UNIVERSITY OF STO.

TOMAS -
LEGAZPI
COLLEGE OF LAW
Peñaranda St., Legazpi City

COURSE OUTLINE
nd
2 Semester, SY 2022-2023

I. SUBJECT TITLE : CONFLICT OF LAWS

II. SUBJECT CODE : LAW 114
III. YEAR LEVEL : THIRD YEAR
IV. SECTION/S : A and C, B
V. CREDIT : 2 UNITS
VI. CLASS SCHEDULE : Saturday, 1PM-3PM and 3PM-5PM
VII. PROFESSOR : ATTY. JOSHUA V. ARMENTA
VIII. EMAIL ADDRESS : attyjvarmenta.ustl@gmail.com
IX. MOBILE NUMBER : 09088892607
X. COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is designed to assist law students in acquiring a general knowledge

of the rules and principles on conflict of laws dealing with the conduct of states
and international organizations, between and among themselves, as well as
their relations with persons, both natural and juridical.

XI. COURSE AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the term, the students are expected to have the working know-
how of the basic rules, principles and policies provided for under existing
Philippine laws as well as the provisions of relevant international covenants,
treaties and executive agreements. Specifically, the course syllabus is designed
and planned in such a way as to enable the students to:

1. Understand the basic legal and constitutional concepts that

underpin Conflict of Laws;
2. Appreciate the rules and principles on conflict of laws;
3. Learn and apply legal remedies available for conflict of law cases;
and
4. Appreciate the linkage between national laws and international laws.

XII. LEARNING PLAN

A. Introduction
a. Branches of international law
b. Distinctions between public and private international law
c. Sources of Conflict of Laws
d. Foreign element

Page 1 of 9
 e. Phases in conflicts resolution
i. Hasegawa v. Kitamura GR No. 149177, November 23, 2007
f. Steps in determining applicable law
g. Extraterritoriality
h. Forum non conveniens
i. Saudi Arabian Airlines v. Rebesencio GR No. 198587, January
14, 2015

B. Jurisdiction and Choice of Law

a. Jurisdiction
i. Kinds
1. Jurisdiction over the person
a. Genato v. Viola, GR 169706, February 5, 2010
b. Avon Insurance v. CA, GR 97642, August 29,
1997
c. Cezar v. Ricafort-Bautista, GR 136415, October
31, 2006
d. Valmonte v. CA, GR 108538, January 22, 1996
e. Signetics Corp. v. CA, GR 105141, August 31,
1993
2. Jurisdiction over the subject matter
a. Reyes v. Diaz, GR L-48754, November 26, 1941
b. BF Homes v. Meralco, GR 171624, December 6,
2010
3. Jurisdiction over the issues
a. De Joya v. Marquez, GR 162416, January 31,
2006
4. Jurisdiction over the res
a. De Joya v. Marquez, GR 162416, January 31,
2006
b. Dilweg v. Philips, GR L-19596, October 30, 1964
c. Sandejas v. Robles, GR L-803, August 27, 1948
5. Limitations on Exercise of Jurisdiction
a. Perkins v. Dizon, GR 46631, November 16, 1939

b. Choice of law
i. Local law
1. Aznar v. Garcia GR No. L-16749, January 31, 1963
2. Bellis v. Bellis GR No. L-23678, June 6, 1967
ii. Foreign law
1. Theories which justify application of the foreign law
a. Theory of comity
b. Theory of local law
c. Vested-right theory
d. Theory of harmony of laws
e. Theory of justice

Page 2 of 9
 iii. Relevant policies of the forum
1. Cadalin v. POEA GR Nos. L-104776, 104911-14, and
105029-32, December 5, 1994
2. Bank of America NT and Asia v. American Realty Corp.
GR No. 138876, December 29, 1999
3. Dacasin v. Dacasin GR No. 168785, February 5, 2010
iv. Proof of foreign law
1. Wildvalley Shipping v. CA GR No. 119602, October 6,
2000
2. Manufacturers Hanover Trust Co. v. Guerrero GR No.
136804, February 19, 2003
3. Edi-staff Builders v. NLRC GR No. 145587, October 26,
2007
4. Del Socorro v. Van Wilsem, GR 193707, December 10,
2014
5. Ancheta v. Guersey-Dalaygon, GR 139868, June 8, 2006
v. Effects of Apostille Convention
vi. Exceptions
1. Norse Management v. National Seamen Board GR No.
L-54204, September 30, 1982
2. Hongkong and Shanghai Banking v. Sherman GR No.
72494, August 11, 1989
3. Carnival Cruise Lines Inc. v. Shute 499 US 585 (1990)

