- The rue that COA shall meet only while the Cong is The power to make laws includes the power to alter and
in session is the reason why ad interim repeal them.
appointments are permitted. These appointments a. Gonzales v. Hechanova : (EA vs. Statutes)
are made during recess, subject to consideration Pres Macapagal entered into 2 EA for the importation
later by the COA, for confirmation or rejection. of cereals w/o complying with a statutory requirement
- Ad interim appointments shall be effective only for the prior obtention from thr NEC of a certification
until disapproval by COA or until the next of a shortage of cereal.
adjournment of the Cog, referring to the SC- Statute should prevail. The executive may not
adjournment of the regular or special session interfere in the performance of the LP of the legislative
except in the exercise of the veto power. He may not
defeat legislative enactments by indirectly repealing the a. First Reading- involves a reading of only a reading
same through an EA providing for the performance of of the NUMBER and TITLE of the measure and
the very act prohibited by such laws. it REFERRAL by the SP or the Speaker to the
proper committee for study.
b. Datu Michael Abas Kida v. Senate of the Phil. The bill may be killed in the committee or it
Subsequent laws that do not change or revise any may be recommended for approval, w/ or w/o
provision in an earlier law, and which merely fill in amendments, sometimes after public hearings are
gaps or supplement said earlier law, cannot be first held thereon. If there are other bills of the
considered as amendments of the latter same nature/purpose= consolidate into one bill
under common authorship OR AS A
c. League of the Cities of the PH v. COMELEC COMMITTEE BILL.
Legislative body possesses PLENARY POWERS for
all purposes of civil govt. Any power, deemed to be Once reported out, the bill shall be calendared for 2nd
legislative by USAGE and TRADITION, is necessarily reading
possessed by Congress, unless Consti has lodged it b. Second Reading- Bill is read in its ENTIRETY,
elsewhere. scrutinized, debated upon and amended when
desired. MOST IMPORTANT in the passage of a
- Power to grant immunity from prosecution has been bill.
acknowledged as essentially a Legislative - Once the Bill is approved on second reading is
Prerogative. Power of Cong to define crimes and printed in its final form and copies thereof are
to provide for their punishment carries the power to distributed at 3 days before the 3rd reading.
immunize certain persons from prosecution of
crimes with high political, social and economic c. Third Reading- members merely vote and explain
impact. them if they are allowed by the rules. NO
However, it cannot provide for terms which would go FURTHER DEBATE is allowed.
beyond what the constitution provides. - Once the bill passes 3rd reading, it is sent to the other
1. IRREPEALABLE Laws- changed the voting chamber where it will undergo the 3 readings.
requirement for amendment to 2/3 of vote of the - No amendment after 3rd reading.
members of the HR and Senate voting separately. If there are differences b/w the versions
(Interferes with the plenary powers of the Congress) approved by the 2 chambers, a CONFERENCE
2. Create a new term and appoint the occupant of the COMMITTEE representing both houses will
position for the new term= Intrusion of the draft a compromise measure that, if RATIFIED
appointment power of the Cong. by the Senate and HR, will then be submitted to
3. Cannot grant legislative franchise for the operation the President for his consideration.
of Pus w/c shall be exclusive in character and w/c Conference Committee is allowed by law to include in
shall not be subject to amendments/alteration/repeal its report an entirely new provision that is not found
when the common good so requires. either in the House Bill or in the Senate Bill.
Amendment in the nature of a substitute, so
- Laws in general have NO RETRO long as such amendment is germane to the
EFFECT,especially when it will result in an subject of the bill before the committee. After
impairment of a right unless the contrary is all, its report was not final but needed the
provided. Statues can be given retroactive effect approval of both houses of Congress to become
when the law itself so expressly provides; in case valid as an act of the legislature department.
of remedial statutes; in case of curative statutes; Whatever changes may be agreed upon NEED
in case of laws interpreting others; and in case of NOT UNDERGO another 3 readings in the
laws creating new rights. Senate and the HR.
