Constitutional Law II (Prof.

Michael Vernon Guerrero Mendiola)

OUTLINE IN CONSTITUTIONAL LAW II

Prof. Michael Vernon Guerrero Mendiola
Arellano University School of Law
First Semester, SY 2013-2014

III-C Freedom of Expression, Press, Assembly, and Association

A. Freedom of Expression or Speech

A. Free Speech as a fundamental postulate in Philippine Constitutional system

H000 In RE Constitutionality of RA 4880. Gonzales vs. Commission on Elections, GR L-27833, 18
April 1969; En Banc, Fernando [J] (http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1969/apr1969/gr_l-27833_1969.html) <
H001 ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation vs. Commission on Elections, GR 133486, 28 January
2000; En Banc, Panganiban [J] (http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2000/jan2000/gr_133486_2000.html) <
1. In academic institutions
H002 Miriam College Foundation Inc. vs. Court of Appeals, GR 127930, 15 December 2000;
First Division, Kapunan [J] (http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2000/dec2000/gr_127930_2000.html) <
B. History of Freedom of Speech in the Philippines
C. Limitations / Test(s)
H003 Zaldivar vs. Gonzales, GRs 79690-707, 1 February 1989; En Banc Resolution, Per Curiam
(http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1989/feb1989/gr_79690_707_1989.html) <
H004 Social Weather Stations Inc. vs. Commission on Elections, GR 147571, 5 May 2001; Second
Division, Mendoza [J] (http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2001/may2001/gr_147571_2001.html) <
1. Clear and Present Danger Rule, and Dangerous Tendency Rule
2. Clear and Present Danger Test, and Balancing of Interest Test
3. O'Brien Test
D. Legislation and prior restraint
1. Opinions during plebiscites
H005 Sanidad vs. Commission on Elections, GR 90878, 29 January 1990; En Banc, Medialdea
[J] (http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1990/jan1990/gr_90878_1990.html) <
2. Exit polls
3. Invitations to attend a hearing and answer some questions
H006 Babst vs. National Intelligence Board, GR L-62992, 28 September 1984; En Banc
Resolution, Plana [J] (http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1984/sep1984/gr_l62992_1984.html) <
E. Unprotected Speech
1. Defamation or Libel
H100 United States vs. Bustos, GR L-12592, 8 March 1918; En Banc, Malcolm [J]
(http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1918/mar1918/gr_l-12592_1918.html) <
H101 Borjal vs. Court of Appeals, GR 126466, 14 January 1999; Second Division, Bellosillo [J]
(http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1999/jan1999/gr_126466_1999.html) <
H102 Philippine Journalists Inc. [People's Journal] vs. Thoenen, GR 143372, 13 December
2005; Second Division, Chico-Nazario [J]
(http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2005/dec2005/gr_143372_2005.html) <
a. Libel
(1) Doctrine of privileged communications
(a) Absolute privileged communications
[1] Congressional Speech and debate
(b) Qualified privileged communications
[1] Private communications
[a] Imputations in pleadings
[2] Fair and true report without any comments or remarks
H103 Elizalde vs. Gutierrez, GR L-33615, 22 April 1977; Second Division,
Fernando [J] (http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1977/apr1977/gr_33615_1977.html) <
[a] Fair comments
[b] Allegedly inaccurate reports, and News title
[c] No Constitutional Protection for Deliberately False or Recklessly Inaccurate
Reports
{1} No “chilling effect”
[d] Hoaxes
H104 Lopez vs. Court of Appeals, GR L-26549, 31 July 1970; En Banc,
Fernando [J] (http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1970/jul1970/gr_26549_1970.html) <
(2) Identity
H105 Baguio Midland Courier vs. Court of Appeals, GR 107566, 25 November 2004;
Second Division, Chico-Nazario [J]
(http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2004/nov2004/gr_107566_2004.html) <
(a) Public figure
[1] Political candidate, not yet a public official

Copyright (c) 2012. Berne Guerrero – 1

 Constitutional Law II (Prof. Michael Vernon Guerrero Mendiola)

