LEGAL WRITING 2 TRIAL MEMORANDUM, LEGAL OPINION, SHORT ESSAY.doc

8/16/2019 LEGAL WRITING 2 TRIAL MEMORANDUM, LEGAL OPINION, SHORT ESSAY.doc

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/legal-writing-2-trial-memorandum-legal-opinion-short-essaydoc 1/72



Legal WritingUniversity of Cebu College of Law UCLASS Bar Operations

LEGAL WRITING

PART TWO:

TRIAL MEMORANDUM, LEGALOPINION, AND SHORT ESSAY

QUESTIONS

PREPARATION OF A TRIAL MEMORANDUM AND LEGAL OPINIONBY: PROF. JAIME BILAN MONTEALEGRE

I. TRIAL MEMORANDUM

A' Concept

(enerally a trial #e#oran!u# outlines t)e legal argu#ents supporting or opposing t)e positions of a party to a case' $t

inclu!es t)e explanation of t)e parties* un!erstan!ing of t)e facts of t)e #atter t)e law or laws t)ey believe s)all !eter#ine

t)e outco#e of t)e trial an! t)e conclusion t)ey believe t)e +u!ges s)oul! reac)' $s purpose is to persua!e t)e court t)at a

party is entitle! to a +u!g#ent in its favor' T)e Trial ,e#oran!u# s)oul! explain w)y a particular law applies an! )ow eac)

fact relates to t)e law'

A trial #e#oran!u# #ay be likene! to or probably e-uivalent to t)e oral su##ary of t)e cases by t)e counsels in trials by

+ury' $n t)is +ury syste# of )earing an! !eci!ing cases trials are usually followe! by oral argu#ents fro# bot) si!es'

Counsels orally su# up t)eir cases an! try to persua!e t)e +ury wit) t)e evi!ence an! argu#ents to accept t)eir clients*

point of view' $n t)e &)ilippines since t)ere is no trial by +ury but rat)er cases are !eci!e! by a single person t)e +u!ge

counsels !o not )ave t)e c)ance to orally su# up t)eir cases an! try to persua!e t)e +u!ge wit) t)e evi!ence an!

argu#ents to accept t)eir clients* point of view' T)us at t)e en! of t)e trial t)e counsels su# up t)eir cases not by oral

argu#ents but by w)at is calle! t)e trial #e#oran!u#'

B' &arts of a Trial ,e#oran!u#

$n NO particular or!er a Trial ,e#oran!u# s)oul! contain t)e following parts:

1. T)e )ea!ing or Case Caption

.in our courts or -uasi/+u!icial agencies t)ere is alrea!y a structure for t)e )ea!ing or t)e caption0

Bar Operations 2012: Ace the Bar, Race the Car!For rivate an! ersonal Use Only 2




2. T)e State#ent of t)e "ature of t)e Action of Case an! t)e procee!ings t)at t)e court )a! !one in t)e

case'

1'2 T)e state#ent of t)e nature of t)e action of case is si#ply a state#ent of w)at t)e case is

all about' $t is t)e state#ent of t)e legal !isu3pute between t)e parties to a case'

/$n Civil cases t)ere is a legal !ispute w)en a party to a case co#plains t)at )is rig)t protecte! by law or w)ic) violation

t)e law punis)es is violation by t)e ot)er party w)o !enies suc) violation'

/$n Cri#inal cases t)ere is a legal !ispute w)en t)e State clai#s t)at t)e accuse! violate! its rig)t to enforce t)e laws an!

t)e accuse! woul! !eny it !uring t)e arraign#ent'

1'1 To so#e lawyers t)ey inclu!e in t)is section t)e -uestion of law or fact t)at t)e parties

present for resolution an! w)ic) t)e +u!ge s)oul! !eci!e or w)at is referre! to as t)e

4issues5' To t)e ot)ers of course t)e -uestion of law or fact t)at t)e parties present for

resolution an! w)ic) t)e +u!ge s)oul! !eci!e .issues0 is treate! as separate part of t)e trial#e#oran!u#' $n any case t)e -uestion or issue s)oul! inclu!e a few of t)e essential facts

of t)e case but s)oul! be very brief an! concise'

3. T)e “Bri ! A"#$ r% to t)e -uestion or issues pose!'

T)is part serves as t)e t)esis of t)e ,e#oran!u# an! s)oul! briefly analy6e t)e reasons w)y you

believe t)e +u!ges rule in your favor' $t su##ari6es t)e law t)at s)oul! be use! to analy6e t)e case'

&. T)e “S'(' ) "' *! F(+'#%. T)is part !etails all of t)e facts t)at are #aterial to t)e case' 7ere are

so#e gui!es in t)e facts of t)e case:

a' T)e facts s)oul! be outline! briefly' Opinions an!8or conclusions of t)e lawyer preparing t)e trial

#e#oran!u# s)oul! not be inclu!e!' State! ot)erwise t)e lawyer s)oul! avoi! e!itoriali6ing in

t)e state#ent of facts' $nstea! t)e facts s)oul! be presente! in a neutral way si#ilar to )ow a

report #ig)t !escribe an event'

b' T)e “S'(' ) "' *! F(+'#% is nor#ally prepare! by first writing out a rat)er co#plete state#ent

of facts' At t)e start t)e state#ent of facts s)oul! be over/inclusive rat)er t)an un!er inclusive'

,oreover t)e facts s)oul! be written c)ronologically' T)is will enable t)e lawyer to see so#e

relations)ips t)at were not i#agine! an! to see clearly )ow or w)y t)e parties acte! as t)ey !i!'

c' T)ereafter t)e lawyer preparing t)e trial #e#oran!u# can now cut !own on t)e facts so as to

eli#inate t)ose t)at are not #aterial or !o not provi!e )elpful backgroun!' T)e factual

presentation can also be reorgani6e! so as to #ake it easier to un!erstan!'

. T)e Di#+-##i*" *! ' Ar/-) "'#.

9ac) legal argu#ent outlines t)e issue of t)e law or fact t)e +u!ge #ust !eci!e t)e rule t)at s)oul!

be use! to !eter#ine t)e issue of law or fact a !ecision about )ow t)e rule s)oul! be applie! to t)e

Bar Operations 2012: Ace the Bar, Race the Car!For rivate an! ersonal Use Only "




facts of t)e case an! t)e conclusion su##ari6ing t)e argu#ent' $n ot)er wor!s t)e !iscussion for

eac) legal argu#ent s)oul! contain t)e Issue, Rule, Application and Conclusion. T)e i##- is t)e brief

state#ent of t)e !ispute t)e R-0 is t)e section t)at contains any ele#ents or t)e statutory

re-uire#ents t)at #ust be proven t)e ( 0i+('i*" is )ow t)e facts supporte! or oppose t)e

particular rule w)ic) usually starts wit) t)e wor! “In the instant case” or “Here” t)e +*"+0-#i*" is

t)e brief sentence su##ing up w)at was sai!'

. T)e S-))(r of t)e Trial ,e#oran!u#'

T)is part contains t)e conclusion t)at reiterates t)e #a+or legal argu#ents an! t)e facts of t)e

case t)at supports your point of view'

Bar Operations 2012: Ace the Bar, Race the Car!For rivate an! ersonal Use Only #




II. LEGAL OPINION

A' Concept8&urpose

T)e purpose of a legal opinion is to analy6e a legal proble# an! give an ob+ective legal opinion on t)at proble#' Usually a

legal opinion is not an a!vocacy paper' Alt)oug) t)e purpose is to reac) a legal conclusion t)e argu#ents presente! #ust

be ob+ective' $n preparing a legal opinion it #ust be explaine! w)y certain laws apply but t)e legal opinion #ust not

atte#pt to convince t)e client of t)e absolute correctness of t)e conclusion' $nstea! it s)oul! acknowle!ge t)e weakness of

t)e argu#ent'

B' Steps in &reparing a Legal Opinion

$n actual practice t)e following are necessary steps in t)e preparation of a legal opinion:

2' ,ake sure t)at t)e recor!s of t)e case are co#plete'

1' ;rite !own t)e facts<' Researc) t)e law' T)e law s)oul! inclu!e t)ose t)at are favorable to t)e client*s position an!

t)ose t)at are unfavorable' State! ot)erwise t)e legal opinion #ust a!!ress t)e law t)at is

)elpful an! )ar#ful to t)e client*s case'

=' C)art t)e law against t)e facts' T)is #eans t)at you )ave to list eac) essential fact or event

an! i!entify t)e #ain legal ele#ent t)at pertains to t)e event'

>' $!entify t)e issues'

?' &repare t)e outline w)ic) s)oul! provi!e an explanation of )ow eac) ele#ent will be applie!

to eac) fact'

@' ;rite t)e legal opinion' T)is s)oul! of course inclu!e e!iting of t)e legal opinion'

C' &arts of a Legal Opinion

A legal opinion is #a!e up of:

1. H (4i"/. T)is si#ply inclu!es t)e !ate an! t)e person for w)o# t)e legal opinion is

inten!e!' %or purposes of t)e Bar 9xa#inations )owever t)is s)oul! not be your concern

because t)e instruction for t)e essay exa#inations specifically !irects you to o#it t)e case

caption'

2. T Q- #'i*" *r I##- # Pr # "' 4. T)ese enco#pass bot) t)e legal an! factual ele#ents

t)at #ust be analy6e!' Legal an! factual co#ponents s)oul! be incorporate!'

3. A"#$ r#.

4. S'(' ) "' *! F(+'#. T)is s)oul! tell t)e story t)at gave rise to t)e legal -uestion but

s)oul! inclu!e only t)ose facts t)at are necessary for t)e legal analysis' ,oreover legal

ter#s or legal conclusions s)oul! not be incorporate! in t)e facts' $f t)ese are !ispute! facts

t)ey s)oul! be clearly i!entifie! wit) #o!ifying ter#s suc) as 4allege!5 4state!5 or

4testifie!5' Bias or !istortion s)oul! be avoi!e! an! t)us facts t)at are bot) favorable an!

unfavorable s)oul! be #entione!'

Bar Operations 2012: Ace the Bar, Race the Car!For rivate an! ersonal Use Only $




5. T Di#+-##i*". T)is #ust provi!e ob+ectives yet convincing support for t)e conclusion'

9very section of t)e iscussion #ust contain five ele#ents: Answer, Issue, Rule, Analysis,

and Conclusion.

6. 5*"+0-#i*". T)is s)oul! provi!e a brief su##ary of t)e facts an! law re-uire! in t)e

iscussion'

Bar Operations 2012: Ace the Bar, Race the Car!For rivate an! ersonal Use Only %




TRIAL MEMORANDUM

SKELETAL FRAMEWORK: TRIAL MEMORANDUM

MEMORANDUM FOR THE PLAINTIFF

&laintiff by counsel an! unto t)is 7onorable Court #ost respectfully states:

STATEMENT OF FA5TS

$n t)is action t)e plaintiff seeks to !iscuss "rie#ly the nature o# the cause$action% '

T)is case concerns t)e ' &resent the salient and rele'ant #acts in a narrati'e that supports your position without addin( or distortin( #acts or )a*in( unreasona"le in#erences%

ISSUES

T)is #e#oran!u# will !iscuss t)e following issues:

$'

%irst w)et)er or not ' +pot and #or)ulate the issue "ased on the con#lictin( le(al clai)s

o# the parties. “Issues” are the disputed points o# law as set out in the pro"le) that are alle(ed "y one party and denied "y

the other. Resol'in( these issues is necessary to decide the case%

xxxx

ARGUMENTS AND DIS5USSION

se the - R A C #or)ula #or e'ery issue/ -hesis$Contention Rule Application Conclusion%

$'

T)e plaintiff is entitle! to because ' -his is the contention$thesis. 0ou )ust

)a*e it *nown at the 'ery "e(innin( o# your discussion%

Bar Operations 2012: Ace the Bar, Race the Car!For rivate an! ersonal Use Only &




Article of t)e w)ic) states t)at clearly applies in t)is case' T)e case of

likewise applies' As )el! in t)at case ' !eter)ine and state what the applica"le rule is.

-he applica"le “rule” is the law, urisprudence, le(al principle or doctrine that is necessary to resol'e the issue or to answer

the uestion that the issue raises%

$n t)is instant case ' Here, interwea'e the ele)ents o# the applica"le rule with the *ey #acts. +how

your reasonin( and analysis "ased on the applica"le rule and its application to the #acts. +how which #acts support or

pre'ent the application o# the rule 3 step "y step, ele)ent "y ele)ent%

T)erefore ' +tate your conclusion%

PRAYER

;79R9%OR9 plaintiff earnestly prays t)at ' +tate and enu)erate the relie#s "ein( sou(ht%

&laintiff prays for suc) ot)er reliefs an! re#e!ies t)at are +ust an! e-uitable un!er t)e pre#ises'

xxxx

Bar Operations 2012: Ace the Bar, Race the Car!For rivate an! ersonal Use Only '




SAMPLE NO. 1

Republic of t)e &)ilippines

5OURT OF APPEALS

SPE5IAL FOURTH DI6ISION

JUANA DELA 5RU7

R r # "' 4 8 r (''*r" 9i"9!(+'

A'' . J !!r A. Ar+ r

P 'i'i*" r,

/versus/

5.A. G.R. SP N*.%or: 9+ect#ent

JANE DOE

R # *"4 "',

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////

MEMORANDUM

5OMES NOW PETITIONER, t)roug) t)e un!ersigne! counsel unto t)is 7onorable Court #ost respectfully

sub#its t)is ,e#oran!u# in t)e above/entitle! case an! aver t)at:

PREFATORY STATEMENT

T)is is a &etition for Review pursuant to Rule =1 of t)e 2DD@ Rules of Court assailing t)e !ecision ren!ere! by t)e

7on' Eu!ge Loren6o ,en6on of t)e Regional Trial Court Branc) 2F of &asay City !ate! Eune 1D 1FFD w)ere t)e !ispositive

portion of w)ic) rea!s an! -uotes:

4;79R9%OR9 t)e !ecision of t)e ,etropolitan Trial

Court Branc) 2 of &asay City is )ereby affir#e! in toto5

4So or!ere!'5

Bar Operations 2012: Ace the Bar, Race the Car!For rivate an! ersonal Use Only (




an! an or!er #a!e in August ? 1FFD !enying t)e ,otion for Reconsi!eration #a!e by t)e petitioner w)ere t)e !ispositive

portion rea!s of w)ic) rea!s an! -uotes:

4;79R9%OR9 for lack of #erit/!efen!ant/appellant*s

,otion for Reconsi!eration is )ereby !enie!5

T)e plaintiff now t)e respon!ent files against t)e !efen!ant now t)e petitioner an action of Unlawful etainer'

T)e respon!ent w)erein clai#s t)at s)e is t)e title! owner of t)e sai! parcel of lan! being lease! by t)e petitioner an!

prays t)at t)e petitioner be e+ecte! fro# t)e sai! property of t)e respon!ent'

T)e petitioner in answering t)e co#plaint #aintaine! t)at s)e can*t be e+ecte! invoking &' '2>2@ &' ' 1F2? A&

2/21 &asay City an! ot)er relate! laws w)ic) grants statutory rig)ts to bona fi!e tenants to ac-uire t)e sai! property

t)roug) purc)ase of t)e sai! property in -uestion' T)e petitioner is willing an! able to buy t)e sai! property'

T)e ,etropolitan Trial Court Branc) 2 of &asay City )as !eci!e! t)e case in favor of t)e owners)ip of t)e property

w)ic) was evi!ently unproce!ural consi!ering t)at in an action of unlawful !etainer only issue of possession !e facto can beraise! an! ignoring t)e sai! &resi!ential ecrees &rocla#ations an! $ssuances w)ic) take part of t)e law of t)e lan!' T)is

!ecision a -uo #a!e by t)e ,etropolitan Trial Court an! affir#e! by t)e Regional Trial Court in toto w)ic) oug)t to be

reverse! or #o!ifie!

THE PARTIES

2' T)e &etitioner Euana ela Cru6 .)erein referre! to as t)e &etitioner0 is of legal age wi!ow an! wit) resi!ence an!

postal a!!ress at 21< Binibini St' &asay City w)ere s)e can be serve! wit) legal processes an! notices issue! by t)is

7onorable Court

1' T)e Respon!ent Eane oe .)erein referre! to as t)e Respon!ent0 is of legal age single an! wit) postal a!!ress at

2F2F (inoo Blv!' &asay City

STATEMENT OF FA5TS

2' T)e petitioner entere! into an oral contract of lease wit) t)e original owners of t)e sai! parcel of lan! t)e late

spouses ,arcela an! ,arcelo el &ilar .)erein referre! to as t)e S&S' el &ilar an!8or spouses0 t)e si6e of w)ic) is a ?>

s-uare #eters an! locate! at 21< Binibini St' &asay City

1' $n line wit) t)e lease agree#ent t)e petitioner constructe! t)eir )ouse an! continue! to resi!e t)erein up to t)e

present





<' %ro# t)e !ay t)ey starte! to lease t)e sai! lan! t)e petitioner never !efaulte! in t)e pay#ent of t)e agree!

#ont)ly rentals

=' On %ebruary 2G 2DD> unknown fro# t)e petitioner t)e respon!ent )as boug)t to t)e sai! property fro# t)e

spouses an! t)e respon!ent )as title! it on )er own na#e

>' T)ereafter t)e respon!ent )as taken )er own steps to e+ect t)e petitioners fro# t)e sai! property until finally s)e

file! an action of unlawful !etainer against t)e petitioner before t)e ,etropolitan Trial Court Branc) 2 of &asay City

STATEMENT OF THE 5ASES

2' On %ebruary 21 1FFG t)e respon!ent file! a Co#plaint for 9+ect#ent against t)e Appellee at t)e ,etropolitan Trial

Court Branc) 2 of &asay City

1' On ece#ber 11 1FFG t)e petitioner file! a &osition &aper

<' On %ebruary 1 1FFD t)e ,etropolitan Trial Court Branc) 2 of &asay City !eci!e! in favor of t)e respon!ent

=' On %ebruary 1F 1FFD t)e petitioner file! a "otice of Appeal an! elevate! t)e case to t)e Regional Trial Court

Branc) 2F of &asay City

>' On Eune 1D 1FFD t)e 7on' Eu!ge Loren6o ,en6on of t)e Regional Trial Court Branc) 2F of &asay City affir#e! in

toto t)e +u!g#ent ren!ere! by t)e ,etropolitan Trial Court

?' On Euly > 1FFD a ,otion for Reconsi!eration is file! by t)e petitioner t)ru )is counsel praying t)at t)e !ecision

ren!ere! on Eune 1D 1FFD be set asi!e an! anot)er ren!ere! for t)e Appellee

@' On August ? 1FFD t)e Regional Trial Court of &asay City )as !enie! t)e ,otion for Reconsi!eration file! by t)e

petitioner t)us pro#pting t)e petitioner to file a petition for review

G' On Septe#ber = 1FFD t)e petitioner file a &etition for Review to t)e Court of Appeals

D' On ,ay 12 1F2F t)e Court of Appeals or!er bot) parties to sub#it t)eir #e#oran!a wit)in 2> !ays

7ence t)e filing of t)is #e#oran!u#





ISSUES

WHETHER OR NOT THE HONORABLE 5OURT TRIAL 5OURT A5TED 5ORRE5TLY IN DE5IDING THIS

UNLAWFUL DETAINER A5TION ON THE BASIS OF E6IDEN5E OF OWNERSHIP AFTER DEFENDANT HAD RAISED

IN DEFENSE THE LESSEE;S RIGHT UNDER P.D.1 1<, P.D.2=1 AND APD 1912 PASAY 5ITY

WHETHER OR NOT AN UNLAWFUL DETAINER A5TION BARS THE BONAFIDE LESSEE;S RIGHT TO A6AIL

OF THE PRI6ILEGES AND BENEFITS PRO6IDED BY SE5TION OF P.D. 1 1<

WHETHER OR NOT IN DETERMINING THE 5O6ERAGE OF AREAS FOR PRIORITY DE6ELOPMENT >APD?,

REFEREN5E MUST BE HAD TO THE LIST OF STREETS SUBJE5T TO 7ONAL DE6ELOPMENT AND NOT TO THE

AREAS IN5LUDED IN THE DELINEATION BY METES AND BOUNDS AS INDI5ATED IN THE PRO5LAMATION

ITSELF.

