SYLLABUS ON CONSTITUTIONAL LAW I

ATTY. BUTCH P. JAMON

Part 1
Introduction

A. The Constitution as a social contract

B. How to read the Constitution
Francisco v. House or Rep., G.R. No. 160261, Nov. 10, 2003
C. A framework for constitutional litigation
Francisco v. House of Rep., supra

Part II
Amendment of the Constitution

A. Amendments vs. Revision

B. Proposal
1. By Congress as a constituent assembly
2. By Constitutional Convention
Gonzales vs. Comelec, 21 SCRA 774 (1968)
3. By the people thru initiative (See R.A. 6735 August 4, 1989)
Santiago vs. Comelec, G.R. 127325, March 19, 1997

C. Submission
Tolentino vs. Comelec, 41 SCRA 702 (1971)
D. Ratification

Part III
Judicial Review

A. Separation of Powers
In Re: Laureta and Maravilla, 148 SCRA 382 (1987)
Demetria vs. Alba, 148 SCRA 208 (1987)
B. Theory and Justification of Judicial Review
Angara vs. Electoral Commission, 63 Phil.139 (1936)
C. Justiciable and Political Questions
Miranda vs. Aguirre, G.R. No. 133064, September 16, 1999
Franciso vs. House of Rep., supra
La Bugal-B’Laan v. Ramos, G.R. No. 127882 Dec. 01, 2004
1
D. Requisites of Judicial Review
1. Actual Case or Controversy
Prematurity:
PACU vs. Secretary of Education, 97 Phil. 806 (1955)
Mariano vs. Comelec, G.R. No. 119’694 March 07, 1995
Montesclaros v. Comelec, G.R. No. 152295, July 09, 2002

Mootness:
Atlas Fertilizer v. Sec, DAR, G.R. No. 93100, June 19,1997
Lacson v. Perez, G.R. No. 147780, May 10, 2001

Exceptions to Mootness:
Sanlakas vs. Executive Secretary, G.R. 159085, February 03, 2004
Pimentel v. Ermita, G.R. 164978, October 13, 2005

2. Proper Party
Joya vs. PCGG, G.R. 96541, August 24, 1993
Agan v. PIATCO, G.R. No. 155001, May 05, 2003
CHR Employees Assoc. v. CHR, G.R. No. 155336, Nov. 25, 2004
Automotive Industry Workers Alliance v. Romulo, G.R. 157509, Jan. 18, 2005

Citizen Standing:
Tanada vs. Tuvera 136 SCRA 27 (1985)
Chavez v. PEA and Amari, G.R. 133250, July 09, 2002

Associational Standing:
KMU Labor Center vs. Garcia, G.R. 115381, Dec. 23, 1994
IBP v. Zamora, G.R. No. 141284, August 15, 2000
Executive Secretary vs. CA, 429 SCRA 781, May 25, 2004
Kilosbayan vs. Guingona, 232 SCRA 110 (1994)

Taxpayer’s Standing:
ITF v. Comelec, 420 SCRA 438, January 13, 2004

Voter’s Standing:
Tolentino v. Comelec, 420 SCRA 438, January 21, 2004

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

Governmental Standing:
People v. Vera, 65 Phil 56, November 16, 1937

2
 Facial Challenge:
Estrada vs. Sandiganbayan, G.R. No. 148560, Nov. 19, 2001

3. Earliest Opportunity
Umali vs. Guingona, 305 SCRA 533 (1999)

4. Necessity of Deciding Constitutional Questions

Arceta v. Mangrobang, G.R. No. 152895, June 15, 2004

Part IV
The Three Branches of Government

A. Congress

1. Composition, Qualification and Term of Office

a. Senate
b. House of Representatives
Macias v. Comelec, 3 SCRA 1 (1961)
Tan v. Comelec, 142 SCRA 727 (1986)
Veterans Fed. Party v. Comelec, G.R. 136781, October 06, 2000
Bagong Bayani v. Comelec, G.R. No. 147589, June 26, 2001
Aquino v. Comelec, 248 SCRA 400 (1995)
Marcos vs. Comelec, 248 SCRA 300 (1995)
Torayno vs. Comelec, G.R. 137329, August 09, 2000

