Philippine Legal Research

By Milagros Santos-Ong

Milagros Santos-Ong is Director of Library Services for the Supreme Court of the Philippines.

Published July 2005
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Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Political Structure
3. Government Structure
3.1 !ecutive "ranch
3.2 Le#islative Department
3.3 $udicial System
3.% Constitutional Commissions
3.& Local Governments
3.' (ther Government )#encies
%. Le#al System
%.1 *ature of the Philippines Le#al System
%.2 Sources of La+
&. Le#al ,esearch
&.1 ,esearch of Statute La+
&.2 ,esearch of Case La+
'. Le#al Profession
'.1 La+ Schools
'.2 "ar )ssociations
-. Le#al "iblio#raphy
.. Le#al Sources
..1 lectronic Sources
..2 Philippine Le#al Publishers

! "ntroduction
/he Philippines is an archipela#o of -011- islands +ith a land area of 2220-%1 s3. 4ilometers. It
is surrounded by the Pacific (cean on the east0 South China Sea on the *orth and the 5est and
the Celebes Sea on the South. /his comprises the *ational /erritory of the Philippines. )rticle I
of the 12.- Constitution provides that the 6national territory comprises the Philippine
archipela#o0 +ith all the islands and +aters embraced therein and all other territories +hich the
Philippines has soverei#nty or 7urisdiction.6

/he 8ilipino culture +as molded over more than a hundred ethnic #roups consistin# of 219
Christian :alay0 %9 :uslim :alay0 1.&9 Chinese and 39 others. )s of the last national census0
the population of the Philippines is '.& million.

8ilipino is the national lan#ua#e ;12.- Constitution0 )rt. <I=0 sec. '>. ?o+ever0 8ilipino and
n#lish are the official lan#ua#es for the purpose of communication and instruction ;)rt. <I=0
sec ->. /here are several dialects or re#ional lan#ua#es spo4en throu#hout the different islands
of the country0 but there are ei#ht ma7or dialects0 +hich include Bicolano, Ilongo, Pampango,
Pangasinense and Waray.

/here are t+o reli#ions the country@ Christianity and Islam. Christianity0 more particularly
Catholicism0 is practiced by more than .19 of the population. It +as introduced by Spain in
1&21. /he Protestant reli#ion +as introduced by )merican missionaries.

Aglipay0 or the Philippine Independent Church0 and the Iglesia ni Kristo are t+o 8ilipino
independent churches. (ther Christian reli#ious or#aniAations li4e the l Shaddai0 and B$esus is
LordB have been established and have a #reat influence to the nation.

,eli#ion has a #reat influence in the le#al system of the Philippines. 8or the :uslim or Islamic
reli#ion0 a special la+0 the Code of :uslim Personal La+s0 +as promul#ated and special courts
+ere established0 the ShariBa courts.

2! Political Structure
/he Constitution is the fundamental la+ of the land. Pursuant to the 12.- Constitution0 duly
ratified in a plebiscite held on 8ebruary 20 12.-0 the present political structure of the Philippines
+as defined.

/he 12.- Constitution provides that the Philippines is a democratic and republican state +here
soverei#nty resides in the people and all #overnment authority emanates from them ;)rticle II0
section 1>.

#! $o%ern&ent Structure
/he #overnment structure differs as one #oes throu#h the history of the Philippines0 +hich may
be cate#oriAed as follo+s@ a> PreCSpanishD b>. Spanish periodD c>. )merican periodD d>. $apanese
periodD e>. ,epublicD and f>. :artial La+ Period

a> PreCSpanish ;before 1&21>
/he Barangays or independent communities +ere the unit of #overnment structures before
Spain coloniAed the Philippines. /he head of each barangay+as the Datu. ?e #overns the
baran#ays usin# native rules +hich are customary and un+ritten. /here +ere t+o codes durin#
this period@ the :ara#tas Code issued by Datu Suma4+el of Panay Island and the Code of
Ealantiao issued by Datu Ealantiano in 1%33. /he e!istence of these codes is 3uestioned by
some historians.

$ust li4e many ancient societies0 trial by ordeal +as practiced.

b>. Spanish period ;1&21C1.2.>
/he Spanish period can be traced from the time :a#ellan discovered the Philippines +hen he
landed on :actan Island ;Cebu> on :arch 1'0 1&21. ,oyal decrees0 Spanish la+s0 andFor special
issuances of special la+s for the Philippines +ere e!tended to the Philippines from Spain by the
Spanish Cro+n throu#h the councils. /he chief le#islator is the #overnorC#eneral +ho e!ercises
le#islative functions by promul#atin# e!ecutive decrees0 edicts or ordinances +ith the force of
la+. /he royal Audencia, or Spanish Supreme Court0 in the Philippines also e!ercised le#islative
functions +hen la+s are passed in the form of autos accordados. :el3uiades Gambao0 in his
boo4 entitled 6 )n Introduction to Philippine La+6 ;-th ed0 12'2>0 listed the most prominent
la+s in this period@ Fuero u!go, Fuero "eal, #as Siete Partidas, #eyes de $oros, %ue&a
"ecapilacion de las #eyes de Indias and the%o&isima "ecopilacion. Some of these la+s +ere
also in force in other Spanish colonies. La+s in force at the end of the Spanish rule in 1.2. are
as follo+s@ 'odigo Penal de ()*+, #ey Pro&isional para la Aplicaciones de las Dispociciones del
'odigo Penal en las Islas Filipinas, #ey de ,n-uciamento 'riminal, #ey de ,n-uciameniento
'i&il, 'odigo de 'omercio, 'odigo 'i&il de ())., #ey /ipotecaria, #ey de Minas, #ey %otarial
de ()010 ,ail+ay La+ of 1.--0 La+ of 8orei#ners for Gltramarime Provinces and the Code of
:ilitary $ustice. Some of these la+s remained in force even durin# the early )merican period
andFor until Philippine la+s +ere promul#ated.

In bet+een the Spanish and the )merican period is +hat Philippine historians consider the first
Philippine ,epublic. /his +as +hen General milio )#uinaldo proclaimed the Philippine
Independence in Ea+it 0 Cavite on $une 120 1.2.. /he :alolos Con#ress also 4no+n as
)ssembly of the ,epresentatives0 +hich can be considered as revolutionary in nature0 +as
convened on September 1&0 1.2.. /he first Philippine Constitution0 the :alolos Constitution
+as approved on $anuary 210 1.22. ) ,epublic0 althou#h +ith de facto authority0 +as in force
until the start of the )merican Soverei#nty +hen the /reaty of Paris +as si#ned on December 110
1.2..

c> )merican period ;1.2.C12%'>
/he start of this period can be traced from the time Spain ceded the Philippines to the Gnited
States after the si#nin# of the /reaty of Paris on December 110 1.2.. ) :ilitary #overnment +as
or#aniAed +ith the military #overnor as the chief e!ecutive e!ercisin# e!ecutive0 le#islative and
7udicial functions. Le#islative function +as transferred to the Philippine Commission in 1211
+hich +as created by the Gnited States President as commanderCinCchief of the )rmed forces
and later ratified by the Philippine "ill of 1212. /his same "ill provided for the establishment of
the 8irst Philippine )ssembly +hich convened on (ctober 1'0 121-. /he $ones la+ provided for
the establishment of a bicameral le#islative body on (ctober 1'0 121'0 composed of the Senate
and the ?ouse of ,epresentatives.

/he Gnited States Constitution +as reco#niAed until the promul#ation of the Philippine
Constitution on 8ebruary .0 123&0 si#ned by G.S. President 8ran4lin Delano ,oosevelt on
:arch 230 123& and ratified at a plebiscite held on :ay 1%0 123&.

/he or#anic la+s that #overned the Philippines durin# this period +ere@ President :cEinleyBs
Instruction to the Second Philippine Commission on )pril -0 1211D Spooner )mendment of
1211D Philippine "ill of 1212D $ones La+ of 121' and the /ydin#s :cDuffie La+ of :ay 10 123%.
/he later la+ is si#nificant for it allo+ed the establishment of a Common+ealth #overnment and
the ri#ht to promul#ate its o+n Constitution. /he 123& Constitution initially chan#ed the
le#islative system to a unicameral system. ?o+ever0 the bicameral system +as restored
pursuant to the 12%1 Constitutional amendment. /he Common+ealth #overnment is considered
as a transition #overnment for ten years before the #rantin# of the Philippine independence.
Cayetano )rellano +as installed as the first Chief $ustice in 1211. /he ma7ority of the $ustices of
the Philippine Supreme Court +ere )mericans. Decisions rendered by the Supreme Court of the
Philippines +ere appealed to the Gnited States Supreme Court0 +hich +ere reported in the
Gnited States Supreme Court ,eports.

:anuel L. HueAon and Ser#io (smena +ere elected as President and =iceCPresident respectively
durin# the September 1%0 123& elections. In this election0 President HueAon +on over General
milio )#uinaldo and "ishop Gre#orio )#lipay0 the President of the 8irst Philippine ,epublic
;1.2.> and the head of the )#lipayan church respectively. /his Common+ealth #overnment
+ent into e!ile in 5ashin#ton DC durin# the $apanese period from :ay 130 12%2 to (ctober 30
12%%. President :anuel L. HueAon died on )u#ust 10 12%% and +as succeeded by President
Ser#io (smena +ho brou#ht bac4 the #overnment to :anila on 8ebruary 2.0 12%&.

d>. $apanese period ;12%1C12%%>
/he invasion of the $apanese forces +hen Clar4 8ield0 an )merican military airbase in
Pampan#a0 +as bombed on December .0 12%10 mar4ed the start of the $apanese period +hich
lasted for three years. ) $apanese ,epublic +as established +ith $ose P. Laurel as its President.
/his period +as considered as a military rule by the $apanese Imperial )rmy. /he 12%3
Constitution +as ratified by a special national convention of the Eapisanan sa Pa#lilin#4od n#
"a#on# Pilipinas ;E)LI")PI>. /his period ended in 12%% +ith the defeat of the $apanese
forces.

e>. ,epublic period ;12%'C12-2>
$uly %0 12%' is the inau#uration of Philippine independence. ) Philippine ,epublic +as born. )
republic means a #overnment by the people and soverei#nty resides in the entire people as a
body politic. /he provisions of the 123& Constitution provided for the establishment of three
coCe3ual branches of #overnment. !ecutive po+er rests in the President0 le#islative po+er in
t+o ?ouses of Con#ress and 7udicial po+er in the Supreme Court0 and inferior courts.
Separation of po+ers is reco#niAed.

fforts to amend the 123& Constitution started on )u#ust 2%0 12-1 +ith approval of ,epublic )ct
*o. '132 +here 311 dele#ates +ere elected on *ovember 110 12-1. (n $une 10 12-10 the
Constitutional Convention met. 5hile it +as still in session0 President 8erdinand . :arcos
declared :artial La+ on September 110 12-2. /he Constitutional Convention completed the
draft Constitution on *ovember 220 12-2. It +as submitted for ratification throu#h citiAensB
assemblies on $anuary 1-0 12-3. /his is 4no+n as the 12-3 Constitution.

f>. :artial La+ Period ;12-2C12.'>.

/he Con#ress of the Philippines +as abolished +hen :artial La+ +as declared on September 1 10
12-2. /he :artial La+ period +as #overned by the 12-3 Constitution +hich established a
parliamentary form of #overnment. !ecutive and le#islative po+er +ere mer#ed and the Chief
!ecutive +as the Prime :inister +ho +as elected by ma7ority of all members of the *ational
)ssembly ;Parliament>. /he Prime :inister had the po+er to advise the President. /he
President is the symbolic head of state. /his parliamentary #overnment +as never implemented
due to the transitory provision of the 12-3 Constitution. :ilitary tribunals +ere established.
)mendments to the Constitution +ere made +herein by virtue of amendment *o. 30 the po+ers
of the President and the Prime :inister +ere mer#ed into the incumbent President 8erdinand
. :arcos. )mendment *o0 ' authoriAed President :arcos to continue e!ercisin# le#islative
po+ers until :artial la+ is in effect. )mendment *o. - provided for the baran#ays as the
smallest political subdivision and the sanggunians0 or councils. /he 12.1 amendment
introduced the modified presidentialFparliamentary system of #overnment of the Philippines.
/he President shall be elected by the people for a term of si! years +hile the Prime :inister shall
be elected by a ma7ority of the Batasang Pambansa ;Parliament> upon the nomination of the
President. ?e +as the head of the Cabinet and had supervision over all the ministries.

Proclamation *o. 21%& ;12.1> lifted :artial La+ and abolished :ilitary tribunals. lections
+ere held on $une 1'0 12.1 and President :arcos +as reCelected into office as President. /he
constitution +as a#ain amended in 12.% and a plebiscite +as held on $anuary 2-0 12.% pursuant
to "atas Pambansa "l# '%3 ;12.%>. lections +ere held on :ay 1%0 12.% for the 1.3 elective
seats in the 211 member "atasan# Pambansa.

Impeachment resolution by &- members of the opposition +ere filed a#ainst President :arcos
but +ere dismissed. ) special presidential election0 popularly 4no+n as Snap lection0 +as
called by President :arcos on *ovember 30 12.& and +as held on 8ebruary -0 12.'. /he
*ational :ovement for 8ree lections0 or *):8,L0 results sho+ed that CoraAon )3uino led
by over a million. ?o+ever the "atasan# Pambansa declared that 8erdinand . :arcos and
)rturo :. /olentino +on over CoraAon )3uino and Salvador Laurel as President and =iceC
President respectively. /his event led to the People Po+er revolution0 +hich ousted President
:arcos on 8ebruary 2&0 12.'.

#>. ,epublic ,evival ;12.'Cpresent>

/he ,epublic period +as revived after the bloodless revolution popularly 4no+n as People
Po+er or the DS) ,evolution.

CoraAon C. )3uino and Salvador ?. Laurel too4 their oath of office as President and =ice
President of the Philippine ,epublic on 8ebruary 2&0 12.'. Proclamation *o. 1 +as
promul#ated +here in she and her =ice President too4 po+er in the name and by the +ill of the
8ilipino people. Proclamation *o. 3 ;12.'> provided for a ne+ #overnment and a Provisional
Constitution or 8reedom Constitution +as adopted. ) Constitutional Commission +as
constituted by virtue of )rticle = of the Provisional Constitution and Proclamation *o. 2. /he
Constitutional Commission0 composed of %. members0 +as mandated to draft a Constitution.
)fter 133 days0 the draft constitution +as submitted to the President on (ctober 1&0 12.' and
ratified by the people in a plebiscite held on 8ebruary 20 12.-. Gnder the transitory provision of
the 12.- Constitution0 the President and =ice President elected in the 8ebruary -0 12.' elections
+ere #iven a si! year term of office until $une 310 1222. Con#ressional elections +ere held on
:ay 110 12.-. /he ,epublican form of #overnment +as officially revived +hen the 12.-
Constitution +as ratified and Con#ress +as convened in 12.-. Le#islative enactments a#ain
rested in the Con#ress. ,epublic )cts +ere a#ain issued by Con#ress0 the number of +hich too4
off from the last number used before :artial La+ +as declared. /he number of ,epublic )cts
continued from the number last used before :artial La+ ;,epublic )ct *o. ''3& ;12-2> and
,epublic )ct *o. ''3' ;12.->.

/he Philippines once a#ain became a ,epublic by virtue of the 12.- Constitution. /he same type
of republican form of #overnment prior to :artial la+ +as established +ith three coCe3ual
branches +ere or#aniAed0 !ecutive0 Le#islative and the $udiciary.

#! '(ecuti%e )ranch
/he President is vested +ith the e!ecutive po+er. ;)rt. =II0 sec. 1>. /he President is both the
Chief of State ;head of #overnment> and the CommanderCinCChief of all the )rmed 8orces of the
Philippines ;)rt. =II0 sec. 1.>. Since 1.2. +hen the 8irst Philippine ,epublic +as established0
the Philippines has had thirteen ;13> Presidents.

/he other members of the !ecutive "ranch are the =iceCPresident and the ?eads of !ecutive
Departments or Cabinet members.

/he follo+in# are the Departments under the !ecutive "ranch@
Department of )#rarian ,eform
Department of )#riculture
Department of "ud#et and :ana#ement
Department of ducation
Department of ner#y
Department of nvironment and *atural ,esources
Department of 8inance
Department of 8orei#n )ffairs
Department of ?ealth
Department of Interior and Local Government
Department of $ustice
Department of Labor and mployment
Department of *ational Defense
Department of Public 5or4s and ?i#h+ays
Department of Science and /echnolo#y
Department of /ourism
Department of /rade and Industry
Department of Social 5elfare and Development
Department of /ransportation and Communications

/here are specific bureaus and offices directly under the (ffice of the President.

"oth the President and the =iceCPresident are elected by direct vote of the 8ilipino people for a
term of si! years. /he President is not eli#ible for a reelection +hile the =ice President cannot
serve for more than t+o terms. Con#ress is empo+ered to promul#ate rules in the canvassin# of
certificates of election. "oth may be removed from office by impeachment ;)rt. <I sec. 2> to be
initiated by the ?ouse of ,epresentatives ;)rt. <I0 sec0 3> and tried and decided by the Senate
;)rt. <I0 sec0 3 ;'>>. /he Cabinet members are nominated by the President0 sub7ect to the
confirmation of the Commission on )ppointments ;)rt. =II0 sec0 1'> +hich consists of the
President of the Senate0 as e! officio Chairman0 t+elve Senators and t+elve members of the
?ouse of ,epresentatives. ;)rt. =I0 sec. 1>

/he President e!ercises control over all the e!ecutive departments0 bureaus and offices ;)rt. =I0
sec0 1->.

#!2 Legislati%e *epart&ent
Le#islative po+er is vested in the Con#ress of the Philippines0 consistin# of the Senate and the
?ouse of ,epresentatives ;)rt. =I0 sec. 1>. ?istory has provided that the le#islative structure has
under#one numerous chan#es. /o better appreciate its transition0 the Philippine Senate has
provided a detailed account and is found on its +ebsite.

Senate of the Philippines
/he Senate is composed of t+enty four ;2%> Senators +ho are elected at lar#e by 3ualified voters
+ho serve for a term of not more than si! ;'>. *o Senator may be elected for more than t+o
consecutive terms. ;)rt =I0 sec. %>. /he Senate is led by the Senate President0 Pro /empore0
:a7ority Leader and the :inority Leader. /he Senate President is elected by ma7ority vote of its
members. /here are thirty si! ;3'> permanent committees and five ;&> oversi#ht committees.
/he sole 7ud#e of contests relatin# to election0 returns and 3ualifications of members of the
Senate rests +ith the Senate lectoral /ribunal ;S/> +hich is composed of nine members0 three
of +hom are $ustices of the Supreme Court and si! members of the Senate. ;)rt. =I0 sec. 1->.

