. 149036, April 2, 2002

f) Power of Removal


CASE: Gonzales III v. Office of the President. G.R. No. 196231, January 28, 2014

3. Power of Control and Supervision



CASE: Funa v. Executive Secretary, G.R. No.184740, February 11, 2010

a) Doctrine of Qualified Political Agency (“alter-ego doctrine”)

CASE: Resident Marine Mammals of the Protected Seascape Tañon Strait v.

Department of Energy Secretary Reyes, G.R. No. 180771, April 21, 2015

b) Executive Departments and Offices Read Section 17, Article VII

c) Local Government Units, Sections 1 and 4, Article X

4. Emergency Powers, Section 23, Article VI

5. Commander-in-Chief Powers Read Section 18, Article VII

a) Calling Out Powers

b) Declaration of Martial Law and the Suspension of the Privilege of the Writ of
Habeas Corpus (Including Extension of Period)

CASES:

1. Kulayan v. Tan, G.R. No. 187298, July 3, 2012

2. Lagman v. Medialdea, G.R. No. 231658, July 4, 2017
3. Padilla v. Congress of the Philippines, G.R. No. 231671, July 25, 2017:
4. Lagman v. Pimentel III, G.R. No. 235935, February 6, 2018
5. Ocampo v. Vice Chief of Staff


6. Pardoning Powers

a) Scope and Limitations

b) Forms of Executive Clemency

1. Reprieve
2. Commutation
3. Pardon
4. Remittal of fines and forfeitures
5. Amnesty 


CASES:

1. Risos-Vidal v. COMELEC
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2. Tiu v. Hon. Natividad Dizon
3. Monsanto v. Factoran, Jr., 170 SCRA 190, 200

7. Foreign Relations Powers

a) In General
b) To Contract or Guarantee Foreign Loans


Section 20, Article VII

CASE: Constantino v. Cuisia, G.R. No. 106064, October 13, 2005

c) Entry into Treaties or International Agreements Cases:

CASES:

1. Intellectual Property Association of the Philippines v. Ochoa, G.R. No. 204605, July
19, 2016
2. Saguisag v. Ochoa, G.R. No. 212426, January 12, 2016

8. Powers Relative to Appropriation Measures, Section 22, Article VII

9. Veto Power, Section 27, Article VI.

IV. Judicial Department



A. Concept of Judicial Power


CASE: Pulido v. People

B. Judicial Review

1. Requisites

CASE: Alliance of Quezon City Homeowners Association, Inc. v. Quezon City

2. Political Question Doctrine

3. Moot Questions

Exceptions to mootness principle

CASE: David v. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, G.R. No. 171396, May 3, 2006

4. Operative Fact Doctrine


CASE: Araullo v. Aquino, G.R. No. 209287, July 1, 2014

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C. Judicial Independence and Fiscal Autonomy

The guarantees of judicial independence under the Constitution

D. Appointments to the Judiciary

1. Qualifications of Members
2. Judicial and Bar Council
a) Composition
b) Powers
c) (Section 8(5), Article VIII)

(Section 9, Article VIII)


CASES:

1. Chavez v. JBC
2. Jardeleza v. Sereno and JBC
3. Judge Aguinaldo v. President Aquino
4. In Re: Letter of Mrs. Corona relative to the Claim of Retirement Benefits of Chief
Justice Corona
5. Republic v. Sereno

E. The Supreme Court



1. Composition, Powers, and Functions


2. En Banc and Division Cases


(Section 4 (1), Article VIII.

3. Administrative Supervision Over Lower Courts

Section 11, Article VIII

4. Original and Appellate Jurisdiction


Section 5(1) and 5(2) , Article VIII


Section 30, Article VI

V. Constitutional Commissions (COMELEC, COA, CSC)


A. Constitutional Safeguards to Ensure Independence of Commissions



CASE: Civil Service Commission v. Department of Budget and Management, G.R. No.
158791, July 22, 2005

B. Common Provisions Article XI-A, Sections 1-8

C. Powers, Functions, and Jurisdiction

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D. Composition, Qualifications of Members and Term of Office

Qualifications of the Members of the CSC (Section 1, Article IX.B)

Qualifications of the Members of the COMELEC (Section 1, Article IX.C):
Qualifications of the Members of the COA (Section 1, Article IX.D):

E. Prohibited Offices and Interests

Term of Office


CASES:

1. Funa v. Duque III, G.R. No. 191672, November 25, 2014

2. Matibag v. Benipayo, G.R. No. 149036, April 02, 2002

F. Judicial Review of Final Orders, Resolutions, and Decisions


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