STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION which the words or phrases are employed indicate their

SESSION 8 Rules 19-24 meaning, the courts may consult dictionaries, legal,
Intrinsic Aids scientific, or general, as aid in determining the meaning
to be assigned to such word or phrases.
Cases to Read - Where the law does not define the words used in a
 Baking vs Director of Prisons, G.R. No. 30364 (July 29, statute and the legislature has not intended technical
1969) or special legal meaning to those words, the Court may
 Traders insurance & Surety Co. vs Golangco, 95 Phil 824 adopt the ordinary meaning of the words defined in the
(1954) dictionaries.
 People vs Purisima, G.R. No.42050 (Nov 20, 1978)
 Nilo vs CA, G.R. No. 34586 (April 12, 1984) End of this Session
 Central Azucarera Don Pedro vs Central Bank, 104 Philo
598 (1958)

Rule 19 Headnotes or Epigraphs

- When a statute is divided into several subjects or
articles, having respective appropriate headings, it must
be presumed that the provisions of each article are
controlling upon the subject thereof and operate as a
general rule for settling such questions as are embraced
therein.
Headnotes or Epigraphs Defined
- They are convenient index to the contents of its
provisions.
- They are prefixed to sections or chapters of a statute
for ready reference or classification.
- They are not entitled to much weight, and inferences
drawn thereon are of little value and they can never
control the plain terms of the enacting clauses, for they
are not part of the law.

Rule 20 Lingual Text

- Unless otherwise provided, where a statute is officially
promulgated in English and Spanish, the English text
shall govern, BUT, in case of ambiguity, omission, or
mistake, the Spanish may be consulted to explain the
English text.
Rule 20.1 Lingual Text
- Where a statute is officially promulgated in Spanish or
English or in Filipino, with translations into other
languages, the language in which it is written prevails
over its translation.
Rule 20.2 Lingual Text
- In the interpretation of a law or administrative issuance
promulgated in all the official languages, the English
text shall control, unless otherwise specially provided.
In case of ambiguity, omission, or other mistake, the
other texts may be consulted. (1987 Phil Constitution
(national language is Filipino))

Rule 21 Intent or Spirit of Law

The intent or spirit of the law is the law itself.
- The spirit, rather than the letter, of a statue determines
its construction; hence the statute must be read
according to its spirit or intent.
- The intent or spirit of a statute is that which is
expressed in the words thereof, which should be
considered within its four corners aided, if necessary,
by its legislative history.

Rule 22 Policy of Law

- A construction which would carry into effect the
evident policy of the law should be adopted in favor of
that interpretation which would defeat it.

Rule 23 Purpose of law/Mischief to be suppressed

- Where a statute lays down a general rule with certain
exceptions thereto, the purpose of the general rule is
not determinative of the proper construction to be
given to the exceptions.

Rule 24 Dictionaries
- Where a statute does not define the words or phrases
used therein, nor does its purpose or the context, in