Statutory Construction Reviewer

Statutory Construction Reviewer
Vena V. Verga and Aris S. Manguera

STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION REVIEWER
R. ERRER
C!A"TER #
I.
IN $ENERA%
A.
%aw& in its 'ura( and generic sense& re)ers to t*e w*o(e +ody or syste,
o) (aw.
-a.
In its 'ura( and concrete sense& (aw ,eans a ru(e o) conduct )or,u(ated and ,ade o+(igatory +y (egiti,ate
/ower o) t*e state.
-+.
Inc(udes0
-#.
statues enacted +y t*e (egis(ature
-1.
/residentia( decree
-2.
e3ecutive orders
Note0 1 and 2 are ,ade +y t*e /resident in t*e e3ercise o) *is (egis(ative /ower.
-4.
ot*er /residentia( issuance in t*e e3ercise o) *is ordinance
/ower
-5.
ru(ings o) t*e Su/re,e Court
-6.
ru(es and regu(ation /ro,u(gated +y ad,inistrative or
e3ecutive o))icers /ursuant to a de(egated /ower
-7.
ordinances /assed +y %$U
8.
Statute is an act o) (egis(ature as an organi9ed +ody& e3/ressed in t*e )or,& /assed according to t*e
/rocedure& re:uired to constitute it as /art o) t*e (aw o) t*e (and.
#.
%aws w*ic* *as t*e sa,e category and +inding )orce are0 /residentia( decrees issued during Martia( (aw
and e3ecutive orders issued under t*e reedo, Constitution.
1.
Ty/es o) statutes0
-a.
/assed +y t*e "*i(i//ine %egis(ature
-#.
"*i(i//ine Co,,ission
-1.
"*i(i//ine %egis(ature
-2.
8atasang "a,+asna
-4.
Congress o) t*e "*i(i//ines
-+.
Made +y t*e /resident
-#.
"residentia( decrees -#;72 constitution.
-1.
E3ecutive orders -reedo, Constitution.
2.
Ot*er ty/es o) Statues
-a.
"u+(ic Statute0 w*ic* a))ects t*e /u+(ic at (arge or t*e w*o(e
co,,unity< c(assi)ications0
-#.
genera(= w*ic* a//(ies to t*e w*o(e state and o/erates t*roug*out t*e state a(i>e u/on a(( t*e /eo/(e or a((
o) a c(ass<
-1.
s/ecia(= w*ic* re(ates to a /articu(ar /ersons or t*ings o) a
c(ass or to a /articu(ar co,,unity& individua( or t*ing<
-2.
(oca(= w*ose o/eration is con)ined to a s/eci)ic /(ace or
(oca(ity
-+.
"rivate Statute0 a//(ies on(y to a s/eci)ic /erson or su+'ect
4.
Ty/es according to ?uration0
-a.
/er,anent statute0 w*ose o/eration is not (i,ited in duration
+ut continues unti( re/ea(ed<
-+.
te,/orary statute0 w*ose duration is )or a (i,ited /eriod o) ti,e )i3ed in t*e statute itse() or w*ose (i)e
ceases u/on t*e *a//ening o) an event.
5.
In res/ect to t*eir a//(ication0
-a.
/ros/ective
-+.
retroactive.
6.
O/eration0
-a.
dec(aratory&
-+.
curative&
-c.
,andatory&
-d.
directory&
-e.
su+stantive&
-).
re,edia(& and
-g.
/ena(.
7.
or,0
-a.
a))ir,ative
-+.
negative
C.
Manner o) re)erring to statutes
#.
"u+(ic Acts0
-a.
"*i(i//ine Co,,ission and "*i(i//ine %egis(ature #;@#=#;25
-+.
Co,,onwea(t* Acts0 enacted during t*e Co,,onwea(t*
#;26=#;46
-c.
Re/u+(ic Acts0 /assed +y Congress o) t*e "*i(i//ines #;46=
#;71 and )ro, #;A7
Note0 Statutes ,ay +e re)erred to +y its seria( nu,+er& or its tit(e.
II.
ENACTMENT O STATUTES
A.
%egis(ative /ower is t*e /ower to ,a>e& a(ter& and re/ea(s (aws.
#.
Under t*e #;72 and )reedo, constitution& t*e /resident e3ercised
(egis(ative /ower w*ic* re,ained va(id unti( re/ea(ed.
1.
%$U can enact ordinances wit*in t*eir own 'urisdiction& +ut suc* (aws are in)erior and su+ordinate to t*e
(aws o) t*e state. -"ri,icias v. Munici/a(ity o) Urdaneta..
2.
Ad,inistrative or e3ecutive o))icer can ,a>e ru(es and regu(ations
to i,/(e,ent s/eci)ic (aws.
8.
Essentia( )eature o) t*e (egis(ative )unction is t*e deter,ination o) t*e (egis(ative /o(icy and its )or,u(ation
and /ro,u(gation as a de)ined and +inding ru(e o) conduct
Bvvverga
"age # o) 2
C.
A +i(( is a /ro/osed (egis(ative ,easure introduced +y a ,e,+er o)
Congress )or enact,ent into (aw.
?.
"assage o) a +i((0
#.
A +i(( s*a(( e,+race on(y one su+'ect w*ic* s*a(( +e e3/ressed in t*e tit(e t*ereo). It s*a(( +e signed +y its
aut*or and )i(ed wit* t*e Secretary o) t*e !ouse.
1.
A +i(( ,ay originate in t*e (ower or u//er *ouse e3ce/t a//ro/riation& revenue or tari)) +i((s& +i((s
aut*ori9ing increase o) /u+(ic de+t& +i((s o) (oca( a//(ication& /rivate +i((s& w*ic* s*a(( originate e3c(usive(y
in t*e !ouse o) Re/resentatives.
2.
A +i(( is a//roved +y eit*er *ouse a)ter it *as gone t*ree readings on se/arate days e3ce/t w*en t*e
"resident certi)ies to t*e necessity o) its i,,ediate enact,ent.
4.
Ste/s0
-a.
T*e Secretary re/orts )or t*e )irst reading& w*ic* consists o) reading t*e nu,+er and tit(e o) t*e +i((&
)o((owed +y its re)erra( to t*e a//ro/riate Co,,ittee )or study and reco,,endation.
-+.
Second Reading0 t*e +i(( s*a(( +e read in )u(( wit* t*e a,end,ents /ro/osed +y t*e Co,,ittee& i) any&
un(ess co/ies t*ereo) are distri+uted and suc* reading is dis/ensed wit*. A)ter t*e a,end,ents& t*e +i(( wi((
+e voted on second reading.
-c.
T*ird reading0 t*e +i(( a//roved on second reading wi(( +e su+,itted )or )ina( vote +y yeas and nays. No
a,end,ents ,ay +e introduced.
-d.
T*e +i(( a//roved on t*e t*ird reading +y one *ouse is trans,itted to t*e ot*er *ouse )or concurrence&
w*ic* wi(( )o((ow t*e sa,e /rocedures as a +i(( origina((y )i(ed wit* it.
-e.
I) t*e ot*er *ouse introduces a,end,ents and t*e !ouse )ro, w*ic* it originated does not agree wit* said
a,end,ents& t*e di))erences wi(( +e sett(ed +y t*e Con)erence Co,,ittee o) +ot* c*a,+ers& w*ose re/ort
or reco,,endation t*ereon wi(( *ave to +e a//roved +y +ot* !ouses in order t*at it wi(( +e considered
/assed +y Congress and t*erea)ter sent to t*e "resident )or action.
-).
I) t*e "resident s*a(( veto it& and i) a)ter suc* consideration& two= t*irds o) a(( t*e Me,+ers o) suc* !ouse
s*a(( agree to /ass t*e +i((& it s*a(( +e sent& toget*er wit* t*e o+'ections& to t*e ot*er !ouse +y w*ic* it s*a((
(i>ewise +e reconsidered& and i) a//roved +y two=t*irds o) a(( t*e Me,+ers o) t*at !ouse& it s*a(( +eco,e a
(aw.
E.
A +i(( /assed +y Congress +eco,es a (aw in eit*er o) t*ree ways0
#.
W*en t*e "resident signs it
1.
W*en t*e "resident does not sign nor co,,unicate *is veto o) t*e
+i(( wit*in t*irty days a)ter *is recei/t t*ereo)
2.
W*en t*e vetoed +i(( is re/assed +y Congress +y two=t*irds vote o)
a(( its ,e,+ers& voting se/arate(y.
.
"rocedure )or enact,ent o) a//ro/riations and revenue +i((s is sa,e
wit* ordinary +i((s& +ut it ,ay on(y co,e )ro, t*e (ower *ouse.
A//ro/riations +i(( are su+'ect to t*e restrictions or :ua(i)ications as
/rovided in t*e Constitution CArt VI& Sec. 15D and CArt. VI Sec. 17 -1.D
$.
T*e (aw,a>ing /rocess in Congress ends w*en t*e +i(( is a//roved +y
t*e +ody. A//rova( is indis/ensa+(e to t*e va(idity o) t*e +i((.
!.
T*e syste, o) aut*entication devised is t*e signing +y t*e S/ea>er
and t*e Senate "resident o) t*e /rinted co/y o) t*e a//roved +i((& to signi)y to t*e "resident t*at t*e +i((
+eing /resented to *i, *as +een du(y a//roved +y t*e (egis(ature and is ready )or *is a//rova( or re'ection.
I.
T*e Constitution re:uires t*at eac* !ouse s*a(( >ee/ a 'ourna( CArt. VI Sec. #6-4.D. T*e Eourna( is regarded
as conc(usive wit* res/ect to ,atters t*at are re:uired +y t*e Constitution to +e recorded t*erein. Wit*
res/ect to ot*er ,atters& in t*e a+sence o) evidence to t*e contrary& t*e Eourna(s *ave a(so +een accorded
conc(usive e))ect. Considerations o) /u+(ic /o(icy (ed to t*e ado/tion o) t*e ru(e giving verity -trut*. and
uni,/eac*a+i(ity to (egis(ative records. FI,/erative reasons o) /u+(ic /o(icy re:uire t*at t*e aut*enticity o)
(aws s*ou(d rest u/on /u+(ic ,e,oria(s o) t*e ,ost /er,anent c*aracter. T*at t*e rig*ts ac:uired today
u/on t*e )ait* o) w*at *as +een dec(ared to +e (aw s*a(( not +e destroyed to,orrow& or at so,e re,ote
/eriod o) ti,e& +y )acts resting on(y in t*e ,e,ory o) individua(s.
E.
Enro((ed 8i((0 Under t*e enro((ed +i(( doctrine& t*e te3t o) t*e act as
/assed and a//roved is dee,ed i,/orting a+so(ute veracity and is +inding on t*e courts. It is conc(usive
not on(y o) its /rovisions +ut a(so o) its due enact,ent.
I) t*ere *as +een any ,ista>e in t*e /rinting o) t*e +i(( +e)ore it was certi)ied +y t*e o))icer o) t*e asse,+(y
and a//roved +y t*e c*ie) e3ecutive& t*e re,edy is +y a,end,ent +y enacting a curative (egis(ation& not +y
'udicia( decree -Casco "*i(. C*e,ica( Co.& Inc. v. $i,ene9.
W*ere t*ere is discre/ancy +etween t*e 'ourna( and t*e enro((ed +i((& t*e (atter as a ru(e /revai(s over t*e
)or,er& /articu(ar(y wit* res/ect to ,atters not e3/ress(y re:uired to +e entered in t*e 'ourna(.
G.
T*e (egis(ative 'ourna(s and t*e enro((ed +i(( are +ot* conc(usive u/on t*e courts. !owever& w*ere t*ere is
discre/ancy& t*e enro((ed +i(( as a ru(e /revai(s& /articu(ar(y wit* res/ect to ,atters not e3/ress(y re:uired to
+e entered into t*e (egis(ative 'ourna(.
%.
WIT!?RAWA% O AUT!ENTICATION& EECT O
T*e S/ea>er and t*e Senate "resident ,ay wit*draw t*eir signatures )ro, t*e signed +i(( w*ere t*ere is
serious and su+stantia( discre/ancy +etween t*e te3t o) t*e +i(( as de(i+erated and s*own +y t*e 'ourna( and
t*at o) t*e enro((ed +i((. It t*us& renders t*e +i(( wit*out attestation and nu((i)ies its status as an enro((ed +i((.
T*e court can dec(are t*at t*e +i(( *as not +een du(y enacted and did not
according(y +eco,e a (aw -Astorga v. Vi((egas
III.
"ARTS O STATUTES
A.
Tit(e0 every +i(( /assed s*a(( e,+race on(y one su+'ect w*ic* s*a(( +e e3/ressed in t*e tit(e. T*is /rovisions
contains dua( (i,itations u/on t*e (egis(ature0
#.
T*e (egis(ature is to re)rain )ro, cong(o,eration& under one
statute& o) *eterogeneous su+'ects.
1.
T*e tit(e o) t*e +i(( is to +e couc*ed in a (anguage su))icient to noti)y t*e (egis(ators and t*e /u+(ic and
t*ose concerned o) t*e i,/ort o) t*e sing(e su+'ect t*ereo).
2.
"ur/ose o) one tit(e=one su+'ect ru(e0
-a.
To /revent *odge=/odge or (og=ro((ing (egis(ation
-+.
To /revent sur/rise or )raud u/on (egis(ature& +y ,eans o) /rovisions in +i((s o) w*ic* t*e tit(e gave no
in)or,ation& and w*ic* ,ig*t t*ere)ore +e over(oo>ed and care(ess(y and unintentiona((y ado/ted
-c.
To )air(y a//rise t*e /eo/(e t*roug* suc* /u+(ication o) (egis(ative /roceedings as is usua((y ,ade& o) t*e
su+'ects o) t*e (egis(ation t*at are +eing *eard t*ereon
4.
T*ese re:uire,ents s*ou(d +e (i+era((y construed -"eo/(e v. 8uenvia'e.. It s*ou(d not +e given a tec*nica(
inter/retation& nor narrow(y construed as to cri//(e or i,/ede t*e /ower o) (egis(ation -To+ias v. A+a(os..
-Cordero vs. Ca+atuando.
5.
Tit(e o) t*e statute is used as a guide in ascertaining (egis(ative intent w*en t*e (anguage o) t*e act does not
c(ear(y e3/ress its /ur/ose.
6.
W*en t*ere is dou+t as to w*et*er t*e tit(e su))icient(y e3/resses t*e su+'ect ,atter o) t*e statute& t*e
:uestion s*ou(d +e reso(ved against t*e dou+t and in )avor o) t*e constitutiona(ity o) t*e statute -Insu(ar
%u,+er vs. Court o) Ta3 A//ea(s.
Note0 T*ere is su))icient co,/(iance wit* t*e one=tit(e=su+'ect re:uire,ent
-a.
i) t*e tit(e +e co,/re*ensive enoug* to reasona+(y inc(ude t*e genera( o+'ect w*ic* a statute see>s to e))ect&
wit*out eac* and every end and ,eans necessary or convenient )or acco,/(is*ing t*e su+'ect.
-+.
i) a(( /arts o) t*e (aw are re(ated and ger,ane to t*e su+'ect
,atter e3/ressed in t*e tit(e.
-c.
I) t*e tit(e indicates in +road or c(ear ter,s& t*e nature& sco/e&
and conse:uences o) t*e (aw and its o/erations.
-d.
T*e ti(e s*ou(d not +e cata(ogue or inde3 o) t*e +i(( -"eo/(e v.
errer..
7.
Tit(es ending wit* Fand )or ot*er /ur/osesH e3/resses not*ing as a
co,/(iance wit* t*e constitutiona( re:uire,ent.
A.
W!EN REIUIREMENT NOT A""%ICA8%E
It does not a//(y to (aws in )orce e3isting at t*e ti,e t*e #;25 Constitution too> e))ect -"eo/(e
v. Va(ensoy.& nor to ,unici/a( or city ordinances +ecause t*ey do not /arta>e o) t*e nature o) (aws /assed
+y t*e (egis(ature.
;.
E))ect /) insu))iciency o) tit(e
-a.
A statue w*ose tit(e does not con)or, to t*e one tit(e=su+'ect
or is not re(ated to its su+'ect is nu(( and void.
-+.
I) su+'ect ,atter o) statute is not su))icient(y e3/ressed in its tit(e& on(y t*e une3/ressed su+'ect ,atter is
void (eaving t*e rest in )orce.
8.
Enacting C(ause0 /art o) t*e statute written i,,ediate(y a)ter t*e tit(e
t*ereo) w*ic* states t*e aut*ority +y w*ic* t*e act is enacted
C.
"rea,+(e0 /re)atory state,ent or e3/(anation or a )inding o) )acts&
reciting t*e /ur/ose& reason& or occasion )or ,a>ing t*e (aw to w*ic* it is /re)i3ed. %aws /assed +y
(egis(ature se(do, contain t*e /rea,+(e +ecause t*e state,ent e,+odying t*e /ur/ose& reason& etc is
contained in t*e e3/(anatory note. "residentia( decrees and E3ecutive Orders genera((y *ave /rea,+(es.
?.
"urview or +ody o) a statute0 /art w*ic* te((s w*at t*e (aw is a((
a+out.
Note0 A co,/(e3 and co,/re*ensive /iece o) (egis(ation usua((y contains0 a s*ort tit(e& a /o(icy section&
de)inition section& ad,inistrative section& sections /rescri+ing standards or conduct& section i,/osing
sanctions )or vio(ation o) its /rovisions& transitory /rovision& se/ara+i(ity c(ause& re/ea(ing c(ause& and
e))ectivity c(ause.
T*e constitutiona( re:uire,ent t*at a +i(( s*ou(d *ave on(y one su+'ect ,atter w*ic* s*ou(d +e e3/ressed in
its tit(e is co,/(ied wit* w*ere t*e /rovisions t*ereo)& no ,atter *ow diverse t*ey ,ay +e& are a((ied and
ger,ane to t*e su+'ect& or negative(y stated& w*ere t*e /rovisions are not inconsistent wit*& +ut in
)urt*erance o)& t*e sing(e su+'ect ,atter -"eo/(e v. Car(os..
Se/ara+i(ity C(ause0 /art o) a statute& w*ic*
states t*at i) any /rovision o) t*e act is dec(ared inva(id& t*e re,ainder s*a(( not +e a))ected t*ere+y. Suc*
c(ause is not contro((ing and t*e courts ,ay& in s/ite o) it& inva(idate t*e w*o(e statute w*ere w*at is (e)t&
a)ter t*e void /art& is not co,/(ete and wor>a+(e.
II.
"RESI?ENTIA% ISSUANCES& RU%ES AN? OR?INANCES
A.
"residentia( Issuances0 t*ose w*ic* t*e "resident issues in t*e
e3ercise o) *is ordinance /ower& w*ic* *ave t*e )orce and e))ect o) (aw.
T*ey inc(ude0
8.
Ad,inistrative orders= acts o) t*e "resident w*ic* re(ate to t*e
/articu(ar as/ects o) govern,enta( o/erations in /ursuance o) *is duties
as ad,inistrative *ead.
C.
"roc(a,ations= acts o) t*e "resident )i3ing a date or dec(aring a
statute or condition o) /u+(ic ,o,ent or interest& u/on t*e e3istence o)
w*ic* t*e o/eration o) a s/eci)ic (aw or regu(ation is
?.
Me,orandu, Orders= acts o) t*e "resident on ,atters o)
ad,inistrative detai( or o) su+ordinate or te,/orary interest w*ic* on(y
concern a /articu(ar o))icer or o))ice o) t*e govern,ent.
E.
Me,orandu, Circu(ars= acts o) t*e "resident on ,atters re(ating to
interna( ad,inistration w*ic* t*e "resident desires to +ring to t*e attention o) a(( or so,e o) t*e
de/art,ents& agencies& +ureaus& or o))ices o) t*e govern,ent& )or in)or,ation or co,/(iance.
.
$enera( or s/eci)ic orders= acts and co,,ands o) t*e "resident in
*is ca/acity as Co,,ander=in@C*ie) o) t*e Ar,ed orces o) t*e
"*i(i//ines.
$.
E3ecutive Orders0 acts o) t*e "resident /roviding )or ru(es o) a
genera( or /er,anent c*aracter in t*e i,/(e,entation or e3ecution o) constitutiona( or statutory /owers&
w*ic* do not *ave t*e )orce o) statutes.
III.
SU"REME COURT CIRCU%ARS< RU%ES AN? RE$U%ATIONS
A.
T*e ru(e ,a>ing /ower o) t*e Su/re,e Court inc(udes t*e /ower to re/ea( /rocedura( (awsB /arts o) statues
w*ic* dea( wit* /rocedura( as/ects can +e ,odi)ied or re/ea(ed +y t*e SC +y virtue o) its constitutiona(
ru(e=,a>ing /ower. SC does not *ave t*e /ower to /ro,u(gate ru(es w*ic* are su+stantive in nature< ru(es
/ro,u(gated +y t*e, ,ust o/erate on(y as to regu(ate /rocedure. I) it o/erates as a ,eans o) i,/(e,enting
an e3isting rig*t t*en t*e ru(es dea(s ,ere(y wit* /rocedure.
8.
Ru(es and regu(ations issued +y ad,inistrative or e3ecutive o))icers& in accordance wit* and as aut*ori9ed
+y (aw *ave t*e sa,e )orce and e))ect o) (aw or /arta>e t*e nature o) a statute&
C.
In case o) discre/ancy or con)(ict +etween t*e +asic (aw and t*e regu(ations issued to i,/(e,ent it& t*e
)or,er /revai(s over t*e (atter -Wise J Co. v. Meer.. or it is e(e,entary /rinci/(e in statutory construction
t*at a statute is su/erior to an ad,inistrative regu(ation and t*e )or,er cannot +e re/ea(ed or a,ended +y
t*e (atter -C*ina 8an>ing Cor/. v. C.A...
?.
T*e ru(e=,a>ing /ower o) a /u+(ic ad,inistrative agency is a de(egated
(egis(ative /ower.
E.
T*e /ower to )i((=in detai(s in t*e e3ecution& en)orce,ent or ad,inistration o) (aw& it is essentia( t*at t*e
said (aw -a. +e co,/(ete in itse()= it ,ust set )ort* t*erein t*e /o(icy to +e e3ecuted& carried out or
i,/(e,ented +y t*e de(egate< -+. )i3 a standard= t*e (i,its o) w*ic* are su))icient(y deter,ina+(e=to w*ic*
t*e de(egate ,ust con)or, in t*e /er)or,ance o) *is )unctions& ,ar>s its (i,its and ,a/s out its
+oundaries.
.
A statutory grant o) /owers s*ou(d not +e e3tended +y i,/(ication +eyond w*at ,ay +e necessary )or t*eir
'ust and reasona+(e e3ecution. It is a3io,atic t*at a ru(e or regu(ation ,ust +ear u/on& and +e consistent
wit*& t*e /rovisions o) t*e enacting statute i) suc* ru(e or regu(ation is to +e va(id.
$.
W*en an ad,inistrative agency /ro,u(gates ru(es and regu(ations& it K,a>esL a new (aw wit* t*e )orce and
e))ect o) a va(id (aw& w*ic* are +inding on t*e courts. W*en it renders an o/inion or gives a state,ent o)
/o(icy& it ,ere(y inter/rets a /ree3isting (aw< it is on(y advisory& )or it is t*e courts t*at )ina((y deter,ine
w*at t*e (aw ,eans.
!.
8aranggay ordinance0
Sangguniang +arangay0 s,a((est (egis(ative +ody< ,ay /ass an ordinance
a))ecting a +arangay +y a ,a'ority vote o) a(( its ,e,+ers. Its ordinance is su+'ect to review +y
sangguniang +ayan or /an(ungsod& to deter,ine i) it is in accordance wit* ,unici/a( or city ordinance.
Sangguniang 8ayan or /an(ungsod s*a(( ta>e action on t*e ordinance wit*in 2@ days )ro, su+,ission.
I.
Munici/a( Ordinance
Sangguniang 8ayan0 a))ir,ative vote o) a ,a'ority o) t*e ,e,+ers o) t*e
sangguniang +ayan& t*ere +eing a :uoru,. Ordinance is t*en su+,itted to t*e ,unici/a( ,ayor& w*o wit*in
#@ days )ro, recei/t s*a(( return it wit* *is a//rova( or veto. T*e ordinance is t*en su+,itted to
sangguniang /an(a(awigan )or review& w*o wit*in 2@ days ,ay inva(idate it in w*o(e or in /art.
E.
City Ordinance
Sangguniang /an(ungsod= a))ir,ative vote o) a ,a'ority o) t*e ,e,+ers o) t*e
sangguniang /an(ungsod /resent& and t*ere +eing a :uoru,. A//roved ordinance s*a(( +e su+,itted to t*e
,ayor& w*o wit*n #@ days s*a(( return it wit* a//rova( or *is veto. T*e Sangguniang ,ay re/ass a vetoed
ordinance. I) t*e city is a co,/onent city& t*e a//roved ordinance is su+,itted to t*e Sanguniang
/an(a(awigan& w*o s*a(( act wit*in 2@ days.
G.
"rovincia( Ordinance
Sangguniang /an(a(awigan= +y a vote o) a ,a'ority o) t*e ,e,+ers /resent&
t*ere +eing a :uoru,& enact ordinance t*at wi(( a))ect t*e /rovince. T*e ordinance is )orwarded to t*e
governor w*o& wit*in #5 days& s*a(( return it wit* *is a//rova( or veto. A vetoed ordinance ,ay +e re/assed
+y two=t*irds vote.
IV.
VA%I?ITY
A.
Every statute is /resu,ed va(id. To dec(are a (aw unconstitutiona(& t*e re/ugnancy o) t*e (aw to t*e
Constitution ,ust +e c(ear and une:uivoca(. To stri>e down a (aw& t*ere ,ust +e a c(ear s*owing t*at w*at
t*e )unda,enta( (aw conde,ns or /ro*i+its& t*e statute a((ows it to +e done.
8.
A(( reasona+(e dou+ts s*ou(d +e reso(ved in )avor o) t*e constitutiona(ity
o) (aw. To dou+t is to sustain.
C.
T*e )ina( aut*ority to dec(are a (aw unconstitutiona( is t*e SC en +anc +y t*e Fconcurrence o) a ,a'ority o)
t*e Me,+ers w*o actua((y too> /art in t*e de(i+erations.H
?.
Tria( courts *ave 'urisdiction to initia((y decide t*e issue o)
constitutiona(ity o) a (aw in a//ro/riate cases.
E.
8e)ore t*e court ,ay reso(ve t*e :uestion o) constitutiona(ity& t*e
)o((owing re:uisites s*ou(d +e /resent0
#.
E3istence o) an a//ro/riate case B actua( cas
1.
An interest /ersona( and su+stantia( +y t*e /arty raising t*e
constitutiona(ity
2.
T*e /(ea t*at t*e )unction +e e3ercised at t*e ear(iest o//ortunity
4.
T*e necessity t*at t*e constitutiona( :uestion +e /assed u/on in
order to decide t*e case.
.
%ega( Standing -(ocus Standi.= a /ersona( and su+stantia( interest in t*e case suc* t*at t*e /arty *as
sustained or wi(( sustain direct in'ury as a resu(t o) t*e govern,enta( act t*at is +eing c*a((enged.
$.
!ow a citi9en ac:uires standing0
#.
!e *as su))ered so,e actua( or t*reatened in'ury as a resu(t o) t*e
a((eged(y i((ega( conduct o) govern,ent
1.
In'ury is )air(y tracea+(e to t*e c*a((enged action.
2.
In'ury is (i>e(y to +e redressed +y a )avora+(e action
!.
Ta3 /ayers (ega( standing0
#.
W*en it is esta+(is*ed t*at /u+(ic )unds *ave +een dis+ursed in a((eged contravention o) t*e (aw or t*e
constitution& or in /reventing t*e i((ega( e3/enditure o) ,oney raised +y ta3ation.
1.
!e wi(( sustain a direct in'ury as a resu(t o) t*e en)orce,ent o) t*e
:uestioned statute.
I.
T*e SC ,ay ta>e cogni9ance o) a suit w*ic* does not satis)y t*e re:uire,ents o) (ega( standing< t*e Court
*as ado/ted a (i+era( attitude on t*e (ocus standi o) a /etitioner w*ere t*e /etitioner is a+(e to cra)t an issue
o) transcendenta( signi)icance to t*e /eo/(e or /ara,ount i,/ortance to t*e /u+(ic.
E.
Constitutiona(ity ,ust +e raised at t*e ear(iest /ossi+(e ti,e. I) t*e :uestion is not raised in t*e /(eadings&
ordinari(y it ,ay not +e raised at t*e tria(& and i) not raised in t*e tria(& it wi(( not +e considered in a//ea(.
G.
E3ce/tions0
#.
t*e :uestion ,ay raised in a ,otion )or reconsideration or new tria( in t*e (ower court& w*ere t*e statute
soug*t to +e inva(idated was not in e3istence w*en t*e co,/(aint was )i(ed or during t*e tria(
1.
t*e :uestion o) va(idity ,ay a(so +e raised in cri,ina( cases at any
stage o) t*e /roceedings.
2.
In civi( cases w*ere it a//ears c(ear(y t*at a deter,ination o) t*e :uestion is necessary to a decision and
incases w*ere it invo(ved t*e 'urisdiction o) t*e court +e(ow.
%.
Test o) constitutiona(ity
A stature ,ay +e dec(ared unconstitutiona( +ecause0
#.
it is not wit*in t*e (egis(ative /ower to enact
1.
or it creates or esta+(is*es ,et*ods or )or,s t*at in)ringe
constitutiona( /rinci/(es
2.
its /ur/ose or e))ect vio(ates t*e constitution
4.
it is vague. It is vague w*en it (ac>s co,/re*ensive standards t*at ,en o) co,,on inte((igence ,ust
necessari(y guess at its ,eaning and di))er in its a//(ication.
5.
T*e c*ange o) circu,stances or conditions ,ay a))ect t*e va(idity o) so,e statues& s/ecia((y t*ose so=ca((ed
e,ergency (aws designed s/eci)ica((y to ,eet certain contingencies.
M.
Wit* res/ect to ordinances& t*e test o) va(idity are0
#.
Must not contravene t*e constitution or any statute
1.
Must not +e un)air or o//ressive
2.
Must not +e /artia( or discri,inatory
4.
Must not /ro*i+it +ut ,ay regu(ate trade
5.
Must +e genera( and consistent wit* /u+(ic /o(icy
6.
Must not +e unreasona+(e
N.
E))ects o) unconstitutiona(ity
#.
T*e genera( ru(e is t*at an unconstitutiona( act is not a (aw.
-a.
it con)ers no rig*ts.
-+.
it a))ord no /rotection
-c.
it i,/oses no duties
-d.
it creates no o))ice
-e.
it is ino/erative as t*oug* it *ad never +een /assed.
1.
Regard s*ou(d +e *ad to w*at *as +een done w*i(e t*e statute was in o/eration and /resu,ed to +e va(id.
!ence& its o/erative )act +e)ore a dec(aration o) nu((ity ,ust +e recogni9ed.
2.
T*ere are two view on t*e e))ects o) a dec(aration o) t*e
unconstitutiona(ity o) a statute0
-a.
Ort*odo3 View == An unconstitutiona( (aw con)ers no rig*t& is
not a (aw& i,/oses no duties& a))ords no /rotection< in (ega(
conte,/(ation& it is ino/erative& as i) it *ad not +een /assed.
-+.
Modern View= = T*e court in /assing u/on t*e :uestion o)
constitutiona(ity does not annu( or re/ea( t*e statute i) it is unconstitutiona(& it si,/(y re)uses to recogni9e it
and deter,ines t*e rig*ts o) t*e /arties 'ust as i) t*e statute *ad no e3istence. It does not re/ea(& su/ersede&
revo>e or annu( t*e statute. T*e /arties to t*e suit are conc(uded +y t*e 'udg,ent& +ut no one e(se is +ound.
O.
Inva(idity due to c*ange o) conditions
T*e genera( ru(e as to t*e e))ects o) unconstitutiona(ity o) a statute is not a//(ica+(e to a statute t*at is
dec(ared inva(id +ecause o) t*e c*ange o) circu,stances a))ecting its va(idity. It +eco,es inva(id on(y
+ecause t*e c*ange o) conditions ,a>es its continued o/eration vio(ative o) t*e Constitution& and