?ouse of ,epresentatives
/he ?ouse of ,epresentatives is composed of not more than t+o hundred fifty ;2&1> members0
elected by le#islative districts for a term of three years *o representative shall serve for more
than three consecutive terms. /he partyClist representatives0 +ho come from re#istered
national0 re#ional and sectional parties and or#aniAations0 shall constitute t+enty percent ;219>
of the total number of representatives. /he officials of the ?ouse are the Spea4er of the ?ouse0
Deputy Spea4er for LuAon0 Deputy Spea4er for =isayas0 Deputy Spea4er for :indanao0 :a7ority
Leader0 and :inority Leader. /heSpea4er of the ?ouse is elected by ma7ority vote of its
members. /here are fifty seven ;&-> standin# committees and si!teen ;1'> special committees.
/he sole 7ud#e of contests relatin# to election0 returns and 3ualifications of members of the
?ouse of ,epresentatives rests +ith the ?ouse of ,epresentatives lectoral ;?,/> /ribunal
+hich is composed of nine members0 three of +hom are $ustices of the Supreme Court and si!
members of the Senate.;)rt. =I0 sec. 1->.

#!# Judicial Syste&
S(G,C@ 2112 ,evised :anual of Cler4s of Court. :anila0 Supreme Court0 2112D.
(r#aniAational Chart of each type of Court is available in this :anual. (r#aniAational setCup of
each Court is also found in this :anual.

$udicial po+er rests +ith the Supreme Court and the lo+er courts0 as may be established by la+
;)rt. =III0 sec. 1>. /he 7udiciary en7oys fiscal autonomy. Its appropriation may not be reduced
by the le#islature belo+ the appropriated amount the previous year ;)rt. =III0 sec. 2>. /he ,ules
of Court of the Philippines as amended and the rules and re#ulations issued by the Supreme
Court define the rules and procedures of the $udiciary. /hese rules and re#ulations are in the
form of )dministrative :atters0 )dministrative (rders0 Circulars0 :emorandum Circulars0
:emorandum (rders and (C) Circulars. /o inform the members of the $udiciary0 le#al
profession and the public of these rules and re#ulations0 the Supreme Court circulariAes this
rules and re#ulations to all courts0 publishes important ones in ne+spapers of #eneral
circulation0 prints in boo4 or pamphlet form and no+ do+nloads them in the Supreme
Court +ebsite .

Department of $ustice )dministrative (rder *o. 1'2 dated )u#ust 10 12%' provided for the
Canon of $udicial thics. Supreme Court of the Philippines promul#ated a ne+ Code of $udicial
Conduct for the Philippine $udiciary effective $une 10 211% ;).:. *o. 13C1&C11CSC>0 published
in t+o ne+spapers of #eneral circulation on :ay 30 211% ;:anila "ulletin I Philippine> and
available on its +ebsite.

/he Supreme Court promul#ated on $une 210 12.. the Code of Professional ,esponsibility for
the le#al profession. /he draft +as prepared by the Committee on ,esponsibility0 Discipline and
Disbarment of the Inte#rated "ar of the Philippines.

) Code of Conduct for Court Personnel ;).:. *o. 13C1'C13CSC> +as adopted on )pril 130
211%0 effective $une 10 211%0 published in t+o ne+spapers of #eneral circulation on )pril 2'0
211% ;:anila "ulletin I Philippine> and available at its +ebsite.

Supre&e Court of the Philippines
/he "oyal Audencia +as established on :ay &0 1&.3. It +as reCestablished as the present
Supreme Court on $une 110 1211 +ith Cayetano )rellano as the first Chief $ustice and associate
7ustices0 the ma7ority of +hom +ere )merican. 8ilipiniAation of the Supreme Court started only
durin# the Common+ealth0 123&. )dministrative Code of 121- provided for a Supreme Court
+ith a Chief $ustice and ei#ht associate $ustices. 5ith the ratification of the 123& Constitution0
the membership +as increased to 11 +ith t+o divisions of five members each. /he 12-3
Constitution further increased its membership to 1& +ith t+o ;2> divisions.

Pursuant to the provisions of the 12.- Constitution0 the Supreme Court is composed of a Chief
$ustice and fourteen )ssociate $ustices +ho shall serve until the a#e of seventy ;-1>. /he Court
may sit n "anc or in its three ;3> divisions composed of five members each. ) vacancy must be
filled up by the President +ithin ninety ;21> days of occurrence.

)rticle =III0 sec. % ;2> e!plicitly provides for the cases that must be heard n "anc and sec. % ;3>
for cases that may be heard by divisions. ;Constitution0 )rt. =III0 sec. %0 par.1> $udiciary
,eor#aniAation )ct of 12.1 transferred from the Department of $ustice to the Supreme Court
the administrative supervision of all courts and their personnel. /his +as affirmed by )rt. =III0
sec. ' of the 12.- Constitution.

Constitution0 )rt. =III0 sec. &0 /he Supreme Court e!ercises the follo+in# po+ers@

!ercise 7urisdiction over cases affectin# ambassadors0 other
public ministers and consuls0 and over petitions for certiorari0
prohibition0 mandamus0 3uo +arranto0 and habeas corpus.
,evie+0 revise0 reverse0 modify0 or affirm on appeal or certiorari0
as the la+ or the ,ules of Court may provide final 7ud#ments and orders
of lo+er courts in@
o )ll cases ion +hich the constitutionality or validity of any
treaty0 international or e!ecutive a#reement0 la+0 presidential
decree0 proclamation0 order0 instruction0 ordinance0 or re#ulation
is in 3uestion.
o )ll cases involvin# the le#ality pf any ta!0 impost0
assessment0 or toll0 or any penalty imposed in relation thereto.
o )ll cases in +hich the 7urisdiction of any lo+er court is in
issue.
o )ll criminal cases ion +hich the penalty imposed is
reclusion perpetua or hi#her.
o )ll cases in +hich only an error or 3uestion of la+ is
involved.
)ssi#n temporarily 7ud#es of lo+er court to other stations as
public interest may re3uire. Such temporary assi#nment shall not e!ceed
si! months +ithout the consent of the 7ud#e concerned.
(rder a chan#e of venue or place of trial to avoid a miscarria#e of
7ustice.
Promul#ate rules concernin# the protection and enforcement of
constitutional ri#hts0 pleadin#0 practice0 and procedure in all courts0 the
admission to the practice of la+0 the Inte#rated "ar0 and le#al assistance
to the underprivile#ed. Such rules shall provide a simplified and
ine!pensive procedure for the speedy disposition of cases0 shall be
uniform for all courts the same #rade0 and shall not diminish0 increase or
modify substantive ri#hts. ,ules of procedure of special courts and 3uasiC
7udicial bodies shall remain effective unless disapproved by the Supreme
Court.
)ppoint all officials and employees of the $udiciary in accordance
+ith the Civil Service La+. ;Sec. & 0 id.>

/he $udicial and "ar Council +as created by virtue of )rt. =III0 sec. .. under the supervision of
the Supreme Court. Its principal function is to screen prospective appointees to any 7udicial
post. It is composed of the Chief $ustice as e! officio Chairman0 the Secretary of $ustice and
representatives of Con#ress as e!Cofficio members0 a representative of the Inte#rated "ar0 a
professor of la+0 a retired member of the Supreme Court and a representative of the private
sector as members.

Court of +ppeals
Common+ealth )ct *o. 3 ;December 310 123&>0 pursuant to the 123& Constitution ;)rt =III0 sec.
1>0 established the Court of )ppeals. It +as formally or#aniAed on 8ebruary 10 123'0 composed
of eleven 7ustices +ith $ustice Pedro Concepcion as the first Presidin# $ustice. Its composition
+as increased to 1& in 123. and further increased to 1- in 12%2 by virtue of !ecutive (rder *o.
%. It +as abolished by President (smena in 12%&0 pursuant to !ecutive (rder *o. 3-.
?o+ever0 it +as reCestablished on (ctober %0 12%' by virtue of ,epublic )ct *o. &2 +ith a
Presidin# $ustice and fifteen ;1&> )ssociate $ustices. Its composition +as increased by the
follo+in# enactments@ ,epublic )ct *o. 1'1& to ei#hteen ;1.>D ,epublic )ct *o. &21% to 2%D
Presidential Decree *o. 1%.2 to one Presidin# $ustice and thirty four ;3%> )ssociate $usticesD
"atas Pambansa "l#. 122 to &1D ,epublic )ct *o. .2%' to '2. 5ith ,epublic )ct *o. .2%'0 the
Court of )ppeals in Cebu0 and Ca#ayan de (ro +ere established.

Section 2 of "atas Pambansa "l#. 122 as amended by !ecutive (rder *o. 33 and ,epublic )ct
*o. -212 provides for the 7urisdiction of the Court of )ppeals as follo+s@

(ri#inal 7urisdiction to issue +rits of mandamus0 prohibition0
certiorari habeas corpus0 and 3uo +arrant0 and au!iliary +rits or
processes0 +hether or not in aid of its appellate 7urisdictionD
!clusive ori#inal 7urisdiction over actions for annulment of
7ud#ment of ,e#ional /rial CourtsD and
!clusive appellate 7urisdiction over all final 7ud#ments0 decisions0
resolutions0 orders or a+ards of ,e#ional /rial Courts and 3uasiC7udicial
a#encies0 instrumentalities0 boards or commissions0 includin# the
Securities and !chan#e Commission0 the Social Security Commission0
the mployees Compensation Commission and the Civil Service
Commission0 e!cept those fallin# +ithin the appellate 7urisdiction of the
Supreme Court in accordance +ith the Constitution0 the Labor Code of the
Philippines under Presidential Decree *o. %%20 as amended0 the
provisions of this )ct0 and of subpara#raph ;1> of the third para#raph and
subpara#raph ;%> of the fourth para#raph of Section 1- of the $udiciary
)ct of 12%..

Regional Trial Courts
/hey are called the second level courts and are divided into thirteen ;13> 7udicial re#ions@
*ational Capital ,e#ion ;:etro :anila> and the t+elve ;12> re#ions of the country0 +hich are
divided into several branches. /he 7urisdictions are defined in sec. 12C23 of "atas Pambansa "l#
122 as amended by ,epublic )ct *o. -'-1. /he Supreme Court desi#nates certain branches of
re#ional trial courts as special courts to handle e!clusively criminal cases0 7uvenile and domestic
relations cases0 a#rarian cases0 urban land reform cases +hich do not fall under the 7urisdiction
of 3uasiC7udicial bodies. /he Supreme Court may li4e+ise desi#nate specific branches as special
courts for heinous crimes0 dan#erous dru#s cases0 commercial courts and intellectual property
ri#hts violations. Some branches of the ,e#ional /rial Courts have been desi#nated as family
courts because the family courts to be established pursuant to ,epublic )ct *o. .3'2 of the
8amily Court La+ of 122- have not yet been or#aniAed.

/he ,e#ional /rial CourtsB 7urisdictions are defined as follo+s@

!ercise e!clusive ori#inal 7urisdiction in Civil Cases as follo+s@
o )ll civil actions in +hich the sub7ect of the liti#ation is
incapable of pecuniary estimationD
o )ll civil actions +hich involve the title to0 or possession of
real property0 or any interest therein0 +here the assessed value of
the property involved e!ceeds t+enty thousand pesos ;P
210111.11> or0 civil actions in :etro :anila0 +here such value
e!ceeds 8ifty thousand pesos ;P &10111.11> e!cept actions for
forcible entry into and unla+ful detainer of lands or buildin#s0
ori#inal 7urisdiction over +hich is conferred upon the :e/Cs0
:/Cs0 and :C/CsD
o )ll actions in admiralty and maritime 7urisdiction +here
the demand or claim e!ceeds one hundred thousand pesos ;P
1110111.11> or0 in :etro :anila0 +here such demand or claim
e!ceeds t+o hundred thousand pesos ;P 2110111.11>D
o )ll matters of probate0 both testate and intestate0 +here
the #ross value of the estate e!ceeds (ne hundred thousand pesos
;P 1110111.11> or0 in probate matters in :etro :anila0 +here
such #ross value e!ceeds /+o hundred thousand pesos ;P
2110111.11>D
o )ll actions involvin# the contract of marria#e and marital
relationsD
o )ll cases not +ithin the e!clusive 7urisdiction of any court0
tribunal0 person or body e!ercisin# 7udicial or 3uasiC7udicial
functionsD
o )ll civil actions and special proceedin#s fallin# +ithin the
e!clusive ori#inal 7urisdiction of a $uvenile and Domestic
,elations Court and of the Court of )#rarian ,elations as no+
provided by la+D and
o )ll other cases in +hich the demand0 e!clusive of interest0
dama#es of +hatever 4ind0 attorneyBs fees0 liti#ation e!penses and
costs or the value of the property in controversy e!ceeds (ne
hundred thousand pesos ;P 1110111.11> or0 in such other cases in
:etro :anila0 +here the demand0 e!clusive of the aboveC
mentioned items e!ceeds /+o hundred pesos ;P 2110111.11>
;Sec. 120 "atas Pambansa "l#. 1220 as amended by ,.) *o.
-'21>.
!ercise ori#inal 7urisdiction in other cases as follo+s@
o /he issuance of +rits of certiorari0 prohibition0 mandamus0
3uo +arranto0 habeas corpus0 and in7unction +hich may be
enforced in any part of their respective re#ionsD and
o )ctions affectin# ambassadors and other public ministers
and consuls.

/hey shall e!ercise appellate 7urisdiction over :e/Cs0 :/CCs0 :/Cs0 and :C/Cs in their
respective territorial 7urisdiction.

,etropolitan Trial Courts -,eTC./ ,unicipal Trial Courts in Cities -,TCC./
,unicipal Trial Courts -,TC. and ,unicipal Circuit Trial Courts -,CTC.
/hese are called the first level courts established in each city and municipality. /heir
7urisdiction is provided for by section 330 3& of "atas Pambansa "l# 122. /heir 7urisdiction has
been e!panded by special la+s.

:e/Cs0 :/CCs0 :/Cs0 and :C/Cs shall e!ercise ori#inal 7urisdiction in Civil Cases as provided
for in section 33 of "atas Pambansa "l#. 122 is as follo+s@

!clusive ori#inal 7urisdiction over civil actions and probate
proceedin#s0 testate and intestate0 includin# the #rant of provisional
remedies in proper cases0 +here the value of the personal property0 estate
or amount of the demand does not e!ceed (ne hundred thousand pesos
;P 1110111.11> or0 in :etro :anila +here such personal property0 estate
or amount of the demand does not e!ceed /+o hundred thousand pesos
;P 2110111.11>0 e!clusive of interests0 dama#es of +hatever 4ind 0
attorneys fees0 liti#ation e!penses0 and costs the amount of +hich must be
specifically alle#ed@ Provided0 /hat interests0 dama#es of +hatever 4ind0
attorneyBs fees0 liti#ation e!penses and costs shall be included in the
determination of the filin# fees. Provided further0 /hat +here there are
several claims or causes of action bet+een the same or different parties
embodied in the same complaint0 the amount of the demand shall be the
totality of the claims in all the causes of action arose out of the same or
different transactionsD
!clusive ori#inal 7urisdiction over cases of forcible entry and
unla+ful detainer@ Provided0 /hat +hen0 in such cases0 the defendant
raises the 3uestion of o+nership in his pleadin#s and the 3uestion of
o+nership in his pleadin#s and the 3uestion of possession cannot be
resolved +ithout decidin# the issue of o+nership0 the issue of o+nership
shall be resolved only to determine the issue of possessionD and
!clusive ori#inal 7urisdiction in all civil actions +hich involve title
to0 or possession of0 real property0 or any interest therein +here the
assessed value of the property or interest therein does not e!ceed /+enty
thousand pesos ;P 210111.11> or0 in civil actions in :etro :anila0 +here
such assessed value does not e!ceed 8ifty thousand pesos ;P &10111.11>
e!clusive of interest0 dama#es of +hatever 4ind0 attorneyBs fees0 liti#ation
e!penses and costs@ Provided0 /hat in cases of land not declared for
ta!ation purposes the value of such property shall be determined by the
assessed value of the ad7acent lots. ;Sec. 330 "atas Pambansa "l#. 122>

Section 33 of "atas Pambansa "l#. 122 provides that the Supreme Court may desi#nate :e/Cs0
:/CCs0 :/Cs0 and :C/Cs to hear and determine cadastral or land re#istration cases +here the
value does not e!ceed one hundred thousand pesos ;P1110111.11>. /heir decision is can be
appealed in the same manner as the ,e#ional /rial Courts.

/he :e/Cs0 :/CCs0 :/Cs0 and :C/Cs are empo+ered to hear and decide petitions for a +rit of
habeas corpus or applications for bail in criminal cases in the province or city in the absence of
the ,e#ional /rial Court $ud#es.

Sandiganbayan
/he )ntiCGraft Court0 or Sandi#anbayan0 +as created to maintain inte#rity0 honesty and
efficiency in the bureaucracy and +eed out misfits and undesirables in #overnment service ;12-3
Constitution ;)rt. <III0 sec. &> and 12.- Constitution ;)rt. <I0 sec. %>>. It +as restructured by
Presidential Decree *o. 1'1' as amended by ,epublic )ct *o. .2%2. It is composed of a
Presidin# $ustice and fourteen ;1%> )ssociate $ustices still in five Divisions of three ;3> $ustices
each.

Court of Ta( +ppeals
Created by ,epublic )ct *o. 112& on $une 1'0 12&%0 it serves as an appellate court to revie+ ta!
cases. Gnder ,epublic )ct *o. 22.20 it no+ en7oys the same level as the Court of )ppeals. /his
la+ has doubled its membershipD from three to si! 7ustices and has e!panded its 7urisdiction.

/he Court of /a! )ppeals has e!clusive appellate 7urisdiction to revie+ by appeal the follo+in#@

Decisions of the Commissioner of Internal ,evenue in cases
involvin# disputed0 assessments0 refunds of internal revenue ta!es0 fees or
other char#es0 penalties imposed in relation thereto0 or other matters
arisin# under the *ational Internal ,evenue Code or other la+s
administered by the "ureau of Internal ,evenueD
In actions of the Commissioner of Internal ,evenue in cases
involvin# disputed assessments0 refunds of internal revenue ta!es0 fees or
other char#es0 penalties in relation thereto0 or other matters arisin# under
the *ational Internal ,evenue Code or other la+s administered by the
"ureau of Internal ,evenue0 +here the *ational Internal ,evenue Code
provides a specific period of action0 in +hich case the inaction shall be
deemed a denialD
Decisions0 orders or resolutions of the ,e#ional /rial Courts in
local ta! cases ori#inally decided or resolved by them in the e!ercise of
their ori#inal or appellate 7urisdictionD
Decisions of the Commissioner of Customs in cases involvin#
liability for customs duties0 fees0 or other money char#esD seiAure0
detention or release of property affectedD fines0 forfeitures or other
penalties imposed in relation theretoD or other matters arisin# under the
Customs La+ or other la+s administered by the "ureau of Customs.
Decisions of the Central "oard of )ssessment )ppeals in the
e!ercise of its appellate 7urisdiction over cases involvin# the assessment
and ta!ation of real property ori#inally decided by the provincial or city
board of assessment appealsD
Decisions of the Secretary of 8inance on customs cases elevated to
him automatically for revie+ from decisions of the Commissioner of
Customs +hich are adverse to the Government under Section 231& of the
/ariff and Customs CodeD
Decisions of the Secretary of )#riculture in the case of
nona#ricultural product0 commodity or article0 and the Secretary of
)#riculture in the case of a#ricultural product0 commodity or article0
involvin# dumpin# and countervailin# duties under Section 311 and 3120
respectively0 of the /ariff and Customs Code0 and safe#uard measures
under ,.). *o. ..110 +here either party may appeal the decision to
impose or not to impose said duties.