2. Election
a. Regular Election
b. Special Election

3. Organizations and Sessions

a. Election of Officers
Santiago v. Guingona, G.R. 134577, November 18, 1998
b. Quorum
Avelino vs. Cuenco, 83 Phil. 17 (1949)
c. Rules of Proceeding
Pacete vs. Comm. On Appointments, 40 SCRA 58 (1971)
Arroyo vs. De Venecia, G.R. 127255, August 14, 1997
d. Discipline of members
Alejandrino v. Quezon, 46 Phil. 83 (1924)
Osmena vs. Pendatun, 109 Phil. 863 (1960)
3
 Santiago vs. Sandiganbayan, G.R. 126055, April 19, 2001
De Venecia vs. Sandiganbayan, G.R. No. 130240, Feb. 05, 2002
e. Journal and Record
1. The Enrolled Bill Theory
Casco Chemical Co. vs. Gimenez, 7 SCRA 347 (1963)
2. Probative Value of the Journal
United States vs. Pons, 34 Phil. 729 (1916)
3. Matters to be entered in the Journal
4. Journal Entry Rule vs. Enrolled Bill Theory
5. Congressional Record

f. Session
1. Regular Sessions
2. Special Sessions
3. Joint Sessions

4. Salaries, Privileges and Disqualifications

a. Salaries
Philconsa vs. Mathay, 18 SCRA 300 (1966)
Ligot vs. Mathay, 56 SCRA 823 (1974)
b. Freedom from Arrest
People vs. Jalosjos, G.R. 132875, February 03, 2000
c. Speech and Debate Clause
Jimenez vs. Cabangbang 17 SCRA 876 (1966)
d. Disqualifications
Adaza vs. Pacana, Jr. 135 SCRA 431 (1985)
Puyat vs. De Gusman, 113 SCRA 31 (1982)
e. Duty to Disclose

5. Electoral Tribunals
Abbas vs. SET, 166 SCRA 651 (1988)
Bondoc vs. Pineda, 201 SCRA 792 (1991)
Codilla vs. De Vinecia, G.R. 150605, December 10, 2002
Pimentel v. HRET, G.R. No. 141489, November 29, 2002

6. Commission on Appointments
Daza v. Singson, 180 SCRA 496 (1989)
Coseteng v. Mitra, Jr. 187 SCRA 377 (1990)
Guingona vs. Gonzales, 214 SCRA 789 (1992)

7. Powers of Congress
a. General Plenary Powers
b. Limitations on the legislative Power
4
 1. Substative limitations
2. Procedural limitations

8. Legislative Process
a. Requirements as to bills
1. As to titles of bills
Tio vs. Videogram Regulatory Board, 151 SCRA 208
Lidasan vs. Comelec, 21 SCRA 479 (1967)
Cruz vs. Paras, 123 SCRA 106 (1994)
Tobias vs. Abalos, 239 SCRA 106 (1994)

2. Requirements as to certain laws

a. Appropriation laws
Demetria v. Alba, 148 SCRA 208 (1987)
Guingona vs. Caraque, 196 SCRA 221 (1991)
Philconsa vs. Enriquez, G.R. No. 113105, August 19, 1994
b. Tax laws
Tolentino vs. Sec. of Finance, G.R. 115455, August 25, 1994
Lung Center vs. Q.C., G.R.No. 144104, June 29, 2004
Tan vs. Del Rosario, 237 SCRA 324 (2000)
Garcia vs. Executive Secretary, 211 SCRA 219 (1992)
John Hay PAC v. Lim, G.R. No. 119775, October 24, 2003
c. Appellate Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court
Fabian v. Desierto, G.R. No. 129742, September 16, 1998

b. Procedure for the passage of bills

Tolentino v. Secretary of Finance, supra
Philconsa v. Enriquez, supra
Gonzales v. Macaraig, G.R. No. 87636, Nov. 19, 1990
Bengzon vs. Drilon, 208 SCRA 133 (1992)
Miller vs. Mardo, 2 SCRA 898 (1961)

c. Effectivity of Laws
Tanada vs. Tuvera, 136 SCRA 27 (1985)
Executive Order No. 200, June 18, 1987

d. Question Hour

e. Legislative investigation
Armault vs. Nazareno, 87 Phil. 29 (1950)
Armault vs. Balagtas, 97 Phil. 358 (1955)
Bengzon vs. Sen. Blue Ribbon Comm., 203 SCRA 767 (1991)
Senate v. Ermita, G.R. No. 169777, April 20, 2006
5
 Sabio v. Gordon, G.R. No. 174340, October 17, 2006
Neri vs. Senate, G.R. No. 180643, March 25, 2008