according(y& t*e dec(aration o) its nu((ity s*ou(d a))ect on(y t*e /arties invo(ved in t*e case& and its e))ects
a//(ied /ros/ective(y.
".
"artia( Inva(idity
T*e genera( ru(e is t*at w*ere /art o) a statute is void as re/ugnant to t*e Constitution& w*i(e anot*er /art is
va(id& t*e va(id /ortion& i) se/ara+(e )ro, t*e inva(id& ,ay stand and +e en)orced
Note0 E3ce/tions to t*is ru(e0 w*en t*e /arts are so ,utua((y de/endent and connected. T*e /resence o)
se/ara+i(ity c(ause creates t*e /resu,/tion t*at t*e (egis(ature intended se/ara+i(ity& rat*er t*an co,/(ete
nu((ity o) t*e statute.
V.
EECT AN? O"ERATION
A.
W*en (aws ta>e e))ect
#.
Art 1 o) t*e Civi( Code /rovides t*at F%aws s*a(( ta>e e))ect a)ter
)i)teen days )o((owing t*e co,/(etion o) t*eir /u+(ication in t*e
O))icia( $a9ette& un(ess it is ot*erwise /rovided.H
1.
A(( (aws or statutes& inc(uding t*ose o) (oca( a//(ication and /rivate (aw s*a(( +e /u+(is*ed as a condition
)or t*eir e))ectivity -TaMada v. Tuvera.& ot*erwise it wou(d vio(ate t*e due /rocess c(ause o) t*e
constitution.
2.
T*e genera( ru(e is t*at w*ere t*e (aw is si(ent as to its e))ectivity& or w*ere it /rovides t*at it s*a(( ta>e
e))ect i,,ediate(y or u/on its a//rova(& suc* (aw s*a(( ta>e e))ect a)ter #5 days )ro, its /u+(ication in t*e
O))icia( $a9ette.
4.
T*e co,/(etion o) /u+(ication& )ro, w*ic* date t*e /eriod o) /u+(ication wi(( +e counted& re)ers to t*e date
o) re(ease o) t*e O.$. or news/a/er )or circu(ation and not to its date& un(ess t*e two dates coincide.
5.
T*e re:uire,ent o) /u+(ication as a condition )or t*e e))ectivity o) statues a//(ies to "residentia( Issuances&
e3ce/t t*ose w*ic* are ,ere(y inter/retative or interna( in nature not concerning t*e /u+(ic.
8.
W*en /residentia( issuance& ru(es& and regu(ations ta>e e))ect
#.
T*e re:uire,ent o) /u+(ication a(so a//(ies to "residentia(
issuances.
E3ce/tions0 t*ose w*ic* are ,ere(y inter/retative or interna( in nature not
concerning t*e /u+(ic.
1.
Ru(es and regu(ations o) ad,inistrative and e3ecutive o))icers are
o) two ty/es0
-a.
W*ose /ur/ose is to i,/(e,ent or en)orce e3isting (aw /ursuant to a va(id de(egation or to )i(( in t*e detai(s
o) a statute< w*et*er t*ey are /ena( or non=/ena(< t*is re:uires /u+(ication.
-+.
t*ose are ,ere(y inter/retative in nature or ,ere(y interna( in
c*aracter not concerning t*e /u+(ic& does not need /u+(ication.
2.
In addition& t*e #;A7 Ad,inistrative Code /rovides t*at
-a.
Every agency s*a(( )i(e wit* t*e U.". %aw center t*ree co/ies o) every ru(e ado/ted +y it. Ru(es in )orce on
t*e date o) e))ectivity o) t*is Code w*ic* are not )i(ed wit*in 2 ,ont*s )ro, t*at date s*a(( not +e t*e +asis
o) any sanction against any /arty or /ersons.
-+.
Eac* ru(e s*a(( +eco,e e))ective #5 days )ro, t*e date o) )i(ing as a+ove /rovided un(ess a di))erent date is
)i3ed +y (aw& or s/eci)ied in t*e ru(e in cases o) i,,inent danger to /u+(ic *ea(t*&
sa)ety
and
we()are.
4.
"u+(ication and )i(ing re:uire,ents are indis/ensa+(e to t*e e))ectivity o) ru(es and regu(ations& e3ce/t
w*en t*e (aw aut*ori9ing its issuance dis/enses t*e )i(ing re:uire,ents.
C.
W*en (oca( ordinance ta>e e))ect.
#.
%oca( ordinance s*a(( ta>e e))ect a)ter #@ days )ro, t*e date a co/y
t*ereo) is /osted in a +u((etin +oard at t*e entrance o) t*e /rovincia( ca/ito( or city& ,unici/a(& or +arangay
*a((& as t*e case ,ay +e& and in at(east two ot*er cons/icuous /(aces in t*e (oca( govern,ent unit.
1.
t*e secretary to t*e sanggunian s*a(( cause t*e /osting o) t*e
ordinance wit*in 5 days a)ter its a//rova(.
2.
T*e gist o) a(( ordinances wit* /ena( sanctions s*a(( +e /u+(is*ed in a news/a/er o) genera( circu(ation&
wit*in t*e /rovince w*ere t*e (oca( (egis(ative +ody concerned +e(ongs.
4.
In case o) *ig*(y ur+ani9ed and inde/endent co,/onent cities& t*e ,ain )eature o) t*e ordinance or
reso(ution du(y enacted or ado/ted s*a((& in addition to +eing /osted& +e /u+(is*ed once in a (oca(
news/a/er o) genera( circu(ation wit*in t*e city.
5.
Un(ess a statute is +y its /rovisions )or a (i,ited /eriod on(y& it continues in )orce unti( c*anged or re/ea(ed
+y t*e (egis(ature. %aw once esta+(is*ed continues unti( c*anged +y so,e co,/etent (egis(ative /ower. It is
not c*anged +y c*ange o) sovereignty.
?.
Manner o) co,/uting ti,e0
#.
W*ere a statute re:uires t*e doing o) an act wit*in a s/eci)ied nu,+er o) days& suc* as ten days& )ro,
notice& It ,eans #@ ca(endar days and not wor>ing days.
1.
W*ere t*e word Fwee>H is used as a ,easure o) ti,e and wit*out re)erence to t*e ca(endar& it ,eans a
/eriod o) seven consecutive days wit*out regard to t*e day o) t*e wee> )ro, w*ic* it +egins -"N8 v. C.A..
-a.
Year0 265 days
-+.
,ont*s0 2@ days e3ce/t i) t*e ,ont*s are designated +y t*eir
na,e
-c.
days0 14 *ours
-d.
nig*ts0 )ro, sunrise to sunset
-e.
wee> == a /eriod o) 7 consecutive days wit*out regard to t*e
day o) t*e wee> )ro, w*ic* it +egins.
2.
Civi( code ado/ts t*e 265 day year and t*e 2@=day ,ont* and not
t*e ca(endar year not t*e so(ar ,ont*.
4.
T*e e3c(ude= t*e N)irst and inc(ude t*e (ast day ru(e governs t*e co,/utation o) a /eriod. I) t*e (ast day
)a((s on a Sunday or (ega( *o(iday& t*e act can sti(( +e done t*e )o((owing day. T*e /rinci/(e does not a//(y
to t*e co,/utation o) t*e /eriod o) /rescri/tion o) a cri,e& in w*ic* t*e ru(e is t*at i) t*e (ast days in t*e
/eriod o) /rescri/tion o) a )e(ony )a((s on a Sunday or (ega( *o(iday& t*e in)or,ation concerning said )e(ony
cannot +e )i(ed on t*e ne3t wor>ing day& as t*e o))ense *as +een +y t*en a(ready /rescri+ed
C!A"TER 1
Construction and Inter/retation
I.
?e)inition o) Construction
It is t*e art or /rocess o) discovering and e3/ounding t*e ,eaning and intention o) t*e aut*ors o) t*e (aw&
w*ere t*at intention is rendered dou+t)u( +y reason o) t*e a,+iguity in its (anguage or t*e )act t*at t*e
given case is not e3/(icit(y /rovided )or in t*e (aw.
It is t*e drawing o) warranted conc(usions res/ecting su+'ects t*at (ie +eyond t*e direct e3/ression o) t*e
te3t& conc(usions w*ic* are in t*e s/irit& t*oug* not wit*in t*e (etter o) t*e te3t.
II.
?i))erence +etween construction and inter/retation
A.
Inter/retation N art o) )inding t*e true ,eaning and sense o) any )or,
o) words
8.
Construction N /rocess o) drawing warranted conc(usions res/ecting su+'ects t*at (ie +eyond t*e direct
e3/ressions or deter,ining t*e a//(ication o) words to )acts in (itigation.
Note0 A(t*oug* t*ere is tec*nica( distinction +etween t*e two& t*ey are a(i>e in
/ractica( resu(ts.
In /ractice and co,,on usage& t*ey *ave t*e sa,e
signi)ication.
III.
Ru(es o) construction& genera((y
A.
Ru(es o) construction are too(s used to ascertain t*e (egis(ative intent +ecause in enacting a statute& t*e
(egis(ature is /resu,ed to >now t*e ru(es o) statutory construction.
8.
W*en t*ere is a,+iguity in t*e (anguage o) a statute& t*e ru(es o) statutory construction is e,/(oyed +y t*e
courts in order to ascertain t*e true intent and ,eaning o) t*e (aw.
C.
Ru(es o) statutory construction *ave no +inding e))ect on t*e courts.
T*ey are on(y used to c(ari)y& not to de)eat& (egis(ative intent.
IV.
"ur/ose or o+'ect o) construction
A.
Cardina( ru(e in inter/retation0 to ascertain& and give e))ect to& t*e
intent o) (aw.
8.
T*e so(e o+'ect o) a(( 'udicia( inter/retation o) a statute is to deter,ine (egis(ative intent& w*at intention is
conveyed& wit*er e3/ress(y or i,/(ied(y.
V.
%egis(ative intent& genera((y
A.
It is t*e essence o) t*e (aw.
8.
It is t*e s/irit& w*ic* gives (i)e to (egis(ative enact,ent. Intent ,ust +e en)orced w*en ascertained& a(t*oug*
it ,ay not +e consistent wit* t*e strict (etter o) t*e statute.
C.
T!US& W!ERE A STATUTE IS SUSCE"TI8%E O MORE T!AN ONE CONSTRUCTION T!AT
CONSTRUCTION S!OU%? 8E A?O"TE? W!IC! WI%% MOST TEN? TO $IVE EECT TO T!E
MANIEST INTENT O T!E %E$IS%ATURE -US vs. Tori+io..
?.
Intent is e:uated wit* t*e words0 /ur/ose& ,eaning and s/irit.
VI.
%egis(ative /ur/ose
A.
T*e reason w*y a /articu(ar statue was enacted.
8.
%egis(ation de)ined
It is an active instru,ent o) govern,ent& w*ic*& )or /ur/oses o) inter/retation&
,eans t*at (aws *ave ends to +e ac*ieved.
C.
Statutes s*ou(d +e so construed so as not to de)eat +ut to carry out
suc* ends and /ur/oses. -%ite3 E,/(oyees Assn v. Eduva(a..
VII.
%egis(ative ,eaning
A.
It is w*at t*e (aw& +y its (anguage& ,eans. W*at it co,/re*ends&
covers or e,+races& (i,its and con)ines are.
8.
%egis(ative intent and ,eaning are synony,ous. T*us0 I T!ERE IS AM8I$UITY IN T!E %AN$UA$E
USE? IN T!E STATUTE& ITS "UR"OSE? MAY IN?ICATE T!E MEANIN$ O T!E %AN$UA$E
AN? %EA? TO W!AT T!E %E$IS%ATIVE INTENT IS.
C.
T*e courts& +y 'udicia( construction wi(( give e))ect to suc* intent.
VIII.
Matters in:uired into in construing a statute
#.
ascertain t*e intention or ,eaning o) t*e statute -interna( e(e,ent.
1.
see w*et*er t*e intention or ,eaning *as +een e3/ressed in suc*
a way as to give it (ega( e))ect and va(idity -e3terna( e(e,ent.
Note0
%ega( act t*en originates in intention and is /er)ected +y
e3/ression.ai(ure o) t*e (atter ,ay de)eat t*e )or,er.
IO.
Source o) (egis(ative intent
A.
"ri,ary source0 statute itse().
#.
%E$IS%ATIVE INTENT MUST 8E ?ISCOVERE? ROM T!E OUR
CORNERS O T!E %AW -Rega(ado vs. Yu(o.
1.
W*ere t*e words and /*rases o) a statute are not o+scure or a,+iguous& its ,eaning and t*e intention o) t*e
(egis(ature ,ust +e deter,ined )ro, t*e (anguage e,/(oyed. -8.E. San ?iego& Inc. vs. CA.
8.
Ot*er source
#.
/ur/ose o) t*e statute
1.
t*e reason or cause w*ic* induced t*e enact,ent o) t*e (aw
2.
t*e ,isc*ie) to +e su//ressed
4.
t*e /o(icy w*ic* dictated its /assage.
C.
I) t*ese sources )ai(& t*e court ,ay (oo> into t*e e))ect o) t*e (aw.
Note0 Eudicia( (egis(ation N *a//ens w*en t*e court (oo>s into t*e e))ect o) t*e
(aw wit*out ascertaining t*e ot*er sources o) (egis(ative intent.
O.
Construction is a 'udicia( )unction
A.
T*e /ower and duty to inter/ret or construe a statue or t*e Constitution
+e(ong to t*e 'udiciary.
8.
A Su/re,e Court construes t*e a//(ica+(e (aw in controversies w*ic*
are ri/e )or 'udicia( reso(ution..
C.
Moot and acade,ic cases N cases w*erein0
#.
/ur/ose *as +eco,e sta(e
1.
w*ere no /ractica( re(ie) can +e granted
2.
w*ic* *ave no /ractica( e))ect
?.
T*e court ,ay nonet*e(ess reso(ve a ,oot case w*ere /u+(ic interest
re:uires its reso(ution.
E.
%aws are not inter/reted in a vacuu,& t*ey are a(ways decided +ased on )acts. T*us& F%AWS ARE
INTER"RETE? A%WAYS IN T!E CONTEOT O T!E "ECU%IAR ACTUA% SITUATION O EAC!
CASE.
T!
E CIRCUMSTANCE O TIME& "%ACE& EVENT& "ERSON AN? "ARTICU%AR%Y ATTEN?ANT
CIRCUMSTANCES S!OU%? 8E TAGEN IN T!EIR TOTA%ITY SO T!AT EUSTICE CAN 8E
RATIONA%%Y AN? AIR%Y ?IS"ENSE?H -"*i(i//ines Today& Inc vs. N%RC..
OI.
%egis(ature cannot overru(e 'udicia( construction
A.
%egis(ature ,ay indicate its construction o) a stature in t*e )or, o) a reso(ution or dec(aratory act 8UT it
*as no /ower to overru(e t*e inter/retation or construction o) a statute or t*e constitution +y t*e Su/re,e
Court& )or inter/retation is a 'udicia( )unction assigned to t*e (atter +y t*e )unda,enta( (aw.
8.
Reason0 8ecause o) t*e /rinci/(e o) se/aration o) /owers.
T*e
(egis(ature ,ay enact and ,a>e (aws +ut as to inter/retation and a//(ication o) said (aws +e(ong e3c(usive(y to
t*e 'udicia( de/art,ent.
OII.
W*en 'udicia( inter/retation ,ay +e set aside0
#.
T*e Su/re,e Court itse() ,ay& in a//ro/riate case& c*ange or
overru(e its /revious construction.
1.
T*e ru(e t*at Su/re,e Court *as t*e )ina( word in t*e inter/retation o) a statue ,ere(y ,eans t*at t*e
(egis(ature cannot& +y (aw or reso(ution& ,odi)y or annu( t*e 'udicia( construction
wit*out ,odi)ying or re/ea(ing t*e very statute w*ic* *as +een t*e
su+'ect o) construction.
OIII.
W*en court ,ay construe statute0
A.
T*ere ,ust +e dou+t or a,+iguity in its (anguage. ON%Y STATUTES WIT! AN AM8I$UOUS OR
?OU8TU% MEANIN$ MAY 8E T!E SU8EECT O STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION. -?aong vs.
Munici/a( Eudge.
8.
A,+iguity N a condition o) ad,itting two or ,ore ,eanings& o) +eing understood in ,ore t*an one way or
o) re)erring to two or ,ore t*ings at t*e sa,e ti,e.
OIV.
Court ,ay not construe w*ere t*e statute is c(ear.
A.
Construction or inter/retation co,es on(y a)ter it *as +een de,onstrate t*at a//(ication is i,/ossi+(e or
inade:uate wit*out it. It is t*e (ast )unction t*e court s*ou(d e3ercise& )or i) t*ere is ,ore a//(ication and
(ess construction& t*ere wou(d +e ,ore sta+i(ity in (aw.
8.
Court ,ay not construe a statute t*at is c(ears and )ree )ro, dou+t. W!EN T!E %AW IS C%EAR& T!ERE
IS NO ROOM OR INTER"RETATION. T!ERE IS ON%Y ROOM OR A""%ICATION -Ce+u "ort(and
Ce,ent Co. vs. Munici/a(ity o) Naga.
C.
ide(ity to suc* tas> /rec(udes construction and inter/retation& un(ess
a//(ication is i,/ossi+(e or inade:uate wit*out it.
?.
W*en t*e (aw is )ree )ro, a,+iguity& t*e court ,ay not engra)t into t*e
(aw :ua(i)ications not conte,/(ated.
E.
A ,eaning t*at does not a//ear nor is intended or re)(ected in t*e very
(anguage o) t*e statute cannot +e /(aced t*erein +y construction.
.
It is a /rinci/(e in statutory construction t*at w*ere t*e two statutes t*at a//(ies in a /articu(ar case& t*at
w*ic* was s/eci)ica((y designed )or t*e said case ,ust /revai( over t*e ot*er. -%a/id vs. CA.
OV.
Ru(ings o) t*e Su/re,e Court as /art o) t*e (ega( syste,.
A.
%egis inter/retato (egis vi, o+tinet Naut*oritative inter/retation o) t*e Su/re,e Court or a statute ac:uires
t*e )orce o) (aw +y +eco,ing a /art t*ereo).
8.
Ru(ings o) t*e SC are (aws in t*eir own rig*t +ecause t*ey inter/ret
w*at t*e (aw say or ,ean.
C.
Stare decisis et non :uieta novere N ru(ings o) t*e su/re,e court& unti(
reversed& are +inding u/on in)erior courts.
OVI.
Eudicia(
ru(ings
*ave
no
retroactive
e))ect
A. Eudicia( ru(ing cannot +e given a retroactive e))ect +ecause dong so wi((
i,/air vested rig*ts. Nor ,ay 'udicia( ru(ing overru(ing a /revious on
+e a//(ied retroactive(y so as to nu((i)y a rig*t w*ic* arose under t*e
/revious ru(ing +e)ore its a+andon,ent
8. %e3 /ros/icit& non res/icit -t*e (aw (oo>s )orward not +ac>ward. N Art. 4
o) t*e civi( code.
C. T*e Su/re,e Court ,ay a+andon or overru(e its ear(ier decision
construing a statute w*enever it is rig*t and /ros/er to do so.
?. No doctrine or /rinci/(e o) (aw (aid down +y t*e Court in a decision rendered en +anc or in division ,ay +e
,odi)ied or reversed e3ce/t +y t*e court sitting en +anc. Said ru(ing ,ust +e a//(ied /ros/ective(y.
E. T*e inter/retation o) a statute +y t*e Su/re,e Court re,ains to +e /art o) t*e (ega( syste, unti( t*e (atter
overru(e it and t*e new doctrine overru(ing t*e o(d is a//(ied /ros/ective(y in )avor o) t*e /ersons w*o
*ave re(ied t*ereon in good )ait*.
OVI.
COURT MAY ISSUE $UI?E%INE IN CONSTRUIN$ STATUTE NOT TO EN%AR$E OR RESTRICT
IT 8UT TO C%EAR%Y ?E%INEATE W!AT T!E %AW REIUIRES -e3. Case o) "eo/(e vs. errer w*ere
t*e
court issued guide(ines )or /rosecution under t*e Anti=Su+version %aw..
OVII.
%IMITATIONS ON T!E "OWER TO CONSTRUE0
#.
Courts ,ay not en(arge nor restrict statutes -doing so wou(d +e
considered (aw ,a>ing..
-a.
Courts ,ay not revise even t*e ,ost ar+itrary and un)air
action o) t*e (egis(ature
-+.
Courts ,ay not rewrite t*e (aw to con)or, wit* w*at t*ey
t*in> s*ou(d +e t*e (aw.
-c.
Courts ,ay not inter/ret into t*e (aw a re:uire,ent w*ic* t*e
(aw does not /rescri+e.
1.
Courts ,ust not +e in)(uenced +y :uestions o) wisdo,.
-a.
T*ey ,ust not /ass u/on :uestions o) wisdo,& 'ustice& or e3/edience o) (egis(ation& )or it is not wit*in t*eir
/rovince to su/ervise (egis(ation.
-+.
As (ong as (aws do not vio(ate t*e constitution& t*e courts ,ere(y inter/ret and a//(y t*e, regard(ess o)
w*et*er or not t*ey are wise or sa(utary.
-c.
Iuestions regarding wisdo,& ,ora(ity or /ractica+i(ity o) statutes are not addressed to t*e 'udiciary +y ,ay
+e reso(ved on(y t*e (egis(ative and e3ecutive de/art,ents.
C!A"TER 2
I.
$ENERA%%Y 0 W*ere t*e ,eaning o) a statute is a,+iguous& t*e court
,ay avai( itse() o) a(( (egiti,ate aids to construction in order t*at it can
ascertain t*e true intent o) t*e statue.
II.
T!E TIT%E O T!E STATUTE
#.
It serves as aid in case o) dou+t in its (anguage& to its construction
and ascertaining (egis(ative wi((.
1.
Used +y t*e court to c(ear t*e o+scurity.
2.
An aid w*en t*ere is dou+t as to t*e ,eaning o) t*e (aw.
III.
W!EN T!E TEOT O T!E STATUTE IS C%EAR AN? REE ROM ?OU8T& IT IS IM"RO"ER TO
RESORT TO ITS TIT%E TO MAGE IT O8SCURE.
IV.
"REAM8%E
#.
t*at /art o) t*e statute written i,,ediate(y a)ter its tit(e& w*ic* states t*e /ur/ose& reason or 'usti)ication )or
t*e enact,ent o) t*e (aw.
1.
E3/ressed in t*e KW*ereas C(auseL
2.
Usua((y o,itted in statutes ,ade +y t*e congress. In its /(ace& t*ese (egis(ative +odies used t*e e3/(anatory
note to e3/(ain t*e reasons )or t*e enact,ent o) statutes.
4.
Not an essentia( /art o) a statute.
-a.
T*us& w*ere t*e ,eaning i) a statute is c(ear and una,+iguous& t*e /rea,+(e can neit*er e3/and nor restrict
its o/eration& ,uc* (ess /revai( over its te3t.
-+.
It cannot +e used as +asis )or giving a statute a ,eaning not
a//arent on its )ace.
5.
It ,ay c(ari)y a,+iguities -t*us it is t*e >ey o) t*e statute.
6.
It ,ay e3/ress t*e (egis(ative intent to ,a>e t*e (aw a//(y retroactive(y& in w*ic* case t*e (aw *as to +e
given retroactive e))ect& so as to carry out suc* intent -"N8 v. O))ice o) t*e "resident..
V.
CONTEOT O W!O%E TEOT
%egis(ative intent s*ou(d according(y +e ascertained )ro, a consideration o) t*e w*o(e conte3t o) t*e
stature and not )ro, an iso(ated /art o) /articu(ar /rovision -A+oiti9 S*i//ing Cor/. v. City o) Ce+u..
T*e +est source )ro, w*ic* to ascertain t*e (egis(ative intent is t*e statute itse() N t*e words& /*rases&
sentences& sections& c(auses& /rovisions N ta>en as a w*o(e and in re(ation to one anot*er. -Co,,issioner o)
Interna( Revenue v. TMO Sa(es..
VI.
"UNCTUATION MARGS0 aids o) (ow degree and can never contro( t*e
inte((igi+(e ,eaning o) written words< ,ay +e used to c(ear a,+iguities.
"unctuation ,ar>s are aids o) (ow degree and can never contro( against t*e
inte((igi+(e ,eaning o) written word. T*e reason is t*at /unctuation ,ar>s are
not /art o) a stature< nor are t*ey /art o) t*e Eng(is* (anguage -e(iciano v.
A:uino..
A.
Se,i=co(on N indicates a se/aration in t*e re(ation o) t*e t*oug*t& a degree greater t*an t*at e3/ressed +y a
co,,a. Ma>es t*e di))erence +eing t*at t*e se,i=co(on ,a>es t*e division a (itt(e ,ore /ronounced
8.
Co,,a N a(so se/arates t*e /arts and sentences& +ut (ess /ronounced
t*an t*e co,,a.
C.
"eriod N used to indicate t*e end o) a sentence.
Note0 An argu,ent +ased u/on /unctuation a(one is not /ersuasive& and t*e courts wi(( not *esitate to
c*ange t*e /unctuation w*en necessary& to give t*e statute t*e e))ect intended +y t*e (egis(ature.
VII.
CA"ITA%IPATION O %ETTERS N a(so an aid o) (ow degree in t*e
construction o) statute.
VIII.
!EA?NOTES OR E"I$RA"!S N convenient inde3 to t*e content o) its
/rovisions.
-a.
In case o) dou+t or a,+iguity in t*e ,eaning o) t*e (aw or t*e intention o) t*e (egis(ature& t*ey ,ay +e
consu(ted in aid or inter/retation.
-+.
T*ey are not /art o) t*e (aw t*us& t*ey can never contro( t*e
/(ain ter,s o) t*e enacting c(auses.
-c.
W*en t*e te3t o) t*e statute is c(ear and una,+iguous& t*ere is neit*er necessity nor /ro/riety to resort to
*eadings and e/igra/*s )or t*e inter/retations o) t*e te3t.
-d.
T*ese secondary aids ,ay +e consu(ted to re,ove& +ut not to create& dou+t nor to (i,it or contro( t*e /(ain
(anguage o) t*e (aw.
IO.
%IN$UA% TEOT
A.
"*i(i//ines (aws are o))icia( /ro,u(gated eit*er in0
#. Eng(is*
1. S/anis*
2. i(i/ino
4. Or eit*er in two suc* (anguages
8.
Ru(es0
-a.
i) te3t is in Eng(is* and S/anis*& Eng(is* te3t s*a(( govern.
-+.
8ut in case o) a,+iguity& o,ission& or ,ista>e& t*e S/anis*
te3t ,ay +e consu(ted to e3/(ain t*e Eng(is* te3t.
-c.
I) statute is o))icia((y /ro,u(gated in S/anis*& Eng(is* or in i(i/ino wit* trans(ations into ot*er (anguages&
t*e (anguage in w*ic* it is written /revai(s over its transaction.
-d.
In t*e inter/retation o) a (aw or ad,inistrative issuance /ro,u(gated in a(( t*e o))icia( (anguages -i(i/ino.&
t*e Eng(is* te3t s*a(( contro(& un(ess ot*erwise s/eci)ica((y /rovided. In
case o) a,+iguity& o,ission or ot*er ,ista>e& t*e ot*er te3ts
,ay +e consu(ted.
O.
INTENT OR S"IRIT O T!E %AW
A.
T*e intent or s/irit o) t*e (aw is t*e (aw itse()& t*us t*e (egis(ative intent is t*e contro((ing )actor& t*e (eading
star and t*e guiding (ig*t in t*e a//(ication and inter/retation o) a statute.
8.
T*e s/irit rat*er t*an t*e (etter o) a stature deter,ines its construction.
C.
I) (egis(ative intent is not e3/ressed in t*e (aw& t*e courts cannot +y inter/retation s/ecu(ate as to an intent
and su//(y a ,eaning not )ound in t*e /*raseo(ogy o) t*e (aw.
T*ey cannot assu,e an intent&
ot*erwise& t*ey wou(d +e usur/ing (egis(ative /ower.
OI.
"o(icy o) (aw.
A.
T*e /o(icy o) t*e (aw& once ascertained s*ou(d +e given e))ect +y t*e
'udiciary.
8.
In order to acco,/(is* t*is& a statue o) a dou+t)u( ,eaning ,ust +e
given a construction t*at wi(( /ro,ote /u+(ic /o(icy.
C.
A construction w*ic* wou(d carry into e))ect t*e evident /o(icy o) t*e (aw s*ou(d +e ado/ted in )avor o)
t*at inter/retation w*ic* wou(d de)eat it.
OII.
"UR"OSE O T!E %AW OR MISC!IE TO E8 SU""RESSE?.
A.
T*e )o((owing )actors ,ust +e considered in t*e construction o) a (aw0
#.
t*e /ur/ose or o+'ect o) t*e (aw
1.
,isc*ie) intended to +e re,oved or su//ressed
2.
causes w*ic* induced t*e enact,ent o) t*e (aw.
8.
T*e /ur/ose o) a statute is ,ore i,/ortant t*an ru(es o) gra,,ar and
(ogic in ascertaining its ,eaning.
OIII.
?ICTIONARIES
A.
T*e courts ,ay consu(t dictionaries& (ega(& scienti)ic or genera( as aid in deter,ining t*e ,eaning o) words
or /*rases in a statute i) said statutes does not de)ine t*e word and /*rases used t*erein.
8.
!owever& t*ese de)initions are not +inding
OIV.
CONSEIUENCES O VARIOUS CONSTRUCTIONS
In construing a statute& t*e o+'ective s*ou(d a(ways +e to arrive at a reasona+(e and sensi+(e inter/retation
t*at is in )u(( accord wit* t*e (egis(ative intent. As a genera( ru(e& a construction o) a statute s*ou(d +e
re'ected t*at wi(( cause
#.
in'ustice or *ards*i/<
1.
resu(t in a+surdity<
2.
de)eat (egis(ative intent or s/irit<
4.
/rec(ude acco,/(is*,ent o) (egis(ative /ur/ose or o+'ect<
5.
render certain words or /*rases a sur/(usage
6.
nu((i)y t*e statute or ,a>e any o) its /rovision nugatory.
OV.
"RESUM"TIONS
A.
In construing a statue& t*e court ,ay /ro/er(y re(y on /resu,/tions as to (egis(ative intent in order to
reso(ve dou+ts as to its correct inter/retation.
8.
"resu,/tion are +ased on0
#.
(ogic
1.
e3/erience
2.
co,,on sense
C.
T*ese /resu,/tions inc(ude /resu,/tions in )avor o)0
#.
constitutiona(ity o) a statute
1.
o) its co,/(eteness
2.
o) its /ros/ective o/eration
4.
o) rig*t and 'ustice&
5.
o) its e))ect& sensi+(e& +ene)icia( and reasona+(e o/eration as a
w*o(e&
6.
as we(( as t*ose against i,/ossi+i(ity& a+surdity& in'ustice and
*ards*i/& inconvenience and ine))ectiveness.
OVI.
%E$IS%ATIVE !ISTORY
W!ERE A STATUTE IS SUSCE"TI8%E O SEVERA% INTER"RETATIONS OR W!ERE T!ERE IS
AM8I$UITY IN ITS %AN$UA$E& T!ERE IS NO 8ETTER MEANS I ASCERTAININ$ T!E WI%%
AN? INTENTION O T!E %E$IS%ATURE T!AN T!AT W!IC! IS AOR?E? 8Y T!E !ISTORY
O T!E STATUTE.
OVII.
W!AT CONSTITUTES %E$IS%ATIVE !ISTORY
A.
a(( antecedents )ro, t*e statutes ince/tion unti( its enact,ent into (aw.
-a.
Inc(udes t*e /residents ,essage i) +i(( was enacted in
res/onse t*ereto
-+.
E3/(anatory note acco,/anying t*e +i((
-c.
Co,,ittee re/orts o) (egis(ative investigations
-d.
"u+(ic *earings on t*e su+'ect o) t*e +i((
-e.
S/onsors*i/ s/eec*
-).
?e+ates and de(i+erations concerning t*e +i((
-g.
A,end,ents and c*anges in /*raseo(ogy it *as undergone
+e)ore )ina( a//rova(.
8.
I) statute is a revision o) /rior statute& t*e (atterLs /ractica( a//(ication and 'udicia( construction a,end,ents it
underwent and conte,/orary events during t*e ti,e o) its enact,ent s*a(( )or, /art o) its (egis(ative *istory.
C.
oreign statute& *istory inc(udes0