It also has 7urisdiction over cases involvin# criminal offenses as herein provided@

!clusive ori#inal 7urisdiction over all criminal offenses arisin#
from violations of the *ational Internal ,evenue Code or /ariff and
Customs Code and other la+s administered by the "ureau of Internal
,evenue or the "ureau of Customs@ Provided0 ho+ever0 /hat offenses or
felonies mentioned in this para#raph +here the principal amount of ta!es
and fees0 e!clusive of char#es and penalties0 claimed is less than (ne
million pesos ;P 101110111.11> or +here there is no specified amount
claimed shall be tried by the re#ular Courts and the 7urisdiction of the
C/) shall be appellate. )ny provision of la+ or the ,ules of Court to the
contrary not+ithstandin#0 the criminal action and the correspondin# civil
action for the recovery of civil liability for ta!es and penalties shall at all
times be simultaneously instituted +ith0 and 7ointly determined in the
same proceedin# by0 the C/) the filin# of the criminal action bein#
deemed to necessarily carry +ith it the filin# of the civil action0 and no
ri#ht to reserve the filin# of such action separately form the criminal
action +ill be reco#niAed.
!clusive appellate 7urisdiction in criminal offenses@
o (ver appeals from 7ud#ments0 resolutions or orders of the
,e#ional /rial Courts in ta! collection cases ori#inally decided by
them0 in their respective territorial 7urisdiction.
o (ver petitions for revie+ of the 7ud#ments0 resolution or
orders of the ,/Cs in the e!ercise of their appellate 7urisdiction
over ta! collection cases ori#inally decided by the :e/Cs0 :/Cs
and :C/Cs0 in their respective 7urisdiction.

Shari0a Courts
/hese special courts +ere created by sec. 13- of Presidential Decree *o. 11.3 or the Code of
:uslim Personal La+s. /he 7ud#es should possess all the 3ualifications of a ,e#ional /rial
Court $ud#e and should also be learned in Islamic la+ and 7urisprudence. )rticles 1%301%%0 1&&
of Presidential Decree *o. 11.3 provides the 7urisdiction of the said courts as follo+s@

ShariBa District Courts ;SDC> as provided for in para#raph ;1>0 )rticle 1%3 of Presidential Decree
*o. 11.30 shall have e!clusive 7urisdiction over the follo+in# cases@

)ll cases involvin# custody0 #uardianship0 le#itimacy0 paternity
and filiations arisin# under the CodeD
)ll cases involvin# disposition0 distribution and settlement of the
estates of deceased :uslims0 probate of +ills0 issuance of letters of
administration or appointment of administrators or e!ecutors re#ardless
of the nature or a##re#ate value of the property.
Petitions for the declaration of absence and death and for the
cancellation or correction of entries in the :uslim ,e#istries mentioned
in /itle =I of "oo4 /+o of the CodeD
)ll actions arisin# from customary contracts in +hich the parties
are :uslim0 if they did not specified +hich la+ shall #overn their
relationsD and
)ll petitions for mandamus0 prohibition0 in7unction0 certiorari0
habeas corpus0 and all other au!iliary +rits and processes in aid of its
appellate 7urisdiction.

/he SDC in concurrence +ith e!istin# civil courts shall have ori#inal 7urisdiction over the
follo+in# cases ;para#raph ;2> of )rticle 1%3>@

Petitions by :uslims for the constitution of family home0 chan#e
of name and commitment of an insane person to any asylum@
)ll other personal and real actions not mentioned in para#raph ;1>
;d> +herein the parties involved are :uslims e!cept those for forcible
entry and unla+ful detainer0 +hich shall fall under the e!clusive ori#inal
7urisdiction of the :/CsD
)ll special civil actions for interpleader or declaratory relief
+herein the parties are :uslims or the property involved belon#s
e!clusively to :uslims.

)rticle 1%% of Presidential Decree *o. 11.3 provides that the SDC +ithin shall have appellate
7urisdiction over all cases tried in the ShariBa Circuit Courts ;SCC> +ithin their territorial
7urisdiction.

)rticle 1&& of Presidential Decree *o. 11.3 provides that the SCCs have e!clusive ori#inal
7urisdiction over@

)ll cases involvin# offenses defined and punished under the CodeD
)ll civil actions and proceedin#s bet+een parties +ho are :uslims
or have been married in accordance +ith )rticle 13 of the Code involvin#
disputes relatin# to@
o :arria#eD
o Divorce reco#niAed under the CodeD
o "etrothal or breach of contract to marryD
o Customary do+er ;mahr>D
o Disposition and distribution of property upon divorceD
o :aintenance and support0 and consolatory #ifts ;mutBa>D
and
o ,estitution of marital ri#hts.
)ll cases involvin# disputes to communal properties.

,ules of procedure are provided for in articles 1%. and 1&.. n "anc ,esolution of the Supreme
Court in 1.30 provided the special rules of procedure in the ShariBa courts ;I7raCatC)l :aha4im
)l ShariaBa>

ShariBa courts and personnel are sub7ect to the administrative supervision of the Supreme
Court. )ppointment of 7ud#es0 3ualifications0 tenure0 and compensation are sub7ect to the
provisions of the :uslim Code ;Presidential Decree 11.3. SDCs and SCCs have the same
officials and other personnel as those provided by la+ for ,/Cs and :/Cs respectively.

1uasi2Courts or 1uasi2Judicial +gencies

HuasiC7udicial a#encies are administrative a#encies0 more properly belon#in# to the !ecutive
Department0 but are empo+ered by the Constitution or statutes to hear and decide certain
classes or cate#ories of cases.

HuasiC7udicial a#encies empo+ered by the Constitution are the Constitutional Commissions@
Civil Service Commission0 Commission on lections and the Commission on )udit.

HuasiC7udicial a#encies empo+ered by statutes are@ (ffice of the President. Department of
)#rarian ,eform0 Securities and !chan#e Commission0 *ational Labor ,elations Commission0
*ational /elecommunication Commission0 mployees Compensation Commission0 Insurance
Commission0 Construction Industry )rbitration Commission0 Philippine )tomic ner#y
Commission0 Social Security System0 Government Service Insurance System0 "ureau of Patents0
/rademar4 and /echnolo#y0 *ational Conciliation :ediation "oard0 Land ,e#istration
)uthority0 Civil )eronautics "oard0 Central "oard of )ssessment )ppeals0 *ational
lectrification )dministration0 ner#y ,e#ulatory "oard0 )#ricultural Inventions "oard and the
"oard of Investments.

Decisions of these 3uasiCcourts can be appealed to the Court of )ppeals e!cept those of the
Constitutional Commissions@ Civil Service Commission0 Commission on lections and the
Commission on )udit0 +hich can be appealed by certiorari to the Supreme Court ;)rt. I<C)0 sec.
->

3thers

Eatarun#an# Pambaran#ay C Presidential Decree *o. 1&1.0 or the Eatarun#an# Pambaran#ay
La+0 too4 effect December 110 12-.0 and established a system of amicably settlin# disputes at the
baran#ay level. ,ules and procedures +ere provided by this decree and the Local Government
Code0 /itle I0 Chapter -0 sec. 332C%22>. /his system of amicable settlement of dispute aims to
promote the speedy administration of 7ustice by easin# the con#estion of court doc4ets. /he
Court does not ta4e co#niAance of cases filed if they are not filed first +ith the Eatarun#an#
Pambaran#ay.

)lternative Dispute ,esolution System C ,epublic )ct *o. 22.& institutionaliAed the use of an
alternative dispute resolution system +hich serves to promote the speedy and impartial
administration of 7ustice and unclo# the court doc4ets. /his act shall be +ithout pre7udice to the
adoption of the Supreme Court of any )D, system such as mediation0 conciliation0 arbitration
or any combination thereof. /he Supreme Court by virtue of an n "anc ,esolution dated
(ctober 1'0 2111 ;)dministrative :atter *o. 11C11C&CSCCP?IL$)>0 desi#nated the Philippine
$udicial )cademy as the component unit of the Supreme Court for courtCreferred or courtC
related mediation cases and alternative dispute resolution mechanism and establishin# the
Philippine :ediation Center. :uslin la+ provides its o+n arbitration Council called /he )#ama
)rbitration Council.

#!4 Constitutional Co&&issions

Civil Service Commission C )ct *o. & ;1211> established the Philippine civil service and +as
reor#aniAed as a "ureau in 121&. It +as established in the 123& Constitution. ,epublic )ct *o.
22'1 ;12&2> converted it from a "ureau into the Civil Service Commission. Presidential Decree
*o. .1- further redefined its role. Its present status is provided for in the 12.- Constitution0 )rt.
I<C" and reiterated by the provision of the 12.- )dministrative Code ;!ecutive (rder *o. 222>.

Commission on lections C It is the constitutional commission created by a 12%1 amendment to
the 123& Constitution +hose primary function is to mana#e to maintain its authority and
independence in the conduct of elections. /he C(:LC e!ercises administrative0 3uasiC
7udicial and 7udicial po+ers. Its membership increased to nine +ith a term of nine years by the
12-3 Constitution. It +as ho+ever decreased to seven +ith a term of seven years +ithout reC
appointment by the 12.- Constitution.

Commission on )udit C )rticle I<0 sec0 2 of the 12.- Constitution provided the po+ers and
authority of the Commission on )udit0 +hich is to e!amine0 audit and settle all accounts
pertainin# to the revenue and receipts of and e!penditures or uses of funds and property o+ned
or held in trust by or pertainin# to the Government includin# #overnment o+ned and controlled
corporations +ith ori#inal charters.

#!5 Local $o%ern&ents

)rticle <0 of the 12.- Constitution provides for the territorial and political subdivisions of the
Philippines as follo+s@ province0 cities0 municipalities and baran#ays. /he 1221 Local
Government Code or ,epublic )ct *o. -1'1 provides the detail that implements the provision of
the Constitution. /he officials0 namely0 the #overnor0 city mayor0 city vice mayor0 municipal
mayor0 municipal viceCmayor and punon# baran#ay are elected by their respective units. ;1221
Local Government Code0 /itle II0 Chapter 10 sec. %1 ;a>>. /he re#ular members of
the sangguniang panlala2igan ;for the province>0 sangguniang panglunsod ;for
cities>0 sangguniang bayan ;municipalities> are elected by districts +hile
the sangguniang barangay are elected at lar#e.

ach territorial or political subdivision en7oys local autonomy as defined in Constitution. /he
President e!ercises supervision over local Governments.

ach re#ion is composed of several provinces +hile each province is composed of a cluster of
municipalities and component cities ;Local Government Code0 /itle I=0 Chapter 10 sec. %&2>
Provincial #overnment is composed of the #overnor0 viceC#overnor0 members of
the sangguniang panlala2igan and other appointed officials

/he city consists of more urbaniAed and developed baran#ays +hich are created0 divided0
mer#ed0 abolished or its boundary altered by la+ or act of Con#ress0 sub7ect to the approval of
ma7ority votes cast in a plebiscite conducted by the Comelec ;Local Government Code0 /itle III0
Chapter 10 sec. %%.C%%2>. ) City may be classified either as a component or hi#hly urbaniAed.
/he city #overnment is composed of the mayor0 viceCmayor0 members of the sangguniang
panlunsod ;+hich is composed of the president of the city chapter of the liga ng mga barangay0
president of the panlungsod ng mga pederasyon ng mga sangguniang 3abataan and the
sectoral representatives> and other appointed officials..

/he municipality consists of a #roup of barangays +hich is created0 divided0 mer#ed0 abolished
or its boundary altered by la+ or act of Con#ress0 sub7ect to the approval of ma7ority votes casts
in a plebiscite conducted by the Comelec ;Local Government Code0 /itle II0 Chapter 10 sec. %%1C
%%1>. /he municipal #overnment is composed of the mayor0 viceCmayor0 san##unian# members
;+hich is composed of president of the municipal chapter of the liga ng mga barangay0
president of the pambayang pederasyon ng mga sangguniang 3abataan and the sectoral
representatives> and other appointed officials..

/he "aran#ay is the smallest local #overnment unit +hich is created0 divided0 mer#ed0 abolished
or its boundary altered by la+ or by an ordinance of the sangguniang
panlala2igan or sangguniang panlunsod0 sub7ect to the approval of ma7ority votes casts in a
plebiscite conducted by the Comelec ;Local Government Code0 /itle I0 Chapter 10 sec. 3.%C3.&>

/he Philippines is divided into the follo+in# local #overnment units@

,e#ion I ;IL(C(S ,GI(*>
,e#ion II ;C)G)J)* =)LLJ>
,e#ion III ;C*/,)L LGK(*>
,e#ion I= ;C)L)"),K(* I :I:),(P)>
,e#ion = ;"IC(L ,GI(*>
,e#ion =I ;5S/,* =IS)J)S>
,e#ion =II ;C*/,)L =IS)J)S>
,e#ion =III ;)S/,* =IS)J)S>
,e#ion I< ;K):"()*G) P*I*SGL)>
,e#ion < ;*(,/?,* :I*D)*)(>
,e#ion <I ;D)=)( ,GI(*>
,e#ion <II ;S(CCSES),G*>
,e#ion <III ;C),)G)>
)utonomous ,e#ion in :uslim :indano ;),::>
Cordillera )dministrative ,e#ion ;C),>
*ational Capital ,e#ion ;*C,>

#!5 3ther $o%ern&ent +gencies

Commission on ?uman ,i#hts C /he Commission on ?uman ,i#hts +as created as an
independent office for cases of violation of the human ri#hts ;)rt. <III0 sec. 1->. Specific po+ers
and duties are e!pressly provided for by section 1. of the 12.- Constitution. It is composed of a
Chairman and four ;%> members.

(ffice of the (mbudsman C /he 12.- Constitution e!plicitly provides that (mbudsman and his
deputies are called the protectors of the people for they are tas4ed to act promptly on complaints
filed a#ainst public officials or employees of the #overnment includin# #overnment o+ned and
controlled corporations ;)rt. <I0 sec. 12> Its po+ers0 duties and functions are provided for in
section 13. ,epublic )ct *o. '--10 sec0 1& provides that the (mbudsman shall #ive priority to
complaints filed a#ainst hi#h ran4in# #overnment officials and those occupyin# supervisory
positions.

/he President0 =ice President0 members of the Supreme Court0 Constitutional Commission and
the (mbudsman may be removed from office by impeachment for conviction of violations of the
Constitution0 treason0 bribery0 #raft and corruption0 other hi#h crimes or betrayal of public trust.
;)rt. <I0 sec. 2>. /he ?ouse of ,epresentatives has the e!clusive po+er to initiate ;)rt. <I0 sec. 3
;1>> +hile the Senate has the sole po+er to try and decide impeachments cases ;)rt. <I0 sec.
3;'>>. )ll other public officials and employees may be removed by la+ ;)rt. <I0 sec. 2 the Civil
Service La+>.

4! Legal Syste&
4! 6ature of the Philippines Legal Syste&

/he Philippine le#al system may be considered as a uni3ue le#al system because it is a blend of
civil la+ ;,oman>0 common la+ ;)n#loC)merican>0 muslim ;Islamic> la+ and indi#enous la+.

4!2 Sources of La7
/here are t+o primary sources of the la+@

Statutes or statutory la+ C Statutes are defined as the +ritten
enactment of the +ill of the le#islative branch of the #overnment rendered
authentic by certain prescribed forms or solemnities are more also 4no+n
as enactment of con#ress. Generally they consist of t+o types0 the
Constitution and le#islative enactments.

In the Philippines0 statutory la+ includes constitutions0 treaties0 statutes
proper or le#islative enactments0 municipal charters0 municipal
le#islation0 court rules0 administrative rules and orders0 le#islative rules
and presidential issuance.
$urisprudence C or case la+ C is cases decided or +ritten opinion by
courts and by persons performin# 7udicial functions. )lso included are all
rulin#s in administrative and le#islative tribunals such as decisions made
by the Presidential or Senate or ?ouse lectoral /ribunals. (nly
decisions of the ?ouse of ,epresentatives lectoral /ribunal are printed
as ?ouse of ,epresentatives lectoral /ribunal ,eports0 volume 1
;$anuary 2.0 12..C(ctober 30 1221> to present. /hey +ill be available
electronically at the Supreme Court CLibrary.
8or :uslim la+0 the primary source of Shariah are Huran0
Sunna3h0 I7ma and Hiyas. $ainal D. ,aAul in his boo4 Commentaries and
$urisprudence on the :uslin La+ of the Philippines ;12.%> further stated
there are ne+ sources of la+0 +hich some 7urists re7ected such as Istihsan
or 7uristic preferenceD )lC:asalih0 )l :ursalah or public interestD Istidlal
;custom> and Istishab. ;deduction based on continuity or permance>.

Classification of Legal Sources
Primary )uthority is the only authority that is bindin# on the courts.

Classification by +uthority
6)uthority is that +hich may be cited in support of an action0 theory or hypothesis.6 Le#al of
materials primary authority are those that contain actual la+ or those that contain la+ created
by #overnment. ach of the three branches of #overnment0 Le#islative0 !ecutive and $udiciary0
promul#ates la+s.

/he le#islature promul#ates statutes0 namely@ )ct0 Common+ealth )ct0 ,epublic )cts0 "atas
Pambansa. !ecutive promul#ates presidential issuances ;Presidential Decrees0 !ecutive
(rders0 :emorandum Circular0 )dministrative (rders0 Proclamations0 etc.>0 rules and
re#ulations throu#h its various departments0 bureaus and a#encies. /he $udiciary promul#ates
7udicial doctrines embodied in decisions. 5e ho+ever need to clarify that the Presidential
Decrees or la+ issued by Pres. :arcos durin# :artial La+ and !ecutive (rders issued by Pres.
)3uino before the openin# Con#ress in $uly 12.- can be classified as le#islative acts0 there bein#
no le#islature durin# these t+o periods.

