PEOPLE VS PERFECTOR

GR NO. L-18463 OCTOBER 4,1922

Facts:
Gre!r"! Per#ect!r, E$"t!r !# La Nac"!% state$ "% &"s art"c'e $er!at!r( state)e%t a*!+t a% "ss+e ,&ere
t&e documents which constituted the records of testimony given by witnesses in the investigation of oil
companies, had disappeared from the office of the Secretary of Philippine Senate, Fernando Gregorio. The
Philippine Senate then adopted a resolution authorizing its committee to file an action against Perfector for
violating Article !" of the Spanish Penal #ode, punishing $Any person who, by . . . writing, shall defame,
abuse, or insult any %inister of the #rown or other person in authority . . .,$ . The decision of the lower court
was in against Perfecto. The latter contented the allegation stating that under the &elbig case, Spanish law
is not applicable since there was a change in the government.
'ssue( )*+ Article !" is still in force.
&eld(
't is a general principle of the public law that on ac,uisition of territory the previous political relations of the
ceded region are totally abrogated. $Political$ is here used to denominate the laws regulating the relations
sustained by the inhabitants to the sovereign. -American 'nsurance #o. vs. #anter ./001, / Pet., !//2
#hicago, 3oc4 'sland and Pacific 3ailway #o.vs.%cGlinn ./00!1, //5 6.S., !52 3oa vs. #ollector of
#ustoms ./7/1, 8 Phil., 8/!.9 %r. :ustice Field of the 6nited States Supreme #ourt stated the obvious
when in the course of his opinion in the case of #hicago, 3oc4 'sland and Pacific 3ailway #o. vs. %cGlinn,
supra, he said( $As a matter of course, all laws, ordinances and regulations in conflict with the political
character, institutions and #onstitution of the new government are at once displaced. Thus, upon a cession
of political ;urisdiction and legislative power < and the latter is involved in the former < to the 6nited
States, the laws of the country in support of an established religion or abridging the freedom of the press,
or authorizing cruel and unusual punishments, and he like, would at once cease to be of obligatory
force without any declaration to that effect.$ To ,uote again from the 6nited States Supreme #ourt( $ It
cannot be admitted that the King of Spain could, by treaty or otherwise, impart to the United States any of
his royal prerogatives2 and much less can it be admitted that they have capacity to receive or power to
e=ercise them. >very nation ac,uiring territory, by treaty or otherwise, must hold it sub;ect to the
#onstitution and laws of its own government, and not according to those of the government ceding it.$
-Pollard vs. &agan ./05!1, 8 &os., /?.9
@ecision( 3eversed2defendant ac,uitted
-E LEON VS ESG.ERR/
G.R. No. 78059 / 153 SCRA 602 August 31, 1987
FACTS: Petitioner was elected as Barangay Captain together with other
petitioners as Barangay Councilmen of Barangay Dolores, unicipality of
!aytay, Pronice of "i#al in a Barangay election held under Barangay
$lection Act of 198%&
Petitioner recei'ed a emorandum from ()C *o'ernor Ben+amin
$sguerra which pro'ided the designation of respondent ,lorentino agno
as Barangay Captain of the same -arangay and the other respondents as
mem-ers of the -arangay Council of the same -arangay and
municipality& Petitioners maintain that .ec 3 of the Barangay $lection Act
of 198% pro'ides that the terms of office shall -e si/ 012 years which shall
continue until their successors shall ha'e elected and 3ualified& Also, in
accordance with the recent ratification of the 1987 Constitution, it seems
that respindent ()C *o'ernor no longer had the authority to replace
them as well as designate successors&
Petitioner prayed that the emorandum -e declared null and 'oid and
that respondents -e prohi-ited from ta4ing o'er their positions&
ISSUE: 5hether or not designation of respondents to replace petitioners
was 'alid&
HELD: !he Court ruled in the negati'e& .C declared that the
emorandum issued -y respondent ()C *o'ernor designating
respondents as Barangay Captain and Councilmen of Barangay Dolores
has no legal force and effect&
!he 1987 Constitution was ratified in a ple-iscite on ,e-ruary %, 1987& By
that date therefore, the pro'isional constitution must -e deemed to ha'e
-een superseded& $ffecti'ity of the Constitution is also immediately upon
its ratification&
ERNESTO B. FRANCISCO, JR. vs. THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES
G.R. N!. 160261. N!1e)*er 10, 2003.
FACTS:
O% 2+'( 22, 2002, t&e 3!+se !# Re4rese%tat"1es a$!4te$ a Res!'+t"!%, s4!%s!re$ *( Re4rese%tat"1e Fe'"5 6"''"a) -.
F+e%te*e''a, ,&"c& $"recte$ t&e C!))"ttee !% 2+st"ce 7t! c!%$+ct a% "%1est"at"!%, "% a"$ !# 'e"s'at"!%, !% t&e )a%%er
!# $"s*+rse)e%ts a%$ e54e%$"t+res *( t&e C&"e# 2+st"ce !# t&e S+4re)e C!+rt !# t&e 2+$"c"ar( -e1e'!4)e%t F+%$
82-F9.7 O% 2+%e 2, 2003, #!r)er Pres"$e%t 2!se4& E. Estra$a #"'e$ a% ")4eac&)e%t c!)4'a"%t aa"%st C&"e# 2+st"ce
3"'ar"! G. -a1"$e 2r. a%$ se1e% /ss!c"ate 2+st"ces !# t&"s C!+rt #!r 7c+'4a*'e 1"!'at"!% !# t&e C!%st"t+t"!%, *etra(a' !#
t&e 4+*'"c tr+st a%$ !t&er &"& cr")es.7 T&e c!)4'a"%t ,as e%$!rse$ *( Re4rese%tat"1es R!'e5 T. S+4'"c!, R!%a'$! B.