#. *istory o) Ang(o=A,erican /recedents or ot*er )oreign sources
1. t*eir /ractica( a//(ication and t*e decision o) t*e courts construing and
a//(ying suc* /recedents in t*e country o) origin.
?.
"residentLs ,essage to t*e (egis(ature
#.
"residentLs address -State o) t*e Nation Address. N address to t*e
Congress at t*e o/ening o) t*e regu(ar session. Contains0
-a.
/ro/osed (egis(ative ,easures
-+.
indicates t*e /residentLs t*in>ing on t*e /ro/osed (egis(ation&
w*ic* w*en enacted into (aw& )o((ows *is (ine o) t*in>ing
E.
E3/(anatory Note N a s*ort e3/osition o) e3/(anation acco,/anying a
/ro/osed (egis(ation +y its aut*or or /ro/onent. Contains0
-a.
state,ent o) t*e reason or /ur/ose o) t*e +i((
-+.
argu,ents advanced +y its aut*or in urging its /assage
W!ERE T!ERE IS AM8I$UITY IN A STATUTE OR W!ERE A STATUTE IS SUSCE"TI8%E O
MORE T!AN ONE INTER"RETATION& COUTS MAY RESORT TO T!E EO"%ANATORY NOTE TO
C%ARIY T!E AM8I$UITY AN? ASCERTAIN T!E "US"OSE OR INTENT O T!E STATUTE.
Note0
-a.
T*e e3/(anatory not +e used as +asis )or giving a statute a ,eaning t*at is inconsistent wit* w*at is
e3/ressed in t*e te3t o) t*e statute.
-+.
E3/(anatory note is on(y resorted to on(y )or c(ari)ication in
case o) dou+t& and not w*ere t*ere is no a,+iguity in t*e (aw.
-c.
T*is is a ,ere e3/ression o) aut*orLs views and reasons )or t*e /ro/osed (egis(ation and ,ay not
according(y override t*e c(ear intent as e3/ressed in t*e statute
.
%egis(ative de+ates N ,ay +e resorted to w*en t*ere is dou+t as to w*at a /rovision o) a statute ,eans.
!owever& t*e views e3/ressed +y t*e (egis(ators during de(i+erations o) a +i(( as to t*e +i((Ls /ur/ose are not
contro((ing in t*e inter/retation o) t*e (aw.
T*e o/inions and views e3/ressed +y t*e (egis(ators during )(oor de(i+erations o)
a +i(( ,ay not +e given weig*t at a(( in any o) t*e )o((owing instances0
a. w*ere t*e circu,stances indicating ,eaning o) a statute ot*er t*an
t*at e3/ressed +y t*e (egis(ators
+. w*ere t*e views e3/ressed were con)(icting
c. w*ere t*e intent deduci+(e )ro, suc* views is not c(ear
d. w*ere t*e statute invo(ved is )ree )ro, a,+iguity.
W!ERE TWO OR MORE STATUTES RE%ATIN$ TO T!E SAME SU8EECT MATTER WERE
ENACTE? 8Y ?IERRENT ASSEM"8%IES& NEIT!ER IS IUA%IIE? TO S"EAG A8OUT T!E
INTENT O T!E OT!ER.
$.
Re/orts o) co,,issions
#. Co,,issions N are usua((y )or,ed to co,/i(e and co((ate a(( (aws on a
/articu(ar su+'ect and to /re/are t*e dra)t o) t*e /ro/osed code.
1. S/ecia( co,,issions were created to dra)t t*e te3t o) t*e R"C and Civi(
Code.
!.
"rior (aws )ro, w*ic* statute is +ased
#. In ascertaining t*e intention o) t*e (aw,a>er& courts are /er,itted to (oo> to /rior (aws on t*e sa,e su+'ect and
to investigate t*e antecedents o) t*e statute invo(ved.
1. T*is is a//(ica+(e in t*e inter/retation o)0
-a.
Codes
-+.
Revised or co,/i(ed statutes
2. "rior (aws& w*ic* *ave +een codi)ied& co,/i(ed or revised& revea( t*e (egis(ative *istory t*at wi(( c(ari)y t*e
intent o) t*e (aw or s*ed (ig*t on t*e ,eaning and sco/e o) t*e codi)ied or revised statute.
I.
C*ange in /*raseo(ogy +y a,end,ents N a(so indicates (egis(ative
intent to c*ange t*e ,eaning o) /rovision )ro, t*at or origina((y *ad.
E.
A,end,ent +y de(etion
#.
A,end,ent +y de(etion o) certain words or /*rases in a statute indicates t*at t*e (egis(ature intended to
c*ange t*e ,eaning o) t*e statute& )or t*e /resu,/tion is t*at t*e (egis(ature wou(d not *ave ,ade t*e
de(etion *ad t*e intention +een not to e))ect a c*ange in its ,eaning.
1.
T*e a,ended statute s*ou(d according(y +e given a construction
di))erent )ro, t*at /revious to its a,end,ent.
RU%E0 An A,end,ent o) a statute indicates a c*ange in ,eaning )ro, t*at
w*ic* t*e statute origina((y *ad.
-a.
T*is a//(ies on(y w*en t*e de(eted words or /*rases are not sur/(usage or w*en t*e intention is c(ear to
c*ange t*e /revious ,eaning o) t*e o(d (aw.
-+.
T*e ru(e does not a//(y w*ere t*e intent is c(ear t*at t*e a,end,ent is /recise(y to /(ain(y e3/ress t*e
construction o) t*e act /rior to its a,end,ent.
-c.
In codi)ication o) statues or revision& neit*er a(teration in /*raseo(ogy not t*e o,ission or addition o) words
in t*e (atter statute wi(( +e *e(d to a(ter t*e construction o) t*e )or,er act or acts.
G.
Ado/ted statues
#.
T*e genera( ru(e is t*at w*ere (oca( statues are /attered a)ter or co/ied )ro, t*ose o) anot*er country& t*e
decision o) t*e courts in suc* country construing t*ose (aws are entit(ed to great weig*t in
t*e inter/retation o) suc* (oca( statues and wi(( +e genera((y )o((owed i) )ound reasona+(e and in *ar,ony
wit* 'ustice& /u+(ic /o(icy and ot*er (oca( statues on t*e su+'ect.
1.
E3a,/(e o) suc* statues0
-a.
cor/oration (aw
-+.
ta3 code
-c.
(a+or (aws
-d.
natura(i9ation (aw
-e.
Ru(es o) court
2.
%i,itations o) t*e ru(e0
-a.
w*ere t*e (oca( (aw and id t*e )oreign statute )ro, w*ic* t*e
)or,er was /atterned di))er in so,e ,ateria( as/ects
-+.
)oreign construction is c(ear(y erroneous or *as not +eco,e
sett(ed
-c.
w*ere t*e ado/ting state *as given t*e statute its own
inter/retation
%.
"rinci/(es o) Co,,on (aw
I) t*ere is a con)(ict +etween t*e co,,on (aw /rinci/(e and statutory /rinci/(e&
t*e (atter /revai(s.
I.
VIII. CONTEM"ORARY CONSTRUCTION
A.
?e)inition0 t*ese are constructions /(aced u/on statues at t*e ti,e o)& or a)ter& t*eir enact,ent +y t*e
e3ecutive& (egis(ature or 'udicia( aut*orities& as we(( as +y t*ose w*o& +ecause o) t*eir invo(ve,ent in t*e
/rocess o) (egis(ation& are >now(edgea+(e o) t*e intent and /ur/ose o) t*e (aw.
8.
Conte,/oranea e3/ositio est o/ti,a et )ortissi,a in (ege N t*e
conte,/orary construction is strongest in (aw.
C.
Conte,/oraneous construction is t*e construction /(aced u/on t*e statute +y an e3ecutive or ad,inistrative
o))icer ca((ed u/on to e3ecute or ad,inister suc* statue.
?.
E3ecutive and ad,inistrative o))icers are genera((y t*e very )irst o))icia(
to inter/ret t*e (aw. T*ese inter/retations are in t*e )or, o)0
#.
ru(es
1.
regu(ations
2.
circu(ars
4.
directives
5.
o/inions and
6.
ru(ings.
E.
Ty/es o) e3ecutive inter/retation0
#.
construction +y an e3ecutive or ad,inistrative o))icer direct(y ca((ed
to i,/(e,ent t*e (aw w*ic* ,ay +e0
-a.
e3/ressed -e3. Inter/retation e,+odied in circu(ars& directive
or regu(ation.
-+.
i,/(ied. -a /ractice o) en)orce,ent o) not a//(ying t*e statute
to certain situations.
1.
Construction +y t*e Secretary o) Eustice in *is ca/acity as t*e c*ie)
(ega( adviser o) t*e govern,ent in t*e )or, o) o/inions. In t*e
a+sence o) t*e ru(ing o) a /resident& t*e o/inions o) Sec. O) Eustice
is contro((ing a,ong ad,inistrative and e3ecutive o))icia(s.
2.
Inter/retation *anded down in and adversary /roceeding in t*e )or, o) a ru(ing +y an e3ecutive o))ice e3ercising
:uasi='udicia( /ower.
Note0 In t*e a+sence o) error or a+use o) /ower or (ac> o) 'urisdiction or grave a+use o) discretion c(ear(y
con)(icting wit* eit*er t*e (etter or t*e s/irit o) a (egis(ative enact,ent creating or c*anging a govern,enta(
agency& t*e action o) t*e agency wou(d not +e distur+ed +y t*e courts.
E. Reason w*y conte,/oraneous construction is given ,uc* weig*t0 it co,es )ro, t*e /articu(ar +ranc* o)
govern,ent ca((ed u/on to i,/(e,ent t*e (aw t*us construed N t*ese sa,e /eo/(e are t*e dra)ters o) t*e
(aw t*ey inter/ret.
.
W*en to disregard Conte,/oraneous construction
T*is conte,/oraneous construction is not +inding u/on t*e court. T*e court
,ay disregard it0
#.
w*ere t*ere is no a,+iguity in t*e (aw
1.
w*ere t*e construction is c(ear(y erroneous
2.
w*ere strong reason to t*e contrary e3ists
4.
w*ere t*e court *as /revious(y given t*e statue a di))erent
inter/retation
$.
I) t*ere is an error in i,/(e,entation o) t*e (aw& suc* error ,ay +e
corrected. T*e doctrine o) esto//e( does not a//(y.
!.
As a ru(e& erroneous conte,/oraneous construction creates no vested rig*t on t*e /art o) t*ose w*o re(ied
and )o((owed suc* construction. 8ut t*is ru(e is not a+so(ute. T*ere ,ay +e e3e/tions in t*e interest o)
'ustice and )air /(ay -e3. Ta3 cases.
I.
%egis(ative inter/retation0 t*e (egis(ature ,ay /rovide an inter/retation or dec(aration c(ause in a statue +y
t*ey cannot (i,it or restrict t*e /ower granted to courts.
#.
W*i(e (egis(ative inter/retation is not contro((ing& courts ,ay resort
to it to c(ari)y a,+iguity in t*e (anguage.
1.
suc* (egis(ative inter/retation is entit(ed o) res/ect es/ecia((y o) t*e
e3ecutive de/art,ent *as si,i(ar(y construed t*e statute.
E.
%egis(ative a//rova( N t*e (egis(ature& +y action or inaction a//rove or
rati)y suc* conte,/oraneous construction.
Suc* a//rova( ,ay
,ani)est in ,any ways suc* as0
#.
w*en it reenacts statute /revious(y given a conte,/oraneous
construction
1.
w*en it a,ends a /rior statute wit*out /roviding anyt*ing w*ic* wou(d restrict& c*ange& nu((i)y t*e
/revious conte,/oraneous construction.
2.
a//ro/riation o) ,oney )or t*e o))icer designated to /er)or, a tas>
/ursuant to an inter/retation o) a stature
4.
non=re/udiation o) t*e construction.
Note0 Ratio*a+itio Mandati ae:ui/aratur N(egis(ative rati)ication is e:uiva(ent
to ,andate.
G.
Stare decisis
#.
Stare decisis et non :uieta ,overeQ one s*ou(d )o((ow /ast
/recedents and s*ou(d not distur+ w*at *as +een sett(ed.
Reason )or suc* doctrine0 t*e su/re,e court *as a duty not on(y o) inter/reting and a//(ying t*e (aw +ut
a(so in /rotecting t*e society )ro, need(ess u/*eava(s. Interest rei/u+(icae ut sit )inis (itiu, N interest o)
t*en state de,ands t*at t*ere +e an end to (itigation.
1.
A ru(ing in order to co,e wit*in t*e doctrine o) stare decision ,ust +e categorica((y stated in t*e issue
e3/ress(y raised +y t*e /arties< ,ust +e a direct ru(ing.
2.
Ru(ings t*at are ,ere(y su+ si(encio are ,ere(y o+iter dictu, -an o/inion o) t*e court u/on so,e :uestion
o) (aw w*ic* is not necessary to t*e decision o) t*e case +e)ore it< not +inding.
4.
T*is doctrine is not a+so(ute +ecause Su/re,e Court ,ay c*ange
or a+andon a /recedent enunciated +y it.
C!A"TER 4
$ENERA% RU%E0
Statute ,ust +e given its (itera( ,eaning and a//(ied wit*out atte,/ted inter/retation
regard(ess o) w*o ,ay +e a))ected& even i) it ,ay +e *ars* or onerous.
W!EN A STATUTE IS AM8I$UOUS& T!EN T!E COURT MAY RESORT TO ?E"ARTURE ROM
%ITERA% INTER"RETATION. IN SUC! A CASE& T!E STATUTE MUST 8E INTER"RETE? IN
SUC! A WAY T!AT0
R
Inter/retation wi(( give t*e statute e))icacy
R
"ur/ose wi(( +e ac*ieved
R
A+surdity and inconvenience wi(( +e avoided
R
I,/ossi+(e wi(( not +e re:uired
R
Rig*t and 'ustice wi(( +e )avored
R
In'ustice wi(( +e avoided
R
?anger to /u+(ic interest wi(( +e avoided
COURTS IN CONSTRUCTION O STATUTE MAY0
R
Correct c(erica( errors
R
Su//(y t*e o,issions
R
?isregard sur/(us and su/er)(uity
R
?isregard redundant words
R
?isregard (ooser o+scure words
IT MUST 8E NOTE? T!AT
R
W*en t*e reason )or t*e (aw ceases& t*e (aw itse() ceases
R
Words in t*e /(ura( inc(ude t*e singu(ar and vice=versa
R
T*e ,ascu(ine -not t*e )e,inine.& inc(udes a(( genders
R
Words in /(ura( inc(ude t*e singu(ar and vice versa
R
EVERY RU%E !AS EOCE"TIONS
IM"%ICATIONS0
R
$rant o) t*e greater /ower inc(udes t*e (esser
R
$rant o) t*e (esser /ower does not inc(ude t*e greater
R
W*ere t*ere is rig*t t*ere is a re,edy )or vio(ation t*ereo)
R
CourtLs 'urisdiction cannot +e i,/(ied )ro, t*e (anguage o) t*e statute nor
can t*e Ru(es o) Court con)er it.
R
In t*e grant o) 'urisdiction to a court& it is i,/(ied to carry wit* it necessary
and incidenta( /owers and ,eans essentia( to ,a>e its 'urisdiction e))ective
R
W*ere a genera( /ower is con)erred or duty en'oined& every /articu(ar /ower
necessary )or t*e e3ercise o) one is a(so con)erred.
R
W*at is i,/(ied s*ou(d not +e against t*e (aw
R
Aut*ority to c*arge against /u+(ic )und ,ay not +e i,/(ied
R
W*at cannot +e done direct(y cannot +e done indirect(y
R
An act in vio(ation o) a statute /ro*i+iting suc* act s*a(( +e i,/(ied as nu((
and void
"%AIN MEANIN$ RU%E
W*en t*e words and /*rases o) t*e statute are c(ear and une:uivoca(& t*eir ,eaning ,ust +e deter,ined
)ro, t*e (anguage e,/(oyed and t*e statute ,ust +e ta>en to ,ean e3act(y w*at it says. W*at is not c(ear(y
/rovided in t*e (aw cannot +e e3tended to t*ose ,atters outside o) sco/e. W*ere t*e (aw is c(ear& a//ea(s to
'ustice and e:uity as 'usti)ication to construe it di))erent(y are unavai(ing.
Ver+a (egis= /(ain ,eaning ru(e
Inde3 ani,i ser,o= s/eec* is t*e inde3 o) intention
Ver+a (egis non est recedendu,= )ro, t*e words o) a statute& t*ere ,ust +e no
de/arture
Ma(edicta est e3/ositio :uae corru,/it te3tu,= it is dangerous construction
w*ic* is against t*e te3t
A+so(uta sentetia e3/ositore non indiget N w*en t*e (anguage o) t*e (aw is c(ear&
no e3/(anation is re:uired
?URA %EO SE? %EO
?ura (e3 sed (e3 N t*e (aw ,ay +e *ars*& +ut it is sti(( t*e (aw
!oc :uide, /er:ua, duru, est& sed ita (e3 scri/ta est N it is e3ceeding(y *ard
+ut so t*e (aw is written.
Ae:uitas nun:ua, contravenit (egis= E:uity never acts in contravention o) t*e
(aw
STATUTE MUST 8E CA"A8%E O INTER"RETATION& OT!ERWISE INO"ERATIVE
W*ere t*e statute tota((y )ai(s to e3/ress a ,eaning& and no 'udicia( certainty
can +e *ad& t*en it is necessari(y ino/erative
Inter/reatio )ienda est ut res ,agis va(eat :ua, /ereat N inter/retation as wi((
give t*e t*ing e))icacy is to +e ado/ted.
W!AT IS WIT!IN T!E S"IRIT IS WIT!IN T!E %AW
T*e s/irit o) t*e (aw contro(s t*e (etter.
Ratio (egis N reason o) t*e (aw
%ITERA% IM"ORT MUST YIE%? TO INTENT
W*ere (egis(ative intent a//arent(y con)(icts wit* t*e (etter o) t*e (aw& t*e )or,er /revai(s over t*e (atter.
"ri,ary ru(e in construction is to ascertain and give e))ect to t*e intent.
Ver+a intentioni& non e contra& de+ent inservire N words oug*t to +e ,ore
su+servient to t*e intent and not t*e intent to t*e words.
CONSTRUCTION TO ACCOM"%IS! "UR"OSE
I) t*e statute needs construction& t*e ,ost do,inant in t*at /rocess is t*e /ur/ose o) t*e act. It is i,/erative
t*at t*e (aw +e inter/reted in a ,anner t*at wou(d stave o)) any atte,/t at circu,venting t*e (egis(ative
/ur/ose.
W!EN REASON O %AW CEASES& %AW ITSE% CEASES
Cessante ratione (egis& cessat i/sa (e3
Ratio (egis est ani,a N reason o) t*e (aw is its sou(
SU""%YIN$ %E$IS%ATIVE OMISSION
C!A"TER 5
I.
$enera((y
R
A word or /*rase used in a statute ,ay *ave an ordinary& generic&
restricted& tec*nica(& (ega(& co,,ercia( or trade ,eaning.
R
W*ic* ,eaning s*ou(d +e given de/ends u/on w*at t*e (egis(ature intended. As a genera( ru(e in
inter/reting t*e ,eaning and sco/e o) a ter, used in t*e (aw& a care)u( review o) t*e w*o(e (aw invo(ved& as
we(( as t*e intend,ent o) (aw& ascertained )ro, a consideration o) t*e statute as a
w*o(e and not o) an iso(ated /art or a /articu(ar /rovision a(one& ,ust +e
,ade to deter,ine t*e rea( intent o) t*e (aw.
II.
Statutory ?e)inition
R
T*e (egis(ative de)inition contro(s t*e ,eaning o) a statutory word& irres/ective o) any ot*er ,eaning t*e
word or /*rase ,ay *ave in its ordinary or usua( sense.
R
or t*e (egis(ature& in ado/ting a s/eci)ic de)inition is dee,ed to *ave
restricted t*e ,eaning o) t*e word wit*in t*e ter,s o) t*e de)inition
R
W*en t*e (egis(ature de)ines a word& it does not usur/ t*e courtLs )unction to inter/ret t*e (aws +ut it ,ere(y
(egis(ates w*at s*ou(d )or, /art o) t*e (aw itse().
R
W*i(e t*e de)inition o) ter,s in a statute ,ust +e given a(( t*e weig*t due to t*e, in t*e construction o) t*e
/rovision in w*ic* t*ey are used& t*e ter,s or /*rases +eing /art and /arce( o) t*e w*o(e statute ,ust +e
given e))ect in t*eir entirety as a *ar,onious& coordinated and integrated unit& not as a ,ass o)
*eterogeneous and unre(ated i) not incongruous ter,s& c(auses and sentences.
III.
Iua(i)ication o) ru(e
R
T*e statutory de)inition o) a word or ter, Fas used in t*is ActH is contro((ing
on(y in so )ar as said act is concerned.
R
T*e genera( ru(e t*at t*e statutory de)initions contro( t*e ,eaning o) statutory words does not a//(y w*ere
its a//(ication creates o+vious incongruities in t*e (anguage o) t*e statute& destroys one o) its ,a'or
/ur/oses& or +eco,es i((ogica( as a resu(t o) a c*ange in its )actua( +asis.
R
!owever& in a su+se:uent case& it was *e(d t*at o) a statute re,ains unc*anged& it ,ust +e inter/reted
according to its c(ear& origina( ,andate unti( t*e (egis(ature a,ends it.
IV.
Words construed in t*eir ordinary sense
R
In construing words and /*rases& t*e genera( ru(e is t*at in t*e a+sence o) (egis(ative intent to t*e contrary&
t*ey s*ou(d +e given t*eir /(ain& ordinary& and co,,on usage ,eaning.
R
or words are /resu,ed to *ave +een e,/(oyed +y t*e (aw,a>er in t*eir
ordinary and co,,on use and acce/tation.
R
T*e gra,,atica( and ordinary reading o) a statute ,ust +e /resu,ed to
yie(d its correct sense.
R
U+i (e3 non distinguit nec nos distinguere de+e,us
V.
$enera( Words construed genera((y
R
$enera(ia ver+a sunt genera(iter inte((igenda or w*at is genera((y s/o>en
s*a(( +e genera((y understood or genera( words s*a(( +e understood in a
genera( sense.
R
$enera(e dictu, genera(iter est inter/retandu,.A genera( state,ent is
understood in a genera( sense.
R
W*ere a word used in a statute *as +ot* a restricted and genera( ,eaning& t*e genera( ,ust /revai( over t*e
restricted un(ess t*e nature o) t*e su+'ect ,atter or t*e conte3t in w*ic* it is e,/(oyed c(ear(y indicates t*at
t*e (i,ited sense is intended.
R
A genera( word s*ou(d not +e given a restricted ,eaning w*ere no
restriction is indicated.
VI.
$eneric ter, inc(udes t*ings t*at arise t*erea)ter
R
/rogressive inter/retation0 e3tends +y construction t*e a//(ication o) a statute to a(( su+'ects or conditions
wit*in its genera( /ur/ose or sco/e t*at co,e into e3istence su+se:uent to its /assage and t*us >ee/s
(egis(ation
)ro, +eco,ing e/*e,era( and transitory un(ess t*ere is a (egis(ative intent
to t*e contrary.
R
It is a ru(e o) statutory construction t*at (egis(ative enact,ents in genera( and co,/re*ensive ter,s&
/ros/ective in o/eration& a//(y a(i>e to a(( /ersons& su+'ects and +usiness wit*in t*eir genera( /urview and
sco/e co,ing into e3istence su+se:uent to t*eir /assage.
VII.
Words wit* co,,ercia( or trade ,eaning
R
Words and "*rases& w*ic* are in co,,on use a,ong ,erc*ants and traders& ac:uire trade or co,,ercia(
,eanings w*ic* are genera((y acce/ted in t*e co,,unity in w*ic* t*ey *ave +een in co,,on use.
R
Sett(ed is t*e ru(e t*at in t*e a+sence o) (egis(ative intent to t*e contrary& trade or co,,ercia( ter,s& w*en
used in a statute are /resu,ed to *ave +een used in t*eir trade or co,,ercia( sense.
VIII.
Words wit* tec*nica( or (ega( ,eaning
R
As a genera( ru(e& words t*at *ave or *ave +een used in& a tec*nica( sense or t*ose t*at *ave +een 'udicia((y
construed to *ave a certain ,eaning s*ou(d +e inter/reted according to t*e sense in w*ic* t*ey *ave +een
/revious(y used& a(t*oug* t*e sense ,ay vary )ro, t*e strict or (itera( ,eaning o) t*e words.
R
T*e tec*nica( or (ega(& not t*e ordinary or genera( ,eaning o) a word used in a statute s*ou(d +e ado/ted in
t*e construction o) t*e statute& in t*e a+sence o) nay :ua(i)ication or intention to t*e contrary.
IO.
!ow identica( ter,s in sa,e statute construed
R
T*e genera( ru(e is t*at a word or /*rase re/eated(y used in a statute wi((
+ear t*e sa,e ,eaning t*roug*out t*e statute.
R
T*e sa,e word or su+stantia((y t*e sa,e /*rase a//earing in di))erent /arts o) a statute wi(( +e accorded a
genera((y acce/ted and consistent ,eaning& un(ess a di))erent intention a//ears or is c(ear(y e3/ressed.
R
T*e reason )or t*e ru(e is t*at a word used in a statute in a given sense is
/resu,ed to +e used in t*e sa,e sense t*roug*out t*e (aw.
R
It is /articu(ar(y a//(ica+(e w*ere in t*e statute t*e words a//ear so near eac* ot*er /*ysica((y and
/articu(ar(y w*ere t*e word *as a tec*nica( ,eaning and t*at ,eaning *as +een de)ined in t*e statute.
O.
Meaning o) word :ua(i)ied +y /ur/ose o) statute
R
T*e ,eaning o) a words or /*rase used in a statute ,ay +e :ua(i)ied +y t*e
/ur/ose w*ic* induced t*e (egis(ature to enact t*e statute.
R
In construing a word or /*rase& t*e court s*ou(d ado/t t*at inter/retation t*at accords +est wit* t*e ,ani)est
/ur/ose o) t*e statute or /ro,otes or rea(i9es its o+'ect.
R
It is genera((y recogni9ed t*at i) a statute is a,+iguous and ca/a+(e o) ,ore t*an one construction& t*e
(itera( ,eaning o) t*e word or /*rase used t*erein ,ay +e re'ected i) t*e resu(t o) ado/ting suc* ,eaning
wi(( +e to de)eat t*e /ur/ose w*ic* t*e (egis(ature *ad in ,ind.
OI.
Word or /*rase construed in re(ation to ot*er /rovision
R
T*e genera( ru(e is t*at a word& /*rase or /rovision s*ou(d not +e construed in iso(ation +ut ,ust +e
inter/reted in re(ation to ot*er /rovisions o) t*e (aw. T*is ru(e is a variation o) t*e ru(e t*at a statute s*ou(d
+e construed as a w*o(e& and eac* o) its /rovisions ,ust +e given e))ect.
R
A word or /rovision s*ou(d not +e construed in iso(ation )ro,& +ut s*ou(d +e inter/reted in re(ation to& t*e
ot*er /rovisions o) a statute or ot*er statutes dea(ing on t*e sa,e su+'ect.
R
T*e word or /rovision s*ou(d not +e given a ,eaning t*at wi(( restrict or de)eat& +ut s*ou(d instead +e
construed to e))ectuate& w*at *as +een intended in an enacting (aw.
OII.
Meaning o) ter, dictated +y conte3t
R
W*i(e ordinari(y a word or ter, used in a statute wi(( +e given its usua( and co,,on(y understood
,eaning& t*e conte3t in w*ic* t*e word or ter, is e,/(oyed ,ay dictate a di))erent sense.
R
T*e conte3t in w*ic* t*e word is used o)tenti,es deter,ines its ,eaning.
R
A word is understood in t*e conte3t in w*ic* it is used. Ver+a acci/ienda
sunt secundu, ,ateria,
R
T*e conte3t ,ay (i>ewise give a +road sense to a word o) ot*erwise
ordinari(y (i,ited ,eaning.
R
T*e conte3t ,ay a(so (i,it t*e ,eaning o) w*at ot*erwise is a word o)
+road signi)ication.
OIII.
W*ere t*e (aw does not distinguis*
R
W*ere t*e (aw does not distinguis*& courts s*ou(d not distinguis*. U+i (e3
non distinguit& nec nos distinguere de+e,us.
R
T*e ru(e )ounded on (ogic& is a coro((ary o) t*e /rinci/(e t*at genera( words and /*rases in a statute s*ou(d
ordinari(y +e accorded t*eir natura( and genera( signi)icance
R
T*e ru(e re:uires t*at a genera( ter, or /*rase s*ou(d not +e reduced into /arts and one /art distinguis*ed
)ro, t*e ot*er so as to 'usti)y its e3c(usion )ro, t*e o/eration o) t*e (aw.
R
A coro((ary o) t*e /rinci/(e is t*e ru(e t*at w*ere t*e (aw does not ,a>e any e3ce/tion& court ,ay not
e3ce/t so,et*ing t*ere)ro,& un(ess t*ere is co,/e((ing reason a//arent in t*e (aw to 'usti)y it.
R
U+i (e3 non distinguit& nec non distinguere de+e,us& a//(ies not on(y in t*e
construction o) genera( words and e3/ressions used in a statute +ut a(so in
t*e inter/retation o) a ru(e (aid down t*erein.
R
T*is /rinci/(e assu,es t*at t*e (egis(ature ,ade no :ua(i)ication in t*e use
o) a genera( word or e3/ression.
R
T*e courts ,ay distinguis* w*en t*ere are )acts or circu,stances s*owing t*at t*e (egis(ature intended a
distinction or :ua(i)ication& )or in suc* a case& t*e courts ,ere(y give e))ect to t*e (egis(ative intent.
OIV.
?is'unctive and con'unctive words
R
T*e word ForH is a dis'unctive ter, signi)ying disassociation and
inde/endence o) one t*ing )ro, eac* o) t*e ot*er t*ings enu,erated. It
s*ou(d +e construed in t*e sense in w*ic* it ordinari(y i,/(ies& as a
dis'unctive word.
R
T*e use o) t*e dis'unctive word ForH +etween two /*rases connotes t*at
eit*er /*rase serves as :ua(i)ying /*rase.
R
T*e ter, ForH *as so,eti,es +een *e(d to ,ean FandH& w*en t*e s/irit or
conte3t o) t*e (aw so warrants.
R
T*e word ForH ,ay a(so +e used as t*e e:uiva(ent o) Ft*at is to sayH giving t*at w*ic* it /receded it t*e
sa,e signi)icance as t*at w*ic* )o((ows it. It is not a(ways dis'unctive and is so,eti,es inter/retative or
e3/ository o) t*e /receding word.
R
T*e word ForH ,ay a(so ,ean successive(y.
R
T*e word FandH is a con'unction /ertinent(y de)ined as ,eaning Ftoget*er wit*H& F'oined wit*H& Fa(ong or
toget*er wit*H& Fadded to or (in>ed toH& used to con'oin word wit* word& /*rase wit* /*rase& c(ause wit*
c(ause.
R
T*e word FandH does not ,ean ForH< it is a con'unction used to denote a
'oinder or union& F+inding toget*erH& Fre(ating t*e one to t*e ot*erH.
