POLITICAL AND PUBLIC INTERNATIONAL LAW SYLLABUS FOR THE 2027 BAR EXAMINATIONS

 

POLITICAL AND PUBLIC INTERNATIONAL LAW (15%)

 

NOTE: Only laws, rules, issuances, and jurisprudence pertinent to the topics below as of June 30, 2026 are examinable in the 2027 Bar Examinations.

 

I.                  BASIC CONCEPTS

 

A.         The Constitution

1.           Nature and Concept

2.           Self-executing and Non-self-executing Provisions

3.           Amendments and Revisions (See also RA 6735)

B.          The State

1.           Elements

2.           Sovereignty

3.           State Immunity (See also PD 1445, Sec. 26)

C.         Constitutional Design of Government Powers

1.           Separation of Powers

2.           Checks and Balances

3.           Delegation of Powers

D.         Fundamental Powers of the State

1.           Police Power

2.           Eminent Domain (See also RA 10752, as amended by RA 12289)

3.           Taxation

E.          Declaration of Principles and State Policies

 

II.               NATIONAL TERRITORY AND MARITIME ZONES

 

A.         Scope of National Territory

B.          Archipelagic Doctrine and Baselines (U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea [UNCLOS], Arts. 46–50; RA 9522)

C.         Archipelagic Sea Lanes (UNCLOS, Arts. 53–54; RA 12065)

D.         Maritime Zones (UNCLOS; RA 12064)

 

III.           CITIZENSHIP

 

A.         Who are Filipino Citizens

B.          Acquisition of Philippine Citizenship (CA 473, as amended by CA 535; RA 530 and 9139; AM 21-07-22-SC)

C.         Natural-born and Naturalized Citizens

D.         Loss and Reacquisition of Philippine Citizenship (RA 9225)

E.          Dual Citizenship and Dual Allegiance

IV.            LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT

 

A.         Chambers of Congress; Composition; Qualifications; Term

1.           The Senate

2.           The House of Representatives

a.            Legislative Districts and Apportionment

b.           Party-List System (RA 7941; Exclude computation of party-list seat allocation)

3.           Legislative Privileges, Inhibitions, and Disqualifications

4.           Quorum and Voting Majorities

5.           Discipline of Members

B.          General (Plenary) Legislative Power

1.           Limitations

2.           Legislative Process

a.            Form and Manner of Passage of Bills

b.           Presidential Veto and Congressional Override

C.         Other Powers

1.           Power of Appropriation

2.           Power of Taxation

3.           Power of Legislative Inquiry

4.           Question Hour

5.           War Powers

6.           Power to Act as Board of Canvassers in Presidential Election

7.           Power to Call Special Election for President/Vice President

8.           Power to Determine President’s Inability to Discharge Duties

9.           Power to Revoke or Extend Suspension of Privilege of Writ of Habeas Corpus or Declaration of Martial Law

10.       Power to Concur in Treaties or International Agreements

11.       Power to Confirm Certain Presidential Appointments

12.       Power of Impeachment

13.       Power Relative to Natural Resources

14.       Power to Propose Amendments to the Constitution

D.         Direct Legislation – Initiative and Referendum (RA 6735)

 

V.               EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT

 

A.         Qualifications, Election, and Term of the President and the Vice President

B.          Privileges, Inhibitions, and Disqualifications

C.         Powers of the President

1.           General Executive and Administrative Powers

2.           Power of Appointment

a.            Confirmation by Commission on Appointments

b.           Ad Interim Appointments

c.            Bypassed Appointments and their Effects

d.           Scope of Midnight Appointments

e.            Appointments by an Acting President

f.             Disciplinary Power (Suspension and Removal)

3.           Power of Control and Supervision

a.            Executive Departments and Offices

b.           Doctrine of Qualified Political Agency

c.            Local Government Units 

4.           Emergency Powers

5.           Commander-in-Chief Powers

a.            Calling Out Powers

b.           Declaration of Martial Law

c.            Suspension of Privilege of Writ of Habeas Corpus

6.           Pardoning Power

a.            Scope and Limitations

b.           Forms of Executive Clemency

7.           Diplomatic Powers

a.            In General

b.           Contracting or Guaranteeing Foreign Loans

c.            Treaties and International Agreements

8.           Powers Relative to Appropriation Measures

9.           Veto Powers

10.       Delegated Powers

11.       Residual Powers (EO 292, Book III, Title I, Ch. 7, Sec. 20) D. Rules on Succession  

VI.            JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT

 

A.         Concept of Judicial Power

B.          Judicial Review

1.           Requisites

2.           Political Question Doctrine

3.           Exceptions to Mootness

4.           Operative Fact Doctrine

C.         Judicial Independence and Fiscal Autonomy (See RA 12233)

D.         Appointments to the Judiciary

1.           Qualifications of Members

2.           Judicial and Bar Council

E.          The Supreme Court

1.           Composition, Powers, and Functions

a.            Power to Promulgate Rules

b.           Administrative Supervision over Lower Courts

2.           Original and Appellate Jurisdiction

3.           En Banc and Division Cases

 

