STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION

Atty. Howard M. Calleja

SY 2015-2016

Chapter I
STATUTES
A. IN GENERAL
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Laws, generally
Statutes, generally
Permanent and temporary statutes
Other classes of statutes
Manner of referring to statutes
B. ENACTMENT OF STATUTES

1.
2.
3.
4.

Generally
Legislative power of Congress
Procedural requirements in enacting a law, generally
Steps in the passage of bill into law
C. PARTS OF STATUTES

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Statutes generally contain

Meaning of certain bills originating from the lower House
Enactment of budget and appropriations law
Restrictions in passage of budget or revenue bills
Rules and records of legislative proceedings
Unimpeachability of legislative journals
Enrolled bill
Withdrawal of authenticity, effect of.
Summary rules

Cases:
People vs. Palma
Lidasan v. Comelec
Ichong vs. Hernandez
Municipality of Jose Panganiban v.

G.R. No. L-44113 (March 31, 1977)

21 SCRA 496 (1967)
101 Phil 1155 (1957)

Shell
Del Rosario vs Carbonell
People vs. Buenviaje
Alalayan vs NPC
Cordero vs Cabatuando
Tobias vs Abalos
Ayson vs. Provincial Board of Rizal
People vs. Valensoy
People vs Carlos
Casco Phil Chem v Gimenez

17 SCRA 77 (1966)
G.R. No. L-32476 October 20, 1970
46 Phil 536 (1925)
24 SCRA 172 (1968)
6 SCRA 418 (1962)
237 SCRA 106 (1994)
G.R. No. 14019. July 26, 1919
101 Phil 642 (1957)
78 Phil 535 (1947)
G.R. No. L-17931, February 28,
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Atty. Howard M. Calleja
SY 2015-2016

1963
56 SCRA 714 (1974)

Astorga v. Villegas

D. ISSUANCES, RULES AND ORDINANCES

1. Presidential issuances
2. Administrative rules and regulations
3. Illustrative cases on validity of executive orders, rules and regulations
4. Administrative rule and interpretation distinguished
5. Supreme Court rule-making power
6. Legislative power of local government units
7. Barangay ordinance
8. Municipal ordinance
9. City ordinance
10.
Provincial ordinance
Cases:
People v. Lim
KMU v. Garcia
Hijo Plantation v. Central Bank
China Bank v. CA
Santos v. Estenzo
Grego v. Comelec
Santos v. Municipal Ordinance
People v. Lim

108 Phil 1091 (1960)

G.R. 115381, 23 December 1994
G.R. No. L-34526, 9 August 1988
265 SCRA 327 (1996)
109 Phil 419 (1960)
274 SCRA 481 (1997)
G.R. No. L-15807, 22 April 1963
108 Phil 1091 (1960)

E. VALIDITY OF STATUTE
1. Presumption of constitutionality
2. Requisites for exercise of judicial power
3. Appropriate case
4. Standing to sue
5. When to raise constitutionality
6. Necessity of deciding constitutionality
7. Summary of Essential Requisites for Judicial Review
8. Test of constitutionality
9. Effects of constitutionality
10.
Invalidity dues to change of conditions
11.
Partial invalidity

Cases:
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Atty. Howard M. Calleja
SY 2015-2016

NHA v Reyes
Lao Lim vs CA
Hon. Lim v. Hon. Pacquing
Victoriano vs Elizalde Rope Workers

G.R.
G.R.
G.R.
G.R.

No. L-49439, 29 June 1983

119178, 20 June 1997
115044, 27 January 1995
No. L-25246, 12 September

1974

F. EFFECT AND OPERATION

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

When laws take effect

When Presidential issuances, rules and regulations take effect
When local ordinance takes effect
Statutes continue in force until repealed
Territorial and personal effect of statutes
Manner of computing time

Cases:
Tanada v. Tuvera
Gutierrez v. Carpio
Guzman v. Lichauco
US v. Painaga
PNB v. CA

146 SCRA 446 (1986)

53 Phil 334
42 Phil 292
G.R. No. L-8223, 4 March 1914
222 SCRA 134 (1993)

Chapter II
CONSTRUCTION AND INTERPRETATION
A. NATURE AND PURPOSE
1. Construction defined
2. Construction and interpretation distinguished
3. Rules of construction, generally
4. Purpose or object of construction
5. Legislative intent, generally
6. Legislative purpose
7. Legislative meaning
8. Graphical illustration
9. Matters inquired into in construing a statute
10.
Where legislative intent is ascertained
Cases:
Hidalgo v. Hidalgo