R
!owever& FandH ,ay ,ean ForH as an e3ce/tion to t*e ru(e. T*e e3ce/tion is resorted to on(y w*en a (itera(
inter/retation wou(d /ervert t*e /(ain intention o) t*e (egis(ature as g(eaned )ro, t*e conte3t o) t*e statute
or )ro, e3terna( )actors.
OV.
Noscitur a sociis
R
W*ere a /articu(ar word or /*rase is a,+iguous in itse() or is e:ua((y susce/ti+(e o) various ,eanings& its
correct construction ,ay +e ,ade c(ear and s/eci)ic +y considering t*e co,/any o) words in w*ic* it is
)ound or wit* w*ic* it is associated.
R
W*ere t*e (aw does not de)ine a word used t*erein& it wi(( +e construed as *aving a ,eaning si,i(ar to t*at
o) words associated wit* or acco,/anied +y it.
R
A word& /*rase s*ou(d +e inter/reted in re(ation to& or given t*e sa,e
,eaning o)& words wit* w*ic* it is associated.
R
W*ere ,ost o) t*e words in an enu,eration o) words in a statute are used in t*eir generic and ordinary
sense& t*e rest o) t*e words s*ou(d si,i(ar(y +e construed.
R
W*ere a word wit* ,ore t*an one ,eaning is associated wit* words *aving s/eci)ic or /articu(ar
signi)ication& t*e )or,er s*ou(d +e given a s/eci)ic or /articu(ar signi)ication.
OVI.
E'usde, generis
R
W*i(e genera( words or e3/ressions in a statute are& as a ru(e& accorded t*eir )u((& natura(& and generic sense&
t*ey wi(( not +e given suc* ,eaning i) t*ey are used in association wit* s/eci)ic words or /*rases.
R
$enera( ru(e is t*at w*ere a genera( word or /*rase )o((ows an enu,eration o) /articu(ar and s/eci)ic words
o) t*e sa,e c(ass or w*ere t*e (atter )o((ow t*e )or,er& t*e genera( word or /*rase is to +e construed to
inc(ude& or to +e restricted to& /ersons& t*ings& or cases a>in to& rese,+(ing& or o) t*e sa,e >ind or c(ass as
t*ose s/eci)ica((y ,entioned.
R
W*ere a statute descri+es t*ings o) /articu(ar c(ass or >ind acco,/anied +y
words o) a generic c*aracter& t*e generic words wi(( usua((y +e (i,ited to
t*ings o) a >indred nature wit* t*ose /articu(ar(y enu,erated& un(ess t*ere
+e so,et*ing in t*e conte3t o) t*e statute to re/e( suc* in)erence.
R
"ur/ose0 give e))ect to +ot* t*e /articu(ar and genera( words& +y treating t*e /articu(ar words as indicating
t*e c(ass and t*e genera( words as indicating a(( t*at is e,+raced in said c(ass& a(t*oug* not s/eci)ica((y
na,ed +y /articu(ar words.
R
T*is /rinci/(e is +ased on t*e /ro/osition t*at *ad t*e (egis(ature intended t*e genera( words to +e used in
t*eir generic and unrestricted sense& it wou(d not *ave enu,erated t*e s/eci)ic words.
R
A//(ication0 w*ere s/eci)ic and generic ter,s o) t*e sa,e nature are
e,/(oyed in t*e sa,e act& t*e (atter )o((owing t*e )or,er.
OVII.
%i,itations o)E'usde, generic
R
To +e a//(ica+(e& t*e )o((owing ,ust concur0
o
Statute contains an enu,eration o) /articu(ar and s/eci)ic
words& )o((owed +y a genera( word or /*rase.
o
T*e /articu(ar and s/eci)ic words constitute a c(ass or are o)
t*e sa,e >ind
o
Enu,eration o) t*e /articu(ar and s/eci)ic words is not
e3*austive or is not ,ere(y +y e3a,/(es
o
No indication o) (egis(ative intent to give t*e genera( words or
/*rases a +roader ,eaning
R
T*e ru(e o) e'usde, generic does not re:uire t*e re'ection o) genera( ter,s
entire(y.
R
T*e ru(e is not o) universa( a//(ication& it s*ou(d +e used to carry out& not to
de)eat& t*e intent or /ur/ose o) t*e (aw.
R
I) t*at intent c(ear(y a//ears )ro, ot*er /arts o) t*e (aw& and suc* intent t*us c(ear(y ,ani)ested is contrary
to t*e resu(t w*ic* wi(( +e reac*ed +y a//(ying t*e ru(e o) e'usde, generic& t*e ru(e ,ust give way in )avor
o) t*e (egis(ative intent.
OVIII. E3/ressio unius est e3c(usio a(terius
R
E3/ress ,ention o) one /erson& t*ing or conse:uence i,/(ies t*e
e3c(usion o) a(( ot*ers.
R
It is )or,u(ated in a nu,+er o) ways0
a.One variation o) t*e ru(es is t*e /rinci/(e t*at w*at is
e3/ressed /uts an end to t*at w*ic* is i,/(iedE3/ressu,
)acit cessare tacitu,
+.$enera( e3/ression )o((owed +y e3ce/tions t*ere)ro, i,/(ies
t*at t*ose w*ic* do not )a(( under t*e e3ce/tions co,e wit*in
t*e sco/e o) t*e genera( e3/ression. E3ce/tio )ir,at regu(a,
in casi+us non e3ce/tis
c. E3/ression o) one or ,ore t*ings o) a c(ass i,/(ies t*e e3c(usion o) a(( not e3/ressed& even t*oug* a(( wou(d
*ave +een i,/(ies *ad none +een e3/ressed.
R
T*e ru(e e3/ressio unius est e3c(usio a(terius and its variations are
canons o) restrictive inter/retation.
R
8asis0 (egis(ature wou(d not *ave ,ade s/eci)ied enu,erations in a statute *ad t*e intention +een not to
restrict its ,eaning and con)ine its ter,s to t*ose e3/ress(y ,entioned. T*ey are o//osite t*e doctrine o)
necessary i,/(ication.
OIO.
Negative=o//osite doctrine
R
T*e /rinci/(e t*at w*at is e3/ressed /uts an end to t*at w*ic* is i,/(ied is
a(so >nown as negative=/ositive doctrine or argu,entu, a contrario.
OO.
A//(ication o) e3/ressio unius ru(e
R
T*e ru(e o) e3/ressio unius est e3c(usio a(terius and its coro((ary canons are genera((y used in t*e
construction o) statutes granting /owers& creating rig*ts and re,edies& restricting co,,on rig*ts& and
i,/osing /ena(ties and )or)eitures& as we(( as t*ose statutes w*ic* are strict(y construed.
R
W*ere a statute directs t*e /er)or,ance o) certain acts +y a /articu(ar /erson or c(ass or /ersons& it i,/(ies
t*at it s*a(( not +e done ot*erwise or +e a di))erent /erson or c(ass o) /ersons.
R
I) a statute enu,erates t*e t*ings u/on w*ic* it is to o/erate& everyt*ing
e(se ,ust necessari(y& and +y i,/(ication& +e e3c(uded.
OOI.
%i,itations o) ru(e
R
T*e ru(e e3/ressio unius est e3c(usio a(terius is not a ru(e o) (aw. It is a ,ere too( o) statutory construction
or a ,eans o) ascertaining t*e (egis(ative intent.
R
T*e ru(e& not +eing in)(e3i+(e nor a ,ec*anica( or tec*nica( too(& ,ust yie(d
to w*at is c(ear(y a (egis(ative intent.
R
It is no ,ore t*an an au3i(iary ru(e o) inter/retation to +e ignored w*ere ot*er circu,stances indicate t*at
t*e enu,eration was not intended to +e e3c(usive.
R
It s*ou(d a//(ied on(y as a ,eans o) discovering (egis(ative intent and s*ou(d not +e /er,itted to de)eat t*e
/(ain(y indicated /ur/ose o) t*e (egis(ature.
R
It wi(( not a//(y w*ere t*e enu,eration is +y way o) e3a,/(e or to re,ove
dou+ts on(y.
R
It wi(( not a//(y in case a statute a//ears u/on its )ace to (i,it t*e o/eration o) its /rovisions to /articu(ar
/ersons or t*ings +y enu,erating t*e,& +ut no reason e3ists w*y ot*er /ersons or t*ings not so enu,erated
s*ou(d not *ave +een inc(uded and ,ani)est in'ustice wi(( )o((ow +y not inc(uding t*e,.
R
T*e ru(e ,ay +e disregarded o) it wi(( resu(t to incongruities or a vio(ation o) t*e e:ua( /rotection c(ause o)
t*e constitution& inconvenience& *ards*i/ and in'ury to t*e /u+(ic interest.
R
W*ere t*e (egis(ative intent s*ows t*at t*e enu,eration is not e3c(usive&
t*e ,a3i, does not a//(y.
OOII.
?octrine o) casus o,issu
R
T*e ru(e o) casus o,issus /ro o,isso *a+endus est states t*at a /erson& o+'ect or t*ing o,itted )ro, an
enu,eration ,ust +e *e(d to *ave +een o,itted intentiona((y.
R
"rinci/(e /roceeds )ro, a reasona+(e certainty t*at a /articu(ar /erson&
o+'ect or t*ing *as +een o,itted )ro, a (egis(ative enu,eration
R
T*e ru(e does not a//(y w*ere it is s*own t*at t*e (egis(ature did not intend to e3c(ude t*e /erson& t*ing&
o+'ect )ro, t*e enu,eration. I) suc* (egis(ative intent is c(ear(y indicated& t*e court ,ay su//(y t*e
o,ission i) to do so wi(( carry out t*e c(ear intent o) t*e (egis(ature and wi(( not do vio(ence to its (anguage.
OOIII. ?octrine o) (ast antecedent
R
Iua(i)ying words restrict or ,odi)y on(y t*e words or /*rases to w*ic* t*ey
are i,,ediate(y associated. T*ey do not :ua(i)y words or /*rases w*ic* are
distant(y or re,ote(y (ocated.
R
In t*e a+sence o) (egis(ative intent to t*e contrary& /re)erentia( and :ua(i)ying words and /*rases ,ust +e
a//(ied on(y to t*eir i,,ediate or (ast antecedent& and not to t*e ot*er re,ote or /receding words or
association o) words.
R
T*e ,a3i, e3/ressive o) t*is ru(e is /ro3i,u, antecedens )iat re(atio nisi
i,/ediatur sententia& or re(ative words re)er to t*e nearest antecedents&
un(ess t*e conte3t ot*erwise re:uires.
R
T*e use o) co,,a to se/arate an antecedent )ro, t*e rest e3erts a
do,inant in)(uence in t*e a//(ication o) t*e doctrine o) (ast antecedent.
OOIV. Iua(i)ication o) t*e doctrine
R
?octrine o) (ast antecedent is su+'ect to t*e e3ce/tion t*at w*ere t*e intention o) t*e (aw is to a//(y t*e
/*rase to a(( antecedents e,+raced in t*e /rovision& t*e sa,e s*ou(d +e ,ade e3tensive to t*e w*o(e.
R
S(ig*t indication o) (egis(ative intent so to e3tend t*e re(ative ter, is su))icient. Nor does t*e doctrine a//(y
w*ere t*e intention is not to :ua(i)y t*e antecedent at a((.
OOV.
Reddendo singu(ar singu(is
R
T*e variation o) t*e doctrine o) (ast antecedent is t*e ru(e o)reddendo
singu(ar singu(is. T*e ,a3i, ,eans re)erring eac* to eac*< re)erring eac*
/*rase or e3/ression to its a//ro/riate o+'ect& or (et eac* +e /ut in its
/ro/er /(ace& t*at is& t*e words s*ou(d +e ta>en distri+utive(y.
R
Reddendo singu(ar singu(is re:uires t*at t*e antecedents and conse:uences
s*ou(d +e read distri+utive(y to t*e e))ect t*at eac* word is to +e a//(ied to t*e su+'ect to w*ic* it a//ears
+y conte3t ,ost a//ro/riate(y re(ated and to w*ic* it is ,ost a//(ica+(e.
OOVI. "rovisos& genera((y
R
T*e o))ice o) a /roviso is eit*er to (i,it t*e a//(ication o) t*e enacting
c(ause& section& or /rovision o) a statute& or to e3ce/t so,et*ing t*ere)ro,&
or to :ua(i)y or restrain its genera(ity & or to e3c(ude so,e /ossi+(e ground o) ,isinter/retation o) it& as
e3tending to cases not intended +y t*e (egis(ature to +e +roug*t wit*in its /urview.
R
Its /ri,ary /ur/ose is to (i,it or restrict t*e genera( (anguage or o/eration
o) t*e statute& not to en(arge it.
R
A /roviso is co,,on(y )ound at t*e end o) a section& or /rovision o) a
statute and is introduced& as a ru(e +y t*e word F"rovidedH
R
W*at deter,ines w*et*er a c(ause is a /roviso is its su+stance rat*er t*an its )or,. I) it /er)or,s any o) t*e
)unctions o) a /roviso& t*en it wi(( +e regarded as suc*& irres/ective o) w*at word or /*ase is used to
introduce it. It is a :uestion o) (egis(ative intent.
OOVII. "roviso ,ay en(arge sco/e o) (aw
R
It *as +een *e(d t*at Feven t*oug* t*e /ri,ary /ur/ose o) t*e /roviso is to
(i,it or restrain t*e genera( (anguage o) a statute& t*e (egis(ature& un)ortunate(y& does not a(ways use it wit*
tec*nica( correctness< conse:uent(y& w*ere its use creates an a,+iguity& it is t*e duty o) t*e court to
ascertain t*e (egis(ative intention& t*roug* resort to t*e usua( ru(es o) construction a//(ica+(e to statutes
genera((y and give it e))ect even t*oug* t*e statute is t*ere+y en(arged& or t*e /rovision ,ade to assu,e t*e
)orce o) inde/endent enact,ent and a(t*oug* a /roviso as suc* *as no e3istence a/art )ro, w*ic* it is
designed to (i,it or :ua(i)y.
R
A /roviso ,ay t*us en(arge& instead o) restrict or (i,it& w*at ot*erwise is a
/*rase o) (i,ited i,/ort *as t*ere +een no /roviso :ua(i)ying it.
OOVIII. "roviso as additiona( (egis(ation
R
A /roviso ,ay a(so assu,e t*e ro(e o) an additiona( (egis(ation.
R
A c(ear and un:ua(i)ied /ur/ose e3/ressed in t*e o/ening state,ent o) a section o) a statute co,/rising
severa( su+divisions *as +een construed as contro((ing and (i,iting a /roviso attac*ed to one o) t*e
su+divisions& w*ere t*e /roviso& i) segregated t*ere)ro,& wou(d ,ean e3act(y t*e reverse o) w*at it
necessari(y i,/(ied w*en read in connection wit* t*e (i,itation.
OOIO. W*at /roviso :ua(i)ies
R
T*e genera( ru(e is t*at t*e o))ice o) t*e /roviso :ua(i)ies or ,odi)ies
on(y t*e /*rase i,,ediate(y /receding it or restrains or (i,its t*e
genera(ity o) t*e c(ause t*at it i,,ediate(y )o((ows.
R
It s*ou(d +e con)ined to t*at w*ic* direct(y /recedes it& or to t*e
section to w*ic* it *as +een a//ended& un(ess it c(ear(y a//ears t*at
t*e (egis(ature intended it to *ave a wider sco/e.
OOO.
E3ce/tion to t*e ru(e
R
W*ere t*e (egis(ative intent is to restrain or :ua(i)y not on(y t*e /*rase i,,ediate(y /receding it +ut a(so
ear(ier /rovisions o) t*e statute or even t*e statute itse() as a w*o(e& t*en t*e /roviso wi(( +e construed in
t*at ,anner& in order t*at t*e intent o) t*e (aw ,ay +e carried out.
OOOI. Re/ugnance +etween /roviso and ,ain /rovisions
R
A /roviso s*ou(d +e so construed as to *ar,oni9e and not to re/ea( or
destroy& t*e ,ain /rovision o) t*e statute.
R
W*en t*ere is an irreconci(a+(e con)(ict or re/ugnancy +etween a /roviso and t*e ,ain /rovision o) a
statute& t*at w*ic* is a (ocated in a (ater /ortion o) t*e statute /revai(s& un(ess t*ere is a (egis(ative intent to
t*e contrary or suc* construction wi(( destroy t*e w*o(e statute itse().
R
T*e (atter /rovision& w*et*er a /roviso or not& is given /re)erence
+ecause it is t*e (atest e3/ression o) t*e intent o) t*e (egis(ation.
OOOII. E3ce/tions genera((y
R
An e3ce/tion consists o) t*at w*ic* wou(d ot*erwise +e inc(uded in t*e
/rovision )ro, w*ic* it is e3ce/ted.
R
An e3ce/tion wi(( +e construed as suc* i) it re,oves so,et*ing )ro, t*e
o/eration o) a /rovision o) (aw.
R
It is o)ten said t*at an e3ce/tion con)ir,s t*e genera( ru(e. It s*ou(d not +e construed to :ua(i)y t*e words
or /*rases constituting t*e genera( ru(e.
R
It is we(( sett(ed t*at t*e e3/ress ,ention o) e3ce/tions o/erates to e3c(ude ot*er e3ce/tions and
converse(y& t*ose w*ic* are not wit*in t*e enu,erated e3ce/tions are dee,ed inc(uded in t*e genera( ru(e.
R
E3ce/tions& as a genera( ru(e& s*ou(d +e strict(y +ut reasona+(y
construed.
OOOIII. E3ce/tion and /roviso distinguis*ed
R
an e3ce/tion di))ers )ro, a /roviso. An e3ce/tion e3e,/ts so,et*ing a+so(ute )ro, t*e o/eration o) a
statute& +y e3/ress words in t*e enacting c(ause.
R
A /roviso de)eats its o/eration conditiona((y.
R
A /roviso avoids t*e, +y way o) de)easance or e3cuse. An e3ce/tion is genera((y a /art o) t*e enact,ent
itse()& a+so(ute(y e3c(uding )ro, its o/eration so,e su+'ect or t*ing t*at ot*erwise wou(d )a(( wit*in its
sco/e.
R
8ut w*en t*e enact,ent is ,odi)ied +y engra)ting u/on it a new /rovision +y way o) a,end,ent&
/roviding conditiona((y )or a new case& it is in t*e nature o) a /roviso.
R
One o) t*e )unctions o) a /roviso is to e3ce/t so,et*ing )ro, an
enacting c(ause. In t*is sense& an e3ce/tion and a /roviso are si,i(ar.
OOOIV. Saving c(ause
R
It is a c(ause in a /rovision o) (aw w*ic* o/erates to e3ce/t )ro, t*e e))ect o) t*e (aw w*at t*e c(ause
/rovides or to save so,et*ing w*ic* wou(d ot*erwise +e (ost.
R
It is used to e3ce/t or save so,et*ing )ro, t*e e))ect o) a re/ea( o) a
statute.
R
It s*ou(d +e construed in t*e (ig*t o) t*e intent or /ur/ose o) t*e (egis(ature -t*e /rinci/a( consideration
+eing to e))ectuate suc* intent or carry out suc* /ur/ose..
R
It s*ou(d +e given a strict or (i+era( construction de/ending u/on t*e >ind o) inter/retation t*at s*ou(d&
considering its nature& +e given to t*e statute as a w*o(e.
C!A"TER 6
6.@# $enera((y
A statute is /assed as a w*i(e and not in /arts or sections and is ani,ated +y one genera( /ur/ose and intent.
Conse:uent(y& eac* /art or section s*ou(d +e construed in connection wit* every ot*er /art and section so as to
/roduce a *ar,onious w*o(e. W*o(e and every /art o) statute s*ou(d +e construed toget*er.
6.@1 Intent ascertained )ro, statue as w*o(e
T*e intent or ,eaning o) a statue s*ou(d +e ascertained )ro, t*e statute ta>en as a w*o(e and not )ro, an
iso(ated /art or /rovision t*ereo). T*e (egis(ative ,eaning is to +e e3tracted )or, t*e statue as a w*o(e. Its
c(auses are not to +e segrated& +ut every /art o) a statute is to +e construed wit* re)erence to every ot*er
/art and every word and /*rase in connection wit* its conte3t.O/ti,a
statute inter/retatri3 est i/su, statutu,. T*e +est inter/reter o) a statute is t*e
statue itse().
6.@2 "ur/ose or conte3t as contro((ing guide
A statute ,ust a(ways +e construed as a w*o(e& and t*e /articu(ar ,eaning to +e attac*ed to any word or
/*rase is usua((y to +e ascertained )ro, t*e conte3t& t*e nature o) t*e su+'ect treated and t*e /ur/ose or
intention o) t*e +ody w*ic* enacted or )ra,ed t*e statute. Statute ,ust receive a reasona+(e construction&
re)erence +eing *ad to t*eir contro((ing /ur/ose& to a(( t*eir /rovisions& )orce and e))ect +eing given not
narrow(y to iso(ated and dis'oined c(auses& +ut to t*eir s/irit& +road(y ta>ing a(( t*eir /rovisions toget*er in
one rationa( view.
6.@4 $iving e))ect to statute as a w*o(e
8ecause a statute is enacted in w*o(e and not in /arts or sections& w*ic* i,/(ies t*at one /art is as
i,/ortant as t*e ot*er& t*e statue s*ou(d +e construed and given e))ect as a w*o(e. A /rovision or section
w*ic* is unc(ear +y itse() ,ay +e ,ade c(ear +y reading and construing it in re(ation to t*e w*o(e statute.
Every /art o) a statute s*ou(d +e given e))ect +ecause a statute is enacted as an integrated ,easure and not
as a *odge/odge o) con)(icting /rovisions.
Court s*ou(d ado/t a construction t*at wi(( give e))ect to every /art o) a statue&
i) at a(( /ossi+(e. T*is ru(e is e3/ressed in t*e ,a3i, ut res ,agis va(eat :ua,
/ereat or t*e construction is to +e soug*t w*ic* gives e))ect to t*e w*o(e o) t*e
statuteQits every word.
6.@5 A//arent(y con)(icting /rovisions reconci(ed
T*e ru(e t*at a statute ,ust +e construed and given e))ect as a w*o(e re:uires t*at a//arent(y con)(icting
/rovisions s*ou(d +e reconci(ed and *ar,oni9ed& i) at a(( /ossi+(e. A(( t*e /rovisions& even i) a//arent(y
contradictory& s*ou(d +e a((owed to stand and given e))ect +y reconci(ing ti,e. T*e statute ,ust +e so
onstrued as to /revent a con)(ict +etween /arts o) it. or it is on(y +y so
construing a statute t*at t*e statute wi(( +e given e))ect as a w*o(e.
6.@6 S/ecia( and genera( /rovisions in sa,e statute
W*en t*ere is a /articu(ar or s/ecia( /rovision and a genera( /rovision in t*e sa,e statue and t*e (atter in its
,ost co,/re*ensive sense wou(d overru(e t*e )or,er& t*e /articu(ar or s/ecia( /rovision ,ust +e o/erative
and t*e genera( /rovision ,ust +e ta>en to a))ect on(y t*e ot*er /arts o) t*e statute to w*ic* it ,ay /ro/er(y
a//(y. T*e /articu(ar or s/ecia( /rovision is construed as an e3ce/tion to t*e genera( /rovision.
6.@7 Construction as not to render /rovision nugatory
T*e w*o(e state s*ou(d& i) /ossi+(e& +e given e))ect is t*at a /rovision o) a statute s*ou(d +e so
construed as not to nu((i)y or render nugatory anot*er /rovision o) t*e sa,e statute.
Inter/retatio )ienda est ut res ,agis va(eat :ua, /ereat&w*ic* ,eans
t*at a (aw s*ou(d +e inter/reted wit* a view to u/*o(ding rat*er t*an destroying it. A construction t*at
wou(d render a /rovision ino/erative or ine))ective s*ou(d +e avoided.
6.@A Reason )or t*e ru(e
T*e construction t*at re:uires t*at a//arent(y con)(icting /rovisions o) a statute +e reconci(ed
and *ar,oni9ed& i) at a(( /ossi+(e and t*at a /rovision s*ou(d +e so construed as not to nu((i)y anot*er& is
+ased on t*e /resu,/tion t*at t*e (egis(ature *as enacted a statute w*ose /rovisions are in *ar,ony and
consistent wit* eac* ot*er and t*at con)(icting intentions in t*e sa,e statue are never su//osed or regarded.
6.@; Iua(i)ication o) ru(e
One /art o) a statute cannot +e reconci(ed or *ar,oni9ed wit* anot*er /art wit*out nu((i)ying
one in )avor o) t*e ot*er& t*e court s*ou(d& in construing t*e statue& c*oose one w*ic* wi(( +est e))ectuate
t*e (egis(ative intent. Ru(e0 w*ere a+so(ute *ar,ony +etween /arts o) a statue is de,onstra+(y not /ossi+(e&
t*e court ,ust re'ect t*at one w*ic* is (east in accord wit* t*e genera( /(an o) t*e w*o(e statue. !owever& i)
t*ere +e no suc* ground )or c*oice +etween in*ar,onious /rovisions or sections& t*e (atter /rovision or
section& +eign t*e (ast e3/ression o) t*e (egis(ative wi((& ,ust& in construction& vacate t*e )or,er to t*e
e3tent o) t*e re/ugnancy.
6.#@ Construction as to give (i)e to (aw
%aw ,ust receive sensi+(e inter/retation to /ro,ote t*e ends )or w*ic* t*ey are enacted. T*ey
s*ou(d +e given reasona+(e and /ractica( construction as wi(( give (i)e to t*e,& i) it can +e done wit*out doing
vio(ence to reason. Converse(y& a (aw s*ou(d not +e construed as to a((ow t*e doing o) an act w*ic* is
/ro*i+ited +y (aw& nor so inter/reted as to a))ord an o//ortunity to de)eat co,/(iance in ter,s& create an
inconsistency& or contravene t*e /(ain words o) t*e (aw. Inter/retatio )ienda est ut res ,agis va(eat :ua,
/ereat or t*at inter/retation t*at wi(( give t*e t*ing e))icacy is to +e ado/ted.
T*e court s*ou(d start wit* t*e assu,/tion t*at t*e (egis(ature did not do a vain t*in gin t*e
enact,ent o) t*e statute. It is to +e /resu,ed t*at t*e (aw is co,/(ete +y itse(). Ut res ,agis va(eat :ua,
/ereat& t*at t*e courts
s*ou(d& i) reasona+(y /ossi+(e to do so wit*out vio(ence to t*e s/irit and (anguage o) an act& so inter/ret a
statute as to give it e))icient o/eration and e))ect as a w*o(e.
6.## Construction to avoid sur/(usage
T*e ru(e t*at a statue s*ou(d +e given e))ect as a w*o(e re:uires t*at t*e state +e so construed
as to ,a>e no /art o) /rovision t*ereo) sur/(usage. A (ega( /rovision ,ust not +e so construed as to +e a
use(ess sur/(usage& and according(y& ,eaning(ess in t*e sens o) adding not*ing to t*e (aw or *aving no
e))ect w*atsoever t*erein. Nor s*ou(d a word +e so construed as to render ot*er words or /*rases associated
wit* it serves no /ur/ose. or t*e (egis(ature& in enacting a (aw& is /resu,ed to *ave used t*e word or
/*rase )or a /ur/ose. In s*ort& t*e (egis(ature& in enacting a statute& is su//osed not to insert a /rovision
w*ic* is unnecessary and a sur/(usage.
6.#2 Statute and its a,end,ents construed toget*er
A(( /arts o) a statute are to +e *ar,oni9ed and reconci(ed so t*at e))ect ,ay +e given to eac*
and every /art t*ereo) a//(ies to t*e construction o) a statute and its a,end,ents. A,end,ents s*ou(d +e
given e))ect. It is to +e /resu,ed t*at t*e c*anges *ave so,e /ur/ose& w*ic* s*ou(d +e ascertained and
given e))ect.
8. STATUTE CONSTRUE? IN RE%ATION TO CONSTITUTION AN? OT!ER
STATUTES
6.#4 Statute construed in *ar,ony wit* t*e Constitution
As t*e Constitution is t*e )unda,enta( (aw to w*ic* a(( (aws are su+servient& a statute s*ou(d
not +e inter/reted inde/endent(y o) t*e Constitution. T*e statute s*ou(d +e construed in *ar,ony wit* and
not in vio(ation o) t*e )unda,enta( (aw. It is /resu,ed t*at t*e (egis(ature in enacting a (aw& *ave ad*ered to
t*e constitutiona( (i,itations.
A statute s*ou(d +e construed w*enever /ossi+(e in a ,anner t*at wi(( avoid con)(ict wit* t*e
Constitution. It s*ou(d not +e construed in suc* a way as wi(( give rise to a constitutiona( dou+t. Nor s*ou(d
it +e inter/reted in suc* a ,anner as wi(( render its a//(ication vio(ative o) a constitutiona( in*i+ition. It
s*ou(d +e inter/reted in consonance& rat*er t*an re/ugnant to& any constitutiona( co,,and or /rescri/tion.
W*ere a statute is reasona+(e susce/ti+(e o) two constructions& one constitutiona( and t*e
ot*er unconstitutiona(& t*at construction in )avor o) its constitutiona(ity s*a(( +e ado/ted and t*e
construction t*at wi(( render it inva(id re'ected. Every intend,ent o) (aw s*ou(d (ean towards its va(idity
and t*e court s*ou(d )avor t*at construction w*ic* gives it t*e greater c*ance o) surviving t*e test o)
constitutiona(ity.
I) t*ere is dou+t or uncertainty as to t*e ,eaning o) t*e (egis(ature& i) t*e words or /rovisions
are o+scure& or i) t*e enact,ent is )air(y susce/ti+(e o) two or ,ore constructions& t*at inter/retation wi(( +e
ado/ted w*ic* wi(( avoid t*e e))ect o) unconstitutiona(ity& even t*oug* it ,ay +e necessary& )or t*is
/ur/ose& to disregard t*e ,ore usua( or a//arent i,/ort o) t*e (anguage e,/(oyed. !owever& t*e court
cannot& in order to +ring a statute wit*in t*e )unda,enta( (aw& a,end it +y construction
6.#5 Statutes in /ari ,ateria
Statutes are in /ari ,ateria( w*en t*ey re(ate to t*e sa,e /erson or t*ing& or *ave t*e sa,e
/ur/ose or o+'ect& or cover t*e sa,e s/eci)ic or /articu(ar su+'ect ,atter. T*e (ater statute ,ay s/eci)ica((y
re)er to t*e /rior statutes. T*e )act t*at no re)erence is ,ade to t*e /rior (aw does not ,ean t*at t*e two
