DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY

THE LAW ON LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

Prof. Ron P. Salo
First Semester, SY 2015-2016
I.

Local Government: Background, Nature, and Basic Concepts

A. Background of Local Governments in the Philippines
The World Bank, Chapter 5, Decentralization: Rethinking Government
The Local Government Code of 1991 Annotated, Rufus B. Rodriguez, Local
Governments, History, 2003, pp. 19 26
Municipality of Catbalogan vs. Director of Lands, 17 Phil. 216
Mondano vs. Silvosa, 97 Phil. 175 (1955)
B. Nature and Status
1. Municipal Corporation and Local Government Defined
Local Government interchangeable with municipal corporations
Section 6, LGC
Alvarez v. Guingona, G.R. No. 118303, Jan. 31, 1996
Basco v. Philippine Amusement & Gaming Corp., G.R. No. 91649, May 4, 1991
2. Nature and Status of Municipal Corporations

Refer to relevant Civil Code provisions on juridical persons, state and

political subdivisions

Title 1 Civil Personality, Civil Code

o Book 1 Article 37, provisions on Juridical capacity
o Chapter 2 Natural Persons
o Chapter 3 Juridical Persons include the state and its political
subdivision

Sec. 15, LGC

3. Dual Nature
1.Dual nature and functions of municipal corporations Sec. 15, LGC
Villas v. City of Manila, 41 Phil, 953 [1921]
Lidasan v. COMELEC 12 SCRA 496 [1967]
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Republic of the Philippines et al. v. City of Davao, G.R. No. 148622,

September 12, 2002
2. Purposes
3. General Powers and Attributes, Secs. 6-24, LGC
C. General Principles and Policies
Secs. 1, 3, 11, 12, Art. X, Constitution Secs. 1-5, LGC
1. Local Autonomy
Sec. 25, Art. II, Const.
Secs. 2, 4, 11, 12, Art. X., Const.
Political Law, Isagani Cruz
San Juan v. Civil Service Commission, 196 SCRA 69 [1991]
Pimentel v. Aguirre, 336 SCRA 201 [2000]
Ganzon v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 93252, Aug. 5, 1991
Cordillera Broad Coalition v. COA, G.R. No. 79956, Jan. 29, 1990
2. Decentralization
Secs. 3, 14, Art. X, Const.
Limbona v. Mangellin, G.R. No. 80391, Feb. 28, 1989
3.

President's Power of General Supervision

Secs. 2 and 4, Art. X, Const.
Sec. 25, LGC
Mondano v. Silvosa, 97 Phil 175 [1955]
Hebron v. Reyes, 104 Phil 175 [1958]
Ganzon v. Kayanan, 104 Phil 175 [1958]
Taule v. Santes, G.R. No. 90336, Aug. 12, 1997
Carpio V. Executive Secretary, G.R.No.90409, Feb. 14, 1992
Drilon v. Lim, G.R. No. 112497, Aug. 4, 1994
Bito-Onon v. Fernandez, 350 SCRA 732 [2001]
Batangas v. Romulo, G.R. No. 152774 May 27, 2004

D. Creation of Municipal Corporations

1. Nature and Powers to Create Municipal Corporations
Pelaez v. Auditor General, 19 SCRA 569 [1965] Municipality
of Kapalong v. Moya, 166 SCRA 70 [1988]
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2. Creation of Municipal Corporations

