Sunday, March 6, 2011

2011 BAR EXAM COVERAGE FOR CIVIL LAW

I. Effect and Application of Laws – New Civil Code


A. When law takes effect, NCC Art. 2
B. Ignorance of the Law, NCC Art. 3
C. Retroactivity of Laws, NCC Art. 4
D. Mandatory or Prohibitory Laws, NCC Art. 5
E. Waiver of Rights, NCC Art. 6
F. Repeal of Laws, NCC Art. 7
G. Judicial Decisions, NCC Art. 8
H. Duty to Render Judgment, NCC Art. 9
I. Presumption and Applicability of Custom, NCC Arts 10-12
J. Legal Periods, NCC Art. 13
K. Applicability of Penal Laws, NCC Art. 14
L. Conflict of Laws, NCC Arts. 15-18, relative to Divorce, Art. 26 (2)


II. Human Relations – New Civil Code


A. NCC Art. 19-22, relative to breach of promise to marry
B. Independent Civil Actions – EXCLUDE: to be covered by Remedial Law
C. Prejudicial Questions – EXCLUDE: to be covered by Remedial Law


PERSONS


I. Persons and Personality – New Civil Code


A. Capacity to Act
1. Civil Personality, NCC Art. 37
2. Restrictions on Capacity to Act, NCC 38-39
3. Birth, NCC 40-41

4. Death, NCC 42-43
a. Compare Art. 43 with Rule 131, Sec. 3 (jj) presumption of Survivorship


     EXCLUDE: NCC 44-47


B. Domicile and residence of person, NCC 50-51


II. Marriage – Family Code (Aug. 3, 1988)


     EXCLUDE: Muslim Code, (PD 1083)


A. Requisites


1. Nature of Marriage, Art. 1
2. Kinds of Requisites, Arts. 2-3
3. Effect of absence of requisites, Art. 4

4. Essential – Art. 5
a. Age, Art. 5


5. Ceremony, Art. 6
6. Formal – Arts. 7, 31, 32


7. Solemnizing authority, Art. 7-8, 10
a. Exceptions – Art. 35 (2)


8. License Required – Arts 3 (2), 9, 11, 20, 26
a. Foreign National – Art. 21
b. Exceptions – Arts. 27, 31-32, 34


9. Marriage Certificate, Art. 22


     EXCLUDE: Duties of a Civil Registrar, Arts. 12-19, 23-25


B. Effect of Marriage celebrated abroad and foreign divorce, Art. 26


C. Void and Voidable marriages
1. Void Marriage – Arts. 5, 35, 36-8, 52-3
a. Absence of Requisites, Art. 35
b. Psychological incapacity, Art. 36
c. Incestous marriages, Arts. 37-38


2. Prescription, Art. 39
3. Subsequent marriage, Arts. 40-44
4. Annullable marriage, Arts. 14, 45-46
5. Voidable marriages, Art. 45-47
6. Presence of prosecutor, Art. 48
7. Pendency of action, Art. 49
8. Effects of nullity, Arts. 50-54


EXCLUDE: SC Rules on Procedure (Nullity and Provisional Orders), R.A. 6955, An Act to Declare Unlawful the Practice of Matching Filipino Women for Marriage to Foreign Nationals, RA 9208, Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act


III. Legal Separation


A. Grounds, Art. 55, Republic Act. 9262, Anti-Violence Against Women and Children
B. Defenses, Arts. 56-57
C. Cooling-off Period, Art. 58
D. Reconciliation efforts, Art. 59
E. Confession of Judgment, Art. 60
F. Effects of Filing Petition, Art. 61
G. Effects of pendency, Art. 62
H. Effects of legal separation, Arts. 63-64
I. Reconciliation, Arts. 65-67


     EXCLUDE: SC Rules on legal separation


IV. Rights and Obligations Between Husband and Wife


A. Essential Obligations, Art. 68
B. Family domicile, Art. 69
C. Support, Art. 70
D. Management of household, Art. 71
E. Effect of neglect of duty, Art. 72
F. Exercise of profession, Art. 73


     EXCLUDE: R.A. 7192, An Act Promoting the Integration of Womens as Full and Equal Partners of Men in Development and Nation Building, RA 8187, An Act Granting Paternity Leave, RA 9710, Magna Carta for Women


V. Property Relations of the Spouses


A. Marriage Settlements, Arts. 76-81
B. Donations by Reason of Marriage, Arts. 82-83, 86, 43(3), 50
C. Void donations by the spouses, Art. 87

D. Absolute Community of property
1. General Provisions, Arts. 75-85, 88-90
2. What constitutes Community Property, Arts. 91-93
3. Charges Upon and Obligations of the Community Property, Arts. 94-95
4. Ownership, Administration, Enjoyment and Disposition of the Community Property, Arts. 96-98
5. Dissolution of Community Regime, Arts. 99-101
6. Liquidation of the Absolute Community Assets and Liabilities, Arts. 102-104


E. Conjugal Partnership of Gains
1. General Provision, Arts. 105-108
2. Exclusive Property of Each Spouse, Arts. 109-115
3. Conjugal Partnership Property, Arts. 116-120
4. Charges upon and obligations of the CPG, Arts. 121-123
5. Administration of the CPG, Arts. 124-125
6. Dissolution of CPG Regime, Arts. 126-128
7. Liquidation of the Conjugal Partnership Assets and Liabilities, Arts. 129-133


F. Separation of Property of the Spouses and Administration of Common Property by One Spouse During the Marriage, Arts. 134-142
G. Regime of Separation of Property, Arts. 143-146
H. Property Regime of Unions Without Marriage, Arts. 147-148


VI. The Family


A. The Family as an Institution, Arts. 149-151
B. The Family Home, Arts. 152-165


     EXCLUDE: Arts. 157, 161 and 162


VII. Paternity and Filiation


A. Legitimate Children, Arts. 163-171
B. Proof of Filiation, Arts. 172-174
C. Illegitimate Children, Art. 175 and Art. 176 as amended by RA 9255
D. Legitimated Children, Arts. 177-182


     EXCLUDE: SC Rule on DNA Evidence


VIII. Adoption


EXCLUDE: Family Code, Arts. 183-188, 191-193


A. RA 8552 – Domestic Adoption Law


1. Who can adopt
2. Who can be adopted
3. Rights of an adopted child – include FC, Arts. 189 and 190 on successional rights
4. Rescission of adoption


     EXCLUDE: AM No. 02-6-02-S.C. (Aug. 22, 2002), RA 9523 – requiring certification of the department of DSWD to declare a “child legally available for adoption”


B. RA 8043, The Law on Inter- Country Adoption


1. Who can Adopt
2. Who can be adopted


IX. Support


A. What it Compromises, Art. 194
B. Who are Obliged, Arts. 195-197, 199-200, 206-208
C. Support during marriage litigation, Art. 198
D. Amount, Arts. 201-202
E. When Demandable, Art. 203
F. Options, Art. 204
G. Attachment, Art. 205


X. Parental Authority


A. General Provisions, Arts. 209-215
B. Substitute and Special Parental Authority, Arts. 216-219
C. Effect of Parental Authority upon the Persons of the Children, Arts. 220-224


     EXCLUDE: Rule on Guardianship of Minors, Rule on Custody of Minors, RA 8972 – Solo Parents Act, RA 8980 – Policy for Childhood Care


D. Effects of Parental Authority upon the Property of the Children, Arts. 225-227


     EXCLUDE: RA 9231 – Child Labor Law (to be covered by Labor Law)


E. Suspension or Termination of Parental Authority, Arts. 228-233 RA 7610 – Child Abuse Law


XI. Emancipation Arts. 234 and 236, as amended by RA 6809


XII. Summary Judicial Proceedings in the Family Law


XIII. Final Provisions – Retroactive effect, Art. 256


     EXCLUDE: Arts. 254-255, 257


XIV. Funeral, NCC Arts. 305-301


     EXCLUDE: Care and Education of Children, Arts. 356-363


XV. Use of surnames Arts. 364-369, 369-380 (other articles repealed by Family Code)


XVI. Absence – NCC Art. 43; Art. 41 Family Code


A. Provisional measures in Case of Absence, Arts. 381-383
B. Declaration of Absence, Arts. 384-389
C. Administration of the Property of the Absentee, arts. 387-389
D. Presumption of Death, Arts. 390-392


     EXCLUDE: Arts. 393-396, contingent assets


XVII. Civil Registrar


A. Arts. 407-413
B. RA 9048-clerical errors
C. Rule 108, Rules of Court


     EXCLUDE: Act. No. 375, IRR of RA 9048




PROPERTY


I. Characteristics


II. Classification – Arts. 415-418


A. Hidden Treasure – Arts. 438-9
B. Right of Accession – Art. 440


1. Fruits –Arts. 441-4
2. With respect to Immovable Property


a. Builder, planter, sower on land of another in concept of owner


(1) Builder, planter, sower in good faith – Arts. 448-456
(2) Builder, planter, sower in bad faith – Arts. 449-450


b. Usufructuary, Art. 579


3. Lands adjoining river banks


a. Alluvion – Art. 457
b. Change of course of river – Arts. 461-246, see Water Code PD 1067
c. Avulsion- Arts. 459-463


