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Abdula vs. Guiani

Abdula vs. Guiani G.R. No.: 118821, February 18, 2000, 326 SCRA 1 FACTS: The case involves a petition for certiorari and prohibition to set aside the warrant of arrest issued by Judge Japal M. Guiani of Branch 14 of the Regional Trial Court of Cotabato City. The petitioners, Mayor Bai Unggie D. Abdula and Odin Abdula, were charged with murder in Criminal Case No. 2376. The murder complaint alleged that the petitioners paid six other individuals for the death of a certain Abdul Dimalen, the former COMELEC Registrar of Kabuntalan, Maguindanao. Initially, the Provincial Prosecutor of Maguindanao dismissed the murder charges against the petitioners and five other respondents due to lack of prima facie evidence. However, a separate information for murder was filed against one of the respondents, Kasan Mama. Subsequently, the case was ordered to be returned to the Provincial Prosecutor for further investigation. After additional evidence was presented, the Provincial Prosecutor found a prima

Constitutional Law 1 Syllabus

CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1

POLITICAL LAW

      Defined


THE PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION

Nature of the Constitution
      Definition;
      Classification;
      Qualities and essential parts of a good written Constitution

Ratification / Political vs. Justiciable Question
      -  Javellana v. Executive Secretary, 50 SCRA 33

Constitutional Construction
      -  Perfecto v. Meer, 85 Phil. 552

Self-executing provisions

Constitutional History
      Pre-1935 Constitution
      Schurman Commission
      Taft Commission
      Spooner Amendment
      Philippine Bill of 1902
      Jones Law of 1916
      Tydings-McDuffie Act of 1934

      1935 Constitution

      Declaration of Martial Law
            -  Aquino v. Enrile, 59 SCRA 183
     
      1973 Constitution

      1986 Snap Presidential Election

      People Power Revolt
            Proclamation No. 1, Feb. 25, 1986
            Proc. No. 3, Mar. 25, 1986
               -  In re: Bermudez, 145 SCRA 160
            Freedom Constitution

1987 Constitution

      Effectivity of the 1987 Constitution
            -  De Leon v. Esguerra, 153 SCRA 602


AMENDMENT PROCESS
      Amendment vs. Revision
      Procedure
            1. Proposal
                  a.  By Congress
                  b.  By a Constitutional Convention
                        Theories on Position of Constitutional Convention
                  c.  By the People thru Initiative
                        RA 6735
                              -  Defensor-Santiago v. Comelec, GR 127325, March 19, 1997

            2.  Ratification
                  Doctrine of Proper Submission
                        -  Tolentino v. Comelec, 41 SCRA 702
     
      Judicial Review of Amendments
            -  Javellana v. Executive Secretary, 50 SCRA 30
            -  Sanidad v. Comelec, 73 SCRA 333


POWER OF JUDICIAL REVIEW

      Judicial Supremacy vs. Constitutional Supremacy

      Political vs. Justiciable Question
            -  Baker v. Carr, 396 US 186
            -  Nixon v. US, 506 US 224
            -  Goldwater v. Carter, 444 US 996, 62 L.Ed.2d 428
            -  Sanidad v. Comelec, 73 SCRA 333

      Presumption of Constitutionality
            -  Lim v. Pacquing, GR 115044, Jan. 27, 1995

Requisites of Judicial Review:

1.  Actual Case or Controversy
     
      Ripeness
            -  City of Los Angeles v. Lyons, 461 US 95, 75 L.Ed.2d 675
     
      Mootness
            -  La Bugal-B’laan Tribal Assn. v. DENR Secretary, GR 127882, Dec. 1, 2004
            -  DeFunis v. Odegaard, 416 US 312, 40 L.Ed.2d 164

2.  Proper Party
      Conventional Standing
            -  Warth v. Seldin, 422 US 490, 45 L.Ed.2d. 343

      Representative Standing

      Jus Tertii standing
            -  Craig v. Boren, 429 US 190, 50 L.Ed.2d. 397

      Transcendental importance to the public
            -  Tatad v. Garcia, 243 SCRA 436
            -  Kilosbayan v. Morato, 246 SCRA 540
            -  Kilosbayan v. Morato (Recon.), GR 118910, Nov. 16, 1995

      Standing of members of Congress
            -  Philconsa v. Enriquez, 235 SCRA 506
            -  Bagatsing v. Committee on Privatization, GR 112399, July 14, 1995

