JD 3 0 6: P UB LI C INT E R NA TIO NA L LA W

S a tur da y 6: 0 0 PM t o 9: 0 0 P M
1 s t S e me s te r S Y 2 0 2 2 - 2 0 2 3

C ove r ag e :
IX . I MM UN ITY F ROM J U RI S D I C TION

© 2020, TOMAS CLAUDIO COLLEGES, COLLEGE OF LAW; TAGHANGIN MORONG, RIZAL

 TA BL E O F CONT EN TS
UN DE RH ILL VS . HE RN AN DE Z .................................................................................... 1

US VS . R UIZ ................................ ................................................................ ........... 2

US VS . R OD RI G O ................................ ................................................................ ..... 3

J US M A G VS . N LR C ................................ ................................................................ ... 4

RE P UB LI C O F IN D ON E S I A VS . VIN Z ON ................................................................ ........ 5

LIAN G VS . PE OP LE ................................ ................................................................ .. 6

IN TE RN AT I ON A L CA TH O L IC MI G RA T IO N CO M MIS S ION VS . C AL LE J A ............................... 7

ARI G O VS . S WI F T ................................ ................................................................ .... 8

© 2020, TOMAS CLAUDIO COLLEGES, COLLEGE OF LAW; TAGHANGIN MORONG, RIZAL

 JD 3 0 6: P UB LI C INT E R NA TIO NA L LA W
- 1 -
UN DE RH I L L VS. H E R N AN DE Z
[ 1 6 8 U.S . 2 5 0 , 2 9 NO V EM BE R 1 8 9 7 ]
Po ne n te : C H I EF J U S T I C E F U LL E R

F AC TS:
In the e ar ly pa rt o f 1 8 9 2 , a re v olu t io n w as ini ti a te d in Ve ne z ue l a, ag ai ns t t he
le g i ti m ate a dm in is tr a ti on , w hic h t he re v o lu ti on is ts c l ai me d h ad c e ase d t o be th e
le g i ti m ate g ov e rn me n t u nde r t he le ad e rsh i p o f Cre sp o . Ge n . He r na nde z .
Ge org e F. U nde r hi ll w as a c i tize n of the U ni te d S t at e s, w h o h ad c ons tr uc te d a
w a te rw ork s s ys te m f o r t he c i ty of Bo liv ar , u nde r a c on tr ac t w i t h t he g ove rn me nt , an d
w as e ng ag e d i n s up pl ying th e pl ac e w it h w at e r; a nd h e a lso c ar r ie d on a mac hi ne ry
re p air bus ine s s . S o m e ti me af te r t he e nt ry of Ge n. He rn an de z , U nde r hi ll ap plie d to
hi m , as th e o ff ic e r in c o mm a nd , f or a p ass por t t o le ave the c it y. He r na nde z re fuse d
th is re que s t , a nd re q ue s t s m ad e by o the rs in Un de r hi ll 's be ha lf . W he n a pass p or t w a s
g ive n , a nd U nde rh ill l e ft t he c o un tr y.
This ac ti on w as br oug ht t o re c ove r da m ag e s fo r t he de te n ti on c a use d b y re as on
of th e re fus al t o g r an t t he p as s po r t, fo r th e al le g e d c on fi ne me n t o f Un de r hi ll to his
ow n ho use , and f or c e rt ai n a lle g e d assa ul t s an d a ff ro n ts b y t he sol die r s o f
He r na nde z 's a rm y.
The c aus e w as tr ie d i n t he c i rc ui t c ou rt o f the U ni te d S t a te s f or the E as te rn
dis tric t of N e w Y o rk , t he f ac ts pl a in ti ff w as no t e n t it le d t o re c ove r, an d di re c te d a
ve rdic t fo r de fe n da n t , o n the g ro un d t ha t t he ac ts of de fe nd a nt w e re t h ose o f a
mi li t ary c o m m a nde r, re pre s e n ti ng a de f ac to g ove rn me nt in the pro se c u ti on o f a w a r,
he w as n ot c iv i lly re s po ns ib le .
Judg me n t h av i ng be e n re n de re d f or de fe n da nt , the c ase w as t a k e n t o the c irc ui t
c ou rt o f a ppe als , an d by t h at c o ur t a ff ir me d, up on th e g r oun d 't ha t the a c ts o f the
de fe nd an t w e re t he a c ts of the g ove rn me n t o f Ve n e zue l a, an d a s suc h are no t
pro pe r ly the s ub je c t of ad ju dic at i on i n the c ou rts o f a no t he r g o ve rn me n t .

I SSUE :
Whe the r t he ac t s o f G e n. He r n ande z a re an “A c t o f S t a te ”

