Law Dictionary

Latin maxim • “an act done by me against my will is not my act” (United States v. Ah Chong, En Banc, G.R. No. L-5272,

Latin maxim • “the act itself does not make man guilty unless his intention were so” (United States v. Ah Chong, En Banc, G.R. No.

Latin maxim • “when the reason of the law ceases, the law itself ceases.” (Commendador v. De Villa, En Banc, G.R. No. 93177, August 2,

Latin maxim. • “the law does not take account of trifles” OxfordReference.com •  “the law does not govern trifles” Merriam-Webster.com

Latin maxim. • “that a delegated power may not be further delegated by the person to whom such power is delegated, and that in all

Latin maxim. • “Distinguish times and you will harmonize laws.” (Commissioner of Customs v. Superior Gas and Equipment Co., En Banc, G.R. No. L-14115, May

Latin maxim. • “The law is hard, but that is the law.” (Dela Cruz v. CA, G.R. Nos. 120652, 11 February 1998)

Spanish maxim. • “The debtor’s debtor is my debtor.” (Google Translate; See Gold Star Mining Co., Inc. v. Lim-Jimena, En Banc, G.R. No. L-25301, October

Latin maxim. • “The law will not aid either party to an illegal agreement; it leaves the parties where it finds them.” (Bough v. Cantiveros,

Latin maxim. • “an agreement contrary to law or morals can give rise to no right of action in any party to it, either for

Latin maxim. • “an agreement contrary to law or morals can give rise to no right of action in any party to it, either for

Latin maxim. • “a thing not being excepted must be regarded as coming within the purview of the general rule” (South African Airways v. Commissioner

Latin maxim. • “The expression of one thing is the exclusion of another.” (San Miguel Corporation Employees Union-Phil. Transport and General Workers Org. v. San

• “false in one thing, false in everything” (Frondarina v. Malazarte, G.R. No. 148423, December 6, 2006) NB: 1) Falsus in uno, falsus in omnibus

Latin maxim. • “The law may be exceedingly hard, but so the law is written.” (People v. Palermo, En Banc, G.R. No. 120630, June 28,

Latin maxim. • “when in doubt, for the accused” (People v. Salcena, G.R. No. 192261, November 16, 2011)

Latin maxim. • “The law will not aid either party to an illegal agreement; it leaves the parties where it finds them.” (Bough v. Cantiveros,

Latin maxim. • “speech is the index of intention” (Bolos v. Bolos, G.R. No. 186400, October 20, 2010)

Latin maxim. • “In the interest of society as a whole, litigation must come to an end.” (Thomas v. Trono, G.R. No. 241032, March 15,

Latin maxim. • “To interpret and harmonize laws is the best method of interpretation.” (DTI v. Enriquez, En Banc, G.R. No. 225301, June 2, 2020,

Latin maxim. • “every statute must be so construed and harmonized with other statutes as to form a uniform system of jurisprudence” (OSG v. CA,

Latin maxim. • “the interpretation placed upon the written law by a competent court has the force of law” (Co v. CA, En Banc, G.R.

• “the law looks forward not backward” (Co v. CA, En Banc, G.R. No. 100776, October 28, 1993, citing Development Bank of the Philippines v.

Spanish maxim • “It is better that ten presumed criminals remain unpunished than an innocent one be punished.” (Google Translate; See People v. Cunanan, En

Latin maxim. • “No one should be allowed to enrich himself unjustly at the expense of another.” (Jenk Cent. Cas. 4; 10 Barb. [N.Y.] 626,

Latin maxim. • “Nobody can give what he does not possess.” (Heirs of Hermosilla v. Sps. Remoquillo, G.R. No. 167320, January 30, 2007) • “one

Latin maxim. • “no one ought to be twice tried for the same cause” (Tacas v. Cariaso, G.R. No. L-37406, August 31, 1976) • “A

Latin maxim. • “No one is bound to accuse himself.” (Google Translate; See Villaflor v. Summers, En Banc, G.R. No. 16444, September 8, 1920) •

Latin maxim. • “not twice for the same” (Tacas v. Cariaso, G.R. No. L-37406, August 31, 1976)

Latin maxim. • “where a particular word or phrase is ambiguous in itself or is equally susceptible of various meanings, its correct construction may be

Latin maxim. • “that there can exist no punishable act except those previously and specifically provided for by penal statute” (Corpuz v. People, En Banc,

Latin maxim. • “parties to a treaty to keep their agreement therein in good faith” (Secretary of Justice v. Lantion, En Banc, G.R. No. 139465,

Latin maxim. • “one State is not subject to the jurisdiction of another State.” (Arigo v. Swift, En Banc, G.R. No. 206510, September 16, 2014

Latin maxim. • “[a]ll states are sovereign equals and cannot assert jurisdiction over one another.” (Arigo v. Swift, En Banc, G.R. No. 206510, September 16,

Latin maxim. • “what has been delegated, cannot be delegated” (Rodrigo, Jr. v. Sandiganbayan, G.R. No. 125498, July 2, 1999)

Latin maxim. • “A waiver of rights is not presumed.” (ACD Investigation Security Agency, Inc. v. Daquera, G.R. No. 147473, March 30, 2004, cited in

Latin maxim. • “things done between strangers ought not to injure those who are not parties to them” (People v. Tena, G.R. No. 100909, October

Latin maxim. • “the welfare of the people is the supreme law” (Southern Luzon Drug Corporation v. DSWD, En Banc, G.R. No. 199669, April 25,

Latin maxim. • “so use your property as not to injure the property of others” (Southern Luzon Drug Corporation v. DSWD, En Banc, G.R. No.

Latin maxim. • “to adhere to precedents and not to unsettle things which are established” (Lazatin v. Desierto, G.R. No. 147097, June 5, 2009)

Latin maxim. • “suggestion of falsity is suppression” (Google Translate; See Firestone Filipinas Employees Association v. Firestone Rubber and Rubber Company of the Philippines, G.R.

Latin maxim. • “circumstances alter cases” (Sanchez v. CA, G.R. No. 96306, August 20 1993 [Per J. Romero, Concurring Opinion])

Latin maxim. • “the abuse of a right is the greatest possible wrong” (Gonzales v. Philippine Commercial Bank and International Bank, G.R. No. 180257, February

Maxim. • “The intent of a statute is the law.” (Tiu v. CA, En Banc, G.R. No. 127410, January 20, 1999)

Latin maxim. • “Where the law does not distinguish, neither should we.” (Sps. Plopenio v. DAR, G.R. No. 161090 and 161092, July 4, 2012)

Latin maxim. • “from the words of a statute there should be no departure” (Chavez v. JBC, En Banc, G.R. No. 202242, July 17, 2012)