This document outlines principles of statutory construction under Philippine law. It discusses how words and phrases in statutes should be interpreted, including related doctrines like noscitur a sociis and ejusdem generis. It also addresses how to interpret statutes as a whole and in relation to other laws, and whether strict or liberal construction is appropriate depending on the type of statute. The document provides examples from Philippine case law to illustrate the application of these principles.
This document outlines principles of statutory construction under Philippine law. It discusses how words and phrases in statutes should be interpreted, including related doctrines like noscitur a sociis and ejusdem generis. It also addresses how to interpret statutes as a whole and in relation to other laws, and whether strict or liberal construction is appropriate depending on the type of statute. The document provides examples from Philippine case law to illustrate the application of these principles.
This document outlines principles of statutory construction under Philippine law. It discusses how words and phrases in statutes should be interpreted, including related doctrines like noscitur a sociis and ejusdem generis. It also addresses how to interpret statutes as a whole and in relation to other laws, and whether strict or liberal construction is appropriate depending on the type of statute. The document provides examples from Philippine case law to illustrate the application of these principles.
This document outlines principles of statutory construction under Philippine law. It discusses how words and phrases in statutes should be interpreted, including related doctrines like noscitur a sociis and ejusdem generis. It also addresses how to interpret statutes as a whole and in relation to other laws, and whether strict or liberal construction is appropriate depending on the type of statute. The document provides examples from Philippine case law to illustrate the application of these principles.
AIDS TO CONSTRUCTION IV. ADHERENCE TO, OR DEPARTURE FROM, LANGUAGE OF STATUTE V. INTERPRETATION OF WORDS AND PHRASES A. IN GENERAL Words construed in their ordinary sense General words construed generally - Generalia verba sunt generaliter intelligenda Words with technical or legal meaning Word or phrase construed in relation to other provisions Meaning of term dictated by context - Verba accipienda sunt secundum materiam Where the law does not distinguish - Ubi lex non distinguit, nec nos distinguere debemus Disjunctive and conjunctive words
Session: October 17, 2019 (Class 1, 7-9pm; Rm 402)
B. ASSOCIATED WORDS Noscitur a sociis Carandang v. Santiago, 97 Phil 94 (1955) Motoomull v. Dela Paz, 187 SCRA 743 (1990) Kua v. Barbers, GR 159410, January 28, 2008 Ejusdem Generis Philippine Basketball Association v. Court of Appeal GR 119122, August 8, 2000 Cu Unjieng Sons, Inc. v. Board of Tax Appeals, 100 Phil 1 (1956) Limitations of Ejusdem Generis Commissioner of Internal Revenue v. American Express, GR 152609, June 29, 2005 Garcia v. Social Security Commission, GR 170735, December 17, 2000 US v. Santo Niño, 13 Phil 141 (1909) Roman Catholic Archbishop of Manila v. Social Security Commission, GR 15045, January 20, 1961 Expressio unius est exclusion alterius Romualdez v. Marcelo, G.R. Nos. 165510-33, July 28, 2006 De La Salle Araneta University V. Bernardo, G.R. No. 190809, February 13, 2017 Coconut Oil Refiners Assn., Inc. v. Torres, GR No 132527, July 29, 2005 Lopez v. CA GR 144573, September 24, 2002 Negative-opposite doctrine Chung Fook v. White, 264 US 443 (1924) Limitations of Expressio unius est exclusion alterius Gomez v. Ventura, 54 Phil 726 (1930) Javellano v. Tayo, GR 18919, December 29, 1962 San Pablo Manufacturing Corp., v. CIR, GR 147749, June 22, 2006 Doctrine of casus omissus Casus omissus pro omisso habendus est Ifurung v. Carpio Morales, et al, GR 232131, April 24, 2018 COA of Cebu v. Province of Cebu, GR 141386, November 29, 2001 Doctrine of last antecedent Ad proximum antecedens fiat relatio nisi impediatur sententia Florentino v. PNB, 98 Phil 959 (1956) Mapa v. Arroyo, 175 SCRA 76 (1989) Reddendo singular singulis People v. Tamani, GR 22160, January 21, 1974 Fortich v. Corona, GR 131457, August 19, 1999 C. PROVISOS, EXCEPTIONS AND SAVING CLAUSES Provisos, generally What proviso qualifies Flores v. Miranda, 105 Phil 266 (1959) Exceptions, generally Exceptions and proviso distinguished MERALCO v. Public Utilities Employees’ Association, 79 Phil 409 (1947) Gorospe v. CA, 106 Phil 1144 (1959) Saving Clause