4. Islands – Arts. 464-465


C. By Object


1. Real or immovable
2. Personal or Movable


D. By Owner


1. Of public dominion
2. Of private ownership


a. Patrimonial property – distinction between private property of individual persons, and of State entities


E. By Nature


1. Consumable/non-consumable vs. Fungible/non-fungible


III. Ownership


A. Right in general


1. Bundle of rights


a. Jus utendi, fruendi, abutendi, vindicandi, disponendi (possidendi)


(1) Actions to recover ownership and possession of real property


(a) Distinctions between accion reivindicatoria, accion publiciana, accion interdictal
(b) Distinction between forcible entry and unlawful detainer


(2) Actions for recovery of possession of moveable property


(3) Requisites for recovery of property – proof of right; identity; reliance on strength of own evidence not weakness of defendant’s claim


2. Distinction between real and personal rights


B. Modes of acquiring ownership


1. original, derivative


C. Limitations


1. General limitations – taxation, eminent domain, police power
2. Specific Limitations – imposed by law, sic utere tuo, nuisance, stat of necessity, easements voluntarily imposed by owner: servitudes, mortgages imposed by contract


IV. Accession


A. Right to hidden treasure
B. General Rules:


1. For immovables:


a. Accession discreta (natural and industrial civil fruits) and continua (over immovables: artificial/industrial and natural)
b. Accession industrial (building, avulsion, rivers, islands)
c. Accession natural (accretion, avulsion, rivers, islands)


2. For movables:


a. Accession continua (conjuction, adjunction, commixtion/ confusion, specification)
b. Rules for determining the principal and accessory


V. Quieting of title to/interest in and removal/prevention of cloud over title to/interest in real property


A. Requirement
B. Distinction between quieting title and removing/preventing a cloud
C. Prescription/non-prescription of action


VI. Co-ownership


A. Characteristics of co-ownership


1. In general
2. Special rules:


a. Concept of condominium


(1) Condominium corporation
(2) Interest in real property
(3) Concept of common areas, amendment
(4) Documents to consider (master deed, declaration of restrictions, articles and by-laws of the condominium corporation or the association where applicable


b. Rights and obligations of condominium owner


(1) Contributions/Dues
(2) PD 957 and RA 6552


c. Grounds for partition of common areas, or dissolution of the condominium


B. Source of co-ownership


C. Rights of co-owners


1. Distinction between right to property owned in common and full ownership over his/her ideal share
2. Right to oppose acts of alteration
3. Right to partition
4. Right to contributions for expenses (necessary expenses, taxes)


5. Waiver


6. Right to redemption of co-owners share


D. Termination/extinguishment


1. Effect of partition
2. Rights against individual co-owners in case of partition
3. Partition in case co-owners cannot agree


VII. Possession


A. Characteristics
B. Acquisition of Possession – Art. 531
C. Effects of Possession


1. Possessor in Good Faith – Arts. 544, 526-527


a. Right to pending fruits – Art. 545
b. Right to be reimbursed


(1) Necessary and useful expenses – Arts. 546-547
(2) Expenses for pure luxury – Art. 548


2. Possessor in Bad Faith – Arts. 449, 549, 552


D. Loss or Unlawful Deprivation of a Movable – Arts. 559, 1505 (3)


1. Period to Recover – Arts. 1140, 1134, 1132, 1133
2. Finder of Lost Movable – Arts. 719-720
3. Distinguished from voidable title – Art. 1506


E. In concept of owner, holder, in one’s own name, in name of another


F. Rights of the possessor


G. Loss/termination


VIII. Usufruct


A. Characteristics
B. Classification
C. Rights and obligations of usufructuary
D. Rights of the owner
E. Extinction/termination


IX. Easements – Arts. 613, 615-616


A. Characteristics


B. Classification


1. Legal easements


a. Right of way


2. Voluntary easements – Art. 688


a. Effect of Zoning ordinance


C. Modes of Acquiring Easements


1. Compulsory easements – Arts. 620-624
2. Easement of light and view – Arts. 669-673


X. Nuisance – Art. 694


XI. Action to Quiet Title – Arts. 476-480


XII. Modes of Acquiring Ownership – Art. 712


A. Occupation – Art. 713


B. Donation


1. Definition – Arts. 725-6, 746


2. Characteristics


a. Extent to which donor may donate property
b. Reservations and reversions


3. Kinds


a. Donation Inter Vivos – Art. 729
b. Donation By Reason of Marriage – Family Code Arts. 82-83, 86
c. Donation Mortis Causa –Art. 728
d. Onerous Donation – Art. 733
e. Simple, modal, conditional


4. Formalities required


a. How made and accepted
b. Perfection
c. Differences between formalities for donation of real, personal properties


(1) Movables – Art. 748
(2) Immovables – Art. 749


5. Qualifications of donor, donee


6. Effects of donation/limitations


a. In general
b. Double donations
c. Excessive/inofficious
d. Scope of amount – Arts. 750-752
e. In fraud of creditors – Art. 759


7. Void Donations – Arts. 739-740, 1027


8. Revocation or reduction


a. Grounds for revocation, grounds for reduction
b. How done
c. Effects
d. Prescription
e. Innofficious Donations – Arts. 760-761, 771-775
f. Ingratitude – Arts. 765, 769


EXCLUDE: Intellectual Creations – to be covered by Mercantile Law


PRESCRIPTION


I. Definition –Art. 1106


A. Acquisitive – Art. 1117


1. Characteristics
2. Ordinary


a. Good Faith – Art. 1127
b. Just title – Arts. 1129-1130


3. Extraordinary – Arts. 1137, 1132 second par.
4. Requisites – Arts. 1118-1125
5. Period – Arts. 1132, 1134, 1138


6. What cannot be required by acquisitive prescription


B. Extinctive


1. Characteristics
2. Requisites
3. Periods


II. No Prescription Applicable


A. By Offender – Art. 1133
B. Registered Lands – PD 1529
C. Art. 1143, NCC


1. Action legal to demand a right of way – Art. 649
2. To abate a nuisance


D. Action to quiet title if plaintiff in possession
E. Void contracts – Art. 1410
F. Action to demand partition – Art. 494


1. Distinguished from laches


G. Property of public dominion


III. Prescription or Limitation of Actions


A. To recover movables – Art. 1140
B. To recover immovables – Art. 1141
C. Other actions – Arts. 1142-1149


IV. Interruption – Art. 1155


V. Nuisance


A. Definition
B. Classification
C. Remedies


                                                                   OBLIGATIONS


I. Definition


II. Elements of an Obligation


III. Different Kinds of Prestations


IV. Classification of Obligations


V. Sources of Obligations – Arts. 1156-7


A. A single act or omission can give rise to different causes of action
B. Natural Obligations
C. Extra-contractual Obligations


VI. Nature and Effect of obligations


A. Obligation to give


1. A determinate or specific thing
2. An indeterminate or generic thing


B. Obligation to do or not to do


C. Breaches of obligations


1. Complete failure to perform
2. Default, delay or mora – no default unless creditors make a demand;


Exceptions (Art. 1169)


a. Mora solvendi
b. Mora accipiendi
c. Compesatio morae


3. Fraud in the performance of obligation


a. Waiver of future fraud is void (Art. 1171)


4. Negligence (culpa) in the performance of obligation


a. Diligence normally required is ordinary diligence or diligence of a good father of a family; exceptions common carriers requiring extraordinary diligence (Arts. 1998-2002)


5. Contravention of the tenor of obligation


6. Legal excuse for breach of obligation – fortuitous event; requisites


D. Remedies available to creditor in cases of breach


1. Specific Performance


a. Substituted performance by a third person on obligation to deliver generic thing and in obligation to do, unless a purely personal act


2. Rescission (resolution in reciprocal obligations)


3. Damages, in any event


4. Subsidiary remedies of creditors (Art. 1177)


a. Accion subrogatoria
b. Accion pauliana
c. Accion directa (Arts. 1652, 1608, 1729, 1893)


VII. Kinds of civil obligations


A. Pure – Arts. 1179-1180


B. Conditional – Art. 1181


1. Suspensive condition
2. Resolutory condition
3. Potestative – casual or mixed


a. Obligations subject to potestative suspensive conditions are void (Art. 1182)


4. Effect of the happening of suspensive condition (Art. 1187); resolutory condition – no retroactivity
5. Effect of loss of specific thing or deterioration or improvement of specific thing before suspensive condition (Art. 1189); if this occurs in resolutory condition in obligation to do or not to do (1190, par. 3)


C. Obligation with a period or a term – Art. 1193


1. Suspensive period; effect suspensive period is for the benefit of both debtor and of creditor, unless given in favor of one of them; if given to debtor alone, debtor losses benefit of period in any of the five cases in Art. 1198 – obligation retroact to the day of its constitution


2. Resolutory period


3. Definite or indefinite period


a. Instances when courts may fix the period (Art. 1197)
b. Creditor must ask court to set the period, before he can demand payment


D. Alternative or Facultative – Art. 1199


1. Difference between alternative and facultative obligations
2. Effect of loss of specific things or impossibility of performance of alternative, through fault of debtor/creditor or through fortuitous events


