Interpretation of Words and Phrases- Gabay

Interpretation of Words and Phrases Chapter 14, Gatmaytan, Legal Method Essentials (2014)

Report by Kryztelle Pearl V. Gabay 1-Evening Legal Method

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Canons of Construction Substantive and Linguistic Canons Canons and Indeterminacy Latin Maxims General and Particular Uses of Words Associated Words Doctrine of Necessary Implication Provisos, Exceptions and Saving Clauses

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Canons of Construction Substantive and Linguistic Canons Canons and Indeterminacy Latin Maxims General and Particular Uses of Words Associated Words Doctrine of Necessary Implication Provisos, Exceptions and Saving Clauses

Canons of Construction 

Canons of Construction

Substantive and Linguistic Canons  Canons and Indeterminacy  Latin Maxims 

General and Particular Uses of Words  Associated Words  Doctrine of Necessary Implication 

Provisos, Exceptions and Saving Clauses 

 set

of background norms and conventions  widely used by courts when interpreting statutes

Canons of Construction 

Canons of Construction

Substantive and Linguistic Canons 

to extract meaning from

Canons and Indeterminacy  Latin Maxims 

General and Particular Uses of Words  Associated Words  Doctrine of Necessary Implication 

Provisos, Exceptions and Saving Clauses 

language

context

structure

subject matter

Canons of Construction 

Why?

Substantive and Linguistic Canons  Canons and Indeterminacy  Latin Maxims 

General and Particular Uses of Words  Associated Words  Doctrine of Necessary Implication 

Provisos, Exceptions and Saving Clauses 

It is the the dut duty y of the court courts s in construing a statute “not to give it a cons constru tructi ction on that that woul would d be be repugnant to an act of Congress, if if the language of the statute is fairly susceptible of another construction not in conflict with the higher law.” law .” -Supreme Court

Canons of Construction  Substantive and Linguistic Canons  Canons and Indeterminacy  Latin Maxims 

General and Particular Uses of Words  Associated Words  Doctrine of Necessary Implication 

Provisos, Exceptions and Saving Clauses 

Theories in Interpreting Statutes Intentionalist

New Textualists

Pragmatism

Canons of Construction  Substantive and Linguistic Canons 

Theories in Interpreting Statutes New Textualists

Pragmatism

Canons and Indeterminacy  Latin Maxims 

General and Particular Uses of Words 

Legislative Intent

Associated Words  Doctrine of Necessary Implication 

Provisos, Exceptions and Saving Clauses 

Extrinsic Legislative Sources

Canons of Construction 

Theories in Interpreting Statutes

Substantive and Linguistic Canons  Canons and Indeterminacy 

Legislative Intent

Latin Maxims 

General and Particular Uses of Words  Associated Words  Doctrine of Necessary Implication 

Provisos, Exceptions and Saving Clauses 

Statutory Language Constitutionally

mandated In Context

Canons of Construction 

Theories in Interpreting Statutes

Substantive and Linguistic Canons  Canons and Indeterminacy  Latin Maxims 

General and Particular Uses of Words  Associated Words  Doctrine of Necessary Implication 

Provisos, Exceptions and Saving Clauses 

Consider other provisions of same statute Examine interpretations of borrowed statutes Consult contemporary dictionaries

Canons of Construction  Substantive and Linguistic Canons  Canons and Indeterminacy 

Theories in Interpreting Statutes Intentionalist

New Textualists

Multiple Supporting Arguments

Latin Maxims 

General and Particular Uses of Words  Associated Words  Doctrine of Necessary Implication 

Provisos, Exceptions and Saving Clauses 

Eclectic

A judge would… 1. Argue based on multiple factors 2. Weigh competing arguments

Canons of Construction  Substantive and Linguistic Canons 

SUBSTANTIVE CANONS

Canons and Indeterminacy  Latin Maxims 

General and Particular Uses of Words  Associated Words  Doctrine of Necessary Implication 

Provisos, Exceptions and Saving Clauses 

LINGUISTIC CANONS

Canons of Construction  Substantive and Linguistic Canons  Canons and Indeterminacy 

