STATUTORY CASES

Case Title: G.R. No. L-19650 (September 29, 1966)

Caltex (Philippines), Inc. vs. Enrico Paloar in his capacit! as The
Postaster "eneral
#) $acts
The case before us o! "s a pet"t"o for #ec$arator% re$"ef a&a"st 'ostmaster Geera$ (r"co 'a$omar, par%"&
)*+that ,u#&met be re#ere# #ec$ar"& "ts -.a$te/ 0oo#e# 'ump .otest1 ot to be 2"o$at"2e of the 'osta$ La!,
a# or#er"& respo#et to a$$o! pet"t"oer the use of the ma"$s to br"& the cotest to the attet"o of the pub$"c3.
4 1960, .a$te/ $auche# a promot"oa$ scheme ca$$e# )*+.a$te/ 0oo#e# 'ump .otest)*5 !h"ch ca$$s for
part"c"pats to )*+est"mate the actua$ umber of $"ters a hoo#e# &as pump at each .a$te/ stat"o !"$$ #"spese
#ur"& a spec"6e# per"o#.)*5 The cotest "s ope to a$$ )*+motor 2eh"c$e o!ers a#7or $"cese# #r"2res)*5. There
"s e"ther a fee or cos"#erat"o re8u"re# or a purchase re8u"re# to be ma#e. The forms are a2a"$ab$e upo re8uest
at each .a$te/ stat"o a# there "s a$so a sea$e# ca !here accomp$"she# etr% stubs ma% be #epos"te#.
.a$te/ !"shes to use ma"$s amo&st the me#"a for pub$"c"9"& about the cotest, thus, .a$te/ set represetat"2es
to the posta$ author"t"es for a#2ace c$ear"& for the use of ma"$s for the cotest. 0o!e2er, the posta$ author"t"es
#e"e# the"r re8uest " 2"e! of sect"os 195: (a), 19;2, a# 19;< of the Re2"se# =#m""strat"2e .o#e (=t"-$otter%
pro2"s"os of the 'osta$ La!), !h"ch proh"b"ts the use of ma"$ " co2e%"& a% "format"o cocer"& o-ma"$ab$e
schemes, such as $otter%, &"ft eterpr"se, or s"m"$ar scheme.
.a$te/ sou&ht for a recos"#erat"o a# stresse# that there !as o cos"#erat"o "2o$2e# " the part of the
cotestat(s) but the 'ostmaster Geera$ ma"ta"e# the"r 2"e! a# e2e threatee# .a$te/ that "f the cotest !as
co#ucte#, )*+a frau# or#er !"$$ ha2e to be "ssue# a&a"st "t (.a$te/) a# a$$ "ts represetat"2es)*5. Th"s $ea#s to
.a$te/1s 6$"& of th"s pet"t"o for #ec$arator% re$"ef.
The court ru$e# that the )*+pet"t"oer #oes ot 2"o$ate the 'osta$ La! a# the respo#et has o r"&ht to bar the
pub$"c #"str"but"o or sa"# ru$es b% the ma"$s)*5. The respo#et the appea$e#.
%) Iss&e(s)
a) >hether or ot the pet"t"o states a su?c"et cause of act"o for #ec$arator% re$"ef5
b) >hether or ot the propose# )*+.a$te/ 0oo#e# 'ump .otest)*5 2"o$ates the 'osta$ La!5
') R&lin(
Recap"tu$at"&, !e ho$# that the pet"t"o here" states a su?c"et cause of act"o for #ec$arator% re$"ef, a# that the
@.a$te/ 0oo#e# 'ump .otest3 as #escr"be# " the ru$es subm"tte# b% the appe$$ee #oes ot tras&ress the
pro2"s"os of the 'osta$ La!.
=..ARB4NGLC, the ,u#&met appea$e# from "s a?rme#. No costs.
)) Ratio
Bec$arator% Re$"ef "s the "terpretat"o of se2era$ cost"tut"oa$ pro2"s"os. Dase# o Sect"o 1 Ru$e 6< of the Ru$es
of .ourt, a act"o for #ec$arator% re$"ef shou$# be 6$e# b% a perso "tereste# u#er a #ee#, a !"$$, a cotract or
other !r"tte "strumet, a# !hose r"&hts are aEecte# b% a statute, a e/ecut"2e or#er, a re&u$at"o or a
or#"ace.
Re*&isites +or ,eclarator! Relie+:
- There "s ,ust"c"ab$e cotro2ers%
- The cotro2ers% "s bet!ee persos !hose "terests are a#2erse
- The part% seeF"& the re$"ef has a $e&a$ "terest " the cotro2ers%
- The "ssue "s r"pe for ,u#"c"a$ #eterm"at"o
G The )*+.a$te/ 0oo#e# 'ump .otest)*5 "s a mere )*+&ratu"tous #"str"but"o of propert% b% chace)*5. 4t #oes
ot 8ua$"f% as a $otter% #ue to the $acF of cos"#erat"o. = act to be #eeme# as a $otter% must cost"tute a (1)
pr"9e, (2) chace, a# (<) cos"#erat"o. The part"c"pats are ot re8u"re# to #o a%th"& or purchase a%th"& from
.a$te/ " or#er to part"c"pate " the cotest. The true test for ha2"& cos"#erat"o "s )*+!hether the part"c"pat
pa%s a 2a$uab$e cos"#erat"o for the chace, a# ot !hether those co#uct"& the eterpr"se rece"2e someth"&
of 2a$ue " retur for the #"str"but"o of the pr"9e.)*5
-ational $e.eration o+ /a0or (-$/) v. Eisa
GR L-612<6, <1 Hauar% 19;: (12I S.R= :19)
( Dac, Jera#o (p)K 9 cocur, 1 cocur !"th commets, 1 tooF o part, 1 o $ea2e
$acts: A 5 Larch 19;2, the Nat"oa$ Je#erat"o of Labor 6$e# !"th the L""str% of Labor a# (mp$o%met (Labor
Re$at"os B"2"s"o, Mamboa&a ."t%), a pet"t"o for #"rect cert"6cat"o as the so$e e/c$us"2e co$$ect"2e bar&a""&
represetat"2e of the moth$% pa"# emp$o%ees at the Lumba%ao maufactur"& p$at of the Mamboa&a >oo#
'ro#ucts, 4c. (Mambo!oo#). A 1I =pr"$ 19;2, such emp$o%ees char&e# the 6rm before the same o?ce for
u#erpa%met of moth$% $"2"& a$$o!aces. A < La% 19;2, the u"o "ssue# a ot"ce of str"Fe a&a"st the 6rm,
a$$e&"& "$$e&a$ term"at"o of B"o"s"o (st"oca, pres"#et of the sa"# $oca$ u"oN ufa"r $abor pract"ceN opa%met
of $"2"& a$$o!acesN a# @emp$o%met of oppress"2e a$"e maa&emet persoe$ !"thout proper perm"t. The
str"Fe be&a o 2< La% 19;2.
A 9 Hu$% 19;2, Mambo!oo# 6$e# a comp$a"t !"th the tr"a$ court a&a"st the o?cers a# members of the u"o, for
@#ama&es for obstruct"o of pr"2ate propert% !"th pra%er for pre$"m"ar% ",uct"o a#7or restra""& or#er.3 The
u"o 6$e# a mot"o for the #"sm"ssa$ a# for the #"sso$ut"o of the restra""& or#er, a# oppos"t"o to the "ssuace
of the !r"t of pre$"m"ar% ",uct"o, cote#"& that the "c"#ets of p"cFet"& are !"th" the e/c$us"2e ,ur"s#"ct"o
of the Labor =rb"ter pursuat to Datas 'ambasa 22I (Labor .o#e, =rt"c$e 21I) a# ot to the .ourt of J"rst
4stace. The mot"o !as #e"e#. 0ece, the pet"t"o for cert"orar".
Iss&e: >hether costruct"o of the $a! "s re8u"re# to #eterm"e ,ur"s#"ct"o.
1el.: The 6rst a# fu#ameta$ #ut% of courts "s to app$% the $a!. .ostruct"o a# "terpretat"o come o$% after
"t has bee #emostrate# that app$"cat"o "s "mposs"b$e or "a#e8uate !"thout them.
Hur"s#"ct"o o2er the sub,ect matter " a ,u#"c"a$ procee#"& "s coferre# b% the so2ere"& author"t% !h"ch or&a"9es
the courtN a# "t "s &"2e o$% b% $a!. Hur"s#"ct"o "s e2er presume#N "t must be coferre# b% $a! " !or#s that #o
ot a#m"t of #oubt. S"ce the ,ur"s#"ct"o of courts a# ,u#"c"a$ tr"bua$s "s #er"2e# e/c$us"2e$% from the statutes of
the forum, the "ssue shou$# be reso$2e# o the bas"s of the $a! or statute " force. Therefore, s"ce (1) the or"&"a$
!or#"& of =rt"c$e 21I 2este# the $abor arb"ters !"th ,ur"s#"ct"oN s"ce (2) 'res"#et"a$ Becree 1691 re2erte# the
,ur"s#"ct"o !"th respect to moe% c$a"ms of !orFers or c$a"ms for #ama&es ar"s"& from emp$o%er-emp$o%ee
re$at"os to the $abor arb"ters after 'res"#et"a$ Becree 1<6I trasferre# such ,ur"s#"ct"o to the or#"ar% courts, a#
s"ce (<) Datas 'ambasa 1<0 ma#e o cha&e !"th respect to the or"&"a$ a# e/c$us"2e ,ur"s#"ct"o of Labor
=rb"ters !"th respect to moe% c$a"ms of !orFers or c$a"ms for #ama&es ar"s"& from emp$o%er-emp$o%ee re$at"osN
=rt"c$e 21I "s to be app$"e# the !a% "t "s !or#e#. The e/c$us"2e or"&"a$ ,ur"s#"ct"o of a $abor arb"ter "s there"
pro2"#e# for e/p$"c"t$%. 4t meas, "t ca o$% mea, that a court of 6rst "stace ,u#&e the, a re&"oa$ tr"a$ court
,u#&e o!, certa"$% acts be%o# the scope of the author"t% coferre# o h"m b% $a! !he he eterta"e# the su"t
for #ama&es, ar"s"& from p"cFet"& that accompa"e# a str"Fe.
The Supreme .ourt, thus, &rate# the !r"t of cert"orar", a# u$$"6e# a# set as"#e the 20 Hu$% 19;2 or#er "ssue# b%
the court a 8uo. 4t &rate# the !r"t of proh"b"t"o, a# e,o"e# the Hu#&e of sa"# court, or !hoe2er acts " h"s beha$f
" the RT. to !h"ch th"s case "s ass"&e#, from taF"& a% further act"o o the c"2"$ case (."2"$ .ase I16 O2I51P),
e/cept for the purpose of #"sm"ss"& "t. 4t a$so ma#e permaet the restra""& or#er "ssue# o 5 =u&ust 19;2.
Paat v. CA
GR 11110I, 10 Hauar% 199I (266 S.R= 16I)
Seco# B"2"s"o, Torres Hr. (p)K : cocurr"&
$acts: A 19 La% 19;9, Q"ctor"a #e Gu9ma1s trucF !as se"9e# b% Bepartmet of (2"romet a# Natura$
Resources persoe$ " =r"tao, Nue2a Q"9ca%a !h"$e o "ts !a%s to Du$aca from Sa Hose, Da&&ao, .a&a%a
because the #r"2er cou$# ot pro#uce the re8u"re# #ocumets for the forest pro#ucts fou# cocea$e# " the trucF.
A 2< La% 19;9, =r"tao .(NRA1s Ho2"to La%u&a "ssue# a or#er of co6scat"o of the trucF. 4ts o!er, Be
Gu9ma, fa"$e# to subm"t the re8u"re# e/p$aat"o !"th" the re&$emetar% per"o# set b% La%u&a. A 22 Hue
19;9, B(NR Re&"oa$ (/ecut"2e B"rector Ro&e$"o Da&&a%a susta"e# the =$"tao .(NRA1s act"o of co6scat"o a#
or#ere# the forfe"ture of the trucF "2oF"& Sect"o 6;-= of 'res"#et"a$ Becree I05, as ame#e# b% (/ecut"2e
Ar#er 2II. Be Gu9ma 6$e# for recos"#erat"o but !as #e"e#.
The case !as appea$e# to the Secretar% of B(NR. 'e#"& reso$ut"o, ho!e2er, a su"t for rep$e2" (."2"$ .ase :0<1),
!as 6$e# b% Be Gu9ma a# compa% a&a"st La%u&a a# Da&&a%a !"th the RT. .a&a%a (Drach 2),
cote#"& that the o$% the court "s author"9e# to co6scate a# forfe"t co2e%aces use# " the trasport"&
"$$e&a$ forest pro#ucts, pursuat to the seco# para&raph of Sect"o 6;. Be Gu9ma further cote#e# that the
se"9ure "s "$$e&a$, as she #"# ot use the trucF " the comm"ss"o of the cr"me (of 8ua$"6e# theft u#er =rt"c$e <09
a# <10 of the Re2"se# 'ea$ .o#e, pu"shab$e u#er Sect"o 6;), as a$$e&e#$% a#m"tte# b% the Re&"oa$ (/ecut"2e
B"rector, re$eas"& her from cr"m"a$ $"ab"$"t%. The tr"a$ court thereafter "ssue# a !r"t or#er"& the retur of the trucF
to Be Gu9ma. The pet"t"oers 6$e# a pet"t"o for cert"orar" !"th the .ourt of =ppea$s. The appe$$ate court
susta"e# the tr"a$ court1s or#er ru$"& that the 8uest"o "2o$2e# "s pure$% a $e&a$ oe. 0ece, the pet"t"o.
Iss&es:
>hether costruct"o a#m"ts that the author"t% to co6scate or to forfe"t co2e%aces be$o&s to the courts
>hether the trucF !as use# " the comm"ss"o of a oEese u#er Sect"o 6; of 'res"#et"a$ Becree I05, as
ame#e# b% (/ecut"2e Ar#er 2II
1el.: The costruct"o that co2e%aces are sub,ect of co6scat"o b% the courts e/c$us"2e$% (pursuat to Sect"o
2;, para&raph 2) u#u$% restr"cts the c$ear "tet"o of the $a! a# "e2"tab$% re#uces the other pro2"s"o of Sect"o
6;-=, as"#e to the fact that co2e%aces are ot met"oe# or "c$u#e# " the former pro2"s"o. 4 the costruct"o
of statutes, "t must be rea# " such a !a% as to &"2e eEect to the purpose pro,ecte# " the statute. Statutes shou$#
be costrue# " the $"&ht of the ob,ect to be ach"e2e# a# the e2"$ or m"sch"ef to be suppresse#, a# the% shou$# be
&"2e such costruct"o as !"$$ a#2ace the ob,ect, suppress the m"sch"ef, a# secure the bee6ts "te#e#. 4 the
case at bar, the phrase @to #"spose of the same3 "s broa# eou&h to co2er the act of forfe"t"& co2e%aces " fa2or
of the &o2ermet. The o$% $"m"tat"o "s that "t shou$# be ma#e @" accor#ace !"th pert"et $a!s, re&u$at"os or
po$"c"es o the matter.3
Jurther, !he the statute "s c$ear a# e/p$"c"t, there "s har#$% room for a% e/te#e# court rat"oc"at"o or
rat"oa$"9at"o of the $a!. The $a&ua&e of the ame#ator% e/ecut"2e or#er, !he "t e$"m"ate# the phrase @sha$$ be
&u"$t% of 8ua$"6e# theft as #e6e# a# pu"she# u#er =rt"c$es <09 a# <10 of the Re2"se# 'ea$ .o#e @ a#
"serte# the !or#s @ sha$$ be pu"she# !"th the pea$t"es "mpose# u#er =rt"c$e <09 a# <10 of the Re2"se# 'ea$
.o#e,3 meat that the act of cutt"&, &ather"&, co$$ect"&, remo2"&, or possess"& forest pro#ucts !"thout
author"t% cost"tutes a #"st"ct oEese "#epe#et o! from the cr"me of theft u#er =rt"c$es <09 a# <10 of the
Re2"se# 'ea$ .o#e, but the pea$t% to be "mpose# "s that pro2"#e# for u#er =rt"c$e <09 a# <10 of the Re2"se#
'ea$ .o#e.
The Supreme .ourt &rate# the pet"t"o, re2erse# a# set as"#e the 16 Actober #ec"s"o a# 1: Hu$% 1992
reso$ut"o of the .=, ma#e permaet the restra""& or#er promu$&ate# o 2I September 199<, a# #"recte# the
B(NR secretar% to reso$2e the cotro2ers% !"th utmost #"spatch.
People v. 2apa
GR L-22<01, <0 =u&ust 196I (20 S.R= 116:)
( Dac, Jera#o (p)K 9 cocur
$acts: Lar"o L. Lapa !as char&e# for "$$e&a$ possess"o of 6rearm a# ammu"t"o " a "format"o #ate# 1:
=u&ust 1962 " 2"o$at"o of Sect"o ;I; of the Re2"se =#m""strat"2e .o#e " coect"o !"th Sect"o 2692 of the
Re2"se# =#m""strat"2e .o#e, as ame#e# b% .= 56 a# as further ame#e# b% R= :. =ccuse# a#m"ts to possess"o
of 6rearm o &rou# of be"& a secret a&et of Go2eror Je$"c"ao Le2"ste of Data&as. A 2I No2ember 196<, the
$o!er court re#ere# a #ec"s"o co2"ct"& the accuse# of the cr"me a# setece# h"m to "mpr"somet for oe
%ear a# oe #a% to t!o %ears. =s the appea$ "2o$2es a 8uest"o of $a!, "t !as e$e2ate# to the Supreme .ourt.
Iss&e: >hether or ot a secret a&et #u$% appo"te# a# 8ua$"6e# as such of the &o2eror "s e/empt from the
re8u"remet of ha2"& a $"cese of 6rearm
1el.: The $a! "s e/p$"c"t that "t "s u$a!fu$ for a% perso to possess a% 6rearm, #etache# parts of 6rearms or
ammu"t"o therefor, or a% "strumet or "mp$emet use# or "te#e# to be use# " the maufacture of 6rearms,
parts of 6rearms, or ammu"t"o e/cept !he such 6rearms are " possess"o of such pub$"c o?c"a$s a# pub$"c
ser2ats for use " the performace of the"r o?c"a$ #ut"esN as those 6rearms a# ammu"t"os !h"ch are re&u$ar$%
a# $a!fu$$% "ssue# to o?cers, so$#"ers, sa"$ors or mar"es, the 'h"$"pp"es .ostabu$ar%, &uar#s " the emp$o%met
of the Dureau of 'r"sos, mu"c"pa$ po$"ce, pro2"c"a$ &o2erors, $"euteat &o2erors, pro2"c"a$ treasurers,
mu"c"pa$ treasurers, mu"c"pa$ ma%ors, a# &uar#s of pro2"c"a$ pr"soers a# ,a"$s. 4t "s the 6rst a# fu#ameta$
#ut% of courts to app$% the $a!N .ostruct"o a# "terpretat"o come o$% after "t has bee #emostrate# that
app$"cat"o "s "mposs"b$e or "a#e8uate !"thout them. The $a! caot be a% c$earer, there be"& o pro2"s"o
ma#e for a secret a&et.
Re$"ace " the #ec"s"o " 'eop$e 2. Lacara#a& "s m"sp$ace#, a# the case o $o&er speaFs !"th author"t% to the
e/tet that the preset #ec"s"o coR"cts !"th. 4t ma% be ote that " 'eop$e 2. Lacara#a&, a secret a&et !as
ac8u"tte# o appea$ o the assumpt"o that the appo"tmet of the accuse# as a secret a&et to ass"st " the
ma"teace of peace a# or#er campa"&s a# #etect"o of cr"mes su?c"et$% put h"m !"th" the cate&or% of a
-peace o?cer1 e8u"2a$et e2e to a member of the mu"c"pa$ po$"ce e/press$% co2ere# b% sect"o ;I9, Thus, " the
preset case, therefore, the co2"ct"o must sta#.
The Supreme .ourt a?rme# the appea$e# ,u#&met.

,aoan( v. 2&nicipal 3&.(e o+ San -icolas
GR L-<:56;, 2; Larch 19;; (159 S.R= <69)
Seco# B"2"s"o, 'a#"$$a (p)K : cocurr"&
$acts: A 2< Larch 19I1, spouses =tero a# =ma#a =&oo% 6$e# a pet"t"o !"th the Lu"c"pa$ .ourt of Sa
N"co$as, 4$ocos Norte seeF"& the a#opt"o of m"ors Su"r"o Do"$$a a# >"$so Larcos. 0o!e2er, m"ors Ro#er"cF
a# Romme$ Baoa&, ass"ste# b% the"r father a# &uar#"a a# $"tem, the pet"t"oers here" 6$e# a oppos"t"o to
the sa"# a#opt"o. The% cote#e# that the spouses =tero a# =ma#a =&oo% ha# a $e&"t"mate #au&hter ame#
(stre$$a =&oo%, oppos"tors mother, !ho #"e# o 1 Larch 19I1, a# therefore sa"# spouses !ere #"s8ua$"6e# to
a#opt u#er =rt"c$e <<5 of the ."2"$ .o#e, !h"ch pro2"#es that those !ho ha2e $e&"t"mate, $e&"t"mate#,
acFo!$e#&e# atura$ ch"$#re or ch"$#re b% $e&a$ 6ct"o caot a#opt.
Iss&e: >hether the spouses =tero =&oo% a# =ma#a Ramos are #"s8ua$"6e# to a#opt u#er para&raph 1 of
=rt"c$e <<5 of the ."2"$ .o#e.
1el.: The !or#s use# " para&raph (1) of =rt"c$e <<5 of the ."2"$ .o#e, " eumerat"& the persos !ho caot
a#opt, are c$ear a# uamb"&uous. >he the Ne! ."2"$ .o#e !as a#opte#, "t cha&e# the !or# @#esce#at,3
fou# " the Spa"sh ."2"$ .o#e to !h"ch the Ne! ."2"$ .o#e !as pattere#, to @ch"$#re.3 The ch"$#re thus
met"oe# ha2e a c$ear$% #e6e# mea"& " $a! a# #o ot "c$u#e &ra#ch"$#re. >e$$ Fo! "s the ru$e of
statutor% costruct"o to the eEect that a statute c$ear a# uamb"&uous o "ts face ee# ot be "terprete#. The
ru$e "s that o$% statutes !"th a amb"&uous or #oubtfu$ mea"& ma% be the sub,ects of statutor% costruct"o. 4
the preset case, Ro#er"cF a# Romme$ Baoa&, the &ra#ch"$#re of =tero =&oo% a# =ma#a Ramos-=&oo%,
caot assa"$ the a#opt"o of Su"r"o Do"$$a a# >"$so Larcos b% the =&oo%s.
The Supreme .ourt #e"e# the pet"t"o, a# a?rme# the ,u#&met of the Lu"c"pa$ .ourt of Sa N"co$as, 4$ocos
Norte (Spec"a$ 'rocee#"&s <I), !thout prooucemet as to costs.
Paras v. Coelec (Resol&tion)
GR 12<169, : No2ember 1996 (26: S.R= :9)
( Dac, Jrac"sco (p)K 1: cocurr"&
$acts: Ba"$o (. 'aras "s the "cumbet 'uo& Dara&a% of 'u$a, .abaatua ."t% !ho !o #ur"& the 199:
bara&a% e$ect"o. = pet"t"o for h"s reca$$ as 'uo& Dara&a% !as 6$e# b% the re&"stere# 2oters of the bara&a%,
!h"ch !as appro2e# b% the .ome$ec. 'et"t"o s"&"& !as sche#u$e# o 1: Actober 1995, !here at $east 29.<0T of
the re&"stere# 2oters s"&e# the pet"t"o, !e$$ abo2e the 25T re8u"remet pro2"#e# b% $a!. The .ome$ec a$so set
the reca$$ e$ect"o o 1< No2ember 1995, but !h"ch !as #eferre# to 16 Becember 1995 #ue to the pet"t"oer1s
oppos"t"o. To pre2et the ho$#"& of the reca$$ e$ect"o, pet"t"oer 6$e# before the RT. .abaatua ."t% a pet"t"o
for ",uct"o (Spec"a$ 'rocee#"& ."2"$ =ct"o 225:-=J), !"th the tr"a$ court "ssu"& a restra""& or#er. =fter
co#uct"& a summar% hear"&, the tr"a$ court $"fte# the restra""& or#er, #"sm"sse# the pet"t"o a# re8u"re#
pet"t"oer a# h"s couse$ to e/p$a" !h% the% shou$# ot be c"te# for cotempt for m"srepreset"& that the
bara&a% reca$$ e$ect"o !as !"thout .ome$ec appro2a$.
4 a reso$ut"o #ate# 5 Hauar% 1996, the .ome$ec, for the th"r# t"me, re-sche#u$e# the reca$$ e$ect"o o 1< Hauar%
1996N hece, the "stat pet"t"o for cert"orar" !"th ur&et pra%er for ",uct"o. The pet"t"oer cote#s that o
reca$$ ca taFe p$ace !"th" oe %ear prece#"& a re&u$ar $oca$ e$ect"o, the Sa&&u"a& Uabataa e$ect"os s$ate#
o the 6rst Lo#a% of La% 1996. 0e c"te# =ssoc"ate# Labor V"o 2. Letro#o-Lote,o to support the ar&umet,
the .ourt " !h"ch case cos"#ere# the SU e$ect"o as a re&u$ar $oca$ e$ect"o.
Iss&e: >hether the Sa&&u"a& Uabataa e$ect"o "s to be costrue# as a re&u$ar $oca$ e$ect"o " a reca$$
procee#"&
1el.: 4t "s a ru$e " statutor% costruct"o that e2er% part of the statute must be "terprete# !"th referece to the
cote/t, ".e., that e2er% part of the statute must be cos"#ere# to&ether !"th the other parts, a# Fept subser2"et
to the &eera$ "tet of the !ho$e eactmet. Jurther, the sp"r"t, rather tha the $etter of a $a! #eterm"es "ts
costruct"oN hece, a statute must be rea# accor#"& to "ts sp"r"t a# "tet. The too $"tera$ "terpretat"o of the
$a! $ea#s to absur#"t% !h"ch the .ourt caot couteace. = too-$"tera$ rea#"& of the $a! costr"ct rather tha
fu$6$$ "ts purpose a# #efeat the "tet"o of "ts authors. That "tet"o "s usua$$% fou# ot " @the $etter that F"$$eth
but " the sp"r"t that 2"2"6eth3. 4 the preset case, 'ara&raph (b) of Sect"o I: costrue# to&ether !"th para&raph
(a) mere$% #es"&ates the per"o# !he such e$ect"2e $oca$ o?c"a$ ma% be sub,ect of a reca$$ e$ect"o. The
Sa&&u"a& Uabataa e$ect"os caot be cos"#ere# a re&u$ar e$ect"o, as th"s !ou$# re#er "ut"$e the reca$$
pro2"s"o of the Loca$ Go2ermet .o#e. 4t !ou$# be more " Feep"& !"th the "tet of the reca$$ pro2"s"o of the
.o#e to costrue re&u$ar $oca$ e$ect"o as oe referr"& to a e$ect"o !here the o?ce he$# b% the $oca$ e$ect"2e
o?c"a$ sou&ht to be reca$$e# !"$$ be coteste# a# be 6$$e# b% the e$ectorate.
The Supreme .ourt, ho!e2er, has to #"sm"ss the pet"t"o for ha2"& become moot a# aca#em"c, as the e/t
re&u$ar e$ect"os "2o$2"& the bara&a% o?ce cocere# !ere se2e moths a!a%. Thus, the Temporar%
Restra""& Ar#er "ssue# o 12 Hauar% 1996, e,o""& the reca$$ e$ect"o, !as ma#e permaet.