VIII. Joint and Solidary obligation


A. Joint (divisible) obligation


1. Concurrence of two or more creditors and or two or more debtors


a. Joint obligation is presumed, unless otherwise indicated by the law or nature of obligation (Art.  1207)
b. Obligation presumed to be divided into as many equal shares as there are creditors or debtors
c. Each credit is distinct from one another, therefore a joint debtor cannot be required to pay for the share of


another with debtor, although he may pay if he wants to (Art. 1209)
d. Insolvency of a joint debtor, others not liable for his share (Art. 1209)


B. Joint Indivisible Obligation


1. Obligation cannot be performed in parts but debtors are bound jointly
2. In case of failure of one joint debtor to perform his part (share), there is default but only debtor guilty shall be liable for damages


C. Solidary obligation


1. Anyone of the solidary creditors may collect or demand payment of whole obligation; there is mutual agency among solidary debtors (Arts. 1214, 1215)
2. Any of the solidary debtor may be required to pay the whole obligation; there is mutual guaranty among solidary debtors (Arts. 1216, 1217, 1222)
3. Each one of solidary creditors may do whatever maybe useful to the others, but not anything prejudicial to them (Art. 1212); however, any novation, compensation, confusion or remission of debt executed by any solidary creditor shall extinguish the obligation without prejudice to his liability for the shares of the other solidary creditors


D. Divisible and Indivisible – Art. 1225


E. Obligations with a Penal Clause – Arts. 1226, 1228-1230


IX. Extinguishment of Obligations


A. Payment – Arts. 1236-1238


1. Dation in payment – Art. 1245
2. Form of payment – Art. 1249
3. Extraordinary inflation or deflation – Art. 1250
4. Application of payment – Art. 1252-1254
5. Tender of Payment and Consignation – Arts. 1256-1261


B. Loss of Determinate Thing Due or Impossibility or difficulty of performance – Arts. 1262, 1266-1267


C. Condonation or Remission of Debt – Art. 1270


1. Express – Formality of Donation – art. 1270
2. Implied – Arts. 1271, 1272, 1274


D. Confusion – Arts. 1275, 1272


E. Compensation


1. Kinds – Arts. 1278, 1279


a. Legal compensation – Arts. 1286-1290
b. Agreement – Art. 1282
c. Voluntary – Art. 1282
d. Judicial – Art. 1283
e. Facultative


2. Obligations not compensable – Art. 1287-1288


F. Novation – Arts. 1291-1304


                                                                       CONTRACTS


I. Essential Requisites – Art. 1261


II. Kinds of Contracts


A. Consensual
B. Real
C. Formal or Solemn


1. Donations – Arts. 748-749
2. Partnership where real property contributed – Arts.1771, 1773
3. Antichresis – Art. 2134
4. Agency to sell real property or an interest therein – Art. 1874
5. Stipulation to charge interest – Art. 1956
6. Stipulation limiting common carrier’s duty of extraordinary diligence to ordinary diligence – Art. 1744
7. Chattel mortgage
8. Sale of large cattle


III. Formality – Arts. 1356, 1357, 1358


IV. Defective Contracts


A. Rescissible Contracts – Art. 1381


1. Difference with Rescission (resolution) under Art. 1191


B. Voidable Contracts – Arts. 1328-1344, 1390-1402
C. Unenforceable Contracts – Arts. 1403-1407, 1317
D. Void Contracts – Arts. 1409, 1346


1. Pactum commissorium - Arts. 2088, 2130, 1390
2. Pactum de non alienando – Art. 2130
3. Pactumleonina – Art. 1799


V. Effect of Contracts – Art. 1311


                                                                               SALES


I. Introduction


A. Definition of Sales – Arts. 1458, 1470
B. Essential Requisites of a Contract of Sale – Art. 1505
C. Stages of Contract of Sale
D. Obligations Created – Art. 1165
E. Characteristics of a Contract of Sale
F. Sale is Title and Not Mode
G. Sale Distinguished From Other Contracts
H. Contract of Sale/Contract to Sell


II. Parties to a Contract of Sale


A. Capacity of parties – Arts. 1489-1492
B. Absolute incapacity – Arts. 1327, 1397, 1399
C. Relative incapacity: Married Persons
D. Special disqualifications – Arts. 1491-1492


III. Subject Matter


A. Requisites of a valid subject matter – Arts. 1459-1465
B. Particular kinds


IV. Obligations of the Seller to Transfer Ownership


A. Sale by a person not the owner at time of delivery – Arts. 1462, 1505, 1459


1. Exceptions


B. Sale by a person having a voidable title – Arts. 1506, 559


V. Price


A. Meaning of price – Arts. 1469-1474
B. Requisites for a valid price
C. How price is determined
D. Inadequacy of price – Arts. 1355, 1470
E. When no price agreed – Art. 1474
F. Manner of payment must be agreed upon
G. Earnest money vs. option money – art. 1482


VI. Formation of Contract of Sale


A. Preparatory – Art. 1479


1. Offer – Art. 1475
2. Option Contract – Arts. 1479, 1324
3. Right of First Refusal
4. Mutual Promise to Buy and Sell – Art. 1479


B. Perfection – Arts. 1475, 1319, 1325, 1326
C. Formalities of the Contract – Art. 1403 (d) (e)


VII. Transfer of Ownership


A. Manner of Transfer – Arts. 1477, 1496-1501
B. When delivery does not transfer title
C. Kinds of delivery
D. Double Sales – Art. 1544
E. Property Registration Decree


1. Requisites for registration of deed of sale in good faith
2. Accompanied by vendors duplicate certificate of title, payment of capital gains tax, and documentary tax registration fees


VIII. Risk of Loss


A. General rule – Arts. 1263, 1189
B. When loss occurred before perfection
C. When loss occurred at time of perfection – Arts. 1493 and 1494
D. When loss occurred after perfection but before delivery
E. When ownership is transferred – Art. 1504


IX. Documents of Title


A. Definition – Art. 1636
B. Purpose of documents of title
C. Negotiable documents of title
D. Non-negotiable documents of title
E. Warranties of seller of documents of title – Art. 1516
F. Rules on levy/garnishment of goods – Arts. 1514, 1519, 1520


X. Remedies of an Unpaid Seller


A. Definition of unpaid seller – Art. 1525
B. Remedies of unpaid seller


XI. Performance of Contract


A. Delivery of thing sold


1. Sale of Movables – Arts. 1522, 1537, 1480
2. Sale of Immovables – Arts. 1539, 1543
3. Inspections and Acceptance


B. Payment of price


XII. Warranties


A. Express warranties
B. Implied warranties – Art. 1547
C. Effects of warranties
D. Effects of waivers
E. Buyer’s options in case of breach of warranty – Art. 1599


XIII. Breach of Contract


A. Remedies of the Seller – Arts. 1636, 1594


1. Sale of Movables


B. Recto Law: Sale of Movables on Installment – Arts. 1484-1486


1. Sale of Immovables


a. PD 957, sec. 23, 24
b. Maceda Law: Sale of Immovables on Installment


C. Remedies of the Buyer


1. Sale of Movable
2. Sale of Immovables


XIV. Extinguishment of the Sale


A. Causes – Arts. 1600, 1231
B. Conventional redemption – Art. 1601
C. Equitable mortgage – Arts. 1602-1604
D. Distinguish from option to buy – Art. 1602
E. Period of redemption – Art. 1606
F. Exercise of the right to redeem – Art. 1616
G. Legal redemption – Art. 1619
H. Age redemption – Art. 1619


XV. The Law on Sale of Subdivision and Condominium (PD 957)


XVI. The Condominium Act (RA 4726)


EXCLUDE: Electronic Commerce Act, Public Land Law, Retail Trade and Liberalization Act, Bulk Sales Law


                                                                        SUCCESSION


I. General Provisions (Arts. 774-780)


A. Definition/What is transmitted – Arts. 774, 776, 781
B. Succession occurs at the moment of death – Art. 777
C. Kinds of Successors – Heirs, Devisees, Legatees – Art. 782


II. Testamentary Succession


A. Wills


1. In General


a. Definition and characteristics - (Arts. 783-787)


(1) Personal Act; Non-delegability of will-making – Arts. 784-785, 787; exception – 786
(2) Rules of Construction and Interpretation/Law Governing Formal Validity – Art. 788-795


2. Testamentary Capacity and Intent – (Arts. 796-803)


a. Age Requirement – Art. 797
b. Soundness of Mind; Presumptions – Arts. 798-801


3. Form


a. Formal Validity Rules - Arts. 17, 815-817, 819


(1) See Law Governing Substantive Validity – Arts. 15, 16, 1039


b. Common requirements – Art. 804


(1) In Writing
(2) Language/Dialect Requirement


c. Notarial Wills


(1) Arts. 805-806
(2) Special rules for handicapped testators – Arts. 807-808
(3) Substantial Compliance – Art. 809
(4) Requisites – Arts. 820-824


d. Holographic Wills


(1) Requirements – Arts. 810-814
(2) Witnesses Required for Probate – Art. 811


Alterations, Requirements – Art. 814


e. Joint Wills – Arts. 818-819


4. Codicils, Definition and Formal Requirements – Arts. 825-826
5. Incorporate by Reference
6. Revocation (Arts. 828-834); kinds (Art. 830)
7. Allowance and Disallowance of Wills (Arts. 838-839)


a. Probate Requirement – Art. 838


(1) Issues to be Resolved in Probate Proceedings –Art. 839


(a) Exceptions – when practical considerations demand the intrinsic validity of the will be resolved