Rules of Syntax

Latin Maxims 

General and Particular Uses of Words 

Statutes

Associated Words  Doctrine of Necessary Implication 

Provisos, Exceptions and Saving Clauses 

LINGUISTIC CANONS

Canons of Construction  Substantive and Linguistic Canons  Canons and Indeterminacy  Latin Maxims 

General and Particular Uses of Words  Associated Words  Doctrine of Necessary Implication 

Provisos, Exceptions and Saving Clauses 

LINGUISTIC CANONS

Canons of Construction  Substantive and Linguistic Canons  Canons and Indeterminacy 

SUBSTANTIVE CANONS Rules of Interpretation

Latin Maxims 

General and Particular Uses of Words  Associated Words  Doctrine of Necessary Implication 

Provisos, Exceptions and Saving Clauses 

Common law Statutes Constitution

Canons of Construction  Substantive and Linguistic Canons  Canons and Indeterminacy  Latin Maxims 

General and Particular Uses of Words  Associated Words  Doctrine of Necessary Implication 

Provisos, Exceptions and Saving Clauses 

Canons of Construction Help resolve legal issues

Sources of Indeterminacy

Canons of Construction 

Case on Canons and Indeterminacy

Substantive and Linguistic Canons  Canons and Indeterminacy 



Case on Midnight Appointment of Chief Justice

Latin Maxims 

General and Particular Uses of Words  Associated Words  Doctrine of Necessary Implication 

Provisos, Exceptions and Saving Clauses 

Ponencia “ It is axiomatic in

statutory construction that the ascertainment of the purpose of the enactment…”

Dissent of Justice Carpio Morales

“All rules of statutory construction revolt against the interpretation arrived at by the ponencia ”

Canons of Construction  Substantive and Linguistic Canons  Canons and Indeterminacy  Latin Maxims 

General and Particular Uses of Words  Associated Words  Doctrine of Necessary Implication 

Provisos, Exceptions and Saving Clauses 

Theories on how to address inconsistency Give doctrines of statutory interpretation stare decisis effect  Revitalize and expand the concept of substantive canon 

Canons of Construction  Substantive and Linguistic Canons  Canons and Indeterminacy  Latin Maxims 

General and Particular Uses of Words 

from the beginning friend of the court ignorance of the law does not excuse anyone in blazing offense, caught in the act

Associated Words 

no penalty without a law

Doctrine of Necessary Implication 

presumption in favour of marriage

Provisos, Exceptions and Saving Clauses 

the good of the people shall be the supreme law he king can do no wrong t 

Canons of Construction  Substantive and Linguistic Canons  Canons and Indeterminacy  Latin Maxims 

General and Particular Uses of Words  Associated Words  Doctrine of Necessary Implication 

Provisos, Exceptions and Saving Clauses 

Latin

Canons of Construction 

Maxims of Statutory Interpretation

Substantive and Linguistic Canons  Canons and Indeterminacy  Latin Maxims 

General and Particular Uses of Words  Associated Words  Doctrine of Necessary Implication 

Provisos, Exceptions and Saving Clauses 

Handy interpretative guidelines  Usually expressed in Latin  Code of “statutory grammar” 

Canons of Construction  Substantive and Linguistic Canons  Canons and Indeterminacy  Latin Maxims 

Subsequent laws repeal former ones.

The law favors a good rather than of a bad construction.

General and Particular Uses of Words  Associated Words  Doctrine of Necessary Implication 

Provisos, Exceptions and Saving Clauses 

When there is no ambiguity in the langues of an instrument, no interpretation is to be made contrary to the words.