G.R. No. L-25326, 29 May 1970

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Atty. Howard M. Calleja
SY 2015-2016

U.S. v. Navarro
LITEX v. Eduvala
Regalado vs Yulo
B.E. San Diego Inc. vs. CA

19 Phil 134 (1911)

79 SCRA 88 (1977)
61 Phil 173 (1935)
218 SCRA 446 (1993)

B. POWER TO CONSTRUE
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Construction is a judicial function

Legislature cannot overrule judicial construction
When judicial interpretation may be set aside
When court may construe statute
Condition sine qua non before courts can construe statutes; ambiguity
defined
6. Court may not construe where statute is clear
7. Verbalegis or plain meaning rule
8. Rulings of Supreme Court part of legal system
9. Judicial rulings have no retroactive effect
10.
Only Supreme Court en banc can modify or abandon principle of
law, not any division of the Court
11.
Court may issue guidelines in construing statute

C. LIMITATIONS ON POWER TO CONSTRUE

1. Courts may not enlarge nor restrict statutes
2. Courts not to be influenced by questions of wisdom
Cases:
Araneta v. Dinglasan
Edencio v. David
Daong v. Municipal Judge of San
Nicolas
Commissioner of Internal Revenue vs
Lim-Pan
Cebu Portland Cement v. Mun. of
Naga, Cebu
Resins v. Auditor General
Quijano v. DBP
Chapter 2: 66 ( Kapisanan vs Manila
Railroad)
Davao Light v. Commissioner of
Customs
Ramos v. CA (1981)
Floresca v. PhilEx
Enrile v Salazar

G.R. No. L-2044. August 26, 1949

G.R. No. L-6355-56 August 31, 1953
G.R. No. L-34568 March 28, 1988
G.R. Nos. L-28571 and L-28644. July
31, 1970
G.R. Nos. 24116-17 August 22, 1968
G.R. No. L-17888 October 29, 196
G.R. No. L-26419 October 16, 1970
G.R. No. L-14332 May 20, 1960
G.R. Nos. L-28739 & L-28902 March
29, 1972
G.R. No. L-53766 October 30, 1981
G.R. No. L-30642 April 30, 1985
G.R. No. 92163 June 5, 1990
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Atty. Howard M. Calleja
SY 2015-2016

Manikad v. Tanodbayan
Senarillos v. Hermosisimo
People v. Macarandang
People v. Mapa
Co v. CA
People v. Ferrer
daong v. Municipal Judge of San
Nicolas
Sumulong v COMELEC
Central Capiz v. Ramirez
Eugenio vs. Exec Sec. Drilon

G.R. No. L-65097 February 20, 1984

G.R. No. L-10662 December 14, 1956
G.R. No. L-12088 December 23, 1959
G.R. No. L-22301 August 30, 1967
G.R. No. 100776 October 28, 1993
G.R. Nos. L-32613-14 December 27,
1972
G.R. No. L-34568 March 28, 1988
G.R. No. 48609 October 10, 1941
G.R. No. 16197 March 12, 1920
G.R. No. 16197 March 12, 1920

Chapter III
AIDS TO CONSTRUCTION
A. IN GENERAL
1. Generally
2. Title
3. When resort to title not authorized
4. Preamble
5. Illustration of rule
6. Context of whole text
7. Punctuation marks
8. Illustrative examples
9. Capitalization of letters
10.
Headnotes or epigraphs
11.
Lingual text
12.
Intent or spirit of law
13.
Policy of law
14.
Purpose of law or mischief to be suppressed
15.
Dictionaries
16.
Consequences of various constructions
17.
Presumptions
B. LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Generally
What constitutes legislative history
Presidents message to legislature
Explanatory note
Legislative debates, views and deliberations
Reports of commissions
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Atty. Howard M. Calleja
SY 2015-2016