:a)!ra a%$ -"$ae% P"a% -"'a%a'e%, a%$ ,as re#erre$ t! t&e 3!+se C!))"ttee. T&e 3!+se C!))"ttee !% 2+st"ce
r+'e$ !% Oct!*er 13, 2003 t&at t&e #"rst ")4eac&)e%t c!)4'a"%t ,as 7s+##"c"e%t "% #!r),7 *+t 1!te$ t! $"s)"ss t&e
sa)e !% Oct!*er 22, 2003 #!r *e"% "%s+##"c"e%t "% s+*sta%ce. T! $ate, t&e C!))"ttee Re4!rt t! t&"s e##ect &as %!t (et
*ee% se%t t! t&e 3!+se "% 4'e%ar( "% acc!r$a%ce ,"t& t&e sa"$ Sect"!% 3829 !# /rt"c'e ;< !# t&e C!%st"t+t"!%. F!+r
)!%t&s a%$ t&ree ,ee=s s"%ce t&e #"'"% !% 2+%e 2, 2003 !# t&e #"rst c!)4'a"%t !r !% Oct!*er 23, 2003, a $a( a#ter t&e
3!+se C!))"ttee !% 2+st"ce 1!te$ t! $"s)"ss "t, t&e sec!%$ ")4eac&)e%t c!)4'a"%t ,as #"'e$ ,"t& t&e Secretar(
Ge%era' !# t&e 3!+se *( Re4rese%tat"1es G"'*ert! C. Te!$!r!, 2r. a%$ Fe'"5 6"''"a) B. F+e%te*e''a aa"%st C&"e#
2+st"ce 3"'ar"! G. -a1"$e, 2r., #!+%$e$ !% t&e a''ee$ res+'ts !# t&e 'e"s'at"1e "%>+"r( "%"t"ate$ *( a*!1e-)e%t"!%e$
3!+se Res!'+t"!%. T&"s sec!%$ ")4eac&)e%t c!)4'a"%t ,as acc!)4a%"e$ *( a 7Res!'+t"!% !#
E%$!rse)e%t?<)4eac&)e%t7 s"%e$ *( at 'east !%e-t&"r$ 81?39 !# a'' t&e @e)*ers !# t&e 3!+se !# Re4rese%tat"1es.
ISSUES:
1. 6&et&er !r %!t t&e #"'"% !# t&e sec!%$ ")4eac&)e%t c!)4'a"%t aa"%st C&"e# 2+st"ce 3"'ar"! G. -a1"$e, 2r. ,"t& t&e
3!+se !# Re4rese%tat"1es #a''s ,"t&"% t&e !%e (ear *ar 4r!1"$e$ "% t&e C!%st"t+t"!%.
2. 6&et&er t&e res!'+t"!% t&ere!# "s a 4!'"t"ca' >+est"!% A &as res+'te$ "% a 4!'"t"ca' cr"s"s.
HELD:
1. 3a1"% c!%c'+$e$ t&at t&e "%"t"at"!% ta=es 4'ace *( t&e act !# #"'"% !# t&e ")4eac&)e%t c!)4'a"%t a%$ re#erra' t!
t&e 3!+se C!))"ttee !% 2+st"ce, t&e "%"t"a' act"!% ta=e% t&ere!%, t&e )ea%"% !# Sect"!% 3 8B9 !# /rt"c'e ;< *ec!)es
c'ear. O%ce a% ")4eac&)e%t c!)4'a"%t &as *ee% "%"t"ate$ "% t&e #!re!"% )a%%er, a%!t&er )a( %!t *e #"'e$ aa"%st
t&e sa)e !##"c"a' ,"t&"% a !%e (ear 4er"!$ #!''!,"% /rt"c'e ;<, Sect"!% 38B9 !# t&e C!%st"t+t"!%. <% #"%e, c!%s"$er"%
t&at t&e #"rst ")4eac&)e%t c!)4'a"%t, ,as #"'e$ *( #!r)er Pres"$e%t Estra$a aa"%st C&"e# 2+st"ce 3"'ar"! G. -a1"$e,
2r., a'!% ,"t& se1e% ass!c"ate C+st"ces !# t&"s C!+rt, !% 2+%e 2, 2003 a%$ re#erre$ t! t&e 3!+se C!))"ttee !% 2+st"ce
!% /++st B, 2003, t&e sec!%$ ")4eac&)e%t c!)4'a"%t #"'e$ *( Re4rese%tat"1es G"'*ert! C. Te!$!r!, 2r. a%$ Fe'"5
6"''"a) F+e%te*e''a aa"%st t&e C&"e# 2+st"ce !% Oct!*er 23, 2003 1"!'ates t&e c!%st"t+t"!%a' 4r!&"*"t"!% aa"%st t&e
"%"t"at"!% !# ")4eac&)e%t 4r!cee$"%s aa"%st t&e sa)e ")4eac&a*'e !##"cer ,"t&"% a !%e-(ear 4er"!$.
2.Fr!) t&e #!re!"% rec!r$ !# t&e 4r!cee$"%s !# t&e 1986 C!%st"t+t"!%a' C!))"ss"!%, "t "s c'ear t&at C+$"c"a' 4!,er
"s %!t !%'( a 4!,erD "t "s a's! a $+t(, a $+t( ,&"c& ca%%!t *e a*$"cate$ *( t&e )ere s4ecter !# t&"s creat+re ca''e$ t&e
4!'"t"ca' >+est"!% $!ctr"%e. C&"e# 2+st"ce C!%ce4c"!% &aste%e$ t! c'ar"#(, &!,e1er, t&at Sect"!% 1, /rt"c'e V<<< ,as %!t
"%te%$e$ t! $! a,a( ,"t& 7tr+'( 4!'"t"ca' >+est"!%s.7 Fr!) t&"s c'ar"#"cat"!% "t "s at&ere$ t&at t&ere are t,! s4ec"es !#
4!'"t"ca' >+est"!%s: 819 7tr+'( 4!'"t"ca' >+est"!%s7 a%$ 829 t&!se ,&"c& 7are %!t tr+'( 4!'"t"ca' >+est"!%s.7 Tr+'( 4!'"t"ca'
>+est"!%s are t&+s *e(!%$ C+$"c"a' re1"e,, t&e reas!% #!r res4ect !# t&e $!ctr"%e !# se4arat"!% !# 4!,ers t! *e
)a"%ta"%e$. O% t&e !t&er &a%$, *( 1"rt+e !# Sect"!% 1, /rt"c'e V<<< !# t&e C!%st"t+t"!%, c!+rts ca% re1"e, >+est"!%s
,&"c& are %!t tr+'( 4!'"t"ca' "% %at+re.