$loresca v. Philex 2inin(
GR L-<06:2., <0 =pr"$ 19;5 (1<6 S.R= 1:2)
( Dac, LaFas"ar (p)K I cocurr"&, 1 o $ea2e, 2 tooF o part, others #"sset"&
$acts: Se2era$ m"ers !ere F"$$e# " a ca2e-" at oe of 'h"$e/ L""& .orporat"os1 m"e s"tes. The he"rs of the
m"ers !ere ab$e to reco2er u#er the >orFma1s .ompesat"o =ct (>.=). Thereafter, a spec"a$ comm"ttee report
"#"cate# that the compa% fa"$e# to pro2"#e the m"ers !"th a#e8uate safet% protect"o. The he"rs #ec"#e# to 6$e
a comp$a"t for #ama&es before the .ourt of J"rst 4stace (.J4) of La"$a. 'h"$e/ 6$e# a Lot"o to B"sm"ss o the
&rou# that the act"o !as base# o a "#ustr"a$ acc"#et !h"ch "s co2ere# u#er the >.= a#, therefore, the .J4
has o ,ur"s#"ct"o o2er the case. 'h"$e/ ar&ues that the !orF coecte# ",ur"es are compesab$e e/c$us"2e$% u#er
Sect"os 5 a# :6 of the >.=N a# that the >.= co2ers !orF-coecte# acc"#ets e2e "f the emp$o%er !as
e&$"&et as the >.= u#er Sect"o :-= "mposes a 50T a##"t"oa$ compesat"o " the e2et that the emp$o%er "s
e&$"&et. The he"rs, ho!e2er, cote# that the .J4 has ,ur"s#"ct"o, as the"r comp$a"t "s ot base# o the >.= but
o the ."2"$ .o#e pro2"s"os o #ama&es ar"s"& out of e&$"&ece. The .J4 #"sm"sse# the comp$a"t for $acF of
,ur"s#"ct"o. The he"rs 8uest"oe# the #"sm"ssa$ before the Supreme .ourt.
=m"c" cur"ae subm"tte# the"r respect"2e memora#a, pursuat to the reso$ut"o of 26 No2ember 19I6, "2o$2"& the
"ssue !hether the act"o of a ",ure# emp$o%ee or !orFer or that of h"s he"rs " case of h"s #eath u#er the
>orFme1s .ompesat"o =ct "s e/c$us"2e, se$ect"2e or cumu$at"2eN ".e. (1K (/c$us"2e) !hether a ",ure# emp$o%ee
or h"s he"rs1 act"o "s e/c$us"2e$% restr"cte# to seeF"& the $"m"te# compesat"o pro2"#e# u#er the >orFme1s
.ompesat"o =ct, (2K Se$ect"2e) !hether a ",ure# emp$o%ee or h"s he"rs ha2e a r"&ht of se$ect"o or cho"ce of
act"o bet!ee a2a"$"& of the !orFer1s r"&ht u#er the >orFme1s .ompesat"o =ct a# su"& " the re&u$ar
courts u#er the ."2"$ .o#e for h"&her #ama&es (actua$, mora$ a#7or e/emp$ar%) from the emp$o%er b% 2"rtue of
e&$"&ece (or fau$t) of the emp$o%er or of h"s other emp$o%ees, or (<K .umu$at"2e) !hether a ",ure# emp$o%ee or
h"s he"rs ma% a2a"$ cumu$at"2e$% of both act"os, ".e., co$$ect the $"m"te# compesat"o u#er the >orFme1s
.ompesat"o =ct a# sue " a##"t"o for #ama&es " the re&u$ar courts. The op""os of the am"c" cur"ae are
#"2erse.
The .ourt " th"s same #ec"s"o a&ree# !"th the ar&umet that the act"o "s se$ect"2e, ".e. that the ",ure# !orFer or
h"s he"rs ha2e the cho"ce of reme#"es, but that the% caot pursue both courses of act"o s"mu$taeous$% a#
ba$ace the re$at"2e a#2ata&e of recourse u#er the >orFme1s .ompesat"o =ct as a&a"st a or#"ar% act"o.
4t further he$# that the pet"t"oers !ho ha# rece"2e# the bee6ts u#er the >orFme1s .ompesat"o =ct, such
ma% ot prec$u#e them from br"&"& a act"o before the re&u$ar court, as the cho"ce of the 6rst reme#% !as
base# o "&orace or a m"staFe of fact, !h"ch u$$"6es the cho"ce as "t !as ot a "te$$"&et cho"ce, but that upo
the success of such b"#s before the $o!er court, the pa%mets ma#e u#er the >orFme1s .ompesat"o =ct
shou$# be #e#ucte# from the #ama&es that ma% be #ecree# " the"r fa2or.
Iss&e: >hether the Supreme .ourt, " #eterm""& the act"o to be se$ect"2e, "s &u"$t% of ,u#"c"a$ $e&"s$at"o.
1el.: The .ourt, throu&h "ts ma,or"t%, #efe#e# "tse$f b% ho$#"& that the .ourt #oes ot $e&"s$ate but mere$%
app$"es a# &"2es eEect to the cost"tut"oa$ &uaratees of soc"a$ ,ust"ce the secure# b% Sect"o 5 of =rt"c$e 44 a#
Sect"o 6 of =rt"c$e W4Q of the 19<5 .ost"tut"o, a# $ater b% Sect"os 6, I, a# 9 of =rt"c$e 44 of the Bec$arat"o of
'r"c"p$es a# State 'o$"c"es of the 19I< .ost"tut"o, as ame#e#, a# as "mp$emete# b% =rt"c$es 21I6, 21II,
21I;, 11I<, 2201, 2216, 22<1 a# 22<2 of the Ne! ."2"$ .o#e of 1950. Jurther, "t re"terate# "ts ru$"& " 'eop$e 2s.
L"ceraK that ,u#"c"a$ #ec"s"os of the Supreme .ourt assume the same author"t% as the statute "tse$f, pursuat to
=rt"c$e ; of the ."2"$ .o#e of the 'h"$"pp"es !h"ch #ecrees that ,u#"c"a$ #ec"s"os app$%"& or "terpret"& the $a!s
or the .ost"tut"o form part of th"s ,ur"s#"ct"o1s $e&a$ s%stem. 4t ar&ues that the app$"cat"o or "terpretat"o
p$ace# b% the .ourt upo a $a! "s part of the $a! as of the #ate of the eactmet of the sa"# $a! s"ce the .ourt1s
app$"cat"o or "terpretat"o mere$% estab$"shes the cotemporaeous $e&"s$at"2e "tet that the costrue# $a!
purports to carr% "to eEect. Cet, the .ourt ar&ues that the .ourt ca $e&"s$ate, pursuat to =rt"c$e 9 of the Ne! ."2"$
.o#e, !h"ch pro2"#es that @No ,u#&e or court sha$$ #ec$"e to re#er ,u#&met b% reaso of the s"$ece, obscur"t% or
"su?c"ec% of the $a!s.3 Thus, e2e the $e&"s$ator h"mse$f reco&"9es that " certa" "staces, the court @#o a#
must $e&"s$ate3 to 6$$ " the &aps " the $a!N because the m"# of the $e&"s$ator, $"Fe a$$ huma be"&s, "s 6"te a#
therefore caot e2"sa&e a$$ poss"b$e cases to !h"ch the $a! ma% app$%.
Rep&0lic v. CA an. 2olina
"R 10;I6<, 1< Jebruar% 199I
( Dac, 'a&a"ba (p)K ; cocur, < cocur " resu$t
$acts: Ror"#e$ A$a2"ao !as marr"e# to Re%a$#o Lo$"a o 1: =pr"$ 19;5 " La"$a, a# &a2e b"rth to a so a %ear
after. Re%a$#o sho!e# s"&s of @"mmatur"t% a# "rrespos"b"$"t%3 o the ear$% sta&es of the marr"a&e, obser2e#
from h"s te#ec% to spe# t"me !"th h"s fr"e#s a# s8ua#er"& h"s moe% !"th them, from h"s #epe#ec% from
h"s parets, a# h"s #"shoest% o matters "2o$2"& h"s 6aces. Re%a$#o !as re$"e2e# of h"s ,ob " 19;6, Ror"#e$
became the so$e brea#!"er thereafter. 4 Larch 19;I, Ror"#e$ res"&e# from her ,ob " La"$a a# procee#e# to
Da&u"o ."t%. Re%a$#o $eft her a# the"r ch"$# a !eeF $ater. The coup$e are separate#-"-fact for more tha three
%ears.
A 16 =u&ust 1990, Ror"#e$ 6$e# a 2er"6e# pet"t"o for #ec$arat"o of u$$"t% of her marr"a&e to Re%a$#o Lo$"a.
(2"#ece for Ror"#e$ cos"ste# of her o! test"mo%, that of t!o of her fr"e#s, a soc"a$ !orFer, a# a ps%ch"atr"st of
the Da&u"o Geera$ 0osp"ta$ a# Le#"ca$ .eter. Re%a$#o #"# ot preset a% e2"#ece as he appeare# o$% #ur"&
the pre-tr"a$ coferece. A 1: La% 1991, the tr"a$ court re#ere# ,u#&met #ec$ar"& the marr"a&e 2o"#. The
So$"c"tor Geera$ appea$e# to the .ourt of =ppea$s. The .ourt of =ppea$s #e"e# the appea$s a# a?rme# " toto
the RT.1s #ec"s"o. 0ece, the preset recourse.
Iss&e: >hether oppos"& or coR"ct"& persoa$"t"es shou$# be costrue# as ps%cho$o&"ca$ "capac"t%
1el.: The .ourt of =ppea$s erre# " "ts op""o the ."2"$ .o#e Re2"s"o .omm"ttee "te#e# to $"bera$"9e the
app$"cat"o of 'h"$"pp"e c"2"$ $a!s o persoa$ a# fam"$% r"&hts, a# ho$#"& ps%cho$o&"ca$ "capac"t% as a broa#
ra&e of meta$ a# beha2"ora$ co#uct o the part of oe spouse "#"cat"2e of ho! he or she re&ar#s the mar"ta$
u"o, h"s or her persoa$ re$at"osh"p !"th the other spouse, as !e$$ as h"s or her co#uct " the $o& hau$ for the
atta"met of the pr"c"pa$ ob,ect"2es of marr"a&eN !here sa"# co#uct, obser2e# a# cos"#ere# as a !ho$e, te#s
to cause the u"o to se$f-#estruct because "t #efeats the 2er% ob,ect"2es of marr"a&e, !arrats the #"sso$ut"o of
the marr"a&e.
The .ourt re"terate# "ts ru$"& " Satos 2. .ourt of =ppea$s, !here ps%cho$o&"ca$ "capac"t% shou$# refer to o $ess
tha a meta$ (ot ph%s"ca$) "capac"t%, e/"st"& at the t"me the marr"a&e "s ce$ebrate#, a# that there "s har#$% a%
#oubt that the "te#met of the $a! has bee to co6e the mea"& of -ps%cho$o&"ca$ "capac"t%1 to the most
ser"ous cases of persoa$"t% #"sor#ers c$ear$% #emostrat"2e of a utter "ses"t"2"t% or "ab"$"t% to &"2e mea"& a#
s"&"6cace to the marr"a&e. 's%cho$o&"ca$ "capac"t% must be character"9e# b% &ra2"t%, ,ur"#"ca$ atece#ece, a#
"curab"$"t%. 4 the preset case, there "s o c$ear sho!"& to us that the ps%cho$o&"ca$ #efect spoFe of "s a
"capac"t%N but appears to be more of a @#"?cu$t%,3 "f ot outr"&ht @refusa$3 or @e&$ect3 " the performace of some
mar"ta$ ob$"&at"os. Lere sho!"& of @"rrecoc"$ab$e #"Eereces3 a# @coR"ct"& persoa$"t"es3 " o !"se
cost"tutes ps%cho$o&"ca$ "capac"t%.
The .ourt, " th"s case, promu$&ate# the &u"#e$"es " the "terpretat"o a# app$"cat"o of =rt"c$e <6 of the Jam"$%
.o#e, remo2"& a% 2"sa&es of "t be"& the most $"bera$ #"2orce proce#ure " the !or$#K (1) The bur#e of proof
be$o&s to the p$a"t"EN (2) the root cause of ps%cho$o&"ca$ "capac"t% must be me#"ca$$% or c$""ca$$% "#et"6e#,
a$$e&e# " the comp$a"t, su?c"et$% pro2e b% e/pert, a# c$ear$% e/p$a"e# " the #ec"s"oN (<) The "capac"t%
must be pro2e e/"st"& at the t"me of the ce$ebrat"o of marr"a&eN (:) the "capac"t% must be c$""ca$$% or me#"ca$$%
permaet or "curab$eN (5) such "$$ess must be &ra2e eou&hN (6) the esset"a$ mar"ta$ ob$"&at"o must be
embrace# b% =rt"c$es 6; to I1 of the Jam"$% .o#e as re&ar#s husba# a# !"fe, a# =rt"c$es 220 to 225 of the same
co#e as re&ar#s parets a# the"r ch"$#reN (I) "terpretat"o ma#e b% the Nat"oa$ =ppe$$ate Latr"mo"a$ Tr"bua$
of the .atho$"c .hurch, a# (;) the tr"a$ must or#er the 6sca$ a# the So$"c"tor-Geera$ to appea$ as couse$s for the
State.
The Supreme .ourt &rate# the pet"t"o, a# re2erse# a# set as"#e the assa"$e# #ec"s"oN coc$u#"& that the
marr"a&e of Ror"#e$ A$a2"ao to Re%a$#o Lo$"a subs"sts a# rema"s 2a$"#.
Aisporna v. CA
GR L-<9:19, 12 =pr"$ 19;2 (11< S.R= :59)
J"rst B"2"s"o, #e .astro (p)K 5 cocur, 1 tooF o part
$acts: S"ce I Larch a# o 21 Hue 1969, a 'ersoa$ =cc"#et 'o$"c% !as "ssue# b% 'er$a .ompa"a #e Se&uros,
throu&h "ts author"9e# a&et Ro#o$fo ="spora, for a per"o# of 12 moths !"th the bee6c"ar% #es"&ate# as =a L.
4s"#ro. The "sure# #"e# b% 2"o$ece #ur"& $"fet"me of po$"c%. Lapa$a# ="spora part"c"pate# act"2e$% !"th the
aforemet"oe# po$"c%.
Jor reaso ue/p$a"e#, a "format"o !as 6$e# a&a"st Lapa$a# ="spora, Ro#o$fo1s !"fe, !"th the ."t% .ourt of
.abaatua for 2"o$at"o of Sect"o 1;9 of the 4surace =ct o 21 No2ember 19I0, or act"& as a a&et " the
so$"c"t"& "surace !"thout secur"& the cert"6cate of author"t% from the o?ce of the 4surace .omm"ss"oer.
Lapa$a# cote#s that be"& the !"fe of true a&et, Ro#o$fo, she atura$$% he$pe# h"m " h"s !orF, as c$erF, a#
that po$"c% !as mere$% a ree!a$ a# !as "ssue# because 4s"#ro ha# ca$$e# b% te$ephoe to ree!, a# at that t"me,
her husba#, Ro#o$fo, !as abset a# so she $eft a ote o top of her husba#1s #esF to ree!. A 2 =u&ust 19I1,
the tr"a$ court fou# Lapa$a# &u"$t% a# setece# here to pa% a 6e of '500.00 !"th subs"#"ar% "mpr"somet "
case of "so$2ec% a# to pa% the costs. A appea$ a# o 1: =u&ust 19I:, the tr"a$ court1s #ec"s"o !as a?rme#
b% the appe$$ate court (.=-GR 1<2:<-.R). 0ece, the preset recourse !as 6$e# o 22 Actober 19I:. A 20
Becember 19I:, the A?ce of the So$"c"tor Geera$, represet"& the .ourt of =ppea$s, subm"tte# that ="spora ma%
ot be cos"#ere# as ha2"& 2"o$ate# Sect"o 1;9 of the 4surace =ct.
Iss&e: >hether Lapa$a# ="spora "s a "surace a&et !"th" the scope or "tet of the 4surace =ct
1el.: Le&"s$at"2e "tet must be ascerta"e# from a cos"#erat"o of the statute as a !ho$e. The part"cu$ar !or#s,
c$auses a# phrases shou$# ot be stu#"e# as #etache# a# "so$ate# e/press"os, but the !ho$e a# e2er% part of
the statute must be cos"#ere# " 6/"& the mea"& of a% of "ts parts a# " or#er to pro#uce harmo"ous !ho$e.
4 the preset case, the 6rst para&raph of Sect"o 1;9 proh"b"ts a perso from act"& as a&et, suba&et or broFer
" the so$"c"tat"o or procuremet of app$"cat"os for "surace !"thout 6rst procur"& a cert"6cate of author"t% so to
act from the 4surace .omm"ss"oerN !h"$e the seco# para&raph #e6es !ho "s a "surace a&et !"th" the
"tet of the sect"oN !h"$e the th"r# para&raph prescr"bes the pea$t% to be "mpose# for "ts 2"o$at"o. The appe$$ate
court1s ru$"& that the pet"t"oer "s prosecute# ot u#er the seco# para&raph of Sect"o 1;9 but u#er "ts 6rst
para&raph "s a re2ers"b$e error, as the #e6"t"o of "surace a&et " para&raph 2 app$"es to the para&raph 1 a# 2
of Sect"o 1;9, !h"ch "s @a% perso !ho for compesat"o sha$$ be a "surace a&et !"th" the "tet of th"s
sect"o.3 >"thout proof of compesat"o, #"rect$% or "#"rect$%, rece"2e# from the "surace po$"c% or cotract,
Lapa$a# ="spora ma% ot be he$# to ha2e 2"o$ate# Sect"o 1;9 of the 4surace =ct.
The Supreme .ourt re2erse# the appea$e# ,u#&met a# ac8u"tte# the accuse# of the cr"me char&e#, !"th costs #e
o6c"o.

China 4an5 v. Orte(a (3)
GR L-<:96:, <1 Hauar% 19I< (:9 S.R= <55)
Seco# B"2"s"o, LaFa$"ta$ (p)K I cocur, 2 tooF o part
$acts: A 1I Becember 196;, Q"cete =caba 6$e# a comp$a"t a&a"st D X D Jorest Be2e$opmet .orporat"o a#
Lar"ao Daut"sta for the co$$ect"o of sum of moe%. The tr"a$ court #ec$are# the #efe#ats " #efau$t for fa"$ure to
as!er !"th" the re&$emetar% per"o#, a# re#ere# "ts #ec"s"o o 20 Hauar% 19I0.
To sat"sf% the ,u#&met, =caba sou&ht the &ar"shmet of the baF #epos"t of D X D Jorest Be2e$opmet
.orporat"o !"th the .h"a DaF. 0o!e2er, Ta U"m L"o&, the baF1s cash"er, #"sa$$o!e# the same "2oF"& the
pro2"s"os of Repub$"c =ct 1:05, !h"ch proh"b"t the #"sc$osure of a% "format"o re$at"2e to baF #epos"ts. A :
Larch 19I2, Ta U"m L"o !as or#ere# to "form the .ourt "f there "s a #epos"t b% D X D Jorest Be2e$opmet " the
.h"a DaF, a# "f there "s, to ho$# the same "tact a# ot a$$o! a% !"th#ra!a$ ut"$ further or#er from the .ourt.
Ta U"m L"o& mo2e# to recos"#er but !as ture# #o!. 4 the same or#er he !as #"recte# to comp$% !"th the
or#er of the .ourt, other!"se h"s arrest a# co6emet !"$$ be or#ere#. Res"st"& the 2 or#ers, the .h"a DaF
a# Ta U"m L"o& "st"tute# the pet"t"o. 'et"t"oers ar&ue that the #"sc$osure of the "format"o re8u"re# b% the
court #oes ot fa$$ !"th" a% of the four (:) e/cept"os eumerate# " Sect"o 2 (O1P upo !r"tte perm"ss"o of the
#epos"tor, O2P or " cases of "mpeachmet, O<P or upo or#er of a competet court " cases of br"ber% or #ere$"ct"o
of #ut% of pub$"c o?c"a$s, O:P or " cases !here the moe% #epos"te# or "2este# "s the sub,ect matter of the
$"t"&at"o), a# that "f the 8uest"oe# or#ers are comp$"e# !"th Ta U"m L"o& ma% be cr"m"a$$% $"ab$e u#er Sect"o
5 a# the baF e/pose# to a poss"b$e #ama&e su"t b% D X D Jorest Be2e$opmet .orporat"o. Spec"6ca$$% referr"&
to the case, the pos"t"o of the pet"t"oers "s that baF #epos"t of ,u#&met #ebtor D a# D Jorest Be2e$opmet
.orporat"o caot be sub,ect to &ar"shmet to sat"sf% a 6a$ ,u#&met a&a"st "t " 2"e! of the aforemet"oe#
pro2"s"os of $a!.
Iss&e: >hether or ot a baF"& "st"tut"o ma% 2a$"#$% refuse to comp$% !"th a court process &ar"sh"& the baF
#epos"t of a ,u#&met #ebtor, b% "2oF"& the pro2"s"os of Repub$"c =ct 1:05.
1el.: Jrom the #"scuss"o of the coferece comm"ttee report of the t!o houses of .o&ress that the proh"b"t"o
a&a"st e/am"at"o of or "8u"r% "to a baF #epos"t u#er Repub$"c =ct 1:05 #oes ot prec$u#e "ts be"&
&ar"she# to "sure sat"sfact"o of a ,u#&met. 4#ee#, there "s o rea$ "8u"r% " such a case, a# "f the e/"stece
of the #epos"t "s #"sc$ose#, the #"sc$osure "s pure$% "c"#eta$ to the e/ecut"o process. 4mportat$%, "t !as ot the
"tet"o of the $a!maFers to p$ace baF #epos"ts be%o# the reach of e/ecut"o to sat"sf% a ,u#&met. 4 the
preset case, the $o!er court #"# ot or#er a e/am"at"o of or "8u"r% "to the #epos"t of D X D Jorest
Be2e$opmet .orporat"o, as cotemp$ate# " the $a!. 4t mere$% re8u"re# Ta U"m L"o& to "form the court !hether
D X D Jorest Be2e$opmet .orporat"o ha# a #epos"t " the .h"a DaF"& .orporat"o o$% for purposes of the
&ar"shmet "ssue# b% "t, so that the baF !ou$# ho$# the same "tact a# ot a$$o! a% !"th#ra!a$ ut"$ further
or#er.
The Supreme .ourt a?rme# the or#ers of the $o!er court #ate# : a# 2I Larch 19I2, !"th costs a&a"st the
pet"t"oers.
4oar. o+ A.inistrators o+ the P6A v. 4a&tista
GR L-<I;6I, 22 Jebruar% 19;2 (112 SR.= 59)
J"rst B"2"s"o, Guerrero (p)K 5 cocurr"&
$acts: .a$"/to Gas"$ao !as a 2etera " &oo# sta#"& #ur"& the $ast >or$# >ar that tooF act"2e part"c"pat"o "
the $"berat"o #r"2e a&a"st the eem%, a# #ue to h"s m"$"tar% ser2"ce, he !as re#ere# #"sab$e#. The 'h"$"pp"e
Qeteras =#m""strat"o, former$% the 'h"$"pp"e Qeteras Doar#, (o! 'h"$"pp"e Qeteras =Ea"rs A?ce) "s a
a&ec% of the Go2ermet char&e# !"th the a#m""strat"o of #"Eeret $a!s &"2"& 2ar"ous bee6ts " fa2or of
2eteras a# the"r orphas7or !"#o!s a# parets. A Hu$% 2<, 1955, Gas"$ao 6$e# a c$a"m for #"sab"$"t% pes"o
u#er Sect"o 9 of Repub$"c =ct 65, !"th the 'h"$"pp"e Qeteras Doar#, a$$e&"& that he !as suEer"& from
'u$moar% Tubercu$os"s ('TD), !h"ch he "curre# " $"e of #ut%. Bue to Gas"$ao1s fa"$ure to comp$ete h"s support"&
papers a# subm"t e2"#ece to estab$"sh h"s ser2"ce-coecte# "$$ess, h"s c$a"m !as #"sappro2e# b% the Doar# o
1; Becember 1955. A ; =u&ust 196;, Gas"$ao !as ab$e to comp$ete h"s support"& papers a#, after #ue
"2est"&at"o a# process"&, the Doar# of =#m""strators fou# out that h"s #"sab"$"t% !as 100T thus he !as
a!ar#e# the fu$$ bee6ts of sect"o 9 of Repub$"c =ct 65.
Later o, Repub$"c =ct 5I5< !as appro2e# o 22 Hue 1969, pro2"#"& for a "crease " the bas"c pes"o a#
a##"t"oa$ pes"o for the !"fe a# each of the umarr"e# m"or ch"$#re. Gas"$ao1s moth$% pes"o !as, ho!e2er,
"crease# o$% o 15 Hauar% 19I1, a# b% 25T of the "creases pro2"#e# b% $a!, #ue to the fact that "t !as o$% o
sa"# #ate that fu#s !ere re$ease# for the purpose, a# the amout so re$ease# !as o$% su?c"et to pa% o$% 25T
of the "crease. A 15 Hauar% 19I2, more fu#s !ere re$ease# to "mp$emet fu$$% Repub$"c =ct 5I5< a# a$$o!
pa%met " fu$$ of the bee6ts thereu#er from sa"# #ate.
4 19I<, Gas"$ao 6$e# a act"o a&a"st the Doar# to reco2er the pes"o, !h"ch he c$a"ms he "s et"t$e# to, from Hu$%
1955, !he he 6rst 6$e# h"s app$"cat"o for pes"o, up to 196; !he h"s pes"o !as 6a$$% appro2e#. The Doar#
cote#s, ho!e2er, base# o Sect"o 15 of Repub$"c =ct 65, that s"ce the sect"o "mp$"e#$% re8u"res that the
app$"cat"o 6$e# shou$# 6rst be appro2e# b% the Doar# of =#m""strators before the c$a"mat cou$# rece"2e h"s
pes"o, therefore, a a!ar# of pes"o bee6ts shou$# commece from the #ate of appro2a$ of the app$"cat"o.
Iss&e: >hether Gas"$ao "s et"t$e# to the pes"o from 1955 "stea# of from 196;.
1el.: =s "t "s &eera$$% Fo!, the purpose of .o&ress " &rat"& 2etera pes"os "s to compesate a c$ass of
me !ho suEere# " the ser2"ce for the har#sh"ps the% e#ure# a# the #a&ers the% ecoutere#, a# more
part"cu$ar$%, those !ho ha2e become "capac"tate# for !orF o!"& to s"cFess, #"sease or ",ur"es susta"e# !h"$e "
$"e of #ut%. = 2etera pes"o $a! "s, therefore, a &o2ermeta$ e/press"o of &rat"tu#e to a# reco&"t"o of those
!ho re#ere# ser2"ce for the coutr%, espec"a$$% #ur"& t"mes of !ar or re2o$ut"o, b% e/te#"& to them re&u$ar
moetar% a"#. Jor th"s reaso, "t "s the &eera$ ru$e that a $"bera$ costruct"o "s &"2e to pes"o statutes " fa2or of
those et"t$e# to pes"o. .ourts te# to fa2or the pes"oer, but such costruct"oa$ preferece "s to be
cos"#ere# !"th other &u"#es to "terpretat"o, a# a costruct"o of pes"o $a!s must #epe# o "ts o!
part"cu$ar $a&ua&e. 4 the preset case, Repub$"c =ct 65 "s a 2etera pes"o $a! !h"ch must be accor#e# a $"bera$
costruct"o a# "terpretat"o " or#er to fa2or those et"t$e# to r"&hts, pr"2"$e&es, a# bee6ts &rate#
thereu#er, amo& !h"ch are the r"&ht to resume o$# pos"t"os " &o2ermet, e#ucat"oa$ bee6ts, the pr"2"$e&e to
taFe promot"o e/am"at"os, a $"fe pes"o for the "capac"te#, pes"o for !"#o! a# ch"$#re, a# hosp"ta$"9at"o
a# me#"ca$ bee6ts. Vpho$#"& the Doar# that the pes"o a!ar#s are ma#e eEect"2e o$% upo appro2a$ of the
app$"cat"o, th"s !ou$# be #epe#et upo the #"scret"o of the Doar# !h"ch ha# bee abuse# " th"s case throu&h
"act"o e/te#"& for 12 %ears. Such sta#, therefore #oes ot appear to be, or s"mp$% "s ot, " cosoace !"th
the sp"r"t a# "tet of the $a!. Gas"$ao1s c$a"m !as susta"e#.
The Supreme .ourt mo#"6e# the ,u#&met of the court a 8uo, or#er"& the Doar# of =#m""strators of the 'h"$"pp"e
Qeteras =#m""strat"o (o! the 'h"$"pp"e Qeteras =Ea"rs A?ce) to maFe Gas"$ao1s pes"o eEect"2e 1;
Becember 1955 at the rate of '50.00 per moth p$us '10.00 per moth for each of h"s the umarr"e# m"or
ch"$#re be$o! 1;, a# the former amout "crease# to '100.00 from 22 Hue 195I to I =u&ust 196;N a# #ec$ar"&
the #"Eeret"a$s " pes"o to !h"ch sa"# Gas"$ao, h"s !"fe a# h"s umarr"e# m"or ch"$#re be$o! 1; are et"t$e#
for the per"o# from 22 Hue 1969 to 1: Hauar% 19I2 b% 2"rtue of Repub$"c =ct 5I5< sub,ect to the a2a"$ab"$"t% of
Go2ermet fu#s appropr"ate# for the purpose.

Salvatierra v. CA
GR 10II9I, 26 =u&ust 1996 (261 S.R= :5)
J"rst B"2"s"o, 0ermos"s"ma (p)K < cocur, 1 o $ea2e
$acts: 4 19<0, (r"8ue Sa$2at"erra #"e# "testate a# !"thout a% "ssue. 0e !as sur2"2e# b% h"s $e&"t"mate
brothersK Tomas, Darto$ome, Qeac"o a# Lacar"o, a# s"ster Larce$a, a$$ surame# Sa$2at"erra. 0"s estate
cos"ste# of three parce$s of $a# (.a#astra$ Lot 25, co2ere# b% Ta/ Bec$arat"o 11950, .a#astra$ Lot 26, co2ere#
b% Ta/ Bec$arat"o 11951, a# .a#astra$ Lot 2I, co2ere# b% Ta/ Bec$arat"o 119:9). A : La% 1966, Lacar"o
Sa$2at"erra so$# Lot 26 to h"s so, =se$mo Sa$2at"erra b% meas of a #ee# of sa$e, a# " cos"#erat"o of
'1,000.00. Lea!h"$e, Larce$a so$# her share to Qeac"o. Darto$ome1s share !as so$# b% h"s he"rs to Tomas. A 2:
September 196;, a @(/tra,u#"c"a$ 'art"t"o !"th .o6rmat"o of Sa$e3 !as e/ecute# b% a# amo& the sur2"2"&
$e&a$ he"rs a# #esce#ats of (r"8ue Sa$2at"erra. =fter the part"t"o, Qeac"o o!e# 10:1 s8uare meters
cos"st"& of Lot 2I a# port"o of Lot 26 (!h"ch "s appro/"mate$% I:9 s8uare meters), =se$mo o!e# :05 s8uare
meters of Lot 26, !h"$e the he"rs of Tomas o!e# 1,116 s8uare meters, the !ho$e of Lot 25. Thereafter o 15 Hue
19I0, Qeac"o so$# the !ho$e of Lot 2I a# a 1:9 s8uare meter port"o of Lot 26 to spouses L"o Lo&a$o& a#
'ac"ec"a Lar"ao. 4t !as #"sco2ere# " 19;2 throu&h a re$ocat"o sur2e% that the 1:9 s8uare meter port"o of Lot
26 !as outs"#e Lo&a$o&1s fece as =se$mo Sa$2at"erra !as ab$e to obta" a t"t$e " h"s ame (Ar"&"a$ .ert"6cate
of T"t$e 0-:221) co2er"& the !ho$e of Lot 26). (Eorts to sett$e the matter at the bara&a% $e2e$ pro2e# fut"$e
because 'ur"ta Sa$2at"erra (!"#o! of =se$mo) refuse# to %"e$# to the #ema# of L"o Lo&a$o& to retur to the
$atter the 1:9 s8uare meter port"o of Lot 26.
Lo&a$o& 6$e# a case !"th the Re&"oa$ Tr"a$ .ourt for the reco2e%ace of the sa"# port"o of Lot 26. The court a
8uo #"sm"sse# the case o the &rou#s that Lo&a$o& fa"$e# to estab$"sh o!ersh"p of the port"o of the $a# "
8uest"o, a# that the prescr"pt"2e per"o# of four %ears from #"sco2er% of the a$$e&e# frau# comm"tte# b%
#efe#ats1 pre#ecessor =se$mo Sa$2at"erra !"th" !h"ch p$a"t"Es shou$# ha2e 6$e# the"r act"o ha# a$rea#%
e$apse#. A appea$, the .ourt of =ppea$s re2erse# the #ec"s"o, ru$"& that a 2e#or ca se$$ o$% !hat he o!s or
!hat he "s author"9e# to se$$N a# as to the co-o!er of a p"ece of $a#, he ca of course se$$ h"s pro "#"2"so share
there" to, but he caot se$$ more tha h"s share there". 0ece, the appea$.
Iss&e: >hether Lo&a$o& "s et"t$e# to reco2e%ace of the 1:9 s8uare meters " Lot 26
1el.: >he the terms of the a&reemet are c$ear a# ue8u"2oca$, the $"tera$ a# p$a" mea"& thereof shou$# be
obser2e#, pursuat to =rt"c$e 1<I0 of the ."2"$ .o#e (@4f the terms of a cotract are c$ear a# $ea2e o #oubt upo
the "tet"o of the cotract"& part"es, the $"tera$ mea"& of "ts st"pu$at"o sha$$ cotro$.3) .otracts !h"ch are the
pr"2ate $a!s of the cotract"& part"es, shou$# be fu$6$$e# accor#"& to the $"tera$ sese of the"r st"pu$at"os, "f the"r
terms are c$ear a# $ea2e o room for #oubt as to the "tet"o of the cotract"& part"es, for cotracts are
ob$"&ator%, o matter !hat the"r forms ma%be, !hee2er the esset"a$ re8u"s"tes for the"r 2a$"#"t% are preset. 4
the preset case, there "s o amb"&u"t% " the terms a# st"pu$at"os of the e/tra,u#"c"a$ part"t"o ((/tra,u#"c"a$
'art"t"o !"th .o6rmat"o of Sa$e). S"ce Lacar"o1s share ($ater =se$mo1s) "s o$% :05 of the I:9 s8uare meters
compr"s"& Lot 26, Qeac"o !as et"t$e# to the rema""& <:: s8uare meters of Lot 26, 1:9 s8uare meters of
!h"ch !as so$# to Lo&a$o&. Supp$emete# b% the ho$#"& that the prescr"pt"2e per"o# o reco2e%ace "s te
%ears a# ot four %ears, as he$# " .aro 2. .=, Lo&a$o& "s et"t$e# to reco2e%ace as h"s comp$a"t !as 6$e#
62e %ears after the cost"tut"o of =se$mo1s frau#u$et Ar"&"a$ .ert"6cate of t"t$e.
The Supreme .ourt #e"e# the pet"t"o for !at of mer"t, !"th costs a&a"st pet"t"oers.
7apisanan n( (a 2an((a(a8a v. 2anila Railroa. Copan!
GR L-25<16, 2; Jebruar% 19I9 (;; S.R= 616)
Seco# B"2"s"o, Jera#o (p)K 5 cocur, 1 tooF o part
$acts: There are no antecedent facts available for this case.
The u"o seeFs re2ersa$ of #ec"s"o of the $o!er court #"sm"ss"& "ts pet"t"o for ma#amus. The court #eterm"e#
Repub$"c =ct 202< !as eacte# o$% to compe$ the emp$o%er to maFe the #e#uct"o of the emp$o%ees1 #ebt from
the $atter1s sa$ar% a# tur th"s o2er to the emp$o%ees1 cre#"t u"oN but !h"ch #oes ot co2ert the cre#"t u"o1s
cre#"t "to a 6rst pr"or"t% cre#"t.
Iss&e: >hether, "#ee#, the $a! #oes ot &"2e 6rst pr"or"t% " the matter of pa%mets to the ob$"&at"os of
emp$o%ees " fa2or of the"r cre#"t u"os.
1el.: >here the statutor% orm speaFs ue8u"2oca$$%, there "s oth"& for the courts to #o e/cept to app$% "t. The
$a!, $ea2"& o #oubt as to the scope of "ts operat"o, must be obe%e#. The e/press pro2"s"os of the Ne! ."2"$
.o#e, =rt"c$es 22:1, 22:2 a# 22:: sho! the $e&"s$at"2e "tet o preferece of cre#"ts. 4 the preset case, the
app$"cab$e pro2"s"o of Repub$"c =ct 202< speaFs for "tse$fN there be"& o amb"&u"t%, "t "s to be app$"e#. 4f the
$e&"s$at"2e "tet " eact"& para&raphs 1 a# 2 of Sect"o 62 of R= 202< !ere to &"2e 6rst pr"or"t% " the matter of
pa%mets to the ob$"&at"os of emp$o%ees " fa2or of the"r cre#"t u"os, the, the $a! !ou$# ha2e so e/press$%
#ec$are#. There "s oth"& " the pro2"s"o of Repub$"c =ct 202< !h"ch pro2"#es that ob$"&at"o of $aborers a#
emp$o%ees pa%ab$e to cre#"t u"os sha$$ e,o% 6rst pr"or"t% " the #e#uct"o from the emp$o%ees1 !a&es a#
sa$ar"es.
The Supreme .ourt a?rme# the appea$e# #ec"s"o, !"thout prooucemet as to costs.

A0ellana v. 2arava 9"R /:%;;<=, %> 2a! #>;)?
Seco# B"2"s"o, Jera#o (p)K : cocur, 1 cocur base# o para&raph 2 X < of op""o
$acts: Jrac"sco =be$$aa !as char&e# !"th the ."t% .ourt of A9am"s ."t% !"th the cr"me of ph%s"ca$ ",ur"es
throu&h recF$ess "mpru#ece " #r"2"& h"s car&o trucF, h"tt"& a motor"9e# pe#"cab resu$t"& " ",ur"es to "ts
passe&ers, ame$%, Larce$o Lamaso, Lar"a Gurrea, 'ac"ec"osa J$ores, a# (ste$"ta NemeYo. =be$$aa !as fou#
&u"$t% as char&e#, #ama&es " fa2or of the oEe#e# part"es $"Fe!"se be"& a!ar#e#.
=be$$aa appea$e# such #ec"s"o to the .J4. =t th"s sta&e, Lamaso et.a$. 6$e# !"th aother brach of the .J4 of
L"sam"s Acc"#eta$ a separate a# "#epe#et c"2"$ act"o for #ama&es a$$e&e#$% suEere# b% them from the
recF$ess #r"2"& of =be$$aa. 4 such comp$a"t, .r"sp" =be$$aa, the a$$e&e# emp$o%er, !as "c$u#e# as
#efe#at. Doth of them the sou&ht the #"sm"ssa$ of such act"o pr"c"pa$$% o the &rou# that there !as o
reser2at"o for the 6$"& thereof " the ."t% .ourt of A9am"s. 4t !as ar&ue# b% them that "t !as ot a$$o!ab$e at the
sta&e !here the cr"m"a$ case !as a$rea#% o appea$. The ,u#&e " the $atter .J4 or#ere# o 2; =pr"$ 196I that the
."t% .ourt ,u#&met "s 2acate# a# a tra"$ #e o2o be co#ucte#. 0e ote# that the oEe#e# part"es fa"$e# to
e/press$% !a"2e the c"2"$ act"o or reser2e# the"r r"&ht to "st"tute "t separate$% " the ."t% .ourtN but !h"ch the%
6$e# " the .J4. 4 2"e! of the !a"2er a# reser2at"o, the .ourt !ou$# be prec$u#e# from ,u#&"& c"2"$ #ama&es
a&a"st the accuse# a# " fa2or of the oEe#e# part"es. the mot"o to #"sm"ss "s #e"e#. = mot"o for
recos"#erat"o !as $"Fe!"se #e"e#. 0ece, the pet"t"o.
The Supreme .ourt #"sm"sse# the pet"t"o !"th costs a&a"st pet"t"oers.
#. Appeal o+ @&.(ent in &nicipal trial co&rt, ne8 trial as i+ ori(inall! instit&te. in the C$I
The ru$e " the ,ur"s#"ct"o of the .ourt "s that upo appea$ b% the #efe#at from a ,u#&met of co2"ct"o b% the
mu"c"pa$ court, the appea$e# #ec"s"o "s 2acate# a# the appea$e# case sha$$ be tr"e# " a$$ respects ae! " the
.J4 as "f "t ha# bee or"&"a$$% "st"tute# " that court (Sect"o I of Ru$e 12<, 'eop$e 2. Ham"so$a). So "t "s " c"2"$
cases u#er Sect"o 9 of Ru$e :0. = "terpretat"o that a "#epe#et c"2"$ act"o "s barre# abset a reser2at"o
u#er Sect"o 1 of Ru$e 111 "s a o-se8u"tur, as the "ferece #oes ot per se ar"se from the !or#"&s of the ru$e
a# "&ores !hat "s e/p$"c"t$% pro2"#e# " Sect"o I, Ru$e 12<.
%. A stat&te &st not 0e constr&e. in a anner (ivin( rise to a constit&tional .o&0t
= court "s to a2o"# costru"& a statute or $e&a$ orm " such a maer as !ou$# &"2e r"se to a cost"tut"oa$ #oubt.
The &rat of po!er to the .ourt, both " the preset .ost"tut"o a# u#er the 19<5 .harter, #oes ot e/te# to
a% #"m"ut"o, "crease or mo#"6cat"o of substat"2e r"&ht. Thus, substat"2e r"&ht caot to be fr"ttere# a!a%
b% a costruct"o that cou$# re#er "t u&ator%, "f throu&h o2ers"&ht, the oEe#e# part"es fa"$e# at the ""t"a$ sta&e
to seeF reco2er% for #ama&es " a c"2"$ su"t. =rt"c$e << of the ."2"$ .o#e "s 8u"te c$ear !he "t pro2"#es that " cases
of . ph%s"ca$ ",ur"es, a c"2"$ act"o for #ama&es, et"re$% separate a# #"st"ct from the cr"m"a$ act"o, ma% be
brou&ht b% the ",ure# part%. Such c"2"$ act"o sha$$ procee# "#epe#et$% of the cr"m"a$ prosecut"o, a# sha$$
re8u"re o$% a prepo#erace of e2"#ece.
'. Ass&rance o+ parties @&stice accor.in( to la8 &st not 0e i(nore. in the p&rs&it o+ servin( the
interest o+ a clientA Constr&ction sho&l. 0e 0ase. on le(al nor, not literalness
= couse$ must ot "&ore the bas"c purpose of a $"t"&at"o, !h"ch "s to assure part"es ,ust"ce accor#"& to $a!, "
ser2"& the "terest of h"s c$"et. 0e "s ot to fa$$ pre% to the 2"ce of $"tera$ess. The $a! as a "strumet of soc"a$
cotro$ !"$$ fa"$ " "ts fuct"o "f throu&h a "&e"ous costruct"o sou&ht to be fastee# o a $e&a$ orm,
part"cu$ar$% a proce#ura$ ru$e, there "s p$ace# a "mpe#"met to a $"t"&at be"& &"2e a opportu"t% of 2"#"cat"&
a a$$e&e# r"&ht.