WHETHER OR NOT SU5H A5T OF THE PETITIONER OF INSTITUTING A 5OMPLAINT TO THE HOUSE ANDLAND USE REGULATORY BOARD >HLURB? 5ONSTITUTES A 6IOLATION OF NON9FORUM SHOPPING

ARGUMENTS

WHETHER OR NOT THE HONORABLE COURT TRIAL COURT ACTED CORRECTLY IN DECIDING THIS

UNLAWFUL DETAINER ACTION ON THE BASIS OF EVIDENCE OF OWNERSHIP AFTER DEFENDANT HAD RAISED

IN DEFENSE THE LESSEE’S RIGHT UNDER P.D.1517, P.D. !1" AND APD 1#1 PASAY CITY

Un!er t)e Rule @F of Rules of Court an action for Unlawful etention resolves only t)e issue of possession !e facto

even if t)e evi!ence of owners)ip #ay be referre! to or consi!ere! only to !eter#ine its possession' T)is is if t)e

!efen!ant now t)e petitioner is unlawfully wit))ol!ing possession of t)e sai! property or t)e refusal of t)e petitioner is

unlawful as )el! by t)e Supre#e Court in 7uibon)oa v' Court of Appeals (R' D>GD@ ec' 2= 2DD@' $n our present case

t)e possession of t)e petitioner is lawful an! even )er refusal to vacate t)e sai! property is also lawful'

Since t)e petitioner )as been lawfully leasing t)e sai! property to t)e original owners t)e Sps' el &ilar it clearly

presents us a situation w)erein t)e petitioner is lawfully in possession of t)e sai! property an! +ustifies )er refusal to vacate

t)e sa#e property' %urt)er#ore alt)oug) t)e contract between t)e original owners an! t)e petitioners t)e respon!ent

were not able to overt)row t)e counterclai# of t)e petitioner w)ic) was overlooke! by t)e 7onorable ,etropolitan Trial

Court w)en s)e resolve! t)e case in favor of t)e respon!ents' $n )er !is-uisition t)e 7onorable ,etropolitan Trial Court

sai! an! -uotes:

4After t)e t)oroug) evaluation of t)e evi!ence on recor!

t)e court believes t)at t)e !efen!ants can be lawfully e+ecte!

fro# t)e sub+ect pre#ises'

Clearly t)e plaintiff is t)e registere! owner of t)e property





4;79R9AS it is !eclare! ob+ective of t)e "ew Society to effect social econo#ic an! political refor#s

attune! to t)e establis)#ent of a secure national co##unity an! to an i#prove! -uality of life for all

citi6ens an! for all ot)ers w)o #ay so+ourn our s)ores

;79R9AS t)e -uality of )u#an life in our ti#es is inescapably !eter#ine! by t)e relations)ip a#ong

population resources t)e environ#ent an! intelligent policies

;79R9AS )u#an settle#ent is an integrative concept e#bracing t)e inter!epen!ence of #anIs

environ#ent )u#an s)elters an! structures an! t)e !esign an! organi6ation of )u#an co##unities

consistent wit) a national fra#ework plan all for t)e peopleIs security an! well/being'

;79R9AS lan! is t)e ulti#ate platfor# of all #anIs activities an! t)e crucial factor in !eter#ining t)e

s)ape of )u#an settle#ents

;79R9AS t)e basic law of t)e lan! explicitly provi!es for t)e regulation of t)e ac-uisition owners)ip

use en+oy#ent an! !isposition of private property an! for t)e e-uitable !iffusion of property owners)ip

an! profits w)ic) inclu!es lan! an! lan! resources

;79R9AS t)e tra!itional concept of lan!owners)ip )as aggravate! t)e proble# arising fro# urbani6ation

suc) as t)e proliferation of blig)te! areas an! t)e worsening of t)e plig)t of t)e urban poor an! )asspawne! vali! an! legiti#ate grievances in urban centers giving rise to social tension an! violent conflicts

;79R9AS a social refor# ob+ective of t)e "ew Society is to renew blig)te! areas i#prove t)e con!itions

of t)e urban poor an! resolve an! re!ress legiti#ate grievances arising t)erefro# w)ile at t)e sa#e

provi!ing incentives to progressive lan!owners an! !evelopers w)o wis) to !evelop t)eir lan!s in

accor!ance wit) govern#ent plans an! progra#s responsive to co##unity welfare 5

T)e t)en late &resi!ent %er!inan! ,arcos issue! &rocla#ation 2D?@ as a#en!e! by &rocla#ation "o' 11G= to

ensure a #eaningful reali6ation of t)e sai! policies t)erein in & 2>2@' %urt)er#ore & 1F2? was also issue! to prevent

t)e Circu#vention of t)e Urban Refor# Law by t)e )eartless lan!owners'

%ro# t)e avowe! principles of t)e sai! laws courts s)oul! not ren!er t)ese laws nugatory but instea! to !eci!e to

effectively i#ple#ent t)ese laws for t)e benefit of t)e slu# !wellers'

$n & 1F2? t)e e-uitable !iffusion of property owners)ip of lan! an! lan! resources is t)e pri#ary reason w)y in

suc) &resi!ential ecree pro)ibits t)e e+ect#ent of t)e -ualifie! tenants resi!ing in areas for priority !evelop#ent'

%urt)er#ore suc) reason is one of t)e para#ount ob+ectives of t)e Urban Refor# Law w)ic) in turn cannot be ren!ere!

nugatory by t)e avowe! ob+ective of t)e action for Unlawful etainer w)ic) )a! been #a!e su##ary in c)aracter

WHETHER OR NOT IN DETERMINING THE COVERAGE OF AREAS FOR PRIORITY DEVELOPMENT $APD%,

REFERENCE MUST BE HAD TO THE LIST OF STREETS SUB&ECT TO 'ONAL DEVELOPMENT AND NOT TO THE

AREAS INCLUDED IN THE DELINEATION BY METES AND BOUNDS AS INDICATED IN THE PROCLAMATION

ITSELF.

T)e property in -uestion w)ere t)e petitioner built )er )ouse #ore t)an ?F years ago is locate! at Binibini Street

Barangay San Ro-ue &asay City' A& 2/21 covers a large portion of &asay City boun!e! on t)e "ort) by t)e ,anila/&asay

boun!ary on t)e 9ast by Tripa !e (allena so#ew)ere near ,' !ela Cru6 on t)e Sout) by 9 SA an! on t)e ;est by

Ja#ora/Burgos Streets'

Bar Operations 2012: Ace the Bar, Race the Car!For rivate an! ersonal Use Only 1#




T)e following Barangays are inclu!e! in t)e A& 2/21 are t)e following: San $si!iro San Ro-ue an! Sta' Clara'

So#e streets are also liste! wit)in t)e w)ole area proclai#e! as sub+ect to 6onal !evelop#ent' Binibini Street w)erein t)e

property is locate! is locate! at Barangay San Ro-ue' Alt)oug) t)e sai! street is not inclu!e! in t)e list as an area for

priority !evelop#ent but consi!ering t)at t)e entire Barangay San Ro-ue is covere! by t)e procla#ation as blig)te! area

an! sub+ect to priority 6onal !evelop#ent Binibini Street is necessarily inclu!e!' $t woul! be absur! t)at not to inclu!e a

street an! t)e w)ole Barangay is put as a part of t)e areas for priority !evelop#ent'

PRAYER

;79R9%OR9 in consi!eration of all t)e foregoing t)e petitioner respectfully prays t)at t)e 7onorable Court of

Appeals reverse or #o!ify t)e !ecision of t)e 7onorable ,etropolitan Trial Court Branc) 2 of &asay City !ate! Eune 1D 1FFD

an! t)e or!er of t)e 7onorable Regional Trial Court Branc) 2F of &asay City !ate! August ? 1FFD'%urt)er#ore a new or!er

be ren!ere! !eclaring t)e areas in Binibini Street be sub+ect to A& 2/21 &asay City as areas of priority !evelop#ent an!

petitioner be entitle! to t)e benefits an! privileges provi!e! un!er Sec ? of &' ' 2>2@

$t is furt)er praye! t)at t)e allege! sale of t)e sai! parcel of lan! of t)e Spouses ,arcela an! ,arcelo el &ilar to

t)e respon!ent Eane oe on %ebruary 2G 2DD2 be !eclare! null an! voi! !ue to t)e violation of t)e Urban Refor# Law

%inally ot)er reliefs t)at are +ust an! e-uitable un!er t)e present circu#stances are likewise praye! for'

Respectfully sub#itte!

,anila &)ilippines t)is 1G t) !ay of ,ay 1F2F

9 (UJ,A" TU(9L$ A 9 CASTRO A" ASSOC$AT9S

Counsel for &etitioner

A!!ress: Unit 21FF Tall Buil!ing Con!o#iniu# 9spana ,anila

By:

Atty' Eeffrey A' Arc)er

$B& Lifeti#e "o' 21<=> >82F81FF>

&TR "o' @@@?>= 282F81F22

Roll of Attorney "o' 1FF>/FF?<=2

,CL9 Co#pliance "o' $$$ K FFFGD@

Bar Operations 2012: Ace the Bar, Race the Car!For rivate an! ersonal Use Only 1$




SAMPLE NO.

MEMORANDUM

.On t)e $ssue of Euris!iction0

&rivate Respon!ent t)roug) counsel respectfully states:

2' uring t)e )earing last "ove#ber 1= 1F2F t)is 7onorable Court note! t)at t)ere is a t)res)ol! issue to be

resolve! in t)is procee!ing i'e' if it )as +uris!iction in lig)t of t)e -uestion of w)et)er or not petitioner is !oing business

in t)e &)ilippines wit)out t)e re-uisite license'

1' &etitioner itself alleges in its &etition t)at it is a foreign corporation t)us:

42<' &etitioner is an organi6e! an! existing by virtue of t)e laws of t)e Britis) irgin $slan!s wit) business

a!!ress at 2<F2 Bank of A#erica Tower 21 7arcourt Roa! Central 7ong Mong' x x x5

<' uring t)e )earing last "ove#ber 1= 1F2F petitioner t)roug) its counsel reiterate! its assertion in its Reply

!ate! 1F2F t)at it is ()* !oing business in t)e &)ilippines' 9vi!ently t)erefore t)e petitioner )as no license to !o

business in t)e &)ilippines' .To furt)er support suc) fact attac)e! to t)e original copy of t)is ,e#oran!u# is t)e original

Certification issue! by t)e Securities an! 9xc)ange Co##ission t)at petitioner )as no registration of any kin! wit) its

office NAnnex 4253'0

=' T)e law in t)is regar! is clear K a foreign corporation !oing business in t)e &)ilippines wit)out t)e re-uisite license

fro# t)e Securities an! 9xc)ange Co##ission cannot sue' cite statutory pro'isions here%

>' T)us t)e only -uestion now is w)et)er t)e petitioner is !oing business in t)e &)ilippines

?' T)e fact t)at is !oing business in t)e &)ilippines is s)own in t)e &etition itself an! in its correspon!ing annexe!

!ocu#ent' T)us t)e &etition alleges:

412' T)e "" Axa )as t)en an sic% existing Bareboat C)arter Agree#ents NCO&P R9ST O%

S9"T9"C98&ARA(RA&73'5

@' $n support of suc) allegation petitioner )as attac)e! its Bareboat C)arter wit) P Corp' as Annex 4(5 to t)e &etition

file! wit) t)is 7onorable Court' %or easy reference attac)e! as Annex 415 )ereof is a copy of suc) Bareboat C)arter' Suc)

C)arter consists of eleven .20 pages'

G' T)e Bareboat C)arter )as t)e following features:

Bar Operations 2012: Ace the Bar, Race the Car!For rivate an! ersonal Use Only 1%




.a0 on t)e first page in box no' 1 t)e place of execution is M("i0(, P i0i i" #

.b0 on t)e last page i'e' t)e elevent) page t)e notari6ation of t)e C)arter an! its acknowle!g#ent by t)e

contracting parties were acco#plis)e! in P(#i/ 5i'

.c0 on t)e first page in box no' = t)e bareboat c)arterer i'e' P Corp' is s)own to be base! Unit <1F=B 9ast

Tower &S9 Bl!g' 9xc)ange Roa! Ortigas P(#i/ 5i'

.!0 on t)e first page in box no' 2< t)e port of !elivery is at a safe port i" ' P i0i i" #

.e0 on t)e first page in box no' 1F t)e tra!ing li#its is $i' i" P i0i i" *r'# *"0

.f0 on t)e first page in box no' 2? t)e port of re!elivery is B('((", P i0i i" #

.g0 on t)e first page in box no' 12' t)e c)arter perio! is !r*) A-/-#' 2, 2=1= '* F 8r-(r 1, 2=13

.)0 on t)e first page in box no' 11 t)e c)arter )ire is US@3, == r +(0 "4(r 4(

.i0 on t)e secon! page in box no' <> !ispute resolution is pursuant to P i0i i" 0($ an! t)e place of

arbitration will be in M("i0(

.+0 on t)e secon! page in box no' == t)e flag an! country of t)e Bareboat C)arter Registry is t)e

P i0i i" # '

D' 9vi!ently t)erefore petitioner ca#e to t)e &)ilippines t)roug) its representative an! execute! t)e Bareboat

C)arter wit) P a corporation base! in t)e &)ilippines over Is allege! vessel t)e 4"" Axa5 w)ic) is un!er &)ilippine

registry for purposes of t)e c)arter' T)e sai! vessel was !elivere! by to P in t)e &)ilippines an! sai! vessel is restricte!

to navigate only wit)in t)e &)ilippines' ;)en t)e Bareboat C)arter is ter#inate! P will t)en re!eliver t)e vessel to in

Bataan &)ilippines' T)e fee for t)e C)arter is USQ< GFF per !ay an! t)e C)arter perio! is two an! a )alf .1 0 years Nor at

least nine )un!re! .DFF0 !ays3' Any !ispute will be resolve! pursuant to &)ilippine law t)roug) arbitration in ,anila'

2F' ;it) its vessel being c)artere! K or in civil law ter#s + - / K to P upon t)e foregoing ter#s an! con!itions is

!oing business in t)e &)ilippines

;it)out !oubt is !oing business in t)e &)ilippines'

22' $n any event +ust to forestall any uncertainty on t)is issue cite! )ereun!er are pertinent rulings in !eci!e! cases:

A' NC$T9 9 C9R&TS O% EUR$S&RU 9"C93

B'

Bar Operations 2012: Ace the Bar, Race the Car!For rivate an! ersonal Use Only 1&




C'

'

21' To reiterate it is sub#itte! t)at t)e only fin!ing t)at can be #a!e is t)at is !oing business in t)e &)ilippines'

Since it is a foreign corporation an! )as no S9C license to !o business petitioner cannot sue an! in particular cannot file

t)is &etition' Conse-uently t)is petition #ust as it s)oul! be !is#isse!'

&rayer

;)erefore it is respectfully praye! t)at t)e 7onorable Court consi!er t)e foregoing ,e#oran!u# in its resolution

of t)e above/!iscusse! t)res)ol! issue in t)is case an! t)ereby $S,$SS t)e petition' Ot)er pertinent reliefs are likewise

praye! for'

"ove#ber @ 1F2F' Cebu City &)ilippines'

Bar Operations 2012: Ace the Bar, Race the Car!For rivate an! ersonal Use Only 1'




SAMPLE NO. 3


SU&R9,9 COURT

,anila City

JUANA DELA 5RU7,

efen!ant/&etitioner

/versus/ 5I6IL 5ASE NO. L9123&

%or: 9+ect#ent

JANE DOE,

&laintiff/Respon!ent'

x/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////x

MEMORANDUM

5OMES NOW PLAINTIFF9RESPONDENT, t)roug) t)e un!ersigne! counsel unto t)is 7onorable Supre#e Court

#ost respectfully sub#its an! presents t)is ,e#oran!u# in t)e above/title! case an! avers t)at:

THE PARTIES

2' &laintiff/Respon!ent Eane oe is of legal age single an! resi!ing on 2F2F (inoo Boulevar! &asay City w)ere s)e

#ay be serve! wit) legal processes an! notices issue! by t)is 7onorable Court

1' efen!ant/&etitioner Euana ela Cru6 is of legal age an! resi!ing on 21< Binibini Street ue6on City an! #ay be

serve! wit) legal processes an! ot)er +u!icial notices t)ereto'

I. PRO5EDURAL BA5 GROUND

Bar Operations 2012: Ace the Bar, Race the Car!For rivate an! ersonal Use Only 1(




2' On %ebruary 22 1FFG )erein &laintiff/Respon!ent file! a Co#plaint for 9+ect#ent !ate! %ebruary @ 1FFG against

efen!ant/&etitioner

1' On ece#ber 11 1FFG an Answer !ate! ece#ber 2> 1FFG was file! by t)e efen!ant/&etitioner

<' On %ebruary < 1FFD a ecision was ren!ere! by Branc) 2 of ,etropolitan Trial Court of &asay City in favor of t)e

&laintiff/Respon!ent

=' On August ? 1FFD a ,otion for Reconsi!eration file! Euly > 1FFD by efen!ant/&etitioner t)roug) legal counsel

was !enie! by Eu!ge Loren6o ,en6on of Branc) 2F of t )e Regional Trial Court &asay City

>' On Septe#ber 2= 1FFD a &etition for Review !ate! Septe#ber D 1FFD was file! to t)e Court of Appeals by

efen!ant/&etitioner

?' On April 1< 1F2F &laintiff/Respon!ent t)roug) legal counsel file! a Co##ent !ate! April 2D 1F2F

@' On ,ay 2< 1F2F as per erification an! Report fro# t)e Eu!icial Recor!s ivision .ER 0 no Reply was file! by t)e

efen!ant/&etitioner

G' On ,ay 12 1F2F a Resolution was ren!ere! by t)e Court of Appeals !enying efen!ant/&etitioner*s &rayer for

Te#porary Restraining Or!er .TRO0

D' Accor!ingly t)e 7onorable Court of Appeals or!ere! t)e parties to sub#it t)eir respective ,e#oran!a fifteen .2>0

!ays fro# notice ot)erwise regar!less w)et)er or not ,e#oran!a were file! t)e petition s)all be sub#itte! for !ecision

7ence t)e filing of t)e instant ,e#oran!u#'

I. FA5TUAL BA5 GROUND

2' &laintiff/Respon!ent seeks t)at a parcel of lan! locate! at 21< Binibini Street &asay be returne! to )er possession

but !ue to efen!ant/&etitioner*s occupancy t)ereat t)e for#er cannot clai# possession w)ic) left )er wit) t)e option of

resi!ing at 2F2F (inoo Boulevar! &asay City' $t is notewort)y to stress t)at &laintiff/Respon!ent is t)e registere! owner of

t)e lan! sub+ect un!er TCT "o' 21<=> of t)e Registry of ee!s of &asay City' T)e property was sol! to t)e# by t)e now

!ecease! original owners Spouses ,arcelo an! ,arcela !el &ilar

1' efen!ant/&etitioner on t)e ot)er )an! is an allege! lessee of t)e original owners of t)e lan! since Septe#ber

2D>>' T)ey )a! repeate!ly assaile! t)e verbal contract of lease for #ore t)an >F years

<' &laintiff/Respon!ent was not able to clai# i##e!iately t)e lan! for it was previously sub+ect to a pen!ing legal

procee!ing an! t)at t)ere was still no urgent necessity of using an! occupying it' ;)en t)e event ca#e t)at &laintiff/

Respon!ent was able to enforce )er rig)t over t)e lan! efen!ant/&etitioner !espite earnest an! peaceful efforts of t)e





&laintiff/Respon!ent still refuse! to vacate t)e lan!' T)is le! )er to seek )elp fro# t)e Barangay officials for #e!iation

an!8or conciliation in accor!ance wit) law' 7owever t)e efen!ant/&etitioner still persistently occupie! t)e lan! wit)out

)ee! to t)e serious an! constant !e#an! of t)e &laintiff/Respon!ent w)ic) ren!ere! it unattainable to reac) an agree#ent

=' ue to t)e foregoing failure to clai# t)e parcel of lan! attribute! to t)e obstinate refusal of t)e efen!ant/

&etitioner &laintiff/Respon!ent was co#pelle! to )ire t)e services of a legal counsel to co##ence t)e enforce#ent of

e+ection un!er t)e wings of t)e courts of law'

I. ISSUES OF THE 5ASE

A.? WHETHER OR NOT THE HONORABLE TRIAL 5OURT A5TED 5ORRE5TLY IN DE5IDING THIS UNLAWFUL

DETAINER A5TION ON THE BASIS OF THE E6IDEN5E OF OWNERSHIP AFTER DEFENDANT HAD RAISED IN

DEFENSE THE LESSEE;S RIGHTS UNDER P.D. 1 1<, P.D. 2=1 , APD 1912 C PASAY 5ITY

B.? WHETHER OR NOT AN UNLAWFUL DETAINER A5TION BARS THE BONA FIDE LESSEE;S RIGHT TO A6AIL

THE PRI6ILEGES AND BENEFITS PRO6IDED BY SE5TION OF P.D. 1 1<

5.? WHETHER OR NOT IN DETERMINING THE 5O6ERAGE OF AREAS FOR PRIORITY DE6ELOPMENT >APD?,

REFEREN5E MUST BE HAD TO THE LIST OF THE STREETS SUBJE5T TO THE 7ONAL DE6ELOPMENT AND NOT TO

THE AREAS IN5LUDED IN THE DELINEATION BY METES AND BOUNDS AS INDI5ATED IN THE PRO5LAMATION

ITSELF.

I. ARGUMENTS

A.? T +*-r' +*))i'' 4 "* rr*r i" 4 +i4i"/ ' (' (" -"0($!-0 4 '(i" r (+'i*" 8 "!*r+ 4 - *" r i"

D ! "4("'9P 'i'i*" r 4 # i' ' (##(i0 4 +*"' "'i*" *! ' !*r) r -"4 r P.D. 1 1< ("4 P.D. 2=1 .

B.? T r i# "* 8(r i" ' i# i"#'("' +(# !*r (" -"0($!-0 4 '(i" r '* ( (i0 ' 8 " !i'# ("4 ri i0 / # r* i4 4

8 S +'i*" P.D. 1 1< r* i4 4 i' i# ( 0i+(80 .

5.? T 4 ' r)i"('i*" *! ' #+* ("4 0i)i'('i*" *! Ar (# !*r Pri*ri' D 0* ) "' # (00 8 8(# 4 *" '

0i#' *! # +i!i+ (r (# r #+ri8 4 8 ' r*+0()('i*".

II. DIS5USSION

A.? $t is necessary to e#p)asi6e t)at t)e &laintiff/Respon!ent is t)e bona fi!e owner of t)e parcel of lan! locate! at

21< Binibini Street &asay City un!er TCT "o 21<=> of t)e Register of ee!s of &asay City' $n t)e &)ilippines t)e





presentation of a vali! certificate of title of t)e real property is a conclusive evi!ence of owners)ip of t)e person w)ose

na#e t)e certificate of title is entitle! to'

Un!er Section =@ of t)e Lan! Registration Act or Act "o' =D? it provi!es t)at 4t)e original certificates in t)e

registration book any copy t)ereof !uly certifie! un!er t)e signature of t)e clerk or of t)e register of !ee!s of t)e province

or city w)ere t)e lan! is situate! an! t)e seal of t)e court an! also t)e owner*s !uplicate certificate s)all be receive! as

evi!ence in all t)e courts of t)e &)ilippine $slan!s an! s)all be conclusive as to all )atters containe! t)erein except so far

as ot)erwise provi!e! in t)is Act'5

Recogni6e! +urispru!ence also up)ol! t)e significance of a certificate of title in proving vali! owners)ip of a lan!' $n

t)e !ecision of t)e case of +pouses &ascual '. +pouses Coronel t)e ponente cite! two cases w)ic) )ig)lig)t t)e significance

of a vali! certificate of title in clai#ing owners)ip over a lan!' $t was )el! t)at 4 in t)e recent case of )poc '. ercado

t)e Court !eclare! t)at t)e t rial court !i! not err in giving #ore probative weig)t to t)e TCT in t)e na#e of t)e !ece!ent 'is

'is t)e conteste! unregistere! ee! of Sale' Later in Ara)"ulo '. un(a" t)e Court )el! t)at t)e registere! owner is

preferre! to possess t)e property sub+ect of t)e unlawful !etainer case' T)e age/ol! rule is t)at t)e person w)o )as a

Torrens Title over a lan! is entitle! to possession t)ereof'5

T)e ruling of i6on v' Court of Appeals was also use! as basis for t)is argu#ent' $t was state! t)at a certificate of

title is conclusive evi!ence of owners)ip an! t)e -uestionability of t)e title is i##aterial in an e+ect#ent suit' %ut)er#ore

Article =1G of t)e "ew Civil Co!e enu#erates t)e rig)ts of an owner' 4T)e owner )as t)e rig)t to en+oy an! !ispose of a

t)ing wit)out ot)er li#itations ot)er t)an t)ose establis)e! by law' -he owner has ri(ht o# action a(ainst the holder and

possessor o# the thin( in order to reco'er it. 5

$t is in!ubitable t)at t)e certificate of title of 21< Binibini Street &asay City un!er TCT "o' 21<=> w)ic) is

registere! in t)e Register of ee!s of &asay City entitles &etitioner/Respon!ent t)e rig)t to exercise t)e afore#entione!

rig)ts specifically in t)is instant case t)e rig)t of action against t)e )ol!er an! possessor of t)e t)ing in or!er to recover

t)e lan!'