[2] Activities inbued with public interest

(3) Malice
(4) Forum where constitutionality questioned
(a) Effect of violation of right
b. Seditious libel
H106 Espuelas vs. People of the Philippines, GR L-2990, 17 December 1951; En Banc,
Bengzon [J] (http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1951/dec1951/gr_l-2990_1951.html) <
c. Contemptuous imputations / publication
H107 People of the Philippines vs. Alarcon, GR 46551, 12 December 1939; En Banc, Laurel
[J] (http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1939/dec1939/gr_l-46551_1939.html) <
H108 Cabansag vs. Fernandez, GR L-8974, 18 October 1957; En Banc, Bautista Angelo [J]
(http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1957/oct1957/gr_l-8974_1957.html) <
xxxx People of the Philippines vs. Castelo, GR L-11816, 23 April 1962; En Banc, Bautista
Angelo [J] (http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1962/apr1962/gr_l-11816_1962.html) <
H109 Nestle Philippines Inc. vs. Sanchez, GR 75209, 30 September 1987; En Banc
Resolution, Per Curiam (http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1987/sep1987/gr_75209_1987.html) <
H10A Column of Mr. Ramon Tulfo in the Philippine Daily Inquirer Issues of 13 and 16
October 1989; En Banc Resolution
H10B In RE Emil P. Jurado, AM 93-2-037 SC, 6 April 1995; En Banc Resolution, Narvasa
[CJ]
H10C Re: Letter of the UP Law Faculty, AM 10-10-4-SC, 8 March 2011; En Banc, Leonardo-
de Castro [J] (http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2011/mar2011/am_10-10-4-sc_2011.html) <
(1) Free press and Administration of justice
(2) Akin to libel
(3) Intent to impede, obstruct, embarrass, or influence the Courts in administering justice in a
pending case
(4) Preservation of the authority of the Court
(5) Where facts not confidential
(a) Investigations should not be open and public to avoid embarrassment
2. Obscenity
H10D Gonzales vs. Kalaw Katigbak, GR L-69500, 22 July 1985; En Banc, Fernando [CJ]
(http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1985/jul1985/gr_l69500_1985.html) <
H10E Movie and Television Review and Classification Board [MTRCB] vs. ABS-CBN
Broadcasting Corporation, GR 155282, 17 January 2005; Third Division, Sandoval-Gutierrez [J]
(http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2005/jan2005/gr_155282_2005.html) <
H10F Fernando vs. Court of Appeals, GR 159751, 6 December 2006; Third Division,
Quisumbing [J] (http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/dec2006/gr_159751_2006.html) <
3. Against Privacy
xxxx Lagunzad vs. Soto vda. de Gonzales, GR L-32066, 6 August 1979; First Division,
Melencio-Herrera [J] (http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1979/aug1979/gr_l_32066_1979.html) <
H110 Ayer Productions Pty. Ltd. vs. Capulong, GR 82380, 29 April 1988; En Banc, Feliciano
[J] (http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1988/apr1988/gr_82380_1988.html) <

B. Freedom of the Press

A. Not unbridled
B. Norms
xxxx In RE Emil P. Jurado, AM 93-2-037 SC, 6 April 1995; En Banc Resolution, Narvasa [CJ]
(supra.)
1. Constitutional Law Norms
2. Civil Law Norms
3. Philippine Journalist's Code of Ethics
C. Sources
1. RA 53 confers no immunity from liability for false or defamatory publications
2. “Group libel”
3. Substantiation of news report not inconsistent with RA 53
4. Need for guidelines
D. Acts deemed violative
1. Search and seizure; Closure by government
I000 Burgos vs. Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines, GR L-64261, 26 December
1984; En Banc, Escolin [J] (http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1984/dec1984/gr_l64261_1984.html) <
I001 Eastern Broadcasting Corporation [DYRE] vs. Dans, GR L-59329, 189 July 1985; En
Banc Resolution, Gutierrez Jr. [J] (http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1985/jul1985/gr_l59329_1985.html) <
2. Prevention of lawful activity
xxxx ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation vs. Commission on Elections, GR 133486, 28

Copyright (c) 2012. Berne Guerrero – 2

 Constitutional Law II (Prof. Michael Vernon Guerrero Mendiola)

January 2000; En Banc, Panganiban [J] (supra., )

a. Exit polls

C. Freedom of Assembly

J000 Bayan v. Ermita, GR 169848, 25 April 2006; En Banc, Azcuna [J]

(http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2006/apr2006/gr_169838_2006.html) <
A. Permits
J100 Primicias vs. Fugoso, GR L-1800, 27 January 1948; En Banc, Feria [J]
(http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1948/jan1948/gr_l-1800_1948.html) <
xxxx Navarro vs. Villegas, GR L-31687, 26 February 1970; En Banc Resolution
(http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1970/feb1970/gr_31687_1970.html) <
xxxx Ignacio vs. Ela, GR L-6858, 31 May 1956; En Banc, Bautista Angelo [J]
J001 Reyes vs. Bagatsing, GR L-65366, 9 November 1983; En Banc, Fernando [CJ]
(http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1983/nov1983/gr_l_65366_1983.html) <
J002 Ruiz vs. Gordon, GR L-65695, 19 December 1983; En Banc, Fernando [J]
(http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1983/dec1983/gr_l_65695_1983.html) <
B. In guise of religious exercise
J100 German vs. Barangan, GR L-68828, 27 March 1985; En Banc, Escolin [J] See
http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1985/jan1985/gr_l68828_1985.html) <
C. School assemblies
J200 Malabanan vs. Ramento, GR L-62270, 21 May 1984; En Banc, Fernando [CJ]
(http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1984/may1984/gr_l62270_1984.html) <
J201 Arreza vs. Gregorio Araneta University Foundation, GR L-62297, 19 June 1985; En Banc,
Fernando [CJ] (http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1985/jun1985/gr_l62297_1985.html) <
D. Grievance by government employees
J300 Acosta vs. Court of Appeals, GR 132088, 28 June 2000; Second Division, De Leon Jr. [J]
(http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2000/jun2000/gr_132088_2000.html) <

D. Freedom of Association

A. Political
xxxx In RE Constitutionality of RA 4880. Gonzales vs. Commission on Elections, GR L-27833,
18 April 1969; En Banc, Fernando [J] (supra., )
K000 Ang Ladlad LGBT vs. Commission on Elections, GR 190582, 8 April 2010; En Banc, del
Castillo [J] (http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2010/apr2010/gr_190582_2010.html) <
B. Integrated Bar
K100 In RE Edilion, AM 1928, 3 August 1978; En Banc Resolution, Castro [CJ]
(http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1978/aug1978/am_1928_1978.html) <

Copyright (c) 2012. Berne Guerrero – 3