PETITIONER: Lo Cham

RESPONDENTS: Ocampo

STATUTORY DOCTRINE: It noted that the law uses general terms. Thus, "provisions should not be given a restricted meaning
where no restriction is indicated. Just as the express enumerate of persons, objects, situations, etc., is construed to exclude those
not mentioned.

Why this is important: Law must receive sensible interpretation to promote the ends which they were enacted.

Facts:

-Gregorio T. Lantin is a doctor of medicine and lawyer, he is a medico legal, acting chief in the division of investigation, DOJ,
GIVEN by Justice Ramon QUISUMBING which reads:

-Pursuant to the request of the City Fiscal of Manila and in accordance with the provision of Section 1686 of the Revised
Administrative Code, “you are hereby temporarily APPOINTED to this office effective today, TO ASSIST HIM with the same powers
and function of an ASSISTANT CITY FISCAL.”

-Following his APPOINTMENT, Lantin then signed and filed information, presumably, conducting preliminary investigations in the
aforesaid case.

-Thereafter, the attorneys for the defendants filed motions to quash (to make it null or invalid) the aforementioned.

-However, when 2 motions were denied and one was sustained, the losing parties elevated the case before the Supreme Court
then filed an instant proceedings for certiorari.

ISSUE: W/N the attorney appointed by the Sec. of Justice to assist the city Fiscal of Manila has the authority to sign information.

RULES INVOLVED: Section 1686 (Additional counsel to assist fiscal) of the revised admin. Code states that:

-“The secretary of Justice may appoint any lawyer, either subordinate from his office or a competent person not in
public service, temporarily assist a fiscal or prosecuting attorney in the discharge of his duties, and with the same power therein
might be exercised by the Atty. General or Solicitor General.”

RULING:

-Yes.

-Thus, power to sign information, make investigations and conduct prosecutions is present in the power "to assist" as stated in
the administrative code.

-Laws must receive sensible interpretation to promote the ends for which they were enacted. The duties of a public office include
all those which truly lie within its scope;

-Those which are essential to the accomplishment of the main purpose for which the office was created to serve and promote
the accomplishment of the principal purposes.

-Certainly a lawyer who is invested with the same authority as might be exercised by the Attorney General or Solicitor General is
presumed to be competent to be entrusted with any of the duties, without exception, devolving on a prosecuting attorney.

-This matter does not inquire the power of the Solicitor General, thus, the power to sign informations, make investigations and
conduct prosecutions is inherent in the power “to assist” the prosecuting attorney as these words are stated in the
Administrative code.

-In the language of this section, the person appointed were:

-To assist the fiscal in the discharge of his duties and to represent the Attorney General in such matters.

-Wherefore, petitions were denied and dismissed without cost.