PUBLIC INTERNATIONAL LAW

Course Outline

I. INTRODUCTION
Read the following:

1. Introduction, in BERNAS, pp. 1-7.

2. A short history of International Law by Stephen C Neff, in EVANS, pp. 3-24
3. International Law by Stephen McGlinchey, pp. 55-70

II. SOURCES OF INTERNATIONAL LAW

A. Customary International Law

1. Military and Paramilitary Activities in and against Nicaragua (Nicaragua v. US), ICJ
Reports, 27 June 1986.

2. North Sea Continental Shelf Cases (Germany/Denmark and Germany/Netherlands), ICJ

Reports, 20 February 1969.

3. Asylum Case (Colombia v. Peru), ICJ Reports, 20 November 1950

4. Nuclear Test Cases, ICJ Reports:

New Zealand v. France, 1974
Australia v. France, 1974 (Sep. Op, Judge Petrén)
Request for an examination of the situation in accordance with par. 63 of the court's judgment of
the 20 December 1974 in the Nuclear Tests (New Zealand V. France) Case, 1995

5. Case Concerning the Right of Passage Over Indian Territory (Portugal v. India), ICJ Reports, 12
April 1960

6. Fisheries Jurisdiction Case, on historic waters (historic title)

7. S.S. Lotus Case. On whether or not international law is prohibitive or permissive. (“Restrictions
upon the independence of States cannot therefore be presumed”).

https://repository.law.umich.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1145&context=mjil
 B. On Treaties

13. Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, Arts. 2, 26-36, 46-64.

14. Reservations to the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of
the Crime of Genocide (Advisory Opinion), ICJ Reports 1951.
15. Interpretation of Peace Treaties Case (Second Phase, Advisory
Opinion), ICJ Reports 1950, 221.
16. Gabčíkovo–Nagymaros Project Case (Hungary/Slovakia), ICJ Reports
1997.

C. On General Principles

17. Temple of Preah Vihear Case (Cambodia v. Thailand), ICJ Reports, 15

June 1962.
18. Corfu Channel Case, ICJ Reports, 9 April 1949
19. Factory at Chorzów Case, 1928 PCIJ Ser. A, No. 17
20. Barcelona Traction, Light and Power Company Case, ICJ Reports, 1970

E. On Judicial Decisions

21. South-West Africa Cases (Ethiopia v. South Africa; Liberia v. South

Africa); Second Phase, 18 July 1966;

Guide Questions:

a. Is international law – law?

b. What are the bases of international law?
c. What is meant by “jus cogens”?
d. What is meant by “erga omnes”?
e. What is meant by “opinio juris”?
f. What are the “sources” of international law?
g. Is there a hierarchy of these sources?
h. Distinguish “soft law” from “hard law”
i. How do we distinguish private international law from public international law?
j. Is there collective responsibility for a breach of international law?
k. What is the extent of a state’s freedom of action?

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III. MODULE 3: RELATIONSHIP OF NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL LAW

A. General References

1. CONST., Art. II §2; Art. VII §21; Art. VIII §5; Art. XVIII §25.
2. BERNAS, pp. 58-70.
3. CRAWFORD, pp. 48-111. (For Supplementary Reading)
4. Executive Order No. 459 – Providing for the Guidelines in the
Negotiation of International Agreements and its Ratification, (Nov.
25, 1997).

B. On doctrine of incorporation

1. Tomoyuki Yamashita v. Styer, 75 Phil. 563 (1945) [G.R. No. L-129, 19

December 1945]
2. Kookooritchkin v. Solicitor General, 81 Phil. 435 (1948) [G.R. No. L-
1812, 27 August 1948]
3. Shigenori Kuroda v. Jalandoni, 83 Phil. 171 [G.R. No. L-2662, 26 March
1949]
4. Gonzales v. Hechanova, 118 Phil. 1065 (1963) [G.R. No. L-21897,
October 22, 1963]
5. Tañada v. Angara, G.R. No. 118295, May 02, 1997.
6. BAYAN (Bagong Alyansang Makabayan) v. Zamora, G.R. No. 138570,
10 October 2000, 396 Phil 623 (2000).
7. Republic v. Sandiganbayan, G.R. No. 104768, July 21, 2003.
8. Pharmaceutical and Health Care Ass'n v. Duque, G.R. No. 173034, Oct.
9, 2007.
9. Vinuya v. Romulo, G.R. No. 162230, 28 April 2010, 619 SCRA 533
(2010).
10. Bayan Muna v. Romulo, G.R. No. 159618, 1 February 2011, 641 SCRA
244 (2011).
11. Poe-Llamanzares v. Commission on Elections, G.R. Nos. 221697 &
221698-700, 8 March 2016

C. On doctrine of transformation

12. *Tañada v. Angara, (supra).