H E L D:
[Y E S ] US C hie f J us tic e Ful le r , g av e t his op in io n, t o w i t : Eve ry s ov e re ig n S t a te is bo un d
to re spe c t th e in de pe nde nc e o f e ve r y o t he r sove re ig n S t a te , a n d t he c o ur ts of on e
c ou nt ry w ill n ot s i t in judg me nt o n t he ac ts of th e g ove rn me nt o f an o the r d one w it hi n
its ow n te rr it or y. Re d re s s o f g r ie va nc e s by re as on o f suc h ac ts m ust be o b ta ine d
th ro ug h th e me a ns o pe n to be ava ile d o f b y sove re ig n p ow e rs a s be tw e e n the mse lve s.
The i m m un it y o f i nd iv idu als fr o m su i ts br o ug h t i n f ore ig n tr ib un als fo r ac ts do ne
w it hi n t he i r o w n S t at e s , i n the e x e rc ise of g ove r n me n t al au th or i ty , w h e t he r as c iv il
of fic e rs o r a s m il it ar y c o mm a nde rs , m ust n e c e ssar il y e x te nd t o t he ag e n ts o f
g ove r n me n ts r ul ing b y pa ra m ou n t f orc e as m at te r o f f ac t.
The C our t , ag re e w it h the C irc u i t Co ur t o f A ppe als , th a t " t he e vi de nc e up on the
tr ia l in dic a te d th a t th e pur pos e o f the de fe nd an t i n h is t re at me n t o f the pl ai nt if f w as
to c oe rc e t he p la in t if f to op e r ate his w a te r w ork s a nd h is re pa ir w ork s f or the be ne fi t
of th e c o m mu ni ty a n d t he re v ol u ti on ary f orc e s , " a nd t ha t "i t w as n o t su ff ic ie n t t o h ave
w ar ra nt e d a f ind ing b y t he j ury th a t the de fe n da nt w as ac tu a te d by ma lic e or an y
pe rs on al or priv a te m ot iv e ;" an d the se t he r e fo re a re c ons ide re d an “ac t of S t a te ” .

© 2020, TOMAS CLAUDIO COLLEGES, COLLEGE OF LAW; TAGHANGIN MORONG, RIZAL

 JD 3 0 6: P UB LI C INT E R NA TIO NA L LA W
- 2 -
US VS. RUI Z
[ G R NO . L - 3 5 6 4 5 , 2 2 MA Y 1 9 8 5]
Po ne n te : A BA D S A N T OS , J.

F AC TS:
The Un i te d S t ate s o f A me r ic a use d t o h ave a n av al b ase in S ubi c , Za m ba le s as
pro vide d i n t he Mil i ta ry B as e s A g re e me n t b e tw e e n t he P hi li ppi ne s an d US A . In M ay
1 9 7 2 , t he Un i te d S t at e s inv ite d the s ub mis sio n o f b ids fo r the f o llo w i ng pr oje c ts : ( a)
Re p ai r fe nde r s ys te m , A lav a W h arf a t the U S Nav al S t at io n ; ( b) R e pa ir typ h oo n d a mag e
to NA S Cu bi s h or e li ne ; re p ai r typ ho o n d a m ag e to s ho re l ine re ve t me n t , NA VBA S E
S ubic ; and re p ai r t o L e yte Wh ar f app ro ac h, NA VB A S E S ub ic B ay .
One o f th os e w ho re s po nde d t o the inv it a ti on t o bi d w as E lig io d e G uz ma n &
C o. , I nc . In i ts c o m pl a in t, i t a lle g e d t h at US A ha d ac c e p te d i ts bi d be c ause th e l at te r
re que ste d to c on fi r m a pr ic e p ro po sa l. The c o mp any t o ok t his as a c o nf ir m at i on of th e
pro p osa l. H ow e v e r , in a le t te r b y W il li am C oll ins , th e di re c to r o f C on tr ac ts D iv isi on ,
Nav al F ac i li ti e s E ng i n e e ring C o m ma nd , S ou thw e st P ac i fic , D e p ar t me n t of t he N avy of
the U ni te d S t a te s , t he c o mp any w as in fo r m e d t ha t it di d n ot qu a lif y t o r e c e ive th e
aw ard f or the pr oje c t s be c a us e of a p re vi o us u nsa ti sf ac to ry pe r fo rm a nc e o n a re p ai r
c on tr ac t f or t he s e a w al l a t the bo a t l an di ng s o f the US N av al S ta t io n a t S ub ic .
El ig i o de G uz ma n & C o. s ue d th e Uni te d S t at e s as w e ll as s o me of its o ff ic e rs .
The c o mpl ai n t is t o o rde r th e d e fe n da nt s t o a ll ow the c o mp an y to w o rk o n the
pro je c ts a n i n the e v e nt th a t pe rf or m anc e w as n o l o ng e r p oss ib l e , to or de r the
de fe nd an ts to p ay d a m ag e s . The c o mp an y als o s oug ht f or a pre l im in ar y in ju nc ti on t o
re st ra in UA fr o m e n te ring in t o c o nt ra c ts w i th th ir d p ar tie s f or w ork on th e pr oje c ts .

I SSUE :
Whe the r t he U ni te d S ta te s m ay be sue d

H E L D:
[N O ] T he r ule on S t a t e im m un it y e x e mp ts a S t a te fr om be i ng su e d in t he c o ur ts of
an o the r S t a te w i t ho u t its c ons e n t o r w aive r . Th is is a ne c e ss ary c onse que nc e of the
pri nc ip le s of in de pe n de nc e an d e q ua li ty of S ta te s . Ho w e ve r , the rule s o n in te rn a ti on al
law are c o ns t a nt ly d e v e lo pi ng a nd e v olv ing , w h ic h m ade it ne c e s sary t o d is ting uis h
the ac tiv it ie s of S t a te s . T he ac ti v i tie s o f t h e S t ate s a re c a te g or i z e d in t o s ove re ig n an d
g ove r n me n t al ac ts ( ju re i mpe rii) a nd p riv a t e , c om me rc i al , an d pr opr ie ta ry ac t s ( ju re
g e sti on is) .
S t ate i mm un i ty n ow e x te n ds o nl y t o ac t ju r e im pe r ii . Th e c o rre c t te s t f or th e
app lic a ti on o f S t a te i m mu ni ty is n o t t he c o nc lus i on of a c on tr ac t by a S t a te b ut t he
le g a l n at ure o f t he ac t. In t his c ase , t he c o nt rac t w as c le ar ly fo r ac t s ju re i m pre i i , n ot
jure g e s t io nis s o as t o ma in t ain t he f ac i li ti e s of t he U.S . N ava l B ase S u bic Ba y t o
fu nc t io n and be ope r at i on af te r be i ng d a m ag e f ro m a typ ho o n . Thu s, th e c o ur ts h ave
no jur isd ic t i on to t ry the c as e .