C. Citizenship
a. Nationality theory
i. Lavadia v. Luna, GR 171914, July 23, 2014
ii. Simundac Keppel v. Keppel, GR 202039, August 14, 2019
iii. Pilapil v. Ibay-Sumera, GR 80116, June 30, 1989

b. Hague Convention on Conflict of Nationality Laws (1930)

c. Acquisition of Citizenship
i. Article IV, 1987 Philippine Constitution
ii. Bengson III v HRET GR No. 142840, May 7, 2001
iii. Poe-Llamanzares v. COMELEC GR No. 221697-221700, March
8, 2016
iv. Djumantan v. Domingo GR No. 99358, January 30, 1995
v. Commissioner of Immigration v. Garcia, G.R. No. L-28082 June
28, 1974
vi. Republic v. Valencia, G.R. No. L-32181 March 5, 1986
d. Types of Naturalization

e. Dual Citizenship
i. Mercado v. Manzano G.R. No. 135083 May 26, 1999

Page 3 of 9
 f. Expatriation
i. Board of Immigration Commissioners v. Go Callano 25 SCRA
890 (1968)

g. RA 9225: Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Act

i. Jacot v. Dal GR No. 179848, November 27, 2008
ii. Sobejana-Condon v. COMELEC GR No. 198742, August 10,
2012
iii. Maquiling v. COMELEC GR No. 195649, April 16, 2013
iv. Arnado v. COMELEC GR No. 210164, August 18, 2015

h. Reacquisition v. Retention
i. David v. Agbay GR No. 199113, March 18, 2015

i. Practice of Profession
i. In Re: Petition to Re-Acquire the Privilege to Practice Law in the
Philippines, EPIFANIO B. MUNESES, BM No. 2112, July 24,
2012

D. Domicile
a. Domiciliary theory
b. Kinds of Domicile
c. Domicile and Citizenship
d. Loss and Retention
i. Romualdez Marcos v. COMELEC G.R. No. 119976 September
18, 1995
ii. Jalosjos v. COMELEC GR No. 191970, April 24, 2012
iii. Caballero v. COMELEC GR No. 209835, September 22, 2015
iv. Caasi v. CA GR No. 88831, November 8, 1990
v. Coquilla v. COMELEC GR No. 151914, July 31, 2002
vi. Poe-Llamanzares v. COMELEC GR NO. 221697-221700,
March 8, 2016

e. Absentee Voting and Domicile

i. Macalintal v. COMELEC GR No. 157013, July 10, 2003
ii. Nicolas-Lewis v. COMELEC GR No. 162759, August 4, 2006

f. RA 10590: Overseas Voting Act of 2013

g. Estate Proceedings
i. Jao v. CA GR No. 128314, May 29, 2002
ii. San Luis v. San Luis GR No. 134029, February 6, 2007

E. Marriage and Divorce

a. Marriage as a contract
i. Applicable provisions of the family code

Page 4 of 9
 ii. Marriage between foreigners
iii. Mixed marriage

b. Marriage as a status
i. Personal relations
1. Applicable provisions of the family code
2. Djumantan v. Domingo GR No. 99358, January 30, 1995
ii. Property relations
1. Applicable provisions of the family code
2. Doctrine of immutability of matrimonial regime

