Statutory Construction

COURSE SYLLABUS
Atty. Charlotte F. Gallego
“For what is within the spirit is within the statute although it is not within the
letter thereof, and that which is within the letter but not within the spirit is not
within the statute.- Alonzo v. Intermediate Appellate Court

Atty. Charlotte F. Gallego

AR LAW Davao del Sur
Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur
Mobile: +63946 762 7910/ email: arlawdavaodelsur@gmail.com

Course Requirements

1. Active Participation in Class Discussions and Oral

recitations (30%)
2. Written quizzes (10%)
3. Examinations (60%)

Chapter 1- CONSTRUCTION AND INTERPRETATION OF THE

LAWS

1. INTRODUCTION
2. CONSTRUCTION AND INTERPRETATION, IN GENERAL
3. CONSTRUCTION AND INTERPRETATION CAN BE USED
INTERCHAGEABLY
4. SIGNIFICANCE OF CONSTRUCTION AND INTERPRETATION
5. STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION VIS-À-VIS CONSTITUTIONAL
CONSTRUCTION
6. STATUTES IN GENERAL
6.1 Enactment of statutes
Primicias v. Municipality of Urdaneta, G.R. No. L-26702
Casco Phil. Chemical Co., Inc. v.Gimenez, G.R. No. L-17931
Astorga v. Villegas G.R. No. L-234
6.2 Parts of statutes
Tobias v. Abalos, G.R. No. L-114783
Cordero v. Cabatuando, G.R. No. L-14542
Insular Lumber v. Court of Tax Appeals, G.R. No. L-31057
Poeple v. Carlos, 78 Phil 535
7. PRESEDENTIAL ISSUANCES, RULES AND ORDINANCES
8. SUPREME COURT CIRCULARS; RULES AND REGULATIONS
Wise & Co. v. Meer, 78 Phil 655
China Banking Corp. v. C.A. 77 Scra 125
9. VALIDITY
10. EFFECT AND OPERATION
Tañada v. Tuvera, 146 Scra 446

Chapter 2 - RELEVANT CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES TO

CONSTRUCTION AND INTERPRETATION OF THE LAWS

11. THREE BRANCHES OF THE GOVERNMENT

12. PRINCIPLE OF SEPARATION OF POWERS
13. PRINCIPLE OF CHECKS AND BALANCES
14. PRINCIPLES OF SEPARATION OF POWERS AND CHECKS AND
BALANCES VIS-À-VIS PRINCIPLE OF JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE
15. LEGISLATIVE POWER
16. TYPES OF LEGISLATION
17. LEGISLATIVE PROCESS
18. PRINCIPLE OF NON-DELEGATION OF POWER AND ITS
EXCEPTION
19. EXECUTIVE POWER
20. ITS NATURE AND SCOPE
21. RELEVANT POWERS OF THE PRESIDENT TO CONSTRUCTION
AND INTERPRETATION
22. JUDICIAL POWER
23. ILLUSTRATION OF HEIRARCHY OF COURTS IN THE
PHILIPPINES
24. POWER TO APPLY OR INTERPRET
25. JUDICIAL CONSTRUCTION VIS-À-VIS JUDICIAL LEGISLATION
26. DUTY OF THE COURT TO APPLY THE LAW
Case: Luis K. Lokin, Jr. V. Commission on Elections, GR Nos.
179431-32, June 22, 2010 621 SCRA 385

27. DOES CONSTRUCTION INVOLVE QUESTIONS OF LAW OR

FACTS?
28. STARE DECISIS
29. IS THE SUPREME COURT BOUND TO FOLLOW THE PRINCIPLE
OF STARE DECISIS?
30. IMPORTANCE OF THE PRINCIPLE OF STARE DECISIS IN
STATUTORY OR CONSTITUTIONAL CONSTRUCTION
31. FIRST LANDMARK CASE
Prior Case: In Re Appointments dated March 30, 1998 of Hon
Mateo A Valenzuela and Hon. Placido B. Vallarta A.M. No.
98-5-01-SC, November 9, 1998. 298 SCRA 408

Landmark Case: Arturo M. De Castro v. Judicial and Bar

Council (JBC) G.R. No. 191149, March 17, 2010. 618 SCRA 639

32. THE AUTHOR’S SEPARATE OPINION

33. SECOND LAND MARK CADE
Prior Case: Philippine Constitution Association v. Enriquez,
G. R. No. 113105, August 19, 1994. 235 SCRA 506

Lawyers Against Monopoly and Poverty v. Secretary of Budget

and Management, G.R. No. 164987, April 24, 2012. 670 SCRA
373

Landmark Case: Greco Antonious Beda B. Belgica v.

Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr.
GR. No. 208566, November 19, 2013, 710 SCRA 2

34. DEFINITION OF CONSTRUCTION

35. DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CONSTRUCTION AND
INTERPRETATION
36. RULES OF CONSTRUCTION, GENERALLY
37. PURPOSE OR OBJECT OF CONSTRUCTION
38. LEGISLATIVE INTENT, GENERALLY
US v. Toribio, G.R. No. L-5060
39. LEGISLATIVE PURPOSE
Litex Employees Assn v. Eduvala, G.R. No. L-41106

40. LEGISLATIVE MEANING

41. MATTERS INQUIRED INTO IN CONSTRUING A STATUTE
42. SOURCES OF LEGISLATIVE INTENT
Regalado v. Yulo, 61 Phil 173
B. E. San Diego, Inc. vs. CA, 218 Scra 446

43. CONSTRUCTION IS A JUDICIAL FUNCTION

Philippines Today, Inc v. NLRC, 78 Scra 580

43. LEGISLATURE CANNOT OVERRULE JUDICIAL CONSTRUCTION

44. WHEN JUDICIAL INTERPRETATION MAY BE SET ASIDE
45. WHEN COURT MAY CONSTRUE STATUTE
Daoang v. Municipal Judge, G.R. No. L-34568

46. COURT MAY NOT CONSTRUE WHERE THE STATUTE IS CLEAR

Cebu Portland Cement Co. v. Municipality of Naga, G.R. Nos.
L-24116-17
Lapid v. CA, G.R. No. 142261. June 29, 2000

47. RULINGS OF THE SUPREME COURT AS PART OF THE LEGAL

SYSTEM.
48. JUDICIAL RULINGS HAVE NO RETROACTIVE EFFECT
49. COURT MAY ISSUE GUIDELINE IN CONSTRUING STATUTE NOT
TO ENLARGE OR RESTRICT IT BUT TO CLEARLY DELINEATE
WHAT THE LAW REQUIRES
50. LIMITATIONS ON THE POWER TO CONSTRUE

Chapter 3 - LAWS: CONSTITUTION, STATUTE, AND

ORDINANCE

51. DEFINITION OF LAW

52. CLASSIFICATIONS OF LAW
53. DEFINITION AND PURPOSE OF CONSTITUTION
54. DOCTRINE OF CONSTITUTIONAL SUPREMACY
55. CONSTITUTION VS. STATUTES
Case: Tawag Multi-Purpose Cooperative v. La Trinidad Water
District, G.R. No. 166471, March 22, 2011. 646 SCRA 21

56. DEFINITION OF STATUTE

57. NOMENCLATURE OF STATUTES IN THE PHILIPPINES SINCE
1901
58. SAMPLE OF A REPUBLIC ACT
59. PARTS OF A STATUTE
Case: Barangay Association for National Advancement and
Transparency (BANAT) Party-List v. Commission on
Elections, G.R. No. 177508, August 7, 2009. 595 SCRA 477

60. DEFINITION OF ORDINANCE

61. ORDINANCE VS. RESOLUTION
62. TEST OF A VALID ORDINANCE
Cases: Hon. Ma. Lourdes C. Fernando v. St. Scholastica’s
College, G.R. No. 161107, March 12, 2013. 693 SCRA 141
 White Light Corporation v. City of Manila, G.R. No. 122846,
January 20, 2009. 576 SCRA 416

63. DOCTRINE OF VAGUENESS VS. DOCTRINE OF OVER BREADTH

64. GENERAL PRINCIPLES
65. THE TITLE OF THE STATUTE
Baguio v. Marcos, G.R. No. L-26100
Ebarle v. Sucaldito, G.R. No. L-33628

66. WHEN RESORT TO TITLE NOT AUTHORIZED

67. PREAMBLE
68. CONTEXT OF WHOLE TEXT
69. PUNCTUATION MARKS
Florentino v. PNB, G.R. No. L-8782
Nera v. Garcia, G.R. No. L-13160