(2) Effect of Final Decree of Probate, Res Judicata on Formal Validity


b. Grounds for Denying Probate – Art. 839


B. Institution of Heirs (Arts. 840-856)


1. Preterition – Definition, Requisites and Effects (Art. 854)
2. Concept – Art. 854
3. Compulsory Heirs in the Direct Line


4. Preterition vs. Disposition less than Legitime/Donation Inter Vivos – Arts. 855, 906-918
5. Effects of Preterition, devisees only entitled to completion of legitime


C. Substitution of Heirs (Arts. 857-870)


1. Definition – Art. 857
2. Kinds – Arts. 858-860
3. Simple Substitution – Art. 859
4. Fideicommissary Substitution – Arts. 863-866, 869


D. Conditional Testamentary Dispositions and Testamentary Dispositions with a Term – Arts. 871-885
E. Legitime (Arts. 886-914)


1. Definition – Art. 886
2. Compulsory Heirs and Various Combinations – Arts. 887-903
3. Reserva Troncal – Art. 891
4. Disinheritance


a. Disinheritance for cause – Art. 919


(1) Reconciliation – Art. 922
(2) Rights of descendants of person disinherited – Art. 923


b. Disinheritance without cause - Art. 918


5. Legacies and Devisees – Arts. 924-959


III. Legal or Intestate Succession – Arts. 960-1014


A. General Provisions – Arts. 960-969


1. Relationship – Arts. 963-969
2. Right of Representation – Arts. 970-977


B. Order of Intestate Succession – Arts. 978-1014, 992


IV. Provisions Common to Testate and Intestate Succession – Arts. 1015-1105


A. Right of Accretion – Arts. 1015-1023


1. Definition and Requisites – Arts. 1015-1016


B. Capacity to Succeed by Will or Intestacy (Arts. 1024-1040)


1. Persons Incapable of Succeeding – Arts. 1027, 739, 1032
2. Unworthiness vs. Disinheritance


C. Acceptance and Repudiation of the Inheritance – Arts. 1041-1057
D. Collation – Arts. 908-910, 1061-1062
E. Partition and Distribution of Estate – Arts. 1078-1105


1. Partition – Arts. 1079, 1080
2. Partition inter vivos
3. Effects of Partition – Arts. 1091, 1097, 1100, 1104-1105


     EXCLUDE: Executors and Administrators (Arts. 1058-1060) – to be covered by Remedial Law




PARTNERSHIP


I. Contract of partnership


A. Definition
B. Elements
C. Rules to determine existence
D. How partnership is formed
E. Partnership term
F. Universal vs. Particular; General vs. Limited
G. Partnership by estoppel
H. Partnership v. Joint Venture
I. Professional partnership
J. Management – Arts. 1800-1803


II. Rights and obligations of partnership


III. Rights and obligations of partners among themselves


IV. Obligations of partnership/partners to third persons


V. Dissolution – Art. 1830


VI. Limited partnership


A. Definition
B. How limited partnership is formed/amended
C. Rights and obligations of a limited partner


     EXCLUDE: Questions requiring application of SEC opinions or regulations


                                                                            AGENCY


I. Definition of agency
II. Powers – Art. 1877-8


A. To bind principal – Arts. 1897-1902
B. Exception – Art. 1883


III. Express vs. Implied Agency
IV. Agency by estoppel
V. General vs. Special Agency
VI. Agency couched in general terms
VII. Agency requiring special power of attorney
VIII. Agency by operation of law
IX. Rights and Obligations of Principal
X. Irrevocable agency – Arts. 1927-1930
XI. Modes of extinguishment






                                                                      COMPROMISE


I. Definition – Art. 2028
II. Void Compromise – Art. 2035
III. Effect – Arts. 2037, 2041






                                                             CREDIT TRANSACTIONS


I. Loan


A. Commodatum vs. Mutuum
B. Obligations of Bailor and Bailee
C. Interest and the suspension of Usury Law


II. Deposit


A. Voluntary deposit
B. Necessary deposit
C. Judicial deposit


III. Guaranty and Suretyship


A. Nature and extent of guaranty
B. Effects of guaranty
C. Extinguishment of guaranty
D. Legal and judicial bonds


IV. Pledge


A. Definition
B. Kinds
C. Essential requirements
D. Obligation of pledge
E. Rights of pledgor
F. Perfection – Arts. 2093, 2096
G. Foreclosure – Arts. 2112, 2115
H. Pledge by Operation of Law – Art. 2121-2122
I. Distinguished from Chattel Mortgage – Arts. 2140, 1484


V. Real Mortgage


A. Definition and characteristics
B. Essential requisites
C. Foreclosure


VI. Antichresis


A. Definition and characteristics
B. Obligations of antichretic creditor


VII. Chattel Mortgage


A. Definition and characteristics
B. Registration


VIII. Quasi-Contracts


A. Negotiorum Gestio
B. Solutio Indebiti


IX. Concurrence and Preference of Credits


A. Meaning of concurrence and preference
B. Preferred Credits on Specific Movables
C. Exempt Property
D. Classification of credits
E. Order of preference of credits


X. Insolvency Law


A. Definition of insolvency
B. Suspension of payments
C. Voluntary insolvency
D. Involuntary insolvency


     EXCLUDE: Warehouse Receipts Law, Usury Law


LEASE


I. Lease of things
II. Lease of work or services
III. Lease of rural and urban lands


A. Qualified persons
B. Registration
C. Prohibitions


IV. Rights and obligations of lessor and lessee
V. Special rules for lease of rural/urban lands
VI. Household service
VII. Contract of labor


A. Obligation in case of death/injury of laborers


VIII. Contract for piece of work






                                                             LAND TITLES AND DEEDS


I. Torrens System


A. Concept and background
B. Certificate of Title


II. Regalian Doctrine


A. Concept
B. Effects
C. Concept of native title, time immemorial possession


III. Citizenship Requirement


A. Individuals and corporations


IV. Original Registration


A. Who may apply


1. Under PD 1529
2. Under CA 141
3. Under RA 8371


B. Registration process and requirements
C. Remedies
D. Cadastral registration


V. Subsequent Registration


A. Voluntary dealings
B. Involuntary dealings


VI. Non-Registrable Properties


VII. Dealings with Unregistered Lands


     EXCLUDE: History of land laws, Remedies sufficiently covered under Remedial Law, Registration of judgments, Orders and Partitions, Assurance Fund, Registration of Patents, Administrative structure of the Register of Deeds, Consultas






                                                            TORTS AND DAMAGES


                                                                 BOOK I – TORTS


I. Principles


A. Abuse of Right; Elements
B. Unjust Enrichment
C. Liability without Fault
D. Acts Contrary to Law
E. Acts Contrary to Morals


II. Classification of Torts


A. According to manner of commission: intentional, negligent and strict liability
B. According to scope: general or specific


III. The Tortfeasor


A. The Direct Tortfeasor


1. Natural Persons
2. Juridical Persons


B. Persons Made Responsible for Others


1. In General


a. Quasi-delicts under Article 2180, how interpreted – Family Code, Arts. 218-219, 221


(1) Elements; definition
(2) Distinguished from culpa contractual and culpa criminal


b. Indirect liability for intentional acts
c. Presumption of negligence on persons indirectly responsible
d. Nature of liability; joint or solidary?


2. In Particular


a. Parents
b. Guardian
c. Owners and Managers of Establishments and Enterprises
d. Employers


(1) Meaning of employers
(2) Requisites


(a) Employee chosen by employer or through another
(b) Services rendered in accordance with orders which employer has authority to give
(c) Illicit act of employee was on the occasion or by reason of the functions entrusted to him
(d) Presumption of negligence


(3) Employer need not be engaged in business or industry
(4) Defense of diligence in selection and supervision
(5) Nature of employer’s liability


e. State
f. Teachers and heads of establishments of arts and trades


C. Joint Tortfeasors (Art. 2194, Civil Code)


IV. Act of Omission and Its Modalities


A. Concept of Act


V. Proximate Cause


A. Concept


1. Definition
2. Test
3. Distinguished from Immediate Cause
4. Distinguished from Intervening Cause
5. Distinguished from Remote and Concurrent


B. Cause in Fact


1. But For
2. Substantial Factor Test
3. Concurrent Causes


C. Legal Cause


1. Natural and Probable Consequences
2. Foreseeability


D. Efficient Intervening Cause
E. Cause vs. Condition
F. Last Clear Chance


VI. Legal Injury


A. Concept
B. Elements of Right
C. Violation of Right or Legal Injury


D. Classes of Injury


1. Injury to persons
2. Injury to property
3. Injury to relations


VII. Intentional Torts


A. General


1. Concept
2. Classes


a. Interference with persons and property


(1) Physical harms
(2) Non-physical harms


b. Interference with relations


B. Interference with rights to persons and property


1. Intentional Physical Harms


a. General


(1) Concept
(2) Kinds


b. Violation of persons security, physical injuries – Art. 33, Civil Code


(1) Battery (Physical Injury)
(2) Assault (Grave Threat)


c. False Imprisonment (Illegal detention)
d. Trespass to Land


(1) Concept
(2) Elements


e. Interference with Personal Property


1) Trespass to Chattels
2) Conversion


2. Intentional Non-Physical Harms


a. General


(1) Concept
(2) Kinds


b. Violation of Personal Dignity
c. Infliction of emotional distress
d. Violation of Privacy


(1) Appropriation
(2) Intrusion
(3) Public disclosure of private facts
(4) False light in the public eye


e. Disturbance of Peace of Mind
f. Malicious Prosecution
g. Defamation


(1) Defenses


(a) Absence of elements
(b) Privilege


h. Fraud or Misrepresentation (formerly deceit)
i. Seduction
j. Unjust Dismissal


C. Interference with relations


1. General


a. Concept
b. Kinds


2. Family Relations


a. Alienation of affection
b. Loss of consortium
c. Criminal conversation (Adultery)


3. Social Relations


a. Meddling with or disturbing family relations
b. Intriguing to cause another to be alienated from his friends


4. Economic Relations


a. Interference with contractual relations
b. Unfair competition


5. Political Relations


a. Violation of right to suffrage (NCC, Art. 32)
b. Violation of other political rights (freedom of speech, press, assembly and petition, etc.)


