Statutory

Construction
Module 1: Introduction
Course Title and Description
• Statutory Construction (JD 11102)
• The course provides the learners the knowledge, skills and attitude
to appreciate the importance of statutory construction or how to
interpret provisions of law using the rules of statutory construction.
It covers the basic guidelines, rules, aids in the
interpretation/construction of the different kinds of laws which
include statutes, administrative rules and regulations, ordinances
and the constitution and how to apply them in a certain case given
the relevant laws on the matter.
• 2 units (modular)
Professor
ATTY. JOAN DYMPHNA
SANIEL-AMIT

Contact Details:

E-mail address:
jdsamit@usc.edu.ph
FB: fb.com/JoanDymphnaSaniel
Celphone No. 09255009472
Landline: (032)
Learning Hours
Synchronous – 40% Asynchronous – 60%
• 45 mins per week (class • 1 hour and 15 mins per
discussion) by week (through Schoology)
• Conference in Canva • Reading/watching
• Zoom assignments
• Google meet
• Other platforms (chatgroups,
• Materials: videos,
discord, etc.) powerpoint presentations,
• Face to face meetings (when text books, publications and
already allowed) articles
Course Learning
Outcome
Upon completion of the course, the students
should be able to:
• Interpret/construe vague and ambiguous
provisions of different laws including statutes,
administrative rules and regulations,
ordinances and the constitution by applying
the basic guidelines, rules and aids in statutory
construction considering specific circumstances
in a given case.
Course Syllabus
Topics:
Module 1: Introduction
Module 2: Basic Definitions and Principles in Statutory
Construction
● What is statutory construction
● Construction and interpretation distinguished
● Kinds of Construction
● Subjects of Construction and Interpretation
Module 3: Statutes
● What are statutes in general
● Parts of a statute
● Kinds of statutes
● Legislative Process
● Constitutional Requirements
● Ordinances
● Vagueness vs. Ambiguity
Module 4: Basic Framework
● Legislative Intent
● Plain Meaning or Verba Legis
● Statutes as a whole
● Spirit and purpose of the law
● Implications
● Casus Omissus
● Stare decisis
Module 5 Statutes Construed in Relation with the
Constitution and other Statutes
Module 6 Interpretation of Specific Words and
Phrases
Module 7 Aids in Interpretation/Construction of
Statutes
Module 8 Construction and Interpretation of
Different Statutes
Module 9 Construction and Interpretation of the
Constitution
Teaching and Learning Activities:

• Reading and video assignments (flipped classroom)

• Online discussions, clarifications, Question and Answer
• Quizzes
• Case reporting
• Exercises and Assignments

*Note: Detailed course syllabus is in a separate file in Canvas

References
1. Statutory Construction (Third Edition 2007) by Noli
C. Diaz
2. Statutory Construction (Sixth Edition 2009) by
Ruben E. Agpalo
3. Statutory Construction (2013) by Rolando Suarez
Course Requirements
• Attendance in class discussions through online
platforms (submission of attendance form right
after the class)
• Assignments posted in Canvas
• Quizzes posted in Canvas
• Midterm and Final Exams
• See Academic Calendar – separate document
Course and Classroom Policies
1. Consultation hours: anytime through email or text or
through Canvas
2. Online Conferencing Platform to use (Canvas Conference
Feature or Google Meet) – see separate etiquette
3. Learning Management System to use – Canvas - official
means of communication are USC’s email addresses
4. Academic Integrity Policies (separate document)
5. Academic Integrity Pledge (preferably e-signed by
students)
Grading System
• Exercises and quizzes : 20%
• Midterm and Final Exams : 80%
• FINAL GRADE :100%

NOTE: Rubrics for the course requirements

and assignments will be given separately.
Canvas Basics
• Access your Canvas account and go to this
Course
• Send a message to me in Canvas on your
expectations of this course

Deadline: 1 week after this meeting

 Case (reading assignment for Mod2)
◻ Caltex Phils, Inc. vs. Palomar (18 SCRA 247)
◻ Cynthia S. Bolos vs. Danilo Bolos (G.R. No. 186400 October 20, 2010)
◻ Municipality of San Juan vs. CA
◻ Director of Lands vs. CA (GR No. 102858, July 28, 1997_
◻ Pascual et.al. vs. Pascual Bautista et.al. (GR No. 84840, March 25,
1992)
◻ Pp vs. Mario Mapa y Mapulong (GR No. L-22301, August 30, 1967)
◻ Pp. vs. Patricio Amigo (GR No. 116719, January 18, 1996)
◻ Twin Ace Holdings Corp. vs. Rufina Co. (G.R. No. 16091, June 8, 2006)
Thank you!