70. CAPITALIZATION OF LETTERS

71. HEADNOTES OR EPIGRAPHS
72. LINGUAL TEXT
73. INTENT OR SPIRIT OF THE LAW
74. POLICY OF LAW
Tinio v. Francis, G.R. No. L-7747
Cajiuat v. Mathay, G.R. No. L-39743

75. PURPOSE OF LAW OR MISCHIEF TO BE SUPRESSED

76. DICTIONARIES
77. CONSEQUENCES OF VARIOUS CONSTRUCTIONS
78. PRESUMPTIONS
79. LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
80. WHAT CONSTITUTES LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
81. EXPLANATORY NOTE
82. LEGISLATIVE DEBATES, VIEWS AND DELIBERATIONS
83. REPORTS OF COMMISSIONS
84. PRIOR LAWS FROM WHICH STATUTE IS BASED
Peo. v. Manantan, G.R. No. 14129
Director of Lands v. Abaya, 63Phil599
Salaysay v. Castro, 98Phil364

85. CHANGE IN PHRASEOLOGY BY AMENDMENTS

Commissioner of Customs v. CTA, G.R. Nos. 48886-88

86. AMENDMENT BY DELETION

Gloria v. CA, G.R. No. 131012
Buenaseda v. Flavier, 44 Scra 1026
A. Exception to the Rule

87. ADOPTED STATUTES

88. CONTEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION
Nestle Philippines, Inc. v. CA
Philippine Sugar Central v. Collector of Customs

Reference: Statutory Construction - Ruben E. Agpalo

Chapter 4 - LEGISLATIVE INTENT

89. IN GENERAL
90. RULES IN DETERMINING LEGISLATIVE INTENT VIS-À-VIS THE
INTERPRETATION THAT MUST BE ACCORDED
91. LEGISLATIVE INTENT CAN BE DISCOVERD FROM THE FOUR
CORNERS OF THE STATUTE
92. CARE SHOULD BE TAKEN THAT EVERY PART OF THE STATUTE
BE GIVEN EFFECT
93. WHEN STATUE IS AMBIGOUS
94. COURTS IN CONSTRUCTION OD STATUTE
95. IT MUST BE NOTE DTHAT
96. IMPLICATIONS

Chapter 5 - PRESUMPTION

97. DEFINITION
98. EFFECTS OF PRESUMPTION IN CONSTRUCTION AND
INTERPRETATION
99. RELEVANR PRESUMPTIONS
100. PRESUMPTION AGAINST UNCONSTITUTIONALI
101. REQUISITES FOR JUDICIAL INQUIRY IN CONSTITUTIONAL
LITIGATION
102. “NOT CONSTITUTIONAL” OR “UNCONSTITUTIONAL”
103. EFFECTS OF THE UNCONSTITUTIONALITY OF A PROVISION
OF A STATUTE
104. PRESUMPTION AGAINST VIOLATION OF INTERNATIONAL
LAW
Case: Deutsche Bank AG Manila v. Commisioner of
Internal Revenue, G.R. No. 188550, August 28, 2013. 704
SCRA 216

105. PRESUMPTION AGAINST INJUSTICE

Case: Salvacion v. Central Bank of the Philippines, G.R.
No. 94723, August 21, 1997. 278 SCRA 27

106. PRESUMPTION AGAINST ABSURDITY

Case: Privitization and Management Office v. Strategic
Development and/or Philippine Estate Corporation, G.R.
No. 200402, June 13, 2013. 698 SCRA 517.

107. PRESUMPTION AGAINST INEFFECTIVENESS

108. PRESUMPTION AGAINST UNDESIRABLE CONSEQUENCES
109. PRESUMPTION AGAINST IMPLIED REPEAL
Case: Executive Secretary v. Forerunner Multi Resources,
G.R. No. 199324, January 7, 2013. 688 SCRA 73

Rosalinda A. Penera v. Commission on Elections, G.R. No.

181613, November 25, 2009. 605 SCRA 574.

