Political and International Law: Bar Exams 2012 Essay (Part 2)


v
Judge Red is the Executive Judge of Green City. Red is known to have
corrupt tendencies and has a reputation widely known among practicing lawyers
for accepting bribes. Ombudsman Grey, wishing to "clean up" the government
from errant public officials, initiated an investigation on the alleged irregularities
in the performance of duties of Judge Red.
a. Judge Red refused to recognize the authority of the Office of the IPolitical Law Page 4 of61
Ombudsman over him because according to him, any administrative
action against him or any court official or employee falls under the
exclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. Decide with reasons.
(5%)'
b. Does the Ombudsman have authority to conduct investigation over
crimes or offenses committed by public officials that are NOT in
connection or related at all to the official's discharge of his duties and
functions? j::xplain. (3°/o)
c. Who are required by the Constitution to submit a declaration under
oath of his assets, liabilities, and net worth? (2°/o)
VI.
President Black of the Republic of Pasensya (RP) had a telephone
conversation with President Blue of the People's Republic of Conquerors (PRC).
In that conversation, both leaders agreed that they will both pull-out all their
vessels, civilian or otherwise, sea crafts and other ships from the hotly disputed
Kalmado Shoal area within eight (8) days in order to de-escalate the situation.
After eight days, all RP ships and vessels have left the area. However, several
military and civilian ships carrying the PRC flag remained in the area and began
construction of a dock that could provide fuel and other supplies to vessels
passing by.
a. Assuming that President Black and President Blue both had full
capacity to represent their states and negotiate with each other
under their respective systems of government, and further assuming
that both leaders acknowledge the existence of the conversation, is
the verbal agreement via telephone binding under international law?
Explain. (5°/o)
b. Assuming the answer to (a.) is in the affirmative, does that
agreement constitute a Treaty under the 1969 Vienna Convention on
the Law on Treaties? (2°/o)
c. What are the sources of International Law? (2%)
d. What is opinio juris in International Law? (1 °/o)
VII.
Mayor Pink is eyeing re-election in the next mayoralty race. It was
common knowledge in the town that Mayor Pink will run for re-election in the
coming elections. The deadline for filing of Certificate of Cadidacy (CoC) is on
March 23 and the campaign period commences the following day. One month I Political Law Page 5 of61
before the deadline, Pink has yet to file her CoC, but she has been going around
town giving away sacks of rice with the words "Mahal Tayo ni Mayor Pink"
printed on them, holding public gatherings and speaking about how good the
town is dping, giving away pink t-shirts with ;'Kay Mayor Pink Ako" printed on
them.
a. Mr. Green is the political opponent of Mayor Pink. In April, noticing
that Mayor Pink had gained advantage over him because of her
activities before the campaign period, he filed a petition to
disqualify Mayor Pink for engaging in an election campaign outside
the designated period.
a.1. Which is the correct body to rule on the matter? Comelec
en bane, or Co melee division? Answer with reasons. (2°/o)
a.2. Rule on the petition. (5°/o)
I
b. Distinguish briefly between Quo Warranto in elective office and
Quo Warranto in appointive office. (3°/o)
VIII.
a. What is the doctrine of "overbreath"? In what context can it be
correctly applied? Not correctly applied? Explain (5°/o)
b. What is the doctrine of "void for vagueness"? In what context
. can it be correctly applied? Not correctly applied? Explain
(5o/o)
IX.
In a protest rally'along Padre Faura Street, Manila, Pedrong Pula took up
the stage and began shouting "kayong mga kurakot kayo! Magsi-resign na kayo!
Kung hindi, manggugulo kami dito!" ("you corrupt officials, you better resign now,
or else we will cause trouble here!") simultaneously, he brought out a rock the
size of a· fist and pretended to hurl it at the flagpole area of a government
building. He did not actually throw the rock.
a. Police officers who were monitoring the situation immediately
approached Pedrong Pula and arrested him. He was prosecuted for
seditious speech and was convicted. On appeal, Pedrong Pula
argued he was merely exercising his freedom of speech and
freedom of expression guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. Decide with
reasons. (So/o)
b. What is "commercial speech"? Is it entitled to constitutional I Political Law Page 6 of 61
protection? What must be shown in order for government to curtail
"commercial speech"? Explain. (3%)
c. What are the two (2) basic prohibitions of the freedom of speech and
of the press clause? Explain. (2%)
X.
a. What do you understand by the term "heirarchy of civil liberties"?
Explain. (5%)
b. · Distinguish fully between the "free exercise of religion clause" and
the "non-establishment of religion clause". (3%)
c. When can evidence "in plain view" be seized without need of a
search warrant? Explain. (2%)
-NOTHING FOLLOWSHAND IN YOUR NOTEBOOK.
THERE IS NO NEED TO RETURN TIIIS QUESTIONNAIRE TO THE
HEAD WATCHER.
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