Far Eastern University Institute of Law

Introduction to Law
Jaymie Ann R. Reyes, J.D., LL.M. LL.M.
First Semester, SY 2019-2020

22-26 July 2019

COURSE OUTLINE

Methodology

The course will employ recitation as the primary method of instruction, to develop the students’ power
of analysis, reasoning, and facility of expression. The students will be asked to answer questions, based
on assigned legal provisions, court decisions and other readings, to stimulate critical thinking and
enhance their communication and argumentation skills.

Readings and other Reference Materials:

1. Jose W. Diokno, “A Filipino Concept of Justice”

2. Milagros Santos-Ong, Philippine Legal Research
(link available at: https://www.nyulawglobal.org/globalex/Philippines1.html)
3. H.L.A. Hart, The Concept of Law [3rd ed.] Chapters I, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X
4. Justice Artemio V. Panganiban, the Four “Cs” of Effective Decision-Writing: An introduction
for newly appointed judges
5. Philippine Laws: Historical Overview
6. Eugene A. Gilmore, Philippine Jurisprudence - Common Law or Civil Law, 16 A.B.A. J. 89,
136 (1930).
7. Rolando V. Jr. Medalla, Law and Philippine Nationhood, 53 PHIL. L.J. 287, 331 (1978).
8. Sources of International Law, 35 STUD. TRANSNAT'L LEGAL POL'Y 17, 38 (2003).
9. Eugene A. Gilmore, The Development of Law in the Philippines, 16 IOWA L. REV. 465, 479
(1931).
10. Civil Code, Arts. 2-18 (1950).
11. Philippine Constitution, Art. II, Sec. 2; Art. VI, Secs. 26-27

Cases:

Lawyers, Courts and Judges

Regala vs. Sandiganbayan [GR No. 105938, 09/20/96] (Lawyers)

Argel vs. Pascua A.M. No. [RTJ-94-1131, 08/20/01] (Courts and Judges)
Senate Blue Ribbon Committee v. Majaducon [G.R. Nos. 136760 & 138378, July 29, 2003]

Separation of Powers
Abakada Guro Party List et al. v. Purisima [G.R. No. 166715. August 14, 2008.]
Senate vs. Ermita [GR No. 169777, 04/20/06]

Jurisdiction
Herrera vs. Barretto [25 Phil. 245, 09/10/13]
People vs. Mariano [GR No. L-40527, 06/30/76]
Parts of a Case

Mercado vs. People [GR No. 149375, 11/26/02] (Ratio Decidendi)

Suntay vs. Cojuangco-Suntay, GR No. 132524, 12/29/98 (Ratio Decidendi)
[G.R. No. 121075. July 24, 1997.]
Delta Motors Corp. v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 121075, [July 24, 1997] (Obiter Dictum)
Brother Mike Velarde vs. Social Justice Society, GR No. 159357, 04/28/04 (Dispositive
Portion)

Dissenting Opinion
Ruiz vs. Ucol, G.R. No. L-45404, August 7, 1987
Tolentino vs. Ongsiako, G.R. No. L-17938, April 30, 1963

Landmark Case
Recuerdo vs. People [GR No. 133036, 01/22/03]
Villaber vs. COMELEC [GR No. 148326, 11/15/01]

Stare Decisis
Tala Realty vs. Banco Pilipinas [GR No. 137980, 06/20/00]
Tan Chong vs. Secretary of Labor [79 Phil. 249 (1947)]

Mutatis Mutandis
Gaw Sin Gee v. Peña, G.R. No. L-1461, [November 29, 1947]

Abandonment vs. Reversal

Astraquillo vs. Javier [13 SCRA 125 (1965)]
People vs. Mapa [20 SCRA 1164 (1967)]
Relampagos vs. Cumba [G.R. No. 118861, 04/27/95]

Res Judicata
Salud v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 100156, [June 27, 1994]
Agilent Technologies vs. Integrated Silicon Technology [GR No. 154618, 04/14/04]

Law of the Case & Finality of Decision

Argel vs. Pascua [A.M. No. RTJ-94-1131, 08/20/01]
Buaya vs. Stronghold [GR No. 139020, 10/11/00]
Echegaray vs. Secretary of Justice [301 SCRA 96, 01/19/99]

Operative Fact and Prospectivity of Laws

20th Century Fox vs. CA [164 SCRA 655 (1988)]
Columbia Pictures vs. CA [261 SCRA 144 (1996)]

Other Cases
Marcos v. Manglapus – 177 SCRA 668 [1989] and MR – 178 SCRA 760 [1989] (supra., Art. 7,
Sec. 1) (justiciable issue: extent of judicial review)
Estrada v. Desierto, GR No.146740-15, March 2, 2001 and MR April 3, 2001 (supra., Art.
6, Secs. 1, 7, 8 &11) (justiciability of succession and immunity issues)
Lagman v. Medialdea, G.R. Nos. 231658, 231771 & 231774, [July 4, 2017]
Lagman v. Pimentel III, G.R. Nos. 235935, 236061, 236145 & 236155, [February 6, 2018]
Belgica v. Ochoa, GR No. 208566, 19 November 2013 (PDAF)
Disini v. Secretary of Justice, GR No. 203335, February 18, 2014 and April 22, 2014
Poe-Llamanzares v. Commission on Elections, G.R. Nos. 221697 & 221698-700, [March 8,
2016]
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 Republic v. Sandiganbayan, GR No. 104768, July 21, 2003 (Rights during interregnum)
Imbong v. Ochoa – 721 SCRA 146 [2014]

II. REFERENCES AND OTHER MATERIALS

Readings are available at:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1OjEaVXDqoaEJBZ1OgoYIl3IlWbYSRZtH

III. COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING SYSTEM

Course Grade Breakdown Description

Requirements
Recitation 50% Recitation, Quizzes, Exercises
Written Exam 50% Written Exam

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