New Era University

College of Law

Introduction to Law
Academic Year 2015-2016
First Semester

Atty. Alfierri E. Bayalan1

Reading Materials:
 Dante B. Gatmaytan, Legal Method Essentials 2.0, UP College of Law 2014 [Gatmaytan].
 Joaquin G. Bernas, S.J., The 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines: A
Commentary, Rex Book Store, Inc. 2003 [Bernas].

I. Introduction
a. Class decorum
b. Preparation for class
c. Case digesting and analysis
d. Recitation
e. Preparation for and taking an exam

II. Philippine History and the Legal System

- Gatmaytan, Chapter 2.
- In re Application of Max Shoop for admission to practice law, November
29, 1920, 41 Phil. 213
a. Branches of government
i. Legislative Department
o Bernas, 653-673
o Government v. Springer, GR No. L-26979, April 1, 1927, 50 Phil. 259
ii. Executive Department
o Bernas, 793-808
o Marcos v. Manglapus, GR No. 88211, September 15, 1989, 177 SCRA
668
iii. Judicial Department
o Bernas, 914-924
o In re Cunanan, March 18, 1954, 94 Phil. 534
b. Judicial hierarchy
o Const., Art. VIII, §1-6
o BP 129, §4, 9(3), 22, 23, 25, 28, 31
c. Separation of powers
o Bernas, 655-656
o Angara v. Electoral Commission, GR No. L-45081, July 15 1936, 63
Phil. 139
d. Checks and balances

1 This syllabus is a product of the collaboration of Attys. Gene Edward DC. Lopez and Alfierri E. Bayalan.

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III. The Constitution and its Construction
- Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines
- Gatmaytan, Chapter 3
- Bernas, xxxvii-xliv
- Essential parts of a written constitution: Isagani Cruz, Constitutional Law
(1993), pages 6-7.
a. Definition and Nature of a Constitution
o Manila Prince Hotel v. GSIS, GR No. 122156, February 3, 1997
o Nitafan v. CIR, GR No. L-78780, July 23, 1987
b. Constitutional Construction
i. No need for construction when the law is clear
o Amores v. HRET, GR No. 189600, June 29, 2010
ii. Verba Legis
o Francisco v. HRET, GR No. 160261, Nov. 10, 2003
iii. Ratio legis est anima
o Civil Liberties Union v. Executive Secretary, GR No. 83896, February
22, 1991
iv. Ut magis valeat quam pereat
o Chiongbian v. De Leon, GR No. L-2007, January 31, 1949
v. Applicability of rules of statutory construction to constitutional
construction
o Macalintal v. COMELEC, GR No. 157013, July 10, 2003
IV. Areas of Law
- Political Law
o Definition: People v. Perfecto 43 Phil. 887 (1922);
Macariola v. Asuncion A.M. No. 133-J, May 31, 1982
- Civil Law
Definition: Arturo Tolentino, Civil Code of the Philippines – Comments and
Jurisprudence (1990) Volume 1, page 4
- Criminal Law
o Definition: Lacson v. Exec. Sec., G.R. No. 128096, Jan. 20, 1999;
Hernandez v. Albano, G.R. N o. L-19272, January 25, 1967
U.S. v. Taylor, G.R. No. 9726. December 8, 1914, 28 Phil
599, 604
- Commercial Law
o Definition: Jose C. Vitug, Commercial Laws and Jurisprudence Vol. 1
(2006), page 1.
- Law on Taxation
Definition:
- Labor Law
Definition:
Labor Standards – Mariveles Shipyard Corp. v. Court of
Appeals, GR No. 144134, November 11, 2003, 415 SCRA 573
Labor Relations – C.A. Azucena, Jr., The Labor Code with Comments
and Cases, Vol II (2007), page 10.
- Remedial Law

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 o Definition: Bustos v. Lucero, GR No. L-2068, October 20, 1948, 81 Phil.
640
- Legal Ethics
Definition: Ruben E. Agpalo, Legal and Judicial Ethics (2009), page 2, citing
G.A. Malcolm, Legal and Judicial Ethics, p. 8 (1949)

V. Judicial Review
- Gatmaytan, Chapter 4
- Bernas, 935-949; 952;962-964
- Const., Art. VIII, §1, ¶2
- Marbury v. Madison, 5 US 137 (1803)
- Angara v. Electoral Commission, supra

VI. Case Law and Precedent

- Gatmaytan, Chapter 5
- Civil Code, Art. 8
- -Caltex vs. Palomar G.R. L-19650, September 29, 1966
- Spouses Gauvain vs. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 97973, January 27, 1992
- Barrera vs. Barrera, G.R. No. L-31589, July 31, 1970.

Stare Decisis
-Villena vs. Sps. Chavez, G.R. No. 148126, November 10, 2003
-Olaguer vs. Military Commission No. 34, G.R. No. L-54558, May 22,1987

Res Judicata
-Development Bank of the Philippines vs La Campaña Development
Corporation, G.R. No. 137694, January 17, 2005

Law of the Case

-Sps. Sy vs Young, G.R. No. 169214, June 19, 2013

VII. Supreme Court Decision

- Gatmaytan, Chapter 7

VIII. Dissenting Opinion

- Gatmaytan, Chapter 8

IX. Ratio Decidendi and Obiter Dictum

- Gatmaytan, Chapter 9

X. Authorities
- Gatmaytan, Chapter 10

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