T)e contention of t)e efen!ant/&etitioner t)at t)e verbal lease agree#ent t)ey )a! #a!e wit) t)e now !ecease!

original owners ,arcelo an! ,arcela el &ilar for over >F years s)all entitle t)e# to t)e privileges un!er &' ' 2>2@ an! &' '

1F2? .Annex 4A5 an! 4B5 respectively0 is untenable' $t is expressly state! t)at Section ? of &' ' 2>2@ grants lessees t)e

rig)t of first refusal before t)ey #ay be e+ecte! fro# a lan! but t)is is only feasible un!er certain con!itions' $t is an

in!ispensable -ualification t)at t)e lan! is inclu!e! in t)e list of Areas for &riority evelop#ent .A& 0 before an owner can

be grante! of t)e rig)t of first refusal' T)e lan! sub+ect of t)is case is clearly not inclu!e! in t)e specific areas enu#erate!

in t)e list of A& ' To reiterate t)e Court of Appeals !ecision in CA/('R' "o' C 21<=>: 4$nsofar as t)e property in litigation

appellant Eane oe is conse-uently correct in ob+ecting to appellee*s exercise of t)e rig)t of first refusal grante! un!er

Section ? of &resi!ential ecree "o' 2>2@' T)e fact t)at it is not inclu!e! in t)e areas for priority !evelop#ent specifically

i!entifie! un!er &rocla#ation "o' 2D?@ in!icates t)at appellee )ave no cause of action for annul#ent of sale reconveyance

an! preli#inary in+unction against appellants'5

B.? T)e &laintiff/Respon!ent*s argu#ent in t)is issue is inti#ately connecte! wit) t)e prece!ing argu#ent' efen!ant/

&etitioner vigorously assails t)at t)ere is no bar to t)e availability of t)e privileges an! benefits conferre! to bona fi!e lessee

w)enever t)ere is an unlawful !etainer action' $t is )owever true' But t)is is sub+ect to circu#stances t)at #ay -ualify a





lessee to t)e privileges an! benefits un!er Section ? of &' ' "o' 2>2? suc) as t)e rig)t of first refusal' Unfortunately t)e

lan! possesse! by t)e efen!ant/&etitioner !oes not fall un!er t)e a#bit of Section ? of &' ' "o' 2>2@' T)erefore t)e

efen!ant/&etitioner )as no cause of action in t)is issue'

5.? T)e t)ir! issue -uestions t)e coverage of t)e A& prescribe! by t)e procla#ation w)et)er or not it refers to t)e

list of streets sub+ect to t)e Jonal evelop#ent or to t)e areas inclu!e! in t)e !elineation of t)e #etes an! boun!s

in!icate!'

Reiteration is t)erefore necessary to lay e#p)asis on t)e !ecision of t)e Court of Appeals t)at in t)e List of Areas

for &riority evelop#ent .A& *s0 labele! as t)e Sout) Sector of &asay City t)e area for priority !evelop#ent was !efine!

as Tra#o Lines along Barangays San $si!ro San Ro-ue an! Santa Clara' $t was t)ereafter specifically enu#erate! t)e list

of covere! sub/areas .please refer to Annex 4C5 for !iagra#0 w)ic) are t)e following: 20 %' ictor 10 entanilla Street c0

Euan Luna Street !0 ' Eorge Street e0 iscarra Street f0 Conc)ita Street g0 olores Street )0 Leonar!o Street i0 Alvare6

Street +0 Basilio Street k0 Ro!rigue6 Street an! i0 illa Barbara' 4T)ere is conse-uently no gainsaying t)e fact t)at wit) its

Binibini Street location t)e property in litigation is not inclu!e! a#ong t)e sites i!entifie! as Areas for &riority evelop#ent

in &asay City'5T)e #ere fact t)at t)e list !oes not inclu!e Binibini Street necessarily i#plies t)at it is !ee#e! exclu!e! fro#it'

Citing Solana!a 9nterprises v' Court of Appeals it #a!e a profoun! analysis of Section ? of &' ' 2>2@ .as foun! in

Annex 4A5 of t)is ,e#oran!u#0 base! on statutory construction:

4;e agree' A close rea!ing of &rocla#ation "o' 2D?@ reveals t)at before a pree#ptive rig)t can be exercise! t)e

!ispute! lan! s)oul! be situate! in an area !eclare! to be bot) an A& an! a ULRJ'

An urban tenantIs rig)t of first refusal is set fort) in Section ? & 2>2@ as follows:

Sec' ?' 7and -enancy in r"an 7and Re#or) Areas ' ;it)in t)e Urban JonesN 3 legiti#ate tenants w)o )ave

resi!e! on t)e lan! for ten years or #ore N 3 w)o )ave built t)eir )o#es on t)e lan!N 3 an! resi!ents w)o

)ave legally occupie! t)e lan!s by contract continuously for t)e last ten years s)all not be !ispossesse!

of t)e lan! an! s)all be allowe! t)e rig)t of first refusal to purc)ase t)e sa#e wit)in a reasonable ti#e

an! at reasonable prices un!er ter#s an! con!itions to be !eter#ine! by t)e Urban Jone 9xpropriation

an! Lan! ,anage#ent Co##ittee create! by Section G of t)is ecree'

&rocla#ation "o' 2D?@ furt)er !eli#ite! t)e areas or 6ones w)erein t)is pree#ptive rig)t coul! be availe! of 'i8 ':

;79R9AS &rocla#ation "o' 2GD< was issue! on 22 Septe#ber 2D@D pursuant to Section = of &' ' "o'

2>2@ !eclaring t)e entire ,etropolitan ,anila area as Urban Lan! Refor# Jone'

;79R9AS $t is now necessary an! appropriate to i!entify specific sites covere! by urban lan! refor# in

,etropolitan ,anila for purposes of #aking specific t)e applicability of &' ' "os' 2>2@ 2?=F an! 2?=1 an!

of LO$ "o' D<>'

"O; T79R9%OR9 $ %9R $"A" 9' ,ARCOS &resi!ent of t)e &)ilippines by virtue of t)e powers veste!

in #e by t)e Constitution an! existing laws an! in relation to &rocla#ation "o' 2GD< !eclaring t)e entire

,etropolitan ,anila area as an Urban Lan! Refor# Jone an! LO$ D<> )ereby a#en! &rocla#ation "o'

2GD< by !eclaring 1== sites in ,etropolitan ,anila as Areas for &riority evelop#ent an! Urban Lan!

Refor# Jones as !escribe! in t)e attac)e! annex'

Bar Operations 2012: Ace the Bar, Race the Car!For rivate an! ersonal Use Only 2"




4T)e provisions of &' ' "os' 2>2@ 2?=F an! 2?=1 an! of LO$ "o' D<> s)all apply only to t)e

aboveN/3#entione! Areas of &riority evelop#ent an! Urban Lan! Refor# Jones' xxx xxx xxx5

T)e aforesai! whereas clauses express a clear intent to li#it t)e operation of & 2>2@ to specific areas !eclare! to

be locate! in bot) an A& an! a ULRJ' T)e con+unctive and in t)e last sentence of t)e -uote! provision confir#s t)is

intention' And in statutory construction i#plies con+unction +oin!er or union' As un!erstoo! fro# t)e co##on an! usual

#eaning of t)e con+unction and, t)e provisions of & 2>2@ apply only to areas !eclare! to be locate! wit)in bot) an A&

an! a ULRJ'5

;it) t)e foregoing recogni6e! +urispru!ence sai! t)e efen!ant/&etitioner*s action woul! necessarily lea! to futility

for no cause of action'

PRAYER

WHEREFORE, pre#ise consi!ere! it respectfully praye! for t)at t)is 7onorable Supre#e Court t)at efen!ant/

&etitioner*s prayer for writ of in+unction be DENIED for )aving no cause of action an! t)e petition DISMISSED for beingclearly un#eritorious'

Ot)er +ust an! e-uitable relief un!er t)e foregoing are likewise being praye! for'

Respectfully sub#itte!'

,akati City for ,anila City &)ilippines' April G 1F22'

A7URIN BUHAIN BONTUYAN AND ARI5AYOS LAW OFFI5ES

Counsel for &laintiff/Respon!ent

2F t) %loor "ew Buil!ing

,akati Avenue ,akati City

By:

ATTY. PAOLO 5OELHO

$B& Lifeti#e "o' ?@GD2 >82F81FF>

&TR "o' ==>?G 282F81F22

Roll of Attorney "o' 1FF>/FF2F1<

,CL9 Co#pliance "o' $$$ K FFFGDD

Copy %urnis)e!:

ATTY. JEFFREY A. AR5HER

Counsel for &etitioner

Unit 21FF Tall Buil!ing Con!o#iniu#

Bar Operations 2012: Ace the Bar, Race the Car!For rivate an! ersonal Use Only 2#




9spana ,anila

Bar Operations 2012: Ace the Bar, Race the Car!For rivate an! ersonal Use Only 2$




SAMPLE NO. 0

PLAINTIFF S TRIAL MEMORANDUM

&laintiff t)roug) counsel #ost respectfully alleges:

STATEMENT OF FA5TS:

$n or!er t)at t)is )onorable court #ay be enlig)tene! an! gui!e! in t)e +u!icious !isposition of t)e above/entitle!

case cite! )ereun!er t)e #aterial relevant an! pertinent facts of t)e case to wit/

2' &laintiff is Lu6 ia6 sixty five .?>0 years ol! wi!ow an! a resi!ent of ,ountain iew Sub!ivision Antipolo Ri6al

w)ile !efen!ant is 9##a Crisosto#o forty two .=10 years ol! )ousewife #arrie! an! also a resi!ent of ,ountain iew

Sub!ivision Antipolo Ri6al

1' &laintiff an! !efen!ant )ave been neig)bors for at least t)ree .<0 years' &laintiff alleges t)at in t)e afternoon of

October 1> 1F2F a truck owne! by t)e !efen!antIs carpenter (regorio Ti#bol was parke! in front of t)e !efen!antIs on a

street t)at was sloping' ,r' Ti#bol )as been working on t)e renovation of !efen!antIs )ouse' 7e )as been a carpenter for at

least t)irty five .<>0 years

<' Eust before t)e inci!ent plaintiff was taking a nap in )er )ouse w)en s)e notice! t)at )er !og Trix was #issing'

S)e t)en looke! aroun! t)e )ouse until s)e )ear! a cras)ing bang an! a !og crying out

=' ;)en t)e plaintiff went outsi!e )er gate s)e saw Trix pinne! un!er t)e w)eel of t)e truck' T)e truck was backe!

up against a tree by t)e si!ewalk an! Trix was t)ras)ing an! s-uealing un!erneat) t)e truck wit) bloo! co#ing out )is

#out)

>' &laintiff crie! an! screa#e! to "il!a )er )elper an! s)oute! for t)e guar!s w)o roa#e! t)e sub!ivision but no

one ca#e' S)e coul! not save )i# even if s)e wante! to because t)ere was no one in t)e truckIs !river seat an! s)e !oes

not know )ow to !rive' S)e coul! only cry an! screa# w)ile Trix kept on )owling until it stoppe! #oving an! #aking any

soun!' 7e !ie! soon after

?' Accor!ing to t)e plaintiff Trix )a! been wit) )er since )er )usban! passe! away eig)t years ago'

@' &laintiff observe! t)at t)e truck )a! always been parke! in front of t)e !efen!ants )ouse since t)e ti#e

!efen!antIs )ouse was being renovate!

G' ;)en t)e inci!ent )appene! !efen!ant !i! not !o anyt)ing except to call ,r' Ti#bol' efen!ant insiste! t)at t)e

truck was properly parke! an! w)at )appene! to Trix was an acci!ent an! ,r' Ti#bol coul! not be faulte!' On t)e ot)er

)an! ,r' Ti#bol a!#itte! t)at )is truck was of an ol! #o!el' 7e boug)t it secon! )an! an! )a! it over)aule! an!

repainte!' 7e also a!#itte! t)at w)en )e parke! it on t)e !ay t)e inci!ent )appene! )e put two .10 large rocks against

t)e back w)eels to #ake sure t)e t ruck !oes not roll back !own t)e street

Bar Operations 2012: Ace the Bar, Race the Car!For rivate an! ersonal Use Only 2%




D' ,r' Ti#bol finally a!#itte! t)at w)en )e looke! at t)e scene after t)e inci!ent )appene! t)e rocks were no longer

t)ere' 7e conclu!e! t)at so#eone #ust )ave re#ove! t)e#

2F' &laintiff !e#an!e! t)at t)e !efen!ant s)oul! give )er anot)er !og but t)e latter refuse! an! insiste! t)at w)at

)appene! to Trix was plaintiffIs fault because Trix s)oul! )ave not been loose on t)e streets'

22' efen!ant testifie! t)at Trix was a pesky !og an! )a! co#plaine! about it #any ti#es' $n fact it was because of

Trix t)at t)e !efen!ant #et plaintiff for t)e first ti#e t)ree .<0 years ago' efen!ant went to plaintiffIs )ouse to co#plain

t)at Trix pulle! out t)e plants in t)e yar!

21' efen!ant also #entione! t)at Trix woul! !ig )oles in )er lawn' $t woul! fre-uently !eposit its wastes on )er

!riveway an! also pee in front of )er )ouse leaving a foul s#ell' One ti#e Trix even c)ase! )er little girl along t)e roa!

2<' efen!ant went to t)e extent of co#plaining t)e activities of Trix before t)e 7o#eownerIs Association so t)at t)e

latter issue! a Boar! Resolution stating t)at wan!ering !ogs will be caug)t an! broug)t to t )e #unicipal !og poun!'

STATEMENT OF ISSUES

2' ;)et)er or not t)e plaintiff co##itte! a nuisance w)en s)e allowe! )er !og to roa# t)e streets of t)e sub!ivision'

1' ;)et)er or not t)e !efen!ant vali!ly abate! t)e nuisance w)en s)e lo!ge! a co#plaint before t)e 7o#eownerIs

Association

<' ;)et)er or not t)e carpenter was negligent w)en )e parke! )is car in front of t)e )ouse of t)e !efen!ant

=' ;)et)er or not t)e !efen!ant #ay be )el! liable w)en t)e truck of )er carpenter ran over t)e plaintiffIs !og

ARGUMENTS

1. &lainti## co))itted a nuisance when she allowed her do( to roa) the streets o# the su"di'ision "ecause the do(

endan(ered the sa#ety o# a resident o# the su"di'ision. -he do( also caused annoyance and o##ended the senses o# a

resident inside the su"di'ision.

Our laws on property states t)at: A nuisance is any act o#ission establis)#ent business con!ition of property

or anyt)ing else w)ic): .20 $n+ures or en!angers t)e )ealt) an! safety of ot)ers or .10 Annoys or offen!s t)e senses or

.<0 S)ocks !efies or !isregar!s !ecency or #orality or .=0 Obstructs or interferes wit) free passage of any public )ig)way

or street or any bo!y of water .>0 7in!ers or i#pairs t)e use of property' .Article ?D= "ew Civil Co!e of t)e &)ilippines0'

7ere t)e plaintiff allowe! )er !og to roa# t)e streets of t)e sub!ivision because it was ran over by a truck w)ile on t)e

street' &laintiffIs !og was not kept insi!e any cage or in a leas) because it coul! sleep in plaintiffIs roo# lie on t)e floor or

be foun! on !efen!antIs yar!' &laintiffIs !og was t)erefore free to #ove aroun! freely' ;)en plaintiffIs !og was roa#ing t)e

streets of t)e sub!ivision it en!angere! t)e !efen!antIs girl because it c)ase! )er on t)e street' &laintiffIs !og also cause!

annoyance an! offen!e! t)e senses of !efen!ant because it !ug )oles on !efen!antIs lawn pulle! out t)e plants in )er yar!

an! !eposite! wastes on )er !riveway or pee! in front of )er )ouse t)at left a very foul s#ell'

T)erefore plaintiff co##itte! a nuisance w)en s)e allowe! )er !og to roa# on t)e streets an! yar! of )er neig)bor because

it en!angere! t)e !efen!antIs girl ' $t also cause! annoyance an! offen!e! t)e senses of t)e !efen!ant'

Bar Operations 2012: Ace the Bar, Race the Car!For rivate an! ersonal Use Only 2&




Our laws on &roperty furt)er states t)at Nn3uisance is eit)er public or private' A public nuisance affects t)e

co##unity or neig)bor)oo! or any consi!erable a#ount of persons alt)oug) t)e extent of t)e annoyance !anger or

!a#age upon in!ivi!uals #ay be une-ual' A private nuisance is one t)at is not inclu!e! in t)e foregoing !efinition' .Article

?D> "ew Civil Co!e0 7ere t)e nuisance #aybe regar!e! as a private nuisance because it only affects an i!entifiable

nu#ber of persons' Specifically t)e !efen!ant )er fa#ily an! )er surroun!ings'

2. efen!ant faile! to abate t)e nuisance because )e !i! not obtain t)e approval of t)e City 7ealt) Officer to aut)ori6e )i#

to abate t)e nuisance'

9:rite your discussion here pointin( out rele'ant laws and urisprudence tyin( it up with the case at hand.;

<' T)e carpenter was negligent w)en )e parke! )is car in front of t)e )ouse of t)e !efen!ant because )e faile! to use t)at

care an! !iligence expecte! of sensible #en un!er co#parable circu#stances'


=' T)e !efen!ant #ay be )el! liable w)en t)e truck ran over t)e plaintiffIs !og because )e was t)e e#ployer of t)e

carpenter t)at co##itte! negligent acts an! w)ic) resulte! to !a#ages against t)e plaintiff'


PRAYER

;79R9%OR9 it is respectfully praye! for of t)is 7onorable Court t)at +u!g#ent be ren!ere! or!ering t)e

!efen!ant to pay t)e value for t)e plaintiffIs !og'

&laintiff likewise prays for costs an! for suc) ot)er an! furt)er relief as t)is )onorable court #ay !ee# +ust an!

e-uitable in t)e pre#ises'

,anila &)ilippines "ove#ber 1@ 1F22'

Bar Operations 2012: Ace the Bar, Race the Car!For rivate an! ersonal Use Only 2'




SAMPLE NO. 5

R -80i+ *! ' P i0i i" #

R /i*"(0 Tri(0 5*-r'

J-4i+i(0 R /i*"

Br("+ ,

LU7 DIA7

&laintiff

Civil Case "o'

/ versus /

%or: D()(/ #

EMMA 5RISOSTOMO

efen!ant'

///////////////////////////////8

MEMORANDUM FOR DEFENDANT

efen!ant t)roug) t)e un!ersigne! counsel an! to t)is 7onorable Court respectfully sub#its t)is ,e#oran!u#

as follows:

STATEMENT OF THE 5ASE

&laintiff file! t)e instant case for !a#ages arising fro# -uasi/!elict against !efen!ant pursuant to Article 12@? of

t)e "ew Civil Co!e of t)e &)ilippines' After t)e presentation of evi!ence t)is 7onorable Court re-uire! t)e parties to

sub#it t)eir respective ,e#oran!u#' 7ence t)is ,e#oran!u# for t)e !efen!ant'

STATEMENT OF FA5TS

&laintiff is a ?>/year ol! wi!ow w)o )as been a resi!ent of ,ountain iew Sub!ivision Antipolo Ri6al for t)irty .<F0

years' S)e )a! a !og na#e! Trix' On t)e ot)er )an! !efen!ant is a =1/year ol! )ousewife an! a neig)bor of plaintiff in

,ountain iew Sub!ivision for t)e last t)ree .<0 years'

$n t)e afternoon of October 1> 1F2F w)ile plaintiff was taking )er siesta in )er living roo# s)e notice! t)at )er

!og Trix was no longer by )er feet' T)us s)e got up to look for t)e !og in t)e kitc)en an! also in t)e gar!en but it was not

t)ere' Su!!enly s)e )ear! a lou! cras)ing bang an! also t)e cries of t)e !og fro# outsi!e )er )ouse' So s)e ran towar!s

t)e gate an! w)en s)e opene! it s)e saw t)e !og t)ras)ing an! s-uealing un!er t)e w)eel of a truck wit) bloo! co#ing

out of its #out)' T)e truck was owne! by (regorio Ti#bol one of t)e carpenters w)o were working on t)e renovation of

Bar Operations 2012: Ace the Bar, Race the Car!For rivate an! ersonal Use Only 2(




!efen!ant*s )ouse at t)at ti#e' &laintiff crie! an! s)oute! for t)e guar!s w)o roa#e! t)e sub!ivision but no one ca#e'

S)e coul! not save t)e !og even if s)e wante! to because t)ere was no one in t)e truck*s !river seat an! s)e !i! not know

)ow to !rive' T)e !og kept on )owling until it stoppe! #oving an! #aking any soun! an! it !ie! soon after'

Since plaintiff knew t)at t)e truck belonge! to one of !efen!ant*s carpenters s)e co#plaine! to !efen!ant after

t)e inci!ent' &laintiff !e#an!e! t)at !efen!ant s)oul! get )er anot)er !og because Trix was plaintiff*s only co#panion in

)er )ouse' 7owever !efen!ant refuse! all of t)e plaintiff*s !e#an!s an! insiste! t)at t)e w)ole inci!ent was t)e fault of

plaintiff' efen!ant conten!e! t)at t)e owner of t)e truck s)oul! not be bla#e! because t)e !og was not suppose! to be

out on t)e streets in t)e first place'

7ence plaintiff file! t)e instant action for !a#ages against t)e !efen!ant as a result of t)e !eat) of t)e for#er*s

!og'

ISSUES

T)e issues to be resolve! in t)e instant case are as follows:2' ;)et)er or not Ti#bol t)e owner of t)e truck was negligent in parking )is truck in front of !efen!ant*s

)ouse

1' ;)et)er or not plaintiff*s own negligence was t)e i##e!iate an! proxi#ate cause of t)e !eat) of )er !og an!