c. Annulment, Declaration of Nullity of Marriage, Divorce and Legal

Separation
i. Applicable provisions of the family code
ii. Lex loci celebrationis
iii. Jurisdiction of courts
iv. Tenchavez v. Escano GR No. L-19671, November 29, 1965
v. Van Dorn v. Romillo GR No. L-68470, October 8, 1985
vi. San Luis v. San Luis, GR No. 134029, February 6, 2007
vii. Pilapil v. Ibay-Somera, GR No. 80116, June 30, 1989
viii. Roher v. Rodriguez, GR No. 142820, June 20, 2003
ix. Republic v. Orbecido GR No. 154380, October 5, 2005
x. Corpuz v. Sto. Tomas GR No. 186571, August 11, 2010
xi. Republic v. Manalo GR No. 221029, April 24, 2018

d. Recognition of Foreign Divorce

i. Hague Convention on the Recognition of Divorce and Legal
Separation (1970)
ii. Fujiki v. Marinay GR No. 196049, June 26, 2013

F. Status of Children
a. Legitimacy and Illegitimacy
i. Articles 163 to 176 of the family code
1. Who are legitimate and illegitimate
2. Rights and duties of parents and children
ii. Doctrine of Immutability of Status

b. Legitimation
i. Articles 177 to 182 of the family code

c. Adoption
i. PD 603: Child and youth welfare code
ii. Articles 183 to 193 of the family code
iii. RA 8043: Inter-country Adoption Act of 1995
iv. RA 8552: Domestic Adoption Act of 1998

Page 5 of 9
 v. Ramirez Marcaida v. Aglubat G.R. No. L-24006 November 25,
1967
vi. Republic v. Miller G.R. No. 125932 April 21, 1999
vii. Spouses Park v. Liwanag GR No. 248035, November 27, 2019

G. Contracts
a. Validity of contracts
i. Article 17 of the Civil Code
ii. Lex loci celebrationis
iii. Lex loci voluntatis / lex loci intentionis
iv. Lex loci considerationis
v. Lex loci solutionis
vi. Lex Loci Contractus

b. Capacity of Parties
i. Nationality theory
ii. Domiciliary theory
iii. Lex situs

c. Contractual Relations
i. Bagong Filipinas Overseas v. NLRC GR No. L-66006, February
28, 1985
ii. Atienza v. Philimare Shipping G.R. No. 71604 August 11, 1989
iii. Pakistan International Airlines v. Blas Ople GR No. 61594,
September 28, 1990
iv. Puyat v. Zabarte, GR 141536
v. Bank of America v. American Realty Corp., GR 133876,
December 29, 1999
vi. Sameer Overseas Placement Agency v. Cabiles, GR 170139,
August 5, 2014
vii. LW Construction Corporation v. Dupo, GR 172342, July 13,
2009
viii. Triple Eight Integrated Services Inc. v. NLRC GR No. 129584,
December 3, 1998
ix. Hasegawa v. Kitamura GR No. 149177, November 23, 2007
x. Philippine Export and Foreign Loan v. VP Eusebio Construction,
GR 140047, July 13, 2004
xi. ATCI Overseas v. Echin, GR 178551, October 11, 2010

H. Torts and Crimes

a. Concept of Torts under the Civil Code
b. Conflicts rule in torts
i. Lex loci delicti commissii
1. Determination of locus delicti
ii. Interest analysis approach
iii. Choice-influencing considerations approach

Page 6 of 9
 iv. Lex fori
v. Most significant relationship approach
vi. Saudi Arabian Airlines v. CA G.R. No. 122191 October 8, 1998

c. Crimes distinguished from torts

d. Conflicts rule in crimes

i. Different theories used in determining jurisdiction
1. Territorial theory
2. Nationality theory
3. Protective theory
4. Eclectic theory
5. Cosmopolitan theory
6. Passive nationality theory
ii. Theories applied in the Philippines

I. Wills and Succession

a. Applicable provisions of the Civil Code
i. Definition of wills and succession
ii. Extrinsic and intrinsic validity
iii. Revocation of wills
iv. Interpretation of Wills
v. Aznar v. Garcia GR No. L-16749, January 31, 1963
vi. Llorente v. Llorente, GR 124371, November 23, 2000
vii. Bellis v. Bellis GR No. L-23678, June 6, 1967

b. Rules 75 to 77 of the Rules of Court

i. Allowance of Wills
1. Vda. De Perez v. Tolete, G.R. No. 76714 June 2, 1994
2. Tayag v. Benguet Consolidated, G.R. No. L-23145
3. Dalton v. Giberson 91 Phil 524 (1952)
4. MIciano v. Brimo 50 Phil 867 (1927)
5. Bohanan v. Bohanan 106 Phil 997 (1960)
c. Caduciary rights