PA$/U v. 4&rea& o+ /a0or Relations
GR L-:<I60, 21 =u&ust 19I6 (I2 S.R= <96)
Seco# B"2"s"o, Jera#o (p)K : cocurr"&
$acts: 4 the cert"6cat"o e$ect"o he$# o Jebruar% 2I, 19I6, respo#et V"o obta"e# :29 2otes as a&a"st :1:
of pet"t"oer V"o. =&a", a#m"tte#$%, u#er the Ru$es a# Re&u$at"os "mp$emet"& the preset Labor .o#e, a
ma,or"t% of the 2a$"# 2otes cast su?ces for cert"6cat"o of the 2"ctor"ous $abor u"o as the so$e a# e/c$us"2e
bar&a""& a&et. There !ere four 2otes cast b% emp$o%ees !ho #"# ot !at a% u"o. A "ts face therefore,
respo#et V"o ou&ht to ha2e bee cert"6e# " accor#ace !"th the abo2e app$"cab$e ru$e. 'et"t"oer, u#eterre#,
!ou$# se"9e upo the #octr"e aouce# " the case of =$$"e# >orFers =ssoc"at"o of the 'h"$"pp"es 2. .ourt of
4#ustr"a$ Re$at"os that spo"$e# ba$$ots shou$# be coute# " #eterm""& the 2a$"# 2otes cast. .os"#er"& there
!ere se2etee spo"$e# ba$$ots, "t "s the subm"ss"o that there !as a &ra2e abuse of #"scret"o o the part of
respo#et B"rector.
Iss&e: >hether B"rector Nor"e$ acte# !"th &ra2e abuse of #"scret"o " &rat"& N=JLV as the e/c$us"2e bar&a""&
a&et of a$$ the emp$o%ees " the 'h"$"pp"e D$oom"& L"$$s
1el.: B"rector Nor"e$ #"# ot act !"th &ra2e abuse of #"scret"o. .ert"orar" #oes ot $"e. The coc$us"o reache# b%
the .ourt #er"2es support from the #eser2e#$% h"&h repute attache# to the costruct"o p$ace# b% the e/ecut"2e
o?c"a$s etruste# !"th the respos"b"$"t% of app$%"& a statute. The Ru$es a# Re&u$at"os "mp$emet"& the preset
Labor .o#e !ere "ssue# b% Secretar% D$as Ap$e of the Bepartmet of Labor a# tooF eEect o < Jebruar% 19I5, the
preset Labor .o#e ha2"& bee ma#e Fo! to the pub$"c as far bacF as 1 La% 19I:, a$thou&h "ts #ate of
eEect"2"t% !as postpoe# to 1 No2ember 19I:,. 4t !ou$# appear the that there !as more tha eou&h t"me for a
rea$$% ser"ous a# carefu$ stu#% of such supp$etor% ru$es a# re&u$at"os to a2o"# a% "cos"stec% !"th the .o#e.
Th"s .ourt certa"$% caot "&ore the "terpretat"o thereafter embo#"e# " the Ru$es. =s far bacF as 4 re =$$e,3 a
190< #ec"s"o, Hust"ce LcBoou&h, as poete, c"te# th"s e/cerpt from the $ea#"& =mer"ca case of 'eo%er 2.
Lc.oau&h%, #ec"#e# " 1;91K @The pr"c"p$e that the cotemporaeous costruct"o of a statute b% the
e/ecut"2e o?cers of the &o2ermet, !hose #ut% "t "s to e/ecute "t, "s et"t$e# to &reat respect, a# shou$#
or#"ar"$% cotro$ the costruct"o of the statute b% the courts, "s so 6rm$% embe##e# " our ,ur"spru#ece that o
author"t"es ee# be c"te# to support "t.3 There !as a paraphrase b% Hust"ce La$co$m of such a prooucemet "
Lo$"a 2. RaEert%,3 a 191; #ec"s"oK @.ourts !"$$ a# shou$# respect the cotemporaeous costruct"o p$ace#
upo a statute b% the e/ecut"2e o?cers !hose #ut% "t "s to eforce "t, a# u$ess such "terpretat"o "s c$ear$%
erroeous !"$$ or#"ar"$% be cotro$$e# thereb%.3 S"ce the, such a #octr"e has bee re"terate# " umerous
#ec"s"os. =s !as emphas"9e# b% .h"ef Hust"ce .astro, @the costruct"o p$ace# b% the o?ce char&e# !"th
"mp$emet"& a# eforc"& the pro2"s"os of a .o#e shou$# he &"2e cotro$$"& !e"&ht.3
The Supreme .ourt #"sm"sse# the pet"t"o, !"th costs a&a"st pet"t"oer '=JLV.

Philippine Apparel Bor5ersC Union v. -/RC
GR L-50<20, <1 Hu$% 19;1 (105 S.R= :::)
J"rst B"2"s"o, LaFas"ar (p)K < cocurr"&
$acts: 4 at"c"pat"o of the e/p"rat"o of the"r 19I<-19I6 co$$ect"2e bar&a""& a&reemet, the V"o subm"tte# a
set of bar&a""& proposa$s to the compa%. Ne&ot"at"os !ere he$# thereafter, but #ue to the "mpasse, the V"o
6$e# a comp$a"t !"th the Bepartmet of Labor pra%"& that the part"es be ass"ste# " coc$u#"& a co$$ect"2e
a&reemet. Not!"thsta#"& the comp$a"t, the part"es cot"ue# !"th e&ot"at"os. J"a$$%, o < September 19II,
the part"es s"&e# the a&reemet pro2"#"& for a three-sta&e !a&e "crease for a$$ raF a# 6$e emp$o%ees,
retroact"2e to 1=pr"$ 19II. Lea!h"$e, o 21 =pr"$ 19II, 'res"#et"a$ Becree 112< !as eacte# to taFe eEect o 1
La% 19II pro2"#"& for a "crease b% '60.00 " the $"2"& a$$o!ace or#a"e# b% 'res"#et"a$ Becree 525. Th"s
"crease !as "mp$emete# eEect"2e 1 La% 19II b% the compa%. The cotro2ers% arose !he the pet"t"oer u"o
sou&ht the "mp$emetat"o of the e&ot"ate# !a&e "crease of '0.;0 as pro2"#e# for " the co$$ect"2e bar&a""&
a&reemet. The compa% a$$e&es that "t has opte# to cos"#er the '0.;0 #a"$% !a&e "crease (rou&h$% '22 per
moth) as part"a$ comp$"ace !"th the re8u"remets of 'B 112<, so that "t "s ob$"&e# to pa% o$% the ba$ace of '<;
per moth, cote#"& that that s"ce there !as a$rea#% a meet"& of the m"#s bet!ee the part"es as ear$% as 2
=pr"$ 19II about the !a&e "creases !h"ch !ere ma#e retroact"2e to 1 =pr"$ 19II, "t fe$$ !e$$ !"th" the e/empt"o
pro2"#e# for " the Ru$es 4mp$emet"& 'B 112<. The V"o, o the other ha#, ma"ta"s that the $"2"& a$$o!ace
u#er 'B 112< (or"&"a$$% 'B 525) "s #"st"ct from the e&ot"ate# #a"$% !a&e "crease of '0.;0.
A 1< Jebruar% 19I;, the V"o 6$e# a comp$a"t for ufa"r $abor pract"ce a# 2"o$at"o of the .D= a&a"st the
compa%. A <0 La% 19I;, a Ar#er !as "ssue# b% the Labor =rb"ter #"sm"ss"& the comp$a"t a# referre# the
case to the part"es to reso$2e the"r #"sputes " accor#ace !"th the mach"er% estab$"she# " the .o$$ect"2e
Dar&a""& =&reemet. Jrom th"s or#er, both part"es appea$e# to the .omm"ss"o. A 1 September 19I;, the
.omm"ss"o (Seco# B"2"s"o) promu$&ate# "ts #ec"s"o, sett"& as"#e the or#er appea$e# from a# eter"& a e!
oe #"sm"ss"& the case for ob2"ous $acF of mer"t, re$%"& o a $etter of the V#ersecretar% of Labor that a&reemet
bet!ee the part"es !as ma#e 2 =pr"$ 19II &rat"& '2I per moth retroact"2e to 1 =pr"$ 19II !h"ch !as s8uare$%
u#er the e/cept"os pro2"#e# for " para&raph F of the ru$es "mp$emet"& 'B 112<. The u"o 6$e# for
recos"#erat"o, but the .omm"ss"o e bac #"sm"sse# the same o ; Jebruar% 19I9. 0ece, the pet"t"o.
Iss&e: >hether the .omm"ss"o !as correct " #eterm""& the a&reemet fa$$s u#er the e/cept"os.
1el.: The co$$ect"2e bar&a""& a&reemet !as etere# "to o < September19II, !he 'B 112< !as a$rea#% "
force a# eEect, a$thou&h the "crease o the 6rst %ear !as retroact"2e to 1 =pr"$ 19II. There "s oth"& " the
recor#s that the e&ot"ate# !a&e "creases !ere &rate# or pa"# before La% 19II, to a$$o! the compa% to fa$$
!"th" the e/cept"os pro2"#e# for " para&raph F of the ru$es "mp$emet"& 'B 112<. There !as e"ther a perfecte#
cotract or a actua$ pa%met of sa"# "crease. There !as o &rat of sa"# "creases %et, #esp"te the cotrar%
op""o e/presse# " the $etter of the V#ersecretar% of Labor. 4t must be ote# that the $etter !as base# o a
!ro& prem"se or represetat"o o the part of the compa%. The compa% ha# #ec$are# that the part"es ha2e
a&ree# o 2 =pr"$ 19II " reco&"t"o of the "mperat"2e ee# for emp$o%ees to cope up !"th "Rat"o brou&ht about
b%, amo& others, aother "crease " o"$ pr"ce, but om"tt"& the fact that e&ot"at"os !ere st"$$ be"& he$# o other
ureso$2e# ecoom"c a# o-ecoom"c bar&a""& "tems (!h"ch !ere o$% a&ree# upo o < September 19II).
The Bepartmet of Labor ha# the r"&ht to costrue the !or# @&rat3 as use# " "ts ru$es "mp$emet"& 'B 112<, a#
"ts e/p$aat"o re&ar#"& the e/empt"os to 'B 112< shou$# be &"2e !e"&htN but, !he "t "s base# o
m"srepresetat"os as to the e/"stece of a a&reemet bet!ee the part"es, the same caot be app$"e#. There "s
o #"st"ct"o bet!ee "terpretat"o a# e/p$a""& the e/tet a# scope of the $a!N because !here oe e/p$a"s
the "tet a# scope of a statute, he "s "terpret"& "t. Thus, the costruct"o or e/p$aat"o of Labor
V#ersecretar% "s ot o$% !ro& as "t !as pure$% base# o a m"sapprehes"o of facts, but a$so u$a!fu$ because "t
&oes be%o# the scope of the $a!.
The !r"t of cert"orar" !as &rate#. The Supreme .ourt set as"#e the #ec"s"o of the comm"ss"o, a# or#ere# the
compa% to pa%, " a##"t"o to the "crease# a$$o!ace pro2"#e# for " 'B 112<, the e&ot"ate# !a&e "crease of
'0.;0 #a"$% eEect"2e 1 =pr"$ 19II as !e$$ as a$$ other !a&e "creases embo#"e# " the .o$$ect"2e Dar&a""&
=&reemet, to a$$ co2ere# emp$o%eesN !"th costs a&a"st the compa%.
I4AA Eplo!ees Union v. Incion(
GR L52:15, 2< Actober 19;: (1<2 S.R= 66<)
Seco# B"2"s"o, LaFas"ar (p)K < cocur, 2 cocur " resu$t, 1 tooF o part
$acts: A Hue 20, 19I5, the V"o 6$e# a comp$a"t a&a"st the baF for the pa%met of ho$"#a% pa% before the
the Bepartmet of Labor, Nat"oa$ Labor Re$at"os .omm"ss"o, Re&"oa$ A?ce 4Q " La"$a. .oc"$"at"o ha2"&
fa"$e#, a# upo the re8uest of both part"es, the case !as cert"6e# for arb"trat"o o I Hu$% 19I5. A 25 =u&ust
19I5, Labor =rb"ter R"carte T. Sor"ao re#ere# a #ec"s"o " the abo2e-et"t$e# case, &rat"& pet"t"oer1s
comp$a"t for pa%met of ho$"#a% pa%. Respo#et baF #"# ot appea$ from the sa"# #ec"s"o. 4stea#, "t comp$"e#
!"th the or#er of the Labor =rb"ter b% pa%"& the"r ho$"#a% pa% up to a# "c$u#"& Hauar% 19I6.
A 16 Becember 19I5, 'res"#et"a$ Becree ;50 !as promu$&ate# ame#"&, amo& others, the pro2"s"os of the
Labor .o#e o the r"&ht to ho$"#a% pa%. =ccor#"&$%, o 16 Jebruar% 19I6, b% author"t% of =rt"c$e 5 of the same
.o#e, the Bepartmet of Labor (o! L""str% of Labor) promu$&ate# the ru$es a# re&u$at"os for the
"mp$emetat"o of ho$"#a%s !"th pa%. The cotro2ers"a$ sect"o thereof rea#s as @Status of emp$o%ees pa"# b% the
moth. Z (mp$o%ees !ho are u"form$% pa"# b% the moth, "rrespect"2e of the umber of !orF"& #a%s there",
!"th a sa$ar% of ot $ess tha the statutor% or estab$"she# m""mum !a&e sha$$ be presume# to be pa"# for a$$ #a%s
" the moth !hether !orFe# or ot.3 A 2< =pr"$ 19I6, 'o$"c% 4struct"o 9 !as "ssue# b% the the Secretar% of
Labor (o! L""ster) "terpret"& the abo2e-8uote# ru$e. The baF, b% reaso of the ru$"& $a"# #o! b% the ru$e
"mp$emet"& =rt"c$e 9: of the Labor .o#e a# b% 'o$"c% 4struct"o 9, stoppe# the pa%met of ho$"#a% pa% to a "ts
emp$o%ees.
A <0 =u&ust 19I6, the V"o 6$e# a mot"o for a !r"t of e/ecut"o to eforce the arb"ter1s #ec"s"o of 25 =u&ust
19I5, !h"ch the baF oppose#. A 1; Actober 19I6, the Labor =rb"ter, "stea# of "ssu"& a !r"t of e/ecut"o, "ssue#
a or#er e,o""& the baF to cot"ue pa%"& "ts emp$o%ees the"r re&u$ar ho$"#a% pa%. A 1I No2ember 19I6, the
baF appea$e# from the or#er of the Labor =rb"ter to the NLR.. A 20 Hue 19I;, the NLR. promu$&ate# "ts
reso$ut"o e bac #"sm"ss"& the baF1s appea$, a# or#er"& the "ssuace of the proper !r"t of e/ecut"o. A 21
Jebruar% 19I9, the baF 6$e# !"th the A?ce of the L""ster of Labor a mot"o for recos"#erat"o7appea$ !"th
ur&et pra%er to sta% e/ecut"o. A 1< =u&ust 19I9,s the NLR. "ssue# a or#er #"rect"& the .h"ef of Research a#
4format"o of the .omm"ss"o to compute the ho$"#a% pa% of the 4D== emp$o%ees from =pr"$ 19I6 to the preset "
accor#ace !"th the Labor =rb"ter #ate# 25 =u&ust 19I5. A 10 No2ember 19I9, the A?ce of the L""ster of
Labor, throu&h Beput% L""ster =ma#o G. 4c"o&, "ssue# a or#er sett"& as"#e the reso$ut"o e bac of the NLR.
#ate# 20 Hue 19I;, a# #"sm"ss"& the case for $acF of mer"t. 0ece, the pet"t"o for cert"orar" char&"& 4c"o&
!"th abuse of #"scret"o amout"& to $acF or e/cess of ,ur"s#"ct"o.
Iss&e: >hether the L""str% of Labor "s correct " #eterm""& that moth$% pa"# emp$o%ees are e/c$u#e# from the
bee6ts of ho$"#a% pa%.
1el.: Jrom =rt"c$e 92 of the Labor .o#e, as ame#e# b% 'res"#et"a$ Becree ;50, a# =rt"c$e ;2 of the same .o#e,
"t "s c$ear that moth$% pa"# emp$o%ees are ot e/c$u#e# from the bee6ts of ho$"#a% pa%. 0o!e2er, the
"mp$emet"& ru$es o ho$"#a% pa% promu$&ate# b% the the Secretar% of Labor e/c$u#es moth$% pa"# emp$o%ees
from the sa"# bee6ts b% "sert"&, u#er Ru$e 4Q, DooF 4$$ of the "mp$emet"& ru$es, Sect"o 2, !h"ch pro2"#es thatK
@emp$o%ees !ho are u"form$% pa"# b% the moth, "rrespect"2e of the umber of !orF"& #a%s there", !"th a sa$ar%
of ot $ess tha the statutor% or estab$"she# m""mum !a&e sha$$ be presume# to be pa"# for a$$ #a%s " the moth
!hether !orFe# or ot.3 (2e "f cotemporaeous costruct"o p$ace# upo a statute b% e/ecut"2e o?cers !hose
#ut% "s to eforce "t "s &"2e &reat !e"&ht b% the courts, st"$$ "f such costruct"o "s so erroeous, the same must be
#ec$are# as u$$ a# 2o"#. So $o&, as the re&u$at"os re$ate so$e$% to carr%"& "to eEect the pro2"s"os of the $a!,
the% are 2a$"#. >here a a#m""strat"2e or#er betra%s "cos"stec% or repu&ac% to the pro2"s"os of the =ct, the
ma#ate of the =ct must pre2a"$ a# must be fo$$o!e#. = ru$e "s b"#"& o the .ourts so $o& as the proce#ure
6/e# for "ts promu$&at"o "s fo$$o!e# a# "ts scope "s !"th" the statutor% author"t% &rate# b% the $e&"s$ature, e2e
"f the courts are ot " a&reemet !"th the po$"c% state# there" or "ts "ate !"s#om. Jurther, a#m""strat"2e
"terpretat"o of the $a! "s at best mere$% a#2"sor%, for "t "s the courts that 6a$$% #eterm"e !hat the $a! meas.
The Supreme .ourt &rate# the pet"t"o, set as"#e the or#er of the Beput% L""ster of Labor, a# re"state# the 25
=u&ust 19I5 #ec"s"o of the Labor =rb"ter R"carte T. Sor"ao.