(aws are not in /ari ,ateria. It is su))icient& in order t*at t*ey ,ay +e considered in /ari ,ateria& t*at t*e
two or ,ore statute re(ate to t*e sa,e s/eci)ic su+'ect ,atter. Two (aws are not in /ari ,ateria i) t*ey re)er
to di))erent s/eci)ic ,atters& a(t*oug* t*ey +ot* )a(( under t*e sa,e +road su+'ect.
6.#6 !ow statutes in /ari ,ateria construed
A statute s*ou(d +e construed as to *ar,oni9e wit* ot*er (aws on t*e
sa,e su+'ect ,atter as to )or, a co,/(ete& co*erent and inte((igi+(e syste,.
Inter/retare et concordare (eges (egi+us est o/ti,us inter/retandi ,odusor
every statute ,ust +e so construed and *ar,oni9ed wit* ot*er statutes as to
)or, a uni)or, syste, o) 'uris/rudence.
Statutes in /ari ,ateria s*ou(d +e construed toget*er to attain t*e /ur/ose o) an e3/ress
nationa( /o(icy. or t*e assu,/tion is t*at w*enever t*e (egis(ature enacts a (aw& it *as in ,ind t*e /revious
statutes re(ating to t*e sa,e su+'ect ,atter& and in t*e a+sence o) any e3/ress re/ea( or a,end,ent& t*e new
statute is dee,ed enacted in accord wit* t*e (egis(ative /o(icy e,+odied in t*e /rior statutes and t*ey
s*ou(d +e construed toget*er. "rovisons in an act w*ic* are o,itted in anot*er act re(ating to t*e sa,e
su+'ect ,atter wi(( +e a//(ied in a /roceeding under t*e ot*er act w*en not inconsistent wit* its /ur/ose.
"rior statutes re(ating to t*e sa,e su+'ect ,atter are to +e co,/ared wit* t*e new /rovisions& and i)
/ossi+(e +y reasona+(e construction& +ot* are to +e construed t*at e))ect is given to every /rovision o) suc*.
Statutes in /ari ,ateria& a(t*oug* in a//arent con)(ict& are so )ar as reasona+(y /ossi+(e construed to +e in
*ar,ony wit* eac* ot*er.Inter/retare et concordare (eges
(egi+us& est o/ti,us inter/retandi ,odus& w*ic* ,eans t*at t*e +est ,et*od o)
inter/retation is t*at w*ic* ,a>es (aws consistent wit* ot*er (aws.
W*en two or ,ore statutes on t*e sa,e su+'ect were enacted at di))erent ti,es and under
dissi,i(ar circu,stances or conditions& t*eir inter/retation s*ou(d +e in accordance wit* t*e circu,stances
or conditions /ecu(iar to eac*& in order t*at t*e statutes ,ay +e *ar,oni9ed or +etter understood. Ru(e
+ased on0 distingue te,/ora et concorda+is 'ura& or distinguis* ti,es and you wi(( *ar,oni9e (aws.
A statute wi(( not& *owever& +e construed as re/ea(ing /rior act on t*e sa,e su+'ect in t*e
a+sence o) words to t*at e))ect& un(ess t*ere is an irreconci(a+(e re/ugnancy +etween t*e, or un(ess t*e
new (aw is evident(y intended to su/ersede a(( /rior acts on t*e ,atter and to co,/rise itse() t*e so(e and
co,/(ete syste, o) (egis(ation on t*e su+'ect.
6.#7 Reasons w*y (aws on sa,e su+'ect are reconci(ed
In enacting a statute& t*e (egis(ature is /resu,ed to *ave +een aware o)& and *ave ta>en into
account& /rior (aws on t*e su+'ect o) (egis(ation. It cannot +e said t*at t*ey intended t*e esta+(is*,ent o)
con)(icting and *osti(e syste,s on t*e sa,e su+'ect& or to (eave in )orce /rovisions o) a /rior (aw w*ic*
,ay t*wart and overt*row t*e wi(( o) t*e (egis(ature.
6.#A W*ere *ar,oni9ation is i,/ossi+(e
I) two or ,ore (aws on t*e sa,e su+'ect cannot /ossi+(y +e reconci(ed or *ar,oni9ed& one *as
to give way in )avor o) t*e ot*er. T*ere cannot +e two con)(icting (aws on t*e sa,e su+'ect. T*e ear(ier one
,ust yie(d to t*e (ater one& it +eing t*e (ater e3/ression o) t*e (egis(ative wi((.
6.#; I((ustration o) t*e ru(e
6.1@ $enera( and s/ecia( statutes
A genera( statute is a statute w*ic* a//(ies to a(( o) t*e /eo/(e o) t*e state or to a(( o) a
/articu(ar c(ass o) /ersons in t*e state wit* e:ua( )orce. It is one w*ic* e,+races o) a c(ass o) su+'ect or
/(aces and does not o,it any su+'ect or /(ace natura((y +e(onging to suc* c(ass. A s/ecia( statute is one
w*ic* re(ates to /articu(ar /ersons or t*ings o) a c(ass or to a /articu(ar /ortion or section o) t*e state on(y.
A genera( (aw and s/ecia( (aw on t*e sa,e su+'ect are statutes in /ari ,ateria( and s*ou(d&
according(y +e read toget*er and *ar,oni9ed& i) /ossi+(e& wit* a view to giving e))ect to +ot*. Ru(e0 w*ere
t*ere are two acts& one o) w*ic* is s/ecia( and /articu(ar and t*e ot*er genera( w*ic*& i) standing a(one&
wou(d inc(ude t*e sa,e ,atter and t*us con)(ict wit* t*e s/ecia( act& t*e s/ecia( ,ust /revai( since it
evinces t*e (egis(ative intent ,ore c(ear(y t*an t*at o) a genera( statute and ,ust +e ta>en as intended to
constitute an e3ce/tion to t*e genera( act.
T*e circu,stance t*at t*e s/ecia( (aw is /assed +e)ore or a)ter t*e genera( act does not c*ange
t*e /rinci/(e. W*ere t*e s/ecia( (aw is (ater& it wi(( +e regarded as an e3ce/tion to or :ua(i)ication o)& t*e
/rior genera( act< and w*ere t*e genera( act is (ater& t*e s/ecia( statute wi(( +e construed as re,aining an
e3ce/tion to its ter,s& un(ess re/ea(ed e3/ress(y or +y necessary i,/(ication.
W*ere two statutes are o) e:ua( t*eoretica( a//(ication to a /articu(ar
case& t*e one designed t*ere)ore s/ecia((y s*ou(d /revai(.
6.1# Reason )or t*e ru(e
Reason0 -s/ecia( as e3ce/tion to t*e genera(. t*e (egis(ature in /assing a (aw o) s/ecia(
c*aracter *as its attention directed to t*e s/ecia( )acts and circu,stance w*ic* t*e s/ecia( )acts and
circu,stances w*ic* t*e s/ecia( act is intended to ,eet.
6.11 Iua(i)ications o) t*e ru(e
T*e ru(e is not a+so(ute. One e3ce/tion is t*at w*ere t*e (egis(ature c(ear(y intended t*e (ater
genera( enact,ent to cover t*e w*o(e su+'ect and to re/ea( a(( /rior (aws inconsistent t*erewit*& t*e genera(
(aw /revai(s over a s/ecia( (aw on t*e su+'ect. In suc* case& t*ere is a re/ea( o) t*e s/ecia( (aw.
Anot*er e3ce/tion0 w*ere t*e s/ecia( (aw ,ere(y esta+(is*es a genera( ru(e w*i(e t*e genera(
(aw creates a s/eci)ic and s/ecia( ru(e& in w*ic* case t*e genera( (aw /revai(s over t*e s/ecia( (aw.
T*e ru(e does not a//(y w*ere t*e situation is reversed& t*at is& t*e genera( (aw treats t*e
su+'ect in /articu(ar and t*e s/ecia( (aw re)ers to it in genera(. In t*is situation& t*e genera( (aw /revai(s over
t*e s/ecia( (aw in t*e event o) re/ugnancy or con)(ict +etween t*e two (aws.
6.12 Re)erence statutes
A re)erence statute is a statute w*ic* re)ers to ot*er statutes and ,a>es t*e, a//(ica+(e to t*e
su+'ect o) (egis(ation. It is incor/oration in a statute o) anot*er statute +y re)erence. It is used to avoid
encu,+ering t*e statute +oo>s o) unnecessary re/etition& and t*ey *ave +een recogni9ed as an a//roved
,et*od o) (egis(ation& in t*e a+sence o) constitutiona( restrictions.
T*e ado/tion +y re)erence o) a statute t*at was /revious(y re/ea(ed revives t*e statute. T*e
ado/tion ta>es t*e ado/ted statute as it e3ists at t*e tie o) ado/tion and does not inc(ude t*e su+se:uent
c*anges or ,odi)ication o) t*e statute so ta>en& un(ess it does so e3/ress(y.
A re)erence statute s*ou(d +e so construed as to *ar,oni9e wit*& and
to give e))ect to& t*e ado/ted statute.
6.14 Su//(e,enta( statutes
A su//(e,enta( act is one intended to su//(y de)iciencies in an e3isting statute and to add& to
co,/(ete& or e3tend t*e statute wit*out c*anging or ,odi)ying its origina( te3t. T*e origina( statute and t*e
su//(e,enta( act s*ou(d +e read and construed toget*er to ,a>e an inte((igi+(e w*o(e.
6.15 Reenacted statutes
A statute w*ic* reenacts a /revious statute or t*e /rovisions t*ereo) is >nown as reenacted
statute. A reenact,ent is one in w*ic* t*e /rovisions o) an ear(ier statute are re/roduced in t*e sa,e or
su+stantia((y t*e sa,e words. T*e reenact,ent ,ay a(so +e ,ade +y re)erence. T*us& w*ere a statute
/rovides t*at a(( (aws not inconsistent wit* t*e /rovisions t*ereo) are dee,ed incor/orated and ,ade
integra( /arts t*ereo) +y re)erence& suc* /revious (aws on t*e sa,e su+'ect ,atter are dee,ed enacted.
T*e reenact,ent is a (egis(ative e3/ression o) intention to ado/t t*e construction as we(( as
t*e (anguage o) t*e /rior act. Ru(e0 w*en a statute or a /rovision t*ereo) *as +een construed +y t*e court o)
(ast resort and t*e sa,e is su+stantia((y reenacted& t*e (egis(ature ,ay +e regarded as ado/ting suc*
construction& and t*e construction w*ic* t*e ado/ted statute /revious(y received.T*e ru(e is t*at two statute
wit* a /ara((e( sco/e& /ur/ose and
ter,ino(ogy s*ou(d& eac* in its own )ie(d& *ave a (i>e inter/retation& un(ess in /articu(ar instances t*ere is
so,et*ing /ecu(iar in t*e :uestion under t*e consideration& or dissi,i(ar in t*e ter,s o) t*e act re(ating
t*ereto& re:uiring a di))erent conc(usion.
6.16 Ado/tion o) conte,/oraneous construction
T*e reenact,ent o) a statute w*ic* *as received a /ractica( or conte,/oraneous construction
+y t*ose c*arged wit* t*e duty o) e3ecuting it is a /ersuasive indication o) t*e ado/tion +y t*e (egis(ature o)
t*e /rior /ractica( or e3ecutive construction& t*e (egis(ature +eing /resu,ed to >now t*e e3istence o) suc*
construction w*en it ,ade t*e reenact,ent.
6.17 Iua(i)ication o) t*e ru(e
t*e ru(e t*at w*en a 'udicia( or conte,/oraneous construction *as +een given to a statute& t*e
reenact,ent o) t*e statute is genera((y *e(d to +e in e))ect a (egis(ative ado/tion o) t*e construction& a//(ies
on(y w*en t*e statute is
ca/a+(e o) t*e construction given to it and w*en t*e construction *as +eco,e a
sett(ed ru(e o) conduct.
6.1A Ado/ted statutes
An ado/ted statute is statute /atterned a)ter& or co/ied )ro, a statute o) a )oreign country.
In construing it& t*e court s*ou(d ta>e into consideration t*e construction o) t*e (aw +y t*e courts o) t*e
country )ro, w*ic* it is ta>en& as we(( as t*e (aw itse() and t*e /ractices under it& )or t*e (egis(ature is
/resu,ed to *ave ado/ted suc* construction and /ractices wit* t*e ado/tion o) t*e (aw. T*e /resu,/tion
does not& *owever& a//(y to construction given t*e statute su+se:uent to its ado/tion& a(t*oug* it *ad
/ersuasive e))ect on t*e inter/retation o) t*e ado/ted statute
C!A"TER 7
7.#.
$enera((y0
W*et*er a statute is to +e given a strict or (i+era( construction wi(( +e de/end u/on t*e nature
o) t*e statute& t*e /ur/ose to +e su+served and t*e ,isc*ie) to +e re,edied& and a strict or (i+era(
inter/retation wi(( +e given a statute t*at wi(( +est acco,/(is* t*e end desired and e))ectuate (egis(ative
intent.
7.1.
Strict construction& genera((y
Strict construction is t*at construction according to t*e (etter o) a statute& w*ic* recogni9es
not*ing t*at is not e3/ressed& ta>es t*e (anguage used in its e3act ,eaning& and ad,its no e:uita+(e
consideration. It does not ,ean giving a statute its narrowest ,eaning o) w*ic* it is susce/ti+(e. Nor does it
,ean t*at words s*a(( +e so restricted as not to *ave t*eir )u(( ,eaning. Sco/e o) statute s*a(( not +e
e3tended or en(arged +y i,/(ication& intend,ent& or e:uita+(e consideration +eyond t*e (itera( ,eaning o)
its ter,s.
7.2.
%i+era( construction& de)ined.
%i+era( constructions ,eans suc* e:uita+(e construction as wi(( en(arge o) a statute to
acco,/(is* its intended /ur/ose& carry out its intent& or /ro,ote 'ustice.
It does not ,ean en(arge,ent o) a /rovision w*ic* is c(ear&
una,+iguous and )ree )ro, dou+t& )or a statute w*ic* is /(ain and c(ear is not su+'ect to construction.
%i+era(
construction is t*at construction w*ic* e3/ands t*e ,eaning o) a statute to ,eet cases w*ic* are c(ear(y
wit*in t*e s/irit or reason t*ereo) or wit*in t*e evi( w*ic* t*e statute was designed to re,edy& or w*ic*
give t*e statute its genera((y acce/ted ,eaning to t*e end t*at t*e ,ost co,/re*ensive a//(ication t*ereo)
,ay+e accorded& wit*out +eing inconsistent wit* its (anguage or doing vio(ence to any o) its ter,s. %i+era(
construction ,eans t*at t*e words s*ou(d receive a )air and reasona+(e inter/retation& so as to attain t*e
intent& s/irit and /ur/ose o) t*e (aw.
7.4.
%i+era( construction a//(ied& genera((y
T*e (itera( ,eaning o) t*e words used ,ay +e re'ected i) t*e resu(t o) ado/ting said ,eaning
wou(d +e to de)eat /ur/ose o) t*e (aw. %i+era( inter/retation so as to save t*e statute )ro, o+(iteration& utres
,agis va(eat :ua, /ereat. Construction +y t*is nature and t*e act o)
t*e court in engra)ting u/on a (aw so,et*ing w*ic* its +e(ieves oug*t to *ave +een e,+raced t*erein. T*e
)or,er is (i+era( construction and is a (egiti,ate e3ercise o) 'udicia( /ower. T*e (atter is 'udicia( (egis(ation
)or+idden +y t*e tri/artite division o) /owers a,ong t*e t*ree de/art,ents o) govern,ent& t*e e3ecutive&
t*e (egis(ative and t*e 'udicia(. A statute ,ay not +e (i+era((y construed to read into it so,et*ing w*ic* its
c(ear and /(ain (anguage re'ects.
7.5.
Construction to /ro,ote socia( 'ustice.
FIt -socia( 'ustice ,andate. is ,eant )or t*e t*ree de/art,ents0 t*e (egis(ative&
e3ecutive& and 'udicia(& +ecause t*e (atter two are no (ess t*an t*e agencies o) t*e state t*an t*e )irst.
En*ance socia( 'ustice.
7.6.
Construction ta>ing into consideration genera( we()are or growt* o)
civi(i9ation.So,e aut*orities advocate a construction w*ic* see>s an
e3/ansive a//(ication o) statutes to attain t*e genera( we()are.sa(us /o/u(i est
su/re,a (e3. Statute enacted )or t*e /u+(ic good are to +e construed (i+era((y.
Statuta /ro /u+(ico co,,odo (ate inter/retantur. An aut*ority on t*e su+'ect
e3/ounds on t*is ty/e o) construction0 FT*ere is )or ,e in a(( cases a /rinci/(e o) statutory construction not
to +e )ound on t*e +oo>s& +ut w*ic* )or t*e "*i(i//ine Is(ands is a((=i,/ortant. In t*e reso(ution o) a((
:uestions& I +egin wit* t*ese :ueries0 w*at is )or t*e +est interest o) t*e i(i/ino /eo/(eS
FT*e statute in genera( *as two& articu(ate organs )or (aw,a>ing /ur/oses N t*e (egis(ature and
t*e tri+una(. irst organ ,a>es new (aw& t*e second attests and con)ir,s o(d (aw. Statutes ,ust +e
inter/reted in t*e (ig*t o) t*e growt* o) civi(i9ation and varying conditions.
7.7.
"ena( statutes& genera((y.
"ena( statutes re)er to t*ose (aws +y w*ic* /unis*,ents are i,/osed )or
vio(ation or transgression o) t*eir /rovisions. Acts o) t*e (egis(ature w*ic* /ro*i+it certain acts and
esta+(is* /ena(ties )or t*eir vio(ation< or t*ose t*at de)ine cri,es& treat o) t*eir nature and /rovide )or t*eir
/unis*,ent. "ena( or cri,ina( (aws are t*ose w*ic* i,/ose /unis*,ent )or an o))ense co,,itted against
t*e state& and w*ic* t*e c*ie) e3ecutive *as t*e /ower to /ardon. A statute w*ic* decrees t*e )or)eiture in
)avor o) t*e state o) une3/(ained wea(t* ac:uired +y a /u+(ic o))icia( w*i(e in o))ice is cri,ina( in nature.
7.A.
"ena( statutes strict(y construed.
"ena( or cri,ina( (aws are strict(y construed against t*e State and (i+era((y in
)avor o) t*e accused cannot +e en(arged or e3tended +y intend,ent& i,/(ication& or any e:uita+(e
consideration. T*e (anguage o) a /ena( statutes cannot +e en(arged +eyond t*e ordinary ,eaning o) its
ter,s in order to carry into e))ect t*e genera( /ur/ose )or w*ic* t*e statute was enacted. Reso(ved in )avor
o) t*e /erson accused o) vio(ating t*e statute.
No /erson s*ou(d +e +roug*t wit*in t*e ter,s o) a statute w*o is not c(ear(y wit*in t*e,& nor s*ou(d any
act +e /ronounced cri,ina( w*ic* is not c(ear(y ,ade so +y t*e statute.
T*e ru(e t*at /ena( statutes are strict(y construed does not ,ean t*at every /ena( (aw ,ust +e
so narrow(y construed as to de)eat t*e (aw itse()< it ,ere(y ,eans t*at t*ey are not to +e construed so
strict(y as to nu((i)y or destroy t*e o+vious /ur/ose o) t*e (egis(ature.
8e construed wit* suc*
strictness as to care)u((y sa)eguard t*e rig*ts o) t*e de)endant and at t*e sa,e ti,e /reserve t*e o+vious
intention o) t*e (egis(ature. It wi(( endeavor to e))ect su+stantia( 'ustice.
Care)u( scrutiny sa)eguard t*e rig*ts o) t*e accused. Two reasona+(e +ut contradictory
constructions& t*at w*ic* o/erates in )avor o) a /arty accused under its /rovision is to +e /re)erred. T*e
/rinci/(e is t*at acts in and o) t*e,se(ves innocent and (aw)u( cannot +e *e(d to +e cri,ina( un(ess t*ere is
a c(ear and une:uivoca( e3/ression o) t*e (egis(ative intent to ,a>e t*e, suc*.
7.;.
Reason w*y /ena( statutes are strict(y construed.
%aw is tender in )avor o) t*e rig*ts o) an individua(< t*e o+'ect is to esta+(is* a
certain ru(e +y con)or,ity to w*ic* ,an>ind wou(d +e sa)e& and t*e discretion o) t*e court (i,ited. T*e
/ur/ose o) strict construction is not to ena+(e a gui(ty /erson to esca/e /unis*,ent t*roug* a tec*nica(ity
+ut to /rovide a /recise de)inition o) )or+idden acts.
7.#@.Acts ,a(a in se and ,a(a /ro*i+ita.
$enera( ru(e is t*at a /ena( statute wi(( not +e construed to ,a>e t*e co,,ission
o) certain /ro*i+ited acts cri,ina( wit*out regard to t*e intent o) t*e doer& un(ess t*ere is a c(ear (egis(ative
intent to t*e contrary< evi( intent ,ust co,+ine wit* an act.Actus non )acit reu, nisi ,ens sit rea& t*e act
itse() does not ,a>e a ,an gui(ty un(ess *is intention were so.Actus ,e invito
)actus non est ,eus actus& an act done +y ,e against ,y wi(( is not ,y act.
Ma(a in se& cri,ina( intent& a/art )ro, t*e act itse()& is re:uired +ut in t*ose
w*ic* are ,a(a /ro*i+ita t*e on(y in:uiry is& *as t*e (aw +een vio(ated.
7.#1 %i,itation o) t*e ru(e.
T*e ru(e t*at /ena( statutes are given a strict construction is not t*e on(y )actor
in t*e inter/retation o) t*e cri,ina( (aws< ,ere(y serves as an additiona( )actor to +e considered as an aid in
ascertaining t*e ,eaning o) /ena( (aws. A strict construction s*ou(d not +e /er,itted to de)eat t*e intent&
/o(icy& and /ur/ose o) t*e statute. T*e court s*ou(d consider t*e s/irit and reason o) a statute w*ere a (itera(
,eaning wou(d (ead to a+surdity& contradiction& in'ustice& or wou(d de)eat t*e c(ear /ur/ose o) t*e (aw& )or
strict construction o) a cri,ina( statute does not ,ean suc* construction as to de/rive it o) t*e ,eaning
intended.Ca/a+(e o) two inter/retations& one w*ic* wi(( o/erate to e3e,/t an
accused )ro, (ia+i(ity )or vio(ation t*ereo) and anot*er w*ic* wi(( give e))ect to t*e ,ani)est intent o) t*e
statute and /ro,ote its o+'ect& t*e (atter t*e inter/retation s*ou(d +e ado/ted< t*ey are not to +e so strict(y
construed as to de)eat t*e o+vious /ur/ose o) t*e (egis(ature.
7.#2 Statutes in derogation o) rig*ts.
"eo/(e in re/u+(ican state en'oy certain rig*ts& w*ic* are eit*er in*erent or
guaranteed +y t*e constitution or /rotected +y (aw< rig*ts are not a+so(ute& and t*e state& in t*e e3ercise o)
its /o(ice /ower& ,ay enact (egis(ations curtai(ing or restricting t*eir en'oy,ent. As t*ese statutes are in
derogation o) co,,on or genera( rig*ts& t*ey are genera((y strict(y construed and rigid(y con)ined to cases
c(ear(y wit*in t*eir sco/e or /ur/ose.< two reasona+(y /ossi+(e constructions&
one w*ic* wou(d di,inis* or restrict
)unda,enta( rig*t o) t*e /eo/(e and t*e ot*er o) w*ic* wou(d not do so& t*e (atter construction ,ust +e
ado/ted so as to a((ow )u(( en'oy,ent o) suc* )unda,enta( rig*t.
7.#4 Statutes aut*ori9ing e3/ro/riations.
T*e /ower o) e,inent do,ain is essentia((y (egis(ative in nature. T*e (egis(ature
,ay not& *owever& +y itse()& e3ercise suc* /ower +y enacting a (aw direct(y e3/ro/riating a /articu(ar (and
and )i3ing t*e a,ount o) 'ust co,/ensation t*ereo). It ,ay de(egate t*e /ower& +y (aw& su+'ect to *earing as
to 'ust co,/ensation to t*e /resident& (oca( govern,ent units& or a /u+(ic uti(ity co,/any.< strict(y
construed against t*e e3/ro/riating aut*ority and (i+era((y in )avor o) /ro/erty owners< Fe3ercise o) t*e
rig*t o) e,inent do,ain& w*et*er +y t*e state or +y its aut*ori9ed agents& is necessari(y in derogation o)
/rivate rig*ts& and t*e ru(e in t*at case is t*at t*e aut*ority ,ust +e strict(y construed< rig*t to )ree*o(d
in*a+itants.
7.#5 Statutes granting /rivi(eges.
Statutes granting advantages to /rivate /ersons or entities *ave in ,any instance
created s/ecia( /rivi(eges or ,ono/o(ies )or t*e rantees and *ave t*us +een viewed wit* sus/icion and
strict(y construed< /u+(ic advantage is gained +y t*e grant& it narrow(y a//ears to +e secondary signi)icance
co,/ared wit* t*e advantage gained +y t*e grantee.
Strict construction re:uires t*at t*ose w*o invo>e a s/ecia(
/rivi(ege granted +y t*e statute ,ust co,/(y strict(y wit* its /rovisions.
"rivi(egia reci/ient (arga, inter/retatione, vo(untati consona, concedentis& or
/rivi(eges are to +e inter/reted in accordance wit* t*e wi(( o) *i, w*o grants
t*e,.
7.#6 %egis(ative grants to (oca( govern,ent units.
%egis(ative grants in )avor o) (oca( govern,ent units are grants o) a /u+(ic
nature& and *ence& s*ou(d +e strict(y construed against t*e grantee.< t*ere is in suc* a grant a gratuitous
donation o) /u+(ic ,oney or /ro/erty w*ic* resu(ts in an un)air advantage to t*e grantee and )or t*at
reason& t*e grant s*ou(d +e narrow(y restricted in )avor o) t*e /u+(ic.
7.#7 Statutory grounds )or re,ova( o) o))icia(s.
Statutes re(ating to sus/ension or re,ova( o) /u+(ic o))icia(s are strict(y
construed. < re,ova( is to +e con)ined wit*in t*e (i,its /rescri+ed )or it< t*e causes& ,anner and conditions
)i3ed ,ust +e /ursued wit* strictness< w*ere t*e cause o) re,ova( is s/eci)ied& t*e s/eci)ication a,ounts to
a /ro*i+ition to re,ove )or a di))erent cause& w*ic* is a /ara/*rase o) t*e ,a3i,
e3/ressio unius est e3c(usion a(terius. < re,edy o) re,ova( is drastic one and
/ena( in nature.< w*ere a statute /rovides t*at a /u+(ic o))icia( ,ay +e re,oved )or Fneg(ect o) duty&
o//ression& corru/tion or ot*er )or,s o) ,a(ad,inistration in o))ice&H t*e /*rase Kin o))iceH s*ou(d +e
construed to :ua(i)y t*e enu,erated grounds& in t*at t*e grounds ,ust +e suc* as a))ect t*e o))icerLs
/er)or,ance o) *is duties as an o))icer and not suc* as a))ect on(y *is c*aracter as a /rivate /erson.
7.#A Natura(i9ation (aws.
%aws on natura(i9ation are strict(y construed against an a//(icant )or citi9ens*i/
and rigid(y )o((owed and en)orced. < rig*t o) an a(ien to +eco,e a citi9en +y natura(i9ation is a statutory
rat*er t*at a natura( one& and it does not +eco,e vested unti( *e )i(es a /etition and esta+(is*es +y
co,/etent and satis)actory evidence t*at *e *as a(( t*e :ua(i)ications and none o) t*e dis:ua(i)ications
s/eci)ied +y (aw.
7.#; Statutes i,/osing ta3es and custo, duties.
T*e /ower to ta3 is an incident o) sovereignty and is un(i,ited in its range&
ac>now(edging in its very nature no (i,its& so t*at security against its a+use t*e is to +e )ound on(y in t*e
res/onsi+i(ity o) t*e (egis(ature w*ic* i,/oses t*e ta3 o) t*e constituency w*o are to /ay it. < F/ower to ta3
invo(ves t*e /ower to destroy.H <
ta3 statutes ,ust +e construed strict(y against
t*e govern,ent and (i+era((y in )avor o) t*e ta3/ayer. < t*e statute is to +e construed strict(y against t*e
su+'ection to ta3 (ia+i(ity& and it wi(( not +e construed as i,/osing a ta3 un(ess it does so c(ear(y& e3/ress(y
and una,+iguous(y . a ta3 cannot +e i,/osed wit*out c(ear and e3/ress words )or t*at /ur/ose. Ta3 or
custo,s (aws ,ay not +e e3tended +y i,/(ication +eyond t*e c(ear i,/ort o) t*eir (anguage& nor t*eir
o/eration en(arged so as to e,+race ,atters not s/eci)ica((y /rovided. <
Reason N ta3ation is a destructive /ower w*ic* inter)eres wit* t*e /ersona( and /ro/erty
rig*ts o) t*e /eo/(e and ta>es )ro, t*e, a /ortion o) t*eir /ro/erty )or t*e su//ort o) t*e govern,ent.<
+urdens are not to +e i,/osed& nor /resu,ed to +e i,/osed& +eyond w*at t*e statutes e3/ress(y and c(ear(y
i,/ort.
7.1@ Statutes granting ta3 e3e,/tions.
Ta3es are w*at t*e /eo/(e /ay )or civi(i9ed society. < (i)e+(ood o) t*e nation. T*e
(aw )rowns against e3e,/tions )ro, ta3ation. %aws granting ta3 e3e,/tions are t*us construed strictiss,i
'uris against t*e ta3/ayer and (i+era((y in )avor o) t*e ta3ing aut*ority. Ta3ation is t*e ru(e and e3e,/tion is
t*ee3ce/tion. T*e +urden o) /roo) rests u/on t*e /arty c(ai,ing e3e,/tion to /rove t*at it is in )act
covered +y t*e e3e,/tion so c(ai,ed. Statutes granting ta3 e3e,/tions are construed strictissi,i 'uris
against t*e ta3/ayer and (i+era((y in )avor o) t*e ta3ing aut*ority. 8asis N to ,ini,i9e t*e di))erent
treat,ent and )oster i,/artia(ity& )airness and e:ua(ity o) treat,ent a,ong ta3/ayers. or e3e,/tions )ro,
ta3ation are not )avored in (aw& nor are t*ey /resu,ed. T*ey ,ust +e e3/ressed in t*e c(earest and ,ost
una,+iguous (anguage and not (e)t to ,ere i,/(ications. Fe3e,/tions are never /resu,ed& t*e +urden is on
