TOOLS OF INTERPRETATION

1. Noscitur A Sociis states that where a particular word or phrase is ambiguous in itself, or is
equally susceptible of various meanings, its correct construction may be made clear specifically
considering the company words in which it is found or with which it is associated.

Where the law does not define word used therein, it shall be construed as having a meaning
similar to that of words associated with or accompanied by it.

Case: Buenaseda v. Flavier

 Statute: Section 13(3), Article XI of the Constitution grants the Ombudsman power to direct the
officer concerned to take appropriate action against a public official or employee at fault, and
recommends his removal, suspension, demotion, fine censure or prosecution.
 Suspension in this provision is a penalty or punitive measure not preventive.

2. Ejusdem Generis is a general rule of statutory construction that where general words follow an
enumeration of persons or things, by words of a particular and specific meaning, such general
words are not to be construed in their widest extent, but are to be held as applying only to
persons or things of the same general kind or class as those specifically mentioned. But this rule
must be discarded where the legislative intention is plain to the contrary.

This rule teaches us that broad and comprehensive expressions in an act, such as “and all
others” or “any others”, are usually to be restricted to persons or things of the same kind or
class with those specially named in the preceding words. Rule of Ejusdem Generis is merely a
tool of statutory construction resorted to when legislative intent is uncertain.

Case: Mutuc v. COMELEC

 Statute: Act makes unlawful the distribution of electoral propaganda, gadgets, pens, lighters,
fans, flashlights, athletic goods, materials and the like.
 Held: “and the like” does not embrace taped jingles for campaign purposes.

3. Expressio Unius Ex Eclusio Alterius states that the express mention of a person, thing, or
consequence, implies the exclusion of all others.

Case: Mendenilla v. Omandia

 Statute: Change in the form of government of a municipality into a city provides that the
incumbent mayor, vice-mayor, and the members of the municipal board shall continue in office
until the expiration of their terms.
 Held: All other municipal offices are abolished.

4. Cassus Omissus states that a person or things omitted from an enumeration must be held to
have been done intentionally.
5. Redendo Singula Singulis

Case: Amadora v. CA
  Statute: Article 2180 of Civil Code states “teachers or heads of establishments of arts and trades
shall be liable for damages caused by their pupils and students or apprentices so long as they
remain in their custody”.
 Held: Teachers are liable for the damages caused by the students or pupils; and the heads of
establishments of arts and trades are liable for the damages caused by the apprentices.

6. Doctrine of Last Antecedent refers to qualifying words that restricts or modify only the words or
phrases to which they are immediately associated. They do not qualify words or phrases which
are distantly or remotely located.

Case: Florentino v. PNB

 Statute: “obligations subsisting at the time of the approval of this amendatory act for which the
applicant may directly be liable to the government or to any of its branches or instrumentalities,
or to corporations owned or controlled by the government, or to any citizens or to any
association or corporation organized under the laws of the Philippines, who may be willing to
accept the same for such settlement”.
 Held: The court, invoking the doctrine of last antecedent, ruled that the phrase qualify only to its
last antecedent namely, “any citizen of the Philippines or association or corporation organized
under the laws of the Philippines”. The court held that backpay certificate holders can compel
government-owned banks to accept said certificates for payment of their obligations with the
bank.