%A+'AA P3'+#> &*T>A BS GS'S
G3 +*. //!" F>C36A3D 8, /77E
Facts(
The Government Service 'nsurance System -GS'S9, pursuant to the privatization program of the Philippine
Government under Proclamation !? dated 0 @ecember /70", decided to sell through public bidding 8?F to !/F
of the issued and outstanding shares of the %anila &otel -%&#9. 'n a close bidding held on /0 September /77!
only two bidders participated( %anila Prince &otel #orporation, a Filipino corporation, which offered to buy !/F
of the %&# or /!,8??,??? shares at P5/.!0 per share, and 3enong Cerhad, a %alaysian firm, with 'TTGSheraton
as its hotel operator, which bid for the same number of shares at P55.?? per share, or P.5 more than the bid
of petitioner. Pending the declaration of 3enong Cerhard as the winning bidderHstrategic partner and the
e=ecution of the necessary contracts, the %anila Prince &otel matched the bid price of P55.?? per share
tendered by 3enong Cerhad in a letter to GS'S dated 0 September /77!. %anila Prince &otel sent a managerIs
chec4 to the GS'S in a subse,uent letter, but which GS'S refused to accept. *n /E *ctober /77!, perhaps
apprehensive that GS'S has disregarded the tender of the matching bid and that the sale of !/F of the %&#
may be hastened by GS'S and consummated with 3enong Cerhad, %anila Prince &otel came to the #ourt on
prohibition and mandamus.
'ssue-s9(
)hether the provisions of the #onstitution, particularly Article J'' Section /?, are selfGe=ecuting.
)hether the !/F share is part of the national patrimony.
&eld( A provision which lays down a general principle, such as those found in Article '' of the /70E #onstitution,
is usually not selfGe=ecuting. Cut a provision which is complete in itself and becomes operative without the aid of
supplementary or enabling legislation, or that which supplies sufficient rule by means of which the right it grants
may be en;oyed or protected, is selfGe=ecuting. Thus a constitutional provision is selfGe=ecuting if the nature and
e=tent of the right conferred and the liability imposed are fi=ed by the constitution itself, so that they can be
determined by an e=amination and construction of its terms, and there is no language indicating that the sub;ect
is referred to the legislature for action. 'n selfGe=ecuting constitutional provisions, the legislature may still enact
legislation to facilitate the e=ercise of powers directly granted by the constitution, further the operation of such a
provision, prescribe a practice to be used for its enforcement, provide a convenient remedy for the protection of
the rights secured or the determination thereof, or place reasonable safeguards around the e=ercise of the right.
The mere fact that legislation may supplement and add to or prescribe a penalty for the violation of a selfG
e=ecuting constitutional provision does not render such a provision ineffective in the absence of such legislation.
The omission from a constitution of any e=press provision for a remedy for enforcing a right or liability is not
necessarily an indication that it was not intended to be selfGe=ecuting. The rule is that a selfGe=ecuting provision
of the constitution does not necessarily e=haust legislative power on the sub;ect, but any legislation must be in
harmony with the constitution, further the e=ercise of constitutional right and ma4e it more available. Subse,uent
legislation however does not necessarily mean that the sub;ect constitutional provision is not, by itself, fully
enforceable. As against constitutions of the past, modern constitutions have been generally drafted upon a
different principle and have often become in effect e=tensive codes of laws intended to operate directly upon the
people in a manner similar to that of statutory enactments, and the function of constitutional conventions has
evolved into one more li4e that of a legislative body. &ence, unless it is e=pressly provided that a legislative act
is necessary to enforce a constitutional mandate, the presumption now is that all provisions of the constitution
are selfGe=ecuting. 'f the constitutional provisions are treated as re,uiring legislation instead of selfGe=ecuting,
the legislature would have the power to ignore and practically nullify the mandate of the fundamental law. 'n fine,
Section /?, second paragraph, Art. J'' of the /70E #onstitution is a mandatory, positive command which is
complete in itself and which needs no further guidelines or implementing laws or rules for its enforcement. From
its very words the provision does not re,uire any legislation to put it in operation.
'n its plain and ordinary meaning, the term patrimony pertains to heritage. )hen the #onstitution spea4s of
national patrimony, it refers not only to the natural resources of the Philippines, as the #onstitution could have
very well used the term natural resources, but also to the cultural heritage of the Filipinos. 't also refers to
FilipinoIs intelligence in arts, sciences and letters. 'n the present case, %anila &otel has become a landmar4, a
living testimonial of Philippine heritage. )hile it was restrictively an American hotel when it first opened in /7/,
a concourse for the elite, it has since then become the venue of various significant events which have shaped
Philippine history. 'n the granting of economic rights, privileges, and concessions, especially on matters involving
national patrimony, when a choice has to be made between a K,ualified foreignerL and a K,ualified Filipino,L the
latter shall be chosen over the former.
The Supreme #ourt directed the GS'S, the %anila &otel #orporation, the #ommittee on Privatization and the
*ffice of the Government #orporate #ounsel to cease and desist from selling !/F of the Share of the %&# to
3enong Cerhad, and to accept the matching bid of %anila Prince &otel at P55 per shere and thereafter e=ecute
the necessary agreements and document to effect the sale, to issue the necessary clearances and to do such
other acts and deeds as may be necessary for the purpose.
Rev. Ely Velez Pamatong Vs. Commission on Elections
G.R. No. 161872, April 13, 2004
FACTS:
Petitioner Pamatong filed his ertifi!ate of andida!" #$% for President. Respondent
$&'(' de!lared petitioner and 3) others as n*isan!e !andidates +ho !o*ld not +age a
nation+ide !ampaign and,or are not nominated -" a politi!al part" or are not s*pported -" a
registered politi!al part" +ith a national !onstit*en!".