Statutes passed for the public good should be construed literally

Canons of Construction  Substantive and Linguistic Canons  Canons and Indeterminacy  Latin Maxims 

General and Particular Uses of Words  Associated Words  Doctrine of Necessary Implication 

Provisos, Exceptions and Saving Clauses 

General and particular uses of words Lawmakers “have no positive constitutional or statutory duty to define each and every word in an enactment”  Terms- ordinary meaning 

Canons of Construction  Substantive and Linguistic Canons 

Cases on General and Particular Uses of Words

Canons and Indeterminacy  Latin Maxims 

General and Particular Uses of Words  Associated Words  Doctrine of Necessary Implication 

Provisos, Exceptions and Saving Clauses 

Section 61, PD 705: “… transferee shall assume all “obligations” on the conqueror  Obligatins not incurred in transgressions of the law but personal obligations 

Canons of Construction  Substantive and Linguistic Canons 

Cases on General and Particular Uses of Words

Canons and Indeterminacy  Latin Maxims 

General and Particular Uses of Words  Associated Words  Doctrine of Necessary Implication 

Provisos, Exceptions and Saving Clauses 



“actual” and “bona fide occupants” are not the same

Canons of Construction  Substantive and Linguistic Canons 

Cases on General and Particular Uses of Words

Canons and Indeterminacy  Latin Maxims 

General and Particular Uses of Words  Associated Words  Doctrine of Necessary Implication 

Provisos, Exceptions and Saving Clauses 



“actual” and “bona fide occupants” are not the same

Canons of Construction  Substantive and Linguistic Canons 

Noscitur A Sociis  Ejusdem Generis 

Canons and Indeterminacy  Latin Maxims 

Expresio Unius Est Exclusio Alterius 

General and Particular Uses of Words 

Dissimilum Dissmilis Est Ratio 

Associated Words 

Casus Omisus Pro Omiso Habendus Est 

Doctrine of Necessary Implication 

Provisos, Exceptions and Saving Clauses 

Ubi Lex Non Distinguit Nec Nos Distinguere  Debemos  Reddendo Singula Singulis 

Canons of Construction 

Noscitur A Sociis

Substantive and Linguistic Canons  Canons and Indeterminacy  Latin Maxims 

General and Particular Uses of Words  Associated Words  Doctrine of Necessary Implication 

Provisos, Exceptions and Saving Clauses 

 Meaning

of a word- based on the company of words which in which it is found or where it is associated.

Canons of Construction 

Noscitur A Sociis

Substantive and Linguistic Canons 

Case

How Noscitur A Sociis is portrayed

Canons and Indeterminacy 

People v Delantar

guardian-legal guardian

Aisporna v Court of Appeals

insurance agent-any person who for compensation shall be an insurance agent

Dai-Chi Electronics Manufacturing Corporation v Villarama Jr.

all money claims of workers

Latin Maxims 

General and Particular Uses of Words  Associated Words  Doctrine of Necessary Implication 

Provisos, Exceptions and Saving Clauses 

Canons of Construction  Substantive and Linguistic Canons 

Noscitur A Sociis  Ejusdem Generis 

Canons and Indeterminacy  Latin Maxims 

Expresio Unius Est Exclusio Alterius 

General and Particular Uses of Words 

Dissimilum Dissmilis Est Ratio 

Associated Words 

Casus Omisus Pro Omiso Habendus Est 

Doctrine of Necessary Implication 

Provisos, Exceptions and Saving Clauses 

Ubi Lex Non Distinguit Nec Nos Distinguere  Debemos  Reddendo Singula Singulis 

Canons of Construction 

Ejusdem Generis

Substantive and Linguistic Canons  Canons and Indeterminacy  Latin Maxims 

General and Particular Uses of Words  Associated Words  Doctrine of Necessary Implication 

Provisos, Exceptions and Saving Clauses 

 Generic

Word- limited to things of similar nature with those particularly enumerated

Ex. Gambling and Other Prohibited Games of Chance

Canons of Construction 

Ejusdem Generis

Substantive and Linguistic Canons 

Case

How Ejusdem Generis was portrayed

Canons and Indeterminacy 

PBA v CA

Sec 13 of Local Tax Code- “tax on … theaters, cinematographs, concert halls, circuses and other places of amusement.”