7. Prior laws from which statute is based

8. Change in phraseology
9. Amendment by deletion
10.
Exceptions to the rule
11.
Adopted statutes
12.
Limitations of rule
13.
Principles of common law
14.
Conditions at time of enactment
15.
History of the times
C. CONTEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Generally
Executive construction, generally; kinds of
Weight accorded to contemporaneous construction
Weight accorded to usage and practice
Construction of rules and regulations
Reasons why contemporaneous construction is given much weight
When contemporaneous construction is disregarded
Erroneous contemporaneous construction does not preclude correction
nor create rights; exceptions
9. Legislative interpretation
10.
Legislative approval
11.
Reenactment
12.
Stare decisis

Cases:
People v. Purisima
People v. Echaves
Aboitiz v. City of Cebu
CIR v. TMX
Feliciano v. Aquino
US v. Hart
In re: Estate of Johnson
People v. Yabut
People v. Mendoza
People v Manaba
US vs Quintanar (16 P 504)
Employee's Club Inc. v China
Bank Corp. (1934)
McMicking v. Lichauco
Alonzo v. IAC
Macabenta v. Davao
Stevedoring Terminal

G.R. No.
1978
G.R. No.
G.R. No.
G.R. No.
G.R. No.
G.R. No.
G.R. No.
G.R. No.
G.R. No.
G.R. No.

L-42050-66 November 20,

47757, 28 January 1980
L-14526 March 31, 1965
83736. January 15, 1992
10201, 23 September 1957
L-8848 November 21, 1913
L-12767 November 16, 1918
39085 September 27, 1933
104461 February 23, 1996
L-1960 November 26, 1948

G.R. No. L-5654 August 27, 1910

G.R. No. L-40188 July 27, 1934
G.R. No. L-7896 March 30, 1914
G.R. No. 72873 May 28, 1987
G.R. No. L-27489. April 30, 1970

STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION
Atty. Howard M. Calleja
SY 2015-2016

Tinio v. Frances
Home Ins. v. Eastern Shipping
Lines
Luzon Stevedoring Co. v.
Trinidad
Go Chico v. Martinez
US v. De Guzman
Basiana v. Luna
Baga v. PNB
De Villa v. CA
NAPOLCOM v. De Guzman
China Banking V. Ortega
Mayon Motors v, Acting CIR
KilosbayanInc v Morato
Luzon v. Marine Dept. Union
Song Kiat v. Central Bank
People v. Manantan
Director of Lands v Abaja
Com of Customs v CTA
Buenaseda v. Flavier
Carolina v. CMS Stock
Brokerage
Tamayo v.Gsell
People v. Yadao

G.R. No. L-7747 November 29, 1955

G.R. No. L-34382 July 20, 1983
G.R. No. 18316. September 23, 1922
G.R. Nos. 19684 & 19685. October 17,
1923
G.R. No. L-9144 March 27, 1915
G.R. No. L-34135-36 February 24, 1981
G.R. No. L-9695 September 10, 1956
G.R. No. 87416 April 8, 1991
G.R. No. 106724 February 9, 1994
G.R. No. L-34964 January 31, 1973
G.R. No. L-15000 March 29, 1961
G.R. No. 118910 November 16, 1995
G.R. No. L-9265 April 29, 1957
G.R. No. L-8888 November 29, 1957
G.R.
G.R.
G.R.
G.R.
G.R.

No.
No.
No.
No.
No.

L-14129. July 31, 1962

L-42134 October 21, 1936
L-29059 December 15, 1987
106719 September 21, 1993
46908, 17 May 1980

G.R. No. 10765 December 22, 1916

G.R. No. L-6835. March 30, 1954

Chapter IV
ADHERENCE TO, OR DEPARTURE
FROM, LANGUAGE OF STATUTE
A. LITERAL INTERPRETATION
1. Literal meaning or plain-meaning rule
2. Dura lex sed lex
B. DEPARTURE FROM LITERAL INTERPRETATION
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Statute must be capable of interpretation, otherwise inoperative

What is within the spirit is within the law
Literal import must yield to intent
Intent of a statute is the law
Limitation of rule
Construction to accomplish purpose
Illustration of rule
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Atty. Howard M. Calleja
SY 2015-2016