Chartere. 4an5 Eplo!ees Association v. Ople
GR L-::I1I, 2; =u&ust 19;5 (1<; S.R= 2I<)
( Dac, Gut"erre9, Hr. (p)K 10 cocur, 1 cocur " resu$t, 1 tooF o part, 1 o $ea2e
$acts: A 20 La% 19I5, the .hartere# DaF (mp$o%ees =ssoc"at"o, " represetat"o of "ts moth$% pa"#
emp$o%ees7members, "st"tute# a comp$a"t !"th the Re&"oa$ A?ce 4Q, Bepartmet of Labor, o! L""str% of Labor
a# (mp$o%met (LAL() a&a"st .hartere# DaF, for the pa%met of 10 u!orFe# $e&a$ ho$"#a%s, as !e$$ as for
prem"um a# o2ert"me #"Eeret"a$s for !orFe# $e&a$ ho$"#a%s from 1 No2ember 19I:.
Doth the arb"trator a# the Nat"oa$ Labor Re$at"os .omm"ss"o (NLR.) ru$e# " fa2or of the pet"t"oers or#er"&
the baF to pa% "ts moth$% pa"# emp$o%ees the ho$"#a% pa% a# the prem"um or o2ert"me pa% #"Eeret"a$s to a$$
emp$o%ees !ho re#ere# !orF #ur"& sa"# $e&a$ ho$"#a%s.
A appea$, the L""ster of Labor set as"#e the #ec"s"o of the NLR. a# #"sm"sse# the pet"t"oer1s c$a"m for $acF of
mer"t bas"& "ts #ec"s"o o Sect"o 2, Ru$e 4Q, DooF 444 of the 4te&rate# Ru$es a# 'o$"c% 4struct"o 9, c$a"m"& the
ru$e that @4f the moth$% pa"# emp$o%ee "s rece"2"& ot $ess tha '2:0, the ma/"mum moth$% m""mum !a&e, a#
h"s moth$% pa% "s u"form from Hauar% to Becember, he "s presume# to be a$rea#% pa"# the 10 pa"# $e&a$ ho$"#a%s.
0o!e2er, "f #e#uct"os are ma#e from h"s moth$% sa$ar% o accout of ho$"#a%s " moths !here the% occur, the
he "s st"$$ et"t$e# to the 10 pa"# $e&a$ ho$"#a%s.3
Iss&e: >hether the L""str% of Labor "s correct " ma"ta""& that moth$% pa"# emp$o%ees are ot et"t$e# to the
ho$"#a% pa% or a$$ emp$o%ees !ho re#ere# !orF #ur"& sa"# $e&a$ ho$"#a%s are et"t$e# to the prem"um or
o2ert"me pa% #"Eeret"a$s.
1el.: >he the $a&ua&e of the $a! "s c$ear a# ue8u"2oca$ the $a! must be taFe to mea e/act$% !hat "t sa%s.
= a#m""strat"2e "terpretat"o, !h"ch #"m""shes the bee6ts of $abor more tha !hat the statute #e$"m"ts or
!"thho$#s, "s ob2"ous$% u$tra 2"res. 4 the preset case, the pro2"s"os of the Labor .o#e o the et"t$emet to the
bee6ts of ho$"#a% pa% are c$ear a# e/p$"c"t, "t pro2"#es for both the co2era&e of a# e/c$us"o from the bee6t. 4
'o$"c% 4struct"o 9, the Secretar% of Labor !et as far as to cate&or"ca$$% state that the bee6t "s pr"c"pa$$%
"te#e# for #a"$% pa"# emp$o%ees, !he the $a! c$ear$% states that e2er% !orFer sha$$ be pa"# the"r re&u$ar ho$"#a%
pa%.
>h"$e "t "s true that the cotemporaeous costruct"o p$ace# upo a statute b% e/ecut"2e o?cers !hose #ut% "s to
eforce "t shou$# be &"2e &reat !e"&ht b% the courts, st"$$ "f such costruct"o "s so erroeous, the same must be
#ec$are# as u$$ a# 2o"#. 4t "s the ro$e of the Hu#"c"ar% to re6e a#, !he ecessar%, correct cost"tut"oa$ (a#7or
statutor%) "terpretat"o, " the cote/t of the "teract"os of the three braches of the &o2ermet, a$most a$!a%s
" s"tuat"os !here some a&ec% of the State has e&a&e# " act"o that stems u$t"mate$% from some $e&"t"mate
area of &o2ermeta$ po!er. Sect"o 2, Ru$e 4Q, DooF 444 of the Ru$es to "mp$emet the Labor .o#e a# 'o$"c%
4struct"o !as #ec$are# u$$ a# 2o"# " 4D==(V 2. 4c"o&, a# thus app$"es " the case at bar. S"ce the pr"2ate
respo#et prem"ses "ts act"o o the "2a$"#ate# ru$e a# po$"c% "struct"o, "t "s c$ear that the emp$o%ees
be$o&"& to the pet"t"oer assoc"at"o are et"t$e# to the pa%met of 10 $e&a$ ho$"#a%s u#er =rt"c$es ;2 a# 9: of
the Labor .o#e, as"#e from the"r moth$% sa$ar%. The% are ot amo& those e/c$u#e# b% $a! from the bee6ts of
such ho$"#a% pa%
The Supreme .ourt re2erse# a# set as"#e the Labor L""ster1s I September 19I6 or#er, a# re"state# !"th
mo#"6cat"o (#e$et"& the "terest pa%mets) the 2: Larch 19I6 #ec"s"o of the NLR. a?rm"& the <0 Actober
19I5 reso$ut"o of the Labor =rb"ter.
6ictorias 2illin( v. Social Sec&rit! Coission
GR L-16I0:, 1I Larch 1962 (: S.R= 62I)
( Dac, Darrera (p)K 9 cocurr"&
$acts: A 15 Actober 195;, the Soc"a$ Secur"t% .omm"ss"o (SS.) "ssue# "ts ."rcu$ar 22 pro2"#"& that @eEect"2e 1
No2ember 195;, a$$ emp$o%ers " comput"& the prem"ums #ue the S%stem, !"$$ taFe "to cos"#erat"o a# "c$u#e
" the (mp$o%ee1s remuerat"o a$$ bouses a# o2ert"me pa%, as !e$$ as the cash 2a$ue of other me#"a of
remuerat"o. =$$ these !"$$ compr"se the (mp$o%ee1s remuerat"o or ear"&s, upo !h"ch the <-172T a# 2-
172T cotr"but"os !"$$ be base#, up to a ma/"mum of '500 for a% oe moth.3 Vpo rece"pt of a cop% thereof,
Q"ctor"as L"$$"& .ompa%, 4c., !rote the SS. " eEect protest"& a&a"st the c"rcu$ar as cotra#"ctor% to a pre2"ous
."rcu$ar I (I Actober 195I) , a# further 8uest"oe# the 2a$"#"t% of the c"rcu$ar for $acF of author"t% o the part of
the SS. to promu$&ate "t !"thout the appro2a$ of the 'res"#et a# for $acF of pub$"cat"o " the A?c"a$ Ga9ette.
A2erru$"& these ob,ect"os, the SS. ru$e# that ."rcu$ar 22 "s ot a ru$e or re&u$at"o that ee#e# the appro2a$ of
the 'res"#et a# pub$"cat"o " the A?c"a$ Ga9ette to be eEect"2e, but a mere a#m""strat"2e "terpretat"o of the
statute, a mere statemet of &eera$ po$"c% or op""o as to ho! the $a! shou$# be costrue#. Not sat"s6e# !"th
th"s ru$"&, pet"t"oer comes to the Supreme .ourt o appea$.
Iss&e: >hether ."rcu$ar 22 "s a ru$e or re&u$at"o.
1el.: There "s a #"st"ct"o bet!ee a a#m""strat"2e ru$e or re&u$at"o a# a a#m""strat"2e "terpretat"o of a
$a! !hose eforcemet "s etruste# to a a#m""strat"2e bo#%. >he a a#m""strat"2e a&ec% promu$&ates ru$es
a# re&u$at"os, "t @maFes3 a e! $a! !"th the force a# eEect of a 2a$"# $a!, !h"$e !he "t re#ers a op""o or
&"2es a statemet of po$"c%, "t mere$% "terprets a pre-e/"st"& $a! Ru$es a# re&u$at"os !he promu$&ate# "
pursuace of the proce#ure or author"t% coferre# upo the a#m""strat"2e a&ec% b% $a!, partaFe of the ature of
a statute, a# comp$"ace there!"th ma% be eforce# b% a pea$ sact"o pro2"#e# " the $a!. Th"s "s so because
statutes are usua$$% couche# " &eera$ terms, after e/press"& the po$"c%, purposes, ob,ect"2es, reme#"es a#
sact"os "te#e# b% the $e&"s$ature. The #eta"$s a# the maer of carr%"& out the $a! are ofte t"mes $eft to the
a#m""strat"2e a&ec% etruste# !"th "ts eforcemet. 4 th"s sese, "t has bee sa"# that ru$es a# re&u$at"os are
the pro#uct of a #e$e&ate# po!er to create e! or a##"t"oa$ $e&a$ pro2"s"os that ha2e the eEect of $a!. = ru$e "s
b"#"& o the courts so $o& as the proce#ure 6/e# for "ts promu$&at"o "s fo$$o!e# a# "ts scope "s !"th" the
statutor% author"t% &rate# b% the $e&"s$ature, e2e "f the courts are ot " a&reemet !"th the po$"c% state# there"
or "ts "ate !"s#om A the other ha#, a#m""strat"2e "terpretat"o of the $a! "s at best mere$% a#2"sor%, for "t "s
the courts that 6a$$% #eterm"e !hat the $a! meas.
>h"$e "t "s true that terms or !or#s are to be "terprete# " accor#ace !"th the"r !e$$-accepte# mea"& " $a!,
e2erthe$ess, !he such term or !or# "s spec"6ca$$% #e6e# " a part"cu$ar $a!, such "terpretat"o must be
a#opte# " eforc"& that part"cu$ar $a!, for "t ca ot be &a"sa"# that a part"cu$ar phrase or term ma% ha2e oe
mea"& for oe purpose a# aother mea"& for some other purpose. R= 1161 spec"6ca$$% #e6e# !hat
@compesat"o3 shou$# mea @Jor the purposes of th"s =ct3. R=1I92 ame#e# such #e6"t"o b% #e$et"& some
e/cept"os author"9e# " the or"&"a$ =ct. D% 2"rtue of th"s e/press substat"a$ cha&e " the phraseo$o&% of the $a!,
!hate2er pr"or e/ecut"2e or ,u#"c"a$ costruct"o ma% ha2e bee &"2e to the phrase " 8uest"o shou$# &"2e !a% to
the c$ear ma#ate of the e! $a!.
The Supreme .ourt a?rme# the appea$e# reso$ut"o, !"th costs a&a"st appe$$at.
Sariento v. 2ison 9"R /:;>>;), #; ,ece0er #>D;?
( Dac, 'a#"$$a (p)K ; cocur
$acts: 'et"t"oers, !ho are ta/pa%ers, $a!%ers, members of the 4D' a# professors of .ost"tut"oa$ La!, seeF to
e,o" Sa$2a#or L"so from perform"& the fuct"os of the A?ce of .omm"ss"oer of the Dureau of .ustoms a#
Gu"$$ermo .ara&ue, as Secretar% of the Bepartmet of Du#&et, from eEect"& #"sbursemets " pa%met of L"so1s
sa$ar"es a# emo$umets, o the &rou# that L"so1s appo"tmet as .omm"ss"oer of the Dureau of .ustoms "s
ucost"tut"oa$ b% reaso of "ts ot ha2"& bee co6rme# b% the .omm"ss"o o =ppo"tmets. The respo#ets,
o the other ha#, ma"ta" the cost"tut"oa$"t% of L"so1s appo"tmet !"thout the co6rmat"o of the
.omm"ss"o o =ppo"tmets.
The Supreme .ourt he$# that the 'res"#et has the author"t% to appo"t L"so as .omm"ss"oer of the Dureau of
.ustoms !"thout subm"tt"& h"s om"at"o to the .omm"ss"o o =ppo"tmets for co6rmat"o, a# thus, the
$atter "s et"t$e# the fu$$ author"t% a# fuct"os of the o?ce a# rece"2e a$$ the sa$ar"es a# emo$umets perta""&
thereto. Thus, the Supreme .ourt #"sm"sse# the pet"t"o a# the pet"t"o " "ter2et"o, !"thout costs.
#. Stan.in( to Ele s&it F Prohi0ition as proper ree.!: Proce.&ral *&estions set asi.e .&e to
.ean.s o+ p&0lic interest
Decause of the #ema#s of pub$"c "terest, "c$u#"& the ee# for stab"$"t% " the pub$"c ser2"ce, the .ourt reso$2e#
to &"2e #ue course to the pet"t"o a# #ec"#e, sett"& as"#e the 6er proce#ura$ 8uest"os of !hether proh"b"t"o "s
the proper reme#% to test L"so1s r"&ht to the o?ce of .omm"ss"oer of the Dureau of .ustoms a# of !hether the
pet"t"oers ha2e a sta#"& to br"& th"s su"t.
%. Constit&tional Constr&ction
The fu#ameta$ pr"c"p$e of cost"tut"oa$ costruct"o "s to &"2e eEect to the "tet of the framers of the or&a"c
$a! a# of the peop$e a#opt"& "t. The "tet"o to !h"ch force "s to be &"2e "s that !h"ch "s embo#"e# a#
e/presse# " the cost"tut"oa$ pro2"s"os themse$2es. (Go$# .reeF L""& 2. Ro#r"&ue9) The .ourt !"$$ thus
costrue the app$"cab$e cost"tut"oa$ pro2"s"os, ot " accor#ace !"th ho! the e/ecut"2e or the $e&"s$at"2e
#epartmet ma% !at them costrue#, but " accor#ace !"th !hat the% sa% a# pro2"#e.
'. Presi.entCs po8er to appoint
Sect"o 16, =rt"c$e Q44 of the 19;I .ost"tut"o empo!ers the 'res"#et to appo"t : &roups of o?cersK (1) the
hea#s of the e/ecut"2e #epartmets, ambassa#ors, other pub$"c m""sters a# cosu$s, o?cers of the arme# forces
from the raF of co$oe$ or a2a$ capta", a# other o?cers !hose appo"tmets are 2este# " h"m " th"s
.ost"tut"oN (2) a$$ other o?cers of the Go2ermet !hose appo"tmets are ot other!"se pro2"#e# for b% $a!N
(<) those !hom the 'res"#et ma% be author"9e# b% $a! to appo"tN a# (:) o?cers $o!er " raF : !hose
appo"tmets the .o&ress ma% b% $a! 2est " the 'res"#et a$oe. The 6rst &roup "s c$ear$% appo"te# !"th the
coset of the .omm"ss"o o =ppo"tmets. =ppo"tmets of such o?cers are ""t"ate# b% om"at"o a#, "f the
om"at"o "s co6rme# b% the .omm"ss"o o =ppo"tmets, the 'res"#et appo"ts. The seco# a# th"r# &roups
of o?cers ca be ma#e b% the 'res"#et !"thout the coset (co6rmat"o) of the .omm"ss"o o =ppo"tmets,
as ca be #eterm"e# throu&h the recor#e# procee#"&s of .ost"tut"oa$ .omm"ss"o.
). Express en&eration excl&.es others not en&erate.
4t "s a accepte# ru$e " cost"tut"oa$ a# statutor% costruct"o that a e/press eumerat"o of sub,ects e/c$u#es
others ot eumerate#. 4 the case at bar, "t !ou$# fo$$o! that o$% those appo"tmets to pos"t"os e/press$%
state# " the 6rst &roup re8u"re the coset (co6rmat"o) of the .omm"ss"o o =ppo"tmets.
G. Constit&tional provision pres&e. to have 0een +rae. an. a.opte. in li(ht o+ prior la8s
= cost"tut"oa$ pro2"s"o must be presume# to ha2e bee frame# a# a#opte# " the $"&ht a# u#ersta#"& of
pr"or a# e/"st"& $a!s a# !"th referece to them. .ourts are bou# to presume that the peop$e a#opt"& a
cost"tut"o are fam"$"ar !"th the pre2"ous a# e/"st"& $a!s upo the sub,ects to !h"ch "ts pro2"s"os re$ate, a#
upo !h"ch the% e/press the"r ,u#&met a# op""o " "ts a#opt"o. 4 the 19<5 .ost"tut"o, a$most a$$
pres"#et"a$ appo"tmets re8u"re# the coset (co6rmat"o) of the .omm"ss"o o =ppo"tmets. V#er the 19<5
.ost"tut"o, the comm"ss"o !as fre8uet$% trasforme# "to a 2eue of @horse-tra#"&3 a# s"m"$ar ma$pract"ces.
A the other ha#, the 19I< .ost"tut"o, cos"stet !"th the author"tar"a patter " !h"ch "t !as mo$#e# a#
remo$#e# b% success"2e ame#mets, p$ace# the abso$ute po!er of appo"tmet " the 'res"#et !"th har#$% a%
checF o the part of the $e&"s$ature. G"2e the abo2e t!o " e/tremes, oe, " the 19<5 .ost"tut"o a# the other,
" the 19I< .ost"tut"o, "t "s ot #"?cu$t for the .ourt to state that the framers of the 19;I .ost"tut"o a# the
peop$e a#opt"& "t, strucF a @m"##$e &rou#3 b% re8u"r"& the coset (co6rmat"o) of the .omm"ss"o o
=ppo"tmets for the 6rst &roup of appo"tmets a# $ea2"& to the 'res"#et, !"thout such co6rmat"o, the
appo"tmet of other o?cers, ".e., those " the seco# a# th"r# &roups as !e$$ as those " the fourth &roup, ".e.,
o?cers of $o!er raF. The procee#"&s " the 19;6 .ost"tut"oa$ .omm"ss"o support th"s coc$us"o.
<. Constr&ction o+ HalsoI in secon. sentenceA consi.eration o+ .iJerent lan(&a(e o+ proxiate
sentences to .eterine eanin(
The !or# @a$so3 cou$# mea @" a##"t"oN as !e$$N bes"#es, too3 bes"#es @" $"Fe maer3 !h"ch mea"&s cou$#
stress that the !or# @a$so3 " sa"# seco# setece meas that the 'res"#et, " a##"t"o to om"at"& a#, !"th
the coset of the .omm"ss"o o =ppo"tmets, appo"t"& the o?cers eumerate# " the 6rst setece, ca
appo"t (!"thout such coset or co6rmat"o) the o?cers met"oe# " the seco# setece, cotrar% to the
"terpretat"o that the 'res"#et sha$$ appo"t the o?cers met"oe# " sa"# seco# setece " the same maer
as he appo"ts o?cers met"oe# " the 6rst setece. Rather tha $"m"t the area of cos"#erat"o to the poss"b$e
mea"&s of the !or# @a$so3 as use# " the cote/t of sa"# seco# setece, the .ourt has chose to #er"2e
s"&"6cace from the fact that the 6rst setece speaFs of om"at"o b% the 'res"#et a# appo"tmet b% the
'res"#et !"th the coset of the .omm"ss"o o =ppo"tmets, !hereas, the seco# setece speaFs o$% of
appo"tmet b% the 'res"#et. =#, th"s use of #"Eeret $a&ua&e " 2 seteces pro/"mate to each other
u#erscores a #"Eerece " messa&e co2e%e# a# percept"os estab$"she#. Thus, !or#s are ot pebb$es " a$"e
,u/tapos"t"o.
;. Po8er to appoint +&n.aentall! exec&tive in characterA /iitations constr&e. strictl!
The po!er to appo"t "s fu#ameta$$% e/ecut"2e or pres"#et"a$ " character. L"m"tat"os o or 8ua$"6cat"os of such
po!er shou$# be str"ct$% costrue#. Such $"m"tat"os or 8ua$"6cat"os must be c$ear$% state# " or#er to be
reco&"9e#. 4 the case at bar, the 6rst setece of Sec. 16, =rt. Q44 c$ear$% state# that appo"tmets b% the
'res"#et to the pos"t"os there" eumerate# re8u"re the coset of the .omm"ss"o o =ppo"tmets.
D. The &se o+ 8or. HaloneI a+ter HPresi.entI in thir. sentence is a lapse in .ra+tsanship, a literal
iport .eee. re.&n.ant
=fter a carefu$ stu#% of the #e$"berat"os of the 19;6 .ost"tut"oa$ .omm"ss"o, the .ourt fou# the use of the
!or# @a$oe3 after the !or# @'res"#et3 " sa"# th"r# setece of Sec. 16, =rt"c$e Q44 "s, more tha a%th"& e$se, a
s$"p or $apsus " #raftmash"p. 4 the 19;I .ost"tut"o, the c$ear a# e/presse# "tet of "ts framers !as to
e/c$u#e pres"#et"a$ appo"tmets from co6rmat"o b% the .omm"ss"o o =ppo"tmets, e/cept appo"tmets to
o?ces e/press$% met"oe# " the 6rst setece. .ose8uet$%, there !as o reaso to use " the th"r# setece
the !or# @a$oe3 after the !or# @'res"#et3 " pro2"#"& that .o&ress ma% b% $a! 2est the appo"tmet of $o!er-
raFe# o?cers " the 'res"#et a$oe, or " the courts, or " the hea#s of #epartmets, because the po!er to
appo"t o?cers !hom the 'res"#et ma% be author"9e# b% $a! to appo"t "s a$rea#% 2este# " h"m, !"thout ee# of
co6rmat"o b% the .omm"ss"o o =ppo"tmets, " the seco# setece. The !or# @a$oe3 " the th"r# setece,
as a $"tera$ "mport from the $ast part of par. <, sect"o 10, =rt"c$e Q44 of the 19<5 .ost"tut"o, appears to be
re#u#at " the $"&ht of the seco# setece. Th"s re#u#ac% caot pre2a"$ o2er the c$ear a# pos"t"2e "tet of
the framers of the 19;I .ost"tut"o that pres"#et"a$ appo"tmets, e/cept those met"oe# " the 6rst setece,
are ot sub,ect to co6rmat"o b% the .omm"ss"o o =ppo"tmets.
>. Presi.ent a&thoriKe. Coissioner o+ 4&rea& o+ C&stosA Coissioner not incl&.e. 8ith the
Erst (ro&p o+ appointent
The pos"t"o of .omm"ss"oer of the Dureau of .ustoms (a bureau hea#) "s ot oe of those !"th" the 6rst &roup of
appo"tmets !here the coset of the .omm"ss"o o =ppo"tmets "s re8u"re#. The 19;I .ost"tut"o
#e$"berate$% e/c$u#e# the pos"t"o of @hea#s of bureaus3 from appo"tmets that ee# the coset (co6rmat"o) of
the .omm"ss"o o =ppo"tmets. Loreo2er, the 'res"#et "s e/press$% author"9e# b% $a! to appo"t the
.omm"ss"oer of the Dureau of .ustoms (R= 19<I, Tar"Ef a# .ustoms .o#e of the 'h"$"pp"es, Sect"o 601, as
ame#e# b% 'B<: o 2I Actober 19I2).
#=. /a8s approve. .&rin( the eJectivit! o+ previo&s constit&tion &st 0e rea. in haron! 8ith the
ne8 one
R= 19<I a# 'B <: !ere appro2e# #ur"& the eEect"2"t% of the 19<5 .ost"tut"o, u#er !h"ch the 'res"#et ma%
om"ate a#, !"th the coset of the .omm"ss"o o =ppo"tmets, appo"t the hea#s of bureaus, $"Fe the
.omm"ss"oer of the Dureau of .ustoms. =fter the eEect"2"t% of the 19;I .ost"tut"o, ho!e2er, R= 19<I a# 'B <:
ha2e to be rea# " harmo% !"th Sec. 16, =rt. Q44, !"th the resu$t that, !h"$e the appo"tmet of the .omm"ss"oer
of the Dureau of .ustoms "s oe that #e2o$2es o the 'res"#et, as a appo"tmet he "s author"9e# b% $a! to
maFe, such appo"tmet, ho!e2er, o $o&er ee#s the co6rmat"o of the .omm"ss"o o =ppo"tmets.
Per+ecto v. 2eer
GR L-2<:;, 2I Jebruar% 1950 (;5 'h"$ 552)
J"rst B"2"s"o, De&9o (p)K ; cocur.
$acts: The 19<5 .ost"tut"o pro2"#es " "ts =rt"c$e Q444, Sect"o 9, that the members of the Supreme .ourt a# a$$
,u#&es of "fer"or courts @sha$$ rece"2e such compesat"o as ma% be 6/e# b% $a!, !h"ch sha$$ ot be #"m""she#
#ur"& the"r cot"uace " o?ce3. 4t a$so pro2"#es that @ut"$ .o&ress sha$$ pro2"#e other!"se, the .h"ef Hust"ce of
the Supreme .ourt sha$$ rece"2e a aua$ compesat"o of s"/tee thousa# pesos, a# each =ssoc"ate Hust"ce,
6ftee thousa# pesos3. >he Hust"ce 'erfecto assume# o?ce, .o&ress ha# ot @pro2"#e# other!"se3, b% 6/"& a
#"Eeret sa$ar% for assoc"ate ,ust"ces. 0e rece"2e# sa$ar% at the rate pro2"#e# b% the .ost"tut"o, ".e., 6ftee
thousa# pesos a %ear.
The .o$$ector of 4tera$ Re2eue re8u"re# Hust"ce Gre&or"o 'erfecto to pa% "come ta/ upo h"s sa$ar% as member
of the ,u#"c"ar%. The $atter pa"# the amout u#er protest. 0e cote#e# that the assessmet !as "$$e&a$, h"s
sa$ar% ot be"& ta/ab$e for the reaso that "mpos"t"o of ta/es thereo !ou$# re#uce "t " 2"o$at"o of the
.ost"tut"o.
Iss&e: >hether the "mpos"t"o of a "come ta/ upo the sa$ar% of a member of the Hu#"c"ar% amout to a
#"m"ut"o thereof., a# thus 2"o$ate the .ost"tut"o.
1el.: The "mpos"t"o of a "come ta/ upo the sa$ar% of a member of the ,u#"c"ar% amouts to a #"m"ut"o
thereof. 4f sa"# "mpos"t"o !ou$# ot be cos"#ere# as a #"m"ut"o, "t !ou$# appear that, " the matter of
compesat"o a# po!er a# ee# of secur"t%, the ,u#"c"ar% "s o a par !"th the (/ecut"2e. Such assumpt"o
certa"$% "&ores the pre2a"$"& state of aEa"rs. Jurther, the .ost"tut"o pro2"#es that ,u#&es sha$$ ho$# the"r o?ces
#ur"& &oo# beha2"or, a# sha$$ at state# t"mes rece"2e for the"r ser2"ces a compesat"o !h"ch sha$$ ot be
#"m""she# #ur"& the"r cot"uace " o?ce. Thus, e/t to permaec% " o?ce, oth"& ca cotr"bute more to
the "#epe#ece of the ,u#&es tha a 6/e# pro2"s"o for the"r support. 4 the &eera$ course of huma ature, a
po!er o2er a ma1s subs"stece amouts to a po!er o2er h"s !"$$. The "#epe#ece of the ,u#&es as of far &reater
"mportace tha a% re2eue that cou$# come from ta/"& the"r sa$ar"es.
(/empt"o of the ,u#"c"a$ sa$ar% from re#uct"o b% ta/at"o "s ot rea$$% a &ratu"t% or pr"2"$e&e. 4t "s esset"a$$% a#
pr"mar"$% compesat"o base# upo 2a$uab$e cos"#erat"o. The co2eat o the part of the &o2ermet "s a
&uarat% !hose fu$6$$met "s as much as part of the cos"#erat"o a&ree# as "s the moe% sa$ar%. The u#ertaF"&
has "ts o! part"cu$ar 2a$ue to the c"t"9es " secur"& the "#epe#ece of the ,u#"c"ar% " cr"sesN a# " the
estab$"shmet of the compesat"o upo a permaet fou#at"o !hereb% ,u#"c"a$ prefermet ma% be pru#et$%
accepte# b% those !ho are 8ua$"6e# b% ta$et, Fo!$e#&e, "te&r"t% a# capac"t%, but are ot possesse# of such a
pr"2ate fortue as to maFe a assure# sa$ar% a ob,ect of persoa$ cocer. A the other ha#, the members of the
,u#"c"ar% re$"8u"sh the"r pos"t"o at the bar, !"th a$$ "ts profess"oa$ emo$umets, se2er the"r coect"o !"th the"r
c$"ets, a# #e#"cate themse$2es e/c$us"2e$% to the #"schar&e of the oerous #ut"es of the"r h"&h o?ce. So, "t "s
"rrefutab$e that the &uarat% a&a"st a re#uct"o of sa$ar% b% the "mpos"t"o of a ta/ "s ot a e/empt"o from
ta/at"o " the sese of free#om from a bur#e or ser2"ce to !h"ch others are $"ab$e. The e/empt"o for a pub$"c
purpose or a 2a$"# cos"#erat"o "s mere$% a om"a$ e/empt"o, s"ce the 2a$"# a# fu$$ cos"#erat"o or the pub$"c
purpose promote# "s rece"2e# " the p$ace of the ta/.
The Supreme .ourt a?rme# the ,u#&met.
En.encia v. ,avi.
GR L-6<55-56, <1 =u&ust 195< (9< 'h"$ 696)
( Dac, Lotema%or (p)K 6 cocur
$acts: Satur"o Ba2"#, as a .o$$ector of 4tera$ Re2eue co$$ecte# "come ta/es from Hust"ces (#ec"a a# Hu&o,
as 'res"#"& Hust"ce of the .ourt of =ppea$s a# =ssoc"ate Hust"ce of the Supreme .ourt respect"2e$%. The $o!er
court he$# that u#er the #octr"e $a"# #o! " the case of 'erfecto 2s. Leer, ;5 'h"$., 552, the co$$ect"o of "come
ta/es from the sa$ar"es of Hust"ce Hu&o a# Hust"ce (#ec"a !as a #"m"ut"o of the"r compesat"o a# therefore
!as " 2"o$at"o of the .ost"tut"o of the 'h"$"pp"es, a# so or#ere# the refu# of sa"# ta/es. Respo#et, throu&h
the So$"c"tor Geera$ cote#e# that the co$$ect"o !as #oe pursuat to Sect"o 1< of Repub$"c =ct 590 !h"ch
.o&ress eacte# to author"9e a# $e&a$"9e the co$$ect"o of "come ta/ o the sa$ar"es of ,u#"c"a$ o?cers, "f ot to
couteract the ru$"& o the 'erfecto .ase.
Iss&e: >hether the Le&"s$ature ma% $a!fu$$% #ec$are the co$$ect"o of "come ta/ o the sa$ar% of a pub$"c o?c"a$,
spec"a$$% a ,u#"c"a$ o?cer, ot a #ecrease of h"s sa$ar%, after the Supreme .ourt has fou# a# #ec"#e# other!"se.
1el.: The Le&"s$ature caot $a!fu$$% #ec$are the co$$ect"o of "come ta/ o the sa$ar% of a pub$"c o?c"a$, spec"a$$%
a ,u#"c"a$ o?cer, ot a #ecrease of h"s sa$ar%, after the Supreme .ourt has fou# a# #ec"#e# other!"se. The
"terpretat"o a# app$"cat"o of the .ost"tut"o a# of statutes "s !"th" the e/c$us"2e pro2"ce a# ,ur"s#"ct"o of
the ,u#"c"a$ #epartmet, a# that " eact"& a $a!, the Le&"s$ature ma% ot $e&a$$% pro2"#e there" that "t be
"terprete# " such a !a% that "t ma% ot 2"o$ate a .ost"tut"oa$ proh"b"t"o, thereb% t%"& the ha#s of the courts
" the"r tasF of $ater "terpret"& sa"# statute, spec"a$$% !he the "terpretat"o sou&ht a# pro2"#e# " sa"# statute
rus couter to a pre2"ous "terpretat"o a$rea#% &"2e " a case b% the h"&hest court of the $a#. 4 the case at bar,
Sect"o 1< of Repub$"c =ct 590 "terprete# or ascerta"e# the mea"& of the phrase @!h"ch sha$$ ot be #"m""she#
#ur"& the"r cot"uace " o?ce,3 fou# " sect"o 9, =rt"c$e Q444 of the .ost"tut"o, referr"& to the sa$ar"es of
,u#"c"a$ o?cers. Th"s act of "terpret"& the .ost"tut"o or a% part thereof b% the Le&"s$ature "s a "2as"o of the
!e$$-#e6e# a# estab$"she# pro2"ce a# ,ur"s#"ct"o of the Hu#"c"ar%. The Le&"s$ature u#er our form of
&o2ermet "s ass"&e# the tasF a# the po!er to maFe a# eact $a!s, but ot to "terpret them. Th"s "s more
true !"th re&ar# to the "terpretat"o of the bas"c $a!, the .ost"tut"o, !h"ch "s ot !"th" the sphere of the
Le&"s$at"2e #epartmet. =$$o!"& the $e&"s$ature to "terpret the $a! !ou$# br"& cofus"o a# "stab"$"t% " ,u#"c"a$
processes a# court #ec"s"os.
Jurther, u#er the 'h"$"pp"e s%stem of cost"tut"oa$ &o2ermet, the Le&"s$at"2e #epartmet "s ass"&e# the
po!er to maFe a# eact $a!s. The (/ecut"2e #epartmet "s char&e# !"th the e/ecut"o or carr%"& out of the
pro2"s"os of sa"# $a!s. Dut the "terpretat"o a# app$"cat"o of sa"# $a!s be$o& e/c$us"2e$% to the Hu#"c"a$
#epartmet. =# th"s author"t% to "terpret a# app$% the $a!s e/te#s to the .ost"tut"o. Defore the courts ca
#eterm"e !hether a $a! "s cost"tut"oa$ or ot, "t !"$$ ha2e to "terpret a# ascerta" the mea"& ot o$% of sa"#
$a!, but a$so of the pert"et port"o of the .ost"tut"o " or#er to #ec"#e !hether there "s a coR"ct bet!ee the
t!o, because "f there "s, the the $a! !"$$ ha2e to &"2e !a% a# has to be #ec$are# "2a$"# a# ucost"tut"oa$.
Therefore, the #octr"e $a"# #o! " the case of 'erfecto 2s. Leer to the eEect that the co$$ect"o of "come ta/ o
the sa$ar% of a ,u#"c"a$ o?cer "s a #"m"ut"o thereof a# so 2"o$ates the .ost"tut"o, "s re"terate#.
The Supreme .ourt a?rme# the #ec"s"o, a?rm"& the ru$"& " 'erferto 2. Leer a# ho$#"& the "terpretat"o a#
app$"cat"o of $a!s be$o& to the Hu#"c"ar%.
-ita+an v. Coissioner o+ Internal Reven&e (Resol&tion)
GR L-I;I;0, 2< Hu$% 19;I
( Dac, Le$ec"o-0errera (p)K 12 cocur, 1 o $ea2e
$acts: The .h"ef Hust"ce has pre2"ous$% "ssue# a #"rect"2e to the J"sca$ Laa&emet a# Du#&et A?ce to cot"ue
the #e#uct"o of !"thho$#"& ta/es from sa$ar"es of the Hust"ces of the Supreme .ourt a# other members of the
,u#"c"ar%. Th"s !as a?rme# b% the Supreme .ourt e bac o : Becember 19;I.
'et"t"oers are the #u$% appo"te# a# 8ua$"6e# Hu#&es pres"#"& o2er Draches 52, 19 a# 5<, respect"2e$%, of the
RT., Nat"oa$ .ap"ta$ Hu#"c"a$ Re&"o, a$$ !"th stat"os " La"$a. The% seeF to proh"b"t a#7or perpetua$$% e,o" the
.omm"ss"oer of 4tera$ Re2eue a# the J"ac"a$ A?cer of the Supreme .ourt, from maF"& a% #e#uct"o of
!"thho$#"& ta/es from the"r sa$ar"es. >"th the 6$"& of the pet"t"o, the .ourt #eeme# "t best to sett$e the "ssue
throu&h ,u#"c"a$ prooucemet, e2e "f "t ha# #ea$t !"th the matter a#m""strat"2e$%.
Iss&e: >hether the "tet"o of the framers of the 19;I .ost"tut"o "s to e/empt ,ust"ces a# ,u#&es from ta/es as
"t !as " the 19<5 .ost"tut"o.
1el.: The ascerta"met of the "tet "s but " Feep"& !"th the fu#ameta$ pr"c"p$e of cost"tut"oa$
costruct"o that the "tet of the framers of the or&a"c $a! a# of the peop$e a#opt"& "t shou$# be &"2e eEect.
The pr"mar% tasF " cost"tut"oa$ costruct"o "s to ascerta" a# thereafter assure the rea$"9at"o of the purpose
of the framers a# of the peop$e " the a#opt"o of the .ost"tut"o. 4t ma% a$so be safe$% assume# that the peop$e
" rat"f%"& the .ost"tut"o !ere &u"#e# ma"$% b% the e/p$aat"o oEere# b% the framers. 4 the preset case,
Sect"o 10, =rt"c$e Q444 "s p$a" that the .ost"tut"o author"9es .o&ress to pass a $a! 6/"& aother rate of
compesat"o of Hust"ces a# Hu#&es but such rate must be h"&her tha that !h"ch the% are rece"2"& at the t"me of
eactmet, or "f $o!er, "t !ou$# be app$"cab$e o$% to those appo"te# after "ts appro2a$. 4t !ou$# be a stra"e#
costruct"o to rea# "to the pro2"s"o a e/empt"o from ta/at"o " the $"&ht of the #"scuss"o " the
.ost"tut"oa$ .omm"ss"o. Thus, the #ebates, "terpo$at"os a# op""os e/presse# re&ar#"& the cost"tut"oa$
pro2"s"o " 8uest"o ut"$ "t !as 6a$$% appro2e# b% the .omm"ss"o #"sc$ose# that the true "tet of the framers of
the 19;I .ost"tut"o, " a#opt"& "t, !as to maFe the sa$ar"es of members of the Hu#"c"ar% ta/ab$e.
The Supreme .ourt #"sm"sse# the pet"t"o for proh"b"t"o.

A(lipa! v. R&iK
GR :5:59, 1< Larch 19<I (6: 'h"$ 201)
J"rst B"2"s"o, Laure$ (p)K 5 cocur.
$acts: 4 La% 19<6, the B"rector of 'osts aouce# " the #a"$"es of La"$a that he !ou$# or#er the "ssuace of
posta&e stamps commemorat"& the ce$ebrat"o " the ."t% of La"$a of the <<r# 4terat"oa$ (uchar"st"c
.o&ress, or&a"9e# b% the Roma .atho$"c .hurch. The pet"t"oer, Los. Gre&or"o =&$"pa%, Supreme 0ea# of the
'h"$"pp"e 4#epe#et .hurch, " the fu$6$$met of !hat he cos"#ers to be a c"2"c #ut%, re8ueste# Q"cete Sotto,
(s8., member of the 'h"$"pp"e Dar, to #eouce the matter to the 'res"#et of the 'h"$"pp"es. 4 sp"te of the
protest of the pet"t"oer1s attore%, the B"rector of 'osts pub$"c$% aouce# ha2"& set to the V"te# States the
#es"&s of the posta&e for pr"t"&. The sa"# stamps !ere actua$$% "ssue# a# so$# thou&h the &reater part thereof
rema"e# uso$#. The further sa$e of the stamps !as sou&ht to be pre2ete# b% the pet"t"oer.
Iss&e: >hether the "ssuace of the posta&e stamps !as " 2"o$at"o of the .ost"tut"o.
1el.: Re$"&"ous free#om as a cost"tut"oa$ ma#ate "s ot "h"b"t"o of profou# re2erece for re$"&"o a# "s ot a
#e"a$ of "ts "Ruece " huma aEa"rs. Re$"&"o as a profess"o of fa"th to a act"2e po!er that b"#s a# e$e2ates
ma to h"s .reator "s reco&"9e#. =#, " so far as "t "st"$$s "to the m"#s the purest pr"c"p$es of mora$"t%, "ts
"Ruece "s #eep$% fe$t a# h"&h$% apprec"ate#. >he the J"$"p"o peop$e, " the preamb$e of the"r .ost"tut"o,
"mp$ore# @the a"# of B"2"e 'ro2"#ece, " or#er to estab$"sh a &o2ermet that sha$$ embo#% the"r "#ea$s, coser2e
a# #e2e$op the patr"mo% of the at"o, promote the &eera$ !e$fare, a# secure to themse$2es a# the"r
poster"t% the b$ess"&s of "#epe#ece u#er a re&"me of ,ust"ce, $"bert% a# #emocrac%,3 the% thereb%
ma"feste# the"r "tese re$"&"ous ature a# p$ace# ufa$ter"& re$"ace upo 0"m !ho &u"#es the #est""es of me
a# at"os. The e$e2at"& "Ruece of re$"&"o " huma soc"et% "s reco&"9e# here as e$se!here.
=ct :052 cotemp$ates o re$"&"ous purpose " 2"e!. >hat "t &"2es the B"rector of 'osts "s the #"scret"oar% po!er to
#eterm"e !he the "ssuace of spec"a$ posta&e stamps !ou$# be @a#2ata&eous to the Go2ermet.3 Af course,
the phrase @a#2ata&eous to the Go2ermet3 #oes ot author"9e the 2"o$at"o of the .ost"tut"oN ".e. to
appropr"ate, use or app$% of pub$"c moe% or propert% for the use, bee6t or support of a part"cu$ar sect or church.
4 the case at bar, the "ssuace of the posta&e stamps !as ot "sp"re# b% a% sectar"a fee$"& to fa2or a
part"cu$ar church or re$"&"ous #eom"at"os. The stamps !ere ot "ssue# a# so$# for the bee6t of the Roma
.atho$"c .hurch, or !ere moe% #er"2e# from the sa$e of the stamps &"2e to that church. The purpose of the
"ssu"& of the stamps !as to taFe a#2ata&e of a e2et cos"#ere# of "terat"oa$ "mportace to &"2e pub$"c"t% to
the 'h"$"pp"es a# "ts peop$e a# attract more tour"sts to the coutr%. Thus, "stea# of sho!"& a .atho$"c cha$"ce,
the stamp cota"e# a map of the 'h"$"pp"es, the $ocat"o of the ."t% of La"$a, a# a "scr"pt"o that rea#s @Seat
WWW444 4terat"oa$ (uchar"st"c .o&ress, Jeb. <-I, 19<I.3
The Supreme .ourt #e"e# the pet"t"o for a !r"t of proh"b"t"o, !"thout prooucemet as to costs.