110. PRESUMPTION AGAINST RETROSPECTIVE OPERATION OF

LAWS
111. GENERAL PRINCIPLE
112. STATUTORY DEFINITION
113. QUALIFICATION OF RULE
114. WORDS CONSTRUED IN THEIR ORDINARY SENSE
115. GENERAL RULES CONSTRUED GENERALLY
116. GENERIC TERM INCLUDEDS THINGS THAT ARISE
THEREAFTER
117. WORDS WITH COMMERCIAL OR TRADE MEANING
118. WORDS WITH TECHNICAL OR LEGAL MEANING
119. HOW IDENTICAL TERMS IN SAME STATUTE CONSTRUED
120. MEANING OF WORD QUALIFIED BY PURPOSE OF STATUE
121. WORD OR PHRASE CONSTRUED IN RELATION TO OTHER
PROVISIONS
122. MEANING OF TERMS DICTATED BY CONTEXT
123. WHERE THE LAW DOES NOT DISTINGUISH
124. DISJUNCTIVE AND CONJUNCTIVE WORDS
125. NOSCITUR A SOCIIS
126. EJUSDEM GENERIS
127. LIMITATIONS OF EJUSDEM GENERIC
128. EXPRESSIO UNIUS EST EXCLUSIO ALTERIUS
129. NEGATIVE-OPPOSITE DOCTRINE
130. APLLICATION OF EXPRESSIO UNIUS RULE\
131. LIMITATIONS OF RULE
132. DOCTRINE OF CASUS OMISSUS
133. DOCTRINE OF LAST ANTECEDENT
134. QUALIFICATION OF THE DOCTRINE
135. REDDENDO SINGULAR SINGULIS
136. PROVISOS, GENERALLY
137. PROVISO MAY ENLARGE SCOPE OF LAW
138. PROVISO AS ADDITIONAL LEGISLATION
139. WHAT PROVISO QUALIFIES
140. EXCEPTION TO THE RULE
141. REPUGNANCE BETWEEN PROVISO AND MAIN PROVISION
142. EXCEPTIONS GENERALLY
143. EXCEPTION AND PROVISO DISTINGUISHED
144. SAVING CLAUSE

Chapter 6 - MAXIMS, DOCTRINES, RULES, AND

GUIDELINES IN CONSTRUCTION AND INTERPRETATION OF
THE LAWS

145. DURA LEX SED LEX

146. UBI LEX NON DISTINGUIT NEC NOS DISTINGUERE
DEBEMUS
Cases: Karlo Angelo Dabalos y San Diego v. Regional Trial
Court, Branch 59, Angeles City (Pampanga) G.R. No.
193960, January 07, 2013. 688 SCRA 64

Spouses Romeo Ll. Plopenio and Rosielinda Plopenio v.

Department of Agrarian Reform and Land Bank of the
Philippines, G.R. No. 161090, July 4, 2012. 675 SCRA
537

147. GENERALIA VERBA SUNT GENERALITER INTELIGENCIA

Case: People of the Philippines v. Sandiganbayan (Third
Division) and Victoria Amante, G.R. No. 167304,
August 25, 2009. 597 SCRA 49

148. NUMBER-SINGULAR AND PLURAL

149. GENDER-MASCULINE AND FEMININE
150. REDDENDO SINGULA SINGULIS
151. EJUSDEM GENERIS
Case: Pelizloy Realty Corporation v. The Province of
Benguet, G.R. No. 183137, April 10, 2013. 695 SCRA 491

152. NOSCITUR A SOCIIS

153. CASUS OMISSUS PRO OMISSO HABENDUS EST VIS-À-VIS
EXPRESSIO UNIUS EST EXLUSIO ALTERIUS
154. CASUS OMISSUS PRO OMISSO HABENDUS EST
155. EXPRESSIO UNIUS EST EXCLUSIO ALTERIUS
Cases: Rolando N. Canet v. Mayor Julieta A. Decena, G.R.
No. 155344, January 20, 2004. 420 SCRA 388

Municipality of Nueva Era, Ilocos Norte v. Municipality of

Marcos, Ilocos Norte, G.R. No. 169435, February 27,
2008. 547 SCRA 71

156. DOCTRINE OF NECESSARY IMPLICATION

Case: Ramon M. Atienza v. Jose T. Villarosa, G.R. No.
161081, May 10, 2005. 458 SCRA 385

157. “SHALL”, “MUST”, “OUGHT”, AND “MAY”

Cases: Gachon v. Devera, Jr. G.R. No. 116695, June 20,
1997. 274 SCRA 540

Loyola Grand Villas Homeowners (South) Association, Inc. V.

Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 117188, August 7, 1997. 276 SCRA
681

158. “AND”, “OR,” AND “AND/OR”

159. “YEAR”, “MONTH”, “DAY”, AND “NIGHT”
160. “WEEK”
161. PROVISO
162. GENERAL PRINCIPLE
163. INTENT ASCERTAINED FROM STATUE AS WHOLE
164. PURPOSE OR CONTEXT AS CONTROLLING GUIDE
165. GIVING EFFECT TO STATUTE AS A WHOLE
166. APPARENTLY CONFLICTING PROVISIONS RECONCILED
167. SPECIAL AND GENERAL PROVISIONS IN SAME STATUTE
168. CONSTRUCTION AS NOT TO RENDER PROVISION
NUGATORY
169. REASON FOR THE RULE
170. QUALIFICATION OF RULE
171. CONSTRUCTION AS TO GIVE LIFE TO LAW
172. CONSTRUCTION TO AVOID SURPLUSAGE
173. STATUTE AND ITS AMMENDMENTS CONSTRUED
TOGETHER
174. STATUTE CONSTRUED IN HARMONY WITH THE
CONSTITUTION
175. STATUTE IN PARI MATERIA
176. HOW STATUTES IN PARI MATERIA CONSTRUED
177. REASONS WHY LAWS ON SAME SUBJECT ARE
RECONCILED
178. WHERE HARMONIZATION IS IMPOSSIBLE
179. ILLUSTRATION OF THE RULE
180. GENERAL AND SPECIAL STATUTES
181. REASON FOR THE RULE
182. QUALIFICATION OF THE RULE
183. REFERENCE STATUTES
184. SUPPLEMENTAL STATUTES
185. REENACTED STATUTES
186. ADOPTION OF CONTEMPORANEOUS CONSTRUCTION
187. QUALIFICATION OF THE RULE
188. ADOPTED STATUTES

Chapter 7 - AIDS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND

INTERPRETATION OF THE LAWS

189. IN GENERAL
190. PARTS OF THE STATUTE
191. TITLE
192. PREAMBLR
193. DEFINITION SECTION
194. PUNCTUATION MARKS
195. HISTORY OF THE LEGISLATIVE ENACTMENT
Case: Samar II Electric Cooperative, Inc. Et al. V. Ananias
D. Seludo, Jr., G.R. No. 173840, April 25, 2012. 671 SCRA 78

196. DICTIONARY
197. JUDICIAL DECISIONS
198. ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS OR DECISIONS
199. CONSTITUTIONAL DELIBERATIONS
200. FOREIGN JURISPRUDENCEGENERAL PRINCIPLE
201. STRICT CONSTRUCTION, GENERALLY
202. LIBERAL CONSTRUCTION, DEFIENED
203. LIBERAL CONSTRUCTION APPLIED, GENERALLY
204. CONSTRUCTION TO PROMOTE SOCIAL JUSTICE
205. CONSTRUCTION TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION GENERAL
WELFARE OR GROWTH OF CIVILIZATION
206. PENAL STATUTES, GENERALLY
207. PENAL STATUTES STRICTLY CONSTRUED
208. REASON WHY PENAL STATUTES STRICTLY CONSTRUED
209. ACTS MALA IN SE AND MALA PROHIBITA
210. LIMITATION OF THE RULE
211. STATUES IN DEROGATION OF RIGHTS
212. STATUTES AURTHORIZING EXPROPRIATIONS
213. STATUTES GRANTING PRIVILEGES
214. LEGISLATIVE GRANTS TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS
215. STATUTORY GROUNDS FOR REMOVAL OF OFFICIALS
216. NATURALIZATION LAWS
217. STATUTES IMPOSING TAXES AND CUSTOM DUTIES
218. STATUTES GRANTING TAX EXEMPTIONS
219. QUALIFICATION OF RULE
220. STATUTES CONCERNING THE SOVEREIGN
221. STATUTES AUTHORIZING SUITS AGAINST THE
GOVERNMENT
222. STATUTES PRESCRIBING FORMALITIES OF WILL
223. EXCEPTIONS AND PROVISOS
224. GENERAL SOCIAL LEGISLATION
225. GENERAL WELFARE CLAUSE
226. GRANT OF POWER TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
Republic Act No. 2264
227. STATUTES GRANTING TAXING POWER
228. STATUTE PRESCRIBING PRESCRIPTIVE PERIOD TO
COLLECT TAXES
229. STATUTES IMPOSING PENALTIES FOR NON-PAYMENT OF
TAX
230. ELECTION LAWS
231. AMNESTY PROCLAMATIONS
232. STATUTES PRESCRIBING PRESCRIPTIONS OF CRIME
233. ADOPTION STATUTES
234. VETERAN AND PENSION LAWS
235. RULES OF COURT
236. OTHER STATUES