J. Property
a. Lex rei sitae
i. Real and personal property
ii. Manila Gas Corp. v. Collector of Internal Revenue, G.R. No. L-
42780 January 17, 1936
iii. Republic v. Africa, GR 108292, September 10, 1993

b. Basic conflicts rules

i. Laurel v. Garcia 187 SCRA 797 (1990)
ii. Tayag v. Benguet Consolidated GR No. L-23145, November 29,
1968

Page 7 of 9
 c. Sections 7 and 8, Article XII of the 1987 Philippine Constitution
i. Ramirez v. Vda. De Ramirez 111 SCRA 704 (1982)
ii. Matthews v. Taylor GR No. 164584, June 22, 2009
iii. Cheesman v. IAC 193 SCRA 93 (1991)
iv. Llantino v. Co Liong Chong 188 SCRA 592 (1990)

d. RA 4726 or the Condominium Act of the Philippines

e. Intellectual property rights

K. Business Associations
a. Corporations
i. Theories in determining governing law of corporations
1. Theory of the place of incorporation
2. Theory of the place of management
3. Theory of the place of exploitation
ii. Domestic and Foreign Corporations
1. Applicable provisions of the Revised Corporation Code
2. Granger Associates v. Microwave System, G.R. No.
79986 September 14, 1990
3. Cargill, Inc. v. Intra Strata GR No. 168266, March 15,
2010
4. Steelcase v. Design International Selections, Inc. GR No.
171995, April 18, 2012
5. State Investment House, Inc. v. Citibank GR Nos. 79926-
27, October 17, 1991
iii. Domicile of Corporations
1. Hyatt Elevators v. Goldstar Elevators GR No. 161026,
October 24, 2005
2. Clavecilla Radio System v. Antillon GR No. L-22238,
February 18, 1967
3. Tayag v. Benguet Consolidated GR No. L-23145,
November 29, 1968
iv. Nationality of Corporations: Control Test and Grandfather Rule
1. Narra Nickel Mining v. Redmont Consolidated Mines
Corp. GR 195580, April 21, 2014
v. Common Shares
1. Gamboa v. Teves 652 SCRA 690 (2011)
2. Roy v. Herbosa 808 Phil. 838 (2016)

b. Partnerships
i. Applicable provisions of the Civil Code
1. Definition
2. Governing law
3. Domicile of a partnership

Page 8 of 9
L. Warsaw Convention
a. Articles 1 to 35
i. Lhuiller v. British Airways, GR 171092, March 15, 2010
ii. Zalamea v. CA, GR 104235, November 18, 1993

M. Enforcement of Foreign Judgments

a. Recognition v. Enforcement of Foreign Judgments
i. Perkins v. Benguet Consolidated Mining, L-1981-82, May 28,
1954

b. Effect of Foreign Judgments

i. Applicable provisions of the Rules of Court
ii. Asiavest Merchant v. CA, 361 SCRA 489, 2001
iii. Fujiki v. Marinay GR No. 196049, June 26, 2013
iv. Roehr v. Rodriguez, G.R. No. 142820 June 20, 2003
v. St. Aviation Services v. Grand International Airways GR No.
140288, October 23, 2006
vi. Philippine Aluminum Wheels v. FASGI Enterprises GR No
137378, October 12, 2000
vii. Asiavest Limited v. CA, GR 128803, September 25, 1998

c. RA 9285: Alternative Dispute Resolution Act of 2004

i. Korea Technologies v. Lerma, GR 143581, January 7, 2008
ii. Agan v. PIATCO, GR, 155001, May 5, 2003
iii. Mabuhay Holdings Corp. v. SEMBCORP Logistics, GR 212734,
December 5, 2018

d. Proof of Foreign Law

Page 9 of 9