Primary )uthority or sources may be further subdivided into the follo+in#@
:andatory primary authority is la+ created by the 7urisdiction in
+hich the la+yer operates li4e the PhilippinesD
Persuasive mandatory authority is la+ created by other
7urisdictions but +hich have persuasive value to our courts e.#. Spanish
and )merican la+s and 7urisprudence. /hese sources as used specially
+hen there are no Philippine authorities available or +hen the
Philippine statute or 7urisprudence under interpretation is based on
either the Spanish or )merican la+D

It is in this re#ard that the collections of la+ libraries in the Philippines include Gnited States
court reports0 5estBs national reporter system0 court reports of n#land and international
tribunal0 important reference materials such as the )merican $urisprudence0 Corpus $uris
Secundum 5ords and Phrases and different la+ dictionaries. Some of these la+ libraries
subscribe to the 5estla+ andFor Le!is. /he Supreme Court 0 Gniversity of the Philippines0
Gniversity of Santo /omas and a number of prominent la+ libraries also have a Spanish
collection +here a #reat number of our la+s ori#inated.

Secondary authority or sources are commentaries or boo4s0 treatise0 +ritin#s0 7ournal articles
that e!plain0 discuss or comment on primary authorities. )lso included in this cate#ory are the
opinions of the Department of $ustice or Securities and !chan#e Commission. /hese materials
are not bindin# on courts but they have persuasive effect and the de#ree of persuasiveness
depend on the reputation of the author. /hese authors of #ood reputation are considered
e!perts in the field e.#. Chief $ustice ,amon C. )3uino and $ustice Carolina Grino )3uino on
,evised Penal Code or Criminal La+0 Senator )rturo :. /olentino on Civil la+0 Chief $ustice
nri3ue :. 8ernando and 8r. $oa3uin "ernas on Constititional La+0 Prof. Perfecto 8ernandeA
on Labor La+0 =icente 8rancisco0 Chief $ustice :anuel :oran on ,emedial La+0 etc.

Classification by Source
It is important for le#al research e!perts to 4no+ the source +here the materials +ere ta4en.
(ne has to determine +hether they came from primary ;official> sources or secondary
;unofficial sources>.

Primary sources 6are those published by the issuin# a#ency itself or the official repository0 the
(fficial GaAette. /hus for ,epublic )cts and other 6la+s6 or statutes0 the primary sources are
the (fficial GaAette published by the *ational Printin# (ffice and the La+s and ,esolutions
published by Con#ress. 8or Supreme Court decisions0 the primary sources are the Philippine
,eports0 the individually mimeo#raphed )dvance Supreme Court decisions and the (fficial
GaAette. Publication of Supreme Court decisions in the (fficial GaAette is selective. Complete
court reports for Supreme Court decisions is the Philippine ,eports.

/he Secondary Sources are the unofficial sources and #enerally refer to those commercially
published or those that are not published by #overnment a#encies or instrumentalities. =ital
Le#al Documents contains a compilation of Presidential Decrees ;12-3> to the present ,epublic
)cts0 published by Central "oo4 Supply. Sulpicio Guevara published a compilation of all la+s
from 1211 to 123& entitled Public La+s )nnotated ;- vols.> and a compilation of la+s from 123&C
12%& entitled Common+ealth )cts )nnotated ;3vos.>. Guevara has also published /he La+s of
the 8irst Philippine ,epublic ;/he La+s of :alolos> 1.2.C1.22. 8or the Supreme Court
decisions0 Supreme Court ,eports )nnotated ;SC,)>0 a secondary source0 published by the
Central "oo4 Supply is more popular and updated than the Philippine ,eports. In the absence
of a primary source0 the secondary source may be cited.

5ith the advent of the ne+ information technolo#y0 electronic or di#itiAed sources are popular
sources of le#al information for the follo+in# reasons@ a> updated le#al information is readily
available and b> the search en#ines used facilitate research. /hese electronic sources are in the
forms of CD ,(:S0 online or virtual libraries0 or the +ebsites of the issuin# #overnment a#ency
of instrumentality.

In the Philippines0 the problem is ho+ to classify sources published in the ne+spapers. Since
12.-0 based on the definition of primary and secondary source0 they may be considered as
primary sources pursuant to !ecutive (rder *o. 2110 s. 12.- +hich provides that la+s become
effective fifteen ;1&> days after publication in the (fficial GaAette or in t+o ne+spapers of
#eneral circulation. In case of conflict bet+een the t+o versions0 the version of the (fficial
GaAette holds.

In findin# the la+0 our ultimate #oal is to locate mandatory primary authorities +hich have
bearin# on the le#al problem at hand. If these authorities are scarce or none!istent0 our ne!t
alternative is to find any relevant persuasive mandatory authority. If our search is still ne#ative0
the ne!t alternative mi#ht be secondary authorities. /here are ho+ever instances +here the
secondary authorities0 more particularly the commentaries made by e!perts of the field0 ta4e
precedence over the persuasive mandatory authorities. 5ith the availability of both0 usin# both
sources is hi#hly recommended.

Classification by Character
/his refers to the nature of the sub7ect treated in boo4s. /his classification cate#oriAes boo4s as @
a> Statute La+ "oo4s0 b> Case La+ "oo4s or La+ ,eports0 c> a combination of both and d> 6La+
8inders.6

La+ 8inders refer to inde!es0 citators0 encyclopedias0 le#al dictionaries0 thesauri or di#ests. )
ma7or problem in the Philippines is that there are no upCtoCdate La+ 8inders. 8ederico
:orenoBs Philippine La+ Dictionary0 the only available Philippine la+ dictionary +as last
published in 12..0 alon# +ith one available Philippine Le#al /hesaurus by $ose )#aton Sibal in
12.'. /o search for le#al information0 le#al researchers #o online virtual libraries such as the
Supreme Court CLibrary0 Chan ,obles =irtual La+ Library0 or the different databases in CDC
,(: format from CD )sia /echnolo#ies )sia Inc. /he databases developed by CD )sia includes
not only the compilation of La+s ;statutes> and $urisprudence0 but also include a compilation of
le#al information that are not available in printed form such as (pinions of the Department of
$ustice0 Securities and !chan#e Commission and "an#4o Sentral ;Central "an4> rules and
re#ulations. Search en#ines used in these databases ans+er for the lac4 of complete and
updated inde!es of le#al information. In this re#ard0 effective le#al research can be conducted
+ith one cardinal rule in mind@ 6)L5)JS S/),/ 8,(: /? L)/S/.6 /he e!ception to this
is +hen the research has defined or has provided a SPCI8IC period.

5! Philippine Legal Research
5! Research of Statute la7
Statute la+ are the rules and re#ulations promul#ated by competent authoritiesD enactments of
le#islative bodies ;national or local> or they may be rules and re#ulations of administrative
;departments0 or bureau> or 7udicial a#encies. ,esearch of statutory la+ does not end +ith
consultin# the la+ itself. )t times it e!tends to the intent of each provision or even the +ords
used in the la+.

Constitution
/he Philippines had several Constitutions as provided in some history boo4s such as Gre#orio 8.
KaideBs Philippine Constitutional ?istory and Constitutions of :odern *ations ;12-1> and
8ounders of 8reedomD /he ?istory of /hree Constitution by a sevenCman "oard. /he Philippine
le#al system reco#niAes the follo+in# Constitutions@ :alolos0 123&0 12-30 Provisional or
8reedom and 12.- Constitutions.

/e!t of the :alolos Constitution is available in some history boo4s such as Gre#orio 8. KaideBs
Philippine Constitutional ?istory and Constitutions of :odern *ations0 p. 1-' ;12-1>. 8or the
rest of the above mentioned Constitutions0 the te!ts are available in published Philippine
constitutional la+ boo4s. /e!t of these Constitutions +ill be available at the Supreme Court C
Library.

/he Constitutional Convention proceedin#s provide for the intent and bac4#round of each
provision of the Constitution. Sources for the 123%C123& Constitutional Convention are@ 11
volumes of the Constitutional Convention ,ecord by the ?ouse of ,epresentatives ;12''>0
Salvador LaurelBs seven volumes boo4 entitled Proceedin#s of the Constitutional Convention
;12''>D ' volumes of the Philippine Constitution0 (ri#ins0 :a4in#0 :eanin# and )pplication by
the Philippine La+yers )ssociation +ith $ose )rue#o as one of its editors ;12-1> and $ournal of
the Constitutional convention of the Philippines by =icente 8rancisco.

Proceedin#s of the 12-3 Constitutional Convention +ere not published. ) complete compilation
is available at the 8ilipiniana ,eadin# ,oom of the *ational Library of the Philippines.

$ournals ;3 volumes> and ,ecords ;& volumes> of the Constitutional Convention of 12.' +ere
published by the Constitutional Commission. /his publication does not have an inde!. CD
/echnolo#ies )sia Inc. came out +ith a CDC,(: version +hich facilitated research for it has a
search en#ine.

/he proceedin#s and te!t of the 123&0 12-3 and 12.- Constitutions +ill be available at the
Supreme Court CLibrary.

Commentaries or interpretations on the constitution0 decisions of the Supreme Court and other
courts0 te!tboo4s or treaties0 periodical articles of the different Constitution are available. ;See.
Le#al "iblio#raphy on pa#e %3>

Treaties and other "nternational +gree&ents
) treaty is an a#reement or a contract bet+een t+o ;bilateral> or more ;multilateral> nations or
soverei#ns0 entered into by a#ents appointed ;#enerally the Secretary of 8orei#n )ffairs or
ambassadors> for the purpose and duly sanctioned by supreme po+ers of the respective
countries. /reaties that do not have le#islative sanctions are e!ecutive a#reements +hich may or
may not have le#islative authoriAation0 and +hich have limited e!ecution by constitutional
restrictions

In the Philippines0 a treaty or international a#reement shall be not be valid and effective unless
concurred in by at least t+oCthirds of all members of the Senate ;Constitution0 )rticle =II0
section 21>. /hose +ithout the concurrence of the Senate are considered as !ecutive
)#reements.

/he President of the Philippines may enter into international treaties or a#reements as the
national +elfare and interest may re3uire0 and may contract and #uarantee forei#n loans on
behalf of the ,epublic0 sub7ect to such limitations as may be provided by la+. Durin# the time of
Pres. :arcos0 there +as the soCcalled /ripoli )#reement.

/he official te!t of treaties is published in the (fficial GaAette0 Department of 8orei#n )ffairs
/reaty Series ;D8)/S>0 Gnited *ations /reaty Series ;G*/S> or the Gniversity of the
Philippines La+ CenterBs Philippine /reaty Series ;P/S>. /o locate the latest treaties0 there are
t+o possible sources@ Department of 8orei#n )ffairs and the Senate of the Philippines. /here is
no complete repository of all treaties entered into by the Philippines. /here is a selective
publication of treaties in the (fficial GaAette. /he D8)/S +as last published in the 12-1s +hile
the P/SBs last volume0 vol. . contains treaties entered into until 12.1.5ith the G* /reaty Series0
it is available only in G* depository libraries in the country and its Gnited *ation Information
Center in :a4ati.

8or ta! treaties usta3uio (rdono has published a series on the Philippine ta! treaties. (ther
sources of important treaties are appended in boo4s on the sub7ect or la+ 7ournals such as the
)merican $ournal of International La+ or the Philippine Jearboo4 of International La+.

/o locate these treaties0 the 8orei#n Service Institute published the Philippine /reaties Inde!
;12%'C12.2> and G* :ultilateral /reaties Deposited +ith the Secretary General. lectronically0
ma7or la+ libraries use the /reaties and International )#reements ,esearchers )rchives
;/I),)> and the Internet.

Statutes Proper
Statutes are enactments of the different le#islative bodies of since 1211 bro4en do+n as follo+s@

%02-& )C/S C nactments from 1211C123&
-33 Common+ealth )cts C nactments from 123&C12%&
213% Presidential Decrees C nactments from 12-2C12.&
..% "atas Pambansa. C nactments from 12-2C12.&
233&. ,epublic )cts C nactments from 12%'C12-20 12.-C )pril
211&

/he above fi#ures clearly sho+ that durin# :artial La+0 both President :arcos and the
"atasan# Pambansa ;Parliament> +ere issuin# la+s at the same time in the Presidential Decrees
;by President :arcos > and "atas Pambansa ;Parliament>

Durin# :artial La+0 aside from Presidential Decrees0 the President promul#ated other
issuances namely@ &- General (rders0 10&2& Letters of Instruction0 20%.2 Proclamations0 .32
:emorandum (rder0 1022- :emorandum Circular0 1&- Letter of Implementation0 Letter of
)uthority0 Letters of Instruction0 &1% )dministrative (rder and 10123 !ecutive (rders.

)s previously stated0 the Presidential Decrees issued by Pres. :arcos durin# :artial La+ and
the !ecutive (rders issued by Pres. )3uino before the openin# of Con#ress may be classified
as le#islative acts for there +as no le#islature durin# those t+o periods.
La+s passed by the ne+ 12.- Con#ress started from ,ep. )ct *o. ''3'0 as the last ,epublic )ct
promul#ated by Con#ress before :artial La+ +as ,ep. )ct *o. ''3&.

/he follo+in# are the Philippine codes adopted from 1211 to present@
Child and Jouth 5elfare Code
Civil Code
Comprehensive )#rarian ,eform Code
Coconut Industry Code
Code of Commerce
Cooperative Code
Corporation Code
8amily Code
8ire Code
8orest ,eform Code
Intellectual Property Code
Labor Code
Land /ransportation and /raffic Code
Local Government Code
:uslim Code of Personal La+s
*ational "uildin# Cide
*ational Code of :ar4etin# of "reastCmil4 Substitutes and
Supplements
*ational Internal ,evenue Code
(mnibus lection Code
Philippine nvironment Code
,evised )dministrative Code
,evised Penal Code
Sanitation Code
State )uditin# Code
/ariff and Customs Code
5ater Code

/he ?ouse of ,epresentative prepared the procedure on ho+ a bill becomes a la+. /his
procedure is pursuant to the Constitution and reco#niAed by both ?ouses of Con#ress. /o better
appreciate the procedure0 a dia#ram +as prepared by the ?ouse of ,epresentatives.
S(G,C@ Con#ressional LibraryD ?ouse Printin# Division0 )dministrative Support "ureau0
$uly 122'.

)dministrative acts0 orders and re#ulations of the President touchin# on the or#aniAation or
mode of operation of the #overnment0 reCarran#in# or ad7ustin# districts0 divisions or parts of
the Philippines0 and acts and commands #overnin# the #eneral performance of duties of public
officials and employees or disposin# of issues of #eneral concern are made effective by !ecutive
(rders. /hose orders fi!in# the dates +hen specific la+s0 resolutions or orders cease to ta4e
effect and any information concernin# matters of public moment determined by la+0 resolution
or e!ecutive orders0 ta4e the form of e!ecutive Proclamation.

!ecutive (rders and Proclamations of the GovernorCGeneral +ere published annually in a set
!ecutive (rders and Proclamations. /hirty three ;33> volumes +ere published until 123& by
the "ureau of Printin#. )dministrative )cts and (rders of the President and Proclamations
+ere published. (nly a fe+ libraries in the Philippines have these publications for the ma7ority
+ere destroyed durin# 5orld 5ar II. /here are copies available at the La+ Library of Con#ress0
Cincinnati La+ Library )ssociation ;+ho offered to donate them to the Supreme Court of the
Philippines> and some at the Library of the Institute of South ast )sian Studies in Sin#apore.

In researchin# for Proclamations0 )dministrative (rders0 !ecutive (rders and :emorandum
(rders I Circulars of the President0 the year is a must0 or if no year is available0 the President
involved. /he number of these Presidential issuances starts +ith no. 1 as a ne+ President is
s+orn in. /he e!ception to this is the !ecutive (rders issued by President Carlos Garcia after
he assumed the Presidency because President :a#saysay died in a plane crash. ?e continued
the number started by Pres. :a#saysay. 5hen President Garcia +as elected as President0 he
started his !ecutive (rder *o. 1.

/o loo4 for the intent of ,epublic )ct0 both ?ouses of Con#ress print the $ournal and ,ecords
of their proceedin#s. 5e have to #o throu#h the deliberation of both the ?ouse of Con#ress. /he
proceedin#s of the ?ouse of ,epresentatives are no+ available on their +ebsite. /he "atasan#
Pambansa has li4e+ise published it proceedin#s. /here are no available proceedin#s for the
other la+s )cts0 Common+ealth )ct and Presidential Decrees

+d&inistrati%e Rules and Regulations
)dministrative ,ules and re#ulations are orders0 rules and re#ulations issued by the heads of
Departments0 "ureau and other a#encies of the #overnment for the effective enforcement of
la+s +ithin their 7urisdiction. ?o+ever0 in order that such rules and re#ulations may be valid0
they must be +ithin the authoriAed limits and 7urisdiction of the office issuin# them and in
accordance +ith the provisions of the la+ authoriAin# their issuance.

In handlin# these types of materials0 there are t+o important items needed@ Issuin# )#ency and
the Jear it +as promul#ated. /his is due to the fact that all Department0 "ureaus0 and other
#overnment a#encies use the administrative orders0 memorandum orders and memorandum
circulars for their administrative rules and re#ulations and they start al+ays +ith number 1
every year. ven the Supreme Court issues )dministrative (rders0 Circulars0 :emorandum
(rders0 and )dministrative :atters.

"efore the )dministrative Code of 12.-0 these orders0 rules and re#ulations +ere selectively
published in the (fficial GaAette. /hus the only source to be able to #et a copy of the te!t of
these rules and re#ulations is the issuin# #overnment a#ency itself.

5hen the 12.- )dministrative Code ;!ecutive (rder *o. 222> promul#ated all #overnmental
and department orders0 rules and re#ulations have to be filed +ith the Gniversity of the
Philippines La+ CenterBs (ffice of *ational )dministrative ,e#ister and published 3uarterly in a
publication called *ational )dministrative ,e#ister. )side from the printed copies0 the *ational
)dministrative ,e#ister is available electronically on CDC,(: ;CD )sia /echnolo#ies Inc.> at
the Supreme Court CLibrary. ,ules in force on the date on +hich the Code too4 effect +hich
are not filed +ithin three months from the date not thereafter shall be the basis of any sanction
a#ainst any person or party. ach rule becomes effective 1& days after the filin#0 unless a
different date is fi!ed by la+ or specified in the rule in cases of imminent dan#er to public
health0 safety and +elfare0 the e!istence of +hich must be e!pressed in a statement
accompanyin# the rule. /he court shall ta4e 7udicial notice of the certified copy of each rule duly
filed or as published in the bulletin or codified rules

Gniversity of the Philippines La+ CenterBs (ffice of *ational )dministrative ,e#ister is not only
tas4ed to publish this 3uarterly re#ister but must 4eep an upCtoCdate codification of all rules
thus published and remainin# in effect to#ether +ith a complete inde! and appropriate tables.
very rule establishin# an offense or definin# an act +hich pursuant to la+ is punishable as a
crime or sub7ect to a penalty shall in all cases be published in full te!t. !ceptions to the 6filin#
re3uirement6 are@ Con#ress0 $udiciary0 Constitutional Commission0 military establishments in
all matters relative to )rmed 8orces personnel0 the "oard of Pardons and Parole and state
universities and colle#es.

