INSTRUCTIONS
1. This Questionnaire contains FIFTEEN (15) pages
including these Instructions pages. Check the number of pages and the
page numbers at the upper right hand corner of each page of this
Questionnaire and make sure it has the correct number of pages and their
proper numbers.
There are TWELVE (12) Essay Questions numbered I to
XII (with subquestions), and TWENTY (20) Multiple Choice Questions
(MCQs) numbered I to XX, to be answered within four (4) hours.
The essay portion contains questions that are worth
80% of the whole examination, while the MCQ portion contains questions
worth20%.
2. Read each question very carefully and write your answers in your Bar Examination Notebook in the same order the questions are posed. Write your answers only at the front,
not the back, page of every sheet in your Examination Notebook. Note
well the allocated percentage points for each number, question, or
sub-question. In your answers, use the numbering system in the
questionnaire.
If the sheets provided in your Examination Notebook
are not sufficient for your answers, use the back pages of every sheet
of your Examination Notebook, starting at the back page of the first
sheet and the back of the succeeding sheets thereafter.
3. Answer the Essay questions legibly, clearly, and concisely.
Start each number on a separate page. An answer to a sub-question under
the same number may be written continuously on the same page and the
immediately succeeding pages until completed.
Your answer should demonstrate your ability to
analyze the facts presented by the question, to select the material from
the immaterial facts, and to discern the points upon which the question
turns. It should show your knowledge and understanding of the pertinent
principles and theories of law involved and their qualifications and
limitations. It should demonstrate your ability to apply the law to the
given facts, and to reason logically in a lawyer-like manner to a sound
conclusion from the given premises.
A mere "Yes" or "No" answer without any corresponding explanation or discussion will not be given any credit. Thus, always briefly but fully explain your answers although the question does not expressly ask for an explanation.
At the same time, remember that a complete explanation does not require
that you volunteer information or discuss legal doctrines that are not
necessary or pertinent to the solution to the problem. You do not need
to re-write or repeat the question in your Examination Notebook.
4. MCQs are to be answered by writing in your
Examination Notebook the capital letter (A, B, C, D, or E) corresponding
to your chosen answer. The MCQ answers should begin in the page following the last page of your essay answers.
There is only one correct answer to every MCQ; choose the BEST answer from among the offered choices. Note that some MCQs may need careful analysis both of the questions and the choices offered.
5. Make sure you do not write your name or any extraneous note/s or distinctive marking/s
on your Examination Notebook that can serve as an identifying mark/s
(such as names that are not in the given questions, prayers, or private
notes to the Examiner).
Writing, leaving or making any distinguishing or
identifying mark in the Examination Notebook is considered cheating and
can disqualify you for the Bar examinations.
You can use the questionnaire for notes you may wish/need to write during the examination.
HAND IN YOUR NOTEBOOK WITH THIS QUESTIONNAIRE
J. ARTURO D. BRION
Chairman
2013 Bar Examinations
Chairman
2013 Bar Examinations
ESSAY QUESTIONS
I.
In the last quarter of 2012, about 5,000 container
vans of imported goods intended for the Christmas Season were seized by
agents of the Bureau of Customs. The imported goods were released only
on January 10,2013. A group of importers got together and filed an
action for damages before the Regional Trial Court of Manila against the
Department of Finance and the Bureau of Customs.
The Bureau of Customs raised the defense of immunity
from suit and, alternatively, that liability should lie with XYZ Corp.
which the Bureau had contracted for the lease of ten (10) high powered
van cranes but delivered only five (5) of these cranes, thus causing the
delay in its cargo-handling operations. It appears that the Bureau,
despite demand, did not pay XYZ Corp. the Php 1.0 Million deposit and
advance rental required under their contract.
(B) Can XYZ Corp. sue the Bureau of Customs to collect rentals for the delivered cranes? (5'%)
II.
While Congress was in session, the President
appointed eight acting Secretaries. A group of Senators from the
minority bloc questioned the validity of the appointments in a petition
before the Supreme Court on the ground that while Congress is in
session, no appointment that requires confirmation by the Commission on
Appointments, can be made without the latter's consent, and that an
undersecretary should instead be designated as Acting Secretary.
Should the petition be granted? (5%)
III.
A robbery with homicide had taken place and Lito,
Badong and Rolliewere invited for questioning based on the information
furnished by a neighbor that he saw them come out of the victim's house
at about the time of the robbery/killing. The police confronted the
three with this and other information they had gathered, and pointedly
accused them of committing the crime.
