Atty Ralph Sarmiento

The 2013 Bar Questions in Political Law for the first Sunday of the Bar appear to be very
reasonable. I hope this trend continues in the remaining 7 subjects.

The questionnaire consists of 15 pages with 12 essay questions & 20 MCQ's. Justice
Brion did not give us hard copies but only flashed them on screen. Here is a breakdown
of the topics covered based on my notes:

ESSAY Questions:

1. Immunity from suit invoked by the Bureau of Customs;
2. Confirmation by the Commission of Appointments of the appointment of acting
secretaries while Congress is in session;
3. Validity of a conviction based on extra-judicial confession of an accused who was
assisted only by a city attorney;
4. Constitutionality of a law providing for a trial by jury for those charged with offenses
punishable with reclusion perpetua;
5. Grounds for impeachment of the President for entering into an executive agreement
with the US Ambassador allowing the US Navy to the former Subic Base for free;
6. A law to comply with the UNCLOS is being challenged for disregarding the Treaty of
Paris & for excluding the Kalayaan & Scarborough group of islands from the Philippine
territory;
7. Validity of the conviction of an accused on the ground of admission by silence for
failing to testify in his defense;
8. Law school's denial of admission of a 3rd year law student after failing in 3 major
subjects. The student argues that his human rights as well as his right to education have
been violated;
9. Propriety of the Writ of Amparo as a remedy for the disappearance of Conrad who is a
known terrorist;
10. Waiver of State Immunity of a Republic of Kafiristan after its Ambassador entered
into a maintenance agreement with CBM that contains a provision that the agreement
shall be governed by Philippine law;
11. Merit of the claim of NLRC Commissioner Amorsolo during his interview by the JBC
that he has the rank of a justice of the Court of Appeals;
12. Disbarment complaint against a party-list representative for appearing as counsel for
employees in labor cases.

MCQ'S:

1. The equal protection clause is violated by___
2. What is the best legal advice to protect Bureau of Customs employees from the
President's remarks?
3. Constitutionality of a law requiring candidates to post a bond equivalent to their 1 year
salary which shall be forfeited in case they fail to receive at least 10% of the votes.
4. Legal effects of ICJ decisions.
5. Under the UNCLOS, the EEZ refers to___
6. A child born under either the 1973 or 1987 Constitutions whose father or mother is a
citizen of the Philippines at the time of his birth is___
7. Who has control of the expenditure of public funds?
8. May the power of cities to raise revenues be limited by an executive order of the
President?
9. The Constitutional provision that any member who took no part, or who inhibited, or
who dissented must explain applies to___
10. Choose the least accurate statement about the independence guaranteed by the
Constitution to constitutional bodies?
11. Action regarding request letter of prosecutors in impeachment case of Justice
Quintin to allow them to examine the records of a pending case in the Supreme Court.
12. Mr. Sinco was awarded 50 million in a damage suit against the government. What's
his remedy to satisfy the judgment?
13. Which of the following Constitutional provisions does not confer enforceable rights
but only guidelines for legislative & executive actions?
14. Executive agreement entered into by the President for the supply of animal feeds.
15. The separation of Church & State is most clearly violated when___
16. After Patricio was ousted by the HRET from Congress, he may still be appointed by
the President within a year in___
17. Constitutionality of a bill increasing excise taxes on tobacco.
18. Senate concurrence on Treaties.
19. Candida was charged with immorality for having an illicit affair but invoked religious
freedom, what principle shall be used to reconcile___
20. What's the status of Carlos as a Congressman on his 3rd term after he was
disqualified after the adjournment of Congress?