13. *BAYAN (Bagong Alyansang Makabayan) v. Zamora, (supra).
14. *Pharmaceutical and Health Care Ass'n v. Duque, (supra).
15. Nicolas v. Romulo, G.R. No. 175888, 11 February 2009, 598 Phil. 262
(2009).
16. *Bayan Muna v. Romulo, (supra).

Definition of "treaty"
 Abaya v. Sec. Ebdane, G.R. No. 167919, 14 February 2007
 DBM v. Kolonwel Trading (consolidated cases), G.R. No. 175608, 8 June 2007
 Suplico v. NEDA, G.R. No. 178830, 14 July 2008
 CNMEG v. Hon. Santa Maria, G.R. No. 185572, 7 February 2012

Definition of "ratification"
 Commissioner of Customs v. Eastern Sea Trading, G.R. No. L-14279, October 31, 1961
 Bayan v. Zamora, G.R. No. 138570, October 10, 2000
 Lim v. Executive Secretary, G.R. No. 151445, April 11, 2002
 Pimentel v. Executive Secretary, G.R No. 158088, July 6, 2005
 Akbayan v. Aquino, G.R. No. 170516, July 16, 2008
 Salonga et. al. v. Smith et. al., G.R. No. 176051, February 11, 2009
 Vinuya v. Executive Secretary, G.R. No. 162230, April 28, 2010
 Bayan Muna v. Executive Secretary, G.R. No. 159618, February 1, 2011
 Reservations to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide
 Military and Paramilitary Activities in and against Nicaragua (Nicaragua v. US), supra

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 D. On interpretation in case of possible conflict

17. Co Kim Cham v. Valdez, G.R. No. L-5, 17 September 1945.

18. *Tañada v. Angara, (supra).
19. *BAYAN (Bagong Alyansang Makabayan) v. Zamora, (supra).
20. Lim v. Executive Secretary, G.R. No. 151445, 11 April 2002, 430 Phil.
555 (2002).
21. Abaya v. Ebdane, G.R. No. 167919, Feb. 14, 2007.
22. Province of North Cotabato v. GRP Peace Panel, G.R. No. 183591, Oct.
14, 2008.
23. *Bayan Muna v. Romulo, (supra).
24. China National Machinery v. Santamaria, G.R. No. 185572, 7 February
2012, 665 SCRA 189 (2012).
25. *Saguisag v. Ochoa, (supra)

E. On foreign jurisdiction approach

26. The Paquete Habana, 175 US 677, 8 January 1900.

27. Sosa v. Álvarez-Machaín, 542 U.S. 692 (2004).
28. Medellin v. Texas, 552 US 491, 25 March 2008.

F. On treaties and executive agreements

1. BERNAS, pp. 22-57.

2. Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties
3. * Guidelines in the Negotiation of International Agreements and its
Ratification, Executive Order No. 459 (Nov. 25, 1997).
4. Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Philippines-U.S.)
5. *Saguisag v. Ochoa, (supra)
6. *Republic v. Sandiganbayan, (supra).

Guide Questions:

a. Distinguish between Monist and Dualist theories of international law.

b. Distinguish between the doctrine of incorporation and the doctrine of transformation.
c. In case of conflict between municipal law and international law, which should prevail?

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IV. MODULE 4: PERSONALITY AND RECOGNITION

A. General references

1. BERNAS, Chap. 5, pp. 71-102.

2. CRAWFORD, pp. 115-202. (For Supplementary Reading).

B. On subjects of international law

3. Free City of Danzig and the International Labour Organisation,

Advisory Opinion of 26 August 1930 (PCIJ Ser. B, No. 18).
4. Reparations for Injuries Suffered in the Service of the United Nations,
Advisory Opinion if 11 April 1949, I.C.J. Reports 1949, p. 174.
5. *Shigenori Kuroda v. Jalandoni, (supra).