Pamatong filed a Petition .or /rit of ertiorari +ith the 0*preme o*rt !laiming that the
$&'(' 1iolated his right to 2e3*al a!!ess to opport*nities for p*-li! ser1i!e4 *nder
0e!tion 26, Arti!le 55 of the 1687 onstit*tion, -" limiting the n*m-er of 3*alified !andidates
onl" to those +ho !an afford to +age a nation+ide !ampaign and,or are nominated -"
politi!al parties. 7he $&'(' s*pposedl" erred in dis3*alif"ing him sin!e he is the most
3*alified among all the presidential !andidates, i.e., he possesses all the !onstit*tional and
legal 3*alifi!ations for the offi!e of the president, he is !apa-le of +aging a national !ampaign
sin!e he has n*mero*s national organi8ations *nder his leadership, he also has the !apa!it" to
+age an international !ampaign sin!e he has pra!ti!ed la+ in other !o*ntries, and he has a
platform of go1ernment.
ISSUE:
5s there a !onstit*tional right to r*n for or hold p*-li! offi!e9
RULING:
No. /hat is re!ogni8ed in 0e!tion 26, Arti!le 55 of the onstit*tion is merel" a pri1ilege
s*-:e!t to limitations imposed -" la+. 5t neither -esto+s s*!h a right nor ele1ates the pri1ilege
to the le1el of an enfor!ea-le right. 7here is nothing in the plain lang*age of the pro1ision
+hi!h s*ggests s*!h a thr*st or :*stifies an interpretation of the sort.
7he 2e3*al a!!ess4 pro1ision is a s*-s*med part of Arti!le 55 of the onstit*tion, entitled
2;e!laration of Prin!iples and 0tate Poli!ies.4 7he pro1isions *nder the Arti!le are generall"
!onsidered not self<e=e!*ting, and there is no pla*si-le reason for a!!ording a different
treatment to the 2e3*al a!!ess4 pro1ision. (i>e the rest of the poli!ies en*merated in Arti!le 55,
the pro1ision does not !ontain an" :*di!iall" enfor!ea-le !onstit*tional right -*t merel"
spe!ifies a g*ideline for legislati1e or e=e!*ti1e a!tion. 7he disregard of the pro1ision does not
gi1e rise to an" !a*se of a!tion -efore the !o*rts.
$-1io*sl", the pro1ision is not intended to !ompel the 0tate to ena!t positi1e meas*res that
+o*ld a!!ommodate as man" people as possi-le into p*-li! offi!e. &oreo1er, the pro1ision as
+ritten lea1es m*!h to -e desired if it is to -e regarded as the so*r!e of positi1e rights. 5t is
diffi!*lt to interpret the !la*se as operati1e in the a-sen!e of legislation sin!e its effe!ti1e
means and rea!h are not properl" defined. ?roadl" +ritten, the m"riad of !laims that !an -e
s*-s*med *nder this r*-ri! appear to -e entirel" open<ended. /ords and phrases s*!h as
2e3*al a!!ess,4 2opport*nities,4 and 2p*-li! ser1i!e4 are s*s!epti-le to !o*ntless
interpretations o+ing to their inherent impre!iseness. ertainl", it +as not the intention of
the framers to infli!t on the people an operati1e -*t amorpho*s fo*ndation from +hi!h
innatel" *nenfor!ea-le rights ma" -e so*r!ed.
7he pri1ilege of e3*al a!!ess to opport*nities to p*-li! offi!e ma" -e s*-:e!ted to limitations.
0ome 1alid limitations spe!ifi!all" on the pri1ilege to see> ele!ti1e offi!e are fo*nd in the
pro1isions of the $mni-*s 'le!tion ode on 2N*isan!e andidates.4 As long as the limitations
appl" to e1er"-od" e3*all" +itho*t dis!rimination, ho+e1er, the e3*al a!!ess !la*se is not
1iolated. '3*alit" is not sa!rifi!ed as long as the -*rdens engendered -" the limitations are
meant to -e -orne -" an" one +ho is minded to file a !ertifi!ate of !andida!". 5n the !ase at
-ar, there is no sho+ing that an" person is e=empt from the limitations or the -*rdens +hi!h
the" !reate.
7he rationale -ehind the prohi-ition against n*isan!e !andidates and the dis3*alifi!ation of
!andidates +ho ha1e not e1in!ed a -ona fide intention to r*n for offi!e is eas" to di1ine. 7he
0tate has a !ompelling interest to ens*re that its ele!toral e=er!ises are rational, o-:e!ti1e, and
orderl". 7o+ards this end, the 0tate ta>es into a!!o*nt the pra!ti!al !onsiderations in
!ond*!ting ele!tions. 5ne1ita-l", the greater the n*m-er of !andidates, the greater the
opport*nities for logisti!al !onf*sion, not to mention the in!reased allo!ation of time and
reso*r!es in preparation for the ele!tion. 7he organi8ation of an ele!tion +ith -ona fide
!andidates standing is onero*s eno*gh. 7o add into the mi= !andidates +ith no serio*s
intentions or !apa-ilities to r*n a 1ia-le !ampaign +o*ld a!t*all" impair the ele!toral pro!ess.
7his is not to mention the !andida!ies +hi!h are palpa-l" ridi!*lo*s so as to !onstit*te a one<
note :o>e. 7he poll -od" +o*ld -e -ogged -" irrele1ant min*tiae !o1ering e1er" step of the
ele!toral pro!ess, most pro-a-l" posed at the instan!e of these n*isan!e !andidates. 5t +o*ld
-e a senseless sa!rifi!e on the part of the 0tate.
7he 3*estion of +hether a !andidate is a n*isan!e !andidate or not is -oth legal and fa!t*al.