Lito initially resisted, but eventually broke down
and admitted his participation in the crime. Elated by this break and
desirous of securing a written confession soonest, the police called
City Attorney Juan Buan to serve as the trio's counsel and to advise
them about their rights during the investigation.
Badong and Rollie, weakened in spirit by Lito's early
admission, likewise admitted their participation. The trio thus signed a
joint extra-judicial confession which served as the main evidence
against them at their trial. They were convicted based on their
confession.
Should the judgment of conviction be affirmed or reversed on appeal? (5%)
IV.
Congress enacted a law providing for trial by jury
for those charged with crimes or offenses punishable by reclusion
perpetua or life imprisonment. The law provides for the qualifications
of members of the jury, the guidelines for the bar and bench for their
selection, the manner a trial by jury shall operate, and the procedures
to be followed.
Is the law constitutional? (6%)
V.
As a leading member of the Lapiang Mandirigma in the
House of Representatives, you were tasked by the party to initiate the
moves to impeach the President because he entered into an executive
agreement with the US Ambassador for the use of the former Subic Naval
Base by the US Navy, for free, i.e., without need to pay rent nor any
kind of fees as a show of goodwill to the U.S. because of the continuing
harmonious RP-US relations.
Cite at least two (2) grounds for impeachment and explain why you chose them. (6%)
VI.
Congress passed Republic Act No. 7711 to comply with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
In a petition filed with the Supreme Court, Anak Ti
Ilocos, an association of Ilocano professionals, argued that Republic
Act No. 7711discarded the definition of the Philippine territory under
the Treaty of Paris and in related treaties; excluded the Kalayaan
Islands and the Scarborough Shoals from the Philippine Archipelagic
baselines; and converted internal waters into archipelagic waters.
Is the petition meritorious? (6%)
VII.
As he was entering a bar, Arnold -who was holding an
unlit cigarette in his right hand -was handed a match box by someone
standing near the doorway. Arnold unthinkingly opened the matchbox to
light his cigarette and as he did so, a sprinkle of dried leaves fell
out, which the guard noticed. The guard immediately frisked Arnold,
grabbed the matchbox, and sniffed its contents. After confirming that
the matchbox contained marijuana, he immediately arrested Arnold and
called in the police.
At the police station, the guard narrated to the
police that he personally caught Arnold in possession of dried marijuana
leaves. Arnold did not contest the guard's statement; he steadfastly
remained silent and refused to give any written statement. Later in
court, the guard testified and narrated the statements he gave the
police over Arnold's counsel's objections. While Arnold presented his
own witnesses to prove that his possession and apprehension had been
set-up, he himself did not testify.
The court convicted Arnold, relying largely on his admission of the
charge by silence at the police investigation and during trial.
From the constitutional law perspective, was the court correct in its ruling? (6%)
VIII.
Bobby, an incoming third year college student, was
denied admission by his university, a premiere educational institution
in Manila, after he failed in three (3) major subjects in his sophomore
year. The denial of admission was based on the university's rules and
admission policies.
Unable to cope with the depression that his
non-admission triggered, Bobby committed suicide. His family sued the
school for damages, citing the school's grossly unreasonable rules that
resulted in the denial of admission. They argued that these rules
violated Bobby's human rights and the priority consideration that the
Constitution gives to the education of the youth.
You are counsel for the university. Explain your arguments in support of the university's case. (6%)
IX.
Conrad is widely known in the neighborhood as a drug
addict. He is also suspected of being a member of the notorious
"Akyat-Condo Gang" that has previously broken into and looted
condominium units in the area.
Retired Army Colonel Sangre – who is known as an
anti-terrorism fighter who disdained human and constitutional rights and
has been nicknamed "terror of Mindanao" –is now the Head of Security of
Capricorn Land Corporation, the owner and developer of Sagittarius
Estates where a series of robberies has recently taken place.
On March l, 2013, Conrad informed his mother, Vannie,
that uniformed security guards had invited him for a talk in their
office but he refused to come. Later that day, however, Conrad appeared
to have relented; he was seen walking into the security office flanked
by two security guards. Nobody saw him leave the office afterwards.
Conrad did not go home that night and was never seen
again. The following week and after a week-long search, Vannie feared
the worst because of Col. Sangre's reputation. She thus reported
Conrad's disappearance to the police. When nothing concrete resulted
from the police investigation, Vannie – at the advice of counsel - f1led
a petition for a writ of amparo to compel Col. Sangre and the
Sagittarius Security Office to produce Conrad and to hold them liable
and responsible for Conrad's disappearance.
