Statutory Construction

“[A]dministrative interpretations of a law exerts weighty influence in the judicial construction of statutes.” (People v. Martin, G.R. No. L-38019, May 16, 1980, Per De Castro, J.)

“From another angle the presumption against repeal is stronger. A special law is not regarded as having been amended or repealed by a general law unless the intent to repeal or alter is manifest. Generalia specialibus non derogant. And if this is true although the terms of the general act are broad enough to include…

“[P] penal law is to be construed, in case of doubt, strictly against the state. ‘Criminal and penal statutes must be strictly construed, that is, they cannot be enlarged or extended by intendment, implication, or by any equitable considerations. In other words, the language cannot be enlarged beyond the ordinary meaning of its terms in…

“[A] special law prevails over a general law — regardless of their dates of passage — and the special is to be considered as remaining an exception to the general.” (Lopez v. Civil Service Commission, En Banc, G.R. No. 87119, April 16, 1991, Per Sarmiento, J.)

“[A]ll statutes are to be construed as having only a prospective operation unless the purpose and intention of the Legislature to give them a retrospective effect is expressly declared or is necessarily implied from the language used. In every case of doubt, the doubt must be solved against the retrospective effect.” (De Montilla v. La…

“The cardinal rule of statutory construction requires the court to give effect to the general legislative intent if that can be discovered within the four corners of the Act. When the object intended to be accomplished by the statute is once clearly ascertained, general words may be restrained to it and those of narrower import…

“[I]t is a well-settled principle of constitutional construction that the language employed in the Constitution must be given their ordinary meaning except where technical terms are employed. As much as possible, the words of the Constitution should be understood in the sense they have in common use. What it says according to the text of…

“Under the rules on syntax, the conjunctive word ‘and’ denotes a “joinder or union’ of words, phrases, or clause; it is different from the disjunctive word ‘or’ that signals disassociation or independence. However, a more important rule of statutory construction dictates that laws should be construed in a manner that avoids absurdity or unreasonableness.” (Microsoft…

“[A] special and specific provision prevails over a general provision irrespective of their relative positions in the statute.” (DPWH v. Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers, Inc., G.R. No. 200015, March 15, 2023, Per Leonen) “A special and specific provision prevails over a general provision irrespective of their relative position in the statute. Generalia specialibus non…

“[T]he number in words must prevail over that in figures.” (Lim v. Maglanoc, En Banc, G.R. No. L-16566, August 31, 1961, Per Paredes, J.)