- The bill is enrolled when it is approved by the
PROCEDURE (Approval of Bills) CONGRESS, authenticated with the signatures of
1. INTRODUCTION. the S, SP, Sec of each chamber, and approved by
- Bill is introduced by ANY MEMBER of the HR or the Pres.
the S except for some measures that must originate
in the former chamber.
2. READING
Sec 30. No law shall be passed increasing the
ORIGIN OF THE BILLS (exclusive: HR but S may appellate jurisdiction of the SC w/o its advice or
propose / concur with amendments. concurrence.
a. Appropriation Bill - Prevent further addition to the present tremendous
b. Revenue Bill case load of the SC. However, such legislation
c. Tariff Bill may be enacted provided SC itself is consulted and
d. Bill increasing Public Debt gives its concurrence.
e. Bill of Local Application
f. Private Bill TITLE OF BILLS
Every bill passed by Congress shall embrace only
1. APPROPRIATION Release of funds from the one subject which shall expressed in the title thereof
public treasury.
2. REVENUE Levies taxes and raises funds for the The purpose of this rule are:
govt. a. Prevent hodgepodge or log-rolling legislation.
3. TARIFF Specifies the rates or duties to be - Any act containing several subjects dealing
imposed on imported articles. with unrelated matters representing diverse
4. B. INCREASING PD illustrated by one floating interest, the main object of such combination
bonds for public subscription redeemable after a being to unite the members of the legislature
certain period. who favor any one of the subjects in support of
5. B. local app purely local or municipal matters, the whole act;
like a charter of a city b. To prevent surprise or fraud upon legislature;
6. PRIVATE BILLS- A bill granting honorary c. To fairly apprise the people, through such
citizenship to a distinguished foreigner. publications of its proceedings as are usually made,
of the subjects of legislation that are being
- The ff. are supposed to be initiated by the HR considered in order that they may have the
because it is more numerous in membership and opportunity of being heard thereon, by petition or
therefore also more representative of the people. otherwise, if they should so desire.
Members are presumed to be more familiar with
the needs of the country in regard to the enactment The title need not be a complete catalogue of a bill.
of the legislation involved. 1. It is sufficient that it place the legislature and the
- Senate is, however, allowed much leeway in the people on their guards as to the number of varied if
exercise of its power to PROPOSE or CONCUR related subjects the measure embraces.
with amendments to the bill initiated by the HR. 2. Title expresses the general subject and all the
amendment by substitution, which may entirely provisions are germane to the general subject.
replace the bill 3. BANAT v. COMELEC. Title is comprehensive
- So long as the initiative must come from the HR. enough to include subjects related to the general
purpose which the statute seeks to achieve. The title
PROHIBITED MEASURES of a law does not have to be an index of its contents
- Owing to the nature of our govt, such as those and will suffice if the matters embodied in the text
impairing the doctrine of SP or providing for the are relevant to each other and may be inferred from
appointment of elective officials. the title.
- Specific Prohibitions in the Bill of Rights against 4. COMELEC v. Cruz 2009. To achieve
the enactment of ex post facto laws, bills of synchronization of the barangay and SK elections,
attainder, or laws impairing the obligation of the reconciliation of the varying lengths of the terms
contracts. is necessary.
- In any case, a title must not be so uncertain that
Sec 31.No law granting a title of royalty or nobility the average person reading it would not be informed
shall be enacted. of the purpose of the enactment or put on inquiry as
- Preserve the republican and democratic nature of to its contents, or which is misleading
our society. Privilege classes. Sovereignty
resides in the people as a whole w/o distinction as FORMALITIES [Art 6, 26(2)]
to birth or lineage. (2) No bill passed by either House become a law unless
it has passed 3 readings on separate days, and printed
copies thereof in its final form have been distributed to
its members 3 days before its passage, except when the take effect w/o such presentment even if approved
Pres certifies to the necessity of its immediate by both chambers.
enactment to meet a public calamity or emergency. - Provision requiring that the IRR of a law be
Upon the last reading, no amendment thereto shall be subjected to approval of Cong is UNCONSTI for
allowed, and the vote thereon shall be taken violating doctrine of SP. Implementation/
immediately thereafter, and the yeas and the nays Enforcement of law is charged to the Executive
entered in the Journal. Branch.
