A.

This an abbreviation of the Roman word, absolvo, which means to absolve or to acquit from
criminal liability.
AB INITIO. A term that means from the beginning, at first. or from the inception.[Camid v.
Office of the President, 448 SCRA 711 (2005)].
For example, a marriage that is void ab initio is void from the beginning.
ACCION PUBLICIANA. This is a suit for the recovery of possession of the right to
possess. Another term for it is an ejectment suit filed after the expiration of one year after the
occurrence of the cause of action or from the unlawful withholding of possession of the
realty. (Hilario v. Salvador, 457 SCRA 815)
ACCION REINVINDICATORIA. This is a suit which has for its object the recovery of
possession over the real property as an owner. (Hilario v. Salvador, 457 SCRA 815)
A COELO USQUE AD CENTRUM. From the heavens to the center of the earth.
AGREMENT. An indication by the receiving State of the acceptability of the person of a
diplomatic envoy who is proposed to be appointed by another country. This is to ensure that the
diplomatic envoy that is sent to represent his country is not a persona non grata to the receiving
State.
AIDE-MEMOIRE. A diplomatic correspondence consisting of a brief summary of oral
representations made.
ATTENTAT CLAUSE. This is a provision in an extradition treaty which provides that the
assassination of the head of a foreign government or any member his family should not be
considered as a political offense, hence extraditable.
AUTO-LIMITATION. The State gives its consent, express or implied, to submit to a restriction
of its sovereign rights. (Reagan v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, G.R. No. L-
26379, December 27, 1969)

BELIEF - ACTION DISTINCTION. This a distinction of the concepts of what may properly fall
within the constitution protection of freedom of religion. In Cantwell v. Connecticut, 310 U.S. 296
(1940), Justice Roberts the two concepts freedom to believe and freedom to act. The first is
absolute, but in the nature of things, the second cannot be.
The power to regulate must be so exercised so that in attaining a permissible end there must be
no undue infringement of the protected freedom to believe. Hence, the freedom to act may be
the subject of regulation.
BLOCKADE. In international law, this is a naval operation, usually composed of a flotilla of
vessels, which seeks to prevent entrance to the ports of the offending State of properties
destined therefor, particularly vessels. There are two kinds of blockade: Hostile blockade and
pacific blockade.
Refer to HOSTILE BLOCKADE; PACIFIC BLOCKADE
BLUE-SKY BARGAINING. In collective bargaining negotiations, the term means making
exaggerated or unreasonable proposals. . Blue-sky bargaining is indicative of violation of duty
to bargain collectively. [Standard Chartered Bank Employees Union(NUBE) v. Confesor,
et al., G. R. No. 114974, June 16, 2004 citing Arthur A. Sloane and Fred Witney, Labor
Relations, 7th Edition, 1991, p. 195]