Reference: Ruben E. Agpalo, Statutory Construction (2009), Chapter 5, pp 302-350
Session: October 18, 2019 (Class 1, 8-10pm; Rm 402)
VI. STATUTE CONSTRUED AS WHOLE AND IN RELATION TO OTHER STATUTES
A. STATUTE CONSTRUED AS WHOLE Aquino v. Quezon City, GR 137534, August 3, 2006 Optima statute interpretatrix est ipsum statutum National Tobacco Adm. V. COA, 311 SCRA 755 (1999) Giving effect to statute as a whole [Javellano v. Tayo, GR 18919, December 29, 1962] JMM Promotions & Management, Inc. v. NLRC, 228 SCRA 129 (1993) Apparently conflicting provisions reconcile Republic v. CA, 263 SCRA 758 (1996) Construction as not to render provision nugatory Sesbreño v. Central Board of Assessment Appeals, 270 SCRA 360 (1997) Construction as to give life to law Paras v. COMELEC, 264 SCRA 49 (1996) Construction to avoid surplusage Mejia v. Balalong, 81 Phil 497 (1948)
B. STATUTE CONSTRUED IN RELATION TO CONSTITUTION AND OTHER STATUTES
Statutes in pari materia Vda. De Urbano v. GSIS, GR No. 137904, October 19, 2001 Where harmonization is impossible Dialdas v. Perdices, 101 Phil 756 (1957) General and special statutes Calingin v. CA, GR No. 154616, July 12, 2004 Reenacted statutes Motelibano v. Ferrer, 97 Phil 228 (1955)
Reference: Ruben E. Agpalo, Statutory Construction (2009), Chapter 6, pp 351-392
VII. STRICT OR LIBERAL CONSTRUCTION
A. IN GENERAL Liberal Construction Sharica Mari L. Go-Tan vs. Spouses Tan, G.R. No. 168852, September 30, 2008 B. STATUTES STRICTLY CONSTRUED Laurel v. Abrogar, GR No. 155076, February 22, 2006 Villaseñor v. Oco-Perguerra, GR No. 180700, March 4, 2008 Acts mala in se and mala prohibita Suy v. People, 92 Phil 684 (1953) Azarcon v. Sandiganbayan, 268 SCRA 747 (1997) US v. Go Chico, 14 Phil 128 (1909) Statutes in derogation of rights Arriete v. Director of Public Works, 58 Phil 507 (1933) Statutes authorizing expropriations City of Manila v. Chinese Community of Manila, 40 Phil 349 (1919) Naturalization laws Co y Quing Reyes v. Republic, 104 Phil 889 (1958) Statutes imposing taxes and customs duties Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority v. Marcos, 261 SCRA 667 (1996) Statutes granting tax exemptions CIR v. CA, 303 SCRA 508 (1999) PLDT v. Province of Laguna, GR No. 151899, August 16, 2005 Statutes authorizing suits against the government Mobil Phil. Exploration v. Customs Arrastre Service, GR 23139, December 17, 1966 Statutes prescribing formalities of will Uy Coque v. Siosa, 43 Phil 405 (1922)
C. STATUTES LIBERALLY CONSTRUED
General Social legislation Asian Transmission Corp. v. CA, GR No. 144664, March 15, 2004 General welfare clause Ortigas & Co., Ltd. V. Feati Bank & Trust Co., GR 24670, December 14. 1979 Grant of power to local governments Quimsing v. Lachica, 112 Phil 110 (1961) Statutes granting taxing power Icard v. City Council of Baguio, 83 Phil 870 (1949) Statutes prescribing prescriptive period to collect taxes Republic v. Ablaza, 108 Phil 1105 (1960) Statutes imposing penalties for non-payment of tax Jamora v. Meer, 74 Phil 22 (1942) Election laws Ibasco vs. Ilao, 110 Phil 553 (1960) Statutes prescribing prescription of crimes People v. Moran, 44 Phil 387 (1923) Veteran and pension laws Del Mar v. Phil. Veterans Administration, GR No. 27299, June 27, 1973 Santiago v. COA, 199 SCRA 125 (1991) Rules of Court Cabunilas v. CA, GR No. 26100, February 28, 1969
Reference: Ruben E. Agpalo, Statutory Construction (2009), Chapter 7, pp 392-452
