POLITICAL AND INTERNATIONAL LAW

2014 BAR EXAMINATIONS

POLITICAL AND INTERNATIONAL LAW
2014 BAR EXAMINATIONS ..........................................................................................1
Notice: Outline taken from the 2014 Bar Exam Syllabus provided by the Supreme Court
of the Philippines. Free to use Create your own reviewer. Per Aspera Ad Astra!............1
1.The Philippine Constitution..............................................................................................2
2.General Considerations.....................................................................................................2
3.Legislative Department.....................................................................................................3
4.Executive Department.......................................................................................................6
5.Judicial Department..........................................................................................................9
6.Constitutional Commissions...........................................................................................10
7.Bill of Rights...................................................................................................................11
8.Citizenship......................................................................................................................22
9.Law on Public Officers...................................................................................................22
10.Administrative Law......................................................................................................25
11.Election Law.................................................................................................................26
12.Local Governments.......................................................................................................30
13.National Economy and Patrimony................................................................................34
14.Social Justice and Human Rights..................................................................................35
15.Education, Science, Technology, Arts, Culture and Sports..........................................35
16.Public International Law...............................................................................................36
Notice: Outline taken from the 2014 Bar Exam Syllabus provided by the
Supreme Court of the Philippines. Free to use Create your own reviewer.
Per Aspera Ad Astra!

1. The Philippine Constitution

1.1. Constitution: definition, nature and concepts

1.2. Parts
1.3. Amendments and revisions
1.4. Self-executing and non-self-executing provisions
1.5. General provisions

2. General Considerations

2.1. National territory

2.1.1. Archipelagic doctrine

2.2. State immunity
2.3. General principles and state policies
2.4. Separation of powers
2.5. Checks and balances
2.6. Delegation of powers
2.7. Forms of government

3. Legislative Department

3.1. Who may exercise legislative power

3.1.1. Congress

3.1.2. Regional/Local legislative power

3.1.3. Peoples initiative on statutes

3.1.3.1. Initiative and referendum

3.1.4. The President under a martial law rule or in a revolutionary
government
3.2. Houses of Congress

3.2.1. Senate
3.2.2. House of Representatives

3.2.2.1. District representatives and questions of apportionment

3.2.2.2. Party-list system

3.3. Legislative privileges, inhibitions and disqualifications
3.4. Quorum and voting majorities
3.5. Discipline of members
3.6. Electoral tribunals and the Commission on Appointments

3.6.1. Nature
3.6.2. Powers
3.7. Powers of Congress

3.7.1. Legislative

3.7.1.1. Legislative inquiries and the oversight functions

3.7.1.2. Bicameral conference committee
3.7.1.3. Limitations on legislative power

3.7.1.3.1. Limitations on revenue, appropriations and tariff

measures
3.7.1.3.2. Presidential veto and Congressional override
3.7.2. Non-legislative

3.7.2.1. Informing function

3.7.2.2. Power of impeachment
3.7.2.3. Other non-legislative powers

4. Executive Department

4.1. Privileges, inhibitions and disqualifications

4.1.1. Presidential immunity

4.1.2. Presidential privilege
4.2. Powers

4.2.1. Executive and administrative powers in general

4.2.2. Power of appointment

4.2.2.1. In general

4.2.2.2. Commission on Appointments confirmation

4.2.2.3. Midnight appointments
4.2.2.4. Power of removal
4.2.3. Power of control and supervision

4.2.3.1. Doctrine of qualified political agency

4.2.3.2. Executive departments and offices
4.2.3.3. Local government units
4.2.4. Military powers
4.2.5. Pardoning power

4.2.5.1. Nature and limitations

4.2.5.2. Forms of executive clemency
4.2.6. Diplomatic power
4.2.7. Powers relative to appropriation measures

4.2.8. Delegated powers

4.2.9. Veto powers
4.2.10. Residual powers
4.2.11. Executive privilege
4.3. Rules of Succession

5. Judicial Department

5.1. Concepts

5.1.1. Judicial power

5.1.2. Judicial review

5.1.2.1. Operative fact doctrine

5.1.2.2. Moot questions
5.1.2.3. Political question doctrine
5.2. Safeguards of Judicial independence
5.3. Judicial restraint
5.4. Appointments to the Judiciary
5.5. Supreme Court