(B) If the petition would prosper, can Col. Sangre be held liable and/or responsible for Conrad's disappearance? (6%)
X.
The Ambassador of the Republic of Kafiristan referred
to you for handling, the case of the Embassy's Maintenance Agreement
with CBM, a private domestic company engaged in maintenance work. The
Agreement binds CBM, for a defined fee, to maintain the Embassy's
elevators, air-conditioning units and electrical facilities. Section 10
of the Agreement provides that the Agreement shall be governed by
Philippine laws and that any legal action shall be brought before the
proper court of Makati. Kafiristan terminated the Agreement because CBM
allegedly did not comply with their agreed maintenance standards.
CBM contested the tennination and filed a complaint
againstKafiristan before the Regional Trial Court of Makati. The
Ambassador wants you to file a motion to dismiss on the ground of state
immunity from suit and to oppose the position that under Section 10 of
the Agreement, Kafiristan expressly waives its immunity from suit.
Under these facts, can the Embassy successfully invoke immunity from suit? (6%)
XI.
In her interview before the Judicial and Bar Council
(JBC),Commissioner Annie Amorsolo of the National Labor Relations
Commission claims that she should be given credit for judicial service
because as NLRC Commissioner, she has the rank of a Justice of the Court
of Appeals; she adjudicates cases that are appealable to the Court of
Appeals; she is assigned car plate No. 10; and she is, by law, entitled
to the rank, benefits and privileges of a Court of Appeals Justice.
If you are a member of the JBC, would you give credit to this explanation? (6%)
XII.
In the May 2013 elections, the Allied Workers' Group
of the Philippines (AWGP), representing land-based and sea-based workers
in the Philippines and overseas, won in the party list congressional
elections. Atty. Abling, a labor lawyer, is its nominee.
As part of the party's advocacy and services,
Congressman Abling engages in labor counseling, particularly for local
workers with claims against their employers and for those who need
representation in collective bargaining negotiations with employers.
When labor cases arise, AWGP enters its appearance in representation of
the workers and the Congressman makes it a point to be there to
accompany the workers, although a retained counsel also formally enters
his appearance and is invariably there. Congressman Abling largely takes
a passive role in the proceedings although he occasionally speaks to
supplement the retained counsel's statements. It is otherwise in CBA
negotiations where he actively participates.
Management lawyers, feeling that a congressman should
not actively participate in cases before labor tribunals and before
employers because of the influence a congressman can wield, filed a
disbarment case against the Congressman before the Supreme Court for his
violation of the Code of Professional Responsibility and for breach of
trust, in relation particularly with the prohibitions on legislators
under the Constitution.
Is the cited ground for disbarment meritorious? (6%)
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
I. The equal protection clause is violated by __________. (1%)(B) a law granting Value Added Tax exemption to electric cooperatives that sells electricity to the "homeless poor."
(C) a law providing that a policeman shall be preventively suspended until the termination of a criminal case against him.
(D) a law providing higher salaries to teachers in public schools who are "foreign hires."
(E) a law that grants rights to local Filipino workers but denies the same rights to overseas Filipino workers.
II. Offended by the President's remarks that the
Bureau of Customs is a pit of misfits and the corrupt, the Bureau of
Customs Employees Association composed of 3,000 workers seeks your legal
advice on how best to protest what it views to be the President's
baseless remarks.
A prudent legal advice is that __________. (1%)(B) employees can march and rally at Mendiola every Monday
(C) employees can barricade the gates of the Port of
Manila at South Harbor and call for the resignation of the incumbent
Commissioner of Customs
(D) employees can wear black arm bands and pins with the word "UNFAIR" inscribed(E) None of the above can legally be done.
III. Congress enacted Republic Act No. 1234 requiring
all candidates for public offices to post an election bond equivalent
to the one (1) year salary for the position for which they are
candidates. The bond shall be forfeited if the candidates fail to obtain
at least 10% of the votes cast.
Is Republic Act No. 1234 valid? (1%)
(B) It is valid as the bond requirement ensures that
only candidates with sufficient means and who cannot be corrupted, can
runfor public office.
(C) It is invalid as the requirement effectively imposes a property qualification to run for public office.(D) It is invalid as the amount of the surety bond is excessive and unconscionable.
(E) It is valid because it is a reasonable
requirement; the Constitution itself expressly supports the
accountability of public officers.
(B) The decision is not binding on any country, even the countries that are parties to the case.
(C) The decision is binding only on the parties but only with respect to that particular case.
