Lyceum of the Philippines University
College of Law
Statutory Construction Course Outline
SY 2020 - 2021, 1st Semester
Atty. Maria Resa S. Celiz
(0917) 866-0528; samceliz@[Link]
I. Introduction to Statutory Construction
- Definition
- Importance
- Fundamental Rules of Construction
- Distinction between Construction and Interpretation
- When a Statute Should be Construed
- The Context of a Statute
Cases:
Caltex v. Palomar, GR No. L-19650 (1966)
Philippine Consumers Foundation, Inc. v. NTC and PLDT, GR No. L-63318 (1984)
NFL v. Eisma, GR No. L-61236 (1984)
Paat v. CA, GR No. 111107 (1997)
People v. Mapa GR No. L-22301 (1967)
Daoang v. Municipal Judge of San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte, GR No. L-34568 (1988)
Paras v. Comelec, GR No. 123169 (1996)
II. Statutory Construction v. Judicial Legislation
- The Role of the Judiciary in Statutory Construction
- Overlap of Government Functions and its Effect on Construction
- Difference between Construction and Judicial Legislation
- Legislative Intent
Cases:
Floresca v. Philex Mining Corporation, GR No. L-30642 (1985)
Aisporna v. Court of Appeals, GR No. 39419 (1982)
China Bank v. Ortega, GR No. L-37867 (1982)
Board of Administrators v. Bautista, GR No. L-37867 (1982)
III. Literal Construction of Statutes
- When Statutes Should be Literally Construed
- When Literal Construction is not Favored
Cases:
Salvatierra v. CA, GR No. 107797 (1996)
Kapisanan ng mga Manggagawa sa Manila Railroad Company v. Manila Railroad
Company, L-25316 (1979)
Abellana v Marave, L-27760 (1974)
[Link] Construction of Statutes
- Rule on Executive Construction
- When Executive Construction is not Given Weight
- Difference Between an Executive Rule and an Opinion
Cases:
PAFLU v. Bureau of Labor Relations, L-43760 (1976)
PAWU v. NLRC, GR L-50320 (1981)
IBAAEU v. Inciong, L-52415 (1984)
Victorias Milling v. Social Security Commission, L-16704 (1962)
V. Subjects of Construction
A. The Constitution
- Definition
- How the Constitution Should be Construed
- Whether a Preamble may be Considered in Construing the Constitution
- Constitution v. Statute: Which Prevails?
- Whether the Constitution is Self-Executing
B. Statutes
- Definition
- Types of Statutes
- Distinction between Constitution and Statute
- Parts of a Statute
- Single Subject Requirement for Enacting Laws
- Rule on “Headings”
- How a Bill Becomes a Law
- President’s Veto Power
- Publication of Laws
- Whether a Whereas Clause may be used in Statutory Construction
C. Ordinances
- Definition
- Ordinance v. Statute
- Administrative Orders v. Statute
Cases:
Sarmiento v. Mison, GR No. 79974 (1987)
Perfecto v. Meer, GR L-2348 (1950)
Endencia v. David, GR Nos. L-6355-56 (1953)
Nitafan v. CIR, GR No. L-78780 (1987)
Aglipay v. Ruiz, GR No. 45459 (1937)
Tañada v. Tuvera, GR No. 63915 (1985 and 1986)
People v. Echaves, GR No. 47757-61 (1980)
Primicias v. Municipality of Urdaneta, Pangasinan, GR No. L-26702 (1979)
Conte v. COA, GR No. 116422 (1996)
VI. Interpretation of Different Types of Statutes
A. Penal Statutes
- General Rule
- Retroactivity of Penal Statutes
- Ex Post Facto Laws
- Rule in case of Conflict Among Versions of Revised Penal Code
Cases:
People v. Purisima, GR Nos. L-42050-66, etc. (1978)
People v. Gatchalian, GR No. L-12011-14 (1958)
People v. Manantan, GR No. L-14129 (1962)