NOTE: Right to appeal is not embraced in the Due Ex. AMPARO RULE. In light of the prevalence of
process of law. As long as an hearing was conducted in extralegal killing and enforced disappearances.
the LC, aggrieved party cannot demand the right to
appeal if the legislature sees to withhold it. LIMITATIONS:
1. Must be uniform for all courts of the same grade
- Right to appeal is a STATUTORY RIGHT 2. Must NOT diminish, increase or modify
entirely dependent upon the discretion or policy of substantive rights.
the lawmaker. (If the Cong allows it)
Substantive created and defined by express
THIS RULE IS NOT ABSOLUTE! EXCEPTION: enactment as opposed to a mere remedy devised to
APPELLATE JURISDICTION OF SC via appeal enforce such right or obtain redress therefor.
or certiorari!!!
RULE 108 of the RC authorizes correction only if
- Irreducible and may not be withdrawn by CLERICAL ERRORS and NOT MATTER
Congress. AFFECTING SUBSTANTIVE RIGHTS (Status/
- Provided that only PURE QUESTION OF Citizenship*)-beyond the power. Rule 108
LAW arising from decision of LC or Judicial provides only for the procedure or mechanism for
Tribunals. (ADMINISTRATIVE DECISIONS the procedure or mechanism for the proper
ARE NOT INCLUDED!!!) . If mixed CA. enforcement of the substantive law embodied in Art
412 of the NCC and SO DOES NOT VIO the
IN CASE: Administrative Agencies: Consti.
A. Question of FACT entirely up to the legislature, *Pwd= As long as adverse proceeding are held.
w/o it, appeal canot be taken as a matter of right. Rules of procedure may be modified at any time
B. Question of LAW INHERENT. Except: and become effective at once, so long as the
Admin Agencies to SC (Cannot be, not included changes does not affect vested rights. THERE IS
in this Sec 2) NO VESTED RIGHTS TO RULES OF
Ex. COURT MARTIAL. PROCEDURE, which is why it may be given retro
effect.
NOTE!! LC has jurisdiction to decide constitutional
Rules of procedure of SPECIAL COURTS and QJB
questions SUBJECT TO REVIEW BY SC.
shall remain effective unless disapproved by SC.
Ex. RTC. Sandiganbayan (2012- Coconut Producers
vs. RP) F. APPOINTMENT OF COURT PERSONNEL
Appoint ALL official and employees of the
Question: CTA? NO. X REGULAR COURT/ Lower JUDICIARY in accordance w/ the CS law.
Court
As a collegiate court, the SC is required to reach
G. ADMINISTRATIVE SUPERVISION OF its conclusions after full deliberation among its
COURTS. xx over all court and personnel members. The primary purpose of a collegiate
thereof court is precisely to provide for the most
- it is only the SC that can oversee the judges and the exhaustive deliberation before a conclusion is
court personnels compliance with all laws, and take the reached,
proper administrative action against them if they Once agreement is reached at by the required
commit any violation thereof. NO OTHER BRANCH majority, a members is assigned as the ponente of
OF THE GOVT MAY INTRUDE INTO THIS the Court.
POWER W/O RUNNING AFOUL OF THE Any member who took no part, or dissented or
DOCTRINE OF SP. (ADMINISTRATIVE ASPECT) abstained must state the reason therefore.
