Chapter 1 – Preliminary Consideration

Statutory Construction has been defined as the art or process of discovering and
expounding the meaning and intention of the authors of the law with respect to its
application to a given case, where that intention is rendered doubtful, among others, by
reason of the fact that the given case is not explicitly provided for in the law.

Construction and Interpretation Distinguished

Construction – the drawing conclusions with the respect to subjects that are beyond the
direct expression of the text from elements known and given in the text.
Interpretation - is the process of discovering the true meaning of the language used.

Situs of Construction and Interpretation

Purpose: is to ascertain and give effects to the legislative intent. It further hints to what
branch of government does construction and interpretation of written laws belong.

- One of the manifestation of a republican government like ours is the observance

of the principle of separation of powers and the system of checks and balances.