Chapter 8 - CONSTRUCTION AND INTERPRETATION OF THE

DIFFERENT TYPES OF LAWS

237. KINDS OF CONSTRUCTION AND INTERPRETATION

238. VISUAL ILLUSTRATION
239. DISTINCTIONS
240. CONSTRUCTION AND INTERPRETATION OF THE DIFFERENT
TYPES OF LAW
241. CRIMINAL LAW
242. LABOR LAW
243. SOCIAL LEGISLATION
Case: Carmelita Lledo v. Atty. Cesar V. Lledo, A.M. No.
P-95-1167, February 9, 2010. 612 SCRA 54

244. ELECTION LAW

Case: Salvador D. Violago, Sr. V. Commission on Elections,
G.R. No. 194143. October 4, 2011. 658 SCRA 516

245. PROCEDURAL LAW

246. TAX LAW
247. TAX EXWMPTIONS
248. TAX REFUNDS ARE IN THE NATURE OF TAX EXEMPTIONS
249. TAX AMNESTY IN MUCH LIKE A TAX EXEMPTION
Case: Asia International Auctioners, Inc. V. Commissioner
of Internal Revenue, G.R. No. 179115, September 26, 2012.
682 SCRA 49

250. NATURALIZATION LAW

Case: Republic of the Philippines v. Kerry Lao Ong, G.R.
No. 175430, June 18, 2012. 673 SCRA 485

251. STATUTORY PROVISIONS WAIVING STATE IMMUNITY

Case: Department of Health v. Phil. Pharmawealth Inc.
G.R. No. 182358, February 20,2013. 691 SCRA 421

252. EXCEPTION
Case: Luis K. Lokin, Jr. V. Commission on Elections, G.R.
Nos. 179431-32, June 22, 2010. 621 SCRA 385

253. GENERAL PRINCIPLE

254. MANDATORY AND DIRECTORY STATUTES, GENERALLY
255. WHEN STATUTE IS MANDATORY OR DIRECTORY
256. TEST TO DETERMINE NATURE OF STATUTE
257. LANGUAGE USED
258. USE OF “SHALL” OR “MUST”
259. USE OF “MAY”
260. WHEN “SHALL” IS CONSTRUED AS “MAY” AND VICE VERSA
261. USE OF NEGATIVE, PROHIBITORY OR EXCLUSIVE TERMS
262. STATUTES CONFERRING POWER
263. STATUTES GRANTING BENEFITS
264. STATUTES PRESCRIBING JURISDICTIONAL REQUIREMENTS
265. STATUTES PRESCRIBING TIME TO TAKE ACTION OR TO
APPEAL
266. STATUTES PRESCRIBING PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS
267. ELECTION LAWS ON CONDUCT OF ELECTION
268. ELECTION LAWS ON QUALIFICATIONS AND
DISQUALIFICATION
269. STATUTE PRESCRIBING QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICE
270. STATUTES RELATING TO ASSESSMENT OF TAXES
271. STATUTES CONCERNING PUBLIC AUCTION SALE
272. STATUTES PRESCRIBING GUIDANCE FOR OFFICERS
273. STATUTES PRESCRIBING MANNER OF JUDICIAL ACTION
274. STATUTES REQUIRING RENDITIONS OF DECISIONS WITHIN
PRESCRIBED PERIOD
275. CONSTITUTIONAL TIME PROVISION DIRECTORY
Marcelino v. Cruz

Chapter 9 - LAWS RELATING TO THE SAME SUBJECT

MATTER

276. BASIC GUIDELINES

277. HORIZONTAL COHERENCE
278. STATUTES IN PARI MATERIA
279. INTERPRETARE ET CONCORDARE LEGIBUS EST OPTIMUS
INTERPRETENDI
280. GENERAL LAW VS. SPECIAL LAW
Case: Maria Virginia V. Remo v. The Honoralbe Secretary
of Foreign Affiars, G.R. No. 169202, March 5, 2010. 614 SCRA
281