7he -asis of the fa!t*al determination is not -efore this o*rt. 7h*s, the remand of this !ase
for the re!eption of f*rther e1iden!e is in order. 7he 0 remanded to the $&'(' for the
re!eption of f*rther e1iden!e, to determine the 3*estion on +hether petitioner 'll" @ele8 (ao
Pamatong is a n*isan!e !andidate as !ontemplated in 0e!tion 66 of the $mni-*s 'le!tion
ode.
!ite" #ict$m: $ne of PamatongAs !ontentions +as that he +as an international la+"er and
is th*s more 3*alified !ompared to the li>es of 'rap, +ho +as onl" a high s!hool dropo*t.
Bnder the onstit*tion #Arti!le @55, 0e!tion 2%, the onl" re3*irements are the follo+ingC #1%
nat*ral<-orn !iti8en of the PhilippinesD #2% registered 1oterD #3% a-le to read and +riteD #4% at
least fort" "ears of age on the da" of the ele!tionD and #)% resident of the Philippines for at
least ten "ears immediatel" pre!eding s*!h ele!tion.
At an" rate, Pamatong was eventually declared a nuisance candidate and was disqualified.
Maria Cerdeira died in Tangier, (an international zone [foreign country] in North Africa), on January 2,
19! At the ti"e of her de"i#e, #he $a# "arried to a %&ani#h Citizen and a &er"anent re#ident of
Tangier fro" 19'1 u& to her death, on January 2, 19! %he left &ro&ertie# in Tangier a# $ell a# in the
(hili&&ine#! A"ong the &ro&ertie# in the (hili&&ine# are #e)eral &arcel# of land and "any #hare# of #toc*,
account# recei)a+le and other intangi+le &er#onal &ro&ertie#! ,n the real e#tate the re#&ondent Antonio
Ca"&o# -ueda, a# ad"ini#trator of her e#tate, &aid the #u" of (111,.2!// a# e#tate ta0 and the #u" of
(11,191!2. a# inheritance ta0, on the tran#fer of her real &ro&ertie# in the (hili&&ine#, +ut refu#ed to
&ay the corre#&onding deficiency e#tate and inheritance ta0e# due on the tran#fer of her intangi+le
&er#onal &ro&ertie#, clai"ing that the e#tate i# e0e"&t fro" the &ay"ent of #aid ta0e# &ur#uant to
#ection 122 of the Ta0 Code and that he could a)ail of the reci&rocal &ro)i#ion# of our Ta0 Code! The
Collector of 3nternal -e)enue in a deci#ion a##e##ed the e#tate of the decea#ed, a# deficiency e#tate and
inheritance ta0e#, the #u" of (141,.12!9 including intere#t and &enaltie#, on the tran#fer of intangi+le
&er#onal &ro&ertie# of Maria Cerdeira!!
ISSUE: 5hether or not -ueda i# rightfully a##e##ed tho#e ta0e#!
HELD: 67oreign Country8 u#ed in %ec 122 of the National 3nternal -e)enue Code, refer# to a go)ern"ent
of that foreign &o$er $hich although not an international &er#on in the #en#e of international la$, 9,:%
N,T i"&o#e tran#fer of death ta0e# u&on intangi+le &er#onal &ro&ertie# of citizen# not re#iding therein!
,r $ho#e la$ allo$# a #i"ilar e0e"&tion fro" #uch ta0e#! 3t i# not nece##ary that Tangier #hould ha)e
+een recognized +y our go)ern"ent in order to entitle the &etitioner to the e0e"&tion +enefit# &ro)ided
+y our Ta0 ;a$! <ut #ince #uch la$ ha# not +een alleged, thi# ca#e i# to re"anded to the lo$er court for
further trial!
555
't does not admit of doubt that if a foreign country is to be identified with a state, it is re,uired in line with PoundIs formulation
that it be a politically organized sovereign community independent of outside control bound by penalties of nationhood,
legally supreme within its territory, acting through a government functioning under a regime of
law.
7
't is thus a sovereign person with the people composing it viewed as an organized corporate society under a
government with the legal competence to e=act obedience to its commands.
/?
't has been referred to as a bodyGpolitic
organized by common consent for mutual defense and mutual safety and to promote the general welfare.
//
#orrectly has it
been described by >smein as Kthe ;uridical personification of the nation.L
/
This is to view it in the light of its historical
development. The stress is on its being a nation, its people occupying a definite territory, politically organized, e=ercising by
means of its government its sovereign will over the individuals within it and maintaining its separate international personality.
Aas4i could spea4 of it then as a territorial society divided into government and sub;ects, claiming within its allotted area a
supremacy over all other institutions.
/8
%c'ver similarly would point to the power entrusted to its government to maintain
within its territory the conditions of a legal order and to enter into international relations.
/5
)ith the latter re,uisite satisfied,
international law do not e=act independence as a condition of statehood. So &yde did opine.
/!
>ven on the assumption then that Tangier is bereft of international personality, petitioner has not successfully made out a
case. 't bears repeating that four days after the filing of this petition on :anuary ", /7!0 in #ollector of 'nternal 3evenue v. @e
Aara,
/"
it was specifically held by us( K#onsidering the State of #alifornia as a foreign country in relation to section / of
our Ta= #ode we believe and hold, as did the Ta= #ourt, that the Ancilliary Administrator is entitled the e=emption from the
inheritance ta= on the intangible personal property found in the Philippines.L
/E
There can be no doubt that #alifornia as a
state in the American 6nion was in the alleged re,uisite of international personality. +onetheless, it was held to be a foreign
country within the meaning of Section / of the +ational 'nternal 3evenue #ode.
@>#'S'*+ ( #TA revesed the decision2 in favor of campos rueda
-:A=AN >% C3-
=- N,! ;?24'19 9:C:M<:- 21, 1949
7act#
-eagan i# a @% citizen a##igned at Clar* Air <a#e to hel& &ro)ide technical a##i#tance to the @% Air 7orce!