2anila Prince 1otel v. "SIS
GR 122156, < Jebruar% 199I
( bac, De$$os"$$o (p)K 6 cocur, others #"sset
$acts: The Go2ermet Ser2"ce 4surace S%stem (GS4S), pursuat to the pr"2at"9at"o pro&ram of the 'h"$"pp"e
Go2ermet u#er 'roc$amat"o 50 #ate# ; Becember 19;6, #ec"#e# to se$$ throu&h pub$"c b"##"& <0T to 51T of
the "ssue# a# outsta#"& shares of the La"$a 0ote$ (L0.). 4 a c$ose b"##"& he$# o 1; September 1995 o$%
t!o b"##ers part"c"pate#K La"$a 'r"ce 0ote$ .orporat"o, a J"$"p"o corporat"o, !h"ch oEere# to bu% 51T of the
L0. or 15,<00,000 shares at ':1.5; per share, a# Reo& Derha#, a La$a%s"a 6rm, !"th 4TT-Sherato as "ts hote$
operator, !h"ch b"# for the same umber of shares at '::.00 per share, or '2.:2 more tha the b"# of pet"t"oer.
'e#"& the #ec$arat"o of Reo& Derhar# as the !""& b"##er7strate&"c parter a# the e/ecut"o of the
ecessar% cotracts, the La"$a 'r"ce 0ote$ matche# the b"# pr"ce of '::.00 per share te#ere# b% Reo& Derha#
" a $etter to GS4S #ate# 2; September 1995. La"$a 'r"ce 0ote$ set a maa&er1s checF to the GS4S " a
subse8uet $etter, but !h"ch GS4S refuse# to accept. A 1I Actober 1995, perhaps apprehes"2e that GS4S has
#"sre&ar#e# the te#er of the match"& b"# a# that the sa$e of 51T of the L0. ma% be hastee# b% GS4S a#
cosummate# !"th Reo& Derha#, La"$a 'r"ce 0ote$ came to the .ourt o proh"b"t"o a# ma#amus.
Iss&e(s):
>hether the pro2"s"os of the .ost"tut"o, part"cu$ar$% =rt"c$e W44
Sect"o 10, are se$f-e/ecut"&.
>hether the 51T share "s part of the at"oa$ patr"mo%.
1el.: = pro2"s"o !h"ch $a%s #o! a &eera$ pr"c"p$e, such as those fou# " =rt"c$e 44 of the 19;I .ost"tut"o, "s
usua$$% ot se$f-e/ecut"&. Dut a pro2"s"o !h"ch "s comp$ete " "tse$f a# becomes operat"2e !"thout the a"# of
supp$emetar% or eab$"& $e&"s$at"o, or that !h"ch supp$"es su?c"et ru$e b% meas of !h"ch the r"&ht "t &rats
ma% be e,o%e# or protecte#, "s se$f-e/ecut"&. Thus a cost"tut"oa$ pro2"s"o "s se$f-e/ecut"& "f the ature a#
e/tet of the r"&ht coferre# a# the $"ab"$"t% "mpose# are 6/e# b% the cost"tut"o "tse$f, so that the% ca be
#eterm"e# b% a e/am"at"o a# costruct"o of "ts terms, a# there "s o $a&ua&e "#"cat"& that the sub,ect "s
referre# to the $e&"s$ature for act"o. 4 se$f-e/ecut"& cost"tut"oa$ pro2"s"os, the $e&"s$ature ma% st"$$ eact
$e&"s$at"o to fac"$"tate the e/erc"se of po!ers #"rect$% &rate# b% the cost"tut"o, further the operat"o of such a
pro2"s"o, prescr"be a pract"ce to be use# for "ts eforcemet, pro2"#e a co2e"et reme#% for the protect"o of the
r"&hts secure# or the #eterm"at"o thereof, or p$ace reasoab$e safe&uar#s arou# the e/erc"se of the r"&ht. The
mere fact that $e&"s$at"o ma% supp$emet a# a## to or prescr"be a pea$t% for the 2"o$at"o of a se$f-e/ecut"&
cost"tut"oa$ pro2"s"o #oes ot re#er such a pro2"s"o "eEect"2e " the absece of such $e&"s$at"o. The om"ss"o
from a cost"tut"o of a% e/press pro2"s"o for a reme#% for eforc"& a r"&ht or $"ab"$"t% "s ot ecessar"$% a
"#"cat"o that "t !as ot "te#e# to be se$f-e/ecut"&. The ru$e "s that a se$f-e/ecut"& pro2"s"o of the cost"tut"o
#oes ot ecessar"$% e/haust $e&"s$at"2e po!er o the sub,ect, but a% $e&"s$at"o must be " harmo% !"th the
cost"tut"o, further the e/erc"se of cost"tut"oa$ r"&ht a# maFe "t more a2a"$ab$e. Subse8uet $e&"s$at"o ho!e2er
#oes ot ecessar"$% mea that the sub,ect cost"tut"oa$ pro2"s"o "s ot, b% "tse$f, fu$$% eforceab$e. =s a&a"st
cost"tut"os of the past, mo#er cost"tut"os ha2e bee &eera$$% #rafte# upo a #"Eeret pr"c"p$e a# ha2e
ofte become " eEect e/tes"2e co#es of $a!s "te#e# to operate #"rect$% upo the peop$e " a maer s"m"$ar to
that of statutor% eactmets, a# the fuct"o of cost"tut"oa$ co2et"os has e2o$2e# "to oe more $"Fe that of
a $e&"s$at"2e bo#%. 0ece, u$ess "t "s e/press$% pro2"#e# that a $e&"s$at"2e act "s ecessar% to eforce a
cost"tut"oa$ ma#ate, the presumpt"o o! "s that a$$ pro2"s"os of the cost"tut"o are se$f-e/ecut"&. 4f the
cost"tut"oa$ pro2"s"os are treate# as re8u"r"& $e&"s$at"o "stea# of se$f-e/ecut"&, the $e&"s$ature !ou$# ha2e the
po!er to "&ore a# pract"ca$$% u$$"f% the ma#ate of the fu#ameta$ $a!. 4 6e, Sect"o 10, seco# para&raph,
=rt. W44 of the 19;I .ost"tut"o "s a ma#ator%, pos"t"2e comma# !h"ch "s comp$ete " "tse$f a# !h"ch ee#s o
further &u"#e$"es or "mp$emet"& $a!s or ru$es for "ts eforcemet. Jrom "ts 2er% !or#s the pro2"s"o #oes ot
re8u"re a% $e&"s$at"o to put "t " operat"o.
4 "ts p$a" a# or#"ar% mea"&, the term patr"mo% perta"s to her"ta&e. >he the .ost"tut"o speaFs of
at"oa$ patr"mo%, "t refers ot o$% to the atura$ resources of the 'h"$"pp"es, as the .ost"tut"o cou$# ha2e 2er%
!e$$ use# the term atura$ resources, but a$so to the cu$tura$ her"ta&e of the J"$"p"os. 4t a$so refers to J"$"p"o1s
"te$$"&ece " arts, sc"eces a# $etters. 4 the preset case, La"$a 0ote$ has become a $a#marF, a $"2"&
test"mo"a$ of 'h"$"pp"e her"ta&e. >h"$e "t !as restr"ct"2e$% a =mer"ca hote$ !he "t 6rst opee# " 1912, a
cocourse for the e$"te, "t has s"ce the become the 2eue of 2ar"ous s"&"6cat e2ets !h"ch ha2e shape#
'h"$"pp"e h"stor%. 4 the &rat"& of ecoom"c r"&hts, pr"2"$e&es, a# cocess"os, espec"a$$% o matters "2o$2"&
at"oa$ patr"mo%, !he a cho"ce has to be ma#e bet!ee a @8ua$"6e# fore"&er3 a# a @8ua$"6e# J"$"p"o,3 the
$atter sha$$ be chose o2er the former.
The Supreme .ourt #"recte# the GS4S, the La"$a 0ote$ .orporat"o, the .omm"ttee o 'r"2at"9at"o a# the A?ce
of the Go2ermet .orporate .ouse$ to cease a# #es"st from se$$"& 51T of the Share of the L0. to Reo&
Derha#, a# to accept the match"& b"# of La"$a 'r"ce 0ote$ at ':: per shere a# thereafter e/ecute the
ecessar% a&reemets a# #ocumet to eEect the sa$e, to "ssue the ecessar% c$earaces a# to #o such other
acts a# #ee#s as ma% be ecessar% for the purpose
Tana.a v. T&vera
GR L-6<915, 2: =pr"$ 19;5 (1<6 S.R= 2I)
( Dac, (sco$" (p)K 1 cocur, 2 cocur !"th reser2at"o, 1 tooF o part, 1 o $ea2e
$acts: 42oF"& the peop$e1s r"&ht to be "forme# o matters of pub$"c cocer (Sect"o 6, =rt"c$e 4Q of the 19I<
'h"$"pp"e .ost"tut"o) as !e$$ as the pr"c"p$e that $a!s to be 2a$"# a# eforceab$e must be pub$"she# " the
A?c"a$ Ga9ette or other!"se eEect"2e$% promu$&ate#, pet"t"oers seeF a !r"t of ma#amus to compe$ respo#et
pub$"c o?c"a$s to pub$"sh, a# or cause the pub$"cat"o " the A?c"a$ Ga9ette of 2ar"ous pres"#et"a$ #ecrees, $etters
of "struct"os, &eera$ or#ers, proc$amat"os, e/ecut"2e or#ers, $etter of "mp$emetat"o a# a#m""strat"2e or#ers.
The% ma"ta" that s"ce the sub,ect of the pet"t"o cocers a pub$"c r"&ht a# "ts ob,ect "s to compe$ the
performace of a pub$"c #ut%, the% are proper part"es for the pet"t"o. The respo#ets a$$e&e#, ho!e2er throu&h
the So$"c"tor-Geera$, that pet"t"oers ha2e o $e&a$ persoa$"t% or sta#"& to br"& the "stat pet"t"o. The%
further cote# that pub$"cat"o " the A?c"a$ Ga9ette "s ot a s"e 8ua o re8u"remet for the eEect"2eess of
$a!s !here the $a!s pro2"#e for the"r o! eEect"2"t% #ates. Thus pub$"cat"o "s ot "#"spesab$e.
Iss&e: >hether pub$"cat"o "s a "#"spesab$e re8u"remet for the eEect"2"t% of $a!s
1el.: 'ub$"cat"o " the A?c"a$ Ga9ette "s ecessar% " those cases !here the $e&"s$at"o "tse$f #oes ot pro2"#e for
"ts eEect"2"t% #ate Z for the the #ate of pub$"cat"o "s mater"a$ for #eterm""& "ts #ate of eEect"2"t%, !h"ch "s the
6fteeth #a% fo$$o!"& "ts pub$"cat"o Z but ot !he the $a! "tse$f pro2"#es for the #ate !he "t &oes "to eEect.
Th"s "s correct "sofar as "t e8uates the eEect"2"t% of $a!s !"th the fact of pub$"cat"o. =rt"c$e 2 ho!e2er, cos"#ere#
" the $"&ht of other statutes app$"cab$e to the "ssue #oes ot prec$u#e the re8u"remet of pub$"cat"o " the A?c"a$
Ga9ette, e2e "f the $a! "tse$f pro2"#es for the #ate of "ts eEect"2"t%. The c$ear ob,ect of the such pro2"s"o "s to &"2e
the &eera$ pub$"c a#e8uate ot"ce of the 2ar"ous $a!s !h"ch are to re&u$ate the"r act"os a# co#uct as c"t"9es.
>"thout such ot"ce a# pub$"cat"o, there !ou$# be o bas"s for the app$"cat"o of the ma/"m @"&orat"a $e&"s o
e/cusat.3 4t !ou$# be the he"&ht of ",ust"ce to pu"sh or other!"se bur#e a c"t"9e for the tras&ress"o of a $a! of
!h"ch he ha# o ot"ce !hatsoe2er, ot e2e a costruct"2e oe. Jurther, pub$"cat"o "s ecessar% to appr"se the
pub$"c of the cotets of re&u$at"os a# maFe the sa"# pea$t"es b"#"& o the persos aEecte# thereb%. 4 the
preset case, 'res"#et"a$ "ssuaces of &eera$ app$"cat"o, !h"ch ha2e ot bee pub$"she#, sha$$ ha2e o force a#
eEect. The "mp$emetat"o7eforcemet of pres"#et"a$ #ecrees pr"or to the"r pub$"cat"o " the A?c"a$ Ga9ette "s
a operat"2e fact, !h"ch ma% ha2e cose8ueces !h"ch caot be ,ust$% "&ore#. The past caot a$!a%s be erase#
b% a e! ,u#"c"a$ #ec$arat"o that a a$$-"c$us"2e statemet of a pr"c"p$e of abso$ute retroact"2e "2a$"#"t% caot
be ,ust"6e#.
The Supreme .ourt or#ere# the respo#ets to pub$"sh " the A?c"a$ Ga9ette a$$ upub$"she# pres"#et"a$ "ssuaces
!h"ch are of &eera$ app$"cat"o, a# that u$ess so pub$"she#, the% sha$$ ha2e o b"#"& force a# eEect.
Tana.a v. T&vera (Resol&tion)
GR L-6<915, 29 Becember 19;6 (1:6 S.R= ::6)
( Dac, .ru9 (p) K ; cocurr"&
$acts: A 2: =pr"$ 19;5, the .ourt a?rme# the ecess"t% for the pub$"cat"o to the A?c"a$ Ga9ette a$$ upub$"she#
pres"#et"a$ "ssuaces !h"ch are of &eera$ app$"cat"o, a# u$ess so pub$"she#, the% sha$$ ha2e o b"#"& force
a# eEect. Bec"s"o !as cocurre# o$% b% < ,u#&es. 'et"t"oers mo2e for recos"#erat"o 7 c$ar"6cat"o of the
#ec"s"o o 2ar"ous 8uest"os. So$"c"tor Geera$ a2ers that the mot"o "s a re8uest for a#2"sor% op""o. Jebruar%
Re2o$ut"o tooF p$ace, !h"ch subse8uet$% re8u"re# the e! So$"c"tor Geera$ to 6$e a re,o"#er o the "ssue (u#er
Ru$e <, Sect"o 1; of the Ru$es of .ourt).
Iss&e: >hether pub$"cat"o "s st"$$ re8u"re# " $"&ht of the c$ause @u$ess other!"se pro2"#e#3.
1el.: The c$ause @u$ess "t "s other!"se pro2"#e#,3 " =rt"c$e 2 of the ."2"$ .o#e, refers to the #ate of eEect"2"t% a#
ot to the re8u"remet of pub$"cat"o "tse$f, !h"ch caot " a% e2et be om"tte#. Th"s c$ause #oes ot mea that
the $e&"s$ature ma% maFe the $a! eEect"2e "mme#"ate$% upo appro2a$, or o a% other #ate, !"thout "ts pre2"ous
pub$"cat"o. The $e&"s$ature ma% " "ts #"scret"o pro2"#e that the usua$ 6ftee-#a% per"o# sha$$ be shortee# or
e/te#e#. 'ub$"cat"o re8u"remets app$"es to (1) a$$ statutes, "c$u#"& those of $oca$ app$"cat"o a# pr"2ate $a!sN
(2) pres"#et"a$ #ecrees a# e/ecut"2e or#ers promu$&ate# b% the 'res"#et " the e/erc"se of $e&"s$at"2e po!ers
!hee2er the same are 2a$"#$% #e$e&ate# b% the $e&"s$ature or #"rect$% coferre# b% the .ost"tut"oN (<)
=#m""strat"2e ru$es a# re&u$at"os for the purpose of eforc"& or "mp$emet"& e/"st"& $a! pursuat a$so to a
2a$"# #e$e&at"oN (:) .harter of a c"t% ot!"thsta#"& that "t app$"es to o$% a port"o of the at"oa$ terr"tor% a#
#"rect$% aEects o$% the "hab"tats of that p$aceN (5) Loetar% Doar# c"rcu$ars to @6$$ " the #eta"$s3 of the .etra$
DaF =ct !h"ch that bo#% "s suppose# to eforce. Jurther, pub$"cat"o must be " fu$$ or "t "s o pub$"cat"o at a$$
s"ce "ts purpose "s to "form the pub$"c of the cotets of the $a!s.
The Supreme .ourt #ec$are# that a$$ $a!s as abo2e #e6e# sha$$ "mme#"ate$% upo the"r appro2a$, or as soo
thereafter as poss"b$e, be pub$"she# " fu$$ " the A?c"a$ Ga9ette, to become eEect"2e o$% after 15 #a%s from the"r
pub$"cat"o, or o aother #ate spec"6e# b% the $e&"s$ature, " accor#ace !"th =rt"c$e 2 of the ."2"$ .o#e.
Priicias v. Ur.aneta
GR L-26I02, 1; Actober 19I9 (9< S.R= :62)
J"rst B"2"s"o, #e .astro (p)K ; cocurr"&, 1 o $ea2e, 1 #"# ot taFe part.
$acts: A 1< Larch 196:, Ar#"ace < (Ser"es of 196:) !as eacte# b% the Lu"c"pa$ .ouc"$ of Vr#aeta,
'a&as"a. Ar#"ace "s pattere# after a# base# o Sect"o 5<, 5 para&raph : of =ct <992, as ame#e#
(Re2"se# Lotor Qeh"c$e La!). A 20 Hue 196:, R= :1<6 (La# Trasportat"o a# Tra?c .o#e) became eEect"2e.
Sect"o 6< e/p$"c"t$% repea$e# =ct <992.
A ; Jebruar% 1965, Hua =u&usto D. 'r"m"c"as !as #r"2"& h"s car !"th" Vr#aeta !he a member of Vr#aeta1s
Lu"c"pa$ 'o$"ce asFe# h"m to stop. 0e !as to$#, upo stopp"&, that he ha# 2"o$ate# Lu"c"pa$ Ar#"ace < (S.
196:), for o2ertaF"& a trucF.3 The po$"cema the asFe# for p$a"t"E1s $"cese !h"ch he surre#ere#, a# a
temporar% operator1s perm"t !as "ssue# to h"m. Th"s "c"#et tooF p$ace about 200 meters a!a% from a schoo$
bu"$#"&, at Darr"o Nacama$"ra, Vr#aeta. Thereafter, a cr"m"a$ comp$a"t !as 6$e# " the Lu"c"pa$ .ourt of
Vr#aeta a&a"st 'r"m"c"as for 2"o$at"o of Ar#"ace < (S. 196:).
Bue to the "st"tut"o of the cr"m"a$ case, 'r"m"c"as ""t"ate# a act"o for the au$met of sa"# or#"ace !"th
pra%er for the "ssuace of pre$"m"ar% ",uct"o for the purpose of restra""& #efe#ats Lu"c"pa$"t% of Vr#aeta,
La%or 'ere9, 'o$"ce .h"ef Su%at, Hu#&e Sor"ao a# 'atro$ma =#ra#a from eforc"& the or#"ace. The !r"t !as
"ssue# a# Hu#&e Sor"ao !as e,o"e# from further procee#"& " the cr"m"a$ case. A 29 Hue 1966, the .ourt of
J"rst 4stace L"&a%e he$# " "ts #ec"s"o that the or#"ace !as u$$ a# 2o"# a# ha# bee repea$e# b% R= :1<6.
The !r"t of pre$"m"ar% ",uct"o a&a"st Hu#&e Sor"ao #e6"te a# permaet. 4t a$so restra"e# 'ere9, Su%at, a#
=#ra#a from eforc"& sa"# or#"ace throu&hout Vr#aeta, or#er"& them to retur the p$a"t"E1s #r"2er1s $"cese,
a# to pa% the cost of the su"t. The pub$"c o?c"a$s appea$e# to the Supreme .ourt.
Iss&e: >hether the or#"ace "s 2a$"#.
1el.: The &eera$ ru$e "s that a $ater $a! pre2a"$s o2er a ear$"er $a!. The or#"ace1s 2a$"#"t% shou$# be #eterm"e#
2"s-a-2"s R= :1<6, the @mother statute3 (ot =ct <992), !h"ch !as " force at the t"me the cr"m"a$ case !as
brou&ht a&a"st 'r"m"c"as. Jurther, !he the Lu"c"pa$ .ouc"$ of Vr#aeta use# the phrase @2eh"cu$ar tra?c3
(Sect"o 1, Ar#"ace) "t #"# ot #"st"&u"sh bet!ee passe&er cars a# motor 2eh"c$es a# motor trucFs a#
buses. .os"#er"& that th"s "s a re&u$ator% or#"ace, "ts c$earess, #e6"teess a# certa"t% are a$$ the more
"mportat so that a a2era&e ma shou$# be ab$e !"th #ue care, after rea#"& "t, to u#ersta# a# ascerta"
!hether he !"$$ "cur a pea$t% for part"cu$ar acts or courses of co#uct. Thus, as the Lu"c"pa$ .ouc"$ of Vr#aeta
#"# ot maFe a% c$ass"6cat"o of "ts thorou&hfares, cotrar% to the e/p$"c"t re8u"remet $a"# #o! b% Sect"o <;,
R= :1<6. The Ar#"ace refers to o$% oe of the four c$ass"6cat"os met"oe# " para&raph (b), Sect"o <5. The
c$ass"6cat"os !h"ch must be base# o Sect"o <5 are ecessar% " 2"e! of Sect"o <6 !h"ch states that o
pro2"c"a$, c"t% or mu"c"pa$ author"t% sha$$ eact or eforce a% or#"ace or reso$ut"o spec"f%"& ma/"mum
a$$o!ab$e spee#s other tha those pro2"#e# " th"s =ct. The or#"ace, therefore " 2"e! of the fore&o"&, "s 2o"#.
The Supreme .ourt a?rme# the appea$e# #ec"s"o.
/a Carlota S&(ar Central v. 3ieneK
GR L-12:<6, <1 La% 1961 (2 S.R= 295)
( Dac, B"9o (p)K 10 cocurr"&, 1 tooF o part.
$acts: Somet"me " September, 1955 La .ar$ota Su&ar .etra$, !h"ch !as u#er the a#m""strat"o of ($"9a$#e,
"mporte# 500 short tos of ammo"um su$phate a# <50 short tos of ammo"um phosphate. >he the fert"$"9ers
arr"2e# " the 'h"$"pp"es, the .etra$ DaF "mpose# 1IT e/cha&e ta/ from the .etra$ " accor#ace !"th the
pro2"s"os of Repub$"c =ct 601. A 1; No2ember 1955 the .etra$ 6$e#, throu&h the 0o&Fo& X Sha&ha" DaF"&
.orporat"o, a pet"t"o for the refu# of the '20,;I2.09 pa"# (the 1IT ta/), c$a"m"& that "t ha# "mporte# the
fert"$"9ers met"oe# heretofore upo re8uest a# for the e/c$us"2e use of 5 hac"e#as o!e# a# maa&e# b%
($"9a$#e, a# therefore the "mportat"o !as e/empt from the 1IT e/cha&e ta/ " accor#ace !"th Sect"o 2, R=
601, as ame#e# b% R= 1<I5.
A 2 Hu$% 1956, the =u#"tor of the .etra$ DaF #e"e# the pet"t"o. The .etra$ re8ueste# the =u#"tor to recos"#er
h"s ru$"&, but after a re-e/am"at"o of a$$ pert"et papers the recos"#erat"o !as #e"e#. The .etra$ the
appea$e# to the =u#"tor Geera$ of the 'h"$"pp"es. A 1; Hauar% 195I, the =u#"tor Geera$ a?rme# the ru$"& of
the =u#"tor of the .etra$ DaF upo the &rou# that the "mportat"o of the fert"$"9ers #oes ot fa$$ !"th" the scope
of the e/empt"& pro2"s"os of Sect"o 2 of R= 601, as ame#e# b% R= 1<I5N a# thus a?rm"& the #ec"s"o of the
=u#"tor, .etra$ DaF of the 'h"$"pp"es. The .etra$ a# ($"9a$#e 6$e# the pet"t"o for re2"e! " the Supreme .ourt.
Iss&e: >hether upo the "mportat"o of the fert"$"9ers are co2ere# b% the e/empt"o (pro2"#e# b% Sect"o 1 a# 2
of Repub$"c =ct No. 601, as ame#e# b% Repub$"c =cts 11I5, 119I a# 1<I5).
1el.: The $a! "s, therefore, c$ear that "mporte# fert"$"9ers are e/empt from the pa%met of the 1IT ta/ o$% "f the
same !ere "mporte# b% p$aters or farmers #"rect$% or throu&h the"r cooperat"2es. The e/empt"o co2ers
e/c$us"2e$% fert"$"9ers "mporte# b% p$aters or farmers #"rect$% or throu&h the"r cooperat"2es. The !or# @#"rect$%3
has bee "terprete# to mea @!"thout a%th"& "ter2e"&3. .ose8uet$%, a "mportat"o of fert"$"9ers ma#e b% a
farmer or p$ater throu&h a a&et, other tha h"s cooperat"2e, "s ot "mporte# #"rect$% as re8u"re# b% the
e/empt"o.
>he the "ssue "s !hether or ot the e/empt"o from a ta/ "mpose# b% $a! "s app$"cab$e, the ru$e "s that the
e/empt"& pro2"s"o "s to be costrue# $"bera$$% " fa2or of the ta/"& author"t% a# str"ct$% a&a"st e/empt"o from
ta/ $"ab"$"t%, the resu$t be"& that statutor% pro2"s"os for the refu# of ta/es are str"ct$% costrue# " fa2or of the
State a# a&a"st the ta/pa%er. (/empt"& from the 1IT ta/ a$$ fert"$"9ers "mporte# b% p$aters or farmers throu&h
a% a&et other tha the"r cooperat"2es, th"s !ou$# be re#er"& use$ess the o$% e/cept"o e/press$% estab$"she#
" the case of fert"$"9ers "mporte# b% p$aters or farmers throu&h the"r cooperat"2es.

CIR v. CA
GR 115<:9, 1; =pr"$ 199I (2I1 S.R= 605)
Th"r# B"2"s"o, 'a&a"ba (p)K : cocurr"&
$acts: 'r"2ate respo#et, the =teeo #e La"$a V"2ers"t%, "s a o-stocF, o-pro6t e#ucat"oa$ "st"tut"o !"th
au/"$"ar% u"ts a# braches a$$ o2er the 'h"$"pp"es. Ae au/"$"ar% u"t "s the 4st"tute of 'h"$"pp"e .u$ture (4'.),
!h"ch has o $e&a$ persoa$"t% separate a# #"st"ct from that of pr"2ate respo#et. The 4'. "s a 'h"$"pp"e u"t
e&a&e# " soc"a$ sc"ece stu#"es of 'h"$"pp"e soc"et% a# cu$ture. Accas"oa$$%, "t accepts sposorsh"ps for "ts
research act"2"t"es from "terat"oa$ or&a"9at"os, pr"2ate fou#at"os a# &o2ermet a&ec"es. A ; Hu$% 19;<,
pr"2ate respo#et rece"2e# from .omm"ss"oer of 4tera$ Re2eue (.4R) a #ema# $etter #ate# < Hue 19;<,
assess"& pr"2ate respo#et the sum of '1I:,0:<.9I for a$$e&e# #e6c"ec% cotractor1s ta/, a# a assessmet
#ate# 2I Hue 19;< " the sum of '1,1:1,;<I for a$$e&e# #e6c"ec% "come ta/, both for the 6sca$ %ear e#e# <1
Larch 19I;. Be%"& sa"# ta/ $"ab"$"t"es, pr"2ate respo#et set pet"t"oer a $etter-protest a# subse8uet$% 6$e#
!"th the $atter a memora#um cotest"& the 2a$"#"t% of the assessmets. A 1I Larch 9;;, pet"t"oer re#ere# a
$etter-#ec"s"o cace$"& the assessmet for #e6c"ec% "come ta/ but mo#"f%"& the assessmet for #e6c"ec%
cotractor1s ta/ b% "creas"& the amout #ue to '19<,:I5.55. Vsat"s6e#, pr"2ate respo#et re8ueste# for a
recos"#erat"o or re"2est"&at"o of the mo#"6e# assessmet.
=t the same t"me, "t 6$e# " the respo#et court a pet"t"o for re2"e! of the sa"# $etter-#ec"s"o of the pet"t"oer.
>h"$e the pet"t"o !as pe#"& before the respo#et court, pet"t"oer "ssue# a 6a$ #ec"s"o #ate# < =u&ust 19;;
re#uc"& the assessmet for #e6c"ec% cotractor1s ta/ from '19<,:I5.55 to ':6,516.:1, e/c$us"2e of surchar&e
a# "terest. A 12 Hu$% 199<, the respo#et court set as"#e respo#et1s #ec"s"o, a# cace$"& the #e6c"ec%
cotractor1s ta/ assessmet " the amout of ':6,516.:1 e/c$us"2e of surchar&e a# "terest for the 6sca$ %ear
e#e# <1 Larch 19I;. No prooucemet as to cost. A 2I =pr"$ 199:, .ourt of =ppea$s, " .=-GR S' <1I90,
a?rme# the #ec"s"o of the .ourt of Ta/ =ppea$s. Not " accor# !"th sa"# #ec"s"o, pet"t"oer came to Supreme
.ourt 2"a a pet"t"o for re2"e!.
Iss&es:
>hether the pr"2ate respo#et has the bur#e of proof " the ta/ case.
>hether the pr"2ate respo#et "s ta/ab$e as a "#epe#et cotractor.
1el.: The .omm"ss"oer erre# " app$%"& the pr"c"p$es of ta/ e/empt"o !"thout 6rst app$%"& the !e$$-sett$e#
#octr"e of str"ct "terpretat"o " the "mpos"t"o of ta/es. 4t "s ob2"ous$% both "$$o&"ca$ a# "mpract"ca$ to #eterm"e
!ho are e/empte# !"thout 6rst #eterm""& !ho are co2ere# b% the aforesa"# pro2"s"o. The .omm"ss"oer shou$#
ha2e #eterm"e# 6rst "f pr"2ate respo#et !as co2ere# b% Sect"o 205, app$%"& the ru$e of str"ct "terpretat"o of
$a!s "mpos"& ta/es a# other bur#es o the popu$ace, before asF"& =teeo to pro2e "ts e/empt"o therefrom,
fo$$o!"& the ru$e of costruct"o !here @the ta/ e/empt"os are to be str"ct$% costrue# a&a"st the ta/pa%er3.
The #octr"e " the "terpretat"o of ta/ $a!s "s that a statute !"$$ ot be costrue# as "mpos"& a ta/ u$ess "t #oes
so c$ear$%, e/press$%, a# uamb"&uous$%. Ta/ caot be "mpose# !"thout c$ear a# e/press !or#s for that purpose.
=ccor#"&$%, the &eera$ ru$e of re8u"r"& a#herece to the $etter " costru"& statutes app$"es !"th pecu$"ar
str"ctess to ta/ $a!s a# the pro2"s"os of a ta/"& act are ot to be e/te#e# b% "mp$"cat"o.3 4 case of #oubt,
such statutes are to be costrue# most stro&$% a&a"st the &o2ermet a# " fa2or of the sub,ects or c"t"9es
because bur#es are ot to be "mpose# or presume# to be "mpose# be%o# !hat statutes e/press$% a# c$ear$%
"mport. 4 the preset case, =teeo1s 4st"tute of 'h"$"pp"e .u$ture e2er so$# "ts ser2"ces for a fee to a%oe or
!as e2er e&a&e# " a bus"ess apart from a# "#epe#et$% of the aca#em"c purposes of the u"2ers"t%. Ju#s
rece"2e# b% the =teeo #e La"$a V"2ers"t% are tech"ca$$% ot a fee. The% ma% ho!e2er fa$$ as &"fts or #oat"os
!h"ch are @ta/-e/empt3 as sho! b% pr"2ate respo#et1s comp$"ace !"th the re8u"remet of Sect"o 12< of the
Nat"oa$ 4tera$ Re2eue .o#e pro2"#"& for the e/empt"o of such &"fts to a e#ucat"oa$ "st"tut"o.
The Supreme .ourt #e"e# the pet"t"o a# a?rme# the assa"$e# Bec"s"o of the .ourt of =ppea$s. The .ourt ru$e#
that the pr"2ate respo#et "s ot a cotractor se$$"& "ts ser2"ces for a fee but a aca#em"c "st"tut"o co#uct"&
these researches pursuat to "ts comm"tmets to e#ucat"o a#, u$t"mate$%, to pub$"c ser2"ce. Jor the "st"tute to
ha2e teac"ous$% cot"ue# operat"& for so $o& #esp"te "ts accumu$at"o of s"&"6cat $osses, !e ca o$% a&ree
!"th both the .ourt of Ta/ =ppea$s a# the .ourt of =ppea$s that @e#ucat"o a# ot pro6t "s mot"2e for
u#ertaF"& the research pro,ects.

2actan Ce0& (2CIAA) v. 2arcos
GR 1200;2, 11 September 1996 (261 S.R= 66I)
Th"r# B"2"s"o, Ba2"#e Hr. (p)K : cocurr"&.
$acts: Lacta .ebu 4terat"oa$ ="rport =uthor"t% (L.4==) !as create# b% 2"rtue of Repub$"c =ct 695;. S"ce the
t"me of "ts creat"o, L.4== e,o%e# the pr"2"$e&e of e/empt"o from pa%met of rea$t% ta/es " accor#ace !"th
Sect"o 1: of "ts .harter. 0o!e2er o 11 Actober 199:, the A?ce of the Treasurer of .ebu, #ema#e# for the
pa%met of rea$t% ta/es o se2era$ parce$s of $a# be$o&"& to the pet"t"oer. 'et"t"oer ob,ecte# to such #ema#
for pa%met as base$ess a# u,ust"6e#. 4t a$so asserte# that "t "s a "strumeta$"t% of the &o2ermet perform"&
a &o2ermeta$ fuct"os, !h"ch puts $"m"tat"os o the ta/"& po!ers of $oca$ &o2ermet u"ts. 4t oethe$ess
sta#s " the same foot"& as a a&ec% or "strumeta$"t% of the at"oa$ &o2ermet b% the 2er% ature of "ts
po!ers a# fuct"os. The ."t% refuse# to cace$ a# set as"#e pet"t"oer1s rea$t% ta/ accout, "s"st"& that the
L.4== "s a &o2ermet cotro$$e# corporat"o !hose ta/ e/empt"o pr"2"$e&e has bee !"th#ra! b% 2"rtue of
Sect"os 19< a# 2<: of the Loca$ Go2ermet .o#e (LG.), a# ot a "strumeta$"t% of the &o2ermet but
mere$% a &o2ermet o!e# corporat"o perform"& propr"etar% fuct"os. L.4== pa"# "ts ta/ accout @u#er
protest3 !he ."t% "s about to "ssue a !arrat of $e2% a&a"st the L.4==1s propert"es.
A 29 Becember 199:, L.4== 6$e# a 'et"t"o of Bec$arator% Re$"ef !"th the .ebu Re&"oa$ Tr"a$ .ourt cote#"&
that the ta/"& po!er of $oca$ &o2ermet u"ts #o ot e/te# to the $e2% of ta/es or fees o a "strumeta$"t% of
the at"oa$ &o2ermet. 4t cote#s that b% the ature of "ts po!ers a# fuct"os, "t has the foot"& of a a&ec%
or "strumeta$"t% of the at"oa$ &o2ermetN !h"ch c$a"m the ."t% re,ects. A 22 Larch 1995, the tr"a$ court
#"sm"sse# the pet"t"o, c"t"& that c$ose rea#"& of the LG. pro2"#es the e/press cace$$at"o a# !"th#ra!a$ of ta/
e/empt"os of Go2ermet A!e# a# .otro$$e# .orporat"os. L.4==1s mot"o for recos"#erat"o ha2"& bee
#e"e# b% the tr"a$ court " "ts : La% 1995 or#er, the pet"t"oer 6$e# the "stat pet"t"o.
Iss&e: >hether the L.4== "s e/empte# from rea$t% ta/es.
1el.: Ta/ statutes are costrue# str"ct$% a&a"st the &o2ermet a# $"bera$$% " fa2or of the ta/pa%er. Dut s"ce
ta/es are pa"# for c"2"$"9e# soc"et%, or are the $"feb$oo# of the at"o, the $a! fro!s a&a"st e/empt"os from
ta/at"o a# statutes &rat"& ta/ e/empt"os are thus costrue# str"ct"ss"m" ,ur"s a&a"st the ta/pa%er a#
$"bera$$% " fa2or of the ta/"& author"t%. = c$a"m of e/empt"o from ta/ pa%mets must be c$ear$% sho! a# base#
o $a&ua&e " the $a! too p$a" to be m"staFe. ($se!"se state#, ta/at"o "s the ru$e, e/empt"o therefrom "s the
e/cept"o. 0o!e2er, "f the &ratee of the e/empt"o "s a po$"t"ca$ sub#"2"s"o or "strumeta$"t%, the r"&"# ru$e of
costruct"o #oes ot app$% because the pract"ca$ eEect of the e/empt"o "s mere$% to re#uce the amout of moe%
that has to be ha#$e# b% the &o2ermet " the course of "ts operat"os. Jurther, s"ce ta/at"o "s the ru$e a#
e/empt"o therefrom the e/cept"o, the e/empt"o ma% be !"th#ra! at the p$easure of the ta/"& author"t%. The
o$% e/cept"o to th"s ru$e "s !here the e/empt"o !as &rate# to pr"2ate part"es base# o mater"a$ cos"#erat"o
of a mutua$ ature, !h"ch the becomes cotractua$ a# "s thus co2ere# b% the o-"mpa"rmet c$ause of the
.ost"tut"o.
Lacta .ebu 4terat"oa$ ="rport =uthor"t% (L.4==) "s a @ta/ab$e perso3 u#er "ts .harter (R= 695;), a# !as
o$% e/empte# from the pa%met of rea$ propert% ta/es. The &rat of the pr"2"$e&e o$% " respect of th"s ta/ "s
coc$us"2e proof of the $e&"s$at"2e "tet to maFe "t a ta/ab$e perso sub,ect to a$$ ta/es, e/cept rea$ propert% ta/.
S"ce Repub$"c =ct I160 or the Loca$ Go2ermet .o#e (LG.) e/press$% pro2"#es that @=$$ &eera$ a# spec"a$ $a!s,
acts, c"t% charters, #ecrees Os"cP, e/ecut"2e or#ers, proc$amat"os a# a#m""strat"2e re&u$at"os, or part of parts
thereof !h"ch are "cos"stet !"th a% of the pro2"s"os of th"s .o#e are hereb% repea$e# or mo#"6e# accor#"&$%.3
>"th that repea$"& c$ause " the LG., the ta/ e/empt"o pro2"#e# for " R= 695; ha# bee e/press$% repea$e# b%
the pro2"s"os of the LG.. Therefore, L.4== has to pa% the assesse# rea$t% ta/ of "ts propert"es eEect"2e after
Hauar% 1, 1992 ut"$ the preset.
The Supreme .ourt #e"e# the pet"t"o, a# a?rme# the cha$$e&e# #ec"s"o a# or#er of the RT. .ebuN !"thout
prooucemet as to costs.
SerEno v. CA
GR L-:0;5;, 15 September 19;I
Seco# B"2"s"o, 'aras (p)K : cocurr"&.
$acts: A 25 =u&ust 19<I, a parce$ of $a# !as patete# " the ame of 'ac"6co .asama%or (A.T 1;<9). A 1:
Becember 19:5, he so$# sa"# $a# " fa2or of Nemes"a B. Da$ata9ar (T.T No. 5I-N, 1; Hauar% 19:6). A.T 1;<9 !as
$ost #ur"& the !ar a# upo pet"t"o of Nemes"a Da$ta9ar, the .ourt of J"rst 4stace of Ne&ros Acc"#eta$ or#ere#
the recost"tut"o thereof. 'ursuat thereto, A.T 1:-R (1;<9) !as "ssue# o 1; Hauar% 19:6 " the ame of
'ac"6co .asama%or. A that same #a%, T.T 5I-N !as "ssue# " the ame of Nemes"a Da$ta9ar but after the
cace$$at"o of A.T 1:-R (1;<9). A 15 =u&ust 1951, Nemes"a Da$ta9ar, so$# sa"# propert% to Lope9 Su&ar .etra$
L"$$ .o., a# the $atter #"# ot preset the #ocumets for re&"strat"o ut"$ 1I Becember 196: to the A?ce of the
Re&"str% of Bee#s. Sa"# o?ce refuse# re&"strat"o upo "ts #"sco2er% that the same propert% !as co2ere# b%
aother cert"6cate of t"t$e, T.T <;9;5, " the ame of Je#er"co Ser6o. A 19 No2ember 196:, the spouses Ser6os
mort&a&e# the $a# to the 'h"$"pp"e Nat"oa$ DaF ('ND) to secure a $oa " the amout of '5,000.00N !h"ch !as
"scr"be# " T.T No. <;9;5.
The Lope9 Su&ar .etra$ "st"tute# a act"o to reco2er sa"# $a#N a# the $o!er court re#ere# a #ec"s"o or#er"&
the cace$$at"o of T.T No. <;9;5N "ssuace of a e! T.T " the ame of p$a"t"EN a# the pa%met of the p$a"t"E
'ND the $oa of spouses Ser6os secure# b% sa"# $a#. Doth part"es appea$e# from th"s #ec"s"o of the tr"a$ court.
Ru$"& o the ass"&met of errors, the appe$$ate court a?rme# the ,u#&met of the tr"a$ court !"th mo#"6cat"o "
"ts #ec"s"o sett"& as"#e the #ec"s"o of the tr"a$ court #ec$ar"& p$a"t"E $"ab$e to 'ND for pa%met, ho!e2er,
or#er"& the p$a"t"E to re"mburse the Ser6o spouses of the sum '1,;<9.:9, represet"& the upa"# ta/es a#
pea$t"es pa"# b% the $atter !he the% repurchase# the propert%. 0ece, the appea$ b% the spouses Ser6o a# 'ND
to the Supreme .ourt.
Iss&e: >hether the auct"o sa$e of the #"spute# propert% !as u$$ a# 2o"#.
1el.: The assa"$e# #ec"s"o of the appe$$ate court #ec$ares that the prescr"be# proce#ure " auct"o sa$es of
propert% for ta/ #e$"8uec% be"& " #ero&at"o of propert% r"&hts shou$# be fo$$o!e# puct"$"ous$%. Str"ct
a#herece to the statutes &o2er"& ta/ sa$es "s "mperat"2e ot o$% for the protect"o of the ta/ pa%ers, but a$so to
a$$a% a% poss"b$e susp"c"o of co$$us"o bet!ee the bu%er a# the pub$"c o?c"a$s ca$$e# upo to eforce such
$a!s. Not"ce of sa$e to the #e$"8uet $a# o!ers a# to the pub$"c " &eera$ "s a esset"a$ a# "#"spesab$e
re8u"remet of $a!, the o-fu$6$$met of !h"ch 2"t"ates the sa$e. 4 the preset case, Lope9 Su&ar .etra$ !as ot
et"re$% e&$"&et " "ts pa%met of $a# ta/es. The recor# sho!s that ta/es !ere pa"# for the %ears 1950 to 195<
a# a rece"pt therefor !as obta"e# " "ts ame. The sa$e therefore b% the 'ro2"ce of Ne&ros Acc"#eta$ of the $a#
" #"spute to the spouses Ser6os !as 2o"# s"ce the 'ro2"ce of Ne&ros Acc"#eta$ !as ot the rea$ o!er of the
propert% thus so$#. 4 tur, the spouses Ser6os t"t$e !h"ch has bee #er"2e# from that of the 'ro2"ce of Ne&ros
Acc"#eta$ "s $"Fe!"se 2o"#. 0o!e2er, the fact that the pub$"c auct"o sa$e of the #"spute# propert% !as ot 2a$"#
caot " a% !a% be attr"bute# to the mort&a&ee1s fau$t. The "ab"$"t% of the Re&"ster of Bee#s to ot"f% the actua$
o!er or Lope9 Su&ar .etra$ of the sche#u$e# pub$"c auct"o sa$e !as part$% #ue to the fa"$ure of Lope9 Su&ar
.etra$ to #ec$are the $a# " "ts ame for a umber of %ears a# to pa% the comp$ete ta/es thereo. 'ND "s
therefore et"t$e# to the pa%met of the mort&a&e $oa as ru$e# b% the tr"a$ court a# e/empte# from the pa%met
of costs.
The Supreme .ourt a?rme# the assa"$e# #ec"s"o, !"th mo#"6cat"o that 'ND mort&a&e cre#"t must be pa"# b%
Lope9 Su&ar .etra$.
2anahan v. ECC
GR L-::;99, 22 =pr"$ 19;1 (10: S.R= 19;)
J"rst B"2"s"o, Jera#e9 (p)K : cocurr"&.
$acts: Lar"a (. Laaha, the pet"t"oer, "s the !"#o! of Na9ar"o Laaha, Hr., !ho #"e# of @(ter"c Je2er3 !h"$e
emp$o%e# as c$assroom teacher " Las '"Yas Lu"c"pa$ 0"&h Schoo$, Las '"Yas, R"9a$, o ; La%, 19I5. The #ecease#
!as " perfect hea$th !he he etere# &o2ermet ser2"ce o 20 Hu$% 1969, a# that " the course of h"s
emp$o%met " 19I:, he !as treate# for ep"&astr"c pa". 0e succumbe# to eter"c fe2er o La% ;, 19I5. Thus, the
pet"t"oer 6$e# a c$a"m !"th the Go2ermet Ser2"ce 4surace S%stem (GS4S) for #eath bee6t u#er 'res"#et"a$
Becree 626. 4 a $etter #ate# 19 Hue 19I5, the GS4S #e"e# the c$a"m o a 6#"& that the a"$met of Na9ar"o
Laaha, Hr., t%pho"# fe2er, "s ot a occupat"oa$ #"sease, a# that eter"c fe2er or parat%pho"# "s s"m"$ar " eEect
to t%pho"# fe2er, " the sese that both are pro#uce# b% Sa$moe$$a or&a"sms.
The pet"t"oer appea$e# to the (mp$o%ees .ompesat"o .omm"ss"o ((..), !h"ch a?rme# the #ec"s"o of the
GS4S o a 6#"& that the a"$met of the #ecease#, eter"c fe2er, !as ot "#uce# b% or a&&ra2ate# b% the ature
of the #ut"es of Na9ar"o Laaha, Hr. as a teacher. Thus, the appea$.
Iss&e: >hether the >orFme1s .ompesat"o shou$# be reso$2e# " fa2or of the !orFer
1el.: The Tras"tor% a# J"a$ 'ro2"s"os of the Ne! Labor .o#e pro2"#es that a$$ act"os a# c$a"ms accru"& pr"or
to the eEect"2"t% of th"s .o#e sha$$ be #eterm"e# " accor#ace !"th the $a!s " force at the t"me of the"r accrua$
a# u#er the th"r# para&raph of =rt"c$e 292, T"t$e 44 ('rescr"pt"o of AEeses a# .$a"ms), !orFme1s
compesat"o c$a"ms accru"& pr"or to the eEect"2"t% of th"s .o#e a# #ur"& the per"o# from 1 No2ember 19I: up
to <1 Becember 19I: sha$$ be processe# a# a#,u#"cate# " accor#ace !"th the $a!s a# ru$es at the t"me the"r
causes of act"o accrue# 0ece, th"s .ourt app$"e# the pro2"s"os of the >orFme1s .ompesat"o =ct, as
ame#e#, o pass"& upo pet"t"oer1s c$a"m.. The "$$ess that c$a"me# the $"fe of the #ecease# ma% ha# "ts oset
before 10 Becember 19I:, thus, h"s act"o accrue# before 10 Becember 19I:. St"$$, 4 a% case, a# case of #oubt,
the same shou$# be reso$2e# " fa2or of the !orFer, a# that soc"a$ $e&"s$at"os Z $"Fe the >orFme1s .ompesat"o
=ct a# the Labor .o#e Z shou$# be $"bera$$% costrue# to atta" the"r $au#ab$e ob,ect"2e, ".e., to &"2e re$"ef to the
!orFma a#7or h"s #epe#ets " the e2et that the former shou$# #"e or susta" a ",ur%. 'ursuat to such
#octr"e a# app$%"& o! the pro2"s"os of the >orFme1s .ompesat"o =ct " th"s case, the presumpt"o of
compesab"$"t% subs"sts " fa2or of the c$a"mat.
The Supreme .ourt set as"#e the #ec"s"o of the (.. a# or#ere# the GS4S to pa% the pet"t"oer the amout of
'6,000.00 as #eath compesat"o bee6t a# '600.00 as attore%1s fees, to re"mburse the pet"t"oer1s e/peses
"curre# for me#"ca$ ser2"ces, hosp"ta$"9at"o a# me#"c"es of the #ecease# Na9ar"o Laaha, Hr., #u$% supporte#
b% proper rece"pts, a# to pa% a#m""strat"2e fees.
6illavert v. ECC
GR L-:;605, 1: Becember 19;1 (110 S.R= 2<<)
J"rst B"2"s"o, Jera#e9 (p)K : cocurr"&
$acts: Bom"a N. Q"$$a2ert, the pet"t"oer, "s the mother of the $ate Larce$"o N. Q"$$a2ert !ho #"e# of acute
hemorrha&"c pacreat"t"s o 12 Becember 19I5 emp$o%e# as a .o#e Qer"6er " the 'h"$"pp"e .ostabu$ar%. The
#ecease# a$so performe# the #ut"es of a computer operator a# c$erF t%p"st. A 11 Becember 19I5, the #ecease#
reporte# as usua$ to the .ostabu$ar% .omputer .eter " .amp .rame. 0e performe# h"s #ut"es ot o$% as .o#e
Qer"6er but a$so ha#$e# a#m""strat"2e fuct"os, computer operat"o a# t%p"& ,obs #ue to shorta&e of c"2"$"a
persoe$. =$thou&h he !as comp$a""& of chest pa" a# hea#ache $ate " the afteroo of sa"# #a%, he !as
re8u"re# to re#er o2ert"me ser2"ce ut"$ $ate " the #a%, t%p"& 2o$um"ous c$ass"6e# commu"cat"os, comput"&
a$$o!aces a# prepar"& checFs for the sa$ar% of '.-4N' persoe$ throu&hout the coutr% for #"str"but"o o or
before 15 Becember 19I5. Gasp"& for breath, persp"r"& profuse$%, a# mumb$"& "coheret !or#s !h"$e as$eep,
a# !he he !as ot ab$e to re&a" cosc"ousess, he !as rushe# to the V"2ers"t% of the (ast-Ramo La&sa%sa%
(V(RL) Lemor"a$ 0osp"ta$ !here he #"e# at 5K<0 am. The ND4 state# that the e/act cause of acute hemorrha&"c
pacreat"t"s "s st"$$ uFo!, a$thou&h most research #ata a&ree that ph%s"ca$ a# meta$ stresses are stro&
causa$ factors " the #e2e$opmet of the #"sease.
A 1; Larch 19I6, she 6$e# a c$a"m for "come bee6ts for the #eath of her so u#er 'B 626, as ame#e#, !"th
the Go2ermet Ser2"ce 4surace S%stem (GS4S). GS4S #e"e# the c$a"m o the &rou# that acute hemorrha&"c
pacreat"t"s "s ot a occupat"oa$ #"sease a# that the pet"t"oer ha# fa"$e# to sho! that there !as a causa$
coect"o bet!ee the fata$ a"$met of Larce$"o N. Q"$$a2ert a# the ature of h"s emp$o%met. The pet"t"oer
appea$e# to the (mp$o%ees .ompesat"o .omm"ss"o ((..). A <1 La% 19I;, the (.. a?rme# the #ec"s"o of
GS4S #e%"& the c$a"m. 0ece, the pet"t"o.
Iss&e: >hether the pet"t"oer "s et"t$e# to her so1s #eath bee6ts.
1el.: The Le#"co Le&a$ A?cer of the ND4 state# that the e/act cause of acute hemorrha&"c pacreat"t"s (acute
"Rammat"o !"th hemorrha&"c ecros"s of the pacreas) "s st"$$ uFo! #esp"te e/tes"2e researches " th"s 6e$#,
a$thou&h most research #ata are a&ree# that ph%s"ca$ a# meta$ stresses are stro& causa$ factors " the
#e2e$opmet of the #"sease. There "s o e2"#ece at a$$ that Larce$"o N. Q"$$a2ert ha# a @bout of a$coho$"c
"to/"cat"o3 short$% before he #"e#, e"ther "s there a sho!"& that he use# #ru&sN e&at"& the assoc"at"o
pro2"#e# b% 'r"c"p$es of 4tera$ Le#"c"e (b% 0arr"so Ith (#"t"o, p. 15I1). Jrom the fore&o"& facts of recor#, "t
"s c$ear that Larce$"o N. Q"$$a2ert #"e# of acute hemorrha&"c pacreat"t"s !h"ch !as #"rect$% cause# or at $east
a&&ra2ate# b% the #ut"es he performe# as co#e 2er"6er, computer operator a# c$erF t%p"st of the 'h"$"pp"e
.ostabu$ar%. Jurther, =rt"c$e : of the Labor .o#e of the 'h"$"pp"es, as ame#e#, pro2"#es that @a$$ #oubts " the
"mp$emetat"o a# "terpretat"o of th"s .o#e, "c$u#"& "ts "mp$emet"& ru$es a# re&u$at"os sha$$ be reso$2e#
" fa2or of $abor.3
The Supreme .ourt set as"#e the #ec"s"o of the (.. a# or#ere# the GS4S to pa% the pet"t"oer #eath bee6ts "
the amout of '6,000.00.