9. Other Powers:
a. Act as board of canvassers for presidential election
Pimentel v. Joint Com., G.R. 163783, June 22, 2004
b. Call a special election for Presidency
c. Decide on disability of the President
d. Legislative veto or extension for habeas corpus or declaration of martial law
e. Presidential Amnesties
f. Concur in treaties
g. Declaration of existence of war
h. Delegation of emergency powers
i. Utilization of natural resources
j. Amendments of constitution
k. Power of Impeachment

B. Executive Department
1. The president
a. Qualifications, election, term and oath
b. Privileges and salary
Republic v. Sandiganbayan, G.R. No. 152154, July 15, 2003
c. Succession
1. In case of vacancy at the beginning of the term
2. In case of vacancy during term
3. In case of temporary disability
Estrada vs. Arroyo, G.R. No. 146738, March 02, 2001
d. Removal
e. Prohibitions
f. Exceptions to prohibition from holding another office:
1. Vice-President as member of the cabinet
2. Sec. of Justice as member of Judicial and Bar Council
CLU vs. Exec. Secretary, 194 SCRA 317 (1991)
Cruz v. COA, G.R. No. 138489, Nov. 29, 2001
NAC v. COA, G.R. 156982, September 8, 2004

2. Powers and Functions of the President

a. Executive Power
Marcos vs. Manglapus, 178 SCRA 760 (1989)
DENR vs. DENR Region 12 Employees, G.R. No. 149725, August 19, 2003

6
b. Control of executive departments
Blaquera v. Alcala, G.R. 109406, September 11, 1998
Hutchison Ports vs. SBMA, G.R. No. 131367, August 31, 2000
NEA vs. COA, 377 SCRA 233 (2002)
c. General supervision over local governments/autonomous regions
Pimentel vs. Aguirre, G.R. 132988, July 19, 2000
d. Power of Appointment
Bermudez v. Torres, G.R. No. 131429, August 4, 1999
Sarmiento vs. Mison, 156 SCRA 549 (1987)
Concepcion-Bautista vs. Salonga, 172 SCRA 160 (1989)
Calderon vs. Carale, G.R.No. 91636, April 23, 1992
Manalo vs. Sistoza, G.R. 107369, August 11, 1999
Soriano vs. Lista, G.R. No. 153881, March 24, 2003
Pimental vs. Ermita, G.R. No. 164978, October 13, 2005
In re Valenzuela, A.M. No. 98-5-01-SC, Nov. 9, 1998
De Rama vs. CA, G.R. No. 131136, February 28, 2001
Matibag vs. Benipayo, G.R. No. 149036, April 02, 2002
Larin vs. Exec. Secretary, G.R. 112745, October 16, 1997
e. Executive Clemency
Barrioquinto vs. Fernandez, G.R. L-1278, January 21, 1949
Vera v. People, 7 SCRA 152 (1963)
Cristobal vs. Labarador, 71 Phil. 34 (1941)
Pelobello vs. Palatino, 72 Phil. 441 (1941)
In Re Lontok, 43 Phil.293 (1923)
Torres v. Gonzales, 152 SCRA 273 (1987)
f. Commander-in-Chief
IBP v. Zamora, G.R. No. 141284, August 15, 2000
Sanlakas v. Exec. Sec., G.R. No. 159085, Feb. 02, 2004
Aquino vs. Enrile, 59 SCRA 183 (1974)
Olaquer vs. MC No.4, 150 SCRA 144 (1987)
Navales v. Abaya, G.R. No. 162318, October 25, 2004
Lansang vs. Garcia, 42 SCRA 448 (1971)
In Re De Villa, G.R. No. 158802, November 17, 2004
David vs. Arroyo, G.R. No. 171390, May 03, 2006
g. Emergency Powers
h. Contracting and guaranteeing foreign loans
Constantino vs. Cuisia, G.R. No. 106064, October 13, 2005
i. Foreign Affairs
People’s Movement for Press Freedom, et al. v. Hon. Raul Manglapus, G.R. No.
84642, En Banc Resolution dated April 13, 1988
Comm. Of Customs vs. Eastern Sea Trading, 3 SCRA 351 (1961)
Go Tek vs. Deportation Board, 79 SCRA 17 (1977)