5.5.1. En banc and division cases

5.5.2. Procedural rule-making
5.5.3. Administrative supervision over lower courts
5.5.4. Original and appellate jurisdiction
5.6. Judicial privilege

6. Constitutional Commissions

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6.1. Constitutional safeguards to ensure independence of commissions

6.2. Powers and functions of each commission
6.3. Prohibited offices and interests
6.4. Jurisdiction of each constitutional commission
6.5. Review of final orders, resolutions and decisions

6.5.1. Rendered in the exercise of quasi-judicial functions

6.5.2. Rendered in the exercise of administrative functions

7. Bill of Rights

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7.1. Fundamental powers of the state (police power, eminent domain,

taxation)

7.1.1. Concept, application and limits

7.1.2. Requisites for valid exercise
7.1.3. Similarities and differences
7.1.4. Delegation
7.2. Private acts and the Bill of Rights
7.3. Due process the rights to life, liberty & property

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7.3.1. Relativity of due process

7.3.2. Procedural and substantive due process
7.3.3. Constitutional and statutory due process
7.3.4. Hierarchy of rights
7.3.5. Judicial standards of review
7.3.6. Void-for-vagueness doctrine
7.4. Equal protection

7.4.1. Concept
7.4.2. Requisites for valid classification
7.4.3. Standards of judicial review

7.4.3.1. Rational Basis Test

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7.4.3.2. Strict Scrutiny Test

7.4.3.3. Intermediate Scrutiny Test
7.5. Searches and seizures

7.5.1. Concept
7.5.2. Warrant requirement

7.5.2.1. Requisites
7.5.3. Warrantless searches
7.5.4. Warrantless arrests
7.5.5. Administrative arrests
7.5.6. Drug, alcohol and blood tests
7.6. Privacy of communications and correspondence

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7.6.1. Private and public communications

7.6.2. Intrusion, when allowed
7.6.3. Writ of habeas data
7.7. Freedom of expression

7.7.1. Concept and scope

7.7.1.1. Prior restraint (censorship)

7.7.1.2. Subsequent punishment
7.7.2. Content-based and content-neutral regulations
7.7.3. Tests

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7.7.4. Applications
7.7.5. Facial challenges and the overbreadth doctrine
7.7.6. Tests
7.7.7. State regulation of different types of mass media
7.7.8. Commercial speech
7.7.9. Private vs. government speech
7.7.10. Hecklers veto
7.8. Freedom of religion

7.8.1. Non-establishment clause

7.8.1.1. Concept and basis

7.8.1.2. Acts permitted and not permitted by the clause
7.8.1.3. Test
7.8.2. Free exercise clause

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7.8.3. Tests

7.8.3.1. Clear and Present Danger Test

7.8.3.2. Compelling State Interest Test
7.8.3.3. Conscientious Objector Test
7.9. Liberty of abode and freedom of movement

7.9.1. Limitations
7.9.2. Right to travel

7.9.2.1. Watch-list and hold departure orders

7.9.3. Return to ones country
7.10. Right to information

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7.10.1. Limitations
7.10.2. Publication of laws and regulations
7.10.3. Access to court records
7.10.4. Right to information relative to:

7.10.4.1. Government contract negotiations

7.10.4.2. Diplomatic negotiations
7.11. Right of association
7.12. Eminent domain

7.12.1. Concept
7.12.2. Expansive concept of public use

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7.12.3. Just compensation

7.12.3.1. Determination
7.12.3.2. Effect of delay
7.12.4. Abandonment of intended use and right of repurchase
7.12.5. Miscellaneous application
7.13. Contract clause

7.13.1. Contemporary application of the contract clause

7.14. Legal assistance and free access to courts
7.15. Rights of suspects

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7.15.1. Availability
7.15.2. Requisites
7.15.3. Waiver
7.16. Rights of the accused

7.16.1. Criminal due process

7.16.2. Bail
7.16.3. Presumption of innocence
7.16.4. Right to be heard
7.16.5. Assistance of counsel
7.16.6. Right to be informed

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7.16.7. Right to speedy, impartial and public trial

7.16.8. Right of confrontation
7.16.9. Compulsory process
7.16.10. Trials in absentia
7.17. Writ of habeas corpus
7.18. Writs of amparo, habeas data, and kalikasan
7.19. Self-incrimination clause