C. On creation and incidence of statehood

6. 1933 Montevideo Convention on Rights & Duties of States, Art. 1.

7. 1945 Charter of the United Nations, Arts. 1, 2, 3, & 4.
8. Case Concerning Rights of Nationals of the United States of America in
Morocco, Judgment of 27 August 1952, I.C.J. Reports 1952, p. 176.
9. Western Sahara Case, Advisory Opinion of 16 October 1975, I.C.J.
Reports 1975, p. 12.
10. *The Province of North Cotabato v. GRP Peace Panel (supra).
11. *Republic v. Sandiganbayan, (supra).

State Succession:
12. International Status of South-West Africa, Advisory Opinion of 11 July
1950, I.C.J. Reports 1950, p. 128.
13. Legal Consequences for States of the Continued Presence of South Africa in
Namibia (South-West Africa) Notwithstanding Security Council
Resolution 276 (1970), Advisory Opinion of 21 June 1971, I.C.J.
Reports, 1971, p. 16.

Self-determination:
14. Accordance with International Law of the Unilateral Declaration of
Independence in Respect of Kosovo, Advisory Opinion, I.C.J. Reports
2010, p. 403.
15. Aaland Islands Question, (On the Merits), Report by the Commission
of Rapporteurs, League of Nations Council, LN Council Doc. 87
21/68/106 (1921).

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 16. Reference re Secession of Quebec, 115 ILR 536, 594-5 (1998).

D. On recognition of states and governments

17. Legal Status of Eastern Greenland Case, Judgment, 5 April 1933 (PCIJ
Ser. A/B, No. 53).
18. Aguilar-Amory and Royal Bank of Canada claims “Tinoco Claims
Arbitration” (Great Britain v. Costa Rica), 1 RIAA 369 (1923).

E. On international organizations and others

19. 1945 Charter of the United Nations, Arts. 7, 104

20. Reparations for Injuries Suffered in the Service of the United Nations,
Advisory Opinion if 11 April 1949, I.C.J. Reports 1949, p. 174 (supra).
21. Legality of the Use by a State of Nuclear Weapons in Armed Conflict,
Advisory Opinion of 8 July 1996, ICJ Reports 1996, p. 66.
22. International Catholic Migration Commission v. Calleja, G.R. No. 85750,
89331, 28 September 1990, 268 Phil. 134 (1990).
23. Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center-Aquaculture Department
v. National Labor Relations Commission, G.R. No. 86773, 14 February
1992, 206 SCRA 283.

Guide Questions:

a. What are the elements of statehood?

b. Is recognition an element of statehood?
c. What are the theories on recognition of a state?
d. Distinguish the following doctrines: Tobar/Wilson, Stinson, and Estrada?
e. Distinguish de iure from de facto recognition.
f. Can the Holy See be considered a state?
g. What are “sui generis” entities?
h. What is the principle of succession of states/governments?
i. What is the principle of state continuity?
j. What is belligerency?
k. What is the “uti possidetis iuris” doctrine?
l. What is the doctrine of sovereign immunity?
m. What is the “act of state” doctrine?
n. What are the Calvo and Drago doctrines?
o. What is the doctrine of sovereign equality of states?
p. What is the doctrine of non-intervention?
q. What is the principle of self-determination?
r. Distinguish between recognition of states and recognition of governments.