People v. Manaba, GR No. 38725 (1933)
B. Tax Laws
- General Rule
- Tax Refunds
- Burden of Proof in Tax Cases
- Construction of Laws on Sales Tax
Cases:
La Carlota v. Jimenez, GR No. L-12436 (1961)
ABS CBN v. CTA, GR No. L-52306 (1981)
CIR v. CA, GR No. 115349 (1997)
Serfino v. CA, GR No. L-40751 (1987)
C. Labor Laws
- General Rule
- Construction of Retirement Laws
Cases:
Cosico v. NLRC, GR No. 118432 (1997)
Bustamante v. NLRC, GR No. 111651 (1996)
Manahan v. ECC, GR No. L-44899 (1981)
Villavert v. ECC, GR No. 48605 (1981)
Del Rosario & Sons v. NLRC, GR No. L-62404 (1985)
D. Insurance
- Clear Proviso Given Ordinary Meaning
- Ambiguous Provisions in Insurance Contract
Cases:
Union Mfg. v. Philguaranty, GR No. L-27932 (1972)
Calanoc v. Court of Appeals, GR No. L-8151 (1955)
Qua Chee Gan v. Law Union and Rock Insurance, GR No. L-4611 (1955)
Ty v. First National Surety and Assurance Co., GR No. L-16138 (1961)
De la Cruz v. Capital Insurance and Surety Co., GR No. 21574 (1966)
E. Corporate Law
- General Rule
Home Insurance Co. v. Eastern Shipping Lines, GR No. L-34382 (1983)
[Link] Laws
- General Rule
Cases:
Co v. Republic, GR No. L-12150 (1960)
Velasco V. Republic, GR No. L-14214 (1960)
G. Rules of Court
- General Rule
- Rules of Procedure of Administrative Agencies
- Rules on Period and Manner of Appeal
- Rules on Summary Procedure
Cases:
Berkenkotter v. CA, GR No. L-36629 (1973)
Del Rosario v. Hamoy, GR No. 77154
(1987) Alvero v. dela Rosa, GR No. L-286
(1946)
H. Expropriation Laws
City of Manila v. Chinese Community, GR No. 14355 (1919)
I. Debtor Protection Laws
Javellana v. Mirasol, GR No. 14881 (1920)
J. Election Laws
Guzman v. Provincial Board of Canvassers, GR No. 24721 (1925)
Villanueva v. Comelec, GR No. 54718 (1985)
K. Wills
- General Rule
- Interpretation of Wills v. Interpretation of Contracts
- Substantial Compliance of Wills
- Latin Rules on Wills
Tampoy v. Alberastine, GR No. 14322 (1960)
VII. Latin Rules of Construction
A. Verba Legis
B. Ratio Legis
C. Mens Legislatoris
D. Dura Lex Sed Lex
E. Expressio Unius, Est Exclusio Alterius
F. Ejusdem Generis
G. Casus Omissus
H. Noscitur a Sociis
Cases:
Ala Mode v. NLRC, GR 122165 (1997)
Prasnik v. Republic, GR L-8639 (1956)
Matabuena v. Cervantes, GR No. L-28771 (1971)
People v. Macarandang, GR No. 12088 (1959)
People v. Mapa, GR No. L-22301 (1967)
People v. Santayana, GR No. L-22291 (1976)
Republic v. Estenzo, GR No. L-35376 (1980)
Acosta v. Flor, GR No. 2122 (1905)
Commissioner of Customs v. CA, GR No. 33471 (1972)
Mutuc v. Comelec, GR No. L-32717 (1970)
Gotiaco v. Union Insurance Society, GR No. 13983 (1919)
US v. Sto. Nino, GR No. 5000 (1909)
Roman Catholic Archbishop v. SSC, GR No. L-15045 (1961)
Lopez v. CA, GR No. L-9274 (1957)
Sanciangco v. Rono, GR No. L-68709 (1985)
VIII. Construction of Words and Phrases
A. Ordinary Meaning
B. “May” and “Shall”
C. “Or” and “And”
D. Principally and Exclusively
E. Exclusively
F. Previously
G. Every
H. “Term” and “Tenure”
I. Surplusage
J. Punctuations
K. Past
Tense Cases:
Director of Lands v. CA, GR No. 102858 (1997)
Capati v. Ocampo, GR No. 28742 (1982)
Basiana v. Luna, GR No. L-34135-36 (1981)
GMRC v. Bell, GR No. 126496, 126526 (1997)
Alfon v. Republic, GR No. 51201 (1985)
Rura v. Lopena, GR No. L-69810-14 (1985)
NHA v. Juco, GR No. 64313 (1985)
Aparri v. CA, GR No. 30057 (1984)