      Standing of Integrated Bar of the Philippines
            -  IBP v. Zamora, G.R. No. 141284, August 15, 2000

      Standing of the Government to question its own laws
            -  People v. Vera, 65 Phil. 56

      Taxpayer’s Suits
            -  Bayan v. Zamora, G.R. No. 138570, October 10, 2000
            -  Gonzales v. Narvasa, G.R. No. 140835, August 14, 2000

3.  Question must be raised at the earliest possible opportunity

4.  Constitutional question must the very "lis mota" of the case

      Doctrine of Purposeful Hesitation
            -  Drilon v. Lim, GR 112497, Aug. 4, 1994

      Functions of Judicial Review

      Effects of Declaration of Unconstitutionality
            Doctrine of Operative Fact
                  -  Republic v. CA, GR 79732, Nov. 8, 1993


CONCEPT OF STATE

1.  People

      Citizenship
      Citizenship vs Nationality
      Modes of Acquiring citizenship
      Citizens of the Philippines
            -  Moy Ya Lim Yao v. Commissioner of Immigration, 41 SCRA 292
            -  Djumantan v. Domingo, Jan. 30, 1995
      Election of Philippine citizenship
            -  In re: Vicente Ching, Bar Matter No. 914, October 1, 1999
      Doctrine of implied election
            -  Co v. HRET, G.R. No. 92191-92, July 30, 1991
      Natural-born citizens
            -  Bengson v. HRET, G.R. No. 142840, May 7, 2001
            -  Tecson v. Comelec, G.R. No. 161434, March 3, 2004
      Dual citizenship & dual allegiance
            -  Mercado v. Manzano, GR 135083, May 26, 1999
      Res judicata in citizenship cases
      Doctrine of Indelible Allegiance

      Naturalization
            -  Republic v. De la Rosa, 232 SCRA 785
     
      Loss of citizenship
            -  By naturalization in a foreign country
                  -  Frivaldo v. Comelec, 174 SCRA 245
                  -  Labo v. Comelec, 176 SCRA 1
            -  By express renunciation or expatriation
                  -  Yu v. Defensor-Santiago, 169 SCRA 364

      Reacquisition of citizenship, RA 8171
            Retroactivity of Repatriation
                  -  Frivaldo v. Comelec, 257 SCRA 727, June 28, 1996

      Suffrage
            -  Akbayan Youth v. Comelec, G.R. No. 147066, March 26, 2001
            -  Makalintal v. Comelec, GR 157013, July 10, 2003

2.  Territory
      Philippine Archipelago
      Archipelago Doctrine
      UN Convention on the Law of the Sea

3.  Government
      Functions
            Constituent vs. Ministrant
            Laissez-faire vs. Welfare State
      Doctrine of Parens Patriae
            -  Gov't. of Phil. Islands v. Monte de Piedad, 35 Phil. 728
            -  Cabanas v. Pilapil, 58 SCRA 94
      Classification: De Jure vs De Facto
            -  Lawyers League v. Aquino, GR 73748, May 22, 1986

4.  Sovereignty
      Change in sovereignty
            -  People v. Perfecto, 43 Phil. 887
            -  Macariola v. Asuncion, 114 SCRA 77
      Belligerent Occupation

      Doctrine of Jus Postliminium
      Dominium vs. Imperium
      Derogation of Philippine Sovereignty; The Visiting Forces Agreement
            -  Bayan v. Zamora, G.R. No. 138570, October 10, 2000


DOCTRINE OF STATE IMMUNITY
      Basis
            -  U.S.A. vs. Reyes, March 1, 1993
     
      Immunity of Foreign States & Diplomats
            Principle of par in parem non habet imperium
            Process of Suggestion
                  -  The Holy See v. RTC, GR 101949, Dec. 1, 1994
Determination of Immunity by the Department of Foreign Affairs
         -  Liang v. People, G.R. No. 125865, January 28, 2000
     
      Immunity of International Organizations and Agencies
            -  SEAFDEC v. NLRC, 241 SCRA 580
            -  Callado v. IRRI, 244 SCRA 210
            -  DFA v. NLRC, Sept. 18, 1996
     