© 2020, TOMAS CLAUDIO COLLEGES, COLLEGE OF LAW; TAGHANGIN MORONG, RIZAL

 JD 3 0 6: P UB LI C INT E R NA TIO NA L LA W
- 3 -
US VS. RO D RI G O
[ G R N O . 7 6 6 0 7 , 2 6 F E BR UA RY 1 9 9 0 ]
Po ne n te : C R U Z , J.

Th is cas e w as o n e o f t he fo ur (4 ) c as es co ns o li dat ed and bro ugh t t o the S up re m e

C o urt fo r t he y are is s u es o n i m m un it y o f th e s tat e fro m be ing s ue d :
• USA et . a l. vs . Ho n. Gu into , et . a l. G. R . No . 76 607. Fe bru ar y 26 1990
• US A et. al . v s. Ho n. R o dri go et. al. G.R . No . 79470 F e br ua ry 26 1 990
• USA et . a l. vs . Ho n. C e bal lo s e t. al. G .R . No . 80018 Fe bru ar y 2 6 19 90
• USA e t . a l. vs . Ho n. V e r g ara et. al . G . R. No . 80 258 F eb rua r y 26 1 990

F AC TS:
Fab i an Ge nov e w h o w ork e d as a c ook in t h e U .S . A ir F orc e Re c re at i on Ce n te r a t
the J oh n H ay A ir S t at i on in B ag ui o C i ty , f ile d a c o mpl a in t f or da m ag e s ag ai ns t
pe t it i one r s A n th on y L a mac hi a , Wi lf re d o Be l sa , R ose C ar t all a an d Pe te r Or asc io n f or
his d is miss al fr o m w o rk .
Be ls a, C ar t al la , an d O ras c io n h ad te s ti fie d dur ing an inve s t ig a ti o n t ha t Ge nov e
ha d p our e d u ri ne i nt o t he s ou p st oc k use d in c ook ing th e ve g e t ab le s se rve d to th e
c lub c us to me rs . A s c l ub ma n ag e r , L a m ac hi a sus pe n de d Ge no ve an d re fe rre d the c ase
to a b o ar d o f a rb it ra t ors .
The b o ar d un a ni m ous ly f ou nd Ge n ove g u il t y an d re c o m me n de d his d is miss al .
La m ac h ia , e t . a l. , j oi n e d by th e Uni te d S t a t e s of A me ric a mov e d to dis m iss the
c o mpl ai n t, a lle g i ng th at L a mac hi a w as a n o ff ic e r of th e U.S . A ir F orc e an d w as t hus
im m une fr o m s u it . T h e y arg ue d t ha t the s u it w as i n e ffe c t ag a ins t t he U ni te d S t at e s
w hic h h ad no t g iv e n i ts c ons e nt t o be s ue d .
The tr ia l c o ur t de nie d the m o ti on , s ayi ng t ha t the de fe nd an ts w e nt be y on d t he i r
fu nc t io ns th a t br o ug h t t he m ou t o f the pr o te c tive m an tle o f w h a te ve r i mm un i tie s th e y
m ay h ave ini t ia lly h ad s uc h th a t t he p l ain t if f’s al le g a t io n t h at t he ac t s c o mp l ain e d of
w e re i lle g al , d one w i t h e x t re me b ad fa i th a nd w i t h pr e c o nc e ive d sinis te r pl a n t o
ha rass a nd fin al ly dis mis s t he p la in ti ff g a i ns sig ni fic anc e .
I SSUE :
Whe the r t he d e fe nd a nts rig ht in inv ok i ng t he S t a te ’ s i m mu ni ty f ro m su i t f or ac ts
do ne by t he m in t he pe rf or m anc e o f the ir of fic ia l d ut ie s

H E L D:
[N O ] T he re s t au ra n t s e rv ic e s of fe re d at t he Jo hn H ay A ir S ta t io n is o f t he na tu re of a
busi ne ss e nt e rp ris e u nde r t ak e n by the U ni t e d S t a te s g ove r nm e n t in i ts pr opr ie ta ry
c ap ac i ty an d is ju re g e s ti o nis be ing t ha t i t is pr iva te , c o mme rc i a l, an d pr o prie t ar y
ac t s .
Thu s , th e pe ti ti o ne rs c an no t i nv ok e the do c tr ine of s t a te i m mu n ity t o j us ti fy the
dis miss al o f t he d a m ag e s u it ag ai ns t t he m by Ge n ove e ve n i f i t i s e st ab lis he d th a t t he y
w e re ac t ing as ag e n ts of th e Uni te d S t a te s w he n th e y i nve s tig a te d a nd l a te r dis mis se d
Ge nove . N o t e v e n th e Un i te d S t ate s g ove rn me n t its e l f c a n c l ai m suc h i m m un it y
be c a use b y e n te r ing i nt o an e mp lo y me n t c on tr ac t w i t h Ge n ove , it im pl ie d ly d ive s te d
itse lf o f i ts s ov e re ig n im m un it y f ro m s ui t. B ut s ti ll , the C ou r t dis miss e d the c o mp la in t
ag a ins t the pe ti ti one r s s inc e , w hile su ab le , the pe ti ti one rs w e r e f ou nd to be n o t
li able . A th or oug h i nv e s tig a ti on e st ab lis he d be y on d d ou bt t ha t Ge nove h ad i n f ac t
pol lu te d t he s ou p s t o c k w it h u ri ne .