(D) The decision is not binding on the parties and is only advisory.
(E) The binding effect on the parties depends on their submission agreement.
(B) that is at least 200 miles but not to exceed 300
miles from the baselines from which the outer limit of the territorial
sea is measured
(C) beyond and adjacent to a country's territorial
sea which cannot go beyond 200 nautical miles from the baselines from
which the outer limit of the territorial sea is measured
(D) that can go beyond 3 nautical miles but cannot
extend 300 nautical miles from the baselines from which the outer limit
of the territorial sea is measured
(E) None of the above.
VI. A child born under either the 1973 or the 1987
Constitution, whose father or mother is a Filipino citizen at the time
of his birth, is __________. (1%)
(B) not a Filipino citizen if his mother is a Filipino citizen but his father is not, at the time of his birth
(C) a Filipino citizen no matter where he or she may be born
(D) a Filipino citizen provided the child is born in the Philippines
(E) a Filipino citizen if he or she so elects upon reaching the age of 21
(B) The House of Representatives from where all appropriation bills emanate.
(C) The Senate through its Committee on Finance.
(D) The Congress of the Republic of the Philippines.
(E) Both the members of Congress and the President acting jointly, if so provided by the General Appropriations Act.
(A) Yes, because local government units are under the
administrative control of the President through the Department of
Interior and Local Government.
(B) No, because local government units now enjoy full local fiscal autonomy.(C) No, because only limitations established by Congress can define and limit the powers of local governments.
(D) Yes, because the President has the power and authority to impose reasonable restrictions on the power of cities to raise revenues.
(E) Yes, if so provided in a city's charter.
IX. The provision under the Constitution -that any
member who took no part, dissented, or inhibited from a decision or
resolution must state the reason for his dissent or non-participation -
applies __________. (1%)
(B) to both the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals
(C) to the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals and the Sandiganbayan
(D) to the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, the Sandiganbayan and the Court of Tax Appeals
(E) to all collegial judicial and quasi-judicial adjudicatory bodies
X. Choose the least accurate statement about the
independence guaranteed by the 1987 Constitution to the following
constitutional bodies: (1%)
(B) All bodies labeled as "independent" by the Constitution enjoyfiscal autonomy as an attribute of their independence.
(C) Not all bodies labeled as "independent" by the
Constitution were intended to be independent from the Executive branch
of government.
(D) The Constitution guarantees various degrees of
independence from the other branches of government when it labels bodies
as "independent".
(E) The COMELEC, the COA, and the CSC enjoy the same degree of independence.
XI. At the Senate impeachment trial of Justice Pablo
P. San Quintin, Hon. Emilio A. Tan, Congressman and Impeachment Panel
Manager, wrote the Supreme Court requesting that the prosecutors be
allowed to examine thecourt records of Stewards Association of the
Philippines, Inc. (SAP!) v. Filipinas Air, et al., G.R. No. 987654, a
case that is still pending. The High Court __________. (1%)
(B) may grant the request as the records of the Filipinas Air case are public records
(C) should deny the request since records of cases
that are pending for decision are privileged except only for pleadings,
orders and resolutions that are available to the public
(D) should deny the request because it violates the Court's independence and the doctrine of separation of powers
(E) should grant the request because of the sui
generis nature of the power of impeachment, provided that the Bill of
Rights is not violated
XII. Mr. Sinco sued the government for damages. After
trial, the court ruled in his favor and awarded damages amounting to
P50 million against the government. To satisfy the judgment against the
government, which valid option is available to Mr. Sinco? ( 1%)
(B) File a claim with the Commission on Audit (COA) pursuant to Commonwealth Act 327, as amended by Presidential Decree1445.
(C) Make representations with the Congress to appropriate the amount to satisfy the judgment.
(D) File a petition for mandamus in court to compel Congress to appropriate P50 million to satisfy the judgment.
(E) Proceed to execute the judgment as provided by the Rules of Court because the State allowed itself to be sued.
XIII. Which of the following provisions of the
Constitution does not confer rights that can be enforced in the courts
but only provides guidelines for legislative or executive action? (l%)
(A) The maintenance of peace and order, the
protection of life, liberty, and property, and promotion of the general
welfare are essential for the enjoyment by all the people of the
blessings of democracy.
(B) The State shall give priority to education,
science and technology, arts, culture, and sports to foster patriotism
and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human
liberation and development.
(C) The natural and primary right and duty of parents
in the rearing of the youth for civic efficiency and the development of
moral character shall receive the support of the Government.