<' ;)et)er or not !efen!ant s)oul! be liable for t)e !eat) of plaintiff*s !og'

DIS5USSION

Fir#' I##- : W ' r *r "*' ' *$" r *! ' 'r-+ $(# " /0i/ "' i" (r i"/ i# 'r-+ i" !r*"' *! 4 ! "4("';#

*-#

$t is !efen!ant*s position t)at t)e owner of t)e truck was not negligent in parking )is truck in front of !efen!ant*s

)ouse'

&laintiff argue! t)at Ti#bol !i! not properly park t)e truck an! t)at is t)e reason w)y it su!!enly #ove!

backwar!s ran over t)e !og an! kille! it' On t)e ot)er )an! Ti#bol allege! t)at )e followe! sub!ivision rules w)en )e

parke! )is truck in front of !efen!ant*s )ouse an! )e even put two large rocks against t)e back w)eels of )is truck to #ake

sure t)at t)e truck woul! not roll back !own t)e street'

"egligence is t)e failure to observe for t)e protection of t)e interests of anot)er person t)at !egree of care

precaution an! vigilance w)ic) t)e circu#stances +ustly !e#an! w)ereby suc) ot)er person suffers in+ury' All t)at t)e law

re-uires is for a person to use t)at care an! !iligence expecte! of sensible #en un!er co#parable circu#stances'

&hilippine <ational Railways 's. Court o# Appeals, .R. <o. 15=65>, ?cto"er 15, 2@@=, 5 6 +CRA 14=, 154%

Bar Operations 2012: Ace the Bar, Race the Car!For rivate an! ersonal Use Only "0




By following t)e sub!ivision rules an! by putting two large rocks against t)e back w)eels of )is truck w)en )e

parke! it in t)e sloping part of t)e street Ti#bol clearly observe! t)at !egree of care precaution an! vigilance w)ic) t)e

circu#stances +ustly !e#an!' T)erefore t)ere was no negligence on )is part w)en )e parke! )is truck in front of

!efen!ant*s )ouse' &laintiff*s argu#ent t)at Ti#bol was negligent in parking )is truck because it le! to t)e !eat) of )er !og

is untenable an! very speculative' S)e faile! to a!!uce evi!ence s)owing t)at Ti#bol !i! not follow t)e sub!ivision rules

nor !i! s)e present evi!ence to rebut Ti#bol*s contention t)at )e observe! t)e proper !egree of care an! precaution un!er

t)e given circu#stances' $n ot)er wor!s plaintiff faile! to prove t)at Ti#bol was negligent in parking )is truck in front of

!efen!ant*s )ouse'

S +*"4 I##- : W ' r *r "*' 0(i"'i!!;# *$" " /0i/ "+ $(# ' i)) 4i(' ("4 r* i)(' +(-# *! ' 4 ('

*! r 4*/

$t is !efen!ant*s position t)at plaintiff*s own negligence was t)e proxi#ate cause of t)e !eat) of )er !og'

&laintiff allege! t)at )er !og was kille! w)en t)e truck of Ti#bol su!!enly #ove! backwar!s an! ran over t)e sai!!og' On t)e ot)er )an! it is !efen!ant*s position t)at plaintiff s)oul! be faulte! t)at t)e !og was run over by t)e truck

because t)e !og s)oul! not )ave been out t)ere roa#ing t)e streets in t)e first place because of a prior warning fro# t)e

)o#eowners* association of t)e sub!ivision'

$n or!er to resolve t)e issue on w)et)er or not plaintiff*s negligence was t)e proxi#ate cause of t)e !eat) of )er

!og it #ay be proper to know first t)e !efinition or #eaning of t)e ter# 4probable cause5'

$n t)e case of Ra)os 's. C.?.7. Realty Corporation .R. <o. 1>4B@5, Au(ust 2>, 2@@B, 5B= +CRA 526, 5 5 5 6%,

t)e Supre#e Court !efine! proxi#ate cause in t)e following #anner:

4&roxi#ate cause is !efine! as t)at cause w)ic) in natural an! continuous se-uence unbroken by any efficient

intervening cause pro!uces t)e in+ury an! wit)out w)ic) t)e result woul! not )ave occurre!' An! #ore co#pre)ensively

t)e proxi#ate legal cause is t)at acting first an! pro!ucing t)e in+ury eit)er i##e!iately or by setting ot)er events in

#otion all constituting a natural an! continuous c)ain of events eac) )aving a close causal connection wit) its i##e!iate

pre!ecessor t)e final event in t)e c)ain i##e!iately effecting t)e in+ury as a natural an! probable result of t)e cause w)ic)

first acte! un!er suc) circu#stances t)at t)e person responsible for t)e first event s)oul! as an or!inary pru!ent an!

intelligent person )ave reasonable groun! to expect at t)e #o#ent of )is act or !efault t)at an in+ury to so#e person

#ig)t probably result t)erefro#'5

T)e )o#eowners* association of t)e sub!ivision previously warne! plaintiff about )er !og an! it even issue! a

boar! resolution banning wan!ering !ogs in t)e sub!ivision' ;it) t)e issuance of t)e sai! resolution plaintiff s)oul! )ave

!one so#et)ing to ensure t)at )er !og woul! not be able to go out of t)e gate of )er )ouse' S)e coul! )ave put t)e !og

insi!e a cage or tie it up to a certain area in )er )ouse w)ile s)e is taking )er siesta in )er living roo#' $nstea! s)e +ust

allowe! t)e !og to stay or sleep by )er feet' $n a!!ition it is wort)w)ile to note t)at plaintiff faile! to properly close t)e

gate of )er )ouse an! t)is is t)e reason w)y t)e !og was able to escape fro# )er )ouse an! roa# aroun! t)e streets'





Base! on t)e foregoing circu#stances plaintiff clearly faile! to observe for t)e protection of t)e interests of

anot)er person t)at !egree of care precaution an! vigilance w)ic) t)e circu#stances +ustly !e#an!' 7ence plaintiff was

negligent in co#plying wit) t)e resolution issue! by t)e )o#eowners* association of t)e sub!ivision banning wan!ering

!ogs' Suc) negligence eventually le! to t)e !eat) of )er !og' &laintiff )as only )erself to bla#e for letting )er !og roa#

t)e streets freely because if t)e !og was not out on its own it woul! not )ave been kille!' $n effect t)e proxi#ate cause of

t)e !og*s !eat) was not because it was run over by t)e truck but it was because plaintiff faile! to observe t)e proper

!egree of care an! precaution re-uire! un!er t)e circu#stances' T)e !eat) of t)e !og woul! not )ave occurre! if not for

plaintiff*s own negligence consi!ering t)at t)e !og was not suppose! to be out on t)e streets in t)e first place'

T)erefore plaintiff*s own negligence was t)e proxi#ate cause of t)e !eat) of )er !og'

T ir4 I##- : W ' r *r "*' 4 ! "4("' # *-04 8 04 0i(80 !*r ' 4 (' *! 0(i"'i!!;# 4*/

$t is !efen!ant*s position t)at s)e s)oul! not be )el! liable for t)e !eat) of plaintiff*s !og'

Article 12@? of t)e Civil Co!e provi!es as follows:

4;)oever by act or o#ission causes !a#age to anot)er t)ere being fault or negligence is oblige! to pay for t)e !a#age

!one' Suc) fault or negligence if t)ere is no pre/existing contractual relation between t)e parties is calle! a -uasi/!elict

an! is governe! by t)e provisions of t )is C)apter'5

,oreover Article 12@D of t)e Civil Co!e states as follows:

4;)en t)e plaintiff*s own negligence was t)e i##e!iate an! proxi#ate cause of )is in+ury )e cannot recover !a#ages' But

if )is negligence was only contributory t)e i##e!iate an! proxi#ate cause of t)e in+ury being t)e !efen!ant*s lack of !ue

care t)e plaintiff #ay recover !a#ages but t)e courts s)all #itigate t)e !a#ages to be awar!e!'5

As previously !iscusse! plaintiff*s own negligence was t)e proxi#ate cause of t)e !eat) of )er !og' S)e faile! to

observe t)at !egree of care precaution an! vigilance w)ic) t)e circu#stances +ustly !e#an!' T)us pursuant to t)e

afore#entione! Article 12@D of t)e Civil Co!e plaintiff cannot recover any !a#ages fro# t)e !efen!ant'

T)erefore !efen!ant s)oul! not be )el! liable for t)e !eat) of plaintiff*s !og'

5ON5LUSION

$n lig)t of t)e foregoing consi!erations it is !efen!ant*s position t)at since plaintiff*s own negligence is t)e

proxi#ate cause of t)e !eat) of )er !og !efen!ant s)oul! not be )el! liable for any !a#ages arising fro# suc) !eat)'





PRAYER

;79R9%OR9 t)e foregoing pre#ises consi!ere! !efen!ant respectfully prays as follows:

2' T)at all reliefs set fort) in t)e Answer be grante! an!

1' Suc) ot)er reliefs as #ay be +ust an! e-uitable in t)e pre#ises'

&)ilippines October 1= 1F22'

.Sg!'0 N() *! 5*-"# 0

Counsel for t)e efen!ant.A!!ress of Counsel0

Roll "o'

$B& "o' ate8&lace $ssue!

&TR "o' ate8&lace $ssue!

,CL9 Co#pliance "o'

Bar Operations 2012: Ace the Bar, Race the Car!For rivate an! ersonal Use Only ""




SAMPLE NO. "

Base! on t)e &onencia of Eustice Roberto A' Aba! in &eople o# the &hilippines 's. Ro)y allones .('R' "o' 2DF<=2 ,arc)

2? 1F220

MEMORANDUM FOR THE PROSE5UTION

T)e &rosecution unto t)is 7onorable Court #ost respectfully states:

STATEMENT OF FA5TS

T)is case involves t)e a!#issibility of t)e !ecease! rape victi#*s spontaneous utterances !uring t)e ti#e s)e was

being sexually abuse! an! i##e!iately afterwar!s'

T)e prosecution c)arge! t)e accuse! Ro#y %allones wit) rape in an infor#ation !ate! Septe#ber 2= 1FF= before

a Regional Trial Court .RTC0'

T)e co#plainant in t)is case Alice was a retar!ate' S)e !ie! w)ile trial was ongoing )ence was unable to testify'

To prove its case t)e prosecution presente! Allan .Alice*s fat)er0 A#alia .)er sister0 &O< Lilibet) Aguilar .a police

investigator0 9!uar!o ,arcelo an! Arturo Reyes .t)e appre)en!ing officers0 r' Orti6 .a #e!ico/ legal officer0 an! 9!en

Terol .a psyc)ologist0'

A#alia testifie! t)at at about D:=> a'#' on Eune 1D 1FF= )er #ot)er tol! )er ol!er sister Alice to look for t)eir

brot)er An!oy' Since An!oy arrive! wit)out Alice )er #ot)er aske! A#alia to look for )er' A#alia looke! in places w)ere

An!oy often playe! an! t)is le! )er near accuse!*s )ouse' As s)e approac)e! t)e )ouse A#alia )ear! so#eone crying out

fro# wit)in 4Ta#a na ta#a naV5 Recogni6ing Alice*s voice A#alia repeate!ly knocke! on t)e !oor until t)e accuse!

opene! it' A#alia saw )er sister stan!ing be)in! )i#' As A#alia went in to take )er sister out Alice )el! out a sanitary

napkin an! crying sai! t)at t)e accuse! )a! given )er t)e napkin' Alice*s s)orts were wet an! bloo!/staine!' %rig)tene!

an! trouble! t)e two girls went )o#e'

On t)eir way )o#e Alice recounte! to )er sister t)at t)e accuse! broug)t )er to )is bat)roo# pulle! !own )er

s)orts an! ravis)e! )er' S)e sai! t)at t)e accuse! wet )er s)orts to #ake it appear t)at s)e trippe! an! )a! )er #ont)ly

perio!' Along t)e way t)ey #et an uncle an! tol! )i# w)at )appene!' On t)eir arrival t)eir fat)er broug)t Alice to t)e

barangay w)ile A#alia returne! to t)e accuse!*s )ouse w)ere s)e saw )er uncle so#e relatives an! neig)bors accosting

an! beating t)e accuse!' S)ortly after so#e barangay officials arrive! an! intervene!'

Bar Operations 2012: Ace the Bar, Race the Car!For rivate an! ersonal Use Only "#




ISSUES

T)is #e#oran!u# will !iscuss t)e following issues:

%irst w)et)er or not A#alia*s testi#ony was )earsay an! t)erefore !oubtful an! unreliable

Secon! w)et)er or not t)e !ecease! rape victi#*s utterances are res (estae an! t)erefore a!#issible in evi!ence'

T)ir! w)et)er or not accuse!*s clai# t)at t)e #e#bers of Alice*s fa#ily pressure! )er into pointing to )i#

as )er abuser can be given cre!ence'

ARGUMENTS AND DIS5USSION

I.

Alt)oug) w)at Alice tol! A#alia #ay )ave been )earsay t)e rest of t)e latter*s testi#ony w)ic) establis)e! bot)

conco#itant .Alice*s voice fro# wit)in t)e accuse!*s )ouse plea!ing t)at s)e was )urting0 an! subse-uent circu#stance

.Alice co#ing fro# be)in! t)e accuse! as t)e latter opene! t)e !oor )er s)orts bloo!ie!0 are a!#issible in evi!ence

)aving been given fro# personal knowle!ge'

Alt)oug) Alice !ie! before s)e coul! testify t)e evi!ence s)ows t)at s)e positively i!entifie! t)e accuse!

as )er abuser before t)e barangay officials an! t)e police' A#alia )er sister testifie! of )er own personal knowle!ge t)at

s)e )a! been out looking for Alice t)at #i!#orning t)at s)e )ear! t)e latter*s voice fro# wit)in t)e accuse!*s )ouse

i#ploring )er attacker to stop w)at )e was !oing to )er an! t)at upon repeate!ly knocking at t)e accuse!*s !oor )e

opene! it revealing t)e presence of )er sister )er s)orts bloo!ie!'

II.

A#alia*s recital of w)at s)e )ear! Alice utter w)en s)e ca#e an! rescue! )er is part of t)e res (estae ' $n

,arturillas vs' &eople of t)e &)ilippines ('R' "o' 2?<12@ April 2G 1FF? 4 res (estae 5 was !efine! as referring to

state#ents #a!e by t)e participants or t)e victi#s of or t)e spectators to a cri#e i##e!iately before !uring or after

its co##ission' T)is is base! on Section =1 of Rule 2<F of t)e Rules of Court w)ic) states:

4&art of t)e res (estae ' // State#ents #a!e by a person w)ile a startling occurrence is taking place or i##e!iately

prior or subse-uent t)ereto wit) respect to t)e circu#stances t)ereof #ay be given in

evi!ence as part of t)e res (estae ' So also state#ents acco#panying an e-uivocal act #aterial to t)e

issue an! giving it a legal significance #ay be receive! as part of t)e res (estae '5

Alice*s state#ents are a spontaneous reaction or utterance inspire! by t)e excite#ent of t)e occasion

wit)out any opportunity for )er to fabricate a false state#ent'

Bar Operations 2012: Ace the Bar, Race the Car!For rivate an! ersonal Use Only "$




$n ,arturillas vs' &eople of t)e &)ilippines supra it was )el! t)at for spontaneous state#ents to be

a!#itte! in evi!ence t)e following #ust concur: 20 t)e principal act t)e res (estae is a startling occurrence 10 t)e

state#ents were #a!e before t)e !eclarant )a! ti#e to contrive or !evise an! <0 t)e state#ents concerne! t)e

occurrence in -uestion an! its i##e!iately atten!ing circu#stances'

7ere t)e accuse!*s act of forcing )i#self into Alice is a startling event' An! A#alia )appene! to be +ust outsi!e )is

)ouse w)en s)e )ear! Alice cry out 4ta#a na ta#a naV5 ;)en t)e accuse! opene! t)e !oor upon A#alia*s incessant

knocking Alice ca#e out fro# be)in! )i# uttering 4A#alia #ay napkin na binigay si Ro#y o'5 T)e a!#issibility of Alice*s

spontaneous state#ents rests on t)e vali! assu#ption t)at t)ey were spoken un!er circu#stances w)ere t)ere )a! been no

c)ance to contrive' $n Capila vs' &eople ('R' "o' 2=?2?2 Euly 2@ 1FF? it was )el! t)at it is !ifficult to lie in an excite!

state an! t)e i#pulsiveness of t)e expression is a guaranty of trustwort)iness'

III.

Accuse!*s clai# t)at t)e #e#bers of Alice*s fa#ily pressure! )er into pointing to )i# as )er abuser cannot be givencre!ence' Accuse! )as been unable to establis) any possible ill/#otive t)at coul! pro#pt Alice*s fa#ily into c)arging )i#

falsely' $n fact t)e accuse! a!#itte! in )is testi#ony t)at t)ere )a! been no ani#osity between Alice*s fa#ily an! )i#'

$n conclusion t)e evi!ence sufficiently establis) t)at t)e accuse! %allones rape! Alice' T)e accuse! offere! no evi!ence of

)is innocence ot)er t)an )is bare !enial' $n fine t)e guilt of t)e accuse! )as been prove! beyon! reasonable !oubt'

PRAYER

;79R9%OR9 in view of t)e foregoing t)e prosecution earnestly prays t)at t)e accuse! Ro#y %allones be a!+u!ge! an!

!eclare! (U$LTP beyon! reasonable !oubt for raping Alice'

T)e prosecution prays for suc) ot)er reliefs an! re#e!ies t)at are +ust an! e-uitable un!er t)e pre#ises'

R9S&9CT%ULLP SUB,$TT9 '

&UBL$C &ROS9CUTOR

Bar Operations 2012: Ace the Bar, Race the Car!For rivate an! ersonal Use Only "%




LEGAL OPINION

SKELETAL FRAMEWORK: LEGAL OPINION

Re:

ear ,r'

$n response to your re-uest $ )ave analy6e! w)et)er or not you can file an action for estafa against ,r' Santos'

,y opinion is base! on t)e following facts

' <arrate the #acts%

;it) regar! to t)e first issue ' se the - R A C ethod%

As regar!s t)e secon! issue ' A(ain use the - R A C

ethod%

$f you pursue wit) t)e action $ believe you )ave an excellent c)ance of prevailing' &lease call s)oul! you )ave

-uestions about t)is opinion'

ery truly yours

7awyerDs na)e%

Bar Operations 2012: Ace the Bar, Race the Car!For rivate an! ersonal Use Only "&




SAMPLE NO. 1

ece#ber 2F 1F2F

,r' &eter Banag

2? Annapolis St'

Cubao ue6on City

ear ,r' Banag:

7ere is t)e opinion you re-ueste!' T)e facts gat)ere! fro# you an! your !ocu#ents are as follows:

Pour !aug)ter ,ary Banag about six years ol! went to Art)ur Sison*s )ouse to buy ice/can!y on Septe#ber 21 at

about < &,' ,ary knocke! on t)e gate but )aving gotten no response fro# Art)ur w)o was napping t)en s)e teste! t)e

gate by pus)ing it' Upon !oing so t)e gate yiel!e! an! Art)ur*s !og +u#pe! out went after ,ary an! attacke! )er fro#be)in! biting )er on t)e leg an! ar#s as s)e fell to t)e groun!' S)e was save! by %re! &u6on a neig)bor w)o kicke! t)e

!og away an! protecte! )er' Awakene! by t)e co##otion an! )aving )ear! s)outs t)at )is !og )a! attacke! a c)il! Art)ur

went out sent t)e !og back to )is yar! an! boug)t ,ary to a nearby clinic for treat#ent paying t)e #e!ical bill t)ereafter'

Pou aske! Art)ur to pay ,ary &1F FFF in !a#ages for t)e or!eal but all you got was a letter saying t)at )e cannot grant

your !e#an! because )e was not at fault' 7e base! )is stan! on t )e following:

2' T)at t)ere was a sign at t)e gate warning about t)e presence of t)e !og in effect i#plying t)at if ,ary )ee!e!

w)at t)e sign says t)e attack woul!n*t )ave )appene!

1' T)at at t)e ti#e of t)e attack s)e was not acco#panie! by an a!ult i#plie!ly putting t)e bla#e on you as )er

parent for letting )er roa# outsi!e unatten!e! an! t)erefore exposing )er to !anger an!