Demafiles v. Comelec, GR No. L-28396 (1987)
US v. Hart, GR No. 8848 (1913)
Grego v. Comece, GR No. 125955 (1997)
IX. Special over General
-
Conflicting Provisions in Same Statute
-
Conflicting Provisions in Different Statutes
-
Special Provision of General Law v. General Provision of Special Law
Cases:
Manila Railroad Co. v. Collector of Customs, GR No. 30264 (1929)
Almeda v. Florentino, GR No. L-23800 (1965)
Lichauco v. Apostol, GR No. 19628 (1922)
Sitchon v. Aquino, GR No. L-8191 (1956)
Laxamana v. Baltazar, GR No. L-5955 (1952)
De Joya v. Lantin, GR No. L-24037 (1967)
Butuan Sawmill v. City of Butuan, GR No. L-21516 (1966)
Lagman v. City of Manila, GR No. L-23305 (1966)
Arayata v. Joya, GR No. 28067 (1928)
Bagatsing v. Ramirez, GR No. 41631 (1976)
Teotico v. City of Manila, GR No. 23052 (1968)
David v. Comelec, GR No. 127116, 128039 (1997)
X. External Aids
-
Rule
-
Historical Setting
-
Origin of the Statute
-
Legislative Debates
-
Usage
-
Contemporaneous Acts of the Legislature
Cases:
Carolina Industries v. CMS Stockbrokerage, GR No. L-46908 (1980)
US v. De Guzman, GR No. 9144 (1915)
Ortigas v. Feati, GR No. L-24670
Manila Jockey Club v. Games and Amusement Board, GR No. L-12727 (1960)
XI. Presumptions
-
Presumption of Validity
-
Presumption v. Extrajudicial Application of Statutes
-
Presumption against Ineffectiveness of Statutes
-
Presumption in Favor of Beneficial Operation of Statutes
-
Presumption against Retrospective Operation
-
Presumption against Injustice
-
Presumption against Inconvenience
-
Presumption against Absurdity
-
Presumption against Uncertainty
-
Presumption of Constitutionality
-
Presumption of Consistency
-
Presumption as to Public Policy
-
Presumption of Acquiescence of Judicial Construction
-
Presumption against Violation of International Law
-
Presumption against Implied Appeals
Cases:
NHA v. Reyes, GR No. L-49439 (1983)
Sesbreno v. CBAA, GR No. 106588 (1997)
DBP v. CA, GR No. 118180 (1996)
Republic v. Sandiganbayan, GR No. 113420 (1997)
In re Guarina, GR No. L-1179 (1913)
Proctor & Gamble v. Comm. of Customs, L-24173 (1968)
XII. Repeals
-
Definition
-
Repeals v. Amendments
-
Repeals v. Suspensions
-
Civil Code Provisions on Repeals
-
Rule on Retroactivity of Repeals
A. Express Repeals
B. Implied Repeals
i. Presumption against Implied Repeals
ii. Presumption against Implied Repeals in Penal Laws
C. Later over Earlier
D. In Pari Materia
Cases:
Tac-an v. CA, GR No. L-38736
Velunta v. Chief, PC, GR No. 71855 (1988)
NPC v. Province of Lanao del Sur, GR No. 96700
(1996) Villegas v. Subido, GR No. L-31711 (1987)
People v. Purisima, GR Nos. L-42050-66, etc. (1978)
Resources:
Laurel, Jose Jesus G., Statutory Construction: Cases and Materials. Manila: Rex Book Store,
1999 revised ed. Print.
Clark, Katherine and Matthey Connolly, A Guide to Reading, Interpreting and Applying Statutes
(April 2006). The Writing Center at Georgetown University Law Center. Available at GULC:
[Link]
writing-center/upload/[Link]
Law School for Legislators: Rules for Statutory Interpretation. Available at State Bar of
Michigan: [Link]
Levin, Hillel Y., The Food Stays in the Kitchen: Everything I Needed to Know About Statutory
Interpretation I Learned by the Time I was Nine (October 10, 2008). Green Bag 2D, Vol. 12, p.
337, 2009. Available at SSRN: [Link]