t*e c(ai,ant to esta+(is* c(ear(y *is rig*t to e3e,/tion and an a((eged grant o) e3e,/tion wi(( +e strict(y
construed and cannot +e ,ade out +y in)erence or i,/(ications +ut ,ust +e +eyond reasona+(e dou+t. In
ot*er words& sinc
a3ation is t*e ru(e and e3e,/tion t*e intention to ,a>e an e3e,/tion oug*t to
+e e3/ressed in c(ear and una,+iguous ter,s.
7.1# Iua(i)ication o) ru(e.
Not a+so(ute. W*ere t*e /rovision o) t*e (aw is c(ear and una,+iguous & so t*at
t*ere is no occasion )or t*e court see>ing t*e (egis(ative intent& t*e (aw ,ust +e ta>en as it is& devoid o)
'udicia( addition or su+traction. %aw /rovides no :ua(i)ication )or t*e granting o) ta3 e3e,/tion& t*e court
is not at (i+erty to su//(y one..< does not a//(y in t*e case o) ta3 e3e,/tions in )avor o) t*e govern,ent
itse() or its agencies.
7.11 Statutes concerning t*e sovereign.
Restrictive statutes w*ic* i,/ose +urdens on t*e /u+(ic treasury or w*ic*
di,inis* rig*ts and interest are strict(y construed. or t*is reason& suc* statutes & no ,atter *ow +road t*eir
ter,s are& do not e,+race t*e sovereign& un(ess t*e sovereign is s/eci)ica((y ,entioned.
7.12 Statutes aut*ori9ing suits against t*e govern,ent.
FState ,ay not +e sued wit*out its consent.H N rea))ir,s universa( ru(e t*at t*e
sovereign is e3e,/t )ro, suit& in t*e a+sence o) its consent to +e sued usua((y in t*e )or, o) a statute to t*at
e))ect& not +ecause o) any )or,a( conce/tion or a+so(ute t*eory +ut on t*e (ogica( and /ractica( ground t*at
t*ere can +e no (ega( rig*t de/ends.Nu((u, te,/us occurrit regi. A statute w*ere+y t*e state gives its
consent to +e sued is strict(y construed& and t*e waiver o) i,,unity )ro, suit& +eing in derogation o)
sovereignty& wi(( not +e (ig*t(y in)erred.
7.14 Statutes /rescri+ing )or,a(ities o) wi((.
Statutes /rescri+ing t*e )or,a(ities to +e o+served in t*e e3ecution o) wi((s are
strict(y construed& < a wi(( ,ust +e e3ecuted in accordance wit* t*e statutory re:uire,ents& ot*erwise it is
entire(y void. < a//(y t*e intent o) t*e (egis(ators and not t*at o) t*e testator& and t*e (atterLs intention is
)re:uent(y de)eated +y t*e non=o+servance o) w*at t*e statute re:uires.
7.15 E3ce/tions and /rovisos.
As a ru(e& e3ce/tions s*ou(d +e strict(y +ut reasona+(y construed< t*ey e3tend
on(y so )ar as t*eir (anguage )air(y warrants& and a(( dou+ts s*ou(d +e reso(ved in )avor o) t*e genera(
/rovision rat*er t*an t*e e3ce/tion. T*e court wi(( not curtai( t*e )or,er nor add to t*e (atter +y
i,/(ication& and it is a ru(e t*at an e3/ress e3ce/tion e3c(udes a(( ot*ers& a(t*oug* it is a(ways /ro/er in
deter,ining t*e a//(ica+i(ity o) t*is ru(e to in:uire w*et*er& in t*e /articu(ar case& it accords wit* reason
and 'ustice.
Si,i(ar(y& a statute& ru(e or situation w*ic* a((ows e3ce/tions to t*e re:uire,ent
o) warrant o) arrest or searc* warrant ,ust +e strict(y construed. A /re)erence is an e3ce/tion to t*e genera(
ru(e and it is w*at its na,e i,/(ies.
A /roviso s*ou(d +e inter/reted consistent(y wit* t*e (egis(ative intent. T*e
reason is t*at t*e (egis(ative /ur/ose set )ort* in t*e genera( enact,ent e3/resses t*e (egis(ative /o(icy and
on(y t*ose e3/ress(y e3e,/ted +y t*e /roviso s*ou(d +e )reed )ro, t*e o/eration o) t*e statute.
C. STATUTES %I8ERA%%Y CONSTRUE?
7.16 $enera( socia( (egis(ation
I,/(e,ent t*e socia( 'ustice and /rotection=to=(a+or /rovisions o) t*e
Constitution are >nown as genera( we()are (egis(ations. T*ese statutes are construed (i+era((y. $enera(
we()are (egis(ations& t*e courts wi(( +e guided +y ,ore t*an 'ust an in:uiry into t*e (etter o) t*e (aw as
against its s/irit and wi(( u(ti,ate(y reso(ve any dou+t in )avor o) t*e /ersons w*o, t*e (aw intended to
+ene)it.
%a+or (aws& tenancy (aws& (and re)or, (aws and socia( security (aws. !owever&
w*i(e genera( we()are (egis(ations are construed (i+era((y in )avor o) t*ose intended to +e +ene)ited& t*is
/rinci/(e *o(ds true on(y w*en t*ere is dou+t or a,+iguity in t*e (aw and not w*en t*e (aw itse() is c(ear
and )ree dou+t.
Wor>ing,anLs we()are s*ou(d +e t*e /ri,ordia( and /ara,ount consideration.
Artic(e 4 o) t*e New %a+or Code w*ic* states t*at Ka(( dou+ts in t*e i,/(e,entation and inter/retation o)
t*e /rovisions o) t*e %a+or Code inc(uding its i,/(e,enting ru(es and regu(ations s*a(( +e reso(ved in )avor
o) (a+or. 8ased on t*e /re,ise t*at t*e statute is a,+iguous.
7.17 $enera( we()are c(ause.
T*e genera( we()are c(ause on t*e /ower o) (oca( govern,ent *as two +ranc*es.
One +ranc* attac*es itse() to t*e ,ain trun> o) ,unici/a( aut*ority and re(ates to suc* ordinances and
regu(ations as ,ay +e necessary to carry into e))ect and disc*arge t*e /owers and duties con)erred u/on
(oca( (egis(ative +odies +y (aw. T*e second +ranc* is ,uc* ,ore inde/endent o) t*e s/eci)ic )unctions
enu,erated +y (aw. It aut*ori9es suc* ordinances as s*a(( see, necessary and /ro/er to /rovide )or t*e
*ea(t* and sa)ety& /ro,ote t*e /ros/erity& i,/rove t*e ,ora(s& /eace& good order& co,)ort& and convenience
o) t*e (oca( govern,ent unit and t*e in*a+itants t*ereo)& and )or t*e /rotection o) t*e /ro/erty t*erein.
T*e genera( we()are c(ause s*ou(d +e construed (i+era((y in
)avor o) t*e (oca( govern,ent units.
7.1A $rant o) /ower to (oca( govern,ents.
%i,ited se()=govern,ent to )u(( autono,y. T*e o(d ru(e is t*at ,unici/a(
cor/orations& +eing ,ere creatures o) t*e (aw& *ave on(y suc* /owers as are e3/ress(y granted to t*e, and
t*ose w*ic* are necessari(y i,/(ied or incidenta( to t*e e3ercise t*ereo) and t*at grants o) /ower to t*e,
are to +e construed strict(y and any dou+t s*ou(d +e reso(ved in )avor o) t*e nationa( govern,ent and
against t*e /o(itica( su+division concerned.
T*e ru(e o) construction c*ange wit* t*e enact,ent o) Re/u+(ic Act No.1164&
ot*erwise >nown as t*e %oca( Autono,y Act. Section #1 o) said Act /rovides in /art t*at t*e Ki,/(ied
/ower o) a /rovince& a city or a ,unici/a(ity s*a(( +e (i+era((y construed in its )avor. Any )air and
reasona+(e dou+t as to t*e e3istence o) t*e /ower s*ou(d +e inter/reted in )avor o) t*e (oca( govern,ent
and it s*a(( +e /resu,ed to e3ist. T*is (i+era( construction is )orti)ied +y t*e Constitution. #;72
Constitution is towards t*e )u((est autono,y o) (oca( govern,ent units.
%oca( $overn,ent Code N Kany /ower o) a +arangay&
,unici/a(ity& city or /rovince s*a(( +e (i+era((y construed in its )avor.
S*a(( +e reso(ved in )avor o) devo(ution o) /owers and o) t*e (ower (oca(
govern,ent unit. Ta3 ordinance or revenue ,easure s*a(( +e construed strict(y against t*e (oca( govern,ent
unit enacting it& and (i+era((y in )avor o) t*e ta3/ayer. Any ta3 e3e,/tion construed strict(y against t*e
/erson c(ai,ing it< %i+era((y inter/reted to give ,ore /owers to (oca( govern,ent units in acce(erating
econo,ic deve(o/,et and u/grading t*e :ua(ity o) (i)e )or t*e /eo/(e in t*e co,,unity< governed +y t*e
origina( ter,s and conditions o) said contracts or t*e (aw in )orce at t*e ti,e suc* rig*ts were vested<
reso(ution o) controversies ,ay +e *ad to t*e custo,s and traditions in t*e /(ace w*ere t*e controversies
ta>e /(ace.
7.1; Statutes granting ta3ing /ower.
8e)ore t*e #;72 Constitution& t*e ru(e is t*at a (oca( govern,ent unit& un(i>e t*e
sovereign state is c(ot*ed wit* no in*erent /ower o) ta3ation. And t*e ta3ing /ower w*en granted is to +e
construedstrictissi,i
'uris. Any dou+t or a,+iguity arising out o) t*e ter,s used in granting t*at
/ower ,ust +e reso(ved against t*e (oca( govern,ent unit.
I
n)erences& i,/(ications& and deductions *ave no /(ace in t*e inter/retation o) t*e ta3ing /ower o) a
,unici/a( cor/oration.
8ased on t*e conce/t t*at (oca( govern,ent& un(i>e t*e
sovereign state& are a((ocated wit* no in*erent /ower to ta3.
T
*e New Constitution *as c*anged suc* conce/t. T*e Constitution /rovides t*at FEac* (oca( govern,ent
unit s*a(( *ave t*e /ower to create its own sources o) revenue and to (evy ta3es& )ees and c*arges su+'ect to
suc* guide(ines and (i,itations as t*e congress ,ay /rovide& consistent wit* t*e +asic /o(icy o) (oca(
autono,y. Statutes /rescri+ing (i,itations o) t*e ta3ing /ower o) (oca( govern,ent units ,ust +e strict(y
construed against t*e nationa( govern,ent and (i+era((y in )avor o) t*e (oca( govern,ent units.
7.2@ Statutes /rescri+ing /rescri/tive /eriod to co((ect ta3es.
Statutes /rescri+ing t*e /eriod o) (i,itation o) action )or t*e co((ection o) ta3es
is +ene)icia( +ot* to t*e govern,ent +ecause ta3 o))icers wou(d +e o+(iged to act /ro,/t(y in t*e ,a>ing o)
assess,ent& and to citi9ens +ecause a)ter t*e (a/se o) t*e /eiod o) /rescri/tion& citi9ens wou(d *ave a
)ee(ing o) security against unscru/u(ous ta3 agents w*o wi(( a(ways )ind an e3cuse to ins/ect t*e +oo>s o)
ta3/ayers& not to deter,ine t*e (atterLs rea( (ia+i(ity& +ut to ta>e advantage o) every o//ortunity to ,o(est
/eace)u(& (aw=a+iding citi9ens.
7.2# Statues i,/osing /ena(ties )or non=/ay,ent o) ta3.
Statues i,/osing /ena(ties )or non=/ay,ent o) ta3es wit*in t*e re:uired /eriod
are (i+era((y construed in )avor o) t*e govern,ent and strict(y o+served and inter/reted against t*e
ta3/ayer. Strong reasons o) /u+(ic /o(icy su//ort t*is ru(e. Suc* (aws are intended to *asten ta3 /ay,ents
or to /unis* evasions or neg(ect o) duty in res/ect t*ereto.
T*ey wi(( not /(ace u/on ta3 (aws so (oose a construction as to /er,it evasions
on ,ere(y )anci)u( and insu+stantia( distinctions. W*en /ro/er& a ta3 statute s*ou(d +e construed to avoid
t*e /ossi+i(ities o) ta3 evasions.
7.21 E(ection %aws.
E(ection (aws s*ou(d +e reasona+(y and (i+era((y construed to ac*ieve t*eir
/ur/ose N to e))ectuate and sa)eguard t*e wi(( o) t*e e(ectorate in t*e c*oice o) t*eir re/resentatives N )or
t*e a//(ication o) e(ection (aws invo(ves /u+(ic interest and i,/oses u/on t*e Co,,ission on E(ections
and t*e courts t*e i,/erative duty to ascertain +y a(( ,eans wit*in t*eir co,,and w*o is t*e rea( candidate
e(ected +y t*e /eo/(e.
E(ections (aws ,ay +e divided into t*ree /arts )or /ur/oses o) a//(ying t*e ru(es
o) statutory construction. T*e)irst /art re)ers to t*e /rovisions )or t*e conduct o) e(ections w*ic* e(ections
o))icia(s are re:uired to )o((ow. T*esecond /art covers t*ose /rovisions w*ic* candidates )or o))ice are
re:uired to /er)or,. T*et*ird /art e,+races t*ose /rocedura( ru(es w*ic* are designed to ascertain& in case
o) dis/ute& t*e actua( winner in t*e e(ections.
Fru(es and regu(ations )or t*e conduct o) e(ections are ,andatory +e)ore t*e
e(ection& +ut w*en it is soug*t to en)orce t*e, a)ter t*e e(ections t*ey are *e(d to +e directory on(y& i) t*at is
/ossi+(e& es/ecia((y w*ere& i) t*ey are *e(d to +e ,andatory& innocent voters wi(( +e de/rived o) t*eir votes&
wit*out any )au(t on t*eir /art. $enera((y& Ft*e /rovisions o) a statute as to t*e ,anner o) conducting t*e
detai(s o) an e(ections are not ,andatory& +ut directory ,ere(y& and irregu(arities in conducting an e(ections
and counting t*e votes& not /roceeding )ro, any wrong)u( intent and w*ic* de/rives no (ega( voter o) *is
votes& wi(( not vitiate an e(ection or 'usti)y t*e re'ection o) t*e entire votes o) a /recinct.
T*e /rovisions o) t*e e(ection (aw w*ic* candidates )or t*e o))ice are re:uired to
co,/(y are genera((y regarded as ,andatory. Iua(i)ications o) candidates& re:uiring t*e )i(ing o)
certi)icates o) candidacy& de)ining e(ection o))enses& and (i,iting t*e /eriod wit*in w*ic* to )i(e e(ection
contests& are ,andatory and )ai(ure to co,/(y wit* suc* /rovisions are )ata(.
T*e /rovisions o) t*e e(ection (aw designed to deter,ine t*e wi(( o) t*e
e(ectorate are (i+era((y construed. Tec*nica( and /rocedura( +arriers s*ou(d not +e a((owed to stand i) t*ey
constitute an o+stac(e in t*e c*oice o) t*eir e(ective o))icia(s.
E(ection (aw intended to sa)eguard t*e wi(( o) t*e /eo/(e in t*eir c*oice o) t*eir
re/resentatives s*ou(d +e construed (i+era((y to ac*ieve suc* /ur/ose.
E(ection /rotest& w*ic* s*ou(d +e (i+era((y construed to t*e end t*at t*e /o/u(ar
wi(( e3/ressed in t*e e(ection o) /u+(ic o))icers wi(( not& +y reason o) /ure(y tec*nica( o+'ections& +e
de)eated.
Rigid a//(ication o) t*e (aw t*at wi(( /rec(ude t*e court )ro, ascertaining t*e
/o/u(ar wi(( s*ou(d +e re'ected in )avor o) a (i+era( construction t*ereo) t*at wi(( su+serve suc* end& w*ere
a rigid and strict a//(ication and en)orce,ent o) /rovisions o) t*e e(ection (aw wi(( sa)eguard /o/u(ar wi((
and /revent transgression o) su))rage and t*e ,andate o) t*e ,a'ority& t*e /rovisions wi(( +e given strict
construction.
E(ection contest& es/ecia((y
a//reciation o) +a((ots& ,ust +e (i+era((y construed to t*e end t*at t*e wi(( o) t*e e(ectorate in t*e c*oice o)
/u+(ic o))icia(s ,ay not +e de)eated +y tec*nica( in)ir,ities.
7.22 A,nesty /roc(a,ations
A,nesty /roc(a,ations s*ou(d +e (i+era((y construes so as to carry out t*eir
/ur/ose& w*ic* is to encourage t*e return to t*e )ie(d o) t*e (aw o) t*ose w*o *ave veered )ro, t*e (aw.
A,nesty and /ardon are synony,ous& and )or t*is reason& t*e grant o) /ardon s*ou(d (i>ewise +e construed
(i+era((y in )avor o) t*ose /ardoned and strict(y against t*e state& )or w*ere two words are synony,ous& t*e
ru(es )or inter/reting one wi(( a//(y to t*e ot*er.
7.24 Statues /rescri+ing /rescri/tions o) cri,es.
A stature o) (i,itation or /rescri/tion o) o))enses is in t*e nature o) a,nesty
granted +y t*e state& dec(aring t*at a)ter a certain ti,e& o+(ivion s*a(( +e cast over t*e o))ense. !ence&
statutes o) (i,itations are (i+era((y o) construction +e(ongs to a(( acts o) a,nesty and grace& +ut +ecause t*e
very e3istence o) t*e statute is a recognition and noti)ication +y t*e (egis(ature o) t*e )act t*at ti,e& w*i(e it
gradua((y wears out /roo)s and innocence& *as assigned to it )i3ed and /ositive /eriods in w*ic* it destroys
/roo)s o) gui(t.
7.25 Ado/tion statues.
Ado/tion statutes are construed (i+era((y in )avor o) t*e c*i(d to +e ado/ted wit*
t*e (i+era( conce/t t*at ado/tion statutes& +eing *u,ane& and sa(utary& *o(d t*e interest and we()are o) t*e
c*i(d to +e a /ara,ount consideration and are designed to /rovide *o,es& /arenta( care and education )or
t*e un)ortunate& needy or or/*aned c*i(dren and give t*e, t*e /rotection o) a society and )a,i(y in t*e
/erson o) t*e ado/ter.
7.26 Veteran and /ension (aws
Veteran and /ension (aws are enacted to co,/ensate a c(ass o) ,en w*o
su))ered in t*e service )or t*e *ards*i/s t*ey endured and t*e dangers t*ey encountered in (ine o) duty.
T*ey are e3/ression o) gratitude to and recognition o) t*ose w*o rendered service tot e* country +y
e3tending to t*e, regu(ar ,onetary +ene)it. or t*ese reasons& suc* statutes are construed (i+era((y to t*e
end t*at t*eir no+(e /ur/ose is +est acco,/(is*ed. !owever& w*i(e veteran and /ension (aws are to +e
construed (i+era((y& t*ey s*ou(d +e so construed as to /revent a /erson )ro, receiving dou+(e /ension or
co,/ensation& un(ess t*e (aw /rovides ot*erwise. Retire,ent or /ension (aws are a(so (i+era((y construed.
8eing re,edia( in c*aracter& a statute creating /ension or esta+(is*ing retire,ent /(an s*ou(d +e (i+era((y
construed and ad,inistered in )avor o) t*e /ersons intended to +ene)ited t*ere+y.
7.27 Ru(es o) Court.
T*e Ru(es o) Court& +eing /rocedura(& are to +e construed (i+era((y wit* t*e end
in view o) rea(i9ing t*eir /ur/ose N t*e /ro/er and 'ust deter,ination o) a (itigation. A (i+era( construction
o) t*e Ru(es o) Court re:uires t*e courts& in t*e e3ercise o) t*eir )unctions& to act reasona+(y and not
ca/ricious(y& and en'oins t*e, to a//(y t*e ru(es in order to /ro,ote t*eir o+'ect and to assist t*e /arties in
o+taining a 'ust& s/eedy and ine3/ensive deter,ination o) t*eir cases& ,eans conducive to t*e rea(i9ation o)
t*e ad,inistration o) (aw and 'ustice.
%a/ses in t*e (itera( o+servance o) a ru(e o) /rocedure wi(( +e
over(oo>ed w*en t*ey do not invo(ve /u+(ic /o(icy& w*en t*ey arose )ro, an
*onest ,ista>e or un)oreseen accident& w*en t*ey *ave not /re'udiced t*e adverse /arty and *ave not
de/rived t*e court o) its aut*ority. Conceived in t*e +est traditions o) /ractica( and ,ora( 'ustice and
co,,on sense& t*e Ru(es o) Court u/on=s/(itting tec*nica(ities t*at do not s:uare wit* t*eir (i+era(
tendency and wit* t*e ends o) 'ustice.
T*e (itera( stricture o) t*e ru(e *ave +een re(a3ed in )avor o) (i+era( construction
in t*e )o((owing cases0 #. w*ere a rigid a//(ication wi(( resu(t in a ,ani)est )ai(ure or ,iscarriage o) 'ustice
1. w*ere t*e interest o) su+stantia( 'ustice wi(( +e served 2. w*ere t*e reso(ution o) t*e e,otion is addressed
so(e(y to t*e sound and 'udicious discretion o) t*e court and 4. w*ere t*e in'ustice to t*e adverse /arty is
not co,,ensurate wit* t*e degree o) *is t*oug*t(essness in not co,/(ying wit* t*e /rescri+ed /rocedure.
7.2A Ot*er statues.
Curative statutes are enacted to cure de)ects in a /rior (aw or to va(idate (ega(
/roceedings w*ic* wou(d ot*erwise +e void )or want o) con)or,ity wit* certain (ega( re:uire,ents. T*ey
are intended to su//(y de)ects& a+ridge su/er)(uities and cur+ certain evi(s. T*eir /ur/ose is to give va(idity
to acts done t*at wou(d *ave +een inva(id under e3isting (aws *ave +een co,/(ied wit*. Curative statutes&
+y t*eir very nature& are retroactive.
Rede,/tion (aws& +eing re,edia( in nature are to +e construed (i+era((y to carry
our t*eir /ur/ose& w*ic* is to ena+(e t*e de+tor to *ave *is /ro/erty a//(ied to /ay as ,any de+torLs
(ia+i(ities as /ossi+(e. E3ecution are inter/reted (i+era((y in order to give e))ect to t*eir +ene)icent and
*u,ane /ur/ose< and to t*is end& any reasona+(e dou+t +e construed in )avor o) t*e e3e,/tion )ro,
e3ecution. %aws on Attac*,ent are a(so (i+era((y construed in order to /ro,ote t*eir /ro'ects and assist t*e
/arties in o+taning s/eedy 'ustice.
An instru,ent o) credit& ware*ouse recei/ts /(ay a very i,/ortant ro(e in
,odern co,,erce& and according(y& ware*ouse recei/t (aws are given (i+era( construction in )avor o)+ona
)ide *o(ders o) suc* recei/ts.
T*e /ur/ose o) t*e /ro+ation +eing to give )irst=*and o))enders a second c*ance
to ,aintain *is /(ace in society t*roug* t*e /rocess o) re)or,ation& it s*ou(d +e (i+era((y construed to
ac*ieve its o+'ective. T*us& t*e /ro+ation (aw ,ay (i+era((y construed +y e3tending t*e +ene)its t*ereo) to
any one not s/eci)ica((y dis:ua(i)ied.
C!A"TER A
A. IN $ENERA%
=
Statutes ,ay +e c(assi)ied eit*er as ,andatory or directory.
Mandatory and directory statutes& genera((y
=
Mandatory statute is a statute w*ic* co,,ands eit*er /ositive(y t*at so,et*ing +e done& or /er)or,ed in a
/articu(ar way& or negative(y t*at so,et*ing +e not done& (eaving t*e /erson concerned no c*oice on t*e
,atter e3ce/t to o+ey.
=
Act e3ecuted against t*e /rovisions o) ,andatory or /ro*i+itory (aws
s*a(( +e void& e3ce/t w*en t*e (aw itse() aut*ori9es t*eir va(idit
=
W*ere a statute is ,andatory& t*e court *as no /ower to distinguis* +etween ,ateria( and i,,ateria( +reac*
t*ereo) or o,ission to co,/(y wit* w*at it re:uires.
=
A directory statute is a statute w*ic* is /er,issive or discretionary in nature and ,ere(y out(ines t*e act to
+e done in suc* a way t*at no in'ury can resu(t )ro, ignoring it or t*at its /ur/ose can +e acco,/(is*ed in a
,anner ot*er t*an t*at /rescri+ed and su+stantia((y t*e sa,e resu(t o+tained.
=
T*e non/er)or,ance o) w*at it -directory statute. /rescri+es& t*oug* constituting in so,e instances an
irregu(arity or su+'ecting t*e o))icia( concerned to disci/(inary or ad,inistrative sanction& wi(( not vitiate
t*e /roceedings t*erein ta>en.
W*en statute is ,andatory or directory
=
T*e /ri,ary o+'ect is to ascertain (egis(ative intent.
=
%egis(ative intent does not de/end u/on t*e )or, o) t*e statute.
=
Consideration ,ust +e given to t*e entire statute& its o+'ect& /ur/ose& (egis(ative *istory and t*e
conse:uences w*ic* wou(d resu(t )ro, construing it one way or t*e ot*er& and t*e statute ,ust +e construed
in connection wit* ot*er re(ated statutes.
=
T*e (anguage o) t*e statute& *owever ,andatory in )or,& ,ay +e dee,ed directory w*enever t*e (egis(ative
/ur/ose can +est +e carried out +y suc* construction& +ut t*e construction o) ,andatory words as directory
s*ou(d not +e (ig*t(y ado/ted and never w*ere it wou(d in )act ,a>e a new (aw instead o) t*at /assed +y t*e
(egis(ature.
=
W*et*er a statute is ,andatory or directory de/ends on w*et*er t*e t*ing directed to +e done is o) t*e
essence o) t*e t*ing re:uired& or is a ,ere ,atter o) )or,& and w*at is a ,atter o) essence can o)ten +e
deter,ined on(y +y 'udicia( construction.
Test to deter,ine nature o) statute
=
T*e test genera((y e,/(oyed to deter,ine w*et*er a statute is ,andatory or directory is to ascertain t*e
conse:uences t*at wi(( )o((ow in case w*at t*e statute re:uires is not done or w*at it )or+ids is /er)or,ed.
=
W*et*er a statutory re:uire,ent is ,andatory or directory de/ends on
its e))ects.
=
I) no su+stantia( rig*ts de/end on it and no in'ury can resu(t )ro, ignoring it< and t*e /ur/ose o) t*e
(egis(ature can +e acco,/(is*ed in a ,anner ot*er t*an t*at /rescri+ed and su+stantia((y t*e sa,e resu(ts
o+tained& t*en t*e statute wi(( genera((y +e regarded as directory< +ut i) not& it wi(( +e ,andatory.
=
A statute wi(( not +e construed as ,andatory and re:uiring a /u+(ic o))icer to act wit*in a certain ti,e (i,it
even i) it is couc*ed in words o) /ositive co,,and i) it wi(( cause *ards*i/ or in'ustice on t*e /art o) t*e
/u+(ic w*o is not at )au(t. Nor wi(( a statute +e inter/reted as ,andatory i) it wi(( (ead to a+surd& i,/ossi+(e
or ,isc*ievous conse:uences.
%anguage used
=
Statutes using words o) co,,and& suc* as Fs*a((H& F,ustH& Foug*tH& or Fs*ou(dH& or /ro*i+ition& suc* as
FcannotH& Fs*a(( notH or Foug*t notH& are genera((y regarded as ,andatory.
=
T*e use o) words o) co,,and or o) /ro*i+ition indicates t*e (egis(ative
intent to ,a>e t*e (aw ,andatory.
=
It *as +een *e(d t*at t*e intention o) t*e (egis(ature as to t*e ,andatory or directory nature o) /articu(ar
statutory /rovision is deter,ined /ri,ari(y )ro, t*e (anguage t*ereo).
Use o) Fs*a((H or F,ustH
=
As a genera( ru(e& t*e use o) t*e word Fs*a((H in a statute i,/(ies t*at
t*e statute is ,andatory.
=
It ,eans Foug*t toH& F,ustH& and w*en used in a statute or regu(ation&
e3/resses w*at is ,andatory.
=
T*e ter, Fs*a((H is a word o) co,,and& and one w*ic* *as or w*ic* ,ust +e given a co,/u(sory ,eaning
and it is genera((y i,/erative or ,andatory.
=
I) a di))erent inter/retation is soug*t& it ,ust rest u/on so,et*ing in t*e c*aracter o) t*e (egis(ation or in t*e
conte3t w*ic* wi(( 'usti)y a di))erent ,eaning.
=
It connotes co,/u(sion or ,andatoriness.
=
T*is ru(e is not a+so(ute. T*e i,/ort o) t*e word de/ends u/on a consideration o) t*e entire /rovision& its
nature& o+'ect and t*e conse:uences t*at wou(d )o((ow )ro, construing it one way or t*e ot*er.
=
T*e word F,ustH in a statute& (i>e Fs*a((H is not a(ways i,/erative. It ,ay +e consistent wit* discretion. I)
t*e (anguage o) a statute considered as a w*o(e and wit* due regard to its nature and o+'ect revea(s t*at t*e
(egis(ature intended to use t*e word F,ustH to +e directory& it s*ou(d +e given t*at ,eaning.
=
One test used to deter,ine w*et*er t*e word Fs*a((H in ,andatory or discretionary is w*et*er non=
co,/(iance wit* w*at is re:uired wi(( resu(t in t*e nu((ity o) t*e act. I) it resu(ts in t*e nu((ity o) t*e act& t*e
word is used as a co,,and.
Use o) F,ayH
=
T*e word F,ayH is an au3i(iary ver+ s*owing& a,ong ot*ers o//ortunity or /ossi+i(ity. Under ordinary
circu,stances& t*e /*rase F,ay +eH i,/(ies t*e /ossi+(e e3istence o) so,et*ing.
=
$enera((y s/ea>ing& t*e use o) t*e word F,ayH in a statute denotes t*at it is directory in nature. T*e word
F,ayH is genera((y /er,issive on(y and o/erates to con)er discretion.
=
T*e word F,ayH as used in ad'ective (aws& suc* as re,edia( statutes
w*ic* are construed (i+era((y& is on(y /er,issive and not ,andatory.
W*en Fs*a((H is construed as F,ayH and vice versa
=
?e/ending u/on a consideration o) t*e entire /rovision& its nature& its o+'ect& and t*e conse:uences t*at
wou(d )o((ow )ro, construing it one way or t*e ot*er& t*e converti+i(ity o) said ter,s eit*er as ,andatory