a. Constitutional Provisions
Secs. 1, 10, 11, 15, 18, 19 Art X, Const.
Alvarez v. Guingona, 252 SCRA 695 [1996]
b. Statutory Provisions
Secs. 6, 7, 385, 441,442, 449, 450, 460, 461, LGC
Special Acts or Charters; Presidential Decrees
Cawaling v. COMELEC, 368 SCRA 453 [2001]
i.Income
Alvarez vs. Guingona, 252 SCRA 695 (1996)
League of Cities of the Philippines vs. COMELEC, G.R. 176951,
June 28, 2011
ii.Population
Aquino III vs. COMELEC, G.R. No. 18973, April 7, 2010
iii.Land Area
c. Section 68, Revised Administrative Code [1917]
Pelaez v. Auditor General 15 SCRA 569[1965]
Municipality of Condijay, Bohol v Court of Appeals 251 SCRA 530 [1995]
d. Municipal Corporation by Prescription
e. De Facto Municipal Corporations
f.Beginning of Corporate Existence of Municipal Corporations Sec. 14, LGC
3. Alteration and Dissolution of Municipal Corporations
a. Manner or Mode Secs. 7, 8, 9. 10 LGC Sec. 10, Art. X, Const.
b. Plebiscite Requirements
Sec. 10, Art. X, Const.
Sec. 10, LGC
Padilla v. COMELEC, 214 SCRA 735 [1992]
Tan v. COMELEC, 142 SCRA 727 [1996]
Miranda v. Aguirre, 314 SCRA 603 [1999]
Tobias v. Abalos, 239 SCRA 106 [1994]
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II.

Types of Local Government Units

A. The Barangay, Secs. 384-439, LGC
B. The Municipality, Secs. 440-447, LGC
Munez v. Arino, 241 SCRA 478 [1995]
Greater Balanga Dev. Corp. v. Municipality of Balanga, Bataan, G.R. No. 83987,
Dec. 27, 1994
C. The City, Secs. 448-458, LGC
Lim and Garayblas v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 111397, Aug. 12, 2002
D. The Province, Secs. 459-490, LGC

III.

Officials of Local Government and System of Accountability

A. Elective Local Officials, Secs. 39-75, LGC
1. Qualifications, Sec. 39, LGC
Frivaldo v. COMELEC, June 23, 1989
Frivaldo v. COMELEC, G.R. No.120295, June 28, 1996
Labo v. COMELEC, August 1, 1989
Labo, Jr. v. COMELEC and Ortega, G.R. No. 105111, July 3, 1992
Mercado v. Manzano, 307 SCRA 630 [1999]
Coquilla v. COMELEC, G.R. No. 15194, July 31, 2002
2. Disqualifications, Sec. 40, LGC
Caasi v. Court of Appeals, 191 SCRA 229 [1990]
Rodriguez v. COMELEC, G.R. No. 120099, July 24, 1996
Dela Torre v. COMELEC, G.R. No. 121592, July 5, 1996
Magno v. COMELEC, G.R. No. 147904, Oct. 4, 2002
Flores v. Drilon 223, SCRA 568 [1993]
Garvida v. Sales, G.R. No.124893, April 18, 1991
3. Term of Office; Three-Term Limit Rule, Sec. 8, Art. X, Const. Sec. 43, LGC
Borja v. COMELEC, 295 SCRA 157 [1998]
Lonzanida v. COMELEC, 311 SCRA 602 [1991]
Adormeo v. COMELEC, G.R. No. 147927, Feb. 4, 2002
Socrates v. COMELEC, G.R. No. 154512, Nov. 12, 2002
Mendoza v. COMELEC, G.R. No. 149736, Dec. 17, 2002