(D) The right of the people to information on
matters. of public concern shall be recognized. Access to official
records, and to documents and papers pertaining to official acts,
transactions, or decisions, as well as to government research data used
as basis for policy development, shall be afforded the citizen, subject
to such limitations as may be provided by law.
(E) All the above only provide guidelines and are not self-executing.
XIV. The President entered into an executive
agreement with Vietnam for the supply to the Philippines of animal feeds
not to exceed 40,000 tons in any one year. The Association of Animal
Feed Sellers of the Philippines questioned the executive agreement for
being contrary to R.A. 462 which prohibits the importation of animal
feeds from Asian countries. Is the challenge correct? (1%)
(B) No, the President is solely in charge of foreign relations and all his actions in this role form part of the law of the land.
(C) No, international agreements are sui generis and stand independently of our domestic laws.
(D) Yes, the executive agreement is actually a treaty which does not take effect without ratification by the Senate.
(E) Yes, the challenge is correct because there is no law empowering the President to undertake the importation.
(B) the State declares the birthplace of a founder of a religious sect as a national historical site
(C) the State expropriates church property in order
to construct an expressway that, among others, provides easy access to
the Church's main cathedral
(D) the State gives vehicles to bishops to assist them in church-related charitable projects(E) the State allows prayers in schools for minor children without securing the prior consent of their parents
XVI. Patricio was elected member of the House of
Representative in the May 2010 Elections. His opponent Jose questioned
Patricio's victory before the House of Representatives Electoral
Tribunal and later with the Supreme Court.
In a decision promulgated in November 2011, the Court
ruled in Jose's favor; thus, Patricio was ousted from his seat in
Congress. Within a year from that decision, the President can appoint
Patricio __________. (1%)
(B) only as a deputy Ombudsman
(C) only as a Commissioner of the Civil Service Commission
(D) only as Chairman of the Commission on Elections
(E) to any position as no prohibition applies to Patricio
XVII. Senator GSC proposed a bill increasing excise
taxes on tobacco and alcohol products. The generated incremental
revenues shall be used for the universal health care program for all
Filipinos and for tobacco farmers' livelihood. After the Senate passed
the bill on third reading, it was transmitted to the House of
Representatives which approved the bill in toto. The President
eventually signed it into law. Atty. JFC filed a petition before the
Supreme Court, questioning the constitutionality of the new law.
Is the law constitutional? (1%)
(A) The law is constitutional because it is for a
public purpose and has duly satisfied the
three-readings-on-separate-days rule in both Houses.
(B) The law is unconstitutional because it violates
the equal protection clause of the Constitution; it is limited only to
alcohol and liquor products.
(C) It is constitutional because of the Enrolled Bill Theory.
(D) It is constitutional because it is valid in form
and substance and complied with the required lawmaking procedures.(E)
None of the above is correct.
(A) The President, with the concurrence of the
Monetary Board, can guarantee a foreign loan on behalf of the Republic
of the Philippines.
(B) Congress may, by law, provide limitations on the
President's power to contract or guarantee foreign loans on behalf of
the Republic of the Philippines.
(C) In order to be valid and effective, treaties and
executive agreements must be concurred in by at least two-thirds of all
the Members of the Senate.
(D) The President shall, at the end of every quarter
of the calendar year, submit to Congress a complete report of the loans
contracted or guaranteed by the Government or government-owned and
controlled corporations.
(E) All the above choices are defective in some respects.
XIX. Candida has been administratively charged of
immorality for openly living with Manuel, a married man. Candida argues
that her conjugal arrangement with Manuel fully conforms with their
religious beliefs and with the teachings of their church.
In resolving whether Candida should be administratively penalized, which is the best test to apply? (1%)(B) Compelling State Interest Test
(C) Balancing of interests Test
(D) Conscientious Objector Test
(E) Dangerous Tendency Test
XX. Rafael questioned the qualifications of Carlos as
congressman of the Third District of Manila on the ground that Carlos
is a citizen of the USA. The decision disqualifying Carlos for being a
US citizen came only in March 2010, i.e., after the adjournment of the
session of Congress on the 3'd year of the position's three-year term.
What was Carlos' status during his incumbency as congressman? (1%)(A) He was a de jure officer, having been duly elected and proclaimed.
(B) He was not a public officer because he effectively was not entitled to be a congressman.
(C) He was a de jure officer since he completed the service of his term before he was disqualified.
(D) He was a de facto officer since he had served and was only disqualified later.
(E) He neither possesses de jure nor de facto status as such determination is p
