1. G.R. No.

L-63915 April 24, 1985

LORENZO M. TAÑADA, Et. AL, Petitioners vs. HON. JUAN C. TUVERA, ET AL,
Respondents

2. a writ of mandamus is granted to a private individual only in cases where he has interest
to be promoted, or some right to be protected. However, when it concerns public right
and the enforcement of a public duty, the people are regarded as the real party in the
writ and the relator initiating such, need not show that he has any special interest. it is
enough to show that he is a citizen who is interested in the fulfilment of the laws
3.
4. petitioners sought a writ of mandamus to compel respondent public officials to publish in the
Official Gazette various presidential decrees, letters of instructions, general orders,
proclamations, executive orders, letter of implementation and administrative orders.
5. WON publication is necessary in the Official Gazette if a law states its date of effectivity
6. Yes
7. Article 2 of the New Civil Code does not preclude the requirement of publication in the Official
Gazette, even if the law provides for its effectivity date. publication is necessary in order to give
the public sufficient notice of the laws which they are to obey. without it, the people have no
means of knowing what presidential decrees have been promulgated.
8. Without publication, there would be no basis for the application of the maxim "ignorantia legis
non excusat."
9. PERALTA VS. COMELEC[ "In a time of proliferating decrees, orders and letters of
instructions which all form part of the law of the land, the requirement of due process and the
Rule of Law demand that the Official Gazette as the official government repository promulgate
and publish the texts of all such decrees, orders and instructions so that the people may know
where to obtain their official and specific contents."
10. the Court ordered that respondents publish in the Official Gazette all unpublished
presidential issuances which are of general application, and unless so published, they shall
have no binding force and effect.