© 2020, TOMAS CLAUDIO COLLEGES, COLLEGE OF LAW; TAGHANGIN MORONG, RIZAL

 JD 3 0 6: P UB LI C INT E R NA TIO NA L LA W
- 4 -
J USM A G V S. N L RC
[ G R N O . 1 0 8 8 1 3 , 1 5 D E CE MB E R 1 9 9 4]
Po ne n te : P UN O, J.
F AC TS:
Flo re nc io S ac ra me nt o , re s po nde n t w as o ne of th e 74 S e c ur i ty A s sist a nc e
S upp or t Pe rs on ne l ( S A S P) w o rk i ng a t J US M A G - Ph ili pp ine s . He h a d be e n w i th J US M A G
fr om D e c e mbe r 1 8 , 1 9 6 9 , u nt il his dis mis sa l on A pri l 2 7, 1 9 9 2 .
Whe n dis m is s e d , he h e ld the pos i ti on of Il l ust ra t or 2 an d w as t h e inc u m be n t
Pre si de n t of J US MA G Phi li ppi ne s - Fil ip in o Ci vili an E mp l oye e s A ss oc i a ti on ( JP FC EA ) , a
la bo r o rg a niz a ti on du ly re g is t e re d w i th the D e pa rt me n t o f L ab or an d E mp l oy me n t . H is
se rvic e s w e re te r mi n at e d all e g e dl y d ue t o the ab ol i ti on of his p osi ti o n.
He w as a ls o a dv is e d t ha t he w as un de r ad mi nis tr a tive le ave u nt il A p ril 2 7 , 1 9 9 2 ,
al th oug h the s a me w as n o t c h arg e d ag ai ns t h is le ave . S ac ra me n to fi le d a c om pl ai n t
w it h the D e pa rt me n t of L ab or and E mp lo y me n t on t he g r ou nd t ha t he w as il le g a ll y
suspe nde d a nd d is mi s s e d f ro m s e rvic e by J US MA G.
He as k e d fo r h is re ins ta te me nt . J US MA G t h e n f ile d a Mo t io n t o D ism iss i nv ok i ng
its i mm un i ty f ro m s ui t a s a n ag e nc y of t he Un i te d S t ate s. It fu r th e r a lle g e d l ac k o f
e mp lo ye r -e m pl oye e r e la ti o ns h ip and t h a t i t h as n o jur id ic a l pe r son al i ty to s ue and b e
sue d .

I SSUE :
Whe the r J US MA G Phi l ipp ine s c an be s ue d f or v io la ti o n o f P hi lip p ine l ab or l aw s?

H E L D:
[N O ] I t is a pp are n t t h at w he n J US MA G to ok the se rvic e s o f pr iv at e re sp on de n t , i t w as
pe rf or m ing a g ov e r n me n t al fu nc ti on on b e ha lf of t he Un it e d S t at e s pu rsu a nt t o t he
Mil i ta ry A s s is t a nc e A g re e me n t d a te d Ma rc h 2 1 , 1 9 4 7. He nc e , S up re me C ou r t ag re e
w it h pe ti t io ne r th a t t he s u it is , in e f fe c t, o ne ag ai ns t t he Un i te d S ta te s G ove rn me nt ,
al be i t i t w as n o t i mp l e ade d i n t he c om pl ai nt . Co nsi de r ing th a t t he Uni te d S ta te s has
no t w aive d o r c o ns e n te d t o t he s ui t, t he c o mp la in t ag a ins t J US M A G c an no t no t
pro spe r .
Purs u an t to S e c . 2 , A r t. II , 1 9 8 7 C ons ti t ut io n, th e S C re c og n ize a nd ad op t the
g e ne r al ly ac c e p te d pr inc i p le s o f in te rn a ti o na l l aw a s p ar t o f the law of t he l an d.
Im m un it y o f S ta te fr o m s u i t is one o f t he se univ e rs all y re c og n ize d pr inc i ple s . In
in te r na ti o na l l aw , " i m mu ni ty " i s c o m m onl y unde rs to od as an e x e mp ti o n o f the s t ate
an d i ts o rg a ns fr o m t he ju dic ia l j u ri sdic t io n o f a n ot he r s t at e . Th is is anc ho re d on t he
pri nc ip le of th e s ov e r e ig n e q u ali t y o f s ta te s und e r w hic h o ne st at e c a nn o t ass e r t
jur isd ic t io n ov e r an o t he r i n v i ol a ti on o f t he m ax i m p ar in p a re m no n h abe t i m pe r iu m
( an e qu al has n o p ow e r ov e r a n e q ua l) . U n de r the tr ad i ti on al rul e of S t a te i m mu ni ty , a
st ate c a nn ot be s u e d in the c ou rt s o f a n ot h e r S t a te , w i th ou t its c onse n t o r w a ive r .
Ne ve r the le s s , i f, w he r e an d w he n the s t at e or i ts g ove r n me n t e nt e rs in t o a c o nt rac t ,
th ro ug h its o ff ic e rs o r ag e nts , in fu r t he r an c e of a le g i ti m ate a im an d pu rp ose an d
purs u an t t o c ons t it u ti on al le g is la t ive a u th o ri ty , w he re b y m u tu al or re c ip roc al be ne fi ts
ac c r ue a nd rig h ts an d obl ig at io ns ari se t he re fr o m , a nd if th e l aw g ran t ing the
au th or i ty to e n te r i n t o s uc h c o n tr ac t do e s no t p rov ide f or or n a me the of fic e r ag a ins t
w ho m ac ti on m ay be bro ug h t in the e ve n t of a b re ac h the re o f , t he st a te i tse lf m ay b e
sue d , e ve n w i th o ut it s c ons e n t, be c ause by e nte ri ng i nt o a c o n tr ac t , th e sove re ig n
st ate h as de s c e nde d t o t he le v e l of t he c i ti z e n a nd its c o nse n t to be sue d is i m pl ie d
fr om t he v e r y ac t of e nte ri ng in t o suc h c on tr ac t.