3n A&ril 194/ -eagan i"&orted a 194/ Cadillac car )alued at A422'!.'! T$o "onth# later, he got
&er"i##ion to #ell the #a"e car &ro)ided that he $ould #ell the car to a @% citizen or a "e"+er of the
@%A7! Be #old it to 5illie John#on Jr for A44//!// a# #ho$n +y a <ill of %ale! The #ale too* &lace $ithin
Clar* Air <a#e! A# a re#ult of thi# tran#action, the Co""i##ioner of 3nternal -e)enue calculated the net
ta0a+le inco"e of -eagan to +e at (11912!'2 and that hi# inco"e ta0 $ould +e (2191!//! -eagan &aid
the a##e##ed ta0 +ut at the #a"e ti"e he #ought for a refund +ecau#e he clai"# that he i# e0e"&t!
-eagan clai"# that the #ale too* &lace in 6foreign #oil8 #ince Clar* Air <a#e, in legal conte"&lation i# a
+a#e out#ide the (hili&&ine#! -eagan al#o cited that under the Military <a#e# Agree"ent, he, +y nature of
hi# e"&loy"ent, i# e0e"&t fro" (hili&&ine ta0ation!
ISSUE: 3# the #ale con#idered done in a foreign #oil not #u+Cect to (hili&&ine inco"e ta0D
HELD: The (hili&&ine# i# inde&endent and #o)ereign, it# authority "ay +e e0erci#ed o)er it# entire
do"ain! There i# no &ortion thereof that i# +eyond it# &o$er! 5ithin it# li"it#, it# decree# are #u&re"e, it#
co""and# &ara"ount! 3t# la$# go)ern therein, and e)eryone to $ho" it a&&lie# "u#t #u+"it to it#
ter"#! That i# the e0tent of it# Curi#diction, +oth territorial and &er#onal! ,n the other hand, there i#
nothing in the Military <a#e# Agree"ent that lend# #u&&ort to -eaganE# a##ertion! The <a#e ha# not
+eco"e foreign #oil or territory! Thi# countryE# Curi#dictional right# therein, certainly not e0cluding the
&o$er to ta0, ha)e +een &re#er)ed, the (hili&&ine# "erely con#ent# that the @% e0erci#e Curi#diction in
certain ca#e# F thi# i# Cu#t a "atter of co"ity, courte#y and e0&ediency! 3t i# li*e$i#e noted that he indeed
i# e"&loyed +y the @%A7 and hi# inco"e i# deri)ed fro" @% #ource +ut the inco"e deri)ed fro" the #ale
i# not of @% #ource hence ta0a+le!
REP.BL<C OF T3E P3<L<PP<NES 1. S/N-<G/NB/E/N, @/2OR
GENER/L 2OSEP3.S F. R/@/S /N- EL<:/BET3 -<@//NO,
G.R. N!. 104G68, 2+'( 21, 2003, 2. Car4"!

F/CTS:

T&e PCGG create$ a% /FP /%t"-Gra#t B!ar$ tas=e$ t! "%1est"ate r4!rts !# +%e54'a"%e$ ,ea't& a%$
c!rr+4t 4ract"ces *( /FP 4ers!%%e'
8act"1e !r ret"re$9. T&e /FP B!ar$ "%1est"ate$ 1ar"!+s re4!rts !# a''ee$
+%e54'a"%e$ ,ea't& !# res4!%$e%t @aC. Ge%. 2!se4&+s Ra)as. T&e B!ar$s
#"%$s t&at a 4r")a #ac"e case e5"sts aa"%st res4!%$e%t #!r "''-!tte% a%$
+%e54'a"%e$ ,ea't& a%$ rec!))e%$e$ t&at &e *e 4r!sec+te$ a%$ tr"e$ #!r
H/%t"-Gra#t a%$ C!rr+4t Pract"ces /ctI a%$ HF!r#e"t+re !# .%'a,#+''(
/c>+"re$ Pr!4ert(I. T&erea#ter t&e( #"'e$ a Pet"t"!% #!r F!r#e"t+re aa"%st
&") *e#!re t&e Sa%$"a%*a(a%. T&e Sa%$"a%*a(a% $"s)"sse$ t&e case !%
se1era' r!+%$s !%e !# ,&"c& "s t&at t&ere ,as a% "''ea' searc& a%$ se"J+re
!# t&e "te)s c!%#"scate$.

/ 4et"t"!% #!r re1"e, !% cert"!rar" "s #"'e$ *e#!re t&e S+4re)e C!+rt,
ra"s"% t&e 4!"%t t&at t&e se"J+re !cc+rre$ ,&e% t&ere ,as %! C!%st"t+t"!% "%
e##ect "% t&e c!+%tr(.

3EL-:

T&e 4et"t"!% ,as $"s)"sse$.
T&e S+4re)e C!+rt sa"$ t&at e1e% "% t&e a*se%ce !# a C!%st"t+t"!%, t&e
r"&t aa"%st +%'a,#+' se"J+re !*ta"%e$ +%$er t&e .%"1ersa' -ec'arat"!% !#
3+)a% R"&ts a%$ t&e <%ter%at"!%a' C!1e%a%t !% C"1"' a%$ P!'"t"ca' R"&ts:

Ne1ert&e'ess, e1e% $+r"% t&e "%terre%+) t&e F"'"4"%! 4e!4'e
c!%t"%+e$ t! e%C!(, +%$er t&e C!1e%a%t a%$ t&e -ec'arat"!%, a')!st t&e
sa)e r"&ts #!+%$ "% t&e B"'' !# R"&ts !# t&e 19G3 C!%st"t+t"!%.