      Immunity of Government Agencies
            Incorporated
                  Municipal Corporations
                        -  Municipality of San Fernando v. Judge Firme, 195 SCRA 692 
            Unincorporated
                  If principal function is governmental
                        -  Farolan v. CTA 217 SCRA 298
                  If proprietary suable
     
      Suits against Public Officers
            -  City of Angeles v. CA, Aug. 28,1996
            -  Veterans Manpower v. CA, 214 SCRA 286
            -  Wylie v. Rarang, 209 SCRA 357

      Consent to be sued
            Express Consent
                  -  Republic v. Feliciano, 148 SCRA 424
                  General Law
                        -  CA 327; PD 1445; Art. 2180; Act No. 3038
                  Special Law
                        -  Meritt v. Gov't. of the Phil. Islands, 34 Phil. 311
            
            Implied Consent
                  When State commences litigation
                        -  Froilan v. Pan Oriental Shipping, Sept. 30, 1954
                  When State enters into a business contract
                        -  USA v. Ruiz, 136 SCRA 487

            Suability not outright liability
                  -  Meritt v. Gov't. of the Phil. Islands, 34 Phil. 311
                  -  Fontanilla v. Maliaman, 194 SCRA 486

            Consent to be sued does not include consent to execution
                  -  Republic v. Villasor, 54 SCRA 84
                  -  Municipality of San Miguel v. Fernandez, 130 SCRA 56
                  -  Municipality of Makati v. CA, 190 SCRA 206
     
      Immunity cannot be used to perpetrate an injustice on a citizen
            -  Ministerio v. CFI of Cebu, 40 SCRA 464


PRINCIPLES AND STATE POLICIES
      Preamble
      Republicanism
            Manifestations
                  1.  Nemo est supra leges
                        -  Villavicencio v. Lukban, 39 Phil. 778
                  2.  Rule of majority
                  3.  Accountability of Public Officials
                  4.  Bill of Rights
                  5.  Legislature cannot pass irrepealable laws
                  6.  Separation of Powers
                        Principle of Blending of Powers
                        Principle of Checks and Balances
                              -  The Steel Seizure case, 343 US 579, 96 L.Ed. 1153
                              -  Bowsher v. Synar, 478 US 714
                              -  Senate v. Ermita (E.O.464), G.R. No. 169777
                  7.  Non-delegation of powers
                              -  Phil. Interisland Shipping Ass'n. v. CA, GR 100481, Jan. 22, 1997
                        Potestas delegata non delegare potest

                        Permissible Delegation
                              a.  Tariff Powers to the President
                              b.  Emergency Powers to the President
                                    -  First Emergency Powers cases, 84 Phil. 368
                                    -  Second Emergency Powers cases, 92 Phil. 603
                              c.  Delegation to the People
                              d.  Delegation to Local Government Units
                              e.  Delegation to the Administrative Bodies
                                    Power of Subordinate Legislation
                                          -  Miners Association v. Factoran, GR 98332, Jan. 16, 1995
                                    Principle of Subdelegation of Powers
                                    Doctrine of Qualified Political Agency

                        Tests for valid delegation
                              a.  Completeness Test
                              b.  Sufficient Standard Test
                                    -  Ynot v. IAC, 148 SCRA 659     
                                    -  De la Llana v. Alba, 112 SCRA 294
                                    Legislative standard need not be expressed
                                          -  Hirabashi v. United States, 320 US 99
                                          -  Chiongbian v. Orbos, 245 SCRA 253
                  8.  State Immunity (supra)
                  9.  Election through popular will

      Act of State
      Incorporation Clause
      Conflict between municipal law and international law
            -  Ichong v. Hernandez, 101 Phil. 115
      Civilian Supremacy
            -  IBP v. Zamora, G.R. No. 141284, August 15, 2000
      Government to serve and protect the people
      People to defend the State
      Separation of Church and State
      Independent Foreign Policy
      Nuclear Free Philippines
      Just and dynamic social order

      Social Justice
            -  Calalang v. Williams, 70 Phil. 726
      Respect for human dignity and human rights
      Fundamental Equality of men and women

      Promotion of health and ecology
      Priority to education, science and technology
      Protection to labor
      Land Reform
            -  Ass'n. of Small Land Owners v. Sec. of Agrarian Reform, 175 SCRA 343