or directory is a standard recourse in statutory construction.
=
It is we((=sett(ed t*at t*e word F,ayH s*ou(d +e read as Fs*a((H w*ere suc* construction is necessary to give
e))ect to t*e a//arent intention o) t*e (egis(ature.
=
T*e word F,ayH wi((& as a ru(e& +e construed as Fs*a((H w*ere a statute /rovides )or t*e doing o) so,e act
w*ic* is re:uired +y 'ustice or /u+(ic duty& or w*ere it vests a /u+(ic +ody or o))icer wit* /ower and
aut*ority to ta>e suc* action w*ic* concerns t*e /u+(ic interest or rig*ts o) individua(s.
=
Statutes /rescri+ing :ua(i)ications )or o))ice
=
E(igi+i(ity to a /u+(ic o))ice is o) a continuing nature and ,ust e3ist at t*e co,,ence,ent o) t*e ter, and
during t*e occu/ancy o) t*e o))ice. Statutes /rescri+ing t*e e(igi+i(ity or :ua(i)ications o) /ersons to a
/u+(ic o))ice are& as a ru(e& regarded as ,andatory.
Statutes re(ating to assess,ent o) ta3es
= It is a genera( ru(e t*at t*e /rovisions o) a statute re(ating to t*e assess,ent
o) ta3es& w*ic* are intended )or t*e security o) t*e citi9ens& or to insure t*e e:ua(ity o) ta3ation& or )or
certainty as to t*e nature and a,ount o) eac* ot*erLs ta3& are ,andatory< +ut t*ose designed ,ere(y )or t*e
in)or,ation or direction o) o))icers or to secure ,et*odica( and syste,atic ,odes o) /roceedings are
,ere(y directory.
Statutes concerning /u+(ic auction sa(e
=
Statutes aut*ori9ing /u+(ic auction sa(e o) /ro/erties and /rescri+ing t*e /rocedure to +e )o((owed are in
derogation o) /ro/erty rig*ts and due /rocess& and are construed& wit* res/ect to t*e /rescri+ed /rocedure&
to +e ,andatory.
=
T*e /rescri+ed ste/s ,ust +e )o((owed strict(y< ot*erwise& t*e sa(e at
/u+(ic auction s*a(( +e void.
C. ?IRECTORY STATUTES
Statutes /rescri+ing guidance )or o))icers
=
T*ere are statutory re:uisitions intended )or guidance o) o))icers in t*e conduct o) +usiness devo(ved u/on
t*e, w*ic* do not (i,it t*eir /ower or render its e3ercise in disregard o) t*e re:uisitions ine))ectua(.
=
"rovisions o) t*is c*aracter are not usua((y regarded as ,andatory& un(ess acco,/anied +y negative words
i,/orting t*at t*e acts re:uired s*a(( not +e done in any ot*er ,anner or ti,e t*an t*at designated.
Statutes /rescri+ing ,anner o) 'udicia( action
=
Statutes /rescri+ing t*e re:uire,ents as to t*e ,anner o) 'udicia( action t*at 'udges s*ou(d )o((ow in t*e
disc*arge o) t*eir )unctions are& as a ru(e& ,ere(y directory.
=
It s*ou(d not +e assu,es in t*e a+sence o) s/eci)ic (anguage to t*e contrary t*at t*e (egis(ature intended
t*at t*e rig*t o) /arties s*ou(d +e serious(y a))ected +y t*e )ai(ure o) a court or so,e o))icer to co,/(y
strict(y wit* t*e statutory re:uire,ents o) o))icia( action.
=
"rocedure is secondary in i,/ortance to su+stantive rig*t& and t*e non o+servance o) suc* /rocedure
s*ou(d never +e /er,itted to a))ect su+stantive rig*t& un(ess t*e intention o) t*e (egis(ature is c(ear(y
e3/ressed.
=
It is universa((y *e(d t*at statutes o) t*is nature are ,ere(y directory and nonco,/(iance t*erewit* is not
necessary to t*e va(idity o) t*e /roceedings.
Statutes re:uiring rendition o) decision wit*in /rescri+ed /eriod
=
T*e constitution /rovides t*at t*e ,a3i,u, /eriod wit*in w*ic* a case or ,atter s*a(( +e decided or
reso(ved )ro, t*e date o) its su+,ission& s*a(( +e 14 ,ont*s )or t*e Su/re,e Court& and un(ess reduced +y
t*e Su/re,e Court& #1 ,ont*s )or (ower co((egiate courts and 2 ,ont*s )or a(( ot*er (ower courts.
=
Eac* Constitutiona( Co,,ission s*a(( decide any case +roug*t +e)ore it
wit*in si3ty days )ro, t*e date o) its su+,ission )or reso(ution.
=
A 'udg,ent /ro,u(gated a)ter t*e e3/iration o) t*e said /eriod is not nu(( and void& a(t*oug* t*e o))icer
w*o )ai(ed to co,/(y wit* t*e (ay ,ay +e dea(t wit* ad,inistrative(y in conse:uence o) *is de(ay=un(ess
t*e intention to t*e contrary is ,ani)est.
=
W*ere a statute s/eci)ies t*e ti,e at or wit*in w*ic* an act is to +e done +y a /u+(ic o))icer or +ody& it is
genera((y *e(d to +e directory on(y as to t*e ti,e& and not ,andatory& un(ess t*e ti,e is o) t*e essence o) t*e
t*ing to +e done& or t*e (anguage o) t*e statute contains negative words& or s*ows t*at t*e designation o) t*e
ti,e was intended as a (i,itation o) /ower& aut*ority or rig*t.
=
T*e +etter ru(e is t*at w*ere a construction o) a ti,e /rovision as ,andatory wi(( cause great in'ury to
/ersons not at )au(t or resu(t in a ,iscarriage o) 'ustice& suc* conse:uence s*ou(d +e avoided +y construing
t*e statute as directory& )or reasons o) )airness& 'ustice and )air /(ay re:uire suc* construction.
=
It *as +een *e(d t*at a statute re:uiring rendition o) 'udg,ent wit*in a s/eci)ied ti,e is genera((y construed
to +e ,ere(y directory& so t*at non=co,/(iance wit* t*e, does not inva(idate t*e 'udg,ent on t*e t*eory
t*at i) t*e statute *ad intended suc* resu(t& it wou(d *ave c(ear(y indicated.
=
!owever& w*i(e t*e /eriod )i3ed +y (aw to reso(ve a case is ,ere(y directory& it cannot +e disregarded or
ignored co,/(ete(y wit* a+so(ute i,,unity.
=
It cannot +e assu,ed t*at t*e (aw *as inc(uded a /rovision t*at is de(i+erate(y intended to +eco,e
,eaning(ess and to +e treated as a dead (etter.
Constitutiona( ti,e /rovision directory
=
?oes t*e Constitution a(ter t*e genera( ru(e and render ti,e /rovision to decide ,andatoryS Is a decision
rendered +eyond t*e /eriod /rescri+ed in t*e Constitution= 14 ,ont*s )or t*e Su/re,e Court& #1 ,ont*s )or
t*e (ower co((egiate courts and 2 ,ont*s )or ot*er (ower courts= nu(( and voidS
=
T!E Su/re,e Court gave negative answers -Marce(ino v. Cru9.
C!A"TER ;
I.
"ros/ective And Retroactive Statutes0 ?e)inition
R
"ros/ective statute is one& w*ic* o/erates u/on )acts (oo>s and a//(ies to
t*e )uture.
R
A retroactive (aw is a (aw w*ic* disa+i(ity in res/ect to a transaction a(ready
/ast.
II.
%aws O/erate "ros/ective(y& $enera((y
A.
Ru(e0
statutes are to +e construed as *aving on(y /ros/ective o/eration& un(ess t*e intent o) t*e
(egis(ature to give t*e, retroactive e))ect is e3/ress(y dec(ared or is necessari(y i,/(ied )ro, t*e (anguage
used -Monti((a vs. Agustinia Cor/..
R
E,+odied in Artic(e 4 o) t*e civi( code
R
%e3 /ros/icit& non res/icit N t*e (aw (oo>s )orward& not +ac>ward
R
%e3 )uturo& 'ude3 de /raeterito N t*e (aw /rovides )or t*e )uture& t*e 'udge
)or t*e /ast
R
T*e )act t*at t*e (aw is si(ent as to t*e date o) its a//(ication and t*at is couc*ed in t*e /ast tense does not
necessari(y i,/(y t*at it s*ou(d *ave retroactive e))ect.
8.
Reason )or t*e genera( ru(e
R
T*e (aw *as no +inding e))ect unti( it is enacted *ence it *as no a//(ication
to /ast +ut on(y to )uture ti,es.
R
Nova consitutio )uturis )or,a, i,/onere de+et non /raeteritis N a new
statute s*ou(d a))ect t*e )uture& not t*e /ast.
III.
"resu,/tion against retroactivity
R
T*e /resu,/tion is t*at a(( (aws o/erate /ros/ective(y un(ess t*e contrary c(ear(y a//ears or is c(ear(y
/(ain(y and une:uivoca((y e3/ressed or necessari(y i,/(ied -Ce+u "ort(and vs. Co,,ission o) Interna(
Revenue..
R
In every case o) dou+t& dou+t ,ust +e reso(ved against retroactive
o/eration o) (aws
IV.
Words Or "*rases Indication "ros/ectivity
-#.
!erea)ter
-1.
T*erea)ter
-2.
In t*e enacting c(ause0 F)ro, and a)ter t*e /assing o) t*is
actH
-4.
Fs*a((H -Ce+u "ort(and vs. CIR
-5.
FS*a(( ta>e e))ect u/on its a//rova(H -Co,,issioner o)
Interna( Revenue vs. i(i/inas Co,/ania de Seguros
V.
Retroactive statutes
R
T*e constitution does not /ro*i+it t*e enact,ent o) retroactive statutes& w*ic* do not i,/air t*e o+(igations
o) contract& de/rive /ersons o) /ro/erty wit*out due /rocess o) (aw& or divest rig*ts t*at *ave a(ready
+eco,e vested.
R
E3 /ost )acto (aws are /ro*i+ited.
VI.
Statues $iven "ros/ective E))ect
A.
"ena( statutes& genera((y
R
Artic(e 1# R"C N no )e(ony s*a(( +e /unis*a+(e +y any /ena(ty not /rescri+ed
to its co,,ission
R
8asis o) Artic(e 1#0 Nu((u, cri,en sine /oena& nu((a /oena sine (egis0 t*ere
is no cri,e i) t*ere is no (aw /unis*ing it.
8.
E3 /ost )acto (aws
R
Ru(e0 No e3 /ost )acto (aws s*a(( +e enacted
R
Ma>es an act done +e)ore t*e /assage o) t*e (aw and w*ic* is innocent
w*en done& and /unis*es suc* act.
R
A//(ies on(y to cri,ina( or /ena( ,atters and not to civi( (aws
C.
8i(( o) attainder
R
Ru(e0 No +i(( o) attainder s*a(( +e enacted
R
8i(( o) attainder is a (egis(ative act& w*ic* in)(icts /unis*,ent wit*out 'udicia(
tria(.
R
I) a (aw is +i(( o) attainder& it is an e3 /ost )acto (aw. I) it is not an e3 /ost
)acto (aw& it is not a +i(( o) attainder.
?.
W*en /ena( (aws a//(y retroactive(y
R
Un(ess it is )avora+(e to t*e accused -Artic(e 11& R"C.
R
T*is is )ounded on conscience and good (aw and contained in a/*oris,0
avora+i(ia sunt a,/(ianda& adiosa restringenda -(aws t*at are )avora+(e to
t*e accused are given retroactive e))ect.
R
E3ce/tion0
a. W*en t*e accused is a *a+itua( de(in:uent.
+. W*ere t*e (ater statute e3/ress(y /rovide t*at it s*a(( not a//(y to
e3isting actions or /ending cases
c. Accused disregards t*e (ater (aw and invo>es t*e /rior statute under
w*ic* *e was /rosecuted.
d. A,endatory statute w*ic* renders an i((ega( act /rior to enact,ent (ega( is genera((y given retroactive e))ect
un(ess it is e3/ress(y /rovide t*at suc* statute wi(( not a//(y retroactive(y.
E.
Statutes su+stantive in nature
R
Su+stantive (aw& w*ic* creates& de)ines or regu(ates rig*ts concerning (i)e&
(i+erty or /ro/erty -creates su+stantive rig*ts.
R
In t*e a+sence o) (egis(ative intent& su+stantive (aws s*ou(d a//(y
/ros/ective(y.
R
"rocedura( (aws are retroactive.
.
E))ects o) /ending actions
R
A (ater statute restricting t*e 'urisdiction o) t*e court wi(( not +e so construed as to a))ect t*e /ending
action& un(ess t*e statute itse() /rovides or un(ess e3/ress /ro*i+itory words are used&
R
W*ere a court w*ic* *as no 'urisdiction over a certain case +ut nevert*e(ess decides it& )ro, w*ic* a//ea(
is ta>en& a statue enacted during t*e /endency o) t*e a//ea( vesting 'urisdiction u/on suc* tria( court over
t*e su+'ect ,atter or suc* case ,ay not +e given retroactive e))ect so as to va(idate t*e 'udg,ent o) t*e
court
T*e word Fs*a((H ,ay +e construed as F,ayH w*en so re:uired +y t*e conte3t or intention o) t*e
(egis(ature. It s*a(( +e construed ,ere(y as /er,issive w*en no /u+(ic +ene)it or /rivate rig*t re:uires t*at it
+e given an i,/erative ,eaning.
Use o) negative& /ro*i+itory or e3c(usive ter,s
=
A negative statute is ,andatory. A negative statute is one e3/ressed in negative words or in t*e )or, o) an
a))ir,ative /ro/osition :ua(i)ied +y t*e word Fon(yH& said word *aving t*e )orce o) an e3c(usionary
negation.
=
T*e use o) t*e (egis(ature o) negative& /ro*i+itory or e3c(usive ter,s or words in a statute is indicative o)
t*e (egis(ative intent to ,a>e t*e statute ,andatory.
=
"ro*i+itive or negative words can rare(y& i) ever& +e directory& )or t*ere is +ut one way to o+ey t*e
co,,and& Ft*ou s*a(( notH& and t*at is to co,/(ete(y re)rain )ro, doing t*e )or+idden act.
8. MAN?ATORY STATUTES
Statutes con)erring /ower
=
Statutes w*ic* con)er u/on a /u+(ic +ody or o))icer /ower to /er)or, acts w*ic* concern t*e /u+ic
interests or rig*ts o) individua(s& are genera((y regarded as ,andatory a(t*oug* t*e (anguage used is
/er,issive on(y since suc* statutes are construed as i,/osing rat*er t*an con)erring /rivi(eges.
Statutes granting +ene)its
=
Statutes w*ic* re:uire certain ste/s to +e ta>en or certain conditions to +e ,et +e)ore /ersons concerned
can avai( o) t*e +ene)its con)erred +y (aw are& wit* res/ect to suc* re:uire,ents& considered ,andatory.
=
T*e ru(e is +ased on t*e ,a3i, vigi(anti+us et non dor,ienti+us 'ura
su+veniunt or t*e (aws aid t*e vigi(ant& not t*ose w*o s(u,+er on t*eir
rig*ts.
=
"otior est in te,/oe& /otior est in 'ure= *e w*o is )irst in ti,e is
/re)erred in rig*t.
Statutes /rescri+ing 'urisdictiona( re:uire,ents
=
T*e genera( ru(e is t*at statutory re:uire,ents +y w*ic* courts or tri+una(s ac:uire 'urisdiction to *ear and
decide /articu(ar actions ,ust +e strict(y co,/(ied wit* +e)ore t*e courts or tri+una(s can *ave aut*ority to
/roceed.
=
!ence& statutes /rescri+ing t*e various ste/s and ,et*ods to +e ta>en )or ac:uisition +y t*e courts or
tri+una(s over certain ,atters are considered ,andatory.
Statutes /rescri+ing ti,e to ta>e action or to a//ea(
=
Statutes or ru(es /rescri+ing t*e ti,e )or (itigants to ta>e certain
actions or to a//ea( )ro, an adverse decision is genera((y ,andatory.
=
Suc* statutes or ru(es *ave +een *e(d as a+so(ute(y indis/ensa+(e to t*e /revention o) need(ess de(ays and to
t*e order(y and s/eedy disc*arge o) +usiness and are a necessary incident to t*e /ro/er& e))icient& and
order(y disc*arge o) 'udicia( )unctions.
=
Suc* statutes or ru(es re:uire strict& not su+stantia(& co,/(iance. According(y& t*ey are not waiva+(e& nor
can t*ey +e t*e su+'ect o) agree,ents or sti/u(ations +y (itigants.
Statutes /rescri+ing /rocedura( re:uire,ents
=
In statutes re(ating to /rocedure& every act w*ic* is 'urisdictiona(& or o) t*e essence o) t*e /roceedings& or is
/rescri+ed )or t*e /rotection or +ene)it o) t*e /arty a))ected& is ,andatory. A statute w*ic* re:uires a court
to e3ercise its 'urisdiction in a /articu(ar ,anner& )o((ow a /articu(ar /rocedure& or su+'ect to certain
(i,itations& is ,andatory& and an act +eyond t*ose (i,its is void as in e3cess o) 'urisdiction.
=
T*e statute /rescri+ing suc* re:uire,ents is regarded as ,andatory&
even t*oug* t*e (anguage used t*erein is /er,issive in nature.
E(ection (aws on conduct o) e(ection
=
T*e /rovisions o) e(ection (aws governing t*e conduct o) e(ections and /rescri+ing t*e ste/s e(ection
o))icia(s are re:uired to do in connection t*erewit* are ,andatory +e)ore t*e e(ections< *owever& w*en it is
soug*t to en)orce t*e, a)ter t*e e(ections& t*ey are *e(d to +e directory on(y& i) t*at is /ossi+(e& es/ecia((y
w*ere& i) t*ey are *e(d to +e ,andatory& innocent voters wi(( +e de/rived o) t*eir votes wit*out any )au(t on
t*eir /art.
=
Un(ess o) a c*aracter to a))ect an o+struction to t*e )ree and inte((igent casting o) t*e votes& or to t*e
ascertain,ent o) t*e resu(t& or un(ess t*e /rovision a))ects an essentia( e(e,ent o) t*e e(ection& or un(ess it is
e3/ress(y dec(ared +y t*e statute t*at t*e /articu(ar act is essentia( to t*e va(idity o) an e(ection& or t*at its
o,ission s*a(( render it void.
E(ection (aws on :ua(i)ication and dis:ua(i)ication
=
T*e ru(e t*at e(ection (aws are ,andatory +e)ore +ut not a)ter t*e e(ections a//(ies on(y to t*ose /rovisions
w*ic* are /rocedura( in nature a))ecting t*e conduct o) t*e e(ection as we(( as to t*ose w*ic* direct or
re:uire e(ection o))icia(s to do or /er)or, certain acts& t*e /ur/ose o) suc* construction +eing to /reserve
t*e sanctity o) t*e +a((ot and carry out t*e wi(( o) t*e e(ectorate.
=
T*e ru(e does not a//(y to /rovisions o) t*e e(ection (aws /rescri+ing t*e ti,e (i,it to )i(e certi)icates o)
candidacy and t*e :ua(i)ications and dis:ua(i)ications to e(ective o))ice.
=
T*ese /rovisions are considered ,andatory even a)ter e(ections
R
Su+stantive (aws are genera((y not a//(ica+(e to /ending cases and
/roceedings un(ess /rovided +y t*e (aw.
$.
Iua(i)ication o) ru(e
R
Su+stantive (aw on(y a//(ies to /ending action o) suc* is t*e c(ear intent o) t*e (aw& or it is a ,easure to
/ro,ote socia( 'ustice or in t*e e3ercise o) /o(ice /owers.
R
Cases ,ust +e decided in t*e (ig*t o) t*e (aw as it e3ists at t*e ti,e o) t*e
decision +y t*e a//e((ate court
!.
Statutes a))ecting vested rig*ts
R
A statute ,ay not +e construed and a//(ied retroactive(y i) it i,/airs
su+stantive rig*t t*at *as +eco,e vested.
I.
Statutes a))ecting o+(igation o) contract.
R
%aws e3isting at t*e ti,e o) t*e e3ecution o) contract are t*e one a//(ica+(e to suc* transactions and not
(ater statutes& un(ess t*e (atter /rovide t*at t*ey s*a(( *ave retroactive e))ect.
R
%ater statutes s*a(( not +e given retroactive e))ect i) it i,/airs o+(igations o)
contracts.
E.
Re/ea(ing and a,endatory acts
R
Statutes w*ic* re/ea( ear(ier or /rior (aws o/erate /ros/ective(y un(ess it is
t*e intent o) t*e (egis(ature to give t*e, retroactive e))ect.
R
Re/ea(ing statue wi(( not +e given retroactive e))ect i) it wi(( i,/air vested
rig*ts o) t*e o+(igation o) contract.
VII.
Statutes t*at are given retroactive e))ect
A.
"rocedura( (aws N ad'ective (aws w*ic* /rescri+e ru(es and )or,s o)
/rocedure o) en)orcing rig*ts or o+taining redress )or t*eir invasion.
R
T*e genera( ru(e t*at statutes are /ros/ective and not retroactive does not
ordinari(y a//(y to /rocedura( (aws.
R
Re,edia( (aws N (aws re(ative to re,edies or con)ir,ation o) rig*ts a(ready
e3isting.
R
Ad,inistrative ru(e N inter/retative o) a /re=e3isting statute and not dec(arative o) certain rig*ts wit*
o+(igations is given retroactive e))ect as o) t*e date o) t*e e))ectivity i) t*e statute
VIII.
E3ce/tions to t*e ru(e
R
$enera( ru(e0
/rocedura( (aws are a//(ica+(e to /ending actions or
/roceedings
R
E3ce/tions0
#.
W*en statute e3/ress(y /rovides or +y necessary i,/(ication
1.
I) a//(ying /rocedura( (aws retroactive(y wou(d not +e )easi+(e or
wou(d wor> in'ustice.
2.
I) it wou(d invo(ve intricate /ro+(e,s o) due /rocess or i,/air
inde/endence o) t*e court.
IO.
Curative statutes
R
!ea(ing acts< cures de)ects and adding to t*e ,eans o) en)orcing e3isting o+(igations. Ma>es va(id t*at
w*ic* +e)ore t*e enact,ent i) t*e statute was inva(id.
R
Ru(e0 i) t*e t*ing o,itted or )ai(ed to +e done and w*ic* constitutes t*e
de)ect soug*t to +e re,ove or ,ade *ar,(ess is so,et*ing w*ic* t*e
(egis(ature ,ig*t dis/ensed wit* +y a /revious statute& it ,ay do so +y a
su+se:uent one.
R
Retroactive
O.
%i,itations to t*e ru(e
R
$enera( ru(e0 Curative and re,edia( statutes i(( not +e a//(ied retroactive(y
i) t*ey i,/air vested rig*ts
R
E3ce/tion0 I) t*e curative or re,edia( statute is enacted as /o(ice /ower
,easure0 a//(ies retroactive(y even i) it curtai(s vested rig*ts.
OI.
"o(ice /ower (egis(ations
R
Reason )or t*e e3ce/tion0 t*e non=i,/air,ent o) o+(igations o) contract or o) vested rig*ts ,ust yie(d to t*e
(egiti,ate e3ercise o) /ower& +y t*e (egis(ature& to /rescri+e t*e regu(ations to /ro,ote t*e *ea(t*& ,ora(s&
/eace& education& good order& sa)ety and genera( we()are o) t*e /eo/(e.
OII.
Statutes re(ating to /rescri/tion
R
$enera( ru(e0 statute re(ating to /rescri/tion o) action& +eing /rocedura( in
nature& a//(ies to a(( actions )i(ed a)ter its e))ectivity.
R
It is /ros/ective -a//(ies to causes t*at accrued and wi(( accrue a)ter it too>
e))ect. and retroactive -it a//(ies to causes t*at accrued +e)ore its /assage.
R
E3ce/tions to retroactivity0
#.
I) to do so wi(( re,ove t*e +ar o) (i,itation& w*ic* *as +eco,e co,/(ete or distur+ e3isting c(ai,s wit*out
a((owing a reasona+(e ti,e to +ring actions t*ereon.
1.
I) it wi(( i,/air vested rig*ts
OIII.
"rescri/tion in cri,ina( and civi( cases
R
$enera( ru(e0 (aws on /rescri/tion o) action a//(y as we(( to cri,es
co,,itted +e)ore t*e enact,ent as a)terwards
R
?i))erence0
A.
Civi( suit0 t*e statute is enacted +y (egis(ature as an i,/artia( ar+iter +etween two contending /arties& not
intended to +e ,ade in )avor o) eit*er /arty
8.
Cri,ina( suite0 statutes o) (i,itation is a grantor surrendering +y act o) grace its rig*t to /rosecute or
dec(are t*at t*e o))ense is no (inger su+'ect o) /rosecution a)ter t*e /rescri/tive /eriod0 ti(( +e a//(ied
retroactive(y i) )avora+(e to t*e accused.
OIV.
Statutes re(ating to a//ea(s
R
$enera( ru(e0 rig*t to a//ea( )ro, an adverse 'udg,ent is statutory and
,ay +e ta>en away.
R
Re,edia( or /rocedura( in nature and a//(ies to /ending actions.
R
Cannot +e a//(ied retroactive(y i) it wi(( i,/air vested rig*ts
R
In a+sence o) a c(ear (egis(ative intent to t*e contrary& a statue s*ortening t*e /eriod )or ta>ing a//ea(s is to
+e given /ros/ective e))ect and ,ay not +e a//(ied to /ending /roceedings in w*ic* 'udg,ent *as a(ready
+een rendered at t*e ti,e o) its enact,ent.
II.
A,end,ent
A.
"ower to a,end
R
%egis(ature *as t*e /ower to a,end& su+'ect to constitutiona( re:uire,ent&
any e3isting (aw
R
Su/re,e court& in t*e e3ercise o) its ru(e=,a>ing /ower or o) its /ower to
inter/ret t*e (aw& *as no aut*ority to a,end or c*ange t*e (aw
8.
!ow a,end,ent e))ected
R
8y addition& de(etion& or a(teration o) a statute w*ic* survives in its
a,ended )or,.
R
8y enacting a,endatory act ,odi)ying or a(tering so,e /rovisions o) t*e
statue eit*er e3/ress(y or i,/(ied(y
E3/ress a,end,ent0 done +y /roviding a,endatory act t*at s/eci)ic sections or
/rovisions o) a statute are a,ended< indicated as 0 F to read as )o((ows.
C.
A,end,ent +y i,/(ication
R
T*ere is i,/(ied a,end,ent w*ere a /art o) a /rior statute e,+racing t*e sa,e su+'ect as t*e (ater act ,ay
not +e en)orced wit*out nu((i)ying t*e /ertinent /rovision o) t*e (atter in w*ic* event& /rior act is dee,ed
a,ended to t*e e3tent o) t*e re/ugnancy.
?.
W*en a,end,ent ta>es e))ect
R
A)ter #5 days )o((owing t*e /u+(ication in t*e O))icia( $a9ette or news/a/er
o) genera( circu(ation
E.
!ow construed
R
A statute and its a,end,ent s*ou(d +e read toget*er as a w*o(e ,eaning& it s*ou(d +e read as i) t*e statue
*as +een origina((y enacted in its a,ended )or,.
R
"ortions not a,ended wi(( continue to +e in )orce wit* t*e sa,e ,eaning
t*ey *ave +e)ore a,end,ent.
.
Meaning o) (aw c*anged +y a,end,ent
R
$enera( ru(e0 an a,ended act wou(d +e given a construction di))erent )ro, t*at o) t*e (aw /rior to its
a,end,ent )or it is /resu,ed t*at (egis(atures wou(d not *ave a,ended t*e statue i) it did not intend to
c*ange its ,eaning.
$.
A,end,ent o/erates /ros/ective(y
R
$enera( ru(e0 a,endatory act o/erates /ros/ective(y un(ess t*e contrary is /rovided or t*e (egis(ative intent
to give it a retroactive e))ect is necessari(y i,/(ied )ro, t*e (anguage used and no vested rig*ts is i,/aired.
R
!owever& a,end,ents re(ating to /rocedures s*ou(d +e given retroactive
e))ect.
!.
E))ect o) a,end,ent in vested rig*ts
R
Ru(e0 a)ter t*e statute is a,ended& t*e origina( act continues to +e in )orce wit* regard to a(( rig*ts t*at *ad
accrued /rior to t*e a,end,ent or to o+(igations t*at were contracted under t*e /rior act.
I.
E))ect o) a,end,ent on 'urisdiction
R
Ru(e0 a su+se:uent statute a,ending a /rior act wit* t*e e))ect o) divesting t*e court o) 'urisdiction ,ay not
+e construed to o/erate to oust 'urisdiction t*at *as a(ready attac*ed under t*e /rior (aw.
E.
E))ect o) nu((ity o) /rior or a,endatory act
R
An inva(id or unconstitutiona( (aw does not in (ega( conte,/(ation e3ist.
R
W*ere a statute a,ended in inva(id& not*ing in e))ect *as +een a,ended.
T*e a,ended act s*a(( +e considered t*e origina( or inde/endent act.
R
W*en t*e a,ended act is dec(ared unconstitutiona(& t*e origina( statute
re,ains una))ected and in )orce.
III.
Revision and Codi)ication
G.
$enera((y0 restating t*e e3isting (aws into one statute in order to
si,/(i)y co,/(icated /rovisions.
%.
Construction to *ar,oni9e di))erent /rovisions
R
T*e di))erent /rovisions o) a revised statute or code s*ou(d +e read and
construed toget*er.
R
W*ere t*ere is irreconci(a+(e con)(ict0 t*at w*ic* is +est in accord wit* t*e genera( /(an or& in t*e a+sence
o) circu,stances u/on w*ic* to +ase a c*oice& t*at w*ic* is (ater in /*ysica( /osition& +eing t*e (atest
e3/ression o) (egis(ative wi((& wi(( /revai(.
M.
W*at is o,itted is dee,ed re/ea(ed
R
W*en +ot* intent and sco/e c(ear(y evince t*e idea o) a re/ea(& t*en a(( /arts and /rovisions o) t*e /rior act
t*at are o,itted )ro, t*e revised act are dee,ed re/ea(ed.
N.
C*ange in /*raseo(ogy
R
Ru(e0 Neit*er an a(teration in /*raseo(ogy nor o,ission or addition o) words in t*e (ater statute s*a(( +e
*e(d necessari(y to a(ter t*e construction o) t*e )or,er acts.
O.
Continuation o) e3isting (aw
R
Ru(e0 t*e rearrange,ent o) section or /arts o) a statute& or t*e /(acing o) /ortions o) w*at )or,er(y was a
sing(e section in se/arate section& does not o/erate to c*ange t*e o/eration& e))ect and ,eaning o) t*e
statute& un(ess c*anges are o) suc* nature as to ,ani)est t*e c(eat intent to c*ange t*e )or,er (aws.
IV.
Re/ea(s
".
"ower to re/ea(
R