7.19.1. Scope and coverage

7.19.1.1. Foreign laws

7.19.2. Application
7.19.3. Immunity statutes
7.20. Involuntary servitude and political prisoners
7.21. Excessive fines and cruel and inhuman punishments

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7.22. Non-imprisonment for debts

7.23. Double jeopardy

7.23.1. Requisites
7.23.2. Motions for reconsideration and appeals
7.23.3. Dismissal with consent of accused
7.24. Ex post facto laws and bills of attainder

8. Citizenship

8.1. Who are Filipino citizens

8.2. Modes of acquiring citizenship
8.3. Naturalization and denaturalization
8.4. Dual citizenship and dual allegiance
8.5. Loss and re-acquisition of Philippine citizenship
8.6. Natural-born citizens and public office

9. Law on Public Officers

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9.1. General principles

9.2. Modes of acquiring title to public office
9.3. Modes and kinds of appointment
9.4. Eligibility and qualification requirements
9.5. Disabilities and inhibitions of public officers
9.6. Powers and duties of public officers
9.7. Rights of public officers
9.8. Liabilities of public officers

9.8.1. Preventive suspension and back salaries

9.8.2. Illegal dismissal, reinstatement and back salaries

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9.9. Immunity of public officers

9.10. De facto officers
9.11. Termination of official relation
9.12. The Civil Service

9.12.1. Scope
9.12.2. Appointments to the civil service
9.12.3. Personnel actions
9.13. Accountability of public officers

9.13.1. Impeachment
9.13.2. Ombudsman (Sections 5 to 14, Article XI of the 1987
Constitution, in relation to R.A. No. 6770, or otherwise known as ""The
Ombudsman Act of 1989."")

9.13.2.1. Functions
9.13.2.2. Judicial review in administrative proceedings
9.13.2.3. Judicial review in penal proceedings
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9.13.3. Sandiganbayan
9.13.4. Ill-gotten wealth
9.14. Term limits

10.Administrative Law

10.1. General principles

10.2. Administrative agencies

10.2.1. Definition
10.2.2. Manner of creation
10.2.3. Kinds
10.3. Powers of administrative agencies

10.3.1. Quasi-legislative (rule-making) power

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10.3.1.1. Kinds of administrative rules and regulations

10.3.1.2. Requisites for validity
10.3.2. Quasi-judicial(adjudicatory) power

10.3.2.1. Administrative due process

10.3.2.2. Administrative appeal and review
10.3.2.3. Administrative res judicata
10.3.3. Fact-finding, investigative, licensing and rate-fixing powers
10.4. Judicial recourse and review

10.4.1. Doctrine of primary administrative jurisdiction

10.4.2. Doctrine of exhaustion of administrative remedies
10.4.3. Doctrine of finality of administrative action

11.Election Law

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11.1. Suffrage
11.2. Qualification and disqualification of voters
11.3. Registration of voters
11.4. Inclusion and exclusion proceedings
11.5. Political parties

11.5.1. Jurisdiction of the COMELEC over political parties

11.5.2. Registration
11.6. Candidacy

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11.6.1. Qualifications of candidates

11.6.2. Filing of certificates of candidacy

11.6.2.1. Effect of filing

11.6.2.2. Substitution of candidates
11.6.2.3. Ministerial duty of COMELEC to receive certificate
11.6.2.4. Nuisance candidates
11.6.2.5. Petition to deny or cancel certificates of candidacy

11.6.2.5.1. Effect of disqualification

11.6.2.6. Withdrawal of candidates
11.7. Campaign

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11.7.1. Premature campaigning

11.7.2. Prohibited contributions
11.7.3. Lawful and prohibited election propaganda
11.7.4. Limitations on expenses
11.7.5. Statement of contributions and expenses
11.8. Board of Election Inspectors and Board of Canvassers

11.8.1. Composition
11.8.2. Powers
11.9. Remedies and jurisdiction in election law

11.9.1. Petition not to give due course to or cancel a certificate of

candidacy

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11.9.2. Petition for disqualification

11.9.3. Petition to declare failure of elections
11.9.4. Pre-proclamation controversy
11.9.5. Election protest
11.9.6. Quo warranto
11.10. Prosecution of election offenses