8. Qualification of rule
9. Construction to avoid absurdity
10.
Construction to avoid injustice
11.
Construction to avoid danger to public interest
12.
Construction in favor of right and justice
13.
Surplusage and superfluity disregarded
14.
Redundant words may be rejected
15.
Obscure or missing word or false description may not preclude
construction
16.
Exemption from rigid application of law
17.
Law does not require the impossible
18.
Number and gender of words
C. IMPLICATIONS
1. Doctrine of necessary implication
2. Remedy implied from a right
3. Grant of jurisdiction
4. What may be implied from grant of jurisdiction
5. Grant of power includes incidental power
6. Grant of power excludes greater power
7. What is implied should not be against the law
8. Authority to charge against public funds may not be implied
9. Illegality of act implied from prohibition
10.
Exceptions to the rule
11.
What cannot be done directly cannot be done indirectly
12.
There should be no penalty for compliance with law
Cases:
Bustamante v. NLRC
Go v. Anti-Chinese League
Santiago v. COMELEC
Galuba v. Laureta
Rufino Lopez v. Court of Tax
Appeals
Solid Homes v. Tan
Tanada v. Cuenco
People v. Lacson
King v. Hernandez
US v. Toribio
Ramirez v. Court of Appeals
Matabuena v. Cervantes
Ryfino Lopez v. Court of Tax
Appeals
Largado v. Masaganda
Automative Parts and

265 SCRA 61 (1996)

84 Phil 468 (1949)
270 SCRA 106 (1997)
157 SCRA 627 (1988)
100 Phil 850 (1957)
465 SCRA 137 (2005)
103 Phil 1051 (1957)
G.R. No. 149453, 7 October 2003
114 Phil 730 (1962)
15 Phil. 85 (1910)
G.R. No. 23587, 10 June 1967
G.R. No. 28771, 31 March 1971
100 Phil 850 (1957)
115 Phil 519 (1962)
G.R. No. 26406, 30 October 1969
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Atty. Howard M. Calleja
SY 2015-2016

Equipment v. Lingad
Amatan v. Aujero
Pitchard v. Republic
Teehankee v. Director of Prisons
Demafiles v. COMELEC
Munoz v. Hord
People v. Gutierrez
Reyes v. Republic
Santillon v. Miranda
Chua v. CSC
Felipe v. Leuterio
People v. Palana
Angara v. Electoral Commission

248 SCRA 511 (1995)

81 Phil 244 (1948)
76 Phil 756 (1943)
G.R. No. 28396, 29 December 1967
12 Phil 624 (1909)
36 SCRA 172 (1970)
104 Phil 889 (1958)
G.R. No. 19281, 30 June 1965
206 SCRA 65 (1992)
91 Phil 482 (1952)
G.R. No. 44113, 31 March 1977
63 Phil 139 (1936)

Chapter V
INTERPRETATION OF WORDS
AND PHRASES
A. IN GENERAL
1. Generally
2. Statutory definition
3. Qualifications of rule
4. Words construed in their ordinary sense
5. General words construed generally
6. Application of rule
7. Generic term includes things that arise thereafter
8. Words with commercial or trade meaning
9. Words with technical or legal meaning
10.
How identical terms in same statue construed
11.
Meaning of word qualified by purpose of statute
12.
Word or phrase construed in relation to other provisions
13.
Meaning of term dictated by context
14.
Where the law does not distinguish
15.
Illustration of rule
16.
Disjunctive and conjunctive words
B. ASSOCIATED WORDS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Noscitur a sociis
Application of rule
Ejusdem generis
Illustration of rule
Limitations of ejusdem generis
Expressio unius est exclusion alterius
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Atty. Howard M. Calleja
SY 2015-2016

7. Negative-opposite doctrine
8. Application of expression unius rule
9. Limitations of rule
10.
Doctrine of casus omissus
11.
Doctrine of last antecedent
12.
Illustration of rule
13.
Qualification of the doctrine
14.
Reddendo singular singulis
C. PROVISOS, EXCEPTIONS
AND SAVING CLAUSES
1. Provisos, generally
2. Proviso may enlarge scope of law
3. Proviso as additional legislation
4. What proviso qualifies
5. Exception to the rule
6. Repugnancy between proviso and main provision
7. Exceptions, generally
8. Exception and proviso distinguished
9. Illustration of exception
10.
Saving clause
Cases:
Secretary Perez v. LPG Refillers
Geotina v. Court of Appeals
Asiatic Petroleum v. Collector of
Internal Revenue
Keepner v. US
Claudio v. COMELEC
Santulan v. Executive Secretary
Colgate-Palmolive v. Gimenez
Gonzales v. COMELEC
Caltex v. Palomar
Go Tiaco v. Hermanos v. Union
Insurance
Murphy Morris v. Collector of
Customs
Commissioner of Customs v. Court
of Appeals
Commissioner of Internal Revenue v.
American Express
Canlas v. Republic
Coconut Refiners v. Torres
Chung Fook v. White
Escribano v. Avila