T&e re1!'+t"!%ar( !1er%)e%t, a#ter "%sta''"% "tse'# as t&e $e C+re
!1er%)e%t, ass+)e$ res4!%s"*"'"t( #!r t&e StateKs !!$ #a"t& c!)4'"a%ce
,"t& t&e C!1e%a%t t! ,&"c& t&e P&"'"44"%es "s a s"%at!r(. /rt"c'e 2819 !#
t&e C!1e%a%t re>+"res eac& s"%at!r( State Ht! res4ect a%$ t! e%s+re t! a''
"%$"1"$+a's ,"t&"% "ts terr"t!r( a%$ s+*Cect t! "ts C+r"s$"ct"!% t&e r"&ts
rec!%"Je$ "% t&e 4rese%t C!1e%a%t.I .%$er /rt"c'e 1G819 !# t&e C!1e%a%t,
t&e re1!'+t"!%ar( !1er%)e%t &a$ t&e $+t( t! "%s+re t&at HL%M! !%e e'se
s&a'' *e s+*Cecte$ t! ar*"trar( !r +%'a,#+' "%ter#ere%ce ,"t& &"s 4r"1ac(,
#a)"'(, &!)e !r c!rres4!%$e%ce.I

T&e -ec'arat"!%, t! ,&"c& t&e P&"'"44"%es "s a's! a s"%at!r(,
4r!1"$es "% "ts /rt"c'e 1G829 t&at HL%M! !%e s&a'' *e ar*"trar"'( $e4r"1e$ !#
&"s 4r!4ert(.I /'t&!+& t&e s"%at!r"es t! t&e -ec'arat"!% $"$ %!t "%te%$ "t
as a 'ea''( *"%$"% $!c+)e%t, *e"% !%'( a $ec'arat"!%, t&e C!+rt &as
"%ter4rete$ t&e -ec'arat"!% as 4art !# t&e e%era''( acce4te$ 4r"%c"4'es !#
"%ter%at"!%a' 'a, a%$ *"%$"% !% t&e State. T&+s, t&e re1!'+t"!%ar(
!1er%)e%t ,as a's! !*'"ate$ +%$er "%ter%at"!%a' 'a, t! !*ser1e t&e
r"&ts !# "%$"1"$+a's +%$er t&e -ec'arat"!%.


T&e .%"1ersa' -ec'arat"!% Hc!%st"t+tes a% a+t&!r"tat"1e "%ter4retat"!%
!# t&e C&arter !# t&e &"&est !r$er, a%$ &as !1er t&e (ears *ec!)e a 4art !#
c+st!)ar( "%ter%at"!%a' 'a,.I <t Hs4e''s !+t "% c!%s"$era*'e $eta"' t&e
)ea%"% !# t&e 4&rase N&+)a% r"&ts a%$ #+%$a)e%ta' #ree$!)s,K ,&"c&
@e)*er States &a1e aree$ t! !*ser1e. T&e .%"1ersa' -ec'arat"!% &as
C!"%e$ t&e C&arterO as a4art !# t&e c!%st"t+t"!%a' str+ct+re !# t&e ,!r'$
c!))+%"t(. T&e -ec'arat"!%, as a% a+t&!r"tat"1e '"st"% !# &+)a% r"&ts, &as B
*ec!)e a *as"c c!)4!%e%t !# "%ter%at"!%a' c+st!)ar( 'a,, "%$ee$ *"%$"%
a'' states a%$ %!t !%'( )e)*ers !# t&e .%"te$ Nat"!%s.I
G.R. No. 146738 Est!"! #s. Ao$o
G.R. No 146710%15 Est!"! #s. D&s'&to
(!)* 2+ 2001
FACTS:
Estrada was inaugurated as president of the Republic of the Philippines on June 30, 1998 with Gloria
Macapagal!rro"o as his #ice President$
%n &ctober '000, <'!c!s S+r go(ernor L+"s HC&a1"tI S"%s!%, a close friend of the President, alleged that he
had personall" gi(en Estrada )one" as pa"off fro) *ueteng hidden in a ban+ account +nown as ,Jose
#elarde- . a grassrootsbased nu)bers ga)e$ /ingson0s allegation also caused contro(ers" across the
nation, which cul)inated in the 1ouse of Representati(es0 filing of an i)peach)ent case against Estrada
on 2o(e)ber 13, '000$ 1ouse /pea+er @a%%( V"''ar fasttrac+ed the i)peach)ent co)plaint$ 3he
i)peach)ent suit was brought to the /enate and an i)peach)ent court was for)ed, with 4hief
Justice 3"'ar"! -a1"$e, 2r. as presiding officer$ Estrada, pleaded ,not guilt"-$
3he e5pos6 i))ediatel" ignited reactions of rage$ &n Januar" 18, a crowd continued to grow at E7/!,
bolstered b" students fro) pri(ate schools and leftwing organi8ations$ !cti(ists fro) the group 9a"an and
!+ba"an as well as law"ers of the %ntegrated 9ar of the Philippines and other bar associations *oined in the
thousands of protesters$
&n Januar" 19, 3he P&"'"44"%e Nat"!%a' P!'"ce and the /r)e$ F!rces !# t&e P&"'"44"%es also withdrew their
support for Estrada and *oined the crowd at E7/! /hrine$
!t ':00p), Estrada appeared on tele(ision for the first ti)e since the beginning of the protests and
)aintains that he will not resign$ 1e said that he wanted the i)peach)ent trial to continue, stressing that
onl" a guilt" (erdict will re)o(e hi) fro) office$
!t ;:1<p), Estrada again appeared on tele(ision, calling for a snap presidential election to be held
concurrentl" with congressional and local elections on Ma" 1=, '001$ 1e added that he will not run in this
election$
&nJanuar" '0, the /upre)e 4ourt declared that the seat of presidenc" was (acant, sa"ing that Estrada
,constructi(el" resigned his post-$ 2oon of the sa)e da", Gloria Macapagal!rro"o too+ her oath of office in
the presence of the crowd at E7/!, beco)ing the 1=th president of the Philippines$
!t ':00 p), Estrada released a letter sa"ing he had ,strong and serious doubts about the legalit" and
constitutionalit" of her procla)ation as president-, but sa"ing he would gi(e up his office to a(oid being an
obstacle to healing the nation$ Estrada and his fa)il" later left Malaca>ang Palace$
! heap of cases then succeeded Estrada0s lea(ing the palace, which he countered b" filing a peition for
prohibition with a pra"er for a writ of preli)inar" in*unction$ %t sought to en*oin the respondent &)buds)an
fro) ,conducting an" further proceedings in cases filed against hi) not until his ter) as president ends$ 1e
also pra"ed for *udg)ent ,confir)ing petitioner to be the lawful and incu)bent President of the Republic of
the Philippines te)poraril" unable to discharge the duties of his office, and declaring respondent to ha(e
ta+en her oath as and to be holding the &ffice of the President, onl" in an acting capacit" pursuant to the
pro(isions of the 4onstitution$-
ISSUE:
1$? @hether or not the case at bar a political or *usticiable issue$ %f *usticiable, whether or not petitioner
Estrada was a presidentonlea(e or did he trul" resign$
'$? @hether or not petitioner )a" in(o+ei))unit" fro) suits$
HELD:
3he 4ourt defines a political issue as ,those Auestions which, under the 4onstitution, are to be "&)'"&" ,$
t*& -&o-.& in their so(ereign capacit", or in regard to which /0.. "'s)&t'o1!$ !0t*o't$ has been
delegated to the legislati(e or e5ecuti(e branch of the go(ern)ent$ %t is concerned with issues dependent
upon the 2's"o3, not .&4!.'t$ of a particular )easure$-
T*& Co0t 3!"& ! "'st'1)t'o1 ,&t2&&1 t*& A50'1o -&s'"&1)$ !1" t*& Ao$o -&s'"&1)$. T*& Co0t s!'"