4 . Ten u r e o f O f f i c e
Osmena v. COMELEC, 199 SCRA 750 [1991]
5. Vacancies and Succession, Secs. 44-47, LGC
Labo, Jr. v. COMELEC supra
Menzon v. Petilla, 197 SCRA 251 [1991]
Docena v. Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Eastern Samar, 198 SCRA 493 [1991]
B. Appointive Local Officials, Secs. 469-490, LGC
De Rama v. Court of Appeals, 353 SCRA 94 [2001]
C . L o c a l B o a r d s Secs. 98-116, LGC
Osea v. Malaya, G.R. No. 139821, Jan, 30, 2002
D. System of Accountability
1. Disciplinary Actions, Secs. 60-68, LGC
Ganzon v. Court of Appeals, 200 SCRA 271, G.R. No. 93252, Nov. 8, 1991
Espiritu v. Melgar, 206 SCRA 256 [1992]
Reyes v. COMELEC, 254 SCRA 514 [1996]
Salalima v. Guingona, G.R. No. 117589, May 22, 1996
Gredo v. COMELEC, 274 SCRA 481 [1997]
Joson v. Executive Secretary Torres, 290 SCRA 279 [1998]
Publico v. Villapando, G.R. No. 147870, July 31, 2002
2. Removal
Pablico vs. Villapando, 385 SCRA 601 (2002)
Aguinaldo vs. Santos, 212 SCRA 768 (1992)
3 . R e c a l l , Secs. 69-75, LGC
Republic Act No. 9244, Feb. 19, 2004
Evardone v. COMELEC, 204 SCRA 46
Garcia v. COMELEC, 227 SCRA 100 [1993]
Garcia v. COMELEC, 237 SCRA 279 [1994]
Malonzo v. COMELEC, 269 SCRA 380 [1997]
Claudio v. COMELEC, 331 SCRA 388 [2000]
Socrates v. COMELEC, G.R. No. 154152, Nov. 12, 2002.
4. Discipline over Local Appointive Officials, Secs. 84-89, LGC
Mendez v. Civil Service Commission, 204 SCRA 985 [1991]
Macalingcag and Carlos v. Chang, G.R. No. 96056, March 6, 1992
Salalima v. Guingona, G.R.No.117589-92, May 22, 1996
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Garcia v. Pajaro and the City of Dagupan, G.R. No. 141149, July 5, 2002
5. Other Matters
a.Human Resources and Development Secs. 76-97, LGC
b. Practice of Profession, Sec. 90, LGC
Javellana v. DILG and Santos, 212 SCRA 475
IV.General Powers of Local Governments
A. Police Power
General Welfare, Sec. 16 LGC
Dela Cruz v. Paras, G.R. L-42571-72, July 25,1983
Binay v. Domingo, 201 SCRA 508 [1991]
Tatel v. Municipality of Virac, 207 SCRA 157 [1992]
Patalinhug v. Court of Appeals, 229 SCRA 554 [1994]
Greater Balanga Dev't Corp. v. Mun. of Balanga, G.R. No. 83987, Dec. 27, 1994
Tano v. Socrates, 278 SCRA 154 [1997]
White Light Corp. v. City of Manila, Jan. 20, 2009
B. Eminent Domain
Sec. 19, LGC
Sec. 9, Art. III, Const.
Rule 97, Revised Rules of Court, as amended
Camarines Sur v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 103125, May 17, 1993
Meycauayan v. IAC, G.R.L-72126, Jan. 27, 1988
Quezon City v. Ericta, G.R. L-34915, June 24, 1983
City of Manila v. Arellano College, 85 Phil 663 [1950]
City of Manila v. Chinese Community of Manila, 40 Phil 349 [1920]
Municipality of Paranaque v. V.M. Realty Corporation, G.R. No. 127820, July 29, 1998
City of Cebu v. Spouses Apolonio and Blasa Dedamo, G.R.No. 142971, May 7, 2002
C. Taxation and Fiscal Administration
1.Local Taxation
Sec. 5, Art. X, Const.
Secs. 128-196, LGC
Secs. 5, 6, 7, Art. X, Const.
Estanislao v. Costales, 196 SCRA 853 [1991]
Phil. Petroleum Corp. v. Municipality of Pililia, Rizal, 198 SCRA 82 [1991]
Floro Cement Corp. v. Gorospe, 200 SCRA 480 [1991]
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Tuzon and Mapagu v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 90107, Aug. 21, 1992
Drilon v. Lim, G.R. No. 112497. August 4, 1994
Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority v. Marcos, G.R. No.120082, September
11, 1996
2. Real Property Taxation
Secs. 197-283, LGC
Secretary of Finance v. Ilarde, G.R. No. 121782, May 9, 2005
Benguet Corporation v. Central Board of Assessment Appeals, G.R. No.
100959, June 29, 1992
National Development Co. v. Cebu City, et al., G.R. No. 51593, November 5, 1992
Province of Tarlac v. Judge Alcantara, G.R. No. 65230, December 23, 1992
3. Shares of Local Government Units in the Proceeds of National Taxes Secs.
6 & 7, Art. X, Const.
Secs. 284-294, LGC
Pimentel v. Aguirre, G.R. No. 132988, July 19, 2000
4. Credit Financing/Negotiate and Secure Grants, Secs. 295-303, LGC
5. Local Fiscal Administration, Secs. 304-383, LGC
C. Other Powers
1. Corporate Powers, Sec. 22, LGC
2. Reclassification of Lands, Sec. 20, LGC
Administrative Order No. 363 (1997)
Republic Act No. 8435 (1997), Secs. 9, 11
Department of Agrarian Reform Administrative Order No. 1 (1999), III (f) and (k),
10 NAR 398
Chamber of Real Estate and Builders Association, Inc. vs. The Secretary of
Agrarian Reform, G.R. No. 183409, June 18, 2010
3. Closure and Opening Roads, Sec. 21, LGC
City of Manila vs. Chinese Community, 40 Phil. 349 (1919)
Sangalang v. IAC, 176 SCRA 179 [1989]
Pilapil v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 97671, Nov. 26, 1992
MMDA v. Bel Air Village Ass'n Inc., 328 SCRA 836 [2000]
4. Abatement of Nuisance, Secs. 447 & 458, LGC; Republic Act No. 9165 (2002),
Secs. 52-53
Technology Developers, Inc. vs. CA 193 SCRA 147 (1991)
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Aquino vs. Municipality of Malay, Aklan, G.R. No. 211356, September 29, 2014
5. Build-Operate-Transfer Sec. 302, LGC
V.