)s previously stated0 there are no upCtoCdate or complete Statutes finders. /hose published are
listed in the "iblio#raphy. )s previously stated0 to facilitate le#al research0 one has to #o online
to virtual libraries such as the Supreme Court CLibrary0 Chan ,obles =irtual La+ Library or
the different databases in CD ,(: of CD )sia /echnolo#ies )sia Inc.

5!2 Research of Case La7

S(G,C@ 2112 ,evised :anual of Cler4s of Court. :anila0 Supreme Court0 2112.

Case La+ or $udicial decisions are official interpretations or manifestation of la+ made by
persons and a#encies of the #overnment performin# 7udicial and 3uasiC7udicial functions. )t the
ape! of the Philippine $udicial System is the Supreme Court or +hat they call as court of last
resort. /he reor#aniAation of the $udiciary of 12.1 ;"atas Pambansa "ld#. 122> established the
follo+in# courts@
Court of )ppealsD
,e#ional /rial Courts divided into different 7udicial re#ions0
:etropolitan /rial CourtD
:unicipal /rial Court in CitiesD
:unicipal /rial CourtsD
:unicipal Circuit /rial Courts.

/he Shariah ;ShariaBa> Circuit and District Courts ;Presidential Decree *o. 11.3>0 Court of /a!
)ppeals ;,epublic )ct *o. 112&> and the Sandi#anbayan ;Presidential Decree *os. 1%.' and
1'1'>0 sec. %0 )rt <I of the 12.- Constitution +ere created by separate la+s.

Conventional decisions are decisions or rulin#s made by re#ularly constituted court of 7ustice.
Subordinate decisions are those made administrative a#encies performin# 3uasiC7udicial
functions.

(ne ma7or problem in conductin# research on case la+ is the availability of published or printed
decisionsfrom the Court of )ppeals to the rest of the 7udicial and 3uasiC7udicial a#encies. /he
$udicial ,eform Pro#ram of the Supreme Court +ith the establishment of the Supreme Court C
Library aims to address this problem and also from statute la+. /he ,eporters (ffice of the
Supreme Court and the Court of )ppeals 4eep all the ori#inal and complete copies of the court
decisions. 8or the rest of the members of the $udiciary or the 3uasiC7udicial a#encies0 copies of
their decisions may be ta4en from the Le#al (ffice0 (ffice of the Cler4s of Court or their
libraries.

Supre&e Court *ecisions
Decisions of the Supreme Court bind the lo+er courts and are a source of la+. It is the 7ud#ment
of this court +hich determines +hether a la+ is constitutional or not. Gnconstitutional la+s
even thou#h it is si#ned by the President and passed by both house of con#ress can not ta4e
effect in the Philippines.

Decisions of the Supreme Court are classified as follo+s@

6,e#ular decisions6 and e!tended ,esolutions are published in
court reports either in primary or secondary sources. /hese decisions
provide the 7ustice +ho penned the decision or ponente and the other
7ustices responsible for promul#atin# the decision0 +hether n "anc or by
Division. Separate dissentin# andFor concurrin# opinions are li4e+ise
published +ith the main decision. /hese re#ular and e!tended
resolutions are available electronically in the Supreme Court CLibrary
under Decsions.

Gnsi#ned :inute ,esolutions are not published. )lthou#h they
bear the same force as the re#ular decisions or e!tended resolutions0 they
are si#ned and issued by the respective Cler4s of Court n "anc or
Division. /hey are not published. /hee Supreme Court CLibrary has
no+ incorporated these :inute ,esolutions0 more particularly those
that resolve a motion for reconsideration or those that e!plain or affirm a
decisionD and ;2> )dministrative :atters.

Case ,eports in the Philippines such the Philippine ,eports0 SC,)0 SC)D come in bound
volume +hich #enerally covers a month. /he (fficial GaAette and Philippine ,eports are the
official repository of decisions and e!tended resolutions of the Supreme Court. /he difference
bet+een the t+o lies +ith the fact that the (fficial GaAette selectively publishes Supreme Court
decisions +hile Philippine ,eports contains all decisions of the Supreme Court e!cept minute
resolutions. ?o+ever0 from 1211 until 12'10 there +ere unpublished decisions of the Supreme
Court. /he list and sub7ect field are found at the bac4 of each volume of the Philippine ,eports.
Some of these decisions are cited in treatises or annotations. In vie+ to the importance of these
decisions0 the late $ud#e *itafan of the ,e#ional /rial Court of :anila started publishin#
Supreme Court Gnpublished DecisionsD vol. 1 covers decisions from :arch 12%' to 8ebruary
12&2.

ven before the +ar0 there +ere unpublished decisions of the Court. /he source of these
unpublished decisions is the (ffice of the ,eporter of the Supreme Court. Due to the +ar0 a
number of the ori#inal decisions have been burned. So0 there is no complete compilation of the
ori#inal decisions of the Supreme Court. /his problem is bein# solved by the Supreme Court C
Library +here are #reat number of these unpublished decisions of the Supreme Court before the
+ar +ere retrieved from different sources such as the Gnited States *ational )rchives in
:aryland0 private collection of former Supreme Court $ustices such as Chief $ustice ,amon
)vancena and $ustice Geor#e :alcom ;collection is +ith the Gniversity of :ichi#an> and private
la+ libraries +ho +ere able to save some of their collection such as the Gniversity of Santo
/omas0 the oldest university in the Philippines. Search for the unpublished decisions still
continues. ) list of these unpublished decisions is in the Supreme Court CLibraryFPro7ect
C(:PGSDC.

/he early volumes0 particularly those before the +ar +ere ori#inally published in Spanish in the
$urisprudencia 8ilipina. /hey +ere translated to form the Philippine ,eports. Decisions durin#
the said period ori#inally +ere in the Spanish lan#ua#e. /he Philippine ,eports until volume
12' ;12'1Bs> +as published by the "ureau of Printin#0 no+ the *ational Printin# (ffice. Due to
its late publication0 Pres. :arcos transferred its publication to the Supreme Court.

/he most popular secondary source is the SC,). )ctually0 le#al practitioners cite it more than
the Philippine ,eports and the Le! Libris $urisprudence CD ,(:.

?o+ can +e search for Supreme Court decisions@
/opic or Sub7ect )pproach@ ;Please See Complete title of the
publication from the Philippine Le#al "iblio#raphy chapter>
o Philippine Di#est
o ,epublic of the Philippine Di#est
o =elayoBs di#est
o :a#sinoBs Compendium
o Supreme CourtBs unpublished Sub7ect Inde!
o :artineABs Summary of Supreme Court rulin#s 12.%C to
122-
o GP La+ CenterBs Supreme Court decisions@ sub7ect inde!
and di#estBs
o SCBs Case Di#estBs
o Philippine La+ and $urisprudence
o Casti#adorBs Citations
o SC,) Huic4 Inde! Di#est
o Le! Libris $urisprudence

/itle )pproach or /itle of the )pproach@ ;Please See Complete title
of the publication from the Philippine Le#al "iblio#raphy chapter>
o Philippine Di#est C Case Inde!
o ,epublic of the Philippines Di#est
o (n#0 :. /itle Inde! to SC decisions 12%'C12-. 2v.D 12-.C
12.1 1st SupplD 12.1C12.&0 2nd SupplD 12.' to present is
unpublished but available at the SC Lib
o )teneoBs Inde! I )3uirreBs Inde!
o Le! Libris $urisprudenceF/emplate search

Court of +ppeals decisions
Decisions of the Court of )ppeals are merely persuasive on lo+er courts. /hey are cited in cases
+here there are no Supreme Court decisions in point. In this re#ard0 they are considered as
7udicial #uides to lo+er courts and that conclusion or pronouncement they ma4e can be raised
as a doctrine.

Sources of Court of )ppeals decisions are@

/e!t@
o (fficial GaAette ;selective publication>
o Court of )ppeals ,eports +hich +as published by the
Court of )ppeals until 12.1. ven this publication is not a
complete compilation. It is still considered selective for not all C)
decisions are published.
o Court of )ppeals ,eports ;C),> by Central "oo4 Supply.
(ne volume +as published
o Philippine La+ and $urisprudence
o ,eports (ffice of the Court of )ppeals

Sub7ect or /opic )pproach@
o =elayoBs Di#estD
o :orenoBs Philippine La+ dictionary

*ecisions of Special Courts
Sandi#anbayan and the Court of /a! )ppeals do not have published decisions. /he
Sandi#anbayan has only one volume publishedD Sandi#anbayan ,eports vol. 1 covers decisions
promul#ated from December 12-2 to 12.1.

Court of /a! )ppeals decisions from 12.1 to 211% are found in the Le! LibrisD /a!ation CD
,(:.

*ecisions of +d&inistrati%e +gencies/ Co&&issions and )oards
La+s have been promul#ated +hich #rants some administrative a#encies to perform 3uasiC
7udicial functions. /hese functions are distinct from their re#ular administrative or re#ulatory
functions +here rules and re#ulations are promul#ated. Last +ee40 Pres. strada si#ned the
latest Securities )ct. /his affects Securities and !chan#e CommissionBs ;SC> 3uasiC7udicial
functions . /he other a#encies performin# said functions are *ational Labor ,elations
Commission ;*L,C>0 Insurance Commission0 ?ousin# and Land Gse ,e#ulatory "oard
;?LG,">0 Government Service Insurance System ;GSIS>0 Social Security System ;SSS> and even
the Civil Service Commission;CSC>. Some of their decisions are published in the (fficial
GaAette. Some have their o+n publication such as the SC and the CSC or some include them in
their o+n +ebsites

CD )sia /echnolo#iesB Le! Libris series has individual CD ,(:s for the Department of $ustice0
Securities and !chan#e Commission0 "an#4o Sentral n# Pilipines ;Central "an4 of the
Philippines>0 and the "ureau of Internal ,evenue. Included in these individual CD ,(:s are
the pertinent la+s0 their respective issuances as +ell as Supreme Court decisions. It CD ,(:
on Labor ;vol. =II> incorporated issuances from the Department of Labor and mployment and
its affiliated a#encies and offices. /he /rade0 Commerce and Industry CD ,(: includes
Supreme Court decisions0 la+s and issuances of its various a#encies such as the Department of
/rade and Industry0 "oard of Investments0 "ureau of Customs0 "an#4o Sentral and the
Philippine Stoc4 !chan#e.

5! Legal Profession and Legal 'ducation
/he Constitution ;sec.&> vests the Supreme Court +ith the po+er of admission to the practice of
la+. /he 7udicial function to admit to the le#al profession is e!ercised by the Supreme Court
throu#h a Car !amination Committee. /he re3uirements to be able to apply for admission to
the bar are provided in ,ule 13.0 sec. 2 and sections &C' ;academic re3uirements>. very
applicant for the admission must be a 8ilipino citiAen and at least 21 years of a#e. )s to the
academic re3uirements0 he should have finished a four year preCla+ course and a four year la+
de#ree. /he "ar !aminations are #iven durin# the four ;%> Sundays of September of each year.
/he lists of la+yers +ho are allo+ed to practice are found in the ,olls of )ttorneys of the
Supreme Court and the publication of the Court entitled0 La+ List. /his La+ List is available in
the Supreme Court +ebsite.

Special "ar !ams for ShariBa Court la+yers is provided for by virtue of the Court n "anc
,esolution dated September 210 12.3. /he e!am is #iven every t+o years. )lthou#h the e!am is
conducted by the Supreme Court "ar (ffice0 it is the (ffice of :uslim )ffairs +ho certifies as to
+ho are 3ualified to ta4e the e!am.

)ll attorneys +hose names are in the ,olls of )ttorneys of the Supreme Court +ho have
3ualified for and have passed the bar e!aminations conducted annually0 ta4en the attorneyBs
oath0 unless other+ise disbarred must be a member of the Inte#rated "ar of the Philippines.
"ar :atter *o. .&1 +as promul#ated by the ,esolution of the Supreme Court n "anc0
providin# for the rules on :andatory Continuin# Le#al ducation ;:CL> for )ctive :embers
of the Inte#rated "ar of the Philippines ;I"P>. /he members of the I"P have to complete every
three ;3> years at least thirty si! ;3'> hours of continuin# le#al activities approved by the :CL
Committee. )n I"P member +ho fails to comply +ith the said re3uirement shall pay a nonC
compliance fee and shall be listed as a delin3uent member of the I"P. ) :andatory
Continuin# Le#al ducation (ffice +as established by the Supreme Court ;SC )dministrative
(rder *o. 113C2113> to implement said :CL.
.
5! La7 Schools
/he present ei#hty nine ;.2> la+ schools throu#hout the Philippines are as follo+s@
)damson Gniversity0 211 San :arcelino St.0 :anila
)4lan Colle#es0 Ealibo )4lan
)ndres "onifacio Colle#e0 Colle#e Par40 Diolo# City
)3uinas Gniversity0 2CS Ein#Bs "uildin#0 $)) Penaranda St.0
Le#aspi City
)raullo Gniversity0 "itas0 Cabanatuan City
)rellano Gniversity0 /aft )ve.0 cor.:enlo St0 Pasay City
)teneo de Davao Gniversity0 $acinto St.0 Davao City
)teneo de :anila Gniversity0 ,oc4+ell Drive0 ,oc4+ell Center0
:a4ati City
"a#uio Colle#es 8oundation0 ?arrison ,d.0 "a#uio City
"asilan State Gniversity0 "asilan City
"icol Gniversity0 Dara#a )lbay
"u4idnon State Colle#e0 :alaybalay0 "u4idnon
Ca#ayan Colle#esC/u#ue#arao0 /u#ue#arao0 Ca#ayan
Ca#ayan State Gniversity0 /u#ue#arao0 Ca#ayan
Camarines *orte School of La+0 Itoman#0 /alisay0 Camarines
*orte
Central Philippines Gniversity0 $aro0 Iloilo City
Christ the Ein# Colle#e0 Calbayo# City
Cole#io dela Purisima Concepcion0 I"P (ffice0 ?all of $ustice0
,o!as City
Cor $esus Colle#e0 Di#os0 Davao del Sur
Cordillera Colle#e0 "uya#an0 La /rinidad0 "en#uet
Don :ariano :arcos :emorial State Gniversity0 San 8ernando0
La Gnion
Dr. =icente (restes ,omualdeA ducation 8oundation Inc.0
/acloban City0 Leyte
ast Central Colle#es0 San 8erando City0 Pampan#a
8ar astern Gniversity0 *icanor ,eyes Sr. St.0 Sampaloc0:anila
8ernandeA Colle#e of )rts I /echnolo#y0 Gil Carlos St.0 "aliua#0
"ulacan
8oundation Gniversity0 Dr. :iciano St.0 Duma#uete City
?arvadian Colle#es0 San 8ernando0 Pampan#a
?oly *ame Gniversity0 /a#bilaran city0 "ohol
$ose ,iAal Gniversity0 .2 Sha+ "lvd.0 :andaluyon# City
Leyte Colle#es0 Kamora St.0 /acloban Cit y
Liceo de Ca#ayan Gniversity0 ,odolfo *. PelaeA "lvd0 Carmen0
Ca#ayan de (ro City
Luna Goco Colle#es0 Calapan0 (riental :indoro
LuAon Colle#es0 HueAon
Lyceum of the Philippines0 L.P. Leviste St.0 :a4ati City
LyceumC*orth+estern Gniversity0 Da#upan City0 Pan#asinan
:anila La+ Colle#e 8oundation0 Sales St.0 Sta. CruA0 :anila
:anuel L. HueAon Gniversity0 ,. ?idal#o St.0 Huiapo0 :anila
:anuel S. nver#a Gniversity 8oundation0 8oundation Fst.0
Lucena City
:asbate Colle#es0 :asbate0 :asbate
:edina Colle#es0 (AamiA City
:indanao State Gniversity0 :ara+i City
:isamis Gniversity0 "onifacio St.0 (Aamis City
*e+ ra Gniversity0 St $oseph St.0 :ilton ?ills Subd.0 "#y0 *e+
ra0 HueAon City
*ortheastern Colle#e0 Santia#o City0 Isabela
*orth+estern Gniversity0 Laoa# City
*otre Dame Gniversity0 *ote Dame )ve.0 Cotabato City
Pa#adian Colle#e of Criminolo#y I Sciences0 Pa#adian City
Pala+an State Gniversity0 Sta. :onica0 Puerto Princesa0 Pala+an
Pamantasan n# Lun#sod n# :aynila0 Intramuros0 :anila
Philippine )dvent Colle#e0 Sindan#an0 Kamboan#a del *orte
Philippine La+ School0 8.". ?arrison St.0 Pasay City
Samar Cole#es0 Catbalo#an0 Samar
San "eda Colle#e0 :endiola St.0 San :i#uel0 :anila
San Pablo Colle#es0 San Pablo City
San Sebastian Colle#eC,ecoletos0 C.:. ,ecto )venue0 :anila
Saint Louis Colle#e0 San 8ernando City0 La Gnion
St. Louis Gniversity0 "onifacio St.0 "a#uio City
St. :aryBs Gniversity0 3-11 "ayombon#0 *ueva =iAcaya
Silliman Gniversity0 ?ubbard )venue0 Duma#uete City0 *e#ros
(riental
South+estern Gniversity0 Gr#illo St.0 Samba# District0 Cebu City
/abaco Colle#es0 /abaco0 )lbay
Gniversity of "atan#as0 "atan#as City
Gniversity of "ohol0 /a#bilaran City
Gniversity of astern Philippines0 Catarman0 *orthern Samar
Gniversity of Iloilo0 Iloilo City
Gniversity of :anila0 :.=. delos Santos0 :anila
Gniversity of :indanao0 "olton St.0 Davao City
Gniversity of *e#ros (ccidentalC,ecoletos0 LiAares St.0 "acolod
City
Gniversity o *orth astern Philippines0 Iri#a City
Gniversity of *ueva Caceres0 I#ualdad St.0 *a#a City
Gniversity of Pan#asinan0 Da#upan City0 Pan#asinan
Gniversity of Perpetual ?elpC,iAal0 Las Pinas City
Gniversity of Perpetual ?elp system0 "inan0 La#una
Gniversity of san )#ustin0 Ge. Luna St.0 Iloilo City
Gniversity of San Carlos0 P. del ,osario St.0 Cebu City
Gniversity of San $oseC,ecoltos0 Cebu City
Gniversity of Southern Philippines 8oundation0 Cebu City
Gniversity of Santo /omas0 spana0 :anila
Gniversity of the ast0 C.:. ,ecto )venue0 :anila
Gniversity of the Philippines0 Diliman0 HueAon City
Gniversity of =isayas0 Cebu City
Grios Colle#e0 San 8rancisco St. cor. $.C. )3uino )venue0 "utuan
City
=ir#en de los ,emedos Colle#e0 11 8ontaine St0 at "a7acC"a7ac0
(lon#apo City
=ir#en :ila#rosa Gniversity0 san Carlos City0 Pan#asinan
5esteern :indanao State Gniversity 0 Kamboan#a City
<avier Gniversity0 Corales )ve.0 Ca#ayan de (ro City
Kamboana#a ).. Colle#e0 $.S. )lano St.0 Kamboan#a City

/he follo+in# educational )ssociation andFor (r#aniAations@

Philippine )ssociation of La+ Deans
Philippine )ssociation of La+ Professors
Philippine )ssociation of La+ Students

5!2 )ar +ssociations

Inte#rated "ar of the Philippines
/he official or#aniAation for the le#al profession is the Inte#rated "ar of the Philippines ;I"P>0
established by virtue of ,epublic )ct *o. '32-. /his confirmed the po+er of the Supreme Court
to adopt rules for the inte#ration of the Philippine "ar. Presidential Decree 1.1 ;12-3>
constituted the I"P into a corporate body.