- However, this does not preclude the
OMBUDSMAN from taking cognizance of the DECISIONS OF THE COURT
criminal cases, or purely the criminal aspect of Sec 14. No decision shall be rendered by any court w/o
cases, against judges, especially when the admin expressing therein CLEARLY and DISTINCTLY the
aspect thereof had been duly endorsed or referred to facts the law on which it is based.
the SC for adjudication.
- Lawyers who occupies what may be termed as QJ No petition for review/MR shall be refused or denied
office since he performs official functions that are w/o stating the legal basis therefor.
akin to judges- part of the QJ system of the govt. - Reason: DUE PROCESS.
(Ex. Provincial Adjudicator of the DAR.- TADLIP - W/O it, losing party cannot pinpoint the possible
v. Atty Bores Jr. 2005 errors of the court for review by the higher tribunal.
- Only applies to DECISIONS (Judgement
rendered after the presentation of proof or on
TENURE OF JUDGES basis of a stipulation of facts). Mere ORDERS are
not covered since they dispose of only
Sec 11. Member of the SC and judges of the LC shall
INCIDENTS of the case, such as postponements.
hold office DURING GOOD BEHAVIOR until they
The only exception is an ORDER OF
reach 75 or become incapacitated to discharge the
DISMISSAL ON THE MERITS.
duties of their office.
CHUNG v. MONDRAGON. As long as the decision
SC en banc shall have the power to discipline judges
is COMPLETE, CLEAR and CONCISE, there would
of LCs or order dismissal by a vote of majority of the
be no breach of the consti mandate. Brevity should not
members who actually took part in the deliberations in
the issues in the case and voted thereon. be mistaken for Levity
- Minute Resolutions Nothing wrong. As where
- Security of tenure until they reach the retirement of
the case is patently w/o merit. In any case, the court
age of 70.
is not duty bound to render signed decisions all the
- Members of the judiciary may be removed only in
time. As long as a legal basis is given, minute
proper admin proc conducted or ordered by SC.
resolutions are valid.
- Included in the Judges of LC-Judges of
- This constitutional mandate is also
Sandiganbayan.
INAPPLICABLE to admin cases decided by SC.
- Power of the Cong to create, reorganize, or even
- Par 2 of this section is NOT APPLICABLE TO
abolish courts INFERIOR TO SC is plenary. The
Administrative Proceedings conducted by
security of tenure is not a personal privilege.
Excecutive / Admin Bodies nd of Military
Note: Relate to Sec 2. No law shall be passed Tribunals because they are nor court of justice.
reorganizing the judiciary when it undermines the
PRINCIPLES:
security of tenure of its members
1. SUB JUDICE RULE restricts comments and
CONSULTATIONS OF THE COURT
disclosures pertaining to judicial proc to avoid
prejudicing the issues, influencing the court or
Sec 13.xxThe conclusions of the SC in any case
obstruct the admin of justice. CONTEMPT ka!
submitted to it for decision en banc or division shall be
2. RES JUDICATA Final judgment or decree on
reached in consultation before the case is assigned to
the merits by a court of competent juris is
a member for the writing of the opinion of the court
CONCLUSIVE of the rights of the parties or d. Whenever circumstances transpire after the finality
their privies in all later suits on all points of the decision that render its execution unjust and
3. CONCLUSIVENESS OF JUDGMENT When a inequitable.
right or fact has been judicially tried and
determined by a court of competent juris, or when SALARIES OF JUDGES-
an opportunity for such trial has been given, the Sec 10. xx CJ, Associate Justices and of Judges of LC
judgment of the court, as long as it remains shall be FIXED BY LAW. During their continuance
unreversed, should be CONCLUSIVE of the rights in office, their salary cannot be decreased.
of the parties or their privies. (Bars the re-litigation
of facts already settled) PERFECTO V. MER and Endencia v. DAVID.