Local Legislation
Secs. 48-59, LGC
Sec. 9, Art. X, Const.
Casino v. Court of Appeals, et al., G.R. No. 91192. December 2, 1991
A. Acts of Sanggunian
1. Ordinance and Resolution
2. Formalities
a. V o t e Ortiz v. Posadas, 55 Phil 741 [1931]
b. Essential Requisites of a Valid Ordinance
City of Manila v. Bagui, Etc. et al, G.R. No. 118127 April 12, 2005
c. Judicial Intervention
Sec. 4 Rule 64, Rules of Court
Perez v. De la Cruz, 27 SCRA 587 [1969]
Homeowner's Ass'n of the Philippines, Inc. v. Municipal Board of City of Manila,
24 SCRA 856 [1968]
B. Local Initiative and Referendum, Secs. 120-127, LGC
Compare with R.A. 6735
Garcia v. COMELEC, 237 SCRA 297 [1994]
Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority v. COMELEC, 262 SCRA 492 [1996]

VI.

Intergovernmental Relations and Local Government Associations

A. Intergovernmental Relations
Secs. 25-38, LGC
Basco v. PAGCOR, G.R. No. 91649, May 14, 1991; 197 SCRA52 [1991]
Ganzon v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 93252, Aug. 5, 1991
Requirement of Prior Consultations, Sections 27 and Section 2 (c)
B. Relations with the Philippine National Police, Section 28, LGC
C. Leagues of local government units, Secs. 491-507, LGC
D. League and Federations of Local Elective Officials, Secs. 508-510, LGC