12.Local Governments

12.1. Public corporations

12.1.1. Concept

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12.1.1.1. Distinguished from government-owned or controlled

corporations
12.1.2. Classifications

12.1.2.1. Quasi-corporations
12.1.2.2. Municipal corporations
12.2. Municipal corporations

12.2.1. Elements
12.2.2. Nature and functions
12.2.3. Requisites for creation, conversion, division, merger or
dissolution
12.3. Principles of local autonomy
12.4. Powers of local government units (LGUs)

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12.4.1. Police power (general welfare clause)

12.4.2. Eminent domain
12.4.3. Taxing power
12.4.4. Closure and opening of roads
12.4.5. Legislative power

12.4.5.1. Requisites for valid ordinance

12.4.5.2. Local initiative and referendum
12.4.6. Corporate powers

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12.4.6.1. To sue and be sued

12.4.6.2. To acquire and sell property
12.4.6.3. To enter into contracts

12.4.6.3.1. Requisites
12.4.6.3.2. Ultra vires contracts
12.4.7. Liability of LGUs
12.4.8. Settlement of boundary disputes
12.4.9. Succession of elective officials
12.4.10. Discipline of local officials

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12.4.10.1. Elective officials

12.4.10.1.1. Grounds
12.4.10.1.2. Jurisdiction
12.4.10.1.3. Preventive suspension
12.4.10.1.4. Removal
12.4.10.1.5. Administrative appeal
12.4.10.1.6. Doctrine of condonation
12.4.10.2. Appointive officials
12.4.11. Recall
12.4.12. Term limits

13.National Economy and Patrimony

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13.1. Regalian doctrine

13.2. Nationalist and citizenship requirement provisions
13.3. Exploration, development and utilization of natural resources
13.4. Franchises, authority and certificates for public utilities
13.5. Acquisition, ownership and transfer of public and private lands
13.6. Practice of professions
13.7. Organization and regulation of corporations, private and public
13.8. Monopolies, restraint of trade and unfair competition

14.Social Justice and Human Rights

14.1. Concept of social justice

14.2. Commission on Human Rights

15.Education, Science, Technology, Arts, Culture and Sports

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15.1. Academic freedom

16.Public International Law

16.1. Concepts

16.1.1. Obligations erga omnes

16.1.2. Jus cogens
16.1.3. Concept of ex aequo et bono
16.2. International and national law
16.3. Sources

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16.4. Subjects

16.4.1. States
16.4.2. International organizations
16.4.3. Individuals
16.5. Diplomatic and consular law
16.6. Treaties
16.7. Nationality and statelessness

16.7.1. Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties

16.8. State responsibility

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16.8.1. Doctrine of state responsibility

16.9. Jurisdiction of States

16.9.1. Territoriality principle

16.9.2. Nationality principle and statelessness
16.9.3. Protective principle
16.9.4. Universality principle
16.9.5. Passive personality principle
16.9.6. Conflicts of jurisdiction
16.10. Treatment of aliens

16.10.1. Extradition

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16.10.1.1. Fundamental principles

16.10.1.2. Procedure
16.10.1.3. Distinguished from deportation
16.11. International Human Rights Law

16.11.1. Universal Declaration of Human Rights

16.11.2. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
16.11.3. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural
Rights
16.12. International Humanitarian Law and neutrality

16.12.1. Categories of armed conflicts

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16.12.1.1. International armed conflicts

16.12.1.2. Internal or non-international armed conflict
16.12.1.3. War of national liberation
16.12.2. Core international obligations of states in International
Humanitarian Law
16.12.3. Principles of International Humanitarian Law

16.12.3.1. Treatment of civilians

16.12.3.2. Prisoners of war
16.12.4. Law on neutrality
16.13. Law of the sea

16.13.1. Baselines
16.13.2. Archipelagic states

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16.13.2.1. Straight archipelagic baselines

16.13.2.2. Archipelagic waters
16.13.2.3. Archipelagic sea lanes passage
16.13.3. Internal waters
16.13.4. Territorial sea
16.13.5. Exclusive economic zone
16.13.6. Continental shelf

16.13.6.1. Extended continental shelf

16.13.7. International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea
16.14. Madrid Protocol and the Paris Convention for the Protection of
Industrial Property
16.15. International environmental law

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16.15.1. Principle 21 of the Stockholm Declaration

16.16. International economic law

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