GR L-6:20:, <1 La% 19;5 (1<5 S.R= 669)
J"rst B"2"s"o, Le$ec"o-0errera (p)K 5 cocurr"&, 1 o $ea2e
$acts: A 1 Jebruar% 19I;, Be$ Rosar"o a# Sos Lo&&"& (terpr"ses, 4c. etere# "to a @.otract of Ser2"ces3
!"th .a$mar Secur"t% =&ec% !hereb% the $atter u#ertooF to supp$% the former !"th secur"t% &uar#s at the rate of
'<00.00 per moth for each &uar#. Thereafter, 'au$"o Labut", Napo$eo Dorata a# S"$2"o Tu#"o 6$e# a .omp$a"t
a&a"st the Secur"t% =&ec% a# pet"t"oer, for u#erpa%met of sa$ar%, o-pa%met of $"2"& a$$o!ace, a# 1<th
moth pa%. Thereafter, 62e other &uar#s 6$e# the"r comp$a"t for the same causes of act"o. 'et"t"oer cote#e#
that comp$a"ats ha2e o cause of act"o a&a"st "t #ue to absece of emp$o%er-emp$o%ee re$at"osh"p bet!ee
them. The% a$so #e"e# $"ab"$"t% a$$e&"& that #ue to the "a#e8uac% of the amouts pa"# to "t u#er the .otract of
Ser2"ces, "t cou$# ot poss"b$% comp$% !"th the pa%mets re8u"re# b% $abor $a!s.
=ss"&e# for compu$sor% arb"trat"o, the Labor =rb"ter re#ere# a #ec"s"o #"sm"ss"& the comp$a"t for !at of
emp$o%er-emp$o%ee re$at"osh"p. >he the case !as appea$e# to the NLR., the #ec"s"o !as mo#"6e# b% ho$#"&
that pet"t"oer "s $"ab$e to pa% comp$a"ats, ,o"t$% a# se2era$$%, !"th the Secur"t% =&ec% o the &rou# that the
pet"t"oer "s a "#"rect emp$o%er pursuat to =rt"c$es 106 a# 10I. 0ece, the appea$. The pet"t"oer cote#e#
that NLR. erre# " &"2"& #ue course to the appea$ #esp"te the fact that "t !as ot u#er oath a# the re8u"re#
appea$ fee !as ot pa"#N " ho$#"& "t ,o"t$% a# se2era$$% $"ab$e !"th the Secur"t% =&ec%N a# " refus"& to &"2e
#ue course to "ts Lot"o for Recos"#erat"o.
Iss&e(s):
>hether the forma$ #efects of the appea$ of the secur"t% a&ec%
"2a$"#ate the appea$.
>hether the secur"t% &uar#s from the a&ec% are et"t$e# to bee6ts
c$a"me# from the compa%
1el.: The forma$ #efects " the appea$ of the Secur"t% =&ec% !ere ot fata$ #efects. The $acF of 2er"6cat"o cou$#
ha2e bee eas"$% correcte# b% re8u"r"& a oath. The appea$ fee ha# bee pa"# a$thou&h "t !as #e$a%e#. Ja"$ure to
pa% the #ocFet"& fees #oes ot automat"ca$$% resu$t " the #"sm"ssa$ of the appea$. B"sm"ssa$ "s #"scret"oar% !"th
the =ppe$$ate .ourt a# #"scret"o must be e/erc"se# !"se$% a# pru#et$%, e2er capr"c"ous$%, !"th a 2"e! to
substat"a$ ,ust"ce. Ja"$ure to pa% the appea$ #ocFet"& fee cofers a #"rector% a# ot a ma#ator% po!er to
#"sm"ss a appea$ a# such po!er must be e/erc"se# !"th sou# #"scret"o a# !"th a &reat #ea$ of c"rcumspect"o,
cos"#er"& a$$ atte#at c"rcumstaces.3 Loreo2er, as pro2"#e# for b% =rt"c$e 221 of the Labor .o#e @" a%
procee#"& before the .omm"ss"o or a% of the Labor =rb"ters, the ru$es of e2"#ece pre2a"$"& " .ourts of $a! or
e8u"t% sha$$ ot be cotro$$"& a# "t "s the sp"r"t a# "tet"o of th"s .o#e that the .omm"ss"o a# "ts members
a# the Labor =rb"ters sha$$ use e2er% a# a$$ reasoab$e meas to ascerta" the facts " each case spee#"$% a#
ob,ect"2e$% a# !"thout re&ar# to tech"ca$"t"es of $a! or proce#ure, a$$ " the "terest of #ue process.
Jurther, =rt"c$es 106 of the Labor .o#e pro2"#es that @" the e2et that the cotractor or subcotractor fa"$s to pa%
the !a&es of h"s emp$o%ees " accor#ace !"th th"s .o#e, the emp$o%er sha$$ be ,o"t$% a# se2era$$% $"ab$e !"th h"s
cotractor or subcotractor to such emp$o%ees to the e/tet of the !orF performe# u#er the cotract, " the same
maer a# e/tet that he "s $"ab$e to emp$o%ees #"rect$% emp$o%e# b% h"m,3 a# =rt"c$e 10I pro2"#es that @the
pro2"s"os of the "mme#"ate$% prece#"& =rt"c$e sha$$ $"Fe!"se app$% to a% perso, partersh"p, assoc"at"o or
corporat"o !h"ch, ot be"& a emp$o%er, cotracts !"th a "#epe#et cotractor for the performace of a%
!orF, tasF, ,ob or pro,ect.3 4 the case at bar, pet"t"oer became a "#"rect emp$o%er of respo#ets-comp$a"ats
!he pet"t"oer etere# "to a .otract of Ser2"ces !"th the Secur"t% =&ec% a# the $atter h"re# the comp$a"ats
to !orF as &uar#s for the former. 0o!e2er, the pet"t"oer1s $"ab"$"t% shou$# be !"thout pre,u#"ce to a c$a"m for
re"mbursemet a&a"st the Secur"t% =&ec% for such amouts as pet"t"oer ma% ha2e to pa% to comp$a"ats. The
Secur"t% =&ec% ma% ot seeF e/cu$pat"o b% c$a"m"& that pet"t"oer1s pa%mets to "t !ere "a#e8uate. =s a
emp$o%er, "t "s char&e# !"th Fo!$e#&e of $abor $a!s a# the a#e8uac% of the compesat"o that "t #ema#s for
cotractua$ ser2"ces "s "ts pr"c"pa$ cocer a# ot a% other1s.
The Supreme .ourt a?rme# the ,u#&met u#er re2"e!, !"thout pre,u#"ce to pet"t"oer1s r"&ht to seeF
re"mbursemet from .a$mar Secur"t% =&ec% for such amouts as pet"t"oer ma% ha2e to pa% to comp$a"ats.
.osts a&a"st the pr"2ate respo#et.
T! v. $irst -ational S&ret!
GR L-161<;, 29 =pr"$ 1961 (1 S.R= 1<2:)
( Dac, Labra#or (p)K ; cocurr"&
$acts: =t #"Eeret t"mes !"th" a per"o# of t!o moths pr"or to 2: Becember 195<, B"os#a#o .. T%, emp$o%e# as
operator mecha"c forema " the Droa#!a% .otto Jactor% "sure# h"mse$f " 1; $oca$ "surace compa"es,
amo& !h"ch be"& the ; abo2e-ame# #efe#ats, !h"ch "ssue# to h"m persoa$ acc"#et po$"c"es. '$a"t"E1s
bee6c"ar% !as h"s emp$o%er, Droa#!a% .otto Jactor%, !h"ch pa"# the "surace prem"ums. A 2: Becember
195<, a 6re broFe out !h"ch tota$$% #estro%e# the Droa#!a% .otto Jactor%. J"&ht"& h"s !a% out of the factor%,
p$a"t"E !as ",ure# o the $eft ha# b% a hea2% ob,ect. 0e !as brou&ht to the La"$a .etra$ V"2ers"t% hosp"ta$,
a# after rece"2"& 6rst-a"#, he !et to the Nat"oa$ Arthope#"c 0osp"ta$ for treatmet of h"s ",ur"es (fractures "
"#e/, m"##$e, fourth, a# 6fth 6&ers of $eft ha#). Jrom 26 Becember 195< to ; Jebruar% 195:, he u#er!et
me#"ca$ treatmet " the hosp"ta$. The abo2e-#escr"be# ph%s"ca$ ",ur"es ha2e cause# temporar% tota$ #"sab"$"t% of
p$a"t"E1s $eft ha#. '$a"t"E 6$e# the correspo#"& ot"ce of acc"#et a# ot"ce of c$a"m !"th a$$ of the abo2e-
ame# #efe#ats to reco2er "#em"t%. Befe#ats re,ecte# p$a"t"E1s c$a"m for "#em"t% for the reaso that
there be"& o se2erace of amputat"o of the $eft ha#, the #"sab"$"t% suEere# b% h"m !as ot co2ere# b% h"s
po$"c%.
'$a"t"E sue# the #efe#ats " the Lu"c"pa$"t% .ourt of th"s ."t%, !h"ch #"sm"sse# h"s comp$a"ts. Thereafter, the
p$a"t"E appea$e# to the .ourt of J"rst 4stace La"$a, pres"#e# b% Hu#&e Gre&or"o S. Nar2asa, !h"ch abso$2e# the
#efe#ats from the comp$a"ts. 0ece, the appea$.
Iss&e: >hether B"os#a#o T% "s et"t$e# to "#em"t% u#er the "surace po$"c% for the #"sab"$"t% of h"s $eft ha#.
1el.: The a&reemet cota"e# " the "surace po$"c"es "s the $a! bet!ee the part"es. =s the terms of the
po$"c"es are c$ear, e/press a# spec"6c that o$% amputat"o of the $eft ha# shou$# be cos"#ere# as a $oss thereof,
a "terpretat"o that !ou$# "c$u#e the mere fracture or other temporar% #"sab"$"t% ot co2ere# b% the po$"c"es
!ou$# certa"$% be u!arrate#. 4 the case at bar, #ue to the c$ar"t% of the st"pu$at"o, #"st"ct"o bet!ee
@temporar% #"sab"$"t%3 a# @tota$ #"sab"$"t%3 ee# ot be ma#e " re$at"o to oe1s occupat"o meas that the
co#"t"o of the "surace "s such that commo pru#ece re8u"res h"m to #es"st from trasact"& h"s bus"ess or
re#ers h"m "capab$e of !orF"&. >h"$e the .ourt s%mpath"9es !"th the p$a"t"E or h"s emp$o%er, for !hose bee6t
the po$"c"es !ere "ssue#, "t ca ot &o be%o# the c$ear a# e/press co#"t"os of the "surace po$"c"es, a$$ of
!h"ch #e6e part"a$ #"sab"$"t% as $oss of e"ther ha# b% a amputat"o throu&h the boes of the !r"st.3 There !as o
such amputat"o " the case at bar.
The Supreme .ourt a?rme# the appea$e# #ec"s"o, !"th costs a&a"st the p$a"t"E-appe$$at.

,e la Cr&K v. Capital Ins&rance
GR L-215I:, <0 Hue 1966 (1I S.R= 559)
( Dac, Darrera (p)K ; cocurr"&
$acts: (#uar#o #e $a .ru9 !as the ho$#er of a acc"#et "surace po$"c%. 4 coect"o !"th the ce$ebrat"o of the
Ne! Cear, the "sure#, a o-profess"oa$ bo/er, part"c"pate# " a bo/"& cotest. 4 the course of h"s bout !"th
aother perso, $"Fe!"se a o-profess"oa$, of the same he"&ht, !e"&ht a# s"9e, (#uar#o s$"ppe# a# !as h"t b%
h"s oppoet o the $eft part of the bacF of the hea#, caus"& (#uar#o to fa$$, !"th h"s hea# h"tt"& the rope of the
r"&. The "sure# #"e# !"th the cause of #eath reporte# as hemorrha&e "tracra"a$, $eft. The "surer refuse# to pa%
the procee#s of the po$"c% o the &rou# that the #eath of the "sure# " a bo/"& cotest, !as ot acc"#eta$ a#,
therefore, ot co2ere# b% the "surace.
S"mo #e $a .ru9, the father of the "sure# a# bee6c"ar% u#er the po$"c%, 6$e# a c$a"m !"th the "surace
compa% for pa%met of "#em"t% u#er the "surace po$"c%. Be"e#, Be $a .ru9 "st"tute# the act"o " the .J4
'a&as"a (."2. .ase No. V-265)) for spec"6c performace. Befe#at "surer set up the #efese that the #eath of
the "sure#, cause# b% h"s part"c"pat"o " a bo/"& cotest, !as ot acc"#eta$ a#, therefore, ot co2ere# b%
"surace. =fter #ue hear"&, the court re#ere# the #ec"s"o " fa2or of the p$a"t"EN or#er"& the "surace
compa% to "#em"f% p$a"t"E for the #eath of the $atter1s so, to pa% the bur"a$ e/peses, a# attore%1s fees.
0ece, the appea$.
Iss&e: >hether the #eath of the "sure# "s co2ere# b% the po$"c%.
1el.: The terms @acc"#et3 a# @acc"#eta$3 ha2e ot ac8u"re# a% tech"ca$ mea"&, a# are costrue# b% the
courts " the"r or#"ar% a# commo acceptat"o. The terms mea that !h"ch happe b% chace or fortu"tous$%,
!"thout "tet"o a# #es"&, a# !h"ch "s ue/pecte#, uusua$, a# uforesee. = acc"#et "s a e2et that taFes
p$ace !"thout oe1s fores"&ht or e/pectat"oK a e2et that procee#s from a uFo! cause, or "s a uusua$
eEect of a Fo! cause a#, therefore, ot e/pecte#. There "s o acc"#et !he a #e$"berate act "s performe#
u$ess some a##"t"oa$, ue/pecte#, "#epe#et, a# uforesee happe"& occurs !h"ch pro#uces or br"&s
about the resu$t of ",ur% or #eath. >here the #eath or ",ur% "s ot the atura$ or probab$e resu$t of the "sure#1s
2o$utar% act, !h"ch pro#uces the ",ur%, the resu$t"& #eath "s !"th" the protect"o of po$"c"es "sur"& a&a"st the
#eath or ",ur% from acc"#et. 4 the preset case, !h"$e the part"c"pat"o of the "sure# " the bo/"& cotest "s
2o$utar%, "f !"thout the u"tet"oa$ s$"pp"& of the #ecease#, perhaps he cou$# ot ha2e rece"2e# that b$o! "
the hea# a# !ou$# ot ha2e #"e#. Jurther, #eath or #"sab$emet resu$t"& from e&a&emet " bo/"& cotests
!as ot #ec$are# outs"#e of the protect"o of the "surace cotract (>hat !as "c$u#e# !as #eath or #"sab$emet
cose8uet upo the 4sure# e&a&"& " footba$$, hut"&, p"&st"cF"&, steep$echas"&, po$o-p$a%"&, rac"& of a%
F"#, mouta"eer"&, or motorc%c$"&). Ja"$ure of the #efe#at "surace compa% to "c$u#e #eath resu$t"& from
a bo/"& match or other sports amo& the proh"b"t"2e r"sFs $ea#s "e2"tab$% to the coc$us"o that "t #"# ot "te#
to $"m"t or e/empt "tse$f from $"ab"$"t% for such #eath.
The Supreme .ourt a?rme# the appea$e# #ec"s"o, !"th costs a&a"st appe$$at.

L&a Chee "an v. /a8 Union an. Roc5 Ins&rance
GR L-:611, 1I Becember 1955 (52 AG 19;2)
J"rst B"2"s"o, Re%es HDL (p)K I cocurr"&.
$acts: Defore >>44, Sua .hee Ga, a merchat of =$ba%, o!e# : !arehouses " Tabaco, =$ba% use# for the
stora&e of stocFs of copra a# of hemp " !h"ch he #ea$t e/tes"2e$%. The% ha# bee, !"th the"r cotets, "sure#
!"th the 4surace .ompa% s"ce 19<I, a# the $ose ma#e pa%ab$e to the 'h"$"pp"e Nat"oa$ DaF as mort&a&e of
the hemp a# copra, to the e/tet of "ts "terest. A 21 Hu$% 19:0, 6re of u#eterm"e# or"&" that broFe out a#
$aste# a$most oe !eeF, &utte# a# comp$ete$% #estro%e# Do#e&as Nos. 1, < a# :, !"th the mercha#"se store#
there". '$a"t"E-appe$$ee "forme# the "surer b% te$e&ram o the same #ate. The "surace .ompa% res"ste#
pa%met, c$a"m"& 2"o$at"o of !arrat"es a# co#"t"os, 6$"& of frau#u$et c$a"ms, a# that the 6re ha# bee
#e$"berate$% cause# b% the "sure# or b% other persos " co"2ace !"th h"m. Sua .hee Ga, h"s brother Sua
.hee 'ao, a# some emp$o%ees of h"s !ere "#"cte# a# tr"e# " 19:0 for the cr"me of arso but !ere ac8u"tte# b%
the tr"a$ court " a 6a$ #ec"s"o o 9 Hu$% 19:1.
>"th the c"2"$ case, Sua .hee Ga "st"tute# the act"o " 19:0 !"th the .ourt of J"rst 4stace of =$ba%, seeF"& to
reco2er the procee#s of certa" 6re "surace po$"c"es tota$$"& '<I0,000, "ssue# b% the La! V"o X RocF
4surace .o., Lt#., throu&h "ts a&et, >arer, Dares X .o., Lt#., upo certa" bo#e&as a# mercha#"se of the
"sure# that !ere bure# o 21 Hue 19:0. The recor#s of the or"&"a$ case !ere #estro%e# #ur"& the $"berat"o of
the re&"o, a# !ere recost"tute# " 19:6. =fter a tr"a$ that $aste# se2era$ %ears, the .J4 re#ere# a #ec"s"o "
fa2or of the p$a"t"E, or#er"& the "surace compa% to pa% Sua .hee Ga the sum of '1:6,<9:.:; (1st cause of
act"o), '150,000 (2#), '5,000 (<r#), '15,000 (:th) , a# ':0,000 (5th), each bear"& ;0T "terest per aum "
accor#ace !"th Sect"o 91 (b) of the 4surace =ct from 26 September 19:0, ut"$ each "s pa"#, !"th costs a&a"st
the #efe#at. 4t a$so #"sm"sse# the comp$a"t " "ter2et"o of 'ND !"thout costs. The 4surace .ompa%
appea$e# #"rect$% to the Supreme .ourt. 4t cote#s that a !arrat% " a 6re "surace po$"c% proh"b"te# the stora&e
" the prem"ses of o"$s (a"ma$ a#7or 2e&etab$e a#7or m"era$ a# the"r $"8u"# pro#ucts ha2"& a Rash po"t be$o!
<00 #e&rees Jahrehe"t. Gaso$"e, !h"ch has a Rash po"t be$o! <00 #e&rees Jahrehe"t !as store# there".
Iss&e: >hether &aso$"e ma% be costrue# as o"$ to !arrat the forfe"ture of c$a"ms u#er the "surace po$"c%.
1el.: The 0emp >arrat% pro2"s"os re$"e# upo b% the "surer speaFs of @o"$s (a"ma$ a#7or 2e&etab$e a#7or
m"era$ a#7or the"r $"8u"# pro#ucts ha2"& a Rash po"t be$o! <00[ Jahrehe"t3, a# "s #ec"#e#$% amb"&uous a#
ucerta"N for " or#"ar% par$ace, @A"$s3 mea @$ubr"cats3 a# ot &aso$"e or Ferosee. D% reaso of the
e/c$us"2e cotro$ of the "surace compa% o2er the terms a# phraseo$o&% of the cotract, the amb"&u"t% must be
he$# str"ct$% a&a"st the "surer a# $"bera$$% " fa2or of the "sure#, spec"a$$% to a2o"# a forfe"ture. There "s o
reaso !h% the proh"b"t"o of Feep"& &aso$"e " the prem"ses cou$# ot be e/presse# c$ear$% a# um"staFab$%, "
the $a&ua&e a# terms that the &eera$ pub$"c ca rea#"$% u#ersta#, !"thout resort to obscure esoter"c
e/press"o. 4f the compa% "te#e# to re$% upo a co#"t"o of that character, "t ou&ht to ha2e bee p$a"$%
e/presse# " the po$"c%. St"$$, "t "s !e$$ sett$e# that the Feep"& of "Rammab$e o"$s o the prem"ses, thou&h
proh"b"te# b% the po$"c%, #oes ot 2o"# "t "f such Feep"& "s "c"#eta$ to the bus"ess a# accor#"& to the !e"&ht of
author"t%, e2e thou&h there are pr"te# proh"b"t"os a&a"st Feep"& certa" art"c$es o the "sure# prem"ses the
po$"c% !"$$ ot be a2o"#e# b% a 2"o$at"o of these proh"b"t"os, "f the proh"b"te# art"c$es are ecessar% or "
customar% use " carr%"& o the tra#e or bus"ess co#ucte# o the prem"ses. 4 the preset case, o &aso$"e
!as store# " the bure# bo#e&as, a# that @Do#e&a No. 23 !h"ch !as ot bure# a# !here the &aso$"e !as
fou#, stoo# "so$ate# from the other "sure# bo#e&as.
The Supreme .ourt fou# o re2ers"b$e error " the ,u#&met appea$e# from, thus a?rm"& "tN !"th costs a&a"st
the appe$$at.
1oe Ins&rance v. Eastern Shippin( /ines
GR L-<:<;2, 20 Hu$% 19;< (12< S.R= :25)
J"rst #"2"s"o, Gut"erre9 (p)K : cocurr"&, 2 o $ea2e.
$acts: A 1< Hauar% 196I, S. Ua,"ta X .o., o beha$f of =t$as .oso$"#ate# L""& X Be2e$opmet .orporat"o,
sh"ppe# o boar# the SS -(aster Hup"ter1 from AsaFa, Hapa, 2,<61 co"$s of -D$acF 0ot Ro$$e# .opper >"re Ro#s.1 The
2esse$ "s o!e# a# operate# b% (aster Sh"pp"& L"es. The sh"pmet !as "sure# !"th 0ome 4surace a&a"st
a$$ r"sFs " the amout of '1,5;0,105.06. 5< of the 2<61 co"$s #"schar&e# from the 2esse$ !ere " ba# or#er. The
.os"&ee u$t"mate$% rece"2e# the 2,<61 co"$s !"th I< co"$s $oose a# part$% cut, a# 2; co"$s a# part$% cut, !h"ch
ha# to be cos"#ere# as scrap. The !e"&ht a$so ha# a et $oss7shorta&e of 59<.15 F&s, or 1,209.56 $bs. Jor the
$oss7#ama&e suEere# b% the car&o, 0ome 4surace pa"# the cos"&ee u#er "ts "surace po$"c% the amout of
'<,260.::, b% 2"rtue of !h"ch 0ome 4surace became subro&ate# to the r"&hts a# act"os of the 'he$ps Bo#&e.
0ome 4surace ma#e #ema#s for pa%met a&a"st (aster Sh"pp"& a# the trasportat"o compa% for
re"mbursemet of the aforesa"# amout but each refuse# to pa% the same. (= case @0ome "surace 2. NQ Ne#$$o%#
L",e3 coso$"#ate# !"th th"s case "s of the same ature).
J"$"& "ts cases " court, 0ome 4surace a2ers that "t "s a fore"& "surace compa% author"9e# to #o bus"ess "
the 'h"$"pp"es throu&h "ts a&et, Q"ctor De$$o (!ho ho$#s o?ce at LaFat") " both cases. 4 L-<:<;2, (aster
Sh"pp"& L"es #e"es the a$$e&at"o of p$a"t"E1s capac"t% to sue for $acF of Fo!$e#&e or "format"o su?c"et to
form a be$"ef as to the truth thereof, !h"$e =&e$ Hose Trasportat"o a#m"ts the a$$e&at"o. 4 L-<:<;<, NQ Ne#$$o%#
L",e, .o$umb"a 'h"$"pp"es, a# Guaco#s #e"e# p$a"t"E1s capac"t% to sue. The court #"sm"sse# the comp$a"ts "
the t!o cases o the same &rou#, that the p$a"t"E fa"$e# to pro2e "ts capac"t% to sue, e2e "f the pet"t"oer ha#
a$rea#% secure# the ecessar% $"cese to co#uct "ts "surace bus"ess " the 'h"$"pp"es #ur"& the 6$"& of the
case. 0ece, the pet"t"o.
Iss&e: >hether a fore"& corporat"o #o"& bus"ess " the 'h"$"pp"es ""t"a$$% !"thout a $"cese ca c$a"m
"#em"t% throu&h 'h"$"pp"e .ourts.
1el.: The ob,ect"2e of the $a! !as to sub,ect the fore"& corporat"o to the ,ur"s#"ct"o of our courts. The
.orporat"o La! must be &"2e a reasoab$e, ot a u#u$% harsh, "terpretat"o !h"ch #oes ot hamper the
#e2e$opmet of tra#e re$at"os a# !h"ch fosters fr"e#$% commerc"a$ "tercourse amo& coutr"es. = harsh
"terpretat"o !ou$# #"sastrous$% embarrass tra#e, u$"Fe "f the $a! "s &"2e a reasoab$e "terpretat"o, "t !ou$#
marFe#$% he$p " the #e2e$opmet of tra#e. The $a! s"mp$% meas that o fore"& corporat"o sha$$ be perm"tte# -to
trasact bus"ess " the 'h"$"pp"e 4s$a#s,1 as th"s phrase "s Fo! " corporat"o $a!, u$ess "t sha$$ ha2e the
$"cese re8u"re# b% $a!, a#, ut"$ "t comp$"es !"th the $a!, sha$$ ot be perm"tte# to ma"ta" a% su"t " the $oca$
courts. = cotrar% ho$#"& !ou$# br"& the $a! to the 2er&e of ucost"tut"oa$"t%, a resu$t !h"ch shou$# be a# ca
be eas"$% a2o"#e#. 4 the preset case, the $acF of capac"t% at the t"me of the e/ecut"o of the cotracts !as cure#
b% the subse8uet re&"strat"o. Such "s a$so stre&thee# b% the proce#ura$ aspects of these cases.The pet"t"oer
su?c"et$% a$$e&e# "ts capac"t% to sue !he "t a2erre# " "ts comp$a"ts that "t "s a fore"& "surace compa%, that
"t "s author"9e# to #o bus"ess " the 'h"$"pp"es, that "ts a&et "s Lr. Q"ctor 0. De$$o, a# that "ts o?ce a##ress "s
the A$e#a Du"$#"& at =%a$a =2eue, LaFat"N as re8u"re# b% Sect"o :, Ru$e ; of the Ru$es of .ourt. Geera$ #e"a$s
"a#e8uate to attacF the fore"& corporat"os $acF of capac"t% to sue " the $"&ht of "ts pos"t"2e a2ermet that "t "s
author"9e# to #o so. Ne2erthe$ess, e2e "f the p$a"t"E1s $acF of capac"t% to sue !as ot proper$% ra"se# as a "ssue
b% the as!ers, the pet"t"oer "tro#uce# #ocumetar% e2"#ece that "t ha# the author"t% to e&a&e " the
"surace bus"ess at the t"me "t 6$e# the comp$a"ts.
The Supreme .ourt coso$"#ate# a# &rate# the pet"t"os, re2erse# a# set as"#e the .J4 #ec"s"os. 4 L-<:<;2
(."2"$ .ase I192<), (aster Sh"pp"& L"es a# =&e$ Hose Trasportat"o 4c. are or#ere# to pa% the 0ome
4surace .ompa% the sum of '1,6<0.22 each !"th "terest at the $e&a$ rate from 5 Hauar% 196; ut"$ fu$$% pa"#.
(ach sha$$ a$so pa% oe-ha$f of the costs. The .ourt #"sm"sse# the couterc$a"m of =&e$ Hose Trasportat"o 4c. 4
L-<:<;<, N. Q. Ne#$$o%# L",e or "ts a&et .o$umb"a 'h"$. 4c. !as or#ere# to pa% the pet"t"oer the sum of
'2,:26.9; !"th "terest at the $e&a$ rate from 1 Jebruar% 196; ut"$ fu$$% pa"#, the sum of '500.00 attore%1s fees,
a# costs. The .ourt #"sm"sse# the comp$a"t a&a"st Guaco#s, 4c.

