Statutory Construction 1st Semester, AY 2013-2014 Atty. Alvin T.

Claridades COURSE OUTLINE Part I Introduction to Statutory Construction (Preliminary Considerations) 1. Definition of Statutory Construction Caltex v. Palomar, G.R. No. L-19650, September 29, 1966 a. b. Hermeneutics and Legal Hermeneutics

Legis interpretatio legis vim obtinet

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People v. Jabinal, G.R. No. L-30061, February 27, 1974 Pesca v. Pesca, G.R. No. 136921, April 17, 2001

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When is there room for interpretation or construction? 1. 2. Songco v. NLRC, GR L-50999 March 23, 1990 Amores v. HRET, GR 189600, June 29, 2010

3. Distinction Between Interpretation and Construction a. b. c. 4. 5. Classes of interpretation according to Dr. Francis Lieber Intrinsic or internal aids in Statutory Interpretation Extrinsic or External aids in Statutory Construction

Situs of Construction and Interpretation When can Courts Construe or Interpret the Law? 1. RCBC v. IAC, G.R. No. 74851, December 9, 1999

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When courts need not resort to interpretation or construction 1. 2. 3. Go Ka Toc Sons v. Rice and Corn Board, G.R. No. L-23607, May 23, 1967 People v. Mapa, G.R. No. L-22301, August 30, 1967 Luzon Surety v. De Garcia, G.R. No. L-25659, October 31, 1969

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Punctuation and Grammar: An Aid to Interpretation and Construction

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US v. Hart, G.R. No. L-8848 November 21, 1913

Statutory Construction vis-a-vis Judicial Legislation 1. 2. Floresca v. Philex Mining, G.R. No. L-30642 April 30, 1985 Republic v. CA and Molina, G.R. No. 108763, February 13, 1997

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How must legislative intent be ascertained? 1. 2. Aisporna v. CA, G.R. No. L-39419 April 12, 1982 Republic v. CA and Molina, G.R. No. 108763, February 13, 1997

Part II Statutory Construction and the Law 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. What is a statute? Parts of a Statute Kinds of Statutes Constitutional Limitations of Statutes Legislative and Other Powers of Congress Legislative Process a. b. 7. How a Bill Becomes a Law Flowchart of the Process

Void for Vagueness Doctrine

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Estrada vs. Sandiganbayan, G.R. No. 148560, 19 November 2001 David vs. Arroyo, G.R. No. 171396, 3 May 2006

Part III Basic Principles Used in Interpretation and Construction 1. Verba Legis 1. 2. 2. PAGCOR v. Philippine Gaming Jurisdiction Inc., G.R. No. 177333, April 24, 2009 Bolos v. Bolos, G.R. No. 186400, October 20, 2010

Plain Meaning Rule

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Republic v. Lacap, G.R. No. 158253, March 2, 2007 Rural Bank of San Miguel v. Monetary Board, G.R. No. 150886, February 16, 2007

Pari Materia Rule 1. 2. City of Naga v. Agna, G.R. No. L-36049 May 31, 1976 Co v. Civil Register of Manila, G.R. No. 138496. February 23, 2004

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Expressium facit cessare tacitum 1. 2. Canet v. Decena, G.R. No. 155344. January 20, 2004 Malinias v. Comelec, G.R. No. 146943 October 4, 2002

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Casus omissus pro omisso habendus est 1. 2. Mun. of Nueva Era v. Mun. of Marcos, G.R. No. 169435 February 27, 2008 People v. Manantan, G.R. No. L-14129, August 30, 1962

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Legislative intent must be ascertained from a consideration of the statute as a whole 1. 2. Alpha Investigation and Security Agency v. NLRC, G.R. No. 111722 May 27, 1997 Serana v. Sandigabayan, G.R. No. 162059, January 22, 2008

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Spirit of the Law vs. Letter of the Law 1. 2. People v. Salas, G.R. No. L-66469 July 29, 1986 Alonzo v. IAC, G.R. No. 72873 May 28, 1987

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Stare Decisis 1. 2. Tala Realty Services Corp. v. Banco Filipino Savings and Mortgage Bank, G.R. No. 132051, June 25, 2001 J.R.A. Phils. Inc. v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, G.R. No. 177127, October 11, 2010

Part IV Latin Maxims Applied to Interpretation and Construction 1. Lex Prospicit, Non Respicit (The law looks forward, not backward) Valeroso v. CA, G.R. No. 164815 September 3, 2009

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Lex de futuro, judex de praeterito (The law provides for the future, the judge for the past) PDIC v. Stockholders Of Intercity Savings and Loan Bank, G.R. No. 181556, December 14, 2009 Absolute Sentencia Expositore Non Indiget (An absolute sentence needs no explanation) Barcellano v. Baas, G.R. No. 165287 September 14, 2011 Optima statuti interpretatrix est ipsum statutum (The best interpreter of a statute is the statute itself) Serana v. Sandiganbayan, G.R. No. 162059 January 22, 2008 Ratio legis est anima (The reason of the law is the soul of the law.) League of Cities v. Comelec, G.R. No. 176951 December 21, 2009 Cessante ratione legis, cessat ipsa lex (The reason for a law ceasing, the law itself ceases) - People v. Almuete, G.R. No. L-26551 February 27, 1976 Expressio unius est exclusio alterius (The expression of one thing is the exclusion of another) Malinias v. Comelec, G.R. No. 146943. October 4, 2002 Generalia specialibus non derogant (General things do not derogate from special things) Tomawis v. Balindong, G.R. No. 182434 March 5, 2010 Dura lex sed lex (The law may be harsh but it is the law) Obiasca v. Basallote, G.R. No. 176707 February 17, 2010 Reddendo singula singulis (Referring each to each) City of Manila v. Laguio, Jr., G.R. No. 118127 April 12, 2005 Noscitur a sociis (Known from its associates) Chavez v. JBC, G.R. No. 202242 July 17, 2012 Ejusdem generis (Of the same kind) Liwag v. Happy Glen Loop Homeowners Association, G.R. No. 189755 July 4, 2012

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