© 2020, TOMAS CLAUDIO COLLEGES, COLLEGE OF LAW; TAGHANGIN MORONG, RIZAL

 JD 3 0 6: P UB LI C INT E R NA TIO NA L LA W
- 5 -
RE PU BLI C OF I N D ON E SI A V S. VI N Z ON
[ G R NO . 1 5 4 7 0 5 , 2 6 J UN E 2 0 0 3 ]
Po ne n te : A ZC U NA , J

F AC TS:
Pe t i ti one r, Re pu blic o f I nd one s ia , re pre se n te d by i ts C ou nse l lo r , e nte re d in t o
Ma in te n a nc e A g re e m e nt w i th r e s p on de n t. The ag re e me nt s t a te d th a t t he re s p ond e n t
sha ll , f or a c ons ide ra ti on , m ai nt ai n spe c if i e d e qu ip me nt a t the E mb assy bui ld ing s an d
the o ff ic i a l re s ide nc e of pe t i ti one r.
Whe n I nd one s ia n M in is te r Co unse ll or Ka si m assu me d t he p osi t i on of C hie f o f
A dm in ist r at io n i n M ar c h 2 0 0 0 , he a lle g e dl y fo un d re s po nde nt ’s w ork an d se rv ic e s
uns a tis fac t ory a nd n o t i n c o m pli a nc e w i th t he st a nd ard s se t in t he M ai nt e n anc e
A g re e m e n t a nd he nc e , the In do ne si an E mb assy te r m in a te d the a g re e me n t .
Re sp o nde nt fi le d a c o mp la in t c l a im ing th a t the a fo re sa id te r m in at i on w as
arb i tr ary an d u nl aw fu l. P e t it i one r s f ile d a Mo ti o n t o D i sm iss ass ai ling t ha t Re p ub lic o f
Ind o ne si a , as a fo re ig n s ov e re ig n S ta te , h a s sove re ig n i mm un i ty fr om sui t an d c a nn o t
be sue d as a p ar ty -de fe n da nt in t he P hil ip p ine s .
In tu rn , re s po nde n t f i le d an O pp osi ti o n t o the s a id mo t io n a lle g i ng t ha t the
Re p ub lic of In do ne s i a has e x pre s s ly w aiv e d its im m un it y f ro m s u it base d o n the
fo ll ow i ng p rov is i on in the M ain te na nc e A g r e e me nt : “A ny le g a l ac ti on ar isi ng o u t o f th i s
Ma in te n a nc e A g re e m e nt s h all be se t tle d a c c ord ing t o t he l aw s of th e P hil ip pin e s a n d
by t he p ro pe r c ou r t o f M ak at i Ci ty , P hi li ppi ne s. ” Re sp on de n t’ s O ppo s i ti on lik e w ise
al le g e d th a t A mb as s a dor S oe ra t mi n a nd Mi nis te r C ou nse l lo r K as im c an be su e d an d
he ld li ab le i n t he i r pr iv a te c ap ac i tie s f or t o rt io us ac ts do ne w i t h m alic e a nd b ad f ai th .

I SSUE :
Whe the r Re p ubl ic o f I nd one s ia is i m mu ne f ro m su i t

H E L D:
[Y E S ] In te rn at i on al la w is f ou nde d l arg e ly up on the pr inc i ple s o f re c i pr oc i ty , c o mi ty ,
inde pe n de nc e , an d e qu ali ty o f S ta te s w hic h w e re ad op te d as pa rt of t he l aw of ou r
la nd u nde r A r tic le I I , S e c ti on 2 o f t he 1 9 8 7 C ons ti t ut io n. The ru le th a t a S t a te ma y n ot
be s ue d w i th o ut its c ons e n t is a ne c e s sa ry c onse que nc e of the pri nc ip le s of
inde pe n de nc e a nd e q ua li ty of S t a te s. The p rac tic al jus ti fic a ti on f or the doc t rin e o f
sove re ig n i mm un i ty i s th a t t he r e c a n be n o le g al rig h t ag ain st t he a ut h ori ty t ha t
m ak e s the law on w h i c h t he r ig h t de pe n ds. In the c ase of f ore ig n S t a te s , t he r ule is
de rive d f ro m t he pr in c iple o f t he s ove re ig n e qu ali t y o f S ta te s , as e x pre sse d in t he
m ax i m p ar in p a re m no n h abe t i m pe r iu m. A ll s ta te s are sove re i g n e qu a ls a nd c an n ot
asse r t j ur is d ic t io n ov e r o ne a no t he r . A c o n tr ary a t ti tu de w ou ld “ und ul y ve x t he p e ac e
of na t io ns . ”
Fi tt ing the pre s e n t c a s e , the me re e n te r ing in to a c on tr ac t by a f ore ig n S t ate
w it h a pr iv a te pa rt y c an no t b e c o ns true d a s the ul ti m a te te s t o f w he t he r or n ot it is a n
ac t ju re i mp e ri i o r j ur e g e s ti o nis . Th e S C as k e d t he q ue s ti on , to w it : Is t he f ore ig n
S t ate e ng ag e d i n the re g ul ar c o nduc t of a busi ne ss? If t he f ore i g n S t a te is no t
e ng ag e d re g ul ar ly i n a b us i ne s s o r c o m me rc ia l ac t ivi ty , an d i n t his c ase i t h as no t
be e n s how n to be s o e ng ag e d, t he p ar tic ul ar ac t or t ra ns ac t io n mus t th e n be te s te d by
its na t ure . I f t he ac t is in pu rs u it o f a s ove re ig n ac tiv it y , o r a n i nc ide n t t he re o f, t he n
it is a n ac t jur e i mpe r ii. The re f ore , th e Re p ubl ic o f Ind o ne si a is i m mu ne f ro m s ui t.

