FEU - INSTITUTE OF LAW Statutory Construction Section 1 (Thursday, 7-9 PM)

First Semester 2020-2021 Ramos, CAO

Statutory Construction 1-1

(Thursday, 7-9 PM)
First Semester 2020-2021

V. Interpretation of Words and Phrases

A. Construction of Contents of a Statute; Words and Phrases; Punctuation
1. General words construed generally
Words construed in their ordinary sense
Where the law does not distinguish - Ubi lex non distinguit, nec nos distinguere
debemus
[Ramirez v. Garcia, GR No. 93833, 28 September 1995]
Bartolome v. SSS, GR No. 192531, 12 November 2014
2. Provisos
Fernandez v. NLRC, GR No. 106090, 28 February 1994
Arenas v. City of San carlos, GR No. L-34024, 5 April 1978
3. Ordinary words understood in ordinary sense; technical words in technical sense
Carandang v. Santiago, GR No. L-8238, 25 May 1955
CIR v. Manila Lodge No. 761, 105 Phil 983 (1957)
Manila Herald Publishing v. Ramos, GR No. L-4268, 18 January 1951
4. Generic words and progressive construction
Geotina v. CTA, GR No. L-33500, 30 August 1971
Diuquino v. Araneta, et al, GR No. 48176, 21 July 1944
5. Punctuation marks
US v. Hart, GR No. 8848, 21 November 1913
6. Use of Specific Words
a. And/or
Microsoft Corp v. Manansala et al, GR No. 166391, 21 October 2015
RMBSA v. HDMF, GR No. 131082, 19 June 2000
b. Mandatory and Permissive words; shall/May
The Director of Lands v. CA, GR No. 102858, 28 July 1997
Diokno v. RFC, GR No. L-4712, 11 July 1952
In re: Guariña, GR No. 1179, 8 January 1913
Llenares v. Valdeavella, GR No. L-21572, 4 October 1924
c. Including/Involving
Sterling Selections Corp v. LLDA, GR No. 171427, 30 March 2011
d. Affirmative and prohibitory
McGee v. Republic, GR No. L-5387, 29 April 1954
e. Exceptions
Lokin v. COMELEC, GR Nos. 179431-2, 22 June 2010
f. Periods
[National Marketing Corporation v. Tecson et al, GR L-29131, 27 August 1969]
g. Plural words; singular words
In re: The intestate estate of Pedron Satillon, GR No. L-19281, 30 June 1965
Gatchalian v. COMELEC, GR Nos. L-32560-1, 22 October 1970
B. Association and Relationship of Words, Phrases and Provisions
1. Noscitur a sociis
Co Kim Chan v. Valdez Tan Keh and Dizon, GR No. L-5a, 16 November 1945
Buenaseda v. Flavier, et al, GR No. 106719, 21 September 1993
[Caltex v. Palomar, GR L-19650, 29 September 1966]
2. Ejusdem Generis
FEU - INSTITUTE OF LAW Statutory Construction Section 1 (Thursday, 7-9 PM)
First Semester 2020-2021 Ramos, CAO

Limitations of Ejusdem Generis

NAPOCOR v. Angas et. al., GR Nos. 60225-6, 8 May 1992
Cagayan Valley Enterprises v. CA, GR No. 78413, 8 November 1989
People of the Philippines v. Echaves, et al., GR Nos. L-47757-61, 28 January 1980
CIR v. AMEX International, Inc., GR No. 152609, 29 June 2005
Belgica v. Ochoa, GR Nos. 208566, 19 November 2013 (J. Carpio concurring opinion
only)
3. Express Mention and Implied Exclusion
[NAPOCOR v. City of Cabanatuan, GR No. 149110, 9 April 2003]
Primero v. CA, GR Nos. L-48468-9, 22 November 1989
4. Necessary Implication
Chua v. CSC, et al., GR No. 88979, 7 February 1992
5. Casus Omissus
COA v. Province of Cebu, GR Nos. 141386, 29 November 2001
People v. Manantan, GR No. L-14129, 31 July 1962
6. Reddendo Singula Singulis - Each to Each
Fortich, et al. v. Corona, et al., GR No. 131457, 19 August 1999
Lim, et al. v. Laguio, et al., GR No. 118127, 12 April 2005
7. Qualifying Terms; Last Antecedent
Florentino v. PNB, GR No. L-8782, 28 April 1956
Mapa v. Arroyo, GR No. 78585, 5 July 1989
8. Context and Related Clauses
Paras v. COMELEC, GR No. 123169, 4 November 1996

Reference:
Ricardo M. Pilares III, Statutory Construction” Concepts and Cases (2019)