      Regalian Doctrine
            -  Republic v. CA, CCP  Intervenor, GR 103882, Nov. 25, 1998
            -  Cruz v. DENR Secretary, G.R. No. 135385, December 6, 2000
            -  La Bugal-B’laan Tribal Assn. v. DENR Secretary, GR 127882, Jan. 27, 2004

      Inalienable Lands of the Public Domain
            -  Chavez v. PEA & AMARI, GR 133250, Nov. 11, 2003

      Independent People's organizations

      Family and Youth
            -  Meyer v. Nebraska, 263 US 393
            -  Pierce v. Society of Sisters, 268 US 510
            -  Wisconsin v. Yoder, 40 LW 4476
            -  Cabanas v. Pilapil, 58 SCRA 94

      Self-reliant and independent national economy
            -  Tañada v. Angara (GATT case), GR 118295, May 2, 1997

      Communication and information in nation-building

      Autonomy of Local Governments
            Decentralization of Administration vs. decentralization of Power
                  -  Limbonas v. Mangelin, 170 SCRA 786
                  -  Basco v. PAGCOR, 197 SCRA 52

            Autonomous Region
                  -  Disomangcop v. DPWH Secretary, GR 149848, November 25, 2004

       Indigenous Cultural Communities
            -  Cruz v. DENR Secretary, G.R. No. 135385, December 6, 2000

      Honest public service and full public disclosure


LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT
      Legislative power
            Initiative, referendum and Recall
                  -  Defensor-Santiago v. Comelec, GR 127325, March 19, 1997
                  Indirect Initiative
                        -  SBMA v. Comelec, Sept. 26, 1996
            Recall
                  -  Garcia v. Comelec, Oct. 5, 1993
                  Loss of confidence, a political question
                        -  Evardone v. Comelec, 204 SCRA 464, 472

      Bicameralism vs. Unicameralism

      Senate

      House of Representatives
            Composition (District Representatives; Party-list Representatives)

            Party-list Representatives
                  -  Veterans Federation Party v. Comelec, G.R. No. 136781, October 6, 2000
                  -  Ang Bagong Bayani-OFW Labor Party v. Comelec, G.R. No. 147589, June 26, 2001

            Apportionment of Legislative Districts
                  -  Baker v. Carr, 369 US 186
                  -  Mariano v. Comelec, 242 SCRA 211
                  -  Montejo v. Comelec, GR 118702, Mar. 19, 1995
                  Gerrymandering
                  Doctrine of Equal Representation

            Qualifications
                  -  Marcos v. Comelec, 248 SCRA 300
                  -  Aquino v. Comelec, Sept. 18, 1995
                  Theory of legal impossibility

                  Natural-born
                        -  Bengson v. HRET, G.R. No. 142840, May 7, 2001

            Term of office

            Privileges
                  Freedom from Arrest
                  Parliamentary Immunity
                        -  Eastland v. US Servicemen's Fund, 421 US 491
                        -  Hutchinson v. Proxmire, 443 US 111
                        -  Jimenez v. Cabangbang, 17 SCRA 714

            Disqualifications and Inhibitions
                  Effect of Imprisonment
                        -  People v. Jalosjos, G.R. Nos. 132875-76, February 3, 2000     

            Sessions; Adjournment; Officers
                  -  Santiago v. Guingona, G.R. No. 147589, June 26, 2001

            Quorum
                  -  Avelino v. Cuenco, 83 Phil. 17

            Rules of Proceedings
                  -  Arroyo v. De Venecia (Sin-taxes case), GR 127255, Aug. 14, 1997

            Discipline of members
                  Suspension vs. Preventive Suspension
                  -  Santiago v. Sandiganbayan, G.R. No. 128055.  April 18, 2001

            Enrolled Bill Theory
                  -  Mabanag v. Lopez Vito, 78 Phil. 1
                  -  Casco Chemical v. Gimenez, 7 SCRA 347
                  Legislative Journal vs. Enrolled Bill

            Electoral Tribunals
                  Composition
                        -  Bondoc v. Pineda, 201 SCRA 792
                        -  Abbas v. Senate Electoral Tribunal, 166 SCRA 651
                  Powers
                        -  Aquino v. Comelec, Sept. 18, 1995
                        -  Sampayan v. Daza, 213 SCRA 807
                  Jurisdiction over Proclamation Controversy
                        -  Caruncho v. Comelec, G.R. No. 135996, September 30, 1999