Republic v Santua

Sec 3 of RA 26-”any other document sufficient and proper basis for reconstituting lost title

Latin Maxims 

General and Particular Uses of Words  Associated Words  Doctrine of Necessary Implication 

Provisos, Exceptions and Saving Clauses 

Canons of Construction  Substantive and Linguistic Canons 

Noscitur A Sociis  Ejusdem Generis 

Canons and Indeterminacy  Latin Maxims 

Expresio Unius Est Exclusio Alterius 

General and Particular Uses of Words 

Dissimilum Dissmilis Est Ratio 

Associated Words 

Casus Omisus Pro Omiso Habendus Est 

Doctrine of Necessary Implication 

Provisos, Exceptions and Saving Clauses 

Ubi Lex Non Distinguit Nec Nos Distinguere  Debemos  Reddendo Singula Singulis 

Canons of Construction 

Expresio Unius Est Exclusio Alterius

Substantive and Linguistic Canons  Canons and Indeterminacy  Latin Maxims 

General and Particular Uses of Words  Associated Words  Doctrine of Necessary Implication 

Provisos, Exceptions and Saving Clauses 

 Express

mention of one person, thing, act or consequence excludes all others

Canons of Construction 

Expresio Unius Est Exclusio Alterius

Substantive and Linguistic Canons 

Case

Canons and Indeterminacy 

How Expresio Unius was portrayed

Catu v Rellosa

Prohibition on governors, mayors, provincial board members and councillors from practicing profession

Centeno v VillalonPornillos

Tax exemptions on charitable or public welfare purposes

Latin Maxims 

General and Particular Uses of Words  Associated Words  Doctrine of Necessary Implication 

Provisos, Exceptions and Saving Clauses 

Canons of Construction  Substantive and Linguistic Canons  Canons and Indeterminacy  Latin Maxims 

General and Particular Uses of Words  Associated Words  Doctrine of Necessary Implication 

Provisos, Exceptions and Saving Clauses 

Expresio Unius Est Exclusio Alterius Case

How Expresio Unius was portrayed

San Pablo Manufacturing Corporation v CIR

Exemptions for tax only for “rope, coconut oil, palm oil, copra by products, dessicated coconuts.”

PAGCOR v BIR

Express mention of GOCCs exempted from payment of income tax

Canons of Construction 

Expresio Unius Est Exclusio Alterius

Substantive and Linguistic Canons  Canons and Indeterminacy  Latin Maxims 

General and Particular Uses of Words  Associated Words  Doctrine of Necessary Implication 

Provisos, Exceptions and Saving Clauses 



that which is not excepted must fall under the general rule

Canons of Construction  Substantive and Linguistic Canons 

Noscitur A Sociis  Ejusdem Generis 

Canons and Indeterminacy  Latin Maxims 

Expresio Unius Est Exclusio Alterius 

General and Particular Uses of Words 

Dissimilum Dissmilis Est Ratio 

Associated Words 

Casus Omisus Pro Omiso Habendus Est 

Doctrine of Necessary Implication 

Provisos, Exceptions and Saving Clauses 

Ubi Lex Non Distinguit Nec Nos Distinguere  Debemos  Reddendo Singula Singulis 

Canons of Construction 

Dissimilum Dissmilis Est Ratio

Substantive and Linguistic Canons  Canons and Indeterminacy  Latin Maxims 

General and Particular Uses of Words  Associated Words  Doctrine of Necessary Implication 

Provisos, Exceptions and Saving Clauses 

 Facts

and circumstances show that legislature intended a distinction or qualification

Ex. Garvida v Sales- elective SK officials must not be more than 21 years of age on the day of their election

Canons of Construction  Substantive and Linguistic Canons 

Noscitur A Sociis  Ejusdem Generis 

Canons and Indeterminacy  Latin Maxims 

Expresio Unius Est Exclusio Alterius 

General and Particular Uses of Words 

Dissimilum Dissmilis Est Ratio 

Associated Words 

Casus Omisus Pro Omiso Habendus Est 

Doctrine of Necessary Implication 

Provisos, Exceptions and Saving Clauses 

Ubi Lex Non Distinguit Nec Nos Distinguere  Debemos  Reddendo Singula Singulis 

Canons of Construction 

Casus Omisus Pro Omiso Habendus Est

Substantive and Linguistic Canons  Canons and Indeterminacy  Latin Maxims 

General and Particular Uses of Words  Associated Words  Doctrine of Necessary Implication 