<' T)at )e alrea!y pai! t)e bill for ,ary*s #e!ication'

T)e issue )ere is clear: it*s w)et)er or not Art)ur is liable to ,ary for !a#ages' $n #y opinion Art)ur is liable for

!a#ages notwit)stan!ing )is !efenses' %irst an! fore#ost w)at )appene! to ,ary is classifie! as a uasi delict as !efine!

by Article 12@? of t)e Civil Co!e:

;)oever by act or o#ission causes !a#age to anot)er t)ere being fault or negligence is oblige! to pay for t)e

!a#age !one' Suc) fault or negligence if t)ere is no pre/existing contractual relation between t)e parties is calle!

a -uasi/!elict an! is governe! by t)e provisions of t)is C)apter'

As for t)e nature of Art)ur*s liability t)e provision t)at governs is Article 12G< of t)e Civil Co!e' $t provi!es t)at:

T)e possessor of an ani#al or w)oever #ay #ake use of t)e sa#e is responsible for t)e !a#age w)ic) it #ay

cause alt)oug) it #ay escape or be lost' T)is responsibility s)all cease only in case t)e !a#ages s)oul! co#e

fro# force #a+eure fro# t)e fault of t)e person w)o )as suffere! !a#age'

Bar Operations 2012: Ace the Bar, Race the Car!For rivate an! ersonal Use Only "'




T)e Supre#e Court explaine! sai! provision in t)e case of Eestil '. Inter)ediate Appellate Court .R. <o. =44 1, 1=B

+CRA 4=% saying t)at:

Accor!ing to ,anresa t)e obligation i#pose! by Article 12G< of t)e Civil Co!e is not base! on t)e negligence or on

t)e presu#e! lack of vigilance of t)e possessor or user of t)e ani#al causing t)e !a#age' $t is base! on natural

e-uity an! on t)e principle of social interest t)at )e w)o possesses ani#als for )is utility pleasure or service #ust

answer for t)e !a#age w)ic) suc) ani#al #ay cause'

"ow Art)ur #ay say t)at w)at )appene! was broug)t about by contributory negligence on ,ary*s part as t)e

for#er i#plie! in )is letter or )e #ay clai# t)at letting ,ary roa# t)e vicinity unacco#panie! is negligence on your part

an! constitutes t)e proxi#ate cause of )er in+uries notwit)stan!ing )is own negligence in leaving t)e gate unlocke! before

napping' Bot) scenarios are governe! by Article 12@D of t)e Civil Co!e t)at provi!es:

;)en t)e plaintiff*s own negligence was t)e i##e!iate an! proxi#ate cause of )is in+ury )e cannot recover

!a#ages' But if )is negligence was only contributory t)e i##e!iate an! proxi#ate cause of t)e in+ury being t)e

!efen!ant*s lack of !ue care t)e plaintiff #ay recover !a#ages but t)e courts s)all #itigate t)e !a#ages to be awar!e!'

$n t)e first scenario t)e Supre#e Court*s ruling in Farco ar*etin( Corporation '. Court o# Appeals .R. <o.

12B=B2, 21 +CRA =5% t)at 4a c)il! un!er nine years of age #ust be conclusively presu#e! incapable of contributory

negligence as a #atter of law5 covers ,ary )ence t)rowing t)e notion of contributory negligence on )er part out t)e

win!ow' As for t)e secon! scenario t)e ruling in )ali '. Gacani .R. <o. 7 4@5=@, 6B +CRA 26 % provi!es t)at parental

negligence in allowing a young c)il! to go out of t)e )ouse alone #ay at #ost -ualify as contributory negligence an! as

suc) woul! be covere! by t)e secon! sentence of Article 12@D'

Art)ur being t)e owner of t)e !og t)at attacke! ,ary is liable for !a#ages wit) all possible !efenses taken into

consi!eration' $f Art)ur !i!n*t leave t)e gate unlocke! before taking a nap K an act s)owing a lack of !ue care K t)ere woul!

)ave been no way t)e !og coul! )ave attacke! ,ary' ,ary coul! test t)e gate all !ay long an! s)e woul!n*t be attacke! by

Art)ur*s !og )a! t)e gate been close!' Of course )e #ay say t)at paying ,ary*s #e!ical bill s)oul! be enoug) but t)at

!oes not cover t)e #oral !a#ages t)at ,ary is entitle! to un!er Article 112D .10 of t)e Civil Co!e w)ic) specifically

pertains to -uasi/!elicts causing p)ysical in+uries' As #entione! earlier t)e only reprieve !ue )i# woul! be a #itigation of

)is liability'

One t)ing: #y opinion is base! on t)e laws an! t)e +urispru!ence applicable to your situation' $f by any

circu#stance you take your plig)t to court $ a# confi!ent t)at t)e case will be !eci!e! in your favor'

ery truly yours

)ile Fustin &. Ce"rian

Bar Operations 2012: Ace the Bar, Race the Car!For rivate an! ersonal Use Only "(




SAMPLE NO.


C$TP O% $L$(A"

Office of t)e City Legal Officer

Septe#ber @ 1FFD

7on' Lawrence LL' Cru6

City ,ayor

$ligan City

O%%$C9 O% T79 SA"((U"$A"( &A"LU"(SO$ligan City

ear Sirs:

Referre! to t)is office for co##ent is t)e legality or vali!ity of t)e City Or!inance "o' 2G1? ot)erwise known as 4A"

OR $"A"C9 BA""$"( S,OM$"( $"S$ 9 &UBL$C UT$L$TP &ASS9"(9R 97$CL9S O&9RAT$"( ;$T7$" T79 C$TP O% $L$(A"'

T)is office is of t)e opinion t)at t)e sub+ect or!inance is not contrary to existing laws or t)e Constitution' $t is well/settle!

t)at pursuant to t)e general welfare clause in Section 2? of t)e Local (overn#ent Co!e of 2DD2 .RA @2?F0 local

govern#ent units are e#powere! to enact or!inances in t)e exercise of police power' 9very local govern#ent unit )as t)e

sworn obligation to enact #easures t)at will en)ance t)e public )ealt) safety an! convenience #aintain peace an! or!er

an! pro#ote t)e general prosperity of t)e in)abitants of t)e local units' T)us taking into consi!eration t)at s#oking

especially in public en!angers not only t)e )ealt) of t)e s#oker but also t )at of t)e ot)ers t)e City (overn#ent )as a vali!

reason for banning s#oking in public utility +eepneys'

7owever for its effectivity t)e sub+ect or!inance w)ic) contains penal sanctions is re-uire! to be poste! at pro#inent

places in t)e City of $ligan for a #ini#u# perio! of t)ree .<0 consecutive weeks an! s)all also be publis)e! in a newspaper

of general circulation wit)in t)e territorial +uris!iction of t)e City of $ligan'

%or your )onorsI gui!ance'

Atty' $ggy Coro#a

City Legal Officer

Bar Operations 2012: Ace the Bar, Race the Car!For rivate an! ersonal Use Only #0




SAMPLE NO. 3

PADILLA LAW OFFI5E

@8% &a!illa/ e Los Reyes Buil!ing

1<1 Euan Luna Street

Binon!o ,anila

A'' "'i*": ATTY. SABINO PADILLA JR.

(entle#en:

T)is refers to your letters !ate! ,ay 1< 1FF< an! %ebruary 2@ 1FF= re-uesting for clarificatory ruling on t)e following

facts:

4 ?' $n t)e lig)t of t)e foregoing backgroun! several e#ployees of (C7S since Eanuary 2 2DDG .w)en t)e 2DD@ "$RC took

effect0 )ave been co#pulsorily retire! after twenty .1F0 years of service pursuant to Section 2 Article of t)e (C7SRetire#ent &lan -uote! above' T)ese retirees )owever )ave not reac)e! age! fifty .>F0' T)e -uestion s-arely raise! is

w)et)er t)eir retire#ent benefits are sub+ect to wit))ol!ing5'

4$t is our opinion t)at since R'A' @?=2 provi!es t)at 4any e#ployee #ay be retire! upon reac)ing t)e retire#ent

age establis)e! in t)e collective bargaining agree#ent or ot)er applicable e#ploy#ent contract 5 an! t)e (C7S

Retire#ent &lan is part of t)e ter#s an! con!itions of e#ploy#ent of (C7S e#ployees an! t)erefore an

4applicable e#ploy#ent contract5 an! a (C7S e#ployee #ay be co#pulsorily retire! after co#pleting 1F years of

service even if )e is not yet fifty .>F0 years ol! at t)e ti#e of retire#ent' Si#ilarly a (C7S e#ployee #ay be

co#pulsorily retire! upon reac)ing sixty .?F0 years even if )e )as not serve! for at least ten .2F0 years5'

4An! since bot) )ave #et t)e two re-uire#ents of R'A' "o' @?=2 w)ic) give t)e# a rig)t to t)e retire#ent benefit

na#ely: .a0 t)at )e is retire! accor!ing to t)e CBA or ot)er applicable e#ploy#ent contract an! .b0 t)at )e 4)as

serve! at least five .>0 years in t)e sai! establis)#ent5 t)eir retire#ent benefits are not sub+ect to inco#e tax

pursuant to Section <1.B0.?0.a0 of t)e Tax Co!e' An! t)is exe#ption applies even if R'A' "o' =D2@ un!er w)ic)

t)e (C7S Retire#ent &lan was establis)e! re-uires at least ten years of service an! age fifty for t)e tax

exe#ption of retire#ent benefits5'

4;e re-uest a confir#ation of t)e following opinion because of t)e growing confusion a#ong banks as to w)et)er

it is t)e con!itions of R 'A' "o' @?=2 or R'A' =D2@ t)at woul! apply to t)e two cases explaine! above5'

$n reply t)ereto please be infor#e! t)at Section <1 .B0.?0.a0 of t)e Tax Co!e of 2DD@ provi!e! as follows:

.?0 Retire#ent Benefits &ensions (ratuities etc' K

4.a0 Retire#ent benefits receive! un!er R'A' "o' @?=2 an! t)ose receive! by officials an! e#ployees of private

fir#s w)et)er in!ivi!ual or corporate in accor!ance wit) a reasonable private benefit plan #aintaine! by t)e

e#ployer: &rovi!e! t)at t)e retiring official or e#ployee )as been in t)e service of t)e sa#e e#ployer for at least

ten .2F0 years an! is not less t)an fifty .>F0 years of age at t)e ti#e of )is retire#ent: &rovi!e! furt)er t)at t)e

benefits grante! un!er t)is subparagrap) s)all be availe! of by an official or e#ployee only once' xxx5'





$t will be observe! t)at un!er t)e afore/-uote! provisions retire#ent benefits #ay be receive! eit)er un!er R'A' "o' @?=2

an! in accor!ance wit) a reasonable private benefits plan #aintaine! by t)e e#ployer un!er t)en R'A' "o' =D2@ .now

Section <1.B0.?0.a0 of t)e Tax Co!e of 2DD@'

Section 2 of R'A' "o' @?=2 ot)erwise known as an 4Act A#en!ing Article 1G@ of &resi!ential ecree "o' ==1 as a#en!e!

ot)erwise known as T)e Labor Co!e of t)e &)ilippines by &rovi!ing for Retire#ent &ay to ualifie! &rivate Sector

9#ployees in t)e Absence of any Retire#ent &lan in t)e 9stablis)#ent5 provi!es vi6:

“S +'i*" 1, Ar'i+0 2 < *! Pr #i4 "'i(0 D +r N*. &&2, (# () "4 4, *' r$i# "*$" (# ' L(8*r 5*4 *! '

P i0i i" #, i# r 8 () "4 4 '* r (4 (# !*00*$#%:

4Art' 1G@' Retire#ent K Any e#ployee #ay be retire! upon reac)ing t)e retire#ent age establis)e! in t)e

collective bargaining agree#ent or ot)er applicable e#ploy#ent contract5'

4$n case of retire#ent t)e e#ployee s)all be entitle! to receive suc) retire#ent benefits as )e #ay )ave earne!

un!er existing laws an! any collective bargaining agree#ent an! ot)er agree#ents: &rovi!e! )owever t)at an

e#ployee*s retire#ent benefits un!er any collective bargaining an! ot)er agree#ents s)all not be less t)an t)oseprovi!e! )erein5'

4$n t)e absence of a retire#ent plan or agree#ent provi!ing for retire#ent benefits of e#ployees in t)e

establis)#ent an e#ployee upon reac)ing t)e age of sixty .?F0 years or #ore but not beyon! sixty/five .?>0

years w)ic) is )ereby !eclare! t)e co#pulsory retire#ent age w)o )as serve! at least five .>0 years in t)e sai!

establis)#ent #ay retire an! s)all be entitle! to retire#ent pay -uivalent to at least one )alf .2810 #ont) salary

for every year of service a fraction of at least six .?0 #ont)s being consi!ere! as one w)ole year'

T)us R'A' "o' @?=2 provi!ing for Retire#ent &ay to ualifie! &rivate Sector 9#ployees s)all apply only in t)e absence of

any Retire#ent &lan collective bargaining agree#ent or ot)er applicable e#ploy#ent contract in t)e establis)#ent'

Accor!ingly un!er R'A' @?=2 an e#ployee upon reac)ing t)e age of sixty .?F0 years or #ore but not beyon! sixty/five

.?>0 years w)ic) is !eclare! t)e co#pulsory retire#ent age w)o )as serve! at least five .>0 years in t)e sai!

establis)#ent #ay retire an! s)all be entitle! to ret ire#ent pay e-uivalent to at least one )alf .2810 #ont) salary for every

year of service a fraction of at least six.?0 #ont)s being consi!ere! as one w)ole year'

Un!er R'A' "o' =D2@ .now Section <1.B0.?0.a0 of t)e Tax Co!e of 2DD@0 it is re-uire! t)at t)e following con!itions #ust be

present in or!er t)at t)e e#ployee benefits #ay be grante! tax exe#ptions: .20 t)e e#ployee )a! been in t)e service of

t)e sa#e private fir# for at least ten .2F0 years an! .10 )e is at least fifty .>F0 years ol! at t)e ti#e of retire#ent'

T)us if t)ere is a retire#ent plan !uly approve! by t)e B$R collective bargaining agree#ent or ot)er applicable

e#ploy#ent contract provi!ing for retire#ent benefits t)e sa#e s)all be followe! an! R'A' "o' @?=2 s)all not apply'

$n your letter !ate! %ebruary 2@ 1FF= you opine! t)at t)e tax exe#ption un!er R'A' "o' @?=2 an! t)e tax exe#ption

un!er R'A' "o' =D2@ #ust be reconcile! an! )ar#oni6e! in a way t)at woul! not lea! to suc) absur! results as:

2' An e#ployer w)o sets up a reasonable private benefit plan but !oes not secure B$R approval will )ave all

retire#ent benefits sub+ect to tax even if t)e retiree is >F years ol! an! )as serve! 2F years' T)e retiree cannot

-ualify un!er R'A' "o' =D2@ because )is e#ployer*s retire#ent plan is not approve! by t)e B$R' "eit)er can )e





-ualify un!er R'A' "o' @?=2 because it applies only 4 in t)e absence of a retire#ent plan or agree#ent provi!ing

for retire#ent benefits5 )ere t)ere is a retire#ent plan alt)oug) not approve! by t)e B$R or

1' An e#ployer enters into a collective bargaining agree#ent provi!ing retire#ent benefits to e#ployees

w)o co#plete twenty years of service even if below age >F or to e#ployees w)o reac) age ?F provi!e! t )ey )ave

serve! for at least five years in t)is situation t)ese retirees -ualify for t)e tax exe#ption un!er R'A' "o' @?=2

but t)e #o#e#t t)e e#ployer obtains approval of t)e B$R for a retire#ent plan containing t)ose provisions t)e

retire#ent benefits for t)ese e#ployees beco#e taxable'

An! t)at you sub#it t)at t)e reasonable reconciliation of t)e tax exe#ption un!er R'A' "o' =D2@ an! R'A' "o' @?=2 is to

)ol!:

2' T)at any retiree w)o satisfies t)e re-uire#ents of R'A' "o' @?=2 .retire#ent un!er a CBA or ot)er

applicable e#ploy#ent an! service for at least five years0 is entitle! to t)e tax exe#ption even if )e is a #e#ber

of a reasonable private benefit plan establis)e! by )is e#ployer an! approve! by t)e B$R if t)e retire#ent benefit

)e receives fro# t)e &lan is e-ual to or less t)an t)e #ini#u# re-uire#ent benefit provi!e! by R'A' "o' @?=2' T)is

woul! avoi! t)e absur! situation w)ere an e#ployee w)o fails to #eet t)e >F years retire#ent age or 2F years

service re-uire#ents will be taxe! if )e receives t)e retire#ent benefit fro# a B$R approve! retire#ent plan butnot if )is e#ployer !oes not )ave suc) a retire#ent plan or if t)e retire#ent plan is not B$R approve!'

1' T)at if )e receives fro# t)e B$R approve! plan a retire#ent benefit in excess of t)e #ini#u# retire#ent

benefit provi!e! by R'A' @?=2 )e #ust satisfy t)e re-uire#ents or con!itions of R'A' "o' =D2@ w)ic) #eans t)at

)e #ust be at least >F years ol! an! #ust )ave serve! 2F years in or!er to en+oy t)e tax exe#ption' T)is is but

fair since it is clear t)at t)e retire#ent benefit co#es fro# t)e B$R approve! voluntary plan an! not fro# t)e

re-uire#ents of R'A' "o' @?=2'

<' $t is nee!less to a!! t)at t)e tax treat#ent of retire#ent benefits receive! by e#ployees outsi!e of a B$R

approve! retire#ent plan will be governe! by R'A' "o' @?=2'

T)is Office is a#enable to your proposal t)at if t)e retire#ent benefit to be receive! by a #e#ber of a private benefit plan

establis)e! by t)e e#ployer un!er R'A' "o' =D2@ an! !uly approve! by t)e B$R is e-ual to or less t)an t)e #ini#u#

retire#ent benefit provi!e! by R'A' "o' @?=2 sai! benefits s)all be exe#pt fro# inco#e tax to prevent an absur! situation

w)ere t)e retire#ent benefits will be exe#pt if an e#ployer !oes not )ave suc) a retire#ent plan or if t)e retire#ent plan

is not approve! by t)e B$R'

7owever if t)e e#ployee receives fro# t)e B$R approve! plan a retire#ent benefit in excess of t)e #ini#u# retire#ent

benefit provi!e! by R'A' "o' @?=2 )e #ust satisfy t)e re-uire#ents or con!itions of R'A' "o' =D2@ w)ic) #eans t)at )e

#ust be at least fifty .>F0 years ol! an! #ust )ave serve! t)e co#pany for at least ten .2F0 years in or!er t)at )is

retire#ent benefits #ay be tax exe#pt' T)is is but fair since it is clear t)at t)e retire#ent benefit co#es fro# t)e B$R

approve! voluntary plan an! not fro# t)e re-uire#ent of R'A' "o' @?=2'

%inally retire#ent benefits receive! by e#ployees not fro# a B$R approve! retire#ent plan s)all be governe! by R'A' "o'

@?=2'

ery truly yours

>Si/" 4? JOSE MARIO 5. BUNAG

eputy Co##issioner .B$R0

Bar Operations 2012: Ace the Bar, Race the Car!For rivate an! ersonal Use Only #"




Legal H $nspection (roup

Bar Operations 2012: Ace the Bar, Race the Car!For rivate an! ersonal Use Only ##




SAMPLE NO. 0

7on' ,atias ' efensor Er'

Roo# "o' <F< "ort)wing

7ouse of Representatives

Batasan &a#bansa

ue6on City

Sir :

T)is refers to your letter !ate! August = 1FFD re-uesting legal opinion on w)et)er or not t)e survey works to be

un!ertaken for a local )ousing pro+ect is exe#pt fro# value/a!!e! tax'

$t is represente! t)at on Eanuary 2F 2DGD t)e "ational 7ousing Aut)ority ."7A0 approve! t)e inclusion of Maingin $ an! $$

in Brgy' &ansol ue6on City as Areas for &riority evelop#ent .A& s0 un!er Jonal $#prove#ent &rogra# t)at sai!approval was on t)e con!ition t)at t)e !evelop#ent of t)e site s)all be un!ertaken un!er Co##unity Self/7elp &rogra#

wit) Co##unity ,ortgage an! t)at t)e exact boun!aries of t)e areas occupie! by fa#ilies resi!ing t)ereat s)all be

!eter#ine! t)at t)e "7A is responsible for t)e #anage#ent of t)e Trust %un! per $RR of R'A' @G<> ot)erwise known as

t)e Co#pre)ensive an! $ntegrate! S)elter %inancing Act .C$S%A0 of 2DD= w)ic) was issue! to govern t)e i#ple#entation

of local )ousing progra# t)at a ,e#oran!u# of Agree#ent was execute! on Euly < 1FFD by t)e "7A t)e <r!

Congressional istrict of ue6on City . istrict 0 represente! by Congress#an ,atias ' efensor Er' an! Barangay &ansol

ue6on City w)ereby "7A an! t)e istrict agree! to allocate fro# t)e Trust %un! t)e a#ount of &1@= FFF as pay#ent for

Boun!ary Survey ;orks for Maingin $ an! $$ 7ousing .A& 0 &ro+ect Brgy' &ansol ue6on City t)at Brgy' &ansol )as

engage! t)e services of A!onis Surveying Office to con!uct t)e peri#eter boun!ary8relocation survey in !eter#ining t)e

territorial boun!ary of Maingin $ an! $$ an! t)at a consi!eration of &1@= FFF exclu!ing value/a!!e! tax . AT0 will be pai!

to A!onis Surveying Office'

$n reply please be infor#e! t)at pursuant to Section 1F of R'A' "o' @1@D pertinent portion of w)ic) rea!s:

Sec' 1F' $ncentives for &rivate Sector &articipating in Sociali6e! 7ousing' W To encourage greater private sector

participation in sociali6e! )ousing an! furt)er re!uce t)e cost of )ousing units for t)e benefit of t)e un!erprivilege! an!