© 2020, TOMAS CLAUDIO COLLEGES, COLLEGE OF LAW; TAGHANGIN MORONG, RIZAL

 JD 3 0 6: P UB LI C INT E R NA TIO NA L LA W
- 6 -
LI AN G V S. PE O PLE
[ G R N O . 1 2 5 8 6 5 , 2 8 J A NUA RY 2 0 0 0 A ND 2 6 MA R C H 2 0 0 1 ]
Po ne n te : Y NA RES -S A N TIA GO , J.

F AC TS:
Tw o c ri mi na l i nf or m a ti ons f or g r ave or al d e fa m a ti on w e re f ile d ag a ins t Je f fre y
Li ang , a C hi ne s e na ti on al w h o w as e m pl oy e d as an Ec on o mis t b y t he A si an
D e ve lo p me n t B a nk ( A D B) by Jo yc e V. C ab al , a me m be r o f t he c le r ic a l st a ff of A D B .
Li ang w as arr e s te d b y v ir tue of a w ar ra n t is sue d b y the Me T C . A f te r fix ing p e t it i one r ’s
ba il , t he Me T C re le as e d hi m t o t he c u st od y of th e S e c u ri ty O ff ic e r o f A D B . Th e ne x t
day , the Me TC ju dg e r e c e iv e d an “ of fic e of pro t oc ol” fr o m the D F A st at ing th a t
pe t it i one r is c ov e re d by i m mu ni ty fr o m le g al p r oc e ss u nde r se c t io n 4 5 o f t he
A g re e m e n t be tw e e n t he A D B an d t he P hi li p pine G ove rn me nt re g ard ing t he
He adq u ar te rs of t he A D B in t he c o un tr y.
Base d o n t he s ai d pr o toc o l c o m mu nic a ti on th a t pe ti ti o ne r i s i m m une fr om sui t ,
the Me T C ju dg e w i th o ut no t ic e t o the pr ose c ut io n d is misse d t he c ri mi na l c ase s. The
la t te r fil e d a m o ti on f or re c o ns i de r at io n w hic h w as op po se d b y the D FA . Whe n i ts
m ot io n w as de nie d, t he pr os e c ut i on file d a pe ti ti o n f or c e rt i or a ri a nd m an da m us w i t h
the R T C o f P as ig C it y w hic h s e t as ide the M e TC ru li ng s a nd or de r e d t he l a tte r c our t t o
e nf orc e t he w a rr an t o f a rre s t i t e ar lie r issu e d.
A fte r the m ot i on fo r r e c ons ide ra ti o n w a s d e nie d , th e pe ti ti o ne r e le va te d t he
c ase to t he S u pre me C our t v ia a pe t it io n f or re vie w arg ui ng t ha t he is c o ve re d by
im m un it y u nde r t he A g re e me n t a nd th a t n o pre l i min ar y i nve s tig a ti on w as he l d be fo re
the c ri mi n al c as e .
The S upre me C ou r t d e nie d pe ti ti on f or re v ie w o n the g r o und t h at t he i m mu ni ty
g ra nte d to of fic e rs an d s t af f of t he A D B i s no t abs ol ute a nd i s li mi te d o n t he of fic ia l
c ap ac i ty an d i m mu ni t y c an n ot c ove r t he c o m miss io n of a c r ime suc h as sl an de r or or al
de f a ma ti o n in t he n a me of of fic ia l d u ty . A m ot io n f or re c ons ide ra ti on w as fi le d .

I SSUE :
Whe the r L ia ng , a n o f f ic e r of A D B is i m m un e fr o m su it

H E L D:
[N O ] S l a nde r , in g e ne ral , c an n ot be c o nsi d e re d as a n ac t pe r fo r me d in an o ff ic i al
c ap ac i ty . T he de te r m i na ti on w he th e r the s t at e me n ts ma de b y pe ti ti on e r w e re u t te re d
w hil e in t he pe rf or m a nc e o f h is o f fic i a l f un c ti ons is ne c e ssa ry s o th a t t he i m m uni t y
m ay be g ra n te d t o t h e pe t it i one r. T he i ssu e of w he the r o r n o t p e ti ti o ne r 's u t te r anc e s
c ons ti t ut e d or al de f a m at io n is s t ill f or the tr ia l c o ur t to de te r mi ne . In the c o nc ur ri ng
opi ni o n o f J us tic e Pu no , he s t a te d th a t: t h e na tu re and de g re e of im m un it ie s v ar y
de pe n di ng o n w ho th e re c ip ie n t i s. U nde r t he V ie n n a Co nve n t io n on D ipl o m at ic
Re l a ti ons , a d ip lo m at i c e nv o y is im m une fr o m c ri m in al jur isd ic t i on of t he re c e ivi ng
S t ate f or all ac ts , w he the r pr iv ate or o ff ic i a l, an d he nc e he c a nn ot be arre s te d,
pro se c u te d a nd p un is he d fo r a ny of fe n se h e m ay c om m it , un le ss his d ip lo m a tic
im m un it y is w aiv e d. O n t he ot he r h and , of fic i a ls o f i nt e rn a ti on a l org a niz a ti ons e nj oy
"f unc ti o na l" i m mu ni ti e s , th a t is , onl y t h ose ne c e ss ary fo r the e x e rc ise of t he f unc ti on s
of th e o rg a niz a ti on a nd th e fu lf ill me n t o f i ts p urp ose s .
The re f ore , the im m un ity g r an te d t o o ff ic e rs an d st a ff of t he A D B is n ot ab so lu te ; i t is
li mi te d t o ac ts pe r fo r me d in an o ff ic i al c ap ac i ty . I m mu ni ty c a nn ot c ove r t he
c o mm issi o n o f a c ri m e s uc h as s l a nde r or or al de f a ma t io n i n t h e na me of o ff ic i al du t y.