Provisos, Exceptions and Saving Clauses 

 Corollary

to Expresio Unius  Omission from an enumeration is held to be intentional

Canons of Construction  Substantive and Linguistic Canons  Canons and Indeterminacy  Latin Maxims 

Casus Omisus Pro Omiso Habendus Est Case

How Casus Omisus Pro was portrayed

COA- Cebu v Province of Cebu

Granting of scholarship is not among the projects for which Special Education Fund may be appropriated

Spouses Delfino v St James Hospital

Omission of “hospital with not more than ten capacity” in new Zoning Ordinance

General and Particular Uses of Words  Associated Words  Doctrine of Necessary Implication 

Provisos, Exceptions and Saving Clauses 

Canons of Construction  Substantive and Linguistic Canons 

Noscitur A Sociis  Ejusdem Generis 

Canons and Indeterminacy  Latin Maxims 

Expresio Unius Est Exclusio Alterius 

General and Particular Uses of Words 

Dissimilum Dissmilis Est Ratio 

Associated Words 

Casus Omisus Pro Omiso Habendus Est 

Doctrine of Necessary Implication 

Provisos, Exceptions and Saving Clauses 

Ubi Lex Non Distinguit Nec Nos Distinguere  Debemos  Reddendo Singula Singulis 

Canons of Construction  Substantive and Linguistic Canons  Canons and Indeterminacy  Latin Maxims 

General and Particular Uses of Words  Associated Words  Doctrine of Necessary Implication 

Provisos, Exceptions and Saving Clauses 

Ubi Lex Non Distinguit Nec Nos  Distinguere Debemos   Law

does not distinguigh, courts should not distinguish

Canons of Construction  Substantive and Linguistic Canons  Canons and Indeterminacy  Latin Maxims 

General and Particular Uses of Words  Associated Words  Doctrine of Necessary Implication 

Provisos, Exceptions and Saving Clauses 

Ubi Lex Non Distinguit Nec Nos  Distinguere Debemos  Cases

How Ubi Lex Non was portrayed

Daez v We Ko

Payment of damages for death of “employee”

Pilar v Commission on Elections

“Every candidate” should file contributions and expenditures

People v Evaristo

No distinction as to serviceable or functional firearms punishable under PD 1866

Canons of Construction  Substantive and Linguistic Canons  Canons and Indeterminacy  Latin Maxims 

Ubi Lex Non Distinguit Nec Nos  Distinguere Debemos  Cases

How Ubi Lex Non was portrayed

Dabalos v RTC

Anti-VAWCI does not distinguish punishable acts done by those with whom the women had sexual or dating relationship

MTRCB v ABSCBN

Television programs

Tiangco v Uniwide Sales WArehouse

All action for claims suspended in a company under rehabilitation

General and Particular Uses of Words  Associated Words  Doctrine of Necessary Implication 

Provisos, Exceptions and Saving Clauses 

Canons of Construction  Substantive and Linguistic Canons 

Noscitur A Sociis  Ejusdem Generis 

Canons and Indeterminacy  Latin Maxims 

Expresio Unius Est Exclusio Alterius 

General and Particular Uses of Words 

Dissimilum Dissmilis Est Ratio 

Associated Words 

Casus Omisus Pro Omiso Habendus Est 

Doctrine of Necessary Implication 

Provisos, Exceptions and Saving Clauses 

Ubi Lex Non Distinguit Nec Nos Distinguere  Debemos  Reddendo Singula Singulis 

Canons of Construction 

Redendo Singula Singulis

Substantive and Linguistic Canons  Canons and Indeterminacy  Latin Maxims 

General and Particular Uses of Words  Associated Words  Doctrine of Necessary Implication 

Provisos, Exceptions and Saving Clauses 

 Referring

each to each  Referring each phrase or expression to its appropriate object

 Ex.

Men and women may become members of fraternities and sororities.

Canons of Construction 

Case on Redendo Singula Singulis

Substantive and Linguistic Canons  Canons and Indeterminacy  Latin Maxims 



Sec of Rule 122 of the Rules of Court

An appeal must be taken within 15 days

General and Particular Uses of Words 

from the promulgation or notice of

Associated Words 

the judgment or order appealed from.