t*!t 2*'.& t*& A50'1o 4o#&13&1t 2!s ! 4o#&13&1t s-!21&" ,$ t*& "'&)t "&3!1" o/ t*& -&o-.& '1
"&/'!1)& to t*& 1973 Co1st't0t'o1+ o#&t*o2'14 t*& o." 4o#&13&1t &1t'&.$+ t*& Ao$o 4o#&13&1t
o1 t*& ot*& *!1" 2!s ! 4o#&13&1t &6&)'s'14 01"& t*& 1987 )o1st't0t'o1+ 2*&&'1 o1.$ t*& o//')& o/
t*& -&s'"&1t 2!s !//&)t&". I1 t*& /o3&+ 't T*& 50&st'o1 o/ 2*&t*& t*& -&#'o0s -&s'"&1t 7-&s'"&1t
Est!"!8 t0.$ &s'41&" s0,9&)ts 't to 90"')'!. &#'&2. T*& Co0t *&." t*!t t*& 'ss0& 's .&4!. !1" 1ot
-o.'t')!..
Bor the president to be dee)ed as ha(ing resigned, t*&& 30st ,& !1 '1t&1t to &s'41 !1" t*& '1t&1t 30st
,& )o0-.&" ,$ !)ts o/ &.'150's*3&1t$ %t is i)portant to follow the succession of e(ents that struc+
petitioner prior his lea(ing the palace$ Burther)ore, the Auoted state)ents e5tracted fro) the !ngara
diaries, detailed Estrada0s i)plied resignation &n top of all these, the press release he issued regarding is
ac+nowledge)ent of the oathta+ing of !rro"o as president despite his Auestioning of its legalit" and his
e)phasis on lea(ing the presidential seat for the sa+e of peace$ 3he 4ourt held that petitioner Estrada had
resigned b" the use of the tot!.'t$ t&st: -'o+ )o1t&3-o!1&o0s !1" -ost&'o /!)ts !1" )')03st!1t'!.
&#'"&1)& ,&!'14 ! 3!t&'!. &.&#!1)& o1 t*& 'ss0&.
!s to the issue of the peitioner0s contention that he is i))uned fro) suits, the 4ourt held that petitioner is
no longer entitled to absolute i))unit" fro) suit$ 3he 4ourt added that, gi(en the intent of the 198C
4onstitution to breathe life to the polic" that a public office is a public trust, t*& -&t't'o1&+ !s ! 1o1%s'tt'14
:&s'"&1t+ )!11ot ).!'3 &6&)0t'#& '3301't$ /o *'s !..&4&" )'3'1!. !)ts )o33'tt&" 2*'.& ! s'tt'14
:&s'"&1t. Fo3 t*& "&.',&!t'o1s+ t*& '1t&1t o/ t*& /!3&s 's ).&! t*!t t*& '3301't$ o/ t*& -&s'"&1t
/o3 s0't 's )o1)0&1t o1.$ 2't* *'s t&10&7the ter) during which the incu)bent actuall" holds
office? !1" 1ot *'s t&3 7ti)e during which the officer )a" clai) to hold the office as of right, and fi5es the
inter(al after which the se(eral incu)bents shall succeed one another?.
MMDA v. Viron Transportation Co., Inc.,530 SCRA 3! "#00$%
Facts: PG%A issued >* /E7, which provided for the
establishmentof a %ass Transport System for Greater %anila.
Pursuant to this >*, the %etro manila #ouncil of the %%@A
cited the need to remove thebus terminals located along ma;or
thoroughfares of %etro %anila.3espondents, provincial bus
operators who had bus terminals that were threatened to be
removed, alleges that >* should be declared unconstitutional
and illegal for transgressing the possessory rights of owners
and operators of public land transportation units over their
respective terminals
Issue: )hether or not >* /E7 is a valid e=ercise of police
power
Held: Petition denied. >* /E7 is null and void. %%@A has no
police power, let alone legislative power. 'n light of the
administrative nature of its powers and functions, the %%@A is
devoid of authority to implement the Pro;ect as envisioned by
the >*2 hence it could not have been validly designated by the
President to underta4e the Pro;ect. 't follows that the %%@A
cannot validly order the elimination of
the respondentsK terminals.
Police power rests primarily with the legislature, such power
may be delegated, as it is in fact increasingly being delegated.
Cy virtue of a valid delegation, the power may be e=ercised by
the President and administrative boards as well as by the
lawma4ing bodies of municipal corporations or local
government under an e=press delegation by the AG# of /77/.
%easures calculated to promote the safety and convenience
of the people using the thoroughfares by the regulation of
vehicular traffic present a proper sub;ect for the e=ercise of
police power.
*n #onstitutional Aaw, KThe true role of #onstitutional Aaw is
to effect an e,uilibrium between authority and liberty so that
rights are e=ercised within the framewor4 of the law and the
laws are enacted with due deference to rights.L