© 2020, TOMAS CLAUDIO COLLEGES, COLLEGE OF LAW; TAGHANGIN MORONG, RIZAL

 JD 3 0 6: P UB LI C INT E R NA TIO NA L LA W
- 7 -
I N TE RN ATI ON AL C AT H OLI C MI GR A TI O N C O MMI SSI O N VS. C AL LE J A
[ G. R . N O . 85 7 5 0 , 2 8 S EP TE MB E R 1 9 9 0]
Po ne n te : M EL EN C IO - H ER R E RA , J .

F AC TS:
In te r na t io na l Ca t ho lic Mig r a ti on C o m miss io n ( I C MC) w as on e o f t hose
ac c re di te d by the Ph il ipp ine g ov e r n me n t to ope ra te the re f ug e e proc e ssi ng c e n te r in
Mo ro ng , B at a an . T ha t c o me s f ro m an arg u me n t be t w e e n th e P hi lip pi ne g ove rn me nt
an d t he Un i te d N a ti o ns H ig h C o m miss io ne r f or re fug e e s f or e v e nt ua l re se t tle me n t t o
ot he r c o un tr ie s w as t o be e s t ab lis he d i n B at a an .
The T ra de Un i ons of t he P hil ip pin e s a nd A ll ie d f or c e r ti fic a ti on w it h t he the n
Min is try o f L ab or an d E mpl oy me n t a pe t i ti on fo r c e r ti fic a ti on e l e c ti on a m ong the ra n k -
an d-f ile me mbe rs e m plo ye d by IC M C. The l at te r o pp ose d t he pe t it io n o n the g ro un d
th a t i t is an in te rn at i on al org an iz a ti on r e g iste re d w i th the U ni te d Na ti o ns a nd he nc e ,
e nj oys d ip lo m a tic i m mu ni ty .
The Me d -A rbi te r s us t ai ne d I CM C an d dis m i sse d t he pe t it io n fo r e ac h of
jur isd ic t io n. O n ap pe al b y T U PA S , D ir e c t or C all e j a, re ve rs e d the Me d - ar bi te r ’s de c isi o n
an d o rde r e d the im m e di ate c o nduc t of a c e rt if ic a ti o n e le c ti o n. I CM C t he n s oug h t t he
im me di at e dis m is s al of th e T UP A S pe ti ti o n fo r c e r ti fic a ti on e le c t io n in vo lvi ng t he
im m un it y e x pr e s s ly g ra nte d b ut t he sa me w as de nie d. Wi th in te rve n ti on o f
de p ar t me n t of fo re ig n a ff ai rs w h o w as l e g al i n te re s t in the ou tc o me o f thi s c ase , th e
se c on d d iv is io n g av e due to t he I C M C pe ti t io n a nd r e qu ire d t he sub mi t ta l of
me mo r and a b y the p a rt ie s .

I SSUE :
Whe the r t he g r a nt o f dip lo m a tic p riv ile g e s an d i m mu ni tie s t o I C MC e x te nds t o
im m un it y f ro m the ap plic a ti on of Ph il ip pin e la bo r l aw s?

H E L D:
[Y E S ] . T he g r an t of di plo m a tic priv ile g e s a nd i m mu ni t ie s t o I CM C e x te n ds to im m un it y
fr om t he a pp lic a ti on of Ph ili pp ine la bo r l a w s, be c a use i t is c le a rly ne c e ssi t a te d b y
the ir i n te r na t io na l c h ar ac t e r and re spe c t iv e pur pos e s w h ic h is t o av o id the da ng e r of
par t ia li ty an d i nte rf e r e nc e by t he h os t c o u nt ry i n the ir i n te rn a l w ork ing s .
E mpl oye e s a re n o t w i th ou t r e c o urse w he n e ve r t he re are dis pu t e s t o be se t tle d
be c a use e ac h s pe c i al i ze d ag e nc y s h all m ak e pr ovis io n f or ap pr o pri a te mo de s o f
se t tle me nt o f di s pu te s ou t of c on tr ac ts or ot he r dis pu te s of pri v at e c h ar ac t e r to w hic h
the s pe c i al ize d ag e nc y is a p ar ty . M ore ove r , p urs ua nt t o ar tic le I V of me m or an du m of
ab use o f p riv ile g e by IC M C , t he g ove r n me n t is fre e t o w i t hdr aw t he pr ivi le g e s and
im m un it ie s ac c o rde d .
No g r av e ab us e o f d is c re t io n ma y be im pu t e d t o re s po nde n t se c re t ar y o f l ab or
in h is assu mp t io n o f app e ll a te j ur isdi c t io n , c o n tr ary t o K ap is an an ’s a lle g a ti on , he nc e ,
any p ar ty to a n e le c ti on m ay app e a l t he or de r or re s ul ts of t he e le c t io ns as
de te r min e d b y t he m e d -a rbi te r di re c tly t o the se c re ta ry of la bo r an d e m pl oy me nt o n
the g ro un d t h at t he r ule s an d re g ul at io ns or p ar ts t he re of e s t a blis he d by the
S e c re t ar y o f La bo r a n d E mp lo y me n t f o r t he c on duc t o f the e le c ti on have be e n
vio la te d.