)o#eless t)e following incentives s)all be exten!e! to t)e private sector:

xxx xxx xxx

.!0 9xe#ption fro# t)e pay#ent of t)e following:

.20 &ro+ect/relate! inco#e taxes

.10 Capital gains tax on raw lan!s use! for t)e pro+ect

.<0 alue/a!!e! tax for t)e pro+ect contractor concerne!

xxx xxx xxx

Bar Operations 2012: Ace the Bar, Race the Car!For rivate an! ersonal Use Only #$




t)e contractor of sociali6e! )ousing units is exe#pt fro# t)e pay#ent of value/a!!e! tax'

On t)e ot)er )an! Section 1> of R'A' @1@D enu#erates t)e benefits grante! to t)e occupants of Areas for &riority

evelop#ent .A& 0 6onal i#prove#ent progra# sites an! slu# i#prove#ent an! resettle#ent progra#s sites to wit:

S9CT$O" 1>' Benefits' W $n a!!ition to t)e benefits provi!e! un!er existing laws an! ot)er relate! issuance to

occupants of areas for priority !evelop#ent 6onal i#prove#ent progra# sites an! slu# i#prove#ent an! resettle#ent

progra# sites suc) occupants s)all be entitle! to priority in all govern#ent pro+ects initiate! pursuant to t)is Act' T)ey

s)all also be entitle! to t )e following support services:

.a0 Lan! surveys an! titling at #ini#al cost .9#p)asis supplie!0

Base! on t)e foregoing surveying of lan! is #erely a support service for t)e beneficiaries of sociali6e! )ousing' $t is a

preli#inary activity to constructing or !eveloping sociali6e! )ousing sites'

$nas#uc) as A!onis Surveying Office is only contracte! as surveyor to !eter#ine boun!aries of t)e sub+ect lan! an! is not

t)e contractor for t)e !evelop#ent of t)e )ousing pro+ects an! consi!ering furt)er t)at t)e survey works an! services to beun!ertaken by A!onis Surveying office is separate fro# t)e construction of t)e sociali6e! )ousing units w)ic) s)all take

place after t)e #etes an! boun!s of t)e in!ivi!ual areas of Maingin $ an! $$ )ave been establis)e! A!onis Surveying Office

cannot be consi!ere! as a private contractor participating in sociali6e! )ousing entitle! to tax exe#ption privileges un!er

Section 1F .!0 of R'A' @1@D' T)us t)e a#ount c)arge! by sai! surveyor is sub+ect to value/a!!e! tax . AT0 2 un!er Section

2F> in relation to Sections 2FG an! 22= .C0 of t)e 2DD@ Tax Co!e as a#en!e! by R'A' D<<@ w)ic) provi!es t)at:

S9C' 2F>' &ersons Liable' W Any person w)o in t)e course of tra!e or business sells barters exc)anges leases goo!s or

properties ren!ers services an! any person w)o i#ports goo!s s)all be sub+ect to t)e value/a!!e! tax . AT0 i#pose! in

Sections 2F? to 2FG of t)is Co!e'

xxx xxx xxx

S9C' 2FG' alue/a!!e! Tax on Sale of Services an! Use or Lease of &roperties' W

.A0 Rate an! Base of Tax' W T)ere s)all be levie! assesse! an! collecte! a value/a!!e! tax e-uivalent to ten percent

.2FX0 .now 21X0 of gross receipts !erive! fro# t)e sale or exc)ange of services inclu!ing t)e use or lease of properties'

T)e p)rase Isale or exc)ange of servicesI #eans t)e perfor#ance of all kin!s of services in t)e &)ilippines for ot)ers for a

fee re#uneration or consi!eration inclu!ing t)ose perfor#e! or ren!ere! by construction an! service contractors ' ' '

S9C' 22=' Return an! &ay#ent of alue/a!!e! Tax' W ' ' '

C% ;it))ol!ing of alue/a!!e! Tax' W T)e (overn#ent or any of its political sub!ivisions instru#entalities or

agencies inclu!ing govern#ent/owne! or /controlle! corporations .(OCCs0 s)all before #aking pay#ent on

account of eac) purc)ase of goo!s an! services w)ic) are sub+ect to t)e value/a!!e! tax i#pose! in Sections 2F?

an! 2FG of t)is Co!e !e!uct an! wit))ol! a final value/a!!e! tax at t)e rate of five percent .>X0 of t)e gross

pay#ent t)ereof: &rovi!e! T)at t)e pay#ent for lease or use of properties or property rig)ts to nonresi!ent

Bar Operations 2012: Ace the Bar, Race the Car!For rivate an! ersonal Use Only #%




owners s)all be sub+ect to ten percent .2FX0 wit))ol!ing tax at t)e ti#e of pay#ent' %or purposes of t)is Section

t)e payor or person in control of t)e pay#ent s)all be consi!ere! as t)e wit))ol!ing agent'

T)e value/a!!e! tax wit))el! un!er t)is Section s)all be re#itte! wit)in ten .2F0 !ays following t)e en! of t)e #ont) t)e

wit))ol!ing was #a!e'

Base! on t)e foregoing t)is Office is of t)e opinion t)at cost of survey works an! services in t)e a#ount of &1@= FFF is

sub+ect to value/a!!e! tax at t)e rate of 21X pursuant to Section 2F> of t)e 2DD@ Tax Co!e as a#en!e! an! t)e inco#e

pay#ent #a!e by Brgy' &ansol to A!onis Surveying Office s)all be sub+ect to >X final wit))ol!ing tax un!er Section 22=

.C0 of t)e sa#e Tax Co!e'

T)is ruling is being issue! on t)e basis of t)e foregoing facts as represente!' 7owever if upon investigation it will be

!isclose! t)at t)e facts are !ifferent t)en t)is ruling s)all be consi!ere! as null an! voi!'

ery truly yoursCo##issioner of $nternal Revenue

By:

.S( '0 EO9L L' TA"/TORR9S

Senior eputy Co##issioner

.Officer/$n/C)arge0

Bar Operations 2012: Ace the Bar, Race the Car!For rivate an! ersonal Use Only #&




SAMPLE NO. 5

,arc) <2 1F22

M#. M 0("i P. G()8*(

<> Craig Street Sa#paloc ,anila

ear ,s' (a#boa:

T)is refers to your -uery regar!ing t)e possibility of c)anging t)e surna#e of your 2?/year ol! niece &aula &ere6

Cortes w)o was place! un!er your care by your sister ,aricel Abrogar &ere6 w)o is currently in t)e Unite! States .US0

working as a nurse'

Pou #entione! t)at &aula &ere6 Cortes w)o was born on "ove#ber 2> 2DD= is t)e !aug)ter of your sister

,aricel Abrogar &ere6' &aula )as been living wit) you ever since ,aricel went to t)e US in year 1FFF to work t)ere as a

nurse' Pou also #entione! t)at &aula*s fat)er is ;illia# Cortes ,aricel*s boyfrien! back in college an! w)o got )er

pregnant w)ile t)ey were in t)eir t)ir! year of college'

$t is #y un!erstan!ing t)at &aula*s parents never got #arrie! an! t)at &aula grew up not knowing )er fat)er

because after &aula*s first birt)!ay )er fat)er ;illia# returne! to )is province in Ja#boanga an! since t)en )e )as not

returne! to ,anila nor )as )e sent anyt)ing for &aula*s support' Likewise you also #entione! to #e t)at in &aula*s birt)

certificate s)e carries t)e surna#e of )er fat)er an! ;illia# Cortes is in!icate! t)erein as )er fat)er' $n a!!ition in all of

&aula*s official recor!s inclu!ing sc)ool recor!s s)e carries )er fat)er*s surna#e an! t)e na#e 4;illia# Cortes5 is i!entifie!

as )er fat)er'

$n view of t)e foregoing circu#stances you were aske! by ,aricel to seek legal assistance' S)e wants &aula*s

surna#e to be c)ange! fro# Cortes to &ere6 because s)e inten!s to petition &aula to t)e US an! t)e c)ange in na#e woul!

facilitate t)e process because &aula woul! be easily i!entifie! as )er !aug)ter' Also ,aricel !oes not want &aula to )ave

anyt)ing to !o wit) ;illia# any#ore since )e aban!one! )is own c)il!'

7ence you are asking for #y a!vice or opinion on t)e following -ueries:

2' $s it possible to c)ange t)e surna#e of &aula &' Cortes fro# Cortes to &ere6

1' ;)at are t)e re-uire#ents or proce!ures to be followe! in case a person wants to c)ange )is or )er surna#e

;it) regar! to your first -uery on w)et)er it is possible to c)ange t)e surna#e of your niece fro# Cortes to &ere6

it is wort)w)ile to note t)at un!er t)e law 4no person can c)ange )is na#e or surna#e wit)out +u!icial aut)ority5' .Article

Bar Operations 2012: Ace the Bar, Race the Car!For rivate an! ersonal Use Only #'




<@? Civil Co!e of t)e &)ilippines0 T)erefore in t)e case of &aula &' Cortes your sister #ust file t)e appropriate petition

before t)e court in be)alf of )er #inor c)il!'

$n one case t)e Supre#e Court )el! t)at before a person can be aut)ori6e! to c)ange )is na#e given )i# eit)er

in )is certificate of birt) or civil registry )e #ust s)ow proper or reasonable cause or any co#pelling reason w)ic) #ay

+ustify suc) c)ange' .$n Re: &etition for C)ange of "a#e an!8or Correction of 9ntry in t)e Civil Registry of Eulian Lin

Carulasan ;ang ('R' "o' 2>DD?? ,arc) <F 1FF> =>= SCRA 2>>0

To +ustify a re-uest for c)ange of na#e petitioner #ust s)ow not only so#e proper or co#pelling reason t)erefor

but also t)at )e will be pre+u!ice! by t)e use of )is true an! official na#e' A#ong t)e groun!s for c)ange of na#e w)ic)

)ave been )el! vali! are: .a0 w)en t)e na#e is ri!iculous !is)onorable or extre#ely !ifficult to write or pronounce .b0

w)en t)e c)ange results as a legal conse-uence as in legiti#ation .c0 w)en t )e c)ange will avoi! confusion .!0 w)en one

)as continuously use! an! been known since c)il!)oo! by a %ilipino na#e an! was unaware of alien parentage .e0 a

sincere !esire to a!opt a %ilipino na#e to erase signs of for#er alienage all in goo! fait) an! wit)out pre+u!icing anybo!y

an! .f0 w)en t)e surna#e causes e#barrass#ent an! t)ere is no s)owing t)at t)e !esire! c)ange of na#e was for a

frau!ulent purpose or t)at t)e c)ange of na#e woul! pre+u!ice public interest' .$bi!'0

$n t)e case of &aula )er #ot)er wants to c)ange )er surna#e so t)at &aula woul! be easily i!entifie! as )er

!aug)ter an! s)e also !oes not want &aula to )ave anyt)ing to !o wit) )er fat)er ;illia# any#ore since )e aban!one! )is

own c)il!' On t)e ot)er )an! it #ay be i#plie! fro# your narration t)at ;illia# voluntarily recogni6e! &aula as )is own

c)il! t)us warranting t)e use of ;illia#*s surna#e in t)e registration of &aula*s birt)' $t is a rig)t bestowe! upon &aula

w)o is an illegiti#ate !aug)ter of ;illia# because s)e was conceive! an! born outsi!e a vali! #arriage .Article 2?> %a#ily

Co!e of t)e &)ilippines0' Un!er Article 2@? of t)e %a#ily Co!e of t)e &)ilippines an illegiti#ate c)il! w)o )as been

voluntarily recogni6e! by )is8)er fat)er #ay carry t)e latter*s surna#e' 7ence your sister*s !esire to c)ange t)e surna#e

of )er c)il! &aula will be tanta#ount to !epriving &aula of t)e rig)ts accor!e! by law by virtue of suc) recognition' &roof of

recognition an! filiation gives an illegiti#ate c)il! t)e rig)t to receive support fro# t)e fat)er an! likewise entitles t)e c)il!

to a legiti#e w)ic) s)all be one/)alf .2810 of t)e legiti#e of a legiti#ate c)il! pursuant to Article 2@? of t)e %a#ily Co!e of

t)e &)ilippines'

,oreover )aving voluntarily recogni6e! &aula as )is own c)il! ;illia# #ay t)en file )is opposition8ob+ection to t)e

petition w)ic) your sister wants to file in court' T)erefore t)ere is t)at possibility t)at t)e court #ay !eny your sister*s

petition'

$n relation to your secon! -uery on t)e re-uire#ents or proce!ures to be followe! in case a person wants to

c)ange )is or )er surna#e Rule 2F< of t)e Rules of Court provi!es as follows:

4Sec' 2' enue' K A person !esiring to c)ange )is na#e s)all present t)e petition to t)e Court of %irst $nstance of

t)e province in w)ic) )e resi!es or in t)e City of ,anila to t)e Euvenile an! o#estic Relations Court'

4Sec' 1' Contents of petition' K A petition for c)ange of na#e s)all be signe! an! verifie! by t)e person !esiring

)is na#e c)ange! or so#e ot)er person on )is be)alf an! s)all set fort):

Bar Operations 2012: Ace the Bar, Race the Car!For rivate an! ersonal Use Only #(




.a0 T)at t)e petitioner )as been a bona fi!e resi!ent of t)e province w)ere t)e petition is file! for at

least t)ree .<0 years prior to t)e !ate of suc) filing

.b0 T)e cause for w)ic) t)e c)ange of t)e na#e of t)e petitioner*s na#e is soug)t

.c0 T)e na#e aske! for'

4xxx xxx xxx5

Rule 2F< Section < of t)e Rules of Court furt)er states t)at if t)e petition file! is sufficient in for# an! substance

t)e court by an or!er reciting t)e purpose of t)e petition s)all fix a !ate an! place for t)e )earing t)ereof an! s)all !irect

t)at a copy of t)e or!er be publis)e! before t)e )earing at least once a week for t)ree .<0 consecutive weeks in so#e

newspaper of general circulation publis)e! in t)e province as t)e court s)all !ee# best' T)e !ate set for t)e )earing s)all

not be wit)in t)irty .<F0 !ays prior to an election nor wit)in four .=0 #ont)s after t)e last publication of t)e notice' $n

a!!ition Section = of t)e sa#e Rule states t)at any intereste! person #ay appear at t)e )earing an! oppose t)e petition'

T)e Solicitor (eneral or t)e proper provincial or city fiscal s)all appear on be)alf of t)e (overn#ent of t)e Republic of t)e

&)ilippines'

$t is )ope! t)at t)e foregoing satisfactorily answers your -ueries an! )elps gui!e you in arriving at a proper course

of action' &lease take note )owever t)at t)is opinion is solely base! on t)e facts you )ave narrate! an! #y appreciation of

t)e sa#e' T)e opinion ren!ere! #ay vary w)en t)e facts are c)ange! or elaborate!'

ery truly yours

.Sg!'0 Step)anie Ta#ara

Bar Operations 2012: Ace the Bar, Race the Car!For rivate an! ersonal Use Only $0




SAMPLE NO. "

1@ "ove#ber 1F22

,r' A!riano 9nri-ue6 ,aria Orosa Street ,anila

ear ,r' 9nri-ue6:

T)is legal opinion seeks to answer your -uestion as to w)et)er or not you can now re#arry un!er &)ilippine law

after !iscovering t)at your wife )a! been naturali6e! as an A#erican citi6en an! )a! obtaine! a !ivorce !ecree an! t)en

#arrie! a certain $nnocent Stanley'

T)e %acts

&er our !iscussion an! t)e !ocu#ents you )ave s)own #e t)e following are t)e pertinent facts:

On ,ay 1= 2DD2 you #arrie! ,yra Santos in t)e &)ilippines' Pour #arriage was blesse! wit) a son ,iguel

9nri-ue6'

$n 2DD? your wife left for t)e Unite! States bringing along your son ,iguel' A few years later you !iscovere!

t)at your wife )a! been naturali6e! as an A#erican citi6en' So#eti#e in 1F2F you learne! fro# your son t)at your wife

)a! obtaine! a !ivorce !ecree an! t)en #arrie! a certain $nnocent Stanley'

T)e Applicable Law

T)e applicable law is &aragrap) 1 of Article 1? of t)e %a#ily Co!e' $t provi!es t)at:

4;)ere a #arriage between a %ilipino citi6en an! a foreigner is vali!ly celebrate! an! a !ivorce is

t)ereafter vali!ly obtaine! abroa! by t)e alien spouse capacitating )i# or )er to re#arry t)e %ilipino

spouse s)all )ave capacity to re#arry un!er &)ilippine law'5

On its face t)e foregoing provision !oes not appear to !irectly govern your situation' $t see#s to apply only to

cases w)ere at t)e ti#e of t)e celebration of t)e #arriage t)e parties are a %ilipino citi6en an! a foreigner'

Pour case on t)e ot)er )an! is one w)ere at t)e ti#e t)e #arriage was sole#ni6e! t)e parties were two %ilipino

citi6ens but later on t)e wife was naturali6e! as an A#erican citi6en an! subse-uently obtaine! a !ivorce granting )er

capacity to re#arry an! in!ee! s)e re#arrie! an A#erican citi6en w)ile resi!ing in t)e U'S'





T)e Legislative $ntent be)in! &aragrap) 1 of Article 1?

7owever an exa#ination of t)e recor!s of t)e procee!ings of t)e %a#ily Co!e !eliberations s)owe! t)at t)e intent

of &aragrap) 1 of Article 1? is to avoi! t)e absur! situation w)ere t)e %ilipino spouse re#ains #arrie! to t)e alien spouse

w)o after obtaining a !ivorce is no longer #arrie! to t)e %ilipino spouse'

T)e Applicable Eurispru!ence

$nterestingly &aragrap) 1 of Article 1? traces its origin to t)e 2DG> case of EA< !?R< '. R? I77?, FR. .R. <o.

7 6>4=@, > ?cto"er 1B>5, 1 B +CRA 1 B%. T)e Ean !orn case involve! a #arriage between a %ilipino citi6en an! a

foreigner' T)e Supre#e Court )el! t)erein t)at a !ivorce !ecree vali!ly obtaine! by t)e alien spouse is vali! in t)e

&)ilippines an! conse-uently t)e %ilipino spouse is capacitate! to re#arry un!er &)ilippine law'

;ill t)is sa#e principle apply to your case T)e +urispru!ential answer lies latent in t)e 2DDG case of I-A '.

C? R- ? A&& A7+ .R. <o. 124>62, 22 !ece)"er 1BB>, @@ +CRA 4@6%. $n uita, t)e parties were as in your case

%ilipino citi6ens w)en t)ey got #arrie!' T)e wife beca#e a naturali6e! A#erican citi6en in 2D>= an! obtaine! a !ivorce in

t)e sa#e year' T)e Supre#e Court t)erein )inte! alt)oug) by way of o"iter dictu) only t)at a %ilipino !ivorce! by )is

naturali6e! foreign spouse is no longer #arrie! un!er &)ilippine law an! can t)us re#arry'

Analysis an! Conclusion

T)us taking into consi!eration t)e legislative intent an! applying t)e rule of reason &aragrap) 1 of Article 1?

woul! apply to your case because it s)oul! be interprete! to inclu!e cases involving parties w)o at t)e ti#e of t)e

celebration of t)e #arriage were %ilipino citi6ens but later on one of t)e# beco#es naturali6e! as a foreign citi6en an!

obtains a !ivorce !ecree' T)e %ilipino spouse s)oul! likewise be allowe! to re#arry as if t)e ot)er party were a foreigner at

t)e ti#e of t)e sole#ni6ation of t )e #arriage'

7ence t)e reckoning point is not t)e citi6ens)ip of t)e parties at t)e ti#e of t)e celebration of t)e #arriage but

t)eir citi6ens)ip at the ti)e a 'alid di'orce is o"tained a"road by t)e alien spouse capacitating t)e latter to re#arry'

$ a# confi!ent t)at sai! interpretation woul! prevail in court because to rule ot)erwise woul! be to sanction

absur!ity an! in+ustice' ;)ere t)e interpretation of a statute accor!ing to its exact an! literal i#port woul! lea! to

#isc)ievous results or contravene t)e clear purpose of t)e legislature it s)oul! be construe! accor!ing to its spirit an!

reason !isregar!ing as far as necessary t)e letter of t)e law' A statute #ay t)erefore be exten!e! to cases not wit)in t)e

literal #eaning of its ter#s so long as t)ey co#e wit)in its spirit or intent 7?& J K +?<+, I<C. '. C? R- ? -AL

A&& A7+, <o. 7 B2=4, 1 e"ruary 1B5=, 1@@ &hil. >5@%

Reco##en!ation





To invoke &aragrap) 1 of Article 1? it is re-uire! t)at you s)oul! sub#it co#petent evi!ence concerning t)e

!ivorce !ecree an! t)e naturali6ation of your wife' T)is is base! on t)e settle! rule t)at one w)o alleges a fact )as t)e

bur!en of proving it an! #ere allegation is not evi!ence C?R- + '. C? R- ? A&& A7+, .R. <o. 121==2, 1

Fanuary 2@@ , B5 +CRA %.

Likewise it is also a rule un!er &)ilippine law t)at before a foreign !ivorce !ecree can be recogni6e! by our own

courts t)e party plea!ing it #ust prove t)e !ivorce as a fact an! !e#onstrate its confor#ity to t)e foreign law allowing it'

Suc) foreign law #ust also be prove! as our courts cannot take +u!icial notice of foreign laws ARCIA '. R CI?, .R. <o.

1 > 22, 2 ?cto"er 2@@1, 66 +CRA 4 =%.

%urt)er#ore you #ust also s)ow t)at t)e !ivorce !ecree allows your ex/wife to re#arry as specifically re-uire! in

Article 1?' Ot)erwise t)ere woul! be no evi!ence sufficient to !eclare t)at you are capacitate! to enter into anot)er

#arriage'

%or t)e sai! purpose we reco##en! t)e filing of a &etition for eclaratory Relief base! on Section 2 of Rule ?< of

t)e Rules of Court' T)e sai! provision states:

4Section 2' :ho )ay #ile petition Any person intereste! un!er a !ee! will contract or ot)er written

instru#ent or w)ose rig)ts are affecte! by a statute executive or!er or regulation or!inance or ot)er

govern#ental regulation #ay before breac) or violation t)ereof bring an action in t)e appropriate

Regional Trial Court to !eter#ine any -uestion of construction or vali!ity arising an! for a !eclaration of )is

rig)ts or !uties t)ereun!er'5

$n t)e case of O%%$C9 O% T79 O,BU S,A" v' $BAP ('R' "o' 2<@><G < Septe#ber 1FF2 <?= SCRA 1G2 it was

)el! t)at t)e re-uisites of a &etition for eclaratory Relief are:

20 t)ere #ust be a +usticiable controversy

10 t)e controversy #ust be between persons w)ose interests are a!verse

<0 t)at t)e party seeking t)e relief )as a legal interest in t)e controversy an!

=0 t)at t)e issue is ripe for +u!icial !eter#ination'

$ a# of t)e consi!ere! opinion t)at t)e sai! re-uisites are all present' %irst your case clearly presents a

+usticiable controversy concerning t)e applicability of &aragrap) 1 of Article 1? to a #arriage between two %ilipino citi6ens

w)ere one later ac-uire! alien citi6ens)ip obtaine! a !ivorce !ecree an! re#arrie! w)ile in t)e U'S'A' Secon! t)e State

w)ic) will be a party to t)e petition will necessarily assert its !uty to protect t)e institution of #arriage w)ile you a private

citi6en will insist on a !eclaration of your capacity to re#arry )ence a!verse interests will be involve!' T)ir! you as t)e

party w)o will be praying for relief clearly )ave legal interest in t)e controversy' Lastly t)e issue is also ripe for +u!icial

!eter#ination inas#uc) as w)en you re#arry litigation will ensue an! put into -uestion t)e vali!ity of your secon!