G.R. No. 159149, 28 August 2007

G.R. No. 33500, 30 August 1971
38 Phil 510 (1918)
79 Phil 461 (1947)
331 SCRA 388
G.R. No. 28021, 15 December 1977
G.R. No. 14787, 28 January 1961
G.R. No. 28196, 9 November 1967
G.R. No. 19650, 29 September 1966
40 Phil 40 (1919)
11 Phil 456 (1908)
G.R. No. 33741, 31 January 1972
G.R. No. 152609, 29 june 2005
103 Phil 712 (1958)
G.R. No. 132527. 29 July 2005
264 US 443 (1924)
G.R. No. 30375, 12 September 1978
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STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION
Atty. Howard M. Calleja
SY 2015-2016

People v. Manantan
Roldan v. Villaroman
People v. Tamani
Ibanez de Aldecoa v. Hongkong and
Shanghai Bank

115 Phil 657 (1962)

69 Phil 12 (1939)
G.R. No. 22160, 21 January 1974
30 Phil 228 (1915)

Chapter VI
STATUTE CONSTRUED AS WHOLE AND
IN RELATION TO OTHER STATUTES
A. STATUTE CONSTRUED AS WHOLE
1. Generally
2. Intent ascertained from statute as whole
3. Purpose or context as controlling guide
4. Giving effect to statute as a whole
5. Apparently conflicting provisions reconciled
6. Special and general provisions in same statute
7. Construction as not to render provision nugatory
8. Reason for the rule
9. Qualification of rule
10.
Construction as to give life to law
11.
Construction to avoid surplusage
12.
Application of rule
13.
Statute and its amendments construed together
B. STATUTE CONSTRUED IN RELATION TO
CONSTITUTION AND OTHER STATUTES
1. Statute construed in harmony with the Constitution
2. Statutes in pari materia
3. How statutes in pari materia construed
4. Reasons why law laws on same subject are reconciled
5. Where harmonization is impossible
6. Illustration of the rule
7. General and special statutes
8. Reason for the rule
9. Qualifications of the rule
10. Reference statutes
11. Supplemental statutes
12. Reenacted statutes
13. Adoption of contemporaneous construction
14. Qualifications of the rule
15. Adopted statutes
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Atty. Howard M. Calleja
SY 2015-2016

Cases:
Sotto v. Sotto
Loyola Grand Villas v. Court
of Appeals
Maddumba v. Ozaeta
Republic v. Court of Appeals
Lichauco v. Apostol
People v. Gatchalian
UP Board of Regents v.
Auditor General
Cuyegkeng v. Cruz
Asturias Sugar v.
Commissioner of Customs
Uytengsu v. Republic
Mejia v. Balalonh
Manila Lodge v. Court of
Appeals
PLDT v. Collector of Internal
Revenue
Alba v. Evangelista
San Miguel v. Avelino
Flores v. San Pedro
Republic v. Asuncion
Lacson v. Roque
City of Naga v. Agna
De Jesus v. People
Montelibano v. Ferrer

43 Phil 688 (1922)

276 SCRA 681 (1997(
82 Phil 345 (1948)
263 SCRA 758 (1996)
44 Phil 138 (1922)
104 Phil 664 (1958)
G.R. No. 19617, 31 October 1969
108 Phil 1147 (1960)
G.R. No. 19337, 30 September 1969
95 Phil 890 (1954)
81 Phil 497 (1948)
G.R. No. 41001, 30 September 1976
90 Phil 674 (1952)
100 Phil 683
G.R. No. 39699, 14 March 1979
102 Phil 44 (1957)
231 SCRA 211
92 Phil 456 (1953)
G.R. No. 36049, 31 May 1976
G.R. No. 61998, 22 February 1983
97 Phil 228 (1955)

Chapter VII
STRICT OR LIBERAL CONSTRUCTION
A. IN GENERAL
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Generally
Strict construction, generally
Liberal construction, defined
Liberal construction applied, generally
Construction to promote social justice
Construction taking into consideration general welfare or growth of
civilization
B. STATUTES STRICTLY CONSTRUED