7
 j. Legislation
1. Address Congress
2. Preparation and submission of the budget
3. Veto-Power
4. Emergency Powers
k. Immunity from suit
Beltran vs. Macasiar, G.R. 82585, Nov. 14, 1988
Gloria vs. CA, G.R. No. 119903, August 15, 2000

3. Vice-President
a. Qualifications, election, term and oath
b. Privileges and Salary
c. Prohibitions
d. Succession

C. The Judicial Department

1. The Judicial Power
2. The Supreme Court
a. Composition
b. Mode of Sitting
MMDA v. Jancom, G.R. 147465, April 10, 2002
People v. Gacott, G.R. No. 116049, July 13, 1995
c. Appointments and qualifications
d.. No non-judicial work for judges
Meralco vs. Pasay Trans. Co., 57 Phil. 600 (1932)
Garcia vs. Macaraig, 3-SCRA 106 (1971)
e. Salary
Nitafan vs. Comm. Of Internal Revenue, 152 SCRA 284 (1987)
f. Tenure
g. Removal
In Re Gonzales, 160 SCRA 771 (1988)
h. Fiscal autonomy
i. Jurisdiction
Santiago vs. Bautista, 32 SCRA 188 (1970)
Felipe vs. Leuterio, 91 Phil. 482 (1952)
j. Deliberations
Prudential Bank vs. Castro, 158 SCRA 646 (1988)
Consing vs. Court of Appeals, 177 SCRA 14 (1989)
k. Voting
Cruz v. DENR. G.R. No. 135385, Dec. 06, 2000
l. Requirements as to decisions
Valladolid vs. Inciong, 121 SCRA 205 (1992)
Nunal vs. COA. 169 SCRA 356 (1989)
8
 People v. Bugarin, 273 SCRA 384 (1996)
Hernandez vs. Court of Appeals, 228 SCRA 429 (1993)
Yao vs. CA, G.R. No. 132428, October 24, 2000
Dizon vs. Judge Lopez, A.M. 96-1338, September 05, 1997
Asiavest v. CA, G.R. No. 110263, July 20, 2001
m. Petition for Review with Motion for Reconsideration
Tichangco v. Enriquez, G.R. No. 150629, June 30, 2004
Fr. Martinez v. CA, G.R. 123547, May 21, 2001
n. Periods for deciding cases
Re: Delays in the Sandiganbayan, A.M. No. 00-8-05-SC, Nov. 28, 2001
o. Presidential Electoral Tribunal
p. Administrative powers
1. Supervision of lower courts
In re Demetria, AM. No. 00-7-09-CA, March 27, 2001
2. Temporarily assign judges to other stations in public interest
3. Order a change of venue or place of trial to avoid miscarriage of justice
People v. Pilotin, 65 SCRA 635 (1975)
Mondiguing v. Abad, SCRA 14 (1975)
People v. Sola, 103 SCRA 393 (1981)
4. Appointment of officials and employees of entire judiciary
5. Promulgate rules concerning the enforcement and protection of
constitutional rights
6. Promulgate Rules concerning pleading, practice and procedure
7. Admission to the Practice of Law
Zaldivar vs. Gonzales, 166 SCRA 316 (1988)
In re: Cunanan, 94 Phil. 534 (1954)
Aguirre vs. Rana, Bar Matter No. 1036, June 10, 2003
8. Integration of the Bar
In re: Edillon 84 SCRA 554 (1978)
In re: IBP Elections Bar Matter No. 491 (October 06. 1989)
9. Legal assistance to the Underprivileged

q. Report on the Judiciary

3. Lower Courts
a. Qualifications and appointment
b. Tenure
De La Llana vs. Alba, 122 SCRA 291 (1983)

4. The Judicial and Bar Council

5. Automatic Release of appropriations for the judiciary