The Law on Public Officers

1st Term, AY 2012-2013

Prof. Antonio P. Jamon, Jr.
References:
Constitution
1987 Administrative Code
De Leon & De Leon Jr., Law on Public Officers and Election, Fifth Edition, 2008
Gonzales, Neptali, A., Administrative Law, Law on Public Officers and Election Law, Third
Edition, 1972
Agpalo, Ruben, Administrative Law, Law on Public Officers and Election Law (2005)

I. Introduction
Concepts and Principles
A. Public Office and Public Officers
1. Definitions
2. Purpose & Nature

Public office as a public trust

Constitution, Art XI
Public office, not property
Public office, not a contract
Security of tenure in public office as property for purposes of due process
Case:

National Land Titles & Deeds Registration Administration v. Civil

Service Commission, 221 SCRA 145
3. Elements
4. Creation of Public Office
5. Kinds/Classifications
Cases:
Maniego v. People, 88 Phil. 494 (1951)
Segovia v. Noel, 47 Phil. 543 (1925)
Dario v. Mison, 176 SCRA 84 (1989)
Mathay v. Court of Appeals, 320 SCRA 703 (1999)
6. De Facto Officers
Cases:
Malaluan v. COMELEC, 254 SCRA 397 (1996)
Torres v. Ribo, 81 Phil. 44 (1948)
Tuanda v. Sandiganbayan, 249 SCRA 342 (1995)

Menzon v. Petilla, 197 SCRA 251 (1991)

II. Commencement of Official Relations

A. Eligibility & Qualifications
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Definitions
Nature of right to hold public office
Power of Congress to prescribe qualifications
Restrictions and construction
General and particular qualifications
Constitution
Administrative Code
RA 9225
Cases:
Frivaldo v. COMELEC, 275 SCRA 727 (1996)
Mercado v. Manzano, 307 SCRA 630 (1999)
Rodriguez v. COMELEC, 259 SCRA 296 (1996)

B. Disqualifications
1. General disqualifications
2. Specific disqualifications
Cases:
Civil Liberties Union v. Executive Secretary, 194 SCRA 317 (1991)
Lecaroz v. Sandiganbayan, 305 SCRA 396 (1999)
Flores v. Drilon, 223 SCRA 568 (1993)
Abeto v. Garceza, 251 SCRA 539 (1995)
Rabe v. Flores, 272 SCRA 415 (1997)
Civil Service Commission v. Dacoycoy, 306 SCRA 425
C. Acquisition of right or title to office
1. Appointment
Cases:
PLM v. IAC, 140 SCRA 22 (1985)
Luego v. Civil Service Commission, 143 SCRA 327 (1986)
Regis v. Osmea, 197 SCRA 308 (1991)
Gloria v. De Guzman, 249 SCRA 281 (1995)
Erasmo v. Home Insurance, 388 SCRA 112 (2002)
Padilla v. Civil Service Commission, 403 SCRA 116 (2003)
Civil Service Commission v. Dela Cruz, 437 SCRA 403 (2004)
Corpuz v. Court of Appeals, 285 SCRA 23 (1998)

a. Appointment by the President

 Constitution, Art. VII, Sec. 16

Cases:
Calderon v. Carale, 208 SCRA 254 (1992)
A.M. No. 98-5-01-SC, Nov. 9 1998
In Re. Hon. Mateo Valenzuela, G.R. 79974, Dec. 17, 1987
In Re. Hon. Placido Vallarta, G.R. 79974, Dec. 17, 1987
b. Appointment under Civil Service Qualification Standard
Constitution, Art. IX-B., 2(2)
Cases:
Chua v. Civil Service Commission, 206 SCRA 65 (1992)
Luego v. Civil Service Commission, supra
Aquino v. Civil Service Commission, 208 SCRA 240 (1992)
Tria v. Sto. Tomas, 199 SCRA 833 (1991)
Laurel v. Civil Service Commission, 203 SCRA 195 (1991)
Grio v. Civil Service Commission, 194 SCRA 458 (1991)
Civil Service Commission v. Salas, 274 SCRA 414 (1997)
c. Remedy to Question Title
Cases:
Torrosa v. Singson 232 SCRA 553
Mendoza v. Allas, 302 SCRA 623 (1999)
Romualdez v. Civil Service Commission, 225 SCRA 285 (1993)
2. By Election
III. Duties & Responsibilities While in Public Office
A. Powers & Duties
1.
2.
3.
4.