4. LAW OF THE CASE. Where an appellate court - Imposition of income taxes on their salaries was
has made a ruling on a question on appeal and unconsti because it would result in the
thereafter remands the case to the LC for further reduction of their salary.
proc; the question settled by the appellate court
becomes the law of the case at the LC and in any PERIODS FOR DECISION. MANDATORY!!!
subsequent appeal.
x x within 24 mos from the date of submission for the
5. STARE DECISIS ET NON QUIETA MOVERE.
SC and unless reduced by the SC, 12 mos for all lower
Adhere to precedents, and not to unsettle things
collegiate courts, and 3 mos for all other LCs.
which are established. When SC has laid down a
principle of law as applicable to a certain state of Deemed submitted for decision/reso: Filing of the last
facts, it will adhere to that principle, and apply pleading, brief, memoranda
it to all future cases, where such facts are
substantially the same; regardless of whether the CHAPTER 17. ACCOUNTABILITY OF PUBLIC
parties and property are the same. OFFICERS.
ADHERENCE TO JUDICIAL PRECEDENTS. Public office is a public trust
6. FINALITY OF JUDGMENT OR - Underlying reason for the relaxation of
IMMUTABILITY OF JUDGMENT. Once a requirements of due process of law in admin
judgment has become final and executory, it may no pro.
longer be modified in any respect, even if the
modification is meant to correct an erroneous Note: ADMIN OFFENSES DO NOT PRESCRIBE.
conclusion of fact or law, and regardless of whether By its very nature, pertain to the character of public o/e.
the modification is attempted to be made by the In disciplining public o/e, the object sought is not the
court rendering it or by the highest court of the land, punishment of the officer but the improvement of the
as what remains to be done is purely ministerial public service and preservation of the publics faith in
enforcement or execution of judgment. our govt.
Sec 15. The right of the state x x shall not be barred by Art 4- CITIZENSHIP
prescription, laches or estoppel x x - The concern was NOT DC per se but with
naturalized citizens who maintain allegiance to
- This provision applies only to CIVIL CASES for their countries of origin even after
the recovery of ill-gotten wealth, and not to naturalization.
criminal cases (ex. RA 3019 involving graft and - RA 7160 refers to DUAL ALLEGIANCE
corrupt). MAY BE BARRED BY - A person simultaneously owes, by some
PRESCRIPTION. (15 years) POSITIVE ACT, LOYALTY to 2 or more
If commission of the crime is known, PP shall states.
commence on the day it was committed. PP shall be Persons with DUAL CITIZENSHIP Their
interrupted when the proceedings condition is an unavoidable consequence of
- Running of PP will be interrupted filing of conflicting laws of different states.
complaint. - Person is considered as national of both
- Run again dismissed for reasons not states.
constituting DJ.
(Direct legislative action). Avoid unnecessary
expenditure of public funds and time.
AMENDMENTS AND REVISIONS 2. Constitutional convention- Vote of 2/3 of all
A law that has ceased to grow has ceased to be, and
members of Congress, or by a MAJORITY* vote,
this is true especially for the supreme and fundamental
submit to the electorate the question of calling such
law
a convention. (*If they cannot make up their mind)
Changed in the constitution may be effected by a
mere modification in its interpretation by the courts. SUGGESTED IF: Total overhaul of the Consti.
However, there are some provisions which are
ConCon- as long as it exists and confines itself w/in the
called iron rules which are not malleable to
sphere of its jurisdiction, it must be considered
judicial interpretation. Ex. Age qualifications-
INDEPENDENT and CO-EQUAL with the other depts
composition of COA.
of the govt. (FRANTZ v. AUTRY)
A. KINDS OF CONSTITUTION Nevertheless, the choice of the method of proposal
a. Written- embodied in 1 doc/set of documents lies in the exclusive discretion of the Congress.
b. Unwritten- X integrated into a single,
concrete form.