Doctrine of Necessary Implication 

Provisos, Exceptions and Saving Clauses 

Canons of Construction 

Doctrine of Necessary Implication

Substantive and Linguistic Canons  Canons and Indeterminacy  Latin Maxims 

General and Particular Uses of Words  Associated Words  Doctrine of Necessary Implication 

Provisos, Exceptions and Saving Clauses 

 No

statute can be enacted that can provide all details.  DNI- fill in the gaps

Canons of Construction 

Case on Doctrine of Necessary Imp.

Substantive and Linguistic Canons  Canons and Indeterminacy  Latin Maxims 

General and Particular Uses of Words  Associated Words  Doctrine of Necessary Implication 

Provisos, Exceptions and Saving Clauses 

Article 245 of Labor CodeIneligibility of managerial employees to join any labor org  Does prohibition include confidential employees? 

Canons of Construction 

Proviso

Substantive and Linguistic Canons  Canons and Indeterminacy  Latin Maxims 

General and Particular Uses of Words  Associated Words  Doctrine of Necessary Implication 

Provisos, Exceptions and Saving Clauses 

 Qualify

or modify only the phrase immediately preceding it or restrain or limit the generality of the clause that it immediately follows

 Except

when it is clear that the intent is to restrain or qualify not only the phrase immediately preceding it but also earlier provisions

Canons of Construction 

Proviso

Substantive and Linguistic Canons 

Disposition of Certain Portions of the National Government Center Site for Local Government or Community Facilities, Socioeconomic, Charitable, Educational  Canons and Indeterminacy  and Religious Purposes. - Certain portions of land within

the aforesaid area for local government or community facilities, socioeconomic, charitable, educational and religious institutions are hereby reserved for disposition General and Particular for such purposes: That only those institutions Uses of Words  already operating and with existing facilities or structures, or those occupying the land may avail of the Associated disposition program established under the provisions of this Words  Act: That in ascertaining the specific Doctrine of areas that may be disposed of in favor of these Necessary Implication  institutions, the existing site allocation shall be used as basis therefore: That in determining the Provisos, reasonable lot allocation of such institutions without Exceptions and Saving Clauses  specific lot allocations, the land area that may be allocated to them shall be based on the area actually used by said institutions at the time of effectivity of this Act. Latin Maxims 

Canons of Construction  Substantive and Linguistic Canons 

Proviso

All laws and any other law or parts of law specifically inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed or modified accordingly: , That the rights Canons and Indeterminacy  under existing laws, rules and regulations vested upon or acquired by an employee who is already in the service as of Latin Maxims  the effectivity of this Act shall remain in force and effect: , That subsequent to the General and Particular effectivity of this Act, a new employee or an employee who Uses of Words  has previously retired or separated and is reemployed in the service shall be covered by the provisions of this Act. Associated Words  Doctrine of Necessary Implication 

Provisos, Exceptions and Saving Clauses 

Canons of Construction 

Exceptions

Substantive and Linguistic Canons  Canons and Indeterminacy  Latin Maxims 

General and Particular Uses of Words  Associated Words  Doctrine of Necessary Implication 

Provisos, Exceptions and Saving Clauses 

 Cases

where the rule does not apply

 Doubts

should be resolved in favour of a proviso

 Usually

given strict and narrow constructions

Canons of Construction 

Saving Clauses

Substantive and Linguistic Canons  Canons and Indeterminacy  Latin Maxims 

General and Particular Uses of Words  Associated Words  Doctrine of Necessary Implication 

Provisos, Exceptions and Saving Clauses 

 Operated  Example:

to limit the effect of the law

inclusion of a saving clause in the repealing statute that provides that the repeal shall have no effect on pending actions

Canons of Construction 

Saving Clauses

Substantive and Linguistic Canons  Canons and Indeterminacy  Latin Maxims 

General and Particular Uses of Words  Associated Words  Doctrine of Necessary Implication 

Provisos, Exceptions and Saving Clauses 

This Act will not in any manner adversely affect the rights and benefits of the ICCs/IPs under other conventions, recommendations, international treaties, national laws, awards, customs and agreements.