            Commission on Appointments
                  Composition
                        -  Guingona v. Gonzales, 214 SCRA 789
                  Powers
                        -  Sarmiento v. Mison, 156 SCRA 549

      Powers of Congress
            General Legislative Power
                  Limitations
                        Substantive Limitations
                        Procedural Limitations
                              One Bill, one subject
                                    -  Guzman v. Comelec, G.R. No. 129118, July 19, 2000
                              Sufficiency of Title
                                    -  Phil. Judges Association v. Prado, GR 105371, Nov. 11, 1993
                                    -  Chongbian v. Orbos, 245 SCRA 253
                              Bills that must originate exclusively from the House
                                    -  Tolentino v. Secretary of Finance, GR 115455, Aug. 25, 1994
                                    -  Decision on Motion for Reconsideration, Oct. 30, 1995
                              Three readings on separate days
                              Bicameral Conference Committee

                  Legislative Process
                        Approval of Bills
                              Presidential veto
                              Pocket veto
                              Item veto
                                    -  Bengzon v. Drilon, 208 SCRA 133

                              Legislative veto; One-House Veto
                                    -  Immigration Service v. Chadha, 462 US 919, 77 L.Ed.2d 317
                                    -  Phil. Constitution Association v. Enriquez, 235 SCRA 506


            Power of the Purse
                  Implied limitations on appropriation measure
                        -  Guingona v. Carague, 196 SCRA 221
                  Constitutional limitations and rules
                        Riders
                        Sub rosa appropriation
                        Prohibition against transfer of appropriation
                              -  Phil. Constitution Association v. Enriquez, 235 SCRA 506

            Power of Taxation
                  -  McCulloch v. Maryland, 17 US (4 Wheat, 316)

            Power of Legislative Investigation
                  -  Senate v. Ermita (E.O.464), G.R. No. 169777
                  -  Bengzon v. Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, 203 SCRA 767

            Power to Punish contempt
                  -  Arnault v. Nazareno, 87 Phil. 29
                  -  Arnault v. Balagtas, 97 Phil. 358

            Power to declare existence of state of war
                  -  The Prize cases, 67 US 635, 17 L.Ed. 459
                  -  Mora v. McNamara, 389 US 934, 19 L.Ed.2d 287


EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
      President and Vice-President
            Qualifications
      Natural-born Citizen
            -  Tecson v. Comelec, G.R. No. 161434, March 3, 2004

            Election
                  Congress as canvassing board
                  Supreme Court as Electoral Tribunal
                        -  Defensor-Santiago v. Ramos, PET Case no. 001, Feb. 13, 1996
            Term of office

            Privileges
                  Official residence
                  Salary

                  Presidential Immunity
                        -  In re: Bermudez, 145 SCRA 160
                        -  Beltran v. Makasiar, 167 SCRA 393
                        -  US v. Nixon, 418 US 683, 41 L.Ed.2d 1039
                        -  Nixon v. Fitzgerald, 457 US 731
                        -  Clinton v. Jones, 520 US 681, May 27, 1997
                        -  Estrada v. Arroyo, G.R. No. 146738, March 2, 2001
                        -  Decision on Motion for Reconsideration, April 3, 2001

            Prohibitions and inhibitions

            Rules on Succession
                  Vacancy at beginning of term
                  Vacancy during the term
                  Temporary Disability

            Removal of the President
                  - Estrada v. Arroyo, G.R. No. 146738, March 2, 2001
                  - Decision on Motion for Reconsideration, April 3, 2001
     
            Powers
                  Executive Power
                        -  Planas v. Gil, 67 Phil. 62
                        -  Myers, Administratrix v. United States, 272 US 52

                  Legislative Powers
                        -  Municipality of San Juan v. CA, Sept. 29, 1997
                        -  Ople v. Torres, GR 127685, July 23, 1998


                  Residual Powers
                        -  Marcos v. Manglapus, 177 SCRA 668

                  Power to Determine National Policy
                        -  The Steel Seizure case, 343 US 579, 96 L.Ed. 1153

                  Prosecution of Crimes
                        -  Webb v. De Leon, 247 SCRA 652

                  Creation of Preparatory Committee on Constitutional Reforms
                        -  Gonzales v. Narvasa, G.R. No. 140835, August 14, 2000