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V. MODULE 5: TERRITORIAL SOVEREIGNTY

A. General References
1. Bernas, 103-116.
2. CRAWFORD, pp. 203-254. (For Supplementary Reading).

B. On forms of governmental authority over territory

3. CRAWFORD, pp. 203-254. (For Supplementary Reading).

4. Fisheries Case (United Kingdom v. Norway, I.C.J. Reports, 1951).
5. Land, Island, and Maritime Frontier Dispute (El Salvador/Honduras),
I.C.J. Reports 1992, p. 351.
6. *Western Sahara Case (Advisory Opinion, I.C.J. Reports, 1975)
7. Eritrea-Yemen Arbitration, PCA, 1998.
8. Island of Palmas Case (Netherlands v. U.S.A., 2 R.I.A.A. 829,
Permanent Court of Arbitration
9. *International Status of South-West Africa, Advisory Opinion of 11
July 1950, I.C.J. Reports 1950, p. 128.
10. *Case Concerning Rights of Nationals of the United States of America in
Morocco, Judgment of 27 August 1952, I.C.J. Reports 1952, p. 176.
11. L v N (Bulgarian Occupation of Greece), 14 ILR 242 (1947).

C. On Acquisition and Transfer of Territorial Sovereignty

12. Clipperton Island Arbitration (France v. Mexico), 8 January 1931.

13. The Minquiers and Ecrehos Case (France/U.K.), I.C.J. Reports 1953, p.
47.
14. *Legal Status of Eastern Greenland (P.C.I.J. Reports, series A/B, No.
53, 1933).
15. Sovereignty Over Pulau Ligitan and Pulau Sipadan
(Indonesia/Malaysia).
16. Frontier Dispute (Burkina Faso/Mali).
17. Sovereignty over Pedra Branca/Pulau Batu Puteh, Middle rocks and
South Ledge (Malaysia/Singapore), ICJ Reports 2008

Guide Questions:

a. What are the “modes” of acquiring territory?

b. What is the meaning of “effectivité”?
c. What does discovery and occupation mean as a mode of acquiring territory?

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VI. MODULE 6: THE SEA AND THE AIR

A. General References
1. Bernas, 120-132.
2. 1935 Constitution, Art. I, Sec. 1.
3. Republic Act No. 9522 – An Act to Define the Baselines of the
Territorial Sea of the Philippines
4. 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea, Arts. 1-13, 33, 46-73, 76-81,
86-98, 110-112, 116-121, 136-142, 293
5. Convention on International Civil Aviation, signed at Chicago on 7
December 1944
6. Statute of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, Annex
XI of UNCLOS, Arts. 21-23

B. On Jurisdiction over Sea and Air

7. *The Corfu Channel Case (I.C.J. Reports, 1949)

8. *Fisheries Case (United Kingdom v. Norway, I.C.J. Reports, 1951).
9. Maritime Delimitation and Territorial Questions between Qatar and
Bahrain, ICJ Reports 2001, p. 40.
10. *North Sea Continental Shelf Cases (Germany/Denmark and
Germany/Netherlands), ICJ Reports, 20 February 1969.
11. SS Lotus case.

Guide Questions:

a. What is the archipelagic doctrine?

b. What is the Thalweg doctrine?
c. Distinguish the territorial sea from the high seas.
d. What is the continental shelf?
e. Distinguish the rights of the coastal state in the territorial sea, the contiguous zone, the
exclusive economic zone, and the continental shelf.
f. What is the doctrine of innocent passage?
g. What are the five freedoms in a state’s aerial domain?

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VII. MODULE 7: THE PHILIPPINE TERRITORY

A. General References

1. 1987 Constitution, Art. I.

2. 1973 Constitution, Art. I, Sec. 1.
3. 1935 Constitution, Art. I, Sec. 1.
4. Republic Act No. 9522 – An Act to Define the Baselines of the
Territorial Sea of the Philippines
5. Treaty of Peace Between the United States of America and the
Kingdom of Spain (Treaty of Paris), 10 December 1898.
6. Treaty Between the Kingdom of Spain and the United States of
America for Cession of Outlying Islands of the Philippines, 1990.