/here are no+ about %10111 attorneys +ho composed the I"P. /hese are the attorneys +hose
names are in the ,olls of )ttorneys of the Supreme Court +ho have 3ualified for and have
passed the bar e!aminations conducted annually0 ta4en the attorneyBs oath0 unless other+ise
disbarred. :embership in the I"P is compulsory. /he Supreme Court in its resolution Court
n "anc dated *ovember 120 2112 ;"ar :atter *o. 1132> and amended by resolution Court n
"anc dated )pril 10 2113 ;"ar :atter *o.. 112C2112> re3uire all la+yers to indicate their ,oll of
)ttorneys *umber in all papers and pleadin#s filed in 7udicial and 3uasiC7udicial bodies in
additional to the previously re3uired current Professional /a! ,eceipt ;P/,> and I"P (fficial
,eceipt or Life :ember *umber.

(ther "ar )ssociations
/he other voluntary bar associations are the Philippine "ar )ssociation0 Philippine La+yers
)ssociation0 /rial La+yers )ssociation of the Philippines0 =an#uard of the Philippine
Constitution0 P?ILC(*S)0 )ll )sia )ssociation0 Catholic La+yers Guild of the Philippines0
Society of International La+0 5IL(CI0 5omen La+yers )ssociation of the Philippines ;5L)P>0
8ID). /he Philippines is also a member of international la+ associations such as the )S)*
La+ )ssociation0 and L)5)SI).

8! Legal )ibliography

Philippine Le#al "iblio#raphy of :aterials

S/)/G/S

S/)/G/ L)5 "((ES
)cts and ,esolutions of the "atasan# Pambansa0 ;12-.C12.%>.
'v
)rroyo0 "asilisa C.0 and Perla S. 8rianeAa0 eds. 12.' Presidential
IssuancesD )n )nnotated Compilation of !ecutive (rders0
Proclamations0 :emorandum (rders0 :emorandum Circulars and
)dministrative (rders0 8ebruary 2&CDecember 310 12.' ;12.->.
Common+ealth )cts *os. 1C-33 by the ?ouse of ,epresentatives
Le#islative ,eference Library. %v..
Common+ealth )cts )nnotated by Sulpicio Guevarra ;12'.>. 3v.
Compendium of La+s of the Philippines. ?ouse of ,epresentatives
Con#ressional Library ;12.2>. 2v
La+s and resolutions passed durin# the first session of the
Con#ress of the Common+ealth and of the 8irst Con#ress of the ,epublic
of the Philippines. :anila@ "ureau of Printin# ;12&1>.
La+s and ,esolutions of the ,epublic of the Philippines.:anila@
"ureau of Printin# ;12&&>. 2-v.
La+s and ,esolutions :anila@ "ureau of Printin#. ;12.-CPresent>.
vol.1Cpresernt
/he La+s of the 8irst Philippine ,epublicD /he La+ of :alolos0
1.2.C1.22 by Sulpicio Guevarra ;12-2>.
Le! Libris@ La+s by CD )sia /echnolo#ies Inc ;CD ,(:>
(fficial GaAette. =olume 1 to present ;1211C present> +ee4ly
Philippine Permanent and General Statutes. Compiled and edited
by Gabriel ". /rinidad. ;12-1>. %v +ith Suppl..
Philippine Permanent and General Statutes. Compiled and edited
by Gabriel =. /rinidad0 $r. rev. ed. ;12-.C present>. - vols.
Presidential Decrees +ith General (rders and Letters of
Instructions. Prepared and edited by 5enceslao G. Laureta ;12-3>.
Presidential Decrees Conse3uent to Proclamation *os. 11.1F111%D
Comp. I Consolidated ed. "y 8.D. Pinpin ;12-3C > v.
Presidential Decrees0 Letters of Instruction0 and (ther
Presidential. Compiled and bound annual from :alacanan#
Public La+s )nnotated. dited by Sulpicio Guevarra. ;12'3>. -v.
Public La+s enacted by the Philippine Le#islature. :anila@ "ureau
of Printin#. ;1211C123&>. 2% v.
Public La+s of the Common+ealth )nnotated by $acobo I Sons.
n.d. %v.
Public La+s of the Common+ealth nacted by /he *ational
)ssembly:anila@ "ureau of Printin#. ;1232C12%1>. 2 v.
Public La+s of the Common+ealth nacted by /he *ational
)ssembly of the Philippines. ;123&C12%'>. dited by 8loro P. )#ustin. n.d.
Public La+s Passed by the Philippine Commission. :anila@
"ureau of Printin#0 ;1213C121.>. ' vols.
,epublic )cts and ,esolutions. ?ouse of ,epresentatives.
=ital Documents on the Proclamation *o. 11.1 Declarin# a State
of :artial La+ in the Philippines from the Declaration of the *e+
Constitution $an. 1-0 12-3> by the *ational :edia Production Center0 n.
d. 3v..
=ital Le#al Document Compiled and edited by the C"S ditorial
Staff. 11' v.
=ital Le#al Document Compiled and edited by the C"S ditorial
StaffSecond Series. ;122-CPresent> vol.Cpresent
G.S. Con#ress. Senate. Senate Documents. La+s of the 8ourth
Philippine Le#islature. 5ashin#ton @ Government Printin# (ffice
;121..>vols. 3C%@

S/)/G/ 8I*D, ;Inde!>
)#uirre0 =yva =ictoria. Sub7ect and /itle Inde! to !ecutive
(rders. 8ebruary 2&0 12.' C $uly 2'0 12.- Le#is Inde! *o. 1 ;12.->.
)lbert0 $usto ,.0 and ,iAal Gorospe Da#a. Philippine La+s :ade
asierto 8ind ;12&%>.
)rroyo0 "asilisa C.0 and Perla S. 8rianeAa. /opical Inde!@ 12.'
Presidential Issuances.;12.->
:oran0 Isabelo C. Inde! to ,epublic )cts *os. 1C1'13 ;vols. 1C11>
Consistin# Con#ressional "ills nacted ;12&'> +ith supplement.
:oreno0 8ederico ". (fficial GaAette Des4 "oo4. v. 1C ;12&'>
Philippine )nnotated La+s. :anila@ La+yers Cooperative Pub. v
Philippines0 "atasan# Pambansa. Library Services. Source List of
!ecutive (rders ;12''C12.'>. ;12.'> Source List of Letters of Instruction
;12-2C12.'>. ;12.' Source List of Presidential Decrees Issued from 12-2C
12.'
Philippines. "atasan# Pambansa. Library Service. Sub7ect Inde! to
Presidential Decrees *os. 1C213'. ;12.&>.
Philippines. Con#ress. ?ouse of ,epresentatives. Sub7ect Inde! to
Compendium of Philippine La+s. ;12.2>. =ol.3
Philippines. Con#ress. ?ouse of ,epresentatives. Inde! Guide for
!ecutive (rder *os. 1C312. ;12.2>.
Philippines. Presidential Decrees and Sub7ect Inde! by
:alacanan# ,ecords (ffice ;12-'>.
Philippines. President ;:arcos0 12'&C12.'>. Presidential Decrees
+ith General (rders and Letters of InstructionsD Prepared and edited by
5enceslao G. Laureta. :anila@ ,e! "oo4 Store0 12-.. vol. 2.
Presidential Decrees Guide and Sub7ect Inde!0 *o. 1C1111.
:anila@ :alacanan# ,ecords (ffice ;12-'>.
Sub7ect Guide to Presidential Decrees and other Presidential
Issuances. 12-&C 12.'. HC@ ;12-&C12.->. v.
Sub7ect Inde! to the (fficial GaAette0 12%&C12.& by the Supreme
Court Library Services0 ;1223> 2vols.
=ital Le#al Documents Inde! Guide@ Covers all Presidential
Decrees0 Letters of Instructions0 General (rders and C" Circulars from
volumes 1C2&. ;12-'>.

L8ull /e!t of ,epublic )cts. Presidential Issuances0 ,ules and
,e#ulations of )dministrative )#encies0 (rdinances are
published also in ne+spapers of #eneral issuances
pursuant to !ecutive (rder *o. 211 of 12.'.

C(*S/I/G/I(*

/</"((ESF/,)/IS

12.- Constitution
"ernas0 $oa3uin. /he Constitution of the ,epublic of the
Philippines ;2113>.
"ernas0 $oa3uin. Constitutional Structure and Po+ers of the
Government ;122->.
CruA0 Isa#ani. Constitutional La+. ;2113>
De Leon0 ?ector. Philippine Constitutional La+. ;2113C 211%> 2
vols.
De Leon0 ?ector. /e!tboo4 on the Philippine Constitution ;2112>
$oven0 $ose. Primer on Philippine Government and Constitution.
;12.2>.
:artin0 ,uperto G. *e+ Constitution of the ,epublic of the
Philippines. ;12.->.
*olledo0 $. Constitution of the ,epublic of the Philippines
!plained;1222>
Padilla0 )mbrosio. /he 12.- Constitutions of the ,epublic of the
Philippines. 5ith comments and cases ;1221> 3 vols.
Paulino0 "en7amin. /he *e+ Constitution@ )nnotated and
Commented. ;1221>
Santia#o0 :iriam. Constitution )nnotated. ;2111>
Santia#o0 :iriam. Constitutional la+. ;122%> 2 vols.
Sibal0 $. /he 12.- Constitution of the Philippines ;122%>
SuareA0 ,olando. Principles0 Comments and Cases in
Constitutional La+. ;1222C2111>. 2 vols.
/aro0 8e )nonuevo. /he 12.- Constitution of the Philippines
;12.2>

ProvisionalF8reedom Constitution ;Proclamation *o. 30 s. 12.'>
De Leon0 ?ector. /e!tboo4 on the provisional constitution. ;12.'>.
:artin0 ,uperto. La+ and $urisprudence on the 8reedom
Constitution of the Philippines. ;12.'>

12-3 Constitution
"ernas0 $oa3uin. /he ;,evised> Philippine Constitution. ;12.3> 2
vols.
8ernando0 mma. Philippine Constitutional La+D Survey of the
12-3 Philippine Constitution ;12-->
8ernando0 nri3ue. /he Constitution of the Philippines. 2d ed.
;12-->
:artin0 ,uperto. /he *e+ Constitution of the Philippines. ;12-3>
:endoAa0 ?onesto. /he *e+ Constitution. ;12-%>
:endoAa0 =icente. 8rom :cEinleyBs Instruction to the *e+
Constitution. ;12-.>
:onte7o0 Cirilo. /he *e+ Constitution. ;12-3>
Pe0 Cecilio. :#a Pali+ana# sa "a#on# Sali#an# "atas. ;12-&>
Santia#o0 :iriam Defensor. /he 12-2 Constitution. ;12-3>
/upaA0 )ntonio. /he *e+ Constitution. ;12-2>

123& Constitution
)rue#o0 $ose. Philippine Political La+. ;12&1>.
Cuaderno0 :. /he 8ramin# of the Constitution of the Philippines.
2v.
*olledo0 $. Constitution of the Philippines ;12-1>
Sinco0 =icente. /he Philippine Political La+. ;12'2>.
=illaluA0 *. Commentaries and (pinions on the Constitution.
;123&>

Comparative
Pacis0 =icente. 8ounders of 8reedom@ ?istory of the /hree
Philippines Constitutions. ;12-1.>
Padilla0 )mbrosio. /he 12.- Constitutions of the ,epublic of the
Philippines. vol. 3 pp--2C.'3.
Sison0 Carmelo. Comparative Study of the of the 12.-0 12-30 and
123&
Philippine Constitutions. ;1222>

)D:I*IS/,)/I= ,GGL)/I(*S

)dministrative a#encies and other #overnment instrumentalities have their o+n re#ulations and
re#ulations +hich are #enerally not published. /o #et the latest te!t of these re#ulations0 one has
to #o to the specific #overnment a#ency andFor +ith the latest technolo#y0 they are available in
their +ebsites.

/he follo+in# are alternate sources@
*ational )dministrative ,e#ister C Huarterly publication of all
#overnmental and department orders0 rules and re#ulations filed +ith the
GP La+ Center pursuant to 12.- )dministrative Code ;!ecutive (rder
*o. 222>. /his +ill be electronically available at the SC CLibrary
(fficial GaAette CC Selective publication
Philippine La+ $ournals such as Court Systems $ournal0 La+yers
,evie+0 Philippine La+ GaAette0 etc.
"ulletin andFor *e+sletter of the )dministrative )#ency and
Instrumentality is the latest source of administrative re#ulations.

C)S L)5

CaseFCourt ,P(,/S
Court of )ppeals. ,eport of Cases Decided by the Court of )ppeals
of the Philippines. ;12'1C12.1> 2& v.
Court of )ppeals ,eports )nnotated@ Selected Decisions of the
Court of )ppeals in 12.'Fcompiled0 )nnotated and dited by the
ditorial Staff of the Central La+boo4 Publishin# Co.0 v. 1C ;12..C >
MeClibraryM ) Century I % Jears of Philippine Supreme Court
Decisions 1211C)pril 211%. ,esearch I Development Department0 )#oo
Computer Colle#e0 )#oo0 Lau Gnion0 Philippines ;CD ,(:>
Le! Libris@ $urisprudence. CD )sia /echnolo#ies Inc. CD ,(:>
(fficial GaAette. v.1C present ;1211 C present>. ;Selective
Publication for each Court e.#. Supreme Court0 Court of )ppeals>
Philippine La+s and $urisprudence
Philippine ,eports. vol. 1C present ;121% to present>
Philippine ,eports )nnotated dited by =icente $. 8rancisco.
;1233>
22v.
Philippine ,eports )nnotated. Compiled0 )nnotated and dited
by the ditorial Staff of the Central Central La+boo4 Pub.0 v. 1N
:anila@Central La+boo4 Publishin#0 12.-N
Sandi#anbayan ,eports. v.1C ;12.3C >.
Supreme Court )dvanced Decisions ;SC)D> ;2113 to present>
vol.C Present
Supreme Court ,eports )nnotated ;SC,)>. v.1C present ;12'-C
211%>
Supreme Court ,ulin#s@ FcompiledF by $ose *. *olledo. ;12.%>.
2v.
Supreme Court Gnpublished Decisions0 :arch0 12%' to 8ebruary0
12&20 compiled by David *itafan. v.1C ;1221>.

C)S 8I*D,S ;Di#est and Inde!0 etc.>
)teneo de :anila Gniversity. Inde! to Cases Decided by the
Supreme
Court of the ,epublic of the Philippines. ;12'1C12-&> ;12-->.
Case Di#est 12&1@ )bstracts of Cases Published by the Supreme
Court of the Philippines@ Camilo D. Huaison0 editor. ;12&2>.
Case Di#est $anuaryC$une 12&3@ Camilo D. Huiason0 editor. ;12&3>.
Case Di#est of Supreme Court Decisions by the Supreme Court.
;$uly 12.. to present.> :onthly
Casti#ador0 Lerio Caballero. CitationsD !cerpts of Supreme Court
Decisions ;1221C >
Castillo0 )rmando C. Sub7ect Inde! to Published and Gnpublished
Decisions of the Supreme Court of the Philippines. ;12&2>.
Del ,osario0 Leon S. Inde! Di#est of Philippine Supreme Court
Decisions.;12&3>.
Domin#ueA0 )rtistotle /. SC<D %11 !cerptsCIssues 8rom 31%
Supreme Court DecisionsF,esolution Promul#ated from 3 September C
31 $anuary 122-. ;122->
Gorospe0 ,ene ". )nd chiverri0 Lilia 8. Inde! to SC,)
)nnotation
;122%>
Gupit0 8ortunato0 $r. Supreme Court Doctrines. v.1C ;12-&C
>
Inde! to Supreme Court Decisions by the Supreme Court v.
:a#sino0 Celso L. Compendium of Philippine $urisprudence@
Supreme Court Decisions from 12%& to 12.1. ;12.%C12.2> 2v.
Supplement. 2v.
:artineA0 Daniel /. Summary of Supreme Court ,ulin#s. 12.&C
122- )nnual.
:oreno0 8ederico ". (fficial GaAette Des4 "oo4. ;12&'> v.1C
*avarrete0 )ntonio 8. 12&- Di#estCInde! C :anila@ Printed by
"enipayo Press0 12&..
Philippines Di#estD Di#est of the ,eports of the Supreme Court of
the Philippine IslandsD Coverin# )ll Decisions of the Supreme Court of the
Philippine Islands and the Philippine Decisions of the Supreme Court of
the Gnited States. ;122-C1231>. &1v.
,epublic of the Philippines Di#est Coverin# all Decisions of the
Supreme Court of the Philippines from $uly %012%'0 throu#h September
12&. includin# all Cases *ot (fficially Published as 5ell as Cases
,eported in the (fficial ,eports and the (fficial GaAette. ;12'1C-1>. .v.
+ith supplement SantosC(n#0 :ila#ros. /itle Inde! to Supreme Court
Decisions. 2v.
SantosC(n#0 :ila#ros. /itle Inde! to Supreme Court
DecisionsD12-.C12.2 Supplement
SantosC(n#0 :ila#ros. /itle Inde! to Supreme Court Decisions0
12.1C12.&.
Sibal0 $.). Inde! SC,) )nnotations ;vols. 1C312> ;2111>
Supreme Court Sub7ect Inde! and Di#est . ;12-'C > Huarterly0
+ith annual cummulation. vol.1C Supreme Court Decisions@ ) /itle
Inde!0 12.2C12.&. =yva =ictoria :. )#uirre0 editor. ;12.->.
Supreme Court ,eports )nnotated ;12.%>.
Supreme Court ,eports )nnotated Huic4 Inde! CC Di#est. ;12-2C
Present> v.1C present )nnual publication
=elayoBs Di#est General Inde! by $ose )#aton Sibal. ;12.1> 2v.
=elayoBs Di#est of Philippine Supreme Court and Court of )ppeals
Decisions0 12%2C12-3D by ,amon :. =elayo. ;12'3C12-31.