281. THE SPECIAL LAW REFERS TO A SUBJECT IN GENERAL,

WHICH THE GENERAL LAW TREATS IN PARTICULAR. WHICH
LAW SHALL GOVERN?
Case: Estate of Nelson R. Dulay v. Aboitiz Jebsen Maritime,
Inc. G.R. No. 172642, June 13, 2012. 672 SCRA 166

282. WHEN THE RECONCILIATION AND HARMONIZATION ARE

NO LONGER POSSIBLE, IMPLIED REPEAL ARISES.
283. VERTICAL COHERENCE
284. SUMMARY
285. PROSPECTIVE AND RETROACTIVE STATUTES:DEFINITION
286. LAWS OPERATE PROSPECTIVELY, GENERALLY
Montilla vs. Agustinia Corp

287. PRESUMPTION AGAINST RETROACTIVITY

Cebu Portland vs. Commission of Internal Revenue
288. WORDS OR PHRASES INDICATION PROSPECTIVITY
CIR vs. Filipinas Compania de Seguros

289. RETROACTIVE STATUTES

290. STATUTES GIVEN PROSPECTIVE EFFECT
291. STATUTES THAT ARE GIVEN RETROACTIVE EFFECT
292. EXCEPTIONS TO THE RULE
293. CURATIVE STATUTES
294. LIMITATIONS TO THE RULE
295. POLICE POWER LEGISLATIONS
296. STATUTES RELATING TO PRESCRIPTION
297. PRESCRIPTION IN CRIMINAL AND CIVIL CASES
298. STATUTES RELATING TO APPEALS

Chapter 10 - EFFECT AND OPERATIONS OF LAWS

299. PROSPECTIVITY OF LAWS

Case: Coalition of Associations of Senior Citizens in the
Philippines, Inc. v. Commission on Elections, G.R. Nos.
206844-45, July 23, 2013. 701 SCRA 786

300. EXCEPTIONS
301. WHEN LAW EXPRESSLY PROVIDES FOR RETROACTIVE
APPLICATION
302. WHEN THE PENAL LAW IS FAVORABLE TO THE ACCUSED
WHO IS NOT A HABITUAL CRIMINAL
303. WHEN THE LAW IS PROCEDURAL IN NATURE
Case: Eastern Mediterranean Maritime Ltd. v. Estanislao
Surio, G.R. No. 154213, August 23, 2012. 679 SCRA 21

304. WHEN THE LAW IS CURATIVE IN NATURE

Case: Hon. Ma. Lourdes C. Fernando v. St. Scholastica’s
College, G.R. No. 161107, March 12, 2013. 693 SCRA
141

305. WHEN THE LAW CREATES A NEW SUBSTANTIVE RIGHT

306. WHEN THE LAW IS ISSUED IN THE EXERCISE OF THE
STATE’S POLICE POWER IN ORDER TO MEET AN
EMERGENCY
307. AMENDMENT
308. REVISION AND CODIFICATION
309. REPEALS

Chapter 11 - CONSTITUTIONAL CONSTRUCTION AND

INTERPRETATION

310. IN GENERAL
311. BASIC GUIDELINES IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND
INTERPRETATION OF THE Constitution
Case: Tawang Multi-Purpose Cooperative v. La Trinidad
Water District, G.R. No. 166471, March 22, 2011. 646
SCRA 21

312. THE APPLICATION OR INTERPRETATION OF THE

CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION MUST BE IN
 ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTENT OF THE FRAMERS
AND OF THE PEOPLE ADOPTING IT
313. THE CONSTITUTION MUST BE CONSTRUED AS A WHOLE
314. CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS ARE MANDATORY IN
CHARACTER
315. IT IS PRESUMED THAT ALL PROVISIONS OF THE
CONSTITUTION ARE SELF-EXECUTING
316. THE PROVISIONS OF THE CONSTITUTION ARE
PROSPECTIVE IN APPLICATION
317. AIDS IN CONSTRUING AND INTERPRETING THE
CONSTITUTION
Case: Wilson P. Gamboa v. Finance Secretary Margarito B.
Teves, G.R. No. 176579, June 28, 2011. 652 SCRA 690

318. CONSTITUTION
319. ORIGIN AND HISTORY
320. PURPOSE OF CONSTITUTIONAL CONSTRUCTION
321. MODALITIES OF CONSTITUTIONAL CONSTRUCTION
INTRINSIC
322. EXTRANEOUS
323. OTHER RULES