                  Appointing Power
                        Discretionary power
                              -  Flores v. Drilon, GR 104732, June 22, 1993
                              -  Gordon v. Judge Santos, CA-GR Sp No. 48339, Aug. 21, 1998
                              -  Gordon v. CA, GR 134900, Sept. 1, 1998 
                              -  Luego v. Civil Service Commission, 143 SCRA 327
                        Classes of Appointment
                              -  Gaminde v. COA, G.R. No. 140335, December 13, 2000
                        Appointments subject to confirmation of Commission on Appointments
                              -  Sarmiento v. Mison, 156 SCRA 549
                              -  Manalo v. Sistoza, GR 107369, Aug. 11, 1999
                        Limitations on the Appointment Power
                        Power of Removal
     
                  Power of Control
                        Control vs. Supervision
                              -  Drilon v. Lim, GR 112497, Aug. 4, 1994
                        Alter-ego Principle or Doctrine of Qualified Political Agency
                              -  Carpio v. Executive Secretary, Feb. 14, 1992
                        The Executive Secretary
                              -  Lacson-Magallanes v. Pano, 21 SCRA 895

                  Military Powers
                        Commander-in-chief clause
                              -  Ex Parte Milligan, 71 US 2
                              -  David v. Macapagal-Arroyo (PP1017), GR 171396, May 3, 2006
                              -  Aquino v. Military Commission No. 2, 63 SCRA 546
                              -  Olaguer v. Military Commission No. 34, 150 SCRA 144
                              -  Carpio v. Executive Secretary, supra
                       
                        Calling Out the Armed Forces
                              -  IBP v. Zamora, G.R. No. 141284, August 15, 2000
                       
                        Declaration of State of Rebellion
                              -  Lacson v. Perez, G.R. No. 147780, May 10, 2001

                        Declaration of martial law
                              -  Aquino v. Enrile, 59 SCRA 183
                       
                        Suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus
                              -  Barcelon v. Baker, 5 Phil. 87
                              -  Montenegro v. Castañeda, 91 Phil. 882
                              -  Lansang v. Garcia, 42 SCRA 448
                              -  Garcia-Padilla v. Enrile, 121 SCRA 472

                  Pardoning Power
                        -  People v. Salle, 250 SCRA 581, Dec. 4, 1995
                        -  Monsanto v. Factoran, 170 SCRA 190
                        -  Garcia v. Chairman, COA, 226 SCRA 356
                        Pardon vs. Amnesty

                  Diplomatic Power
                        -  Dames & Moore v. Regan, 453 US 654
                        Treaties vs. Executive Agreements

                  Power to Impound
                        -  Philconsa v. Enriquez, Aug. 19, 1994


JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT
      Judicial Power
            Expanded jurisdiction
                  Effect on the political question doctrine

            Jurisdiction
                  -  Diaz v. CA, Dec. 5, 1994
                  -  First Lepanto Ceramics v. CA, Oct. 7, 1994

      Constitutional Safeguards to insure independence of the Judiciary
            Justices/judges may not be designated to any agency performing non-judicial functions
            Fiscal Autonomy

      Power of Judicial Review

      Appointment to the Judiciary
            Procedure for Appointment
            Judicial and Bar Council
     
      Supreme Court
            Composition
            En Banc & Division cases
                  Fortich v. Corona, G.R. No. 131457, August 19, 1999

            Powers
                  Supervision over the Judiciary
                        -  Dolalas v. Office of the Ombudsman, Dec. 24, 1996
                  Rule-making powers
                        -  Maniago v. CA, 253 SCRA 674
                  Mandatory Review of Death Penalty Cases
                        -  People v. Esparas, GR 120034, Aug. 20, 1996
            Writ of Amparo
            Equipoise Doctrine
            Decisions of the Court
                  -  Nicos Industrial Corp. v. CA, 206 SCRA 127
                  -  Prudential Bank v. Castro, 158 SCRA 646 

            Power to control execution of decision
                  -  Echegaray v. Secretary of Justice, GR 132601, Jan. 19, 1999
            
            Tenure of Justices/Judges
                  -  De la Llana v. Alba, 112 SCRA 294
            Removal and Discipline
                  -  Maceda v. Ombudsman, GR 102781, Apr. 22, 1993
                  -  People v. Gacott, 246 SCRA 52
            Salaries
                  -  Perfecto v. Meer, 85 Phil. 552
                  -  Endencia v. David, 93 Phil. 696
                  -  Nitafan v. Commisioner of Internal Revenue, 152 SCRA 284


