SYLLABUS FOR THE 2025 BAR EXAMINATIONS
POLITICAL LAW AND PUBLIC INTERNATIONAL LAW
I. THE 1987 CONSTITUTION
A. Nature and Concept of a Constitution
II. BASIC CONCEPTS
A. Declaration of Principles and State Policies
B. Sovereignty
G. Fundamental Powers of the State
1. Police Power
3. Taxation
III. NATIONAL TERRITORY
A. Scope (Terrestrial, Aerial, and Fluvial Domains)
IV. CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSIONS
A. Constitutional Safeguards to Ensure Independence
C. Powers, Functions, and Jurisdiction
D. Composition and Qualifications of Members
E. Prohibited Offices and Interests
F. Judicial Review of Final Orders, Resolutions, and Decisions
G. Rendered in the Exercise of Quasi-Judicial Functions
H. Rendered in the Exercise of Administrative Functions
V. CITIZENSHIP
B. Modes of Acquiring Citizenship
C. Natural Born and Naturalized Citizens
D. Loss and Re-acquisition of Philippine Citizenship
1. Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9225 or the Citizenship Retention and Re- acquisition Act of 2003
E. Dual Citizenship and Dual Allegiance
VI. EDUCATION, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ARTS, CULTURE, AND SPORTS
VII. NATIONAL ECONOMY AND PATRIMONY
B. Public Trust Doctrine
1. R.A. No. 11659 or the New Public Services Act
C. Nationalist and Citizenship Requirement Provisions
D. Exploration, Development, and Utilization of Natural Resources
E. Acquisition, Ownership, and Transfer of Public and Private Lands
VIII. LAW ON PUBLIC OFFICERS
B. Modes of Acquiring Title to Public Office
C. Modes and Kinds of Appointment
D. Eligibility and Qualification Requirements
E. Disabilities and Inhibitions of Public Officers
F. Powers and Duties of Public Officers
G. Rights of Public Officers
H. Liabilities of Public Officers
1. Preventive Suspension and Back Salaries
2. Illegal Dismissal, Reinstatement, and Back Salaries
I. Immunity of Public Officers
J. De Facto and De Jure Officers
K. Termination of Official Relation
L. The Civil Service
1. Scope
2. Appointments to the Civil Service
3. Personnel Actions
M. Accountability of Public Officers
1. Types of Accountability
a. Administrative
b. Criminal
c. Civil
2. Discipline
a. Grounds
b. Jurisdiction
c. Dismissal, Preventive Suspension, Reinstatement, and Back Salaries
d. Condonation Doctrine
3. Impeachment and Quo Warranto
4. The Ombudsman and the Office of the Special Prosecutor under Article XI of the 1987 Constitution in relation to R.A. No. 6770 or the Ombudsman Act of 1989
a. Functions
b. Judicial Review in Administrative Proceedings
c. Judicial Review in Penal Proceedings
5. The Sandiganbayan
N. Term Limits
IX. LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT
A. Legislative power
1. Scope and Limitations
2. Principle of Non-delegability; Exceptions
3. Initiative and Referendum
B. Chambers of Congress; Composition; Qualifications
1. Senate
2. House of Representatives
a. District Representatives and Questions of Apportionment
b. Party-List System
C. Declaration of the Existence of a State of War
D. Legislative Privileges, Inhibitions, and Disqualifications
E. Quorum and Voting Majorities
F. Discipline of Members
G. Law-making process
H. Electoral Tribunals and the Commission on Appointments
1. Nature
2. Powers
I. Powers of Congress
1. Legislative Inquiries and Oversight Functions
2. Power of Impeachment
3. Limitations on Legislative Power
4. Limitations on Revenue, Appropriations, and Tariff
5. Presidential Veto and Congressional Override
6. Rules on Appropriation and Realignment