6. Defenses


a. Absence of element
b. Privilege


1. Consent
2. Self-defense and defense of others
3. Necessity – NCC Art. 429
4. Defense of property
5. Authority of Law


c. Prescription
d. Waiver
e. Force majeure


VIII. Negligence


A. Concept
B. Good Father of a Family or Reasonably Prudent Man
C. Standard of Care


1. NCC, Art. 1173
2. Emergency Rule


D. Unreasonable risk of Harm
E. Evidence
F. Presumption of Negligence


1. Legal Provisions
2. Res ipsa loquitur


G. Defenses


1. Complete


a. Absence of element


(1) Due diligence
(2) Acts of public officers


b. Accident or fortuitous event
c. Damnum absque injuria
d. Authority of law
e. Assumption of risk
f. Last clear chance
g. Prescription – NCC, Art. 1144, 1146, and 1150
h. Waiver
i. Double recovery – NCC Art. 2177


IX. Special Liability in Particular Activities


A. General


1. Concept


B. Products Liability


1. Manufacturers or Processors


a. Elements
b. Consumer Act – RA 7394, secs. 92-107, (Ch. 1)


C. Nuisance – NCC Arts. 694-707


1. Nuisance Per Se and Nuisance Per Accidence
2. Public Nuisance and Private Nuisance
3. Attractive Nuisance


D. Violation of Constitutional Rights


1. Violation of Civil Liberties


E. Violation of Rights Committed by Public Officers
F. Provinces, Cities and Municipalities
G. Owner of Motor Vehicle
H. Proprietor of Building or Structure or Thing
I. Head of Family


X. Strict Liability


A. Animals


1. Possessor and User of an Animal


B. Nuisance (supra)


1. Classes


Per se or per accidents; Public or Private


2. Easement Against Nuisance


C. Products Liability (supra)


1. Consumer Act


                                                               BOOK II – DAMAGES


I. General Considerations


A. Classification


1. NCC Art. 2197
2. According to purpose
3. According to manner of determination
4. Special and ordinary


II. Actual and Compensatory Damages


A. Concept
B. Requisites


1. Alleged and proved with certainty
2. Not speculative


C. Component Elements


1. Value of loss; unrealized profit
2. Attorney’s fees and expenses of litigation
3. Interest


D. Extent or scope of actual damages


1. In contracts and quasi-contracts
2. In crimes and quasi-delicts


III. Moral Damages


A. Concept (Arts. 2217-2218)
B. When recoverable (Arts. 2219-2220)


1. In seduction, abduction, rape and other lascivious acts
2. In acts referred to in Arts. 21, 26, 27, 28, 29, 32, 34 & 35, NCC
3. In cases of malicious prosecution


IV. Nominal Damages


A. Concept
B. When awarded


V. Temperate or Moderate Damages


A. Concept


VI. Liquidated Damages


A. Concept; NCC Art. 2226
B. Rules governing in case of breach of contract


VII. Exemplary or Corrective Damages


A. Concept; NCC Art. 2229
B. When recovered


1. In criminal offenses; NCC Art. 2230
2. In quasi-delicts; NCC Art. 2231
3. In contracts and quasi-contracts; NCC Art. 2232


C. Requisites


1. Arts. 2233, 2234


VIII. Damages in Case of Death


A. In crimes and quasi-delicts causing death


1. In death caused by breach of conduct by a common crime


IX. Graduation of Damages


A. Duty of Injured Party


1. Art. 2203


B. Rules


1. In crimes
2. In quasi-delict; NCC Art. 2214
3. In contracts, quasi-contracts and quasi-delicts; NCC Art. 2215
4. Liquidated damages; NCC Art. 2227
5. Compromise


X. Miscellaneous Rules


A. Damages that cannot co-exists


1. Nominal with other damages, Art. 2223
2. Actual and Liquidated – Art. 2226


B. Damages that must co-exist


1. Exemplary with moral, temperate, liquidated or compensatory


C. Damages that must stand alone


1. Nominal Damages, Art. 2223


     EXCLUDE: Distinction between tort and quasi-delict






IMPORTANT NOTE: This bar coverage description is not intended and should not be used by law schools as a syllabus or course outline in the covered subjects. It has been drawn up for the limited purpose of ensuring that candidates reviewing for the bar examinations are guided on what basic and minimum amounts of laws, doctrines, and principles they need to know and be able to use correctly before they can be licensed to practice law. More is required for excellent and distinguished work as members of the Bar.


Source: http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/bar/announcement/Syllabi%20_CivilLaw.pdf



2011 BAR EXAM COVERAGE FOR CRIMINAL LAW

Source: http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/bar/announcement/Syllabi%20_CrimLaw.pdf

I. Revised Penal Code / Special Laws, Presidential Decrees, and Executive Orders

A. Book 1 (Articles 1-99, RPC, excluding provisions on civil liability), including related Special Laws

1. Fundamental Principles

a. Definition of Criminal Law

Difference between Mala in Se and Mala Prohibita

b. Scope of Application and Characteristics of the Philippine Criminal Law

(1) Generality
(2) Territoriality
(3) Prospectivity

c. Constitutional limitations on the power of Congress to enact penal laws in the Bill of Rights

(1) equal protection
(2) due process
(3) non-imposition of cruel and unusual punishment or excessive fines
-Act Prohibiting the Imposition of Death Penalty in the Philippines (R.A. 9346)
(4) bill of attainder
(5) ex post facto law

2. Felonies

a. Classifications of Felonies
b. Elements of Criminal Liability
c. Impossible Crime
d. Stages of Execution
e. Conspiracy and Proposal

f. Multiple Offenders (differences, rules, effects)
(1) Recidivism
(2) Habituality (Reiteracion)
(3) Quasi-Recidivism
(4) Habitual Deliquency

g. Complex Crimes vis Special Complex Crimes

3. Circumstances which Affect Criminal Liability

a. Decree Codifying the Laws on Illegal / Unlawful Possession, Manufacture, Dealing in, Acquisition or Disposition, of Firearms, Ammunition or Explosives (P.D. 1866, as amended by R.A. 8294) as an aggravating circumstance

b. The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 (R.A. 9165)
(1) As a qualifying aggravating circumstance
(2) Immunity from prosecution and punishment, coverage
(3) Minor offenders
(4) Application / Non application of RPC provisions (Sec. 98, R.A. 9165) cf. Art. 10, RPC

c. Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006 (R.A. 9344); also refer to Child and Youth Welfare Code (P.D. 603, as amended)
(1) Definition of child in conflict with the law
(2) Minimum age of criminal responsibility
(3) Determination of age
(4) Exemption from criminal liability

d. Anti-Violence against Women and their Children Act of 2004 (R.A. 9262)
-Battered woman syndrome

4. Persons Criminally Liable

a. Decree Penalizing Obstruction of Apprehension and Prosecution of Criminal Offenders (P.D. 1829)

(1) Punishable acts
(2) Compare with Article 20, RPC (accessories exempt from criminal liability)

5. Penalties

a. General Principles
-Act Prohibiting the Imposition of Death Penalty in the Philippines (R.A. 9346)
b. Purposes
c. Classification
d. Duration and Effects
e. Application
(1) Indeterminate Sentence Law (R.A. 4103, as amended)
(a) Application on the imposed sentence
(b) Coverage
(c) Conditions of parole

f. Execution and Service

(1) Probation Law (P.D. 968, as amended)
(a) Definition of terms
(b) Purpose
(c) Grant of probation, manner and conditions
(d) Criteria of placing an offender on probation
(e) Disqualified offenders
(f) Period of probation
(g) Arrest of probationer
(h) Termination of probation; exception
-The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 (R.A. 9165)

(2) Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006 (R.A. 9344); also refer to Child and Youth Welfare Code (P.D. 603, as amended)
(a) Definition of child in conflict with the law
(b) Exemption from criminal liability
(c) Juvenile justice and welfare system

6. Modification and Extinction of Criminal Liability
a. Prescription of crimes
b. Prescription of penalties

B. Book II (Articles 114-365), including related Special Laws

1. Crimes Against National Security (114-123); in addition:

a. Anti-Piracy and Anti- Highway Robbery (P.D.532)
(1) Definition of terms
(2) Punishable acts

b. Anti-Hijacking Law (PD 6235)
(1) Punishable acts

c. Human Security Act of 2007(R.A. 9372)
(1) Punishable acts of terrorism
(2) Who are liable