%egis(ature *as /(enary /ower to re/ea(& Su/re,e court& w*i(e it *as t*e /ower to /ro,u(gate ru(e o)
/rocedure& it cannot in t*e e3ercise o) suc* /ower a(ter& c*ange or re/ea( su+stantive (aws.
I.
Re/ea(0 tota( or /artia(& e3/ress or i,/(ied
#.
Tota(0 rendered revo>ed co,/(ete(y
1.
"artia(0 %eaves t*e una))ected /ortion o) t*e statue in )orce
2.
E3/ress0 t*ere is a dec(aration in a statute -re/ea(ing c(ause.
4.
I,/(ied0 a(( ot*er re/ea(s
R.
Re/ea( +y i,/(ication
R
Two we((=sett(ed categories0
#.
W*ere t*e /rovisions in t*e two acts on t*e sa,e su+'ect ,atter
are irreconci(a+(e& t*e (ater act re/ea(s t*e ear(ier one
1.
%ater act covers t*e w*o(e su+'ect o) t*e ear(ier one and is c(ear(y
intended as su+stitute.
S.
Irreconci(a+(e inconsistency
R
Ru(e0 re/ugnancy ,ust +e c(ear and convincing or t*e (ater (aw nu((i)ies t*e reason or /ur/ose o) t*e ear(ier
to ca(( )or a re/ea(. Mere di))erence in ter,s wi(( not create re/ugnance.
R
%eges /osteriors /riores contraries a+rogant0 A (ater (aw re/ea(s an ear(ier
(aw on t*e sa,e su+'ect w*ic* is re/ugnant t*ereto.
T.
I,/(ied re/ea( +y revision or codi)ication
R
Ru(e0 W*ere a statute is revised or a series o) (egis(ative acts on t*e sa,e su+'ect are revised and
conso(idated into one& covering t*e entire )ie(d o) su+'ect ,atter& a(( /arts and /rovisions o) t*e )or,er act
or acts t*at are o,itted )ro, t*e revised act are dee,ed re/ea(ed.
U.
Re/ea( +y reenact,ent
R
W*ere a statute is a reenact,ent o) t*e w*o(e su+'ect in su+stitution o) t*e /revious (aws on t*e ,atter& t*e
(atter disa//ears entire(y and w*at is o,itted in t*e reenacted (aw is dee,ed re/ea(ed.
V.
Ot*er )or,s o) i,/(ied re/ea(
#.
W*en two (aws is e3/ressed in t*e )or, o) a universa( negative0 a negative statute re/ea(s a(( con)(icting
/rovisions un(ess t*e contrary intention is disc(osed.
1.
W*ere t*e (egis(ature enacts so,et*ing in genera( ter,s and a)terwards /asses anot*er on t*e sa,e su+'ect&
a(t*oug* in a))ir,ative (anguage& introduces s/ecia( condition or restrictions.
W.
Re/ea(ing c(ause
R
A(( (aws or /art t*ereo)& w*ic* are inconsistent wit* t*is act& are *ere+y
re/ea(ed or ,odi)ied according(y.
R
Nature o) t*is c(ause0 not an e3/ress re/ea( rat*er& it is a c(ause w*ic* /redicates t*e intended re/ea( u/on
t*e condition t*at a su+stantia( con)(ict ,ust +e )ound on e3isting and /rior acts o) t*e sa,e su+'ect ,atter
R
E3 /ro/rio vigore
R
Ru(e0 t*e )ai(ure to add a s/eci)ic re/ea(ing c(ause /articu(ar(y ,entioning t*e statute to +e re/ea(ed
indicated t*e intent was not to re/ea( any e3isting (aw on t*e ,atter un(ess an irreconci(a+(e inconsistency
and re/ugnancy e3ist in t*e ter,s o) t*e new and o(d (aws.
O.
Re/ea( +y i,/(ication not )avored
R
Ru(e0 Re/ea(s +y i,/(ication not )avored
R
"resu,/tion is against inconsistency and against i,/(ied re/ea(s )or it is /resu,ed t*at (egis(atures >now
e3isting (aws on t*e su+'ect and not to *ave enacted inconsistent or con)(icting statutes.
Y.
%eges /osteriores /riores contraries a+rogant N (ater statue
re/ea(s /rior ones w*ic* are re/ugnant t*ereto. As +etween two (aws& on t*e sa,e su+'ect ,atter& w*ic* are
irreconci(a+(e inconsistent& t*at w*ic* is /assed (ater /revai(s.
P.
$enera( (aw
R
Ru(e0 $enera( (aw on a su+'ect does not o/erate to re/ea( a /rior s/ecia( (aw on t*e sa,e su+'ect un(ess
c(ear(y a//ears t*at t*e (egis(ature *as intended t*e (ater genera( act to ,odi)y t*e ear(ier s/ecia( (aw.
R
$enera(ia s/ecia(i+us non derogant 0 a genera( (aw does not nu((i)y a s/eci)ic
or s/ecia( (aw.
R
Reason0 t*e (egis(ature s*ou(d ,a>e /rovisions )or a(( circu,stance o) t*e
/articu(ar case.
AA.
W*en s/ecia( or genera( (aw re/ea(s t*e ot*er
R
Ru(e0 W*ere a (ater s/ecia( (aw on a /articu(ar su+'ect is re/ugnant to or inconsistent wit* a /rior genera(
(aw on t*e sa,e su+'ect& a /artia( re/ea( o) t*e (atter is i,/(ied to t*e e3tent o) t*e re/ugnancy or e3ce/tion
granted u/on t*e genera( (aw.
R
%egis(ative intent to re/ea( ,ust +e s*own in t*e act itse()& t*e e3/(anatory not to t*e +i(( +e)ore its /assage
into a (aw& t*e discussion on t*e )(oor o) t*e (egis(ature and t*e *istory o) t*e two (egis(ations.
R
Ru(e0 $enera( (aw cannot +e construed to *ave re/ea(ed a s/ecia( (aw +y
,ere i,/(ication.
R
Ru(e0 I) intention to re/ea( t*e s/ecia( (aw is c(ear& t*e s/ecia( (aw wi(( +e considered as an e3ce/tion to t*e
genera( (aw wi(( not a//(y. S/ecia( (aw is re/ea(ed +y i,/(ication.
88.
E))ects o) re/ea(s
#.
Statute is rendered ino/erative
1.
?oes not undo t*e conse:uences o) t*e o/eration o) t*e statute
w*i(e in )orce
2.
?oes not render i((ega( w*at under t*e re/ea(ed act is (ega(
4.
?oes not (a>e (ega( w*at under t*e )or,er (aw is i((ega(
CC.
On 'urisdiction
R
Eurisdiction to try and decide actions is deter,ined +y t*e (aw in )orce at t*e
ti,e t*e action is )i(ed.
R
$enera( ru(e0 w*ere t*e court or tri+una( *as a(ready ac:uired and is e3ercising 'urisdiction over a
controversy& its 'urisdiction to /roceed to )ina( deter,ination o) t*e cause is not a))ected +y t*e new
(egis(ation re/ea(ing t*e statue w*ic* origina((y con)erred 'urisdiction un(ess t*e re/ea(ing statute /rovides
ot*erwise e3/ress(y or +y necessary i,/(ication.
??.
On 'urisdiction to try cri,ina( cases
R
Eurisdiction o) a court to try a cri,ina( case is deter,ined +y t*e (aw in
)orce at t*e ti,e t*e action is instituted.
EE.
On actions /ending or ot*erwise
R
T*e genera( ru(e is t*at t*e re/ea( o) a statue de)eats a(( actions and
/roceedings inc(uding t*ose w*ic* are sti(( /ending.
.
On vested rig*ts
R
Re/ea( o) a statute does not destroy or i,/air rig*ts t*at accrued and
+eca,e vested under t*e statute +e)ore its re/ea(.
$$.
On contracts
R
W*en a contract is entered into +y t*e /arties on t*e +asis o) t*e (aw w*en o+taining& t*e re/ea( or
a,end,ent o) said (aw does not a))ect t*e ter,s o) t*e contract not i,/air t*e rig*t o) t*e /arties
t*ereunder.
!!.
E))ect o) re/ea( o) ta3 (aw
R
Re/ea(s does not /rec(ude t*e co((ection o) ta3es assessed under t*e o(d (aw
+e)ore its re/ea(s un(ess t*e re/ea(ing statute /rovides ot*erwise
II.
Re/ea( and enact,ent
R
Si,u(taneous re/ea( and reenact,ent o) a statue does not a))ect t*e rig*ts and (ia+i(ities w*ic* *ave
accrued under t*e origina( statute since t*e reenact,ent neutra(i9es t*e re/ea( and continues t*e (aw in
)orce wit*out interru/tion.
EE.
E))ect o) re/ea( o) /ena( (aws
R
Re/ea( wit*out :ua(i)ication o) /ena( (aw de/rived t*e court o) t*e 'urisdiction to /unis* /ersons c*arged
wit* a vio(ation o) t*e o(d (aw /rior to its re/ea(.
R
W*ere re/ea( is a+so(ute& cri,e no (onger e3ists.
R
E3ce/tion0
#.
T*e re/ea(ing act reenacts t*e statute and /ena(i9es t*e sa,e act /revious(y /ena(i9ed under t*e re/ea(ed
(aw& t*e act co,,itted +e)ore t*e reenact,ent continues to +e a cri,e.
1.
W*ere t*e re/ea(ing act contains a saving c(ause /roviding t*at /ending actions s*a(( not +e a))ected& t*e
(atter wi(( continue to +e /rosecuted in accordance wit* t*e o(d (aw.
o
?istinction as to e))ect o) re/ea( and e3/iration o) (aw
R
In a+so(ute re/ea(& t*e cri,e is o+(iterated
R
In e3/iration o) /ena( (aw +y its own )orce does not *ave t*at e))ect
GG.
E))ect o) re/ea( o) ,unici/a( c*arter
R
Su/erceding o) t*e o(d c*arter +y a new one *as t*e e))ect o) a+o(is*ing t*e
o))ices under t*e o(d c*arter.
%%.
Re/ea( or nu((ity o) re/ea(ing (aw
R
%aw )irst re/ea(ed s*a(( not +e revived un(ess e3/ress(y /rovided
R
W*ere a re/ea(ing statute is dec(ared unconstitutiona(& it wi(( *ave no e))ect
o) re/ea(ing t*e )or,er statute.
C!A"TER ## -CONSTITUTIONA% CONSTRUCTION.
CONSTITUTION
R
unda,enta( (aw w*ic* sets u/ a )or, o) govern,ent and de)ines and
de(i,its /owers t*ereo).
R
Is su/re,e& i,/erious& a+so(ute and una(tera+(e e3ce/t +y t*e aut*ority
)ro, w*ic* it e,anates
R
Aut*ority o) w*ic* e,anates )ro, t*e sovereign /eo/(e
ORI$IN AN? !ISTORY
#;25 Constitution
R
Act o) US CongressBTydings=Mcdu))ie %aw aut*ori9ed t*e /eo/(e o) ".I. to
ado/t a Constitution
R
Ste/s
# ?ra)ting and a//rova( o) t*e Constitutiona( Convention
1 Certi)ication o) t*e US "resident
2 Rati)ication +y t*e i(i/ino /eo/(e= May #4& #;25
#;75 Constitution
R
R.A. 6#21 N ca(( )or a convention to /ro/ose a,end,ents o) t*e #;25
Constitution
R
Aug 14& #;7@= e(ection o) de(egates
R
Se/t 1#& #;71= dec(aration o) Martia( %aw
R
Ean #7& #;72= #;72 Constitution is /roc(ai,ed rati)ied
reedo, Constitution
R
Marc* 15& #;A6=e+ 1& #;A7
#;A7 Constitution
"UR"OSE O CONSTITUTIONA% CONSTRUCTION
R
To ascertain intent or /ur/ose o) t*e )ra,ers o) t*e Constitution as e3/ressed in t*e (anguage o) t*e
)unda,enta( (aw& and t*erea)ter to assure rea(i9ation.
MO?A%ITIES O CONSTITUTIONA% CONSTRUCTION
INTRINSIC
R
Te3tua(B%itera( inter/retationB"(ain=,eaning
Ter,s ,ust +e construed in t*eir genera( and ordinary sense
$enera( /revai(s over t*e restricted un(ess t*e (i,ited sense is
intended
R
Structura(
?rawing in)erences )ro, t*e arc*itecture o) t*e Constitution
R
Construction as a w*o(e
A /rovision in t*e Constitution s*ou(d not +e construed in
iso(ation rat*er as a w*o(e and a//arent(y con)(icting /rovisions s*ou(d +e reconci(ed and *ar,oni9ed in a
,anner t*at ,ay give to a(( o) t*e, )u(( o) )orce and e))ectD
EOTRANEOUS
R
!istorica( Re(ying on circu,stances& *istorica( events and ideo(ogica(
/ositions u/on t*e ado/tion o) t*e Constitution
R
"roceedings o) t*e Convention
?e+ates& inter/retations& and o/inions e3/ressed concerning
/articu(ar /rovisions yie(d additiona( insig*t on t*e intent and ,eaning t*ereo) +ut are not a+so(ute and
conc(usive )or t*e Constitution does not derive its )orce )ro, t*e convention +ut )ro, t*e /eo/(e w*o
rati)ied it. Moreover& o/inions e3/ressed +y so,e individua(s during t*e convention& do not necessari(y
re)(ect t*e state o) ,ind o) t*ose w*o did not e3/ress t*eir o/inion.
R
?octrina(B"revious (aws and 'udicia( ru(ings
Re(ying on esta+(is*ed /recedents
Courts are +ound to /resu,e t*at t*e /eo/(e ado/ting a
constitution are )a,i(iar wit* t*e /revious and e3isting (aws u/on t*e su+'ects to w*ic* its /rovisions re(ate
and u/on w*ic* t*ey e3/ress t*eir 'udg,ent and o/inion in its ado/tion
R
Conte,/oraneous construction and writing
Re(ying on construction o) t*e (egis(ative and e3ecutive
de/art,ents
W*ere a (egis(ature *as revised a statute a)ter a constitution
*as +een ado/ted& suc* a revision is to +e regarded as a
(egis(ative construction.
R
C*anges in "*raseo(ogy
A c*ange in /*raseo(ogy o) t*e /resent Constitution ,ay
indicate an intent t ,odi)y or c*ange t*e ,eaning o) t*e o(d
/rovision and t*us re)(ect a di))erent intent
R
Conse:uence o) a(ternative constructions
W*ere a constitutiona( /rovision is a,+iguous& t*at
construction w*ic* (ead to a+surd& i,/ossi+(e or ,isc*ievous
conse:uences ,ust +e re'ected
OT!ER RU%ES0
R
Constitution construed as a w*o(e
A /rovision in t*e Constitution s*ou(d not +e construed in
iso(ation rat*er as a w*o(e and a//arent(y& con)(icting
/rovisions
s*ou(d +e reconci(ed and *ar,oni9ed in a ,anner t*at ,ay
give
to
a((
o) t*e, )u(( )orce and e))ect.
R
Mandatory or ?irectory
T*e esta+(is*ed ru(e is t*at constitutiona( /rovisions are
to +e construed as ,andatory& un(ess +y e3/ress /rovision or
+y
necessary i,/(ication& a di))erent intention is ,ani)ested. It is
agenera( ru(e to regard constitutiona( /rovisions as ,andatory
and
not to (eave any discretion to t*e wi(( o) a (egis(ature to o+ey
or
to disregard t*e,. T*is /resu,/tion as to ,andatory :ua(ity is
usua((y )o((owed un(ess it is un,ista>a+(y ,ani)est t*at t*e
/rovisions are intended to +e ,ere(y directory. T*e reason w*y
/rovision o) t*e constitution are genera((y regarded as
,andatory
is
t*at in a constitution& t*e sovereign itse() s/ea>s and is (aying down t*e ru(es w*ic* )or t*e ti,e +eing at
(east are to contro( a(i>e t*e govern,ent and t*e governed. Its /rovisions are +inding
u/on a(( de/art,ents o) t*e govern,ent.
R
"ros/ective or Retroactive
T*e ru(e is t*at a constitution s*ou(d o/erate /ros/ective(y
on(y& un(ess t*e words e,/(oyed s*ow a c(ear intention t*at it
s*ou(d *ave a retroactive e))ect.
R
A//(ica+i(ity o) Statutory Construction to Constitutiona( Construction
So,e o) t*e ru(es in statutory construction are a//(ica+(e to
t*e construction o) t*e Constitution
R
$enera((y& "rovisions o) t*e Constitution are se()=e3ecuting in nature
T*e genera( ru(e is t*at constitutiona( /rovisions are se()=
e3ecuting& e3ce/t w*en t*e /rovisions t*e,se(ves e3/ress(y
re:uire
(egis(ations to i,/(e,ent t*e, or w*en& )ro, t*eir (anguage
or
tenure& t*ey are ,ere(y dec(arations o) /o(icies and /rinci/(es.
Ase()=e3ecuting /rovision is one w*ic* is co,/(ete +y itse() and
+eco,es o/erative wit*out t*e aid o) su//(e,entary or
ena+(ing
(egis(ation& or w*ic* su//(ies su))icient ru(e +y ,eans o) w*ic*
t*e
rig*t it grants ,ay +e en'oyed or /rotected. T*e ru(e is t*at in case o) dou+t& t*e Constitution s*ou(d +e
considered se()= e3ecuting
rat*er t*an non=se()=e3ecuting
%ATIN MAOIMS
A+so(uta sententia e3/ositore non indiget
W*en t*e (anguage o) (aw is c(ear& no e3/(anation o) it is re:uired. -/.#17.
Ae:uitas nun:ua, contravenit (egis
E:uity never acts in contravention o) t*e (aw. -/.#1A.
Casus o,issus /ro o,isso *a+endus est
A /erson& o+'ect& or t*ing o,itted )ro, an enu,eration ,ust +e *e(d to *ave
+een o,itted intentiona((y. -/.12#.
Cessante ratione (egis& cessat et i/sa (e3
W*en t*e reason o) t*e (aw ceases& t*e (aw itse() ceases. -/.#41.
Conte,/oranea e3/ositio est o/ti,a et )ortissi,a in (ege
T*e conte,/orary construction is strongest in (aw. -/.##@.
?ura (e3 sed (e3
T*e (aw ,ay +e *ars*& +ut t*at is t*e (aw. -/.#17 and /.1;A.
Ea est acci/ienda inter/retatio :uae vitio caret
T*at inter/retation is to +e ado/ted w*ic* is )ree )ro, evi( or in'ustice. -/.#52
E3 do(o ,a(o non oritur action
No ,an can +e a((owed to )ound a c(ai, u/on *is own wrongdoing. -/.#74.
E3 necessitate (egis
8y necessary i,/(ication o) (aw. -g(ossary.
ro, t*e necessity o) t*e (aw. -/.#64.
E3/ressio unius est e3c(usio a(terius
T*e e3/ress ,ention o) one /erson& t*ing& or conse:uence i,/(ies t*e e3c(usion
o) a(( ot*ers. -/.111.
a(sa de,onstratio non nocet& cu, de cor/ore constat
a(se descri/tion does not /rec(ude construction nor vitiate t*e ,eaning o) t*e
statute. -g(ossary.
a(se descri/tion does not /rec(ude construction nor vitiate t*e ,eaning o) t*e
statute w*ic* is ot*erwise unc(ear. -/.#6#.
iat 'usticia& ruat coe(u,
%et rig*t +e done& t*oug* t*e *eavens )a((. -/.#54.
!oc :uide, /er:ua, duru, est& sed ita (e3 scri/ta est
It is e3ceeding(y *ard +ut so t*e (aw is written. -/.#17.
I+i :uid genera(iter conceditur< inest *aec e3ce/tio& si non a(i:uid sit contras 'us
+as:ue
W*ere anyt*ing is granted genera((y& t*is e3ce/tion is i,/(ied< t*at not*ing s*a((
+e contrary to (aw and rig*t. -/.#6#.
I,/ossi+i(iu, nu((a o+(igatio est
T*ere is no o+(igation to do an i,/ossi+(e t*ing. -/.#61.
In eo :uod /(us sit& se,/er inest et ,inus
T*e greater inc(udes t*e (esser. -/.#64.
In /ari de(icto /otior est conditio de)endentis -/.#74.
-in t*e +oo>& t*is ,a3i, a//ears to ,ean FNo ,an s*ou(d +e a((owed to ta>e
advantage o) *is own wrong&H +ut t*at is a(so t*e ,eaning o) Nu((us co,,odu,
/otest de in'uria /ro/riasua.
Inde3 ani,i ser,o -/.#14.
Inde3 ani,i ser,o est -g(ossary.
S/eec* is t*e inde3 o) intention.
Interest rei/u+(icae ut sit )inis (itiu,
T*e interest o) t*e State de,ands t*at t*ere +e an end to (itigation. -/.#11.
"u+(ic interest re:uires t*at +y t*e very nature o) t*ings t*ere ,ust +e an end
to a (ega( controversy. -g(ossary and /.24@.
Inter/retatio )ienda est ut res ,agis va(eat :ua, /ereat
T*at inter/retation as wi(( give t*e t*ing e))icacy is to +e ado/ted. -/.#2#.
A (aw s*ou(d +e inter/reted wit* a view to u/*o(ding rat*er t*an destroying it.
-g(ossary and /.156.
Inter/retatio ta(is in a,+iguis se,/er )ienda est ut evitetur inconveniens et
a+surdu, -/.#4A and g(ossary.
Inter/retato ta(is in a,+iguis se,/er )rienda est& ut evitatur inconveniens et
a+surdu, -/.#51.
W*ere t*ere is a,+iguity& suc* inter/retation as wi(( avoid inconvenience and
a+surdity is to +e ado/ted.
Eure naturae ae:uu, est ne,ine, cu, a(terius detri,ento et in'uria )ieri
(ocu/(etiore,
T*e )act t*at a statute is si(ent& o+scure& or insu))icient wit* res/ect to a
:uestion +e)ore t*e court wi(( not 'usti)y t*e (atter )ro, dec(ining to render
'udg,ent t*ereon. -/.#57.
%egis inter/retatio (egis vi, o+tinet-g(ossary.
%egis inter/retato (egis vi, o+tinet- /.67.
T*e aut*oritative inter/retation o) t*e court o) a statute ac:uires t*e )orce o) (aw
+y +eco,ing a /art t*ereo). -g(ossary.
T*e aut*oritative inter/retation o) t*e Su/re,e Court o) a statute ac:uires t*e
)orce o) (aw +y +eco,ing a /art t*ereo). -/.67.
%e3 /ros/icit& non res/icit
T*e (aw (oo>s )orward& not +ac>ward. -/.6A and /.251.
Ma(edicta est e3/ositio :uae corru,/it te3tu,
It is dangerous construction w*ic* is against t*e te3t. -/.#16.
Ne,o tenetur ad i,/ossi+i(e
T*e (aw o+(iges no one to /er)or, an i,/ossi+i(ity. -/.#61.
Nu((us co,,odu, /otest de in'uria /ro/riasua -g(ossary.
Nu((us co,,odu, ca/ere /otest de in'uria sua /ro/ria-/.#74.
No ,an s*ou(d +e a((owed to ta>e advantage o) *is own wrong.
O+iter dictu,
An o/inion e3/ressed +y a court on so,e :uestion o) (aw w*ic* is not necessary
to t*e decision o) t*e case +e)ore it. -/.#11.
O/ti,us inter/res reru, usus
T*e +est inter/reter o) t*e (aw is usage. -/.##4.
Iuando a(i:uid /ro*i+etur e3 directo& /ro*i+etur et /er o+(i:uu,
W*at is /ro*i+ited direct(y is /ro*i+ited indirect(y. -g(ossary.
W*at cannot& +y (aw& +e done direct(y cannot +e done indirect(y. -/.#76.
Rati*a+ito ,andato a:ui/aratur -g(ossary.
Rati*a+itio ,andato ae:ui/aratur -/.#1@.
%egis(ative rati)ication is e:uiva(ent to a ,andate
Ratio (egis
Inter/retation according to s/irit. -g(ossary.
Inter/retation according to t*e s/irit or reason o) t*e (aw. -/.#21.
Ratio (egis est ani,a (egis -g(ossary.
Ratio (egis est ani,a-/.#41.
T*e reason o) t*e (aw is its sou(.
Stare decisis et non :uieta ,overe
o((ow /ast /recedents and do not distur+ w*at *as +een sett(ed. -g(ossary.
One s*ou(d )o((ow /ast /recedents and s*ou(d not distur+ w*at *as +een sett(ed.
-/.#1#.
Su,,u, 'us& su,,a in'uria
T*e rigor o) t*e (aw wou(d +eco,e t*e *ig*est in'ustice. -/.#61.
Sur/(usagiu, non nocet -g(ossary.
Sur/(usagiu, non noceat-/.#5;.
Sur/(usage does not vitiate a statute.
U+i 'us& u+i re,ediu,
W*ere t*ere is a rig*t& t*ere is a re,edy. -g(ossary.
W*ere t*ere is a rig*t& t*ere is a re,edy )or vio(ation t*ereo). -/.#66.
Uti(e /er inuti(e non vitiatur
T*e use)u( is not vitiated +y t*e non=use)u(. -/.#5;.
Ver+a intentioni& non e contra& de+ent inservire
Words oug*t to +e ,ore su+servient to t*e intent and not t*e intent to t*e
words. -/.#22.
Ver+a (egis
"(ain=,eaning ru(e. -/.#14.
Ver+a (egis non est recedendu,
ro, t*e words o) t*e statute t*ere s*ou(d +e no de/arture. -/.#14.
"ost=Midter,s -C*a/ters 5=#@.
Actus ,e invito )actus non est ,eus actus
An act done +y ,e against ,y wi(( is not ,y act. -/.1;1.
Actus non )acit reu, nisi ,ens sit rea
T*e act itse() dos not ,a>e a ,an gui(ty un(ess *is intention were so. -/.1;1.
Ad /ro3i,u, antecedens )iat re(atio nisi i,/ediatur sententia(
Re(ative words re)er to t*e nearest antecedents& un(ess t*e conte3t ot*erwise
re:uires. -/.121.
Argu,entu, a contrario
Negative=o//osite doctrine -/.112.
Casus o,issus /ro o,isso *a+endus est
A /erson& o+'ect& or t*ing o,itted )ro, an enu,eration ,ust +e *e(d to *ave
+een o,itted intentiona((y. -/.12#.
?issi,i(u, dissi,i(is est ratio
O) t*ings dissi,i(ar& t*e ru(e is dissi,i(ar. -/.1@4.
?istingue te,/ora et concorda+is 'ura
?istinguis* ti,es and you wi(( *ar,oni9e (aws. -/.17#.
?ura (e3 sed (e3
T*e (aw ,ay +e *ars*& +ut t*at is t*e (aw. -/.#17 and /.1;A.
E'usde, generis
O) t*e sa,e >ind or s/ecie. -/.1#2.
E3ce/tio )ir,at regu(a, in casi+us non e3ce/tis
A t*ing not +eing e3ce/ted ,ust +e regarded as co,ing wit*in t*e /urview o)
t*e genera( ru(e. -//.111=112.
E3/ressio unius est e3c(usion a(terius
T*e e3/ress ,ention o) one /erson& t*ing& or conse:uence i,/(ies t*e e3c(usion
o) a(( ot*ers. -/. and /.111.
E3/ressu, )acit cessare tacitu,
W*at is e3/ressed /uts an end to w*at is i,/(ied. -/.111.
avora+i(ia sunt a,/(ianda& adiosa restringenda-/.26@.
avores a,/(iandi sunt< odia restringenda-g (ossary .
"ena( (aws w*ic* are )avora+(e to t*e accused are given retroactive e))ect.
$enera(e dictu, genera(iter est inter/retandu,
A genera( state,ent is understood in a genera( sense. -/.#A2.
$enera(ia s/ecia(i+us non derogant
A genera( (aw does not nu((i)y a s/eci)ic or s/ecia( (aw. -/.4#5.
$enera(ia ver+a sunt genera(iter inte(iigenda
W*at is genera((y s/o>en s*a(( +e genera((y understood. -/.#A2.
Interest rei/u+(icae ut sit )inis (itiu,
T*e interest o) t*e State de,ands t*at t*ere +e an end to (itigation. -/.#11.
"u+(ic interest re:uires t*at +y t*e very nature o) t*ings t*ere ,ust +e an end
to a (ega( controversy. -g(ossary and /.24@.
Inter/retare et concordare (eges (egi+us est o/ti,us inter/retandi ,odus
-/.16A.
Inter/otare et concordare (egi+us est o/ti,us inter/otandi ,odus-g (ossary .
T*e +est ,et*od o) inter/retation is t*at w*ic* ,a>es (aws consistent wit* ot*er
(aws. -/.16A.
Every statute ,ust +e so construed and *ar,oni9ed wit* ot*er statutes as to
)or, uni)or, syste, o) (aw. -g(ossary.
Inter/retatio )ienda est ut res ,agis va(eat :ua, /ereat
T*at inter/retation as wi(( give t*e t*ing e))icacy is to +e ado/ted. -/.#2#.
A (aw s*ou(d +e inter/reted wit* a view to u/*o(ding rat*er t*an destroying it.
-g(ossary and /.156.
%eges /osteriores /riores contrarias a+rogant %ater statute re/ea(s /rior ones
w*ic* are re/ugnant t*ereto -/.4#2.
A (ater (aw re/ea(s a /rior (aw on t*e sa,e su+'ect w*ic* is re/ugnant t*ereto.
-g(ossary.
%e3 de )uturo& 'ude3 de /raeterito
T*e (aw /rovides )or t*e )uture& t*e 'udge )or t*e /ast. -/.251.
%e3 /ros/icit& non res/icit
T*e (aw (oo>s )orward& not +ac>ward. -/.6A and /.251.
Noscitur a sociis
Words construed wit* re)erence to acco,/anying or associated words. -/.1@6.
Nova constitutio )uturis )or,a, i,/onere de+et non /raeteritis
A new statute s*ou(d a))ect t*e )uture& not t*e /ast. -/.252.
Nu((u, cri,en sine /oena& nu((a /oena sine (egis
T*ere is no cri,e wit*out a /ena(ty& and t*ere is no /ena(ty wit*out a (aw.
-/.257.
Nu((u, te,/us occurrit regi-/.2@7.
Nu((u, te,/us occurit-g(ossary.
T*ere can +e no (ega( rig*t as against t*e aut*ority t*at ,a>es t*e (aw on w*ic*
t*e rig*t de/ends.
O/ti,a statuti inter/retatri3 est i/su, statutu,
T*e +est inter/reter o) a statute is t*e statute itse(). -/.14A.
"ari ,ateria
Re(ating to sa,e ,atter -/.16A.
"otior est in te,/oe& /otior est in 'ure
!e w*o is )irst in ti,e is /re)erred in rig*t. -/.22A.
"rivi(egia reci/iunt (arga, inter/retatione, vo(untati consona, concedentis
-/.1;A.
"rivi(egia reci/rint (argan inter/retatione, vo(untate consonan concedentis
-g(ossary.
"rivi(eges are to +e inter/reted in accordance wit* t*e wi(( o) *i, w*o grants
t*e,.
Reddendo singu(a singu(is
Re)erring eac* to eac*< re)erring eac* /*rase or e3/ression to t*e a//ro/riate
o+'ect< or (et eac* +e /ut in its /ro/er /(ace. -/.124.
Sa(us /o/u(i est su/re,a (e3
T*e voice o) t*e /eo/(e is t*e su/re,e (aw. -/.1AA.
Statuta /ro /u+(ico co,,odo (ate inter/retantur
Statutes enacted )or t*e /u+(ic good are to +e construed (i+era((y. -/.1AA.
U+i (e3 non distinguit& nec nos distinguere de+e,us
W*ere t*e (aw does not distinguis*& we s*ou(d not distinguis*. -/.#;7.
Ver+a acci/ienda sunt secundu, su+'ecta, ,ateria,-g(ossary.
Ver+a acci/ienda sunt secundu, ,ateria,-/.#;6.
A word is to +e understood in t*e conte3t in w*ic* it is used.
Vigi(anti+us et non dor,ienti+us 'ura su+veniunt
T*e (aws aid t*e vigi(ant& not t*ose w*o s(u,+er on t*eir rig*ts. -/.22A.

Statutory Construction Reviewer

Diunggah oleh

Informasi Dokumen

Hak Cipta

Format Tersedia

Bagikan dokumen Ini

Bagikan atau Tanam Dokumen

Opsi Berbagi

Apakah menurut Anda dokumen ini bermanfaat?

Apakah konten ini tidak pantas?

Hak Cipta:

Format Tersedia

Statutory Construction Reviewer

Diunggah oleh

Hak Cipta:

Format Tersedia

Statutory Construction Reviewer

Vena V. Verga and Aris S. Manguera

Anda mungkin juga menyukai