DIC/I(*),IS

P?ILIPPI*
:oreno0 8. Philippine la+ dictionary ;2111>
)#palo0 ,. )#paloBs Le#al 5ords and Phrases ;122->
Sibal0 $.). Philippine le#al encyclopedia ;12.'>
"arriatos. Glossary of Philippine Industrial ,elations /erms and
Phrases ;2113>
*olledo0 $. Dictionary of Le#al /erms ;12'->
Salao0 . La+ Dictionary ;211%>
Gamboa0 :. Dictionary of International la+ and diplomacy ;12-&>
Isidro. Philippine labor dictionary ;12''>
/iopanco0 /. Dictionary of insurance terms and phrases ;12.'>
Lee0 ?andboo4 of le#al ma!ims ;122.>
Llanes. ) Compilation of Le#al :a!ims ;211%>

8(,IG* ;some>
"allentineBs la+ dictionary ;12'2>
"ander I 5allach. :edial le#al dictionary ;12-1>
"lac4Bs La+ Dictionary ;12.2>
"ouvierBs La+ Dictionary I Concise ncyclopedia 3v.
Casselman. Labor Dictionary ;12%2>
:aloyBs :edical dictionary for la+yers
StroudBs $udicial dictionary of +ords and phrases. &v
5ords and Phrases %& vols.

I*/,*)/I(*)L /,)/IS

P?ILIPPI*S
Philippine /reaty Series ;G.P. La+ Center> - vols.
D8) /reaty Series v.1C

8(,IG*
Gnited *ations /reaty Series 12%' to date
Lea#ue of *ations /reaty Series0 1221C12%'
Consolidated /reaty Series0 12%.C121.
,acueil General de /raites0 1.-'Cpresent
Periodicals such as International Le#al :aterials0 )merican
$ournal of International La+

8(,: "((ES

P?ILIPPI*
)ltavas0 . ,eal state Conveyancin# and (ther Le#al 8orms
;12&1>
8isher0 8. *e+ ncyclopedia of Philippine Le#al 8orms ;122'>
8isher0 8. Philippine Le#al and "usiness 8orms. ;12%.>
Guevarra0 Sulpicio. Le#al forms. ;1221>
I#nacio0 ,. /a#alo# 8orms 8or *otaries Public 5ith (ther Le#al
/erms In /a#alo# ;12'->
:artin0 ,uperto. ?andboo4 of le#al and 7udicial forms ;12-%>
Pena0 *. Le#al forms in real estate conveyancin#. ;122%>
Sia0 *orma. Le#al forms in n#lish and 8ilipino. ;12-->
/anada0 LorenAo. Philippine le#al forms. 2 vols.

8(,IG* ;Some>
)merican $urisprudence0 le#al forms annotated. 1& vols.
)merican $urisprudence0 le#al forms 2d. ed. 22 vols.
)merican $urisprudence0 pleadin#s and practice forms0 annotated.
2- vols.
8letcher0 5. Corporation forms and precedents annotated.
;123.>.& vols.
8letcher0 5. Corporation forms annotated. ;12&-> 11v.
$ones0 L. Le#al 8orms )nnotated ;12%'>

/,)/ISF/</"((ES

)D:I*IS/,)/I= L)5

/</
)dministrative Code of 121-
,evised )dministrative Code ;12&1>
12.- )dministrative Code

/reaties and Commentaries
)raneta0 G. )dministrative code ;122-> &v.
)#palo0 ,. Philippine )dministrative La+ ;1222>
Cortes0 I. Philippine administrative la+s. ;12.%>
CruA0 C. Philippine administrative la+. ;2113>.
CruA0 C. La+ on Public (fficers ;2113>
De Leon0 ?. )dministrative La+D te!t and cases. ;211%>
GonAales0 *. )dministrative ;12-2>
:artin0 ,. )dministrative la+s +ith notes and cases. ;12.2>.
:artineA0 D. La+s and $urisprudence on Government
(r#aniAations ;1223> 2 parts.
*olledo0 $. /he )dministrative code of 12.- +ith related la+s and
issuances ;1221>.
,odri#ueA0 ,. )dministrative La+ ;2113>
Sibal0 $.). )dministrative la+. ;1222>
Sibal0 $. La+ on Public (ffices and (fficers ;1223>
SuareA0 ,. )dministrative la+ ;2111>
G.P. La+ Center. )dministrative ad7udication 12.2.

CI=IL L)5
)3uino0 Civil code of the Philippines. 1221 3v
Paras0 . Civil Code of the Philippines ;122.C2113> &vols.
Padilla0 ). Civil La+CCivil Code annotated ;12.3C12.'> - vols. .
/olentino0 ). Commentaries and $urisprudence on the Civil
Code of the Philippines ;2111C2112> & vol. .
Santia#o0 :. Civil Code )nnotated ;2111>
=itu#0 $. Civil la+ vol. ICIII

)#ency
De Leon0 ?. Comments on Partnership0 )#ency and /rusts ;2112>
De Leon0 ? /he La+ on Sales0 )#ency and Credit /ransactions
;1222>

Conflicts of La+
)#palo0 ,. Conflict of La+ ;211%>
)3uino0 ,. Private International La+ ;122.>
Co3uia0 G. Conflict of La+ ;2111>
Paras0 0 . Philippine Conflict of La+s ;122'>

Credit /ransactions
De Leon0 ?. Comments on Credit /ransactions ;2112>
De Leon0 ? /he La+ on Sales0 )#ency and Credit /ransactions
;1222>
Lat0 I. La+ on :ort#a#e 1st ed.
Pineda0 . La+ on Credit /ransactions ;211%>
,odri#ueA0 ,. Credit /ransactions ;2112>

8amily Code and Persons
)lbano. . =. 8amily Code of the Philippines ;2111>
Diy0 ). ?andboo4 on the family code ;12..>.
Lat0 I. *ullity of :arria#e +ith Supplement ;2111>
LiAaAo0 :. 8amily code e!plained. ;1221>.
LopeA0 $. La+ on annulment of marria#e ;2111>
:anansala0 :. HuiAAer on the La+ of :arria#e and (ther ,elated
La+s ;1221>
*olledo0 $. 8amily Code annotated. ;2111>
Padilla0 ) 8amily Code of the Philippines ;1221>
Pineda0 . Persons ;211%>
Pineda0 . /he 8amily Code of the Philippines. ;12.2>
Pineda0 . Le#al Separation. ;122%>
,amireA0 =. La+ on :arria#e ;2113>
,odri#ueA0 ,. 8amily Code of the Philippines ;2112>
Sta. :aria0 :. Persons and family relations. ;1222>
=itu#0 $. 8amily Code annotated ;12.2>
"araCacal. :uslim Personal La+s in the Philippines ;122.>
"autista0 . )n Introduction to the Code of :uslim Personal La+s
;122->
,asul0 $F Commentaries and $urisprudence on the :uslim Code
of the Philippines ;12.%>

Land /itles and Deeds
)3uino0 ). Land ,e#istration and ,elated Proceedin#s ;2112>
*oble7as0 ). ,e#istration of Land /itles and Deeds ;1222>
Pena0 *. ,e#istration of Land /itles and Deeds ;122%>

(bli#ations and Contracts
De Leon0 ? Comments and Cases on (bli#ations and Contracts
;2113>
De Leon0 ?. La+ on (bli#ations and Contracts ;2113>
8ernandeA0 ". /reaties on Government Contracts Gnder
Philippine La+ ;2113>
$urado0 D. Comments and $urisprudence on (bli#ations and
Contracts ;2112>
Lat0 I. La+ on :ort#a#e
*olledo0 $. ?andboo4 on (bli#ations and Contracts ;1221>
*olledo0 $. Philippine (bli#ations and Contracts !plained ;12.1>
Pineda0 . (bli#ations and contracts.;2111>
Sta. :aria0 :. (bli#ations and Contracts@ /e!ts and Cases ;2113>
/orres0 $. (bli#ations and Contracts ;2113>

Partnership
De0 Leon ?. Comments and Cases on Partnership0 )#ency and
/rusts ;2112>
De0 Leon ?. La+ on Partnerships and Private Corporations ;2111>
*olledo0 $. ?andboo4 on Partnership La+ and Corporation Code
;1221>
*olledo0 $. Partnership La+ and )#ency La+ !plained ;12..>
/orres0 $. La+ on "usiness (r#aniAation ;2111>

Property
De0 Leon ?. Comments and Cases on Property ;2113>
Pineda0 . Property ;1222>

Sales
"aviera0 ) Sales ;12.1>
De0 Leon ?. Comments and Cases on Sales ;2111>
De0 Leon ?. La+ on Insurance and Sales ;2111>
De0 Leon ?. La+ on Sales0 )#ency and Credit /ransactions ;1222>
*olledo0 $. ?andboo4 on Sales0 )#ency and "ailments ;122>
Pineda0 . Sales and (ther Contracts ;2112>
=illanueva0 C. La+ on Sales ;211%>

Succession
"alane0 ,. $ottin#s I $urisprudence in Civil La+ ;Succession>
;2112>
De0 Leon ?. Comments and Cases on Succession ;2113>
$urado0 D. 5ills and Succession ;1223>
*olledo0 $. Inheritance La+ in the Philippines ;122'>
Pineda0 . Succession I Prescription ;2111>

/orts and Dama#es
)3uino.0 /. /orts and Dama#es ;2111>
Decano0 ). /orts and Dama#es ;211%>
$arencio0 ?. /orts and Dama#es
Pineda0 . /orts and Dama#es ;211%>
San#co0 $.C. /orts and Dama#es 2vols.
SuareA0 ,. /orts and Dama#es ;122&>

C(::,CI)L L)5
)#bayani0 ). Commentaries and 7urisprudence on the Commercial
La+s of the Philippines ;1221> % vols.
:artin0 ,. Commentaries and $urisprudence on Philippine
Commercial La+s. ;12.'C12.2>. % vols.
*olledo0 $. Commercial La+s of the Philippines 5ith Introductory
8eatures ;1221>

"an4in#
*olledo0 $. "an4in# La+s of the Philippines ;12'&>
,odri#ueA0 ,. La+ on "an4in# and 8inance in the Philippines
;1222>
=iray. Caseboo4 on "an4in# ;122%>
=itu#0 $.. Pandect of Commercial La+ and $urisprudence ;1221>

Corporation
)#palo0 ,. Comments on the Corporation Code of the Philippines
;2111>
Campos0 $ose. *otes and Cases on Corporation La+. ;1221>.
De Leon0 ?. Corporation Code of the Philippines )nnotated
;2112>
LopeA0 ,osario. Corporation code of the Phil. 2vols.
*olledo0 $. Corporation Code !plained ;12..>
*olledo0 $. ?andboo4 on Partnership La+ and Corporation Code
;1221>
Santia#o0 :. Corporation Code )nnotated ;1222>.
=illanueva0 C. Philippine Corporate La+ ;2111>

CCommerce
Lumantao0 G. CCommerce )ctD "uildin# the *ational conomy
(nline ;2111>
Sy0 G. CCommerce )ct ;2111>

Insurance
Campos0 $. *otes and Cases on Insurance La+. ;12.3.>
De Leon0 ?. La+ on Insurance and Sales ;2111>
De Leon0 ?. Insurance Code of the Philippines )nnotated ;2112>
De Leon0 ?. /he La+ of Insurance +ith Insolvency La+ ;1221>
:artineA0 L. Philippine Insurance Code )nnotated ;1221>
*olledo0 $. Philippine Insurance Code !plained ;12..>
,odri#ueA0 ,. Insurance Code of the Philippines )nnotated ;2113>
,on3uillo0 K. Insurance Principles and Practices ;1222>
Santia#o0 :. Insurance Code )nnotated ; 2111>.

Intellectual Property
)#palo0 ,. /he La+ on /rademar40 Infrin#ement and Gnfair
Competition ;2111>
)#uilar0 *. Intellectual Property ;211%>
)mador0 =. Patents under the Intellectual Property Code ;2111>
)mador0 =. /rademar4s under the Intellectual Property Code
;1222>
)mador0 = Copyri#ht under the Intellectual Property Code ;122.>
)3uino. Intellectual Property ;2113>
:adrile7os0 ). ,e#istration of /rademar4s0 "rand *ames0 Product
*ames0 Servicemar4s0 /radenames and "usiness *ame as +ell as
:ar4ed and Stamped Containers in the Philippines ;2112>

*e#otiable Instruments
)3uino0 /. *otes and Cases "an4s0 *e#otiable Instruments and
(ther Commercial La+s ;2113>
)ustria. 8undamentals of *e#otiable Instruments ;211%>
Campos0 $ose. *otes and selected cases of *e#otiable Instruments
La+ ;1221>
De Leon0 ?. Philippine *e#otiable Instruments La+ ;211%>
De Leon0 ?. La+ on *e#otiable Instruments +ith Documents of
/itle ;211%>
*olledo0 $. "ouncin# Chec4s La+ ;122&>

Securities La+
Decasa0 L. SC (pinions on "oard Directors0 !ecutive
Committee I Corporate (fficers ;2111>
Decasa0 L. SC (pinions on ,i#hts0 (bli#ations and Liabilities of
Stoc4holders and :embers of Private Corporations ;2112
*olledo0 $. Securities ,e#ulation code. 2111
(7eda0 :. Securities ,e#ulation Code ;2112>

/ransportation
DiaA0 *. /ransportation La+ *otes and Cases ;2111>
?ernandeA0 . Philippine )dmiralty and :aritime La+ ;12.&>
PereA0 ?. /ransportation La+s and Public Service )ct ;2112>
,odri#ueA0 ,ufus. La+ and Cases on Land0 5ater and )ir
/ransportation ;2112>
,odri#ueA0 La+ on /ransportation ;211%>

C,I:I*)L L)5
)3uino0 ,. ,evised Penal Code. ;12.'C.-> 3v.
"oado0 L. *otes and Cases on the ,evised Penal Code ;2112>
"uhain0 D. /he ,evised Penal Code ;1222>
Eapunan0 ,. Criminal La+ ;1221>
Padilla0 ). Criminal La+ C ,evised Penal Code. ;12.-C.2> %v.
Palattao0,. /he ,evised Penal Code :ade asy ;122.C2111> 2vol.s
,e#alado0 8. Criminal la+ conspectus. ;2111>
,eyes0 L. /he ,evised Penal Code. ;2111> 2v.
Sandoval0 . /he ,evised Penal Code ;2112> "4. II
Santia#o0 :. Penal Code )nnotated ;1222>
)3uino0 ). ?andboo4 on )ntiCGraft and Corrupt Practices ;2111>
Dacsil0 ,. )ntiC:oney Launderin# )ct of 2111 as )mended
;2113>
Dacsil0 ,. /he Comprehensive Dan#erous Dru#s )ct of 2112
;2112>
Dulnuan0 :. $r. =ictimless Crimes in the Philippines ;2113>
Eho0 D. "usinessmanBs #uide on bouncin# chec4s. ;12.' ed.>
Lat0 I. "atas Pambansa 22 and stafa ;2111>
:anansala0 :. Primer on bouncin# chec4s. 12.'
:anansala0 :. ?i#hli#hts of the S.C. decisions on bouncin#
chec4s. 12.-
,eyes0 L. 8undamentals of Libel La+. 12.'.
,odri#ueA0 ,. /he Crime of Plunder in the Philippines ;2112>
/irol. /he )ntiC:oney Launderin# La+ ;211%>

Labor La+
)lcantara0 S. Philippine Labor and Social Le#islation )nnotated
;12.2>
)mador0 =. Labor Standards )dministration ;2111>
)mado0 =. La+ on Stri4es ;1222>
)Aucena0 C. ssential Labor La+ ;2112>
)Aucena0 C. veryoneBs Labor Code ;2111>
)Aucena0 C. Labor La+s Source "oo4 ;2113>
)Aucena0 C. Labor Code +ith Comments and Cases ;211%> 2vols.
8ernandeA0 P. Labor La+ and Social Le#islation ;12-1>
8ernandeA0 P. Labor )rbitration ;12-&>
8ernandeA0 P. Labor ,elations ;12.&>
8ernandeA0 P. Labor ,elations La+ ;12-%>
8oA0 =. Labor Code of the Philippines ;2113>
Luna0 :. Labor La+s and Social Le#islation ;1221>
:annasala0 : Labor Standards ;1222>
:annasala0 :. Primer on the ,evised ,ules of the *ational Labor
,elations Commission ;*L,C> ;12.2>
:artineA0 D. La+s and $urisprudence on Labor and Social
Le#islation ;122&> 3 parts.
:endoAa0 H. Philippine Labor ,elations La+ ;2111>
:endoAa0 H. Philippine Labor Standards ;2111>
Po3uiA0 S. Labor ,elations La+ 5ith *otes ;1222>
Po3uiA0 S. Labor Standards 5ith *otes ;1222>
,odri#ueA0 ,. Labor Code of the Philippines and Its Implementin#
,ules ;12.2>
,odri#ueA0 Labor ,elations La+ +ith *otes and Cases ;1222>
Sibal0 $. Labor $urisprudence and Practice ;12.2>

L)*D /I/LS )*D *)/G,)L ,S(G,CS

*oble7as0 ). ,e#istration of land titles and deeds. 12.'
Pena0 *. ,e#istration of land titles and deeds. 12..
Pena0 *. Philippine La+ on *atural ,esources. 12.2.