2. Crimes Against the Fundamental Laws of the State (124-133); in addition:

a. Human Security Act of 2007 (R.A. 9372)
(1) Period of detention

b. Anti-Torture Act (R.A. 9745)
(1) Punishable acts
(2) Who are liable

3. Crimes Against Public Order (134-159); in addition:

a. -Decree Codifying the Laws on Illegal / Unlawful Possession, Manufacture, Dealing in, Acquisition or Disposition, of Firearms, Ammunition or Explosives (P.D. 1866, as amended by R.A. 8294) as an element of the crimes of rebellion, insurrection, sedition, or attempted coup d’etat

b. Human Security Act of 2007 (R.A. 9372)
(1) Punishable acts of terrorism
(2) Who are liable
(3) Absorption principle in relation to complex crimes

4. Crimes Against Public Interest (161-187); in addition:

a. The New Public Bidding Law (R.A. 9184)
(1) Prohibited acts

b. Anti-Alias Law (C.A. 142)
(1) Punishable acts
(2) Exception

5. Crimes Relative to Opium and other Prohibited Drugs

a. The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 (R.A. 9165)
(1) Punishable acts
(2) Attempt or conspiracy, effect on liability

6. Crimes Against Public Morals (200-202)

7. Crimes Committed by Public Officers (203-245); in addition:

a. Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (R.A. 3019,as amended)
(1) Coverage
(2) Punishable acts
(3) Exceptions

b. Anti-Plunder Act (R.A. 7080, as amended)
(1) Definition of terms
(2) Ill-gotten wealth
(3) Plunder
(4) Series / Combination
(5) Pattern

c. Human Security Act of 2007 (R.A. 9372)
(1) Failure to deliver suspect to proper judicial authority
(2) Infidelity in the custody of detained persons
(3) False prosecution

8. Crimes Against Persons (246-266); in addition:

a. Anti-Violence against Women and their Children Act of 2004 (R.A. 9262)
(1) Punishable acts

b. Anti-Child Pornography Law (R.A. 9775)
(1) Definition of terms
(2) Unlawful or punishable acts

c. Anti-Hazing Law (R.A. 8049)

(1) Hazing
(a) Definition
(b) Allowed initiation rites
(2) Who are liable
(3) Punishable acts

d. Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act (R.A. 7610, as amended)
(1) Coverage
(2) Child prostitution, punishable acts
(3) Child trafficking, punishable acts

e. Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006 (R.A. 9344); also refer to Child and Youth Welfare Code (P.D. 603, as amended)
(1) Punishable acts

f. Human Security Act of 2007 (R.A. 9372)
(1) Punishable acts of terrorism
(2) Who are liable

9. Crimes Against Personal Liberty and Security (267-292); in addition:

a. Anti-Wire Tapping Act (R.A. 4200)
(1) Punishable acts
(2) Exceptions

b. Human Security Act of 2007 (R.A. 9372)
(1) Surveillance of suspects and interception and recording of communications
(2) Restriction on travel

(3) Examination of bank deposits and documents
(a) Judicial Authorization
(b) Application

(4) Unauthorized revelation of classified materials

c. Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 (R.A. 9208)
(1) Punishable acts

10. Crimes Against Property (293-332); in addition:

a. Anti-Fencing Law (P.D. No. 1612) and its Implementing Rules and Regulations

(1) Fencing
(a) Definition
(b) Presumption of fencing

(2) Exception
(a) With clearance or permit to sell

b. Bouncing Checks Law (B.P. Blg. 22) plus Administrative Circular No. 12-2000 Re: Penalty for Violation of B.P. 22 and Administrative Circular No. 13-2001 Re: Clarification of Admin Circular No. 12-2000
(1) Punishable acts
(2) Evidence of knowledge of insufficient funds
(3) Preference of imposition of fine

c. Anti-Carnapping Act of 1972 (R.A. 6539)
(1) Definition of terms
(2) Registration

(3) Who are liable
(a) Duty of collector of customs
(b) Duty of importers, distributors and sellers
(c) Clearance and permit

(4) Punishable acts

d. Human Security Act of 2007 (R.A. 9372)
(1) Punishable acts of terrorism

e. Anti-Arson Law (P.D.1613)
(1) Punishable acts

11. Crimes Against Chastity (333-334, 336-346); in addition:

a. Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act of 2009 (R.A. 9995)
(1) Punishable acts

b. Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act (R.A. 7610, as amended)

(1) Child prostitution and other acts of abuse
(a) Punishable acts
(b) Compare prosecution for Acts of Lasciviousness under Art. 366, RPC and RA 7610, as amended

(2) Obscene Publications and indecent shows
(a) Punishable acts

c. Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 (R.A. 9208)
(1) Punishable acts

d. Anti-Violence against Women and their Children Act of 2004 (R.A. 9262)
(1) Punishable acts

e. Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995 (R.A. 7877)
(1) Punishable acts

12. Crimes Against Civil Status (347-352)

13. Crimes Against Honor (353-364); in addition:

a. Administrative Circular 08-2008 Re: Guidelines in the Observance of a Rule of Preference in the Imposition of Penalties in Libel Cases
(1) Preference of imposition of fine

14. Criminal Negligence (365)

II. Jurisprudence— Pertinent Supreme Court decisions promulgated up to June 30, 2010

III. Excluded Topics

1. All Special Penal Laws and Supreme Court Decisions not pertinent to the above outlined topics are excluded.

2. Penalties of Specific Crimes.



IMPORTANT NOTE: This bar coverage description is not intended and should not be used by law schools as a syllabus or course outline in the covered subjects. It has been drawn up for the limited purpose of ensuring that candidates reviewing for the bar examinations are guided on what basic and minimum amounts of laws, doctrines, and principles they need to know and be able to use correctly before they can be licensed to practice law. More is required for excellent and distinguished work as members of the Bar.

2011 BAR EXAM COVERAGE FOR POLITICAL LAW

A. The Constitution

1. Definition, Nature and Concepts
2. Parts
3. Amendments and Revisions
4. Self-Executing and Non-Self-Executing Provisions
5. General Provisions

B. General Considerations

1. National Territory
    a. Archipelagic Doctrine
2. State Immunity
3. Principles and Policies
4. Separation of Powers
5. Checks and Balances
6. Delegation of Powers
7. Forms of Government

C. Legislative Department

1. Who May Exercise Legislative Power
   a. Initiative and Referendum

2. Houses of Congress
   a. Senate
   b. House of Representatives

     (1) District Representatives and Questions of Apportionment
     (2) Party-List System

3. Legislative Privileges, Inhibitions and Disqualifications
4. Quorum and Voting Majorities
5. Discipline of Members

6. Electoral Tribunals and the Commission on Appointments
a. Nature
b. Powers

7. Powers of Congress
a. Legislative

(1) Legislative Inquiries and the Oversight Functions
(2) Bicameral Conference Committee
(3) Limitations on Legislative Power
(a) Limitations on Revenue, Appropriations and Tariff Measures
(b) Presidential Veto and Congressional Override

b. Non-Legislative
(1) Informing Function

D. Executive Department

1. Privileges, Inhibitions and Disqualifications

a. Presidential Immunity
b. Presidential Privilege

2. Powers

a. Executive and Administrative Powers in General
b. Power of Appointment

(1) In General
(2) Commission on Appointments Confirmation
(3) Midnight Appointments
(4) Power of Removal

c. Power of Control and Supervision

(1) Doctrine of Qualified Political Agency
(2) Executive Departments and Offices
(3) Local Government Units

d. Military Powers
e. Pardoning Power

(1) Nature and Limitations
(2) Forms of Executive Clemency

f. Diplomatic Power
g. Residual Powers

E. Judicial Department

1. Concepts

a. Judicial Power
b. Judicial Review

(1) Operative Fact Doctrine
(2) Moot Questions
(3) Political Question Doctrine

2. Judicial Independence Safeguards
3. Judicial Restraint
4. Appointments to the Judiciary
5. Supreme Court

a. En Banc and Division Cases
b. Procedural Rule Making
c. Administrative Supervision Over Lower Courts

F. Constitutional Commissions

1. Institutional Independence Safeguards
2. Powers and Functions
3. Judicial Review

a. Quasi-Judicial Functions
b. Administrative

G. Bill of Rights

1. Fundamental Powers of the State

a. Concept and Application
b. Requisites for Valid Exercise
c. Similarities and Differences
d. Delegation

2. Private Acts and the Bill of Rights

3. Due Process

a. Relativity of Due Process
b. Procedural and Substantive Due Process
c. Constitutional and Statutory Due Process
d. Hierarchy of Rights
e. Judicial Standards of Review
f. Void-for-Vagueness Doctrine

4. Equal Protection

a. Concept
b. Requisites for Valid Classification

5. Searches and Seizures

a. Concept
b. Warrant Requirement

(1) Requisites

c. Warrantless Searches
d. Warrantless Arrests
e. Administrative Arrests
f. Drug, Alcohol and Blood Tests

