Statutory Construction Overview

Interpreting a statute to fulfill its intended purpose. This emphasizes the practical effect of the law rather than just sticking to the literal wording.

A method of interpreting the law focusing solely on the text itself. This approach avoids using outside sources or considering legislative intent.

A method of interpreting the law by examining the legislative intent behind a statute. This includes looking at legislative history and debates.

A method of understanding the law by considering the problem the legislature intended to solve. This considers broader societal goals and aims.

The principle that the three branches of government, legislative, executive, and judicial, have distinct powers and responsibilities.

The ranking of laws, starting with the Constitution as the highest law. Lower-level laws must be consistent with the Constitution.

The principle that courts should follow previous rulings in similar cases. This promotes consistency and predictability in the legal system.

The process by which a bill is passed into law. This involves drafting, introduction, debate, voting, and ultimately, presidential approval.

Historical background and documents used to interpret a law.

Materials used in addition to the actual text of a law to understand its meaning.

Circumstances related to the initial drafting and introduction of a law.

Debates and actions taken during the process of creating a law.

Events and interpretations that happen after a law is passed.

The conditions and issues that existed when a law was created.

Examples of legislative history: Committee reports, drafts, amendments, etc.

Courts use legislative history to determine the intended meaning of a law, especially when the text is unclear.

A rule of statutory interpretation that states when a statute explicitly mentions certain things, it implicitly excludes other things not mentioned.

This doctrine allows courts to interpret a statute to cover situations not explicitly mentioned in the text when necessary to fulfill the statute's overall purpose.

When interpreting a statute, courts must consider the entire document, including all clauses, provisions, and sections, to ensure a consistent understanding of the law.

Statutes should be interpreted in light of their surrounding provisions, taking into account the context and intent of the law.

Judicial remarks made in passing that aren't essential to the decision, but can provide guidance in interpreting statutes.

Tools of interpretation that are found outside the words of a statute itself, such as legislative history or expert opinions.

Extrinsic aids that help understand the meaning of the words used in a statute, like legislative history or debates.

Notes taken during legislative debates that can be used to understand the intent behind a law.

When there's doubt in how laws should be applied, courts assume the lawmakers aimed for fairness and justice.

Specific laws usually provide more detailed guidance for particular situations, compared to broader and general laws.

A later and more general law can override earlier, conflicting specific laws.

If a special law has a general rule, and a general law has a specific rule, the specific rule from the general law takes precedence.

If the legislature doesn't make distinctions while writing a law, the courts shouldn't make distinctions in interpreting it.

The law should be applied consistently, even if it's difficult, because it's still the law.

The law should be applied equally to everyone without making distinctions.

Exceptions to a rule can be valid if they negate an essential element of the offense.

The power of Congress to create, amend, or repeal laws. It's based on Section 1, Article VI of the 1937 Philippine Constitution. Congress is granted this power by the people, who can also exercise it directly through initiatives and referendums.

The power belongs to the people and is the highest form of legislative authority. It’s the source from which all other legislative powers stem from.

The kind of power given to legislative bodies, like Congress, to make laws. This power is subordinate to the original power held by the people.

An approach to interpretation that focuses on the precise meaning of words, taking them in their narrowest sense. It's also known as literal interpretation.

Also known as Liberal Interpretation, this method emphasizes a broader understanding of words and the overall intent of the law.

The process of finding the true meaning and intent of a law so that it can be effectively implemented.

Clues left behind by the legislature that reveal their intended meaning and purpose while creating a law.

The authority of courts to explain the meaning of laws. However, they can't change the laws themselves, they just interpret them.

The term 'including' followed by an enumeration of items or situations is non-exclusive, meaning there are other items or situations not listed that may still fall under the scope of the statute.

Years are assumed to be 365 days, months are 30 days unless specified otherwise, and days are a full 24-hour period. Nights are defined as sunset to sunrise.

When calculating periods of time, the first day is excluded, but the last day is included.

Words in plural form are often interpreted to apply to both singular and plural contexts, and vice versa. For example, a statute referring to 'people' may apply to a single person.

Courts may infer provisions or actions necessary to give full effect to the law's intent, even if not explicitly stated. This principle acknowledges that statutes can't foresee every scenario.

This principle considers an omission or absence of a provision in a statute to be intentional, suggesting the legislature deliberately chose not to include it.

When a provision is missing from a statute, the legislature likely intended to exclude it.

Courts use this principle when trying to understand the true meaning of a statute, even if not explicitly stated.