7. Convention Between the United States of America and Great Britain

Delimiting the Boundary Between the Philippine Archipelago and
the State of Borneo (1930).
8. Treaty of General Relations Between the Republic of the
Philippines and the United States of America, Art. I (1946).
9. Agreement Between the Republic of the Philippines and the United
States of America Concerning Military Bases (1947).
10. Magallona v. Ermita, GR 187167, 16 August 2011.
11. *The Province of North Cotabato v. GRP Peace Panel (supra).
12. *Saguisag v. Ochoa, (supra)

B. On claim to Spratlys

13. Coquia, “The South China Sea Dispute – The Spratlys”

14. Treaty Limits of the Philippines (illustration) South China Sea:
Selected Claims (illustration)
15. Carpio, Historical Facts, Historical Lies, and Historical Rights in the
West Philippine Sea
16. South China Sea Arbitration, Award on Jurisdiction and
Admissibility, 29 October 2015

C. On claim to Sabah

17. Manila Accord Between the Philippines, the Federation of Malaya,

and Indonesia, 31 July 1963
18. Manila Declaration by the Philippines, the Federation of Malaya,
and Indonesia, 3 August 1963

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 19. Joint Statement by the Philippines, the Federation of Malaya, and
Indonesia, 5 August 1963
20. DFA Policy Paper No. 15 (on Sabah Claim)
21. Philippine Claim to Sabah, Materials and Documents
a. Letters of Acting Consul-General Treacher to the Earl of
Derby
b. Grant by the Sultan of Sulu of a Permanent Lease covering his
Lands and Territories on the Island of Borneo
c. Commission from the Sultan of Sulu appointing Baron de
Overbeck Datu Bandahara and Rajah of Sandakan
d. Proclamation on the Termination of the Lease
e. Brief Memorandum on the Government of the Sultanate of
Sulu and Powers of the Sultan during the 19th Century
f. Statement at the Opening Meeting of the British-Philippine
Talks
g. Joint Final Communique
h. Cession and Transfer of the Territory of North Borneo to the
Republic of the Philippines

Guide Questions:

a. What is the legal basis of the Philippine’s claim over the Kalayaan Island Group?
b. What are the legal arguments of the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea dispute with
China? How about China’s arguments?
c. What is the legal basis of the Philippine’s claim over Sabah? How about Malaysia’s
arguments

IX. MODULE 9: INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTIONS

A. Law of the Treaties

7. BERNAS, pp. 22-57.

8. Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties
9. * Guidelines in the Negotiation of International Agreements and its
Ratification, Executive Order No. 459 (Nov. 25, 1997).
10. Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement
11. *Reservations to the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment
of the Crime of Genocide, (supra)
12. *Gabčíkovo–Nagymaros Project Case (Hungary/Slovakia), (full text)
13. Navigational Rights, ICJ Reports 2009, p. 213

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 B. Diplomatic and Consular Relations

14. Legality of Threat or Use of Nuclear Weapons, ICJ Reports 1996, p.266
15. US Diplomatic and Consular Staff (US v Iran), ICJ Reports 1980
16. Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)

C. Unilateral Acts; Estoppel

16. Legality of Threat or Use of Nuclear Weapons, ICJ Reports 1996, p.266
17. Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)

D. Succession to Rights and Duties

18. Legality of Threat or Use of Nuclear Weapons, ICJ Reports 1996, p.266
19. Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)

International Criminal Law

BERNAS, ch. 15, pp. 265-266

Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court

Princeton Principles on Universal Jurisdiction
Convention on the Non-Applicability of Statutory Limitations to War Crimes and Crimes against Humanity
(1968)

The International Criminal Court

1. Scope
Rome Statute, art. 12-13
2. Temporal Jurisdiction
Rome Statute, art. 11
3. What may be prosecuted?
a. War Crimes
Grave Breaches of the Geneva Conventions
Geneva Convention (I), art. 49-50
Geneva Convention (II), art. 50-51
Geneva Convention (III), art. 129-30
Geneva Convention (IV), art. 146-147

b. Genocide
Genocide Convention, art. 2
c. Crimes Against Humanity
Rome Statute, art. 7
d. Aggression
Rome Statute, art. 8bis
4. Who may be prosecuted?
Rome Statute, art. 121 and 124
5. Complementarity
Rome Statute, art. 17

Cases:
Justice Robert Jackson’s Opening Statement before the International Military Tribunal
The International Military Tribunal (Nuremberg Tribunal), Judgment, supra.
The International Military Tribunal for the Far East (Tokyo War Crimes Tribunal), Indictment
Yamashita v. Styer
U.S. v. William M. Calley, Jr.
Attorney-General of Israel v. Adolf Eichmann (summary)
Prosecutor v. Kanyabashi

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