6. Privacy of Communications and Correspondence

a. Private and Public Communications
b. Writ of Habeas Data

7. Freedom of Expression

a. Concept and Scope

(1) Prior Restraint (Censorship)
(2) Subsequent Punishment

b. Content-Based and Content-Neutral Regulations
c. Facial Challenges and the Overbreadth Doctrine
d. Tests
e. State Regulation of Different Types of Mass Media
f. Commercial Speech
g. Private v. Government Speech
h. Heckler’s Veto

8. Freedom of Religion

a. Non-Establishment Clause
b. Free Exercise Clause

9. Liberty of Abode and Freedom of Movement

a. Limitations
b. Return to One’s County

10. Right to Information

a. Limitations
b. Publication of Laws and Regulations
c. Access to Court Records
d. Right to Information Relative to

(1) Government Contract Negotiations
(2) Diplomatic Negotiations

11. Right of Association
12. Eminent Domain

a. Concept
b. Expansive Concept of “Public Use”
c. Just Compensation

(1) Determination
(2) Effect of Delay

d. Abandonment of Intended Use and Right of Repurchase
e. Miscellaneous Application

13. Contract Clause

a. Contemporary Application of the Contract Clause

14. Legal Assistance and Free Access to Courts
15. Rights of Suspects

a. Availability
b. Requisites
c. Waiver

16. Rights of the Accused

a. Criminal Due Process
b. Bail
c. Presumption of Innocence
d. Right to be Heard
e. Assistance of Counsel
f. Right to be Informed
g. Right to Speedy, Impartial and Public Trial
h. Right of Confrontation
i. Compulsory Process
j. Trials In Absentia

17. Writ of Habeas Corpus

a. Writ of Amparo

18. Self-Incrimination Clause

a. Scope and Coverage
(1) Foreign Laws
b. Application
c. Immunity Statutes

19. Involuntary Servitude and Political Prisoners
20. Excessive Fines and Cruel and Inhuman Punishments
21. Non-Imprisonment for Debts
22. Double Jeopardy
a. Requisites
b. Motions for Reconsideration and Appeals
c. Dismissal with Consent of Accused

23. Ex Post Facto Laws and Bills of Attainder

H. Citizenship

1. Natural-Born Citizens and Public Office
2. Naturalization and Denaturalization
3. Loss of Citizenship
4. Repatriation

I. Law on Public Officers

1. General Principles
2. Modes of Acquiring Title to Public Office
3. Modes and Kinds of Appointment
4. Eligibility and Qualification Requirements
5. Disabilities and Inhibitions of Public Officers
6. Powers and Duties of Public Officers
7. Rights of Public Officers
8. Liabilities of Public Officers
a. Preventive Suspension and Back Salaries
b. Illegal Dismissal, Reinstatement and Back Salaries

9. Immunity of Public Officers
10. De Facto Officers
11. Termination of Official Relation
12. The Civil Service
a. Scope
b. Appointments to the Civil Service
c. Personnel Actions

13. Accountability of Public Officers
a. Impeachment
b. Ombudsman
(1) Judicial Review in Administrative Proceedings
(2) Judicial Review in Penal Proceedings
c. Sandiganbayan
d. Ill-Gotten Wealth

14. Term Limits

J. Administrative Law

1. General Principles
2. Administrative Agencies
3. Powers of Administrative Agencies

a. Quasi-Legislative (Rule Making) Power
(1) Kinds of Administrative Rules and Regulations
(2) Requisites for Validity
b. Quasi-Judicial (Adjudicatory) Power
(1) Administrative Due Process
(2) Administrative Appeal and Review
(3) Administrative Res Judicata
c. Fact-Finding, Investigative, Licensing and Rate-Fixing Powers

4. Judicial Recourse and Review
a. Doctrine of Primary Administrative Jurisdiction
b. Doctrine of Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies
c. Doctrine of Finality of Administrative Action

K. Election Law

1. Suffrage
2. Qualification and Disqualification of Voters
3. Registration of Voters
4. Inclusion and Exclusion Proceedings
5. Political Parties
6. Candidacy
a. Qualifications of Candidates
b. Filing of Certificates of Candidacy
(1) Effect of Filing
(2) Substitution of Candidates
(3) Nuisance Candidates
(4) Petition to Deny or Cancel Certificates of Candidacy
(5) Effect of Disqualification
(6) Withdrawal of Candidates

7. Campaign
a. Premature Campaigning
b. Prohibited Contributions

8. Board of Canvassers
9. Remedies and Jurisdiction in Election Law
a. Petition Not to Give Due Course to Certificate of Candidacy
b. Petition to Declare Failure of Elections
c. Pre-Proclamation Controversy
d. Election Protest
e. Quo Warranto

10. Prosecution of Election Offenses

L. Local Governments

1. Public Corporations
a. Concept
(1) Distinguished from Government-Owned or Controlled Corporations (GOCCs)
b. Classifications
(1) Quasi-Corporations
(2) Municipal Corporations

2. Municipal Corporations
a. Elements
b. Nature and Functions
c. Requisites for Creation, Conversion, Division, Merger or Dissolution

3. Principles of Local Autonomy

4. Powers of Local Government Units (LGUs)
a. Police Power (General Welfare Clause)
b. Eminent Domain
c. Taxing Power
d. Closure and Opening of Roads
e. Legislative Power
(1) Requisites for Valid Ordinance
(2) Local Initiative and Referendum

f. Corporate Powers
(1) To Sue and Be Sued
(2) To Acquire and Sell Property
(3) To Enter Into Contracts
(a) Requisites
(b) Ultra Vires Contracts

g. Liability of LGUs
h. Settlement of Boundary Disputes
i. Succession of Elective Officials

j. Discipline of Local Officials
(1) Elective Officials
(a) Grounds
(b) Jurisdiction
(c) Preventive Suspension
(d) Removal
(e) Administrative Appeal
(f) Doctrine of Condonation
(2) Appointive Officials

k. Recall
l. Term Limits

M. National Economy and Patrimony

1. Regalian Doctrine
2. Nationalist and Citizenship Requirement Provisions
3. Exploration, Development and Utilization of Natural Resources
4. Franchises, Authority and Certificates for Public Utilities
5. Acquisition, Ownership and Transfer of Public and Private Lands
6. Practice of Professions
7. Organization and Regulation of Corporations, Private and Public
8. Monopolies, Restraint of Trade and Unfair Competition

N. Social Justice and Human Rights

1. Concept of Social Justice
2. Commission on Human Rights

O. Education, Science, Technology, Arts, Culture and Sports

1. Academic Freedom

P. Public International Law

1. Concepts
a. Obligations Erga Omnes
b. Jus Cogens
c. Concept of Aeguo Et Bono

2. International and National Law
3. Sources

4. Subjects
a. States
b. International Organizations
c. Individuals

5. Diplomatic and Consular Law
6. Treaties
7. Nationality and Statelessness

8. Treatment of Aliens
a. Extradition
(1) Fundamental Principles
(2) Procedure
(3) Distinguished from Deportation

9. International Human Rights Law
a. Universal Declaration of Human Rights
b. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)
c. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)

10. International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and Neutrality
a. Categories of Armed Conflicts
(1) International Armed Conflicts
(2) Internal or Non-International Armed Conflict
(3) War of National Liberation

b. Core International Obligations of States in IHL

c. Principles of IHL
(1) Treatment of Civilians
(2) Prisoners of War

d. Law on Neutrality

11. Law of the Sea
a. Baselines

b. Archipelagic States
(1) Straight Archipelagic Baselines
(2) Archipelagic Waters
(3) Archipelagic Sea Lanes Passage

c. Internal Waters
d. Territorial Sea
e. Exclusive Economic Zone

f. Continental Shelf
(1) Extended Continental Shelf

g. Tribunal of the Law of the Sea

12. International Environment Law
a. Principle 21 of Stockholm Declaration

IMPORTANT NOTE: This bar coverage description is not intended and should not be used by law schools as a syllabus or course outline in the covered subjects. It has been drawn up for the limited purpose of ensuring that candidates reviewing for the bar examinations are guided on what basic and minimum amounts of laws, doctrines, and principles they need to know and be able to use correctly before they can be licensed to practice law. More is required for excellent and distinguished work as members of the Bar.

Source: http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/bar/announcement/Syllabi%20_PolLaw.pdf

2011 BAR EXAM COVERAGE FOR LABOR LAW

Source: http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/bar/announcement/Syllabi%20_LaborLaw.pdf

A. FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES AND POLICIES

1. Constitutional Provisions

a. Art II, Secs. 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 18, 20.
b. Art III, Secs. 1, 4, 8.
c. Art. XIII, Secs. 1, 2, 3, 14.