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Atty. Howard M. Calleja
SY 2015-2016

1. Penal statutes, generally

2. Penal statutes strictly construed
3. Reason why penal statutes are strictly construed
4. Acts mala in se and mala prohibita
5. Application of rule
6. Limitation of rule
7. Statutes in derogation of rights
8. Statutes authorizing expropriations
9. Statutes granting privileges
10.
Legislative grants to local government units
11.
Statutory grounds for removal of officials
12.
Naturalization laws
13.
Statutes imposing taxes and customs duties
14.
Statutes granting tax exemptions
15.
Qualification of rule
16.
Statutes concerning the sovereign
17.
Statutes authorizing suits against the government
18.
Statutes prescribing formalities of will
19.
Exceptions and provisos

C. STATUTES LIBERALLY CONSTRUED

1. General social legislation
2. General welfare clause
3. Grant of power to local governments
4. Statutes granting taxing power
5. Statutes prescribing prescriptive period to collect taxese
6. Statutes imposing penalties for non-payment of tax
7. Election laws
8. Amnesty proclamations
9. Statutes prescribing prescription of crimes
10.
Adoption statutes
11.
Veteran and pension laws
12.
Rules of Court
13.
Other statutes
Cases:
People v. Garcia
Gomez v. Government
Insurance Board
Yu Oh v. Court of Appeals
US v. Go Chioco
US v. Ah Chiong
People v. Gatchalian
Realy Investments v.

85 Phil 651 (1950)

78 Phil 221 (1947)
G.R. No. 125297, 6 June 2003
14 Phil 128 (1909)
15 Phil 488 (1910)
104 Phil 664 (1958)
84 Phil 842 (1951)
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STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION
Atty. Howard M. Calleja
SY 2015-2016

Villanueva
Manotok v. NHA
Barreto v. Tuason
Manila Lodge v. CA
Hebron v. Reyes
Co v. Republic
MCIAA v. Marcos
CIR v. CA
PLDT v. Laguna
Alliance of Government
Workers v. Minister of Labor
Republic v. Villasor
Uy Coque v. Siosa
PLDT v. Davao
Quimsing v. Lachica
Lorenzo v. Posadas
Ibasco v. Ilao
Domalanta v. Court of
Appeals

150 SCRA 89 (1987)

50 Phil 888 (1926)
G.R. No. 41001, 30 September
1976
104 Phil 175 (1958)
104 Phil 889 (1958)
261 SCRA 667 (1996)
303 SCRA 508 (1999)
G.R. No. 151899, 16 August
2005
G.R. No. 60403, 3 August 1983
G.R. No. 30671, 28 November
1973
43 Phil 405 (1922)
G.R. No. 23080, 30 October
1965
112 Phil 110 (1961)
64 Phil 393 (1937)
110 Phil 553 (1960)
148 SCRA 534 (1987)

Chapter VIII
MANDATORY AND DIRECTORY
STATUTES
A. IN GENERAL
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Generally
Mandatory and directory statutes, generally
When statute is mandatory or directory
Test to determine nature of statute
Language used
Use of shall or must
Use of may
When shall is construed as may and vice versa
Use of negative, prohibitory or exclusive terms
B. MANDATORY STATUTES

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Atty. Howard M. Calleja
SY 2015-2016

1. Statutes conferring power

2. Statutes granting benefits
3. Statutes prescribing jurisdictional requirements
4. Statutes prescribing time to take action or to appeal
5. Statutes prescribing procedural requirements
6. Election laws on conduct of election
7. Election laws on qualification and disqualification
8. Statutes prescribing qualifications for office
9. Statutes relating to assessment of taxes
10.
Statutes concerning public auction sale
C. DIRECTORY STATUTES
1.
2.
3.
4.