VII.Other Matters
A. Municipal Property
City of Cebu v. National Waterworks and Sewerage Authority, 107 Phil 1 112 [1960]
Province of Zamboanga del Norte v. City of Zamboanga, 22 SCRA 1334 [1968]
B. Basic Services and Facilities, Sec. 17 LGC
Tano vs. Socrates, 278 SCRA 154 (1997)
Filinvest Land vs. Flood-Affected Homeowners of Meritville Alliance, 529 SCRA 790
(2007)
C. Application of the Code to Local Government Units in the Autonomous Region,
Secs. 526, LGC
D. The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
Secs. 1, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20 and 21, Art. X, Const.
R.A. No. 6734, as amended by R.A. No. 9054 (An Act providing for the
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao)
Disoman Cop v. Datumanong, G.R. No. 149848, Nov. 25, 2004
Abbas v. COMELEC, 179 SCRA 287 [1989]
Pandi v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 116860, April 11, 2002
E. Cordillera Administrative Region
Executive Order No. 220
Ordillo v. COMELEC, 192 SCRA 100 [1990]
Cordillera Broad Coalition v. COA, G.R. No. 79959, Jan. 29, 1990
F.The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Secs. 11, Art. X, Const.
MMDA v. Bel-Air Villages Ass'n Inc., 328 SCRA 836 [2000] MMDA v.
Garin, G.R. No. 130230, April 15, 2005
G. Katarungang Pambarangay, Secs. 399-422, LGC
Morata v. Go, 125 SCRA 444 [1983]
Uy v. Contreras, 237 SCRA 167 [1994]
Corpuz v. Court of Appeals, 274 SCRA 275 [1997]
Mendova v. Judge Afable, A.M. No. MJT 02-1402, Dec. 4, 2002
H. Sangguniang Kabataan, Secs. 423-439, LGC
ALU v. Letrondo-Montejo, G.R. No.111988, Oct. 14, 1994
Mercado v. Board of Election Supervisors, G.R. No.109713, April 6, 1995
Garvida v. Sales, G.R. No.124893, April 18, 1997
Montesclaros v. COMELEC, G.R. No. 152295, July 9, 2002
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I. Municipal Liability
1. Liability on Contracts
Ultra Vires Acts
San Diego v. Municipality of Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, 107 Phil 112
Rivera v. Municipality of Malolos, 102 Phil 285 [1957]
Rivera v. Maclang, 7 SCRA 57 [1963]
2. Liability on Torts (Quasi-Delict), Sec. 24, LGC, Arts. 34 & 218, Civil Code
Art. 2180, Civil Code
Mendoza v. De Leon, 33 Phil 508 [1916]
Municipality of San Fernando, La Union v. Firme, 195 SCRA 692 [1991]
Fernando et al v. Court of Appeals and City of Davao, G.R. No. 92087 May 8,
1992
Tuzon and Mapagu v. Court of Appeals and Jurado, G.R. No. 90107 Aug. 21,
1992
Torio v. Fontanilla, G.R. L-29993, October 23, 1978
3. Liability by Express Provision of Law,
Art. 34, Civil Code, Art. 2189, Civil Code
Teotico v. City of Manila, 22 SCRA267 [1968]
Abella v. Municipal of Naga, 90 Phil 385 [1952]
4. Satisfying/Executing Judgment Against Municipal Corporations
Tan Toca v. Municipal Council of Iloilo, 49 Phil 52 [1927]
Pasay City Government v. CFI of Manila, 132 SCRA 156 [1984]
Mun. of Paoay, Ilocos Norte v. Manaois G.R. L-3485, June 30, 1955
J. Penal Provisions, Secs. 511-520, LGC
K. Transitory Provisions, Secs. 526-533, LGC

REFERENCES:
Basic Laws:
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1.
2.
3.
4.

The 1987 Constitution, Art. X

Local Government Code of 1991, RA 7160 (hereinafter referred to as LGC)
Relevant Provisions of the Civil Code
Relevant Laws on Public Accountability including the provisions of the Revised
Penal Code

Published Books:
1. Rodriguez, Rufus B., The Local Government Code of 1991 Annotated (2003)
2. Sinco, Vicente G. & Cortes, Irene R., Philippine Law on Local Governments
3. Pimentel, Aquilino, Jr. Q., The Local Government Code Revisited 2007
Teaching Methods/Strategies
A question-and-answer format will be primarily employed to determine whether the
student read and understood the provisions of the law, the commentaries and the decisions of
the Supreme Court. Lectures, group discussions and visual aids may be used when
applicable. There shall be a midterm and final examination to test the knowledge and
understanding of the students.
Grading Criteria:
Mid-term Exam:
Recitations:
Final Exam:

30%
30%
40%
000

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