VII.        CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSIONS

 

A.         Common Constitutional Provisions

B.          Civil Service Commission (CSC), Commission on Elections

(COMELEC), and Commission on Audit (COA)

1.           Composition, Qualifications, and Term of Members

2.           Powers, Functions, and Jurisdiction

VIII.    CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS

 

A.         Due Process

1.           Procedural and Substantive Due Process

2.           Judicial and Administrative Due Process

3.           Void-for-Vagueness Doctrine

B.          Equal Protection

1.           Requisites for Valid Classification

2.           Standards of Judicial Review

a.            Rational Basis Test

b.           Intermediate Scrutiny Test

c.            Strict Scrutiny Test

C.         Right Against Unreasonable Searches and Seizures

1.           Requisites of a Valid Warrant

2.           Warrantless Arrests and Searches

3.           Exclusionary Rule

D.         Privacy of Communications and Correspondence

1.           Zones of Privacy

2.           Exclusionary Rule

3.           Data Privacy (RA 10173)

a.            Personal vs. Sensitive Personal Information

b.           Processing of Personal Information

c.            Rights of the Data Subject

E.          Freedom of Speech and Expression

1.           Prior Restraint and Subsequent Punishment

2.           Content-based and Content-neutral Regulations

3.           Facial Challenges and Overbreadth Doctrine

4.           Protected and Unprotected Speech

5.           Tests to Determine Validity of Governmental Regulation

6.           State Regulation of Different Types of Media

F.          Freedom of Religion

1.           Non-establishment and Free Exercise Clauses

2.           Benevolent Neutrality and Conscientious Objection

3.           Tests to Determine Validity of Governmental Regulation

G.         Liberty of Abode and Right to Travel

1.           Scope and Limitations

2.           Watchlist, Hold Departure Orders, and Precautionary Hold Departure Orders (See also AM 18-07-05-SC)

H.         Right to Information (See also EO 2, s. 2016; RA 6713, Sec. 5(e))

I.            Right to Association

J.           Non-impairment of Contracts

K.         Right to Free Access to Courts and Adequate Legal Assistance

L.          Rights of Persons Under Custodial Investigation (See RA 7438)

1.           Requisites of Valid Waiver

2.           Exclusionary Rule

M.       Rights of the Accused

N.         Rights to Speedy Trial and Speedy Disposition of Cases

O.         Right Against Self-Incrimination

P.          Right Against Involuntary Servitude

Q.         Right Against Excessive Fines, Cruel and Inhuman Punishment

R.         Non-imprisonment for Debt

S.           Right Against Double Jeopardy

T.          Ex Post Facto Laws and Bills of Attainder

U.         Social Justice and Human Rights

V.         Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights

W.       Academic Freedom

 

IX.            NATIONAL ECONOMY AND PATRIMONY

 

A.         Regalian Doctrine

B.          Ancestral Domain and Ancestral Lands (RA 8371, Ch. I–III)

C.         Exploration, Development, and Use of Natural Resources

D.         Acquisition, Ownership, and Transfer of Public and Private Lands

E.          Public Utilities (See also RA 11659)

1.           Requisites and Limitations on Franchises 

2.           Public Trust Doctrine

F.          Nationality and Citizenship Requirements

 

X.               ADMINISTRATIVE LAW

 

A.         General Principles

B.          Administrative Agencies

C.         Powers of Administrative Agencies

1.           Quasi-legislative or Rulemaking Power

a.            Kinds of Administrative Rules and Regulations

b.           Requisites for Validity

2.           Quasi-judicial or Adjudicatory Power

a.            Administrative Due Process

b.           Administrative Appeal and Review

c.            Administrative Res Judicata

3.           Investigative, Factfinding, Licensing, and Rate-fixing Powers

D.         Judicial Review of Administrative Action

1.           Doctrine of Primary Jurisdiction

2.           Doctrine of Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies

3.           Doctrine of Finality of Administrative Action

 

XI.            LAW ON PUBLIC OFFICERS

 

A.         General Principles

B.          Public Office

1.           Modes of Acquiring Title to Public Office

2.           Modes and Kinds of Appointment

3.           Eligibility and Qualification Requirements

4.           Disabilities and Inhibitions of Public Officers

5.           Powers and Duties of Public Officers

6.           Rights of Public Officers

7.           Immunity of Public Officers

8.           De Facto and De Jure Officers

9.           Termination of Official Relation

C.         The Civil Service

1.           Scope

2.           Appointments to the Civil Service

3.           Personnel Actions

D.         Accountability of Public Officers (RA 6713)

1.           Forms of Accountability

2.           Discipline

a.            Grounds

b.           Jurisdiction

c.            Dismissal, Preventive Suspension, Reinstatement 3. Impeachment

                                4.    The Ombudsman and the Special Prosecutor (RA 6770)

a.            Functions

b.           Administrative Jurisdiction

c.            Criminal Jurisdiction

d.           Judicial Review

                                5.    The Sandiganbayan (PD 1606, as amended)

 

XII.        ELECTION LAW

(BP 881, as amended, and COMELEC Resolutions [CR])