Source of power and authority

Construction of powers and duties
Delegation of power
Scope of Authority
Constitution, Art. XI Sec.1; Sec.17; Sec. 18

5. Specific Duties
R.A. 6713 and its IRR
Case:
Rabe v. Flores, 272 SCRA 415 (1997)
6. Norms of Conduct - R.A. 6713
B. Rights and Privileges

1. Right to office
R.A. 6758 (Salary Standardization Act)
COA Government Auditing Rules and Regulations, Sec. 2671
Cases:
Baybay Water District v. COA, 374 SCRA 482 (2002)
Rodrigo v. Sandiganbayan, 303 SCRA 309 (1999)
Tejada v. Domingo, 205 SCRA 138 (1992)
Santos v. Court of Appeals, 345 SCRA 553 (2000)
2.
3.
4.
5.

Security of tenure
System of incentives and rewards
Rights under the Civil Service Law & the Rules under the Administrative Code
Personnel Actions
a. Promotion
Sec. 13, Omnibus Rules Implementing Book V, E.O. 292
Cases:
Panis v. Civil Service Commission, 229 SCRA 589 (1994)
Divinagracia v. Sto. Tomas, 244 SCRA 595 (1995)
Santiago, Jr., v. Civil Service Commission, 178 SCRA 102 (1989)
Abila v. Civil Service Commission, 198 SCRA 102 (1991)
Medenvilla v. Civil Service Commission, 194 SCRA 278 (1991)
Lustero v. IAC, G.R. 74814, July 16, 1991
b. Transfer
Cases:
People v. Reyes, 247 SCRA 328 (1995)
Vinzons-Chato v. Natividad, 224 SCRA 787 (1995)
Vinzons-Chato v. Zenorosa, 344 SCRA 18 (2000)
c. Detail
Case:
Republic v. Court of Appeals, 182 SCRA 721 (1990)
d. Reassignment
Cases:
Teotico v. Agda, 197 SCRA 675 (1991)
Cario v. Daoas, 380 SCRA 355 (2002)
Pastor v. City of Pasig, 382 SCRA 232 (2002)
e. Reinstatement

Cases:

Cristobal v. Melchor, 78 SCRA 175 (1997)

Sabelto v. DECS, 180 SCRA 623 (1989)
Monsanto v. Factoran, 170 SCRA 190 (1989)
Cavangot v. Civil Service Commission, 233 SCRA 59 (1993)
f. Reemployment
6. Right to Self Organization
Cases:
Tupas v. NHA, 173 SCRA 35 (1989)
SSS v. CA, 175 SCRA 686 (1989)
Bangalisan v. CA, 276 SCRA 617 (1997)
7. Other rights: Leave of Absence, GSIS Retirement, Absences, Insurance,
Employees Compensation - R.A. 6713
Cases:
Borromeo v. Civil Service Commission, 199 SCRA 911 (1991)
Mancenido v. CA, 330 SCRA 419 (2000)
Lopez v. CA, 215 SCRA 512 (1992)
Santos v. CA, 345 SCRA 553 (2000)
People v. Galoshes, 324 SCRA 689 (2000)
Cena v. Civil Service Commission, 211 SCRA 179 (1992)
C. Liabilities
1. In general - R.A. 6713
2. Administrative Liability
3. Civil Liability
Cases:
Cojuanco v. CA, 309 SCRA 602 (1999)
Tecson v. Sandiganbayan, 318 SCRA 80 (1999)
Ocampo v. Office of the Ombudsman, 322 SCRA 17 (2000)
Rodrigo v. Sandiganbayan, 303 SCRA 309 (1999)
Lacson v. Executive Secretary, 301 SCRA 298 (1999)
4. Criminal Liability
Civil Code Arts. 27, 32, 34
Administrative Code Book I, Secs. 38-39
RPC, Title VII
R.A. 3019
R.A. 1379
D. Disabilities & Inhibitions
1. Under the constitution
2. Under special laws
IV. Termination of Official Relations