Statutes prescribing guidance for officers

Statutes prescribing manner of judicial action
Statutes requiring rendition of decision within prescribed period
Constitutional time provision directory

Cases:
Sarina v. Court of First
Instance
Querubin v. CA
Diokno v. Rehabilitation
Finance Corp.
Legazpi v Estrella
De Mesa v. Mencias
Valdez v. Tuazon
Brehn v. republic
Mendoza v. Caya
Palisoc v. Tamondong
Miranda v. Guanzon
Gachon v. De Vera
Gabriel v. Encarnacion
Lina Luna v. Rodriguez
Gafor v. COMELEC
Tecson v. COMELEC
Roxas v. Rafferty
Ramos v. Villaverde
Ocampo v. Cabangis

G.R. No. 28511, 22 August 1968

82 Phil 226 (1948)
91 Phil 608 (1952)
189 SCRA 58 (1990)
G.R. no. 24583, 29 October 1966
40 Phil 943 (1920)
118 Phil 1442 (1963)
98 Phil 107 (1955)
43 Phil 789 (1922)
92 Phil 168 (1952)
274 SCRA 540 (1997)
94 Phil 917 (1954)
39 Phil 208 (1918)
G.R. No. 52365, 22 January 1980
G.R. No. 52451, 31 March 1981
37 Phil 957 (1918)
88 Phil 651 (1951)
15 Phil 626 (1910)

Chapter IX
PROSPECTIVE AND RETROACTIVE
STATUTES

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STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION
Atty. Howard M. Calleja
SY 2015-2016

A. IN GENERAL
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Prospective and retroactive statutes, defined

Laws operated prospectively, generally
Presumption against retroactivity
Words or phrases indicating prospectivity
Retroactive statutes, generally
B. STATUTES GIVEN PROSPECTIVE EFFECT

1. Penal statutes, generally

2. Ex post facto law
3. Bill of attainder
4. When penal laws applied retroactively
5. Statutes substantive in nature
6. Effects on pending actions
7. Qualification of rule
8. Statutes affecting vested rights
9. Statutes affecting obligations of contract
10.
Illustrations of rule
11.
Repealing and amendatory acts
C. STATUTES GIVEN RETROACTIVE EFFECT
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.

Laws not retroactive: Exception

Exceptions to the rule
Procedural laws
Exceptions to the rule
Curative statutes
Limitations of rule
Police power legislations
Statutes relating to prescription
Apparently conflicting decisions on prescription
Prescription in criminal and civil cases
Statutes relating to appeals

Cases:
Laceste v. Santos
Grego v. COMELEC
Iburan v. Llabes
Cebu Portland Cement v.
CIR
Santos v. Alvares
People v. Moran
In re Kay Villegas Kami,

56 Phil 472 (1932)

274 SCRA 481 (1997)
87 Phil 234 (1950)
G.R. No. 20563, 29 october 1968
78 Phil 503 (1947)
44 Phil 387 (1923)
G.R. No. 32485, 22 October 1970
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STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION
Atty. Howard M. Calleja
SY 2015-2016

Inc.
People v. Ferrer
People v. Subido
Primicias v. Ocampo
Republic v. Samia
Municipality of Sta. Fe v.
Municipality of Aritao
Chavez v. Court of
Agrarian Relations
Yupangco v. Velayo
People v. Zeta
Buyco v. PNB
Martinez v. People
Frivaldo v. COMELEC
Philamlife v. Auditor
General

G.R. No. 32613, 27 December

1972
G.R. No. 21734, 5 September 1975
93 Phil 446 (1953)
G.R. No. 17569, 31 May 1963
G.R. No. 148308, 21 September
2007
G.R. No. 17814, 31 October 1963
G.R. No. 50439, 20 July 1982
98 Phil 143 (1955)
112 Phil 588 (1961)
332 SCRA 694 (2000)
257 SCRA 727 (1996)
G.R. No. 19255, 18 January 1968

Chapter X
AMENDMENT, REVISION, CODIFICATION
AND REPEAL
A. AMENDMENT
1. Power to amend
2. How amendment effected
3. Amendment by implication
4. When amendment takes effect
5. How amendment is construed, generally
6. Meaning of law changed by amendment
7. Amendment operates prospectively
8. Effect of amendment on vested rights
9. Effect of amendment on jurisdiction
10.
Effects of nullity of prior or amendatory act

B. REVISION AND CODIFICATION

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Generally
Construction to harmonize different provisions
What is omitted is deemed repealed
Change in phraseology
Continuation of existing laws

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STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION
Atty. Howard M. Calleja
SY 2015-2016