Co v. Rep&0lic
GR L-12150, 26 La% 1960 (10; 'h"$ II5)
J"rst B2"s"o, Daut"sta =&e$o (p)K 6 cocurr"&
$acts: 'et"t"oer !as bor " =bra a# h"s parets are both .h"ese. 0e o!es h"s a$$e&"ace to the Nat"oa$"st
Go2ermet of .h"a. 0e "s marr"e# to Leoor Go, the marr"a&e ha2"& bee ce$ebrate# " the .atho$"c church of
Da&ue#. 0e speaFs a# !r"tes (&$"sh as !e$$ as the 4$ocao a# Ta&a$o& #"a$ects. 0e &ra#uate# from the =bra
Qa$$e% .o$$e&e, a# 6"she# h"s pr"mar% stu#"es " the @.o$e&"o3 " Da&ue#, both schoo$s be"& reco&"9e# b% the
&o2ermet. 0e has a ch"$# t!o moths o$#. 0e has e2er bee accuse# of a% cr"me "2o$2"& mora$ turp"tu#e. 0e
"s ot oppose# to or&a"9e# &o2ermet, or "s he a member of a% sub2ers"2e or&a"9at"o. 0e #oes ot be$"e2e
", or pract"ce, po$%&am%. S"ce h"s b"rth, he has e2er &oe abroa#. 0e m"&$es !"th the J"$"p"os. 0e prefers a
#emocrat"c form of &o2ermet a# state# that "f h"s pet"t"o "s &rate# he !ou$# ser2e the &o2ermet e"ther "
the m"$"tar% or c"2"$ #epartmet. 0e "s a merchat #ea$"& " the bu% a# se$$ of tobacco. 0e a$so "s part o!er of a
store " Da&ue#. 4 h"s tobacco bus"ess, he has a !orF"& cap"ta$ of '10,000.00 !h"ch he c$a"ms to ha2e bee
accumu$ate# thru sa2"&s. 0e cotr"butes to c"2"c a# char"tab$e or&a"9at"os $"Fe the Ha%cees, Rotar%, Re# .ross
a# to to! 6estas. 0e $"Fes the customs of the J"$"p"os because he has res"#e# " the 'h"$"pp"es for a $o& t"me.
Bur"& the %ear 1956, he c$a"ms to ha2e eare# '1,000.00 " h"s tobacco bus"ess. >"th respect to the store of
!h"ch he c$a"ms to be a part o!er, he state# that h"s father &a2e h"m a sum of $ess tha '<,000.00 represet"&
oe-fourth of the sa$es. =s"#e from be"& a co-o!er of sa"# store, he rece"2es a moth$% sa$ar% of '120,00 as a
sa$esma there". 0e tooF a course " ra#"o mecha"cs a# comp$ete# the same " 1955. 0e has o 2"ce of a%
F"#. 0e c$a"ms that he has e2er bee #e$"8uet " the pa%met of ta/es. Dut he a#m"tte# that he #"# ot 6$e h"s
"come ta/ retur !he he a$$e&e#$% rece"2e# a amout of ot $ess tha '<,000 from h"s father !h"ch he c$a"ms to
ha2e "2este# " h"s tobacco bus"ess.
'et"t"oer 6$e# h"s pet"t"o for atura$"9at"o " the tr"a$ court. =fter hear"&, the court or#ere# that a cert"6cate of
atura$"9at"o be "ssue# to pet"t"oer after the $apse of t!o %ears from the #ate the #ec"s"o becomes 6a$ a# a$$
the re8u"s"tes pro2"#e# for " R= 50<. The &o2ermet appea$e# the #ec"s"o of the tr"a$ court, ra"s"& the facts that
#"# ot state !hat pr"c"p$es of the .ost"tut"o he Fe!, a$thou&h !he asFe# !hat $a!s of the 'h"$"pp"es he
be$"e2es ", he as!ere# @#emocrac%.N that he state# that h"s father ha# a$rea#% 6$e# h"s "come ta/ retur, !he
asFe# !h% he #"# ot 6$e h"s "come ta/ retursN a# that he presete# h"s a$"e cert"6cate of re&"strat"o, but ot
the a$"e cert"6cates of re&"strat"o of h"s !"fe a# ch"$#.
Iss&e: >hether pet"t"oer fa"$e# to comp$% !"th the re8u"remets prescr"be# b% $a! " or#er to 8ua$"f% h"m to
become a J"$"p"o c"t"9e.
1el.: The scope of the !or# $a! " or#"ar% $e&a$ par$ace #oes ot ecessar"$% "c$u#e the cost"tut"o, !h"ch "s
the fu#ameta$ $a! of the $a#, or #oes "t co2er a$$ the pr"c"p$es u#er$%"& our cost"tut"o. Jurther, 'h"$"pp"e
$a! re8u"res that a a$"e to co#ucte# h"mse$f " a proper a# "rreproachab$e maer #ur"& the et"re per"o# of
h"s res"#ece " the 'h"$"pp"es " h"s re$at"o !"th the cost"tute# &o2ermet as !e$$ as !"th the commu"t% "
!h"ch he "s $"2"&. 4 the preset case, " so stat"& that he be$"e2es mere$% " our $a!s, he #"# ot ecessar"$% refer
to those pr"c"p$es embo#"e# " our cost"tut"o !h"ch are referre# to " the $a!N the be$"ef " #emocrac% or " a
#emocrat"c form of &o2ermet "s ot su?c"et to comp$% !"th the re8u"remet of the $a! that oe must be$"e2e "
the pr"c"p$es u#er$%"& our cost"tut"o. Jurther, pet"t"oer fa"$e# to sho! that he has comp$"e# !"th h"s ob$"&at"o
to re&"ster h"s !"fe a# ch"$# !"th the Dureau of 4mm"&rat"o as re8u"re# b% the =$"e Re&"strat"o =ct$N a# further
fa"$e# to 6$e h"s "come ta/ retur #esp"te h"s 6/e# sa$ar% of '1,::0.00 a %ear a# h"s pro6t of '1,000.00 " h"s
tobacco bus"ess, a# rece"2e# a amout $ess tha '<,000 from h"s father as oe-fourth of the procee#s of the
sa$e of the store, the tota$ of !h"ch "s more tha !hat "s re8u"re# b% $a! for oe to 6$e a "come ta/ retur.
The Supreme .ourt re2erse# the appea$e# #ec"s"o, ho$# that the tr"a$ court erre# " &rat"& the pet"t"o for
atura$"9at"o, !"thout prooucemet as to costs.
/ee Cho (M Se /ee) v. Rep&0lic
GR L-12:0;, 2; Becember 1959 (106 'h"$ II5)
( Dac, Daut"sta =&e$o (p)K 9 cocurr"&
$acts: A 22 September 190I, pet"t"oer !as bor " =mo%, .h"a, of .h"ese parets. 0e came to the 'h"$"pp"es
somet"me " Jebruar% 1921 a# !as &"2e the correspo#"& a$"e cert"6cate of res"#ece a# re&"strat"o. 0e
sett$e# " .ebu ."t% (!here he as cot"uous$% res"#e# up to the preset t"me). 'et"t"oer stu#"e# 1st to Ith &ra#e
" .ebu .h"ese 0"&h Schoo$, a pr"2ate "st"tut"o reco&"9e# b% the &o2ermet. 0e speaFs a# !r"tes (&$"sh
a# the .ebu #"a$ect. 0e, ha2"& assoc"ate# !"th some J"$"p"os, e&a&e# " the cor bus"ess " .ebu ."t% (1921-
>>44) a# " the $umber bus"ess (19:6-preset). 0e "2este# '5,000.00 cap"ta$ " the bus"ess a# at preset the
actua$ !orth of h"s share "s about '20,000.00. 'et"t"oer "s rece"2"& a moth$% sa$ar% of ':00.00 a# rea$"9es a
pro6t share !orth '10,000.00 e2er% %ear. 0e has o ta/ $"ab"$"t% to the &o2ermet. 0e possesses a$$ the
8ua$"6cat"os a# oe of the #"s8ua$"6cat"os prescr"be# b% $a!. =s to h"s fam"$%, he marr"e# oe S% S"oF D" o ;
Becember 1929 !"th !hom he ha# 1< ch"$#re, a$$ bor " the .ebu ."t%. =$$ these ch"$#re ha# bee "ssue# the
correspo#"& a$"e cert"6cate of re&"strat"o, !"th the e/cept"o of Lour#es Lee !ho marr"e# a atura$"9e# J"$"p"o
c"t"9e ame# L"m Uee Gua. >"th the e/cept"o of >"$$"am Lee !ho "s ot of schoo$ a&e, =&e$"ta !ho reache# 5th
&ra#e a# Lour#es !ho stoppe# " <r# %ear h"&h schoo$, the other ch"$#re are at preset stu#%"& " pr"2ate
schoo$s a# co$$e&es reco&"9e# b% the &o2ermet.
Lee .ho 6$e# a pet"t"oer for atura$"9at"o before the .ourt of J"rst 4"stace of .ebu. A <0 =u&ust 1956, the
court re#ere# #ec"s"o 6#"& pet"t"oer 8ua$"6e# to be a J"$"p"o c"t"9e. A 2 Actober 195I, ho!e2er, the
&o2ermet 6$e# a mot"o for e! tr"a$ o the &rou# of e!$% #"sco2ere# e2"#ece !h"ch "f presete# ma% aEect
the 8ua$"6cat"o of pet"t"oer, a# 6#"& the same !e$$ fou#e#, the court eterta"e# the mot"o. =fter hear"&,
the court a&a" re#ere# #ec"s"o rea?rm"& "ts ho$#"& that pet"t"oer "s 8ua$"6e# to become a J"$"p"o c"t"9e.
The &o2ermet "terpose# a appea$.
Iss&e: >hether pet"t"oer !as ab$e to comp$% !"th the re8u"remets for atura$"9at"o.
1el.: The pro2"s"os of the Natura$"9at"o La! shou$# be str"ct$% costrue# " or#er that "ts $au#ab$e a#
at"oa$"st"c purpose ma% be fu$$% fu$6$$e#. 4 the preset case, the pet"t"oer has ot 6$e# a% #ec$arat"o of
"tet"o to become a J"$"p"o c"t"9e because, as he c$a"ms, he has res"#e# cot"uous$% " the 'h"$"pp"es for a
per"o# of more tha <0 %ears a# has &"2e pr"mar% a# seco#ar% e#ucat"o to a$$ h"s ch"$#re " pr"2ate schoo$s
reco&"9e# b% the &o2ermet. =&e$"ta Lee has o$% reache# &ra#e 62e a# o e/p$aat"o !as &"2e !h% o
seco#ar% e#ucat"o !as aEor#e# her. Lour#es Lee has stu#"e# o$% as far as <r# %ear h"&h schoo$ a# the
a$$e&e#$% stoppe# a$$e&e#$% because of poor hea$th. Lour#es a#m"tte# " ope court, ho!e2er, that she cot"ue#
her stu#"es " a .h"ese schoo$, !h"ch emp$o%s str"ct$% .h"ese curr"cu$um, #esp"te her "$$ess. Th"s c"rcumstace
betra%s the s"cer"t% of pet"t"oer to become a J"$"p"o c"t"9e for "f h"s mot"2e !ere proper he shou$# ot ha2e
to$erate# such #e2"at"o from the e#ucat"oa$ re8u"remet of the $a!. The pet"t"oer, thus, has fa"$e# to 8ua$"f% to
become a J"$"p"o c"t"9e.
The Supreme .ourt ru$e# that appea$e# #ec"s"o "s re2erse#, !"th costs a&a"st pet"t"oer.
\
"&errero v. CA
GR L-::5I0, <0 La% 19;6 (1:2 S.R= 1<6)
Seco# B"2"s"o, Gut"erre9 (p)K : cocurr"&, 1 taF"& o part.
$acts: A ; =u&ust 196<, R= <;:: abo$"she# a# out$a!e# share teac% a# put " "ts stea# the a&r"cu$tura$
$easeho$# s%stem. 4 1969, =po$"ar"o De"te9 !as taFe b% Laue$ a# Lar"a Guerrero to taFe care of the"r 60
hea#s of co!s !h"ch !ere &ra9"& !"th" the"r 21-hectare cocout p$atat"o s"tuate# at the Subpro2"ce of =urora,
Sue9o. De"te9 !as a$$o!e# for that purpose to put up a hut !"th" the p$atat"o !here he a# h"s fam"$% sta%e#.
4 a##"t"o to atte#"& to the co!s, he !as ma#e to c$ea the a$rea#% fru"tbear"& cocout trees, bur #r"e# $ea2es
a# &rass a# to #o such other s"m"$ar chores. 0ar2est t"me !h"ch usua$$% comes e2er% < moths. Jor h"s !orF
re$ate# to the cocouts, he share# 17< of the procee#s from the copra he processe# a# so$# " the marFet. Jor
atte#"& to the co!s he !as pa"# '500 a %ear.
A 10 September 19I1, R= 6<;9 ame#"& R= <;:: #ec$are# share teac% re$at"osh"ps as cotrar% to pub$"c
po$"c%. Somet"me " the ear$% part of 19I<, De"te9 !as refra"e# from &ather"& uts from the 10-hectare port"o
of the 16-hectare part of the p$atat"o from !here he use# to &ather uts. 0e fe$t a&&r"e2e# b% the acts of
#efe#ats a# he brou&ht the matter to the attet"o of the A?ce of Spec"a$ V"t " the A?ce of the 'res"#et "
La$acaYa&, La"$a. Th"s $e# to a e/ecut"o of a a&reemet !hereb% #efe#ats a&ree# to $et p$a"t"E !orF o
the 16-hectare port"o of the p$atat"o as teat thereo a# that the"r re$at"osh"p !"$$ be &u"#e# b% the
pro2"s"os of R= 1199 (=&r"cu$tura$ Teac% =ct of the 'h"$"pp"es).
4 Hu$% 19I<, he !as a&a" refra"e# from &ather"& uts from the 10-hectare port"o of the p$atat"o !"th threats
of bo#"$% harm "f he pers"sts to &ather fru"ts therefrom. The Guerreros ass"&e# Ro&e$"o a# 'au$"o Lat"&a% to #o
the &ather"& of the uts a# the process"& thereof "to copra. Befe#ats Guerreros a$so cause# to be
#emo$"she# a part of the cotta&e !here De"te9 a# h"s fam"$% $"2e#, thus, maF"& the De"te9 fee$ that the% meat
bus"ess. 0ece, the case for re"statemet !"th #ama&es.
Iss&e: >hether De"te9 "s a teat !"th" the mea"& of the teac% $a! to !arrat re"statemet to the
p$atat"o
1el.: Lo&sta#"& possess"o "s a esset"a$ #"st"ct"o bet!ee a mere a&r"cu$tura$ $aborer a# a rea$ teat
!"th" the mea"& of the teac% $a!, a teat be"& oe !ho has the temporar% use a# occupat"o of $a# or
teemets be$o&"& to aother for the purpose of pro#uct"o. = h"re# $aborer !ho bu"$t h"s o! house at h"s
e/pese at the r"sF of $os"& the same upo h"s #"sm"ssa$ or term"at"o a% t"me, "s more cos"stet !"th that of a
a&r"cu$tura$ teat !ho e,o%s secur"t% of teure u#er the $a!. .u$t"2at"o "s aother "mportat factor "
#eterm""& the e/"stece of teac% re$at"osh"ps. .u$t"2at"o "s ot $"m"te# mere$% to the t"$$"&, p$o!"& or
harro!"& of the $a# but a$so "c$u#es the promot"o of &ro!th a# the care of the p$ats, or husba#"& the
&rou# to for!ar# the pro#ucts of the earth b% &eera$ "#ustr%. =&reemet to share the pro#uce or har2est o a
@terc"o bas"s3 that "s, a 17< to 27< shar"& " fa2or of the $a#o!ers bo$sters the teac% c$a"m. The a&r"cu$tura$
$aborer !orFs for the emp$o%er, a# for h"s $abor he rece"2es a sa$ar% or !a&e, re&ar#$ess of !hether the emp$o%er
maFes a pro6t. A the other ha#, the share teat part"c"pates " the a&r"cu$tura$ pro#uce. 0"s share "s ecessar"$%
#epe#et o the amout of har2est. Ace a teac% re$at"osh"p "s estab$"she#, the teat has the r"&ht to
cot"ue !orF"& ut"$ such re$at"osh"p "s e/t"&u"she# accor#"& to $a!. 4 the preset case, bes"#es these
"#"cat"os, the a&reemet ma#e o 2 La% 19I< "s c$ear a# cate&or"ca$ term that the De"te9 "s a teat. =r&u"&
that the "tet !as #"Eeret, be"& that of a h"re# farmha#, the $a! e/"st"& at that t"me the a&reemet !as ma#e
m"$"tate a&a"st the c$a"m. De"te9 #"# ot comm"t a% of the causes that !ou$# !arrat h"s e,ectmet, a# thus,
!as u$a!fu$$% #epr"2e# of h"s r"&ht to secur"t% of teure a# the .ourt of =&rar"a Reforms #"# ot err " or#er"&
the re"statemet of respo#et as teat a# &rat"& h"m #ama&es therefor.
The Supreme .ourt #"sm"sse# the pet"t"o for $acF of mer"t, a# a?rme# the .= #ec"s"o. No costs.

4ello v. CA
GR L-<;161, 29 Larch 19I: (56 S.R= 509)
( Dac, TeehaFee (p)K 10 cocurr"&.
$acts: A 25 =u&ust 19I0, spouses Hua a# J"$omea De$$o !ere char&e# for estafa before the ."t% .ourt of 'asa%
for a$$e&e#$% ha2"& m"sappropr"ate# a $a#%1s r"& !"th a 2a$ue of '1,000.00 rece"2e# b% them from =tt%. 'ru#ec"o
#e Gu9ma for sa$e o comm"ss"o bas"s. =fter tr"a$, the% !ere co2"cte#. 'et"t"oers 6$e# the"r ot"ce of appea$ of
the a#2erse ,u#&met to the .ourt of J"rst 4stace (.J4) of 'asa% ."t%, but the prosecut"o 6$e# a @pet"t"o to
#"sm"ss appea$3 o the &rou# that s"ce the case !as !"th" the cocurret ,ur"s#"ct"o of the c"t% court a# the
.J4 a# the tr"a$ " the c"t% court ha# bee #u$% recor#e#, the appea$ shou$# ha2e bee taFe #"rect$% to the .ourt
of =ppea$s as pro2"#e# b% sect"o ;I of the Hu#"c"ar% =ct, Repub$"c =ct 296, as ame#e#. The .J4 per "ts or#er of 29
Actober 19I1 #"# 6# that the appea$ shou$# ha2e bee taFe #"rect$% to the .ourt of =ppea$s but or#ere# the
#"sm"ssa$ of the appea$ a# rema# of the recor#s to the c"t% court @for e/ecut"o of ,u#&met.3 Thereafter, the
."t% court #e"e# pet"t"oers1 mot"o @for ha2"& bee erroeous$% a##resse# to th"s court3 "stea# of to the .J4
"&or"& pet"t"oers1 pre#"camet that the .J4 ha# a$rea#% ture# them #o! a# or#ere# the #"sm"ssa$ of the"r
appea$ !"thout ot"ce to them a# that as a cose8uece "t !as po"se# to e/ecute "ts ,u#&met of co2"ct"o
a&a"st them.
'et"t"oers spouses the 6$e# o 1: Hauar% 19I2 the"r pet"t"o for proh"b"t"o a# ma#amus !"th the .ourt of
=ppea$s a&a"st the 'eop$e a# ."t% .ourt. The So$"c"tor Geera$ #"# ot "terpose a% ob,ect"o !h"che2er
2"e!po"t "s a#opte# b% the 0oorab$e .ourt " reso$2"& the t!o apparet$% coR"ct"& or c$ash"& pr"c"p$es of
$a!, ".e.. 6a$"t% of ,u#"c"a$ #ec"s"o or e8u"t% " ,u#"c"a$ #ec"s"o. The .ourt of =ppea$s, ho!e2er, #"sm"sse# the
pet"t"o o 1I Becember 19I<, after 6#"& that the c"t% court1s ,u#&met !as #"rect$% appea$ab$e to "t. =$thou&h
reco&"9"& that the .J4 "stea# of #"sm"ss"& appea$, cou$# ha2e " the e/erc"se of "ts "heret po!ers #"recte#
appea$ to be e#orse# to the .ourt of =ppea$s, "t he$# that s"ce pet"t"oers #"# ot "mp$ea# the .J4 as pr"c"pa$
part% respo#et "t cou$# ot &rat a% re$"ef at a$$ e2e o the assumpt"o that pet"t"oers ca be sa"# to #eser2e
some e8u"t"es. >"th the"r mot"o for recos"#erat"o #e"e#, pet"t"oers 6$e# the pet"t"o for re2"e!.
Iss&e: >hether the forma$ "mp$ea#"& of the .ourt of J"rst 4stace "s "#"spesab$e a# the proce#ura$ "6rm"t% of
m"s#"rect"& the appea$ to .ourt of J"rst 4stace are fata$ to the appe$$ees1 cause
1el.: The costruct"o of statutes "s a$!a%s caut"oe# a&a"st arro!$% "terpret"& a statute as to #efeat the
purpose of the $e&"s$ator a# "t "s of the essece of ,u#"c"a$ #ut% to costrue statutes so as to a2o"# such a
#ep$orab$e resu$t (of ",ust"ce or absur#"t%3 a# therefore a $"tera$ "terpretat"o "s to be re,ecte# "f "t !ou$# be
u,ust or $ea# to absur# resu$ts. Thus, " the costruct"o of "ts o! Ru$es of .ourt, the .ourt "s a$$ the more so
bou# to $"bera$$% costrue them to a2o"# ",ust"ce, #"scr"m"at"o a# ufa"ress a# to supp$% the 2o"# b% ho$#"&
that .ourts of J"rst 4stace are e8ua$$% bou# as the h"&her courts ot to #"sm"ss m"s#"recte# appea$s t"me$% ma#e
but to cert"f% them to the proper appe$$ate court.
The forma$ "mp$ea#"& of the .J4 !h"ch "ssue# the cha$$e&e# or#er of #"sm"ssa$ !as ot "#"spesab$e a# cou$#
be @o2er$ooFe# " the "terest of spee#% a#,u#"cat"o. The .ourt of =ppea$s - act of #"sm"ss"& the pet"t"o a#
#e%"& the re$"ef sou&ht of e#ors"& the appea$ to the proper court s"mp$% because of the o-"mp$ea#er of the
.J4 as a om"a$ part% !as tatamout to sacr"6c"& substace to form a# to subor#"at"& substat"a$ ,ust"ce to a
mere matter of proce#ura$ tech"ca$"t%. The proce#ura$ "6rm"t% of pet"t"oers m"s#"rect"& the"r appea$ to the .J4
rather tha to the .ourt of =ppea$s, !h"ch the% ha# t"me$% sou&ht to correct " the .J4 "tse$f b% asF"& that court to
cert"f% the appea$ to the .ourt of =ppea$s as the proper court, shou$# ot be o2er-ma&"6e# as to tota$$% #epr"2e
them of the"r substat"a$ r"&ht of appea$ a# $ea2e them !"thout a% reme#%.
The Supreme .ourt set as"#e the .= #ec"s"o #"sm"ss"& the pet"t"o a# " $"eu thereof, ,u#&met !as re#ere#
&rat"& the pet"t"o for proh"b"t"o a&a"st ."t% court, e,o""& "t from e/ecut"& "ts ,u#&met of co2"ct"o
a&a"st pet"t"oers-accuse# a# further comma#"& sa"# c"t% court to e$e2ate pet"t"oers1 appea$ from "ts
,u#&met to the .= for the $atter1s #"spos"t"o o the mer"tsN !"thout costs.

Cit! o+ 2anila v. Chinese Co&nit! o+ 2anila
GR 1:<55, <1 Actober 1919 (:0 'h"$
J"rst B"2"s"o, Hohso (p)K : cocurr"&.
$acts: A the 11th #a% of Becember, 1916, the c"t% of La"$a presete# a pet"t"o " the .ourt of J"rst 4stace of
sa"# c"t%, pra%"& that certa" $a#s, there" part"cu$ar$% #escr"be#, be e/propr"ate# for the purpose of costruct"&
a pub$"c "mpro2emet, spec"6ca$$% for the purpose of e/te#"& R"9a$ =2eue. The .h"ese .ommu"t% oppose# the
sa"# e/propr"at"o, cote#"& that there !as o ecess"t% of taF"&, that "t a$rea#% ha# pub$"c character a# that "t
!ou$# "t !ou$# #"sturb the rest"& p$aces of the #ea#.
The tr"a$ court #ec"#e# that there !as o ecess"t% for the e/propr"at"o of the str"p of $a# a# abso$2e# each a#
a$$ of the #efe#ats from a$$ $"ab"$"t% u#er the comp$a"t, !"thout a% 6#"& as to costs. Jrom the ,u#&met, the
."t% of La"$a appea$e#.
Iss&e: >hether the .h"ese cemeter% ma% be 2a$"#$% e/propr"ate# b% the ."t% of La"$a
1el.: The e/erc"se of the r"&ht of em"et #oma", !hether #"rect$% b% the State, or b% "ts author"9e# a&ets, "s
ecessar"$% " #ero&at"o of pr"2ate r"&hts, a# the ru$e " that case "s that the author"t% must be str"ct$% costrue#.
No spec"es of propert% "s he$# b% "#"2"#ua$s !"th &reater teac"t%, a# oe "s &uar#e# b% the cost"tut"o a#
$a!s more se#u$ous$%, tha the r"&ht to the freeho$# of "hab"tats. >he the $e&"s$ature "terferes !"th that r"&ht,
a#, for &reater pub$"c purposes, appropr"ates the $a# of a "#"2"#ua$ !"thout h"s coset, the p$a" mea"& of
the $a! shou$# ot be e$ar&e# b% #oubt$% "terpretat"o.
The r"&ht of e/propr"at"o "s ot a "heret po!er " a mu"c"pa$ corporat"o, a# before "t ca e/erc"se the r"&ht
some $a! must e/"st coferr"& the po!er upo "t. >he the courts come to #eterm"e the 8uest"o, the% must ot
o$% 6# (a) that a $a! or author"t% e/"sts for the e/erc"se of the r"&ht of em"et #oma", but (b) a$so that the r"&ht
or author"t% "s be"& e/erc"se# " accor#ace !"th the $a!. 4 the preset case there are t!o co#"t"os "mpose#
upo the author"t% coce#e# to the ."t% of La"$aK J"rst, the $a# must be pr"2ateN a#, seco#, the purpose must
be pub$"c. 4f the court, upo tr"a$, 6#s that e"ther of these co#"t"os e/"sts or that e"ther oe of them fa"$s,
certa"$% "t caot be cote#e# that the r"&ht "s be"& e/erc"se# " accor#ace !"th $a!. 4t "s a !e$$ Fo! fact that
cemeter"es ma% be pub$"c or pr"2ate. The former "s a cemeter% use# b% the &eera$ commu"t%, or e"&hborhoo#,
or church, !h"$e o$% a fam"$%, or a sma$$ port"o of the commu"t% or e"&hborhoo# uses the $atter. >here a
emeter% "s ope to the pub$"c, "t "s a pub$"c use a# o part of the &rou# ca be taFe for other pub$"c uses u#er
a &eera$ author"t%. =# th"s "mmu"t% e/te#s to the u"mpro2e# a# uoccup"e# parts, !h"ch are he$# " &oo#
fa"th for future use. 4t "s a$$e&e#, a# ot #e"e#, that the cemeter% " 8uest"o ma% be use# b% the &eera$
commu"t% of .h"ese, !h"ch fact, " the &eera$ acceptat"o of the #e6"t"o of a pub$"c cemeter%, !ou$# maFe
the cemeter% " 8uest"o pub$"c propert%. 4f that "s true, the, of course, the pet"t"o of the p$a"t"E must be #e"e#,
for the reaso that the c"t% of La"$a has o author"t% or r"&ht u#er the $a! to e/propr"ate pub$"c propert%. Dut,
!hether or ot the cemeter% "s pub$"c or pr"2ate propert%, "ts appropr"at"o for the uses of a pub$"c street, espec"a$$%
#ur"& the $"fet"me of those spec"a$$% "tereste# " "ts ma"teace as a cemeter%, shou$# be a 8uest"o of &reat
cocer, a# "ts appropr"at"o shou$# ot be ma#e for such purposes ut"$ "t "s fu$$% estab$"she# that the &reatest
ecess"t% e/"sts therefor. 4 th"s case there "s o ecess"t% of taF"& s"ce there are other !a%s b% !h"ch R"9a$
=2eue ma% be e/pa#e# to ease the tra?c s"tuat"o.
The Supreme .ourt he$# that there "s o proof of the ecess"t% of ope"& the street throu&h the cemeter% from the
recor#. Dut that a#,o""& a# a#,acet $a#s ha2e bee oEere# to the c"t% free of char&e, !h"ch as!ers e2er%
purpose of the ."t%. The Supreme .ourt, thus, a?rme# the ,u#&met of the $o!er court, !"th costs a&a"st the
appe$$at.

6illan&eva v. Coelec (Resol&tion)
GR L-5:I1;, : Becember 19;5
( DaF, TeehaFee (p)K 9 cocurr"&, 2 o $ea2e
$acts: A : Hauar% 19;0, the $ast #a% for 6$"& of cert"6cates of ca#"#ac%, oe Narc"so Le#o9a, Hr. 6$e# h"s
s!or cert"6cate of ca#"#ac% as "#epe#et for the o?ce of 2"ce-ma%or of Bo$ores, Sue9o " the <0 Hauar%
19;0 $oca$ e$ect"os. Later that #a%, ho!e2er, Le#o9a 6$e# a us!or $etter " h"s o! ha#!r"t"& !"th#ra!"&
h"s sa"# cert"6cate of ca#"#ac% @for persoa$ reasos.3 0"s us!or !"th#ra!a$ ha# bee accepte# b% the e$ect"o
re&"strar !"thout protest or ob,ect"o. Later o 25 Hauar% 19;0, pet"t"oer .r"so$o&o Q"$$aue2a, upo $ear"& of
h"s compa"o Le#o9a1s !"th#ra!a$, 6$e# h"s o! s!or @.ert"6cate of .a#"#ac% " subst"tut"o3 of Le#o9a1s
for the sa"# o?ce of 2"ce ma%or as a oe-ma "#epe#et t"cFet. The resu$ts sho!e# pet"t"oer to be the c$ear
!"er o2er respo#et !"th a mar&" of :52 2otes. The Lu"c"pa$ Doar# of .a2assers, ho!e2er, #"sre&ar#e# a$$
2otes cast " fa2or of pet"t"oer as stra% 2otes o the bas"s of the 'ro2"c"a$ ($ect"o A?cer1s op""o that
pet"t"oer1s ame #oes ot appear " the cert"6e# $"st of ca#"#ates. The ca2assers accor#"&$% proc$a"me#
respo#et Q"2ec"o G. L"r"o as the o$% uoppose# ca#"#ate a# as the #u$% e$ecte# 2"ce ma%or of Bo$ores.
A 21 Jebruar% 19;0, .ome$ec #e"e# the pet"t"o of Q"$$aue2a, stat"& that Le#o9a1s !"th#ra!a$ !as ot u#er
oath as re8u"re# b% Sect"o 2I of the 19I; ($ect"o .o#e, a# that h"s !"th#ra!a$ !as ot ma#e after the $ast #a%
for 6$"& of cert"6cate of ca#"#ac%, as cotemp$ate# b% Sect"o 2;, but o the same #a%.
Iss&e: >hether the "forma$ !"th#ra!a$ of Le#o9a "2a$"#ates the e$ect"o of Q"$$aue2a as 2"ce ma%or.
1el.: Sect"o 2; of the 19I; ($ect"o .o#e pro2"#es for such subst"tute ca#"#ates " case of #eath, !"th#ra!a$ or
#"s8ua$"6cat"o up to m"#-#a% of the 2er% #a% of the e$ect"os. Le#o9a1s !"th#ra!a$ !as 6$e# o the $ast hour of
the $ast #a% for re&u$ar 6$"& of ca#"#ac"es, !h"ch he ha# 6$e# ear$"er that same #a%. Jor a$$ "tets a# purposes,
such !"th#ra!a$ shou$# therefore be cos"#ere# as ha2"& bee ma#e substat"a$$% a# " truth after the $ast #a%,
e2e &o"& b% the $"tera$ rea#"& of the pro2"s"o b% the .ome$ec. Jurther, the !"$$ of the e$ectorate shou$# be
respecte#, "t shou$# ot be #efeate# throu&h the "2ocat"o of forma$ or tech"ca$ #efects. The !"$$ of the peop$e
caot be frustrate# b% a tech"ca$"t% that the cert"6cate of ca#"#ac% ha# ot bee proper$% s!or to. Th"s $e&a$
pro2"s"o "s ma#ator% a# o-comp$"ace there!"th before the e$ect"o !ou$# be fata$ to the status of the
ca#"#ate before the e$ectorate, but after the peop$e ha2e e/presse# the"r !"$$, the resu$t of the e$ect"o caot be
#efeate# b% the fact that the ca#"#ate has ot s!or to h"s cert"6cate or ca#"#ac%. The $e&a$ re8u"remet that a
!"th#ra!a$ be u#er oath !"$$ be he$# to be mere$% #"rector% a# Le#o9a1s fa"$ure to obser2e the re8u"remet
shou$# be cos"#ere# a harm$ess "rre&u$ar"t%. The boa 6#es of pet"t"oer Q"$$aue2a as a subst"tute ca#"#ate
caot be successfu$$% assa"$e#. The 2otes cast " h"s fa2or must be coute#.
The Supreme .ourt reso$2e# to recos"#er a# sets as"#e the 8uest"oe# Reso$ut"os of .ome$ec a# au$s the
proc$amat"o of L"r"o as e$ecte# 2"ce-ma%or of Bo$ores, Sue9o a# "stea# #ec$ares pet"t"oer as the #u$% e$ecte#
2"ce-ma%or of sa"# mu"c"pa$"t% a# et"t$e# forth!"th to assume sa"# o?ce, taFe the oath of o?ce a# #"schar&e
"ts fuct"os. The reso$ut"o "s ma#e "mme#"ate$% e/ecutor%.
In RE Tapo!: ,ios.a.a Al0erastine, petitioner
GR L-1:<22, 25 Jebruar% 1960 (10I 'h"$ 100)
( Dac, Daut"sta =&e$o (p)K 10 cocurr"&
$acts: A 19 No2ember 19<9, 'etro"$a Tampo%, a !"#o! a# !"thout ch"$#re, re8ueste# !"th Do"fac"o L"o9a to
rea# a testamet a# e/p$a" "ts cotets to her " her house " Sa L"&ue$ street, mu"c"pa$"t% of =r&ao, pro2"ce
of .ebu " 19 No2ember 19<9, !h"ch he #"# " the presece of tree "strumeta$ !"tesses, Rosar"o U. .ha,
Laur"c"o #e $a 'ea, a# S"meoa Ambo%. =fter co6rm"& the cotets of the testamet, she re8ueste# Do"fac"o
L"o9a to !r"te her ame at the foot of the testamet " the seco# pa&e, !h"ch he #"#, a# after !h"ch she
stampe# her thumbmarF bet!ee her ame a# surame " the presece of a$$ three "strumeta$ !"tesses.
Do"fac"o L"o9a a$so s"&e# at the foot of the testamet, " the seco# pa&e, " the presece of the testator a#
a$$ three abo2eame# !"tesses. 0o!e2er, the testator, ,ust $"Fe Do"fac"o L"o9a, #"# ot s"& o the $eft mar&" or
a% part of the 6rst pa&e of the testamet, compose# of t!o pa&es. =$$ the three "strumeta$ !"tesses s"&e# at
the foot of the acFo!$e#&met !r"tte " the seco# pa&e of the testamet, a# the $eft mar&" of the 6rst a#
seco# pa&e, " the presece of the testator, Do"fac"o L"o9a, =tt%. U"taar, a# the others. The testamet !as
e/ecute# free$% a# spotaeous$%, !"thout ha2"& bee threatee#, force# a# "t"m"#ate#, a# ot ha2"&
e/erc"se# o her (the testator) u#ue "Ruece, be"& the same " fu$$ use of her meta$ facu$t"es a# e,o%"&
&oo# hea$th. A 22 Jebruar% 195I, the testator #"e# " here house " =r&ao.
A I Larch 195I, or t!o !eeFs after, the he"r fou# " the testamet, .arma =berast"e #"e#, $ea2"& her mother,
the pet"t"oer B"os#a#a =$berast"e. =fter tr"a$ o the probate o a #ocumet purporte#$% to be the $ast a#
testamet of 'etro"$a Rampo%, the tr"a$ court #e"e# the pet"t"o o the &rou# that the $eft ha# mar&" of the
6rst pa&e of the !"$$ #oes ot bear the thumbmarF of the testatr"/. 'et"t"oer appea$e# from th"s ru$"&. The .ourt of
=ppea$s cert"6e# the case to the Supreme .ourt because "t "2o$2es pure$% a 8uest"o of $a!.
Iss&e: >hether the absece of the testator1s thumbmarF " the 6rst pa&e "s fata$ to re#er the !"$$ 2o"#
1el.: Statutes prescr"b"& the forma$"t"es to be obser2e# " the e/ecut"o of !"$$s are 2er% str"ct$% costrue#. = !"$$
must be e/ecute# " accor#ace !"th the statutor% re8u"remetsN other!"se "t "s et"re$% 2o"#. 4 the preset case,
the cotet"o that the pet"t"o for probate "s uoppose#, a# that the three test"mo"a$ !"tesses test"6e# a#
ma"feste# to the court that the #ocumet e/presses the true a# 2o$utar% !"$$ of the #ecease#, caot be
susta"e# as "t rus couter to the e/press pro2"s"o of the $a!. S"ce the !"$$ suEers the fata$ #efect, as "t #oes ot
bear the thumbmarF of the testatr"/ o "ts 6rst pa&e e2e "f "t bears the s"&ature of the three "strumeta$
!"tesses, the same fa"$s to comp$% !"th the $a! a# therefore caot be a#m"tte# to probate.
The Supreme .ourt a?rme# the appea$e# or#er, !"thout prooucemet as to costs.