 R.A. 6713
R.A. 7160
A. Expiration of Term
Cases:
Achocoso v. Macaraig, 195 SCRA 235 (1991)
Lecaroz v. Sandiganbayan, supra
Gloria v. De Guzman, supra
B. Retirement
C. Death or permanent disability
D. Resignation
Cases:
Ortiz v. COMELEC, 162 SCRA 812 (1988)
Estrada v. Arroyo, 353 SCRA 452 (2001)
E. Acceptance of incompatible office
F. Abandonment of Office
Case:
Canonizado v. Aguirre, 351 SCRA 359 (2001)
G. Prescription of right to office
H. Removal
Cases:
Aquino v. Civil Service Commission, 208 SCRA 240 (1992)
Fabella v. Court of Appeals, 282 SCRA 256 (1997)
Aguinaldo v. Santos, 212 SCRA 768 (1992)
Gloria v. CA, 306 SCRA 287 (1999)
Secretary of Education v. CA, 342 SCRA 40 (2000)
Hagad v. Gozo-Dadole, 251 SCRA 242 (1995)
The Sangguniang Barangay of Barangay Don Mariano Marcos v.
Martinez, G.R. 170626, March 3, 2008
I. Impeachment
Case:
Francisco Jr., v. House of Representatives, G.R. 160261,
415 SCRA 44 (2003)
J. Abolition of Office
Absent on Reorganization of Government
Case:

Canonizado v. COA, 226 SCRA 356 (1993)

K. Conviction of crime
Case:
Garcia v. COA, 226 SCRA 356 (1993)
L. Recall
Cases:
Garcia v. COMELEC, 227 SCRA 100 (1993)
Angobung v. COMELEC, 269 SCRA 254 (1997)
Disciplinary Cases:
Ombudsman v. CA, G.R. 168079 17 July 2007
Marohomsalic v. Cole, G.R. 169918, 27 February 2008
Joson v. Torres, 290 SCRA 279 (1998)
Socrates v. Sandiganbayan, 263 SCRA 775 (1996)
Layus v. Sandiganbayan, 320 SCRA 233 (1999)
Castro v. Gloria, 363 SCRA 417 (2001)
Nalupta, Jr., v. Tapec, 220 SCRA 505 (1993)
Office of the Court Administrator v. Librado, 260 SCRA 624 (1996)
RTC Makati Movement v. Dumlao, 247 SCRA 108 (1995)
Santos v. Macaraig, 208 SCRA 74 (1992)
Garciano v. OE, 102 SCRA 195 (1981)

Election Law

II. Suffrage
B.
C.

Constitution, Art. V, Sec. 4; Art. XVII, Sec. 2, 3 & 4; Art. VI, Sec. 32; Art. III, Sec. 16
R.A. 6735
Cases:
Lacson v. Posadas, 72 SCRA 168 (1976)
Pangutan v. Abubakar, 43 SCRA 1 (1972)
Taule v. Santos, 200 SCRA 512 (1991)
Romualdez v. RTC, Tacloban, 226 SCRA 406 (1993)
Badelles v. Cabili, 27 SCRA 113 (1969)

3. Powers of the Commission of Election

Constitution
Omnibus Election Code
Republic Act No. 8436 (Use of Automated Election System on 1998 Elections &
thereafter)
Cases:
Gallardo v. Tabamo, 218 SCRA 253 (1994)
Tan v. COMELEC, 237 SCRA 353 (1994)

Montejo v. COMELEC, 242 SCRA 415 (1995)

Matsura v. COMELEC, 285 SCRA 443 (1998)
Baaga, Jr. v. COMELEC, 336 SCRA 701 (2000)
Aggabao v. COMELEC, 449 SCRA 400 (2005)
Poe v. Macapagal-Arroyo, 454 SCRA 142 (2005)
Legarda v. De Castro, 454 SCRA 242 (2005)
Sarmiento v. COMELEC, 212 SCRA 307 (1992)
Alvarez v. COMELEC, 353 SCRA 434 (2001)
7. Political Parties
III.
Sec. 2 (5), Art. 14-C of 1987 Constitution
IV.
Sec. 60, Omnibus Election Code
V.
Republic Act 7941 (Party List System)
VI.
The Philippine Party-List Experiment: Amending a Tragedy of Flawed Mathematics
by Oscar Franklin B. Tan

Cases:
Veterans Fed. Party v. COMELEC, Oct. 6, 2000
Bagong Bayani v. COMELEC, June 26, 2001
Banat v. COMELEC, April 21, 2009
B. Certification of Candidacy
6.

Omnibus Election Code

Cases:
Gador v. COMELEC, 95 SCRA 431 (1980)
Conquilla v. COMELEC, 332 SCRA 861 (2000)
Go v. COMELEC, 357 SCRA 739 (2001)
De Guzman v. Board of Canvassers, 48 Phil 211 (1925)
Villarosa v. COMELEC, 340 SCRA 396 (1999)
Sangiangco v. Roo, 137 SCRA 671 (1985)
PNOC-EDC v. NLRC, 222 SCRA 831 (1993)
Quinto v. COMELEC, G.R. No. 18969, Feb. 22, 2010

Disqualification
C.