LG)L )*D $GDICI)L /?ICS

)#palo0 ,. Le#al and $udicial thics. ;2112>
"atacan0 D. Le#al and $udicial thics ;12-.>
"autista0 ,. Le#al and $udicial thics ;2112>
Co3uia0 $. Le#al Profession ;2113>
Garcia0 G. Le#al and $udicial thics ;12&3>
Laureta0 5. Le#al and $udicial thics ;12'.>
:alcolm0 G. Le#al and $udicial thics ;12%2;
:artin0 ,. Le#al and $udicial thics. ;12..>
Pineda0 . Le#al and $udicial thics ;1222>
,odri#ueA0 ,. 8undamentals of Le#al and $udicial thics ;211%>
,odri#ueA0 ,. Le#al Profession ;211%>
=entura0 8. *otes on Le#al and $udicial thics ;12&%>
=illareal0 . Le#al Profession ;2112>

P(LI/IC)L L)5

)#uire0 ). Postulates in Constitutional La+ ;12.2>
CruA0 I. Constitutional La+ ;12.2>
CruA0 I. Philippine Political la+. ;122.>
$imeneA0 $. Political La+ Compendium ; 2111>.
Sibal0 $. Constitutional La+ 5ith SC,) )nnotations ;12.->
/upaA. 8undamentals of Impeachment ;2111>

lection La+
)#palo.0 ,. Comments on the (mnibus lection Code ;211%>
)#ra0 ). /he Philippine PartyCList System ;122->
Dacsil0 ,. ) Guide to )bsentee =otin# La+ ;2113>
De Leon0 ?. /he La+ on Public (fficers and lection La+ ;2113>
:artineA0 D. La+s and $urisprudence on Suffera#e and lections
;1222>
,odri#ueA0 ,. (mnibus lection Code and (ther lection La+0
,ules and ,e#ulations ;2111>.
,odri#ueA0 ,. (mnibus lection Code ;211%>
,odri#ueA0 ,. La+s0 ,ules and ,e#ulations Governin# "aran#ay
and San##unian# Eabataan lections ;2112>
Santia#o0 :. lection code annotated.; 2111>
Sibal0. $.). lection code.;2111>.
Sibal0 $.). (mnibus lection Code )nnotated ;2113>
/ipon0 . lection La+s ,eloaded ;211%>

Local Government
)#ra0 ). Compendium of Decisions on Local )utonomy and
Government ;122'>
"autista0 ). /he Local Government Code of 1221 ;2111>
Pimentel0 ). "aran#ay and Local Government ;122%>
Pimentel0 ). Local Government Code ;1223>
,odri#ueA0 ,. /he Local Government Code of 1221 ;2113>
Santia#o0 :. Local Government Code )nnotated ;2111>
Sibal0 $.). "aran#ay La+ and $urisprudence ;2113>
Sibal0 $.). Local Government Code ;2111>

International La+
"ernas0 $. Introduction to Public International La+ ;2112>
Co3uia0 $. International La+ ;122.>
Co3uia0 $. International La+ and 5orld (r#aniAation ;211&>
Salon#a0 Public International La+ ;1222>
Santia#o0 :. International La+ +ith Philippine Cases and
:aterials I )sean Instruments ;1222>
Santia#o0 :. International ,elation ;2112>

,:DI)L L)5

)3uino0 ,. ,emedial La+ ;2112>
)#uilar0 ). ,emedial La+ ;211%>
8rancisco0 =. ,ules of Court. ;12''C'.>. - vols.
?errera0 (. ,emedial La+. ;1222C2111> ' vols.
:a#salin0 :. Commentaries on the ,ules of Court. ;12.2> % vols.
:anansala0 :. Consolidated )mendmentsFChan#es to the ,ules
of Court. ;1221>
:artin0 ,. ,ules of Court. ;12.1C12.2> ' vols.
:oran0 :. Comments on the ,ules of Court. ;12-2C12.1> 'v.
Paras0 . ,ules of Court. 1221 ed. & vols.
,e#alado0 8. ,emedial La+ Compendium. ;12..C.2> 2 vols.
Santia#o0 :. ,ules of Court )nnotated ;1222>


Civil Procedure
)#palo0 ,. ?andboo4 on Civil Procedure ;2111>
)#uilar0 *. 8undamentals of civil procedure.; 2111>
"autista0 ). "asic Civil Procedure ;2113>
8eria0 $. Civil procedure. )nnotated ;2111> 2vols..
8eria0 $. 122- ,ules on Civil procedure. ;211%>.
8rancisco0 ,. Civil Procedure ;2111> vol. 1
Gayo0 ?andboo4 on Civil Procedure ;1222>
Gubat0 :. /he 122- ,ules of Civil Procedure )nnotated ;2111>
Lat0 I. *otes and Cases on 122- Civil Procedure ;211%>
,iano0 5. 8undamentals of Civil Procedure ;2113>
Sta. :aria0 :. Court Procedures in 8amily Court Cases ;211%>

Criminal Procedure
)#palo0 ,. ?andboo4 on criminal procedure. ;2111>
"autista0 ). "asic Criminal Procedure ;2113>
8eria0 $. 12.. )mendments to the 12.& ,ules on Criminal
Procedure ;12..>
Gupit0 8. )nnotations on Criminal Procedure. ;12.&>
Gupit0 8. 12.. )mendments to the Criminal Procedure. ;12.2>
Gupit0 8. Si#nificant ,evisions in Criminal Procedure ;211>
$acinto0 G. Criminal Procedure. ;12.2>
?errera0 (. /reatise on ?istorical Development and ?i#hli#hts of
)mendments of ,ules on Criminal Procedure ;2111>
Lat0 I. ,evised ,ules of Criminal Procedure ;2113>
:abutas0 ,. ?andboo4 on Criminal Procedure. ;12.&>
*olledo $. ?andboo4 on Criminal Procedure annotated. ;12.2>
*olledo0 $. 12.& ,evised ,ules on Criminal Procedure ;1221>
Pamaran0 :. 12.& *e+ Criminal Procedure. ;12.&>.
Pamaran0 :. ,evised ,ules of Criminal Procedure ;2113>
Pardo0 ". ,esource /e!tboo4 on the 12.& ,ules on Criminal
Procedure ;122&>
,odri#ueA0 ,. /he G.S. ,ico La+ and 8ederal Criminal Procedure@
/heir )daptability in the Philippines ;2112>

vidence
)#palo0 ,. ?andboo4 on vidence ;2113>
)#uilar0 a. ,evised ,ules on vidence ;211%>
"autista0 ). "asic vidence ;211%>
Coronel0 ). Si#nificant Chan#es in the La+ of vidence ;under the
,evised ,ules of vidence of $uly 10 12.2> ;12.2>
chaves0 =. vidence in the Philippine $urisprudence ;1221>
8eria0 $. ,evised ,ules on vidence ;12.2>.
8rancisco0 ,. "asic evidence ;1222>.
8rancisco0 ,. O?andboo4 on evidence. ;12.%>
Gupit0 8. ,evised ,ules on vidence . ;1221>
?o+0 ,. Presentin# Prosecution vidence for "e#inners ;2113>
Padilla0 ). vidence annotated. ;12.2> 2 vols.
Pronove0 ,. vidence. "ench #uide series ;12.'>
Sibal0 $. Compendium on vidence. ;1221>.
/abios0 S. )ction Guides on videnceD ) Case :ana#ement ;122->
v.1

Special Proceedin#s
)#palo0 ,. ?andboo4 on Special Proceedin#s ;2113>
"autista0 ). "asic Special Proceedin#s ;2113>

Summary Procedure
Pano0 . *otes and Cases on the 1221 ,evised ,ules on Summary
Procedure ;122->
Peralta0 . /he 1221 ,ule of Summary Procedure@ ,evisited ;2111>

:uslim La+
)rabani0 ". Philippine ShariBa Courts Procedure. ;2111>
)lauya. ShariBa ,emedial La+ Compendium ;211&>
,asul0 $. Commentaries on the special rules of Procedure in
ShariBaCourt ;12.%>

(thers
)#uilar0 *. Practice and Procedure "efore the Inferior Court
;122'>
)#uilar0 *.. Procedureal ,ules in Criminal )ctions ;2113>
"albastro0 ). /rial /echni3ue and the Practice of La+ ;12.2>
"al#os0 :. ?andboo4 on the La+ of Pleadin#s ;2113>.
"ellosillo0 $. ssentials of PreC/rial ;1221>
"ernardo0 (. Certiorari0 Prohibition0 :andamus0 ,estrainin#
(rder and In7uction ;1221>.
"ersamin0 L. )ppeal and ,evie+ in the Philippines ; 2113>.
Decano0 )licia. /he !clusionary ,ule and its ,ationale. ;211%>
stebal. La+ on )rrest ;122'>
8rancisco0 ,. Pleadin#s and /rial Practice ;12.2>
?errera0 (. ?andboo4 on )rrest0 Search and SeiAure ;2113>
?errera0 (. ?andboo4 on Custodial Investi#ation ;2113>
$imeneA0 ,. /he La+ on )rrest. ;12..>.
$imeneA0 ,. /he La+ on Search 5arrant. ;12..>.
$imeneA0 ,. /he ,i#ht to "ail. ;12.->.
LiAaries0 . )lternative Dispute ,esolution ;211%>
LopeA0 $. /he La+ on )lternative Dispute ,esolution ;211%>
:analastas0 :. La+ on 7ectment I Leases ;211%>
:anansala0 :. Compiled ,ules and Procedure on Pleadin#s0
Practice and Procedure. ;1221>
Pamaran0 :. /rial Practice in Philippine Courts ;211%>
Parlade0 C. )lternative Dispute ,esolution ;211%>
Parlade0 C. Conciliation and )rbitration on Construction Disputes
;122->
Parlade0 C. /he La+ and Practice of Conciliation and )rbitration
+ith Construction Disputes ;2111>
,odri#ueA0 ,. Philippine )rbitration and the G*CI/,)L :odel
La+ ;2112>

Statutory Construction
)#palo0 ,. Statutory Construction ;2113>
)#uilar0 *. Le#al ?ermeneutics0 Phraseolo#y I Statutory
Construction ;2113> vol. 1
)lcantara. Statutes ;12-1>
DiaA0 *. Statutory Construction ;2113>
GonAa#a0 L. Statutes and /heir Construction ;12'2>
,odri#ueA0 ,. Statutory Construction ;1222>
Sibal0 $.). Statutory Construction ;122%>

/)<)/I(*

Dacsil0 ,. *ational Internal ,evenue Code ;Simplified version>
;211%>
Dacsil0 ,. *ational Internal ,evenue Code ;2113>
De Leon0 ?. *ational Internal ,evenue Code. ;2113>
GonAales0 . *ational Internal ,evenue Code. ;2111>
*olledo0 $. *ational Internal ,evenue Code. ;12.2>
*olledo0 $. /a! reform act of 122-. ;122.>
Santia#o0 :. *ational Internal ,evenue Code ;2111>

Income /a!ation
De Leon0 ?. /he La+ on Income /a!ation ;2111>
$oven0 $. Income /a!ation ;2111> vol. 1
:amalateo0 =. Philippine Income /a!ation ;211%>
,eyes0 =. Income /a!@ La+ and )ccountin# ;12.2>
/eodoro0 ". /he La+ on Income /a!ation ;12.2>

(thers
)costa0 . Compendium on /a! La+ and $urisprudence ;2111>
Cabaluna0 C. ,eal Property /a!ation ;2112>
De Leon0 ?. /e!tboo4 on )#rarian ,eform and /a!ation ;1221>
De Leon0 ?. La+ on /ransfer and "usiness /a!ation ;12..>
Dimaampao0 $. /a! Principles and ,emedies ;2112>
De Leon0 ?. 8undamentals of /a!ation ;2111>
De Leon0 ?. La+ on /ransfer and "usiness /a!ation ;2111>
,eyes0 =. :anual in /a!ation ;12.2>
/abios0 S. )ction Guide for /a! :ana#ement ;122%C122&> 3 vols.
/abios0 S. ,esource ?andboo4 in /a!ation ;12.%C12.2> 3 vols.
/omacruA0 ). ,esource ?andboo4 in /a!ation. ;12..> 3 vols.

/ariff and Customs Code
Santia#o0 :. /ariff and Customs Code. ;2111>.
/e7am0 /ariff and Customs Code. ;12.3C12.%> %vols.

9! Legal Sources
9! 'lectronic Sources

Philippine (nCLine Sources
Supreme Court CLibrary C /he CLibrary aims to be the primary research tool in the speedy
delivery of 7ustice. It +ill serve the entire 7udiciary C Supreme Court0 Court of )ppeals0
Sandi#abayan0 Court of /a! )ppeals0 and the lo+er courts. /his CLibrary +ill eventually be
opened to those outside the 7udiciary. It includes all the sources of la+0 +hich is reflected in its
directory@
La+s C )ll statutes from 1211 to present
$urisprudence C Decisions of the Supreme Court from 1211 to
date. /his includes0 the decisions0 resolutions0 minute resolutions
Court IssuancesC /his is divided into the follo+in#
,ules of Court C /his contains the ,ules of Court from 121. to the
present
)dministrative :atters
Circular and (rder of the Supreme Court and the (ffice of the
Court )dministrator
!ecutive Issuances C Contains rules and re#ulations issued by the
President such as !ecutive (rders0
)dministrative (rders0 :emorandum (rders0 :emorandum
Circular0 and Proclamations

)lso included in the *ational )dministrative ,e#ister +hich contains re#ulations of #overnment
a#encies deposited +ith the Gniversity of the Philippines La+ Center0 pursuant to the 12.-
)dministrative Code
,eference C /his section is classified as follo+s@
"enchboo4s
Catalo#ue of "oo4s of the Supreme Court and
Court Libraries throu#hour the Philippines
Inde! of Philippine Periodicals found in the Supreme Court
Library net+or4
$ournals C Publication of the Court e.#. Court
Systems $ournal0 P?IL$) $ournal and /he G.P. Colle#e of La+Bs
Philippine La+ $ournal
:anual of Cler4s of Court 2vols.
:emorabilia C /his section is devoted to retired $ustices of the
Supreme Court. It contains the picture brief bio#raphy0 decisions0 and
available articles and speeches of each $ustice.
/he List C is a brief tabular presentation of the $ustices arran#ed
alphabeticallyC Place +here they +ere born0 School0 date appointed and
retired ;died> and the President +ho appointed them

/here is a lin4 to the databases of the Court of )ppeals0 Sandi#anbayan and the Court of /a!
)ppeals.

Chan ,obles La+ 8irm =irtual La+ Library
)rellano La+ 8oundation
Pinoy la+.com

8orei#n
8indla+.com
Le!is
5estla+

CDC,oms
CD )sia /echnolo#ies Inc. ;http@FF+++.cdasia.com.ph>
Le! Libris is the most comprehensive and upCtoCdate source of le#al research in CDC,(:.

/he L< LI",IS series of le#al publications on CDC,(: currently has eleven volumes.
8ollo+in# is a brief description of each volume.
=ol 1 L)5S ;Philippine dition> C /he first volume of the series
is the most e!tensive compilation of Philippine la+s on CD ,(:.
8eatured in this publication are fullCte!t versions of the Philippine
Constitutions0 ,epublic )cts0 :#a "atas Pambansa0 Presidential Decrees0
!ecutive (rders0 Presidential Proclamations and Letters of Instructions.
(ther official acts of le#islative or statutory character are also compiled
here.
=ol 2 /)<)/I(* ;Philippine dition> C /he second volume C by
far the most comprehensive publication on the sub7ect of ta!ation C
contains the rulin#s0 opinions0 memoranda0 circulars0 =)/ ,ulin#s and
official acts of the "ureau of Internal ,evenue0 as +ell as international ta!
treaties and local ta! ordinances. )lso included here are related la+s0
decisions of the Supreme Court0 Court of )ppeals and Court of /a!
)ppeals0 as +ell as e!ecutive issuanceBs.
=ol 3 $G,ISP,GD*C ;/he Supreme Court ,eports> C /he
decisions of the Supreme Court0 since 12110 constitute the third volume of
the series. Patterned after the Philippine ,eports0 this CD ,(:
publication also contains the te!t of available case syllabi and synopses C
and over 3&0111 7udicial opinions.
=ol % DP),/:*/ (8 $GS/IC ;(pinions of the Secretary>.
C /his fourth volume of the series is also the first release for 122-. 8or the
first time0 the complete collection of opinions of the Philippine Secretary
of $ustice0 since 12320 is available in easy reference and research form.
=ol & L(C)L )G/(*(:J )*D L(C)L G(=,*:*/ C /he
first multiCmedia compact disc of the series. It contains a thematic
compilation of policy instruments on the sub7ect. It features fullCte!t
information issued and promul#ated by the Supreme Court0 by the three
Constitutional Commissions and thirty national #overnment a#encies and
offices. It also includes video intervie+s +ith notable local #overnment
personalities.
=ol ' *=I,(*:*/ )*D *)/G,)L ,S(G,CS C It is the
first and most comprehensive collection of information #athered from the
Department of nvironment and *atural ,esources ;D*,> and its
attached a#encies0 published in CDC,(:. /he fullCte!t of related la+s and
statutes0 presidential issuanceBs0 7urisprudence0 policy issuanceBs and
decisions0 permits0 licenses and tenurial instruments are also contained.
=ol - L)"(, )*D S(CI)L LGISL)/I(* C /he seventh
volume of the series +as released last *ovember. It contains related
statutes and 7urisprudence as +ell as issuanceBs from the Department of
Labor and mployment ;D(L> and its affiliated offices.
=ol . LC/I(*S C /he ei#hth volume contains statutes0
presidential issuance0 D($ opinions and 7urisprudence related to the topic
of elections. Implementin# rules and re#ulations of lectoral /ribunals0
Comelec rules on procedure0 lectoral /ribunal decisions0 and
Commissions on lections issuance are li4e+ise contained in this firstCofC
aC4ind CD ,(: publication. Similarly featured here are the 122& election
results0 list of accredited political parties and their platforms of
#overnment0 and list of precincts in ma7or cities and provinces of the
Philippines.
=ol 2 /,)D C(::,C )*D I*DGS/,J C /he most
comprehensive collection of materials on /rade0 "an4in# and 8inance0
Capital :ar4ets0 Insurance and Intellectual Property. /his title contains a
compilation of pertinent Supreme Court decisions0 la+s0 issuances of
various a#encies such as the Department of /rade and Industry0 "oard of
Investments0 Department of 8inance0 "ureau of Customs0 "an#4o Sentral
n# Pilipinas0 Philippine Stoc4 !chan#e0 and other #overnment offices.
=ol 11 SCG,I/IS )*D <C?)*G C(::ISSI(* C /he
fusion of accurate information officially provided by SC and the research
soft+are en#ineerin# e!pertise provided by CD )sia. /his ne+ CDC,(:
edition contains SC ,elated la+s and 7urisprudence0 SC (pinions0 SC
Cases0 other SC issuanceBs0 namely@ (rders0 :emoranda0 Circulars0 and
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=ol 11 8):ILJ L)5 C /his latest title carries ne+ features such
as a sub7ect inde! and an interactive topical outline. /he contents include
pertinent la+s0 7urisprudence0 presidential issuances0 rules and
re#ulations0 international treatises and a#reements0 as +ell as other
materials that deal +ith familial relationships. /he issuances and
publications of the *ational Commission on the ,ole of the 8ilipino
5omen ;*C,85> are li4e+ise included.

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;LLS> is a series of CDC,(: publications specially offered to students.
ach volume is comprised of materials pertainin# to the sub7ects ta4en in
each year of la+ school. /he contents of the specific sub7ect outline +ere
#athered from various sources and +ere submitted to notable professors
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")*GE( S*/,)L *G PILIPI*)S. /he special edition title
conceptualiAed0 prepared and presented in the distinctive tradition of the
Le! Libris series on CDC,(:. /his ne+ +or4 is the result of many0
committed months of intensive preparation and close coordination +ith
the countryBs premier and central monetary authority. /his latest release
is the first and only compilation of its 4ind that includes Inde! of
conomic La+s and "an4in# ,e#ulations0 "SP :anuals of ,e#ulations
for "an4s and 8inancial Intermediaries0 and "SP :emorandum Circulars0
(rders0 Letters0 *otices and other ,e#ulations.
/? *)/I(*)L )D:I*IS/,)/I= ,GIS/, ;1221 /(
2111>. ) compilation of ,ules and ,e#ulations from different
administrative a#encies and bureaus filed +ith the (ffice of the *ational
)dministrative ,e#ister.
P,(CDI*GS (8 /? 12.' C(*S/I/G/I(*)L
C(::ISSI(*. Contains the ,ecords and $ournals of the 12.'
Constitutional Commission +ith related issuances.
I:P)C?:*/ P,(CDI*GS )G)I*S/ P,S. $(SP? .
S/,)D). /he transcript of the historic impeachment proceedin#s
a#ainst former president $oseph . strada. 5ith an interactive
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Le! Libris "ulletins are available on an annual subscription basis.
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9!2 Philippine Legal Publishers

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