INDEPENDENT CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSION
      Safeguards to insure the independence of the Commissions
            Prohibition on appointment in an acting capacity
                  -  Brillantes v. Yorac, 192 SCRA 358
      Disqualifications and Inhibitions
      Decisions -  Certiorari to the Supreme Court
            -  Galido v. Comelec, Jan. 18, 1991
            -  Reyes v. RTC, 244 SCRA 41
            -  Garces v. CA, July 17, 1996
      SC Revised Admin. Cir. 1-95

1.  Civil Service Commission
      Scope of the Civil Service
            -  DOH v. NLRC, 251 SCRA 700
      Approval of appointments
            -  Luego v. Civil Service Commission, 143 SCRA 327
            -  Ramonte v. CSC, 244 SCRA 498

2.  Commission on Elections
      En Banc and Division cases
            -  Sarmiento v. Comelec, 212 SCRA 307
      Powers and Functions
            -  Relampagos v. Cumba, 243 SCRA 690
            -  Loong v. Comelec, GR 133676, Apr. 14, 1999
      Exclusive Original Jurisdiction and Appellate Jurisdiction
            -  Guieb v. Fontanilla, 247 SCRA 348, Aug. 14, 1995
      Special Registration of New Voters
            -  Akbayan Youth v. Comelec, G.R. No. 147066, March 26, 2001

3.  Commission on Audit
            -  Commissioner of Internal Revenue v. COA, GR 101976, Jan. 29, 1993


ACCOUNTABILITY OF PUBLIC OFFICERS

      Impeachment
            Impeachable Officers
            Grounds for Impeachment
            Procedure
                  -  Romulo v. Yniguez, 141 SCRA 263
            Impeachment and Criminal Prosecution
                  -  Estrada v. Arroyo, G.R. No. 146738, March 2, 2001
                  -  Decision on Motion for Reconsideration, April 3, 2001

      Sandiganbayan
            Jurisdiction
                  -  Lacson v. Executive Secretary, G.R. No. 128096, January 20, 1999

      Ombudsman
            Supervision and control
                  -  Acop v. Office of the Ombudsman, 248 SCRA 566
            Prosecutorial Powers
                  -  Camanag v. Guerrero, GR 121017, Feb. 17, 1997
            Power to issue subpoena;  Form of complaint
                  -  Almonte v. Vasquez, 244 SCRA 266
            Power to Investigate Administrative Charges
                  Concurrent with the Office of the President
                        -  Hagad v. Dadole, 241 SCRA 242
                  Concurrent with the DOJ
                        -  Honasan v. DOJ Panel of Investigating Prosecutors, GR 159747, Apr. 13, 2004
            Power to investigate cases of ill-gotten wealth after Feb. 25, 1996
                  -  Republic v. Sandiganbayan, Sept. 24, 1994
            Ombudsman for the Military
                  -  Agbay v. Deputy Ombudsman for the Military, G.R. No. 134503, July 2, 1999
                 
      Special Prosecutor
            -  Zaldivar v. Gonzales, 160 SCRA 843

      Commission on Human Rights
            Powers and Functions of the Commission
                  -  Cariño v. CHR, GR 96681, Dec. 2, 1991
            Civil Rights vs. Political Rights
                  -  Simon v. CHR, 229 SCRA 117, Jan. 5, 1994
           Fiscal Autonomy
                  -  CHR Employees Assn. v. CHR, GR No. 155336, Nov. 25, 2004

      Presidential Commission on Good Government
            -  Chavez v. PCGG, GR 130716, Dec. 9, 1998
            -  Cojuangco v. Roxas, 195 SCRA 797
            -  Republic v. Sandiganbayan, 258 SCRA 685
            -  Romualdez v. Sandiganbayan, 244 S 152
           
            Sequestration
                  -  Republic v. Sandiganbayan, GR 106244, Jan. 22, 1997     
           
            Order signed by only one commissioner
                  -  Republic v. Sandiganbayan, GR 113420, Mar. 7, 1997

            Imprescriptibility of Right of State to Recover Ill-gotten Wealth
                  - Presidential Committee on Behest Loans v. Desierto, G.R. No. 130140, October 25, 1999

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