Omnibus Election Code

Cases:
Marquez v. COMELEC, 243 SCRA 538 (1995)
Caasi v. CA, 197 SCRA 229 (1990)
Pamil v. Teleron, 86 SCRA 413 (1978)
Fermin v. COMELEC, Dec. 18, 2008
Jurilla v. COMELEC, 232 SCRA 758 (1994)
Salcedo v. COMELEC, 312 SCRA 447 (1999)

3. Campaign and Election Propaganda

D.

Republic Act 9006 (Fair Election Practices Act)

A. Election Campaign
B. Lawful propaganda
C. Equal access and media
Cases:
Penera v. COMELEC, G.R. No. 181613, September 11, 2009
Penera Case, Nov. 25, 2009
Chavez v. COMELEC, 437 SCRA 419 (2004)
Halili v. CA, 83 SCRA 633 (1978)
Pilar v. COMELEC, 245 SCRA 759 (1995)
b. Registration of Voters
Cases:
AKBAYAN-YOUTH v. COMELEC. 355 SCRA 318 (2001)
Romualdez v. RTC, Tacloban, supra
Mercado v. Dysangco, 385 SCRA 329 (2002)
Casting of Votes and Absentee Voting
c.
Republic Act 9189 (Absentee Voting)
d.
Omnibus Election Code
e.
Republic Act 7166 (Synchronized National & Local Elections)
f. Republic Act 8045
Cases:
Libanan v. HRET, 283 SCRA 520 (1997)
De Guzman v. Sison, 355 SCRA 329 (2001)
Postponement of Election
d.

Omnibus Election Code

Cases:
Basher v. COMELEC, 330 SCRA 736 (2000)
Cawasa v. COMELEC, 383 SCRA 787 (2002)

3. Failure of Elections
Cases:
Carlos v. Angeles, 346 SCRA 571 (2000)
Batabor v. COMELEC, 434 SCRA 63 (2004)
Hassan v. COMELEC, 264 SCRA 125 (1996)
Sardea v. COMELEC, 225 SCRA 344 (1993)
Mitmug v. COMELEC, 230 SCRA Suppl. (1994)
IV.Special Elections
Case:
Tolentino v. COMELEC, 420 SCRA 438 (2004)

B. Counting of Votes
5.
6.
7.

Omnibus Election Code

Republic Act 7166
Republic Act 6646 (Electoral Reforms Act)
Cases:
Loong v. COMELEC, 305 SCRA 832 (1999)
Dojillo v. COMELEC, 496 SCRA 484

Canvassing and Proclamation

6.
7.
8.

Constitution
Republic Act 7166 (Synchronizd National and Local Elections)
Batas Pambansa Blg. 222 (Election of Barangay Officials)
Cases:
Librados v. Casar, 234 SCRA 13 (1994)
Brillantes v. COMELEC, 432 SCRA 269 (2004)
Samad v. COMELEC, 224 SCRA 631 (1993)
Ong v. COMELEC, 216 SCRA 866 (1992)
Patoray v. COMELEC, 249 SCRA 440 (1995)
Barbers v. COMELEC, 460 SCRA 569 (2005)
Quilala v. COMELEC, 188 SCRA 902 (1990)
Tugade v. COMELEC, 57 SCRA 325 (2007)

Election Contests
7.

Republic Act 7166

Cases:
Sampayan v. Daza, 312 SCRA 807 (1992)
Republic of the Philippines v. Dela Rosa, 232 SCRA 785 (1994)
Tan v. COMELEC, 507 SCRA 352 (2006)
Roquero v. COMELEC, 289 SCRA 150 (1998)
Dagloc v. COMELEC, 321 SCRA 273 (1999)
Roces v. HRET, 469 SCRA 681 (2005)
Pahilan v. Tabard, 230 SCRA 205 (1994)
Garcia v. HRET, 312 SCRA 352 (1999)
Pea v. HRET, 270 SCRA 340 (1997)
Saquilyan v. COMELEC, 416 SCRA 658 (2003)
Soller v. COMELEC, 339 SCRA 685 (2000)
Samad v. COMELEC, supra
Arroyo v. HRET, 246 SCRA 384 (1995)
Legarda v. De Castro, supra
Idulza v. COMELEC, 454 SCRA 242 (2004)