2. New Civil Code

a. Article 1700

3. Labor Code

a. Article 3
b. Article 211
c. Article 212
d. Article 255

B. RECRUITMENT AND PLACEMENT

1. Recruitment of Local and Migrant Workers

a. Recruitment and placement; defined
b. Illegal Recruitment, Art. 38 (Local), Sec. 6, Migrant Workers Act, RA 8042
(a) License vs. Authority
(b) Essential elements of illegal recruitment
(c) Simple illegal recruitment
(d) Illegal recruitment in large scale
(e) Illegal recruitment as economic sabotage
(f) Illegal Recruitment vs. Estafa

(g) Liabilities
(a) local employment agency
(b) foreign employer
i. Theory of imputed knowledge

(h) Pretermination of contract of migrant worker

c. Direct hiring

2. Regulation and Enforcement

a. Remittance of foreign exchange earnings
b. Prohibited activities
c. Regulatory and visitorial powers of the Labor Secretary
d. Penalties for illegal recruitment

C. LABOR STANDARDS

1. Hours of Work

a. Coverage/Exclusions
b. Normal Hours of Work
(a) Exceptions
(a) Health Personnel
(b) Compressed Work Week

d. Work interruption due to brownouts
e. Meal Break
f. Idle time, waiting time, commuting time, travel time, whether part of hours of work or not

g. Overtime work
(a) Undertime not offset by overtime
(b) Waiver of overtime pay

h. Night Work
i. CBA provision vis-à-vis overtime work

2. Wages

a. “No work no pay” principle
b. Coverage/Exclusions
c. Facilities vs supplements
d. Wages vs. salaries
e. Wage distortion
f. CBA vis-à-vis Wage Orders – CBA creditability
g. Non-diminution of benefits
h. Worker’s preference in case of bankruptcy
i. Labor Code provisions for wage protection
j. Allowable deductions without employee’s consent
k. Attorney’s fees and union service fee in labor cases
l. Criteria/Factors for Wage Setting

3. Rest Day

a. Right to weekly rest day
b. Preference of the employee
c. When work on rest day authorized

4. Holidays

a. Right to holiday pay
(1) In case of absences
(2) In case of temporary cessation of work
(3) Of teachers, piece workers, seafarers, seasonal workers, etc.

b. Exclusions from coverage

5. Leaves

a. Service Incentive Leave Pay
(1) Right to service incentive leave
(2) Exclusions from coverage
(3) Commutable nature of benefit

b. Maternity Leave
(1) Coverage
(2) Conditions to entitlement
(3) Availment

c. Paternity Leave
(1) Coverage
(2) Conditions to entitlement
(3) Availment

d. Parental Leave
(1) Coverage
(2) Conditions to entitlement
(3) Availment

e. Leaves for victims of violence against women
(1) Coverage
(2) Conditions to entitlement
(3) Availment

6. Service Charges

a. Coverage
b. Exclusion
c. Distribution
d. Integration

7. Thirteenth (13th) Month Pay and other bonuses

a. Coverage
b. Exclusion/Exemptions from coverage
c. Nature of 13th month pay
d. Commissions vis-à-vis 13th month pay
e. CBA vis-à-vis 13th month pay

8. Women Workers

a. Discrimination (Art. 135, LC)
b. Stipulation against marriage (Art. 136, LC)
c. Prohibited Acts (Art. 137, LC)
d. Classification of certain women workers (Art. 138, LC)
e. Anti-Sexual Harassment Act (RA 7877)

9. Minor Workers (RA 7678, RA 9231)

a. Regulation of working hours of a child
b. Employment of the child in public entertainment
c. Prohibition of employing minors in certain undertakings and in certain advertisements

10. Employment of Househelpers

a. Definition
b. Benefits accorded househelpers
c. Termination
d. Reliefs for unjust termination

11. Employment of Homeworkers

a. Definition
b. Rights and benefits accorded homeworkers
c. Conditions for deduction from homewoker’s earnings

12. Apprentices and Learners

a. Distinctions between Learnership and Apprenticeship

13. Handicapped Workers (RA 7277)

a. Definition of “handicapped workers”
b. Rights of disabled workers
c. Prohibitions on discrimination against disable persons
d. Incentives for employers

D. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

1. Employer-Employee Relationship

a. Four-fold Test
b. Probationary Employment

c. Kinds of Employment
(1) Regular employment
(a) Reasonable connection rule

(2) Project employment
(a) Indicators of project employment

(3) Seasonal employment
(4) Casual employment

(5) Fixed term employment
(a) Requisites for validity

d. Job contracting and Labor-only contracting
(1) When is there “job contracting”?
(2) When is there “labor-only contracting”?
(3) Conditions that must concur in legitimate job contracting
(4) Effects of finding that there is labor-only contracting

2. Termination of Employment

a. Substantive Due Process
(1) Just Causes

(a) Serious misconduct or willful disobedience
i. Requisites

(b) Gross and habitual neglect of duties
i. Requisites

(c) Fraud or willful breach of trust (loss of trust and confidence)
i. Requisites

(d) Abandonment of employment; Elements that must concur
(e) Termination of employment pursuant to a Union Security Clause
(f) Totality of infractions doctrine

(2) Authorized Causes

(a) Redundancy, Retrenchment and Closure
i. Procedural steps required
ii. Requirements for valid retrenchment/redundancy
iii. Criteria in selecting employees for dismissal
iv. Standards to be followed

(b) Disease or illness
i. Requisites

b. Procedural Due Process
(1) Procedure to be observed in termination cases
(2) Guiding Principles in connection with the hearing requirements in dismissal cases
(c) Agabon doctrine

c. Reliefs for illegal dismissal

(1) Reinstatement aspect
(a) Immediately executory
i. Actual reinstatement
ii. Payroll reinstatement

(2) Separation pay in lieu of Reinstatement
(a) Strained Relation rule

(3) Backwages
(a) Components of the amount of backwages

(4) Constructive dismissal
(5) Preventive Suspension
(6) Quitclaims
(7) Termination of employment by employee

3. Retirement Pay Law

a. Coverage
b. Exclusions from coverage
c. Components of retirement pay
d. Retirement pay under RA 7641 vis-à-vis retirement benefits under SSS and GSIS laws

E. MANAGEMENT PREROGATIVE

1. Discipline

2. Transfer of employees

3. Productivity standard

4. Grant of Bonus

5. Change of working hours

6. Marital discrimination

7. Post-employment ban

8. Limitations in its exercise

F. SOCIAL LEGISLATION

1. SSS Law (RA 8282)

a. Coverage
b. Exclusions from coverage
c. Benefits
d. Beneficiaries

2. GSIS (RA 8291)

a. Coverage
b. Exclusions from coverage
c. Benefits
d. Beneficiaries

3. Limited Portability Law (RA 7699)

4. Employee’s Compensation – Coverage and when compensable

G. LABOR RELATIONS LAW

1. Right to Self-organization

a. Who may unionize for purposes of collective bargaining
(1) Who cannot form, join or assist labor organizations
(2) Executive Order No. 180

b. Bargaining unit
(1) Test to determine the constituency of an appropriate bargaining unit

(2) Voluntary Recognition
(a) Requirements

(3) Certification election
(a) In an unorganized establishment
(b) In an organized establishment
(c) Rules prohibiting the filing of petition for certification election
(d) Requirements for validity of certification election
(e) Protests and other questions arising from conduct of certification election

(4) Run-off election
(a) Requirements

(5) Re-run election

(6) Consent election

(7) Affiliation and disaffiliation of the local union from the mother union
(a) Substitutionary doctrine

(8) Union dues and special assessments
(a) Requirements for validity

(9) Agency fees
(a) Requisites for assessment

2. Right to Collective Bargaining

a. Duty to bargain collectively
(1) Kiok Loy ruling

b. Mandatory provisions of CBA
(1) Grievance Procedure
(2) Voluntary Arbitration
(3) No Strike-No Lockout Clause
(4) Labor Management Council

c. ULP in Collective Bargaining
(1) Bargaining in bad faith
(2) Refusal to bargain
(3) Individual bargaining
(4) Blue sky bargaining
(5) Surface bargaining

d. Unfair Labor Practice
(1) ULP of Employers
(2) ULP of Labor Organizations

3. Right to Peaceful Concerted Activities

a. Forms of Concerted Activities
b. Who may declare a strike or lockout?
c. Requisites for a valid strike
d. Requisites for a valid lockout
e. Requisites for lawful picketing
f. Assumption of jurisdiction by the Secretary of Labor or Certification of the Labor dispute to the NLRC for compulsory arbitration
g. Nature of Assumption Order or Certification Order
h. Effect of defiance of Assumption or Certification Orders

i. Illegal Strike
(1) Liability of officers of the unions
(2) Liability of ordinary workers
(3) Waiver of illegality of strike

j. Injunctions
(1) Requisites for Labor Injunctions
(2) “Innocent Bystander Rule”

H. PROCEDURE AND JURISDICTION

1. Labor Arbiter

a. Jurisdiction
b. Effect of self-executing order of reinstatement on backwages
c. Requirements to perfect appeal to NLRC

2. National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC)

a. Jurisdictions
b. Effect of NLRC reversal of Labor Arbiter’s order of reinstatement
c. Requirements to perfect appeal to Court of Appeals

3. Bureau of Labor Relations (BLR) – Med Arbiters

a. Jurisdiction (Original and Appellate)

4. National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB)

a. Conciliation vs. Mediation
b. Preventive Mediation

5. DOLE Regional Directors

a. Small money claims

6. DOLE Secretary

a. Visitorial and Enforcement Powers
b. Power to suspend effects of termination

7. Voluntary Arbitrators

a. Submission Agreement
b. Rule 43, Rules of Court

8. Court of Appeals

a. Rule 65, Rules of Court

9. Supreme Court

a. Rule 45, Rules of Court

10. Prescription of Actions

a. Money claims
b. Illegal dismissal
c. Unfair labor practice
d. Offenses penalized by the Labor Code and IRR issued pursuant thereto