c. Conventional-an enacted consti, formally 3. (PROPOSE AMENDMENTS ONLY and not
struck off at a definite time and place ff. a revisions)People though initiative upon a petition
conscious effort taken by a constituent body. of at least 12% of the total number of registered
d. Cumulative- Result of a political evolution voters, of w/c every legislative district must be
not inaugurated at any specific time but represented by at least 3% of the registered voters
changing by accretion rather than by any therein. No amendment under this section (thru
systematic method. initiative) shall be authorized w/in 5 yrs following
e. Rigid- Can be amended only by formal and the ratification of this Consti nor oftener than once
usually difficult process. every 5 years thereafter.
f. Flexible- Changed by ordinary legislation Essential elements. The entire proposal on its face is a
PHIL CON Written. Conventional. Rigid petition by the people.
EFFECT: PERMANENCE in CHARACTER a. People must author and thus sign the entire
proposal- No agent or rep can sign on their
Positive: Capacity to resist capricious change. behalf.
Negative: Unable to adjust to the genuine need of the b. As an Initiative upon petition, the proposal
people change. must be embodied in a petition.
The Constitution may be changed either by
B. RATIFICATION
AMENDMENT or REVISION.
If under Sec 1 Shall be valid when ratified by a
Amendment isolate or piecemeal change only, MAJORITY OF THE VOTE CAST IN A
Revision revamp or rewriting of the whole PLEBISCITE which shall be held not earlier than 60
document. days nor later than 90 days after the approval of such
amendment or revision.
Lambino v. COMELEC (2006). Revision implies a
change that ALTERS A BASIC PRINCIPLE IN THE If under Sec 2 Shall be valid when ratified by a
CONSTI. Amendment on the other hand, Amendment MAJORITY OF THE VOTE CAST IN A
referes to a change that adds, reduces, or deletes PLEBISCITE which shall be held not earlier than 60
WITHOUT ALTERING THE BASIC PRINCIPLE IN days nor later than 90 days after the certification by
THE CONSTI. the COMELEC of the sufficiency of the petition.
PROCEDURE (Proposal and Ratification) Thus, it involves the people themselves in the
sovereign act of drafting or altering the
A. PROPOSAL fundamental law. In the case of a mere statute,
1. Directly by the Congress (3/4 of all its members) it suffices that it is enacted by their chosen rep
- Suggested IF: what is intended is a mere pursuant to their mandate.
amendment or change of particular provisions. 60-90 days reasonable time; intended to
answer present needs/ problems.
JUDICIAL REVIEW OF AMENDMENTS POLITICAL LAW- AGPALO
- Question of validity of the adoption of
Constitution, aside from an allocation of power is also a
amendments to the Consti is regarded as subject
social contract whereby the people have surrendered
to JR. Courts may inquire WON the prescribed
their sovereign powers to the State for the common
procedure for amendment has been observed.
good.
Sovereignty ultimate power/ absolute right to
CHAPTER 19. TRANSITORY PROVISIONS govern.
- Do not have permanent duration.
- Relate to: Right to revolution is an inherent
- In time become functus officio as the purposes of
right of the people to cast out their rulers,
the several section thereof are fulfilled.
change their polity..etc. If it succeeds, the
Sec 1,2 & 5. Deals with elections and have already existing consti is abrogated. Ex EDSA I revo.
been adverted to in Chapter 8. Purpose: Synchronize
elections for local and national officials.
Sec 3 & 4. Existing laws and Treaties.
Sec 3. All existing laws, decrees, EOs, and other
executive issuances NOT INCONSISTENT with this
consti shall remain operative until amended, repealed
or revoked.
- All laws existing at the time of the ratification
of the new consti shall remain in force unless
inconsistent with this consti or changed by the
legislature or the pres.
Sec 4. All existing treaties or IAs which HAVE NOT
BEEN RATIFIED shall not be renewed or extended w/o
the concurrence of at least 2/3 of all members of the
Senate.
- If ratified- No need for the concurrence of
Senate.