 

A.         Suffrage

1.           Voter Qualification and Disqualification (See also RA 8189, Secs. 9 and 11)

2.           Voter Registration, Deactivation, and Reactivation

3.           Inclusion and Exclusion Proceedings

4.           Local and Overseas Absentee Voting (RA 7166, Sec. 12; RA

9189, as amended by RA 10590; RA 10380)

5.           Voting of Persons Deprived of Liberty (CR 9371) B. Candidacy

1.           Qualifications and Disqualification of Candidates

2.           Certificates of Candidacy

a.            Filing and its Effects

b.           Material Misrepresentation

c.            Withdrawal

d.           Duties of the COMELEC

3.           Substitution of Candidates

4.           Nuisance Candidates

C. Political Parties and the Party-List System of Representation

(RA 7941 in relation to CR 9366 and 10878)

1.           Registration; Grounds for Cancellation of Registration

2.           Qualifications, Nomination, and Substitution of Party-List Nominees and Representatives 

 

                D.   Campaign

1.           Premature Campaigning

2.           Prohibited Contributions

3.           Lawful and Prohibited Election Propaganda (RA 9006, as amended by RA 11207)

4.           Limitations on Expenses; Statement of Contributions and Expenditures; Effect of Non-Filing (RA 7166, Secs. 13–14) E. Remedies and Jurisdiction

1.           Petition to Deny Due Course or Cancel Certificate of Candidacy

2.           Petition to Deny Due Course or Cancel Certificate of Nomination of Party-List Nominees (CR 9366, Rule 5)

3.           Petition for Disqualification

4.           Failure of Election; Call for Special Election

5.           Pre-proclamation Controversies

6.           Election Protest

7.           Quo Warranto

8.           Recall

F.          Electoral Tribunals

G.         Power to Prosecute Election Offenses (BP 881, Sec. 265, as amended by RA 9369; Exclude penal provisions)

 

XIII.    LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

(RA 7160, as amended by RA 9009 and 11683)

 

A.         Principles of Local Autonomy

B.          Requisites for Creation, Conversion, Division, Merger, and Abolition (See also RA 11964, Secs. 4(d) and 7(e))

C.         Autonomous Regions; Relation to the National Government

1.           Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (RA 11054, Arts. I–V)

D.         Powers and Administration of Local Government Units (LGU)

1.           Powers

a.            General Welfare Clause

b.           Police Power

c.            Eminent Domain

d.           Taxation

e.            Reclassification of Lands

f.             Closure and Opening of Roads

g.           Local Legislation

h.           Corporate Powers

2.           Ultra Vires Acts

3.           Liability of LGUs

4.           Settlement of Boundary Disputes

5.           Vacancies and Succession of Local Officials

6.           Recall (See also RA 9244)

7.           Term Limits (See also RA 12232)

E.          Local Elective and Appointive Officials

XIV.     PUBLIC INTERNATIONAL LAW

 

A.         Sources of International Law

1.           Primary Sources

a.            International Conventions

b.           International Custom

c.            General Principles of Law

2.           Subsidiary Sources

a.            Judicial Decisions

b.           Teachings of the Most Highly Qualified Publicists

B.          Other International Instruments

1.           United Nations Declarations

2.           Security Council Resolutions

3.           Acts of Organs of International Organizations

C.         Subjects of International Law

D.         Relationship Between International and Domestic Law

1.           Doctrine of Incorporation and Transformation

E.          Jurisdiction of States

1.           Bases

a.            Territoriality Principle

b.           Nationality Principle

c.            Protective Principle

d.           Universality Principle

e.            Passive Personality Principle

2.           Exceptions

a.            Act of State Doctrine

b.           Diplomatic and Consular Law

c.            International Organizations and their Officers

F.          General Principles of Treaty Law

G.         State Responsibility

H.         Treatment of Aliens

I.            Extradition (AM 22-03-29-SC)

J.           International Human Rights Law

1.           Universal Declaration of Human Rights

2.           International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

3.           International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights

K.         International Humanitarian Law

1.           Categories of Armed Conflict

a.            International Armed Conflict

                                                                i.     Wars of National Liberation

b.           Non-International Armed Conflict

2.           Fundamental Principles

a.            Humanity

b.           Distinction

c.            Proportionality

d.           Military Necessity

3.           War Crimes, Genocide, and Crimes Against Humanity

4.           International Criminal Court

L.          Law of the Sea

1.           Freedom of Navigation

2.           Maritime Delimitation and Territorial Disputes

3.           Dispute Settlement under UNCLOS

a.            International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea

b.           Annex VII Arbitration

M.       International Environmental Law

1.           Stockholm Declaration (1972)

a.            Principle 21

2.           Rio Declaration (1992)

a.            Sustainable Development

b.           Precautionary Principle 

c.            Polluter Pays Principle 

d.           Common but Differentiated Responsibilities 

e.            Intergenerational Equity 

f.             No-Harm Principle 

N.         International Dispute Resolution

1.           Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes

2.           International Court of Justice

3.           Permanent Court of Arbitration