2ata0&ena v. Cervantes
GR L-2;II1, <1 Larch 19I1 (<; S.R= ]]])
( Dac, Jera#o (p)K 9 cocur, 1 tooF o part
$acts: A 20 Jebruar% 1956, Je$"/ Latabuea e/ecute# a Bee# of Boat"o "ter 2"2os " fa2or of 'etro"$a
.er2ates #ur"& the t"me the% !ere $"2"& as husba# a# !"fe " a commo $a! re$at"osh"p. The% !ere $ater
marr"e# o 2; Larch 1962. Je$"/ #"e# "testate o 1< September 1962. .ore$"a Latabuea, be"& the so$e s"ster
a# earest a# earest re$at"2e to Je$"/, 8uest"oe# the 2a$"#"t% of the #oat"o c$a"m"& that the ba o #oat"o
bet!ee spouses #ur"& a marr"a&e app$"es to a commo-$a! re$at"osh"p. She ha# the $a# #ec$are# o her ame
a# pa"# the estate a# "her"tace ta/es thereo o 2"rtue of a a?#a2"t of se$f-a#,u#"cat"o e/ecute# b% her "
1962. A 2< No2ember 1965, the $o!er court uphe$# the 2a$"#"t% of the #oat"o as "t !as ma#e before .er2ates1
marr"a&e to the #oor. 0ece, the appea$.
Iss&e: >hether the =rt"c$e 1<< of the c"2"$ co#e app$% to #oat"os bet!ee $"2e-" parters.
1el.: >h"$e =rt"c$e 1<< of the ."2"$ .o#e cos"#ers as 2o"# a @#oat"o bet!ee the spouses #ur"& the marr"a&e,3
po$"c% cos"#erat"os of the most e/"&et character as !e$$ as the #"ctates of mora$"t% re8u"re that the same
proh"b"t"o shou$# app$% to a commo-$a! re$at"osh"p, as "t "s cotrar% to pub$"c po$"c%. The $a! proh"b"ts #oat"os
" fa2or of the other cosort a# h"s #esce#ats because of fear of u#ue a# "mproper pressure a# "Ruece
upo the #oor, a pre,u#"ce #eep$% roote# " ac"et $a!. >hate2er om"ss"o ma% be apparet " a "terpretat"o
pure$% $"tera$ of the $a&ua&e use# must be reme#"e# b% a a#herece to "ts a2o!e# ob,ect"2e. 4t "s a pr"c"p$e of
statutor% costruct"o that !hat "s !"th" the sp"r"t of the $a! "s as much a part of "t as !hat "s !r"tte. Ather!"se
the bas"c purpose #"scer"b$e " such co#a$ pro2"s"o !ou$# ot be atta"e#.
The Supreme .ourt (1) re2erse# the 2< No2ember 1965 #ec"s"o of the $o!er courtN (2) #ec$are# the 8uest"oe#
#oat"o 2o"# a# reco&"9e# the r"&hts of p$a"t"E a# #efe#at as pro "#"2"so he"rs to the propert%N a# (<)
rema#e# the case to the $o!er court for "ts appropr"ate #"spos"t"o " accor#ace !"th the curret #ec"s"oN
!"thout prooucemet as to costs.



People v. Santa!ana
GR L-22291, 15 No2ember 19I6 (I: 'h"$ 25)
Seco# B"2"s"o, .ocepc"o Hr. (p)K : cocur, 1 tooF o part, 1 #es"&ate# to s"t " 2# #"2"s"o
$acts: A 19 Jebruar% 1962, Hesus Sata%aa % (scu#ero, !as appo"te# as @Spec"a$ =&et3 b% the .o$oe$ Hose
.. Lar"ste$a, .h"ef of the .4S. A 9 Larch 1962, .o$. Lar"ste$a "ssue# a u#ate# cert"6cat"o to the eEect that the
accuse# !as a accre#"te# member of the .4S a# the p"sto$ #escr"be# " the sa"# Lemora#um Rece"pt !as &"2e
to h"m b% 2"rtue of h"s appo"tmet as spec"a$ a&et a# that he !as author"9e# to carr% a# possess the same "
the performace of h"s o?c"a$ #ut% a# for h"s persoa$ protect"o. A 29 Actober 1962, the accuse# !as fou# "
'$a9a L"ra#a " possess"o of the 6rearms a# ammu"t"o !"thout a $"cese to possess them. = "2est"&at"o
!as co#ucte# a# thereupo, a correspo#"& comp$a"t !as 6$e# a&a"st the accuse#. The case u#er!et tr"a$
after !h"ch the accuse# !as co2"cte# of the cr"me char&e#. 0ece, the case !as appea$e# to Supreme .ourt.
Iss&e: >hether Sata%aa, a secret a&et, !as $"ab$e for "$$e&a$ possess"o of 6rearms
1el.: The appo"tmet of a c"2"$"a as @secret a&et to ass"st " the ma"teace of peace a# or#er campa"&s
a# #etect"o of cr"mes su?c"et$% puts h"m !"th" the cate&or% of a peace o?cer e8u"2a$et e2e to a member of
the mu"c"pa$ po$"ce e/press$% co2ere# b% Sect"o ;I9 ('eop$e 2. Lacara#a&). 4 the preset case, Sata%aa
!as appo"te# as .4S secret a&et !"th the author"t% to carr% a# possess 6rearms. 0e !as "ssue# a 6rearm " the
performace of h"s o?c"a$ #ut"es a# for h"s persoa$ protect"o. =pp$"cat"o of $"cese !as uecessar%, accor#"&
to .o$. Lar"ste$a, as the 6rearm "s &o2ermet propert%. No perm"t !as "ssue#, accor#"& to .apt. =#o$fo Dr"&as as
he !as a$rea#% appo"te# as a .4S a&et. (2e "f the case of 'eop$e 2s. Lapa re2oFe# the #octr"e " the
Lacara#a& case, th"s !as ma#e o$% o <0 =u&ust 196I, %ears after the accuse# !as char&e#. V#er the
Lacara#a& ru$e therefore obta""& at the t"me of appe$$at1s appo"tmet as secret a&et, he "curre# o
cr"m"a$ $"ab"$"t% for possess"o of the p"sto$ " 8uest"o.
The Supreme .ourt re2erse# the appea$e# #ec"s"o, coformab$% !"th the recomme#at"o of the So$"c"tor Geera$,
a# ac8u"tte# Hesus Sata%aa, cace$"& the bo# for h"s pro2"s"oa$ re$easeN !"th costs #e o6c"o.
People v. EstenKo
GR L-<5<I6, 11 September 19;0 (99 S.R= 651)
J"rst B"2"s"o, #e .astro (p)K 5 cocur
$acts: 4 a #ec"s"o #ate# 2; September 19:0 b% the .a#astra$ .ourt, Lot :2I< of the Armoc .a#astre !as
#ec$are# pub$"c $a#. Respo#et =otes 6$e# o2< Jebruar% 19I2 a pet"t"o to reope the #ec"s"o of the .a#astra$
.ourt u#er Repup$"c =ct 9<1 as ame#e# b% Repub$"c =ct 62<6. =otes c$a"m that s"ce the t"me $"m"t for 6$"&
app$"cat"os for free patets a# app$"cat"os for ,u#"c"a$ co6rmat"o of "comp$ete a# "mperfect t"t$es ha2e bee
e/te#e# up to <1 Becember 19;0, the reope"& of ca#astra$ cases "s a$so e/te#e# ut"$ <1 Becember 19;0.
The ,u#&e #e"e# the oppos"t"o for $acF of su?c"et mer"t o 9 La% 19I2, a# re#ere# #ec"s"o o 22 Hu$% 19I2
after #ue hear"&, #ec$ar"& Lot :2I< pub$"c $a# a# a#,u#"cat"& sa"# $ot " fa2or of the =oetes " u#"2"#e#
"terest " e8ua$ share of ^ each. B"ssat"s6e# !"th the #ec"s"o of the $o!er court, pet"t"oers 6$e# the "stat
pet"t"o.
Iss&e: >hether the e/tes"o pro2"#e# for u#er R= 626< a$so app$"es to Re-ope"& of .a#astra$ 'rocee#"&s.
1el.: V#er the $e&a$ ma/"m of statutor% costruct"o, e/press"o u"us est e/c$us"o a$ter"us ((/press Let"o "s
4mp$"e# (/c$us"o), the e/press met"o of oe th"& " a $a!, as a &eera$ ru$e, meas the e/c$us"o of others ot
e/press$% met"oe#. Th"s ru$e, as a &u"#e to probab$e $e&"s$at"2e "tet, "s base# upo the ru$es of $o&"c a# the
atura$ !orF"&s of the huma m"#. 4f R= 62<6 ha# "te#e# that the e/tes"o "t pro2"#e# for app$"es a$so to
reope"& of ca#astra$ cases, "t !ou$# ha2e so pro2"#e# " the same !a% that "t pro2"#e# the e/tes"o of t"me to
6$e app$"cat"os for free patet a# for ,u#"c"a$ co6rmat"o of "mperfect or "comp$ete t"t$e. The "tet"o to
e/c$u#e the reope"& of ca#astra$ procee#"&s or certa" $a#s !h"ch !ere #ec$are# pub$"c $a# " R= 62<6 "s
ma#e c$earer b% referece to R=2061 !h"ch "c$u#es the reope"& of ca#astra$ cases, but ot so "c$u#e# " R=
62<6. Thus, R= 62<6, the 2er% $a! o !h"ch =otes bases h"s pet"t"o to reope the ca#astra$ procee#"&s fa"$s to
supp$% a% bas"s for respo#ets1 cotet"o. 4t !"$$ be ote# that !h"$e R= 2061 6/e# the t"me to reope ca#astra$
cases !h"ch sha$$ ot e/te# be%o# <1 Becember 196;, o s"m"$ar pro2"s"o "s fou# " R= 62<6 e/press$%
e/te#"& the t"me $"m"t for the reope"& of ca#astra$ procee#"&s o parce$s of $a# #ec$are# pub$"c $a#. =s
correct$% po"te# out b% pet"t"oers, the e/tes"o as pro2"#e# for b% the R= 62<6 maFes o referece to reope"&
of ca#astra$ cases as the ear$"er $a!, R=2061, e/press$% #"#. Tru$%, the e/tes"o pro2"#e# for b% R= 62<6 app$"es
o$% to the 6$"& of app$"cat"os for free patet a# for ,u#"c"a$ co6rmat"o of "mperfect or "comp$ete t"t$es a#
ot to reope"& of ca#astra$ procee#"&s $"Fe the "stat case, a procee#"& et"re$% #"Eeret from @6$"& a
app$"cat"o for a free patet or for ,u#"c"a$ co6rmat"o of "mperfect or "comp$ete t"t$es.3
The Supreme .ourt set as"#e the 22 Hu$% 19I2 #ec"s"o of the respo#et Hu#&e a# re"terat"& the 2; September
19:0 #ec"s"o of the .a#astra$ .ourtN !"thout prooucemet as to costs.

2&t&c v. Coelec
GR L-<2I1I, 26 No2ember 19I0 (<6 S.R= 22;)
J"rst B"2"s"o, Jera#o (p)K I cocur, 2 o $ea2e, 1 cocur " separate op""o
$acts: The .omm"ss"o o ($ect"os (.AL(L(.) proh"b"te# pet"t"oer =me$"to Lutuc, a ca#"#ate for the pos"t"o of
a #e$e&ate to the .ost"tut"oa$ .o2et"o, from us"& @,"&$es " h"s mob"$e u"ts e8u"ppe# !"th sou# s%stems
a# $ou# speaFers3 o 22 Actober 19I0. 'et"t"oer "mpu&e# the act of respo#et as 2"o$at"2e of h"s r"&ht to free
speech. Respo#et ho!e2er cote#e# that the proh"b"t"o !as prem"se# o a pro2"s"o of the .ost"tut"oa$
.o2et"o =ct, !h"ch ma#e "t u$a!fu$ for ca#"#ates @to purchase, pro#uce, re8uest or #"str"bute samp$e ba$$ots,
or e$ectora$ propa&a#a &a#&ets such as pes, $"&hters, fas (of !hate2er ature), Rash$"&hts, ath$et"c &oo#s or
mater"a$s, !a$$ets, ba#aas, sh"rts, hats, matches, c"&arettes, a# the $"Fe, !hether of #omest"c or fore"& or"&".3
4t !as "ts cotet"o that the ,"&$e propose# to be use# b% pet"t"oer "s the recor#e# or tape# 2o"ce of a s"&er a#
therefore a ta&"b$e propa&a#a mater"a$, u#er the phrase @a# the $"Fe.3
Iss&e: >hether the tape# ,"&$es fa$$ u#er the phrase @a# the $"Fe.3
1el.: V#er the !e$$-Fo! pr"c"p$e of e,us#em &eer"s, the &eera$ !or#s fo$$o!"& a% eumerat"o are
app$"cab$e o$% to th"&s of the same F"# or c$ass as those spec"6ca$$% referre# to. 4t "s 8u"te apparet that !hat
!as cotemp$ate# " the =ct !as the #"str"but"o of &a#&ets of the F"# referre# to as a meas of "#ucemet to
obta" a fa2orab$e 2ote for the ca#"#ate respos"b$e for "ts #"str"but"o. The .ost"tut"oa$ .o2et"o =ct
cotemp$ate# the proh"b"t"o o the #"str"but"o of &a#&ets of the F"# referre# to as a meas of "#ucemet to
obta" a fa2orab$e 2ote for the ca#"#ate respos"b$e for "ts #"str"but"o (#"str"but"o of e$ectora$ propa&a#a
&a#&ets, met"o be"& ma#e of pes, $"&hters, fas, Rash$"&hts, ath$et"c &oo#s or mater"a$s, !a$$ets, ba#aas,
sh"rts, hats, matches, a# c"&arettes, a# coc$u#"& !"th the !or#s @a# the $"Fe.3). Tape# ,"&$es therefore !ere
ot proh"b"te#.
The Supreme .ourt #ec"s"o !as ma#e to e/pou# o the reasos beh"# the m"ute reso$ut"o of < No2ember
19I0. The Supreme .ourt permaet$% restra"e# a# proh"b"te# the .ome$ec from eforc"& or "mp$emet"& or
#ema#"& comp$"ace !"th "ts or#er ba"& the use of po$"t"ca$ tape# ,"&$e, pursuat to the S. reso$ut"o of <
No2ember 19I0N !"thout prooucemet as to costs.
People v. 2anantan
GR L-1:129, <1 Hu$% 1962 (5 S.R= 6;:)
( Dac, Re&a$a (p)K I cocur, 1 tooF o part, 1 o $ea2e
$acts: 4 a "format"o 6$e# b% the 'ro2"c"a$ J"sca$ of 'a&as"a " the .ourt of J"rst 4stace (.J4) of that
'ro2"ce, Gu"$$ermo Laata !as char&e# !"th a 2"o$at"o of Sect"o 5: of the Re2"se# ($ect"o .o#e. =
pre$"m"ar% "2est"&at"o co#ucte# b% sa"# court resu$te# " the 6#"& of a probab$e cause that the cr"me char&e#
!as comm"tte# b% the #efe#at. Thereafter, the tr"a$ starte# upo #efe#at1s p$ea of ot &u"$t%, the #efese
mo2e# to #"sm"ss the "format"o o the &rou# that as ,ust"ce of the peace, the #efe#at "s ot oe of the
o?cers eumerate# " Sect"o 5: of the Re2"se# ($ect"o .o#e. The $o!er court #e"e# the mot"o to #"sm"ss,
ho$#"& that a ,ust"ce of the peace "s !"th" the pur2"e! of Sect"o 5:. = seco# mot"o !as 6$e# b% #efese
couse$ !ho c"te# " support thereof the #ec"s"o of the .ourt of =ppea$s (.=) " 'eop$e 2s. Lacarae&, !here "t !as
he$# that a ,ust"ce of the peace "s e/c$u#e# from the proh"b"t"o of Sect"o 5: of the Re2"se# ($ect"o .o#e. =ct"&
o 2ar"ous mot"os a# p$ea#"&s, the $o!er court #"sm"sse# the "format"o a&a"st the accuse# upo the
author"t% of the ru$"& " the case c"te# b% the #efese. 0ece, the appea$ b% the So$"c"tor Geera$.
Iss&e: >hether the ,ust"ce of the peace !as e/c$u#e# from the co2era&e of Sect"o 5: of the Re2"se# ($ect"o
.o#e
1el.: V#er the ru$e of .asus om"sus pro om"sso habe#us est, a perso, ob,ect or th"& om"tte# from a
eumerat"o must be he$# to ha2e bee om"tte# "tet"oa$$%. The ma/"m @casus om"sus3 ca operate a# app$%
o$% "f a# !he the om"ss"o has bee c$ear$% estab$"she#. The app$"cat"o of the ru$e of @casus om"sus3 #oes ot
procee# from the mere fact that a case "s cr"m"a$ " ature, but rather from a reasoab$e certa"t% that a part"cu$ar
perso, ob,ect or th"& has bee om"tte# from a $e&"s$at"2e eumerat"o. Subst"tut"o of terms "s ot om"ss"o. Jor
" "ts most e/tes"2e sese the term @,u#&e3 "c$u#es a$$ o?cers appo"te# to #ec"#e $"t"&ate# 8uest"os !h"$e
act"& " that capac"t%, "c$u#"& ,ust"ce of the peace, a# e2e ,urors, "t "s sa"#, !ho are ,u#&es of facts. The
"tet"o of the Le&"s$ature #"# ot e/c$u#e the ,ust"ce of the peace from "ts operat"o. 4 Sect"o 5:, there "s o
ecess"t% to "c$u#e the ,ust"ce of peace " the eumerat"o, as pre2"ous$% ma#e " Sect"o ::9 of the Re2"se#
=#m""strat"2e .o#e, as the $e&"s$ature has a2a"$e# "tse$f of the more &eer"c a# broa#er term @,u#&e,3 "c$u#"&
there" a$$ F"#s of ,u#&es, $"Fe ,u#&es of the courts of J"rst 4stace, ,u#&es of the courts of =&rar"a Re$at"os,
,u#&es of the courts of 4#ustr"a$ Re$at"os, a# ,ust"ces of the peace.
The Supreme .ourt set as"#e the #"sm"ssa$ or#er etere# b% the tr"a$ court a# rema#e# the case for tr"a$ o the
mer"ts.


/opeK vs. CTA
GR L-92I:, 1 Jebruar% 195I (100 'h"$ ;50)
( Dac, Lotema%or (p)K 10 cocur
$acts: Lope9 X Sos "mporte# he/a&oa$ !"re ett"& from 0ambur&, Germa%. The La"$a .o$$ector of .ustoms
assesse# the correspo#"& customs #ut"es o the "mportat"o o the bas"s of cosu$ar a# supp$"er "2o"ces. Sa"#
customs #ut"es !ere pa"# a# the sh"pmets !ere re$ease#. Subse8uet$%, ho!e2er, the .o$$ector reassesse# the
#o$$ar 2a$ue of the cost a# fre"&ht of sa"# !"re ett"& a# as a resu$t of the reassessmet, a##"t"oa$ customs
#ut"es " the amout of '1,966.59 !ere $e2"e# a# "mpose# upo pet"t"oer. Ja"$"& to secure a recos"#erat"o of
the reassessmet a# $e2% of a##"t"oa$ customs #ut"es, Lope9 X Sos appea$e# to the .ourt of Ta/ =ppea$s. =ct"&
upo a mot"o to #"sm"ss the appea$, 6$e# b% the So$"c"tor Geera$ o the &rou# of $acF of ,ur"s#"ct"o, the Ta/
.ourt, b% "ts reso$ut"o of 2< La% 1955, #"sm"sse# the appea$ o the &rou# hat "t ha# o ,ur"s#"ct"o to re2"e!
#ec"s"os of the .o$$ector of .ustoms of La"$a, c"t"& sect"o I of R= 1125, creat"& sa"# ta/ court. Jrom sa"#
reso$ut"o of #"sm"ssa$, Lope9 X Sos appea$e# to the Supreme .ourt, seeF"& re2ersa$ of sa"# reso$ut"o of
#"sm"ssa$.
Iss&e: >hether the #ec"s"o of the .o$$ector of .ustoms "s #"rect$% appea$ab$e to the .ourt of Ta/ =ppea$.
1el.: Sect"o I of Repub$"c =ct 1125 spec"6ca$$% pro2"#es that the .ourt of Ta/ =ppea$s (.T=) has appe$$ate
,ur"s#"ct"o to re2"e! #ec"s"os of the .omm"ss"oer of .ustoms. A the other ha#, sect"o 11 of the same =ct "
$"ft"& the eumerat"& the persos a# et"t"es !ho ma% appea$ met"os amo& others, those aEecte# b% a
#ec"s"o or ru$"& of the .o$$ector of .ustoms, a# fa"$s to met"o the .omm"ss"oer of .ustoms. >h"$e there "s
rea$$% a #"screpac% bet!ee the t!o sect"os, "t "s more reasoab$e a# $o&"ca$ to ho$# that " sect"o 11 of the
=ct, the Le&"s$ature meat a# "te#e# to sa%, the .omm"ss"oer of .ustoms, "stea# of .o$$ector of .ustoms. 4f
persos aEecte# b% a #ec"s"o of the .o$$ector of .ustoms ma% appea$ #"rect$% to the .ourt of Ta/ =ppea$s, the the
super2"s"o a# cotro$ of the .omm"ss"oer of .ustoms o2er h"s .o$$ector of .ustoms, u#er the .ustoms La!
fou# " sect"os 11<I to 1:19 of the Re2"se# =#m""strat"2e .o#e, a# h"s r"&ht to re2"e! the"r #ec"s"os upo
appea$ to h"m b% the persos aEecte# b% sa"# #ec"s"o !ou$#, ot o$% be &ra2e$% aEecte# but e2e #estro%e#. The
.ourts are ot e/act$% "#u$&"& " ,u#"c"a$ $e&"s$at"o but mere$% e#ea2or"& to rect"f% a# correct a c$ear$% c$er"ca$
error " the !or#"& of a statute, " or#er to &"2e #ue course a# carr% out the e2"#et "tet"o of the $e&"s$ature.
The Supreme .ourt a?rme# the appea$e# or#er, ho$#"& that u#er the .ustoms La! a# R= 1125, the .T= has o
,ur"s#"ct"o to re2"e! b% appea$ #ec"s"o of the .o$$ector of .ustomsN !"th costs.

s
Sancian(co v. Rono
GR L-6;I09, 19 Hu$% 19;5 (1<I S.R= ]]])
( Dac, Le$ec"o-0errera (p)K 10 cocur, 1 #"ssets " separate op""o, 1 tooF o part
$acts: 'et"t"oer !as e$ecte# Dara&a% .apta" of Dara&a% Sta. .ru9, A9am"9 ."t%, " the 1I La% 19;2 Dara&a%
e$ect"os. Later, he !as e$ecte# 'res"#et of the =ssoc"at"o of Dara&a% .ouc"$s (=D.) of A9am"9 ."t% b% the
Doar# of B"rectors of the sa"# =ssoc"at"o. =s the 'res"#et of the =ssoc"at"o, pet"t"oer !as appo"te# b% the
'res"#et of the 'h"$"pp"es as a member of the ."t%1s Sa&&u"a& 'a$u&so#. A 2I Larch 19;:, pet"t"oer 6$e#
h"s .ert"6cate of .a#"#ac% for the 1: La% 19;: Datasa 'ambasa e$ect"os for L"sam"s Acc"#eta$ u#er the
baer of the L"#aao =$$"ace. 0e !as ot successfu$ " the sa"# e$ect"o. 42oF"& Sect"o 1<(2), =rt"c$e 5 of D'
69I, pet"t"oer "forme# Q"ce-La%or De,am" =. Juetes, 'res"#"& A?cer of the Sa&&u"a& 'a$u&so#, that he
!as resum"& h"s #ut"es as member of that bo#%. The matter !as e$e2ate# to the L""ster of Loca$ Go2ermet Hose
=. RoYo, !ho ru$e# that s"ce pet"t"oer "s a appo"t"2e o?c"a$, he "s #eeme# to ha2e res"&e# from h"s appo"t"2e
pos"t"o upo the 6$"& of h"s .ert"6cate of .a#"#ac%.
Iss&e: >hether the accuse# "s cos"#ere# res"&e# from the $atter1s 6$"& of a cert"6cate of ca#"#ac% for the
Datasa.
1el.: =$thou&h "t ma% be that Sect"o 1<(2), Datas 'ambasa 69I, a#m"ts of more tha oe costruct"o, taF"&
"to scos"#erat"o the ature of the pos"t"os of the o?c"a$s eumerate# there", ame$%, &o2erors, ma%ors,
members of the 2ar"ous sa&&u"as or bara&a% o?c"a$s, the $e&"s$at"2e "tet to #"st"&u"sh bet!ee e$ect"2e
pos"t"os " sect"o 1<(2), as cotraste# to appo"t"2e pos"t"os " sect"o 1<($) u#er the a$$-ecompass"& c$ause
rea#"& @a% perso ho$#"& pub$"c appo"t"2e o?ce or pos"t"o,3 "s c$ear. 4t "s a ru$e of statutor% costruct"o that
!he the $a&ua&e of a part"cu$ar sect"o of a statute a#m"ts of more tha oe costruct"o, that costruct"o
!h"ch &"2es eEect to the e2"#et purpose a# ob,ect sou&ht to be atta"e# b% the eactmet of the statute as a
!ho$e, must be fo$$o!e#. = statute1s c$auses a# phrases shou$# ot be taFe as #etache# a# "so$ate#
e/press"os, but the !ho$e a# e2er% part thereof must be cos"#ere# " 6/"& the mea"& of a% of "ts parts. The
$e&"s$at"2e "tet to co2er pub$"c appo"t"2e o?c"a$s " subsect"o (1), a# o?c"a$s met"oe# " subsect"o (2)
!h"ch shou$# be costrue# to refer to $oca$ e$ect"2e o?c"a$s, ca be &$eae# from the procee#"&s of the Datasa
'ambasa. S"ce pet"t"oer "s u8uest"oab$% a appo"t"2e member of the Sa&&u"a& 'a$u&so# of A9am"9
."t%, as he !as appo"te# b% the 'res"#et as a member of the ."t%1s Sa&&u"a& 'a$u&so# b% 2"rtue of h"s
ha2"& bee e$ecte# 'res"#et of the =ssoc"at"o of Dara&a% .ouc"$s, he "s #eeme# to ha2e "pso facto cease# to
be such member !he he 6$e# h"s cert"6cate of ca#"#ac% for the 1: La% 19;: Datasa e$ect"os.
The Supreme .ourt #"sm"sse# the pet"t"o a# #e"e# the !r"ts pra%e# for, ho$#"& that there !as o &ra2e abuse
of #"scret"o o the part of the o?c"a$sN !"thout costs.

Capati v. Ocapo 9"R /:%D;)%, '= April #>D%?
Seco# B"2"s"o, (sco$" (p)K : cocur, 2 o $ea2e.
$acts: Q"r&"$"o .apat", a res"#et of Daco$or, 'ampa&a !as the cotractor of the Jeat" DaF for the costruct"o of
"ts bu"$#"& " 4r"&a, .amar"es Sur. A 2< La% 196I, .apat" etere# "to a sub-cotract !"th the Br. Hesus Acampo,
a res"#et of Na&a ."t%, !hereb% the $atter, " cos"#erat"o of the amout of '2,200.00, u#ertooF to costruct the
2au$t !a$$s, e/ter"or !a$$s a# co$ums of the sa"# Jeat" bu"$#"& " accor#ace !"th the spec"6cat"os "#"cate#
there". Acampo further bou# h"mse$f to comp$ete sa"# costruct"o o or before 5 Hue 196I. Acampo, ho!e2er,
!as o$% ab$e to 6"sh the costruct"o o 20 Hue 196I.
Bue to the #e$a%, .apat" 6$e# " the .J4 'ampa&a a act"o for reco2er% of cose8uet"a$ #ama&es (."2"$ .ase
<1;;) " the sum of ';5,000.00 !"th "terest, p$us attore%1s fees a# costs. Acampo 6$e# a mot"o to #"sm"ss the
comp$a"t o the &rou# that 2eue of act"o !as "mproper$% $a"#. The mot"o !as prem"se# o the st"pu$at"o
pr"te# at the bacF of the cotract !h"ch pro2"#es that a$$ act"os ar"s"& out, or re$at"& to th"s cotract ma% be
"st"tute# " the .J4 of the ."t% of Na&a. The $o!e court #"sm"sse# the comp$a"t. 0ece the appea$.
The Supreme .ourt set as"#e the appea$e# or#er, a# or#ere# the retur of the recor#s to the court of or"&" for
further procee#"&s, !"th costs a&a"st #efe#at-appe$$ee Acampo.
#. Bhere personal actions a! 0e Ele.
The ru$e o 2eue of persoa$ act"os co&"9ab$e b% the .J4 "s fou# " Sect"o 2(b), Ru$e : of the Ru$es of .ourt,
!h"ch pro2"#es that such act"os ma% be commece# a# tr"e# !here the #efe#at or a% of the #efe#ats
res"#es or ma% be fou#, or !here the p$a"t"E or a% of the p$a"t"Es res"#es, at the e$ect"o of the p$a"t"E. Sa"#
sect"o "s 8ua$"6e# b% Sect"o < of the same ru$e, pro2"#"& that b% !r"tte a&reemet of the part"es the 2eue of
a act"o ma% be cha&e# or trasferre# from oe pro2"ce to aother.
%. H2a!I onl! perissive
The !or# @ma%3 "s mere$% perm"ss"2e a# operates to cofer #"scret"o upo a part%. V#er or#"ar%
c"rcumstaces, the term @ma% be3 cootes poss"b"$"t%N "t #oes ot coote certa"t%. @La%3 "s a au/"$$ar% 2erb
"#"cat"& $"bert%, opportu"t%, perm"ss"o or poss"b"$"t%. 4 the case at bar, the st"pu$at"o as to 2eue " the
cotract " 8uest"o "s s"mp$% perm"ss"2e. D% the sa"# st"pu$at"o, the part"es #"# ot a&ree to 6$e the"r su"ts so$e$%
a# e/c$us"2e$% !"th the .J4 Na&a. The% mere$% a&ree# to subm"t the"r #"sputes to the sa"# court, !"thout !a"2"&
the"r r"&ht to seeF recourse " the court spec"6ca$$% "#"cate# " Sect"o 2(b), Ru$e : of the Ru$es of .ourt (See
re$ate# case " N"co$as 2. Reparat"os .omm"ss"oK @La%3 "s ot ma#ator%). S"ce the comp$a"t has bee 6$e# "
the .J4 'ampa&a, !here the p$a"t"E res"#es, the 2eue of act"o "s proper$% $a"# " accor#ace !"th Sect"o 2(b),
Ru$e : of the Ru$es of .ourt.

Al+on v. Rep&0lic 9"R /:G#%=#, %> 2a! #>D=?
Seco# B"2"s"o, =ba# Satos (p)K : cocur
$acts: Lar"a (stre$$a Qero"ca 'r"m"t"2a Buterte !as bor o 15 La% 1952 at the VST 0osp"ta$ to J"$omeo Buterte
a# (stre$$a. She !as re&"stere# at the Loca$ ."2"$ Re&"strar1s A?ce as Lar"a (stre$$a Qero"ca 'r"m"t"2a Buterte. A
15 Hue 1952, she !as bapt"9e# as Lar"a (stre$$a Qero"ca 'r"m"t"2a Buterte at the St. =tho% #e 'a#ua .hurch,
S"&a$o&, La"$a. (stre$$a Qero"ca 'r"m"t"2a Buterte has bee taFe care# of b% Lr. a# Lrs. 0ector =$fo. She
$"2e# " La#a$u%o& for 2< %ears !"th her uc$e, 0ector =$fo. >he Lar"a (stre$$a starte# schoo$"&, she use# the
ame (stre$$a S. =$fo. She atte#e# her 6rst &ra#e up to fourth %ear h"&h schoo$ at Ste$$a Lar"s .o$$e&e us"& the
ame (stre$$a S. =$fo. =fter &ra#uat"& from h"&h schoo$ she ero$$e# at the =re$$ao V"2ers"t% a# 6"she#
Dache$or of Sc"ece " Nurs"&. 0er scho$ast"c recor#s from e$emetar% to co$$e&e sho! that she !as re&"stere# b%
the ame of (stre$$a S. =$fo. 'et"t"oer has e/erc"se# her r"&ht of suEra&e u#er the same ame. She has ot
comm"tte# a% fe$o% or m"s#emeaor.
She 6$e# a 2er"6e# pet"t"o o 2; =pr"$ 19I; pra%"& that her ame be cha&e# from Lar"a (stre$$a Qero"ca
'r"m"t"2a Buterte to (stre$$a S. =$fo. The .J4 (Drach WW444) part"a$$% #e"e# pet"t"oer1s pra%er o 29 Becember
19I;, &rat"& the cha&e of 6rst ame but ot the surame.
The Supreme .ourt mo#"6e# the appea$e# or#er " as much as that pet"t"oer "s a$$o!e# to cha&e ot o$% her
6rst ame but a$so her surame so as to be Fo! as (stre$$a S. =$foN !"thout costs.
#. Principall! is not e*&ivalent to excl&sivel!
The !or# @pr"c"pa$$%3 as use# " art"c$e <6: of the ."2"$ .o#e "s ot e8u"2a$et to @e/c$us"2e$%3 so that there "s o
$e&a$ obstac$e "f a $e&"t"mate or $e&"t"mate# ch"$# shou$# choose to use the surame of "ts mother to !h"ch "t "s
e8ua$$% et"t$e#. 4 the case at bar, the $o!er court erre# " reaso"& that as $e&"t"mate ch"$# of J"$omeo Buterte
a# (stre$$a =$fo she shou$# pr"c"pa$$% use the surame of her father.
%. "ro&n.s +or chan(e o+ nae
The fo$$o!"& ma% be cos"#ere#, amo& others, as proper or reasoab$e causes that ma% !arrat the &rat of a
pet"t"oer for cha&e of ameN (1) !he the ame "s r"#"cu$ous, ta"te# !"th #"shoor, or "s e/treme$% #"?cu$t to
!r"te or proouceN (2) !he the re8uest for cha&e "s a cose8uece of a cha&e of status, such as !he a
atura$ ch"$# "s acFo!$e#&e# or $e&"t"mate#N a# (<) !he the cha&e "s ecessar% to a2o"# cofus"o (1 To$et"o
660, ."2"$ .o#e of the 'h"$"pp"es, 195< e#N 0a! L"o& 2. Repub$"c). 4 the case at bar, to a2o"# cofus"o, the
pet"t"o of ame shou$# be &rate# as the pet"t"oer has bee us"& the ame of (stre$$a S. =$fo s"ce ch"$#hoo#.

R&ra v. /opena 9"R /:<>D#=:#), #> 3&ne #>DG?
Seco# B"2"s"o, =ba# Satos (p)K 5 cocur
$acts: Teo#u$o Rura !as accuse#, tr"e# a# co2"cte# of 62e (5) couts of estafa comm"tte# o #"Eeret #ates "
the Lu"c"pa$ ."rcu"t Tr"a$ .ourt of Tub"&o-.$ar", Tub"&o, Doho$, #eom"ate# as .r"m"a$ .ase 52<, 52:, 525, 526
a# 52I. The 5 cases !ere ,o"t$% tr"e# a# a s"&$e #ec"s"o !as re#ere# o 1; =u&ust 19;<. Rura !as
setece# to a tota$ pr"so term of 1I moths a# 25 #a%s. 4 each cr"m"a$ case the setece !as < moths a#
6ftee 15 #a%s.
Rura appea$e# to the RT. Doho$ but sa"# court a?rme# the #ec"s"o of the $o!er court. >he the case !as
rema#e# to the court of or"&" for e/ecut"o of ,u#&met, Rura app$"e# for probat"o. The app$"cat"o !as oppose#
b% a probat"o o?cer of Doho$ o the &rou# that Rura "s #"s8ua$"6e# for probat"o u#er Sect"o 9 (c) of 'B 96; or
the 'robat"o La! (".e. app$"cab$e to those !ho ha2e pre2"ous$% bee co2"cte# b% 6a$ ,u#&met of a oEese
pu"she# b% "mpr"somet of ot $ess tha 1 moth a# 1 #a% a#7or a 6e of ot $ess tha '200). The court
#e"e# the app$"cat"o for probat"o. = mot"o for recos"#erat"o !as $"Fe!"se #e"e#. 0ece the "stat pet"t"o.
The Supreme .ourt &rate# the probat"o a# #"recte# the ,u#&e to &"2e #ue course to the pet"t"oer1s app$"cat"o
for probat"oN !"thout costs.
#. HPrevio&sI applies to .ate o+ conviction, not to .ate o+ coission o+ a crie
The statute re$ates @pre2"ous3 to the #ate of co2"ct"o, ot to the #ate of the comm"ss"o of the cr"me. >he the
accuse# app$"e# for probat"o he ha# o pre2"ous co2"ct"o b% 6a$ ,u#&met. >he he app$"e# for probat"o the
o$% co2"ct"o a&a"st h"m !as the ,u#&met !h"ch !as the sub,ect of h"s app$"cat"o. .o2"ct"o #oes ot retroact
to the #a% of the comm"ss"o of the cr"me.

_ N"a "s super &!apa _
J"N