#arriage'

Bar Operations 2012: Ace the Bar, Race the Car!For rivate an! ersonal Use Only $"




$ appreciate t)e opportunity to a!vise you regar!ing t)is #atter' &lease let #e know if you wis) to !iscuss any of

t)ese issues furt)er' T)ank you'

Pours fait)fully

.Sg!'0 L9(AL COU"S9L

Bar Operations 2012: Ace the Bar, Race the Car!For rivate an! ersonal Use Only $#




UNI6ERSITY OF 5EBU

5OLLEGE OF LAW

HOW TO EFFE5TI6ELY ANSWER

SHORT ESSAY QUESTIONS IN LAW BAR SUBJE5TS

O-r -0'i)(' + (00 "/ : T* 8 0($ r#.

6i $ *! #*) Fi0i i"* 0($ #'-4 "'#: “F*r)# ("4 /r())(r (r (r40 i) *r'("'. I' i# #-8#'("+ ' (' r (00

)('' r#.%

5*"'r(r i $ 8 #*) r # *"#i80 0($ #'-4 "'#: “W (' i! ' #-8#'("+ i# ($ $(r40 !*r)('' 4,

-"/r())('i+(00 $ri'' ", rr*" *-#0 #'r-+'-r 4, ("4 i"(++-r(' 0 -"+'-(' 4 %

ATTRIBUTES LOO ED FOR BY BAR EKAMINERS IN THE ANSWERS OF FUTURE LAWYERS:

2' Correct appreciation of facts

1' Ability to i!entify t)e issue8s

<' Mnowle!ge of t)e law an! +urispru!ence

=' Logic an! reasoning ability

>' Responsiveness

?' Clarity of i!eas an! )an!writing

@' Brevity

G' "eatness of presentation

D' Correct gra##ar an! punctuation an!

2F' &ersuasion'

EKAMINATION TIPS

-he only thin( that stands "etween a )an and what he wants #ro) li#e is o#ten )erely the will to try it and the #aith to

"elie'e that it is possi"le. Richard . !e'os

2' &RAP like you )ave never praye! before'

1' R9LA ' 9ntertaining pressures an! tension will be of no )elp' T)ink t)at t)is is it an! t)ere is not)ing #ore to !o but to

try your best'

<' "ever ever t)ink of c)eating'

=' Take a -uick browse at your -uestionnaire to )ave an overview of t)e lengt) of eac) -uestion t)e nu#ber of -uestions

an! sub/-uestions but !o not concentrate on t)e !etails as yet' .T)e proctor or watc)er will instruct your group to count t)e

pages of t)e -uestionnaire // t)is is t)e ti#e for your -uick browse'0

>' Bu!get your ti#e accor!ing to t)e nu#ber of -uestions an! lengt) of proble#s' C)eck t)e percentage allocation for

eac) -uestion' T)is will not only )elp you to bu!get your ti#e but also give you a cue on )ow !ifficult or intricate a proble#

is )ence warning you to be very careful wit) your answer'

Bar Operations 2012: Ace the Bar, Race the Car!For rivate an! ersonal Use Only $$




Analysis of available ti#e as benc)#ark for answering eac) -uestion:

Y=/)our exa#ination wit)

2> -uestions Z 2? #inutes eac) -uestion

1F -uestions Z 21 #inutes eac) -uestion

Y</)our exa#ination wit)

2> -uestions Z 21 #inutes eac) -uestion

1F -uestions Z D #inutes eac) -uestion

?' Rea! instructions carefully' Rea! eac) -uestion carefully'

@' ;)ile rea!ing a -uestion or case proble# analy6e an! start for#ulating your answers' $f you !o t)is it be easier an!

faster for you to write your answers since you are alrea!y gui!e! by your earlier analysis' $t will also #ini#i6e errors an!

erasures'

G' Be concise an! responsive .brief but co#plete0 in your answers' Try to contain your answer to a si#ple -uestion or sub/-uestion in one page' "evert)eless if you )ave #ore i!eas t)at you believe will supple#ent your answer !o not )esitate to

a!! t)e# but +ust see to it t)at w)atever you write is wort) rea!ing' Ot)erwise better stop' Less write less #istakes'

D' An answer to one -uestion in one proble# re-uires a separate page' Answers to sub/-uestions #ay be presente!

continuously in a page separate! by space8s' $t is suggeste! )owever t)at even answers sub/-uestions be presente! on

separate pages unless your answer is very s)ort so t)at in case you want to c)ange any answer or if you )ave #isse! a

sub/-uestion you can still insert your answer in t)e re#aining spaces of t)e page'

2F' Begin answering on t)e page in!icate!'

22' ;)en necessary .an! if allowe!0 seek clarifications fro# t)e proctor watc)er never fro# your seat#ates'

21' Answer neatly an! legibly' Observe #argins .!o not far #argins0' 9rase wit) one )ori6ontal line no #atter )ow long t)e

wor! sentence or paragrap) is' o not obliterate or cross t)e# out'

2<' o not tear or fol! any page'

2=' o not put or write any unwarrante! #ark or na#e in your notebook as t)is will be consi!ere! as #arking' o not

un!erline or capitali6e your writings for e#p)asis'

2>' ,aintain constantly a one/inc) i#aginary straig)t #argin line in t)e left an! rig)t si!es of your page' Be sure t)e si6e

of your letters can be easily rea!' ;rite for your exa#iner not for yourself'

2?' Leave a space between t)e paragrap)s of your answer for better presentation'

2@' Be careful wit) your nu#berings' Tick every -uestion on t)e -uestionnaire w)ic) you )ave alrea!y answere!' As #uc)

as possible try not to skip -uestions as you #ig)t forget or fail to go back to t)e#' A goo! a!vice )owever is t)at you can

Bar Operations 2012: Ace the Bar, Race the Car!For rivate an! ersonal Use Only $%




skip first few batc) of -uestions if you are not sure of your answers until you ca#e across a sure answer to buil! up your

confi!ence' A caveat on t)e ot)er )an! is t)at you )ave to start wit)in t)e first t)ree -uestions' Ot)erwise it woul! be

very !ifficult to esti#ate t)e pages of t)e notebook t)at you nee! to skip'

2G' $##e!iately after answering every -uestion #ake a -uick review' C)eck t)e spelling gra##ar an! flow of

t)oug)ts8i!eas so you can i##e!iately effect corrections t)us prevent s)ortage of space'

2D' After finis)ing wit) t)e last -uestion review all your answers again' C)eck if you )ave covere! all -uestions'

1F' C)eck if you )ave co#pletely co#plie! wit) all t)e instructions an! re-uire#ents before sub#itting your notebook an!

before leaving t)e exa#ination roo#'

<?- / onths or 0ears "e#ore the eMa)ination days, "e sure you ha'e practiced e'eryday how to answer 'arious types o#

law$"ar uestions in your practice note"oo*s. &ractice )a*es per#ect and is a con#idence "ooster, ust li*e an eMcellent

"as*et"all player.

TIPS ON

HOW TO ANSWER DIFFERENT

TYPES OF ESSAY QUESTIONS

I. ENUMERATION

-I&/ Always introduce your enu)eration. se appropriate punctuation )ar*s and con unctions. N / O , and or P

E () 0 Q- #'i*":

W -* -2 * + 4 *-* )( 6)( * 6) 2 )8 C)(92 *) (- * 6 (-+ +- ;

SUGGESTED ANSWER FORMAT:

>F*r)(' 1 9 i! + r'(i", /i ' # +i!i+ #*-r+ ?

$

T)e li#itations upon t)e power of Congress to enact penal laws are t)e following:

2' "o ex post facto law or bill of attain!er s)all be enacte! .Sec' 11 Art'' $$$ 2DG@ Constitution0 an!

1' "o person s)all be )el! to answer for a cri#inal offense wit)out !ue process of law .Sec' 2=.20 Art $$$

2DG@ Constitution0'

Bar Operations 2012: Ace the Bar, Race the Car!For rivate an! ersonal Use Only $&




>F*r)(' 2 9 i! "*' + r'(i", 4*";' ('' ) ' '* /i ' # +i!i+ #*-r+ ?

$ /A

T)e li#itations upon t)e power of Con[gress to enact penal laws are t)e following:

2' "o ex post facto law or bill of attain!er s)all be enacte! an!

1' "o person s)all be )el! to answer for a cri#inal offense wit)out !ue process of law '

>F*r)(' 3 9 $ " *" i# "*' #-r *! ' '*'(0 "-)8 r *! i' )#, *r +*-04 "*' /i (00 ' (' (r r -ir 4?

$/B

T)e li#itations upon t)e power of Congress to enact penal laws are t)e following: no ex post facto law or

bill of attain!er s)all be enacte! an! no person s)all be )el! to answer for a cri#inal offense wit)out !ue process of law'

II. DISTIN5TIONS

-I&/ Always introduce your distinctions. se appropriate punctuation )ar*s and con unctions N / O , and or P . Ge

care#ul with ?R R K 7A-- R.

E () 0 Q- #'i*": Di#'i"/-i# 8 '$ " -#'i! i"/ ("4 ) 'i"/ +ir+-)#'("+ #.

A"S;9R %OR,AT: .lifte! fro# an actual answer0

$$

Eustifying circu#stances #ay be !istinguis)e! fro# exe#pting circu#stances as follows:

2' $n t)e for#er t)ere is neit)er a cri#e co##itte! nor a cri#inal because t)e acts t)erein are

legally +ustifie! w)ile in t)e latter t)ere is a cri#e co##itte! but t)ere is no cri#inal because t)e law excuses

t)e offen!er fro# liability t)erefor an!

1' T)ere is no cri#e nor a cri#inal in t)e for#er civil liability !oes not also attac) to t)e offen!er except in

case of a state of necessity w)ere t)e party benefite! s)oul! in!e#nify t)e person in+ure! w)ile in t)e latter

alt)oug) cri#inal liability is excuse! civil liability attac)es to t)e offen!er because of t)e fact t)at a )as been

co##itte!'

III. SIMPLE 5ASE PROBLEM ANSWERABLE BY 5ATEGORI5AL YES OR NO.

T)is #eans t)at t)ere is only sure answer wit)out any -ualification because all t)e facts are state! an! t)ey all fall s-uarely

to t)e applicable law'

Bar Operations 2012: Ace the Bar, Race the Car!For rivate an! ersonal Use Only $'




-I&+ ?R 0 + ?R <? A<+: R ?R A- -RAC

2' Start wit) t)e topic or t)esis paragrap) stating your categorical answer to t)e -uestion i'e' Pes8"o co#plete! by t)e

issue in -uestion'

1' T)e secon! paragrap) is a citation of t)e applicable Rule law or +urispru!ence or bot)

<' T)e t)ir! paragrap) is t)e Application of t)e law on t)e facts'

=' T)e fourt) paragrap) #ay be your Conclusion' .optional or t)is #ay for# part of t)e t)ir! paragrap)0

<?- /

I# the instruction is to (i'e only a one sentence answer, you can still apply the -RAC #or)at within that one sentence.

$< * )( N). I++, 1==> B-2 E?-4 (-* )( ( L-@)2 -(/ S) -+ L 9 +-* )(%

A +-/ )2 2 - @)2( * - 6 -+ / 8)24 * , 6 8 -++ , -2/ )8 -2 (9, 6 46- 2 / -(/ )+)2

@+ (/. T / 8 ( /) ()* 46- 2 2 )2 (9 -@ + * . C-( * 46+) 2 +- 8 * +-/ )2 2 - -

-(/ -66 / )2 2 ) * -* 2 /- + -9 ++ )(+ @ (* #8 6 2 (* $75 % )8 * -66+ -@+ /- +

4 ( 4 4 -9 ;

SUGGESTED ANSWER FORMAT: >0i!' 4 !r*) (" (+'-(0 ("#$ r?

2' Start wit) t)e first paragrap) stating your categorical answer to t)e -uestion i'e' Pes8"o8$ !istinguis)8$ -ualify

co#plete! by t)e issue in -uestion'

e'g' "o' T)e e#ployer cannot classify t)e la!y worker as a )an!icappe! worker in t)e case at bar'

1' T)e secon! paragrap) is a citation of t)e applic[able law or +urispru!ence or bot)' e'g' $t is provi!e! for un!er

t)e Labor Co!e of t)e &)ilippines t)at to be consi!ere! a )an!icappe! worker t)e p)ysical !eficiencies or !efor#ities

of a worker #ust a!versely affect or i#pair )is working ability or capacity in relation to )is assigne! +ob' 7ere t)e law

allows t)e pay#ent of a wage of at least seventy/five percent .@>X0 of t)e applicable !aily #ini#u# wage'

<' T)e t)ir! paragrap) is t)e application of t)e law on t)e facts'

e'g' $n t)e case at bar t)e !eficiency of t)e la!y worker is unrelate! to or !oes not i#pair )er ability in t)e perfor#ance

of )er assigne! +ob'

=' T)e fourt) paragrap) #ay be your conclusion' .optional or t)is #ay for# part of t)e t)ir! paragrap)0'

e'g' T)erefore s)e s)oul! not be classifie! as )an!icappe! worker an! s)oul! be entitle! to t)e full applicable !aily

#ini#u# wage'

Bar Operations 2012: Ace the Bar, Race the Car!For rivate an! ersonal Use Only $(




>F*r)(' 1 9 $i' 3 '* & (r(/r( # TRA5 !*r)('?

$$$

"o' T)e e#ployer cannot classify t)e la!y worker as a )an!icappe! worker in t)e case at bar'

$t is provi!e! for un!er t)e Labor Co!e of t)e &)ilippines t)at to be consi!ere! a )an!icappe! worker t)e

p)ysical !eficiencies or !efor#ities of a worker #ust a!versely affect or i#pair )is working ability or capacity in relation to

)is assigne! +ob' $n t)is case t)e law allows t)e pay#ent of a wage of at least seventy/five percent .@>X0 of t)e applicable

!aily #ini#u# wage'

$n t)e case at bar t)e !eficiency of t)e la!y worker is unrelate! to or !oes not i#pair )er ability in t)e

perfor#ance of )er assigne! +ob'

T)erefore s)e s)oul! not be classifie! as )an!icappe! worker an! s)oul! be entitle! to t)e full applicable !aily

#ini#u# wage'

>F*r)(' 2 9 $i' 3 '* & (r(/r( # TRA5 !*r)(', $i' 5OMMA (!' r YES NO?

$$$/A

"o t)e e#ployer cannot classify t)e la!y worker as a )an!icappe! worker in t)e case at bar'




!aily #ini#u# wage'




#ini#u# wage'

>F*r)(' 3 9 $i' 3 '* & (r(/r( # TRA5 !*r)(', $i' A!!ir)('i N /('i

#'(' ) "' i" 0i - *! YES NO?

$$$/B

T)e e#ployer cannot classify t)e la!y worker as a )an!icappe! worker in t)e case at bar'

Bar Operations 2012: Ace the Bar, Race the Car!For rivate an! ersonal Use Only %0







!aily #ini#u# wage'




#ini#u# wage'

F*r)(' & 99 O" S "' "+ TRA5 F*r)('?

$$$/C

"o t)e e#ployer cannot classify t)e la!y worker as a )an!icappe! worker because un!er t)e Labor Co!e

for an e#ployee to be consi!ere! a )an!icappe! worker )is p)ysical !eficiencies or !efor#ities #ust be suc) as to

a!versely affect or i#pair )is working ability or capacity in relation to )is assigne! +ob for t)e purpose of allowing t)e

pay#ent of a wage of at least seventy/five percent .@>X0 of t)e applicable !aily #ini#u# wage but in t)is case t)e

worker*s !eficiency is unrelate! to or !oes not i#pair )er ability to perfor# )er assigne! +ob'

F*r)(' 99 O" S "' "+ TRA5 F*r)(', $i' *-' YES NO?

$$$/

T)e e#ployer cannot classify t)e la!y worker as a )an!icappe! worker because un!er t)e Labor Co!e for

an e#ployee to be consi!ere! a )an!icappe! worker )is p)ysical !eficiencies or !efor#ities #ust be suc) as to

a!versely affect or i#pair )is working ability or capacity in relation to )is assigne! +ob for t)e purpose of allowing t)e

pay#ent of a wage of at least seventy/five percent .@>X0 of t)e applicable !aily #ini#u# wage but in t)is case t)e

worker*s !eficiency is unrelate! to or !oes not i#pair )er ability to perfor# )er assigne! +ob'

Anot)er 9xa#ple for Categorical Pes8"o Answer

QUESTION:

T A4 2 -( C)( + - 2 / * / *) * P + 66 ( + /2 (9 -2 2 + + -(/ 462 / (*+ -+)(9

R)?- B) + -2/ @ 46 / - 6 / *2 -( ) - 2) (9 * *2 * -(/ * +-** 2 / / - - )( ( )8

( 2 . P2) * / ( ) 2* 8)2 * 2 4 )8 )4 / * 2 2 + 462 / ( , * C)( + +- 4 / / 6+)4-*

44 ( * -++ 9 (9 * -* ()* @ * *) P + 66 ( +- -(/ 2 9 +-* )( . I / 8 ( * (-@+ ; W ;

F*r)(' 1 99 -#i"/ 3 9 & (r(/r( # !*r)('?





$

"o' T)e A#erican consul*s !efense of !iplo#atic i##unity is not tenable'

Un!er t)e international law t)ose w)o en+oy t)e !iplo#atic i##unity are t)e sovereigns or )ea!s of states

a#bassa!ors #inisters plenipotentiary an! #inisters resi!ent' Consuls like t)e A#erican consul in t)is case are not

inclu!e! in t)is group'

7ence )e cannot rig)tfully clai# !iplo#atic i##unity'

F*r)(' 2 99 -#i"/ 3 9 & (r(/r( # !*r)(', $i' +*))( (!' r YES NO?

$ /A

"o t)e A#erican consul*s !efense of !iplo#atic i##unity is not tenable'





F*r)(' 3 99 -#i"/ 3 9 & (r(/r( # !*r)(', $i' A!!ir)('i N /('i #'(' ) "' i" 0i - *! YES NO?

$ /B

T)e A#erican consul*s !efense of !iplo#atic i##unity is not tenable'





F*r)(' & 99 O" S "' "+ TRA5 !*r)(' , ("4 i! *" i# #-r , $i' # +i!i+ S5 4 +i#i*" +i' 4 $i' i" ' ("#$ r?

$ /C





"o t)e A#erican consul*s !efense of !iplo#atic i##unity is not tenable because un!er t)e international law

an! as rule! by t)e Supre#e Court in t)e case of Sc)neckenburger vs' ,oran ?< &)il' 1>F t)ose w)o en+oy !iplo#atic

i##unity are only t)e sovereigns or )ea!s of states a#bassa!ors #inisters plenipotentiary an! #inisters resi!ent

but not t)e consuls'

F*r)(' 99 O" S "' "+ TRA5 !*r)(', ("4 i! *" i# #-r , $i' # +i!i+ S5 4 +i#i*" +i' 4 (' ' "4 *! '

("#$ r?

$ /


t)ose w)o en+oy !iplo#atic i##unity are only t)e sovereigns or )ea!s of states a#bassa!ors #inisters

plenipotentiary an! #inisters resi!ent but not t)e consuls .Sc)neckenburger vs' ,oran ?< &)il' 1>F0'

F*r)(' 99 O" S "' "+ TRA5 !*r)(' , $i' *-' # +i!i+ S5 4 +i#i*" +i' 4?

$ /9



plenipotentiary an! #inisters resi!ent but not t)e consuls'

F*r)(' 99 O" S "' "+ TRA5 !*r)(' , $i' *-' # +i!i+ S5 4 +i#i*" +i' 4, $i' *-' YES NO?

$/%

T)e A#erican consul*s !efense of !iplo#atic i##unity is not tenable because un!er t)e international law


plenipotentiary an! #inisters resi!ent but not t)e consuls'

I6. 5ASE PROBLEM 5ALLING FOR A QUALIFIED ANSWER

-his uestion calls #or a 0 + or <? answer. A little twist or chan(e o# #act, i# so stated, would ha'e called #or a de#inite

answerO howe'er, the #acts o# the pro"le) lac* that essential detail or details that could ha'e called #or only one de#inite

answer. or this reason, it is "etter #or the eMa)inee to (i'e a uali#ied answer. An Q $ state)ent with I , H?: E R

I #or)at is su((ested, i# appropriate. In so)e instances, the use o# &R?EI! ! a#ter the Q $ state)ent, or introducin(

the answer with I- ! & <!+ helps. A 0es $<o with uali#ication #or)at is also su((ested.

Bar Operations 2012: Ace the Bar, Race the Car!For rivate an! ersonal Use Only %"




QUESTION

A, - )( * / 62 )( 2, + -2( * -* -+2 -/ ) 2 *- (9 ( - + @ - - + 9 -2/ ) -66 ( *) @

+- * / (* -/ / 4 * -* * 2 () 4)2 + 9-+ 92) (/ 8)2 )(* ( / 462 )(4 (*, -(/ * - + 9 -2/

*)+/ 4 * -* -( 9). I * 2 - 2 4 )44 ** /;

NAnalysis: $n t)is case w)o is8are t)e target of )aving co##itte! a cri#e t)e prisoner t)e guar! or bot) An! w)at cri#e

or cri#es 7as t)e prisoner alrea!y escape! as a!vise! by t)e guar! Obviously t)ese are not clearly given in t)e proble#

)ence t)e nee! of a -ualifie! answer'3

QUESTION 5ALLING FOR QUALIFIED ANSWER

F*r)(' 1 99 -#i"/ 99 #'(' ) "' $i' IF HOWE6ER9IF !*r)('?

"o cri#e is co##itte! by A if )e !oes not leave t)e +ail' 7owever if A gets out of +ail )e co##its a cri#e

known as evasion of sentence w)ile t)e guar! can be )el! liable for infi!elity in t)e custo!y of t)e cri#inal'

Consi!ering t)at A was sentence! to i#prison#ent after accor!ing )i# !ue process of law )e cannot in t)e sa#e

#easure be release! even assu#ing )e in!ee! excee!e! t)e perio! of )is sentence wit)out going t)roug) a legal

process eit)er a!#inistratively or +u!icially'


F*r)(' 2 99 -#i"/ I' D "4# IF HOWE6ER IF !*r)(', 2 (r(/r( #?