C. REPEAL
1. Power to repeal
2. The constitution prohibits passage of irrepealable laws; all laws are
repealable
3. Repeal, generally
4. Repeal by implication
5. Irreconcilable inconsistency
6. Implied repeal by revision or codification
7. Repeal by re-enactment
8. Other forms of implied repeal
9. All laws or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are
hereby repealed or modified accordingly, construed
10.
Repeal by implication not favoured
11.
As between two laws, one passed later prevails
12.
General law does not repeal law, generally
13.
Application of rule
14.
When special or general law repeals the other
15.
Effects of repeal, generally
16.
On jurisdiction, generally
17.
On jurisdiction to try criminal case
18.
On actions, pending or otherwise
19.
On vested rights
20.
On contracts
21.
Effect or repeal of tax laws
22.
Repeal and re-enactment, effect of
23.
Effect or repeal of penal laws
24.
Distinction as to effect of repeal and expiration of law
25.
Effect of repeal of municipal charter
26.
Repeal or nullity or repealing law, effect of

Cases:
David v. Dancel
Estrada v. Caseda
Meralco v. Board of Utility
Pacia v. Kapisanan
Escasura v. San Miguel,
Inc.
Iburaan v. Labes
Manila Motor Co. v. Flores
Sanchez v. Rigos
Mecano v. COA
Greenfield v. Meer
Duarte v. Dade

G.R. No. 21485, 25 July 1966

84 Phil 791 (1949)
30 Phil 387 (1915)
99 Phil 45 (1956)
114 Phil 225 (1962)
87 Phil 234 (1950)
99 Phil 738 (1956)
G.R. No. 25494, 14 June 1972
216 SCRA 500 (1992)
77 Phil 394 (1946)
32 Phil 36 (1915)
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STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION
Atty. Howard M. Calleja
SY 2015-2016

City of Manila v. reyes

People v. Castro
Ty v. Trampe
People v. Almuete
Joaquin v. Navarro
NPC v. Arca
Corona v. CA

99 Phil 986 (1956)

43 Phil 842 (1922)
250 SCRA 500 (1995)
G.R. No. 26551, 27 February 1976
81 Phil 373 (1948)
G.R. No. 23309, 31 October 1968
214 SCRA 378 (1992)

Chapter XI
CONSTITUTIONAL CONSTRUCTION
1. Constitution defined
2. Origin and history of the Philippine Constitutions
3. Primary purpose of constitutional construction
4. Constitution construed as enduring for ages
5. How language of construction construed
6. Aids to construction, generally
7. Realities existing at time of adoption; object to be accomplished
8. Proceedings of the convention
9. Contemporaneous construction and writings
10.
Previous laws and judicial rulings
11.
Changes in phraseology
12.
Consequences of alternative constructions
13.
Constitution construed as a whole
14.
Mandatory or directory
15.
Prospective or retroactive
16.
Applicability of rules of statutory construction
17.
Generally, constitutional provisions are self-executing
18.
Three maxim employed as aids to construe constitutional
provisions
19.
Constructions of US Constitutional provisions adopted in
1987 Constitution
20.
Other illustrative cases in constitutional construction
Cases:
Legazpi v. Ministry of Finance
Manila Prince Hotel v. GSIS
Javellana v. Executive
Secretary
US v. Ang Tang Ho
J.M. Tuason v. Land Tenure
Administration
Ordillo v. COMELEC
CIR v. Guerrero

G.R. No. 58289, 24 July 1982

267 SCRA 408 (1997)
G.R. No. 36142, 31 March 1973
43 Phil 1 (1922)
G.R. No. 21064, 18 February 1970
192 SCRA 100 (1992)
G.R. no. 20812, 12 September 1967
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STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION
Atty. Howard M. Calleja
SY 2015-2016

Aquino v. COMELEC
Civil Liberties Union v.
Executive Secretary
People v. Munoz
Luz Farms v. DAR
Roman Catholic Apostolic
Administration v. LRC
Dissenting Opinion of J.
Ozaeta, Perfecto v. Meer
Chiongbian v. De Leon
Marcelino v. Cruz
Sarmiento v. Mison
Francisco v. HOR
Ombudsman v. Masing

G.R. No. 40004, 31 January 1975

194 SCRA 317 (1991)
170 SCRA 107 (1989)
192 SCRA 51 (1990)
102 Phil 596 (1957)
85 Phil 567 (1950)
82 Phil 771 (1949)
G.R. No. 42428, 18 March 1983
156 SCRA 549 (1987)
G.R. no. 160261, 10 November 2003
G.R. No. 165416, 22 January 2008

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