© 2020, TOMAS CLAUDIO COLLEGES, COLLEGE OF LAW; TAGHANGIN MORONG, RIZAL

 JD 3 0 6: P UB LI C INT E R NA TIO NA L LA W
- 8 -
ARI GO VS. S WI F T
[ G R N O . 2 0 6 5 1 0 , 1 6 S EP TE MB E R 2 0 1 4]
Po ne n te : VI LLA RA MA , JR , J.

F AC TS:
In Ja nu ar y 2 0 1 3, t he US S G ua rdi a n r an ag r ou nd the S o ut h S h o al of th e
Tub ba t ah a Re e f in P al aw an . Th e re af te r , the US N avy - le d s a lvag e te am pr oc e e de d i n
salv ag i ng the s hi p a r ou nd the re e f . In A p ri l 2 0 1 3 , the Pe ti ti on e r s fil e d a pe ti ti o n f or
the issu a nc e o f a Wr i t of Ka lik as an be f ore t he S u pre me Co ur t . Th e y i mpl e a de d
Re sp o nde nt S c o t t S w i ft , w ho w as t he 7t h U S Fle e t Co m m an de r , a nd s om e o th e rs i n th e
Pe t i ti on .
Pe t i ti one rs c l ai m th a t the g ro un di ng , s a lva g ing , a nd pos t -s al vag i ng o pe r at i ons
of th e US S Gu ar di an c aus e a nd c on ti nue t o c ause e nvi ro n me n t al da m ag e i n di f fe re nt
pro vinc e s s u rr ou nde d by the S ul u S e a, w h ic h e ve nts vi ol at e t he ir c o ns ti tu t io na l r ig h t s
to a b a la nc e d an d he al th fu l e c ol og y. The y als o s oug ht a d ire c tiv e fo r t he i ns ti tu t io n o f
c ivil , c r i mi na l a nd ad mi nis tr a tiv e s ui ts fo r ac t s c o m mi t te d in v io la ti on o f
e nvir o nm e n ta l l aw s i n c o nne c ti o n w i th t he g rou nd ing inc ide nt . Ul t im a te l y, t he y
w an te d p ar tic ul ar pr o v is i ons of t he Vis it ing Forc e s A g re e me nt ( V FA ) be de c la re d
unc ons ti t ut io n al .
On t he ot he r h and , th e Re s po nde nts asse r t e d t ha t the iss ua nc e of a W ri t of
Ka lik as an h as be c o m e fa i t ac c o mp li be c a u se the sa lvag ing ope r at i ons on th e US S
Gu a rdi a n h as be e n c o mp le te d . Fu rt he r , the pe t it io n i m pr ope r ly r aise s issu e s in vo lvi ng
the V FA .

I SSUE :
Whe the r Co ur t h as ju ris d ic t i on ove r th e U . S . R e sp on de n ts .

H E L D:
[N O ] T he S u pre me C o ur t he ld th a t w h ile th e doc tr ine of st a te i m mu ni ty pr oh ibi ts on ly
sui ts ag a ins t the s t a t e w it h ou t i ts c onse n t, it is a lso a ppl ic a ble t o c o m pl ai nts fi le d
ag a ins t of fic ia ls of th e s t ate f or ac t s a lle g e dly pe r fo rm e d b y t he m i n t he d isc h arg e o f
the ir d u tie s . T he r ule is t ha t if the ju dg e me nt ag ain st s uc h o ff ic i als w il l re q ui re t he
st ate i tse l f t o p e r fo r m an af fi rm a tive ac t t o sa t isf y t he s a me , t h e sui t mus t be
re g ar de d as ag a ins t t he s t a te i ts e lf al t ho u g h i t h as n o t be e n f or m all y i mp le ade d .
In the pre s e n t c as e , t he U .S . R e sp on de n ts w e re sue d i n t he i r o f f ic i al c ap ac i ty as
c o mm a ndi ng of fic e rs of th e U .S . Na vy w ho ha d c o nt r ol and sup e rvisi o n ove r t he US S
Gu a rdi a n. T he g r o und ing i nc i de n t to ok p l ac e w hi le t he y w e re pe r fo rm ing o ff ic i al
mi li t ary du tie s . C ons i de ri ng t he s a tis fac t io n o f a ju dg e me n t ag a i nst s a id of fic ia ls w i ll
re qu ire re m e di al ac ti ons an d a pp ro pri a ti o ns o f f un ds b y t he U . S . Gove rn me nt , th e s ui t
is de e me d t o be on e ag a ins t the U .S . i tse l f . Th e re fo re , t he pr inc iple o f st a te i m mu ni t y
bar s t he e x e rc i s e of j uris dic ti on by th e C o ur t ove r the U .S . Re s po nde nts .

© 2020, TOMAS CLAUDIO COLLEGES, COLLEGE OF LAW; TAGHANGIN MORONG, RIZAL