/A

$t !epen!s'

$f A !oes not leave t)e +ail no cri#e is co##itte!' 7owever if A gets out of +ail )e co##its a cri#e

known as evasion of sentence w)ile t)e guar! can be )el! liable for infi!elity in t)e custo!y of t)e cri#inal'

Consi!ering t)at A was sentence! to i#prison#ent after accor!ing )i# !ue process of law )e cannot in t)e sa#e

#easure be release! even assu#ing )e in!ee! excee!e! t)e perio! of )is sentence wit)out going t)roug) a legal

process eit)er a!#inistratively or +u!icially'


>F*r)(' 3 99 -#i"/ I' D "4# IF H*$ r9IF !*r)(' , 1 (r(/r( ?

/B

$t !epen!s' $f A !oes not leave t)e +ail no cri#e is co##itte!' 7owever if A gets out of +ail )e

co##its a cri#e known as evasion of sentence w)ile t)e guar! can be )el! liable for infi!elity in t)e custo!y of t)e

cri#inal' Consi!ering t)at A was sentence! to i#prison#ent after accor!ing )i# !ue process of law )e cannot in

t)e sa#e #easure be release! even assu#ing )e in!ee! excee!e! t)e perio! of )is sentence wit)out going

t)roug) a legal process eit)er a!#inistratively or +u!icially'

Bar Operations 2012: Ace the Bar, Race the Car!For rivate an! ersonal Use Only %#




ANOTHER EKAMPLE OF A QUESTION 5ALLING FOR QUALIFIED ANSWER

QUESTION:

M- - 4-22 / )4-( (9-9 ( )44 2 * ) * * )( (* )8 2 @-(/;


>F*r)(' 1 99 -#i"/ ( Y # *r N* Pr* i4 4 I! !*r)('?

$

Pes a #arrie! wo#an #ay engage in co##erce provi!e! s)e )as all t)e -ualifications even wit)out t)e

consent of )er )usban! because Art' @< of t)e %a#ily Co!e expressly provi!es t)at eit)er spouse #ay exercise

any legiti#ate profession occupation business or activity wit)out t)e consent of t)e ot)er'

Un!er t)e law a person #ay engage in business if one is of legal age )as capacity to enter into contract an!

is not suffering t)e penalty of civil inter!iction t)e nature of t)e business engage! in is not against t)e law #orals an!

public policy an! t)e ob+ect of t)e business is wit)in t)e co##erce of #en'


F*r)(' 2 99 -#i"/ Y # *r N* Pr* i4 4 !*r)(' 1 PARAGRAPH?

$/A

Pes a #arrie! wo#an #ay engage in co##erce provi!e! s)e )as all t)e -ualifications even wit)out t)e

consent of )er )usban!' Un!er Art' @< of t)e %a#ily Co!e 9it)er spouse #ay exercise any legiti#ate

profession occupation business or activity wit)out t)e consent of t)e ot)er'5


F*r)(' 3 99 -#i"/ A!!ir)('i N /('i #'(' ) "' i" 0i - *! Y # N* Pr* i4 4 !*r)(' 1

PARAGRAPH?

$/B

A #arrie! wo#an #ay engage in co##erce provi!e! s)e )as all t)e -ualifications even wit)out t)e

consent of )er )usban!' Un!er Art' @< of t)e %a#ily Co!e 4 9it)er spouse #ay exercise any legiti#ate



F*r)(' & 99 -#i"/ I' D "4# Pr* i4 4 H*$ r !*r)(', 2 *r 3 (r(/r( #?

Bar Operations 2012: Ace the Bar, Race the Car!For rivate an! ersonal Use Only %$




$ /C

$t !epen!s'

A #arrie! wo#an #ay engage in co##erce an! even wit)out t)e consent of )er )usban! provi!e! s)e

)as all t)e -ualifications' 7owever s)e #ay not engage in co##erce if s)e !oes not possess all t)e -ualifications

prescribe! by law or )er )usban!*s ob+ection t)ereto is base! on vali! serious an! #oral groun!s'

Un!er Art' @< of t)e %a#ily Co!e it is expressly state! t)at 4eit)er spouse #ay exercise any legiti#ate


ANOTHER EKAMPLE OF A QUESTION 5ALLING FOR QUALIFIED ANSWER

<?- / Ci'il 7aw uestion

M- - @-(/ -+ /+ )@ * * -* 8 (9-9 ( @ ( ;


>F*r)(' 1 99 -#i"/ ( Y # *r N* Pr* i4 4 !*r)('?

$$

Pes t)e )usban! #ay ob+ect t)at )is wife engage in business provi!e! )e )as vali! serious an! #oral groun!s'

Un!er t)e %a#ily Co!e in case of !isagree#ent t)e court s)all !eci!e w)et)er or not t)e ob+ection is

proper an! t)e benefit )as occurre! prior to t)e ob+ection or t)ereafter' $f t)e benefit accrue! prior to t)e ob+ection

t)e resulting obligation s)all be enforce! against t)e separate property of spouse w)o )as not obtaine! consent but

t)e rig)ts of t)e cre!itor w)o acte! in goo! fait) s)all not be pre+u!ice!'


>F*r)(' 2 99 -#i"/ A!!ir)('i N /('i #'(' ) "' i" 0i - *! ( Y # N* , $i' Pr* i4 4 !*r)('?

$$/A

T)e )usban! #ay ob+ect t)at )is wife engage in business provi!e! )e )as vali! serious an! #oral groun!s'

Un!er t)e %a#ily Co!e in case of !isagree#ent t)e court s)all !eci!e w)et)er or not t)e ob+ection is

proper an! t)e benefit )as occurre! prior to t)e ob+ection or t)ereafter' $f t)e benefit accrue! prior to t)e ob+ection

t)e resulting obligation s)all be enforce! against t)e separate property of spouse w)o )as not obtaine! consent but

t)e rig)ts of t)e cre!itor w)o acte! in goo! fait) s)all not be pre+u!ice!'


>F*r)(' 3 99 -#i"/ I' D "4# , !*00*$ 4 8 (!!ir)('i ("4 ' " " /('i !*r)('?

$$/B

$t !epen!s'

Bar Operations 2012: Ace the Bar, Race the Car!For rivate an! ersonal Use Only %%




Un!er t)e %a#ily Co!e t)e )usban! #ay vali!ly ob+ect t)at )is wife engage in business provi!e! )e )as vali!

serious an! #oral groun!s' $n t)e absence of any suc) groun! t)e )usban! \s ob+ection will not )ave any legal effect to

bar )is wife*s co##ercial engage#ent'

,oreover in case of !isagree#ent t)e court s)all !eci!e w)et)er or not t)e ob+ection is proper an!

t)e benefit )as occurre! prior to t)e ob+ection or t)ereafter' $f t)e benefit accrue! prior to t)e ob+ection t)e resulting

obligation s)all be enforce! against t)e separate property of spouse w)o )as not obtaine! consent but t)e rig)ts of t)e

cre!itor w)o acte! in goo! fait) s)all not be pre+u!ice!'

ANOTHER EKAMPLE OF A PROBLEM 5ALLING FOR QUALIFIED ANSWER:

QUESTION:

A @ +/ (9 ) ( / @ Y. H *)2 )4 4- ( 2 ( / * @ +/ (9. H - / * @ +/ (9 - -

)++-* 2-+ *) - +)-( -(/ ) 2 / @ - -** + 4)2*9-9 . T 4- ( 2 -2 + 4)2*9-9 / -(/ ) 2 /

@ - -** + 4)2*9-9 , / + 2 9 * 2 /. Y ++ * +-(/ -(/ * @ +/ (9 -(/ 4- ( 2 * 2 ( *) ',

* +-** 2 ()* () (9 * -** + 4)2*9-9 .

$-% I ' @) (/ @ * -** + 4)2*9-9 )( * @ +/ (9;


>F*r)(' 1 99 -#i"/ ( Y # *r N* Q-(0i!i+('i*" !*r)('?

$$$

"o t)e c)attel #ortgage on t)e buil!ing is not bin!ing on J' As far as J is concerne! t)e contract of c)attel

#ortgage is voi! fro# t)e very beginning' T)e reason is obvious' Un!er t)e C)attel ,ortgage Law only c)attels or

personalty #ay be t)e ob+ect of a contract of c)attel #ortgage' A buil!ing is certainly not a c)attel or personalty' $t is a

realty by incorporation )ence it cannot be t)e proper ob+ect of a c)attel #ortgage'

$n so#e cases !eci!e! by t)e Supre#e Court it )as been )el! t)at t)e contract of c)attel #ortgage applying

t)e principle of estoppel is bin!ing' 7owever t)is rule can be applie! only to a situation or controversy involving t)e

contracting parties only' $t cannot be applie! to J w)o is a t)ir! person as far as t)e c)attel #ortgage is concerne!'


F*r)(' 2 99 -#i"/ Y # N* $i' Q-(0i!i+('i*" 99 $i' ( #0i/ ' )*4i!i+('i*"?

$$$/A

Bar Operations 2012: Ace the Bar, Race the Car!For rivate an! ersonal Use Only %&




"o t)e c)attel #ortgage on t)e buil!ing is not bin!ing on J' As far as J is concerne! t)e contract of c)attel




Alt)oug) in so#e cases !eci!e! by t)e Supre#e Court it )as been )el! t)at t)e contract of c)attel #ortgage

applying t)e principle of estoppel is bin!ing t)is rule )owever can be applie! only to a situation or controversy involving

t)e contracting parties only' $t cannot be applie! to J w)o is a t)ir! person as far as t)e c)attel #ortgage contract is

concerne!'


F*r)(' 3 99 -#i"/ A!!ir)('i N /('i #'(' ) "' i" 0i - *! Y # N*, $i' Q-(0i!i+('i*" 9("4 $i' ( #0i/ '

)*4i!i+('i*"?

$$$/B

T)e c)attel #ortgage on t)e buil!ing is not bin!ing on J' As far as J is concerne! t)e contract of c)attel




Alt)oug) in so#e cases !eci!e! by t)e Supre#e Court it )as been )el! t)at t)e contract of c)attel #ortgage

applying t)e principle of estoppel is bin!ing t)is rule )owever can be applie! only to a situation or controversy involving

t)e contracting parties only' $t cannot be applie! to J w)o is a t)ir! person as far as t)e c)attel #ortgage contract is

concerne!'

ANOTHER EKAMPLE:

$@% I ' @) (/ @ * -** + 4)2*9-9 )( * 4- ( 2 ;

S-// #' 4 ("#$ r

>F*r)(' 1 99 -#i"/ Y # *r N* Q-(0i!i+('i*" !*r)('?:

$

Pes t)e c)attel #ortgage on t)e #ac)ineries is bin!ing on J' T)e contract of c)attel #ortgage is certainly vali!

an! bin!ing not only as far as t)e contracting parties are concerne! but even as far as t)ir! persons are concerne! #ore so

if t)e c)attel #ortgage is registere! wit) t)e proper govern#ent office'

True un!er t)e Civil Co!e #ac)ineries are classifie! as real property but t)is is so only w)en t)ey are

inten!e! by t)e owner of t)e tene#ent for an in!ustry or works w)ic) #ay be carrie! on in a buil!ing or on a piece of lan!

an! w)ic) ten! !irectly to #eet t)e nee!s of sai! in!ustry or works' 7ere t)e #ac)ineries are #erely store! by P

in )is buil!ing' T)erefore t)ey are still classifie! as c)attel or personalty for t)e purpose of t)e C)attel ,ortgage Law'

Bar Operations 2012: Ace the Bar, Race the Car!For rivate an! ersonal Use Only %'




S-// #' 4 ("#$ r

>F*r)(' 2 99 -#i"/ A!!ir)('i N /('i #'(' ) "' i" 0i - *! Y # N* , $i' Q-(0i!i+('i*" !*r)('?:

$ /A

T)e c)attel #ortgage on t)e #ac)ineries is bin!ing on J' T)e contract of c)attel #ortgage is certainly vali! an!

bin!ing not only as far as t)e contracting parties are concerne! but even as far as t)ir! persons are concerne! #ore so if

t)e c)attel #ortgage is registere! wit) t)e proper govern#ent office'

True un!er t)e Civil Co!e #ac)ineries are classifie! as real property but t)is is so only w)en t)ey are

inten!e! by t)e owner of t)e tene#ent for an in!ustry or works w)ic) #ay be carrie! on in a buil!ing or on a piece of lan!

an! w)ic) ten! !irectly to #eet t)e nee!s of sai! in!ustry or works' 7ere t)e #ac)ineries are #erely store! by P

in )is buil!ing' T)erefore t)ey are still classifie! as c)attel or personalty for t)e purpose of t)e C)attel ,ortgage Law'

HOW WILL YOU ANSWER IF THE QUESTION IS PHRASED LI E THIS:

A2 * -** + 4)2*9-9 )( * @ +/ (9 -(/ 4- ( 2 @ (/ (9 )( ';

S-// #' 4 ("#$ r

$t !epen!s'

T)e c)attel #ortgage on t)e buil!ing is not bin!ing on J' As far as J is concerne! t)e contract of c)attel

#ortgage is voi! fro# t)e very beginning because un!er t)e C)attel ,ortgage Law only c)attels or personalty #ay be t)e

ob+ect of a contract of c)attel #ortgage' A buil!ing is certainly not a c)attel or personalty' $t is a realty by incorporation

)ence it cannot be t)e proper ob+ect of a c)attel #ortgage' T)e only instance w)en sai! #ortgage is bin!ing on J is w)en

)e is a party to t)e sai! c)attel #ortgage'

$t is !ifferent in t)e case of t)e c)attel #ortgage on t)e #ac)ineries' T)e contract of c)attel #ortgage is certainly

vali! an! bin!ing not only as far as t)e contracting parties are concerne! but even as far as t)ir! persons are concerne!

even if t)ey )ave no knowle!ge about it if t)e c)attel #ortgage is registere! wit) t)e proper govern#ent office'

True un!er t)e Civil Co!e #ac)ineries are classifie! as real property but only w)en t)ey are inten!e! by t)e

owner of t)e tene#ent for an in!ustry or works w)ic) #ay be carrie! on in a buil!ing or on a piece of lan! an! w)ic) ten!

!irectly to #eet t)e nee!s of sai! in!ustry or works' 7ere t)e #ac)ineries are #erely store! by P in )is

buil!ing' T)erefore t)ese are still classifie! as c)attels or personalty for t)e purpose of t)e C)attel ,ortgage Law'

Bar Operations 2012: Ace the Bar, Race the Car!For rivate an! ersonal Use Only %(




6. PROBLEMS 5ALLING FOR ALTERNATI6E ANSWERS

T)is kin! of -uestion is actually answerable by P9S or "O but t)ere is a nee! to present bot) si!es in case t)ere are

conflicting t)eories opinions or sc)ools of t)oug)t on t)e sub+ect by so#e legal aut)orities w)ic) by t)e#selves #ay

appear to be correct'

FIRST METHOD OF ALTERNATI6E ANSWER

2' T)e first paragrap) contains t)e state#ent t)at t)ere are !ifferent views applicable to t)e case'

1' T)e secon! paragrap) will present t)e first view'

<' T)e t)ir! paragrap) will present t)e ot)er view usually t)at w)ic) is #ost accepte! or t)at wit) w)ic) you concur'

=' T)e fourt) paragrap) will in!icate to w)ic) view you subscribe' ."ote: T)is #ay for# part of t)e t)ir! paragrap)'0

QUESTION

M-(( ++ / 8 (/ 2 ? 6* )(-+ 2 4 *-( -(/ - (* ( / @ * R 9 )(-+ T2 -+ C) 2* )8

D-9 6-( C * *) 88 2 * 6 (-+* )8 / * 22) / 2 (9 - ()* *) (* 2 * * . L-* 2, ) 2,

M-(( (* *) D-9 6-( C * *) * 82 (/ -(/ 62)6 2* . D / M-(( )44 * -( 2 4 ;

ALTERNATI6E ANSWER FORMAT:

F*r)(' 1 > 0i!' 4 !r*) (+'-(0 ("#$ r#?

2' T)e first paragrap) contains t)e state#ent t)at t)ere are !ifferent views applicable to t)e case'

e'g' T)ere )ave been !ifferent views as regar!s t)e i#position of t)e penalty of !estierro upon t)e offen!er w)o kille!

)is spouse un!er exceptional circu#stances'

1' T)e secon! paragrap) will present t)e first view'

e'g' %irstly t)e i#position of !estierro un!er suc) a case s)oul! not be regar!e! as a penalty to t)e offen!er' $t )as

been sub#itte! t)at t)e sa#e is #erely for t)e protection of t)e convicte! offen!er against possible retaliatory acts of t)e

relatives of )is victi#' $n t)is case t)erefore ,anny cannot be sai! to )ave co##itte! a cri#e'

<' T)e t)ir! paragrap) will present t)e ot)er view usually t)at w)ic) is #ost accepte! or t)at wit) w)ic) you concur'

e'g' On t)e ot)er )an! w)ere it woul! be consi!ere! t)at t)e !estierro i#pose! is a penalty w)ic) is clearly provi!e!

in t)e law wit)out any -ualification ,anny co##itte! t)e cri#e of evasion of service of sentence since )e entere! wit)in

t)e prescribe! area of )is banis)#ent'

=' T)e fourt) paragrap) will in!icate to w)ic) view you subscribe' .t)is #ay for# part of t)e t)ir! paragrap)0

e'g' $ subscribe to t)e secon! view'

>F*r)(' 1 9 !*00*$i"/ ' r + 4i"/ #'r-+'-r *! ' ("#$ r?

$

T)ere )ave been !ifferent views as regar!s t)e i#position of t)e penalty of !estierro upon t)e offen!er

w)o kille! )is spouse un!er exceptional circu#stances'

Bar Operations 2012: Ace the Bar, Race the Car!For rivate an! ersonal Use Only &0




On one )an! t)e i#position of !estierro un!er suc) a case s)oul! not be regar!e! as a penalty to t)e

offen!er' $t )as been sub#itte! t)at t)e sa#e is #erely for t)e protection of t)e convicte! offen!er against

possible retaliatory acts of t)e relatives of )is victi#' $n t)is case t)erefore ,anny cannot be sai! to )ave co##itte! a

cri#e'

On t)e ot)er )an! w)ere it woul! be consi!ere! t)at t)e !estierro i#pose! is a penalty w)ic) is clearly

provi!e! in t)e law wit)out any -ualification ,anny co##itte! t)e cri#e of evasion of service of sentence since )e

entere! wit)in t)e prescribe! area of )is banis)#ent'

$ subscribe to t)e secon! view'

ALTERNATI6E ANSWER

>F*r)(' 2 C Y # N* $i' 8ri ! ) "'i*" *! ' *' r i $ *r ' *r ?

$/A

Pes ,anny co##itte! t)e cri#e of evasion of service of sentence'

espite t)e contrary view by so#e legal t)eorists un!er t)e Revise! &enal Co!e of t)e &)ilippines !estierro is

a kin! of penalty w)ic) is expressly provi!e! in t)e law wit)out any -ualification'

$n t)is case ,anny entere! t)e place fro# w)ic) )e was banis)e! by t)e court wit)out any clearance

or aut)ority fro# t)e sa#e court' 7e is t)erefore liable for t)e cri#e of evasion of service of sentence '

ALTERNATI6E ANSWER

>F*r)(' 3 C Wi' *-' Y # N* 8-' *"0 ' A!!ir)('i *r N /('i #'(' ) "', $i' 8ri ! ) "'i*" *! ' *' r

i $ *r ' *r ?

$/B

,anny co##itte! t)e cri#e of evasion of service of sentence'

espite t)e contrary view by so#e legal t)eorists un!er t)e Revise! &enal Co!e of t)e &)ilippines !estierro is

a kin! of penalty w)ic) is expressly provi!e! in t)e law wit)out any -ualification'

$n t)is case ,anny entere! t)e place fro# w)ic) )e was banis)e! by t)e court wit)out any clearance

or aut)ority fro# t)e sa#e court' 7e is t)erefore liable for t)e cri#e of evasion of service of sentence '

Bar Operations 2012: Ace the Bar, Race the Car!For rivate an! ersonal Use Only &1




WOR SHOP

E r+i# # i":

1. A( 2 (9 * )(

. A(-+ (9 * )(

3. C2 * (9 -( 2

is a general partner of PJ Co' T is a cre!itor to bot) an! PC Co' in t)e a#ount of &2FF FFF an! upon !e#an! by

T pai! )i# t)e su# of &2FF FFF' Upon learning of t)is !evelop#ent partners P an! J !e#an!e! fro# t)at t)e entire

su# of &2FF FFF pai! by T be re#itte! to t)e partners)ip' refuse! reasoning t)at t)e entire a#ount s)oul! go to

)i# as pay#ent of T*s !ebt to )i# . 0 since )e was t)e one w)o !e#an!e! for an! collecte! t)e pay#ent' $s *s

contention correct ;)y

AA a passenger in a vessel belonging to Co' an! w)ose na#e in t)e passenger #anifest on its Eanuary 2 1FF<

voyage was a#ong t)ose w)o !ie! w)en t)e vessel capsi6e! as a result of t)e allege! negligence of its crew' T)eco#plaint for !a#ages was file! on April <F 1FFD by AA*s )eirs' $t is now conten!e! by Co' t)at t)e action is alrea!y

barre! by t)e statute of li#itations because it is one for recovery of !a#ages w)ic) is not base! on a written contract' $s

t)is contention correct Reason'

&& took possession of a parcel of unregistere! lan! belonging to ,, in goo! fait) an! by virtue of a +ust title on Eune 2>

2DGD' 9xactly D years afterwar!s on Eune 2> 2DDG )e beca#e aware of certain facts w)ic) s)ow t)at )e was in

possession of t)e lan! wrongfully'

$n a case file! by ,, against && on %ebruary 2> 1FFD )e conten!e! t)at <F years fro# Eune 2> 2DGD was nee!e! before

&& coul! be consi!ere! as t)e lawful owner of t)e property in -uestion by prescription' $s ,,*s contention tenable Reason'

LEGAL WRITING 2 TRIAL MEMORANDUM, LEGAL OPINION, SHORT ESSAY.doc

Documents

Transcript of LEGAL WRITING 2 TRIAL MEMORANDUM, LEGAL OPINION, SHORT ESSAY.doc